The preachers trauels Wherein is set downe a true iournall to the confines of the East Indies, through the great countreyes of Syria, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Media, Hircania and Parthia. With the authors returne by the way of Persia, Susiana, Assiria, Chaldæa, and Arabia. Containing a full suruew of the knigdom [sic] of Persia: and in what termes the Persian stands with the Great Turke at this day: also a true relation of Sir Anthonie Sherleys entertainment there: and the estate that his brother, M. Robert Sherley liued in after his departure for Christendome. With the description of a port in the Persian gulf, commodious for our East Indian merchants; and a briefe rehearsall of some grosse absudities [sic] in the Turkish Alcoran. Penned by I.C. sometimes student in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford.

The description of the Curd••••s a most theeuish people.

WE were no sooner ouer, but forthwith wee were incountred with a c••rtaine troupe of people cal∣led the Cur••ies, which some thinke to be a remnant of the ancient Parthians, who so much annoied the Romans with their bowes and arrowes, as before is declared. This rude people are of a goodly stature, and well proportioned, and

doe neuer goe abroade without their armes, as bowes and arrowes, Scimatarre and buckler, yea and at such time, when a man for age is ready to goe downe to his graue. They doe adore and worship the Diuell, to the end he may not hurt them or their cattell, and very cruell are they to all sorts of Christians; in which regard, the Country which they inhabite, is at this day termed Terra Diaboli, the land of the Diuell. They participate much of the nature of the Arabians, and are as infamous in their Ladrocinies and robberies as the Arabians themselues. They liue vnder the commandement of the great Turke, but with much free∣dome and liberty; For Selymus the second hauing a great multitude of them in his army against the Persians, they did him little seruice, performing no more then what well pleased themselues. This theeuish company did sundry times arrest our Carauan, affirming that their Prince had sent for a Dollor on a summe of goods, without the pay∣ment whereof (being fiue seuerall times demanded) wee should not passe through their Countrey.

One Village of note is there in this Country, wholly in∣habited by the Curdies, being fiue dayes iourney from Ca∣raemit, and three dayes iourney from Bitclish, called by the Countrey people Manuscute. This Towne is seated in a most fertile and fruitfull valley betweene two mountaines, abounding with pasture and cattell: and about a mile from it, is an Hospitall dedicated to S^t. Iohn the Baptist, which is much visited as well by Turkes as Christians, who super∣stitiously affirme, that whosoeuer will bestow either a Sheepe, Kidde, or some peece of money to releeue the poore of that place, shall not only prosper in his iourney, but obtaine forgiuen••sse of all his sinnes. To the Gouer∣nour of this Village we paied for our custome a Shaughee on a summe of goods, and so were dismissed. The next day following wee passed ouer many craggy and steepe moun∣taines, and at the last rested our selues and wearied beasts on the banke of Euphrates, being the outmost bounds on

this side of Mesopotamia, and so entred the day following on the borders of Armenia the Great, which is by some distinctly deuided into three parts; the North part where∣of being but little, is called Georgia: the middle part Tur∣comania: and the third part by the proper name of Ar∣menia.

Notes

• The Curdies worshippers of the Diuell.
• Manuscu••e.
• Eup••rate••••.