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.

§. VI. The Princes brauerie; the Persian Ambassadours behauiour, the manner and effects of Drinking, of the King and his Nobles; the Kings remoue, his super-exceeding pompe, wealth, magnificence therein: Portu∣gall [ 30] fray: relations of Sultan Corsoroone: Persian newes.

THe one and twentieth of October, I went to the Prince and opened my desire, to haue a certaine * 1.1 clause in his Letter expounded, at which his highnesse stucke a little, and I perceiued his Highnesse to be as hollow as I imagined. Hee demanded then how hee should haue his Presents, or see such toyes as came vp, and moued mee to goe with him. I replyed, I could not doe so vntill I had deliuered my Masters Message, and Tokens to the King, but that finished, I would my selfe attend his Highnesse with his Presents, and all such ra∣ritie as came to my hands, should be sent after him: he prest me to passe my word, and so I obtay∣ned [ 40] order for the Firman to my content.* 1.2 His Highnesse looking on a white Feather in my Hat, demanded if I would giue it him, I replyed, I would not offer that I had worne, but if he please to command it, that or any thing in my power was to serue him. He asked if I had any more, I answered three or foure of other colours; hee replyed, if I would giue them all, for that hee was to shew his Horses and Seruants to the King within two dayes, and that he wanted some, being very rare in those parts. I promised to bring all I had on the morrow that his Highnesse might take his pleasure.

Abdala Chan in a gallant Equipage both of his person and Attendants, in apparell, strange and antike,* 1.3 but in these parts Alla Soldado presented the Prince a white Horse, the Saddle and [ 50] Furniture of Gold enamelled, a Beast of delicate shape, life and courage, who returnd him a Sword plaine with a belt of Leather. There were brought before him many others, the Hilts of Siluer, Chapes set with small Stones, and Targets couered with Gold Veluets, some painted and bossed with Gold and Siluer, which he gaue to his Seruants. Against this Muster many Saddles and Furniture of Gold, rich set with stones, of his owne, were shewed for spare Horses, his Boots imbrothered, and all other ingredients of brauery. I confesse, the expence is wonderfull, and the riches daily seene inualuable.* 1.4

This night past, it is reported sixe of the Princes Seruants came to murther Sultan Corsoronne, but were refused the Key by the Porter; that the Queene Mother is gone to the King with an ouerture of all the practice, the truth is vncertaine, and it is dangerous to aske. [ 60]

At euening, I went to the Durbar to visit the King, where I met the Persian Ambassador with the first Muster of his Presents, he appeared, rather a Iester or Iugler, then a person of any graui∣t••,* 1.5 running vp and downe and acting all his words like a Mimicke Player (now indeed the Ata∣chikanne, was become a right Stagge) hee deliuered the Presents with his owne hands; which

the King with smiles and cheerefull countenance, and many words of contentment receiued; his tongue was a great aduantage to deliuer his owne businesse, which he did with so much flatte∣ry and obsequiousnesse, that it pleased as much as his gift, euer calling his Maiesty King and Com∣mander of the World (forgetting his owne Master had a share in it) and on euery little occasion of good acceptation hee made his Tessilims. When all was deliuered for that day, hee prostrated himselfe on the ground, and knocked with his head, as if hee would enter in. The gifts were a faire Q••iuer for Bow and Arrowes delicately imbroydered, all sorts of Europaean Fruits artifici∣all in dishes, many other folding Purses and Knackes of Leather wrought with Needle-worke [ 10] in coloured Silkes, Shooes imbroydered and sticht, great Glasses in-layed in frames, one square piece of Veluet, imbroydered high with Gold in paynes, betweene which were Italian Pictures wrought in the stuffe, which he said was the King and Queene of Venice, (which, as I suppose, was the Hangings called Arras) of these sixe were giuen, one onely shewed; many other Trica∣nados of small value. After, the three Nines of Horses and Mules, which were faire ones, the Horses either had lost their flesh or beauty,* 1.6 for except one or two I iudged them vnfit for to bee sent or taken by Princes. So he returned with many antike trickes to his place farre inferiour to that allowed me, which was alone and aboue all Subiects which at first Asaph Chan would haue put me by, but I maintayned it as my due. This is but the first act of his presenting, the Play will not be finished in ten dayes. At night I sent to the Princes Secretary for my promised wri∣ting: but his Highnesse was loth to let the Presents passe without ransacking, and had changed [ 20] his mind refusing to seale the Letter.

