Beauty she made but an ill use of the Kings Favours The Dolphin who was not naturally very docible could not endure a haughty and imperious woman who had but little respect for him On the other side the great Authority of Charles of Anjou Brother to the King of Sicily offended him extreamly He took it ill that a Prince for whom he had no kindness should have so great a share in the confidence of his Father So that the Favorite was no less a trouble to him then the Mistress But that which vex'd him most of all was that after the taking of Montereau where he fought so well against the English that in Courtship they applauded him for it before the King he had but a bad reception from his Father instead of the thanks which he expected For the King perceiving that this first Essay had puft up the mind of his son he return'd him under the Discipline of his Goverment and remov'd him also from the Court Whether he were jealous of a valour that made such a noise in the world or whether understanding the bad disposition of the Dolphin he thought this first success of his might transport him too far if he did not take care to curb him The Dolphin dissembl'd his dissatisfaction for some time but a young Prince once provok'd whose passions are violent and who never wants bad counsel is soon aweary of counterfeiting And therefore to revenge himself like the Son of a King he went and put himself at the head of the Rebellious Nobility The Count of Marche to whom the revolt of his disciple was no small dishonour omitted nothing that might reduce him to his duty Besides what he did himself he made use of the management of Aubusson whom the Prince lov'd and who had found a means to preserve his favour without confederating in the revolt Certain it is that the Dolphin was of a jealous ticklish disposition not easie to manage and one of those who are of that head strong obstinate humour that they are seldom to be recover'd when they have once fix'd upon their party But Aubusson knew him very well and understood which way to take him For he had those sweet and insinuating charms which are not incompatible with a fierce and fiery Disposition But above all he had a natural Eloquence that always wrought it's Effect and which perswades so much the more by how much it is the less distrusted So that he had not much to do to make the Prince list'n to reason He so dextrously mannag'd his passions and mollify'd him in such sort by degrees that when the Count of Eu came afterwards to treat with him on the Kings behalf he found him altogether enclin'd to lay down his Armes and beg pardon The King was so satisfy'd with Aubussons address upon this occasion that he employ'd him in other Negotiations of concernment In all which he so behav'd himself that Charles the fifth highly applauded the sharpness of his wit Insomuch that one day speaking of Aubusson he said it was a hard matter to find so much fire and so much prudence both together After the Princes were come to an accommodation the War grew very warm between the French and English and much blood was shed on both sides But the truces that were afterwards made chang'd the whole face of affairs France began to breath a more quiet Aire and the pleasures which afterwards succeded the Toyles of war had perhaps effeminated the hearts of the souldiers if their Marches into Lorrain and Germany had not found them work Rene of Anjou King of Sicily and Duke of Lorrain requested aid of Charles King of France his Brother in Law against some places in the Countrey of Messin that would not acknowledg his Iurisdiction Charles presently appeares before Nancy with a great Army of which one part went briskly to beseige Mets. The City defended it self with great courage and obstinacy Upon which the Dolphin with whom the tediousness of the seige did not agree found a fair occasion to satisfie his boyling and ambitious Humour The Emperor Frederick the third dissatisfi'd with the Swisses who pretended to have nothing to do with the House of Astria and who under that pretence affected a kind of Independencie not much differing from a Revolt invited France by the mediation of Sigismund Duke of Austria to come and defend the Rights of the Empire There needed no more encouragement for the Dolphin who had espoused the Sister of the Dutchess of Austria to enter Alsacia with an Army Aubusson was one of the young Lords that attended him and one who had the greatest share in the defeat of the Swisses near Basle But the Duke having reduc'd some places and cast a terror upon others march'd back again sooner then was expected Either because the Emperour unwilling to draw upon himself ill will for being the occasion of the war in some measure disown'd it or because the German Lord who had conducted the French Army into Switzerland and was to have been their guide through all the narrow and difficult streights of the Mountains being slain there was no safety in proceeding farther In the mean time the Affair of Mets being brought to an accommodation advantageous for the Beseigers and honourable for the Beseiged the Embassadors of the German Princes whom the Dolphins march had alarm'd came to demand a confirmation of the ancient Alliances between France and Germany Their demands were granted them and as there is a time when the Spirit of Peace is predominant the truce was prolong'd for five years between France and England The Court in such a quiet calm began to think of nothing but divertisement and the Marriage of Margaret Daughter of the King of Sicilie with Henry King of England occasion'd such extraordinary rejoycings that they had almost forgot their last troubles Never was a more beautiful Court nor a more numerous then that of Nancy For not to speak of the several Princes and Princesses that were of lesser dignity there were two Kings and three Queens beside The Earl of Suffolk who was sent to fetch the new Queen of England had with him the flower of the English Nobility Several daies were also spent in magnificent Turnaments where the King of France and the King of Sicily ran together But Aubusson soon grew weary of that which employ'd others so much to their delight Besides that he naturally lov'd war he had Principles of Piety which did not correspond with a lazie and voluptuous life On the other side the victories of John Hunniades and George Castriote which they had obtain'd against Amurat inspir'd him with a new zeal for Religion and the Cruelties which the Turks exercis'd against the Christians at the Battel of Varna awakn'd in him the hatred which he had conceiv'd against the Enemies of Jesus Christ He could not but with great grief of mind understand the report which ran at that time that Vladislaus King
Court of the Grand Caraman The Embassadors gave him an accompt of the favourable Inclinations of the Grand Master and the Knight told him that Don Alvare a kinsman of the Kings of Castile Captain General of the Armies of the Order and the Grand Masters Lieutenant was come on purpose to conduct him safely to Rhodes The Prince who found something that was very acceptable in so strange an Adventure and who perhaps out of pride would not at first confess his flight and his fear to an unknown person smartly reply'd that not questioning the generosity of the Grand Master he thought it convenient rather to come and expect him upon the Coast then to put him to the trouble of searching after him After which the Knight returning to the Brigantine and coming up with the Vessels at Sea Don Alvarez made to the Prince himself to salute him in his own Galley He presented him the Grand Masters safe conduct and Letter and then carry'd him into the great Ship with a loud noise of Trumpets and the Thunder of the Canon The Prior of Castile was one of those Spaniards who being rarely bred perfectly understood the world being no less polite then dextrous in his behaviour and therefore he faild not to pay Zizim all those respects and offices which were due to an unfortunate and afflicted Prince For though ill fortune had not abated the courage of the young Sultan it had however somewhat encreas'd his natural melancholy The Procedure of Don Alvare affected Zizim in such a manner that he testified at first how sensible he was of his kind offices and gentle services Generous Knight said he in loosing a Throne I have not lost those thoughts which Nature bequeaths to the most barbarous And if fortune do not altogether destine me to misery you shall find that I was not born ungrateful But I see your generosity is altogether pure and that in treating an Vnfortunate so worthily you only seek the honour of doing good Yet I cannot wonder enough added he that so much civility should be shewn to the Son of the most implacable enemy Your Order ever had and I must confess that therein I admire your ingenuity Great Prince Repli'd the Knight Reason commands that we should give honour to persons of high birth and real merit whatever their condition be and they are but mean souls that rather follow the Fortunes then the persons of Kings You are forc'd to fly ill intreated by your subjects and depriv'd of your Dominious but you are still a King you are still Sultan Zizim We receive you as a Prince whose virtue and misfortune render him worthy the esteem of Christians and not as an enemy Nor are you to wonder that the Grand Master entertains in this manner the Son of an Emperour who mortally hated us Mahomet your Father did all he could to ruine us we have done all we could to withstand his triumphant Arms and by the mercy of God we obtain'd a signal Victory against him the remembrance of which After-Ages will preserve The Knights of Rhodes know how to vanquish those that assail them but they know how to relieve with humanity those that cast themselves into their Protection nor are there any Injuries which they do not forget when their enemies are no longer able to do them harm The Answer of Don Alvares convinc'd Zizim of the generosity of the Knights and entirely gain'd his confidence The Grand Master had commanded that