Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/262

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

Prisoners were released and sent to my Lodgings. De Sande and Leyva were so odious to each other, that they would not eat together, but I was forced to spread their Tables a-part; Requesne eat with Leyva, and de Sande with me. While we were at Supper, the French Amhassador's Steward came to me, with a small Pacquet of Letters. De Sande ask'd, if he knew him? Yes Sir, said he, I think you are Don Alvarez. I am so, said he, pray remember me to your Master, and tell him, that I have obtained my Liberty by means of the Emperor's Ambassador, and that you have seen me Abroad with your own Eyes. I see you, indeed, Sir, said he; but so, that I can scarce believe my own Eyes. De Sande did thus accost him, because his Master, the French Agent, would never believe that Solyman would release those great Men at the Emperor's Instance: And the Truth is, before they could obtain their Liberty, their Mufti, who is an Archbishop amongst the Turks, was consulted, Whether a great many Turks might not be released for a few Christians; for I had promised, that about forty Turks, of an ordinary Rank, who were Prisoners with us, should be released for them. The Mufti answered, That there were two Opinions on the Case; one Pro, the other Con; but he was for the Affirmative.

It now remains that I acquaint you with the last End of Bajazet, who, I told you before, was put in Prison by the Persians. Many Messages had passed between those two Princes on that Occasion; and an Ambassador came once from Persia with Presents, a Tent curiously wrought, Assyrian and Persian Tapestry, with the Alcoran, and some Beasts of an unusual Sort; as, an Indian Ant, as big as an ordinary Dog; a fierce and biting Present. The Cause of the Embassy was pretended to be, the Reconciliation of Bajazet with his Father; and they were received very honourably, entertained with