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
you shall with your Army assault a place that I will appoint that your Souldiers may become Masters of a Mountain over against the Enemy which will gall them for when the Chineses shall see that they are assaulted behind and before they will no longer guard the Wall but will suffer you to enter and assist those that I shall lead in and for your security and my fidelity which I promise I will give you my only Son in hostage together with two young Daughters and my Wife and for my Brother I am perswaded he will follow my directions and serve you every where as affectionately as my self When this Lord had ended his discourse the Prince was wonderfully satisfied and began to hope that his design would take effect but he desired that the business should be managed so secretly that he suffered not the Prince of Tanais to know by what means the Lord of Vauchefeu would give an entry into China to his men none was admitted to his Conference but only an Interpreter This Lord went away very well contented with his gifts and Tamerlan's Kindness and respects to him The Prince of Tanais had orders to conduct and guard him with all possible honour and civility Tamerlan likewise return'd to his head Quarters The next day he discover'd all the Plot to Odmar but before he would venture upon the Execution he desired to understand from Calibes what he had learned concerning the intentions and preparations of the Chineses in obedience to his Command he spoke to him in this manner Worthy Prince I am ready to put in execution without examining all your Commands as your most obedient slave if therefore you desire from me to know what I have understood concerning the present State of China having had sufficient time to learn during six Months that I commanded your Armies upon the Borders to defend them against the Inroads of the Enemies I must tell you that the King of China that reigns now is a Prince of a great reputation gain'd by his inlarging the limits of his Empire more than any of his Predecessors before him He is proud and insolent for he names himself The Lord of the World but all his strength consists in the defence and guarding of this famous Wall which stops us here I confess 't is great and is as I judge guarded by fifty or threescore thousand men in Garrison along these Mountains They are the best Souldiers of the Kingdom so that I judge it not possible to force away through without endangering your whole Army I have heard that about the Lake of Hogeen there is an easie way to go into that Kingdom but we must march seven or eight days to it and go through strait passages long and tedious for so numerous an Army as yours is so that the King of China would have time to provide for his defence He thinks at present that none opposes him but I alone and that I am here but only to defend the Country by your orders for my part I think that it is the best for you to direct your course that way it is doubtless the most secure for the conveniency of Provisions the strength of War and of an Army without which there is no marching to a Fight with Courage This noble Prince is my judgment of that you desire to know of me I cannot discourse of the Country till we enter into it The Prince who knew more listened with attention and discovered nothing to him nor any body else about him of that which he had discoursed with the Lord of Vauchefu When every one had spoken his mind he answer'd That the great God whose Glory he maintain'd against such wicked Idolaters would assist his good intentions strengthen the Courages of his Souldiers and would facilitate that which they look'd upon to be difficult or impossible In this manner the Prince discover'd his designs and the strength of his Army which consisted more in cunning than in courage more in the Foxes Taile than in the Lions Skin Thus the Emperour craftily concealed the assured means that he had to open a passage to his Enemies that being ignorant of the facility to overcome them they might ascribe the good success to his conduct alone and by that means that his Reputation might be more increas'd and his Wisdom Skill and Courage more esteem'd But before he attempted this great design he gave rich presents to the Kings Princes and Lords that were there with him to win them and appointed next the Rendezvous of his Army Assoon as it was together in one Body he drew out fifty thousand men of his best Troops making the Prince of Tanais their Captain and gave him for Assistant Axalla the Genoese an experienced Commander faithful and courageous for his interest he desired the Prince to act nothing without his advice and to believe him in every thing At the Day of the departure the Lord of Vauchefu came with his Brother to meet the Emperour they assur'd him that the success would answer his expectation for they had been to visit the way which was to be forc'd and that led into the Kingdom of China they had found it as unprovided as they expected The Prince after a short Conference upon the place resolved to march in person with all his Army and draw near to this famous Wall over against Quaquifou whiles the fifty thousand chosen men commanded by the Prince of Tanais and Axalla should gain the passage into the Country in that order that he had prescribed to them which was that Axalla should lead twenty thousand men in the Van and the Prince of Tanais should follow in the Reer with thirty thousand and that each Party should have with them one of the Lords of China to guide them that the Enterprise might be the easier After this they left the Prince and march'd ten Leagues to the passage which they took without resistance a little while they stopt there to rest themselves and then went on ten Leagues farther to the place where the Chineses were to guard the Wall They never dream'd of any such surprise but minded only those that were commanded by Tamerlan they hop'd well that the great advantages which they had would enable them to repell all the assaults of Tamerlan's Army They found themselves deceived and at a loss for no sooner did the Prince's Army draw near to their Walls but they saw at the same time Axalla coming to them by another way with twenty thousand men seconded by the Prince of Tanais with another Body They went directly to assault them but the Chineses in that urgent occasion divided their Army and unfurnished the Wall which gave an opportunity to Odmar to win it with his Infantry which he commanded that day he made such speed that the Chineses found themselves on a sudden encompassed about with two Armies when Axalla begun the onset The Battel was Bloody the Chineses were totally routed by this noble
The prisoners went before and amongst them was Bajazet the Turkish Emperour who was chain'd for fear that he should offer violence to himself This was an instance of the Worlds unconstancy but his misfortune had neither made him milder nor more tractable In his lowest misery he abated nothing of his pride and haughty mind All the people of the Country through which Tamerlan passed sung forth his praises and loaded him with Prayers and Blessings for his Victories At last he arrived at Samarcand with all the riches and spoils and was received in a most glorious manner Near two months were spent in feastings playes and all manner of publick rejoycings The Emperour then called to mind a Vow that he had made to build a most glorious Temple with an Hospital Accordingly he now laid the foundations and Dedicated it to the Only Immutable and Incomprehensible GOD. And for the better carrying on of the work he had sent for all the able Artists to employ them in building this Temple and Hospital and in other glorious structures for the embellishing of this great City for he had an intent to enlarge Samarcand and to render it as big again as it was before for that purpose he had marked out the streets and caused ground to be given to such as desired to build and if persons were poor and not able he deliver'd to them out of his Exchequer monies to carry on their work He gave liberty to all prisoners that would dwell in the City and settle their abode and granted large priviledges to all the Citizens And though he spent much time in ordering the affairs of this new City he neglected not to manage and preserve the affections of his Souldiers He had caused