_ 223 _ lands of Shah Tahmasp. Others say that Shah Tahmasp is preparing to attack Baghdad. In some ways I am glad to be here in order to see, while I am here, if anything they say turns out to be true. Thus, Sir, there is no news to date from the Strait of Mecca, nor anything further than what I am writing to you about here, that the King is waiting for Ayyaz Pasha, the lord who captured this city, with many men he has assembled, and many danacos, like foists which are to take [Gizare], and there is no doubt that, if he does come, he will take what he wants. At present no one travels there or from there to here, there are no supplies at all, and we are dying of hunger. No one can find a handful of barley even for ten dinars, nor straw. The horses had a very hard time during the days when this revolt was taking place because they had nothing. As I say, of the canvases and linens belonging to those who started this fighting, there was no one who will give me a price until he takes [Gizare], which will occur when God wills. The King says he will not make peace with them until Ayyaz Pasha arrives. Everything is and remains in confusion, and I do not know when it will be straightened out.
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