The world surveyed, or The famous voyages & travailes of Vincent le Blanc, or White, of Marseilles ... containing a more exact description of several parts of the world, then hath hitherto been done by any other authour : the whole work enriched with many authentick histories / originally written in French ; and faithfully rendred into English by F.B., Gent.

THE FIRST PART OF THE TRAVAILES OF VINCENT le BLANC. (Book 1)

CHAP. I. The Authors embarking for Alexandria, and his shipwrack.

I Was not fully arrived at my fourteenth year of age, when seeing a vessell making ready for Alexandria, and the Grand Caire, impulsed by that noble ambition to view the world, I resolved to embark with the Company, though secretly, and without the privity of my dearest parents. Of this vessel, called our Lady of Victory, one Robert Pontoine a Merchant, and my Father Raphael le Blanc were owners, which so delightfully took the affections of my infancy, that I spent the better part of my time aboard her. I often beg'd my Fathers consent for the voyage; but he, as a person experienced in such affairs, foreseeing the hardship and dangers my tender age was to encounter, still denied me. Notwithstanding I persisted in

my resolution to go in what sort soever; and though I received some severities from my mother on this occasion, yet with a sute of apparell and some linnens I had provided, I took my way one morning towards Civitad about five leagues distant from Marse∣ills. But my mother reflecting on some words I had let fall (that they should never see me more) sent some to overtake me, who with fair words perswaded me home again. At last she perceiving my resolution peremptory, and that I watched all op∣portunities to escape; without acquainting my Father, who would never have consented, she gave me leave: so as delivering me some moneys, and recommending me to one Baptist Cote a Merchant of integrity, she acquainted not the Captain, who was my Godfa∣ther, because she would not have him know she was privy to my voyage. Then I privately went aboard in the Victory, and dealt with the Pilot Augustine Battaillon to conceale me; which for the affection I had to travaile, and the respect he had to my Father he performed.

* 1.1Thus leaving Marseilles, we set saile for Alexandria, where with favourable winds in few dayes we safely arrived: and from thence at the Grand Caire, of which place I shall say little, untill my return from my great Orientall voyage, when I travailed thorough Africa; because by reason of my green years, I was not then able to make those remarks, I shall hereafter discourse of: but shall satisfie my self for the present to tell you, that having staid there by the space of eight whole moneths, and then our Master having loaden his ship in Alexandria, with drugs of all sorts, spices,* 1.2 and other Indian commodities, was bound homewards: we sailed happily for some few dayes towards the coast of the Isle of Candia; where we first felt the miseries, for the most part, ac∣company sea voyages: we unfortunately lost our rudder, which being a principal member of the vessel was a most dangerous acci∣dent, and forced us to shore to mend it. Both our Merchants and Seamen on a festivall day coming ashore to make merry, they were so surprized with the beauties and subtleties of the Island Curtizans, that they not onely exhausted all their money but sold their commodities to undervalews to satisfie their pleasures, which some of them were glutted with to the losse of their lives: and having thus spent near two moneths, we put to sea for France, and two or three dayes had a prosperous winde, which on a sudden turned to the North-East, and imme∣diately to a furious violent North-wind, that drove us up∣on the coast of Turluru,* 1.3 an Island near Canee, which is a Haven, and Town in Candia, where we cast anchor to ride out the tempestuous weather.

Here another sad accident befell us, by the malice of some of our Merchants, and Seamen, who reduced to great neces∣sitie•• by reason of their immoderate and vain expenses in

Candia, resolved upon a desperate course, by sinking the ship to satisfie all their Creditors at a cast,* 1.4 and sliding the Anchor on one side betwixt two waters, in lesse than a quarter of an hour our ship struck on ground; and they having prepared the cock∣boat for their refuge, about eleven at night got into it, leaving some thirty of us behind them to the mercy of the waters, of which our ship was already full; thus we were reduced to the very brink of despair, nothing but confused cryes and groanes amongst us, accompanied with prayers to God,* 1.5 whose just Judgement left not unpunished the Authours of their own, and of our unexpected shipwrack, for their boat being overturned within a hundred paces of the ship, they were all drowned in an instant.

And it is worth observation that the greatest part of our company were reprobate persons, and absolute Atheists, for some of our Marriners seeing themselves in this imminent danger, their vessel being filled with water, secured some cans of wine which they pour down their throats, amongst the rest one Honora∣tus a Marseillian, put on his best apparell, and with some French coin threw himself into the Sea: those rascals endeavoured to pre∣vent him, inviting him to drink, saying 'twas better to dye full than empty, but the poor creature not able to swim sunk im∣mediately, his body was within few dayes cast upon the shore, the Clark of the ship stript him, took his clothes and money, and buried him, since being sent into France to be impowered, by the Merchants to receive four or five thousand Zequines, which the goods and commodities saved from shipwrack were sold for, he carried the news to Honoratus widow, but I doubt whether he restored her his goods as he told us he did. This while the greatest part of us perished on the shallowes; for of sixty five persons that we were in all, but five escaped, whereof (praised be God) I was one; and every man shifting for himself;* 1.6 by the help of a planck I got to shore, after I had been fifteen hours in the wa∣ter, and thus I saved my self, together with the Clerk of the vessel.

After rest and victuals had a little recovered us, and our Se∣cretary returned to the sea side, to view the remaines of the wrack: the Consul of the French Nation, residing in a Town in Canee, eight leagues distant, upon notice repaired with speed to us with twenty Souldiers, to preserve what was saved, who took good order to see the commodities dryed, and restored to the right owners: having taken his due fees, and leaving our Secretary with the Souldiers in charge with the goods, he took me home to his house, and provided me clothes after the Greek fashion and other necessaries that I wanted: I stayed six or seven months with the Consul, who gave me noble and free entertain∣ment for my Fathers sake, whose friend and acquaintance he

was expecting some ship bound for Jerusalem, for I had vowed a pilgrimage to the holy Sepulcher to give God thanks for my pre∣servation in the last great danger.

At the seven moneths end, here arrived a Venetian ship bound for Jerusalem, the Master of the ship a Marseillian, by name Guil∣lem de Cassis, who stood amazed at sight of me, saying he had at∣tended at my Funeral at Marseilles, and that my Parents heard I was cast away with the rest of the company, and that they bore my loss heavier then that of the ship, wherein my Father had halfe share, (as I shewed before that) which losse broak my fathers partner, Robert Pontoine, and forced him to live privately at home, then I agreed with William Cassis, who was to bring me to Hierusalem, and the Consul advanced me a hundred Zequines towards my journy, advising me to keep my money private.

CHAP. II. Of the Townes of Tripoli and Damas, with the relation of a Murther.

LEaving Canee in the moneth of August, wee steered out course towards Syria, a famous and renowned countrey, by the Hebrews called Aram, since Halad, and Sabal, formerly of great extent, and conteined the Provinces of Comagene, Caele∣syria, Phenicia, Palestina or Judea, Mesopotamia, and one part of Arabia, and others.

In the time of our Holy Warres, it reached from the Tigris, unto Egypt, from Cilicia or Caramania, unto the red sea, for∣merly Antioche,* 1.7 was the chief town in Caelesyria. The first place we landed at was Tripoli in Syria, where Monsieur Toureau a Mar∣seillian, most generously entertained us.

* 1.8Upon the Mount Libanus two leagues distant from Tripoli, you may see snow all seasons of the year, you may find the Manna, or Celestial dew,* 1.9 which I often walking the fields, took for snow, untill tasting it, I found it sweet as sugar, and undeceived my self: when the natives perceived me gather any, they would say, Naza∣rini coul sacor va la Tayhon which signifies, Christian eat of the Manna, for 'tis good.

* 1.10The river Chrysorrhoas, famous for her waters rises out of Li∣banus, and runnes through Damas, there rises also another river called Magora, and loses her self in Tripoli: In this mount is the Prophet Josua's tombe visited by Christian pilgrims, and by Turks; I have heard from the Inhabitants and labourers of the Mountain, that Vines bear there twice a year, to which I give little credit.

From Tripoli we travelled to Aman, three dayes journey thence:* 1.11 this Town was formerly called Emitus, by the Arabians Camahale, by the Turks Amcus, and by the Indians Amsa, 'tis a Country of Mulberries, and silke wormes, full of Gardens, and most excellent fruits. The Town is peopled with Grecians, Turkes, Mores, Armeni∣ans and Jewes; it is very ruinous, nothing left entire, save the Mar∣ket, & exchange for Indian, Arabian, Aegyptian, French, Italian, En∣glish, Dutch Merchants; they trade there in Cottons, Silkes, Linnens, Carpits, Woollens, and Pot-Ashes; the land is very fruitfull in all sort of fruit, Corne, wines and Oyles.

From thence 3. days journey to Aleppo, some time Hierapolis,* 1.12 a Town of the same, and greater trade then Tripoli, amongst others in jewells, spices, and perfumes; my Camarade having learnt here what he looked for, we went to Damas,* 1.13 the Capitall Towne of all Syria. She is one of the fairest, and greatest Traders in the Coun∣trey, remarkeable cheifely for delightfull scituation, healthfull ayre, fruitfull Soyle, abundance of waters, fruites, and of all sorts of commodities necessary to livelihood; her vast treasures, trade, and number of souldiers, her faire Structures, many sword & knife-cuttlers, & other expert Artists in steele, who give a delicate tem∣per with muske and Amber-greese. There I saw a Marseillian Cut∣ler who spent near a hundred Zequins in forging one blade,* 1.14 which was by many admired: I met him ten yeares after at Paris, he told me he sold the same blade to Collo Dornano for three hundered crownes. Damas is scituate in a faire plaine, her soyle well wa∣tered and fruitfull, with plenty of Gardens, and Orchards round about her, she is surrounded with two mountains,* 1.15 the one called Amon, the other Sahanir; There are many grots and caves, (as 'tis said) formerly inhabited by the Christians in time of persecution, there is one can contain 4000. persons,* 1.16 and without doubt are fairer and larger than those at present to be seen at Saragosa in Si∣cily: towards the East there is a lake 7. or 8. leagues about, through which run two sweet streams, the one called Aman or Amma,* 1.17 which runs by the foot of the wall, towards the South, the other Farfar, and threds through the middle of the Town; she is also adorned with many fountains, the water being brought by pipes from Chrysoran. The houses are built of the Moresco modell, with galleries, do almost cover the whole streets, as at Aleppo. The Town is strong, and begirt with good ditches, well flank'd and man'd in time of war. A Bassa, or Governour, keeps it for the Turk, who hath a strong life-guard of horse: The Suburbs are greater, and more populous than the Town.* 1.18 There are twenty thousand Mulberry planters for the trade of silk, and an infinite number of cutlers and other Artists in steel and iron. On the East there stands a Tower where you may yet see the Flour de luces, the arms of France; which must have been set there, when the French were Lords of the Holy land: there in a little enclosure is

to be seen Zacharies tomb,* 1.19 Father to St. John Baptist: a place of great veneration, the Mahometans themselves celebrating the feast day with solemn rejoycings,* 1.20 they yet shew the place where S. Paul persecuting Christians fell from his horse, and the place of his im∣prisonment, and where he was let down in a basket. They shew you the place, where 'tis said Cain killed his Brother Abel. There is an Alablaster mine affords them great store of fair vessels, and other peices. From thence commonly are set forth the Caravans, or land convoys for Medina and Meca, and to many other places of Arabia, and the east.

The Towne is farr fairer without then within, by reason of the commodious scituation and beautifull aspect, but the streets are not so well contrived; the Market place, or Baiar is ample, and faire built with Piatzza's, as at Bolonia, most of the houses in Town are served with fountains, derived from Chrysorrhoas, the graffs are planted with Mulbery trees.

There is a Citadell said to be built by a Florentine Renegado, who then commanded it. While we staid at Damas, one day walking the Market place, we saw an Executioner (surrounded with a great crowd of people) upon a tall horse,* 1.21 and dragging a Malefactor (tyed with a rope) by the leggs to the place of Execu∣tion; and enquiring the reason of this Justice, we were told he was a Christian, and had killed a judge of the Country: This poore sufferer, as we since understood, by attestations, and let∣ters, he carried about him in a box, was a Frenchman, and born in Saintonge, his name was Roubie, returning from Jerusalem, where he received the Cross from the hands of the Patriarch; and passing thorough this Town, met a judge, who according to the in∣solent custome of the sworne enemies to Christians with one blow struck Roubie at his feet; which for the present he seemed to take very patiently, dissembling the affront, with resolution nevertheless when opportunity should serve, cruelly to revenge it, he absented himself for three whole yeares, and in that time having perfected himselfe in the Turkish Language, disguised in the habit of a Dervis,* 1.22 a sort of Religious, in great esteeme amongst them, he weares a Cimitere by his side, and a dagger hanging at his girdle, to see the commands of their Prophet Nabi, strictly observed this supposed Dervis begirt with his hanger, returned to Damas, and assisted dayly (in Court) the judge his enemy, whose diligence to justice was held a good Omen; this he practised for three whole years and more, not omitting one audience in all that time, dayly expecting an opportunity to revenge himselfe. Upon a time hear∣ing the judge give Sentence against an Orphan, who was sued for some inheritance, suddenly stept up to him, and with a mortall wound on the forehead laid him dead at his feete, took his place, and said that the judgement newly pronounced against the Or∣phan was unjust, and that it was fit to repeate the Evidence

which without the least interruption, in respect to the suppose•• Dervis, was immediately done by Councill on both sides,* 1.23 and a Herauld openly declared, that he thought it Justice the Orphan should enjoy one moity of the land in question; this was spoken to the satisfaction of the Auditory, but especially of the Dervis, who gave his opinion and approbation in few words, and at the same instant, judgement was pronounced to the great content of those were cast by the former sentence: his body was carried home to his house, and the Murtherer highly commended for his great act of Justice.

Reubie satisfied in his revenge, by degrees retired himself to Tri∣poli, where by misfortune being reproached by a certain coun∣trey-man of his, who had seen him in the habit; he inconsiderately confest it, and the reason that moved him so to do: and some Turks hearing of it, they presently caused him to be apprehended; and upon search found uncircumcised, he was brought back to Dama, where he was thus arraigned, and executed, and his body cast to the dogs, to be devoured.

Not farre from Damas, and the Jordan springs is the town of Philippa, whence the woman was,* 1.24 that our Saviour cur'd of the flux, Belinas, sometime Dan, Paneas, or Caesarea, it lyes not far from Libanus, and between her and Gallilean, or Tiberiade Sea is a great vale, where is a Lake swell'd with the snow, that falls from the Mount Libanus, through this Lake runs the Jordan, and is called Es-mal-maron, formerly the waters of Merac; there did Joshuah overthrow the Kings of Chananee, the Lake is in Summer almost drye, and from thence unto Jope, is a very fruitful country called Charon.

Towards the Tiberiade Sea there is another vale very hollow, between two hills, where the Sun is hardly ever seen. This hill rises not far from the Sea side, and reaches to Sidon or Sayette, and of the other side they both reach the Arabian hills, near Damas, and there lyes the Country formerly called Palmyrena.

CHAP. III. Of the Deserts of Arabia, of Spirits, or Apparitions there, of the Sea of Sodome, of the Hills of Sina and Oreb, and the three Arabia's.

AFter some few dayes stay we left Damas,* 1.25 and passed through Benin, from thence we came to Macharaib, or Macherib, and Masarib three dayes journey from Damas: 'tis a small town

of Palestina,, not very pleasant, formerly called Misor, one of the Levies Cities, sometime belonging to King Balsan, near the torrent of Arnon in the tribe of Reuben.* 1.26 At our arrivall there, having discharged our Chioas, or guide, which cost us six Duckets a man; my companion Cassis took a little boy for his guide, and brought me first to a fair house in the Turkish quarter, and inha∣bited by a Turk; instead of going to the place inhabited by Chri∣stians; which I not a little wondred at, because the difference in Religion breeds a discrepance between them and us; as I was entring the house, a Turkish Dame, well fashioned, with a child in her armes, briskly asked me in the Syriack tongue, Achibi, Naza∣rini che senti achelect, Christian what do you here, I streight made answer, Mnaar Jenesay ana cardas amisi antina, that my Camarade was within to speak with some body, but she with indignation thrust me out of the Porch; young as I was, I had the wit to present her with a pair of corall pendants, which she liked well, and said in her language, Thou art a good lad, but the other is a knave that gave me nothing; and as I was retiring my self, she cour∣teously invited me in, where I saw my companion take some small things out of his bagge, which he presented to several wo∣men who had every one of them a sucking child at their brest, they wore rings in their ears of twice hand compasse, richly set with Diamonds and Pearls, every one of them made choice of some Venetian curiosity, which though of small value, they set great esteem upon: as we were thus entertaining these Ladies, in came a grave Moore, Counpayniors brother, who upon notice that two strangers were entered his house, came presently home, fir'd with jealousie, a passion most of them are infected with, as was easily seen in the rage and distraction of his countenance: but after he perceived his brother, he ran to his embraces, with many caresses took me by the hand,* 1.27 in French said we were most welcome; and told us he was the Renegado Murat called Silvester, compelled thereto by force, but resolved to leave Turkisme, and become a Christian again, as we were: after many complements, invited us to eat: then a cloth of leather delicately dressed, being spread upon the ground, they brought in boyled mutton, rice, and their mel∣ted butter called Manteque, we made a good dinner, drinking Ragui their common drink, composed of water, figges, and Dates, and is a sort of strong water, for wine they have not any. At dinner I seriously observed the Renegado Murat, a man of graceful personage, well proportioned, and taller by the head then my fellow-traveller, and nothing like him; and I observed women with what content they listened to our manner of dis∣course.

At dinner the two brothers discoursed of their affaires, and de∣sign in Arabick, conceiving I understood them not, but during my eight moneths residence at the Grand Caire, I had learnt

enough to understand their discourse; and heard my fellow relate this shipwrack, and the manner thereof; and that he came to crave his assistance to recover his losses; the Renegado told him, that in few dayes he should take a journey for Meka, and that he could procure him so many Cherafs, or Duckets by the month, and at his returne from that voyage he would give him a summe of money, if he returned not himselfe home with him: to this my camarade made answar, he had undertaken to conduct me to Jeru∣salem, and that it would be a shame to him to leave me so young; the Renegado replyed, that I should go along with them, and that he would furnish me with a Camell for the journey, and that coming back we should see Jerusalem. All this I understood,* 1.28 and though not pleased to see my intention crossed, yet I durst not take the least notice, for feare they should put some trick upon me, considering they might leave me behind, or sell me, or exchange me for some peeces of wine, which in those Countreys is both rare and deare, sold onely by the Apothecaries for the sick, or by Christian Merchants. Thus I heard them advise how to be rid of me; but at last pittying my tender age, they resolved to know my will, and then my Camarade freely spoke his bro∣thers intention, and that in that journey we should see the great Desart, the Mount Sinai and Oreb, the Townes of Medina, La Meyur, and many other remarkable places, and that returning we should see Jerusalem; I shewed my selfe most willing to what they should resolve, finding no other way to save my selfe, and up∣on my fellowes promise coming back to shew me the place I so much desired.

Thus resolved, they provided six fat sheep, prize two ducats,* 1.29 together with other meat, which they boyled in a great chaldron, till the flesh came from the bones, then put flesh only, with a good proportion of salt butter in the same Chaldron, and fryed it well, and potted it up for our journey. This we loaded upon two Cammells, with store of onyons, bisket, three large bottells of strong water, with others full of fresh water, and other necessaries, and my camarade and self had a camell betwixt us. Having staid eight dayes at Macherib, we set forth with the Caravane,* 1.30 compo∣sed of great numbers of Merchants, and of above twenty thou∣sand camells, loaden with all sorts of wares and commodities, reaching two leagues in length. The Captain of the Town ac∣companied us with five hundered horse unto the desert, but fur∣ther he could not go, by reason of the heat of the sands,* 1.31 that burne their horses hoofes, and founder them: and besides in the desert there is extreme scarcity of water, which we carried along with us in leather vessells, to make use of in the desert of Ara∣bia, where very scarcely any fresh is found. We crost a part of the Holy Land, leaving Jerusalem on the right hand, with a very sensible regret, to be within a dayes journey of that place, and

not to see the City. The nights we rested in our Tents, which we pitched with ease, fastning wooden poles thorough the mid∣dle with ropes, which by the helpe of pegs struck into the ground susteined the rest; drawing towards the south, into some vales in search of fresh water, we perceived upon an eminent peece of land the ruines of some Towns, and a little lower a Lake, called Sodom and Gomorra,* 1.32 or the Dead Sea, anciently called the Lake Asphaltite, which to this day doth witness the just judgement of God, we tasted some of this water, which, although very brac∣kish, yet refresht us for the present.

From thence, after seven or eight houres rest, we took our way thorough the Desert, marching in rank and file, following a Ju∣rabi,* 1.33 who undertook to guide the Caravane, making use of the Seamans compass.

Upon our March we were from hand to hand advertised, that some one of our company was missing, that strayed from the rest, 'twas the companion of an Arabian Merchant, very sad for the losse of his freind;* 1.34 part of the Caravane made an halt, and foure Moores were sent in quest of him, and a reward of a hun∣dered duckets was in hand paid them, but they brought back no tidings of him; and 'tis uncertain whether he was swallowed up in the sands, or whether he met his death by any other misfortune, as it often happens, by the relation of a Merchant then in our company, who told us that two yeares before (travelling the same journey) a camarade of his going a little aside from the company about his necessary oc∣casions,* 1.35 saw three men, who called him by his name, and one of them to his thinking favoured very much his compa∣nion, and as he was about to follow them, his reall companion cal∣led him to come back to his company, and the strength of his voice, found himselfe deceived by the others, and thus was saved.

And all Travailers in these parts hold that in the Deserts there are many such fantasms and goblins seen, that strive to seduce the Travellers, and cause them to perish with hun∣ger and despaire: having travelled fifteen dayes thorough the Desert, drawing still towards Medina, we were seized with a great drowth, whereupon the word was given for hand to hand through the company, that some whose Camells were not hard loaden, should go seek out fresh-water, amongst others I and my compani∣on offered our selves, three score of us then drew out, who waited for us not farr off, ready to assist us upon the least notice or signall given; we were guarded by a strong Troope, assign∣ed us by the Captaine,* 1.36 to defend us against the Arabian theeves, who have no other livelihoods then the robberies they commit upon the Caravannes; we came unto the side of a little sandy hill, where we found great store of little trees, called Salicor, of which they make their pot ashes for glas∣ses:

a little further we discovered an Indian cane with a flagge at the end of it, which is the sign they put upon a spring in those parts; and groaping with our hands in the sand, we found a great piece of Camels leather, that stopt the mouth of a well: we drew up some water to drink our selves, and some to carry back to our Camarades, which we thought pretty good, though very salt and brackish: a piece of money was given to him that first found out the well, and having stayed there, some ten houres at least, we went back towards our company, with whom we joyned, and distributed our water among them: That night we rested near a hill, and left our lodging an hour before day, en∣tring into very white sands, and so small, that the dust troubled us very much. We had then entred the stony Arabia, and the desert, and proceeding in our way, we came to the foot of Mount Sina,* 1.37 called by the Arabians, Lurle, or Tur, so famous in the Holy Scrip∣ture, Exod. 19. being the place where God gave the law to Moses, and is therefore to this day called Gods Mountain, and joyned to Oreb, now called Saint Catherines Mount, because 'tis believed that Saint Catherines shryne reposes there, The Arabians pay,* 1.38 great reverence to Mount Sina, and do not suffer beasts to feed thereon: They yet remark the Rock Moses miraculously drew water out of, Exod. 17. but there is none there for the present, although there be plenty in several other places of the Hill, for both the Priests Caloires, and Mahometans, that inhabit the hill, have several good springs.

Some hold Sina and Oreb to be two Hills, others hold them to be but one, divided onely in two Copps, Sina on the East, and Oreb on the West, and is not so eminent as the former; at the foot of this Hill Justinian the Emperor founded a Monastery called Saint Catherines, possessed by the Caloires, Monks of the order of Saint Basil, as those are at Mount Athos, or Mount Santo in Greece; this Mountain abounds in herbage and pasture.

The three Arabia's are commonly called Petrea, Deserta,* 1.39 and Faelix, this is properly Petrea, or the stony Arabia, through which the children of Israel went into the land of Promise: thus called, not from the stones or rocks, but from Petra, a very ancient town, since called Herac, or Arach, which was the chief town of that di∣vision of Arabia, also called by some Nabathea; in this Arabia were the several countries or Provinces of Amalec, Edom, Moab, and Madian, containing several deserts, as that of Sin, Sur, Cedat, & Cadez, and others, it begins near the Jordan, and ends South∣ward towards the desert Arabia, with great hills interposed, and the desert of Benascali, of great extent; where for the benefit of passengers, are wells built with bones of dead men and beasts, for want of stones. The desert Arabia hath great want of wa∣ter, and is called by some Estreiemin, by others Soball, the Sara∣sens call it Barraab, it contains Meka and Medina.

The happy Arabia towards Ader is called Ayman; The stony hath been peopled with Sarasens or Aragenes, the spring of Maho∣metanisme: The desert is chiefly possessed by robbers, cut-throats, and rogues; The happy called Sabea, part of it is subject to the Turk, part of it to the Sophy of Persia, the rest hath Kings, and particular Lords, and Masters.

The stony is surrounded with great hills, and is well stored with water, having West-ward Egypt, and the other two Arabia's, Northward, Judaea and Syria, and from Syria, through the stony the chiefest part of the desert, is least on the left hand. This de∣sert hath vast wildernesses utterly uninhabited, except in few pla∣ces where there are small rivers;* 1.40 and hath onely the towns of Me∣dina and Meka, and the Castle of Metar where some say Mahomet writ his Alcoran, the great desert of Benhali, or Benaseali, of which I late spoke of runnes quite through her, is twelve dayes journey over, covered with white sand, and small as dust: The happy called by the Arabians Rahahac, is divided from the de∣sert at the Haven Ziden,* 1.41 and hath very fair Provinces, as Aden, Agias, and others, unto the Isles of Maera, and Mazira, towards the Cape Rosolgate.

CHAP. IV. Of the town of Medina, and the false Prophet, Mahomets successors.

FRom Mount Sina, we came in few dayes to a little hill, where there stands a Village called Jusoreh, inhabited allmost by Jews onely,* 1.42 and a well of the best water can be drunk: those Jews hide their secret parts, with a linnen cloth, and are naked for the rest of their bodies: they are naturally crafty and malici∣ous,* 1.43 much given to stealing, which is esteemed a vertue amongst them. They once cunningly stole my Camarades Cassock which he wore; one amongst them feigning himself mad, begged an almes of him, and seeing he had a Cassock of good fine cloth, mali∣ciously threw abundance of vermine which he had in a basket upon his clothes, and forced my companion to strip himself of Cassock,* 1.44 Doublet, and all, to shake off the vermine; the rest of the Jewes gave their seeming assistance, correcting the pretended mad-man, or cheat, whilst he run away with coat, and doublet; which my fellow never after heard of; but it made us merry in the rest of our journey.

At length having travelled five and forty dayes travail from Ma∣charib, without much rest, but on Frydaies, which is the Maho∣metans Sabbath: we approached near Medinat al Nabi, or the Prophets City,* 1.45 and there stopt the Caravane, every one pitching

his tent: 'twas a delight to behold our company, that seemed a numerous Army rank't in order round about a well, in the midst of divers Date trees. We arrived at Medina, formerly Jesrab,* 1.46 a Town of the desert Arabia, where Mahomet died and was buri∣ed; he was born at Jetrib, or Meka; in this town there are very good waters, for which cause it is well peopled: There my Ca∣marade put a base cheat upon his brother; telling him that if he would intrust him with certain commodities, he would go trade with them at Ziden (a Haven in the red sea, near to Meka) where were arrived some ships from the India's, as he understood by some Abyssins he met in pilgrimage at Mount Sina,* 1.47 the Renegado Murat believed him, and bought six Camels at Medina, and load∣ed them with several commodities, which he committed to his brother Cassis, and to account for them at his return: but instead of going to the place, he pretended to his brother, he turned his course towards the happy Arabia, Zibit, Aden, Ormus,* 1.48 from thence through Persia, to the East India's and to the Preste Johns coun∣trey, and to other places as you shall hear.

Some have said, that either at Medina or Meka,* 1.49 was Ma∣homets tombe all of iron, suspended in the ayre with a load∣stone; but I have heard for certain, that the false Prophet died at Medina, and is there buried, where to this day his tombe is frequently visited by Mahometan pilgrims,* 1.50 from all parts of the world; as the holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem, is visited by Christi∣ans: thither go the Caravanes, from Aleppo, Damas,* 1.51 and the grand Cair, and from other places: there meet sometimes, above forty or fifty thousand persons, and as many Camels, with some guards of souldiers. This tombe is built of white marble, with the tombs of Ebubeker, Ali, Omar, and Ottman, Califfs, and Mahomets suc∣cessors, and every one a book lying by them of their lives,* 1.52 and their Sect or opinion, which are very discrepant: there are also a great number of Lamps alwayes lighted; we were desirous to be informed by Murats means, whether the monument had ever been held up in the ayre, we were answered by an Alfaquis, or Turkish Priest, that formerly Mahomets body had there reposed; but that since the Angels had translated his body before God, to assist him at his great Judgement; and told us many other fop∣peries, that occasioned Murat to ask why that tombe was built, to which we received some frivolous answer: the tombe is three steps or thereabouts in ground, the steps are white marble; and the Turks believe to this day, that the Tombe hangs in the ayre, and wonder very much, when we tell them we have seen the contrary.

CHAP. V. How Mahomet composed his Alcoran, his victories, and of the rarities and ceremonies of Meka.

* 1.53THe people of this Country were called Saracenes, since Sa∣razins from a town called Saraco, or rather from Elfarack, which in their language signifies, to live by robbery; as all the in∣habitants there have ever been great thieves and robbers, as well as the chiefest part of the desert, Arabians, and Africanian Arabians are at present.* 1.54 The Impostor-Prophet Mahomet was born amongst them at Itrarib, or Jetrib; a small village now called Meka, or near unto it. He derived his Pedegree from Ismael, from his youth in∣venting his false law; being a subtle, crafty, undertaking person; he took advantage of the discontents of some Sarazins, that were not paid their pay by the Grecian Emperour Heraclius his officers, and made use of them to run over that Empire, with such success from the beginning, that he undertook greater things; which the easier to compasse,* 1.55 he gave them a newer Law, compiled with a mixture of their old one, making them believe 'twas revealed and inspired into him from above: but which in truth he had forged and composed himself, by the help of some Christian Apostates, a∣mong others of two Christians, sword-cutlers, and slaves then in Meka,* 1.56 and very ignorant fellowes, and thus fill'd his Alcoran full of fopperies and Impertinencies, which he published by the sword; and by force of of arms, forced all persons he could to receive it. Three principal means he made use of, to establish his Sect: First of all Sorceries, impostures, and deceits; Secondly, of a liberty of conscience, sensuality, and licentiousnesse. Thirdly, and lastly, of the force of arms.* 1.57 Medina was the first town he reduced, and there was proclaimed King by his Captains and Officers. Ebube∣ker, Ali, Omar, Ottman: and the others that succeeded him, were called Califfs, afterwards he sent them to conquer Asia and Afri∣ca, and in few years they reduced both those parts wholly to their obedience, setting up their law which hath there continued ever since; for they and their successors have founded the greatest Em∣pires in the world, and so continue at this day, as the Turk, the Per∣sian, the great Mogull, the Tartar, the Jerez, and Moracko, and infinite more Kings in Africa and Asia, the East India's, and the adjacent Isles: from this cursed Doctrine are sprouted forth ma∣ny diverse Sects.

We left Medina and came to Meka another town of the desert Arabia, in the two and twentieth degree, and by reason of the im∣purity of the ayr, there is scarce any more then these two townes

in the whole country: it is two dayes journey from Medina, pret∣ty large, of the quantity of Roan, or twice as big as Marseils, 'tis surrounded with great and steep hills, which serves her for de∣fence, and makes the accesse difficult, there are abundance of Mer∣chants, and very rich, having upon the 23. of May yearly, a fa∣mous Fair which they call their Jubile. To facilitate the passage from the plain there are four avenues cut through the Mountain, easie to be maintained; near unto the Town is the Hill called Jubara,* 1.58 where 'tis believed Abraham would have sacrificed his Son Isaac, and in a certain place there, the Marabouts immolate at this time; there the pilgrims offer sheep, and distribute the flesh and offalls to the poor, who are very numerous, and give them water to drink, they devour those entrails half raw, impatient to stay the dressing of them; they make holes in the sand and bake them therein; this Abrahams Mountain is a league and a half di∣stant from the Town, and near it is scituate a village of a hundred and fifty houses or thereabouts, with a Mosquee or Temple, fre∣quently called Meka stately, high, and built upon pillars; those dayes they sacrifice, they let water run through pipes at the por∣tall, wherewith they wash their feet, there are no springs in those parts, water being brought from other places, and is extream scarce and dear, and the least quantity you can drink will cost you an estere, and sometimes a crown. The Turks ascending this Hill throw stones in three places, where are great heaps; and this (they say) they do to spite the Devil, because he endeavoured in those three places to divert Abraham from his sacrifice; for (they say) that the Devil appeared to Isaac ascending the hill, and said to him, that his Father would sacrifice him; Isaac made no reply, and the Devil tempting Isaac the second time, he threw a stone at him; and from hence begun this custom of the pilgrims, from thence by a little descent the pilgrims come to the Mosquee or Temple, a league distant, or thereabouts, from the top of the Hill, their heads bowed down, and their armes acrosse,* 1.59 the Cherifs deputy casts a paile of water upon their heads, wetting them from top to toe, which they hold a purification or expiation of their sins, pronouncing these words, Ala rahmani Ala ila, which signifies, God purifie thee, next they proceed to prayers in the Mosquee or Temple, which are onely made at the time (they call) Zilaite, which is upon the three and twentieth of May; and at the same time without changing their clothes they pray standing, with a great modesty; and when they keep their fasts they neither eat nor drink by day, but they eat all the next night.

The Mosca or Temple of Meka is a masse of stones built round, and much like St. Sophya at Constantinople, you ascend unto it fifteen or sixteen steps, without and round about it are built fair piazza's, or galleries, where the Merchants keep their Exchange, and expose to sale their drugs, perfumes, jewels, and

severall other sorts of commodities; in this Town is vented the richnesse of the India's, and Merchants flock hither from all parts of the world; they come to unlade at Ziden a Haven in the red Sea, twelve leagues distant from Meka: the road between Ziden and Meka is very full of Merchants, they carry their mer∣chandizes upon Camels, some bound for Syria, others for Egypt, and from thence for Europe.

The Christians are not admitted into the Mosque, they view it onely through the gate in disguise, you are not sooner entred but you see Mahomets Tomb upon your left hand in the middle of his two Sons in law; to visit it you descend three or four steps, yet 'tis generally believed the Tomb is empty, for their Marabouts say that the Angels translated his body into heaven: at the end of that side there is as 'twere a little turret richly adorned, where the treasure belonging to the Soudan or Governour of the Town is kept.

A little further within stands an altar without any figure, and at each side are twelve bookes sumptuously bound, all the pillars are hung with rich tapestry, very faire, and of lively colours, but without the figure or image of any animall. the Town is Go∣verned by a Sultan, or Cherif, he is their Head both in Temporall and Spirituall Affaires, and held in great esteeme amongst them, for he gives absolution to all that visit the Mosque, the sacrifice ended, he uses a certain washing, in lieu of Baptisme: The Mosque is most gorgeously adorn'd, and hung with tapistry with∣out any Imagary worke, you descend unto it eighteen or twenty steps, and it is larger in compass then the Colisee at Rome; Ma∣hometans esteeme the Town Sacred, as well in respect of the ex∣cellent things (they say) were there revealed unto their impostor Prophet, as for the magnificent Temple dedicated to his name; which they imagine built by the Angells, visited by Adam, translated into the sixth Heaven during the deluge, to preserve it from the waters, and since reedified by Abraham, by the Modell of the former sent from Heaven; they give great reverence thereunto, and also to a stone called Alkible, or Aliete, which they adore, and relate a thousand fables of it. The Cherif, or Sultan, Governour of Meka stiles himselfe Alaman Alhascemi, which sig∣nifies the Prince, descended from Hascem, Great Great Grandfa∣ther to Mahomet; formerly he was subject to the Soudan of Aegypt, and now to the Turk, but in such manner as he retains a great Au∣thority; nor doth the Turke stile himself King, or Lord of Meka, but her humble Subject, he is called also Emir, that is, Prince.

The Cherif is said to be of Mahomets race, he presented, and acknowledged Selinus to be the Turkish Emperour, when he had conquered Egypt, and abolished the Empire of Mamelus, and Selinus, returned him a great respect, and made him the same present, of a silken sheet large enough to spread over the Prophets

house; a present the Soldans used yearly to make: they are there much vext with the continuall rovings and robberies of the A∣rabians.

Among the greatest rarities we saw in this Town, were two pearls the Sultane wore in her ears; the three I since saw at Lisboe, which paid off sixteen thousand ducates of the Gabelle, were not like them, for these go beyond them both in bignesse and beauty. I saw also in the Sultans Seraglio an Unicorn, as since I have seen others in the India's, and at the Escuriall: I know many miscre∣ants, that doubt whether the world hath such a beast, but besides those, I have read many grave Authors that witnesse the same, and Bartheme sayes he hath seen one in the very same Town of Meka, I shall say something more of it in my treaty of Pegu and Canarane.

CHAP. VI. Of Arabia Felix, of Prince Sequemir Gover∣nour, of Cassia, and other commodities of Sabaea.

WE left Meka after a short stay there, and as I thought my companion would have struck into the road for Ziden to∣wards the red Sea, as he pretended to his Brother Murat, and my self, I wondered he left the chiefest part of his company bound for Ziden, and that with the other part he took his way towards Zibit, in the happy Arabia; I asked him why he altered his re∣solution, and laughing, he made me this answer,* 1.60 that the com∣modities he carried along with him were not his brothers, as I imagined, but his own, and that since his brother had denied Jesus Christ he deserved them not, and thought it fitter to make them his own, and resolved to see the world at his charge and ex∣penses.

From thence I gathered my companions inclinations, since thus perfidiously he used his Brother who had trusted him; yet for fear he should play me some trick, I dissembled, in hopes, that by the grace of God I should be delivered from him, and safe∣ly accomplish my intended journey.

Thus we took our way for Zibit, accompanied with severall Christians, and other Merchants, we Inn'd the first night at a little village called Ferragous, where we were but ill ac∣commodated: the next day we came to Outor a Castle,* 1.61 no∣ted by some travellers, not far remote from the red Sea.

* 1.62There is a deep well whence they draw water, with a wheel turned round by a yoke of Bulls, the water was sharp and hard, but nothing brackish, necessity made us like it: at two leagues from Outor we left the most part of our company, they took the right hand the ready way to Ziden, and we followed our tract for the Happy Arabia, and reached a Town called Gaza, and thence to Zibit.

* 1.63Thus we left the desert to enter the Happy Arabia, which is a Peninsula between the red and the Persick Sea, scituate un∣der the Tropick Cancer; her length is from the Soltania of Sanna towards the red Sea, unto Agior towards the Persick gulf, or the Elcatif Sea, so called by the Arabians, I have often travelled there for trade sake, and have visited most of her Towns; this Arabia is of large extent, divided into fair Pro∣vinces and Kingdoms.

* 1.64We arrived at Zibit, a Town of Soltania, in the Company of a Jewish Merchant, native of Alibenali, a great Province of Arabia, and married at Zibit, he lodg'd us in his own house, finding he could make a gain of us, accompanying us where ever we would go, carrying with him on horse-back things to refresh us, being a man versed in the customs of the Countrey: and some reason he had to be kind to us, for I am sure my camarade was so to his wife; she advised her husband to be thus fa∣miliarly assistant to us, and he offered me a Daughter of his in marriage, beleeving my Camarade to be my Fa∣ther.

Zibit is five leagues from the red sea, there is a Haven where ships are laden and unladen, and from this place commodities are transported from the India's, to Ziden, Suez, and other places. From Ziden we went to Aden, from thence thorough all the Provinces of Arabia, trading, and visiting the chiefest and fairest Townes and King∣domes.

Although there be but one great Prince (named Sequemir or Sechemir) chief Commander of the fairest Provinces of the Happy Arabia, yet there are severall Lords that acknow∣ledge, some the Persian, others the Turke. The King of Bacharin, or Bescharin, the nearest to Persia, was not many yeares since subdued by the Sophy; and was likely to have given Lawes unto Elcatif, had not the Inhabitants of Erit, and other Neighbours opposed him, with a considerable Army composed of the people of Massa or Maffa, Fartac, Masca∣lat, Amazarit, Jurmalamam, Gubelaemam, Machyra, or Macyra, Suza, and others.

This army had for their General the Sultan of Sanna, that com∣manded the Van, the Sultan of Elcatif the rear, and gave a no∣table blow to the Persian, with whom since they have

made a peace, and have thus preserved themselves. The Solta∣nia of Tabubari, is not now governed by the Sechemir,* 1.65 but by the Turk that subdued it, in the last warre against the Persian; this countries sand is very different from that I have seen in other places, being as black as a coale, and not so troublesome to travel∣lers, being something heavier and firmer; upon this coun∣tries hills you find great store of Frankincense, of Storax,* 1.66 and Beni∣amin, growing upon trees, and other sweet gummes, and persons are purposely appointed to gather them: all this country is pro∣perly called Sabaea,* 1.67 so famous in ancient times.

There growes great store of Olive trees, Myrrhe, Aloes,* 1.68 Cin∣namon, and Cassia trees in abundance, Falcons, Sparhawkes, and other birds feede thereupon; and an innumerable company of flies bred out of the corruption of the Cassia, causes so great an inconvenience, as the Arabians are forced to burne part of it, and in some other places they gather it not, because being remote from the sea, the Portage would stand them in more then the va∣lue of the Commodity, though in many great Towns they use much of it; where by reason of their greate heats they distill, or melt the juice out of the canes, and drink it. I observed that the inhabitants of Arcora, Ara, Teza, Samacara, and of other Townes and places, delighted much in this kinde of drinke, which not only refreshed them, but loosened them also; and in the Townes of Andrivara, Lagi and Dante, it is the ordinary drinke used the summer time; The fruite of this tree being ripe, hath an unsa∣vory sweet tast, Apes and Squirells flock to it to feed;* 1.69 and a∣nother beast called Masari (those of Fez call it Chicali) not much unlike a Fox, a beast that unburies the dead, to feed upon their carcasses; they creepe up the trees, shake down the fruit, and make a great spoyle, it is that sweetnesse that engenders those flyes we have already mentioned, which were no small trouble to us passing by.

This Arabia is full of faire great Townes, whether by reason of Traffick, Merchants come from all parts, as are Taesa, Cana, Asigni, and Kada, where is kept the Sequemirs principall Maga∣zine, or store house. The chiefest haven,* 1.70 and the nearest to this side of the Countrey is Pecher, in the Soltania of Fartac, whi∣ther those of Bangale, Baticala, Dabul, Cambaye and Malabar, bring their commodities to Bartar, for Aromatick Drugges, which in that Countrey are most excellent; but the Jewes that inhabit those places are such cheates, they sophisticate all that comes tho∣rough their hands: it is a particular trade to gather the Frankin∣sence, Storax, Benjamin and Mastick; that harvest is got in July, during the dog-dayes. for then the trees are in their perfect ripe∣nesse; they gather some in other seasons, but by a different man∣ner, making an incision in the tree towards spring; from those holes runs forth a licquor, or gumme, which thickens of it selfe,

and is of a reddish colour, but not so strong nor good as the o∣ther, nor of so great a value; the gumme that issues from the young trees is whiter then that is gathered from the old ones, they have Myrrhe trees too, but what of that is brought in to our parts,* 1.71 is compounded and falsified: all the Myrrhe that the King∣dom of Ciussimi or Elcatif affords, is for the Sequemirs own use, being the most perfect, and the purest; what the Prince uses not, he sells, and is therefore called Sequemir Pure, and is sold at Na∣ban, Quesibi, Naziri, Carmon, Liva-Orba, Lanua-Orba, Costague, Manabon, Batan, Caybir, Jague, Aloron, and in other places in the furthest parts of Arabia, in the kingdom of Anna, through which runs the river,* 1.72 Cosan, or Cosara, very swift, and loses her self in the Persick sea, near the mouth of Euphrates.

CHAP. VII. Of the state of Sequemir Prince of the Happy Arabia, of his Salsidas, and of the Califf of Bagdet.

* 1.73SEquemir whom we have spoken of, is supreme Lord of almost the whole Arabia Felix, and is called Sequemir, as you may say, Holy Lord, for his goodnesse and clemency, because he puts none to death, except prisoners of warre: but when a per∣son hath committed a crime, he keeps him fetter'd in prison during life, without debarring him from the sight of the Sunne, saying that God hath liberally distributed that light to all persons without exception; there have been twenty thousand prisoners in irons at one and the same time. His Court is stately and magni∣ficent, he hath a great number of men devoted to his service, who freely offer up their lives for him at his command, believing they go streight to heaven, dying for their Prince.

They relate of a Turkish Emperour returning home from the Persick war through this country, desired the sight of the Prince Sequemir, and of his Salsidas,* 1.74 or Saldridas, for so his devotes were called; having visited him in his towne of Samacara, capital of that country; after many Caresses, and a Princely entertainment, he desired the sight of his Salsidas, and a proof of that great love and fidelity they bore unto their Prince: Sequemir called some of them in, and only spoke these words Amissi Barou, and instantly four of them threw themselves out of the window, and more of them attempting it, were hindred by the Grand Seignior, satisfied with the proof he had already made, which he held so admira∣ble,

that he demanded twelve of them to take back into his Country, which the Sequemir willingly granted; and being asked whether they would have as great an affection for a new Master, and if they would as willingly dye for him, as for their old Lord; one of them made answer to the Turk: if our Prince commands us to dye for thee, we are from this very instant ready to obey him: The Turk told them, in time he should have need of them, and that he would preserve them, and esteem them his best friends; and taking them away with him, he maintained them handsomely, and near his person; but after the death of the Tur∣kish Emperour, they all returned back to their old Master, esteeming it the greatest happinesse and safety to be near unto that Prince. They accompany him yearly to Meka,* 1.75 upon the three and twentieth of May, to celebrate their great feast of Ro∣madan. Sequemir wears alwayes a sheeps-skin before and behind, in imitation of Saint John Baptist, who is there in great respect and honour; he travels a foot with his whole Court,* 1.76 yet his Courtiers go as they please, carrying their wives and other trains, upon able and good horses.

This King is Lord of the Soltania's of Fertac, Siligni, D••efar, and other places, he was once Master of the entire happy Arabia; but the Turk, and the Persian, have got several Provinces from him; his chief residence is at Almacarama, or, Samacara, a town very strong and impregnable, scituate upon the top of a high hill, but two wayes leading unto it, and those craggy, and easily maintained against the foe; the town is big, and well peopled, and full of Nobility and Gentry: there he keeps his treasure, and his women; this Prince cannot be made King, but by the consent of the Califf of Bagdet, likewise as the Prince of Mefra, in pursuance of an ancient Law, for that Califf, though at pre∣sent, retaines nothing but the bare name, yet keeps his ancient and undoubted right, to elect and confirm the Kings of Assyria, Ara∣bia, and others; and Soliman himself passing through Babylon, for form-sake was installed by his hand. Next unto the Sequemir, are severall Officers, as the Gouvera, Armicahir, Almiracher, the Cayet, the Sidibir, the Admimia, the Bosoldar, Amiseriech, the Tababait, and several others; the Tacay Pacou is Master of the house.

CHAP. VIII. Of Babylon, the red sea, Homerites, Aden, a strong Town, and famous Haven, Cameran, and other places in the red sea.

WE travel'd stil through Arabia, from town to town, vent∣ing and trucking our commodities, with an earnest desire to reach Persia; all the towns of Arabia are fair ones and yield a great revenue to the Sequemir; between Zidem and Zibit there are several, and well peopled, and from thence to Aden many more; Zibit is not so near Aden, as by some shee is said to be, as they relate Dalatia in Aethiopia,* 1.77 to be opposite to Meka, and they stand three hundred leagues asunder.

This Arabia joynes to Persia Northward, and the way thither lyes through Taeza Sanna, Soufar, Erit, Almacara, and other towns, Almacara stands upon a hill but Eastward upon Gaza, a bigge town, and well inhabited where there is weekly a Fair or Market kept by night, by reason of the heats, and there all sorts of Mer∣chandizes are exposed to sale, perfumes especially.

The Nobility of the Country affect much to eat Ambar, Musk, and other sweets: the Soudan of Aden, subject to Sequemir, spends yearly six thousand Duccats therein, for his self, wife, and family, their kitchins may be taken for perfumers shops so sweet and odoriferous.

The Red Seas coast towards Aden, is thick of good towns, and well traded; and among the Merchants are many thieves, which you must have a care on; you see the towns called Ahra, Dami∣can, Coubita, Erit, Aridan, Magora, Rabon, Salta, and others; with many villages subjects to the Sequemir, who commands six Soltania's, or kingdomes, all fill'd with good towns: upon the Sea side grow store of reeds or Canes, which in time make little Islands, rendring the landing difficult; and from thence the He∣brewes call that Sea Souf, which signifies a reed.

* 1.78Caravanes come to a town called Albir or Debir, and there load their wares they carry unto Babylon; as we found several travelling thither; I intreated one of them to furnish me with as many Maps of the chiefest cities he could conveniently; for I was very desirous of them, and amongst the rest he procured me the Mappe of Babylon, or Bagdet, printed upon a Cotton, which Mappe is made in a kinde of ceremony, when the Sequemir re∣ceives his Crown and blessing from the Califf of Bagdet, as the most ancient of Meka, and to instruct him in his way; they deli∣neate Samacara, from whence he sets forth for Babylon, he goes through Byr, then in twelve dayes reaches Falouchia, in a flat

boat, from thence to Babylon, in one day more.

As we were making sale of our commodities with intention to visit the East India's, amongst other things we got some pieces of Velvet, which we had in exchange for our wares: I shall by the way advise those who intend to make the voyage of Arabia,* 1.79 to store themselves with great horse bits; for that is a commodity goes off there at a good rate, you may make your own price, not exceeding ten Duccats a piece.

Thus we travelled through Sanna, passing through many fine towns, as Adimar, one of the fairest of all Arabia, with intention to passe over into the Isle of Cameran, where were three Portugais vessels bound for Calicut; but we had so ill a passage,* 1.80 that we alter∣ed our resolutions, and sailed the coast of Avisa, then to Mount Bacour, where we sold our Camels, upon condition they should carry our goods in to Aden, within two leagues of that place.

The Red Sea from Suez to the Cape Cardafu, is in the eighteenth degree, in length four hundred leagues, and in breadth fifty;* 1.81 is navigable, but not without great danger, especially by night; because 'tis full of shelvy rocks, reeds, and Isles; and by day (be∣sides the common Pilot) they have a man placed upon the Mast to discover, and direct the ship: from Cameran, 'tis not so dange∣rous; but we were forced to make this voyage by land, to escape the dangers at Sea: the water to my thinking, was of the co∣lour of other Sea-water, both in her Superficies and bottom; the name of red onely excepted, which was given her by allusion to the name of King Erithreus, who named it so;* 1.82 or because of the sands, which in some places are of a reddish colour: The Moors call it Babar Corzum, which signifies an inclosed sea, the havens upon it are at Babel-Mandel, which is in the twelfth degree, 'tis called by some the sea of Meka; Arabia upon the red sea side, was formerly inhabited by several people,* 1.83 principally the Sa∣baeans, since called the Homerites; they received the Christian Faith in the dayes of the Emperour Constantius; and some will have it, that rather from thence then Aethiopia, came Queen Saba, and since Queen Candaces Eunuch.

At the end of this Sea in the Streights of Babel-Mandel, is the town and Haven of Aden,* 1.84 called by those of that countrey Adedoun, a town of the greatest fame in all the East, and one of the strongest of Arabia, and of greatest importance▪ by reason of the trade and concourse of all the Nations of the In∣dies, Persia, Tartary, Arabia, Aethiopia, and the Levant: she was formerly subject to Sequemir, since conquered by the Por∣tugais, and now in the possession of the Turk; on the land side stands that famous Mountaine Albacoure, or Dartzira;* 1.85 which must be travell'd over to reach hither; the passage is streight, and difficult, defended by two strong Castles on each side of the way one; from the top of the hill you discover

Aden, standing in a large plain; her Haven is great and good, butting upon the Cape Gardafu; the Town is grown famous since the Portugais set footing in the East Indies. for the Mer∣chants leaving the red sea, for feare of the Portugais rest here in their journy to the Indies, whereas before they went through∣out, without landing here.

Here are unladen, from the Indies and other places, the Spices,* 1.86 Aloes, Brasil, Pearles, and pretious stones, Myrobo∣lan, Safron, Wax, Steel, Sugars, Rice, Purcelaines, Lin∣nens, Quick-silver, Vermillions, Cottons, Silks, Scarlets, Chamlets, Musk, Amber, Beniamin, Storax, Azure, and other Commodities vented in several places.

