When they perceiued that he was gone, a great multitude gathered together to seeke
him, with deuout prayers: and when they had found him, brought him home religiously
on their shoulders, to the Chappell dedicated vnto him. But after the Spaniards
comming into the Island, he fledde for altogether, and could neuer be found, where∣by
they diuined the destruction of their Countrey.
They honoured another Zemes, in the likenesse of a woman, on whome waited
two other, like men. One of these executed the office of a messenger to the Zemes,
that had authoritie of Clouds, Windes, and Raine, and are at commaund of this wo∣man: the other performed the like to the Zemes of the Waters, that fall from the
Hills, that being loosed, they might breake into Flouds, and ouerflow the Countrey,
if the people doe not giue due honour to her Image.
Let vs adde to this relation of the Zemes of Hispaniola an accident in
Cuba.
A Mariner being sicke, was there left on shore, who recouering, grew into fauour
with the King, and was employed in his warres with great successe against the ene∣mie:
He attributed his victories to the Virgine Marie, whose picture he had in his
bosome. The King by his persuasion reiected his Zemes, and dedicated a Chappell
and Altar to this Picture, whither he and all his familie resorted a little before the
Sunne-set, bowing their heads, and saying, Aue Maria, Aue Maria, further they
could not say. They be••et the same with Iewels, and many earthen pots, some with
sundry meates, some with water, round about the Tabernacle, which they offered in
stead of sacrifice, as before they had done to their Zemes. Being demaunded, why
they did thus, they answered, least it should lacke meat, for they beleeue, that Images
may hunger, and doe eate and drinke.
They told of this picture, That being carried with them into the Warres (as they
vse to bring their Zemes with them into the battaile) this made the Zemes of the e∣nemie
turne his backe, yea, a woman (a lye, or a Deuill) descended in the sight of
them all to play the Bellona for her followers; and in a contention betwixt them,
whether the Zemes or this Ladie were more excellent, two young men of each side
were bound, and whether Deitie should loosen her partie, that should be their God.
Both inuoke, the Deuill appeared in vgly shape, and by and by a faire Virgin, where∣at
the Deuill vanished (doe you beleeue it?) and the Virgine with touch of a rod
loosed her mans bands, which were found on the other aduerse partie, being now
double-bound. Thus can the Deuill transforme himselfe into an Angell of Light
at Loretto, in Hispaniola, and where else soeuer he can be entertained; the name
of Saints, and promise of Heauen, shall further his hellish designes.
They had festiuall Solemnities in Hispaniola
to their Zemes, whereunto the Kings
summoned their subiects by publike Criers: and they, neatly dressed after their man∣ner,
and painted with diuerse colours of hearbes, resorted thither, with their armes,
thighes, legges, adorned with shells, to make Musicke in their dauncing. Thus they
presented themselues before the King, who sat drumming at the entrance of the gate.
When they were to sacrifice, they purged themselues first, thrusting downe a sacred
hooke into their throat, and by vomit emptied their bodies. After, they went into the
Kings Court, and all sate in a ring about the Idoll, crosse-legged like Taylors, and wry∣necked
for reuerence, praying, that their sacrifice might be accepted. The women in
another place, when the Priests gaue warning, fell to dauncing and singing the prayse
of their Zemes, and offered Cakes in baskets, concluding with Songs in praise of their
ancient Kings, & prayers for future prosperitie. After this, both sexes kneeled downe,
and offered their Cakes; which the Priests receiuing, cut in peeces, giuing to euery
man a portion, which he kept vntouched the whole yeare, for a holy Relique, estee∣ming
that house in danger of Fire and Whirlewinds, that is not preserued with this reserued
peece of Cake. They seemed sometimes to heare a voice from their Zemes,
(whether by the illusion of the Priests, or the Deuill) which the Priests interpreted by
their behauior: for if they daunced and sung, all was well: but if they went sorrowful∣ly,
the people went forth sighing, and gaue themselues to fasting, euen to extreame
faintnesse with weeping, vntill they thought their Zemes reconciled.