more Heads what he would lay on them Then One thousand Heads sprung out from her and as many Hands from him to lay on them He has two Wives Laexemi and Pumedevi the first scraches his Head the other his Feet 2. Vistnu was born or transformed nine times into a Fish a Tortoise a Hog half-a Man half a Lion a Bramen Siriparexi Rama Siri Rama Belapader and Siri Christna and is to be born the Tenth time In the first shape he overcame Breniacxem in the bottom of the Sea taking from him the Law he had stole from the heavenly Spirits In the second he reconciled the Difference between the celestial and infernal Spirits about parting the Ambrosia from Poison and giving this to the latter and that to the former With Ambrosia he cured King Devaindra who being Cursed by Rixi for lying with his Wife was cover'd all over with Privy-Members which were converted into Eyes 3. The Sea is salt because the great Raxi Agâ—…ssia having drunk it all up at the request of Vistnu pissed it out That there might be no Thieves in the World he appointed Guards these were Indra King of the higher Spirits Vani God of Fire Pidarpati King of the Devils Varuna God of the Water Maril God of the Wind Cabera God of Riches and other Persons of Note The Malabars in their Poems make a Jest of this because they are all Theives 4. Maveâ—… Lord of the World kept Mankind in such plenty that none remembred God Vistnu in one of his Changes remedied this and then from the Water which washed one of his Feet came the River Ganga which therefore is the Purgatory of such as when they die are washed therein Venus endeavouring to hinder the Reformation of Mankind lost an Eye 5. The Bramenes are the Masters of the Indian Religion and proceed from Fishermen because the Malabar Churches were delivered to Fishermen upon condition they should always wear some mark of their Trade This is the cause they wear abouâ—… their Necks some threads of their Nets This is the Original of those Threads they wear never before mentioned by another Writer 6. Vistnu turned himself into Siri Rama and his Snake Ananta Chocra and Buzio into Men. Siri Rama killed Tarbâ—…ga Wife to Râ—…jada that was a Man-eater and had the Face of a Lioness and wore two Elephants as Pendants her Cloathing Snakes her Weapon a Trident she lived in a Mountain of Bones of the People she had eaten Siri married the Daughter of King Genega and went to do Penance for killing Tarâ—…ega His Wife went with him and he obtained of Rixi Anisoya that he should be always Victorious and his Wife appear Beautiful to him They went to Ceylon where Churpâ—…naga Sister to Ravena King of that Island being a Widow asked Siri Rama to get her a Husband he bid her chuse among the Heavenly Gods and she liked none of them but Lacxena Brother to Siri Rama who despised and cut off one of her Breasts of the Blood whereof sprung the Leeches 7. Her Brother Ravena for Revenge â—…ole Siri Rama's Wife Sida The manner of looking for finding and recovering her is so tedious preposterous and foolish as well as the foregoing part it is not worth the strickest Curiosity to read it What follows is little better but something of this monstrous Medley is fit to be related to show the prodigious stupidity of these Opinions 8. Siri Rama having found his Wife and seeing she was very Beautiful said she had wronged him and lain with his Enemy He threatned to kill her and she offered to Purge her self by Fire and kindled one so fierce the heavenly Spirits could not endure it she stripped her self naked and walked seven times round it then turning to the East said When Ravena stole and would have taken me by the hand I doubt whether his Shadow touched me Afterwards in the Island Ceylon setiâ—…â—…e under the Tree Axogani he fell at my feet to overcome me and I doubt whether the Crown he had on his head touched them There was nothing more that I know of between me and him Then she threw her self into the Fire and could not be seen for some time then the God of Fire came out and bidding Siri Rama hold out his Hands dropt Sida upon them assuring him her Honour was unstained 9. This done Siri Rama placed Bixivem on the Throne of Ceylon and went himself to possess that of Aioddia after he had spent Fourteen Years in these Affairs The Princes People Celestial Spirits and Dancing Women received him The Queens prevailed with Sida to show them the Figure of Ravena she drew him with Chalk on a Board which shook as Siri Rama sate on it not knowing his Enemy's Picture was thereon The Queens told him Sida had painted him and he again jealous though she was with Child ordered Lecxena to carry her to a Mountain and there kill her He carried but left her there alive She was delivered of two Sons very like Siri Rama who seeing them and knowing she was not dead was satisfied He went to fetch her but could not for Pumi Goddess of the Earth opened it and swallowed her up His Sons succeeded him in the Crown of Ajodda CHAP. III. Other Metamorphoses and the Consequences of them of the God Brama and the Foundation of Pagods an Account of the famousest of them 1. VIstnu turned himself into his younger Brother Siri Christna who was born very beautiful At the hour of his Birth the Palace was filled with Brightness though it was Mid-night the Doors flew open and the Fetters fell off that held Bassudever He arose and took the Child to carry it to Amparhi and by the way the Waters of two Rivers divided themselves that he might pass dry Camusem consulting Diviners about the Birth of this Child which was the first Quarter of the Moon on a Thursday in August the Sun being in Leo and the Moon in Taurus in the time of Minabixam they answer'd Siri Christna would govern the whole World and would kill him in the Sixteenth Year of his Age. They advised him to send a Woman that had venomous Milk that sucking her might be his Death but the Child instead of her Milk sucked out her Soul and she died to the astonishment of his Mother Axoda who was present Thus he escaped other Dangers from his Enemies and at Seven Years of Age was skilled in all Sciences and among other Extravagancies defloured the Maids he played with 2. His Mother whipped and causing him to open his Mouth to discover whether he smelt of some Butter 't was said he had eaten she saw within Heaven and Earth and her self She frighted bid him shut his Mouth but he would not till she promised him Figs or Sugar and other things and that she would carry him to the River to make Pipes to play upon He to be revenged on the Women watched a Bath where they came and
Estate so that some have above 1000 this sacrifice is to obtain Riches for themselves revenge and destruction of their Enemies Many have in their Houses familiar Devils which they call Cutichates every Day they offer something to them they get by them and some have 300 of them They make them enter into the bodies of those they would be revenged of whereof they make great advantage for many pay to be delivered from them By the help of them converted into the shapes of Beasts they hurt People and infest whole Towns There are those living who have seen the Town of Cranganor burnt by this means At Pudiangale near Calicut a Woman had one of these and saw it in the shape of a Cock a Monkey and a little black Boy with a Truncheon in his Hand these are not punished in Malabar but their Kings make use of them in danger The very Heathens observe that all those who follow that course live and die miserably 3. In sickness they consult Wizards not Doctors they say a Devil causes the Disease and bringing him into the Sick Man make him tell the Reason of molesting him then they promise him something to go out again and he does it They think the Small-pox is Cured with an offering to Patracale who they affirm causes them The Gout they believe is caused by â—…ive she Devils like Sows tothem they offer Food fit for such Beasts that they may transfer the Disease to their Enemies 4. They adore and offer Sacrifice to venemous Snakes that they may not hurt with their Poyson The Lawyers on the first Day of September do the same to their Books 5. Their Baths are used rather to cleanse the Soul than the Body they know the ten Commandments but think not themselves bound by them It is a great Sin if a Nobleman is touched by one that is not such though he be never so great by learning by the Sword or by Virtue And even Riches there cannot prevail to gain this point The King of Travancoâ—… being resolved to become a Bramene though not of that descent was told he must first be bore of a Cow be made one of Gold so big that going into it he was born out of it he offered it to the Bramenes with a great Snm of Gold and obtained the dignity but not Hereditary 6. They purge themselves from venial Sins by putting their Heads under Water one of these is a Nobleman touching a Plebean and to prevent it the latter cries as he goes Po po po that is have a care another is touchâ—…ng the Dead or their Friends within fifteen Days another to touch Meat with the right Hand when they Eat another to touch them so touched or their Houses or Wells to touch another with the