kill'd during the Siege To supply this want the Kings Brother advanc'd with his Army to cast in some recruits Many also of the Tartars were dead through the unwholsomness of the Air and the violent Heats unto which their Bodies were not accustomed Therefore they waited and watched the Recruits that were coming in haste to the Army before it could advance further into the Kingdom or assault any other place Axalla who staid in the Town spent his time in making up the Breaches which the Artillery had made and win the affections of the Citizens It was a very strange thing that not one of the Inhabitants went out with the former Governour when he left the place he led with him thirteen thousand Men only which were remaining of thirty thousand that he had in the beginning of the Siege some of them were dead and killed in the Assaults some staid behind in the Town with the Inhabitants without Armour willing to obey the Conquerour This was a remarkable Passage which caus'd Tamerlan to conclude from thence that they were but an unconstant People so soon to forget their former Lord who with his Predecessors had Commanded them and Govern'd them in peace above two hundred years This is a good Lesson for those that Govern Republiques and Empires not to have too great a confidence in the common People let their profession of zeal and affection be never so great This consideration oblig'd Axalla to doubt of the future and to confess to Alhacent that he knew not how so great a Multitude could be kept in order and commanded in case any loss or misfortune should happen to his Party He commanded him therefore to tell the Prince that he should not proceed on further in the Conquest of the Country but endeavour to treat with the Enemy before his Army should decrease and that he should consider before he left the Country how he should be able to keep under such a Multitude of People in his absence which were so inclinable to change and so unconâ—â—ant A whole year had been spent already in this Expedition and the Companies that decreas'd daily through the Distempers of the Autumn discovered the weakness into which they should infallibly fall The Prince considered all these things besides he feared that a too long and tedious absence would cause some disturbance in his Empire as it happens very often He thought therefore it was as much honour for him to keep by his wisdom what he had gained as to win and conquer it by his Valour Therefore it was his mode never to refuse reasonable offers of Peace and to value that more which he obtain'd by that Method than that which he purchas'd with his Sword He consider'd also that if he could preserve all that Country which he had over-run which made the third part of the Kingdom and receive from the remainder a yearly Tribute he should be able to bridle in the King of China and hinder him from revolting and that before he would attempt any such thing he would think a while upon it And that he would take such a course to secure his interest against the natural inconstancy of the Nation that by the punishment that he would inflict upon the Offenders he would scare and terrifie all others from a Rebellion He was therefore resolved to hearken to the first reasonable Proposals of Agreement and to bound in that place the Conquests of China seeing that what he had already taken was almost the third part of the Kingdom and he had enough to bridle the King of China and to hinder him from revolting if he should at any time desire it The Ambassadours who were some of the chief Lords of the Kingdom came to Tamerlan who received them as courteously as could be expected shewing to them all the Grandeur and State of his Court and the strength of his Army that they might have a stronger inclination to be at peace with him When they had saluted Tamerlan they told him that the Prince of China had sent them to treat with him about the Liberty of their King and the Peace of China That the Fame of his mildness and humanity had invited them to try it by experience before they would again complain of the ungratitude of their Gods That they were now highly displeased at their own neglect That they had not prevented his entrance into their Kingdom by yielding to him all those things that he requested of them with so much equity and Justice That now they were come to make him full amends and receive from him such conditions as he should require That they were at present sensible though too late that nothing was able to stop the progress of his Army and that they were willing to be Examples of this to future Ages The Prince listened with attention to their discourse which he caused to be interpreted to him and made this reply That they had good reason to rely upon his humanity and mildness but that they had done wiser if they had made trial of it before they had experienced the strength of his Army In such a case their condidion had been better and they had been more kindly used But as the design of War is to make such persons hearken to Terms of Peace as were not willing without it and in regard they desired it he assur'd them That he was willing to yield to Peace and grant them that which was the first Declaration of his mildness and humanity to them but that on their side they ought to propose and make offer of such just and reasonable Conditions as his Council would yield to after a due examination Tamerlan after these words departed from them wishing them to declare the Conditions in Writing and that they should have an answer They appeared to be very joyful for the kind expressions that the Prince had given them being in their minds most confident of concluding a Peace The Conditions that they offer'd were That they would yield Pekin with all the Gountry between that and the Mountains with their Fortresses That they would satisfie all the Charges of the War till the Peace was concluded That they would give two Millions of Gold to redeem their King The Prince answered them That he was resolved to keep whatever he had conquer'd which belonged to him by the right of War That he was willing that the River where his Army was encamped should be the limits of both Kingdoms as far as Porchis and the Sea That the King of China should pay to him and his Successors yearly as a Tribute two hundred thousand Crowns which he should send to Pekin and five hundred thousand Crowns ready Money for to defray the Expences of the War and that in consideration of this sum the King should be released and sent home that all the other Prisoners should pay to such as had taken them Ransoms according to their Qualities only the Kings should pay down each of