all the names of the worthiest of them who had behav'd themselves well to be recorded which Records he now called for and when they expected no such matter he gave them gifts and things answerable to their behaviour and services and promoted some to employments sutable to their Capacities and Talents Whiles he staid at Samarcand the Auxilliary Troops of the Moscovites were refreshing themselves Afterwards he dismissed them with their full Wages and desired them to return his thanks to their Prince Sinopes a Nephew of Prince Axalla was ordered to conduct them through the Emperours Country that they might not be disorderly and to renew the Alliance with the Great Duke that he might be secure of the borders of Paâ—â—thia whiles he should be further at a distance At this time Tamerlan discovered in his privy Council the old Emperours death He caused his obsequies to be performed in the most glorious manner answerable to his Unkles deservings and grandeur He spent eight dayes in these funeral Ceremonies and afterwards left Bajazet in the keeping of the Governour of Sachetay at Samarcand to go and visit the Empress his Wife But as his greatest desire was to live in Peace and Union with his Neighbours and Allies and to preserve the Countries that he had conquered he thought fit for that purpose to send Nâ—â—bazes one of his most understanding Ministers to continue with the Prince of Tanais and assist him with advice either in War or for the suppression of the Cabals which might rise to disquiet his Government and Kingdome or about the borders and to help him to carry on the Emperours interest and designs During his absence nothing had happened amiss but he charged Nobazes to have a special care to cause order and discipline to be observed amongst his Souldiers as the best means to make them capable of the services he expected from them The Emperour departed for Quinzay with all the Court and his ordinary guard of forty thousand horse and threescore thousand foot After several days march he arrived through the acclamations and publick rejoycings of all the people at Câ—â—mbalu where he received the news of a battle won by Odmar from one of the Generals of the King of China He gave him an account by letters that in pursuance of the Victory he had taken three or four great Cities of that Kingdome So that the King had been forced to sue for peace the second time Odmar desired therefore instructions upon what conditions he should grant him peace The Emperour sent him these conditions which he should require That the King of China should pay him all the arrears of the Tribute of the former years unto which he was engaged by the first peace That he should be obliged to come to him and render him homage as a vassal of the Empire That whiles he should be in the way the Army should depart That all the Towns taken in this last War should be restored three onely excepted at the Emperours choice That for all other things they should be reduced to the same condition as they were before this last breaking out and that upon this condition he should pay the Emperours Army six moneths with all the charges of this War which he had kindled of his own accord The Emperour at the same time considered how to reward Odmar for his services he imagin'd no better way than to promote him to the honour of his Alliance by giving him his own Sister in Marriage He sent her therefore with a stately equipage and Train So great a token of his respects and love he conceived would ingage him the more to be true faithful and careful for his Princes interest and person and the good of his Empire It is not to be imagin'd with what state and in what glory Tamerlan was welcomed into Cambalu for the Inhabitants of this great City to take away from him the remembrance of their former rebellion endeavoured beyond all others to express their zeal and affection for him The Prince was so well pleased with them that he restored all their priviledges which had been taken from them during Calix's revolt Every where when he passed by there was nothing heard but Prayers and Blessings from all the people and thankful expressions from himself for he labour'd to win the hearts of his Subjects of this great Empire which was fallen into his hands Not only the Towns and Cities did ring with applauses and shouts of joy but also the Country round about were glad to see him well and safely returned when he passed by the Herds these are certain Families that have no setled abode but wander up and down the fields when they are weary in one place they travel to another and alwayes stop where they meet with most grass for their Cattle The Empress came to Cambalu to meet the Emperour having left behind Axalla at Quinzay to command in her absence And because this great City is nearest to mount Althay where the Scythian Emperours called Great Chams are usually interred from this City The Emperour caused the Corps of his deceased Unkle to be carried with all the Pomp and State imaginable He himself followed the Herse and though it is not usual to see women
employed him a little after and the rather because he saw himself aged and weak and desired nothing more but to sequester himself from business and to serve God the rest of his days in the contemplation of his glorious Works But before he accomplished this great Design though he had for his Son all the esteem and good opinion that he deserv'd he was not so unadvised as to venture in such young hands the Government of his Realm without a precaution and sufficient provision for his advice and counsel for if he had done otherwise he would have but expos'd his Kingdom to those dangers and losses which are not easily repair'd To prevent all mischiefs of that nature he placed near his Son to ease and direct him in the management of Affairs Odmar and Haly the two greatest and wisest men of the Kingdom noted for their Noble Birth and for their Experience in Affairs aswell as for their other Vertues and fidelity to his Interest Tamerlan received these two great persons from his Father as the tokens of his love and since he never undertook any thing without their advice He embrac'd them always with so much respect and affection that for fear of forgetting one after his decease he wore his Ring upon his Finger aswell to call to mind the good services that he had received from him as to hinder him from forgetting two rare Precepts which he had given him when he was to sit in Judgment and to do justice to his Subjects This noble way of acting soon won him the hearts of all his Subjects so that they looked upon him as their life and soul From hence we may observe That a mild and loving disposition together with an acknowledgment of good deeds is the strongest Charm that a Prince can use to win the souls of his people and get their prayers and affections In his young days and at his first coming to the Crown he enjoyed quiet and peace at home through his Fathers care to scatter and send at a distance all troublesome spirits who might have disturbed the State But this peaceable time he employed rather in Study than in his Divertisements instead of spending his hours in a Bath the greatest delight of the Parthians he spent them in reading of Arabian Books and in meditating the Precepts of Astrology at such moments only when he had finished his weightier Employments relating to the Government of his Kingdom In the discharge of which he often said That his good Genius did assist and help him and that having so much favour from Heaven he could not but succeed in all his Designs He had so great a care of and so much esteem for divine matters and things and for whatsoever concern'd the Religion of his Forefathers that he would not be perswaded to suffer any alteration Nevertheless he gave liberty to all Religions that teach to worship one God Creator of all things giving this as his Reason That his Divine Majesty did delight to be served and adored in divers manners But he was a declared and an irreconcileable Enemy of Idols and Idolaters whom he always vexed He was of a middle stature his shoulders were but narrow his legs beautiful his body full and well set a comely face with good features and his eyes so full of goodness mildness and majesty together that it was no easie matter to look stedfastly upon them Therefore the Prince was wont to turn away out of modesty