Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. IIII. Difficulties of entring China, their dwelling at Nanquin, going from thence to Paquin, with Presents for the King, troubles in the way by an Eunuch.

RIght Reuerend Father in Christ, the peace of Christ bee with you. I thinke I doe not satisfie the dutie which I owe vnto your Worship, for the loue which you haue [ 20] alway shewed vnto mee, and the Obligation wherein I am bound to so many most dearely beloued Fathers and Brethren of this Prouince, if being as I am in this great Kingdome of China, procuring the good of these Pagans, (whereunto it pleased our Lord to choose mee) I should not giue you some briefe Relation of the things that concerne this our new Mission, and of some things also concerning the greatnesse of this Kindome, the Customes, Gouernment and Policy thereof.

Being come, as heretofore I wrote to your Worship, to Macao a City of the Portugals, ad∣joyning to the firme Land of China,* 1.1 where there is a Colledge of our Company: and there at∣tending till the Persecution, Tumults, and Warres of Iapon, would permit ten or twelue Fa∣thers of vs to passe thither, which stayed expecting fit oportunitie: when we were readie to de∣part, [ 30] within few monethes, it pleased our God to change my Lot, and Enterprize which I had before myne eyes, and to send mee to enter into China, whereinto I entred in the end of the yeare of our Lord 1599. There were in this Mission at this time, only fiue Fathers diuided into three Houses. For though it be twentie yeeres since they first began to enter, yet the entrance of Strangers is so hard and so straitly forbidden,* 1.2 and their state and perseuerance is so difficult, that in all this time there neuer passed aboue fiue or sixe Fathers, and those which succeeded since, though by little and little, did discouer the Countrey; But their entrance was by stealth and secretly. Considering that all passages were shut vp, and that in all China there was no man that could or durst presume to giue licence to preach the Gospell; we alwayes sought to get some ac∣cesse vnto the King, either by way of Embassage, or by way of Present, and Gifts, and to seeke [ 40] to obtayne this in part,* 1.3 or in the whole, to this end and purpose.

The Fathers alwayes sought to obtayne some Ambassage of the Pope, or of the Catholike King. But perceiuing they could not obtayne this, they procured it by way of giuing a Present, not so much of precious things,* 1.4 for they had none of that kind, as of strange things neuer seene before in China. And hauing procured this for many yeares space, without hauing any meanes to obtayne it; the Diuine Prouidence ordayned one in the yeare of our Lord 1590. which was this: The Fathers being in Xaucheo, (a Residencie of the Prouince of Canton) there passed that way a great Mandarin, called by the King, to giue him an Office in the Court, which among vs is like vnto a President of one of the chiefest Councels, which had known the Fathers long time; and now seeing themselues with him, and signifying vnto him the desire which they had to goe [ 50] to Paquin, to giue a Present to the King, and that if hee would doe them the courtesie to carrie them along with him vnder his shadow and protection, they would alwayes remayne thanke∣full, and exceedingly bound to serue him. After this and other motiues which they presented vnto him, did that follow which wrought most effect, which was a good Present, with hope of other things afterward, whereupon he shewed himselfe very tractable to grant their request, and to take them with him to Paquin.

Being glad of this resolution, they prepared themselues for the Voyage, and tooke the things which they desired to giue the King, which hereafter I will mention. It pleased God to bring them to Paquin, in the company of so great a Mandarin, without the hinderance of any bodie. Being come to Paquin they began secretly to negotiate their businesse: because they durst not, [ 60] neither was the Mandarin that brought them willing that they should shew themselues abroad. But though they attempted all possible meanes, neither with gifts, nor any thing else, there was not any man that would meddle with this businesse, because it was a matter that concerned Strangers, considering what might hereof happen vnto them. After they had spent certayne

moneths, and saw they profited nothing, and fearing some innouation, they determined to re∣turne to their Residencies from whence they came.

