Selected quad for the lemma: saint_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
saint_n	east_n	lie_v	south_n	1,464	5	10.3731	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61047	An epitome of Mr. John Speed's theatre of the empire of Great Britain And of his prospect of the most famous parts of the world. In this new edition are added, the despciptions of His Majesties dominions abroad, viz. New England, New York, 226 Carolina, Florida, 251 Virginia, Maryland, 212 Jamaica, 232 Barbados, 239 as also the empire of the great Mogol, with the rest of the East-Indies, 255 the empire of Russia, 266 with their respective descriptions.	Speed, John, 1552?-1629.	1676 (1676)	Wing S4879; ESTC R221688	361,302	665

his right hand cut off by the Kings Officers The fourth place for account is Raihader Gowy who besides the great fall of Wye with a continual noyse hath her Markets there kept upon the Sabbath which I there observed and here note for an offence 7 Many Rivers arise and run thorow this Shire which were it not that the Hills so cluster together might make the Soyl both fertile and fat Such are Teme Lug Ithon Clowdok Dulas Comatton Somegill Guithel Arro Machaway Edway Hawye Eland Clarwen and Wye besides other Lo●ghs that stand betwixt the Hills This Shire is divided into six Hundreds wherein are seated three Forrests four Market-Towns si● Castles and fifty two Parish-Churches BRECKNOCK-SHIRE CHAPTER IV. BRECKNOCK-SHIRE in the British language Brethin●a● so called as the Welshmen relate of a Prince named Brecha●ius the Father of an holy off-spring whose twenty four Daughters were all of them Saints is a County neither very large nor greatly to be praised or disliked of whose bounds upon the North is parted from Radn●r with the Rivers Clarwen and Wye the West lyeth butted upon by Cardigan and Caermarden-shires the South is confined by Glamorgan and the East with Monmouth and Radnor-shires is wholly bound 2 The length of this Shire from North to South betwixt L●anuthel and I●tradgunles are twenty eight English miles and her breadth from East to West extended betwixt Frentisso and Elywell are twenty miles the whole circumference about one hundred and two miles 3 This County is full of Hills and uneven for travel which on the South part mount in such height that as Giraldus hath written They make the Air much colder and defend the Country from the excessive heat of the Sun where by a certain natural wholsomness of Air maketh it most temperate and on the East side the Mountains of Tolgar and Ewias do as it were fore fence the same Among which there arise and run so many fruitful Springs that their Vallies are thereby made most fertile yielding in plenty both Corn and Grass 4 The ancient Inhabitants and possessors of this Shire with the rest in this South Tract were the Silures much spoken of and great opposers to the Romans whose Countries were first made subject by Iulius Frontinus who besides the valour of the enemy had to struggle with the Mountains and Straits as Tacitus tells us neither any more hard we may well say than them of this Shire whereof one in the South and three miles from Brecknock is of such height and operation as is uncredible and were it not that I have witness to affirm what I shall speak I should blush to let the report thereof pass from my Pen In my Perambulation in these parts remaining in Br●cknock to observe the site of that Town the Aldermen or chief Seniors thereof regarding my pains with friendly and courteous entertainments at my departure no less than eight of them that had been Bailiffs of the Town came to visite me where they reported upon their Credit and Trials that from the top of that Hill in the Welsh called Mounch-denny or Cadier Arthur they had oftentimes cast from them and down the North-East Rock their Cloaks Hats and Staves which notwithstanding would never fall but were with the Air and Wind still returned back and blown up neither said they will any thing descend from that Cliffe being so cast unless it be stone or some Metalline substance affirming the cause to be the Clouds which are seen to rack much lower than the top of that Hill As strange Tales are told of the Mear Llynsavathan two miles by East from Brecknock which at the breaking of her frozen Ice maketh a fearful sound like unto Thunder In which place as is reported sometimes stood a fair City which was swallowed up in an Earthquake and resigned her Stone-Walls unto this deep and broad Water whither unto this day leadeth all the waies in this Shire which as learned Camd●n conjectureth might be that Loventrium which Ptolomy in this Tract placeth and the more confirmed by the Rivers name adjoyning being also called Lovenny which River also passeth thorow this Mear without any mixture of her waters as by the colour thereof is well perceived which glideth through it with the same stream and no greater than wherewith she first entred in 5 