by their enchantments reduce them to such miserable conditions and make many a dainty bit of them being possest of that notorious imposture of the immortality of the soul and that she transmigrates from one body into another and often into strangers and therefore they make very much of them and when one of them dies they either bury him privately or cast him into the sea that he may not be devoured These Canniballs say we are very ignorant to suffer mans flesh that is so sweet and delicious to rot under ground The King keepes his Court in Gazima guarded by women which he trusts rather then such unnaturall and sanguinary men he maintains three or foure score of the handsomest he can pick out armed with Bowes and Arrowes and Cimiteres They are expert Archers he traines them up and sends them to other Maritime Towns as Japatra and others Though these Islanders have many gold and silver mines yet they dare not digg them for going almost naked the stones fall so sharp and keen upon them they are not able to endure it neither do they value that treasure at all being very well stored with flesh fish herbs and fruits all in great abundance but as I have said they are very likorous of mans flesh and of their neerest kin pretending they do it thorough charity as they may not be consumed by the wormes I was informed by a Merchant of an accident happened to two Fathers of the order of S. Francis pushed on with a fervent zeale to endeavour the conversion of that Countrey by the help of the language they had learnt but they got nothing in requital but scorns and jeers of those Barbarians who let them live believing their Idols would revenge them but some of them beginning to taste and disgest their rationall discourses it bred some differences amongst them of which the King being informed and fearing that their instructions might bring prejudice unto his State commanded the good Fathers to be thrown into the Sea those villains unwilling to lose their flesh drained their bloud dry and fed upon it then brought them to the publick place of execution dead and disfigured All those that had tasted of their blood dyed suddenly by the permission or vengeance of God which the King hearing of asked why they were not drowned according to his commands and their false Priests replyed it was not in their power to kill them but the King satisfied of the manner of their death all astonished went to his Temple to ask his Idols forgiveness some fourty Dutchmen having lost their ship upon a shelve saved themselves upon this coast but taken by these Islanders were cruelly murdered and eaten The Inhabitants of Japara a Sea Town adore the Sun and are all flat-nosed have great eyes and are thin bearded like the Chyneses They eat bread made of a root they call Igname or Gouera their complexions the womens especially are rather fair than black they wear nothing on their heads but their naturall hair platted like the Italian Curtizans and if any person offers to cover them with any thing they are in danger of being abused to death Their houses are low being but one story high for they will suffer nothing over their heads they are all Pyrates Thieves and Magicians they are skilfull in Astrology They obey and reverence an old Magician called Manguin as their lawfull Prince when any Pyrates land upon their coast to rob them of their cattle or other commodities the Wizard makes a round hole in the ground and causes some young virgin voted to be sacrificed in their feast of Fotoque to urine therein and at the same time there rises a storm so that the theeves have onely time to save themselves flying to their boats and if any are left behind they are devoured nor do they kill them out-right but prolong their dying pains they pinnacle them and deliver them up to the fury of the children who put them to tedious torments walking them about the Town and expose them to the scoffs and abuses of the multitude some will clap a pompion on their heads hung round with plumes of feathers and every woman and child runs out with their bodkins and aules to prick and torment them then having walked them warm as they do the Buls in Spain to make their flesh tender they cut them in pieces and divide their flesh if there be not enough for them all they play at ball for it and the gainers treat their friends therewith This is the sad fortune travailers are subject to who according to the Spanish proverb Buscan la vida y topan la muerte searching for life they find death 'T is very pretty sport to see them play at that sort of ball or tennis which they call Masiris without ever striking with their armes or hands but with their feet knees head elbows heels and other parts of the body with great dexterity Bantan is the chief Town of the Isle with a good and commodious haven where the Hollanders have a Magazine or Store-house and whither many other people for commerce do resort as Chyneses Guzerates Portuguais Persians Peguans Milacans Turks Arabians and others This Town is of the size of Roan peopled with divers nations the Chineses have a Temple wherein they adore a triple-crown'd Demon offer fruit and other things to him and they say because he is malicious he must be appeased and that the great and good God hath no need of such offerings or adorations They bring into this Town their silks jewels and other rarities here their King resides a Mahometan who governs his own subjects and strangers with great justice allowing all persons free liberty of traffick He is a great Politician well belov'd and honoured by his subjects and observes good orders in commerce wherein consists the glory of his greatness of late the English and Dutch have traded there with good success and very few years since some French have travelled thither and have been courteously received they have a great esteem of the King of France and have permitted Dominicans sent out of France to inhabit there and promise them favour and assistance The commodities that go off best there are iron and steel lead paper and sulphure At Fedeyda a Town in Java is got the best amber-greece of the East that which is found in Aniane an Isle adjacent is equal unto the former in goodnesse Not long since the greatest part of Java and the adjacent Countryes as Bali Madura and others obeyed a potent Prince or Emperour who kept his court in the great town of Demaa and sometimes at Japara he was a Mahometan the Portuguese relate how he had a mind to propagate his law and observing the King of Pasaruan an Idolater to slight it he resolved to invade him with a strong Army made up of his own subjects and the Portuguese of Malaca his greatest
living under Tents to the number of ten thousand or more Amongst these there was one covered with white cloth conspicuous above the rest with twelve gates of marvellous largenesse belonging to it We Inn'd in an Abyssins tent who obliged us with curtesies and while meat was making ready they brought us in an oxe horne honied wine whereof we drunk Not long after we perceived upon the way a troop diversly armed with twelve Vgandes or Trumpets before them then came a Prince mounted on a black and white Elephant which is a great rarity accompanied with four Noble-men who bore over him a Canopy of gray damask Being advanced near the Kings tent he dismounted and presently was attended with a numerous and honourable train Next with great submission he suffered his garments to be taken off they were of silk interwoven with gold and embroydered with pearles of exceeding greatnesse He was a potent Prince who having received injury from another King came to seek justice at his Majesties hands 'T was not for want of power to take revenge himself but he would shew this deference to the King who inflicts most severely on all transgressors Now this Prince called Aranuhi stript off his gorgious habilliments cast over him a Lions skin which in the Soveraigns presence all are obliged to weare with a large shirt of silk trailing on the ground Being come before the Palace the Trumpets began in a dolefull sound and the King having notice gave order he should enter for this Prince in times past had done famous military services then casting himself on the ground framed his complaint that the other King his enemy had violently carried away his wife with a daughter which he had heretofore refused him intending to marry her to another a greater Prince then he and had taken besides 40. Quintalls of gold Upon this complaint the Negus immediately dispatched a Calscena to summon the Prince offender whom he met upon the road hasting to Court to clear himself of the accusation Then instantly the Prince complaynant was called aside revested with a rich habit given him by the Negus with a hat of more then usuall largenesse according to the custome When the latter was arrived and disrobed as the former and mantled with a Lions skin he took a stone carried for him by a Gentleman to the Palace gate and having caused the Trumpets sound he could not be admitted but for above two houres waited in this posture taken for a bad omen amongst them till a slave brought orders he should repair to his lodgings and attend there till he were called for Some dayes passed in this manner before any commands came from the Negus then having laid down his apparell and put on the Lions skin he seated himself on the ground with a heavie stone upon his head as a criminall till the Alicassin or Steward of houshold came who caused him to reassume his apparell which put him in some hope of grace This Officer conducting him by the hand brought him before his Majesty in state under a rich Canopy with a Curtain of silk of the same colour as the Canopy screening his face then cryed aloud Most mighty Emperour I bring thee here this Prince thy servant and tributary according to thy command At that time the King was complementing a Princesse wife to the Tigraian King arrived lately at Court in a very plain habit of frized Cottons The Prince no sooner entered but he cast himself on the ground the complainant who was summoned being present of whom the Negus demanded what he had to object against this person the other answered that this Prince of Jauas had stolne away his daughter and a great quantity of fined gold To which the Negus commanded the Defendant to make answer and deliver the very truth who first putting his hand to the ground then laying it on his head with eyes lifted to heaven a sad pale countenance fell on his knees not presuming to turn an eye towards the Kings face who is alwayes screen'd and answered Most excelse and redoubted Sir most true it is I sent to request this Prince for his daughter Adila in mariage and being denied without further instance I desisted content to seek another of my own degree But not long after the Queen her mother accompanied with many of her Alliance brought her to me together with gold which she told me was of her own proper treasury and not her husbands and thereupon gave me both reason and license to marry her and that with her own free mind and consent without the least violence imposed upon her whom I love and honour more then the whole world besides The Negus having then taken the matter into consideration told Prince Aranuhi he found not the other so guilty as was pretended that his sentence was he for his part should repay the gold doubled that the Princesses his wife and daughter should be bor'd through the lips and confin'd during pleasure to what place he should appoint The Prince of Jauas to this sentence durst make no reply further then to desire time for payment two moneths was allowed him and immediately Commissioners were dispatched to see the Arrest of the Court executed nor did either of the Princes quit the Court till the King bad them retire But in this conjuncture the Princesse of Tigremahon moved with compassion for the condemned young Lady casting her selfe at the Negus feet besought him that for a singular grace and favour to her he would vouchsafe the young Lady might continue with her husband and the Queen having applyed her prevalency to Aranubi for his consent by the mediation of these two Ladies all was ended in peace and the two Princes embraced as friends and Allies Mean while the Commissaries ignorant of what had passed had already done execution upon the mother and had likewise on the daughter but that she made a seasonable escape to the joy of the whole Court and the Negus causing them to come to Court would have the Nuptialls solemnized there with all sorts of rejoycing feasts and combats of savage beasts Then certain Lords of the Court with the Kings Sister were sent to the Sea-side to bring the Ladies who being arrived covered with a white linnen cloth and bare-footed cast themselves on the ground before the King and the Father At that time the King wore a Crown of silver for some mystery which I could not learn by any enquiry I could make and the treasure and jewels being brought were distributed by the Father to his two children and the King in token of his favour and indulgement released to Prince Aranubi all rights of Signeurie with letters Patents of free and absolute Principality Amongst the Combats at this solemnity one was of a white shaggie Ape put within an inclosed list with a Serpent that had six wings and was 14. foot in length The Ape was armed with a wooden helmet having a pike on the
