HAuing read sundrie Histories , the which doe attribute as a great want vnto the happie fortune of Tamerlan , not to haue a writer in his dayes , which might haue left in writing his Historie vnto posteritie : who surely had reason so to say , if this had bin true . But without any cause did they mone him , insomuch as his Historie is very famous amongst the Turks and Arabians , The History of Tamerlan famous amongst the Turkes and Arabians . his conquests very largely discoursed , and many of his worthy and notable sayings collected , with an infinite number of noble deedes left vnto the memoriall of posteritie , hauing bene no lesse accompanied with such good hap , than was Achilles . Very true it is , that he had not an Homer , but a great and worthy person , learned as well in naturall Philosophy , as in Astrology , who was in the time of this Prince , a companion and familiar of his conquests , named Alhacen , an Arabian Alhacen . by birth , making profession of Mahomets religion , not according to the fond and vaine follies of the Turkes ; but for want of Christian instruction , he worshipped one onely God , the author of nature , & maker both of Mahomet . Heauen and Earth ( the which Mahomet taught as he had learned in the Schoole of the Christians ) meaning to be contrary vnto the Heathen , who did allow of sundry Goddes . This Author then being fallen into my hands , in my voyage into the East Countrey , I caused the same to be interpreted vnto me by an Arabian , who The Franke tongue amongst the Turkes . did speake Frank ( as they terme it ) that is to say , Italian , & some time I spent , in associating my selfe so with this man , who commended greatly vnto me the eloquence & grauity of this author , wondering at his digressions , & entring againe into his matter so well to the purpose . It grieued me much that I had not the perfection of this language , to be a helpe vnto the riches of this History , for to deliuer it vnto my Nation with some grace : but I tooke therof as much as I could in his language , which was corrupted , as is the Frank tongue ( so they terme it ) which is a kind of Italian , mingled with Slauon , Greek , & Spanish , tongs very common at Constantinople , with the Arabian & Turkish tongs : so as I could not gather but only the truth thereof , & not the drifts & grauity of the declaration , wherein the author had collected it for posterity , ( & as he said ) by the commandement of the Prince , Tamerlan his learning . who was a louer of learning , & excellent in the knowledge of Astrology & diuinity , as the custome of those Nations is to ioine them ordinarily together , studying vpon the vertue of names , & of the turning of letters , euen The Tartarians strange kind of Astrologie . in their placing , writing them vnderneth starres , whereof they make sentences , by meanes whereof they wrought miraculously in the things of nature . This is that Zoroastrien & Bactrien science , that of Balaam , & some others in my opinion , which hath succeeded vnto so many Arabian Astrologians . Now then this Prince was endued with such knowledg , as made him admired of the people where he commanded , who are for the most part great wonderers , insomuch as this caunsed him to be accounted a Prince accompanied with the diuine vertue , considering Italian fables written of Tamerlan . the iustice he vsed in all his actions . This hath proceeded euen so far that some Italians haue written foolish things thereof , as of certain kinds of Tents which he caused to be pitched , when he besieged any city ; one white , signifiing peace , it yelding vnto his mercy ; another red , signifying cruelty to follow ; and the third blacke , signifying mourning to ensue . But I find not this in our Author , & I beleeue them to be fables , as that of Romans , for the affaires of the war are not handled in this maner , & we find that he was very courteous : onely he desired to abbase Tamerlan very friendly vnto the good , and furious to the bad . the pride of that Turkish Emperor , called Baiazet , the thunder of heauen , & would tread vpon his head , imitating therin the Diuinity , which pulleth down the proud & raiseth vp the humble . Therfore in a word , I say , that which our Historiographers report of him , is very litle after this Author . This is the occasion therfore that I desiring to write , in this solitarines which I haue chosen , seing the continuance of the miseries wherinto I haue often thrust my selfe with the hazard of my life , as I am bound for my king & countrey ; where hauing receiued many wounds , by the fauor of my king , I haue sought againe the priuate life , which I had left ▪ that I might not be seene in idlenesse at such time as men of worth were busied in