Mirza a tragedie, really acted in Persia, in the last age : illustrated with historicall annotations / the author, R.B., Esq.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE SECOND ACT.

[(1) NOr hope we better fruit since that the Persians Begun to follow the Lacedaemonians.—]

Bringing in a Persian, taxing the Lux∣ury of his Countrymen, I make him bewail that

that the Persians followed the Lacedaemonians, when indeed nothing is truer then the contrary; the Grecians being then (exemplarily) valiant and wise, Martiall and Learned; the Persians (as Plutarch taxeth them) wholy bent upon softnesse ••nd ease, riches, pomp and vanity, curiosity and fair women: Yet is the Antiphrasis antient, and recorded by Plutarch, the occasion this: In the time of the reign of Artaxerxes over Persia, the Lacedaemonians seeing the Persians lost in riot, de∣termined to deliver the Grecians that dwelt in Asia from the Persian bondage, and to that end perswaded their King Agesi∣laus to undertake the expedition. He invaded, and at his first conflict overthrew Tisaphernes, Artaxerxes his Lievtenant, and made most of the Cities held by Grecians rebell against him. Artaxerxes to divert the war, sent into Greece Hermocrates, a Rhodian (of great credit with him) with a marvellous summe of mony to bestow in raising a faction in Greece to in∣vade Lacedaemon, now their powers were abroad; Hermocrates so wisely executed his commission, as he raised the chief Ci∣ties of Greece against Lacedaemon, so that all Peloponnesus being up in armes, the Ephori (or controllers of the Senate) at Lacedaemon were forced to intreat Agesilaus home again: so much sharper, even in those daies, was gold then steel, and that Agesilaus sorrowfully leaving Asia, said to his friends most wittily: that the King of Persia had driven him out of his Realme with 30000 Archers: (the Persian Coin being then stamped with an Archer, having a bow in his hand) He gone, Artaxerxes takes armes, and by the revolt of Conon, Generall of the Athenians, won that memorable Sea-fight near to the Ile of Gnidus, by which he drove the Lacedaemoni∣ans from their whole jurisdiction by Sea, which made him formidable to all Greece. Then rose up Antalcidas a corrupt Grecian, (being a Citizen of Sparta, the Son of one Leon) who being impowr'd by his Country, made between them that fa∣mous infamous league called Antalcidas peace; for he favou∣ring Artaxerxes his affair, procured by this treaty, that the Lacedaemonians left unto Artaxerxes all the Cities of Greece in Asia and all the Iles, to enjoy quietly, and tax at his Plea∣sure; Peace thus concluded with the Grecians, (if so shameful a Treason, reproach, and common Infamy to all Greece may be called a peace (saith Plutarch) as never war fell out more dishonorable for the vanquished) Artaxexes, that otherwise hated the Lacedaemonians to the death, (as Dinon writes) did yet seem highly to favour Antalcidas, insomuch

as once he took a Garland of flowers, wet it with the mos•• precious and sweet Oyls prepared for the feast, and sent it to Antalcidas, a person well deserving such a Garland, who wa•• so bold to dance before, the Persians, mocking and counter∣feiting Leonidas and Callicratidas, two of the valiantest men o•• Greece, wherefore one said at that time, in the presence of King Agesilaus, O how unhappy is poore Greece at this day, when th•• Lacedaemonians come to follow the Persians? But Agesilaus pre∣sently answered: Not so, but rather the Persians follow the La∣cedaemonians; so wisely taxing the levity of Antalcidas, whom (though the businesse of this Note is now over) I will trace to his end, being it cannot be far off, nor fair: shortly after the Lacedaemonians lost the battel of Leuctres, and therewith the signiory they had kept so long over all Greece, though they had lost their reputation before, for consenting to so dishono∣rable a peace. Whilst Sparta flourished, Artaxarxes continued to make much of Antalcidas, and called him his friend, but af∣ter this losse, he being sent into Persia, to request aid for the Lacedemonians; the King so disdained him, denying him, and his request, that he returned back to Sparta, as a man knock∣ed on the head; and there also, seeing that his enemies mock∣ed him, and fearing that the Ephori would call him to ac∣count for abusing his Country, he starved himselfe: so just reward found his treachery from a Prince, wise enough to to slight the Traytor, when he had serv'd himself of the Trea∣son. Plut. in vit. Artax.

[(2) The Turkish Moon] The half moon, or Crescent, is the Turks Armes, nor do they honour that Planet onely in their Ensignes, but also in their devotions, superstitiously gratulating the discovery of the new Moon, esteeming him happy that discovereth it first, and by the course thereof, do reckon their year. Sandys l. 1. p. 56.