he should be treated like the Son of an Emperour and a King To which purpose the Officers that first serv'd him at his Table made an Essay of the meat according to the custom of the Courts of Europe Zizim seem'd to be surpriz'd because that Ceremony is not in fashion among the Turks but it was told him it was the usual practice at the Tables of the European Princes and that it was an Assurance against poison Oh! said he I am not afraid of being poisoned by such generous Knights as you I have put my life and fortune into your hands and I hold my self secure Besides I had rather you should treat me as a friend then a Prince Concluding those words he took something out of every dish of which no Essay had been made and putting all the meat into one plate he began to eat to let the Knights know how much he confided in them After that he began to be more gay and pleasant while the good entertainment that he receiv'd had almost made him forget his past misfortunes Nevertheless when the Ships were under sail and that the Coasts of Lycia began to disappear he then began to be apprehensive that nothing could be more worthy of composition then a fugitive and wandring King driven to seek an Asylum in the territories of strangers and of enemies So that the sad thoughts which seiz'd him all of a sudden caus'd him to be profoundly sad for some hours so that all his courage was but little enough to bring him to his former humour For the mean while the Ship kept on their course and they had so fortunate a passage that they came in a small time within view of Rhodes Don Alvarez speeded before in a Brigantine to give the Grand Master notice of the Prince's arrival All things were already order'd for his Entry and among the rest of the preparations there was a bridge of wood which reach'd from the gate of the Port above ten paces into the Sea to the very place where the Ship that carri'd Zizim was to lye The most ancient Commanders which the Grand Master sent before to meet the Prince receiv'd him with all the respect which was due to the Son of their Emperour Mahomet So that while the Artillery play'd from all parts he pass'd over the Bridge which was cover'd with cloth of Gold in the midst of the Acclamations of the people whom curiosity had drawn to the shoar From whence after he had mounted a Spanish Courser richly harnessed he rode forward to the Great Piazza with the sound of fifes and Trumpets conducted by Don Alvarez who did him the Office of a Squire The Streets were all strew'd with herbs flowers and an infinite number of people fill'd the plat-forms and windows Zizim entring into the City was smitten with the beauty which appear'd there very rich in habit as well to see as to be seen and with a loud voice he spoke it that it was not for nothing that the Rhodian women were accounted the fairest of all Asia At the same time that the Ship which carry'd Zizim entred the Port the Grand Master march'd out of the Castle with a pompous train and in very good order He was attended by a troop of young Knights very richly habited and mounted upon horses of high price The Officers of the Order follow'd them every one wearing about their necks a Chain of Gold going two and two with countenances wherein there was both haughtiness and modesty mixed together
prepar'd himself to assist the Enterprise of the French and who was in hopes to raise his own Fortune by following theirs felt himself struck by the way with an unknown distemper that carri'd him off in a few days His death surpriz'd all men and there was great enquiry made into the cause They that were of the Popes's party reported that he gave himself too much over to his Pleasures the first days of his liberty and that he kill'd himself with excess of Debauchery Others say that the Venetians corrupted with money by the Turks and alarm'd at the French Expedition had secretly given him poison But most accuse the Pope to have deliver'd him poison'd to Charles the 8th to the end that France should get no advantage by him and the report ran that Alexander receiv'd a good sum of money to perform that wicked act Thus ended the life of Zizim an unfortunate Prince and yet more illustrious by his Misfortunes then by his Birth Some think he dy'd a Christian and that he was Baptiz'd at Rome before the death of Innocent the 8th But those Authors who have spoken most of this Prince say nothing of his Conversion which makes me believe that to aggravate his misfortunes he dy'd a Mahumetan THE HISTORY OF Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES Book Sixth THe Grand Master who took very heavily the news of Zizim's Captivity could not receive the news of his death without indignation and horrour and he found himself laden with all the grief that a man could have for the death of a person so extremely dear to him But when the Interest of Christianity intermix'd with that tenderness all his Fortitude was little enough to support him from being wholly deprest by an accident so Tragical He ador'd the profound wisdom of God that would not suffer the Christians to reap any advantage from the person of the Ottoman Prince and permitted them who had most interest to preserve him to be his destroyers But he admired as well the conduct of Providence that would not give the Infidel liberty to gain any benefit by his death but to unhinge all their designs gave Victory to the Triumphant Arms of France in Italy Ferdinand King of Naples being dead of an Apoplexy after Matthias Corvin King of Hungary and Pope Innocent the Eighth who both died of the same disease Alfonso a wicked Prince hated by the Nobility and People succeeded his Father but terrifi'd by the rapid march of the French and fearing besides the dire effects of publick Rage he left his Crown to his Son Ferdinand and retir'd into Sicily The new King also follow'd the example of Alfonso and after he had awhile disputed with the French the Avenues of the Kingdom abandon'd it quite so that the King of France made himself Master of the Capital Cities without striking one stroke All Turky trembled at the progress of the French Army and the terrour was so great at Constantinople that the Priests of the Mahumetan Religion publickly cri'd out That the Turkish Empire was lost without redemption Now before the Forces appointed for the Expedition of Italy set out of France Charles the 8th had sent to Rhodes the Grand Prior Blanchefort to desire the Grand Master to meet him at Rome He also dispatch'd away to him the Commander of Anger 's with very urgent Letters so soon as he had cross'd the Mountains More then this as he earnestly desir'd this Enterview though whether to be truly instructed as to the design he had upon the Levant or to dazle the World that it should not be known which way he bended is uncertain he desir'd the Pope to write to the Grand Master and wrote to him also with his own hand And indeed his Letter was the most civil and engaging in the world For after that he had declar'd that he could not live without his counsel nor enterprize any thing upon the Levant but under his Conduct he conjur'd him to hasten his Voyage for the reasons which he had declar'd to the Grand Prior Blanchefort his Nephew to whom he had open'd his mind as to a Knight of great prudence and of absolute experience This Letter coming to Rhodes before the Grand Prior whom stress of weather had beaten off from the Island the Grand Master who believ'd such flattering expressions could not be sincere and who saw but small foundations for a design that France made such a stir about return'd for answer to the King That he could not but highly applaud his Majesty's Zeal That it was too much honour for him to fight under his Banners or to contribute any thing to the Glory of his Atchievments But in regard the Grand Prior Blanchefort had order to declare to him the whole secrets of the Affair he daily expected to obey his Majesty's Orders The King out of his impatience to see the Grand Master in Italy wrote him a second Letter so soon as he was enter'd Naples He also desir'd Cardinal Briconnet and Cardinal de Garce who accompani'd him and to whom the Pope had given Caps at his instance to write both of them to the same effect The first only exhorted him in general terms not to deny that which was requested of him with so much ardenoy The second who had more zeal went more home to the business and after he had given him an account of all that had pass'd in the Kingdom of Naples desir'd him that he would condescend to be a Tutor to a young Conquerour who was wholly intent upon the delivery of Greece and whose hopes depended upon the Counsels of a Captain so experienc'd and so formidable to the Enemies of the Faith He added That in that little time that so glorious an Enterprise was delay'd the opportunity was in danger to be lost That it was to be fear'd lest the debaucheries that usually attend upon great Conquests might corrupt the Courages of the French Soldiers That the sins of Victors might draw upon them the malediction of Heaven That the Enemies of France sow'd jealousies in the minds of the Princes of Italy to engage them to cross the designs of Charles and that all preparations were making to form a League against him That several under the pretence of the good of his Kingdom advis'd him to return into France before he enter'd upon the Holy War The Cardinal at last concluded That the sole presence of the Grand Master was enough to stay the King and to ascertain the Expedition into the Levant But the Letters of the Cardinals did not work that effect which they expected The Grand Master was confirm'd by their own reasons that the Expedition which they projected against the Turks was not an Enterprise that had any solid ground he was a little distrustful of the inconstancy of the French and the Youth of the Conqueror Besides he understood that the League against France was almost come to a period and that the Pope the the Venetians the Emperor and
