It is now the middle of February, 1451. Constantine has been Emperor a trifle over three years, and proven himself a just man and a conscientious1 ruler. How great he is remains2 for demonstration3, since nothing has occurred to him--nothing properly a trial of his higher qualities.
In one respect the situation of the Emperor was peculiar4. The highway from Gallipoli to Adrianople, passing the ancient capital on the south, belonged to the Turks, and they used it for every purpose--military, commercial, governmental--used it as undisputedly within their domain5, leaving Constantine territorially6 surrounded, and with but one neighbor, the Sultan Amurath.
Age had transformed the great Moslem7; from dreams of conquest, he had descended8 to dreams of peace in shaded halls and rose-sprent gardens, with singers, story-tellers, and philosophers for companions, and women, cousins of the houris, to carpet the way to Paradise; but for George Castriot, [Footnote: Iskander-beg--Scanderbeg. Vide GIBBON's Roman Empire.] he had abandoned the cimeter. Keeping terms of amity9 with such a neighbor was easy--the Emperor had merely to be himself peaceful. Moreover, when John Palaeologus died, the succession was disputed by Demetrius, a brother to Constantine. Amurath was chosen arbitrator, and he decided10 in favor of the latter, placing him under a bond of gratitude11.
Thus secure in his foreign relations, the Emperor, on taking the throne, addressed himself to finding a consort13; of his efforts in that quest the reader is already informed, leaving it to be remarked that the Georgian Princess at last selected for him by Phranza died while journeying to Constantinople. This, however, was business of the Emperor's own inauguration14, and in point of seriousness could not stand comparison with another affair imposed upon him by inheritance--keeping the religious factions15 domiciled in the capital from tearing each other to pieces. The latter called for qualities he does not seem to have possessed16. He permitted the sectaries to bombard each other with sermons, bulletins and excommunications which, on the ground of scandal to religion, he should have promptly17 suppressed; his failure to do so led to its inevitable18 result--the sectaries presently dominated him.
Now, however, the easy administration of the hitherto fortunate Emperor is to vanish; two additional matters of the gravest import are thrust upon him simultaneously19, one domestic, the other foreign; and as both of them become turning points in our story, it is advisable to attend to them here.
When the reins20 of government fell from the hands of Amurath, they were caught up by Mahommed; in other words, Mahommed is Sultan, and the old regime, with its friendly policies and stately courtesies, is at an end, imposing21 the necessity for a recast of the relations between the Empires. What shall they be? Such is the foreign question.
Obviously, the subject being of vital interest to the Greek, it was for him to take the initiative in bringing about the definitions desired. With keen appreciation22 of the danger of the situation he addressed himself to the task. Replying to a request presented through the ambassador resident at Adrianople, Mahommed gave him solemn assurances of his disposition23 to observe every existing treaty. The response seems to have made him over-confident. Into the gilded24 council chamber25 at Blacherne he drew his personal friends and official advisers26, and heard them with patience and dignity. At the close of a series of deliberative sessions which had almost the continuity of one session, two measures met his approval. Of these, the first was so extraordinary it is impossible not to attribute its suggestion to Phranza, who, to the immeasurable grief and disgust of our friend the venerable Dean, was now returned, and in the exercise of his high office of Grand Chamberlain.
Allusion27 has been already made to the religious faith of the mother of Mahommed. [Footnote: "For it was thought that his (Amurath's) eldest28 son Mahomet, after the death of his father, would have embraced the Christian29 Religion, being in his childhood instructed therein, as was supposed, by his mother, the daughter of the Prince of Servia, a Christian."--KNOLLES' Turk. Hist., 239, Vol. I.
"He (Mahommed) also entered into league with Constantinus Palaeologus, the Emperor of Constantinople, and the other Princes of Grecia; as also with the Despot of Servia, his Grandfather by the mother's side, as some will have it; howbeit some others write that the Despot his daughter, Amurath his wife (the Despot's daughter, Amurath's wife) was but his Mother-in-law, whom he, under colour of Friendship, sent back again unto her Father, after the death of Amurath, still allowing her a Princely Dowery."--Ibid. 230.
On this very interesting point both Von Hammer and Gibbon are somewhat obscure; the final argument, however, is from Phranza: "After the taking of Constantinople, she (the Princess) fled to Mahomet II." (GIBBON'S Rom. Emp., Note 52, 12.) The action is significant of a mother. Mothers-in-law are not usually so doting30.] The daughter of a Servian prince, she is supposed to have been a Christian. After the interment of Amurath, she had been returned to her native land. Her age was about fifty. Clothed with full powers, the Grand Chamberlain was despatched to Adrianople to propose a marriage between His Majesty32, the Emperor, and the Sultana mother. The fears and uncertainties33 besetting34 the Greek must have been overwhelming.
