bones and Iewels was gathered and laid vpon a rich Mantle the which was carried to the Temple gate where the Priests attended to blesse those deuellish relickes whereof they made a dough or paste and thereof an Image which was apparelled like a man with a visor on his face and all other sorts of Iewels that the deaâ— King was wont to weare so that it seemed a gallant I doll At the foote of the Temple staires they opened a graue ready made which was square large and two fadom deepe it was also hanged with new Mats round about and a farre bed therein in the which a religious man placed the Idol made of aâ—hes with his eyes toward the East part and hung round about the wals Targets of Gold and Siluer with Bowe and Arrowes and many gallant tuffes of Feathers with earthen vessels as Pots Dishes and Platters so that the graue was filled vp with houshold stuffe Chests couered with Leather Apparell Iewels Meate Drinke and Armor This done the graue was shut vp and made sure with beâ—mes boords and flored with earth on the top All those Gentlemen which had serued or touched any thing in the buriall washed themselues and went to dinner in the Court or yard of the Kings house without any table and hauing dined they wiped their hands vpon certaine locks of Cotten woll hanging downe their heads and not speaking any word except it were to aske for drinke This Ceremonie endured fiue dayes and in all that time no fire was permitted to be kindled in the Citie except in the Kings house and Temples nor yet any Corne was ground or Market kept nor none durst goe out of their houses shewing all the sorrow that might be possible for the death of their King In Mexico were twelue Iudges who were all Noblemen graue and well learned in the Mexican Lawes These men liued onely by the rents that properly appertaine to the maintenance of Iustice and in any cause iudged by them it was lawfull for the parties to appeale vnto other twelue Iudges who were of the Princes bloud and alwayes abode in the Court and were maintained at the Kings owne cost and charges The inferiour Iudges came ordinarily once euery moneth to consult with the higher And in euery fourescore dayes came the Iudges of euery Prouince within the Mexican Empire to consult with the Iudges of Mexico but all doubtfull causes were reserued to the King onely to passe by his order and determination The Painters serued for notaries to paint all the cases which were to be resolued but no suite passed aboue fourescore dayes without finall end and determination There were in that Citie twelue Sergeants whose office was to arrest and to call parties before the Iudges Their garments were painted Mantels whereby they were knowne a farre off The Prisons were vnder ground moist and darke the cause whereof was to put the people in feare to offend If any witnesse were called to take an oath the order was that he should touch the ground with one of his fingers and then to touch his tongue with the same which signified that he had sworne and promised to speake the troth with his tongue taking witnesse thereof of the earth which did maintaine him But some doe interprete the oath that if the paâ—tie sware not true that then he might come to such extremitie as to eate earth Sometime they name and call vpon the God of the crime whose cause the matter touched The Iudge that taketh bribes or gifts is forthwith put out of his office which was accounted a most vile aâ—d 〈◊〉 reproach The Indians did affirme that Necauâ—lpincintâ— did hang a Iudge in Tezâ—â—â—o for 〈…〉 sentence be himselfe knowing the contrary The Murtherer is executed without exception The woman with childe that wilfully casteth her creature suffereth death for the same The Theefe for the first offence was made a slaue and hanged for the second The Traitor to the King and Common-weale was put to death with extreame torments The Woman taken in Mans apparell died for the same and likewise the Man taken in Womans attire Euery one that challengeth another to fight except in the warres was condemned to dye In Tezcuco the sinne of Sodomie was punished with death and that Law was instituted by Necaualpincinth and Necaualcoio who were Iudges which abhorred that filthy sinne and therefore they deserued great praise for in other Prouinces that abhominable sinne was not punished although they haue in those places common Stewes as in Panuco The end of the fift Booke AN ALPHABETICALL TABLE OF THE PRINCIPALL THINGS CONTAINED IN THE FIVE BOOKES of the third Part of PVRCHAS his Pilgrims The first Number notes the Page the second Number directs you to the number noted in the back-margent of the Pages Right against which or betwixt that and the next number the note is to bee found Obserue that whereas many words may bee well written with I. or with Y. the Reader is to looke to both Obserue also that Name of Saints or Knights are not set vnder S. but in the Alphabet of their proper Names A ABaccu is the Caspian Sea 69.60 The largenesse of it 70.1 Abaseia or Habassia is India media 106.50 in Marg. Rich in Gold ibid. Abedalcuria 252.60 Abortion caused by an Herbe 991.40 Acapulco the Prouince and Port in the West Indies the Latitude 871.60 Acias or Akas so the Tartars call the Alanian Christians 10.10 Enemies to the Tartars 12.40 Achbaluch Mangi which in Tartars Language is the White Citie of the Mangi 90.1 Acornes as big as Apples 520 50 Accents the Chinois haue fiue seuerall 384.20 Accounts cast by graines of Corne 1053.50 Accord betweene Poles and Russes about chusing their Emperour 788.789 Acquaintance the Ceremony of beginning it 374 Acacron the Armenian Prophet 49.50 Acon the Citie Arabicke and Syriack vnderstood there 13.50 Adams Sepulcher in Zeilan 106.1 More of that Fable ibid. Adams-Apples grow in Persia 71.10 Adders of India their seuerall sorts and natures 976.1 Adem the Soldan of it discomfited 106.50 Admirals Iland 474.40 Sea horses there 512 Adoration the manner of it in Mexico 1027.30 1028.1 1046.60 Adoption practised in Russia 740.40 Adulterie punished with Death in Peru 1058.40 Adultresses Dowries giuen to poore Girles 276.10 Adulterie Witaldrie the punishment 182.40 Adulterers how punished in China 204.10 Aedgar the King his mightie Nauie 619.40 Emperour of the Ocean ibid. Aegeland and Halgeland discouered 212.1 Aequinoctiall vnder it moyst and raynie and why 918.40 Not so hoâ— as the Antients held it very cold in March causes of the temperature though the Sunne bee very hote the dayes and nights equall 920. No Calmes vnder the Lane 923.60.926 The Ayre vnder or neere it swifter then the Ayre about the Poles and why 925.30 Easterne and Westerne windes continuall vnder the Lino 925.40 See Torride Zone Aequinoctiall whither healthfull liuing vnder it 889.10 Aethiopian Patriarch 327.30
another circuit of sixe mile square with three Gates on the South square and three on the North that which is in the midst being in both the greater and kept shut except when the Can passeth that way the other alway open to others In each corner of this Wall and in the midst is a faire Palace eight in all very large in which are kept the Cans munitions and furnitures of all sorts for Horses in one in another Bowes and shooting Artillerie in a third Costlets Curasses and leather Armours and so in the rest Within this circuit is another wall-circuit very thicke and ten paces high all the battlements white the wall square each square a mile in length with sixe gates as the former and eight Palaces also very great wherein are the Cans prouision Betwixt these two last walls are many faire trees and medowes in which are Deere Muske beasts with other game and store of grasse the paths being heigthned two cubits to spare it no durt nor plashes of water being therein Within this last wall is the Palace of the great Can the greatest that hath beene seene abutting with the wall on the North and South and open spaced where the Barons and Souldiers passe It hath no seeling but a very high roofe the foundation of the pauement ten palms high with a wall of marble round about it two paces wide as it were a walke In the end of the wall without is a faire Turret with Pillars In the walls of the Halls and Chambers are carued Dragons Souldiers Birds Beasts of diuers kinds histories of Warres gilded The roofe is so made that nothing is seene but Gold and Imagery In euery square of the Palace is a great Hall of marble capable of great multitudes The Chambers are disposed the best that may be deuised the roofe is red greene azure and of all coloures Behind the Palace are great Roomes and priuate store-houses for his treasures and Iewels for his women and other secret employments Ouer against the said Palace of the Can is another for Cingis his sonne whose Court was in all things like his Fathers Neere this Palace towards the North is a Mount made by hand a mile in compasse one hundred paces high beset with trees that are alwaies greene Vnto this mountaine the king commandeth all the best trees to be brought from remote parts lading Elephants with them for they are taken vp with the roots and are transplanted in this Mountaine And because this Mountaine is alwaies greene it is called The greene Mountaine And where the earth of that Mount was taken away are two Lakes answering each other with a pretie Riuer filling them stored with fish and so grated that the fish cannot get forth The Citie of Cambalu in the Prouince of Cathai seated on a great Riuer was famous and regall from antiquitie And this name Cambalu signifieth The Citie of the Lord or Prince This Citie the great Can remoued vnto the other side of the Riuer where the Palaces are for he vnderstood by the Astrologers that it should rebell against the Empire This new built Citie is called Taidu and he made all the Catayans to goe out of the old Citie into the new which contayneth in compasse foure and twentie miles euery side of the square contayning sixe miles It hath walls of earth ten paces thicke at the bottome and at the top but three by little and little ascending thinner the batlements are white Euery square of the wall hath three principall Gates which are twelue in all hauing sumptuous Palaces built ouer each of them There are also excellent Palaces in the angles of the walls where the Armes of the Garrison which are one thousand at each Gate are kept The buildings are squared out the streets laid very straight by line throughout this Citie so that from one Gate a free prospect openeth thorow the Citie to the opposite Gate hauing very goodly houses built on both sides like Palaces with Gardens and Courts diuided to the Heads of Families In the middle of the Citie a certaine sumptuous house is built wherein hangeth a very great Bell after the third knolling whereof in the night no man may goe out of his house vntill the beginning of the day following except it be for speciall cause as for a woman in trauell c. And they are compelled to carrie a light with them Without the Citie of Cambalu are twelue great Suburbs three or foure miles long ioyning vpon each of the twelue Gates more inhabiting the Suburbs then the Citie heere Marchants and Strangers keepe each Nation hauing a seuerall Store-house or Burse in which they lodge No dead corps of any man is buryed within this Citie but the bodies of Idolaters are burned without the Suburbs where the dead bodies of other sects are buryed And because an huge multitude of Sorcerers conuerse alwayes there they haue about twentie fiue thousand Harlots in the Suburbs and in the Citie and these haue a Captaine appointed ouer euery hundreth and thousand and one Generall whose office is that when Embassadours come or such as haue businesse with the Can whose charges he findeth this Captaine giueth euery Embassadour and euery man of his family change of women nightly at free cost for this is the Queanes tribute The Guards euery night cast those in prison which they finde walking late and if they be found guiltie they are beaten with Cudgels for the Bachsi tell them that it is not good to shed mans blood But many dye of those beatings The great Can hath in his Court twelue thousand Horse-men which they call Casitan faithfull Souldiers of their Lord who guard his person more for state then feare And foure Captaines haue the charge of these whereof euery one commandeth three thousand When one Captaine with three thousand Souldiers within the Palace hath guarded the King for three dayes and nights another Captaine with his Souldiers againe succeedeth and so throughout the whole yeeare this course of watching by course is obserued When through occasion of any feastiuall day hee keepeth a solemne Court his Table being higher then the rest of the Tables is set at the North part of the Hall and his face is to the South hauing the greatest Queene on his left hand to wit his principall wife and his Sonnes and nephews and they of the blood royall on his right Yet their table is in a lower place so that they scarce touch the Kings feet with their heads the seat of the eldest being higher then the rest The Barons and Princes sit in a lower place then that Their wiues also keepe the like order first the Cans sonnes wiues and his kinsmens sits lower on the left hand and after those of the Lords and of euery Captaine and Noble-man each in her degree and order And the Emperour himselfe while he sitteth at his table may cast his eyes vpon all that
the Master altered his minde as those Barbarians are vsually inconstant and lingred long amongst the Ilands in the way This troubled vs in two respects principally both for the losse of the season which God offered and which being past wee were compelled to winter on the Coast of China and againe because in the same Ship was carryed an Idoll of the Deuill to which the Mariners in sight and spight of vs sacrificed after the manner of their Countrey They also by lots demanded answers thereof touching their Voyage which as they sayd and beleeued were sometimes good sometimes bad A hundred leagues from Malaca holding our course to China wee stayed at an Iland where after many Ceremonies the Deuill was consulted what fortune wee should haue who answered very prosperous Whereupon with great alacritie wee set sayle they worshipped the Idoll placed in the poope with Candles burning and incense of sweet Wood wee trusted in God the Creator of Heauen and Earth and in his Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ desiring to carrie his Religion into those parts When wee were vnder sayle they demanded of the Deuill whether this Ship should returne from Iapon to Malaca the answer was made by the lot-casters that it should goe to Iapon but not returne to Malaca which made them alter their mindes thinking it better to winter in China and to deferre the voyage to Iapon till the next yeere You may well thinke how it grieued vs that the Deuill must bee consulted touching our course After this we came to Cauchinchina where two aduerse things happened Emanuel Sina our companion by the rolling of the Ship in the troubled Sea fell into the sinke almost dead with the bruise and water but in few dayes recouered which before it was ended the Masters Daughter with the like rolling of the Ship fell into the Sea and in all our sight was drowned and much lamentation followed The Barbarians presently sought to pacifie the Deuill and without rest all the day and night tooke paines to kill Birds to the Idoll and to set dishes of meate before it and by lots consulted to know the cause of that misfortune The answer was that if Emanuel which first fell in had dyed the Girle had not fallen into the Sea You see in what danger the Deuill hereby had cast vs if our Lord had not restrayned his rage c. The tempest being asswaged wee came in few dayes to the Port of Canton in China And there they purposed to Winter notwithstanding all our intreaties and expostulations but I know not how on a sudden they would goe to Chincheo on the same Coast. And when wee were almost there the Master was certified by some which sayled by that there was store of Pirats at Chincheo whereupon the winde being faire for Iapon and crosse for Canton they brought vs to Cangoxuma the Countrey of our friend Paul whose friends vsed vs vnkindly There wee spent fortie dayes in learning the Elements of the Iaponian tongue with great labour and began to publish the Decalogue and other heads of Christian learning which Paul had accurately conuerted into his owne Language and wee purposed speedily to Print them whereby the knowledge of Christ is further and more easily founded c. The occasion of his journey thither hee sheweth in another Letter that some Portugals being lodged in a House possessed by Deuils compassed the sayd house with Crosses and that there was great hope of good to bee done in those parts whereupon notwithstanding those Seas are very tempestuous and much infested with Pirats hee resolued to goe thither Ricius and Trigantius adde that the Iaponian Priests alledged in defence of their Idolatries the Chinois wisedome against him whereupon hee returned to India to aduise with the Vice-roy to send an Ambassage into China without which there was no entrance and obtayned that Iames Pereira was named Legate with whom he had before conferred about the businesse at Sancian where the Portugals at that time vsed to trade with the Chinois Amacao not yet established but Aluarus Taidius the Captayne of Malaca opposed Xauier loath herein to bee crossed vsed the Popes Bull which constituted him Apostolicall Nuncio and grieuously Cursed all that should hinder his proceedings in promoting Religion And when Aluarus would not otherwise relent hee interdicted him and his followers Soone after Aluarus was possessed with a Leprosie and further contemning the Vice-roy was taken and cast in Irons and dyed miserably Xauier burning with zeale of his China expedition sought to get some Chinois by fauour or reward to conueigh him by stealth into China and to expose him some-where on the Continent although hee knew that imprisonment attended such strangers as came into China without licence Being admonished to take leaue of the Captayne What sayd hee should I goe to salute an Excommunicate person I shall neuer see him nor hee me in this life nor after but when in the Vale of Iosaphat I shall accuse him before the Iudge Christ. And praying for him after with a countenance full of Maiestie hee put off his shooes and shooke off the dust according to the Euangelicall precept Thus he came to Sancian a Desart Iland where the Portugals vsed to make oothes of boughes or straw for the time of their Trading with the Chinois with whom hee consulted about some way to effect his desires though with losse of libertie or life At last he agreeth with a China Merchant for as much Pepper giuen him of the Portugall Merchants in almes as was worth aboue two hundred Duckets to set him and his Interpreter on shoare secretly Hee vndertooke it but either secretly terrified by other Portugals or with his owne danger his Interpreter forsooke him and after that the Merchant also vanished He stayed yet wayting for him till a Feuer tooke him out of the world in December 1552. His corps was after translated to India The Portugals of those times were very desirous of Trade with the Chinois who on the other side were very suspitious of them both by that which they saw of their Ships and Ordnance and by that which the Moores at Canton reported of these Franks so the Mahumetans call Europaeans that they were warlike and victorious as appeared in Malaca and all India vnder colour of Merchandise subiected to the Portugals The Chinois at Canton call them still Falanks for they want the R and pronounce not two consonants without a vowell interposed By the same name they call also the Portugals Ordnance Yet desire of gaine preuayled that they were admitted to such a trade as ye haue heard so as the Mart ended they must away with their goods to India That course continued diuers yeeres till the Chinois growing lesse fearefull granted them in the greater Iland a little Peninsula to dwell in In that place was an Idoll which still remayneth to bee seene called Ama whence the Peninsula was called Amacao that is Amas
himselfe great matters by his meanes and therefore would haue all the Kniues and Hatchets which any man had to his priuate vse but receiued none but from Iohn King the Carpenter and my selfe To this Sauage our Master gaue a Knife a Looking-glasse and Buttons who receiued them thankefully and made signes that after hee had slept hee would come againe which hee did When hee came hee brought with him a Sled which hee drew after him and vpon it two Deeres skinnes and two Beauer skinnes Hee had a scrip vnder his arme out of which hee drew those things which the Master had giuen him Hee tooke the Knife and laid it vpon one of the Beauer skinnes and his Glasses and Buttons vpon the other and so gaue them to the Master who receiued them and the Sauage tooke those things which the Master had giuen him and put them vp into his scrip againe Then the Master shewed him an Hatchet for which hee would haue giuen the Master one of his Deere skinnes but our Master would haue them both and so hee had although not willingly After many signes of people to the North and to the South and that after so many sleepes he would come againe he went his way but neuer came more Now the Ice being out of the Sounds so that our Boat might go from one place vnto another a company of men were appointed by the Master to go a fishing with our net their names were as followeth William Wilson Henry Greene Michael Perce Iohn Thomas Andrew Moter Bennet Mathewes and Arnold Lodlo These men the first day they went caught fiue hundred fish as big as good Herrings and some Troutes which put vs all in some hope to haue our wants supplied and our Commons amended but these were the most that euer they got in one day for many dayes they got not a quarter so many In this time of their fishing Henry Green and William Wilson with some others plotted to take the net and the shallop which the Carpenter had now set vp and so to shift for themselues But the shallop being readie our Master would goe in it himselfe to the South and South-west to see if hee could meete with the people for to that end was it set vp and that way wee might see the Woods set on fire by them So the Master tooke the Sayue and the Shallop and so much victuall as would serue for eight or nine dayes and to the South hee went They that remained aboord were to take in water wood and ballast and to haue all things in a readinesse against hee came backe But hee set no time of his returne for he was perswaded if he could meet with the people hee should haue flesh of them and that good store but hee returned worse then hee went forth For hee could by no meanes meete with the people although they were neere them yet they would set the woods on fire in his sight Being returned hee fitted all things for his returne and first deliuered all the bread out of the bread roome which came to a pound a piece for euery mans share and deliuered also a Bill of Returne willing them to haue that to shew if it pleased God that they came home and he wept when hee gaue it vnto them But to helpe vs in this poore estate with some reliefe the Boate and Sayue went to worke on Friday morning and stayed till Sunday noone at which time they came aboord and brought fourescore small Fish a poore reliefe for so many hungry bellies Then we wayed and stood out of our wintering place and came to an Anchor without in the mouth of the Bay from whence we wayed and came to an anchor without in the Sea where our bread being gone that store of cheese we had was to stop a gap whereof there were fiue whereat the company grudged because they made account of nine But those that were left were equally diuided by the Master although he had counsell to the contrarie for there were some who hauing it would make hast to bee rid thereof because they could not gouerne it I knew when Henrie Greene gaue halfe his bread which hee had for fourteene dayes to one to keepe and prayed him not to let him haue any vntill the next Munday but before Wednesday at night hee neuer left till hee had it againe hauing eaten vp his first weekes bread before So Wilson the Boatswaine hath eaten in one day his fortnights bread and hath beene two or three dayes sicke for his labour The cause that moued the Master to deliuer all the Cheese was because they were not all of one goodnesse and therefore they should see that they had no wrong done them but euery man should haue alike the best and the worst together which was three pounds and a halfe for seuen dayes The wind seruing we weighed and stood to the North-west and on Munday at night the eighteenth day of Iune wee fell into the Ice and the next day the wind being at West we lay there till Sunday in sight of Land Now being here the Master told Nicholas Simmes that there would be a breaking vp of chests and a search for bread and willed him if hee had any to bring it to him which hee did and deliuered to the Master thirty cakes in a bagge This deed of the Master if it bee true hath made mee maruell what should bee the reason that hee did not stop the breach in the beginning but let it grow to that height as that it ouerthrew himselfe and many other honest men but there are many deuices in the heart of man yet the counsell of the Lord shall stand Being thus in the Ice on Saturday the one and twentieth of Iune at night Wilson the Boatswayne and Henry Greene came to mee lying in my Cabbin lame and told mee that they and the rest of their Associates would shift the Company and turne the Master and all the sicke men into the shallop let them shift for themselues For there was not fourteen daies victual left for all the Company at that poore allowance they were at and that there they lay the Master not caring to goe one way or other and that they had not eaten any thing these three dayes and therefore were resolute either to mend or end and what they had begun they would goe through with it or dye When I heard this I told them I maruelled to heare so much from them considering that they were married men and had wiues and children and that for their sakes they should not commit so foule a thing in the sight of God and man as that would bee for why should they banish themselues from their natiue Countrie Henry Greene bad me hold my peace for he knew the worst which was to be hanged when hee came home and therefore of the two he would rather be hanged at home then starued abroad and for the good will they
