EXPEDITION AGAINST MALTA IN THE YEAR 1055 (1645).
The Kizlar Aghá of Sultán Ibrahím Sunbul Aghá after his dismissal from the Seraï, embarked for Egypt with fifty fair slave girls, and as many boys, and forty horses of the best breed, in the Caravel of Ibrahím Chelebí. He stowed all his riches for three months into the six magazines of this Caravel, and went on board with five hundred armed men of his suite, three hundred merchants, two hundred sailors, and Ezírí Mohammed Efendí who was exiled into Egypt; altogether one thousand three hundred persons, who sailed on Friday, trusting in God. Near Rodos they met six Maltese Galleys, with whom they had an engagement of twenty four hours, during which the horses getting loose increased the confusion of battle. The Caravel was dismasted and dismantled, and except two hundred men all the rest fell martyrs. The owner of the ship upbraiding the Kizlar Aghá, said unto him: “Cursed Arab did I not tell thee not to put horses into the ship, but rather to take in stores and ammunition; but thou didst obtain an Imperial order, hast overloaded the ship, and in that way given up to the Infidels.” Thus saying, he with his sword severed the Kizlar Aghá’s head from his body, and was himself at the same moment cut into pieces by the suite of the Eunuch, who rushed on him with drawn swords. The Infidels witnessing this fact, boarded the ship, fought for three hours more on board of it, made the rest of the men including Ezírí Mohammed Efendí prisoners and took the ship directly into the harbour of Canea, where they came to an anchor. Here they remained a month selling the horses and slaves, and violating all the girls. Some prudent monks and patricians said: “Woe to us, better would it have been not to see this Ottoman ship in this town, with its horses and girls, because a prophecy exists, that if this happened, the island would fall into the hands of the Moslíms.” This rumour being spread was the cause of many families emigrating from the island, the population of which then consisted of four hundred thousand Greeks, and seventy six towns and castles were garrisoned by sixteen thousand Soldiers. This is the account obtained at that time by my Lord Alí Aghá the inspector of the custom house. The Emperor being much hurt at the unhappy accident of the Kizlar Aghá, immediately sent for the Venetian Bailo, accusing him and his whole mission with a breach of the peace, by allowing the Maltese to sell Ottoman goods in their harbour. They kissed the earth and said: “Gracious Emperor, our capitulations stated, that if your Imperial fleet conduct prizes of Infidel ships into our ports, we are to receive them as guests. God forbid that we should intend to break the peace, we were forced by the Maltese Infidels to admit them.” The Emperor then asked, if they would assist him with men and ships; they promised readily to furnish three hundred ships, on which they were invested with robes of honour, and lulled by these means into the sleep of hares. Three thousand purses were issued from the Imperial treasury for the preparations for war, and Kapijí-Báshís sent to one hundred and fifty districts on the side of Jáínak, Sinope, Amassra, Ergelí, Koja Ilí and Isnikmíd, to buy and get ready timber for three hundred ships. From the mountains A’alemtágh and Kapútágh (in the neighbourhood of Constantinople) wood was brought in abundance, so that all the magazines of the arsenal were full of it. The ship-builders of all the Islands were called in, and every week a galley was launched. An Imperial High Admiral’s Ship (Bashtarda, Head tartana,) and ten Maúnas were built, and the Arsenal swarmed with busy men. Vezírs were sent into Rúmelí and Anatoli to collect armies, Khassekís and the standard-bearer of the prophet were dispatched to Algiers, Tunis, and Tripolis, with twelve thousand ducats of powder-money, and Imperial rescripts exhorting them to join the Capitan Páshá in the spring. It was generally reported, that this expedition was planned against Malta, but the Emperor, the Vezír Kara Mustafa Páshá and the Muftí were alone in the secret. The following was the Fetva proposed and given by the Mufti.
Query:—If the Infidels are possessed of a land, which was formerly in the possession of Moslíms, if they have defiled its mosques, colleges and oratories with their superstitions, if they plunder Mussulman merchants and pilgrims, can the Emperor of the Islám, moved by his zeal for the house of God, wrest these countries from the hands of Infidels, and add them to the Mussulman territory?
Answer:—God knows everything best. Peace with the Infidels is but legal, if advantageous to all Moslíms, but if not, it is not legal at all. As soon as it is useful, it is also allowed to break the peace, be it concluded for a fixed time, or for ever. This is justified by the example of the Prophet, who having concluded peace with the Infidels, which was broken by Alí in the 6th year of the Hejíra, took the field against them in the 8th year, and conquered Mecca. The Emperor has but imitated the Sunna of the Prophet. God bless his victories. This was written by the poor despised Abú Sá’id.