sacrificing their liues for preseruation of their countrey . Now then that I may keepe my self from writing any thing of these times , for to say true , it engendreth hatred in many minds , & especially the desire to be flattered , & they which cannot do it , are they not commanded to keepe silence ? I must forbeare to collect that which some men of worth hauing both seene & endured , doe leaue , as a monument of our follies vnto posterity , which should rather in my opinion be buried , then brought to light , for they be instructions to kindle mens minds for The discemodities arising from the Histories of ciuill warres . the trouble of their countries , finding therin colours for destruction of the same . Do you not thinke that the Historie of the Romaine ciuill warres , hath beene the occasion of the ouerthrow of many common-wealths ? and do not you beleeue , that of the Grecians being read by Cesar , did harme , by lyfting vp his courage , and making him hope for high matters ( as those of Marius and Silla ) to set Rome on fire , and their owne Countrie in bloud , saying most truely , ( and they of this age shall pardon me ) that man is without loue , vnworthy of fire and water , who causeth and loueth ciuill warres . We must needs blame them in recyting those , and take from them the hope of obtayning thereby glorie of the posteritie , but much rather blame & dishonor . What was the cause that parricide was not forbidden by a law written ? because this were to instruct that it might be done . Our countrie is another mother , shall we recite vnto posterity the praise of the parricide , which they commit against her the true mother ? For this occasion therfore I hold my peace , & bury in my self as much as I may , the conspiracies which they had made against their king , City , fellow-citizen , the hallowed altars , & against all both diuine and humane right . I will now declare vnto you with my Arabian , who this great Prince Tamerlan The ofspring and stocke of Tamerlan . was . He was then of the bloud of the Tartarian Emperors , and his father Og had for his portion the countrey of Sachetay , wherof he was Lord . This countrey lying betweene the North & the East , is the ancient country of Parthia , vpon the coast of the Zogdians , & the chiefest citie of his estate was Samercand situated vpon the riuer of Issarle . Some of our Historiographers would needs haue him to be the sonne of a shepheard ; but this haue they said , not knowing at all the custome of their countrie , where the principall reuenue of the kings and The customes and reuenues of the Tartarian kings . nobles consisteth in cattell , despising gold and siluer , but making great reckoning of such riches , wherin they abound in all sorts : this is the occasion wherfore some call them shepheards , & say also that this Prince descended from them . So his father Og was Prince of Sachetay , abounding in such kind of wealth . And being come vnto the age of fifteen yeares , his father being already old , deliuered vp vnto him the gouernment of his kingdome , with the commandement The solitarie life of Og , for to serue God . ouer al his men of war. His father Og being giuen vnto peace , withdrue himself vnto a solitarie life , for to serue God , and end the rest of his dayes in quiet . Tamerlans name . He gaue vnto his son Tamerlan ( which signifieth heauenlie grace in their tongue ) two sufficient personages for to guide and assist him in the gouernment of his estate : the one was called Odmar , and the other Aly , persons Odmar & Aly appointed to assist Tamerlan in the gouernme●t of his kingdom by his father Og. Note . in great dignitie and credit with his father , whom this Prince did greatlie honour as long as they liued , & euen after their death hee did often make mention of them before his seruants , commending their seruices performed ; a matter of no smal force for the mightie to make them wel serued , not to forget their seruants euen after their death . This acknowledging doth greatlie allure men , as the forgetfulnesse thereof doth grieue them for the present time , and cooleth the desire they haue to serue . This Prince was wont to weare on his hand the rings of his two seruants , and was wont to say , that when he beheld these , he did call to his remembrance two precepts , which he had receiued of them ; and this did he the better to retain them in memorie against he should minister iustice . Now this Prince was wel instructed in the Arabian learning , and exercised himselfe Tamerlan his studies and learning . The delicacies of Tartaria . Tamerlans contemplation . much therein , and at such time as they thought him to be either in the Bathes , wherein they are very curious in that countrie , being their chiefest