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 l. 2. chap. 7. Exceptions to generall rules The Authors experience Various and diuersified tempers of the Torrid Zone Causes of temperatenâ—sse vnder the Line and within the Tropicks Second cause That there bee other reasons besides the former mentioned which shew that the burning Zone is temperate especially alongst the Ocean Chap. 11. Arist. 〈◊〉 Dionys. c. 15. 〈◊〉 câ—â—l â—ierar That the cold windes bee the principal cause to make the burning Zone temperate Chap. 13. It is noted by trauellers that there is a hot winde sometimes neere to Balsara and Ormus which swalloweth mens breath and suddenly kils them Linschoten obserue at Goa the wind to blow twelue houres from the Sea and other twelue constantly from the land Temper of the Indies Of the windes their differences properties and causes in generall lib. 3. cap. 2. * We haue abbreuiated and to preuent tediousnesse cut off a great part of Acostas obseruations in the two former bookes as hauing handled the same in our Pilgrimage l. 8. where we haue shewed whence men and beasts might come thither and that the opinion of the worlds vnhabitablenesse betwixt the Tropicks is false for the daily raines when the Sunne is neerest the long nights therein great dewes the breezes and constant course of the windes the great Lakes Riuers height of Hills c. make those parts not onely habitable but more temperate then others and fitter for mans life there being more heat at and on this side the Tropicks then vnder the Line We here doe but cull ouâ— choise things for better vnderstanding the naturall historie of those parts for other things referring the Reader to the Authour himselfe Occasionally our notes shall elucidate those things also which are in the Text omitted * Vulcans as Aetâ—â— Hecla c. sulphurous earth whence â—â—re issueth Generall windes Monsoâ—â— Windes receiue their qualities from the places by which they passe Psalme 134. Ieremie 10. Herera hath shewed the height of the Hills to bee the cause of the windes constancy and raines raritie Eastern winde raineth betwixt the Tropicks That the burning Zone the Brises or Easterly windes doe continually blow and without the Zone the Westerne and that the Easterly are ordinarie alwayes there Chap. 4. Iuan de Gacos in Decade 1. lib. 4. cap. 6. They goe one way to the Indies and return another why Sayling 2700. leagues without sight of Land in two moneths See Candishes voyage Cause of the Brises Motion of the Primum Mobile carrieth the inferiour aire with it The Comet 1577. seene eight dayes sooner in Peru then in Spaine The Brize or motion of the air with the heauens is a winde Why withouâ— the Zone in a greater altâ—tude we finde alwaies Westerly windes Chap. 7. 〈◊〉 windes Of the exceptions to the foresaid Rules of the winds and calmes both at Land and at Sea Chap. 8. Cause of the variety of windes Simile Note Of some maruellous effects of the windes which are in some parts of the Indies Chap. 9. Silkewormes killed with South-west windes Exo. c. 10. 14. Iob 17. Ioan 4. Osâ—e 13. Dan. 3. The like Linschoten obserueth in the Terceras Sea sicknesse whence Agitation and Sea ayre Strange passion at Pariacaca by the ayre there Height of Pariacaca 〈◊〉 too subtile for mens bodies So we see Horses to beate the water with their feete to make it more grosse and thereby more agreeable to their bodies Vicunos Great Desart Punas ayre kilâ—ing Strange Story The same confirmed by a Iesuites report and a Dominicans Such effects of cold wâ— haue obserued in Russia and other Northern parts and the like Master Kniuet will tell vs at the Maggelan Straits No Mediterranean Sea of great note in America Terra firme Straight of land but eight leag betwixt North South Seas Herodotus Iouius Experience in Drakes and Maires voyage haue found them no straights but broken Ilands to the South contrary to our Author here See of this Sir Francis Drakes Voyage to 1. l. 2 I haue omitted Sarmientoes voiage c. The supposed Straight in Florida Of the ebbing and flowing of the Indian Ocean Chap. 14. The Philosophers in searching the cause of ebbing and flowing haue easily erred following the Greekes and Latines which knew not the Ocean and could not therfore know the cause * Hernando Alonso which with Sarmiento had gone to the Straights to seeke Captaine Drake At the Downes on our coast two tides meet one from the Westerne Sea or slewe the other from the North which there cause much varietie Of sundry Fishers and their manner of fishing at the Indies The Manati a strange fish The Whales also bring forth their yong aliue and nourish them with their brests being in that huge creature scarce twice so big as the breasts of a woman and farre lesse then those of many women Their foode is also Sea weedes Sharking sharkes They haue rough heads whereby they cleaue and sticke fast to the Sharke which thus are forced to caâ—ry them with their swift motion of whose off all also they liue Crocodiles * Yet so as euer and anon hee dips it in the water his tongue being so short that otherwise he could not swallow it Tigre kils a Crocodile Indians exploit on a Crocodile Whale killed by the Sauages Of Lakes and Pooles that be at the Indies Chap. 16. Thicke water Fishes and fishing Originall of Lakes Greatest riuers flow from Lakes Hot Lake and many wonders thereof Lakes of Mexico salt and fresh Râ—ch Lake Of many and diuers Springs and Fountains Chap. 17. Hot Spring turning into Stone Fountaine of Pitch Cold and hot Springs together Salt Spring which yeeldes Salâ— without boiling Pocke-â—pring Smoak Spring Inke c. Of Riuers Chap. 18. Maragnon or Amazons Water-fall Golden thirst Riuer of Plata increasing as Nilus How they passe their Riuers Haire and Straw Bridges L. 3. C. 19 Decay of people in the Indies by the Spaniards Corn groundâ— The Indies mountainous and thereby temperate Of the properties of the land of Peru. Chap. 20 One winde onely The Plaines the hils and the Andes See sup in Herera Raine almost euer and almost neuer Diuers Beasts Their bread The reason why it raines on the Lanos along the Sea coast Chap. 21. Of the propertie of new Spaine of the Ilands and of other Lands Chap. 22. Peru wine Sugar workes and Hides Indians wasted Of the vnknowne Land and the diuersitie of a whole day betwixt them of the East and the West Chap. 23. Of the Volcans or Vents of fire Chap. 24. Terrible earthquake at Guatimala Couetous Priest Causes of this burning Basil. Psal. 28. in exaâ— Of Earthquakes Cap. 26. Great earthquakes Noyse before the earthquake Why the Sea coast is subiect to earthquakes Earthquake at Ferrara terrible Aâ— Angoango Metals grow as
desired him to thinke of deliuering the Holy Land out of the hands of the Pagans wherein he promised all his best endeauour and wished the King to send messengers to the Pope and to other Princes of Christendome for their assistance So Abaga hauing ordered the affaires of Turkie returned to the Kingdome of Corazen where hee had left his familie Bendecar the Soldan of Egypt after he had receiued such damage by the Tartars was poisoned died in Damascus whereof the Christians of those parts were very glad And the Saracens very sorrowfull for they had not his like after as they themselues commonly reported For his sonne called Melechahic succeeded him who was soone driuen out of his Dominion by one called Elsi who violently vsurping made himselfe Soldan 36. The time appointed being come when Abaga was to begin his warre against the Soldan of Egypt hee appointed his brother Mangodanior to goe to the Kingdome of Syria with thirtie thousand men being Tartars and couragiously to ouercome the Soldan if he came in battell against him or otherwise to take in the Castles and Holds of the Countrey and deliuer them to the Christians if the Soldan should shun the fight When Mangodanior with his Armie setting forward was come neere the Confines of Armenia hee sent for the King of Armenia who came presently vnto him with a goodly companie of Horse so that they entred the Kingdome of Syria and went spoyling and forraging till they came to the Citie Aman now called Camella which is seated in the midst of Syria Before this Citie lieth a faire great Playne where the Soldan of Egypt had assembled his Power intending to fight with the Tartarians And there the Saracen on the one side with the Christians and Tartars on the other side fought a great battell The King of Armenia with the Christians ruled and commanded the right wing of the Armie which inuaded the Soldans left wing manfully and put them to flight and pursued them three dayes iourney euen to the Citie Aman. Another part of the Soldans Armie was also routed by Amalech a Tartarian Captaine who pursued them also three dayes iourney to a Citie called Turara When they thought the Soldans Power vtterly ouerthrowne Mangodanior who neuer had seene the conflicts of warre before being afraid without any reasonable cause of certaine Saracens called Beduini withdrew himselfe out of the field hauing the better forsaking the King of Armenia and his Captaine which had preuayled against his enemies When the Soldan which thought he had lost all saw the field cleere and all abandoned he got vpon a little hill with foure armed men and stood there The King of Armenia returning from the pursuit and missing Mangodanior in the field was much astonied and imagining which way hee should be gone followed after him But Amalech returning from the enemies whom he had pursued abode two dayes expecting his Lord supposing that he had followed after him as he ought for the further subduing of his enemies and the Countrey which they had ouercome till at last hauing heard of his retrait leauing his victorie hee made speed after him whom hee found on the banke of the Riuer Euphrates staying for him And then the Tartars returned to their owne Prouince But the King of Armenia sustained much losse and hard aduenture in his returne for the Horses of the Christians of the Kingdome of Armenia were so wearied and spent with the length of the way and want of Fodder that they were not able to trauell so that the Christians going scatteringly by vnvsuall wayes were often found out and slayne without mercy by the Saracens inhabiting those parts Insomuch that the greatest part of the Armie was lost and in a manner all the Nobility And this misaduenture of Mangodanior happened in the yeere of our Lord 1282. When Abaga vnderstood the successe hereof he assembled all his people and when hee was readie to set forward with all his power against the Saracens a certaine Saracen the sonne of the Deuill came to the Kingdome of Persia and preuayled by giuing great gifts to sâ—me that serued neere about Abaga in such sort that both he and his brother Mangodanior were poysoned both in one day and died both within eight dayes after The trueth whereof was afterwards disclosed by the mischieuous Malefactors themselues And so died Abaga Can in the yeere of our Lord 1282. 37. After the death of Abaga Can the Tartars assembled themselues and ordayned ouer them a brother of his called Tangodor who had ouergone the rest of his brethren In his youth he had receiued the Sacrament of Baptisme and was baptised by the name of Nicholas But being come to riper yeeres and keeping companie with Saracens whom hee loued hee became a wicked Saracen and renouncing Christian Religion would be called Mahomet Can and laboured by all meanes to turne all the Tartarians to that irreligious Sect of Mahomet the sonne of Iniquitie in such sort that those that hee could not compell by violence hee aâ—lured by preferments and rewards insomuch that in his time many of the Tartarians became professed Saracens as at this day appeareth This Child of perdition commanded the Churches of the Christians to be destroyed and forbade them to vse any of their religious Rites or Ceremonies Hee caused the doctrine of Mahomet to bee publikely preached the Christians to bee banished and their Churches in the Citie of Tauris vtterly to bee destroyed Hee sent Messengers also to the Soldan of Egypt and concluded a Peace and a League with him promising that all the Christians within his Dominion should become Saracens or else lose their heads which gaue the Saracens cause of much reioycing and made the Christians very sad Hee sent moreouer to the King of Armenia in Georgia and to the other Christian Princes of those parts to come vnto him without delay But they resolued rather to die in battell then to obey his commandement for other remedie they could finde none And the Christians being now in such anguish and bitternesse of heart that they rather desired to die then to liue euen God which neuer refuseth them that put their trust in him sent consolation to them all For a Brother of this Mahomet with a Nephew of his also called Argon opposing themselues and rebelling against him for his euill deeds did signifie to Cobila Can the great Emperour of the Tartarians how he had forsaken the steps of his Ancestors and was become a wicked Saracen labouring with all his might to bring the rest of Tartars to be Saracens also Which when Cobila Can vnderstood he was much displeased thereat insomuch that he sent and required Mahomet to reforme his euill wayes for otherwise he would proceed against him Which message replenished him with wrath and indignation insomuch that he being perswaded there was none that durst gainsay his proceedings but his Brother and his Nephew
Chinois to recouer the China State being vnquiet so long as the Tartar greatnesse continued and freed for the most part with their diminishing and diuision into diuers Estates As for these times of Tamerlan if this Story be exact it is like the Can held the North parts of China from Quinsay forward with Cataio and the King of China the rest then Nanquin being the Seat Royall as since the expulsion of the Tartars Paquin Or perhaps the Quinsay heere mentioned is that which Conti hath in the former Page told vs was lately built by the Can and not that which Polo speakes of in Catay and not in China which cleareth this doubt of the Cans residence and rule in China To reconcile all doubts is for mee too hard a taske because Cataio and China are euen still bemysted and leaue their Surueyers perplexed bounding the search of the most curious in searching their iust bounds how farre they are the same or differing wherein our Iesuites will more amuse and amaze vs where wee will cleare our selues as well as we can when wee come to them I haue premised Conti though Tamerlane be a little Elder for his Religions sake and to recreate with a little Relation before this longer Storie CHAP. VIII Extracts of ALHACEN his Arabike Historie of TAMERLAN touching his Martiall Trauels done into French by IEAN DV BEC Abbat of Mortimer §. I. TAMERLANS Birth and Person his Expedition against the Muscouite his Marriage with the Cans daughter his ouerthrowing of CALIX SVndry Histories doe attribute as a great want vnto the happie fortune of Tamerlan not to haue a Writer in his dayes which might haue left in writing his Historie vnto posteritie But without any cause did they moane him insomuch as his Historie is very famous amongst the Turkes and Arabians his Conquests very largely discoursed and many of his worthy and notable sayings collected with an infinite number of Noble deeds left vnto the memoriall of posteritie Very true it is that he had not an Homer but a great and worthie person learned as well in naturall Philosophie as in Astrologie who was in the time of this Prince a companion and familiar of his Conquests named Alhacen an Arabian by birth and of Mahomets Religion This Authour then being fallen into my hands in my Voyage into the East Countrey I caused the same to be interpreted vnto mee by an Arabian who did speake Frank as they terme it that is to say Italian and some time I spent in associating my selfe so with this man who commended greatly vnto me the eloquence and grauitie of this Authour wondering at his digressions and entring againe into his matter so well to the purpose It grieued mee much that I had not the perfection of this Language to be a helpe vnto the richer of this Historie for to deliuer it vnto my Nation with some grace but I tooke thereof as much as I could in his Language which was corrupted as is the Franke Tongue so they terme it which is a kinde of Italian mingled with Slauon Greeke and Spanish Tongues very common at Constantinople with the Arabian and Turkish Tongues so as I could not gather but onely the trueth thereof and not the drifts and grauitie of the Declaration wherein the Authour had collected it for posteritie and as he said by the commandement of the Prince who was a louer of learning and excellent in the knowledge of Astrologie and Diuinitie as the custome of those Nations is to ioyne them ordinarily together studying vpon the vertue of names and of the turning of letters euen in their placing writing them vnderneath Starres whereof they make sentences by meanes whereof they wrought miraculously in the things of Nature This is that Zoroastrien and Bactrien Science that of Balaam and some others in my opinion which hath succeeded vnto so many Arabian Astrologians Now then this Prince was endued with such knowledge as made him admired of the people where he commanded who are for the most part great wonderers insomuch as this caused him to be accounted a Prince accompanied with the Diuine vertue considering the iustice he vsed in all his actions This hath proceeded euen so farre that some Italians haue written foolish things thereof as of certaine kinds of Tents which he caused to be pitched when he besieged any Citie one white signifying peace it yeelding vnto his mercy another red signifying cruelty to follow and the third blacke signifying mourning to ensue But I finde not this in our Author and I beleeue them to be fables I will now declare vnto you with my Arabian who this great Prince Tamerlan was Hee was then of the bloud of the Tartarian Emperours and his father Og had for his portion the Countrey of Sachetay whereof hee was Lord. This Countrey lying betweene the North and the East is the antient Countrey of Parthia vpon the Coast of the Zogdians and the chiefest Citie of his estate was Samercand situated vpon the Riuer of Issarle Some of our Historiographers would needs haue him to be the sonne of a shepheard but this haue they said not knowing at all the custome of their Countrey where the principall reuenue of the Kings and Nobles consisteth in Cattell despising Gold and Siluer but making great reckoning of such riches wherein they abound in all sorts this is the occasion wherefore some call them Shepheards and say also that this Prince descended from them So his Father Og was Prince of Achetay abounding in such kinde of wealth And being come vnto the age of fifteene yeeres his father being already old deliuered vp vnto him the gouernment of his Kingdome with the commandement ouer all his Men of warre His father Og being giuen vnto peace withdrew himselfe vnto a solitary life for to serue God and end the rest of his dayes in quiet Hee gaue vnto his sonne Tamerlan which signifieth Heauenly grace in their Tongue two sufficient personages for to guide and assist him in the gouernment of his Estate the one was called Odmar and the other Aly persons in great dignitie and credit with his father Now this Prince was well instructed in the Arabian learning and exercised himselfe much therein and at such time as they thought him to be either in the Bathes wherein they are very curious in that Countrey being their chiefest delicacies he was in the contemplation and studie of heauenly things This Prince had within his eyes such Diuine beautie being full of such maiestie that one could hardly indure the sight of them without closing of their eyes and they which talked with him and did often behold him became dumbe insomuch as he abstayned with a certaine modestie and comlinesse to looke vpon him that discoursed vnto him All the rest of his visage was curteous and well proportioned he had but little haire on his chinne hee did weare his haire long and curled contrary to the custome of his Countrey who are shaued
either glorie or meanes to encrease his reputation and profit the Common-wealth saying often that he was borne to this end and that he must take in these exercises his principall delights for euery other thing wherein he did exercise himselfe was but borrowed being appointed and called of God to punish the pride of Tyrants Neither will I here omit a dreame which our Prince had the night before hee departed from Cambalu which was that he did see as hee thought a great multitude of reuerent men who put forth their hands vnto him requiring his succour against the violence of certaine Tyrants who did afflict them with sundry kinds of torments he said that he did neuer see more reuerent countenances that some of them were apparelled in white and others in cloth of gold some hauing as it were Crowns of gold vpon their heads and it seemed vnto the Prince that he gaue them his hand and lift them very high This dreame he recited vs the next morning but no body was able to giue him the interpretation thereof himselfe thought no more of it The Prince was accompanied also with Calibes he commanded the Prince of Tanais to take vpon him the state of Colonell of the footmen which Axalla had left vnto whom he gaue the charge of Lieutenant generall within his Armie with commandement to leade his Auant-guard and Calibes the Arere-ward being accompanied with farre greater forces then euer he had in any of his Armies for they came vnto him from all parts The Chinois Lord was licenced by Odmar to goe with 20000. men of the subiects newly conquered being desirous to shew himselfe vnto the Emperour as also for to learne our manners and fashions The Prince tooke his Voyage directly vnto Samercand the place of his birth three yeeres being past since hee had beene there Zamay came to meet him and I verily beleeue a million of men blessing and praysing him in all manner of songs All the Princes of the Countrey also ranne to visite him he abode there a moneth Axalla in this meane time was already at the meeting place at Ocera who prepared all things looking for the Princes commandement for to goe vnto him aduertising him often of the doings of Baiazet We departed from Samercand for to goe vnto Ozara where was the meeting place for all the Princes troupes and hauing in that place taken aduice for his iourney that is to say for to know whether should be most expedient and fauorable either to goe by the coasts of Moscouie directly vnto Capha or rather on the other side of the Sea Bachu to passe by the skirts of Persia. It was resolued in the end after sundry opinions although the way were the longer to passe vnto Capha for to come vnto Trebisonda and to the Georgians and from thence to enter into the limits of the Ottomans Then our Armie after the accustomed ceremonies prayers made vnto God wherein our Emperor hoped to finde his principall succours we drew straight vnto Maranis where the Armie abode three dayes looking for the forces which Odmar did send whereof they receiued newes There did the Emperour cause all his Armie to be payd and a generall muster was made He had newes also there of the forces that the Moscouite did send vnto him he likewise caused an infinite quantitie of victuals and the most part of his furniture to be conuayed by the Sea of Bachu there being some twentie leagues where was want of water and victuals through the which our Armie must needs passe causing all things necessary to be carried by water the which was a great commoditie vnto vs and there was a commandement giuen at all the shoares of the Sea that they should bring all the vessels for to carrie the munition of the Armie so as this foresight did greatly ease our Armie The Prince went continually coasting the Sea-shoare passing away his time in hunting and his Armie came not neere him by ten leagues except such as came to seeke necessaries for the Armie the which did extend it selfe some twenty leagues it was so great The Prince abode at Sarasich during the time his Army passed the Riuer of Edel at Mechet and at two or three other Bridges the which they had caused to bee made there had hee ceataine newes how Baiazet marched vnto the siege of Constantinople hauing reduced vnto his obedience all Bythinia and Bursia a very noble Citie the which hee caused to bee fortified and diuers other Cities vsing all the cruelties that might be insomuch as all the adioyning Prouinces yeelded themselues his tributaries amongst the rest the noble Citie of Capha the Citie was by the Prince giuen vnto Axalla for to dispose of the same which hee did going thither to see his kins-folke and to take such order there as he thought was for the preseruation of the Citie as one not vngratefull vnto his Countrey he rather placed his hope in this little shoare of Mar Maiore then in the limits of Scythia and China and for to succeed after his Master vnto all his great conquests for that he had all the Souldiers at his commandement and great credit amongst all the people ouer whom his Prince commanded Baiazet hauing a very great and mightie Armie neither beleeued nor once thought that wee would come vpon him to exceeding barbarous was he that he would not indure any man so much as to speake onely vnto him of our Armie as despising it he was so proud and there he caused all the bordering people publikely to bee forbidden to make any vowes and prayers for our prosperitie Iustice raigned so amongst vs insomuch as if a Souldier had taken but an Apple he was put to death and this was seuerely obserued ouer all a thing vsuall and especially in this Iourney the which was the onely cause of ouerthrowing the tyrannie of the Ottomans and of this proud Baiazet So we arriued at Bachichiche where the Armie refreshed it selfe for the space of eight dayes Vnto this place came the Embassadours of Guines vnto the Emperour whom the Prince did greatly reuerence for his holinesse The Emperor after he had caused generall prayers to be published Tamerlans Armie departed from Bachichiche and they reckoned that there was in our Armie three hundred thousand Horse-men and fiue hundred thousand Foot-men of all kinds of Nations Our Armie came vnto Garga where it passed the Riuer Euphrates the Auant-guard at Chinserig and the generall meeting of the Armie was appointed to bee at Gianich the which did yeeld it selfe and there had we newes that Baiazet his Armie was neeâ—e vnto vs within some thirty leagues which caused â—s to march more close All the Cities yeelded the Emperour receiuing them graciously and those which refused obedience were cruelly punished especially such Inhabitants as were Turkes but the Christians set in full libertie vnder the name of the Greeke Emperour Emanuel whom
