Besides his own Family (consisting of very many among the higher sort of Turks) and the Chiurts before-mentioned, those that were of his Mother’s, or his Sister’s, or of Rustan’s Faction, came in to him; so did very many of Mustapha’s and Achmet’s Favourites, fierce and skilful Warriors; for they grudging at the undeserved Deaths of their Masters; were resolved to revenge them with the hazard of their Blood: some also came under his Banner out of Commiseration of the depressed Condition of Bajazet, as being necessitated to fly to Arms, his last and only Refuge.
A great many favoured Bajazet, because he was like his Father; whereas Selimus had not one Feature in his Face resembling him. ’Tis true, he was very like his Mother, a Woman hated while she was alive. He was a big-bellied Man, with swoln Cheeks, and his Face of a deep and uncomely Redness; insomuch, that the Soldiers would seemingly say, He was cramm’d with Barley-Pudding. Besides, he liv’d a slothful, banquetting, idle Life; neither was he courteous, or of easy Access, nor did he oblige by any act of Generosity. The Reason he gave, was, that he would not offend his Father, by aiming at popular Applause. Thus he became dear to his Father only, but odious to every body else; yea, those Persons did most disdain him, who coveted a munificent and an active Emperor. The same Soldiers that were wont to call Bajazet, Softi (a sedentary Man, and given up to his Studies) when they saw that he took up Arms, and ventured his All to defend himself and his Children, now extolled him to the Skies, as a Man of extraordinary Valour. Why (said they, reasoning among themselves) should his Father abdicate a Son that is his express Image? Why should he prefer his slothful, pot-bellied Brother, that has nothing of his Father’s Disposition in him? As for Bajazet’s taking Arms, Necessity forces him to it, and therefore, he is not to be blamed; for did not Selimus, his Grandfather, do the same? What great Precedent could there be? For he did not only arm against his Brother, but Necessity also compelled him to hasten his Father’s Death; and yet by this Procedure he established the Kingdom to himself and his Posterity. Now, if Solyman did rightfully possess that Kingdom, so gotten, why should his Son be denied to take the same Course? Why should that Fact be thought so heinous in him, which was accounted lawful in his Grandfather? And yet the Case is much different (said they); for Bajazet did not take up Arms against his Father, but wishes him a long Life; nay, he would not hurt an Hair of his Brother’s Head, if he could be sure of his own Life, against him: But ’tis always lawful to resist Force by Force, and, if possible, to prevent one’s own certain Ruin. These Discourses caused many to fly to Bajazet, and his Army being now of a moderate Size, without delay, he marches towards his Brother, putting his Life, Fortune, and the hope of his Empire, upon the Event of the Battel; for thus, thought he, my Valour (at least) will be commended, if it be not prosperous; I will endeavour if I can, to break my way into Syria, and, if I succeed therein, my Business is done.
Selimus waited for him under the Walls of Iconium, having a vast Army, encreased by Forces sent him from his Father, and well furnished with skilful Commanders; and, besides all other Necessaries, secured with great Ordnance on every side. Bajazet was nothing terrified at all those Disadvantages, but as soon as he came in sight of his Brother’s Army, he exhorted his Own, though inferior in Number, in this manner.
Now, says he, the long wished for Hour is come, wherein you may shew your Valour; do you act as Men, and let me alone to reward you. All my Fortune is in your Hands; my Misfortunes have been irksome some time, but now here is an open Campaign, wherein I may change them for the better, and forget all the Miseries of my former Life. If you conquer, you may expect from me Honour, Dignity, and all kinds of Rewards, befitting Men of Valour. One Victory will crown all our Hopes, though never so vast, and that you may get by your superabounding Valour. As for my Brother’s Troops before your Eyes, they are a Company of Buffoons under a slothful General; you may easily make way through them with your Swords; what Forces he hath with him of my Father’s, though they are his in Body, yet they are mine at Heart. ’Tis Selimus alone that stands in the way, both of my Vassals, and of your Happiness too, and therefore, let us both revenge our selves on a common Enemy. And for their Multitude, don’t fear them; Conquest is got by Valour, not by Number. God Almighty uses to assist the Best, not the Most. Certainly, if you consider how the savage Enemy thirsts after your Blood, you will preserve yours, by shedding theirs. In fine, said he, I will not only speak, but do. Let me be your Pattern. Do you fight but as valiantly for my Safety, as I shall do for your Advancement, and I’ll warrant you the Battel is our own.
