Chap.XVII. of Monfieur Tavernier. 181 



large Cuhhion , having no more than twelve Eunuchs for his Guard-, ibme with Bows 

 and Arrows , and ibme with Muiquets. By that time I had advane'd two or three 

 paces in the Hall , the Nazar order'd me to fall upon my knees , and touch the 

 Ground with my forehead -, then taking me by the hand , he led me within two or 

 three paces of the place where the King was fitting , where I was order'd to make 

 the fame obeiiance as before 5 after that he caus'd me to retire feven or eight paces, and 

 there to (land. And then it was that His Ma jefty was pleas'd to tell me , that he had 

 contriv'd the Models of fevcral pieces, which he would have made in France, and 

 ask'd me whether I would carry them along with me , or whether I would prefently 

 fend them into France to be made up while I difpatch'd my bufinefs in the Indies \ 

 I told His Maiefty , that fo foon as he would be pleas'd to deliver them to me, I 

 would fend them for France. After this and forne other difcourfe I made my obei- 

 iance, and retir'd toward thedoor of the Hall. Having thus done my duty to the 

 King, I went and kifs'd the Nazals hand-, and then taking Horie at the Palace- 

 Gate , with the reft of the Franks that accompany'd me, we rode home with the 

 Trumpets and Drums of the Country before us. When we came to Zitlpba with 

 our Torches before us, for it was three hours after Sun-fet, the Men and old 

 Women came out of their Koufes to fee us pafs along , and fe vera 1 prefented us 

 with Fruits , Sweet-meats , and Wine , obliging us to drink almoft at every Houie 

 'till we got home. 



CHAP. XVII. 



How the J\\ng was picas 'd to diyertije himfelf in the Author's Com- 

 pany. 



A Bout two days after betimes in the Morning I was fent for to the Court in 

 that haft, that I hadfearce time to make me ready. When I came to 

 Court, I found the Nazar, Father Raphe!, and two Hollanders, upon whom 

 the JSJazar had began to caft a particular eye of favour all together. After 

 we had ftay'd a while , the Nazar brought us to the Room where the King was , 

 fitting upon a low Pallet, with two Mattreffes covcr'd with a rich Carpet. He 

 lean':! his back againft a large Cufhion four foot long, having before him eight or 

 ten Plates of Fruits and Sweet-meats. Before him alio flood two Bottles , with long 

 round necks of Venice Chryftal ftop'd with Pitch , full of Sc'.iras Wine, with a 

 Cup of pure Gold , upon one fide a kind of a very fmall Fat and with a handlc,within 

 three or four Fingers full of the fame Wine, with a Gold Ladle that held a good 

 Choline of Far vs. The Bottles were for the King's drinking -, that in the Fat for thoi'e 

 that the King did the Honour to drink with him. After w r e came in and had made 

 ourfeveral obeyfances \ laid the King to Father Raphael, Raphael, bia, bia, that 

 is, come hither , come hither , who thereupon rifing 5 and falling upon his knees when 

 he came near the King -, Raphael, continu'd the King , // thou wilt drinkJVine, flay 

 here, if not , lee gone. The Frvar unaccuftom'd to drink Wine , reply'd that fince 

 His Majcfty did him fo great an Honour , he was-willing to drink a little. 'Tis very 

 mil , anfwer'd the King finding, go then and take thy feat. Thereupon the King 

 commanded one of the Dutch-men to fill ibme Wine, which he did , but with a 

 trembling hand Heav'n knows, as never having been at fuch a Feftival before. 

 And I obferv'd that having laid his Hat upon the Carpet , the King commanded 

 him to put it on , it being a very ignominious thing in Verfta to be bare-headed. 

 Thus the great-Ladle went about very iinartly , confidering it was but early in the 

 Forenoon : But at length the King bethinking himfelf that the Franks were not uled 

 to drink without eating, gaftfi inch order, that immediately they i'prcad before us 

 a Sofra of Cloth of Gold inftcad of a Table-Cloth^ and over that a Leather Covering 

 of the fame length and bredth , and over that a fort of Bread as long as the Sofra ; 

 for had the Sofrabccn ten Ells long , the Bread muft have been as long. This Bread 

 is no thicker then a piece of Paper, and folds like a Napkin. It is made with a 



Rolling- 



