Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/187

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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.