their Prince fighting couragiously against the Heathens who worshipped false Gods The next day Tamerlan caused all his rich Tents to be spread and placed his Guards in such a manner as might make his Grandeur to appear the more the chief Officers of his Army being near his Person to wait upon him he then sent to Axalla that he should bring before hime the King of China As soon as he understood that he was coming he went out of his Tent to meet him This great Prince was not cast down by his misfortune he appear'd at this instant with the Countenance of a Man of courage As soon as he had enquir'd of Axalla by his Interpreter which was the Emperour he spoke to him in this stately manner My Gods have been so displeas'd against my Country and my happiness that they have made me thy Prisoner And if it be true what Fame speaks of thee that Tamerlan fights for nothing but for the glory of his Nation this that thou hast now purchased ought to satisfie thy mind to have subdued with thy Sword the Off-spring of the Sun and the Lord of the World who is now in thy power and at thy disposal He spoke these words with a free and bold air and not as a Supplicant The Emperour saluted him first very civilly and caus'd him to be led into his Tent where he answer'd him by his Interpreter That an unjust cause is hateful to every Divinity whether true or false that for his part he gave thanks to the immortal and incomprehensible God the Creator of Heaven and Earth whom he worshipped for the late Victory which he acknowledg'd to have receiv'd from his bounty alone as the King of China ascrib'd the cause of his misfortune to his mistaken Divinities but he promis'd that he would not abuse the advantage that he had got upon him but that he would endeavour by all civil and courteous dealing to cause him to forget his present condition The King of China surpris'd with this unexpected discourse return'd him his thanks At the close of this discourse Tamerlan drew back a little to observe the motions and behaviour of this great Prince whom he beheld stedfastly with delight He ask'd him afterwards what he thought of the Actions and courage of his Souldiers in the Fight The King answer'd That when he saw so feeble an Army in Comparison of his came to him he was fully perswaded to get the Victory but the Gods had otherwise order'd it He enquir'd from Tamerlan whether his Brother had been killed or a Prisoner Before the reply was made one of the Commanders there present desired to know whether he did fight near his person He told them that he commanded in the Battel the Cavalry and wore as himself a Princely Attire They answer'd him that he was taken then he fetch'd a deep sigh which caused some to be so inquisitive why he was displeased that his Brother should run the same hazards as himself and fall into the same condition He replyed That in his misfortune he had this comfortable perswasion That his Brother the second expectation of the Chineses would not forsake him but would attempt every thing to re-establish his Affairs and the reputation of his Countrymen He lamented pittifully at his mishap but praised his Courage But Tamerlan knew very well that he was escaped and out of his reach for he had rallied all the broken Troops of Horse and was fled Odmar had been sent after him to hinder him from gathering together too numerous a Body The chief Prisoners were brought next they were loaden with so much Gold and precious Jewels that it is not to be conceived The two Kings Confederates and Tributary to China appear'd first As soon as this Prince saw them coming he arose to honour them and they fell down and worship'd him almost in their salutation he wish'd them to rise from the Ground Tamerlan ask'd who they were the King of China answer'd that they were his Friends one the King of Chiampa the other the King of Cochinchine and that he was sorrowful for their misfortune as much as for his own which made him willing to follow them in death He spoke in this manner imagining that the Tartarian Custom was like that of China to kill and destroy all their Prisoners of War and sometimes in a savage manner to feed upon their Flesh But the Emperour receiv'd them with expressions of kindness and assur'd them that he would use them well and gently The King of China felt a great satisfaction at this unexpected civility and humanity He was not above thirty years of Age but had a long Face great black Eyes a Nose of a middle size a long Beard which he handled often a grave and lofty Air like that of a great Prince His Kingdom contains two hundred thousand Fortresses fifteen great Provinces or Governments in them are to be found many Golden Mines and some Silver and a certain Herb which we call Rhubarb They reckon that he hath seventy Kings wearing Crowns his Tributaries This large and wide Country which we call China is named by the Inhabitants Tame and the People whom we call Chineses are named by them Tangis This Country is full of Fowl and Fish because of the many Rivers that run through it Silk is here so plentiful that the