a sister to the deceased mourned with such passion that he fir'd his Palace and got himself to so uncouth and solitary a place that no man knew where to find him 'T was in a Cave in the wild of the woods where he concealed himself and this by the consent of his Lady who on her part with two of her daughters became a recluse Nun in a Monastery of women called Aranatingil to whom after decease of the Mother the Negus sent to perswade to become secular again and prevailed with the one who was married to the Prince of Dafila but the other called Agaria persisted in her devotion and proceeded to such sanctity that as they say by revelation she understood the Place where her father was retired and sent her Confessor to visit him whom he found in the hollow of a rock to which one must ascend by many steps and in one corner of the rock he had a little garden with a fountain and some Coco Dates which the Abissins call Miguel and other trees set round There the Prince spent his daies with one onely servant living on the fruits of these trees He was exceedingly beloved and lamented by the whole Court as well for his valour and vertue as for that he was of the bloud of Tigray being descended from the Emperour of Tigray and the Negus himself holding wars with the King of Deli felt special want of him and coming to understand where he was concealed took the pains to go in person with his whole Army thither to entreat his assistance in a businesse of so main importance to the preservation of the Faith promising him that the wars ended he should return to his hermitage whereto the other would not be refractory but leaving his grotte and appearing to the Army they conceived so great a confidence of good successe in the war that with a generall shout they cryed out victory 'T was a noble pleasure to see the kindnesses wherewith the whole Court welcom'd the Prince some embracing his knees other casting themselves at his feet so great is the devotion of these people Then arming him with arms of the skin of Coscuma back and breast and mounting him on a gallant horse with an azure Crosse in a white standart before them as on the day of battel they have a red Crosse of the colour of the Emperours tent they marched into the field and the war was prosperously ended to the wishes of the Negus whether this Prince returned to his grotte or continued at Court I cannot tell But to proceed the Province of Amara confines upon Angote divided by the River Ancona 't is true that Olabi lies betwixt through which the River Cabella passes rising out of the lake of Amara abounding with Sea-horses by them called Gomaraes and by the Arabians Garmaran and another like to a Lamprey which being boiled in water makes pottage white as milk but red being boiled in milk The Negus is esteemed one of the richest and most potent Princes in the Universe His ordinary Army consists of thirty thousand horse and fifty thousand foot partly of tawny partly of entirely black people by reason of the heat of the Countrey though notwithstanding they have both winter and summer The Prince never stayes in Town above three dayes and ever hath a well ordered Army in the field amply provided of all sorts of military ammunition and his Court walled with a strong and magnificent Guard When any one sues for accesse to the Prince there is a Nobleman whose office is to question him what he is whence he comes and what he desires of his Majesty and holding him constantly by the hand at the gate of the Tent-Royal he speaks in a loud tone after a manner of singing and so gives the King notice of this persons arrivall who immediately receives a dispatch of his businesse in few words and short time When the King marches into the field which is never without his Court and Army of above fourscore or a hundred thousand men he removes not above four or five miles a day ever lodging at Churches or Monasteries The Army marches foremost with all the baggage packed up in baskets instead of coffers This Court is not hung upon by such a rascallity as ours is nor is the Countrey harried and eaten up by such a rabble the villages contribute nothing but the whole is discharged out of the treasure and revenue of the Prince After the Army is passed comes about three thousand Officers who carry the provisions for the Kings table wine in Barrels and meat in Panniers every one carrying his proportion on his head those who conduct them are called the Seraif Then the Lords called the Serami follow afoot a javeline in their hand and a guilt falchion like a short sword by their side and the Priests bare-headed whereof four who serve by the Quarter carry the sacred stone for celebration The Prince marches under a Canopy in an Apostolike habit of white silke with wide sleeves and a broad large hat When the Court marches they are all well mounted but ill-armed for their Armes are neither so neat nor so well wrought as ours The Prince hath one compleate suite of Armes which he puts on but seldom The King of Spain presented him with a suit by his Embassadour which was musquet proof Their ordinary Arms are half-pikes and battle-axes of which they know how to make good use Their tents of thick strong cloth the Prince's of white linnen lined with leather so spacious 't is capable to comprehend twelve thousand persons domestick Officers and Servants as I said before and the Ladies of Honour to the Queen besides the Cavalry who serve by Quarter and are those who wear the Lions skin In the middle of the Tent there stands a Church of vast circumference near to which the King and Queen onely inhabit for upon occasion of any conference they come into other apartements His Tent alone is like a little Town containing within it his very stables all regularly composed and well governed He hath his musick singing day and night the Musicians discharging their duties by turns though he be not in his Tent the same reverence and respect is observed as if he were present He who hath the office to expostulate and induct those who make addresses to the Prince after he understands the businesse if he cannot of himself give satisfaction he repairs to the Prince to whom he relates the whole upon his knees without presuming to behold his face or rise up while the King speaks then returns and exacts the like reverence from others to himself As touching Justice there 't is equally and speedily administred without any tedious processe If any man either in court or Army be found guilty of a crime he is immediately punished with bastinadoes the ordinary chastisement but they use also buffeting as the Turks do For the tributary kingdoms and dominions under the Negus the Law is such