The two and twentieth, at my comming, I deliuered him two Pluriaes, and two Birds of Pa∣radice; he accepted them easily, and my businesse being moued, and my resolution made knowne not to consent to open, nor to send them vp, but by the hands of my Seruants, at last he yeelded and gaue command to the Secretary to dispatch me.

At night I went to the Durbar to obserue the Ambassadour of Persia, I found him standing in his ranke, and often remoued and set lower as great men came in. The King once spake to him, and he danced to the tune thereof, but gaue no present: onely the King commanded that hee should be feasted by the Nobles; The time was spent in seeing Saddles and Furniture for the re∣moue, of which his Maiestie gaue some to his Followers, it beeing daily expected to rise: the [ 30] Kings Tents were out foure dayes since. I sent to the Secretary for my Firma, but hee delayed it with excuses.

The foure and twentieth, the King remoued to Hauaz Gemall, and called the Persian Ambas∣sadour, where at night hee ate and dranke before the King with the Nobilities, in the same fa∣shion that I did the Birth-day; the difference onely was,* 1.7 the King gaue him for expence twen∣ty thousand Rupias, for which he made innumerable Tessilims and Sizedaes, not rising from the ground a good space, which extreamely pleased the King, and was base, but profitable Idolatry. The Prince attending his Father, I could get no dispatch in my businesse.

The fiue and twentieth, the King returned at Euening, hauing been ouer-night farre gone in Wine: some by chance or malice spake of the merry night past, and that many of the Nobilitie [ 40] dranke wine, which none may doe but by leaue. The King forgetting his order, demaunded who gaue it? It was answered the Buxie (for no man dares say it was the King, when he would onely doubt it.) The Custome is, that when the King drinkes (which is alone) sometime hee will command, that the Nobilitie shall drinke after, which if they doe not, it is an offence too, and so euery man that takes the Cup of wine of the Officer, his name is written, and he makes Teselem,* 1.8 though perhaps the Kings eies are mystie. The King not remembring his owne command, called the Buxie; and demanded if he gaue the order? He replyed, No, (falsly: for he receiued it, and by name called such as did drinke with the Embassadour) whereat the King called for the list, and the Persons, and fined some one, some two, some three thousand Rupias, some lesse, and some that were neerer his person, he caused to be whipped before him, receiuing one hundred and thir∣tie [ 50] stripes with a most terrible instrument, hauing at each end of foure cords,* 1.9 irons like Spur∣rowels, so that euery stroke made foure wounds. When they lay for dead on the ground, he com∣manded the standers by to foot them, and after the Porters to breake their staues vpon them. Thus most cruelly mangled and bruised, they were carryed out, of which one dyed in the place. Some would haue excused it on the Embassadour; but the King replyed, hee onely bad giue him a Cup or two. Though drunkennesse be a common and a glorious vice, and an exercise of the Kings, yet it is so strictly forbidden, that no man can enter into the Gusel-Chan,* 1.10 where the King sits, but the Porters smell his breath: and if hee haue but tasted wine, is not suffered to come in; and if the reason be knowne of his absence, he shall with difficultie escape the whip: for if the King once take offence, the Father will not speake for the Sonne.* 1.11 So the King made the Com∣pany [ 60] pay the Persian Embassadours reward.

The sixe and twentieth, I sent to Sorocolla for the Firman. He sent me a copy as ambiguous and fraudulent as the former, which I refused, and drew the misliked clause my selfe, which I sent backe, and was promised that on the morrow it should be sealed.

