The next Day Solyman march’d towards Babylon[(U)], whose Governor being fled for Fear, (not being provided for a Siege) the City was peaceably surrender’d to him.
He then proceeded to retake Tauris, that Damas had recover’d from the Turks; but Damas fled at the Approach of Solyman, which so much enrag’d him (because he could not bring him to a Battle) that he gave that opulent City to the Plunder of his Soldiers.
As Solyman was continuing his March to destroy the Country, a Party of Damas’s Horse, commanded by Delimonthes, one of his Generals, set upon the Rear of Solyman’s Army (who was some Leagues before ’em) in the Night, and made a prodigious Slaughter.
This Overthrow grieved Solyman sorely, insomuch that he order’d his Army to return, very much disgusted with Ibrahim Bassa, that advis’d him to this Expedition.
This Disgust was heighten’d by Roxolana, because Ibrahim was in Mustapha’s Interest, which was contrary to her own.
Solyman had given his Oath and Promise to Ibrahim, he should never be kill’d while he liv’d. But inviting him to a solemn Supper, he that Night had his Throat cut while he slept; Solyman pretending he had not broke his Oath, because he was kill’d while he slept.
Now Mustapha began to be a Follower of Mars, and perform’d so many noble Acts, that he was the only Joy of his Father, who intended him his Successor.
The ambitious Roxolana, alarm’d at the tender Love Solyman bore Mustapha, was resolv’d to ruin him in his favour; she therefore by an Over-praise first made the Sultan believe, she had an entire Affection for him, that she might better work her Design upon him.
She would by a vile Insinuation, tell the Sultan, how happy he was in a Son, so brave and valiant, that had gain’d the Hearts of all the prime Men in the Empire, as well as the entire Love of the Soldiers; hinting that it was well Mustapha’s Duty, and Love to his Father, would prevent his making a wrong use of it, throwing in by-the-by, that many Sons had murder’d their Fathers to get their Thrones.