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in_o the_o place_n the_o soil_n be_v very_o dry_a but_o come_v out_o of_o nilus_n by_o a_o trench_n flow_v six_o month_n into_o the_o lake_n and_o ebb_v as_o many_o into_o the_o nile_n yield_v into_o the_o king_n treasury_n for_o the_o fish_n take_v therein_o a_o talon_n of_o silver_n for_o every_o day_n of_o the_o six_o month_n ebb_n and_o twenty_o minae_fw-la when_o it_o flow_v the_o egyptians_n will_v have_v it_o believe_v that_o this_o lake_n be_v make_v by_o hand_n and_o dug_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o island_n and_o pyramid_n in_o it_o and_o when_o it_o be_v object_v that_o there_o be_v no_o sign_n of_o earth_n cast_v out_o they_o say_v that_o it_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o river_n nile_n after_o he_o also_o king_n sesostris_n return_v victorious_a out_o of_o asia_n and_o bring_v 107._o with_o he_o a_o multitude_n of_o people_n out_o of_o the_o subdue_a country_n enforce_v they_o to_o dig_v sundry_a watercourse_n which_o be_v still_o in_o egypt_n improvident_o make_v the_o 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english_a you_o may_v call_v they_o shire_n but_o that_o be_v the_o most_o famous_a trench_n which_o be_v draw_v into_o the_o red_a sea_n it_o be_v first_o 158._o undertake_v by_o king_n necos_n the_o son_n of_o psamnitichus_n this_o be_v that_o pharaoh_n nechoh_o king_n of_o egypt_n who_o slay_v 27._o josias_n king_n of_o juda_n in_o battle_n at_o megiddo_n be_v second_v by_o darius_n king_n of_o persia._n the_o length_n of_o supra_fw-la this_o trench_n be_v four_o day_n sail_v the_o breadth_n such_o as_o two_o galley_n may_v row_v together_o the_o water_n of_o nile_n enter_v into_o it_o a_o little_a above_o the_o city_n bubastis_n and_o pass_v by_o patumos_n a_o city_n of_o arabia_n enter_v the_o red_a sea_n they_o begin_v to_o dig_v in_o the_o plain_a of_o egypt_n towards_o arabia_n run_v a_o great_a way_n from_o west_n to_o east_n by_o the_o foot_n of_o that_o hill_n near_o memphis_n in_o which_o be_v the_o stone_n quarry_n then_o turn_v south_n through_o the_o part_n of_o the_o hill_n into_o the_o arabian_a gulf_n the_o passage_n from_o mount_n cassius_n and_o the_o north_n sea_n unto_o the_o red_a sea_n be_v a_o thousand_o furlong_n but_o by_o this_o trench_n the_o way_n be_v long_o be_v not_o so_o straight_o in_o the_o dig_v hereof_o there_o perish_v a_o hundred_o &_o twenty_o thousand_o egyptians_n necos_n have_v half_o do_v desist_v be_v discourage_v by_o a_o oracle_n which_o say_v he_o wrought_v for_o the_o barbarian_n so_o the_o egyptians_n call_v all_o that_o use_v not_o their_o language_n strabo_n who_o live_v under_o tiberius_n say_v b._n that_o this_o watercourse_n issue_v into_o the_o red_a sea_n or_o arabian_a gulf_n at_o the_o city_n arcinoe_n which_o some_o call_v cleopatris_n and_o that_o it_o pass_v through_o those_o lake_n which_o be_v call_v bitter_a they_o have_v the_o name_n of_o 15.23_o marah_n because_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n at_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o egypt_n can_v not_o drink_v of_o those_o water_n but_o the_o water_n of_o those_o lake_n though_o in_o old_a time_n bitter_a be_v change_v ib._n upon_o the_o make_n of_o this_o new_a river_n and_o mingle_v with_o fresh_a water_n and_o now_o breed_v good_a fish_n and_o abundance_n of_o water-foul_a he_o say_v that_o this_o trench_n be_v first_o make_v by_o sesostris_n before_o the_o trojan_a war_n or_o as_o other_o relate_v it_o be_v only_o begin_v by_o the_o son_n of_o psamnitichus_n who_o soon_o die_v afterward_o it_o be_v again_o undertake_v by_o darius_n the_o first_o who_o have_v almost_o finish_v the_o work_n give_v it_o over_o out_o of_o a_o fond_a conceit_n that_o the_o red_a sea_n be_v high_a than_o egypt_n and_o that_o if_o the_o whole_a isthmus_n be_v cut_v egypt_n will_v be_v drown_v with_o the_o sea_n but_o the_o ptolemay_v king_n of_o egypt_n cut_v it_o through_o and_o set_v a_o sluice_n upon_o the_o channel_n that_o they_o may_v sail_v out_o into_o the_o sea_n and_o in_o again_o as_o they_o please_v it_o be_v 805._o a_o hundred_o cubit_n in_o breadth_n and_o deep_a enough_o for_o a_o great_a ship_n the_o intend_a benefit_n of_o this_o channel_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o intercourse_n between_o the_o midland_n sea_n and_o the_o atlantic_a and_o a_o communication_n of_o traffic_n by_o water_n between_o europe_n and_o the_o east-indies_n but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o any_o great_a use_n be_v make_v thereof_o to_o that_o purpose_n for_o in_o aftertime_n the_o way_n of_o trade_n into_o those_o eastern_a part_n be_v either_o from_o the_o port_n of_o gaza_n to_o aila_n a_o port-town_n situate_a near_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o arabian_a gulf_n on_o the_o east_n side_n thereof_o or_o from_o coptus_n a_o town_n of_o egypt_n on_o this_o side_n thebes_n to_o berinice_n a_o port_n on_o the_o west_n side_n of_o the_o red_a sea_n this_o passage_n from_o gaza_n to_o aila_n be_v say_v 759._o to_o be_v 1260_o furlong_n there_o be_v two_o way_n one_o through_o arabia_n the_o other_o through_o egypt_n by_o heroopolis_n to_o which_o the_o near_a way_n be_v by_o pelusium_n the_o way_n through_o the_o desert_n and_o sand_n be_v go_v by_o camel_n and_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o serpent_n from_o this_o elath_n solomon_n make_v 1â—_n his_o voyage_n to_o ophir_n the_o town_n be_v lose_v 8.20_o in_o king_n jorams_fw-mi reign_n when_o the_o edomite_n revolt_v but_o it_o be_v recover_v 22._o by_o azariah_n and_o under_o ahaz_n lose_v 6._o again_o to_o rezin_n king_n of_o syria_n it_o be_v a_o frontier_n town_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o the_o station_n lociâ—_n of_o the_o x_o legion_n the_o other_o passage_n from_o coptus_n to_o berinice_n be_v reckon_v 258_o mile_n the_o particular_a station_n whereof_o you_o have_v in_o the_o itinerary_n of_o antoninus_n they_o be_v settle_v b._n and_o inn_n erect_v by_o philadelphus_n because_o the_o innermost_a part_n of_o the_o red_a sea_n be_v not_o so_o navigable_a this_o coptus_n be_v a_o common_a town_n both_o to_o the_o egyptians_n and_o arabian_n and_o the_o mart_n for_o all_o indian_a arabic_a and_o aethiopique_n commodity_n from_o whence_o be_v a_o channel_n c._n cut_v into_o the_o nile_n whereby_o the_o merchandize_n be_v transplant_v to_o alexandria_n which_o place_n be_v from_o the_o macedonian_a time_n the_o head_n of_o all_o egypt_n ought_v not_o slight_o to_o be_v pass_v by_o because_o none_o ever_o have_v the_o like_a advantage_n of_o artificial_a watercourse_n by_o which_o in_o short_a time_n it_o become_v for_o greatness_n populacy_n wealth_n and_o pleasantness_n one_o of_o the_o most_o renown_a city_n of_o the_o world_n the_o ancient_a egyptians_n superstitious_o abhor_v the_o sea_n and_o have_v they_o in_o abomination_n who_o get_v their_o live_n by_o it_o and_o albeit_o according_a to_o the_o chronology_n of_o 1230._o eusebius_n they_o have_v the_o dominion_n of_o the_o sea_n in_o the_o reign_v of_o psamnis_n and_o bocchoris_n a_o little_a before_o the_o first_o olympiade_n which_o be_v not_o suitable_a to_o the_o distract_a condition_n of_o egypt_n in_o those_o time_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o 154_o the_o egyptians_n never_o have_v any_o seaport_n that_o psamnitichus_n be_v the_o first_o that_o 178._o admit_v stranger_n to_o inhabit_v that_o naucratis_n on_o the_o channel_n of_o canopus_n the_o only_a mart_n town_n of_o egypt_n be_v open_v by_o amasis_n who_o take_v cyprus_n and_o die_v the_o same_o year_n that_o egpyt_n be_v lose_v to_o the_o persian_n neither_o be_v the_o coast_n of_o egypt_n fit_a for_o navigation_n be_v 791._o harbourlesse_a low_a and_o full_a of_o flat_n and_o shelf_n except_o where_o the_o island_n pâ—arus_n lie_v in_o length_n before_o a_o bay_n at_o a_o village_n call_v rhacotis_n a_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o furlong_n from_o canopus_n afford_v the_o mean_n of_o a_o haven_n whereof_o neither_o the_o egyptians_n
