which daily happens in diverse partes of the Equinoctiall Manomotapa and a great part of the kingdom of Prester Iean are seated vnder the line or very neere In which regions they endure excessive heate and the men are all blacke the which is not onely in those parts of the land farre from the sea but also in Ilands invironed with the sea The Iland of Saint Thomas is vnder the Line the Ilands of Cape Verd are very neere and both in the one and the other are violent heates and the men are likewise blacke Vnder the same line or very neere lies a part of Peru and of the new kingdome of Grenado which notwithstanding are very temperate Countries inclining rather to colde then heate and the inhabitants are white The Country of Bresill is in the same distance from the line with Peru and yet both Bresill and all that coast is extreamely hot although it be in the North sea and the other coast of Peru which is in the South sea is very temperate I say then that whosoever would consider these differences and give a reason thereof cannot content himselfe with these generall rules before specified to proove that the burning Zone may be a temperate land Among the speciall causes and reasons I have first placed the Sea for without doubt the neerenesse thereof doth helpe to temper and coole the heat for although the water be salt yet is it alwayes water whose nature is cold and it is a thing remarkeable that in the depth of the Ocean the water cannot be made hot by the violence of the Sunne as in rivers finally even as salt-peeter though it be of the nature of salt hath a propertie to coole water even so we see by experience that in some ports and havens the salt-water doth refresh the which wee have observed in that of Callao whereas they put the water or wine which they drinke into the Sea in flaggons to be refreshed whereby wee may vndoubtedly finde that the Ocean hath this propertie to temper and moderate the excessive heate for this cause we feele greater heat at land then at sea Caeteris paribus and commonly Countries lying neere the sea are coooler then those that are farther off Caeteris paribus as I have said even so the greatest part of the new world lying very neere the Ocean wee may with reason say although it bee vnder the burning Zone yet doth it receive a great benefite from the sea to temper the heat That the highest landes are the coldest and the reason thereof CHAP. 12. BVt if we shall yet search more particularly we shall not finde in all this land an equall temperature of heate although it be in equal distance from the sea and in the same degree seeing that in some partes there is great heate and in some very little Doubtlesse the cause thereof is that the one is lower and the other higher which causeth that the one is hote and the other colde It is most certaine that the toppes of the mountaines are colder then in the bottome of the vallies the which proceedes not onely for that the sunne beames have greater repercussions vpon lower places although it be a great reason yet there is an other which is that the Region of the ayre is colder when it is farthest from the ground The Plaines of Collao at Peru of Popaian in new Spaine make sufficient proofe hereof For without al doubt those parts are high countries and for this reason cold although they be all invironed with high points of mountaines much subiect to the Sunne beames But if we demand why at Peru and in new Spaine the Plaines along the coast be very hote and the plaines of the same Countries of Peru and new Spaine be contrariwise colde In truth I see no other reason can be given but that the one is a lowe country and the other high Experience dooth teach vs that the middle region of the ayre is colder than the neather And therefore the more the mountaines approach to the middle the colder they are being covered with snow and frosts Reason it selfe dooth yeelde to it For if there be a sphere and region of fire as Aristotle and the other Philosophers say the middle region of the ayre must be most colde by Antiparistasis the colde being expelled and thickned there as in summer time we see in wells that are very deepe For this cause the Philosophers affirme that the two extreame regions of the ayre that above and the other belowe are the hottest and the middle region more colde If it be thus as experience doth teach vs we shall yet draw out another reason and notable argument to shew that the burning Zone is temperate which is that the greatest part of the Indies is a high countrey filled with many mountaines which by their neerenesse refresh the neighbour countries You may continually see vppon the toppes of these mountaines snow haile and frozen waters and the cold so bitter as the grasse is all withered so as the men and beasts which passe that way are benummed with colde This as I have saide is in the burning Zone and it happens most commonly when they have the sunne for zenith It is therefore most certaine and conformable vnto reason that the mountaines are colder than the valleis and plaines for that they participate more of the middle region of the aire which is very colde The cause why the middle region of the ayre is more colde hath bin shewed before for that the region of the aire next to the fiery exhalation the which according to Aristotle is vpon the spheare of the aire repells and thrustes backe all the colde the which retires it selfe into the middle region of the aire by Antiparistasis as the Philosophers speake Now if any one should question with me in this manner If it be so that the ayre is hot and moist as Aristotle holdes and as we commonly say whence then proceeds the cold which is congealed in the middle region of the ayre seeing it cannot come from the fierie spheare For if it come from the water or the earth by this reason the lower region of the aire should be colder than the middle To answer truely what I thinke I will confesse that this Argument and Obiection is so difficult as I am almost ready to follow the opinion of such as reproove the qualities agreements and disagreements which Aristotle gives vnto the Elements saying they are but imaginations who for this occasion hold the aire to be colde by nature And to this end they vse many arguments and reasons whereof we will propound one very familiar and well knowne leaving the rest aparte In the canicular dayes we are accustomed to beate the ayre with a fanne and we finde that it doth refresh vs so as these Authors affirme that heate is no private property of any other Element but of fire only which is dispersed and mingled with all things as the great Denis
Philosophie worthy of accoumpt The greatest part of Platoes Interpreters affirme that it is a true Historie whatsoever Critias reports of the strange beginning of the Atlantike Iland of the greatnes thereof of the warres they had against them of Europe with many other things That which gives it the more credite of a true Historie be the wordes of Critias whom Plato brings in in his time saying that the subiect he meanes to treate of is of strange things but yet true The other disciples of Plato considering that this discourse hath more shew of a fable then of a true Historie say that we must take it as an allegorie and that such was the intention of their divine Philosopher Of this opinion is Procles and Porphire yea and Origene who so much regardes the writings of Plato as when they speake thereof they seeme to bee the bookes of Moses or of Esdras and whereas they thinke the writings of Plato have no shew of truth they say they are to be vnderstood mystically and in allegories But to say the truth I do not so much respect the authoritie of Plato whom they call Divine as I wil beleeve he could write these things of the Atlantike Iland for a true Historie the which are but meere fables seeing hee confesseth that hee learned them of Critias being a little childe who among other songs sung that of the Atlantike Iland But whether that Plato did write it for a true Historie or a fable for my part I beleeve that all which he hath written of this Iland beginning at the Dialogue of Time and continuing to that of Critias cannot be held for true but among children and old folkes Who will not accoumpt it a fable to say that Neptune fell in love with Clite and had of her five paire of twinnes at one birth And that out of one mountaine hee drew three round balles of water and two of earth which did so well resemble as you would have iudged them all one bowell What shall wee say moreover of that Temple of a thousand pace long and five hundred broade whose walles without were all covered with silver the seeling of gold and within ivorie indented and inlaied with gold silver and pearle In the end speaking of the ruine thereof he concludes thus in his time In one day and one night came a great deluge whereby all our souldiers were swallowed by heapes within the earth and in this sort the Atlantike Iland being drowned it vanished in the Sea Without doubt it fell out happily that this Iland vanished so suddenly seeing it was bigger then Asia and Affrike and that it was made by enchantment It is in likesort all one to say that the ruines of this so great an Iland are seene in the bottome of the sea and that the Mariners which see them cannot saile that way Then he addes For this cause vnto this day that Sea is not navigable by reason of the bancke which by little little is growne in that drowned Iland I would willingly demand what Sea could swallow vp so infinite a continent of land greater then Asia and Affrike whose confines stretched vnto the Indies and to swallow it vp in such sort as there should at this day remaine no signes nor markes thereof whatsoever seeing it is well knowne by experience that the Mariners finde no bottome in the Sea where they say this Iland was Notwithstanding it may seeme indiscreete and farre from reason to dispute seriously of those things which are reported at pleasure or if we shall give that respect to the authoritie of Plato as it is reason we must rather vnderstand them to signifie simply as in a picture the prosperitie of a Citie and withall the ruine thereof For the argument they make to prove that this Atlantike Iland hath bene really and indeede saying that the sea in those parts doth at this day beare the name of Atlantike is of small importance for that wee knowe Mount Atlas whereof Plinie sayes this sea tooke the name is vpon the confines of the Mediterranean Sea And the same Plinie reportes that ioyning to the said Mount there is an Iland called Atlantike which he reportes to be little and of small accompt That the opinion of many which holde that the first race of the Indians comes from the Iewes is not true CHAP. 23. NOw that wee have shewed how vnlikely it is that the first Indians passed to the Indies by the Atlantike Iland there are others holde opinion that they tooke the way whereof Esdras speakes in his fourth booke in this manner And whereas thou sawest that he gathered an other peaceable troope vnto him thou shalt know those are the ten tribes which were caried away captives out of their own land in the time of king Ozeas whom Salmanazar king of the Assyrians tooke captives and ledde them beyond the river so were they brought into an other land but they tooke this counsell to themselves to leave the multitude of the heathen and go forth into a farther countrie where never mankind dwelt that they might there observe their statutes which they could not keepe in their owne land and they entred by the narrowe passages of the river Euphrates for then God shewed his wonders and stayed the springs of the flood vntill they were passed over for the way vnto that Countrie is very long yea of a yeere and a halfe and this Region is called Arsareth then dwelt they there vntill the latter time and when they come forth againe the most Mightie shall hold still the springs of the river againe that they may goe through for this cause sawest thou this multitude peaceable Some will apply this text of Esdras to the Indies saying they were guided by God whereas never mankinde dwelt and that the land where they dwelt is so farre off as it requires a yeere and a halfe to performe the voyage beeing by nature very peaceable And that there are great signes and arguments amongst the common sort of the Indians to breed a beleefe that they are descended from the Iewes for commonly you shall see them fearefull submisse ceremonious and subtill in lying And moreover they say their habites are like vnto those the Iewes vsed for they weare a short coat or waste-coat and a cloake imbroidered all about they goe bare-footed or with soles tied with latchers over the foot which they call Oiotas And they say that it appeares by their Histories as also by their ancient pictures which represent them in this fashion that this attire was the ancient habite of the Hebrewes and that these two kinds of garments which the Indians onely vse were vsed by Samson which the Scripture calleth Tunicam and Sidonem beeing the same which the Indians terme wast-coat and cloake But all these coniectures are light and rather against them then with them for wee know well that the Hebrewes vsed letters whereof there is no shew among the Indians they were great
citty of Mexico there were above three hundred Mango Ingua Yupanguâ— amongst the Kings of Cusco was hee that most augmented the service of their idolls inventing a thousand kindes of sacrifices feasts and ceremonies The like did King Iscoalt in Mexico who was the fourth king There was also a great number of superstitions and sacrifices in other Nations of the Indians as in the Province of Guatimala at the Ilands in the new Kingdome in the Province of Chille and others that were like Common-wealthes and Comminalties But it was nothing 〈◊〉 respect of Mexico and Cusco where Sathan was in â—ome or in his Ierusalem vntill he was cast out against his will and the holy Crosse planted in his place and the Kingdome of Christ our God occupied the which the tyrant did vsurpe Of some Feast celebrated by them of Cusco and how the Divell would imitate the mysterie of the holy Trinitie CHAP. 28. TO conclude that which concernes Religion there restes something to speake of the feasts and solemnities which the Indians did celebrate the which for that they are divers and many cannot be all specified The Ingnas Lords of Peru had two kindes of feasts some were ordinarie which fell out in certaine moneths of the yeere and others extraordinary which were for certaine causes of importance as when they did crowne a new King when they beganne some warre of importance when they had any great neede of water or drought or other like things For the ordinary feasts we must vnderstand that every moneth of the yeare they made feasts and divers sacrifices and although all of them had this alike that they offered a hundred sheepe yet in colour and in forme they are very divers In the first moneth which they call Rayme which is the moneth of December they made their first feast which was the principall of all others and for that cause they called it Capacrayme which is to say a rich and principall feast In this feast they offered a great number of sheepe and lambs in sacrifice and they burnt them with sweete wood then they caused gold and silver to be brought vpon certaine sheepe setting vppon them three Images of the Sun and three of the thunder the father the sonne and the brother In these feasts they dedicated the Inguas children putting the Guaras or ensignes vpon them and they pierced their eares then some olde man did whip them with slings and annoynted their faces with blood all in signe that they should be true Knights to the Ingua No stranger might remaine in Cusco during this moneth and this feast but at the end thereof they entred and they gave vnto them peeces of the paste of mays with the blood of the sacrifice which they did eate in signe of confederation with the Ingua as hath bin said before It is strange that the Divell after his manner hath brought a trinitie into idolatry for the three images of the Sunne called Apomti Churunti and Intiquaoqui which signifieth father and lord Sunne the sonne Sunne and the brother Sunne In the like maner they named the three Images of Chuquilla which is the God that rules in the region of the aire where it thunders raines and snows I remember that being in Cuquisaca an honourable priest shewed me an information which I had long in my handes where it was prooved that there was a certaine Guaca or Oratory whereas the Indians did worship an idoll called Tangatanga which they saide was one in three and three in one And as this Priest stood amazed the reat I saide that the Divell by his infernall and obstinate pride whereby he alwayes pretendes to make himselfe God did steale all that he could from the trueth to imploy it in his lyings and deceits Comming then to the feast of the second moneth which they called Camey besides the sacrifices which they made they did cast the ashes into the river following five or sixe leagues after praying it to carry them into the sea for that the Virochoca should there receive this present In the third fourth and fift moneth they offered a hundred blacke sheepe speckled and grey with many other things which I omitte for being too tedious The â—ixt moneth is called Hatâ—â—cuZ qui Aymorey which answereth to Maie in the which they sacrificed a hundred sheepe more of all colours in this moone and moneth which is when they bring Maie from the fieldes into the house they made a feast which is yet very vsuall among the Indians and they doe call it Aymorey This feast is made comming from the Chacra or farme vnto the house saying certaine songs and praying that the Mays may long continue the which they call Mamacora They take a certaine portion of the most fruitefull of the Mays that growes in their farmes the which they put in a certaine grenier which they doe call Pirua with certaine ceremonies watching three nightes they put this Mays in the richest garments they have and beeing thus wrapped and dressed they worship this Pirua and hold it in great veneration saying it is the mother of the mays of their inheritances and that by this means the mays augments is preserved In this moneth they make a particular sacrifice and the witches demaund of this Pirua if it hath strength sufficient to continue vntill the next yeare and if it answers no then they carry this Mays to the farme to burne whence they brought it according to every mans power then make they another Pirua with the same ceremonies saying that they renue it to the end the seede of Mays may not perish and if it answers that it hath force sufficient to last longer they leave it vntill the next yeare This foolish vanitie continueth to this day and it is very common amongest the Indians to have these Piruas to make the feast of Aymorey The seaventh moneth answereth to Iune and is called Aâ—caycuZ qui Intiraymi in it they made the feast that is called Intiraymi in the which they sacrificed a hundred sheepe called Guanacos and saide it was the feast of the Sunne In this moneth they made many Images of Quinua wood carved all attired with rich garmentes and they made their dancings which they do call Cayo At this feast they cast flowers in the high wayes and thither the Indians came painted and their noblemen had small plates of golde vpon their beards and all did sing wee must vnderstand that this feast falleth almost at the same time whenas the Christians observe the solempnitie of the holy Sacrament which doth resemble it in some sort as in dauncing singing and representations And for this cause there hath beene and is yet among the Indians which celebrated a feast somewhat like to ours of the holy Sacrament many superstitions in celebrating this ancient feast of Intiâ—aymi The eight month is called Chahua Huarqui in the which they did burne a hundred sheepe more all grey of the colour of Viscacha according to the former order which
Châ—lle beare good wine 296 Vines of the vallie of Yâ—a which doe growe and are never watered with any raine and how ibid Vines that carry grapes every moneth in the yeere ibid. Viracoâ—hâ— the name which the Indians gave to their supreme god with others of great power 333 Vuziliputzli the chiefe idoll of Mexico and his ornaments 352 Vittells set vppon the tombes of dead men to feede them 347 Voyce heard foretelling the ruine of Moteçuma 565 Volcan of Guatâ—mala more admirable than all the rest 194 Volcans how entertained 196 Voyage of Hannon the Carthaginâ—an admirable in his time 36 Vros bruâ—ish people which esteeme not themselves 94 Vtilitie of all naturall histories 117 Vnction of Vuzilovitli the second king of Mexico 521 W. WAy by which the Spaniards go to the Indies and their returne 128 Waters of Guayaquil most soveraigne for the French disease 174 Warres of the Mexicans most commonly to take prisoners 483 Westerne windes hurtefull to silke-wormes 144 Westerne windes blowe not in the burning zone 126 Whales how taken by the Indians and how they eate them 167 Windes very daungerous which kill and preserve the dead bodies without corruption 147 Windes called Brises in the burning zone which come from the east 127 Windes how many and their names 133 Windes of the land in the burning zone blow rather by night than by day and those of the sea contrary and why 142 Winde corrupts yron 144 Windes that blowe southerly make the coast habitable 125 One Winde hath diverse properties according to the place where it raignes and the cause 120 Winde doth cause strange diversities of temperature 112 Wisedome of this world weake in divine yea in humane things 31 Winter and summeâ— and the cause 90 Woods rare and sweete at the Indies 292 Words of a man which had his heart pulled out 390 Writing of the Chinois was from the toppe downeward and the Mexicans from the foote vpward 447 X. XAmabusis pilgrimes forced to confesse their sinnes vpon the toppe of a rocke 400 Y. YCa and Arica and their manner of sayling in skinnes 63 Yearâ— at the Indies divided into eighteene moneths 432 Youth very carefully instructed in Mexico 489 Yeare at Peru approaching neerer to ours than that of Mexico 437 Ytu a great feast at the Indies which they made in their necessitie 416 Yupanguâ— Ingua was in Peru like to an other Numa in Rome for the making of Lawes 261 Z. ZEphiruâ— a pleasant and wholesome winde 126 Zone which they call burning the Antients held inhabitable 30 Burning zone in some partes temperate in others colde and in others hote 101 Burning Zone peopled and pleasaunt contrary to the opinion of Philosophers 86 Burning Zone why temperate 105 In the burning Zone they saile easily from east to weast and not contrarie and why 132 In the burning Zone the neerenesse of the Sunne dooth not alwaies cause raine 100 The end of the Table Errata 111.22 for Paraguen reade Paraguay 120.30 for River reade Region 135.32 for to reade in 141.28 for the motion reade without any â—otion 148.33 for inhabited reade not inhabited 164.17 for greene reade great 198.23 for hundred reade five hundred 213.21 for Curuma reade Cucuma 229.17 for to reade and 235.11 for it reade that 241.8 for it reade his 253.12 for maces reade markes 274.8 for little reade like 278.19 for is no reade is a 351.25 for many reade in many 368.2 for possession reade profession 397.14 for to the communion reade to the people in manner of a communion 514.21 for partiall reade particular 324.32 for convenient in a maner reade in a convenient manner 335.3 for of reade to 347.25 for neither reade in their Gentle Reader from the folio 225. line 14 16 19 20. where you finde peeces reade pezoes till you come to folio 322. line 22. THE FIRST BOOKE of the Naturall and Morall Historie of the East and West Indies Of the opinions of some Authors which supposed that the Heavens did not extend to the new-found world The first Chapter THE Ancients were so farre from conceypt that this new-found world was peopled by any Nation that many of them could not imagine there was any land on that part and which is more worthie of admiration some have flatly denyed that the Heavens which we now beholde could extend thither For although the greatest part yea the most famous among the Philosophers have well knowne that the Heaven was round as in effect it is and by that meanes did compasse and comprehend within it self the whole earth yet many yea of the holy doctors of greatest authoritie have disagreed in opinion vpon this point supposing the frame of this vniversall world to bee fashioned like vnto a house whereas the roofe that covers it invirons onely the vpper part and not the rest inferring by their reasons that the earth should else hang in the middest of the ayre the which seemed vnto them voyd of sense For as we see in every building the ground-worke and foundation on the one side and the cover opposite vnto it even so in this great building of the world the Heaven should remaine above on the one part and the earth vnder it The glorious Chrysostome a man better seene in the studie of holy Scriptures then in the knowledge of Philosophie seemes to be of this opinion when in his Commentaries vpon the Epistle to the Hebrewes he doth laugh at those which hold the heavens to be round And it seemes the holy Scripture doth inferre as much terming the Heavens a Tabernacle or Frame built by the hand of God And hee passeth farther vpon this point saying that which mooves and goes is not the Heaven but the Sunne Moone and Starres which moove in the heaven even as Sparrowes and other birds moove in the ayre contrary to that which the Philosophers hold that they turne with the Heaven itselfe as the armes of a wheele doe with the wheele Theodoret a very grave Authour followes Chrysostome in this opinion and Theophilus likewise as hee is accustomed almost in all thinges But Lactantius Firmian above all the rest holding the same opinion doth mocke the Peripatetickes and Academickes which give the heaven a round forme placing the earth in the middest thereof for that it seemeth ridiculous vnto him that the earth should hang in the ayre as is before sayde By which his opinion hee is conformable vnto Epicurus who holdeth that on the other part of the earth there is nothing but a Chaos and infinite gulph And it seemeth that S. Ierome draweth neere to this opinion writing vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians in these wordes The naturall Philosopher by his contemplation pierceth to the height of heaven and on the other part he findeth a great vast in the depth and bowels of the earth Some likewise say that Procopius affirmes the which I have not seene vpon the booke of Genesis that the opinion of Aristotle touching the forme and
circular motion of the Heaven is contrarie and repugnant to the holy Scriptures But whatsoever the Ancients say or holde touching this point it must not trouble vs for that it is wel knowne and verified that they have not beene so studious in the knowledge and demonstrations of Philosophie beeing busied in other studies of farre greater importance But that which is more to be admired is that S. Augustine himselfe so well seene in all naturall Sciences yea very learned in Astrologie and Physicke remaynes yet still in doubt not able to resolve whether the Heaven did compasse in the earth on all parts What care I saith he if we suppose the Heaven doth inviron the earth on all parts like vnto a bowle beeing in the middest of the world as a bottome is compassed with threed or that we say it is not so and that the Heaven covereth the earth of one part onely as a great Basin that hangs over it In the same place he seemeth to shew nay hee speaketh plainely that there is no certaine demonstration to proove the figure of the world to be round but onely by simple coniectures In which places cited and others they hold the circular motion of the Heaven very doubtfull But wee ought not to take it offencively nor esteeme lesse of the Doctors of the holy Church if in some points of Philosophie and naturall knowledge they have varied in opinion from that which is helde for good philosophie seeing all their studie hath been to know preach and serve the Creator of all things wherein they have bin excellent and having well imployed their studies in causes of greater waight it is a small matter in them not to have knowen all particularities concerning the creatures But those vaine Philosophers of our age are much more to bee blamed who having attayned to the knowledge of the being and order of the creatures and of the course and motion of the Heavens have not yet learned wretched as they are to knowe the Creator of all things but busying themselves wholly in his workes have not yet mounted by their imaginations to the knowledge of the Soveraigne Author thereof as the holy Scripture teacheth vs or if they have knowne him they have not served and glorified him as they ought blinded with their imaginations whereof the Apostle doth accuse and blame them That the Heaven is round on all parts mooving in his course of it selfe CHAP. 2. BVt comming to our subiect there is no doubt but the opinion which Aristotle and the other Peripateticks held with the Stoicks that the figure of Heaven was round and did moove circularly in his course is so perfectly true as we which doe now live in Peru see it visibly Wherin experience should be of more force then all Philosophicall demonstrations being sufficient to proove that the Heaven is round and comprehends and contaynes the earth within it of al parts And to cleere any doubt that might grow it sufficeth that I have seene in this our Hemisphere that part of Heaven which turnes about this earth the which was vnknowne to the Ancients and have observed the two Poles whereon the Heavens turne as vpon their Axeltrees I say the Articke or North Pole which those of Europe beholde and the other Antarticke or Southerne Pole whereof saint Augustine is in doubt the which we change and take for the North here at Peru having passed the Equinoctiall line Finally it sufficeth that I have sayled neere 70. degrees from North to South that is forty of the one side of the line and 23. on the other omitting at this present the testimony of others which have sayled much farther then my selfe in a greater height comming neere 70. degrees towards the South Who will not confesse but the ship called the Victoriâ— worthie doubtlesse of eternall memorie hath wonne the honor and praise to have best discovered and compassed the round earth yea that great Chaos and infidite Vast which the ancient Philosophers affirmed to bee vnder the earth having compassed about the worlde and circled the vastnesse of the great Oceans Who is hee then that will not confesse by this Navigation but the whole earth although it were bigger then it is described is subiect to the feet of man sâ—eing he may measure it Thus without doubt the Heaven is of a round and perfect figure and the earth likewise imbracing and ioyning with the water makes one globe or round bowle framed of these two elements having their bounds limits within their own roundnes greatnes The which may be sufficiently proved by reasons of Philosophie and Astrologie leaving al subtil definitions commonly obiected That to the most perfect body which is the Heaven we must give the most perfect figure which without doubt is round whose circular motion could not be firme nor equall in it selfe if it had any corner or nooke of any side or if it were crooked as of necessitie it must be if the Sun Moone stars made not their course about the whole world But leaving all these reasons it seemes that the Moone is sufficient in this case as a faithfull witnesse of the Heaven it selfe seeing that her Eclypse happens but when as the roundnesse of the earth opposeth it selfe diametrally betwixt her and the Sunne and by that meanes keepes the Sunne-beames from shining on her The which could not chance if the earth were not in the midst of the world compassed in and invironed by the whole Heaven Some haue doubted whether the light of the Moone were borrowed from the brightnes of the Sunne but it is needlesse seeing there can bee found no other cause of the Eclipses full and quarters of the Moone but the communication of the beames which proceed from the Sunne In like sort if wee will carefully examine this matter we shall finde that the darkenesse of the night proceedes from no other cause but from the shadow which the earth makes not suffering the light of the sunne to passe to the other parte of the heaven where his beames shine not If then it be so that the sunne passeth no farther neyther doth cast his beames on the other part of the earth but onely turnes about and returnes to his setting making a ridge vpon the earth by his turning the which he must of force confesse that shall denie the roundnes of the heaven seeing according to their saying the heaven as a basen doth onely couer the face of the earth it should then plainly follow that wee could not obserue the difference betwixt the daies and nights the which in some regions be short and long according to the seasons and in some are alwaies equall the which S. Augustine noteth in his bookes De Genes ad litter am That we may easily comprehend the oppositions conversions elevations descents and all other aspects and dispositions of Planets and starres when we shall vnderstand they move and yet notwithstanding the heaven remaines firme and