The Emperor took this Fetva and stuck to it like to a cable of safety; he went the same day to visit the tomb of Eyyúb, was twice girt there by the Muftí with the sword of Omar, in anticipation of victory, and then went to the Arsenal, where two hundred galleys were fitted out and filled with troops. Fifty other galleys were ready at the landing-place of the Flour-hall; thirty-six regiments of janissaries, ten of artillerymen, and ten of armourers, were embarked in great transport ships, Maúna. The governor of Rúmelí with the troops of twenty-four sanjaks, with all the Tímariots and Zaims forming an army of twenty-two thousand, and with the Jebellís of twenty-seven thousand men, was ordered to repair to the Dardanelles; the troops of Morea, Sirmium, Semendra, Bosna, and Herzogavina, were ordered to embark at the castle of Benefshe in the island of Morea. The governor of Anatoli with the army of his fourteen sanjaks, and the men of one hundred and ninety-nine military fiefs, amounting to five thousand five hundred and eighty-nine men, with the Jebellís and the household of the Páshá, altogether twenty thousand men, were also commanded to the Dardanelles on the Asiatic side. The governors of Damascus, Haleb, Diarbekr, Mera’ash, Adana, Karamán, Sivás, and Trebisonde, with seventy thousand men received similar orders. At the same time that the Kapíjí-báshís and Khassekís, who had been sent to collect those troops, reported that they were ready at the Dardanelles, the cavalry had been embarked at Constantinople. At the beginning of spring, the whole fleet was ready, consisting of two hundred galleys, tartanas, galliots, twelve large Maúna, one hundred Firkata, Caravella, galleons, pinks, Bútáj, Shaitie, Shaika and Karamursal, with a great number of pioneers and miners on board. Altogether seven hundred ships, were anchored before the point of the Seraglio.
At the Sinán Koshk the Úlemas and all the great men waited on the Emperor; the Vezírs, Begler-begs, Captains, Aghás, and Colonels, going to war, one thousand seven hundred individuals, were invested with magnificent dresses. The Commander-in-Chief Yússúf Páshá, the great Vezír Kara Mustafa Páshá and the Muftí alone remained with the Emperor, the rest having already gone on board. Sultán Ibrahím took the Vezír and Commander-in-Chief each by the hand, went with them into a corner, and said: “Yússúf, where art thou going to.” Yússúf Páshá answered, “To Malta if it please God,” and Ibrahim replied, “If it please God, by the destination of the all vivifying, all standing, have I given to thee the destination to go to the island of Crete. Keep this a secret to thyself, and continue to say thou art going to Malta; take that direction with the fleet first, remain a couple of days on the shores of Morea, and then sail back to Candia; disembark the troops before daybreak, and take possession of St. Todero, so as to have a firm post, from whence to begin the siege of Canea. These are my instructions, if thou return victorious, (if it please God) I’ll reward you to a degree that you shall appear with a brilliant face before God. Keep your secret well, according to the maxim, which commands every man to hide three things, Zeheb, Zeháb, and Mezheb, viz. his gold, his walks, his sect.” After this instruction Yússúf Páshá was invested with two golden robes one above the other, and Sultán Ibrahím said; “Go now with God, who will assist thee.” He went on board the High Admiral’s ship, Bashdarda, and the astronomers of the Court having fixed the favourable moment for getting under weigh, the Commander-in-Chief gave the order to the High Admiral, and at the same time five hundred clarions sounded; from the Admiral’s ship the shouts of Allah! allah! pierced the air, and the skies were rent with the noise of muskets and guns. The shouts and salutes were repeated three times, and the Admiral’s ship took the lead, the music playing the tune Segáh. Passing the Sinán-koskh the Commander-in-Chief saluted the Emperor and the Great Vezír, and the other ships followed like a row of cranes, keeping up such a heavy fire, that the birds of heaven found themselves so many salamanders in the midst of fire, like Abraham in the oven of Nimrod. I, poor Evliyá, accompanied this expedition as Chief Moëzzin of the Commander-in-Chief, Yússúf Páshá, was messmate of Ibrahím Chelebí, Clerk of the Treasury, on board of the Bashdarda, and passed my time pleasantly eating dates and diavolini (Kotrobunát).
Station of Gallipolis.