which would be in two days at farthest with his good leave The Letter from Pesaro was larger and more rational the effect whereof was That whereas Ravestein had undertaken the Siege without advising with the Venetians he had also rais'd it of his own head That it was no wonder that an Enterprise so ill manag'd should have no better success That the French preparing for home there was no likelihood that the Venetians should stay at Meteline That they were making to Scio and that if it were his pleasure they should joyn with the Knights they were ready to do what he should think best for the good of Christendom Pesaro added that there was no heed to be given to the Popes Promise for that his Fifteen Gallies were onely in Idea That the Spanish Fleet was about Taranto and that the Portugal Fleet having gain'd Corfu was return'd home notwithstanding all the intreaties of the Venetians pretending they could not stay long out in bad weather in those Seas The Grand Master was more perplex'd at the ill success of the Enterprize of Meteline then surpriz'd at it But believing that the return of the French Fleet would do more harm to the Affairs of the League then the raising of the Siege he dispatch'd away a Foist to Naxi by which the French were to pass desiring Ravestein not to return till they had discours'd together He sent another to Scio to desire the Venetians to meet him at Naxi and to let them know that he had made great Preparations for their assistance that he had left Rhodes in a bad Season and almost contrary to the advice of his Council That the misfortune of Meteline was not past recovery and that they might return to the Siege with more success provided the French had not lost their courage He desired Pesaro to stay Ravenstein at what rate soever if they were yet together or earnestly to write to him if they were parted The Rhodian Fleet set sail from Lango presently after the Foists and in spight of contrary Winds arriv'd at length before Naxi But Ravensteins impatience to quit the Levant would not permit him to stay for the Knights He set sail precisely two days after he had wrote to the Grand Master according to the purport of his Letter the Prayers of the Venetians the Honour of France nor his own being able to stop him The Grand Master had not been so well appeas'd at the departure of the French had he not met the Venetians in sight of the Island After mutual Salutes of both Fleets Pesaro came aboard the Grand Master where after some deliberation upon the present state of Affairs they concluded together to write to all the Princes of the Croisade to engage them to let their Fleets be ready against the Spring They also agreed that the true way to ruine the Turk was not to make any attempts upon the Islands of the Archipelago the loss of which would do him but little harm but to force the Dardanels and besiege Gallipoli with a potent Army then to make up directly to Constantinople and fire the Fleet that usually rode in the Sea of Marmora which the Grand Master would undertake to do provided that Ladislaus perform'd his part upon Hungary side This being the condition of Affairs at that time the Grand Master took his leave of Pesaro and set sail for Rhodes three of the Venetian Galleys attending him out of respect The Rhodians who did not expect his Return so soon were pleasingly surpriz'd at it yet easily brookt the misfortune that restor'd them their Grand Master No sooner was he arriv'd but he had intelligence that several Turky Merchants Ships very richly laden were in the Seas of Syria and Egypt homeward bound The Council was of opinion that such a Booty was not to be let slip but that they should take this opportunity absolutely to break with the Port. Thereupon the Grand Master commanded out seven Gallies and some Boats to way-lay them The Knight Diomede de Villaragut Castellan of Emposta was nam'd Admiral of the Squadron He put to Sea and took the Ships so that the Prize almost recompenc'd the Expences which the Knights had been at But for all this small success the Master was not a little troubled at the slowness of the Princes He was sensibly afflicted to see the League half-broken and therefore to renew it again he sent Ambassadors to all the Christian Courts Who were no sooner departed but Ambassadors arriv'd from Ladislaus King of Hungary who after they had congratulated the Grand Master as General of the League assur'd him that the Hungarian Army was in readiness and therefore desir'd him to engage the Grand Caraman the Soldan of Egypt but above all the King of Persia to take up Arms against the Turk The Resolutions of Ladislaus extremely rejoyc'd the Grand Master but the Revolutions then hapning in Persia somewhat qualifi'd his joy Jacup the Son of Vssum Cassan succeeding his Father in the Kingdom of Persia was affraid lest Arduel his Cousin should one day usurp the Crown and his fear was upon good grounds Arduel publickly gave out that Ali was the true Interpreter of the Law and thereby he almost overthrew Mahumetism The People who are always dispos'd to receive Novelties and are easily govern'd by them that know how to tickle their fancies with Religion declar'd themselves for the Doctrine of Arduel Thereupon Jacup thought the favour of the People to be a sufficient crime for which to put him to death and rid himself of him without any noise And a little while after he gave the same order for Ishmael the Son of Arduel That order of the King of Persia was not so secret but Ishmael had notice of it Upon which he fled towards the Caspian Sea to a Prince that was one of his Friends and there immediately made a publick Profession of what his Father had taught him His comely Presence and his Eloquence soon begat him a high esteem among those Barbarous Nations even to be regarded as a kind of Deity for which reason they gave him the name of Sophi or Wise He dextrously kept up so fair a Reputation and believing it lawful for him to do any thing to obtain a Crown he got the King of Persia to be put to death by the very means of the Queen her self who hated her Husband and lov'd Ishmael After the death of Jacup Ishmael return'd into Persia with a great number of his followers who lookt upon him as a Prophet sent by God The most part of the Persians took his part so that having got together a good Army he march'd against Alvant who had tak'n possession of the Throne as being the eldest Son of Jacup The new King was driv'n first from his City then defeated in a great Battel and slain by Ishmael's own hand This fatal news quite dampt the courage of Alvant's Brother whose name was Maracatam and lay at Babylon with a numerous Army
Christendom Nevertheless the Christian Princes whose Dominions were neighbouring upon the Turk did not yet think themselves safe fearing that Bajazet would not long keep his word For that reason Matthias King of Hungary Ferdinand King of Castile Arragon and Sicily made it all their most earnest suit to the Grand Master to have Zizim in their power He would by no means grant them their request but he promis'd them that so long as he had the Sultan at his disposition he would keep the Grand Signior from enterprizing any thing upon their Dominions Bajazet lookt upon this Refusal for a signal piece of service and thought himself so oblig'd to the Grand Master that he resolv'd to make him a considerable present as a mark of his Gratitude But not finding any thing of value enough to his mind amidst all the wealth of his Empire he understood by some of his Renegado Confidents that he could not make a more pleasing or acceptable present to the Grand Master then the hand of St. John Baptist which was then in his Father Mahomet's Treasury The Grand Signior overjoy'd at such a discovery caus'd the hand to be immediately sent for together with the shrine wherein it was kept and causing it to be put into a Cypress box lin'd within with Crimson Velvet and set without with an infinite number of precious stones he sent it by one of his favourites call'd Cariaty Bey with a Civil Letter the Inscription whereof was thus Bajazet King of Asia and Emperor of the Turks to the thrice wise and thrice illustrious Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of Rhodes thrice generous Prince and Father of a most glorious Empire This hand was said to be the right hand of John the Baptist which was learnt out upon this occasion if the Vice-Chancellour Caoursin may be believ'd It was an ancient Tradition confirm'd by the Histories of the Greeks that St. Luke the Evangelist having embrac'd the Christian Faith the love which he had conceiv'd for St. John Baptist inspir'd him secretly to take up his body bury'd in the City of Sebastia between Eli and Abdias To this purpose he went thither with some of St. John's Disciples who were then living but considering that they should hardly be able to carry the body away without being known and stopp'd he cut off the hand that baptiz'd Christ as the most noble part of the whole body and carry'd it to Antioch where he kept it all the while he stay'd there But going to preach in Bithinia he left the Relick with some of his most trusty friends still at Antiochia where it was publickly ador'd for the space of three hundred years till Julian the Apostate attempted to abolish the worship and memory of Martyrs burning what remain'd of them Particularly he caus'd this hand to be thrown into the fire but the piety of particular persons sav'd it from the fury of the Pagans at that time In the time of Justinian the Emperor to honour the Consecration of Santa Sophia the head of St. John was by the Emperour's command fetch'd from Edessa and the hand from Antioch though he return'd them again after the Consecration was over But in the time of Constantine Porphyrogenites an Emperour that was mighty devout and had a huge fancy for this Relick one Job a Deacon of Antioch stole this hand to present to the Emperour who put it in the Church of St. John of the Stone where it remain'd till the time of Mahomet the second who remanded it into the Imperial Treasure with other Relicks and rich shrines out of which Bajazet took it to present