Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/99

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in good Health ; but a mighty Change was made in the Turkish Affairs: Bajazet, Solyman's youngest Son, had escap'd a great Danger, and was reconciled to his Father: Achmet Bassa, the Grand Vizier, had been strangled, and Rustan, his Predecessor, was restored to his Place of Grand Viziership, of whom more hereafter. But, at present, I shall acquaint you what coarse Entertainment I met with from their Emperor, his Bashaws, and other great Men among them. For their Bashaws (as the manner is, before they introduce an Ambassador to their Prince) being desirous to hear of me, in general, the purport of my Message; as soon as they understood, that my Master Cæsar would not recede a jot from his Right, but did punctually insist upon it, as just and equal, that the Transactions with the Widow of John late Vaivode of Transylvania and her Son (being made without Fraud, Force or Covin,) should be strictly observed, they were in a mighty Chafe: For you must know, that a long Series of happy Success, hath so elevated the Minds of this People, that they make their own Wills, forsooth, the sole Rule of all Reason, Right or Wrong. On which presumptuous Principle, they carried it very haughtily towards us; and told us the extream Danger we should run into, if we offer'd to appear before that Prince with such an imperious Message. When such menacing Words could not deter us from demanding Audience, they gave us to understand, that they would have no hand in our Admittance; for do ye think, (said they) that we are such brazen-*fac'd Fellows as to bring you, with such sawcy Answers, to our King? No, said they; it will be a plain Mockery to him, which he will never take well at your Hands. Do you not know, proceeded they, that he is come back from Persia with a victorious Army; where, his Successes have so