AS the Town has been so agreeably entertain’d with the Tragedy of Mustapha, written by the celebrated Author of Eurydice, and other valuable Pieces, I think it will not be amiss to give a short Account of the Life and Actions of Solyman, the Father of Mustapha, mix’d with those of that unfortunate Prince, who gives Title to the Play.
Solyman the Magnificent, (Father to Mustapha, by a beautiful Circassian Slave, and Tzianger, by the ambitious Roxolana) was one of the most potent Princes of the Othoman Race: He was the Son of Selimus, who died in the midst of his Victories, upon the Road to Adrianople, of a Cancer in his Reins, in September 1520, when Charles V. was Emperor of Germany, Henry VIII. King of England, Francis I. King of France, James V. King of Scotland, and Leo X. Pope of Rome.
At the Time of his Father’s Death, Solyman was at Magnesia[(A)], and receiving Notice of his Father’s Death from Ferhates Bassa, only, (as Selimus his Father had formerly attempted to poison him, fearing his amiable Qualities) gave little Credit to the Information: But when he received the Confirmation from Pyrrhus, and Mustapha, Bassas at Adrianople, he ventur’d to Scutari[(B)], where he was met by the Aga of the Janizaries[(C)], and Numbers of the People, (yet ignorant of the Death of Selimus) from whence he was conducted over to Constantinople[(D)], where the Body of the Janizaries were prepar’d on the Shore to meet him.
The Moment he landed, the Aga cry’d with a loud Voice, Behold your Emperor Solyman! The Janizaries, transported with Joy, reply’d with one Voice, Long live Solyman, our great Emperor!
Solyman was in his Twentieth Year, when he was first seated in the Turkish Throne; and for several Years reign’d as a benign Prince. But being corrupted by the Artifices of Roxolana, and the impious Designs of Rustan his Grand Vizir, who wedded a Daughter of Roxolana’s, began to dip his Hands in Blood.
However he perform’d many glorious Actions at the Head of his own Armies.
The first Year of his Reign, he took from Lewis King of Hungary, a peaceable Prince, the strong City of Belgrade[(E)].
He afterwards turn’d his Arms against the City of Rhodes. I shall be something particular in this Siege, because our Countrymen had a hand in bravely defending the place.
Solyman was not present at the first investing of[(F)] Rhodes; but his Troops being often beat by the Besieged, and losing above forty Thousand of his Soldiers, (tho’ the Rhodians were not six Thousand fighting Men) be repair’d to the Camp to encourage his Troops.