Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/98

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yet fully accorded to, nor wholly rejected, there was no reason I should slip my Neck out of the Collar, till the Matter was brought to some certain Issue; either a firm Peace, or a perfect Rupture. And therefore, when I foresaw what a Bushel of Troubles I should run my self into, by my Return, I had much rather a fitter Person had been substituted for the Employment; but no body being willing to accept the Charge, I was, in a manner, forced into the Service; it being my Duty to comply with, and obey, the Will and Pleasure of my gracious Master: For as soon as ever he return'd from the Imperial Diet to Vienna, and was informed by me of my Transactions with Solyman, the Ottoman Emperor, he immediately laid his Commands upon me to prepare my self to return, and to carry back his Answer to Solyman's Letters. 'Tis true, it was the depth of Winter, when I was commanded to return to Constantinople; and, besides, 'twas a very rainy, cold and tempestuous Season; and my Message too was so severe, that I was like to have no Thanks for my Labour. Here, perhaps, you may twit me in the Teeth, what! Twice to the same Place? To which I answer, twice, and oftner, if there be need; for commendable Enterprizes, the mere hazardous, the more Praise-worthy.

'Twas in November when I left Vienna, to undertake my second Voyage to unhospitable Pontus. I will not grate your Ears with the Relation of the Enterprizes of my second Journey: I was too vexatious, I fear, in giving you an Account of my first.

It may suffice to tell you, that I went the same Stages, in a manner, that I did at first. So then, to Constantinople I came, in the beginning of January, having lost one of my Retinue, who died of a Fever in the way. There I found my Collegues