immoveable The which seemeth to me easie to comprehend and will be to all others if it may be lawfull to imagine that which my fancy doth conceive for if we suppose that every star and planet be a body of it selfe that it be led guided by an Angell as Habacuc was carried into Babilon who I pray you is so blind but seeth that all the diverse aspects which we see appeare in planets starres may proceede from the diuersity of motion which he that guides them doth voluntarily giue them We cannot then with any reason affirme but that this space region by which they faine that stars do continually march and rowle is elementarie and corruptible seeing it divides it selfe when they passe the which vndoubtedly do not passe by any void place If then the region wherein the starres and planets move be corruptible the stars and planets of their owne motion should be by reason likewise corruptible and so by consequence they must alter change and be finally extinct for naturally that which is conteined is no more durable then that which conteineth And to say that the Celestiall bodies be corruptible it agreeth not with the psalme That God made them for euer And it is lesse conformable to the order preservation of this vniversall world I say moreover to confirme this truth that the heauens move and in them the starres march in turning the which we cannot easily discerne with our eyes seeing we see that not onely thestarres do moue but also the regions whâ—le parts of heaven I speake not onely of the shining and most râ—splendent parts as of that which we call Via lactea and the vulgar S. Iaques way but also of the darker and obscurer parts in heaven For there we see really as it were spots and darkenes which are most apparent the which I remember not to haue seene at any time in Europe but at Peru and in this other Hemisphere I haue often seene them very apparant These spots are in colour and forme like vnto the Eclips of the Moone and are like vnto it in blacknes and darkenes they march fixed to the same starres alwaies of one forme and bignes as we haue noted by infallible observation It may be this will seeme strange to some they will demand whence these spots in heaven should grow To the which I cannot answere otherwise at this time but as the Philosophers do affirme that this Via lactea or milken way is compounded of the thickest parts of the heaven and for this cause it receiues the greater light and contrariwise there are other parts very thinne and transparent the which receiuing lesse light seeme more blacke obscure Whether this be the true reason or no I dare not certenly affirme Yet is it true that according to the figure these spots have in heaven they moue with the same proportion with their starres without any separation the which is a true certaine and often noted experience It followeth then by all that we haue said that the heaven containeth in it all the parts of the earth circling continually about it without any more doubt How the holy Scripture teacheth vs that the earth is in middest of the world CHAP. 3. ALthough it seemes to Procopius Gaza and to some others of his opinion that it is repugnant to the holy Scripture to place the earth in the middest of the world and to say that the heaven is round yet in truth this doctrine is not repugnant but conformable to that which it doth teach vs. For laying aside the tearmes which the Scripture it selfe doth vse in many places The roundnesse of the earth And that which it sayeth in an other place that whatsoever is corporeall is vnvironed and compassed in by the heavens and conteyned within the roundnes thereof at the least thy cannot deny but that place of Ecclesiastes is very plaine where it is said The Sunneriseth and sets and returnes to the same place and so begins to rise againe he takes his course by the South turning towards the North this spirit marchâ—th compassing about all thinges and then returnes to the same place In this place the paraphrase and exposition of Gregorie Neocesarien or Nazianzene sayeth The Sunne hauing runne about the whole earth returnes as it were turning to the same point That which Solomon saveth being interpreted by Gregorie could not be trve if any part of the earth were not invironed with the heaven And so S. Ierome doth vnderstand it writing vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians in this sort The most common opinion affirmes agreeing with Ecclesiastes That the heaven is round mooving circularly like vnto a bowle And it is most certaine that no round figure conteyneth in it eyther longitude latitude heigth or depth for that all parts are equall Whereby it appeares according to S. Ierome That those which hold the heaven to be round are not repugnant to the holy Scripture but conformable to the same And although that S. Basile especially and S. Ambrose who doth vsually imitate him in his bookes called Hexameron seeme somewhat doubtfull of this point yet in the end they grant that the world is round It is true that S. Ambrose doth not yeelde to this quintessence which Aristotle attributes to the heavens without doubt it is a goodly thing to see with what a grace and excellent stile the holy Scripture treates of the scituation and firmenes of the earth to breed in vs a wonderfull admiration and no lesse content to behold the vnspeakable power and wisedome of the Creator For that in one place God himselfe saies that it was hee which planted the pillers which support the earth giving vs to vnderstand as S. Ambrose doth well expound it that the vnmeasurable weight of the whole earth is held vp by the hands of the divine power The holy Scripture doth commonly so call them and vseth this phrase naming them the pillers of heaven and earth not those of Atlas as the Poets faine but of the eternall word of God who by his vertue supports both heaven and earth Moreover the holy Scripture in an other place teacheth that the earth or a great part thereof is ioyned to and compassed in by the Element of water speaking generally that God placed the earth vpon the waters And in another place that hee framed the roundnes of the earth vpon the Sea And although S. Augustine doth not conclude vpon this text as a matter of faith that the earth and the water make one globe in the midst of the world pretending by this meanes to give another exposition to the words of the Psalme yet notwithstanding it is most certaine that by the words of the psalme we are given to vnderstand that we haue no other reason to imagine any other ciment or vniting to the earth then the Element of water the which although it be pliant and moveable yet doth it support
heaven without doubt she will answere vs as Lactantius doth That if the heaven were round the Sun starres should fall when as they move and change their places rising towards the South Even so if the earth did hang in the ayre those which inhabite the other part should go with their feete vpwards and their heades downward and the raine which falles from above should mount vpward with many other ridiculous deformities But if we consult with the force of reason she will make small accoumpt of all these vaine imaginations nor suffer vs to beleeve them no more than a foolish dreame But Reason will answer with this her integritie and gravitie that it were a very grosse error to imagine the whole world to be like vnto a house placing the earth for the foundation and the heaven for the covering Moreover she will say that as in all creatures the head is the highest part and most elevated although all creatures have not heades placed in one and the same sctuation some being in the highest part as man some athwart as sheepe others in the middest as spiders even so the heaven in what part soeuer it be remaines above and the earth likewise in what part soever remaines vnderneath Our imagination therefore is grounded vpon time and place the which she cannot comprehend nor conceive in generall but in particular It followeth that when wee shall raise it to the consideration of things which exceede the time and place which are knowne vnto her then presently she shrinkes and cannot subsist if reason doth not support her In like sort we see vpon the discourse of the creation of the worlde our imagination straies to seeeke out a time before the creation thereof and to build the world she discribes a place but shee comes not to consider that the worlde might bee made after another fashion Notwithstanding reason doth teach vs that there was no time before there was a motion whereof time is the measure neyther was there any place before the vniversall which comprehendes within it all place Wherein the excellent Philosopher Aristotle doth plainely satisfie and in few wordes that argument made against the place of the earth helping himselfe with our vse of imagination when hee saâ—eth and with trueth That in the world the same place of the earth is in the midst and beneath and the more a thing is in the middest the more it is vnderneath The which answer being produced by Lactantius Firmian yet hee doth passe it over without confutation by reason saying that he cannot stay thereon and omitte the handling of other matters The reason why S. Augustine denied the Antipodes CHAP. 8. THe reason which moved S. Augustine to deny the Antipodes was other then that formerly alleadged being of a higher iudgement for the reson before mentioned that the Antipodes should go vpwards is confuted by the same Doctor in his booke of sermons in these words The ancients hold that the earth of all parts is beneath and the heaven above by reason whereof the Antipodes which they say go opposite vnto vs have like vnto vs the heaven above their heads Seeing then S. Augustine hath confessed this to bee conformable to good Philosophie what reason shall we say did move so learned and excellent a man to follow the contrary opinion Doubtlesse he drew the motive and cause from the bowels of divinitie whereby the holie Writ doth teach vs that all mankinde doth come from the first man Adam and to say that men could passe to that new world crossing the great Ocean were vncredible and a meere lye And in truth if the successe an experience of what we have seene in these ages had not satisfied vs in this point we had yet held this reason to bee good And although we know this reason neither to be pertinent nor true yet will we make answere therevnto shewing in what sort and by what meanes the first linage of men might passe thither and howe and by what meanes they came to people and inhabite the Indies And for that wee meane heereafter to intreat briefly of this subiect it shall be fit now to vnderstand what the holy Doctor Augustine disputes vppon this matter in his bookes of the cittie of God It is no point that we ought to beleeve as some affirme that there are Antipodes that is to say men which inhabite that other part of the earth in whose region the Sunne riseth when it sets with vs and that their steppes be opposite and contrarie to ours seeing they affirme not this by any certaine revelation which they have but onely by a Philosophicall discourse they make whereby they conclude that the earth being in the middest of the world invironed of all parts and covered equallie with the heaven of necestitie that must be in the lowest place which is in the midst of the world Afterwardes hee continues in these words The holie Scripture doth not erre neither is deceived in anie sort the truth whereof is well approved in that which it propoundeth of things which are passed for as much as that which hath benefore-told hath succeded in every point as we see And it is a thing voide of all sense to say that men could passe from this continent to the new found world cut through the Vast Ocean seeing it were impossible for men to passe into those parts any other way being most certain that almen desceÌ„d from the first man Wherein we see that all the difficultie S. Augustine hath found was nothing else but the incomparable greatnes of this vast Ocean Gregorie Nazianzene was of the same opinion assuring as a matter without any doubt that it was not possible to saile beyond the Straights of Gibraltar and vpon this subiect he writes in an Epistle of his I agree well with the saying of Pindarus That past Cadiz that Sea is not nauigable And hee himselfe in the funerall Sermon he made for saint Basil saith It was not tollerable for anie one sailing on the Sea to passe the Straight of Gibraltar And it is true that this place of Pindarus where he saith That it is not lawfull neyther for wise men nor fooles to know what is beyond the Straight of Gibraltar hath beene taken for a Proverbe Thus we see by the beginning of this Proverbe how the Ancients were obstinately setled in this opinion as also by the bookes of Poets Historiographers and ancient Cosmographers that the end and bounds of the earth were set at Cadiz in Spaine where they plant the pillars of Hercules there they set the limits of the Romane Empire and there they describe the boundes of the world And not onely prophane writers speake in this sort but also the holy Scripture to apply it selfe to our phrase saith That the edict of Augustus Caesaâ— was published to the end that all the world should be taxed and of Alexander the great that he stretched forth his Empire even to the end and
thing and worthy observation that the ayre is most cleere and without rayne vnder this burning Zone whenas the Sunne is farthest off and contrariwise there is most rayne snow and mists whenas the Sunne is neerest Such as have not travelled in this new world wil happily thinke this incredible and it will seeme strange even vnto such as have beene there if they have not well observed it but the one and the other will willingly yeeld in noting the certaine experience of that which hath beene sayd of this part of Peru which looks to the Southerne or Antartike Pole the Sunne is then farthest off when it is neerest vnto Europe that is in Maie Iune Iuly and August whenas hee makes his course in the Tropicke of Cancer During which Moneths the aire at Peru is very cleere and calme neyther doth there fall any snow or raine all their rivers fall much and some are dried vp quite but as the yeere increaseth and the Sunne approcheth neere vnto the Tropicke of Capricorne then begins it to raine and to snow and their Rivers swell from October to December Then after that the Sun retyring from Capricorne whenas his beames reflect directly vpon the heads of them of Peru then is the violence of their waters great then is the time of raine snow and great overflowings of their Rivers when as their heate is greatest that is from Ianuarie to mid March this is so true and certaine as no man may contradict it And at that time the contrary is found in the Regions of the Pole Articke beyond the Equinoctiall which proceeds from the same reason But let vs now looke into the temperature of Panama all that coast as well of new Spaine the Ilands of Barlovent Cuba Hispaniola Iamaica as of S. Iohn de Port ricco wee shall without doubt finde that from the beginning of November vntill Aprill they have the aire cleere and bright the reason is for that the Sunne passing by the Equinoctiall to the Tropicke of Capricorne retyres from those Regions more then at any other time of the yeere And contrariwise they have violent showers and great swellings of water whenas the Sunne returnes and is neerest vnto them which is from Iune vnto September for then his beames beate most vpon them The like happens at the East Indies as we learne daily by letters that come So as it is a generall rule although in some places there is an exception that in the Region of the South or burning Zone which is all one the aire is most cleere and driest whenas the Sun is farthest off and contrariwise when it approcheth there is greatest rayne and humiditie and even as the Sunne advanceth or retyreth little or much even so the earth abounds or wants water and moisture That in the Regions which be without the Tropicks there is greatest store of waters whenas the Sunne is farthest off contrary to that vnder the burning Zone CHAP. 4. IN Regions which lie without the Tropicks we see the contrary to that which hath beene spoken for that the rayne is mingled with cold the drought with heate the which is well knowne in all Europe and the old world as we see in the same manner in the new world whereof the whole Kingdome of Chile is a witnesse which lying without the Tropicke of Capricorne and in the same height with Spaine is subiect to the same lawes of Winter and Summer but that Winter is there whenas it is Summer in Spaine being vnder divers Poles So as when it is cold in these Provinces the waters are in great aboundance which is when the Sunne is farthest off from the beginning of Aprill to the end of September finally the disposition of seasons is like to that in Europe which is that the heat and drought comes whenas the Sunne returnes which is the cause that this Realme of Chile approcheth neerer the temperature of Europe then any other of the Indies as well in the fruites of the earth as in the bodies and spirits of men The like they report of that part which lies before the Inner Ethiopia that stretcheth out in manner of a point vnto the Cape Bonne Esperance or Good Hope the which they holde for a true cause of the inundations of Nile which bee in Summer whereof the Ancients have so much disputed for that in that Region the Winter and raine begins in April whenas the Sunne hath passed Aries and these waters which partly grow from snow and partly from raine assemble and make great Lakes and Pooles from whence by good and true Geographie the River of Nile proceedes and by this meanes goes by little and little stretching out her course till that having runne a long way it finally in the time of Summer overfloweth Egypt which seemeth against nature and yet it is certainely reported for at what time it is Summer in Egypt lying vnder the Tropicke of Cancer then is it winter at the springes of Nile which is vnder the other Tropicke of Capricorne There is in America an other inundation like to that of Nile at Paraguen or River de la Plata which is as much to say as the River of silver the which receiving yeerely infinite waters which fall from the Mountaines of Perâ— doth so terribly swell in her course and over-flowes that Region as the Inhabitants are forced during those Moneths to retyre themselves into boats and Canoes and to leave the dwelling of the Land That betwixt the two Tropicks the greatest aboundance of raine is in Summer with a discourse of Winter and Summer CHAP. 5. TO conclude Summer is alwayes accompanied with heate and drought in the two temperate Zones and Winter with cold and moistnesse but vnder the burning Zone those qualities are not alike for that raine accompanies heate and drought followeth the cold I vnderstand by cold want of excessive heat so as Winter is taken in our Europe for the colde and raynie season and Summer for the hot and cleere season Ouâ— Spaniards which live at Peru and in newe Spaine seeing these two qualities not to concurre together as in Spaine call that season Winter wherein there is greatest aboundance of raine and waters and Summer where there is little or nonâ— at all wherein they are plainely deceived although they aâ—â—irme by a generall rule that in the Mountaines of Peru it is Summer from the Moneth of Aprill to September for that the raine ceaseth in that season and that Winter is from the moneth of September vnto Aprill for that the showres returne then and therefore it is winter and summer at the same instant that in Spaine So as when the Sunâ—e goeth directly over their heads they then take it to bee the depth of Winter having greatest store of raine But it is worthy to be laughed at comming from ignorant men and vnlearned for even as the difference betwixt the day and night proceeds from the presence or absence of the Sunne in our hemisphere according to
safe This Lake containes almost foure score leagues thirtie five in length and fifteene in bredth at the largest place There are many Ilands which in olde time were inhabited and tilled but now lie waste It brings forth a great aboundance of reedes which the Indians call Totora which serves them to a thousand vses for it is meate for swine for horses and for men they make houses therewith fire and barkes To conclude the Vros in this their Totora finde all they have neede of These Vros be such dull and brutish people as they esteeme not themselves men It is reported of them that being demanded of what nation they were They answered they were not men but Vros as it were some kinde of beastes There are whole villages of these Vros inhabiting in the Lake in their boates of Totora the which are tied together and fastened to some rocke and often times the whole village changeth from place to place So as hee that would seeke them now whereas they were yesterday shall finde no shew nor remainder of them or of their village The current or issue of this Lake having runne above fiftie leagues makes another Lake but lesse then the first which they call Paria and containes in it some small Ilands but they finde no issue thereof Some imagine it runnes vnder the ground that it falles into the South sea giving out that there is a branch of a river which they see rise and enter into the sea neere the banke having no knowledge of the Spring But contrariwise I beleeve that the waters of this Lake dissolve and are dispearsed within the Lake it selfe through the heate of the Sunne This discourse seemes sufficient to prove that the Ancients had no reason to holde that the middle region was inhabitable for the defect of waters seeing there is such store both from heaven and on the earth Shewing the reason why the Sunne without the Tropicks causeth greatest quantitie of waters when it is farthest off and contrariwise within them it breedeth most when it is neerest CHAP. 7. COnsidering with my selfe often times what should cause the Equinoctial to be so moist as I have said to refute the opinion of the Ancients I finde no other reason but the great force of the sunne in those partes whereby it drawes vnto it a great aboundance of vapors from out of the Ocean which in those parts is very great and spatious and having drawne vnto it this great aboundance of vapours doth suddenly dissolve them into raine and it is approoved by many tryed experiences that the raine and great stormes from heaven proceed from the violent heat of the Sunne first as we have said before it raines in those countries whenas the Sunne casts his beames directly vpon the earth at which time he hath most force but when the Sun retyres the heat is moderate and then there falls no raine whereby we may conclude that the force and heat of the Sunne is the cause of raine in those Countries Moreover we observe both in Peru New Spaine and in all the burning Zone that the raine doth vsually fall in after-noone when as the sunne-beames are in their greatest force being strange to see it raine in the morning And therefore travellers fore-seeing it begin their iourneyes earely that they may end and rest before noone for they hold that commonly it raines after noone Such as have frequented and travelled those Countriâ—s can sufficiently speake thereof And there are that having made some abode there say that the greatest aboundance of raine is when the Moone is at the full but to say the trueth I could never make sufficient proofe thereof although I have observed it Moreover the dayes the yeere and the moneths shew the trueth hereof that the violent heate of the sunne causeth the raine in the burning Zone experience teacheth vs the like in artificiall thinges as in a Limbecke wherein they draw waters from hearbs flowers for the vehemencie of the fire forceth and driveth vp an aboundance of vapours which being pressed and finding no issue are converted into liquor and water The like wee see in gold and silver which wee refine with quicke-silver the fire being small and slow wee draw out almost nothing of the quicke-silver but if it bee quicke and violent it doth greatly evaporate the quick-silver which incountring the head above doth presently turne into liquor and begins to drop downe Even so the violent heate of the sunne produceth these two effects when it finds matter disposed that is to draw vp the vapours on high and to dissolve them presently and turne them into raine when there is any obstacle to consume them And although these things seeme contrary that one sunne within the burning Zone being neere should cause raine and without the Zone afarre off should breed the like effect so it is that all well considered there is no contrarietie A thousand effects in naturall causes proceede of contrarie things by divers meanes we drie linnen by the fire and in the aire and yet the one heats and the other cooles pastures are dried and hardened by the sunne and with the frost moderate exercise provokes sleepe being too violent it hindereth if you lay no wood on the fire it dieth if you lay on toâ— much it likewise quencheth for the onely proportion entertaines and makes it to continue To well discerne a thing it must not be too neere the eie nor too farre off but in a reasonable distance proportionable being too farre off from any thing we loose the sight and too neere likewise we cannot see it If the sunne beames be weake they draw vp no fogge from the rivers if they be violent having drawne vp the vapours they presently dissolve and consume them but if the heat be moderate it drawes vp and preserves it for this reason the vapours rise not commonly in the night nor at noone but in morning whenas the sunne begins to enter into his force There are a thousand examples of naturall causes vpon this subiect which we see do often grow from contrarie things whereby we must not wonder if the sunne being neere engenders raine and being farre off works the like effect but being of a moderate and proportionable distance causeth none at all Yet there remaines one doubt why the neerenes of the sunne causeth the raine vnder the burning Zone and without when it is farthest off In my opinion the reason is that in Winter without the Tropicks the sunne hath not force sufficient to consume the vapours which rise from the land and sea for these vapours grow in great aboundance in the cold region of the aire where they are congealed and thickened by the extremitie of the cold and after being pressed they dissolve and turne into water Therefore in Winter when the sunne is farthest off the daies short and the nights long his heat hath small force but when the sunne approacheth which is in the summer time his force is
such as it drawes vp the vapors and suddenly consumes and disperseth them for the heat and the length of the daies grow through the neerenes of the sunne But within the Tropickes vnder the burning Zone the far distance of the sunne workes the same effects that the neerenes doth without the Tropiks by reason whereof it raines no more vnder the burning Zone when the sunne is farre off then without the Tropicks when it is neerest for that in this approaching and retyâ—ing the sunne remaines alwaies in one distance whence proceedes this effect of cleerenes But when the sunne is in the period of his force in the burning zone and that he cast his beames directly vpon the inhabitants heads there is neither cleerenes nor drienes as it seems there should be but rather great and strange showers for that by this violent heat he drawes vp suddenly a great aboundance of vapours from the Earth and Ocean which are so thicke as the winde not able easily to disperse them they melt into water which breedeth the cold raine in so great aboundance for the excessive heat may soone draw vp many vapours the which are not so soone dissolved and being gathered together through their great aboundance they melt and dissolve into water The which we may easily discerne by this familiar example rost a peece of porke mutton or veale if the fire be violent and the meate neere we see the fatte melts suddenly and droppes away the reason is that the violent heat drawes forth the humour and fatte from the meate and being in great aboundance cannot dissolve it and so it distills more away But when the fire is moderate and the meat in an equall distance we see that it rostes hansomely and the fatte drops not too suddenly for that the moderate heat drawes out the moistnes which it consumes suddenly And therefore Cookes make a moderate fire and lay not their meate too neere nor too farre off lest it melt away The like may be seene in another experience in candles of tallow or waxe if the wike bee great it melts the tallow or the waxe for that the heat cannot consume the moistnes which riseth but if the flame be proporcionable the waxe melts nor droppes not for that the flame doth waste it by little and little as it riseth The which seemeth to me the true reason why vnder the Equinoctiall and burning Zone the violence of the heat doth cause raine the which in other Regions growes through want thereof How wee should vnderstand that which hath been formerly spoken of the burning Zone CHAP. 8. IF in naturall and phisicall things we must not seeke out infallible and mathematicall rules but that which is ordinarie and tried by experience which is the most perfect rule wee must then beleeve what wee have said that there is more humiditie vnder the burning Zone then in other Regions and that it raines lesse there when the sunne is neerest must be taken and vnderstood after one sort as in truth it is the most common and ordinarie But this is not to hinder the exceptions which nature hath given to this rule making some Regions of the burning Zone extreamely drie The which is reported of Ethiopia and wee have seene it in a great part of Peru where all that land or coast which they call Plaines wants raine yea land waters except some vallies where rivers fall from the mountaines the rest is a sandie and barren soile where you shall hardly finde any springs but some deepe welles But with the helpe of God wee will shew the reason why it raineth not in these Plaines the which many demand for now I onely pretend to shew that there are many exceptions to naturall rules whereby it may happen that in some part of the burning Zone it raines not when the sunne is neerest but being farthest off although vnto this daie I have neither seene nor heard of it but if it be so wee must attribute it to the particular qualitie of the earth and also if sometimes the contrarie doth chance we must have regard that in naturall things there happens many contrarieties and leâ—s whereby they change and dissolve one another For example it may be the sunne will cause raine and that the winds will hinder it or else cause more aboundance then hath been vsuall The windes have their properties and divers beginnings by the which they worke divers effects the which are most commonly contrarie to that which the order season requires Seeing then in all places we see great varieties in the yeere which proceedes from the divers motions and aspectes of Planets it is not out of purpose to say that in the burning Zone wee may see and observe some things contrarie to that we have tried But to conclude that which we have spoken is a certaine and vndoubted truth which is that the great draught which the Ancients held to be in the middle region which they call the burning Zone is nothing at all but contrariwise there is great humiditie and then it raines most when the sunne is neerest That the Burning Zone is not violently hotte but moderate CHAP. 9. HItherto wee haue treated of the humiditie of the Burning Zone now it shall be fit to discourse of the other two qualities Hotte and Colde We have shewed in the beginning of this Discourse how the Ancients held that the burning Zone was hotte and exceeding drie the which is not so for it is hote and moist and in the greatest part the heat is not excessive but rather moderate which some would hold incredible if we had not tried it When I passed to the Indies I will tell what chaunced vnto mee having read what Poets and Philosophers write of the bâ—â—ning Zone I perswaded my selfe that comming to the Equinoctiall I should not indure the violent heate but it fell out otherwise for when I passed which was when the sun was there for Zenith being entered into Aries in the moneth of March I felt so great cold as I was forced to go into the sunne to warme me what could I else do then but laugh at Aristotles Meteors and his Philosophie seeing that in that place and at that season whenas all should be scorched with heat according to his rules I and all my companions were a colde In truth there is no region in the world more pleasant and temperate then vnder the Equinoctiall although it be not in all parts of an equall temperature but have great diversities The burning Zone in some parts is very temperate as in Quitto and on the plaines of Peru in some partes verie colde as at Potozi and in some very hote as in Ethiopia Bresill and the Molucques This diversitie being knowne and certaine vnto vs we must of force seeke out another cause of cold and heat then the sunne beames seeing that in one season of theyeere and in places of one height and distance from the Pole and Equinoctiall we finde so great diversitie
doth teach vs. But whether it be so or otherwise for I will not contradict Aristotle but in that which is most certaine in the end they agree all that the middle region of the ayre is colder than the lowest next to the earth as experience dooth shew vs seeing that in this middle region are congealed snowe haile frosts and other signes of extreame colde The middle region then which they call the burning Zone having on the one side the sea and on the other the mountaines we must hold them for sufficient causes to temper and coole the heate That the colde windes be the principall cause to make the burning Zone temperate CHAH. 13. THe temperature of this region ought chiefly to be attributed to the property of the wind that blows in that country the which is pleasant and fresh The providence of the great God Creator of al things hath bin such as he hath ordained fresh and coole windes in that region where the sunne makes his course which seemes should be burnt vp that by their coolenes the excessive heate of the sunne might be qualified And they are not farre from apparance of reason which held that the earthly Paradise was vnder the Equinoctiall If they had not deceived themselves in the cause of their opinion saying that the equalitie of the dayes and nights was sufficient of it selfe to make that Zone temperate to which opinion many others have beene opposite of which number was that renowmed Poet saying That coast incessantly by hotte beames tyred Of Phoebus who from thence never retyred The coolenesse of the night then is not sufficient to moderate and to correct the violent heate of the Sunne but rather this burning Zone receives so sweet a temperature by the benefite of the fresh and pleasant aire as notwithstanding it were held by the Ancients to be more hotte then a burning furnace yet those which inhabite there take it for a delightfull spring It appeares by arguments and very apparant reasons that the cause heereof consistes principally in the qualitie of the winde We see in one climate some regions and Citties hotter then others onely for that they feele lesse winde to refresh them The like is in other Countries where no winde blowes the which are all on fire like vnto a furnace There are many of these Villages and Townes in Bresill Ethiopia and Paraguen as every one knoweth and that which is more considerable wee see these differences not only on the Land but also on the Sea there are some seas where they feele great heat as they report of that of Mozambigus and Ormus in the East and of the Sea of Panama in the West the which for this reason engenders and brings forth great Lizards called Cayamans as also in the sea of Bresill There are other seas in the same degree of height very colde as that of Peru in the which wee were a cold as I have said before when we first sailed it which was in March when the Sunne was directly over vs. In truth on this continent where the land and sea are of one sort wee cannot imagine any other cause of this so great a difference but the qualitie of the winde which doth refresh them If wee shall neerely looke into the consideration of the winde whereof we have spoken wee may resolve many doubts which some obiect and which seeme strange and wonderfull wherefore the Sunne casting his beames vppon the burning Zone and particularly at Peru and that more violently then in Spaine in the Canicular daies yet they defend the heat with a light covering so as with a slender covering of mats or straw they are better preserved from the heate then in Spaine vnder a roofe of wood or a vault of stone Moreover why are not the nightes in summer at Peru as hotte and troublesome as in Spaine Wherefore on the highest tops of mountaines even amongst the heaps of snow you shall sometimes feele great and insupportable heat Wherefore in all the Province of Colao when ye come into the shade how little soever you feele cold But comming into the Sunne beames you presently finde the heate excessive Why is all the coast of Peru being ful of sands very temperate And why is Potozi distant from the silver Citie but eighteene leagues and in the same degree of so divers a temperature that the Countrie being extreamely colde it is wonderfully barren and drie And contrariwise the silver Citie is temperate inclining vnto heat and hath a pleasant and fertil soile It is more certaine that the winde is the principall cause of these strange diversities for without the benefite of these coole windes the heate of the Sunne is such as although it bee in the midst of the snow it burnes and sets all on fire but when the coolenes of the aire returnes suddenly the heat is qualified how great soever it be and whereas this coole winde raines ordinarie it keepes the grosse vapours and exhalations of the earth from gathering together which cause a heavie and troublesome heat whereof we see the contrarie in Europe for by the exhalation of these vapours the earth is almost burnt vp with the Sunne by day which makes the nights so hotte and troublesome as the aire doth often seeme like vnto a furnace for this reason at Peru this freshnes of the winde is the cause by the meanes of some small shade at the Sunnesetting that they remaine coole But contrariwise in Europe the most agreeable and pleasing time in summer is the morning and the evening is the most hotte and troublesome But at Peru and vnder all the Equinoctiall it is not so for every morning the winde from the sea doth cease and the Sunne beginnes to cast his beames and for this reason they feele the greatest heat in the morning vntill the returne of the same windes which otherwise they call the tide or winde of the sea which makes them first to feele cold We have tried al this whilst we were at the Ilands of Barlovante where in the mornings we did sweat for heat and at noone we felt a fresh aire for that then a North-easterly wind which is fresh and coole doth commonly blow That they which inhabite vnder the Equinoctiall live a sweete and pleasant life CHAP. 14. IF those which have held opinion that the earthly Paradise was vnder the Equinoctiall had beene guided by this discourse they had not seemed altogether deceived not that I will conclude that the delightfull Paradice whereof the Scripture speakes was in that place which were too great a temeritie to affirme it for certaine But I may well say if there be any Paradice on earth it ought to bee placed whereas they inioy a sweete and quiet temperature for there is nothing more troublesome or repugnant to mans life then to live vnder a heaven or aire that is contrarie troublesome or sicklie as there is nothing more agreeable then to inioy a heaven that is sound sweet