right â—…and whilst Eating to touch a grain of Rice fallen as it is taken up to touch a drop of Water disturbed by one not so noble Mortal Sins are not forgiven so he who commits them remains subject to Death and the Lord of the Earth as long as he lives The mortal are these To use Pots touched by Men deâ—…led to Eat Rice before Purification to Eat it boyled by a Man of base race to have to do with a Woman of that sort to Eat Rice into which is fallen the least grain out of another Man's plate 7. Their bathing is thus They believe the stone of the bath is the God Brama the lips of it Vistnu and all together Ixora When they go in their nakedness is covered with a rag or leafe in the Water they write Om with one Finger and throw Water over it with three believing the three Gods bathed there Then dividing the Water dip their Heads and after cast up some towards eight parts of the World offering Water to the eight Guardians thereof They call upon Siri Pagod and wash their Faces three times they also cast Water up towards Heaven offering it to the Sun then wash their Hands and Feet On the Palm of their left Hand they put Ashes of Cows-dung and sprinkle it and believe the left Hand is the Earth the right Heaven and and the Palm the place of Generation laying one Hand upon the other and shutting them close they say Let the end of the World come 8. This they do in imitation of Ixoras's Egg and think the upper Hand when opened represents Heaven the lower the Earth with the right Thumb they write upon the Ashes Iara that is the Fight that was in the Egg between Fire and Water Then that all their limbs may be sanctified they touch with their Hand the principal parts of the Body from the privy parts to the crown of the Head and the Ears Elbows Knees and great Toes They hold their hands as if they gave something to two Spirits who they say attend on us writing our good works on the right Hand and the bad on the left the same they do to the eight Guards of the World turning about The last ceremony is to rub the Forehead Shoulders and Breast with Ashes taken with two Fingers and the Thumb of the right Hand in honour of the three Gods 9. The bathing called Titan performed in the Sea is very solemn before it they perform a ceremony in which they offer 〈◊〉 a sort of flowers prostrating themselves three times on the ground once in reverence to the Pagod once to the Sun and once to the Sea The chief places they resort to for this bathing are three on the Coast of Travancor viz. Baçora Rettorâ—… and 〈◊〉 the Days appointed are the first of each Moon chiefly those of Iuly and Ianuary but if the New-Moon fall on a Wednesday it adds so much to this devotion that the Mountains and Valleys can scarce contain the multitude of Pilgrims that resort from above Five hundred Leagues distance of all Sexes Ages and conditions and all a foot Above all others the Ganga of Bengala is held in veneration for this washing 10. Ashes of Cows dung is their chief Purgation powdering their Forehead Shoulders and Breast with it the more of it their Iogues or Religious Men have upon them the more Holy they are reputed they carry it in purses to recompence the Alms that are given them The Reason they esteem this Powder is this Ixora was sanctified by the Ashes of Gevelinga Vistnu desiring to partake of this blessing and impart it to Mankind carryed a Cow to 〈◊〉 where she got a mouthful of that dust Vistnu took her dung in which was that Ashes she had Eaten and burning it made more Ashes which he shared with Man 11. They also dissolve the same dung and sprinkle their Houses and Highways with it to purify them with this is the way dayly sprinkled through which Zamâ—…ri goes from his Pallace to the Pagod and his Table cloth and a Gold dish on which the Meat is brought As soon as they see a Cow piss they run and catch it in their hands drink part and sprinkle
all speed and they submitting he took the Pepper at their own rate without doing them any harm He hindred others from coming into that Harbour and returned to Cochin with the Glory of having struck a general terror through all that Coast. 9. King Emanuel being informed by D. Vasco de Gama how necessary it was to appear with a greater Force in India fitted out a Fleet of 13 Ships the biggest had yet been built in Portugal and gave the Command of them to Lope Soarez and in them 1200 men The first Land of India he touched at was Anchediva where Antony de Saldanna and Ruy Lorenco were refitting in order to cruise on the Coast of Cambaya upon the Moors of Meca But Lope Soarez took them along with him to Cananor where he staid to give the necessary Orders and then appearing before Calicut had some Prisoners who were taken in the late War delivered to him but because they did not give up all he battered the City two days wherein he ruined great part of it and killed 300 Inhabitants and then sailed to Cochin at the time that Pacheco was upon his return from Coulam The King informed him of the damage he received from Cranganor a Town but 4 Leagues distant and fortified by Zamori 10. Lope Soarez with great secrecy provided 20 Vessels and sailed with them up the River where he found 5 Ships and 80 Paraos well manned which two Ships of ours who had the Vanguard burnt after a sharp engagement Then he sailed on the Prince of Cochin was to join him but came late A multitude of Indians and Moors covered the Shoar who with Showers of Arrows endeavoured to hinder our landing but our Musquetiers made way and having reached the Town it was burnt down to the ground and the Prince of Calicut who was to have guarded it fled This Victory and another obtained by the King of Tanor against that Prince wherein Lope Soarez was to assist him though the Succour came late produced a friendly Peace with that King 11. Lope Soarez left Manuel Tellez Barreto with four Sail to secure the Fort of Cochin and set sail in order to return home with design first to fall upon Banane a Town subject to Calicut He was met by twenty Paraos who freely bestowed their Shot drawing him into a Bay where were seventeen great Ships well-stored with Cannon and with 4000 men The Ships were all burnt with their lading which was very rich and 700 Turks drowned besides what perished by Fire and Sword this Victory cost twenty three men It was the beginning of Ianuary when Lope Soarez sailed hence and he arrived at Lisbon on the 22d of Iuly with thirteen Victorious Ships laden with Riches three were of the foregoing years Fleet of his own he lost Peter Mendoza who being stâ—…nded 14 Leagues from Aguada de S. Bras was never more heard of One of the other three was that of Diego Fernandez Peteyra who after taking several Prizes on the Coast of Melinde discovered the Island Zocotora The King placed Duarte Pacheco who had so bravely defended Cochin by his side under a Canopy and went with him in that manner to Church to honour his great Valour But soon after imprisoned and suffered him to die miserably A terrible example of the uncertainty of Royal Favours and the little regard that is had to True Merit CHAP. VIII Conquests under King Emanuel from the Year 1505 and beginning of the Government of Don Francisco de Almeyda first Governour and Viceroy of India till the Year 1509. 1. BEfore these Discoveries the Spice was brought to Europe with vast trouble and charge The Clove of Malucco the Nutmeg and Mace of Banda the Sandal of Timor the Camfir of Borneo the Gold and Silver of Luconia and all the other Riches Spices Gums Perfumes and Curiosities of China Iava Siam and other Kingdoms were carried to the Market of the City Malaca seated in the Golden Chersonesus whence the Inhabitants of all the Western Countries as far as the Red Sea brought them dealing by way of barter for no Mony was used Silver and Gold being of less value there than with them that traded thither This Trade it was enriched the Cities of Calicut Cambaya Ormuz and Aden adding to what they brought from Malaca the Rubies of Pegu the Stuffs of Bengala the Pearls of Calicare the Diamonds of Narsinga the Cinnamon and richer Rubies of Ceylon the Pepper Ginger and other Spice of the Coast of Malabar and other places Nature had enriched therewith From Ormuz they were brought to Europe up the Persian Gulph to Bacora at the Mouth of Euphrates and thence distributed in Caravans through Armenia Trebisond Tartary Aleppo and Damascus and then at the Port of Barut upon the Mediterranean the Venetians Genoese and Catalonians laded with them to their respective Countries Such as came up the Red Sea were landed at Toro or Sues Towns at the bottom of that Streight thence went in Caravans to Grand Cayre so down the Nile to Alexandria and thence shipped off Many Princes and particularly the Soldan of Cayre being great losers by this new way found by the Portugueses they endeavoured to drive them out of India 2. The Soldan endeavoured to work his ends by a Wile and therefore gave out that he was going to destroy the Temple and Holy Places of Ierusalem Father Maurus of Mount Sinai fearing the execution offered to go to Rome to the Pope to procure an accommodation