his eyes from him that spoke to him that he might finish his discourse with more confidence He had but little hair upon his Lips and Chin it was curl'd very thick and of a fine Ash-colour he wore it long contrary to the custom of the Tartars who shave their Heads before leaving but some few locks behind which they cover over with their Caps but he had almost always his head uncovered Therefore when one of his Favourites asked him why he had not his Head shav'd as other persons of his Country he answered Vnderstand my Friend one thing which I will tell thee because I will thereby acknowledge thy affection to me That my Mother was of the Race of Samson therefore in remembrance of my Forefather she hath commanded me to preserve my hair This is the cause of my long hair This secret being afterwards spread abroad gain'd to him the respect of all his Subjects chiefly of his Army who imagin'd therefore some extraordinary vertue in his hair This belief was confirmed by his wonderful skill and strength in wrestling because the strongest Tartars were not to be compared to him and that such as were foiled thought it an honour though overcome to struggle with a Prince of so much reputation This being the right description of Tamerlan it is easie to be imagin'd that rest and a quiet life was not pleasing to him But though his aim was at Glory and Honour he chose rather to check his Martial temper than to invade his Neighbours and trouble their Peace without cause Providence that had adopted him suffered not long his courage to be without exercise It led him upon this great Theatre of the World there to appear in an eminent manner We shall see him next in his first goings out CHAP. II. Tamerlan's War with the Moscovites THE Moscovites broke the Peace they were weary of that Rest which they had long enjoyed thinking themselves therefore so dreadful that all their Neighbours were to stand in awe of them They made some In roads upon the Territories that are on this side of Cazan and Astracam and that border upon both Empires They had never received any dammage from these Inhabitants Their intention was only to conquer them without any Right or Claim They enter'd therefore amongst them with their Army and cau'sd every thing to pass through Fire and Sword sparing neither Towns nor Villages besides they plunder'd a City bordering upon Zagatay or Sachetay and under Tamerlan's protection In this surprise these poor Inhabitants being not able to stop the fury of those Northern Barbarians sought a remedy from their Tears and Complaints and from the Power and Justice of their Protector Tamerlan was sensible of their wrongs and the affront done to his Person and Government by the Insolency of the Moscovites who had discover'd so little regard of him He promis'd therefore to punish them and check their cruelty and boldness For that intent he takes advice what to do in this juncture from his two faithful Counsellors who encouraged him to declare an open War with the Moscovites in defence of his People and Confederates In the mean time Odmar and Haly according to their Princes expectation and Orders were busie in gathering together all their Troops dispersed in Garrisons to raise new Souldiers and form a considerable Body with the assistance of their Allies At the first beginning of the Spring Tamerlan at the Head of his Army marches against his Enemies who were encamped upon the Borders near the
have neither their Courage nor Virtue They are but a rabble led on by Insolency and Brutality who would never be so audacious were it not for their numbers I shall only recommend to you the remembrance of your Ancestors Glory and these considerations that your Prince is in the Encounter with you that he never knew what it is to run away or flye from an Enemy that he hath made you pass over the River never to go back without Victory in your Hands and that he puts all his trust upon your undaunted Courages and Faithfulness These words caus'd strange Transports in the minds of the Souldiers which made them break out into loud cries to be led on to the Battel Their furiousness was so great that they were not to be kept in at the sight of the Enemy Odmar soon satisfied them by sending to Tamerlan for the Sign and word of Command when he saw the time convenient but he was prevented by the Moscovites who charged first and gave a furious onset The Parthians received them with an undaunted resolution which had caused them to give back if Odmar at that time had not by his fall disorder'd his squadron By this accident his Cavalry began to shake and was afterwards broken and himself hurried away in the Croud so that he was forced after a considerable loss of Men to shelter himself under the left Wing of his Infantry on that side of the Mountain whither the Prince had sent already six thousand Horse as a recruit When he was mounted again he rallied all his Men that he could pick up and fell upon the sides of the Moscovites Army where the Hungarians were who this day behaved themselves so bravely that only with three thousand Men they broke through Tamerlan's Battel At this he retreated according to the Parthians manner which made the Enemies imagin them to run away This fond conceit had so puft them up that they thought the Victory to be already in their Hands But assoon as the Reer was come up led by the Prince of Tanais who had rallied together about fourteen thousand Horse and all the Foot he obliged the Moscovites to run away in their turn after such extraordinary resistance that one may justly say that their Vertue and Courage was forced to yield to the greater number When the Parthians perceiv'd that Victory smil'd upon them they pursued their advantage so fiercely that their Enemies had neither time to rally nor to understand themselves Tamerlan was here wounded in the Forehead and near the left Eye having left two Horses kill'd under him The Moscovites Army was totally routed many Lords and chief Officers taken Prisoners the Emperour himself was once fallen into the Hands of a Parthian Souldier incognito but he happily sav'd himself and met with ten thousand Horse that had not been broken with them he retreated ten Leagues and for his greater security he pass'd over a River in the Night beyond which he rallied together all that he could save of his Army His Cavalry behav'd themselves in the Battel like Men of Courage but when they saw themselves forsaken of the Foot in the hottest Encounter when they were fiercely charged and Fortune seem'd to turn them her back they were then forc'd to yield to the Conquerour They suffer'd therefore more than the Infantry that sav'd themselves along the Mountains in the dark of the night which favour'd them in all their flight Tamerlan having pursued them three Leagues return'd to the Field where he solemnly gave God the praise for the Victory obtained The next day assoon as it was light he review'd all his Army and understood that he had lost not above seven or eight thousand Horse and between three and four thousand Foot whereas the Moscovites wanted seven and twenty thousand Foot and about fifteen or sixteen thousand Horse We must acknowledge that Odmar this day was the safety of his Prince and of the whole Army and that after his disgrace he behaved himself wonderfully well and wisely in that he assaulted the Enemy upon the Flanks when they had beaten both the Van and the Main Battel and were going to fall upon the Reer led by the Prince of Tanais under whose Wings Tamerlan was retreated If Odmar had not acted in this manner the Moscovites would have doubtless and with ease defeated the Reer and won the honour of that glorious day By this 't is easie to understand how great is the advantage of that Commander who having pitch'd upon a Field and chosen a favourable Ground and Place waits stedfastly for his Enemies coming chiefly when he hath both Wind and Sun to fight with him Tamerlan forgot not to mind his Souldiers and Captains of this happiness It is also certain that when the Reer is well commanded it is able to restore the Battel when it is in a most desPerate condition and to snatch the Victory out of the hands of the stoutest Enemies Assoon as Tamerlan as I have already said had given thanks to God and taken a review of his Army he commanded all the dead both his own men and the Enemies to be buried and afterwards he