and pleasant It is certaine that we do not participate of any of the Elements nor have not the vse of any so often in our bodies as of the aire It is that which invironeth our bodies on all parts which enters into our bowells and at everie instant visits the heart and there ingraves her properties If the aire be any thing corrupted it causeth death if it be pure and healthfull it augmenteth the strength finally we may say that the aire alone is the life of man so as although we have goods and riches if the aire be troublesome and vnholsome wee cannot live quietly nor with content But if the aire be healthfull pleasant and sweete although we have no other wealth yet doth it yeelde content Considering with my selfe the pleasing temperature of many Countries at the Indies where they know not what winter is which by his cold doth freese them nor summer which doth trouble them with heat but that with a Matte they preserve themselves from the iniuries of all weather and where they scarce have any neede to change their garments throughout the yeere I say that often considering of this I find that if men at this day would vanquish their passions and free themselves from the snares of covetousnesse leaving many fruitelesse and pernicious disseines without doubt they might live at the Indies very pleasant and happily for that which other Poets sing of the Elisean fields and of the famous Tempe or that which Plato reports or faines of his Atlantike Iland men should finde in these lands if with a generous spirit they would choose rather to command their silver and their desires then to remaine slaves as they are That which wee have hitherto discoursed shal suffice touching the qualities of the Equinoctiall of colde heat drought raine and the causes of temperature The particular discourse of windes waters landes mettalls plants and beasts whereof there is great aboundance at the Indies shall remaine for the other bookes for the difficultie of that which is handled in this though briefly will happily seeme too tedious An advertisement to the Reader THE Reader must vnderstand that I wrote the two first bookes in Latine when I was at Peru and therefore they speake of matters of the Indies as of things present Being since returned into Spaine I thought good to translate them into our vulgar tongue and not to change my former maner of speeach But in the five following bookes for that I made them in Europe I have beene forced to change my stile and therein to treate of matters of the Indies as of Countries and things absent And for that this diversitie of speech might with reason offend the Reader I have thought good to advertise him thereof THE THIRD BOOKE of the Naturall and Morall Historie of the Indies That the naturall Historie of the Indies is pleasant and agreeable CHAP. 1. EVerie naturall Historie is of it selfe pleasing very profitable to such as will raise vp their discourse and contemplation on high in that it doth move them to glorify the Author of all nature as we sea the wise holy men do specially David in many Psalmes And Iob likewise treating of the secrets of the Creator whereas the same Lord answereth Iob so amplie He that takes delight to vnderstand the wondrous works of Nature shal taste the true pleasure content of Histories the more whenas he shal know they are not the simple workes of men but of the Creator himself that he shall comprehend the naturall causes of these workes then shall he truly occupie himselfe in the studie of Philosophie But he that shall raise his consideration higher beholding the gret first architect of all these marvells he shal know his wisedom and infinite greatnes and we may say shall be divinely imployed And so the discourse of naturall things may serve for many good considerations although the feeblenes and weakenes of many appetites are commonly accustomed to stay at things lesse profitable which is the desire to know new things called curiositie The Discourse and Historie of naturall things at the Indies besides the common content it gives hath yet another benefite which is to treate of things a farre off the greatest part whereof were vnknowne to the most excellent Authors of that profession which have bin among the Ancients And if wee should write these naturall things of the Indies so amply as they require being so strange I doubt not but we might compile workse no lesse then those of Plinie Theophrastes and Aristotle But I hold not my selfe sufficient and although I were yet is not my intent but to note some naturall things which I haue seene and knowne being at the Indies or have received from men worthy of credit the which seeme rare to me and scarce knowne in Europe By reason whereof I will passe over many of them briefly ether bicause they are writen of by others or else require a longer discourse then I can now give Of the windes their differences properties and causes in generall CHAP. 2. HAving discoursed in the two former Books of that which concernes the heavens and the habitation of the Indies in generall it behooves â—s now to treate of the three elements aire water and land and their compounds which be mettalls plants and beasts for as for the fire I see no speciall matter at the Indies which is not in other regions vnlesse some will say that the manner to strike fire in rubbing two stones one against another as some Indians vse or to boyle any thing in gourdes casting a burning stone into it and other such like things are remarkeable whereof I have written what might be spoken But of those which are in the Vulcans and mouths of fire at the Indies worthy doubtlesse to be observed I will speake in their order treating of the diversitie of grounds whereas they finde these fires or Vulcans Therefore to beginne with the winds I say that with good reason Salomon in the great iudgement which God had given him esteemes much the knowledge of the windes and their properties being very admirable for that some are moyst others drie some vnwholesome others found some hote others colde some calme and pleasant others rough and tempestuous some barren and others fertile with infinite other differences There are some windes which blow in certaine regions and are as it were Lordes thereof not addmitting any entry or communication of their contraries In some partes they blow in that sorte as sometimes they are Conquerours sometimes conquered often there are divers and contrary winds which doe runne together at one instant dividing the way betwixt them sometimes one blowing above of one sort and another below of an other sorte sometimes they incounter violently one with another which puts them at sea in great danger there are some windes which helpe to the generation of creatures and others that hinder and are opposite There is a certaine wind of such
a quality as when it blowes in some country it causeth it to raine fleas and in so great aboundaunce as they trouble and darken the aire and cover all the sea shoare and in other places it raines frogges These diversities and others which are sufficiently knowne are commonly attributed to the place by the which these windes passe For they say that from these places they take their qualities to be colde hote drie or moyst sickly or sound and so of the rest the which is partly true and cannot be denied for that in a small distance you shall see in one winde many diversities For example the Solanus or Easterne winde is commonly hote and troublesome in Spaine and in Murria it is the coolest and healthfullest that is for that it passeth by the Orchards and that large champaine which wee see very fresh In Carthagene which is not farre from thence the same winde is troublesome and vnholesome The meridionall which they of the Ocean call South and those of the Mediterranean sea Mezo giorno commonly is raynie and boisterous and in the same Citie wherof I speake it is wholesome and pleasant Plinie reports that in Affricke it raines with a Northerne winde and that the Southerne winde is cleere Hee then that shall well consider what I have spoken of these windes hee may conceive that in a small distance of land or sea one winde hath many and diverse qualities yea sometimes quite contrary whereby we may inferre that he draweth his property from the place where it passeth the which is in such sort true although we may not say in 〈◊〉 as it is the onely and principall cause of the diversitie of the windes It is a thing we easely finde that in a river containing fiftie leagues in circuite I putte it thus for an example that the winde which blowes of the one parte is hote and moist and that which blowes on the other is colde and drie Notwithstanding this diversitie is not found in places by which it passeth the which makesmee rather â—o say that the windes bring these qualities with them whereby they give vnto them the names of these qualities For example we attribute to the Northerne winde otherwise called Cicrco the property to be colde and drie and to dissolve mists to the Southerne winde his contrary called Levâ—sâ—he wee attribute the contrary qualitie which is moist and hote and ingenders mists This being generall and common we must seeke out another vniversall cause to give a reason of these effects It is not enough to say that the places by which they passe give them these qualities seeing that passing by the same places we see contrary effects So as we must of force confesse that the region of the heaven where they blowe gives them these qualities as the Septentrionall is colde because it commes from the North which is the region farthest from the Sunne The Southerne which blows from the Midday or South is hote and for that the heate drawes the vapours it is also moist and raynie and contrariwise the north is drie and subtile for that it suffereth no vapours to congeale And in this maner wee may discourse of other windes giving them the qualities of the region where they blowe But looking more precisely into it this reason can not satisfie me I will therefore demaund What doth the region of the aire by which they passe if iâ— doth 〈◊〉 them their qualities I speake it for that in German in the Southerne winde is hote and moist and in Affrike the Northerne is cold and drie Notwithstanding it is most certaine that in what region soever of Germanie the Southerne winde is ingendred it must needes be more cold then any part of Affrike where the Northerne is ingendred And if it be so why is the Northerne winde more cold in Affrike then the Southerne in Germany seeing it proceeds from a hotter region Some may answer me that the reason is for that it blowes from the North which is colde but this is neither sufficient nor true for if it were so whenas the Northerne winde blowes in Affrike it should also runne and continue his motion in al the Region even vnto the North the which is not so For at one instant there blowe Northerne windes very colde in countries that are in fewer degrees and Southerne winds which are very hotte in countries lying in more degrees the which is most certaine vsuall and well knowne Whereby in my opinion wee may inferre that it is no pertinent reason to say that the places by which the winds do passe give them their qualities or that they be diversified for that they blowe from divers regions of the ayre although the one and the other have some reason as I have said But it is needefull to seeke further to knowe the true and originall cause of these so strange differences which we see in the windes I cannot conceive any other but that the same efficient cause which bringeth foorth and maketh the winds to grow dooth withall give them this originall qualitie for in trueth the matter whereon the windes are made which is no other thing according to Aristotle but the exhalation of the interior Elements may well cause in effect a great parte of this diversitie being more grosse more subtile more drie and more moist But yet this is no pertinent reason seeing that we see in one region where the vapours and exhalations are of one sorte and qualitie that there rise windes and effectes quite contrary We must therefore referre the cause to the higher and celestiall efficient which must be the Sunne and to the motion and influence of the heavens the which by their contrary motions give and cause divers influences But the beginnings of these motions and influences are so obscure and hidden from men and on the other part so mighty and of so great force as the holie Prophet David in his propheticall Spirite and the Prophet Ieremie admiring the greatnes of the Lorde speake thus Qui profert ventos dâ— thesauris suis. He that drawes the windes out of his treasures In trueth these principles and beginnings are rich and hidden treasures for the Author of all things holdes them in his hand and in his power and when it pleaseth him sendeth them foorth for the good or chastisement of men and sends foorth such windes as hee pleaseth not as that Eolus whome the Poets doe foolishly faine to have charge of the winds keeping them in a cave like vnto wild beasts We see not the beginning of these windes neyther do we know how long they shal continue or whither they shall goe But we see and know well the diverse effects and operations they have even as the supreme trueth the Author of all things hath taught vs saying Spiritus vbi vult spirat vocemeius audis nescis vnde venit aut qâ—â— vadit The spirit or winde blowes where it pleaseth and although thou feelest the breath yet doost
thou not knowe whence it commeth nor whither it shall goe To teach vs that conceiving a little of matters which are present common vnto vs wee should not presume to vnderstand that which is so high and so hidden as the causes and motives of the Holy-ghost It is therefore sufficient that wee knowe his operations and effectes the which are plainely discovered in his greatnes and perfections and to have treated alitle philosophically of the windes and the causes of their differences properties and operations which wee have produced into three the place by which they passe the regions where they blowe and the celestiall virtue the beginning and motive of the windes Of certaine properties of windes which blowe at the new worlde CHAP. 3. IT is a question much disputed by Aristotle whether the Southerne winde which we call Abreguo blowes from the pole Antartike or onely from the Equinoctiall lineâ— which is properly to demaund if beyond the Equinoctiall it holde the same qualitie of hote and rainie as we see here It is a point whereof we may with reason stand in doubt for although it passe the Equinoctiall yet is it still the Southerne wind seeing it comes from the same parte of the worlde as the Northerne winde which comes to the contrary continues stil the same winde although it passe the burning Zone and Equinoctiall line And it seemes hereby that these two windes should hold their first properties the one to be hote and moist the other colde and drie the South to breede mists and raine and the North to disperse them and to make a cleere Skie Notwithstanding Aristotle leanes to the contrary opinion for that in Europe the Northerne winde is colde because it comes from the Pole a region extreamely colde and the Southerne winde contrariwise is hotte because it comes from the South which is the region the Sunne dooth most heate By this reason then we should believe that the South winde should be colde to them that inhabite on the other side of the line and the Northerne wind should be hote for in those partes the Southerne wind comes from the Pole the Northerne from the Line And though it seemes by this reason that the Southern winde should be more colde there than the Northern is heere for that they holde the region of the South Pole to be more colde then that of the North by reason that the Sunne stayeth seaven dayes every yeere in the Tropike of Cancer more then it dooth in the Tropicke of Capricorne as it appeareth by the Equinoxes and Solstices he makes in the two Circles wherein it seemeth that Nature would shew the preheminence and excellencie of this moity of the worlde which is in the North above the other parte in the South so as it seemeth there is reason to beleeve that these qualities of the windes doe change in passing the Line but in trueth it is not so as I could comprehend by the experience I had some yeeres being in those partes of the Indies which lie on the South of the other side of the Line It is true that the Northerne winde is not vsually colde and cleere there as heere In some parts of Peru as at Lima and on the Plaines they find the Northern windes troublesome and vnwholesome and all along the coast which runs above five hundred leagues they holde the Southerne windes for healthfull and coole and which is more most cleere and pleasant yea it never raines contrary to that wee see in Europe and of this side the Line Yet that which chaunceth vpon the coast of Peru is no generall rule but rather an exception and a wonder of Nature neuer to raine vpon that coast and ever to have one winde without giving place to his contrary whereof we will heereafter speake our minde Now let vs stand vpon this point that the Northerne winde beyond the line hath not the same properties which the Southerne winde hath on this side although they both blow from the midday to regions and parts of the world which be opposite and contrarie For it is no generall rule there that the Northerne winde is neither hote nor rainie there as the South winde is on this side but contrariwise it raines whenas the South winde blowes there as we see in all the Sierre or mountaine of Peru in Chile and in the Countrie of Congo which is on the other side of the line and farre advanced into the Sea And in Potozi likewise the winde which they call Tomahani which is our North if my memorie faile me not is extreamely cold drie and vnpleasant as it is heere with vs. Yet doth not the Northerne winde disperse the cloudes vsually there as it doth heere but contrariwise if I be not deceived it doth often cause raine There is no doubt but the windes do borrow this great diversitie of contrarie effects from the places by which they passe and the neere regions where they are bred as we see by daily experience in a thousand places But speaking in generall of the qualitie of the windes we must rather looke to the coastes or partes of the world from whence they proceede then to observe whether they be on this side or beyond the line as it seemes the Philosopher held opinion These capitall windes which be the East and West have no such universall qualities nor so common in this continent nor in the other as the two former The Solanus or Easterne winde is commonly here troblesome vnholsome the Westerne or Zephirus is more milde and healthfull At the Indies and in all the burning Zone the Easterne winde which they call Brise is contrariwise very healthfull and pleasant Of the West I cannot speake any thing certaine or generall for that it blowes not at all or very seldome in the burning Zone for in all the navigation betwixt the two Tropikes the Easterne winde is ordinary And for that it is one of the admirable workes of Nature it shall be good to vnderstand the cause and the beginning thereof That the burning Zone the Brises or Easterly windes do continually blowe and without the Zone the westerne and that the Easterly are ordinarie alwaies there CHAP. 4. THe waies at Sea are not as at Land to returne the sameway they passe It is all one way saieth the Philosopher from Athens to Thebes and from Thebes to Athens but it is not so at Sea for we go one way and returne by another The first which discovered the East and weast Indies laboured much with great difficultie to finde out their course vntill that Experience the mistris of these secrets had taught them that to saile through the Ocean is not like the passage in Italie through the Mediterranean sea where in their returne they observe the same Ports and Capes they had sight of in their passage attending still the benefite of the winde which changeth instantly and when that failes they have recourse to their owers and so the
Easterne windes and the Westerne and likewise of other windes CHAP. 5. ALthough that which we have spoken be generall and well approoved yet there remaines still a desire in me to learne the cause of this secret why vnder the burning Zone we saile alwaies from East to Weast with so great facilitie and not from Weast to East Which is as much as if wee should demaund why the Easterly windes raine there and not the Weasterly for that according to good Philosophie that which is perpetuall vniversall and of it selfe as the Philosophers say must have a proper cause and of it selfe But before I stay at this question which seemes remarkeable it shal be necessary to shew what we vnderstand by Brises or Easterly windes and Weasterly for that it will serve much for this subiect and for many other matters touching windes and navigations The Pilotes make two and thirty poynts of windes for that to bring their ship to the desired haven they must make their account as punctually and as strictly as they can for bending to the one side or the other never so little in the end of their course they should finde themselves farre from their pretended place And they reckon but twoo and thirty quarters of the windes for that more woulde confound the memorie But with reckoning as they accompt two and thirty windes so may they reckon three score and foure one hundred twenty and eight and two hundred fifty and six Finally multiply these partes to an infinite for the place where the shippe is being as it were the centre and all hemisphere in circumference what should let but wee may accompt lines without number the which comming from this centre drawe directly to these lineall circles in so many partes which might cause as many diverse windes seeing that the winde comes from all partes of the hemisphere which we may divide into as many parts as we will imagine yet the wisedome of man conformable to the holy Scripture observes foure windes the principall of all others and as it were the foure corners of the worlde the which they ioyne in making a crosse with two lines whereof the one goes from one Pole to another and the other from one Equinoctiall to the other Of the one side the North or Aquilon and the Southerne winde or mid-day opposite and on the other side the East which comes from the Sunne rising and the Weast from his setting And although the holy Scripture in some places speakes of other diversities of windes as of Eurus and Aquiloâ— which those in the Ocean sea call Nordest they of the mediterranean sea Gregual whereof there is mention made in Saint Paulâ— navigation yet the same holy Scripture makes mention of those foure notable windes which all the worlde knowes which areas is saide North South East and Weast But for that we finde three differences in the rising of the Sunne from whence the name of East comes that is the two greatest declinings which he doth vsually make and the meane betwixt them both as hee dooth rise in diverse places in winter in summer and in that which holdes the middle of these two seasons For this reason they have reckoned two other windes the East of summer and the East of winter and by consequence two Weasts the one of summer and the other of winter their contraries So as there are eight windes in eight notable poyntes of heaven which are the two Poles the two Equinoxes the two Solstices and their opposites in the same Circle the which are called by divers names and appellations in every place of the sea and land Those which saile the Ocean doe vsually call them thus They give the name of North to those windes that blowe from our Pole which carrieth the same name and Northeast that which is neerest and comes from the summer East They call East that which comes directly from the rising Equinoctiall and Southeast that which comes from the winter rising To the Mid-day or Pole Antartike they give the name of Southwest and to that of the winters setting the name of Southwest to the right setting Equinoctiall the name of West and to the summers setting Northweast They divide amongst them the rest of the winds and give them their names as they participate and approach to others as North-northweast North-north-east East-northeast East-southeast South-southweast Weast-southwest Weast-norwest so as by their names we know whence they proceed In the Mediterranean sea although they follow the same division and maner of reckoning yet doe they give them other different names they call the North Tramontana and his contrary the South MeZo-giorno or Mydy the East they call Levant and the Weast Povant and those which crosse these foure they call thus Southeast is by them named Xirocque or Xaloque and his opposite which is Norwest Mestrall they call the northeast Greâ— or Greguall and the Southweast his contrary Levesche Libique or Affricaine In Latine the foure knowne winds be Sâ—ptentrio Auster Subsolanus Favonius and those which be interlaced are Aquilo Vulturnus Affricus and Corus according vnto Plinie Vulturnus and Eurus is the same winde that Southeast or Xaloque Favonius is the Weast or Ponâ—nt Aquilo and Boreas is Nortest or Gregual or Tramontana Affricus and Libique is the Southweast or Levesche Auster and Notus is the South or Midday Corus and Zephirus the Northwest or Mestral and to the Northeast or Gregual they give no other name then Phenicien Some divide them after an other maner but for that it is not now our purpose to repeate the Latine and Greeke names of all the windes lette vs onely shew which be those amongst these windes that the Mariners of the Indian Ocean call Brises and lower winds I was long in some difficulty about these names seeing them to vse them very diversly vntill I found that these names were more generall then proper and peculiar They call Brises those which serve to goe to the Indies the which blowe in their poope which by this meanes comprehend all the Easterly windes and those which depend of them And they do call lower windes those which are fitte to returne from the Indies which blowe from the South to the summer-weast so as they be as it were two Esquadrons of windes of eyther side the Corporalles be of oneside Northeast or Greguall on the other Southweast or Levesche But you must vnderstand that of the number of eight windes and differences which we have counted five are proper to saile by and not the other three I say that when a ship sailes at sea he may make a long voyage with one of these windes although they serve him not equally but he cannot vse any of the other three As if a shippe goe to the South he shall saile with the North Northeast Northweast and with East and Weast for side-windes serve to goe or to come But with a Southerne wind he cannot saile being directly contrary nor with with his two Collaterals
other great gulphes where wee saile vnder the burning Zone by reason whereof their sailes are always of one fashion without any blustring having no neede in a manner to change them in all their course And if the ayre were not mooved by the heavens it might sometimes faile sometimes change to the contrary and sometimes there would grow some stormes Although this be learnedly spoken yet can we not deny it to be a winde seeing there are vapours and exhalations of the sea and that we sometimes see the Brise or easterly winds stronger sometimes more weake and placed in that sort as sometimes they can hardly carry all their sailes We must then know and it is true that the aire mooved draweth vnto it the vapours it findes for that the force is great and findes no resistance by reason whereof the easterne and weasterne windes are continuall and in a maner alwayes alike in those parts which are neere the Line and almost vnder all the burning zone which is the course the Sunne followes betwixt the two circles of Cancer and Capricorne Why without the Zone in a greater altitude wee finde alwayes westâ—rly windâ—s CHAP. 7. WHoso would neerely looke into what hath bin spoken may likewise vnderstand that going from the west to the east in altitude beyond the Tropikes we shall finde westerne windes for that the motion of the Equinoctiall being so swift it is a cause that the ayâ—e mooveth vnder it according to this motion which is from east to weast drawing after it the vapors and exhalations that rise of either side the Equinoctial or burning zone incountâ—ing the course and motion of the zone are forced by the repercussion to returne almost to the contrary whence growe the southweast winds so ordinary in those parts Even as we see in the course of waters the which if they be incountred by others of more force returne in a maner backe So it seemes to be like in vapours and exhalations whereby it growes that the windes doe turne and separate themselves from one part to another These westerly winds do commonly raiâ—â— in a meane altitude which is from twenty and seeven to thirty and seven degrees though they be not so certaine nor so regular as the Brises that are in a lesse altitude The reason is for that the southwest windes are no causes of this proper and equal motion of the heaven as the Brises are being neere to the Line But as I have said they are more ordinarie and often more furious and tempestuous But passing into a greater altitude as of fortie degrees there is as small assurance of windes at sea as at land for sometimes the east or north winde blowes and sometimes the south or weast whereby it happeneth their navigations are more vncertaine and more dangerous Of the exceptions to the foresaid Rules and of the Windes and Calmes both at Land and at Sea CHAP. 8. THat which we have spoken of winds which blow ordinarilie within and without the Zone must be vnderstood of the maine Sea and in the great gulphes for at land it is otherwise where we finde all sorts of windes by reason of the inequalitie which is betwixt the mountaines and the vallies the great number of Rivers and Lakes and the divers scituations of Countries whence the grosse and thicke vapors arise which are moved from the one part or the other according to the diversitie of their beginnings which cause these divers windes the motion of the aire caused by the heaven having not power enough to draw and move them with it And this varietie of windes is not onely found at land but also vpon the sea coast which is vnder the burning Zone for that there be foraine or land windes which come from the land and many which blow from the sea the which windes from the sea are commonly more wholesome and more pleasant then those of the land which are contrariwise troublesome and vnwholesome although it be the differrence of the coast that causeth this diversitie commonly the land windes blow from mid-night to the sunne rising and the sea windes vntill sunne setting The reason perhaps may be that the earth as a grosse substance fumes more whenas the sunne shines not vpon it even as greene wood or scarce drie smoakes most when the flame is quenched But the sea which is compounded of more subtile partes engenders no fumes but when it is hote even as straw or haie being moist and in small quantitie breedes smoake when it is burnt and when the flame failes the fume suddenly ceaseth Whatsoever it be it is certaine that the land winde blowes by night and that of the sea by day So that even as there are often contrarie violent and tempestuous windes vpon the sea coast so do we see very great calmes Some men of great experience report that having sailed many great passages at sea vnder the line yet did they never see any calmes but that they alwaies make way little or much the aire being moved by the celestiall motion which is sufficient to guide a ship blowing in poope as it doth I have already said that a ship of Lima going to Maniâ—â—a sailed two thousand seven hundred leagues alwaies vnder the line or not above twelve degrees from it and that in the moneths of Februarie and March whenas the sunne is there for Zenith and in all this space they found no calmes but alwaies a fresh gale so as in two moneths they performed this great voyage But in the burning Zone and without it you shall vsually see great calmes vpon the coastes where the vapors come from the Ilands or maine land And therefore stormes and tempestes and the suddaine motions of the aire are more certaine and ordinarie vpon the coastes whereas the vapors come from the land then in full sea I meane vnder the burning Zone for without it and at sea there are both calmes and whirlewindes Notwithstanding sometimes betwixt the two Tropickes yea vnder the line you shall have great raine and suddaine showers yea farre into the sea for the working whereof the vapors and exhalations of the sea are sufficient which moving sometimes hastily in the aire cause thunder and whirlewindes but this is more ordinarie neere to the land and vpon the land When I sailed from Peru to new Spaine I observed that all the time we were vpon the coast of Peru our voiage was as it was ordinary very calme and easie by reason of the Southerne winde that blowes having alwaies a fore winde returning from Spaine and new Spaine As we passed the gulph lanching farther into the sea almost vnder the line we found the season coole quiet and pleasant with a full winde but comming neere to Nicaragua and to all that coast we had contrarie windes with great store of raine and fogges All this navigation was vnder the burning Zone for from twelve degrees to the South which is Lima wee sailed to the seventeenth which is Gautulco a port of