Beggars are clothed therewith Wool is here scarce but this want is remedied with much Cotton and Linnen The Climate is temperate The Men have liberty here to have as many Wives as they can conveniently keep They wear their Hair long but the Women have short Perrukes There is always a General or Governour over the whole Kingdom next to the King called by them Tuton The Brother of the King of China had this Office which is of so great importance that the Laws command him to be always within the Kingdom But this man intreated the King his Brother so earnestly that he might be present at the Battel which he was perswaded to win that he yielded to his importunities He had plac'd in his stead a Lord which the King did not trust This griev'd the King when he consider'd that he had been guilty of so great a fault as to suffer him to hazard with him his person in the same fight and to have left the Government of so large an Empire in unfaithful hands Tamerlan called afterwards together his Privy-Council to advise what was to be done with the Prisoners and how they should use their Victory At that time news was brought that the King's Brother was safely arrived at Quanton a City which he had fortified that he was endeavouring to furnish it with all manner of Provisions and that he was busily employed in gathering together an Army As soon as Tamerlan heard this he sent the Prisoners with two thousand Parthian Horse to Pekin for his Army had rested themselves several Days he commanded them to stop there a little and carry them over
them one hundred thousand Crowns for their releasement That no Chinese within his Territories should hereafter be kept Prisoner or sold as a Slave That there should be a free Trade between both Kingdoms That the King of China should leave as Hostages for the performance of the Treaty his Brother and the two Kings that were Prisoners and besides them twelve other Lords of China who should be exchang'd every year by a like number that should take their rooms and bring with them the Tribute of two hundred thousand Crowns These conditions though hard and grievous were accepted because they were not in a condition to refuse them for their Armies were destroyed their strength was weakened the best Men and the flower of their Army kill'd or wounded and the remainder were affrighted their King taken two Battels lost the two chief Cities of the Kingdom snatch'd out of their hands and all their chief Passages at their Enemies command In regard therefore that they were threatened with a general desolation and all the Country was full of fears and apprehensions they reckon'd that favour was shewed to them to spare that which was left of their Kingdom which would infallibly and totally be ruin'd if the Peace was not concluded and their King set at liberty They were well inform'd that the Emperours Army was to be recruited with other fresh Troops that were in their march towards the Army All these things considered caus'd them to resolve and yield to the conditions required without any further debate taking a strong resolution to bear with patience the Yoke of their Bondage until such time as they should have a favourable opportunity to assert again their own liberties and free themselves from the Tartars In the mean while the Prince had dispatch'd two thousand Horse with a Commission to bring with them the King of China from Burda that he might swear to the Peace in Freedom At Quanton he took the Oath Tamerlan departed immediately to Pekin carrying with him all the Hostages and amongst the rest the Kings eldest Son and Brother The King went into his Kingdom to appoint all things for the performance of the Articles agreed upon He was received by his People with strange transports of joy insomuch that they seem'd to adore him Tamerlan's vigilancy was mindful of every thing that might secure his conquered Countries He look'd upon Odmar as the fittest Person to leave behind him and govern in his absence he made him therefore his Vice-Roy giving him an absolute power over all the Country with thirty thousand Horse and fifty thousand Foot well furnish'd with all needful things they were to be dispers'd into all the Garrisons and Strong-holds He wish'd him to make his ordinary abode at Quanton to cause good and strong Guards to be kept all along the River and to build a Fort at Dermio to secure that place He recommended to him the Person of the Lord of Vauchefu who had express'd so much zeal and affection to him in this War and so much experience in Publick Affairs for his Brother he was willing to keep him near his own Person and give him an Estate in Sachetay where he enrich'd and enobled him He invited also several of the Inhabitants of Quanton and of other places to serve him with an intention to settle them in his own Country and send thither Parthians in their stead to arm himself by that means against their inconstancy All things having been thus order'd the Army took the way to Cambalu but before they began to march the Prince sent to the Emperour his Uncle to inform him of his happy successes and return In this Court were several jealous Heads that blam'd Tamerlan for what he had done because he had not subdued and destroyed all China But they understood not the difficulties that were to be overcome and that it is not always good to pursue things to the uttermost that turnings of Fortune are too ordinary that such as would have too much more than they ought lose often what they might have kept with honour and safety In trurh by keeping what he had conquer'd Tamerlan could justly name himself King of China He had in his Possession two of the most beautiful and greatest Cities of the Kingdom with an infinite number of lesser Towns with an hundred Leagues in the Country limited with a great River which could not hinder him from going over to the