The eight and twentieth, the Kings day of remooue at hand, I sent to Asaph Chan for a war∣rant

for carriages: the Merchants hauing sought all the Towne to remooue their goods to Agra, could find none, so I receiued order being enrolled by his Maiesty vpon my offer for twenty Ca∣mels, foure Carts, and two Coaches at the Kings price: whereof I disposed as many as the Factors needed to their vse. But it were an extreame errour to omit a passage, either of wonderfull base∣nesse in this great Monarch, or a tryall of me. The King had condemned diuers Theeues, among which were some boyes: there was no way to saue their liues, but to sell them for slaues: his Ma∣iesty commanded Asaph Chan to offer two of them for money, which hee appointed the Cut∣wall (that is the Marshall) to doe. My Interpreter made answere without my knowledge, that Christians keepe no slaues, that those the King had giuen I had freed, and that it was in vaine to propound it to me. But after I suspected it might be a tryall of me, whether I would giue a little money to saue the liues of two children: or else I supposed, if it were in earnest, it were no great [ 10] losse to do a good deed. And to try the basenesse or scope of this offer, I commanded my Interpre∣ter to returne to Asaph Chan, to tell him that he had acquainted me with the motion and his an∣swere: that I reprehended him for presuming in any case to giue my resolution, that my owne reply was, if there were any money to saue the life of two Children, to those whom they had robbed, or to redeeme them from the Law; both for respect of the Kings command, and for cha∣ritie I was ready to giue it, but I would not buy them as slaues, onely pay their ransome and free them; that if he pleased to know the Kings pleasure that I might giue them libertie without of∣fence, I was very willing to doe it. Asaph Chan replyed, I might at my owne will dispose them, that it was an extraordinary goodnesse; with many prayses accepted the money, desiring mee [ 20] to send it to the Cuttwall, and to vse my discretion to the boyes, not once offering to informe the King, which was one end of my liberality. I was loth to be coozened, and knew not whether this might be the profit of Officers or no, resolued to pay the money, but so as the King should not be ignorant I had more mercy then he, and that a Christian esteemed the life of a Moore a∣boue money. So I sent a Factor and my Interpreter to the Cuttwall, to acquaint him with the communication with Asaph Chan, and to let him know, if at night he would enforme the King, that I had offered to redeeme the Prisoners for charities sake, if after his Maiesty would consent to their liberty, I was ready to send him money; but to buy them as slaues, though for an houre, I would not, they should neuer come nor be manumised by mee, but that I desired his Maiesty to pardon them vpon my redemption, so I put them to the test of their base offer. This money ex∣ceeded not ten pound, a poore summe to impose on a stranger, or to bee gained by a King. The [ 30] Cuttwall returned answere, hee would know the Kings pleasure, and accordingly aduise mee. Some would perswade me this is one of the Mogols signall fauours to choose out such great men, as he will giue occasion to doe good and honourable workes,* 1.12 to redeeme Prisoners, and that the money giues satisfaction to the Plaintiffe robbed, and that those so appointed by the King to ransome others, make Sizeda as for some benefit receiued. Yet I find not any honour in a Prince to impose it on a stranger, to whom hee giues neither maintenance nor liberality; I went to the Durbar to see if his Maiesty would of himselfe speake to me, that I might deliuer my owne of∣fer. The Cuttwall made many motions, brought in the Executioner who receiued some com∣mand, but I vnderstood it not, but expected my answere. [ 40]

The first of Nouember, Sultan Corronne tooke his leaue and went to his Tents. The King at noone sat out at the Durbar, where the Prince brought his Elephants about sixe hundred richly trapped and furnished,* 1.13 and his fellowes by estimation ten thousand Horse, many in cloth of gold, with Hearne top-feathers in their Turbants, all in gallantry; Himselfe in cloth of Siluer im∣broydered with great Pearle and shining in Diamonds like a Firmament. The King imbraced him and kissed him, and shewed much affection: at his depature he gaue him a Sword, the Scab∣berd all of Gold set with stones, valued at an hundred thousand Rupias: a Dagger at forty thousand, an Elephant and two Horses with all the Furniture of Gold set with stones, and for a close one of the new Caroches (made in imitation, of that sent by his Maiesty my Master) and commanded the English Coachman to driue him to his Tents, into which he ascended and sate in the middle, the sides open, his chiefest Nobles a foot walking by him to his Tents about foure [ 50] mile. All the way he threw quarters of Rupias being followed with a multitude of people, he reached his hand to the Coachman, and put into his Hat about one hundred Rupias.

