account of the publick affairs and departed to the Court to see Tamerlan But Axalla went to Pekin where he was welcomed by the Governour in that manner that becomed the second person of the Empire Axalla gathered his Souldiers together and with the Army he marched to Parchio upon the borders of both Empires as had been agreed upon before with the King of China but in his way passed by Quanton that strong and populous Town which he had taken in three moneths contrary to the expectation of the whole Army and of the Emperour himself who judged that it would have held out at least six moneths The Report of his coming caused a great multitude of people to meet and welcome him for every one could have desired him instead of Odmar because his way of dealing was so amicable and his vâ—â—rtues so much esteem'd of all the World The Emperour one of the wisest Princes of his time saw plainly that Odmar was not so fit to govern those Provinces that he was too grave and reserved and not flexible but that Axalla was of a contrary disposition that he had the gift to please all sorts of humours and therefore that he would be more grateful to these people But Axalla could not be spared from other places where his presence were more needful for he looked upon him as the only person of his Empire upon whom he could trust the whole concern of his Kingdomes in case any accident or a disease should disenable and take him from the publick management of affairs From Quanton Axalla march'd directly to the appointed rendevouz whither the King of China was going When he had advanced about fifty leagues into the Country lately conquer'd by Odmar he thought he should wrong the Majesty of his Emperour whose person he did then represent by proceeding any farther to meet this Heathenish Prince and that it did more become him to oblige him to come to him there than to advance into the Country which had been restored to this King by the last Treaty and for which he paid Tamerlan a considerable Tribute When the King was arrived with all his Court to a little Town at a league distant from Porchio he went out into a large Field where Axalla met him with more attendants than he had He gave place to Axalla and respected him as much as if he had been the Emperour Three times they met to confer together for the King of China insisted alwayes upon the rendition of a Town which the Emperour had granted him but Odmar refused to yield it because it was a strong place of importance At last he seem'd to be content with another farther in his Country than the former which stood in the midst of the Tartarian dominions Axalla the judge of this controversie put him in possession of the latter because he perceived that the King had no sinister design and that all his aim was but to have a place where he might divert himself and take his pleasure But Odmar an old Jealous pate having been often deceived by this unconstant Prince had a contrary opinion of him for he thought that he desired that place but to plot and contrive new designes to disturb the State He had sufficiently punished him for the last commotion when the Emperour was in Persia for by one battle he won from him five and twenâ—â—y or thirty Towns and above fourscore leagues of good land So that Quinancifu was yeilded up to him according to his desire This Town he seem'd to like better than the other for it is scituate upon a River at the entry of a beautiful Lake which surrounds it and is full of many little Islands where many stately houses were built for the pleasure of the former Kings of China who after preferr'd this abode to their glorious Palaces in their great Cities The last meeting was under a rich Canopy which Axalla caus'd to be erected The King of China came to him with the chief Officers of his Court. After some disputes this agreement was concluded that the King should have liberty to dwell in Quinancy as often and as long as he pleased but should not put in it any Garrison or fortifie it that he should live in it as a private person or a Subject to the Emperour That he might have three hundred men to guard him but that he should have no other mark of Soveraignty but with the consent of the Governour for the Emperour That he should be oblig'd every time that he intended to go to Quinancy to give notice of it to the Governour and that before he set foot upon any of his Imperial Majesties Lands That he should nevertheless enjoy all the Lordship of the City without any molestation from the Emperours Officers This Heathen King accepted these offers in such a manner as discovered plainly that all his engagements promises and oaths would not hinder him from a rebellion nor from an endeavour to sieze upon that pleasant abode if an opportunity were offered to him that he might shut himself up in that City the rest of his dayes for he had an intent to give over the Kingdome to one of his Brothers because he was weary to suffer the Tartarian bondage In this particular he shewed the signs of a noble courage which deserves a better name than that of a barbarian or a heathen usually given to all his people who are nevertheless lovers of Learning and Civility As soon as Prince Axalla had dispatched these weighty affairs he sent news to the Emperour to understand how well he would like his actions and know when he should return In expectation