to the Grand Master who laid it up with great ceremony at Rhodes These Marks of affection which the Ottoman Emperour shew'd to the Grand Master open'd the eyes of the Soldan of Egypt That Barbarian had violated the Peace without any pretence as we have said and his perfidiousness carry'd him so far as to stop the Rhodians who traffick'd under the publick faith at Alexandria and in other places of his Dominions But now he began to alter his behaviour when he saw the good correspondence which was between the Port and the Order of St. John The fear he had lest the Knights should take a fresh revenge made him before hand in appeasing them To that end he sent an Embassadour to Rhodes with rich presents and a very civil Letter wherein he blam'd his past proceedings and accus'd the folly he had committed Duan Aga for that was the Embassadour's name did the best he could to enhance the value of his Master's presents and excuses He promis'd solemnly an inviolable fidelity and offer'd all sorts of Pledges for performance Whatever resentment the Grand Master had of the Injuries of Cairbei he said nothing then for though he made little accompt of his promises and judg'd of the future by what was past he thought it not amiss to make his advantage of the present and that which made him determine it the rather was because he had intelligence that Bajazet notwithstanding all his publick and specious demonstrations of Amity had an inveterate enmity against the Order not only because it protected his Brother Zizim but also because he had oblig'd him to quit his design upon Italy So that the little reliance which the Grand Master had upon the Turkish Faith made him renew a peace with one that was openly perjur'd Now because the advice which they daily receiv'd at Rhodes of the ill intentions of Bajazet were every day confirm'd the Grand Master thought it necessary to precaution himself against whatever might happen He sent Barks into Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples for Corn he also made use of the seeming friendship of the Grand Signior to fetch all sorts of grain out of the most fertile Countries of Turky before the Ottoman Court had laid aside its Vizor and had openly brok'n with the Order he gave command at the same time to lade the great Ship of the Treasury then upon the Coasts of Provence with ammunition and souldiers and that a great Vessel of Ragusa then in the Port of Rhodes should sail to Samos for wood proper to build the Ships and Engines of War As for the fortifications besides that he made all the ditches wider and larger he rais'd new works toward the Sea and among the rest a Ravelin that extended from the Tower of Naylac to the Bulwark of France But while the Knights prepar'd for War in the midst of a profound Peace Sixtus the fourth dy'd in the heat of the troubles of Rome which the Colonna's and Vrsini had divided into two Factions The Cardinal of Santa Cecilia a Genoese and of the house of Cybo but originally of Rhodes as being the place where his Father was born succeeded Sixtus in the Government of the Church by the name of Innocent the Eighth He was no sooner elected but he wrote to the Grand Master in such terms as shew'd a particular esteem for his person Among other things
of Poland and Cardinal Cesarini the Popes Legate had been flead alive by those Barbarians But it was joyful news to him that the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem had obtain'd several advantages against the Saracens and that the Soldan of Aegypt had a little before rais'd his seige from before Rhodes In the midst of these thoughts he took a resolution to fight against the Infidels and to the end he might be indispensably engag'd thereto he fram'd a design at the same time to embrace the military order of St. John of Jerusalem Heaven that inspir'd him with these high thoughts gave him the power to execute them with speed He departed for Rhodes not all the Charms of the Court being able to detain him The multitude of French Gentlemen that daily throng'd to Rhodes to be made Knights had oblig'd the Grand-master to make an Order that none would be receiv'd until the Treasury exhausted by the late Wars were somewhat replenish'd Nevertheless Aubusson was admitted whether it were that they saw in his person somewhat extraordinary that spake in his behalf or that it were a peculiar favour in respect to Lewis D'Aubusson his Uncle one of the most famous Knights of Rhodes and known in History by the name of the Commander of Charroux Or whether it were that the Grand-master were inspir'd to exceed his own Rules in favour of a Person who was afterwards to be the support of the Order Our new Knight had no great difficulty to undergo the usual Examinations though at that time they were much more strict than afterwards For all things that render a Family Illustrious were to be found with advantage in his For as to the antiquity of it the original of the House of Aubusson is unknown and uncertain as of most Families in the world But that which may be certainly averr'd is this that in the time of Charlemaine the Ancestors of Pierre D'Aubusson were very famous in France For the Kings of the second race having settl'd Counts to govern every Province and these Lords alwayes choosing the greatest Lords of their Province for their Lieutenants Jeffrey first Count of Marche chose his Lieutenant out of the House of Aubusson about the year 860. This Lieutenant to the Lord whose name we know not was call'd Vicount D'Aubusson from the name of the principal Place which he possess'd Turpin who was elected Bishop of Limoges in the year 898 and whom Aymar of Chabanois extolls no less for the splendor of his Birth then for the holiness of his Life was the Son of the first Vicount of Aubusson and Brother of Reginald the first who was Vicount under his Father under Sulpicius the second Earl of Marche Son of Jefferey The dignity of Vicount remain'd above four hundred years in that Family of Aubusson successively from Father to Son till that Raymund the first having no Children sold it to Hugues Earl of March to the prejudice of his Brother Ranulphus D'Aubusson who continu'd the Posterity Piety and Liberality which in those times highly distinguish'd the great Lords from those of mean extraction were hereditary vertues in this Family For not to speak any thing of Bishop Turpin so magnificent in all that concern'd the worship of the Altar the Vicounts D'Aubusson were alwaies very Religious and gave considerable Donations to several Churches and Abbeys These Lords and their Descendants signaliz'd themselves upon several Occasions where the interest of France was concern'd Witness Guy D'Aubusson who performed so many noble Acts in the War with the English under Charles the fifth who having receiv'd many wounds in the defence of his Castle of Monteil was tak'n Prisoner with his Wife and Children by the Enemy Witness also John D'Aubusson Lord of Borne Anthony D'Aubusson Lord of Villeneare and Anthony D'Aubusson Lord of Monteil who made their fidelity and their zeal for the service of Charles the seventh appear whose Chamberlaines they were at such a time when all the Kings Officers were Peers of high quality Lastly that which infinitely advances the House of Aubusson and perhaps distinguishes it from all others is this that being so ancient it was never mix'd but has still in the same County preserv'd the same Estate so that Francis D'Aubusson Duke and Peer Marshal of France and Collonel of the French Guards possesses at this day the Signiory of Fueillade which has been time out of mind in the possession of the Vicounts D'Aubusson his Ancestors But to return to our History Aubusson was no sooner arriv'd at Rhodes but he understood that there was a peace going to be made with Amurat and that it was almost concluded by the Soldan of Egypt In regard he had an extream passion to fight with the enemies of Christ this news was not overwelcome to him only he was in hopes that it would soon be brok'n In the mean time he set himself to study the duty of a true Knight Presently he understood that the Knights of Rhodes were to joyn together in Valour and Piety that a cowardly Knight or a Libertine was something monstrous that for them to live according to the intent of their Calling there was a necessity for them exactly to follow the maxims of the Gospel and that they were not to draw their Swords but in the defence of the Church or for the relief of the Faithful that for that reason they wore their Cross upon their Habit and that their Impresse was For the Faith He oft'n revolv'd in his mind the vertues and the exploits of those ancient Knights that first made themselves Masters of Rhodes and afterwards so couragiously withstood Ottoman the first King of the Turks But notwithstanding the peace because it did not hinder the roving of Turkish Pyrates he several times put forth to Sea and so well acquitted himself upon all occasions that presented that he obtain'd the commandery of Salins in the first years of his service John de Lustic who at that time govern'd the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and who was the first to whom the publick vogue gave the title of Grand-master soon conceiv'd a high Opinion of Monsieur D'Aubusson as well as James de Milli who was Grand Prior of Auvergne and who succeeded John de Lustic in the charge of Grand-master The affairs of Rhodes were calm enough when the death of Amurath or rather the ambition of Mahomet his successor rais'd strange troubles over all Christendom Mahomet the second is so often mention'd in the story that I am to write that it will not be amiss to describe him before I go any farther He was one of those extraordinary personages who are not only endow'd with great Vertues and great Vices but one also freight with qualities altogether opposite Never was there a Prince more wise or more led away more valiant nor more effeminate more a Master nor more a Slave to his passions then he Though he had a Countenance somewhat wild and something of terrible in his eyes
