‘The perillous and most unhappy voyages of John Struys, through Italy, Greece, Lifeland, Moscovia, Tartary, Media, Persia, East-India, Japan, and other places in Europe, Africa and Asia. Containing, I. Most accurate remarks and observations of the distinct qualities, religion, politie, customs, laws and properties of the inhabitants: II. A due description of the several cities, towns, forts and places of trust, as to their site and strength, fortifications by nature, or art, &c. with other things worthy of note: and III. An exact memorial of the most disastrous calamities which befell the author in those parts (viz) by ship-wrack, robberies, slavery, hunger, tortures, with other incommodities and hardships’ [‎294] (359/470)

ip4 The Voyages of V oy . HI.
that was prefented by Chan. The Parlour, or Hall into which
we now came was all paved and laid in with a fplecked Stone; The
Building its felf was round , like a Theatre j the Doors were laid
over with Silver Plates and had two great Silver Rings like Wreaths ,
or Torfes. At the Entrance lay a coftly and large Carpet, where
we were to pull off our Boots, without which, none is admitted to '
go in, nonottheKinghimfelf, who fomtimes to be a Precedent and
Example of Zeal, pulls off his Boots at the firft Gate, but that, it
feems, is held to be a Work of Supererogation. From hence we went
to another Magnificent Hall, thro a Gallery, the Pavement where
of was covered with rich Tapeftry. The Doors of this faid Hall were
covered with Plates of Gold, which was don at the Charges of the
Schachi^has , who had made a vow to do it, incafe he returned home
with Triumph, when he went on an Expedition againft the Vfheques
in chorafan , as he did, and vanquifhed the Rebels. This Hall is not
fo fpacious as beautifull by far, the Roof being no more than 48 Foot
long,and 30 broad. In the middle hung feveral Gold and Silver Lamps,
and on each fide fate 12 Priefts, each having a low Stool before him,
on which lay fo many Parchment Books , containing feveral Legends
of the richer an , which they read and fung by Turns. Leaving
this Place we went into another which was feparated and environed
with Silver Rails, and had 3 Afcents or Steps to go up of folid Silver.
This is the laft and chief Oratory, or Houfe of Prayer, where our
Tatron pray'd with very great Zeal. From hence we afcended into
another Place, which was one Step higher, and feparated with mafly
Grate-work all of pure Gold and wreathed , behind this was the
Tomb of Schach Sephy , which was of fair Marble, being about 3 Foot
high, 9 Foot long and 4, broad. It was covered with a Carpet ot
Crimfon Velvet , richly embroidered and laid in with precious
Stones. Above hung feveral Lamps, and on each fide 2 huge Candle-
fticks, all of folid Gold: thefe are lighted every Evening and burn
all the Night long. The Door of this Place is opened for no Secular
or Temporal Perfon or Perfonage, nor for the King himfelf. Near
this Tomb we faw alfo the Tombs of of and
of fom Queens, all which were only fupplyed with Curtains, and
void of curious Work and Ornament. Leaving the Sepulchre we
went out at a door on the Right Hand, that led into the Library
which