arments of cloth of gold, a
very fine case, of glass bottles siluer and gift, with 2 pieces of fine
Holland, which so gratefully she accepted, as that she sent to know of the
ambassador what present he thought she might return that would most delight
her maiestie: who sent word that a sute of princely attire being after the
Turkish fashion would for the rarenesse thereof be acceptable in England.
[The Sultanas present to the Queene. Letters sent for England.] Whereopon
she sent an vpper gowne of cloth of gold very rich, an vnder gowne of cloth
of siluer, and a girdle of Turkie worke, rich and faire, with a letter of
gratification, which for the rarenesse of the stile, because you may be
acquainted with it, I haue at the ende of this discourse hereunto annexed,
which letter and present, with one from the grand Signor, was sent by M.
Edward Bushell, and M. William Aldridge ouer-land the 20 of March, who
passed through Valachia and Moldauia, and so through Poland, where Michael
prince of Valachia, and Aron Voiuoda prince of Moldauia receiuing letters
from the ambassador, entertained them with al curtesie, through whose
meanes by the great fauour which his lordship had with the grand Signior,
they had not long before both of them bene aduanced to their princely
dignities. [Sidenote: The other Vizirs presented.] Hee likewise presented
Sigala the Admirall of the Seas, with Abrim Bassa, who maried the great
Turkes daughter, and all the other Vizirs with diuers pieces of plate, fine
English cloth and other costly things: the particulars whereof, to auoid
tediousnesse, I omit. [Sidenote: The Ascension departeth.] All the presents
thus ended, the ship shooting ten pieces of ordinance at the Seraglio
point, as a last farewell, departed on her iourney for England the first of
Nouember, my selfe continuing in Constantinople vntill the last of Iuly
after. This yere in the spring there was great preparation for the
Hungarian wars: and the great Turke threatned to goe himselfe in person:
but like Heliogabalus, his affections being more seruiceable to Venus then
to Mars, he stayed at home. Yet a great army was dispatched this yere; who,
as they came out of Asia to goe for Hungary, did so pester the streets of
Constantinople for the space of two moneths in the spring time, as scarse
either Christian or Iew could without danger of losing his money passe vp
and downe the city. What insolencies, murders and robberies were committed
not onely v