Selected quad for the lemma: land_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
land_n	league_n	lie_v	south_n	5,818	5	9.7892	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A05331	A geographical historie of Africa, written in Arabicke and Italian by Iohn Leo a More, borne in Granada, and brought vp in Barbarie. Wherein he hath at large described, not onely the qualities, situations, and true distances of the regions, cities, townes, mountaines, riuers, and other places throughout all the north and principall partes of Africa; but also the descents and families of their kings ... gathered partly out of his owne diligent obseruations, and partly out of the ancient records and chronicles of the Arabians and Mores. Before which, out of the best ancient and moderne writers, is prefixed a generall description of Africa, and also a particular treatise of all the maine lands and isles vndescribed by Iohn Leo. ... Translated and collected by Iohn Pory, lately of Goneuill and Caius College in Cambridge; Della descrittione dell'Africa. English	Leo, Africanus, ca. 1492-ca. 1550.; Pory, John, 1572-1636.	1600 (1600)	STC 15481; ESTC S108481	490,359	493

Romans and as some others suppose by the Africans was at length destroied by the Mahumetans albeit Ibnu Rachich affirmeth the Romans to haue sacked it But now there is nought remaining but onely a few ruines of the wall Of the region of Berdeoa BErdeoa a region situate in the midst of the Libyan desert and standing almost fiue hundred miles from Nilus containeth three castles fiue or six villages abounding with most excellent dates And the said three castles were discouered eighteene yeeres agoe by one Hamar in manner following the carouan of merchants wandering out of the direct way had a certaine blinde man in their companie which was acquainted with all those regions this blinde guide riding foremost vpon his camell commanded some sand to be giuen him at euery miles end by the smell whereof he declared the situation of the place but when they were come within fortie miles of this region the blinde man smelling of the sand affirmed that they 〈◊〉 not farre from some places inhabited which some beleeued not for they knew that they were distant from Egypt fower hundred and eightie miles so that they tooke themselues to be neerer vnto Augela Howbeit within three daies they found the said three castles the inhabitants whereof woondering at the approch of strangers and being greatly astonied presently shut all their gates and would giue the merchants no water to quench their extreme thirst But the merchants by maine force entred and hauing gotten water sufficient betooke themselues againe to their iournie Of the region of 〈◊〉 ALguechet also being a region of the Lybian desert is from Egypt an hundred and twenty miles distant Here are three castles and many villages abounding with dates The inhabitants are black vile and couetous people and yet exceeding rich for they dwell in the mid way betweene Egypt and Gaoga They haue a gouernour of their owne notwithstanding they pay tribute vnto the next Arabians Here endeth the sixth booke IOHN LEO HIS SEVENTH BOOKE OF the Historie of Africa and of the memorable things contained therein Wherein he intreateth of the land of Negros and of the confines of Egypt OVr ancient Chroniclers of Africa to wit Bichri and Meshudi knew nothing in the land of Negros but onely the regions of Guechet and Cano for in their time all other places of the land of Negros were vndiscouered But in the yeere of the Hegeira 380 by the meanes of a certaine Mahumetan which came into Barbarie the residue of the said land was found out being as then inhabited by great numbers of people which liued a brutish and sauage life without any king gouernour common wealth or knowledge of husbandrie Clad they were in skins of beasts neither had they any peculiar wiues in the day time they kept their cattell and when night came they resorted ten or twelue both men and women into one cottage together vsing hairie skins in stead of beds and each man choosing his leman which he had most fancy vnto Warre they wage against no other nation ne yet are desirous to trauell out of their owne countrie Some of them performe great adoration vnto the sunne rising others namely the people of Gualata worship the fire and some others to wit the inhabitants of Gaoga approch after the Egyptians manner neerer vnto the Christian faith These Negros were first subiect vnto king Ioseph the founder of Maroco and afterward vnto the fiue nations of Libya of whom they learned the Mahumetan lawe and diuers needfull handycrafts a while after when the merchants of Barbarie began to resort vnto them with merchandize they learned the Barbarian language also But the foresaid fiue people or nations of Libya diuided this land so among themselues that euery third part of each nation possessed one region Howbeit the king of Tombuto that now raigneth called Abuacre Izchia is a Negro by birth this Abuacre after the decease of the former king who was a Libyan borne slue all his sonnes and so vsurped the kingdome And hauing by warres for the space of fifteene yeeres conquered many large dominions he then concluded a league with all nations and went on pilgrimage to Mecca in which iournie he so consumed his treasure that he was constrained to borrow great summes of money of other princes Moreouer the fifteene kingdomes of the land of Negros knowen to vs are all situate vpon the riuer of Niger and vpon other riuers which fall thereinto And all the land of Negros standeth betweene two vast deserts for on the one side lieth the maine desert betweene Numidia and it which extendeth it selfe vnto this very land and the south side thereof adioineth vpon another desert which stretcheth from thence to the maine Ocean in which desert are infinite nations vnknowen to vs both by reason of the huge distance of place and also in regarde of the diuersitie of languages and religions They haue no traffique at all with our people but we haue heard oftentimes of their traffique with the inhabitants of the Ocean sea shore A description of the kingdome of Gualata THis region in regarde of others is very small for it containeth onely three great villages with certaine granges and fields of dates From Nun it is distant southward about three hundred from Tombuto northward fiue hundred and from the Ocean sea about two hundred miles In this region the people of Libya while they were lords of the land of Negros ordained their chiefe princely seate and then great store of Barbarie-merchants frequented Gualata but afterward in the raigne of the mighty and rich prince Heli the said merchants leauing Gualata began to resort vnto Tombuto and Gago which was the occasion that the region of Gualata grew extreme beggerly The language of this region is called Sungai and the inhabitants are blacke people and most friendly vnto strangers In my time this region was conquered by the king of Tombuto and the prince thereof fled into the deserts whereof the king of Tombuto hauing intelligence and fearing least the prince would returne with all the people of the deserts graunted him peace conditionally that he should pay a great yeerely tribute vnto him and so the said prince hath remained tributarie to the king of Tombuto vntill this present The people agree in manners and fashions with the inhabitants of the next desert Here groweth some quantitie of Mil-seed and great store of a round white kind of pulse the like whereof I neuer saw in Europe but flesh is extreme scarce among them Both the men the women do so couer their heads that al their conntenance is almost hidden Here is no forme of a common wealth nor yet any gouernours or iudges but the people lead a most miserable life A description of the kingdome of Ghinea THis kingdome called by the merchants of our nation Gheneoa by the natural inhabitants thereof Genni and by the Portugals and other people of Europe Ghinea standeth in the midst betweene Gualata

