which time his best diet was but bread and water and his warmest lodging the cold ground hauing oftentimes besides the miserie of his imprisonment many threates and menaces sent him sometimes of death sometimes of the Gallies being thus out of al hope of liberty and in a daily expectation of death without any comfort but such as his patience ministred vnto him where nothing was presented to the eye or eare but matter of horror and dispaire yet did he still retaine in his mind that guidance command of his affections as they were neuer much moued or inwardly disturbed with the outward distraction of his sences In this time hee wrote diuerse letters to the English Embassador at Constantinople intreating him that in regard of his country hee would deale with the Admirall Bashaw whose prisoner he in right was for his inlargement protesting that as he was a gentleman whose name and family hee knew well he would in as short time as he could postbly requite his kindnes at full to his contentment But prisons are like graues where a man though aliue is neuertheles buried from the regard or respect of any for the Embassador did not answere any of his letters but told the Bashaw hee might vse him according to his discretion During this time of his miserable imprisonment some or other had enformed the Bashaw that hee was able to pay 50. thousand Chickeno's for his ransome whereupon the Bashaw sent him guarded by 4. Cappages whome wee here call Pursiuants from Nigro Ponte to Constantinople Thus were his miseries ended in one place to bee begun and continued in another His miserie in his imprisonment in Constantinople THe sicke man that shifteth place yet alters not his disease findes little comfort in the change of ayre or climate for that the nature of sicknes doth kill or controule that pleasure and delight which commonly keepes company with a healthfull bodie Such was the conditiō of Sir Thomas in his remoue from Nigro Ponte to Constantinople for both his vsage by the way and his entertainment there gaue him small cause of comfort in that only he found the place was changed but not the nature of his imprisonment Betweene Nigro Ponte and Constantinople is fiue hundreth miles all that way he was carried vpon a Moyle riding vpon a pack-saddle with a great gally chaine about his legges and another about his waste and many times his legges bound vnder the horse belly sometimes he lay in houses sometimes vnder trees and whensoeuer he lay in any Towne where there were any stocks there they lodged him when they faild of such a place they bound his legges together with a little chayne besides the great chaine about his waste his hands fast lockt with manacles of iron his guard were the 4. Cappages which were sent by the Bashaw It would haue moued the patience of the best tempered mind to heare be forced to indure the dispightful taunts approbrious speeches which though not by their language yet by their stearne countenances and behauiours he might well vnderstand in all his iourney between Nigro Ponte Cōstantinople The 12. day after their setting forth about three of the clock in the after noone they entred the Cittie Immediately vpon his cōming he wrote againe to the Embassadour giuing him to vnderstand the cause of his imprisonment together with the manner of his former vsage and the nature of his present misery he much importund him that he would not leaue him in his calamitie nor suffer him being his Countryman and a Gentleman to spend his hope his youth his fortune nay his life in so vild and dishonorable a prison vnder the cruell tyranny of an vnbeleeuing people But hee flatly sent him word That hee would neither meddle nor make with him Sir Thomas being thus left all desolate and disconsolate stil armed himselfe with his wonted patience and setled confidence against the horror of despaire not suffering his minde to bee chained and fettered as his bodie with seruile thoughts and fearefull apprehensions but in the freedome of his Spirite maintayned her libertie and in the midst of all his feares made hope the predominant The next day after his cōming to the Cittie he was brought before the Bashaw who demanded what he made in the Arches and why in that hostile maner against the law of Armes and conditiō of the League betwixt both kingdomes without any leaue or admittance hee had landed a forcible power with purpose to spoyle and prey in that part of the Turkes Dominion sir Tho. answered that being violently driuen into wants by the Fortunes of the sea and his long trauels hee was compelled to land onely to refresh his men and the rather in that country which hee knew to bee friend vnto his King The Bashaw replyed againe that his entrance was against law and right and that hee was iustly his prisoner therupon asked him presently and in peremptory manner