* 1.87Here time out of mind, were the Spices landed, and from hence by the red sea, and the Nile, transported into Alexandria: formerly (they say) that the Soudan Governour of this place, was so puissant, as to send an Army of thirty thousand horse, and forty thousand Cammels to assist the Soudan of Egypt against the Christians; and waged ordinary warre, besides against the Abys∣sins:* 1.88 Aden is well walled, and fortified with several Castles on the East side; on the North stands Bacoure, which divides her from the Happy Arabia, and on all other sides she is incom∣past with the sea; Westward the sea, enters the land so far through a gulf, that you would think the Mountaigne were an Island; the Haven is Eastward, and large, scituate un∣der the foot of the Hill; coming from Arabia, you would take the towne to stand upon the top of the hill, whereas it stands in a plain almost surrounded with the Sea, guard∣ed by a strong Block-house in a little Isle adjacent, that defends the Towne and the mouth of the Haven, as by the side of the Hill there are severall Forts, that com∣mand those passages; The opposite to Aden of this side of the Isle, and streight of Babel-Mandel is in Aethiopia, sub∣ject (most of it) to the grand Neguz, with a creek of Sea, and a fair Haven, and the Cape called Foubical, or Guardu∣fu, anciently the Promontory called Aromata: from one side to the other, the streight is forty thousand paces over, and in the midst stands this little Island, in length some two leagues; the mouth is very dangerous to enter at low water, by reason of Shelves, Rocks, and Reeds, and a number of Isles, of different bignesse, some of them inhabited, some not; wee travelled most of them, and the chiefest I saw was Cameran,* 1.89 near the coast of Arabia, in the fifteenth de∣gree of Elevation, fifteene miles round, or thereabouts; she hath plenty of fresh water, and her Haven is of the con∣tinent side but two leagues off, or thereabouts; the Town is small, but increases dayly, subject to the Sequemir, and inhabi∣ted by Moores.

On the other side, in Aethiopia, is Dalascia, or Dalaca,* 1.90 a faire Town, inhabited by an Idolatrous King, tributary to the King of the Abyssins, since the conquest that Alexander the Preste John made of it, which hath ever since obeyed his Lawes, together with Rocca, or Eroca, where there is a faire Haven, in∣habited by Christians, Abyssins; very good people, they weep for joy, to see any Christians of these parts, they call them Roma∣tas, or Roume, make very much of them, and distribute what they have amongst them, according to the charitable practise of the Primitive Church: They have a little higher, another faire Isle, called Mesua, or Mezuan, peopled with Christians, where there is a good Haven,* 1.91 that saves many good ships from ship∣wrack, sayling in this dangerous sea: a little above Mesua is another Isle called Ibrani on Aethiopia side, where there is a good Haven, and most of the Inhabitants fishermen:* 1.92 be∣yond that is the Isle of Camera, subject to the Preste John, she hath two Havens, one southward, the other eastward, hath good water, and a good well, two hundered paces from the Sea, in an orchard, called Magodu, or Magot, con∣teyning twenty or thirty houses, and every house a boate, ready to take the water to fish, which is their onely liveli∣hood.

CHAP. IX. Of Dalascia Town, belonging to the Grand Neguz, of the Isle of Socotora, with a description of a prodigi∣ous tempest.

THe Caravans that come from the Abyssins Countrey,* 1.93 are imbarked at Dalascia, or Dalaca, or at the Isle of Suachen belonging to the Grand Neguz, and bound from thence for the Holy Land; most of these places are inhabited by Chri∣stians.

Suachen is an Island in the eighteenth degree of latitude, drawing from east to south; within a bow shoote off the Con∣tinent. Dalascia belongs to the Neguz, governed by a Ma∣hometan, tributary to him, and allowes liberty of consci∣ence. They have fair Churches, their Priests marrying as the Grecians do, who are subordinate to the Abuma, or Patriark of Ethiopia.

The air is exceeding benign, and productive of all excellent fruits, as oranges, citrons, melons, figs, raisins, there are good store of cattle,* 1.94 especially those great goats, of whose hair Camelots fine as any silk are made, which hair is very long, white, soft, and delicate, whereof they make stuffs so fine they look like white linnen, which they traffick in, and sell at dear rates. They have here likewise the finest and best Lacca of the world, pro∣duced from minute insects like Bees, which feed on a red gum that issues out of a tree like a cherry tree, which the more pur∣gative it is, the finer and more delicate they render the Lacca.* 1.95 There are some who practice no other trade than to take it imme∣diately upon the production, and laying it upon little Tables cleanse it, then put it up in small pots of various colours, not a∣bove half an ounce in a pot, which by reason of the excellency they sell dear, and call it Laca d' Alaca, whereof the most excel∣lent colours are made for Limners. Of this is likewise made Spanish hard wax.* 1.96 The Island abounds in cattle, pasturage, fish of all sorts, pure spring waters, which make their gardens flourish. They have also of the best ginger, notwithstanding not much e∣steemed,* 1.97 by reason that for the too much moysture 'twill not last long. Here is likewise great store of the wood called Santall, red,* 1.98 white, and citron colour, store of Ebony, and the most ex∣quisite Rose wood, also another sort of wood called Sorba, much like Brasill, but makes a very deep dye: also an herb called Laga∣rozo, that in perfect ripenesse makes a most excellent crimson, and being put in cotton cloth, the more 'tis washed the more lively it becomes.

The Inhabitants of this Island are great Libertines, partly Moors, partly Christians, each living according to his custome, without either confusion or disorder. The Mahometan Prince is gracious, obliges much his Subjects, wears the Turkish fashions, with many rich jewels, and is honourably attended.

* 1.99Those of the Continent speak of this Town by way of pro∣verb, Sarbayt Dalca, which signifies, Dalascian Asses, because of those beasts they have the best in the world, which do them mar∣vellous good service, and are better to travel the deserts than any other beasts they have: In Persia I have known them sold at a hun∣dred duckets a piece, and more, because they are good travellers, and of little expense, they will go thirty miles a day without any wearinesse.

* 1.100The King's Father that ruled this Countrey in the time of my travels there, had a fish of a marvellous bignesse, which he cal∣led Caymans, (Caymans is a kind of Lezard, or Crocodile, in the Indies) he kept this fish in a Pond near the Sea side, and delight∣ed much to feed him with his own hand, the fish being very man∣suete, he bred it of a young one, but 'twas grown so large 'twould come out of the water alone, three hundred paces on land.

As we were sailing in the Arabick Sea,* 1.101 in company of many Merchants of several Nations, and Religions, there arose a dispute touching the diversity of Religions, one holding (as our Deists and Atheists this day do) that all Religions were indifferent and sufficient, and that all persons acknowledging a God should infal∣libly be saved: mis-calling the Christians, and blaming them, for having good opinions of themselves, and bad of others, to whom a Christian discreetly and learnedly replyed, shewing the purity of our religion, and that a Christian dying in mortal sin would be damned as well as Turk or Infidel; at this the Masters mate offe∣red presumptuously to perswade us that we were all abused, and that Duma governed the Universe,* 1.102 another acknowledged no o∣ther divinity but nature, to this our Abyssin presently replyed that Duma had been a servant to the great and onely God, but thorough pride, from an angel of light was cast into the depth of hell, where he remains a fiend, and hath no power but by Gods permission: after many other discourses as we were sailing towards Guardufu the weather grew very cloudy, and we perceived far enough from us a thing like unto a thick black smoak dropt into the Sea:* 1.103 one of our company, a Grecian of the Isle of Chio, drew his sword, and having said a Prayer or two, and made the sign of the crosse, left not hacking and hewing upon the hatches, until he had cut out three or four pieces, which action set the company a laugh∣ing, yet we perceived it to dissipate, and remove that smoak from the ship: the horrible thunder and lightning which presently fol∣lowed, strook us all with terrour; for my part I prayed heartily, and the tempest so hugely encreased, that nothing but lamen∣tations and groans were heard among us; bidding adieu to this world: some were maimed; for this Monster or whirling smoak, run in the shape of a baloon from rope to rope, and up the masts of the ship, exceeding swiftly, surrounded with a sparkling fire, making a most hideous noyse that astonisht us all, and tore and mangled the sailes into a thousand pieces: some Indian Gentlemen defended themselves from this terrible thing, with their cime∣ters, running up and down, and bearing one another down; many were killed and hurt, some hid themselves under hatches; others like madmen threw themselves into the water: our poor Chri∣stian received a great blow upon the head, and all in a gore of blood, and upon his knees read St. Johns Gospel, and immedi∣ately the Spirit vanished, having haunted us an hour and a half: we were all ready to yield up the Ghost, my companion was so bruised, that he wore his arm in a scarf for two months after, with a bruise black as pitch, we all testified our asto∣nishment by our silence, gazing upon one another, struck with amazement to see so many dead corps lye of all sides of us: at length by Gods permission we landed, for which mercy we yielded our humble thanks; we could not find the man that

held there was neither God nor Devil, our Masters mate was strucken lame of a leg and thigh, which remained black many dayes after, yet without sense of the least pain: amongst the rest a young man of our company told me, he was in great fear du∣ring the tempest, because of his guilty conscience: that venting his commodities in a certain Town we had made some short stay in, a Moorish dame under pretence of buying musk, and pre∣tending she would shew it her husband, left a pearl of extra∣ordinary bignesse with him in pawn, she immediately returned asking the price of the whole parcell; which was five duckets at the lowest, she took him at his word, and bade him follow her home for his money, which he did, and there she detained, and treated him for three dayes together:* 1.104 Thus those Country Ladies seek their servants, and especially strangers, of whom they are very amorous.

* 1.105Near the Cape Guardufu is the Isle Socotora, famous for amber-greece, and gum called Dragons blood, and for the plant that produces aloes, which is there the best of the world.

This Island was discovered by Fernand Bereyta, a Portuguese, and Aristotle sayes that Alexander conquered this Isle, in his return from the India's, and peopled it with Grecians, pur∣posely to plant aloes.

Before Portugall had here any Interest, the Indians trade both of spices and other precious commodities, came from Malaca by Ormus, and Aden, and from thence by Caravanes to the Leuante, some by the Persick Sea, Balsera, and the mouth of Euphrates, thence through Armenia into Trebisonde, by the Majorka sea into Tartaria, or by Damas, Barut, or Aleppo, where the Venetians, the Genovais, and the Catalonians fetched them, others by the red Sea, the Grand Caire, and Alexandria, as we have already said, others by the rivers Indus and Oxus, from thence thorough Caspia into our Western regions, but they have taken another road round Africa, which is kept to this very day.

CHAP. X. Of the Island and Kingdom of Ormus, of the King, and his Government, of the trade there, and of his severall Conquests.

HAving sayled thorough the Arabick Gulfe, and those Coasts, we returned to Aden, where we spent some dayes, trading and exchanging our commodies, then we embarked our selves for Ormus,* 1.106 to pay custome for some Persian horses we had shipt with us, because they pay no tax thorough the cheifest part of the Indies, taking a Cartaco, or passe, which the severall Governors upon demand, are bound to give. Thus sayling from Aden, by the Coast of Arabia, and the Cape Taratque, Rosolgate and Monca∣don, or Moalandaon, unto the mouth of the Persick Gulfe, or the Streight of Bazora, at length we arrived at Ormus, The name of a Town, an Island, and Kingdome, winding to and fro in∣to the Continent of Persia and Arabia: In Ormus we lodged with a Portuguais, who took state upon him, his man still carry∣ing after him a guilt sword, and a dagger, with a silver cup to drink in, scorning to touch anothers, yet nevertheless he kept an Inn com∣mon to all passengers. The Town of Ormus is scituate in an Isle, in the 26 or 27^th. degree, 9 miles distant from Persia, thirty from Arabia, the Isle is between 35 and 40 miles compass, wholly barren; the Town is faire, and hath a strong Fort, begirt with high walls, and eight turrets, in the forme of Castles, one halfe of the Town is incompast with the sea, and hath foure large cisterns, or con∣duits of fresh water, brought in pipes from the Continent. The In∣habitants are some Christians, some Mahometans, and others Ido∣laters: There Reigned a Potent King here for 300 yeares, since this state was established. 'Twas in the Raigne of Ceyfadin,* 1.107 that Alphonsus Albuquerque, reduced both the King and Country to the obedience of the King of Portugall, and ever since the Kings of Ormus, were tributary to that King, who yet meddles not with his Lawes and Rights: the native King hath vast Revenues, both in the Island, and in the Continent of Persia and Arabia. He is one∣ly sworne to keepe league and fidelity with Portugall, and the Vice-Roy acknowledges him, honours him,* 1.108 and visits him fre∣quently in his Palace: The Isle onely at this day payes tribute to the Portugais. The King lives most splendidly and magnificently a∣mongst his Subjects.

The confines of his State towards the north, are the Kingdom of Dori, toward Persia, and reaches unto the Cape of Rosolgate, at

the very Gulph, from thence unto the Cape Moncadon, contain∣ing the Isles called Gedri,* 1.109 from a great river, that runs into ano∣ther named Dale, that separates Persia from Carmania, or Chirma∣nia. In the Gulph, is Baharen,* 1.110 an Isle famous for the fishing of the rarest and most pretious Oriental pearls, where the Portugais have a Factor: the Inhabitants of Ormus are very voluptuous, walking the streets, they have carryed after them a Cuppe or Box full of Araca, a dainty, very delicious, and much used amongst the Indians.* 1.111

They have little Cabans in the Sea covered with boughs and leaves, where they refresh, and shelter themselves against the wind, Abrazador,* 1.112 so named by the Portugais, which blowes in the af∣ternoon. This wind is so subtle, and stirres up so small a dust, that it choaks people; and if a stranger be ignorant of the custom of the countrey, he is in very great danger; the people are cour∣teous, and ready to advertize strangers. Their greatest incon∣venience is the scarcity of fresh water, which they fetch nine or ten mile out of the firm land: They have two or three wells nearer at hand, five or six miles from the town, in a place called Terrabaguen. The Isle hath two good Havens, one in the East, the other in the West, the others are not secure. There is near the Town a sulpher Myne, and a little salt-hill, of the like good∣nesse to that of Cardonne in Catalonia, from which they draw great profit; it is used in many places, and the Prince receives a Gabel out of it; in the town of Ormus there is a Mart of all com∣modities, from the Indies, Persia, Arabia, and Aethiopia, in which places the Indians trade, as well as Persians, Levantins, Turkes, Abyssins, Venetians, Portugais, and others; the Caravane or Ca∣sile, arrives here twice a year by land from Aleppo,* 1.113 the first in April, the second in September.

* 1.114From Aleppo they travell through Babylon to Balsora, guarded by the Janissaries, from thence to Ormus. They travel seven or eight thousand in a company, at Aleppo there are English, French, and Venetian Consuls.

From hence they trade in spices, perfumes, pearles, precious stones, Carpets, Silks, Chamlets, horses, conserves, and several sorts of sweet meats.

* 1.115We came hither opportunely, to see the Creation or Election of their new King, which is performed with many ceremonies, to which the Viceroy of Portugal contributes great summes, for the Honour and State of his Master. A Prince of the Royal Maho∣metan Blood is elected and sworne to maintain his kingdom, un∣der the King of Portugals obedience; and although all his Lands and Lordships are scituate in the Continent of Persia and Arabia, where no Christian can reach them, yet neverthelesse the King is sworne to this Fealty and obedience by the Viceroy, that delivers him his Scepter in the Fort, and accompanies him with a great

train, and magnificence into his Royal Palace, where having made his submission and obeysance, takes his leave, and returns unto his Citadell. This King amongst other things, is sworne never to hold a great Assembly, without giving notice to the Viceroy, and thus they live peacefully, and keep a good correspondence;* 1.116 some yeares since the King of Persia, by the help of the English and Hollander, hath regained Ormus, and reduced it to his obe∣dience as formerly.

CHAP. XI. Of Persia, her confines, and provinces: Of Babylon, and the Lake of Pitch.

LEaving Ormus we resolved to travel through all Persia,* 1.117 before we begun our East-Indian voyage, as we first had designed. 'Twas occasioned by a Merchant I have already spoken of: having travelled to and fro, through very many towns and countries of Persia; I could not so exactly remark the dayes journies, nor the distances, order, or proceed of the voy∣age, by reason of my youth; I will content my self to discover a view of the country, as faithfully, and exactly as my memory will serve. And first I will affirm, that Persia, called Azemia, Azimir, and Farsi, is a vast Empire extending from the confines of Turky to∣wards Armenia betwixt the River Tigris, and the Persick or Elcatiff Sea. The Caspien, or the Bachu, the Indian,* 1.118 and the river Chesel an∣ciently Jaxartes. Westward 'tis bounded by the Turkish Empire, Eastward it lyes upon the kingdome of Samarcant, the Empire of the Grand Mogul, and Cambaye, Northward upon the Caspian Sea, Southward upon the great Indian Sea, towards the desert Carma∣nia, and Guzarate. This Empire containes many great Provinces, or rather kingdomes; and a great number of fair, and flourishing Towns and Cities, having ever continued famous since the first settlement under the Grand Cyrus two thousand two hundred years since, untill it was possessed by the Grecians and Parthians; and since she returned unto the natural Persians, about the year of Grace two hundred, they kept it many ages, untill about foure hundred years since, the Sarasins and Mahometans obtained it, and have kept it ever since, by many changes, and diverse races of Kings, and Lords, Arabians Sarasins, Parthians, Turks, and na∣tural Persians, and by the last settlement of the Sophyes not many yeares since.

The chiefest Provinces are Sequel pech, formerly Susiania,* 1.119 Chir∣mania, or Carmania, Struan, or Media, Corozan, Zagathay, or Hir∣cania,

and the Bactriane, Jex, or Parthia, Guzerat, or Gedrosia. then Arac, Podel, Iselbas, Sigestan, Sablestan, Chabul, Candahar, and others.

* 1.120The chiefest rivers are the Euphrates or Aforat, the Tigris, Araxes, or Arasse, Oxus, and others.

Euphrates hath upon her banks many fair towns, as Babylon, where inhabit a great number of Christians, as likewise at Mazestan, Ast∣mosia, Artasara, Tunisse perbent, and elsewhere, who freely ex∣ercise their religion being tributary to the Prince. North∣ward are the famous town of Giett, six days journy from Solstania, Saban, Comer, Cozan, Egex, Jelli, Sengan, Maluchia, Scio, Mesen, Ere.

* 1.121Then towards the Persick gulph stands Guerdi upon the river Bindinimar, or Bindamach, and going up the river, you discover Marous, Viegan, Maain, Sana; in Media, are Tauris, Rip, Sidan, Estrana, Barbariben; Bacchat, Madranelli, Samachi, and others; then the Royal townes of Soltania, Espahan, Casbin, Siras, with∣out reckoning many other towns upon the river Benmir,* 1.122 called by the Russes Bragadet, where they trade much in cloth of gold, sil∣ver, and silk. Thither they repair from all parts of the world for that trade, as from the Indies, Aethiopia, Arabia, Aegypt, Turkie, Tar∣tary, and other countries which yields a great profit to the Sophy of Persia.

* 1.123We ran through most of these towns, making but short stayes, but better profit of our small commodities. Babylon, or Bagdet, so famous, and formerly the eye and marvail of all the Eastern towns, scituate upon the great Euphrates, Erat, and Aforat, which was fif∣ty miles about; there is nothing remaining at this day of that anci∣ent town but the ruines, since a total destruction given her by the Sarazens about 900. years since, and instead of her, upon the other side of the Euphrates, some four leagues distant, upon the cur∣rent of the Tigris and Euphrates, is built the town of Bagded,* 1.124 or at this day the new Babylon, whither the remains of the ancient were transported into a town formerly named Seleucia by the Ca∣liff Almanzor, or Elmantzur; It lyes Northward upon Armenia, Westward upon the desert Arabia, upon the happy Southward, and Eastward upon Persia, the Tigris washes her walls; upon the other side is a pleasant village, with a bridge of boats rising and fal∣ling, with the flow, and ebbe; in this Burrough is the Fair kept, and here inhabit most of the Merchants, who trade freely; The town is large, and full of Merchants, well rounded both with walls, & gardens and Arable land. There was a strong Castle well provi∣ded with Artillery; where a Bassa then Lieutenant General for the Turk lived, but since the Persian regained it of the Turk, having ever been subject to the Persian, untill it was reduced by Soliman the magnicent, who caused himself to be crown'd King by the Califf, (living there at this present day) but without any power, retaining the name onely, and some rights to receive, and crown the Empe∣rours

of Assyria; There goes from this town monethly, Caravane••, to all parts of the world: In lieu of floats, they transport their commodities down the river upon goat skins blown, then they load the skins upon Camels, for service again at need: They say that the tower of Babel so much spoken of, stood in a plain, some two leagues off that she was three thousand paces about, and that her foundation is onely at this day seen upon a hill cove∣red with her ruines: a Merchant that had seen the place related unto me, that the Tower was built with a clay or earth, so strong∣ly cimented, that endeavouring to take up a piece, he could not; and that there was a bed or course of that earth first laid, then another of reeds platted like a matte, not at all decayed, but strong, beyond imagination. He told me he had passed over the lake of pitch, proceeding from a great precipice,* 1.125 which they trade withall into diverse places; and that the great town of Nineve, and the walls of Babylon were built with this Bitumen, they burn of it in Holland instead of Turf, for it casts a great light: this lake or river of pitch is between Babylon, and another town cal∣led Nane; whence springs this pitch distilling out of a rock in seve∣ral clefts, and so plentifully, especially at the full of the Moon, that it is both strange and terrible; from thence those springs disgorge themselves into this lake of their own composing, Marriners thereabouts make use of it to calk their ships. The inhabitants believe it to be Hels mouth. 'Tis the Bitumen, or soft sulphurous mould so much spoken of by the ancients: which they made use of, and do to this very day, instead of chalk. I remember I have seen the like in Albema, a Region in the Indies, which the Inhabitants and neighbours thereunto burn in Torches, which yields so black, thick, and ill-sented a smoak, that the very birds flying over, are giddyed therewith, and fall down dead. In Cuba, an Isle in the West-Indies, is such pitch, towards the Cape Magdalen, in the country of Aute, and Province of Apalihen, which Bituminous li∣quor flows upon the water with such a stink, that often ships lost in their road, by means of the sent, retrive their way.

Euphrates and Tigris incorporate near Babylon, and both run into the Persick sea near Balsora,* 1.126 a town of great trade, fifteen miles distant from the main sea.

The Town of Bagded or Babylon, is divided into four quarters,* 1.127 Precincts, or Wards, and in time of war or troubles the four States or Councels, withdraw themselves into their respective limits; and call their Councels, and he that hath best advised, makes it out to the Councel, that his advice is most necessary and useful, injoyes royal liberty of freedom, without paying taxe, as∣sessement, or imposition, what lands soever he be possessed of. He is much esteemed and respected by the Prince, being ever af∣ter freely admitted unto the general Councel, which is held an∣nually for the kingdomes good and welfare. This is also an obser∣vation

as in many townes in Persia, which inclines the people very much to the study of Astronomy, divination, and all sorts or kinds of Philosophy that may make them wise, and prudent, and understanding; they are much given to vertues, chastity only ex∣cepted; being a large and lascivious people, the women in these countries are the fairest, and the sweetest in the whole world, which verifies the Proverb, a Persian woman, and horse.

CHAP. XII. Of the Town of Tauris, Sumachia, Bachat, Casbin, and some of the chiefest places of Persia,

FRom Babylon we passed through all the other towns of Persia, the chiefest whereof I will only mention,* 1.128 as Tauris in Media, a great town, and full of Merchants; some take her for the ancient Ecbatanes, a Royal town belonging to the primitive Kings of Me∣dia; it hath been several times taken, and retaken by the Turks and Persians; untill 'twas strongly maintained by the Persian, since the last battailes given by the Persian to the Turk, she was lost when the King of Persia assisted Prince Zagathay;* 1.129 which occasioned the revolt of a good part of his country contrived by his eldest son. This King to recover his country,* 1.130 and to ensnare his son, devised a stratagem, which was to report himself dead, and caused his ob∣sequies publickly to be celebrated; concealing himself in the place his treasure was kept in, hither his abused Son streight repaired, was seized on, and ended his dayes in prison; after this, the King with a great Army went to regain what he had lost of his dominions, as Sequetpee, Aremnia, the towns of Siras, and divers o∣thers upon the Euphrates, Tigris, and Araxes. The town of Tau∣ris hath been several times burnt and plundered, in the several con∣quests she yielded unto: she may be very near as great as London: The Prince receives yearly great revenues, by trade, as well as from the Inhabitants, for they are all tributary, as also all artificers are acccording to their faculties and callings: The Merchants that on∣ly passe through the town without making any stay, pay for their commodities at the rate of five per centum for toll or custome, or the rights of passage; and if they are minded to stay in town, they pay ten per centum: but notwithstanding the height of the cu∣stome, thither resort very many Merchants, with all sorts of wares, from all places, as it were in spight; they come from the Indies, Afri∣ca,* 1.131 Aethiopia, Baldec, Mosul, Cremesol, Cambalec, Melusia, Vaouta, De∣cherin, Saltamach, Chelmodate, Cotestan, and from other parts of the world, which brings an inestimable treasure to the Sophy. Besides,

the many other towns that pay the like gabels and customs, as Giac, Soltania, Jaban, Comer, Casera, Erget, all very rich Towns:* 1.132 Then towards Cusistan, the great City of Guerd upon the River Bin∣damar, Virgan, Marout, Asana, with Nain, all iunumerably peopled, Sidan, Reib, Estrana, Barbarihen, Samachir, and in other parts Maluchia, Sengan, Sio, Meson, Ere, and many more, the Country being five hundred leagues over from Babylon, to Corozan, and from the Persick to the Caspian Sea, all inhabited by people civilized, yet most of them Mahometans of the Sect of Hali.

A little above Tauris drawing towards the North,* 1.133 and the bounds of Media stands Arbena, or Derbent, which they say was built and so named by Alexander the Great, formerly called the Port of Caucase, or Iberia, because it is a strait of land, or nar∣row passage, between the Caspian Sea and the hills, which hindred the Scythians entry upon Media, since she is called Temircapi, or Iron gate, and Derbent, which signifies a Strait and there be many Iron gates, with a strong garrison, to stop the Northern peoples passage, as the Circassians, Albanians, Tartars, and others.

Beneath Derbent stands Sumachia,* 1.134 a rich Town and full of gentry; then Bachat, or Bacha, another Town of great com∣merce upon the Caspian Sea, and a most famous one being the nursery of the fairest women of all Persia, and the Persian dames do far excell in beauty, sweetnesse, graces, and are more taking than any Ladies in that part of the world; and they have a proverb in Persia, that he that hath a mind to see a fair and handsom wo∣man must go to Bachat.

They are visited from all parts, for they are of amiable com∣plexions, and there is a certain place in the Town called Gezem∣pee,* 1.135 whither most of the Curtizans do retire, and are frequently visited by strangers. The Jewes that inhabit this Town, do carefully take up all the poor girles that have in any measure re∣ceived natures favour, they cloath them richly, and lodge them in a large street near to that quarter called Machif:* 1.136 which signifies a stews, and make a great benefit of them, they are all sumptuously lodged, apparelled like Princesses: and although they are poor yet they find friends that provide for them, you spy them at the windows as at Rome, their keeping open houses gives a free access unto all persons to trade with them, yet for the most part they are married to rogues, or mean conditioned people, as Porters, Car-men, Butchers, or Hangmen, who often interrupt your entertainments or conversation with their rudenesse; shewing them∣selves to be masters:* 1.137 there I saw a Marseillian dame named Louysa Campane, brought hither by her husband to keep a house, she be∣came so haughty and proud of her gallantry, that a certain Mer∣chant desirous to buy her favour at ten crowns price, she threw it him out at the window very scornfully, and yet was not of the ablest to live amongst them; neverthelesse she maintained

her husband in silks and satins, who was but a poor Seaman ugly and ill behaved, but it is rare if this sort of women become not most miserable at last, by reason of their vaste and conti∣nuall expenses, they will thorough vanity give a crown or two at a time, to a beggar in the street: This Marseillian had lived five or six years, in a great heighth in Tauris, where by her trade she had got above a thousand crowns, which through her pride and vanity she wholly consumed, being banisht the Town for bra∣ving and giving a box on the ear to a Lord that kept her for a time since she retired to Bachat.

* 1.138There are many more fair Towns in Persia, as Spahan, Casbin, Siras, Royall Towns; at Spahan is kept one of the Sophy's Courts, well peopled and rich, there are made many silke stuffs, and is plenty of a certain stone called Besouart, (which they say) goats breed in their stomacks: The Turky-stone mine is not far from thence, 'tis a very amorous Town, both men and women thinking of nothing but their pleasures, and coolness during the heats: fruit is there very plentiful, & most excellent of all sorts.

* 1.139Casbin is another big and Royal Town, well inhabited; then there is Siras the most delicious, and most pleasing of all Persia, which affords you fair gardens, fountains, and other refreshments during the great heats, there are many stately and good horses, some imagine this Town to be built upon the ruines of old Per∣sepolis, the City-royal of the ancient Persian Monarchs, scituate near the Araxes, now called Bradamir, and not far from thence are to this day seen the admirable ruines of that famous pallace of the Persian Kings, which Alexander caused to be burnt to please his Thais,* 1.140 of Siras more hereafter.

Going on our Journey we went from place to place without keeping a streight rode, to put off our commodities at a better rate, drawing right upon the Cusistan; of that side we found all the keyes or passages of Persia, bad and difficult, for which reason the Turk effected not his design in those parts, we found it a strange Countrey, and all that part of Persia but a vaste solitude unpeopled, and very dangerous travelling: The Mountains were inhabited by harbarous or insolent per∣sons, then we met with great fens or bogs very deep, and forrests impenetrable, which renders the passages so uncertain and arduous, that the merchants have much ado to find them, although they are well guided, and have often travelled them; when you have met with the guide that undertakes to conduct from one kingdom to another, he must give account to the Belierbeit, or Go∣vernour, what persons he carries out of his dominions, for you may not return into the same country, without producing good license and discharge, with a certificate or note of the places you have tra∣velled; which is a laudable order of the Princes, for having such a care both of strangers and of his own Subjects, that he wills and

endeavours their free and secure trading in all his Territories. We went towards Vacharin to enter upon Tartary, and raught unto the Province of Samarcant,* 1.141 where is a Town bears the same name, famous, for having been the seat of Tamberland the Great, so much mentioned in our Histories these two or three hundered yeares.

We being sensible of the hardship and inconveniencies in tra∣velling further this way, besides the best experienced Merchants disswaded us from it; for we discovered that that Countrey coyne was not of any value, being neither gold nor silver, but of some other base metall, and some of the barke of trees, as Marke Pole remarkes of Tartarye, Li. 2. Cap. 18. we turned back again into Persia, from thence by great dayes journey to the happy Ara∣bia and Ormus; we now had associated our selves to a jolly com∣pany of Merchants, and my companion privately acquainted me he had resolved to see the east Indies, and that if I were unwilling to take so long a journey, he would recommend me to some French Merchant at Ormus, that should safely reconduct me into Europe. I willingly resolved to go along with him, or whither else he would, but not to leave him: this resolution taken, we came back thorough many Towns of Persia, as Sorismell,* 1.142 twelve leagues thence Sinderate, upon the river Adalout, where we were lodged at a Renegades, that gave us good entertainment, his house was built halfe upon the water: the Armenian Merchant that de∣sired to go thorough Pegu to buy rubies, resolved Cassis to passe thorough Indostan, we advised together to regain our way, and to escape the excises, or payments, are paid towards Samarcant, and Corozan; we had much recreation in this voyage.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Kings of Persia, their Power, pleasures, of the Sophy, Hali, and of some Sects of Religious Pericans, of the antient Mages, and other Officers of the Kingdome.

THe King of Persia is one of the greatest, and most Powerfull Princes of the World, as well in the extent of Territory,* 1.143 treasure and riches, as in number of men of warr; he can ordi∣narily set forth a hundered thousand Cavalry, and of infantry foure score thousand. The state of his Court is most ample and Magnificant: his people warlike, with a great number of gene∣rous

Nobility; the King is served, and attended by the greatest Lords of the Land.* 1.144 He is Cheif, or Head of the Religion, or his Church, throughout his whole Empire, and leades a very lascivious and voluptuous life, keepes many women Royally clad; he uses the most exquisite perfumes, not in his apparrell and furniture only, but also in his meate; he weares Jewells, of an inestima∣ble value; and he hath leave to marry as many wives as he pleases, as the Grand Seignior hath; He keepes Seleris,* 1.145 persons well qualified, whose duties are to travell thorough the whole Empire, to see and chuse the fairest and rarest women, having leave to en∣ter all places,* 1.146 nay their very bed-chambers, to view them, in what postures they please, but chiefely to know whether they snore, or stir much in their sleepe, or whether they sleepe quietly, and ha∣ving made choice of them, as they ought to be qualified, they carry them in a littar to the Princes service, and their parents are much honoured and esteemed. When the King hath seen them, and hath chosen which please him most, he presents the others to the greatest Lords and favourites of his Court; which are much happier then those remain with the Prince, for so great store he hath of them, that few of them have the Honour to enjoy his Person; they are kept, or guarded by Eunuches, as they are in Turky: Those are most in his favour the King takes of∣ten a hunting with him:* 1.147 they are not seen of any, although they can see others; he goes a hunting, as to the Wars, his men carry severall sorts of Armes, as bowes and arrowes, cymiters, axes, marching in rank, carefully guarding their Kings Person, whom they adore as a God.

Their Military discipline is very exact, and they suffer much in their exercises, they eate nothing untill their chase be ended, then they drive heards of savage beasts before the Concubines litters, to recreate, and delight them, killing those the Ladies have most minde unto, sometimes they cause of them to be taken alive, and restore liberty to the rest; this Countrey is fuller of great and pleasant Forrests,* 1.148 then all the rest of the east.

* 1.149The Prince is called Sophy, rather for his Religion then for any other reason, he maintains the Law of Hali, son in Law to Mahomet, and therefore weares a woolen cap, and a red turban flock't with white, from whence he is called Sophy, which signifies a red flock't cap, and Caselbas signi∣fies read head, although some would have it an Arabick word, and to signifie a man purer in Religion then the rest.

They differ in Religion from the Turks: that follow the feast of Hamar, another of Mahomets disciples, and successor, which occasions mortall hatred, and continuall Warre betwixt them.

* 1.150The Persians Hali was by Mahomet chosen Calife, and hi•• successor after his death: but was supplanted by Ebu∣beker,

Homar,* 1.151 and Otman, from whence this Sect was divided. Hali was buried at Cufa,* 1.152 not far from Bagded, this place is much esteemed by the Mahometans, and the Turkish Emperours are crowned by the Calife, near unto his tomb called Massadali or ra∣ther house of Ali; The Turks hold the Persians hereticks, and the Persians have the same opinion of the Turks, the one follow∣ing their Prophet Hali's interpretation upon the Alcoran, the other following Hamars.

The Persians since the destruction of their Kings and Califes, were governed by the Sophy's of the race of Ismael:* 1.153 This Ismael pretends himself descended from Hali, by a prophet named So∣phy, and since they retain the title of Sophy.

In their Sect they have many orders,* 1.154 among others one called Sacar, people using great austerities, and abstinencies, and are ex∣ceeding indigent: they carry about the barren places, and the Forest vessels of water, which in charity they distribute unto the passengers, in the name of Hali, without exacting any thing there∣fore, onely taking what is freely given them.

There is another order called Jcorma,* 1.155 consisting of pilgrims, they are cloathed in a long Cassock, bare-foot, and bare-legged, begirt with rich girdles, hung round with silver bells, and are cal∣led Jonabam, which means, Religion of love.

There are others called Calenden as among the Turks, those vow chastity, and have places appointed for their prayers called Tachie,* 1.156 or Tachiat, upon their gate these words are written, Caeda, Normac, Dilersin Cousionge Al cachercuir, which signifies, who ever enters here, must preserve virginity, and for this purpose they are rung with silver rings to prevent carnal copulation: Next are the Deruis,* 1.157 they wear rich rings in their ears, are clothed in sheep skins; and wear hangers, with which they cut and mangle themselves, when they feel the emotions of the flesh, having eaten of a certain herb, that renders them frantick and furious; then they cure themselves with Nicotiane. Some of them dye of those wounds,* 1.158 which they place in the number of their Saints. These Deruis are rogues and thieves, kill all they meet upon the road, that are not of their re∣ligion, thinking they do their Prophet good service; they ask an almes in the name of Hali, saying Ferdaxtiay, Malday Chinaila,* 1.159 Eli, this order hath not been in so great esteem amongst the Turks, since Amurath was killed by one of them, and that they endevour∣ed to murther Bajazeth the second, and in Persia the Sophy.

One of them killed a Bassa at Babylon in the voyd place called Sambacarayma which signifies a place of liberty, and was not pro∣secuted because he was esteemed the Minister of God; one of them disguised, killed a Judge at Damas, as I have before related.

There is another Sect called Durmisar,* 1.160 and they are sooth-sayers,

and casters of nativities, they are called Durmisarnari which signi∣fies Prophets, and Fortune-tellers, they deal with the devil, and the eldest of them are esteemed Saints, the younger obey them as their Charif, or high Priest. They are abominable Hypocrites, and make strange faces: some of them are very skilful in Astronomy, others learned in the countries lawes; and others great Preachers; they talk extravagantly in their Sermons, and speak predictions, which sometimes come to passe: much credit is given to them by the vulgar, as also of those of the best note; nay if the Sophy him∣self happens to passe by the place they are preaching in, he steps with all his house to hear him; they have a house in Bagdet, near the Royal Palace: they seem to be remainder of the ancient Chaldeans, or Persian Mages so famous. Amongst the Persians there is a sort of people called Erade,* 1.161 which are wrestlers, they are often exposed to wild beasts, armed with shining leather, liquo∣red, and very slippy, hard to be taken hold of: there are others called Pluviander,* 1.162 armed in another fashion, these people are welcome to the King from what place soever they come, be they but strong and valiant; they are exercised in publick Schools, and great use made of them in war, the strongest amongst them com∣mands the rest,* 1.163 and is called Barcas: and some of them will carry ten men upon their arms like kids, and they will strangle a man with grasping, their strength is such: others are like the Arabian Salsidas that will obey their King to death it self,* 1.164 hold their King a God, and think their chiefest happinesse and salvation depends upon the execution of his command; and hold it unlawful (the King only excepted, and their General) to be subjected to the power of any man: There are Aussares persons still attending up∣on the King; like unto Xerxes his immortals.

* 1.165In the Sophy's Court there are many places or offices as Amicabir, or Captain General, who keeps a great Court, leads on, and drawes the Army into battalia, appoints the Governours to towns and pla∣ces, and fils up several offices, using the publick treasure as he needs. There is next the Naibessan, or Nabassan, as Lord Treasurer of the Kings Exchequer,* 1.166 his place is next unto the Amicabir, and hath a good number of Cavalry under his command. Next there is the Estodar or Ostader,* 1.167 who guards the Palace, and finds persons capa∣ble for the Royal Army. There is likewise L' Amirachor, or Ami∣racher,* 1.168 who is Master of the horse, hath charge of all the horse, and other cattle of carriage belonging to the Army. The Caidsidibir or Field-Master,* 1.169 and he manages or orders the battle.

* 1.170The Cassandera Pay-Master general, receives the Kings revenues to pay off the Army. The Amiseralif, takes a care of the Sophyes armes: the Testacane or Master of the Wardrobe: then the Zebedare Farassin, Tabucaina, and other Commanders, they march in great pomp and order. There are four sorts of troops, severally paid,

viz. the Cachias persons slightly armed, all gentry, and very active, the Athesia's that wear a Cymeter only, the Caraniza or Arch∣ers armed with bowes and arrowes, and Cymeters, the Ageleps,* 1.171 or renegats, which are slaves, Armenians, Russians, Guserates, and of other nations; all warlike and stout men, keeping good order, never breaking their ranks.

CHAP. XIV. Of the East Indies, the conquest of them, Sects, and Religion of the East, and other particulars of the country.

HAving travel'd the chiefest part of Persia and Arabia back∣ward and forward, we returned to Aden, from thence to Or∣mus, to fall into the East-India road, according to our first intenti∣on. At Aden we agreed upon't, and embarked our selves with our commodities, and sailed along the coast of the Indian Sea, as far as Carmania, Deserta Rasigut, and Guzerate, passing through the Cape Jacobo, Guadel, and others, we landed at Cambay at Diu, neare the mouth of the great Indus. But before I treat of that country, for a clearer intelligence of the worthiest remarkes we made in that great journey, I say that the East-Indies have bin dis∣covered time out of mind, since Alexanders conquests, and of his successors, the several Kings of Syria, Assyria, and Aegypt, and by the Romans; and in these latter ages, by the Mahometans means,* 1.172 trading in our Western parts, amongst the Venetians and Genoe∣ses, and others: but they have been further discovered and inha∣bited by the Portuguais, since they found out a new way thither through Africa, in the time of Prince Henry of Portugal, brother to King Edward, who through his rare insight into the Mathema∣ticks, first caused a Navigation to be made, unto the Capes of Non, and Boyador; where the French having conquered the Canaries, had already been, since that Alfonsus the fifth his Nephew conti∣nued his discovery unto the Cape Verd and Guinny, and other Kings since have reached to Conge, Maniconge, Angolal, unto the Cape of good hope, discovered by the Grand Vasque of Gama 1497. few years after the new world in the West, had been found out by Christopher Columbus: from hence the way is open into the whole East-Indies, by Cephala, Mozambick, Quiloa, Monbase,* 1.173 the coasts of Aben, Arabia, Carmania, Cambaye, Malabar, Coromandel, Harsnique, Bengal, Aracan, Pegu, Sian, Malaca, Camboye, Champa, Cochinchine, and China, the furthest part of the East, together with the innume∣rable Islands, opposite to these coasts, as S. Helena, S. Laurence, Soco∣tora, Maldives, Quilan, Sumatre, Jave, Bandan, Moluques, the Phillip∣pines,

and the rest of the Antchidel sea, or Archipelago, of S. Laza∣rus, unto Japan.

* 1.174The Portugais made themselves Masters of it, under the famous Albukerke of Goa, 1510. and since of Matacha, Diu, Ormus, and other places where they establisht their Empire, trade, and the Christian faith, finding the wayes easie and short, by their knowledge of se∣veral currants of the seas, and annual or constant winds that sit for six or seven moneths together in one point, and as long in another, when they change, as in the West-Indies; the Eastern winds pre∣dominate, through the torrid Zone, between the Tropicks: and notwithstanding this exact knowledge and practice of the Eastern, and Southern Seas, these two ages past, many shipwracks have hap∣ned; many ships, men, and great treasures cast away, all which the earth stript off, the sea solely inherits; neverthelesse 'tis a miracle of providence, that a handful of men with small means, have bin able to establish themselves, in those vast Indies, to resist and overcome the oppositions of the richest, and the most puissant Kings of the world, and that their example hath since drawne to their mitution the English, Dutch, and French; who trade therein great numbers. In a word, the Portugais, in matter of commerce, dealt not only with the Indians, Idolaters, & Sarasins, but also with the Mameluckes and Turks, from whom they got their richest trade; they have got the superiority likewise in the spiritual, against all Sects, long since broached by the Gentiles, Mahometans, Jews, and the Nestorians, Christians, and do daily root out and extirpate those Sects and false religions, not without much danger, and trouble; but they take the greatest paines with the least successe against the Mahometans for their liberty, and sensuality, hinders much the progresse of our religion; although they find great difficulty in the obstinacy of the Jews, and little lesse in the foolish, horrible, and senselesse su∣perstitions of the Idolaters, backt by long custom, and more by the ambition, covetousnesse, and presumption of their Bramins, Jogues, Talipoyes, Manigrepes, Bonses, and other of their Priests, and religi∣ous of their belief, from hence is gather'd a plentiful and glorious harvest, by the travels and labours of many regulars, and seminaries of Goa, Malaco, Machat, and other places: The Franciscans were the first labourers in this vine-yard,* 1.175 in the year 1500. or rather sooner, and the first Bishop setled at Goa, was of that order, in the year 1541. S. Francis Xaverius was since there, who preached through all those countries, and Isles, unto Japan, and China, where he died in the year 1552. and therefore was called the Apostle of the Indies, his order continues their mission thither stil, where they gain an infinite num∣ber to Christianisme. At Magor, Pegu, Sian, China, Japan, Jaso, and other places, the Colledge of S. Paul at Goa, being their chiefest Se∣minarie, where the Archbishop inhabits; who is Primate and Patri∣arch of the Indies, having under him the Bishops of Cochin, Mala∣ca, and Macao. The Viceroy rules the temporal affaires, and all

Governours, Captains, and Governments of Africa, and the East-Indies, are at his disposal.

CHAP. XV. Of Diu, her state and Forts, and the neighbour∣ing Countryes of Cambayette, of the fidelity of the Indian Sensalls, and of the marvelous ebbing and flowing of the Sea.

LEt us return to our voyage, and arrivall at Diu, which I shall treat more fully of here, as of Cambaye, Goa, Cochin, Calicut, and others, having seen them often since. Diu is a little neat Town, scituate in an Isle joyning unto the Continent of the King∣dom of Cambaye, whereof it is a part; there have the Portuguais a Fort, or Castle inexpugnable, no man being permitted entrance there, without a Cartaco, or passe from the Vice-Roy, and the ships pay Custom, if they are small vessells they may enter into Cambayette, which is the Haven of the Town. The Isle of Diu is by the Indians, called Marmayrdina, 60. miles from the mouth of the Gulf of Cambaye, and 100. from the Royall Town of Cam∣baye, she joyns almost to the Continent, in the 23^th. degree and a half of elevation, it abounds in cattell, vast trade, used by all the Indian Nations: for the abundance of all sorts of Commodities, which are there to be bought and sold, as Gold, Silver, Spices, Me∣dicinal drugs, Brasil, Jewels, Pearles, Perfumes, Amber, Musk, Mastick, Cloves, Safron, Corrall, Brass, Lead, Mercury, Vermilli∣on, and Lacca; the Town is as big as Marseills, little lesse then Goa; there are many fair Churches. The Hospitall is large, rich, and very well provided. The West Indians traffick here, come in a shorter time, and with more surety, thorough the sea of Sur, then by the Cape of Good Hope a very dangerous passage, occa∣sioned by the great winds, and frequent tempests, as you shall hear hereafter. The Portuguais having taken this Town out of the hand of Badurius, King of Cambaye, at their first settlemen there.

The Town of Diu was built by a King of Guzerate, and Cam∣baye, constituted Governour there of a Melique, As or Tas, that made the Haven, made himselfe Soveraign, and was guarded by Turks; since, in the yeare 1508. the Natives, assisted by Campson, Soldan of Aegypt, fell upon the Portuguais, defeated them, and stormed Diu severall times so fiercely, that it occasioned, Nonio A∣cugna the Vice-roy, in the year 1535, to build a strong Fort, with the consent of King Badurius, which they maintained against the Tartars and Mogors; the strength and importance of the place, drawing both hatred and envy from the Indians, The King

of Cambaye, and other neighbouring Kings, indeavoured to reco∣ver it by meer strength, but all in vain; for the gallant op∣position and defence of the Portugall, hath kept them masters of it to this day.

The Indians had some reason for what they did, for from thence depended the whole Trade of the Kingdom, and adjacent Coun∣treyes; and the Portuguais keep all that Countrey in subjection; from Diu to Goa, and the Cape Comarin, 270. leagues in length. The chiefest part of the East is furnished with commodities from hence, a place very rich, well peopled, and full of good Townes, and of great trade. In the adjacent parts, to Diu, upon the Continent, are the Kingdomes of Circan, and Reytenbura, where stands the Royall Town of Ardanat, then Campanell, capitall Town of Cambaye stands beyond the River Indus, and the Townes of Albiran, Casdar, Masura, Sudustan, Abedit; all great Townes rich, and well traded, and inhabited by many Mer∣chants, Gentills, Mores, Jewes, and Christians, in this Town Malefactors are put to death by poyson only, and not by the sword.

Beyond the River Araba stand many fair Townes, viz. Sava∣dir, Barca, Bermen, Patenisir, a fair haven, where divers of the rarest,* 1.176 and richest Carpets of the World are made in silke, and fi∣gured, which are transported to Bengale, Malaco, and Pegu, and o∣ther places; there are also made Calicoes, stained of divers colours, which is the chiefest and ordinary cloathing the Natives use, and there is brought of it into all parts of the world.

Halfe a dayes journey from Batenisir stands Diu, upon a creek of land, separate by a river from the Continent; there are paid great Customes upon all sorts of commodities, which brings in a great profit to the Inhabitants, the King of Spain having the least share in it, and what he hath imployed to the maintenance of the Garrisons, most of those payments fall to the Officers and re∣ceivers shares, who agree very well with the Vice-Roy: The King is often of a mind to quit the Countrey, but his Councill is not of the same opinion, the Countrey being too considera∣ble to their Prince, for strength and reputation; and besides 'twould indanger the losse of Christianity, that is so hopeful∣ly rooted in those parts, for the Turkes assault them often, and took and sack't the Castle of Diu twice, and had reduced the rest of the Town,* 1.177 but for the help of three ships that came into their assistance from Cochin, that preserved the rest, and beat the Turks out of what they had already got.

The Portuguais, in defence of them and the Nations, have built two strong Forts, the one in the sea, the other that commands all passages by Land; but the Natives having often fallen upon them, to their own losse, are now the Spaniards good friends, according unto Articles and Agreements made between them.

The Inhabitants of Cambaye are strict observers of many super∣stitious customs, they will not eat with a Christian although they visit them often; if you touch their meat they think themselves pol∣luted, and this they have from the Guzerates, in which they are more rigidly superstitious than the Jews themselves.

Those of any quality eat upon silken carpets diversly colour'd, and to preserve their silks serve the dishes upon green leaves, they are temperate in their diet, and drink of severall sorts of li∣quors, and they mingle some Areca to them all,* 1.178 a fruit very com∣mon in the India's, it is also held very wholesom, preserves them and cures them of several diseases: it preserves the teeth strange∣ly, for the Inhabitants are never troubled with any pains or aches in them; women are there in very great esteem, especially the great Ladies, who never stir out of their houses: some de∣light themselves never to see day light, and are served all by candle light.

The whole Countrey is inhabited by Gentills, and Guzerates; The justest, the most reasonable and religious of the East, accor∣ding to the ancient Pythagorean rule, they never feed upon any living Creature whatever: their chiefest food is rice, white and black, milk, cheese, garden stuffe, and the like; they do wrong to no persons, nay they spare the bloud and lives of their mor∣tallest enemies; the Countrey towards Rasigut produces great store of Turkey stones, of Storax, Cornelians red and white. This Kingdom extends it self towards South-east, and the Sea Southward, Westward it buts upon Guzerate, Eastward are the lands of Mandao, and Paleucate, and Northward it reaches unto Sangan, Dulcinde, and the Territories of the Grand Mogull: Through this kingdom runs the famous River of Indus, called Indus Inder, or Schind, and hath given her name to the whole Countrey, and chiefly to Indostan, and other neighbouring Coun∣tries; which make up the India citerior, her head springs forth of the Mountain Caucasus Paropamisus, called at this day Nau∣gracot and Ʋssonte, and taking her course thorough many great Kingdoms, is swel'd by many great Rivers, that lose themselves in her, and at last discharges her self into the Indian Sea at two several mouths near unto the Town of Cambaye.

Cambaye is a large and flourishing Town,* 1.179 seated upon a River called by the Inhabitants Amondoua, and separates the Provinces of Guzerate and Cambaye, both making one Kingdom: This Town stands a league from the Sea, and about the same distance from the River Indus, which affords her a haven in two places, the chiefest is in a corner of the Town Northward, and is so nar∣row that in case of necessity the ships may be chained in the har∣bour, the ships come and go with the ebbe and flow, and are often very numerous, and 'tis to be noted that the tides are weakest at the full of the Moon, which is wonderfull,* 1.180 and contrary

to ours, the reason thereof is not yet found out by any Natu∣ralist. The same happens in Pegu, as we shall speak of here∣after.

This Town is one of the richest of the Orient, built very stately at the Italian model, and the passages leading to her strengthened by many forts. The Portuguais have often endea∣voured to possesse themselves of it, being plentifully furnisht with all things necessary to mankind; and here are most excel∣lent fruits: Here Diu provides her self with what she wants at home, Cambaye and she being Confederates: she produces the best Turbith, Galanga, Nardus, Assa foetida, and other drugs, is rich in silks, cottons, rice, and all sorts of seeds, and abounds in precious stones and Jewels;* 1.181 The Prince that governs is a Maho∣metan, gives liberty of conscience to all his Subjects, to the Chri∣stians, Jews, Idolaters, his guard consists of 2000. horse, and 3000 foot, armed with bows and cimeters.

He keeps fifty Elephants taught to reverence him dayly, and are sumptuously trapped and caparisoned, upon dayes of pub∣lick shews or festivals, their stable well and neatly furnished, painted, and well set forth, and are fed in silver vessels, and their grooms or Governours dresse them with great respect and humility, without ever offering any rudenesse; they are animals approaching very near to reason, and want speech onely to ex∣presse themselves;* 1.182 they understand the language of the Country, and do very readily conceive what is taught them: The Prince feeds upon venemous Creatures, which he hath ever so used himself to, that he is become venemous himself, and a fly stinging of him immediately dies: he presently killed all the women that ever lay with him, infecting them with his breath, so that he had change daily.

The furniture within their houses is rich, which they have from the Portuguais, they ride in littars, and are great Lovers of Musick; their houses are sumptuously dressed at Diu, and Ormus, many of them beautified and enriched, with Calcedoni∣ans, Turkey-stones, Amarists, Topases, and other jewels. At Lymadura a village within three miles of the Town there is a mine of Calcedonians, whence they have of three sorts of them, white, red, and mingled, called Bazayora, Merchants from divers places furnish themselves with many of them, they saile with their ships into Nogar, a Port not far from the Mine, the commodities laded from this Town are transported into divers parts of the world, to Ormus, Ziden, Meka; others are transported through the mouth of Euphrates unto Bazora, Babylon, Byr, Aleppo, and Damas.

The imported commodities from Meka, are scarlets, velvets, fine woollen cloaths Iron ware, Amsian which is a drug like unto Opium, which the Indians frequently take, chiefly in their Armies,

it makes the Souldiers valiant and furious, fighting to the last drop of bloud: and is therefore a rich commodity, the Assa foetida, Turbith, Agathes, and other jewels are brought from Diu, where there are many Goldsmiths and Jewellers, thither the Merchants bring them to have them cut into several figures.