briefe iournall of his trauels you may see in the end of his eight booke what he writeth for himselfe Wherefore saith he if it shall please God to vouchsafe me longer life I purpose to describe all the regions of Asia which I haue trauelled to wit Arabia Deserta Arabia Petrea Arabia Felix the Asian part of Egypt Armenia and some part of Tartaria all which countries I sawe and passed through in the time of my youth Likewise I will describe my last voiages from Constantinople to Egypt and from thence vnto Italy c. Besides all which places he had also beene at Tauris in Persia and of his owne countrey and other African regions adioining and remote he was so diligent a traueller that there was no kingdome prouince signorie or citie nor scarcelie any towne village mountaine valley riuer or forrest c. which he left vnuisited And so much the more credite and commendation descrueth this woorthy Historie of his in that it is except the antiquities and certaine other incidents nothing else but a large Itinerarium or Iournal of his African voiages neither describeth he almost any one particular place where himselfe had not sometime beene an eie-witnes But not to forget His conuersion to Christianitie amidst all these his busie and dangerous trauels it pleased the diuine prouidence for the discouery and manifestation of Gods woonderfull works and of his dreadfull and iust iudgements performed in Africa which before the time of Iohn Leo were either vtterly concealed or vnperfectly and fabulously reported both by ancient and late writers to deliuer this author of ours and this present Geographicall Historie into the hands of certaine Italian Pirates about the isle of Gerbi situate in the gulfe of Capes betweene the cities of Tunis and Tripolis in Barbarie Being thus taken the Pirates presented him and his Booke vnto Pope Leo the tenth who esteeming of him as of a most rich and inualuable prize greatly reioiced at his arriuall and gaue him most kinde entertainement and liberall maintenance till such time as he had woone him to be baptized in the name of Christ and to be called Iohn Leo after the Popes owne name And so during his abode in Italy learning the Italian toong he translated this booke thereinto being before written in Arabick Thus much of Iohn Leo. Now let vs acquaint you with the Historie it selfe First therefore from so woorthy an author how could an historie proceed but of speciall woorth and consequence For proofe whereof I appeale vnto the translations thereof into Latine Italian Spanish French English and if I be not deceiued into some other languages which argue a generall 〈◊〉 of the same I appeale also to the grand and most iudiciall Cosmographer Master Iohn Baptista Ramusius sometime Secretarie to the state of Venice who in the Preface to his first volume of voiages so highly commendeth it to learned Fracastoro and placeth it euery word in the very forefront of his discourses as the principal most praise-woorthy of thē all And were renoumed Ortelius aliue I would vnder correction report me to him whether his map of Barbarie and Biledulgerid as also in his last Additament that of the kingdomes of Maroco and Fez were not particularly and from point to point framed out of this present relation which he also in two places at the least preferreth farre before all other histories written of Africa But to leaue the testimonies of others and to come neerer to the matter it selfe like as our prime and peerelesse English Antiquarie master William Camden in his learned Britannia 〈◊〉 exactly described England Scotland Ireland and the isles adiacent the which by Leander for 〈◊〉 by Damianus a Goez briefly for Spaine by Belforest for France by Munster for vpper Germanie by Guiccardini for the Netherlandes and by others for other countries hath beene performed so likewise this our author Iohn Leo in the historie ensuing hath so largely particularly and methodically deciphered the countries of Barbarie Numidia Libya The land of Negros and the hither part of Egypt as I take it neuer any writer either before or since his time hath done For if you shall throughly consider him what kingdome prouince citie towne village mountaine vallie riuer yea what temple college hospitall bath-stoue Inne or what other memorable matter doth he omit So doth he most iudicially describe the temperature of the climate and the nature of the soile as also the dispositions manners rites customes and most ancient pedigrees of the inhabitants togither with the alterations of religion and estate the conquests and ouerthrowes of the Romaines Goths and Arabians and other things by the way right woorthie the obseruation So that the Africans may iustly say to him and the English to master Camden as the prince of Roman oratours did vnto Marcus Varro the learnedst of his nation Nos in patria nostra peregrinantes errantesque tanquam hospites tui libri quasi domum deduxerunt vt possemus aliquando qui vbi essemus agnoscere Tuaetatem patriae tu descriptiones temporum tu sacrorum iura tu domesticam tu bellicam disciplinam tu sedem regionum locorum c. Which may thus be rudely 〈◊〉 Wandring vp and downe like Pilgrimes in our owne natiue soile thy bookes haue as it were led vs the right way home that we might at length acknowledge both who and where we are Thou hast reuealed the antiquitie of our nation the order of times the rites of our religion our manner of gouernment both in peace and warre yea thou hast described the situations of countries and places c. Now as concerning the additions before and after this Geographicall Historie hauing had some spare-howers since it came first vnder the presse I thought good both for the Readers satisfaction and that Iohn Leo might not appeere too solitarie vpon the stage to bestowe a part of them in collecting and digesting the same The chiefe scope of this my enterprize is to make a briefe and cursorie description of all those maine lands and isles of Africa which mine author in his nine bookes hath omitted For he in very deed leaueth vntouched all those parts of the African continent which lie to the south of the fifteene kingdomes of Negros and to the east of Nilus For the manifestation whereof I haue as truely as I could coniecture in the mappe adioined to this booke caused a list or border of small prickes to be engrauen which running westward from the mouth of Nilus to The streights of Gibraltar and from thence southward to the coast of Guinie and then eastward to the banks of Nilus and so northward to the place where it began doth with aduantage include all places treated of by Leo and excludeth the residue which by way of Preface we haue described before the beginning of his African historie Likewise at the latter end I haue put downe certaine relations of the great Princes of Africa and of the Christian