after an extraordinary manner either because the Court had a great esteem for him or because they had a design to keep him in delay He saw through the gentleness and caresses which he receiv'd which way the Court stood affected toward the Holy-war The King would not undertake it by any means whether he thought his Kingdom too much exhausted to defray the expence of a war that might prove of a long continuance or whether he minded nothing but his Repose after his past toiles or that the Charms of the fair Agnes had cool'd his zeal which he formerly had for the interest of the Church or whether it were that he would not submit to the inclinations of his Son who was retir'd male-content to Philip Duke of Burgundie the most zealous of all the Christian Princes and one that had declar'd himself so much an enemy of the Turk that he solemnly swore to make war upon them The Cardinal Legate who was a Frenchman and very understanding ing in affairs appli'd himself wholly to effect this Negotiation After many Conferences in vain with the publick Ministers he treated at last in particular with the King not being able to obtain any thing Calistus being advertis'd of the Kings disposition writ to him very sharp Letters threatning him at length with the Thunderbolts of Rome and the Malediction of Heaven if he refus'd the holy League Those Letters wrought no effect if they did not make it worse The King was incens'd at the Popes threats and not perswaded by his reasons In such a ticklish conjuncture there appear'd no probability of hopes for the Commander D'Aubusson However he ceas'd not to act and in regard that besides the character of an Embassador he had other good qualities which made him esteem'd by the King and his Ministers he was heard more favourably then the Legate He represented at first that Christendom was never in more eminent danger and that there was nothing which we had not to fear if the Progress of the Infidels were not quickly stopp'd that Mahomet since the taking of Constantinople aim'd at nothing but Rome that he was fall'n into Hungaria to enter into Germany with a purpose to make his way that way into Italy That it was one of his maxims that as there is but one God in Heaven so there could not be but one Monarch upon Earth That he had been constrain'd to raise his siege before Belgrade because he had not taken the right course and for that he had been wounded himself but that his misfortune had no way disincourag'd him that he was one of those great men that make the best advantage of their errors and misfortunes or rather that he was like the fiercer sort of Beasts who when they have receiv'd a wound and feel their blood begin to flow are never more furious till then That since his ill success in Hungary he had drawn to his side the Soldan of Egypt the Caraman and the Tartar and that he would return with fresh forces to the siege of the Belgrade and that his Generals who had tak'n almost all the Isles in the Archipelago would soon powre their fury upon Rhodes In short that those two Ramparts of Christendom being forc'd not any of the Dominions of the Christian Princes could be safe either by Sea or Land Aubusson afterwards represented to the King that being the eldest Son the Church he could not forsake their interest without dishonour to himself That as for the transportment of the Pope it was but a transportment of zeal and that his good intentions deserv'd the pardon of a few sharp expressions He added at length that because there were in Rhodes more Knights of the French then of any other Nations in the world the Monarch of France could not in justice dispence with succouring the Island at a time when it lay only in his power to do it That Alphonsus King of Aragon so wise and so brave before he came into Italy was not only effeminated by the delights of Naples but embroyl'd with Pope Calixtus who though a native of Arragon had refus'd to give him the investiture of the Kingdom of Sicily and to assure the succession to Ferdinand his natural son That Henry King of Castile as poor spirited and more vitious then his Father had business at home and abroad and that his Rebellious subjects found him as much work as the Moors of Granada his Neighbours and Enemies Thas Henry of England was not Master at home and that the Duke of York who had usurp'd the Government minded nothing but to sustain himself against his Rivals That the Emperor Frederick liv'd an idle life minding neither his own honor nor the safety of Christendom That besides the war grew hot between the Empire and Hungary and that Ladislaus at the same time was to make head against the Emperor and the Turk That civil dissentions turmoyl'd all Italy and that the Kingdoms of Sweedland Danemark were full of troubles Christiern had been set up in the place of Charles whose irregularities and crimes had render'd him unworthy of the Crown That Alphonso King of Portugal quiet enough at home wanted not a good will but that all he could do was but very little if a Prince more potent then himself did not assist him That thus France being the only Kingdom in Europe that enjoy'd a true peace it was only from France that they could expect relief sufficient to ruine the designes of the Port and for that reason parhaps it was that Heaven had freed it from the power of the English All these reasons propounded after a smart and insinuating manner made a deep impression upon Charles's thoughts That Prince who was so averse before to the Holy-war began to desire it and awaking from the profound sleep wherein his pleasures had lull'd him he only follow'd the motions of his Piety and Courage He gave liberty to Cardinal D'Avignon to leavy a tenth upon the Clergy to defray the expence of the war he entred into a League against Mahomet with Hungarie and that there might be no question of his faithful inclinations he confirm'd the League by the marriage of Magdalene of France his Daughter with King ' Ladislaus As for the Knights he promis'd them all assistance and immediately caus'd sixtie thousand Crowns in Gold to be paid to the Embassador of Rhodes Aubusson lay'd out that mony for provisions of war according to the orders he receiv'd and freighted away Ships laden with Canon Armes Powder and Lead Then he departed himself after he had collected most of the money which was due to the Order in several parts of Europe The success of the Embassie and the Letter which he presented to the Grand-Master from the King of France made him to be acceptably receiv'd by the Knights and all the people The Letter was very generous and very obliging For the King after he had only spok'n a word or two touching the gratifying of their desires
a visage burning with anger and a flaming Sword in his hand who after he had beheld him with a fiery and menacing eye Most impious among men said he I will run thee thorough with this Sword At which words Mahomet fell trembling from his Horse as if he had been struck with a Thunder-bolt That at the same time he suffer'd most bitter torments which caus'd him to cry out most dreadfully and that soon after he died blaspheming the name of Jesus and cursing the Rhodians Whether the Apparition were true or no certain it is that this Enemy of the Cross dy'd the same day that the Church celebrates the festival of the finding the Holy Cross and that as he was expiring he several times utter'd the word Rhodes and commanded in the extremity of his pangs that this Inscription should be written over his Tomb. My design was to have taken Rhodes and subdued Italy The death of the Ottoman Emperor was the safety of Christendome and particularly of the Rhodian Territories So that when the Grand Master heard the news he gave thanks in publick to Heaven that the Order was deliver'd from so powerful an adversary But that which more encreas'd the joy of the Knights was this that the City of Otrantum was retaken from the Turks in Puglia so soon as the death of Mahomet was known Achmat Basha one of the greatest men of the Empire had made himself Master of this City the year before and had left a strong Garrison therein and settl'd it in a condition not to be assaulted The taking of Otrantum made all Italy shake And the vigorous holding out of the Turks against the Neapolitans that besieg'd it began to make Rome sensible of her danger but when the besieged understood the death of the Grand Signior their courages fail'd them and they surrendred to the Duke of Calabria Son to the King of Naples not staying for the succour of five and twenty thousand men which Achmat was bringing himself These Tydings were acceptable to the Church and then it was that the Rhodians began to take breath after such a series of misfortunes The Earth grew steady and the Sea retir'd so that they had the liberty to repair all the ruins of the City But as the corruption of manners usually proceeds from the disorders of War the Grand Master undertook a reformation of the Knights and people To that end he made severe Laws against those vices that wound Christian Piety and civil society upon which accompt he forbad all manner of unlawful Games These Laws were publickly proclaimed and what was thought almost incredible as readily obey'd but a Soveraign finds no great trouble to make his Subjects obey him when he commands nothing but what he practises himself While all things were calm at Rhodes the two parties that strove to succeed in the Ottoman Empire put all Turky into a confusion Mahomet at his death left two Sons behind him Bajazet and Zi-zim for Mustapha their elder brother was put to death by the command of his Father That young Sultan who who was both stout and valiant and had not long before won a very signal victory from Vssum Cassan King of Persia coming to the Ottoman Court about the particular affairs of his government of Amasia fell so deeply in love with the wife of Achmat that famous Basha that took Otrantum that one day in the hight of his passion he offer'd her violence as she was going into the Bath Achmat complain'd to Mahomet and