differ in Religion from the Turks that follow the feast of Hamar another of Mahomets disciples and successor which occasions mortall hatred and continuall Warre betwixt them The Persians Hali was by Mahomet chosen Calife and hiâ— successor after his death but was supplanted by Ebubeker Homar and Otman from whence this Sect was divided Hali was buried at Cufa not far from Bagded this place is much esteemed by the Mahometans and the Turkish Emperours are crowned by the Calife near unto his tomb called Massadali or rather house of Ali The Turks hold the Persians hereticks and the Persians have the same opinion of the Turks the one following their Prophet Hali's interpretation upon the Alcoran the other following Hamars The Persians since the destruction of their Kings and Califes were governed by the Sophy's of the race of Ismael This Ismael pretends himself descended from Hali by a prophet named Sophy and since they retain the title of Sophy In their Sect they have many orders among others one called Sacar people using great austerities and abstinencies and are exceeding indigent they carry about the barren places and the Forest vessels of water which in charity they distribute unto the passengers in the name of Hali without exacting any thing therefore onely taking what is freely given them There is another order called Jcorma consisting of pilgrims they are cloathed in a long Cassock bare-foot and bare-legged begirt with rich girdles hung round with silver bells and are called Jonabam which means Religion of love There are others called Calenden as among the Turks those vow chastity and have places appointed for their prayers called Tachie or Tachiat upon their gate these words are written Caeda Normac Dilersin Cousionge Al cachercuir which signifies who ever enters here must preserve virginity and for this purpose they are rung with silver rings to prevent carnal copulation Next are the Deruis they wear rich rings in their ears are clothed in sheep skins and wear hangers with which they cut and mangle themselves when they feel the emotions of the flesh having eaten of a certain herb that renders them frantick and furious then they cure themselves with Nicotiane Some of them dye of those wounds which they place in the number of their Saints These Deruis are rogues and thieves kill all they meet upon the road that are not of their religion thinking they do their Prophet good service they ask an almes in the name of Hali saying Ferdaxtiay Malday Chinaila Eli this order hath not been in so great esteem amongst the Turks since Amurath was killed by one of them and that they endevoured to murther Bajazeth the second and in Persia the Sophy One of them killed a Bassa at Babylon in the voyd place called Sambacarayma which signifies a place of liberty and was not prosecuted because he was esteemed the Minister of God one of them disguised killed a Judge at Damas as I have before related There is another Sect called Durmisar and they are sooth-sayers and casters of nativities they are called Durmisarnari which signifies Prophets and Fortune-tellers they deal with the devil and the eldest of them are esteemed Saints the younger obey them as their Charif or high Priest They are abominable Hypocrites and make strange faces some of them are very skilful in Astronomy others learned in the countries lawes and others great Preachers they talk extravagantly in their Sermons and speak predictions which sometimes come to passe much credit is given to them by the vulgar as also of those of the best note nay if the Sophy himself happens to passe by the place they are preaching in he steps with all his house to hear him they have a house in Bagdet near the Royal Palace they seem to be remainder of the ancient Chaldeans or Persian Mages so famous Amongst the Persians there is a sort of people called Erade which are wrestlers they are often exposed to wild beasts armed with shining leather liquored and very slippy hard to be taken hold of there are others called Pluviander armed in another fashion these people are welcome to the King from what place soever they come be they but strong and valiant they are exercised in publick Schools and great use made of them in war the strongest amongst them commands the rest and is called Barcas and some of them will carry ten men upon their arms like kids and they will strangle a man with grasping their strength is such others are like the Arabian Salsidas that will obey their King to death it self hold their King a God and think their chiefest happinesse and salvation depends upon the execution of his command and hold it unlawful the King only excepted and their General to be subjected to the power of any man There are Aussares persons still attending upon the King like unto Xerxes his immortals In the Sophy's Court there are many places or offices as Amicabir or Captain General who keeps a great Court leads on and drawes the Army into battalia appoints the Governours to towns and places and fils up several offices using the publick treasure as he needs There is next the Naibessan or Nabassan as Lord Treasurer of the Kings Exchequer his place is next unto the Amicabir and hath a good number of Cavalry under his command Next there is the Estodar or Ostader who guards the Palace and finds persons capable for the Royal Army There is likewise L' Amirachor or Amiracher who is Master of the horse hath charge of all the horse and other cattle of carriage belonging to the Army The Caidsidibir or Field-Master and he manages or orders the battle The Cassandera Pay-Master general receives the Kings revenues to pay off the Army The Amiseralif takes a care of the Sophyes armes the Testacane or Master of the Wardrobe then the Zebedare Farassin Tabucaina and other Commanders they march in great pomp and order There are four sorts of troops severally paid viz. the Cachias persons slightly armed all gentry and very active the Athesia's that wear a Cymeter only the Caraniza or Archers armed with bowes and arrowes and Cymeters the Ageleps or renegats which are slaves Armenians Russians Guserates and of other nations all warlike and stout men keeping good order never breaking their ranks CHAP. XIV Of the East Indies the conquest of them Sects and Religion of the East and other particulars of the country HAving travel'd the chiefest part of Persia and Arabia backward and forward we returned to Aden from thence to Ormus to fall into the East-India road according to our first intention At Aden we agreed upon 't and embarked our selves with our commodities and sailed along the coast of the Indian Sea as far as Carmania Deserta Rasigut and Guzerate passing through the Cape Jacobo Guadel and others we landed at Cambay at Diu neare the
sincerity and integrity is such that the Justices esteem their words and writings to equal sacred things and when a Merchant happens to die leaving his goods in one of these persons hands they are very faithfully restored to his heir or next of kindred From Diu and Cambaye unto the Cape Comorin by the Coast of Malabar it is some 300 leagues sayle and neer to Cambaye is the Kingdome of Jogues CHAP. XVI Of Deli Malabar of Goa the capitall Town of India NEer to Cambaye we fell into the Kingdom of Deli and Decan they say that 300. yeares since Sanosaradin King of Deli conquered Decan Canary Bellagatte Concam Goa and all the Countreyes reaching unto Comori but since under his severall Successors those Countreys were divided and allotted to severall Captains that have possessed themselves thereof acknowledging for forme sake only the King of Deli Idalcan was at Goa since Nysamaluco and the Negatana and many neighbouring Countreys are subjected to the Great Mogull who this last age hath conquered the chiefest part of the east Indies and threatens hard to the rest Malabar lies upon the Westerne Coaste from Goa to Comori as eastward on the other side lies Coromandell where are the Kingdomes of Bisnagar or Narsingue Orixa Menduo and severall others from Ormus to Goa it is 500. leagues or thereabouts We sailed all along this Coaste and we arrived at Goa an Isle and Towne of Malabar as faire rich and stately a Town as is this day in the east being as a key to the India's in the sixteenth degree of elevation devided from the Continent by a large River called Mandova as big as the Euphrates and by another little River named Guari from whence the Towne took her name formerly belonging to the Kingdom of Narsingue since unto Decan or Dealcan and since 't was conquered by the Portugall under Alphonsus Albukerke of the Moore Sabaco Generall unto the King of Decan in the yeare 1500. she hath eastward and northward the Countrey of Decan westward the great sea and southward the Kingdom of Mangalor subject to the King of Narsingue The Insularies or Inhabitants having ever been well addicted to trading they are people stout and haughty There is a great concourse of all the Indians a Haven at the village called Bonastariu with a block house that commands the entrance of it though it be strong of it selfe They have severall other good Ports as at Danda Alinga Banda Amolapole and Puntadasall then old Goa Rama Guisantole and Amadina each having her particular river on the continent side there are many Towns and Plantations most of them Mahometans and Idolaters kept in by the Portugais they have stately ship-timber They are pretty well awed for the present since they were punisht for a treacherous conspiracy which by the assistance of some neighbouring Countries they intended to have put in execution but was by Gods permission discovered by the Barbarians inhabitants of Paleacate and although they were 100 Gentills for one Christian and had almost gained the Fort yet they were gallantly repulsed by Don Garcias Acugna Governour of the Fort he very liberally rewarded those that gave him so timely advice distributing the Kings Treasure amongst them and since those freindly neighbours of Paleacate injoyed the same freedomes and Priviledges with the Portugais they were made subsidy and customes-free and so strict an alliance and unity contracted between them that many of them since are baptized turned Christians and do frequently enter-marry the Plotters were most of them put to death the rest banish't and their goods confiscated The Isle of Goa is some 15 or 16 miles about the Inhabitants are strong and able bodyed almost of an olive colour The Town is infinitely rich and the great street very full of goldsmiths that have their shops well stored with gold silver and Jewells The Gentills had a most magnificent Temple built of stone in a little Island neere to Goa called Dinary where they adored the Devill that appeared to them in diverse most terrible and horrid shapes The Portugais seeing this diabolicall profanation demolish't the Temple and the Idols without leaving the least marke behind them and with the stones they fortified the Town and built many fair houses which bred a great malice and hatred amongst the Idolaters The Temple was built of a black stone and their Pagodes or Idolls were most horribly shaped When the Portugais managed that great Warr against Samorin of Calicut it was then in their power to demolish this Temple But the respect they bore to an Image of our blessed Lady Mother of God made them spare it for that time They call the Blessed Virgin Sannacarin which signifies a bird and hold she is the spirit of God they give great honour to the holy Crosse and say that at the founding of the Town a perfect one was found in the ground The Inhabitants live very deliciously feed much upon Areca and are carried in rich Sedans by their slaves and the inhabitants have liberty of conscience Having been often at Goa amongst other things I admired the great commerce the richest good order and administration of Justice and above all a most admirable government in an Hospital which is very rich where notwithstanding are great number of sick and maim'd from the Armies The Viceroy and Archbishop contribute liberally thereunto the Portugais prove themselves of an affable and compassionate nature although the Indians hold them rough and uncharitable because they possesse much of their land This Hospital is the fairest and the most accomplisht in all necessaries I know in the world and I dare affirm that neither that of the Holy Ghost at Rome nor the infirmary of Malta although they are served in plate in both those places do equall her in riches good orders and services that are farre better observed and tended then you can expect to be in your own house as I often was a witnesse of visiting the French that were there sick the Fathers of the society have the keeping of it and are very charitable therein It is built upon a River founded by the Kings of Portugal besides the charity and gifts of the Nobility which are great they have for the most part a Factor at Cambaye a Country plentiful in all sorts of grain who makes their provision at the cheapest rates there a great number of slaves that are employed in all inferiour offices and are also made use of in the other Indian Hospitals and other Monasteries Perfumes are daily burnt to prevent infection and to lessen the unwholesome sents that would otherwise very much offend they use very fine linnen and wine of Dates is their onely drinke and is full as delicious as that of Grapes the Portugais are very voluptuous and great sensualists and are served in Purcelain which will not hold poyson This Country is much infected with the great pox and with another infection called
creature of Gods some hold him good others bad these serve and adore him for fear he should do them harm Not far from Calicut is an ancient Temple or Bagode which they call Dumana where there is a general pardon to be gained certain dayes of the year they have fifteen dayes of liberty and freedom which time the thieves and banisht persons may appear with safety to sacrifice the Temple is built in a Marsh held up by great pillars with many trees of diverse sorts growing about it each pilgrim chuseth himself one for his rest and to hang his cloaths in There are many burning lamps which the pilgrims offer up to be purified of their sins The Bramins say prayers aloud and sprinkle them with water in expiation of their crimes and after this ablution they present themselves to the Idol and adore it from thence they return to their trees having provided their lamps with oyle and wick to burn at night 'T is pleasant to see so much light The next morning they bathe themselves all together in a Lake men women boys and girles without the least shame of their nakednesse then dresse themselves in their best clothes and return to the sacrifices which ended the Bramin makes them a short Sermon clothed in a white surplice reaching down to the kneees and bare-foot the legs rounded with bands wrought and hung round with silver bels and standing thus before the picture of the devil represented gaping ready to swallow the spectators crowned and with sparkling eyes Thus the Bramin begins his sacrifice casting himself upon the ground murmuring something and beats himself so furiously that he seems enraged then he turnes himselfe to the people who are very attentive shewing them the Devil at which sight they begin to howle and cry for mercy with so furious and horrid a noyse as Gods thunder could scarce be heard Next he takes a white cock and wrings off his head and mingles his blood with water which he sprinkles upon the multitude who retire as contented as if they had gained an Empire In the mid-way they meet a man of good presence but distracted with the devils picture about his neck and clothed in a white Tunick or Albe At the head of the people the devils picture is carried by eight devotes clothed in cotton robes followed by four Bramins and many others frantick-like running leaping singing and dancing before the devil stabbing themselves into the faces and arms and he is esteemed the holyest that hath given himself the deepest wounds of which many dye when they come before the distracted person who is exposed upon theatre they stand still to fulfill the ceremony of the sacrifice and having burnt some perfumes the Choourt or Bramin sprinkles him with the bloud and water the people offer him their charities and dedicating their clothes and lampes to him they enter the Temple at another gate leave their Idol in the place they found him and thus they end their Idolatrous procession From thence they go to dinner which they sprinkle with the same water and feeding upon the Vyands they sacrificed and of others they brought thither the sacrifice is ended These Bramins and other religious never eat any thing that hath received life in publick although we eat flesh with them in private they keep company