of an answer he visited all the places newly Conquered in China Tamerlans custome was to remove often the Governours of Cities and Provinces and to promote such as had well behaved themselves to better employments or more honourable and more profitable Governments Odmar being very old and sickly and therefore not fit to be upon the borders of an Empire where the Governour ought to be alwayes in action he resolved to keep with him to assist him with his good counsels and the rather because Odmar was not well beloved by the People or the Souldiers He purpos'd therefore to send in his stead the Great Chamberlain a young and brave noble man of a strong and healthy body more likely to please his Souldiers and new Subjects than the other and better able to undergo all the labours and troubles which such an employment at such a distance would require from him for these reasons he would not suffer Odmar to return thither but for Axalla he had orders to come back speedily He was once thinking to send thither the Prince of Vauchefu in Odmars place that he might by that means reward him for all the notable services that he had received from him in so many occasions in his Armies but when he considered that the Parthians are not obedient to strangers and that such a proceeding would
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
Christian before the Prince of Tanais with his Troops could overtake them so weak was the Enemies resistance This Victory enrich'd all the Souldiers of Tamerlan's Army for they found much Gold about them upon their Clothes Arms and Horses one of the King of China's Kinsmen who was stiled King was taken Prisoner with the chief Commanders that were saved from the furious slaughter which was made amongst them The sadness of this overthrow spread every where and soon came to the Ears of the King of China who was then at Quanton It filled all his Court with Sorrow Displeasure and Fear every one wept for his Friend or his Relation but this Prince who had always till then thought himself the happiest of all men was inwardly surpris'd without discovering himself to any of his Court as a man that commanded himself and his passions he gave orders to gather his Souldiers from all Parts and sent for his Priests that kept his holy things commanding them as their Lord in a passionate manner to offer Sacrifices for him to the Gods and chiefly to the Sun the greatest of the Gods whom they think to be immortal impassible the Cause and Author of their Beings that appears to men only for their benefit he sent likewise his orders round about the Neighbouring Provinces of his Empire to call together all that were able to bear Arms appointing them their Rendezvous at Pekin He imagined that Tamerlan would direct his course that way for it was the next City to his Camp and the great Lord of China called the Xianxi fail'd not to be ready with his fifty thousand Men to strengthen such as were to guard the Wall He hasted to oppose Tamerlan in his March into the Country and as his Men were all Horse well acquainted with the By-ways and narrow Passages they were a continual plague to Tamerlan's Army This wise Prince to secure his retreat caus'd the Wall and all the Forts that were there builded to be demolished that the passages might be open for the Garrisons they had all submitted themselves to the Conquerour after the Victory He treated the people of the Mountains so lovingly that he caus'd them almost to forget that they were under a new Lord. He rewarded well the Lord Vauchefu by giving a little County wherein were seven good Towns as Archii Ymulii Falisqâ—â—iem Fulii Cohensin Quialii Pulii and Quiamlu all which were adjoining to this Lords former Territories so that the Inhabitants were so much the more willing to obey him He made him also Governour of the Province next to that of the Xianxi and declared to him by his liberality that he was a Prince of his word his Brother he intended afterwards to gratifie This kind dealing of Tamerlan was very advantageous to him in making way for his succeeding Conquests for he that will subdue Kingdoms and Lands with ease must first conquer the hearts of the Inhabitants The Chineses are great admirers of those vertues that are not practised by them as of Love Affability Kindness and Mercy which Tamerlan's Souldiers were ordered to express to them and which is contrary to that cruel dealing with which they use to treat their Enemies that fall into their hands this Custom they borrow from the Indians their Neighbours When therefore they saw that this Prince handled them in a manner contrary to theirs and that he expressed so much affection for them they began to admire and honour him After the destruction of the Forts Tamerlan took advice which way he should march with his Army He had heard that the King of China had furnished his strong places and that with as many Men as he could gather together he was in his way to meet and fight him This news caus'd him to be not well resolved what course to take first whether he should assault a Town in sight of so powerful an Army or whether he should leave behind him places unconquer'd which might cut off all his Provisions and march directly to fight the King of China's numerous Army In this irresolution he desired to know his Officers minds He called them together and propos'd to