cloudy_a gross_a and_o full_a of_o rot_a harr_n the_o water_n putrid_a and_o muddy_a yea_o full_a of_o loathsome_a vermin_n the_o earth_n spongy_a and_o boggy_a and_o the_o fire_n noisome_a by_o the_o stink_n of_o smoky_a hassocks_n as_o for_o the_o decay_n of_o fish_n and_o fowl_n which_o have_v be_v no_o small_a objestion_n against_o this_o public_a work_n there_o be_v not_o much_o likelihood_n thereof_o for_o notwithstanding_o this_o general_a drayn_n there_o be_v so_o many_o great_a mere_a and_o lakes_n still_o continue_v which_o be_v indeed_o the_o principal_a harbour_n for_o they_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o want_n of_o either_o for_o in_o the_o vast_a spread_a water_n they_o seldom_o abide_v the_o river_n channel_n and_o mere_a be_v their_o principal_a receptacle_n which_o be_v now_o increase_v will_v rather_o augment_v than_o diminish_v their_o store_n and_o that_o both_o fish_n and_o fowl_n be_v with_o much_o more_o ease_v take_v by_o this_o restraint_n of_o the_o water_n within_o such_o bound_n we_o daily_o see_v forasmuch_o as_o all_o net_n for_o fish_v be_v better_o make_v use_n of_o in_o the_o river_n and_o meeres_n than_o when_o the_o water_n be_v out_o of_o those_o narrow_a limit_n and_o that_o decoy_n be_v now_o plant_v upon_o many_o drayned_a level_n whereby_o great_a number_n of_o fowl_n be_v catch_v than_o by_o any_o other_o engine_n former_o use_v which_o can_v not_o at_o all_o be_v make_v there_o do_v the_o water_n as_o former_o overspread_v the_o whole_a country_n the_o history_n of_o imbank_v and_o drayn_v cap_n i._n that_o work_v of_o drayn_v be_v most_o ancient_a and_o of_o divine_a institution_n we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o holy_a scripture_n 1.9_o in_o the_o beginning_n god_n say_v let_v the_o water_n be_v gather_v together_o and_o let_v the_o dry_a land_n appear_v and_o it_o be_v so_o 12._o and_o the_o earth_n bring_v forth_o grass_n and_o herb_n yield_v seed_n &_o the_o fruit-tree_n yield_v fruit_n after_o his_o kind_n and_o god_n see_v that_o it_o be_v good_a again_o after_o the_o deluge_n it_o be_v through_o the_o divine_a goodness_n that_o 8.13_o the_o water_n be_v dry_v up_o from_o off_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o face_n of_o the_o ground_n be_v dry_a and_o that_o those_o nation_n which_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n and_o in_o chief_a renown_n for_o art_n and_o civility_n be_v also_o famous_a for_o their_o work_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v evident_a from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o egyptians_n the_o babylonian_n the_o grecian_n the_o roman_n and_o several_a other_o of_o which_o i_o shall_v give_v instance_n egypt_n first_o therefore_o of_o egypt_n because_o 35._o that_o country_n be_v more_o marvelous_a than_o any_o other_o and_o that_o the_o work_v there_o be_v more_o remarkable_a than_o the_o country_n this_o lie_v in_o a_o great_a length_n from_o south_n to_o north_n between_o arabia_n and_o lybia_n and_o be_v water_v with_o the_o river_n nilus_n a_o stream_n that_o all_o the_o winter_n keep_v 19_o within_o his_o bank_n but_o at_o the_o summer_n solstice_n begin_v to_o exceed_v and_o swell_v a_o hundred_o day_n be_v almost_o as_o long_o a_o time_n in_o retreat_v which_o constant_a inundation_n be_v so_o commodious_a that_o those_o surround_v part_n as_o a_o eminent_a historian_n d._n testify_v be_v only_o habitable_a and_o that_o whatsoever_o place_n on_o either_o side_n the_o river_n rise_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o it_o can_v receive_v the_o flood_n remain_v desert_n and_o uninhabited_a through_o want_n of_o water_n we_o may_v therefore_o esteem_v the_o egyptians_n to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o master_n in_o this_o art_n of_o drayn_v who_o necessity_n and_o profit_n induce_v to_o employ_v their_o wit_n and_o labour_n to_o the_o improvement_n of_o their_o country_n and_o make_v the_o best_a advantage_n of_o that_o exorbitant_a river_n wherein_o they_o become_v most_o excellent_a their_o workmanship_n about_o the_o river_n nilus_n be_v such_o as_o the_o same_o learned_a author_n d._n manifest_v that_o industry_n surpass_v nature_n for_o egypt_n say_v he_o though_o natural_o fruitful_a be_v water_v be_v more_o fruitful_a and_o though_o according_a to_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n the_o great_a increase_n of_o the_o river_n water_v the_o most_o land_n yet_o through_o industry_n it_o be_v so_o bring_v to_o pass_v that_o oftentimes_o when_o nature_n be_v defective_a there_o be_v by_o the_o help_n of_o trench_n and_o bank_n as_o much_o ground_n water_v with_o the_o small_a flood_n as_o with_o the_o great_a d_o so_o that_o at_o high_a flood_n the_o country_n be_v all_o a_o sea_n except_o the_o city_n and_o village_n which_o be_v situate_a either_o on_o natural_a hill_n or_o artificial_a bank_n at_o distance_n seem_v to_o be_v island_n the_o 5.9_o just_a increase_n of_o this_o flow_a appear_v to_o be_v xuj_o cubit_n less_o water_v not_o all_o more_o be_v too_o slow_a in_o retreat_v too_o much_o water_n keep_v the_o ground_n wet_v too_o long_o lose_v the_o season_n of_o sow_v too_o little_a afford_v no_o season_n through_o drought_n the_o country_n reckon_v upon_o both_o at_o twelve_o cubit_n they_o foresee_v famine_n at_o xiii_o hunger_n fourteen_o bring_v mirth_n xv_o security_n xuj_o plenty_n the_o egyptian_a trench_n therefore_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n either_o for_o avoidance_n of_o superfluous_a water_n or_o dispose_v of_o what_o may_v be_v useful_a there_o be_v notable_a example_n of_o both_o kind_n of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v those_o many_o outlet_n make_v by_o hand_n for_o the_o river_n more_o current_a passage_n into_o the_o midland_n sea_n the_o natural_a mouth_n of_o nile_n be_v insufficient_a for_o the_o septem_fw-la ostia_fw-la be_v not_o all_o natural_a nilus_n 17._o have_v run_v through_o egypt_n in_o one_o stream_n to_o the_o city_n cercasorus_fw-la thence_o divide_v itself_o into_o three_o channel_n one_o run_v eastward_o towards_o pelusium_n thâ—_n other_o westward_n towards_o canobus_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v denominate_v the_o three_o divide_v delta_n run_v straight_o forward_a to_o sebennitus_fw-la from_o whence_o it_o have_v its_o name_n and_o there_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o other_o stream_n the_o one_o pass_v by_o sais_n the_o other_o by_o mendes_n receive_v their_o name_n from_o those_o city_n but_o the_o bolbitique_a &_o bucolique_a channel_n be_v not_o natural_a but_o make_v by_o dig_v this_o island_n of_o egypt_n towards_o the_o sea_n between_o the_o pelusiaque_fw-la and_o canobique_n channel_n be_v c._n call_v delta_n from_o the_o form_n of_o the_o letter_n δ._n between_o these_o two_o mouth_n beside_o the_o five_o before_o name_v there_o be_v many_o small_a for_o from_o the_o former_a there_o be_v divers_a subdivision_n throughout_o the_o whole_a island_n which_o make_v sundry_a watercourse_n and_o island_n so_o as_o one_o channel_n be_v cut_v into_o another_o it_o be_v navigable_a every_o way_n the_o reason_n why_o these_o low_a part_n be_v cut_v and_o drayn_v in_o such_o extraordinary_a manner_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v beside_o the_o convenience_n of_o navigation_n for_o that_o they_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o silt_v whereof_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n have_v good_a experience_n for_o 13._o in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n myris_n when_o the_o river_n rise_v not_o above_o eight_o cubit_n it_o water_v all_o egypt_n below_o memphis_n but_o now_o in_o