* 1.14The second, the King remoued to his Tents with his women, and all the Court about three mile. I went to attend him comming to the Pallace, I found him at the Farraco window, and went vp on the Scaffold vnder him; which place not hauing seene before, I was glad of the oc∣casion. On two Tressels stood two Eunuches with long Poles headed with Feathers, fanning him; hee gaue many fauours and receiued many Presents, what hee bestowed hee let downe by a Silke, rould on a turning Instrument; what was giuen him, a venerable fatte defor∣med olde Matrone hung with Gymbals like an Image pluckt vp at a hole with such another [ 60] Clue; at one side in a window were his two principall Wiues, whose curiositie made them breake little holes in a grate of Reed that hung before it, to gaze on me. I saw first their fingers, and after laying their faces close, now one eye now another sometime I could discerne the full propor∣tion, they were indifferently white, blacke haire smooth vp, but if I had had no other light,

their Diamonds and Pearles had sufficed to shew them: when I looked vp they retyred and were so merry, that I supposed they laughed at me. Suddenly the King rose, and wee retyred to the Durbar, and sate on the Carpets attending his comming out: not long after he came and sate a∣bout halfe an houre, vntill his Ladies at their doore were ascended their Elephants, which were about fifty, all most richly furnished, principally three with Turrets of Gold, grates of Gold∣wyre euery way to looke out, and Canopies ouer of cloath of Siluer. Then the King descended the staires with such an acclamation of Health to the King, as would haue out-cryed Cannons. At the staires foote, where I met him, and shuffled to be next, one brought a mighty Carpe, ano∣ther a dish of white stuffe like Starch, into which he put his finger, and touched the fish,* 1.15 and so [ 10] rubbed it on his fore-head; a ceremony vsed presaging good fortune. Then another came and buckled on his sword and buckler, set all ouer with great Diamonds and Rubies, the belts of gold sutable: another hung on his quiuer with thirty arrowes, and his bow in a case (the same that was presented by the Persian Ambassadour) on his head he wore a rich Turbant, with a Plumbe of horne tops, not many, but long: on one side hung a Rubie vnset, as bigge as a Walnut;* 1.16 on the other side a Diamond as great; in the middle an Emerald like a heart, much bigger. His Shash was wreathed about with a chaine of great Pearle, Rubies and Diamonds drild: about his necke he caryed a chaine of most excellent Pearle thrice double, so great as I neuer saw: at his elbowes armelets set with Diamonds; and on his wrists three rowes of Diamonds of seuerall sorts: his hands bare, but almost on euery finger a Ring; his gloues were English, stucke vnder his [ 20] girdle; his coat of cloath of Gold, without sleeues, vpon a fine Semian as thinne as Lawne: on his feet a paire of embroydered buskins with Pearle, the toes sharpe and turning vp. Thus armed and accommodated he went to the Coach, which attended him with his new English seruant, who was cloathed as rich as any Player, and more gaudy, and ha•• trained foure horses, which were trapped and harnished in Gold Veluets. This was the first he euer sate in, and was made by that sent from England, so like, that I knew it not but by the couer, which was a Gold Persian Veluet. He got into the end, on each side went two Eunuches, that caried small Maces of Gold, set all ouer with Rubies, with a long bunch of white-horse-taile to driue away flyes: before him went Drummes, ill Trumpets, and loud musicke, and many Canopies, Quittusols and other strange ensignes of Maiesty of cloath of Gold set in many places with great Rubies: nine spare horses, [ 30] the furniture some garnished with Rubies, some with Pearles and Emeralds, some onely with studs enamelled.

The Persian Ambassadour presented him a horse; next behind him came three Palankees, the carriages, and feet of one plated with Gold, set at the ends with Pearle, and a fringe of great Pearle hanging in ropes a foot deepe: a border about, set with Rubies and Emeralds. A foot∣man caryed a foot-stoole of Gold, set with stones, the other two were couered and lined with cloath of Gold. Next followed the English Coach, new couered and trimmed rich, which hee had giuen the Queene Normahell, who rode in it: after them a third of this Countrey fashion, which me thought was out of countenance: in it sate his yonger sonnes: after followed about twenty Elephants Royall, spare, for his owne ascendings, so rich, that in stones and furniture [ 40] they braued the Sunne. Euery Elephant had diuers flagges of cloath of Siluer, gilt Satin and taf∣fata. His Noble-men hee suffered to walke a foote, which I did to the gate, and left him. His wiues on their Elephants were caryed like Parakitoes halfe a mile behind him. When he came be∣fore the doore where his eldest sonne is prisoner, hee stayed the Coach, and called for him: hee came and made reuerence with a sword and buckler in his hand, his beard growne to his middle, a signe of dis-fauour. The King commanded him to ascend one of the spare Elephants, and so rode next to him, to the extreame applause and ioy of all men,* 1.17 who now are filled with new hopes. The King gaue him one thousand Rupias to cast to the people, his Gaoler Asaph Chan and all the Monsters yet a foot.

