Chap.XVII. of Monfieur Ta ver nier, i8i 



large Cufhion , having no more than twelve Eunuchs for his Guard } fome with Bows 

 and Arrows, and fome with Mufqucts. By that time I had advanc'd two or three 

 paces in the Hall , the Namar 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 obeifance as before -, after that he caus'd me to retire feven or eight paces, and 

 ' there to {land. And then it was that His Majefty was pleas'd to tell me , that he had 

 contriv'd the Models of feveral pieces , which he would have made in France - 7 and 

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

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

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

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

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

 King, I went and kifs'd the Naz.ar\ hand} and then taking Horlè 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 Zulyha with 

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

 Women came out of their Houfes to lee us pafs along , and feveral prefented us 

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

 'till we got Home. 



CHAP. XVII. 



How the J\ing was pleas'd to diver tije 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 had fcarce time to make me ready. When I came to 

 Court, 1 found the Naz.ar, Father Raphcl, and two Hollanders, upon whom 

 the JSlaz^ar had began to call a particular eye of favour all together. After 

 we had ftay'd a while , the Naz,ar brought us to the Room where the Ring was , 

 fitting upon a low Pallet, with two MattrefTes cover "d with a rich Carpet. He 

 lean'd 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 Se iras Wine, with a 

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

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

 Choline of Paris. The Bottles were for the King's drinking -, that in the Fat for thole 

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

 our feveral obeyfances} laid the King to Father Raphael, Raphael, bia , bia, that 

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

 he came near the King -, Raphael , continu'd the King , if thou wilt drinkJVme, flay 

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

 His Majefty did him lb great an Honour , he was willing to drink a little. y Tts very 

 well , anfwer'd the King fmiling , go then and take thy feat. Thereupon the King 

 commanded one of the Dutch-men to fill fome 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 Perfia to be bare-headed. 

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

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

 to drink without eating, gave fuch order, that immediately theylpread before us 

 â Sofra of Cloth of Gold inftead 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 Sofra been 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- 