what ransome hee would pay for his deliuery Sir Thomas told him he knew no reasō he should be enforced to pay any ransome being in a friendes hands whome neither in substance nor circumstance he had offended that if his cause were rightly scand by an impartial Iudge together with the long time and vilde manner of his imprisonment it would bee thought but equity that he himselfe should both require and receiue a sufficient recompence for the wrongs and miseries that he had sustained Finally he told the Bashaw that he held him in his own conceit and opinion to be too iust and honorable to demand a ransome of him that neuer deserued to bee a prisoner But to be briefe the Bashaw told him that he knew he was a malefactor and that his acts were violent and indirect which hee auerd he could not answere or otherwise the Embassadour would not haue abandoned him withal protested with a high voyce stearne countenāce that he would haue 50. thousand Chickeno's for his ransome or his head for satisfaction sir Tho. doubting the crueltie of this barbarous Turke and being much wearied weakned with the misery of a long and vilde imprisonment to buy some ease and quietnes was content to promise the payment of 12. thousand Chickeno's with condition that hee might bee well vsed weare no more irons the proffer was neither taken nor refused howbeit a promise was made that he should be wel intreated but it was slenderly kept for hee was had presently into the porters lodge in the great Turks Court and put into a filthy common Gaole where though the first night hee had a good supper hee founde no other bedde to lie vpon but the colde stones Now ebeit this had beene well if worse had not succeeded for the Bashaw belike hauing new intelligence both of his state and aliance supposing that no better meanes could bee vsed for the recouery of his ransome then rough handling gaue straite charge that he should from time to time
together with many of the Nobilitie and with his traine and attendance hee was brought with solemne obseruant state and regard into the citie of Prague where beeing royally entertained in the Emperours Court and hauing deliuered the purport and tenor of his Embassie found al things answerable to his worth and the weight of his affaires His lodging together with the Persian was prouided in a faire house not farre from the Court they were serued all in plate parcel gilt but in diuers manner according to the seuerall customs of their Countreys Hee lay in Prague at least halfe a yeare in all which time hee found nothing but Reuels Feastings and other pleasures of Court Whensoeuer he went abroad he had allowed him by the Emperours appointment a faire coach drawne with 6. horses the Persian had the like but still Sir Anthony had the chiefest place and regard which was the onely cause of the often iarres and breaches that was between them for the Persian beeing haughtie and ambitions would many times in his pride and insulting humor as well opēly in wordes and behauiours as closely vnder hand with plots and deuises attempt many things to bring Sir Anthony into disgrace which still was reuealed and in the end reuenged euen by his owne Prince in his owne country as you shall afterwards heare to Sir Anthonyes honor and the Persians shame and confusion But to returne hauing taken his leaue of the Emperour in all reuerend and solemne manner he came from thence to Norremberge where by his welcom and costly entertainment the citizens shewed what account estimation they helde of him where also besides many stately banquets and rich presents they bare all his charges for foure dates and at his departure they presented two cups of gold the one to Sir Anthony the other to the Persian Howbeit the lining of Sir Anthony his cup was better then the outside for it was stuft full of gold Hauing taken his leaue at Norremberge he came to Augusta where he was well entertained from thence to Minikin where also the Duke of Bauier gaue him great entertainment From Minikin he cam to Insbrooke where stands the stately house of Austria from thence to Trent and so to Rome in all which places hee still found his entertainment beyond expectation At Rome the Persian and hee fell againe at oddes about superioritie where Sir Anthony plainly told him that he had many times borne with his prowde and insolent behauiours more then stood with his own honor and naturall condition onely for the furtherance of the negotiations they had in hand which since saith he you haue done what lies in your power to crosse obseruing rather your own ambitious humor then the nature and qualitie of our imployments I will giue you to vnderstand that from henceforth I will take a more strickt note and vse a more peremptory controlement both of your words gestures and actions and you shall learne to know I