The fleet anchored here after a salute fired from the fortress, and repeated by the whole fleet. The Mussulman victors all went to the arsenal to hasten the embarkation of the European troops on board of fifty barbaresque vessels, and on the opposite side in the harbour of Chárdák, the Asiatic troops were also doing the same. In twenty-four hours every thing was completed, and next day the fleet weighed anchor again amidst the noise of muskets and guns. We passed Tenedos (Búzja Ada); ten Firkata were sent on ten miles a-head to keep a good look out. Their captains were invested with robes of honour, and promised to be made Begs of the Imperial arsenal (post captains). We passed Tine (Istendíl) which belonged to the Venetians, who sent presents on board the Admiral’s ship, but no notice was taken of them, and we sailed by. We passed Thera (Degirmenlik), an Ottoman island belonging to the khass of the Captain Páshá, weathered the point of Temashalik (Sunium), passed Athens, the castle of Termísh in Morea, and stopped at Napoli (di Romania), a strong castle at the end of a great port, where we took in provisions for the troops of twenty-seven Rumelian sanjaks; we did the same at Benefshe, which is an open place with no port; passed Candia, taking no notice, as if we were going to Malta, passed Cerigo and Cerigotto also belonging to the Venetians, the fortresses of Coron and Modon, and the island of Borák, a small island near Morea, till we came to Navarin. This is a large port defended by two castles, one on the shore, the other on high rocks. Here we came to anchor and discharged the lading of ten heavy transport ships (Chakálgemí) of the Arsenal, shifting their cargoes of troops and artillery on to lighter ones. During our stay here, the commanders of Zante and Cephalonia, Venetian Islands, sent presents of powder and lead to the Commander-in-Chief, wishing him a happy voyage and success in the expedition; seeing that every thing was directed against Malta, they returned with great satisfaction. We took on board here three thousand brave Albanians, and also took in water, because a great fresh water river disembogues into the sea at the extremity of this port.
On the third day the flag was hoisted, the trumpet of departure sounded, and nine hundred small and large ships left the port. The two captains Karabaták and Dúrák with ten small Firkata were at the head, as look-out ships, leading towards Malta, which was thought by the whole of the fleet to be its destination. At noon the Commander-in-Chief turned round on a sudden, made signals for the whole fleet to do the same, and again passed by Cerigo, the Castle of which now began to light fires, and fire signal guns. At sunset we were before Candia, and before daybreak the whole fleet anchored opposite the castle of St. Todero on the north side of the island at the harbour of Súda. Troops and two light guns (culverines) were disembarked with the necessary ammunition, the castle assailed, and in less than two hours forced to surrender. At sunrise the Infidels marched out and were embarked in ships for Cerigo. The ships were now secured in the port, and large guns placed behind gabions to defend them. The two governors of Karamán and Adana were left in garrison, and the whole fleet anchored at the harbour of the Lazaret, close to Canea. The whole army disembarked with their tents, seventy great guns (Bályemez), forty falconets, and two hundred small guns (Sháhitop) and encamped out of reach of gun shot. The fleet anchored in the port of the Lazaret safe against all possible winds, and the Begs (Captains) of the Barbareses received orders to cruise with seventy Firkata. The Shaikas and Kara Múrsal also now disembarked their cargoes, and the governor of Sivás was commanded to watch over the security of the port, which is situated on the west side of Canea. Praise be to God, it was taken very easily. It is situated sixty miles distance from Cape Kabájá in Morea, and its conquest as well as that of St. Todero, was first thought necessary for the facility of passing troops from Morea. Great batteries were raised and furnished with large guns to protect the fleet lying in it, meanwhile Firkatas were keeping the open sea at twenty and thirty miles distance as guardships, (Karaúl Kúllik).
Siege of the Fortress of Canea.
The camp being pitched round the Castle of Canea at a gun-shot’s distance, and every man having taken his post according to the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, the janissaries first entered the trenches. The next day the Commander-in-Chief held a grand review in sight of the Infidels, and in defiance of them, who were confounded at this show of the Ottoman power. As soon as he had dismounted at his tent, forty thousand men with shovels and axes began to work on the trenches at seven points round the fortress. (1) On the south side the Aghá of the janissaries, in whose company the Commander-in-Chief himself entered the trenches. (2) The governor of Anatoli, with ten regiments and the Zagarjí-bashí. (3) The governor of Rúmelí with ten regiments headed by the Samsúnjí-bashí. (4) The governor of Sivás with five regiments headed by the Khassekí. (5) On the east side at the silver bulwark, the Barbareses opened the trenches. (6) On the west side at the golden bulwark, the governor of Haleb, with three regiments of Zenberekjí. In short, the attack was carried on from seven points. The north side bordering on the sea and the port was alone unable to be attacked by trenches, which were opened on all other points of the compass. The Infidels having enjoyed peace ever since the conquest of Cyprus, their artillery and arsenals were in the highest state of perfection. During seven days and nights they fired forty thousand guns and many hundred thousand musket-shot; seven thousand men became martyrs being killed in the trenches, and their property taken possession of by the fiscus. But the Moslím victors encouraged by the presence and the gifts of the Commander-in-Chief, advanced with undaunted steadiness, and arrived on the tenth day at the edge of the ditch. Seven batteries with large guns were battering the walls on seven sides. During twenty days and nights the fire continued to rage from both sides. The Moslims at last began to raise mounds of earth on the side of the sand bulwark, which being perceived by the garrison, they burned the Moslims with shells and grenades. This way of continuing the siege above ground being found impracticable, it was carried on by mines under ground. On the west side of the town, where the Lazaret is established, a mine of three mouths was blown up, and with it seventy yards of the wall, with all the Infidels upon it, who were sent through the sky to hell. The Infidels witnessing this artful mining, imitated it, they passed under the ditch and blew the mounds of earth with a couple of hundred men into the air; so that the air was obscured by the dust for more than an hour’s time. The Mussulman victors not caring for this, exhorted one another, and the volunteers brought in heads and prisoners whom they caught at the breaches. The Commander rewarded those who brought heads with fifty, and those who brought prisoners with an hundred ducats, making them besides a present of the men and distributing ziámets and timárs.