rewarded all those that had well behaved themselves in the Fight But his joy for the Victory was qualified with the grief for the death of Haly he was killed with an Arrow as he was going to the Fight after that he had gain'd the Mountain and performed Actions worthy of an Immortal Glory Tamerlan caus'd his Body to be embalmed and to remain with him in his own Tent till he return'd to Samarcande where he caused a stately Sepulchre to be made for him which renders his name famous in succeeding Ages and gave a beginning to the glorious Structures which he caused afterwards to be erected in his Capital City and which have made it to be one of the most famous Cities of the World Tamerlan after this Victory was not puft up with Pride as some of his Age are in such great successes many times they are so apt to forget themselves that they become unsufferable to their best Friends But after the slaughter when he beheld so many thousands reeking in their Blood he lamented at the hard and unavoidable fate of such as command in great Armies and addressing himself to those that were about him O how happy is my Father in his choice of Peace and in preferring a solitary and quiet life to this troublesome painful and cruel employment of a Souldier which he must sometimes embrace that governs a Kingdom Is it not grievous that such an one cannot purchase to himself Glory but by the Death of so many millions of his own Species and oftentimes the destruction of his dearest Friends In this manner Tamerlan receiv'd with displeasure such bloody successes purchas'd at the price of so many lives In the mean while he supply'd the duties of his place and gave Orders to advance into the Moscovites Country marching after their flying Army that
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
the Mountains to Burday a City that had been always faithful to the Tartars and that they should there keep them till they had further order Malaxan Axalla's Lieutenant General was to command that Party by him the Prince writ to the Emperour his Uncle and to his Viceroy of Sachetay to acquaint them with his happy success and Victory where he had lost but few of his Men but the Chineses many By this means he freed himself from a great many Chariots and Baggage that incumber'd his Army sending them with the Prisoners He order'd also the Recruits to be hastened and forty thousand Foot to be gathered in Parthia and thirty thousand Horse in Tartaria that they might come to him before the Forces of the King of China could be able to make head to stop him He advis'd what was best to be done upon this news and it was resolved That Quanton should be spedily besieg'd and if it were possible to shut up the Kings Brother in the City This place is one of the chiefest of the Kingdom very populous and naturally strong It was about forty Leagues from the Field where the Battel was fought Odmar took in his way thither many small Towns without opposition and was march'd as far as the Walls dispersing his Troops round about with an intention not to depart without the Prince's order to whom he had dispatch'd a Messenger to understand his pleasure An universal fright had seiz'd upon the hearts of all the Inhabitants of the Kingdom though the Kings Brother endeavour'd to settle their minds and oblige them to take Courage The Humanity of Tamerlan and the Civilities that he had expressed to the King of China and to the rest of his Prisoners being nois'd abroad in the Country satisfied their minds and made them bear their misfortune with patience Every one knew already that the Prince was of a mild and obliging temper that he took a great delight in shewing his mercy to such as deserved or desired it by their behaviour and repentance and that when he was angry by an indiscreet fierceness he was loth to be cruel and rough to any But in regard his design was to bring down the proud and to raise up the humble he observ'd an equality in his Rewards and Punishments to prevent by that means all occasions and inclinations of mischief He had another good quality that caus'd him to be admir'd and cherish'd by all the World he was a religious observer of his word and no Person durst attempt to make him break it without deserving his displeasure The fame of so many good qualities and of so rare a Virtue in Tamerlan spreading about amongst the ignorant Chineses produc'd this good effect that when once they had obtain'd his word they depended upon it as if he had put it immediately in execution This is of an high importance to settle the interest of a Conquerour amongst his new Subjects After all these orders given Tamerlan commanded publick Prayers to be said to implore the Divine assistance He distributed Moneys afterwards to the Captains that they might have a care to heal the wounded and provide necessaries for them and with the rest of his Army in good order march'd towards Quanton He had order'd Odmar to Post himself on the other side of the Town to hinder the Kings Brother from carrying into it his succours in case he should attempt to put any in willing him to oppose himself with all his power and to fight him in case of necessity for he inform'd him that he was coming with the Army to besiege that City At this same time the Kings Brother sent Embassadours to Tamerlan to Know how the King did and to desire leave to visit him Tamerlan was glad of this request because he feared that he would have Proclaim'd himself King of China and by that means have created him much more trouble than his elder Brother In the mean while the Prince of China having understood in what condition the Citizens of Quanton were he resolved to succour them and adventure another Battel because as he thought he had the Troops of his Allies and his own Army numerous enough to do this business for that purpose he march'd straight to Porchio scituate upon a great River where he intended to build a Bridge with Boats having Materials in abundance As soon as Tamerlan had understood his motion he caus'd a Ditch to be made at the end of the Bridge that was over the River with a Fortification to prevent all sudden attempts placing there three or four thousand of his best Souldiers to Guard it In the mean while as the Enemy drew near he stood with his Army drawn up on this side the River and took notice of their countenance and motion Both Armies continued in this manner ten or twelve days without performing any thing worthy of notice At last Tamerlan had news brought him that the Kings Brother had gathered together a great many Boats and was making of a Bridge at a narrow place called Cambin about ten Leagues from his Camp At first he took no notice that he knew it staying in the same place with his Troops without attempting any thing but when he understood for certain that the Bridge was perfected he gave order to fifteen thousand Horse to attack such as were passed over the River commanding his Body of Foot to follow after He had left behind him at Porchio as many as were needful to secure his Camp the rest of his Horse Commanded by the Prince brought up the Reer He stop'd or advanc'd his Army according to the news that he received at every foot in his March of the number and posture of his Enemies that had pass'd over the River About Midnight they left their Camp and came to their Rendezvous about Noon Odmar was there half an hour before the rest but as soon as he understood that there was no more of the Chineses on his side of the River than he was able to beat he stop'd with his Party without medling with them because he wish'd that more would adventure over and he staid for Tamerlan's coming He thought fit to send some Scouts to understand how their number increas'd when he perceived that there were about fifty thousand passed over the River he sent news of it to Tamerlan who was at hand and march'd directly to attack them His coming was not expected for they knew nothing of his March He found them in disorder so that at the first On-set he put them to flight Some of them resisted with courage but not so stoutly as they might have done in so advantageous a Post as they were in for they had the River on the one side and a large Marsh on the other side It is certain that if they had but known their strength and the advantage of the place a small resistance had been able to stop the Tartarians But as soon as Tamerlan's Infantry had got as far as
