§. II. [ 10] Cataio, Cambalu; TAMERLANS expedition into China, entring the Wall, conquering the King, and disposing of the Countrey, and returne to Cataio.
AFter this the Armie marched into the Kingdome of Cataio, a Countrey rich in grasse, and in all kinds of pastures, abounding with great quantitie of Beasts, and People, which knew not what warre meant. The Prince gaue commandement that these people should not be accounted as Enemies, but his good Subjects, that hee would vse all the Cities well, as Cangi, Sochgi, Gonzae, Tagni, Togara, Congu, which had reuolted, and were come to sue for pardon at his hands, in humbling themselues before him; the which he granted [ 20] vnto them, enjoyning them onely to prouide sufficient victuals for his Armie: which was of no small importance for the appeasing of others, who had put all their hope in extremitie, which is in losing their owne liues to make others doe the like▪ and especially the Inhabitants of Cam∣balu had taken this resolution: but being informed of the Emperours clemency, changed their opinions. In the meane while our Armie daily approched, and at such time as we came neerest, the more did the feare of all the Citie increase, insomuch as the Prince was aduertised daily from those which fauoured his side, of all things within the Citie, and he was assured that euery one determined to obey the Conqueror, and to doe whatsoeuer he commanded. The which be∣ing knowne vnto the Prince, he left all his Armie at Gonsa, and himselfe went directly vnto the Citie of Cambalu, where all things were made quiet,* 1.1 by the meanes of thirtie thousand Soul∣diers, [ 30] being the ordinarie Garrison, whom hee caused to enter thereinto before him, and two houres after entred into the same himselfe, being receiued with great magnificence, not yeelding as yet to pronounce the word of pardon, referring all vnto the Emperour, and to the ordinarie course of Iustice. He stayed for the returne of one of his Fauourites, whom he had sent vnto the Emperour, to carry him newes of the victorie, and of the death of Calix, and that the chiefe of this Faction remayned prisoners with him; also to know what Iustice the Emperour would appoint to bee inflicted on those Citizens, which were the first beginners of the reuolt of this Citie: for the Prince being desirous to be esteemed mercifull, and to win loue within this great Citie, would not execute justice of himselfe, nor in his owne name, but by the Emperour his Vncle, whom hee did gratifie herein, leauing the authoritie wholly vnto himselfe, and by this [ 40] meanes hee was not esteemed cruell. Thus the Prince after hee had remayned here eight dayes, departed. He was not many dayes iourney from the Citie before he receiued tydings, how the great Cham his Vncle, willed that justice should bee executed on them which were the first Moouers of this reuolt; the which was executed accordingly in the name of the Emperour, and by his speciall ministers; in such sort, that as the people accused the crueltie of the Empe∣rour, they commended the mercy of Tamerlan. Thus was this warre brought vnto an end, to the great honour and reputation of Tamerlan.
As soone as our Prince was returned vnto his Army where hee found Odmar, who there at∣tended his comming, hee was receiued of his Souldiers, and with a loud voyce called by all his Captaines and Souldiers; Most great Emperour and most victorious,* 1.2 as they are accustomed to [ 50] doe amongst the Tartarians. The Prince after he had long discoursed with his Captaines both of the beautie and greatnesse of the Citie of Cambalu, hee arriued at his Tent, where after hee had declared vnto Odmar in what sort all things had passed at Cambalu: he asked his aduice, whe∣ther hee should goe and visit the Emperour his Vncle. Odmar well perceiued that the Prince de∣sired it, and called vnto his remembrance the honour which hee had receiued when hee was at Quinzai, and that hee would haue beene very willing to spend the Winter with the Empresse▪ staying for the Spring for to returne vnto the enterprise of China, with a long speech disswaded him. The Emperour answered him, that he had euer knowne his fidelitie and loue, and that the cause of his sadnesse was, for that hee did not find in himselfe abilitie to recompence the same: and that when he thought to giue himselfe some ease, then was the time hee must in stead of the [ 60] delicacies and pleasures of Quinzay, make the Desarts of Cipribit the resting place from the tra∣uailes of his new victorie: that it was ended, and his purposes determined: I haue also heard the Prince say, that Odmar did not speake vnto him like an earthly but diuine man, and that he verily beleeued that God by his meanes did call him back from some misse-hap which would haue light vpon him, to make his glorie increase the more. Now, the rumour was alreadie