it that it may be the less sensible then blesseth God for the Covenant of Circumcision and withall cuts off the fore-part of the skin and flings it into the Sand in memory of that promise Gen. 32.12 I will make thee as the sand of the Sea then he spits some red Wine on the Wound and washeth it it and some also on the Child's face if he faint and taketh the bleeding Member in his Mouth and sucks the blood from it which he spits into the other cup of Wine then he tears off the remaining skin with his sharp-pointed Nails and layeth Clouts dip'd in Oyl in the Wound and bindeth them Then he blesseth God again and the God-father takes the other Cup of Wine and prayeth for the Child And the Mohel moistneth the Childs Lips with Wine and his own blood and prayeth again If the Child be sick on the eighth day his Circumcision is deferred till he recover If he dye before the eighth day he is circumcised at the Grave but without Prayers They redeem their First-born When the Child is one and thirty dayes old he is set upon a Table by the Father before the Priest with as much money as two Dollars and an half After some questions propounded by the Priest to the Father and Mother amongst others Whether he esteemâ—â—ore of his Money or of his Child He answers of his Child Then the Priest takes the Money and â—â—â—eth it on the Childs head and pronounceth that he being the first-born and presented before the Lord is now redeemed If before this time the Father dyes then the Mother signifieth by a Scroll about the Childs neck that he is the first-born and not redeemed who when he comes of age is bound to redeem himself He is held to be of just age to redeem himself when he is thirteen years old for then the Parents stand no more charged with his Sin but he must himself bear his own burthen LXVIII The ancient Persians used to celebrate their Marriages in the Spring and on their Marriage-day the Husband eats nothing but an Apple or the Marrow of a Camel As for the Marriages in New-Spain The Bridegroom and the Bride stood together before the Priest who took them by the hands asking them if they would marry Understanding their Will he took a corner of the Veil wherewith the Woman had her head covered and a corner of the mans Gown which he tied together on a knot and so led them thus tied to the Bridegroom's house where there was a Hearth kindled Then he caused the Wife to go seven times about the Hearth and so the married couple sat down together and so was the Marriage contracted In other places of that Countrey an Amantesa or Broker carried the Bride on her back at the beginning of the night four Women attending with Torches of Pine-tree rosined At the Bridegroom's house his Parents receive her and carry her to him in a Hall where they are both caused to sit on a Mat near the Fire and tied together with a corner of their Apparel and a Perfume of Copale-wood is made to their Gods Two old men and as many old women were present The married couple eat and then these old folks which after this separate them asunder and give them good instructions for Oeconomical Duties LXIX In other parts of New-Spain they used other Marriage Rites at Thaxcalla the Bridegroom and Bride polled their Heads to signifie that from thenceforth all childish courses should be laid aside At Michuacan the Bride must look directly upon the Bridegroom or else the Marriage was not perfect In Mixteopan they used to carry the Bridegroom upon their backs as if he were forced and then they both joyn hands and knit their Mantles together with a great knot The Macatecas did not come together in twenty dayes after Marriage but abode in fasting and praying all that while sacrificing their Bodies and anointing the Mouthes of their Idols with their blood In Panuco the Husbands buy the Wives for a Bow two Arrows and a Net and afterwards the Father-in-law speaketh not one word to the Son-in-law for the space of a year When he hath a Child he lieth not with his Wife in two years after lest she should be with Child again before the other be out of danger Some suck twelve years and for this cause they have many Wives No woman while she hath her Disease may touch or dress any thing LXX Adultery in Mexico was death Common Women were permitted but no ordinary Stews The Devil did many times talk with their Priests and some other Rulers and particular Persons Great gifts were offered to the man to whom the Devil had vouchsafed this Conference He appeared unto them in many shapes and was often familiar with them He to whom he appeared carried about him painted the likeness wherein he shewed himself the first time and they painted his Image on their Doors Benches and every corner of the House and likewise according to his Protean and diversified Apparitions they painted him in many shapes The Dutch-men who are well acquainted with Guiney tell us that at the Marriages of their Daughters in those Parts they give half an Ounce of Gold to