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
retiring No man hath accesse but upon extreme submissions and prostrating himself on the ground on six paces distance the Princes answers are briefe He delights at be decked with chains and stones as women are bestowes little and loves to be presented with all curiosities possible He keeps a great Pack or Seraglio of wives and some say he hath a guard of armed Ladies like Amazons and a number of fierce great dogges The capitall town where he keeps his Court is called Madrogan where he hath a stately Palace the houses are good building the materialls are wood and loome which being well tempered and whitened over are sufficiently gracefull and inhabitable The King must not go robed but after the manner of his Ancestors that is a Cassock of his own country silk for stuffes brought from forrain parts he wears not for fear of poyson over this a large and long scarfe like a womans mantle which comes betwixt his legs and is brought up to be tucked under his girdle with a rich handcherchief over his shoulders he hath buskins embroydered with gold and rich carkanets on his neck with a band about his hat interwoven with big pearles rubies and emeralds He makes great use of Elephants and of a beast called an Alsinge seldome ridden on which resembles a hart never using horses for that rhere are so few What is most remarkable in this place is that there is no sort of prison the reason because all matters of justice are finally concluded upon the place Here as in other parts 't is a crime capitall to deflowre a maid before her years of maturity because she ought to be capable of bearing children The Kings wives are most richly and artificially attired who live separate in several apartements without any knowledge of one another unlesse when through speciall grace he convokes them 'T is pain of death for him that but goes about the lodgeings of these Ladies Many Colledges likewise where youth is instructed in vertue The Ladies of quality held it an honour to dresse the Princes meat and wait by turnes taking charge of his diet at meals at which time he hath Musicians for his alacrity but they are hoodblinded that they may not view his face and when he drinks a great person calls out aloud Pray for the Kings health His drink is wine of distilled Dates with Manna Ambar and Musk. His odours and perfumes for each day come to two pound weight of gold provided him by certain Merchants The Tapers for his service are compounded with odours When he goes forth in a morning if the Sun with his rayes have not refined the ayre he hath four great perfumed torches borne before him himself being carried by foure Gentlemen in a Chaire Richly adorned with a Curtaine or Canopy over it an Umbrella enriched with jewells and a numerous Attendance of Nobility Before him goes a Guard of two hundered Mastiffs each lead by his keeper and amongst these for his desport a Buffon Upon the way he never gives audience to any one and goes not out of his Pallace whether on foot or mounted either on Horse Elephant or Alsigne but he bestrides some new-killed beast as I related of Monbase and being pas'd they raise a loud cry making inspection on the intralls to know if there be good or bad towards the Prince whereof their Flamins make report His Chaire-bearers are dawb'd all over with a red earth wherin they work folliage of divers sorts after the manner of the Mozambiques The Royall Pallace is very commodious flank'd with Towers without within furnish'd with cotton cloth of diverse colours gold tissue the floore costly pav'd with plates of gold cut in figures with great Candlesticks of ivory hung in chaines of silver Seats enriched with gold Folliage properly beautified with colours and Transparent Ennamell and foure Principall Gates sumptuously wrought and Guarded by those they call Sequender His Family is by a number of Officers very orderly govern'd who observe him with a most profound silence While he sits at Table you heare not a whisper nor the least noise His Vessell is Purcelan garnish'd and set round with sprigs of gold fashion'd like Corall The Captain of the Gate is called Cadira The Captain of the Guard Acar The Treasurer or he who disposes the Revennues Cabacada The Seniglaren is as 't were Constable or Lieutenant Generall who are all in array of Honour of cotton cloth or silke of diverse colours girdles inrich'd with stones guilt falchions or swords with hilts of Massie gold carv'd and enammell'd which is for ordinary on high dayes of Diamonds Rubies and other stones of inestimable price I saw there the pommell of an Alfange or cimeterre made of one fausell Ruby of extraordinary bignesse of one peice entire which was given for the Ransom of a Province For the Father of Tabachi who reigned at the time we were there having disburs'd a Masse of gold-ingotts to releive the King Vidarati the other gave him a Province for security and when he came to redeem it Tabachi chose rather this gorgious sword then all the gold they would restore him which was a great