The Faithful devoting themselves with heart and soul, penetrated sometimes into the interior of the fortress, from whence they brought heads and prisoners, and amongst the last even the son of the commanding general. But this day was a bloody one, which cost many lives.
One day an Infidel descending on a rope-ladder, came into the Commander-in-Chief’s tent, and said he had good news to tell him, if he would promise the safety of his house and family. The Commander-in-Chief granted immediately what he asked, and promised to give him the command of the Infidels besides. He then confirmed his promise by an oath, and tied a handkerchief of pardon round his neck. Then the Infidel said that there were two parties in the castle, the Greeks who wished to surrender, and the Venetians who wished to defend themselves to the last man. The latter were assembled on the side of the harbour, where the fortress had not yet been battered, he advised, therefore, to disturb them by a battery raised on that side, and to throw into the Greek quarter, some arrows only, with flattering promises to the Greeks. This advice having been followed, ten Greeks came, who embraced Islám, and received Mussulman names. The siege was, however, continued with the same zeal. On the east side of the harbour a great bastion was raised, from which the high houses and palaces of the Infidels near the port were battered, and where cries and lamentations pierced the skies. The same day orders were issued to all Captains of the Navy, and to the Begs of the Barbareses, to keep a good watch, and twelve Maúnas were ordered to batter the port, and the sea side of the town. This raised a great outcry there, but some of the shots injuring the camp, other orders were issued to the chief gunner of the fleet. The Infidels never relaxing in their fire and their stratagems, there was no day without a couple of hundred falling martyrs. It would be too tedious to relate all the memorable events of this siege; in short, one day the Infidels seeing forty thousand brave men with drawn swords and heavy shields, ready to assail the walls, hoisted the white flag of surrender, crying, “Amán, amán, O exquisite family of Osmán!” No regard being paid to this, and the firing continuing as before, some Captains came out by the breaches, asking for a respite of ten days. The Commander-in-Chief answered, “You will walk out to-morrow, or all fall victims to the sword.” This was agreed to. Some of them remained in the tent of the Commander-in-Chief, some went into the castle and returned with the answer, that next morning they would all be ready to surrender. The Janissaries, Sipáhis, Jebejis and Topjis, instantly took possession of the walls and the artillery, and during the night, the Infidels were embarked for their cursed country. The next day the Islamitic prayer was proclaimed, salutes of guns and muskets fired, and those salutes repeated thrice from time to time during three days. The ships of the Infidels steering eastward to the Castles of Retimo and Candia, their General when he saw and heard these rejoicings, when he heard the profession of Islám proclaimed from the belfries, when he saw the crosses upset and the green banner of Mohammed waving on the spires, could not bear such a sight, but blinded himself. The whole fleet now entered the harbour, and messengers were sent to Constantinople with the good news. Seventy-seven tartanas and galleys, and fifty barbaresque ships, came to an anchor. All the stores and ammunition were disembarked, and large batteries raised on the shore to mount the guns on. The troops were occupied in cleansing the trenches and ditches, and repairing the walls; thus the castle became ten times stronger than it was before; all the churches were converted into mosques, and the first Friday prayer performed in the mosque of Sultán Ibrahím. The streets were adorned with shops and lighted with lamps during the night. The clarions sounded after the prayer was performed, the shouts of Allah pierced the skies, and a triple salute was fired, the report of which shook not only Rome and Irak, but the whole of earth and Heaven.