The Soldan who desired nothing more gave him a Letter to the Pope signifying that his Reasons for destroying those Places were in revenge of the damage done to his Trade The Pope sent the same Father Maurus to Portugal But the Purport of his Message being already known before his arrival the King made such Preparations that he returned with admiration carrying more from Portugal to relate at Cayre than he brought thence to recount here However the King gave considerable Alms for the Convent and answered the Pope shewing that his Intentions in those Eastern Discoveries tended to the Propagation of the Faith and extending the Jurisdiction of the See of Rome 3. On the 25th of March sailed from Lisbon a Fleet of twenty two Ships eleven of them were to return with Merchandise and eleven to remain in India they carried 1500 fighting men and were commanded by Don Franciso de Almeyda who went to govern in India with the Title of Viceroy and gave great demonstrations of his Prudence and Courage The second of Iuly hapned a terrible Storm which tearing to pieces the Sails of Diego Correas Ship carried three men overboard two were lost the third cried from the Water they should have an Eye after him for he would keep above water till the next morning and the next morning the Storm ceasing they took him up his name was Fernando Lorenço Don Francisco de Almeyda arrived at Quiloa with only eight Vessels the others were separated by stress of
to the North of that Place The Viceroy being better received at Mangalor than he expected had a meeting with those two Princes and agreed their Differences In his return to Goa he left with Antony Botello Commander of Braçalor for the Security of that Place six hundred fresh Men and Antony Cabrall at Sea with three Vessels well provided At Onor he added to George de Moura Five hundred Men and left on that Sea Francis and Rocque de Miranda Brothers with six Ships who with Fire and Sword destroyed some Towns and Ships because they rebelled as soon as the Viceroy had turned his back 8. At the end of this Year arrived at Goa five Ships from Portugal The Queen of Guarcopa who was fled to the Mountain rather for fear than good Will came now to an Accommodation 9. In those Seas were left D. Iames de Meneses with Forty two Sail Luis de Melo de Silva with fifteen Vincent de Saldaâ—…na with eight D. Iohn Coutinno with Four and D. Francis de Almeyda with Two Galleons The first of these carried Fire and Sword all along the Coast of Malabar to the Terror of all that Empire The strong Towns of Coulete Tiâ—…acole Capocate Padrarigale Panane and Calicut felt this fury Above 1000 Heathens were killed or made Prisoners above Sixty Vessels taken and many more sunk and burnt We lost but four Men in all those Actions 10. Zamori thought to put a stop to the Ruine of his Country by offering Proposals of Peace but no Ear was given to them The Weather effected what that did not it being no longer practicable to lie upon that Coast. Luis de Melo disappointed the Artifices of the Queen of Guarcopa who treated of Peace and prepared for War He burnt many of her Towns ravaged the Country and demolished her Fort of Sanguise Vincent Saldanna in the Sea of Mangalor did his Duty securing our Ships that traded that way D. Iohn Coutinno did the same about Cambaya Cochim and Chaul D. Francis de Almeyda disabled and put to flight at Diu six Malabar Galliots that attempted the entring that â—…ort to burn the Ships that were in it 11. In the beginning of Winter the Viceroy fitted out two Squadrons to relieve Onor and Daman fearing the Mogol design'd against the last and the Queen of Guarcopa against the other His greatest care was for Onâ—…r hearing the Enemy had attempted to desâ—…roy ouâ—… Men by Treachery bribing some Caâ—…raes who were in it to poison our Men with the Fruit of the Herb Duâ—…uro whose quality is such it makes Men forget all things and renders them wholly insensible even of Wounds The Treachery was discovered and the Conspirators hanged over the Walls in sight of them that employed them who then betook themselves to open force having failed in this private Practice At that time entred the Port a Galley and three other Vessels with a Body of choice Men for the Relief of the Fort. 12. The Wickedness of the Portugueses in killing the King of Ternate began to be punished That King's Son and Heir had commenced his Revenge as was said before and now sent his Unkle Calacinco with twelve Gallies to Amboina He was near taking our Fort whilst the Commander of it D. Duarte de Meneses was consulting far off with Gonçalo Pereyra about the manner of maintaining it but Baltasar de Sousa who supplied his place defended it well Baltasar Vieyra saved it killing with a Musquet Shot a Caciz of Note upon whose Death the Enemy withdrew to the Island Varenula and had they not retired they had carried the Fort before Pereyra and Meneses could come to relieve it 13. They being come Pereyra puts to Sea with six Sail. One of them commanded by Lawrence Furtado being hard set by the Enemies Admiral Furtado leaps into it and kills the old Commander and the Galley was taken two other were also taken and the Enemy fled to other Islands not thinking themselves safe at Varenula Above Nine thousand Men were killed in these Expeditions 14. Whilst this happened at Amboina the Fort at Tornate was so close besieged that our Men wished for Vermin to feed on having eaten all that could be found The King perceiving the besieged did not treat of a Surrender joined with the King of 〈◊〉 dore gave so furious an assault that he 〈◊〉 twenty Portugueses and entred the Treâ—…es The next Night they had as good success Luis de la Mo defended his Bastion with great Bravery and Belchior Vieyra for this time delivered the Fort killing Beneuoa General of Tidore at which sight his Men fled Pereyra hearing of this Posture of Affairs left Sancho de Vasconcelos to command at Amboina because D. Duarte was dead and hasted to Ternate with three Vessels that rowed and One hundred Men. At Bacham where the King was our friend he encreased to fourteen Sail. 15. The Confederate Kings set out to meet Pereyra with fifty Coracoraes which are great Gallies Pereyra receives them and they fought with much bravery The King of Tidore attacks our Admiral Galley but being almost killed drew back with his Galley quite disabled The Enemy gave way and Pereyra came to the Fort and brought fresh vigor with that Success But those of Ternate were so intent upon Revenge that they continued the Siege five Years and our Men were forced to abandon the Fort. The King of Tidore received those that would stay with him the rest dispersed into several Countries We shall see in time how they were expelled Tidore And it is rather a wonder they continued there so long being guilty of such Villainies than that they were at last drove away But great Storms threaten India now and our Viceroy is preparing to meet them CHAP. VII The dangerous Sieges of Goa and Chaul and first of the foremost continuing the Government of D. Luis de Ataide and Reign of King Sebastian 1. ALL humane Grandure is subject to Envy The Princes of Asia seeing the vast increase of the Portugues Power resolved to give it one fatal Blow and to this purpose entred into a League which was five Years in forming and concluding and carried on with wonderful secrecy 2. These Princes were Hidalcan Alecdaxa Nizamaluco Xaoxem and Zamori Their Design to extirpate the Portugueses in India To this effect they raised powerful Armies and made so sure of the success that they had before hand divided their imagined Conquests The first was to have Goa Onor and Braçalor the second Chaul Damam and Baçaim and the third Cananor Mangalor Cochim and Chale Hidalcan had assigned his principal Men Offices at Goa and some Portugues Women that were cried up for Beauties The King of Achem was at the same time to make an attempt upon Malaca In fine those Princes broke out like impetuous Torrents covering the Fields with multitudes oâ—… Men. Hidalcan marched to besiege Goa Nizamaluco to Chaul without any respect to the Peace which had been no way