quantity When this King Marches to the Warr in Magnificence he weares a Robe of silke with hanging sleeves a girdle enchas'd with stones of peculiar vertues as the Magicians make him beleive a Poniard at his girdle and his sword borne before him by a Prince with a small casket of jewells Himself in a Littar born by Gentlemen called Singaro one Page marches before him with his Umbrella another with a fan of Austrich feathers which are here in abundance some as large as oxen The Princes and Gentry habited in the Turkish dress saving that for a Turban they weare little round bonnets all bravely mounted on Elephants or Horses which are bred and suckled by Cowes and train'd by Jaloses so expert at it that running at high speed they will throw a dart and riding catch it again so dexterously and with such agility that without stop they will stooping take a stone off the ground He hath with him a hundred Elephants caparison'd with the skins of Sea-oxen unpeirceable by any dart each carrying foure Eunukes with cross-bowes of farther reach then long-bowes Upon the neck sits the Besâ—gu who guides and commandes him and during the clamour and confusion layes his mouth to his eare hollowing to him that he may understand him and so docile is this creature that he will turn back his long eare to hearken and obey what he bids him This Besigu beares a bow and quiver a short sword and a coat of Sea-oxe In the Van of the Elephants march great Mastiffs cap'd in the same manner to each a keeper who hath him linked to his girdle with an iron chaine In summe t is of Faith with all of them that he who dies for his King gains salvation though in other points they embrace all sorts of Religions telling you they cannot be damn'd for that
celebrate Masse before the Negus before it vested as the four are marches another who going backward incences the stone then followes the Standart and some five hundred gentlemen of quality all on horse-back and clad in large white shirts of silk and plaited like a Chanons Surplice One part of this company they call Calsena who are exempt Officers in readinesse to execute the Kings commands After this attended with Musick and Hoboyes appears a Canopy high exalted and before it one whom they call Licadona mounted on an Elephant bearing in his hand a lump of gold or silver guilt who seemed to be the chief of this musick Four Princes upon four of the highest Elephants can be gotten bear the Queens Canopy plainly habited with Lions skins over their shirts and broad hats on their heads the Queen her self's in a Littar and with her commonly a little childe for her recreation accompanied with a numerous train of Littars Chariots and other attendance in great magnificence Next comes a man mounted on a great horse trapped with Aiofar a sort of stuffe which the tree Areca bears and he often cries aloud Tacar and Etefra which is the same as take heed and make room Then three hundred Elephants follow richly mail'd with Sea-wolf skins lin'd with skins of Crocodile of four or five hundred pound weight and of such firmenesse that they are Musquet proof One clothed in Velvet embroydered with gold sits for-most upon the head the principal rider beares a banner of a Lions skin at the end of an Indian Cane upon the neck sits one who guides the beast with two barres of steele fastened to his jaws hanging downwards not turning up as our Printers represent them the Saddles are girt with chaines of iron four men besides the guides may conveniently mount them They call the guide the Digali who is armed with a most hard skinne and in time of battel hath a Trumpet or Cornet to put in the beasts eare to make him know his meaning who otherwise could not for the confused noyse after follow many chariots some of four some of six wheels bound with massie bonds of iron drawn by horses mules and other beasts wherein the baggage of the Army is carryed They also use these chariots against the Elephants who at first onset falling into fury by the instigation of the riders make bloody havock Against which the enemy sometime provides fire-works which thrown into their eyes before their feet terrifies them and makes them turn and rush over their owne men but being backed with these strong chariots and managed by souldiers skilfull in the art of war they maintaine battell Two thousand foot next with bows arrowes and broad short well temper'd hangers In the middle of them twelve men march termed the Ariates that is the Apostles after them came a Prince mounted on a white Elephant bearing upon his lance a banner of a Lions skin who marched with solemne gravity before 2000. horse richly caparisson'd with a certain stuffe down as low as the Cambrell a forehead-piece of a hard skin doubled which arm 's the whole head except the ears The Prince that led these they called the Betudete or Generall who had to wait on him a company of the Neguses pages whom they called Legameneos Next to these marched another great Lord they called the Alicassin upon a gallant horse in the head of two thousand horse more armed with swords and woodden bucklers who are Gentlemen of Guard to the Prince with them called Cumali Then another great Lord mounted on an Elephant and two horse-men advanceing something before others who often cry out Imbrane room room next two thousand barded Cammels each mounted with two men armed with halfe-pikes and strong bucklers of leather then another on horse-back with a banner of a Lions skin the like as I saw before the King of Angotera with a company of four thousand horse this Prince bore a ball of silver with four pages riding bare excellently mounted called Laga Menegus The Audrugez or high Steward with a thousand horse in rich equipage at the heeles of these came twenty venerable old men in gowns so large they almost covered the horse then as many on foot who seemed to be of the family