dies to see through, and rich
canopies over head of cloth of silver. The king then descended the
stairs, amid such acclamations of _health to the king_, as would have
drowned the noise of cannon. At the foot of the stairs, where I
contrived to be near him, a person brought to him a large carp, and
another presented a dish of some white stuff like starch, into which the
king dipped his finger, with which he touched the fish, and then rubbed
it on his forehead. This ceremony was said to presage good fortune. Then
came another officer, who buckled on his sword and buckler, all set with
large diamonds and rubies. Another hung on his quiver with thirty
arrows, and his bow-case, being that which had been presented by the
Persian ambassador. On his head, the king wore a rich turban, with a
plume of heron's crests, not many but long: On one side hung a rich
unset ruby as large as a walnut; on the other side a diamond of equal
size; and in the middle an emerald much larger, shaped like a heart. His
sash was wreathed about with a chain of great pearls, rubies, and
diamonds, drilled. A triple chain of excellent pearls, the largest I had
ever seen, hung round his neck. He had armlets above his elbows, richly
set with diamonds; and three rows of diamonds round each wrist. His
hands were bare, having a rich ring on almost every finger; and a pair
of English gloves were stuck into his girdle. His coat, without sleeves,
was of cloth of gold, over a fine robe as thin as lawn. On his feet he
wore buskins embroidered with pearls, the toes being sharp and turned
up.

Thus richly accoutred, he went into the coach, which waited for him
under the care of his new English servant, who was dressed as gaudily as
any player, and more so, and had trained four horses for the draught,
which were trapped and harnessed all in velvet and gold. This was the
first coach he had ever been in, made in imitation of that sent from
England, and so like it that I only knew the difference by the cover,
which was of gold velvet of Persia. Having seated himself at one end,
two eunuchs attended at each side, carrying small golden maces set all
over with rubies, to which horse-tails were fastened, for driving away
flies. Before him went drums, bad trumpets, and loud music; with many
canopies, parasols, and other strange ensigns of majesty, all of cloth
of gold, and adorned with rubies. Nine spare horses were led before him,
some having their furniture garnished with