Page:The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier.djvu/188
one call'd Hedari, the other Nametlaï; and upon all the Combats of Beasts before-mention'd, there are always very considerable Wagers laid between these two Tribes. The King, who is a neuter, gives to the Master of the Beast that gets the upper hand sometimes five, sometimes ten, sometimes twenty Tomans, according to the value of the Wager laid; and he that wins the Wager, presents the Master of the the Beast likewise. They have also a Sport at breaking of Eggs, by knocking the ends one against another, some of which Eggs come to three or four Crowns. The Hens that lay them are bred in a Country which they call Sausevare, about a hundred leagues from Ispahan, toward the Province of Karason; the Cocks of which Country are bigger and stronger than other Cocks, and cost some of them a hundred Crowns. There are a sort of Tumblers also, that after Dinner set up their Stages in the Meydan, and toward the Evening, they that play the Maid-Marians come and encompass a square place with a course piece of Calicut; and then through another very fine Cloth, the Wenches shew a thousand tumbling Tricks and antick Postures. When they have done, they come and ask the Spectators for Money, who give them every one what they think fit. Every Friday, which is as it were Market-day, the Country-folks bring to Town what they have made in the Villages, as Doors and Windows fitted to be hung up, Window-frames, Locks, and other things of that nature. Upon that day also they sell Mules, Horses, Camels, and Asses, which brings a great confluence of people from all parts.
Upon the West side, where stands the Gate of the Palace, and Ali's Gate, between the Canal and the Portico's are rang'd some seventy Pieces of Cannon upon their Carriages. These Guns, together with the Sun-Dial, were brought from Ormus by the Great Sha-Abas, of which the English ought to have had their share; for without their assistance he never could have tak'n the Town.
From the corner of that Front, which touches upon the Eastern Front of the Mosquee, in the middle, are all Sadlers Shops; and from that Mosquee to another corner that touches upon the Western Front, live the Book-sellers, Book-binders, and Trunk-makers. In the middle of the Southern Front stands a Portal, with a Tower upon each side, which leads to a Mosquee, the Gate whereof is cover'd all over with Plates of Silver, and is certainly the neatest Portal and fairest Entrance into any Mosquee of Persia.
At the other end of the same Front, where it joyns to that upon the West, there is a great Portal that leads to a false Gate of the King's Palace; near to which, as soon as you are enter'd, you meet with the Apartment of the Great Treasurer, who is a white Eunuch, and having the Keys of the Chamber where the Money lyes, takes care to pay what-ever the King orders him. Through that false Gate all the King's Provisions are carry'd into the Palace. This way also enter they that are entertain'd for the Manufactury of the King's Tissues, Silks, Sattins, Coverlets, and the like. In the same Enclosure also the Franks, who are under the Ring's Wages, and live at Zulpha, come every day to work; as also all the most particular and eminent Artists that the King hires.
The Western Front, which makes one of the two lengths of the Meydan, is thus appointed; from the Southern angle that touches the Trunk-maker's quarter, live all your Pedlers that sell all the small Commodities of Norimberg and Venice.
As for the King's Palace, I cannot make any handsom description of it, in regard there is nothing of Beauty either in the Building or in the Gardens. I think I have been as far in the House as a man could go, every time I was sent for by His Majesty; but excepting only four Rooms which they call Divans, I saw nothing but pitiful low Galleries, and so narrow that hardly two men could pass a-brest in 'em. In one of those Galleries I had audience of the King, in the Garment of Honour which he had bestow'd upon me. But in regard I have spok'n of two of them in another place, and that the other two are much alike both Building and Furniture, I shall say no more of them here.
From the King's Palace Gate to Haly's Gate live the Goldsmiths, Lapidaries, and Gravers of Stones for Seals: Haly's Gate is a plain Gate, naked of Work; of which I have already spok'n.
Between Haly's Gate, and the other angle of the same Western Front, stands a great Gate which leads into a Bazar, where all the Armenians that live at Zulfa keep their Shops, and sell all sorts of Cloth that comes out of Europe, and other thechoicest