When he had enter’d the inmost Part of the Pavilion, he found but a single Sofa to sit on, which he took for an ill Omen. An Attendant coming in, he ask’d where the Emperor was, who reply’d he would see him presently. The Prince was melancholy, well knowing his Death was approaching; and a few Moments after, the Mutes enter’d and strangled him. The Emperor himself, through another Part of the Tent, beheld the fatal Spectacle.
He was so hopeful a Prince, that the Turks, even to this Day, often say, Gietti Sultan Mustapha, that is, Our Hope is lost in Mustapha.
When the cruel Murder was perform’d, the Emperor met Zanger at the Door of the Pavilion, enquiring for his dear Mustapha! The Emperor bid him enter to the inward Tent, and he would find him.
But when the noble Zanger saw him breathless, he cry’d out to hit unnatural Father; How could it enter into thy cruel Heart to murder so sweet a Prince! Then drawing a Ponyard from his Side, plung’d it in his Heart, and expir’d upon the breathless Body of his dear Brother.
Thus fell two worthy Princes, that might have grac’d with their Virtue and Courage (had they liv’d) the Annals of the Turkish Empire.
When the Troops were acquainted with the Death of Mustapha and Zanger, they assembled in a tumultuous Manner to avenge his Death: Achmetes the Tutor to Mustapha led them on. Solyman, to appease their Rage, disgrac’d Rustan, turn’d him out of all his Posts, and conferr’d them on Achmetes, with a Promise never to displace him; but Rustan, assisted by the artful Roxolana, procur’d the Death of Achmetes, and was by the Emperor restor’d to all his former Honours, and by him more esteem’d than ever.
Mustapha was so well beloved, that a false Mustapha appear’d, and was follow’d by the Malecontents till he had gather’d a powerful Army, But the Threats of Solyman intimidated his Troops to such a Degree, that they forsook their false General, who was taken Prisoner, and carry’d to Constantinople, where the Emperor by torture made him confess that Bajazet, his Son by Roxolana, had put him upon the false and fatal Enterprize. Roxolana had Selimus, another Son, by Solyman; and after the Death of the two unfortunate Princes Mustapha and Zanger, the Sultan seem’d most to favour Selimus, but Roxolana, Bajazet. But it was with much Difficulty she gain’d his Pardon from the Emperor his Father, for his promoting a false Mustapha.
Solyman to the last of his Life regretted the Loss of his Mustapha and Zanger. He died of a Consumption after gaining many Victories, in the Year 1566, the 14th of September, in the 76th Year of his Age, and the 46th Year of his Reign. As to his Person; he was of an advantageous Height, well made, but pale, his Nose long and hooked, more faithful to his Promise than most of his Predecessors, and wanted not many Virtues to form a good Prince.