buy Wine for the Bridal the King himself giveth no other Portion The Bride in the presence of her Friends sweareth to be true to her Husband which the man doth not For Adultery he may divorce her and the Adulterer payeth to the King four and twenty Pesos of Gold and the Husband may also drive him out of Town but the Dutch-men paid no Fine therefore the Women were only blamed and paid four Pesos If the Husband suspects his Wife he makes tryal of her honesty by causing her to eat Salt with divers of their Paganish Ceremonies the fear whereof makes her confess They have many Wives if they can buy and keep them each dwelleth in a House by her self tho there be ten of them they eat and lodge asunder sometimes they will bring their Cheer together The Husband closely takes which he will have lye with him to his Room where their Bed is a Mat. The Women after Travel wash themselves and do not accompany with their Husbands for three Months after The Child new born hath a clean Cloth wrapped about the middle and is laid down on a Mat. The Mothers use to bear their Children at their backs and so travel with them none proving lame notwithstanding that shaking of their Bodies they give them the Breast over their shoulders When it is a Month old they hang a Net about the Body like a shirt made of the Bark of a tree hanged full of fetisso's or their Idols to secure it from the Devil who otherwise would they think carry it away They hang the hair full of shells and Corals about the Neck Arms and Legs applying divers fetissos or wreaths with superstitious fancy that one is good for vomiting a second for falling a third for bleeding
one only blow of his Semiter he cut his Neck clean from his Shoulders Also a Monstrous Boar in Apulia that had wounded many of King Ferdinand's Courtiers Scanderbeg being hunting with the King incountred with this Beast and soon severed his head from his Body CLVIII Strange is the Story of Macamat Sultan of Cambaia he kept an Army of 20000 Horse-men Every Morning resort to his Palace fifty men sitting on Elephants their office is with all Reverence to salute the Sultan the Elephants also kneeling down Assoon as he waketh is heard a great Noise of Trumpets Waits and Drums with other musical Instruments in rejoycing that the Sultan liveth and the like at Dinner His Mustanchoes are so long that he beareth them up with a Filler as Women do the hair of their heads his Beard was white and long to the very Navel He was so accustomed to Poyson from his Infancy that he daily eat some to keep it in use and though he feel no hurt himself thereof by reason of Custom yet doth he so venome himself that he is Poyson to others for when he is disposed to put any of his Noble-men to Death he causeth him to be brought to his Presence and stand naked before him then he cateth certain Fruits like Nutmegs and also the leaves of some Herbs adding thereto the Powder of beaten Oyster Shells chewing them a while in his Mouth he spitteth it upon him he designs to kill who being sparkled therewith dieth bp the force of it within the space of half an hour He entertains about four thousand Concubines for whensoever he hath lain with any of them at Night she that lies with him is dead on the Morning or when he changeth his Shirt or other Apparel no man dares wear it The Reason of his being so venomous is because his Father brought him up so of a Child with Poyson little by little with Preservatives so accustoming him thereto CLIX. Captain Hawkins tells in his Voyage at the Mogul's Court it happened to a great Friend of mine a chief man having under his Charge the King's Wardrobe all sorts of Mercery and his China dishes that a fair China dish which cost forty five Rials of Eight was broken by a Mischance when the King was in his Progress being packed amongst other things on a Camel which fell and broke all the whole Parcel This Noble-man knowing how dearly the King loved this Dish above the rest presently sent a Servant to China Machina to seek another hoping that he would return with another like this before it would be missed but his evil Luck was contrary for the King two years after remembred this Dish and his Man was not yet come Now when the King heard the Dish was broken he was in a great Rage commanding him to be brought before him and to be beaten by two Men with two Whips made of Cords and after that he had received a hundred and twenty Lashes he commanded his Porters to beat him with their small Cudgels till a great many of them were broken at last twenty men were beating of him till the poor man was thought to be dead and then he was haled out by the Heels and commanded to Prison The next day the King demanded whether he was living Answer was made he was Whereupon he commanded he should be carried to perpetual Prison The King's Son being his Friend freed him of that and obtain'd of his Father that he might be sent home and there cured so after two Months he was