with none but their fellowes They wear white Turbants Cotton gownes that reach to their heeles red shooes under this they wear a long linnen cloth or towel that goes twice or thrice round about them a fine girdle long haire their eares bored and pearles hanging at them they wear next to their flesh certain strings the badge of their order which are given them with great ceremony there are of them of several sorts some of them go to the warres with the Naires others trade and are rich Merchants and they are generally peaceable and meek natured The King himself is of the order wearing the string in a scarf they are much esteemed throughout the Indies and some of them are very able Physicians When they affirm any thing to be a truth they lay their hand upon their string or upon their Cabaye or gown The Portugais did live pretty peaceably amongst them but the Moores have set them together by the eares Some of the Moores are permitted to weare the Aspagates or habit of of the Bramins but 't is to favourites only that such leave is given When they eat they strip themselves stark naked they tye a cloth only to hide their privie members the women affect to have their noses bor'd wirh wyars either silver or gold There is another sort of Bramins in Surate Guzerate and Cambayes not so austere and are under the obedience of the Grand Mogull Those delight to eat flower of Mandel that comes from Brasil and live very abstemiously CHAP. XIX Of the Kingdome of Cochin the goodnesse of the soyle customes of the Inhabitants with a strange History of certain French Pyrates FRom Calicut we went to Cochin about the eighth degree and twelve leagues from Calicut This kingdome is confederate with Calicut professing the same religion the town is scituate in a sweet and temperate ayre the country abounds in cattle and fruit grain is scarce but is plentifully supplyed from Cambaye Pepper growes there of three sorts of the long excellent conserves are made throughout the coast of Malabar which reaches from Goa to Comori grows the white and black pepper The Ginger whereof much is confected for their use in all seasons is called Aliah in the Malaicke tongue The Portugueses are in good esteem at Cochin the King being their friend and allye Since Triumpara shewed himself constantto them against Calicut since when the Kings of Cochin have never broken their promises whatever made to them but have inviolably kept their Articles viz. to give unto the King of Portugal a tribute of twelve pearles of the weight of a Miticale a piece which is about a crown and a halfe The Portugais do chiefly trade in pepper which they transport to all parts of the world that which they transport into Arabia Suria Persia Babylon and other places along those coasts is farre better then that they carry into Portugal because much of its strength and vertue is lost in the long navigation and the price falling they put off the worst and often most of it green which neverthelesse the Portuguese carry into Spain Besides they load their vessels with refuse and never bagge any of it whereas the Mores that are bound for the red sea the Persick Gulph and other parts of the Levant give a good price for it and therefore deserve the best The Pepper tree doth not resemble any tree I ever saw growing in Europe 'T is a faire and great tree the leafe pretty long and large full of strings she beares her fruit as our vines do grapes or rather like the Provence wilde grape in abundance I have seen of severall sorts one which
the River the town is ill built The ayr is good on Coromandel side and is divided but by a little streight not much longer then Gibraltar but more dangerous because the waves raise banks of sand which make it the more dangerous for vessels of great burthen forced to enter the Isle on the other side called Betala or the pearl-fishing Zeilan is held to be the ancient Taprobane and others with more reason say she was anciently called Sumatra however this Isle hath ever been potent formerly governed by one King of the race of the Sun or at least from thence he pretended himself descended This King was dethroned by one of Jafanapatan and since the country hath been divided into several kingdomes The Portuguais warred with the King of Jafanapatan who overthrown was constrained to deliver up the Isle of Manar which they fortified and inhabit to this day the Christians were grievously oppressed by the Badages their neighbours barbarous people great thieves but the Portuguese subdued them at last In this invasion the Portuguese amongst other things took that famous Idol made of the tooth of a Monkey adored by all the Indians of those parts and enriched with Jewels The King of Pegu so highly esteemed it that he sent yearly Ambassadours thither to take the print of it upon Amber Musk and other perfumes which he had great reverence unto and since it was taken he offered to redeem it at a great rate but they christian-like chose rather to destroy that Idolatry then to reap a profit thereby and so they burnt it and from it there came a most stinking and black smoak They relate many fables of that white Monky named Hanimam that he had been a God expelled heaven for some fault committed and Metamorphosed into a Monkey coming from the land of Badages or thence into Ceitan where after his death he was adored and his tooth kept as a relique The sea between the Cape Comori the lower Chilao and the Isle Zelan was called Pescaria Delle Perse a place of pearl-fishing which lasts about 50. days and at the point where they begin to fish upon a sudden many Cabbins and Booths are erected to last during the fishing onely then they that can dyne and fill their bagges with oysters and by a rope tyed about their middle are pulled up again and every fisher makes his own heap The seasons are not alwayes favourable alike some more some lesse and some seasons very dangerous by reason of several fishes that devour the fishers and other fishes will crop off a thigh or arme of a man as close and even as a hangar and those the Portugais call Poccaspada this fish hath two rowes of teeth very sharp and long and therefore to prevent the danger they have Magicians that charme the fishes upon a time a fisher-man ready to be devoured by a fish had his mouth open and within two fingers of reaching him suddenly the Wisard who was present cryed out Veruas which signifies come out or charm and the fish left him and the man having a sword in his hand struck a blow or two and the fish swam away leaving the Sea dy'd with his blood At night when they go to rest they dissolve their charmes because no one should venture to fish There are certain Commissioners to set a rate upon the pearle according to the season and there are of fine sorts of pearls some like stars others half stars others called Pedrati which are much esteemed and divided into five parts The Merchants stand in order to buy them The Portugese have those of greatest price which they call Quercos the Bengalians the seconds the Canaranians the thirds the Cambayans have the smallest and the last which are of little worth fall to the Jewes there which they polish for deceit It is a gallant sight to see so many Merchants together and so many heaps of pearles before every Cabbin which within few dayes are all pull'd down The best pearl is fished in the Channel of Setin near to Zeilan where they use flat-bottome boats called Tune because they have little bottome some are gotten at the other side of Chilao between Manar and the Continent There is no pearl to be found in all the East except in this place and at Baharem in the Persick gulph and the Isle Aynan near China those taken at Baharem are bigger but they are taken here in greater number The whole Coast of Malabar from Comori fifty leagues in length or thereabouts inhabited by people called Paravians is much frequented for this fishing where fifty or three score thousand Merchants resort to that purpose The Paravians are Christians and were instructed by St. Francis Ilaverius and live under the protection of the Portuguesse who have protected them from the Tyranny of the Mahometans their neighbours South-west of the Isle of Zeilan are the Maldives many in number dangerous to Saylers for the shelves of sand and rocks I will say no more of them because my knowledge is but small besides they have amply and exactly been described by others but I will say something of a wonderfull Isle on the Coast of Malduce Southward some ten degrees remote from the Line and called Patovi or Polovis now deserte though formerly inhabited and flourishing which as I learnt since at Pegu was Governed by a Prince called Argiac a Potent King of many Ilands and Kingdomes he having many children by severall wives gave this Island to one of the gallantest amongst them called Abdenac for his portion with several Treasures this Abdenac was possest of it peaceably for five yeares space his elder brother called Argiac after their Father and King of Achez in Sumatra refused him the share of Treasure his father had left him the other enraged craved the assistance of the King of Bengala who furnished him with ships with which he invaded his brother burnt his Townes and put to death most part of his followers but received a mortall wound himself and returning into his Island with the Treasures he had regained of his brother and finding himself near death distributed his wealth and bequeathed his Island to be inherited by his Duma or evill spirit intreating him to preserve it till the day of Judgement and that he then hoped to return into the World This Will made he dyed and had no other sepulchre then the bowells of his Alliance and Friends according to the Custome of that Countrey where in many places they eat the dead flesh of their Kindered and near Relations perswading themselves the Soule to be sooner at rest then if they permitted the corpes to putrifie and to be consumed by the wormes and that there could be no Sepulchre so Honourable as the bowells of a deare friend This Island falling to the devils share he became so turbulent that from the very time he took possession the Island was not
causes him no small contempt and prejudice he forbids trading and takes notice of what quantity of pepper or other Drugge or commodities each subject hath and sets such a rate upon them as they may gain thereby then he sends one of his chief officers with them to the Magazine to trade and vent these commodities to strange Merchants they usually exchange or put off their commodities for half the rate in ready mony the other half in other sorts of commodities The Bahar of pepper which is 360. pound weight is worth three crowns and a half or four at the dearest which amounts to about a Ducatoon or 55. pence Notwithstanding this order many are privately licensed to trade freely and by help of the Portuguais interpreters much is to be got They have many sorts of jewels aromatick drugs and most excellent balms there is great plenty of all sorts of fowl and fruit they feed much upon Buffle which they esteem an excellent meat their beefs have a swelling upon the top of their necks like their Cammels which is only fat sheep of no wool There are many tame Elephants and great store of wild ones in the woods Those of Malaca who live upon the Continent with the Kings leave come hither to hunt the Elephant with their huntsmen and engines with many trumpets hoboyes and drums with fire to fright and to drive them up into a streight and when they have taken them they almost famish them then they bring them amongst the tame ones and by degrees make them so feeding them gently and otherwise instructing them and in time they become very ready to learn and serviceable in all things The King himselfe takes much content to feed them and at such times their allowance is doubled This Isle breeds many Hermophrodites which is very remarkable and proceeds from an overflowing of imperfect seed in both sexes caused by the drugges and hot spices of the Country I have been assured by some they have found of Bezar stones in the bowels of swine which have been of great vertue They would have given me some in exchange for Cimeters I believe this sort of Bezar is that the Portuguese call Pedra de Porco so as I will not charge my self with what I know not That chaine of Isles from Nicuba to Pegu is called the Archipelagus of Andemaon where the inhabitants warre amongst themselves with burkes and eat one another They cannot read at all nor have coyne They make stuffes of the bark of a tree to cover their nakednesse They have plenty of cattle of wool and poultry which they feed at home and of all necessaries to life We have their best commodities in exchang for some trifles of ours for what we esteem least are of greatest value there and they give us in exchange Pepper Ginger Benjamin and other drugs which they abound in And indeed we trade not with them without some danger by reason of their cruelty and brutishnesse since some ships coming from Malaca to Sumatra killed some of their people passing by ever since they stood upon their guards and have surprised as many as they could and have struck such a terrour into those parts that whoever passes there must be strong and well advised otherwise they are sure to be robbed murdered and eaten They have none but forreign coyne which they break into many pieces as the Abussins do because they cannot otherwise put it off The King keeps long boats to pillage in and the easier to escape if pursued as they have often been by the English and Dutch and surprised in their habitations where they load themselves with their pepper and other spices on free-cost and so retreat they have built some Forts in that Isle and by that meanes force many tributes from the people who otherwise pay at will and whoever should assault them but with four men of warre resolutely man'd would make it a good businesse for they have many mynes of gold and silver Besides the kingdomes of Pedir and Pacem there are those of Campa and Manan all watered with pleasant Rivers There is found Gold refined and Corral branches forced from the mynes by the strength of the water There is also the Kingdome of Zabas plentiful in Pepper Sugar Brasil and Mastick Camphire Mines of Gold and Silver At Pacem there is plenty of Pepper and the best silver of the East The Town of Pacem hath a strong Fort and three Avenues where you passe by a creek of land Northward From this Town you discover the Pole-Artick and the Crasero There the Sea ebbes and flowes every sixth houre The Town of Achen is well built well walled the houses stand upon piles or pillars and covered with Palmes and onely two stories high 'T is very good living there for you have your own wishes with most excellent fruit different from ours viz. the Macoudou like unto the Lemmon Durions Ananes Mangues Jacas Mangostan Bananes and Cocos Oranges and Lemmons in abundance The Merchants weare the Turkish dresse you must recede and keep at distance when you meet women who otherwise will abuse you and spit upon the ground to shew your indiscretion Many Nations of the Indies trade here They have Gold-coyne called Maâ— nine of them make a crowne and are stamped with two Lyon-cells They have Lead also called Casse and two thousand of them go to a piece of gold all the rest of their coyne is called Dran and Tale. Here are many slaves sold and bartered and prove very faithfull servants The Kings of Achen are Mahometans and warre continually with Idolaters as formerly a King of Achen did with him of Butos because he would not be Mahometan nor repudiate his wife to marry another sister of the King of Achens and having subdued him made him pay the yearely tribute of five barres of Gold worth two hundred thousand Crowns and since endeavouring further to enslave him and take all from him he implored the ayde of the portuguais of Malaca by whose assistance he freed himselfe The accesses to this Isle are very difficult and dangerous for the shelves and rocks in two places Southward and Northward are two Armes of the Sea navigable but not without much care and caution One of those Armes is called the Canall of Nicobar and the other Catarana and the Portuguais as they sayle along the coast name it Sombrero Most of the Insularies are Idolaters and call their chief Idol Pagode a general name among the Indians Their Bramins or Priests incourage the women to burn themselves after the decease of their husbands unlesse they will be esteemed unchaste yet notwithstanding those Bramins freely frequent the company of women of all ages and of their nearest relations they have little esteem of Christians and if they give a cuppe of drink they presently break the cuppe although it be rich Porcelaine because they hold it polluted The inhabitants of Polloue an