Silks, purslanes, sendals, velvets, ivory, brasile, mirabolans, confections, and preserves, of all sorts, spices, and all sorts of gro∣cery come from China, and from other places of the Levant: The Town affords you of the best Borrax in the world: Trade is very faithfully carried on there, for the Factors and Retalers are per∣sons of quality, and good reputation; and are as carefull in vent∣ing and preserving other persons wares, as if they were their own proper goods; they are also obliged to furnish the Merchants with dwelling houses, and ware-houses, diet,* 1.183 and oftentimes with di∣vers sorts of commodities: the houses are large and pleasant, where you are provided with women of all ages for your use, you buy them at certain rates, and sell them again when you have made use of them, if you like them not, you may choose the wholsomest and the most agreeable to your humour: all things necessary to livelihood maybe made your own at cheap rates, and you live there with much liberty, without great incoveniences; if you discharge the customs rated upon merchandizes, nothing more is exacted, and all strangers live with the same freedom and liberty as the Na∣tives, do, making open profession of their own Religions.

Ivory is in very great esteem in this place,* 1.184 and the neigh∣bouring Countries, and very much is consumed; Ladies of the best note wear bracelets of several fashions made thereof, and at the death of any friend or alliance they break them in many pieces, which is the greatest expression of sadnesse among their sex; as the shaving of beard close is to the men, and when their time of mourning is over, they make themselves new bracelets.

The Town of Cambaye is much of the bignesse of Roan, or ra∣ther bigger, besides the Suburbs, and not much unlike unto the Grand Caire, only that she is much lesse,* 1.185 the inhabitants call her Byr, Armadouar, Parents that are overcharged with children sell those they have supernumerary.

Here I will relate you an accident that happened to my Cama∣rade at Cambaye; Having spent some dayes there trading,* 1.186 he met a Countreyman of his born at Xaintonge, who feigned himself a Merchant, and a great dealer, but proved at last an impostor. This counterfeit, under the pretense of trading, stole from my Camarade a pack of wares worth 300. crowns, which by the op∣portunity of a Caravane bound for Ormus, there he imbarked himself to preserve his theft, timely notice being given my Compa∣nion, he pursued him in another ship, together with another Mer∣chant, who had formerly been the like served in a greater conse∣quence.

This diligence was a little rash, for I was immediately advised by our host, a rich broker or merchant, that my camarade had taken his journey in vain, having not with him a roll of his goods stoln, nor the Viceroy's Cartaco; I streight resolved to follow him with the papers and passe-port he stood in need of: Cassis overtook this venturer at Ormus, where he debauched at his charge, and for want of the list of wares nothing could be proved against him. The cheat put my companion to his wits, denying whatever was alledged against him, with an injurious insolence. The Judge or Al∣cade, to whom my friend had addressed himself for justice and sa∣tisfactiō, weighing the others confidence with the slender evidence my friend could bring against him, and having received a feeling in the case, was ready to commit our friends to prison for barrettors, and impostors, had I not come to town three dayes after with com∣fortable news, I shewed my self in Court, and giving information of the whole truth, my testimony and evidence was taken in the presence of the Alcade, and a Portugais Gentleman, named Seig∣nior Jacomo de Mendez, purposely sent by the Viceroy; he gave me charge to take great care of my self, telling me that if I were found a liar it concerned my life, being sworn, imposing my hand upon a Crosse held out to me upon the end of a Vare, or wand; I gave up my evidence at large, and informed the Judicature, that in the stoln pack there was a memorial of what was therein contain∣ed, besides I particularly named the chiefest goods therein, which Cassis had wholly forgotten.

Then I produced the Cartaco, and other notes, that witnessed the discharging of the excises and customes, as by advice received from our host Josepho Groyna, who witnessed the same: The cheat being examined in my sight whether he knew me or no, he begun his own defense injuring and abusing me, striving to break my evidence by multiplicity of words, with a strange boldnesse, or rather impudence practised by such persons, saying he had taken no exact account of his commodities, pretending him∣self a Gentleman and not used thereunto; his many words availed him little, for I pressing the pack might be opened, my evidence proved true, and the roll compared to my book of accounts, found answerable all was verified, and the miserable man having not a word left in his own excuse, was convicted, and condemned to the Galleys during life. Thus we found justice, and recovered our commodities with little losse, and returning thanks to Seignior Mendez we came back to Cam∣baye: This I have related to the faithfulnesse and integrity of our Landlord; and really their sincerity and integrity is such, that the Justices esteem their words and writings to equal sacred things; and when a Merchant happens to die, leaving his goods in one of these persons hands, they are very faithfully restored to his heir, or next of kindred.

From Diu and Cambaye, unto the Cape Comorin, by the Coast of Malabar, it is some 300 leagues sayle: and neer to Cambaye is the Kingdome of Jogues.

CHAP. XVI. Of Deli, Malabar, of Goa, the capitall Town of India.

NEer to Cambaye we fell into the Kingdom of Deli, and Decan;* 1.187 they say that 300. yeares since, Sanosaradin King of Deli, con∣quered Decan, Canary, Bellagatte, Concam, Goa,* 1.188 and all the Coun∣treyes reaching unto Comori, but since, under his severall Successors, those Countreys were divided, and allotted to severall Captains, that have possessed themselves thereof, acknowledging (for forme sake only) the King of Deli; Idalcan was at Goa, since Nysama∣luco, and the Negatana, and many neighbouring Countreys are subjected to the Great Mogull; who this last age hath conquered the chiefest part of the east Indies, and threatens hard to the rest.

Malabar lies upon the Westerne Coaste, from Goa to Comori, as eastward on the other side lies Coromandell, where are the King∣domes of Bisnagar, or Narsingue, Orixa, Menduo, and seve∣rall others, from Ormus to Goa it is 500. leagues, or therea∣bouts.

We sailed all along this Coaste, and we arrived at Goa, an Isle and Towne of Malabar, as faire, rich, and stately a Town, as is this day in the east, being as a key to the India's, in the sixteenth degree of elevation, devided from the Continent by a large River,* 1.189 called Mandova, as big as the Euphrates, and by another little River na∣med Guari, from whence the Towne took her name, formerly be∣longing to the Kingdom of Narsingue, since unto Decan, or Dealcan, and since 'twas conquered by the Portugall, under Alphonsus Al∣bukerke, of the Moore Sabaco, Generall unto the King of Decan, in the yeare 1500. she hath eastward, and northward, the Coun∣trey of Decan, westward the great sea, and southward the King∣dom of Mangalor, subject to the King of Narsingue.

The Insularies, or Inhabitants, having ever been well addicted to trading, they are people stout and haughty. There is a great con∣course of all the Indians, a Haven at the village called Bonastariu,* 1.190 with a block house, that commands the entrance of it, though it be strong of it selfe: They have severall other good Ports, as at Danda, Alinga, Banda, Amolapole, and Puntadasall, then old Goa,

Rama, Guisantole, and Amadina, each having her particular river: on the continent side, there are many Towns and Plantations, most of them Mahometans and Idolaters, kept in by the Portugais, they have stately ship-timber. They are pretty well awed for the pre∣sent, since they were punisht for a treacherous conspiracy, which by the assistance of some neighbouring Countries, they intended to have put in execution, but was by Gods permission discover∣ed by the Barbarians, inhabitants of Paleacate, and although they were 100 Gentills for one Christian, and had almost gained the Fort, yet they were gallantly repulsed by Don Garcias Acugna, Go∣vernour of the Fort, he very liberally rewarded those that gave him so timely advice, distributing the Kings Treasure amongst them; and since those freindly neighbours of Paleacate, injoyed the same freedomes and Priviledges with the Portugais, they were made subsidy and customes-free; and so strict an alliance and unity contracted between them that many of them since are baptized, turned Christians, and do frequently enter-marry: the Plotters were most of them put to death, the rest banish't, and their goods confiscated.

* 1.191The Isle of Goa is some 15 or 16 miles about, the Inhabitants are strong, and able bodyed, almost of an olive colour: The Town is infinitely rich, and the great street very full of goldsmiths, that have their shops well stored with gold, silver, and Jew∣ells.

* 1.192The Gentills had a most magnificent Temple built of stone, in a little Island neere to Goa, called Dinary, where they adored the Devill that appeared to them in diverse most terrible and hor∣rid shapes.

The Portugais seeing this diabolicall profanation, demolish't the Temple and the Idols, without leaving the least marke behind them, and with the stones they fortified the Town, and built ma∣ny fair houses, which bred a great malice and hatred amongst the Idolaters. The Temple was built of a black stone, and their Pa∣godes, or Idolls, were most horribly shaped. When the Portu∣gais managed that great Warr against Samorin of Calicut, it was then in their power to demolish this Temple.

But the respect they bore to an Image of our blessed Lady, Mo∣ther of God,* 1.193 made them spare it for that time: They call the Blessed Virgin Sannacarin, which signifies a bird, and hold she is the spirit of God; they give great honour to the holy Crosse, and say that at the founding of the Town, a perfect one was found in the ground.

The Inhabitants live very deliciously, feed much upon Areca, and are carried in rich Sedans by their slaves, and the inhabitants have liberty of conscience.

Having been often at Goa, amongst other things I admi∣red the great commerce, the richest good order and admi∣nistration

of Justice, and above all, a most admirable govern∣ment in an Hospital, which is very rich, where notwithstanding are great number of sick, and maim'd, from the Armies: The Viceroy and Archbishop contribute liberally thereunto; the Portugais prove themselves, of an affable, and compassionate na∣ture, although the Indians hold them rough and uncharitable, because they possesse much of their land.

This Hospital is the fairest, and the most accomplisht, in all ne∣cessaries I know in the world; and I dare affirm that neither that of the Holy Ghost at Rome, nor the infirmary of Malta, although they are served in plate in both those places, do equall her in riches, good orders, and services: that are farre better observed and tended, then you can expect to be in your own house, as I often was a witnesse of, visiting the French that were there sick: the Fathers of the society have the keeping of it, and are very charitable therein; It is built upon a River, founded by the Kings of Portugal; besides the charity and gifts of the Nobility, which are great; they have for the most part a Factor at Cambaye; a Country plentiful in all sorts of grain, who makes their provision at the cheapest rates: there a great number of slaves, that are employed in all inferiour offices; and are also made use of in the other Indian Hospitals, and other Monasteries. Perfumes are daily burnt, to prevent infection, and to lessen the unwholesome sents that would otherwise very much offend: they use very fine linnen, and wine of Dates is their onely drinke, and is full as delicious as that of Grapes: the Portugais are very voluptuous; and great sensualists and are served in Purcelain,* 1.194 which will not hold poyson. This Country is much infected with the great pox, and with another infection called Mordesin,* 1.195 that begins with vo∣miting, and pains in the head, and is infectious. There is ano∣ther disease very common amongst the natives called Scorbus, and other diseases proceed from the enchantments of bad women; They are no sooner sick, but are carried to the Hospital, where remedies are presently used for their recovery: they are lodged in well-furnished and pleasant chambers, and have very fine gardens.

The Churches of Goa are fair and well adorned, the Windores of Mother of pearl, very curiously carved. At Pegu they are made of Tortoise shells of diverse colours, and are the fairest of the world; the Lanthornes belonging to the Hospital, are made of the shell of a fish, a kind of Mother of pearl.

They burn nothing but wax in the Churches, nor little else in the town, it is so well provided therewith.

This town being some eight thousand paces about, may be of the bignesse of Roan or Avignon, built, and tyled, as the fashion is in Europe; Goa is an Archbishops See, and hath four Bishopricks depending to her, and her jurisdiction reaches unto Mosambick.

* 1.196There are many magnificent Churches, and Monasteries, of Je∣suites, Franciscans, Austin Friars discalceate, and many Nunneries of Virgins, and penitents.

There is great commerce of all wares and merchandise, of slaves especially, both males and females; 'tis but a peccadillie, for a Master to lye with his slave, but if she proves with child, the law enfranchises her, and she may go whither she pleases.

The waters are good and well tasted, and although the tyde goes up beyond the town, yet there remaines not the least brack∣ishnesse in the water, the best is fetched halfe a mile from the town, from a place called Banquenin, which is sold. The Por∣tugais are richly clad, with breeches like Sea-men, very rich but∣tons, coats, and Cassocks, pretty short, and broad hats; they have their Parasols carried by them, with bottles full of Colos, and other pleasing drinks, and they weare very rich swords; and in a word, they are very vain and proud, as the Prophet speaks them, Pocos y Locos.

The Haven is very good, onely there is a shelf of sand, as at Larack in Fez, they have an inquisition, or Court of Parliament, which is their Judicature; The Viceroy is removed every third year. The profit there accrues to the Governours and officers, and little comes to the King, that depends much upon his Ar∣mies; besides the pay of three thousand officers.

The Isle is mountainous, sandy, and reddish, yet very fertile, being well water'd with many springs, and rivers: of this red earth or clay, are made many sorts of cups and vases white, some gray, others red, and as clear and fine as glasse, as Bolarmeni.

They have two crops a year, of Rice and French Wheat, and it is green all the year long: this land is scituate under the Tro∣pick Cancer, near to the Equinoctial.

There grow many Date-trees, and ships come daily into the Haven, laden with Cocos, and other commodities vented in the town.

The ships stay at the barre or mouth of the Haven wanting wa∣ter to bring them up: They hold it two miles from the town to the mouth of the river, where are two strong Block-houses or Forts, to defend the ships that sayle in the middle. Then a league higher there is another called Pangari, where dwells the Captain Major, that grants the Cartacoes to trade, both within, and with out: but since many have written of the Judicature, Government, Nobility, souldiers; the manner of life of both the Sexes of this town, as well Portugais, as Indians, I will say no more; I will onely relate a sad accident happened to some poor French-men, that had stolne a ship laden with pepper, but having suffered shipwrack some twelve leagues from Goa upon a shelve of sand, the ship was taken and saved,* 1.197 belonging to a Portugal Merchant of Goa, the poor men arraigned, and condemned to be hanged,

for the Pyracy committed, as well as for their murdering the Captain; the chief of these Malefactors was called Raymondin; they were assisted at the time of their suffering by some good Fa∣thers of the Church of the five wounds of our Saviour, near to the publick place of execution; and the fathers of our Ladies of Mercy cloathed them all in white according to their custom with white caps, and a crosse in their hands; they died very couragi∣ously and penitently, fully contrite and sorry for their sin and shame; some were hanged at Saint Katherines key, others in the Corne-Market. Six of them were hanged there, whereof the youngest broak two ropes, and fell down from the Gibbet; the good father that assisted at his death, obtained his pardon, and caused him to be taken back to the prison, he turned Franciscan, to the great contentment of the whole order, and was visited by all the Nobility of the town: he was born at Diepe, his name Ra∣telin, and fell into Raymondins company with no intention to Py∣racy, but to see the world; and thus God gave him grace mira∣culously to escape.

I remember that being in Provence, a young man borne at Au∣bayne, was upon suspicion of a certain crime cast in prison,* 1.198 and ar∣raigned at Aubayne, and being convicted thereof, was condemned to be hanged; he broak two new halters, and fell without the least harm from the Gallows to the ground; which accident cau∣sed the multitude to cry out for pardon, for the poor man, which was immediately granted him, but miserable, as he was ignorant of his own happinesse, he ended his life by the Gibbet for some de∣testable crime by him committed in another place.

A Sicilian Gentleman was accused by thirty false witnesses to have intended the sale of Messina to the Turk,* 1.199 and sentenced for that offence to be hanged, and his children to be decapited, pro∣testing his own innocency upon the ladder, the Rope breaking, they tyed another to him newer and stronger, which broak also, the people saved him, and his proces was reviewed, the false wit∣nesses examined, condemned, and executed, the wronged Inno∣cent with his children undertook a pilgrimage to our Lady of Loretto, where I saw him.

At Goa as also at the other townes in the Portugais possession, the Merchants may trade with great security, with leave from the Viceroy or Deputy, and paying the rights and customes, other∣wise their goods are confiscated.

CHAP. XVII. Of Baticola, Decan, Amadiva, and of the Kingdome of Cananor.

* 1.200FRom Goa unto Comorin, which is properly the Coast of Mala∣bar, are many Forts belonging to the Portugais, as at Onor, which is distant 14. degrees, at Barcelor, 13. degrees, called by the Indians Barcelan, at Mangalor 12. at Mosiri or Cananor, 2. at Cran∣ganor 10. the natives call it Cagnanora, then at Cochin 8. degrees di∣stant, and at Coulan which is called Cosmans, and at other places.

* 1.201From Goa we came to Baticola which is a kingdom, the town is large, rich, and plenteous in all commodities, scituate upon a pleasant and deep river, which yields her accesse easie; the haven is a quarter of a league distant, for the most part full of vessels, that yield great commerce. The Inhabitants are partly Gentiles, partly Mahometans, but much civilized; of complection between fair and brown, of good statures, and dispositions, both Sexes. The town is invironed with many good Barroughs, that reach unto Decan, some five leagues off; the town is strongly wall'd, and frequen∣ted by Jewes, who drive a great trade, and inhabited by all nati∣ons: she is tributary to the King of Marsingue, they are carried in littars by Cammels, of horses they have very few, we served our selves sometimes with oxen, which they harnise, and ride, they eat bread made of Rice, which is more savory then wheaten, there grows no grain, but the Country beares most excellent fruit, their drink is wine of dates.

About 3. Musket shot from the town, there is an Isle named Amadiva, which hath a large haven, on the continent side, inha∣bited by Moores, and abounding in pastures, and cattle. The inha∣bitants are the Portugaises mortal, and irreconcilable enemies, but their Island being small, not above 8. leagues about; they are not capable to trouble them. The town is rich, and is called Centacola, subject to the King of Baticola: there are some Jews amongst them that may easily be distinguisht by the complexion, the Moores be tawny, the Jews clearer: women use waters and other washes that make them very beautiful, and they are held the prettiest of all the East, the fairest are Jews, and they very chaste, and strangers can only obtain to visit them, in certain assemblies of fair girles; but they go meanly clad, contrary to the customes of all other towns: they sing certain songs like K. Davids Psalms, grace∣fully pronouncing their words, and mingling instrumental musick with their vocal; and thus they entertain their gallants. They re∣fuse no present is made them, but if you offer none, they are never

a whit displeased: The doores of those places of Assemblies are alwayes open, there they keep their Synagogues, every one professes his Religion at liberty; in the middle of this Isle is a Lake, called Vecharin, which breeds good store of fish of seve∣rall sorts, but causes the ayre to be a little unwholesome to those are not accustomed to the Clymate; from thence fish is transpor∣ted into diverse places, for a sort of good lasting fish. They have great store of poultry, which they feed with grosse rice, called Je∣racoly.

Baticola hath lost much of her trade since the Portuguais took Goa: for according to the Chafa's, or the Clark of the Customes ac∣count the Revenew is half diminished, which keeps the Princes far in the Continent, for fear of being surprised by the Portugais, who wage open warr with them, exacting great ransomes for the liberty of the prisoners they take; neverthelesse the Portugais trade much amongst them, endeavouring to draw them to an alliance; but they are not so soon driven out of their fears and jealousies; those of Baticola say they formerly inhabited Sian; in this King∣dome is the Town of Onor, that furnishes all the Countrey with rice.

From Baticola we came to Cananor Mosiri, a great Town un∣walled, under the subjection of a particular King, where the Por∣tugais have two Forts, and is inhabited by many new Christians, who observe the rules and precepts of our Religion stricter then the old ones: the Portugais have built about their Fort many dwellings for Merchants and others, which make up a Burrough, called Cananon, where they trade securely, and when the Indians have a mind to trade with them, they must have the Vice-Roy of Goa's Cartaco; yet the Portuguais never kept so good intelli∣gence with the Natives, as to prevent many dissentions and dis∣orders, as is often seen in other places, as at Pegu and Calicut, which occasioned the ruine of the Castle, and the death of ma∣ny Christians, which the Portugais have since sufficiently reven∣ged; for they are of a very cruell nature, and revengefull, for which reason they maintain a fleet well armed at sea, to resist those of Portugall, who wage a warr against the Indians, not alwayes to their success. It happened on a time to Don Alanso De Comera, to pursue with two men of warr a Mahometan Frigate, richly laden, and bound from some part of the India's, for Gaza, a sea Town in Arabia.

There were many families, with the goods they had ga∣thered in many years abode there, making homewards, ac∣cidentally falling into the hands of this Portugais, they hois∣ed saile, and thinking themselves too weak, offered a com∣position, to the value of two hundred duckats; Don Alon∣so eager and covetous of the prey, which he held himself sure of, gave her a broad side, with many great shots,* 1.202 and

boarded her, she, reduced to desperation, put her self in a posture of defence, and resolved to sell both life and liberty at a deare rate, and the very women spared them not, so their Alonso got nothing but blowes, but lost an eye, and many of his men, and thus was forced to retreate, and the Frigat by a favourable wind got away without any losse: this shewes the damage pre∣sumption brings with it, and that the Portugais are not unjust∣ly accused of vanity and folly, which often costs them deare, and makes them hated by the Indians, as it hapned to them at Calicut, where the peoples rage was so raised against them, that in an instant they demolished them a fair Castle, not leaving one stone upon another, and whoever could present the King with any of the ruines, was rewarded, which hath caused the spilling of much blood amongst them: The King of Coulan hath often be∣sieged their Forts, but after long Warres they now enjoy a peace.

* 1.203The King of Cananor is very potent, and elected out of the Prin∣ces of the blood, as at Ormus: He can send 100000. men into the field, armed with targets and swords, they wear red bonnets turned up on one side, and go almost naked, the third part of them are Naires,* 1.204 or Gentlemen, very resolute and valiant; they weare red hats, and are not niggards of their lives in their Princes ser∣vice.

The Portugais have a strong Castle on the side of the Town, and another on the sea side, both well provided with Amunition and Artillery, and have done them good service, having often been assaulted by the Naires, very gallant Persons; Many of them are since Baptized, and grown so devout, that if they hear the Ave Maria bell, though they are in their Coaches, or Litters, they are set on ground, and say certain prayers on both their knees.

At Cananor they have a quarry of a stone, called Azazimit which is much esteemed amongst the Indians, and hath many ver∣tues,* 1.205 it cures feavers, stops fluxes, and causes digestion, and is a preservative against poyson: they use it in their cures against the pox, and it is very neere as Soveraigne, as that famous Eastern wine, that if a man be so rotten as to fall in peeces, yet bathed therein for one month, he will infallibly be cured.

This Countrey produces Myraboian-Citterns,, a most ex∣cellent fruit, and very common amongst them: their leaves are like unto our prune leaves, they preserve of them, and use them often;* 1.206 there growes the tree of Ebony, which growes to the bignesse of an olive tree, the leaves like unto sage, but as smooth as Mastick leaves, and the blossomes like white roses; the wood is black, and very hard when 'tis dry and seasoned:* 1.207 they have great store of trees that bear Areca, those of Malaca, call it Faoufell, the Portugais Araguerou,

in other places 'tis called Pinan, the leafe is of the bignesse of a palm leafe, the stalk is full of strings, which are very usefull, the nut or fruit is huskt up, when the husk pills off, the nut hangs upon the tree of an orange colour, and is very juycy and savoury, and the vertue of Succory, cold and dry; and hath another quality astringent, the shell or nut is not of the bignesse of the other palm fruit; but lesse, as the peach, and ovale, nothing like a nutmeg, being mingled with white and red streaks, and of this fruit the Areca is made, excellent against the tooth-ach, they have abundance of other palm-trees that bear Dates.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the Kingdom, and Samorin of Calicut, of the Natives of that Countrey, and of their horrible superstitions.

FRom Cananor to Calicut, in the 9. degree, although the an∣cients hold it in the 2. Before our arrivall three upon a Sun∣day morning, drawing towards the East, before Sun rising, we heard a Marriner cry out, Jasan, Jasan, Malabar, but we were not so near it as he thought, for they were the mountains of Calicut, which are discovered afar off, for we put into the haven not till night.

Calicut is a great Town, one of the fairest, richest,* 1.208 and of the greatest commerce of all the India's: some will have it anciently called Barygaze, yet the Mores hold she hath been built many years since, and that six hundred years agone, Asarama Perimel, was Emperour of Malabar, and the Natives reckon upon the years since his reign, which is their most famous Callander: He kept his Court at Coulan, where was the chiefest trade of spices,* 1.209 and gave the Countrey of Calicut to the Arabians, who frequen∣ted it very much for commerce; they made this King a Mahome∣tan, who went through devotion to end his dayes at Meka, distributing his estate to divers Lords, leaving them the Title of Kings, as of Cananor, Coulan, and others. Calicut fell unto a Ne∣phew of his named Samorin, which signifies soveraign Emperour over all the rest, in temporall affairs, as he of Coulan was chief in Spiritualls, surnamed Cobritin, viz. high Pontife of the Bra∣mins. Samorin built this Town, the Metropolitan of Calicut, in∣habited by the Meres, where was the greatest trade of groceries, since removed by the Portugais to Cochin.

The Prince is an Idolater at this present, although the Town be peopled by all Religions, Gentils, Mahometans, Jewes, and Christians. The building is very good, though the houses are very low, because they stand upon an ill foundation, the Sea water ap∣pearing if you dig but a little depth, yet they have by art and in∣dustry raised the Temples, and Pallaces, whereof there are four Royal ones, inhabited by the Kings wives, and concubines; there stands one of them without the Town, fair to the sight, and high. Their Temples are so too, and built round, the first of that form I saw in those parts; they adore the Devil, and put his picture upon their coin, in most horrid postures: They put two Demons embra∣cing, with cloven or cocks feet at one side, on the other a certain Character, which signifies, think upon this people.

The King is impiously devout, and every Wednesday performs a most strange adoration of Satan; he is pictured sitting in a chair, with a Crown upon his head, in the middle of many little Devils, most strangely and terribly represented; after the King hath offered him incenses, he prostrates himself on the ground in sign of submission, then begins his prophane prayers, then he stretches himself at length upon a rich carpet, leaning his head upon his left arm, thus he dines, inviting the Devil to his repast; four Bramins assist him in this impious sacrifice, and hearken very attentively to the discourse, or Sermon, the King makes during his dinner; representing to them the service they owe to their Idol, they answer him not in words at that time, but give him Betel and Areca mingled together, which he drinks with∣out touching the cup, according to their superstitious custom: because that day his mouth is sacred, and filled with the praises of Sathan; when he hath ended his repast, the meat he leaves is carried into a garden near at hand to be devoured by Crows, that there expect it, in so great numbers, that they hardly get two bits a piece.

Calicut I conceive is as big as Millan, but not so well built nor ordered. The Strangers and Merchants are upon their arrivall put (to a great inconvenience) to buy houses to dwell in, which troubled us very much, being forced at our depar∣ture to leave it for half it cost us: you buy women for your service, and put them off again, but not without some losse. The Port is a pretty way distant from the Town; there is but one channell; which the ships cannot reach by a mile and a half, by reason of the shelves of sand, and therefore they use flat bottoms, which do great services upon the Ri∣ver: The King keeps a frigate or pinnace called Jonques,* 1.210 for his pleasure, which he treats the Ladies in, as the Venetians do in their Gondola's,* 1.211 all the houses in the Towne are covered with palm-leaves, the Kings onely excepted that are tyled; be∣cause no private person may have means to fortifie himself.

the town is very subject to fires; and therefore the houses are built farre asunder. 'Tis surrounded with pleasant fields and pastures, but they never eat beef; they are so superstitious, esteem∣ing them holy and sacred cattle, that their Dume hath appointed them to cultivate the land onely, which makes them hard to be bought and sold; this superstition is only publickly observed, for some of the Bramins treated us with beef, who borrowed a christi∣an Cook, and entertained us with a whole calf, the head and intrals stewed, and the rest rosted as we use: He feasted us because one of the company had cured him of a certain disease, and refused any reward, and thus they do like the Turkes, who abstain from wine in publick, but drink it privately: neverthelesse these Bra∣mins have the devil pictured open mouthed, red, and flaming, ready to devoure, the law-breaker, and when they have offend∣ed, the sacrifice to him a white cock: which is derived from a ve∣ry ancient and superstitious Idolotry of the Pagan, who offered a white cock to Hercules, to the night, to Aesculapius, and to Annu∣bis: thus the devil renews these old superstitions, and appears vi∣sibly unto them, some believing him to be God, some a creature of Gods, some hold him good, others bad, these serve and adore him, for fear he should do them harm.

Not far from Calicut, is an ancient Temple or Bagode, which they call Dumana, where there is a general pardon to be gained, certain dayes of the year, they have fifteen dayes of liberty, and freedom, which time the thieves, and banisht persons, may appear with safety to sacrifice; the Temple is built in a Marsh, held up by great pillars, with many trees of diverse sorts growing about it, each pilgrim chuseth himself one for his rest, and to hang his cloaths in.

There are many burning lamps which the pilgrims offer up to be purified of their sins: The Bramins say prayers aloud, and sprinkle them with water, in expiation of their crimes; and after this ablution, they present themselves to the Idol, and adore it: from thence they return to their trees, having provided their lamps with oyle and wick to burn at night; 'Tis pleasant to see so much light. The next morning they bathe themselves all toge∣ther in a Lake, men, women, boys, and girles, without the least shame of their nakednesse; then dresse themselves in their best clothes, and return to the sacrifices, which ended, the Bramin makes them a short Sermon clothed in a white surplice, reaching down to the kneees, and bare-foot, the legs rounded with bands wrought, and hung round with silver bels, and standing thus be∣fore the picture of the devil, represented gaping, ready to swallow the spectators crowned, and with sparkling eyes; Thus the Bramin begins his sacrifice, casting himself upon the ground murmuring something, and beats himself so furiously, that he seems enra∣ged; then he turnes himselfe to the people (who are very at∣tentive,

shewing them the Devil, at which sight they begin to howle and cry for mercy with so furious and horrid a noyse, as Gods thunder could scarce be heard. Next he takes a white cock, and wrings off his head, and mingles his blood with water, which he sprinkles upon the multitude, who retire as contented as if they had gained an Empire. In the mid-way they meet a man of good presence, but distracted, with the devils picture about his neck, and clothed in a white Tunick or Albe. At the head of the people, the devils picture is carried by eight devotes clothed in cotton robes, followed by four Bramins, and many others, fran∣tick-like, running, leaping, singing, and dancing before the de∣vil: stabbing themselves into the faces and arms; and he is esteem∣ed the holyest, that hath given himself the deepest wounds, of which many dye, when they come before the distracted per∣son who is exposed upon theatre; they stand still to fulfill the ceremony of the sacrifice; and having burnt some perfumes, the Choourt or Bramin sprinkles him, with the bloud and wa∣ter, the people offer him their charities, and dedicating their clothes and lampes to him, they enter the Temple at another gate, leave their Idol in the place they found him, and thus they end their Idolatrous procession. From thence they go to dinner, which they sprinkle with the same water; and feeding up∣on the Vyands, they sacrificed, and of others they brought thither, the sacrifice is ended.

These Bramins, and other religious, never eat any thing that hath received life in publick; although we eat flesh with them in private, they keep company with none but their fellowes.

They wear white Turbants, Cotton gownes that reach to their heeles, red shooes; under this they wear a long linnen cloth or towel, that goes twice or thrice round about them, a fine girdle, long haire, their eares bored, and pearles hang∣ing at them: they wear next to their flesh certain strings, the badge of their order, which are given them with great ce∣remony; there are of them of several sorts, some of them go to the warres with the Naires, others trade, and are rich Merchants, and they are generally peaceable, and meek natured. The King himself is of the order, wearing the string in a scarf, they are much esteemed throughout the Indies, and some of them are very able Physicians. When they affirm any thing to be a truth, they lay their hand upon their string, or upon their Cabaye, or gown. The Portugais did live pretty peaceably amongst them, but the Moores have set them together by the eares. Some of the Moores are permitted to weare the Aspa∣gates, or habit of of the Bramins, but 'tis to favourites on∣ly, that such leave is given. When they eat they strip them∣selves stark naked, they tye a cloth only to hide their privie

members; the women affect to have their noses bor'd wirh wy∣ars, either silver or gold.

There is another sort of Bramins in Surate, Guzerate and Cambayes, not so austere, and are under the obedience of the Grand Mogull.

Those delight to eat flower of Mandel that comes from Brasil, and live very abstemiously.

CHAP. XIX. Of the Kingdome of Cochin, the goodnesse of the soyle, customes of the Inhabitants, with a strange History of certain French Pyrates.

FRom Calicut we went to Cochin, about the eighth degree,* 1.212 and twelve leagues from Calicut. This kingdome is confederate with Calicut, professing the same religion, the town is scituate in a sweet and temperate ayre, the country abounds in cattle and fruit,* 1.213 grain is scarce but is plentifully supplyed from Cambaye. Pepper growes there of three sorts, of the long excellent conserves are made: throughout the coast of Malabar, which reaches from Goa to Comori, grows the white and black pepper. The Ginger where∣of much is confected for their use in all seasons, is called Aliah, in the Malaicke tongue.

The Portugueses are in good esteem at Cochin, the King being their friend and allye, Since Triumpara shewed himself constant∣to them, against Calicut; since, when the Kings of Cochin have never broken their promises, whatever made to them; but have in∣violably kept their Articles, viz. to give unto the King of Portu∣gal a tribute of twelve pearles,* 1.214 of the weight of a Miticale a piece, which is about a crown and a halfe.

The Portugais do chiefly trade in pepper, which they trans∣port to all parts of the world; that which they transport into Arabia, Suria, Persia, Babylon, and other places along those coasts, is farre better then that they carry into Portugal, because much of its strength and vertue is lost, in the long navigation; and the price falling, they put off the worst, and often most of it green, which neverthelesse the Portuguese carry into Spain.

Besides, they load their vessels with refuse, and never bagge any of it; whereas the Mores, that are bound for the red sea, the Persick Gulph, and other parts of the Levant, give a good price for it, and therefore deserve the best.

The Pepper tree doth not resemble any tree I ever saw grow∣ing in Europe: 'Tis a faire and great tree, the leafe pretty long, and large, full of strings, she beares her fruit as our vines do grapes, or rather like the Provence wilde grape, in abundance. I have seen of severall sorts, one which the West Indians, at Carthagene, and Caramel, call Jerac, which signifies white, and laid in the sun becomes as black as the other, and though a little different, yet hath great vertue, and is like a young beane, but something lon∣ger: the grain is inclosed in a little cod, as the beane: This sort of tree beares no leaves, the others, which are the ordinary sort, beare many both long and large. They use it much to heate them, and put it in their pottage; resting my self one day over a store∣house which was full, I never felt the like heate.

The other druggs, made in the Territories of Cochin, are sold to the Portugais only. But to save their pay they passe merchan∣dizes in exchanga; 'Tis true that every buyer payes some small earnest, for if their dealing were discovered, their goods would be wholly confiscated to the King, and sometime the very ships themselves. When the Portugais have bought at certain rates, if the Mores offer more, the former bargain is void: which to pre∣vent, the King orders certain punishments to keep them in awe. The Prince, though not very potent, yet can draw three-score thou∣sand men into the field.

* 1.215The Town of Cochin is built upon a faire river, a mile remote from the sea. There is another place called Cochin, joyning to the sea, which belonging to the Portugueses, there are many Chri∣stians, who to enjoy the priviledges of the City, and to be exemp∣ted from payments, are married there, all other Christians pay foure Per Cent. at both the Cochins, which are a mile distant one from the other.

* 1.216There are many Christians married, of severall Nations and Sects, as Italians, English, French, Germans, Christians of the Girdle of St. Thomas, who passe for Portuguesses, and are all Merchants. The commodities pay severall customes, as for the sugars brought from Bengalo, the strangers pay eight Per Cent. those married upon the place are freed. There are many Amu∣chies Gentlemen, wearing swords and bucklers, who upon all oc∣casions expose themselves gallantly to death, for the safety of their Prince.* 1.217 Their wives are in common, and the Natives lend them one another; when they enter any house they leave their swords and bucklers at the doore, and no man dare enter while a∣nother is within.

All ships bound for Portugall are prepared for Sea in the moneths of December and January, from thence they sayle to Coulan, 72 miles from Colchin, where they have a noble Fort in the Territories of the King of Coulan, from thence to the Cape Co∣mori, unto the lower part of Chiloa, or Chilao, about 200. miles.

near wholly converted by the Fathers of the society of St. Paul at Goa, who have built many fair Churches; they had made a greater progresse in Calicut, had they not been hindred by the malice of the Moors, mortall enemies to the Christians, since they caused the Cittadell built by the Portuguais to be demo∣lished.

The Harbour at new Cochin is very large, but very rocky. The Town is full of fair Churches, Monasteries, Hospitalls, and Colledges. The River that waters the soyle is pleasant and large, and helps to make up a good haven, where ships ride safe. On the North is a pretty Isle where the Bishops pallace is of most stately edifice; and although many Gentiles inhabit there, yet nothing but Christianity is practised amongst them, and who ever will idolatrize must remove to old Cochin, which stands upon the River, joyned with a long row of houses like a Suburb. There is great commerce from all parts of the Indies.

The greatest inconvenience to the vessels is, that sometimes they must lie three or four months or more, at the mouth of the River, because the entrance is filled with sand, that choakes her passage, which happens from May to September, when fall great raines, which raise a Sea wind called by the West-Indians Touma∣caut,* 1.218 which by the help of the flouds, blows and bears down those shelves of sand, which do dissipate, and are spent in the sea. Thus 'tis almost with all Towns that stand upon Rivers, as I observed at Jenibaron, in the harbour of the Isle of St. Laurence, which carries after this manner all the sand into the Sea, and then hath one of the surest havens in the world.

But before I leave the coast of Cochin and Malabar,* 1.219 you must know that the fleet of Portugall once laden at Cochin, doth not return to Goa, but sailes strait for Portugall, passing through Mal∣diue; and all the Armado's, Fleets, and other vessels whatsoever, that come from the South and the Western parts of Goa, at 36. leagues from thence, are at their journeys end; having reached the Cape of Ramos, where in sign of joy they pitch their flags and standarts, and draw forth their whole artillery, as being safe and free from Pirates, because in that nook is divided the coast of Malabar, from the kingdom of Tacara or Dealcan. The like re∣joycements make the Fleets that come from the North-side, when they reach an Isle thirty six miles from Goa, called Quemada.

Don Sancho Sapatero,* 1.220 a Portuguese Captain met not with the like successe; who as I have since heard, being arrived at the Isle, fired some guns in sign of joy, and set a plume of feathers upon his mast: a certain Captain and Pirate born at Rochelle, named Boudard, having cast Anchor at Cananor, laid wait for a hulk laden with pepper, then at Cochin, expecting fair weather to put out to Sea for Portugall, meeting with another ship bound for

Achez for lading, was advertized of Don Sancho's passing here, which occasioned the Rocheller to expect him with all security, pretending to be a Merchant of that Countrey, and at his first meeting with Sapatero he gave him a broad-side, killed five of his marriners, and burnt his plume, which so terrified the Captain that his courage being lost, he took down his colours, and craving his life offered the Rocheller what he had in his ship.* 1.221 Here the Ro∣cheller came off magnanimously, for having power to enslave him and his, and to seize his ship, he contented himself seeing the list of goods, to take one of the ships laden with certain pieces of cannon and ammunition out of the other ships, releasing Capt. Sancho, with the rest of his company, which much revived him, and the more, be∣cause the prize of those commodities belonged to certain Jewish Portuguese Merchants, he thought to bear no losse himself, since Boudart took nothing out of his ship but two pieces of cannon, and some ammunition, with a present of some of the Country rarities. But he was much deceived, for arrived at Goa he was called in que∣stion, and the loss appearing to have proceeded through his slen∣der forecast and small courage, he being far stronger than his ene∣mies; it was ordered that the three ships should equally partake in the losse, since they were all preserved from Lisboe, and he for the fault he had carelesly committed was forbidden ever to wear fea∣ther, under pain of forfeiting a 1000. Croysades, which struck the poor man with such regret, that he fell desperately sick, and cast himself into the Hospitall,* 1.222 yielding willingly to death for the shamefull losse he had sustained: he was sufficiently revenged by the unhappy end miserable Boudart at length met withall, who swolne with prosperities and with abun∣dance of ill gotten wealth, partly of those three Portuguais ships, and of another vessel bound from Cambaye to Malaca, laden with gold, silver, and precious stones, and other rich commo∣dities, as he returned towards the Cape of Good Hope, with intention to spend the remainder of his life in his own Coun∣trey in pleasure and content, he met with so terrible a tem∣pest, that although he was a most expert Sea-man he could not long resist, receiving small assistance from his Company, most of them being lost in former sights, and many lying sick of the Scorbus, a cruell Sea distemper, and finding himself too weak to make any longer resistance, having for three dayes withstood the tempest, and wearied with lading the water that almost sunk his ship, he was forced at last to save himself in ano∣ther bark, with those few half-dead Camarades, leaving his other ship with all his pirac'd riches to the mercy of the water, which in a moment sunk before his face. Nor was this the worst, his bark meet∣ing with as bad successe, for having discovered the coast of Brasile towards the Cape St. Austen, and Fernamboue, he was forced to leave this last vessel, that sprung a leak 15. miles from Fernamboue,

make use of skill and strength to save himself in the cock-boat, and come ashore, with some 20. persons, to a sugar plantation be∣longing to some Portuguese, who beholding the arrivall of these miserable shipwracks, and moved to compassion, with the naturall affection they bear unto the French, helped them to drag their boat on shore, where they kindly entertained them, and furnisht them with victuals and cloaths, and the poor men after a while helped them in the Sugar-works, which is there made up in great abundance, and also be sold at so cheap a rate that a quartern is worth but a Crusado, which doth not amount to two pence a pound, and all the Sugar that comes into these parts from Madera, is made in America. Thus our Cap∣tain having refresht himself and his company by a quarters re∣sidence in this place, with many boards and planks the Sea had cast upon the shore, he resolved to build himself a little boat for his return into France, wherein he was assisted by the Master of the Sugar-work and his servants, and having finished and perfected it, and stored it with all necessaries; espe∣cially with meal of Mandoe, sugars, flesh, and salt-fish, with fruit and Potato's, a great dainty in those parts, which have the taste of a chesnut, and with roots of Casha and other refreshments;* 1.223 They imbarked themselves aboard this small vessel, with millions of thanks, for the curtesies received, with many promises and pro∣testations to requite their charities; for these honest men gave their very sheets to make them sailes, for which they were but ill rewarded. They left the Cape St. Austen, otherwise called Lieneo, because all that coast is white, and sailed hap∣pily within the sight of Fernamboue, where riding the French road they met with a small ship returning from Spain, laden with apparell, linnen, and woollen, oyles, and wines bearing towards Brasile; amongst the rest were five Portug••ese women,* 1.224 who with their whole fortunes were returning unto their hus∣bands at the Sugar-work in the Cape St. Austen, the same that had so kindly entertained these Pyrates. Here the most unfor∣tunate Captain committed one of the most horrid acts can be imagined, for drawing near to the ship, under pretense of giving the women an account of their husbands, he seized the vessell, and forced most of the passengers to leap into the Sea, where they perisht: The rest together with the five women he retained prisoners: three whereof they imme∣diately exchanged with the Salvages for certain refreshing Com∣modities,* 1.225 and those barbarous people killed one of them before their faces, to feed on, the other two were since ransomed by their husbands, not above six leagues from thence, wondring at the cruell ingratitude of this Pirate and his followers they had so much obliged.

Meanwhile the perfidious Captain drew towards the two

other women, he saved for his unlawfull and sensuall uses, they begged mercy for nine more Portugueses, who otherwise had sha∣red in the generall fate, but at length God shewed his just indignation against this savage Monster, casting him with a sud∣den tempest towards the Cape of Good Hope, and Dargagullas, and forced him to run a shore against his will at Mozambick, an Isle and Fort belonging to Portugall, on the Coast of Affrica, and whereas his ship was ready to enter the Harbour, a Frigate of Warr demanded what she was, The women couragiously from the Hatches replyed they came from Spain, and seeing two ships of Warr more make up to them, they grew more confident, giving them notice to board them boldly, which they did accordingly, and requiring the Captain to come before the Governour, he went, though trembling for fear, with three of his Camarades. This while the Merchants that remained in the ship animated with this assistance of their freinds, cryed out, that the Vessell, and all the Merchandise therein belonged to them; The Captains Compli∣ces made answer, they claimed no share therein, upon condition they might be set on shore, which was immediately promised them: and being landed, the women and all, they began their just com∣plaints, and required justice of the Governour for the wrong they had sustained; the Governour immediately seised them, and was sending them to Goa, that the Viceroy might understand their Crimes.

But the women pleaded their own cause so well, that the Go∣vernour with his Counsell having well examined the matter, condemned the Captain, and three of his chiefest men to be hang∣ed, and their bodies burnt: The sentence was suddenly execu∣ted, and at their death they confest, not this crime alone, but many, more enormous, they had committed. After this, the women wel•• satisfied, reembarked themselves with their goods, and returned happily to their husbands at Brasil.

The rest of these Pirates were sent to Goa to be executed, but arriving there sick, by hard usage and grief, at the intreaty of the Fathers of the Society, they were put into the Hospital, where they staid three moneths before they recovered their healths; Then they were sent to prison, from whence they were carried in a boate to the place they had robbed, Don Sancho Sapatero, where their right hands were cut off, and brought back to Goa, hanged, and burnt: behold the shamefull and just end of those miserable Pi∣rates, which may serve for example to all those that take such un∣just, and dangerous course of life.

Now returning to Malabar and Coromandell, I will relate a∣mongst others the Wonder of those two Coasts, so different, that being divided by the long Mountains of Gates, one to the West, the other to the East, they have contrary seasons, for in that that reaches from Cambaye to Comori, they have their winter

from Aprill to September, with rains, tempests, thunders and windes,* 1.226 and the same time in the other appeares a summer, most plea∣sant and benign, and in the other moneths the contrary, and this contrariety in the same degree and elevation, which is a wonder puzles all Astronomers and naturall Philosophers.

CHAP. XX. Of the Isle of Zeilan, where they fish for pearles, and charme certain great fishes, an Idole of a Monkeyes tooth, an Isle deserted for the intestation of spirits, and of the Isles Maldives.

LEaving the Coast of Malabar, and the Cape Comori, that dis∣cover the Isle Malaberi, or Zeilan, and Geilan, one of the best in all India, extending from North to South. Southward lies the Cape Berebeli, or Berbert, opposite to Comori; on an other side lies the Coast of Coromandell, divided from the other by a Gulfe: South-west lie the Maldives, Northward the Gulfe Ben∣gala, and the Indian and Sumatian sea Eastward, The Inhabi∣tants call her Tenarisin, well peopled, hath many great Towns, faire and navigable rivers, large and safe harbours; this Isle yeilds such plenty both of riches and pleasures, that the Inha∣bitants grow very grosse and corpulent, and as if their bellies were blown up.

The aire is temperate, the soyle fruitfull in all things, and chief∣ly in wood, cinamon,* 1.227 called Esquisde, the best and finest of the East: it abounds also in pepper, ginger, and nutmeggs; they ga∣ther the cinnamon in March and Aprill, which cleaves with much ease, then lay it a fortnight a sunning, which increases it's strength and vertue; They gather it but every second year, be∣cause the bark of one yeares growth is little worth, yet they di∣still it with certain juices, and Ladies use them with the water to make them smell sweet, mingled with orange flowers, and other perfumes.

This tree is of the height and shape of a laurell tree, bearing kernells, or berries, the trunk or body is longer and streighter, the leafe larger, and fuller of strings, hath no smell at all, and full ripe, and ready to pill, the leaves fall, which tast and smell like the barke, but without any vertue. This cinnamon, or barke, newly pilled, hath no tast, more then any other common wood, but laid in the Sun fifteen dayes, gets so great a

a strength, that it is impossible to eat above the bignesse of a good pea, such is the heat and vigour. I have seen of this spice at Zei∣lan onely, and in another country of the West-Indies, 26. degrees off this side the lyne, called Cheit, where the Inhabitants burn more, then eat of it; they use it in their sacrifices, and to burn their treasure in. The Arabians call the Cinamon Quirsa, the Persians Darchini, the Zeilaners Cardo, in Malabar 'tis called Camea, and by the Malayans Caysmon.

That country abounds in most excellent fruits, pasture, and all sorts of beasts, in Elephants, and all sorts of fowl, which are very cheap.* 1.228 Most of the Inhabitants plant Cinamon, and make great esteem of the oyle they draw from it, which is very odoriferous, and useful for many things.

There are gold and silver mynes, but they have great want of workmen. For the Islanders are slothful, and vicious. The country is well stored with butter and hony,* 1.229 but not in su∣gar, which is brought them from their neighbouring countries: There are many mynes and precious stones and jewels, whereof the most in esteeme is one of Rubies,* 1.230 which is at one end of the Isle towards the East; and although they are not of the best in the world, yet they are passable. There are Chrysolites, Topazes, Ja∣cinthes, and Granatts. At one side of the Isle called Betala, Bateca∣lon,* 1.231 there is a fishing of pearls, dangerous, for the Turbets a fish that devoures, both fishermen and nets; yet they have an art to charm them, and make them uncapable of doing harm. They fish for pearl only in April, in other places in May, and in some others in June. The King receives great profit from this fishing, taking the tenths of the fairest for his share. 'Tis said that the King hath the fairest, and largest Ruby in the world called Matouca,* 1.232 and that a Prince of Tartarge offered him a fair and rich Province in ex∣change.

In a word; this Isle is one of the richest of the world, and of great commerce in all commodities, which renders the King both wealthy and potent; for from the Ruby myne alone, he deduces a vast treasure, though he hath sold a corner of it which is of great value, yet all those that surpasse four or five Abir or Car∣rats, belong unto him.

The Rubies of Pegu are something high coloured, and the fi∣nest of the East. The Master workmen can adde to their colour, and make them finer, in which they shew much experience. In this Isle the Portuguese have a Fort on India side without the town of Columbo, by which means they keep the town in subjection.

All this Isle for the most part is governed by a King, elected like him of Ormus,* 1.233 but this King is not tributary to Portugal, as the other is; so that he stands but in a voluntary subjection, having permitted that Fort for commerce sake, esteeming the Portuguese valiant and faithful to their allyes.

This King hath formerly possessed great territories and king∣domes in the continent. He is a Gentill in religion, magnanimous and liberal, Governs his subjects in peace, and quietnesse, and keeps good correspondence with his neighbour Princes: The Isle is held to be 500. miles about. The people are rather fair then Brown, there dwell no Jewes, but many Mahometans. Both men and women are richly apparelled, begirt with girdles of jewels of value. Women do but overcharge their eares with pearles, Rubies, and Diamonds; The country language is the same as is spoken at Malabar. There grow great store of Oranges in this Isle, and the Inhabitants delight in eating the rinde, which is as good as those of Lemmons. They drink Areca, and other de∣licious drinks, mingled with sugar and cinnamon. They make some drinks will inebriate like wine, both men and women drink of it; and when they are intoxicated, they go to sleep. They have five sorts of Date trees, which augments their trade; there grows a herb called Nabuc, whereof they make oyle, as well tasted as that of Palmes; the cinnamon oyle is too strong.

The Inhabitants of Bengale, and Coromandel, trade much in this Isle, whither they come to truck Indian rarities, but they go as much to make merry, and carrouze with them, as for com∣merce; they eat Rice-bread, as they do throughout the Indies.* 1.234 Trees are green throughout the year, and one fruit extrudes ano∣ther, the soyle is so fertile; the trade of Cinnamon belongs to the King onely, as do the mynes, gemmes, gold, and silver; the best haven of the Isle is Camouch, or Cosmuche, at the mouth of the River, the town is ill built. The ayr is good on Coromandel side,* 1.235 and is divided, but by a little streight, not much longer then Gibral∣tar, but more dangerous, because the waves raise banks of sand which make it the more dangerous for vessels of great burthen, forced to enter the Isle on the other side called Betala, or the pearl-fishing.

Zeilan is held to be the ancient Taprobane, and others with more reason say she was anciently called Sumatra, however this Isle hath ever been potent, formerly governed by one King, of the race of the Sun, or at least from thence he pretended himself descended.

This King was dethroned by one of Jafanapatan,* 1.236 and since the country hath been divided into several kingdomes. The Portu∣guais warred with the King of Jafanapatan, who overthrown, was constrained to deliver up the Isle of Manar,* 1.237 which they fortified, and inhabit to this day: the Christians were grievously oppressed, by the Badages their neighbours, barbarous people, & great thieves,* 1.238 but the Portuguese subdued them at last. In this invasion the Por∣tuguese amongst other things took that famous Idol made of the tooth of a Monkey, adored by all the Indians of those parts,* 1.239 and enriched with Jewels. The King of Pegu so highly esteemed it, that he sent yearly Ambassadours thither, to take the print of it upon

Amber, Musk, and other perfumes which he had great reverence unto:* 1.240 and since it was taken, he offered to redeem it at a great rate, but they christian-like, chose rather to destroy that Idolatry, then to reap a profit thereby, and so they burnt it; and from it, there came a most stinking and black smoak. They relate many fables of that white Monky named Hanimam, that he had been a God, expelled heaven, for some fault committed, and Metamor∣phosed into a Monkey, coming from the land of Badages, or— thence into Ceitan where after his death he was adored, and his tooth kept as a relique. The sea between the Cape Comori, the lower Chilao,* 1.241 and the Isle Zelan was called Pescaria Delle Perse, a place of pearl-fishing, which lasts about 50. days, and at the point where they begin to fish, upon a sudden many Cabbins and Booths are erected,* 1.242 to last during the fishing onely; then they that can, dyne, and fill their bagges with oysters, and by a rope tyed about their middle, are pulled up again, and every fisher makes his own heap. The seasons are not alwayes favourable alike, some more, some lesse, and some seasons very dangerous, by reason of several fishes that devour the fishers, and other fishes will crop off a thigh or arme of a man, as close and even as a hangar, and those the Por∣tugais call Poccaspada, this fish hath two rowes of teeth, very sharp and long: and therefore to prevent the danger, they have Magicians that charme the fishes: upon a time a fisher-man ready to be devoured by a fish had his mouth open, and with∣in two fingers of reaching him,* 1.243 suddenly the Wisard (who was present) cryed out Veruas, which signifies, come out or charm, and the fish left him; and the man having a sword in his hand, struck a blow or two, and the fish swam away, leaving the Sea dy'd with his blood. At night when they go to rest, they dissolve their charmes,* 1.244 because no one should venture to fish; There are cer∣tain Commissioners to set a rate upon the pearle, according to the season: and there are of fine sorts of pearls, some like stars, others half stars, others called Pedrati, which are much esteemed, and divided into five parts; The Merchants stand in order to buy them.