herodotus_n his_o time_n unless_o it_o rise_v xuj_o or_o at_o least_o xv_o cubit_n it_o overflow_v not_o that_o part_n of_o the_o country_n flood_n nor_o be_v there_o nine_o hundred_o year_n pass_v from_o the_o death_n of_o king_n myris_n to_o the_o time_n that_o herodotus_n hear_v this_o from_o the_o priest_n among_o this_o sort_n of_o work_n against_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o the_o river_n may_v be_v reckon_v the_o inbank_v 137._o of_o city_n which_o sesostris_n first_o perform_v but_o those_o work_n especial_o at_o bubastis_n be_v after_o heighten_v by_o sabacon_n the_o aethiopian_a who_o employ_v therein_o all_o person_n condemn_v to_o death_n the_o other_o kind_n of_o trench_n extend_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o inundation_n beyond_o nature_n be_v more_o commendable_a have_v less_o of_o necessity_n but_o more_o for_o imitation_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v make_v by_o king_n maeris_n into_o a_o lake_n on_o the_o lybian_a side_n which_o bear_v his_o name_n which_o lake_n say_v herodotus_n 149._o be_v three_o thousand_o &_o six_o hundred_o furlong_n in_o compass_n be_v the_o measure_n of_o egypt_n along_o the_o sea_n coast_n and_o lie_v in_o length_n north_n and_o south_n the_o great_a depth_n be_v â—ifty_a pace_n almost_o in_o the_o middle_n thereof_o stand_v two_o pyramid_n each_o fifty_o pace_n above_o water_n and_o as_o much_o below_o in_o all_o a_o hundred_o pace_n there_o be_v upon_o each_o a_o colossus_n sit_v in_o a_o chair_n the_o water_n of_o this_o lake_n be_v not_o esteem_v to_o spring_v
nor_o the_o persian_n make_v use_v but_o hold_v a_o guard_n there_o to_o keep_v off_o stranger_n howbeit_o alexander_n the_o great_a see_v the_o opportunity_n of_o place_n cause_v a_o city_n to_o be_v build_v there_o which_o bear_v his_o name_n the_o foundation_n whereof_o be_v lay_v with_o brann_n instead_o of_o chalk_n which_o be_v take_v for_o a_o good_a omen_n which_o city_n be_v seat_v as_o it_o be_v between_o two_o sea_n have_v on_o the_o south_n the_o lake_n mareia_n or_o mareotis_n but_o it_o have_v be_v a_o intolerable_a inconvenience_n to_o have_v dwell_v in_o a_o dry_a country_n so_o far_o from_o the_o river_n nilus_n have_v not_o that_o discommodity_n be_v avoid_v by_o mean_n of_o artificial_a river_n therefore_o that_o navigable_a channel_n be_v make_v from_o canopus_n which_o become_v 8â—0_n famous_a for_o the_o practice_n of_o luxury_n another_o navigable_a river_n be_v also_o a._n make_v from_o the_o haven_n on_o the_o midland_n sea_n to_o the_o say_a lake_n mareotis_n this_o a._n lake_n be_v fill_v from_o the_o river_n nile_n by_o many_o trench_n as_o well_o from_o above_o that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o lake_n meris_fw-la whereof_o i_o have_v speak_v as_o on_o the_o side_n of_o it_o by_o trench_n cut_v immediate_o from_o the_o nile_n and_o have_v eight_o island_n in_o it_o contain_v c._n above_o a_o 150_o furlong_n in_o breadth_n and_o near_o 300_o in_o length_n be_v well_o inhabit_v round_o about_o and_o afford_v good_a corn._n by_o which_o water-passage_n a._n much_o more_o commodity_n be_v bring_v to_o alexandria_n than_o by_o sea_n so_o as_o the_o haven_n on_o the_o lake_n side_n be_v rich_a than_o that_o on_o the_o sea_n and_o more_o good_n carry_v from_o alexandria_n to_o italy_n than_o from_o italy_n thither_o as_o plain_o appear_v by_o the_o vessel_n more_o or_o less_o fraught_v which_o pass_v to_o and_o again_o from_o thence_o and_o from_o puteoli_n beside_o the_o wealth_n that_o be_v bring_v in_o at_o both_o havens_n from_o the_o lake_n and_o sea_n the_o goodness_n of_o the_o air_n be_v not_o unworthy_a to_o be_v remember_v it_o be_v occasion_v by_o the_o water_n on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o seasonable_a rise_n of_o the_o river_n nilus_n for_o whereas_o other_o town_n situate_v by_o lake_n have_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o summer_n a_o gross_a and_o stifle_a air_n forasmuch_o as_o their_o bank_n be_v leave_v muddy_a slimy_a exhalation_n be_v draw_v up_o by_o the_o sun_n which_o make_v the_o air_n unwholesome_a and_o occasion_n sickness_n here_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o summer_n the_o nile_n be_v full_a fill_v the_o lake_n leave_v no_o part_n muddy_a to_o exhale_v any_o malignant_a vapour_n at_o which_o time_n the_o etesian_a wind_n blow_v also_o from_o the_o north_n sea_n so_o as_o the_o alexandrian_n pass_v the_o summer_n pleasant_o and_o that_o the_o improvement_n make_v in_o egypt_n by_o the_o drain_v and_o new_a river_n after_o the_o build_n of_o alexandria_n be_v very_o large_a appear_v by_o these_o follow_a instance_n in_o several_a age_n in_o b._n the_o sacred_a commentary_n of_o the_o ancient_a priest_n there_o be_v number_v in_o egypt_n city_n and_o town_n of_o note_n eighteen_o thousand_o under_o amasis_n the_o last_o king_n before_o the_o persian_a conquest_n there_o be_v 177._o twenty_o thousand_o town_n in_o egypt_n inhabit_v and_o under_o ptolemy_n the_o first_o above_o thirty_o thousand_o the_o print_a copy_n of_o diodorus_n have_v only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o read_v be_v faulty_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o precede_a number_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o theocritus_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seven_o pleyade_n in_o the_o court_n of_o philadelphus_n the_o second_o ptolemy_n in_o who_o territory_n there_o 82._o be_v thirty_o three_o thousand_o three_o hundred_o thirty_o nine_o the_o improvement_n seem_v then_o to_o be_v more_o complete_a howbeit_o in_o tract_n of_o time_n through_o great_a neglect_n these_o trench_n and_o drayn_n by_o which_o the_o overflow_a of_o the_o nile_n so_o much_o enrich_v this_o country_n be_v fill_v 18._o with_o mud_n but_o augustus_n caesar_n have_v reduce_v egypt_n into_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o province_n to_o the_o roman_a empire_n cause_v they_o to_o be_v scour_v 18._o by_o his_o soldier_n which_o noble_a work_n do_v so_o much_o restore_v it_o to_o the_o fertility_n it_o former_o have_v and_o consequent_o increase_v the_o populousnesse_n thereof_o that_o the_o number_n of_o person_n there_o inhabit_v over_o and_o beside_o the_o alexandrian_n be_v short_o after_o find_v to_o be_v no_o less_o than_o seven_o million_o and_o five_o hundred_o thousand_o as_o the_o tribute_n 16._o money_n pay_v by_o every_o head_n do_v manifest_a and_o thus_o much_o for_o egypt_n cap._n ii_o babylon_n i_o be_o now_o come_v to_o that_o sometime_o famous_a city_n of_o babylon_n situate_v in_o a_o low_a and_o flat_a country_n of_o which_o sir_n walter_n raleigh_n give_v a_o reason_n why_o there_o be_v so_o little_o write_v of_o belus_n who_o succeed_v nimrod_n the_o first_o assyrian_a monarch_n say_v 4._o that_o it_o be_v think_v he_o spend_v much_o of_o his_o time_n in_o disburthen_v the_o low_a land_n of_o babylon_n and_o dry_v and_o make_v firm_a ground_n of_o all_o those_o great_a fen_n and_o overflow_v marsh_n which_o adjoin_v to_o it_o how_o the_o part_n hereabout_o come_v thus_o to_o be_v surround_v let_v we_o hear_v what_o pliny_n say_v which_o be_v thus_o in_o effect_n the_o river_n 26._o euphrates_n be_v cut_v into_o two_o part_n stretch_v its_o left_a arm_n into_o mesopotamia_n by_o seleucia_n the_o principal_a city_n in_o syria_n and_o so_o into_o tigris_n and_o it_o be_v right_a arm_n to_o babylon_n the_o chief_a city_n of_o chaldea_n whence_o pass_v through_o the_o midst_n thereof_o it_o run_v into_o the_o fen_n it_o be_v report_v 26._o that_o this_o division_n of_o that_o river_n be_v make_v by_o gobaris_n the_o perfect_a lest_o otherwise_o by_o its_o violent_a course_n it_o may_v have_v infest_a the_o city_n of_o babylon_n but_o by_o the_o assyrian_n it_o be_v call_v ibid._n naarmalcha_n which_o signify_v the_o kingly_a river_n that_o the_o inundation_n from_o this_o