Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/259

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  • sent, but sought for an Opportunity to shew their

dislike of it. Solyman had writ to the King of France, that he agreed to the Peace, yet would have him remember, That Old Friends are not easily made Enemies, nor Old Enemies, Friends.

This Disgust of the Turks was of no small Advantage to my Affairs: To which Haly Bassa's Affection, and Ebrahim's great desire to shew his Gratitude to me, did very much contribute.

You may remember, I told you before, that, when La Vigne did accuse me to the Bashaw, at the same time he forgot not Ebrahim, but told them, that he discovered all the secret Counsels of the Turks to me. This Ebrahim was the chief Druggerman, (i. e. Interpreter of Solyman) a Polander, and therefore more hated by La Vigne, because, in a deadly Feud with Codognatus, a former Ambassador of the same King, he seem'd to take Codognatus his part. I shall not trouble you with the Contest betwixt them, it being little to my purpose: This is certain, that La Vigne was mindful of the Affront, and could never endure Ebrahim; but when he had Access to the Bashaw, every third Word was against him; neither did he desist from complaining, till Ebrahim was remov'd out of his Place. For my part, I was not much concern'd at Ebrahim's Disgrace; I had never such an extraordinary kindness for him, as to lament his Loss, for I found him many times thwarting my Affairs; only it troubled me, that 'twas noised abroad, he lost his Place for my sake. Hereupon, I assisted him in his Privacy what I could; for I knew it troubled him, to be turned out of his Office, and therefore I us'd him as an Interpreter or Messenger, betwixt me and the Bashaws in my Transactions about the Peace. And Haly admitted him, out of Respect to me, and because he was degraded without any just Cause. In short, I never