‘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’ [‎168] (189/508)

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Merchandize, but cmely convers 'd with Arms or Books, apd
th u 1 .aaidted mv (elf to the latter, and medled not with
the fni ii^r. He nlkM me, how I was fupply d with Money
for nn Travels, in to remote Countries? I anfwer d that I had
b' Ou4t fome nlona with me, and more was fent me from time
to time b\ n y Agents eh her in Bills or in ready Money accord-
in. a, was molt expedient in reference to the diverfity of places.
Henfk'd me. whether T had either a Father or a Mother, Brothers
or SilVrs. Wife or Children, remaining by that Wite, who , I
laid, was pals'd to a better life? I anfwer 'd, that 1 had not5
whereupon he laidJc was no wonder then that I pleas d my felfm
wandrire; thus about theVVoild, being lb alone and deftitute
of all Rmred. And indeed, the Ring did not ill infers for had
any Ot my dea.eft Relations been living, as they arc not, per-
hat s, T ftic uld not have gone from home, nor ever leen Mane I or
OlaZd'i but i^nce tis Goti 5 Will to have it To, I muft have pati*
ence. ' The King told me, that if I could procure a good Horfe
out of my Country, he would pay very well for it 5 for the
Indians have none good of their own breed ^ and the good they
have, are brought to them either from Arabia or Verfta, and the
Tortngals make a Trade of carrying them thither to it 11, even the
greateft Perfons, as Governours ot places, and Captains Gene
ral, not dildaining todo the fame. I ftanding upon the point
ot mv Italian Nobility, which allows not luch tilings , anfwer d
the King, that to fell Horfes was the Office of Merchants, not
xny ^roteflion 7 that I might prefenr fome good one to his High-
nels, there being in my Country very good ones, and would
gladly do it, if it werepofhble. I he King was much pleas d
with this Aniwer of mine, and laid to his Men, that I tpoke like
a right Gentleman, plainly and truly ^ and did nor, like many,
who prom fe and lay they will do many things, which afterwards
they perform not, nor are able to do. He alk'd me concerning
Safhon , which is much edeemed among them^ they ufe it
mix d with Sandersto paint their fore-heads withall, as alfo for
Perfumes, for Meats, and for a thoufand other ufes. I anfwer 'd,
that I might be able to ferve his Highnefs, that it was a thing
that might be tranlported i and that in my Country, there was
enough, and that, if it pleas'd God I arrived there alive, I
would fend him a Prefent of it,with other fine thingsrof my Coun
try, which perhaps, would be acceptable to him» And indeed,
if I arrive in Italy^ I intend to make many ComplementSj with
this and divers other Princes, whom I know in thefe parts 5 for
by what f have feen, I may getmy felf a great deal of Honour
amongft them with no great charge. Ever now and then, the
King would talk with his Servants, and all was in commendation
of me and my difcreet fpeaking, and efpecially of my white com
plexion, which they much admired, although in Italy I was ne
ver counted one of the fair, and, after fo many Travels, arid fo
many futierings both of Body and Mind, I am fo changed that!
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