had appointed those persons to be ready to help him at the same moment that he should have accomplish'd his wicked purpose at a distance the Prince perceived him drawing towards his person he ask'd him what he desired for he wonder'd to see him in this place which was designed only for such as could not have access at other times to his person as Soldiers and the meaner sort of people and not for a man of the quality of Arsembei He could not imagine what might be the cause of this appearance He observ'd him again and saw that his countenance chang'd its colour which caus'd him to fix his eyes upon him and take notice of his motion Arsembei at that instant with his drawn Sword in his hand ran to him but the Prince drew his likewise as speedily and leaping back two or three paces to avoid the stroak with a back blow he cut almost in two the Varlets arm lifted up to aim at him at that moment every one ran to help and succour the Prince The first man struck him down with a blow upon the head the wound was not mortal the Emperour would not suffer him to be kill'd there that he might learn from him his associates but this Villain broke out into Lamentation and complaint at the destiny of his good Master because this last attempt an expression of his affection for â—â—im had been useless The Prince ask'd him wherefore he had spared him in a just War and in the fight to assassinate him now in a treacherous manner after so many protestations of his service and love but he made no other answer but this Let me dy let me dy The great Cady or Lord Cheif Justice seiz'd upon him who together with the Lords of the privy Council examin'd him In the mean while the City and Camp were all in Arms. And the Princes Guards were mounted on Horseback All the Guards were doubled the Haven was secured and the Emperour went home to his Lodgings glad of so narrow an escape without harm from so a great danger But the Captains and Souldiers crowded about the Palace with an earnest desire to behold him with their eyes offering to face the Guards that would not suffer them to enter They ask'd to look upon him with threatning words for they would have thought him dead had they not seen him The Prince had a mind to rest himself but at last he was forc'd to yield to their impatient desires He went out to them assuring them that he was well and in health but the Army was not satisfied he was constrain'd to get on horseback and to ride about the Camp Then the apprehensions that had possessed the Souls of the Officers and Souldiers vanish'd away by the presence of him who they loved as tenderly as their lives and were succeeded by extraordinary motions of joy so that the Sky was filled with their loud acclamations and expressions of gladness The Offender was examined at the rack he confessed all the design and required courageously that he might be brought to his end according to his deposition they went to seek the places where his associates were yet in number about three hundred they were all bound and carried to prison and inquiry was made for all others round about the City Some of the Inhabitants who had been acquainted with the business and had received Letters from the Sultan were not spared But the Prince who was naturally an Enemy to all cruelty seeing that there was likely much blood to be spill'd resolved to depart out of Alexandria with an intent not to return to the City again till all the guilty persons should be discovered and punish'd This great City appeared with a sad countenance In every Corner persons were taken and all suspected inhabitants were led to prison As soon as they were convicted they were executed publickly Arsembei suffered first He was strangled and for a remembrance of his horrid Treason his head was fixt upon a Pole in the Market place and his Body quartered All the Complices were dealt with in the same manner but some of the Citizens that were unsuspected were cast into prison and afterwards sold for slaves and transported into another Country This was the end of this Tragedy which was to begin by the Princes life but the Majesty of his looks and his courageous resistance help'd to save him I have oftentimes saith Alhacent heard him confess that when Arsambei stood before him he imagined that this Villain had some wicked design in his mind and that if he had not been afraid to break his promise that he had given him and injure that Reputation that he held in the World he would have caused him to have been stayed as soon as he saw him appear but he thought it sufficient to look upon him He protested for his part that he feared no assassinations That he had a good Angel at his Elbows meaning his guardian Angel whom he named Meaniel he said that he had orders from God to preserve him from all ambushes He caused his Image to be carried in his colours and pluck'd down all signs of the Cressant the badge of the Ottoman Family and instead thereof he erected an image of his Guardian Angel All this time Axalla was not idle He had marched a great way into Africa with