not so well inhabited and manured Situate it is beyond the Equator in seuenteene degrees and stretcheth from thence to sixe and twentie degrees and an halfe of southerly latitude It is plentifully endowed with all things needfull for mans vse for it yeeldeth cotton Millet Rice Potatos sweete orenges sugar-canes and sundry kindes of pulse as likewise amber Iette siluer copper red sanders saffron a spice somewhat like vnto cloues and some quantitie of ginger Moreouer heere are lions leopards stags roe-deere goates kine sheepe and other beastes both tame and wilde Heere are likewise innumerable elephants so that from hence is conueied great quantitie of iuorie They haue also great store of camels whose flesh the inhabitants eate for the holesomenes thereof The people except some few Moores vpon the coast are idolaters of colourblack with curled haire very barbarous and in fashions resembling much the Cafres They go naked all saue their priuities which they couer with cloth of cotton and they vse in the warre certaine crooked staues headed with bone The Iesuits in their letters report that in one part of this island there are white people found who as they affirme are descended from the people of China whereby may be gathered the great length of the Chinians nauigations and the largenes of their empire The Portugals sailing towards India in due time do passe betweene this great isle and the firme land but if the season groweth towards winter they holde on their course as themselues report on the backe side thereof In these two courses of nauigation they haue found and daily do discouer sundrie isles but of small account part whereof we haue mentioned before Amongst others as it were ouer against Moçambique lieth on a certaine strand or shold an isle called Langane of a reasonable bignes with a great riuer therein being inhabited by Moores And the farthest toward the west are those isles which the Portugals call Os Romeros On the northeast part of this isle is the Bay of Antogill being one of the safest and most commodious harbours in the world Of the Isles of the Ethiopian sea about the cape of Buena esperança THis sea I take to be most exceeding deepe because it hath fewer Isles then the former and those few which it hath are but little ones The first that was discouered on this side the cape of Buena Esperança is that of Don Aluarez situate in thirtie degrees and an halfe And to the northwest of that is the Isle of Tristan d' Acunna beeing distant 〈◊〉 miles from the cape and beyond the Equinoctiall eight and thirtie degrees which beeing of a round forme containeth in compasse fiftie leagues It is full of birdes and especially of sea-crowes or cormorants and round about it lie foure other small islets The marriners hold that neere vnto this isle as vnto that of Bermuda there are continual stormes and tempestes Not far from the main are certaine dry and rockie isles and others of none account The Isles of Santa Helena and of the Ascension NExt followeth in the height of sixteene degrees of southerly latitude the isle of Santa Helena discouered by Iuan da Noua being so fitly and commodiously situate for such as returne home from the east Indies into Europe as it seemeth there of purpose to haue beene planted by God for the furtherance of this voiage and for the refreshing and comfort of nauigators In compasse it containeth nine miles hath a most perfect healthfull 〈◊〉 and sundry freshets of excellent water The soile is of a red colour and like vnto ashes it giueth way to ones footing like sand and a man may shake euery tree vpon the isle Heere the kings of Portugall haue enacted that none may remaine to inhabite except it be sometime two or three 〈◊〉 persons for the recouerie of their health to the end that the fleets may heere plentifully and of free cost furnish themselues with fresh victuals fruits and water So that when they arriue they vsually plant or sow some one thing or other which presently springeth and groweth to ripenes and then the seed falling into the earth it multiplieth of it selfe Heere are woods of Ebàn and Cedar with infinite store of 〈◊〉 orenges and all sorts of fruits as likewise hogs geese hens partridges feasants Guinie-cocks and other like creatures brought thither by the Portugals out of Europe or from other countries In sailing from Portugall toward India it is not so easily found but in their returne home they do heere in fewe daies cure all their diseases and relieue their wants and heere to their 〈◊〉 solace and recreation they hunt foule and fish and prouide themselues of water wood and all things necessarie To the west thereof appeere in the sea the isles of Santa Maria and of the Trinitie which serue for signes vnto the mariners To the northwest of this isle towards the coast of Brasil are the isles of Ascension so called bicause they were first discouered by Tristan Acunna in his returne from the Indies vpon Ascension day in the yeere 1508. They are all vnhabited and desert and haue vpon them infinite swarmes of a kinde of fowles of the bignes of duckes Of the Isles of Loanda Nobon and Saint Thomas HArd vpon the firme land of the south part of Congo is situate the isle of Loanda before mentioned And ouer against the cape of Lopo Gonsalues in a manner lieth the small isle of Nobon being a rockie and desolate place but of great importance for fishing for which cause it is frequented by the inhabitants of Saint Thomas isle This isle of Saint Thomas being an hundred and fower-score miles distant from the maine is of a round forme containing threescore Italian miles from side to side and an hundred and fower-score miles also in compasse of which isle bicause it is situate iust vnder the Equinoctiall so that the horizon thereof passeth by both the poles it will not be from our purpose to intreat somewhat at large to the end we may the better vnderstand the qualitie and temperature of such places as are seated in that part of the world This isle when it was first discouered was nothing else but a woode of vnprofitable trees with their boughs turning crookedly vpward The aire is extremely hot in the moneths of March and September when the sunne passeth perpendicularly ouer it raineth heere out of measure and in other moneths heere falleth onely a moist dewe which watereth the ground In the verie midst it hath a woodie mountaine which is continually ouershadowed with a thick cloud which cloud so moistneth the trees that grow in great abundance vpon this mountaine that from hence droppeth water sufficient for the watering of al their fields of sugar-canes By how much the sun is more perpendicular ouer this isle by so much is the aire more cloudie darke and contrariwise the farther it is distant from perpendicularitie the cleerer and brighter is the skie In the moneths of

seuerallie and thinketh Niger to be that which is now called Rio grande This riuer taketh his beginning as some thinke out of a certain desert to the east called Seu or springeth rather out of a lake and after a long race falleth at length into the western Ocean It increaseth also for the space of fortie daies like Nilus and is for so long space decreasing about the verie same time by which inundation it bringeth such fruitfulnes vnto all the land of Negros certain mountaines onely excepted as no place in the world can be imagined more fertile Senaga or Canaga a most notable riuer called as some thinke Baratis by Ptolemey and for the length therof and manifold strange creatures therein contained comparable to Nilus seuereth by his winding chanel the barren and naked soile from the greene and fruitefull Moreouer it maketh a separation betweene nations of sundrie colours for the people on this side are of a dead ash-colour leane and of a small stature but on the farther side they are exceeding blacke of tall and manly stature and very well proportioned howbeit neere vnto the riuer on either side they are of a meane colour complexion and stature betweene both the aboue mentioned It falleth into the sea by two mouthes the principall whereof is about a mile broad vp into the which the sea entreth almost 60. miles It springeth according to Iohn Barros out of two lakes the greater whereof is now called the lake of Gaoga but heretofore by Ptolemey Chelonidae paludes and the lesser Ptolemey calleth Nubaepalus as also out of a riuer named by Ptolemey Ghir This riuer of Senaga hath great variety of strange fishes and other creatures that liue in the water as namely sea-horses crocodiles winged serpents and such like neere vnto it also are great store of Elephants wilde bores lyons and leopards Gambra or Gambea a very great riuer lying betweene Senaga and Niger and esteemed by Sanutus to be that which