I tooke horse to auoyd presse and other inconuenience, and crossed out of the Leskar before him, and attended vntill he came neare his Tents. He passed all the way betweene a guard of Ele∣phants, [ 50] hauing euery one a Tur••et on his backe; on the foure corners foure banners of yellow Taffaty; right before a sling mounted, that carried a bullet as big as a great tennis ball, the G••n∣ner behind it; in number about three hundred: other Elephants of honor that went before and after about sixe hundred, all which were couered with Veluet or cloath of Gold,* 1.18 and had two or three gilded banners carried: in the way ranne diuers foot-men with skinnes of water that made a continuall showre before him: no horse nor man might be suffered to approach the Coach by two furlong, except those that walked a foot by, so that I hasted to his Tents, to attend his alighting.

They were walled halfe a mile in compasse, in forme of a fort,* 1.19 with diuers Coynes and Bul∣warkes, with high Cannats of a course stuffe made like Arras, red on the out-side, within which [ 60] figures in panes with a handsome gate-house. Euery post that bare vp these, was headed with a top of brasse. The throng was great: I desired to go in, but no man was suffered, the greatest of the Land sate at the doore; but I made an offer, and they admitted me, but refused the Persian Embassador and all the Noble men. Heere first the Persian Embassador saluted mee with a silent

complement only. In the middest of this Court was a throne of mother of Pearle, borne on two pillars raised on earth, couered ouer with an high Tent, the pole headed with a knob of gold, vnder it Canopies of Cloath of gold, vnder-foot Carpets. When the King came neare the doore, some Noble-men came in, and the Persian Embassador: we stood one of the one side, the other of the other, making a little lane: the King entring cast his eye on me, and I made a reuerence he laid his hand on his brest and bowed, and turning to the other side, nodded to the Persian. I fol∣lowed at his heeles till he ascended, and euery man cryed good, ioy, and fortune, and so tooke our places. He called for water, washed his hands and departed. His women entred some other Port to their q••arter: and his sonne I saw not. Within this whole raile was about thirty diuisi∣ons with Tents. All the Noble-men retired to theirs, which were in excellent formes, some all [ 10] white, some greene, some mingled, all incompassed as orderly as any house, one of the greatest rarities and magnificences I euer saw. The whole vale shewed like a beautifull Citie, for that the ragges nor baggage were not mingled. I was vnfitted with carriage, and ashamed of my prouision, but fiue yeeres allowance could not haue furnished me with one indifferent sute sortable to o∣thers; and which addes to the greatnesse, euery man hath a double, for that one goes afore to the next Remoue, and is set a day before the King riseth from these. So I returned to my poore house.

* 1.20The fift of Nouember, the Prince sate in the same magnificence, order and greatnesse that I mentioned of the King, his throne being pla••ed ouer wit•• siluer, inlaid with flowers of gold, and the Canopie ouer it square, borne on foure pillars couered with siluer; his armes, sword, buck∣ler, [ 20] bowes, arrowes, and launce on a table before him. The watch was set, for it was euening when he came abroad. I obserued now he was absolute and curious in his fashion and actions: he receiued two letters, read them standing, before he ascended his Throne. I neuer saw so setled a countenance, nor any man keepe so constant a gra••itie, neuer smiling, nor in face shewing any respect or difference of men; but mingled with extreame pride and contempt of all, yet I found some inward trouble now and then assaile him, and a kind of brokennesse and distraction in his thoughts, vnprouidedly and amazedly answering sutors, or not hearing: If I can iudge any thing, he hath left h••s heart among his Fathers women, with whom hee hath liberty of conuersation. Normahell in the English Coach the day before visited him and tooke leaue, shee gaue him a cloak all imbroydered with Pearle, Diamonds and Rubies, and carried away, if I erre not, his attenti∣on [ 30] to all other businesse.