pass but Ixora commanding her to give it way the Wind flying the more impetuous for having been detained tore up a Mountain which falling into the Sea formed the Island Ceylon Other Islands are encompassed with Seas they call of Sugar Milk Butter and Sweet-Water Happy the Sailers that could find such pleasant Seas 6. The Bases or Grounds of the Elements are of several matters that of the Earth of Copper that of the Water of Silver that of the Fire of Gold that of the Air of a Pretious Stone that of Heaven of another Stone of more value They are Gods and move on the first waits the Bird Anam on the second Guereram on the third a Cart on the fourth an Ox on the fifth a Horse 7. There are seven large Subterranean dwellings called Padalas where live People who have no other light but that of certain bright Stones which Snakes have in their Foreheads One Day of ours is a Year in Heaven and one of our Years Three hundred and sixty five there The Days of the Week as among us take their names from the Planets and one of them is a Festival They believe the transmigration of Souls 8. The God Givem or Ixora is of the colour of Milk besides the usual two he has one Eye in the Forehead which being of Fire consumes all things his Body of such a length that Brama though he endeavoured it could never find the beginning or end of it The other Brother Vistnu who is God of the Transmutations converted himself into a Hog and turned up the Earth with his snout but could never find his Feet He is so thick that the Snake that girts the World cannot encompass one of his Arms â—…e has Sixteen Hands all employed with Deer Chairs a Guitar a Bell a Bason a Trident a Rope a Hook an Ax Fire a Drum Beads a Staff a Wheel a Snake on his Forehead a horned Moon his Apparel skins of Beasts laid down with Snakes he has two Wifes the Goddess of the Water and Chati who has already dyed One and twenty times and because every time she dies he puts one of her Bones upon his Neck he now wears One and twenty Bones there Having shared his Body with his Wife and she hers with him he is halfe Man halfe Woman his care is to finish all things Bramâ—… to Create and Vistnu's to govern them 9. The God Ixora lives in Calaya a most delicious Mountain for Woods Gardens Fountains Birds and Nymphs among them there is nothing but Harmony The desert parts of it are inhabited by Riâ—…is Hermits much esteemed for sanctity in a private and most pretious Tabernacle is the Silver Rose with two Musical white Nymphs and among them the Linga or Eternal God placed on a Lion of inestimable value and invisible 10. Brama and Vistnu envying Ixoras's greatness set themselves against him he said if they could find his beginning or end they should be his Superiors Vistnu looked for his Feet and Brama and for his Head the first was deterred by a Snake the second disswaded by Roses he brib'd them to testifie he had seen his Head which they did Vistnu sensible of the fraud turn'd them into Beasts and cut off one of his Heads of his Blood sprang a Man with Five hundred Heads and One thousand Hands Ixora did penance for this crime and travelling came to a place where they threw several Beasts at him he catched â—…ead them and cloathed himself with their Skins being over-powered Vistnu came to his Aid in the shape of a beautiful Maid and his Enemies were astonished at her form Ixora having to do with her a Son was born Ixora and Vistnu differed about whom it should belong too and a Heavenly Spirit reconciled them taking it to himself He bred him an expert Archer and kept him as his guard against Sagatracavaxem the Giant of Five hundred Heads and One thousand Hands sprung from Bramas Head cut off by Ixora This pilgrimage of Ixora gave the Original to the Pilgrims called Iogues who wander about living upon Charity wearing Periwigs and strewed with Ashes 11. Ixora has four Children the first has the Face of an Elephant the second of a Monkey the third is Superbenia with six Faces and twelve Arms the fourth a young Woman called Patracali The Father and his Wife Chati converted into Elephants begot a Son with an Elephant's Head and four Arms he is wonderful big and rides on a Mouse The first fruits of all that is sowed are offered to him 12. The Bramones who are the Masters of their Ceremonies abstain from Fish Flesh Eggs and Wine of other things they Eat and Drink without measure they celebrate the Aniversaries of their Dead with great Banquets they are so much afraid of the Moon on the fourth Day after the full that they shun seeing even the reflection of her in the Water 13. Chati washing her self in the time of her courses produced a Man Her Husband cut of his Head which rowling to the foot of his Mountain Calaya brought forth the Tree on which grow the Coco's which therefore have the resemblance of Eyes Nose and Mouth But the Wife complaining Ixora cut of an Elephants Head and put it to the Body which remained Man and Elephant Then both converting themselves into Monkeys begot one but she ashamed to bring it forth desired the Wind to translate it to another Womb and it was removed to that of the Wife of the Heavenly Spirits She was delivered of and Ixora gave him great power calling him Anuman This is the Reason the Indians adore Monkeys 14. Patracali Ixoras's Daughter is black she has eight Faces and sixteen Arms great round Eyes Hogs Teeth two Elephants for pendants she is cloathed with Snakes her Hair like the Peacocks Tails has several things in her hands particularly Arms the Devil Medala waits on her she seeing her Father could not overcome the Giant Daridabaxada Conquered him by Policy Ixora to deliver her from Enemies sent her to live invisible among Men. At Sea she overcame some Fishermen and landed at Coulam and marryed the Prince of Coulett who being falsly accused of stealing the Queen of Pande's Bracelets was impaled Patracali brought him to Life caused Sacrifice to he offered to him and thus freed from the bands of wedlock remained a Virgin 15. Ixora in a passion threw his Wig on the ground which became an Armed fierce Man who cut off the Head of Lecxaprazava King of the Peringales and the Hand of the God of Fire and the Sun's Teeth Ixora put on a Goats-head upon Lecxaprazava's Shouldiers instead of his own CHAP. II. The Metamorphoses or Transformations 1. THE God Vistnu is black he has four Hands and always lies sleeping on his back in the Sea of Milk yet so he governs the whole World his Bed is the Snake Ananta which has five Heads on four he lays his Hands on the other his Head the Snake asked him in case she had
transparent From letters they proceed to composition such as are approved of are Printed every 3 Years and learners study them There are no Universities every Master reaches all that is requisite for a man to know as well in learning as manners and behaviour The Disciples of quality never go any where without the Master there are many Schools for the common sort but no Master can take more Schollars than he can teach himself for he is not to trust to another Their Days of recreation are the first 15 in the Year and some others but few in the 5th and 7th Moon The Masters that serve in great Houses Eat at their patrons Table 2. They have large and stately Halls richly adorned where they examine students whereof there are great numbers in every City and Town but chiefly in the Metropolis of Provinces where they take their Degrees These buildings for the most part are all of the same form some bigger than others but all large the greatest of our Pallaces is not equal to the least of them in every one is an infinite number of little rooms where such as are to be examined compose each by himself with a Soldier to attend him that the more learned may not help the ignorant The Hall of Quantung which is the least has 6000 of these Cels and the number of students is greater 3. There attend all the time of the examination Prefidents Magistrates Examiners Clerks and all sorts of Trades and all that are there are maintained ind yet and lodging the whole time upon the publick charge The Order and disposition of all things is much to be admired formerly Gentlemen were not admitted to take any degree because not imployed in the Government but they perceiving that only the learned rose obtained though with difficulty to be admitted to both such as are any way infamous cannot take a degree The degrees are 3 answerable to oâ—… of Batchelor Master of Arts and Doctor the Chancellor goes about the Townâ—…â—…d Cities to examine the first the second is done in the Metropolis of each Province once in 3 Years in each of these Acts there are above 7000 students and above 1500 take the degree of Master of Arts. The Doctors are only made at Court on a sudden a Bricklayer or Taylor is set up in state the marks of this dignity are given them and are a Cap Gown Tassels and Boots all put on with much Ceremony The King defrays the whole charge and every one that takes this degree stands him in 1000 Ducats 4. Of those that go to the Court to take their degree 350 are admitted to that of Doctors the marks of that honour except the Boots which are the same in all differ very much in the value besides those mentioned they have a girdle they wear them all in the employments they get and the last is still richer as they â—…e preferred There is another examination at which the King used to be present now a Colao supplies his place after it they go to salute the King who is on his Throne and gives with his own hand a premium to each of the three first presented the first of the 3 is superior over all the others and has a particular name as has the second and third this is so great an honour that soon after the whole Kingdom knows them by those names and their degree of honour is equal to our Dukes Out of the 350 are chosen 25 who have Pallaces assigned them and are subject to the Colao that is president of the great College of him they learn the speculative part of Government Hence they are preferred to employments superior to Viceroy ships only such as are of that College are admitted to the supream