delicacies , he was in the contemplacion and studie of heauenvly things , without omitting anie thing notwithstanding that belonged to the gouernment of his estate , wherin he said his professed Demon did oftentimes especiallie direct him , accounting onely his estate prosperous when he had the heauens fauorable . This Prince had within his eyes Maiestie in his eyes . such deuine beautie , being full of such maiesty , that one could hardly endure the sight of them without closing of their eies , & they which talked with him , and did often behold him , became dumb , insomuch as he abstained with a certain modesty & comelinesse to look vpon him that discoursed vnto him . All the rest of his visage was courteous and well proportioned : he had but little haire on his chin : he did weare his haire long & curled , The custom of the Tartarians . contrary to the custome of his country , who are shaued on their heads , hauing the same alwaies couered , but he contrariwise was alwaies in a maner bare-headed , and greatly esteemed of his haire : therfore one of his familiars demanding of him wherfore he did not shaue his haire like other men , he said vnto him , My friend , I neuer Tamerlan ●●re long ●air and why . told it vnto any body , but ( said he ) the affection I know thou bearest vnto my seruice , cannot deny it thee . My mother came of the race of Sanson , for a mark wherof she aduised me to honor long haire . This was the cause that made him respected of his men of armes , and the most part of them did beleeue there was some vertue in those haires , or rather some fatal destiny , the which many did beleeue to be so ; & verily they were of a duskie colour drawing towards a violet , the most beautifull that anie eye could behold . His stature was of the middle sort , The discription of Tamerlan . somwhat narrow in his shoulders , he had a faire leg & strong , the strength of his body was such as no body did surpasse , & often on the festiual daies he made triall of his strength with the most strong ▪ & this he did with such grace & humanity , that he whom he ouercame held himself therin most happy , although it be a disgrace amongst the Tartarians to be thrown to the ground in wrastling . Now as he was martial & desirous of glory : the first war that he attempted was against the Moscouit , who came & Tamerlan his first war a-against the Moscouite . spoiled a citie which had put it self into his protection , & had entred also into his countrie , & being retired , proclaimed open war against him , gaue him battaile neer to the riuer Mascha , although the Moscouit had a great army , which he had gathered together long before . On the other side , the Prince determining to resist him , assembled all his forces , & those of his allies Tamerlans ; & first , he made appeare vnto his soldiers the stoutnesse of his courage ; for this day he perfourmed the office both of a souldier & Emperour iointly together . Now the place of fight being discommodious for vs by reason of a litle hil which the Moscouits had taken , wheron they had placed some 6000. men on foot , who with an infinit number of arrowes hoped to ouercome them that went to the battaile , who were constrained to passe by that place . Now he being aduertised that the Moscouit would not come to the battail , but only meant to shew himself , & after that to retire 20 ▪ leagues , as they are accustomed to do : he being desirous to end this war by a battail , did adiudge , ▪ beyond the aduise of his Counsell , that the eenemy wold not fight , vnlesse by assaulting this mountaine , he were vrged therunto against his wil , or els lose those 6000. men which were there placed . Then he commanded A Stratagem . 20000. men of his army , led by Aly ( Colonel of the footmen ) to set vpon them . Now by this aduise he brought to passe two effects : the one whereof was , that he kept his horsmen from being iniured by the arrowes of the Moscouites ; the other was to compel them vnto the fight , in case they would not otherwise come thereunto , the which tooke place . For as the Moscouite thought to retire and succour them , Tamerlan at that very time caused his army to passe ouer the riuer Rosna , which gaue the occasion of battaile . The Moscouite could not retire but in disorder , our Armie hauing passed ouer : nowe the Muscouite had verie great forces , and men well trained vp in the warres , hauing had alwaies warres with his neighbors , the king of Polonia , with whom he had then friendship , and the ayd of tenne thousand verie good horse . There were also with him many Hungarian Gentlemen , led by Vdecelaus a Hungarian The armie of the Moscouite . Gentleman , who had brought with him more then eight thousand horse ; the opinion was that he