Seer aenmerkelyke reys-beschryving na Constantinopolen, en Egypten, gedaan in het jaar 1605, en vervolgen...

1605.

which we donned, and in order, accompanied by the Bassa’s private secretary and two other prominent Turks who wore beautiful damask clothes, we carried the gifts to the palace. These gifts consisted of all kinds of fine fruits, such as lemons, citrons, figs, etc. And I, who was stronger than the others, carried in each hand a jar, the length of an ell an old measurement unit, approx. 27 inches, in which there were grapes that, although picked quite some time ago, were still as fresh and beautiful as if they had just been taken from the vine.

The palace of the Sultan described.

After we had walked through the city for almost an hour and arrived at the Emperor's palace, we were led through two long courtyards. Before each courtyard is a large gate where the Turks keep watch. Under the second gate hung many armors and helmets pierced by arrows, which they said belonged to Christians who had fallen in various battles. We had to wait for a time in the second courtyard, where we were then brought under cover and treated to a meal consisting of mutton, rice, and peas. During the meal, we were commanded not to speak a word, just as such a silence was observed in the entire palace that one was amazed by it. After the meal, the Emperor’s pages, whose clothes were stiffly embroidered with gold, came to us and guided us into the Emperor’s chamber.

The Emperor’s pages.

These pages had a long lock of hair hanging on one side of the head, which the other Turks are forbidden to wear on pain of life and limb.

Greeting of the Turkish Emperor.

As soon as we had come before the Emperor, the two most prominent among us had to kiss the sleeves, which were at least three ells long, with great reverence, and then go backward out of the chamber with much bowing and scraping. Upon leaving, the surrounding courtiers blessed us with tears in their eyes; and we were given a costly horse, which the Emperor had gifted to our Bassa in return, whose saddle and bridle were very artfully worked with pearls and gold.