the Army and had subdued all the lower part of Lybia The Emperour went thither and finding it a delicious Country he staid there to refresh his Army and dispers'd them about that they might have more conveniency Onely Axalla was with the Body of an Army So that in expectation of the arrival of Calibes he was busie in setting these conquered Countries in peace The heats at that time were so violent that the Souldiers were much the worse particularly the Parthians who live in a Country inclinable to cold more than to heat When the Prince understood that all was quiet in Alexandria he return'd to the City where at his first arrival several Ambassadors came to him from the Lords and Princes of Lybia and Barbary to submit to him and acknowledge him for their Soveraign Tamerlan requir'd Hostages from all whose Countries where bordering upon Aegypt but he desired from the rest nothing but their Faith and some outward expressions of their good will Thus every one yielded homage to this new Monarch and by their submissions publish'd abroad the largeness of his Dominions After all this the Prince seem'd to have a stronger inclination than ever he had before to return into his own Country Age and Labour incline us naturally to seek for rest He often said that he had heard his Father declare That when a man is five and forty if Fortune hath favour'd him till then he ought if he be wise to rest satisfied with the favours he hath received and endeavour only to preserve what he hath than to get more That unconstant Fortune at that age is apt to change as suddenly as our
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
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 his Ministers that he might not be mis-led and that he intreated him to value and esteem his friendship which should never fail him in time of need It is not to be imagin'd how joyful the Embassadours were to hear this courteous and generous Speech from the Prince's Mouth to refuse a large and rich Empire and the most stately and magnificent City of the World few Princes would have had that extraordinary moderation But it is not to be expected that many Tamerlans should live in these corrupt Ages Axalla had Orders to treat and feast the Embassadours and to shew them all the honour and courtesie possible One of them was sent with all speed to carry news to his Master of their successful Embassie which had proved more prosperous than could have been expected When therefore the Greek Emperour had understood fully the the truth the whole City was transported with joy the Churches were throng'd with Votaries and there was nothing to be seen every where but Bone-Fires feastings and a publick rejoycing of all the People that extoll'd Tamerlan's Name and prais'd him for his wonderful moderation The Greek Emperour called his Council to consult whether it were not convenient for him to go and meet Tamerlan and express to him his thanks Personally for all his favours and labours It was resolved that he should without delay go in Person Tamerlan understanding of this intent seem'd to be very joyful He commanded Axalla to meet the Emperour the first day of his departure to assure him that Tamerlan would look upon it as a very great honour and would be mighty glad to see him in the City of Bursa When the Greekish Emperour was near the Gates the Prince went to meet him and received him in great State and Pomp. They were together one whole day which was spent in expressions of kindness affection and acknowledgment which they exchang'd one with the other The next day the Greekish Emperour departed out of the City and the Prince accompanied him with the same obliging and noble manner as he had received him After his departure Tamerlan discover'd an inclination to see the famous City of Constantinople which was then look'd upon as the Wonder of the World but he desired to go incognito that he might avoid all jealousies and fears Axalla mannag'd this business so secretly that the Prince's departure was not known He was there received by the Emperour Emanuel without Ceremony as a private Person But he endeavoured by all possible means to satisfie Tamerlan's curiosity and to shew him all the Rarities of the City every day he entertain'd him with new delights and satisfactions He was the more pleas'd because he was known to none but to those unto whom he desired to discover himself for he and all his Train were clothed in Greekish Habits Therefore when he was gone the Citizens were surpris'd to hear that Tamerlan had been to see their City The Greek Emperour had shewn him all the pleasant Gardens and beautiful Palaces that stand near the Sea about a league or two round the City They walk'd together as two private Persons Thus they spent five or six days with much satisfaction on both sides Tamerlan did often confess since that he had never seen a more glorious City that it was worthy in regard of its advantageous scituation to command the whole World He look'd with admiration upon the rich and stately Buildings the rare Pillars