Ptolemey called Stachir fetcheth his originall from the lake of Libya and from the fountaines which Ptolemey assigneth to the riuer of Niger this riuer in greatnes and depth exceedeth Senaga and hath many vnknowne riuers falling thereinto and bringeth foorth all kindes of liuing creatures that Senaga doth In the midst of this riuer standeth the Isle of Elephants so called in regarde of great numbers of those beasts The riuer Zaire beginneth out of the same lake from whence Nilus springeth this being one of the greatest riuers of all Africa and vtterly vnknowne vnto ancient writers containeth at the mouth eight and twentie miles in bredth hauing a very safe harbour for ships to ride in also there are many and great Islands in the chanell thereof and sundrie riuers do fall thereinto the principall whereof are Vumba Barbela Coanza and Lelunda in briefe this riuer Zaire running through the kingdome of Congo disgorgeth it selfe into the maine Ethiopian sea Out of the same lake which is the very fountaine of Nilus springeth another notable and famous riuer which after a long race toward the south and east is diuided into two branches the northerly branch which is exceeding great for it 〈◊〉 fixe great riuers thereinto and is nauigable for the space of seuen hundred miles being properly called Cuama and the other branch more southerly which is verie great also being named Manich or Magnice or Rio del spirito santo The promontories capes or headlands of Africa be verie many the most famous and principal wherof are The cape of Buena esperança or good hope Cabo verde and Cabo de los corrientes The cape of Buena esperança or good hope is the extreame southerly point of all Africa being a most renowmed and dangerous promontorie which in the yeere one thousand foure hundred nintie seuen was the second time discouered by Vasco da Gama at the commandement of Don Emanuel king of Portugal this cape the mariners were woont to cal the lion of the Ocean and the tempestuous cape by reason of the ruffling and roring of the windes which they found there for the most part very boisterons for the sea thereabout is exceeding rough by reason of the continual fury of the windes neither will any nauigatours touch vpon the cape except they be enforced by meere necessitie Cabo verde or The greene head-head-land is esteemed by some to be the same which Ptolemey calleth Promontorium Arsinarium is compassed on either side by the riuers of Senega and Gambra Cabo de los corrientes otherwise called the cape of San Sebastian stretcheth foorth it selfe right ouer against the south ende of the great Isle of Madagascar it is a cape well knowne by reason it is so dangerous to double which the Moores durst not passe for a very long time And heere as concerning the strange beasts fishes serpents trees plants and roots of Africa as likewise touching the diseases whereto the African people are most subiect and the varietie of languages excepting the Chaldaean Egyptian Turkish Italian and Spanish toongs which are now and haue beene of ancient times spoken in Africa I refer the Reader to the first and last bookes of Iohn Leo and to other places where they are at large and purposely intreated of Moreouer this part of the worlde is inhabited especially by fiue principall nations to wit by the people called Cafri or Cafates that is to say outlawes or lawlesse by the Abassins the Egyptians the Arabians and the Africans or Moores properly so called which last are of two kinds namely white or tawnie Moores and Negros or blacke Moores Of all which nations some are Gentiles which worship Idols others of the sect of Mahumet some others Christians and some Iewish in religion the greatest part of which people are thought to be descended from Cham the cursed son of Noah except some Arabians of the linage of Sem which afterward passed into Africa Now the Arabians inhabiting Africa are diuided into many seuerall kinds possessing diuers and sundrie habitations and regions for some dwell neere the sea shore which retaine the name of Arabians but others inhabiting the inland are called Baduini There bee likewise infinite swarmes of Arabians which with their wiues and children leade a vagrant and roguish life in the deserts vsing tents in stead of houses these are notable theeues and very troublesome both to their neighbour-inhabitants and also to merchants for which cause trauellers and merchants dare not passe ouer the African deserts alone but onely in Carouans which are great companies of merchants riding and transporting their goods vpon their camels and asses who go very strong and in great numbers for feare of the said theeuish Arabians Ptolemey in his fourth booke of Geography diuideth Africa into twelue regions or prouinces namely Mauritania Tingitana Mauritania Caesariensis Numidia Africa propria Cyrenaica Marmarica Libya propria AEgyptus superior AEgyptus inferior Libya interior AEthiopia sub AEgypto AEthiopia

are certaine mightie lakes by the benefite whereof a great part of Nubia is watred and made fruitfull The Isle of Meroe MEroe called at this time by the names of Guengare Amara and Nobe being the greatest and fairestisle which Nilus maketh and resembled by Herodotus to the shape of a target containeth in bredth a thousand and in length three thousand stadios or furlongs It aboundeth with golde siluer copper iron Eben-wood palme-trees and other such commodities as are in Nubia Some write that there growe canes or reeds of so huge a bignes that the people make botes of them Heere also you haue minerall salt and lions elephants and leopards This island is inhabited by Mahumetans who are confederate with the Moores against Prete Ianni Strabo affirmeth that in old time the authoritie of the priests of this island was so great that by a meane and ordinarie messenger they woulde command the king to murther himselfe and woulde substitute an other in his roome But at length one king hauing in a certaine temple put all the saide priests to death quite abolished that monstrous custome And heere as Nilus vnfoldeth himselfe into two branches to embrace this Islande he receiueth from the east the riuer of Abagni and from the west the riuer Sarabotto which haue likewise other smaller riuers falling into them The Abassins are of opinion that the Queene of Saba which trauelled so farre to heare the wisedome of Salomon was mistresse of this isle Paulus Ionius saith here are three kings one a Gentile the second a Moore and the third a Christian subiect vnto the Prete From Meroe to Siene it is accounted fifteene daies iourney by water Abassia or the empire of Prete Ianni THe Abassins are a people subiect to Prete Ianni whose empire if we consider the stile which he vseth in his letters hath most ample confines For he intituleth himselfe emperour of the great and higher Ethiopia king of Goiame which as Botero supposeth is situate betweene Nilus and Zaire of Vangue a kingdome beyond Zaire of Damut which confineth with the land of the Anzichi and towards the south he is called king of Cafate and Bagamidri two prouinces bordering vpon the first great lake which is the originall fountaine of Nilus as likewise of the kingdomes of Xoa Fatigar Angote Baru Baaliganze Adea Amara Ambea Vaguc Tigremahon Sabaim where the Queene of Saba gouerned and lastly of Barnagaes and lorde as farre as Nubia which bordereth vpon Egypt But at this present the center or midst of his Empire as Iohn Barros writeth is the lake of Barcena For it extendeth eastward towarde the Red sea as farre as Suaquen the space of two hundred twentie and two leagues Howbeit betweene the sea and his dominions runneth a ridge of mountaines inhabited by Moores who are masters of al the sea-coast along except the porte of Ercoco which belongeth to the Prete And likewise on the west his empire is restrained by another mountainous