river_n be_v occasion_v upon_o the_o same_o reason_n as_o those_o of_o nilus_n before_o speak_v of_o we_o have_v not_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o before_o specify_v 26._o author_n but_o of_o strabo_n who_o word_n 740._o be_v these_o exundat_fw-la enim_fw-la euphrates_n aestate_fw-la sub_fw-la ver_fw-la incipiens_fw-la etc._n etc._n euphrates_n overflow_v in_o summer_n begin_v at_o the_o spring_n time_n when_o the_o snow_n in_o armenia_n melt_v so_o that_o the_o field_n must_v needs_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o waterâ—_n unless_o that_o the_o flood_n be_v divert_v by_o trench_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o they_o restrain_v the_o river_n nilus_n in_o egypt_n hereupon_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o channel_n be_v dig_v etc._n etc._n that_o the_o bank_n and_o drain_v make_v by_o belus_n do_v not_o full_o accomplish_v that_o work_n of_o drayn_v above_o mention_v or_o in_o case_n it_o do_v that_o after-age_n through_o discontinuance_n of_o their_o repair_n be_v little_o the_o better_a for_o they_o appear_v by_o the_o relation_n of_o herodotus_n 76._o who_o speak_v of_o those_o two_o famous_a queen_n of_o babylon_n viz._n semiramis_n and_o nitocris_n say_v of_o semiramis_n who_o reign_v five_o age_n before_o the_o other_o haec_fw-la per_fw-la planitiem_fw-la aggeres_fw-la extruxit_fw-la spectando_fw-la dignos_fw-la quum_fw-la antehac_fw-la flumen_fw-la eam_fw-la restagnare_fw-la solitum_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la she_o raise_v bank_n throughout_o the_o whole_a level_n worthy_a of_o observation_n whereas_o before_o she_o do_v so_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v drown_v by_o the_o river_n and_o of_o nitocris_n that_o iâ—id_n be_v more_o active_a &_o diligent_a than_o her_o predecessor_n ante_fw-la omne_fw-la fluvium_fw-la euphratim_fw-la &c_n &c_n in_o the_o first_o place_n she_o divert_v the_o stream_n of_o euphrates_n into_o crooked_a channel_n which_o before_o run_v in_o a_o straight_a course_n through_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o city_n level_v the_o ditch_n above_o so_o that_o it_o may_v thrice_o flow_v into_o arderica_fw-la a_o certain_a village_n of_o assyria_n and_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v convey_v by_o the_o sea_n towards_o babylon_n through_o the_o river_n euphrates_n shall_v thrice_o land_v at_o this_o village_n for_o three_o day_n together_o this_o she_o thus_o accomplish_v and_o likewise_o upon_o the_o verge_n of_o the_o say_a river_n on_o each_o side_n she_o raise_v bank_n for_o bigness_n and_o height_n wonderful_a to_o behold_v moreover_o far_o above_o the_o city_n and_o at_o some_o distance_n from_o the_o river_n she_o dig_v a_o channel_n for_o the_o fen_n as_o deep_a as_o the_o water_n which_o be_v in_o breadth_n every_o way_n near_o three_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o furlong_n and_o the_o
spout_v be_v lay_v at_o the_o high_a end_n of_o collyson_n gate_n at_o the_o charge_n of_o land_n that_o shall_v drain_v by_o it_o as_o also_o another_o between_o hall_n toft_a and_o richard_n lowy_n his_o land_n by_o the_o land_n that_o be_v to_o drain_v by_o it_o and_o another_o against_o one_o dyke_n end_n of_o john_n holiday_n by_o all_o the_o land_n which_o shall_v drain_v by_o it_o all_o which_o thing_n be_v then_o decree_v by_o the_o before-specified_n commissioner_n and_o several_a other_o order_n by_o they_o make_v for_o the_o cleanse_n and_o repair_v of_o sundry_a drayn_n sewer_n and_o goat_n which_o be_v then_o defective_a there_o be_v also_o in_o the_o same_o second_o year_n of_o queen_n eliza._n reign_n a_o decree_n lindsey_n make_v in_o the_o duchy_n court_n that_o the_o port_n and_o haven_n of_o waynflete_a from_o the_o west_n end_n of_o the_o eye_n unto_o the_o sea_n or_o the_o place_n call_v norman_a diepe_a shall_v be_v repair_v dike_v and_o scour_v of_o sufficient_a depth_n and_o breadth_n as_o before_o that_o time_n have_v be_v accustom_v and_o this_o to_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o say_a queen_n or_o her_o fermour_n of_o her_o fish_n at_o wainflete_a the_o heir_n of_o sir_n william_n brereton_n kt._n or_o his_o tenant_n and_o by_o the_o soak_v of_o bullingbroke_n viz._n two_o part_n of_o the_o say_a port_n â—â—om_o the_o say_a place_n call_v the_o west_n end_n of_o the_o eye_n unto_o the_o sea_n or_o plaâ—e_v call_v norman_a diepe_a at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o say_a queen_n or_o her_o fermour_n the_o heir_n of_o the_o say_a sir_n william_n brereton_n knight_n a_o four_o part_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o soak_v of_o bullingbroke_n the_o other_o four_o part_n after_o this_o viz._n 4_o aprilis_fw-la anno_fw-la 1571._o 13_o eliz._n there_o be_v a_o view_n ibid._n take_v of_o the_o fresh_a and_o salt_a water_n bank_n in_o waynflete_a s._n marry_o by_o tho._n quadring_n esq_n the_o high_a shireeve_n of_o lincoâ—nshire_n hamond_n upton_n esquire_n william_n derby_n and_o anthony_n kyme_n and_o other_o justice_n of_o sewer_n at_o which_o time_n it_o be_v present_v ibid._n that_o the_o north_n end_n of_o a_o bank_n call_v the_o fen_n dyke_n in_o waynflete_a s._n mary_n extend_v to_o deacon_n gap_n against_o the_o south_n in_o friskeney_n be_v in_o length_n three_o hundred_o road_n aught_o to_o be_v repair_v by_o the_o commoner_n of_o waynflete_a s._n mary_n for_o that_o the_o say_v commoner_n get_v reed_n and_o do_v fish_n in_o two_o fen_n adjoin_v to_o both_o side_n of_o the_o bank_n and_o because_o the_o say_a commoner_n have_v bite_v for_o their_o cattle_n in_o the_o say_v two_o fen_n and_o that_o from_o the_o say_a deacon_n gap_n unto_o the_o clow_n call_v the_o fen_n clow_n and_o thence_o unto_o strange_a place_n the_o say_a bank_n be_v in_o length_n about_o three_o mile_n and_o in_o decay_n so_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o friskeney_n be_v thereby_o surround_v aught_o to_o be_v repair_v by_o the_o owner_n and_o commoner_n as_o be_v before_o that_o time_n accustom_v to_o do_v it_o likewise_o that_o simon_n goat_n be_v use_v as_o before_o have_v be_v accustom_v may_v serve_v for_o a_o whole_a drayn_n aswell_o for_o the_o take_v away_o of_o the_o head_n of_o the_o water_n out_o of_o the_o east_n fen_n as_o for_o the_o low_a ground_n adjoin_v to_o the_o same_o in_o friskeney_n and_o wrangle_n and_o the_o say_v low_a ground_n in_o friskeney_n and_o wrangle_n to_o bear_v such_o reasonable_a charge_n in_o the_o same_o drayn_n as_o by_o the_o bench_n shall_v be_v think_v meet_v also_o that_o new_a goat_n in_o friskenay_n be_v a_o sufficient_a drayn_n for_o the_o say_a town_n so_o that_o it_o be_v scour_v and_o cleanse_v with_o the_o petty_a drayn_n belong_v thereto_o and_o last_o that_o waynflet_n s._n mary_n be_v then_o destitute_a of_o any_o drayn_n whereupon_o they_o desire_v that_o it_o may_v have_v a_o drayn_n into_o waynflet_n haven_n all_o which_o be_v then_o decree_v ibid._n accord_o and_o in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o alford_n 4_o junii_fw-la 23_o caroli_n there_o be_v a_o decree_n pettibag_n make_v that_o the_o new_a sea_n bank_n of_o ingoldmel_n shall_v be_v raise_v and_o skirt_a to_o the_o height_n of_o hogstrop_n new_a sea-bank_n viz._n nine_o foot_n and_o a_o half_a twelve_o foot_n square_a and_o sixty_o foot_n in_o the_o skirt_n from_o the_o say_v hogstrop_n sea-bank_n to_o watson_n house_n in_o ingoldmel_n at_o the_o charge_n of_o croft_n burgh_n bratoft_n irby_n frisby_n great_a steep_v and_o gunby_n the_o landlord_n bear_v three_o part_n thereof_o and_o the_o tenant_n the_o four_o cap._n xxx_o dyke_n on_o the_o south_n west_n side_n of_o this_o province_n be_v fosse_n dike_a a_o artificial_a trâ—nch_n extend_v from_o that_o great_a marish_a below_o the_o city_n of_o lincoln_n unto_o the_o river_n of_o trent_n at_o torkley_n which_o be_v about_o seven_o mile_n this_o