Page 341

An.1686

A Procession at a Circumcision.

ally their Arms, which they turn and twist so strangely, that you would think them to be made without Bones. Besides the two dancing Women, there were two old Women in the Pageant, hold- ing each a lighted Torch in their Hands, close by the two dancing Women, by which light the glit- tering Spangles appeared very gloriously. This Pageant was carried by fix lusty men: Then came 6 or 7 Torches, lighting the General and Cap- tain Swan, who marched side by side next, and we that attended Captain Swan followed close after, marching in order 6 and 6 abreast, with each man his Gun on his Shoulder, and Torches on each side. After us came 12 of the Generals men with old Spanish Match-locks, marching 4 in a row. After them about 40 Lances, and behind them as many with great Swords, marching all in order. After them came abundance only with Creffets by their sides, who marched up close without any order. When we came near the Sultans house, the Sultan and his men met us, and we wheeled off to let them pass. The Sultan had 3 Pageants went before him: In the first Pageant were 4 of his Sons, who were about 10 or 11 years old. They had gotten abundance of small Stones, which they roguishly threw about on the peoples heads.. In the next were 4 young Maidens, Nieces to the Sultan, being his Sisters Daughters; and in the 3d, there were 3 of the Sultans Children, not above 6 years old. The Sultan himself followed next, being carried in his Couch, which was not like your Indian Palankins, but open, and very little and ordinary. A multitude of people came after, with- out any order : but as soon as he was past by, the General, and Captain Swan, and all our men, clo- fed in just behind the Sultan, and so all marched together to the Generals house. We came thither between 10 and 11 a clock, where the biggest part of