MOst of the Ancient Geographers and Historians , have mentioned the Isle of Cyprus with Commendation . Some of them have divided it into Nine Kingdoms , altho' the whole Island scarcely deserves such a Title . She is situated in that part of the Mediterranean Sea , which lies nearest Asia , between Cilicia and Syria . The Seas of Pamphylia and Egypt , with the Gulph of Lajazzo , anciently called the Sein Isique , surround her , lying from the Continent about sixty Miles over against Cilicia , and eighty distant from Syria . 'T is thought she was heretofore a Peninsula , joyning on that side of Asia , being separated by the violence of a Flood , which over-ran all those Parts . She contains about two hundred Miles in Length , and sixty five in Largeness ; and is in Circuit near five hundred . 'T is said there were heretofore fifteen considerable Cities : But at present there are only reckoned five , which are well inhabited , Nicosia , Famagusta , Baffo , Lamisso , and Cerines . The rest are Towns to the number of eight hundred and forty ; and Villages , divided into eleven Regions or Quarters , named Baffo , Andimes , Limisso , Massota , Sasines , Mesarea , Crusso , Pendengia , Cerines , Carpasso , Visconti ; This Island is reckoned at present to contain about two hundred thousand Inhabitants , a small number in comparison of that with which 't was peopled under the Reign of the Emperor Trajan : seeing that according to the Report of Di●n Cassius , in the Life of this Prince , the Jews massacred in one day two hundred and forty thousand Cypriots , to free themselves from the Tyranny of the Roman Empire . The Inhabitants of this Island were separated into four different States , the Nobility , Commonalty , the Freed-Men and Slaves . The two last were only employed in Husbandry , and the others lived in Cities , and accustomed the Country-people ( contrary to Right ) to Servitude and Slavery . They afterwards enfranchised the greatest part of these , whom they called Francomates . Those who not yet enjoyed their Liberty , called themselves Paresiens . They all mortally hated the Nobility ; and especially these latter , being worst used by them . The Militia of the Country was drawn from the Freed-Men , and consisted of a certain number of Regiments and Companies .

The Heat of the Climate is the Cause why the Cypriots are ordinarily of a mean stature , and approach rather to Leanness than Fatness . They are more dexterous and nimble , than strong and vigorous : They are of the same Complexion as most Greeks ; their Hair is black , and their Wits delicate and surpassing ; but their Plenty has made them soft and debauched , and subject to Wine and Women . He was not counted a considerable man among them , who was not commonly served in Silver ; & the Peasants had each of them a Cup , a Spoon , a Knife , Handle and Fork of the same Metal . The Gentry lived in as great splendor as Princes : Their Houses were fill'd with Officers and Domesticks . They were magnificent in Houshold-stuff , as well as in Cloaths The Furniture of their Tables was equal to the Richness of their Cupboards of Plate ; and the Expence they were at in Dogs and Horses , was answerable to this their Profusion and Luxury . The Incontinency and Loosness of their Women , has given occasion to Poets to feign , That assoon as Venus came out of the Sea , of whose Froth they say she sprang , she first Landed at Cyprus , and was thereupon first named Cypriana , and Paphienna , because of a magnificent Temple built in Honour of her , in the famous City of Paphos .

This Isle abounding in all sort of things , yet suffers oft times by the great scarcity of Water . We read in the Annals of this Country , that the Inhabitants were driven out by an extraordinary drought , and that for seventeen years together there was no Rain . She is watered with no River . The Rain sometimes in the Winter causes Torrents , which fall from the Mountains with great swiftness , but are soon dried up by the excessive heat of the Summer .