be_v make_v 20._o by_o king_n henry_n the_o first_o in_o the_o year_n 1121._o 21_o h._n 1._o for_o the_o bring_n up_o of_o navigable_a vessel_n from_o the_o say_a river_n unto_o that_o city_n for_o the_o commodity_n thereof_o which_o trench_n as_o it_o be_v of_o special_a consequence_n for_o that_o purpose_n so_o do_v it_o no_o less_o benefit_n to_o the_o part_n adjacent_a by_o drayn_v that_o fenny_a level_n from_o the_o stand_a water_n then_o much_o annoy_v it_o but_o this_o ditch_n stand_v in_o such_o a_o flat_a that_o it_o have_v no_o quick_a current_n of_o water_n through_o it_o to_o scour_v out_o the_o mud_n and_o filth_n which_o by_o little_a and_o little_o increase_v therein_o it_o come_v in_o time_n to_o be_v so_o choke_v up_o that_o it_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o cleanse_v for_o support_v therefore_o of_o that_o charge_n certain_a sum_n of_o money_n be_v assess_v upon_o those_o land-holders_n which_o have_v benefit_n thereby_o and_o collector_n appoint_v for_o the_o same_o which_o collector_n convert_v a_o great_a part_n thereof_o to_o their_o own_o use_n king_n edward_n 3._o in_o the_o 9_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n assign_v dorso_fw-la adam_n de_fw-fr lymberg_n geffrey_n de_fw-fr edenham_n thomas_n de_fw-fr sibethorpe_n and_o nicholas_n below_o to_o inquire_v thereof_o what_o be_v then_o do_v therein_o i_o find_v not_o but_o certain_a 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v that_o within_o thirty_o year_n after_o it_o be_v grow_v so_o full_a of_o weed_n and_o grass_n and_o the_o earth_n so_o tread_v into_o the_o same_o by_o drive_v of_o cattle_n over_o it_o in_o seâ—â—â—â—_n place_n and_o the_o mud_n increase_v to_o such_o a_o thickness_n that_o the_o citizen_n of_o lincoln_n aswell_o in_o behalf_n of_o themselves_o and_o other_o tradesman_n of_o the_o city_n of_o york_n town_n of_o nottingham_n and_o kingston_n upon_o hull_n as_o several_a other_o place_n do_v in_o 39_o e._n 3._o make_v a_o great_a complaint_n thereof_o to_o the_o king_n in_o parliament_n represent_v the_o damage_n which_o accrue_v to_o they_o thereby_o in_o regard_n that_o ship_n and_o boat_n can_v not_o pass_v too_o and_o fro_o therein_o with_o merchandize_n and_o victual_n as_o they_o have_v wont_a to_o do_v the_o say_a king_n therefore_o much_o tender_v the_o good_a of_o that_o city_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o all_o other_o person_n who_o have_v occasion_n to_o pass_v through_o the_o same_o with_o boat_n and_o other_o vessel_n for_o their_o better_a advantage_n in_o the_o way_n of_o commerce_n and_o trade_n and_o to_o that_o â—nd_n be_v willing_a to_o apply_v a_o speedy_a remedy_n thereto_o constitute_v philip_n de_fw-fr lymbury_n will._n de_fw-fr skipwith_n adam_n de_fw-fr lymbergh_n illard_n de_fw-fr usflet_n robert_n de_fw-fr morton_n and_o walter_n de_fw-fr poynton_n or_o any_o four_o three_o or_o two_o of_o they_o to_o view_v the_o say_a channel_n and_o the_o defect_n thereof_o and_o to_o inquire_v by_o the_o oath_n of_o honest_a and_o lawful_a man_n of_o this_o county_n aswell_o within_o liberty_n as_o without_o who_o they_o be_v that_o aught_o and_o have_v use_v to_o cleanse_v the_o same_o and_o for_o how_o long_a time_n and_o in_o what_o manner_n they_o have_v so_o do_v and_o to_o distrain_v they_o and_o every_o of_o they_o who_o they_o shall_v find_v liable_a thereto_o to_o repair_v and_o make_v good_a those_o defect_n as_o often_o as_o need_n shall_v require_v and_o to_o compel_v they_o thereto_o by_o amerciament_n and_o such_o other_o way_n and_o mean_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v most_o fit_a and_o to_o hear_v and_o determine_v of_o all_o and_o singular_a the_o premise_n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n but_o if_o these_o commissioner_n do_v any_o thing_n therein_o it_o amount_v to_o little_a for_o about_o ten_o year_n after_o the_o term_n be_v then_o keep_v at_o lincoln_n the_o juror_n of_o divers_a wapentake_n in_o this_o
county_n do_v exhibit_v a_o presentment_n 17._o in_o the_o court_n of_o king_n bench_n import_v that_o this_o channel_n call_v fossedike_n extend_v itself_o from_o the_o river_n of_o trent_n at_o torksey_n unto_o the_o city_n of_o lincoln_n have_v be_v ancient_o open_a and_o full_a of_o water_n so_o that_o ship_n and_o boat_n lade_v with_o victual_n and_o other_o vendible_a commodity_n do_v use_v to_o pass_v to_o and_o from_o nottingham_n york_n kingston_n upon_o hull_n and_o sundry_a other_o place_n and_o county_n by_o the_o say_a river_n of_o trent_n and_o so_o by_o this_o channel_n to_o lincoln_n and_o from_o lincoln_n to_o boston_n to_o the_o great_a benefit_n of_o the_o say_a city_n of_o lincoln_n and_o advantage_n of_o all_o tradesman_n pass_v that_o way_n as_o also_o of_o the_o whole_a country_n adjacent_a be_v then_o choke_v up_o for_o want_n of_o cleanse_v and_o repair_v and_o that_o the_o prior_n of_o torkesey_n and_o town_n of_o torksey_n with_o the_o member_n thereof_o the_o prioress_n of_o fosse_n john_n bishop_n of_o lincoln_n gilb._n earl_n of_o angos_n &_o his_o tenant_n sir_n ralph_n daubney_n knight_n and_o his_o tenant_n the_o abbot_n of_o newsum_n john_n frunellâ—_n â—_z the_o tenant_n of_o the_o land_n of_o gilbert_n de_fw-fr bridshull_n the_o tenant_n of_o the_o land_n of_o hugh_n de_fw-fr normanton_n of_o saxelbie_n the_o lady_n katherine_n swinford_n john_n brett_n of_o thornhagh_n in_o the_o county_n of_o nottingham_n sir_n ralph_n painell_n knight_n and_o all_o other_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o town_n lie_v on_o each_o side_n the_o say_a channel_n and_o their_o ancestor_n who_o lordship_n lay_v on_o either_o side_n and_o abut_a on_o the_o same_o every_o man_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n lie_v against_o his_o own_o lordship_n do_v and_o ought_v to_o cleanse_v and_o repair_v the_o say_a channel_n and_o they_o say_v moreover_o that_o it_o have_v be_v so_o choke_v up_o and_o obstruct_v for_o above_o thirty_o year_n then_o last_v pass_v to_o the_o great_a damage_n of_o the_o king_n as_o also_o of_o the_o whole_a country_n and_o city_n aforesaid_a notwithstanding_o which_o presentment_n the_o king_n issue_v out_o a_o commission_n dorso_fw-la the_o very_a next_o ensue_v year_n unto_o sir_n michael_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr pole_n knight_n mr_n geffrey_n le_fw-fr scrope_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr stafford_n clerk_n to_o inquire_v touch_v the_o obstruction_n thereof_o but_o i_o make_v a_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v thereupon_o cleanse_v for_o in_o 8_o r._n 2._o which_o be_v about_o nine_o year_n after_o i_o find_v that_o john_n duke_n of_o lancaster_n john_n bishop_n of_o lincoln_n henry_n percy_n earl_n of_o northumberland_n sir_n michael_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr pole_n knight_n sir_n philip_n darcy_n knight_n and_o other_o be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la by_o the_o say_a king_n to_o cause_v it_o to_o be_v repair_v and_o scour_v so_o that_o ship_n and_o boat_n may_v have_v a_o clear_a passage_n through_o it_o as_o ancient_o they_o have_v use_v cap._n xxxi_o the_o marsh_n on_o withom_n on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o this_o province_n lie_v the_o river_n of_o witham_n extend_v itself_o from_o the_o suburb_n of_o lincoln_n to_o boston_n by_o which_o stream_n great_a vessel_n have_v ancient_o come_v up_o from_o boston_n to_o that_o city_n as_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o do_v by_o tradition_n affirm_v and_o as_o may_v seem_v by_o large_a rib_n of_o they_o which_o within_o memory_n have_v be_v there_o dig_v up_o but_o the_o descent_n of_o this_o stream_n from_o the_o say_a city_n to_o the_o sea_n be_v so_o little_a that_o the_o water_n have_v a_o slow_a passage_n can_v keep_v it_o wide_a and_o deep_a enough_o either_o for_o navigation_n or_o