am your superiour and that I doe nothing that becomes me not both in the worthinesse of mine owne person and in the vertue and authoritie of my commission The Persian beeing thus gauled hauing neither a mind to suffer nor a heart to rauenge in a sullen maner departed from Sir Antho. tooke his iourney towards Persia plotting and deuising by the way all means he could to article against Sir Anthony letting nothing slip either from his owne mischieuous conceit or the false and malicious suggestions and informatiōs of his followers to bring Sir Anthony into contempt with his King But as many a man digges a pit for others and fals into it himselfe so this vnhappy Persian supposing he had carried the poyson of Sir Anthonies disgrace brought in his heart the haue of his owne vndoing for being come to Court and hauing deliuered before the Persian King in the presence of Ma. Robert Sherley the whole processe of their trauels hee did in a particular manner and with an enuious and a malicious tongue preferre his suborned and suggested accusations against Sir Anthony which Robert Sherley hearing with countenance and wordes both befitting himself and his wronged brother humbly besought the King that there might be an indifferent hearing of this matter and himselfe admitted to pleade his brothers cause which being graunted he did so trip confound the Persian in his informations that being found guilty in the breach of his Commission and that hee had demeaned himselfe in these great affaires with actes and behauiours derogatorie to the honour of his King and daungerous to the effecting of so great a businesse his accusations also against Sir Anthony sauouring of malice and not of truth he was finally doomed by the king to haue his hands cut off and his tongue cut out in the presence of M. Robert Sherley who being demaunded what he would haue more done vnto him in the reuenge of his brothers wrong he answered that he tooke no delight in his torment and that which was already done was more then he was willing or consenting to and that now he would 〈◊〉 in the behalfe of the miserable Persian for that he supposed there could not bée in his case a greater pleasure done vnto him thē to haue his head follow the fortune of his tongue and hands Thus ended at one time both the pride and life of this vnhappy Persian Of Sir Anthony Sherleyes Voyage and Trauels into Spaine vvith his entertainement there MAn in regard of his mind and body being compared to Heauen and Earth is said to bee a little world the one subiect to corruption the other to immortalitie Gold and siluer therefore which Saint Bernard calleth Terra rubra alba are not said to bee the riches of the mind but vertue is her diuine substance by the power whereof shee doth extinguish that immoderate fire of sence and appetite wherwith mans Nature is dangerously inflamed drawing it to bee gouerned by the qualified and temperate rule of reason and in the excellencie of her owne account being caried aloft with her celestiall wings her obiect being drawn another way she either beholds not or doth not esteeme the riches pleasures and profits of the world or whatsoeuer the base delights and erronious desires of men holds to bee precious From hence it comes that hauing the bodies gouernment and vertue to be her owne guide she doth so rule and order it in al her proiects and intendments that she suffers it to commit nothing vncomely or vnworthy her direction but with a mutuall sympathy and agréement they passe the whole progresse of this life shewing themselues in all their desires and designes to bereligious temperate iust honorable and worthy the image of their Creator They are not seruilely tyed to any place or countrey nor lulled with the delight of idlenesse and home-bred pleasures but as wel to enrich the intellectuall part with knowledge and experience as also to exercise the body with the practises of labour and grace the
be worser handled then hitherto he had beene since the first time of his imprisonment Whereupon the next morning at breake of day hee was remooued to a worser place and both his feete put into the Stockes a great yron chaine about his necke both his hands tied before him and his body stretcht out all along with a great sharpe stone laied vnder the raines of his backe so that it was impossible for him to stirre beeing also vexed continually with lyee which was not the least torment hee endured so that hee often wished that the sentence of his death had beene pronounced did willingly frame his thoughts and order his minde to entertaine with patience the destinie of such a doome for this miserie toucht him so neere that he was content to relinquish all hope and desire of life and to meditate on nothing but of death He continued in this estate from Saturday the 23 of August 1603. vntill the