reasonable well recovered and came before the King who presently commanded him to depart the Court and never come again before him until he had found such a little Dish and that he travel'd for China Machina to seek it the King allowing him 5000 Rupies for his Charges and besides returning one fourth part of his Living that he had before to maintain him in his Travel He being departed and fourteen Months on his Travel was not yet come home but News came of him that the King of Persia had the like Dish and for pitties sake hath sent it him who at my Departure was on his way homeward CLX In Japan three were executed viz. two Men and one Woman the cause this the Woman none of the honestest her Husband travelled from home had appointed these two their several Hours to repair unto her The latter man not knowing of the former and thinking the time too long coming in before the hour appointed found the first man with her already and inraged thereat he whipt out his Cattan and wounded them both very sorely having very nigh hewn the Chine of the man's back in two but as well as he might he cleared himself of the Woman and recovering his Cattan wounded the other the Street taking notice of this Fray forth with seized upon them and led them aside and aquainted King Foyne therewith who presently gave order that they should cut off their heads which done every man that listed came to try the sharpness of their Cattans upon the corps so that before they left off they had hewed them all three into pieces as small as a mans hand And yet notwithstanding did not then give over but placing the Pieces upon one another would try how many of them they could strike through at a blow and the Pieces are left to the Fowls to devour CLXI At the City of Fess their manner of proceeding against a Malefactor is thus having given him a 100 or 200 stripes before the Governour the Executioner putteth an Iron Chain about his neck and so leadeth him stark-naked his Privities only excepted through all parts of the City after the Executioner follows a Serjeant declaring to all the People what Fact the Guilty Person hath committed till at length having put on his Apparel again they carry him back to Prison somtimes it falls out that many Offenders chained together are led through the City and the Governour for each Malefactor thus punished receiveth one Ducat and also at their first entrance into the Goal he demands of each one a certain Duty which is paid to him by divers Merchants and Artificers appointed of purpose CLXII At Grand Cairo in Aegypt upon Malefactors they inflict most horrible punishments especially upon them that have committed any heinous Crime in the Court Thieves they condemn to the Halter A Murther committed treacherously they punish in manner following The Executioner's assistants take the Malefactor one by the head another by the feet and then the chief Executioner with a two-handed Sword cutteth his Body in twain the one part whereof adjoyning to the Head is put into a Fire full of unslacked Lime and it is a most strange and dreadful thing to consider how the same dismembred half Body will remain alive in the fire for the space of a quarter of an hour speaking and making answers to the standers by But Rebels or Seditious Persons they flea alive stuffing their Skins with Bran till
only upon Mount Gerizim whereas the Sadduces worshipped also in Jerusalem and kept fair Correspondence with the other Jews whereas the Samaritans and Jews did so hate one another that there was no Commerce between them but did curse and excommunicate each other But since they are in this ill humour I think it will be convenient to leave them and proceed to the giving an account of the different Ceremonies used in Marriage by several Nations in the Universe Of Marriage Ceremonies IN the Roman Marriages which commenced with Contracts mutually sealed and signed with the Signets of divers Witnesses there present there were sundry Customs observed by them The Man in token of good Will gave to the Woman a Ring which she was to wear upon the next Finger to the little one of the Left-hand because unto that finger alone a certain Artery proceedeth from the Heart The word Nuptiae which signifieth Marriage had it's derivation à nubo which in old time signify'd to cover the Custom being that the Woman should be brought to her Husband with a Covering or Veil cast over her Face Also by cause of the good Success that Romulus and his Followers had in the violent taking away of the Sabine Women they continued a Custom that the Man should come and take away his Wife by a seeming violence from the Lap or Bosom of her Mother or her next Kin. She being thus taken away her Husband did dissever and divide the Hair of her Head with the top of a Spear wherewith some Fencer had been formerly killed which Ceremony did betoken that nothing should disjoyn them but such a Spear and such like violence Towards Night the Woman was