131. The Authors Servant finds a great parcel of Jewels which he gave for lost 125 c. He demands Justice of the Prince 130. He is robb'd a second time by a Mingrelian 148. He resolves for Georgia 151 c. Tax'd 20 Crowns by Sabatar 152. His usage at Gony 158. His Goods arrive safe at Mingrelia 161 162 c. Advises with the Capuchins at Gory 170. His Journey from Gory to Cotalis 173 c. His dispute with one of his Servants there 178 He waits upon the King of Imiretta 180. He returns to Gori 183. His Reception by the Governor of Tifflis 224 c. By the Governor of Irivan 254 c. Azerbeyan 350. B. BAcrat Mirza King of Imiretta 136 Baptism of the Mingrelians p. 101 Basha of Akalzikè invades Imiretta dethrones one and set up another King 147 Bichni in Armenia and Monastery belonging to it 244 Black-Sea the Description of it 155 C. CAffa describ'd 68 The Kingdom of Kaket subject to the Persians 206 Carthuel a Province of Persia 188 Casbin the Description of it 378 Cashan the Description of it 411 Cassem-abad 411 Cherks a savage people 76 An Account of Christian Corsaires in the Archipelago 3. The grounds of the Candy War 53 c. The Caous a sort of Giants 371 Carashiman a fair Village in Persia 371 Casbin describ'd 378 c. Colchis the Description of it 77 c. Com the Description of it 390 Cotatis describ'd 177 Cotzia betrays Darejan 146. Slain himself by Treachery ibid Couh-Telisme a famous Mountain 389 Coolom-sha the King's Slave 257 Their Employment ibid. Cuperli Mahamet Basha made Grand Visir 15. He resents the French Embassadors slights 16. The most remarkable Passages of his Life 57 c. Cupri kent 239 D. DAdian the Title of the Prince of Mingrelia He is guilty of the Robbery committed upon the Author 131 Darejan Daughter to the last King of Georgia would have married her Son in Law 136. Her wicked Pranks to continue her self in the Dominion 137 c. She marries Vactangle one of her Lords 137 which causes a Revolt of the rest ibid. Bitray'd 138. her tragick End 145 Darejan Levans Aunt and Wife 134 She sets up her Son Vomeki 136 Deria-shirin or the Lake of Irivan describ'd 247 Dily-jan and the Country about it 240 E. EBber the Description of it 377 Echmiazin or the Monastery of the three Churches 249 Echmouil a place famous for the Pilgrimages of the Persians 387 F. FEast the order of a Nuptial Feast in Persia 226 Two Fryers Commissioners for the Holy Land their claim at the Port 39 c. Their large Offers to the Turk and the Reasons 45 G. GEnoeses maintain a Consul at Smyrna 11 George Prince of Libardian 134 his Wife is taken from him ibid. He dies for grief 135 Georgia the Description of it 186 c. the Religion of the Countrey 192 Conquer'd by Ishmael the the Great 193. The History of Georgia ibid c Revolts from the Persian and conquer'd by Rustan Kan 203 Gonie describ'd 185 Gori describ'd 188 Guriel the Description of it p 105 its tribute to the Turks 106 H. MOnsieur de la Haye French Embassador at the Port 15 16 16 19 recall'd 20 Monsieur de la Hay the Son Embassador 21 22 23 24 c recall'd 28 The best Horses in Persia where bred 370 Huns whence originally 106 I. I Miretta the Description of it 106 its Tribute to the Turks ibid The Title of the Prince 107 descended from David 108 Impositions upon the French at Constantinople 10 Ioseph the Prince of Mingrelia's Brother endeavours Levan's Assassination 135 his Eyes pull'd out 136 Irivan describ'd 245 Isgaour the Description of it 108 Julfa the Old otherwise Ariamene 347 K. KEsil-beusè a River 374 Koskeirou a famous Inn 385 Kotzia a Lord of Imiretta he procures the murder of Vomeki 140 L. A Copy of the Viceroy of Georgia's haughty Letter 230 A Letter of Recommendation from a Persian Grandee 222 another 367 Levan Dadian Prince of Imiretta the Story of him 132 c. M. MArant the Description of it 351. The place where the Ark rested not far from it 352 Marriages among the Mingrelians p 102 Matrimony in Persia 295 Media the Description of it 349 Miana a Persian Town 372 Mingrelians their opinion of Confession 102 of Ordination ibid. they understand not the Bible p. 103 Their Fasts ibid. their Opinion of the Sign of the Cross ibid. their Prayers ibid. their Sacrifices ibid they work on Sundays 104 their chief Festivals ibid their Mourning ibid their Tribute to the Turks 107 the Title of their Princes 107 descended from David 108 fearful of danger 152 Popish Missionaries slighted in Georgia 211 The Mountain where Noah's Ark rested 252 Moutshacour a large Village 416 Music not us'd in the Mahometan Religion 229 N. NAcchivan the Description of it 346 The Deputy Governor uncivil to the Author 349 Turkish Navigation 66 M. Noyntel French Embassador at the Port 28 c his Negotiation frustrated 44 O. OTta Chekaizè betrays Q. Darejan 138 Oyl Sacred call'd Myrone p. 101 P. PArthia the Air and Description of the Country 373 The Vice roy of Georgias Pass 236 The Governor of Irivan's Pass 342 Mirza-Thair's Pass 368 The King of Persia's Patent 236 The Patriarch of Armenia a Story of his Extravagance 333. ill us'd by the Governor of Irivan 365 Pervarè a Village of Persia 372 The River Phasis 156 Policy of the Turks surpasses the Europeans 51 The Plain suppos'd to be the place where Darius was murder'd 416 Pride of the Georgians and Eastern people 230 Q. SEnior Quirini Agent for the Venetians at the Port. 50 R. REy formerly a vast City in Persia 387 A great Robbery committed upon the Persian Caravan 363 Roman Catholicks in Persia 346. An Embassador from the Pope in their behalf ibid. how us'd in Georgia 350 Rustan-Can his vertues 366 S. SAbatar Owner of the Fortress where the Author secur'd himself 149 c. Sapias the Description of it 119 Sava a City of Persia describ'd 386 Scorpions where troublesome in Persia 413 Sephi-Kouli-Kan Governor of Irivan 256 Mahamed Sephi's Letter of Recommendation 343 Segs-abad 385 Mr. Sesè the French Embassador farms the Customs of Constantinople and Smyrna p. 10 Shaboni the fairest Grape in Persia 380 Shanavas Can Vice roy of Georgia 139. he is offer'd the Kingdom of Imiretta for his Son Archylus if he would expel the Mingrelians ib. He invades Imiretta 140 Shemashè 188. the place where Noah dwelt 189 Sirsham a Parthian Inn. 374 Slaves at what rate sold in Mingrelia 114 Several Persian Songs 402 Stones a wonderful Pile 371 Sophian thought the ancient Sophia of Media 352 King of Spain his health drank by the Governor of Tifflis 230 The Governor of Tifflis how akin to him ibid. Sultanie the Description of it 375 The Sun troublesome where the Snow lies all day 244 Suram in Georgia 188 T TAuris the Descriptivn of it 352 c.
Rustan-Can having reconquer'd Georgia built the Fortress of Gery as is reported He restor'd Peace and good order to the Country and Govern'd with an exemplary mildness and Justice He Marry'd the Sister of Levan Dadian Prince of Mingrelia though she were a Christian and Marry'd already Her Husband being Prince of Guriel whom Levan had depriv'd both of his Principality and his Eyes for being in a Conspiracy against him and taking his Wife away from him Marry'd her to Rustan-Can neither the Ecclesiasticks of Mingrelia nor Georgia opposing that Monstrous Conjunction if I may presume to call it so The Name of this Princess was Mary of whom we have already spoken in our Recital of the last Revolutions of Imiretta She is now the Wife of Shanavas-Can Governor of Georgia Rustan-Can Dy'd in the Year 1640. and his Body was carry'd to Com where it was enterr'd At what time Taimuras's Kinsman was Governor and Grand Provost of Ispahan Him Rustan-Can having no Children adopted and sent him to the Court beseeching the King to look upon him as his Son and to ratifie the Adoption His Majesty approv'd his Choice caus'd the Young Prince to be Circumciz'd and bestow'd upon him the Government of the City and this is he who is at Present Viceroy of Georgia being Fourscore Years of Age yet very Strong and Lusty So soon as Rustan-Can was Dead the Princess Mary his Wife had private Intelligence that upon the advantageous reports of her Beauty that had been made to the King of Persia he had commanded her to be sent to Court Thereupon she was adviz'd to fly into Mingrelia or to hide her self But she took a quite contrary course for being well assur'd that there was no place within the Empire of Persia where the King would not discover her she went and lockt her self up for Three Days together in the Fortress of Tefflis which was indeed to deliver her self up to the Mercy of him that sought her All which time she shew'd her self every Day to the Commander's Wives and then sending for him to her Apartiment she told him that upon the credit of his Wives that had seen her he might write to the King that she was no such Amiable Beauty to be so ardently desir'd that she was far gone in Years and besides that she was a little misshapen and therefore that she conjur'd his Majesty to let her end her Days in her own Country At the same time she sent the King a Magnificent Present of Gold and Silver and Four Young Damsels of an Extraordinary Beauty And so soon as she had sent her present she retir'd from the World not suffering her self to be seen by any Body she betook her self wholly to her Devotions giving great Alms to the Poor to the end they might Pray to GOD for her Souls Health But at the end of Three Months there came an order from the King for Shanavas-Can to Marry her Who was over joy'd at the receipt of the Order for Mary was Rich so that he Marry'd her though he had then another Wife of his own and he has a very great Value for her by reason of her great Estate Her first Husband the Prince of Guriel is still alive residing in Georgia but very Old and very Decrepit Nevertheless the Princess was so kind to send him one of her Damsels to comfort him for his loss of her and she allows him wherewithal to maintain himself but at a very sorry rate However she seems still to have some kind of Affection for him insomuch that being upon the Frontiers of Imiretta some Years since she sent for him and kept him with her eight Days At which when Shanavas-Can seem'd to be Jealous the Princess fell a laughing at him and ask'd Whether he were not asham'd to be Jealous of a poor old blind miserable Creature and altogether as impotent as himself The greatest part of the Georgian Lords are outwardly Mahometans some professing that Religion to obtain Preferment at Court and Pensions of State Others that they may have the Honour to Marry their Daughters to the King and sometimes meerly to get 'em in to wait upon the Kings Wives For which the usual Recompence is a Pension or an Imployment As a forerunner to which the Mahometan Religion is always first of all embrac'd The Pension is according to the Quality of the Persons but most commonly not above Two Thousand Crowns Upon which account there fell out a very lamentable Accident while I staid at Tefflis A Georgian Lord had giv'n the King to understand that he had a Niece of an extraordinary Beauty His Majesty commanded her to be brought to his Palace And who should be so wicked and base as to carry the Order and serve it but the Lord himself Thereupon he came to his Sister who was a Widow and told her That the King of Persia had a desire to Marry her Daughter and that therefore she must perswade her to give her consent Thereupon the Mother having made known to the Young Virgin the force that was upon her she was almost at her Wits end For she had rather have had a Young Lord that was her Neighbor by a Person whom she was extreamly belov'd Thereupon they took a Resolution to make him a Sharer in their Misfortune and to that purpose sent him the News by one of their Domestick Servants Away comes the Lord Post and arriving at Midnight found the Mother and the Daughter with mutual Tears and a condolling Grief bewailing their hard Fortune Presently the Lord threw himself at their Feet and told 'em That for his part he fear'd nothing so much as the loss of his Mistress and that all the Anger of the King of Persia was nothing to him in respect of such a fatal Calamity That there was but one way for him to disingage himself out of this Noose which was to be Marry'd immediately and the next Day to tell her Perfidious Uncle That the Lady by him demanded was no Virgin This was agreed upon and the Mother being retir'd the Marriage was Consummated in a Trice But the Uncle discovering the Plot gave notice of it to the King At which the King was so enrag'd that he gave Order to send for the Mother the Daughter and the Husband who thereupon hid themselves and skulk'd up and down for some Months But at length finding themselves too hotly pursu'd beyond all likelyhood of escaping they fled to Akalzikè the Basha of which place has tak'n 'em into his Protection The fear which they have in Georgia of Accidents of the like Nature obliges those that have handsom Daughters to Marry 'em as soon as they can and sometimes in their Infancy The poor People Marry theirs betimes and sometimes in the very Cradle To the end the Lords whose Vassals they are should not take 'em away by force either to sell 'em or make 'em their Concubines For certain it is they have a very great respect for Marry'd Persons