Tuesday following in which time hee was suffered to rise but 4. times in 24. houres That Twesday about nine of the clocke he was brought againe into the presence of the Bashaw as he fate in opē Court where he renued his olde demaunde of filtie thousand Chickeno's All Christian Embassadours haue in the Bashawes Court continually two Interpreters to haue a care and regard of such causes and occurrents as may concerne their Country This day the English Embassador had none there belike to avoyde the unportunities that Sir Thomas in this his Tragicke state might haue vsed But to return to the Bashaw his demand Sir Thomas answered him that hee found little constancy in his wordes that if his life might make satisfaction that was in his power and more iust and honourable it were for him to take it then to prolong it still with torment for his own part hee would promise no more because hee could performe no more To be briefe he told him hee might haue his life but neuer his demaund The Bashaw neuer replied but presently commanded his head should bee stricken off But though he was rash in the doome he did deliberate in the deede for Sir Thomas was carried backe into prison where though hee found rather an increase then any mittigation of his former torments yet was his life still preserued by the miraculous power of Almightie God The Continuation of Sir Thomas Sherleys miserie in his imprisonment in Constantinople SIr Thomas beeing thus returned into prison and his old torments renuing hauing small hope of life and lesse expectation of release euery houre awayting the execution of his doome a certaine Iewe dwelling in the Citie vnderstanding his imprisonment and his vild manner of handling and that he was also a Gentleman of account and estimation in his Country in pittie and compassion of his estate found the meanes to come and speake with him in prison where after a few salutations the Iew reasoned with him in this manner As you are a stranger both by your birth and language to this Nation so you also seeme to bee strange and ignorant of their Natures Conditions I haue heard of your long imprisonment and though I know not the cause yet I grieue much at the manner of your handling You shall doe well in this rather to follow my counsell that haue a little experience of their customes then wilfully to cast your selfe away by ignorance Be ruled by me and make promise of this great summe of money to the Bashawe but take a long time for the paiment It can bee no way preiudiciall to you if you way your owne state and his case aright for if your King hold his amitie with the Turke and that the league bee continued whereof there is yet no doubt you may before the prefixt day taken for the payment by the benefit of your King bee freed without ransome If that faile and a farre lesse summe be brought in the meane time and that he findes there is small hope of more they will rather accept that though it be little then hazard your life and so loose all And I will also giue you a further comfort which though it proceedes but from mine owne opinion without particular intelligence of any such matter for in this blindfolded state of Turkie men may obserue howbeit knowe nothing but to obey This Bashaw this great aduersarie of yours that now hath your life in pursuite is like ere long to loose his owne for the nature and qualitie of his place will not hold an officer long Sir Thomas hauing a Woolfe by the eare wherein there was danger either to hold or let goe doubting whether he were best follow the counsell of a Iewe or trust the cruelty of a Turke yet hauing well wayed his wordes wherein he could finde nothing that sauoured of deceipt hee thought it best to follow his aduice And so holding that determination he found means shortly to send vnto the Bashaw to whom he promised fourtie thousand Chickeno's conditionally to haue reasonable day for the paiment and in the meane time to be vsed like a Gentleman to bee kept in a house by himselfe and not to bee troubled with all manner of Rascals to haue allowed him two hundred Aspers a day for his diet which is tenne shillings sterling and a seruant to waite vpon him The Bashaw was glad to receiue this proffer and promised him more then he demanded that he should haue a good house and a faire garden that he should haue two hundred Aspers a day allowed him and two seruants at his choyce either men or women to attend vpon him and that for his money he should haue good meate wine because quoth the Bashaw I wil haue you contented Though Sir Thomas was glad of this proffer yet was there an occasion ministred very soone after to dislike it for the next day the English Embassadour wrote vnto him that hee was as sorry for his error as for his imprisonment and that hee intangled himselfe into an intricate laborinth out of the