brought home to her Husband's House with five Torches signifying thereby the need which married Persons have of five Goddesses and Gods Jupiter Juno Venus Suadela and Diana who is also called Lucina When the Woman was thus brought to the door then did she anoint the Posts of the Door with Oyl from which Ceremony the Wife was called Vxor quasi Vnxor This ended the Bride-men did lift her over the Threshold and so carried her in by a seeming violence because in modesty she would not seem to go without force into that place where she must cease to be a Maid At her carrying in all the Company did cry out with a loud Voice Talassio Talassio for which Custom Plutarch alledges this Reason for one At the Rapture of the Sabine Virgins there were some of the poorer sort spied carrying away one of the fairest Women some of the chief Citizens would have taken her from them but they began to cry out That they carried her to Talassius a great Man and well-beloved among the Romans at the naming of Talassius they suffered her to be carried away themselves accompanying her and often crying Talassio Talassio from whence it hath been continued as a Custom amongst the Romans ever after at their Marriages to sing Talassio Talassio LXV Now as to the Jewish Virgins and Espousals these were made saith Moses de Kotsi either with Money or with an Instrument or with Copulation it seemeth that this last is understood of such as had lain with a Maid and therefore must by the Law marry her if the Father denied him not their Daughter whereas otherwise they might not have carnal Company before the Marriage was solemnized this being forbidden no less than to lye with a Woman in her disease Their Prayer-Book saith thus He who shall espouse a Woman bringeth Witnesses and before them doth betroth her with Money or somewhat Money-worth which he giveth her saying Be thou espoused to me according to the Law of Moses and Israel If there be not Witnesses it is nothing notwithstanding they both consess it If one shall affiance a Woman to another he saith Be thou espoused to N. with this Ring according to the Law of Moses and Israel Buxtorfius writeth That when Promise hath passed between two many Jews are called together into a great Chamber where every of the Youths holdeth a Post in his Hand then comes one and reads the Letters of Contract that N. Son of N. and N. Daughter of N. have promised Marriage to each other each giving so much in Dowry which Marriage is to be solemnized on such a day and the Party which faileth in the Promises shall give fifty Florens This done they wish Joy to each other and the Jewlings presently break their earthen Pots whereby they signifie to the Parties Prosperity and Abundance At parting every one hath a Cup of Wine given them eight days after neither Party goeth out of the House and many Youths come and make merry with the Bridegroom imitating they think Sampson herein some say that the Man taketh the espoused Bride home to his House to be Witness and Keeper of her Virginity till the Marriage Solemnity The day before the Marriage the Bride must wash and purifie her self in cold Water and put on white and clean Garments Their washing is performed with great Scrapulosity in a common watering or in private Cisterns or Fountains which must be so deep that they must stand up to the Neck in Water and if it be muddy in the bottom they must have a square Stone to stand on that their whole Feet may stand in clear Water and that the Water may pass betwixt their Toes for the least part not covered with Water would frustrate the whole Action and for this cause they lay aside all their Hair-laces Neck-laces and Rings they dive under the Water so that no part may be free from the same Some Jewess must stand by for witness hereof which is twelve years old and a day at least and there must be certain Women ringing with somewhat when she goeth in or cometh out of the Water some of them also leaping and dancing The Bridegroom sends the Bride a Wedding Girdle embossed with Gold and she him another with Silver Studs On the Wedding-day the Bride adorns her self in the best Jewish Dress with her Marriage attire and by Women singing their sweetest Epithalamia is conveyed into a Chamber and there placing her on a fair Seat braid her Hair into goodly Curles and put a Veil over her Eyes in imitation of Rebecca's Modesty singing mean while dancing and expressing the greatest signs of Joy thinking they therein please God as being taught by their Rabbies that God used the like curling singing and dancing when he presented Eve to Adam yea refused not to serve that new Couple and with his own hands made the Canopy under which they were to receive their marriage Blessing the Angels with Pipes and Trumpets making Musick to lead the Dance That which Moses saith God built a Woman the Talmud interpreteth He made Curls and he brought her to Adam to wit with leaping and dancing When the Marriage Benediction is to be solemnized four Boys bear a Canopy on four Poles into the place appointed which is some Street or Garden abroad in