There are several Wells and Fountains , but they are subject to the forementioned Inconvenience : Yet do's the Earth bring forth of it self a prodigious quantity of Fruits . A Third part of Wheat , and other Grains which they gather , is more than what 's sufficient for the Inhabitants . Their Wines are so delicious , that they are counted the best of all Greece ; and the Isle produces so great abundance thereof , that it is thought Selim , who was more addicted to Wine than any of the Ottoman Emperors , had no greater Motive to conquer it , than that of possessing so delicious a Vineyard . They made so much Salt , that the Venetians yearly drew three hundred thousand Crowns , as a Tax on that quantity which Strangers bought up there . Silk and Sugar make up another great part of its Revenues . She is no less fertil in Olives , Honey , Wax , Saffron , Flax , and several other necessary Commodites ; but especially in choice Medicinal Herbs and Drugs . They have also Mines of different Metals . There is likewise to be found several Precious Stones ; and in general , whatsoever the Earth contains that's rich and rare in the depth of its Bowels . It s Ayr , in truth , is not answerable to the goodness of its Soyl ; immoderate heats rendring the whole Island unhealthy , and in some parts contagious , so that it seems as if its Malignity would ravish from the Cypriots the pleasure of a long enjoyment of Natures Favours ; few of them arriving to great maturity of Years .

This Country was first invaded by Tyrants ; from whose hands the Kings of Egypt rescued it . Publius Clodius , as well known by the hatred which Cicero's Banishment drew on him , as by his Boldness and Birth , took it from the Kings of Egypt . This young Roman falling into the hands of Pyrates , sent to Ptolomy for Money to pay his Ransom ; who offering only a small Sum to the Corsary's , they freely gave Clodius his Liberty ; who , after that , sought means to revenge himself of the slight value the King of Egypt set on him .

Assoon as he saw himself Tribune of the People , he made a Decree , by which the Isle of Cyprus was declared a Province of the Roman Empire ; and Mark Cato was presently ordered to take possession of it , and transport its Riches to Rome . He found such vast Treasures , as gave cause to think they had tempted the Romans covetous humour .

Ptolomy was so ashamed and enraged to see himself stript of this State by a Citizen of the Republick , that he ended his Life with Despair and Vexation .

After the Fall of the Roman Empire , that of Constantinople possessed this Isle to the Year 1190 , when Richard King of England , took it from Isaac Comnenus , who had made himself the Tyrant of it ; and drove him thence , for refusing the use of his Havens to the Fleet , which he conducted to the Recovery of Jerusalem .

He sold it sometime after to the Templers , whose Order was then most rich and flourishing : But their Establishment in this Island , having excited several Seditions , they yielded their Purchace to Guy de Lusignan , King of Jerusalem , whom the Infidels had despoyled of his Crown . Guy died two years after his Possession , and left the Isle to his Brother Amaury ; under whose Government , she was re-peopled , and rendred more fertil than heretofore , having drawn thither several Families of Strangers , by virtue of Immunities , Exemptions and Priviledges . He sent a famous Embassie to Rome , to obtain of the Pope the Title of King. Hugo , his Son , succeeded him ; who left his Crown to his Son Henry : He was the Father of Hugo the Second , who died young , and without Children . Another Hugo , his Cousin-German , Son to the Prince of Pouille , and Isabella , Henry's Sister , was placed on the Throne , as his nearest Relation , and took the Sirname of Lusignan , to make himself more agreeable to the Cypriots . John , his Son , inherited his Crown , and likewise left it to his Son , Henry the Second . This Prince being troubled with the Falling-Sickness , was declared unfit to succeed ; and his Brother Amaury , having caused him to be taken by force , sent him to Aiton , the King of Armenia , his Brother-in-Law ; who shut him up in Prison . This Treason remained not long unpunish'd ; for the Usurper was assassinated in his Bed by one of the Officers of his Chamber , named Simonnet . Henry was afterwards establish'd ; to whom succeeded Hugo , his Nephew . This Hugo , the Third of that Name , was Father of Peter , who merited by his rare Valour , the Sirname of Couragious . This Kingdom had never been so flourishing as it was under the Reign of this brave Prince . He setled a Commerce in the City of Famagusta , with all the Neighbouring States ; which enriched his Subjects , and yielded him also an infinite Treasure . He set out a Fleet of Fifty Gallies , with which , the King of Spain , and those of the Isle of Rhodes , having joyned their Forces , he took the City of Alexandria , and carried his Conquests as far as Syria .

After these glorious Exploits , he intended to go to Rome , to pay his Respects to that See ; but during his Absence , the Count de Rocas , to whom he had left the Government of his State , debauch'd the Queen , his Wife , and usurped the Sovereign Authority .