ordained us drinks to all the Princes and loyall Subjects then every one drinks his health the three assistants stand up and salute him then sit down again and the King continually presents plates of meat sometimes to one sometimes to another so that for the feast time there is businesse enough The meat is seasoned with musk and amber At the Feast there are Buffons to delight the King and Company who have a thousand anticks and devices The King having done at Table the Emperour of Siam kissing his buskin as an homage presents him a rich Crown of gold which the King receives with embraces and kisses his cheek in testimony of perpetuall amity Then the rest kissing his buskin lay every one their presents at his feet The Kings bring Crowns the Princes chains and collars the rest present according to their quality all in gracefull order for the kingdoms and provinces march all according to their rank without confusion Then the rest of the people present other things both rare and curious These presents are brought in such quantity that every four hours they are forced to remove them at the coronation which was in my time the presents lasted five dayes from morning till night with unparallel'd wealth and magnificence during this time the people are all provided for at the Kings charge and take up fifteen leagues of land with wonderful regularity The Presents delivered they stay five days for dismission to return Amongst other things the King delights much in Cock-fights for which he hath Cocks from Besistan with beards which beard is properly but a carnosity hanging under the throat very brown growing of a burnt bloud the bird being exceeding hot for sport they match them with the Cocks of Pegu that are not altogether so fiery but more heavy and mortall enemies The King and his Court have this recreation once a week Their pens are close together with mats of palm that cover the windows at which they are fed At the creation which was in my time they had this game and lifting up the mats the Cocks immediately fell to fighting with their bils through the spaces of the lattice but the keepers parted them with switches till they had taken their portions which is of a small black grain they call Versin as big as a grape stone of quality exceeding hot The mats taken away then is the sport to see how they will range themselves in Battalions for the assault frowning with rage and the window once open they fall on in good earnest till they most cruelly tear one another and fill the place with blood for a good hour together then they part them many lying dead in the place which they eat the flesh being reddish like beef but exceeding tender and tastefull CHAP. XXXII Of the Justice and Policy with the Peguans their Sacrifices and horrible dances A lamentable History of two young Princes AS to the revenues of the King of Pegu when peoples ordinary payments are brought in there is Proclamation through the Dominions that no Subject is obliged to pay any Royall right gabell subsidy or impost for a whole year What Handicraftsmen alone pay him amounts to three millions or as they reckon so many Baselins a sort of weight Every house-keeper payes him so much by the year When a new King is elected all Towns and Villages send Deputies to make their acknowledgement with presents of rarities and things extraordinary As to the elect in our time were sent three white Cowes with tayles differing from others like swine hornes growing in their skins only not on the top of the head which they could move as their eares decked bard bridles covered with cloathes of crimson silk and hung over with bells of gold silver and Calin a mettal like silver much used in the Indies This present was very acceptable to him notwithstanding 't was done in derision of another people his Subjects who wear the like bells at their genitories to content their Mistresses with little hooks and rings to take them off when they go to visit them and testifie to them they have satisfaction in nothing but themselves for amongst them there are that are addicted to the unnaturall sin no more prohibited there than amongst the Turks except there be violence used for which there is severe punishment When the first Prince of the kingdom comes to take his leave he embraces him and kisses his cheek then presents him with ten fair white Persian coursers barded with cloth of gold of diverse colours their feet hang'd round with bells of gold to shew the people they are proper onely for beasts to wear These bells so disquieted the horses four or five men could but hold them so unruly they were likewise to the Prince of Siam at his departure he gave a collar of rubies of inestimable value in brief there was neither Prince nor Nobleman that parted without satisfaction 'T was thought the King distributed the best part of the horses in his stable where he had above thirty thousand which are the most magnificent present can be made in that country He gave besides many pieces of scarlet cloth silks of divers colours and other stuffes sufficient to load twenty thousand cammels An Elephant he never bestowes but on the contrary all Princes diligently endevour to get them for him All the horses he gives arise to the advantage of the State for when he hath occasion for them in war the subjects upon the least orders are all ready so well they affect him esteeming them amongst the blessed that dye in his service and for such the Priests never make prayers as being already in the number of the Saints and happy For their justice 't is equally administred to all offices and estates depending on the Kings will who gives them gratis and payes all officers out of his own Coffers which keeps them from doing any thing against Law and Justice for their punishments are very severe Creditours may by right take their Debtors for slaves when they have not wherewithall to pay them and if they will may sell them at the price of their debt and sometimes sell their wives and children by Port-sale till they are fully satisfied The charge of suit amounts to little or nothing They all live in good awe and all apply themselves to labour who hath no meanes of his own betakes himself to Mills Buildings and Mines where the King entertains them so as no one wants a way to live Poor orphans are brought up at the Kings charge There are diverse enclosed places for girles where they are employed in working silk and many other ingenuous arts A stranger passing through the country may be employed if he will or they will give him a passe to another town The King hath four hundred slaves but they are only for the service of the houshold without regard to either Nation or Religion so they are
honest and serviceable They have no wages yet never want money for all that have occasion at Court still give them something Two hundred slaves more there are who have no other office then to hunt the Woods and Marshes for triple-coloured tortoises for the Kings Vivary likewise they gather the silk Cottons which the trees bear naturally whereof they gather sufficient and leave enough for the year following They have another sort of silk called Fongi gotten in December it proceeds from the great Erpo which we call Alove whence there comes a silk More short but stronger and better then the rest I made trial if the like could be produced here by drawing threads out of the leaves and found it might be done there being no defect but want of experience For though the Climats differ nevertheless nature is every where assisted by art and labour All these silks come to the benefit of the people though the King takes a good share by reason of his slaves employed in it besides abundance of Orphanes and poor girles brought up at his cost under the tuition of matrons and ancient women to govern and correct them for their neglects and the same for men all with great order and policy When one hath committed a haynous crime 't is best if he communicate it to some friend that may acquaint the King before the Justice is informed of it for the King is most clement and supremely absolute then the King being informed the quality of the crime person and matter it may be that without hearing the parties he may grant his pardon The custom of the country is that as soon as one hath perpetrated a crime he layes by his apparel puts on a white shirt that drawes on the ground like persons doing pennance with us goes bare-head and bare-foot lies stretched out upon the ground and so attends his sentence Some there are sit down others stand upright according to the nature of the offence Many that presume upon the Princes grace are deceived and meet their death They who are condemned are immediately given to the Elephants who with their trunks lift them on high then let them fall and so they are broken in pieces then the bodies are given to the Lions and Tigars whereof there is a great number Adulterers are severely punished as well men as women and especially if they are of a good family One was taken on a time with his slave who were both bound together and buried alive For account of their marriages when persons of quality will marry they consult their Divines and Magies to know the successe when children are born they have their nativity cast to know if good or ill shall befall them whereof I shall rehearse a remarkable example hereafter When these Grandees lose their affection to their first wives they are allowed to espouse another without any injustice to the first who must suffer till her husband pleases to call her back this happening most commonly for dislike and change of diet Where the husband and wife preserve a perfect amity all their life when the husband dies if the wife will do according to the custom of the country the obsequies ended she remains with her friends for a certain time to bewaile his death then makes them a great feast in token of rejoycing distributes her jewels and chiefest goods to them who are dearest to her and having embraced and kissed her Parents Kindred and Friends they conduct her with Flute and Hoboys to her husbands monument under a Tent adorned with Folliage and covered with flowers where they drink eat dance and make merry and the poor woman takes a potion that makes her as it were frantick then dancing and carowsing she sacrifices her self to her husbands ghost throwing her selfe into a fire having distributed to her friends the rest of her rings and jewels Their Priests and Magicians confirm them in these abominable customs which they observe in divers other parts of India as at Narsinga Cambaya Coromandel and other places But they take diligent care in these marriages of the great ones that the women have free choyce with the consent of their kindred to the end it may be the vehemence of affection that obliges them to so cruel a testimony Likewise men to assure their affection to their Mistresses use strange testimonies some with a Torch will burn their Arms before them others will cut and stab themselves with poniards others taking a cloth dip'd in oyle will light it and have the patience to let it burn out and extinguish upon their arm which obliges a woman to the like love and to render the like proof at his death But that truculent sacrifice they immolate to their Gods of their poor and wretched daughters is no lesse strange and truculent for in a part of this vast Empire to celebrate the feast of their great Crocouatas they bring up their daughters in the Temple Virgins devoted to prayer and fasting who are consecrated and preserved for the solemn sacrifice in such sort as when Father Mother or kindred visits them they do it with reverence and adoration as to Saints and celestial persons and entreat they would be mindful of them when they have the honour to come before their great God for this consideration they bring them for an offering all sorts of dainties Every year they sacrifice one of these poor girles In the front of the altar stands a marble stone very radiant and of various colours where they imagine they behold the figure of that furious Demon they adore The maid devested of her rich attire beholds her God and observes if he yet call her for they say the Demon calls her by name and invites her to union then their Palpes or Priests vested in their garments sacerdotal take her and setting her stark naked upon this stone after divers incensings both to the Demon and the maid they strangle her in the presence of father and mother who observe well if she be dead that she may not suffer a second martyrdom and having with a stone sharp as a razor ripped up her body they tear out her heart which they throw in their Demons face burn it and sprinkle the ashes mingled with water upon their Idols the rest of the body they burn at leisure with aromatick woods for the use of the Temples In other places the Priests eat the Victim The sacrifice ended they go to dinner the congregation assists at the service and prayers made by the Priests with many incensings the Priests then change their vestments and take others of a horrible form and mounting upon a Scaffold as soon as the Musick playes begin to dance They begin in a low key then they rise with prayers and imprecations mingled til healed with keeping time to the cadence of the musick they become franick some falling to the ground others continue dancing holding bells which accord with the
