Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/189

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

he placed his Concubines and Children. From those Merchants, that were rich, he borrowed Money, upon Terms of Re-payment with Interest, if God gave him Success. From thence, also, he was furnished with Arms for his Soldiers.

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