The Towns for Commerce are Hay Bealt and Brecknock two of them unfortunate of their former greatness whom Wars and sedition have defaced and cast down Hay upon Wye and Dulas pleasant for situation in the Rebellion of Owen Glendowerdy was diswalled depopulated and burnt in whose foundations for new repairs many Roman Coyns have been found and thereby thought to be the Seat of their Legions and Buelth now Bealt though of good frequency yet not so great as when Ptolomy observed her position for graduation who calleth it Buleum Silurum neither when it with the Country was possessed by Aurelius Ambrosius by whose permission Pascentius the Son of Vortiger ruled all as Ninius writeth nor yet as of later times when Leolin the last Prince of the Britains was therein betrayed and slain 6 Brecknock the Shire-Town for Buildings and Beauty retaineth a better regard whose Walls in Oval-wise are both strong and of good repair having three Gates for Entrance with ten Towers for defence and is in circuit six hundred and forty paces about upon whose West part a most sumptuous and stately Castle is seated the like whereof is not commonly seen whose decayes approaching do increase her ruins daily and in the end is feared will be her fall This Town is seated upon the meeting of two Rivers Houthy and Vske whose yearly Government is committed to two Bailiffs fifteen Aldermen two Chamberlains two Constables a Town-Clerk and two Sergeants their Attendants having the Poles Elevation in 52 21 minutes of Latitude and for Longitude is placed in the 16 and 32 minutes as the Mathematicians do measure them 7 This Shire is strengthened with nine Castles divided into six Hundreds wherein are seated three Market-Towns and sixty one Parish-Churches CARDIGAN-SHIRE CHAPTER V. CARDIGAN-SHIRE in the Welsh called Sire Aber-Tivi is parted on the North from Merioneth-shire with the River Dovi by the Plinillimon Hills from Montgomery-shire in part of her East and the rest from Brecknock shire with the water Towy and with Tyvy altogether on the South from Caermarden-shire The West is wholly washed with the Irish-Sea 2 The Form thereof is Horn-like bowing compass long and narrow and growing wider stll towards the North so that from Cardigan the Shire-Town and uttermost point in the South unto the River Dovi her farthest North-bounder are thirty two miles and from the head of Clarwan in the East to Abersthwyth on her West the broadest part in the Shire are only fifteen the whole in circumference is one hundred and three miles 3 The Air is open and somewhat piercing The Soil is hilly and Wales like uneven yet more plain and champion towards the Sea than

such as think their censures worthy to pass for currant and credible yet let us suppose that haply they be possessed with the disease and malady that the Physicians call Lycanthropy which begetteth and endange●eth such like phantasies through the malicious humours of Melancholly and so oftentimes men imagine themselves to be turned and transformed into forms which they are not Some again embrace another ridiculous opinion and perswade themselves that he who in the barbarous acclamation and out-cry of the Souldiers which they use with great forcing and straining of their voices when they joyn battel doth not showre and make a noise as ●he rest do is suddenly caught from the ground and carryed as it were fl●ing in the Air out of any Country of Ireland into some desert vallies where he feedeth upon grass drinketh water hath some use of reason but not of speech is ignorant of the present condition he stands in whether good or bad yet at length shall be brought to his own home being c●ught with the help of Hounds and Hunters Great pity that the foul fi●nd and father of darkness should so grievously seduce this people with misbelief and that these errours be not chased away with the truth of Christian Religion whereby as they carry much grace in their countenances they may also not be void of the inward grace of their souls and understanding 9 This Province hath been sore wasted in the rebellions of Desmond to whose aid Pope Gregory the thirteenth and Philip King of Spain sent c●rtain companies of Italians and Spaniards who arrived not far from Dingle fortified themselves and gave it the name of Fort de Ore sounding loud threats against the whole Country But Arthur Baron Grey Lord Deputy of Ireland at the first onset decided their quarrel by sheathing his Sword in their bowels and Desmond fearfully flying into the woods was by a Souldier cut shorter by the head And again when the Kingdom of Ireland lay bleeding and put almost to the hazard of the last cast Don Iohn D'Aquila with eight thousand Spaniards upon confidence of the excommunications of Piu● the fift Gregory the thirteenth and Clemen● the eight Popes all of them discharging their curses like unto thunderbolts against Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory landed near