^78 ^ The P e rTs i a n Travels Book V. 



Governours of Schiras, Lar and Kerman forthwith to raife 30000 horfe to revenge 

 affront and reduce the Rebel. The Kan of Ormns march'd at the head of that 

 Army, and gave Battel, but the Prince being fuccour'd by the other two Idola- 

 trous Princes his neighbours, the Perfians were again beaten. Only the Prince of 

 fafcjue loft his Lieutenant General, a valiant Captain, and a very good Soul- 



dier. 



The King underftanding that the Lieutenant General was the Karts Prifner, gave 

 him leave to do with him what he would, in revenge of his Brothers death : who 

 thereupon devis'd the molt cruel torments that ever were heard of. For he firft 

 caus'd the body of the Lieutenant General to be larded with lighted Candles, and 

 then fetting him upon a Camel order'd him to be led foftly about the itreets eve- 

 ry day in the very heat of noon. A torment almolt infutierable, which the hero- 

 ic Indian neverthelefs endur'd with an invincible courage. After the Kan had 

 tormented him in this manner three days together, the chief of the Holland Com- 

 pany and other ftrange Merchants abhorring (b much cruelty, begg'd of the Kan 

 to furceafe his rigour, who readily granted them their requeit. 



CHAP. VIII. 



Observations ufon the raigne o/'Sha Soliman the frefent Ktng. 



ALi-Couli-Kan had bin three or four times cxil'd from the Court, for fpeaking 

 with two much liberty. For he was bold and could not keep his tongue be- 

 tween his teeth. For which reafon he was call'd the Kings Lyon, who was wont 

 to chain him up wken he had no occafion for him, and to let him loofe when he 

 had any bufinefs for him to do. The laft time he was exil'd, he was kept five or 

 fix years in a Fortrefs out of which he had never ftirr'd : but one day, having a 

 fmooth tongue, he overperfwaded the Commander to give him leave to go a 

 hunting with him.When he return'd, with the help of fome of his Servants, he fell 

 upon the Commander, and gave him fo many Baltinadoe's upon the feet, that he 

 had like to have kilPd him : telling him withall, that it was to teach him his duty 

 not to let a man go that the King had committed to his charge. Sha 5^/',though 

 very young, hearing of this, and defirous to fee Ali-Couh-Kan, notwithstanding 

 all the endeavours of the Grandees to hinder ltis return, commanded him to befet 

 at liberty, and that he fhould have a better allowance to live upon. Two or three 

 days after, the King fitting in Council, the whole AfTembly was amaz'd to fee 

 AU-Couli-Kan enter, who approaching his Ma jefty with a profound reverence, 

 told him that the Lyon being now let loofe was humbly come to kifs his hands. 

 Thereupon the King fell a laughing, and cafting a favourable glance upon him told 

 him he had done well. Nor was it long ere the King finding him no lefs pleafant 

 in converfation, then a valiant and expert Captain, made him Generaliflimo of his 

 Armies,as he had bin in the raigne of Sha Abbas. 



When the Court faw AU-Couli-K an fo well receiv'd,every one then Iabour'd to 

 teftific their joy for his return. They fent him Horfes, Mules,Camels,rich Carpets, 

 and every thing fit to furnifh a Lords houfe. But all this while he wanted money, 

 which becaufe he could not meet with among the Perfians, he was forc'd to have 

 recourfe to the Armenians, of whom he defir'd to borrow five or fix hunder'd 

 Tomans. As for the Kalenter he would have had the fiim lent, but the reft would 

 not. Thereupon the King taking a walk to Zulpba, Ali-Couli-Kan put it into 

 his head to go and fee the great Cathedral belonging to the Armenians, where 

 Several Bifhops with feveral Monks refide.The King entring into the Church, where 

 the^ifhopftood ready at the head of theClergy to receive him,and feeiegall things 

 new and ftrange, as coming but lately out of the womens Haram, ask'd his fa- 

 vourite what fort of people thofe were clad in fuch an extraordinary manner. 

 AU-Canli-Kan told him they were Devils, Devils \ faid the King, What ! added 

 hCfdofi bring me into a houfe of DcvilslTheKing thus incens'd againft the Armenians, 



re- 