The Portugese have those of greatest price, which they call Quercos, the Bengalians the seconds, the Canaranians the thirds; the Cambayans have the smallest: and the last which are of little worth, fall to the Jewes there, which they polish for deceit.

It is a gallant sight to see so many Merchants together, and so many heaps of pearles, before every Cabbin, which within few dayes are all pull'd down. The best pearl is fished in the Chan∣nel of Setin,* 1.245 near to Zeilan, where they use flat-bottome boats, called Tune, because they have little bottome: some are gotten at the other side of Chilao between Manar, and the Continent. There is no pearl to be found in all the East, except in this place, and at Baharem,* 1.246 in the Persick gulph, and the Isle Aynan near

China; those taken at Baharem are bigger, but they are taken here in greater number. The whole Coast of Malabar, from Co∣mori fifty leagues in length, or thereabouts, inhabited by people called Paravians, is much frequented for this fishing,* 1.247 where fifty or three score thousand Merchants resort to that pur∣pose.

The Paravians are Christians, and were instructed by St. Francis Ilaverius, and live under the protection of the Portuguesse, who have protected them from the Tyranny of the Mahometans, their neighbours.

South-west of the Isle of Zeilan, are the Maldives, many in number, dangerous to Saylers, for the shelves of sand and rocks:* 1.248 I will say no more of them, because my knowledge is but small, besides, they have amply and exactly been described by others; but I will say something of a wonderfull Isle, on the Coast of Malduce, Southward, some ten degrees remote from the Line, and called Patovi, or Polovis, now deserte, though formerly in∣habited and flourishing; which (as I learnt since at Pegu,) was Governed by a Prince, called Argiac, a Potent King of many I∣lands and Kingdomes, he having many children by severall wives, gave this Island to one of the gallantest amongst them,* 1.249 called Ab∣denac, for his portion, with several Treasures: this Abdenac was pos∣sest of it peaceably for five yeares space; his elder brother called Argiac, after their Father, and King of Achez, in Sumatra, refu∣sed him the share of Treasure his father had left him, the other enraged, craved the assistance of the King of Bengala, who furnish∣ed him with ships, with which he invaded his brother, burnt his Townes, and put to death most part of his followers, but re∣ceived a mortall wound himself, and returning into his Island with the Treasures he had regained of his brother, and finding himself near death▪ distributed his wealth, and bequeathed his Island to be inherited by his Duma, or evill spirit, intreating him to preserve it till the day of Judgement, and that he then hoped to return into the World.

This Will made, he dyed, and had no other sepulchre then the bowells of his Alliance and Friends, according to the Custome of that Countrey, where in many places they eat the dead flesh of their Kindered, and near Relations; perswading themselves, the Soule to be sooner at rest, then if they permit∣ted the corpes to putrifie, and to be consumed by the wormes, and that there could be no Sepulchre so Honourable, as the bowells of a deare friend.

This Island falling to the devils share, he became so turbulent, that from the very time he took possession, the Island was not ha∣bitable, and all the Inhabitants forced to retire into the ad∣jacent Isles: ever since this place remained desert, yet there are great store of birds and beasts▪ sometimes the

Maldivians have landed there by chance, but have been for∣ced immediately to retreate,* 1.250 the evill spirits do so perplex them, they raise great tempests on that sea. Being at Pegu, I heard a Magitian had promised the King to bring him some birds, and the Treasures of Abdena out of the Country, but the Demons did so perturb him, he could not effect his promise; for as he was taking footing in the Isle, and beginning his conjurations, he had writ upon a leafe, and put into the hands of one of his boldest disciples, they were by the illusions of the devill so suddenly terrified, that the miserable disciple fell dead upon the place, and the Master Magician was so horridly beaten, and dragged by the devills to the ship side, that his companions had onely time to reembarke him, and hoist sayles for Pegu. All the rest were strangely tormented and beaten, except the Masters Mate, and the Seamen, that were wiser, for knowing the condition of the place, they would not put foot on land, which afterwards they were very glad of.

Thus was the Magitian soundly beaten, and 'twas almost past his skill to recover himselfe, but more of him another time.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Kingdom of Bisnegar, or Narsingue, of the King, his Bramins, or Priests, of Melia∣par, where (they say) reposes the body of St. Thomas the Apostle, with a strange History of a Beare.

* 1.251UPon the Coast of Coromandell, in the East of Malabar are the Kingdomes of Bisnegar, Orixa, Mandao, and others. Bes∣naga, or Marsingue, hath a King, formerly the most puissant of the India's, amongst the Gentills, and was esteemed their Empe∣rour, and gave his Lawes from Gemora, to Orixa and Bengale, to Goa, Onoe, and Baticola, and many other places were under his Dominion, but at this time he is much weakned, yet he esteemes himself very potent, and assumes very superbous and high Titles, as God of the great Provinces, King of Kings, and Lord of the whole Universe.

* 1.252'Tis reported that in an expedition against Italca, he Mus∣tered seven hundered thousand of Infantry, forty thousand Ca∣valry, horse-armed, and seven hundered Elephants; Bisnegar is the name of the Kingdom, and cheife Town, Negapatan her Haven, the Towne of Bisnegar is faire and large, lying

in the 17. degree 10. dayes journey from Narsingue, and eight from Goa: we came for trade, and to put off our commodities, that paid 4. per cent. viz. those that came from the West, as cloaths, scarlets, paper, saffron, all sorts of Iron and Lary ware, except horse-bits, that pay but two per cent. in the India's:* 1.253 Horses are very small here as in Swethland, but very high prized; the Persian horses are the dearest, because they are the biggest and strongest: The Prince of Bisnegar, is stiled Benganera, or Vente cupati, which signifies great King, and most magnificent in his State, potent in Elephants and Horses, which he maintaines with the Gabells of the Countrey; and the easier to procure horse to strengthen himself against his enemies the toles are abated.

Some few years before we came to this Town of Bisnegar,* 1.254 it was assaulted and sack't by four Kings of the Mores, all very potent and united to ruine this Prince: These Kings were Idal∣can, Nisamulaco, Cotamulaco, and a Brother-in-law of his called Sultan Jordas, Prince of the Kingdom of Viridi or Var:* 1.255 Their hatred was that this King of Bisnegar was an Idolater, and they Mahometans.

Two Moorish Captains were corrupted to betray their Masters, and the day the battle was fought they turned about, and proved the destruction of the Town, that was that day sack't, and taken by the confederate Kings, and the King thereof put to flight into another strong Town called Panigont,* 1.256 or Panicota, where there stood a strong Castle surrounded with a great River, and deep trenches, ten dayes journey off Bisnegar. The enemies pursued him thither, and gave him a second battle, where this Prince met with better successe, and defeated them, and had utterly disper∣sed them, without the auxiliaries lent them by the King of Tran∣siane, a mortall enemy of this Prince:* 1.257 There he took prisoner one of the perfidious Captains, made him an example,* 1.258 causing him to be nailed on a Crosse, and to be shot to death with arrows, having rallied a puissant Army to recover his Town of Besnegar, he boldly resolved to fall upon Transiane,* 1.259 and to seize of Time∣ragi's Countrey, who had given his enemies their greatest assist∣ance; there he made great spoyle, sacking, and burning all before him, before Timeragi could resist him.

He destroyed 22. Towns, being advanced unto Gondariane Capitall of that Kingdom, he put all to fire and sword,* 1.260 and burnt Timeragi's sumptuous pallace, his wife and children, before Ti∣meragi could stop his cruelties, passing thorough Lazaray, leaving all places desolate where ever he past, untill he returned to Panigoni, having spent but three months in this expedition.

He returned not soon enough to recover Bisnegar, for his enemies had strongly fortified it, and every one had their post

assigned them, Dealcan, on Panigont side, the others at other places: the mean time these four Kings enjoyed this Countrey which they plundered, and to strengthen themselves against the Inhabitants, most affectionate and faithfull to their Prince, they commanded all Merchants and other persons of estate in that Isle to bring in horse, and Elephants promising payment: They were brought in in great numbers,* 1.261 but when they had possession of them they turned back the right owners without any satisfacti∣on, which was no small losse to them.

* 1.262The Town of Bisnegar, otherwise called Chandegry, is eight leagues about, and is so populous and powerfull, that she finds her Prince a hundred thousand horse.

* 1.263Narsingue the Capitall of the Country is of the compass of Flo∣rence, stately built, but their covering takes much from their beauty, being not permitted to use tyle, which otherwise they have great store of. This Town is partly scituate upon a hill pretty eminent 3. leagues round: There is a most sumptuous pal∣lace, covered with tyle, where symmetry and uniformity is exactly observed;* 1.264 the Town is bounded on one side with the Sea, the other side with a great River, the Town is well peopled, and thatched, with a course straw reed or rush.

The King maintaines a numerous Militia, that makes him for∣midable to all the East. No man can inhabit there without expresse leave from the King: and no person is admitted that appears not an honest and candid person, Merchants, strangers, and passengers, have commodious habitations allotted them, paying the ordinary duties.* 1.265 They live quietly, for justice is impartially dispensed, and the lawes are so well observed, that none breaks them for fear of punishment. The Citizens are obliged by oath to serve the king when ere he commands upon pain of life, or amputation of hands and feet, to keep his army more full he entertains the fairest wo∣men in the world,* 1.266 most gallantly dressed, and are onely courted by the great ones, and the gallantest persons: many strange Lords and Princes flock hither, to fight under Mars and Ve∣nus, but they are not admitted to the Ladies, untill they have shewed some Trophies of their valour, in some gallant exploit for the Princes service; then they are courted by the Ladies, honoured and respected by the King, who by fre∣quent presents and obligations, hurry them on to greater actions. Some of them abstain from women to keep their strength and vigour, boasting to feed upon Lions, Bears, and Tigars, and drink the bloud of the cruellest and wildest beasts, such is their Gallantry, and thus they decline effeminacy. They use them∣selves to very violent exercises, to war, wrastling, hunting, feeding on strengthning foods onely. They anoint their bo∣dies with certain unxious commixtions or oyles to harden their skin. They seldome fight in battle-ray, their High-Priests or

Bramins, lead on their Armies, who dare not stir,* 1.267 if the Bramins are not in the head of them, and when two Parties or Armies cannot agree, several persons are called out to decide the quarrell: and when they have fought sufficiently, a retreat is sounded, and judgement is given of the victory, sometimes they are commanded to fall on again. Those Bramins are wise,* 1.268 and well-composed persons, they never permit their Kings to engage their whole Armies, at the great expense of their Subjects bloud, and therefore few pitched battles are fought, between those Indian Kings; at least the Idolaters; for the Mahometans they are otherwise governed.

When this King intends war to any neighbouring Prince,* 1.269 or Stranger, he marches forth of his capitall Town, accompa∣nied with all his Nobility, in battle-ray, with all his horse and foot, and Elephants in good order, as if he were ready to march, Then the King mounted on a stately courser, marches towards the Country he declares war unto, and lets fly an arrow: immediate∣ly many persons ride their circuits with flaming torches in their hands, to give notice of the day they are to attend their King, at the capitall Town; and the field Marshals, keep the passa∣ges, and let none passe but who are fit for war; if war be car∣ried far off, their houses are commanded to be burnt, that the whole families may go to war, they onely uncover their houses, for their houshold-stuffe, and goods are preserved in a publick place built for that purpose. The people thus disposed follow their Prince with resolution, and most freely expose themselves to all danger.

They load their Elephants, and Horses,* 1.270 with iron and steel hoops three fingers broad, keen as rasors, which they use in fight; they dart them with so strange and dextrous a strength, and fleetnesse, that an arrow shot from a good arm flyes not swifter, with these instruments they make large wounds, most of them mortall and incurable, poysoning the instruments, besides these Armes they carry swords and bucklers of severall fashions, jave∣lines, bowes, and crosse-bowes, and some fire-pikes, they go so furiously to fight, little regarding their lives to serve their Prince. Paleacate is another noble Town and haven in Bisnegar,* 1.271 upon the gulf Bengale; The Inhabitants are Gentiles, and profess the same law as at Malabar and Calicut, never eating beef; they war perpetually with Ternassari, onely for Religion sake, and are friends with Calicut; so are most of the Town upon the same gulf, as Aremogan, Bigara, Caricola, Putifama, and other fair harbours belonging to the King of Bisnegar.

The inhabitants of Paleacate are courteous, and civil, yet you must be cautious of them, they wear neither breeches nor drawers but a loose long cassock, and cloak over it, of silk, or some fine stuf, with a cap of the same, and pumps very neatly made, and go bare∣leg'd,

their cassocks reach to their ankles. The women wear Tur∣kish coats loose, silk stockings, and buskins richly faced: this town hath great commerce, and hither are brought from Pegu and other places all their rich commodities and jewels.

Between Paleacate and Narsingue, is a great vale, overgrown with stately trees like Sicamores, yielding a continuall moy∣sture, like unto those in the Isle of Fer in the Canaries; this vale is continually covered with clouds, and very deep, it resem∣bles a perpetuall night, the Sun never appearing, the roads are hard to hit, this vale is a good mile in length, and discovering the great and adjacent plains, you are in another world; there runs a little River out of the vale, one end of the plain is planted with Sugar-canes: there are three Sugar works that furnish the Inhabi∣tants with work all the year long; They have not the art to refine it, but make it up in powder, with these canes they feed their cattle; as horses, bufflers, and swine, which makes their flesh very sweet & delicious, and Doctors prescribe swines flesh to sick persons, and indeed it is sweeter and wholsomer than mutton, because of the clean feeding.

* 1.272Near Paleacate stands Meliapur, or St. Thomas, a pretty fair Town, where the Portuguese have a Fort; here 'tis said St. Thomas the Apostle preached, and is interred; for the province of Parthia falling to his lot, he came into the Indies, and to Coulan: others say he was first at Socotora, towards the Arabick gulf, from thence to Granganor, then to Coulan, where being persecuted by the King of that place, he came to Coromandell, and to this Town of Melia∣pur, where he suffered martyrdom. Many are of opinion he came into Pegu,* 1.273 and to China, for there are many monuments of Christia∣nism all over the Indies; yet 'tis likelier that the Indies were since converted by one Panthenus a Grecian Philosopher, about the year 200. and rather since by Aedesius, and Frumentius, who planted there the Christian faith; the latter whereof was the first Bishop, in the time of S. Athanasius, as hereafter we shall say more at large, since this they sent into Armenia, for sit instructers, and the Patriark sent them some itinerant ones, and have continued thus ever since. The Armenians had the holy Bible in the Chaldean tongue;* 1.274 however 'tis generally believed St. Thomas was buried here, where he was martyred by the Bracmanes, and the King of Sagamo: others say he dyed in the Town of Calamine, and was buried at Meliapur, which are one and the same Town;* 1.275 and indeed to this day the memory and name of him is much esteemed, and reverenced by the Natives, by the Gentiles, and Moors themselves. Many other pla∣ces of these Indies pretend to have the shrine of this glorious Saint: from thence 'tis said he was translated to Edesse, and from thence into Europe to Otoa: There are many more Churches dedicated to St. Thomas,* 1.276 five leagues from Cochin there is a fair one, but abused by the Gentiles, who have got it by force,

and the Christians revenues; many miracles are wrought at the shrine of this great Saint, and amongst the Panaims, many are de∣vout unto him.

It was revealed to one, he was not in the true way, and that he should go into Aethiopia towards Albana, to be instructed in the true faith, which he did accordingly, and was baptized, and by his piety and holy life, succeeded in the charge of Albuna.

The Christians of this place do yet retain some of the instructi∣ons left them by Saint Thomas, but are very ignorant of the prin∣ciple Articles of faith; they do not understand prayer, and there is great difficulty to reduce them to the right way: they have left the Idolatries, they yearly practised, sacrificing yearly to this S. (at Cou∣lan) a youth, either slave, or Freeman, voluntarily offering himself.

When a person of quality desires to dye in honour of this Saint, he makes it his request to the King; he instantly referres it to his Councel: They considering of the importance of the person, and the service he may do his country, present another request, that he may not be permitted to dye, for the use, the State can make of him: the last being granted; four of the chief of the Councel are deputed to apprehend him, and bring him before the King, who embraced him, and shewes him that both the State and himself, stand in need of him, and that 'twas necessary to pre∣serve him, and promise him in marriage; one of his favourites, making him many rich presents, he is easily altered by the Kings perswasions, acknowledges many thanks for those great favours, and returns with his new bride very well pleased and contented. I have heard of many more ridiculous superstitions, which are at present totally abolished.

The Town of Calamine or Meliapur, since Santhome, is a good haven town, on the coast of Coromandel, 53. degrees from the Gulph Bengale, subjected to the King of Bisnegar or Narsingue.

They relate many miracles wrought by the intercession of this Saint, a certain Princesse of Narsingue, daughter to King Za∣maluco, or Nizamaluco, was shut up by her husband King of Narsingue, in a fair and rich Seraglio; she was faire, vertuous, and discreet, and reputed a Christian; before her marriage she was sought for by another Prince her neighbour; after three years imprisonment in this stately Palace; upon a time the guards through some illusion, saw at a window the lively image of the Prince her first lover, the place being extremely well fenced, begirt with double ditches, almost impossible for any person to make surreptitious entrance, the guard was much astonished; the King her husband being made acquainted, moved with anger and jea∣lousie, accused the Princesse of adultery, and condemned her to drink off a glasse of poyson; no excuses her modest innocence could make, prevailing, she begged of her husband she might dye neare unto Saint Thomas his shryne; 'twas granted, and

she immediately led to the place of execution, where a fire was kindled to consume her body: she cloathed all in white, her hair hanging over her eares, covered almost all her body; took the golden bowle, and made her prayer to God, and Saint Thomas, to vouchsafe to grant her mercy; and to discover her innocency; which done, she drunk the poyson, and threw her self into the fire, where without the least harme either to her person, or cloathes, she remained upon her knees, continuing her prayers to almighty God, untill all the wood was consumed; she safe∣ly came out of it to the great astonishment, and admiration of all the admiring spectators; and being helped into her litter, was carried to Narsingue, brought into her chamber, and was never since in the power of the King her husband: she spent the re∣mainder of her dayes, recluse, in great abstinence and au∣sterity.

There are many Christians in Meliapur, and some Churches, as Saint Paul belonging to the society Saint Bartholomew, Saint Thomas, the most honoured, and reverenced in the Indies: The ships arriving here, of the Christians, Idolaters, and Maho∣metans too, give great charities in honour of this Saint. From Pa∣leacate,* 1.277 and other places they come hither on pilgrimage. The Portuguese that inhabit here, are imployed in making Indian or earthen vessels, diversely, and prettily painted, they do it with the juyce of a root called Saya, and the more you wash them, the livelyer the colours appear. There is a good har∣bour,* 1.278 and great trading, they resort hither from all parts of the Indies. The people of Sandanes exchange their Nutmegs for that earthen ware,* 1.279 and other commodities are brought from Malaca and Goa, They trade much in Clove-Gilliflowers, which are cheap.

But before I leave Bisnegar, you shall hear what I learnt at a town called Sigistan, or Sagistan, near that country, being upon a time in one of the Inhabitants houses, who are very civill, and courteous,* 1.280 and much taken with our conversation: By chance I spyed the picture of a Bear playing with a young girle, and in∣quiring the meaning thereof, a most prodigious story (if true, which I question much) was related me. A Prince named Isma∣han,* 1.281 that raigned many Moones, (for so they reckon their years) in the Province of Bozari,* 1.282 since Sigistan, going a hunting, took a female Beare, and her cub that followed her, which he pre∣served, till on a time one of the Lords servants, bitten by the Dam, killed her, then the cub was kept alone, run up and down the house, and in time grew tame.

This Prince had a daughter about eight yeares of age, that de∣lighted much to play with the Cub, & fed him with her own hands; the young Bear was continually at her heeles. The young Lady (Agarida was her name) fell sick,* 1.283 the Bear lay under her bed and

refused all food that came not from her own hand; she recovering continued her care, in keeping of him sweet and clean, teaching him many tricks, which he readily learnt, and most dexterously performed. The Lady-Mother one day perceiving the Bear to pull up her daughters coats, to lick her feet; angry to see such familiarities and carresses; commanded a servant to beat Sa∣gistan, (for so was the Bear named) the beast of an immense growth, though but 15. months old, flew upon the man (armed with a cudgel onely) very furiously, and strangled him, and ano∣ther servant came to help him, upon the place: this set a strange Alarum through the house, all running headlong to kill the beast, that made a most strange slaughter, and got into the wood, and of three years there was no tidings of him. The unfortunate La∣dy Agarida took a walk by a little Rivers side, accompanied with many Ladyes more: The Bear suddenly appeared, soon scattered the company, snatched up Agarida in his pawes, and made away with her so swiftly, 'twas impossible to rescue her; nor could she be found, for any search they made: The Bear carried her to a remote and obscure cave, where he kept her many years, and stole another girle to attend her: These two women made a shift to get food, and other commodities, and have since related strange stories of the beast, and actions worthier a rational, then an ir∣rational creature; I was told most strange things of the animal; That Agarida had five sonnes by him, all gallant men, with∣out the least shape or resemblance of the beast. That they left the woods at ten years of age, and built themselves a Cabbin or house to dwell in. But one of Agarida's Brothers hunting in the woods, kild Sagistan with a dart. She enraged with disdain, sent her sons to her fathers Palace to revenge him, and according∣ly they kild their two Uncles: Ismahan their Grand-father, en∣deavoring to have them seized on, and ignorant who they were, was slain also with two of the five brothers; The other three escaping, made themselves so Formidable, that none durst meddle with them; and hearing of the King of Bisnagar's wars, they offered him their service, bearing for arms, the figure of Sagi∣stan their father. The King informed of their strange birth, and ad∣ventures; gave them great commands in his Army, their behaviour shewed their desert, for they exploited so high and unconceivable actions, that one of them married the Sultane of Bisnegar,* 1.284 the other the Sultanes daughter, from whence sprung that illustrious family of the Sagistans, that hath given the name to that town: whereof those two brothers were the first founders.

This was related me of this history, or fable rather, held for a verity in those parts to this day: all Peoples, States, Townes,* 1.285 and illustrious families have their springs, and beginnings, fabu∣lous, and Romantick. I have heard a story affirmed of a Spanish Captains wife, caught in adultery with another by her husband;

for punishment he was satisfied to expose them both into a desert Island; the man presently dying, the woman was accosted by a great Monkey or Drill, by which she had two children, and at the three years end a ship sayling by, discovered this miserable crea∣ture, liker a phantasme then a human creature, she naked with teares in her eyes begged to be released from this horrid and cru∣ell captivity, which they did, and reembarking, the Monkey per∣ceiving, full of rage, in her sight tore his whelps in pieces, and threw them at her; she was carried to Lisbon, where the Inquisitors informed of her case, caused her to be apprehended; and had been proceeded against, had not Cardinal Cayetan, the then Popes Nuntio, taken her cause in hand, and setting forth the vio∣lent necessity she was forced to, to yield to that beast, that had found her sustenance for three whole yeares; saved her from the execution, and she ended her dayes in all holinesse and sanctity of life and repentance. There are many ancient and modern histo∣ries to this purpose; all which I refer to Naturalists, and Divines.

CHAP. XXII. Of the kingdome of Bengala, and Ternassery, of musk, some rare remarks of the River Ganges, of the Torrid Zone, and the conversion of a young Prince Idolater, to Christianisme.

* 1.286FOllowing the coast of Coromandel, and the gulph Bengale you come to Ternassery, which is held to be between the Cosamba of Ptolome, a kingdom lying between Bengal, Narsingue, Orixa, and the sea; the Capital town, bearing the same name, is scituate upon the side of the sea, and a fair River called Zayta, making a little Island where stands another town of the same name. She hath plenty of all things, necessary to life. Their cowes are low, and their horns grow only skin deep. The sheep have neither horns nor wool, their skin as smooth as a calves, there grows great store of long Pepper called Casay, they preserve of it, and eat it all the year long with sugar & vinegar, which gives it a pleasant taste; in the middle of the Isle is a Lake that breeds good fish, better then any the River affords, it is called Ademas. It affords you Trouts (the most savory fish of the East) Pykes and Shads taken in March only, & are Sea-fish. They never eat the head, because there is a worm found in it, which makes that fish chuse the rapid waters, and swim aloft, by the streams affording him much refreshment.

The Town of Ternassery is large and pleasant, well built,* 1.287 not walled on the River side, but strengthned by some Forts well for∣tified and provided: she is scituate in a plain, with a Castle on the North, with an inclosure or Parke, fenced with a great ditch, where the Queen keepes a breed of stately Mares, given her by her Father, who recovered them of an Indian Prince that owed him money, which he could no otherwise recover, for in that Country horses beare a great value.

The King of Ternassery is provided with good Cavalry, which renders him potent and formidable, he is of Person strong, and Robuste, and wars continually with the King of Narsingue, and Bengale. The Narsinguer would indamage him much, did he joyne with the other, but he is so generous he scornes it.

This King is a Gentill, and hath above a thousand Elephants trained up to Warr, and of the largest size of the East; cover∣ed to the very ground with beefes hides, and severally trapped; those hides are fastned underneath the belly, with iron chaines, and are hardly got off, four men may fight on their backs at a time, without the least incumbrance to one another, bearing broad bucklers, made of Tortoyse shells, taken in that River; he that rides the trunk to guide the beast, is the best Armed of the five, because he lies open to the enemy; their darts have three very sharp points, or heads, with a ball of iron upon the middle, which serves for counterpoise. 'Tis a warr-like Nation, yet curteous, civill, and voluptuous; they have fair women, which they Court and Treat in gardens full of rare fruits. They have Cattell, Poul∣try, and fowle of all sorts, they delight much in perfumes in their meates and dresses, and chiefly in Musk, called Sagay.* 1.288 The best Musk is not drawne from the codd, nor blood of the beast, but from a certain swelling, or rising upon the lower part of his belly, at the full of the Moone, and that is the sweetest of all: for there gather the humors mixt with the blood, and Impostume∣like rise and break, which dryed cast so lively and searching sent, that it drawes blood from the very nose. The codds and skin, with some of the flesh are tyed fast together, from which they draw their ordinary Musk, mingling therewith a little of the bet∣ter sort.

I quartered at a Jewes, who confest to me he had drawne thir∣teen or foureteen codds or bunches from one beast; They are of the bignesse of a Goate, and have foure teeth bigger then the rest, two ascending streight upward, and the other two oppositely de∣scending. Their childrenweare of those teeth about their necks, set in silver & gold, as in some places of France they wear wolve's; Per∣sons of Quality set them in a wood, called Betell, that hath a strange vertue against poyson, called by the Aethiopians, Euate,* 1.289 whereof they make dishes, and trenchers of severall sorts, much esteemed, and sought for by the Great Ones, studded and gar∣nished

with gold and silver, jewells, ivory, and hart's-horn, which they hold to be an antidote against poyson: which I have experi∣enced in many other diseases, as the green sicknesse in women, taken in the juyce of a reddish cich pea boyled, with harts-horn poudred, mingled with steel, the weight of half a Crown, with the double quantity of sugar, taken every morning for twelve or fifteen dayes together: This is an approved and infallible reme∣dy against the green-sickness, and jaundize, yellow or black; they have a beastly custome, to betray the virginity of their young daughters to any strangers that are not tawny, be they Christians, or Mahometans, but not to Gentiles nor Idolaters, the women burn themselves after the decease of their husbands.

From Fernassery we passed to Ausly, a Town upon the North of Narsingue, on the east of Bengale, and lyes southward, to the main sea, Governed by a Mahometan Prince, Potent by sea and Land, and sworn enemy to the Portuguese, with whom they make Warr. The Town is provided with all necessaries for Warr, and hath a large Harbor, of capacity to contain a good Fleet, the mouth thereof Southward, which is chained in, in case of necessity. He is Master of another Town, called Quelba,* 1.290 since Maturane, strong, and well furnished with shipping, and small Frigates, wherewith they scowr that sea, to the damage of the Portuguese, they often fight on both sides, reduced to streights. This Kings Treasure chiefly consists in three, Diamond, Rubies, and Jacynth mines, be∣sides all sorts of Groceries and Spices, Their frigats, or Busses, are caulked with a certain hearb, and Mastick is used in stead of Pitch; They are built in such a manner they can hardly sink, and saile with much security, The Vice-Roy of Indies being upon a time informed of that Kings intentions, to send his fleet to the Grand Jave, to wait for the Spice fleet; he set forth two great men of warr, with two more, St. Maloes men, who drawing to∣wards that Haven, feigned an escape from shipwrack, and the bet∣ter to play their game, tore all their sayles in peeces, hiding their Canon and Soldiers under Deck.

They met with those Busses loaden, and returning home, desi∣red their assistance, to hale, and tow them along unto Maturane, that there they might mend their sayles, and they promis'd a reward for their service, the Mahometans, enemies to the Christians, re∣solved to conduct them thither, and there to use them at will, and having tow'd them two nights and a day to that Haven, suddenly the others plaid with their Canon, and seizing unawares of the place, made great slaughter amongst those miserable creatures, burnt their fleet, sack't the Town, and full fraught with rich plun∣der, they retired. The two French ships not satisfied with the pillage, let the Town all on fire, which was easie to effect, (as I have said of other places) the houses were all thatched with palme; returning homeward, not victualled sufficiently for so

much company, their thoughts having been wholly taken up with Treasure, they cast the men over Decks, and landed the women in an Isle. The mean time two Portuguais ships sayling by, and seeing the Town a fire, the Inhabitants fled, seized of the Haven, plundered the rest of the Town at leisure, and loaden with rich prises they found in a Magazine untouched, They retired with their booty, ignorant of the cause and manner of the destruction of the Town; such are the good, and bad fortunes of sea-faring men.

Leaving the Coast of Coromandell, we came to the Kingdom of Bengale,* 1.291 the chiefe Town whereof beares the name, or at least so called by the Portuguese, and other Nations, & by the Natives Bata∣couta, one of the greatest antiquity in the Indies. Some would have it to be old Ganges, a Royall Town upon the River Ganges. This Kingdom of Bengale was 300 years since subdued by the great Cham of Tartary, freed her selfe since, and after that conquerred by the Parthians, or Patates, and is at last, and remains stil subjected to the great Mogull, Prince of Tartary, and Supreme Lord of all In∣dostan: and yet there remaine some Lords in that Countrey, that are Soveraignes, and obey the Mogull in a Noble manner: This Kingdom reaches 200. leagues upon the sea side, and containes the Kingdomes of Sirapu, Chandecan, Bacal, Aracan, or Mogor, and others. The Inhabitants of Bengale are Idolaters, Mahome∣tans, and some Christians, for there are Portuguaises, and Fathers of the Society.

The Town is scituate upon one of the mouthes of Ganges,* 1.292 whereof there are two Principall, in regard that river (as some persons believe, with what reason judge ye) is one of the four rivers of the Terrestriall Paradice, called Whiton, or Giho.

The opinions of the Antient and modern Authors do not agree, whether 'tis the true Ganges of the Antients, or whether old Ganges be not rather a Canton in China, or some more Eastern then this is; I leave to be decided by the most curious, and shall only say that the Portuguese take this for the true one, relying chiefly upon the name Guenga, or Gangen, which she retaines to this day; and 'tis confirmed by many relations from the great Kingdom of Tebet, or Tibet, and Cathay, and the Fathers of the Society say, they have followed that River a great way since their leaving of Lahir.

The Moors and Gentills hold there is much holiness and vertue in that River-water, and wash themselves therein thorough Ce∣remony and Superstition, as you shall hear hereafter. They say 'tis the best and the wholesomest water in the World, and sent for 500. leagues off.

Forty or fifty thousand persons bathe themselves therein at a time, and many Kings come disguised thither, her head springs out of the great hill Inde, not far from Indus, the Natives think she

springs out of the Terrestriall Paradise; at the mouth of the Ri∣ver is the Gulfe Gangetick,* 1.293 or Bengale, 500. leagues in circumfe∣rence, containing the Coasts of the Kingdomes of Narsingue, Orixa, Ternessari, Bengale, Pegu, Sian, and others, unto Malaca. I have been told that a Frenchman, named Malherbe Breton, a great traveller, had taken a particular view of this River, and had gone 400. leagues up the River, and that she hath three Mouths, or places, she disgorges her self into the sea; the one toward Pegu, the second in the middle, that makes some Islands, and the third in the Country of Chingara, and each eight or ten leagues over. That at Labas (a Royall Town of Mogor) and fourty dayes jour∣ney from Bengale, towards the North, This River is a league over, her mouth towards Bengale is in the three and twenti∣eth degree.

The Kingdom of Bengale borders Northward upon Tartary, or Mogor, and is bounded by the River Hieropec, sometime Hyphasis, that looses her self in the Indus, the bounds of Alexander the great's Conquest's in the East. Eastward is the Province Edaspa, that joynes to the Kingdom of Aracan; on an other side is the Pro∣vince of Mien, and Tapacura, under the obedience of Ben∣gale; Westward is Orixae, where is the Diamond mine, and the deserts of the Kingdom of Deli, Southward the maine In∣dian sea.

The Kings of Bengale were able to conquer the Kingdom of Deli, were not the great deserts of Damida, and the Inpenetra∣ble Forrests of Sacara interposed the two limits Southward, on the one side is the Cape Sogora, or Sagagora, and of the o∣ther, that of Castigan, or Catigan, at the third mouth of the Ganges, over against the Kingdom of Verma, where are the mines of Chrysolites, Sardonix, and Topases.

Verma hath formerly belonged unto the Kingdom of Ben∣gale, the people are very civill, and given to trade. And all Nations have free traffick, as Persians, Greekes, Abyssins, Chi∣neses, Guserates, Malabares, Turkes, Moores, Jewes, Ruffes, or Georgians, and many others.

There is great commerce of Jewells, and other Merchan∣dises, brought by the Mouth of Ganges streight to Bengale, going up six miles by land, but above twenty by water, by reason of the ebb and flow, which (as I have already said) is different from other seas, the smallest tides falling out at the full of the Moone, but when the water is at the lowest 'tis three fadome deepe round the Walls of the Town, so that ships safely enter the Haven, and are there very numerous. 'Tis thought there are fourty thousand families in the Town, and the King dwells in a stately Pallace built of brick, with faire gardens unto it. The Town is pleasantly seat∣ed.

The King keepes a great Court, followed by a gallant Nobility, and his chiefest guard consists of women, as the custom is in Jave, Sumatra and Fransiane, they put more trust in them then in men, they march very gravely, are very valiant, and expert horseriders and vaulters, use the Cimitere and buckler, and battle axes very dexterously: you must take a care to come neer them in their March, for they will abuse you, calling you Gueriaer, which sig∣nifies bold villain, the King maintains a great many of them in his Pallace, and the handsommest are richly attired.

The Sun once set, 'tis forbidden to any man to come neere the quarter, the Seraglio is kept in, it lookes upon a faire garden,* 1.294 on the side of a pleasant river, where the Ladies walke at night, and 'tis death for any man to be found there. The Captain of the guard carries in his hand a poysoned nosegay, which (as it were by chance) he puts to the nose of any person he hath a mind to kill, and he dies within two houres, or thereabouts,* 1.295 or else he causes his hands and feet to be cut off. This customary law is with more rigour executed upon the inhabitants, then upon strangers.

If the women are surprized in their amours, they run no dan∣ger, and men are very seldom exempt from punishments. One of those women being caught with a slave, was brought before the King, weeping, to excuse her fault, she said, that had she not consented to that act, the strangling of her matrix had killed her, which the King took for an excuse, and sentenc'd the slave to death, who was a Knight of Malta, and married his wife richly to a Lord of his Court.

The King of Bengale is an Idolater, as generally all the Ea∣stern are, he is valiant of Person, and can draw into the field a great Army, both of horse and foot, wanting not wherewithall to maintain them, for his Countrey is rich in gold, silver, and jewels, he can draw forth two thousand Elephants caparison'd, their teeth are shodd with steele, and they will carry as many men as those of Narsingue, they use hand-guns, muskets, swords, javelins, halle∣bards, and pikes.

The Bengalians are the gallantest Persons of the East, both men and women, both sexes go richly apparel'd and perfu∣med. All other Nations of the Indies flock thither to spend their money, and chiefly to buy young slaves to attend and guard their women, and manage their businesse; they are bought and sold as horses are here: they buy them young the safer to geld them; the Parents being poore, do not scruple to sell their children to strangers for three score, four score, and a hundred Ducates, more or lesse,* 1.296 for they are sure their children run no hazardous fortune, they being instructed in all man∣ner of Vertues. The Law is, that if a slave return to his

father, they are both enslaved to the master, untill redemption.

* 1.297The King of Bengale hath many Kings tributary to him, as the King of Apura, who payes him fifty Elephants yearly, twelve pearls of the weight of a Miticale, he yields this for the ransome of six Towns this King had taken of him in open war; he made the King of Dimali tributary to him also, for assisting his enemy King Apura, and makes him pay 50. horses with 50000. cherats or crowns yearly. The King of Orixa payes him tribute too, and many more Gentiles and Mahometans, although he himself in some manner acknowledges the great Mogull: he hath an Army ever ready to draw into the field upon an instant, the No∣bility being generally tributary, and released from that duty, are obliged to serve their Prince upon his first summons, with a certain number of horse, and other necessaries.

And when they are engaged and obliged to it, the war once ended, the King rewards them with money and favour, imbra∣cing them as his children, and after a solemn feast prepared for them, dismisses them home to repose. The Kings benign and gratefull entertninment so highly obliges them, that they spare no∣thing for their Princes service.

* 1.298The Climate is very temperate, and well air'd, that makes them live long, witnesse the Moor of Bangale, aged three hun∣dred and thirty years, in 1537. the oldest of the Countrey never knew him but old, and of the same growth, and remembred Cambaye without a Mahometan, his hair chang'd colour four times, from black to white, and he lost his teeth as often, and still they came again, he had about 700. wives in his life time, he was an Idolater for a 100. years together, and was the rest of his time a Mahometan, he was maintained by the Soldan of Cambaye, since by the Governour of Diu, although the Bengaliens lye under the Torrid Zone, they are cooled with much rain, that falls from May to mid-August, it rains from mid-day to mid-night, the other twelve hours there falls none, and that's the time they have to travell and trade in.

Such is the disposition of the air under the Torrid Zone, o∣therwise she would be dis-inhabitable for the great heats, as the Ancients believed, being not acquainted with the Countrey, nor the rains, besides many other reasons, as the nights being of the same length with the dayes, the winds, and other causes daily observed.

The Bengalians are curious, and delicious in their diet, they feed much upon preserves, and sweet-meats, for having all sorts of spices green, they confect of all sorts: the husk of the nutmegs makes an excellent conserve, so doth the long pepper and ginger bruised together. They compound an admirable drink with Areca, mingled with the confection of the leaves of Bettel; they preserve Tamur, which is a sort of palm called Tamarindi, myra∣bolans

or plums, the roots of a certain Bul-rush, Clove Gillyflower tops or buds, another root called Cucuma, and many others. They are of complexion more fair than black, their cloathings are stuffs of cotton, silk, damask, satin and velvet.

Their breeches, cassocks, or coats, are almost of the Italian mode, especially when they visit Ladies, as at Ormus. Their chiefest drink is milk, with Sugar and Cinamon; they make it of three sorts, Sugar and Cinamon are still added, and sometimes pepper, Durions, Mancoustan, and Bananes.

The Banane tree is fifteen handfull high, the trunk juycy,* 1.299 and covered with a bark, and leaves growing like the scales of fish, two foot large and five foot long, of a light green: her root growing in the ground casts out sprouts, that in time grow up to trees: when this tree is come to full growth, she puts forth from the middle of her stock, a flower of a reddish colour, about the bignesse and shape of an artichoke, whence springs a bough hung with fruit, to the number of a hundred, each a handfull in length, and four fingers large, and bears but once a year, which is held a wonder. From incisions made into the tree, there flowes good store of juyce or water, very pleasant and gustfull, in some places of the Indies they are called Masa, in others Pican, and say 'tis the tree that bears the fruit of life. In that Country Partridges are all white, and bigger than ours; there is plenty of all other fowle.

We went from Bengale in the company of many Merchants, to trade at Castigan, where were arrived some Portuguese ships, and in those meetings much is got, by the trade of gold and silver, and in the exchange of our own commodities, Castigan or Cati∣gan belongs to the kingdom of Bengale, which reaches over 400. leagues of land, and the Lordship of Aracan, a Kingdom be∣tween Bengale and Pegu, stronger by Sea than land, and wages often war with Pegu, and some years since (they say) hath swallowed up Pegu, but ruined by neighbours, and therefore the King is called King of Aracan, Tiparat, Chacomas, Bengale, and Pegu.

This King hath entertained the Fathers of the society at Chandecan, his Royal Town; and his whole state is strangely altered on a suddain, as all the East is subject to innova∣tions and changes: the strongest still overcomming the weaker.

Catigan is a good Haven Town, in the Mogor, or Mogull's Country, a great Kingdom, and rich in all sorts of cattle, in fish, rice white and black, spices, especially pepper, myrabolans, and ginger, which they candy and preserve, and is better than any grows at Cananor; the Prince of this Town called Banastarin, his Son Achamu was converted by the Fathers of the society, and ob∣tained leave of the King his father, to have a Church built for them,

he married the Princesse Cassubi a Christian Lady newly bapti∣zed,* 1.300 he followed herein the advice of those holy Fathers, for otherwise he intended to have ended his dayes in Celibat. They relate many miracles of him, amongst others, that (the first night they were bedded, offering both their prayers to God upon their knees) they were suddenly enlightned by a glorious light, and smelt many sweet perfumes, whereupon they mutually resolved to abstain from enjoyment, and dedicate the remainder of their lives to chastity and sanctity.

He left his kingdom to his Brother Agazima, desiring justice might be preserved in his Kingdom, and that he would follow the advice of Father Philip of the society. Agazima promis'd a perfor∣mance: but those Princes are all so jealous of our religion, holding that the Christians adore one God, great above the rest, that wil not suffer any others,* 1.301 disdaining to communicate himself to any, and that he sets a greater esteem and value, upon innocent poor and simple people, then upon the rich Kings and Princes; and that Prin∣ces had need to preserve to themselves the affections and obedience of their subjects, to reign with more ease: these were the seeming reasons Agazima offered his Brother, and 'tis those poor abused creatures ordinary discourse and opinion, and the difficulty they find in our religion, ignorant of the true and pure grounds thereof, that teach subjects their obedience, and subjection to their tempo∣rall Kings and Princes above all others. Of Cassubi, or Chasubi, subject to Aracan, I will hereafter speak.

* 1.302In the kingdom of Bengale is the Town of Sartagan, or Sarto∣gan, scituate upon a River, that runs and loses her self in Ganges, where the Portuguese have a fort. There are great plenty of rice, fine linnen cloaths, sugar, myrabolans, and many other drugs. The people are Gentils, and in their Temples adore many Idols strangely and horridly shap'd, others adore the first they meet, my Camarade and I being lodg'd at a Brokers house, who was happy in a sweet disposition'd, & a modest wife, as we accompanied her one day from the market:* 1.303 some of those Idolaters prostrated themselves at our feet, and begun to make their prayers to us: and were extreamly incensed, when they saw we only endeavored to disabuse them, and to laugh them out of their fopperies and idolatries, they answered, they were thus instructed by their parents, and therefore thought it just and equitable. They told me they were not of the Guzerates religion, but were absolutely opposite to Mahometanism. They esteem it a happiness to be near the Ganges, believing that water purifies them from all filth and sin, and therefore are carried thither both in health and sickness; some leave orders, that after their deaths their bodies may be burnt, and their ashes cast therein, that so they may go strait to heaven,* 1.304 others hold the same of Euphrates; and for this reason the Portuguese and other Christians abominate these rivers, and never make anyuse of the water but of

force and necessity, w^ch is a little superstitious, on the other side, the water of Ganges, being the sweetest & the wholsomest in the world, and many drinking of it have been cured of great paines of the stomach which hardly afforded them any rest before;* 1.305 'tis soveraign against many other pains, aches, and diseases. The Indian Priests sing in their Temples from break of day to noon, and after din∣ner they have other prayers, which last till night; when they hear this service, they wash their hands, feet, and faces, then walk barefoot upon stone laid on purpose to the Temple, which is matted, and there they stand upright without the least motion, and after awhile they sit crosse-legged like Taylors.

There are two Altars, one for the rising, the other for the setting Sun, and so they turn their faces ever to the Sunne. They bury their dead in their Churches as we do, and maintain women to lament and weep over the dead, according to the an∣cient Roman fashion. These women are clothed in mantles of the Spanish fashion, which reach lower then their girdles, and of a purple colour; and beneath that have skirts of blew cotton, that trayle upon the ground, and ten or twelve of them are dres∣sed after this manner. The corps this while is laid forth in some great room, covered with a rich cloth or pall, according to the quality of the person with four of those women waiting, whilst the rest of them are sent abroad the town, to deplore and la∣ment the dead person, the last whereof a little separate from her fellow-sisters, declares the name, quality, and life of the defunct, that all persons may prepare themselves to assist at the funerals.

They ejulate, weep, and lament with exotick gestures, and tortions, and in these postures having walked round the town, they return to the corps with numbers of people, and when the body is borne to the Temple, then they raise yet lowder cries and ejulations.

One of these women makes a Panegyrick of the dead, setting forth the great losse he is to his wife, children, friends, and kindred: then the multitude expresse their sadnesse, acknow∣ledging the losse; they howle and cry out so hideously all to∣gether, that you would think them distracted, or at least at the brink of despaire; when the body is carried out of the house. Flutes, Kettles; and other Instruments play to the Church, whither the Parents, Kindred, and Friends follow; a most pitiful and sad sight.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the Isles of Archi-Pelagus, of S. Laurance, of the Island of Sumatra, of Elephants, and other particulars.

AT the opening of the Gulph Bengale, are many Isles great and small, which make the Archi-pelagus, called S. Laza∣rey, and near 80. leagues in length, and end about the Philippines, and the Japon; the chiefest thereof are, Sumatra, Javes, Boraco, Banda, the Molukes, the Philippines, and others. Towards Su∣matra, are the Isles of Andreman, or Andemaon, which signifies golden mynes, inhabited by Antropophayes; who warre with one another,* 1.306 and eat their prisoners: They make the like provi∣sion of humane flesh, as we do of beef or bacon; each of those Isles have their Kings.

It happened once to a Portuguese vessel, (having passed the Ca∣nall of Micobar,* 1.307 and Sombrero, called by the Indians, Jenibra, lying between Sumatra and the Continent, the Portuguais call it; Call or Canall of Sombrero, because the place is covered by the winding and shade of the Isle, as it were with a great brimmed hat.) One night by a sudden storme she was cast upon the Isles of Andreman, otherwise Maduca, within two leagues, whereof is a shelf or bottome of white rock, very dangerous, hardly possible to sayle by, without shipwrack. The Portuguais call the place Pedra bianca.

Those in the shippe foreseeing the danger they were in, threw over-board all their Artilery, and all other things of weight they had therein, and threw away their main Mast; and by this means, they escaped the shelve and rock, being suddenly thrown out of that narrow passage, by a great wave; but behold their greatest misfortune, escaping one danger, they fell into another; for seeing their ship begin to fill with water, having sprung a leake, they were forced to commit themselves to the mercy of their fiercest enemy.

The Captain Don sano Mendo advised them to prepare for land, and to resolve to sell their lives dear, since there was no hopes for a handful of people to escape the cruelties of so many barbarous villaines, they suddenly cut and broak the ship to flitters, every one snatching a planck, endeavouring to reach the shore, which was about halfe a league off, and having put themselves in the best order, could be expected in the like disorder or confusion, with such arms they could carry as swords and axes; as they were

ready to land, these barbarous insularies met them with their bows and arrowes, and truncks and killed some 20. at the first onset; the remainder of them about sixty, having got footing on land by force, made a great slaughter amongst the Infidels, and seized of two Merchants houses, where they fortified themselves, the best they could; untill their bloody irritated enemy fell upon them, and besieged their sconce. The Portugais reduced to this sad extremity, resolved to sally forth, with firebrands in their hands, and to fire the adjacent town or village, which being built with reeds, and covered with palme, was presently consumed; then they thought to have escaped in boats belonging to the Isle; but knowing not how to use them; they returned back again, and fortified themselves in the Caselba or Temple; where with certain provisions they brought thither, and others they found,* 1.308 they maintained the place eleven or twelve dayes; at the end of which time, seeing there was no hope of a composition to be made with that furious people, they resolved to dye gallantly with their weapons in hand, and after a mutual and unanimous preparation, and resignation of themselves,* 1.309 they threw them∣selves amongst those barbarous infidels, killed double or trebble their number, but at last yielded all to the same doome, and were eaten, and salted by those sanguinary Barbarians. Sumatra is one of the fairest Isles in the world, sometime Taprobane, and Pa∣lesimonde, some would have it to be, that which in old time was the Chersonese of gold, and Ophir, most renowned for Salomon. It is called by some Tasan, which signifies a great Isle, because she hath 800. leagues compasse. The Inhabitants of Malaca say it was formerly joyned to their continent, but divided by an earth∣quake; lyes directly under the Equinoctial lyne, in the first cli∣mate, her dayes and nights are all of a length: is divided into ma∣ny Provinces, which make three kingdomes, the chiefest whereof is Sougar, commonly called Pedir, and have all mynes of gold, silver, and other mettals, and of the best sorts of Drugges and Spices: the Pepper that growes there is larger, and more biting then any other, growing under the Torrid zone, which causes the country to be the most temperate, and best inhabited in the world, for the reasons I have already spoken of. The ayre is very wholesome, and people live there very long, and with good health;* 1.310 the na∣tives are very tractable, but of little truth; so 'tis not safe trading with them, for they will falsifie their word for their profit. The kingdom of Assy is the richest in gold, which is the finest of the world, and Achen is the most potent. The Isle is inhabited by Gen∣tiles, Moores, and Jewes, Many Turks have of late planted there for the goodnesse of the country, and purity of the ayre. The Idolaters only are natives, all others come from other parts.* 1.311 The earth is strangely fruitful in all products: the onely inconve∣nience is the great flouds from rain, which incessantly falls from

Mid-May, untill Mid-August; and from mid-day, to mid-night; onely, as at Bengale, and as it happens, in most of the countries under that Zone. The King of the country discovering his subjects falshood, (which causes him no small contempt and prejudice) he forbids trading, and takes notice of what quantity of pepper or other Drugge or commodities each subject hath, and sets such a rate upon them, as they may gain thereby; then he sends one of his chief officers with them to the Magazine, to trade and vent these commodities to strange Merchants; & they usually exchange or put off their commodities for half the rate in ready mony, the other half in other sorts of commodities. The Bahar of pepper which is 360. pound weight,* 1.312 is worth three crowns and a half, or four at the dearest, which amounts to about a Ducatoon, or 55. pence. Notwithstanding this order, many are privately licensed, to trade freely, and by help of the Portuguais interpreters, much is to be got. They have many sorts of jewels, aromatick drugs, and most excellent balms; there is great plenty of all sorts of fowl and fruit; they feed much upon Buffle, which they esteem an excel∣lent meat; their beefs have a swelling upon the top of their necks (like their Cammels) which is only fat: sheep of no wool. There are many tame Elephants, and great store of wild ones in the woods.* 1.313 Those of Malaca who live upon the Continent with the Kings leave, come hither to hunt the Elephant, with their hunts∣men and engines, with many trumpets, hoboyes, and drums, with fire, to fright and to drive them up into a streight, and when they have taken them, they almost famish them; then they bring them amongst the tame ones; and by degrees make them so, feeding them gently, and otherwise instructing them, and in time they become very ready to learn, and serviceable in all things.

The King himselfe takes much content to feed them, and at such times,* 1.314 their allowance is doubled. This Isle breeds many Hermophrodites (which is very remarkable) and pro∣ceeds from an overflowing of imperfect seed in both sexes, cau∣sed by the drugges, and hot spices of the Country.

I have been assured by some, they have found of Bezar stones in the bowels of swine, which have been of great vertue. They would have given me some in exchange for Cimeters. I believe this sort of Bezar is that the Portuguese call Pedra de Porco, so as I will not charge my self with what I know not.

That chaine of Isles from Nicuba to Pegu, is called the Archi∣pelagus of Andemaon, where the inhabitants warre amongst themselves, with burkes, and eat one another. They cannot read at all, nor have coyne: They make stuffes of the bark of a tree, to cover their nakednesse.

They have plenty of cattle, of wool, and poultry, which they feed at home, and of all necessaries to life. We have

their best commodities in exchang for some trifles of ours; for what we esteem least, are of greatest value there, and they give us in exchange Pepper, Ginger, Benjamin, and other drugs which they abound in.

And indeed we trade not with them without some danger, by reason of their cruelty, and brutishnesse, since some ships coming from Malaca, to Sumatra, killed some of their people passing by, ever since they stood upon their guards, and have surprised as many as they could, and have struck such a terrour into those parts, that whoever passes there, must be strong and well advised, otherwise they are sure to be robbed, mur∣dered and eaten.

They have none but forreign coyne,* 1.315 which they break into many pieces, as the Abussins do, because they cannot other∣wise put it off. The King keeps long boats to pillage in, and the easier to escape if pursued, as they have often been by the English, and Dutch, and surprised in their habitations, where they load themselves with their pepper and other spices, on free-cost, and so retreat: they have built some Forts in that Isle, and by that meanes force many tributes from the people, who otherwise pay at will; and whoever should assault them but with four men of warre, resolutely man'd, would make it a good businesse, for they have many mynes of gold and silver.

Besides the kingdomes of Pedir and Pacem, there are those of Campa, and Manan, all watered with pleasant Rivers; There is found Gold refined, and Corral branches, forced from the mynes by the strength of the water; There is also the Kingdome of Zabas, plentiful in Pepper, Sugar, Brasil, and Mastick, Camphire, Mines of Gold and Silver.