the other in her own Arms she voluntarily went with him into Banishment CXI 10. Portia the Daughter of Cato and Wife of Marcus Brutus when she conjectur'd by the sleepless and restless Nights of her Husband that he had conceived some great thing in his Mind and concealed it from her in suspicion of her Weakness she to give her Husband an instance of her Constancy and Secrecy made her a deep Wound in her Thigh with her Razor there followed a stream of Blood Debility and a Fever When Brutus came home sad at so unexpected an accident she causing all to withdraw Sit down Husband said she I have something that is serious to discourse with you When I married you I came to your House as a Wife not as a Mistress or Whore not only as a Companion of your Bed and Board but of all prosperous and adverse things I am Cato's Daughter and reckon you that I am of that Blood What then Do I complain of you Not at all if I look at other Matters conjugal Solemnities good Will and this external Love but I look higher and would have your Friendship also and that is the only grief of my Mind which torments me that you have my Fidelity in suspicion for wherefore should you dissemble Do not I perceive the care you are in That there is some secret and great Enterprise that you are in Agitation about Why do you conceal it from me If I can lend you no Assistance expect some Comfort at least from me for as to my Secrecy I am able to engage Consider not the rest of my Sex I say again that I am the Daughter of Cato and I add thereunto that I am the Wife of Brutus either Nature being from such a Father or Conversation with such a Husband will render me constant and invincible against all that is to be feared Why do I multiply Words I my self have made experiment of my self and see this Wound which of my own Accord I have given my self that I might know whether I could undergo with Courage any Grief and Torments I can believe it I am able to bear them to despise them and I can dye Brutus with and for my Husband If therefore you are about any thing that is just and honourable and worthy of us both conceal it no longer Brutus admiring the greatness of her Mind and surprized with the discovery of such an Affection lift up his Hands for Joy and O all ye Powers above said he be ye favourable and propitious to my Desires and make me a Husband that is worthy of Portia Then he recited in order to her the Conspiracy against Caesar and who they were that were concerned therein She was so far from being affrighted therewith or deterring him from it that she encouraged him to proceed But the day they were to perform the Enterprise being in fear for Brutus she swooned and was secretly recovered by him At the last Brutus being overcome and slain at Philippi she determined to dye and when her Friends being ever with her deprived her of the opportunity and means she at last snatch'd the burning Coals with her hands out of the Fire and thrusting them into her Mouth she kept them there till she was choak'd CXII 11. In the reign of Vespasian there was a Rebellion in Gaul the chief leader of which was Julius Sabinus the Gauls being reduced the Captain was sought after to be punished But he had hid himself in a Vault or Cave which was the Monument of his Grand-Father he caused a report to be spread of his Death as if he had voluntarily poysoned himself and the better to perswade men of the truth of it he caused his House to be set on fire as if his Body had therein been burnt He had a Wife whose name was Eponina she knew nothing of his safety but bewail'd his death with inconsolable Tears There were only two of his Free-men who were privy to it who pittying their Lady who was determined tody and in order thereunto had now abstain'd from Food three days together declar'd her purpose to her Husband and besought him to save her that lov'd him so well It was granted and she was told that her Sabinus lived she came to him where they lived with secrecy and undiscovered for the space of nine years together she conceived and brought forth Children in that solitary mansion At last the place of their abode came to be known they were taken and brought to Rome where Vespasian commanded they should be slain Eponina producing and shewing her Children Behold O Caesar said she such as I have brought forth and brought up in a Monument that thou mightst have more supplicants for our Lives Cruel Vespasian that could not be moved at such words as these well they were both led to death and Eponina joyfully died with her Husband who had been before buried with him for so many years together CXIII 12. Eumines burying the Dead that had fall'n in the Battel of Jabins against Antigonus amongst others there was found the Body of Ceteas the Captain of those Troops that had come out of India This man had two Wives