ridge stretching along the riuer of Nilus where are founde most rich mines of golde amongst which are the mines of Damut and of Sinassij wholie in the possession of Gentiles which pay tribute vnto the Prete Northward it is bounded by an imaginarie line supposed to be drawen from Suachen to the beginning of the isle Meroe aboue mentioned which line extendeth an hundred and fiue and twentie leagues From thence the Abassin borders trend south somewhat crookedly in manner of a bowe as farre as the kingdome of Adea from the mountaines whereof springeth a riuer called by Ptolemey Raptus which falleth into the sea about Melinde for the space of two hundred and fiftie nine leagues next vnto the which borders inhabite certaine Gentiles of blacke colour with curled haire And heere the 〈◊〉 empire is limited by the kingdome of Adel the head citie whereof called Arar standeth in the latitude nine degrees So that all this great empire may containe in compasse sixe hundred threescore and two leagues little more or lesse It is refreshed and watered by two mightie riuers which conuey their streames into Nilus called by Ptolemey Astaboras and Astapus and by the naturall inhabitants Abagni and Tagassi the first whereof taketh his originall from the lake of Barcena and the second from the lake of Colue Barcena lieth in seuen degrees of north latitude Colue vnder the verie Equinoctiall The first besides Abagni ingendereth also the riuer of Zeila and the second besides Tagassi giueth essence to the riuer of Quilimanci Between Abagni and the Red sea lieth the prouince of Barnagasso betweene Abagni and Tagassi are the kingdomes of Angote and Fatigar and more towards the bay of Barbarians the prouinces of Adea and of Baru and somewhat lower that of Amara In briefe beyond the riuer of Tagassi ly the regions of Bileguanzi and of Tigremahon The Abassins haue no great knowledge of Nilus by reason of the mountaines which deuide them from it for which cause they call Abagni the father of riuers Howbeit they say that vpon Nilus do inhabite two great and populous nations one of Iewes towards the west vnder the gouernment of a mighty king the other more southerly consisting of Amazones or warlike women whereof wee will speake more at large in our relation of Monomotapa Throughout all the dominion of the Prete there is not any one city of importance either for multitude of inhabitantes for magnificent buildings or for any other respect For the greatest townes there containe not aboue two thousand housholds the houses being cottage-like reared vp with clay and couered with straw or such like base matter Also Ptolemey intreating of these partes maketh mention but of three or foure cities onely which he appointeth to the south of the Isle Meroe Howbeit in some places vpon the frontiers of Abassia there are certaine townes verie fairely built and much frequented for traffique The Portugales in their trauailes throughout the empire haue often declared vnto the Abassins how much better it were for auoiding of the outragious iniuries and losses daily inflicted by the Moores and Mahumetans both vpon their goods and persons if the emperour would build cities and castles stronglie walled and fortified Whereunto they made answere that the power of their Neguz or emperour consisted not in stone-walles but in the armes of his people They vse not ordinarily any lime or stone but onely for the building of churches saying that so it becommeth vs to make a difference between the houses of men and churches dedicated to God and of their Beteneguz or houses of the emperour wherein the gouernours of prouinces are placed to execute iustice These Beteneguz stand continually open and yet in the gouernours absence no man dare enter into them vnder paine of being punished as a traytour Moreouer in the city of Axuma esteemed by them to haue beene the seate of the Queene of Saba stand certaine ruinous buildings like vnto pyramides which by reason of their greatnes

plentie of 〈◊〉 of cattell and of fruits differing from ours that they are transported by shipping to other nations Barbora likewise a citie of the Moores standeth in this kingdome of Adel and hath a commodious hauen whereunto resort many ships laden with merchandize from Aden in Arabia and from Cambaya vpon the riuer of Indus The citizens are blacke people and their wealth consisteth most of all in flesh In the yeere 1541. Gradaameth the king of this place after manie mischiefes which he had done to Claudius the emperour of Abassia being vanquished by Christopher de Gama the Indian Viceroy of Iohn the third king of Portugale hee did by meanes of the souldiers and warlike prouisions which were sent him from the Sheque or gouernour of Zebit ouercome the Portugals the Abassins Howbeit afterward hauing sent the said forces backe againe to Zebit himselfe was slaine and his whole armie ouerthrowne by king Claudius aforesaide But certaine yeeres after the successour of Gradaameth hauing in a warlike encounter subdued the Prete rode in triumph vpon a little asse signifying thereby that he ascribed not the victorie to his owne forces but to the power of God Adea the second kingdome of the land of Aian situate vpon the easterne Ocean is confined northward by the kingdome of Adel westward by the Abassin empire It is exceeding fruitful one part thereof mightily aboundeth with woods the residue being sufficiently stored with cattell corne The inhabitants being Moores by religion and paying tribute to the emperour of Abassia are as they of Adel before-named originally descended of the Arabians who many hundred yeeres agoe partly by their rich traffike and especially by force of armes became lords not onely of Aian but of all the sea-coast along as farre as Cabo de los corrientes standing in the southerly latitude of fower and twentie degrees In all which space the cities standing vpon the sea-coast before the Portugals discouered the east Indies lay open and vnfortified to the sea bicause the Arabians themselues were absolute lords thereof but were strongly walled toward the lande for feare of the Cafri or lawlesse wilde Negros who were deadly enimies to the Arabians and vtterly misliked their so neere neighbourhood Howbeit since the Portugals taking of Magadazo and diuers other townes vpon the coast they haue applied themselues very much to fortification But to returne to the matter where we left vnto the foresaid kingdome of Adea belongeth the kingdome of Magadazo so called of the principall citie therein which is a most strong beautifull and rich place and is subiect to the kingly gouernment of a Moore The territorie adiacent is exceeding fruitfull abounding with sheepe kine horses wheate barly and other kindes of graine It hath also an excellent hauen and much frequented by the ships of Aden and Cambaya which come thither laden with sundrie kindes of cloth with spices and other merchandize and from hence they carrie elephants teeth golde slaues honie and waxe The inhabitants are of an oliue-colour and some of them blacke like vnto the nations adioining and they go naked from the girdle-stead vpward and speak the Arabian toong They are but meanely weaponed which causeth them to shoote poisoned arrowes This citie was in times past head of all the townes and cities of the Moores standing along this coast for a great distance Zanguebar or Zanzibar the second generall part of the lower Ethiopia ZAnzibar or Zanguebar so called by the Arabians and Persians is that tract of lande which runneth along some parte of the dominions of Prete Ianni and from thence extendeth it selfe by the east of Mohenemugi til it ioyneth with the frontiers of Monomotapa Howbeit some there are who vnder the name of Zanzibar will haue all the south part of Africa to be vnderstood euen as far as Cabo Negro which stretcheth into the western Ocean about 18. degrees