most slaine by Panians men Coia Acem which before was not knowne seeing his Moores ready to try the waters courtesie to escape those fiery enemies armed in Buffe with Plates fringed with Gold cryed out aloud that he might be heard La â—lah illâ—llah Muhamed roçolalah what shall you Muslemans and iust men of the Law of Mahomet suffer your selues to be conquered of so fâ—eble a Nation as are these Dogges which haue no more heart then white Hens and bearded women to them to them the Booke of Flowres hath giuen promise from our Prophet to you and me to bathe our selues in the bloud of these Cafres without Law With these cursed words the Deuill so animated them that it was fearefull to see how they ranne on our Swords Faria on the other side heartned his in the name of Christ crucified and with a zealous feruour reached Coia Acem such a blow with a two hand Sword on his Head-piece of Maile that he sunke to the ground and with another blow cut off his legges Whereupon his men with such furie assayled Faria not caring for thirtie Portugals which stood about him that they gaue him two wounds which put such spirit into our men that in little space eight and fortie of the Enemies lay dead vpon Coia Acem and the rest they slue all but fiue whom they tooke and bound the Boyes cutting the others in quarters and throwing them into the water with Coia Acem and the King of Bintans chiefe Caciz or Priest the shedder and the drinker of Portugall bloud as he stiled himselfe in the beginning of his Writings for which hee was of that cursed Sect much honoured Of the Enemies were slaine three hundred and eightie of ours fortie two eight of which were Portugals Faria searched the Iland and found a Village therein of fortie or fiftie houses which Coia Acem had sacked slaying some of the Inhabitants Not farre off was a great house seeming a Temple full of sicke and wounded men ninetie sixe in number which the Pyrat had there in cure whom he burned setting the house on fire in diuers places those that sought to escape being receiued on Pikes and Launces The Iunke which they had taken from the Portugals sixe and twentie dayes before Faria gaue to Mem Taborda and Antonio Anriquez in Almes for remission of his sinnes taking their Oath to take no more but their owne He tooke speciall care of the wounded and caused the slaues to be set free After all this there remayned of cleere gaines one hundred and thirtie thousand Taeis in Siluer of Iapan and other goods which that Pyrat had taken along that Coast from Sumbor to Fucheo §. II. ANTONIO FARIA his taking of Nouda a Citie in China triumph at Liampoo strange Voyage to Calempluy miserable shipwracke FAria hauing recouered his sicke men set sayle for Liampoo and beeing comne to the point of Micuy in sixe and twentie degrees by a storme he was driuen vpon a Rock in the darke night and was forced to cast out all the goods and cut all their Masts ouer-board and with much adoe we escaped with their helpe two and twentie drowned by ouer-hastinesse to the Iunke of Mem Taborda The second day after came two Portugals from Quiay Panians Iunke and plained to vs their almost like misfortune one gust hauing taken away three men and cast them a stones cast into the Sea and the losse of the small Iunke with fiftie persons most of which were Christians and seuen Portugals One of the Lanteas came and told of their disaduenture the other Lantea lost only thirteene men escaping which the Countrey people carryed Captiues to Nouday so that two Iunkes and a Lantea with aboue one hundred persons were lost and in Munition and other goods aboue two hundred thousand Cruzados the Captayne and Souldiers hauing nothing left but that on their backes The Coast of China is subiect to these strokes more then other Countries so that none can sayle thereon one yeare without disasters except at the full and change they betake them to their Ports which are many and good without barred entries except Laman and Sumbor Faria went and anchored before Nouday and sent some to sound and to take some of the people to enquire of his men who brought a Barke with eight men and two women one of whom hauing first sworne by the Sea that it below and the winds aboue should pursue him if heâ— brake his Faith and the beautie of the starres whose eyes beheld all wrong as the Chinese requested told him that he taking them to be Sea Rouers and Robbers had taken them and cast them in Irons Faria writ to the Mandarin by two of those Chinois with a Present worth two hundred Duckets to returne his men which returned the next day with an Answere written that himselfe should come and demand Iustice at his feet and he would doe as hee saw cause Hee wrote againe offering two thousand Taeis for their Redemption signifying that hee was a Portugall Merchant which came to trade at Liampoo and payd Customes without any Robbery and that the King of Portugall his Lord was in true amitie with his Brother the King of China and in Malaca his subjects vsed the Chinois justly This calling the King of Portugall the King of Chinas Brother he tooke so hainously that he caused the China Messengers to be whipped and their eares cut and sent them backe with a railing Answere written to Faria which had so proudly blasphemed calling his King the Brother of the Sonne of the Sunne the Lion crowned with incredible power in the Throne of the Vniuerse vnder whose feet all Crownes of all that gouerne the Earth are placed with all their Seniories as all Writers affirme in their Histories For this Heresie he burned his Writing with his Picture as he would doe to himselfe charging him presently to set sayle and be gone Faria enraged resolued to assault the Towne hauing three hundred men seuentie of them Portugals with the company of Quiay Panian for that feat Hauing therefore taken foure Barkes the next morning betimes with them three Iunkes and a Lorcha or Lantea he went vp the Riuer and had sixe fathomes water and an halfe anchoring by the wals And striking sayle without salutation of Artillery we put off our Flagge of contract after the China custome to fulfill all complements of peace sending new offers of loue and further satisfaction for the Prisoners But the Mandarine full of indignation hardly vsed the Messengers on the wall in sight of the Armada whereupon Faria desperate of doing any good that way leauing order with the Iunkes continually to shoot at the Enemie where they were thickest he with his company landed without contradiction and marched to the Towne When we were comne within little more then a Calieuer shot of the Ditch without the wall there issued by two gates one thousand or twelue hundred about one hundred of
Daughters Those assisting Captaynes he honoured with a plate of Iron like a Charger in which are engrauen those their exploits for deliuerance of the Kingdome which being shewne to the King is priuiledged with pardon of any penaltie though mortall three times except for Treason which forfeiteth presently all Priuiledges Euery time it obtaynes any pardon it is engrauen in the Plate The Sonnes in Law and Fathers in Law of the King and some which haue extraordinarily merited of the State enjoy like Honours and Reuenues with the same diminution of time as before He also ordained that all Magistracie and Gouernment should belong to those Licentiates and Doctors whereto neyther the fauour of the King or other Magistrates are necessary but their owne merits except where corruption frustrates Law All Magistrates are called Quonfu and for honours sake they are stiled Lau ye or Lau sie that is Lord or Father The Portugals call them Mandarins These haue some representation of Aristocratie in that Gouernment for though they doe nothing but first petitioning the King hee also determines nothing without their sollicitation And if a priuate man petitions which is seldome because Officers are appointed to examine Petitions before the King sees them the King if hee will grant it sends it to the Tribunall proper for that businesse to aduise him what is fit to bee done I haue found for certaine that the King cannot giue Money or Magistracie to any except hee bee solicited by some Magistrate I meane this of publike Reuenues which doubtlesse doe exceed one hundred and fiftie Millions yearely are not brought into the Palace Treasurie nor may the King spend them at his pleasure but all whether Money or Rice and other things in kinde are layed vp in the publike Treasuries and Store-houses in all the Kingdome Thence the expenses of the King his Wiues Children Eunuches Family and of all his Kindred are in Royall sort disbursed but according to the ancient Lawes neither more nor lesse Thence the Stipends of Magistrates and Souldiers and all Officers thorow the Kingdome are paid the publike Buildings the Kings Palace Cities Walls Towres Fortresses and all prouision of War are thence sustayned which cause new Tributes sometimes to be imposed this huge Reuenue notwithstanding Of Magistrates are two sorts one of the Court which rule there and thence rule the Kingdome and other Prouinciall which gouerne particular Cities or Prouinces Of both sorts are fiue or six Bookes to be sold euery where printed twice each moneth at Pequin as by their course of printing you haue seene is easie contayning nothing else but the name Countrey and degree of the Magistrates and therefore printed so often because of the exaltings shiftings setting lower death of Parents which suspends three yeares to mourning in priuate their owne deaths or depriuations Of the Court Tribunals are reckoned sixe the first Li pu Pu is asmuch as Tribunall or Court and Li as Magistrates to which it belongeth to name the chiefe Magistrates of the Kingdome bringing vp from the lower to the higher according to the Lawes prescribed or if they deserue it abasing or quite depriuing them For those Licentiates and Doctors continually ascend except their owne faults deject them wherein a depriuation makes for euer vncapable The second is called Ho-pu that is the Exchequer Court or that of the Treasury which exacts and disburseth the Kings Reuenues The third is the Li-pu or Court of Rites which ordereth the publike Sacrifices Temples Priests Kings Marriages Schooles Examinations Festiuall Dayes common Gratulations to the King Titles giuen to the wel-deseruing Physicians Colledges of Mathematicians entertayning and sending Embassages with their Rites Presents Letters the King holding it abasing to his Majesty to write to any The fourth is the Pimpu or Military Court which rewards the meriting and takes from the sluggish Souldier ordereth their Musters and giues Military degrees The fifth is Cumpu which hath care of the publike Buildings Palaces for the King or his Kindred and the Magistrates Shippes for publike burthens or Armadas Bridges Walls of Cities and all like prouisions The sixth Court is Himpu which inquireth into Criminall Causes and sentenceth them also all the publike Prisons are subject hereto All the affaires of the Kingdom depend on these Courts which therefore haue Magistrates and Notaries in euery City and Prouince to admonish them faithully of all things the multitude and order facilitating this so weighty a Designe For first in euery Court is a Lord Chiefe Iustice or President called Ciam Ciu who hath two Assistants one sitting at his right hand the other at his left called Cilam their dignity in the Royall Cities is accounted principall After these euery Tribunall hath diuers Offices each of which hath diuers Colleagues besides Notaries Courtiers Apparitors and other Seruants Besides these Tribunals there is another the greatest in the Court and Kingdome they call them Colaos which are three or foure sometimes sixe which haue no peculiar businesses but take care of the whole Re-publike and are the Kings Priuy-Counsell in all Affaires These are daily admitted into the Kings Palace and there abide whole dayes and answere as they see cause to the Petitions which are put vp to the King who was wont to define matters with these Colai in publike and shewing their answere to the King hee alters or approoueth the same and sets his hand thereto for the execution Besides these Orders of Magistrates and others not mentioned as like to our owne there are two sorts not vsuall with vs the one Choli the other called Zauli In each of these Orders are aboue sixty choice Philosophers men approued for their wisdome and courage before experienced These two Rankes are vsed by the King in Court or Prouince businesses of greater weight with great and Royall power which causeth to them great respect and veneration These by Libell admonish the King if any thing be done contrary to the Lawes in any parts of the Kingdome not sparing any of the Magistrates nor the Kings House nor the King himselfe to the wonder of other Nations And although the King sometimes bee touched to the quicke and toucheth them to the quicke againe yet cease they not still to rip the sore till it be cured Other Magistrates may doe it yea any priuate man but these mens Libels or Petitions are of most worth as proceeding from their peculiar Office The Copies of them and of the Kings answers are printed by many so that the Court and State Affaires flye thorow the Kingdome and are by some written in Bookes and those of most moment transcribed into the Annals of the Kingdome Of late when the King would for loue of a second Sonne haue excluded the eldest so many by Libels reprehended the King that he in anger depriued or abased one hundred of the Magistrates They yet ceased not but one day went together into
Riuers and Woods The Riuer Wichida springeth out of the Mountaines of Iugoria which to the South ioyne vpon Tartarie and from thence runne Northwards to the Ocean Sea Out of the same Mountaines issueth the Riuer Petsora which falleth into the Ocean Sea on this side the Streight of Waygats From Iauinis after three weekes iourney they come to Neem a Riuer so named of the gentle gliding of her streames through the Woods For Neem in English signifieth Still or Dumbe On this Riuer they proceed about fiue dayes space with their Boats and then for that the Neem taketh his course another way for shortning their iourney they must of force cause their stuffe to be carried by Land the space of a league And so they come to the Wisera a Riuer issuing out of certaine Rockes adioyning to the Mountaines of Iugoria These Rockes the Moscouites call Camenas From hence they are carried downe the Riuer Wisera for the full space of nine dayes vntill they come to Soil Camscoy a small Towne builded by the Moscouites for refreshing of Trauellers for a short space which hence forward are to proceed on their Iourney by Land As for the Wisera it keeping on his course somewhat farther at length falleth into the Cam which passing by Viatcam a Towne of Moscouia falleth into the great Riuer Rha commonly called Volga which entreth with seuenty branches into the Caspian Sea as I haue receiued from eye witnesses The Towne of Soil Camscoy is reasonably inhabited hauing many Villages round about it The Inhabitants for the most part are Russes or Tartars Here is great store of Cattell and chiefly of Horses Trauellers hauing here somewhat refreshed themselues doe lade their carriages on Horses and trauell for the most part through Mountaines full of Firres Pines and other trees of strange sorts Betweene these Mountaines they passe ouer the Riuers Soiba and from thence ouer Cosna both running toward the North-east Now these Mountaines are diuided into three parts whereof the two first are passed ouer each of them in two dayes and the third in foure dayes The first part is called Coosuinscoy Camen The second Cirginscoy Camen The third Poduinscoy Camen And doubtlesse all these mountainous Countries are much different from the other Countries out of which they enter into them For the Woods vpon them are fairer and thicker growne with trees bearing euery where diuers sorts of Plants These three Desarts are frequented by none in a manner but Tartars and Samoieds who onely hunt after those costly Furres which are to pay their tribute to the Emperour of Moscouia The Mountaines of Poduinscoy Camen are higher then the rest and for the most part couered with Snow and Cloudes and therefore difficult for Trauellers to passe ouer but by little and little they haue a gentle descent From thence they come to Vergateria in which Towne they must abide vntill the Spring by reason of the Riuer Toera which arising not farre from thence is all the rest of the yeere very shallow But the Spring approaching when the Snow melts from the hoary Hills and the Land waters arise it is passed ouer with Skiffes and small Boats Vergateria is the first Towne of the Countrey of Siberia and was begun to be builded with some other Townes within these one and twenty yeeres It is reasonably full of buildings and the lands about it are tilled as in Moscouia Heere there is resident for the Emperour of Moscouia a Gouernour which yeerely at the beginning of the Spring by way of the Riuers doth distribute great store of Corne and Victuals among the Castles with Garrisons throughout all Siberia furnishing also in like manner the Moscouites which remayne beyond the Riuer Oby For in those places the ground is not yet tilled and the Samoieds as before is said for the most part feed on the flesh of wilde beasts Downe the Riuer Toera in fiue dayes they come to Iaphanis a Towne builded and inhabited within these two yeeres Thence againe they passe downe the Toera and hauing proceeded two dayes thereon they are enforced by reason of the often windings and turnings of the Riuer to cut ouer it in certaine places for shortning of the way In these places there now dwell here and there Tartars and Samoieds liuing for the most part vpon Cattell and Fishing At length leauing Toera they come to the mighty Riuer Tabab distant from Vergateria about two hundred leagues And from thence they proceed farther to Tinna a populous Towne and builded by those aboue mentioned But many trauell also from Iaphanis to Tinna by Sleds in the Winter time in the space of twelue dayes And here is vsed much buying and selling of costly Furres betweene the Muscouites Tartars and Samoieds And this is a very conuenient place for such as determine to stay in the Countrey not aboue sixe moneths But many doe search the further parts and trauell farre beyond the Oby toward the East and South From Tinna they come to Tobolsca the chiefe of all the Townes of Siberia wherein is the seat of the chiefe Gouernour of Siberia and of the Moscouites that are in the same To this place yeerely are brought from the other Townes of the whole Countrey as well on this side as beyond Oby the tributes which being brought together and guarded with Souldiers are after carried into Moscouia to the Emperour Here also the Law is most seuerely administred and all the other Gouernours in Samoiedia and Siberia are bound to obey him onely In this Citie besides is the chiefe Market of commodities brought out of Moscouia the Tartars out of the South parts and almost farthest parts of Tartarie and men of other Nations repairing thither who the farther that the report of these Countries reacheth doe in so much the greater number assemble thither whereby there ariseth great profit to the Moscouites Furthermore in diuers places there are Churches and Chappels erected wherein the Greeke Religion is exercised which among the Russes and other Northerne People is most vsed although corrupted with diuers Superstitions But howsoeuer no man is forced against his will to their Religion but certaine gentle meanes are vsed by the Russes by which these people are perswaded and wonne thereunto The Citie Tobolsca is situated on the Riuer Yrtis which with a most forcible streame and as it were another Danubius rising from the South taketh his course toward the Oby through which it seemeth to runne with the same course On the other side is the Riuer Tobol of which the Citie taketh her name Into this falleth the Riuer Tassa which seemeth to spring from the North-east and from certaine Mountaines there vpon the Coast. On the side of this Riuer the Moscouites haue of late builded a Towne called Pohemy inhabited with dwellers drawne out of Siberia for no other cause but that it is enuironed with an exceeding fertile soyle as also with very
