‘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’ [‎268] (289/508)

The Travels Peter Delia Val!e,
Singly pardonM them all the reft) that feeing the Cheft wherein
the bcdy of Sitti Maani was, and underftanding what it was (for
1 was glad to tell them., left they (hould have broken it open J
they not only gave me no trouble about itj as I thought they
would, (being a thing contrary to cuftom and their Laws) but
rather accounted it a piece of piety that I earn d her with me to
bury her in my own Country, both pitying and commending me
for it: which hapning beyond all expeftation I attributed to
God's particular favour, and to her own effeftual prayers, which
undoubtedly helpt me therein.
This being over, about three hours before night. We fet forth
and travell'd till night. Some of the above-mention d Soldiers
return'd to Anna^ but others, who were carrying I know not
what moneys to their Emir Mudkg, accompani 'd withus. I n
the Evening the Leader or Chieftain of thefe Soldiers made me
open my Trunks once again, (namely the two little ones which
they had omitted in the day^ and putting all my Goods in dif-
order, took away many things, as a Mantle of Sitti Maani of
deep azure filk, according to the mode of Ajfyria^ a Ball of
Amber, an Alabafter Vefiel curioufly wrought, and confign'd
to me in India by Sig. Antonio Ztorac/w, to prefent in his name to
Sig. Francefco del Drago at Rom', many exquifite Porcellane
Difhes miniated with Gold 5 an Arabick Book, though of little
importance 5 a great watchet Clokeor Mantle to keep off rain
after the Perfian mode 5 much paper befides other fuchthingg.
At night we ftaid to reft, but the Soldiers went onwards, before
their going, I redeem'd from them the Mantle of Sitti Maani,
and Sig. Francefco dd Drago s Alabafter Veffel, giving them in
exchange two Abe 's, or Arabian Surcoats which I bought of one
of our company for feven Piaftres, the Amber and other things
I could not recover, but they earn d them away j for they would
neither reftore them freely, nor take money for them, and our
Cafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. was (b fmall that I could find nothing to give them inftead
thereof which pleas'd them. It was no fmall good luck that I fav'd
the Sword and Ponyard of: Sitti Maani^ with many of her jewels,
braceiets,8c other ornaments of Gold from their rapacious hands,
hiding them under a trunk ;for,if they had feen them/tis ten to one
but they would have taken them from me. I relate thefe things
that it mjy be known what Tyranny thele Barbarians exercife
in their own Countries towards us, who in ours very often, with
iil-employ'd courtefie, are wont to be undefervedly carefs 'dand
honour'd when they come thither.
July the htteenth. We travell'd from Day-break till Noon,
ana three hours after till night, when we took up our Station not
far from the River, arnongft many fhrubs which to me feem'd to
be Juniper, or elfe that plant which in Ferfia they call Ghitz.
i he next two days we travell d and refted at our ufual hours, and
on the latter, we reftedliear a Pit or Well of bitter and ftir^ing
water in a mineral Soil, all full of Talk , of which I brought
away