116 
LIVES OP THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
ously despatched ambassadors to Bayazeed with his 
proposals, upon the acceptance or rejection of which 
the issue should be peace or war. Having received 
an unsatisfactory reply from the Ottoman prince, 
he proceeded towards Angora, a populous city of 
Asiatic Turkey, with the intention of meeting the 
army of Bayazeed, who was advancing on that side. 
Upon his way he appeared dejected, as if appre- 
hensive of failure ; when one of his amyrs asked him 
the cause of his apparent disquietude. “ If I appear 
thoughtful,” he replied, “it proceeds from the state 
of indecision by which my mind is perplexed, and 
from which it is out of your power to release me. I 
am reflecting whether I shall be able to find among 
you,” turning to the officers by whom he was sur- 
rounded, “ a man of sufficient capacity to support the 
weight of the diadem to the conquest of which we are 
marching, and of sustaining with dignity the vacant 
throne of Bayazeed.” A reply so full of confidence 
inspired his officers and troops with renewed courage. 
On the plains around Angora was fought the me- 
morable battle which has immortalised the glory of 
Timur and the shame of Bayazeed. The unhappy 
sultan, after performing the duties of a brave soldier 
and able general, though affected with the gout in both 
hands, was obliged to fly from the field upon the 
fleetest of his horses, but was overtaken and brought 
before the haughty conqueror. After this victory the 
whole of Anatolia was reduced to a state of deplo- 
rable desolation. The horrors of fire and sword were 
everywhere visible, and the victor’s vengeance was ex- 
tinguished in the blood of the vanquished. This san- 
