The glory of England, or A true description of many excellent prerogatiues and remarkeable blessings, whereby she triumpheth ouer all the nations of the world vvith a iustifiable comparison betweene the eminent kingdomes of the earth, and herselfe: plainely manifesting the defects of them all in regard of her sufficiencie and fulnesse of happinesse. By T.G.

CHAP. VI. The Empire of AETHIOPIA.

THe sixt part of the worlds Honour sprea∣deth * 1.1 abroad the roiall mantel of Aethi∣opia, or if you will Abisse vnder the command of Prester Iehan, to whom at this houre are so many Nations and Cities obedient, that for my owne part I want names to decipher them; and concerning the Na∣uill of Africke, few Europians I am sure haue seene the se∣cret, or searched how the compacted sinues are vnited yet was Meroe once the principall Citie, and many fa∣mous things are recited by the Scriptures, Pliny and Pto∣lemy in the description thereof: as that in Hebrew it was called Chus for the blacknesse of the people, dwelling be∣tweene the two tropickes, or else of Chus the sonne of Cham the sonne of Noe; or Aetheria, afterward Atlantia; and last of all Aethiopia of Aethiope the sonne of Vulcane▪ that they are now diuided into Arothertae, Atha•…•…uii, Dara∣ticae, Hesperij, and Perorsi; that Diodorus and Volacoran•…•… haue maintained, how the originall of all Creatures first beganne in this Countrey, and would extend Paradice to

this place, when GOD caused Adam to name them: but these Philosophers not vnderstanding the truth, inuented what they listed to please themselues, as you may perceiue by Homers fictions: that they were the best obseruers of religious secrets, and ceremonies; and boasted of true de∣uotion to their gods for the example of all Nations: That they were very warlike, and obedient to their EMPEROR in all things, and so populous, that the Emperor seldome went without a 1000000. into the field: That they were sold to all the Nations of the world for slaues, and seemed contented with such seruitude, as being glad to go out of their owne Countries: That they were wont to plight their haire in knots, and winde it with intricate diuisions: That the great and high mountaines of the Moone ouer∣looketh their territories, and vnburtheneth Nilus from her wombe, sending it abroad, as farre, as the middle-land sea 1500. mile, like a timely birth to the comfort of his mother, and with ioy to all good kinsfolk, & neighbours: That the nature of the Riuer Niger fluuius is so strange, that as ashamed of his imperfections, and abrupt breakings out vnder sandy hills, it hideth his head 60. mile together, and then bursteth out with horrible and impetuous vio∣lence: That whole Countries haue beene ouerwhelmed with sand, when the hills make a noyse, and the Sun hath enflamed his heate, and anger against them, departing in that fury, that in breaking the sides of Mountaines the aire and winde maketh a rupture, and so the drie ground first parched presently crumbleth to pouder, and is quick∣ly tossed with forcible blasts: That the Kingdomes of Damutego and Manuongo as farre as Caput bonaespei, with all the shore, Cities, and harbours, are numbred parcell of this Empire, and expose many stories and plentifull rela∣tions:

That infinite Ilands full of drugges, mineralls, gold, pretious stones, pearle, spice, &c. are the handmaides of this Mistris, especially the great Iland of Saint Laurence in times past called Madagascar, which now compareth with Britaine for magnitude, as containing 600. mile in length, but say what deuises can, ours is the greatest Iland of the world. Many other particulars are inserted by Authors with addition of their manners, and customes: but be∣cause all absolute things are worne out of date, and that it would vex a Traueller to read one thing, and finde ano∣ther, I will trouble antiquitie no longer, but content my selfe with some probabilities, and the best receiued opini∣ons of this Monarchy.

