A relation of some yeares trauaile begunne anno 1626. Into Afrique and the greater Asia, especially the territories of the Persian monarchie: and some parts of the orientall Indies, and iles adiacent. Of their religion, language, habit, discent, ceremonies, and other matters concerning them. Together with the proceedings and death of the three late ambassadours: Sir D.C. Sir R.S. and the Persian Nogdi-Beg: as also the two great monarchs, the King of Persia, and the Great Mogol. By T.H. Esquier·

A description of Sancta Helena.

SAint Helena, was so denominated by Iuan de Noua, the Portu∣gall, in regard he first discouered it on that Saints day.

It is doubtfull whether in adhere to America or Afrique, the vast Ocean bellowing on both sides, and almost equally: yet I ima∣gine she inclines more to Afer, then Vespusi••••.

Tis is circuit thirty English miles, of that ascent and height, that tis oft inueloped with cloudes, from whom she receiues moisture to fatten her: and as the land is very high, so the Sea at the brinke of

this Ile is excessiue deepe, and the ascent so immediate, that though the Sea beat fiercely on her, yet can no ebbe nor flow be well per∣ceiued there.

The water is sweet aboue, but running downe and participating with the salt Hils, tasts brackish at his fall into the Valleyes which are but two and those very small, hauing their appellations from a Lemmon-tree aboue, and a ruined Chappell placed beneath built by the Spaniard, and delapidated by the Dutch. Their has beene a Vil∣lage about it, lately depopulated from her Inhabitants, by command from the Spanish King, for that it became an vnlawfull Magazin of Seamens treasure, in turning and returning out of both the Indies, whereby he lost both tribute and prerogatiue in apparant measure.

Monuments of antique beings nor other rarities can be found here. You see all, if you view the ribs of an old Carrick, and some broken pieces of her Ordnance left their against the owners good will or approbation: Goats & Hogs are the now dwellers, who mul∣tiply in great abundance (& though vnwillingly) affoord themselues to hungry and Sea-beaten passagers: It has store of Partrich & Guinea Hens, all which were brought thither by the honest Portugall, who now dare neither anchor there, nor owne their labours, lest the Eng∣lish or Flemmings question them.

The Ile is very euen and delightfull aboue, and giues a large pro∣spect into the Ocean. Tis a saying with the Sea-men, a man there has his choice, whether he will break his heart going vp, or his necke comming downe, either wish bestowing more iocundity then com∣fort, and here we left buried our honest Captaine Andrew Euans.

After sixe dayes commorance in Saint Hellen, wee sailed thence North-west, and on the sixteenth of October, had latitude thirteene degrees fifty minutes, the Sunne then being in our Zenith, and in his progresse into Capricorne, then whose station hee neuer trauels farther South.

Three dayes after, wee were by Ascention Ile, in seuen degrees fiftie minutes, its compasse is thirtie miles, and from Saint Helens two hundred and forty leagues or seuen hundred and twentie Eng∣lish miles.

On the seuen and twentieth we crost the Aequator, where we had too many▪ Tornat••oes, and to nine degrees, had little other or be∣ter weather then high stormes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ra••nes and Iowd thunders▪ On the eleuenth of No••ember, were Parallel to the greene Cape, and to the Gorgades, Iles famo••ed by Poets for their Princesse Gorgon and Meduza, slaine by Pers••••, that made a defenside and offenside shield of her Head, whose haires being curled like to Snakes, made them as stones by admiration of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beauty or horrour, that did behold them.

And with a beneficiall gale past by those parts of the Westerne World so lately discouered, and much written of, the riuer of Ama∣••••nes, Guiae••, Florida, and other parts of Mexico, (and into some of which I s••thence trauelled) where I will a little defranude the Rea∣der from concluding with a few lines touching the first Discouerer of th••se Countries.