The veteran diplomat35 was at the same time entrusted36 with another affair which one would naturally think called for much less delicacy37 in negotiation38. There was in Constantinople then a refugee named Orchan, of whose history little is known beyond the fact that he was a grandson of Sultan Solyman. Sometime presumably in the reign12 of John Palaeologus, the Prince appeared in the Greek capital as a pretender to the Sultanate; and his claim must have had color of right, at least, since he became the subject of a treaty between Amurath and his Byzantine contemporary, the former binding39 himself to pay the latter an annual stipend40 in aspers in consideration of the detention41 of the fugitive42.
With respect to this mysterious person, the time was favorable, in the opinion of the council, for demanding an increase of the stipend. Instructions concerning the project were accordingly delivered to Lord Phranza.
The High Commissioner43 was received with flattering distinction at Adrianople. He of course presented himself first to the Grand Vizier, Kalil Pacha, of whom the reader may take note, since, aside from his reappearances in these pages, he is a genuine historic character. To further acquaintance with him, it may be added that he was truly a veteran in public affairs, a member of the great family to which the vizierat descended almost in birthright, and a friend to the Greeks, most likely from long association with Amurath, although he has suffered severe aspersion44 on their account. Kalil advised Phranza to drop the stipend. His master, he said, was not afraid of Orchan, if the latter took the field as an open claimant, short work would be made of him. The warning was disregarded. Phranza submitted his proposals to Mahommed directly, and was surprised by his gentleness and suavity45. There was no scene whatever. On the contrary, the marriage overture46 was forwarded to the Sultana with every indication of approval, nor was the demand touching47 the stipend rejected; it was simply deferred48. Phranza lingered at the Turkish capital, pleased with the attentions shown him, and still more with the character of the Sultan.
In the judgment49 of the Envoy50 the youthful monarch51 was the incarnation of peace. What time he was not mourning the loss of his royal father, he was studying designs for a palace, probably the Watch Tower of the World (Jehan Numa), which he subsequently built in Adrianople.
Well for the trusting master in Blacherne, well for Christianity in the East, could the credulous52 Phranza have looked in upon the amiable53 young potentate54 during one of the nights of his residence in the Moslem capital! He would have found him in a chamber of impenetrable privacy, listening while the Prince of India proved the calculations of a horoscope decisive of the favorable time for beginning war with the Byzantines.
"Now, my Lord," he could have heard the Prince say, when the last of the many tables had been refooted for the tenth time--"now we are ready for the ultimate. We are agreed, if I mistake not"--this was not merely a complimentary55 form of speech, for Mahommed, it should be borne in mind, was himself deeply versed56 in the intricate and subtle science of planetary prediction--"we are agreed that as thou art to essay the war as its beginner, we should have the most favorable Ascendant, determinable by the Lord, and the Planet or Planets therein or in conjunction or aspect with the Lord; we are also agreed that the Lord of the Seventh House is the Emperor of Constantinople; we are also agreed that to have thee overcome thy adversary57, the Emperor, it is better to have the Ascendant in the House of one of the Superior Planets, Saturn58, Jupiter or Mars"--
"Jupiter would be good, O Prince," said Mahommed, intensely interested, "yet I prefer Mars."
"My Lord is right again." The Seer hesitated slightly, then explained with a deferential59 nod and smile: "I was near saying my Lord is always right. Though some of the adepts60 have preferred Scorpio for the Ascendant, because it is a fixed61 sign, Mars pleases me best; wherefore toward him have I directed all my observations, seeking a time when he shall certainly be better fortified62 than the Lord of the Seventh House, as well as elevated above him in our figure of the Heavens."
Mahommed leaned far over toward the Prince, and said imperiously, his eyes singularly bright: "And the ultimate--the time, the time, O Prince! Hast thou found it? Allah forbid it be too soon!--There is so much to be done--so much of preparation."
The Prince smiled while answering:
"My Lord is seeing a field of glory--his by reservation of destiny--and I do not wonder at his impatience63 to go reaping in it; but" (he became serious) "it is never to be forgotten--no, not even by the most exalted64 of men--that the Planets march by order of Allah alone." ... Then taking the last of the calculations from the table at his right hand, he continued: "The Ascendant permits my Lord to begin the war next year."
Mahommed heard with hands clinched65 till the nails seemed burrowing66 in the flesh of the palms.
"The day, O Prince!--the day--the hour!" he exclaimed.
Looking at the calculation, the Prince appeared to reply from it: "At four o'clock, March twenty-sixth"--
"And the year?"
"Fourteen hundred and fifty-two."
"Four o'clock, March twenty-sixth, fourteen hundred and fifty-two," Mahommed repeated slowly, as if writing and verifying each word. Then he cried with fervor67: "There is no God but God!"
