Purchas his pilgrimes. part 1 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. II. His iourney to the Court, and entertainment there, and Customes thereof. [ 30]

* 1.1THe six and twentieth of September, I landed, accompanied with the Generall and principall Merchants: Captaine Harris was sent to make me a Court of guard, with one hundred shot, and the ships in their best equipage, giuing mee their Ordnance as I passed. (The passages betwixt the Embassador and those of Surat I omit; their barba∣rous customes and actions holding so ill correspondence with his honorable condition, and ciuill conditions, that euen heere also it would be harsh to the Reader: we will therefore find him remouing from them in his way toward the Court.)

The fifteenth of Nouember, I arriued at Brampore, being by my coniecture two hundred twenty three miles from Surat, and the course wholly East, a miserable and barren Countrey, [ 40] the Townes and Villages all built of mudde, so that there is not a house for a man to rest in. This day at Batherport, a Village two mile short of Brampore is their Store-house of Ordnance. I saw diuers of brasse, but generally too short, and too wide bored. Betweene that and Brampore I was met by the Cutwall, well accompanied, and sixteene Colours caried before them: he brought mee to the Saralia, where I was appointed to lodge, where at the gate hee tooke his leaue, being a handsome front of stone: but when I entered, I had foure chambers allotted me, like Ouens, no bigger, round at the top, made of bricke in a wall-side; this troubled mee, but my Ttnts were my refuge, and I sent the Cutwall word I would depart the Towne, scorning so meane vsage: hee desired me to be content vntill morning. Heere liues Sultan Peruies, the Kings second sonne, hol∣ding the State and custome of his Father; and the Channa Channa being the greatest subiect of [ 50] the Mogoll, Generall of his Armies, whereof fortie thousand horse are with him: The Prince hath the name and state, but the Chan gouernes all.

The eighteenth, for many considerations, as well to see the fashions of the Court, as to con∣tent the Prince, who desired it, and I was loath to distaste him, because there was some purpose of erecting a Factory in the Towne; and I found by experience Sword-blades were well sold in the Armie; I went to visite the Prince, and carryed him a Present. I was brought in by the Cutwall: at the outward Court were about one hundred horsemen armed, being Gentlemen that attend the Princes setting out to salute him, making a lane of each side: in the inner Court hee sate high in a Gallery that went round, with a Canopy ouer him, and a Carpet before him, in [ 60] great, but barbarous State. Comming toward him thorow a lane of people, an Off••cer came and brought me word I must touch the ground with my head, and my hat off: I answered, I came in honour to see the Prince, and was free from the custome of Seruants. So I passed on, till I came to a place railed in, right vnder him, with an ascent of three steps, where I made him reuerence,

and he bowed his body; and so went within it, where stood round by the sides all the great m••n of the Towne, with their hands before them like Slaues; the place was couered ouer-••ead with a rich Canopie, and vnderneath, all Carpets. To describe it rightly, it was like a great Stage, and the Prince sate aboue as the Mock-Kings doe there. When I was entered, I knew not where to be placed, but went right, and stood before him, where there is an ascent of three steppes, vp∣on which stands his Secretary, to deliuer what is said or giuen briefely. I told him, being an Em∣bassador from the King of England to his father, and passing by, I could not but in honour visite him: he replyed I was very welcome, and asked me many questions of the King, to which I re∣plyed as I thought fit: but standing in that manner below, I demanded licence to come vp and [ 10] stand by him. He answered, If the King of Persia or the Great Turke were there, it might not be admitted. I replyed that I must bee excused, for I doubted not hee would come downe and meete them at his gate; but I desired no more priuiledge, then the Embassadors of such Princes had, to whom I held my selfe equall: he protested I had that, and should in all things. Then I demanded a Chaire, but I was answered no man euer sate in that place: but I was desired, as a courtesie, to ease my selfe against a pillar, couered aboue with siluer, that held vp his Canopie, Then I moued him for his fauour for an English Factory to be resident in the Towne, which hee willingly granted, and gaue present order to the Buxy, to draw a Firma both for their comming vp, and for their residence. I also desired his authoritie for cariages for the Kings Presents, which he gaue in charge to the Cutwall. Then I gaue him my Presents, which hee tooke in good part, [ 20] and after some other questions, he said to giue me content, although I might not come vp where he sate, he would go into another place, where I should come vnto him; but one of my Presents was a Case of Bottells, which tooke him vp by the way, and after I had stayed a while, I heard he was drunke, and one of his Officers came to mee in his name, with an excuse, desiring mee to goe home, and to take some other time to returne to visite him: this night I tooke my feauer.