with all their Ornaments the wonderful Pyramides of such a prodigious height which Constantine the Great had erected in imitation of those of Egypt He admired all the beautiful Gardens so neat and curious and declared that he was never sorry for his Expedition because he had thereby saved from burning and plunder the noblest and most beautiful City of the World He was often heard to praise the Emperour Emanuel for his mildness and humanity When he knew that Tamerlan delighted in beautiful Horses he gave him thirty of such a rare shape strength and excellency that they could not be matched in the World He presented him also with the richest Cloaths of Gold and Silk in the Country and sent great Gifts to all his Lords and Princes of the Army And whilst it continued in that place he provided all things needful for the Souldiers in such plenty that no Person had cause to complain of want At last after fifteen days stay at Bursa and a strict Alliance concluded upon between the two Princes Tamerlan in pursuance of his design resolved to visit the Sultan of Egypt before his departure to his own Country to chastise him because he had assisted Bajazet against him for in all his proceedings he shew'd himself dreadful to the Enemies that had offended him and mild and courteous to his Friends CHAP. VI. Tamerlan's War and Expedition against the Sultan of Aegypt THe Army departed very well satisfied from Bursa which Tamerlan delivered to the Greekish Emperour after that he had driven away the Turks from all strong Holds and recover'd all that they had won since the beginning of Bajazet's reign All his Souldiers were fled either beyond the Mountains or over Sea into Europe There was no place in all Asia that held for him so dreadful had Tamerlan's Army been to the Turks that they forsook all their Possessions in Asia Andronicus Palealogus the Emperours Nephew accompanied the Army with ten thousand chosen Horse which his Unkle had sent with him to serve in the Wars against the Sultan of Aegypt with whose Army Tamerlan had several encounters when they assisted Bajazet Amongst all these successes and prosperities the Prince received the joyful news of the birth of a Son of which the Empress his Wife was happily delivered This caused the whole Army to congratulate their Princes happiness by publick feasting Bone-fires and all other tokens of an universal joy He understood by the same express that all things were in peace in the Empire that the old Emperour his Unkle was in perfect health which pleased him well for he was afraid that he should drop away in his absence and that some great Persons or certain Favourites should cause a disturbance and a division in his absence amongst his Subjects tho the example of the other Rebels who had been sufficiently punish'd for their folly ought to have made them wise and besides when a Prince hath his weapons in his hand and is become dreadful to Strangers he need not much fear any rebellious intrigues and practises at home amongst his own Subjects For commonly men that are the most ambitious follow him in the War but when a Prince is soft and effeminate the Souldiers that are without imployment runs to him who makes the greatest complaints and who commonly vails his ambitious pretences with an appearance of a just grievance In such a case before a disarmed Prince is able to gather together his Troops and make new levies of Men to compose a Body of an Army the Rebellion may
to save his own person and suffer time to perform the rest After this message the Sultan saw that all things turn'd against him he resolved therefore to depart he was in hopes that if the Army continued any long time about Alexandria as they were likely to do that there would some change happen which might alter the face of his affairs and offer him an opportunity to attempt something with this expectation he pacified his troubled mind and with tears in his eyes he left the City repeating often these Words God is angry with our Nation that the time of the ruin of this flourishing Empire was come that every one ought to submit to the orders of Providence That he had done all that could have been expected from him to perform his duty in the defence of his people and answer their great esteem at his Election that he hoped to gather up more Troops and return with a sufficient Army to free them from the slavery of a Forreign Prince These words spoken before a great multitude were rerelated to Axalla first for he went before with the Van. He caus'd the Prince to understand the News and sent him word that not only out of Alexandria men came to submit themselves but also from fifty leagues round about The Prince rejoyced to hear this prosperous march of his Army because he saw a speedy end to all his labours and a possibility of returning to his own Country He was troubled that he had not got the Sultan into his custody this consideration hindred him from treating all such as held for him with that kindness that he expressed to all the World besides When the Princes Army