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WHen the King of Turks makes Expeditions a∣gainst Christians, a∣mongst divers sorts of Merchants, there al∣way follow him on Camels, a mighty number of Buyers or Scor∣cers of Children or Men, who in hope of getting Slaves, carry with them bundles of long Ropes, wherewith they easily tye together
fifty or sixty men. These traders purchase of the Souldiery or Free∣booters, whomsoever the Sword hath not devoured; which is granted them, upon condition that the King may have the tenth of what is traffick'd for, the rest unto themselves to sell. Nor is there any Merchandize so profita∣ble amongst them, nor so fre∣quent; as anciently among the Romans, who called things fairly bought, their proper Goods and Rights, as just as that of Slaves.
THe youth and aged of both Sexes, whom Chance by tenths appropriates to the Turk, he thus disposeth; the elder in yeers he sells for Husband-men, who yet are rarely or cheap bought; for they seldom escape the Sword; their age making them less vendible.
Young men and Maidens, they con∣fine them in Seraglio's, there to be instructed in useful Arts for future times. But first, they must deny their Faith in Christ, and then be circumcifed. And thus initiated in their Ceremonies, they diligent∣ly examine their physiognomies, and the several lineaments of their bodies, and then the whole com∣posure; and according to conceived strength, forwardness of wit, and dispositions, they are destinated to learn Laws of the Country, or dis∣cipline of Wars; and in the mean time are allowed a dayly stipend of two or three Aspers, sixty whereof make five shillings, which they conceive a liberal sufficiency for diet and clothing, until they are fitted for imployments. In the elements of War, they thus are trained, according to each strength: they first have given them a light bow; skill and strength in∣creasing,
they have a greater and a heavier; so by degrees they are fitted for expedition. They have Instructors, severe Exactors of their dayly Exercises; and when∣soever they erre much from the mark, so often are they cruelly whip'd with scourges. These are inrolled in the order of Bow-men. Others are instructed and made fit for Janizaries, who have appoint∣ed Masters and Teachers every day to fight, two together with Cud∣gels. Others (an horrid thing) who have more lovely faces, are so close cut, that nothing like Man is left them; and this not done with∣out great and eminent danger to life: and if the party escape death, his health is for no other use, but their most wicked lusts; and after youth's grown aged, they are put to the offices of Eunuchs, to attend on Ladies, Concubines, Horses, Mules, and some Kitchin-imploy∣ments.
SUch as are of extraordinary beauty, comeliness, or compo∣sition of body, are chosen out for Concubines; mean and indifferent Faces, are appointed Matrons, hand-maids; amongst whose of∣fices some are so filthy, and so loathsome, as were before (though somewhat uncivilly) related. O∣thers are set to womens work, as spinning, carding, weaving. It is free for none of them to profess the Christian Faith, or hope of li∣berty during life. There is some content in hope, but these have none.
HItherto hath been spoken how the Kings use Captives; now how private men their Prisoners newly taken: first, they threaten them with all sorts of meancing sharp words, promises, and allure∣ments to entice them to Circumci∣sion; which if yeilded to, they are treated somewhat more courte∣ously; but then all hope of ever returning to their Country is clean cut off; and whosoever endeavours it, burning is his appointed punish∣ment. Such as are thought more firm and less fugitive, are admitted to their Masters Military imploy∣ments, and can onely be made free, when age hath made them use∣less; and then he is rather turned off, then remitted orderly; or when the Master by hurt in War, or danger of death, bequeaths him
liberty. They are permitted marriage; but their Children are disposed at the Master's pleasure; which makes the more understand∣ing sort utterly abhor marriage. They who refuse Circumcision, are miserably and unhumanely treated; of which I have had the experience of thirteen yeers suf∣ferings: nor can I express in words the great calamities of such people.
THe condition of such unskil∣ful men is wretched. Those whose toyl brings profit, are onely in reputation with them: and therefore learned Men, Priests, and Noble men, who have lived in re∣tiredness and pleasures, when they fall into the hands of Turks, are of all most miserable; the Mer∣chant
or Manscourser bestows no cost on them, as scant vendible; they walk with naked head and feet, and often their whole bodies; no new cloaths succeed, the old worn out; they are hurried through Mountains, Rocks, from place to place, Winter and Sum∣mer, and have no end thereof till death, or that they finde a foolish Purchaser, that (they think) buyes ill Merchandize; but no man is so happy, or esteem'd amongst them, for Age, Art or Beauty, that they being sick will leave behinde them. First, they are whipped to go on; if they cannot do that, then they are put on horseback; and there not able to sit upright, their bellies are tied on horseback, no otherwise then a sack of Corn or Cloak-bag; if he die, he's strip'd of all cloaths, and thrown into the next ditch, to be devoured by dogs and vultures.