Hauing returned three hundred leagues, they came to the great Citie of Nanquin, which was the ancient Seat and Court of the Kings of China: and now (though the King reside not there) yet is it the most noble, great, strong, and beautifull of all this whole Kingdome, and retayneth her being the Royall Court, with all the same Offices which the Citie hath where the King re∣sideth. They desired greatly to get an entrance into this City, because, as I haue said, it is a fa∣mous place, and hath such store of graue persons in it, thereby to make themselues knowne,* 1.5 and here to procure with more facilitie an entrance or accesse vnto the King. But it seemed a thing impossible, because it is a City straitly guarded, especially for Strangers, for whose guard and [ 10] Watch it hath ordinarily aboue one hundred thousand Souldiers. And if they went about to get licence, it seemed impossible to obtayne the same of so many great Mandarins, as gouerned the same. But our Lord (to whom euery thing is alike possible) vouchsafed to comfort the Fa∣thers for their trauell and small fruit which they had reaped of their journey to Paquin: and by the counsell of some friends which they had there, and with the protection of the Mandarin had carryed them to Paquin, which at that season came vnto this City, they dwelt in Nanquin, without the contradiction of any Mandarin, although all of them knew thereof: howbeit, as a very great man said, which afterward became our great friend, hee was readie to send to ap∣prehend the Fathers, vntill hee vnderstood that they were peaceable people, which had long time abode in China.

[ 20] After they were purposed to remayne there, there was another difficulty to get leaue to dwell and haue an House within the wals. But the Diuine Prouidence gaue them a very sweet and easie meane for all this, as here I will declare. The Mandarins liue in this City in houses which are not their owne, but belonging to the Offices which they beare: and when one hath ended his Office, hee that succeedeth him, succeedeth him in his Houses, which are all builded at the Kings cost. At this time a great Mandarin had builded one of these, wherein by his Office hee was to dwell: But when he had finished it, it pleased God, that he enjoyed it not: and hee sent many Deuils to enter into it, as they did in deed, which with fearefull shapes did terrifie those which dwelt in it, especially by night: and this continued so long a time, that all men left it, and none would dwell in it. As Father Matthew Riccio (who was the party which negotiated [ 30] this businesse, as the Procurator of all this Mission) went about to seeke to buy an House, by way of jest they asked him, whether he would buy an house full of Deuils? The Father answered, that hee tooke it not for a jest, but that if the house liked him, hee would not vary for that; for he serued a God whom the Deuils feared and dreaded, and that trusting in his helpe he was no∣thing at all afraid of them, but that they did rather much feare him, because he was the Seruant of such a Lord. They went to see the House, which presently liked him: and as they sold it good cheape because of the bad report that it had, in two words they agreed together: and the Mandarin that sold it was so glad, that he gaue vs Patents to possesse it perpetually in China;* 1.6 a thing which in no place could be obtayned of any other Mandarin. Forth-with they went to it, and at their comming in they blessed it according to the Rite of the Holy Mother Church; [ 40] and by the grace of God there was neuer dreame of any euill thing that troubled the same. All men looked what would become of this, and what successe they should haue with the Deuils. And when they saw the great quietnesse, without any shew of Spirits, they were greatly asto∣nied, saying, that without doubt this was a great God,* 1.7 and that hee sought to dwell in that House, and that therefore he had commanded the Deuils to dwell there, and not to suffer others to enter therein; and that when he came they went their way.

To this so good beginning the progresse from thence forward was answerable:* 1.8 for the graue Mandarins vnderstanding, together with the fame that they were Learned men, that they had many Bookes, that they were men of a good life, and that they had some things of their Coun∣trey, which were neuer seene in China (as certayne Clocks with Wheeles, and Images in Oyle,* 1.9 [ 50] and other pretie things) all of them setting feare apart, and other respects, came to visit the Fa∣thers in great estate, because they were the greatest Mandarines of all China, but with much hu∣manitie, respect and courtesie, with Presents of things to eate, and Banquets as they vse with their equals. They were so well pleased with all that they saw and heard, that all of them be∣came their great Friends and Patrones: and gaue so good report of them, that all men sought to doe the like: and for continuance of their amity they came oftentimes to visit them, and often∣times inuited them to their Palaces: and with this fame and honour of the grauest sort of people, all the rest of the inferiour and baser sort vsed them with much reuerence, no man daring to doe,* 1.10 or say vnto them any discourteous thing.