of southerly latitude so that they comprehend therein the empires of Mohenemugi and Monomotapa and all the land of Cafraria But in this controuersie wee rather chuse to follow the opinion of Sanutus affirming with him that the said maritime tract of Zanguebar as it is by vs before limited is alowe fennie and woodie countrie with many greate and small riuers running through it which extremity of moisture in those hot climates causeth the ayer to be most vnholesome and pestilent The inhabitants are for the most part black with curled haire being Idolaters and much addicted to sorcery and witchcraft They go naked all the vpper part of their bodies couering their nether partes with clothes of diuers colours and with beasts skins And this tract of lande stretching along the sea-coast from the riuer Quilimanci to the riuer of Magnice containeth the kingdomes and territories of Melinde Mombaza Quiloa Moçambique Sofala and others Melinde the most Northerly kingdome of Zanguebar situate in two degrees and an halfe of southerly latitude and stretching from the coast vp into the main for the space of an hundred miles hath a strong and stately city of the same name being seuentie miles distant from Mombaça It aboundeth with Rice Millet flesh limons citrons and all kinds of fruites but as for corne it is brought hither out of Cambaya The inhabitants especially on the sea coast are Moores and Mahumetans who build their houses very sumptuously after the manner of Europe They are of a colour inclining to white and some blacke people they haue also among them which are for the greatest part Idolaters howbeit all of them pretend a kinde of ciuilitie both in their apparell and in the decencie and furniture of their houses The women are white and sumptuously attired after the Arabian fashion with cloth of silke Likewise they adorne their neckes armes hands and feete with bracelets and iewels of golde and siluer When they go abroad out of their houses they couer themselues with a vaile of taffata so that they are not knowne but when they themselues list Vpon this coast of Melinde you haue a very safe harborough wherunto the ships that saile those seas do vsually resort In briefe the inhabitants are a kind true-harted trustie people courteous to strangers They haue alwaies beene in league with the Portugals giuing them most friendly entertainmēt reposing much cōfidence in them neither haue they euer done them any iniury The kingdome of Mombaça being the second generall part of Zanguebar and situate in three degrees and an halfe beyond the Equinoctiall line bordering to the north vpon Melinde and to the south vpon Quiloa is so called after the name of a certaine isle and citie vpon the coast both which are named Mombaça and are peopled with Mahumetans their houses are of many stories high and beautified with pictures both grauen and painted Their kings are Mahumetans and most deadly enimies to the Christians one of the which taking vpon him to resist the Portugals was himselfe quite vanquished and ouerthrowen and constrained to

of Nilus abound with all kinds of graine and pulse wherof the climate is capable as namely with beanes 〈◊〉 millet c. but wheate rie barley and grapes cannot there attaine to ripenes and perfection by reason of ouermuch moisture saue onely some small quantitie of wheat neere the deserts where the Caraguloni inhabite But their chiefe sustenance is Zaburro otherwise called Ghinie-wheate or Maiz which they sowe after the inundation of their riuers casting some quantitie of sande thereupon to defend it from the heate which otherwise would scorch the grounde too excessiuely They drinke the iuice of the palme-tree which they cut and lance for that purpose and this iuice not being tempered is as strong and headie as any wine Neither are they heere destitute of mightie adders of lions leopards and elephants but beasts for labour they haue none saue onely a small kinde of oxen and goates The horses which are brought thither by merchants liue but a short time The aire by reason of abundance of lakes bredde by the ouerflowes of their riuers is moist and grosse And heere fall most vnholesome and palpable dewes It raineth in these countries from October till the end of Iuly euery day about noone with thunder and lightning All the kingdomes and countries by vs before described from the cape of Buena esperança to the riuer last mentioned are inhabited by blacke people The most northerly are the Gialofi who spread themselues between the two foresaid riuers for the space of fiue hundred miles eastward so that the riuer Senaga is the vtmost northren bound of Negros or nations extremely blacke howbeit vpon the bankes thereof are found people of sundry colours by reason of the varietie of women Betweene this riuer of Senaga and Cabo blanco or the white cape lieth a countrey called by some Anterote being all ouer in a manner sandy barren lowe and plaine neither is there in all this distance any place of account or reckoning saue onely the isles of Arguin where of we will intreat among the isles of Africa and a territorie or towne sixe daies iourney within the maine called Hoden This towne is not walled but lieth open and consisteth of the wandring Arabians rude and homely habitations being notwithstanding a place of Rendeuous or meeting for all such as trauell in Carouans from Tombuto and other places in the lande of Negros to Barbarie The principall food of the inhabitants heere are dates and barly both which the soile yeeldeth indeed but not in so plentifull a manner and they drinke the milke of camels of other beasts for wine they haue none at all These people are Mahumetans and most deadly enimies to Christians neither abide they long in any place but runne rouing and wandring vp and downe those deserts They are themselues very populous and haue abundance of camels vpon whose backes they carrie copper siluer and other commodities from Barbarie to Tombuto and to the residue of the land of Negros From Cabo blanco to the regions of Sus and Hea which are the first prouinces described by Iohn Leo excepting a small portion onely of Biledulgerid you haue nothing but part of the vast fruitles vninhabitable desert of Libya called by the Arabians Sarra which stretcheth from the westerne Ocean as farre as the frontiers of Egypt Thus from the very bottome of the Red sea hauing coasted along the easterne and westerne shores of the most southerly partes of Africa and briefly described all the principall knowen empires kingdomes and regions within that maine which are left vntouched by our author Iohn Leo let vs now with like or more breuitie prosecute the description of the islands which are by the hand of the omnipotent creator planted round about this ample and spacious continent A briefe enumeration and description of all the most famous and knowne Islandes situate round about the coasts of Africa which haue beene omitted by IOHN LEO beginning first with the most northeasterly and so by little and little bringing our selues about the Cape of Buena Esperança neerer vnto Europe The Islands of the Red sea BOth the shores of the Red sea as well on the African as on the Arabian side are euerie where beset with many small islets and rockes which lie so thicke togither that they make the nauigation all along the said coasts to be most dangerous and difficult The isles of the Red sea most woorthie to be remembred are these following Babelmandel a little isle situate in the very mouth of the Red sea in twelue degrees containeth two leagues in compasse being from either of the firme lands three miles distant and standing about twentie paces high out of the water By Ptolemey it is called The isle of Diodorus Vpon this isle or one of the continents adioining are to be hired the most experimēted pilots for al that narrow sea euen as far as Suez And