At Pacem there is plenty of Pepper, and the best silver of the East. The Town of Pacem hath a strong Fort, and three Avenues, where you passe by a creek of land Northward.

From this Town you discover the Pole-Artick, and the Cra∣sero; There the Sea ebbes and flowes every sixth houre.

The Town of Achen is well built, well walled, the houses stand upon piles or pillars, and covered with Palmes, and onely two stories high. 'Tis very good living there, for you have your own wishes, with most excellent fruit, different from ours, viz. the Macoudou like unto the Lemmon,* 1.316 Du∣rions, Ananes, Mangues, Jacas, Mangostan, Bananes, and Co∣cos, Oranges, and Lemmons in abundance.

The Merchants weare the Turkish dresse: you must re∣cede and keep at distance, when you meet women, who otherwise will abuse you, and spit upon the ground to shew your indiscretion.

Many Nations of the Indies trade here.* 1.317 They have Gold-coyne,

called Ma••, nine of them make a crowne, and are stamped with two Lyon-cells. They have Lead also, called Casse, and two thousand of them go to a piece of gold; all the rest of their coyne is called Dran, and Tale. Here are many slaves sold and bartered, and prove very faithfull servants.

The Kings of Achen are Mahometans, and warre continu∣ally with Idolaters; as formerly a King of Achen did with him of Butos, because he would not be Mahometan, nor re∣pudiate his wife to marry another, sister of the King of Achens, and having subdued him,* 1.318 made him pay the yearely tribute of five barres of Gold, worth two hundred thousand Crowns; and since endeavouring further to enslave him, and take all from him, he implored the ayde of the portuguais of Malaca, by whose assistance he freed himselfe.

The accesses to this Isle are very difficult and dangerous, for the shelves and rocks in two places.

* 1.319Southward and Northward are two Armes of the Sea naviga∣ble, but not without much care and caution.

One of those Armes is called the Canall of Nicobar, and the other Catarana, and the Portuguais as they sayle along the coast, name it Sombrero.

Most of the Insularies are Idolaters, and call their chief Idol Pagode, a general name among the Indians; Their Bramins or Priests incourage the women to burn themselves after the decease of their husbands, unlesse they will be esteemed unchaste: yet notwithstanding those Bramins free∣ly frequent the company of women of all ages, and of their nearest relations: they have little esteem of Christians, and if they give a cuppe of drink, they presently break the cuppe, although it be rich Porcelaine, because they hold it polluted.

* 1.320The inhabitants of Polloue an Island, assured us those In∣sularies eat the dead bodies, but we have found the contra∣ry, for we have seen them buried; they believe that the soules of the deceased enter into other bodies, as Pythagoras held, and therefore they welcome strangers; they raise them brave monuments and tombes of stone; and in honour to their bo∣dies, accompany them with winde-musick to their graves. Parents exceedingly lament, and abstain for a time from Are∣ca, and Betell.

They use a pretty recreative manner of fowling. Their country abounding in many sorts of fruit, which near unto their full ripenesse, are easily corrupted by the raines; they gather such as are rotten, (as they may not spoyle the rest) and cast them into rivers, or into the Sea.

These fruits being of many sorts, as Melons, Pumpions,

Pomegranates, and others; they are not sooner throwne into the water, but great number of birds flock to them, and feed upon the fruit, the fowler stripping himself, and hidden behind a tree with his head in a hollow Pumpion, that covers his very shoulders, they throw themselves thus into the wa∣ter, with a bagge under their arm, the silly birds not disco∣vering the men, perch upon those fruits, and come so neare to them, that with ease they catch them by the legges, and ring off their necks, and put them in their bagge, in this manner they take great store; which makes fowl little worth. There are birds sometimes too bigge and strong for a man to master, and they get away, not without a hideous noise, tha•• alarms the rest for that day, that they are hard to be caught: but the next day hunger banishes their fear, and thus they are taken again.

The Kings of this Isle live in a most miserable condition, being daily in danger of being slaine by the first person, shall have courage and resolution to undertake it: for such a person shall be esteemed a God; and by all acknowledged their King; crying, God save our lawfull prince, and natu∣rall Lord.

He that raigned at Pedir, during our travels, was called Arioufar, and had been a poor fisherman, overcharged with children, who used to carry fish to the Kings Pallace, and being known, had free entrance.

He having on a time lost his nets, came straight to the Pal∣lace towards the King, (who had reigned many yeares, and was very good to his people) and finding him alone, the guards not mistrusting him, because he was beloved of the King, and finding free egresse, murthered the King, and assisted by one of his sons, he seized of all the treasure, and the people re∣ceived him for their King, saying 'twas the will of God.

The Assassin, by force of money having raised a potent Army, conquered the whole kingdom of Pedir, and most of the other States of this Isle. Thus the Kings establish themselves then, and to such misfortunes are subject. From Sumatra we went to Java the great.

CHAP. XXIV. Of the Isle of Java, of the Inhabitants, their conditions, and of the riches of the Countrey.

JAva the Great lies Eastward from Sumatra, and is distant from her five and fourty miles only, and the streight between them is cal∣led Sunde, whence all those Isles in general take name; the Isle is of good compass, and unknown, containing many Dominions, or Kingdomes, whereof the chiefest is Bentan, or Bantan, the Cly∣mate sweet and temperate.

They say it is 150 l. long, the breadth is undiscovered, and some think it reaches the Continent Southward, runs from East to West, and South,* 1.321 the Inhabitants are Idolaters, grosse and brutish, and some are Anthropophager, it containes severall Kingdomes, as Drasima, Dragoyan, Lembri, Falec, Sumara, Balambua, Bavarucam, Passeruan, Andrageda, Auri, Sandacanda, Bacani, Javara, and others.

The Javanians say they came from China, being oppressed with slavery, they left that place, and planted here, they were for a time Tributary to the great Cham of Tartarye, the Kingdom of Falec abounds in gold, silver, spices, and all sorts of cattell: the capitall Town is Bismari, two dayes journey from an Island cal∣led Cambahar, where is Basma, a Town scituate upon the Sea, to∣wards the East, where are bred Elephants, Monkeys, and Uni∣corns. Dragoyen produces the Camphire, as Borneo the Brasill, and all Groceries; neer this place are the Isles of Bombe, Bache∣li, and Java the lesse.

The King of Passeruan is a Mahometan, he demanded the daugh∣ter of the King of Balambua in Marriage, and obtained her, and having enjoyed her, murthered her and all her train, because she was not of his Religion. Sandacanda and Bacani afford good store of spices, their Kings are Mahometans, they were infected with that imposture by a famous Pyrate, named Mahomet Chap, who left them two of his ships full of men to instruct them; there are still some Idolaters amongst them,* 1.322 who have not left their old error, of strangling their neerest kindred, when they think them taken with incurable diseases. I was told of one named Basaram, be∣ing sick,* 1.323 and ready to be thus dispatched, desired a slave of his to bear him company to death, which he durst not deny, and being ty∣ed together, were both cast into the Sea; and the slave (a lusty strong fellow) striving for his own life, drag'd his Master to shore, untied him, and put him to bed, and conspired with another slave to save themselves from the Alerir, or Magicians, when they should

come (as the custom was) to devour them, and indeed as they came to strangle the poore men, they cudgelled them so lustily that they left the sport, and the man recovering his health, lived many years after; and thus was discovered the roguerie of those Magitians, who thorough an insatiate thirst of blood, when a man was the least indisposed, made him believe he could not live, advi∣sing him to hast to their fathers God. Then the poore patient with teares in his eyes, desired them to cleanse their bones, when they should have consumed their flesh, believing that their soules would not be at rest, til their flesh were wholly consumed, & that then they would reunite to the body, and to remain in peace for all eternity.

Meanwhile the King understanding what had happened to Basa∣ram and his slave, caused him to be brought before him, and laugh∣ing told him, that (if he would not devour the Magitian) he would put him to death. The other most willing, replyed, he was ready to obey his Prince, and that if the Magitian were brought him, he would eat him up raw in his very sight. The Judges had already condemned him, and others for their deceipts and villanies to be banished, and he & others were fled into the Ile of Camorre for safe∣ty, but was taken, & brought to Basaram,* 1.324 who with his slaves made a plenteous feast of him. Thus, for the most part, live those brutish Islanders; and although they have Rubarbe, Scammone, Agric, and many other very Soveraine Medicinall druggs at command, yet they seldome use them, for when they are sick, they wholly pin themselves upon the advice of those Magitians, who tyrannize o∣ver them, and by their enchantments reduce them to such misera∣ble conditions, and make many a dainty bit of them, being possest of that notorious imposture of the immortality of the soul,* 1.325 and that she transmigrates from one body into another, and often into strangers, and therefore they make very much of them, and when one of them dies, they either bury him privately, or cast him into the sea, that he may not be devoured.

These Canniballs say, we are very ignorant to suffer mans flesh, (that is so sweet and delicious) to rot under ground. The King keepes his Court in Gazima, guarded by women, which he trusts, rather then such unnaturall and sanguinary men: he maintains three or foure score of the handsomest he can pick out, armed with Bowes and Arrowes, and Cimiteres. They are expert Archers, he traines them up, and sends them to other Maritime Towns, as Ja∣patra, and others.

Though these Islanders have many gold and silver mines, yet they dare not digg them, for going almost naked, the stones fall so sharp, and keen upon them, they are not able to endure it, nei∣ther do they value that treasure at all, being very well stored with flesh, fish, herbs and fruits, all in great abundance; but as I have said, they are very likorous of mans flesh, and of their neerest kin, pretending they do it thorough charity, as they may

not be consumed by the wormes.

I was informed by a Merchant of an accident happened to two Fathers of the order of S. Francis, pushed on with a fervent zeale to endeavour the conversion of that Countrey, by the help of the language they had learnt, but they got nothing in requital but scorns and jeers, of those Barbarians who let them live,* 1.326 believing their Idols would revenge them, but some of them beginning to taste and disgest their rationall dis∣courses, it bred some differences amongst them; of which the King being informed, and fearing that their instructions might bring prejudice unto his State, commanded the good Fathers to be thrown into the Sea, those villains unwilling to lose their flesh, drained their bloud dry, and fed upon it, then brought them to the publick place of execution, dead and disfigured.

All those that had tasted of their blood dyed suddenly, by the permission or vengeance of God, which the King hearing of, asked why they were not drowned according to his commands, and their false Priests replyed, it was not in their power to kill them: but the King satisfied of the manner of their death, all astonished, went to his Temple to ask his Idols forgiveness: some fourty Dutchmen having lost their ship upon a shelve, saved them∣selves upon this coast, but taken by these Islanders were cruelly murdered,* 1.327 and eaten. The Inhabitants of Japara, (a Sea Town) adore the Sun, and are all flat-nosed, have great eyes, and are thin bearded like the Chyneses. They eat bread made of a root they call Igname or Gouera,* 1.328 their complexions (the womens espe∣cially) are rather fair than black: they wear nothing on their heads but their naturall hair platted, like the Italian Curtizans, and if any person offers to cover them with any thing, they are in danger of being abused to death.

Their houses are low, being but one story high, for they will suffer nothing over their heads, they are all Pyrates, Thieves, and Magicians, they are skilfull in Astrology. They obey and reve∣rence (an old Magician called Manguin) as their lawfull Prince: when any Pyrates land upon their coast, to rob them of their cattle,* 1.329 or other commodities, the Wizard makes a round hole in the ground; and causes some young virgin voted, to be sacrificed in their feast of Fotoque) to urine therein, and at the same time there rises a storm, so that the theeves have onely time to save themselves, flying to their boats, and if any are left behind, they are devoured, nor do they kill them out-right, but prolong their dying pains, they pinnacle them, and deliver them up to the fury of the children, who put them to tedious torments, walking them about the Town, and expose them to the scoffs and abuses of the multitude: some will clap a pompion on their heads hung round with plumes of feathers,* 1.330 and every woman and child runs out with their bodkins and aules, to prick and torment them:

then having walked them warm, (as they do the Buls in Spain, to make their flesh tender) they cut them in pieces, and divide their flesh, if there be not enough for them all, they play at ball for it, and the gainers treat their friends therewith. This is the sad fortune travailers are subject to, who according to the Spanish proverb, Buscan la vida y topan la muerte, searching for life they find death.

'Tis very pretty sport to see them play at that sort of ball,* 1.331 or tennis, which they call Masiris, without ever striking with their armes or hands; but with their feet, knees, head, elbows, heels, and other parts of the body, with great dexterity.

Bantan is the chief Town of the Isle with a good and commo∣dious haven, where the Hollanders have a Magazine or Store-house,* 1.332 and whither many other people for commerce do resort, as Chyne∣ses, Guzerates, Portuguais, Persians, Peguans, Milacans, Turks, Arabi∣ans, and others. This Town is of the size of Roan, peopled with divers nations, the Chineses have a Temple wherein they adore a triple-crown'd Demon, offer fruit and other things to him,* 1.333 and they say because he is malicious he must be appeased, and that the great and good God hath no need of such offerings or adorations.

They bring into this Town their silks, jewels, and other rarities: here their King resides, a Mahometan, who governs his own subjects and strangers with great justice, allowing all persons free liberty of traffick. He is a great Politician, well belov'd and honoured by his subjects, and observes good orders in commerce, wherein consists the glory of his greatness: of late the English and Dutch have tra∣ded there with good success, and very few years since some French have travelled thither, and have been courteously received;* 1.334 they have a great esteem of the King of France, and have permitted Dominicans (sent out of France) to inhabit there, and promise them favour and assistance. The commodities that go off best there are iron and steel, lead, paper, and sulphure.

At Fedeyda (a Town in Java) is got the best amber-greece of the East,* 1.335 that which is found in Aniane (an Isle adjacent) is equal unto the former in goodnesse.

Not long since the greatest part of Java, and the adjacent Coun∣tryes, as Bali, Madura, and others, obeyed a potent Prince or Em∣perour, who kept his court in the great town of Demaa, and some∣times at Japara; he was a Mahometan, the Portuguese relate how he had a mind to propagate his law, and observing the King of Pasaru∣an (an Idolater) to slight it; he resolved to invade him with a strong Army made up of his own subjects, and the Portuguese of Malaca: his greatest strength consisted in certain Souldiers called Anoco, which signifies resolute, and despisers of their lives, persons who used to anoint themselves with certain oyls, to shew their for∣wardness to dye, with these men he besieged the King of Pasaruan, who stood gallantly upon his defence, but probably had in time bin

overcome,* 1.336 had a favourable accident to him, and a most unfortu∣nate one happened to the Emperour, who during the Siege, was stab'd by one of his young pages, incensed with a blow given him by his Master upon his head in jest, which is one of the great∣est affronts can be given there. The boy taken, and put upon the rack, confessed no other reason, was staked through with his father, brothers, and 60. of his kindred, and his whole generation according to their laws: and thus by this strange accident the King of Pasaruan was freed, and the Empire of Demaa reduced to confusion.

The most signall thing in Java is the bone of a fish (found no where else) called Caball, that stops bleeding, as 'twas experienced upon a Captain of Malabar, called Neoboada Beguea, who killed in a fight against the Portuguais, in the time of Albukerke, his bloud never issued at his wounds untill that bone was taken away, which he wore about him. That rarity was lost by shipwrack, as it was carried to King Emanuel.

The Isles of Sumatra, Java and others more remote, are very temperate, rich, and fruitfull in most of them, they live very long without any infirmity, the air is so healthfull in other places, if any person fall sick he is left by kindred and friends, as defiled with sin, and visited by God for expiation, whereupon many hide themselves when they are sick, and die in holes without any help, some live to seven-score years active and jolly, and for that reason many strangers come thither to inhabit.

Others resort thither, for the trade of spices, which are extream cheap there.

As in other parts there is such plenty of Cattle, that they will give you four Cowes for an old shirt, a dozen of sheep for a pewter spoon, a Sea-man once shewed an old brazen dish to a Shepherd, who asked the price, the Sea-man said his whole flock, the other wondred not much at it; onely replyed 'twas something too dear; I remember that in the Isle of S. Laurence I saw a sheep given for a counter, and as much for a sheet of paper; this shews the goodnesse of those Countries, and the Inhabitants simplicity: most of them are civilized, living in the fear of one onely God, and believe, that in the next world the good will be rewarded, and the bad punished; some have no reli∣gion, yet they hold naturally the immortality of the soul, and one providence.

* 1.337As touching the spices that grow in these Isles. The nutmegs grow chiefly in the Isle of Banda, the tree that bears them is like a peach tree, the leaves onely bigger, the nut is enclosed in a slender shell, like an almond, (or as when a peach opens it self, and shews the stone) the nut is inclosed with a red husk, which they preserve at Malaca: when this fruit comes to ripenesse the shell opens, and the nut drops out, if it's left upon the tree beyond the time of matu∣rity.* 1.338 They sell these nutmegs by a measure called Touman,

about a pint, they are called Cani, by those of Banda, Palla, the places they grow in are unwholesom: These trees grow naturally in the deserts, and who ever please may gather them, some are planted and kept by particular persons.

The Calenfour, or carnation Clove-tree, growing in the Melukes is a shrub leafed like to the almond, but is larger and longer, and bears Gillyflowers like wild grapes, it needs a prop to bear it up, for 'tis weak; they grow naturally, and from every flower that falls a tree or plant springs up in a short time, and they suffer no other trees to grow about them.

In Sumatra the stalk is bigger, and can subsist alone, having the collar and trunk like a quince tree, but very upright, and casts forth great store of white blossoms, that become yellow, then red, and thickning they become of a blackish colour as they do here, they preserve them green, and are excellent for the stomach, they are gathered from September to January.

The Cocuma that grows in Java, is a root like to Ginger,* 1.339 her blossoms like Lillies broken off green, draws near to the yellow, and dried is easily broken, is sharp and quick, and is used thoroughout the Indies, to season meats, thought better than other spices; what they have left of their store, they preserve or pickle, and vent thoroughout the East, where 'tis much in request.

There grows great store of ginger in the East-Indies,* 1.340 and chiefly in Nova Hispaniola, whence they transport yearly for Seville a hundred thousand weight, this root is best if re∣moved every third year, and best of all if removed yearly, when they gather it, they take away the earth, and cull the young root: from the old ones, which they replant and do easily take root in the west 'tis little worth, for in the Isles of Barlovento a Spaniard may have seven hundred weight for a crown.

The Betell which we have so often spoken of,* 1.341 is a tree very common in all the Easterne parts, and also in the West-Indies, where are many, as at Caramell, and called Esca∣rucou.

There are some also growing at Souac in Aethiopia, 'tis the onely tree (I know) bears a leaf better than the fruit, she is almost of the heigth and shape of a pear-tree, the leaf is thicker, and not so full of strings. The Arabians and Syrians call it Bamboni, this leaf hath an excellent taste, but makes the teeth black.

There are of them in the Preste-Johns Country, and are kept for the Kings own use where er'e they grow; and 'tis death for any tradesman or Merchant to eat of it, and he that watches the tree may kill any such person, and not be questioned: for those trees belong to the King, and none dare touch them,

but the Siramis, who are Lords and gentry. Those that feed of it have very black teeth, a thing held honourable, because they are occasioned by a Royal food.

There are severall sorts of fruit in the East, Malaca produces Durions in great plenty,* 1.342 and few of them grow in the West-In∣dies, 'tis a fruit like a Melon, but whiter, and covered with a very tender rind or skin. 'Tis firm, and tasts rather better than the Melon, within are many little holes wherein lye their seed, and is very carefully kept: the leaf is of an exceeding bignesse, as that of the vine or figge; The tree is pretty high, her boughs like those of the cherry, the wood is well sented, they provide it against their womens lying in, and then sacrifice it to their Idols. I have seen much of it at the Grand Caire, and in Alexandria.

CHAP. XXV. Of the Kingdomes of Malaca and Siam, with a prodigious History of Serpents.

LEaving all those Isles, to return into the Continent, over a∣gainst Sumatra Northward, stands the Town and Kingdom of Malaca,* 1.343 where is that so famous a spot of land, with her Cape and Streight called Sicapura, at one degree northward. Malaca is a po∣tent kingdom, formerly the golden Chersonese, (as some yet hold) and the Ophir of Salomon, because much gold is found in many places of Sumatra, contiguous to the other: the Ancients believed her joyned to the Continent, as you have heard already. This Country obeyed the King of Siam, untill a Lord of Java subjected her, and by the assistance of some fishermen, and Pyrates built the Town of Malaca. Since the Malacans became Mahometans, trading with the Persians, and Guzerates, and at last Alphonsus Albukerke, surprized the Town for the King of Portugall; it is the center of the East for trade,* 1.344 and the mart for all Merchandizes of the East-Indies, which improves her in grandeur, treasure, and power. The language is esteemed the smoothest, most elegant, and copious of the Indies, as the mother of all their other tongues, which they diligently study: they are much addicted to Poetry, Amours, and other Gallantries. Malaca is scituate upon a pleasant river called Crisorant, alluding to Chrise, or land of gold, which others rather believe to be China and Japan: this river is not altogether so big as the Thames, and divides the Town in two parts, coupled by fair bridges stately built, as is the rest of the Town. The people are very civill, of a good stature, but a little tann'd; the Country

abounds in fruit, subject to the King Siam, though the Town be∣longs to the Portuguese, where they have a strong Fort, and a Ha∣ven that brings in great Revenues, by reason of the customes im∣posed upon the infinite number of Merchandizes, are imported from forreign parts. Those imposts or customes were formerly paid to the King of Siam. The Captain hath two good ships, well rig∣ged, and man'd, with which he scowres those seas, and sailes into China, loaden with wedges of gold and silver, cloves, pepper, ci∣namon, linnen and woollen cloth, scarlets, saffron, corrall, mer∣cury, vermillion, and all other exquisite commodities of the In∣dies, and brings back from thence silks, purcelaines, satins, da∣mask, harts-horn, musk, rubarbe, pearles, salt-peter, iron, ivory, boxes, and fanns; These two places are eight hundred l. distant,* 1.345 and a great river, upon which (they say) ships are drawn by Ele∣phants to Quinsay, capitall of Tabin, or China, where the ships ar∣riving, salute the King with three peeces of Canon, and the Town with one, if they think good; then the Captain setting foot on land, is sworn upon the Kings Picture, that he comes Bona Fide, to negotiate, and then he is admitted. The ayre of Malaca is not very wholesom to strangers, nor natives.

From Malaca we went to the Kingdom of Siam, very potent for∣merly, containing many Kingdomes. Their neighbour,* 1.346 the King of Pegu, got many of them in a Warr, he maintained against Siam for a white Elephant, which the Peguans adore;* 1.347 and ever since the Kingdom of Siam hath been weak, and divided into many Provin∣ces, or Dominions, where the King is hardly acknowledged: for∣merly it contained sixteen or seventeen Kingdomes, or Principa∣lityes, and did reach from Tanansterin, or Tarnatsery, unto Cham∣paa, above 700. leagues from Coast to Coast, between Malaca,* 1.348 the Isles Pacanes, Passiloco, Capimper, Chiammay; the Lahos and Gutt••s: 'Tis called the Empire of Sornao; the King Prechau Sa∣leu, who kept his Court at the great Town of Odiva, whither the Kings were tied to come yearly, to acknowledge the Princes,* 1.349 and pay their tribute, kissing the Cimiter at his side. Then by reason of the great distance, and the many Rivers, which lengthen their journeys, and render them difficult, he remitted this kind of acknowledgment to be made to a Lieutenant, or Vice-Roy,* 1.350 in the Town of Lugor, neerer, and more commodious.

This Country confines upon Pegu westward, northward upon Chiammay, southward towards the Province of Caburi, and the main sea, and eastward upon the Gulfe of Cambaye, 'tis one of the plentifullest, and best Isles in the world, abounding in all fruits, victualls, silver mines, iron, lead, pewter, salt-peter, sulphure, silkes, honey, wax, sugars, sweet-woods, benjamin, cottons, rubies, saphyres, ivory, and great plenty of all spices, and other commo∣dities imported from other parts.

The inhabitants are not warlike; The women are very lovely,

and well disposed,* 1.351 they are richly adorned with Jewells, their coates tuck't up to their knees, their feet and legs bare, to shew how they are decked, and loaded with gemms; they weare jew∣ells upon their armes, also their haire is platted, and covered there∣with, in imitation of the Peguans. They are carried in chariots, richly covered, their gownes open before, discover their naked breasts (their smocks being likewise slit,) when they walke they hold both their hands before them, to hide their nakedness, and yet so as tis plainly seen. They say that custom was first brought up by Queen Tirada, the wisest of her time, and her bones are to this day kept,* 1.352 with great reverence: perceiving her Subjects to be besotted, or violently addicted to Sodomie; she thought by such charming allurements, to withdraw them from that bestiality, as indeed they are since wholly taken off from that abominahle sensu∣ality: and in truth that Countrey women are very faire, and well shaped, they play upon certain Musicall instruments, which they are diligently instructed in from their infancy; the men may mar∣ry two wives, but they pay double customes for the second, and most of them therefore are contented with one, the women are very tractable, humble, and discreet, their greatest care is to be be∣loved of their husbands.* 1.353 They cruelly sacrifice Virgins, and their manner of burying the dead is as inhumane; for as soone as one of their alliance is deceased, they erect him a Monument in the fields, according to their conditions and abilities: then they shave their whole body, in signe of mourning: Women cast off their jewels, and are cloathed in white, the doleful colour there; all the deceased's friends and alliance are invited, solemnly to attend the Corps to the Interment. The Corps is clothed in a rich habit, exposed upon a Chariot, in a bed of state, and drawn by six of his nearest kindred, of the best of his family, and six more of his best friends, cover∣ed with an ash-colour canopy, and of the same colour, his Relati∣ons are cloathed; before the Corpes go six flutes, who with two kettle drums,* 1.354 or tabors, make so lamentable a noise, that it drawes teares from the Assistants: The slutes are hired, and discharged by the Publick; drawing neer to the buriall place, they throw perfumes upon the Chariot. This done, they all retire, the pa∣rents and kindred only excepted, who strip the body, and make it clean, multiplying their cries and lamentations; then roast it with their sweet woods, gather round about it, and with many sad groanes,* 1.355 they make of it a most mournfull repast: This done, they scrape the bones clean, and perfume them with much cere∣mony, and lap them up in linnen cloaths (made of Arbeste) which wil never consume by fire, but grow whiter, and cleaner, nor rot under ground, but will keep for ever. I have got of the cloath in my Travels, which I have shown to curious persons. These Ce∣remonies ended, and the bones laid in the Tombe, every one drawes homeward. Such is their strange manner of sepulture.

The Town of Siam stands upon the fair and large river of Me∣can, that springs from the famous Lake of Chiamay; Sian is state∣ly walled, and conteines thirty thousand houses, with a Castle strongly fortified, built upon the water, as Penivitan, and Venice.* 1.356 The Country breeds Elephants, Rinocerots, Giraffs, Tygers, Lions, Leopards, and all sorts of savage beasts, the fairest Hermines of the East, Camels, Dromodaries, and some say Unicornes, which being very timerous beasts, seldom appear in sight.

Some of them are found about Chyamay lake, I will speak of them in another place. This Lake is 200. miles about,* 1.357 whence many great and famous rivers arise, as Ava, Caypumo, Menan,* 1.358 Cos∣min, and others, they overflow like the Nilus. This Lake is bounded Eastward, with vast forrests, and impassible Marshes and Fens, and very dangerous, prodigious Serpents are bread there, with wings like bats, which bear them from the ground, and carry them with a strange swiftness; flying, they rest themselves upon the end of their tailes, which are sharp, they did once so swarm,* 1.359 that they made a whole Province desert, and desolate, and with∣out the juice of fig-leaves, (which was an antidote against their poison) not one had escaped. The Prince of those parts having armed his subjects, made vast trenches and ditches in that Province, and with the help of dogs, tigers, lions, and other savage beasts, trained up to hunting young, and disguised in other skins; he ar∣med many other beasts against them, he destroyed an innumerable number of those Serpents, that cast themselves headlong into those ditches: then he set a prize (to be given to those that should kill any of them) and by these meanes that breed was soon destroyed: Notwithstanding there are some seen still in the forrest, and I have seen of them of incredible length; they prey upon sheep, and o∣ther cattell. There is another beast in the same Country faced like a man, but all wricnkled, which appeares by night only, and is called Espaulouco.* 1.360

This beast gets up upon the top of trees, and makes a bewail∣ing noise, a purpose to catch something: when she lights of no prey, she feedes upon earth. 'Tis a very slow beast, and there are of that kind in many places.

The Kingdom of Siam hath formerly suffered many changes some few yeares before we were there. The King a most renowned and victorious Prince, was by his own Queen poisoned, who after married one of the stewards of her household, with whom she had lived in adultery, and made him King, having likewise put to death her own son, that succeeded his father: since they were (by conjurations) both murthered at a feast, and the Kingdom subject to continuall revolutions, till Bramaa, King of Pegu, took occasion to besiege Odiaa, but leaving his life in the siege, h••r successor utterly demolished the Town, and obtained the white Elephant I spoke of, since that Siam hath revenged

her self upon Pegu. Thus the Kingdomes of the Indies are ve∣ry various, never remaining long under the same condition, or Government.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Kingdom of Martaban, marvellous strength of Macaraou, or the flowing of the sea. Particularities of Pegu.

* 1.361FRom Siam we came to the Kingdom and Town of Martaban, sometime subject to Pegu, but since to the King of Syam. It buts Westward upon the Gulfe of Bengale, Northward upon Pegu, Eastward upon Siam, and Southward upon Tanasserim and Jan∣gome. The Fathers of St. Francis, and those of the Society have built them Churches there. The soyle is very fertile, yielding or∣dinarily three crops, the year; there is plenty of Rice, and other sorts of grain, fruit, trees, sweet and medicinall hearbes of all sorts, mines of all mettalls, rubies and other stones, and the aire is very wholesom.

* 1.362The Capitall Town is Martaban, sixteen degrees towards the North, hath a good harbor, and scituate upon the river Gaypoumo, or rather upon an arme of the sea, where the tide runs strangely toward Pegu; for whereas ordinarily it flowes by degrees, with an easie motion, without violence, here it fills that arme of the Sea, or River, on a sudden, and flowes with such fury and impetuosity, as it were mountains rolled up in water, and the most rapid torrent in the world doth not parallel this in swiftnesse; and by three pas∣sages fills the harbor, and other receptacles, with a most fearefull force and rapidity. This arme is by the Indians called Macaroou (which signifies) beware the Tyger, for the vehemence of the waves, which I will more amply speak of in another place.

* 1.363Martaban joynes to the Territories of Dougon, the remo∣test Town of Pegu. The Inhabitants are given very much to trading,* 1.364 and especially in Lacca, a kind of gumm they draw out of trees, very fine, and better then that is made in Dalascia, in Aethiopia, which I have already spoken of. They have many more Droggues, as Galingall, Turbith, or Camomell, Rubarb,* 1.365 found upon the mountains of Pegu, and is called Jubara: The leafe is broad, and bitter as gall, they gather it in May, which is the latter end of their winter, the root is of a tan'd collour, some is yellow, purple, and red, according to the land

that bears it. Some season their meat therewith, and 'tis a pre∣servative against many infirmities; 'tis sold very cheap, and is mingled with perfumes: there growes wood of Aloes, red Sendal,* 1.366 and Cittern upon the hills. Women burn of all these to make concoctions, and use them in their labours, and delivered, they seek for a black-headed lamb, and carry the child to the Tem∣ple, covered with flowers, drugges, and perfumes.

Then they begin their sacrifice,* 1.367 delivering their child and lamb into the hands of the Banean, or Priest called Satalico, the skin, head, feet, and entrals, fals to his share, this is done in ho∣nour of Castigay their Idol. All those Flamins are great Magi∣cians; They cast the childrens nativities new-borne, and set down, what shall befall them during their lives. This writing is carefully kept by the parents, for to prevent the bad accidents. For they esteem whatever those Baneans say infallible, and when any person is sick, they are consulted whether the party will dye or recover, and when they have given their opinion, 'tis believed as Gospel. One being once (as I may say) condemned or senten∣ced to death by a Wizard, and left off; was undertaken by one of our company, and recovered in nine dayes, which made them believe the Christians were more knowing then their Magicians: the like happened to another, whose wife was by a Christian per∣swaded, to shut out the Magician that had given his opinion of her husband; he recovering, was satisfied of the abuses and false∣hoods of their Magicians, Pagodes, and Castigais, and of their false Priests, and was also instructed in the truth, and purity of our Re∣ligion, that he might leave his own Idolatries: but Alas, the poor creatures heart being hardened, replyed: I believe (said he) that thy God is great, and more powerful then ours, and that being so great and Majestical, he will not vouchsafe to make himself known to such miserable simple creatures, as we are; and it would be very unfit to believe a God were not willing to com∣mand us. Ours (said he) makes his will known to us, which we all submit unto, and obey, but I shall never more trust the Ba∣neans, for they are false Prophets: and upon these accidents, ma∣ny of them remove their habitations. It were easie to perswade them to the truth, they being simple, and very credulous; and besides, they bear a great respect to the memorie of Saint Tho∣mas: but opportunities to destroy their Idols are wanting, that they might see, they have neither force nor motion. 'Twere dangerous to attempt it, without a considerable strength. Those deceitful Baneans, do so enslave the people, that they believe things strange, and absurd, beyond relation.

In their festivals, when their Idols are carried in state upon chariots, some of them (through zeal) throw themselves under the wheels, and are broken in pieces. Others thrust their heads into steel hoops, keen as razers, and cut their own throats, putting

their feet in a rope fastened thereunto: and such are afterwards esteemed Saints, and registred in their Temples; others cut a hole in their sides, and fasten a rope thereto, and are dragged by the Chariot after their Idol, then their friends say to them (remember that I have ever been thy friend) and believe he hath power to save them.

Parents are reverenced, and if poor, they are assisted upon the publick account.

They have a solemn feast wherein they reckon up the twelve moons or moneths, with the twelve signes, and make great jol∣lity; when they draw their Idols upon Chariots, another of Vir∣gins is drawn off one hand, to incense and perfume it.

At Martaban there growes a fruit, which opened, represents the perfect figure of a Crosse. At Martaban some years before, we made our travels there; a rich and potent King (as the Portuguais relate) named Chaubaina was besieged by Bramaa of Pegu,* 1.368 and re∣duced to extremity, he implored the assistance of Portugal, offer∣ing great treasures, which for some considerations was denied; and the distressed Prince forced to deliver up himself, wife, and children, to that inhumane Tyrant of Pegu, who contrary to his promise, put them all to cruel deaths, and sack't that flourish∣ing town; and the Portuguais were much blamed for refusing their assistance. There was a vast treasure, and (they say) six and thirty thousand Merchants all strangers, that repaired thither from fourty several nations of the Indies, and other remoter pla∣ces; as Portuguais, Greeks, Venetians, French, English, Abyssins, Turks, Jewes, Arabians, Armenians, Tartars, Mogors, Corozans, Persians, Malabarians, Javans, and many others. This Town had 24. gates.

* 1.369We went from Martaban to Pegu, four small dayes journey di∣stant by land, and no more by sea, although 'tis much further; but their Frigates fleet sayling, bring all to one; and putting forth with the tyde; if your ship strikes upon a Rock, and is able to bear the shock, it glides over, like a Balon, for no arrow flyes fleet∣er. I have shot seven or eight times through the streight of Gi∣braltar against tyde, but with full sayles, and so you may stop in those seas, without casting Anchor, in expectation of better wea∣ther, but in Macaraou, the road to Pegu, 'tis impossible with the strongest winds against tyde, to make a stand, for the waves there over-powre the winds, I have not seen the like fury of the seas in any place of the world as in Martaban and Pegu, for there is a gulph of water, and the tyde taking her course, meets with those waters, the one roling against the main body of the sea, there is a terrible conflict, they withstand each other for a time, at length the weakest must yield, the two bodies separate with such swiftnesse and vehemency, that it seems a great hill overturned; nor is there a courage so great it daunts not, and where before a

hollow was seen empty and dry, covered over with ships; on a suddain, the Surges are so violent, you would believe, the infer∣nal powers were all united, to tosse those ships. I never yet heard a reason given for it, a search worthy the labour of the greatest wits in the world. I remember that some yeares after, meeting with a most famous Sea-Captain at Calis or Cales, I related him this wonder of Macaraou (saying that I should not be credited, if I made any such relation in print) he answered me that the words, or little faith of ignorant persons, could not prejudice the experi∣ence of knowing men, and that he himself (had he not seen) could not have believed the impetuous,* 1.370 and most violent encounter of two seas, from the North and South, in the streight of Magellan, from the North the water entred 60. leagues within the streight, from the South forty, where meeting with an unconceivable fury, they strike horrour and amazement into all beholders; which made him believe the discourses, and opinions of all natural Phi∣losophers to be uncertain, since his own experience so often con∣tradicted them.

He told me he was very desirous to go witnesse what I related of Macaraou, at Cambay, and Pegu, but since I have discovered, that there is nothing liker to what I have said of Macaraou,* 1.371 then the Mascaret of Bourdeaux. That is well known to be a moun∣tain of water gathered together (in the River of Dourdonne) while the waters are all quiet; that mountain is framed on a sud∣den, and rolles down the river, overturning what boats soever are in the way, which every man endeavours to avoyd, making with all haste to the shoare.

I have asked the reason of the Inhabitants, who have told me it proceeded from the height of the Seas, meeting with the ebbe of the River, and by that encounter this water gathers together, but others agree not to this, for (if so) the like would happen in the Garonne, and in other places, which I never heard of:* 1.372 so that with more reason they attribute the cause to some ayre inclosed in some channel or spring under ground, running from Garonne to Dourdonne, which raises this mountain of water when the Sea flows: but I know not whether the same reason might be given for Macaraou.

The Kingdom of Pegu, is one of the largest, richest,* 1.373 and most potent of the Indies, next to Mogor, and China, but to the two last are lately happened strange revolutions, they are extremely fallen off from their state, and have been dismembred by the Kings of Tangu, and Aracan, who had in my time the possession of the white Elephant, that bred so much contention in Siam.* 1.374 This kingdom in my days contained many others, viz. two Empires containing 26. crowned States; Southward, Pegu confines upon Martaban and Siam, Eastward upon Brama, Cambay, and Cochin, China, Northward upon Ava Tazatay, & Aracan, Westward upon Bengale and the gulf.

The Town of Pegu is very large and square, 5. gates at every square or side, encompassed with a deep work or trench full of Water-Crocodils, and other dangerous Serpents. The walls are built of wood, with Watch-towers of rich work, and gilt, repai∣red every tenth year. The houses are stately edifice. At new Pe∣gu the King keeps his Court, the streets are exactly streight, and large; about the heart of the town you discover almost all the streets, which is a gallant curiosity; old Pegu is built after the same model, and there the Merchants inhabit: In new Pegu the streets are set with Palm-trees, and Cocos loaden with fruit; the new was framed and built by the line near a forest of Palmes towards the North in a large field: in the trenches (filled with water by the river that washes that coast) there are certain baths accommoda∣ted purposely; and very safe from Crocodils, otherwise swim∣ming were very dangerous. The Town is as bigge as Fez, where∣of there is the old and new, as Pegu.

The King of Pegu is so potent that he never goes to war with∣out a million and a half of men, well armed, with Arquebuses and other Guns: they are the best Gunners in the world, but not many of them, and their Guns are far better then ours, being made of better iron, better temper'd, and better wrought. They have a 100000. good souldiers.* 1.375 they live of little, and for need upon leaves and roots, and are gallant and resolute men. His guard con∣sists of 30000. horse,* 1.376 either Turk or Persian: and to have them plen∣ty at a pinch, there is an edict or law, that what Merchant soever brings 20. horses to be sold, shall have the rest of his commodities free, which make them furnisht from all parts of the Indies, Persia, and Soltania in Arabia, where are the best of the world; the soul∣diers exercise themselves much at marks, and often, the King gives rewards to the best marks-men. He may have 5000. Elephants, and many other beasts. Merchants follow the Armies upon bulls and oxen.

The country is rich in Mynes of Gold and Silver, Rubies, Sa∣phyrs, Garnets, and other stones: These daily augment the Kings treasures: his Magazines may passe for the treasure of the East. In one Court of his Pallace at new Pegu, there is such store, that 'tis little esteemed,* 1.377 not one man to guard it, nor the dores kept shut: There stands the figure or statue of a proper tall man, all of beaten gold, a crown upon his head of the same, enriched with ru∣bies of inestimable value; and round it four statues more of youths all of gold, which seem to be Idols, (yet they say) they were made for delight.* 1.378 In another Court is represented a Gyant sitting, of silver, with a Crown of the same, but far richer set with Jewels: in ••ther Courts stand statues made of Ganze,* 1.379 a mixture of many mettals, whereof their Byzes are made, a sort of coyn, but not royal.* 1.380 The Crowns of these latter are richer then the others, with rubies and Saphyrs, the biggest I ever saw.

The Peguans go all cloathed alike, in Cottons, linnens, and silks the best, and all are barefoot ever, whether walking or riding; the country abounds in Sugars, which they make great and many uses of, they cover their houses with it, and mingle it with ciment, Their buildings are costly carved and wrought, sparing neither Gold nor Azure. When the King or any Noble-man builds a Pal∣lace, he provides himself with the purest gold to guild it. For there, as in many other places of the Indies Gold is not coyn∣ed, but is merchandize: at Tahaba, or old Pegu,* 1.381 are many refy∣ners, and gold and silver beaters, they work it into leaves (as we do) for the ease and benefit of the Gilders, without committing much waste, for they gild, (as I have said) the very walls and towers, and their houses after the Persian fashion. New Pegu is al∣most all so built, and nothing spared to make up a sumptuous splendid structure, they cover them with tortoise shell, which they place and joyn very neatly. There is a certain place, where Coa∣ches, Litters, Trunks, Boxes, Saddles, Harness for Elephants and horses, are only made, covered with gold and silver; I saw there a saddle and furniture for an Elephant, bought at a very high rate, for their King.

What is most remarkable of their buldings is, that those that live of their own rents or estates are contented with the meanest and poorest houses: they are convenient, but like country houses, and thatch'd with straw, and only able to preserve them from the injuries of the weather. The Merchants and other tradesmen,* 1.382 and shop-keepers, who have something to lose out of their shops, or warehouses, they live in strong houses well built, of stone & brick, close shut with strong gates and locks, and call those houses Godons.

Throughout all the Towns of Pegu, there are the Taregha,* 1.383 or persons sworn, to see good measure and weight made of commo∣dities, to the Merchants they have charge of: and if a bad bar∣gain be made, the fault is laid on them,* 1.384 with discredit and reproa∣ches, which they escape sometimes very narrowly: so you take much pleasure to trade with them, they are so faithful and sin∣cere, and a most excellent order is observed both in buying and selling: and whatever is either bought or sold, is put in a lump into the Sensals, who gives notice of the number, and sets a price upon them; and sets a rate of what they ought freely to get over and above all charges whatever: if the price be liked, the mony is payed, and the Sensal keeps an exact account; for they are able chosen men. There is no danger of any deceit; besides,* 1.385 they do all to the advantage of those that refer themselves unto them: and in case the price doth not please buyer and seller, they have the whole day to confirm or avoyd it, although 'tis to the Sensals discredit and infamy.

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Kingdome of Pegu, of a bloody war for a white Elephant, of Crocodiles, and the nature of Elephants,

THe Empire of Pegu is provided with all things necessary and commodious to life, and vyes with others as rich, and good as her self, as Cochinchine, Siam, Tangu, Marsin, Jangoma, Bengale, Ava, Aragan, and others. It is cut through in many places by that great river, called (by the higher Indies) Amoucherat, and (the na∣tives the river of Pegu or Caipumo,* 1.386 or Martaban, that runs (by se∣veral branches) through the level, and fertilizes the soyle. This River abounds in Fish and Crocodiles, which they feed on in the Indies:* 1.387 mean while our Geographers are mistaken, who say that the river that runs through Tangus, is the same that waters Pegu, although they be different countries, and remote. This River rises at the Lake Chiammay, passes through Brema, or Brama, wa∣shing in with her waves refined gold, which she drawes from se∣veral mynes the country is full of.

She runs through the kingdom of Prom, where are the famous towns of Milintay, Calamba, and Amirandou. Those territories joyn to Alva, then to Boldia, called by the high Indians Siami, where they are very courteous,* 1.388 and it passes for a Proverb, (cour∣teous as a Siamite) Siami is a vast kingdom called the Empire of Siammon. Then to Berma, or Verma, whereof the capital is Carpa, and butts upon Tazatay, and the kingdomes of Pandior, and Mu∣antay. The King of Pegu subjugated the kingdom of Berma, two years after he conquered Siam; then there are Vilet, Abdiar, and Caypuma,* 1.389 whereof the chief is Canarane, of which more hereafter.

* 1.390The King by his Talcada or Lieutenant, hath conquered many other countries, who subdued all the Provinces of Siam, Berma, Javay,* 1.391 Manar, and others unto the kingdom of Perperi, Tarnas∣seri, Maragoura, Guertale, Langoura, Nigrane, and Joncolan, that touches Malaca. Winning Siam he got Ban, Ploan, Odian, Macaon, and others conquered before by the King of Siam.

This Prince is a great lover of strange beasts, and hath of di∣vers sorts brought him from all parts of the world, and land at se∣veral places, as at Dagon two dayes journey from Pegu, Marta∣ban, which is four; at Guzan two dayes journey from Caponin, where beginnes the great Gulph of Saharic, at the mouth of Caypumo. This River, with that of Ava, and Siam, overflows like the Nile, from Mid-May, to Mid-August, which

improves the Country very much, she draws refined gold by wyres, wherewith the King enriches his Temples and Idols, for gold and silver in those parts, are but merchandizes, their coin of brasse, lead, and pewter, called Ganze or Ganza, and any man coins with the Lieutenants leave, who is Generall. That coin is currant thorough the kingdom of Tauay, the last of the territories of Pegu, in the middle of the Province of Manar, watered by that famous River of Marsina or Menan.

Pegu is so temperate that 'tis green all the year long,* 1.392 the people are rather whites than blacks, and well shap'd women, amiable, gay, and neatly dressed. There are many hermaphrodites, as at Sumatra. There is plenty of pepper, vermillion, mercury, cloves. They make Chamlets, hangings of feathers, silk stuffs, have store of rice, and beasts for chase. They want nothing but good hor∣ses, which the Prince is curious to procure from other parts bating merchants their imposts to bring of them in.)

The Kings Palace stands at the farther end of new Pegu, shel∣tered from the Northwind by a little hill: there grow all sorts of trees, five sorts of palm trees, inclosed with a wall like a park, where they keep all sorts of beasts you can meet with in any part of the world, which the King carefully seeks after,* 1.393 never regard∣ing each price, as it appeared, by that long war made by him, and the King of Siam, who refused him the white Elephant, to put into his Calachar, or park. 'Twas Aleager or Chaumigrem King of Pegu, begun this cruell war with an Army of a million of martiall men, two hundred thousand horse, five thousand Elephants, and three thousand Camels. The Vaunt-guard was composed but of 50000. horse: he sack't, and ruined his principall Town Lagi or Siam, which was reputed to be twice as big as Paris,* 1.394 and thrice as Fez. The siege lasted 22. months. From Pegu to Siam 'tis sixty five dayes journey, by camels; he took all his treasure, wife, and children, and brought them prisoners into Pegu with the white Elephant: This deplorable King reduced to extremities, cast himself down from the highest turret in his Palace, and broke himself in pieces, some of his daughters and Princesses made themselves away, with a hoop or circle of iron, edg'd about, that closed it self when they thrust their necks therein, with their feet in a noose hung thereunto, which strangles them imme∣diately: and if Adigola and the other Ladies had had time, they would never have been brought away alive: there was but one Lady saved, wife to the Grand Mogull's Son, This Prince fol∣lowed the Peguan Army, to recover his wife, was taken prisoner, and by his frequent prayers, and desires, he obtained leave to visit his wife, and mother-in-law: The King himself gives them much comfort by his visits, representing unro them the change and re∣volution of affairs, he gave them freedom, and remitted them ransomlesse, sent them all back again, with many and rich

presents, and married the young Prince to his Lady, who were before but affianced, conducted them to his confines, with great honour and magnificence, whence grew the greatnesse of the Mogor, Mogoz, or Mogull, tributary to the King of Pegu, who hath since broke his faith, making himself a Soveraign.

You hear for what reasons the King of Pegu waged this war, that bred so much ruine and desolation, for a white Elephant onely, a fatal and unhappy beast, as Sejans horse hath proved to all that ever possessed him, and hath cost five Kings their lives, and whole Estates, as it happened to the last King of Pegu, who had it lately taken from him by the King of Aracan, by the trea∣chery of the King of Tangus his Brother-in-law. White Elephants are very rare, yet they are so besotted as to adore them; at Siam festivals were kept in his honour, called Quinday Pileu, (which is to say) honest mens delight.* 1.395 The King of Pegu drew four in his coach, and I believe that in the rest of the East there were not more to be found. The Kings Palace called Chalousbemba, was built square, with a Dosme, at every corner stands the statue of a Gyant, of polisht marble, who Atlas-like upheld this goodly fabrick; and are re∣presented with such tortions of face, you would think they com∣plain of their load. The stone 'tis built with is smooth and re∣splendent as glasse, for the adjacent forrests, and gardens, are therein perfectly discovered.

'Tis inviron'd in with a deep trench, you enter over a draw bridge, thorough a gate of excessive heighth and strength, where are the figures of a Gyant and his wife, each of a piece, and of a mixt coloured marble, the pavement is of the same, and represents (like the Sea) this massy structure.

They spare neither gold nor azure, and in Galleries you shall see carved the Histories of all the wars those Kings have made against their enemies.

From thence you descend some steps of marble into a lower Court, encompassed with ballisters or railes, where there is a pleasant fountain, whence the water is conducted into severall gardens by pipes; the gardens fenced with strong walls, one of them is three miles long, where grow various sorts of trees, of a marvellous height, that cast most pleasant and delicious shades. The River Caypomo runs thorough one end of the garden, west∣ward: and at the other end there is a large and long walk, whence you discover, fair pastures for Cattle, that are very numerous, under the shade of those trees that bear variety of fruit, and great plenty; There are many Monkeys, Pea-birds both wild and tame, pa••rats, white partridges, and other birds. There are many other gardens and Palaces nearer hand, built of marble, and Por∣phyry, and a lake a mile about.

One of thee Palaces is allotted the Queen and her Court, (not far unlike the Escurial) which joyns to a Park stored with

exquisite and rare beasts, as Agouari, that give the musk, civets,* 1.396 girafs, the Sindero, (like the Stags are bred in Swedeland, and are put to the same use as Horses, and are called Arsinga:) Abada, or Rhinocerot. There is an Unicorn called Drougala,* 1.397 and the head of another, with the horn in the midst of the upper part of the forehead, set fast upon a fountain side, with many more curious rarities. In the Sultanes garden there is a cage of birds, we call birds of Paradise, the Portuguais Saxaror Dell Sol, and the Indians Manucodiata: some of our Europeans believe those birds have no feet, but certain nerves or strings onely, but 'tis a falshood, for I am certain they have feet which they use as o∣ther birds: They hold to that they never light upon the ground, but that they build their nests upon their males backs; but 'tis appa∣rent by those that are brought into our parts, that their feet are dexterously cut, that they may seem more strange and admirable. I saw one at Goa, which a Portuguais fed with the sweetest flow∣ers, as Jasemin, Gilly-flowers and others, which the bird delighted in. In those parks or gardens are Besouarts, and swine,* 1.398 that breed the same stone within them.

In that cage there are other birds of strange shapes, one hath the bill long and sharp, and is ravenous, feeds on flesh, and is called Tanarif. Another called Tiscan, white all over the body,* 1.399 and upon the breast, hath a bunch of feather, like a dried Rose, his bill strong and thick like an Eagles, but bigger and blacker, can break a sheeps bone in two. I think 'tis the Griffin, though it hath but two legs:* 1.400 for I never could hear of any four leg'd, as they are represented unto us. This bird is an enemy to the Tanarif, and are therefore separated. There are many more strange birds, brought from Mo∣lukes, Maldives, Java, Sumatra, and other Isles in the Indian Sea, there are Ostriches which they call Zangir, from the name of the Isle whence they come, of a prodigious bignesse.* 1.401

In the Lake belonging to the Sultan's Palace,* 1.402 are seen all sorts of water-fowle, of many different colours, they feed on fish, and a slime bred therein, that is very sweet, and when once they have tasted it, they never leave it, but breed often; There are Connills or water-Rats, without tayles, they feed about this lake under the shades, they delight to dive into the slime or mud: There live little Apes, their hair or down softer than silk, of a violet colour admirable pretty. There was in this lake a Crocodile brought from the river of Pegu, but because ••e committed great spoyl upon these birds and beasts, the King commanded him to be killed, and with much ado they took him, although wounded in many places under the belly.

We happened to be there at his death, a month after the King had given order for it, he gave many loud groanes, and sighs at his death: it was flead, and the flesh distributed a∣mongst the Courtiers, and is as sweet as musk, which occasioned

one of our gang to say, he thought Ambergris proceeded from those creatures, as he was informed in Portugall, for my part I am not of that opinion, for in the Isles Ambergris is gathered, there was never known any Crocodiles: and as I have learn't in my travells, it rather appeares to be bred in the bottom of the seas (as some Islanders (that have gathered it) have remarked) like a bitume, or thick mud: I much lesse believe it proceeds from a whale, having often both seen, and helped to take of them, we have made diligent searches into their bowells, but could never find out any such thing. A Portuguais, Don Jamo, informed us that he had seen many taken at Malaca, or Tacola, where five or six were taken in two years, of an immense bigness, their entrails were all searched into, nothing near Ambergreece was discove∣red.

* 1.403Near this Palace there is another Park, stored with tame beasts and birds, as Francolins, Pea-birds, Turkeys, their ordinary Poul∣try for the use of the Court, kept and look't to by young slaves, to gather their eggs, &c.

There are many white, red, and gray Partidges, which are fed once a day with a small grain, called Naver, like unto buck wheat, but much blacker.

