Chap. IV. of Monfieur Tavernier. 



fell fufiice, fent a fécond order for the execution of the Merchants without 

 delay. 



The fame ShaSefi having giv'n command that the Eyes of a young Lord 

 of the Court mould be put out, one of the principal Officers of the Houfe 

 being prefent, and feeing the Executioner prick the eyes of the unfortunate 

 young man with the point of a fmall knife, fhut his own eyes and turn 'd away 

 his head, as abhorring fiich a fpeftacle. The King perceiving it, and vex'd to 

 fee thofe figns of pity, and a diflike of an aft: that he approv'd ; What, faid he 

 in a fury, art thou afraid to pnnijh the wicked? And at the fame time com- 

 manded his eyes to be pull'd out of his head. 



It is a cuftom, that if any man points at the King as he paffes along in the 

 Street, or upon the Road, he muft lofé his hand. One day Sha-Seji being in the 

 Country, two Merchants of Confiant -impie were upon the Road, where the King 

 and his Train were to pafs. They ftopp'd to fee the King, and when he came 

 near, one of the Merchants pray'd his Friend that oft'n had feen him, to {hew him 

 which was he. The other knowing that only the King wears the Heron tops 

 in his Bonnet, innocently lifted up his hand to diftinguifh him, by pointing, from 

 the relt of the Lords that follow'd him. For which acl: two Horfement came 

 prefently to him, and cut off his hand with a Scimiter. 



/ 



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-V" 



CHAP. IV. 



The tragical and^memor able Siory of Ralph Sadler, Native of Zurich, 

 in the Reign of Sha-Sefi, who had retain d him in his Service. 



R-Alph Sadler, born in Zurich, was a Watchmaker by Profeffion, who put him- 

 (elf into the fervice of the Emperors Refident at the Ottoman Court, 

 with whom he went to Confiantimple. This man I defir'd to take along with 

 me into Perfia j and coming to Ifpahan, he (et himfelf to work, and made a fmall 

 Watch about the bignefs of half a Crown ; which being a neat piece of work, 

 the EngHJh would needs buy , fo prefent it to Iman-Couli-Kan , paying the 

 price demanded, which was two hundred Crowns. Imm-Conli-Kan prefènted 

 it to the King ; who was mightily pleas'd with it, in regard it was the leaft 

 ftriking Watch that ever had been feen by the King, who therefore carry 'd it 

 flanging about his Neck under his Clothes, in a Gold Chain. One day the King 

 happening to wind up his Watch, and turning the Key the wrong way, broke 

 the Fufil, for which he was fo much troubl'd, that he fent for the Watch- 

 maker from Ifpahan to Casbin ; whither when Ralph came, he prefently made 

 the Watch as good as ever. The King thus fatisfy'd in his work and in his per- 

 fon, order'd him a Penfion of thirty Tomans, and Diet for him and a man, and 

 provifion for two Horfes ; commanding 1 him withall to make fome new pieces 

 of work. Now a skilful workman in the fervice of the Perfian King, has this 

 advantage, that if he pleafes the King, befides his Wages that are duly paid 3 

 the King out of his liberality beftows on him a prefent, which ufually amounts 

 to a third part or half his Wages j or elfe his Wages are rais'd, which is more 

 advantageous than a prefent. 



Ralph was oblig'd every morning to wait upon the King at his riling, to 

 wind up his Watch ; and was fo much in the Kings favour, that every morn- 

 ing when he came out of the Kings Chamber, he had a Glafs of Wine pre- 

 fented him, as a mark of efteem. And indeed the King had ^:ch an aifeclion 

 for him, that to retain him in his fervice he often follicited him. to turn Maho- 

 metan. 



The EmbaflTador of Holfiein coming to Ifpahan, and feeing Ralph fo much in 

 favour with the King, endeavour'd to gain his Friendfhip. 



Thus Ralph oft'n keeping company with the Embaffadors, and having one 

 time tarry'd till late at night upon the debauch, with them, returning home to 



his 



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