tore his Turbant and his Vest to express his grief What is that you complain of haughtily answer'd the Grand Signior to the Basha My Son has done nothing but abus'd the Wife of one of my Slaves However to give Achmat satisfaction he gave immediate order that Mustapha should be strangl'd at the same time acting the part of a cruel Father and a just King Thus Bajazet and Zizim remained the only Heirs of the Crown The first govern'd Paphlagonia and resided not far from the Black Sea The Second had the Government of Liconia in Asia the less so that they were both at a great distance from their father when he dy'd They had ever been kept a sunder the one from the other and had never seen one another but once out of a piece of policy of Mahomet for fear least jealousy should divide themselves or a strickt amity unite them both against him They were of a different Character and dispositions resembling in nothing but the passion which they had to raign Bajazet to whom the Turks gave the name of Lightning or Thunder by no means made his Title good as being of a spirit altogether poor and mean and one that minded nothing less then War Zizim whose name signifies love on the contrary had a lively Wit a noble Soul and was most generously enclin'd He was not so handsome as Bajazet but there appear'd in his Person and in his Countenance such a mixture of Grandeur sweetness and haughtiness mix'd together that surpass'd beauty it self He delighted extreamly in hunting and all Military exercises And yet he had no less a love for learning then he had for Arms. He understood Languages among the rest the Greek and Italian he spent some part of his time in reading of Histories and he was then writing the Story of his Fathers Life when the news came to him of his death He was very zealous for the Mahumetan Religion yet not with that head-strong passion but that he had a great kindness for the Knights of Rhodes whom his Father mortally hated Besides all that he had a particular affection for the Grand Master from the very time that the first overtures of peace were made and he had always a design to make as strict a league with him as the law of the Mussel-men would permit And indeed there is such a coherence between the Story of the Grand Master and Zizim that I cannot forbear to relate what happne'd to the two Brothers before the Knights did interest themselves altogether in the quarrel So soon as Bajazet and Zizim understood of the death of the Emperor They both of them minded nothing else but how to get into possession of the Empire But before they took the Field the partakers of each side at Constantinople had taken Arms and declar'd some for the One and some for the Other The heads of each party made out the best they could the right of both Princes They that took Bajazets part cry'd out that nature spake in his behalf for that being the eldest he could not in justice be depriv'd of the Crown The Friends of Zizim pretended that a lazy slothful Prince as Bajazet that gave not his mind to business but led a dissolute life did not deserve to succeed to the great Mahomet They maintain'd that Zizim being endowed from Heaven with all the qualities that made a Prince worthy of an Empire ought to be preferr'd in the succession to his Father And as
submissions of Ferdinand or whether he were jealous of the Progress of the Republick However it were Sixtus agrees with the Father and Son in Law He also threaten'd the Venetians with the indignation and Anathema's of the Church if they continu'd the war of Ferrara The Republick incens'd at so strange a proceeding and foreseeing that this change would cause a great disorder in affaires implor'd the aid of the Turk to sustain themselves and to revenge the injury done them Bajazet who was unwilling to displease the Venetians forgot that he had promis'd not to disturb the Christians or rather violated his word in that respect and prepares a considerable Fleet to invade Italy The news presently spread it self over all Europe At Rome the alarum was taken as if the enemy had been already at the Gates and the Pope foreseeing the danger of the Church if the Turks should enter Italy during the discords of the Christian Princes and knew himself to be guilty of the discontent of the Republick made it his whole business to divert the storme The King of Naples whom the danger more nerely concern'd follow'd the Popes steps and by common consent had recourse to the Grand Master to whom they both wrote and sent to him the Knight Carraffa But never was Embassie more to less purpose for the care of the Grand Master had prevented the requests of Ferdinand and the Pope He understanding sooner then they the preparations that were made at Constantinople and likewise knowing the private motives to that Engagement labour'd incessantly to divert the storme before it began to break forth The Publick good and the particular Interest of the Church excited his diligence to keep the common enemy out of Italy And his obligations to the King of Naples made him more Solicitous to omit nothing that might preserve the Kingdom of his Benefactour and freind from the invasion of the Barbarians Therefore not to loose time he dispatch'd away to the Grand Signior a Rhodian whose name was Mosco Perpiano a man 't is true of low birth but of an exalted genius and capable of great affaires and besides that very proper to negotiate with the Turks as being one who had lived long in Turky and perfectly understood their humour and language And this was he that treated with the Sub-Basha of Pizzona about the truce and first discover'd the cunning of Achmats Letters Mosco after he had made known to the Grand Signiour with whom he had a private audience the Interest of his Highness to live in friendship with the Grand Master gave him to understand by degrees that the Venetians were about to engage him in a bad designe To that intent ne represented to him that this great preparation was the ready way to bring upon him all the forces of Europe That the most divided of the Christian Princes would not saile to reunite for the defence of their Religion and Crowns That France who glory'd in assisting the Popes and the Holy See would infallibly join with Italy upon such an occasion and lay aside for a time their pretences to Naples That whatever care the Knights could take that they should not make use of the person of Zizim against the Ottoman Empire it would not be any longer in their power to keep him That the King of France would force him out of their hands in spite of all their strength and put him at the head of an Army and then nothing was more to be fear'd then a Popular rising at Constantinople which might happen to be attended with a total revolution Mosco added according to his Instructions that the Grand Master being of that accompt as he was among the Christian Princes he could not possibly prevent his being engag'd in the Quarrel how great so ever his desire might be to keep a good Correspondence with the Court. That if the preparations which the Turks made against Italy should infringe the accommodation which had been made upon Zizim's score he had no reason to blame the Knights who are ready punctually to observe all the articles of the treaty Mosco then gave the Grand Signiour to understand that Rhodes was not in a condition to fear him the ruins being repaird and new fortifications daily added by the Grand Master This discourse of the Rhodian took singular effect Bajazet was so mov'd at it that he stood a good while without making any answer casting frightful looks here and there which shew'd the agitation and disturbance of his mind At length rows'd out of a deep contemplation and looking somewhat more calmely he told Mosco that in respect to the Grand Master whom he honoured as his Father he had abandon'd the design which he had in hand Then calling for Basha Misach Paleologus and two other of his Ministers he declar'd that he would not send his Fleet into the Mediterranean Sea and commanded them at the same time to surcease all their preparations for war wherein they labour'd with an excessive earnestness And that he might testify more of his freindship and do him more honour he wrote him a very obliging Letter which he deliver'd to Mosco the copy whereof follows Bajazet King of Asia Emperour of the Turks To the thrice happy Prince Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES WE have understood from the mouth of your Embassadour what it is you request at our hands In truth you desire great things and which are of extream consequence to our Empire For a considerable Fleet is not to be set forth without great expence nor is such an enterprize to be quitted without some kind of disgrace But however as I refer my self wholly to your Counsel and for that I can refuse you nothing for your sake I forget all my advantages I surcease any further preparations and engage to you upon my word that my Navy shall not stir forth of the Streights of Gallipoly I do this willingly out of the desire I have that you should alwaies be my friend as you ought to be since that for your sake I renounce both my interest and my honour From Constantinople the fifth of the month of Rabi el Evel in the year of the Hegira 889. April 13. in the year of grace 1484. Mosco return'd to Rhodes almost at the same time that the Knight Caraffa arriv'd there That new Embassador of the Pope and the King of of Naples was surpriz'd to see that with all his haste he was come too late So that finding his work done he return'd as he came at least that he might be the first that should bring the tydings carrying along with him to the Pope and King Ferdinand the Copy of the Letter of the Grand Signior A resolution so sudden and so happy extreamly rejoyc'd all Italy and the Pope was so satisfi'd with the Grand Master that speaking of him to the Knight Quendal Procurator of the Order at Rome he call'd him several times The Buckler of the Church and The Preserver of
