Chap.IIÏ. of Monfîeur Tavernier. 



Which is the reafon that this Mofquee is no more enrich'd by the Pcrfuns. For 

 befides the Lamps and Tapers that burn continually, there arc only two MoullcàPs 

 that read the Alcoran according to cuftom. In this Town there are only three or 

 four bad Wells of brackifh Water, and a dry Channel, which they fay Sha-Abai 

 made to bring the Water of Euphrates to the Town for the benefit of the Pilgrims. 

 As for Food , we met with nothing but Dates, Grapes , and Almonds , which the 

 people fold at a dear rate. When any Pilgrims come thither, which is very rare, 

 and that they want Victuals, the Shecl^ caul'es a diftribution to be made among 

 them of Rice boy I'd with Water and Salt, and a little Butter pour'd a top. For 

 there is no Pafturage for Cattel , and by confequence there can be no ftore of 

 Food. 



Two days journey from Aiïs Town, by nine of the Clock in the morning we met 

 two young Arabian Lords that took upon them the name of Sultans. They were 

 two Brothers, one of the age of ieventeen years, the other of thirteen-, and as 

 we pitch'd our Tents , they pitch'd theirs dole by us - , which were of a very fine 

 Scarlet Cloth } and among the reft there was one cover'd with Purple Velvet , lae'd 

 with a rich Galoon-lace. So foon as they were let I'd in their Tents, the Caravan- 

 Bajln and I went to wait upon them -, who understanding that there were Franks 

 in the Caravan, ask'd me whether I had any Curiofities to fell them ^ but when I 

 made them anfwer that I had nothing worthy their purchale, they would not 

 believe me , and therefore commanded the Caravan-Bajln' to fetch my Trunks , that 

 they^night be open'd in their prefence. While they were opening, one of the 

 chief perfons about thofe Princes would not fuffer any of the reft of the Arabs to 

 come near , for though mod of the Arabs are great Thieves , yet fome of them are 

 perfons of great integrity. Now I had in my company a young Painter , who had 

 in his Cheft feveral engrav'd C uts, part Landskips, part Figures , together with 

 the Pictures of certain Courtifans drawrf to the Waft. The young Lords made 

 choice only of twenty of thole Courtifans , which I would have prefented to them^ 

 but they gave me to underftand , that they knew how to pay for what they had, 

 and efpecially the youngeft , who feem'd to be very generous -, him I pleas'd in an 

 extraordinary manner - , for his Teeth being very foul, I order'd a Chirurgeon that 

 I carry'd along with me at the fame time to clean them , which he did to the great 

 fatisfaction of the young Prince. Thereupon they lent me and my Train , of their 

 beft Victuals they had. The Caravan-Bajln prefented them with half a piece of 

 Scarlet, and two pieces of Tiffue of Gold and Silver. When we were ready to go, 

 the young Sultan gave me twelve Ducats for my Pictures , and fent the Caravan- 

 Bajln and my felf two Frails of the beft Dates that we had met with fince we left 

 Aleppo, 



About midnight the Princes diflodg'd , and took to the North, toward Euphrates. 

 We fet forward after them , driving Nor thwarcreoward the fame River. After we 

 had travel'd four days we met one of the moft potent Emirs of Arabia , who coming 

 from the South , and going Northward , was to crofs the Road that we kept. He 

 was about fifty years of age, well made, and of a comely prefence. He had not 

 then above two thoufand Horfe, of thirty thoufand which we heard had pafs'd by 

 fome days before. Behind the two thoufand Horfe were fifty Camels that carry'd 

 his Women -, their Cajavas being cover'd with Scarlet-cloth fring'd with Silk. In 

 the midft of thele Camels there were fix encompafs'd with Eunuchs , the Fringes of 

 the Cajavas being Silk, Silver, and Gold. The Arabians do not feem to be jealous 

 of their' Wives , as in T urkie and other places -, for they led their Camels by our 

 Caravan, never requiring us to retire, as is the cuftom in other places. They lodg'd 

 a quarter of a League off, where we thought to have pitch'd , for the conveniency 

 of two or three Ponds , which they depriv'd us of. This Arabian Prince had a 

 great number of lovely Horfes -richly harnefs'd : others he had that were neither 

 fadl'd nor bridl'd , yet the Riders would turn them with a Wand which way they 

 pleas'd , and upon a full gallop would flop 'em, by only holding them by the Hair, 

 He had fome Horfes of anexceffive price:, and this is to "be obferv'd , that they are 

 never fhod. 



The Caravan-Bajln believing he fhould not efcape fcot-free from fo powerful à 

 Prince, among the Merchants of the Caravan found out a rich Saddle, with Bridle 

 and Stirrups, which were all fet out and garnifh'd with maffy Silver, with an 



embroidered 



