CHAP. XI.
Of the kingdome of Narsinga and Bisnag••r.
FRom those places where our feete last rested (or touched rather) vnto the Cape Guadauerin a 1.1 betwixt that ridge of mountaines called Gates, and the Ocean (which is there named the Gulfe of Bengala) trendeth the kingdome of Narsinga or Bisnagar; those two royall Cities con∣tending which shal giue name to this mighty Empire, containing two hundred leagues of Sea-coast. The king hath in continuall pay fortie thousand Nairos. But as occasion serueth, hee can bring into the field many many thousands more, as in that Expedition against Idalcan specified by Barrius and Bote∣rus; in which, to let passe that world b 1.2 of people, hee sacrificed vnto Idolls twentie thousand seuen hundred and three score head of beasts and fowles in nine dayes space, which in Idoll-deuotion were all bestowed after on the poore.
In the yeare of our LORD 1567. Biznagar c 1.3 was sacked by foure Kings of the Moores, (as saith Frederike) naming them Dialcan, Zamaluc, Cotamaluc and V••idy, through treason of her owne Captaines: but hauing sacked it (as not able to holde it) they retired home. The city remained after, an habitation for Tygers and wild beasts; containing in circuit foure and twenty miles, as our Author (that stayed there seuen moneths) affirmeth. Hee neüer sawe Pallace exceeding that of Bisnagar. It had nine gates, with guards of souldiers; Heere he obserued their rites in burning the women so often mentioned.
The woman d 1.4 taketh two or three moneths respite after her husbands death: the day being come, she goeth earely out of her house, mounted on an horse or elephant, or else on a stage carried by eight men: apparelled like to a Bride adorned with iew∣ells, and her haire about her shoulders; holding in her left hand a Looking-Glasse; in the right, an arrow: and singeth as shee passeth through the Citie, saying; That shee goeth to sleepe with her husband. Shee is accompanied with her friends, vntill it bee one or two of the clock in the afternoone: then they goe out of the citie passing by the riuers side to the burning-place, where is prepared a great square Caue full of wood. Heere is made a great banket, the woman eating with ioy, as if it were her wedding∣day, and after they sing and daunce till the woman bidde to kindle the fire in the caue; then she leaueth the Feast, and taketh her husbands neerest kinsman by the hand, and goeth with him to the banke of the riuer, where she strippeth her of her clothes and iewells, bestowing them at her pleasure, and couering her selfe with a cloth, throw∣eth her selfe into the riuer, saying; O wretches, wash away your sinnes. Comming out of the water, she rowleth her selfe into a yellow cloth; and againe, taking her husbands