was within one days march of Alexandria Axalla was sent for to meet him and to bring with him some of the chief Citizens to take their Oaths of Allegiance and Fidelity After this he made his entry with all his Army but caused them to go out again and incamp about the Walls only six thousand horse and twenty thousand foot he kept for his guard and sent Axalla with his Van-guard to pursue after the Sultan In the mean while the Emperour continued a long time about Alexandria in expectation of some news from Calibes He had sent Lochistan his great Chamberlain to succeed him a man of great worth who had alwayes commanded a party of ten thousand horse and had alwayes been with him Calibes took from his Army the same number of horse-men to accompany him into Aegypt with his equipage to wait upon the Prince whom he had no need to solicite for Tamerlan knew so well the deservings of every one and that which they were able to perform that in their absence as well as in their presence honours and Governments employments and affaires were conferred upon them without their seeking the Prince was so just in the distribution of his favours Therefore no body did bribe for the Offices of his Army for the employments in his House and State for they proceeded alwayes from his free motion When Axalla was departed out of Alexandria the sad news was brought that the Emperour his Unkle lay very sick He had left with him the Empress his wife the Daughter of this old man whom he knew to be wise and prudent this consorted him not a little He knew that if by chance his Unkle should die she would take care to keep the Kings and Princes his Vassals and all his other Subjects in peace But he could not easily imagine that after so many victories and successes which were nois'd all over the World any would be so foolâ—â—sh and bold as to attempt a rebellion against him the Empress sent him also word that in expectation of his return she would provide all things needful to circumcise the Son whom God had given them and who was able to undergo that painfuâ—â— ceremony All these things settled his mind sâ—â— that he resolved to depart home wards assoon as he had secured the Conquest of Aegypt News came to him also from China that the Chineses had endeavored some stirs but Odmar had severely punish'd them in a bloody battle where the Kings brother had been kill'd this had secured the Emperour on that side Odmar after the rebellion had inlarg'd and prosecuted the conquests of his Master but the Old Emperour had sent him orders to appease all things and to preserve only what he had conquered beyond the River of Flezan When Axalla was departed with the Van-guard he terrified all the Inhabitants of Africa for the people imagin'd that all the Emperours Army followed him so that two and twenty petty Kings of that Country sent to him their Embassadors to submit themselves to his mercy But the Sultan in his flight was forsaken of all men his Soldiers return'd back in Troops to yield to Axalla every day Arsambei also his Lieutenant General sent to have the Emperours safe conduct which was granted to him He came therefore and intreated him that seeing his Master had been driven out of all his dominions he would be so gracious to him as to admit him in his service the Princes humanity received him kindly and granted him all that he could desire so that Arsambei swore to be faithful to him But this perfidious Traitor had another design in his mind He had promis'd the Sultan to assassinate the Emperour That he might succeed the better in this execution of this Villainy he had caused four thousand Mamelucks to be received in the service of Tamerlan in Alexandria They were to assist him in this wicked attempt in Alexandria where he was busily employed in setling his conquered Countries in peace The Execution was intended in a morning when the Prince according to his custome should give publick audience to the complaints that were usually made to him His guards were ten thousand men but then there were not above twelve hundred that waited upon him every day The Traitor Arsembei had made several of the inhabitants of the Town acquainted with their design they were to rise up in Armes at the same moment of time that the Prince should be kill'd which they thought to be more feasable than really it was the four thousand Mamelucks were in the Town to act as soon as they shall have a command Three weeks more pass'd after the murder was appointed and resolved upon before the day appeared for the execution of it it was but the day before that the Prince had given him one of the most beautiful and stoutest Horses of his Stables He had also given order to his people to pay him a great respect this Villain therefore drew near to the Emperours person in his Tent which was open to all that desired to make their addresses to him We must take notice that the City of Alexandria is built in such a manner that all the Houses are flat on the Top so that it is possible to pass over them from one to the other In this place Arsembei