[ 60] This was the state of things when it pleased God to choose me for this Mission, and when I entred into it we had three Residences, one in the Prouince of Canton, another in the Prouince of Quianci, which is somewhat more within the Land, another in the Citie of Nanquin, which is in the midst of the Kingdome, and three hundred leagues from Macao. I entred secretly, as all the rest did (I say without particular Licence of any Mandarin.) But my secrecie continued

but a while, as hereafter I will declare. I came at the first, without staying in any other House, to Nanquin, where three Fathers of vs were foure moneths; Father Matthew Riccio our Supe∣riour,* 1.11 Father Lazarus Catanio, and my selfe, and a Brother a Chinois, one of the two which are receiued into this Mission, and euery thing goeth well. But as in matter of strangers the Chinois are exceeding scrupulous, more then your Worship can beleeue, so there were many which spake of our abiding in Nanquin, considering that now wee had three Houses in China. Wee beganne with much more earnestnesse to procure another better foundation, and to returne to Paquin more openly, and seeke accesse vnto the King. And because in Nanquin there bee Mandarines to whom this belongeth, and some of them were our Friends, wee beganne to speake of this point.

But it was not needfull to spend many words; for straight way we met with a Mandarin, to [ 10] whom by right this matter appertayned,* 1.12 who frankly and freely offered vs Patents, Dispatches, and whatsoeuer was needfull to accomplish this businesse.

The promises of this Mandarin were not vaine: for when the time came that the Riuer was vnfrozen, (which all the Winter is frozen ouer) and Barkes began to goe for Paquin, he perfor∣med his word faithfully,* 1.13 giuing vs Patents and Passe-ports needfull for the money; and besides, hee sent vs a Barke of the Kings to carry our Present and our owne things. Beeing glad of these good newes and dispatch, we consulted how we should deale in certayne things which of∣fered themselues in this businesse, and who should goe: There was no question but Father Mat∣thew Riccio should be one, but who should be his companion: for whom they choose me, and the [ 20] Brother.* 1.14 We set our things in order, particularly those which were of the Kings Present, Which were two Clockes with Wheeles, one great one of Iron, in a very great Case made faire with a thousand ingraued workes, full of gilded Dragons, which are the Armes and Ensignes of this King, as the Eagle is the Emperours: another little Clocke very faire, aboue an handfull high, all of golden Metall, of the best Worke which is made in our Countrey, which our Father Generall had sent vs for this purpose; which was set in a gilded Case, as the other was: and in both of them in stead of our Letters were grauen the Letters of China, and an hand that came forth did point at them. Besides these there were three I∣mages in Oyle, two great ones of an Ell high, and one little one. The greatest was the figures and por∣trature of Our Lady of the Poplar, of Saint Lucar: The second was of our Lady with the Babe Ie∣sus, and Saint Iohn: the third, was a Picture of Christ, which was the least; all of them were of excel∣lent [ 30] Worke. Besides this, there were certayne Looking-glasses; two Triangle-glasses (which though among vs they be of no account, yet are they esteemed here among them) adorned with Chaines of Sil∣uer, and set in an excellent Case of Iapon, which was of twentie times more value then the Glasses, to them that know what Glasses are. A Booke of The Theatre of the World, and a Breuiarie exceeding fairely bound, with an inscription, That that was the Doctrine of the True God, whose Images they did present him withall. A very faire Monocord, because it is an Instrument whereat the Chinois doe wonder much, and other pretie things of lesse importance.

