53
THE CAPTIVITY.
Left a captive in the tents of Charles, Francis looked towards every State in Europe and saw no hope of succour. England was against him; Spain, Austria, Italy, Germany, were his enemies. Drawing his ring from his finger, Francis sent it as a sign to Soliman the Magnificent, Sultan of Turkey.
The first messenger was murdered on his way; but the ring was finally obtained by Ibrahim, the brilliant Vizier of the Sultan, who wore it in triumph. A second ambassador, a certain Frangipani, was immediately despatched; he bore a letter and messages from Francis to Soliman, and returned secretly with the Sultan's answer. Thus a secret understanding began between France and the East, by the terms of which trade was to be encouraged between the two countries. Soliman promised that the Christian creed should be respected as his own. A French Consul was appointed at Alexandria. Whilst, more than all this, it was agreed that Soliman should attempt to win the Hungarian frontier of the Empire; thus harassing Charles in the East and giving room for the development of France in the West.