they are put to certain wild cowes that are expresly for this purpose kept in the race so as the little cowes the mares and the colts are all together then taking the calves from their dams they put the colts to suck them This course continued for some time makes them more strong and lasting then can be imagined and it is observable their hoofes are more durable then any others All their fault is they are not so sleet as the Persian which horses are most esteemed of all in the Indies and next to them those of Transiana This King hath so great a number of them they render him formidable throughout the Indies he is exceeding peaceful and beloved of his people In the Countrey though it be very fertile and well tilled there are notwithstanding vast and profound forrests stocked with wilde beasts who often intercept the passengers and devoure them as Ounces Lions Tigars beares Wolves and dangerous Boares of an incredible size The King hath huntsmen for the purpose well skill'd in the woodes with little dogs proper for finding out the beasts They have also tame Lions and Hart-Wolves brought up to hunt their own kinde and so animated against their own Species that there are not in the world more cruell enemies as man hath not a more mortall foe then man himselfe and amongst men Renegado Christians more cruell to true Christians then the other Infidels These Lions wolves and other beastes of chase are taught to it when they are young and trained in parkes to hunt others till they are at growth and then they take them abroad to the grand chase armed with caps and pointed collars which with the assistance of the hunters makes them more dangerous so as they make a great slaughter amongst the other beasts There are likewise abundance of harts large as heifers which lie in the fields and will not stir for a passinger When the King goes into the Country he is attended with a thousand horse at least and when he goes to the grand chase he takes along abundance of Pioneers to stop up the Avenues with walls of clay and turf to secure himselfe and his Court. There will be sometimes twelve or fifteen thousand hunters the greater part Lords Persons of Quality and the Kings domesticks who frequently engage themselves there being pleasure without danger Sometimes these beasts come in such heards they are forced to open for their passage and fall upon the last and notwithstanding the walls are strong and high being made of palms and earth mixt with brakes there are beasts so light and nimble they will leap over them and before the souldiers who lie concealed can take them they will do incredible things making such strange assaults and such havock with teeth and nailes but the whole Court with the female guard stands in order upon the curtain and parapet of the walls to attend them at the passage where there is a great slaughter But after this tragicall danger comes a comedy of the Marmosets Apes and Monkeys and others of that kind for the greater part unknown to us The young ones will be there so fastned to the necks of their dams you would think they grew there all together makes a very pleasant prize The hair of these Apes is soft as silk and their genitories violet colour or pale red There are huge Munkeyes white as snow that make a thousand ridiculous faces seeming to crave liberty and they of the guard that know their humour give them a signe to climbe upon a tree and save themselves where of she faile not but then the sport is to see the trees covered over with them with the confused chattering they make one at another For wild swine wild goats harts hindes fallow-Deer and Aloroc with beasts of Beasar there are abundance as also of porcupines the Country yeilding such plenty of grain and wild fruits for their sustenance The boares are very dangerous panching all they meet with their tushes Elephants they hunt but seldom being forfeit of life to kill one They go with such vehemency they break all before them and when by subtlety they are once enclosed they make most horrible cries and roarings for rage breaking all that is near them being tyred they lie along and thrusting their trunk down their throat they fetch up a loathsom water as hot as if it came out of a furnace When all the dangerous beasts are either killed or scaped the King for his pleasure kills the boares the goats and others with the Ront the most assured armes and makes the widest wound Then the hunters all choose their marke taking pleasure in darting their lances taking what serves for provision of the Palace leaving the rest for another time The skins of bears ounces lions leopards serve to Arme the foot and horse and to bard the horses Elephants and other beasts for use in hunting whereof they make them caps that cover so well the head and neck it is not easie for the savage beasts to endanger them there being steel piques that make them loose their hold nor is there great or small who hath not his horse capped with these skins Towns and Villages circumiacent to the hunting come with a thousand presents and rejoycings to the King esteeming themselves much honoured to have any share of the prize wherewith they make a publik feast as of a thing sacred and solemn For their falconry and hawkes the King hath eagles and ravens so well trained both for furr and feather that nothing more Fishing is there likewise much practised As we travailed through the Country we came one day to a mountain of extraordinary height they call the Culma or Columa grown over with all sorts of trees as Sendal Danum Ebony Palmes of all sorts and others All the ground we passed over was full of Rhubarbe with leaves large and very bitter and round the skirt of the mountain Tombes orderly ranged cut in the rock ingenuously carved Maritime windes are frequent there which the Indians call Sourou and other windes exceeding drying which they call the Mounsons and the Portuguese Abrazador which consume even iron These mountains have a reasemblance of the Cordilleras of Peru of a long extent Amongst the rest there is one mountain that rain never falls upon by reason the southern windes which continually blow there force back the cloudes so as the mountain is exceeding barren The mountain of Columa being fanned with the maritime windes on one side preserves and keepes incorruptible all the bodies brought thither The other side towards the North being defended by the heads of trees enjoyes rains in abundance but both the one and the other side are fertilized with large streams that nourish these trees of excellent odour When they will bury a body they wash it and taking out the heart and bowells they burn them with Aromatick woods sacrifising them to their Duma then put the ashes within the
Abdalami in his hands to carry into his own country whereof though spight shame of his defeat had made him their Bedfellow and he had not stirr'd forth of twenty dayes he was so satisised he came immediately to the King who remitting the matter to Councell 't was concluded that the Mother and daughter should be brought to Court to answer what should be demanded of them At the same time the King made a personall visit to Abdalami who upon this vouchsafed descent to come thus alone to his house conceived some hopes of his businesse and casting himself at his feet said he held himself over happy in the favour his Prince had done him and for ever after he should esteem it an honour to lay down his life for his service The King causing him to rise embraced him assuring him of pardon for what was pass'd for which he and his Lady rendring humble thanks attended him to his Pallace Three dayes after the Mother and her daughter arrived in their Pelanquins born on their slaves shoulders then the Councell being sate three Calsena or Officers were sent for Abdalami as who understood not the matter looking on him as a lost person and Isman for his part conceiving he durst not appear but rather trust to flight had laid souldiers to wait and intercept him on the way But they were strangely amazed when they saw him appear at the Palace in his Talia Massara or Persian mantle down to the foot under a Cassock a figur'd cloth of gold covered with a white Cipresse in testimony of his innocence and about his head a cord made of small reeds according to custome in testimony of self-punishment if he were found guilty The Judges then examined both parties and finding they could produce no sufficient evidence they took the Mother and daughter apart and learning from their mouthes the pure and reall truth they thought fit to have Princesse Abiasinda to be brought and since 't was through her charity this affair was consented to and contrived 't was but reason she should speak her opinion Then placing her on the Bench with the Judges Abdalami was called forth who being asked if he would stand to what sentence his Lady should pronounce answered Yea most willingly then raising her voyce she pronounced that since Alberane had so firm an affection to her husband and had born for him two lovely children by the good favour and permission of his Majesty she condemned him to espouse her presently and she would receive her for her faithful companion The judgment was admired by the whole Assembly and the Father being asked if he held this Award sufficient reparation of his honour was so confounded with the unfolding of what he was before kept ignorant he knew not what to say but the King pressing his resolution in testimony of submission he cast himself on the earth saying If Abdalami would honour him with marrying his daughter he would give with her the Province of Assen with the mines and threescore carriages of fine gold which he had gotten that present year The businesse so well accommomodated the King gave order for great rejoycings with solemn feastings and open court for fifteen dayes for all Princes and Lords of his Train The Councell would have had the moity of this treasure dispensed for satisfaction to the complaining province of Zuamin but the King opposed content only to abridge him of the Crown rights for five yeares which amounted to much more then all that treasure which was done accordingly to the content of all and these two Ladies with sincere affection lived dear companions in peace and unity CHAP. VIII The Authours voyage into Ethiope A description of Preste Johns Dominions with the Quality of his People HAving staid some dayes in the Court of Tahachi and learnt what is here before rehearsed we took our way back to our company whom we left at Chesicoure who were something troubled for us having spent two and twenty dayes in this short voyage for passing by Aruama a beautifull town the Sieur de la Courbe for some occasion would needs stay then upon a streame from Zuama we came to Gazira Sequesma Boagiara Salera Aimaca or Armeta and many other Townes and Villages At length being come to Gustigoari we understood there had happened a difference in our company whereby some were wounded and being come to Sigara three dayes journey thence we took the other part of the River which bears name with the Town of Zuama crossing the Province of Almadrega which with the country-men is called Calhouras because the capitall Town bears the same name 't is but small governed by the King of Tigrai Vassail to the grand Zeguz facing Westward the Province of Bagamidri we made it four dayes from Calhouras to the town of Bagamidri and it happened well we covered our Almadies for the rain much inconvenienced us travelling these four dayes through a waste country where land-Tortoises abound of exceeding bignesse which were very commodious for our diet and within them there were great numbers of egges which purged us strangely this being very laxative meat Our fellows lying at Chasicours had intelligence that we were on the other side the River and enquiring found us at Carboran a Village three leagues distant from Bagamidri where you may imagine the joy this review diffused through all of us In the first place we considered and reconciled their discord on the morrow together went we all to dine at Bagamidri where we rested some dayes to truck and put off our commodities as well in Town as the adjacent Villages We had all the same desire to behold the Court and person of the grand Negus who ever resides in field under Tents and Pavillions ranged about like a formall City To which we were rather induced for the meeting with a Portugal Lord who came from the Indies expressely to visit the grand Negus in the name of the Spanish King his Master who went aboard on the coast of the red Sea and landed on the territories of Barnabas who accompanied him to the place we found him at and brought us together as far as Barra upon Moraba where we expected to finde the Prince To be short I set not down the wayes and distances betwixt Bagamidri and Barra another town of Ethiope because for our negotiation we made diversions to both hands as we did through Arabia Persia and India But from Barra to our compleat return we observed as near as might be Before we discourse of Bagamidri it seems not improper to tell you that 't is the beginning of the vast Empire of Ethiope or the grand Negus whom commonly we stile the Preste John of Ethiopia in distinction from another who was sometimes in high India He is also titled Kibir Negus and Senab and King of the Abissins They report him to have in possession above thirty five kingdomes or Provinces which containes a strange scope of a populous countrey
