Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/193

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

Father did, who was more formidable after he was conquered than before, so that his very Overthrow at first was the cause of his Victory in the End. Neither did they thus speak without Cause; for 'tis incredible how much that Fight, though unfortunate, had added to Bajazet's Renown. That he was so hardily valorous, as, with a small handful in comparison, to set upon the well-disciplin'd Army of his Brother, strengthened too with his Father's Forces; that he was not daunted with the disadvantage of the Place, nor the roaring of the great Ordnance, and that he carried himself in the very Battel, not as a raw Officer, but an expert General. 'Tis true, said they, his Success was not answerable, but his Valour was not inferior; and, therefore, let Selimus boast never so much of his Victory to his Father, this we are sure of, that, of the two, Bajazet deserved to be Conqueror; and that we may attribute his Brother's being so to any thing rather than to his own Valour. These Discourses concerning Bajazet, shew'd him to be Popular, and thereupon they double his Father's Grief and Pain, and his Desire to ruin him. Resolved he was, none but Selimus should succeed him in the Empire: For, besides that he was his eldest Son, he had been always faithful and obedient to him; but Bajazet had been rebellious, and gaped after the Throne in his Lifetime; and he feared him the more, because he was esteem'd a very valiant Prince, and because also he had openly assisted Selimus against him.

For these Reasons he pass'd the Sea into Asia, but with a Resolution not to stir from the Shore, but to assist his Son Selimus's Affairs, only at a distance. For why, thought he, should I run any Hazard to bring my own Forces nearer, lest