‘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’ [‎124] (145/508)

XV.
we found two very long but- narrow Bulwarks. Within the Ci
tadel are many Houfes, and (hops alfo in feveral ftreets , for we
paG'd through two Gates, at both which there ftood Guards
and all the diftance between them was an inhabited ftreet. We
went through thefe two Gates on Horfe-back, which, I believe
was a priviledge, for few did fo befides our felves 9 namely, fuch
onely as entred where the King was 5 the reft either remaining
onHorfe-backat the firftGate, or alighting at the Entrance of
the fecond. A third Gate alfo we enter'd, but on Foot, and
came into a kind of Court, about which were fitting in Porches
many prime Courtiers, and other perfons of quality. Then we
came to a fourth Gate guarded with Souldiers, into which one
ly weFranchi or Chriftians, and fome few others of the Country
were fuffer'd to enters and we prefehtly found the King, who
was feated in a kind of Porch on the oppofite fide of a final!
Court, upon a Pavement fomewhat rais'd from the Earth
cover d with a Canopy like a fquare Tent, but made of boords
and gilded. The Floor was cover'd with a piece of Tapiftry
fomething old, and the King fat after the manner of the Eaft up
on a little Quilt on the out-fide of the Tent, leaning upon one
of the pillars which up-held it on the right hand, having at his
back two great Cuftiions of fine white Silk. Before him lay his
Sword, adonVd with Silver, and a little on one fide almoft in
the middle of the Tent, was a fmall eight-corner'd Stand, painted
and gilded, either to write upon, orelfeto hold fome thing or
other of his. On the right hand, and behind the King, ftood
divers Courtiers, one of which continually wav'd a white fan
made of fine linnen^ as if to drive away the flies from the King.
Befides the King, there was but one perfon fitting, an^ hethe
principal Favorite of the Court, call'd Putapai*, and he fat at a
good diftance from him on the right hand near the wall
As foon as we faw the King afar off, the Ambaffador and we
pull d off our Hats, and faluted him after our manner ; he feem'd
not to Ihr at alljbut when we approach'd nearer 3 the Ambaffadot
was made to fit down within the Tent at a good diftance from
the King near the wall, as PHtapaia fate, but on the left fide, at
which we enter'd The reft of us ftood a good while before the
Tent, on the left fide alfo. yitula Simy approach'd to a Pillar
oppofite to that on which the King lean'd, and there fcrr'd as
whh fhp A* 5 , ??" Itnes fpcaking with the King, and fometimes
2 ^ ^ ft00d alf0 0 " 0Ur butdi-
TheKW^fi ft % ^ nearoneo f the Pillars of the Porch.
I he Kings firft words were concerning the Health of the King
fcr a rl heV,Ce " R0y 5 and thcn e Ambaffador fubjoynl
thvthfe- 00 ^ r n f; c >. t0 him, and continue the
rwho ul lt, his Highnefs held with that State of the Vortugds,
their Wnfp 7 ; t0 l ? nRin 8 s ' as ^ey did alto to
foft arofe anH wnf W . en one 3 whence) thiscuftom
j s ftill connnu d 5 although now when they name
their