each Tent. This worke of pitching the Tents belongeth vnto the Women In the meane time the men vnyoake the Deere and turne them loose to digge through the Snow bee it neuer so deepe for their food and sustenance Then the Samoieds of euery Tent one out of the next Wood prouide as much Fuell as shall 〈…〉 turnes for their abode there First they set on Kettles full of Snow water which being melted they drinke thereof euery one a good draught then they seeth their Supper vsing as before Snow water melted for their Drinke Our lodgings were vpon the Snow within our Tents round about the Fire hauing vnder vs for our Beds the skinnes of Deere couered with our day apparell For all the time of our journey the Merchants whether Stranger Russe or Permac according to the number of them make prouision of Victuals to feed the whole familie in euery Tent euery man his day about together with the Samoieds their Wiues and Children who carrie all their Houshold euery where with them and out of their Sonnes and Daughters they appoint a watch ouer their Deere for feare of the Wolfe and other Beasts which notwithstanding their watch sometimes kill in a night one or two of their Deere as it fell out two nights in our journey to Slobotca This Slobotca is a pretie Towne hauing in December and Ianuarie great resort of people repayring thither as well Rich Russes out of many places with money to buy Furres as others with prouision of Meale and Malt and other Commodities to furnish the Pustozerits as also to buy Fish to wit Salmons Oyle of Bealugos Deere skinnes and Furres of them The tenth of Ianuary the Inhabitants of Pustozera returned from Trading with the Samoieds of Ougoria on which Iourney they set forward the fiue and twentieth of Nouember and within three dayes after came betwixt eight or nine hundred Samoieds with a small quantitie of their Commodities in respect of former yeeres by reason of Warre betweene the Samoieds of Ougoria and Molgomsey who were wont to Trade one with another and not to warre one against another So Sables and other Commodities being scant the inhabitants sold them very deare yet notwithstanding the Russes bought vp all striuing one to haue them before another So that after that little money which we had was bestowed wee could not doe any thing in barter Moreouer the Russes did not onely informe against vs to the Inhabitants to stirre them vp against vs but also vsed the like meanes to the Samoieds to disswade them from trading with vs either in their owne Countries or else-where alleadging that wee would betray them and not onely carrie them away to make them Slaues and robbe them but also would murther and destroy all the rest wheresoeuer wee should come The Inhabitants also of Pustozera being incensed by the Russes doubting wee would enter farther into their Trade Eastward began also to hinder and forbid the Samoieds to come to vs. Yet by meanes of our Hoast being a Polac borne we spake with diuers of the principall of the Samoieds hee being our Interpreter and wee our selues vnderstood certayne Samoieds speaking broken Russe and by these meanes we found out more at large the despitefulnesse of the Russes and the enuie of some of the Inhabitants against vs as also their feare least wee or any other Stranger should enter into further Discouerie of their trafficking toward the East but especially about the Riuer Ob. Some sayd we were sent as spyes to betray their Land to the Pole or the Swethen with whom they then had warre Some gaue counsell to put vs vnder the Water others aduised to set vs vpon the Sand where wee should haue beene without all doubt drowned in short space others thought best to send vs vp to the Nobilitie and to seaze on all our goods to the vse of the State But diuers of the best in the Towne with whom wee kept all friendship that possible we could withstood those bloudie practises The Lord therefore bee blessed The fifth of March the Inhabitants of Pustozer went againe to Slobotca carrying the Russes with their Commodities thither They returned home the eleuenth of Aprill 1612. The one and twentieth of Aprill water was first seene vpon the maine Riuer Pechora aboue the Ice descending from aboue Oust-zilma The twentieth of May the Ice brake vp The fiue and twentieth of May certayne of the Inhabitants of Pustozer went by water vnto Oust-zilma The sixe and twentieth Iosias Logan with our Hoast the Polonian hired a Boate and went toward Oust-zilma carrying with him certayne Cloath and Copper Kettles in hope to sell them well there being intreated in the Summer before by one of their Townesmen to come thither or to send one to Winter there alledging that they got great store of Losh-hydes Squirrels Sables and Beuers Which some yeeres indeed as we were credibly informed falleth out according to his report But at his arriuall there diuers of the Townesmen came against him and would not suffer him nor any of his Boate to Land for the space of ten houres but in the end they let him goe on shoare after as wee suppose the Inhabitants of Pustozer had bought most of their Commodities So that hee staying there two dayes could get but nine Losh-hydes and halfe a timber of course Sables in barter for some Cloath and Copper The principall cause of his going thither was to meete with some of the Permacks out of Permia who some yeeres come downe with Rie and Rie-meale and thought to haue giuen notice to those Permacks of our being at Pustozer and to haue willed them to haue perswaded their Countrey-men to bring thither the next Spring following all their Commodities being Waxe Honey Losh-hydes and Furres which they might doe for halfe the charge that they are at in bringing them to Archangell on the Riuer Duina Oust-zilma is a pretie Towne of some sixtie Houses and is three or foure dayes sayling with a faire wind against the streame from Pustozer but backe againe they may sayle it in two dayes The third of Iune came the first Russes in their Cayooks by Riuer out of Russia to Pustozer These Cayooks be small Boates of two tunnes hauing two men in each Boate. The twentieth of Iune nine Russe Coaches or Soymas passed by Pustozer from Oust-zilma for Molgomsey The one and twentieth sixe Russe Soymas more departed from Pustozer all the rest hauing giuen ouer their Voyage which came thither the Summer before 1611. The two and twentieth one Soyma belonging to the Towne of Pustozer departed for Molgomsey The three and twentieth and foure and twentieth the Inhabitants of Pustozer went to Fish for Bealugos vnder the Boluan being the highest Land neere vnto the Drie Sea and two dayes sayling from the Towne The fiue and twentieth I departed after them and arriued there the seuen and twentieth hoping
Offerings and obtayned diuers Immunities of the Emperour and Pope After his returne he inuaded the Scots and ouercame King Malcolme with two other Kings He going from Rome to Denmarke sent a Letter to his English subjects thus beginning Canutus Rex totius Angliae Danemerciae Norreganorum partis Suanorum Aethelnotho Metropolitanâ— Alfrico Eboracensi Archiepiscopo omnibusque Episcopis Primatibus toti Anglorum genti tam nobilibuâ— quam plebeijs salutem Notifico vobis me nouiter iuisse Romam oratum pro redemptioâ—e peccaminum meorum pro salute Regnorum quique meo subiacent regimini populorum Hanc quidem profectionem Deo iam olim deuoueram sed pro negotijs Regni causis impedientibus huc vsque perficere non potui Nunc autem ipsi Deo meo Omnipotenti valdè humiliter gratias ago qui mihi concessit in vita mea Sanctos Apostolos suos Petrum Paulum omne Sanctuarium quod iuxta vrbem Romam aut extra addiscere potui expetere secundum desiderium meum presentialiter venerari adorare Ob id ergo maximè hoc patrauâ— quia à sapientibus didici sanctum Petrum Apostolum magnam potestatem à Domino accepisse ligandi atque soluendi clauigerumque esse Regni Celestis ideo speciale eius patrocinium apud Dominum diligenter expetere valdè vtile duxi c. HONDIVS his Map of Denmarke DANIAE REGNUÌ„ Canutus before his death set his Sonne Suanus in possession of Norway and Hardecanutus his Sonne ouer the Danes Harald and Hardecanutus diuided England betwixt them after his death Anno 1035. and Harald dying Anno 1040. that quarrell was ended and soone after by the others death the Danish Empire in England the small space of King Edward interceding that and another Conquest of the Normans descended also of like Northerne namely of Norwegian Originall Canutus his Daughter Cunilda was married to Henry the Emperour and being accused of Adultery against a Giantly Champion appeared in her defence a childish English Dwarffe which serued her who slue the Giant and presented his head to the Ladie who thereupon diuorced herselfe and became a Nunne Suâ—nâ— King of Norway after fiue yeeres deceased and Canutus his ill-gotten English and Norwegian wings were quickly not only pulled but cut off The English had occasion of further inuasion to and from Norway For Suanus decessing the Norwegians chose Magnus the Sonne of Saint Olaue for their King which when Hardecanutus vnderstood as the Danish Storie set forth by Erpold Lindâ—nbruch testifieth hee inuaded Norway with his English and Danish forces where he and Magnus came to composition that the Suruiuour should enjoy both Kingdomes When Hardâ—canuâ—â— was dead Suâ—â—â— the Sonne of Estrid his Sister succeeded and Magnus King of Norway fought with Suâ—â—â— to obtayne his couenanted Kingdome of Denmarke and ouercame him Suâ—â—â— fled into Sweden and there abode till the death of Magnus after which he recouered his Danish Scepter Floreâ—tius writeth that Suanus sent to King Edward the Confessor intreating his side with a Nauie against Mâ—gnus Earle Godwine counselled to send fiftie ships but Earle Leofrike and the people refused and Magnus with a great Nauie fought with Suâ—â—us and expelled him his Kingdome which hee after recouered Harald Haruager the Sonne of Siâ—ard King of Norâ—ay and Brother by the Mothers side to Saint Olaue obtayned Norway after his Nephew Magnus and sent an Embassage to King Edward whereby Peace and Amitie was concluded betwixt both the Kings He after King Edwards death inuaded England with a great Nauie of three hundred ships and discomfited the Earles Edwine and Mâ—rcar neere Yorke but fiue dayes after Harold then King Sonne of Earle Godwin slue his Brother Tosti and Haruagre at Stamford Bridge permitting his Sonne Olaue to returne vpon conditions to Norway But whiles he conuerted the spoyle to his owne proper vse he gaue such disgust to the English that a few dayes after in the battayle with William Earle of Normandie they were lesse zealous of his cause where a new Norman period beganne those Northerne quarrels hauing had no other end but this succession I shall not need to adde what followed the Norman Acts in Italie Palestina and other places I haue handled else-where little occurring of Mars but Mercurie of which I haue by me Letters from King Henry the Third the first yeere of his Reigne to 〈◊〉 or Haquâ—n then King of Norway for mutuall Trafficke betwixt both their subjects It is remarkable that the Northerne humour of spoile slaughter and bloud continued whiles they were Pagans and expired in manner with their Paganisme both in Norwegians and Danes as if God would first by them punish the vices of those times and withall conquer the Conquerours with the Religion of the conquered and by so strange a way bring the Northerne World by this way of destroying to saluation Since that time the State of Norway Island and other parts hath decayed in numbers of shipping courage of men and other meanes of Earthly greatnesse Somewhat yet for History and an Historians sake I will adde of Matthâ—â—â—ariâ— an Englishman his Voyage to Norway In the yeere 1247. Matthew Paris recordeth that on the day of Saint Olaue a famous Saint in the Regions and Ilands of Norway Haâ—on was crowned King and solemnely anointed at Berga by the Bishop of Sabine then Legate from the Pope in those parts For the honour whereof the said King gaue the Pope 15000. Markes sterling besides inualuable Gifts which the Legate himselfe had and fiue hundred Markes by him extorted saith our Author from the Church of that Kingdome The King also receiuing the Crosse for the Holy Land Expedition obtayned of the Pope the third part of the Ecclesiasticall Reuenues of that Kingdome towards his charges Which Lewis the French King knowing writ in friendly termes to Hacon to beare him company in the said Expedition offering him full power in regard of his Sea-skill ouer his Nauie and ouer the French Army This Letter was carried by our Authour Matthew Paris to whom King Hacon answered that he gaue great thankes to that deuour King but knew in part the nature of the French as saith the Poet 〈…〉 and I say Omnisque superbus Impatiâ—us consâ—rtis erit My people is impeâ—uous indiscreet and impatient of wrongs which might occasion irreparable damage and therefore it is fitter for each to goe by himselfe But I haue written to the King for quiet passage thorow his Countrey and prouisions as need required The Kings Answere thereto and Letterâ— Patents were also deliuered to him by this our Author in this forme Ludonicus Dei gratia Francorum Rex vniuersi 〈◊〉 fidâ—libus 〈◊〉 Balliâ—is Maioâ—ibus Praepositis ad quos praesâ—ntes literâ— pâ—ruanerint salutem Cum clarissimus noster Illustris Hacon Rex Norwegiae in subsidium Tâ—rrae sancta transfretare proponat sicut nobis
distemper of cold besides other vses sufficiently knowne especially in the Winter time when Hot-houses and Chimneyes are in vse heaped together of Rocks and stone through which the flame might easily breake forth which as soone as through the force of the fire they were throughly heat and when the Hot-house began now to leaue smoking the cold parts of the Chimney were besprinkled with hote glowing stones by which meanes heate vseth effectually to disperse it selfe throughout the whole house which also is very well so preserued by the wall and Roofe couered with Turfe Yet lest the Islanders might seeme through meere pouertie or want of knowledge to haue vsed rude buildings and poore houses I can cal to remembrance certayne houses of an hundred and twentie sixe foot long and some of one hundred thirie fiue as I haue before declared concerning the buildings of Ingulfus and some of one hundred and twentie feet in length and sixtie feet broad whereof we shall hereafter speake some also whose hollowed rafters and boarded seeling of the walls carued by art report the ancient Histories of worthy and memorable Acts. They therefore inclosed their habitations built after this manner with certayne spaces of fruitfull fields ordayned for tillage which spaces through toylesome labour they afterwards compassed about with a banke cast vp to keepe out the Heards of cattle Moreouer suffâ—cient huge pastures were assigned to euery Farme or plot of ground diuided by certayne limits or inclosures from others whereof we shall speake in the eight Chapter And euery Farme or Habitation for the most part and in like manner euery plot of ground receiued the name from the first Founders sometimes also from some other so Mountaynes and Riuers as hath beene aduertized before so that by this meanes the places themselues euen by their names only declared to all posteritie their first Inhabitants and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I proceede from buildings to their victuals and tillage of the field and ground which partly succeeded well to the first Inhabitants to procure Corne and fruit from thence but I know not whether euery where alike Yet in the meane space that Hiorleifus mentioned before exercised his slaues in tillage of the ground and one Gunnerus of Lidarenda sowing his Seed was wounded by the enemie on the ball of the cheeke and likewise Hoschuldus Huitarnesgode busily imployed in sowing the Seed was slaine Hence from the fields there are proper names of certayne places Hence came that Law concerning the gathering together and carrying of Corne after Haruest where they speake of the seruices which the Lawyers call praediall All which are manifest tokens of the tillage of the ground amongst the first Islanders which also euen vnto this day I heare is practised by some Inhabitants of South Island but with lesse increase the ground and temper of the Ayre degenerating from the first goodnesse thereof after so many Ages peraduenture also the care of the Husbandmen beeing lesse diligent may bee the cause since Corne comming from forreigne parts began more to be in vse And because that tillage of the ground seemed in the beginning either not vsed of all or lesse fruitfull for Corne and all manner of graine a peculiar manner of tillage of the ground presently began whereby they compassed with dunge those fields or spaces which I said they inclosed within their owne circuit especially with kowes dunge at the mowing of the best hay to the intent they may the betterfeed the Heards and especially the Kine that they might yeeld the more plenty of Milke Which tillage of the ground is yet retayned and they only exercise thesame for the most part almost by mid-land Inhabitants seeing such as dwel vpon the Sea-coast liue most by fishing whither also those more remote or mid-land people yeerely send their Seruants to fish Both Plaines that is to say the ground and the Sea was to bee ploughed after a sort by the Islanders for the comforts of life To whom besides insteed of victuals Sheep Oxen Swine and Kiddes sufficiently abounded and also fishes of diuers kindes besides Sea-fish out of the Flouds Lakes and Riuers they met with euery where so that they might take them as it were out of a certayne wee le especially in that Age also Milke and White-meate with goodly plentie of Butter from the Heards of cattle Besides Fowle in great number some tame as Hennes and Domesticall Geese or Fowle of another kind liuing in the open Ayre wandring also solitarily in Mountaynous places which the possessors marked in the feet that euery-one might more easily demand his owne They had others also not tame which they tooke by certayne ginnes as Geese and Duckes of the Medow Partridges and Swannes and very many Sea-fowle whose names and properties I doe not know But Fowle of either kind tame or wilde they either presented their Egges or themselues or both for the vse of men Besides the naturall Drinke or pressed Whay of Milke whereof the great plentie is so much the better as the Milke is more excellent so that halfe an ounce of water mixed with an ounce of Whay doth not wholly diminish the taste thereof but that it relisheth more of the Whay then of the water they also boyled Barley Flowre sometimes adding thereto the Honey Combe or Water mingled with Honey sometimes also a Liquour made of certayne Berries growing heere Moreouer the ancient Islanders brought in drinke made of Corne from forreigne parts as also all manner of graine and other things for they were furnished with ships of their owne wherewith they yeerely visited at their pleasure Denmarke Norway Suecia Scotland Saxonie England and Ireland Our ancient Islanders wanted not honest Banquetings and meetings and that surely without miserable sparing whether we respect the number of the guests or the time of the Banquets exhibited For Theodorus and Thorualdus brethren and Citizens of Hialtaedat of North Island solemnizing the Funerals of their Father Hialta made a Banquet for fourteene dayes together of twelue hundred persons presenting the men of better note with some gift And an Inhabitant of West Island surnamed Olaus Pa with his two brethren were at the charge to banquet nine hundred men euen for fourteene dayes space not sending the chiefe men away without reward I find money was not vsuall with the Islanders I meane those of ancient time but siluer was weighed by the ballance and bartering of Merchandizes was very commonly vsed Moreouer Rings of Gold and Bracelets were both often sent for tokens of remembrance from Superiours to priuate men or from one friend to another §. III. Of their Politie and Religion in old times THe Islanders going about to establish an Aristocratie or State of Nobilitie considering they dwelt scattered in the Countrey and not together first diuided their Citie into Fourths or Tetrades named from the foure principall quarters of the World and distinguisâ—ed besides by setting of bounds such also
couenants and agreements the Generall Sandamersko himselfe hath confessed to our Maiestie and Nobles that the foresaid agreements and couenants betwixt him and the foresaid Gryshca were true and how that they trusted one to another moreouer the Palatine did certifie vnto our Nobles how Gryshca sent him a Letter vnder his owne hand and Seale in which he promised to giue him Smolensko with all the Prouinces belonging thereto and another place called Seeuerow as also gaue him liberty to set vp Monasteries and the Religion of the Church of Rome Further there was found by him Letters which were sent to him from the Pope of Rome and the Cardinals and Priests to that effect that he should remember and withall be mindefull to take in hand speedily those matters and businesse vpon which he had giuen to Sigismund and the Cardinals his troth and vow the which was as beforesaid to be himselfe of the Romish Religion as also to bring all the people of the Kingdome of Russia into the same Romish Religion not onely them that of themselues were willing thereto but also others by compulsion and to put them to death that fought to contrary the same And not onely them of the Kingdome of Russia but likewise other godly people of seuerall Religion and that doe serue in the Kingdome of Mosco as the Catholicks and the Caluinists them likewise he should seeke to bring into the Romish Religion with all perswasions Moreouer Gryshca himselfe before vs and our Nobles and Courtiers and before our Commons did acknowledge as much and thereupon yeelded himselfe to be in fault as also that he did all with helpe of the Diuell hauing forsaken God For which these his vile actions this Gryshca according to the true iustice receiued an end to his life and was by abundance of people slain in the Mosco where he lay three dayes in the midst of the Citie to the view of all such like vsurpers and disturbers And because his body was loathsome vnto vs we caused it to be carried out of the Citie and there to be burnt This Enemie thus hauing ended his life then the Kings sonnes of diuers Countries now dwelling within our Kingdome with the Patriarke Metropolitanes Archbishops and Bishops with the Nobles Courtiers and the Commons made entreaty vnto vs Vasili Euanowich to raigne and gouerne ouer them and ouer all the Kingdome of Mosco as their Lord Emperour and great Duke of all Russia According to which entreatie made vnto vs by the said Kings sons of diuers Countries as likewise by our Nobles Courtiers Merchants and all the rest of the Commons of all the Kingdome of Mosco Wee are come to the great Kingdomes of Volodemar Mosco Nouogrod and as also of the Kingdomes of Cazan Astracan and Siberia and ouer all the Prouinces of the Empire of Mosco as also wee the great Lord Emperour and great Duke of all Russia are crowned with our Imperiall Crown and for the said Kings sonnes of diuers Religions and our Nobles Courtiers and Souldiers and all manner of People doe serue our Imperiall Maiesty with desire and good liking voluntarily and not by delusions and coniurations as the Poles and Lettoes were bewitched by Grishca But we the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Vasili Euanowich with great care stayed and restrayned our People from the spoyle of the Poles and the Lettoes defending them from death and withall haue commanded to let goe many of them into Poland and Letto but the chiefest of them that were of the Councell and that practised to bring trouble and dissention in the Kingdome of Mosco are now taken And we to doe an honour vnto the dead body of the true Demetrie haue vpon conference with our Metropolitanes Archbishops and Bishops and all the holy Assembly our Nobles and Courtiers and all the Kingdome of Mosco sent to the Citie of Owglets a Metropolitan named Filareta of Rostoue and Yeraslaue who was called before he was made Metropolitan Theodor Neekete which being one of the Nobles in times past and with him the Archbishops of Astracan called Feodosia and our Nobles the Duke Euan Michalowich Vorotinskoy with the rest of his fellowes commanding them to bring vp with them the body of the Prince Demetrie Euanowich who was murthered by the appointment of Boris Godonoue and to bring it vp to our Citie of Mosco with great honour which body shall be buried in the principall Church of Mosco called Michael the Archangel neare to his father the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Euan Vasilowich of famous memorie and by Gods power his body shall not be touched or abused any manner of way Likewise will we by the fauour of God honour the Funerall of Demetrie Euanowich with speciall solemnitie which body performeth many cures and worketh miraculously vnto them that come to him with Faith to be cured of their diseases And now most louing and deare brother wee calling well to minde the great amitie and friendship that was betwixt the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Euan Vasilywich and his Sonne Theodor Euanowich the Emperour Boris and the great Lady Queene Elizabeth the like brotherly loue doe we desire to haue with you most louing and deare brother to be established and continued betwixt vs as it was with them during our liues Therefore may it please you our louing brother Iames King of England after the hearing of these great and strange dangers past to reioyce with vs that he hath deliuered from such a vile enemy and that he our mercifull God hath diuided and scattered that wicked counsell and that he hath turned their cruelty vpon their owne head to their shame and confusion And concerning your Merchants that were in our Kingdome Iohn Merricke with his fellowes we haue graced them with our Emperiall presence as also haue giuen vnto the said Iohn Merricke and his fellowes a new priuiledge and Letters of fauour by which they shall come into our Kingdome and to traficke with all manner of goods freely without paying any Custome whatsoeuer and as to them was granted in former time and this fauour we haue giuen them to manifest vnto you our louing Brother our Brotherly loue And the reason that we haue not sent to you louing brother our Embassadour is because we had not time in regard of many our Emperiall affaires but hereafter doe purpose to send to visite you in your Kingdome Written at our Emperiall palace and Citie of Mosco from the beginning of the World Anno 7114. the fourth day of Iune Thus is Demetrius painted out by his Enemies which perhaps were not altogether led with simplicitie of truth but in many things made him worse that they might make their owne cause bad enough to appeare better They tell also of great outrages committed by the Poles like those sometimes here in England by the Danes their proud insulting ouer the men rauishments of women fetching them out of their houses and