Having finished his Oration, he made towards the Enemy with an undaunted Courage, and in the Front of his Army shew’d himself both a brave Soldier and a skilful Commander, so that he was renowned also by his very Enemies. The Battel was bloody, and many fell on both Sides, and Victory seem’d to hover with doubtful Wings; but at last she inclin’d to that side, where was more Force, a juster Cause, and better Counsel. Just in the nick, there arose such a Wind that it carried the smoke of the Ordnance into the very Faces of Bajazet’s Army, so that they fought blindfold, as it were; whereupon Bajazet, after much Blood-shed on both sides, was forced to sound a Retreat; but he made it with so little Disorder, and so leisurely, that he seemed a Conqueror, rather than to have lost the Day. Neither did Selimus move out of his Camp to pursue him, being well contented to see his Enemies turn their Backs.
After this, Bajazet, considering he had disobeyed his Father’s Commands, by indulging his own Humour, and being cut off from his March into Syria, which he had design’d, resolved to move in good earnest towards Amasia.
Solyman had presently a Messenger sent him of this Victory, and immediately he posted over into Asia. His Bashaws would not let him go before; But now (said they) you must make haste to press upon Bajazet in his Misfortune and to prevent his Recruit; for if his secret Favourites should declare for him, they might cut them out further Work. The Report of your Passage over, will both discourage your Son and terrify all his Followers; and, therefore, make haste, lest he serve you as sometime your Father did, who was more formidable after he was conquered than before, so that his very Overthrow at first was the cause of his Victory in the End. Neither did they thus speak without Cause; for ’tis incredible how much that Fight, though unfortunate, had added to Bajazet’s Renown. That he was so hardily valorous, as, with a small handful in comparison, to set upon the well-disciplin’d Army of his Brother, strengthened too with his Father’s Forces; that he was not daunted with the disadvantage of the Place, nor the roaring of the great Ordnance, and that he carried himself in the very Battel, not as a raw Officer, but an expert General. ’Tis true, said they, his Success was not answerable, but his Valour was not inferior; and, therefore, let Selimus boast never so much of his Victory to his Father, this we are sure of, that, of the two, Bajazet deserved to be Conqueror; and that we may attribute his Brother’s being so to any thing rather than to his own Valour. These Discourses concerning Bajazet, shew’d him to be Popular, and thereupon they double his Father’s Grief and Pain, and his Desire to ruin him. Resolved he was, none but Selimus should succeed him in the Empire: For, besides that he was his eldest Son, he had been always faithful and obedient to him; but Bajazet had been rebellious, and gaped after the Throne in his Lifetime; and he feared him the more, because he was esteem’d a very valiant Prince, and because also he had openly assisted Selimus against him.
For these Reasons he pass’d the Sea into Asia, but with a Resolution not to stir from the Shore, but to assist his Son Selimus’s Affairs, only at a distance. For why, thought he, should I run any Hazard to bring my own Forces nearer, lest my Army, not fully settled in their Obedience, should be tempted to a Revolt.
I my self saw Solyman march out of Constantinople in the Year 1559, June 5th, tho’ against the Will of my Chiaux. Let me here present you with a Scene of Mirth, and like a Braggadocio-soldier, tell you of two Battels I had at once; for why, I have Leisure enough (unless you count my Cares my Study) and the larger I am in my Scribling, the more time do I borrow from my Troubles. Hear then, what were my Quarrels.