Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/218

 should succeed his Father in the Empire, it might do Persia much more Mischief than ever Selimus could; for he was but a slothful Prince, and not at all for a War, and therefore some thought he would never escape out of his Hands; for to be sure he can never be a Friend to one he hath injured so much. Some think one thing, and some another: For my part, I think it will be an intricate Business. For, as Bajazet is in Troubles, and the Issue undetermin'd, they will not easily make War on Christendom at this Juncture. They labour to obtrude on me certain conditions of Peace, having some Letters that will please my Master, but they allow me no Copy of them, as heretofore they used to do; so that I suspect Fraud in the case, and therefore do peremptorily refuse to send those Letters to Cæsar, unless I first know their Contents; and if they deceive me by a false Copy, then the Blame lies at their Door, not at mine: By this means I shall free my Master from answering their captious Letters; for I am sure he will accept of no conditions of Peace but such as are honourable. But, you'll say, if you refuse to accept of their conditions of Peace, 'tis one step towards a War. Let that be as it will, I judge it more adviseable to leave all free to the events of future Ages: But the not sending their Letters, if that be a Crime, I shall take up on my self; and I shall easily clear my self, if the Issue of Bajazet's Affairs do not answer their Expectation; since it is yet very difficult, though not impossible, for the Turks are not irreconcileable to those Ambassadors, who study to do their Master the best Service they can amongst them. And besides, the declining Age of my Prince will be some advantage to me, who the Bashaws thinks is fitter for rest and quiet, than for the Fatigues of an unnecessary War. 'Tis