who accompanied him in the Wars the one of which he had newly married and another which he had married a few years before but both of them bore an intire love to him for whereas the Laws of India require that one Wife shall be burnt with her dead Husband both proffer'd themselves to Death and strove with that ambition as if it was some Glorious Prize they sought after Before such Captains as were appointed their Judges the younger pleaded that the other was with Child and that therefore she could not have the benefit of that Law The elder pleaded that whereas she was before the other it was also fit that she should be before her in honour since it was customary in other things that the elder should have place The Judges when they understood by Midwives that the elder was with Child passed Judgment that the younger should be burnt which done she that had lost the Cause departed rending her Diadem and tearing her Haire as if some grievous calamity had befallen her The other all Joy at her victory went to the Funeral fire magnificiently dressed up by her Friends led along by her Kindred as if to her Nuptials they all the way singing Hymns in her praises When she drew near the Fire taking off her Ornaments she delivered them to her Friends and Servants as tokens of remembrance they were a multitude of Rings with variety of precious Stones Chains and Stars of Gold c. this done she was by her Brother placed upon the Cumbustible matter by the side of her Husband and after the Army had thrice compassed the Funeral Pile fire was put to it and she without a word of Complaint finished her life in the Flames CXIIII 13. Clara Cerenda was one of the most beautiful and fairest Virgins in all Bruges
Cudgel drive him out of the Chamber by this artifice he passes unknown thorough the Guards and accompanied with one Servant got safe into France When about Mid-night the Guards came to kill Partharis they were opposed by Hannulphus who besought them not to disturb his Masters rest now sleeping but to suffer him to sleep his large competation he had that Night Twice they were put back but the third time they broke by force into the Chamber and not finding Partharis whom they had determined to kill they inquire of Hannulphus what was become of him who told them plainly he was fled and confessed that he was himself conscious to his flight Grimoaldus admiring his Fidelity who to save his Master had cast himself into such manifest danger of his life freed him from the punishment that all cried he was worthy of with many promises alluring him that from thenceforth he would change Masters and serve him with the like Fidelity as he had done the former CXXX The Babylonians sought to recover their lost Liberty and shake off the Persian Yoke whereof Darius being advertized prepared an Army to recover that City and State revolted but finding the same a difficult Work he used the Service of Gopyrus who for the Love he bore to Darius did cut off his own Ears and Nose and with other Wounds fresh bleeding he seemed to fly to the Babylonians for Succour to whom he accused the cruelty of Darius who for having given him advice to give over the Siege of their City had in this sort dismembred and deformed him wherefore the Babylonians gave him that credit as they trusted him with the disposition and commandment of their greatest Forces which when Gopyrus had obtained after some colourable overthrows given to the Persians upon Sally he delivered the City into Darius's hand who had lain before it twenty Months and used to say that he had rather have Gopyrus unhurt than twenty Babylonians besides that he had gained CXXXI Strange and wonderful were the Prodigies that foretold the Invasions and Down-fall of that vast Empire of Mexico For it so hapned that the King of Tescuco who was a great Magician and had Conference with the Devil came one day at an extraordinary hour to visit Montezuma the great Emperour of those mighty Dominions assuring him that his Gods had told him there were great Losses preparing for him and for his whole Realm Many Witches and Sorcerers went and declared as much amongst which there was one did very particularly fore-tell what should happen and as he was with him he told him the Pulse of his Hands and Feet failed him Montezuma troubled with these News commanded all those Sorcerers to be apprehended but they vanished presently in the Prison wherewith he grew into such a Rage that he might not kill them as he put their Wives and Children to Death destroying their Houses and Families Seeing himself importuned and troubled with these Advertisements he sought to appease the Anger of his Gods and for that cause he laboured to bring a huge Stone thereon to make Sacrifices for the effecting whereof he sent a great number of People with Engines and Instruments to bring it which they could by no means move although being obstinate they had broken many Instruments But as they strove still