I found the prince on his throne in the midst of the grandees; I
made my bow three times very low, and at last kneeled and kissed
the ground before him, and afterwards sat down in the posture of an
ape. The whole assembly admired me, and could not comprehend how it
was possible that an ape should understand so well how to pay the
sultan his due respect; and he himself was more astonished than any
one. In short, the usual ceremony of the audience would have been
complete could I have added speech to my behaviour: but apes never
speak, and the advantage I had of having been a man did not allow
me that privilege.
The sultan dismissed his courtiers, and none remained by him but
the chief of the chamberlains, a young slave, and myself. He went
from his chamber of audience into his own apartment, where he
ordered dinner to be brought. As he sat at table he gave me a sign
to come near and eat with them: to show my obedience I kissed the
ground, stood up, sat down at table, and ate with discretion and
moderation.
Before the table was uncovered, I espied a writing-desk, which I
made a sign should be brought me: having got it, I wrote upon a
large peach some verses after my way, which testified my
acknowledgment to the sultan, which increased his astonishment.
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