Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/197

 his Shield. It is not however my present Design to acquaint you with the Turks Expertness at Arms; they have obtain'd it by long Use and Experience in War. Their Heads are covered with very fine white Cotten-Linnen, in the midst whereof stands up a Tuft made of Purple Silk, plaighted; some of them wear black Feathers a-top.

the Horse, a large Body of Janizaries followed, being Foot, and seldom taking any other Arms than Muskets. The Make and Colour of their Cloaths are almost the same, so that you would judge them all to be the Servants of one Man. They have no ungainly Habit among them, nor any thing rent or torn; their Cloaths will wear out soon enough, they say, without their tearing them; yet, in their Feathers, Crests, and such-like military Ornaments, they are over-curious, or rather proud; especially, the Veterans in the Rear, you would think a whole Wood of walking Feathers were in their Fire-stars and Frontals; after them their Officer and Commanders follow on Horseback, distinguished each by his proper Ensign. In the last Place marches their Aga, or General. Then succeed the chief Courtiers, amongst whom are the Bashaws; then the Foot of their Prince's Life-Guard in a particular Habit, carrying their Bows bent in their Hands, for they are all Archers; next the Prince's Led-Horses, all with curious Trappings. He himself rode on a stately Prancer, looking sour, with his Brows bent, as if he had been angry; behind him came three Youths, one carrying a Flagon of Water, another his Cloak, another his Bow. Then followed some Eunuchs of the Bedchamber; and, at last, a Troop of about Two Hundred Horse closed the Procession.