The sixt of December, we lodged in a wood, not farre from the Kings famous Castle of Man∣doa which stands on a steepe hill, walled round in circuit fourteene Course: the Castle is faire, and of wonderfull greatnesse.

The two and twentieth, Master Edwards met me, accompanied with Thomas Coryat,* 1.2 who had passed into India on foote fiue Course to Cytor an ancient Citie ruined on a hill, but so that it ap∣peares [ 30] a Tombe of wonderfull magnificence: there stands aboue one hundred Churches, all of carued stone, many faire Towers and Lanthornes cut thorow many pillars, and innumerable hou∣ses, but no one Inhabitant: there is but one ascent to the hill, it being precipitious, sloaping vp, cut out of the Rocke, hauing foure gates in the ascent, before one arriue at the City gate, which is magnificent: the hill is incompassed at the top about eight Course, and at the South-west end a goodly old castle: I lodged by a poore Village at the foot of the hill. This Citie stands in the coun∣trey of one Ranna, a Prince newly subdued by this King, or rather bought to confesse Tribute.* 1.3 The Citie was wonne by Ecbarsha, father to this Mogoll. Ranna is rightly descended from Porus, that valiant Indian, ouercome by Alexander: so that I take this Citie to haue been one of the an∣cient Seats of Porus, though Dely much further North be reported to haue been the chiefest, fa∣mous [ 40] now only in ruines. Neare that stands a pillar, erected by Alexander the Conqueror, with a great inscription. The present Mogoll and his Ancestors, descendants of Tamberlane, haue brought all the ancient Cities to ruine, hauing dispeopled them, and forbidden reparation, I know not out of what reason, vnlesse they would haue nothing remembred of greatnesse beyond their begin∣nings, as if their Family and the world were equalls.

The three and twentieth, I arriued at Adsmeere, two hundred and nine Courses from Bram∣pore, foure hundred and eighteene English miles, the Courses being longer then toward the Sea. I kept my bed.

The tenth of Ianuary, I went to Court at foure in the euening to the Durbar,* 1.4 which is the place where the Mogoll si••s out daily, to entertaine strangers, to receiue Petitions and Pre∣sents, to giue commands, to see and to be seene. To digresse a little from my reception, and declare [ 50] the customes of the Court, will enlighten my future discourse.* 1.5 The King hath no man but Eu∣nuches that comes within the lodgings or retyring roomes of his house: his women watch with∣in, and guard him with manly weapons, they doe iustice one vpon another for offences. Hee comes euery morning to a window called the Iarrneo, looking into a Plaine before his gate, and shewes himselfe to the common people. At noone he returnes thither, and sits some houres to see the fight of Elephants and wilde beasts. Vnder him within a raile attend the men of rancke: from whence he retyres to sleep among his women. At after-noone he returnes to the Durbar be∣fore mentioned. At eight after supper he comes downe to the Guzelcan, a faire Court, whrein in the middest is a Throne erected of free-stone, wherein 〈…〉〈…〉 sometimes below in a chaire, to which are none admitted but of great quality, and few or these without leaue, where hee [ 60] discourses of all matters with much affabilitie. There is no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 done with him concerning the State, Gouernment, disposition of War or peace, but at one of there two last places where it is publikely propounded and resolued, and so registred, which if i•• were worth the curiositie, might be seene for two shillings: but the common base people knew as much as the Councell,

and the newes euery day, is the Kings new resolutions, tossed and censured by euery rascall. This course is vnchangeable,* 1.6 except sicknesse or drinke preuent it, which must be knowne: for as all his Subiects are slaues, so is hee in a kind of reciprocall bondage, for hee is tyed to obserue these houres and customs so precisely, that if he were vnseene one day, and no sufficient reason rendred, the people would mutinie; two dayes no reason can excuse, but that he must consent to open his doores, and be seene by some, to satisfie others. On Tuesday at the Iarrneo he sits in Iudgement, neuer refusing the poorest mans complaint: where he heares with patience both parts, and some∣times sees, with too much delight in blood, the execution done by his Elephants. Illi meruere, sed quid tu vt adesses?