the Bodies of St. Andrew and St. Matthew were found there and that the Scull of the Evangelist is still preserv'd in the Church belonging to the Monastery When I came to Erivan I alighted at the House of an Armenian of my Acquaintance whose Name was Azarias He was a Person extreamly persecuted by those of his own Nation because he had been at Rome to turn Roman Catholick and Disciple to the Colledge for the Propagation of the Faith and for endeavouring to settle the Capuchins at Erivan I found him indispos'd and in Bed However he rose to give Notice of my Arrival fearing to come into trouble if he deferr'd it till the next Morning To which purpose he went to Court but could not see the Governor who was retir'd into the Apartment of the Princess his Wife Nevertheless an Eunuch did his Message The Eighth the Governor sent a Person to give me a Visit and to tell me I was Welcom Whereupon Mr. Azarias undertook to go in my behalf and return him my humble Thanks and withal to let him know who I was Upon which the Governor shew'd an earnest desire to see me as soon as I could and some part of the Jewels I had brought along with me Afterwards he ask'd how many Servants I had and order'd Mr. Azarias to inform him whether I had rather Lodge in the Fortress or in the Inn which he had built and to bring him word speedily For my part I made choice of the Inn as well for the Security of the Place as for that a Man shall never there want Company because of the great resort of Merchants thither besides that Travellers alighted there every day Thereupon the Governor order'd me one of the best Apartments The Ninth I went thither betimes in the Morning and spent all that day in setling my self in my Lodging About Noon one of the Governors Officers brought me an Order from the Steward to send for from the Office Bread Wine Meat Trouts Fruit Rice Butter Wood and other Necessary Provisions as much as would suffice six Persons The Quantity of every thing is regulated never augmented nor abated but the Proportion allow'd for one Person is so large that two may well be satisfy'd with it The 10th the Governor sent so earnestly for me to come to him and bring him part of my Jewels that I could no longer defer it I found him in a very large Cabinet or Study very Decent and very Light There was also with him the Head Surveyor of all the Mints of Persia who at that time was come to Erivan and four other Lords He receiv'd me with an Extraordinary Civility three times told me I was welcome and set before me Sweet Meats and Aqua Vitae of Moscovy Presently I presented him with the Kings Patent and that of the Grand Master already mention'd Of both which he made great accompt and spent an Hour in Enquiries after European News as well concerning the late Wars and the present Estate of Christendom as about Arts and Sciences and what new Discoveries had been made therein Another Hour he spent in considering and viewing the Pretious Stones and Jewels which I shew'd him He gave me to understand that among the Persian Poets Emraulds of the old Rock were call'd Emraulds of Egypt of which they believ'd there had been a Mine in Egypt which was now lost and at length after he had lay'd by what he lik'd himself and what he thought would please the Princess his Wife he stay'd me to dine with him Dinner being ended he honour'd me the other half Hour with his Company and then dismiss'd me commanding an Officer in my hearing to go to the Caravanserai and charge the Inn-Keeper to be careful as well for my security as to give me all Content And he was moreover so kind as to tell the Officer farther that he made him my Memander who is as it were a Gentleman-Waiter and such as are appointed to attend upon all Persons of Quality to take care of their Persons and the same Evening he sent me besides a Present of Moscovy Aqua Vitae This Governor bears the Title of Becler-Beg or Lord of Lords For so they call the Deputy Lieutenants of large Governments to distinguish 'em from those meaner Governours whom they call Can's He has also the Title of Serdar or General of the Army So that he is one of the Principal Lords of Persia and one of the most Judicious and most refin'd Politicians in the Kingdom He is call'd by the Name of Sephi-Couli-Can or the Duke the Slave of Sephi He enjoy'd one of the most Noble Governments of the Empire in the Reign of the Deceas'd King but through some Intreague among the Women he fell into disgrace three Years before the Death of that Prince The Wife which he has Marry'd is of the Blood Royal by the Mothers side And this Princess it was who at the beginning of the present Kings Reign restor'd her Husband to his Majesties Favour from whom in a little time he obtain'd the Government of Erivan the most considerable in the Kingdom and which yields him the fairest Revenue no less then Two and Thirty Thousand Tomans a Year which are above a Hundred and Twelve Thousand Pounds Sterling The Fines Presents and indirect ways to enrich himself are worth him Fifty Thousand Pounds more And doubtless this Lord is the most wealthy and most Fortunate of all the Kingdom The King loves him the Court has a Veneration for him and his two Sons are the Kings only Favourites the People under his Government Love and respect him because of his Popularity his doing Justice and for that he is not so oppressive and given to extortion as others So that he deserves the good Fortune he enjoys for besides these good Qualities he is Learned and a great Lover of Arts and Sciences The 11th this Lord sent to invite me to the Nuptials of his Stewards Brother where he was I found him pleasant and in a very good Humour For he had receiv'd at the opening of the Gate an order from the King by a Coolom-Sha who came from Ispahan in Thirteen Days This Order related to an affair of great Importance For several Sultans who are Lords of Countrys and Governours of strong Holds having refus'd to obey his Orders and having made great complaints against him to the King and his Ministers He on the other side had justifi'd his own Rights and Prerogatives upon which his Majesty had given Sentence in his behalf and had sent him an order to Command Obedience Which Order the Coolom-Sha was to see Executed and to cause Satisfaction to be giv'n to the Governour Coolom-Sha signifies the Kings Slave Not but that they who bear this Title are as free as other the Kings Natural Subjects but they take it as a Mark of their perfect Devotion to their Soveraign as being that to which they were bred up altogether in their Infancy For the Imployment of
very real At length the greatest part entertained a Proposal so acceptable to their wishes with great Joy and they who only had in their view their own particular Establishment were no less willing in pursuance of the Prime Ministers Counsel to be thought as well affected to the publick Welfare when indeed they minded nothing but their own Grandeur For the same Considerations that had sway'd the Prime Minister and the Chief Superintendant as we have said already had got possession of their Minds likewise and infused into them an Apprehension of the uncertainty of their Conditions if Sephie-Mirza were advanced to the Throne For that the Young Prince were it only to shew his Absolute Power would Rule according to his own Fancy and change his Officers as he pleased himself Nor could they think otherwise but that some secret Instigations of Revenge would govern his Proceedings against them as being perswaded that their Complacency had contributed to his Misfortunes and that they were so far from pacifying the displeasure and complaints which the deceased King his Father made against him that they had applauded and flattered his Indignation On the other side if the report were true of Habas's being poysoned by the Conspiracy of some of his Lords it was easie to conjecture how they that were guilty could not choose but feel a Remorse of Conscience and with what Terror they look'd upon a Successor who being naturally enclined to violence would readily lay hold upon a Pretence so plausible to revenge his Father's Death But from the Election of the Younger Son there was no such Apprehension of danger in regard all things would move in their usual Course and for that his Minority would give them leisure to provide for themselves and to make the best advantage of the Employments which they enjoyed Thereupon they weighed in the same Balance the Probabilities which the Prime Minister had set forth of the Death of the Eldest of the two Princes and the hazards which the Monarchy would run through a tedious Expectation And therefore they all with one Voice concluded upon the Election of Hamzeh-Mirza But among all the Grandees there was not any one that testified so violent a Passion for the Election of the Youngest Son as the Superintedant General nor indeed was there any one whose particular Interest had more reason to urge him to it as having more cause to fear the advancement of the Elder than anyof the rest And moreover he made no question that he would lay it to his Charge that he had not the Furniture the rich Cloaths and other things that he desired all which things by virtue of his Office of Superintendant were at his disposal On the other side he had done several kindnesses for the Mother of the Younger Son whose Officer he was in the outward Palace and then by the Assistance of the Eunuchs that attended her in the Womens Apartment he was in hopes to work himself so effectually into the Favour both of the Princess and her Son that he might be in a Condition to continue himself for a longer time in that high Credit wherein he had lived during the Reign of the Father To which purpose when it came to his turn in Rank and Dignity which was the third Place of Honour to give his Opinion it was with less indifference than those that preceded him had done He confirmed all that had been said by the Support of the Empire or the Prime Minister He added moreover that he could not precisely tell in what Condition Sephie-Mirza was at that time however that it could not be but very bad or rather so deplorable that it would not suffer either Himself or any others in his behalf to dream of the Empire That for the past Years of 1075. and 1076. after his Father had shut him up under a close Restraint He had been kept very private That for him that spoke he made no question but that Habas had caused the Eyes of the Prince to be put out as not believing him fit to Govern Of which there was nothing gave him greater Assurances than that there had been no mention made of the Prince since the Kings last Progress to Mazendaran at what time the deceased King being upon the Road not above eight Leagues distant from the Capital City brush'd of a sudden back again in great hast no man knowing either the Issue of his Return nor why he went And therefore there was no farther reason to doubt but that he did it at length with a full determination to rid the world of that Young Prince Nor did there need any other convincing Proof of what he said than the Eunuch who not long since had been dispatched with private Orders which could only relate to that Prince And therefore it was an irrational thing to deliberate to which of the two Sons they should offer the Crown since only Hamzeh-Mirza was by Heaven preserved to be their Prince Thus was this Royal Infant about to have been advanced to the Throne to the Exclusion of his Elder Brother All the Grandees gave their Consents for this Election nor had one of these who had right to speak denied him his voice There were only two Eunuchs that had not spoke a word And who would have thought they durst have presumed to have spoken a word especially the least in Credit of the two seeing that neither the one or the other having neither Right Title or Authority to speak could any one have imagined that they should have been so bold to entertain Sentiments contrary to all the rest of that Illustrious Family Or if they should have been so daring was there any likelyhood they should have the Confidence to declare them and to carry it against so many Voices Nevertheless it so came to pass in a Manner that may be thought to be almost Miraculous as well by reason of the Circumstances already observed as for those which we are going about to observe Which assures us that there is a Superior Providence which concerns it self in the Management of all human Affairs commands all Events and frequently brings things to pass contrary to all our Expectations as here it hapned where Sephie was Elected notwithstanding the confederacy of persons interessed and the favourable opportunities to advance their Designs Now this same Eunuch that broke all the Measures which these Lords had taken was Aga-Mubarek in great Credit at Court as we have already observed as being the person to whom the King had committed the Tuition of his second Son He I say was Tutor to Hamzeh-Mirza whom the Grandees all endeavored to advance to the Throne and whom it therefore behoved rather than any other to support and encourage their Suffrages since that in all likelyhood the Grandeur of his Illustrious Pupil would be a means infinitely to advance his Reputation and present him a Fortune the most glorious that a person of his Condition could hope for Nevertheless the
But now so soon as the General of the Slaves had receiv'd his Commission for the Government of Cand-daar and to withstand the Invasion of the Indians he began to raise Soldiers at Ispahan which he caus'd to be exercis'd every day with so much exactness as if the Enemy had been at the Gates and after he had muster'd together four thousand all stout proper fellows he declar'd he would raise no more that Recruit being sufficient and he order'd his business so well by the assistance of the General of the Army that the King whom they assur'd that the Enemy was at hand caus'd his dispatches to be made for Serdaar or Chief General of Kandar and the Territories belonging to it and made him Governour of the Province and City it self being a famous Garrison and the Key of the Kingdom toward India It is seated upon three rising Grounds which defend each other the Persians esteeming it impregnable and it is a Proverb amongst 'em Who shall take the Habitation of security Alluding to the word Candaar which signifies the same thing Before this Lord departed he obtain'd of the King that his Brother Phereidon-Bek should supply his Place of General of the Slaves as his Lieutenant till his Son to whom the Prince had granted the Reversion should be of years to manage it himself and not content with that he also procur'd an Order from the King by which his Majesty gave him leave to come to Court when he pleas'd without asking leave And thus Gemshid-Kaan departed well satisfi'd conceiving with himself that he had craftily disintangl'd himself from all those troubles which his ill management had brought upon him at Court Some few days after this Lord was thus departed there was no more talk of the War on the other side it was evident there would be none For the report ran about that Aureng-Zeeb understanding that Habas II. was dead and that his Successor was but young and unexperienc'd scorn'd the Encounter of so trivial an Enemy Which Rodomontado of the Indian Prince to save his Honour might have held good in the time of the Rustans who were the Amadis's of Persia at what time they never enter'd into Combat but for Honour But now Monarchs never fight hand to hand nor in single Duels to try each others strength But they fight Army against Army and their only aim is the Conquest of Cities and Provinces assailing whatever they think they can