Thus
we entered that great city that had been, of Seville, though now much
decayed. We lay in the King's palace, [Footnote: The Alcazar.] which
was very royally furnished on purpose for our reception, and all our
treatment during our stay. We were lodged in a silver bedstead, quilt,
curtains, valances, and counterpane of crimson damask, embroidered
richly with flowers of gold. The tables of precious stones, and the
looking-glasses bordered with the same; the chairs the same as the
bed, and the floor covered with rich Persia carpets, and a great
brasero of silver, filled full of delicate flowers, which was
replenished every day as long as we stayed. The hangings were of
tapestry full of gold, all which furniture was never lain in but two
nights, when his Majesty was at Seville. Within my chamber was a
dressing-room, and by that, a chamber very richly furnished, in which
my children lay, and within them all my women: on the other side of
the chamber as I came in, was my dining-room, in which I did
constantly eat. I and my children eating at a table alone, all the
way, without any company, till we came to our journey's end, where we
provided for ourselves at Ballecas, within a league of Madrid. In this
palace, the chief room of my husband's quarters was a gallery, wherein
were three pair of Indian cabinets of japan, the biggest and
beautifulest that ever I did see in my life: it was furnished with
rich tapestry hangings, rich looking-glasses, tables, Persia carpets,
and cloth of tissue chairs.
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