unto Kinsale presuming that the rebellions of Tyrone had turned the hearts of the Irish for Rome Sir Charles Blunt Lord Mountjoy in the depth of Winter and with his tired Souldiers so daunted their Spanish hearts that with one victory he repressed their bragging ●oldness and recovered the Irish that were ready to revolt 10 God hath oftentimes shewed his tender love and affection to this people in laying his fatherly chastisements and afflictions upon them sometimes by winds sometimes by famine and dearth and sometimes again by opening his hand of plenty into their laps to convert them to himself and to divert their hearts from superstitions In the year 1330 about the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist there began such a dearth of Corn in this Country by the abundance of rain and the inundation of waters which continued until Michaelmas following that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twenty shillings a Cranoc of Oats for eight shillings a Cranoc of Pease Beans and Barley for as much The winds the same year were so mighty that many were hurt and many slain out-right by the fall of houses that was forced by the violence of the same The like whereof were never seen in Ireland In the year 1317 there was such a dearth of Corn and other Victuals that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twenty three shillings And many Housholders that before time had sustained and relieved a great number were this year driven to beg and many famished In the time of which famine the mercy of God so disposed that upon the 27 th day of Iune in the year 1331 there came to land such a mighty multitude of great Sea-fishes that is Thursheds such as in many ages p●st had never been seen that the people were much comforted in this distress and received great relief and sustenance by the same 11 Places of Religion in this Country were the two Abbies at Toghall calleth the North-●bbey and South-Abbey The two Abbeys at Limerick S. Francis Abbey and S. Dominick Abbey The two Abbeys at Cork the Abbey of the Isle and S. Frances Abbey and the famous Abbey in times past for the holy Cross which hath had many priviledges and liberties granted unto it in honour of a piece of Christs Cross that was as they say sometimes preserved there Thus were Christians perswaded in ancient times And it is a wonder in what Troops and Assemblies people do even yet con●low thither upon devotion as unto a place of holiness and sanctity so firmly are they setled in the Religion of their Fore-fathers which hath been increased beyond all measure by the negligent care of their Teachers who should instruct their ignorance and labour to reduce them from the errors they persevere in This Province is governed by a Lord President who hath one assistant twelve learned Lawyers and a Secretary to keep it in duty and obedience It was in times past divided into many parts as Towoun that is North Mounster Deswoun that is South Mounster Hierwoun that is West Mounster Mean woun that is Middle Mounster and Vrwoun that is the Front of Mounster But at this day it is distinguished into these Counties Kerry Desmond Limerick Tiperary Holycross Waterford and Cork which County in times past had been a Kingdom containing with it Desmond also for so in the Grant given by King Henry the second unto Robert Fitz-Stephen and to Miles de Cogan it is called in these words Know ye that I have granted the whole Kingdom of Cork excepting the City and Cantred of the Oustmans to hold for them and their heirs of me and Iohn my son by the service of sixty Knights The County of Waterford King Henry the sixth gave unto Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury with the name stile and the title of Earl of Waterford which was afterward again assumed to the Crown Touching the County of Holy Cross as the opinion of that much frequented Abbey is much lessened so that County is swallowed up altogether in the County Tipperary It is fortified with five strong Castles traded with six Market-Towns and divided as followeth MOVNSTER Limerick Kerry Cork Waterford Des●ond Holy-Cross in Tipperary LINSTER LEINSTER CHAPTER III. THis Country the Natives call Leighnigh the Britains Lein in Latine Lagenia in the ancient lives of the Saints Lagen and in English Leinster It lieth Eastward along Hibernicum Sea on Connaught side Westward it is bounded with the River Shaenon the North with the Territory of Louth and the South with part of the Province of Mounster This Country butteth upon England as Mounster and Conn●ught do upon Spain 2 The form thereof is triangle and sides not much unequal from her South East unto the