At the Durbar I was led right before him: at the entrance of an outward raile, where met [ 10] mee two principall Noble Slaues to conduct me nearer.* 1.7 I had required before my going, leaue to vse the customes of my Countrey, which was freely granted, so that I would performe them pun∣ctually. When I entered within the first raile, I made a reuerence; entring in the inward raile, another; and when I came vnder the King, a third. The place is a great Court, whither resort all sorts of people. The King sits in a little Gallery ouer-head; Ambassadors, the great men and stran∣gers of quality within the inner-most raile vnder him, raised from the ground, couered with Canopies of Veluet and Silke; vnder-foote laid with good Carpets: the meaner men represen∣ting Gentry, within the first raile: the people without, in a base Court, but so that all may see the King. This sitting out hath so much affinity with a Theatre, the manner of the King in his Gallery;* 1.8 the great men lifted on a Stage, as Actors; the Vulgar below gazing on, that an easie [ 20] description will enforme of the place and fashion. The King preuented my dull Interpreter, bid∣ding me welcome, as to the Brother of my Master. I deliuered his Maiesties Letter translated; and after, my Commission, whereon he looked curiously; after, my Presents, which were well re∣ceiued. He asked some questions; and with a seeming care of my health, offered me his Physi∣tions, and aduising me to keepe my house till I had recouered strength, and if in the interim I nee∣ded any thing, I should freely send to him, and obtaine my desires. He dismissed me with more fauour and outward grace, if by the Christians I were not flattered, then euer was showen to any Ambassador either of the Turke or Persian, or other whatsoeuer.

The fourteenth, I sent to the Prince Sultan Coronne, his third sonne by birth, but first in fa∣uour,* 1.9 that I determined to visite him, not doubting he would vse me with due respect: for I was [ 30] enformed he was enemie to all Christians, and therefore feared some affront. Hee answered I should be welcome, and receiue the same content I had from his father. He is Lord of Surat our chiefe residence, and his fauour important for vs.

The two and twentieth, I visited the Prince, who at nine in the morning sits out in the same manner (as his Father) to dispatch his businesse,* 1.10 and to be seene of his followers. He is proud na∣turally, and I feared my entertainment. But on some occasion he not resoluing to come out, when he heard of my arriuall, sent a principall Officer to meete me, who conducted mee into a good roome (neuer before done to any) and entertaine mee with discourse of our owne businesse halfe an houre, vntill the Prince was ready, who came abroad on purpose, and vsed mee better then his promise. I deliuered him a Present, such as I had, but not in the name of his Maiestie, it be∣ing too meane; but excused it, that the King could not take knowledge of his being Lord of [ 40] Surat so lately conferred on him, but hereafter I doubted not his Maiesty would send to him according to his worth. This was the respect of the Merchants, who humbly commended them∣selues to his fauour and protection. He receiued all in very good part: and after opening of some grieuances and iniuries suffered at Surat by vs from his Gouernours, of which for respect to him I had forborne to complaine to the King, hee promised mee speedie and effectuall Iustice, and to confirme our securitie by any propositions I should offer, professing to be ignorant of any thing past, but what he had receiued by Asaph Chan, deliuered by mee; especially of any com∣mand to dismisse vs, which the Gouernour had falsely coyned, and for which hee should dearely answere. So he dismissed me, full of hope to rectifie the decayed estate of our reputation, with [ 50] promise of a Firman for Surat effectually.

The foure and twentieth, I went to the Durbar to visite the King, who seeing me a farre off, beckned with his hand, giuing signe I should not stay the ceremony of asking leaue, but come vp to him, where he appointed me a place aboue all other men, which I after thought fit to main∣taine: I gaue him a small Present; it being the custome, when any body hath businesse, to giue somewhat,* 1.11 and those that cannot come neare to speake, send in, or hold vp their gift; which he excepts, be it but a Rupie, and demands their businesse. The same course he held with mee, ha∣uing looked curiously, and asked many questions of my Present, he demanded what I required of him: I answered Iustice; that on the assurance of his Maiesties Firman sent into England, the King my Master had not only giuen leaue to many of his Subiects to come a dangerous Voyage [ 60] with their goods, but had sent me to congratulate the amity so happily begun betweene two so mighty Nations, and to confirme the same: but that I found the English, seated at Amadauas, iniured by the Gouernour in their persons and goods, fined, exacted vpon, and kept as prisoners, that at euery Towne new Customes were taken of our goods, passing to the Port, contrary to all

Iustice and the former Articles of Trade. To which he answered he was sory, it should be amen∣ded, and presently gaue order for two Firmans, very effectually,* 1.12 according to my desire to be sig∣ned, one to the Gouernour of Amadauas, to restore money exacted from Master Kerridge, and to vse the English with all fauour: the other to release all customes required on any pretence on the way; or if any had been taken, to repay it of his owne accord: wishing mee, that if these gaue not speedy remedy, I should renue my complaint against the disobeye••, and he should be sent for to answere there: and so he dismissed me.

