At Noon This Day I Visited The Persian Ambassador,
Being The First Time We Had Leisure For This Ceremony, And Was Received
By Him With Much Respectful Civility.
After compliments on both sides
were over, I proposed to him the settlement of trade in his master's
dominions, which he engaged to promote as much as lay in his power.
He
gave me a banquet of bad fruit, but being a good fellow, it went off
well, and he outdid in courtesy every thing I had met with in India. He
railed loudly against the court, and the king's officers and council,
using most unusual liberty. He offered to be my interpreter, desiring
that I might pitch my tents beside his, and he would impart whatever I
thought proper to the king. When about to part, after long discourse, he
pressed me to accept a horse with handsome furniture, which was brought
to the door, but I refused. He then sent for nine pieces of Persian
silks, and nine bottles of wine, that I might not depart without some
testimony of his love, but these also I refused to accept, with many
protestations of affectionate regard. I observed him looking earnestly
at my sword, which I offered to give him; but, following my example, he
refused.
At night I visited the king, who spent his time sadly with an old man,
after reading long letters, and few spoke with him. At his rising, he
presented to this person, who was a cripple from age, 5000 rupees, and
took his leave of him with many embraces.
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