There is a park for Lions, Tigers, and other fierce beasts, called Siparo, and 'tis a sad and dayly sight to see criminalls devoured by them. There was a Church founded there, in memory of a mira∣cle that happened to a Christian in the year 1572. who was expo∣sed to the Lions,* 1.404 next to the Elephants, and thirdly to the Ti∣gars, the siercest of the three, and came off from them all safe and intire, none of the beasts would touch him, he was presented to the King, (who gave him a pension during his life,) and inquiring who he was (he replyed) he was a poore Christian pilgrim, come out of France, with intention to visit the Holy Sepulcher at Jeru∣salem; that since he had travelled unto Mount Sinay with the Ca∣ravane, whence he thorough devotion came to the Town of St. Thomas, to visit the shrine of that glorious Saint; there he was bidden go to Caranganor, where that St. suffered Martyrdom; and that then he had a curiosity to see the Court of that great Monarch, so famous throughout the Indies, and was not permit∣ted to crosse the river of Pegu without money (which he was but slightly stored withall) but cast himself into the water, to swim it over, and being re-taken, was condemned to the beasts.

After this worthy miracle, some French Jesuites at San-Thomas, obtained leave of the King of Pegu to build a Church in remem∣brance of the miracle. Those Fathers go on cheerfully and suc∣cessfully in the conversion of those parts.

There are in those Parkes ponds of clear water, where they

feed Tortoyses of a middle size, Their shells are a mixture of many colours, as black, red, tawny, yellow, and others, and there are none fairer in the world.

They work up many things therewith, as Cabinets, Trunks, Box∣es, and other furniture, 'tis very neat work, for the shells are po∣lished, like diamonds, and are transparent, which make a fine show, and would be much valued here, but he hazards his life that ad∣ventures for them. This Prince makes it his only pastime every January, when their summer drawes near (for at Pegu, and all o∣ther places under the Tropick, and the Torrid Zone; winter be∣gins in May, because of the disordinate raines which fall from that Moneth to the end of August, that is their winter, their Summer begins with our Autumne, and lasts all our winter moneths for o∣ther reasons, and 'tis the same in Cochin-China, where they have three moneths winter, and nine summer) to visit his Tortoyses, which he calls Elisar, he drawes out of the ponds those of the highest colours, and he keeps fishermen to that purpose only, and which case them so gently of their shells, that they do not die, and within three yeares their shells are as well grown, and as bright as before: and thus they last 15 or 20 yeares, at that age they turned red, and their shels are of a good colour for three yeares: when the King hath a mind to eat of them, they cut off their heads, and five dayes after they are prepared, and yet after those five dayes they are alive, as we have often experienced.

In those ponds there is a certain male animall, whose skin is gray,* 1.405 and silver coloured, wherewith they cover their furniture. This animal is a great multiplyer, and is called Asoufa, like our sea Calfe, and as bigg as a small mule, and much esteemed amongst them. They have another kind, whereof they make bucklars, and coats of Armor, no steele will pierce them, they are so strong and hardned: The King himself and his foure white Elephants in war time are Armed with those skins, but covered over with slight silke stuffes. Those Elephants are exceeding strong,* 1.406 the King takes great content to be drawn upon a Telanzin, which is a kind of litter, but with four wheeles: One day I heard him command his Nangin, or chiefe Coachman, to make his Telan∣zin ready, desirous to take the aire. Two of the Elephants being brought forth to be shewen the Prince Souac, he praised them to be two of the strongest in the World, he let one of them loose out of his hand, that took up the litter, (with all belong∣ing thereunto, as wheeles and draughts) in his teeth, and carried it before the Prince, and set it softly down, as if it had been a small weight, and yet it was 500. weight. This action so high∣ly pleased pleased the King, that he commanded that ten pound of sugar should be added to his dayly allowance. Their chiefest food is rice boiled in milk, made up in balls: and they have dayly

fifty pounds to their portions, besides they are turned into the fields, and feed upon sycamore leaves, and other pleasing leaves, they love cooleness, and bathe in those ponds: they are subject to the bloody flux, and heat is very troublesom to them. When the waters are not high enough to cover them, they lie down and tum∣ble, their naturall discretion is such, that they never mingle with females before company, they go two years with their young, and live two hundred.

'Tis a beast highly valued by all Easterne Princes, and are very serviceable; They are taken thorough the whole Empire of Pe∣gu, and beyond the river Savara, at Bremu, Ava, Bengala, and Ma∣laca.

The King of Pegu, because he hath such a number of Ele∣phants, is surnamed Quiber Sencal Jasel; that is, the grand Mo∣narch of Elephants. In the palme Forrest, neer to new Pegu, they set their snares to catch those beasts. 'Tis a very pretty sight to see a tame female lead a wild male thorough the streets, when he sees himself fast, and caught, he condoles himself with many fearfull cries and emulations, and sometimes striking furiously up∣on pillars, wherewith the houses are susteined, breaks his teeth, and having sufficiently tormented himself all in water, & being sensible of the heat of that water which lies in his belly, he thrusts his trunk into his mouth, or throat, and drawes up all the water, that smells extreamly, and is boyling hot: Then with goades and pricks they force him into a dungeon, where in five or six dayes he is tamed with the female.

When they are tame they are lodged in a Princely roome, pain∣ted over, with imagary and forrest work, and are fed in silver, the King esteems them the strength of his Army, they are richly at∣tired, and eat bread, they are fed with severall sorts of corn, or grain boyled, as barly, rice, lupins, and others, they love fruit, but care neither for flesh, nor sish.

The King delights himselfe to see them monthly exerci∣sed in Battalia, richly harnessed, marching ten of breast, the Captain marches in the head, armed with a Crocodile skin, covered over with a cloath of gold: his forehead peece of the same, the riders cloathed in cloath of gold upon a green ground, with a lance, and a lyons skin hanging there∣at; even with the Captain march twelve Negroes women, young, and cloathed in Indian gownes of many colours, with drums handsomely painted, they leap and dance before the Elephants, making many grimoces, and ridiculous gesti∣culations, their faces painted red and violet; when the Ele∣phants go to war they weare the skin onely, with bars of steele over their trunks, and are richly trapped upon their fe∣stivalls, a squadron of a thousand Elephants well managed

follow the Captain, next the Kings Throne, or State, with his children thereon, high and exalted, like a Ganopy drawn by those famous white ones, followed by many Nobles mounted on others, with silken bridles, all this is accompanied with Trumpets, flutes, and other instruments, at which sound they leap and dance, and seeme to take great content, and between times they march with a gravity, becoming a rati∣onall creature.

I remember that in this solemnity a base fellow crossed the street before the Royal Throne, the beasts stopt suddenly, and could not be driven on till the Criminal was brought unto them, who expected death, a tosse or two at the least. They gazing upon one another scorned to touch him, one of the riders beat the fellow sorely with his bridle; Their Governour told them with fair words, that they had done an act worthy themselves; the beasts satisfied, continued their march.

I saw a mighty big one presented to the King of Pegu, by him of Siam his Tributary. The King immediately commanded meat to be brought him, to know his breeding, for the best bred eat with great modesty; but he that brought him said, that if he had drink, he could live without food: he that had the charge of the rest, either for scorne, or to disparage the beast's nature, brought him water in a foule vessell, the E∣lephant gave him a disdainfull look, and putting his tronk into his mouth, spouted a great quantity of stinking and hot water upon the Masters head, who returned him a blow with a staff upon the head, the Elephant immediately killed him with his tronk.

The King admired his prudence, and caused him water to be brought in a clean silver vessell, and bought him harnesse, most rich and magnificent; they are sometimes served in golden vessells, and with great respect, o∣therwise they will kill their Keeper for the least offence.

They are capable both of hearing and understanding, and learn whatever is taught them.

CHAP. XXVIII. Continuation of Pegu, of the Government and Policy, of Superstitions, and Magicians.

PEgu is innumerably peopled with very good subjects, ready upon the least command to give obedience, and execute, (and they say) that to serve their Prince, is to serve God: and hold their companions most happy, who dye in the Kings service; when the King will raise an Army, he enrolls, the number he requires, with their names, their qualities, by certain itinerant Heralds, or Calfenes who publish the war abroad, with flaming Torches in their hands,* 1.407 as I have already said. They ride on Dromada∣ries, and change often: and they are kept in most towns for the Princes service, as are our Post-horses. When the people are ac∣quainted with the Kings will, they generally leave home, wife, and children, and follow the King; every town and village hath a treasurer, who duely pay the pensions allotted by the King, and every one is sure of a livelyhood, according to his merit in the Kings service, which is faithfully discharged.

* 1.408The Governours of all towns have triennial commissions, and are promoted according to their birth to the kings favour, and the peoples free consent. They behave themselves with great inte∣grity, and discretion; and take care the Kings treasure should be distributed to them that serve best, to their wives and children, and implore them in honourable occupations, according to quali∣ty, capacity, and the occasion of service, there being publick work-houses purposely maintained; where the third part of the people are continually imployed: as Mynes, Paper-mils, Silk-works, Su∣gar engines, and other trades, and works belonging to the King. If a soldier returned from war complains to the King, that his General had not distributed to his family, what the King had commanded: The General is presently sent for, laid flat upon the ground or table, where some Courtier takes a cudgel (with three whip-cords at the end, and a ball of ciment fastned thereto) striking upon the ground without touching the man, and the King asks why he had not payd the Zimbou, or allowance to the soldiers family:* 1.409 the other must confesse the truth, and if he doth alledge any reasonable excuse, he hath not so many stripes, but he hath three at least given him however. The exe∣cutioner strikes upon the ground, untill the King commands otherwise.

The criminal is next helped up by his friends, and makes the King a low reverence, giving thanks for the mercy he had shew∣ed in not stripping him. Then the King either invites him to din∣ner himself, or some other Noble-man, and the punishment he suffered, is not held disgraceful, nor ignominious. The trum∣pets sound gives the King notice of his coming, and at his going it sounds twice, and the multitude cry out, that the Ge∣neral or Governour of such a place was retiring. The Gene∣ral casts himself at the Kings feet, and kisses the ground, the King imbraces him, and presents him with some rich Carcanet,* 1.410 or chain of Gold, or Jewels: so dismisses him, as content, as if he had got a kingdom, and this is a credit to them.

Suits in Law are soon decided, for if a man be at diffe∣rence with his neighbour, the first Danubir, or Justice,* 1.411 they appeale to, decides it upon the place.

The King once a week, sits in his seat of Justice and de∣cides differences of the greatest importance, by, and with the assistance of a Naire or Gentleman, that holds him a golden cup to spit in: 'Tis held shameful to spit on the ground in the Kings sight, but they spit in handkerchers.

The King before he rises, drinks Areca and Betel,* 1.412 brought him by one of his women, and another of his favourites an∣noints his body with a certain oyle, or sweet balsome, to preserve his health. Most of those nations eat on the ground, and use leaves, instead of cloathes, they eat in curious wood∣den vessels, artificially painted, in various manners; others are served in Purcelain, which will not endure poyson, no more then the wood Avate. At his rising from his seat of justice, a Merchant presents him with some delicate drink; he hath a guard of a hundred Naires, armed with short swords hanging by their sides, in scarses richly embroydered with gold and jewels: There are many Gold-smiths, as are in most parts of the East. He hath other Gentlemen of his guard armed with steele bowes gilt, and neatly enamel'd:* 1.413 they are expert bow∣men, and are trained up from their infancy; the guard of 100. Naires, besides their swords bear quivers and arrows gilt,* 1.414 with a marvellous strong Cane that never breaks with a Pike or Fork at one end; azured at both ends like a walking staffe: They march in order. A Noble-man bears the Kings sword before him, another his buckler, made of Tortoise shels, garnished with Diamonds, and Rubies, as bright as the Sun.

The King weares the Tiara richly adorned with gemmes: at one side of him a Lord carries a Parasoll, before him walk two jesters, with ridiculous motions and gestures, relating how they had like to have killed one another: the King is very much pleased with such Fictions and Drolleries.

One of these Bouffoones, known in many languages, fre∣quented

very much Father Joseph of the societies company, by whom,* 1.415 he was instructed, and satisfied of the truth of our religon, and resolved to be baptized.

The Father advertised the King, he consented, and the man was presently baptized, and entertained for a time amongst those good fathers: mean while, his wife not willing to fol∣low her husbands example, assembled her friends and ce∣lebrated her husbands funeral, as for a dead man, and built him a tombe, where they made pitiful moanes, with many seperstitions, bringing the women thither to weep and la∣ment, and they all dined together upon his Tomb. They do this, that the wife of a newly baptized Christian, may marry; otherwise they hold her consenting to her husbands Christianity.

This new Convert was named James, he came fourty days after his Baptisme, to salute the King, who desired to know whether he would perform his office as before, and that his pension should be still continued (he replyed) Sir, I ser∣ved you in the stead of a dead man, but now I will serve you alive, and retyring with the Fathers, he was not seen of two moneths, in which time his wife married another of meaner quality. But as I have heard, she would have returned to her first husband, and become a Christian, be∣ing satisfied and perswaded thereunto by a Portuguais, but her husband would not consent thereunto; knowing it could not availe him much.* 1.416 Then she married a Rope-maker, which is a great trade there, for they have great need of Lines, Ropes, Reeds, and Canes, which they cleave, be∣sides the Cables, and other tackling for ships. The biggest of those Canes they make Pikes or Lances of for Horse-men, as the Mores use, and of the strongest they make, Chests or boxes; for they never break; of others they make hoops, bar∣rels, and halfe barrels, to keep their drink or water in. There are of them, of an incredible size.

In this country (as well as throughout the Indies) they bear a great respect to the Image of the blessed Virgin, and to the memory of Saint Thomas, who hath wrought many miracles in the country. He raised from death to life a brother of the King of Granganor, who became christian thereupon, and built a Church upon the side of a little hill near the Sea, dedicated to that Saint, and left great revenues thereunto, which are continued to this day, but are very ill deserved. They say that the same King of Granganor, and another brother named Abanachacon, and that the King of Pegu desired S. Thomas to vouchsafe him a visit, who pro∣mised to become a Christian, upon condition he might enjoy all his women, which (as he alledged) he could not live without, by the frequent prayers and intercession of this Saint, his concupi∣scence was wholly allayed and asswaged; and in a vision this King

thought himself dipped in a pond by three celestial vertues,* 1.417 to cleanse him of all filth and sensuality, from thence lifted up into heaven, and made partaker of the heavenly glory, and received knowledge of his salvation, and was baptized by St. Thomas, and by his good prayers obtained of God Almighty, that his tomb (built of transparent marble) should be ever full of that water wherein he was purified, that shortly after this King ended his dayes wounded in a battle he fought, to assist a Brother of his against King Sangiscan.

The Bramins who at present have the possession of this Church, where stands this Tomb, say that his body is covered over with water to this very day, which is seen through the transparency of the marble, at the light of three bright-burning lamps, and that this Tomb is four fathom height raised from the ground. This they relate of it. And I remember I have seen at Arles (in Rolands Chappel, in the Church of St. Honoretus,) an ancient Marble monument replete with water, which increases and diminishes according to the motions of the Moon; and let the air be never so hot or dry, yet at full Moon the Tomb is full of water. They relate as much of another in the Church of St. Severinus, in the Suburbs of Bourdeaux, a German Lord visiting this wonder, assu∣red me he had seen the like in Austria, as at Verona in St. Zeno's Church, the sepulture of Pepin, King of Italy, Son of Carolus Magnus, is seen full of water: many things are naturally known to rise and fall according to the course of the Moon, as the ebbe and flow of the Sea, stones, plants, and animals. They hold that St. Thomas (as I have already said) was martyred at Granganor,* 1.418 by a Huntsman, making his offerings to Oysima, their three-headed Idol, who shot the Saint with an arrow, aiming at some wild beast, much more they relate of this glorious Saint, which they hold by tradition, although the ancient testimonies have left us little of his memory.

The Ecclesiastical History saith that his body was translated from Meliapur, or Calamina, to Edesse, from thence to Ortuna in Pouilla. The Christians (that are in the Indies, who stile them∣selves of St. Thomas, and say they are instructed from Father to Son, by that Saint, are Nestorians,* 1.419 and infected with many more heresies, for to this day they are instructed by the Syrian hereticks.

Those Indian Kings rely much upon Magicians and Conjurers: the King of Pegu maintains one in his Court, to foretell what he desires to know; he was called Bongi or Bonze, (as their sacrifi∣cators are called) a bruitish man addicted to all sorts of vices and abominations, yet he is the Kings minion. He carries ever in his hand a very keen hanger, like a Turkish Cymeter, onely more bow'd, dressed in two Monkeys skins, which he wears, the one before the other behind, hung all over with bells, to the weight

of fifty pounds, which make a hideous noyse: upon a time the King taking the air in a chariot, spied one of his choicest Ladies at a window, he sent for her to take the air upon the lake in a barge, or Gondola, covered and richly adorned, they were no sooner both in,* 1.420 but a sudden and dangerous storm arose from the west; that overcast and clouded the skies. The King presently called to his Bongi, to clear the air; the Conjurer immediately made a hole in the ground, wherein he urined, and using strange Conjurations, many Devils came forth of the earth, making a most horrid and fearfull din, and howling, scattered the clouds, and tempest; the King made with all speed to his Pa∣lace, putting no great confidence in his Duma, for fear of being overturned.

* 1.421The Enchanter full of mirth and vanity threatned with his Cymiter the tempestuous winds, jumping and leaping incessantly, he made a confused noyse with his bels, and mad-man like ran to the Kings Palace-gate, where he skipped and leaped, until he frightned, and scared away all the birds and tame beasts that were kept in the Park. 'Twas the same Magician, (who as I have already said, treating of the Maldives) undertook to bring birds and beasts out of the inchanted Isle of Pallouis, and was soundly beaten for his rash undertaking, and brought back onely with life enough to witnesse his shame.

The great Cham of Tartary entertaines of those Magicians, and puts great confidence in them; but more of them here∣after.

As throughout Arabia they obey the Seque, or Sequemir, in spirituals, so do they in the Kingdom of Pegu their Abedale, of a Sect called Abedali, and there are of them at Malabar. They are Santons,* 1.422 or Hermites, otherwise called Jogues, and by the Maho∣metans Marabouts. A people that observe a religious poverty, holding property in nothing, of austere life, and as the Guzarates, never feed on any animated creature. Though ready to perish with hunger they ask nothing, but the people furnish them a∣bundantly with all necessaries. If any one have rob'd, mur∣ther'd, or committed other crime, he presently repairs to his Charif, who supplies the place of principal Abedale, confesses en∣tirely what he hath done, and the other enjoyns a punishment and penance according to discretion. Though he perpetrated all the iniquities on earth, if his Superiour give him absolution, no man can further question him, or call him to account. Sometimes they punish with death,* 1.423 as it happened to one Ʋldarin, a Native, who in a savage quarrel having killed and privately buried his Brother under a tree, confessed it to his Charif, who caused him to take up the dead body,* 1.424 and seeing it so cruelly dealt with, condemned him living to be buried, together with the dead. Another time he caused another to be cast into a pond, for that he

had denied their Duma. These people have abundance of zea∣lous followers, who provide them whatsoever they want. Like∣wise are they vertuous people did they not want our true Reli∣gion. There were some who instructed by the Jesuites,* 1.425 yet continuing their belief, embraced burning from the Mahometans, for holding Mahomet was damned, and Jesus Christ was God, and born of the Virgin Mary. One Ali a Merchant of Guzerate, inhabitant of Amiadiva, told me he saw at Bagdet fifteen Reli∣gious, called the Deruis of the Sect of Ali, burned for the like confession. Some of this order I have seen wear rich girdles,* 1.426 others with diamond pendants in their ears; one at Pegu, with two curious and costly Cassocks, one of a Munkeys skin of divers colours, the hair fine as silk, the other given him by the King, covered with a Tortoise shell, but of a most splendid delicacy. These Santons, Joguies, or Indian Anchorites, lodge in the field, in hollow trees, seldom speak, have some Disciples exceeding obedient to the least notice given them, addict themselves to Magick, and to recompense their austerities, the Devil perswades them either to the precipice, or to take a death from their disciples hands, who afterwards interre them, and build a Chappel over them as to a God. Besides these the generall name of Religious in Pegu and Siam is Talapoyes.* 1.427

CHAP. XXIX. Of the Idols in Pegu, bloudy Sacrifices, Exorcisms, strange Communions.

WE have mentioned before how the Rivers of the Country yield the King of Pegu a grand revenue in fine gold,* 1.428 which he designs for embellishment of his Temples and Idols, whereof they have abundance of such extravagant effigies, as the Devil presents to their fancies. They have excellent casters and scul∣ptors, that draw these apparitions to the life, which generally are exceeding hideous and formidable: for the Devil becomes visibly conversant with these poor wretches, shewing them any thing they desire, the more firmly to engage them to his service. At the Princes Palace in the back Court, there are abundance of these Idols, all of pure gold, with Crowns, enriched with gems, as I said before; one amongst the rest of a prodigious heighth, they call Apalita, who assists pilgrims and travellers, through the world, whose Temple no man visits but with some present, which is converted to the use of the Priests, who ordinarily have wives and children. Such as enter these Tambous and Gouias, or places of

adoration would think to have some miserable end before they returned home, if they brought not some offering with them, so as he that hath but a leather to cover his pudenda, will take it off to offer to the Idol: others will present little bels of silver and gold which they hang at their genitories, in little rings drawn through the flesh, which they do to be the better esteemed of women, testifying herein that they delight in no other sex but theirs. Some there are so superstitiously devout,* 1.429 that they will cut them∣selves to immolate the bloud to their Idol. 'Tis something proba∣ble that the Turks who so scarifie their bodies for devotion, learnt it of the Indians, because the Alcoran contains no such pre∣cept.

The Priests confirm them vigorously in this Idolatry, and some there have been who meeting poor Portuguese Merchants and tra∣vellers, ignorant of their custom passing by their Temple, have cruelly cut their throats, and sacrificed them to their A∣palita. But the Jesuites complaining to the King, and shewing him the horrour and indignity of such an execration, he sentenced to death 70. of these abominable Priests, and the sentence had passed further even to their wives and children, but for the media∣tion of the Fathers. Notwithstanding their devotion, the people looked upon this execution patiently, and without the least com∣motion, for the affection they bear their Prince. Likewise through the supplications of those Fathers, they were freed from a pesti∣lentiall disease then reign'd amongst rhem.

Some amongst these Priests use holy ashes and holy water also. They are the ashes of things sacrificed to the Idols, and a∣mongst the rest of such as have made themselves voluntary sa∣crifices. There is another Idol of silver, in the proportion of a Gyant,* 1.430 who as an Oracle makes answer to demands, foretells things to come, but with a thousand lyes and a∣buses. They believe this Pagode, assists them in their wars, and as their Mars renders them victorious: They coin money in honour of him, and stamp his name upon it: But he is not alwaies effectuall in his assistance, for at the time they sacrificed the poor Portuguese I told you of, the Inhabitants of Goa and Malacca for revenge mann'd eight Gallions and some Carvells, put in at one of their Towns, which they took possession of,* 1.431 thence advanced to another which they pillaged, burnt the Temples and Idols, with all the Priests, their wives and children.

'Twas at the time the King of Pegu was gone to the Conquest of Siam, so as the Portuguese alarm'd the whole Countrey, and had Don Alouse d' Aquila, who commanded the Foot, arrived in time, they had easily carried the Town of Pegu it self, taken the Kings treasure, with the Idols rich in gold, silver, and precious stones, which had been a wealth inesti∣mable.

They put abundance to the sword, and carried a∣way numbers of prisoners: But at the Kings return the Je∣suites reconciled the difference betwixt them; at which time 'twas accorded that at new Pegu, in honour of the Concepti∣on of the blessed Virgin, a Church should be built at the Kings charges, which in these parts is no novelty, where from time out of memory, as I said, they have had an image in ho∣nour of the Virgin with her infant, illustrated with three lamps, and the Temple of God where this image was reverenced, was ser∣ved with divers sorts of Priests.

The King of Pegu this while was much incensed for the af∣front, the violence and indiscretion of these Priests had brought upon him, and conceived a hope that the very Idols would take some revenge for the injuries they had suffered from the Franques Ramatas, so they call the Portuguese, but he was perplexed, when instead thereof,* 1.432 he observed them perse∣ver prosperous, daily overturning more Idols, as they had a∣mongst others burnt the famous Apes tooth adored in Zelan, which he would have purchased at the rate of so many thousand crowns, as I said before.

Another Idoll they have, called Fotoque, (as likewise in Ja∣pan and China) of the same stature as the other,* 1.433 but of different matter, of lead and brasse mixt, such as their money is made of. They tell us this Idol with his intercession inclines their Duma, and obtains grace for all, in particular, for soules condemned to black and dark places. The Palpas are obliged to sacri∣fice to him every Saturday a black swine, and three pullets of the same colour. Poultry in this Country contrary to the ordinary, have their flesh black, which they call Fare,* 1.434 and makes the pottage black, neverthelesse very savoury. All the Sacrifices passe into the Priests bellies, for they burn nothing but the liver with aromatick odours, and pulverizing the bones, mix it with their holy waters.

When they would have any sacrifices brought to their Idol, they go about the Town, ringing a Bell made like a Still,* 1.435 and say this is to supplicate for some of their friends, who are tor∣mented in the black shades; for as to those which immitted in∣to other bodies, as of oxen or cows there to be kept till the day of judgement, they hold them well quartered,* 1.436 and to have no need of prayers.

For this cause the Peguans had a custome to eat none of these sorts of flesh, as in Malabar and other places; but since such time as their Duma in a vision gave precept to one of their Chaouris, to use all living beasts indifferently, and that a soule condemned to the body of one beast, when that dyed, passed into the body of another, they have made no further difficulty to eat it. For such beasts they have

a reverence,* 1.437 and bow to them as they would salute a friend.

They have a sort of small Asses that come from the Pro∣vince of Beluacarin, almost all red and black, or black and white, which they hunt and take with hayes like Co∣nies, and being brought to hand serve for many uses, but are of low price, by reason they hold soules never enter them, their flesh is so faint and disagreeable: we met with heards of them in the Champian, which appeared to be tame, suffering one to come so near as to lay hand on their neck; when on a suddain they sprung away like Mun∣keys, and returned about a quarter of an hour after. They are not so courtly to them as to other beasts, for the o∣pinion the Priests have put in them: and as we in de∣rision would salute them, they would reprove us, and tell us, their great Duma had commanded Fotoque to curse the genera∣tion of Asses, and the soules that should take up habitation in them.

They have likewise many other Gods, as that they call the god of atomes in the Sun, and others. Hell, they call the dark cavern of the house of smoak, where a horrible Serpent devoures soules, and whence one of their gods frees them by his power.

In a word, 'tis stupendous to consider the number of gods and Idols in their severall temples; their Monasteries, Priests, Monks, Hermits, Sects, Sacrifices, &c. Their belief likewise of the Creation of the world is strange, and of the sin of the first man, all disfigured with a thousand fables. For in the year 1557. a Cordelier, one Bonfer a Frenchman, being at Goa, moved with a pious vocation, went to preach the Gospel in these parts, and going to San Thomas, and thence by Sea to Port Cosmin, and Pegu, did what could be done by Sermon to impresse the faith in these people, but with small effect they were so hardned,* 1.438 so as after some sufferings, he was con∣strained to return from whence he went. He learnt, that 'tis held the Peguans descended originally from certain Jews, some∣times banished,* 1.439 and by Salomon condemned to work in the mines of Ophir: that they believed an infinity of successive worlds to all eternity, innumerable gods receding respectively to the diverse worlds, and lyable to death at last. That men having passed thorough all sorts of animalls at last became Gods, and that these Soules after many ages being purified in certain appointed places, and having returned diverse times into these new worlds at last, were placed some in Paradise, others in Hell, and some reduced to Niban, that is, nothing, and a thousand other dreams. After this Corde∣lier, came the Jesuites with better successe, by means of some

signal services they did them,* 1.440 in certain popular maladies they were infected with. As amongst others, Father Andrew of the socie∣ty, at the time that an epidemical pestilence destroyed innumerable people in Pegu, a Christian Townsman came and besought his intercession for his family, that was wholly infected; and the Fa∣ther demanding wherefore he had not caused his wife and chil∣dren to be baptized, he answered, he had such a real intention, but that their Pagode had prohibited him,* 1.441 and that his wife would not permit it, but threatned, if he forced Baptisme up∣on her or hers, she would publish his obsequies according to custom, and marry another: which excuse the Father took for some satisfaction, and at his supplications the people were cu∣red. Whereupon many more repaired to him for the same cause, but he would not grant them any such assistances but upon engagement to receive Baptisme; which their Priests vigo∣rously sought to hinder, telling them 'twere better to dy of that malady then be damned by the cure of Baptisme.

These Indians,, amongst other superstitions,* 1.442 which they have derived by corruption from Christianisme, they have one ex∣ceeding remarkable, which is, that once a year they make a so∣lemn communion. Having immolated a white sheep, and mingled the blood with meal, they call Agricar; on the day of the great feast of Duma, they give it to the whole congregation in form of a heart, with exhortations and remonstrance, that this which they take, is the blood of their God, and upon that day strangers are not admitted to celebrate the solemnity: but on the morrow they are received, and before they communicate, a Sermon is made to excite them to devotion, telling them their God receives them into his alliance, embraces them as his children, to whom he gives his grace by meanes of the blood they have taken. Behold how they transform and prophane what they have been heretofore taught of the Mystery of the Paschal lamb, and the Eucharist. In Mexica and Peru they have likewise confession and Communion after their manner. But they have another sort of sacrifice yet more strange, that is, they buy a slave of a high price, of thirty yeares age, beautiful, sound, and jolly, and ha∣ving washed him in a lake, or other water three mornings by the rising of the Sun, they cloath him in a white gown, keep him fourty dayes, and shew him to the people, telling them, this is the innocent that must be sacrificed for the sins of the peo∣ple. Then every one brings presents to him, and with humility beseeches him to remember them when he shall come before the great God. All this while they take a heedful care he escape not, giving him good cheer, and Areca. Every morning for the fourty dayes when they shew him, they beat a kind of Pan, and melodiously play on flutes doleful, and pathetical straines, to excite devotion, in which conset every one beares a part that he

may be mindful of them. Thirty dayes expired, the ten Priests called Gaica, persons of veneration and antiquity, habited like the Victim, come to advertise him, that within ten days he goes to inhabit with the great God, and observe diligently if his counte∣nance change at the sound of death; and take it for an ominous augury, if he shew the least fear: For which cause on the day ap∣pointed, they give him a certain potion that renders him as 'twere frantick, and takes all apprehension from him. After diverse other ceremonies on the fortith, they sacrifice him, and after eat him.

They lead him to the very top of their Temple, stretch him as it were into an oval upon a stone of the same figure, rip up his belly alive, tear out his heart which they burn, and sacrifice to their Idol, besmearing their cheeks with the blood. This flesh they eat as a sanctified and sacred Viand.

During this space, they religiously abstain from all inordinate pleasures. See but to what deformities they have changed the mysteries of our faith, as Father Andrew often made appear to them, though few made profit of it: we must attend till God of his mercy open their understanding.

* 1.443But amongst the abuses and Idolatrie of these wretched people, 'tis most lamentable to see how they are tormented by these De∣mons,* 1.444 where there are some called Zibi, which at their grand Fe∣stivals, enter into them while they dance, counterfeiting the deaf and dumb, contemning all sort of conjurations: so as to eject them, they must make new suffumigations and sacrifices; call in the Ma∣gicians to implore the favour of their Duma for deliverance of these miserable possessed creatures,* 1.445 who all this while nei∣ther eat, drink, nor sleep, become meer skelitons, so lean, and disfigured, that they are the horrour and pitty of all that see them. Now doth the Magician repaire to the Devil to know the quality of this Demon usurper, and what is to be done to enfranchise the possessed, whom they carry by night into a field, and put him in a cave or tent without light: Then in∣structed by the devil, they seek out an hearb called Sacathy, which gives light by night, containing a splendour that may be perceived at a large distance, but as they say so pestiferous, that he who gathers it dyes immediately;* 1.446 for prevention where∣of, they tye a dog with a line to it, and so pull it up, then they burn it in the room with the Demoniacle; and the Demon in the instant, leaves him, as not able to endure the sent of this hearb. 'Tis not unlike to the root of Bachaza mentioned by Jose∣sephus, which growes near the town Machera in Judea. They ne∣ver have their Festival the Corouita,* 1.447 but some one is unfortu∣nate in this kind. For as they carry along their Idol upon a six-wheel chariot drawn by Oxen, or Bufflers covered with flowers, and attended by the multitude, along the town, there are ever two or three pitiful wretches on a Scaffold in

long gowns of gray cloth, who declare to the people how they are ready to sacrifice themselves for the sanctification of the rest; Then down they come with a countenance pale and dis∣figur'd with apprehension of death, and cast themselves under the wheels of the chariot, where they are crushed to death. One there was who after he had been well fed by the Palpas or Priests for five dayes together, as a thing sacred, when the houre of sacrifice was come, his nose bled, and he would not dye upon any terms, for whatsoever the Priests could say so to encourage him, but at the same instant there was another, who voluntarily offered to take his place, and was broken un∣der the wheels: afterwards his corps was laid in the chariot by the Idol on the side of felicity. For the Idol bears in one hand a number of Serpents, to punish such as obey not his commands, and in the other a cup of some exquisite liquor, to recompense his good servants.

They have special honour for these miserable Votaries, and all their Alliance. The sacrifice ended, they take the mur∣thered bodies, and give them honourable burial wrapped in a sear-cloath, and entombe them with solemn ceremonies, and in∣strumental musick, all their alliances coming for certain dayes to rejoyce over the Sepulcher. When, any one being sick, the Ma∣gician shall declare him irrecoverable, he is put apart in a gar∣den, one of his family being appointed to attend him. But if he chances to recover, he is held as a reprobate, and no man will visit or converse with him; saying, that had he been any thing of good, their God had not disdained his company. And if he desires to be admitted in society, the Chaouri or Sorcerer must make a sacrifice of Purification for him: then being purified, he makes his friends a feast of the flesh of black cattle onely, especially a goat, which is eaten with a grand ceremony.

CHAP. XXX. The Peguans dyet, their Military exercises, their medicinable drugges, their Summer.

AS to the ordinary dyet of the Peguans, with their lawful wives they feed soberly; but with their friends, their slaves,* 1.448 or others they regard not to drink excessively, and be drunk with their sort of drink: notwithstanding they have a commendable custom not to stirre out of dores upon what termes soever, till

they are sober, lyars are detestable to them, and they decline their company.

* 1.449They use diverse manners of salutations, according to the di∣versity of Countreys: the most ordinary with Persons of Qua∣lity, and equals is to kiss; first the cheek, then the hands: the meaner sort bow the knee to their betters, who are such as keep more slaves, and Concubines to bring them children to serve the King in his Wars. So are they likewise of more honour, and the King gives them allowance for the learning of Military Exer∣cises, as to ride, to vault, and others, for which they have Masters; but their method is different from that of our Cavaliers. For this reason the King keepes a good number of horses, of purpose for his subjects exercise; Gentlemen themselves unfurnished, some∣times taking them for a year, or more, and then employ them on other occasions.

They have likewise Masters for shooting in a bow, backward upon retreat,* 1.450 as it were upon a charge, like the Parthians here∣tofore, and the Arabians at this day. They use it to draw on the enemy, and learn it of the Tartars their neighbours: like∣wise they practice to tosse the pike, and push with it on horse∣back without loosing it, sliding it dexterously in their hand; they likewise use the Azagaye, or javelin, and the Tamaca, which is a staffe, with a stone at one end, sharp as a razour; then they throw the ring, and three or four sorts of balls, very dangerous, sword and bucklars they use, and other armes much differing from ours. They have had the use of Cannon,* 1.451 and other guns from all anti∣quity, like the Chineses, as they say. In a word, they hold Mili∣tary discipline in great esteem, and every one lives happily, accor∣ding to his vocation, the greater part at the Kings charges, who in time of peace employes them in mills of severall sorts, and sugar-workes; for you must know they spend more sugar here, then in any part of the world; for that as I told you, they make the very plaister of it that covers the Tarasses of their houses, mingling it with pounded shells, whereof they make a mortar, that being dryed becomes firm, as marble.

They are a numerous people, but were they more they could find meanes to employ them, for every man labours, and you see no man in want; and if they see one in poverty, their charity is such, that if he be able, he is immediately employed, or his neces∣sities relieved.

* 1.452For account of the Medicinall Drugs of this Country, the ri∣ver Pegu with the inundation brings in the fruit of Cocos, of great esteem amongst the Indians, of great vertue to purge all humours, and proper for all diseases. For my part I never used it; for we used a method of Physick, approved of by Persons of Quality in those parts:* 1.453 That is about the entrance of summer, which there begins early with the going out of January, whence Debla

or Scammony thrusts forth it's buds, and a sort of little birds feed upon them; when we would purge, we got of these birds that go in flights like our Snipes, and eating three or foure, we find the same effect, as if we had taken a physicall medicine; another sort they have, likewise easie enough, that is, to take the husk of a certain chich pease, a grain like Palma Christi, of wonderfull ope∣ration. Likewise Scammony water, which they draw like rose-wa∣ter, to make it more operative: at the same time they take the root of Rubarb, when the leaves are on, which are large as the great Lunary, and bitter as gall; when tis first pulled up tis full of juice, near orange colour, though the root new gotten be violent.* 1.454 you need but break it, and the water within distills by little and little. Others pound it, and distill it with Scammony, and take the quantity of half a spoonfull. For purging they use likewise the wa∣ter of Jelac and Mechouacan, and other drugs, the substance where∣of they know how to draw very exquisitly; as they can the quintessenece of cinamon and cloves, which they put up in Bor∣rachoes and skins, and with other drugs, load them for the red sea, so to Meca, thence to Suria, where the Venetians fetch them, who know sufficiently how to choose them,* 1.455 leaving the worst to the Sensall, who distributes them to Provence, and thence to the other parts of France, where in stead of good drugs, they have nothing oft-times but pieces of wood, and things of small value.

CHAP. XXXI. The Election of the King of Pegu, their Offi∣cers, the Homages, and presents of the Subjects to their new Prince.

FOr account of this Great King of Pegu, his creation,* 1.456 and Mi∣litia, I will say in few words what I there learnt. A Prince of high Quality in the Empire, called the Califerech, is as it were Constable, and grand Master, who by prescription assists at the Election and Coronation of the Prince, which cannot be done without him. His Residence is in the Town of Mandranelle,* 1.457 to∣wards Tazatay. When a new King is to be Crown'd, this Calefe∣rech comes to Pegu in barks of war, and at his arrivall the Prince goes to receive, and entertain him, kissing his shoulder; the other bowes to the very ground, and kisses his leg; then the people cry out, Este lansar, that is, God be praised; then they both ascend into the Princes Chariot, no one presuming to approach near

them; and returning in gracefull order to the Town, a thousand sorts of fireworks play, the Fortress Cannon is fired, and all in good order to receive them. Being arrived at the Pallace, abun∣dance of Clarions and Trumpets sound, and a Noble man sayes with a loud voice. The Califerech commands you all to joyn in prayers, that if our Prince be not worthy, he may die before his inauguration, and the people cry out aloud, God grant it. Im∣mediately after a repast they create Officers, being necessary they should be chosen with the good liking of the Prince. The better part of the Officers have Arabian names, in imitation of Sechemir of Arabia, and the Court of Persia, to which almost all the Princes of the East conform themselves, as the most magnificent. The first that is made is the Gadalaro,* 1.458 who disposes and rules all that belongs to the Empire, and keepes a magnificent Court. The second is the Amicassen,* 1.459 or Generall of the Army, who commands all that have conduct of any Souldiers, commissioning Governors, and disposing the Kings Treasure in all things necessary to war. Then there is the Libaganir, and Libasan, joynt officers, one whereof administers the Revenewes of the Provinces, the other the tributes, imposts, gabells, and rents Royall: they have both a good strength of Souldiers to assist them, and these attend the Prince every where, never leaving him. There is the Ostades, or Captain of the Pallace, who takes order for the Provi∣sion.

The Amiracho, or Master of horse, that disposes of the Kings horses, mules, elephants, camels, dromedaries. The Amural that governs the Elephants. The Cansidibir Master of the Pages and Eunuches. The Madrecon that drawes forth the Army, and ran∣ges it in battalia. The Amiraf, Agitant Generall. The Armermi∣rac that beares the Kings Poleax. The Casandera, who gives or∣der to the Captains, and distributes the troops where he thinks necessary. The Ostender, the Treasurer of the Army. The Bi∣cassen, Master of the Wardrobe. The Testacavir, Master of the Robes, and divers others; all Noble Men belonging to the Pa∣lace Royall, Persons of Honour, and well attended.

Besides these there are abundance of inferiour Officers, and Honourable Persons of War, who receive pay by the moneth, ac∣cording to the occurrence of Affaires, to which the Merchants many times contribute for convoy of their free Commodities. Strangers are there exceedingly respected and honoured,* 1.460 and if one have use of an Amersent, who are as the Chaoux in Turki, or the French Exempts, they will bear him company every whither with the Kings provision, whereof they have the weekly dispo∣sall, and a reasonable matter is satisfaction to them. Then there are the Cachi, men of war, armed with Cassocks, quilted with agglet holes, expert horsemen, and dextrous at their bow, or the Zanfart or Zagaye,* 1.461 with three pikes, which in full speed

they will most actively cast and catch again, These I take for the Captains of Forts and Sconces, and Governours of holds. There is another sort of souldiers called Atefiar,* 1.462 who are paid by Country rents, not of the Kings Demesus, but things left by Heroes, and Persons of Armes, the Souldiers right after their decease.

They weare no other Armes then the Alfange, or Cimeterre, with the steel ring, and are skilfull wrastlers.* 1.463 The Caranizi leads the souldiers, who have nothing but meat and clothes, being a Con∣quered people, and obliged to serve the King:* 1.464 When one dies another succeeds, from father to son. The Archilet is a conflux of people of all qualities, and religions, like the Grand-Seniors, Spai: These have no pay till they have done some signall ser∣vice; as also they are placed in the wings of the battell, most commonly; prepared with Afarca, a compounded drink, that ren∣ders them so furious, they apprehend not death; they are ar∣med with the Cimitterre, Cris, or Poniard, and a Target. The Chesonana, who conducts the Elephants to battell, their teeth ar∣med with steel: He that sits upon the beasts neck to guide him, is called Dramont,* 1.465 and for this purpose is chosen with a strong and loud voice, by reason of the great noise in fight. Their ar∣mour is the skin of Crocodills, fastned with strong iron buck∣els, and have double pay, when they are expert in the conduct of these beasts, who once heated grow furious. They put twelve of the largest, with abundance of feathers before the rest, to guide them. These beasts once stirred to fury,* 1.466 make strange slaughter in an Army, whereof no Indian Prince is so stored as the Peguan, where I saw foure thousand five hundered belonging to him; and for this cause is he stiled the Prince of the Elephants, as I said before. They are exceeding chargeable, being kept with boyled rice, fifty pounds a day a peice: the females have not their teeth so long and big, who, if they are governed by young youths, out of sence and civility will lift them gent∣ly to their shoulders.

It hath sometimes happened that the enemy hath turned the Elephants upon their own men, with fire-brands, which they ex∣treamly dread.

But to come back to the creation of the Prince,* 1.467 all the Princes and Nobles of the Kingdom must be there present, and if any one hath exceptions against him for injury or indignity received, before Coronation he may bring his complaint before the Calefe∣rech. Then is the Prince brought by him into the middle of a field, where there is built a Theater of extraordinary height, with a bridge, or ascent to it, covered with a coloured cloth: then the first Prince, whose office it is, pronounces with a loud voice, that it is but necessary they should have a Prince to Govern and Rule them, to Protect the Common-Wealth, and administer Justice▪

then takes a ball of gold, with three points, exceeding refulgent, and lifts it very high, all the people observing a profound silence: then he declares to them what the Councill hath decreed, and names the Prince to be Elected, whom he causes to stand stark naked upon a stone, with his face toward the Congregation, and tells them, this is he whose Ancestors governed the Empire, and that he hopes by Gods grace he will not degenerate from their vertue.

At the instant one makes an Oration of his Endowments, his Be∣nignity, Valour, and Magnanimity, and in breif, all of Galantry he hath ever done; and that if there be any one who hath cause of com∣plaint, he should speak, and order shall be taken before his Creati∣on: then all the people cry out, God hath blessed and ordained him for our Prince. After this they keep silence for a good quar∣ter of an hour, to see if any complainant appeare. This done, the Hoboys sound, and the Principal Castle discharges the whole Ar∣tillery.* 1.468 Proceeding, they set a Crown of lead upon his head, and put an axe in his hand, apparrell him in a sheet of white silk, with a short cassock of the same colour, but embroydered with silk of various other coloures.* 1.469 One then presents to him how he ought to Govern with Presidents of his Predecessors. That the Crown of lead signified, that in all things he should use both weight and measure: and the axe, that he ought to Admini∣ster Justice, and maintaine peace and concord in his Domini∣ons; and that the Principall strength of a Prince is the hearts of his Subjects.

After these wordes they bring him in a Vessell of Emerald the ashes of the first King of Pegu, upon which he takes his oath to observe and keep all that his Predecessors have ob∣served and kept, at the cost of his very life. Then they take off his Crown and Robe, which are laid up as things Sacred; and they put on him a Cap of Crimson Tissu, with a Chapplet of gold, that hath a peake before, not unlike the Flower-Deluces, set with very resplendent stones. They invest him in a Turkish Robe, furred with the skins of white hares, to denote the innocence of his life. They say these hares change their coate twice in a year, winter and sum∣mer.

Presently the musick sounds, and the three Princes that assisted him, support him in his descent from the stone he was Crowned on, which emblem'd the stability of his life. The ash-colour he treads on,* 1.470 and the ashes in the cup represents to him death, and the in∣certainty of life, that therefore he must imploy himselfe in good∣nesse, to gain immortality, that his people may pray for him. Then being conducted to the Palace, they present to the 3 Princes three golden censors, hung in leaden chaines, with odorous per∣fumes, and the Falcada in a white Robe with the golden axe

pronounces a loud De Cysimar Caradacy, that is God hath created him, not the people.

As he passes by, all prostrate on the ground, in reverence,* 1.471 and reciprocally kissing shoulders, congratulate with one ano∣ther for their new Prince.

In the field where the Ceremony is performed are abundance of Tents of severall colours, belonging to the Princes and No∣bility, and under Coco and other trees are tables covered with clothes of Cocos, and reeds,* 1.472 the wood or leaves painted the China way, set with meat to feast the people.

The King being come to the Palace, sits down to eat with the three Princes, and round about for the subject Kings and Prin∣ces are many tables sumptuously set forth and furnished, with a device on each of them, that is, a crown of gold, with the arms of the King that eats at it.

The King of Siam as Emperour hath three Crowns, and eats with the Princes: Of Tazatay hath two Crowns, and eats likewise with the Princes. The Caleferech hath a single Crown, and eats alone. Mandranele hath two. Gilolo but one: as likewise Verma, Salaca, Aua, Martaban,* 1.473 Palea∣cute, Capouin, Campa, Tauay. These are all in the first room.

In the second are the Princes, Nobles, and Governours of Provinces, as Ternassary, Manugaron, Pepery, Micoan, Malaca; and Bengala, all heretofore Subjects, but now for the greater part are infranchiz'd: Odiata since did the like, but is returned again to subjection. The Tables orderly rank'd, covered and served royally, and what multitude soever there be, all is done with order and wonderful silence.

The three Princes that bear the Censers walk thrice about the Chamber incensing the King, then sit down and dine with him at distance, notwithstanding when the King calls for drink, four Princes who have charge of the Talcadifs, or his Cup-bearers, every one with his cup of Purcelain, hoop'd with horn of Unicorne, taste the drinke and present it to him, while the hoboys and the rest of the musick sounds. These four Talcadifs who are of the Princes blood, cry aloud,* 1.474 The Prince whom God hath newly ordained us, drinks to all the Princes and loyall Subjects: then every one drinks his health, the three assistants stand up and salute him, then sit down a∣gain, and the King continually presents plates of meat, sometimes to one, sometimes to another, so that for the feast time there is businesse enough.

The meat is seasoned with musk and amber. At the Feast there are Buffons to delight the King and Company,* 1.475 who have a thousand anticks and devices. The King having done at Table, the Emperour of Siam kissing his buskin, as an homage,

presents him a rich Crown of gold,* 1.476 which the King receives with embraces, and kisses his cheek in testimony of perpe∣tuall amity: Then the rest kissing his buskin, lay every one their presents at his feet. The Kings bring Crowns, the Prin∣ces chains and collars; the rest present according to their quality, all in gracefull order: for the kingdoms and provin∣ces, march all according to their rank, without confusion: Then the rest of the people present other things both rare and curious. These presents are brought in such quantity, that every four hours they are forced to remove them: at the coronation, which was in my time, the presents lasted five dayes from morning till night, with unparallel'd wealth and magnificence; during this time the people are all provided for at the Kings charge, and take up fifteen leagues of land, with wonderful regularity. The Presents delivered, they stay five days for dismission to return.

* 1.477Amongst other things the King delights much in Cock∣fights, for which he hath Cocks from Besistan, with beards, which beard is properly but a carnosity hanging under the throat, very brown, growing of a burnt bloud, the bird being exceeding hot: for sport they match them with the Cocks of Pegu, that are not altogether so fiery, but more heavy, and mortall ene∣mies.

The King and his Court have this recreation once a week. Their pens are close together, with mats of palm that cover the windows, at which they are fed. At the creation which was in my time, they had this game, and lifting up the mats, the Cocks immediately fell to fighting with their bils, through the spaces of the lattice, but the keepers parted them with switches, till they had taken their portions, which is of a small black grain, they call Versin, as big as a grape stone, of quality exceeding hot. The mats taken away, then is the sport, to see how they will range themselves in Battalions for the assault, frowning with rage, and the window once open they fall on in good earnest; till they most cruelly tear one another, and fill the place with blood, for a good hour together: then they part them, many lying dead in the place, which they eat, the flesh being reddish like beef, but exceeding tender and tastefull.

CHAP. XXXII. Of the Justice and Policy with the Peguans, their Sacrifices and horrible dances. A lamentable History of two young Princes.

AS to the revenues of the King of Pegu,* 1.478 when peoples or∣dinary payments are brought in, there is Proclamation through the Dominions, that no Subject is obliged to pay any Royall right, gabell, subsidy, or impost, for a whole year. What Handicraftsmen alone pay him amounts to three millions, or as they reckon so many Baselins, a sort of weight. Every house-keeper payes him so much by the year. When a new King is elected, all Towns and Villages send Deputies to make their acknowledgement, with pre∣sents of rarities, and things extraordinary: As to the elect in our time, were sent three white Cowes, with tayles dif∣fering from others, like swine, hornes growing in their skins only, not on the top of the head, which they could move as their eares, decked bard bridles, covered with cloathes of crimson silk, and hung over with bells of gold, silver, and Calin, a mettal like silver, much used in the Indies.

This present was very acceptable to him, notwithstanding 'twas done in derision of another people, his Subjects,* 1.479 who wear the like bells at their genitories, to content their Mi∣stresses, with little hooks, and rings to take them off when they go to visit them, and testifie to them they have satis∣faction in nothing but themselves; for amongst them there are that are addicted to the unnaturall sin, no more prohi∣bited there than amongst the Turks, except there be vio∣lence used, for which there is severe punishment.* 1.480 When the first Prince of the kingdom comes to take his leave, he embraces him and kisses his cheek, then presents him with ten fair white Persian coursers, barded with cloth of gold, of diverse colours,* 1.481 their feet hang'd round with bells of gold, to shew the people they are proper onely for beasts to wear.

These bells so disquieted the horses, four or five men could but hold them, so unruly they were: likewise to the Prince of Siam at his departure he gave a collar of rubies of inestimable value, in brief there was neither Prince nor Nobleman, that parted with∣out satisfaction. 'Twas thought the King distributed the best part of the horses in his stable, where he had above thirty thousand,

which are the most magnificent present can be made in that coun∣try.* 1.482 He gave besides many pieces of scarlet cloth, silks of di∣vers colours, and other stuffes sufficient to load twenty thou∣sand cammels. An Elephant he never bestowes, but on the con∣trary, all Princes diligently endevour to get them for him. All the horses he gives, arise to the advantage of the State; for when he hath occasion for them in war, the subjects upon the least orders are all ready, so well they affect him, esteeming them amongst the blessed that dye in his service, and for such the Priests never make prayers, as being already in the number of the Saints, and happy.

* 1.483For their justice 'tis equally administred to all offices and estates, depending on the Kings will, who gives them gratis, and payes all officers out of his own Coffers; which keeps them from doing any thing against Law and Justice; for their punishments are very severe.

* 1.484Creditours may by right take their Debtors for slaves when they have not wherewithall to pay them, and if they will, may sell them at the price of their debt, and sometimes sell their wives and children by Port-sale, till they are fully satisfied. The charge of suit amounts to little or nothing. They all live in good awe, and all apply themselves to labour: who hath no meanes of his own, betakes himself to Mills, Buildings, and Mines,* 1.485 where the King entertains them, so as no one wants a way to live. Poor orphans are brought up at the Kings charge.* 1.486 There are diverse enclosed places for girles, where they are employed in working silk, and many other ingenuous arts. A stranger passing through the country, may be employ∣ed if he will, or they will give him a passe to another town. The King hath four hundred slaves, but they are only for the service of the houshold, without regard to either Nation or Re∣ligion, so they are honest and serviceable: They have no wa∣ges, yet never want money, for all that have occasion at Court, still give them something. Two hundred slaves more there are, who have no other office then to hunt the Woods and Marshes for triple-coloured tortoises for the Kings Vivary: likewise they gather the silk Cottons which the trees bear na∣turally,* 1.487 whereof they gather sufficient, and leave enough for the year following.