them the business which could not be quickly resolved because of the diversity of opinions but at last this advice prevailed above the rest that no Town was to be left behind that they were to make speed and take it before the Battel that the Army might draw from thence Comfort Assistance and Provisions and that in case the Enemy would be so bold as to offer to relieve it that then they would hazard a Battel for this is the ordinary practice of a Conquerour and Assailant to venture a fight with the Enemy as it is the wisdom of the assaulted to decline it and never to yield to it but in necessity for by delays and light skirmishes and without engaging in a whole Body the Conquerour and Assailant is weaken'd and tyred out and by this means Fortune is oftentimes forc'd to declare for him and side with the assaulted The King of China ought in reason to have taken this course if he had been well advised but his ill fortune suffered him not as we shall see by the following Relation This design to march forward being resolved upon in a Council of War the Army went streight to Pekin to lay siege to it This is a great rich and populous Town well walled and adorned with many stately Structures Tamerlan thought that the King of China would rather venture a Battel than lose this City out of his hands He flatter'd himself with the hopes of winning it and the victory at once for the wonderful riches that were in it encouraged the greedy Souldiers to venture their lives boldly chiefly the Tartarians who are unsatiable for Prey and Plunder Odmar was order'd to march forward with fourteen thousand Horse to surround it and hinder the importation of Provisions that they might be useful to their own Army Axalla was appointed to follow him with all the Infantry amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand Men which he commanded as chief Collonel This Office given to him as a reward of his former services caus'd him to be look'd upon both in the Army and in the Court Tamerlan followed next with all his Horse and with his Engines his Artillery and Ammunitions Odmar went the first day twenty Leagues so that when he came to the Walls of Pekin the Citizens expected their King before the Tartarians He took into his custody all the Beasts thereabouts and seated himself in a convenient place to wait for the coming of the whole Army leaving the City between himself and them In the mean while to affright the Enemy and learn news he sent many Parties abroad and about three or four days after the Infantry led by Axalla came to him They sent then their Summons into the Town to command them to yield threatning That the Citizens should otherwise suffer all the Calamities that usually happen in cases
till this work should be finished but rather to try Fortune and endeavour by an assault to win the Walls In prosecution of this design and resolution the Prince sent for Axalla into his own Quarters because it concern'd him most in regard of his Office and because during this siege he had been most active he told him his intentions desiring him to prepare himself and his men for the next morning As soon as Axalla had drawn out his Souldiers he assaulted the Wall which was stoutly defended by the besieged but at last this Captains Valour assisted by twenty thousand of his Men took it by force and fortified himself there He could scarce keep back his Souldiers in their heat and fury from breaking in further according to the commands of Tamerlan which he was perswaded to give for two reasons First because he did not desire that the City should be won by assault for it was rich and full of all good things he was therefore afraid that the Enemies Army should come at that Instant when his Souldiers were busie in plundering the houses which would have caused their utter overthrow for rich Souldiers who have much to lose can never fight well Secondly he stopt his men from taking the City by assault because he intended to make of it a Magazine to furnish his Army and carry on his designs with greater security The loss of the Wall abated not the Courages of the besieged they defended themselves as obstinately and bravely as before in hopes of receiving speedily some succours from their King who was near at hand as they were rightly inform'd But in their greatest expectations the accident of a shot cast from one of the Engines which struck down a piece of Wood and wounded the Governour dangerously caus'd them to lose their Courages This worthy person so affectionate to his Prince and Country died of this Wound a few hours after leaving his Souldiers without heart or resolution for this brave Commander by his example and perswasions obliged them to hold out so long This unexpected accident forc'd them to consent to a Treaty with the Emperour before he should hear any news of their misfortune and of the loss of the numbers of men who had been killed in defending the Wall They expected better and more honourable Articles Tamerlan began to be weary with the long siege eight days were spent since the last assault and he saw no change in the Citizens resolutions and understood not that the King of China made any haste to fight him but when the King heard the Governour of Pekin was kill'd he was afraid of the consequence this made him draw towards the Besiegers with more speed with his Army in