of those they call Snachagora who are Physicians Philosophers and Counsellours Then appears a most rich Canopy with Valence of gold and silver borne by four Noble-men with a numerous cavalry no body under it and four Beteneguz who carry lumps of silver gilt all accompanied with musick of Hoboys and other Instruments Then comes the King of Tigrai with his standart and a numerous company and not farre after the Abuna or grand Patriarck with four Lycanates or Prelates who beare a Tabutt with the Logatera and march reversed giving incense facing the Catamar or body of the Army Lastly the Baldaguin or Canopy of State of the grand Negus appears accompanied by the rest of the Princes himself mounted on a horse richly trapped with excellent musick Two Kings on foot hold his bridle two more at his stirrups and two at the crupper all in white silk shirts which they call Aotila the Princes wearing over all a Lions skin a thing allowed to none but those of the blood except some few upon speciall favour The Negus goes under the State with a vaile over his face nor does he appear unvail'd to his people more then foure times in the year and some years only at New-years tyde and Easter when he keeps open Court But since the death of Negus Nahut was concealed so many moneths after his decease this custome is changed and 't was enacted by the Councell generall or States assembled that he should shew himself four times the year at solemn feasts When these times come the people expresse extraordinary joy as if the Deity it self descended to them by reason this Prince is exceeding just compassionate and mercifull dividing his revenue in three parts one for his family a second for the Church and a third for Orphans widowes and others in want for which purpose he builds abundance of well-founded Hospitalls CHAP. XII The victory of the Negus over the Goragues His entrance into Barua LEaving Barra we went to the town of Barua out of desire to see more of the Negus and the triumphant entrance provided for him for a victory lately had over the Soldan of Gorago a people so wilde and savage that of how many soever are taken in war 't is impossible to preserve one alive by reason they are no sooner prisoners but by the sent of a certain poyson they have in readinesse they die in the very instant or suddainly after In this war the King of Tigray brought him very effectuall auxiliations else he had had a bad match of the Goragues a mortall enemy to the Abissine whom they call Israelites In conclusion after he had put them to the rout he pursued and besieged them in Tamar a town surrounded
weighed besides such a proportion of diet every day for their livelyhood as in Italy Cardinals Princes and the Nobility use to do CHAP. XIV Of the kingdom and policy of Mongibir of the Mountain Amara where the Abissin Princes are BEcause I have made mention of Mongibir I shall inform you that this Countrey the capitall Town whereof is called Scanfourin is subject to the Negus and neighbour to the Province of Calasen The Natives are of a middle size and olive colour which makes them affect strangers exceedingly esteeming them more beautiful than themselves though very few come amongst them for they are wretched base and timorous beyond imagination trembling at the report of a gun which they say is the Devils handycraft and call him Hocalsic that is a good man who carries none of these fire cudgels Neverthelesse they maintain a continuall war upon the Calasens who are Christians and they Idolaters worshipping the sun the Negus never being able to reconcile them nor introduce Christian religion amongst them Amongst other heresies they believe that after death the soule enters into another body which makes them indulge strangers so highly upon opinion they may be of their alliance yet they hold they cannot enter into the Calasenians nor the Suecans because they are Romarins that is Christians nor delight to inhabit a body of a contrary Religion and so ceremonious and austere as ours is The earth say they was made for our sustenance and 't were indignity to the Maker not to make use of all which it produces When one speaks to them of the kingdom of Heaven they say 't is the mansion of the Gods and Lights and not of men and that God will have no communication with sinners who are unworthy to approach a thing so holy which shews they once had better knowledge of our mysteries though in the whole time of our travaile there we saw not any book or the least record of the true religion They will invite Passengers to lodge with them and command their wives to keep them company while they go to the wood or river for entertainment for their guests their wives caresse them and esteem it a happinesse if they prove with child by a stranger which when they bring into the world they call it Gilchaquillan that is a child of the sun who being grown up the Prince takes him to his service saying this is the way to multiply his Nation with vertuous people And what is more the wife is the better esteemed of her husband and the Prince if it be a male child sends him a little snake of gold or silver in form of an ear-pendant which renders him so qualified that the time may come he may be capable of the charge of Benchaye who is the person next to the King if it be a girle she shall be married to a person of high degree Though they want not mines of baleys rubies and of silver besides other mettals as tin and copper whence they get an earth which makes the most pure violet colour in the world wherewith they make their houses very gracefull to the eye neverthelesse their fancy is to paint their arms and legs specially the nails and hang pieces of old iron in their ears A Portuguese one day shewed them a piece of gold against the sun which charmed them so that they immediately made it known to their king who resolved to have it at