They have another sort of silk called Fongi, gotten in De∣cember, it proceeds from the great Erpo, which we call Alove, whence there comes a silk More short, but stronger and bet∣ter then the rest. I made trial if the like could be produced here by drawing threads out of the leaves, and found it might be done, there being no defect but want of experience; For though the Climats differ, nevertheless nature is every where assi∣sted by art and labour. All these silks come to the benefit of the

people, though the King takes a good share by reason of his slaves employed in it, besides abundance of Orphanes and poor girles brought up at his cost, under the tuition of matrons and an∣cient women, to govern and correct them for their neglects: and the same for men, all with great order and policy.* 1.488 When one hath committed a haynous crime, 'tis best if he communicate it to some friend that may acquaint the King before the Justice is in∣formed of it: for the King is most clement and supremely abso∣lute: then the King being informed the quality of the crime, per∣son, and matter; it may be, that without hearing the parties, he may grant his pardon. The custom of the country is, that as soon as one hath perpetrated a crime, he layes by his apparel, puts on a white shirt that drawes on the ground, like persons doing pen∣nance with us, goes bare-head, and bare-foot, lies stretched out upon the ground, and so attends his sentence.

Some there are sit down, others stand upright, according to the nature of the offence. Many that presume upon the Princes grace, are deceived, and meet their death.

They who are condemned, are immediately given to the Ele∣phants, who with their trunks lift them on high,* 1.489 then let them fall, and so they are broken in pieces; then the bodies are gi∣ven to the Lions, and Tigars, whereof there is a great num∣ber. Adulterers are severely punished, as well men as women, and especially, if they are of a good family. One was taken on a time with his slave, who were both bound together, and buried alive.

For account of their marriages,* 1.490 when persons of quality will marry, they consult their Divines, and Magies, to know the suc∣cesse: when children are born, they have their nativity cast to know if good or ill shall befall them, whereof I shall rehearse a remarkable example hereafter.

When these Grandees, lose their affection to their first wives,* 1.491 they are allowed to espouse another, without any injustice to the first, who must suffer till her husband pleases to call her back, this happening most commonly for dislike and change of diet. Where the husband and wife preserve a perfect amity all their life, when the husband dies, if the wife will do according to the custom of the country, the obsequies ended, she remains with her friends for a certain time to bewaile his death, then makes them a great feast, in token of rejoycing, distributes her jewels and chiefest goods to them, who are dear∣est to her; and having embraced and kissed her Parents, Kindred, and Friends, they conduct her with Flute and Ho∣boys, to her husbands monument under a Tent, adorned with Folliage, and covered with flowers, where they drink, eat, dance, and make merry, and the poor woman takes a potion, that makes her as it were frantick: then dancing,

and carowsing, she sacrifices her self to her husbands ghost, throwing her selfe into a fire, having distributed to her friends the rest of her rings and jewels. Their Priests and Ma∣gicians confirm them in these abominable customs, which they observe in divers other parts of India, as at Narsinga, Cambaya, Coromandel, and other places. But they take diligent care in these marriages of the great ones, that the women have free choyce with the consent of their kindred, to the end it may be the vehemence of affection that obliges them to so cruel a te∣stimony. Likewise men to assure their affection to their Mistres∣ses,* 1.492 use strange testimonies: some with a Torch will burn their Arms before them, others will cut and stab themselves with po∣niards: others taking a cloth dip'd in oyle, will light it, and have the patience to let it burn out and extinguish upon their arm: which obliges a woman to the like love, and to render the like proof at his death.

But that truculent sacrifice they immolate to their Gods of their poor and wretched daughters, is no lesse strange and truculent: for in a part of this vast Empire to celebrate the feast of their great Crocouatas,* 1.493 they bring up their daughters in the Temple, Virgins devoted to prayer and fasting, who are consecrated and preserved for the solemn sacrifice in such sort, as when Father, Mother, or kindred visits them, they do it with reverence and adoration, as to Saints and celestial persons, and entreat they would be mindful of them, when they have the honour to come before their great God: for this consideration they bring them for an offering all sorts of dainties. Every year they sacrifice one of these poor girles. In the front of the altar stands a marble stone very radiant, and of various colours, where they imagine they behold the figure of that furious Demon they adore. The maid devested of her rich attire,* 1.494 beholds her God, and observes if he yet call her, for they say the Demon calls her by name, and invites her to union: then their Palpes or Priests vested in their garments sacerdotal, take her, and setting her stark naked upon this stone; after divers incensings both to the Demon and the maid, they strangle her in the presence of father and mother, who ob∣serve well if she be dead, that she may not suffer a second mar∣tyrdom; and having with a stone sharp as a razor ripped up her body, they tear out her heart, which they throw in their Demons face, burn it, and sprinkle the ashes mingled with water upon their Idols: the rest of the body they burn at leisure with aromatick woods, for the use of the Temples. In other places the Priests eat the Victim. The sacrifice ended, they go to dinner, the congre∣gation assists at the service, and prayers made by the Priests with many incensings: the Priests then change their vestments, and take others of a horrible form, and mounting upon a Scaffold, as soon as the Musick playes, begin to dance. They begin in a low

key, then they rise, with prayers and imprecations mingled, til heal∣ed with keeping time to the cadence of the musick they become franick, some falling to the ground, others continue dancing, holding bells which accord with the instruments: So soon as any one falls to the ground, none but would think the de∣vil enters into him, they change the tune, and dance with more violence and fury, without missing the least point of the cadence.

But what is most strange of all, they say at the same time they see the the devils dance with them,* 1.495 and that they easily know them by the agility of their motion, for otherwise they are attired like the Priests. They observe visibly that they must needs be Demons; because only a certain number of Priests mounting the Scaffold; when any of them fall, you still see the same number dancing, without diminution. By reason whereof, the behold∣ers suffer strange distempers, and their hair standing an end.* 1.496 I re∣member that being present on a time for curiosity, on the sud∣dain I felt my self seized with a swimming in my head, that so in∣flamed me, I was almost suffocated, not able to speak a word, nor draw my breath, and striving to cry out and call for help to my company that was not far off; I could not possibly bring forth a word: so as being all in a lavour with agony and distresse, that held me a quarter of an houre, in my heart I made my prayers to Almighty God, by whose grace I was deliver'd, having never known the like torment in my life-time; for I felt I know not what pass betwixt my legges, then leapt upon my shoulders, the phantasm continually grasping me fast. I was so dejected, as nothing could be more, but my companions reassured me the best they could; and as soon as I was gotten away, I went to tell it to Father Hipolita of Saint Francis order, who assured me 'twas a di∣abolical illusion to have destroyed me, had not God with his grace secured me. He counselled me to be thankful to Al∣mighty God, and come no more where such abominations were, the curiosity whereof had cost me so dear; for I was a glad man to see it end in a mockery; but thenceforward I had a care how I came within their Temples, and congregations to see their ac∣cursed Idolatries.

But to end the feast, when the ceremonies and dances have lasted four dayes, the Nobility makes a feast in some Palace of account,* 1.497 where the principal of the city, men and women, are invited, and come most richly apparelled, and covered with jewels, and ru∣bies sometimes as bigge as a nut, blazing like burning coales: then after a sacrifice, these Nobles command the Musick play some pleasant ayre, and one of them takes a dame, whom he likes best forth to dance, not touching her hand nevertheless, but hold∣ing by a handcherchief of silk, and all the rest do the like till the ball be ended. They dance round, and 'tis prety to see this humble

dance,* 1.498 artificiall for the many changes are in it. This ended, the musick changes to a very solemn base, as 'twere for repose, with certain stanzoes sung in praise of their deceased Ance∣stors, celebrating their valours with a thousand encomiums for the most part false. Then they sit round, discoursing still of the valour of these deceased, and the women more tender of heart fall a weeping, and amidst their lamentations all cry out, they shall never be like their Fathers, who did such and such high feats: after having invited each other joyntly to complaints, at last being tired, they take a collation together, and so the cere∣mony ends.

By what is said 'tis plainly seen, how strangely superstitious these people are, and how serious an honour they bear their gods or demons, to which their Priests cease not dayly to excite them more and more, and omit not the least diminutive Ceremo∣ny for their honour or profit. These Priests bear a wonderfull authority over them, which as I said before, is more remarkable in their wars, than in any other thing.

* 1.499For these Eastern Princes in raising war differ much from us, insomuch as having a considerable war to be commenc'd with their neighbour Princes or others, the Priests take upon them authority to arbitrate the matter, having such priviledge, as freely to remonstrate to their Prince his duty to the people: whereupon two Bramins or Priests for both sides, without passi∣on, confer together of their Princes complaint, to find a means to accommodate the matter: when they cannot effect it, they draw a hundred of the prime horse, and as many foot out o•• their Armies, ranked in battalia, consisting many times of three or four hundred thousand men, rarely ever making war but with equality, the stronger still giving law to the weaker. And though one Bramin find his party stronger by a hundred thousand, he yet makes a conscience to use his advantage as much as may be, to prevent combat, and if of necessity it must be, he uses a thou∣sand protestations to his Prince to hinder it; but not effecting it, they order the two small parties to joyn, giving their benediction to them, and exhorting every one to do his best, the Victor giving conditions to the other, who is compelled to yield, and so their wars are concluded for the most part. To them who in this action shall have done any thing signall, the Prince gives a favour which they keep as sacred, though many times 'tis but a scarf or silly taffeta ribbon,* 1.500 with a certain character or figure in the middle, that denotes he hath behav'd himself well in fight for his Princes cause,* 1.501 which they wear on festivals in hats or palm bonnets, and some there are who have divers of them respective to the occasi∣ons they served in.

For the example I touched upon in the predictions at the marriages of great ones, and the fortune of their children,

'tis thus. In the land of Transiane there was a Prince tributary to the King of Pegu, and his near Kinsman, who married a sister of the Prince Tazatay, one of the greatest beauties in the Eastern parts. The nuptials were kept with great joy and so∣lemnity, amongst other things the Divines were consulted of the successe of the marriage, and 'twas found that never two persons had loved, and should love so well as these two; the Prince and Princesse Alfonge and Abelara, this hariolation doubled the joy and celebrity; and in effect they lived a sweet and a happy life, with intire affection, and for their greater felicity they had two twin-sons, who in their under-growth discovered some∣thing of great and lofty, and appeared singularly hopefull for the future: These Infants having attained their ten yeares age, loved so cordially they could not live asunder,* 1.502 and the ones desire, still met with the others consent in all things; but the Devil, that enemy of concord, inspires a curiosity into the minds of the Father and Mother to know their fates, and to their grief were told, the time should come when these two brothers that now loved so fondly, should cut one anothers throats;* 1.503 which much astonished the poor Princes, and filled them with fear∣full apprehensions.

The two Princes being come to their fifteen yeares, one said to the other, Brother it must be you that must murther me, for I will sooner dye a hundred deaths, then do you the lest harm imaginable: the other reply'd, believe it not good Brother; I desire you, for you are as dear, and dearer to me than my self. But the Father to prevent the misfor∣tune, resolved to separate them, whereupon they grew so troubled and melancholly, he was constrained to pro∣tract his design, till an occasion happened that invited all three, the Father and two Sons, to a war betwixt the Kings of Narsinga and Pegu, upon Title of Territories, one detained from the other: but by mediation of the Bramins a peace was concluded, upon condition these two young Princes should espouse the two daughters of the King of Narsinga, and the King of Baticalas Sister, two Princesses of transcendent beauty, and that the King of Pegu on him that should marry the elder, should conferre all the Countryes he took in the last war, with the Kingdome of Martaban, and the other Brother, besides the Kingdome of Tazatay, should have that of Verma, which containes the Seniory of Zait, that payes yearly for tribute twelve pearles, weighing two Serafs of Gold, and of intire perfe∣ction. These contracts agreed upon, were signified to the two Princesses of Narsinga, who, though then very young,* 1.504 told their Father they consented to the marriages, but on this condition, that their husbands happening to die before them, if they made

not voluntary sacrifice of themselves, it should not be im∣puted an infamy to them, because they were unacquainted with them.

This was agreed to, and the Nuptials consummated to the generall joy of all men for the common peace accompanied them, and great feasting there was every where. The one of these Princes stayed with his Lady in Narsinga, the other went to possesse the Province of Verma, lands spaciously divided: so as a long time they were without inter-view, visiting each o∣ther onely by missius and presents of value or curiosity. Now it fell out the King of Tazatay was engaged in a sharp war with the King of Mandranella, and sent to the two Brother-Princes his Sons, for aid: who both hastening with a good strength of Souldiers, one knowing nothing of the other, the one declining his direct way, marched up to the enemy, and in a bloudy fight defeated him: thence went to present himself to his Father, but by sad destiny on the morrow, his Brother arriving from Verma with his Lady, in the evening came secretly into the Town to visit a Lady, once their anci∣ent Mistresse:* 1.505 the other Brother being on the same design they met at the Ladies gate by night, not knowing one ano∣ther, where furious with jealousie, after some words they drew and killed each other. One of them dying, amongst many other things said he, gave humble thanks to God that he had prevented the direfull destiny of his Horoscope, in not ma∣king him the assassine of his Brother, as 'twas prejudicated: Hereupon the other finding him by his voice and discourse, drawing near his end himself, crept to him, and embraced him with tears and lamentations, and so both dolefully ended their dayes together.

The Father being advertized of it, seeing his white haires led by his own fault to so hard a fortune, overborn with grief and despair, came and slew himself upon the bodies of his Sons, and with the grief and tears of all the people, were buried all three in the same monument: which shews us the danger of too great curiosity, nor is it an easie que∣stion how this can be found by knowledge of the stars, or if they are things inevitable, which I leave to be decided by the more learned.

But before I end this Chapter I shall observe, that amongst such a diversity of Idols, as well of the great Corcouitas, who is the principal and most ancient, on whom all the others depend, as of the Oysima, the promotor of all things, and diverse other strange and horrible shapes, every one with Temples and Sacrifices peculiar, amongst all this they have, as I said, the image of the blessed Virgin with her infant, which with lighted lamps they honour reverently. These lamps are not of glasse, but Talc

stone, of which they have abundance,* 1.506 whole mountains at one point of the Countrey, eastward. They work it very artificially, and make of it severall sorts of Utensills, compounding the met∣tle Calin, so much esteemed through the Indies, from Persia, as far as China, like silver; but as easily melted as tin. Of this they likewise make their windowes, and lantorns: lantorns they likewise make of the triple coloured tortoise shell I spoke of before.

I omitted to tell you that for their dances they use a sort of pans, which being wel handled, yeild an elegant melody,* 1.507 but to play well requires long practice. They have other Musicall instru∣ments, not of use in Europe, amongst the rest a sort of pans, flat and double, the cover whereof stands two fingers distant, set with wyar strings, they call it a Hydrac, it is tedious,* 1.508 and difficult to learn. For the quality of their yeares, I could not well under∣stand their manner of account, but in generall I find they reckon by Moones, as the greater part of the east,* 1.509 and their dayes by the sun; out of these Moones they raise five dayes, allowing thir∣teen Moones to the year; and the fift day being come, about mid∣night they make a solemn sacrifice in their Temples, where they universally meet. I conferd with some about this matter, who told me, the Peguan year was like that they use in China, which is Lunary, and that they compare it as neer as may be to the Solary; for their year consisting of twelve moneths, twice in five years they gain a Lunary month, making that year of thirteen Moones, so as they have no knowledg of the golden number, nor the nineteen years circle, and the anticipation of one hour and twenty eight mi∣nutes, which remits the new Moones to the golden number, with them is accommoded by the annuall supputation: for they nei∣ther have, nor will have a perpetuall Calander, but at great charge print every year a new one, which they send through all the Pro∣vinces of China.

It may be our Peguans would imitate this after their fashion, and according to their understanding, which is very weak for such matters, which the best wits amongst us find task hard e∣nough.

Of the Philosophy of the Indians, and their opinions in Astronomy and Geography, I shall say something hereafter.

Before I leave the state of Pegu, I will not omit what some of the Peguans told me, and have mentioned in writing in their Tra∣vailes. That some yeares before we arrived, there was in the Countrey a King of the ancient Royall Race, who had many Depu∣ties in the Countrey of Bramaa, towards the Lake Chiamay, a∣mongst the rest, one in the Kingdom of Tangu that rebelled against him, defeated and slew him, and made himself King of Pegu,* 1.510 they called him the Bramaa of Tangu, a great Tyrant, and a Potent Prince, who by force of Armes joyned many Kingdomes to his Empire, as Pram, Melintay, Calani, Bacam, Mirandu, Aua, Marta∣ban,

and others; He afterwards was put to death by a Peguan Lord, called Xemin, of Zatan, who made himself King, but was defeated, and slain by another, called Xemindoo, who likewise being made King, was not long after defeated, and put to death by Chau∣migren, of near aliance to Bramaa, who became one of the most Powerfull Kings hath raigned in Pegu, who brought totally un∣der the Empire of the Kingdom of Syan, with twelve great King∣domes more.* 1.511 They report that in the War of Syan, he led into the field seventeen hundered thousand Combatants, and seven∣teen thousand Elephants, whereof nine thousand were for fight, the rest for carriage. To which the immense Armies brought heretofore by the Persian Kings against the Grecians, may induce us to give credit; the cause is, that in all these Eastern Countreys, the greater part of the people go to the wars, and that there are not amongst them so many Ecclesiasticks, Lawyers, Clarks, Book∣men, and idle Persons as are with us.

The King that raigned in Pegu in our time, called the Brama, was as I think, the son of this Chaumigren, afterwards hard enough dealt with by the Kings of Tangu, Aracan, and Syan, as I said be∣fore.

But it is time to advance to the Provinces and Towns of high India, subject, or confining, and neighbours to Pegu, as Abdia∣re, Vilep, Canarane, Cassubi, Transiane, Tasata, Mandranella, Tarta∣ry, and others.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of Abdiare and Vilep, Towns of Pegu Fis∣mans, Apes, Unicornes, and other ani∣malls. Fotoque, an Idol with three Heads.

PErsevering constantly in our trafick, thorough the Towns and Provinces of this great Empire of Pegu, and the Countreyes adjacent; amongst others, in the Town of Abdiare and Vilep, a Kingdom in high India, subject to the Peguan; and having traded with certain Merchants (whom we found open and reall) treat∣ing with the Sensall, or factor, not by words, but by fingers, and joynts of the hand, the practise of all the Indies, to conceale the price of Merchandises. We parted from Vilep with good company, and within three houres came to the descent of a hill, exceeding shady; upon the hanging whereof was a plea∣sant fountain, where the whole company stayed for refreshment,

but we had not been long there when there came about us an ex∣traordinary number of Apes, the greater part black as jet, some small ones black and white, very lepid: one of them addressed himself to me, as it had been to crave something of that I was eat∣ing, and thinking to fright him away, he was not scared at all, as if he were accustomed to passengers: I cast a piece of bread to him, which he took very modestly, and divided with his company and two young ones he had with him;* 1.512 presently there came three more, which seemed to crave their share, I gave them something and they eat very quietly: but on a sudden part of our company arose and took their Armes, by reason of a heard of Fismans,* 1.513 or wilde dogs they discovered, making towards us, which with one musket shot were all scared away: in our sight they fed on grasse like sheep.

Proceeding on our way we met with abundance of other sorts of strange animalls, as likewise of fruits, some whereof of growth much to be admired: some that bore rosin,* 1.514 that smell like Mas∣tick; others a red berry, wherewith they dye carnation, which never fades, but dayly becomes more lively. Having thus tra∣velled ten or twelve dayes through diversity of soyles, meeting with many rivers, animalls, trees, and other things unknown to us, amongst others abundance of civit Cats, whereof they have some domesticall, which you may buy foure for one Pardai,* 1.515 but they are stinking, and their dung smells like Mans. At length we took to the River Jiame, and in three dayes came to the Village called Tanza, on the morrow to Canarane, a faire Town, rich and flourishing as any Town in India, the Capitall of a Kingdom, bearing the same name, confining eastward, on the Country of Tazatay, south on Carpa, and northward on Moantay, another great Kingdom. The Town is seated betwixt two great rivers, Jiame and Pegu, it is in circuit about foure leagues, magnificently built: in customes and conditions the people differ much from those of Pegu, for they never go barefoot as the others do. Princes and Noble Men weare rich buskins, and sandalls set with gold.

The King of Canarane is Potent and Wealthy in Mines of gold and silver. He hath also one of Emerald, the finest in the east,* 1.516 whence he drawes great profit. This Prince was never known to diminish, but augment his Treasure. Likewise they have Mines of Turkesses.

When a King dies, they interr all his Treasure with him, and sweare his Successor not to meddle with it. For the first year he and his Court are maintained at the Subjects charge, and all the Nobility by obligation come to make their ac∣knowledgment with rich presents, and sue to be establisht in their Estates, Offices, Seniories; for the King hath right to sell estates of all sorts then vacant; and hereupon all his

people high and low, are tied with petition in hand, and with presents, to sue for their offices and vacancies, which raises him in this year a marvellous treasure. No one can wear shooes, rings, nor girdles of gold, without the Kings license, which brings him in a great gabel, a share whereof belongs to the King of Pegu as soveraign, who granted him the grace, because the Countrey is colder than Pegu, and I have heard it of Merchants, that in the winter here rage certain in windes,* 1.517 or Mounsons which come from the North, so cold that travellers lose their toes the cold is so sharp and rigorous. Their custom is, if a Merchant will oblige himself, he obliges likewise all his goods, wife, and children, and failing at the day promised, the Creditor may seize on all for slaves.

The usual money is called Canza, and all the Peguan is currant there, which the King stamps in gold or silver, through the In∣dies called Jamis, besides what every particular Prince coins of his own. They have another sort of silver money called Pardain and Tazifo. They make some likewise of tin mixt with copper, which being no coyn royal is lawfull for any man to stamp; as also another sort called Bise, wherewith they may buy any thing: one must be carefull in taking it, or he may be deceived. The King keeps abundance of slaves for his Elephants and stables. In their structures they use ciment mixt with sugar, as in Pegu, which mixt with calcin'd shels becomes very firm,* 1.518 the shels are dear and sold by measure. They have many plantations of sugar, the canes whereof they give their Elephants, who love them exceedingly, so as when they commit any fault they deprive them of that food, and so easily chastize and instruct them;* 1.519 when their keeper speaks to them they will moove their great ears to understand what he sayes. They are decently lodg'd, and, as at Pegu, fed in silver vessels. The better sort of people live after the Persian way, their houses ennobled with gold and azure. They have onely one law∣full wife,* 1.520 but divers concubines who go richly apparelled, their face vail'd in the streets, as in Spain and Italy, but within door their faces are uncovered, and are very sociable. They are Gen∣tiles and Idolaters, and easie to be dealt withall. If a Merchant make stay in Town, he shall have a couple of young women will furnish him with a house, and all necessaries, and serve him like slaves; nay 'tis lawfull to beat and chastize them if they do not what they are commanded, having once submitted to it. They go well apparelled and decent as may be, are very affable, dance, and sing well; preserve a Merchants goods with great care, Lar∣ceny amongst them being held a notorious ignominy. Almost all the women are clothed in white, as all the Inhabitants, men and women in Arabia Felix.

We lay in the Town of Canarena, at one Chamuts, a Brokers house,* 1.521 who had two Unicorns horns, one whereof had half the head remaining to it.

We put the end in water to see if 'twould make it boyle as the horn doth, but I thought it boyled more vivaciously, and it came out like pearle. I asked him if he ever saw of these creatures alive, he told me he never saw but two, which were very young; and not come to have hornes. That the King going a hunting, took one of them, but they could not take the damme, whatsoever they could do, be∣cause as they say, they shun and fly from the aspect and pre∣sence of a man, and the places where the Serpents haunt, whereof we spoke before, who make a cruel warre upon them for greedinesse of their blood, which is said to be of excellent scent, as it hath been divers times proved; particularly, when one was sent by their Prince to the King of Pegu: which stung by a fly, the bloud which issued out, was put in a bottle and brought to the King, who made no great esteem of it, not finding the scent agreeable, though notwithstanding he found it more odorous then Civet, This the Sensal or Bro∣ker told us. I my self saw a perfect Unicorn in the King of Regues Seraglio, who had the tongue differing from other beasts, very long, and jagged; the head more like a horse then a hart, and there are of several haires. The Keeper said, 'tis but an uncleanly beast, delights in his own soyle, and that having often seen him drink, he never observed him to put his horn in the water.

The Indians report many other things of them, but so strange and various, there is no great assurance, as that they breed but once in their life-time, and like Elephants, go two yeares with their young, and the like. A Bramin (an order Kings themselves hold it an honour to be of) told me once with a protestation, laying his hand on the wreath of his order, that he was present with the King of Casubi at the ta∣king of one of these Unicorns, which was all white, and ve∣ry old, the chops so hanging down, all her teeth were seen, that she was so fierce in her owne defence, she broke her horn amongst the boughs, that being taken, they brought her bound to the Kings Pallace, but being so bruised with blowes, for having hurt the Kings Nephew, she would not eat, and so died within five dayes, which shewes she is a cho∣lerick and sullen beast,

The Queens had bracelets made of the bones, as Indian Ladies have a curiosity in wearing bracelets of Ivory, and the like.

The King of Casubi reserved the horne of this beast to himselfe: about five moneths after being at this Princes Court, who was both courteous and curious, I desired the Sieur de la Courb, one of our own company, to request the favour we might see this horne, which he did; and the

King immediately sent for it, and gave it him, and the Sieur in requital, gave him a delicate watch.

This horne was of different colour to those I had seen in the Sultan of Mecaes Serallio, and other places, for this drew neare a white gray, whereas the other were of a black gray.

I have been told that Lewis de Bartheme in his travailes, recounts how he saw at the Seldans of Meca in Arabia, two of these Unicornes, which were sent him by the King of Aethiopia, high, as a two year old colt, of a dark co∣lour, the head like a Hart, the horne three fathome long, a little Mane, small legges, cloven feet, and a Goats cley; likewise the English and the Hollanders report, that in their last voyage towards Spiteberg, in a place called Horendsond, they found Unicornes hornes, not knowing of what beast they were.

The Prince of Casubi moreover shewed us his Ladies brace∣lets, made of the other piece of this horn, which had a very sweet scent.

He shewed us likewise the bones of an intire head, which one of his Princes kept in a Cabinet, and divers other cu∣riosities; amongst the rest an Estrif, that which we call a Griffin, but the head was wanting, because at the time it was killed,* 1.522 it fell amongst brakes, so thick and thorney, they could not finde it till the morrow; by which time the Marmosets had eaten the whole head; the feet were of strange length, and the Tallons would well have seized a bushel, his plume was white, and reddish upon the brest; they have but two feet, and a Tallon is a good halfe ell long, from one end to the other: I have seen of them of prodigious strength, and furiously ravenous, that would have carried away a calfe of six moneths old, and eaten him. There are abundance of them about the lake Chiammay, whereof we spoke before.

* 1.523From Canarana we made some dayes to Mandranella, a fair Town, fifty leagues from Tasatay upon Zingis, a large and deep river, that bears great vessels.

They traffick with the Tabins, or Chineses; and the peo∣ple of Bugazan come thither for all necessaries.

* 1.524This is the residence of the grand Caleferech of Pegu, where∣of we spoke before: All persons of quality that passe this way, go kisse the Princes buskin, who is as affable and courteous as may be. There is another Town of the same name in Indostan towards Persia, above six hundred leagues from this. In this countrey there is a sort of domestical fowle, they call Bouiagui, which live for the greater part in the water, and feed on what is thrown them: such as have

house and lands upon the river, keep abundance of them, being of little charge, and great profit; he who can get two hun∣dred of them, thinks himself wealthy; for he needs no more then one little lad to drive them a field, with a basket to gather up the eggs, whereof he will not loose one; for they sit down to lay, and are very fruitfull. They have a custom every evening to stay an houre in the water, then to call them out to seat; they have an u∣sual signe, which they readily observe. They are very good meat, and delicious. The nature of them is, that turn them into a ground sowed with Mil, or Rice, they will most strange∣ly pull up all the weedes by the root, without touching the grain.

The grain they call Taffin, is like our Millet, and hath a leaf like a reed, which these birds will in no sort meddle with, whether for aversion, or other cause. They are very cheap, we had two for a halfe fanon, which is no more then two pence with us,* 1.525 and are as big as a hen, and very fat. We found them to be excellent meat, we bought more of them, my Companion and I, for our re∣creation, walking by the river side, to turn them into such grounds to see them cull, and pluck up the no cent hearbs. We were con∣sidering how to transport of the eggs into France, and specially to Arlids, a corn Countrey, where they are at so great charge in weeding, but making tryall of them in a ground sowed with Chi∣za, which in other places is called Moussa, a sort of round beanes,* 1.526 but twice as big as ours, and of the same taste, only the skin more thick and hard, of chesnut colour, the leaf flat; but we found they eat the corn, and let the weeds stand, so we learnt of the In∣dians these birds are not weeders for all grains. For two Fa∣nons, which in our money amounts not to eight pence; one may sometimes buy a hundred: they take paines from morning till night, without intermission, and cost little the keeping.

In other parts of India we saw another sort, of a diffe∣rent colour, drawing towards green and gray,* 1.527 called Ar∣tipan, serving for that use, and others; For in November they Mue, and cast all their feathers, with which the Inhabi∣tants stuffe cushions and pillowes of Coco mats, to sit and sleep upon, to cover their Country houses, for lattices, and diverse other things: they are so large, they eat all sorts of vermin, flesh, and fish.

In this Town of Mandranella, an Indian of good quality fre∣quented our company, and often eat with us, bringing of his Coun∣trey fruits with him; of whom I demanded one day, if he made no scruple, we being Ramata, so they call the Portugues,* 1.528 and all Christians on this side, to eat with us, since the greater part of the Indians esteem themselves polluted by it. But he told us no, and that their three headed God, Fotoco, was esteemed a friend to the Franques Ramata, and that one of them had brought a

Sanacarin,* 1.529 or image of the Virgin, as they terme it, which their great Oysima had honoured with such high vertues and attributes, that it had the priviledg to make the third head of their Fotoco, for which reason this God hath ever since been the most accom∣plished, the greatest and highest of all, to whose excelsitude none can attain, and that the day will come when he shall judge all the other Gods for abusing his faithful people, but for being cruell to the wicked, that they shall be quit of.

* 1.530In Cambaya likewise they adore a triple headed God, and say the God the first cause of all things, had three children, on whom he conferred his Divinity, and that they had all but one will. In Tazatay likewise they have the same God, with three heads, which they say is three Gods united in one. In other places they adore a fowle, which they hold to be the Holy Spirit of God, and many things of like sort, by which may be seen these poore Indians have heretofore had some Doctrine of the blessed Trinity, and other Mysteries of our Religion, but they have confounded all with fables and imaginations. The Bramins themselves, to signi∣fy this, weare three cords tyed on one knot, and a cross on o∣thers.

CHAP. XXXIV. Of the Kingdom of Casubi: their Religion.

FRom Mandranella we went to Casubi, both a Kingdom and a Town (sometime subject to the King of Bengala) where we first discovered a most high mountain, and then the Town, and drawing nearer we perceived abundance of lighted torches, and a multitude of people: We stayed to observe the matter, and saw some bring the body of a Tree, which immediately was laid in the ground, with lime and ciment, attended with women clo∣thed in red jackets as low as the girdle, and a cotton ski••t thence to the foot,* 1.531 in which colour they likewise were cloathed that carried the Tree, in which was enclosed a Corps wrapt in linnen, and aromatically imbalmed with mastick and other drugs, that prevent corruption, then laid in this Coffin, and covered with the same timber, and fastned with pins of the same, all pargetted over, within and without with mastick, frankincense, and bitumen. For∣ty dayes they spend in feasting over the sepulchre, near to which there is a booth built, of purpose to dress and season the Viands, with Aromaticks, that, they say, the soule of the deceased may sent the prefume.

They go then before their Pagode, or Idol, without weeping,

because they think the dead all go streight to heaven. These fourty dayes terminated, they employ fourty more in erecting a Piramis, made sillily enough of earth and water, but as high as a Tower, proportionable to the elevation of the person. This done, the wife of the deceased all alone, retires to her house for fourty dayes more, incessantly weeping for her husband; her kin∣dred mean while supplying her with all necessaries, for she would sooner be her own death, then go forth to demande any thing.

During these six score dayes there is continual treaty of a new marriage for the widow,* 1.532 who is led forth in a delicate virgin gar∣ment, accompanied with other delicate young dames, that make a set to play at tennis, or ball, made of a spungy Ciment,* 1.533 that bounds higher then one filled with wind. The women affect it much more then men, and use this game to get them husbands, by their agility and addresse.

While we were in this Country, there was one, who after she had ended her widow Ceremonies, was found dead in her bed,* 1.534 by having slept upon an hearb, called Sapony, absolutely mortall to such as lie on it.

The Town of Casubi is faire, great, and of good traffick.* 1.535 The men are of good stature, something tawny, the women very beautiful, and kind, well apparelled, of blith and jolly humour,* 1.536 their garments are something lascivious, for being cut, and open their skin is seen, and discovered; the aire there is likewise tem∣perare enough.

The Town is environed with high mountains, garnished with pure fountains, and fruit of all sorts, chiefly quinces of the lar∣gest size, and the most kindly of any other part of the east, they call them Goncha: here grew likewise excellent grapes,* 1.537 the same as at Aleppo, which they bag up in sacks, made of Co∣co cloth, and load, and unload upon the ground, as they were nuts, without hurting the least grain, upon the trees there is abundance of Manna, which they gather diligently before sun rising, for it dissipates, and vanishes so soon,* 1.538 as the sun rayes come upon it. They sell it very cheap, though it is very purgative; I remember that gathering some once of a tree that resembles our salleyes, I thought I had taken Scammony.

In these parts people live long,* 1.539 sometimes above a hun∣dered and fifty yeares, and they who retire beyond the Moun∣tain live yet longer.

The Town is crossed with the great river Paroget, stored with Merchandizes of all sorts, and a good company of Merchants.

There is a vast space incircled with walls, as at Goa, in the middle whereof stands the Pallace Royall, where there is kept a great market, and where every Saturday all sorts of Mar∣chandizes are brought, chiefly ermyn skins,* 1.540 and Martins of

three kinds, very exquisite. The mountains round about are stock∣ed with cattle and venison, the inhabitants being great hunters, and given to nothing but to husband their land, and make profit of their commodity; women when they work, wear buskins, and the Otoyac shooes. They make in their houses great store of cloth for their use,* 1.541 and decent living. Like∣wise they make a thousand delicates, and artificers of Cocos, as flaskets, baskets, boxes, mats of diverse colours, singular∣ly wrought, this fruit serving them for meat, drink, and all other humane necessities.

They are exceedingly addicted to Idolatry, and fond su∣perstitions, testifying much religion and devotion in their ce∣remonies, and affectionate to their Priests, who are married: they have a sort of remarkable confession, which holds some∣thing of Christianism.

Before the great day of jubily, which they make at their Oyzima,* 1.542 they go to a lake to wash themselves, where they stay some part of the night, then wrap themselves in sheets of cotton, they call Bambou, and retire under trees, where there hangs abundance of lights.

The day of confession being come, they go to their Ca∣tibe, or Priest, and falling on their knees, throw off their mantle, which they wear on the bare shirt, then presenting some small matter to the Priest, confesse their sins, and the Priest with a small ball made of a root, beats them, often repeating Gazay, that is, speak, speak.

Confession ended, he enjoyns them a penance, and a∣gain they go to wash in the lake, and after all they go in procession,* 1.543 together with their Idols, which they bear a∣long likewise in procession: when they have gone quite round the Town, the Priests cry out, Go eat in the name of our God, and his peace be upon you all, then kissing in sign of peace, and such as have had any difference, or animo∣sity betwixt them, embrace and kisse, weeping as heartily as for the greatest matter that could befall them.

* 1.544Whereupon their friends and kindred come to comfort them, telling them they must forget all; so as thus reconci∣led, they go dine together, and continue ever after perfect friends.

They take not easily offence one of another, never using bad language one of another.

These Priests esteem us polluted people, and I remem∣ber that some of them once conferring with us, washed their garments, and would not eat of the meat we had tou∣ched.

All the people are much addicted to sciences and manual arts.

The soyle is good and fertile, and their land bears twice a year as their sheep do likewise.

Being there we came acquainted with a Christian Merchant born at Aracan, expert in Greek, in the Abissine, Syriack, and the Spanish language, who was converted at Diu. He took much satisfaction in our company, and told us how his mother was an Abissine, and that his Father dying young she bred him up to Greek and Abissine, and shewed me a Greek Author he ever carried with him, where he met with many worthy Histories, amongst others, how the Christian faith was brought into the Indies, and particularly into this Countrey of Ca∣subi.

That St. Thomas was to preach to the Parthians, and at Ben∣gala, St. Matthew in Ethiope, and St. Bartholomew in the further India, towards the Kingdome of Verma, Aua, Pegu, and other places.

Since that, about three hundred yeares after,* 1.545 a Christian Philosopher Native of Tyre in Phenicia, by name Meropius, came into the Indies with two young Children, his Nephews, called Edesius and Frumentius, out of curiosity onely to see the Country, at the example of another Philosopher called Me∣trodorus, some years before, and that having well view'd and considered those Countries, about to return, his vessel was assault∣ed by the barbarous Idolaters, and he and all his slain, except the two young youths, who were brought to the King of Casubi, and he taken with their Gentilesses, caused them to be brought up carefully, afterwards made Aedesius his Cup-bearer, and the other Frumentius Steward of his houshold, whereof they did both acquit themselves very worthily, and to the Kings content, who loved them exceedingly, as also the Queen Arsinda and her onely son.

The King dying, the Queen became Regent with her onely son, who had a speciall favour for the two Christians, to whose charge the King had committed his Son for instruction, till he came to age; wherefore the Queen had a speciall re∣gard of them, and they behaved themselves laudably in their office, all this while continuing in the right Religion, reap∣ing still some benefit amongst such Christians as came into those parts, who were Merchants, or Roman negotiators, whom they ever confirmed in their faith, and by permission royall they built a kind of Church, or Oratory, to meet and make their prayers in. Notwithstanding wanting such freedome as they desired, and inclining to their naturall Countrey, the young King being now of age to reign, they requested his license, and whatsoever the King or his Mother could say to disswade them, they could not prevaile, they aiming to

carry neither gold, silver, nor other wealth with them. So they both came back into the Roman Empire, and the Aedesius retired to Tyre, his native Countrey, where he became Priest.

We staid some time at Casubi, to sell and truch our Marchan∣dises, where we made good profit; and amongst other things of some safron we had, of which they make no other use then to die their nailes, mingling it with brasill, whereby they make a dainty colour.

There are men and women that make incisions in their Armes, with a pointed piece of wood, out of which wood they get fire,* 1.546 putting the end of one of these sticks in the cleft of ano∣ther, and turning it hard about till smoak and fire come. In these incisions they then paint what they list in severall colours, and ordinarily cover it with a pole-cat skin newly flawed, which makes the colours more lively, without ever fa∣ding.

CHAP. XXXV. Of Macharana, the hunting of Tigars, and o∣ther wild beasts, a History of a Rhinoce∣rot of the Escuriall. The esteem they have for the French there.

* 1.547FRom Casubi we took our way towards Macharana, a dayes journey and a halfe from thence, which I may reckon about fifteen leagues, and came to a Village entirely surrounded with Palisadoes, close by a pleasant river, wherein we saw diverse women and girles bathing and smimming, as it is the generall custom of the Indies,* 1.548 where the women are as ex∣pert in swimming as the men, and some take great delight in it, so as to be more proper they shave all their haire, ex∣cept a lock on the fore part of their head. The women of this Countrey have all very black hair, which they hold for a great beauty, with a white plump body.

* 1.549They use an oyle called Quinzin, which dyes their hair, and makes it shine like ebony. We were at a brothers house, who had foure beautiful daughters shaved in this manner, only a lock on the fore part of their head, as it is the fashion throughout the Indies, though in some parts they shave only the girles of eight or ten yeares old. These maids brought us certain coros to eat with them,* 1.550 called Budomel, in shape like a quince, with a thin skin upon it, which bruised betwixt two stones yields

a kind of musty flower; but laid it the Sun, or before the fire becomes like wheaten starch, boyling it with Cocoes of Palm mingled with yolks of egges and sugar, they make the most delicate dish India affords.

Of Poultry and Turkies they have abundance,* 1.551 as of white and gray Partridges, and Pheasants, which are there as domestical as Turkies: Peacocks both wild and tame of no great price: their money except the royal coyn is all tin or brasse.* 1.552 They have for another dainty a grain in the Islands called Bindi,* 1.553 very small and black, they boyl it with milk and sugar, or honey drawn from Palm, and eat it upon broad leaves, which serve but for once: they invited us to this as a great dainty.

Still as we travelled through these parts,* 1.554 we were every where troubled with Apes and Monkeys, which haunted us con∣tinually, and whensoever we rested, they were importunate to get something of us. 'Twas our custom in the fields to erect a lit∣tle tent of cotton cloth with a pole in the middle, and cords to hold it; and having made our repast, we went to rest, while two stood Centinel to see that our horses, or beasts of carriage strayed not away.

There is a kind of beast called Azoufa,* 1.555 which haunts most commonly Church-yards, to scrape up dead bodies, and feed on the flesh, whereof they are very ravenous.

I have seen many of them at Fez, Morocca, and other places in Africa, where they call them Chicali;* 1.556 I my self saw them one day pull up one of our company that died suddenly. There is ano∣ther beast called an Ira, exceeding greedy of mans flesh,* 1.557 they go in heards, and if they meet with any straying, they will devoure him: these likewise unbury the dead for food; but the skins of these have an odour so excellent, that nature seems to have gi∣ven it them, that men may be incited to hunt and take them for the repose of the living and dead.

Really the importunity of the Apes is great and troublesome, but they take good order for them by shutting them out of the high wayes, as every one hath notice to do carefully, but the Azoufa and Iras are both troublesome and dangerous. Through∣out these countries there are abundance of other wild and san∣guinary beasts, as Tygars extremely fierce,* 1.558 and are not daunted with men, though never so troop'd and armed. They are as big as small Asses, and go night and day in great heards, their heads are like the Cats of Suria, but more furious, a Lions paws, and their colour white, red, and black, and very shining.* 1.559 The skins are very precious with them, because from Persia, In∣dostan, Samarcant and China, they come to be furnished here.

The King and and the whole Court make a great businesse of this chase, and take a strong number along for it,* 1.560 though not∣withstanding some still come to misfortune; at narrow passages

no man dare assault them, for they will fly most furiously at men on horse-back, strangle and tear them to pieces in an in∣stant, and in another instant leap away to flight so swift, 'tis impossible to reach them: the Kings make this chase their de∣light and glory, and the people pray for him for destroying this pernicious race.

* 1.561They likewise chase the Elephant and Rhinocerot, beasts so huge and robustious, there needs both art and craft to take them; for the Elephant which they call Cheses and Gusier, is so forcible and impetuous, they could never gain him, but by means of a fe∣male, as I said before.

* 1.562As to the Rhinocerot, there must be good heed taken of him, because he is armed from head to foot, with his dark gray horn on his nose, exceeding sharp, of two foot long, his scales not pene∣trable by any thing whatsoever, of Chesnut colour: if they can lay hold on man and horse, they will fling them six paces from them. At the Escurial in Spain I saw one that was brought from the Indies; but because he had overturned a Chariot full of No∣bility, though fortunately no harm was done, the King command∣ed his eyes should be put out, and his horn cut off.

The difficulty was in the execution; for they were constrained to put him in a close place to bind him, which was done with so much trouble and danger, that nothing more; for he wounded and maimed divers: there was one Casabuena, a bold resolute man, who to prevent danger, put an armour of proof under his Cassock, the beast came upon him with such force, that he threw him against the wall with such violence, he was carried forth for dead, bleeding both at mouth and nose. The Duke of Medina advised the King to kill him with a Musket, because he had maimed a Gentleman of his, one Cavalier Mortel, but the King would not, and at last they compassed their ends; and his eyes were put out, and his horn cut off. By this we may see how dangerous the chase is. They are chiefly found in Bengala, Patana, and Macharana.

* 1.563There is another kind of beast like to our Wolf, but black, and so fierce, they will venture on a man armed with sword and buckler, and he must quit himself well to escape; the skin is hard as a Bufflers. The Indian Kings delight much to see the fury of this beast, exercised upon some unfortunate criminal, and 'tis la∣mentable to see how they will tear their throats out.* 1.564 For this purpose I remember the King of Casubi had a great black Mon∣key chained, who armed with his staffe, the King would set to fight against a man; such as came without arms he strangled: but he met at last with an Indian so valiant and resolute, he subdued him, and ordered him so handsomely, the King gave him to him for his trophy.

He made him cleanse the streets, and carry the filth out of

town, and when he muttered or grumbled he gave him the cudgel soundly; so as he got his Master a livelyhood, who was a poor man newly come out of slavery. We often met upon the way with several of these savage beasts, but we never met with any so safe as are the Lyons, who will not rise at the approach of men, be they never so few.

They seem to look for nothing from passengers, but if they are sought for, and assaulted, they defend themselves in a furi∣ous manner, and are light and strong runners.

One day as we went from Casubi, to Transiana, with a numerous convoy of all nations, Moores, Gentiles, Malabates and others, be∣cause there is no other travailing through these forests, repleat with such beasts, and every water and river swimming with Cro∣codiles or Caymans, a youth who waited on de la Courb in his chamber, a Frenchman one of our company, of a daring spirit, had a desire to shoot at a Lyon he had spy'd, for which purpose he left the way some twenty paces, and had with him an Indian called Talmassac a person of courage likewise: a Bramin advised them as soon as they had given fire to make all haste with the best speed of their horses for fear of mischief.

The Lyon lay along under a tree, and though he received two shots at the same instant one in the head, the other in the left shoulder, notwithstanding finding himself wounded, he sprung so vigorously after them, that though they made good haste, he overtook one of them in going two hundred paces, and caught his horse by the Crouper, which he killed like lightning, though his strength was spent. Poor Talmassac was so astonied with a blow he gave with his head on the side, that he fell sick, and we were fain to send him back to Casubi in a Palanquin or Litter with four Camalous or Porters, yet for a further mischief he was stript by the way. The Naires, with leave of the hunters took the Lyon, and presented it to the King of Transiana, who admired his growth, having teeth great and thick, as a pul∣lets egge.

The King recompensed Talmassac with another horse in lieu of that he had lost,* 1.565 which was looked upon as a great liberality for the esteem they make of horses in that country, and our French∣man had a gown of razed cloth of gold, and the King caused us all to be treated and entertained in his Palace, enquiring diverse things of Sieur de la Courbe, amongst others the state of our King; and because I understood something of the country lan∣guage, I was called to the conference, and I know not if he were pleased with my discourse, but he called one of his grooms of his chamber to bring him a handful of gold, which he gave me, telling me, if I would stay with him, he would give me every Moon as much, and that I should have care of his person, for the Sieur de la Courbe had intimated to him

that I applyed my self to Physick. I made him an humble re∣verence and acknowledgement, saying: I was of such a hu∣mour, I should never serve Princes for their money, but I should be sufficiently satisfied with the honour to be near his Majesty:* 1.566 he was exceedingly pleased with my answer, saying the French are the flower of the world, and I am delighted with your conversation.

Afterwards he shewed us two Culverins given him by a Cap∣tain of Diepe, well wrought, and upon either of them a Dragon for Armes.

* 1.567The Sieur de la Courbe presented him with a steel sword of Damis, which he had gotten in the Indies, a thing the Prince highly prized, and instantly taking a ring off his finger, with three rich Rubies, would have given it him, but the Sieur would not receive it, rendring thanks; and saying, 'twere a great indiscretion in him to acccept of such a rarity, that was worth a thousand times more then his present; and that it was a full satisfaction, and ample recompence, that his Ma∣jesty would vouchsafe to accept so poor a thing; with many more respects and compliments, which gained the Kings esteem much more; saying, 'twas apparent there was something of great amongst the Christians, because their discourse was more elegant and polite then the ordinary language of other Merchants; and if he would stay at Court, he would con∣ferre upon him any office in his Palace, he should like of, and would tender him as his brother; the Sieur rendring his acknowledgement with reverence and submission. In brief, we were obligingly treated by this Prince, on whom we waited to chases, which is a thing truly royal and mag∣nificent.

In this country there is another kinde of savage beast, exceeding fierce, that indifferently falls on all things come before her. She hath four teeth that cut like a razor. About the size of a midling oxe, a head like a Bear, and a taile like a hogge.

These beasts are naturally black, they hunt them for their hydes which are of admirable strength to resist blows: the flesh is good and spends like Pork, though it be some∣thing red.

This chase is exceeding dangerous, and some alwayes pe∣rish, for she flyes most furiously on the first that attempts her, and failes not to strangle him, though a hundred should come to his rescue, if they kill her not at the first stroake. She is ex∣ceeding licorous of a fruit they call Coeoma, which is of ex∣cellent taste, and great refreshment, so as in Summer 'tis much sought after: for one shall no sooner eat of it, but he perceives an entire refreshment, nay a chilness if he eat a quantity.

The Indians make hollowes in great trees, near this fruit, and hide themselves within to wait for this beast, and kill her, when she comes to feed: but when she findes her selfe surprized, She enters into such rage, that she tears up the tree for spight. There are so many other sorts of savage beasts, that it were too troublesome to rehearse them all. They have divers birds of de∣licate plumage, whereof they make divers works, the most quaint and lively in the world; and birds so great, they will take a calf up into the ayre. They have Griffins, which in my opinion, are, no other then that they call a Tofon, of white plumage, and red∣dish under the belly; but they have not four feet, as our Pain∣ters draw them; but two only long and great, as likewise Tal∣lons like a Falcon, but large, and exceeding strong; the beake like an Eagle, but much thicker; they are cruel creatures.

They have here likewise those we call the birds of Paradise,* 1.568 the Irico: they cut the feet off, and sell them so to Merchants; as I said in another place.

They have abundance of Turkies; and wild ones, that go in flocks, as Peacocks, white Partridges, and other birds and fowles of divers kinds.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of Transiana, the valour of their women.

THe Town of Transiana,* 1.569 which is likewise the name of the kingdome, lying between the Towns of Sian and Tinco, is the last in subjection to the Empire of Pegu, towards the North, having Westward the Province or kingdome of Ta∣zatay, Northward the kingdom of Carforan, South Pegu, and Eastward Cauchinchine, situate upon a pleasant river, that comes from the lake Daracan.

The countrey is temperate enough, except in the ex∣treme heats of Summer, when they must of necessity travel by night.

Here they have a Myne of Diamonds, which they call Geay, besides those of Gold and Silver in abundance, and of the purest in the East, abundance of grain and fruits of all sorts, and Palm-wine, which they call Serolle.

The people are insolent and proud; of make, and fashion like the Persians: the women exceeding beautiful,* 1.570 more then in other parts; but something lascivious, and affecting the coversation of strangers.

They love to dance to the musick of their Pan, and delight much

in melody and banquets: they wear their hair at length in knots, and platted with silk ribbands very quaintly in divers manners, with rings and jewels according to their quality. For none but Princesses and Ladies of the better rank may wear Dia∣monds set in gold;* 1.571 rubies and other stones are for the rest of the nobility whom they call Canubi; amongst whom are com∣prehended the whole Militia of the King. For the vulgar they wear bracelets and rings, of silver, tin, brasse, and Ivory, neatly made and enamel'd with all colours, and they hold the same custom I have observed in other places to break them all in token of mourning at the death of their kindred. If any one will wear jewels above his degree, he must agree with the Kings Officers, to be rank'd in the Nobility, for there as in other places all is carried by money. The women affect to be courted, wear their gowns slash'd like the French, and go habited like our Europeans, quite diffe∣rent from the other Indians.

* 1.572Women of what degree or condition soever are obliged to nurse and suckle their own children. Adultery is there punished with death, for which cause there are divers will never marry, that they may live with more liberty: for maids and wi∣dowes are subject to no law, without any dishonour neverthe∣lesse,* 1.573 and having taken their pleasure, they may marry with∣out any mark of infamy; and if she have had children by any others, each Father is bound to take his own and breed it.

* 1.574When the King goes into the field, whether to chase or war, he hath a Van-guard of a hundred women, who carry Crosse-bowes, wherein they will shoot so directly, they will hit the breadth of a peny, they call them Memeytas, and suc∣ceed one another for their portion Royal, which is great and honourable; which they gain'd for a signal service they per∣formed for King Bugunda, great Grandfather to Amaous, who reigned in our time. They have this place for their valour and fidelity, and are excellent in all things: they keep slaves, and may wear jewels as the nobility of the first rank. They attend the Prince in his wars, as well as the gallantest Cavaliers of his Court, and they are more welcome to the Prince at his Table, then any other;* 1.575 esteeming them for their magnanimity. Some∣times for his recreation armed with skins of beasts covered with scales, they will enter the Palace four and four, and present the King with a civil combat, with sword, buckler, and cask of wood, and all with such grace, that the King will leave both meat and drink, to judge of the blowes and addresse: for they combat in order and measure, without missing a single step to the purpose; like a dance well consorted. And they have their Masters to instruct them in the use of all sorts of arms, which they practice diligently.

When they have performed any noble act of dexterity, or feat of arms, they are assured of a chain of gold from the King: they are all lodg'd in the Kings Palace. There was one that per∣formed a combat once with such grace, boldnesse, and dexte∣rity, that the King could not forbear, but taking off her cask upon the field, he kissed her before all the Court, and put a∣bout her neck a chain he wore himself, of rubies, pierced in form of pearls, and garnished at the ends with fauset dia∣monds of inestimable value: opinion was, that after the King had so blandished her, and given her such a gift, without doubt he would marry her.

