called, but is called the Shaugh. It were there dangerous to cal him by the
name of Sophy, because that Sophy in the Persian tongue, is a begger, and
it were as much as to call him. The great begger. He lieth at a towne
called Casbin, which is situate in a goodly fertile valley of 3. or 4.
daies iourney in length. The towne is but euil builded, and for the most
part all of bricke, not hardened with fire, but only dried at the sunne, as
is the most part of the building of all Persia. The king hath not come out
of the compasse of his owne house in 33. or 34. yeeres, whereof the cause
is not knowen, but as they say, it is vpon a superstition of certaine
prophesies to which they are greatly addicted: he is now about 80. yeeres
of age, and very lusty. And to keepe him the more lusty, he hath 4. wiues
alwayes, and about 300. concubines, and once in the yeere he hath all the
faire maidens and wiues that may be found a great way about brought vnto
him, whom he diligently peruseth, feeling them in all parts, taking such as
he liketh, and putting away some of them which he hath kept before, and
with them that he putteth away, he gratifieth some such as hath done him
the best seruice. And if hee chance to take any mans wife, her husband is
very glad thereof, and in recompense of her, oftentimes he giueth the
husband one of his old store, whom he thankfully receiueth.

[Sidenote: How strangers are used.] If any stranger being a Christian shall
come before him, he must put on a new paire of shooes made in that
countrey, and from the place where be entreth, there is digged as it were a
causey all the way, vntil he come to the place where he shal talke with the
king who standeth alwayes aboue in a gallerie, when he talketh with any
strangers: and when the stranger is departed, then is the causey cast
downe, and the ground made euen againe.


Of the religion of the Persians.