master All the World knew that for three months after the death of Habas II. was known in the Indies the Prince of that Country still continu'd his preparations of War in order to the besieging of Candaar of which this was an evident proof for that all that while all Commerce was forbidden with Persia as before Which would not have been had the Indian Prince abandon'd his designs of the War in derision of his feeble Enemy whom he thought too young to be the subject of his Triumphs The truth was as I have heard from very Intelligent persons that Aureng-Zeeb was diverted from his Enterprize by the Princess his Sister who us'd these Arguments to him That it was not proper for him to hazard the Honour he had won that till that time he had Reign'd in high Reputation which he could never lose so long as he kept himself quiet That Fortune could not make him greater then he was but that she might prove froward to his prejudice That the taking of Candaar was no such easie thing which his Father had twice with two potent Armies attempted in vain That the chiefest part of his Courtiers being Persians they would serve him very unwillingly and assist him but coldly and in a word That if he did not succeed in the War it would be a stain to his Reputation which he would never be able to wipe out Especially since his Reputation had no need of this Conquest to aggrandize it self as being sufficient to support it self without it To which reasons of his Sister the Prince submitted and without doubt he did wisely there being nothing so true as what the Princess told him that there was little to be got by the Enterprize but much to be lost The General of the Slaves before now General of the Armies had not been gone above a Month from Court when Mirza-Ibrahim arriv'd at Ispahan in a trembling and quivering condition after he had been put in such great hopes For he had been inform'd at Tauris what a Trick the General of the Slaves had put upon him and how he had discover'd the whole secret of his Project However having receiv'd a permission to come to Court there was a necessity for him to go so that being reduc'd to this extremity he was not so eager upon his journey he made but slow preparations and delay'd his departure as long as possibly he could excusing himself sometimes by reason of the bad weather the bad Position of the Planets or his own Indisposition of body But at length go he must but he travell'd such easie days journeys that he spent double the time that he needed to have done and perhaps he did it to shun his meeting with the General of the Slaves upon the Road being upon his march to his New Government How he was receiv'd at Court you may easily judge for there was not one living soul that vouchsaf'd him a kind look So that to mollifie the hearts of the Grand Ministers and Potent Lords he was forc'd to expend a good part of the Treasure that he had hoarded up and to suffer himself to be despoyl'd of that which he had pillag'd from the People And as for the Grand Ministers the better to accomplish their design of squeezing Rich Presents out of his Coffers they back'd all Complaints that were made against him at Court. For you must understand that in Persia every private Person let his Condition be never so mean is allow'd to bring his Complaints against the Governours Royal Farmers and other Persons who have any Authority over ' em So that when the Grandees at Court have a mind to ruine any great Personage in the Provinces abroad there usual Policy is to support the Complaints of the Oppress'd and to make 'em the more Ponderous they invite all that will come and then cause 'em to appear at the Palace in shoals to demand Justice Which course was taken with this same Lord. But in regard the Principal Courtiers had no mind utterly to ruine him which had been only a particular benefit to the King but rather to shew him that it lay in their power to the end they might make their best advantage of him themselves they would not suffer the Clamours of his Impeachers to run too high but satisfi'd the greatest part by causing him to restore to his most dangerous Accusers a part of what he had extorted from them But among all the rest his greatest Enemy at Court was that Brutish Old Signior the Generalissimo Hali-Kouli-Kaan who
his Childern in Hostage for his Fidelity and make a Present to the Basha Now the Present which Sabatar agreed to make was Ten Young Slaves of both Sexes and Three Hundred Crowns either in Silver or in Silk The First of October Sabatar return'd and brought along with him a Protection from the Turk for his Castle and for all his Lands All that night he bestirr'd himself to get ready the Present which he was to carry To which purpose he signifi'd to all that were fled for Refuge to his Castle or Fortress that the Turks had given him a Protection for Twenty Five Slaves and Eight Hundred Crowns which he must Levy upon those that were retir'd under his security So that from every Family that had Four Children he took one which was the most lamentable spectacle in the World to see little Childern torn from the Arms of their Mothers ty'd two and two together and carry'd away to the Turks For my own part I was tax'd at Twenty Crowns However Sabatar did not carry any more to the Basha's Lieutenant then what they two had agreed between themselves the rest he appropriated to himself Nor could his Wives his Childern and all the Castle forbear loud Cries of sorrow when they saw his Young Son carry'd away among the rest For those Childern which are given in Hostage to the Turk are no less his Slaves He never parts with 'em as being usually sent to Constantinople to encrease the Multitude of those handsome young Childern that are bred up in the Seraglio The Basha's Lieutenant receiv'd the Present and the Hostage and still detain'd Sabatar with him nevertheless He also summon'd the Dadian Three times to surrender but the Prince refus'd For his Fortress was well guarded by the Souanes which his Vizier had sent him and who were more the Masters of it then himself besides that the Vizier sent him word every Day that he should hold out and that he would be ready in a short time to pour down upon the Enemy At last the Turks after they had stay'd about Four Days before Rucks and got above Two Thousand Slaves and much Booty rais'd their Siege for they had no great Guns which was the reason they did not attack the Castle They also carry'd along with 'em all the Mingrelian Lords that came to surrender themselves and had sworn Allegiance to the new Prince The Catholicos was among the number of those that had tak'n the Oath Whom the Basha order'd to be made Vizier to the new Prince and that they should send in his Name to the Prince of the Abca's to demand the Princess his Daughter in Marriage It was thought that the coming of the Turk into Mingrelia would have resettl'd all things in order and restor'd Peace and Tranquillity by causing all Parties to lay down their Arms. But it did not so fall out they only came and plunder'd the Country but put it into more confusion then it was before For they divided it into two Parties of which the one was engag'd by Oath and Hostages to the new Prince the other stuck fast to their depos'd Soveraign Which Division made every one betake themselves to their Arms. Seeing therefore the Affairs of the Country in this miserable condition so far from any Accommodation I took a resolution to get into Georgia by any manner of way or whatever the hazard might be For I ran those Risco's every Day in Mingrelia that I expected nothing at length but to be utterly ruin'd Levan threatn'd Ruine and Destruction to the Castles Goods and Lands of the Lords who had surrender'd to the Turks Sabatar was still in Custody and his Sons that commanded in the Castle were the grearest Cut-throats and accomplish'd Rogues in the World I languish'd every Day with sorrow and want It was a Man's whole business to buy a handful of Grain and a Pound of Vittles and I suffer'd in my Oven all the Injuries of Weather as if I had been in the open Field the despair of my Servants went to my Heart in a word I was at the brink of Death Which was that which induc'd me to venture all hazards to get my self rid of Mingrelia while I had strength and Ability to do it To that purpose I sought every where for Guides promis'd entreated lay'd down my Money but nothing would do there was no body that would be my Conductor The Armies they said lay so thick upon the Roads of Imiretta the Country between Mingrelia and Georgia through which I was of necessity to pass that it was a meer folly to venture where a man was assur'd he could not escape being made a Slave And these were all the Answers they made me I propos'd the fetching a Compass either over Mount Caucasus or along the Sea Coast but no body would undertake the Journey 'T is an incredible thing to think how fearful the Mingrelians are of Death or of being undone there is no Reward can prevail with 'em to run the Risco of a known Danger how inconsiderable soever it be At length I was constrain'd to take the way by Sea and through Turkey that is to say to fetch a Compass of Seventy Leagues To that purpose I went to Anarghia a Village and small Sea-Port of which I have already spok'n There I found a Felouque of the Turks which I hir'd for Gonia so that when I had giv'n Earnest I return'd to the Theatins House and to Sabatar's Castle to prepare for my Voyage The Tenth of November early in the Morning I departed from the Castle having agreed with my Comrade what ways I would take to recover him out of Mingrelia if it pleas'd GOD to grant me a happy Voyage I carry'd along with me Eight Thousand Pounds in Jewels and Eight Hunderd Pistols in Gold with the few small Packs that were left me The Jewels were hid in a Saddle contriv'd for that purpose and in a Pillow and I took a Servant along with me the same whom I had redeem'd out of Slavery This was a conceal'd Rogue a Traytor whose Villany was not well discover'd by me I was advis'd not to take him along with me for fear of some Imposition or some wicked Trick that his very Countenance told 'em he would play me nor was I well resolv'd with my self to be troubl'd with him but my Fortune would have it so and I could not prevent it But the Reasons that prevail'd with me more then any other to take him was that he brook'd his bad Condition like one that was mad or in despair and I was afraid lest in one of his mad or drunk'n Fits to which he was subject he should discover us in Mingrelia Fryer Zampi the Superiour of the Theatins bore me Company as he had done all along And the Lay-Brother undertook to Conduct me to Anarghia The Superiour and I went afoot because we could not meet with more then one Horse to be hir'd for Money upon which I loaded my Goods
But one Day having surpriz'd the Prince and her lock'd up in a Room together Sir said he I beseech yee do not Dishonour neither my Daughter nor my House If your Majesty pleases to Marry her she is at your service but if not forbear Privacy with her Upon which Luarzab swore he would have no other Wife which Oath when the Prince had sworn he suffer'd her to Live with him as with her Husband However the Marriage was not celebrated through the opposition of the Queen and the Ladies of the Country who protested they would never submit themselves as Subjects to a Person of her mean Birth Luarzab no less glad of this opposition told Mehrou that he could not Marry his Daughter Now the Georgians are very Prone to Revenge as I have already observ'd Thereupon the King was adviz'd to be before hand with Mehrou and to put him to Death to prevent his Revenge To which the King consented and to that purpose had contriv'd it so as to make Mehrou Drunk and to kill him at the first Banquet the King should make Of which contrivance Mehrou was advertiz'd at the very Moment it should have been put in Execution For he was already half Tipsy when one of the Kings Pages who was one of his Creatures as he presented him the Cup and seem'd to Bow to him out of respect whisper'd to him Sir You will be Murder'd At which he made no semblance of being daunted but rising up as soon as he had giv'n back the Glass and pretending to go out to make VVater which is no Indecorum in that Country where the Feasts last for half a Day together he ran directly to his Stable takes a Bonnet and a Coat from one of his Grooms that he first met Bridles one of the best Horses in the Stable Mounts him and away he Rides And he so order'd his Flight that not being discover'd it prov'd successful to his VVish Presently he got to Ispahan where he threw himself at the Feet of Abas the Great who was newly return'd a Victor from Shirvan and Shamaki Countries Bordering upon Georgia and the Caspian Sea He declar'd to the King how he had serv'd Luarzab and the Deceas'd King his Father and what a recompence he had prepar'd him for his Service by seeking to deprive him of his Life after he had deflowr'd his Daughter under the pretence of Marriage And concluding he told the King that he was the true Monarch of Georgia and therefore he demanded of his Majesty Justice and the Restitution of his Estate But Mehrou had contriv'd a securer way then this to revenge himself upon Luarzab which was to kindle in the Heart of Abas an Affection for Luarzab's Sister one of the most lovely Persons in all Georgia whose Beauty has been celebrated by all the Persian Poets Insomuch that in Persia they sing to this Day the Songs that render'd her Beauty renown'd above all the Charming Beauties of her time containing a pleasant Romance of the Amours between Her and Abas Her Name of Baptism was Darejan But the Persian Fictions give her the Name of Pebry Mehrou therefore took all opportunities to talk of her to Abas with all the Artificial Language he could invent to inflame his desires Thereupon Abas sent to demand her of Luarzab first by one Ambassador and then by another The first was sent back with fair promises the second receiv'd for Answer that the Princess had affianc'd her self to Taimuras King of Kaket who was then a VVidower But Abas the more enflam'd by these refusals sent a third Ambassador to Luarzab charging him to demand his Sister with all manner of fair promises and foul Threats and he wrote at the same time to Taimuras not to Marry Luarzab's Sister but to come and meet him Luarzab on the other side incens'd at