Battel Axalla who lodged upon the Wall perceived the Enemy first he went therefore to inform the Prince he rejoyced to hear such good news but his joy was much more increased when he saw the Deputies of the City who came to yield themselves and their City into his hands The Emperour receiv'd them with his wonted kindness promising the Inhabitants his protection if they would continue to him faithful but he threatned them with severe punishments if they offer'd to revolt The Articles were agreed to the Garrison in number about eighteen thousand men went out they were the remainder of thirty thousand in the beginning of the siege which lasted two full Months The Citizens were confirmed in all their priviledges and were mightily taken and enamoured with the sweet and loving disposition of their new Lord. At this same time the King of China who was at hand with all his Army understood that the City was delivered up by the Garrison that he met in his way The Lieutenant Governour he commanded to be executed with many Captains for their Cowardice but he pardonned the Souldiers who were not so guilty He commanded all his Army to stop their march in the very place where he received the news of this Cities surrender thinking more convenient to wait for Tamerlan there in a Ground that lay well for his Forces to draw up The Tartars spent eight days in repairing the breaches and furnishing the Town with all necessaries fit to abide a siege whatever happened The Emperour also mustered his whole Army paid off his Souldiers increased their Wages and rewarded every man according to his deservings he ascribed the honour of this Conquest so considerable to the cares and wise conduct of Axalla therefore he offer'd him the Government over this City and the Country which he had already conquered but he very fairly refused it desiring the Prince to bestow it upon some other Body because he desired no other reward but to bear a share in the labours of his Master whose Glory should be his chief aim and desire This answer pleased the Prince for he had offer'd it to him only because he had well deserved it but he was not willing that he should take it for he was desirous to have him always nigh his person knowing that he was courageous faithful and ingenious and well experienced in the Affairs of War When he refus'd it the Prince of Tanais accepted it with the Title of Vice-Roy Tamerlan having set all things in good order and dispatched some Messengers to the Emperour his Uncle and all his Friends to inform them of his happy successes and satisfied his Souldiers who were ten thousand men less than before he caus'd Prayers solemnly to be offer'd up to the God of Hosts during a whole day After this he march'd to find the Enemy who was with all his Army of his Subjects and Allies at Sintehâ— As soon as the King of China had understood that our Army was passed over the River of Culifu he caus'd it to be proclaimed all over his Camp that every one should be ready to fight for he did not desire to see the Tartarians farther in his Country to eat it up and destroy it But there was no Wisdom in that resolution for it caus'd him to lose his own advantages and run head-long into the mischief that was at hand for had he lengthened the War as he ought the many and strong Towns which were to be besieged one after another would have undermined Tamerlan's Army and render'd it unable to stand against his fresh Troops and for the Tartars they could not in reason advance so far as to leave behind them any one Town which might have cut off their Provisions Reason and Justice obliges Commanders of an Army to deal in this manner otherwise they may soon destroy the most flourishing Army Therefore the Emperour could not but say privately to some about him not in a boasting manner for he never us'd to boast of the greatest advantages that he hath had over his Enemies That the King of China was ill advised to desire a Battel that he would doubtless have cause to repent of this folly at his leisure because his Souldiers were not to be compared to his Men in
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
feet and hands Mony was the strength and the spirits which keeps this body in motion and food as the belly from whence it was entertain'd Therefore he said that when an Army can represent a perfect man in all respects it is invincible because it fights when it pleaseth and may chuse whether it will hazard any thing but upon good terms When an Army miscarries this proceeds from some imperfection in the body which may be lame or wounded or from the starved belly or the diseased head Therefore when he sent the Prince of Tanais against the Sultan he was afraid of the head and of the belly of his Army For the Prince was but young and his men unfurnished with necessary provisions for he was wont a year before hand when he intended to make War to gather up stores of food and fill up his Magazins now this year they had neglected this piece of policy his victory therefore he ascribed to his good fortune which was loath to forsake him rather than to the Wisdome of his young General When the Emperour was near Qâ—â—inzay Axalla went out to meet him at two dayes journey from the City with the greatest Lords of the Country and the chief Citizens whiles the rest were making ready to welcome him in the most magnificent