new Spaine and I beleeve that such as have observed their navigations made vnder the burning Zone shall finde what I have said which may suffice for the windes which raine at sea vnder the burning Zone Of some mervellous effects of the windes which are in some partes of the Indies CHAP. 9. IT were a very difficult matter to report particularly the admirable effectes which some windes cause in divers regions of the world and to give a reason thereof There are windes which naturally trouble the water of the sea and makes it greene and blacke others cleere as Cristall some comfort and make glad others trouble and breede heavines Such as nourish silke-wormes have great care to shut their windowes whenas the South-west windes do blow and to open them to the contrarie having found by certaine experience that their wormes diminish and die with the one and fatten and become better with the other and who so will neerely observe it shall finde in himselfe that the diversities of windes cause notable impressions and changes in the bodie principally in sicke partes and ill disposed when they are most tender and weake The holy scripture calleth one a burning winde another a winde full of dew and sweetnes And it is no wonder if wee see such notable effects of the windes in plants beasts and men seeing that we see it visibly in yron which is the hardest of all mettalls I have seene grates of yron in some partes of the Indies so rusted and consumed that pressing it betwixt your fingers it dissolved into powder as if it had been hay or parched straw the which proceedes only from the winde which doth corrupt it having no meanes to withstand it But leaving apart many other great and notable effects I will onely make mention of two The one although it causeth pangs grater then death it selfe yet doth it not breede any further inconvenience The other takes away life without feeling of it The sicknes of the sea wherewith such are troubled as first begin to go to sea is a matter very ordinary and yet if the nature thereof were vnknowne to men we should take it for the pangs of death seeing how it afâ—licts and torments while it doth last by the casting of the stomacke paine of the head and other troublesome accidents But in trueth this sicknes so common and ordinarie happens vnto men by the change of the aire and sea For although it be true that the motion of the shippe helpes much in that it moves more or lesse and likewise the infections and ill favors of things in the shippe yet the proper and naturall cause is the aire and the vapors of the sea the which doth so weaken and trouble the body and the stomacke which are not accustomed therevnto that they are wonderfully moved and changed for the aire is the Element by which wee live and breathe drawing it into our entrailes the which we bathe therewithall And therefore there is nothing that so suddenly and with so great force doth alter vs as the change of the aire we breathe as we see in those which die of the plague It is approved by many experiences that the aire of the sea is the chiefe cause of this strange indisposition the one is that when there blowes from the sea a strong breath we see them at the land as it were sea sicke as I my selfe have often found Another is the farther we go into the sea and retyre from land the more we are touched and dazeled with this sicknes Another is that coasting along any Iland and after lanching into the maine we shall there finde the aire more strong Yet will I not deny but the motion and agitation may cause this sicknes seeing that we see some are taken therewith passing rivers in Barkes others in like sort going in Coches and Carosses according to the divers complexions of the stomacke as contrariwise there are some how boistrous and troublesome soever the sea be doe never feele it Wherefore it is a matter certaine tried that the aire of the sea doth commonly cause this effect in such as newly go to sea I thought good to speake this to shew a strange effect which happens in some partes of the Indies where the ayre the wind that rains make men dazie not lesse but more then at sea Some hold it for a fable others say it is an addition for my part I will speake what I have tried There is in Peru a high mountaine which they call Pariacaca and having heard speake of the alteration it bred I went as well prepared as I could according to the instructions which was given me by such as they call Vaguianos or expert men but notwithstanding all my provision when I came to mount the degrees as they call them which is the top of this mountaine I was suddenly surprized with so mortall and strange a pang that I was ready to fall from the top to the ground and although we were many in company yet every one made haste without any tarrying for his companion to free himselfe speedily from this ill passage Being then alone with one Indian whom I intreated to helpe to stay me I was surprised with such pangs of straining casting as I thought to cast vp my heart too for having cast vp meate sleugme choller both yellow and greene in the end I cast vp blood with the straining of my stomacke To conclude if this had continued I should vndoubtedly have died but this lasted not above three or foure houres that we were come into a more convenient and naturall temperature where all our companions being fouteteene or fifteene were much wearied Some in the passage demaunded confession thinking verily to die others left the ladders and went to the ground beeing overcome with casting and going to the stoole and it was tolde me that some have lost their lives there with this accident I beheld one that did beate himselfe against the earth crying out for the rage and griefe which this passage of Pariacaca hadde caused But commonly it dooth no important harme onely this paine and troublesome distaste while it endures and not onely the passage of Pariacaca hath this propertie but also all this ridge of the mountaine which runnes above five hundred leagues long and in what place soever you passe you shall finde strange intemperatures yet more in some partes then in other and rather to those which mount from the sea then from the plaines Besides Pariacaca I have passed it by Lucanas and Soras in an other place by Colleguas and by Cavanas Finally by foure different places going and comming and alwaies in this passage I have felt this alteration although in no place so strongly as at the first in Pariacaca which hath beene tried by allsuch as have passed it And no doubt but the winde is the cause of this intemperature and strange alteration or the aire that raignes there For the best
lies all to the north and by that land thereafter discovered a sea on the other side the which they called the South sea for that they decline vntill they have passed the Line and having lost the North or Pole articke they called it South For this cause they have called all that Ocean the South sea which lieth on the other side of the East Indies althogh a great part of it be seated to the north as al the coast of new Spaine Nuaragna Guatimala and Panama They say that hee that first discovered this sea was called Blasconunes of Bilbo the which he did by that part which we now call maine land where it growes narrow and the two seas approach so neere the one to the other that there is but seaven leagues of distance for although they make the way eighteene from Nombre de Dios to Panama yet is it with turning to seeke the commoditie of the way but drawing a direct line the one sea shall not be found more distant from the other Some have discoursed and propounded to cut through this passage of seaven leagues and to ioyne one sea to the other to make the passage from Peru more commodious and easie for that these eighteene leagues of land betwixt Nombre de Dios and Panama is more painefull and chargeable then 2300. by sea wherevpon some would say it were a meanes to drowne the land one sea being lower then another As in times past we finde it written that for the same consideration they gave over the enterprize to win the red sea into Nile in the time of King Sesostris and since in the Empire of the Othomans But for my part I hold such discourses and propositions for vaine although this inconvenient should not happen the which I will not hold for assured I beleeve there is no humaine power able to beat and breake downe those strong and impenetrable mountaines which God hath placed betwixt the two seas and hath made them most hard rockes to withstand the furie of two seas And although it were possible to men yet in my opinion they should feare punishment from heaven in seeking to correct the workes which the Creator by his great providence hath ordained and disposed in the framing of this vniversall world Leaving this discourse of opening the land and ioyning both seas together there is yet another lesse rash but very difficult and dangerous to search out Whether these two great gulphes do ioyne in any other part of the world which was the enterprize of Fernando Magellan a Portugall gentleman whose great courage and constancie in the research of this subject and happy successe in the finding thereof gave the name of eteâ—nall memory to this straight which iustly they call by the name of the discoverer Magellan of which straight we will intreate a little as of one of the greatest wonders of the world Some have beleeved that this Straight which Magellan had discovered in the South sea was none or that it was straightned as Don Alonso d' Arsille writes in his Auracane and at this day there are some that say there is no such straight but that they are Ilands betwixt the sea and land for that the maine land endes there at the end whereof are all Ilands beyond the which the one sea ioynes fully with the other or to speake better it is all one Sea But in turth it is most certaine there is a straight and a long and stretched out land on eyther side although it hath not yet beene knowne how farre it stretcheth of the one side of the straight towards the South After Magellan a shippe of the Bishoppe of Plaisance passed the straight Don Guiâ—ieres Carvaial whose maste they say is yet at Lima at the entrie of the palace they went afterwards coasting along the South to discover the Straight by the commandement of Don Garcia of Mendoce then governer of Chille according to that which Captaine Ladrillero found it and passed it I have read the discourse and report he made where he saieth that he did not hazard himselfe to land in the Straight but having discovered the North sea he returned back for the roughnes of the time winter being now come which caused the waves comming from the North to grow great and swelling and the sea continually foming with rage In our time Francis Drake an Englishman passed this straight After him Captaine Sarmiento passed it on the South side And lastly in the yeere 1587. other Englishmen passed it by the instruction of Drake which at this time runne along all the coast of Peru. And for that the report which the master Pilot that passed it made seemeth notable vnto me I will heere set it downe Of the Straight of Magellan and how it was passed on the South side CHAP. 11. IN the yeere of our Lord God one thousand five hundred seaventy nine Francis Drake having passed the Straights that runne alongest the coast of Chille and all Peru and taken the shippe of Saint Iean d' Anthona where there was a great number of barres of silver the Viceroy Don Francis of Toledo armed and sent foorth two good shippes to discover the Straight appoynting Peter Sarmiento for Captaine a man learned in Astrologie They parted from Callao of Lima in the beginning of October and forasmuch as vpon that coast there blowes a contrary winde from the South they tooke the sea and having sailed litle above thirty days with a favourable winde they came to the same altitude of the Straight but for that it was very hard to discover they approched neere vnto the land where they entred into a great Bay in the which there is an Archipelague of Ilands Sarimento grew obstinate that this was the Straight and staied a whole moneth to finde it out by diverse wayes creeping vppe to the high mountaines But seeing they could not discover it at the instance of such as were in the army they returned to sea The same day the weather grew rough with the which they ranne their course in the beginning of the night the Admiralls light failed so as the other shippe never see them after The day following the force of the winde continuing still being a â—ide wind the Admiralles shippe discovered an opening which made land thinking good to enter there for shelter vntill the tempest were past The which succeeded in such sort as having discovered this vent they found that it ranne more and more into the land and coniecturing that it should be the Straight which they sought they tooke the height of the Sunne where they found themselves in fiftie degrees and a halfe which is the very height of the Straight and to be the better assured they thrust out their Brigandine which having run many leagues into this arme of the sea without seeing any end they found it to be the very Straight And for that they had order to passe it they planted a hie Crosse there with letters thereon
that the 30. leagues to the South runne betwixt the rockes and most high mountaines whose tops are continually covered with snow so as they seeme by reason of their great height to be ioyned together which makes the entrie of the Straight to the South so hard to discover In these 30. leagues the sea is very deepe and without bottome yet may they fasten their ships to the land the bâ—nckes being straight and vneven but in the 70. leagues towards the North they finde ground and of either side there are large plaines the which they call Caâ—â—naâ— Many great rivers of faire and cleere water runne into this Straight and thereabout are great and wonderfull forrests whereas they finde some trees of excellent wood and sweete the which are not knowne in these partes whereofsuch as passed from thence to Peru brought some to shew There are many medowes within the land and many Ilands in the midst of the Straight The Indians that inhabite on the South side are little and cowards those that dwell on the North part are great and valiant they brought some into Spaine which they hadde taken They found peeces of blew cloth and other markes and signes that some men of Europe had passed there The Indians â—â—luted our men with the name of Iesia They are good Archers and goâ— clad in wilde beasts skinnes whereof there is great aboundance The waters of the Straight rise and fall as the tide and they may visibly see the tides come of the one side of the North sea and of the other from the South whereas they meete the which as I have said is thirtie leagues from the South and three score and tenne from the North. And although it seemes there should be more daunger then in all the rest yet whenas Captaine Sarmiâ—nto his shippe whereof I spake passed it they had no great stormes but found farre lesse difficultie then they expected for then the time was very calme and pleasant And moreover the waves from the north sea came broken by reason of the great length of three score and tenne leagues and the waves from the south sea were not raging by reason of the great deapth in which deapth the waves breake and are swallowed vp It is true that in winter the straight is not navigable by reason of the tempests and raging of the sea in that season Some shippes which have attempted to passe the Straight in winter have perished One onely shippe passed it on the South side which is the Captaine I made mention of I was fully instructed of all that I have spoken by the Pilote thereof called Hernando Alonse and have seene the true discription of the Straight they made in passing it whereof they carried the copie to the King of Spaine and the original to their viceroy of Peru. Of the ebbing and flowing of the Indian Ocean CHAP. 14. ONe of the mostadmirable secrets of Nature is the ebbing and flowing of the sea not onely for this strange property of rising and falling but much more for the difference there is thereof in diverse seas yea in diverse coastes of one and the same sea There are some seas that have no daily flowing nor ebbing as we see in the inner Mediterranean which is the Thyrene sea and yet it flowes and ebbes every day in the vpper Mediterranean sea which is that of Venice and iustly giveth cause of admiration that these two seas being Mediterranean and that of Venice being no greater then the other yet hath it his ebbing and flowing as the Ocean and that other sea of Italie none at all There are some Mediterranean seas that apparantly rise and fall everie moneth and others that neyther rise in the day nor in the moneth There are other seas as the Spanish Ocean that have their flux and reflux every day and besides that they have it monethly which commeth twice that is to say at the entry and at the ful of every Moone which they call Spring tides To say that any sea hath this daily ebbing and flowing and not monethly I knowe not any It is strange the difference we finde of this subiect at the Indies for there are some places whereas the sea doth daily rise fall two leagues as at Panama and at a high water it riseth much more There are other places where it doth rise and fall so little that hardly can you finde the difference It is ordinary in the Ocean sea to have a daily flowing and ebbing and that was twice in a naturall day and ever it falls three quarters of an houre sooner one day then another according to the course of the Moone so as the tide falles not alwayes in one houre of the day Some would say that this flux and reflux proceeded from the locall motion of the water of the sea so as the water that riseth on the one side falles on the other that is opposite vnto it so that it is ful sea on the one side when as it is a lowe water on the opposite as we see in a kettle full of water when wee moove it when it leanes to the one side the water increaseth and on the other it diminisheth Others affirme that the sea riseth in all partes at one time and decreaseth at one instant as the boyling of a pot comming out of the centre it extendeth it selfe on all partes and when it ceaseth it falles likewise on all partes This second opinion is true and in my iudgement certaine and tried not so much for the reasons which the Philosophers give in their Meteors as for the certaine experience wee may make For to satisfie my selfe vpon this point and question I demanded particularly of the said Pilot how he found the tides in the straight and if the tides of the South sea did fall whenas those of the North did rise And contrariwise this question being true why the increase of the sea in one place is the decrease thereof in another as the first opinion holdeth He answered that it was not so but they might see plainely that the tides of the North and South seas rise at one instant so as the waves of one sea incountred with the other and at one instant likewise they began to retire every one into his sea saying that the rising and falling was daily seene and that the incounter of the tides as I have saide was at three score and tenne leagues to the North sea and thirtie to the South Whereby wee may plainely gather that the ebbing and flowing of the Ocean is no pure locall motion but rather an alteration whereby all waters really rise and increase at one instat and in others they diminiâ—h as the boyling of a pot whereof I have spoken It were impossible to comprehend this poynt by experience if it were not in the Straight where all the Ocean both on th' one side on th' other ioynes together for none but Angelles can see it and iudge of the opposite parts for
them Their water is very cleere and breedes little store of fish and that little is very small by reason of the cold which is there Continually Notwithstanding some of these Lakes be very hote which is another wonder At the end of the vallie of Tarapaya neere to Potozi there is a Lake in forme round which seemes to have been made by compasse whose water is extreamely hote and yet the land is very colde they are accustomed to bathe themselves neere the banke for else they cannot indure the heate being farther in In the midst of this Lake there is a boiling of above twenty foote square which is the very spring and yet notwithstanding the greatnes of this spring it is never seene to increase in any sort it seemes that it exhales of it selfe or that it hath some hidden and vnknowne issue neither do they see it decrease which is another wonder although they have drawne from it a great streame to make certaine engines grinde for mettall considering the great quantity of water that issueth forth by reason whereof it should decrease But leaving Peru and passing to new Spaine the Lakes there are no lesse to be observed especially that most famous of Mexico where we finde two sortes of waters one salt Lake to that of the sea and the other cleere and sweete by reason of the rivers that enter into it In the midst of this Lake is a rocke verie delightfull and pleasant where there are baths of hote water that issue forth the which they greatly esteeme for their health There are gardinsÌ„ in the middest of this Lake framed and fleeting vpon the water where you may see plottes full of a thousand sortes of hearbes and flowers and they are in such sort as a man cannot well conceive them without sight The Citie of Mexico is seated in the same Lake although the Spaniards have filled vp the place of the scituation with earth leaving onely some currents of water great and small which enter into the Citie to carrie such things as they have neede of as wood hearbes stone fruites of the countrie and all other things When Cortez conquered Mexico he caused Brigandins to be made yet afterwards he thought it more safe not to vse them therfore they vse Canoes whereof there is great store There is great store of fish in this Lake yet have I not seene any of price notwithstanding they say the revenue of this Lake is worth three hundred thousand duckets a yeere There are many other Lakes not far from this whence they bring much fish to Mexico The Province of Mechovacan is so called for that it aboundeth greatly with fish There are goodly and great Lakes in the which there is much fish and this Province is coole and healthfull There are many other Lakes whereof it is not possible to make mention nor to know them in particular onely we may note by that which hath beene discoursed in the former booke that vnder the burning Zone there is greater abundance of Lakes then in any other parte of the world and so by that which we have formerly spoken and the little we shall say of rivers and fountaines we will end this discourse of Waters Of many and divers Springs and Fountaines CHAP. 17. THere is at the Indies as in other parts of the world great diversitie of Springs Fountaines and Rivers and some have strange properties In Guancavilica of Peru where the mines of quick-silver be there is a Fountaine that casts forth hote water and in running the water turnes to rocke of which rocke or stone they build in a mauer all the houses of the Village This stone is soft and easie to cutte for they cut it as easily with yron as if it were wood it is light and lasting If men or beasts drinke thereof they die for that it congeales in the very entrailes and turnes into stone and for that cause some horses have died As this water turnes into stone the which flowes stoppes the passage to the rest so as of necessitie it changeth the course and for this reason it runnes in divers places as the rocke increaseth At the point of Cape S. Helaine there is a spring or fountaine of pitch which at Peru they call Coppey This should be like to that which the Scripture speakes of the savage valley where they did finde pits of pitch The Mariners vse these fountaines of pitch or Coppey to pitch their ropes and tackling for that it serves them as pitch and tarre in Spaine When I sailed into new Spaine by the coast of Peru the Pilot shewed me an Iland which they call the I le of Wolves where there is another fountaine or pit of Coppey or pitch with the which they anoint their tackling There are other fountaines and springs of Goultran rozen which the Pilot an excellent man in his charge tolde me he had seene and that sometimes sailing that waies being so farre into the sea as he had lost the sight of land yet did he know by the smell of the Coppey where he was as well as if he had knowne the land such is the savour that issues continually from that fountaine At the baths which they call the baths of Ingua there is a course of water which comes forth all hote and boiling and ioyning vnto it there is another whose water is as cold as ice The Ingua was accustomed to temper the one with the other it is a wonderfull thing to see springs of so contrarie qualities so neere one to the other There are an infinit number of other hote springs specially in the Province of Charcas in the water whereof you cannot indure to hold your hand the space of an Ave Maria as I have seene tried by wager In a farme neere to Cusco springs a fountain of salt which as it runs turns into salt very white exceeding good the which if it were in another countrie were no small riches yet they make very small accoumpt thereof for the store they have there The waters which runne in Guayaquel which is in Peru almost vnder the Equinoctiall line are held to be healthfull for the French disease and other such like so as they come from many places farre off to be cured And they say the cause thereof is for that in that Countrie there is great aboundance of rootes which they call Sallepareille the vertue and operation whereof is so knowne that it communicates her propertie to the waters wherein it is put to cure this disease Bilcanota is a mountaine the which according to common opinion is in the highest part of Peru the toppe whereof is all covered with snow and in some places is blacke like coale There issueth forth of it two springs in contrarie places which presently growe to be very great bâ—rookes and so by little and little become great flouds the one goes to Calloa into the great Lake Titicaca the other goes to the lands and is that which they call
not so healthfull and at this day we see it lesse pâ—opled although in former times it hath beene greatly inhabited with Indians as it appeareth by the histories of New Spaine and Peru and where they kept and lived for that the soile was naturall vnto them being bred there They lived of fishing at sea of seeds drawing brooks from the rivers which they used for want of raine for that it raines little there and in some places not at all This lowe countrie hath many places inhabitable as wel by reason of the sands which are dangerous for there are whole mountaines of these sandes as also for the marishes which grow by reason of the waters that fall from the mountaines which finding no issue in these flatte and lowe landes drowne them and make them vnprofitable And in trueth the greatest parte of all the Indian sea coast is of this sort chiefly vppon the South sea The habitation of which coasts is at this present so wasted contemned that of thirtie partes of the people that inhabited it there wants twenty nine and it is likely the rest of the Indians will in short time decay Many according to the varietie of their opinions attribute this to diverse causes some to the great labour which hath beene imposed vppon these Indians others vnto the change and varietie of meates and drinks they vse since their commerce with the Spaniards others to their great excesse drinking and to other vices they have for my part I hold this disorder to be the greatest cause of their decay whereof it is not now time to discourse any more In this lowe countrey which I say generally is vnhealthfull and vnfit for mans habitation there is exception in some places which are temperate and fertile as the greatest part of the Plaines of Peru where there are coole vallies and very fertile The greatest part of the habitation of the coast entertaines all the traffike of Spaine by sea whereon all the estate of the Indies dependeth Vpon this coast there are some Townes wel peopled as Lima and Truxillo in Peru Panama and Carthagena vppon the maine land and in the Ilands S. Dominique Port Ricco and Havana with many other Townes which are lesse than these as the true Crosse in new Spaine Yca Arigua and others in Peru the ports are commonly inhabited although but slenderly The second sort of land is contrary very high and by consequent colde and drie as all the mountaines are commonly This land is neither fertile nor pleasant but very healthfull which makes it to be peopled and inhabited There are pastures and great store of cattell the which for the most parte entertaines life and by their cattell they supply the want they have of corne and graine by trucking and exchange But that which makes these landes more inhabited and peopled is the riches of the mines that are found there for that all obeys to golde and silver By reason of the mines there are some dwellings of Spaniards and Indians which are increased and multiplied as Potozi and Gancavelicqua in Peru and Cacatecas in new Spaine There are also through all these mountaines great dwellings of the Indians which to this day are maintained yea some will say they increase but that the labour of the mines dooth consume many and some generall diseases have destroyed a great part as the Cocoliste in new Spaine yet they finde no great diminution In this extreamitie of of high ground they finde two commodities as I have saide of pastures and mines which doe well countervaile the two other that are in the lower grounds alongest the sea coast that is the commerce of the sea the aboundance of wine which groweth not but in the hot landes Betwixt these two extreames there is ground of a meane height the which although it bee in some partes higher or lower one than other yet doth it not approach neyther to the heate of the sea coast nor the intemperature of the mountaines In this sorte of soile there groweth many kindes of graine as wheate barley and mays which grows not at all in the high countries but well in the lower there is likewise store of pasture cattel fruits and greene forrests This part is the best habitation of the three for health and recreation and therefore it is best peopled of any parte of the Indies the which I have curiously observed in manie voyages that I have vndertaken and have alwayes found it true that the Province best peopled at the Indies be in this scituation Let vs looke neerely into new Spaine the which without doubt is the best Province the Sunne dooth circle by what parte soever you doe enter you mount vp and when you have mounted a good height you beginne to descend yet very little and that land is alwayes much higher then that along the sea coast All the land about Mexico is of this nature and scituation and that which is about the Vulcan which is the best soile of the Indies as also in Peru Arequipa Guamangua and Cusco although more in one then in the other But in the end all is high ground although they descend into deepe valleies and climbe vppe to high mountaines the like is spoken of Quitto Saint Foy and of the best of the new kingdome To conclude I doe beleeve that the wisedome and providence of the Creator would have it so that the greatest parte of this countrey of the Indies should be hillie that it might be of a better temperature for being lowe it had beene very hotte vnder the burning Zone especially being farre from the sea Also all the land I have seene at the Indies is neere to the mountaines on the one side or the other and sometimes of all partes So as I have oftentimes saide there that I woulde gladly see any place from whence the horizon did fashion it selfe and end by the heaven and a countrey stretched out and even as we see in Spaine in a thousand champaine fields yet doe I not remember that I have ever seene such sightes at the Indies were it in the Ilands or vpon the maine land although I have travelled above seaven hundred leagues in length But as I have saide the neerenesse of the mountaines is very commodious in this region to temper the heate of the Sunne To conclude the best inhabited partes of the Indies are as I have saide and generally all that countrie aboundes in grasse pastures and forrests contrary vnto that which Aristotle and the Auntients did holde So as when wee goe out of Europe to the Indies wee woonder to see the land so pleasant greene and fresh Yet this rule hath some exceptions chiefly in the land of Peru which is of a strange nature amongst all others whereof wee will now proceede to speake Of the properties of the land of Peru. CHAP. 20. WEe meane by Peru not that great parte of the worlde which they call America seeing that therein is contained Bresil
experience that the course of rivers being turned the welles have beene dried vp vntill they returned to their ordinarie course and they give this reason for a materiall cause of this effect but they have another efficient which is no lesse considerable and that is the great height of the Sierre which comming along the coast shadowes the Lanos so as it suffers no winde to blowe from the land but above the toppes of these mountaines By meanes whereof there raines no winde but that from the Sea which finding no opposite doth not presse nor straine forth the vapors which rise to engender raine so as the shadowe of the mountaines keepes the vapors from thickning and convertes them all into mistes There are some experiences agree with this discourse for that it raines vpon some small hilles along the coast which are least shadowed as the rockes of Atico and Arequipa It hath rained in some yeeres whenas the Northern or easterly windes have blowen yea all the time they have continued as it happened in seventie eight vpon the Lanâ—s of Trugillo where it rained aboundantly the which they had not seene in many ages before Moreover it raines vpon the same coast in places whereas the Easterly or Northerne windes be ordinarie as in Guayaquil and in places whereas the land riseth much and turnes from the shadow of the mountaines as in those that are beyond Ariqua Some discourse in this maner but let every one thinke as he please It is most certaine that comming from the mountaines to the vallies they do vsually see as it were two heavens one cleere and bright above and the other obscure and as it were a graie vaile spread vnderneath which covers all the coast and although it raine not yet this mist is wonderfull profitable to bring forth grasse and to raise vp and nourish the seede for although they have plentie of water which they draw from the Pooles and Lakes yet this moisture from heaven hath such a vertue that ceasing to fal vpon the earth it breedes a great discommoditie and defect of graine and seedes And that which is more worthy of admiration the drie and barren sandes are by this deaw so beautified with grasse and flowers as it is a pleasing and agreeable sight and verie profitable for the feeding of cattell as we see in the mountaine called Sandie neere to the Cittie of Kings Of the propertie of new Spaine of the Ilands and of other Lands CHAP. 22. NEw Spaine passeth all other Provinces in pastures which breedes infinite troopes of horse kine sheepe and other cattell It aboundes in fruite and all kinde of graine To conclude it is a Countrie the best furnished and most accomplished at the Indies Yet Peru doth surpasse it in one thing which is wine for that there growes store and good and they daily multiplie and increase the which doth grow in very hote vallies where there are waterings And although there bee vines in new Spaine yet the grape comes not to his maturitie fit to make wine The reason is for that it raines there in Iulie and August whenas the grape ripens and therefore it comes not to his perfection And if any one through curiositie would take the paines to make wine it should be like to that of Genua and Lombardie which is very small and sharpe having a taste like vnto veriuice The Ilands which they call Barlovente which be Hispaniola Cuba Port Ricco others there abouts are beautified with many greene pastures and abound in cattell as neate and swine which are become wilde The wealth of these Ilands be their sugar-workes and hides There is much Cassia fistula ginger It is a thing incredible to see the multitude of these marchandizes brought in one fleete being in a maner impossible that all Europe should waste so much They likewise bring wood of an excellent qualitie and colour as Ebone others which serve for buildings and Ioyners There is much of that wood which they call Lignum Sanctum or Guage fit to cure the pox All these Ilands and others there abouts which are many have a goodly and pleasant aspect for that throughout the yeere they are beautified with grasse greene trees so as they cannot discerne when it is Autumne or Summer by reason of continuall moisture ioyned to the heate of the burning Zone And although this land be of a great circuite yet are there few dwellings for that of it selfe it engenders great Arcabutos as they call them which be Groves or very thicke Coppeses and on the plaines there are many marishes and bogges They give yet another notable reason why they are so smally peopled for that there have remained few naturall Indians through the inconsideratenesse and disorder of the first Conquerors that peopled it and therefore for the most part they vse Negros but they cost deere being very fit to till the land There growes neither bread nor wine in these Ilands for that the too great fertilitie and the vice of the soile suffers them not to seede but castes all forth in grasse very vneaqually There are no olive trees at the least they beare no olives but manie greene leaves pleasant to the view which beare no fruite The bread they vse is of Cacave whereof we shall heereafter speake There is gold in the riuers of these Ilands which some draw foorth but in small quantitie I was little lesse then a yeere in these ilands and as it hath beene told me of the maine land of the Indies where I have not been as in Florida Nicaraqua Guatimala and others it is in a maner of this temper as I have described yet have I not set downe every particular of Nature in these Provinces of the firme land having no perfect knowledge thereof The Countrie which doth most resemble Spaine and the regions of Europe in all the West Indies is the realme of Chille which is without the generall rule of these other Provinces being seated without the burning Zone and the Tropicke of Capricorne This land of it selfe is coole and fertile and brings forth all kindes of fruites that be in Spaine it yeeldes great aboundance of bread and wine and aboundes in pastures and cattell The aire is wholesome and cleere temperate betwixt heate and cold winter and summer are very distinct and there they finde great store of very fine gold Yet this land is poore and finally peopled by reason of their continuall warre with the Auricanos and their associates being a rough people and friends to libertie Of the vnknowne Land and the diversitie of a whole day betwixt them of the East and the West CHAP. 23. THere are great coniectures that in the temperate Zone at the Antartike Pole there are great and fertile lands but to this day they are not discovered neither do they know any other land in this Zone but that of Chille and some part of that land which runnes from Ethiopia to the Cape of Good Hope as
