Emblems of rarities: or Choyce observations out of worthy histories of many remarkable passages, and renowned actions of divers princes and severall nations With exquisite variety, and speciall collections of the natures of most sorts of creatures: delightfull and profitable to the minde. Collected by D.L.

Of Prester Iohns land.

THE rule and dominion of Prester Ihon is large, and of great compasse, this Countrey excelleth in Riches, in Gold, Silver, and precious Stones. Some say, that the Aethiopes li∣ving under Prestor Iohn, are very good Christians, and that foure∣teene Kings doe homage and o∣beysance to the Emperor Prester Iohn, whereof some bee tribu∣tary also to him. The great almner of Prester Iohn promiseth

himselfe to fight for the Holy••land. It is written, that Thomas the Apostle was buried in the Kingdome of Aethiope. There be beasts also in this Countrey, that have seven Hornes in their Fore-heads. There bee white Camels and white Beares, and Horses with two hornes: It is al∣so said, that there bee Birds or Fowles in this Countrey, which with their tallants and nailes, wil carry away an Oxe or an Horse to feed their young.

In some part of this Countrey it is thought that there bee men with hornes, and such as have but one eye before them, and two behinde them; and some people that feede upon mans flesh, and devoure their owne parents, and slay, and eate those that are aged. And another kind of people that hath Feet like un∣••o

horse-feete, and very round. Their Women dwell severally, and have three Kingdomes. The ••hree Queenes of Amazones set ••orth, and make preparations to Wars with 300000 souldiers of women.

The Pigmeis in Affrica bee good Christians. The King of the Pigmeis warre against the fowles which destroy fruite, and his people driveth them away with their voyces.

It is said also, that there be cer∣taine Monsters, which above the loynes are seene formed like un∣to men, and beneath the loynes unto horses. The Aethiopians have an artificious way to take Lyons and Unicornes. There have beene seene in times past, Giants of three score and tenne cubits in compasse: and now in these dayes it is said, that many

great Giants bee there seene o•• thirty and five cubits in height. The bird which is called a Ph••••nix, and liveth three hundred yeares and more, is said, to bee set on fire, and burnt through the heate of the Sunne, and that of her ashes, there springeth ano∣ther yong one. There is great store of Pepper gathred in the woods, which are full of Ser∣pents and Scorpions. And men having heads like unto dogger, are sayd to bee very cunning in fishing. Other people there are which have their faces in their breasts, they be strong and swift runners, and great searchers of Gold and Silver. Many other such trifles & incredible things the Iewes do fable upon the land of Prester Iohn, which are so far beyond all credit and likely∣hood of truth, that I thought it

better to omit them, then to occupy the reader in idle spen∣ding the time about them.