any price to hang in his ear as a thing miraculous and sacred and gave for it half a tun-weight of cinamon As concerning the Articles of their Faith they have no Idols in their Temples but on solemn feasts being assembled they dance round and sing hymns in honour of the sun abstaining from sustenance till his setting They acknowledge a place where sinners are tormented after death and some more grievously than others proportionably to their offences Further they have no speculation being Masters neither of literature nor characters a simple people easie to deceive content with a bare sufficiency for livelyhood not studying how to make use of their national commodities to the best advantage besides so kind they give freely to one another whatsoever they are possessed of and so grosse there are many things amongst them they know no name for and are absolute forrainers at a mile distance Their onely traffick is for honied wine which is brought them from Suechan and Calasen in truck for wild beef-hides and Elephants which they sell to Biguen They are of such fidelity in their commerce that they are really ignorant what 't is to lye and keep their promise with religious observation 'T is true the Ingresses to the Countrey are very dangerous by reason of robbers of diverse nations who rendezvous there but the King executes most severe justice on them that are apprehended condemning them to the jawes of wild beasts which he keeps in Parks This Princes court is governed with good policy and is most commonly attended with four hundred tall men at arms drawn out of his Provinces called Marac which on the South confine on the kingdom of Couran small Countries but the Inhabitants have a particular renown for their fidelity Besides he hath constantly near him 400. horsemen well mounted and in his stable a thousand able horses at rest because being generally bare-foot they are apt to batter their hoofs To march before him he hath 50. Cavaliers whom they call the Joarmamir that is the chief Guard cloth'd in cotton cloth with bow and arrow in hand then follow fifty Cavaliers more in cotton Cassocks variously painted with a short silk Cloak not unlike Meca Tapistry wearing on their head a cap in fashion like a Miter at their girdles hang little balls of steel with three pikes wherewith they seldom misse when they strike and at their Saddle bow a sharp'ned iron like the head of a lance These they call the Kings Champions These two troops march in the field about a bow-shoot before the Prince having between them fifty Elephants richly trapp'd with Tapistry of silk each bearing three or four men with strong bows and arrows three ells long Ethiopian bonnets on their head and Alparyates or open shooes on their feet them they call Jourles that is Archers Then 50. Cavaliers mounted on white horses bearing balls of silver richly wrought in white short cloaks with silver buckles on their head a red bonnet hanging over their shoulders like a Chapperoon they term these Gouaique Soumimara that is the Princes Councell of strangers Then a hundred more well mounted stuck with abundance of feathers their horses covered with cases of Beares Lions or other beasts skins fringed with little coloured feathers a bow in a scarfe and a club in their hand of a sufficient length In the last place comes up the troop which is called Mameiteque Ebaulbic or the Guard of the Body armed with long lances pointed with certain stones keen as any razor which next fire-pikes is
of hands and feet to keep his army more full he entertains the fairest women in the world most gallantly dressed and are onely courted by the great ones and the gallantest persons many strange Lords and Princes flock hither to fight under Mars and Venus but they are not admitted to the Ladies untill they have shewed some Trophies of their valour in some gallant exploit for the Princes service then they are courted by the Ladies honoured and respected by the King who by frequent presents and obligations hurry them on to greater actions Some of them abstain from women to keep their strength and vigour boasting to feed upon Lions Bears and Tigars and drink the bloud of the cruellest and wildest beasts such is their Gallantry and thus they decline effeminacy They use themselves to very violent exercises to war wrastling hunting feeding on strengthning foods onely They anoint their bodies with certain unxious commixtions or oyles to harden their skin They seldome fight in battle-ray their High-Priests or Bramins lead on their Armies who dare not stir if the Bramins are not in the head of them and when two Parties or Armies cannot agree several persons are called out to decide the quarrell and when they have fought sufficiently a retreat is sounded and judgement is given of the victory sometimes they are commanded to fall on again Those Bramins are wise and well-composed persons they never permit their Kings to engage their whole Armies at the great expense of their Subjects bloud and therefore few pitched battles are fought between those Indian Kings at least the Idolaters for the Mahometans they are otherwise governed When this King intends war to any neighbouring Prince or Stranger he marches forth of his capitall Town accompanied with all his Nobility in battle-ray with all his horse and foot and Elephants in good order as if he were ready to march Then the King mounted on a stately courser marches towards the Country he declares war unto and le ts fly an arrow immediately many persons ride their circuits with flaming torches in their hands to give notice of the day they are to attend their King at the capitall Town and the field Marshals keep the passages and let none passe but who are fit for war if war be carried far off their houses are commanded to be burnt that the whole families may go to war they onely uncover their houses for their