Peter advertiz'd of this on his way , returns speedily to Cyprus , seizeth on the Traytor , and delivers him into the Hands of his Justices , to be punish'd according to the Laws of the Country : But his great Estate , his Credit , and the Protection of the Queen , having corrupted his Judges , he was discharged as innocent ; and Visconti , Master of the King's Houshold , his Accuser , condemn'd to a perpetual Banishment : This Prince being rendred furious and cruel by the unjustice of this Proceeding , extended his Revenge so far , as made all the Cypriots suffer : He loaded 'em with Irons , and condemned 'em to die on the least complaint , and meanest appearance of the smallest Crime . He ravish'd the Honour of their Wives and Daughters , and expos'd them moreover to the Brutality of the Ministers of his Passion , not suffering them to spare any .

To encrease the Terror and Confusion of his Subjects , he caused a new Prison to be built in the most publick part of the City , and forced whom he pleased of the Inhabitants , of both Sexes , to work at it : But a couragious bold Woman animated them to a Revolt , in this manner ; Being a Gentlewoman born , and finding her self forced to serve Brick-layers and Masons , held up her Coats and Shift to her knees , and remained in this immodest posture in expectation of the King , who was to come to see the Workmen , attended by all his Court.

So soon as he was over against her , she let down her Coats , and sate on the ground ; but she arose presently after he was past , with such Impudence as scandalized the Beholders . Every one surpriz'd with this Spectacle , and being not able to guess at the Reason , some ask'd her , why she was not ashamed of her Nakedness save only in the presence of the King ? She answered coldly , that she and the Women with her , did not look so exactly about 'em ; for having seen no Man but the King , she thought she should not offend against Modesty , but only in regard of him : These People netled by this sharp Reproach , fell on the Prince , and massacred him . His Son , named Petrin , or Petrote , was set up in his place . This new King , having done the Ambassadors of Venice and Genoa , the honour to eat at his Table , these Ministers could not agree about Precedency ; but he decided it in favour of the Venetians . The Genoeses , to be reveng'd of the Affront which they pretended to have received , conspired against him : But their Conspiracy being detected , all the Genoeses about the Palace , were seiz'd on ; who were thrown immediatly down from an high Tower on the points of the Halberts . All of that Nation were used throughout the whole Island in the same manner . The Republick of Genoa , concern'd at this Usage , declared War against the King of Cyprus ; and for that end , set forth a Fleet of Ships , under the Command of Peter Fregosa . This Captain made himself Master of Famagusta , being of intelligence with the Queen-Mother , whose Treason reduc'd her Son to such an extremity , that he consented to yield the Place to the Genoeses , and pay them a yearly Tribute ; and for the surer Payment thereof , gave Prince James , his Uncle , and his Cousin-Germans for Hostages . His Death put his Uncle in possession of the Crown , being then a Prisoner at Genoa : but he demitted it into the hands of his Son John the Second , otherwise Janus , being thus call'd from the City of Genoa , where he was born ; the Mamelucs made War against him , and overthrew him in a Combat , wherein he was taken Prisoner , and thence carried into Egypt : These Barbarians restor'd him not to his Liberty , till they had drawn great Sums from him , and engaged him to pay eight thousand Crowns yearly Tribute ; whereunto his Successors should be also bound for ever to the Kings of Egypt ,

