Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/211

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

Bag and Baggage, and began his unfortunate Voyage to Persia. He knew well enough that he went to the old Enemy of the Ottoman House, but was resolv'd to try the mercy of any body, rather than fall into his Father's Hands. There marched out with him all that were able to bear Arms; none were left behind but weak Persons, Women and Children, that were not able to bear the fatigue of so long a Journey; amongst which was a new-born Child of his own, with his Mother, whose Innocency he thought would protect them from his Father's Cruelty, and therefore he thought it best to leave them to his Clemency, rather than make them Companions of his woeful and miserable Fight; and the truth is, Solyman, as yet uncertain what would become of the Father, spared the Life of his Infant-Son at present, and sent him to be educated at Prusia.

I would have return'd to Constantinople, the Day before Easter, but had a great mind to see, how the Turks did observe that Festival; and I was not sure that ever I should have so fair an Opportunity again. They were to celebrate it in the open Field, before the Emperor's own Tent. I, therefore, ordered my Servants to take a Room in the Tent of a Turkish Soldier, that stood on a rising Ground, and look'd down on Solyman's Tent, which was over against it. Thither went I at Sun-rising, where, in an open Plain, I beheld a vast multitude of turbanted Heads silently standing, and taking down the last Words of their Priest. Every Rank was ranged orderly, and standing, that in the open Field they seemed to be a Wall one to another: The most Honourable had their Station next the Emperor's Train, uppermost in the Camp, and their Turbants as white as Snow. Such diversity of Colours did affect me