touching an Embassie to Rome But that he might know more exactly what he had to say to the Pope and after what manner he should proceed sent another Ambassador to the Grand Master This Negotiation continued several moneths in which time there were nothing but continual Voyages from Constantinople to Rhodes The Grand Master however put no confidence in these Embassies but expected a Rupture so soon as Bajazet should have an opportunity to display his secret hatred against the Knights and therefore that the Pope might have time to make a League between the Christian Princes he spun out affairs as much as he could either by creating difficulties which perplexed the Grand Seignior or by giving ambiguous Answers which were unsatisfactory While things thus passed between the Knights and the Turks one of the Popes Legates had like to have spoiled all by his imprudence Philip de Canova whom the Pope sent to the Soldan being arrived at Caire publickly declared very idly and without any ground That the Knights of Rhodes had no power in the affair of Zizim He spoke this so openly and upon so many occasions that the report thereof came to the Port. This news cool'd the Grand Seignior as to any further Negotiation with Rhodes now growing jealous that the Knights did but abuse him and it had come to an open War had not the Grand Master dextrously reconcil'd what the Legat had spoil'd He declar'd so loudly the contrary and by the Popes Letters themselves so well over-turn'd the falsity that Canova had averr'd that in a short time he regain'd the former confidence which Bajazet had in him The Negotiation was renew'd and it was on both sides agreed that the Grand Prior Blanchefort who was come to Rhodes to be present at the General Chapter and was to return to Zizim should conduct the Ambassador of the Port that was to go to Rome An act so dextrous and so successful soon made a noise over Europe and very much advanc'd the Reputation of the Grand Master He was the discourse of all the Courts of Europe and his name was so famous in that of Castile that a young Lady of eminent Quality having forsaken the World admiring what she had heard of the prudence and virtue of Cardinal D'Aubusson resolv'd to found a Nunnery according to his Model of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem To which purpose she requested leave of the Cardinal who over-joy'd to see such pious and virtuous inclinations in a young Lady readily condescended Thereupon the Lady whose name was Isabella di Leon descended from one of the most antlent Families in Andalousia founded a House of Religious Virgins of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and the Founder was named Princess by the Grand Master the Nuns are to be all of Noble Race and to be approved as the Knights are and they are particularly to pray for the Knights and as much as in them lies to forward the ruine of Mahumetism and the exaltation of the Faith Isabella Fernandes founded also another House of Nuns in Evora a City of Portugal in the time of Villerius Grand Master But to return to Bajazet Chamisbuerch his Capigi Basha his Ambassador to the Pope arrived at Rome and was presented to his Holiness by the Grand Prior Blanchefort who accompani'd him to the City The Grand Master when he counselled the Embassie advised the Grand Seignior to make a Present to the Pope and above all things to send him the Head of the Lance that pierced the side of Christ which Mahumet laid up in in his Treasury among the rich Spoils which he found in the Churches of Constantinople The Relick was suspected at first but upon the testimony of the Grand Master the Infidels were believed who testifi'd that he had had it from very credible persons that the Venetians had offered Mahomet 15000 Crowns in Gold to retrieve it out of his hands after the taking of Constantinople But in regard it was the intention of the Grand Seignior wholly to gain the Pope he added to his Present very obliging Letters wherein after he had given him an account of an Expedition which he had made against the Rebels of Macedonia he swore an inviolable friendship with him and besought him that his Brother Zizim might always remain under the Guard of the Knights of Rhodes according to the Articles he had made with them These submissions of Bajazet very much pleased the Pope and were no small honour to the Grand Master He had a thousand Applauses in Italy and received the Complements of all the Christian Princes But an unhappy accident did not long permit him quietly to enjoy this Honour for a young Gentleman of a good House who was then in the service of the Knight Puis Bayliff of the Morea and Captain of the Castle of St. Peter stealing away from his Masters House and having renounced his Religion in Turkey the Peace was just upon the point of being broken between the Christians and the Turks For the Bayliff of the Morea touched to the quick at what had befall'n his Page took a strange resolution to recover him he Sallies out of the Castle with some Soldiers and entring into Lycia he takes by way of Reprisal two young Turks Sons of the most considerable person in the Countrey notwithstanding the resistance made by their Father whom he slew with his own hand So violent an act seemed to the Barbarians a visible breach of the Peace They take Arms and march directly to the Castle of St. Peter whether the Bayliff of the Morea was retired with his Prey The Sultan Zalabi the Grand Seignior's Son and Governour of Lycia sent an Agent to Rhodes to complain of the Attempt made by the Knights of the Castle of St. Peter The Bayliff's act was neither prudent nor just so that the Grand Master could not but with sorrow very much resent it and he had not stuck a moment to have delivered both the Children back again but that one of them testified an inclination to turn Christian But the young Turk declaring that he was resolved to continue a Mussulman and hated the very thought of Christianity the Governour of Lycia was satisfied with the restoration of the two Prisoners Thus was the Tranquility of the Province re-setled nor had the Subjects any thing more to fear but onely the Rapines of certain Pirats that infested their Coasts the most famous was Don Diego Ordonna a Spaniard by Nation a person bold and daring of a savage humour and a bestial valour more barbarous than the Infidels cruising all Coasts with an Armed Caravel and acknowledging no Right but Force nor any God but Interest He had taken a little before certain Merchants Vessels within sight of Rhodes and his power at Sea was grown so formidable that the Ships of the Order durst hardly venture out of the Port. The Grand Master could not brook the Insolencies and Robberies of this Castilian Pirate And knowing
Considering neither the Priviledges of Innocent the VIII the Nature of the Revenues of the Order nor the Dignity of the Generalissimo of the League whom he had elected himself The Grand Master so highly resented such irregular proceedings that he wrote to the Pope and without swerving from that respect which he ow'd to the Chief of the Church and the Vicar of Christ he told Alexander his own as far as a real Zeal could inspire him But Alexander taking little notice of his Complaints continu'd his affronts and injuries to the Order and that with so much the more Liberty believing that now the Venetians had made Peace with the Turks he should have no more need of the Knights The League thus brok'n off and the proceedings of the Pope brought the Grand Master into a deep Melancholy that wasted him by degrees and at length cast him into a mortal distemper He began to fall ill the Eeve of St. John Baptists day But then he would not disclose that he ail'd any thing and was present at the Bonfires and at the publick Annual Ceremonies before the Castle for which there are extraordinary preparations in Honour of the Patron of the Order He also went in state to Church upon the Festival day and concealing his ill disposition of body perform'd all the Duties of a true Christian This striving against his Distemper out of Piety re-doubl'd the force of the disease so that in two days he fell so ill that the Physicians at first despair'd of his life nevertheless they were willing to try what Art could do But the Grand Master who perceiv'd himself near his end slighted his own preservation and told them with a smile That never having taken Physick it was dangerous for him to begin at his years However he submitted to the intreaties of his Nephew and the reasons of the Physicians notwithstanding his own natural reluctancy The Grand Masters sickness put all the City into a Consternation The Inhabitants like people in despair ran to the Castle and from the Castle to the Churches to implore of God the life of their Prince The whole City was fill'd with Vows Prayers and Processions But his sickness encreasing more and more he receiv'd the Sacrament of the Church with a lively Faith and an ardent Devotion which both edifi'd and pierc'd the hearts of all that stood by After that he call'd all the Knights of the Council and recollecting all the strength he had left My dear Brethren said he I have no more then one short moment to live therefore before I leave you take it not amiss that I exhort you to choose a Person more worthy then my self to succeed in my Place and that I conjure ye also to expend all your Honour in a generous defence of the Faith and in the observation of the Rules of the Order This is the favour that I beg of you as a dying man Hardly had he strength enough to pronounce the last words nor did he utter above two or three words more to comfort the Knights that shed tears round about his bed At length he gave them his Benediction as his Children and then lying quietly for some time with his eyes sometimes lifted up to Heaven sometimes fix'd upon the Crucifix he seem'd to be in a kind of discourse with God till he sweetly and mildly yielded up his last breath At the very moment of his expiration the Knights made so loud a noise of lamentation as eas'ly made known his death to the People assembl'd in the Palace Then was their