which he could not winde himselfe without payment of the money He therefore aduised him to reuoke his promise and by no meanes to accept the Bashawes proffer for if he did he was either tied to his worde or his life to the Turkes disposing and to comfort him withall hee told him that within tenne daies hee would procure his release get him home to his owne house and become his Baile Whereupon Sir Thomas trusting the Embassadours promise refused the Bashawes proffer and so was carried backe into his olde prison where with great miserie and distresse hee lay long after About Michaelmas after this Visior Bashawe his great Aduersarie was hangd according to the Iewes Prophecie which gaue him cause to entertaine a newe hope of his Deliuerie for presently vpon the death of the Bashawe hee wrote agame to the Embassadour requesting him that now he would remember him or neuer for nowe was the time if it pleased him to extend his eredit in
the Court to procure his Release his Aduersarie beeing dead and no barre in the way to hinder it and this hee did with the greater instance importune because quoth hee I am not able to holde out long hauing endured so many grieuous and strange afflictions and beeing so much weakened with the tedious and miserable indurance of the same Howbeit the Embassadour returned him this discomfortable answere That hee coulde doe nothing till there were a newe Visior Bashawe ordained in his place and then he would doe what he could for him It was tenne daies before there was a new one made As soone as hee was installed the Embassadour as Sir Thomas was informed dealt with him for his libertie but to no purpose for the Bashaw answered him that it lay not in his power to doe him any good for that hee was a prisoner belonging to the great Turke and therefore could not bee deliuered without his consent Wherupon the Embassadour preferred a petition to the great Turke in his behalfe who presently gaue commandement hee should bee enlarged the day following which was Thursday and vndoubtedly had the Embassadour not slacked this matter but presently laied hold vpon the Turkes commaund it had beene an easie matter to haue set him at libertie that night But whether it was the too much confidence that hee had in the Turkes variable and vncertaine humour or that other businesse and intendements of his owne carried his thoughts other waies or that it was so ordained that Sir Thomas his miseries should not yet haue ende I cannot tell but the matter of his release was lingred till the Sunday following At which time vpon new aduertisements the commandement of his libertie was reuersed and hee retained stil in prison loaden with more cares and lesse hope then euer he had The maner of Sir Thomas Sherley his deliuery by the benefit of the King of Englands princely and gratious letters to the Turke THe Marchant after a long dangerous voyage hauing recouered with safetie the Hauen of his desire though vtterly lost the fruit of all his labours recounts with pleasure the perils past leauing a glad memoriall to be told in after times by his posteritie for Contraria contrariis magis elucescunt Contrary is best knowne by his contrary we should neuer know the excellencie of rest but by labour nor of plentie but by want nor of safty but by danger nor of libertie but by restraint And I doubt not also but sir Thomas together with the pleasure that he now conceiues in the remembrance of his forepassed miseries doth not forget in his daily prayers the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiuing vnto that diuine power that preserued him so wonderfully in all his troubles and deliuered him so happily euen from the very gate and gulfe of death and danger But to returne to Turkie for wee haue not yet brought him to England Within a fortnight after the countermaund of his deliuery the great Turke died-leauing his sonne a boy of some 14. yeares to succeed him sir Thomas in this new world retaines a new hope of his deliuery and not slacking to lay hold of any occasion writes againe to the Embassadour requesting him with much importunitie that it would please him to take the opportunitie of this tune for his release for that he had a hope the yong King whose mind was flexible might easily bee wrought to deale gratiously with him Howbeit the Embassadour sent him word that they boy King could do him no good he being by reason of his youth vnder gouernment and protection till either the Admirall came who was then vpon the confines of Turkie or the Protector who was shortly to returne out of Egypt At the arriuall of either of them whosoeuer was first he protested he would sollicite him in his behalfe and doubt not but hee should soone worke the meanes of his deliuery in the meane time hee willed him to comfort himselfe for he would not pretermit any