This Tribute was punctually paid , and the Venetians become Masters of the Place , thought themselves oblig'd to send it every year to Constantinople , since the extinction of the Mamelucs , from whom Selim conquered Egypt . Janus had only one Son , nam'd John , a Prince of a weak Constitution both of Body and Mind , whom the Queen , his Wife , govern'd at her Will : Their only Daughter , nam'd Charlotta , was first married to a Prince of the Family of Portugal , who having been poysoned , she espoused Lewis , Son to the Duke of Savoy . He reigned not long after the Decease of John , his Father-in-Law . James , Bastard-Brother to the Queen , who was design'd for the Arch-Bishoprick of Nicosia , could not suffer a Stranger to bereave him of the Crown ; so renouncing his Ecclesiastical Profession , he had recourse to the Protection of the Mamelucs , by whose Assistance , he drove out the Queen Charlotte , and Prince Lewis , her Husband , recovered Famagusta from the Genoeses , and made himself Master of the whole Island . He considered he needed the Assistance of the Venetians , to confirm him in the Throne ; and therefore sent Ambassadors to the Republick , to desire a Venetian Lady , chosen by the Senate , to make her Queen of Cyprus . The Venetians cast their Eyes on Catharine , the Daughter of Mark Anthony Cornaro , being of one of the most ancient Families in Venice . She was adopted by the Senate , and afterwards conducted to the Isle of Cyprus , to King James . This Prince died some time after his Marriage , and left the Queen pregnant ; whom he made by his Will Heiress with the Child which she was to bring into the World : She was delivered of a Boy , who was likewise named James , and lived not above ten Months .

The Grand Signior , and the King of Syria , considered the Isle of Cyprus as a State very commodious for them . On the other hand , Ferdinand , King of Naples , look'd on Queen Catharine , as a Person well qualified for him . Which alarming the Venetians , who thought themselves to have most Right to the Island , they sent George Cornaro , the Brother of this Princess , to pre-engage her in favour of the Republick . His Reasons and Entreaties met with such prevalency in the Mind of his Sister , that she demised her Estate in the year 1489. sixteen years after the death of the King her Husband ; and Francis Prioli , Admiral of the Venetian Forces , went and took possession of it in the Name of the Republick . Catharine at the same time retiring to Venice , the Seniory gave her a small Town in the Mountains de la Marche Trevisanna , where she confin'd her self all the rest of her days , and liv'd there in much tranquillity to a great Age. This Acquisition gave as great trouble to the Senate , as it did yield honour to the Republick ; for if it were glorious to 'em to reduce a Kingdom into a Province , and to extend their Dominion as far as Asia , whence by this means they might draw great Advantages , it was on the other hand troublesom to them to have a State environ'd with those of the Grand Signior , and continually threatned by this formidable Power . That which heightned the more their inquietude , was , That there was no fortifi'd place in the whole Island except the City of Famagusta , which was too weak to resist the Invasions of the Infidels .

Selim , who since declared War with the Venetians , was then Governor of Cilicia , and learnt them by his Conduct , that he earnestly intended the Conquest of this Island . These Suspicions obliged the Senate to send thither Julius Savorniani , with a plenary Power . He was a Person of Noble Birth , whose long Services , together with those of his Father , had rendered him deservedly famous . He was ordered to fortifie the Island as he thought fit , but with all possible diligence , lest he should be prevented by Solyman the Sultan , who was then at War with the Emperor Maximilian in Hungary , and commanded his Army in person .

Savorniani , who was a man of a lively and undertaking Spirit , took Shipping assoon as ever he had his Dispatches . Scarcely was he arrived on the Island , but he began to surround it , and view those Places which most needed to be fortified , with such an exact diligence as answered the good Opinion the Senate had of him . He thought at first to build new Walls , and raise new Forts to the City of Nicosia , being the Capital of the Kingdom , situated in the midst of the Island , and was then about four Miles in compass . The Nobility made their usual Residence there ; the Riches of the Inhabitants rendered her the most wealthy and important place of all the Country ; and had she been put in a capacity to sustain a Siege , might have proved , by reason of its greatness , most commodious for a Retreat to the Country-people in a time of War . Neither did the Charge , nor Difficulty of the Enterprize , which had always deterred the preceding Governors , discourage Savorniani . Having assembled the Nobility , he shewed them the interest they had to fortifie their City , to secure their Possessions from the Rapine and Avarice of the Barbarians ; and that it was of great Consequence to their particular preservation , and that of the whole State , these Works should be finished before the end of six Months . These Gentlemen comprehending the danger wherewith they were threatned , return'd Savorniani their Thanks , approve his Design , and offer him all that in them lay to facilitate it . He then caused several Workmen and Slaves to come to Nicosia , he pulled down the ancient Walls and adjoyning Houses , and drew a new Line in a round Figure , less than the former , which beginning from an Eminency Northward , near the old Walls , ended at 400 paces near the first Circumvallation : He fortify'd it with twelve Bastions in such a manner that each defended the other with its Cannon . He chose as many of the best qualify'd Gentlemen ; to every one of which he committed the care of carrying forward a Bastion , and permitted them for a recompence , to call them after their Names . He thought he ought thus to engage them to advance these Works , and edge 'em on by this little point of Honour to spare no cost nor pains to hasten forward so important a Matter . He encouraged them himself by his vigilancy and diligence , going about incessantly from one Work to another , and not loosing a moment the Workmen out of his sight . This Enterprize was carried on with such a diligence as surpriz'd all People : for these Bastions and the Wall were in a short time brought on to a reasonable height , and the Ditch made deep enough to defend it self against a great Army . The Noise and Reputation of this Work gave the more joy and hopes to the Republick , because it cost her but little , and because one of her Magistrates had so happily and speedily finish'd it . But the Turks took offence at it , and seem'd strangly out of humor to see an Island fortify'd against 'emselves in the heart of their Empire , which they had always look'd on with discontent in the hands of the Venetians , altho' without defence , and expos'd as a prey

