In one thing they shew a great Dexterity of Wit, and that is in Stealing. He that pilfers most neatly, is counted a brave Fellow; but he that does it bungingly, is esteemed a Dunce and a Blockhead, not worthy to live; and even his own Father or his Son, will sell or exchange him for a small Matter to Merchant-strangers, to be carried away they care not whither.
An _Italian_ Merchant who had been in these Parts, told me, that a certain Priest of theirs, stole his Knife as he was in their Temple. He perceived the Theft, but dissembling it, gave him the Sheath also, that he might put up his stol’n Ware.
When they go into their Temples, they have some esteem for the Images of the Virgin _Mary_, of _Peter_ and _Paul_, and other Saints; but their greatest Veneration is for the Image of St. _George_ on Horseback. They fall down prostrate before it, kissing every part of it; even his Horse’s Shoes. They say, he was a valiant Man, a great Warrior, that in a single Combat did openly fight Hand to Hand with the _Devil_, and either conquer’d, or, at least, foil’d him.
I’ll acquaint you with one Passage more, which you cannot but stand amazed at. ’Tis this.
The Princes of the East are always presented with Gifts at any Audience. _Dadianus_, in compliance with this Custom, brought _Solyman_ a Cup or Dish of Carbuncle, so bright and shining, that in a dark Night a Man might travel by the Light of it, as well as at Noon-day. I cannot believe it, you’ll say: Nor do I: Neither can I be angry with you for suspending your Belief; but, whatever you and I do, let me tell you, there are enough that do believe it. The more judicious 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_.
This 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 my Health’s Sake, I have made a Bowling-Green, where, before Dinner, I use to play; and, after Dinner, I practise the _Turkish_ Bow.