'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎199] (220/448)

"3
Melee Bahaman. Ttyna.
ip 9
bearded by that mountainous King-, but according to that Motto of Tacitm, Id *qmm
quoJvalidiM, pretends that from his lofty dwelling he ufually pried into his two Kins-
domes of Media and Moz.endram, by that having the advantage to ranfack his Towns
rob his Carravans, illure his Worms, anticipate his progrefs to the Cafpan Sea, and
to divert many Rivers into other fources, winch fpringing from Tanrm Itreamed into
Hyrcania and Shervan-, and without whofe fource thofe Provinces would become barren
if not ufelefs. Melecl^ Bahaman readily finds his drifts and comparing him with that
fable of the Wolf, who drinking at the fpring-head, quarrelled with the Lamb for
troubling his draught when he was quenching his .thirft at theftream below, premedi
tates what anfwer to return : Whiles Abbas in an impatient delay refolves to try the
chance of War, appointing Methiculibeg to profecute his defign, and not return with
out vidory.
This could not be fo fecretly intended but aged Bahaman had intelligence. Atfirft
it troubled him, in that his gray hairs were morepropenfe to eafe than War : Yet, left
his fubjeds from his example might be difcouraged he throws away all dull thoughts and
as a common father provides for fafety with Arms and Viduals furnilhing his Cittadel
for many years fiege-, yea, omitting nothing that might intitJehim a careful and expert
Souldier. In each defenfive place he plants a Garrifon, and other parts lays naked
where the enemy might comethat in nothing the Countrey might relieve the Per pan.
That done, he mews himfelf, his Queen, his two Sons, and ten thoufnad feled men iii
his Caftle *, in that pofture not fearing any thing they could attempt.
The Perfian General in the mean time with thirty thoufand men march againft him •
and at their firft afcent find the way dangerous by thofe many fhowers of Darts and ftones
he thundred on them: they fir ft grumbled, and then would have tumbled down, had
not Methkiilibeg by promifes and threats encouraged, expofing his own head in the front
of danger *, fo as after fome skirmiihes he laid clofe fiege to the Caftle, where he was
told the King and vidory was included. Having well viewed this inacceffible Fortrefs,
he defpaired of taking it *, fuch was the height thereof, and fuchthe perpendicular af'
cent, two excellent defences Art and Nature had enriched it with. Neverthelefs, fome
attempts he made, but invalidable : to Ihoot their Arrows at it, was one with aiming
at the iMoon ; Small (hot they had, and Lances good ftore ^ but of fmall force to bat
ter Rocks. So that after many tedious aflaults and bravadoes (wherein the Perfian had
ftones in requital,) the General well knowing. That what ftrength was not able to do
Ingenuity as the moft forcible Engine oft effeds, he beat a parley, and with many pro-
teftations affiired them of friendfhip: Yea that he might the better lhadow pretended
truth, prefents the aged King with Tulipants, Shamfheers, Pearls, and other gilded baits
mean enough to angle for a Kingdom *, intreating him withal to defcend and tafte a ban
quet *, folemnly fwearing by Mortis-Ally, the head of Shaw-Abbas, Paradife, the eight
Orbs, and other ufual proteftations, that he fhould come and go with fafety ^ no other
reafon inducing this invitation but a hearty good will he bore him, and from the hopes
he had of coming to fome agreement. The peaceful King, un ufed to deceit and wars
rotten ftratagems, fwallows the tempting hook, and believes all for truth ^ albeit his
Wife and Sons diffwade, giving him inftances of like diffimulation: Credulity is
rather a fault than an offence, feeing it-hurts none but it felf; yet here is proved other-
wife. Neither thofe, nor the tears his men fhed to beg his ftay vowing their conftancy
to the laft, could avert his deftiny: Neceflity being governed neither by Law nor power .•
So down he goes without hoftages, where he finds the Crocodile ready to embrace him
with tears of joy : but after a fhort banquet, gives him an iron bed , regarding neither
vow, honour, nor ingagement; fo as Bahaman now too late repents his dotage. The
Perfian General alfo thinks all his own, and therefore fends his Sons a meffage of in-
treaty but upon a Ipears point, the lubftance being, That if they wifhed their Fathers
lafety,they fhould come down and have his word engaged for thek fafe return *, otherwife,
he would fhew the old man no mercy.
.Nature inriches man with reafon, but Time with knowledge and experience. Hence,
the two gallant youths, regardlefs of the rodomontadoes of that treacherous Enemy,
make this anfwerThey would believe he was a man of honour and honefty, when ac
cording to promife he gave the King their Father his liberty; otherwife he might ac
count them Ideots, breach of faith to their Father being fo notorious ; and that from
equal reafon he might demand the Caftle and Crown, as them by whom thofe were pre-
ferved. Adding withal. That the King of Perfia's ill-grounded ambition would never
prolper : For, though he had craftily avoided the Epithete of a Tyrant, this would rub
afrefli his former injuftice, yea, anatomize him fo as all Afia would efteem him ignoble i