Enemies at his pleasure and yet stop'd them from coming into his Dominions without danger and trouble in regard of the easiness of the guard and defence of it The King of China could not fail to pay his yearly Tribute but he must at the same time draw upon himself the inconveniences of his Army So that by this Peace Tamerlan got more honour and deserved more praises than if he had destroyed all China with Fire and Sword and ruined a People that had yielded themselves into his Hands so freely to pay him Tribute One thing chiefly surprised the Chineses and caus'd them to be strangely grieved It was the Command that the Prince gave Odmar before his departure to break down all the Idols that should be found within his conquer'd Country for he order'd them all to worship but one only God according to the Custom of the Parthians unto whose Religion he wish'd that they would join and accustom themselves The People expected no such proceedings but they hoped to enjoy all their ancient liberty in all respects but now they saw that they must of necessity yield to this Order seeing that the Prince had left Odmar to Command them one of the wisest and most experienced Captains of his Empire who had always a care to observe and put in execution his Lords Commands When Odmar took his farewel of the Prince he humbled himself as low as his Feet according to the Custom of the Country but the Prince raised him up with a smiling Countenance I perceive saith he that thou art become a Chinese seeing that thou offerest to worship me as they do their King but the greatest worship that I require of thee is that thou shouldest put my Commands in execution I intreat thee above all things to establish amongst my new Subjects the Honour and Service of God and next my Authority and remember that all these Persons that I leave at thy command have been subdued by the Sword and not by Love or their own Inclinations so that they are to be kept in and under by fear and not to be trusted too far I recommend my affairs to thy care Farewel The Assistants took notice at this separation that the Prince never left any Body with so much regret and displeasure as he did then Odmar But it was absolutely needful to leave such an one as he was in this Country a Man of that extraordinary wisdom faithfulness and experience The Army in their return homewards carried with them all their sick People and after two days March they
arrival he met there with the Embassadours of several Princes some were come to congratulate him upon his new Promotion others to make a League with him others to avoid his displeasure that they might not have him for an Enemy The most pleasing Embassie was that of the Emperour of Moscovy for besides the stately gifts several beautiful Horses and the richest Furs of the Country as black Foxes and Sables which the Embassadours brought he saw himself freed from the apprehension which he had conceiv'd upon the news that this Prince did gather together his Army He understood that it was to march against Poland and some other Neighbours The Poles solicited in vain the Prince by their Envoys and by some of the chief of the Court whom they had gain'd to send Succours They alledg'd to perswade him that the Moscovite was but a reconciled Enemy that he would quickly become more dreadful if he met with success in this attempt and if he could overcome so great a Kingdom as Poland is to add it to his former Dominions that then it would be too late to seek a remedy to prevent an evil which was now to be hindered by sending some succours and assistance to the Polanders who would ever after become the Parthians Scouts on that side of their Empire and watch over the actions of their common Enemy Besides it is a general rule amongst Princes not to suffer their Neighbours to grow too great for fear of the usual consequence These reasons made no impression upon Tamerlan's mind This was all the answer he return'd That he had given to the Moscovite the dearest thing that he had in the world namely his Faith and that he would not be the first to break it but if on the other part he did offer to violate the Treaty he knew how to punish and bring him to reason seeing that he had been able to overcome him when he had nothing but the Kingdom of the Parthians which is but a little Province of Tartaria and that now that he was become the Lord of so great an Empire he had less reason to stand in fear of him that he was fully perswaded that in observing the rules of Equity and Justice with all the world he had reason to expect that his Sword would be able to make way into new Empires and other Kingdoms and that whiles the Moscovites were imployed and busie in their designs he would endeavour to proceed on in his purposes to get to himself honour and glory that the Peace concluded and sworn to the Moscovites was known to all the Neighbours and should never be broken by him besides that it was honourable to himself and advantagious to his people He told them that he knew for certain that God punishes commonly Princes who lightly ingage themselves in unjust wars and quarrels and that this Lesson having been learn'd and carefully practis'd by his Fore-fathers had been a means to raise and establish his Family and caused it to continue for three hundred years safe and secure by this observation of the Rules of Justice so that in all that time none of his Predecessors have ever been cross'd with unsuccessful attempts for the God of Hosts is a lover of Right and Justice He told them that if he had as some declar'd so great a delight in War and so earnest a desire to appear in action he had means enough without committing injustice to satisfie his mind by requiring from some of his Neighbours the Lands which they had taken from the King his Father who had never demanded any restitution out of a carelesness for the world