'T is certain that Solyman conceived an extream spight at it : He fancied the Venetians shewed by this precaution a great contempt of his Age , and expected he wou'd never return from his expedition in Germany , where he then made War with that vigor and resolution as became a young Victorious Prince . 'T is thought he would have stript them of it , had he lived longer : but dying in Hungary , at the Siege of Sigeth , Mustapha , one of the Generals of his Army , inspired his Son Selim , who succeeded him , with his Father's Hatred and Resentment . This new Emperor believing likewise the Venetians had fortify'd this Isle against him , resolved on the Design which he had long premeditated , of conquering it .

And being come to the beginning of his Reign , 't is not amiss to shew the Reader his Humor , his Genius , and Conduct ; having first in few words given an Account of the Princes his Brethrens Destiny .

Solyman had five Sons , whose Birth could no less contribute to the happiness and honour of his Reign , than the Victories he had gained , had not Ambition and Jealousie stifled in his Heart the Sentiments of Nature . Mustapha , his eldest Son , whose Mother was a Circasian Slave , had acquir'd by his excellent Qualities , the Love and Esteem of the whole Ottoman Empire . He was especially ador'd by the Souldiery . His excellent Virtues , instead of rejoycing his Father , excited his Jealousie and Defiance ; so that suspecting him to design the bereaving him of his Crown , he rais'd an Army , under pretence of carrying the War into Persia , & causing him to be seized on in his Camp , made his Eunuchs strangle him in his presence . Gengirus , sirnamed Crump-Back , by reason of his Deformity , affrighted at the barbarous usage of his Brother , ended his Life in Rage and Despair , vomiting out a Thousand Curses at the Cruelty of his Father . Bajazet the Third , being likewise suspected by Solyman , as being no less beloved by the Army than his brother Mustapha , was forced by the ill usage he received , to preserve himself by open force , and lost unfortunately a Battle ; after which , flying for Protection to Tammas , the King of Persia ; this cruel and Perfidious Prince , affrighted by Solyman's Threatnings , or corrupted by his Money , delivered him to Executioners , who accompanied the Ambassadors which the Grand Signior had sent him . Mahomet died in the Flower of his Age ; and Selim , Roxalana's Son , thus became , by the death of his four Brothers , Solyman's only Heir .