The Persian Emperours Coat Armour, is a Lion passant Gardant, the sun orient upon his back. Herbert. p. 151.

[(3) Ottoman blood] Ottoman is the name of the family of the Grand Signior. The Turks arriv'd to the dominion of the goodli∣est portion of the Earth, from so obscure an original, as the same is rather conjectured at, then positively delivered by any. Some (after the manner of most Nations) derive them from the Troians, led thereunto by the affinity of the names Turci and Teneri, Philip of Mornay, the noble & learned Frenchman, (in his work of the truth of the Christian Religion) deduce them, and the Tartars from the Jewes, viz. from the ten Tribes

which were by Salmanaser King of Assyria, in the time of Oseas King of Israel, carried into captivity, and by him confined in∣to Media, and the other unpeopled Countries of the North, (2 King. 17.) His reasons are probable, and worthy of consi∣deration, but to long for this note. Indeed themselves boast, that they are of the seed of Abraham, & his servant Hagar, and call themselves Ishmalites; this is also assured by their Alcoran, which calls them Hagarens, but that is such a fardel of forge∣ries, as it is no argument to beget credit, and themselves are so ignorant of their own antiquities, that their Histories are rather confused notes, then perfect Chronicles. Others will have them of the legitimate off-spring of Abraham, by his wife Sarah, and from her called Saracens. But the most probable op••nion, grounded upon the Authority of the greatest Cosmo∣graphers, (as Pomponius Mela (l. 1. cap. ult.) Plin. secun∣dus (lib. 6. cap. 7.) and Ptolomy (in the description of Sar∣matica Asiatica) is that they were a people of Scythia, at what time, and for what causes they left their cold and barren seat, to seek a better more Southerly, is no lesse controverted: Blondus, and Platina, will have them enforced with want to follow their better fortune, Anno Dom. 755. with whom Se∣gonius agrees in the cause of their remove, but not in the time or place when, or whereby they departed: he will have the yeare 844. and that they issued by the streights of Caucasus, the others by the Caspian streights, which (saith Sabellicus (Eunead 9. lib. 2.) some of themselves report. With Segoni∣us, our most exact Mr. Sandys agre••s in the time, with the o∣thers in the way they took for their remove. So that ming∣ling the currents of Opinions and Authors, in the seventh or eighth Century of years after our Saviour, these people of Scythia, then called Turcae or Tusci, expelled, or by force of ill neighbours, or famine, entring by the streights of the Caspian Mountaines, by strong hand possest themselves of Armenia the greater, called thereupon Turcomania, as it is at this day, multiplying by the daily accession of their Countrimen, being in Religion Pagans, and living in wandring troops, like the people about Techoa, or Dea-chow (which signifies the Towne under a hill) in the Kingdom of Larr, (of which see more in the 23^d Note upon the 3^d Act) whom the Persians call Vlo∣ches, or Shepheards, or as of old did the Scythian Nomades, a people about Maeotis, thus described.

Nulla domus, plaustris habitant, migrare per arva, Mos, at{que}errantes circumvectare penates.

No house, but wains have they; their mode's to range The fields, and oft their Gods new seats to change.

Now the Saracen Empire waining by the division of the Mahometan Princes, Mahomet Sultan of Persia, distressed by the Caliph of Babylon, and the Indians, intreated aid of the Turkes, who sent him 3000. souldiers under the conduct of Tangrolipix, Prince of the Selzuccian family (for so the Greeks call him, though others Togra Mucalet, the Son of Mikeil, others Sidoc, or Sadock names (its like) corrupted of his Family) Mahomet by his aid vanquished Pysastris the Caliph, the Arabi∣ans not being able to endure the Turkes Archers. The Turk now desires to leave the Persian, and return over Araxis; but the Sultan, desiring to compell his father service, denied it; whereupon Tangrolipix not being able to keep the field against such numbers, betook himself to the Carmanian Deserts, spoil∣ing the Persians Subjects; Against him Mahomet sent 20000. soldiers, who were soon defeated by stratagem; which victory so flesht the Turk's as (being now increased by fugitive) hee fought Mahomet soon after with 60000. men: which battell Mahomet seeing lost, betook himself to flight, intending for Spawhawn, but between it, and Rustans Tomb, fell and brake his neck; So by the consent of both Armies was Tangro∣lipix elected Sultan, and founded the Scythique or Turkish Em∣pire. To Persia he added the jurisdiction of Babylon (or Bagdat now) which continued in the Ottoman Tyranny till the year 1625. When ABBAS the victorious King of Persia, (or ra∣ther MIRZA his Son) beat them out of it, as also out of Tauris, Van, and the greater Asia (of which see more in the seventeenth note upon the fourth Act) yet continued Tran∣grolipix the spirituall jurisdiction to the Caliphs successour, in honour of their false Prophet, the Turke having now em∣braced the Mahometan superstition, as the best means to esta∣blish his new Empire, begun about the year 1030. such time as Edward the Confessor ruled England, and about 200. yeares after the Turkes eruption out of Scythia. Axan succeeded his Father Tangrolipix, after him the Empire fell into petty divi∣sions, till Ottoman head of the Oguzian family no lesse by f••aud then force united it under himself; who taking advan∣tage