had in his armie fourscore thousand horse , and a hundred thousand footmen . Our Prince Tamerlan had in his armie The armie of Tamerlan . about six-score thousand horse , and a hundred and fiftie thousand men on foot , but not so skilful in points of warre as those of the Moscouite : for our estate had long enioyed peace , and our souldiours were indeed trained vp in the disciplin of warres , but not in the practise thereof . For Prince Og loued peace and rest from his childhood , and kept himselfe with great mildnesse with all his neighbours , hauing nothing at all increased his borders , commended only for preseruing of them wisely . So these two Armies were the one before the other , and in the meane time the mountaine was forced by the Parthians , and defended by the Moscouites , euerie one assisting theirs . To conclude , the fight continued two houres , the armies nothing at al medling therein , but yet euery one did encourage their souldiours , & The order of Tamerlanes battaile . exhort them vnto the battaile . The order of Tamerlanes was this ; that is , he caused all his armie to be deuided into squadrons , each consisting of sixe thousand horse , except his own , which was of ten thousand , so as he made eighteen squadrons , his owne being reckened which made nineteene . The Auantguard was conducted by Odmar who led nine squadrons , flanked with 40. thousand men on foot , deuided both on the right and left sides , who should shoot an infinite number of arrowes . The battaile was conducted by Tamerlan , who led ten squadrons , his owne being therein closed , and 50. thousand footmen , the best and choisest souldiers of his whole armie . Prince Thanais , a kinsman vnto the Prince , led the Arere-ward , with fortie thousand footmen , and sixe squadrons : hee had some three thousand horse aduenturers , whome they call Oliagues in their tongue , the same which we tearme the forlorne hope .

The Moscouite did not obserue that order , but did fight by double ranks with Launces , and there was a space to help themselues therein , and to breake them , notwithstanding those nations doe not breake them at all , and they seemed to be a greater number then wee , making a great noise . The Auantguard of the Moscouites The order of the Moscouits battaile . was fullie twentie fiue thousand horse . The Polonians and Hungarians were in the Auauntguard , the which was led by the Moscouits sonne , whom they call the Prince of Russia : the battaile consisted of 40. thousand horse , wherein was the king of Moscouie with manie of his Lords , and all the forces of his Allies , the Arere-ward was a great squadron squared with ten thousand horse ; the footmen of the Moscouit were between the Battaile & the Arere-ward . Then our Prince seeing Tamerlan his speech vnto his souldiers , being ranged in battaile array . our armie passed ouer , turned himself towards his souldiers , & began in this sort to speake vnto them : It is not for riches ( my companions ) nor for the enlarging of the limits of my empire , that I doe fight this day with your assistance , but it is for a thing more excellent , seeing the same is to purchase glory & honor vnto the Parthian nation . The same whih was in old time the bounds of the glory of the Roman name , who could neuer conquer it , nor plant their Trophees therein . Let vs not then giue place vnto the glory of our auncesters , and make manifest this day vnto me , the faithfulnesse that is in you , & let the same be accompanied with your courage , for your king is not accustomed to retire without victory , I haue caused you to passe ouer this riuer , for the trust I haue in the force of your arms : let vs rather dy than repas it without carying a laurel garland on our head . Whilest this passed thus , the Parthian soldiers led by Aly had won the mountain , which was not without great fight : but the victory fel on our side , which gaue great hope vnto our army of more happy successe . This made the Moscouits to acknowledge the fault they had made , the which was wel taken hold of by vs : so the Prince gaue the signe of battaile , marching forward all along the mountaine which his souldiers had wonne , enflamed with their victory to begin the fight . And he placed 6000. fresh soldiers vpon this mountain to fauor his armie . At this instant the Moscouite gaue the signe of battaile , and aduanced Battaile between the Moscouite and Tamerlan . forward . Then the Prince Tamerlan willed his men likewise to come forward : and sent his commandement therof vnto Odmar , who returned answer , that seing the Moscouit did with such heat seek to come vnto the fight , he would suffer him to come vnto him , and would attend his comming resolutely in the place of battail . Now Odmar