She was indeed one of the most amiable Ladies of the Indies, of twenty years age, her skin admirably white, her hair dis-shevel'd, black as jet, her name was Langir, and I asking mine host who the maid was, and if 'twere probable the King would marry her? smiling he told me in my ear, 'twas surmis'd she was sister to the Prince himself, so passionately his Father Amaycan lov'd her Mother Acosrias, who was so gallant and valiant, that at wrastling she had not her match, and that she threw all the strangers she wrastled with: and if they took it with disdain she would strangle them in the place: she was a Lady of perfect beauty, and was unfortunately slain by a Lion: where∣upon the King her lover was violently grieved, he buried her with royall obsequies, and mourned with solemnity a long time, abstaining some dayes from eating Areca or Betel, being shav'd, in sign of grief and sorrow. In his huntings the King takes great pleasure to see these women shoot in their crosbows, whence they will discharge three arrows at a time, with such celerity and vigour, that lighting upon a tree they strike themselves so deep, that they are not to be drawn out. They use also fire-locks, and other arms, wherein they are well exercised. These women are not at liberty to marry without the Princes license, who allows them not but to Favourites, who at the same time have charge or office at Court, or some other place, for they never displace any. There are other guards called the Viluaires,* 1.576 who bear no more before the King than the bow made of Indian cane, or Palm-wood which never breaks. The servitors and domestick Officers of the Palace are called the Lambri,* 1.577 who are for carriage of all necessa∣ries to the Palace, and serve likewise in war, being honourably ha∣bited, and armed with great Indian canes, which they know how to manage very well, and these take orders from the King.

The Prince is very powerfull both in Foot and Horse,* 1.578 being provided alwaies of a thousand Elephants, and fifty thousand Horse, which are lesse, but stronger than the Persian, whereof he keeps divers races; for the Country hath the fairest and most fer∣tile herbage of the world, and abounds in all sorts of commodities. This King is tributary to the great Emperour, to whom he

payes yearly so many horses, the best in the Indies, being indefatigable in travaile,* 1.579 he is likewise exceeding carefull, and breedes them of an extraordinary manner, getting Mares from Persia: when there is a number of foles, of foure or five moneths old, they are put to certain wild cowes, that are expresly for this purpose kept in the race: so as the little cowes, the mares, and the colts are all together; then taking the calves from their dams, they put the colts to suck them: This course continued for some time, makes them more strong and lasting then can be imagined, and it is observable their hoofes are more durable then any others. All their fault is, they are not so sleet as the Persian, which horses are most esteemed of all in the Indies, and next to them those of Tran∣siana. This King hath so great a number of them, they render him formidable throughout the Indies; he is exceeding peaceful, and beloved of his people. In the Countrey, though it be very fertile, and well tilled, there are notwithstanding vast and profound forrests, stocked with wilde beasts, who often intercept the pas∣sengers, and devoure them; as Ounces, Lions, Tigars, beares, Wolves, and dangerous Boares of an incredible size. The King hath huntsmen for the purpose, well skill'd in the woodes, with little dogs proper for finding out the beasts. They have also tame Lions, and Hart-Wolves brought up to hunt their own kinde, and so animated against their own Species, that there are not in the world more cruell enemies, as man hath not a more mortall foe then man himselfe,* 1.580 and amongst men Renegado Christians more cruell to true Christians then the other Infidels. These Lions, wolves, and other beastes of chase are taught to it, when they are young, and trained in parkes to hunt others, till they are at growth; and then they take them abroad to the grand chase, ar∣med with caps and pointed collars, which with the assistance of the hunters makes them more dangerous, so as they make a great slaughter amongst the other beasts. There are likewise abun∣dance of harts, large as heifers, which lie in the fields, and will not stir for a passinger. When the King goes into the Country, he is attended with a thousand horse at least, and when he goes to the grand chase, he takes along abundance of Pioneers, to stop up the Avenues with walls of clay, and turf, to secure himselfe and his Court. There will be sometimes twelve or fifteen thousand hun∣ters, the greater part Lords, Persons of Quality, and the Kings do∣mesticks, who frequently engage themselves; there being pleasure without danger. Sometimes these beasts come in such heards, they are forced to open for their passage, and fall upon the last; and notwithstanding the walls are strong and high, being made of palms, and earth mixt with brakes, there are beasts so light and nimble,* 1.581 they will leap over them; and before the souldi∣ers, (who lie concealed) can take them, they will do incredible things, making such strange assaults, and such havock with teeth

and nailes; but the whole Court, with the female guard, stands in order upon the curtain and parapet of the walls, to attend them at the passage, where there is a great slaughter. But after this tragi∣call danger, comes a comedy of the Marmosets, Apes, and Monkeys, and others of that kind, for the greater part unknown to us: The young ones will be there so fastned to the necks of their dams,* 1.582 you would think they grew there: all together makes a very pleasant prize. The hair of these Apes is soft as silk, and their genitories violet colour, or pale red. There are huge Munkeyes white as snow, that make a thousand ridiculous faces, seeming to crave liberty, and they of the guard that know their hu∣mour, give them a signe to climbe upon a tree, and save themselves, where of she faile not, but then the sport is to see the trees covered over with them, with the confused chattering they make one at another.

For wild swine, wild goats, harts, hindes, fallow-Deer, and Aloroc, with beasts of Beasar there are abundance; as also of porcupines, the Country yeilding such plenty of grain, and wild fruits for their sustenance. The boares are very dangerous, panching all they meet with their tushes: Elephants they hunt but seldom, being forfeit of life to kill one. They go with such vehemency, they break all before them; and when by sub∣tlety they are once enclosed, they make most horrible cries and roarings, for rage breaking all that is near them: being tyred, they lie along, and thrusting their trunk down their throat, they fetch up a loathsom water, as hot as if it came out of a furnace.

When all the dangerous beasts are either killed or scaped, the King for his pleasure kills the boares, the goats, and others with the Ront, the most assured armes, and makes the widest wound. Then the hunters all choose their marke,* 1.583 taking plea∣sure in darting their lances, taking what serves for provision of the Palace, leaving the rest for another time. The skins of bears,* 1.584 ounces, lions, leopards, serve to Arme the foot and horse, and to bard the horses, Elephants, and other beasts for use in hunting, whereof they make them caps, that cover so well the head and neck, it is not easie for the savage beasts to endanger them, there being steel piques that make them loose their hold; nor is there great or small, who hath not his horse cap∣ped with these skins. Towns and Villages circumiacent to the hunting, come with a thousand presents and rejoycings to the King, esteeming themselves much honoured to have any share of the prize, wherewith they make a publik feast, as of a thing sacred and solemn. For their falconry and hawkes, the King hath eagles and ravens, so well trained both for furr and feather, that nothing more. Fishing is there likewise much pra∣ctised. As we travailed through the Country, we came one day to a

mountain of extraordinary height, they call the Culma, or Colu∣ma, grown over with all sorts of trees, as Sendal, Danum, Ebony, Palmes of all sorts, and others. All the ground we passed over was full of Rhubarbe,* 1.585 with leaves large, and very bitter, and round the skirt of the mountain Tombes orderly ranged, cut in the rock,* 1.586 ingenuously carved. Maritime windes are frequent there which the Indians call Sourou, and other windes exceeding drying, which they call the Mounsons, and the Portuguese Abra∣zador, which consume even iron.

These mountains have a reasemblance of the Cordilleras of Peru of a long extent. Amongst the rest there is one mountain that rain never falls upon, by reason the southern windes which conti∣nually blow there, force back the cloudes, so as the mountain is ex∣ceeding barren.

The mountain of Columa being fanned with the maritime windes on one side, preserves and keepes incorruptible all the bodies brought thither. The other side towards the North, being de∣fended by the heads of trees, enjoyes rains in abundance: but both the one and the other side are fertilized with large streams, that nourish these trees of excellent odour.

* 1.587When they will bury a body, they wash it, and taking out the heart and bowells, they burn them with Aromatick woods, sacri∣fising them to their Duma, then put the ashes within the Corpes again, that nothing, as they say, may be wanting at the day of Re∣surrection. For this purpose there are six men engaged, who buy their offices of the King, and whosoever will cut a Tombe there, must pay great rates to the King: Their burialls are so considerable to them, that so soon as they are marrried they provide for it.

* 1.588By the way I shall tell you they are much inclined to divorces, which they may make three severall times, and accept again, but not the fourth time; for he must stay till the wife be marri∣ed to another, and after divorce she may marry with her first husband, and the children stay with the father.

As to the dead bodies, they who order them, cleanse them exceeding carefully, putting within them a perfume like Ma∣stick, then the ashes put in again, as I told you; the Nu∣bis,* 1.589 or Priests in their Ceremonies recommends them to their God, with severall prayers, and having dined with their kin∣dered, six women approach the corps, with loud cries and lamentations, which last till evening, meanwhile six sworne men put the body in a sheet of Chantli, or cotton, the bet∣ter sort have Taffeta, with cotton under or over, so dispo∣sing the hands, that one lies on the eare, the other stretch∣ed down by the thigh.

Then having watched by it all night, they restore it to the kindred, to be laid in a coffin, and thence to be borne

to a Tomb at the foot of the mountain, where they remain incorruptible, as well by reason of these drying winds, as a composition they apply. There are abundance of them in this place, and if any through fatnesse, which causes hu∣midity, and by consequence putrefaction, chance to be con∣sumed by worms, they hold the soule that left this body lost, and condemned to darknesse amongst the Devils. When they bear the body to the Tomb they go all bare-headed, and the women their hair dischevelled, weeping and lament∣ing, but wear no sort of mourning, onely their nearest kindred will be shaved, and abstain from eating Betel. In this Moun∣tain there are intire dryed bodies, which they say are of seven or eight hundred years,* 1.590 and this is the right Mummy brought into severall parts of the world; For that Mummy that is taken out of the sands is a meer fable, since there is nothing but bones to be found there, the rest being eaten by the worms.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of the Kingdom of Tazatay, and the Philosophy of the Indians.

WEst of Transiana lies the kingdom of Tazatay, or Tasatail, otherwise called the red kingdom, or the land of Liarrean, or Hiarcan, and the Kingdome of the Sun, for the severall apparitions the Sun makes there during his twenty four hours course, as they say. While we were in Transiana, a Country appertaining to the Empire of Pegu, hearing speech of Ta∣zatay, and the wonders of a Mountain there, I prevailed with my companion to go thither, so with an Interpreter two small Elephants, and two Hacambals or Camels, we parted thence, leaving all our goods and Merchandizes with our Host, having registred them in the Casa de la contration,* 1.591 in the Indies thoroughout there being such order that a Mer∣chant can loose nothing, though he should dye, all being faithfully kept and restored to his heirs, paying onely the dues of custome and impost.

After three dayes travaile we came on the top of a moun∣tain, where there was a small Town called Brasifir, here we had convenient accommodation that night; in the mor∣ning going down we crossed a River, and came to the other great Mountain we so much desired to see,* 1.592 that appeared exceeding high and arduous: neverthelesse having ascended

about two good leagues we met a man mounted on a Dro∣medary coming down the Mountain, and asking him if we had far to the next habitation, he answered we had but the tenth part of one Sun, as through the Indies they count Suns, that is, by dayes journies. Then travailing about an hour, we came to Tambo, and alighting from our beasts that were all in a water for the difficult travaile, we found there plenty of provision for our refreshment. There was a good old man and his wife that gave us freely what they had,* 1.593 and amongst other things Areca, the best methought I ever drunk.

At the same time there arrived a man we took by his carriage to be a fool, he sate down with us at table, never∣thelesse would eat nothing but what we entreated him to, and while we were at meat he told us severall stories an∣swerable to the opinion we had of him. Our Host asked us if we would not go see the Lord of the place at his Cha∣bacaran, or Palace: to which we agreed, and went this visit on foot, for 'twas on the top of the next mountain, not far off.

* 1.594Being arrived we went to make our respects to him, and he returned us great civilities, and discoursing of our voy∣age, he told us 'twas truth, that at the top of the Moun∣tain the Sun rose three severall times in four and twenty hours, as we might easily perceive if we ascended: where∣upon out of curiositie I requested my companion we might go thither early in the morning, and hereupon I asked the Lord being there two houres before day, if I should see the rayes of the Sun; he told me for this purpose I must be on the top of the Mountain upon a structure we saw some two leagues and a half above us in a bending of the Mountain, and that below, where his Castle stood, it was not seen but twice a year, that is, once three houres before day, and a∣nother time an hour and a quarter before Sun rising: and seeking to be informed by the most ancient Inhabitants, they all told me the same thing.

But I found my companion so incredulous of this matter, as he had reason, that we desisted, and on the morrow took the way to return whence we came: and since, meeting with a Gentleman of great curiositie, he told me he had been in a Countrey beyond Swedeland, where for four moneths toge∣ther the Sun continually appeared, which must needs be in Lapland,* 1.595 in seventy eight degrees, from May to August. And a Merchant of Sabooram assured me that in his Coun∣trey the longest dayes were one and twenty hours of Sun,* 1.596 with little or no night, which is in about sixty four or sixty five degrees.

Hereupon I will say something of the Astronomy used amongst these East Indians; their opinion is, the earth is not round but flat,* 1.597 and that there are not, nor can be Antipodes, else say they, there must be two suns, one to lighten us, the other them; that there is but one Hemisphere for the Sun and Moon to move in; that the sun is not of the bignesse we make it, nor so great as the earth, whereof it is but the sixtieth part, that the Sun never leaves our Hemisphere, no not by night; but then conceales himselfe behind certain Mountains. That 'twere a great folly to say the earth were higher then the heavens, which notwithstanding must needs be, if we allow Antipo∣des. That the Poles held immovable are not so, but that these two starres turn within two degrees round the Pole. That 'tis an errour the Sun should by night go hide himself under us: that the two Poles are not diametrically opposite, since, as they say, they may be seen at the same time, upon sea and land, though very low neverthelesse. That if there were Antipodes, that must be the bottom of the earth, and all rivers would naturally run thither, contrary to experi∣ence, and a thousand other opinions as strange, as absurd, for want of knowledge in the spheare and Astronomy:

So they laugh as at a thing childish and fabulous, at the opinion of the Ancients and Moderns on this side, of the rotundity of the earth in the middle of the world, and the Ubiquitary habitation, and that the Sun turns quite round from East to West. They hold for certain, that the Sunne rises in all other points, as they observe in Tazatay where they imagine it to rise as 'twere North, and North-West. They think to prove their phantastical imaginations, when they describe the Iliaca, a bright starre in the West,* 1.598 and opposite to that Biliaca, which appears beyond the Line; and is, that the shepheards fear so much,* 1.599 by the Persians called Zobona, so mortiferous to cattle; for which cause they house them while that starre raignes, and the better to preserve them, they make them turn tayle to the starre, for if they face it, it makes them languish, and dye in the end.

They say that these two opposite starres may be seen in a Line at the same time through a trunck, and that each moves about his Pole in twenty four houres, but that these are not the same, as the North, and the Crusero.

The North being no more distant from the Pole then two degrees and a quarter, and one of the other two, a degree and a half onely.

And whereas the ancients observed onely two Poles, each in his Hemisphere, they make six Poles in the same Hemi∣spheare,

which are Casara,* 1.600 the pole of the World, that of the Zodiack, the Artick, and Antartick, and these two starrs, and a thousand other fancies as incomprehensible, as they are farr from the sence of reason and experience, And that which confirmes them in their errors, is, that they can discerne the two polar starrs from the same place, as in Japaca, seven degrees beyond the Line in Java, and the like in Sumatra, and other parts, and accordingly in travell, they make a strange calculation of the distances of places.

They jeer likewise at the frame of our spheare, and the divi∣sion of the Zodiack into twelve signes; some to the North, some to the South, and understand not this but after their own way.

* 1.601They call the Zodiack Cazatoni, that is, Significator. The signes they call Ant, Ronia, Amiessem, Emisen, Courpsa, Cheoser, Irat, Metrias, Escorgat, Tamasee, Besir, Bizihir, Azourac, Persan, the highest spheare Birquen, Emine, the Ecliptick Zo∣berna, that is obscurity, because Ecclipses proceed thence. That the Zodiack is an oblike circle, and that from thence and the Re∣gion of fire, the Sun takes his course, and thence makes ge∣neration of all inferiour things. Like some of the ancients, likewise they hold that the Heaven stands like a vault o∣ver the earth, and floates, and swimmes upon the wa∣ters.

* 1.602In breife, I shewed them the work of Paul Rao the Italian, who speakes of all this Astronomy of the Ancients, which sup∣poses the Equinoctiall divides the Zodiack in two parts, South and North, at which they scoffed, and grew cholerick, say∣ing, so base a book was fit for the fire, that held nothing but errors, and wondered our Prince would suffer such frauds and impostures, as they called them, to be published in his Dominions; they believing as well the lands inhabited from East to West, as from South to North, are in view of the pole Artick, and that it is false there should be any part of India under the Antartick, since, as they think, they have the North as much elevated as we in Europe, and many ex∣travagancies hereupon, which I leave to be argued, and confuted by the learned in Astronomy and Cosmography.

Hearkning to these Indian opinions, I have been told, that the Chineses,* 1.603 that speculative Nation, hold the Heavens to be round, but the Earth square, and the Empire of China stands punctually in the middle, as being the excellence and Principality of the World, other parts being but as the skirts and accessaries, so as they were a little cholerick when they saw our cards designe their Countrey in the extremity of the East, as an indignity to the Grandeur, and Maje∣sty

of their Country and King, whom they call the sonne of the sun.

And truly these poore Indians wanting the knowledg of sci∣ences and experience,* 1.604 are not so much to be blamed for their opi∣nions, since in the middle of sage and learned Greece, there were of the ancient Philosophers that maintained almost the same; that the earth was not round, but some as Lucipus, that it was like a drum, others, that it was hollow like a barke, as Heraelitus, others like a Cilinder, or Roler, as Anaximan∣drus, and Democritus; others that it was absolutely flat, as Empodocles and Anaximines: some have wandered as far as this Paradox, to release it from the center,* 1.605 and make it run in the heavens, about the immovable sun, which with no less extravagancy hath been renewed in our times. But for the Antipodes, they who held the rotundity of the earth, allowed them not for all that, holding those parts inhabita∣ble, either for being covered with innavigable seas, or for the insupportable heats of the Torrid Zone: even some of the anci∣ent fathers have for other considerations been taken with this opinion, as Lactantius, St. Augustine, and others,* 1.606 and they say a learned Germane Bishop was accused of Heresie, for maintain∣ing there was Antipodes.

But besides the reasons of science, experience of Navigation, and modern voyages shewes sufficiently the truth of this mat∣ter, whereof I leave the large discourse to the more lear∣ned.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Tartary, Frightfull deserts, fierce dogs, a strange History of two lovers, the Empire of the Tartars, and their Religion.

OF Grand Tartary, which lies on the North of all the Pro∣vinces I have spoken of, I know nothing but by the re∣lation I received in these parts, and by the Memorialls of a certain Hollander, who was at Pegu. The Inhabitants of these Countreys then tould me, that beyond the Kingdom of Tazatay, Mandranella, Transiana, and Casubi, towards the North, are vast solitudes, and sandy deserts,* 1.607 which you must travell for many dayes, before you can arrive at a Kingdom called Sina∣bo, which at one end, towards the East confines with Co∣chinchina, subject to the great King of Tabin or Chi∣na.

To passe these vast sands, there must be made good pro∣vision of victualls, water, and beast; for as a Merchant of Drogomania told me,* 1.608 a Country confining Eastward upon these Kingdomes, the deserts of Arabia are little in compari∣son to them: and when I told him the fourty tedious days it cost us, betwixt Suria and Medina, through the deserts of Arabia, he answered, this was nothing in respect, since by the help of guides they might here and there find a well, whereas in the deserts of Asia, in two and twenty dayes journey together, nothing was to be found but sand, and that one day as he travailed along with the convoy, by mis∣fortune one of the jarrs of water broke, which was a great mischiefe to them, and a very important losse, being for∣ced for want of it to kill one of their Camells, to drink the loathsome water within him, and eat his flesh.

He told me then for more commodious passage, above all things it was necessary to provide good beasts, and chiefly Persian Asses,* 1.609 the best beast the world affords for carriage, and the most proper for those wayes, and are worth as much as a good horse.

That after these sands they came to huge Mountains, ab∣solutely barren, which in my opinion must needs be mi∣neralls, but they try them not, they are so far distant, and the way so troublesom.

I observed in my East and Western voyages, that where the Mines of gold, silver, and precious stones, where the Moun∣tains were ordinarily barren, having nothing growing about them, as they observe of the Calanfour, or clove, which suf∣fers no plant near it.

The Merchant observed likewise, that in these Mountains, which must be those the Ancients called Juac, dividing high and low Asia; there are abundance of serpents of prodigious bignesse,* 1.610 but are more advantage then damage to them; for being free from venom, and of an excellent substance and nou∣rishment, they eat there nothing else. As I remember I saw in the Mountains of Syr, in Africa.

For, passing these Mountains, and lodging with the Arabi∣ans under their tents, 'twas our admiration to see huge ser∣pents play with children, who would give them morsells of bread.

But to return to our Tartarian Merchant, he told me, that having passed this Mountainous Country, they came to ano∣ther desert, of twenty dayes over, void of all food, where he was constrained to stray a good dayes journey to hunt for water, and other commodities, and this too with weapon in hand, because there lives a certain Horde or nation of

Shepherds or Tartars Nomades, who keep huge Mastifes,* 1.611 the most fierce and bloody in the world, which indeed have more of the wolf then the dog: they keep these dogs to de∣stroy passengers on the way, to which they train them for diet for themselves.

He told me that about three yeares before this breed of Rascals were almost all devoured by their own dogs, after their cruell usage of certain Merchants who passed that way, these to revenge themselves made an Ambush, and having taken them, served them as they had done others.

He told me many other curiosities of this country, and amongst others, that about twenty years before, he passed by the Isle of Volmous or Ayman, near to Cauchinchina, and the country of the Meores, that the people are haughty, great souldiers,* 1.612 well clothed, and very civil, lovers of honour and vertue, and of complexion rather white then black: that the land is full of im∣penitrable Forests, but well stor'd with Venison, and betwixt the Mountains good pasturadge; that they had there a potent King by the title of Emperour, on the day of his birth, wearing on his head three Crowns, in form of a Tiara, for the three king∣domes he possessed: that this Prince was King of Sinabo, the Magers, and Patanes.

Amongst other particulars of this country,* 1.613 he related to me a strange History, if it be true: Thus, that in a mountanous country vulgarly called Ismanca, very fertile, where there are clownes very wealthy in cattell, whereof they drive a great trade; as also in skins of divers beasts: there was a rich shepherd called Ismahan, who amongst other children, had a daughter of excellent beauty, who according to the custome of the country,* 1.614 kept her fathers flocks.

This maid of twenty yeares of age, loved a young shep∣herd her neighbour and kinsman, but poor, and to whose Father the rich shepherd had sent some corn, who seeing he could not be paid, and being aware of his daughters affecti∣on, he told his debtor, that on condition he would send his son to live in some remote parts, he would forgive the debt, which the other did; the young man being thus banished by force, the maid was extremely afflicted, and as one day she walk∣ed alone in the fields, lamenting the absence of her beloved Li∣za, so he was called; a Fiend in the same shape appeared to her, and demanded for whom she was so much tormented, since she had him assuredly present, and that he loved her more then the world besides.

Some say this poor young man being banished the presence of his dear Mistresse, sought out a Magician, who promised he should see and enjoy her; but bringing into a room to him a spirit in the form of the maid, as the spirits of joy and love made him fly

to embrace her, the Demon strangled him afterwards, taking the shape, or rather the body of the dead youth, continued his visits a long time to the maid, whereof her Father and Brothers having notice, resolved to surprize him; and in effect breaking up her chamber door, they found a stinking carcasse in bed by her, at which both she and the rest were extremely frighted; and the King of the country having notice of it, sent for the maid to know the truth, which she related as it was. The King sent her to live with an Aunt of his, where they say the Devil still frequented her, and would visit her publickly in the shape of her friend, wherein she took extreme content, nor could she be dis∣swaded from his conversation. How I know not, but they say she conceived, and was delivered of two children; who grown up, became the most valiant and strong in the country: so as since spirits are incapable of generation, as the best Divines conclude; we may suppose this was the youth himself, who by the Magicians means enjoyed the maid, and was afterwards killed by the devil that abused him; and indeed some authentick authours mention such another History of one Phillinnion, and Machetus, and others.* 1.615

* 1.616But let us come back to Tartary, where I learnt many other things of one Amador Baliora a Limner, with whom I met coming back from Pegu, and saw good part of his Memorials. He had been in the Indies twelve or thirteen years, and had drawn the plots of several Towns excellently well, insomuch as having escaped shipwrack, and arrived in health at Diu, when all his company was hanged; for his qualification the Gover∣nour saved his life, and he drew him many exquisite pictures, for which he gave him five hundred Croysades.

He had about fifty draughts of the principal townes in the In∣dies, Persia, and Tartary; and had leave of the Vice-roy to draw the plots of as many more as he would; his design being to com∣pile them in a large volume, and present it to the King of Spain; but I understood afterwards, that returning for Europe, he died upon the sea of Scarbut, and for that his Comerade had disgusted him, he would not give him his memorials and draughts, but by Testament bequeathed them to the Captain of the ship he was in, Joseph Grogne a Portuguese, esteemed a Jew though he dissem∣bled the Christian. The Memorials was a great losse; for be∣sides the draughts, there was abundance of remarkable singula∣rities he had noted in his travailes, whereof the Captain made small account, for that he had written them in French, which he understood not, and withall in an imperfect and bad character: But the plots and draughts were excellently done, and besides the deliniation of the towns, he had drawn the inhabitants and their garments to the life.

I drew some my self though rudely, which is not hard to compasse,

Notes

• * 1.1

  Alexan∣dria. Caire.
• * 1.2

  His return and ship∣wrack in Candia.
• * 1.3

  Turluru Isle Canee.
• * 1.4

  A ma••ici∣ous ship∣wrack.
• * 1.5

  Just pu∣nishment of the persidious.
• * 1.6

  The Au∣thor pre∣served.
• * 1.7

  Antioche.
• * 1.8

  Libanus.
• * 1.9

  Manna.
• * 1.10

  Chrysor∣rhoas.
• * 1.11

  Aman.
• * 1.12

  Aleppo.
• * 1.13

  Damas.
• * 1.14

  A F••ench Cutler.
• * 1.15

  Amon and Sahanir, Moun∣ains:
• * 1.16

  Grots of persecuted Christians.
• * 1.17

  Aman and Pharphar Rivers.
• * 1.18

  Silkes.
• * 1.19

  Zacharies Tomb
• * 1.20

  St. Pauls Imprison∣ment.
• * 1.21

  A fatall Execution.
• * 1.22

  A Dervis.
• * 1.23

  Armin.
• * 1.24

  Dan Cae∣sarea.
• * 1.25

  Benin Ma∣charib fo•• Misor.
• * 1.26

  The Tor∣rent Arnor.
• * 1.27

  Morets en∣tertain∣ment.
• * 1.28

  Wine sold by Apo∣thecaries.
• * 1.29

  Provisions for the de∣serts.
• * 1.30

  Caravane.
• * 1.31

  Burning sands. Want of water.
• * 1.32

  Dead sea of Sodome.
• * 1.33

  Jurabi a Guide u∣ses the Compass.
• * 1.34

  Sad acci∣dents in the deserts.
• * 1.35

  Appariti∣ons in the deserts.
• * 1.36

  Arabian Robbers.
• * 1.37

  Montsina called Lurle or Tur.
• * 1.38

  Oreb cal∣led Saint Cather-mount.
• * 1.39

  The three Arabia's, the desert, the stony, and the happy.
• * 1.40

  M••ka Medina. Metar. Alcoran.
• * 1.41

  Zidem, a Haven.
• * 1.42

  J••soreh.
• * 1.43

  Jewes ••hieves.
• * 1.44

  A cheat.
• * 1.45

  Medinat. al. Nabi.
• * 1.46

  Jesrab.
• * 1.47

  Cassis de∣ceived his brother.
• * 1.48

  Zibit, Aden, Ormus.
• * 1.49

  Descripti∣on of Me∣dina.
• * 1.50

  Mahomets tombe.
• * 1.51

  Caravan of Aleppo. Dumas and Grand-Cair.
• * 1.52

  Books of the lives and Sects of Maho∣mets suc∣cessours.
• * 1.53

  Surazins: Saraca, or Elfarabk.
• * 1.54

  Mahomets birth.
• * 1.55

  Mahomets law.
• * 1.56

  Alcoran.
• * 1.57

  Medina taken by Mahomet.
• * 1.58

  Iubara Abrahams Moun∣tains, Marabouts sacrifica∣tors.
• * 1.59

  Mahome∣tan cere∣monies.
• * 1.60

  Cassis his treachery.
• * 1.61

  Ferragous. Outor.
• * 1.62

  A draw well at Outor.
• * 1.63

  Arabia the happy.
• * 1.64

  Zibit. Alibenali.
• * 1.65

  Black sand.
• * 1.66

  Frankin∣sence. Storax Benjamin.
• * 1.67

  Sabea.
• * 1.68

  Aloes. Ladanum. Cinamon: Cassia.
• * 1.69

  Mazari. Chicali.
• * 1.70

  Pecher, a Haven.
• * 1.71

  Myrrhe.
• * 1.72

  Cosan, or Cosara River.
• * 1.73

  His state▪
• * 1.74

  Salsidas devotes:
• * 1.75

  Romadan.
• * 1.76

  S. John Baptist▪
• * 1.77

  Dalata.
• * 1.78

  Debir.
• * 1.79

  Trade in Arabia.
• * 1.80

  Cameran Isle.
• * 1.81

  Red sea.
• * 1.82

  King Eri∣threus.
• * 1.83

  Sabeans, Homerites.
• * 1.84

  Aden.
• * 1.85

  Abacoure or Bacoure.
• * 1.86

  The trade of Aden.
• * 1.87

  Spices, and the trade from time to time.
• * 1.88

  Aden how fortified.
• * 1.89

  Cameran.
• * 1.90

  Dalascia.
• * 1.91

  Mezua.
• * 1.92

  Ibrani. Camera.
• * 1.93

  Suachan.
• * 1.94

  Camelots.
• * 1.95

  Lacca.
• * 1.96

  Spanish wax.
• * 1.97

  Ginger.
• * 1.98

  Santall.
• * 1.99

  Dalascia Asses.
• * 1.100

  Caymans or Croco∣dile.
• * 1.101

  A strange dispute and a tempest ensuing.
• * 1.102

  Duma the Peguans false. god. Lucifer.
• * 1.103

  Strange tempest.
• * 1.104

  Amorous dames.
• * 1.105

  Socotora.
• * 1.106

  Ormus.
• * 1.107

  Ceyfadin. Albuquer∣que.
• * 1.108

  King of Ormus.
• * 1.109

  Gedri.
• * 1.110

  Baharen.
• * 1.111

  Areca.
• * 1.112

  Abrazador.
• * 1.113

  Alep.
• * 1.114

  Trade from O••∣mus.
• * 1.115

  King of Ormus.
• * 1.116

  Ormus re∣gained by the Per∣sian.
• * 1.117

  Persia, and her bounds.
• * 1.118

  Cymits of Persia.
• * 1.119

  The Pro∣vinces of Persia.
• * 1.120

  Rivers
• * 1.121

  Towns of Persia.
• * 1.122

  Benmir.
• * 1.123

  Babylon.
• * 1.124

  Bagded.
• * 1.125

  Pitch or Bitume.
• * 1.126

  Balsora.
• * 1.127

  Bagded.
• * 1.128

  Tauris or Tabris, formerly Terva, or Gerva.
• * 1.129

  Zagathy.
• * 1.130

  Xabas, or Abas and Mirza.
• * 1.131

  Trade of Tauris.
• * 1.132

  Principall Towns of Persia.
• * 1.133

  Derbent.
• * 1.134

  Sumachia. Bacchat.
• * 1.135

  Gezempee.
• * 1.136

  Machif.
• * 1.137

  Marseilian Curtizan.
• * 1.138

  Bezap or Bezouart.
• * 1.139

  casbin and Siras.
• * 1.140

  Thais A∣lexanders Cu••tizan.
• * 1.141

  Samarcant.
• * 1.142

  Sorismell Sinderate.
• * 1.143

  The Pow∣erful state of the Kings of Persia.
• * 1.144

  Delica∣cies.
• * 1.145

  Seleris.
• * 1.146

  Women chosen.
• * 1.147

  Hunting.
• * 1.148

  Forrests.
• * 1.149

  Sophy sig∣nifies wise.
• * 1.150

  Hali.
• * 1.151

  Hamar.
• * 1.152

  Cufa.
• * 1.153

  Ismael. Sophy.
• * 1.154

  Sorts of religious orders amongst the Turks. Sacar.
• * 1.155

  Icorma.
• * 1.156

  Calender:
• * 1.157

  Deruis cut-throats.
• * 1.158

  Nicotiane.
• * 1.159

  Some say that Amu∣rath was killed by a Tribullian soldier, guised in∣habit of a Deruis.
• * 1.160

  Durmisar.
• * 1.161

  Erade.
• * 1.162

  Pluvian∣der.
• * 1.163

  Barcas.
• * 1.164

  Salsidas.
• * 1.165

  Amicabir.
• * 1.166

  Nabassan.
• * 1.167

  Ostader.
• * 1.168

  Amirachor.
• * 1.169

  Caidsidibir.
• * 1.170

  Cassander••
• * 1.171

  Ageleps Archilep in Pegu.
• * 1.172

  Inhabi∣tants of Genua.
• * 1.173

  Places in the Indies.
• * 1.174

  The Por∣tugais conquests in the East.
• * 1.175

  Christia∣nis••e in the Indies.
• * 1.176

  Batinisir and her Carpets.
• * 1.177

  Diu as∣saulted by the Tu••k.
• * 1.178

  Areca a fruit com∣mon in the Indies.
• * 1.179

  Cambaye Town.
• * 1.180

  A miracu∣lous tide;
• * 1.181

  The King at this time is tri∣butary to the Grand Mogull.
• * 1.182

  Prodigi∣ous food.
• * 1.183

  Women bought and sold.
• * 1.184

  Ivory:
• * 1.185

  Children sold by Parents.
• * 1.186

  An acci∣dent.
• * 1.187

  Deli-De∣can.
• * 1.188

  Sano sara∣radin.
• * 1.189

  Malabar Mandova. Goa Guari, Rivers.
• * 1.190

  B••nactaru.
• * 1.191

  Isle of Goa.
• * 1.192

  Idolatry. Dinary.
• * 1.193

  The Vir∣gin Mary Honoured by the Indians.
• * 1.194

  Purcelains
• * 1.195

  Mordesin. diseases Scorbus.
• * 1.196

  Churches at Goa.
• * 1.197

  A sad fate of Pirats.
• * 1.198

  Provence a Province in France. Aubaynea town in France.
• * 1.199

  A miracu∣lous dis∣covery of innocence.
• * 1.200

  Barcelor.
• * 1.201

  Baticola.
• * 1.202

  Presump∣tion of the Portugais.
• * 1.203

  The strength of Cananor.
• * 1.204

  Naires are Gentle∣men.
• * 1.205

  A most ad∣mirable medicine.
• * 1.206

  Ebony.
• * 1.207

  Areca.
• * 1.208

  Calicut.
• * 1.209

  Samorin.
• * 1.210

  Jonque.
• * 1.211

  Gondola.
• * 1.212

  Cochin.
• * 1.213

  Pepper of all sorts.
• * 1.214

  Miticale weight of a crown and a half.
• * 1.215

  Cochins scituation:
• * 1.216

  severall Christians at Cochin.
• * 1.217

  Women are com∣mon.
• * 1.218

  Toumacaui a western wind in force to∣wards Po∣tereau and Peru. Jenibaron••.
• * 1.219

  Portuguais go from Cohin into Portugall.
• * 1.220

  A•• strange History of a Portu∣guais Cap∣tain, and certain French Pi∣rates.
• * 1.221

  An un∣heard of curtesie from the hand of a Pyrate.
• * 1.222

  Punish∣ment of the wick∣ed.
• * 1.223

  Cassia.
• * 1.224

  The Pir••ts perfidious∣nesse.
• * 1.225

  Antropo∣phayes.
• * 1.226

  Marvel∣lous sea∣sons in the same pa∣rallells.
• * 1.227

  Cinamon.
• * 1.228

  Oyle of Cinnamon.
• * 1.229

  Butter and Hony.
• * 1.230

  Rubyes.
• * 1.231

  Betale a pearle-fishing. A fish charmed.
• * 1.232

  Matouca a Ruby.
• * 1.233

  King of Zeilan.
• * 1.234

  Bread made of Rice.
• * 1.235

  Camouch Haven. Streight of Zeilan.
• * 1.236

  Jafanapa∣tan.
• * 1.237

  Manar an Island.
• * 1.238

  Badages.
• * 1.239

  Idoll of a Monkeys tooth.
• * 1.240

  Hanimam a Monkey.
• * 1.241

  Pescaria.
• * 1.242

  The man∣ner of fishing for pearl.
• * 1.243

  Fish char∣med.
• * 1.244

  Chitmi are Commis∣sioners.
• * 1.245

  Setin.
• * 1.246

  Baharem.
• * 1.247

  Paraves.
• * 1.248

  Maldives Isles.
• * 1.249

  Polovis the devills Isle.
• * 1.250

  History of the Magi∣tian of Pegu.
• * 1.251

  Bisnegar or Mar∣singue,
• * 1.252

  A vast Army.
• * 1.253

  Horsebits
• * 1.254

  History of the King of Bisne∣gar.
• * 1.255

  Var or Viridi.
• * 1.256

  Pagont.
• * 1.257

  Transiane.
• * 1.258

  Treason punished.
• * 1.259

  Timeragi.
• * 1.260

  Gondariane.
• * 1.261

  Merchant deceived.
• * 1.262

  Chandegry:
• * 1.263

  Narsingue.
• * 1.264

  Thatched houses.
• * 1.265

  Lawes ob∣served at Narsingue.
• * 1.266

  Coutry Dames.
• * 1.267

  Bramins High-Priests.
• * 1.268

  Thus did the Bardes amongst the anci∣ent Gauls.
• * 1.269

  A manner of decla∣ring war:
• * 1.270

  Poysoned circles of Iron.
• * 1.271

  Palecate.
• * 1.272

  S. Thomas his shrine.
• * 1.273

  Christian faith prea∣ched in the Indies and by whom.
• * 1.274

  Chaldean tongue. Meliapur signifies a pea-bird.
• * 1.275

  St. Thomas intomb'd.
• * 1.276

  Albuna in Aethiopia.
• * 1.277

  Indian earthen ware.
• * 1.278

  Nutmegs.
• * 1.279

  Calanfour a Clove∣gilliflowr.
• * 1.280

  A story of a Bear.
• * 1.281

  Ismahan.
• * 1.282

  B••zari.
• * 1.283

  Agarida.
• * 1.284

  Sagistan Town.
• * 1.285

  History of a Spanish woman and a Monkey.
• * 1.286

  Maginus and Bar∣theme say this town stands be∣tween Ben∣gale and Narsingue, Modern Authours between Malalaca and Nate∣abam, un∣lesse there are two towns of the same name.
• * 1.287

  Ternas∣sery.
• * 1.288

  Musk, and from whence.
• * 1.289

  Euate. Bettell wood.
• * 1.290

  Quelba Maturane. Diamond mines.
• * 1.291

  Bengale, or Bata∣couta.
• * 1.292

  Ganges River.
• * 1.293

  The Gulfe Bengale.
• * 1.294

  Seraglio guarded.
• * 1.295

  Subtle poyson.
• * 1.296

  Children sold in market.
• * 1.297

  Apura.
• * 1.298

  A prodigi∣ous age.
• * 1.299

  Bonane is an ••ndian fig.
• * 1.300

  A king∣dom left for heaven
• * 1.301

  The Ido∣laters fear of Chri∣stianisme.
• * 1.302

  Sartagan.
• * 1.303

  Idolaters superstiti∣ons.
• * 1.304

  The river Ganges how e∣steemed.
• * 1.305

  Strange ceremo∣nies.
• * 1.306

  Andemaon.
• * 1.307

  Sad acci∣dent.
• * 1.308

  Caselba.
• * 1.309

  Resoluti∣on in ex∣tremity.
• * 1.310

  Sumatrans Insularies false peo∣ple.
• * 1.311

  Continual rains.
• * 1.312

  Bahar Peper.
• * 1.313

  Hunting of Ele∣phants.
• * 1.314

  Hermo∣phrodites.
• * 1.315

  English and Hol∣landers in this Island.
• * 1.316

  Names of fruits.
• * 1.317

  Golden coyne.
• * 1.318

  Barres of gold.
• * 1.319

  Two Arms of the sea, Nicobar, Catarana, called Sombrero.
• * 1.320

  Metem∣psycoses.
• * 1.321

  Severall King∣domes.
• * 1.322

  The in∣firm eaten.
• * 1.323

  A fortu∣nate escape.
• * 1.324

  Camorre.
• * 1.325

  Metym∣psphy••as••s.
• * 1.326

  Two Fran∣ciscans eaten.
• * 1.327

  Japara.
• * 1.328

  Igname. Gouera.
• * 1.329

  Pirates how ta∣ken.
• * 1.330

  Cruelty of the Javans.
• * 1.331

  A sort of ball-play or Tennis, the like at Mexico.
• * 1.332

  Bantan.
• * 1.333

  The devil adored.
• * 1.334

  French at Bantan.
• * 1.335

  Amber∣gris.
• * 1.336

  To be im∣paled is to have a stake thrust tho∣rough the funda∣ment and to come out of the mouth.
• * 1.337

  Nutmegs of Banda.
• * 1.338

  Touman.
• * 1.339

  Cocuma.
• * 1.340

  Ginger.
• * 1.341

  Betel.
• * 1.342

  Durions:
• * 1.343

  Malaca: Ophir.
• * 1.344

  The traf∣fick of Malaca.
• * 1.345

  Quinsay.
• * 1.346

  Siam.
• * 1.347

  War for a white E∣lephant.
• * 1.348

  The Em∣pire of Sornao.
• * 1.349

  Odiva.
• * 1.350

  Lugor.
• * 1.351

  Pretty women.
• * 1.352

  Tirada, Queen.
• * 1.353

  Strange Funeralls.
• * 1.354

  Dolefull Instru∣ments.
• * 1.355

  Dead body eaten.
• * 1.356

  Gigraff a beast, got by a Ca∣mell, and a female Panther.
• * 1.357

  Unicornes
• * 1.358

  Chiamay Lake.
• * 1.359

  A story of serpents.
• * 1.360

  Espaluco.
• * 1.361

  Marta∣ban.
• * 1.362

  Gaypou∣mo.
• * 1.363

  Dougon.
• * 1.364

  Laque.
• * 1.365

  Rubarbe.
• * 1.366

  Aloes·
• * 1.367

  Banean & Satalico sacrifica∣tors. Castigay an Idoll.
• * 1.368

  Chaubai∣na's dis∣aster.
• * 1.369

  Pegu.
• * 1.370

  Seas from North and South meet in the strait of Magel∣lan.
• * 1.371

  Maskaret of Bourde∣aux.
• * 1.372

  Garonnne River.
• * 1.373

  Kingdom of Pegu.
• * 1.374

  Empire of Pegu's length. Town of Pegu.
• * 1.375

  Iron Guns:
• * 1.376

  Good horses, and from whence.
• * 1.377

  Statues of beaten gold.
• * 1.378

  Other of silver.
• * 1.379

  Ganze a mixt met∣tle.
• * 1.380

  Byze a coyne.
• * 1.381

  Tahaba.
• * 1.382

  Goudons or Mer∣chants houses.
• * 1.383

  Taregha.
• * 1.384

  Faithful trading.
• * 1.385

  Sensals true.
• * 1.386

  River Cap∣pum••.
• * 1.387

  Geogra∣phers de∣ceived.
• * 1.388

  Siami or Siammon.
• * 1.389

  Canarane.
• * 1.390

  Talcada.
• * 1.391

  Kingdoms conquered by Pegu.
• * 1.392

  Ayr at Pegu is temperate Herma∣phrodites:
• * 1.393

  War for a white E∣lephant.
• * 1.394

  Lagi.
• * 1.395

  White Elephants adored.
• * 1.396

  Aguari the musk. car. Sindero.
• * 1.397

  Unicorn.
• * 1.398

  Besouarts:
• * 1.399

  Tanarif. Tiscan.
• * 1.400

  Griffin.
• * 1.401

  Ostriches.
• * 1.402

  Water fowle.
• * 1.403

  Francolin. a red leyd fowle, big∣ger then a Godwit.
• * 1.404

  Miracle of a Christi∣an, expo∣sed to beasts to be devou∣red.
• * 1.405

  Asoufar••
• * 1.406

  Telansin.
• * 1.407

  How they raise an Army.
• * 1.408

  Triennial Gover∣nours.
• * 1.409

  Zimbou.
• * 1.410

  Admira∣ble obedi∣ence.
• * 1.411

  Differen∣ces quick∣ly decided;
• * 1.412

  Areca. Betel.
• * 1.413

  Peguans Armes.
• * 1.414

  The Kings march.
• * 1.415

  A jester baptized.
• * 1.416

  Big canes.
• * 1.417

  A Vision. A heathen King con∣verted.
• * 1.418

  S. Thomas mar••yred. Oysima.
• * 1.419

  Nestorians.
• * 1.420

  Tempest.
• * 1.421

  Charms against the tem∣pest.
• * 1.422

  Confession amongst Idolaters.
• * 1.423

  Ʋldarin:
• * 1.424

  Punish∣ments for crimes.
• * 1.425

  Idolatrous and Ma∣hometan Martyrs.
• * 1.426

  Deruis Martyrs.
• * 1.427

  Talapoyes.
• * 1.428

  Idols of Pegu.
• * 1.429

  Bleeding sacrifices.
• * 1.430

  Holy ashes and holy water. An oracu∣lous Idol.
• * 1.431

  Idols de∣stroyed by the Portu∣guese.
• * 1.432

  The tooth of an ape.
• * 1.433

  Fotoque an Idoll.
• * 1.434

  The flesh of hens black.
• * 1.435

  Sacrifices for the dead.
• * 1.436

  M••temp∣sycose.
• * 1.437

  Supersti∣tious salu∣tations. Asses for chase.
• * 1.438

  Peguans whence derived.
• * 1.439

  The Pegu∣ans creed.
• * 1.440

  Jesuites in Pegu.
• * 1.441

  Conversi∣on and truth.
• * 1.442

  Extrava∣gant com∣munions.
• * 1.443

  Zibi de∣mons.
• * 1.444

  Possessed.
• * 1.445

  Exorcisms.
• * 1.446

  Sacathy.
• * 1.447

  Coranita and the Sacrifice.
• * 1.448

  The Pe∣guans diet.
• * 1.449

  Saluta∣tions.
• * 1.450

  Military exercises.
• * 1.451

  Cannons.
• * 1.452

  Medicina∣ble drugs Cocos.
• * 1.453

  Summer in Pegu.
• * 1.454

  Rubarbe.
• * 1.455

  How drugs are brought into Eu∣rope.
• * 1.456

  Royall Officers.
• * 1.457

  Coronati∣on of the King.
• * 1.458

  Gadalaro.
• * 1.459

  Amicassen.
• * 1.460

  Respect given to strangers. Amirsent.
• * 1.461

  Zanfart.
• * 1.462

  Atefiar.
• * 1.463

  Caranizi.
• * 1.464

  Archilet.
• * 1.465

  Dramont.
• * 1.466

  Number of Elephants in Pegu.
• * 1.467

  Creation of the Prince, and the Ceremo∣nies.
• * 1.468

  A Crown of lead.
• * 1.469

  Wholsome documents for Prin∣ces.
• * 1.470

  The Ashes what.
• * 1.471

  Shoulders kissed.
• * 1.472

  Feasts for the people
• * 1.473

  Subject Princes.
• * 1.474

  Talcadifs.
• * 1.475

  Viands perfumed:
• * 1.476

  Presents to the King.
• * 1.477

  Besistan Cock∣fight.
• * 1.478

  Revenues of the King of Pegu.
• * 1.479

  Calin a mettle.
• * 1.480

  Sodomie.
• * 1.481

  Bells for beasts only.
• * 1.482

  Honour and ser∣vice to the King.
• * 1.483

  Justice & officers.
• * 1.484

  Debtors sold.
• * 1.485

  Hospitals.
• * 1.486

  All em∣ployed in Pegu.
• * 1.487

  Silk upon trees.
• * 1.488

  A great policy.
• * 1.489

  Adultery punished.
• * 1.490

  Marriage.
• * 1.491

  Repudia∣tion.
• * 1.492

  Testimo∣nies of love.
• * 1.493

  Sacrifice of their own chil∣dren.
• * 1.494

  Palpes, or Priests.
• * 1.495

  The devils dance.
• * 1.496

  Strange accidents to the au∣thour.
• * 1.497

  Feasts and ceremo∣nies.
• * 1.498

  Laudative songs.
• * 1.499

  How the Priests dis∣pose of wars.
• * 1.500

  Reward of valour.
• * 1.501

  A deplo∣rable Hi∣story of two Prin∣ces.
• * 1.502

  Fraternal amity.
• * 1.503

  Curiosity and pre∣dictions dangerous.
• * 1.504

  A reaso∣nable con∣dition.
• * 1.505

  An unfor∣tunate meeting.
• * 1.506

  Talc in∣stead of glasse.
• * 1.507

  Musicall Instru∣ments.
• * 1.508

  Hydrac.
• * 1.509

  The Pegu∣an yeares.
• * 1.510

  Alterati∣ons in Pe∣gu.
• * 1.511

  Vast Ar∣mies in the East.
• * 1.512

  Apes.
• * 1.513

  Fismans.
• * 1.514

  Fruit••.
• * 1.515

  Civit cats.
• * 1.516

  Mines.
• * 1.517

  Mounsons windes cold in ex∣tremity. Debtors slayes.
• * 1.518

  Sugar used in build∣ings.
• * 1.519

  Elephants instructed.
• * 1.520

  Women.
• * 1.521

  Unicorns hornes.
• * 1.522

  Estriffe or a G••iffon.
• * 1.523

  Mandranel
• * 1.524

  Califerech.
• * 1.525

  Fanon money.
• * 1.526

  Chiza.
• * 1.527

  Artipan.
• * 1.528

  Ramata.
• * 1.529

  Sanaca∣rin, or virgin.
• * 1.530

  The Indi∣ans faith.
• * 1.531

  Interment and Cere∣monies.
• * 1.532

  Widowes, how re∣married.
• * 1.533

  Ball play
• * 1.534

  Sapony, a mo••tibe∣rous herb.
• * 1.535

  Casubi, and the ayre.
• * 1.536

  Women.
• * 1.537

  Goncha grapes.
• * 1.538

  Manna.
• * 1.539

  Long life.
• * 1.540

  Furs.
• * 1.541

  Cocos the benefit of the tree.
• * 1.542

  Confession in Casubi.
• * 1.543

  Procession
• * 1.544

  Recon∣cilements.
• * 1.545

  This is partly ta∣ken out of the Eccle∣siasticall History out of Socrates Sedomenes. Theodoret and Ruffi∣nus. Ardesius and Fru∣mentius.
• * 1.546

  Wood to strike fire.
• * 1.547

  Machara∣na.
• * 1.548

  Women swimers.
• * 1.549

  Quinsin.
• * 1.550

  Pudomel.
• * 1.551

  Poultry.
• * 1.552

  Money.
• * 1.553

  Bindi.
• * 1.554

  Apes im∣portunate.
• * 1.555

  Azoufa.
• * 1.556

  Chicali.
• * 1.557

  Ira's, A beast of the same nature as the Chicali, but red.
• * 1.558

  Tygars▪
• * 1.559

  Tygar skins.
• * 1.560

  Tygar hunting.
• * 1.561

  Elephants.
• * 1.562

  A story of the Rhino∣cerot of Escurial.
• * 1.563

  Very dan∣gerous Wolfes.
• * 1.564

  An armed Monkey.
• * 1.565

  The King of Transi∣ana his cu∣riosity, and affability.
• * 1.566

  Esteem of the French on the East.
• * 1.567

  The Sieur de la Courb's present.
• * 1.568

  Birds of Paradise.
• * 1.569

  Transiana.
• * 1.570

  Women,
• * 1.571

  Jewels, and to whom.
• * 1.572

  Adultery punished.
• * 1.573

  Maids free.
• * 1.574

  A female guard for the King.
• * 1.575

  A dance in armes.
• * 1.576

  Viluaires.
• * 1.577

  Lambri.
• * 1.578

  The mili∣tia of the King of Transiana.
• * 1.579

  Horses and their breeding.
• * 1.580

  Beasts brought up to hunt.
• * 1.581

  Chase of recreation.
• * 1.582

  Apes.
• * 1.583

  Ront. Armes.
• * 1.584

  Beasts skins.
• * 1.585

  Rhubarb.
• * 1.586

  Remarka∣ble Moun∣taines.
• * 1.587

  Interments
• * 1.588

  Divorces.
• * 1.589

  Nubis Priests.
• * 1.590

  Mummy.
• * 1.591

  Fidelity for the Mer∣chants in India.
• * 1.592

  The mountain of the sun.
• * 1.593

  Tambo an Inne.
• * 1.594

  Ridicu∣lous opi∣nions of the sur∣rising.
• * 1.595

  Lapland.
• * 1.596

  Sabooram Liberia in high Tar∣tary.
• * 1.597

  The Indi∣ans strange opinions in Astro∣nomy.
• * 1.598

  The Indi∣ans Iliaca and Pili∣aca.
• * 1.599

  This must be the dog or Medusa's head.
• * 1.600

  Six Poles with the Indians.
• * 1.601

  The Zodi∣ack.
• * 1.602

  St. Basil in Exameron.
• * 1.603

  The Earth square with the Chinesses.
• * 1.604

  The opini∣on of the G••eek Philoso∣phy, of the forme of the Earth.
• * 1.605

  Antripodes, by whom not belie∣ved.
• * 1.606

  Virgill, Bishop of Strasbourg.
• * 1.607

  Sinabo.
• * 1.608

  Drogoma∣nia may be Dragoian, or Turco∣mania. Deserts of Tartary.
• * 1.609

  Persian Asses.
• * 1.610

  Serpents good meat.
• * 1.611

  fier••e dogs
• * 1.612

  Volmous.
• * 1.613

  This must be the great Mo∣gor.
• * 1.614

  A History of an Incu∣bus.
• * 1.615

  Phlegon Trallianus.
• * 1.616

  The ad∣ventures of Amador a Painter.