of the jarrs between the Christians, and some wrongs they did to him exasperating him, in those 27. years that he reigned, he annexed Bythinia, Cappadocia, and most of those strong holds that border on the Euxine Sea to his Empire, and left it intire to his Son Orchanes, who also much augmented it, and l••ft it to his Son Amurath, &c. since which, with marvellous fortune it has grown to that stupendious bulk, that I hope will ruine it, for so long as the Christian armes are thus mise∣rably imploy'd against themselves, so glorious a work is more then we can hope from them. Ottoman atchieved the Sultan∣ship Anno 1300. in him began the race still continued, called in his honour the Ottoman Race, though they are indeed the Oguzian family; give me leave to shut up this long note with a short poeticall summary of this Ottoman, a man vigilant and hardy, and happily the best, as well as the first, of the Turkish Emperors of that name.

Multiplici lassatae Asiae res clade premuntur, Hinc Sarracenus, Tartarus inde ruit. Mutua Christicolae gladios in vulnera stringunt: Graecia funesta seditione perit. Impiger interea nova concipit Ottomannus Concilia, & valida surgit in arma manu. Et vasta Turcis regno fundamina turbae Ponit: & in multo sanguine Sceptra levat. Phi. Lonicerus Hist. Turc. lib. 2.

On Asia, torn, and tir'd with endlesse war Here rush'd the Saracen, the Tartar there. In mutuall wounds the Christians force is spent, And poor Greece falls with civill discord rent. Mean while quick Ottoman new Counsells takes, And at the world his armed hand he shakes. The basis of the Turkes vast sway did found, And his new Scepter bath'd in many a wound.

Philip du Mornay, Pliny, Blondius, Platina, Pomponius Mela, Sabellicus, Segonius, Ptolomie, Sandys, Herbert, Turkish History, D'Juigne.

[(4) Shiraz wine] Shiras is the Metropolitan City of Persia,) for Spawhawn is in Parthia) she arose out of the

ruines of Persepolis (of which read in the 12th. note upon the third Act) some confound the name, and think the Ci∣tie's the same; others, that they once joyned, though they are now 30. Eng••ish miles distant; which distance, and the high craggy Mountains interposing them, seem to confute that opinion. It's seated upon the River Bindimire, the Persians pronounce it Sheiras, some Syras, and such will have her built by Cyrus, and from him called Cyropolis: others from Jamshet, fifth King of Persia, and so from Noah. But its most probable, its derivation is from Sheir or Milk (being fruitfull in Pasto∣rage) as Aleppo from Halip; which Synonymies are taken for plenty and pleasure; many Towns in thes•• parts ag••eeing so, as Whormoot, a Town of Dates, D' Achow, a Town upon a Hill, De Gardow, a Town of Walnuts, Eri the head City of Aria, so abounding with Roses, it may thence take the name. That Shiras arose of the ruines of Persaepolis at least, most agree, though built in a distant place; as wee see Tauris from Echatane, Bagdat from old Babel, Jerusalem towards Mount Calvary, Cairo from Memphis, Tunis from Carthage, Constanti∣nople f••om Bizantium, Rome now in Campus Martius, and many other Cities which altering their seate, though but a league, some have got other denominations, some to eternize their repairers, some from their scite. The compasse of Sh••ras is about nine miles, pleasantly seated, and well adorned with beautifull Mosques, and most delicious Gardens. It is a Proverb among the Persians, Quando Suars erat Siras, tunc Caiarus erat ejus Pagus. A twinkling Tradition, and implies much; For best fruits, gallant men, handsom women, and good wine Shiras bears the bell; especially for wine; for about it growes the best grape in Asia, so that the name of Shiraz wine is every where famous, being no lesse cry'd up in Persia, then the Lesbian or Thracian wines were in Greece, or then in Italy were the Falernian or Massican, or now is that they call Lachrymae Christi (which made the Dutch man wish Christ had wept in his Country) or that of Monte Fascone, which made the German Bishop immortall, as the story goes, and as you may read it in Mr. Raymonds Mercurio Italico. pag. 62. The Shiraz wine is chiefly a Meat wine, somewhat like the French, but better tasted, though more intoxicating, Herbert, &c.

