six were given,
but only one shown. There were besides, many other curiosities of small
value; after which came the three times nine horses and mules, the
latter being very handsome, but the horses had lost their beauty and
condition, as, except one or two, they were very unfit for being sent or
accepted between princes. This done, the Persian returned, with many
antic tricks, to his place, which was far inferior to mine, as I stood
alone, and above all the subjects, though Asaph Khan at first wanted to
put me from it, but I maintained it as my right, having been appointed
me by the king. This was only the first act of the play presented by
the Persian ambassador, which will not be finished in ten days.

The 22d I went to the prince's secretary for the promised Surat letter;
but his highness had changed his mind, and, loth to let the presents
pass without ransacking them, refused to seal the letter. The secretary
pretended they could not be allowed to pass without search, lest the
merchants, under that pretence, might defraud the customs. I was
offended, and going away; but the secretary prevailed on me to go with
him to the prince, to whom I delivered some feathers, being two
_plurides_ and two birds of paradise, which he graciously accepted; and
having made known my determination not to have the presents opened, or
to be sent up by any others than my own servants, he at last yielded,
and commanded his secretary to make out the dispatch in my own way.

At night I went to the durbar to observe the Persian ambassador, whom I
found standing in his place, but often removed and set lower, as the
great men came in. The king once spoke to him, on which he played off
his monkey tricks, but gave no present; only the king gave command that
he should be feasted by the nobles. Most of the time was spent in seeing
saddles and furniture, against the removal of the court, some of which
the king presented to his followers, as the court was daily expected to
move; the king's tents having been pitched four days. I sent that night
to the secretary for my firmaun, but was put off with excuses.

The 24th the king removed to Havar Gemal, and called for the Persian
ambassador, who at night eat and drank before the king along with the
nobles, as I had done on the birth-day. On this occasion the king gave
him 20,000 rupees for his expences, for which he made innumerable
_tessalims_ and _sizedas_, which greatly pleased the king, being base
ye