alone could by his authority bridle the boldnes of this yong Prince , who desired to go forward , & maintain in the meane time , like an old soldier , his aduantage , which was of no smal waight for the victory , the place being of greater aduantage for the enemies , for in assaulting them we lost the force of the fight , & we had also the wind & Sun in our eyes , which raised a great dust made by our horses , which kept the Moscouits from beholding the efect of their soldiers in the fight that either as they won or lost they might be succored ▪ So the fight was begun by the Moscouites , who strongly with al the fury that was possible charged Odmar , who stifly resisted all this forcible violence , but not without the losse of many of his men , and himself thrown to the ground , al his horse also broken , was fain to retire himselfe vnto the left wing of his footmen , where he was again mounted on horseback , whereupon reuniting his men together , whilest the Moscouite did fight with the maine battaile , conducted by the Emperour Tamerlan , he ren●ed with those whom he had so vnited together a new charge , setting vpon the flank of the Moscouits , which did greatly impaire their strength . The fight endured 4. or 5. houres ; insomuch as the heaps of men and horse were so many defences against the blowes of the arrowes shot by the Parthian footmen & by those of the Moscouites . Now the Moscouite horsmen had pierced the maine battaile , the Hungarians fighting so resolutely as the Prince remained seuered with 3000. horse only , & after the Parthian maner began to fight in retiring ▪ wherupon the Moscouite thought he had won the battaile ; then , when he being reunited vnto his Arier-ward , led by the Prince of Tanais , who had gathered together 14000. horse , and almost all the footmen , it behoued the Moscouite to retire backe , notwithstanding before that he made a strong resistance ; but at the length multitude & skil ouercam the force & valor of the Moscouites , the victorie bending to the Parthians side , the which they did pursue hotly . Tamerlan was hurt on the forehead vpon the side of the left eye ▪ and had two horses slaine vnder him in the fight ; the Moscouite falling . into the hands of a priuate souldiour , as a prisoner , being not known , sa●ed himself ( his armie being whollie ouerthrowne ▪ and diuers Muscouite Lords taken prisoners ) and retired himselfe with nine or ten thousand horse in order : manie of their footmen saued themselues by the benefit of the night . The place of their retiring was about ten leagues from our armie , and he passed ouer a riuer , where he reunited together his men during the night . The least losse he had was of his footmen , who tooke not the course of his horsmen , but rather as soon as they perceiued the victorie encline to the enemie , they retired themselues all along the mountains for their better aduantage : a thing which greatlie fauoured the Moscouits . Tamerlan employed himself in giuing God The thankefulnesse of Tamerlan vnto God for his victorie thanks for this victorie , after he had pursued the enemy three leagues ; the next day he reuiewed his armie , and found that he had lost of his side for his part betweene seuen an eight thousand horsmen , and betweene three and foure thousand footmen . The Moscouite lost some seuen and twentie thousand footmen , and between fifteene and sixteene thousand horsmen . This same day was Odmar the safegard of his Prince ; for it is not to be doubted , had not the hindrance bene he gaue , when the Moscouits assaulted Tamerlan , setting vpon him with all their forces together , but that they had bene able to ouerthrow the Prince of Thanais , and the Emperour who was reunited vnto him . By the euent of this Battaile we may learne how much aduantage he hath , A good aduertisment for Generals . who attendeth the comming of his enemie with a resolute mind , in the field which he hath chosen for the battaile , hauing first caused the same to be well viewed by his men , and especially by his Captaines . Secondly , the hurt that commeth in not obseruing the dust which the wind raiseth . Thirdly , that the Arier-ward well led , is the occasion of the victorie , and oftentimes the preseruation of the Prince . Fourthly , how necessarie it is to haue the chiefest strength of the battaile in going to assault the enemie . Now our Tamerlan after he had giuen thanks vnto God , caused a view to be made of his Armie , buried the dead , both his owne , and of his enemie , acknowledged the deserts of his soldiours , yeelding vnto them such houour as they had deserued . In this battaile he lost Hally , who was slaine by the blow of an arrow , after he had forced the mountaine , in going to the battaile , being