The sixt, I receiued a letter from Master Browne, from Amadauas, who certified me of a fray begun by the Portugalls:* 1.21 fiue of them setting on an English B••y in Cambaya, and disarming him, vpon rumours whereof Iohn Browne and Iames Bickeford went to his rescue, and were assailed by seuen of them. One shooting a Pistoll, h••rt Iohn Browne in the hand, but his heart lay not there: they defended themselues honestly, brauely▪ like Englishmen, killed one, hurt some others, and chased them vp and downe the Towne like beast••, to the great shame of such villaines, and repu∣tation of our Nation. To reuenge this, the Portugalls being arriuen in their Frigats, diu••rs came ashoare, no more English in Towne but the three mentioned. The Gouernour vnderstood the occa∣sion, and sent the Cutwall with a guard to our house, and shut the water ports, expelling the Por∣tugalls, by commanding vpon paine of chastisement not to meddle with the English: and so de∣liuered [ 40] them safe out of Towne, who are returned to Amadauas.

The ninth, I found the Prince earnest at Cards, but he excused himselfe of forgetfulnesse, and blamed the Off••cers formally;* 1.22 but in shew vsed me with more courtesie then ordinary, call••ng me to see his Cards, and asking many questions. I expected he would speake of my going with him; but finding no such discourse, I told him I was come only to obey him and to take my leaue, that I desired his pardon, that I hasted away, for that I was to returne to Adsmere, being vnprouided to stay all night. He answered, he sent for me to see me b••fore his going, that I should presently be dispatched. Then he sent in an Eunuch, and diuers of his Captaines came smiling, s••ying the Prince would giue me a great Present, and if I feared to ride late, I should haue ten horse to guard me, and made such a businesse, as if I should haue rece••ued his b••st chaine of Pearle. By and [ 50] by came a Cloath of gold Cloake of his owne, once or twice worne, which hee caused to be put on my backe, and I made reuerence very vnwillingly. When his Ancestor Tamerlane was repre∣sented at the Theater, the garment would well haue become: but it is heere reputed the highest fauour to giue a garment worne by a Prince, or being new, once laid on his shoulder.

* 1.23The sixteenth, the King gaue order to fire all the Leskar at Adsmere to compell the p••ople to follow, which was daily executed. I was left almost desolate, and the Persian E••bassadour (who had fought, chid, brauld, complained, but could not get remedy) in the same estate▪ wee se••t to bemone one another, and by his example I began to resolue to buy (for many wo••ld s••ll, which at the Kings price could not hire) and I cast it at the best hand I could, almost to saue the hire, [ 60] though the carts were deare, for in three moneths the price was ea••en; nece••sity inforced me, for the Towne was burnt and desolate. I was in danger of theeues, that from the armie came and robbed in the night. I could not find bread to eate, yet I sent anew to Court, and resolued to a∣bide all the inconueniences of a hard siege.

The seuenteenth, I receiued from Goa for truth, that Don Emanuell de Menesses,* 1.24 with about three hundred of those saued ashoare from out the Admirall, were arriued poore, robd and rifled by the Inhabitants of Angazesia, who had slaine many, and forced some to Circumcision. On the foure and twentieth of October, not one of the Fleet sent out from Lisbon arriued, to their great wonder. The Gallion of Mosambique was fought with by the Hollander that lately de∣parted from Surat, who lay off and on before Goa as shee came in to meet the Ships expected; she was rich in Gold and other Commodities, but she escaped by meanes of the Port. Obserue the boldnesse of the Hollanders, to attempt with one ship, and to braue the head of the Indies. I re∣ceiued [ 10] a promise for Camels to remoue.