compelled to digge vp Snow and with stones redde hot to melt in tubbes and then to drinke it This affection continued about twelue or foureteene dayes till we came into Russia Vpon our very first entrance into which Kingdome we marched ouer an arme of the Sea that was eight leagues ouer many of vs staruing to death in that passage by the cold freezing windes that blew the same day In which frosty iourney I saw so much bread as a man might buy for twelue pence sold away in little bits for the value of fortie shillings But this misery ended the next day at our setting foot into Russia where we found plenty both of corne and cattle onely the people of the Countrey ranne away leauing all their goods behinde them but so cunningly hidden that the best pollicie of ours could hardly finde them out By this meanes of the peoples running away we were glad to play the Millers and to grinde all our corne our selues to bake our bread and to dresse our owne victuals Then marched wee vp to Nouogrod a chiefe Citie in Russia where wee were to receiue all our meanes that rested behinde vnpayed but our Captaines beguiled vs and kept it for themselues yet to stoppe our mouthes they told vs wee should goe into Muscouy and there all reckonings should be made euen Wee had scarce marched aboue three dayes towards Muscouy but that newes came how a certaine number of our enemies lay in a sconce by the way the strength of them was not perfectly knowne but it was thought they were not aboue seuen hundred and that we must vse some stratagem to expell them from thence vpon which relation our Captaines drew forth to the number of three hundred English horsemen and two hundred French horsemen so that in all we were about fiue hundred that were appointed to set vpon the supposed seuen hundred Polanders our enemies that so lay insconsed vpon whom we went Our chiefe Commander in that seruice was Monsier la Veite a French man who so valiantly led vs on that the enemy hearing of our comming fled ouer a water that was by the sconce yet not with such speede but that wee slue to the number of foure hundred of their side and lost onely three men of our owne but we tooke the sconce About the sconce stood a faire Towne called Arioua with a riuer called the Volga running through the middle but no bridge ouer it onely a few Boates and Sloates made and cut out of trees were there to carry the people ouer from the one halfe of the Towne to the other This sconce furnished vs not onely with great store of riches but also with a number of Polish Horses and as many armes as serued to arme fiue hundred men our want of that commoditie being as much as of any thing besides for of those fiue hundred men that went vpon the seruice there were not three hundred fixed armes yet through the hand of him that deales victories or ouerthrowes as it pleaseth him best the day was ours Ouer this riuer Volga the enemies were neuer driuen before either by the Emperor of Russia or by the King of Swethland for which cause as afterward wee heard the next day when they departed from the other side of the Riuer they burnt that halfe of the Towne on which side they were themselues and in most bloudy barbarous and cruell manner made hauocke both of men women and children albeit not aboue halfe a yeare before the Inhabitants on that side had reuolted from their owne Emperour and turned to them In which tyrannicall vprore their custome was to fill a house full of people and then the doores being locked vpon them that none might issue forth the house was fired about their eares and oftentimes were yong children taken by the heeles and cast into the middest of the flames This inhumane tyrannie being practised not onely by the Poles that were our enemies but euen by those Russes that were traitors to their owne Emperour and serued vnder the Poles and were called Cossakes whose cruelty farre exceeded the Polish The Towne being thus burnt to the earth all the sixe thousand which as I said before fled ouer the Riuer out of the sconce and were by vs supposed to be but seuen hundred came downe in full battalion to the Riuers side with such fiercenesse as if presently they and their horses would haue swom ouer to fight with vs which being perceiued our poore fiue hundred stood ready to resist them But whether they feared our numbers to be greater then they were and that wee had some other secret forces I know not but away they marched the selfe same day in which they came downe in that braueâ—y not doing any thing of which wee for our parts were not much sorry because if the battailes had ioyned wee knew our selues farre vnable to withstand them And this was the seruice of the most noate that wee went vpon HONDIVS his Map of Muscouia MOSCOVIA Our Generall whose name was Euerâ—orâ—e was a Fynlander and with a company of Fynland blades as they tearme them well appointed on Horsebacke was by the King of Sweueland sent after vs as our Conuoy vntill wee should come to Pontus le Guard who was chiefe Generall ouer the whole armie of strangers that came into the Land so that according as he was sent and charged by the King hee ouertooke vs before we came to Arioâ—a By the intreatie therefore of this Fynlander and the flattering promises of our owne Captaines we were contented to goe vpon this seruice and to deliuer the Russes or to dye our selues in the action Yet with condition that as they promised to vs we should by the way meete our chiefe Generall Pontus le Guard who with certaine numbers of English French and Dutch which the yeare before were come into the Land was vpon a march out of Muscouy not onely to meete vs but to ioyne with vs and pay vs all our money which remained good to vs prouided likewise that so soone as euer wee should release the seuen thousand Russes our money should be payed downe On these conditions I say wee yeelded to goe vpon the businesse At length Pontus le Guard met vs according to the promise and with him was money brought to pay vs and his word giuen that presently wee should receiue it But the lamentable estate in which the poore besiedged Russes were within the sconce being at the point of death for want of foode required rather speedy execution then deliberation so that the necessities of their hard fortunes crauing haste on wee went hauing about ninteene or twenty thousand Russes that were people of the same Countrey ioyned to our Armie to aide them in this enterprize But as we all were vpon a march the enemy hauing receiued Intelligence of our approaching set forward to the number of eight thousand Lanciers and more to intercept vs
my course North-east and by North being at noone in the latitude of 59. degrees the Cape or Head land which wee saw that night bearing West South-west sixteene leagues off All this afternoone and night following it was for the most parâ— still weather this euening I found the variation 23. degrees 55. minutes The sixteenth faire weather with a fresh gale at East South-east our course as before being in the latitude of 60. degrees 20. minutes the ships way North and by East northerly twentie leagues This afternoone and the night following the wind as before we steering still North-east and by North. The eighteenth also thicke weather being forced to stand away North North-west to double a great banke with great Mountaines of Ice almost incredible to be reported yet by the helpe of God wee passed the same sayling all this day by great and huge mountainous Ilands of Ice with the winde at South-west and by South being at noone in the latitude of 63. degrees 45. minutes Wee did see our selues beset round about with mightie bankes of Ice being forced to make more saile and to lye to and againe all this night to keepe vs cleere of great and small Ilands of Ice where many times we were in such danger that we did looke for no other thing then present death if God had not beene mercifull vnto vs and sent vs cleere weather where by his assistance we kept our selues very hardly and with great difficultie cleere of the Ice The nineteenth day in the morning cleere weather with a fresh gale at South-west wee plying amongst the Ice to see if wee could get a gut to get cleere of the same at which time wee saw the Land of America about the latitude of 64. degrees it lying next hand South and North being high ragged Land couered with snow the shoare being all beset with Ice So lying off and on amongst the Ice in great perill till about noone when God of his goodnesse sent vs to espie a little gut where wee went through and stood South South-east away comming still by many Ilands of Ice Heere I did finde both by my course and reckoning the variation also of the Compasse respected that wee were carried with a mightie Current to the Westwards as both now and afterwards wee did probably prooue and see the same For I setting my course from the coast of America in the latitude of 58. degrees and a halfe for the coast of Groenland North North-east with a compasse whose wyers were placed more then two third parts of a Point to the Eastwards of the North the variation being 23. degrees 30. minutes Northwesting and 24. degrees as by obseruation I found betweene the latitude of 58. and a halfe and 54. degrees yet I did finde my selfe contrarie either to mine owne or to any of their expectations which was in the Fleet with mee carried almost foure Points with the Current to the westwards ouer our iudgements The twentieth wee still sayled to the Eastwards by many great Bankes and Ilands of Ice being still compassed in wee being forced to stand to the Southwards to get cleere where being sometimes becalmed wee did plainly see and perceiue our selues carried into the Ice to the westward very violently This Current setteth West North-west The twentieth in the euening I found the Compasse varied 23. degrees The one and twentieth day in the morning faire weather wee espyed a gut through the Ice it seeming cleere to the southwards of the same where bearing into the same about noone wee were cleere of all the Ice by the mercifull prouidence of God Here I obserued the latitude it being 63. degrees 33. minutes Now hauing the one and twentieth day at afternoone caused the Admirall to call the other Captaines and Steermen aboord with whom wee might conferre and hauing shewed briefly my reckoning with the other euents which contrarie to my expectation had happened the cause whereof at that instant they did plainly see and perceiue They confessing the Current as they did now plainly see to bee the cause of the same So hauing done I gaue to the other Steermen directions that being cleere of the Ice they should goe betweene the East and the East and by North ouer for the coast of Groenland and not to the Northwards of the East and by North because of the former euents And now at this instant by Gods helpe being cleere I called to them giuing the same directions This afternoone and the night following it was calme This euening I found the Compasse varied 23. degrees 25. minutes The two and twentieth day at noone I found vs in the latitude of 63. degrees 20. minutes The three and twentieth faire weather the ayre very cold as with vs in the moneth of Ianuarie the winde variable betweene the East North-east and the South-east and by East being at noone in the latitude of 63. degrees hauing made a South-east and by South way eleuen leagues This day at noone I cast about to the Westwards the other ships doing the like lying North-east and by North with the stemme finding this euening the Needle varied to the Westwards 23. degrees 30. minutes The foure and twentieth the winde variable betweene the South South-east and the South-east and by South with raine and fogge This day about eleuen a clocke wee did see much Ice to leeward wherefore I cast about to the Southwards the winde comming to the East North-east wee lying South-east with the stemme supposing the ship to haue made a North and by West way halfe Northerly two and twentie leagues This afternoone by reason of the fogge we lost sight of the Lion and the Gilliflowre wee looking earnestly forth for them and shooting both we and the Vrin diuers pieces of Ordnance but wee could neither see nor heare them at which time the winde came vp Southerly we standing away our course betweene the East and East and by North. The fiue and twentieth wee had sight of Groenland being about ten leagues to the Southward of Queene Annes Cape Wee standing away East South-east in wiâ—h the Land with the winde at South All this night it did blow very much wee steering North by West and North North-west The seuen and twentieth day in the morning was reasonable cleere weather with a fresh gale at South South-west This morning betweene foure and fiue of the clocke I espyed Queene Annes Cape to beare East by South next hand of mee and King Christians Foord South South-east of me being thwart of Rumels Foord Queene Sophias Cape bearing North halfe westerly about fiue leagues off Therefore I thought it conuenient to put into Cunninghams Foord where the siluer was both in regard that I had sworne to his Maiestie as concerning the same and also because wee were expressely commanded to bring home of the same So hauing a faire gale at West South-west wee came into the aforesaid Riuer anchoring in a
of Hache our Ladie of the Snowes and after of the Remedies neere vnto the Sea betweene Venezuela and Sancta Marta to the East thirtie leagues from it and sixtie from Coro to the West North and South with the Cape de Vela with eight leagues of bounds betweene Venezuela and Sancta Marta without showes of Gold It is gouerned by Alcaldes immediate to the Counsell of Hispaniola and the Spiritualtie is of the Bishopricke of Sancta Marta The Towne is 1000. paces from the Sea on a little hill the Hauen hath the North for trauers it is a most fertile Countrie and yeeldeth whatsoeuer is in Castile there are many Tigers Beares Ants and Lizards in the Riuers much Gold and Stones of diuers vertues for the Spleene the Kidneys for the Milt and Flix and they haue good Salt-pits Nicolas Federman for the Belzares was he that began to inhabit this Towne The gouernment of Serpaâ— which they call the new Andaluzia and in the Indian Language Guayana extends the limits From the Iland of Margarita vnto the riuer Maâ—auyon three hundred leagues to the East and as many North and South within the Land wherein the Indians Omagues are included and the Omygas with the Prouinces of Dorodo to the south of this Gouernment wherein falleth by the Coast the Prouince of Maracapana in the bounds of Veneculela where the mouths of Sancta Fe were inhabited in whose Borders is the knob of Vnare and neere vnto it a great Lake with great store of fish and salt and the Indians which are called of Perito twentie leagues within the Land and the Indians Palenques so called for the Poles wherewith they fortified themselues and the Prouince of Cumana North and south with the Margarita where is a Towne of Spaniards which is called new Cordoua which the Captayne Gonçalo of Ocampo built when he went to chastise the Indians of Cumana for the destruction of the Monastery of the Religious Franciscans And to the East or the Iland of Trinidad and the Riuer of Saint Iohn of the Amazones is the Prouince of the Indians Arnacas part of the Caniballs and all Warlike that neuer are quiet or peaceable After the point of Paria which stands in seuen degrees and the Dragons Mouth neere vnto Trinidad stands the point Del Gallo or Anegada to the South of the Trinitie and the Riuer of Paria or Oriuico which some call Yuyapari and others will haue that these two and the Riuer of Saint Iohn and of Orellana be all one thing and also the Marauyon but in this they are deceiued There be other Riuers in the Prouince of the Arnacas that are well knowne the Riuer of Saint Iohn or of Orellana springeth in the Andes of Peru right against Cuzco from whence it runneth fifteene hundred leagues or more winding vnder the Equinoctiall by Countreyes well inhabited though not well discouered till it came to run into the North Sea whose mouth hath in breadth fiftie leagues and in the first fiue hundred from the mouth vpward many Ilands inhabited and eightie or a hundred leagues more to the West stands the Riuer of Morauyon almost in the bounds whereby passeth the Line of the Diuision betweene Castile and Portugall and is great and terrible hauing fifteene leagues of mouth and the streame commeth from the parts of the South and the Prouinces of Brasill and they say that the spring is vnder Popayau and the bounds of the new Kingdome of Granada Seuen leagues from Cumana stands the Iland of Cubagua where stood as was said the new Cadiz which was disinhabited because the fishing for Pearles fayled this Iland had no water that could be drunke nor trees nor beasts for all is brackish except those Hogges that haue the Nauell in their backe-bone and some small Conies and hauing so great inhabiting they went seuen leagues to the riuer of Cumana for water although there was an opinion that it bred webbes in the eyes In this Riuer and coast hapned in the yeare 1530. the first of September the hauen being cleare the Sea did rise foure fadomes from his ordinary course and entring into the earth it began to shake and the fortresse which the Captaine Iacome of Castellon had built by order of the Counsell of Hispaniola fell and the earth did open in many places whereout sprang much salt water as blacke as inke and did stinke of brimstone and the mountaine of the gulfe of Cariaco remained open with a great rift many houses fell many people died drowned and with feare and taken with the earth quake Margarita one league from Cubagua a more pleasant Iland the Bachiller Marcelo of Villalobos did people it The Prouince and Gouernment of Florida bordering on the Counsell of Hispaniola according to the Gouernment of Peter Melendez is all that which lyeth from the Riuer of Palmes which doth confine with the Gouernment of Panuco in new Spaine limits of the Counsell of Mexico which is neere the tropicke in 22. degrees vnto the point of Bacallaos which falleth in 48. degrees and a halfe in the which are 1258. leagues of Coast and from thence to 73. degrees of altitude to the North by the Coast and within the Land all that which hee discouereth Of this hath beene coasted and discouered from the Riuer of Palmes vnto the Point of Sancta Helena and the Riuer Iordan which are about 600. leagues it is a firme Land of a good climate plentifull and well inhabited in many places as those that went through it with Hernando of Soto did know it the yeare 1536. and 1537. Iohn Pardo borne in Cuenca went by Land from Florida to new Spaine in lesse then two yeares and it is the neerest Europe of any part of the Indies from the Bay of S. Ioseph which is eightie leagues from Panuco There is also discouered vnto New found Land but that which is particularly taken for Florida is the point that goeth into the Sea North and South with the Iland of Cuba of a hundred leagues in length and twentie fiue in breadth East and West and when it is most thirtie Iohn Ponce of Lyon discouered it Anno 1512. on Easter day and for this cause he called it Florida and afterward returned the yeere 1521. and retired wounded to Cuba where he dyed leauing a report that he sought the Fountaine or Riuer which the Indians said that old men washing themselues therin became yong This Prouince is according to the temperature of Castile and many fruits were found there like the fruits of Spain and it seemeth fit for Cattle and Corne. There is no Gould neither seemeth that the Indians did know it nor Siluer for it hath beene seene that they haue found the Chests with bars of it and money in their coasts and made no account of it yet Hernando de Soto within the inward parts of the great Riuer found great abundance of Pearles HONDIVS his Map of Florida VIRGINIA et
from out of the Ocean which in those parts is very great and spacious and hauing drawne vnto it this great abundance of vapours doth suddenly dissolue them into raine and it is approued by many tried experiences that the raine and great stormes from Heauen proceed from the violent heate of the Sunne first as we haue said before it raines in those Countries when as the Sunne casts his beames directly vpon the earth at which time he hath most force but when the Sunne retires the heate is moderate and then there falls no raine whereby wee may conclude that the force and heate of the Sunne is the cause of raine in those Countries Moreouer we obserue both in Peru new Spaine and in all the burning Zone that the raine doth vsually fal in the afternoone when as the Sunne beames are in their greatest force being strange to see it raine in the morning And therefore Trauellers foreseeing it begin their iourneys early that they may end and rest before noone for they hold that commonly it raines after noone Such as haue frequented and trauelled those Countries can sufficiently speake thereof And there are that hauing made some abode there say that the greatest abundance of raine is when the Moone is at the full but to say the truth I could neuer make sufficient proofe thereof although I haue obserued it Moreouer the dayes the yeere and the moneths shew the truth hereof that the violent heaâ—e of the Sunne causeth the raine in the burning Zone experience teacheth vs the like in artificiall things as in a Limbecke wherein they draw waters from herbs and flowers for the vehemency of the fire forceth and driueth vp an abundance of vapours which being pressed and finding no issue are conuerted into liquor and water The like wee see in gold and siluer which we refine with quick-siluer the fire being small and slow we draw out almost nothing of the quick-siluer but if it be quick and violent it doth greatly euaporate the quick-siluer which encountring the head aboue doth presently turne into liquor and begins to drop downe Euen so the violent heate of the Sunne produceth these two effects when it findes matter disposed that is to draw vp the vapours on high and to dissolue them presently and turne them into raine when there is any obstacle to consume them And although these things seeme contrarie 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 proceed of contrarie things by diuers 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 prouokes sleepe being too violent it hindereth if you lay no wood on the fire it dyeth if you lay on too 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 eye nor too farre off but in a reasonable distance proportionable being too farre off from any thing we lose the sight and too neere likewise we cannot see it If the Sunne beams be weake they draw vp no fogge from the Riuers if they be violent hauing drawne vp the vapours they presently dissolue and consume them but if the heat be moderate it drawes vp and preserues it for this reason the vapours rise not commonly in the night nor at noone but in the morning when as the Sunne begins to enter into his force There are a thousand examples of naturall causes vpon this subiect which wee see doe 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 neernesse 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 sâ—fficient to consume the vapours which rise from the Land and Sea for these vapours grow in great abundance in the cold Region of the aire where they are congealed and thickned by the extremitie of the cold and after being pressed they dissolue and turne into water Therefore in Winter when the Sunne is farthest off the dayes short and the nights long his heat hath small force but when the Sunne approcheth which is in the Summer time his force is such as it drawes vp the vapours and suddenly consumes and disperseth them for the heat and the length of the dayes grow through the neernesse of the Sunne But within the Tropicks vnder the burning Zone the farre distance of the Sunne workes the same effects that the neernesse doth without the Tropicks 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 approching and retyring the Sunne remayns alwayes in one distance whence proceedes this effect of cleernesse 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 cleernesse nor drynesse as it seemes there should be but rather great and strange showers for that by this violent heat he drawes vp suddenly a great abundance 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 abundance for the excessiue heat may soone draw vp many vapours the which are not so soone dissolued and being gathered together through their great abundance they melt and dissolue into water The which wee may easily discerne by this familiar example roast a piece of Porke Mutton or Veale if the fire be violent and the meate neere wee see the fat melts suddenly and drops away the reason is that the violent heat drawes forth the humour and fat from the meat and being in great abundance cannot dissolue it and so it distils more away But when the fire is moderate and the meat in an equall distance wee see that it roasts handsomly and the fat drops not too suddenly for that the moderate heat drawes out the moistnesse 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 bee seene in anoother 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 moistnesse which riseth but if the flame bee proportionable the wax melts nor drops not for that the flame doth waste it by little and little as it riseth But this is