to raise it they heard a Voice joyning to the Stone which said They laboured in vain and that they should not raise it for that the Lord of things created would no more suffer those things to be done there Montezuma understanding this commanded the Sacrifice to be performed in that place and they say the Voice spake again 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 my self to be transported a little then after you shall not move me Which hapned so indeed for presently they carried it a small distance with great Facility then afterwards they could not move it till that after many Prayers it suffered it self to be transported to the Entry of the City of Mexico where suddenly it fell into the Lake where seeking for it they could not find it but it was afterwards found in the same place from whence they had removed it wherewith they remained amazed and confounded At the same time there appeared in the Element a great flame of Fire very bright in the form of a Piramid which began to appear at Midnight and went still mounting until the Sun rising in the Morning where it stayed at the South and then vanished away It shewed it self in this sort the space of a whole Year and ever as it appeared the People cast forth great Cries as they were accustomed believing it was a Presage of great Misfortune It happened also that fire took the Temple when as no Body was within it nor near unto it neither did there fall any Lightning or Thunder whereupon the Guards crying out a number of People ran with Water but nothing could help so as it was all consumed and they say that the Fire seemed to come forth of pieces of Timber which kindled more by the Water which was cast upon it There was a Comet seen in the day time running from the West to the East casting an infinite number of Sparkles and they say the form was like to a Tail having three Heads The great Lake betwixt Mexico and Tescuco without any Wind Earthquake or any other apparent sign began suddenly to swell and the Waves grew in such sort as all the Buildings near unto it fell down to the Ground They say at that time they heard many Voices as of a Woman in Labour which said sometimes O my Children the time of your Destruction is come and other whiles it said O my Children Whither shall I carry you that you perish not utterly There appeared likewise many Monsters with two Heads which being carried before the King suddenly vanished There were two that exceeded all other Monsters being very strange the one was the Fisher-men of the Lake took a Bird as big as a Crane and of the same colour but of a strange and unseen form They carried it to Montezuma who at that time was in the Palace of Tears and Mourning which was all hanged with black for as he had many Palaces for his Recreation so had he also others for times of Affliction wherewith he was then heavily charged and tormented by reason of the Threatnings his Gods had given him by these sorrowful Advertisements The Fishers came about Noon setting this Bird before him which had on the top of his Head a thing bright and transparent in form of a Looking-glass wherein he did behold a Warlike Nation coming from the East armed fighting and killing he called his Diviners and Astronomers whereof there was a great number who having seen these things and not able to yield any reason of what was demanded of them
and Sobriety CXLV The Aegpptians at their feasts use to carry about the dryed Anatomy of a Man in a Coffin not so much in memory of Osyris slain by Trypho and in a Chest cast into the Sea but that being inflamed with Wine they might mutually exhort one another to the use and enjoyment of these present good things because e're long all of them would be as that Skeleton CXLVI The Massilienses have standing before the Gates of their City two Coffins one wherein the Bodies of Free-men the other wherein those of Servants are carried in a Cart to Burial which they do without weeping their mourning is finished upon the Funeral day with a Feast among their Friends there is also a publick Poyson kept in that City which is delivered to that Person who hath made it appear to the Magistrates of six hundred that is their Senate that he hath sufficient Causes to desire to die also they suffer no Man to enter into the Town with any Weapon but there is appointed at the Gate one to receive them at their Entrance and to deliver them back at their Departure Thus as their Entertainments to others are humane so to themselves they are safe CXLVII There is a memorable Custom of the Athenians That a freed man convicted of Ingratitude towards his Patron shall forfeit the Priviledge of his Freedom as who should say We refuse to have thee a Citizen who art so base a valuer of so great a gift nor can we ever be brought to believe that he can be advantagious to the City whom we perceive to be villanous at home go thy way then and be still a Servant seeing thou knowest not how to esteem of thy