or an earnest inclination for Peace that in case of a refusal it would be just and glorious for him to recover his poor Subjects and free them from the tyranny of an unlawful Power Odmar who had been one of the most earnest persons to perswade him to assist the Polanders with an intention to weaken the Moscovites yielded or seem'd at least to yield to these reasons He was mightily ravish'd with the justice and equity of Tamerlan's discourse and to consider how he moderated his courage with the Rules of Reason And though the judgment of many of the wisest of the Privy Council grounding their opinions upon the antipathy of both Nations and the difference of Religions was contrary to that of Tamerlan they could not prevail to make him alter his resolution Odmar alone knowing the cause strengthen'd it the more so that it overcame the advice of those who supported their opinion by undeniable Maxims of State and the experience of many Ages Tamerlane nevertheless understood very well that they had good reasons on their side and that by resisting their judgments he acted against the rules of humane wisdom and it may be he had followed their advice if it had not been for another great design which he had found the Great Cham was the first Author of it in a Conference at Quinsay he caus'd him to resolve upon it only Odmar had been privy to it for there discoursing of the weighty Affairs of the Empire they took together a resolution to carry the War into China as well to drive those people into their ancient bounds over which they had pass'd as to secure on that side the Empire of Tartary In the mean whiles preparations were secretly made for this great Enterprise for which the Prince had a mighty fancy without discovering his mind He depended upon the succours which the Emperour his Uncle had promis'd and with which he was confident to re-establish the Tartarians in their ancient possessions and that he should gain the Victory because he had Justice on his side which doubtless would favour him in his undertaking Whatever inclination he had naturally for War he had thought it a crime to ingage himself in a quarrel only out of a motive of ambition or for pleasure and he had look'd upon himself as the Author of all those desolations disorders and miseries which accompany and follow War Therefore he often desired of God the Spirit of Wisdom and Discretion and the power to overcome his own passions which he would sometimes say was a more glorious Victory for a Prince than that which wins for him Kingdoms and Empires Therefore when he could find Justice on his side and see that she did incourage his strong inclination for War then his Soul was fully satisfied in it self sending forth out of his eyes and upon his countenance certain motions which signified his joy and inward contentment chiefly when he was to demand his own Territories to free his Subjects from slavery or deliver his Allies from an apparent oppression There was never a Prince less guilty of presumption he was never angry when his judgment was oppos'd but rather well pleas'd when he was overcome by stronger reasons than his own therefore he honour'd and respected so highly wise and vertuous men that without any regard to their Rank or Dignity as
soon as he could hear of any though in the deepest misery he was wont to send for him receiving him in this obliging manner My friend I intreat thee let me be a partaker of thy Wisdom and I will make thee a partaker of my Riches Upon this subject he did often complain that he had many gifts offered to him of Gold Silver Jewels and rich Moveables but very few did offer him those Ornaments and Graces which are needful to govern well so many differing Nations that he had in his Empire Amongst the chief Officers of his Court and dearest Friends there was a Genoese a Christian named Axalla who had been brought up with him from his Cradle and for whom the Parthians had a great respect He was the chief incourager to set the Prince on to great and noble Actions and worthy Enterprises The difference in Religion never hinder'd Tamerlan from listning to him and believing him for as I said before when God alone the Creator of Heaven and Earth was worshipped he never troubled himself nor enquir'd into the differing Modes of worship He was wont to say that it did become the greatness of the Divine Majesty to be served and adored by all the Nations of the Earth in divers manners according to the diversity of people But he hated all Idolaters and would not suffer them to abide in his Dominions So that the Christian Faith which Axalla profess'd openly hinder'd him not from enjoying and possessing the greatest honours and dignities of Tamerlan's Army and Court CHAP. III. The War proclaim'd by Tamerlan against the King of China but stopt by the Revolt of a Calix a great Lord of Tartary his defeat and Execution WHen Tamerlan had privately made sufficient preparations for the Expedition that he had promis'd his Uncle not only for the reasons already mentioned but also because it tended to the Publick Peace to imploy the Subjects of so great an Empire in a Forreign War for otherwise either their numbers or their stirring dispositions might have proved prejudicial to the State every one was surprised to see that the Cloud that had been long a gathering was going to fall upon China The King of this large Country who is named the Off-spring of the Sun expected no such matter But to acquaint him with the reasons of such great preparations Embassadours were sent to him to require a restitution of all the Lands Estates and Feedings which he had taken from the Tartars contrary to the last Treaties These Lands are lying beyond a River called Tachii and beyond that famous Wall which bound both Empires and which the King of China caus'd to be built to secure himself and people from the