these repeated and Haughty Importunities instead of returning an answer to the Ambassador affronted and abus'd him to the end no more Ambassadors might be sent to trouble him any more upon that Errand Abas however was not then in a condition to execute his intended designs upon Georgia as being at War with the Turks He dissembl'd therefore his Indignation and order'd a Carmelite Missionary whom he sent into Europe to animate the Christian Princes to a War against the Turk to take Georgia in his way and to admonish Taimuras by no means to joyn with the Turks nor to give 'em any manner of assistance against the Persians To which Taimuras either out of too much Fear or too much Credulity readily condescended but he soon repented his forbearance for in the Year 1613 Abas set forward from Ispahan with a design to make War upon Georgia However as he was a Prince who among his other Extraordinary Endowments was extreamly cunning and reserv'd he manag'd that War like an Amorous Intreague He gave out that Luarzab's Sister lov'd him and desir'd the Match that she had sent him Letters by a confident of her own moreover that she had been promis'd him and therefore that Luarzab was both Perfidious and Unjust In the mean time he made his preparations for something else then to fight a Rival for all Men plainly perceiv'd that he was resolv'd to reduce Georgia under his Subjection He had a great number of Georgians in his Army He gave Pensions to several great Georgian Lords and Mehrou corrupted the Loyalty of several others every day who engag'd to take his part He had two of Taimuras's Sons in Hostage and a Brother and Sister of Luarzabs In a word he wrought with some of the Princes of the Blood Royal of Georgia to turn Mahometans for the possession of great Employments and Governments For he thought he should easily compass his designs against the Georgians by sowing Divisions among 'em an easie thing to do especially among People that are given to revenge He wrote to Taimuras that Luarzab was ungrateful a Rebel a Mad-Man not fit to Reign and that he was resolv'd to deprive him of his Crown To Luarzab he wrote the same thing concerning Taimuras and at the same time order'd Lolla Beg General of his Army who lay toward Media to enter Georgia with Thirty Thousand Horse and to put all to Fire and Sword Upon this Luarzab and Taimuras were counsell'd to unite They met and communicated to each other Abas's Letters wherein finding the ruin of both resolv'd upon they swore one to another either to Perish or rescue each other from the danger and the more to confirm and strengthen their Union Luarzab gave his Sister the Incomparable Darejan to Taimuras Abas was like to run Mad when they brought him the News he was ready to have Cut the Throats of Taimuras's Two Sons with his own Hands and of the other Georgian Hostages nothing would serve him but he swore the Death of all together But at length he kept himself within bounds and minded only to hasten his march rather to punish the Kings that had offended him Taimuras
sends the VVedding-Ring and the Presents to his Bride VVhich consist in Cloaths Jewels and Ready Money For which the Bride returns him several Knick-Knacks as Embroider'd Handkerchers Toylets Needlework Night-Caps and such kind of Trifles usually all made with her own Hands The Wedding is kept at the Mans House and lasts Ten Days upon the Tenth Day by broad Daylight they send him home that which is call'd the Bride's Bundle which consists in Furniture Jewels Moveables Slaves and Eunuchs according to the Quality of the Bride and all this upon Camels or other Beasts of Carriage the Musick playing before ' em The Slaves and Eunuchs ride either upon the Packs or else on Horse-back and sometimes it happens that they borrow Houshold-Stuff and a Train and send empty Chests and all to make a shew and dazle the World At Night the Bride is conducted home and if she be a Person of Quality she is carry'd in a Cagiavat being a kind of Cradle of which a Camel will carry two If she be a Person of mean Condition she is set upon a Horse or else goes a Foot and then the Musick marches first then the Servants with every one a Wax-Taper in their Hands follow'd by the Women with lighted Candles in their Hands after the same manner The Bride her self is veil'd from Head to Foot with another Veil over that plaited like a Cassock made of Silk and Silver or Cloth of Gold or plain Silk which reaches down to her waste So that a very Lynx could never be able to discover her shape or Stature If she be afoot two Women lead her by each Arm if on Horseback an Eunuch leads the Horse by the Bridle About an Hour after she has been at her Husbands House the Nuptial Feast being over the Matrons carry her into the Bridal Chamber uncloath her to a little Waste-Coat and a thin pair of Drawers next to it and put her to Bed Soon after the Bridegroom is conducted to the same place either by Eunuchs or Old Women the Lights being all taken away when he enters the Room Thus the Man never sees his Wife till after he has Consummated the Marriage and many times he never does that till several Days after his Wife has been at home the nice Lady flying his Embraces and hiding her self among the Women or else unwilling to let her Husband meddle with her Which Coyness frequently happens among Persons of Quality who look upon it as a piece of Immodesty to bestow their last Favours so soon The Virgins of the Blood Royal more particularly put their Husbands to this trouble so that it requires whole Months to reclaim 'em and to perswade 'em that their Husbands are worthy their Embraces To this purpose they tell a Story of a Daughter of Abas the Great who was Marry'd to one of his Great Generals that she was a long time before she would condescend so much as to look upon her Husband Thereupon the Lord complain'd to the King That his Majesty had given him a Tygress instead of a Wife that he durst not come near her for that she had Twice run at him with a Dagger in her Hand At which Abas could not forbear Laughing and ask'd him how many white Slaves he had in his Seraglio The General answer'd about Five and Forty Then said the King Lie with 'em all one after another I am sure that will be a means to reclaim your Wife The General took the Kings advice The Princess enrag'd at this his manner of proceeding ask'd him if that were his Conjugal Faith that he had plighted to her and seeing he continu'd his Course notwithstanding all her fury made her complaints to the King telling him That she came to demand Justice of him against her Husband who Ravish'd all his Maids and Slaves To whom the King with an incens'd Countenance answer'd That he had done it by his Order and at the same time sent her away with an express Command to invite her Husband to come and lie with her Which the Princess did accordingly and was well satisfi'd To the same purpose they relate another very pleasant Story of one of the Concubines of Sephi the last King of that Name She was a lovely Person and for that reason infinitely belov'd of the Prince which had made her extreamly Proud and to take upon her many times to talk over boldly to the King One Day therefore Sephi who was naturally Cruel was so incens'd against her that he would have put her to Death but his Anger not believing Death to be a sufficient Punishment he took from her all her Women and her Eunuchs caus'd all her Cloaths to be Burnt and her Jewels to be Pounded in a Mortar and the bitts of Stones to be flung into a Pond before her Face and to add to her Ignominy caus'd her to be Marry'd to a Paltry Negro that was one of his Cooks and so the Unfortunate Lady was sent home to the Cooks House with only one Chamber-Maid left her But when her frightful Husband thought to have approach'd her the Chamber-Maid as Lovely and Majestick as her Mistress drawing a naked Dagger out of her Pocket and throwing her self before her Mistress Dog of a Negro said she Do but touch her so much as with thy Finger and I will make a Thousand Holes i' thy Heart Upon which the poor Cook flew for his Life and the Story being told to the King he was so pleas'd with the action that he recollected himself asswag'd his Passion Marry'd her to a Colonel and sent her Cloaths and Furniture suitable to her Condition There happens in the Marriages of the meaner sort of People something that seems to be quite the Contrary For if the Man have oblig'd himself to make his Wife a Dowry that exceeds his Estate to obtain the consent of his Wife's Parents he shuts his House door when they bring her home and cries that he will not give so great a Price for her Then the Parents of both Parties dispute the Matter between themselves and the Friends of the Bride are oblig'd to abate something for fear the Bridegroom should refuse her for it would be the greatest Dishonour in the World as well for them as for the Maid to be carried back again Now one would think this way of Marrying without ever seeing the Parties face should produce very unfortunate Matches but it does not Nay we may say in General that the Matches are more happy in a Country where the Men and Women never see one another then where the Women are so frequently seen and courted And the Reason is plain For they that see not another Mans wife lose less suddenly the Affection which they have or ought to have for their own And yet we cannot say the Persians marry without altogether knowing whom neither For the Mother or Kindred or other Persons upon whom they rely for the choice of a Wife make such a frequent and lively Description
entrance into the Seraglio while the Eunuch went and came back At length a Bargain was made between us for so many Jewels as amounted to Four Hundred Pounds for which I received my Money the next Morning The 3. I went to the Governor and desir'd him to give me leave to depart for that I was in hast to be at Court He promis'd to dispatch me after Dinner and I waited on him again at his time appointed At what time he ask'd me with a smiling Countenance what was the value of the Gold Box I had given him when he came to visit me I knew not what his design was and therefore in my answer I valued it at Ten Pounds Pray then Sir said he oblige me to take it again and give me the value of it in Keys in Springs and Strings for Watches I was not a little surpriz'd at his Proposal which did not seem to be very civil for a Person of his Quality However I answer'd him that I was ready to do what he pleas'd added that I had several Watchmakers Tools that I had brought for the Kings Artificers which I would send him if it were his Pleasure He took me at my word assuring me that I should do him a very great kindness For this same Grandee is a great Lover of Mechanicks and knows how to mend a Watch that does not go true Afterwards he caus'd all that remain'd in his hands of mine to be delivered me back and I thought certainly that he would have made an entire Bargain but to my great Astonishment he restor'd me all Then I perceiv'd I had been his Cully and that he had only drill'd me on in hopes of selling him a great Purchase to let him have what he chiefly desir'd at a cheaper tate However I conceal'd my disgust and my dissatisfaction to be so serv'd and return'd him a thousand Thanks with a Countenance as gay as if I had had my hearts desire Afterwards I besought him to give me his Letters of Recommendation to his Son which he promis'd me to do and invited me to go along with him into the Country whither he went the next morning But I excus'd my self returning him Thanks in the best Language I could I also requested him to give me the Agreement with Mr. Azarias who was to accompany me to Tauris I will so answer'd his Lordship and I will enjoyn him to be your Mehemandar or Guide meaning that honest Armenian already mention'd This done I again return'd him my humble Thanks for all his Favors and after I had told him that I would not fail to extol his Kindnesses at Court I took my leave I thought it not proper to put him in mind of several other Promises that he had made me as being assur'd they would produce little for that according to the Custom of the Country he had made 'em not with an intention to be as good as his word but onely to make me the more ready to do what he desir'd The 5. the Governor went to the Camp which he had caus'd to be set up about a League from the City in a spacious and lovely Meadow all cover'd with flowers during the fair Season The two Rivers that encompass Erivan and run along with a winding Course and gentle Stream make several little Islands in that Place So that the Governors Quarter that of the Princess his Wife and those of the most considerable Persons that accompani'd him were all separated while every one had their particular Island which were joyn'd together by certain little Bridges that were laid on or tak'n away as occasion requir'd The Governor's Tents were very Magnificent and indeed there were in a little Ground all the Conveniencies of a Palace even to the very Bathes and Stoves His Family consisted of about Five Hundred Men without reckoning the Women and Eunuchs And it is the Custom of the Grandees of this Kingdom to solace themselves in this manner in the Country in the Spring Time There they divertize themselves in Hunting Fishing Walking and employ themselves in several other Exercises both a Foot and on Horse-back There they suck in the fresh Air and enjoy that Coolness which they so much delight in This is the Refreshment and Recreation of their Lives so that if they have no business in the City which requires their Presence there they continue thus taking their pleasure all the Summer long in the most delicious parts of the Neigbouring Mountaines This they call Yelac or a Country Excursion The 6. The Prince's Treasurer gave me a Dinner and the Kings Lieutenant of the Fortress was at it He is a Native of Dag-Estaan Which is a Mountainous Country to the North-East of the Caspian Sea and bordering upon Muscovie So that I took great delight to hear him repeat several particulars of the Customes and Manners of his Country The King of Persia is acknowledg'd there as Soveraign Lord but he is not absolute Master of it nor are the People that inhabit it always subject to his Commands And the Court winks at their Disobediences it being a difficult thing to reduce 'em by reason of the Roughness and Height of the Mountaines They are a Savage sort of People and the most barbarous of all the East and I take 'em to be some Remainders of the Parthians The same Evening that Gentleman sent me a Present of Fruit Wine and Mutton The 7. The Treasurer sent me much such another Present as the Governor had sent me the day before and I repay'd 'em in small Returnes for the Favors I had receiv'd from Both. They had been very civil to me at Erivan not so much as offering to take those fees which men are oblig'd to pay in Persia to the Officers of Governors for all the Money receiv'd out of their Treasuries for that their Master had forbid 'em to demand any thing of me And therefore they did me those Kindnesses to oblige me to be the more free of my own accord well knowing I was not so ignorant of the Customes of the Country but that I knew that it was not any motion of Generosity that made 'em so courteous to Strangers In the Afternoon I went to the Camp to take leave of the Governor who shew'd me a thousand Civilities and at my departure gave me two Letters of Recommendation to his two Eldest Sons who are the Kings onely Favourites They were both much to the same Effect And this is the Translation of that which was written to the Eldest GOD I beseech the Soveraign Author of all good Things to preserve in Life and Health the High and Potent Lord Nesr-ali-bec my most Honour'd and most Happy Son the Favorite and Confident of his Royal Majesty We make most perfect vows to Heaven for your Happy Grandeur The motive that induc'd us to write ye this Letter is upon the Account of our being so much concern'd as we are on the behalf of Mr. Chardin who arriv'd some time