He was born in 1520 , the same Year wherein died his Grandfather Selim , and was educated in the Art of Government according to the Turkish Maxims . Assoon as he was at Age , he had the Charge of Adrianople , and took on him after the Death of his Brother Mahomet , the Government of Cilicia , which he ruled during Solyman's Life . This Prince was very happy , if we compare his Fortune with the sad Disaster of his Brethren , who left him sole and peaceable Heir of a mighty Empire ; But on the other hand , very unlike in his manner of Governing , to his Predecessor . He shew'd from his Infancy no inclination to War , nor Quality befitting a Prince ; but on the contrary , degenerating from the Sobriety of his Ancestors , he plunged himself into all kinds of Debauchery , and especially in Drunkenness , against the express Prohibition of his Law. His Table , which , according to the Custom of the Seralio , should be mean and frugal , was covered with the most delicious and costly Meats , and always surrounded with Dwarfs , Buffoons and Parasites . He usually made one of his Bashaws to dine with him , call'd Achmet , a gluttonous , drunken Fellow , who rendered himself acceptable to his Prince , by drinking with him whole days together ; they usually held on their Debaucheries till Midnight , and were commonly carried away from the Table de●●● drunk . This Excess in Eating and Drinking , made Selim so gross and unwieldy , that together with the Redness which the Wine gave the Whiteness of his Complexion , he resembled very well the Poet 's Bacchus , when leaving the Table , he repos'd himself cross-legg'd on Carpets , according to the Turkish manner . He was addicted to all those Vices which attend excessive Drinking . He was much in the Seralio , amongst the Ladies ; and yet this Passion could not keep him from a more brutish and abominable one , which is too common amongst filthy wretches , who know no Measure nor Rule in their Sensualities . He caused to be brought up with great Care , several youths , the comliest of which , served about his Person ; on whom he would sometimes bestow great Pensions , and considerable Employments , according to their Capacity . He took much delight in seeing them wrestle , draw the Bow , and perform their other Exercises in the Gardens of the Seralio : But this was always in private , lest he should abase the Majesty of so great an Emperor ; and therefore appear'd but seldom at these Spectacles . When he went forth to take the Diversion of Hunting , on the side of Asia , with his Dogs and Falcons , he pass'd over the Channel in cover'd Boats , instead of riding on Horseback out of Constantinople . He minded as little the enlarging his Territories , as depriving himself of the Pleasures he enjoyed in a shameful Repose . Softness and Flattery had so corrupted his Mind , that he thought ●●mself above all humane Greatness . Had he followed his own Inclinations , and not been led by his Ministers , he would have been content with the Conquests of his Ancestors , and languished in the soft Life of the Seralio , suffering all the Princes in Europe to live in Peace .

Piali , and Mustapha , who had long commanded his Father's Armies , were two of his greatest Confidents ; and the Favour of Piali was grounded on the Honour of his Alliance . Solyman returning victorious from the Siege of Belgrade , found him lying expos'd in the Fields ; where , his Mother , frighted by the March of the Army , had left him . This Prince , in his Passage , took the Pleasure of Hunting , and seeing the Child , whom the Dogs were about to devour , gave order it should be taken up , and carried to Constantinople . He was educated in the Seralio with great Care ; and his towardly Inclinations , joyned to the progress which he made in his Exercises , recommended him so greatly to the Grand Signior's Affection , that he gave him his Son Selim's Daughter in Marriage . The Ottoman Princes acknowledge no other Nobility of Extraction in their Empire ; giving their Daughters in Marriage to such of their Slaves , whom they believe merited this Honour by their Services . Piali , having long commanded the Sultan's Land-Forces , was made Captain Bassa of the Sea .

Mustapha had attended Selim from his Infancy , and corrupted his few good Inclinations through too much Mildness and Indulgence . But that which acquir'd him greatest Favour , was the signal Service , he did him in the Fight betwixt him and his Brother Bajazet ; for these two ambitious Princes were in dispute about the Empire , in Solyman's Life-time . Selim's Army was routed , and he himself was put to flight ; when Mustapha rallying his Troops , made him return to a second Charge ; and falling on Bajazet with an incredible Valour , he won the Victory from him , and wholly defeated him ; But Mahomet was he , who of all the Ministers of the Port , most absolutely possessed his Master's Favour , and had also given him the greatest and most important Mark of Fidelity and Affection : For assoon as Solyman expired in Hungary , he was so prudent , as to keep his Death secret , and prest forward the Siege of Sigeth , with as great vigor , as if the Grand Signior had been yet alive ; so that he carried the Place by Assault , maugre all the Efforts of the German Empire . He at the same time dispatch'd Couriers to Selim , to advertize him of his Father's Death , advising him to hasten to Constantinople , before this News were known there . Mahomet well knew the Souldiers contemned Selim , because of his averseness to Wars ; loudly talking during his Father's Life , That he was not of the Ottoman Race , but that Roxalana , his Mother , pretending a big Belly , had Fathered on Solyman the Child of a certain Jewish Woman ; and therefore they stuck not to call him according to his supposed Birth .