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
of Janisaries and took Horse wounded but he fell into the Hands of Axalla unto whom he yielded himself Prisoner thinking he had been Tamerlan He was at first taken for some great Lord of the Turkish Army Twenty thousand of the Tartars never acted but after the Fight in pursuit of the flying Enemy whom they kill'd by heaps The Prince had his Horse run through and kill'd with a Lance but he was quickly mounted again One may justly say that his Conduct alone won the Victory for had his Army ingag'd all at once they had been in that strange confusion that might have overthrown them but his cunning to weary the Turks in fighting and recruit his own Parties when they were in want got him the Victory Threescore thousand Men were kill'd of the Turks and about twenty thousand Tartars The Prince of Ciarcan and the Captain of the Georgians both lost their Lives to the great sorrow of the whole Army Calibes that brave Commander who brought up the Reer was vex'd to meet with such small resistance and to have had so little hand in the Action The Despot of Servia a Christian who fought for Bajazet was taken Prisoner every one prais'd him for having well behaved himself that day The prince received him very kindly after that he had blamed him for serving Bajazet against him that intended nothing but to assist and set at liberty his Emperour The Despot answered That what he had done was not out of Duty or Inclination for the good of Bajazet but only for fear of losing his Dominions which he saw were exposed to the ambition and at the mercy of him to whom all the World before seem'd to yield obedience Tamerlan pretty well satisfied with this excuse gave him his freedom to depart when he thought convenient The Emperour had a great care to secure Bajazet's Children and to cause their Father to be cured of his Wounds afterwards he commanded him to be brought before him Bajazet shewed no sign of humility The Prince seem'd to be displeas'd at his proud carriage he told him therefore That his Life depended upon his will and with a word-speaking he could take it from him Speak the word I intreat thee reply'd Bajazet for it will be my greatest happiness How comest thou said Tamerlan to him to be so bold to take away the Empire from the Prince of Greece The desire of glory answer'd Bajazet and of enlarging my Kingdom But wherefore said the Prince dost thou commit so many Cruelties and use thy conquered Subjects so barbarously as to spare neither Age nor Sex I act thus answered he to terrifie mine Enemies the more For the same Reason replyd'd the Prince thou shalt be treated in the same manner With that he sent him away and turned to his Commanders Behold said he a proud and haughty Man that deserves to be punish'd and made an Example to all such cruel and barbarous People as he is I confess God hath this day subdued and put in my power a great Enemy I am bound to return him thanks Afterwards he sent for Bajazet's Children to be brought to him he seem'd to pity their misfortune and commanded them to be civilly and courteously treated as the Children of a great Monarch He commanded next that to bury the dead The Body of the Prince of Ciarcan was found amongst the Janisaries where he was ingag'd Tamerlan express'd a great deal of sorrow for the loss of this young Prince who was his Kinsman and likely to do him great service A great number of Captains were killed this day and almost all the Officers of the Turks for the Fight was fierce and bloody for the Fight continued from seven a Clock in the Morning till four in the Afternoon and then it was not well known who should win the Victory On the third day after the Fight the Army march'd away for the first was employed in burying the dead every one render'd that Duty to their Friends and Kindred The Body of the Prince of Ciarcan was Embalmed and conducted with a Guard of two thousand Horse to Samarcande to be there kept till the Emperour's return The other Corpses were buried in Sannas with honour Axalla was grieved for the death of his Kinsman a brave bold and couragious young Man well beloved of the Prince His Command was given to his Brother who shewed then great signs of a noble courage Alhacent saith That he could not but make that day a Reflexion upon the unconstancy and vanity of worldly things sufficiently represented in this Battel At the beginning Bajazet the dreadful Emperour of the Turks thought himself above all changes of Fortune having met with nothing on Earth able to withstand his Power but a few hours after he is cast down and with a blow his flourishing Estate overthrown when he least expected it This caused him to confess since that he had been deservedly punished for having despised great Armies and placed all his confidence in the valour of his Horsemen and of his Janisaries He was three days as it were in a despairing condition fretting and tormenting himself he sought to kill himself and called for Death to deliver him out of his Captivity Tamerlan who was the mildest the most courteous and compassionate Prince yet could he not be perswaded to pity him for he dealt with him as with a furious Beast so that when he mounted upon his Horse upon solemn Festivals Bajazet was brought to him that his Shoulder might serve him as a step to leap upon his Horse This he did not out of any Ostentation but only to humble Bajazet and discover to him the folly of Men who seek in themselves and not in God all their greatness and confidence The next day the Army marched the way that leads to Bursa whither the sad remains of Bajazet's Army were fled under the Command of Bassa Mustapha All the Country through which Tamerlan pass'd submitted He commanded all the Fortresses to be demolish'd and punish'd severely those that offered to withstand him and endure a Siege Tamerlan had caus'd several Pris'ners to be led in Chains after the Body of the Prince of Ciarcan to Samarcande He intended to enlarge that City and increase the Inhabitants that it might be a Testimony of his Glory and a Monument of his Grandeur to future Ages For that purpose he had caus'd many Chineses taken in the former Battels to be carried thither and some he had invited out of Pekin and Quanton This famous Battel that overthrew Bajazet filled all his Subjects with fears and obliged them to submit to the Conquerour Nothing was able to resist Tamerlan till he arrived with his Army before Bursa whither his defeated Troops were fled and shut up with two of his Male Children very young In the mean while Axalla advanc'd forward with forty thousand Horse and an hundred thousand Foot without any incumbrance or Baggage with them he hinder'd the Enemy from rallying and made a terrible
to be remedied Tamerlan was guilty of as great a mistake by sending the Vanguard so far before which might have cost him very dear had it not been for Axalla's subtilty in dallying with and keeping off the Enemy with light skirmishes for otherwise the Emperour could not have came in timely enough to succour his oppressed and disordered Troops Thus it happens frequently the greatest faults and mistakes in War are turned by Providence into Stratagems of Wars when it intends to favour the party as it did Tamerlan in this occasion His diligence in assisting his men caus'd him to win this notable Victory which broke the heart of the War and brought it to a period sooner than most men expected It was known afterwards that the Sultan had been conselled to lengthen the war which was a wise and a safe advice but his fury and courage could admit of no delayes he made too much haste to his ruin This battel was bloody near Fourscore thousand men lost their lives on both sides but no person of any note of Tamerlan's Army but Andronicus and three Parthian Captains of great worth All the equipage of the Sultan was taken the next day and a great deal of plunder The Prince sent messengers to all his Allies to acquaint them with the Victory and chiefly he sent to the Greek Emperour to express his grief for the Death of Prince Andronicus intreating him to appoint some other person in his stead to command the Greeks He sent also messengers to publish the News of this great victory in all his Kingdomes and to give an account of it to his Unkle the Emperour In this place the Army was not able to subsist