All which things beeing set in order, and imbarqued, we tooke our leaue of the Christians of Nanquin, (which at our departure came to our House with a Banquet with great joy) and of the Mandarins our friends, which with great sorrow, and shewes of loue tooke their lea∣ues [ 40] of vs, and sent vs Presents for our Iourney, and many Letters of fauour to the great Man∣darins of Paquin.

We departed with this good dispatch from Nanquin in the yeare 1600. the twentieth day of May. And knowing not how the King, and the Mandarins of Paquin, and those of the Kings Court, would take this our Iourney, because wee were Strangers, wee sought to prepare our selues for that which might fall out: in great hope that we should find ayde eyther in all or in part to obtayne our desire, which we had for the establishment of our Company in this King∣dome, and to procure the opening of an entrance thereunto for the preaching of the holy Gospell.

We began to sayle vp a very great Riuer, whereof hereafter I will speake somewhat; and [ 50] when we had sayled certayne leagues, wee entred into another small Riuer made by hand aboue two hundred leagues, only to carry in Barges the Tribute which the Prouinces of the parts of Nanquin pay vnto the King, and other things which these Countries yeeld (which are the best, and most plentifull of all things which are in China) because it seemeth impossible to carry it by Land with Millions of people,* 1.15 being in Rice, Wheate, Siluer, and a thousand other things very great: And the Vessels which are employed about this businesse are so many, that without doubt it is no Hyperbole to say that from Nanquin to Paquin, which is three hundred leagues, all the Summer time it seemeth to be a path way of the Kings Barges. We were all aswell Mandarins as particular men very well intreated all the way, whither many Mandarins came out of the Villages and Cities, desiring to see the Present which wee carried, and our selues; bringing vs [ 60] many Presents for our Iourney. Hauing trauelled two hundred and thirty leagues in forty dayes,* 1.16 wee came to a very famous place and Mart Towne in China, which is in the Pro∣uince of Xantun, which is next vnto the Territories of Paquin, called Lincin. Where, be∣cause of the great Trafficke of Vessels and Merchants, which goe and come from the Court, who

pay to the King a very great tribute, he hath placed one of his chiefest Eunuchs, which serueth to gather vp his Customes: which liued there in great estate, and much attendance. Whenso∣euer he goeth abroad he is alwaies carried in a Chaire, vpon eight mens shoulders,* 1.17 which is a very great honour in China, with great store of Horsemen before and behind, with certaine Ba∣sons of Copper, which make a great sound when they bee playd vpon, to signifie to the people that he commeth that way, that all may goe out of the way; as the custome is with all the great Mandarines in the Cities of their iurisdiction. Which Eunuch vnderstanding of vs, and of the things which wee brought for the King, and of many other things which they put in his head that wee brought, to wit, precious stones, and others of that kind: hee sent vs word, that hee knew what we had brought for the King, and that he desired much to see it, and that the same [ 10] day or the next he would come, praying vs that we would make it ready.

He came at the appointed time, and hauing seene the things which wee brought for the King, and making account of them to be precious, and that the King would greatly delight in them, he sought meanes to cause them to be presented to the King by all meanes, as things that he had dealt with vs to bring, to please him, and thereby to obtayne some sute for himselfe: and be∣sides this, with desire and hope that wee would giue him some precious stones (whereof the Chinois are very greedy) he determined wholly to meddle in this businesse. Hee sent vs a Pre∣sent of things to eate, and a very courteous message, that wee should passe in one of his Barges, that shortly he would send vs to Paquin, with Souldiers of his house, a Petition made with his owne hand to the king; that we should consult together, and bethinke our selues what we desi∣red [ 20] to obtayne of the King, whether it were to bee Mandarines, or to haue lands or houses, or all together, because there should be no difficulty in any thing. The message came with all this courtesie. And we made answer with the like, returning him a Present for his answer with ge∣nerall words. For though hee came with so great offers, yet wee knew that these Eunuchs,* 1.18 for the most part, are base and couetous people.