from the easterne and westerne side of this islet Strabo reporteth that the twofold enterance of the Arabian Gulfe was barred with a double chaine More to the north standeth Camaran being about eight leagues from the Arabian coast in fifteene degrees of latitude Vpon this isle are to be seene great ruines of ancient buildings It hath one indifferent good hauen and aboundeth with fresh water a thing most precious and acceptable in those parts with salt and with cattell On the other side towards Africa in fifteene degrees and an halfe standeth the isle of Dalaqua of about thirtie miles in circuite which space is almost contained in the length thereof being a place very famous for the abundance of pearles which are there caught wherewithall likewise the isle of Mua neere vnto it is richly end owed Next followeth Mazua in forme like to an halfe moone and not aboue a bow-shoot distant from the African maine betweene which isle and the continent there is an excellent hauen which is now the only porte that Prete Ianni hath in all his dominions for which as you may read before in the description of the said princes empire his lieutenant Barnagasso is constrained to pay a great yeerely tribute to the Turke Ouer against Mazua vpon the firme standeth the towne of Ercoco Vpon this little isle are diuers houses of Arabians built of lime and stone and others of claie couered with thatch North of Mazua standeth Suaquen in a certain lake made by the sea which there insinuateth it selfe within the land and frameth a most secure and commodious hauen On this small islet is built the faire and stately citie of Suaquen being almost as large as the isle it selfe wherein resideth the Turkes lieutenant or Bassa of Abassia Of the Isle of Socotera and other isles lying without the narrow entrance of the Arabian gulfe WIthout the streight of Babelmandel there are no islands woorthy of mention saue onely Socotera which as Iohn Barros supposeth was of old called by Ptolemey Dioscoridis lieth in sight of cape Guardafu

are two opinions the first is this namely because this part of the worlde is diuided from Europa by the Mediterran sea and from Asia by the riuer of Nilus Others are of opinion that this name Africa was deriued from one Ifricus the king of Arabia Foelix who is saide to haue beene the first that euer inhabited these partes This Ifricus waging warre against the king of Aslyria and being at length by him driuen out of his kingdome passed with his whole armie ouer Nilus and so conducting his troupes westward made no delay till he was come vnto the region lying about Carthage Hence it is that the Arabians do imagine the countrie about Carthage onely and the regions lying westward thereof to comprehende all Africa The borders of Africa AFRICA if we may giue credite vnto the writers of that nation being men of learning and most skilfull Cosmographers beginneth southward at certaine riuers issuing foorth of a lake in the desert of Gaoga Eastward it bordereth vpon the riuer Nilus It extendeth northward to that part of Egypt where Nilus at seuen mouthes dischargeth his streames into the Mediterran sea from whence it stretcheth westward as farre as the streites of Gibraltar and is bounded on that part with the vtmost sea-towne of all Libya called Nun. Likewise the south part thereof abutteth vpon the Ocean sea which compasseth Africa almost as farre as the deserts of Gaoga The 〈◊〉 of Africa OVR authors affirme that Africa is 〈◊〉 into fower partes that is to say Barbaria Numidia Libya and the lande of Negros Barbaria taketh beginning from the hill called Meies which is the extreme part of all the mountaines of Atlas being distant from Alexandria almost three hundred miles It is bounded on the North side with the Mediterran sea stretching thence to mount-Meies aforesaid and from mount-Meies extending itselfe to the streites of Gibraltar Westward it is limited with the said streites from whence winding it selfe out of the Mediterran sea into the maine Ocean it is inclosed with the most westerly point of Atlas namely at that Westerne cape which is next vnto the towne called Messa And southward it is bounded with that side of Atlas which lieth towards the Mediterran sea This is the most noble and worthie region of all Africa the inhabitants whereof are of a browne or tawnie colour being a ciuill people and prescribe wholsome lawes and constitutions vnto themselues The second part of Africa is called of the Latines Numidia but of the Arabians Biledulgerid this region bringeth foorth dates in great abundance It beginneth eastward at the citie of Eloacat which is an hundred miles distant from Egypt extendeth west as far as the towne of Nun standing vpon the Ocean sea Northward it is inclosed with the south side of Atlas And the south part thereof bordereth vpon the sandie deserts of Libya All the Arabians doe vsually call it The land of dates because this onely region of Africa beareth dates The third part called of the Latines Libya and of the Arabians Sarra which word signifieth a desert beginneth eastward at that part of Nilus which is next vnto the citie of Eloacat and from thence runneth westward as far as the Ocean sea Northwarde it is bounded with Numidia southward it abutteth vpon the land of Negros eastward it taketh beginning at the kingdome of Gaoga and stretcheth westwarde euen to the land of Gualata which bordereth vpon the Ocean sea The fourth part of Africa which is called the land of Negros beginneth eastward at the kingdome of Gaoga from whence it extendeth west as far as Gualata The north part thereof is inclosed with the desert of Libya and the south part which is vnknowen vnto vs with the Ocean sea howbeit the merchants which daily come from thence to the kingdome of Tombuto haue sufficiently described the situation of that countrie vnto vs. This lande of Negros hath a mightie riuer which taking his name of the region is called Niger this riuer taketh his originall from the east out of a certaine desert called by the foresaide Negros Seu. Others will haue this riuer to spring out of a certaine lake and so to run westward till it exonerateth itselfe into the Ocean sea Our Cosmographers affirme that the said riuer of Niger is deriued out of Nilus which they imagine for some certaine space to be swallowed vp of the earth and yet at last to burst foorth into such a lake as is before mentioned Some others are of opinion that this riuer beginneth westward to spring out of a certaine mountaine and so running east to make at length a huge lake which verily is not like to be true for they vsually saile westward from Tombuto to the kingdome of Ginea yea and to the land of Melli also both which in respect of Tombuto are situate to the west neither hath the said land of Negros any kingdomes comparable for beautifull and pleasant soile vnto those which adioine vnto the bankes of Niger And here it is to be noted that according to the opinion of our Cosmographers that land of Negros by which Nilus is said to run namely that part of the world which stretcheth eastward euen to the Indian sea some northerly parcell whereof abutteth vpon the red sea to wit the countrie which lieth without the gulfe of Arabia is not to be called any member or portion of Africa and that for many reasons which are to be found in the processe of this historie set downe more at large The said countrie is called by the Latines Aethiopia From thence come certaine religious Friers seared or branded on the face with an hot iron who are to be seene almost ouer all Europe and specially at Rome These people haue an Emperour which they call Prete Gianni the greater part of that land being inhabited with Christians Howbeit there is also a certaine Mahumetan among them which is said to possesse a great dominion A diuision of the fower forenamed partes of Africa BArbarie is distinguished into fower kingdomes the first whereof is the kingdome of Maroco which is likewise diuided into seuen regions or prouinces namely Hea Sus Guzula the territorie of Maroco Duccala Hazcora Tedles The second kingdome of Barbarie called Fez comprehendèth in like sort seuen regions within the bounds thereof to wit Temesne the territorie of Fez Azgara Elabat Errif Garet and Elcauz The third kingdome is called Telensin and hath three regions vnder it namely the mountaines Tenez and Algezer The fourth kingdome of Barbarie is named Tunis vnder which are comprized fower regions that is to say Bugia Constantina Tripolis in Barbarie and Ezzaba which is a good part of Numidia Bugia hath alwaies beene turmoiled with continuall warres because sometimes it was subiect vnto the king of Tunis and sometimes againe vnto the king of Tremizen Certaine it is that euen vntill these our daies this Bugia was a kingdome of it selfe and so continued till

