WILLIAM HAREBORNE'S AMBASSAGE ad. 



1583. 

 When we came there wee passed thorow two gates, 

 at the second gate there stood very many men with 

 horses attending on their masters. When we came 

 within that gate we were within a very faire Court 

 yard, in compasse twise so bigge as Pauls Church- 

 yard. On the right hand of the sayd Court was a 

 faire gallerie like an Alley, and within it were placed 

 railes and such other provision. On the left side was 

 the like, halfe the Court over : it was divided into 

 two parts, the innermost fairer then the other. The 

 other part of that side is the place where the Councell 

 doe usually sit, and at the inner end of that is a faire 

 place to sit in, much like unto that place in Pauls 

 Church-yard, where the Maior and his brethren use to 

 sit, thither was our Ambassadour brought, and set in 

 that place. Within that sayde place is another like 

 open roome, where hee did eate. Assoone as wee came The enter- 

 ing wee were placed in the innermost alley of the ^^j^^"^^^^^ ^^ 

 second roome, on the left side of the Court, which Ambassadours 

 was spread with carpets on the ground fourescore or men. 

 fourescore and tenne foot long, with an hundred and 

 fiftie severall dishes set thereon, that is to say. Mutton 

 boiled and rosted. Rice diversly dressed, Fritters of the 

 finest fashion, and dishes daintily dight with pritty 

 pappe, with infinite others, I know not how to ex- 

 presse them. We had also rosted Hennes with sundry 

 sorts of fowles to me unknowen. The gentlemen and 

 we sate downe on the ground, for it is their maner 

 so to feede. There were also Greekes and others set 

 to furnish out the roome. Our drinke was made with 

 Rose water and Sugar and spices brewed together. 

 Those that did serve us with it had a great bagge 

 tied over their showlders, with a broad belt like an 

 arming belt full of plates of copper and gilt, with 

 part of the sayd bagge under his arme, and the mouth 

 in his hand : then he had a devise to let it out when 

 he would into cuppes, when we called for drinke. The 

 Ambassadour when hee had eaten, passed by us, with 



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