Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/273

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also, how to manage their Turkish Horses; as that I should give them but little Meat; that I should make but short Journeys at first, till they were us'd to the Roads; and that I should make nine or ten Days Journey to Adrianople, which used to be performed in five: He gave me also a curious Veil wrought with gold, and a Box full of Alexandrian Treacle, the best in the World; and a Glass full of Balsam, which last he highly prized, complimenting me thus: Any other Present, said he, are such as Money can procure; but this is a rare Gift, that my Master cannot send a choicer to the best Friend or Ally he hath. I got it, said he, when I was Governor of Egypt, which Place I held some Years: There are two sorts of that juicy Substance; one which is drawn from the Oil of the decocted Leaves of the Shrub on which they grow, which is black and not much worth; the other distils from the Bark of the Tree when it is cut, which is yellow and genuine; and mine was of that sort. He desired likewise, that I would send him some Presents, as a Coat of Mail fitted to his large and full Body, and a strong Horse that was sure-footed (for he was so big and pursy, that no Horse could be easily found, fit to carry him) and with all kind of varnishing Matter coming from the Maple, or any other Tree, wherewith our Artists use to inlay their Tables. As for Solyman, he gave me no Gifts but common ones, such as other Ambassadors have had at their Departure, and such as I received from him formerly at my Audience of Leave; only he inveighed against the Heydukes, and the Insolency of the Garrison of Syeth: To what Purpose, is it, said he, to make Peace here, if they continue the War thus? I told him, I would acquaint my Master, and that I did not doubt, but he would redress it; and, thus by good Fortune, about the End of August, I entered