‘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’ [‎15] (36/508)

Into the EAST -INDIES. , 15
becaufe S^Mariuccin was therejtelling me that it was not conve
nient for me wait in the ftreets undecently and tediouily, whilft a
Houfe was preparing for me elfewhere, which could not be done
fo fpeedily. Notwithftairding which reafons, I endeavour'd all
that pofTibly I could to decline this invitation 3 out of refped:
to the Engliih Prefident 3 and with affeftionate thanks defir'd
the Gentleman toexcufe me to the Sig r Commendator, ftraining
my felf to cortefpond to his courtefie with the bell: Comple
ments I had : But this avail'd me little , for as I was haftening
to break off the difcourfe and be gonej the Commendator him-
felf came forth into the ftreet half undrefs'd as he was in the
houfe, and taking hold of my Horfe's bridle, told me that he
would by no means fuffer me to go any where elfe now it was
late without certain quarters 5 at leaft, I mull: needs ftay and
dine with him that day. Beholding him thus on foot before me,
I alighted in civility from my Horfe, and with the beft words I
could, endeavour'd to get quit from the courteous violence
which he us'd to me : But there was no remedy 5 he held me pri-
foner, as I may fay, and I was fain to ftay dinner with him as he
defir'd. Moreover, when night came, being I was refolv'd
to lodge in another Houfe of mine own, under pretext that none
could be got though fought for all day, (wherein I know not
whether Sig r Alberto deluded me too.) I wasforc'd to accept of
a large Houfe from the Commendator which he had taken for
himfelf, before his late removal to that great Palace wherein he
liv'd with the reft of his Country-men ; which former Hcmfe re
maining empty at his charge and difpofal, I was by his great
importunity oblig'd to accept .-'Wherefore I went to lodge there
this night, and for the conveniency of Sig" Mariuccia^ they fent
thither one of their Wives, a young Chriftian Woman of Arme
nian race, though born in India^ with fbme other women-fer-
vants. Now left the Englifti Prefident (hould take this ill, I
purpos'd to prevent him with terms of courtefie 5 and the next
Morning after a (hort, and the laft fit of my Tertian, I went to
give him a vifit, and make my excufes to him by reprefenting to
him the reafons of what had pafs'd with the Hollanders, without
any voluntary fault of mine: But upon my enquiry at his Houfe,
and fending my meftage to him, I was anfwer d that he was not
at home , although we perceiv d by certain fignesthat he was,
but fairly declin'd to receive my vifit. Wherefore underftand -
ing afterwards that he was much incens'd not odely againft me,
butalfoagainft the Holland Commendator, conceiving that he
had unhandfomely ftolne and ufurp'd me from him, (as he faid}
in regard of the intereft he had in us, upon the account of our be
ing brought thither in their fhips 5 and that he had a more par
ticular difpleafure againft Sig r ^//'er^jknowing him to have been
the principal occafion oi all, I thought it expedient to appeafc
him by all means, and upon what ever terms of fatisfadion : Ne-
verthelefs 1 did not judge it meet to venture another repulfe by