dignity of Colao when one of these 25 Doctors is made a Mandarin especially if he be one of the three presented by the King there is erected to him in his own Country a triumphal Arch all of Marble and very stately with his name on the front 5. Nothing can be said distinctly of their Sciences because in reality they know no distinction Three of their Kings were the masters of the â—…oral and Speculative learning under myâ—…ical numbers and Symbols they were also the Legislators Above 1000 Years before Christ two other Kings composed the book called Yequim being a comment upon those Symbols then followed Philosophers like the Stoicks The most famous Confucius composed 9 Books which are esteem'd chiefly 5 of them like our Holy writ many Doctors comment upon them he flourished 500 Years before Christ and aimed at the Reformation of Mankind and is held in veneration as the universal Master and a Saint with Temples dedicated to him The Government of the City where he was born remains in his Family the immediate successor has the title revenue and state of a Duke they are all as soon as born held in great veneration 6. The 5 principal Books are Yequim that treats of natural Philosophy fate and predictions the second Xoquim of Chronology the third Xiquim Poetically discourses of the Nature of things and Human Affections the fourth Liquin of Divine Worship the fifth Chunâ—…icu Examples of good and bad Kings There are 4 other Books of the same Author and another called Mencu that treat of Physicks and Morals out of these is taken a subject for the compositions of such as are examined there are also 9 Books of Comments upon those but only one of them is established by Law 7. They consider 3 principal objects in the World Heaven Earth and Man and accordingly their learning is divided into 3 Sciences that of Heaven treats of the Original of all things that of the Earth of its position product and variety that of Man of his manners and affections to whom they ascribe 5 Moral Virtues Piety Justice Policy Prudence and Felicity respecting 5 Orders of Persons in the Common-wealth Father and Son Husband and Wife King and Subject elder and younger Brother and friends among themselves 8. They have rules of Grammar understand Rhetorick are well skilled in Arithmetick and have knowledge of Geometry but know nothing of Dialectica and Algebra Astronomy is a profession only allowed to two Persons to study one in each Court and they leave it hereditary to their Sons they reckon 5 Elements Water Metal Fire Wood and Earth and appropiate to them as many Planets Mercury Venus Mars Iupiter Saturn The Zodiack they divide into 24 Signs the Year into 12 Moons and 354 Days making a Bissextile every three Years of 13 Moons and 383 Days it begins with the next Moon to the 5th of February Their Musick consists all of one sound the Bonzes sing after the manner of our plain Song their Instruments are of several sorts for the most part noisy and some like ours such as are played upon strings have them of Silk 9. Poetry was always much esteemed in China all that was published of this sort used to be sent to the
somewhat in general of India whereof much relates to the greatest Part of Asia Those Heathens have a Book they believe in and esteem as we do the Holy Scripture It is writ in Verse as they say that understand it pleasing and ingenious but it seems strange to us there should be any Harmony in Verses composed of Seventy-five Syllables for so many an Author say they contain 10. They believe in one God Creator of all Things yet allow other increated Gods that there is Heaven and Hell and that the Souls of such as die in Sin go into Beasts and stay there till being purged they go to Eternal Rest. They esteem Cows as properest for this Transmigration When one is dying they bring one to him and put the Tail into his Hand that when his Soul departs it may be near the Door it is to enter at 11. They allow no Free Will and some are of Opinion That the Souls return from Hell into other Bodies till they merit Heaven and that there is an indifferent Place without Reward or Punishment for such as live indifferently The Sins they esteem most hainous are Murder Theft Drinking of Wine taking away another Man's Wife The First is wiped off with Pilgrimages the second with Alms the third with Fasting and the fourth with Sacrifices some are of Men the greatest of Cows Some will lie down under the Wheels of the heavy Carts of their Idols which crush them to peices Others wear irons with Spikes that run into them Others hang themselves on a Hook and there sing Verses to their Idols 12. They maintain Hospitals where they look after sick Birds and Beasts and send Men abroad to bring them in but have no Comâ—…assion for Men saying Those Afflictions are sent them for their Sins There are Men employed to buy Birds or other Creatures only to restore them to their Liberty They believe God has five Regents that govern the World and every one of them a Wife those are called Xadaxivam Rudra Maescura Visnu and Brabema the Wives Humani Parvadi Maenomadi Lacami and Exarasvadi The first governs the first Heaven where are all the Planets the second the Fire the third the Air the fourth the Water the fifth the Earth Brahema Visnu and Rudra are the Chief and form a Body with three Heads called Mahamurte signifying the three Chiefs Hence it is inferred the Indians had some knowledge though imperfect of the Blessed Trinity 13. They are much addicted to Witchcraft and Superstition and believe there are Fourteen Worlds and that this we live in is an Image of that in Heaven Their several Families touch not one another not eat together Tradesmen cannot marry out of their own Trade The most renowned Families among them are the Raja's an ingenuous People that rather lose their Lives than their Arms in Battle The Bramenes who contend for Precedence with the Raja's The Chatines which are the richest Merchants The Bâ—…lalas or Country People held in such esteem that Kings marry their Daughters to them saying They are the Publick Substance From these four Roots â—…pring One hundred ninety-six Branches divided into Valangas that is of the Right-hand and Elanges of the Left but none of these are honoured as the other four 14. Let us say somewhat of the Christians of St. Thomas Four Leagues from Cochim on the Malabar Coast is the City Cranganor almost encompassed by a River inhabited by Christians Gentiles Mahometans and Iews The whole Kingdom takes Name from the City it has a great Trade is frequented by Merchants from Siria Egypt Persia and Arabia by reason of the plenty of Pepper brought thither At the arrival of the Portugueses in India it was governed in the form of a Commonwealth but subject to Zamori whom they cast off seeing him weakned by our Arms. 15. Their Heathen Rites are the same with those of the other Malabars The Christians called of St. Thomas who inhabit from this Câ—…ty to Coromandel and Meliapor the place where that Apostle was buried have Churches like ours in Europe on the Altars and Walls Crosses painted but no other Images no Bells the People meet on Sundays to hear Sermons and other Service Their head Bishop resides in Chaldea has twelve Cardinals two Patriarchs Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates and Fathers 16. The Priests are shorn in the form of a Cross they consecrate leavened Bread and Wine made of Rasins for want of other Baptize after Forty Days unless there be danger of Death instead of extream Unction the Priests bless the Sick use Holy Water bury after our manner the Relations and Friends eat together eight Days while the Ceremonies last If there be no Will the next of Kin inherits the Widows recover their Portion but forfeit it if they Marry within a Year 17. They have all our Holy Scripture in Hebrew and Caldaick with Expositions which they Read in Schools their Divines interpret it well chiefly the Prophets which they study most They observe the same Lent and Advent as we do Oâ—… the Eve of the Resurrection they neither eat nor drink and keep that Day with great Solemnity as also the Sunday of Pastor Bonus in remembrance that on that Day St. Thomas felt our Saviour's side they observe our very Festivals as Sundays the Feasts of our Lord Lady and Apostles and have the same Bissextile or Leap Year as the Latines Both they and the Gentiles keep the Feast of the Apostle on the first Day of Iune There are Monasteries of Monks and Nuns cloathed in black and religiously observe their Rules The Priests observe conjugal Chastity and marry not a second time There is no Divorce allowed beween Man and Wife 18. In the Year 1544 came to Cochim Iacob a Caldean Bishop of Cranganor where being dangerously sick he sent for the Treasurer Peter de Sequeyra and told him Necessity had obliged him to pawn two Copper-Plates with Characters engraven on them which were Original Grants and Privileges bestowed on the Apostle St. Thomas by the Sovereigns of those Countries when he Preached there that he desired him to release them least they should be lost if he died for if he lived he would take them out himself This Prelate found the only way to lose them in trusting the Portugueses for Sequeyra paid the Two hundred Royals they were pawned for put them into the Treasury and they were never more heard of 19. The Governor Martin Alfonso de Sousa after long search for some Body that could understand them had found a retired Jew on the Mountain who said they were writ in the Caldean Malabar and Arabian Languages and the Substance of them was That the Prince then Reigning of his free Gift granted to Thomas at Cranganor such a Parcel of Ground to build a Church for the Maintenance whereof he assigned the Fifths of Merchandize 20. Very much might be said of the Island Ceylon but I will only add a little to what is already said About five hundred Years