what is in the other life but if hell as Divines holde be in the centre of the earth the which containes in diameter above two thousand leagues we can not iudge that this fire is from the centre for that hell fire as saint Basil and others teach is very different from this which wee see for that it is without light and burneth without comparison much more then ours And therefore I conclude that what I have saide seemes to me more reasonable Of Earthquakes CHAP. 26. SOme have held that from these Volcans which are at the Indies the earthquakes proceed being very common there but for that they ordinarily chance in places farre from those Volcans it can not be the totall cause It is true they have a certaine simpathy one with another for that the hote exhalations which engender in the inner concavities of the earth seeme to be the materiall substance of fire in the Volcans whereby there kindleth an other more grosse matter and makes these shewes of flame and smoke that come forth And these exhalations finding no easie issue in the earth move it to issue forth with great violence wherby we heare that horrible noise vnder the earth and likewise the shaking of the earth being stirred with this burning exhalation Even as gunpowlder in mines having fire put to it breakes rockes and walles and as the chesnut laid into the fire leapes and breakes with a noyse whenas it casts forth the aire which is contained within the huske by the force of the fire Even so these Earthquakes do most commonly happen in places neere the water or sea As we see in Europe and at the Indies that townes and citties farthest from the sea and waters are least afflicted therewith and contrariwise those that are seated vpon portes of the sea vpon rivers the sea coast and places neere vnto them feele most this calamitie There hath happened in Peru the which is wonderfull and worthy to be noted Earthquakes which have runne from Chille vnto Quitto and that is above hundred leagues I say the greatest that ever I heard speake of for lesser be more common there Vpon the coast of Chille I remember not well in what yeare there was so terrible an Earthquake as it overturned whole mountains and thereby stopped the course of rivers which it converted into lakes it beat downe townes and flew a great number of people causing the sea to leave her place some leagues so as the shippes remained on drie ground farre from the ordinary roade with many other heavie and horrible things And as I well remember they say this trouble and motion caused by the Earthquake ranne three hundred leagues alongest the coast Soone after which was in the yeere eighty two happened that Earthquake of Arequipa which in a maner overthrew the whole citie Since in the yeere eightie sixe the ninth of Iulie fell an other Earthquake in the cittie of Kings the which as the Viceroy did write hadde runne a hundred three score and tenne leagues alongest the coast and overthwart in the Sierre fiftie leagues The mercy of the Lord was great in this earth quake to forewarne the people by a great noyse which they heard alittle before the Earthquake who taught by former experiences presently put themselves in safetie leaving their houses streets and gardins to go into the fieldes so as although it ruined a great parte of the Cittie and of the chiefest buildings yet there died not above fifteene or twenty persons of all the Inhabitants It caused the like trouble and motion at sea as it had done at Chille which happened presently after the Earthquake so as they might see the sea furiously to flie out of her boundes and to runne neere two leagues into the land rising above foureteene fadome it covered all that plaine so as the ditches and peeces of wood that were there swamme in the water There was yet an other earthquake in the Realme and Cittie of Quitto and it seemes all these notable Earthquakes vppon that coast have succeeded one an other by order as in trueth it is subiect to these inconveniences And therefore although vpon the coast of Peru there be no torments from heaven as thunder and lightning yet are they not without feare vppon the land and so everie one hath before his eies the Heraults of divine Iustice to moove him to feare God For as the Scripture saith Fecit haec vt timeatur Returning then to our purpose I say the sea coast is most subiect to these earthquakes the reason is in my iudgement for that the water dooth stop the conduites and passages of the earth by which the hote exhalations should passe which are engendered there And also the humiditie thickning the superficies of the earth dooth cause the fumes and hot exhalations to goe close together and incounter violently in the bowells of the earth which doe afterwards breake forth Some have observed that such Earthquakes have vsually hapned whenas a rainie season falles after some drie yeâ—res Wherevpon they say that the Earthquakes are most rare where are most welles the which is approoved by experience Those of the Cittie of Mexico holde opinion that the Lake whereon it is seated is the cause of the Earthquakes that happen there although they be not very violent and it is most certaine that the Townes and Provinces farre within the land and farthest from the sea receive sometimes great losses by these Earthquakes as the Cittie of Chachapoyas at the Indies and in Italie that of Ferrara although vpon this subiect It seemes this latter being neere to a river and not farre from the Adriatic sea should rather be numbred among the sea-Townes In the yeere of our Lord one thousand five hundred eightie and one in Cugiano a Cittie of Peru otherwise called the Peace there hapned a strange accident touching this subiect A village called Angoango where many Indians dwelt that were sorcerers and idolatrers fell sodainely to ruine so as a great parte thereof was raised vp and carried away and many of the Indians smothered and that which seems incredible yet testified by men of credit the earth that was ruined and so beaten downe did runne and slide vpon the land for the space of a league and a halfe as it had beene water or wax molten so as it stopt and filled vppe a Lake and remayned so spread over the whole countrey How the land and sea imbrace one an other CHAP. 27. I Wil end with this Element of earth vniting it to the precedent of water whose order and embracing is truely of it selfe admirable These two elements have one spheare divided betweene them and entertaine and embrace one another in a thousand sortes and maners In some places the water encounters the land furiously as an enemy and in other places it invirons it after a sweete and amiable manner There are partes whereas the sea enters far within the land as comming to visite it and in other partes the
Spaine and Italie we have seene admirable effects of this stone against the Tâ—verdette which is a kinde of plague but not so muchâ—s in Peru. They do apply it beaten and put into some liquor which may make it fit for the cure of melancholy the falling sickenes pestilent feavers many other diseases Some take it in wine others in vineger with water Dezahac of League de beufe borrage and other sortes as the Phisitians and Apoticaries can tell The Bezaar stone hath no proper savour as Rasis the Arabian doth testifie Wee have seene notable trialls and there is no doubt but the Author of this vniversall world hath given great vertues to this stone The Bezaar stones which comes from the East Indies have the first place of account they are of an olive colour the second are those of Peru and the third those of New Spaine Since that these stones were in request they say the Indians have made artificiall ones and many when they see these stones greater then the ordinarie they take them to be false and counterfait triall and experience is the best mistres to know them One thing is worthy admiration that they grow and are fashioned vpon very strange things as vpon the tagge of a point vpon a pinne or a peece of wood which they finde in the centre of this stone and yet do they not hold it false for that the beast might swallow it and the stone thicken vpon it and growes one vpon another and so it increaseth I did see in Peru two stones fashioned vpon Pignons of Castille which made vs to wonder much for that in all Peru we had not seene any pines or Pignons of Castille if they were not brought from Spaine which seemes to me very extraordinary This little may suffice touching the Bezaars stone They bring other phisicall stones from the Indies as the stone of Hyiada or of Rate the bloud stone the stones of milke and of the sea Those which they call Cornerinaâ— for the heart whereof there is no neede to speake having nothing common with the subiect of beastes whereof we have intreated which gives vs to vnderstand how the great Master and Author of all hath imparted his benefites and wonderfull secrets to all partes of the world for the which he is to be glorified for ever * ⎠* A Prologue to the Bookes following HAving intreated of the Natural Historie of the Indies I wil hereafter discourse of the Morall History that is to say of the deeds and customes of the Indies For after the heaven the temperature the scituation the qualities of the new world after the elements mixtures I mean mettals plants beasts whereof we have spoken in the former Bookes as occasion did serve both Order Reason doth invite vs to continue and vndertake the discourse of those men which inhabite the new world And therefore I pretend in the following bookes to speake what I thinke worthie of this subiect And for that the intention of this Historie is not onely to give knowledge of what hath passed at the Indies but also to continue this knowledge to the fruite we may gather by it which is to helpe this people for their soules health and to glorifie the Creator and Redeemer who hath drawne them from the obscure darkenes of their infidelitie and imparted vnto them the admirable light of his Gospel And therefore I will first speake in these bookes following what concernes their religion or superstition their customes their idolatries and their sacrifices and after what concernes their policie and government their lawes customes and their deedes And for that the memorie is preserved amongst the Mexicaine Nation of their beginnings successions warres and other things worthie the relation besides that which shall be handled in the sixt booke I will make a peculiar Discourse in the seventh shâ—wing the disposition and forewarnings this Nation had of the new Kingdome of Christ our Lord which should be extâ—nded in these Countries and should conquer them to himself as he hath doâ—e in all the rest of the world The which in truth is a thing worthie of great consideration to see how the divine providence hath appointeâ— that the light of his word should finde a passage in the furthest boundes of the world It is not my proiect at this time to write what the Spanâ—ardes have done in those partes for there are bookes enow written vpon this subiect nor yet how the Lordes servants have laboured and profited for that requires a new labour I will onely content my selfe to plant this Historie and relation at the doores of the Gospel seeing it is alreadie entered and to make knowne the Naturall and Morall things of the Indies to the end that Christianitie may be planted and augmented as it is expounded at large in the bookes we have written De procuranda Indiorum salute And if any one wonder at some fashions customes of the Indies wil scorne them as fooles or abhorre them as divelish and inhumane people let him remember that the same things yea worse have beene seene amongst the Greekes and Romans who have commanded the whole world as we may easily vnderstand not onely of our Authors as Eusebius of Cesarea Clement Alexandrine and others but also of their owne as Plinie Denis Halicarnassis and Plutarke for the Prince of darkenes being the head of all Infidelitie it is no new thing to finde among Infidells cruelties filthines and follies fit for such a Master And although the ancient Gentiles have farre surpassed these of the new world in valour and naturall knowledge yet may wee observe many things in them worthie the remembrance But to conclude they shew to be barbarous people who being deprived of the supernaturall light want likewise philosophie and naturall knowledge THE FIFT BOOKE of the Naturall and Morall Historie of the Indies That the Pride and Malice of the Divell hath beene the cause of Idolatrie CHAP. 1. THE Pride and Presumption of the Divell is so great obstinate that alwaies hee seekes and strives to be honoured as God and doth arrogate to himselfe all hee can whatsoever doth appertaine to the most high God hee ceaseth not to abuse the blinde Nations of the world vpon whom the cleere light of the holy Gospel hath not yet shone Wee reade in Iob of this prowd tyrant who settes his eyes aloft and amongst all the sonnes of pride he is the King The holy Scripture instructes vs plainely of his vile intentions and his overweening treason whereby he hath pretended to make his Throne equall vnto Gods saying in Esay Thou diddest say within thy selfe I will mount vp to heaven and set my chaire vpon all the starres of heaven and I will sit vpon the toppe of the Firmament and in the sides of the North I will ascend above the height of the cloudes and will be like to the most High And in Ezechiel Thy heart was lifted vp and thou
hast said I am God and have set in the chaire of God in the midst of the sea Thus doth Sathan continually persist in this wicked desire to make himselfe God And although the iust and severe chastisement of the most high hath spoiled him of all his pompe and beautie which made him grow prowd being intreated as his fellonie and indiscretion had deserved as it is written by the same Prophets yet hath he left nothing of his wickednes and perverse practises the which hee hath made manifest by all meanes possible like a mad dogge that bites the sword wherewith he is strucken For as it is written the pride of such as hate God doth alwaies increase Hâ—nce comes the continuall and strange care which this enemie of God hath alwaies had to make him to be worshipt of men inventing so many kinds of Idolatries wherby he hath so long held the gretest part of the world in subiection so as there scarce remaines any one corner for God his people of Israel And since the power of the Gospel hath vanquished and disarmed him and that by the force of the Crosse hee hath broken and ruined the most important and puissant places of his kingdome with the like tyrannie hee hath begunne to assaile the barbarous people and Nations farthest off striving to maintaine amongst them his false and lying divinitie the which the Sonne of God had taken from him in his Church tying him with chaines as in a cage or prison like a furious beast to his great confusion reioycing of the servants of God as he doth signify in Iob. But in the end although idolatrie had beene rooted out of the best and most notable partes of the worlde yet he hath retired himself into the most remote parts and hath ruled in that other part of the worlde which although it be much inferiour in nobilitie yet is it not oflesse compasse There are two causes and chiefe motives for the which the divell hath so much laboured to plantidolatry and all infidelity so as you shall hardly finde any Nation where there is not some markes thereof The one is this great presumption and pride which is such that whoso would consider how hee durst affront the very Sonne of God and true God in saying impudently that he should fall downe and worship him the which he did although he knew not certainely that this was the very God yet had he some opinion that it was the Sonne of God A most cruell and horrible pride to dare thus impudently affront his God truely he shall not finde it very strange that hee makes himselfe to be worshipped as God by ignorant Nations seeing hee would seeke to be worshipped by God himselfe calling himselfe God being an abhominable and detestable creature The other cause and motive of idolatrie is the mortall hatred hee hath conceived for ever against mankinde For as our Saviour saith hee hath beene a murtherer from the beginning and holdes it as a condition and inseparable qualitie of his wickednesse And for that he knowes the greatast misery of man is to worship the creature for God for this reason hee never leaves to invent all sortes of Idolatries to destroy man and make him ennemy to God There are two mischiefes which the divell causeth in idolatry the one that hee denies his God according to the text Thou hast left thy God who created thee The other is that hee dooth subiect himselfe to a thing baser than himselfe for that all creatures are inferior to the reasonable and the divell although hee be superior to man in nature yet in estate he is much inferior seeing that man in this life is capable of Divinitie and Eternitie By this meanes God is dishonoured and man lost in all parts by idolatry wherwith the divell in his pride is well content Of many kindes of idolatry the Indians have vsed CHAP. 2. IDolatry saieth the holy-Ghost by the Wise man is the cause beginning and end of all miseries for this cause the enemy of mankinde hath multiplied so many sortes and diversities of idolatry as it were an infinite matter to specifie them all Yet we may reduce idolatry to twoo heades the one grounded vppon naturall things the other vpon things imagined and made by mans invention The first is divided into two for eyther the thing they worship is generall as the Sunne Moone Fire Earth and Elements or else it is particular as some certayne river fountaine tree or forrest when these things are not generaly worshipped in their kindes but onely in particular In this first kind of idolatry they have exceeded in Peru and they properly cal it Guaca The second kinde of idolatry which depends of mans invention fictions may likewise be divided into two sortes one which regards onely the pure arte and invention of man as to adore the Images or statues of gold wood or stone of Mercury or Pallas which neyther are nor ever were any thing else but the bare pictures and the other that concernes that which really hath beene and is in trueth the same thing but not such as idolatry faines as the dead or some things proper vnto them which men worshippe through vanitie and flatterie so as wee reduce all to foure kindes of idolatry which the infidells vse of all which it behooveth vs to speake something That the Indians have some knowledge of God CHAP. 3. FIrst although the darkenesse of infidelitie holdeth these Nations in blindenesse yet in many thinges the light of truth and reason works somewhat in them And they commonly acknowledge a supreame Lorde and Author of all things which they of Peru called Vnachocha and gave him names of great excellence as Pachacamac or Pachayachachic which is the Creator of heaven and earth and Vsapu which is admirable and other like names Him they did worship as the chiefest of all whom they did honor in beholding the heaven The like wee see amongest them of Mexico and China and all other infidelles Which accordeth well with that which is saide of Saint Paul in the Acts of the Apostles where hee did see the Inscription of an Altare Ignoto Deo To the vnknowne God Wherevpon the Apostle tooke occasion to preach vnto them saying He whome you worship without knowing him doe I preach vnto you In like sort those which at this day do preach the Gospel to the Indians find no great difficultie to perswade them that there is a high God and Lord over all and that this is the Christians God and the true God And yet it hath caused great admiration in me that although they had this knowledge yet had they no proper name for God If wee shall seeke into the Indian tongue for a word to answer to this name of God as in Latin Deus in Greeke Theos in Hebrew El in Arabike Alla but wee shall not finde any in the Cuscan or Mexicaine tongues So as such as preach or write to the Indians
vse our Spanish name Dios fitting it to the accent or pronounciation of the Indian tongues the which differ much whereby appeares the small knowledge they had of God seeing they cannot so much as name him if it be not by our very name yet in trueth they had some little knowledge and therefore in Peru they made him a rich temple which they called Pachacamac which was the principall Sanctuarie of the realme And as it hath beene saide this word of Pachacamac is as much to say as the Creator yet in this temple they vsed their idolatries worshipping the Divell and figures They likewise made sacrifices and offrings to Viracocha which helde the chiefe place amongst the worships which the Kings Inguas made Heereof they called the Spaniards Virocochas for that they holde opinion they are the sonnes of heaven and divine even as others did attribute a deitie to Paul and Barnabas calling the one Iupiter and the other Mercurie so woulde they offer sacrifices vnto them as vnto gods and as the Barbarians of Melite which is Malté seeing that the viper did not hurt the Apostle they called him God As it is therefore a trueth conformable to reason that there is a soveraigne Lorde and King of heaven whome the Gentiles with all their infidelities and idolatries have not denyed as wee see in the Philosophy of Timee in Plato in the Metaphisickes of Aristotle and in the Aesculape of Tresmigister as also in the Poesies of Homer Virgil. Therefore the Preachers of the Gospel have no great difficultie to plant perswade this truth of a supreame God be the Nations of whome they preach never so barbarous and brutish But it is hard to roote out of their mindes that there is no other God nor any other deitie then one and that all other things of themselves have no power being nor workeing proper to themselves but what the great and only God and Lord doth give and impart vnto them To conclude it is necessarie to perswade them by all meanes in reproving their errors as well in that wherein they generally faile in worshipping more then one God as in particular which is much more to hold for Gods and to demand favour and helpe of those things which are not Gods nor have any power but what the true God their Lord and Creator hath given them Of the first kinde of Idolatrie vpon naturall and vniversall things CHAP. 4. NExt to Viracocha or their supreme God that which most commonly they have and do adore amongst the Infidells is the Sunne and after those things which are most remarkable in the celestiall or elementarie nature as the moone starres sea and land The Guacas or Oratories which the Inguas Lords of Peru had in greatest reverence next to Viracocha and the sunne was the thunder which they called by three divers names Chuquilla Catuilla and Intiillapa supposing it to bee a man in heaven with a sling and a mace and that it is in his power to cause raine haile thunder and all the rest that appertaines to the region of the aire where the cloudes engender It was a Guaca for so they called their Oratories generall to all the Indians of Peâ—â— offering vnto him many sacrifices and in Cusco which is the Court and Metropolitane Cittie they did sacrifice children vnto him as to the Sunne They did worship these three Viracocha the Sunne and Thunder after another maner then all the rest as Pollo writes who had made triall thereof they did put as it were a gauntlet or glove vpon their hands when they did lift them vp to worshippe them They did worshippe the earth which they called Pachamama as the Ancients did the goddessâ— Tellus and the sea likewise which they call Mamacocha as the Ancients worshipped Thetis or Neptune Moreover they did worship the rainebow which were the armes and blazons of the Ingua with two snakes stretched out on either side Amongst the starres they all did commonly worship that which they called Colca and we heere Cabrille They did attribute divers offices to divers starres and those which had neede of their favour did worship them as the shepheard did sacrifice to a starre which they called Vrcuhillay which they hold to be a sheepe of divers colours having the care to preserve their cattell and they imagine it is that which the Astronomers call Tyra These shepheards worshippe two other starres which walke neere vnto them they call them Catâ—chillay and Vrcuchillay and they faine them to be an Ewe and a Lambe Others worshipped a starre which they called Machacuâ—y to which they attribute the charge and power over serpents and snakes to keepe them from hurting of them They ascribe power to another starre which they called Chuguinchinchay which is as much as Tigre over Tigres Beares and Lyons and they have generally beleeved that of all the beasts of the earth there is one alone in heaven like vnto them the which hath care of their procreation and increase And so they did observe and worship divers starres as those which they called Chacana Topatarca Mamanan Mirco Miquiquicay and many other So as it seemed they approached somewhat neere the propositions of Platoes Idees The Mexicaines almost in the same maner after the supreame God worshiped the Sunne And therefore they called Hernando CorteZ as he hath written in a letter sent vnto the Emperour Charles the fift Sonne of the Sunne for his care and courage to compasse the earth But they made their greatest adoration to an Idol called Vitzilipuztli the which in all this region they called the most puissant and Lord of all things for this cause the Mexicaines built him a Temple the greatest the fairest the highest and the most sumptuous of all other The scituation beautie thereof may wel be coniectured by the ruines which yet remaine in the midst of the Cittie of Mexico But heere the Mexicaines Idolatrie hath bin more pernicious and hurtfull then that of the Inguas as wee shall see plainer heereafter for that the greatest part of their adoration and idolatrie was imployed to Idols and not to naturall things although they did attribute naturall effects to these Idolls as raine multiplication of cattell warre and generation even as the Greekes and Latins have forged Idolls of Phoebus Mercurie Iupiter Minerva and of Mars To conclude whoso shall neerely looke into it shall finde this manner which the Divell hath vsed to deceive the Indians to be the same wherewith hee hath deceived the Greekes and Romans and other ancient Gentiles giving them to vnderstand that these notable creatures the Sunne Moone Starres and Elements had power and authoritie to doe good or harme to men And although God hath created all these things for the vse of man yet hath he so much forgotte himselfe as to rise vp against him Moreover he hath imbased himselfe to creatures that are inferiour vnto himselfe worshiping and calling vpon their workes forsaking his Creator As the Wise man saieth
laboured to make himselfe equall vnto God and to imitate him in his Sacrifices Religion and Sacraments CHAP. 11. BEfore wee come to this point we ought to consider one thing which is worthie of speciall regard the which is how the Divell by his pride hath opposed himselfe to God and that which God by his wisedome hath decreed for his honour and service and for the good and health of man the Divell stâ—ives to imitate and to pervert to bee honoured and to cause man to be dammed for as we see the great God hath Sacrifâ—â—â—s Priests Sacraments Religious Prophets and Ministers dedicated to his divine service and holy ceremonies so the Divell hath his sacrifices priests his kinds of sacraments his ministers appointed his secluded and fained holinesse with a thousand sortes of false prophets All which will bee pleasant to vnderstand being declared in particular and of no sâ—â—ll sâ—uite for him that shall remember how the Divell is the father of lies as the truth saieth in the Gospâ—l and therefore hee seekes to vsurpe to himselfe the glorie of God and to counterfait the light by his darknes The Sooth-saiers of Egipt taught by their master Saâ—â—â—â— laboured to do wonders like vnto those of â—â—sâ—s and Aron to be equall vnto them We reade in the Booke of Iudâ—es of that Micas Priest of the vaine Idoll which vsed the same ornaments which were vsed in the Tabernacle of the true God as the Ephod the Seraphin and other things There is scarce any thing instituted by Iesus Christ our Saviour in his Lawe of his Gospel the which the Divell hath not counterfaited in some sort and carried to his Gentiles as may be seene in reading that which we hold for certaine by the report of men worthie of credite of the customes and ceremonies of the Indians whereof we will treate in this Booke Of the Temples that were found at the Indies CHAP. 12. BEginning then with their Temples even as the great God would have a house dedicated where his holy name might be honoured and that it should be particularly vowed to his service even so the Divel by his wicked practices perswaded Infidâ—â— to builde him prowd Temples and particular Oratories and Sanctuaries In every Province of Peru there was one principall Guaca or house of adoration and besides it there was one generall throughout all the Kingdome of the Inguas amongst the which there hath beene two famous and notable the one which they called Pachamana is foure leagues from Lima whereat this day they see the ruines of a most ancient and great building out of the which Francis Pizarre and his people drew infinite treasure of vessell and pottes of gold and silver which they brought when they tooke the Ingua Aâ—taguâ—lâ—â— There are certaine memories and discourses which say that in this Temple the Divell did speake visiblâ— and gâ—vâ—an â—ivers by his Oracle and that sometimes they did seea spotted snake and it was a thing very comin â—n and approoved at the Indies that the Divell spake and answered in these fal se Sanctuaries deceiving this miserable people But where the Gospel is entred and the Crosse of Christ planted the father of lies is becom mute as Plutark writes of his time Cur cessaverit Pithias fondere oracula and Iustine Martir treates amply of the silence which Christ imposed to divells which spake by Idolls as it had been before much prophecied of in the holy Scripture The maner which the Infidel Ministers Inchanters had to consult with their gods was as the Divell had taught them It was commonlyin the night they entred backward to their idol so went bending their bodies head after an vglie maner and so they consulted with him The answer he made was commonly like vnto a fearefull hissing or to a gnashing which did terrifie them and all that he did advertise or command them was but the way to their perdition and ruine There are few of these Oracles found now through the mercy of God and great powre of Iesus Christ. There hath beene in Peru another Temple and Oratorie most esteemed which was in the Cittie of Cusco where at this day is the monasterie of S. Dominicke We may see it hath been a goodly and a stately worke by the pavement and stones of the building which remaine to this day This Temple was like to the Pantheon of the Romans for that it was the house and dwelling of all the gods for the Kings Inguas did there behold the gods of all the Nations and provinces they had conquered every Idoll having his private place whither they of that Province came to worship it with an excessive charge of things which they brought for his service And thereby they supposed to keep safely in obedience those Provinces which they had conquered holding their gods as it were in hostage In this same house was the Pinchao which was an Idoll of the Sunne of most fine gold wrought with great riches of stones the which was placed to the East with so great Art as the Sunne at his rising did cast his beames thereon and as it was of most fine mettall his beames did reflect with such a brightnes that it seemed another Sunne The Inguas did worship this for their God and the Pachayacha which signifies the Creator of heaven They say that at the spoile of this so rich a Temple a souldier had for his part this goodly plate of gold of the Sunne And as play was then in request he lost it all in one night at play whence came the proverb they have in Peru for great gamesters saying that they play the Sunne before it riseth Of the Prowd Temples at Mexico CHAP. 13. THe Superstitions of the Mexicaines have without comparison beene greater then the rest as well in their ceremonies as in the greatnes of their Temples the which in old time the Spaniards called by this word Cu which word might bee taken from the Ilanders of S. Dominique or of Cuba as many other wordes that are in vse the which are neyther from Spaine nor from any other language now vsuall among the Indians as is Mays Chico Vaquiano Chapeton and other like There was in Mexico this Cu the famous Temple of Vitziliputzli it had a very great circuite and within a faire Court It was built of great stones in fashion of snakes tied one to another and the circuite was called Coatepantli which is a circuite of snakes vppon the toppe of every chamber and oratorie where the Idolls were was a fine piller wruogh twit hâ—small stones blacke as icate set in goodly order the ground raised vp with white red which below gave a great light vpon the top of the pillar were battlements very artificially made wrought like snailes supported by two Indians of stone sitting holding candlestickes in their hands the which were like Croisants garnished enriched at the ends with yellow and greene feathers and long fringes of the