It happened at this time that the chiefest Mandarine of this Citie, which was our great friend was come from Nanquin, from whence they had fetched him for that Office. Wee determined that Father Matthew Riccio should visite him with a small Present, according to the vse of the Countrey, to relate vnto him this businesse, and to aske his counsell what wee were best to doe. Hee receiued the Father with much courtesie and loue, and kept him two dayes in his house: [ 30] which, after he had heard the whole matter, answered, that he was very sorrie that we had met with this Eunuch, because we could looke for no goodnesse of his basenesse, couetousnesse, and bad meanes of proceeding; and that he could performe nothing that he had promised, and that his intent was nothing but couetousnesse; that hee would aduise vs to take as little as we could of him: but for all this, that wee should not refuse that which hee offered, but rather to make a vertue of necessitie, and to thanke him with a very good continuance for that which hee pro∣mised, because we were in his power, and he might and would hinder our passage, if wee did not so, and take away our Present from vs, and giue it himselfe with his owne hand to the King,* 1.19 without making any account of vs, without controlment of any man, because he was not subiect to any Mandarine.

[ 40] This seemed vnto vs to be very sound counsell, and a forcible enducement to follow it. So we followed the same, and applied our selues vnto him in euery thing, answering the Eunuch ac∣cording to his desire, and passed in a Barke of his. He desired much forthwith to carrie the Kings Present to his house, saying, that he would trimme them to giue them to the King, and this we courteously denyed him, saying, that we durst not depart with them till we had deliuered them to the King, neither that it seemed reasonable, that when wee did giue them, another should trimme them; especially, that these pieces were not such as had need of more trimming, since in themselues they were so precious: with which answer hee seemed to remayne satisfied. At the first he made vs great banquets, sport, and cheere: but as in very deed his purpose was no∣thing but to doe himselfe good, and to looke for his owne profit, and not for ours, hee beganne [ 50] quickly to discouer himselfe: for hee stayed certaine dayes,* 1.20 looking that wee should giue him some precious stones, which some body had told him that we had brought with vs to please him, for some things that they looked for at his hands▪ and when he saw the dayes were passed, with∣in which he thought we would haue giuen him them, he began to be out of hope, and to grow cold in our entertaynment: yet for all this, he came to visite vs with great pompe at our em∣barking:* 1.21 and after fifteene dayes he dispatched vs for our iourney to Paquin with men of his owne house, and with a Petition to the King, signifying vnto him how hee had met vs on, the way, and what our intent was, and what things we brought.

Wee were very honourably entertayned in his iourney, and in all the Townes and Cities of [ 60] his Iurisdiction whereby we passed, he commanded them to giue vs without delay refreshing of Flesh-meate, Fish, much Fruit, and Wine. Wee trauelled eight dayes, and came to the last place of his Iurisdiction: which is three dayes iourney from the Court of the King. We stayed there with company that did waite vpon vs, watching day and night about the Barke with their Centinels and Bells, as they are wont to doe with the great Mandarines, and especially because

there were there things belonging to the King, and the rest of the seruants of the Eunuch went to Paquin, to deliuer the Petition to the King, and to know his pleasure. They deliuered the Pe∣tition, and we looked for an answer thereof within three or foure dayes, as he had told vs. But God had disposed otherwise for the exercise of our patience and hope in him: and that was, that the King made no answer as we looked for: whereupon he was somewhat ashamed of the great brags that he had made to vs without performance of any thing: and hee and wee were all in suspense, when we saw the King returned no answer, which is wont to bee a token that he liketh not the Petition that is made vnto him.* 1.22