The sixth day after the conquest of the castle, a fleet of a hundred sail bearing the Venetian, Tuscan, and Popish flag came to the assistance of it; but when they saw the port full of the Ottoman fleet, and the ships of the Barbareses cruising before it, when they saw the belfries turned into minarehs, and the Crescents in the place of the Crosses, they sighed heavily, “Good-by Canea! Good-by Canea!” and sailed in despair for Súda. The Ottoman victors found in the conquered fortress all the slaves and girls of the late Kislar Agassí embarked on board the galleon of Ibrahím Chelebí, all his precious things, and high-bred horses; they revenged the blood shed, and turned the Convents of their monks and nuns into those of Dervishes. The contest at this siege was scarcely so heavy and bloody as at the sieges of Assov, Eriván and Baghdád, which have been celebrated by eloquent writers. The Commander-in-Chief sent messengers and letters to nine towns and fortresses of the island, and to the Rayas in the interior of the island in the mountains of Assfákia, summoning them to pay tribute, to surrender to the Sultán the keys of their castles, and to enjoy ease and plenty under the protection of the Emperor; threatening those who would not comply with this demand, with the havoc of their lands, slavery of their families, and death to themselves by the sword. Within seven days came three hundred deputies from all places and villages in the island to pay obeisance and bring presents. The rest of the island not having submitted, the Vezírs and Begler-Begs received orders to send the Ottoman victors to collect the legal tithes. From seventy to eighty thousand men were immediately dispersed over the seven hundred and seventy miles of the island, taking booty, day and night, in the ways of God. Gold, silver, brass vessels, fine boys, and pretty girls, were carried in immense numbers to the Ottoman camp, where there was such an abundance that a boy or girl was sold for eighteen piastres. Some thousand men of the army, seeing such plenty, settled in the island. Kuchúk Hassan Pashá with seventeen Begler-Begs, seventy Alaï-Begs, and all the Zaims and Timariots, remained at Canea, besides the garrison of regular troops, consisting of twenty-seven regiments of janissaries, ten regiments of artillery, ten regiments of armourers, four regiments of cavalry, and three thousand men, Egyptian troops; altogether seventy-seventy thousand men. In the castle remained seven thousand seven hundred Azabs, and forty ships were left for the transport of troops from Menkeshe, besides fifty firkata manned with an hundred stout lads.
The Commander-in-Chief, Yússúf, took leave of all the Vezírs and great men, and weighed anchor with a favourable wind, and sailed for Constantinople. He passed with a fleet of two hundred sail before Cerigo and Cerigotto, destroyed the repairs of the Mainotes at the Cape of Maina in Morea, with the Castle of Killí situated on the same point; passed the Cape of Capospada, and the Castle of Menkeshí, and came to anchor at Napoli. After a stay of three days a council was held, and it was resolved to lay waste the Island of Istendil (Tine), belonging to the Venetians. At the moment the fleet was sailing, an Imperial rescript arrived from Constantinople congratulating the Commander-in-Chief on his victories, and rewarding him with an Imperial robe of honour, and a sword and cutlass set with jewels. The same day the Island of Tine was plundered, but no great booty found. Its castle being strong and high, the signal of departure was immediately given, and the southerly wind being favourable, in the course of ten days we touched at different places, such as Chios, Lemnos, Mitylene, and Tenedos; these castles were put in repair, and garrisoned with the necessary number of troops. From Tenedos we arrived at Gallipolis, where we took water, and where the Commanders received strict orders to be watchful. From hence, in two days and one night, we reached the Prince’s Islands, in sight of Constantinople, and next day arrived at the Seraglio point, with such demonstrations of joy as cannot be expressed. The conqueror of Canea, Yússúf Páshá, kissed the ground before the Emperor, was decorated with Imperial robes of honour, and offered a treasure worth that of Egypt, and youths like those of Paradise, besides an infinite number of presents. But he was afterwards calumniated and killed. When Sultán Ibrahím saw his body, he said, “how white he was!” and fell a-crying. He added, “My Yússúf, may those, who have played thee this trick soon share thy fate!” and, while saying so, he looked at his favourite Jinjí Khojá. His death caused general complaint and lamentations, and there was but one voice of sorrow. God’s mercy be upon him!
Cause of the Death of Yússúf Páshá.
Envious calumniators informed the Emperor, that Yússúf Páshá had secreted from the treasures of Canea three great tubs of gold, three millions of money, and a golden column; that he had not given a drop of the ocean nor an atom of the sun of his treasures to the Emperor. After his death nothing was found, and the column wrapt up in felt, which had been said to be a golden tree, was found to be a column of yellow stone, which was afterwards used to support the oratory of the mosque built by the mother of Mohammed IV. It is a stone more precious indeed than gold and jewels, because persons afflicted with jaundice are cured by touching it three times on a Saturday. This is the stone which caused the death of Yússúf Páshá.
