_ 349 _ to the city of Vargin and then on to the city of Shiraz by a route with many small towns, fortresses and villages with an enormous number of vineyards, apple orchards, vegetable plots and cattle. They spent a fortnight on the road from the moment of their departure from Kashan to the city of Shiraz, not because the journey was long it was about fifty leagues but on account of the many snow storms encountered there and because on occasion the only way of making progress was to use spades to dig a path. At the entrance to Shiraz the Guazil came out with some seventy horsemen to receive the Ambassador and they were taken to some large houses where they were given everything necessary for their sustenance. While they were in the city, Sultan Quibir, its ruler, arrived there. He had been a long time away, so all the inhabitants, both men and women, came out with great joy and happiness to greet him on arrival. He sent three consignments of fruit and all kinds of sweetmeats. Two days later he offered them a banquet that lasted from midday to midnight, and he gave them clothes in their style. The city of Shiraz was enormous with many large, opulent buildings. All those born there claimed that it
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