Freedom CXLVIII The Romans when they went into the Country or travelled sar at their Return used to send a Messenger before them to their Wives to let them know that they are at hand and upon this reason they did it because Women in absence of their Husbands are supposed to be detained with many Cares and much Employment possibly they have Brawls and Discontents in the Family that therefore all these might be laid aside and that they might have time to receive their Husbands in Peace and with Chearfulness they send before them the News of their Arrival CXLIX It was a Custom in Alexandria that upon a certain stated and appointed day some particular Persons were carried about in a Chariot to whom it was given in charge that they should pass throughout the whole City and making a stand at whose door they pleased they should there sing aloud the faults that the persons in that house were guilty of they might not causelessly reproach any but publish the very Truth to which purpose they were studiously before hand to inquire into the manner of the life of each Citizen The end of this Custom was that Men might be moved to return by the consideration of that Shame which was publickly provided for a dishonest Life CL. The black People or Caffares in the Land of Mosambique have a Custom among them That when they go to War against their Enemies he that taketh or killeth most men is accounted the best and bravest Man and most respected As a Proof of his Gallantry to his King of as many as he hath slain or taken Prisoners he cuts off the Privy Members dries them well because they should not rot with these thus dried he comes before his King with great Reverence in the presence of the principal Men of the Village where taking these Members one by one into his Mouth he spits them on the ground at the King's feet which the King with great Thanks accepteth and the more to reward and recompence their Valour he causeth them all to be taken up and given him again for a sign and token of Honour Whereby from that time forwards they are accounted as Knights and they take all those Members wherewith the King hath thus honoured them and tye them all upon a string like a Bracelet or Chain and when they marry and go to any Wedding or Feasts the Bride or Wife of such Knights do wear the foresaid Chain about their Necks which amongst them is as great an honour as it is with us to wear the golden Fleece or the Garter in England and the Brides of such Knights are therewith as proud as if they were the mightiest Queens in all the World CLI The manner of making War amongst the Romans and the recovery of such things as were injuriously detained was this They sent forth Feciales or Heralds whom they also called Orators crowned with Vervain that they might make the Gods Witnesses who are the Revengers of broken Leagues He that was crowned with Vervain carried a Turf with grass upon it out of the Tower and the Ambassador when he came to their Borders who were the Offerers of the Injury covering his Face with a woollen Veil Hear O Iupiter saith he hear the Borders and then naming the People whose Borders they were hear ye that which is right I am the publick Messenger of the People of Rome and justly and piously come as their Ambassador Then he speaks all their Demands and calls Iupiter to witness If I unjustly or impiously demand those men or those things to be yielded back to the People of Rome do thou then never suffer me to return in safety to my own Country This he doth when he is entred upon their Borders when he meets any man when he enters the Gates of the City when he comes into the Market place then if that which he demands is not restored at the end of thirty three days he thus declares War who is the Father of the Fatherhood the chief Herald and who is crowned with Vervain Hear Iupiter and Iuno Quirinus celestial terrestrial and infernal Gods I call you to witness that this People and names it is unjust and will not do right but of these matters the elder of us will consult in our own Country how to regain our Right Then he being returned to Rome they enter upon the Debate and if it is decreed as Right then the Herald returns with a Spear in his hand pointed with Iron Upon their Borders before three Children at least he pronounces that such a People have offered force to and injured the People of Rome that the People of Rome have commanded that War be made with them for which cause I and the People of Rome declare and make War with such a People and when he hath said this he throws the Javelin or Spear upon their Borders CLII. The Jews before they entred Battel by publick Edict commanded them to depart from the Army who were newly married and had not brought home their Wives also all those that had planted a Vineyard and had not yet eaten of the Fruits of it and those who had begun to build a House and had not finished it together with these all such as were cowardly and fearful lest