drayn_v of_o the_o adjacent_a marsh_n without_o the_o frequent_a help_n of_o dig_v and_o clear_v the_o same_o the_o mud_n and_o weed_n increase_v so_o much_o therein_o i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o the_o next_o place_n take_v notice_n of_o what_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o tend_v to_o that_o purpose_n as_o also_o of_o its_o course_n above_o that_o city_n whereof_o the_o first_o mention_n that_o i_o find_v be_v in_o 6_o e._n 3._o henry_n de_fw-fr fienton_n will._n dysney_n and_o thomas_n de_fw-fr sibthorpe_n be_v then_o constitute_v dorso_fw-la the_o king_n commissioner_n for_o the_o view_v thereoâ—_n betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o bekingham_n and_o the_o city_n of_o lincoln_n it_o be_v turn_v out_o of_o its_o right_a channel_n in_o sundry_a place_n and_o so_o obstruct_v with_o sand_n mud_n and_o plantation_n of_o tree_n as_o also_o by_o floodgate_n sluice_n mill_n causeys_n and_o ditch_n that_o the_o course_n of_o the_o same_o be_v hinder_v cause_v frequent_a inundation_n to_o the_o land_n adjacent_a after_o this_o viz._n in_o 37_o e._n 3._o there_o be_v a_o presentment_n 7._o exhibit_v to_o john_n de_fw-fr repynghale_n and_o h._n asty_a than_o the_o say_v king_n commissioner_n of_o sewer_n sit_v at_o newerk_n upon_o monday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n laurence_n for_o the_o view_n of_o the_o say_a river_n of_o withom_n and_o remove_v all_o obstruction_n and_o impediment_n whereby_o the_o free_a current_n thereof_o from_o the_o town_n of_o claypole_n unto_o the_o say_a city_n of_o lincoln_n be_v hinder_v which_o presentment_n be_v make_v by_o the_o juror_n for_o the_o wapentake_v of_o boby_n and_o graffow_n import_v that_o the_o east_n mill_n at_o bracebrigge_n belong_v to_o the_o knight_n hospitalar_n of_o s._n john_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o england_n stand_v in_o the_o right_a course_n of_o that_o river_n do_v obstruct_v the_o current_n thereof_o to_o the_o great_a damage_n of_o the_o say_a king_n and_o the_o country_n and_o that_o this_o be_v through_o the_o default_n of_o those_o knight_n hospitalar_n and_o they_o far_o say_v that_o the_o same_o river_n than_o have_v not_o sufficient_a depth_n nor_o breadth_n from_o the_o sheepcote_n belong_v to_o the_o prior_n of_o s._n katherine_n unto_o the_o bridge_n at_o bracebrigge_n and_o that_o the_o say_v knight_n hospitalar_n have_v certain_a floodgate_n therâ—_n which_o do_v turn_v the_o right_a course_n of_o that_o river_n out_o of_o its_o proper_a channel_n whereupon_o the_o shireeve_n of_o lincolnshire_n be_v command_v to_o summon_v the_o prior_n of_o the_o say_a hospital_n of_o s._n john_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o appear_v before_o those_o commissioner_n at_o newerk_n the_o wednesday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o assumption_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n than_o next_o ensue_v to_o answer_v to_o these_o particular_n who_o appear_v according_o do_v allege_v that_o he_o and_o his_o predecessor_n have_v be_v seize_v of_o the_o say_a mill_n time_n out_o of_o mind_n as_o in_o the_o right_n of_o their_o house_n and_o that_o the_o say_a mill_n then_o stand_v as_o it_o have_v ancient_o use_v to_o do_v without_o that_o that_o either_o he_o or_o his_o predecessor_n have_v build_v any_o new_a mill_n there_o and_o that_o this_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o justify_v and_o as_o to_o the_o floodgate_n he_o say_v that_o it_o be_v erect_v there_o time_n out_o of_o mind_n with_o this_o order_n viz._n that_o the_o gate_n thereof_o shall_v be_v yearly_o remove_v from_o the_o feast_n day_n of_o s._n elene_n in_o the_o month_n of_o may_n unto_o the_o feast_n day_n of_o the_o exaltation_n of_o the_o holy_a cross_n but_o that_o after_o that_o day_n until_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n elene_n they_o shall_v stand_v in_o their_o place_n and_o if_o the_o say_a river_n of_o withom_n shall_v happen_v upon_o any_o occasion_n to_o be_v so_o much_o raise_v as_o to_o be_v above_o a_o certain_a stake_n stand_v on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o the_o say_a floodgate_n than_o the_o same_o gate_n to_o be_v remove_v until_o the_o water_n shall_v abate_v to_o the_o height_n of_o that_o stake_n which_o say_v stake_n have_v be_v there_o make_v and_o place_v for_o a_o gage_n time_n out_o of_o mind_n without_o that_o that_o any_o floodgate_n be_v raise_v high_a than_o that_o stake_n or_o that_o the_o same_o floodgate_n ought_v to_o be_v remove_v the_o business_n therefore_o be_v come_v to_o this_o issue_n the_o say_a commissioner_n sit_v at_o carleton_n in_o moreland_n on_o friday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n john_n baptist_n in_o the_o year_n abovesaid_a it_o be_v find_v by_o a_o verdict_n of_o the_o juror_n that_o the_o say_a prior_n of_o s._n johns_n and_o his_o predecessor_n be_v not_o seize_v of_o the_o say_a mill_n and_o floodgate_n time_n out_o of_o mind_n as_o have_v be_v before_o allege_v but_o that_o they_o be_v erect_v there_o after_o that_o time_n though_o not_o by_o the_o say_a prior_n therefore_o it_o be_v decree_v that_o the_o say_a mill_n and_o floodgate_n shall_v be_v remove_v and_o the_o shireeve_n of_o lincolnshire_n have_v command_v to_o remove_v they_o according_o and_o to_o make_v certificate_n of_o his_o do_n
here_o at_o ely_n with_o high_a solemnity_n as_o the_o custom_n than_o be_v the_o abbot_n of_o ely_n in_o their_o turn_n perform_v the_o service_n in_o the_o king_n court_n as_o they_o have_v use_v to_o do_v there_o be_v no_o other_o access_n to_o it_o consider_v the_o breadth_n and_o depth_n of_o the_o fenn_n but_o by_o ship_v he_o set_v sail_v thitherward_o and_o when_o he_o come_v near_o to_o the_o land_n raise_v up_o himself_o command_v the_o mariner_n to_o make_v what_o have_v they_o can_v to_o a_o little_a port_n but_o to_o go_v stedy_o and_o fix_v his_o eye_n towards_o the_o church_n which_o stand_v on_o high_a on_o the_o top_n of_o the_o rock_n he_o hear_v a_o pleasant_a voice_n on_o every_o side_n where_o listen_v far_o the_o near_o he_o approach_v to_o landâ—_n the_o more_o sensible_a he_o be_v of_o the_o melody_n and_o at_o length_n perceive_v that_o it_o be_v the_o monk_n then_o sing_v in_o the_o quiâ—e_n and_o with_o shrill_a voice_n perform_v their_o divine_a office_n he_o command_v all_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v in_o the_o next_o ship_n to_o come_v near_o to_o he_o and_o exhort_v they_o to_o sing_v with_o he_o become_v so_o transport_v that_o express_v the_o joy_n of_o his_o heart_n he_o present_o compose_v and_o sing_v this_o hymn_n merry_a singende_n moneke_v be_v in_o ely_z than_z chut_v singende_v thereby_o royal_a chites_n noer_n the_o land_n and_o here_o yve_v thes_n moneks_n sing_v which_o in_o latin_a be_v thus_o dulcè_fw-la câ—ntaverunt_fw-la monachi_fw-la in_o ely_n dumi_n canutus_n rex_fw-la navigate_fw-la propè_fw-la ibis_n and_o now_o my_o knight_n quoth_v he_o sail_v you_o near_o and_o let_v we_o joint_o hear_v the_o harmony_n of_o these_o monk_n all_o which_o be_v long_o afterward_o public_o sing_v in_o the_o choir_n in_o memory_n of_o that_o devout_a king_n and_o keep_v in_o mind_n as_o proverb_n the_o king_n thereupon_o cease_v not_o thus_o to_o sing_v with_o his_o venerable_a college_n till_o he_o come_v to_o land_n where_o be_v receive_v with_o solemn_a procession_n as_o the_o custom_n have_v be_v to_o the_o prìnce_n or_o any_o eminent_a person_n and_o bring_v into_o the_o church_n he_o ratify_v all_o the_o donation_n confer_v thereto_o by_o his_o royal_a predecessor_n king_n of_o england_n and_o establish_v they_o with_o their_o immunity_n and_o privilege_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n where_o the_o body_n of_o the_o holy_a virgin_n s._n audrey_n lie_v entomb_v upon_o the_o high_a altar_n before_o all_o the_o person_n there_o