there went a ship from Calloa in Lima to the Philippines which sayled two thousand and seuen hundred leagues without sight of Land and the first it discouered was the Iland of Lusson where they tooke Port hauing performed their voyage in two moneths without want of winde or any torment and their course was almost continually vnder the Line for that from Lima which is twelue degrees to the South he came to Manilla which is as much to the North. The like good fortune had Aluaro de Mandana when as he went to discouer the Ilands of Solomon for that he had alwayes a full gale vntill he came within view of these Ilands the which must bee distant from that place of Peru from whence hee parted about a thousand leagues hauing runne their course alwayes in one height to the South The returne is like vnto the voyage from the Indies vnto Spaine for those which returne from the Philippines or China to Mexico to the end they may recouer the western windes they mount a great height vntill they come right against the Ilands of Iapon and discouering the Caliphornes they returne by the coast of new Spaine to the Port of Acapulco from whence they parted So as it is proued likewise by this Nauigation that they saile easily from East to West within the Tropicks for that their Easterly windes doe raine but returning from West to East they must seeke the Westerne windes without the Tropicks in the height of seuen and twentie degrees The Portugals proue the like in their Nauigations to the East Indies although it be in a contrarie course Let vs now speake of that which toucheth the Question propounded what should be the reason why vnder the burning Zone we saile easily from East to West and not contrarie wherein we must presuppose two certaine grounds The one is that the motion of the first Moouer which they call Diurnall not onely drawes and mooues with him the celestiall Spheares which are inferiour vnto him as wee see daily in the Sunne the Moone and the Starres but also the Elements doe participate of this motion insomuch as they are not hindered The Earth is not mooued by reason of her heauinesse which makes it immoueable being farre from this first motor The Element of water mooues not likewise with this Diurnall motion for that it is vnited to the Earth and make one spheare so as the Earth keeps it from all circular motion But the other two Elements of Fire and Aire are more subtill and neerer the heauenly Regions so as they participate of their motion and are driuen about circularly as the same celestiall bodies As for the Fire without doubt it hath his spheare as Aristotle and other Philosophers haue held but for the Aire which is no point of our subiect it is most certaine that it mooues with a motion Diurnall which is from East to West which wee see plainly in Comets that mooue from the East vnto the West mounting descending and finally turning in the hemispheare in the same sort as the Starres moue in the firmament for otherwise these Comets being in the region and sphere of the ayre whereas they ingender appeares consum'd It should be impossible for them to moue circularly as they doe if the element of the aire doth not moue with the same motion that the first motor doth For these elements being of a burning substance by reason they should be fixt without mouing circularly if the sphere where they are did not moue if it be not as we faine that some Angell or intellectuall Spirit doth walke with the Comet guiding it circularly In the yeare 1577. appeared that wonderfull Comet in forme like vnto a feather from the horizon almost to the middest of heauen and continued from the first of Nouember vntill the eight of December I say from the first of Nouember for although in Spaine it was noated but the ninth of Nouember according to the testimonie of Writers of that time yet at Peru where I was then I remember well we did see it and obserue it eight dayes before and all the time after Touching the cause of this diuersitie some may delate vpon it particularly I will onely shew that during those fortie dayes which it continued wee all obserued both such as were in Spaine and we that liued then at the Indies that it moued daily with an vniuersall motion from East to West as the Moone and other Planets whereby it appeares that the sphere of the aire being its Region the element it selfe must of necessitie moue after the same sort We noted also that besides this vniuersall motion it had another particular by which it moued with the planets from West to East for euery night it turned more Eastward like vnto the Moone Sunne and Planets of Venus We did also obserue a third particular motion whereby it moued from the Zodiacke towards the North for after some nights it was found neerer vnto the Septentrionall signes And it may be this was the reason why the great Comet was sooner seene by those that were Southerly as at Peru and later discouered by them of Europe for by this third motion as I haue said it approached neerer the Northerne Regions Yet euery one may well obserue the differences of this motion so as we may well perceiue that many and sundry celestiall bodies giue their impressions to the sphere of the ayre In like sort it is most certaine that the ayre moues with the circular motion of the heauen from East to West which is the first ground before mentioned The second is no lesse certaine which is that the motion of the ayre in those parts that are vnder the Line or neere vnto it is very swift and light the more it approacheth to the Equinoctiall but the farther off it is from the Line approaching neere the Poles the more slow and heauie this motion is The reason hereof is manifest for that the mouing of the celestiall bodies being the efficient cause of the mouing of the ayre it must of necessitie be more quicke and light where the celestiall bodies haue their swiftest motion Alonso Sanches was of opinion that this motion of the ayre was not a winde but the ayre moued by the Sunne This is learnedly spoken yet can wee 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 windes stronger sometimes more weake and placed in that sort as sometimes they can hardly carry all their sayles We must then know and it is true that the ayre moued draweth vnto it the vapours it findes for that the force is great and findes no resistance by reason whereof the Easterne and Westerne windes are continual and in a manner alwayes alike in those parts which are neere the Line and almost vnder all the burning Zone which is the course the Sun followes betwixt the two circles of Cancer and Capricorne
Who so 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 ayre moueth vnder it according to this motion which is from the East to West drawing after it the vapours and exhalations that rise of either side the Equinoctiall or burning Zone in countring the course and motion of the Zone are forced by the repercussion to returne almost to the contrary whence grow the South-west windes so ordinary in those parts Euen as we see in the course of waters the which if they be incountred by others of more force returne in a manner backe So it seemes to be like in vapours and exhalations whereby it growes that the windes doe turne and separate themselues from one part to another These Westerly windes doe commonly raine in a meane altitude which is from twenty and seuen to thirty and seuen 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 South-west winds are no causes of this proper and equall motion of the heauen as the Brises are being neere to the Line But as I haue said they are more ordinary 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 West whereby it happeneth their nauigations are more vncertaine and more dangerous That which we haue spoken of windes which blow ordinarily 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 Riuers and Lakes and the diuers scituations of Countries whence the grosse and thick vapours arise which are moued from the one part or the other according to the diuersitie of their beginnings which cause these diuers windes the motion of the ayre caused by the heauen hauing not power enough to draw and moue 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 forraine 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 difference of the coast that causeth this diuersitie 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 when as the Sunne shines not vpon it euen as greene wood or scarse dry smoakes most when the flame is quenched But the Sea which is compounded of more subtile parts engenders no fumes but when it is hot euen as straw or haâ—e being moist and in small quantitie breedes smoake when it is burnt and when the flame failes the fume suddenly ceaseth Whatsoeuer it be it is certaine that the Land winde blowes by night and that of the Sea by day So that euen as there are often contrary violent and tempestuous windes vpon the Sea coast so doe we see very great calmes Some men of great experience report that hauing sailed many great passages at Sea vnder the Line yet did they neuer see any calmes but that they alwayes make way little or much the ayre being moued by the celestiall motion which is sufficient to guide a Shippe blowing in poope as it doth I haue already said that a Shippe of Lima going to Manilla sailed two thousand seuen hundred leagues alwayes vnder the Line or not aboue twelue degrees from it and that in the moneths of February and March when as the Sunne is there for Zenith and in all this space they found no calmes but alwayes 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 coasts where the vapours come from the Ilands or maine land And therefore stormes and tempests and the sudden motions of the ayre are more certaine and ordinary vpon the coasts whereas the vapours 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 haue great raine and sudden showers yea farre into the Sea for the working whereof the vapours and exhalations of the Sea are sufficient which mouing sometimes hastily in the ayre cause thunder and whirlewindes but this is more ordinary neere to the Land and vpon the Land When I sailed from Peru to new Spaine I obserued that all the time we were vpon the coast of Peru our voyage was as it was ordinary very calme and easie by reason of the Southerne winde that blowes hauing alwayes a fore winde returning from Spaine and new Spaine As we passed the gulph lanching farther into the Sea almost vnder the Line wee found the season coole quiet and pleasant with a full winde but comming neere to Nicaragua and to all that coast wee had contrary windes with great store of raine and fogges All this Nauigation was vnder the burning Zone for from twelue degrees to the South which is Lima we sailed to the seuenteenth which is Gautâ—lco a port of new Spaine and I beleeue that such as haue obserued their nauigations made vnder the burning Zone shall finde what I haue said which may suffice for the windes which raigne at Sea vnder the burning Zone It were a very difficult matter to report particularly the admirable effects which some windes cause in diuers regions of the world and to giue a reason thereof There are windes which naturally trouble the water of the Sea and makes it greene and blacke others cleere as Christall some comfort and make glad others trouble and breede heauinesse Such as nourish Silke-wormes haue great care to shut their windowes when as the South-west windes doe blow and to open them to the contrary hauing found by certaine experience that their wormes diminish and dye with the one and fatten and become better with the other and who so will neerely obserue it shall finde in himselfe that the diuersities of windes cause notable impressions and changes in the body principally in sicke parts and ill disposed when they are most tender and weake The holy Scripture calleth one a burning winde another a winde full of dewe and sweetnesse And it is no wonder if we see such notable effects of the winde in Plants
and easie for that these eighteene leagues of Land betwixt Nombre de Dios and Panama is more painefull and chargeable then 2300. by Sea whereupon 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 gaue ouer the enterprize to winne 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 inconuenience should not happen the which I will not hold for assured I beleeue there is no humaine powerable to beate 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 heauen in seeking to correct the workes which the Creator by his great prouidence hath ordained and disposed in the framing of this vniuersall world Leauing 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 gulfes doe 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 subiect and happy successe in the finding thereof gaue the name of eternall memory to this straight which iustly they call by the name of the discouerer Magellan of which straight we will intreate a little as of one of the greatest wonders of the world Some haue beleeued that this Straight which Magellan had discouered in the South Sea was none or that it was straightned as Don Alonso d'Arsile 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 ends 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 truth it is most certaine there is a straight and a long and stretched out Land on either 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 Bishop of Plaisance passed the straight Don Guitieres Caruaial whose Maste they say is yet at Lima at the entrie of the Pallace they went afterwards coasting along the South to discouer the Straight by the commandement of Don Garcia of Mendoca then Gouernor of Chille according to that which Captaine Ladrillero found it and passed it I haue read the discourse and report he made where he saieth that he did not hazard himselfe to land in the Straight but hauing discouered the North Sea he returned backe for the roughnesse of the time winter being now come which caused the waues comming from the North to grow great and swelling and the Sea continually foming with rage In our time Francis Drake and 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 run along all the coast of Peru. Euen as Magellan found out this Straight vpon the South so some haue pretended to discouer another Straight which they say is in the North and suppose it to be in Florida whose coast runnes in such sort as they know no end thereof Peter Melendez the Adelantade a man very expert at Sea affirmeth for certaine that there is a Straight and that the King had commanded him to discouer it where in he shewed a great desire he propounded his reasons to proue his opinion saying that they haue seene some remainders of Ships in the North Sea like vnto those the which the Chinois vse which had beene impossible if there were no passage from one Sea vnto another Moreouer hee reported that in a certaine great Bay in Florida the which runs 300. leagues within the Land they see Whales in some season of the yeare which come from the other Sea One of the most admirable 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 diuers Seas yea in diuers coasts of one and the same Sea There are some Seas that haue no daily flowing nor ebbing as we see in the inner Mediterranean which is the Thyrene Sea and yet it flowes and ebbes euery day in the vpper Mediterranean Sea which is that of Venice and iustly giueth 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 euery moneth and others that neither rise in the day nor in the moneth There are other Seas as the Spanish Ocean that haue their flux and reflux euery day and besides that they haue it monethly which commeth twice that is to say at the change and at the full of euery Moone which they call Spring-tides To say that any Sea hath this daily ebbing and flowing and not monethly I know 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 and 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 haue a daily flowing and ebbing and that was twice in a naturall day and euer it fals three quarters of an houre sooner one day then another according to the course of the Moone so as the tide fals not alwaies 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 fals on the other that is opposite vnto it so that it is full Sea on the one side when it is a low water on the opposite as we see in a Kettle full of water when we mooue 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 parts 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 parts and when it ceaseth it fals likewise on all parts This second opinion is true and in my iudgement certaine and tried not so much for the reasons which the Philosophers giue
doth likewise returne into smoake to be resolued againe into quick-siluer Quick-siluer is found in a kinde of stone which doth likewise yeeld Vermillion which the Ancients called Minium and at this day they call the Images of crystall Miniades which are painted with quick-siluer The Ancients made great account of this Minium or Vermillion holding it for a sacred colour as Plinie reports saying That the Romans were accustomed to paint the face of Iupiter and the bodies of those that triumphed in Ethiopia yea their Idols and their Gouernours likewise had their faces coloured with this Minium And this Vermillion was so esteemed at Rome which they brought onely from Spaine where they had many pits and mynes of quick-siluer which continue there to this day that the Romans suffered it not to be refined in Spaine lest they should steale some of it but they carried it to Rome sealed vp in a masse as they drew it out of the myne and after refined it They did yeerly bring from Spaine especially from Andalusie about ten thousand pound weight which the Romans valued as an infinite treasure I haue reported all this out of that Author to the end that those which doe see what passeth at this day in Peru may haue the content to know what chanced in former ages among the mightiest Lords of the world I speake for the Inguas Kings of Peru and for the naturall Indians thereof which haue laboured and digged long in these Mines of Quick-siluer not knowing what Quick-siluer was seeking onely for Cinabrium or Vermillion which they call Limpi the which they esteeme much for that same effect that Plinie reports of the Romans and Ethiopians that is to paint the face and bodies of themselues and their Idols the like hath beene much practised by the Indians especially when they went to the warres and vse it at this day in their feasts and dancing which they call slubbering supposing that their faces and visages so slubbered did much terrifie and at this day they hold it for an ornament and beautifying for this cause there were strange workes of Mines in the Mountaines of Guancauilca which are in Peru neere to the Citie of Guamangua out of the which they drew this Mettall it is of such a manner that if at this day they enter by the caues or Soccabones which the Indians made in those dayes they loose themselues finding no passage out but they regarded not Quick-siluer which naturally is in the same substance or mettall of Vermillion neither had they knowledge of any such matter The Indians were not alone for so long a time without the knowledge of this treasure but likewise the Spaniards who vntill the yeare 1566. and 1567. at such time as the licentiate Castro gouerned in Peru discouered not the Mines of Quick-siluer which happened in this manner A man of iudgement called Henrique Guarces a Portugall borne hauing a piece of this coloured Mettall as I haue said which the Indians call Limpi with which they paint their faces as he beheld it well found it to be the same which they call Vermillion in Castile and for that hee knew well that Vermillion was drawne out of the same mettall that Quick-siluer was he coniectured these Mines to be of Quick-siluer went to the place whence they drew this Mettall to make triall thereof The which he found true and in this sort the Mines of Palcas in the territorie of Guamangua being discouered great numbers of men went thither to draw out Quick-siluer and so to carry it to Mexico where they refine Siluer by the meanes of Quick-siluer wherewith many are inriched This Countrie of Mines which they call Guancauilca was then peopled with Spaniards and Indians that came thither and come still to worke in these Mines of Quick-siluer which are in great numbers and very plentifull but of all these Mines that which they call d' Amador de Cabrera or of Saints is goodly and notable It is a Rocke of most hard Stone interlaced all with Quick-siluer and of that greatnesse that it extends aboue fourescore Vares or yards in length and fortie in breadth in which Mine they haue many pits and ditches of threescore and tenne stades deepe so as three hundred men may well worke together such is the capacitie thereof This Mine was discouered by an Indian of Amador of Cabrera called Nauincopa of the Village of Acoria the which Amador of Cabrera caused to be registred in his name He was in suite against the Procurer fiscall but the vsufruite was adiudged to him by sentence as the discouerer Since he sold his interest to another for two hundred and fiftie thousand Ducates and afterwards thinking he had bin deceiued in the sale he commenced an action against the buyer being worth as they say aboue fiue hundred thousand Ducates yea some hold it to be worth a Million of Gold a rare thing to see a Mine of that wealth When as Don Francisco of Toledo gouerned in Peru there was one which had bin in Mexico and obserued how they refined Siluer with Mercury called Pero Fernandes de Valesco who offred to refine Siluer at Potozi with Mercury and hauing made triall thereof in the yeare 1571. performed it with credit then began they to refine Siluer at Potozi with Quick-siluer which they transported from Guancauelicqua which was a goodly helpe for the Mines for by the meanes of Quick-siluer they drew an infinite quantitie of mettall from these Mines whereof they made no accompt the which they called Scrapings For as it hath beene said the Quick-siluer purifies the Siluer although it be drie poore and of base alloy which cannot be done by melting in the fire The Catholike King drawes from it Quick-siluer mines without any charge or hazard almost foure hundred thousand pieces of a Mine the which are foureteene rials a peecâ— or little lesse besides the rights that rise in Potozi where it is imployed the which is a great riches They doe yearely one with another draw from these Mines of Guancauilca eight thousand quintals of Quick-siluer yea and more Let vs now speake how they draw out Quick-siluer and how they refine Siluer therewith They take the stone or mettall where they finde the Quick-siluer the which they put into the fire in pots of earth well luted being well beaten so as this mettall or stone comming to melt by the heate of the fire the Quick-siluer separates it selfe and goes forth in exhalation and sometimes euen with the smoake of the fire vntill it incounters some body where it staies and congeales and if it passe vp higher without meeting of any hard substance it mounts vp vntill it be cold and then congealed it fals downe againe When the melting is finished they vnstop the pots and draw forth the mettall sometimes staying vntill it be very cold for if there remained any fume or vapour which should incounter them that should vnstop the pots they were in danger of death or to