The first of March, I rode to see a house of pleasure of the Kings, giuen him by Asaph Chan,* 1.13 two miles from Adsmeere, but betweene two mightie Rockes, so defended from the Sunne, that [ 10] it scarce any way sees it; the foundation cut out of them, and some roomes, the rest of free-stone, a handsome little Garden with fine fountaines, two great Tankes, one thirty steps aboue another; the way to it is inaccessable, but for one or two in front, and that very steepe and stony, a place of much melancholy delight and securitie, onely beeing accompanied with wild Peacocks, Tur∣tles, fowle, and Munkeyes, that inhabite the Rockes hanging euery way ouer it.

The second, the Norose began in the Euening. It is a custome of solemnizing the new yeare, yet the Ceremonie begins the first new Moone after it, which this yeare fell together:* 1.14 it is kept in imitation of the Persians feast, and signifies in that language Nine dayes, for that anciently it endured no longer, but now it is doubled. The manner is, there is erected a throne foure foote from the ground, in the Durbar Court, from the backe whereof, to the place where the King comes out a square of fiftie sixe paces long, and fortie three broad was rayled in, and couered ouer [ 20] with faire Semianes or Canopies of Cloth of Gold, Silke, or Veluet ioyned together, and sustained with Canes so couered: at the vpper end West, were set out the Pictures of the King of England, the Queene, the Lady Elizabeth, the Countesses of Somerset and Salisbury, and of a Citizens wife of London; below them an other of Sir Thomas Smith, Gouernour of the East-India Companie: vnder foot it is laid with good Persian Carpets of great largeness••, into which place come all the men of qualitie to attend the King, except some few that are within a little ra••le right before the Throne, to receiue his Commands, within this square there were set out for shew many little houses, one of Siluer, and some other curiosities of price. The Prince, Sultan Coronne had at the left side a Pauilion, the supporters whereof were couered with Siluer, as were some of those also [ 30] neere the Kings Throne: the former thereof was square, the matter wood, inlayed with mother of Pearle, borne vp with foure pill••••s, and couered with cloth of Gold: about the edge ouer-head like a valence, was a net fringe of good Pearle, vpon which hung downe Pomgranats, Apples, Peares, and such fruits of Gold, but hollow; within that the King sate on Cushions, very rich in Pearles, in Iewels round about the Court; before the Throne the Principall men had erected Tents, which encompassed the Court, and lined them with Veluet, Damaske, and Taffatae ordi∣narily, some few with cloth of Gold, wherein they retired, and set to shew all their wealth: for anciently the Kings were vsed to goe to euery Tent, and there take what pleased them; but now it is changed, the King sitting to receiue what New-yeeres gifts are brought to him. Hee comes abroad at the vsuall houre of the Durbar, and retires with the same: here are offered to him by all [ 40] sorts great gifts, though not equall to report, yet incredible enough: and at the end of this Feast the King in recompence of the Presents receiued, aduanceth some, and addeth to their entertain∣ment some horse at his pleasure.

The twelfth, I went to visit the King, and was brought right before him, expecting a present which I deliuered to his extraordinary content; so he appointed I should be directed within the raile to stand by him, but I beeing not suffered to step vp vpon the rising, on which the Throne stood, could see little, the rayle beeing high, and doubled with Carpets, but I had leisure to view the inward roome, and the beauty thereof, which I confesse was rich, but of so diuers pieces, and so vnsutable, that it was rather patched then glorious, as if it seemed to striue to shewe all, like a Lady that with her Plate, set on a Cupboord her imbroydered Slippers. This Euening was the sonne of Ranna his new Tributory brought before him with much ceremonie, kneeling three [ 50] times, and knocking his head on the ground: he was sent by his Father with a Present, and was brought within the little raile, the King embracing him by the head; his gift was an Indian voy∣der full of Siluer, vpon that a carued Siluer dish full of Gold; so he was lead toward the Prince. Some Elephants were shewed, and some Whoores did sing and dance: Sic transit gloria Mundi.