And to make this Calumny pass the better , they added , he was a Favourer of the Jews , who are more abominable and odious amongst the Turks , than amongst any other People ; and therefore to gratifie one John Miches , a Fugivive from Spain , for his Judaism , he obtain'd of his Father Solyman , one of the ancient Cities of Palestine , and several Countries round about , to establish a Colony of those wretched People . These Rumors made the greatest part of the Army to prefer Amurah , a Prince of Twenty years of Age , whose Inclinations were answerable to his Birth . But thus Mahomet setled the Crown on Selim's Head without opposition ; and for a Reward of this Service , the new Emperor gave him the Seals , with the Quality of Grand Visier , which is the first Minister in the Ottoman Empire : He was already his Son-in-Law ; so that Selim committed the Government to his Care , and gave himself over to the Pleasures and Softness of the Seralio .

Mahomet was too quick-sighted , not to perceive , that a Favour like his , must draw on him much Envy : That Princes oft change their Favourites , and suffer with regret , those , to whom they believe they are much obliged , respecting them as importunate Creditors , they endeavour to get rid of them assoon as any specious Pretence offers it self to colour their Ingratitude . The Example of Ibrahim , a Favourite of Solyman's , whom a Sultaness ruined , without letting the World know the Occasion , made him wary and solicitous to strengthen himself in his high Places . He began by freeing Selim from the perplexity of Affairs , which might disturb his Pleasures . He afterwards removed all those who were not his Friends , from the Prince's Presence , and brought into their Places such as were affectionated to his Service ; and by this means rul'd all at his will . The Bassaes and other Visiers acted only by his Directions , and each of them made their Court to him in the same manner as if he had been their Emperor .

Since the renewing of the Treaty , and Alliance between the Port and the neighbouring States , and confirmation thereof between Solyman and the Republick of Venice , sign'd three years after , the Ottoman Empire enjoyed a profound Peace ; the Continuation of which seemed to be lasting , by means of Selim's sluggish and luxurious humor . But the Souldiers being accustomed under the preceding Reigns , to Pillage on the neighbouring Countries , tired with Ease , murmured at the Grand Visier's conduct of Affairs ; saying , he abused his Interest in the Grand Signior ; and instead of bringing him off from his Debauches , rather enticed him to continue them ; disswading him from following the Example of his Father and Grandfather , who had conquered so many Kingdoms , and carried their victorious Arms to the Ends of the World. They added , That this Lethargy brought shame to the Majesty of the Ottoman Empire ; and that the Idleness wherein so many brave Men were suffered to spend their days , was no less dishonourable than the Softness of their Sovereign ; That his Grandfather , whose Name he did bear , had not thus reign'd , who by several Conquests acquired with immortal Honour , by the entire Defeat of the Mamelucs , had made himself Master of all Egypt ; That the Sultans were not set up to enjoy peaceably what their Predecessors had left them , but to enlarge their Empire by new Conquests , and reduce the Universe to the Mahometan Law : That it belong'd only to private persons to busie themselves in conserving their Possessions ; but Sovereigns should have no other End than to benefit their Countrey : That tho' Selim wanted Gourage and Conduct to tread in his Ancestors steps , yet ought he to maintain his Empire by the same ways it was establish'd ; and that as great Motions , and the noise of War , keep men in breath , and stir up Valour and Ambition , so Rest and Luxury serve only to abase and depress them : That their Emperors did not get their Possessions by Drunkenness and Luxury , but by Labour and Hardship : That Selim , not contented to frustrate them of the Largess which the new Emperors usually bestowed on the Souldiery , at their first coming to the Crown , would also deprive them of the only means to defend themselves against Poverty and Misery , although the flourishing State of the Empire was the effect of their Labour and Faithfulness ; and , That , in fine , 't was very hard to buy thus dear the Friendship of the Prime Visier , whose covetous Humor could not be satisfied , tho' the whole World should drain it self dry to fill it .