Fifteene dayes after wee arriued in this place, the Eunuch came thither; to send from thence to the King a third part of the tribute which he had gathered. He came accompanied with great [ 10] store of Vessels, and that wherein he was, was such, as assuredly your Worship hath not seene the like in all your life.* 1.23 The forme is very much different from ours: for it is like vnto an high House, wholly diuided into chambers and halls very high, full of carued workes round about, with hangings of Silke, of many figures, and round about full of galleries to walke vp and downe without being driuen to enter in.* 1.24 And on the outside it was all couered ouer with a kind of Oyle like Varnish, which runneth out of certaine trees, which they make with tempering of all sorts of colours,* 1.25 (whereof in Iapon and here there is great abundance) and the Portugals call it Charan; it is a very faire, shining▪ and durable thing: and the things that are coloured with it, doe shine like Glasses, if it be of the finest: and besides, though it be not costly, yet it is as faire and fairer, because it is more naturall, and very neate and fine, wherewith they paint diuers fi∣gures,* 1.26 [ 20] trees, and flowers; and if it be of the right, it doth not decay, and loseth no whit of his lustre. Herewith was the Barge trimmed without, with diuers figures painted on the hull of the Barge: from the hull vpward the windowes and the walls of the Halls and Chambers was full of carued workes, knots, and carued flowers, some gilded, others of diuers colours, agreeable to their natures, which made a very pleasant shew: within it was of the same worke with more excellency, and the most part was gilded, and the floore of boords was painted with very shi∣ning Charan or Oyle. It was as long as a good Gallie, little more or lesse, and somewhat broa∣der,* 1.27 but farre higher, and in such sort, that when wind fayleth they vse very great Oares after the manner of China, which serue, and are managed as Fishes vse their tayle to swimme. And because they bee of this fashion they vse them with much facilitie in euery Vessell how high so∣euer [ 30] it be. This was the fashion of the Vessell wherein the Eunuch came with much Musike of Trumpets, Drummes, and Fifes, and other Instruments which I omit for breuities sake.

* 1.28When he was come to this place, seeing the King sent no answere to his first petition, he sent another to put him in remembrance, and to solicite an answere to the first: wherein hee answe∣red nothing to this point, although he answered to other things. And though it bee true, that sometimes the King maketh no answer, through forgetfulnesse and confusion, because the peti∣tions be infinite which are daily giuen him from all the Kingdome: yet most ordinarily when he giueth no answer it serueth for an answer, either that hee will not doe, or liketh not of that suit that is made vnto him. And therefore because there came no answer, the Eunuch was much grieued that he had meddled in this matter,* 1.29 out of which he could not withdraw his hand be∣cause [ 40] he had giuen a Petition to the King, vntill he had seene some answer of his, fearing some damage, or displeasure of the King, that hereof might ensue: and hereupon hee beganne to estrange himselfe from vs, and sought not to see vs, not to haue to doe with vs, and sent sixe men alwaies to stay in our Barge, vnder colour to serue vs, but in very truth to watch vs day and night.

* 1.30In this suspence wee continued three moneths in the extreme heate in a Barge, not knowing what would become of vs. At the end thereof newes was brought vs, that the King had sent to the Eunuch, that he should see what things they were (for vntill then he had not written to him but in generall) and signifie it vnto him, and if he thought them worthie, he should send him a Petition touching that matter. Wee were somwhat more ioyfull with this message, which [ 50] was so indeed. And Father Matthew Riccio went to the Eunuchs lodging to receiue the Kings answer, with such ceremonies and reuerences as they are wont to receiue the messages that come from the King. And to put this commandement in execution, he came to our Barge accompa∣nied with many inferiour Mandarines, as witnesses, and in the Kings name hee tooke all these things into his hands: which he sent vnto his house. There he fell to reason with vs, perswa∣ding vs that wee should conceale none of the precious things that wee had brought (whereof his minde did so greatly runne) because the King would be greatly displeased, if hee knew that wee had any good things and would not giue them him. Wee told him plainely the truth, put∣ting him in plaine words out of that imagination which we knew he had conceiued. And after many complements on both parts he returned to his lodging. [ 60]

