Travels to Tana and Persia : $b A narrative of Italian travels in Persia, in the 15th and 16th centuriesBarbaro, Giosofat
History
Travels to Tana and Persia : $b A narrative of Italian travels in Persia, in the 15th and 16th centuries
Barbaro, Giosofat
Iran -- Description and travel; Voyages and travels
to enter another room, where the tables were laid, and where, shortly
afterwards, the King and his two sons entered to the sound of trumpets
in great state. His Majesty sat down to table, his two sons being on the
right hand side, and the chief bishop on the left. I was placed next to
the latter, at no great distance from His Majesty. There were also many
barons at the tables, but at some distance. I think there might have
been, in all, more than forty persons. The viands, as they were brought
in on large platters and in great abundance, were always preceded by
trumpets, and knives were placed before us after our own fashion. We
remained at table about two hours, during which time His Majesty asked
me many questions relating to my voyage, which I fully answered. When
the repast was over, I rose to take leave of His Majesty, and asked him
whether he had any further commands. He replied, very kindly, that he
wished to be well recommended to my Illustrious Signory, and commanded
his sons to tell me the same. I then took leave of His Majesty and of his
sons, with due respect, and was honourably accompanied to the chamber
where I lodged. The King gave directions that I should be accompanied
by a guide who should see that guides and escorts were provided for me
throughout the country, in order that I might travel everywhere in safety.
On the 16th, we left Trochi and travelled till the 25th, when we reached
a place called Ionici. Leaving Ionici, we entered Poland, where we were
provided with guides from one place to another, according to the King’s
commands. Having arrived at a city called Varsovia, which is under the
dominion of two brothers, I was received with much honour, and a guide
was provided for me, who accompanied me into Poland. As I have already
spoken of this kingdom, I shall only add that it is a fine country,
and appears to abound in meat and other provisions, but produces very
little fruit of any kind. We saw castles and villages, but no town
worth mentioning. Every night we found lodgings, and were well received
everywhere. It is a safe country.
It was on the 1st of March, 1477, that we reached this city; and, as
we had performed the whole journey from Moscow on the above-mentioned
_sani_, I and my people were much fatigued, both on account of the great
cold and the other hardships we had endured. I, therefore, remained in
this beautiful city until the 5th, as we were lodged in comfortable
quarters, and well provided with everything we wanted, and could obtain
horses to continue our journey.
On the 5th we left, and came to another small town called Messariza,
belonging to the same King. After leaving here we arrived at the
frontiers of Poland and Germany, which we passed, not without fear and
danger.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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