●●ey were so long since known I must doubt For the bestowing of Iocktan and his sons it was toward the East from Mesha to Sephar but where those are Saint Hierome confesseth himself at a stand And for my part I will travel no farther in these hidden Mysteries than I find a path beaten before me 16 This may satisfie the ingenuous that I have as far as I might in this little room trac't the first Nations from their first Founders which they had in the beginning But to draw the direct line of every people mixt as they now are I think a work impossible to me I am sure it is For besides our several translations and promiscuous commerce that puzzle us in the knowledge of our selves we have of late found and as yet are in search of a new people that know not their own Original nor have we any means to examin it but conjectural such as may fail To Moses time the Scripture affordeth us a certain truth for as many as he mentioneth and since we have some light from such as have laboured in the search of Antiquities The Families as Iosephus gives time are truly and curiously brancht forth and placed among the Genealogies before our Bible of the last Translation by our well-deserving Countrey-man Mr. Iohn Speed 17 Thus far it was requisite we should know at large the growth of the world from the beginning and how the whole earth which at first knew but one Land-lord hath been since rent into several parcels which Kings and Nations call their own and maintain their claim by force of Arms. This little compass will not admit a more particular relation of their affairs For that I must refer my Reader to their Historians and now desce●d to the Geographical Description and division of the world as in after Ages it was found by our first Artists and hath been since more at large discovered by the experience of our later Travellers 18 And in this we may still observe our method For questionless by the same degrees almost as it was inhabited so it grew into the knowledge of our ancient Geographers And therefore our first Authors in this Science bounded their Descriptions within a less compass and divided the world into those three parts only which you see lie closest about the point of the earth where the first men first Religion first City first Empire and first Arts were For in Prolomy's time about an hundred and forty years after Christ we hear not of either Land or Sea known more than was contained in Asia Africa and Europe 19 And of that he never knew the East and North parts of Asia nor the South of Africa no nor the most Northerly parts of Europe but placed the end of the world that way in Vltima thule about sixty three degrees from the Aequator And Southward the other way not above 17 degrees Prasso Permotorio which at this day is called Mosambique R●cks So the whole Latitude of the world then known did not reach the fourth part of the Compass In the Longitude indeed they came not so far short yet le●t they just half to the search of their posterity For they placed their first Meridian in the Fortunate Islands and ended their reckoning in Region Sinarum of the Eastern Indies and that is distant but 180 degrees toward the 360 which is the compass of the whole 20 But God in these later times hath enlarged our possessions that his Gospel might be propagated and hath discovered to us Inhabitants almost in every corner of the earth Our later Geographers have set their mark beyond Ptolomy's 60 degrees Eastward And Westward to the utmost parts of America So that there are already known 340 of the earths Longitude Toward the North Pole we have gained more in proportion as far as Nova zembla and the Sea is known to be navigable to the eighty first degree whether the rest be Land or not it never yet appeared to any ●s I hear of but an Oxford Frier by a Magick V●yage He reports of a black rock just under the Pole and an Isle of Pygmies Other stra●ge miracles to which for my part I shall give little credit till I have better proof for it than the Devils word Now of all the Southern course is most unknown aud vet Ar● hath not been Idle nor altogether lost 〈…〉 in the search it hath discoverd Countries ●bout the 52 degree toward the Pole but so ●ncertainly that it may well yet keep her name of Terra incognita 21 Admirable was the wit of that man that first found out the vertue of the Load-stone and taught● us to apply it in the Art of Navigation And indeed the industry of them is much to be honoured that have since ven●ured born their means and persons upon dangerous attempts in the discoveries of People and Nations that 〈…〉 God nor had apparent means for their Redemption without this help Among these though the Gen●● Spaniard and Portugal carry the first name we have noble spirits of our own Nation not to be ranked in the last place Stupenda fuit revera industria Anglorum saith Keckerman And indeed we may justly enough requite him with his own Elogy The Dutch to have done their parts to joyn a new World to the old 22 To us it may well be called a new World for it comprehends in it two Continents either of them larger than two parts of the other are The one is that Western Hemisphere that bears the name America from Americus Vesputius but was