frequent Inroads of the warlike and restless Tartarians What answer this proud Monarch would make to this Embassie was known before therefore all the Troops were commanded to advance and hasten to their general Rendezvous The Parthians were to meet at Hirdas of Baschir where the whole Army was to joyn them but the Tartarians were ordered to gather together in the Wilderness of Ergimul where Tamerlan with all his Forces was to come to them at a certain day The Grand Cham's Army had two hundred thousand fighting men all well disciplin'd and inur'd to labour and pains In this Army besides were several considerable Lords and worthy Commanders who had render'd themselves famous in many Encounters and Wars in which the Emperour before the decline of his Age had been ingag'd and by which he had inlarg'd the bounds of his great Empire When Tamerlan's Embassadours were return'd out of China they brought this insolent answer that this proud Prince puff'd up with a strange conceit of his own power wonder'd that the King of the Parthians was so bold to make War upon him that he judg'd it more reasonable for him to rest satisfied with that which he could take away from him with his mighty Army that he regarded not the progress that Tamerlan had made with his Forces nor their successes already they were too weak to be compared with the numerous Armies of the Chineses This proud Answer caus'd all deliberation to cease Tamerlan instantly sent a Messenger to the Emperour to let him understand the posture of Affairs and this vain-glorious Answer of the King of China In the mean while he gave all necessary orders for Provisions and Ammunitions to be sent to the Rendezvous of the Army from all parts and for the Tartars Army to advance forward with an intention to joyn both his Armies in few days But before his departure he was willing to take his leave of the King his Father and recommend his just Cause and Expedition to his Prayers This good Parent being sensibly mov'd at the goodness and piety of his Son imbrac'd him several times After many hearty wishes for his prosperous Expedition he spake to him in these terms Farewel my Son I shall see you no more I feel my self departing to my final rest I am going to exchange this perishing life so full of misery for another more happy Then he took his Royal Ring from off his Finger and gave it to his Son without enquiring into the causes of his Wars The old Father call'd Odmar and spoke to him to recommend his Sons concerns to his care and fidelity in a manner so full of gravity and goodness that he seem'd to have something in him more than humane After this the Prince return'd to Samarcande where the Empress his Spouse was whom he intended to carry with him in the wars according to the Custom of that Nation And as he was naturally very thankful for the services that he had received he visited the Tomb of his faithful servant Haly and according to the manner of his Law he caus'd prayers to be said during three days entire for the peaceable rest of his Soul Finally he gave order to the Government of his Kingdom and for the preservation of the Frontier Towns and committed all to the inspection of Samay a man of great worth and experience who had tutor'd him in his young days Tamerlan could not easily forget such kind of services he had a particular respect for those that taught him Vertue he kept for them as much affection as if he had been still under their tuition This generous inclination so full of goodness made him highly reverenced and beloved of his People He went from Samarcande to Hirdas of Baschir where his Army was quarter'd consisting only of one hundred thousand Foot and fifty thousand Horse There he gave orders to the rest of the Army to march as soon as he should send them word His greatest dependency was upon the Forces of the Grand Cham his Uncle who mightily incourag'd this War But when he was at the Rendezvous he was forc'd to make a stop because of his indisposition occasion'd chiefly through the change of the Air as his Physicians imagin'd In the mean while the Army of the Grand Cham was upon
this while Tamerlan seem'd to be asleep and expected nothing else that he might give a Check to the ambition of this Fooâ—â— He went forward with his Army a days journey towards Calibes unto whom he had dispatch'd a Messenger with the news of this Rebellion Tamerlan called together his Council and Chief Officers of both Armies and spoke to them in this manner Tamerlan's Speech to his Council of Officers I Am perswaded my Friends that you will all advise me to set by the Enterprise against China and endeavour the quenching of these Flames that are kindled in the Bowels of our Country that I may preserve that Kingdom where you desire that I should Reign and where all the faithful servants of my Lord and Vncle have received me with applause and expressions of joy I am in duty bound to help him to punish Calix for his Rebellion and Insolency He alone hath resisted the Emperours intentions and refus'd to acknowledge me and yield to my Promotion to the Empire of Tartary But we must also think at the same time of resisting our Forreign Enemy whose vast Armies are as likely to assault us as to oppose our attempts It is very likely that the Chineses are made the bolder by Calix's Rebellion with whom it is probable they hold Correspondency and to whom they may have promis'd assistance and protection with a design to divert our Forces which they saw were all coming against their Country to re-take what they had usurped upon us Therefore my Friends I think it best that whiles I shall go back to chastise the ambitious Rebel Calibes should stay upon the Frontiers with five and twenty thousand of the Parthians Cavalry and forty thousand of the Emperours and with one hundred thousand Foot to hinder the Chineses from breaking into our Country