“The servant proposes and God disposes, and the tongues of the people are the pens of God.” When Sultán Ibrahím disclosed the secret of the expedition to Yússúf Páshá on his departure, he said, “If thou returnest victorious I’ll reward thee according to thy merits:” and indeed it happened so, because the conquest of Canea, an enterprise so difficult, was granted to Yússúf Páshá before the arrival of the enemy’s fleet by a special favour of God, and no reward could equal such merit, but the glory of Martyrdom. He was beloved of God, who first granted him the conquest and then the Martyr’s crown. Praise be to God that I, poor Evliyá, witnessed such a famous siege, and returned safe to my native city. I kissed my parents’ hands, who wished me joy on my safe return. My father said, “The campaign thou hast made now renders my going into the field superfluous.” I said, “My dear father, you have grown old, you have been present at seventy battles since Sultán Súleimán’s time. Pray now for your beloved son, who shall go into battles instead of you.” I kissed his hand, and he then told me the following story, exhorting me to listen to it with the ears of my soul.
“In the year when thou wast born, my son, in the reign of Sultán Ahmed I. a great assembly of seven hundred Vezírs and great men was held at the Hippodrome in order to lay the foundation of Sultán Ahmed’s mosque. They dug from forty to fifty cubits deep, and the walls of the foundations having reached the level of the earth, the Ulemas and Astronomers were assembled, and with the prayers and ceremonies usual in similar cases the position of the mihráb determined. Kalender Páshá was named inspector, Kara Sunbul Alí Efendí, the Secretary, and our Khoja (Evliyá’s reading-master) Evliyá Efendí, Imám of the foundations; the Sheikh of Scutarí, Mahommed Efendí, was named the Sheikh; Mahmúd Chelebí, Kara Mahmúd Agha, and forty other men with fine voices, the Moëzzins of the foundations. One day Sultán Ahmed came, and pitched his tent on that part of the courtyard of the mosque, where there then remained only a single painted Koshk belonging to the Seraï of Koja Mohammed Páshá. Here the Sultán gave a feast to all the Vezírs and great men of the capital, which surpassed even that which was given at the feast of circumcission of Sultán Ahmed. The assembly having retired, there remained in the Sultán’s tent, only Mahmúd Efendí of Scutarí, Evliyá Efendí my master, Kara Sunbul Alí Efendí, Ibrahím Efendí the senior of the surgeons, Dervish Omar Gulshení one of the favourite singers and I, thy poor father, sitting on our heels. The Sultán said unto us, “If it please God this mosque shall be finished, and be a fine praying place, but it requires to be well endowed.” Evliyá and Mahmúd Efendí of Scutarí said, “My gracious Emperor, undertake a military expedition, and then devote the revenues of the conquered land to your new built mosque, as your ancestor Súleimán did, who having in person conquered Rodos, Stancio, and different other islands, devoted their revenues to his mosque, which is, therefore, the best endowed of all the Imperial mosques. If your Majesty should undertake an expedition against Creta (Kiríd), you would protect the passage of Ottoman merchants and pilgrims from the ships of the Infidels. The senior of the surgeons, Ibrahím, and Mahmúd Efendí of Scutari said a Fátihah for this good intention, the seven prayers of which were repeated by all present, who finished it by saying, ‘If it please God our prayer shall be granted.’
“Sultán Ahmed then said, ‘But, learned gentlemen, we are at peace with the Venetians, is it decent for a Shehin-shah (king of kings) to encroach on treaties of peace? Under what pretext shall we break it, particularly now, when Anatoli is kept in rebellion by Kara Yazijí, Saíd Arab, Kalender-oghlí and Jennet-oghlí, against whom my Vezír Murad Lálá is marching? How shall I then think of the conquest of Candia?’ Evliyá answered, ‘My Emperor, on the third day all the rebels shall be beaten, and you shall receive the good news on the twelfth, they shall pass away like a torrent; Murad Páshá shall fill wells with their dead bodies, and obtain in history by this deed the name of Murad Páshá the well-maker (Kúyújí).’ This prediction was accomplished by the news that Murad Páshá, had filled all the wells near Haleb and Azez with the bodies of the rebels. Mahmúd Efendí of Scutari availed himself of this opportunity to remind the Emperor of the project of the Cretan war, and suggested to him, first to send an embassy to the Prince of Venice to ask that he should give up the island of Creta. Sultán Ahmed, being pleased with this idea, sent Kúrd-Chaúsh, a good and eloquent speaker, with presents, as ambassador to Venice. He made great haste, and at the end of seven days arrived at Venice, making his public entrance on the eighth, and read his letters in public council; the Senate consented to the demand, and letters were made out, with which Kúrd-Chaúsh was sent back; having kissed the ground before the Emperor, the letters were read by the Interpreter in presence of Mahmúd Efendí of Scutari, Evliyá, Sunbul Alí, Ibrahím, Togháni, Ismail Efendí the Commentator on the Mesneví, Júnúbí the Sheikh of the Mevlevís at Kássím Páshá, Dervish Omer Gulshení, Guzeljí Gulábí, Kúzú Alí Aghá, Abdí Aghá, and of me, thy poor father, in the following form and tenor, ‘You have asked from me the Principe, your most humble servant, the island of Creta, with six hundred thousand inhabitants, seven hundred and seventy villages, and of seven hundred and seventy miles circumference, with seven mines of gold, silver and other metals, which we are ready to give.’ At these words all those who were present read the Fátihah, and the Mohammedan shouts (Allah! Allah!) rent the air.