two three or foure leagues at the most on a day Those that guide those troupes haue their ordinarie lodgings where they are assured to haue water and pasture and there they vnlade and set vp their Tents making fire and dressing their meates which is not painfull although it be a flegmatike and slow manner of trauell When there is but one dayes iourney one of these sheepe will beare eight Arrobes in weight or more and beares this burthen eight or ten leagues in a day as the poore Souldiers were wont to doe when they marched through Peru. This kinde of Cattell delights most in a cold aire and for this cause they liue vpon the Sierre and die in the Lanos by reason of the heate Sometimes these sheepe are all couered with Ice and frost and yet they continue sound and well The bare sheepe are pleasant to behold for they will stay vpon the way raysing vp their necks and will looke vpon any one very wistly and so they remaine a long time without moouing or any shew of feare which giueth occasion of laughter seeing them thus to stand And yet sometimes they doe grow amazed sodainly and runne away with their burthens euen to the highest Rocks so as not being able to come vnto them they are constrayned to kill them with an Harquebuze lest they should lose their barres of Siluer which they sometimes carry The Pacos will grow reastie vnder their burthens lying down and will endure to be cut in a thousand pieces before they will rise when this humor takes them wherof the prouerb growes in Peru to say that one is reastie to signifie he is obstinate for that when any of these beasts is moodie it is with excesse the remedie they haue is to stay and sit downe by the Paco making much on him vntill the fit be past and that he rise and sometimes they are forced to stay two or three houres They haue a disease like to scabs which they call Carache whereof they commonly die The Ancients had a remedie to burie them quicke that had the Carache lest they should infect the rest being a very contagious disease and goes from one to another An Indian that hath one or two of these sheepe is not reputed poore for one of them is worth sixe or seuen pieces of assay and more according to the time and places The Bezaars stone is found in all these beasts before mentioned which are proper to Peru whereof some Authors of our time haue written whole bookes which they may reade that desire to haue a more particular knowledge For the present subiect it shall be sufficient to say that this stone which they call Bezaar is found in the stomacke and belly of this beast sometimes one alone sometimes two three and foure They are very different in forme greatnesse and colour for that some are small like Filberds and lesse others like Walnuts some like Pidgeons egges and others as bigge as a Hens egge and I haue seene some as bigge as an Orange in forme some are round others in fashion like to Lentils and many other formes For their colour some are blacke some white some grey darke greene and others as if they had beene gilded It is no certaine rule to iudge the best and most fine by the colour or forme All these stones are made and fashioned of diuers films and skins one vpon another In the Prouince of Xaura and other Prouinces of Peru they finde these stones in diuers kindes of beasts both wilde and tame as in the Guanacos Pacos Vicugnes and Tarugues some adde an other kinde which they say are wilde Goates which the Indians call Cypris These other kindes of beasts are very well known in Peru whereof we haue alreadie discoursed The Guanacos or Countrie sheepe or Pacos haue commonly the lesser stones and blacke neither are they so much approued for the vse of physicke They draw the greatest Bezaar stones from the Vicugnes and they are grey or white or of a darke greene which are held for the better They esteeme those of the Tarugues for the most excellent whereof there are some reasonable bigge they are commonly white inclining to grey and they haue the filmes commonly bigger and thicker then the rest They finde the Bezaar stone equally both in Male and Female All beasts that ingender it chaw the cuid and commonly feede vpon the Snow and Rocks The Indians report and teach by tradition from their Fathers and Ancients that in the Prouince of Xaura and in other Prouinces of Peru there are many herbs and venemous beasts which poison the water and the pastures where they eate and drinke and where they breathe amiddest which venemous herbs there is one very well knowne of the Vicugne by a naturall instinct and of other beasts that ingender the Bezaar stone which eate this herbe and by meanes thereof they preserue themselues from the poisoned waters and pastures and they say that of this herbe the stone is compounded in the stomacke whence it drawes all the vertue against poison and other wonderfull effects This is the opinion and tradition of the Indians discouered by men of great experience in the Kingdome of Peru which agrees with reason and with that which Plinie reports of the Mountaines Goats which are nourished and fed vpon poison without suffering any harme The Indians being demanded why the Sheepe Kine Goats and Calues such as are in Castile haue not the Bezaar stone seeing that they feede on the same Rocks their answere is That they beleeue not that those beasts of Castile eate of that herbe or that they haue found the Bezaar stone in Stags and fallow Deere This seemes to agree with our knowledge for that in new Spaine they finde the Bezaar stone although there be no Vicugnes Pacos Tarugues nor Guanacos but onely Stags in some of which they finde these stones One thing is worthy admiration that they grow and are fashioned vpon very strange things as vpon the tagge of a Point vpon a Pin or a piece of Wood which they finde in the centre of this stone and yet doe 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 Castile which made vs to wonder much for that in all Peru wee had not seene any Pines or Pignons of Castile if they were not brought from Spaine which seemes to mee very extraordinarie This little may suffice touching the Bezaars stone They bring other physicall 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 Cornerinas for the Heart whereof there is no neede to speake hauing nothing common with the subiect of beasts whereof wee haue intreated which giues vs to vnderstand how the great Master and Author of all hath imparted his benefits
lancheth or cutteth the same while in the meane time it can neither be seene nor taken that from some it hath cut off their hands and from other their feete vntill the remedy was found to annoint the place with Oyle and scrape it with a Rasor In the firme Land in golden Castile or Beragua there are many Vipers like vnto them of Spaine they that are bitten of them dye in short space for few liue to the fourth day except present remedy Of these some are of lesse kinde then other and haue their taile somewhat round and leape in the aire to assaile men and for this cause some call this kinde of Vipers Tyro their biting is most venomousâ— and for the most part incurable One of them chanced to bite an Indian Maide which serued me in my house to whom I caused the Surgians to minister their ordinary cure but they could doe her no good nor yet get one drop of blood out of her but onely a yellow water so that she died the third day for lacke of remedie as the like hath chanced to diuers others This Maide was of the age of foureteene yeares and spake the Spanish tongue as if she had beene borne in Castile she said that the Viper which bit her on the foot was two spans long or little lesse and that to bite her she leapt in the aire for the space of more then six paces as I haue heard the like of other credible persons I haue also seene in the firme Land a kinde of Adders very small and of seuen or eight foot long these are so red that in the night they appeare like burning coles and in the day seeme as red as blood these are also venemous but not so much as the Vipers There are other much lesse and shorter and blacker these come out of the Riuers and wander sometimes farre on the Land and are likewise venemous There are also other Adders of a russet colour these are somewhat bigger then the Viper and are hurtfull and venemous There are likewise another sort of many colours and very long of these I saw one in the yeare of Christ 1515. in the Iland of Hispaniola neere vnto the Sea coasts at the foote of the Mountaines called Pedernales When this Adder was slain I measured her found her to be more then twenty foot long and somewhat more then a mans fist in bignesse and although she had three or foure deadly wounds with a Sword yet dyed she not nor stunke the same day in so much that her blood continued warme all that time There are also in the Marishes and desarts of the firme Land many other kindes of Lysarts Dragons and diuers other kindes of Serpents whereof I intend not here to speak much because I haue more particularly entreated of these things in my generall historie of the West Indies There are tlso Spiders of marueilous bignesse and I haue seene some with bodie and legges bigger then a mans hand extended euery way and I once saw one of such bignesse that onely her body was as bigge as a Sparrow and full of that Laune whereof they make their webbes this was of a darke russet colour with eyes greater then the eyes of a Sparrow they are venemous and of terrible shape to behold There are also Scorpions and diuers other such venomous wormes Furthermore in the firme Land there are many Toades being verie noious and hurtfull by reason of their great multitude they are not venemous they are seene in great abundance in Dareena where they are so big that when they die in the time of drought the bones of some of them and especially the ribs are of such greatnesse that they appeare to be the bones of Cats or of some other beasts of the same bignesse But as the waters diminish the moisture consumeth in the time of drought as I haue said they also consume therewith vntill the yeare next following when the raine and moisture encrease at which time they are seene againe Neuerthelesse at this present there is no such quantitie of them as was wont to be by reason that as the Land is better cultured by the Christians as well by the felling of Woods and Shrubs as also by the Pasture of Kine Horses and other beasts so is it apparant that this poison diminisheth daily whereby that region becommeth more holesome and pleasant These Toades sing after three or foure sort for some of them sing pleasantly other like ours of Spaine some also whistle and other some make another manner of noise they are likewise of diuers colours as some greene some russet or gray and some almost blacke but of all sorts they are great and filthie and noious by reason of their great multitude yet are they not venemous as I haue said There are also a strange kinde of Crabbes which come forth of certaine holes of the earth that they themselues make the head and bodie of these make one round thing much like to the hood of a Faulcon hauing foure feete comming out of the one side and as manie out of the other they haue also two mouthes like vnto a paire of small Pincers the one bigger then the other wherewith they bite but doe no great hurt because they are not venemous their skin and bodie is smooth and thinne as is the rkinne of a man sauing that it is somewhat harder their colour is russet or white or blew and walke sidelong they are verie good to be eaten in so much that the Christians trauailing by the firme Land haue beene greatly nourished by them because they are found in manner euerie where in shape and forme they are much like vnto the Crabbe which we paint for the signe Cancer and like vnto those which are found in Spaine in Andalusia in the Riuer Guadalchiber where it entreth into the Sea and in the Sea coasts there about sauing that these are of the water and the other of the land they are sometimes hurtfull so that they that eate of them dye but this chanceth onely when they haue eaten any venomous thing or of the venemous apples wherewith the Caniball archers poison their arrowes whereof I will speake hereafter and for this cause the Christians take heede how they eate of these Crabbes if they finde them neere vnto the said apple trees Furthermore in these Indies as well in the firme land as in the Ilands there is found a kinde of Serpents which they call Yuanas which some call Iuannas these are terrible and fearefull to fight and yet not hurtfull they are verie delicate to be eaten and it is not yet knowne whether they be beasts of the land or fishes because they liue in the water and wander in the woods and on the land they haue foure feet and are commonly bigger then Connies and in some places bigger then Otters with tailes like Lysarts or Eutes their skinne is spotted and of the same kinde
guide their Boates or Canoes teaching them certaine pollicies The order they held in this warre was that he went to Cuitlauaca with his children where by his pollicie he pressed the enemy in such sort that he made them to flye and as he followed them the Lord of Cuitlauaca met him and yeelded vnto him himselfe his Citie and his people and by this meanes he stayed the pursuite The children returned with much spoyle and many Captiues for their Sacrifices being solemnely receiued with a great Procession Musicke and Perfumes and they went to worship their gods in taking of the earth which they did eate and drawing bloud from the forepart of their legs with the Priests Lancets with other superstitions which they were accustomed to vse in the like solemnities The children were much honored and encouraged and the King imbraced and kissed them and his kinsmen and allies accompanied them The bruite of this victory ranne throughout all the Countrie how that Tlacaellec had subdued the Citie of Cuitlauaca with children the news and consideration whereof opened the eyes of those of Tescuco 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 themselues to the King of Mexico and inuite him thereunto with his Citie Therefore by the aduise of this Counsell they sent Ambassadours good Orators with honorable presents to offer themselues vnto the Mexicans as their Subiects desiring peace and amity which was graciously accepted but by the aduise 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 soueraigne Lord of Tescuco but he tooke not their King from them but made him of his Priuie Counsell so as they haue alwaies maintained themselues in this manner vntill the time of Moteçuma the second during whose raigne the Spaniards entred Hauing subdued the Land and Citie of Tescuco Mexico remained Lady and Mistris of all the Lands and Cities about the Lake where it is built Izcoalt hauing enioyed this prosperitie and raigned twelue yeares dyed leauing the Realme which had beene giuen him much augmented by the valour and counsell of his Nephew Tlacaellec Forasmuch as the election of the new King belonged to foure chiefe Electors and to the King of Tescuco and the King of Tacubu by especiall priuiledge Tlacaellec assembled these six personages as he that had the soueraigne authority and hauing 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 vnto 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 diuine harth as they call it where there is continuall fiâ—e they set him in his royall throane putting vpon him his royall ornaments Being there the King drew bloud from his eares and legs with a Griffons talons which was the Sacrifice wherein the diuell delâ—ghted to be honoured The Priests Ancients and Captaines made their Orations all congratuling his election They were accustomed in their elections to make great Feasts and Dances where they wasted many lights In this Kings time the custome was brought in that the King should goe in person to make warre in some Prouince and bring Captiues to solemnize the feast of his Coronation and for the solemne Sacrifices of that day For this cause King Moteçuma went into the Prouince of Chalco who had declared themselues his enemies from whence hauing fought valiantly he brought a great number of Captiues whereof he did make a notable Sacrifice the day of his Coronation although at that time he did not subdue all the Prouince of Chalco being a verie warlike Nation Manie came to this Coronation from diuers Prouinces as wâ—â—l neere as farre off to see the feast at the which all commers were verie bountifully enâ—ertained and clad especially the poore to whom they gaue new garments For this cause they â—rougâ—t that day into the Citie the Kings tributes with a goodly order which consâ—sted in Sâ—uffes to make Garments of all sorts in Cacao Gold Siluer rich Feathers great burthens of Cotton Cucumbers sundrie sorts of Pâ—â—sâ—s many kindes of Sea fish and of the fresh water great store of Fruits 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 Prouinces and before them the Stewards and receiuers with diuers markes and Ensignes in very goodly order so as it was one of the goodliest things of the feast to see the entrie of the Tribute The King being crowned he imploied himselfe in the conquest of many Prouinces and for that he was both valiant and vertuous he still increased more and more vsing in all his affaires the counsell and industrie of his Generall Tlacaellec whom he did alwaies loue and esteeme very much as he had good reason The warre wherein he was most troubled and of greatest difficultie was that of the Prouince of Chalco wherein there happened great matters whereof one was very remarkeable which was that they of Chalcas had taken a brother of Moteçumaes in the warres whom they resolued to choose for their King asking him verie curteously if he would accept of this charge He answered after much importunitie still persisting therein that if they ment plainely to choose him for their King they should plant in the Market-place a Tree or very high stake on the top whereof they should make a little scaffold and meanes to mount vnto it The Chalcas supposing it had beene some ceremonie to make himselfe more apparant presently effected it then assembling all his Mexicans about the stake he went to the top with a garland of flowers in his hand speaking to his men in this manner O valiant Mexicans these men will choose me for their King but the gods will not permit that to be a King I should commit any treason against my Countrie but contrariwise I will that you learne by me that it behooueth vs rather to indure death then to aide 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 despite that presently they fell vpon the Mexicans and slew them all with their Lances as men whom they held too proud and inexorable saying they had diuellish hearts It chanced the night following they heard two Owles making a mournfull 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
be knowne as we shall see hereafter It chanced thâ—t Motâ—çuma hauing reigned many yeeres in great prosperitie and so puft vp in his conceit as he caused himselfe to be serued and feared yea to be worshipped as a God that the Almighty Lord began to chastice him and also to admonish him suffering euen the very Deuils whom he worshipped to tell him these heauy tydings of the ruine of his Kingdome and to torment him by Visions which had neuer beene seene wherewith hee remayned so melancholy and troubled as he was void of judgement The Idoll of those of Châ—lolâ— which they called Quetzacoalt declared that a strange people came to possesse his Kingdomes The King of Tescuco who was a great Magitian and had conference with the Deuill came one day at an extraordinary houre to visit Moteçuma assuring him that his Gods had told him that there were great losses preparing for him and for his whole Realme many Witches and Sorcerers went and declared as much amongst which there was one did very particulary foretell him what should happen and as hee was with him hee told him that the pulses of his feete and hands failed him Moteçuma troubled with these newes 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 hee put their wiues and children to death destroying their Houses and Families Seeing himselfe importuned and troubled with these aduertisements hee 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 mooue although being obstinate they had broken many Instruments But as they stroue still to raise it they heard a voyce joyning to the stone which said they laboured in vaine and that they should not raise it for that the Lord of things created would no more suffer those things to be done there Moteçuma vnderstanding this commanded the Sacrifice to be performed in that place and they say the voyce spake againe Haue I not told you that it is not the pleasure of the Lord of things created that it should bee done and that you may well know that it is so I will suffer my selfe to bee transported a little then after you shall not mooue mee Which happened so indeed for presently they carried it a small distance with great facilitie then afterwards they could not mooue it till that after many Prayers it suffered it selfe to bee transported to the entry of the Citie 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 remooued 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 it selfe in this sort the space of a whole yeere and euer as it appeared the people cast forth great cryes as they were accustomed beleeuing it was a presage of great misfortune It happened also that fire tooke the Temple when as no body was within it nor neere vnto it neyther did there fall any lightning or thunder whereupon the Guards crying out a number of people ranne with water but nothing could helpe so as it was all consumed and they say the fire seemed to come forth of pieces 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 tayle hauing three heads The great Lake betwixt Mexico and Tescuco without any winde earthquake or any other apparant signe began sudainly to swell and the waues grew in such sort as all the buildings neere vnto it fell downe to the ground They say at that time they heard many voices as of a woman in paine which said sometimes O my children the time of your destruction is come and otherwhiles it said 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 sudainly 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 forme They carried 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 Pallaces for his recreation so had he also others for times of affliction wherewith he was then heauily charged and tormented by reason of the threatnings his gods had giuen him by these sorrowfull aduertisements The Fishers came about noone setting this Bird before him which had on the top of his head a thing bright and transparent in forme of a Looking-glasse wherein he did behold a warlike Nation comming from the East armed fighting and killing He called his Diuines and Astronomers whereof there was a great number who hauing seene these things and not able to yeelde any reason of what was demanded of them the Bird vanished away so as it was neuer more seene whereupon Moteçuma remained very heauy and sorrowfull The other which happened was a Laborer who had the report of a very honest man he came vnto him telling him that being the day before at his worke a great Eagle flew towards him and tooke him vp in his talents without hurting him carrying him into a certaine Caue where it left him The Eagle pronouncing these words Most mighty Lord I haue brought him whom thou hast commanded me This Indian Laborer looked aboue on euery side to whom he spake but he saw no man Then he heard a voyce which said vnto him Doost thou not know this man whom thou seest lying vpon the ground and looking thereon he perceiued a man to lye very heauy asleepe with royall ensignes flowers in his hand and a staffe of perfumes burning as they are accustomed to vse in that Country whom the Labourer beholding knew it was the great King Moteçuma and answered presently Great Lord this resembles our King Motezuma The voice said againe Thou sayest true behold what he is and how hee lies asleepe carelesse of the great miseries and afflictions prepared for him It is now time that he pay the great number of offences he hath done to God and that he receiue the punishment of his tyrannies and great pride and yet thou seest how carelesse he lyes blinde in his owne miseries and without any