present_a not_o long_o afterward_o it_o so_o happen_v ibid._n that_o at_o the_o solempnity_n of_o this_o feast_n the_o fen_n be_v so_o much_o freeze_v that_o the_o say_a king_n can_v not_o repair_v thither_o as_o he_o desire_v nevertheless_o it_o do_v not_o alter_v his_o purpose_n though_o he_o be_v sorrowful_a and_o much_o trouble_v howbeit_o put_v his_o trust_n in_o god_n be_v then_o upon_o soham_n mere_a he_o contrive_v to_o be_v draw_v upon_o a_o slead_v over_o the_o ice_n and_o for_o his_o better_a security_n consider_v the_o danger_n of_o the_o passage_n that_o one_o shall_v go_v before_o he_o to_o try_v the_o way_n but_o it_o so_o fall_v out_o that_o as_o he_o stand_v thus_o consult_v a_o lusty_a and_o big_a man_n and_o a_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o isle_n who_o for_o his_o corpulency_n be_v call_v brithmer_n bud_n come_v before_o he_o and_o offer_v to_o lead_v the_o way_n whereupon_o the_o king_n follow_v on_o the_o slead_v all_o that_o behold_v he_o admire_v his_o boldness_n and_o come_v safe_a thither_o celebrate_v that_o solempnity_n according_a as_o he_o have_v wont_a with_o great_a joy_n and_o in_o gratitude_n to_o the_o say_a brithmer_n make_v he_o with_o all_o his_o posterity_n â—ree_a mâ—n_z for_o ever_o in_o further_a testimony_n likewise_o of_o the_o security_n of_o this_o place_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o vast_a and_o deep_a water_n wherein_o it_o be_v situate_a i_o find_v 40._o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o confessor_n the_o english_a have_v advertisement_n of_o great_a preparation_n then_o make_v by_o the_o daâ—es_n for_o another_o invasion_n of_o this_o realm_n bestir_v themselves_o in_o fortify_v their_o city_n and_o castle_n hide_v their_o treasure_n and_o muster_v of_o soldier_n for_o their_o defence_n and_o that_o alfric_n the_o abbot_n of_o s._n alban_n much_o fear_v the_o danger_n do_v not_o only_o take_v care_n to_o convey_v the_o shrine_n of_o that_o glorious_a protomartyr_n s._n alban_n into_o a_o secret_a corner_n where_o he_o immure_v it_o but_o the_o better_a to_o disguise_v the_o business_n write_v letter_n to_o the_o abbot_n of_o this_o place_n humble_o request_v he_o that_o he_o will_v take_v charge_n thereof_o till_o all_o thing_n shall_v be_v in_o a_o quiet_a condition_n again_o â—or_a say_v my_o author_n erat_fw-la eorum_fw-la insula_fw-la intransmeabilibus_fw-la circundata_fw-la paludibus_fw-la &_o arundinetis_fw-la unde_fw-la hostium_fw-la incursus_fw-la nequaquam_fw-la timuerunt_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la this_o isle_n of_o ely_n be_v environ_v with_o fen_n and_o reed-plecks_a unpassible_a so_o that_o they_o fear_v not_o the_o invasion_n of_o the_o enemy_n whereunto_o the_o say_a abbot_n assent_v alfric_n like_o a_o politic_a and_o wary_a man_n fear_v that_o these_o of_o ely_n have_v get_v such_o a_o treasure_n into_o their_o hand_n may_v deny_v to_o restore_v it_o when_o it_o shall_v be_v again_o require_v send_v instead_o of_o s._n alban_n shrine_n the_o relic_n of_o a_o old_a monk_n put_v up_o in_o a_o rich_a chest_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v s._n alban_n bone_n and_o keep_v the_o before-specified_n shrine_n wall_v up_o in_o their_o own_o abbey_n as_o have_v be_v say_v but_o the_o most_o signal_n testimony_n of_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o place_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o say_a water_n encompass_v it_o be_v that_o recourse_n which_o divers_a of_o the_o principal_a nobility_n of_o the_o english_a nation_n have_v unto_o it_o as_o their_o great_a refuge_n against_o the_o strength_n and_o power_n of_o the_o norman_a conqueror_n as_o also_o the_o defence_n that_o they_o then_o and_o there_o make_v against_o a_o powerful_a army_n bring_v by_o that_o king_n for_o the_o subdue_a of_o it_o the_o substance_n of_o which_o story_n because_o it_o be_v but_o brief_o point_v at_o by_o our_o public_a writer_n i_o suppose_v it_o will_v not_o seem_v tedious_a if_o i_o here_o succinct_o deliver_v after_o that_o william_n duke_n of_o normandy_n invade_v this_o realm_n with_o a_o puissant_a army_n in_o the_o year_n mlxvi_o have_v subdue_v the_o force_n of_o k._n harold_n in_o open_a batail_n wherein_o that_o king_n lose_v his_o life_n stigand_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n who_o the_o conqueror_n affect_v not_o flee_v a._n into_o this_o isle_n for_o safety_n so_o likewise_o do_v ibid._n egfrid_n then_o abbot_n of_o s._n alban_n with_o the_o relic_n of_o that_o saint_n and_o treasure_n of_o his_o church_n as_o also_o 20._o edwine_n and_o morkere_o two_o great_a and_o potent_a earl_n of_o this_o nation_n with_o 20._o egelwine_n bishop_n of_o durham_n beside_o many_o thousand_o 20._o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o laity_n and_o understanding_n that_o hereward_n lord_n 20._o of_o brunne_a in_o lincolnshire_n a_o young_a son_n to_o the_o famous_a leofrike_a earl_n of_o mercia_n be_v a_o person_n much_o renown_v 50â—_n for_o his_o valour_n and_o military_a skill_n for_o 1653._o at_o the_o age_n of_o xviij_o year_n be_v banish_v the_o land_n by_o king_n edw._n the_o confessor_n for_o his_o extraordinary_a dissoluteness_n towards_o his_o parent_n and_o other_o he_o go_v into_o flanders_n and_o other_o foreign_a part_n where_o he_o gain_v most_o high_a repute_n of_o his_o prowess_n and_o noble_a exploit_n be_v return_v from_o beyond_o sea_n they_o forthwith_o send_v â—_o for_o he_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v repair_v thither_o with_o all_o his_o power_n and_o join_v with_o they_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o native_a country_n and_o redeem_v their_o just_a liberty_n and_o in_o particular_a they_o importune_v he_o in_o behalf_n of_o thurstane_n then_o abbot_n of_o that_o place_n and_o his_o monk_n who_o the_o say_a island_n whole_o be_v and_o on_o who_o behalf_n the_o same_o be_v then_o fortify_v against_o the_o king_n that_o he_o will_v make_v no_o delay_n because_o the_o say_a king_n bring_v in_o a_o foreign_a monk_n out_o of_o france_n to_o obtrude_v upon_o they_o as_o abbot_n there_o and_o that_o he_o purpose_v to_o do_v the_o like_a in_o all_o other_o church_n throughout_o england_n to_o which_o request_n of_o they_o he_o willing_o condescend_v and_o forthwith_o begin_v his_o journey_n towards_o they_o according_o whereof_o the_o earl_n warren_n have_v notice_n who_o brother_n long_o before_o the_o say_a hereward_n have_v kill_v he_o lay_v ambush_n for_o he_o on_o the_o outside_n of_o the_o fen_n belong_v to_o
at_o least_o which_o be_v a_o very_a great_a work_n 2._o the_o middle_a level_n also_o they_o defend_v from_o peterborough_n water_n by_o a_o large_a bank_n make_v from_o peterborough_n to_o wisebeche_v this_o be_v raise_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o that_o which_o the_o king_n begin_v except_v a_o little_a turn_n in_o waldersey_n bank_n from_o the_o river_n ouse_n they_o likewise_o defend_v it_o by_o a_o great_a bank_n extend_v from_o erith_n to_o salter_n load_n on_o the_o north_n west_n side_n of_o bedford_n river_n and_o make_v another_o new_a river_n parallel_n to_o the_o say_v bedford_n river_n from_o erith_n to_o salter_n load_n aforesaid_a contain_v a_o hundred_o foot_n in_o breadth_n and_o imbank_v it_o with_o bank_n on_o borh_fw-mi side_n of_o threescore_o foot_n wide_a at_o the_o bottom_n ten_o at_o the_o top_n and_o eight_o foot_n in_o height_n the_o other_o new_a drayn_n which_o he_o and_o his_o participant_n make_v or_o repair_v within_o this_o level_n be_v these_o viz._n uermudens_n ea_fw-la hamond_n ea_fw-la stony_a draine_n nene_n old_a channel_n pophams_n ea_fw-la marshland_n cut_v moor_n drayne_n witlesey_n dikes_n and_o some_o other_o small_a one_o and_o the_o sluice_n those_o at_o salter_n load_n pophams_n ea_fw-la and_o marshland_n cutts_n 3._o for_o scouâ—ing_v the_o south_n level_v from_o