[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Storia do Mogor](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci) › [Storia do Mogor (Irvine)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine) › 39.3 # Storia do Mogor 39.3 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 39.3 - **Language:** English ### [39.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.39.3.1) The king ordered the soldiers of his guard to go and claim the soldier who had committed the murder, bring him out from wherever he was hiding, and cut him to pieces. They told the king that the place was a sanctuary, a place of safety that the king had granted to misdoers. The king answered: 'He who granted the sanctuary can withdraw it.' Thus in this king's time there is no longer any place of refuge. The soldier was quartered and the pieces dragged through the city of Isfahan, and Mīrza Kuchak quitted Persia. Subsequently I encountered him in the empire of the Great Mogul, in the city of Laor (Lahor), and in the proper place (Part II., 198) I will recount what happened to him \[30\]. ### [39.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.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. ### [39.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.39.3.3) As Clodio was quite willing to do this kindness to a gentleman of good family, he told him he must wait for some days, and then without fail he would carry him into the presence of the king. It so happened that a few days afterwards the king sent for Clodio. After a little conversation the latter reported to the king how there had come an English gentleman with many European recommendations, a great soldier, and of high family. This gentleman greatly desired to have the honour of being allowed to appear before the royal presence. He did not want to quit Persia for Europe without having accomplished this his purpose. The king asked if the gentleman had come on any business. Clodio replied that he had none ; his only business was to be able to boast of having spoken to the most renowned king in the world. The merits of his majesty were apparent to all, but chiefly to those of Europe. The king asked if the gentleman was of as high rank as the ambassador (Bellomont) who had already left. He was told that there was little difference. Upon this the king gave him permission to bring the gentleman the next day. Clodio left the court and went straight to see the gentleman, who was waiting for him with great and impatient longing. Hardly had he appeared when the gentleman asked him if he brought good news. Clodio answered ' Yes ' ; next day he would have to go to the palace, and therefore \[31\] he must make ready for the anxiously desired visit. ### [39.3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.39.3.4) The gentleman was very pleased, and in high delight embraced Clodio, declaring that his whole life long he would be ready to serve his interest in any way he wished. Clodio bade him good-bye. The gentleman was busy all the night, without once stopping, in arranging his hair and attaching various ribbons to his clothes. His hat bore curled feathers of various kinds ; his shirt and clothes he rubbed with different kinds of scent. When all this was completed, he passed the rest of the night composing sentences and searching for the choicest Turkish words to use. Next, he began to picture to himself how he must present himself before the king, the arguments and answers that he would have to give to the royal questions, which last he invented himself. From one thing to another, he finished by staring out of the window for the approach of dawn. Day had hardly broken when he issued forth hurriedly in search of Clodio, who pointed out to him that it was not yet time ; when the hour arrived, he would fetch him. This he did, bringing with him Mestre Pit (? Mr. Pitt), who had also quitted Europe to see the world, and for the time being was to pass as the gentleman's servant. They arrived at the palace, the gentleman highly delighted at being so near the satisfying of his curiosity. He was as one very weary and very thirsty who reaches a crystal spring, not knowing how dear his curiosity would cost him. ### [39.3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.39.3.5) Announcement of their arrival was made to the king, he being at the time in his garden taking a walk. Permission having been accorded, all three went in — that is to say, Clodio and the gentleman and Mestre Pit (Mr. Pitt), who passed as a servant. Arriving within sight of the king, the gentleman raised his hat and made his bow in the European manner with great politeness. Drawing still nearer, he dropped on his knee, as Clodio had instructed him, and began to speak thus : ' The greatness and the renown of your majesty's royal person are spread throughout the world, and the name of such a dread sovereign stands higher than that of the greatest monarchs. The whole of Europe is lost in admiration on learning that in Persia is a sun illuminating with its rays the whole of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Thus have I come this immense distance to acquire the honour of beholding and of speaking to such a great king.' All this he said in the Turkish language. Shah 'Abbas motioned with his hand for him to rise, and with a pleased expression requested him to come nearer. Then he asked his name, of what country he was, through what lands he had passed, and many other questions. After this he inquired how he supported himself in his own country. The gentleman replied that he owned land which yielded him a sufficient income, adding that he was a captain in the King of England's cavalry. ### [39.3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.39.3.6) Shah 'Abbas replied : ' Can you tell me how it happened that his own subjects came to behead him, a thing I am unable to believe, seeing that it would be the greatest piece of disloyalty and audacity that could ever enter the heads of reasoning beings ? I trust you will tell me the truth without any concealment.' The gentleman said : ' I will tell your majesty the truth : it took place with great barbarity, in public, upon a staging, a great crowd being assembled to look on at this event ; among them I myself was quite close, and out of the deep affection which I had to my king, I have managed to preserve a handkerchief dipped in his blood.' Hearing these words, the king, Shah 'Abbas, placed both hands on his sides, and, changing colour, exclaimed in an angry voice : ' Oh, traitor ! you were in his service and his subject ; how could you be such a coward as to allow your king to be beheaded, being present yourself at this barbarous deed, without forthwith giving up your life for him ?' ### [39.3.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.39.3.7) At these words, which issued from the king's mouth with the sound of a lion's roar, the gentleman stood dismayed, speechless, giving himself up as lost. The king, turning to his suite, said, in the same severe tone : ' Take away this coward and traitor, unworthy to remain in the world, and shut him up in a prison-house apart, and thus let the world know that Shah 'Abbas cannot suffer in his presence a man who, calling himself a gentleman and a valorous captain, could be present at the beheadal of his king without attempting the slightest effort in defence of his liege lord.' Hardly had the king ended this speech when the men who were on guard fell upon the English gentleman, disarranging his feathers, hair, and garments, which had cost him a whole night's labour, and binding him, they dragged him off to a dark dungeon, where the poor gentleman expected every moment to be put to death, lamenting that his own curiosity had been the cause of this great peril. Meanwhile Clodio and Mestre Pit (Mr. Pitt) returned sadly to their homes, in shame, with hanging heads. Shah 'Abbas' object was to give a lesson to his own nobles as to the manner in which they should serve their king and the fidelity they ought to display, when the occasion arose, in defence of their monarch. ### [39.3.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.39.3.8) After a few days Clodio went to the king and petitioned for the gentleman's pardon, and that his release might be graciously ordered. But the king still showed severity, and replied that such a fellow had no right to live. However, Clodio did not lose heart, knowing the favour in which he stood. He uttered some witty remark which chanced to take the king's fancy, and, laughing, he said he would grant the man's liberty if he (Clodio) would give his dog its liberty to remain all its life with the monarch of Persia. This dog was very clever, and several times the king had asked Clodio for it, but had always met with a refusal for one reason or another. Now, finding himself under an obligation to get the gentleman released, Clodio was forced to present to the king the dog he loved so well. Then the gentleman was set free, who that same day, in the greatest haste, left Isfahan, apprehending some further misadventure. When seeing him off, Clodio said to him that when he had reached Europe he should impart to his friends the honour that had been done him, and tell them that the kings of Asia were not devoid of sense. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.39.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.39.3) · Pramāṇa