long because it was so numerous and the Country between the Mountains narrow and barren in many places Tamerlan therefore sent his Troops about and caused his Army to take a little more Elbow room but he sent Axalla with all the Cavalry of the Vanguard to pursue after the Sultan and not suffer him to have any time to rest He fled towards Aegypt with forty thousand horse The happy News of this Victory soon came to the Ears of the Prince of Tanais who sent it to the besieged within Gevolach They were mightily afflicted when they heard it A while after Tamerlan sent him orders to punish them for their folly by destroying the City with fire and sword and sparing none that they might be an example to all other places and hinder them from resisting his power This command was soon after put in Execution for the Town was won by assault the peoples courages failing them through the many losses they had suffered and the daily watchings and skirmishes for the Prince of Tanais gave them no time to breath After this he came to the Emperour who was refreshing himself in Aleppo But after the Sultans retreat into Egypt he fortified all his Towns and sent for supply of men and mony from all his Allies he placed his Garrisons in all the places needful and caus'd all the Country to be ruined and burn'd through which Tamerlans Army was to pass in the road to his Country He spared nothing that could be serviceable to him to make him if it were possible quit the desire of marching that way this caused so great a scarcity in this numerous Army that the Emperour was obliged to review his Companies and leave behind all useless persons afterwards he divided his Army into three bodies the first he commanded the second was led by Axalla the third by Calibes the carriages and baggage he left behind guarded by a party of foot Calibes was order'd to take the way towards the River Euphrates through that Country which confines upon Persia to subdue it The Emperour himself took the way along the Sea Coast And Axalla through Arabia The Prince commanded threescore thousand horse and an hundred thousand foot Axalla fifty thousand foot and forty thousand horse and Calibes thirty thousand horse and fifty thousand foot All that Country seem'd to be cover'd over with men nevertheless there was such an exact discipline and a rule observed in the Army that provisions were brought in plentifully and there was nothing wanting for man or beast In the mean while Axalla pursued after the Sultan and obliged him to make more speed to divide his Army most of his men in his necessity forsook him It was said that he fled into Arabia where it was not possible for the Tartars great Army to follow him onely with four thousand horse it was possible to defend himself and vex a more numerous party because of the scarcity of provisions In this juncture of affairs all the Maritine Towns open'd their gates to Tamerlan as Megate Arnan Tortosa Gibellete Barnt and Nephthalim But Damascus where there was a Garrison of the Sultan oblig'd Tamerlan to besiege it this was a strong Town where the Sultan had appointed Prince Zamadren to be governour He behaved himself well and made a stout resistance but when the Artillery had open'd a breach in the Wall the Prince of Tanais assaulted it and won it only the Cittadel an admirable Castle look'd upon as impregnable held out but the Governour admitting all that sought shelter there hasten'd the surrender for when provisions began to fail men pin'd away with hunger which caus'd them to offer to surrender it upon composition but the Prince would not grant them any to punish them for their unadvised resistance when necessity began to press them they yeilded themselves at the Conquerours discretion he caus'd some to be kill'd with the Sword and others were made Prisoners of War This severity nois'd abroad in the Country oblig'd all the Inhabitants thirty leagues round to bring the keys of their wall'd Towns to Tamerlan who caused them to be us'd civily and courteously and impos'd no other burden upon them but to contribute according to their ability to the Armies subsistance When Damascus was thus taken Tamerlan march'd strait to Jerusalem from whence the Citizens had driven their Garrison as all the Towns of Judea had also done they all yielded themselves to the Emperour he received them with many expressions of his goodness restablish'd them in the free enjoyment of all their priviledges promising to visit the Sepulcher of Jesus Christ according to the custome of the Mahometan Law and for his sake he denied them nothing that they could ask From thence the Army went to Corazin where a Garison of six thousand men had orders from the Sultan to defend themselves and their Town which they seem'd to be resolved upon at first but when they saw the Army planted round about the walls with an intention to carry them their hearts failed them so that they chose rather to implore the Princes favour who granted it to them freely than to hazard a resistance without hopes of releif Some Troops were here left behind to give a check to certain Mamelucks of Nassavia who cut off many about the
retreat they cast themselves into the River with one hand they swum and with the other held their Weapons In this manner they escaped to the other bank Part of their Cavalry was cut in peices another part in the confusion ventur'd into the River and were drown'd for they could not get over This was the last endeavour of the Sultan who beheld with sorrow this great and Stately City from an high place when it was pillaging He told his people to comfort them that they were not men who had ovecrome them but a God who had sided with his enemies So much valour prudence and discretion he had taken notice of in the Tartarian Army The next night after the fight he judged that the Tartarians would be busie in dividing the spoyls and that they would have no time to pursue him He withdrew himself with nine or ten thousand men for the rest were either scatter'd abroad or drown'd in the River As soon as it was day he took the way of Alexandria after that he had thank'd some of his slaves who were a live after they had saved their Prince by their stout and brave resistance for two hours against all the Tartarians Army and their honourable and glorious retreat at the end of this Noble action Tamerlan himself was so great an admirer of them that he commanded those that were taken to be brought to him and out of a desire to use them in his service he treated them kindly and with gifts and other favours endeavoured to win them to himself and though they all refused to forsake their former Masters interest he sent them to the Sultan The Prince was us'd to deal thus in that generous manner with those whom he had overcome He delighted to express his bounty and clemency next after his valour and courage There is nothing more proper for a great Prince than to cause himself to be beloved by his merciful and loving temper as well as to render himself dreadful and respected by his power and noble mind After this furious fight the Prince retreated a little back lodging his men between the River and the City that he might secure and cover the rest of his Army which might otherwise have easily been defeated during the plunder of that rich and wealthy Town This caused him to continue all night on horseback with some of his chief Officers for with them he rode up and down his Camp visiting every corner and praising his Soldiers for their couragious assaults As soon as it was day he went into the Town to take possession of the Castle the ordinary abode of the Sultans where all their riches were treasured up There he lodg'd and caus'd all his Army to be quarter'd round about this Castle which stands at one end of the Town He commanded by a Proclamation that all plundering should cease which had lasted four and twenty hours and every Soldier had orders to return to their colours and to lodge in their quarters the next day he sent out another Proclamation to declare all the Inhabitants free commanding that all Prisoners should be releas'd In the Castle he found wonderful Riches and inestimable Treasures laid up there by the Sultans many years There was the more because they had a law that forbid them to meddle with any thing there but in great necessity when the Kingdome was in want It was thought that the