sorrow soon express'd by their tears and wailings and after that by a deep silence as usually happens in extreme afflictions Thus di'd Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of Rhodes Cardinal of St. Adrian Legate of the Holy See in Asia and nominated Generalissimo of the Holy League He was aged about fourscore years and he had govern'd the Order above twenty seven So soon as grief would permit the Knights to come to themselves they made it their bus'ness to render to the dead their last duties with all the Magnificence imaginable He was expos'd upon a Noble Bed of State Nor did the Ghastliness of death deprive him of that sweet and amiable Majesty that always appear'd in his countenance when alive Three Knights stood at the Beds head in Mourning one holding the Cardinals Cap another the Legats Cross and the third the Standard of Generalissimo Four other Knights held each of them a Banner whereon were embroider'd the Arms of the Order and those of D'Aubusson On each side of him stood two Altars dress'd up with Canopies over each on the one was laid the Dalmatick Gown the Mitre and all the Ornaments proper for a Cardinal Deacon On the other lay the Casque Corslet Half-Pike and Sword which the Grand Master made use of upon the day of the Grand Assault together with his Cloathes all stain'd with his own and the bloud of the Barbarians Two hundred Knights attended besides all in deep mourning The People that crowded to this fatal Spectacle could not forbear weeping bitterly they cri'd out They had lost their Father and then kiss'd his hands to ease their grief and took their last leaves His Obsequies were perform'd the next day following which the publick Grief contributed to render more solemn then all the Funeral Pomp. He was carri'd to the Church upon the shoulders of the principal Grand-Crosses and Interr'd in the Chappel he himself had built The first General Chapter that was held at Rhodes under Emery D'Amboise his Successor decreed That in Honour of the Memory of the Grand Master D'Aubusson the Order should at the Expence of the Publick Treasury erect him a Magnificent Tomb in Brass and that an Epitaph should be Engrav'd upon it reciting the most Illustrious Actions of his Life The Historians of the Order of St. John do not mention this Epigram and with all the diligence I have us'd I could never hear any thing more of it However the Encomiums which Popes Princes and Historians have given the famous Peter D'Aubusson may well supply the place of that Epitaph Sixtus the IV. and Innocent the VIII affirm in their Briefs that the Holy See was infinitely oblig'd to him and that they could not sufficiently acknowledge the Services he had done the Faithful in putting a stop by his cares and with the price of his own blood to the Conquests of Mahomet the Second the most Formidable Enemy of Christendom Alexander the Sixth confess'd That there was in the Grand Master a Sincere Faith an Heroick Valour an Exquisite Prudence and a most perfect Experience in all things that concern'd the War against the Turks The Emperour Maximilian Ferdinand of Castile and Matthias Corvin King of Hungary often call'd him in their Letters The Tamer of the Ottomans and the Support of the Church Caoursin calls him The Father of his Countrey the Protector of the Unfortunate and the Invincible Defender of Rhodes Victorellus in his
to the right of Eldership they added that Bajazet indeed was born before Zizim but that for that very reason he had no right to the Imperial Crown For said they the first is only the Son of Bajazet the other is the Son of the Emperor Bajazet was born while Amurath liv'd and before Bajazet bare the Scepter But Zizim came into the World when his Father was in possession of all the Turkish dominions and after he had conquer'd the Empire of the Greeks so that it might be truly said that this young Prince was born upon the Throne and that Nature as well as Fortune had design'd him for the Empire Both parties thus heated fell at length from disputes to blows the people taking part according as they were seduc'd and inveagl'd by the Janizaries and Basha's insomuch that they plunder'd one part of the Palace and the Imperial Treasure and one of the Grandees of the Court was slain in a popular insurrection wherein there was much blood spilt While this was the condition of affairs at Constantinople and that the two Princes were preparing to make good their claims by force of Arms the Grand Master thought it very convenient to take the advantage of Mahomet's death and of the division of the Princes and to make an attempt upon the Island of Meteline It was then one of the richest Islands in the Archipelago and the most commodious for Knights being seated directly against the mouth of the Straight of Gallipoli The broyls of Turkey made the enterprize easy For there was no likelihood of any relief by Sea from the Infidels when their Forces were all employ'd in a Domestick War These considerations encourag'd the Grand Master to make ready with all speed the Ships of the Order and to spare for nothing that might procure the success of such an important design The Commander de Jales who at that time kept cruzing the Archipelago with two Galleys had order to attend the Fleet. When it was ready it set Sail under the Conduct of the Commander de Carmandin Baily of Lango But sickness happening in the Fleet unseasonable weather and contrary winds disappointed a design the success whereof seem'd to be infallible But that which the Grand Master contriv'd to revenge himself upon the Soldan of Egypt better succeeded For that same treacherous Prince having no regard to the Peace according to the custom and genius of the Mahumetans had sent certain Pyrats to take the Vessels and plunder the Ships belonging to the Order as if open War had been declar'd Thereupon the Grand Master order'd his Galleys to cruize along the coasts of Syria and Egypt and to make all the havock they could upon a faithless Barbarian Which was so effectually perform'd that Caerbei the Soldan soon repented him of his perjury In the mean while Bajazet's party grew strong For while the two Sultans were upon their march to dispute for the Crown by force of Arms Achmat who return'd to Constantinople when the Turks had forsaken Otrantum and who was a person of great authority in the Empire absolutely declar'd for Bajazet whether it were that he was convinc'd of the justice of his cause or that he hop'd to have the Government in his own hands under a weak Prince As he was a man prudent and bold equally skill'd in Politicks as War after he had partly threaten'd partly caress'd the more factious sort he appeas'd the Sedition by setting upon the Throne one of Bajazett's Sons of about thirteen years of age whose name was Sultan Corcut and proclaiming Emperor the Father of the young Prince Bajazett who had already tak'n shipping soon came to Constantinople by the black Sea Achmat receiv'd him at the head of the Basha's and Janizaries that he had gain'd who having all of them saluted him Emperor they conducted him to the Imperial Palace surrounded with the shouts and acclamations of the people who acknowledg'd him the lawful Heir of Mahomet Zizim's Adherents were vex'd to the very hearts to see his enemy upon the Throne but the absolute power that Achmat had gain'd forc'd them to dissemble their resentment and to comply with the advancement of Bajazett However they held private Caballs together and invited the young Sultan to make all the haste he could Zizim who had not the convenience of the Sea but was to march through Bithynia did not understand till he was upon the road of the Coronation of his Brother This unwelcome news did nothing abate the courage of the young Prince He believ'd the people whose inclinations are prone to change and often contrary to themselves would turn of his side so soon as he should appear at Constantinople and he believ'd it so much the more because that Bajazet had been always less belov'd then he With these hopes he march'd in all haste towards Prusia the ancient residence of the Ottoman Emperors and made himself Master of the City with those few Troops which he had brought with him out of Lycaonia This first success seem'd to promise more And therefore that he might not be wanting to his own good fortune he labours by means of his friends to draw to his party the Lords and Grandees of the Port and to regain the affection of the Janizaries got what Money he could together and reinforc'd his Army from day to day Bajazet in whom desire of rule had augmented both his wit and his courage spar'd for nothing on his side to stop the progress of the Sultan his Brother And fearing lest Zizim should make himself Master of all Asia he sent Achmat against him with a numerous Army and made up of the old Souldiers of the Army The Basha who desir'd nothing more then to finish what he had begun makes all possible haste and encamps not far from Prusia in a woody plain resolv'd to carry the place and to get the Prince into his power who was the only obstacle to the repose of the new Emperor Zizim who had not time to fortify the City and wanted provisions to hold out a Siege rather chose to take the field then to be shut up in a weak and unprovided place Thereupon out he marches at the head of his Cavalry and having discover'd Achmat's Troops which he did not think so nigh at hand he resolv'd to give Battel immediately Thus resolving to venture all for a Crown he marches directly toward the enemy telling his Souldiers that there was no other way but either to conquer or dye Achmat stood him with a wonderful resolution and after he had born the fury of the first shock he charg'd him so rudely that the Asiaticks were soon put to the rout The most part of them were raw Souldiers ill disciplin'd effeminate and more accustom'd to repose and luxury then to the noise of arms and labour The Prince return'd to the charge with some of the choice of his Army but they perish'd almost all by his side and he himself had either been slain or