THey do not onely binde them in endless chains, but, in their journey, also manacle their hands; they march the distance of a large pace one from another, that mutu∣ally they do no hurt; and tye their hands, lest with stones they mis∣chief do their Masters: that when sometimes they lead great multi∣tudes, as ten times five hundred chain'd together, the strength of whom, if hands at liberty to throw stones, might much annoy them. At night when they rest, their feet are likewise chained, and exposed to all injuries of weather. The condition of Women is a little more humane; they who have strength of limbs, are driven on foot; those more tender, are set on horses; such as are infirm and can∣not ride, are put in baskets or ripi∣ers,
as we use geese. Afterwards their condition is sadder; either they are included in strong Tur∣rets, or forced to endure the wicked lusts of their Merchants. Where still they are, is ever heard vast and hideous howlings of both sexes, suffering violations from them; neither doth the age of leaven or six yeers, defend them from those vitious actions: a people incom∣parable wicked, both against na∣ture, and before libidinous.
AT the break of day they are brought to Market, like droves of sheep, or herds of goats: Merchants appear, prizes are set; if the prisoner be liked, his cloaths are stripped off, he is viewed by the buyer, all members suveyed, tryed and throughly searched for faults in joynts or arteries; if he
please not, then returned to the owner▪ and this is done until he finde a purchaser. When bought, he's carried to some heavy servi∣tude, to plow, keep sheep; omit∣ing baser Offices. They endure there many unheard examples of calamities: I have seen men tyed together with yokes, to draw the plow. Maidens are severely forced to perpetual labours; separated from the sight of men, nor are they suffered speech or conference with other Servants. If any man be taken Prisoner with wife and chil∣dren, him some great person wil∣lingly purchaseth, to be imployed in his Country-house, in Tillage, Vineyards, Meadows, Pastures; and Children born of them, are all his Slaves: and if they persevere in Christian Faith, a certain time is alotted them to servitude, and then made free; their Children notwithstanding continue Slaves
at the Master's will, and imployed where he pleaseth; for they have no certain nor enrolled Estates of Lands, and so no assured seats of residence. If after making free, they desire to return to their Country, they have Letters Pa∣tents given for their Journey. But to such as abjure the Christian Religion, no certain time of bon∣dage is prescribed them, nor right of return; all hopes of their liberty, totally depends upon the Master's pleasure: and when they have got freedom, they pay the Tenths, as other Turks, but freed from other Taxes with which Christians are burthened.
THe Husband — man hath an hard and sad condition, but the Shepherd far more grievous; they always live in solita∣riness
night and day, covered onely with the roof of heaven. The Master and the Wife have some small Tents; no shelter for the Shepherd, unless at spare times compelled to work on Tapestry or Carpets. Every month they change their Pastures, and drive their flocks from one Moun∣tain to another. Some Masters that have more humanity, now and then give small rewards, which the Servant keeps as his proper Goods, and preserves, to bear the charge of a return to his Country, if ever he get liberty; but these largesses are seldom done, and then, but as a miserable enticement to servitude, thinking thereby to withdraw their hopes of shifting from them. To such as deny Christ, and are circumcised, know∣ing they dare not run away, no like indulgence offered.
European Slaves may more easily escape, then those sold into transmaritime Regions; they pass Rivers onely, that may be swim∣med over; others, with great dif∣ficulty must pass the Hellespont. Such as intend escapes, usually at∣tempt it in Harvest season, to hide themselves in Fields of Corn, and by it live. The Nights they Travel; the Day lie close, in Corn, Woods, or Marshes; and rather chuse to be devoured by Wolves, then brought back to their Tyger-Masters.
WHo flye from thence, re∣pair to the Hellespontick Sea, between Callipolis, and those Towers of Sestos and A∣bidos,
now called by the Turks, Bo∣gaz Aser, that is, Castles on the mouth of the Sea, where the Waters are straight and narrow; hither they come with Saws and Ropes, cut Timber-Trees, and tye them fast together, to serve and save them∣selves for shipping; carrying no∣thing with them but salt. If Winde and Fortune favour, in three or four hours they are wafted over; if otherwise, they perish in the Sea, or reforc'd again upon the Coast of Asia; if safely pass, they then betake themselves to the Mountains, and by inspection of the Pole and the Star Bootes, they tend their way North-ward; and sustain themselves with Acorns and Herbs sod in salt. If many flie together in society, sometimes in Night, they set upon the Shep∣herds, and what they finde of Victuals take from them; some∣time they kill, and are sometime
killed, or taken, and returned to their old Masters and Drudgeries: but the several dangers of travel∣ling, consumes more then escape, by shipwrack, the enemies sword, wilde beasts, and starving hunger.
SOme are hanged up by the heels, and most cruelly scourged; and if commit murther, the soles of his feet are all slashed into furrows, and salt stuffed in. Some have great iron Chains, fastned on their necks, and forced to wear them day and night, and as long as the Master pleaseth.
