Page:The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier.djvu/109

Money instead of Diet, to the end he might dress his own Meat as he pleas'd him self. Upon which the covetous Ambassador accepted his offer, and two hours after there was a Bag brought him of 50 Tomans, which amount to about 800 Crowns. The Franks being offended at his baseness, slighted the Ambassador, and left him to keep House by himself, which was poor enough God knows; an Onion or a Turnep serving his turn for a Meal. Some days after, he had Audience of the King, to whom he presented his Letters Credential from the Pope, the Emperour, the King of Poland, and the Commonwealth of Venice. Those from the three last were well receiv'd, because the Seals were of Gold, and for that the Paper was embelish'd with curious Flourishes: but the Pope's Letters were rejected with scorn, because the Seals were only of Lead, as the Bulls are usually seal'd; and for that the Writing was very plain. For the Kings of Persia, who are very nice, love things that are gay to the Eye; otherwise they look upon themselves to be affronted. Dominico de Santis had better have tak'n upon him the meaner quality of an Envoy, than the title of an Ambassador, unless he had known better how to behave himself; especially being so eclips'd as he was by a real Ambassador that arriv'd at Ispahan some time after. All the Franks went forth to meet him, and the Master of the Ceremonies made him the same proffers as he had done to the Venetian: but he nobly answer'd, That whatever it were that the King of Persia sent him, he should take it for a very great Honour: otherwise, if he would have eaten Gold, the King his Master would have allow'd him 30 Mules Load. Such persons as behave themselves with decency and a good grace, are the persons that the Christian Princes should send into Persia, who are the most refin'd Wits, and the best Politicians of all Asia.

To conclude the Story of the Venetian, I will give you his Character. An Indian naturally of a good Wit having embrac'd Christianity and an Ecclesiastical Life, went to Rome to complete his Studies which he had begun at Goa; whither, the Pope, taking an affection to him, sent him afterward as his Vicar. Dominico de Santis being then at Rome, put himself into his service, and follow'd him into the Indies, where I saw him the first time I went, in a mean condition. Upon his return to Venice, where he was in no credit before, he made people believe that he understood the Trade of Asia; whereupon some particular Merchants trusted him with some Goods, which were cast away at Seide. Thus poor and bare he return'd to Goa, where he got 800 Crowns by a charitable Contribution. From thence he travel'd to Ispahan, where he fell into the acquaintance of Father Rigordi a Jesuite, with whom he went into Poland: where making his brags of the great knowledge he had of the Affairs of Persia, the King gave him that Commission which I have already mention'd. The Emperour follow'd his Example, and the Commonwealth of Venice did the same: and to give the more lustre and authority to his Embassy, they got the Pope to joyn with them. But alas! both Dominico de Santis, and all such persons as he, that go into Asia without Brains and good Behaviour, do but prostitute the Reputation of the Princes that send them. Such another was Father Rigordi, who after he had been thrust out of Goa by the Portugals, went to Ispahan, where he insinuated himself by a Proposition which he made of Marrying the King of Persia, who was then a very young Prince, to the Dutchess of Orleance. Under which pretence he was well receiv'd and treated by the King; from whom he also receiv'd some Presents by virtue of that Proposal, which was good sport to the Dutchess when she heard of it.

As for the Venetian, the Atemadoulet, who was very glad to be rid of him, desir'd the Muscovite Ambassador, who was then upon his return home, to take him along with him, which he did as far as the Caspian Sea, where they take Shipping for Astracan; but there the Muscovite told him he could carry him no further: thereupon he was forc'd to come back to Ispahan, and so to travel to Goa, whence the Portugals shipt him home for Charities sake. But when he came to Venice, has was so far from being well receiv'd, that the Senate had like to have punish'd him severely for giving so bad an account of his Negotiation.

CHAP.