The eighteenth, I could not procure carriages, but was so daily delaied, that I feared to stay. Two Carts I was inforced to buy, and Camels I was constantly promised. M. Biddolph remai∣ned in the Princes Leskar to get mony, the King was yet but twelue course from Adsmere. The Iesuite tooke his leaue of me, being forced to buy carriage, notwithstanding his order for it out of the Kings store, but scarcitie punished all men.* 1.25 This emptie time offering no discourse of my owne affaires, I shall digresse conueniently to mention the state of Sultan Corsoroone, of whose new deliuery into the hands of his enemies, euery mans heart and mouth was full. The King notwithstanding he had so farre agreed to satisfie his proud sonne at his departure, yet it seemes meant not to winke at an iniurie offered to the Elder, and partly to secure him in the hands of A∣saph Chan, partly to satisfie the people that murmured, and feared the practise of some treachery [ 20] against him, he tooke occasion to declare himselfe publiquely. Asaph Chan had visited his newe Prisoner, and in his fashion did not acknowledge him as his Prince, but rudely prest vpon him a∣gainst his will, and with no reuerence. Some are of opinion, he pickt a quarrell, and knowing the braue nature of the Prince, that would not beare indignitie, tempted him to draw his Sword, or to vse some violence, which the guard should suddenly reuenge; or else it should bee declared to the King, as an attempt to kill his Keeper, and to escape: but the Prince was patienter; onely he got a friend to acquaint the King with the manners of his Iaylor. The King called Asaph Chan at the Durbar, and asked when he saw his charge; he answered two dayes past: his Maiestie re∣plyed, what did you with him? he sayes, onely visit him: but the King pressed to knowe what reuerence and fashion he carried towards him? Asaph Chan found his Maiestie knew what had [ 30] passed, and confessed he went to see him in affection, and offer his seruice; but that the Prince re∣fused him admittance into his Chamber; which because he had charge of his safetie, hee thought it both necessary for him to doe, and discourtesie for the other to deny, therefore he prest in. The King returnes quicke, When you were in, what said you, and what did you? what duty shewed you toward my Sonne? He stands blancke, and confesseth he did not any reuerence: whereat the King told him, he would make his proud heart know him to bee his eldest and beloued Heire, his Prince and Lord, and if he once heare of any the least want of reuerence, or dutie toward him, he would command his sonne to set his feet on his necke, and trample on him: that he loued Sul∣tan Coronne well, but he would make the world know, he did not intrust his Sonne among them for his ruine.

[ 40] The three and twentieth, and foure and twentieth, I stayed for the Merchants, and receiued an answer from Spahan that my Letters were dispeeded for Aleppo, that our comming into Persia,* 1.26 was expected, but on conditions to fit the Shabas, so that it might aduance his designe of diuer∣ting his Silkes from the way of Turkie: that the Generall of the Grand-signior lay with a mighty army at Argerone sixe dayes march short of Tauris, vncertaine, whether to assaile the Citie, or to enter Gorgeston and Gilan (the Countreys of Silks) to win that by conquest which he was pro∣hibited by commerce. To meet both attempts, the Shabas was incamped at Salmas, a Village indifferently seated in the way; but if in two moneths the armies incounter not, winter approaching, and the wants which attend such multitudes, will dissolue them both, without a∣ny honourable action: or if they meete, the Persian though by report one hundred and eightie [ 50] thousand, will not aduenture battell, but beeing light and able to march easily, without Cannon and Baggage, will fall on and off on euery side so on the Turkes armie, as he will breake, and wast him without hazard.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A certaine clause in his Let••er to Su∣rat ambigu∣ous like the old oracles, &c
• * 1.2

  Feathers in request.
• * 1.3

  A rich Present.
• * 1.4

  Pompous bra∣uerie.
• * 1.5

  Behauiour of the Persian.
• * 1.6

  Nine, a re∣markable number▪
• * 1.7

  The Kings gift to the Persian.
• * 1.8

  Strange dea∣ling with No∣bles.
• * 1.9

  Terrible whip∣ping.
• * 1.10

  Drunkennesse preuented.
• * 1.11

  Awe of the King.
• * 1.12

  An old cu∣stome.
• * 1.13

  Sixe hundred rich Ele∣phants and other brauery of the Prince. Rich Sword.
• * 1.14

  The Kings re∣moue.
• * 1.15

  Superstitious ri••e.
• * 1.16

  Huge Gems▪
• * 1.17

  Sultan C••rso∣roone deliuere?
• * 1.18

  Brauery of Elephants.
• * 1.19

  Stately Tents.
• * 1.20

  Nouember 5.
• * 1.21

  Fray betwixt the Po••tugals and English.
• * 1.22

  Card-play.
• * 1.23

  Order to fire the Leskar at Adsmere.
• * 1.24

  Newes from Goa.
• * 1.25

  Relations of Sultan Corso∣roon.
• * 1.26

  Newes from Persia.