houshold-stuffe and goods are preserved in a publick place built for that purpose The people thus disposed follow their Prince with resolution and most freely expose themselves to all danger They load their Elephants and Horses with iron and steel hoops three fingers broad keen as rasors which they use in fight they dart them with so strange and dextrous a strength and fleetnesse that an arrow shot from a good arm flyes not swifter with these instruments they make large wounds most of them mortall and incurable poysoning the instruments besides these Armes they carry swords and bucklers of severall fashions javelines bowes and crosse-bowes and some fire-pikes they go so furiously to fight little regarding their lives to serve their Prince Paleacate is another noble Town and haven in Bisnegar upon the gulf Bengale The Inhabitants are Gentiles and profess the same law as at Malabar and Calicut never eating beef they war perpetually with Ternassari onely for Religion sake and are friends with Calicut so are most of the Town upon the same gulf as Aremogan Bigara Caricola Putifama and other fair harbours belonging to the King of Bisnegar The inhabitants of Paleacate are courteous and civil yet you must be cautious of them they wear neither breeches nor drawers but a loose long cassock and cloak over it of silk or some fine stuf with a cap of the same and pumps very neatly made and go bare-leg'd their cassocks reach to their ankles The women wear Turkish coats loose silk stockings and buskins richly faced this town hath great commerce and hither are brought from Pegu and other places all their rich commodities and jewels Between Paleacate and Narsingue is a great vale overgrown with stately trees like Sicamores yielding a continuall moysture like unto those in the Isle of Fer in the Canaries this vale is continually covered with clouds and very deep it resembles a perpetuall night the Sun never appearing the roads are hard to hit this vale is a good mile in length and discovering the great and adjacent plains you are in another world there runs a little River out of the vale one end of the plain is planted with Sugar-canes there are three Sugar works that furnish the Inhabitants with work all the year long They have not the art to refine it but make it up in powder with these canes they feed their cattle as horses bufflers and swine which makes their flesh very sweet delicious and Doctors prescribe swines flesh to sick persons and indeed it is sweeter and wholsomer than mutton because of the clean feeding Near Paleacate stands Meliapur or St. Thomas a pretty fair Town where the Portuguese have a Fort here 't is said St. Thomas the Apostle preached and is interred for the province of Parthia falling to his lot he came into the Indies and to Coulan others say he was first at Socotora towards the Arabick gulf from thence to Granganor then to Coulan where being persecuted by the King of that place he came to Coromandell and to this Town of Meliapur where he suffered martyrdom Many are of opinion he came into Pegu and to China for there are many monuments of Christianism all over the Indies yet 't is likelier that the Indies were since converted by one Panthenus a Grecian Philosopher about the year 200. and rather since by Aedesius and Frumentius who planted there the Christian faith the latter whereof was the first Bishop in the time of S. Athanasius as hereafter we shall say more at large since this they sent into Armenia for sit instructers and the Patriark sent them some itinerant ones and have continued thus ever since The Armenians had the holy Bible in the Chaldean tongue however 't is generally believed St. Thomas was buried here where he was martyred by the Bracmanes and the King of Sagamo others say he dyed in the Town of Calamine and was buried at Meliapur which are one and the same Town and indeed to this day the memory and name of him is much esteemed and reverenced by the Natives by the Gentiles and Moors themselves Many other places of these Indies pretend to have the shrine of this glorious Saint from thence 't is said he was translated to Edesse and from thence into Europe to Otoa There are many more Churches dedicated to St. Thomas five leagues from Cochin there is a fair one but abused by the Gentiles who have got it by force and the Christians revenues many miracles are wrought at the shrine of
feed on in the Indies mean while our Geographers are mistaken who say that the river that runs through Tangus is the same that waters Pegu although they be different countries and remote This River rises at the Lake Chiammay passes through Brema or Brama washing in with her waves refined gold which she drawes from several mynes the country is full of She runs through the kingdom of Prom where are the famous towns of Milintay Calamba and Amirandou Those territories joyn to Alva then to Boldia called by the high Indians Siami where they are very courteous and it passes for a Proverb courteous as a Siamite Siami is a vast kingdom called the Empire of Siammon Then to Berma or Verma whereof the capital is Carpa and butts upon Tazatay and the kingdomes of Pandior and Muantay The King of Pegu subjugated the kingdom of Berma two years after he conquered Siam then there are Vilet Abdiar and Caypuma whereof the chief is Canarane of which more hereafter The King by his Talcada or Lieutenant hath conquered many other countries who subdued all the Provinces of Siam Berma Javay Manar and others unto the kingdom of Perperi Tarnasseri Maragoura Guertale Langoura Nigrane and Joncolan that touches Malaca Winning Siam he got Ban Ploan Odian Macaon and others conquered before by the King of Siam This Prince is a great lover of strange beasts and hath of divers sorts brought him from all parts of the world and land at several places as at Dagon two dayes journey from Pegu Martaban