Twenty Sultans who altogether maintain eleven Thousand Horse more I lodg'd at the Capuchins Inn who were arriv'd before me They were no more then two whom I desir'd to keep my Arrival private for about fifteen days Which I did to put my self into an Equipage and my Things in the same Order as they were before my misfortunes in Mingrelia as also to methodize those things which I had brought for the King to the end I might shew 'em to the best advantage at Court But my arrival could not be concealed For Mirzathaer Son of the Treasurer and Receiver-General of the Province and admitted by way of Survivor-ship understood that there were Strangers at the Capuchins Inn. And therefore he sent the 22d to tell the Superior that he wonder'd at his neglect in not coming to give him notice of the Arrival and Quality of the Europeans which he entertain'd in his House To whom the Father excus'd himself and farther told the Messenger that for my part I had not fail'd to wait upon him had I not been ill disposed but in a few days I would attend and pay him my Respects The 23. the same Lord whom I had the honour to know in my first Travels made me a Visit together with the Son of the Can of Guenjé and shew'd me great Civilities He sate two hours in my Chamber while I gave him an account of the affairs of Europe particularly concerning Arts and Sciences After which he was so kind as to tell me the good fortune that had befall'n his Family and his Brothers Employments He was the eldest of three young Lords all in good Credit and advanc'd to Places both of Honour and Profit His Father is Treasurer as I said before and Receiver-General of all the Kings Demeans over all the Province of Azerbeyan This is that Mirza Ibrahim of whom so many Accidents are related in the Story of Soleiman's Coronation He was not then at Tauris in regard his Employments kept him at Shirvan a City near the Caspian Sea whose place this Mirzathaer suppli'd in his absence He is very well read in the Arabick Persian and Turkish Languages and besides a Capuchin taught him for several years the Philosophy of the Schools and all our Sciences He is a very Learned Personage a Man of ripe Wit and extreamly civil After two hours discourse he press'd me to shew him some Jewels and Watches To which I had no desire as not being then in a Condition for the Reasons already mention'd But he importun'd me so earnestly and with an assability so becoming that I could not refuse him So that I shew'd him several Jewels which I had of a low value of which he carry'd away several along with him In the Evening Tahmas-Bec who supplyes the place of Governor of Azerbeyan in the stead of Mansour Can his Father who is always at Court sent his Goldsmith to me to tell me I should oblige him by coming to him the next Morning and bringing along with me some Jewels and Rarities of small value To which I answer'd that I would not fail him and accordingly I went the same day and to Mirzathaer also The 25. we heard while we stay'd with those Lords the Confirmation and full Relation of a Robbery reported a month before and committed the December preceding upon the Great Caravan that goes from Ispahan to the Indies by land This Caravan sets out once a Year in August and goes through Candabar which is in Bactriana The Robbery was very considerable as well for the Number of Persons for the vast wealth that was in the Caravan as also for the Consequences that ensu'd It was committed three days journey from the Frontiers of India by the Agvan a sort of People much like the Tartars but tributary to the Persian They had intelligence which way the Caravan march'd and surpriz'd it in a very advantageous place for such a design They were in all five hundred Men all well Mounted and well Resolv'd The Caravan had a Convoy of about two hunderd and consisted of about two thousand Persons for the most part Indians The Convoy made no Resistance but betook themselves to Flight and the most part of the Caravan following the Example of those that should have defended 'em shifted every one for themselves So that there were but eleven kill'd so small was the Resistence made Nor was it a thing to be wonder'd at For the Caravan's and particularly those of the Indians are compos'd of Armenians and Indians people that for the most part will be Scar'd with a stick And they that had any Courage were left alone and abandon'd by those that should have assisted 'em So that every Man strove to save one and happy he that could shift for himself The Robbery was valu'd at several hundred thousands of Pounds but the true and just account could never be known the Merchants upon such occasions usually disguising the Truth some because they are afraid of loosing their Credit others for fear it should be discover'd that they conceal a part of what they send to save Customs and Toll The Inventory which was given into the King sign'd by above sixty Persons concern'd amounted to no less then three hundred thousand Toman's or a million four hundred thousand Pound sterling yet we were assur'd it was but the half of the Loss The Governor of Candabar was accus'd to have been accessory to the Robbery The King therefore sent for to have him apprehended and brought to Ispahan upon a Camel chain'd about the Neck with one Servant which he had the Liberty to make choice of It was affirm'd that they who comitted the Robbery themselves were a sort of People so ignorant that they understood not what belong'd either to Gold or Precious Stones They divided the Coyn'd Money one among another Gold and Silver intermix'd together by weight without any distinction of Mettal and jumbled the true Pearls with the false ones without making any Difference I must confess I could hardly believe this nor had I reported it if it had not been universally and constantly avow'd by all the People I discours'd with upon this occasion The first of May the Deputy-Governor sent to the Superior of the Capuchins to know if he had no news of the Arrival of the Patriarch of Armenia and where he had conceal'd himself 'T is true we all knew well enough but we had no mind to tell knowing wherefore they sought for him which was for no other reason then to apprehend him and carry him Prisoner to Erivan He had made his escape six days before vex'd to the very Soul to find that while the Governor pretended to take so much care to pay his debts he minded nothing more then how to squeeze a good Sum of Money for himself For the Governor according to the foremention'd Order from the Court had sent to several Persons about Irivan to Levy the money for payment of the Patriarch's debts upon the Armenian
Earth and I do my Endeavour to break the Yoke of Hell Vouchsafe me thy Intercession O most Holy Virgin at the Day when the Good shall be separated from the Wicked Be then a propitiation in my behalf for thou art descended from a Race and Genealogy of Parents that will not suffer those that love 'em to fall into Misfortune that never refuse any thing to whoever they be that call upon 'em in Prayer who divert all evil from those that tenderly cherish 'em but whose Enemies on the other side shall never prosper O God most High the Holy Doctors of the Race of the Prophet upon all whom be eternal Mercy thy Peace and thy Salvation have truly declar'd and taught that whoever shall devoutly visit Fatima of Com shall have Paradise for his Portion I am the Man O my God who come to visit her in this manner perswaded and convinc'd as I am of her Grandeur and her Excellency and of that of her glorious Ancestors pure and clean from all Sin upon all whom be Mercy and Peace O God be favourable to Mahamed and the Family of Mahamed Render profitable to my Salvation the Visit which I make to this Holy Virgin and confirm me in the favor of her Love Suffer me not to be depriv'd of the favor of her Intercession and crown me with the Glory of Paradise as thou hast promis'd to do for that in thee is Sovereign Power I visit my Lady and Mistress Fatima the Daughter of Mousa the Son of Dgafar Peace be upon 'em and let it be wish'd 'em eternally by all the Faithful Believers whose Devotion enclines 'em to approach to God by her Intercession In the Name of God Clement and Merciful Peace be upon Adam the Elect of God Salvation be upon Noah the Prophet of God Salvation be vpon Abraham the intimate Friend of God Salvation upon Moses the mouth of God Salvation upon thee Mahomet the seal and last of the Prophets Salvation upon thee the Prince and Director of the Faithful Aly the Son of Abitaleb Vicar of the Apostles of the Lord of human Creatures Salvation upon thee Fatima the Lady of the Women of the world Salvation upon both you the Graud Children of the Prophet of Mercy and Lord of the young men that inhabit Paradise Salvation be upon thee Ali the Son of Heusein the Lord of pious Men and Joy of the Eyes of the glorifi'd Saints Salvation upon thee Dgafar the Son of Mahomed the Just Salvation upon thee Mousa the Son of Dgafar the Pure Salvation upon thee Ali the Son of Mousa whom we all agree to Salvation upon thee Mahomet the Son of Ali the tenderly cherish'd Salvation upon thee Ali the Son of Mahomet the Faithful Counseller Salvation upon thee Hasan the Son of Hali. Salvation upon thee the Light and Sun of the World the last Apostle and upon the Friend of thy Friends and upon the Vicar of thy Vicars Salvation upon thee the Daughter of the Apostle of God Salvation upon thee the Daughter of Fatima and of Khadidgeh Salvation upon thee the Daughter of the Director of the Faithful and the Friend of God Salvation upon thee the Daughter of the Race of Hassan and Heusein Salvation upon thee the Daughter of the Friend of God Salvation be to thee the Aunt of the Friend of God Salvation be to thee the Daughter of Mousa the Son of Dgafar The Mercy of God his Benedictions and his Salvation be upon ye all God grant that ye may all know one another in Paradise God grant that we may be assembled together in your Company that we may drink out of our Prophets Fountain and that you may drink out of the Cup of your Grandfather from the hand of Hali the Son of Abitaleb The Blessings of God be upon all us I pray to God that he may fill us with Gladness and Joy that he may assemble us into the company of your Grandfather Mahomet upon whom be the Mercy and Peace of God and may be never deprive us of your Knowledge for he is a most Powerful Protector I approach to God under the shadow of your Favor detesting your Enemies I make him the Offering of my self devoting my self for a victim without Ignominy or Pride and I confess with all my heart that whatever Mahomet preach'd is Truth and I submit thereto Therefore it is that we implore thy Assistance O Lord our God thy Compassion and the glory of the day of Judgment O Fatima intercede for me for thou art in high Esteem with God and thou hast power in Heaven O God I pray thee that thou wilt grant me to make a happy end nor take away from me any thing that I enjoy There is most certainly neither power nor strength but by the Favor of the most puissant and great God Hear me O God and accept my Pilgrimage through thy Liberality thy Favor thy Mercy and thy Clemency Be favourable to Mahamed and his Family and grant 'em Salvation and Peace O sovereignly-merciful Being To conclude this Fathma's Tomb was rebuilt three times Her Father carry'd her to Com by reason of the great Persecution wherewith the Califfs of Bagdat molested his Family and all those that took Aly's part and held him and his Off-spring for the true Successors of Mahomet She erected several fair Structures in that City and there at last ended her days The People believe that God carry'd her to Heaven and that there is nothing in the Temple but only a Representation of her Body â—EPULCHRE DE ABAS SECOND â—EPULCHRE DE SIFY PREMIER Round the Gallery of Abas's Tomb runs a Frize divided equally into Cartridges of Azure wherein are written in large Characters of Gold the Elegies of the Famous Haly the Great Saint and Idol of the Persians made by the Learned Hasan-Caza Of which I shall insert the Translation as being a Piece of Eloquence wherein may be seen not only the Genius of the Persian Poetry but the Transports of Mahumetan Devotion The whole is divided into seven Songs in Distichs of which the first runs all upon Mahomet and the other six all upon Haly. The first Song I Salute the glorious Creaturê of whom the Sun is but the shadow Master-piece of the Lord of Human Creatures Great Star of Justice and Religion Infallible Expounder of the four Books Conductor of the eight Mobiles Governor of the seven Parts Chief of the Faithful Doctor of that Knowledge which is infus'd into the Prophets Royal Hero celebrated by twelve Successors though the Veil should be taken away yet would not my Belief be encreas'd Light of God Illuminating Soul of Prophesie Guide of true Believers The first Object of God when he bethought himself of sending his Orders to Earth and Embassador Center of divine Secrets concerning what is past and to come who has caus'd the Acknowledgment of God to shine forth out of the darkness of Errors as the Morning goes before the Sun
