Storia do Mogor 39.3.2

39.3.2

The events of which I have spoken caused the subjects of Shah 'Abbas to talk much about his many virtues. Hearing all this, an English gentleman lately arrived in Persia conceived a great desire of seeing so renowned a monarch. He therefore hastened on to Isfahan, and during a stay there of some days he became familiar and friendly with the king's goldsmiths, particularly with one of them called Clodio. This man was specially favoured by Shah 'Abbas, he being somewhat of a jester, and the king frequently delighted in listening to him. The gentleman, learning the inclination that the king had to the said Clodio, begged and entreated him to arrange some way in which he could have an audience. He said that it was for this that he had come so far, and that he would go back to Europe satisfied if able to declare that he had seen and spoken to the King of Persia. Clodio inquired of him whether he had any business about which he could speak. The gentleman replied that he had none ; it was solely for his own satisfaction and out of curiosity that he desired to see and speak to the king. To this Clodio said that, as to seeing him, that was very easy ; but in regard to speaking to him, it was against rule when there was no special business. The gentleman persisted that he had an ardent desire to speak to the king, and for that reason begged him to do this favour, which he would never forget as long as he lived; thus he must continue to search for some mode of accomplishing his desire.