which is four at Guzan two dayes journey from Caponin where beginnes the great Gulph of Saharic at the mouth of Caypumo This River with that of Ava and Siam overflows like the Nile from Mid May to Mid August which improves the Country very much she draws refined gold by wyres wherewith the King enriches his Temples and Idols for gold and silver in those parts are but merchandizes their coin of brasse lead and pewter called Ganze or Ganza and any man coins with the Lieutenants leave who is Generall That coin is currant thorough the kingdom of Tauay the last of the territories of Pegu in the middle of the Province of Manar watered by that famous River of Marsina or Menan Pegu is so temperate that 't is green all the year long the people are rather whites than blacks and well shap'd women amiable gay and neatly dressed There are many hermaphrodites as at Sumatra There is plenty of pepper vermillion mercury cloves They make Chamlets hangings of feathers silk stuffs have store of rice and beasts for chase They want nothing but good horses which the Prince is curious to procure from other parts bating merchants their imposts to bring of them in The Kings Palace stands at the farther end of new Pegu sheltered from the Northwind by a little hill there grow all sorts of trees five sorts of palm trees inclosed with a wall like a park where they keep all sorts of beasts you can meet with in any part of the world which the King carefully seeks after never regarding each price as it appeared by that long war made by him and the King of Siam who refused him the white Elephant to put into his Calachar or park 'T was Aleager or Chaumigrem King of Pegu begun this cruell war with an Army of a million of martiall men two hundred thousand horse five thousand Elephants and three thousand Camels The Vaunt-guard was composed but of 50000. horse he sack't and ruined his principall Town Lagi or Siam which was reputed to be twice as big as Paris and thrice as Fez. The siege lasted 22. months From Pegu to Siam 't is sixty five dayes journey by camels he took all his treasure wife and children and brought them prisoners into Pegu with the white Elephant This deplorable King reduced to extremities cast himself down from the highest turret in his Palace and broke himself in pieces some of his daughters and Princesses made themselves away with a hoop or circle of iron edg'd about that closed it self when they thrust their necks therein with their feet in a noose hung thereunto which strangles them immediately and if Adigola and the other Ladies had had time they would never have been brought away alive there was but one Lady saved wife to the Grand Mogull's Son This Prince followed the Peguan Army to recover his wife was taken prisoner and by his frequent prayers and desires he obtained leave to visit his wife and mother-in-law The King himself gives them much comfort by his visits representing unro them the change and revolution of affairs he gave them freedom and remitted them ransomlesse sent them all back again with many and rich presents and married the young Prince to his Lady who were before but affianced conducted them to his confines with great honour and magnificence whence grew the greatnesse of the Mogor Mogoz or Mogull tributary to the King of Pegu who hath since broke his faith making himself a Soveraign You hear for what reasons the King of Pegu waged this war that bred so much ruine and desolation for a white Elephant onely a fatal and unhappy beast as Sejans horse hath proved to all that ever possessed him and hath cost five Kings their lives and whole Estates as it happened to the last King of Pegu who had it lately taken from him by the King of Aracan by the treachery of the King of Tangus his Brother-in-law White Elephants are very rare yet they are so besotted as to adore them at Siam festivals were kept in his honour called Quinday Pileu which is to say honest mens delight The King of Pegu drew four in his coach and I believe that in the rest of the East there were not more to be found The Kings Palace called Chalousbemba was built square with a Dosme at every corner stands the statue of a Gyant of polisht marble who Atlas-like upheld this goodly fabrick and are represented with such tortions of face you would think they complain of their load The stone 't is built with is smooth and resplendent as glasse for the adjacent forrests and gardens are therein perfectly discovered 'T is inviron'd in with a deep trench you enter over a draw bridge thorough a gate of excessive heighth and strength where are the figures of a Gyant and his wife each of a piece and of a mixt coloured marble the pavement is of the same and represents like the Sea this massy structure They spare neither gold nor azure and in Galleries you shall see carved the Histories of all the wars those Kings have made against their enemies From thence you descend some steps of marble into a lower Court encompassed with ballisters or railes where there is a pleasant fountain whence the water is conducted into severall gardens by pipes the gardens fenced with strong walls one of them is three miles long where grow various sorts of trees