discovered more at large of the Persian Names and Titles This Illustrious Infant as I have been informed by several of the Great Eunuchs who sometimes Attended upon him while He was with his Father in the Province of Mazendaran where I was also a little before his Majesties Decease was a Prince whose Blooming Virtues promised something more than Ordinary For notwithstanding the tenderness of his Corporeal Organs the Strength of his Soul appeared in all his Actions discovering such signs of Nobleness and Generosity as plainly presaged that one day he would be a Glorious Prince Now whether these Signal Endowments had begot in Habas a greater Affection for him than for his other Son Or whether he were swaid by the most usual Inclinations of Nature which generally infuse into Parents most Tenderness for their Younger Children he would needs have this Younger Son of his to accompany him in his journey Tho others believed that it was rather to gratifie his Mother with whose Beauty the King was extremely enamoured so that contrary to custom he made her a Partaker with him in his Royal Bed tho two and twenty years of Age and carried her along with him where ever he took his Progress And in this last Progress wherein she accompanied the King she had the satisfaction to enjoy the Company of her beloved Son to whom the King assigned for Tutor and Guardian a Noble Eunuch called Aga-Mubarik or the Blessed Lord. Thus this Young Prince hapning to be in this House of Pleasure or of Sorrow rather seeing here it was that his Father expired was at hand to have Received the Diadem which the Grandees of the Assembly might have presented him had the Conspiracy of the Two chief Physicians taken effect Nor was it their fault that it did not For they managed their part with all the Prudence imaginable And perhaps they might have laid their Plot before the Kings Death which by the Rules of their Art they might easily foresee Not that they thought their Lives so much in danger till they had notice of the Dying Kings last words but only to serve themselves in their Estates and Employments To this purpose they went to the Prime Minister and under pretence of Informing him of the Kings Death and the Nature of the two last Medicins which they had prescribed him they fell into discourse of more Important Affairs and talking of the Election they put him in mind how much it concerned him and all the Grandees of the Council to take care of themselves that the King some Minutes before he Died had made loud Complaints of being poysoned by his chief Ministers but that he left a Son that would devour their very hearts that these his last words and Complaints could not be concealed from his Successour So that if they gave the Crown to the Eldest who besides that he was of the Age to take the Government into his own hands and was of a haughty and cruel Disposition and therefore would not stick to make use of this pretence to rid himself of all his chief Ministers and Nobility to render himself by that means more absolute and make room for other New Creatures of his own more especially when he came to consider how unkind his Father had been to him for the two years last past which he would certainly attribute to the bad Counsel of his chief Favourites Upon this they concluded that since he could not chuse but see that the Eldest Son would never have any kindness for the present Grandees that it would be a great piece of Imprudence to advance him to that Dignity which would empower him to do all the Mischief that came into his Mind and therefore at such a juncture of time their safest way would be to confer the Election upon the Youngest Hamzeh-Mirzah a Prince of great hopes and from whom the Grandeur of the Persian Empire might expect a long Continuance for the Future and they at present have no reason to fear the Disturbance of a sweet and calm Repose or the loss of their Authority under a Prince that would not be capable of the Government in fourteen or fifteen Years These Arguments thus delivered by the two Lords first to the Prime Minister and then to the Second wrought upon the Minds of Both as effectually as they could desire Both the One and the Other were convinced and agreed to advance the Younger Son in prejudice of the Eldest Their infallible Ruin hovered before their Eyes if the Eldest came to the Crown as one that seeing himself from a Captive become an absolute Sovereign would soon be transported by his Youth and Pride and the pleasure of unlimited Controul to change the Face of Affairs and to take such Resolutions as Humour and Capricio should inspire into him And who knows cried they to themselves how far he may attempt upon our lives But above all the Rumour of the Kings being poysoned was that which put them all upon the Rack For tho they might be all very Innocent yet the pretence was so Plausible that the very Terror of the Accusation represented the continual fears of Death to their Eyes as dreadful as if they were under present Torment should the Successour to the Empire give Credit to the Rumour whereas if they Elected the youngest they should still keep their high Stations of Honour and Dignity have leisure and opportunity to advance their Families and raise Creatures of their own Ruling all the while almost with an absolute Dominion one of the greatest Empires of the World But now that I may not seem to contradict my self by speaking frequently of the Kings being poysoned when I have already at the beginning of this Discourse attributed his Death to another Cause I must beg of the Reader to make a small Digression which I suppose will not prove unpleasing upon the several suspicions which his Death begot in the various minds of those that enquired more curiously into the nature of his Disease Most true it is then that the most certain cause was that which I have already set down that is to say the Foul disease attended with a Cancer which seizing the Gristle that forms the Conveyances of smelling preyed not only outwardly upon the Nose but inwardly upon the Palate and then falling upon the Uvula stopped up the passages of Respiration But they who imagined themselves to be more quick-sighted and to understand the bottom of things much better would still be whispering the Curious in the Ear and I my self have been one of those to whom it has been told for a great Secret that several of the chief Officers of the outward Court and some of the Eunuchs also of the inward Court or Womens Apartment had for some time before agreed among themselves to rid themselves of this Great Monarch and to that purpose had made choice of Poyson as the most secure way and less apt to be discovered And that which instigated them to this
love of Justice prevailed over all other Temptations that could affect his Soul so that it was not without a noble Indignation that he heard the Proposal of the first Minister to prefer the Younger before the Elder Brother which augmented so much the more by how much he found the Lords of the Council so readily inclined to a Condescension Thereupon he took a Resolution worthy that Ancient and Constant Fidelity which the Eunuchs have already gloried in He thought it his Duty to prevent such a disorder and confusion as much as in him lay and that tho he had no right to speak in that Assembly yet that it was lawful for him for once to violate a Custom which was no more than a bare Ceremony to the end he might reduce into the right way those that went about to break that Love which Nature seemed to have established and which Religion favoured Nevertheless he staid till every one had spoken in their turns as well in respect to the Lords so much his superiors as for that he still was in hopes that some one of better judgment or at least of better Principles should deliver his Opinion more justly and according to Law and deliver him out of that perplexity wherein such a troublesom Accident would engage him But when he saw that they had all with one Consent concluded to Elect the Younger Brother to the prejudice of the Eldest under pretences which how specious soever they seemed to be were only the persuasions of Interest and upon Conjectures too weak at the bottom to gain credit in such an important Affair with a fearless yet respectful behaviour he thus began The Proposal Princes and Lords of Lords which you have made to exclude from the Crown Sephie the Eldest Son of Habas the Second to whom it appertains by Law and to advance in his room Hamzeh-Mirza is an affront to Justice and the Laws of the Elect Messiah too visible to believe you have suffered your selves to be swayed to such a design any otherwise than by some dazling Appearances as have surprized your Judgments For I dare be confident that not one among you all does think the Motives that have been alledged sufficient No the Pretence which you have borrowed for the Election of Hamzeh-Mirza is not rational The true Reason that prevails in your Minds if I may be so bold to tell you tho you know it as well as my self is your desire to govern Persia for many years to come and at your own pleasure It is therefore that you would elect an Infant under whose Minority you may be able with permission to exercise an absolute Authority For what is alledged of the Eldest Prince that without doubt he is either deprived of his Life or of his Sight can be look'd upon only as a delusion For had it been so should I have heard nothing of it I that ever since the Kings departure from the Capital City have always been exactly acquainted with whatever passed in the Womens Palace I that have always been a constant Attendant in it and more than that have had the Government of the Young Prince If the Eunuch who was sent Post sometime since to Ispahan had private Orders to the ruine of Sephie-Mirza out of a design to render him incapable of the Succession should I have discovered nothing Or would not the deceased King have made some alterations in the condition of his second Son for whom he had designed the Imperial Throne after his death Would he not have enlarged his Revenue and augmented the Splendour of his Court Would he have concealed it from me and the Light of Women the Lady Mother of the Young Prince Or if he had concealed it from me would it not have been more easie for me than for you to have discovered something since I have always lived in the Inner Palace and that I knew every thing that passed there under the greatest Secresie whereas you are so far from entring into it that you can only look upon the outside of it In a word there is nothing in all that which you pretend to fear Sephie-Mirza lives and sees my life for yours God is my caution and if it be not so here is my head You cannot therefore without great Injustice or rather foul Treason forget the Eldest and sacrifice him to your own Passions and the Interests of his Younger Brother Rather let the Younger Brother be sacrificed to Him and the Interests of the Kingdom Do you not foresee how you are going about to throw the Kingdom into a dismal Confusion and fill it with Division Think you the rest of the Grandees will suffer themselves to be accounted Persons without Law and approve your Votes Think you the People will take your Crimes upon their shoulders and endure the Younger Brother sitting upon the Throne of the Faithful whom you could not place there till you had trampled under foot the most Sacred Duties with which Religion inspires us On the other side all the World will rise against you to take part with the Lawful Heir or if that should not come to pass you will be laden with Curses and looked upon as the Authors of a most Execrable Assassination You will blush for shame all your Lives and live with perpetual torment in your breasts Hamzeh-Mirza also himself for whom you have prostituted your Consciences will not he reward you for it one day He will look upon you as Dogs that advanced him to his Honour only for the Hounds fees and as such who in hopes to fatten your selves during his Minority forsook God the Law the Prophet the Book the Explanation Right Reason and Justice I am sure his Judgments will pursue you and that the least punishment you can expect will be to be sent naked into some Desert there to thank God for only saving your Lives There he stopt of a sudden with some disturbance in his Countenance but immediately proceeds with a sudden Exclamation Hamzeh Mirza cried he Hamzeh Mirza to what an extremity do you reduce him Would you my Lords that I should go and strangle him with my own hands and that I should bring him dead into your presence I have the power he is under my charge By that means I shall be able to prevent you from making an ill Choice You shall then be constrained to carry the Crown to the Eldest and then I leave you to consider how he will receive it at your hands when he shall find that nothing could reduce you to your Allegiance but such a fatal extremity With this threatning Language he concluded his Speech leaving the Lords of the Assembly so surprized that if a Mountain had fallen at their feet as they say in Persia they could not have been more astonished They could not divine the reason that should induce the Eunuch to such a determined Resolution He was neither instigated by Hatred Fear nor Hope Not by Hatred because they knew he tenderly