Horse and about 400 Blacks Hearing the Enemy was lodged in the Village Baylam two Leagues up the Country he resolved to surprize him at Noon when they use to Bathe Half a League from the place he halted to Rest the Men and the Enemy having Intelligence thereof came on with such diligence and secrecy that they had put them to the Sword had not Ferdinand de Silva who led the Van with much Bravery given a check to their Fury Antony de Sotomayor relieved him already wounded in the Leg was himself wounded and lost some Men but did great Execution This gave Tavora time to make ready whose furious coming up made great havock Our Men turning Back to Back and facing the Enemy round did Wonders Ruy Lorenço with his Horse ranging about did them great harm till falling on their Flank many were slain the rest fled without hopes 4. Next he resolved to take a Great Ship of Bramaluco's that was newly finished in the Dock of Agaçaim He marched thither by Land and D. Luis de Ataide went by Water The latter by force of Arms made his way to the City at such time as the other was reducing it to Ruins breaking through a Multitude of Enemies who endeavoured to stop his Fury each of them lost six Men. D. Luis Landed and both together cleared the Field unpeopled the City and then set Fire to it The Ship was carried to the Port of Baçaim and for many years Traded to Lisbon Bramaluco sued for Peace and he being a suspected Subject of Cambaya our Governour treated with that King and by this means secured the former Peace and obtained a Grant of half the Customs whereof only the Third part was offered before 5. Let us now return to the Fleet in which the Governour was to sail His great Liberality brought him more Men than he desired whereof he chose the best The Fleet consisted of 80 Sail of sundry sorts and sizes and carried two Thousand Men. 6. While this Fleet was fitting the King of Achem falling upon the King of the Bataas unexpectedly made a great slaughter of his People killing among the rest three Sons he rather adored than loved The King desirous of Revenge sent his Brother-in-Law Embassadour to Peter de Faria then Commanding at Malaca The Embassy was to confirm the Peace before concluded and desire assistance of Arms and Ammunition and the better to obtain it sent him a rich Present and offered a free Trade in his Dominions which abound in Gold Pepper Benjamin and Camphir Faria who was intent upon Profit as well as his King's Service plentifully supplied him with Arms and Ammunition offering his utmost assistance and entertaining the Embassadour with splendour The King of Bataa attacked his Enemy with Resolution but was beaten after having almost gained the Victory and retired with great Grief to his City Panaaju Here he dispatched Pinto sent thither by Faria to Trade who narrowly escaped being lost in the River Parles of the Kingdom of Queda by reason of the Revolution had then hapned in the City of that Name the Court of that Prince who had murdered his Father and married his own Mother The first he denyed and pretended he had done the latter in Honour to her having refused many considerable Matches Pinto brought News of the Island del Oro or of Gold the great motive of his Voyage 7. But now our Governour enters the Red Sea with his Fleet. He found most of the Islands and Cities abandoned the People having had notice of his coming The chief Island was Maçua The principal City Suanquem in about 19 Degrees of North Latitude well built and rich The King who was fled a League up the Country entertained the Governour with shews of Peace that he might not destroy the Island But the greatest damage was that hereby he prevented the burning the Ships at Suez gaining so much time as carried thither the News of this Design The Governour in Revenge marched with his Brother D. Christopher and 1000 Men made a great slaughter was Master of the Field and took a great Booty Then turning to the City it was plundered and private Men got four or five thousand Ducats each then it was burnt to the ground The Waters being shoal the Governour resolved to go over to Alcoçer and other places with only sixteen Catures or Barges the rest of the Fleet he sent to Maçua under the Command of Lionel de Lima. There was a great dispute about who should go with D. Stephen and he had much difficulty to compose it They set out of the Bay for this Reason called De los Agraviados or Of the Offended Many Gentlemen went in the Barges as private Souldiers accepting any place so they were admitted such was their desire to be in this Action The number of Men was Two hundred and fifty At Alconçer which is in the Latitude of 25 Degrees they did the same as had been done before at Suanquem Crossing over to Tor or Toro they took some Vessels of the Enemy The Turks at first opposed the Landing but some being slain fled and abandoned the City in which nothing of Value was found The Governour would not burn it in reverence of St. Catharine and a Monastery found there with Religious Men under her Invocation which at their Instance he visited To his great glory he was the first European Commander that took that City where he Knighted several who held this Honour done them there in great esteem and it was afterwards envied by the Great Emperour Charles the Fifth as shall appear in its place Our People and those Religious testified great Regret at parting They are of the Greek Church and of the Order of St. Basil. The City is in the Latitude of 28 Degrees and is thought by Learned Geographers to be the ancient Elana 8. The Governour went over to Suez and after many brave Attempts made by several to sound and view the Harbour which all failed he resolved in Person and in open Day to discover the Gallies He saw them and desiring to do something considerable Landed the Enemies Shot flew from the Town and 2000 Turkish Horse broke out of an Ambush some few whereof were killed by our Canon but our Men obliged to Retire much grieved that this Voyage was disappointed The Governour returned to his Fleet at Maçua where he found the Severity of Emanuel de Gama had caused a Mutiny which gave occasion to 80 Men to run away with a Ship designing to go over to Ethiopia They were met by a Captain of the King of Zeila and after a vigorous Resistance most of them killed On a Gallows hung five whom Gama had Executed for concealing the design of the other 80 they at Execution summoned him to answer before the great Tribunal and he within a Month run Mad and died CHAP. IV. Goes on with the Government of D. Stephen de Gama 1. AT this time Grada Hamed King of the Country called
conclusion the Turks surrendred on Condition to return our Prisoners they were about Thirty and deliver up their Cannon Arms and Horses and 10000 Ducats They were to be carried to Baçora but were so weak with Hunger and the Pestilential Fever which about that time rages at Baharem that only two hundred of them lived Many of our Men died of the same Disease 4. About the end of this Year arrived in India five Ships from Portugal six sailed thence but one was drove back In them went F. George of St. Lucy and F. George Temudo the first was Bishop of Malaca the latter of Cochim both Dignities new Created for Queen Catherine seeing the See of Goa was over-burthened had obtained of the Pope the Instituting these Bishopricks but subordinate to Goa as were to be all others that should be Instituted 5. The Vice Roy understanding the Enemy was fitting out Ships on the Coast of Malabar where Luis de Melo was sent to his Aid 17 Sail with 600 Men. Melo distributed them about the Mouths of the Rivers and he himself ran along destroying the Towns and Woods Seven strong Parao's well manned and equipped came down the River Maim where Gonçalo Perez de Alvelos was firing their Cannon upon him and he answering sunk one of them But the Powder taking fire in one of our Ships blew it up and all the Men in it so the Enemy escaped Melo continued the War this Year and the next with success and utter desolation of all that Coast. 