Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/195

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thrust hard with them, they without would so press upon the Valves, which were loose and old, that the Bars would fall out. I took their Counsel; the Doors flew open accordingly, and out we went, hastening to the Room I had hired.

My Chiaux had a mind to frustrate my Desire, and yet he was no bad Man neither; for having communicated my Request to the Bashaws, they were not willing that any Christian should behold their Prince marching with so small Force against his own Son, and therefore, said they to him, do you promise him fair, but be sure to delay him till the Sultan is a Shipboard; then you may think of some Excuse or other to bring you off.

When I came to the House where a Room was hired for me, the Door was shut, so that I could no more enter into that, than I could go out of my own; when I knock'd, no body answered. Hereupon the Janizaries again told me, that, if I commanded them, they would either break open the Doors, or get in at Window and open them. I told them, they should not break open any thing; but if they would go up to the Windows, they might: they presently did so, and opened the Door. When I went up Stairs, I found the House full of Jews, a whole Synagogue of them. They looked upon it as a Miracle, that I should enter, when the Doors were shut; but being informed of the Truth, an old grave Matron, in comely Habit, address'd herself, and complained to me, in Spanish, of the Violence I had offered to the House; I told her, she had done me wrong, in not keeping her Word, and that I was not a Man to be thus deluded; she seem'd dissatisfied, and the Time would not admit of further Discourse. In short, I was allowed one Window, which on the back side looked out