Sultan made the more hast to get into Cairo before Tamerlan for fear of losing these Treasures Some say that he took out in the night many jewels Others speak as if he never enter'd into it that he diminish'd nothing for fear that his men should imagine that he intended to forsake them and they should suspect the retreat he resolved to make Others think that he never medled with these Treasures because he could never dream of being faced in such a City accompained with such and so many faithful Soldiers And when he saw himself driven out against his expectation be ascrib'd the Victory to none but to a Divinity who had so powerfully assisted the Tartarians Army against his men secured in such strong forifications The Emperour sent word to Calibes to inform him of his successes and progress and to deliver him a Commission to be Governour of Aegypt This happy news was welcome in the numerous Army under his command which march'd along the River Euphrates it increased daily by the rendition of many Towns which would not oppose the Princes happiness all Persia trembled at this sudden alteration at the fall of the Sultan This Country was then govern'd by several petty Princes some of them were Mehometans but others Christians The Emperour had an intent to subdue them all In the mean while he gave all necessary orders for the preservation of Cairo and caus'd his Army to pass over the River that he might compleat his Victory for that purpose he march'd to Alexandria where the Sultan had taken sanctuary But before the departure of the Van-guard with Axalla at the head he rewarded liberally every Souldier according to their deservings and courages He caus'd the Oath of fidelity to be administer'd to all the Inhabitants of that great City and of the Towns thereabouts setling every thing in as much peace as he could in so short a time for that purpose he left in Garrison there ten thousand men carried away all such persons as he suspected and placed others in their stead Therefore he led with him many persons in his Army to place and settle in the conquered Towns after this the people came to him from all parts to submit themselves and receive his commands from as far as Cana. Embassadors arrived not only from Arabia Felix but also from Africa to acknowledge Tamerlan's Empire for his Victories had struck a dread into all neighbouring Nations and People at a distance He would not settle the affairs of Aegypt till his return to Cairo from Alexandria The Rear of his Army he sent thither with the Prince of Tanais but he and his Houshold servants embark'd themselves upon the River Nilus for their pleasure It is said that he took a delight to take notice of the rapidity of this River in some places and its slowness in others The News was soon carried to Alexandria that the Army was in their march to besiege it this made the people to rise up in Arms the fear of a total ruin caus'd them to send to the Sultan to intreat him to compassionate their weakness and to represent to him that he could not make the same resistance against so powerful an Army as he had done against others before That it did become him to yield to the present necessity that he should do well to retire into Lybia whether Tamerlan's Army would never follow him that if he would do so they would keep for him that faithfulness they had sworn to him That he need not doubt of their affections for him That they desired him
be so bold to adventure upon him in his strength But they were so proud to have obliged him to depart from before Meleg that they resolved to assault his Camp and the rather because they imagin'd that they had filled his Army with fears and apprehensions They thought to succeed and to increase thereby the Glory of their Souldiers because the Chamberlain was but a young man whom they judged to be without experience in War and fitter for a peaceable Court where he had been train'd up than for a Camp and an Army They had never been so bold if Calibes had yet commanded there for amongst all the Commanders of Tamerlan Calibes was look'd upon to be the most experienced and valiant Captain next to Axalla In a morning therefore they lodg'd their Army near the Chamberlains Camp He had given a strict command that no Soldier should offer to go out but to resist stoutly if they were assaulted He drew up all his men in order of battle and with the advice and direction of some of his chief Officers placed them in such a manner that he could succour and relieve them in any place where they might be assaulted in this posture they waited for the Enemy who made to them with fury and great cryes There was fifty thousand foot divided into two parties that they might attack the Camp in two several places But the Tartarian Camp was so ordered that there was a place for the Cavalry to go out and fight under the shelter of the Trenches The Enemies had not minded it therefore they had sent away theirs beyond a small River whether they imagin'd that the Tartars would retreat in haste for fear of their foot and by that means they would pursue and cut them off In the Chamberlains Camp were eighteen thousand horse and forty thousand foot with a great deal of baggage and many prisoners whom the great Chamberlain had caused to work so briskly in the Trenches that they were stronger than the Walls of the Town of Meleg The fight lasted three hours the Tartars defended themselves bravely And so many of the Enemies Army were destroyed that the Chamberlain imagin'd that he was able to assault them in his turn for that purpose whiles his men dallied with the assailours to keep them in heart he commanded out his Cavalry by that way mentioned before which broke in upon the Enemies infantry so furiously that they killed them at their pleasure till they were weary At that instant he understood that the Enemies Horse were coming back over the River to help their foot which caused him to sound a retreat into the Trenches for he was not willing to hazard any thing but upon good terms knowing that this Cavalry was composed of thirty thousand men The Enemy lost this day five and twenty thousand of their best Souldiers not only by the sally of the Horse but also at the assaulting of the Camp The General or chief Commander of this expedition being the King of Armenia named Eleazar lost his Life in giving great testimonies of his courage and valour As soon as the Emperour had received the news sent to him from the great Chamberlain of the rising of the Princes of Persia and Armenia and of the relief of Meleg he dispatched away Axallae with the Parthians Cavalry but he had not marched three dayes journy but he received the news of their overthrow He sent word of it to Tamerlan expecting at Damascus other orders As soon as the Emperour understood these things he caused them to be publish'd abroad and sent word to Calibes that he might by dispersing the news amongst the Troops satisfy all discontented minds who were perswaded that the Chamberlains Army was totally defeated the Emperour expressed more joy of this Victory than for all that he ever won in his own person some think that it proceeded from a satisfaction to have not been mistaken in the choice he made of the great Chamberlain to act in an employ that seem'd to be beyond the capacity of a young man for had he miscarried many would have exclaimed against the Prince to have pitched upon him his wise conduct and valour won him the praises of every one and of Tamerlan also who could not forbear to commend him It was then reported that the Emperour having a great desire to reâ—â—urn to his Kingdome and Patrimony that he might secure it by his presence for fear that a longer absence or some other disgrace should beget an inclination in some of his people to be troublesome was resolved for the future to govern his Armies by his Lieutenants and therefore before the Winter he would pass over the Mountains of Imaus He sent orders to Axalla to return and stop in the road in all strong places of Judea he places his Garrisons and in Syria Of other Cities that he had no mind to guard he pulled down the Walls some people whom he suspected he carried with him put others in their room and in several Provinces he made new Collonies as he had done in Aegypt and elsewhere He sent home about this time the succours of the Greek Emperour he caused the meanest Souldier to