presenting it in order one after another with great reverence This service presented the old man returned as before leading the virgins into their convent This done the yong men and ministers of the Temple came forth and gathered vp this meate the which they carried to the chambers of the chiefe Priests of the Temple who had fasted five daies eating onely once a day and they had also abstained from their wives not once going out of the Temple in these five daies During the which they did whippe themselves rigorously with cordes they did eate of this divine meate for so they called it what they could neither was it lawfull for any other to eate thereof All the people having dined they assembled againe in the court to see the ende of the feast whither they brought a captive which by the space of a whole yeare had represented the idoll being attyred decked and honoured as the idoll it selfe and doing all reverence vnto him they delivered him into the handes of the sacrificers who at that instant presented themselves taking him by the feete and handes The Pope did open his stomacke and pull out his hart then did he lift vp his hand as high as he could shewing it to the Sunne and to the Idoll as hath beene said Having thus sacrificed him that represented the idoll they went into a holy place appointed for this purpose whither came the yong men and virgins of the Temple with their ornaments the which being put in order they danced and sung with drummes and other instruments on the which the chiefe Priests did play and sound Then came all the Noblemen with ensignes and ornaments like to the yong men who danced round about them They did not vsually kill any other men that day but him that was sacrificed yet every fourth yeare they had others with him which was in the yeare of Iubile and full pardons After Sun set every one being satisfied with sounding eating and drinking the virgins went al to their convent they took great dishes of earth full of bread mixt with hony covered with small panniers wrought and fashioned with dead mens headsand bones and they carried the collation to the idoll mounting vp to the court which was before the doore of the Oratorie and having set them downe they retired in the same order as they came the steward going still before Presently came forth all the yong men in order with canes or reedes in their handes who beganne to runne as fast as they could to the toppe of the staires of the Temple who should come first to the dishes of the collation The Elders or chiefe Priests observed him that came first second third and fourth without regarding the rest This collation was likewise all carried away by the yong men as great Relicks This done the foure that arrived first were placed in the midst of the Antients of the Temple bringing them to their chambers with much honour praising them and giving them ornaments and from thence forth they were respected and reverenced as men of marke The taking of this collation being ended and the feast celebrated with much ioy and noise they dismissed all the yong men and maides which had served the idoll by meanes whereof they went one after another as they came forth All the small children of the colledges and schooles were at the gate of the court with bottomes of rushes and hearbes in their hands which they cast at them mocking and laughing as of them that came from the service of the idoll they had libertie then to dispose of themselves at their pleasure and thus the feast ended Of the Feast of Marchants which those of Cholutecas did celebrate CHAP. 30. ALthough I have spoken sufficiently of the service the Mexicaines did vnto their gods yet will I speak something of the feast they called Quetzacoaalt which was the god of riches the which was solemnised in this maner Fortie daies before the Marchants bought a slave well proportioned without any fault or blemish either of sickenes or of hurte whome they did attyre with the ornaments of the idoll that he might represent it fortie daies Before his clothing they did clense him washing him twice in a lake which they called the lake of the gods and being purified they attyred him like the idoll During these forty daies hee was much respected for his sake whom he represented By night they did imprison him as hath beene said left he should flie and in the morning they tooke him out of prison setting him vpon an eminent place where they served him giving him exquisite meates to eate After he had eaten they put a chaine of flowers about his necke and many nosegaies in his hands Hee had a well appointed guard with much people toaccompany him When he went through the Cittie he went dancing and singing through all the streetes that hee might bee knowne for the resemblance of their god and when hee beganne to sing the women and little children came forth of their houses to salute him and to offer vnto him as to their god Two old men of the Antients of the Temple came vnto him nine daies before the feast and humbling themselves before him they said with a low and submisse voyce Sir you must vnderstand that nine daies hence the exercise of dancing and singing doth end and thou must then die and then he must answer in a good houre They call this ceremony Neyolo MaxiltleZtli which is to say the advertisement and when they did thus advertise him they tooke very carefull heede whether hee were sad or if he danced as ioyfully as he was accustomed the which if he did not as cheerefully as they desired they made a foolish superstition in this maner They presently tooke the sacrificing rasors the which they washed and clensed from the blood of men which remained of the former sacrifices Of this washing they made a drinke mingled with another liquor made of Cacao giving it him to drinke they said that this would make him forget what had beene said vnto him and would make him in a maner incensible returning to his former dancing and mirth They said moreover that he would offer himself cheerefully to death being inchanted with this drinke The cause why they sought to take from him this heavinesse was for that they held it for an ill augure and a fore telling of some great harme The day of the feast being come after they had done him much honor sung and given him incense the sacrificers tooke him about mid-night and did sacrifice him as hath beene said offering his heart vnto the Moone the which they did afterwardes cast against the idoll letting the bodie fall to the bottome of the staires of the Temple where such as had offered him tooke him vp which were the Marchants whose feast it was Then having carried him into the chiefest mans house amongst them the body was drest with divers sawces to celebrate at the breake of day the
those we vse in Europe and that by them wee may write wordes and discourses and that they only differ from our letters and writings in the diversitie of caracters as the Greekes differ from the Latines and the Hebrews from the Chaldees But it is not so for they have no Alphabet neither write they any letters but all their writing is nothing else but painting and ciphering and their letters signifie no partes of distinctions as ours do but are figures and representations of things as of the Sunne of fire of a man of the sea and of other things The which appears plainely for that their writings and Chapas are vnderstood of them all although the languages the Chinois speake are many and very different in like sort as our numbers of ciphers are equally vnderstooode in the Spanish French and Arabian tongues for this figure 8. wheresoever it be signifies eight althogh the French call this number of one sort and the Spaniards of another So as things being of themselves innumerable the letters likewise or figures which the Chinois vse to signifie them by are in a maner infinite so as he that shall reade or write at China as the Mandarins doe must know and keepe in memory at the least fourescore and five thousand characters or letters and those which are perfect herein know above sixscore thousand Astrange and prodigious thing yea incredible if it were not testified by men worthy of credite as the fathers of our company who are there continually learning their language and writing wherein they have studied day and night above tenne yeares with a continuall labour for the charitie of Christ and the desire of salvation of soules prevailed in them above all this labour and difficultie For this reason learned men are so much esteemed in China for the difficultie there is to conceive them those only have the offices of Mandarins Governours Iudges and Captaines For this cause the fathers take great pains to instruct their children to reade and write There are many of these schooles where the children are taught where the masters teach them by day and the fathers at home by night so as they hurt their eyes much and they whippe them often with reedes although not so severely as they doe offenders They call it the Mandarin tongue which requires a mans age to be conceived And you must vnderstand that although the tongue which the Mandarins speake bee peculiar and different from the Vulgar which are many and that they studie it as they doe Latine Greeke heere and that the learned only throghout all China do vnderstand it so it is notwithstanding that all that is written in it is vnderstood in all tongues and although all the Provinces doe not vnderstand one another by speaking yet by writing they doe for there is but one sort of figures and characters for them all which signifie one thing but not the same word and prolation seeing as I have said they are onely to denote the things and not the worde as we may easily vnderstand by the examples of numbers in ciphering And they of Iappon the Chinois do reade and vnderstand well the writings one of another although they be divers Nations and different in tongue and language If they speake what they reade or write they should not bee vnderstood Such are the letters and bookes the Chinois vse being so famous in the world To make their impressions they grave a boord or plank with the figures they will print then do they stampe as many leaves of paper as they list of the same sort as they have made their pictures the which are graven in copper or wood But a man of iudgement may aske how they could signifie their conceptions by figures which approached neere or resemble the thing they would represent As to say the Sunne heats or that he hath beheld the Sunne or the day is of the Sunne Finally how it were possible to denote by the same figures the case the coniunction and the articles which are in many tongues and writings I answer therevnto that they distinguish and signifie this varietie by certaine points strikes and dispositions of the figure But it is difficult to vnderstand how they can write proper names in their tongue especially of strangers being things they have never seene and notable to invent figures proper vnto them I have made triall thereof being in Mexico with the Chinois willing them to write this proposition in their language Ioseph Acosta is come from Peru and such like wherevpon the Chinois was long pensive but in the end hee did write it the which other Chinois did after reade although they did vary a little in the pronountiation of the proper name For they vse this devise to write a proper name they seeke out something in their tongue that hath resemblance to that name and set downe the figure of this thing And as it is difficult among so many proper names to finde things to resemble them in the prolation so is it very difficult and troublesome to write such names Vpon this purpose father Allonso SancheZ told vs that when he was in China being led into divers Tribunall seates from Manderin to Manderin they were long in putting his name in writing in their Chapas yet in the end they did write it after their maner and so ridiculously that they scarce came neere to the name and this is the fashion of letters and writings which the Chinois vsed That of the Iapponois approched very neere although they affirme that the Noblemen of Iappon that came into Europe did write all things very easily in their language were they of our proper names yea I have had some of their writings shewed me whereby it seemes they should have some kinde of letters although the greatest part of their writings be by the characters and figures as hath bin saide of the Chinois Of the Schooles and Vniversities of China CHAP. 6. THe fathers of our company say that they have not seene in China any great schooles or vniversities of Philosophie and other naturall sciences beleeving there is not any but that all their studie is in the Mandarin tongue which is very ample and hard as I have said and what they studie bee things written in their owne tongue which be histories of sects and opinions of civill lawes of morall proverbes of fables and many other such compositions that depend thereon Of divine sciences they have no knowledge neither of naturall things but some small remainders of straied propositions without art or methode according to everie mans witte and studie As for the Mathematikes they have experience of the celestiall motions and of the starres And for Phisicke they have knowledge of herbs by means wherof they cure many diseases vse it much They write with pensils have many books writen with the hand and others printed but in a bad order They are great plaiers of come dies the which they perform with great
in Peru a confession of sinnes brought by an Indian written in the same forte with pictures and characters painting every one of the tenne Commandementes after a certaine manner where there were certaine markes like ciphers which were the sinnes hee had committed against the Commaundements I nothing doubt but if any of the most sufficient Spaniards were imployed to make memorialles of the like things by their images and markes they would not attaine vnto it in a whole yeare no not in tenne Of Registers and the manner of reckoning which the Indians of Peru vsed CHAP. 8. BEfore the Spaniardes came to the Indies they of Peru had no kinde of writing either letters characters ciphers or figures like to those of China and Mexico yet preserved they the memory of their Antiquities and maintaine an order in all their affairs of peace warre and pollicie for that they were carefull observers of traditions from one to another and the yoong ones learned and carefully kept as a holy thing what their superiors had tolde them and taught it with the like care to their posteritie Besides this diligence they supplied the want of letters and writings partely by painting as those of Mexico although they of Peru were very grose and blockish and partely and most commonly by Quippos These Quippos are memorialls or registers made of bowes in the which there are diverse knottes and colours which do signifie diverse things and it is strange to see what they have expressed and represented by this meanes for their Quippos serve them insteede of Bookes of histories of lawes ceremonies and accounts of their affaires There were officers appointed to keepe these Quippos the which at this day they call Quipocamayos the which were bound to give an account of every thing as Notaries and Registers doe heere Therefore they fully beleeved them in all things for according to the varietie of businesse as warres pollicie tributes ceremonies and landes there were sundry Quippos or braunches in every one of the which there were so many knottes little and great and strings tied vnto them some red some greene some blew some white and finally such diversitie that even as wee derive an infinite number of woordes from the foure and twenty letters applying them in diverse sortes so doe they drawe innumerable woordes from their knottes and diversitie of colours Which thing they doe in such a manner that if at this day in Peru any Commissary come at the end of two or three yeares to take information vppon the life of any officer the Indians come with their small reckonings verified saying that in such a village they have given him so many egges which hee hath not payed for in such a house a henne in an other two burdens of grasse for his horse and that he hath paied but so much mony and remaineth debtor so much The proofe being presently made with these numbers of knottes and handfulls of cords it remaines for a certaine testimony and register I did see a handfull of these strings wherein an Indian woman carried written a generall confession of all her life and thereby confessed herselfe as well as I could have done it in written paper I asked her what those strings meant that differed from the rest she aunswered mee they were certaine circumstaunces which the sin required to be fully confessed Beside these Quippos of thred they have an other as it were a kinde of writing with small stones by meanes whereof they learne punctually the words they desire to know by heart It is a pleasant thing to see the olde and the impotent with a wheele made of small stones learne the Pater noster with another the Ave Maria with another the Creede and to remember what stone signifies Which was conceived by the holy-ghost and which Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate It is a pleasant thing to see them correct themselves when they doe erre for all their correction consisteth onely in beholding of their small stones One of these wheeles were sufficient to make mee forget all that I do knowe by heart There are a great number of these wheeles in the Church-yardes for this purpose But it seemes a kinde of witchcraft to see an other kinde of Quippos which they make of graines of Mays for to cast vp a hard account wherein a good Arithmetitian would be troubled with his penne to make a division to see how much every one must contribute they do drawe so many graines from one side and adde so many to another with a thousand other inventions These Indians wil take their graines and place five of one side three of another and eight of another and wil change one graine of one side and three of another So as they finish a certaine account without erring in any poynt and they sooner submitte themselves to reason by these Quippos what every one ought to pay then we can do with the penne Hereby we may iudge if they have any vnderstanding or be brutish for my parte I think they passe vs in those things wherevnto they do apply themselves Of the order the Indians holde in their writings CHAP. 9. IT shal be good to adde heerevnto what we have observed touching the Indians writings for their maner was not to write with a continued line but from the toppe to the bottome or in circle-wise The Latines and Greeks do write from the left hand vnto the right which is the vulgar and common manner we do vse The Hebrewes contrariwise beganne at the right to the left and therefore their bookes beganne where ours did end The Chinois write neither like the Greeks nor like the Hebrews but from the toppe to the bottome for as they be no letters but whole wordes and that every figure and character signifieth a thing they have no neede to assemble the parts one with an other and therefore they may well write from the toppe to the bottome Those of Mexico for the same cause did not write in line from one side to another but contrarie to the Chinois beginning below they mounted vpward They vsed this maner of writing in the account of their daies and other things which they observed Yet when they did write in their wheels or signes they beganne from the middest where the Sunne was figured and so mounted by their yeeres vnto the round and circumference of the wheele To conclude wee finde foure different kindes of writings some writte from the right to the left others from the left to the right some from the toppe to the bottome and others from the foote to the toppe wherein wee may discover the diversity of mans iudgement How the Indians dispatched their Messengers CHAP. 10. TO finish the maner they had of writing some may with reason doubt how the Kings of Mexico and Peru had intelligence from all those realmes that were so great or by what meanes they could dispatch their affaires in Court seeing they had no vse of any letters nor to write pacquets wherein
we may be satisfied of this doubt when we vnderstand that by wordes pictures and these memorialles they were often advertised of that which passed For this cause there were men of great agilitie which served as curriers to goe and come whome they did nourish in this exercise of running from their youth labouring to have them well breathed that they might runne to the toppe of a high hill without wearines And therefore in Mexico they gave the prize to three or foure that first mounted vp the staires of the Temple as hath beene said in the former Booke And in Cusco when they made their solemne feast of Capacrayme the novices did runne who could fastest vp the rocke of Ynacauri And the exercise of running is generall much vsed among the Indians Whenas there chaunced any matter of importaunce they sent vnto the Lordes of Mexico the thing painted whereof they would advertise them as they did when the first Spanish ships appeared to their â—ight when they tooke Topanchan In Peru they were very curious of footemen and the Ingua had them in all parts of the realme as ordinary Posts called Chasquis whereof shall be spoken in his place Of the manner of governement and of the Kings which the Indians had CHAP. 11. IT is apparant that the thing wherein these barbarous people shew their barbarisme was in their governement and manner of commaund for the more that men approch to reason the more milde is their governement and lesse insolent the Kings and Lords are more tractable agreeing better with their subiects acknowledging them equall in nature though inferiour in duetie and care of the commonwealth But amongst the Barbarians all is contrary for that their government is tyrannous vsing their subiects like beasts and seeking to be reverenced like gods For this occasion many nations of the Indies have not indured any Kings or absolute soveraigne Lords but live in comminalties creating and appointing Captains and Princes for certaine occasions onely to whome they obey during the time of their charge then after they returne to their former estates The greatest part of this new world where there are no settled kingdomes nor established commonweales neither princes nor succeeding kings they governe themselves in this manner although there be some Lordes and principall men raised above the common sort In this sorte the whole Countrey of Chille is governed where the Auracanes those of Teucapell and others have so many yeeres resisted the Spaniardes And in like sort all the new kingdome of Grenadâ— that of Guatimalla the Ilandes all Florida Bresill Lâ—sâ—â— and other countries of great circuite but that in some places they are yet more barbarous scarcely acknowledging any head but all commaund and governe in common having no other thing but wil violence industry and disorder so as he that most may most commaunds At the East Indies there are great kingdomes well ordered and governed as that of Sian Bisnaga and others which may bring to field when they please a hundred or two hundred thousand men As likewise the Kingdome of China the which in greatnes and power surpasseth all the rest whose kings as they report have continued above two thousand yeares by meanes of their good order and government But at the West Indies they have onely found two Kingdomes or setled Empires that of the Mexicaines in new Spaine and of the Inguas in Peru. It is not easie to be said which of the two was the mightiest Kingdome for that Motecuma exceeded them of Peru in buildings and in the greatnes of his court but the Inguas did likewise exceede the Mexicaines in treasure riches and greatnes of Provinces In regarde of antiquitie the Monarchie of the Inguas hath the advantage although it be not much and in my opinion they have beene equall in feates of armes and victories It is most certaine that these two Kingdomes have much exceeded all the Indian Provinces discovered in this new world as well in good order and government as in power and wealth and much more in superstition and service of their idolls having many things like one to an other But in one thing they differed much for among the Mexicaines the succession of the kingdome was by election as the Empire of the Romans and that of Peru was hereditarie and they succeeded in bloud as the Kingdomes of Fraunce and Spaine I will therefore heereafter treate of these two governments as the chiefe subiect and best knowne amongst the Indians being fit for this discourse leaving many and tedious things which are not of importance Of the Government of the Kings and Inguas of Peru. CHAP. 12. THe Ingua which ruled in Peru being dead his lawfull sonne succeeded him and so they held him that was borne of his chiefe wife whome they called Coya The which they have alwaies observed since the time of an Ingua calld Yupangui who married his sister for these Kings held it an honour to marry their sisters And although they had other wives and concubines yet the succession of the Kingdome appertained to the sonne of the Coya It is true that when the King had a legitimate brother he succeeded before the sonne and after him his nephew and sonne to the first The Curacas and Noblemen held the same order of succession in their goods and offices And after their maner they made excessive ceremonies and obsequies for the dead They observed one custome very great full of state that a King which entred newly into his Kingdome should not inherite any thing of the movables implements and treasure of his predecessour but hee must furnish his house new and gather together gold silver and other things necessarie not touching any thing of the deceased the which was wholy dedicated for his Oratorie or Guaca and for the entertainment of the family he left the which with his of-spring was alwaies busied at the sacrifices ceremonies and service of the deceased King for being dead they presently held him for a god making sacrifices vnto him images and such like By this meanes there was infinite treasure in Peru for every one of the Inguas had laboured to have his Oratorie and treasure surpasse that of his predecessors The marke or ensigne whereby they took possession of the realme was a red rowle of wooll more fine then silke the which hung in the middest of his forehead and none but the Ingua alone might weare it for that it was as a Crowne and royall Diademe yet they might lawfully weare a rowle hanging on the one side neere vnto the eare as some Noblemen did but onely the Ingua might carry it in the middest of his forehead At such time as they tooke this roule or wreathe they made solemne feasts and many sacrifices with a great quantity of vessell of gold and silver a great number of small formes or images of sheep made of gold and silver great abundance of the stuffes of Cumby well wrought both fine and courser many
payed no tribute of that which was apportioned vnto them For all their tribute was to till and keepe in good order the landes of the Ingua and the Guacas and to lay the fruits thereof in their store-houses When the yeare was barren they gave of these fruits thus reserved to the needy for that there is alwayes superaboundance The Ingua did likewise make destribution of the cattell as of the landes which was to number and divide them then to appoynt the pastures and limites for the cattell belonging to the Guacas and to the Ingua and to everie Towne and therefore one portion of their revenues was for religion another for the Ingua the third for the Indians themselves The like order was observed among the hunters being forbidden to take or kill any females The troups of the Inguas and Guacas were in great numbers and very fruitfull for this cause they called them Capaëllama but those of the common and publike were few in number and of small valew and therfore they called them Bacchallama The Ingua took great care for the preservation of cattell for that it hath beene and is yet all the wealth of the Countrey and as it is sayd they did neither sacrifice any females nor kill them neither did they take them when they hunted If the mangie or the scurvie which they call Carache take any beast they were presently commaunded to bury it quicke lest it should infect others They did sheare their cattell in their season and distributed to every one to spinne and weave stuffes for the service of his familie They had searchers to examine if they did employ themselves in these workes and to punish the negligent They made stuffes of the wooll of the Inguas cattell for him and for his family one sorte very fine which they called Cumbi and another grosser which they likewise called Abasca There was no certaine number of these stuffes and garments appointed but what was delivered to every one The wooll that remayned was put into the storehouses whereof the Spaniards found them ful and with all other things necessary for the life of man There are few men of iudgement but doe admire at so excellent and well settled a governement seeing the Indians being neyther religious nor christians maintained after their manner this perfection nor to holde any thing proper and to provide for all their necessities entertaining with such aboundance matters of religion and that which concerned their King and Lord. Of artes and offices which the Indians did exercise CHAP. 16. THe Indians of Peru had one perfection which was to teach their young children all artes and occupations necessary for the life of man for that there were no particular trades-men as amongest vs taylers shoomakers weavers and the rest but every one learned what was needefull for their persons and houses and provided for themselves All coulde weave and make their garments and therfore the Ingua furnishing them with wooll gave them clothes Every man could till the ground and put it to profite without hyring of any labourers All built their owne houses and the women vnderstoode most they were not bred vppe in delights but served their husbands carefully Other arts and trades which were not ordinary and common for the life of man had their proper companies and workmen as goldsmiths painters potters watermen and players of instruments There were also weavers and workemen for exquisite workes which the noblemen vsed but the common people as hath beene said had in their houses all things necessary having no need to buy This continues to this day so as they have no need one of another for things necessary touching his person and family as shooes and garments and for their house to sowe and reape and to make yron woorkes and necessary instruments the Indians heerein doe imitate the institutions of the lesse auntient whereof is intreated in the life of the Fathers In trueth it is a people not greatly covetous nor curious so as they are contented to passe their time quietly and without doubt if they made choise of this manner of life by election and not by custome or nature we may say that it was a life of great perfection being apt to receive the doctrine of the holy Gospel so contrary an enimy to pride covetousnes and delights But the preachers give not alwayes good example according to the doctrine they preach to the Indians It is woorthy observation although the Indians be simple in their manner and habites yet do we see great diversitie amongest the provinces especially in the attire of their head for in some places they carried a long peece of cloth which went often about in some places a large piece of cloth which went but once about in some parts as it were litle morters or hattes in some others as it were high and round bonets some like the bottome of sacks with a thousand other differences They had a straight and inviolable lawe that no man might change the fashion of the garments of his province although hee went to live in another This the Ingua held to be of great importance for the order and good governement of his realme and they doe observe it to this day though not with so great a care as they were accustomed Of the Posts and Chasquis the Indians did use CHAP. 17. THere were many Posts and couriers which the Ingua maintened throughout his realme whom they called Chasquis and they carried commaundements to the Governours and returned their advises and advertisements to the Court These Chasquis were placed at every course which was a league and a halfe one fro an other in twoo small houses where were foure Indians of every country and they were changed monthly Having received the packet or message they ranne with all their force vntill they had delivered it to the other Chasquis such as were to runne being ready and watchfull They ranne fifty leagues in a day and night although the greatest parte of that countrey be very rough They served also to carry such things as the Ingua desired to have with speede Therefore they had always sea-fish in Cusco of two dayes old or litle more although it were above a hundred leagues off Since the Spaniardes entred they have vsed of these Chasquis in time of seditions whereof there was great need Don Martin the viceroy appoynted ordinary posts at everie foure leagues to carry and recarry dispatches which were very necessary in this realme though they runne not so swiftly as the auntients did neither are there so many yet they are well payed and serve as the ordinaries of Spaine to whom they give letters which they carry foure or five leagues Of the iustice lawes and punishments which the Inguas have established and of their marriages CHAP. 18. EVen as such as had done any good service in warre or in the governement of the common-weale were honoured and recompensed with publike charges with lands given them