“The end of the letter said, ‘But we poor fellows, giving to you, great Monarch, an island as rich as that of Creta, we beg of you the favour to make us a present of the ports of Acra, Saida, Beirút, and of the old seat of our religion, Jerusalem. It is only for this purpose we can cede to you the island of Creta, and it would be more reasonable to deliver your hereditary countries from the rebels, who infest it, than to form such strange demands:—Our compliments to you!’ Ahmed hearing this answer was deeply afflicted, and began to cry. Mahmúd Efendí said, ‘Why should your Majesty be afflicted; they began by saying, that they were ready to give up the island, it is God who has dictated these words to them, according to which they shall be obliged to yield the island.’ A Fátihah was said, and the Mahommedan shouts (Allah!) repeated. Then they said, ‘If it please God, it shall most certainly be conquered,’ and saying so, they changed the conversation. When this letter was again read at the Diván, the Emperor happened to be in his innermost garden at the place called Chemensoffa, conversing with the abovenamed learned and virtuous gentlemen. At this moment the gate of the innermost Harem opened, and the Kislar-agassí walked out, followed by seven Princes, who kissed the hands of the Emperor, and then of the Sheikhs, who were with him, and the Sultán said, ‘Gentlemen, the Princes my sons, are your most humble servants.’ He then ordered that they should play before him, to dissipate the melancholy which the answer of the Venetians had caused. They played ball, and Prince Osmán, the strongest and stoutest of them, was superior to the rest. Coming near his father’s throne, he asked him, ‘My Osmán! wilt thou conquer Creta?’ The Prince answered, ‘What shall I do with Creta? I will conquer the land of the white Russian girls, and shed blood there.’ Saying so, he continued to play; Evliyá Efendí, praise to God, the innocent boy could not reach the meaning of the Emperor’s words. Mahmúd observed, that he had understood well the word Creta, but that there was something mysterious in his answer about the white Russian girls. Now Prince Osmán came up pursuing his brother Mohammed even under the throne, where Mohammed sheltered himself, and having crept forth again, the ball, which Osmán threw at him, touched his gilt turban, and hurt his neck so that blood was flowing, and he turned giddy.
“Sultán Ahmed said, ‘Look Mohammed, Osmán is thy brother, and yet he has hurt thee, this is the course of the world: strike him in your turn.’ He wiped his blood off, and having seated him at the foot of the throne, he asked him, ‘Will you conquer Creta, Mohammed?’ Mohammed said, ‘I will, but my brother Osmán sheds my blood; if it is not me, another Mohammed will finish the conquest begun by me.’ The Senior of the Surgeons, Ibrahím said, ‘Praise be to God, what secrets are revealed to-day! but nobody yet understands them.’ Now the Princes continued to play at ball; Bayazíd and Súleimán were chasing each other, when all at once, Prince Murad sallied forth from the place called the black cypress, and threw a ball at them, which hurt them both, so that blood dropped from their noses. Sultán Ahmed said, ‘My Murad, why dost thou beat thy brethren so.’ The Prince replied, ‘It was not my intention, but such is the play of the world, I was obliged to do it because they gained upon me, and were going to take my place!’ Omer Gulshení said, ‘There is also some mystery in that.’ Now came Prince Ibrahím in a ruby-coloured dress: Sultán Ahmed asked him, ‘Where have you been my Ibrahím?’ ‘I,’ said he, ‘have taken the ablution of martyrdom, and am now come to wrestle and play with all my brethren.’ He entered wildly and threw a ball at Sultán Osmán’s head, so that he knocked off his turban and set him crying. Prince Murad now threw a ball at Ibrahím, which he received undaunted, feigned to direct his ball at Bayazíd, but turned round in a moment, and threw it at Murad with such violence, that he was for some time senseless. Ibrahím now ran to his father’s throne, sat at the foot of it, and said, ‘Have I not aimed a good ball at Murad,’ and then fell to indelicate play. Murad was crying on the ground, saying, ‘I had rather died, than have been beaten in that way by Ibrahím!’ The play continuing, to the surprise of all the beholders, Murad again pursued Ibrahím, and threw the ball at him, which he received as boldly as the first time, and retreated under the throne, from whence he then issued without his turban and in a state of undress. Sultán Ahmed caught hold of his ear, and said, ‘Wilt thou conquer Creta, and make of it an endowment for my mosque for Mecca and Medina.’ The Prince said, ‘If God assists me, and helps me, in God’s name, and if it pleases God, my son Yússúf shall conquer it under Yússúf the Prophet’s favour!’ All who were present now said a Fátihah that this might happen, and Sultán Ahmed said, ‘Now, how curious it is, that I am fallen into melancholy since the Venetian letter has been read, that wishing to divert myself with my children’s play, they got bloody necks and noses, and made me more melancholy than before, till Ibrahím has at once chased away my spleen by saying that he will conquer Creta by his son.’ God’s mercy on Sultán Ahmed! All that had been foreshewn in this play, really happened.