[(5.) By the life of MORAT] The Turkes also swear by the life of their King, a Custome antient, in all places: Joseph in Aegypt learnt to swear by the life of Pharaoh, or as

some render it, by the health of Pharoah, so the Remish, Gen. 42.15. This Morat or Amurath the 4^th of that name, and 11^th Emperour of the Turkes, reigned when this Tragedy was really acted in Persia, from him our Mirza won Babylon or Bagdat, in the 3^d or (as some say) 4^th year of his Raigne, (see the third Note upon this Act.) He was one of the Sons of the greet Achmat, and came to the Empire in the yeare 1623. (aged fifteeen yeares) after the murder of his elder Brother Osman, and the short troublesome Raign of his Uncle Mustapha.

[(6) Tulipant.] Tulipants, Turbants, & Shashes, are the head Ornaments of the Turks and Persians. The Turks all of them wear white Shashes & Turbants, the badge of their Religion; as is the folding of the one, & size of the other of their vocations and quality. Shashes are long Towels of Calico wound about their heads: Turbants are made like great Globes, of Calico too, & thwarted with rolles of the same, having little copped Caps on the top, of green or red velvet, being onely worn by per∣sons of rank, and he is the greatest that wears the greatest, the Mufties (or Prelates) excepted, which over-sizes the Em∣perours; yet is his bigge enough according to Mr. Sandys, who reports, that Sultan Achmet, wore a Turbant, in shape like to a pumpion, but thrice as great. And though many Orders have particular ornaments appointed for their heads, yet wear they these promiscuously. It is yet an especiall fa∣vour in the Turk to suffer the Christian tributary Princes, and their chiefest Nobles, to wear white heads in the City. The Persians also wind about their heads great rolles of Calico, but some of silk and gold, somewhat higher, but not so bulkie as the Turkish Tulipants; a little fash of gold, or fringe, hangs down behind, as do our skarfes, which ornament they lately borrowed of the Arabian. In Triumphs they wreath about their Turbants long chaines of pearles, Rubies, Tur∣quoises, and Emeralds of no small lustre and value. The King wears the contrary side of his Tulipant forwards, which is all the difference in habit 'twixt him and others. These Turbants they keep on continually, it being a shame with them, to be seen bare-headed: (perhaps because generally they wear no haire on the head or chin, (but on the upper lippe they have very long whiskers, and turned down-ward) some onely re∣serve a lock of haire upon the top of the head, as a certaine note that Mahomet at Doomes-day, will distinguish them from Christians, and by it lift them up to paradise) so that Mr

Herbert remembers as a singular favour, the civility of this King Abbas, to Sir Dodmore Cotton, Embassadour from our late King Charles to him, Sc. When the King drank to the Embassadour his royall Masters health, seeing the Embassa∣dour put off his Hat, the King put off his Turbant, and bare-headed took off his cup, to the admiration of all the Court, to see so unusuall a Grace from so haughty a Prince, bestow'd upon a Christian Embassadour: another of his favours to him was, that whereas he thinks it honour enough to let the great Turkes Embassadour kiss the hem of his Garment onely, and perhaps by especiall Grace, his foot; he gave the English Embassadour his hand, and with it, pull'd him downe, and seated him next to himselfe crosse-legged, after the Asian mode.

[(7) MITHRA] the same with the Suns, or rather the Idol of the Sun, anciently adored by the Persians, nor have Ma∣hometisme yet justled out that old superstition, but only mixed with it, so that Mr. Herbert affirms, that in Spawhawne its selfe the Imperiall City (of which before in the tenth Note upon the first Act) at the appearing of every new Moon, they go out to worship it, and each day at Sun set in every ward of the City, they beat their Kettle Drums, till he arises with the Antipodes: at that time, and at his first looking into our Horizon, a well voyced Boy from the Tarrass, or top of their Temples, sing Eulogies to Mahomet and Ally, and then each layick Pagan falls to his devotion, whatsoever hee is about. Their prayers are in the Arabique, their Negotiations in other Languages. Of old, in a Cave were the Rites of Mithra solemnized; from whence they drew an Ox by the hornes; which, after the singing of certaine Paeans, was sacrificed to the Sun. Zorastes placeth him between Oremazes and Arimanius, the good and bad Daemon, for which he took that denomination. His image had the countenance of a Lion, with a Tiara on his head, depressing an Ox by the hornes. I find him mentioned by Grotius, in his Tragedy of Christ's passion, but more to our purpose by Statius, Theb. l. 1.