last Successours Inguas CHAP. 23. THe rest of this subiect is handled at large by the Spanish Writers in the histories of the Indies and for that it is not my purpose I will speake only of the succession of the Inguas Atahulpa being dead in Xaxamalca and Guascar in Cusco and Francis Pizarre with his people having seised on the realme Mangocapa sonne to Guaynacapa besieged them in Cusco very straightly but in the end he abandoned the whole Countrey and retired himselfe to Vilca Bamba where he kept himselfe in the mountaines by reason of the rough and difficult accesse and there the successors Inguas remained vntill Amaro who was taken and executed in the market place of Cusco to the Indians incredible griefe and sorrow seeing iustice doone vpon him publiquely whome they helde for their Lorde After which time they imprisoned others of the linage of these Inguas I have knowne Don Charles grand-childe to Guaynacapa and son to Polo who was baptized and alwayes favoured the Spaniards against Mangocapa his brother when the Marquise of Canette governed in this Countrey Sarritopaingua went from Vilcabamba and came vpon assurance to the citty of Kings where there was given to him the valley of Yucay and other things to whom succeeded a daughter of his Beholde the succession which is knowne at this day of that great and rich familie of the Inguas whose raigne continued above three hundred yeeres wherein they reckon eleaven successors vntill it was wholy extinguished In the other linage of Vrincusco which as we have said before had his beginning likewise from the first Mangocapa they reckon eight successors in this sort To Mangocapa succeeded Cinchoraca to him Capac Yupangui to him Lluqui Yupangui to him Maytacapaest Tarcogumam vnto whome succeeded his sonne whome they name not to this son succeeded Don Iean Tambo Maytapanaça This sufficeth for the originall and succession of the Inguas that governed the land of Peru with that that I have spoken of their Lawes Governement and manner of life Of the manner of the Mexicaines common-weale CHAP. 24. ALthough you may see by the historie which shal be written of the kingdome succession beginning of the Mexicaines their maner of commonweale and governement yet will I speake briefly what I shall thinke fitte in generall to be most observed Whereof I will discourse more amply in the historie The first point whereby we may iudge the Mexicaine governement to be very politike is the order they had and kept inviolable in the election of their king for since their first called Acamapach vnto their last which was Moteçuma the second of that name there came none to the crowne by right of succession but by a lawfull nomination and election This election in the beginning was by the voyce of the commons although the chiefe men managed it Since in the time of Iscoalt the fourth king by the advise and order of a wise and valiant man called Tlacael there were foure certayne Electours appoynted which with two lordes or kings subiect to the Mexicaine the one of Tescuco and the other of Tucuba had power to make this election They did commonly choose yoongmen for their kings because they went alwayes to the warres and this was in a manner the chiefe cause why they desired them so They had a speciall regard that they shoulde be fit for the warres and take delight and glory therein After the election they made twoo kindes of feasts the one in taking possession of the royall estate for the which they went to the Temple making great ceremonies and sacrifices vppon the harth called Divine where there was a continuall fire before the Altare of the idoll and after some Rhethoritians practised therein made many Orations and Speeches The other feast and the most solempne was at his coronation for the which he must first overcome in battell and bring a certaine number of captives which they must sacrifice to their gods he entred in triumph with great pompe making him a solempne reception aswell they of the Temple who went all in procession sounding on sundry sortes of instruments giving incense and singing like Secular men as also the Courtiers who came forth with their devises to receive the victorious king The Crowne or royall ensigne was before like to a Myter and behinde it was cut so as it was not round for the fore parte was higher and did rise like a poynt The king of Tescuco had the privilege to crown the king of Mexico The Mexicaines have beene very duetifull and loyall vnto their kings and it hath not beene knowne that they have practised any treason against them onely their Histories report that they sought to poison their king called Ticocic being a coward and of small account but it is not found that there hath beene any dissentions or partialities amongest them for ambition thogh it be an ordinary thing in Comminalties but contrariwise they reporte as you shall see heereafter that a man the best of the Mexicaines refused this realme seeming vnto him to be very expedient for the Common-weale to have an other king In the beginning when the Mexicaines were but poore and weake the kings were very moderate in their expenses and in their Court but as they increased in power they increased likewise in pompe and state vntill they came to the greatnesse of Moteçuma who if hee had had no other thing but his house of beasts and birds it had beene a prowde thing the like whereof hath not beene seene for there was in this house all sortes of fish birds of Xacamamas and beasts as in an other Noahs Arke for sea fish there were pooles of salt-water and for river fish lakes of fresh-water birds that do prey were fedde and likewise wilde beasts in great aboundaunce there were very many Indians imployed for the keeping of these beasts and when he found an impossibilitie to nourish any sort of fish fowle or wilde beast hee caused the image or likenesse to be made richly cutte in pretious stones silver or golde in marble or in stone and for all sortes of entertainements hee had his severall houses and pallaces some of pleasure others of sorrowe and mourning and others to treate of the affairs of the realme There was in this pallace many chambers according to the qualitie of noble men that served him with a strange order and distinction Of the titles and dignities the Indians vsed CHAP. 25. THe Mexicaines have beene very curious to divide the degrees and dignities amongst the Noble men and Lords that they might distinguish them to whom they were to give the greatest honour The dignity of these foure Electors was the greatest and most honourable next to the king and they were chosen presently after the kings election They were commonly brothers or very neare kinsmen to the king and were called Tlacohecalcalt which signifies prince of darts the which they cast being a kind of armes they vse much The next dignitie to this
were those they doe call Tlacatecati which is to say circumcisers or cutters of men The third dignitie were of those which they called EZuahuacalt which signifies a sheader of blood All the which Titles and Dignities were exercised by men of warre There was another a fourth intituled Tlilancalqui which is as much to say as Lord of the blacke house or of darkenesse by reason of certaine incke wherewith the Priests annoynted themselves and did serve in their idolatries All these foure dignities were of the great Counsell without whose advise the king might not doe any thing of importance and the king being dead they were to choose another in his place out of one of those foure dignities Besides these there were other Counsells and Audiences and some say there were as many as in Spaine and that there were divers seates and iurisdictions with their Counsellers and Iudges of the Court and oâ—hers that were vnder them as Corrigidors chiefe Iudges captaines of Iustice Lievetenants and others which were yet inferiour to these with a very goodly order All which depended on the foure first Princes that assisted the king These foure onely had authoritie and power to condemne to death and the rest sent them instructions of the sentences they had given By meanes whereof they gave the king to vnderstand what had passed in his Realme There was a good order and settled policie for the revenues of the Crowne for there were officers divided throughout all the provinces as Receivers and Treasurers which received the Tributes and royall revenews And they carried the Tribute to the Court at the least every moneth which Tribute was of all things that doe growe or ingender on the land or in the water aswell of iewells and apparrell as of mear They were very carefull for the well ordering of that which concerned their religion superstition and idolatries and for this occasion there were a great number of Ministers to whom charge was given to teach the people the custome and ceremonies of their Lawe Heerevppon one day a christian Priest made his complaint that the Indians were no good Christians and did not profite in the lawe of God an olde Indian answered him very well to the purpose in these termes Let the Priest saide hee imploy as much care and diligence to make the Indians christians as the ministers of Idolles did to teach them their ceremonies for with halfe that care they will make vs the best christians in the worlde for that the lawe of Iesus Christ is much better but the Indians learne it not for want of men to instruct them Wherein hee spake the very trueth to our great shame and confusion How the Mexicaines made Warre and of their Orders of Knighthood CHAP. 26. THe Mexicaines gave the first place of honour to the profession of armes and therefore the Noblemen are their chiefe souldiers and others that were not noble by their valour and reputation gotten in warres came to dignities and honours so as they were held for noblemen They gave goodly recompences to such as had done valiantly who inioyed priviledgeâ— that none else might have the which did much incourage them Their armes were of rasors of sharpe cutting flints which they set on either side of a staffe which was so furious a weapon as they affirmed that with one blow they would cut off the necke of a horse They had strange and heavy clubbes lances fashioned like pikes and other maner of dartes to cast wherein they were very expert but the greatest part of their combate was performed with stones For defensive armes they had little rondaches or targets and some kind of morions or head-peeces invironed with feathers They were clad in the skinnes of Tigres Lions and other sauage beasts They came presently to hands with the enemie and were greatly practised to runne and wrestle for their chiefe maner of combate was not so much to kill as to take captives the which they vsed in their sacrifices as hath beene saide Moteçuma set Knighthood in his highest splendor ordaining certaine militarie orders as Commanders with certaine markes and ensignes The most honourable amongest the Knightes were those that carried the Crowne of their haire tied with a little red ribband having a rich plume of feathers from the which did hang branches of feathers vpon their shoulders roules of the same They carried so many of these rowles as they had done worthy deedes in warre The King himselfe was of this order as may be seene in Chapultepec where Moteçuma and his sonnes were attyred with those kindes of feathers cut in the rocke the which is worthy the sight There was another order of Knighthood which they called the Lions and the Tigres the which were commonly the most valiant and most noted in warre they went alwaies with their markes and armories There were other Knightes as the grey Knightes the which were not so much respected as the rest they had their haire cut round about the eare They went to the war with markes like to the other Knightes yet they were not armed but to the girdle and the most honourable were armed all over All Knightes might carry golde and silver and weare rich cotton vse painted and gilt vessell and carry shooes after their maner but the common people might vse none but earthen vessell neyther might they carry shooes nor attyre themselves but in Nequen the which is a grosse stuffe Every order of these Knightes had his lodging in the pallace noted with their markes the first was called the Princes lodging the second of Eagles the third of Lions and Tigres and the fourth of the grey Knightes The other common officers were lodged vnderneath in meaner lodgings if any one lodged out of his place he suffred death Of the great order and dilligence the Mexicaines vsed to instruct their youth CHAP. 27. THere is nothing that gives me more cause to admire nor that I finde more worthy of commendations and memory then the order and care the Mexicaines had to nourish their youth for they knew well that all the good hope of a common-weale consisted in the nurture and institution of youth whereof Plato treates amply in his bookes De Legibus and for this reason they laboured and tooke paines to sequester their children from delights and liberties which are the two plagues of this age imploying them in honest and profitable exercises For this cause there was in their Temples a private house for childeren as schooles or colledges which was seperate from that of the yong men and maides of the Temple whereof we have discoursed at largee There were in these schooles a great number of children whom their fathers did willingly bring thither and which had teachers and masters to instruct them in all commendable exercises to be of good behaviour to respect their superiors to serve and obey them giving them to this end certaine precepts and instructions And to the end they might be pleasing to Noblemen
neere to the instruments wherein the Auntients and Noblemen did sing and daunce with a softe and slowe motion and the other was of the rest of the people round about them but a good distance from the first wherein they daunced two and two more lightly making diverse kindes of pases with certaine leapes to the measure All which together made a very great circle They attired themselves for these dances with their most pretious apparrell and iewelles every one according to his abilitie holding it for a very honorable thing for this cause they learned these daunces from their infancie And although the greatest parte of them were doone in honor of their Idolles yet was it not so instituted as hath bin said but only as a recreation and pastime for the people Therefore it is not convenient to take them quite from the Indians but they must take good heed they mingle not their superstitions amongest them I have seene this Mittotte in the court of the Church of Topetzotlan a village seaven leagues from Mexico and in my opinion it was a good thing to busie the Indians vpon festivall dayes seeing they have neede of some recreation and because it is publike and without the preiudice of any other there is lesse inconvenience than in others which may be done privately by themselves if they tooke away these We must therfore conclude folowing the counsel of pope Gregory that it was very convenient to leave vnto the Indians that which they have had vsually of custom so as they be not mingled nor corrupt with their antient errors that their feasts and pastimes may be to the honor of God and of the Saints whose feasts they celebrate This may suffice in generall of the maners and politike customes of the Mexicaines And as for their beginning increase and Empire for that it is an ample matter and will be pleasant to vnderstand from the beginning we will intreate thereof in the Booke following THE SEVENTH BOOKE of the Naturall and Morall Historie of the Indies That it is profitable to vnderstand the actes and geasts of the Indians especially of the Mexicaines CHAP. 1. EVery History wel written is profitable to the reader For as the Wise man saith That which hath bin is and that which shall be is that which hath beene Humane things have much resemblance in themselves and some growe wiâ—e by that which happneth to others There is no Nation how barbarous soever that have not something in them good and woorthy of commendation nor Commonweale so well ordered that hath not something blame-worthy and to be â—â—nâ—rollâ—d If therefore there were no other fruite in the Historic and Narration of the deedes and gests of the Indians but this common vtilitie to be a Relation or Historiâ— of things the which in the effect of truth have happened it deserveth to be received as a profitable thing neither ought it to be reiected for that it concernes the Indians As we see that those Authors that treate of naturall things write not onely of generous beasts notable and rare plants and of pretious stones but also of wilde beasts common hearbs and base and vulgar stones for that there is alwayes in them some properties worthy observation If therefore there were nothing else in this Discourse but that it is a Historie and no fables nor fictions it were no unwoorthy subiect to be written or read There is yet an other more particular reason which is that wee ought heerein to esteeme that which is woorthy of memorie both for that it is a Nation little esteemed and also a subiect different from that of our Europe as these Nations be wherein wee should take most pleasure and content to vnderstand the ground of their beginning their maner of life with their happy and vnhappy adventures And this subiect is not onely pleasant and agreeable but also profitable especially to such as have the charge to rule and governe them for the knowledge of their acts invites vs to give credite and dooth partely teach howe they ought to be intreated yea it takes away much of that common and foolish contempt wherein they of Europe holde them supposing that those Nations have no feeling of reason For in trueth wee can not cleere this errour better than by the true report of the actes and deedes of this people I will therefore as briefely as I can intreate of the beginning proceedings and notable deedes of the Mexicaines whereby wee may know the time and the disposition that the high God woulde choose to send vnto these Nations the light of the Gospel of Iesus Christ his only sonne our Lord whome I beseech to second our small labour that it may be to the glory of his Divine greatnes and some profite to these people to whome hee hath imparted the lawe of his holy gospel Of the antient Inhabitants of New Spaine and how the Navatlacas came thither CHAP. 2. THe antient and first Inhabitants of those provinces which wee call New Spaine were men very barbarous and savage which lived onely by hunting for this reason they were called Chichimecas They did neither sowe nor till the ground neither lived they together for all their exercise was to hunt wherein they were very expert They lived in the roughest partes of the mountaines beastlike without any pollicie and they went all naked They hunted wilde beasts hares connies weezles mowles wilde cattes and birdes yea vncleane beasts as snakes lizards locusts and wormes whereon they fed with some hearbs and rootes They slept in the mountaines in caves and in bushes and the wives likewise went a hunting with their husbandes leaving their yoong children in a little panier of reeds tied to the boughs of a tree which desired not to suck â—ntill they were returned from hunting They had no superiors nor did acknowledge or worship any gods neyther hadde any manner of ceremonies or religion There is yet to this day in New Spaine of this kinde of people which live by their bowes and arrowes the which are very hurtfull for that they gather together in troupes to doe mischiefe and to robbe neither can the Spaniards by force or cunning reduce them to any policie or obedience for having no townes nor places of residence to sight with them were properly to hunt after savage beasts which scatter and hide themselves in the most rough and covered places of the mountaines Such is their maner of living eveâ— to this day in many Provinces of the Indies In the Bookes De procuranda Indiorum salute they discourse chiefly of this sort of Indians where it is saide that they are to be constrained and subiected by some honest force and that it is necessary first to teach them that they are men and then to be Christians Some will say that those in New Spaine which they call Ottomies were of this sort being commonly poore Indians inhabiting a rough and barren land and yet they are in good numbers and live
subdued the city of Cuitlavaca with children the news and consideration whereof opened the eyes of those of Tescâ—co a chiefe and very cunning Nation for their manner of life So as the king of Tescuco was first of opinion that they should subiect themselves to the king of Mexico and invite him therevnto with his cittie Therefore by the advise of his Counsell they sent Ambassadors good Orators with honorable presents to offer themselves vnto the Mexicans as their subiects desiring peace and amitie which was gratiously accepted but by the advise of Tlacaellec he vsed a ceremony for the effecting thereof which was that those of Tescuco should come forth armed against the Mexicans where they should fight and presently yeelde which was an act and ceremony of warre without any effusion of bloud on either side Thus the king of Mexico became soveraigne Lord of Tescuco but hee tooke not their king from them but made him of his privie counsell so as they have alwayes maintained themselves in this manner vntill the time of Motecuma the second during whose raigne the Spaniards entred Having subdued the land and citty of Tescuco Mexico remained Lady and Mistris of all the landes and citties about the Lake where it is built Izcoalt having enioyed this prosperitie and raigned twelve yeeres died leaving the realme which had beene given him much augmented by the valour and counsell of his nephew Tlacaellec as hath afore beene saide who held it best to choose an other king then himselfe as shall heereafter be shewed Of the fift King of Mexico called Moteçuma the first of that name CHAP. 16. FOrasmuch as the election of the new King belonged to foure chiefe Electors as hath been said and to the King of Tescuco and the King of Tacubu by especiall priviledge Tlacaellec assembled these six personages as he that had the soveraigne authoritie and having propounded the matter vnto them they made choise of Moteçuma the first of that name nephew to the same Tlacaellec His election was very pleasing to them all by reason whereof they made most solemne feasts and more stately then the former Presently after his election they conducted him to the Temple with a great traine where before the divine harth as they call it where there is continuall fire they set him in his royall throne putting vpon him his royall ornaments Being there the King drew blood from his eares and legges with a griffons tallents which was the sacrifice wherein the divell delighted to be honoured The Priests Antients and Captaines made their orations all congratulating his election They were accustomed in their elections to make great feasts and dances where they wasted many lightes In this Kings time the custome was brought in that the King should go in person to make warre in some province and bring captives to solemnize the feast of his coronation and for the solemne sacrifices of that day For this cause King Moteçuma went into the province of Chalco who had declared themselves his enemies from whence having fought valiantly he brought a great number of captives whereof he did make a notable sacrifice the day of his coronation although at that time he did not subdue all the province of Chalco being a very warlike nation Many came to this coronation from divers provinces as well neere as farre off to see the feast at the which all commers were very bountifully entertained and clad especially the poore to whom they gave new garments For this cause they brought that day into the Cittie the Kings tributes with a goodly order which consisted in stuffes to make garments of all sorts in Cacao gold silver rich feathers great burthens of cotten cucumbers sundry sortes of pulses many kindes of sea fish and of the fresh water great store of fruites and venison without number not reckoning an infinite number of presents which other kings and Lords sent to the new king All this tribute marched in order according to the provinces and before them the stewards and receivers with divers markes and ensignes in very goodly order so as it was one of the goodliest things of the feast to see the entry of the tribute The King being crowned he imploied himselfe in the conquest of many provinces and for that he was both valiant and vertuous hee still increased more and moâ—e vsing in all his affaires the counsell and industry of his generall Tlacaellec whom he did alwaies love and esteeme very much as hee had good reason The warre wherein hee was most troubled and of greatest difficultie was that of the province of Chalco wherein there happened great matters whereof one was very remarkable which was that they of Chalcas had taken a brother of Moteçumaâ—s in the warres whome they resolved to choose for their king asking him very curteously if he would accept of this charge He answered after much importunity still persisting therein that if they meant plainely to choose him for their king they should plant in the market place a tree or very high stake on the toppe whereof they should make a little scaffold and meanes to mount vnto it The Chalcas supposing it had beene some ceremony to make himselfe more apparent presently effected it then assembling all his Mexicaines about the stake he went to the toppe with a garland of flowers in his hand speaking to his men in this maner O valiant Mexicaines these men will choose mee for their King but the gods will not permit that to be a King I should committee any treason against my countrie but contrariwise I wil that you learne by me that it behoveth vs rather to indure death then to ayde our enemies Saying these words he cast himselfe downe and was broken in a thousand peeces at which spectacle the Chalcas had so great horror and dispits that presently they fell vpon the Mexicaines and slew them all with their launces as men whom they held too prowde and inexorable saying they had divelish hearts It chanced the night following they heard two owles making a mornefull cry which they did interpret as an vnfortunate signe and a presage of their neere destruction as it succeeded for King Moteçuma went against them in person with all his power where he vanquished them and ruined all their kingdome and passing beyond the mountaine Meâ—ade hee conquered still even vnto the North sea Then returning towards the South sea hee subdued many provinces so as he became a mighty King all by the helpe and counsell of Tlacaellec who in a manner conquered all the Mexicaine nation Yet hee held an opinion the which was confirmed that it was not behoovefull to conquer the province of Tlascalla that the Mexicaines might have a fronter enemy to keepe the youth of Mexico in exercise and allarme and that they might have numbers of captives to sacrifice to their idols wherein they did waste as hath beene said infinite numbers of men which should bee taken by force in the warres The honour must be given to
Moteçuma or to speake truly to Tlacaellec his Generall for the good order and policy setled in the realme of Mexico as also for the counsells and goodly enterprises which they did execute and likewise for the numbers of Iudges and Magistrates being as well ordered there as in any common-weale yea were it in the most flourishing of Europe This King did also greatly increase the Kings house giving it great authoritie and appointing many and sundry officers which served him with great pompe and ceremony Hee was no lesse remarkable touching the devotion and service of his idolls increasing the number of his Ministers and instituting new ceremonies wherevnto hee carried a great respect Hee built that great temple dedicated to their god Vitziliputzli whereof is spoken in the other booke He did sacrifice at the dedication of this temple a great number of men taken in sundry victories finally inioying his Empire in great prosperitie hee fell sicke and died having raigned twenty eight yeares 〈◊〉 to his successor Ticociâ— who did not resemble him neither in valour nor in good fortune How Tlacaellec refused to be King and of the election and deedes of Ticocic CHAP. 17. THE foure Deputies assembled in counsell with the lords of Tcscucâ— Tacuba where Tlacaellec was President in the election where by all their voices Tlacaellec was chosen as deserving this charge better then any other Yet he refused it perswading them by pertinent reasons that they shuld choose another saying that it was better and more expedient to have another king and he to be his instrument and assistant as hee had beene till then and not to lay the whole burthen vpon him for that he held himselfe no lesse bound for the Common-weale then if hee were king It is a rare thing to refuse principalitie and commaund and to indure the paine and the care and not to reape the honour There are few that will yeeld vp the power and authority which they may hold were it profitable to the common-weale This Barbarian did heerein exceed the wisest amongst the Greekes and Romans and it may be a lesson to Alexander and Iulius Caesar whereof the one held it little to command the whole world putting his most deere and faithfull servants to death vpon some small iealosies of rule and empire and the other declared himselfe enemy to his country saying that if it were lawfull to do any thing against law and reason it was for a kingdome such is the thirst and desire of commaund Although this acte of Tlacaelâ—eâ—â— might well proceede from too great a confidence of himselfe seeming to him though he were not king yet in a maner that he commanded kings suffering him to carry certaine markes as a Tiara or ornament for the head which belonged onely to themselves Yet this act deserves greater commendation and to be well considered of in that he held opinion to be better able to serve his Common-weale as a subiect then being a soveraigne Lord. And as in a comedie he deserves most commendation that represents the personage that importes most bee it of a sheepheard or a peasant and leaves the King or Captaine to him that can performe it So in good Philosophy men ought to have a special regard to the common good and apply themselves to that office and place which they best vnderstand But this philosophie is farre from that which is practised at this day But let vs returne to our discourse and say that in recompence of his modestie and for the respect which the Mexicaine Electors bare him they demanded of Tlacaellec that seeing hee would not raigne whom he thought most fit Wherevpon hee gave his voice to a sonne of the deceased king who was then very yong called Ticocic but they replied that his shoulders were very weake to beare so heavy a burthen Tlacaellec answered that his were there to helpe him to beare the burthen as he had done to the deceased by meanes whereof they tooke their resolution and Ticoâ—ic was chosen to whom were done all the accustomed ceremonies They pierced his nosthrils and for an ornament put an Emerald therein and for this reason in the Mexicane bookes this king is noted by his nosthrills pierced Hee differed much from his father and predecessor being noted for a coward and not valiant He went to make warre for his coronation in a province that was rebelled where he lost more of his own men then hee tooke captives yet he returned saying that hee brought the number of captives required for the sacrifice of his coronation and so hee was crowned with great solemnitie But the Mexicaines discontented to have a king so little disposed to warre practised to hasten his death by poison For this cause hee continued not above foure yeares in the kingdome whereby wee see that the children do not alwaies follow the blood and valour of their fathers and the greater the glorie of the predecessors hath beene the more odious is the weakenes and cowardise of such that succeed them in command and not in merit But this losse was well repaired by a brother of the deceased who was also sonne to great Moteçuma called Axayaca who was likewise chosen by the advice of Tlacacllec wherein hee happened better then before Of the death of Tlacaellec and the deedes of Axayaca the seventh King of Mexicaines CHAP. 18. NOw was Tlacaellec very old who by reason of his age he was carried in a chaire vpon mens shoulders to assist in counsell when busines required In the end hee fell sicke whenas the king who was not yet crowned did visit him often sheading many teares seeming to loose in him his father and the father of his countrie Tlacaellec did most affectionately recommend his children vnto him especially the eldest who had shewed himselfe valiant in the former warres The king promised to have regard vnto him and the more to comfort the olde man in his presence he gave him the charge and ensignes of Captaine Generall with all the preheminences of his father wherewith the olde man remained so well satisfied as with this content he ended his daies If hee had not passed to another life they might have held themselves very happy seeing that of so poore and small a cittie wherein hee was borne he established by his valour and magnanimitie so great so rich and so potent a kingdome The Mexicans made his funerall as the founder of that Empire more sumptuous and stately then they had done to any of their former kings And presently after Axayaca to appease the sorrow which all the people of Mexico shewed for the death of their captaine he resolved to make the voyage necessary for his coronation Hee therefore led his army with great expedition into the province of Tequantepec two hundred leagues from Mexico where he gave battaile to a mighty army and an infinite number of men assembled together as well out of that province as from their neighbours to oppose themselves against the Mexicans
of water which they of Cuyoacan vsed For this cause he called the chiefe man of the cittie vnto him being a famous sorcerer having propounded his meaning vnto him the sorcerer wished him to be well advised what hee did being a matter of great difficulty and that hee vnderstoode if he drew the river out of her ordinary course making it passe to Mexico hee would drowne the citty The king supposed these excuses were but to frustrate the effect of his desseigne being therefore in choler he dismissed him home and a few dayes after hee sent a provost to Cuyoacan to take this Sorcerer who having vnderstanding for what intent the kings officers came hee caused them to enter his house and then he presented himself vnto them in the forme of a terrible Eagle wherewith the provost and his companions being terrified they returned without taking him AutZol incensed herewith sent others to whome hee presented himselfe in forme of a furious tygre so as they durst not touch him The third came and they found him in the forme of a horrible serpent whereat they were much afraide The king mooved the more with these dooings sent to tell them of Cuyoacan that if they brought not the sorcerer bound vnto him he would raze their citty For feare whereof or whether it were of his owne free will or being forced by the people he suffered himselfe to be led to the king who presently caused him to be strangled and then did he put his resolution in practise forcing a chanell whereby the water might passe to Mexico whereby hee brought a great current of water into the Lake which they brought with great ceremonies and superstitions having priests casting incense along the banks others sacrificed quailes and with the bloud of them sprinckled the channell bankes others sounding of cornets accompanied the water with their musicke One of the chiefe went attired in a habite like to their goddesse of the water and all saluted her saying that shee was welcome All which things are painted in the Annales of Mexico which booke is now at Rome in the holy Library or Vaticane where a father of our company that was come from Mexico did see it and other histories the which he did expound to the keeper of his Holinesse Library taking great delight to vnderstand this booke which before hee could never comprehend Finally the water was brought to Mexico but it came in such aboundaunce that it had welneere drowned the cittie as was foretold and in effect it did ruine a great parte thereof but it was presently prevented by the industry of Autzol who caused an issue to be made to draw foorth the water by meanes whereof hee repaired the buildings that were fallen with an exquisite worke being before but poore cotages Thus he left the citty invironed with water like another Venice and very well built hee raigned eleaven yeares and ended with the last and greatest successor of all the Mexicans Of the election of great Moteçuma the last king of Mexico CHAP. 20. WHen the Spaniards entred new Spaine being in the yeare of our Lorde one thousand five hundred and eighteen Moteçuma second of that name was the last king of the Mexicaines I say the last although they of Mexico after his death chose another king yea in the life of the same Moteçuma whome they declared an enemy to his country as we shall see heereafter But hee that succeeded him and hee that fell into the hands of the Marquise de Valle had but the names and titles of Kings for that the kingdome was in a maner al yeelded to the Spaniards so as with reason we account Moteçuma for the last king and so hee came to the periode of the Mexicaines power and greatnesse which is admirable being happened among Barbarians for this cause and for that this was the season that God had chosen to reveale vnto them the knowledge of his Gospel and the kingdome of Iesus Christ I will r◠late more at large the actes of Moteçuma then of the rest Before he came to be king he was by disposition ve◠ry grave and stayed and spake little so as when he◠gave his opinion in the privy counsell whereas he assisted his speeches and discourses made every one to admire him so as even then he was feared and respected He retired himselfe vsually into a Chappell appointed for him in the Temple of Vitziliputzli where they said their Idoll spake vnto him and for this cause hee was helde very religious and devout For these perfections then being most noble and of great courage his election was short and easie as a man vpon whom al mens eyes were fixed as woorthy of such a charge Having intelligence of this election hee hidde himselfe in this chappell of the Temple whether it were by iudgement apprehending so heavy and hard a burthen as to governe such a people or rather as I beleeve throgh hypocrisie to shew that he desired not Empery In the end they found him leading him to the place of councell whither they accompanied him with all possible ioy hee marched with such a gravitie as they all sayd the name of Moteçuma agreed very wel with his nature which is as much to say as an angry Lord. The electors did him great reverence giving him notice that hee was chosen king from thence he was ledde before the harth of their gods to give incense where he offered sacrifices in drawing bloud from his eares the calves of his legges according to their custome They attired him with the royall ornaments and pierced the gristle of his nosthrils hanging thereat a rich emerald a barbarous troublous custome but the desire of rule made all paine light and easie Being seated in his throne he gave andience to the Orations and Speeches that were made vnto him which according vnto their custome were eloquent and artificiall The first was pronounced by the king of Tescuco which being preserved for that it was lately delivered very worthy to be heard I will set it downe word by word and thus hee sayde The concordance and vnitie of voyces vpon thy election is a sufficient testimonie most noble yong man of the happines the realme shall receive as well deserving to be commaunded by thee as also for the generall applause which all doe shew by meanes thereof Wherein they have great reason for the Empire of Mexico doth alreadie so farre extend it selfe that to governe a world as it is and to beare so heavie a burthen it requires no lesse dexteritie and courage than that which is resident in thy firme and valiant heart nor of lesse wisedome and iudgement than thine I see and know plainely that the mightie God loveth this Cittie seeing he hath given vnderstanding to choose what was fit For who will not beleeve that a Prince who before his raigne had pierced the nine vaultes of heaven should not likewise nowe obtaine those things that are earthlie to releeve his people