of her most glorious Ornaments in a sumptuous Mosque built all of Marble and Jasper embellished with Gold In this Mosque are to be seen the Tombs of the two forementioned Monarchs The Porphyry of which they are built is overlaid with Plates of Gold as if the Builders had striven to be profuse in the wast of that rich Metal We shall give you the description of it in our Persian Geography Now the Persians made choice of Kom Kachan Metched and Ardevil rather than of any other Cities for the interment of their Kings because they believe those Cities claim to themselves a secret and peculiar Sanctity above any of the rest by reason that the Martyrs and Men famous in their Religion have lived and been buried there For they hold that Kom and Kachan were always two safe Retreats for all the true faithful in their Law whom in the Primitive Times of Mahumetism the Arabians persecuted unjustly and therefore that the Imaans by whom they mean their lawful Prophets and High Priests retired thither to secure themselves from Persecution and there died This is that which makes them believe that these Cities are holy and happy and that in all their Contracts and Publick Writings they name the first Dar-el-mouve-el-Din or the Habitation of Persons revived in the Law and the second Dar-el-Moumenin or the Habitation of the truly faithful And for the two other Cities Ardivilis called Dar-el-Irkaar or the Habitation of direction For that a great Saint who lies buried there was as they say sent by God to direct men in the way of truth and Metched is called Mouheddès The Place where they give Testimony of the Law and of God In the first lies buried among many other Saints of their Law Cheik-Sefiè or the Pure Ancient the first of the Race of Kings that now Reign in Persia In the second lies the Imaan Reza whom the Persians reverence with an extraordinary superstition Insomuch that they believe the Body of that person who is buried by him is more secure of his Salvation than if he were buried near any other Saint less considerable For according to their Doctrine they that lie interred near the Tomb of any great and holy Personage lie under his Protection The King who had hourly intelligence of the Advance of the Grandees of the Kingdom understanding that they were arrived at Kachan sent an Express with Commands to the two Chief Physicians Mirza-Satrid that is to say Signior Just and Mirza-Kouchonk sirnamed also the Little to distinguish him from his Brother who was the chief Physician to retire to the Palace Royal at Kom which joyns to the Mosque where are the Tombs of the last deceased Kings to betake themselves to the Apartments allotted for them there to pray to God the remainder of their days for the Prosperity of his Throne in acknowledgment of his Clemency towards them in that he inflicted no heavier punishment upon them than only that slight disgrace since they had deserved to lose their lives for understanding no better to preserve the life of his Father and their Sovereign The same Messenger carried also Orders to Mirza-Massoon or the Lord without Blemish already mentioned and the Son also of the Prime Minister and Moutuely of Koom as much as to say Master of the Works and Judge of the Government to take an Inventory of the whole Estate of those two Physicians to give it under their Seals what they found in ready Money and to send the Inventory when they had made it up to the King Out of which he allowed them a Revenue of twenty thousand Crowns a year to live comfortably in the said City without stirring out of the Palace to which they were confined till the Supreme Power should dispose of their Lives The whole Body of the Court arrived at Ispahan within a Week after that which was three Weeks after the Kings Coronation And then it was that the great Officers were admitted one after another troubled in their minds and with hearts laden with sorrow Not one of them that knew what part to act in this new Court where every one flattered himself with making an Interest However still as they came to Town they went to kiss the Kings Feet and to pay him the Moubarek-Bached which is a Customary term which they use when they Congratulate the Prosperity of any great Person as if we should say Let such a thing turn to your blessing His Majesty as every Grandee had paid him his Submissions honoured him with a Calate or Royal Vest This Persian word according to its Etymology signifies Entire Perfect Accomplished to signifie either the Excellency of the Habit or the Dignity of him that wears it For it is an infallible Mark of the particular Esteem which the Sovereign has for the person to whom he sends it and that he has free liberty to approach his Person for when the Kingdom has changed its Lord and Master the Grandees who have not received this Vest dare not presume to appear before the King without hazard of their Lives In pursuance of this Custom the King sent a very rich Vest to that courageous Eunuch among others who was the only person who had set the Crown upon his Head With this Present he also sent him a Dagger richly set with Precious Stones Immediately upon this it was believed that he would be advanced to some high Employment but he refused all Preferment with a generous Constancy so that of all the Employments which his Prince offered him he only accepted of the Superintendency of the Affairs relating to the Princess his Mother All the Grandees being thus arrived the King for several days following held a Megeles that is an Assembly of his Lords where the Lords of the Old Court met to compose a New one The first day every one came in his Calate or Royal Vest which the King had bestowed upon them But the Nazir or Superintendant General was not there because he had not been honoured with that Vest So that when he found it was not sent him against the next Assembly he was then persuaded he had not long to live or at least that he should lose his Employment he feared that his Majesty had been informed how that at the time of the Election he had endeavoured to prefer his Younger Brother And this suspition of his was not altogether without ground for that indeed something had been whispered to the King about it Therefore he thought he could not do better than go himself and present his Head to the King himself before any one was sent to demand it for that if he thought to preserve it by concealing himself he should lose it without all hope of pardon but if he had the courage generously to lay it at the Princes Feet it might so happen that he might save himself nor was he deceived for this bold Resolution gained the heart of Sephiè the Second and wrought Compassion even in his
which they did but to no purpose For quite contrary to his expectation the insolent Multitude perceiving nothing but fire and smoke were the more confirm'd in their Opinion that the Grand Provost was only come there to shew himself in discharge of his Office and that he did not desire they should part in good earnest In the mean time two Horsemen came from the King to see if the Tumult were appeas'd at what time the Provost gall'd to the heart that they should observe the little Authority he had over the Rabble who had put him to a Retreat with their Stones commanded about twenty of his Soldiers to fire with Bullets Of which Volley there was not a shot that miss'd So that Nine of the Multitude were kill'd upon the place and others were dangerously wounded The rest finding now that the Provost was not in jest fled with all the hast they could leaving their dead and wounded behind When word was carri'd to the King what had happen'd some of the Grand Provosts private Enemies which the great Lords are never without and who unfortunately for him were then at his Majesties elbow laying hold of the opportunity How comes it to pass Sir said they that a private Person and a Slave dares thus abuse the Inhabitants of your Capital City Has he nothing to do but thus to destroy your truly Loyal Subjects Cannot a Grand Provost prevent these disorders 'T is not well done to make such a slaughter of innocent and disarmed people This will cause a contempt of the Authority which your Majesty has over your Subjects and to lose the Respect and Reverence which they ought to bear your Majesty over all your Empire when they find such terrible extremities used under pretence of keeping 'em to obedience Upon this the King who of himself was already troubl'd at the Accident was far more incens'd by these exasperations Wherefore he immediately dismiss'd the Lord from his employment and sent him Prisoner to a House from whence he was releas'd some few days after at the earnest suit of the Queen Mother and some other persons that were concern'd at his Misfortune For indeed he was a man of courage eminent for his vertue and one that shew'd in all his Actions the Nobility of his Extraction for he was descended from the Bloud Royal of Georgia the last Sovereign Prince of that Country being his Grandfather whose name was Hemirè-Hamzeh-Mirza We shall speak more of him in the Progress of his Story fortune calling him again upon the Stage to act a part of more importance and of greater Authority The charge of Grand Provost was again suppli'd the next day and conferr'd upon a very worthy person the Son of Mir-Kassem-bek or Lord Prince Robust This same Mir-Kassem-bek had been Grand Provost before the last that was so lately put out and in the time of Habas II. by the craft of the Prime Minister had his Head cut off in the Royal Piazza of Ispahan His Son who was call'd Kelk-Hali-Bek or the Lord the Dogg of Haly during the little time that he enjoy'd this Employment most worthily behav'd himself in it and we must needs say that rais'd his Father made himself eminent again by driving out all the Thieves Pick-pockets and Rabble which infected that great City This happen'd at the latter end of the Year 1077. according to the Mahumetan account which answers to the beginning of our Year 1667. For their Year 1078. began with the Vernal Equinox which his Majesty made a great day of publick rejoycing according to the Custom of the Persians But this Year that began with so much rejoycing and with such lucky Omens was not so fortunate however in the Conclusion Scarcity War and Epidemick distempers afflicted the most part of the Provinces during the whole course of it The Court was turmoyl'd with several disorders which cost some persons many a troublesom Hour And through the negligence and remissness of the Sovereign the Grandees erected so many petty Tyrannies which trampl'd under foot and pillag'd the poor people as they pleas'd themselves So that there was not any person but was sensible of the miseries which ill Government occasions when the Prince only minds his pleasures and to content his Passions and the great ones following his example give themselves the liberty to follow the swinge of their own Arbitrary Wills The first thing remarkable at the beginning of the Year was the death of Mahammed-Kouli-Kaan-Divan-Beki or Lord Chief Justice He neither lay long sick nor was it long before his Place was suppli'd being conferr'd upon him that was Mirraab or Prince of the Waters or Steward of the Waters For in regard that water is very scarce in that Country this same Overseer of the Waters is a very considerable Employment However it was not thought that he would be the Person made choice of to succeed the Chief Justice but rather that he who had formerly executed the Place and had been banish'd by the deceased King to Metshed for his ill Government would be restor'd to the Kings favour and to his former Post Nor was the Conjuncture without great Probability in regard that Hali-Kouli-Kaan General of all the Kings Forces was then very powerful and that the other was his Nephew the Son of Rustan-Kaan his Brother However he was deceiv'd and the General quite contrary to his Expectation hinder'd all people to sollicite in his behalf out of the care he took of his own Reputation which he had sulli'd in a high degree had he been instrumental to restore a Person that was hated by all the world besides that his private enmity against him prevail'd beyond all the Considerations of Bloud and Consanguinity For which the Christians had reason to bless God because there was no man more their enrag'd and bitter Enemy then he And it was well for 'em during the time he held his Employment that Habas was not a young man and that he undertook their Protection For it is reported of him that when any Christian was Cited before his Tribunal by any Mahumetan he presently condemn'd him before he heard him and that he was wont to say It was Crime enough for an Armenian to have a suit with a Mahumetan for him to cause his head to be broken Why should he not suffer the Injuries that are done him Dog as he is that does not know that the Christian Religion is inferiour to the Mahumetan In the mean time the King held on his debaucheries every day at the same rate But his health did not keep at the same stay while he grew every day worse then other For the young Prince having plundg'd himself into the excesses of Wine and Women it was impossible he should hold out without some alteration So that during the whole course of this Year he was always ill what Physick soever his Physicians could prescribe him for he took little care of himself If he sometimes refrain'd Wine by their advice it was