He wrote to the King what things they were which we had brought, looking that he would straight haue sent for them. But it fell out as it did at the first, that he returned no answer, and the cause thereof seemed to be, that they were things that he made none account of. Wee were now the second time in like case as wee were at the first, not being able to goe backe nor for∣ward:

for they would not suffer vs to goe to Paquin, nor to returne backe. The Eunuch being readie to returne to the Citie of Lincin, where we first met him,* 1.31 hauing need of the Barge where∣in wee were, commanded vs to bee remoued vnto an house in the Citie, there to stay vntill some message came from the King, either good or bad. We remoued with great pleasure, for the desire that we had to say Masse, whereof wee were depriued many moneths.* 1.32 After we were come on shoare, we set vp our Altar whereon we said Masse euery day, preparing our selues for that which might betide vs.

This Eunuch could not bee disswaded from that which couetousnesse had perswaded him,* 1.33 to wit, that we had brought some precious thing with vs. And seeing it seemed vnto him that he could not get vs by another way, to giue that which hee desired, and wee had not; hee became [ 10] shamelesse, and two dayes before his departure, he came with a great companie to our house, as though it had beene to visite vs in friendship, we thinking nothing of any such thing: and when he was come in he began to speake vnto vs, and put vs in great feare, asking vs, how wee durst come so farre into the Kingdome without leaue of the King? and that other Eunuchs had ad∣uertised him from the Court, that wee had many other things, and that wee would not shew them, nor giue them to the King. While he was thus talking and dealing, hee commanded his men to seize vpon all our stuffe, which we had in foure or fiue Hampers, and to lay them all out vpon a banke, which with great celeritie aboue an hundred Officers which came with him per∣formed, and in two words, they vndid and opened all, and with his owne hands he opened as many papers as he found, to seeke that which he desired:* 1.34 and seeing he could finde nothing that [ 20] hee looked for, he tooke that which hee found, which was an Image of our Ladie, being one of the two small ones which wee had reserued, that which hee left was better without compari∣son, and very excellent, on which also hee had cast his eye: hee tooke also certaine Glasses, and other small things, of small importance, because there were no better:* 1.35 but that which grieued vs much was, that he tooke from vs a Crosse of very good and great Reliques, and a Case of Re∣liques likewise, and the Chalice wherein we said Masse,* 1.36 which because it was of Siluer and gilt (which that yeere they had sent vs of Almes from Maaco) did please him; and when we pray∣ed him not to touch it, because it was a thing consecrated to God, which the Kings of our Coun∣trey durst not presume to touch, hee made a iest of it; and the more it was told him that hee should not touch it, hee handled it the more with scorne, saying, that though wee told him he [ 30] might not touch it, yet we saw he held it in his hands without any difficulty or danger.

By the intercession of a Mandarine that fauoured vs, he gaue vs the Chalice againe; but wee could neuer get the Reliques againe out of his fingers, as wee desired, for of all things else hee would depart with none.

As he and those that ayded him so willingly were searching with much curiositie, and euery one catched what he could, because all things lay tumbled on the ground: at last they met with a Case wherein was a carued Crucifixe, which was mine.* 1.37 He began to looke vpon our Lord Ie∣sus Christ being bloudy and wounded, being a very faire and pleasant sight to our eyes and heart, but very strange, foule and offensiue to his sight. He vsed certaine gestures not saying any word, [ 40] vntill he was astonished, and turned his head, and asked what it was? Wee told him, that that was the true God which made Heauen and Earth, whom all the World ought to worship, who died for our sinnes, and to giue vs life, and afterward rose againe by his owne power, and ascen∣ded into Heauen. He would not heare many reasons; for it seemed vnto him that we were de∣ceiued in worshipping a God that in his eyes was dead: againe, he looked wistly vpon it; and the finall conclusion that hee made was, that that which hee suspected was true,* 1.38 that wee were very lewde fellowes, because wee had the shape of a man misused with so great inhumani∣tie, nayled on a Crosse, and all besprinkled with blood, as that was, and that it was nothing else but some witchcraft to kill the King; And though in this second point hee was deceiued; yet in the first he had great reason, though hee knew not wherefore, since our sinnes and euill deeds made Christ to be vsed on that sort.