top exceeding sharp and his body mailed with leather liquored and made fit so as he could use his teeth at pleasure the lists were rounded with painted cloth with pieces of timber and cords hard straind under which the Ape might shift when he was hard pressed upon he made most horrible faces when the Serpent came to assault him who raised himself upon little feet like a Gooses Next was brought in an Ape of extraordinary size armed with silvered Paste-board mounted upon a great sheep with a small lance against a beast they call a Chilacou like a wolf whose design was to attack the Palfrey not the Cavalier who during the conflict fretted and made mouthes in a strange manner at length they were parted After them was brought in a small Lion of a brave courage who finding nothing to combat laid him down along but he no sooner saw a Creature called a Bachuro enter arm'd with scales but with a loud roar he nimbly flew upon him for a good hour the fight lasted with terrible assaults on both sides till at last the Lion had the day strangled his foe and eat him for the flesh is exceeding good Then the Cheger or Elephant with the Rhinocerot which was a most furious combat but of little delight because for their bulk and weight they could shew but little agility or motion Then was brought in play another sort of Elephant called by the Indians a Gachias and against him four dogs of exceeding greatnesse of which at the very first bout he kil'd one The fiercenesse of the beasts made this fight of much recreation Next was a Crocodile and a Tigar who treated each other very rudely After them two great Dogs against a Targout a kind of wolf but much different from ours 't was a bloudy combat where one of the dogs was kil'd and the Targout hurt So this day was concluded with the combats for other dayes there were other Triumphs which I omit to avoid prolixitie This is all of remark which happened at Court while we staid at Barra which I thought fit to recount for information of the nature and manners of the people We stayed something the longer at Barra in expectation to see his Majesty the Negus who was suddenly to come thither and because he had not been there of a long time a magnificent entrance was prepared for him CHAP. XI Magnificence of the Negus and his military Officers THey have a custom that whensoever the Prince visits their Towns he makes each to observe whatsoever his Predecessors and himself at his coronation engag'd for as to worship one onely God to have but one Faith and one Law to uphold the Christian and Apostolick Church some say of late years they have added Romane acknowledging now obedience to the Pope then to administer Justice love the poor observe continency to impugn with all his power the Moores Jews and Idolaters in sum all who believe not in Jesus Christ to innovate no new laws nor coyn other money than the Ordinary not to stay above three dayes in any one Town not to admit any Prince of the blood or next in succession to be at large but to keep them immur'd in the Mountain of Amara with other things of like sort To be brief The Negus was received into the Town with a sumptuous state and magnificence and we had the satisfaction to see his whole Court march Here the Portuguese Embassadour arriv'd of whom I spoke with a train of twenty men all mounted upon Mules having staid as they told us three months at the famous monastery of the Vision in the Country of Bamazaz towards the red sea where report goes are 2000. religious gray-Friers who live in great austerity without want either of victuals or habit He addressed himself to receive audience of the Negus but was deferr'd to another time by reason his Majesty having staid some dayes at Barra was constrained to depart that night to go towards Sacouon three leagues from thence two dayes march for the Army which moves not above three or four miles a day and here we saw the order of the Armies march About break of day the Vaunt-guard marched first consisting of some twenty thousand Horse without shoes which in those mountainous and stony waies is a great inconvenience to them They ride as the Arabians do with a bill their stirrups very short wearing certain cimeters and generally a certain two-edg'd arms they call Perdagalzes This troop was led by a great Prince called Lychano which in vulgar Greek signifies Light but his proper name in Abissine speech is Betudete This troop being passed in very regular order came the baggage of the court amongst whom were a multitude for removal and ordering of the Tents Then the officers and servants of the kitchin about three thousand who carried the kings fare in baskets and his drink in small barrels marked and sealed next followed a great number of horses mules elephants Alsinges and other kinds of beasts with carriage Amongst others there were four Lions as tall as mules under one mans charge who never ceas'd raving and rating after them to keep them from straying from their company They were gentle and tame as sheep and by the way 't is a strange thing to see these beasts feed their keeper to shew us a rarity hung up a joynt of mutton upon the wall of the stable or den all the four gaz'd upon it and then lay down as knowing their share was in it afterwards the first that was hungry came and at two or three mounts active leaps spear-high fetches down the piece of meat But after this train of seven or eight thousand head was past came 12. or 1500. Foot with bows quivers and short swords led by one they called Abagarindas after them followed another part of the Cavalry and the body of the Army in handsom order with trumpets and hoboys before them to cheer and recreate them Lastly came twelve or fifteen thousand Musqueteers upon the wings as 't were in the form of a half moon carrying their guns strait upright cimeters they had and wore a very large cap or hood which they folded up and let hang upon their shoulders because they are troublesome and inconvenient The Army which consisted of fourscore or a hundred thousand men being past the Negus his Majesty followed of whom we could not then have a sight Afterwards he came to Church with Standart borne before him by the Berenega upon an Elephant 't was the figure of a plain crosse in a piece of silk And 't is remarkable that you finde not the figure of our Saviour nailed to the Crosse in any Church of the Abissins and their reason is because we are not worthy to behold him in his passion Before this Ensigne march about fifty Priests singing Psalmes and Hymnes and four in Pontifical robes who carry a hollowed stone large and square which they call the Tabuco which they use when they
which for devotion he sent to take baptization at Jerusalem and twenty years after my own natural brother married one of these daughters called Lucretia by whom he had many children at Marsels We travell'd all Africa to Alexandria in eight moneths Having stayed some dayes in Alxandria we departed for Tripoli in Suria without accomplishing my vow to go to Jerusalem for which I had gone so much ground and there we went aboard the Christina of Marsels and were five monthes intire before we could arrive there for that having touched upon Malta we stayed some time to see the sports of their Carnavalle which stayed us awhile By the way it happened that the Saylers having rifled a little vessell of Greek wine drunk so freely that one of them amongst the rest climbing the Mast to do his office knowing his own condition tyed himself for fear of falling and lay down in the scuttle where he slept two dayes before he waked In the mean time the others calling for him to come to dinner and not hearing any answer they apprehended they had heard something fall into the sea the night before which made a great noyse and that 't was the poor Marriner who was drowned in his drink whereupon the Steward of the ship rung the bell thrice then as the custom is threw a fire-brand into the sea and said aloud Gentlemen Mariners pray to God for the soul of poor Veran that was his name because through Gods mercy he rests with the soules of the faithful Then every one kneeling down prayed for him then presently what goods he had were inventoried and prized But the day following the Master of the ship whose name was Pier de Soulier for discovery of the land like a careful Marriner climbed the Maste himself but he was amazed when he found there the supposed dead man fast tyed and yet in a profound sleep but upon the Masters call he awaked suddenly which made the company very merry That night we lay upon a dangerous sea and feared we were upon the Asquequi or Seques which towards the land is a bad bottome that which made us judge of it was certaine Mosse swimming upon the water which hangs to the rocks which made us very apprehensive In the evening a huge Whale followed us as the Pilot told us who had discovered him and at last minding to leave us as he turned brushed so rudely upon the ship that it shook all over as it had dashed against a rock At the instant every man affrighted cryed out for mercy supposing we were lost for we were in the middle of a vast sea where there was no possibility of safety The Master presently ran to the Hold to see if the ship were founder'd on the other side the Pilot from the Poupe discovered the monstrous fish had left us and was gone with a hideous noyse so as we were safe and by Gods goodnesse freed of a desperate fear After some dayes sayling on we came to touch at Malta and being Shrovetide we resolved to stay awhile to see the celebration of this feast and there we put off some pieces of fine cloth which they call Calicut but the mischief was that the Courtizans of which they have there very subtle ones had good share of them cheating us of some crowns under colour of treating us at our own cost Of this Island I will say no more then that at this day 't is the Residence of the Knights Hospitallers of S. John of Jerusalem instituted in the year 1134. in the time of Baldouin of Bourgos the third French King of Jerusalem for the security of them who went to the Holy-land and in the year 1309. their great Master Villaret took by force of Armes the Isle of Rhodes from the Sarasins who usurpt it from the Greek Empire and there establisht the Residence of his Order and maintained it stoutly against the many attempts of the Soldans of Egypt but in the year 1522. Turk Soliman carried it from the great Master Philip Villers and by the license of Pope Leo the tenth this great Master with his order retired to Viterbo till better times and divers places being propounded for their Residence as Sasda in Candia Serigo Elba and others in conclusion they resolved to petition Charles the fifth for Malta to whom it belonged as dependant on the kingdome of Sicily against the French English and Italians who would have had no such obligation to the Emperour but at length they consented because it had good Havens and was near to Barbary so they got Malta and Goza in the year 1529. without other tribute or condition then a solemne Masse annually and a Falcon every yeare to the Viceroy of Naples but withall that they should have free transport of corne from Sicily This in effect was more advantage to the King of Spain then the other Nations of Christendome the Isle of Malta being a guard to all the Spanish and Italian Coasts under his dominion The Order at first was divided by seven Languages three of France which were France Avernia and Provence then of Italy Germany England and Spain Afterwards an eighth was added Spain being divided into Castile and Portugall and England being left out they took in Aragon Of these eight Languages every one had two Electours for election of the Grand Master These Grand Masters have for the greater part been French and the greatest part of the Order consists of our French Nobility but I shall speak no more of it being a matter so generally known Having left Malta we set sayle for Marsells where we landed within few dayes setting a period to that long voyage which had cost us so much time paines and danger God be glorified who guided us to so safe a Port at the time of the great Commet whose extent was thirty degrees the taile pointing to the West embracing Sagittarius and Capricorne and appeared not in the Sublunary Region but the Celestial so as 't was seen throughout the Indies both East and West But I cannot omit to relate how when I came to my Fathers house who was then sixty five yeares of age he knew me not but thought me dead and had made my funeral six years before so as seeing me in the Greek habit he took me for some stranger and asking me who I was I answered him in language barbarous enough I was a Grecian and 't was but truth I had almost forgot my native language being very young when I left my countrey and for that I had discontinued it so long time Some vulgar Greek I understood which I learnt at Canea in Candia where I staid six or seven moneths after our first shipwâ—ack Then my Father who spoke good Greek having traffick'd a long time in that country asked me what was my businesse and telling him I came to dine with him he told me I was welcome and bad me draw near the fire as I did Then he demanded who and of
whence I was and telling him I was a Marsellian the sonne of one Raphael Blanc he was amazed and troubled and calling my mother told her a son of his was come from Sicily to visit him my father having had a former wife in Sicily by whom he had two children who lived there upon their mothers means whereupon they both afforded me great indulgements but at length I declared my self to them and then there was amongst us such a tyde of tendernesses there was not room for words nor could we contain our tears of joy Afterwards I related to them at leasure the strange and various adventures of my voyage shewing them divers curiosities I had brought along with me amongst others Asbeste linnen which is made clean with firing being incombustible linnen used by Indian Princes and Lords and are wrapt in it when their bodies are committed to the pile as the bodies of Roman Emperours were in ancient time I have often shewed the experience of it to persons of quality in Provence I shewed them the herb Falacit having this property that laying it under a bed all those loathsome Chemisses worms stock to it and so are killed I brought it in a box but I was ill advised I brought not the seed to plant in these parts I shewed them divers other things of singularity admired by many both of knowledge and quality But before I conclude I shall tell you in order to this re-acknowledgement of my Father and Mother Brothers and Sisters what long after happened to me at Palerma in Sicily after my Father was dead For calling to mind he had often told me he had a Son and Daughter there I made diligent enquiry for them at first no one could tell any thing of them for that they were called by their Mothers name whose heirs they were and my Brother who was called Nazaro Bianco was called onely de Nazara but at length I enquired by so many tokens that I found out his house and going thither I was told he was sick which hindered me not but I went confidently up into the Chamber meeting a young maid upon the stairs blood which cannot lye told me that must needs be my Sister neverthelesse without further notice desiring to see her Brother she led me to his Chamber and seating me near the bed where he lay I observed in him the very pattern of my Father and asking if he had not Brothers at Marseills he told me yea and asked if I knew them whereupon many discourseâ— passed telling him divers news and recommendations During our discourse this Sister of mine looked stedfastly upon me as she were ravished to see and hear me and I presenting my hand to her she kissed hers and took mine a thing not usuall in Italy and lesse in Sicily Hereupon my Brother having caused a little daughter of his to be brought in I kissed her hand as I did my Sisters and taking a ring off my finger of an orientall fauset emerald one of the best I ever saw I presented it to her wherewith she was quite confounded and in doubt whether she should take it or no but telling her her Uncle sent it her by me with leave of her Mother who was present she accepted it and at the same instant I gave a fair table Rubie to my Sister But as we were in the middle of these complements and discourse of our friends who should come into the chamber with a French garb and alacrity but the Governour of the Bastide nephew to the grand Prior of St. Giles and other Cavaliers my friends who knowing I was there came to seek me and by their calling upon my name my Brother and Sister knew me and confessed