occasion proffered to doe him good Sir Thomas lingered on this hope and bare out the brunt of many a cold and bitter houre vntill the first of December at what time the Admirall was returned who being importuned by the Embassador answere was made that hee would not deale with the Prisoner till the comming of the Protector Not long after the Protector returned whome the Embassador belike finding vntractable soone gaue ouer his suite The first day the Protector sate in Iudgement was Christmas day before whome Sir Thomas was sent for to appeare this day also the Embassadour had no Interpreter there The Visior Bashaw hauing called him before him askt him why hee was committed to prison Sir Thomas answered boldly that his fortune and the mistaking of his attempt and enterprise in the Island was first the cause of his restraint but the malice and ill opinion that Hashan Bashaw conceiued against him without cause had held him so long a poore and miserable prisoner Honorably desiring the Protector that sith there was nothing questionable that might touch his life except the enforc't power and extent of authoritie and that if any fault were committed his punishment was greater then the cryme That it would please him now at last to giue him his liberty But here was no such grace seated in the Protectors heart for without any reply processe or order of law he gaue a present and peremptory command That hee with his two men should bee hang'd It booted him not to aske why but hauing prepared his mind before to such an horror and liuing long in a continuall expectance thereof hee yeelded himselfe willingly thereunto for he knew wel that nought but his death would satisfie the doome Hereupon was sir Thomas his two men bound all together and lead presently away towards the place of execution what could he wish in such a case besides his diuine meditations but that his mind thoughts might suddainly bee transported into England to execute his tongues office that is to commend his humble dutie to his Father and his kind remembrance to his friends and allyes to let them vnderstand the miseries of his imprisonment and the vildnes of his death occasioned by the trecherie and cowardice of his own men from thence he might wish them sodainly posted to Spaine and Persia that his honorable brethren might vnderstand the manner of his life and death that in their hostile imployments against the Turkes they might bee sufficiently reuenged of his death But God did suddainly possesse the heart of one of the Interpreters to the Venetian Embassador with a Christian pittie regard of his estate who sodainly repaired for otherwise that had bin too late to the Protector beseeching him that hee would not in his furie take away the life of so gallant a gentleman vpon bare surmises that if he held him worthily a prisoner and that but supposed being no greater it might please him rather to take his ransome then his life At the
first the Protector was very obstinate being importuned and hauing a hope of the gaine of 40. thousand Chickeno's which were proffered made him a little to relent and so hee commanded to stay his Execution Thus Sir Thomas brought from the place of death and presently carryed to another place little better it being a prison called the seuē Towers where he was put into a miserable darke dungeon and extreame cold There he continued till one of the clocke in the afternoone the next day at which time the Embassador hauing vnderstood of the misery of that place sent one of hismen to the Gaoler to intreat him that hee might bee remoued to some better place whereupon hee was had out of the dungeon and put together with his two men into a little shed but two yardes square built against a wall hauing neither cloathes bed fire nor any good meat In this state hee continued foureteene dayes in extreame cold weather of frost and snow during which time one of his men perished and died euen of very cold and he himselfe was so benummed in all his limbes as he feared he should neuer againe haue the vse of them In this poore estate hee continued till the beginning of Aprill 1604 at which time there were Letters sent from the Kings Maiestie to the great Turke and money from his Father for before that time hee had receiued no newes out of England But whether by negligence or some ill accident the letters were lost Notwithstāding by reason of his money he was admitted to buy a Chamber and to hire a Seruant to attend vpon him being stil a prisoner and hauing a watchful guard about him Thus he continued till the Christmas following In which time his father hauing vnderstanding of his great miserie sustayned together with the losse of his Maiesties former Letters and his Sonnes present case as it stood became againe an humble suiter to the King in his Sonnes behalfe and eftsoones