indeed discovered seven years before he knew it by Christopherus Columbus in the year 1492. And the other is the Terr● Magellanica seated about the South Pole and first sound out by Ferdinand Magellanus some twenty year● after or thereabout and is thought to be greater than the whole earth be●ides Hitherto it is but conjectural and some few Provinces have been rather descried than known You shall find them named in their several Regions upon the Sea-Coasts Nova Guinea Terra del Feugo 〈◊〉 Regio Lucach Beach and Mal●tur 23 With these additions the World by some is divided into six parts Europe Asia Africa America Septentrionalis incognita and Terra Australis Magellanica which are thus disposed in the Globe of the Earth Asia in the E●stern Hemisphere And being the first part which was inhabited shall be the Point unto which I will direct the rest pa●t on the West and part on the South is Africa si●uated on the North and West Europe more toward the West America u●raque full North Septen●rionalis incognita and full South the Terra Magellanica 24 Those we will reduce in our method to the four common parts which generally pass in our de●criptions of the World Europe Asia Africa America utraque in this last include the Terra Set●entrionalis and Magellanica as others have before done and allow it not a several part by it self in reg●rd that little can be reported of

Tillage This in general 10 Time hath not given way to many divisions of this America I find one only in the best Authors and that it seems nature marked out to their hands For she hath severed the Continent into two Peninsulae The one lieth North-ward from the Aequinoctial and is called Mexicana The other for the most part South-ward toward the Magellanick Straits and is called Peruviana Each of them are subdivided into their Provinces 11 Mexicana is the first and her bounds on the East and West are the Atlantick Ocean and Mare del Zur By the first it is severed from Europe and by the last from the Regions of China and Tartaria in Asia and is distant not above 250 miles if we measure the passage at the shortest cut On the South it hath the Peninsula Peruviana and North-ward we are not sure whether Sea or Land It comprehends in compass 13000 miles The quality of the Inhabitants and the riches of her soyl shall appear in her several Provinces which are numbred thus 1 Nova Hispania or Mexicana propria 2 Quivira 3 Nicarugua 4 Iacutan 5 Florida 6 Virginia 7 Norumbega 8 Nova Francia 9 Terra laboratoris or Corterilalis 10 Estot●landia 12 Nova Hispania or Mexicana propria is the largest Province of this North part of America and gave the name Mexiacana to the whole Peninsula which her self received from her chief City Mexico Her bounds South-ward is the Isthmus that joyns the Continents North-ward the same with the Peninsulaes on the West Califormia or Mar Viriniglio and on the East Incutan It was first possest by the Spaniard 1518. But it cost them much bloud to intitle their Kings Hispaniarum Reges It is an excellent Country full of all variety almost in every kind usual with us and exceeds in rarities full of wonder There is one tree which they dress like our Vine and order it so that it yields them almost all useful necess●ries The leaves serve them instead of Paper and of the Vine ●ark they make Flax Mantles Mats Shoes Girdles and Cordage She hath in her four principal Regions of note 1 Nova Galicia found out by Nunnus Gusmannus 1530. Her Cities are Compostella now a Bishops See Sancte Espritte and Guadalaiara The inhabitants lived at large heretofore without any government But since the Spaniard came they have endured incredible servitude and cruelty 2 Mechnacan a fertile Region the Inhabitants comely and witty Her chief Cities Sinsonse the place of their native Kings Pascuar and Valudolit the Bishops See 3 Mexico or Tomistian which contains in it the City of Mexico in compass six miles the seat of an Arch-Duke and the Spanish Viceroy and in it is an University a Printing-house and a Mint for coynage Other Cities there are Tescuvo and Angelorum Civitby 4 Ganstecan lying open on the East near Mare del Nort. It is but barren and the people poor but cunning The Spaniards have here two Colonies Panuce and S. Iames in the vallies 13 Quivira bordereth upon the West of the Continent towards Tartary It is temperate and fertile But the chief riches is the Kine which feed them with their flesh and cloath them with their Hides Her Provinces are Cibola and Nova Albion The last was discovered by our noble Sir Francis Drake and voluntarily yieded to the protection of our admired Queen of England Elizabeth 14 Nicarugua on the South-east of Nova Hispania had a kind of setled Common wealth before they knew Christianity and is reported to have a tree that withereth at a mans touch The chief Cities are now Granado and Leo a Bishops See 15 Incutan is situated over against the Isle Cuba upon the East of the