The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 03Hakluyt, Richard
History
The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 03
Hakluyt, Richard
Discoveries in geography -- English; Voyages and travels
The 14 of September we were commanded to come vnto the Emperour, and
immediately after our coming we were brought into his presence, vnto whom
each of vs did his duetie accordingly, and kissed his right hand, his
maiestie sitting in his chaire of estate, with his crowne on his bead, and
a staffe of goldsmiths worke in his left hand well garnished with rich and
costly stones: and when we had all kissed his hand and done our dueties,
his maiestie did declare by his interpreter that we were all welcome vnto
him, and into his countrey, and thereupon willed vs to dine with him: that
day we gaue thanks vnto his maiestie, and so departed vntil the dinner was
readie.
When dinner time approached, we were brought againe into the Emperour's
dining chamber, where we were set on one side of a table that stoode ouer
against the Emperours table, to the end that he might wel behold vs al: and
when we came into the foresayd chamber, we found there readie set these
tables following.
First at the vpper end of one table were set the Emperour his maiestie, his
brother, and the Emperour of Cazan, which is prisoner. About two yardes
lower sate the Emperour of Cazan his sonne, being a child of fiue yeeres of
age, and beneath him sate the most part of the Emperors noble men.
And at another table neere vnto the Emperours table, there was set a Monke
all alone, which was in all points as well serued as the Emperour. At
another table sate another kinde of people called Chirkasses, [Footnote:
Kirghis.] which the Emperour entertaineth for men of warre to serue against
his enemies. Of which people and of their countrey, I will hereafter make
mention.
All the tables aforesayde were couered onely with salt and bread, and after
that we had sitten awhile, the Emperour sent vnto euery one of vs a piece
of bread, which were given and deliuered vnto euery man seuerally by these
words: The Emperour and great Duke giueth the bread this day, and in like
manner three or foure times before dinner was ended, he sent vnto euery man
drinke, which was giuen by these words, The Emperour and great Duke giueth
thee to drinke. All the tables aforesayd were serued in vessels of pure and
fine golde, as well basons and ewers, platters, dishes and sawcers, as also
of great pots, with an innumerable sorte of small drinking pottes of diuers
fashions, whereof a great number were set with stone. As for costly meates
I haue many times seene better: but for change of wines, and diuers sorts
of meads, it was wonderfull: for there was not left at any time so much
void roome on the table, that one cuppe more might haue bin set, and as far
as I could perceiue, all the rest were in the like maner serued.
In the dinner time, there came in sixe singers which stood in the midst of
the chamber, and their faces towards the Emperour, who sang there before
dinner was ended three seuerall times, whose songs or voyces delighted our
eares little or nothing.
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