When _Bajazet_ saw his Brother’s Army in his Rear, and that he got nothing by his Delay, but the certain Knowledge, that _Selimus_ should Reign if his Father died, as his Fear added to his Sickness gave some Likelihood thereof; hereupon, he wrote Letters to his Father, wherein he laid grievous Things to the Charge of his Brother _Selimus_, as, that his present March did plainly declare, what a wicked Intent he had towards his Father, who was come so near the _Metropolis_, that he might treacherously compass the Empire, and that he might have but a short Passage over, if his Father died. But, if his Father’s Life should balk his desire, then he would suborn some Parricide or other to take it away; and yet, this is the Son, forsooth, said he, that you have in your Bosom; as if he were a very Nonsuch for filial Obedience; whereas I, who never entertained a bad Thought against you in all my Life, but was always observant of your very Becks, am rejected and call out of Favour; and yet the Sum of my Demands is only this, that an unlucky Province may not be designed for my Government; either that which my Brother left, or any other more fortunate one than that of _Amasia_; and, says he, I shall expect an Answer in the Place where I now abide, lest, if my Suit be granted, I be forced to march a great way back; but if your Ears be deaf to my Request, then I will march to what Province you shall command me.
And the truth is, _Bajazet_ had reason to be averse from _Amasia_; for ’tis a Custom among them to build much on Auguries and ill Omens, even in the smallest Matters.
But these Letters were otherwise understood by _Solyman_, who was well acquainted with his Son’s Fears, and knew that he affected a Government not so remote, but nearer to _Constantinople_, that thereby he might have the better opportunity for Innovations.
Thus _Bajazet_ made one Excuse after another for his Delay, and seemed to retard his Father’s Pleasure; he listed Soldiers, increased his Army, rais’d Money, and provided all things necessary for his own Defence, and the Conquest of his Brother. _Solyman_ looked upon his Design as against himself, yet the crafty old Man dissembled it what he could; for he was unwilling to make _Bajazet_ quite desperate. He was now grieved that the Eyes of all Nations were fix’d on that Dissention between his Sons, and therefore he design’d to use some Delay, that the Matter, if possible, might be composed with as little Noise as possible. He answered _Bajazet_’s Letters mildly, telling him, that, as for the Change of Provinces, he was fully resolved to be obey’d therein; and, therefore, he and his Brother would do well immediately to repair to their respective Armies.