while sundry Portugals came out of India to the court of the Prete not so much to visite and salute him as to declare the good will and kinde affection of their king towards him Whereupon Queene Helena which was then protectresse of the Ethiopian or Abassin empire to requite the king of Portugal with like friendship sent vnto him in the company of the foresaid Portugals an ambassador or messenger of hers called Matthew who was a merchant borne in Armenia being a man skilfull in sundry languages and in many other matters This Matthew shee not onely furnished with letters requisite for such an ambassage but enioined him also to declare by word of mouth vnto the king of Portugal the principall heads of their doctrine or beleefe together with their rites and customes and the present state of the whole church of Ethiopia Moreouer shee presented him with a little crosse made as they suppose of a piece of that very crosse whereon our sauiour Christ was crucified with many other tokens and pledges of mutuall christian amity Thus Matthew being dismissed tooke his iourney to the east Indies from whence he was conducted by sea into Portugal where arriuing in the yeere 1513 he did his message according to Queene Helenas directions vnto the king Don Emanuel The king taking wonderfull delight at this message and at these guiftes which were sent him from a Christian prince so far remote not long after prepared a new ambassage with letters and presents of exceeding value in which ambassage the pietie and vertue of Francis Aluarez a Portugal priest extraordinarily appeered For he remaining sixe whole yeeres in the court and countrie of Ethiopia tooke there most diligent notice of all matters worthie the obseruation And he had often and familiar conference not onely with the emperour himselfe but also with the patriarke concerning the whole state of their religion and of matters ecclesiasticall as also he was a most curious obseruer of all their rites and ceremonies Who in the yeere of Christ 1526. being dismissed by Prete Ianni was accompanied into Portugall by another Ethiopian or Abassin ambassadour called Zagazabo and brought letters also to Pope Clement the seuenth with a golden crosse of a pound weight It seemeth likewise that the said ambassadour of Prete Ianni was a very honest vpright and godly man who by reason of their continuall warres was detained in Portugall till the yeere of our Lord 1539. The letters of Prete Ianni to the Pope were by Francis Aluarez deliuered at Bononia in the yeere of Christ 1533. Where in the presence of Charles the Emperour and before a mightie assembly of people they were read and approoued with great ioy and acclamation Both which letters as well to the Pope as to the king Don Emanuel were full of Christian pietie and loue wherein first that mightie Emperour though therein he was deceiued with singular reuerence and dutie submitted himselfe vnto the Pope of Rome as to the head of all the church offering by the said Francis most humble obedience after the manner of other Christian princes As likewise he profered vnto them both the offices of beneuolence charity and true friendship intending to ioine a firme league of amitie with them and signifying that his dominions were free and open to all Christians that would by sea or land frequent the same Also he plainly seemed to detest the mutuall discords of Christians exhorting them to bandy their forces against the Mahumetans and promising his roiall assistance and most earnest endeuour for the vanquishing of Christs enimies and their conuersion to the truth Lastly he required that men of learning and of skill in the holy Scriptures as likewise diligent Printers and all sorts of artificers might be sent him to be emploied in the seruice of his church and common wealth Signifying that he would not violently detaine any man in his dominions but would dismisse him into his owne countrey with honour and liberall rewards And that he might testifie his louing and kind affection to the king of Portugall by a most woorthie monument he sent him the crowne off his owne head as the present of 〈◊〉 dutifull sonne to his most deere father Wherefore by this most admirable diligence and industrie of the Portugals Ethiopia in these last times hath beene discouered and made knowne vnto vs. Neither is there any thing in the Ethiopians religion so hidden and vnreuealed which hath not either beene found out by Francis Aluarez or most largely declared by Zagazabo the Ethiopian ambassadour Out of the relations therefore of these two woorthy authors as out of a fountaine we will deriue the whole substance of our speech The ground of the Ethiopicke religion is the profession of one true God and of his sonne Iesus Christ which of all Christians is the peculiar and proper marke whereby onely they are to be named Christians Concerning this maine point the Ethiopians faith stands most firme and entire for they togither with vs do confesse and adore one God and three persons of the deitie God the father God the sonne begotten of his father from euerlasting who for vs men was incarnate died and rose againe and God the holy Ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne In this article they follow the holy creed of the Apostles and the Nicene creed Saue that they hold that Christ descended into hell for his owne soule and for the soule of Adam which he receiued of the virgine Marie For this opinion they do most stedfastly embrace saying that it came by most ancient tradition from Christ himselfe to his Apostles The old testament they so conioine with the new as they allow and receiue both Iewish Christian ceremonies Vpon the eight day after their birth they circumcise all children both male and female And vnlesse sicknes vrgeth them to make the more haste they defer the baptisme of their male children till they be fortie and of their females til they be eightie daies old Circumcision they say they receiued from Queene Maqueda which went to heare the wisedome of Salomon and baptisme from Saint Philip and from the Eunuch which Philip baptized Yet do they stedfastly hold that not by circumcision but by faith in Iesus Christ they attaine vnto true felicitie Their baptisme they 〈◊〉 euerie yeere for vpon the day of the three Sages otherwise called Epiphanie whereon Christ was baptised in Iordan they meet in great assemblies and enter naked into the water where the priest layeth his hand vpon them dippeth them thrise and pronounceth the words of baptisme saying I baptise thee in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost adding thereto the signe of the crosse This custome receiued from their predecessors they doe most carefully obserue not thereby to abase or extenuate their first baptisme but that euerie yeere they may receiue a new absolution from their sinnes Also vnto their infants vpon the verie day of their baptisme they giue