which they had taken captiues opening their brests and plucking out their hearts sprinkling their bloud in the Ayre their fellowes looking on and not able to reuenge it They slew likewise many Indians foure Spaniards of Aluarado's company whom they ate in the open sight of the Army The Mexicans danced drank themselues drunke made bonefires strucke vp their Drums and made all solemne expressings of ioy Dread Disdaine and all the Furies that Passion or Compassion could coniure vp had now filled the Spaniards hearts and their Indian partakers and Cortes that hitherto had hoped to reserue some part of the Citie now did the vtmost that Rage aed Reuenge could effect helped no lesse within with Famine and Pestilence then with Sword and Fire without At last Mexico is razed the Earth and Water sharing betwixt them what the Fire had left and all which had sometime challenged a lofty inheritance in the Ayre Their King also was taken all that mightie State subuerted And as the Mexicans before had prophesied That the Tlaxantleca's should againe build the Citie if conquered for them if conquerors for the Spaniards It was re-builded with a hundred thousand houses fairer and stronger then before The Siege lasted three Moneths and had therein two hundred thousand Indians nine hundred Spaniards fourescore Horses seuenteene Peeces of Ordinance thirteene Galliots and sixe thousand Canoas Fiftie Spaniards were slaine and sixe Horses of the Mexicans a hundred thousand besides those which died of Hunger and Pestilence This was effected Anno 1521. on the thirteenth day of August which for that cause is kept festiuall euery yeare For the Description of the Country wherein Mexico is situate Cortes in his second Narration to the Emperour saith it is enuironed with hils He telleth of some hils also in his iourney wherein diuers of his people died with cold in the middest is a plaine of 70. leagues compasse and therein two Lakes which extend the circuit of 50. leagues the one salt which ebbeth and floweth an argument for Patritius his opinion that saltnesse is a chiefe cause of that vicissitude of ebbing and flowing in the Ocean the other fresh When the water of the Salt Lake increaseth it runneth lâ—ke a violent streame into the fresh Lake which when it decreaseth is repaired againe by the like issue of this into the former Nunno di Gusmau hath written his expedition into Mâ—choacan and other Countries of New-Spaine 1530. subduing and taking possession for the Emperour He found some of them Sodomites others Sacrificers of mens flesh and some closly practising this butchery after they had professed themselues Christians none of them which durst looke a Horse in the face but were afraid that that Beast would eate them The seuerall peoples by him reckoned would here be tedious to name which we may say of the like made by Godoy and Aluarado Of the Customes of the Auntient Mexicans one of Cortes his Gentlemen hath written a Treatise extant in Ramusius wherein are described their Citie Temples Rites of Sacrifice and the like as after followeth out of him and others CHAP. IX Larger Relations of things most remarkeable obserued by the Spaniards at their first comming Cholollas holies Popocatepecs ashes Mutezumas multiforme magnificence and maiestie Mexican Citie and Temple with other antiquities gathered out of the Third part of the Historie of Francis Lopez de Gomara CHololla is a Citie as Tlaxcallan and hath but one person who is Gouernour and generall Captaine chosen by the consent of all the Citizens It is a Citie of twenty thousand housholds within the wals and in the suburbs as much more It sheweth outwards very beautifull and full of Towers for there are as many Temples as dayes in the yeare and euery Temple hath his Tower Our men counted foure hundred Towers The men and women are of good disposition well fauoured and very wittie The women are Goldsmiths and also Caruers the men are warriers and light fellowes and good Maisters for any purpose they goe better apparelled then any other Indians yet seene They weare for their vpper garment cloakes like vnto Moriscos but after another sort All the Countrey round about them is fruitfull and errable ground well watered and so full of people that there is no waste ground in respect whereof there are some poore which begge from doore to doore The Spaniards had not seene any beggers in that Countrey before they came thither Chololla is a Citie of most deuotion and religion in all India it is called the Sanctuary or holy place among the Indians and thither they trauelled from many places farre distant in Pilgrimage and for this cause there were so many Temples Their Cathedrall Temple was the best and highest of all the New Spaine with a hundred and twenty steps vp vnto it The greatest Idoll of all their gods was called Quezalcouately God of the Aire who was say they the founder of their Citie being a Virgin of holy life and great penance He instituted fasting and drawing of bloud out of their eares and tongues and left a precept that they should sacrifice but onely Quailes Doues and other foule He neuer ware but one garment of Cotten which was white narrow and long and vpon that a mantle beset with certaine red crosses They haue certaine greene Stones which were his and those they keepe for relickes One of them is like an Apes head Here they abode twenty dayes and in this meane while there came so many to buy and sell that it was a wonder to see And one of the things that was to be seene in those faires was the earthen vessell which was exceeding curious and fine The hill called Popocatepec THere is a hill eight leagues from Chololla called Popocatepec which is to say a hill of smoake for many times it casteth out smoake and fire Cortes sent thither ten Spaniards with many Indians to carry their victuall and to guide them in the way The ascending vp was very troublesome and full of craggie rocks They approached so nigh the top that they heard such a terrible noise which proceeded from thence that they durst not goe vnto it for the ground did tremble and shake and great quantity of ashes which disturbed the way but yet two of them who seemed to be most hardie and desirous to see strange things went vp to the top because they would not returne with a sleeuelesse answer and that they might not be accounted cowards leauing their fellowes behinde them proceeding forwards The Indians said what meane these men for as yet neuer mortall man tooke such a iourney in hand These two valiant fellowes passed through the Desart of Ashes and at length came vnder a great smoake very thicke and standing there a while the darkenesse vanished partly away and then appeared the vulcan and concauity which was about halfe a league in compasse out of the which the ayre came abounding with a great noise very shrill and whistling in
no secular man may touch that holy Image no nor yet come into his Chappell nay-scarsly religious persons except they were Tlamacaztli who are Priests of order They doe renew this Image many times with new dough taking away the old but then blessed is he that can get one piece of the old raggs for reliques and chiefly for Souldiers who thought themselues sure there with in the warres Also at the consecration of this Idoll a certaine vessell of water was blessed with many wordes and ceremonies and that water was preserued very religiously at the foot of the Altar for to consecrate the King when he should be crowned and also to blesse any Captaine generall when he should be elected for the warres with onely giuing him a draught of that water Without the Temple and ouer against the principall doore thereof a stones cast distant standeth the Charnell house onely of dead mens heads prisoners in warres and sacrificed with the knife This monument was made like vnto a Theater more larger then broad wrought of lime and stone with ascending steps in the walls whereof was grafted betwixt stone and stone a Scull with the teeth outwards At the foot and head of this Theater were two Towres made onely of lime and sculls the teeth outward and this wall hauing no other stuffe seemed a strange sight At and vpon the top of the Theater were seuentie Poles standing the one from the other foure or fiue foot distant and each of them was full of staues from the foot to the top Each of these staues had others made fast vnto them so that euery of them had fiue sculs broched 〈◊〉 the Temple Andrew de Tapia did certifie me that he and Gonçalo de Vmbria did reckon them in one day and found a hundred thirtie and sixe thousand sculls on the poles staues and steps The other Towres were replenished out of number a most cruell custome being onely mens heads slaine in sacrifice although it hath a shew of humanitie for the remembrance there placed of death There are also men appointed that when one scull falleth to set vp another in his place so that the number may neuer want Other Mexican Antiquities Letters Numbers Yeeres Dayes Weekes c. THere hath not beene found Letters at any time in the West India onely in new Spaine were vsed certaine figures which serued for letters with the which they kept in memorie and preserued their Antiquities The figures that the Mexicans vsed for letters are great by reason whereof they occupie great Volumes they engraue them in stone or timber and paint them vpon walls and also vpon a paper made of cotton wooll and leaues of the tree Metl Their bookes are great and folded vp like vnto our broad cloathes and written vpon both sides There are some bookes rolled vp like a piece of flannell They pronounce not v g r s y therefore they vse much p c l x. This is the Mexican speech and Nahual which is the best playnest and the most eloquent in all new Spaine There are some in Mexico that doe vnderstand each other by whistling which is ordinarily vsed among Louers and Theeues a speech truly to wonder at and none of our men could come to the knowledge thereof Their reckoning by numbers was in this sort Ce One Ome Two Ei Three Naui Foure Macuil Fiue Chicoace Six Chicome Seuen Chicuei Eight Chiconaui Nine Matlac Ten Matlactlioce Eleuen Matlactliome Twelue Matlactlomei Thirteene Matlactlinaui Fourteene Matlactlinacui Fifteene Matlactlichicoace Sixteene Matlactlichicome Seuenteene Matlactlichicuei Eighteene Matlactlichiconaui Nineteene Cempoalli Twentie Euery number is simple vntill you come to sixe and then they count sixe and one sixe and two sixe and three Ten is a number by himselfe then you must count ten and one ten and two ten and three ten and foure ten and fiue Then you count ten fiue and one ten fiue and two ten fiue and three Twentie goeth by himselfe and all the greater numbers The Mexican yeere is three hundreth and sixtie dayes for they haue in their yeere eighteene moneths and euery moneth contayneth twentie dayes They haue other fiue odde dayes which goeth by themselues in the which they vsed to celebrate great feasts of cruell and bloudy sacrifice with much deuotion And reckoning after this sort they could not choose but erre for they could not make equall the punctuall course of the Sunne Yea the Christian yeere is not perfect although wee haue learned Astronomers But yet these simple Indians went neere the marke The names of the moneths Tlacaxipeualiztli Tozcutzli Huei Tozeuztli Toxcalt Ecalcoaliztli Tocuilhuicintli Hueitecuilhuitl Miccailhuicintli Veymiccailhuitl Vchpaniztli Pachtli Huei Pachtli Quecholli Panquecaliztli Hatemuztli Tititlh Izcalli Coa Vitleuac The names of Dayes were Cipactli A Spade Hecatl Aire or Winde Calli A House Cuez Pali A Lizzart Coualt A Snake Mizquintli Death Macatl A wilde Hart Toohtli A Cony Atl Water Izcuyntli A Dogge Ocumatli An Ape Malinalli A Broome Acatlh A Caue Ocelotl A Tigre Coautli An Eagle Cozcaquahutl A Buzzard Olin A Temple Tepatlh A Knife Quiauitl Raine Xuchitl A Rose Although these twentie names serue for the whole yeere and are but the dayes of euery moneth yet therefore euery moneth beginneth not with Cipactli which is the first name but as they follow in order and the fiue odde dayes is the cause thereof And also because their weeke is of thirteene dayes which changeth the names as by example Cecipactli can goe no further then vnto Matlactlomeiacatl which is thirteene and then beginneth another weeke and we doe not say Matlactlinaui Ocelotl which is the fourteenth day but wee say Ceocelotl which is one and then reckon the other sixe names vnto twentie And when all the twentie dayes are ended begin againe to reckon from the first name of the twentie but not from one but from eight And because yee may better vnderstand the matter here is the example Cecipactli Omehecatl Ei Calli Naui Cuezpali Macuilcouatl Chicoacen Mizquinth Chicome Macatl Chicuâ—i Tochtli Chiconauiatl Matlaciz Cuintli Mailactlioce Ocumatli Matlactliome Malinalli Matlactlomei Acatlh The next weeke following doth begin his dayes from one And that one is the fourteenth name of the moneth and of the dayes and saith Ceotelotl Omecoautli Eâ—cozcaquahutli Naui Olui Macuil Tecpatl Chicoacen Quiauitl Chicome Xuchitl Chicoei Cipactli In this second weeke Cipactli came to fall on the eight day being in the first weeke the first day Cemacatl Ometochtli Eiatl Naui Izcuintli Macuil Ocumatli And so proceede on to the third weeke in the which this name Cipactli entreth not but Macatl which was the seuenth day in the first weeke and had no place in the second and is the first in the third The reckoning is no darker then ours which we haue in a b c d e f g. For they also change with time and run in such sort that a which was the first letter of this moneth commeth to be the fift day of the
for another Friar The answer of Mangu Chan not wel vnderstood and deliuered by a drunken Interpreter Caracarum ten daies iourney from the Court of Mangu Chan toward the North as appeareth Ch. 36. Chap. 31. Of Pascha of Mentz in Lotharingia and William Bouchier the Goldsmith a Parisian Building in request They also reckon by Moones in East India Crac is a strong fortresse of the Templâ— is in the holy Land Chap. 32. Of Theodolus the Clerke of Acon how hee deceiued Mangu Chan and was imprisoned of 〈◊〉 Frier Andrew went from Cyprus by Persia. Blasphemous flattery The Golden Tablet of the Emperor of the Tartars Vastacius King of Pontus Or Erserum Sergius an Armenian Monke Chap. 33. Oâ— Mangu Chans holyday and how his principall wiâ—e and his eldest sonne came to the Diuine ceremonies of the Nestorians and oâ— their filthy â—â—wsingâ— The cold much preuayleth The 13. of Ian. Cotota Caten the principall Wife of Mangu Chan. Baltu the Son of Mangu Chan. * Vnum bucâ—eranum * Cosmos of Mares Milke Vid. sup Ianuary 20 Of the Fast of the Nestorians and Armenians and of their Processions vnto the Court of Mangu Chan his eldest Son and Wiues Saint Sâ—rkis Lent Mangu Chans Court visited with Processions How they diuine by the sholder blades of Rommes burnt blacke In M. Ienkinsons Voyage among the Tartars ye may reade of such a Diuination Threshold-Superstition They doe the like in Florida Baltues Court who was eldest Son of Mangu Chan. The Court of the third Lady The Armenians and Nestorians are ashamed to shew Christ fastned to the Crosse. Mangu built a Church The Court of the fourth Lady Drunkennesse not reproueable among the Tartars Chap. 35. How Lady Cota was cured of Sergius the counterfeit Monke Liâ—ence is granted him to carrie the Crosse aloft Rubarbe and the Crosse Miracle-workers with credulous Superstition Holy water not knowne in the East Sergius the Armenians Lye Sorcerie of foure swords The Crosse carried aloft Chap. 36. A description of the Countries about the Court of Mangu Chan and of their manner of writing and their money Chap. 3. Al Riuers bending towards the South and North runne towards the West Chap. 15. Su-Moal the Water Tartars to the East liuing vpon fish Kerkis Orangai Pascatir on the West Chap. 19. Mutezuma commanded the like in Noua Hispania * A description of Apes or else an embleme or Apish fable and perhaps by the Chinois inuented to sell their wares the dearer Most precious Purple Cataia vpon the Ocean Taute and Manse who dwell in Ilands whose Sea freezeth in the Winter Cataia paper money The manner of writing in Cataia like that of China The people of Thebet· Their manner of writing in Tangut and Iugur The money of the Rutenians Chap. 37. Of the second fast of the people of the East in Lent The Monke is reproued for the multitude of those that came vnto him Monkes Manichaean blasphemie of the Creation Snow-water or water of Ice exceeding naught No fish eaten in Lent Hypocriticall feast-fast Chap. 38. A Description of the worke of William Bouchier and of the Palace of Mangu Chan at Caracaâ—um into which Citie they entred on Palm-sunday Two moneths iourney The Description of a most artificiall siuer Tree The description of the Palace The Sunday in the Passion he goeth towards Caracarum They enter Caracarum on Palme Sunday Mangu Chan departeth from Caracarum Chap. 39. The manner how the Nestorians make the Sacramentall Bread The Christians confesse themselues and receiue the Sacrament of Frier William in the dayes of the Lords Supper and Easter The Christians desire the Sacrament Confession Theft excluded the ten Commandements perhaps these fellowes were of those Borderers minde which thought K. Henry had put it in the Decalogue The Patriarch of the Nestorians remayneth at Baldach Chap. 40. William Bouchier is sicke the Monke giueth him Rubarbe the Priest Ionas is sicke Frier William administreth the Lords Supper vnto him and anionteth him beeing readie to dye Hee reproueth the Monke for his Sorceries The Priest Ionas is sicke and dyeâ—h The Nestorians know not Extreme Vnction nor Confession He that is presenâ— with one that dyeth cannot come into the presence of the Prince for the space of an wholâ— yeare Bold blindnes The Monke vseth Diuinations Chap. 41. The description of the Citie of Caracarum they are examined Mangu Chan sendeth hâ—s brethren against diuers Kingdomes the Monke biddeth the Saracens farewell The Wife of Mangu Chan dyeth The Countrey of the Hassasines or Mulibet Chap. 16. Some of Cataia rebell Ascension day Arabucha the yonger brother of Mangu Chan. Ignorant zeale a betrayer of the Faith a cause perhaps of Tartarian Saracenisme One of the Wiues of Chan dyeth The Tartars do more by deceit then by force Chap. 42. They are often examined wherfore they came Mangu desireth to make comparison of Diuine things The most learned speech of Frier William with the Idolaters The Saracens acknowledge the truth of the Gospel The godly conference of Frier William with the Seruants of Mangu Chan. Mangu Chan desireth to haue a comparison made concerning diuine things betweene the Christians Saracens and Idolaterâ— His Answere Mangu Chan wil haue them returne Whitsunday Eeuen How Idolatry began first in the World The Proclamation of Mangu Chan. The murmuring of the Idolâ—ters agâ—inst Chan· The beginning of the disputation concerning the Christian Religion with an Idolater We ought first to speake of God The heresie of the Manichees in Cataia as a sprout from the Magi infecting all the Easterne Philosophie and Religions A Pythagorean child God is Omnipotent God knowes all things God perfectly good The Saracens answer that the Gospell is true The Sect of the Iugurs Chap 43. The day of Pentecost he is called before Mangu Chan who confesseth the faith of the Tartars he speaketh of his returne by Baatu he craueth leaue to stay there whiâ—h is not graunted A token of fauour The faith of the Tartars He speâ—keth of the Fryers returne Baatus greatnesse Hee craueth leaue againe to stay in the Tartars Countrey but it is not granted He departeth from the presence of Mangu Can. Chap. 44. A description of the Tartarian Sorcerers and of their diuers and vnlawfull behauiour Chiefe Priest of the Tartars Some of them know Astronomy Eclipses They fore-tell lucky and vnfortunat daiâ—s for the performance of all buâ—inesse whatsoeuer They cause all things senâ— to the Court passe betweene fires Friar Andrew and his fellows The ninth day of the Moone of May solemnly kept euery yeâ—re They are called to the birth of children and fore-tell their destinies and are also â—ent for when any are sicke The false accusations of the Sorcerers The Bishop of the Nestorians in Cataia A lyer and a murtherer from the beginning The Reuenge of Mangu Chan vpon his Wife being a murtherer The Sorcerers trouble the Ayre with their Charmes The Sorcerers raise vp deuils Chap. 45. Great Solemnity Mangu Chans Letters to
of a Biscay ship The fourth and fifth Whales killed The sixt whale killed Three hundred Morses Biscainers enuie The seuenth Whale killed The eight Whale killed The ninth and tenth Whales killed The eleuenth twelfth and thirteenth Whales killed Ascension day Greenland attayned in eighteene dayes A ship of Saint Iohn de Luz Eight Spaniards on the coast The Generall was Captaine Beniamin Ioseph after slaine in fight with a Carrike Dutch ship No night the 23. of May. Diuers strangers Lat. 78. deg 24. minut Ship of Biscay Snowe Greene harbour Low sound His Maiesties Armes and a Crosse set vp at Low-nesse Snowe Thomas Bonner English man Master and Pilot. 76. deg 55. min. declination 67. deg 30. min. Variation 12. deg 14. min. Abundance of Ice An Iland in 72 degrees on the Coast of Groinland Three and twentie whales killed A man slaine Latitude 78. deg 7. min. Note A South South west Moone maketh a full Sea here A Biscayn ship of 700. tuns Many rockes full of Fowle Lisets Ilands Eighteene Whales killed Three Whales killed by the English Eight thirtie Whales killed August 1. Latitude 77. degrees 40. minutes Variation 13. degrees 11. minutes Latitude 79. degrees 14. minutes This was Maâ— Cudners ship of London Latitude 79. degrees 8. minutes Sunnes refraction Note M. Cudner of London William Gourdon Variation 1. degree 5. min. Rost Ilands or Rosten 68. dâ—g no min. Thâ— variâ—tion 4 degrees 8. minutes East Variation 5. dâ—g 3. minutes East The lying of the land about Scoutsnesse We went forth to Sea We met with Ice in 75. deg 10. minutes Eleuen Sayles fast in the Ice M. Th. Sherwin Iune We goe cleere off the Ice Wee met with the Mary An-Sarah We came to the Fore land We proceeded to the Northwards Maudlen Sound Hackluyts Head-land We anchoreâ— in Maudlen Sound I went forth in a shallop We set sayle out of Maudlen Sound and followed the Ice Prince Charles Iland in 78. degrees 40. minutes Wee stood againe for shoare Eleuen Holland ships We anchored in Sir T. Smiths Bay We went forth of Sir T. Smiths Bay We were driuen backe againe into Crosse-road We set sayle out of Crosse-road One shallop to the Northward The other into Maudlen Sound The Kings Armes set vp in Trinitie Harbour Trinitie Harbor is vnder the parallel of 79. degrees 34. minutes We came to an anchor in Faire Hauen No Whales were yet come in The shallop returned from the Northwards Cape Barrèn Saddle Iland A Storme Iulie The Whales began now to come in Two Whales escaped We came forth of Faire hauen We met with Ice and stood to the Northwards Our Shallop came to vs. We returned towards Faire hauen We intended to discouer in Shallops I went forth in the one Shallop Master Baffin came to me in the other Shallop Red-beach Wee hailed our Shallop vpon the Ice We returned to our Shallop We were vnder saile and came to an anchor againe We killed a Whale August We went to the Northwards with our Shallops We got to the shoare of Red Beach with out Shallops We walked ouer Red-beach The Kings armes are set vp at Wiches Sound We passed ouer Wiches Sound We found Beach Finâ— We met with the Hartsease Shallop Note The end of Sir Thomas Smiths Inlet discouered We returned towards our Ship A storme began when we were amongst Ice We get forth of the Ice We came aboord our ship The Holland Discouerers go homewards Our Ship went forth to Sea We met with Ice eight leagues from the Shore We plyed off and on the Ice two dayes Wee anchored againe in the North Harbor I went to the Eastwards in a shallop Ice was newly frozen in Red-cliffe Sound I intended to go once to Point Desire A great snow began I could not passe for Ice The originall cause of Ice at Sea I went backe againe to Red-beach I returned towards our ship Point Welcome The Kings Armes are set vp againe at Point Welcome I went into Red cliffe Sound Point Deceit I came aboord our ship A Whale lay sunken fourteene dayes The Hartseasâ— anchored by vs. Warme weather in the end of August We set sayle to the Eastward The Thomasinâ— returnes for England We stood to the westwards Wee met with Ice We left the Ice and came for England A storme beganne A Corpo Santo It is often seen at the end of stormes Hackluyts Headland Perill and escape Note Errour of Grouland Fogges High Hill Drift wood Note Sir T. Smiths Iland Mount Hackluyt Hudsons Hold-with-hope questioned as before also Ships of the King of Denmarke Terrible Disaster Flemmings Peter Goodford drowned Cold and heate strangely variable Tobacco lighted by the Sun at midnight Gods mercy to England whiles warres haue infested thâ— rest of the World A. Thuan-bister l. 135. Iam. 3. Exod. 1. Al. Gwagninâ— descript Mosc George brother to the Emperor done to death Hee addes principal Nobles here omitted * 700. women at one time 378. prisoners at another 500. Matrons and Virgins of noble bloud exposed to be rauished by the Tartars in his sight at another time c. * A Secretarie cutting off his priuities he died presently which the Emperour construing to be done purposely caused him there instantly to eate whâ—t he had cut off * Or Theodor Sir Ierom Horsey The death of Iuan Vasiliwich 1584. April 18. Lord Boris adopted as the Emperors third sonne The day of Pheodor his coronation Iohn de Wale Chare Sibersky Prince of Siberia taken prisoner brought to Mosco Sophet Keri Alli King of the Crims arriuall at Mosco The new Emperor Pheodore Iuanowich his Lâ—tters and Requests to the Queene Master Horseys voyage from Mosco to England ouer land 1586. Thuan. hist. lib. 120. Diuorce vrged D. Fl. S.I.H. Boris his plot Thuan. hist. lib. 135. sec. Demetrius slain some tell that one pretended his colâ—er stood awry in mending it cut his throate * It was in the Northern parts at Duglets * Some write that he caused diuers places in Mosco to be fiâ—red and then afterwards out of his owne cost repaired them D. Flet. Death of Theodore The Empresse succeedeth Russians vse of fortie dayes mourning for an Emperours death The Queene turneth Nun. Boris his willing vnwillingnesse Boris his speech Boris Emperor His Wife Son Daughter Tartars Russian New yeere Boris crowned His policies P. Basman * Where the censorious bitternesse also seemeth too much to insult on Bâ—ris his dâ—sasters Tedious Title Strange request His audience P. Basman Emperours glorie Princes splendour Pollaxes Counsell and Nobilitie Plate Dining roomâ— Change of Rayment Two hundred Nobles guests Three hundred noble Seruitors Garlike and Onions Drinkes Meads Memory of Q. Elizabeth Gifts Newes of Demetrius Princes pomp Peter Basman Oucsinia the Princesse Second audience Citizens Souldiers Golden Seale Great dinner Ambassadors departure Sled-passage Emperor Boriâ— his death New christened Emperors person His respect to his sonne * Because he had done more for him then might lawfully be commanded