generall of all his footmen . This Prince was greatly grieuedtherwith , causing his bodie alwaies to be laide in his tent vntil his returne vnto Samarcand , where he caused him to be buried Great honour done to Hally after his death for good seruice performed by him in his life . verie honourably : hee was the beginning of the greatnesse to Samercand , and of the fame of his name , by making of a stately tombe for Hally . The Prince did slacke no time after so great a victorie : for hauing giuen such order as was necessarie to a great armie . ( I wil not forget to declare , that when as this Prince did behold so many thousands of men lie dead on the ground where the battaile was fought , he turned himselfe vnto one of his familiars , lamenting the condicion of them who command ouer Armies , & commending the profession of the Emperour his father , he counted him happie , for that hee had sought rest , acknowledging A notable saying of Tamerlan for making of warres . humaine miserie , the which in destroying his owne kind , procured his glorie . That for his part such tokens of victory were sorrowful euen vnto his hart . ) He set forward , and came into the borders of the Moscouite , all the country being astonished , & euery one flying before his army , the Moscouite had retired himselfe vpon the losse of the battaile , & had likewise caused al his footmen to retire , making a shewe as though he had not lost his courage , & because he had reunited 30000. of his horsmen together , he bragged to trie very shortly his fortune againe . But for all this seeing his victorious enemy come and enter into his country , he thought he should haue to do with a mighty enemy : and hauing called together his principal Captaines , he passed ouer the riuer called Nifort , & taking their counsell , he did resolue for the preseruation of his subiectes to send vnto the Conquerour , and once to make trial of his mercie , as he had already of his forces , being informed by the prisoners of the noble mind and mildnesse the which this Prince vouchsafed vnto them , he determined to send Embassadors Embassadors from the Moscouit to treat of peace with Tamerlan to treat with him , and to assay for to amend that which had bene ill done . The Embassadors being arriued , he receiued curteouslie , bewailing in a maner the fortune of their maister , rather then vaunting and exalting himself for the victorie : and as it were more modest then the conquered , he asked them how the Moscouit did , & for what cause they came vnto him . They gaue him to vnderstand , that they had in charge from their Prince to treat with him , desiring the abstinence of armes , and that they were ready to performe vnto him all things reasonable : they beseeched him moreouer to vse victorie as a thing which was the gift of Fortune , and might at another time change , calling vnto mind the estate of humane things , which are vnstable . Prince Tamerlan made them answer , that he had taken armes for the preseruation of his confederates and subiects , from the iniurie done vno them by the Moscouite ; and this was the cause of the victorie , for that hee had iustlie enterprised the same . That hee referred the victorie vnto the God of Battailes , & not vnto his own strength , or forces of his souldiers , and for these reasons he was not therby more insolent : for it was the custome of the Parthians , retaining the same from the A notable saying of Tamerlan . glorie of their ancesters , that in aduersitie their courages doe nothing at all faile them , and that prosperitie likewise doth in no sort blind them so far , that they shuld not be mindful of iustice as wel in good as bad fortune . That it was iust they should satisfy the victor , & should Articles of agreement concluded vpon , betweene the Moscouite & Tamerlan . promise not to enterprise any more the troubling of his allies , then should they haue peace with his armes . He also required that they should become tributaries of a hundred thousand Duckats , and should pay all the charges of the warre , amounting vnto the sum of three hundred thousand Duckats , he then would send back again all the prisoners , & withdraw his armie ; that for security hereof they shuld giue him pledges , which should be changed euery yeare ; vnto all which they agreed . So was this warre ended to his contentment , returning with glorie vnto the Prince his father , in whose countenance no bodie could perceiue any ioy for his sonnes prosperitie , as hee whom the care of heauen had so rauished , that hee no longer set his minde on earthly things . Now Tamerlan was receiued into all his countries with much honour and triumph , the great Cham of Tartaria , brother vnto his father , sent presentes to gratifie him , making offer vnto him of his daughter in marriage , and that in marrying of her , he would cause him to bee acknowledged as Emperour throughout all his kingdomes , as his next heire , himselfe being nowe old , and out of all hope to haue anie more children . Hereupon he presently tooke his iorney towards him , being in the citie of Quauicay , where he was receiued with all kind of triumph and magnificence ; there did he shew himselfe braue in all maner of gallant shewes and combats , as well in iest as in earnest . And as these nations are full of vanitie , and desirous to make shew of their strength & agility , Tamerlan caried away the prize therein , whether it were in shooting neere The Tartarians exercises . with his bowe , or in changing horses in the middest of the courses , or in breaking an yron in running at the Quintaine ; he made euery one wonder at his dexterity , and was crowned the sixt day after his comming thither with the ioyfull consent of all the subiects of the Tamerlan his mariage with the great Chans daughter . Emperour his vnkle , and of all the Court. After that he maried the Emperours daughter , desiring first to bee crowned before the marriage , to the intent that none should think that the Crown came vnto him by means of her , but by succession , the daughters not at all succeeding into Empires . It was also to assure his estate , & hauing remained in that place by the space of two moneths , he returned from thence with his wife to Samercand , in which citie he delighted greatly to remaine , because the situation thereof was verie faire ; and for The situation of the city of Samercand . that the citie is accompanied with a faire riuer , which causeth great trafique , and maketh it richer then any citie within that countrey . As he abode there the Moscouite Presents from the Moscouit vnto Tamerlan sent to visit him with many presents of faire horses , & many excellent furres , the which did greatly content him , for he had receiued newes that the Moscouite did arme himselfe , the which was true , but it was against the Polonians , and other of his neighbors . Who made their repaire vnto him for his assistance , earnestly desiring his aid ; which he would not do ; making answer vnto them , that he had giuen vnto the Moscouite the Tamerlan his worthie answere vnto the Polonians , who desired aide of him against the Moscouite . A Maxime . dearest thing he had in the world , which was his faith . Manie notwithstanding of the Court corrupted by the Embassadors of the king of Polonia , vsed perswasions to mooue him to fauour the Polonians , declaring vnto him , that it was a Maxime , that it behooued him not to suffer his neighbour to waxe too strong , especiallie of so mighty a kingdome as was Polonia ; and that this was the means to make the Tartarians and Parthians terrible vnto the Moscouites . That it was necessary at the beginning to oppose himselfe against such greatnes , the which being suffered to increase , would in the end prooue hurtfull vnto vs , and then would it be verie hard to ouerthrow the same . The Prince answered , that at what time soeuer the Moscouit would not performe that which he had promised vnto him , he had sufficient means to punish him , seeing he had alreadie ouercome him with the Parthians , which was but a small prouince within Tartaria , and that at this day being increased to so great an estate as the whole Empire of the Tartarians , he had occasion to feare him the lesse ; he hoped that his of-spring would also adde more Empires if it did maintaine equity ; that in the meane time the Moscouite should breake his forces in one enterprise , hee would likewise bring to passe his , wherein he should iustlie get honour , and augment the limits of his reputacion . That the peace betweene him and the Moscouite was notoriouslie knowne vnto all his neighbours , the breach whereof should not proceed of his part , and that it was beneficiall both for him and his subiectes : Tamerlan a louer of iustice that God doth punish those who vniustlie enterprise warre against their neighbours ; that this hath bene the occasion of the greatnes of our house , that his ancesters haue alwayes had this iustice before their eyes , in as much as they haue neuer enterprised warre but in their owne defence , notwithstanding it is 300. yeares since they knew what it was to haue fortune contrary vnto them , and that he beleeued certainly that proceeded from that A notable saying of Tamerlan . Iustice which the God of hostes obserued towards his ; that if he were desirous of warre , and therby to get honour and reputation , he had many things to demaund of his neighbours , who during the raigne of his father , which sought onely heauen and neglected the earth , desirous of peace , hath permitted : the which he might iustly redemaund , and vpon refusal , by armes make way vnto the liberty of his subiects , tyrannised vnder vnlawfull Lords . Odmar seemed greatly to allow of the Princes reasons , although hee had bene one of the first which entred into this consideration to feare the greatnesse of the Moscouite ; and he wondered at the maner he vsed in counterpeysing so vprightly in equal ballances iustice with his magnanimitie ; the which notwithstanding was not transported beyond the course of equitie , what reasons soeuer diuerse wise men of his Councel declared , concerning the ancient enmitie betweene the Moscouits and Parthians , especially for the controuersie in religion : but all this was disanulled , Odmar allowing the purpose of the Prince , the which he alone knew , & the others speaking only as old Counsellers , relying vpon the ancient maximes by the which are maintained and assured the greatnesse of Monarchies . For Odmar alone was called by him at such time as the great Cham his vnkle did impart vnto him his affaires : and amongst other matters , he propounded vnto him the enterprise of China , promising him assistance and aid , and giuing him to vnderstand how necessarie it was to vndertake this war for the better assuring of his estate , seeing the king of China had much gone beyond his ancient bounds . So as our Prince had this iourney in his mind , and prepared himselfe therunto , he had not otherwise refused their counsell , and the wise opinions they propounded vnto him , being alwayes obedient vnto reason and not to any other passion , and then especially when the question was of warre , & for the good of his affaires ; a thing for which he was as much to be commended , as for any other vertue whatsoeuer ; for by others The commendation of Tamerlan obeying reason . he was esteemed strong , couragious & stout , but by this here mentioned , he was accounted wise & vertuous , which maketh kings to be honored & admired : wherof he that is the owner , is Lord of one of the greatest Empires that men can obtaine ; for the wise man onely hath the dominion thereof . And what auaileth it ( I pray you ) to conquer abroad , when as home-matters are miserablie subiected vnder the f●ry of our foolish passions : is it not very hard to command another , when thou commandest not thy selfe , thou being the slaue of thy follies , which do break thee with all their force against the moderate rock of wisdom , which houereth about thee , mocking at all that thou doest without her ? Salomon also the king of Israel praied for it , so did our Prince often : this was the praier he most commonly made vnto God , and for Tamerlan prayed for wisdom vnto God . this reason he honored greatly the counsel of the wise , and respected not their pouerty , & some wondered that he hauing knowledge of a wise man , would send for him vnto his Court , and conferring familiarly with A worthy custome of Tamerlan . him , would say vnto him : My friend , I pray thee let me bestow part of my goods vpon thee , and doe thou impart some of thy wisedome with mee . Hee was A notable saying of Tamerlan . wont to say , they presented him with golde and siluer , with precious stones , with faire and rich moueables , where he abounded : but that he found fewe which did beautifie his mind with good precepts & instructions , wherwith to gouerne so manie sundry people whome God had subiected vnder the obedience of his scepter . He had in his Court a Christian whom he loued much , and euerie one greatlie respected , named Axalla , a Geneuois by birth , brought vp from his youth about his person . This man principally did stir him vp vnto great enterprises , and notwithstanding his religion , hee trusted him . Now he had all religion in reuerence , so as The Author saith that this may be praised in a Pagan & infidel , but not in a Christian Prince . it did worship one onelie God , creator of all things . He often said , that the greatnes of Diuinitie consisted in the sundry kindes of people which are vnder the coape of heauen , who serued the same diuerslie , nourishing it self with diuersitie , as the nature was diuers where it had printed his image , God remaining notwithstanding one in his essence , not receiuing therin any diuersitie . This was the reason that mooued him to permit and graunt the vse of all religions within the Countries of his obedience , alwayes prouided ( as I said before ) that they worshipped one onely God , detesting the idolatrous and strange goddes , in so much as he regarded not the diuersitie in religion , if they were able to serue him ; so as this Christian attained vnto great honors and dignities neere vnto him , as hereafter you shall heare .