I shall leave at his Command all the provisions of Victuals and Arms which we have gathered for our Army and put into some place of security our Artillery and warlike Engines In the mean while I will march back with the remainder of the Army against Calix and order Samay to meet me with fifty thousand Horse and when I shall see convenient I will stay to wait for the Emperours Commands This Discourse of Tamerlan was well lik'd of by all the chief Officers of the Council though some that had not understood this Rebellion were of a contrary judgment They said that it was a temerity to ingage in a War with the King of China in such a time when a Civil Dissention breaks out like a Cancer that consumes the Entrails of the Kingdom and disappoints all foreign designs that it was wisdom to secure the Heart of a Country before one attempts the Conquest of another But these persons were not well acquainted with the Princes Secrets for the long knowledge of the rebellious practices of Calix had made him keep up an Army always ready to march at his first motion They knew not that Tamerlan apparently displeas'd at this Rebellion was not really angry to go into his new Empire with weapons in his hands for a Cause that his Uncle judg'd to be just because this would gain to him the affection of the Souldiers and give him a new possession of and Title to the Empire that had been given him and because this tended to the security of his Dominions for the future for by the punishment of this Rebel others would ever be discouraged from making new attempts We must confess that Tamerlan's wisdom appear'd as well by this separation of the Tartarian Army as by obliging Calibes to stay upon the Borders though he knew very well that this Lord was desirous to follow him to be an Eye-witness of the event of this Civil War that he might govern himself according to the good or bad success The Prince of Tanais who had an eye upon Calix and without whose advice he never did any thing commanded the Van of the Parthians Army that was left behind Thus both Armies were divided The King of China was a long while without understanding any thing of this inward Rebellion He thought the whole Army of the Parthians and Tartarians had been at hand for Tamerlan had taken great care to stop the passages that no News could pass This favour'd Tamerlan's designs not a little The Army where his Person was marched back with diligence and great hopes of success The Van led by Odmar staid upon the borders of those Provinces where Calix had his Agents until the Prince had sent to acquaint the old Emperour with all things that had passed But when the Messenger was return'd he understood that the Emperour was desperately sick and that the whole Empire was inclineable to Rebellion This News made him leave his Infantry behind and to draw with more haste nearer to the Enemy with all his Cavalry His coming was to him unexpected Calix had been with his Army of one hundred thousand men before the great and proud City of Cambalu the Metropolis of the Province of Catay The Inhabitants had open'd their Gates and received him with as much joy as if he had been their lawful Soveraign They were so blind and foolish as to send some of their own Citizens with the Deputies which the Rebel had dispatch'd to the Court held then at Quinsay They had Orders in his name to assure the Emperour of his obedience and fidelity and with studied expressions to impose upon him by colouring his Revolt with the hatred against the Parthians and their solemn League which they had lately made never to own Tamerlan for their Prince They beseeched his Majesty to substitute in his place Calix that their glorious Empire might not be inslaved to a Stranger of Zagatay At this same time there was news secretly flying that the Prince of Parthia was already upon the borders of Catay and that he was followed by the best Troops of the Empire Calix could never stifle this Rumour to keep on his side such as had too unadvisedly ingaged themselves in this Quarrel out of a perswasion that Tamerlan would not be able to return in eight Months from his Expedition into China whatever success and happiness he met with Calix with all his subtle fetches could not work upon their minds already possessed with the fear of the punishment which their Rebellion had deserved They were as much surpris'd and affrighted as are a company of Scholars when their Master finds them quarrelling and in a disorder contrary to their duty At this time the Tartarians were Courting of Calix at Cambalu where he received the Homages of the Provinces that yielded to him But this unexpected coming of Tamerlan was a dreadful news that dasht all their joys some of them were asham'd of their sudden and inconsiderate Rebellion which so much the more deserved a punishment because it was acted against their lawful Lord and against the greatest Captain of the World whose Vertue was worthy to command not only the Empire
of Constantinople and of the resolution of the Turks to fight him in a pitch'd Battle He intreated him not knowing certainly the hazard of War to prevent the worst and give order that the Borders of the Empire might be well-guarded and secured with Souldiers That the Cavalry might be always ready with their Horses because the Neighbouring people who are wont to fawn upon the Conquerour in his prosperity change their minds insult and labour to spoil them when Fortune begins to frown Therefore wise Princes when they are ready to adventure their Army in a considerable Battle always labour to secure the entry of their Dominions for fear that victorious Enemy in pursuance of his advantage should deprive him of the power of recovering his loss by winning from him his Country This was Tamerlan's constant practice in such occasions He was more careful to call upon his people and advise