DEath, and confiscation of all sorts of Goods, is inflicted on those who undertake, procure, or
assist Captives in their flight, or running away; yet notwithstanding both Greeks and Armenians cease not to entertain them, being Christi∣ans, to hide them, and in disguises to conduct them unto shippings of the Venetians or other Christians, and freely give them good provisi∣ons and all things necessary for their journeys; nor do they spare or omit any kinde of piety to∣wards them; for they confess to have had heard the like experience from Christians charity, when as they travel for conscience sake to Rome or Compostella.
THey have certain kinde of Charms, which they think can draw them off from flying. The name of the Slave is written in a Schedule of Paper, which is
hung up in his Tent or House: then with vengeable and horrible Curses, his head is charged and threatned, conceiving this by the Devil's help, the Fugitive will be affrighted with meeting of Lyons and Dragons in his Journey, or that the Seas or Rivers will swal∣low him, the heavens will grow dark, and these astonishments will bring him back again.
THere is some memory yet left of the expugnation of Con∣stantinople, the Kingdoms of Greece, Albania, Valachia, and Servia, now reduced to Provinces. These, for a long time, constantly retained the Christian Faith, but their Children have forgot it; and there will come to pass a full ob∣livion of Christ. And likely it
is to fall out so in Croatia, Hungary, and Sclavonia, which are now ad∣ditaments and adjuncts to the Turkish Empire.
VVHen a Province is sub∣dued and taken, all sorts of Goods moveable and immove∣able are given away for spoyle. They totally extirpate the whole Nobility; but especially the Princely Issue. And when they took John the King's Son of Hun∣gary, and favoured him with life, it was on good advice, that if Hun∣gary were lost again, they might imploy and involve him in∣to any new incumbrances; and when the Province should be in a quiet and calme condition, then to dispatch him: for in such re∣spects, the Turk regards neither Kindred, Father or Brother; he
spares none. And if they do kill and murder not all Church and Clergy-men they take; yet they expose them to all scorn, naked∣ness and beggery, despoyling them of all their Fortunes, Goods, and Dignities. Their Bells, their Organs, and other Instruments and Ornaments of Churches, Chappels, and Devotions, they ra∣ven and tear from the Temples, profaning them with consecration to their Mahomet; leaving onely the most miserable and wretched Chappels to the Christians, where∣in they are forbid publick Pray∣ers, and may pray seemingly in silence: which Chappels, when either Earth-quake, Fire. Tempest, or Age destroy, they must in no sort re-edifie. Preaching or reading parts of the Scripture is utterly forbidden. It is a sin to admit a Christian to any pub∣lick Office, to wear, have Arms
or habit like a Turk: or else to use the recreations of cheerfulness, as Pageants, Playes, or Dan∣cings. If they injure Christ or you, with bitter or contumaci∣ous words, you must be silent, and endure it. If you speak ought against their professed Religion. you are forced to circumcision; and but to whisper again Mahomet, Fire and Brimstone followeth. If a Christian on horseback pass by a Musselman, (that is, one initi∣ated in the Turkish Faith) he must, on necessity, light from his horse, and bowing downe his head worship him; which if o∣mitted, he straight is knocked down with clubs.
THey are held the worst of Men, and are esteemed by Turks the very Sacriledge and Scandal of God and Mankinde. They have no benefit from Churches. Upon some festival dayes, a little bread is given them by poor Women, and not on other dayes. They get their livelihood by carrying Wood; their custome being, to cut down sticks in Woods, lade them on Asses; and with this Merchandize, they cry about the Streets, Wood to be sold.
THey pay a part of all en∣crease, not onely of Corn and Cattle, but even Me∣chanicks pay it out of all their pro∣fits. And then they pay another sub∣sidie, for every single man through a Family, each head a Crown. If Parents refuse this Tribute, their Children are taken from them, and made Slaves. Others are bound in Chains, and beg from door to door to pay this Crown; which if they cannot this way pro∣cure, they are cast into perpetual Prison; and when all Duties are performed, it is yet lawful for the Turk to chuse the best amongst his Children, whom he circum∣ciseth, and removes from all ap∣proach or sight of Parents, and breeds him for his Wars, ne'er to return to Friends; and so a childe
easily forgets both Christ, his Pa∣rents, and his Kindred; that after, if he chance in company with them, he shall not know them. No Man can express by Words, the Lamentations, Cries, Tears and grievous sighs, at this distraction of Children. The Father to see his Son (educated in the fear of Christ) torn from him, and made an Instrument of Satan, to oppose Christ: hurried from his Mother, to live perpetually with strangers, leaving whatsoever is dear in blood, pleasing in society, or loving in familiarity, with an everlasting dereliction: after listed in the ranks of those the Greeks call Fatherless and Motherless; yet many of these although they have denied Christ, carry about them the Gospel of St. John, (In the beginning was the word, &c. in Greek or the Arabick tongue) as an amulet or preservative in their Armpits; and with great de∣sire
they expect the Christian Sword (according to some Turkish prophesies) should revenge and free them from those great afflictions and persecutions; and that if Christians do it not, whatever is the cause, or with what mindes soever hindred; all very ill deserve of Christian Religion.