‘The travels of Sig. Pietro della Valle, a noble Roman, into East-India and Arabia Deserta. In which, the several countries, together with the customs, manners, traffique, and rites both religious and civil, of those Oriental princes and nations, are faithfully described: In familiar letters to his friend Signior Mario Schipano. Whereunto is added a relation of Sir Thomas Roe’s voyage into the East-Indies’ [‎154] (175/508)

i|4
«I! W
il ifei M.
The Travels of Peter Delia Vallc,
fir ft coming from home and wandring about the world, having
feen divers Countries and Courts of great Princes 5 and that be
ing mov'd by the fame of her worth, which had long ago arriv'd
at my Ears, I was come into this place purpofely to fee her, and
offer her my fervice. She afle 'd. What Countries and Courts of
Princes T had feen? I gave her a brief account of all 5 and flic
hearing the Great Turk, the Perfian, the Moghol, and VeH^tapl
nakk* nam'd, afk'd, What then I came to fee inthefe Woods
of hers ? Intimating that her State was not worth feeingj
after fo many other great things as I faid I had feen. I reply'd
to her ? that it was enough for me to fee her Perfoil, which I
knew to be of great worth 3 for which purpofe alone I had taken
the pains to come thither, and accounted the lame very well
imploy'd. After fome courteous words of thanks, (he alk'd mcj
If any ficknefs or other difafter had hapned to me in fo remote
• and ftrange Countries, How I could have done being alone,
without any to take care of me? ("a tender AfFeftion, and inci
dent to the compaffionate nature of Women). I anfwer d, that
in every place I went into, I had God with me, and that I trufted
in him. She afk'd me, Whether I left my Country upon any
difguft, the death of any kindred or beloved perfon, and there
fore wander'd fo about the world, (Tor in India and all the Eaft
fbme are wont to do fo upon difcontents either of Love, or for
the death of fome dear perfons , or for other unfortunate acci
dents 5 and if Gentiles, they become Gioghies 5 if Mahometans^
Dervifes and Abdales x all which are a fort of vagabonds, or de-
fpifers of the world, going almofl: naked, onely with a Ikin upon
their Shoulders, and a ftaff in their Hands , through divers
Countries, like our Pilgrims^ living upon Alms, little caring
what befalls them, and leading a Life fuitable to the bad difpo-
fition of their hearts). I conceal'd my firft mifad ventures, and
told the Queen that I left not my Country upon any fuch caufe,
but onely out of a defire to fee divers Countries and cuftoms,
and to learn many things, which are learnt by travelling the
World 5 men who had feen and convers'd with many (evefal Na
tions, being much efleem d in our parts: That indeed foffome
time fince , upon the death of my Wife, whom I lov'dmuch,
t lough I were not in habit,yet in mind I was more then a Qioghi i
and little car'd what could betide me in the World. She afk'd
me. What my defign was now, and whither I diredted my way}
n an j ^ ^ thought of returning to my Country, if it
inould pleafe God to give me life to arrive there. Many other
queihons the afk a, which I do not now remember, talking witk
me (landing a good whiles to all which, I anfwe^d the beft I
could : At length (he bid me go and lodginfome houfe, and
WK rWa would talk with me again at more convenience*
hereupon I took my leave,and (he proceeded on her way,and,
to 3 ^ le Wcnt: about a mile off to fee a work
w 11c ihe had in hand of certain Trenches to convey water
to