the_o overflowing_n of_o ouse_n they_o raise_v also_o a_o great_a bank_n from_o over_n to_o salter_n load_n the_o lesser_a river_n viz._n of_o grant_v mildenhall_n brandon_n and_o stoke_n be_v defend_v by_o small_a bank_n from_o salter_n load_n to_o stow_n bridge_n they_o likewise_o cause_v a_o large_a river_n of_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o foot_n wide_a and_o ten_o foot_n deep_a to_o be_v cut_v for_o the_o more_o speedy_a convey_n away_o of_o the_o water_n which_o river_n be_v now_o call_v downham_n ea_fw-la as_o also_o two_o great_a sass_n at_o salter_n load_n for_o the_o passage_n of_o boat_n and_o other_o great_a vessel_n with_o three_o sluice_n at_o the_o end_n of_o downham_n ea_fw-la and_o divers_a small_a drayn_n viz._n grunty_n fen_n drayn_n the_o in-drayn_a to_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o hundred_o foot_n river_n reach_v load_n and_o many_o other_o so_o that_o have_v accomplish_v the_o whole_a work_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o five_o year_n the_o say_a level_n be_v by_o a_o decree_n of_o sewer_n make_v at_o ely_n on_o the_o 25_o 1653._o of_o march_n anno_fw-la 1653._o adjudge_v to_o be_v full_o drayn_v whereupon_o the_o say_a earl_n and_o his_o participant_n have_v possession_n of_o those_o ninety_o five_o thousand_o acre_n award_v to_o they_o chap._n lv._o lindsey_n thereof_o level_v extend_v from_o bourne_n to_o lincoln_n of_o this_o though_o i_o may_v have_v not_o incongruous_o discourse_v under_o my_o title_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n yet_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n a_o part_n of_o the_o great_a level_n beforementioned_a however_o not_o so_o now_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o common_a reputation_n i_o have_v think_v it_o more_o proper_a to_o speak_v of_o it_o here_o the_o first_o etc._n general_a attempt_n towards_o the_o drayn_n of_o this_o part_n of_o the_o country_n whereof_o i_o have_v take_v notice_n be_v upon_o a_o complaint_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sempringham_n in_o the_o 8_o year_n of_o the_o late_a queen_n elizabeth_n reign_n the_o earl_n of_o lincoln_n high_a admiral_n of_o england_n with_o several_a other_o person_n of_o quality_n be_v then_o commissioner_n whereupon_o a_o general_a tax_n be_v lay_v for_o repair_v and_o enlarge_n the_o drayn_n and_o sewer_n to_o carry_v off_o the_o water_n which_o then_o annoy_v these_o part_n but_o little_o be_v do_v to_o any_o purpose_n herein_o as_o it_o seem_v for_o it_o appear_v that_o at_o another_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o swinstede_n in_o the_o 17_o year_n of_o that_o queen_n reign_n the_o country_n complain_v that_o they_o be_v drown_v more_o than_o former_o so_o that_o the_o commissioner_n than_o decreee_v that_o those_o drayn_n which_o the_o duke_n of_o suffolk_n and_o other_o have_v ordain_v to_o be_v begin_v about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o 8_o time_n as_o also_o some_o other_o shall_v forthwith_o be_v set_v upon_o and_o lay_v a_o tax_n according_o but_o no_o payment_n of_o that_o tax_n be_v make_v the_o work_n proceed_v not_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o far_a considerable_a attempt_n therein_o whereof_o i_o have_v hear_v till_o caroli_n the_o 5_o year_n of_o the_o late_a king_n charles_n of_o bless_a memory_n that_o sir_n anthony_n ireby_n knight_n sergeant_n calais_n and_o other_o commissioner_n find_v all_o former_a essay_n fruitless_a by_o reason_n that_o the_o inhabitant_n will_v never_o pay_v the_o tax_n and_o that_o the_o land_n be_v surround_v have_v no_o cattle_n upon_o they_o for_o distress_n and_o consider_v that_o the_o king_n as_o it_o be_v observable_a in_o all_o the_o statute_n of_o sewer_n be_v to_o give_v direction_n in_o work_n of_o this_o nature_n they_o do_v by_o their_o letter_n represent_v to_o his_o majesty_n the_o necessity_n of_o drayn_v these_o land_n and_o the_o commodity_n which_o may_v accrue_v thereby_o humble_o beseech_v he_o to_o recommend_v some_o person_n of_o honour_n to_o contract_v with_o they_o as_o undertaker_n for_o performance_n of_o that_o work_n the_o king_n therefore_o understand_v pettâ—-bag_n their_o design_n to_o be_v for_o the_o drayn_n of_o all_o the_o surround_v fen_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o the_o river_n of_o glen_n in_o this_o county_n of_o lincoln_n refer_v the_o view_n of_o those_o lie_v on_o both_o side_n the_o river_n of_o fosse_n and_o wythom_n from_o beyond_o the_o city_n of_o lincoln_n to_o kyme_v ea_z unto_o sir_n henry_n vane_n knight_n sir_n robert_n carr_n baronet_n and_o other_o who_o in_o order_n to_o that_o good_a work_n do_v in_o a_o session_n car._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sleford_n 26_o febr._n 8_o car._n where_o be_v also_o present_a and_o commissioner_n robert_n earl_n of_o lindsey_n theophilus_n earl_n of_o lincoln_n the_o lord_n willoughby_n sir_n henry_n fines_n and_o other_o lay_v a_o tax_n of_o xiij_o s._n iiij_o d._n the_o acre_n for_o the_o scour_n and_o cleanse_v of_o the_o say_a river_n and_o all_o goat_n and_o drayn_n etc._n etc._n within_o those_o precinct_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o all_o the_o landholders_n in_o the_o say_v low_a ground_n and_o to_o be_v pay_v before_o the_o ix_o of_o april_n than_o next_o follow_v and_o for_o the_o better_a further_a and_o complete_n thereof_o the_o say_a commissioner_n praedicto_fw-la meet_v again_o at_o boston_n upon_o the_o second_o of_o march_n than_o next_o ensue_v recite_v their_o decree_n so_o make_v at_o sleford_n do_v extend_v their_o say_a tax_n of_o xiijs_fw-la iiijd_n the_o acre_n to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o that_o level_n nevertheless_o little_o be_v do_v therein_o as_o it_o seem_v till_o about_o three_o year_n afterward_o but_o then_o the_o say_a king_n by_o his_o letter_n ibid._n patent_n bear_v date_n at_o westminster_n 2_o aprilis_n in_o the_o xi_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n direct_v unto_o george_n earl_n of_o rutland_n and_o other_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n for_o the_o say_a level_n recommend_v unto_o they_o robert_n earl_n of_o lindsey_n lord_n high_a chamberlain_n of_o england_n a_o person_n of_o very_a great_a honour_n to_o be_v the_o sole_a undertaker_n for_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o whole_a whereupon_o the_o say_v commissioner_n at_o another_o session_n ibid._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sleford_n upon_o the_o second_o of_o june_n than_o next_o follow_v car._n proceed_v to_o a_o treaty_n with_o his_o lordship_n for_o that_o purpose_n and_o agree_v with_o he_o to_o accept_v of_o twenty_o four_o thousand_o acre_n in_o recompense_n of_o his_o charge_n therein_o which_o be_v then_o according_o decree_v ibid._n the_o work_n be_v to_o be_v perfect_v within_o the_o space_n of_o six_o year_n next_o ensue_v the_o feast_n of_o st._n michael_n th'archangel_n then_o follow_v and_o after_o this_o viz._n in_o a_o session_n ibid._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o boston_n the_o 29._o of_o march_n the_o next_o year_n ensue_v câ—r_n recital_n be_v make_v of_o that_o decree_n make_v at_o sleford_n whereby_o the_o say_a earl_n of_o lindsey_n for_o the_o consideration_n therein_o express_v be_v to_o have_v those_o twenty_o four_o thousand_o acre_n of_o land_n to_o be_v indifferent_o allot_v out_o of_o the_o several_a fen_n etc._n etc._n to_o enjoy_v to_o himself_o and_o his_o heir_n for_o ever_o viz._n as_o soon_o as_o ten_o thousand_o acre_n or_o more_o shall_v be_v drayn_v to_o have_v his_o portion_n thereof_o forthwith_o assign_v as_o also_o the_o like_a recital_n that_o upon_o consideration_n of_o the_o same_o decree_n and_o other_o former_a precede_a decree_n and_o ordinance_n make_v at_o a_o â—ession_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o