Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/169

 think it to be a small Goblet of Carbuncle, or Granate, which was lost in Shipwrack, when a certain Prince of Persia was flying from his Father to Constantinople, and driven, by a Tempest, to the Colchian Shore, where it was taken up. He brought also 20 white Hawks, called Falcons, there being Plenty of them in that Country of Colchis.

is all I can inform you of, concerning the Colchians and their Manners; let me now proceed to answer your Demands concerning my self, and my own way of Living. I seldom go abroad, unless I receive Letters from my Master to be delivered at the Court; or, unless I am commanded to expostulate with the Bashaws concerning the Rapines and Cruelties of the Turkish Garrisons, which is ordinarily twice or thrice a Year. Perhaps, if I would desire leave to ride about the City with my Keeper, it would not be denied me: But I have no mind to be so much beholding to them; for I would have them think that the strictness of my Confinement or Imprisonment is not valued at all by me; and, to speak Truth, what Comfort can I have to ride up and down among a parcel of Turks, who will either slight, or else jeer and reproach me? No, I like the Country and the Champaign better than the City; especially that City which is so full of Ruins, and which retains nothing of its ancient Glory, besides its Situation. 'tis true, it was once a Rival to Rome it self; but now, alas! it is shamefully inslaved; who can without Pity behold it? Who so hard-hearted, as not to be affected with the mutability of human Affairs? And who knows how near we are to the same Fate? I keep my self within my own Doors, conversing with my old Friends, I mean, my Books, in which is all my Delight. 'Tis true, for