them to provide for their defence than to send them notice of his Victory The Army left Buisabuich after that a Council of War had been held of the chief Officers and noblest Persons whom the Prince was wont to call together to propose his designs and desire their advice By this means he won their Affections which he knew how to reward such persons as were the farthest from him did sometimes receive Testimonies and Marks of his goodness and of his esteem with which he honoured them in the places where the Army continued a while and when it was at a stand But chiefly the Officers of Forraign Nations and of his Allies did often receive expressions of his bounty He did frequently invite them to eat at his Table where he did converse with them in a very obliging manner setting aside for a while all gravity and incommodious reservedness Amongst these strangers the Lord of Vauchefu a Chinese was one of the most esteemed and honoured by him He often said That the Vertue and Courage of Axalla together with the Affection of this Lord had made him Master of one of the noblest Kingdoms of Asia Therefore to shew how thankful he was the Prince had him often near his person and discours'd with him concerning the Customes and Manners of the People through whose Country they march'd This Lord brought with him some Troops out of China which kept company with the rest of the Army and observed the same Order and Discipline Thus the Army arrived at Garga where it pass'd over the River Euphrates the Van having gone over before at Chinserig The Rendezvous of the whole Army was appointed at Gianich which was surrendred at the first summons There Tamerlan understood That Bajazet was within thirty Leagues of that place which caus'd the Tartars to march more warily and more compact together The greatest part of the Cities and Towns in the way were yielded up into the Prince's Hands who treated them very kindly but those that offered to resist were severely punish'd if the Inhabitants were Turks but the Christians were commonly pardoned and set at liberty for the sake of the Emperour Emanuel Paleologue whom the Prince was resolved to gratifie in all things Axalla according to his orders caused them to take an Oath of Allegiance to this Prince whom he intended to re-establish in possession of his whole Empire and punish his dreadful Enemy whose ambition carried him to attempt the ruine and destruction of the once flourishing Empire of Greece without minding how much the Tartars were obliged to defend it This War undertaken by Tamerlan against him who was commonly called the Thunder-bolt of Heaven could not have a more just and reasonable ground for besides the horrid Cruelties that he committed upon both Sexes he endeavoured to take away the Empire from a Confederate Prince under a pretence of pacifying the troubles and rob one who had never offended him He often flattered him with fair promises which he never fulfill'd so that he had reduc'd him to that extremity that of a large Empire he had only a few small Towns remaining to him about Constantinople unto which he had laid Siege This undertaking therefore of Tamerlan was very honourable to free this Emperour from an apparent Tyranny and Oppression and to pluck out of the unmerciful Hands of so barbarous an Enemy a flourishing Empire and the most Magnificent City of the World In the prosecution of so honourable a design he expected with good reason the blessing and assistance of the great God of Hosts In this little digression I have thought fit to shew the greatness of his courage that led and inclined him naturally to help the feeble oppressed with unlawful Powers and to oblige the proud to listen to reason in imitation of God unto whom all Soveraigns should endeavour to be like The Army left Granich with joy and assurance of success Axalla who Commanded the Van sent before Chianson Prince of Ciarran with four thousand Parthian Horse to learn some certain news of the Enemy He commanded to destroy all places thereabouts with Fire and Sword and to bring him word where Bajazet was and what manner of Country was beyond Sannas This Captain who was highly esteem'd in the Army and Commanded in Axalla's absence the Van-Guard sent before his Party five hundred Horse Commanded by a Parthian Captain who had not gone above ten Leagues but he had news of the Enemy for as soon as he had surpris'd Sannas he was told that the Turkish Army was at Taraya in their march to meet Tamerlan Axalla sent notice of this to the Prince who commanded him to keep the place till the Turks were come up and to let him understand every hour all the news that he could learn Tamerlan had no desire to march any further because he was already in a large and spacious Field fit for a Battel He was forc'd to precaution himself and take care of his great business because he had to do with a War-like People us'd to fight against Christians a cunning People that want nothing to manage the business of War He consider'd therefore that though his Army was more numerous than his Enemies it was compos'd of many Nations who were to be govern'd with discretion for they were then to fight not with the Chinese a delicate and effeminate People but with true Souldiers who had no other hopes but in Victory Therefore the Prince forgot nothing that might be useful to him and help him in his business for that purpose he sent Axalla to take a view of the Ground unto which he intended to draw Bajazet to have his advice whether it were fit for a Battel It is scituated between the Sea or the Pontus Euxinus and Gianich near Sannas on the one hand it is bounded by a little River that runs into Euphrates He sent him word again to have a care to keep Sannas as long as he could and that in case they could not keep it they should set Fire to the Houses and burn it that the Enemy might not stop