Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/247

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mine: He told them, I was a Subject to the King of Spain, born in the Low-Countries, and that I served the Spaniard more than the Emperor; that I acquainted him with every thing that was done at Constantinople, and had Emissaries in Pay, who related to me the very Secrets of that Empire, amongst whom was Ebrahim the chief Druggerman of Turkey. This he did, before the Peace was made between Spain and France; but, when those two Princes were agreed, he took the first opportunity to retract what he had spoken. La Vigne was a Man of a prodigious Liberty of Speech; he would tell all he knew, let it be taken how it would. This made Rustan himself to avoid his Company; whilst at the same time others were backward to converse with Rustan, because of the sourness of his Humour. He sent once to Rustan to desire Audience: He told the Messengers, his Interpreters, that he might send his Errand by them, for his Business might be as well done in his Absence as in his Presence. Yet La Vigne would needs come himself, where he spoke that which grated Rustan's Ears. What do you think, says he, that you have got Buda, Gran, Alba Regalis, and other Hungarian Towns, from the Christians by Force? No, I deny it utterly; 'tis our Dissention that gave you Opportunity to take them: If there had not been continual Wars between the Kings of France and Spain, you would have been so far from possessing those Towns, that Charles V. would hardly have suffered you to live quiet at Constantinople it self. At which Speech Rustan was so provoked, that he told him, What dost thou tell me of the Kings of Spain and France? If all the Christian Princes join their Arms together