The thirteenth at night, I went to the Gussell Chan, where is best opportunitie to doe busi∣nesse, and tooke with me the Italian, determining to walke no longer in darknesse, but to prooue the King, being in all other wayes delayed and refused; I was sent for in with my old Broaker,* 1.15 but my Interpreter was kept out: Asaph Chan mistrusting I would vtter more then he was wil∣ling to heare. When I came to the King, he appointed me a place to stand iust before him, and sent to aske mee many questions about the King of England, and of the Present I gaue the day [ 60] before▪ to some of which I answered; but at last I said, my Interpretor was kept out, I could speake no Portugall, and so wanted meanes to satisfie his Maiestie, whereat (much against Asaph Chans desire) he was a••mitted. I bad him tell the King, I desired to speake to him; he answered, willingly: whereat Asaph Chans sonne in law, pulled him by force away, and that faction hedged

the King so, that I could scarce see him, nor the other approach him. So I commanded the Italian to speake aloud, that I craued audience of the King, whereat the King called me, and they made me way. Asaph Chan stood on one side of my Interpreter, and I on the other: I to enforme him in mine owne cause, he to awe him with winking and iogging. I bad him say, that I now had been here two Moneths, whereof more then one was passed in sickenesse, the other in Comple∣ments, and nothing effected toward the ende for which my Master had employed mee, which was to conclude a firme and constant loue and peace betweene their Maiesties, and to establish a faire and secure Trade and residence for my Countrey-men. He answered, that was already gran∣ted. I replyed it was true, but it depended yet on so light a thred, on so weake conditions, that being of such importance, it required an agreement cleare in all points, and a more formall and authentique confirmation, then it had by ordinary Firmans, which were temporary commands, [ 10] and respected accordingly. He asked me what Presents we would bring him. I answered, the League was yet new, and very weake: that many Curiosities were to bee found in our Countrey of rare price and estimation, which the King would send, and the Merchants seeke out in all parts of the world, if they were once made secure of a quiet trade and protection on honourable Con∣ditions, hauing been heretofore many wayes wronged.

He asked what kind of curiosities those were I mentioned, whether I meant Iewels and rich stones. I answered, No: that we did not thinke them fit Presents to send backe, which were brought first from these parts, whereof he was chiefe Lord; that we esteemed them common here, and of much more price with vs: but that we sought to finde such things for his Maiestie, as were rare here, and vnseene, as excellent artifices in painting, caruing, cutting, enamelling, figures in [ 20] Brasse, Copper, or Stone, rich embroyderies, stuffes of Gold and Siluer. He said it was very well: but that hee desired an English horse:* 1.16 I answered, it was impossible by Sea, and by Land the Turke would not suffer passage. He replyed, that hee thought it not impossible by Sea. I told him, the dangers of stormes, and varietie of weather would prooue it. Hee answered, if sixe were put into a ship, one might liue; and though it came leane, he would fat it. I replied, I was confi∣dent it could not be in so long a Voyage, but that for his Maiesties satisfaction, I would write to aduise of his request. So he asked, what was it then I demanded? I said, that hee would bee pleased to signe certaine reasonable conditions, which I had conceiued for the confirmation of the League, and for the securitie of our Nation, and their quiet trade, for that they had beene often wronged, and could not continue on such tearmes, which I forbeare to complaine of, hoping by [ 30] faire meanes to procure amendment. At this word, Asaph Chan offered to pull my Interpreter; but I held him, suffering him onely to winke and make vnprofitable signes.