they had some suspicion of me when I gave the rings my Sister told me at the instant she met me on the stairs she felt something extraordinary which made the colour rise in her face Then we fell to embraces and rejoyces like the American women who when they will bid their friends welcom sit on the ground and weep and entertain them embrace and feast them weeping So I staid there some six weeks in jollity and congratulation with my friends I was willing to relate this passage as well to shew the various encounters of mans life as the instinct of bloud which will discover it self be it never so concealed and unknown CHAP. XXII The Authours voyage to the kingdom of Morocca he is taken by the Spaniards an accident befell the Authour at Arache The battel of Sebastian King of Portugall BUt let us come back to my return to Marseills where I felt the custom of change to be of no small force which was so prevalent with me that I had scarce rested six moneths there but I grew weary finding neither the air customs nor manner of living agreeable I was so moulded to change and variety As this inquietude possessed me it happened fortunately that one Don Guillerm passed by Marseills sent by Henry the 3. Embassadour or Agent to Fez and Marocco and being very much a friend to my Father dining one day at our house he heard me speaking of my travails and was pleased with my conversation he asked me if I would go along in his company And I was in a humour so well disposed that I accepted very willingly so he entertained me This Don Guillerm was a Chirurgion born at Nice who travailing to Marocca was so happy as to cure the King of a pestilence with which he was visited at Constantinople which brought him in great esteem with the Prince Insomuch that he sent him to treat of an alliance with King Henry the third who returned him with presents to Molouco and Abdelmelech Being thus agreed we parted from Marseills about sixty in company and imbarked upon a well-arm'd vessel within six dayes we came by night near upon the streight of Gibraltar but the stream was so violent it held us back till day and well-nigh cast us on shore near the Tower called the Devils mansion where no body ever lives for they have a tradition that the master Mason which built it being not paid his price by him that set him on work gave it to fiends who have kept it ever since Being thus driven on shore against the mount of Gibraltar as we endeavoured with strength to shove her off the vessel overturned and the mast and sails lay in the water which much amazed us but by happy fortune a Pilot of Marseills John Saffoulo being aboard with us for his private affairs seeing our danger and that every one was fled to the other side the deck fell to work and with an ax opening the side of the ship let in the water so as the weight set her upright and by Gods assistance we scaped this imminent danger being driven by a gentle gale to a point where we cast anchor But notice hereof coming to the Spanish Gallies which lay at anchor not far thence they sent out presently
bracelets and pendants of value all this stirred me not so as seeing they gained nothing upon me the principall of them the Ermin pronounced sentence of death and at the instant the Executioner seizing on me made me lay my head on a block of wood and without further Ceremony with his weapon naked in his hand prepared to give the blow but as he was hastening me to pull my doublet off that the collar might not hinder the blow God inspired one amongst the rest that told them they committed an errour to cut me off being so young for that 't was against their Law to execute any one for that crime being under 17. years of age and that they ought to inform themselves precisely of it For in the Alcoran the severe law is that whosoever shall commit Formicat that is pollute a holy place he ought not to be put to death onely chastized with bastinadoes and absolved But this punishment was exceeding cruelly and fully inflicted upon me for I stood the fury of a multitude who in the instant came in and asking Chate quei feuti houat Romi that is what hath this Christian done and being related they said haley that is make room then they all fell upon me and laid on till they were weary so much as a decrepid horrid squalid old man who while he bestowed his labour on me told me that as I had presumed to pisse upon the head of one that waited on their great Prophet so after death the Saints should shit upon my soule which should feed upon that ordure till the Judgement-day and then be cast into flames amongst her fellowes His opinion was approved of but the execution suspended Mean while my Companions were escaped severall waies and crept into caves where one of them lived three dayes upon snailes so as they could no waies help me But my misfortune coming to the eares of some Christian merchants who lived in Town they went immediately to supplicate the Judicature to have consideration of my youth that I was a Gentleman belonging to the Embassadour of France who would resent the affront and acquaint their Prince with it whence inconveniences might accrew They were not so moved with these reasons but some bribes must be given so as the Merchants entring caution of a vast sum with me and obliging themselves for my re-appearance when time should be I was set at liberty Of all those there was not one of my Countrey nor acquaintance Being at large I was quartered in a noble house with a rich Portuguese Merchant who spared nothing for my recovery out of this sad estate This Merchant by name Andrieto Gasparo born in the Island of Corsa had two Brothers at Marseills and knew my Father very well to whom he gave speedy intelligence of my misfortune and received an answer with expresse order to worke my delivery at what rate soever Hereupon these worthy people advised together and resolved to send two men to court on dromedaries there called Bacambal which are beasts of extraordinary velocity that will go their hundred miles a day with the principall Rider and one to guide him with their baggage and necessary provisions for their journey But by the way the Riders had need be well swath'd back and head for the extreme shakings they give the body as likewise to have their ears well stopt for being deafened with the hideous noyse they make by the way They dispatched these two Courriers one strait to Marocca whither 't was reported the King was gone the other Francisco Maria a Portuguese towards the Sea Coast to Alcasseur where he met with Muley Moluco to whom he was well known and laying himself at his feet related the proceedings to him Whereupon the King caused the Embassadour of France who was there to be called in the end he resolved to return this Messenger with all speed with order and command to the Ermin of Mequine to discharge me without further caution Upon Estradiors return he presented these letters to Ermin and the rest of the Judicature who received it with great ceremony and humilty laying it upon their head and so I had my freedome and my life saved with sufficient marks to remember and for the future be better advised at my cost for I felt the stripes longer after and indeed this is the greatest danger we ranne amongst the Infidells Besides it cost me deere for I was fain to present the Gentlemen of the Judicature with a barrell of Safron and some Tapistry hangings for their curtesie who afterwards in testimony of their Amity sent me to Fez a magnificent present of a fat sheep and some other comestible things as bisquet sugar cheese and abundance of dates and that was all I got At my departure with these worthy Merchants one of their wives called Causabonna in return for a bladder of Musk I presented her gave me six fine shirts with caps and handkerchers At my return from Africa going back for Arache this way I failed not to visit my good friends these Merchants and was likewise to see the Ermin Mahomet Mustapha who by reason of my change of habit and countenance at first knew me not but afterwards gave me noble entertainment for his heart was Christian and made us taste his good wine and eate with him offering me gold but I refused it notwithstanding I must needs take them saying they belonged to me being some Duckets given him for the Mutton and other things that were sent to me so as he made the account but even which shews how just this man was And he it was that in my suffering came to advise me to stand firm and not renounce my faith and religion He had two wives of most perfect beauty and he told me if any occasion should occurre to draw him out of Barbary he would embrace baptization there being throughout these parts no meanes to exercise Christian Religion for I heard not one Masse so long as I was here neither at Fez nor other townes where there are abundance of Christians They will not allow of Priests which is otherwise at Constantinople where there are above twenty Churches where they celebrate divine service both in Greek Latine and Abissinian and is free exercise of Religion for all Christians and if the body of a Christian be to be interred at any distance from thence the Priests with the crosse go publickly for it and carry it whither they please without the least injury from any one upon pain of being well punished During this progresse of affairs King Mahomet had agitated so with Sebastian King of Portugal that he was upon the march with a potent Army and that many vessels were already arrived at Arzille Oran Tanger and Cerote forts on the African coast in the Christians hands whereof Muley Malouco being advertized made diligent preparation and first takes a march into the mountains against the Arabians whom he distrusted to be of his nephews party He took
French who used them mildely found quite otherwise And we see that Once de Leon leaving them by reason of their salvagenesse one Ferdinand de Sotâ— in the year one thousand five hundred thirty four for booty and discovery of Mines made a voyage thither where he committed a thousand cruelties upon the people and the Catiques themselves so as at last in revenge he and all his company were massacred Afterwards Pamphilio de Naruanez brought a good Colony into the River of Palmes where either by tempest or want the greater part perished Then in the year one thousand forty nine some Religious of Saint Benedicts order were sent thither who had but little better successe so as the countrey remaining unplanted by any forrainers in the yeare one thousand five hundred sixty two our French went to make a conquest of it Lo here the first discovery and taking possession of these territories by Verazan in the name of King Francis the first in the year 1524. For Admirall Chatillon ambitious the French should have the honour and Empire of those parts had induced Charles the ninth to commission John Ribaut Diepois to go plant there at his own cost and charges advised to the designe by a French-man who under the stile of a Levantisk and Savoyard not a French-man had before made a voyage that way to New Spain Ribaut with a good party â—f French souldiers and Marriners first touch at the Cape of France so named by him in thirty eight degrees and the faire River May which he so called because he arrived there on the first of May. There the Indians and their King gave him kinde entertainment and many presents were interchanged ours gave them bracelets of Tinne Bills Looking-glasses and Knives They returned Plumes of red feathers Baskets of twigges finely platted and skinnes of beasts ingeniously figured On further they found other Rivers to which they gave the names of Seine Somme Loire Charante Garoma Gironda Belle and others within lesse then sixty leagues off coast then upon the River Jordan they cast Anchor and called that place Port Royal where they set up the Armes of France as they did in the River May upon a stone pillar Ribaut upon his designe of planting built a Fort he called Charles-Fort in the mouth of a faire River by the natives called Toubachire by Chenonceau and placing in it Captain Albert with twenty souldiers and foure pieces of Ordnance he returned for France bringing for a shew some pieces of Rock streaked with gold and silver and abundance of Munkeys and Paraquitoes promising to return shortly with a considerable Colony of men and women Here Captain Albert Governour of the Fort falls in love with a daughter of one of the principal Caoiques very fair and coming whom he had procured into the Fort with her Fathers consent the maid holding it for a great honour to be affected by strangers But here upon a souldier one of the chiefest and gallantest of the company becomes her servant also and by so much the more ardent for some countenance she shewed him though in private the Captain perceiving it he fell into such rage he would have killed him but for fear of mutiny amongst the souldiers so thought better to set him a shore in a desert Island three leagues from thence promising to send him provision from time to time but not performing accordingly the poor man was brought to such extremity he had no sustenance but Oysters Tortoise egges Birds that he took with his hand and hearbs and was forced to creep into hollow trees for security from wilde beasts especially Crocodiles whereof there are great store nor did his sword and punniard stand him in small stead against them The very Apes and Munkies were vexatious to him Sometimes for better security he climbed into trees and they say falling asleep one night in a tree he tumbled down on the back of a Crocodile that was come a shore for his prey 't was hard to say which was most frighted but he pursued the Crocodile to the River side being but slow of pace by reason of his short legges and heavie body Certain Indians fishing saw the miserable condition of this poor man and advertised his comerades in the Fort who incensed against their Captaine for this and other rigours killed him and fetched back the souldier halfe dead with hunger then chose another Captaine and constrained by necessity to return into France by help of the Indians they built a little Bark nailed with wooden pinnes and fitted with Sayles of such linnen as they had victualled with the round corne of the countrey they call Mays and powdered flesh but were driven to such exigent by the way they were fain to cast lots who should be so unhappy as to be food for the rest In the year one thousand five hundred sixty four Captain Landoniere was sent thither with three vessels who built Fort Caroline upon the River May and thence made some inroads upon the Continent amongst other things he relates a flash of lightening the most horrid and prodigious was ever heard of for it covered and burnt above five hundred Acres of Meadow green and watered roasted the Fowle and continued for three dayes without ceasing The year following Captain Ribaut returned thither with his son and about four hundred men and women to compose his colony and till the soyle He was upon opening a Mine of Gold and in the rock was come to fine gold of the bignesse of needle points about 30. leagues from the sea but afterwards being about to go on with the work effectually he was unexpectedly surprized by Spaniards who used him and his company with all cruelty and treachery imaginable Our Histories relate the passage at large so as our Forts were taken and all our countrymen hanged or murthered Young Ribaut escap't came back into France and complained to the King who wrote to the King of Spain about it but he onely sent order to the Viceroy of New Spain to informe himself of the matter and accordingly to do justice which neverthelesse was forgotten and so the outrage was unsatisfied till the year 1567. that Captain Gourgues nobly undertook the revenge at his own charges and bravely drove out all the Spaniards and demolished their Forts I shall make no further progresse for that the Histories of Florida make large relations CHAP. VIII Of Mexico the nature of the Inhabitants their Kings sacrifices c. FRom Florida by degrees we arrive at New Spaine or the kingdom of Mexico A countrey extending in length and breadth from the River Tanasco or Grisalue towards the West or Jucatan to the Province of Caliacan and the river Saint Michael bounded on the North with new Granada and the Provinces of new Mexico On the South lyes the great gulph of the pacifick sea of Mexico On the East the River Panuco and the skirts of Florida The kingdome of Mexico is otherwise called Culbuca and
