This Answer was divulged among the Commonalty, and by the Chief of the Chiauxes was transmitted to Bajazet.
A while after there came a Chiaux to Constantinople, who had been sent by Solyman to Selimus, but had been intercepted by Bajazet; by whom he sent a Message to their Father, to this effect; that he would never fail in expressing his Duty to his Father, and that he never took up Arms against him, but was resolved to be obedient to him in all Things. The Dispute was only between his Brother and himself, who sought his Life, so that he must fall by his Brother’s Sword, or his Brother by his. This difference might be decided in his Father’s Life; and, therefore, he desired him not to interpose or assist his Brother, but to carry himself in an exact Neutrality; but if (said he) you pass over into Asia, (as Report says you will) to assist Selimus, don’t think I shall be speedily reduced, for I know whither to retreat; and, let me tell you, the first Day you set Foot in Asia, I will destroy all by Fire and Sword, and make it as desolate, as Tamerlane, or any of our fiercest Enemies, ever did.
When this Message was delivered to Solyman, it did much disturb him, especially when Word was brought to him, that the Town of Axuar, which Selimus, his Son, was Sanziach of, was taken by Bajazet; who, after he had exacted a great Sum of Money from the Inhabitants, plundered and sack’d it shamefully.
But Selimus, when he heard that his Brother march’d towards Amasia, and was already come as far as Ancyra, being now freed from the Suspicion of Treachery, which he fear’d in his March, hastened towards Iconium, where a Garrison was kept for his Arrival.
’Twas none of the least of Solyman’s Cares, which distracted his Mind, lest Bajazet should seize on Iconium, and so march into Syria, from whence there is a large Passage into Egypt, a Province not fully settled in Subjection to the Turks, and somewhat mindful of the ancient Governors of the Circassians or Mamalukes, longed for a Change. And if Bajazet once got thither, he foresaw it would be a very hard Matter to beat him out, should the neighbouring Arabians assist him; who, in hopes of Booty, were ready to take any side. And if, with much ado, he could have been driven out of Egypt, yet from thence he might easily be wafted over into any of the Christian Countries; whereupon Solyman, by all means, sought to stop his March thither, because he thought it would be Bajazet’s last Shift; and to that end he had written to most of the Governors of lesser Asia, to be watchful, ever and to assist Selimus, when he called for their Aid. Accordingly Selimus formed a Camp before the Walls of Iconium: For he thought it best to wait there for the Auxiliaries of his Father, and not to hazard his All on the doubtful Issue of a Battel.
On the other side, Bajazet, knowing what a hazardous Enterprize he had undertaken, was as vigorous to support his Cause. He hired a great body of Horse, called Chiurts, perhaps formerly Gordianes, Men noted for Valour, in whom he put Confidence.
They, as soon as ever they came to this Army, began their Representation of a Battel on Horseback, which had so much of Reality in it, that many of them were slain, but more wounded.
His Camp was pitch’d in the plain and open Fields of Ancyra, from which City he was supplied with many Necessaries; and at the Castle thereof he placed his Concubines and Children. From those Merchants, that were rich, he borrowed Money, upon Terms of Re-payment with Interest, if God gave him Success. From thence, also, he was furnished with Arms for his Soldiers.