manner that they were able This City is one of the richest in the world and one of the largest very well scituated upon small Islands or Channels cut from one end to the other with stately buildings and a great many bridges for the convenience of the Inhabitants It is a place of so great Trade that there comes to it continually all sorts of Goods Stuffs Precious Stones and chiefly spices Tamerlan at his first arrival was presented with the richest things of the City They were valued above two Millions of Gold to not reckon many other rare things which were given him as tokens of their subjection to him and affection for him He seem'd to be very desirous to see his Son who was then but about seven years old He was brought up with much state and with the care answerable to his Quality When he was first brought to him he took notice that his head was carefully covered but he commanded that they should keep it uncovered because as he said He that is called by his birth to govern Nations ought to use himself to heat and cold and to painful exercise and not to indulge himself in an effeminate life Some told him that the Child was but tender what reply'd the Emperour will you make him a Woman If he be not able to endure the troubles and inconveniencies of War he is not worthy to succeed me for there must be no dainty and soft Prince to keep up the Empire of the Parthians He had sent the Empress to Samarcand to be there brought to bed she was received with all the honours due to her Dignity and the affection that the people could express This was the first time of her visiting of this City A little after the Emperour had news brought him that she was safely delivered of her second Son which he publish'd abroad and seem'd to rejoyce at it appointing Tilts and magnificent Sports to express his gladness for several dayes In this time nothing but feastings and publick divertisements were seen in all parts The Emperour himself took a great delight in such pastimes because it gave him an opportunity to shew the agility of his body and his dexterity to his Court and people for he was judged the more worthy to command them the more he excelled in such like exercises After a months abode in Quinzay and after he had visited the maritine Towns near adjoyning he went to Samarcande travelling softly for in the Road he employed himself in hunting all sorts of beasts and yet in the mean while took a great care to provide for the safety of the Empire for it was his usual saying that Pleasures and Sports were to him as Wings to lift him up and ease him from the Labours which God had put upon him for the preservation of his Subjects in peace The Inhabitants of Quinzay had so sincere a Love for him that when he called them together to oblige them to receive and submit to his new Laws they made no difficulty to yeild to him but embrac'd them with as much respect and devotion as if they had been commanded by God himself for their reverence and affection for his person made them submit Whiles he continued in the City the most part of the people were employed in looking upon him as the chief object of their affections Some of his Courtiers took notice of it particularly Axalla Therefore they told him that this City was worthy of his constant abode Not at all reply'd the Emperour if they did alwayes see me they would quickly despise me for it is a Maxime of State that the Soveraign of this great City must not come to it oftner than once in ten years and then he must act as if he were upon a Theatre in view of all the World he must act a serious and grave person because the Inhabitants are naturally apt to be disgusted with their Prince He ought therefore if he will be esteem'd to seek to give them the best impression that he can Before his leaving of Quinzay he sent with all speed Prince Axalla towards China with a Commission to examine and end some differences between Odmar and the King of that Countrey that he might be able by his Wisdome to compose them and give him a just account at his return As he had a great affection for his faithful servants he long'd to see Odmar with him who had been absent many years He desired him to take the time of Axalla's abode in those parts The Emperour was resolved not to leave Cambalu till after Axalla's return from China This was a very pleasing and an honourable Commission to be sent into those parts where his courage was so well known and fresh in the remembrance of all the Inhabitants by his late noble exploits but he was overjoyed to go thither that he might do service to Odmar his intimate friend Tamerlan had an excellent maxime but contrary to that of most Princes he laboured to keep all his Servants at Unity and recommended to them love to one another and faithfulness in his service The chief cause that obliged the Emperour to send Axalla into China was to put a period to a dispute between that King and Odmar about the restitution of a place which had been promised to the King There seem'd to be some personal differences between them So that Axalla was judged as the most pleasing person to this King to terminate this affair because of his mildness and courteous behaviour When Axalla was upon the borders he met with Prince Odmar waiting for him who received him with great Pomp and State and feasted him three dayes After this he gave him an