“1. Sultán Osmán who hurt his brother Mohammed’s neck, ordered him to be executed when going to Khotyn.
“2. Sultán Osmán, who was hurt by Ibrahím’s ball in his groin, died after his unsuccessful return from Khotyn, at the Seven Towers, when one Piniál tortured him till he died by compression of the scrotum.
“3. The two Princes, Bayazíd and Súleimán, overtaken by Murad at the black cypress, were strangled in the same place, the blood dropping from their noses, by Sultán Murad’s order in the year 1045, when he sent Beshír Aghá to Constantinople with the news of the conquest of Eriván. They were buried in their father Ahmed’s tomb, twenty-one years after this play had happened in their father’s presence.
“4. The ball received by Ibrahim from Murad foreboded that Ibrahím would be, as he was, Murad’s successor.
“5. Ibrahím’s indelicate play at the foot of the throne, showed the luxury of his reign passed in weddings and pleasure parties.
“6. His having then said; ‘woe to my cullies,’ was the forerunner of the infamous disease of which he died.
“7. The reply given by Ibrahím, when coming forth from beneath his father’s throne, and saying, that he would conquer Creta with his son Yússúf, is to be understood of Yússúf Pashá the Commander-in-chief of the expedition to Canea.
“8. God knows my son (continued Evliyá’s father) whether the name of Yússúf may not be applied to Ibrahím’s son, who shall finish the conquest of Creta begun by his father.
“My son, all these mysteries I witnessed in Sultán Ahmed’s presence, and have waited ever since for the conquest of Creta promised by Sultan Ibrahím to his father, and now fulfilled accordingly. I, thy poor father, was present at the prayers then said at the suggestion of this conquest, and thou my son hast witnessed the fulfilling of it. If it please God, thou shalt witness also its entire conquest.”
It was in this manner that my father, Dervish Mohammed, the chief of the goldsmiths at Constantinople, related the story of the Princes. God’s mercy upon him! As some thousand descriptions of the siege of Canea exist, I would not expatiate too much on this subject, but have related what I witnessed in a plain way.
Jowánjí Kapújí Mohammed Páshá the great Vezír being deposed, he was named Commander-in-chief at Creta, and the Vezírat given to the Defterdár Sáleh Páshá, who bestowed on his brother, Murteza Páshá, the governorship of Bude with three tails; and on Ibrahim Chelebí, who had been Khazinedár, the governorship of Baghdád. The son of Sáleh Páshá, Chelebí Mohammed, known by the name of the hanged Defterdár-zadeh Mohammed Páshá, was made Aghá of the janissaries, with the character of Vezír, but, as he did not accept of it, he was sent as Commander-in-chief to Erzerúm. I, poor Evliyá, was appointed clerk at the custom-house of Erzerúm, Moëzzin and companion to this Páshá. He was a man of agreeable conversation, great acquirements in all sciences, generous, brave, a poet and statesman. He bestowed on me rich presents, and I prepared my tents for the journey to Erzerúm. I was invested with a robe of honour (caftán) in Sultán Ibrahím’s presence. He said unto the Páshá, giving him the Imperial rescript, “Thou art my absolute Vezír and Commander against the Persians; if they should become rebels, all the army of Anatolia as far as Eriván is under thy command.” He gave him five purses, fifty mules and as many camels for the journey, a splendid tent, and two sable pelisses. We passed under Sultán Ibrahím’s blessing to Scutari, where we pitched our tents at the place called Agháchairí. The same day, Cherkess Derzí Mustafa, one of the Imperial armsbearers (Silahshor), was sent express to Erzerúm to Malatialí Silihdár Súleimán Páshá. During our stay at Scutari, the treasurer of the Páshá Dilber Chelebí was deposed by an Imperial firmán, and his place given to Alí Aghá one of the relations of the Páshá; we remained a week at Scutari, and then, on the first day of Rejeb, set out on our journey for Erzerúm.