Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/216

 ther and your Father too; and if either of them should deal hardly with you, you will have a Father-in-law to fly to, who will afford you Sanctuary. Such Discourses were received among the Vulgar, to divert Bajazet's thoughts from the apprehension of present Danger. The Sophi sent many Ambassadors to Solyman on this Errand; but whether he dealt sincerely with Bajazet to reconcile him to his Father, or no, might be a great question, since in the mean time, he contrived all ways to destroy him; for Sagthamas was in a mighty Fear, lest he should nourish a Serpent in his Bosom, and that which encreased his Rancour, was, the wicked design of some, who persuaded Bajazet to attempt the destroying of Sagthamas; for one of Bajazet's Commanders was heard to say, ''Why do we not kill this Heretick, and possess his Kingdoms? For, without doubt, he will one day be the Ruin of us all.'' These wild Discourses coming to Sagthamas's Ears, put him upon a Project more necessary than plausible; for Bajazet had not many Forces, but very warlike ones; and there were many valiant Men among them that were ready to attempt any Invasion, and therefore he had reason to fear. He was conscious, also, that he had added new Kingdoms to his own, as being conquer'd on pretence of Religion; and who would secure such sickly Subjects, who were weary of their present State, and coveted a Change? To these nothing could be more reasonable than the coming of Bajazet. As yet, however, he is more in my Power, than I am in his, and therefore it were best to improve the Opportunity, and treat him no longer as a Guest, but as an Enemy to be chained up. To compass which, no Method was more adviseable than to sever him from his Forces,