The King hereat grew suddenly into choller, pressing to know who had wronged vs, with such shew of fury, that I was loath to follow it, and speaking in broken Spanish to my Interpre∣ter, to answer, That with what was past I would not trouble his Maiestie, but would seeke Iu∣stice of his Sonne,* 1.17 the Prince, of whose fauour I doubted not. The King not attending my Inter∣preter, but hearing his Sonnes name, conceiued I had accused him, saying, Mio Filio, Mio Filio, and called for him; who came in great feare, humbling himselfe: Asaph Chan trembled, and all of them were amazed. The King chid the Prince roundly, and he excused himselfe, but I percei∣uing the Kings error, made him (by meanes of a Persian Prince, offering himselfe to interpret, be∣cause [ 40] my Italian spake better Turkish then Persian) and the Prince both vnderstand the mistaking, and so appeased him, saying, I did no way accuse the Prince, but would in causes past in his Go∣uernement, appeale to him for Iustice, which the King commanded hee should doe effectually. The Prince for his iustification, told the King he had offered me a Firman, and that I had refused it: demanding the reason: I answered, I humbly thanked him, but he knew it contained a condi∣tion which I would not accept of; and that further I did desire to propound our owne demands, wherein I would containe all the desires of my Master at once, that I might not daily trouble them with complaints, and wherein I would reciprocally bind my Soueraigne to mutuall offices of friendship; and his Subiects to any such conditions, as his Maiesty would reasonably propound, whereof I would make an offer, which beeing drawne Tripartite, his Maiesty (I hoped) would [ 50] signe the one, the Prince the other, and in my Masters behalfe I would firme the third. The King pressed to know the Conditions I refused in the Princes Firman, which I recited, and so we fell into earnest dispute,* 1.18 and some heate. Mocrib Chan enterposing, said, he was the Portugals ad∣uocate; speaking slightly of vs, that the King should neuer signe any Article against them. I an∣swered, I propound none against them, but in our owne iust defence; and I did not take him for such a friend to them: the Iesuite and all the Portugals side fell in, in so much that I explained my selfe fully concerning them; and as I offered a conditionall peace, so I set their friendship at a mean rate, and their hatred or force at lesse. The King answered, my demands were iust, resolution noble, and bad me propound. Asaph Chan that stood mute all this discourse, and desired to end it, [ 60] least it breake out againe (for we were very warme) enterposed, that if wee talked all night it would come to this issue, that I should draw my demands in writing, and present them, and if they were found reasonable, the King would firme them; to which the King replyed, yes; and I desired his Sonne would doe the like, who answered he would: so the King rose. But I calling

to him, he turned about, and I bad my Interpreter say, That I came the day before to see his Ma∣iestie, and his greatnesse, and the Ceremonies of this Feast, that I was placed behind him, I con∣fessed with honour, but I could not see abroad; and that therefore I desired his Maiestie to licence me to stand vp by his Throne; whereat he commanded Asaph Chan to let mee choose my owne place.

The foureteenth in the morning, I sent a Messenger to Asaph Chan, least hee or the Prince might mistake me by the Kings mistakings, that I had complained against them, which as I did not, so it was not yet in my purpose: onely I was willing to let them see, I did not so depend on Asaph Chan, by whose mouth I vsed to doe my businesse; but that if he continued his manner of neuer deliuering what I said, but what he pleased; I would find another way. My message was [ 10] to cleare any such doubt, if it remained; or if not, to entreat him that he would soften the Prince in my demands concerning Surat. He answered, Neither the Prince nor hee had any reason to suspect, my purpose was to complaine of them: that the error was euident enough, for his part he had euer had the loue of the English, and would endeauour to continue it.

The sixe and twentieth of Aprill, I receiued intelligence, that the Prince caused one of his Seruants at the Durbar, to aske the King why he vsed so good countenance to the English, that for their cause the Portugals were barred the Port of Surat, who brought more profit to the King, as many Ballaces, Pearles, and Iewels, whereas the English came onely to seeke profit, with Cloth, Swords, and Kniues of little estimation. The King answered onely, it was true, but who could mend it. Hereby the Princes good affection was manifest, and I had faire warning to bee [ 20] watchfull, and to study to preserue our selues in the Kings grace, in which onely wee were safe: but I resolued to take notice of this, and to make proofe if I could settle a better opinion in the Prince of our Nation.

The two and twentieth of May, I went to the Durbar to visit the King, and to desire his au∣thoritie to haue one Iones a youth, that was runne away from mee to an Italian, and protected himselfe vnder the name of the King to the infamy of our Nation. The King gaue order for his deliuerie, but the Prince who euer waited opportunitie to disgrace our Nation for the cause of his Fauorite Zulpheckarcon with whom I was newly broken off from conference, and had sent the Prince word I would no longer forbeare opening my cause to the King, mooued the King in pri∣uate to send for the youth first, which at the Gusel Chan hee did: and the Prince giuing him [ 30] countenance, he railed to my face with most virulent malice, desiring the King to saue his life, so the King resolued not to deliuer him to me, but to send him Prisoner to Surat, but the Prince to braue me, begged him for his seruant, the fellow hauing quite renounced his Countrey, the King gaue him to the Prince, notwithstanding any reasons I could alledge: so the Prince presently gaue him one hundred and fiftie Rupias, and the pay of two Horse, and forbade mee to meddle with him.