them when their keeper speaks to them they will moove their great ears to understand what he sayes They are decently lodg'd and as at Pegu fed in silver vessels The better sort of people live after the Persian way their houses ennobled with gold and azure They have onely one lawfull wife but divers concubines who go richly apparelled their face vail'd in the streets as in Spain and Italy but within door their faces are uncovered and are very sociable They are Gentiles and Idolaters and easie to be dealt withall If a Merchant make stay in Town he shall have a couple of young women will furnish him with a house and all necessaries and serve him like slaves nay 't is lawfull to beat and chastize them if they do not what they are commanded having once submitted to it They go well apparelled and decent as may be are very affable dance and sing well preserve a Merchants goods with great care Larceny amongst them being held a notorious ignominy Almost all the women are clothed in white as all the Inhabitants men and women in Arabia Felix We lay in the Town of Canarena at one Chamuts a Brokers house who had two Unicorns horns one whereof had half the head remaining to it We put the end in water to see if 't would make it boyle as the horn doth but I thought it boyled more vivaciously and it came out like pearle I asked him if he ever saw of these creatures alive he told me he never saw but two which were very young and not come to have hornes That the King going a hunting took one of them but they could not take the damme whatsoever they could do because as they say they shun and fly from the aspect and presence of a man and the places where the Serpents haunt whereof we spoke before who make a cruel warre upon them for greedinesse of their blood which is said to be of excellent scent as it hath been divers times proved particularly when one was sent by their Prince to the King of Pegu which stung by a fly the bloud which issued out was put in a bottle and brought to the King who made no great esteem of it not finding the scent agreeable though notwithstanding he found it more odorous then Civet This the Sensal or Broker told us I my self saw a perfect Unicorn in the King of Regues Seraglio who had the tongue differing from other beasts very long and jagged the head more like a horse then a hart and there are of several haires The Keeper said 't is but an uncleanly beast delights in his own soyle and that having often seen him drink he never observed him to put his horn in the water The Indians report many other things of them but so strange and various there is no great assurance as that they breed but once in their life-time and like Elephants go two yeares with their young and the like A Bramin an order Kings themselves hold it an honour to be of told me once with a protestation laying his hand on the wreath of his order that he was present with the King of Casubi at the taking of one of these Unicorns which was all white and very old the chops so hanging down all her teeth were seen that she was so fierce in her owne defence she broke her horn amongst the boughs that being taken they brought her bound to the Kings Pallace but being so bruised with blowes for having hurt the Kings Nephew she would not eat and so died within five dayes which shewes she is a cholerick and sullen beast The Queens had bracelets made of the bones as Indian Ladies have a curiosity in wearing bracelets of Ivory and the like The King of Casubi reserved the horne of this beast to himselfe about five moneths after being at this Princes Court who was both courteous and curious I desired the Sieur de la Courb one of our own company to request the favour we might see this horne which he did and the King immediately sent for it and gave it him and the Sieur in requital gave him a delicate watch This horne was of different colour to those I had seen in the Sultan of Mecaes Serallio and other places for this drew neare a white gray whereas the other were of a black gray I have been told that Lewis de Bartheme in his travailes recounts how he saw at the Seldans of Meca in Arabia two of these Unicornes which were sent him by the King of Aethiopia high as a two year old colt of a dark colour the head like a Hart the horne three fathome long a little Mane small legges cloven feet and a Goats cley likewise the English and the Hollanders report that in their last voyage towards Spiteberg in a place called Horendsond they found Unicornes hornes not knowing of what beast they were The Prince of Casubi moreover shewed us his Ladies bracelets made of the other piece of this horn which had a very sweet scent He shewed us likewise the bones of an intire head which one of his Princes kept in a Cabinet and divers other curiosities amongst the rest an Estrif that which we call a Griffin but the head was wanting because at the time it was killed it fell amongst brakes so thick and thorney they could not finde it till the morrow by which time the Marmosets had eaten the whole head the feet were of strange length and the Tallons would well have seized a bushel his plume was white and reddish upon the brest they have but two feet and a Tallon is a good halfe ell long from one end to the other I have seen of them of prodigious strength and furiously ravenous that would have carried away a calfe of six moneths old and eaten him There are abundance of them about the lake Chiammay whereof we spoke before From Canarana we made some dayes to Mandranella a fair Town fifty leagues from Tasatay upon Zingis a large and deep river that bears great vessels They traffick with the Tabins or Chineses and the people of Bugazan come thither for all necessaries This is the residence of the grand Caleferech of Pegu whereof we spoke before All persons of quality that passe this way go kisse the Princes buskin who is as affable and courteous as may be There is another Town of the same name in Indostan towards Persia above six hundred leagues from this In this countrey there is a sort of domestical fowle they call Bouiagui which live for the greater part in the water and feed on what is thrown them such as have house and lands upon the river keep abundance of them being of little charge and great profit he who can get two hundred of them thinks himself wealthy for he needs no more then one little lad to drive them a field with a basket to gather up the eggs whereof he will not loose one for they sit down to
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
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