according to our account he undertook his Progress into Mazenderan and march'd against ' em The Yusbecks perceiving the King of Persia at hand and apprehensive of his Power fail'd in the great Courage which they pretended at the beginning and thought it their better course to submit So that the next year 1666. they sent every one their Embassadors to beg a Peace and by that means in some measure asswag'd the Indignation of that Prince and suspended those designs which he had contriv'd in his thoughts and which by his death not long after happening prov'd altogether abortive After his unfortunate death the Tartars took heart again Besides the weak Government of a young Prince whose age and want of experience render'd him uncapable to oppose their designs was such a favourable Opportunity that they could not forbear to take the advantage of it And therefore the Prince of Orquenge like a hungry Lion in the year 1667. enter'd Merve Sava and the Country round about where finding no resistance he made strange Havock and carry'd away whatever he found to be of value not one Persian Governour daring to oppose him Nor indeed could the Governours prevent it for these Tartars are like Birds of Prey flying from the Place they have plunder'd with that swiftness before a man can suspect 'em to have been there besides that they had not a sufficient force to oppose a furious Multitude whom Revenge and hope of Booty had flesh'd and animated beyond the sense of fear or danger The Court having intelligence of these disorders took a resolution to apply Remedies but it was so remissly and slowly executed that they who had an insight into things foresaw it would come to nothing as indeed it came to pass The Council of Persia under the Kings name made choice of two Lords esteem'd to be Personages of the greatest Experience in the Kingdom the one called Clichs-Kaan and the other Sheik-Hali-Kaan both the one and the other already provided of two of the best Governments in the Empire the first of the Province of Kirmaan or Caramania the other of Kirmoon Sha which is Caldea These Lords were sent for from their Government which were dispos'd of the one to the Brother the other to the Son of those Lords and they themselves were sent against the Yusbeck with the Title of Generals of the Army They march'd with four thousand men from Ispahan to joyn the Army that lay ready in the Province of Corasson and in regard there was no more talk of the Indian War the Governour of Candaar had order to supply the Generals with what Recruits they should think necessary Six weeks after the departure of these Lords with their small Body of four thousand men several Sums of Money were sent to Corasson to pay both the Armies as well that belonging to the Province as the Indian Recruits This Treasure was convoy'd only by two hundred Men in regard there was no appearance of any danger upon the Road and yet however it came to pass the Yusbecks had intelligence of it Thereupon they sent out a Party to observe the motion of the Convoy and took their opportunity so well that with three thousand of their own People they carri'd off the Booty notwithstanding all the speed that was made to overtake ' em During these Troubles Hali-Kouli-Kaan departed this Life of a stoppage in his Breast for which no remedy could be found after he had kept his Bed four days In the Story of Persia which we intend one day for the Press we have given an account of his Birth and his Misfortunes for it was a wonderful thing that whatever faults he were guilty of and he committed a great many Habas II. still pardon'd him he never would reduce him to utmost misery much less put him to death because of the good tydings of which he had been the Messenger to him For this same Lord it was whom Sephi I. the Father of Habas perceiving his Distemper grow upon him sent to fetch the young Prince out of the Womens Palace to the end he might have him ready near his person out of a design which he had to present him to the Lords for his Successour Never had any man run through so many strange adventures in fifty years that he belong'd to the Court and seventy of his Life nor did ever any man experience the fickleness of Fantastick Fortune in her sports of Prosperity and Adversity so much as he did At the time of his Decease he was advanc'd to the highest Pinacle that ever his good fortune could raise him He was in the entire possession of the affection and favours of his Master who refus'd him nothing His Majesty was never weary of his Bounty toward him and six weeks before his death had presented him with a Sword a Dagger and three Heron Tufts valu'd in all at fifty thousand Crowns But these outward Marks of Favour were of little value to the high-priz'd Power which he had over the thoughts and actions of the Prince who dispatch'd no business of Importance before he had taken his Advice So that it might be said that the General was the true Monarch of the Persians while he that carri'd the Title was but the shadow of the Sovereign And therefore it was that he liv'd like a Monarch there being nothing that appear'd about him that betray'd the least discovery of a private Fortune for he entertain'd fifteen hundred men about his Person besides Officers and Eunuchs of which three hundred at a time mounted his Guards He got by his Government of Tauris and his Fees as Generalissimo thirty thousand Tomans or one hundred and twenty thousand pounds of which he laid aside the one half for the payment of his fifteen hundred men whom he always took care to have in good Equipage the rest went to defray the charges of his House-keeping He had also set up for his own use in his Palace several Kaar-Kaanè or Work-houses for all sorts of Manufactures where he had muster'd together Workmen and Artificers in all manner of Trades Goldsmiths Tailors Sadlers Armourers Burnishers c. besides Riders for his Horses and Masters to teach his men how to handle their Arms. In a word his Palace was altogether Royal. And in this manner was he at continual Expences insomuch that notwithstanding his large Revenue he always was poor and in debt For besides that he was of a prodigal humour having neither Wives nor Children to provide for he never spar'd for Lustre and Pomp upon all occasions that requir'd it Nor will it be amiss considering the high degree that he held in Persia and the Fantastick Traverses as well in his Fortune as in the Consequences of his Conduct to give the Reader a Portraiture of his Person He was of a middle stature rather enclining to be tall then low his Aspect grim and terrible yet without any deformity He wore his Monstachios very thick and about three quarters of
Persian Prayer 45. Kafer the name given by the Persians to Idolaters and Christians 135. L M. de Lalain French Envoy his Audience 72. Hubert de Laresse Envoy from the Hollanders to the Emperour 56. his negotiation at the Persian Court under Habas II. 61 62. and under Sefie II. 64. his Audience 65. Letter of the Persian Lords to Sefie-Mirza upon having Elected him Emperour 27 28. of the Spies in the Persian Court to the King of India 98. Letters of Credence of the Cosaque Embassadors not to be uncypher'd 144. of the Great Duke of Muscovy to the King of Persia 145. of the Pope to the same 151. M Mahamed-Kouli-Kaan a great Enemy to the Christians 87. Bastinado'd 140. made Governor of Candaar 141. Mahamed Saleh a famous Astrologer 25. Meihter or High Chamberlain of Persia 3-14 Message of the Persian Noblemen to the Emperour 67. his Answer 68. Mer-Atever-Bachi Grand Esquire to the Emperor 13. Metched an extraordinary holy City among the Persians 69. Mir-tchekar-Bachi Prince of the Chase 13. Mirza the signification of it 8. Mirza-Baker Chief of the Astrologers 25. Mirza-Hali-Riza a learned Persian Nobleman 43. imprison'd by Habas II. and releas'd by Sefié II. 78. Mirza Hachem a foul-tongu'd person 74. out of the Kings favour 76. his death 77. Mirza-Koudchek Physician to Habas II. 5. confin'd and his Estate confiscated 70. Mirza-Ibrahim Vazier of Media 104. how cheated by the General of the Slaves 106. his usage at his arrival at Ispahan 112 113. when almost ruin'd he gets leave to retire 127. Mirza-Refié a learned Persian 42. his Oration at the Coronation 45. Mirza-Sadek his fall 149. Mirza-Sahid Physician to Habas II. 5. confin'd and his Estate confiscated 70. Mission of Capuchins to Georgia 151. Moubarek-Bached a Persian Complement 70. Moulouk the meaning of the word 115. Multani a sort of Banians 98. the principal of them apprehended 100. Munckiziim-Bachi the Lord of the Astrologers 13. order'd to accompany the tydings of his Election to Sefie-Mirza 25. Muscovite Embassadours slighted at the Persian Court 142. the Great Dukes Letter to the King 145. N Nazir Eunuch see Aga Mubarek Nazir the signification of the word 8. Nazir or Seer the Superintendant General of the Royal Revevenues 13. Passionate for the preferment of Hamzeh-Mirza to the Throne 17. not honour'd as other Noblemen 17. his abject Submission ibid. gains his pardon 72. cheated by the General of the Slaves 107. Nekaat-Kanum the first Wife of Habas II. 6. her extreme passion upon the Message from the Lords to her Son 31 32. Niazouk the Comet so call'd Noblemen of Persia assemble to choose a new Emperour 12 c. their Message to him 67. their Arrival and Reception at Court 70 71. Nour-Nissa-Kanum the second Wife of Habas II. 8. O Orders for the Commissioners who carri'd to Sephiè Mirza the News of his being elected Emperour 26 c. Orquenge a petty Principality of Tartary 115. a Prince of that Country taken Prisoner by the Persians ibid. and his usage among them 116. P Pehri Rocksar Begum restor'd to favour and her Husband preferr'd 83. Physicians to the Emperour of Persia their case upon the death of their Master 5. they complot to raise the younger Son to the Throne 9. they are confin'd and their Estates confiscated 70. Popes Letter to the Persian Emperour 151. Portraitures of the Emperour and great Officers taken by the Indian Spies 98. Prayer or Speech at the Coronation of the Emperour 45. Present of the Dutch Envoy to the General of the Musquetteers 66. of the English to the Emperour ibid. and to the General of the Musquetteers 67. of the French to the Emperour 72. of Mirza Ibrahim to Hali-Kouli-Kaan 113. of the Indian Lady Sakeb-Koudshek to Solyman III. 151. R Religion of Mahomet divided into the Shia and the Sunni Factions 119. Revenues of Persia decrease under the management of the young K. 128. Sepher-Kouli-Kaan the Princely Slave of the Armies 101. Sephie the signification of the word 48. Shama Ki a City almost Ruin'd by an Earthquake 127. Sha-Naavaz Kaan Prince Governor of Gorgia 101. Sheik-Hali-Kaan one of the Persian Generals against the Tusbeks 120. advanc'd to be General of the Musquetteers 148. Shia the name of that Sect of Mahometans of which are the Persians 119. Soliman the new name of the Persian Emperor 134. the original and meaning of it 133. Sophy a word used by Historians c by mistake 49. Speech of the prime Minister for the promotion of Hamzeh-Mirza to the Throne 14 15. of Aga-Mubarek against it 20 21. of the Messenger who brought the news to Sephie-Mirza of his being Elected Emperor 34. of Mirza-Refia at the Coronation 45. of the Emperour of Persia and the Dutch Envoy at his Audience 65. of the Emp. and the English 66 67. of the same and the French 72 73. of the Emperor and Hali-Kouli-Kaan upon his Arrival 80. of the same Lord upon another occasion 129. of the prime Minister to the Cossque Embassadors Spies in the Persian Court from the King of India 98. Stephen d' Ameria Superior of a Mission of Capuchins to Georgia 151. Sunni the name of that Mahometan Sect of which the Yusbecks and Turks are 119 135. T. Taag the Diadem or Crown of the Persian Emperor 40. Talaar Tavieleh the Emperours Apartment for Audience 36. the description of it 37. Tefflis the Capital City of Georgia a good part of it overturn'd by an Earthquake 126. Temuraz-Kaan the last King of Georgia 101. Terviet-Kaan Embassador from the King of India 102 Toefenktchi the Lord of the Musquetteers 13. chosen to carry the tidings to Sefi-Mirza of his being Elected Emperour 25. and his Character ibid. a great Favourite of the Emperour 57. 73. loses his Love and retires 148. Tshehel Setoon or the Hall with forty Pillars 132. Tumult in Ispahan 84 85. Turbant see Dhulbandt Turks or Turkmans whence they came 124. V. Valié-Neamet its signification 34. Vateaa-Noviez the Notary of occurrences 13. Vazier the meaning of the Word 73. Vazier of Mazenderan see Mirza-Hachem Vests given by the Persian Emperor to his Noblemen 70 71. W Wine prohibited to be sold 130. Wives the choice of them by the Kings of Persia 130. Women why extremely afflicted upon the death of the Emperour 3. the constant Companions of Sephie 130. Y Yus and Yusi the meaning of the words 115. Yusbecks a People of Tartary invade the Persian Territories 114. an account of them 115. a great defeat of them ibid. they submit to Habas II. 119. make an irruption into Bactria 120. surprize a Persian Convoy 121. Z Zachara an Armenian Merchant 91. FINIS * On taille la vigne tous les quatre Anns une fois †As if I had said On taille la vigne quatre fois en un An. Abas the Second Victorious King Lord of the World Thrice Valliant Prince descended from Shaik Sephi from Moussa from Hassein The Word signifies desire (1) The Pentateuch the Psalter the Gospel and the Alcoran The Mahometans believing that these Books ever were and always shall be the Rule of their Faith (2) The Heavens of the Planets of the Primum Mobile (3) The seven Climates which was the Ancient Division of the Earth (4) It is in the Original Doctor in the Knowledge of the Prophets who knew not their A B C. For the Mahumetans affirm that Mahomet was so ignorant in human Learning that he could not read To the end they might the better from thence conclude that his Knowledge was supernatural (5) The twelve Heirs and Successors of Mahomet the last of which was carry'd to Heaven and shall return to confound the Reign of the unfaithful (a) Let it be so and it was so Gen. 1. The Mahometans hold that every man has two inspecting Angels the one who writes down the good the other the evil which he does (7) The Persians affirm that Aly was the handsomest Person that ever was and that his Beauty was unconceivable For which reason the Painters usually cover his Face with a Veil and will not let it be seen But what the Poet here speaks of Haly signifies that the Blessed in Heaven account it their chiefest felicity to be belov'd by him (8) Or Fortune The sence is thou knowest how to turn the world at thy pleasure as a Mule turns the little Bell that hangs at his neck (9) Renown or Fame (10) Sulphagar is the name of Haly's sword which the Mahometans say divides it self at the end with two points (11) Stones of Divination The Mahumetans say that when Jesus Christ was living Physick flourish'd in its highest degree of Excellency and that God gave him so many secrets of that Art that he rais'd the Dead and penetrated the very thoughts of Men. (12) That is to say the greatest Prophet (13) A figure taken from the Custom of the Persians to seal their Mines with the King's Seal and of his Officers because all Mines belong to the King (14) The Heaven 17 The place toward which they are obliged to turn when they say their Prayers Thus Jerusalem was the Kebleh of the Jews and Mecca of the Mahometans (17) An allusion to the Kiss which the Mahumetans say that Mahomet gave Haly when he publickly appointed him his Heir and Successor and is a prophane imitation of the manner of Christs giving his Holy Spirit to his Apostles (18) In the Elogy of the Mahumetans it is said that God created the World by the Ministry of Angels which is drawn from the Theology of the Jews (19) Abraham's Wells of which mention is made in Genesis and with whose Water the Pilgrims of Mecca are oblig'd to purify themselves a certain number of times (20) The house of Abraham to which the Alcoran commands Pilgrimage once in a man's life (21) The ancient Kings of Persia of the first Race and Monarchs of the East