6. Bofata not long since defeated now marched towards our Fort of Balzar with 600 Horse and a great Body of Foot Our Commander Alvaro Gonçalez Pinto boldly meets him with 20 Horse 100 Portugues Foot and 500 Natives The first Charge they killed 50 of the Enemy but being overpowered by the Multitude were routed the Captain and most of the Portugueses killed and 150 of the Natives the rest fled Bofata immediately attacks the Fort not at all doubting to carry it but was vigorously opposed by the Valour of Gomez de Silva who though not born a Gentleman in this Action shewed how Gentlemen are Created The Enemy encamped and Silva did great Execution on them till Tristan Vâ—…z de Vega came to his Relief from Damam with ten Vessels well furnished In spight of all opposition he Landed and got into the Fort and Bofata seeing no hopes of prevailing drew off Not long after he returns and our Commander Alfonso Diaz Pereyra meeting him in the Field had the same success as Pinto and was killed as well as he all the difference was that the Enemy now entred the Fort pell-mell with our Men but Vincent Carvallo drove them again out headlong Calisto de Sequeyra killed 20 with his own hand They were quite spent with continual Fatigue when Luis Alvarez de Tavora brought Relief from Damam at sight whereof the Enemy retired 7. However by the Vice-Roy's Order the Fort was abandoned and the Enemy returning razed it then went on doing great harm in the Villages till they came to Tarapor where Martin Lopez de Faria was with 40 Men they attacked his Works and were repulsed with such loss that they desisted and went on This Action cost Lopez his Life being mortally wounded whereof he died at Damam D. Iames de Noronha marched after the Enemy and found them in the Country of Vaypim being 600 Horse and 1000 Foot with him were 150 of the former and 350 of the latter He fell on with such Fury that 60 of the Enemy fell the first Charge and after a sharp Dispute they all fled leaving him many Prisoners their Women Mony Baggage Horses Arms and Ammunition with which he returned triumphant to Damam notwithstanding the Enemy rallying attacked him in the Rear but at last fled to lament his Loss in the Woods whilst it was celebrated in the Town 8. Christopher Pereyra Homem sailing for Ethiopia with three Vessels only to set ashoar there B. Fulgentius a Jesuit sent by the Vice-Roy to the Bishop with some Church-stuff near Arquico met Cafar his four Gallies and with difficulty escaped them But the Admirals Galley coming up sometime after the Fight could not be avoided and Pereyra boarding her with 30 Men the Turks who were 150 killed every Man of them The other two Vessels leaving him in the danger got to Goa where Vincent Carvallo and Rock Pinheyro were put in Gaol for their Cowardize for had they done their Duty Cafar had been taken 9. B. Fulgentius was taken and afterwards ransomed the loss of him and what he carried was lamented by the Portugueses in Ethiopia Adamas Sagad succeeded the Emperour that died and defeated many Rebels in which Victory the Portugueses had a considerable share The Turkish Bassa returning with a greater Power defeated Sagad with the assistance of some Portugueses for they can be Turks when they please This was the cause that Emperour never after trusted them 10. Bisminaique Lord of the Pearl-Fishery seeing those of Punicale would pay no greater acknowledgment than One days Fishing resolved to right himself by force He marched with 1000 Men Melrao lead the the Van doing much harm D. Duarte de Meneses after several Skirmishes killed him and stopped the current of his Men till the useless People as Aged Men Women and Children with the best of their Goods got off in a Ship where they suffered much Hunger and such Thirst that they drank their own Water The Commander of the Fort Emanuel Rodrigues Coutinho Charged a Body of those that Melrao had Commanded and did good Execution but Bisminaique coming up with his Army D. Duarte was forced to retire to his Ship and Coutinho to another where he was taken with all his Men and after ransomed The Enemy entred and plundered the Town 11. Four Ships arrived now in India of six that sailed from Lisbon In them went the first Archbishop of Goa and the first Inquisitors sent to suppress the Jews One of the six Ships was forced back to Lisbon Another Commanded by Ruy de Melo was drove to Brasile and thence set out again so unsuccessfully that she was lost beyond the Cape of Good Hope The Men got ashoar and part of them Coasted along in the Long-Boat and two Barques they made the rest marched along in sight of them till they took three little Ships which held them all and so went up a River in the King of Menanchabo's Country Their neglect and the Beauty of D. Francisca Sardina Wife to Iames Pereyra de Vasconcelos gave courage and opportunity to those Barbarians to assault them and steal her They fell on our Men on a sudden and killed 60 carrying away this Portugues Hellen or Proserpine The rest arrived in India 12. The late Governour Francis Barreto put to Sea the third time and arrived safe at Lisbon with D. Luis Fernandez de Vasconcelos who had before lost his Ship The Kings of Cochim and Cananor were now at War and the Portugueses
sent the year before by King Emanuel entered not upon the Government till the twenty second of Ianuary of this year King Iohn III. being on the Throne whose Father died the thirteenth of December foregoing He brought with him twelve Ships Having taken the Government and sent the Commanders to their Posts he began to feel the effects of his Predecessors putting Portugues Officers into the Custom-House of Ormuz He received advice the Moors had taken Arms killed some Men and besieged the Fort. D. Luis his Brother was immediately sent with relief and Simon de Andre made Commander of Chaul who began his Charge with taking two Turkish Gallies and a Victory in Dabul which reduced that City to pay Tribute Melique Az. terrified with this Success and the arrival of D. Luis of whose Actions in Africk he was informed withdrew his Vessels from before Chaul 2. The Cause of D. Luis his going to Ormuz was the Insurrection which was occasioned by the avarice of the Portugues Officers there Iames Lopez had placed them there against his Will in Obedience to the King's Commands and at the persuasion of Men who loved Novelties and said the reason the Tribute of Ormuz was not well paid was that the Officers cheated the King to prevent which it was convenient to place Portugueses in their stead To the avarice used by the Portugueses was added the Violence they offered to the persons and honor of those people forcing their Daughters and Wives from them D. Garcia Coutino then commanded that Fort with whom that King conferred about sending a Present and Embassy to our King to obviate the Inconveniences that Innovation produced This Means was prevented and so it broke out to the great loss of the Portugueses For sudddenly by night they were attacked by Sea and Land with Fire and Sword at Ormuz Baharem Mascate Curiate and Soar by private Order from the King and above one hundred and twenty of them killed Ruy Boto was put to great Torments by the Moors in defence of the Faith At morning some of our Men died endeavouring to relieve others All things being disposed the best the time would permit and the Ships secured under the shelter of the Fort D. Garcia sent advice to the Governor Mean while he was besieged had two Vessels burnt and feared Hunger and Thirst. Tristan Vaz de Vega and Manuel de Sousa received advice hereof at Mascate and prepared to carry Relief Tristan Vaz arrived first and made his way to the Fort through one hundred and sixty Sail that lay before it Two days after appeared Manuel de Sousa's Ship at an anchor two Leagues off It was dangerous for the Fort to relieve him and dangerous for all if he was not relieved Tristan Vaz with his Ship ventured to his Aid through the hundred and sixty Sail of Enemies eighty of them pursued him making way with full Sails and Manuel de Sousa thinking him an Enemy did some harm till undeceived he was taken into the Ship The King of Ormuz in a rage lays a heap of Gold on one side and a heap of Womens Attire on the other the one for such as should take Tristan and Emanuel Prisoners the other â—…or such as behaved themselves not couragiously Some being covetous of the Reward and others fearful of the Disgrace they manned one hundred and thirty Vessels and set upon that one which through Showers of Bullets and Arrows made its way to the Fort and brought new Life to the besieged with the Relief it had on Board 3. The King of Ormuz began to despair of shaking off the Portugues Yoke and fearing the punishment of his Revolt executed one more grievous upon himself than he could have received from those he had offended He resolved to quit the City and go over to the Island Queixome which lies fifteen Leagues in length close to the Perâ—… Shoar and three Leagues from Ormuz is fruitful but not healthy Privately he commanded all the Inhabitants to follow him and then barbarously set fire to that beautiful City which was four Days and Nights burning And yet some Gentlemen from our Fort held intelligence with the King advising how he should behave himself with the next Governour to be restored and this they did in hopes to be inriched by him Our Men tho astonished at this brutal Action were delivered from the danger