receive his pay and treated so liberally the Officers of the late Prince Andronicus that they departed wonderfully well satisfied that Tamerlan was as much to be admired for his magnificences And gratitude as for his other rare qualities about this time his Chancellour whose advice he followed in many things moved him in this juncture of time to seize upon the Empire of Greece before he returned to Tartary shewing him how needful those Countries would be to him now that he had conquered the Territories of the Sultan that great Princes are not to keep their word and promises no longer than they are useful for their Countery He represented to him that he was the man whom all the World look'd upon as their Prince that many Nations lived peacably under his protection that he ought not to neglect an advantage which would procure to the Parthians and Tartarians much honour and glory and that it was needful for him to take that Empire into his hands that he might make Constantinople the chief seat of all the conquered Countries that he might have nothing but the Sea to limit his dominions Tamerlan returned him this answer that he desired that the Empire of the Parthians might have narrower bounds in observing the rules of Justice than to inlarge them by the commission of a crime That the Emperour of Greece was his friend his neighbour and his Ally that if he did offer to forget himself and break the bonds of aimity that tied them together and the faith which had been solemnly sworn he would make him experience his power and that God would doubtless assist him in the prosecution of a just cause I think said he to him my friend I cannot do any thing more honourable and more glorious for my Empire and for the Parthian
account of the publick affairs and departed to the Court to see Tamerlan But Axalla went to Pekin where he was welcomed by the Governour in that manner that becomed the second person of the Empire Axalla gathered his Souldiers together and with the Army he marched to Parchio upon the borders of both Empires as had been agreed upon before with the King of China but in his way passed by Quanton that strong and populous Town which he had taken in three moneths contrary to the expectation of the whole Army and of the Emperour himself who judged that it would have held out at least six moneths The Report of his coming caused a great multitude of people to meet and welcome him for every one could have desired him instead of Odmar because his way of dealing was so amicable and his vâ—â—rtues so much esteem'd of all the World The Emperour one of the wisest Princes of his time saw plainly that Odmar was not so fit to govern those Provinces that he was too grave and reserved and not flexible but that Axalla was of a contrary disposition that he had the gift to please all sorts of humours and therefore that he would be more grateful to these people But Axalla could not be spared from other places where his presence were more needful for he looked upon him as the only person of his Empire upon whom he could trust the whole concern of his Kingdomes in case any accident or a disease should disenable and take him from the publick management of affairs From Quanton Axalla march'd directly to the appointed rendevouz whither the King of China was going When he had advanced about fifty leagues into the Country lately conquer'd by Odmar he thought he should wrong the Majesty of his Emperour whose person he did then represent by proceeding any farther to meet this Heathenish Prince and that it did more become him to oblige him to come to him there than to advance into the Country which had been restored to this King by the last Treaty and for which he paid Tamerlan a considerable Tribute When the King was arrived with all his Court to a little Town at a league distant from Porchio he went out into a large Field where Axalla met him with more attendants than he had He gave place to Axalla and respected him as much as if he had been the Emperour Three times they met to confer together for the King of China insisted alwayes upon the rendition of a Town which the Emperour had granted him but Odmar refused to yield it because it was a strong place of importance At last he seem'd to be content with another farther in his Country than the former which stood in the midst of the Tartarian dominions Axalla the judge of this controversie put him in possession of the latter because he perceived that the King had no sinister design and that all his aim was but to have a place where he might divert himself and take his pleasure But Odmar an old Jealous pate having been often deceived by this unconstant Prince had a contrary opinion of him for he thought that he desired that place but to plot and contrive new designes to disturb the State He had sufficiently punished him for the last commotion when the Emperour was in Persia for by one battle he won from him five and twenâ—â—y or thirty Towns and above fourscore leagues of good land So that Quinancifu was yeilded up to him according to his desire This Town he seem'd to like better than the other for it is scituate upon a River at the entry of a beautiful Lake which surrounds it and is full of many little Islands where many stately houses were built for the pleasure of the former Kings of China who after preferr'd this abode to their glorious Palaces in their great Cities The last meeting was under a rich Canopy which Axalla caus'd to be erected The King of China came to him with the chief Officers of his Court. After some disputes this agreement was concluded that the King should have liberty to dwell in Quinancy as often and as long as he pleased but should not put in it any Garrison or fortifie it that he should live in it as a private person or a Subject to the Emperour That he might have three hundred men to guard him but that he should have no other mark of Soveraignty but with the consent of the Governour for the Emperour That he should be oblig'd every time that he intended to go to Quinancy to give notice of it to the Governour and that before he set foot upon any of his Imperial Majesties Lands That he should nevertheless enjoy all the Lordship of the City without any molestation from the Emperours Officers This Heathen King accepted these offers in such a manner as discovered plainly that all his engagements promises and oaths would not hinder him from a rebellion nor from an endeavour to sieze upon that pleasant abode if an opportunity were offered to him that he might shut himself up in that City the rest of his dayes for he had an intent to give over the Kingdome to one of his Brothers because he was weary to suffer the Tartarian bondage In this particular he shewed the signs of a noble courage which deserves a better name than that of a barbarian or a heathen usually given to all his people who are nevertheless lovers of Learning and Civility As soon as Prince Axalla had dispatched these weighty affairs he sent news to the Emperour to understand how well he would like his actions and know when he should return In expectation of an answer he visited all the places newly Conquered in China Tamerlans custome was to remove often the Governours of Cities and Provinces and to promote such as had well behaved themselves to better employments or more honourable and more profitable Governments Odmar being very old and sickly and therefore not fit to be upon the borders of an Empire where the Governour ought to be alwayes in action he resolved to keep with him to assist him with his good counsels and the rather because Odmar was not well beloved by the People or the Souldiers He purpos'd therefore to send in his stead the Great Chamberlain a young and brave noble man of a strong and healthy body more likely to please his Souldiers and new Subjects than the other and better able to undergo all the labours and troubles which such an employment at such a distance would require from him for these reasons he would not suffer Odmar to return thither but for Axalla he had orders to come back speedily He was once thinking to send thither the Prince of Vauchefu in Odmars place that he might by that means reward him for all the notable services that he had received from him in so many occasions in his Armies but when he considered that the Parthians are not obedient to strangers and that such a proceeding would