Twice he crossed the floor; after which, unwilling68 probably to submit himself at that moment to observation by any man, he returned to the Prince:
"Thou hast leave to retire; but keep within call. In this mighty69 business who is worthier70 to be the first help of my hands than the Messenger of the Stars?"
The Prince saluted71 and withdrew.
At length Phranza wearied of waiting, and being summoned home left the two affairs in charge of an ambassador instructed to forego no opportunity which might offer to press them to conclusions. Afterwhile Mahommed went into Asia to suppress an insurrection in Caramania. The Greek followed him from town to camp, until, tiring of the importunity72, the Sultan one day summoned him to his tent.
"Tell my excellent friend, the Lord of Constantinople, thy master, that the Sultana Maria declines his offer of marriage."
"Well, my Lord," said the ambassador, touched by the brevity of the communication, "did not the great lady deign73 an explanation?"
"She declined--that is all."
The ambassador hurried a courier to Constantinople with the answer. For the first time he ventured to express a doubt of the Turk's sincerity74.
He would have been a wiser man and infinitely75 more useful to his sovereign, could he have heard Mahommed again in colloquy76 with the Prince of India.
"How long am I to endure this dog of a Gabour? " [Footnote: Mahommed always wrote and spoke77 of Byzantines as Romans, except when in passion; then he called them Gabours.] asked the Sultan, angrily. "It was not enough to waylay78 me in my palace; he pursued me into the field; now he imbitters my bread, now at my bedside he drives sleep from me, now he begrudges79 me time for prayer. How long, I say?"
The Prince answered quietly: "Until March twenty-sixth, fourteen hundred and fifty-two."
"But if I put him to sleep, O Prince?"
"His master will send another in his place."
"Ah, but the interval80! Will it not be so many days of rest?--so many nights of unbroken sleep?"
"Has my Lord finished his census81 yet? Are his arsenals82 full? Has he his ships, and sailors, and soldiers? Has he money according to the estimate?"
"No."
"My Lord has said he must have cannon83. Has he found an artificer to his mind?"
Mahommed frowned.
"I will give my Lord a suggestion. Does it suit him to reply now to the proposal of marriage, keeping the matter of the stipend open, he may give half relief and still hold the Emperor, who stands more in need of bezants than of a consort."
"Prince," said Mahommed, quickly, "as you go out send my secretary in."
"Despatch31 a messenger for the ambassador of my brother of Constantinople. I will see him immediately."
This to the secretary.
And presently the ambassador had the matter for report above recited. In the report he might have said with truth--a person styling himself Prince of India has risen to be Grand Vizier in fact, leaving the title to Kalil.
These negotiations84, lamentably85 barren of good results, were stretched through half the year. But it is necessary to leave them for the time, that we may return and see if the Emperor had better success in the management of the domestic problem referred to as an inheritance.
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conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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territorially
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Moslem
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| n.回教徒，穆罕默德信徒；adj.回教徒的，回教的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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amity
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| n.友好关系 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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inauguration
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| n.开幕、就职典礼 | |
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factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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advisers
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| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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doting
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| adj.溺爱的，宠爱的 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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uncertainties
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| 无把握( uncertainty的名词复数 )； 不确定； 变化不定； 无把握、不确定的事物 | |
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besetting
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| adj.不断攻击的v.困扰( beset的现在分词 )；不断围攻；镶；嵌 | |
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diplomat
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| n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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stipend
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| n.薪贴；奖学金；养老金 | |
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detention
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| n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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commissioner
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| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
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aspersion
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| n.诽谤，中伤 | |
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suavity
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| n.温和；殷勤 | |
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overture
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| n.前奏曲、序曲，提议，提案，初步交涉 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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envoy
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| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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potentate
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| n.统治者；君主 | |
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complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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Saturn
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| n.农神，土星 | |
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deferential
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| adj. 敬意的，恭敬的 | |
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adepts
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| n.专家，能手( adept的名词复数 ) | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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clinched
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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burrowing
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| v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的现在分词 )；翻寻 | |
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fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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worthier
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| 应得某事物( worthy的比较级 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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importunity
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| n.硬要，强求 | |
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deign
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| v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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colloquy
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| n.谈话，自由讨论 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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waylay
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| v.埋伏，伏击 | |
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79
begrudges
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| 嫉妒( begrudge的第三人称单数 )； 勉强做； 不乐意地付出； 吝惜 | |
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80
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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81
census
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| n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查 | |
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82
arsenals
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| n.兵工厂，军火库( arsenal的名词复数 )；任何事物的集成 | |
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83
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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84
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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85
lamentably
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| adv.哀伤地，拙劣地 | |
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