On the 12th[198] I went to visit the king, and was brought immediately before him to deliver my present, which gave him much satisfaction.  He then appointed me to come within the rail, that I might stand beside him; but not being allowed to step up on the raised platform on which the throne was placed, I could see little, as the railing was high, and covered with carpets.  But I had permission to view the inner room at leisure, which, I must confess, was very rich; but consisted of so many articles, all unsuitable to each other, that it seemed patched work, rather than magnificent, as if it aimed to shew all; as if a lady, among her plate on a magnificent cupboard, should exhibit her embroidered slippers.  This evening, the son of the Raima, the new tributary formerly mentioned, was brought before the king, with much ceremony, being sent by his father with a present.  After kneeling three times, and knocking his forehead on the ground, he was brought within the inner rail, when the king embraced his head.  His gift was an Indian tray or voider full of silver, upon which was a carved silver dish full of gold.  He was then conducted to pay his respects to the prince.  This evening, some elephants were shewn, and some music girls sang and danced.—­Sic transit gloria mundi.

[Footnote 198:  It may be proper to observe, that Churchill’s edition gives the commencement of this festival on the 11th, and says Sir Thomas went to the durbar next day.—­E.]

The 13th at night, I went again to wait upon the king at the Guzalcan, at which is the best opportunity for transacting business, and took with me my Italian interpreter, determined to walk no longer in darkness, but to prove the king, as I had hitherto been delayed and refused on all hands.  I was sent for in, along with my old broker, but my Italian was kept out, because Asaph Khan mistrusted I might say more than he was willing should come to the king’s ears.  On coming to the king, he appointed me a place to stand just before him, and sent to ask me many questions respecting the king of England, and about the present I had made him the day before.  To some of these I made answers; but I at length said, that my interpreter was kept out, and as I could not speak Portuguese, I wanted the means of satisfying his majesty.  On this, though much against the wish or Asaph Khan, my Italian interpreter was called in.  I then made him tell the king that I requested leave to speak to him, to which he answered, willingly.  On this, the son-in-law of Asaph Khan pulled away my interpreter by force, and that faction so hemmed in the king, by gathering round him, that I could scarcely see his majesty, nor could my Italian approach.  Upon this, I ordered the Italian to speak aloud, that I craved audience of the king; who immediately called me before him, and the others made way.  Asaph Khan stood on one side of my interpreter, and I on the other:  I to inform him what to say, and the other to awe him by winks and signs.