Anauas by the Inhabitants it holds dominion from Panuco to Dariene which divides it from Peru. The principal Provinces are Guatemala Xalisco Chalcos Taica Mechoachan Tlascalan Acapulco Culiacan Tezuco Tescuco Huaca-chalque Huacachala Claortomaca Maxalcinco Gistecapan and others New Spaine is one of the most excellent Provinces of the New World fully inhabited pure ayre abounding in corne and all sorts of graine Cattle Mines of Gold and chiefely of Silver wanting nothing but oyle and wine The principal and capital town is Temistican or Temoxtitlan or Temuistican upon a Lake of thirty Leagues in circute is contained threescore thousand Houses at the time the Spaniards took it under the famous Ferdinand Cortez The lake is of two waters salt and fresh by reason of the rivers that enter it There are many other great Townes but less then Mexico Before they received Christianity they were all great Idolaters and given to strange superstitions many whereof they continue still Their Sacrifices were formidable Fathers not scrupling to make their own children victims The Mexicans are an ingenuous people and of experience in all sorts of workes particularly in Tapestry of feathers where they have things artificially drawne to the life The Soyle abounds in all sorts of fruits and commodities for livelihood as well naturall as adventitious even vines whereof they have very good notwithstanding the prohibition to plant any True in many parts the grapes come not to perfect maturity by reason of the abundant rains in June and July when the grapes begin to ripen so as they soake raine and corrupt wherefore they are forced to eat them halfe green Some have try'd to make wine but it proves sharp and more like wine of quinces then grapes They have planted olive-trees which come to good growth and full of leaves but without fruit All sorts else grow well and plentifully The wine they drink comes all from Spaine and is very deare for it cost five of us three crowns a day for our parts and a good bargaine the plenty of mony making all things deare for a bed 12 realls a night In Peru t is yet dearer though they get very good wine and figs as likewise in the Isles of Barlouento and Cuba There are many Forrests by the Indians called Arcaboucos store of Ebony Guâ—acum or Lignum Sanctum wide and thick Forrests of Cedars Laurells Dates Pines Oaks and hearbs of all sorts proceeding from the nature of the Climate being hot and moist The greater part of the ground lies notwithstanding uncultivated for want of Labourers of which they have none but some Blacks of Maniconga and Guinea lazy people and no good workers The Country is not very populous many more women then men by reason warr and labour consumes them The extent of these Regions is admirable nay infinite in respect of the few Inhabitants and less agriculture for this late discovered Mexico contains above 15 Provinces of above a thousand leagues in circuite where there are as faire Towns and buildings as in Europe Good part speak the Mexico Tongue Farther on there succeed severall unknowne Nations without number Some Religious went thither to Preach the Faith but the Savages devoured them 'T is not yet found out what Territories border with Cape Mendocino California high Florida new Mexico and others towards the North Pole no more then what is beyond the Streight of Magellan higher by 56. or 57. degrees The Inhabitants of old Mexico do intirely apply themselves to the Trades and wayes of the Spaniard being grown good Weavers and make all sorts of silke stuffs in like manner they are docile and judicious and such as are become Christians follow the Doctrine most religiously The Countrey is of such a scituation that you ascend wherever you go from the sea Coast but so easily you perceive it not So coming from the middle of the land to the Sea-ward you descend on which side soever but so as afterwards one admires how they ascended mounted so high or came so low all the Mexican Territory is of this quality and scituation The Mexicans derive themselves originally from other parts the Ancient Inhabitants were barbarous and eat nothing but venison which they called Chichimeques and Otomies then the Navatalks came from the North from Provinces which since are joyned to New Mexica who peopled cultivated and civiliz'd the soyle and Nation But withall they introduced their strange Idolatries and horrible sacrifices of men and infants whereof they perpetrate abundance every yeare Whereby 't is very probable that not only this but all the other Countreys are inhabited with people deriv'd from the North whither the Asians and Europians may have passed by little and little by the Streights either of Sea or Land as we have already demonstrated These Mexicans being well setled chose a King to Govern them who was one Acamipixtsi a Mexican Lord who had married a daughter of the King of Cublivacan an ancient people of the Country since which time they have ever had Kings not by succession but Election continued to the ninth and last King Montezuma taken by Cortez under which Kings they had diverse Warrs and tooke in many neighbors augmenting it to a great state The King was not Elected by the Commons but by 4 Principall of the Court and had the Crowne from the hands of the Tescaio But the King Elect before he receives his Crown is obliged to go fight the Enemy and bring such a number of Prisoners to their Sanguinary sacrifices If he faile in the first expedition they excuse it but if the second time they poyson him and choose another If he returne victorious they conduct him with great ceremony to the Temple where they make the great sacrifice with processions and musick through the Town He was crowned with a Crown like a Miter and every one made oath to serve him to the last drop of bloud then was conducted with great magnificence to the Pallace-Royal the Electors called Laceocal marching first that is Princes of the Lance then the Lacaterret or Thunder-bolts of men who are the gallantest of the Cavaliers then Hazeuocal that is bloud-shedders and the Lilbancalqui Knights of the black lance These four orders were his Majesties privy Council in the Town they had other Councils for administration of Justice When the King went to the Temple an hundred men marched before him with great bows taller than themselves then 100. more with long staves with a hardbroad keen stone in the end with which he will cut off a horse-head I have seen one cut a sheep in two with it those they call a la a tilpeo The Kings Pallace is sumptuous and magnificent a Parke by it stored with wilde beasts of all sorts ponds full of fish with boates of rich worke and cages for Birds The Pallace is composed of separate apartments and severall habitations for the Courtiers every one according to his dignitie and degree The Mexican Kings had high esteem for men
Mexican wheel Page 363 Their superstitions ibid. Mappes of Africa defective Page 178 Monbaze a country Page 188 Monbaze in extent Page 189 A merry passage ibid. How in Monbaze they receive Embassadours ibid. Melinde a town kingdom Page 190 Melons of Excellency ibid. The Prince of Melinde a grave Justiciar ibid. Mozambique a kingdome Page 191 The Inhabitants of Mozambique Page 192 Magnice a River Monopotapa an Empire Page 198 Monopotapians Idolaters ibid. Magicians proceedings in Monopotapa Page 199 Mexican festivals and dances Page 363 Mexican sacrifices and ceremonies ibid. Mountains burning Page 365.376 Mexican Mascarades called Quacones ibid. Mexico by whom conquered Page 367 The King of Mexico 's state and strength ibid. Wealth of Mexico ibid. Monkeys Page 374 Mines in Potossi Page 375 Mines of silver and gold the nature and manner of working in them Page 383 N NIcotiana Page 39 Nahassan Page 40 Nutmegs Page 100 Nestorians Page 126 Number of nine amongst the Tartars Page 177 Niger and Gambra rivers flowing as Nile Page 179 The Negus his triumphant entrance Page 227 Service at the Negus table Page 226 Navasse an Island Page 334 New-found-lands what Page 349 O OReb Page 11 Ormus Page 30 31.13.29 Outor Page 17 Ostander Page 40 Oyl of cinamon Page 68 Ostridges Page 115 An oraculous Idol Page 123 Ordinance in China from antiquity Page 243 Oximinchus famous for multitude of religious persons Page 279 Obsequies of the King of Guinalla Page 326 An order of knighthood Page 359 Orellana the greatest of rivers Page 395 P A Just punishment of the perfidious Page 3 St. Paul's imprisonment Page 6 Provision for the deserts Page 9 The Prophets City Page 10 Pecher a Haven Page 19 Persia and the bounds Page 31 Pitch Page 33 The Powerfull State of the Kings of Persia Page 37 Plucciander Page 40 Places in the Indies Page 41 The Portuguese conquest in the East Page 42 Purcelans Page 51 A sad fate of Pirats Page 52 Presumption of the Portugals Page 55 A strange History of a Portugais Captain Page 63 An unheard of curtesie from the hand of a Pirat Page 64 Punishment of the wicked ibid. Perfidiousness of Pirats Page 65 Pearle fishing Page 68 The manner of pearle fishing Page 72 Polouis the Divells Isles Page 71 Subtle poyson Page 85 Pirats how taken Page 85 Pegu. Page 112.108 109 Peguan Armies Page 121 Punishments for crimes Page 124 Peguans whence derived Page 128 The Peguan Creed ibid. The Peguans diet Page 131 The Peguan salutations Page 132 The Peguans Military exercises ibid. The Peguan Kings Coronation Page 133 Peguan ceremonies at creation of their King Page 135 The King of Pegues Revenues Page 139 Peguan Justice Page 140 A Peguan policy Page 141 Priests dispose of war Page 144 The Peguan yeare Page 147 Philosophy of the Indians Page 171 The point of St. Anthony Page 183 Persipolis and the ruines of structures Page 194 A passage Magicall Page 199 No prison in Monopotapa Page 200 Poyson common and deare in Monopotapa and the reason Page 203 Preste Johns Mansion Page 220 Preste John's Justice ibid. Priests singing Psalmes in state Page 225 A Princesse prisoner restored to her lover Page 229 A figurative peare ibid. Perfumed meat Page 230 Prostitution of wives Page 233 Paraguary hath the like inundations as Nile Page 277 Piramids of prodigious structure Page 277 Piperons Giants Page 327 Pit the highest mount in the world Page 331 Peru why so called and the description Page 371 Peru in extent ibid. A passage so cold 't is extremely dangerous Page 375 Plumes in use Page 380 Peru discovered Page 387 Peru by whom civilized Page 388 Peru taken by the Spaniard Page 390 Paragous people Page 392 Q. QUinsay Page 103 Queen Tyrada Page 104 Quiloa a town of antiquity Page 191 A Queen and nine sons massacred for worshipping the Devill Page 235 Quite a Province Page 372 R. RImadan Page 21 Rivers of Persia Page 32 Religious orders amongst the Turks Page 39 Resolution in extremity Page 91 Continual rains ibid. Rubarbe Page 106 Respect to strangers Page 134 Repudiation Page 141 Reward of valour Page 144 Reconcilements Page 156 The Rhinocerot of the Escuriel Page 260 Rivers in Suama Page 194 Manica a gold Mine ibid. Manica a mount and the ruines of structures there of strange thicknesse ibid. The Religion of the Abyssins Page 215 Religions of several orders in Abissina ibid. Rivers in Abissina Page 216 Reception of the Portugal Embassadour at the Negus 's Court Page 231 An heroick restoration of captive women Page 236 Religion of the Ethiopians Page 245 Religion of Saba Page 253 A miraculous cure ibid. Religion and customes of the Sarabomians· Page 258 A wild Rhinocerot Page 259 Religion of the Jalofes Page 323 Rauana the securest Haven Page 336 Religious devoured by Savages Page 357 Rivers in Peru. Page 179 Good natural reasons from Savages Page 401 S. SHipwrack of the Authour in Candia Page 2 A malicious shipwrack Page 3 Sahanir a mountain Page 5 Silks Page 5 The Sea of Sodome Page 10 Mount Sina Page 11 Sarazins whence called Page 14 Black sand Page 19 Storax ibid. Sabea ibid. Sequemir his state Page 20 Salsidas devotes Page 20.40 Read Sea Page 23 Sabeans ibid. Spices Page 24 Suachan Page 25 Santal Page 26 Socotoro famous for Ambargris Page 28 A Stratagem Page 34 Sumachia Page 35 Samarcant Page 37 Sotismel Sinbarate Page 37 Seleres Page 38 Sophy Page 38 Sacar Page 39 Sanosaraden Page 49 Samorin Page 57 Seraglio Page 85 Sartagan a town Page 88 Siam a kingdom Page 103 Statues of beaten gold Page 110 Sacrifices for the dead Page 127 Superstitious salutations Page 128 Sacathy a mortiferous plant Page 130 Sodomy not prohibited Page 139 Sacrifices of proper children Page 142 Sugar used in building Page 150 Sinabo a kingdom Page 163 Serpents good meat Page 174 Sonderia an Island Page 183 Secora ibid. A superstitious ceremony Page 191 The state the Negus is received into towns with Page 224 Scanfourin the capital town of Mongibir Page 234 Salt exceeding precious Page 249 Sorcerers Page 247 Subtilty of Crocodiles ibid. A star in Ethiopia mortiferous Page 250 Salete a fair town and a most pleasant garden there Page 251 Saba Queen ibid. Saba or Soua a town Page 252 Swine for carriage like horses Page 256 Saraboma a famous Island Page 258 Sebastian king of Portugal defeated and slain by the Moors Page 292 Familiarity with Serpents Page 301 Examples of Sorcery Page 303 Seraglio of Constantinople Page 306 Temple of Saint Sophia Page 307 Seraglio described Page 310 Serri Leonna a country Page 325 Sarboul a fruit growing all the year Page 333 Frozen sea Page 347 A Stratagem Page 360 Spanish vanity Page 368 Seasons of the year in Peru. Page 372 Sheep for carrige Page 382 The Strait of Magellan Page 392 Sugar exceeding cheap Page 404 T. TRade in Arabia Page 23 A strange tempest Page 27 Trade from Ormus Page 30 Tauris a town Page 34