obtained his Maiesties gratious letters to the great Turke for his deliuery howbeit those letters did not worke his release for hee was still continued in prison But by meanes of them he had not torture nor torment inflicted vpon him as before but continued a prisoner till the middle of Nouember 1605. It which time his Maiesty of his Princely grace and fauour directed new Letters to the Turke of greater force then before by veriue of which and God assisting he was deliuered vpon friday the sixt of December in the yeare aforesaid which was in this manner The Protector Bashaw that day came in person to the prison and causing him to be brought forth deliuered him together with his man into the hands of the Lord Embassador with these wordes Hee is your Prisoner till the morning Thus being deliuered but not absolutely freed the Lord Embassador receiued him promising to send him the next morning to the Duana which is the name they giue to their principall Court because the Bashaw tould him the Emperour held him to be his lawfull prisoner that he had forfeited his life vnto him Howbeit to gratifie the Ma. of England hee was pleased to giue him as a present to his King and therefore hee should be deliuered to his Ma. officers in open Court The next day following beeing Saturday he was brought into the Duana there was no great doubt or question made of his deliuery onely the Testados who is as we tearme him the L. Treasurer cast forth a word about the Kings Letters aduising the Bashaw to consider what he did in the deliuery of him for that hee seemed to be a great man The Cadiliscar that is as it were the chiefe Iudge in deciding mens causes answered hee knew that well enough and it was so generall vnderstood for so great Kings quoth he as is the Maiestie of England vse not to write for meane men and that their Emperour had freely giuen him to the King of great Britaine and therefore willed him to holde his peace but his man ran a daugerous fortune that day for diuers great men of the court stood much against him affirming the Bashaw had no reason to deliuer him because he was neither mentioned in his Maiesties Letters nor in the Emperours graunt But the Bashaw hauing vnder hand the pronuse of a great summe of money after a speech made and some solemnitie vsed deliuered both Howbeit the Monday following beeing the 16. of December remembring himselfe began to finde his error and to bee afraid that hee had runne into danger for releasing of his man and thereupon presently sent to the Lord Embassadour that hee would send both Sir Thomas his man to him againe The L. Embassadour went to the Bashaw himselfe refusing to send either of them backe and with much adoe perswaded the Bashaw for though he found no danger in Sir Thomas yet hee teared much the Bashaw had a purpose to stay his man and Sir Thomas was very loath to haue his man returned againe to his miserable kennell The Turke is very strickt and prccise in punishing faults in his Officers for that very Euening the Bashaw was depriued of his place for ro other cause but deliuering of his man without Commission Thus ended the tedious trouble and miserie of Sir Thomas Sherley in his imprisonment which beginning in the Island where he was first taken the 15. of Ianuarie in the yeare 1602. was afterwards continued in Nigro Ponte and at last ended in Constantinople vpon a friday the 6. of December 1605. So that the whole time of his imprisonment was 3. yeares sauing a fewe daies And here is to bee noted what a stampe and impression of duty and regard the countenance of a Kings Letter makes in the hearts of subiects though in places farre remote For the Embassadour that before that time did but faintly assist him in all his attēpts and intreaties and was many times afraid to speake in his behalfe and often refused to trouble himselfe in this businesse vpon the receit of his Maiesties Letters stood so stoutly by him that he flatly refused to send Sir Thomas or his man backe notwithstanding the strickt command of the Visior Bashaw who in his place was a man of principall authoritie in the countrey Sir Thomas staied in Constantinople a free man from the time of his deliuerie which was the 6. of December vntill the 15. of Februarie following 1605. during which time hee tooke pleasure to solace himselfe there where before he had endured so much sorrow and miserie taking a view and surucy of the seat and scituation of the Citie obseruing their lawes customs and ceremonies beholding their Courts Synagogues and Temples with other things not vnworthy a strangers obseruation And vpon the 15. of February hee departed from Constantinople in a Ragousian Ship called the Maria de la Rosaria and landed at Callipoly the 19. of the same moneth from thēce to Naples and so at last to England where beeing ioyfully receiued of