of the Siege and going out to see if any thing were left in the City only found Water in Cisterns and Fire in all the Houses Soon after came in a Ship from India with Provisions and another with Ammunition 4. D. Luis de Meneses sent by the Goververnor his Brother to Ormuz did nothing of Note by the way but arrived at the Town of Soar with ten Sail. This Town they destroyed with Fire and Sword and then gave it to Xecâ—… Hozem to hold of the King of Portugal Mean while his own Favourites murdered the King of Ormuz at Queixome and crowned Mamud Xa a Youth of thirteen years of Age Son to the late King 5. D. Luis arrived at Queixome and after several Designs that took no effect came to aâ—… Treaty with the new King It was agreed that the King should return to Ormuz that he should pay the former Tribute of twenty thousand Xeraphins and the Arrears due that the Portugues Commanders should not meddle with the Government of his City and to conclude all that King sent D. Luis a Present of Pearls Gold Jewels and Silks for our King and another for himself which he accepted not but to be sent with the other as was publickly done Then D. Luis dispatched three Ships for Goa which were to take lading there for Portugal One of them perished in a violent storm on the Coast of Mascate D. Luis followed soon after and came to Goa 6. He found the Governor his Brother and all the City in Tears for the Death of King Emanuel the News whereof was brought by one of three Ships that came from Portugal this year whereof two had wintered at Mozambique The Goverâ—…or went over to Cochin to dispatch the trading Ships for Portugal and other parts At this time D. Pedro de Castro was not idle at Mozambique for being informed by Iohn de Mata who commanded that Fort that the Island Querimba and the adjacent denied the Tribute to those of Zanzibar and Pemba whereby they were disabled from paying theirs to us he went to Querimba with an hundred Men and after a shaâ—…p Fight burnt the City and obliged the Lord of it to pay the Tribute the others terrified by this Example submitted At his return he wasi n great danger by Storms and Hunger and his Cousin D. Christopher killed by the Blacks who defended the Fruit of certain Trees which our Men were carried to taste by Hunger not Curiosity D. Diego de Melo went now with him to Goa D. Pedro's Ship being at an Anchor in that Port suddenly sunk down right being very old whereby it
to be naked than to endure such unsupportable Pains Her Feet were torn and she then fainting they cast all the Fire upon her Seeing she neither died nor complained the Executioners strangled her after having suffered alone enough to purchase many the Glory of Martyrdom 19. Tamarascan the Queen's Son understanding the Death of his Mother entred Persia in a rage and obtained several Victories in 3 Years slew above 70000 Persians At length a Peace was concluded and he restored to all he had lost 20. Two of the Religious of St. Augustin travelled towards Georgia suffered great Extremities in vast Desarts in some Places near perishing in Snow At Emanenga in Armenia they were entertained by the Religious of the Order of St. Dominick who reside there 21. At Ervan the Metropolis of Armenia they were courteously received by the Patriarch in a Convent of 30 Religious of St. Basil whose Office is long being the whole Psalter every day and Matins at midnight That Prelate was a Man of a very austere Life gave great Alms redeemed Captives repaired Churches was a great Reformer of Manners and suppressed Married Priests He was almost Adored by the Armenians and hearkened to the Proposal of submiting to the See of Rome Our Religious found him Preaching in a Church but as soon as he saw them he took leave of the Auditory and went to receive them washed and kissed their Feet telling the People Those were the true Apostles of Christ. 22. At length our Religious entred Georgia were honourably received by the King who refused to let them kiss his Hand but made them sit and knowing they carried the greatest part of his Mother's Body declared himself pleased above measure 23. That day they dined with the King the next with the Queen she and her Ladies went to receive the Body and heard Mass with great attention The King caused his Mother to be buried among the ancient Kings of Georgia Speaking of the Pope he said He owned him as chief Prelate and had always declared him such Being presented with two Images of our Saviour and Blessed Lady he said He worshipped them not because they were Idols and only honoured Pictures One of the Fathers reprehended him and was going away but he held by his Habit kissed him and begged Pardon affirming He knew not what he said 24. Next day the King and Queen excused themselves to the Father praying him not to depart but to choose any Place in the Kingdom to build a Church and Monastery He pitched upon the City Gori which is seated in a Plain watered by two great Rivers well stored with Fish The Patriarch an ancient and venerable Person with the Bishops and other Clergy thought they could never sufficiently encourage the new Foundation This happened about the end of the Year 1628. 25. To conclude with these Religious they laboured as much as any in China India Persia and Arabia On the 17th of May 1626 after Noon at Bassora was seen a Cloud rising in the East in the form of a Half-Moon the Horns whereof seemed to inclose that City It appeared like Smoke and Ashes and moved with a Noise that seemed to threaten Destruction All the Country about for the space of half an hour was quite dark then for two hours followed such a storm of Wind and Thunder as terrified all those People The Turks and Persians fled to the Christian Church believing that the only safe place and crying aloud the former Codá Codá the latter Ala Ala that is God God without remembring Mahomet 26. In the Year 1627 the Enemy surprized a Ship of ours there and killed all the Men but three who being carried before Hazen Governour of Humo he offered them their Lives if they would become Mahometans They answered They were ready to die rather than do so He caused them to be Beheaded on the 21st of December 1628. 27. In Africk these Religious baptized the Prince of Melinde who afterwards coming to the Crown acknowledged the Pope writing a Letter to him in the Year 1627 which he signed by the Name of D. Hierome Chingalia This was the first King that received the Faith in those Parts which might have spread more had not the Portugueses by their Enormities obliged this Prince to fall off from them and the Faith as shall be seen hereafter CHAP. II. Continues the Government of the Viceroy D. Francis de Gama Count De Vidigueyra 1. THis Year sailed from Lisbon two Ships and six Galleons under the Command of Nunno Alvarez Botello and arrived all safe at Goa Mean while Ruy Freyre de Andrade with his Squadron was successful in the Sea of Ormuz cutting off Provisions from that Town sinking some Vessels and chasing others He had done more if better supported 5. Some English and Dutch Ships having relieved Ormuz distressed by that Gentleman the Viceroy strengthened by those Ships come from Portugal would not suffer them to depart without being visited He sent Nunno Alvarez Botello Admiral against them with 8 Galleons They sailed at the beginning of the Year 1625 and were separated by a Storm but six meeting Botello appeared in the Sea of Ormuz and was received by twelve of those two Nations The Fight was very terrible and the Enemy having the Wind our Admiral could not come to board as he desired The Dutch Admiral and Vice-Admiral being disabled were forced to draw off At the same time Ruy Freyre having heard the noise of the Cannon came up with three Galliots and the Enemy drew off to the Bay of Comoram We had many Men killed and wounded among the latter our Admiral Botello 3. About the middle of February they met again Nunno fearing he should not be able to come to board them sent a Challenge to their Admiral but he not accepting of it the Fight began and was continued with great fury till the Enemy again drew into Comoran having lost many Men and we 2 Captains and 40 Soldiers Botello went to Water at the Island Lareâ—…a opposite to them and hearing a Cannon fired answered with another supposing it had been a Signal of Battel but the Enemy stirred not then though our Vessels were almost unmasted since the last Engagement At last they thinking it time to depart drew out and being pursued there ensued another Fight The Enemy fled having lost in those three Encounters 1000 Men and 3 Ships which were sunk some of them carried 60 Guns 4. Our Admiral gave chase but soon lost sight of them and went to Winter at Mascate whence he set out in September with 7 Sail whereof he lost three in a Storm the Men saved He came to an Anchor with the rest at Soveral where he took a rich Ship of Meca that sailed with a Dutch Pass Understanding by the Prisoners some of the Enemies Ships were at Surat he hasted thither and found they were the same that escaped after the Fights of Ormuz and Comoran It being impossible to come at them he