You must then vnderstand, that those limited Garisons of Aegipt vnder the Turke, are here very strong to keepe backe the excursions of the Aethiopians, who from Nilus * 1.2 to the South-sea make one Countrey, and are all reputed Christians, boasting of their conuersion from Candauce the Queene in the Actes of the Apostles, whom by ano∣ther name they call Iudith, and so afterward submitted to the obedience of one principall, to whom they afforded the significant title of Preste Iehan, not that he is a Byshop or Priest, as some superstitiously conceiue, but that those * 1.3 words signifie in the Aethiopian tongue Great PRINCE, or EMPEROR. Amongst them are many Monasteries both of men and women, but strictly prohibiting any en∣tercourse betweene them, or wanton show of prophana∣tion: their fasts are 50. daies with bread and water, and some slender fruit, as for fish they haue litle store, or lesse skill to take them, or make vse of them by way of suste∣nance: they are so carefull in the obseruation of their cu∣stomes concerning this religious fasting and prayers, that

they will sleepe no longer, then they hold their heads o∣uer water, that the nodding downe may giue them war∣ning to be more vigilant: their bells are of stone for the most part; their Priests marry, and celebrate the masse, allowing in their procession, crosses, censors, tapers, and lampes: the retired monkes maintaine their haire; the common Priests shaue, and both are b•…•…refoote, especially in the Church, wherein no man enters with prophanation; but putteth off his sandalls and laieth them apart, as the Turkes doe, who are very carefull in such deuout obserua∣tions, adding withall a ceremonious washing, taken from the Iewish purifying, as in his proper place shall appeare. The Sabbaoths and Eues are festiuals and celebrated ac∣cordingly; circumcision is added to their baptisme both in men and women, vnto which they are not admitted, vn∣till 40. daies, and then the three persons of the Trinity haue a reuerent exaltation, and the Eucharist is admini∣stred by custome at the same time according to the cre∣dit of the Greeke Church, which they resolutely confirme to haue priority before the Latine: their names are all significant, and the religion ariseth from a certaine booke, which they confidently maintaine was approued by the Synode of the Apostles, congregated at Ierusalem. The very common people haue plurality of wiues, according to their sufficient ability to support their estates, and con∣tent their desires, suffering diuorses either for naturall im∣perfections, or iust causes of incontinencie: but such men and women thus scandalized are debarred intermedling with spirituall matters; some say not admitted into the Church at all. Their Nobility are in great estimation, and according to actions correspondent to their professed ver∣tue preserue the wealth, and credit of their Auncestors.

Their greatest Cities are few in number, but such as stand by the sea shore are of good strength and eminence with stupendous Castels and workes of antiquity. The com∣mon heape of houses are poore, sluttish, all on the ground open, without chimnies, and sutable to the dispersed man∣ner of their villages. In all the Empire is no money, but pure gold: salt and pepper are excellent marchandize through Africke: but here so richly valued, that slaues are redeemed with them: but the commodities of the Coun∣trey soone and easily exchanged, it affordeth many thing▪ as you haue heard, especially Eliphants, Tyger Linkes, Taxos, Apes, Lions, and Harts against an absolute opi∣nion, that there was no Venison in Africke; but Beares, Cunnies, Corduels, and Cuckowes are not seene amongst them. The custome of their huntings, raising their armies, order of diet, with ciuet and muske, washing and no•…•…∣ting with precious balmes and perfumes, feasting, burials, and superstitions, would fill seuerall relations, either to pacifie ignorance, or strengthen their knowledge who are entred a little into the Schoole of experience: but because there is nothing amongst them fit for our example, I will make my iourney as cursory as I can, and study for no commorance, but where there is possibility of thriuing. Their Cabalisticall Arts, and secrets from certaine wise men named Gymnosophists with the Indians, called also or some the Easterne Aethiopia, would make as tedious dis∣putation, especially when I must name the Trogiodite, Ga∣ramaulis, Atlantides, Libera interior, Synega, the further plaines of Monte nigro, and some others, and cannot tell you, whether they be Idolaters, or no; onely I can assure you they allow of the immortality of the soule, on which they are besotted so diabolically, that they will murther

themselues vpon small enforcement, either to honor their lords, dye with their husbands, preuent the discommodi∣ties of old age, helpe their friends, or pleasure their best beloued after their barberous credulity: But because I would faine bring you into Europe, where my hope and purpose is to finde the happinesse of a kingdome, accor∣ding to the reciprocall duties betweene Prince and Sub∣iect, I will leaue these people to be reiected with Esau. For sure there is a Iacob, whom old Isaacke hath better blessed

Notes

• * 1.1

  The 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 W•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…me
• * 1.2

  The conuer∣sion of the Aethiopi∣ans.
• * 1.3

  Prester Ie∣han no Priest.