Peninsula The people adored the Cross before they heard of Christ. The Country is indifferent fertile though that indeed as in all other places of this new World have proved worse for the Inhabitants for it hath drawn upon them their forraign Invadour 16 Florida lyeth near the Gulf of Mexico and bordereth upon the Mare del Nort. A pleasant Region it is and was discovered by our English under Sebastian Cuhbot 1497. out left for the Spaniard to posses which for a while he did and after him the French but neither in quiet For they warred upon each other till they left neither of them men enough to hold it The French built the City called Ara Corobina The Spanish Est Hevens and S. Matthews and planted there three Forts Saint Iames Saint Philip Saint Augustine which was burnt by Sir Francis Drake 1586. but recovered again 17 Virginia carries in her name the happy memory of our Elizabeth On the East it hath Mare del Nort on the North Norumbega Florida on the South and Westward the bounds are not set It was first entred by Sir Walter Raleigh 1584. and some at that time left there to discover the Country till more were sent but they perished before the second supply Since there have been many Colonies planted out of England which have there manured the ground and returened good Commodities to the Adventurers For indeed it is a rich Country in Fruits Trees Beasts Fish Fowle Mines of Iron and Copper Viens of Pitch Allum and Tar R●zin Gums Dies Timber c. The Plantation went on with good success till the year 1622. And then by the treachery of the Inhabitants there were murdered near upon three hundred of our men The Natives are very vile people horrible Idolaters adore the creature which they most fear and hate them which keep them not in awe they were kindly entreated by our English and invited by all friendly means to Christianity The North parts are most inhabited by our men and is therefore called New E●gland It hath but one entrance by Sea at a fair Bay Her Capes are called Cape Henry and Cope Charls The chief Towns are Ianus Town Regnoughton and Balesguift 18 Norumbega on the North of Virgi●ia lyeth toward the Mare del Nort and is a very fertile Region It is inhabited by the Spanish and French The Seas are shallow and endanger many ships So full of Fish that the Boats cannot have free passage saith Maginus 19 Nova Francia is further North-ward from Norumbega a barren Country and the people barbarous some Anthropophagi A few French there are besides the Natives 20 Terra Laboratoris or Conterialis still more North-ward upon the Sea-coast and is divided from Norumbega by the River Lanada It reacheth into the Sea in form of a P●niusula The men are barbarous live in Caves run swiftly and are good Archers The chief places are Bresto Cabo Marzo and South Maria. 21 Estotiland the last Province of the Northern Peninsula still creeps by the edge of the Atlantick and on the North hath the Straits called Fretum Daveissii an English man who this way attempted the North-west unto Cathai and China And in regard it was adventured in the name of our Queen the Promontory is called Elizabeths Fore-land and the Sea running by

Cambaia a spacious Land it is and contains from East to West 38 degrees and about 20 from the North to South 11 This variety of distance in respect of the Heavens must needs cause as much difference in the qualities of her several Regions In some places there is that fertility which makes her equal to any part of Asia in others again she is so barren unfruitful and unprofitable that the Land is left waste as being not able to nourish an Inhabitant Ora maritima saith Quadus aestuosa est ac ventosa fructuum inops praeterquam palmarum mediterranea regio Campestris est omnium ferax pecorumque optima nutrix stuminibus lacubus plena Maxime autem suppeditat Araxes plurimas commoditates It abounds much with metals and stones of great price 12 The ancient Persians were warlike and ambitious of rule for not content with their own which they freely posses in Asia they attempted the nearest parts of Africa and Europe which cost them the first fall from their Monarchy Nec enim petituri Macedones Persidem vide bantur in priores Persae Graeciam provocassent faith Vadianus Their customes are most of them superstitious but they held nothing almost in so great reverence as water it might not lawfully be soyled so much as with a soul hand but to piss or cast rubbish or a dead carcass into the Rivers was a kind of Sacriledge They had many Wives and more Concubines for they were exceeding desirous of increase and great rewards were appointed by their King himself for him that could most augment the number of his subjects in one year They seldome entred into any consultation of State till they had well armed themselves with drink for then they thought they should be more free to speak what they most thought To spit or laugh before their Prince was a crime well nigh