The three and twentieth, at night my man came and fell at my feet, asking pardon for his ly∣ing and madnesse, and offered to submit himselfe in any kind. I told him I would not now keepe him Prisoner he was the Princes seruant, but that before I could giue him any answere he should make me publike satisfaction as farre as he was able.

[ 40] The foure and twentieth, Iones made meanes to come to the Gusel Chan, and there asked pardon of the King for his lyes, denying euery word hee had spoken, and to haue been done to protect himselfe from me, whom he had offended, desiring the King to send for me that he might there aske my pardon: the King was well pleased. But the Prince fell into a great rage.

The fiue and twentieth, I went to the Guzelcan, where after many protestations of the King, that he neuer beleeued him, that he was a Villaine, yet that hee could doe no lesse but protect him, hauing cast himselfe into his mercy: the youth was sent for, who on his knees asked mee forgiuenesse, and on his oath swore to the King, that he had in euery particular belyed me, which he professed to doe voluntarie, for that he durst neuer returne to his countrey. The King chid him a little, and told me, he nor any good man euer beleeued him: but the Prince grew so angry that [ 50] mouing him with many questions to stand to his first word, which he refusing was bid be gone: and the Prince publikely calling for him againe, bad him most basely returne him the one hun∣dred and fiftie Rupias, deliuered him for that he gaue it to maintayne him against me, which see∣ing he went from, he would haue his money: which the fellow promised but he should haue it presently, and so sent an vnder Treasurer with him to the house, where hee was lodged, for into mine, I would not suffer him to come.

The seuen and twentieth, thus I was enforced to seeme content, because I had no way to seeke remedie, for Presents I had none, and the King neuer takes any request to heart, except it come accompanied, and will in plaine tearmes demand it, which aduantage the Prince takes, vrging the Portugals bringing of Iewels, Ballests and Pearles with much disgrace to our English com∣moditie.

[ 60]

The nine and twentieth, the Portugals went before the King with a Present, and a Ballas Ru∣bie, to sell as was reported, weighing thirteene Tole, two Tole and a halfe being an ounce: they demanded fiue Leckes of Rupies, but the King offered but one. Asaph Chan is also their Sollici∣tor,

to whom they gaue a Present of Stones, they had diuers Rubies Ballaces, Emeralds and Iewels set to sell, which so much contented the King and his great men, that we were for a time eclipsed.

The Prince and the Iesuite fell out about presenting them, which the Prince desired; but it was promised to Asaph Chan before concerning the Portugals credit, here I euer made my iudgement by report, but now experience shewes me the difference made betweene vs and them, for they were sought after by euery bodie, whereas they seeme to buy our commodities for almes, besides their Neigbour-hood and aduantage to hinder that Trade into the Red Sea, is euer more readier then ours to doe harme, because they are setled, so that onely for a little feare wee were entertai∣ned, but for our trade or any thing we being not at all respected.

[ 10]

Notes

• * 1.1

  September 26. Visitation of Sultan Paruis.
• * 1.2

  Master Ed∣wards. Thomas Coryat▪ Cytor.
• * 1.3

  Ranna.
• * 1.4

  Ianuary 10.
• * 1.5

  Eunuches only and women, his houshold Courtiers.
• * 1.6

  Necessitie of the Kings pre∣sence.
• * 1.7

  His comming to the King.
• * 1.8

  Face of the Presence like a Theatre.
• * 1.9

  Sultan Coronne.
• * 1.10

  His conditions.
• * 1.11

  His second hearing.
• * 1.12

  Two Firmans granted to the English.
• * 1.13

  March 1. A house of pleasure.
• * 1.14

  The Norose a solemne Feast, and Rites thereof.
• * 1.15

  Passages re∣markeable.
• * 1.16

  An English horse much desired.
• * 1.17

  The King an∣gry with his Sonne.
• * 1.18

  Mochreb Chan back-friend to the English.