he was with him hee tolde him that the pulses of his feete and hands failed him Moteçuma troubled with these news commanded all those sorcerers to be apprehended but they vanished presently in the prison wherewith hee grewe into such a rage that hee might not kill them as hee putte their wives and children to death destroying their houses and families Seeing himselfe importuned and troubled with these advertisements he sought to appease the anger of his gods and for that cause hee laboured to bring a huge stone thereon to make great sacrifices For the effecting whereof hee sent a great number of people with engins and instruments to bring it which they could by no meanes moove although being obstinate they had broken many instruments But as they strove still to raise it they heard a voyce ioyning to the stone which said they laboured in vaine and that they should not raise it for that the Lorde of things created would no more suffer those things to be doone there Moteçuma vnderstanding this ommaunded the sacrifice to be perfourmed in that â—lace and they say the voyce spake againe Have I not told you that it is not the pleasure of the Lord of things created that it should be done and that you may well know that it is so I will suffer myselfe to be transported alittle then after you shall not moove mee Which happened so indeede for presently they carried it a small distance with great facility then afterwards they could not moove it till that after many prayers it suffered itselfe to be transported to the entry of the citty of Mexico where sodainly it fel into the Lake where seeking for it they could not finde it but it was afterwards found in the same place from whence they had remooved it wherewith they remayned amazed and confounded At the same time there appeared in the element a great flame of fire very bright in the forme of a Pyramide which beganne to appeare at midnight and went still mounting vntill the Sunne rising in the morning where it stayed at the South and then vanished away It shewed itselfe in this sort the space of a whole yeare and ever as it appeared the people cast foorth great cries as they were accustomed beleeving it was a presage of great misfortune It happened also that firâ— tooke the Temple whenas no body was within it nor neare vnto it neither did there fall any lightning or thunder wherevpon the guardes crying out a number of people ran with water but nothing could helpe so as it was all consumed and they say the fire seemed to come forth of peeces of timber which kindled more by the water that was cast vpon it There was a Comet seene in the day time running from the west to the east casting an infinite number of sparkles and they say the forme was like to a long taile having three heads The great lake betwixt Mexico and Tescuco without any wind earthquake or any other apparant signe beganne sodainely to swell and the waves grewe in such sort as all the buildings neare vnto it fell downe to the ground They say at that time they heard many voices as of a woman in paine which sayde sometimes O my children the time of your destruction is come and otherwhiles it sayde O my children whither shall I carry you that you perish not vtterly There appeared likewise many monsters with two heads which being carried before the king sodainely vanished There were two that exceeded all other monsters being very strange the one was the fishers of the lake tooke a bird as bigge as a Crane and of the same colour but of a strange and vnseene form They caried it to Moteçuma who at that time was in the pallace of teares and mourning which was all hanged with blacke for as he had many palaces for his recreation so had he also others for times of affliction where with hee was then heavily charged and tormented by reason of the threatnings his gods had given him by these sorrowfull advertisements The fishers came about noone setting this bird before him which had on the toppe of his head a thing bright and transparent in forme of a looking glasse wherein he did behold a warrelike nation comming from the east armed fighting and killing He called his Divines and Astronomers whereof there was a great number who having seene these things and not able to yeelde any reason of what was demaunded of them the bird vanished away so as it was never more seene wherevpon Moteçuma remained very heavy and sorrowfull The other which happened was a laborer who had the report of a very honest man came vnto him telling him that being the day before at his worke a great Eagle flew towardes him and tooke him vppe in his talants without hurting him carying him into a certaine cave where it left him the Eagle pronouncing these words Most mightie Lorde I have brought him whome thou hast commaunded me This Indian laborer looked about on every side to whome hee spake but hee sawe no man Then he heard a voyce which sayde vnto him Doost thou not knowe this man whome thou seest lying vpon the ground and looking thereon he perceived â— man lie very heavy asleepe with royall ensignes floures in his hand and a staffe of perfumes burning as they are accustomed to vse in that countrey whome the labourer beholding knew it was the great king Moteçuma and answered presently Great Lord this resembles our King Moteçuma The voyce saide againe Thou saiest true behold what he is and how he lies asleepe carelesse of the great miseries and afflictions prepared for him It is nowe time that hee pay the great number of offences hee hath doone to God and that he receive the punishment of his tyrannies and great pride and yet thou seest how carelesse hee lies blinde in his owne miseries and without any feling But to the end thou maiest the better see him take the staffe of perfumes hee holdes burning in his hand and put it to his face thou shalt then find him without feeling The poore laborer durstnot approach neere him nor doe as he was commaunded for the great feare they all hadde of this king But the voyce saide Have no fâ—are for I am without comparison greater than this King I can destroy him and defend him doe therefore what I commaund thee Wherevpon the laborer took the staffe of perfumes out of the kings hand and put it burning to his nose but he mooved not nor shewed any feeling This done the voice said vnto him that seeing hee had found the king so sleepy he should go awake him and tell him what he had seene Then the Eagle by the same commandement tooke the man in his tallents and set him in the same place where he found him and for accomplishment of that which it had spoken hee came to advertise him They say that Moteçuma looking on his face found that he was burnt the which he had not
would favour their cause and partie even for the good of the Infidells who should bee converted vnto the holy Gospel by this meanes for the waies of God are high and their paths admirable Of the maner how the Divine providence disposed of the Indies to give an entrie to Christian Religion CHAP. 28. I Will make an end of this historie of the Indies shewing the admirable meanes whereby God made a passage for the Gospel in those partes the which we ought well to consider of and acknowledge the providence and bountie of the Creator Every one may vnderstand by the relation and discourse I have written in these bookes as well at Peru as in New Spaine whenas the Christians first set footing that these Kingdomes and Monarchies were come to the height and period of their power The Inguas of Peru possessing from the Realme of Chille beyond Quitto which are a thousand leagues being most aboundant in gold silver sumptuous services and other things as also in Mexico Moteçuma commaunded from the North Ocean sea vnto the South being feared and worshiped not as a man but rather as a god Then was it that the most high Lord had determined that that stone of Daniel which dissolved the Realmes and Kingdoms of the world should also dissolve those of this new world And as the lawe of Christ came whenas the Romane Monarchie was at her greatnes so did it happen at the West Indies wherein we see the iust providence of our Lord For being then in the world I meane in Europe but one head and temporall Lord as the holy Doctors do note whereby the Gospel might more easily beimparted to so many people and nations Even so hath it happened at the Indies where having given the knowledge of Christ to the Monarkes of so many Kingdomes it was a meanes that afterwards the knowledge of the gospell was imparted to all the people yea there is herein a speciall thinge to bee observed that as the Lordes of Cusco and Mexico conquered new landes so they brought in their owne language for although there were as at this day great diuersitie of tongues yet the Courtlie speeche of Cusco did and doth at this day runne above a thousand leagues and that of Mexico did not extend farre lesse which hath not beene of small importance but hath much profited in making the preaching easie at such a time when as the preachers had not the gift of many tongues as in olde tymes He that woulde knowe what a helpe it hath beene for the conversion of this people in these two greate Empyres and the greate difficultie they haue founde to reduce those Indians to Christ which acknowledge no Soueraigne Lorde let him goe to Florida Bresill the Andes and many other places where they have not prevailed so much by their preaching in fiftie yeares as they have done in Peru and newe Spaine in lesse then five If they will impute the cause to the riches of the countrie I will not altogether denie it Yet were it impossible to have so great wealth and to bee able to preserve it if there had not beene a Monarchie This is also a worke of God in this age when as the Preachers of the gospell are so colde and without zeale and Merchants with the heat of covetousnes and desire of commaund search and discouer newe people whether wee passe with our commodities for as Saint Austin saith the Prophesie of Esaie is fulfilled in that the Church of Christ is extended not onely to the right hand but also to the left which is as he declareth by humaine and earthly meanes which they seeke more commonly then Iesus Christ. It was also a great providence of our Lord that whenas the first Spaniardes arrived there they founde ayde from the Indians them selves by reason of their partialities and greate diuisions This is well knowne in Peru that the division betwixt the two brothers Atahulpa and Guasca the great King Guanacapa their father being newly dead gave entry to the Marquise Don Francis Pizarre and to the Spaniards for that either of them desired his alliance being busied in warre one against the other The like experience hath beene in New Spaine that the aide of those of the province of Tlascalla by reason of their continuall hatred against the Mexicaines gave the victory and siegniory of Mexico to the Marquise Fernando Cortes and his men and without them it had beene impossible to have wonne it yea to have maintained themselves within the country They are much deceived that so little esteeme the Indians and iudge that by the advantage the Spaniards have over them in their persons horses and armes both offencive and deffencive they might easily conquer any land or nation of the Indies Chille standes yet or to say better Aranco and Tuâ—â—â—pel which are two citties where our Spaniards could not yet winne one foote of ground although they have made warre there above five and twenty yeares without sparing of any cost For this barbarous nation having once lost the apprehention of horse and shotte and knowing that the Spaniards fall as well as other men with the blow of a stone or of a dart they hazard themselves desperately entring the pikes vppon any enterprise How many yeares have they levied men in New Spaine to send against the Chychymequos which are a small number of naked Indians armed onely with bowes and arrowes yet to this day they could not bee vanquished but contrariwise from day to day they grow more desperate and resolute But what shall wee say of the Chucos of the Chiraguanas of the Piscocones and all the other people of the Andes Hath not all the flower of Peru beene there bringing with them so great provision of armes and men as we have seene What did they With what victories returned they Surely they returned very happy in saving of their lives having lost their baggage and almost all their horses Let no man thinke speaking of the Indians that they are men of nothing but if they thinke so let them go and make triall Wee must then attribute the glory to whom it appertaines that is principally to God and to his admirable disposition for if Moteçuma in Mexiço and the Ingua in Peru had bin resolute to resist the Spaniards and to stoppe their entrie Cortes and Pizarre had prevailed little in their landing although they were excellent Captaines It hath also beene a great helpe to induce the Indians to receive the law of Christ the subiection they were in to their Kings and Lords and also the servitude and slaverie they were helde in by the divells tyrannies and insupportable yoake This was an excellent disposition of the Divine Wisedome the which drawes profite from ill to a good end and receives his good from an others ill which it hath not sowen It is most certaine that no people of the West Indies have beene more apt to receive the Gospel then those which were most subiect to
that some are invironed with heat some with cold and others tempered with a moderate heat Plato placeth his most renowmed Atlantike Iland vnder the burning Zone then he saieth that at certaine seasons of the yeere it hath the sunne for Zenith and yet it was very temperate fruitfull and rich Plinie saieth that Taprobana which at this day they call Sumatra is vnder the Equinoctiall as in effect it is writing that it is not onely happie and rich but also peopled with men and beasts whereby we may easily iudge that although the Ancients held the heate of the burning Zone to be insupportable yet might they well vnderstand that it was not so great as they had spoken The most excellent Astrologer and Cosmographer Ptolome and the worthie Philosopher and Physitian Avicen were of a better resolution being both of opinion that vnder the Equinoctiall there were verie commodious habitations That the heat of the burning Zone is temperate by reason of the rayne and the shortnes of the dayes CHAP. 10. SInce the discoverie of this newe worlde wee have found by experience that which late Writers have held for trueth But it is a naturall thing whenas any matter beyond our conceit is made knowne vnto vs by experience we by and by examine the cause Therefore wee desire to know the reason why a Region where the sunne approacheth neerest is not onely temperate but in many parts cold Considering this matter generally I finde two general causes which maketh this Region temperate the one is that before mentioned for that this Region is very moist and subiect to raine and there is no doubt but the rayne doth refresh it for that the water is by nature cold and although by the force of the fire it be made hotte yet doth it temper this heat proceeding onely from the sunne-beames The which we see by experience in the inner Arabia the which is burnt with the Sunne having no showres to temper the violence thereof The clouds and mists are the cause that the sunne offends not so much and the showers that fall from them refresh both the ayre and the earth and moisten likewise how hot soever it be They drinke raine water and it quencheth the thirst as our men have well tried having no other to drinke So as reason and experience doth teach vs that raine of it selfe doth temper the heat and having by this meanes shewed that the burning Zone is much subiect vnto raine it appeares that there is matter in it to temper the violence of the heat To this I will adde an other reason which deserves to be knowne not only for this matter but for many others for although the Sunne be very hotte and burning vnder the Equinoctiall yet is it not long so as the heate of the day being there shorter and of lesse continuance it causeth not so violent a heate the which it behooves to specifie more particularly Such as are practised in the knowledge of the Spheare teach very well that the more the Zodiake is oblique and traversing our Hemisphere the more vnequall are the daies and nights and contrariwise where the sphere is straight and the signes mount directly there the dayes and nights are equalâ— And therefore in all that Region which is betweene the two Tropicks there is lesse inequality then without them and the more we approch the Line the lesse inequalitie we finde the which we have tryed in those parts Those of Quitto for that they are vnder the line have not throughout the whole yeere the dayes and nights more short at one season then at an other but are continually equall Those of Lima beeing distant almost twelve degrees finde some difference betwixt the dayes and the nights but very little for that in December and Ianuarie the dayes increase an houre or little lesse Those of PotoZi finde much more difference both in winter and in summer being almost vnder the Tropicke But those that live without the Tropikes find the dayes in winter shorter and in summer longer the more remote they are from the Equinoctial and come neere the Pole as we see in Germany and in England the daies are longer in summer then in Italie and in Spaine It is a thing which the Sphere doth teach and experience doth plainely shew vs. We must adde an other proposition which is likewise true and very considerable for all the effectes of nature to vnderstand the perseverance and continuation of the efficient cause to worke and moove This presupposed if any one demaund of me why vnder the Equinoctiall Line the heat is not so violent in summer as in some other Regions as in Andelousiae in the moneths of Iuly and August I will answere that in Andelousia the dayes are longer and the nights shorter and as the day being hot inflames and causeth heat so the nights being cold and moist give a refreshing According to the which at Peru there is no such great heat for that the dayes in summer are not long nor the nights short so as the heate of the day is much tempered by the freshnesse of the night And although the burning Zone be neerer the Sunne then all other Regions yet doth not the heate continue there so long It is a naturall thing that a small fire continued heats more then a greater that lastes but little especially if there bee any thing to refresh it He therefore that shal put these two properties of the Zone in one ballance that it is most rainie in the time of greatest heate and that the dayes are shortest there he shall perchance finde them to equall the other two contrarieties which bee that the Sunne is neerer and more directly over them then in other Regions That there be other reasons besides the former mentioned which shew that the burning Zone is temperate especially alongst the Ocean CHAP. 11. BEing a thing concluded that the two forenamed properties are common and vniversal to all the region of the burning Zone and yet in the same there are found some places very hote and other exceeding colde Also that the temperature is not there equall in all places but vnder one climate one part is hote another colde and the third temperate all at one season we are forced to seeke out other reasons whence this great diversitie should proceede in the burning Zone Discoursing therefore vpon this question I do finde threeapparant and certaine causes and a fourth more obscure and darke The apparant and certaine causes be The first is the Ocean the second the scituation of the land and the third the nature and propertie of many and sundry windes Besides these three which I holde for manifest I beleeve there is a fourth hidden and lesse apparant which is the propertie of the same land inhabited and the particular influence of the heavens Whoso woulde neerely consider the causes and generall reasons before mentioned shall finde them insufficient for the full resolution of this point observing that
their gods They drunke no wine and slept little for that the greatest part of their exercises were by night committing great cruelties and martiring themselves for the Divell and all to bee reputed great fasters and penitents They did vse to discipline themselves with cordes full of knottes and not they onely but the people also vsed this punishment and whipping in the procession and feast they made to the idoll TeZcalipuca the which as I have said before is the god of penance for then they all carried in their hands new cordes of the threed of Manguey a fadome long with a knot at the end and therewith they whipped themselves giving great lashes over their shoulders The Priests did fast five daies together before this feast eating but once a day and they lived apart from their wives not going out of the Temple during those five daies they did whip themselves rigorously in the maner aforesaid The Iesuites which have written from the Indies treate amply of the penances and exceeding rigor the Boncos vse all which was but counterfait and more in shew then in trueth In Peru to solemnize the feast of the Yta which was great all the people fasted two daies during the which they did not accompany with their wives neyther did they eate any meate with salt or garlike nor drinke Chica They did much vse this kinde of fasting for some sinnes and did penance whipping themselves with sharpe stinging nettles and often they strooke themselves over the shoulders with certaine stones This blinde Nation by the perswasion of the Divell did transport themselves into craggy mountaines where sometimes they sacrificed themselves casting themselves downe from some high rocke All which are but snares and deceites of him that desires nothing more then the losse and ruine of man Of the Sacrifices the Indians made to the Divell and whereof CHAP. 18. IT hath beene in the aboundance and diversitie of Offrings and Sacrifices taught vnto the Infidells for their idolatrie that the enemy of God and man hath most shewed his subtiltie and wickednes And as it is a fit thing and proper to religion to consume the substance of the creatures for the service and honour of the Creator the which is by sacrifice even so the father of lies hath invented the meanes to cause the creatures of God to be offered vnto him as to the Author and Lord thereof The first kinde of sacrifices which men vsed was very simple for Caine offered the fruites of the earth and Abell the best of his cattell the which likewise Noe and Abraham did afterwardes and the other Patriarkes vntil that this ample ceremony of Levi was given by Moses wherein there are so many sortes and differences of sacrifices of divers things for divers affaires and with divers ceremonies In like sort among some Nations hee hath beene content to teach them to sacrifice of what they had but among others hee hath passed farre giving them a multitude of customes and ceremonies vpon sacrifices and so many observances as they are wonderfull And thereby it appeares plainely that he meanes to contend and equall himselfe to the ancient law and in many things vsurpe the same ceremonies Wee may draw all the sacrifices the Infidells vse into three kindes one of insensible things another of beasts and the third of men They did vse in Peru to sacrifice Coca which is an hearb they esteeme much of Mays which is their wheate of coloured feathers and of Chaquira which otherwise they call Mollo of shelles or oysters and sometime gold and silver being in figures of little beasts Also of the fine stuffe of Cumbi of carved and sweete wood and most commonly tallow burnt They made these offerings or sacrifices for a prosperous winde and faire weather or for their health and to be delivered from some dangers and mishappes Of the second kinde their ordinary sacrifice was of Cuyes which are small beasts like rabbets the which the Indians eate commonly And in matters of importance or when they were rich men they did offer Pacos or Indian sheepe bare or with wooll observing curiously the numbers colours and times The maner of killing their sacrifices great or small which the Indians did vse according to their ancient ceremonies is the same the Moores vse at this day the which they call Alquible hanging the beast by the right fore legge turning his eyes towards the Sun speaking certaine wordes according to the qualitie of the sacrifice they flew for if it were of colour their wordes were directed to Chuquilla and to the Thunder that they might want no water if it were white smoothe they did offer it to the Sunne with certaine wordes if it had a fleece they did likewise offer it him with some others that he might shine vpon them and favour their generation If it were a Guanaco which is gray they directed their sacrifice to Viracocha In Cusco they did every yeare kill and sacrifice with this ceremony a shorne sheepe to the Sunne and did burne it clad in a red waste-coate and when they did burne it they cast certaine small baskets of Coca into the fire which they call Vilcaronca for which sacrifice they have both men and beasts appointed which serve to no other vse They did likewise sacrifice small birdes although it were not so vsuall in Peru as in Mexico where the sacrificing of quailes was very ordinarie Those of Peru did sacrifice the birdes of Puna for so they call the desart when they should go to the warres for to weaken the forces of their adversaries Guacas They called these sacrifices Cuzcovicca or Contevicca or Huallavicca or Sophavicca and they did it in this maner they tooke many kindes of small birdes of the desart and gathered a great deale of a thornie wood which they call Yaâ—lli the which being kindled they gathered together these small birdes This assembly they called Quiâ—o then did they cast them into the fire about the which the officers of the sacrifice went with certaine round stones carved whereon were painted many snakes lions toades and tigres vttering this word Vsachum which signifies let the victorie be given vnto vs with other wordes whereby they sayed the forces of their enemies Guacas were confounded And they drew forth certaine blacke sheepe which had beene kept close some daies without meate the which they called Vrca and in killing them they spake these words As the hearts of these beasts be weakened so let our enemies be weakned And if they found in these sheep that a certaine peece of flesh behind the heart were not consumed by fasting and close keeping they then held it for an ill augure They brought certaine black dogs which they call Appuros and slew them casting them into a plaine with certaine ceremonies causing some kinde of men to eate this flesh the which sacrifices they did lest the Ingua should be hurt by poison and for this cause they fasted from morning vntill the stars were vp
and then they did glut and defile themselves like to the Moores This sacrifice was most fit for them to withstand their enemies gods and although at this day a great part of these customes have ceased the wars being ended yet remaines there some relikes by reason of the private or generall quarrels of the Indians or the Caciques or in their Citties They did likewise offer and sacrifice shelles of the sea which they call Mollo and they offered them to the fountaines and springs saying that these shells were daughters of the sea the mother of all waters They gave vnto these shells sundrie names according to the color and also they vse them to divers ends They vsed them in a maner in all kinde of sacrifices and yet to this day they put beaten shells in their Chica for a superstition Finally they thought it convenient to offer sacrifices of every thing they did sow or raise vp There were Indians appointed to doe these sacrifices to the fountaine springs and rivers which passed through the townes or by their Chacras which are their farmes which they did after seede â—ime that they might not cease running but alwaies water their groundes The sorcerers did coniure to know what time the sacrifices should be made which being ended they did gather of the contribution of the people what should be sacrificed and delivered them to such as had the charge of these sacrifices They made them in the beginning of winter at such time as the fountaines springs and rivers did increase by the moistures of the weather which they did attribute to their sacrifices They did not sacrifice to the fountaines and springs of the desarts To this day continues the respect they had to fountaines springs pooles brookes or rivers which passe by their Citties or Chacras even vnto the fountaines and rivers of the desarts They have a speciall regard and reverence to the meeting of two rivers and there they wash themselves for their health anointing themselves first with the flower of Mays or some other things adding therevnto divers ceremonies the which they do likewise in their bathes Of the Sacrifices they made of men CHAP. 19. THe most pittifull disaster of this poore people is their slavery vnto the Devill sacrificing men vnto him which are the Images of God In many nations they had vsed to kill to accompany the dead as hath beene declared such persons as had been agreeable vnto him and whome they imagined might best serve him in the other world Besides this they vsed in Peru to sacrifice yong children of foure or six yeares old vnto tenne and the greatest parte of these sacrifices were for the affaires that did import the Ingua as in sickenes for his health and when he went to the warres for victory or when they gave the wreathe to their new Ingua which is the marke of a King as heere the Scepter and the Crowne be In this solemnitie they sacrificed the number of two hundred children from foure to ten yeares of age which was a cruell and inhumane spectacle The manner of the sacrifice was to drowne them and bury them with certaine representations and ceremonies sometimes they cutte off their heads annointing themselves with the blood from one eare to an other They did likewise sacrifice Virgines some of them that were brought to the Ingua from the monasteries as hath beene saide In this case there was a very great and generall abuse If any Indian qualified or of the common sorte were sicke and that the Divine tolde him confidently that he should die they did then sacrifice his owne sonne to the Sunne or to Virachoca desiring them to be satisfied with him and that they would not deprive the father of life This cruelty is like to that the holy Scripture speakes of which king Moab vsed in sacrificing his first borne sonne vpon the wall in the sight of all Israel to whome this act seemed so mournfull as they would not presse him any further but returned to their houses The holy Scripture also shewes that the like kinde of sacrifice had beene in vse amongst the barbarous nations of the Cananeans and Iebuseans and others whereof the booke of Wisedome speakes They call it peace to live in so great miseries and vexations as to sacrifice their owne children or to doe other hidden sacrifices as to watch whole nights doing the actes of fooles and so they keepe no cleanenesse in their life nor in their marriages but one through envy takes away the life of an other an other takes away his wife and his contentment and all is in confusion blood murther theft deceipt corruption infidelitie seditions periuries mutinies forgetfulnesse of God pollution of soules change of sexes and birth inconstancie of marriages and the disorder of adultery and filthinesse for idolatry is the sincke of all miseries The Wise man speaketh this of those people of whome David complaines that the people of Israel had learned those customes even to sacrifice their sonnes and daughters to the divell the which was never pleasing nor agreeable vnto God For as hee is the Authour of life and hath made all these things for the commoditie and good of man so is hee not pleased that men should take the lives one from another although the Lord did approove and accept the willingnesse of the faithfull patriarke Abraham yet did hee not consent to the deede which was to cut off the head of his sonne wherein wee see the malice and tyranny of the divell who would be herein as God taking pleasure to be worshipt with the effusion of mans blood procuring by this meanes the ruine of soule and body together for the deadly hatred he beareth to man as his cruell enemy Of the horrible sacrifices of men which the Mexicaines vsed CHAP. 20. ALthough they of Peru have surpassed the Mexicaines in the slaughter and sacrifice of their children for I have not read nor vnderstood that the Mexicaines vsed any such sacrifices yet they of Mexico have exceeded them yea all the nations of the worlde in the great number of men which they had sacrificed and in the horrible maner thereof And to the end we may see the great miserie wherein the Divell holdes this blind Nation I will relate particularly the custome and inhumane maner which they have observed First the men they did sacrifice were taken in the warres neyther did they vse these solemne sacrifices but of Captives so as it seemes therein they have followed the custome of the Ancients For as some Authors say they called the sacrifice Victima for this reason because it was of a conquered thing they also called it Hostia quasi ab hoste for that it was an offering made of their enemies although they have applied this word to all kindes of sacrifices In truth the Mexicaines did not sacrifice any to their idolls but Captives and the ordinarie warres they made was onely to have Captives for their sacrifices and therefore when they