unpardonable some say that they bury not their dead but cast them forth to be devoured by wild beasts and thought him most happy which was soonest torn to mammock the rest their friends bewailed as such who had lived impurely and were therefore by this sign declared worthy of hell only without any redemption 13 Their Philosophers were called Magi and studied principally the art of fore-telling things to come from whence we have our tearm of Magick and usurp the word only in the worse sense whereas questionless it was no other with them than the Greeks Philosophy Philosophi or Sapientes with the Latines for it is by most thought that such were those good Magi which came from the East to worship Christ and Saint Chrysostome directly names Persia to be that East from whence they were led by the Star 14 They have now put off most of their antique barbarism and are become good Politicians excellent Warriour sgreat Scholars especially in Astrology Physick and Poetry Those which apply themselves to Mechanick trades are not inferiour to any almost in our quarter they deal most in making of Silks which they send into all the Eastern Countries in great abundance They are mild and courteous to Strangers yet jealous of their Wives which for the most part are very fair and richly attired not withstanding their affection to them usque ad insanam Zelotypiam yet are they much addicted to that beastly sin of the Turks and have their Stews on purpose whither they resort without controul or shame Their language is elegant and in use in most of those Eastern Countries The Christian Religion was once planted here both by Saint Thomas and Saint Andrew yet are they now fallen to Mahametism and differ but as Schismaticks from the Turks which occasioneth much hatred and perpetual war betwixt them 15 The Regions which belong to the Empire of Perfia are 1 Persii 2 Media 3 Assyria 4 Sus●ina 5 Mesopotamia 6 Parthia 7 Hyrcania 8 Bactriana 9 Parapomissus 10 Aria 11 Drangiana 12 Gedrosia 13 Carmania and 14 Ormus 16 Persis had her name from Perseus which came hither out of Greece and this gives it to the whole Empire It is now called Fa●st or Fars●st●n and was heretofore Panchaia It lieth betwixt Media on the North and the Sinus Persicus on her South on her West Susiana and East Carmania Her Metropolis is Siras once Persepol●s and is built toward the mid land near the River Araxis it was surprized by Alexander and many thousand talents of gold sent into Greece with other rich spo●l and trophies of Victories which the Persians had before gotten from most parts of the then known world Upon the Sea-coast stands Cyrus a City which was built by their first absolute Monarch and called by the Inhabitants Grechaia It was the Bishop seat of the learned Theodoret who lived here about the year 450 and in this Region is Laodicea built by Antiochus and Passagarda where Cyrus had his Sepulchre 17 2 Media now Servania on the North of Persis and South of the Caspian Sea hath Armenia major and Assyria on her West and on her East Parthia and Hyrcania It was before Cyrus the seat of the Empire and mother to a warlike potent Nation Their Kings had many wives seldome fewer than seven and their women thought it a great calamity to have less than five husbands In this stands the Territory of Tauris which was called by our ancients Erbathana and doth stand some eight dayes journey from the Hyrcinian Sea it is rich and populous and was the seat of the Sophies till it was removed to Casbin which lieth somewhat more South Betwixt both stands the City Turcoman and elsewhere in this Province are many others dispersed of good note especially Suliana Symmachia Nassinum Ardovil Marant and Saucazan c. 18 3 Assyria now Arzeram on the West of Media South of Armenia North of Susiania and East of Mesopotamia it was the seat of Ninus his Kingdome lost by Sardanapalus and here stands the most famous City Nineveh near the River Tigris larger than Babylon containing full threescore miles in compass for the community which the Babylonians had with them in course of government they were oft times promiscuously used by Historians both had this custome to sell their Virgins which were fair and most desired and tender the price into the common treasury The homelier sort were placed in marriage with that money to those which would accept of them for gain at least if not for beauty They were much addicted to Astrology and were questionless led to it by the opportunity of their situation which gives them a more perfect view of the Heavens and several course of the Planets than any other part of the world besides 19 4 Susiana now Cuceston seems to have her name from Cus upon the South of Assyria West of Persia East of Babylonia and North of the Persick bay It is severed by Pliny from Elemauss the great by the River Euleus of whose waters only the Persian Kings were wont to drink as being more sweet and pure than any other