[ 50] That which the Eunuch said in our house, he vttered also abroad: in so much that certaine graue Mandarines which fauoured vs, retired themselues from vs, and sent vs word, that from henceforth wee should leaue that crucifixed man, and that seeing now wee remayned in China, we should wholly conforme our selues vnto them, for as long as we kept it they durst not speake in fauour of vs, because the report went that it was a deuice to kill the King. But our China Boy which was a Christian before he brought vs the message, answered before the Mandarine, saying, That this was the true God: wherefore not onely wee, but himselfe that was a Chinois would rather die then denye him one jot: whereat the Mandarine was amazed,* 1.39 seeing him speake resolutely of dying; a thing so much abhorred of the Chinois, euen to speake of it: and so he sent vs a moderate message, bidding vs to hide that Figure, that no bodie should see it, for [ 60] the report that went of it. The Eunuch gaue out many threatnings against vs, saying, that whether the King receiued the Present, or not, the least displeasure that hee would doe vs was, to thrust vs out of the Kingdome, as wicked fellowes, writing a Petition to the King against vs, Besides this we remayned thrust into an exceeding bad and naughty house in the greatest force

of the Winter,* 1.40 alwaies with many Souldiers within and without doores, the gates being shut with hanging Lockes, without suffering our Boy to goe forth to buy any thing, without two Souldiers to goe with him. In which kinde of liuing (though still with some remission of the rigour that we were kept in at the first) wee continued aboue two moneths and an halfe with∣out any kinde of comfort or rest at any time of the day to say Masse.* 1.41

At the end of which time, the Eunuch returned to the same place. Wee verily thought that our comming out of that place should not be such as it was, at the least we thought we should be thrust into a perpetuall Trunke or Prison, or in some worse place, as the fame went, and the good will which the Eunuch shewed vs.

[ 10]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Colledge of Iesuits.
• * 1.2

  Entrance into China difficult.
• * 1.3

  Meanes sought to enter China.
• * 1.4

  Embassage. Present.
• * 1.5

  100000. Gar∣rison Souldiers in Nanquin. Ricius saith 40000. perhaps the other 60000. are for the Countrey adioyning, or for the Nauie and Sea-guard: or Ricius might speake of the ordinary at o∣ther peaceable times, Pantogia of this trouble∣some time while the Ia∣ponian warre continued. Mandarins houses are publike. House pos∣sessed.
• * 1.6

  Iesuits Patent for China habi∣tation.
• * 1.7

  Fame of Ie∣suits sanctitie.
• * 1.8

  Fame of their Learning.
• * 1.9

  Watches ad∣mired.
• * 1.10

  Their credit & good vsag••.
• * 1.11

  Three Iesuits.
• * 1.12

  Leaue for Pa∣quin granted.
• * 1.13

  The Riuer of Nanquin ouer-frozen all the Winter.
• * 1.14

  The particu∣lars of the Kings Present. Gilded Dra∣gons or Ser∣pents (so Cruz cals them) the Kings Armes. Pinto saith a Lion, perhaps his coniecture for the fre∣quencie men∣tioned also by Polo, sup. p. 89. &c. or perhaps this might then be, and Serpents since, the Royall En∣signe. Besides a Lion is the Armes of Can∣ton Prouince, and perhaps of some others which might be mistaken for the Kings Armes.

  They began their iourney from Nanquin 1600. the 20. of May, stilo nouo.
• * 1.15

  300. leagues as it were one pathway of shipping.
• * 1.16

  Lincin.
• * 1.17

  Mathan the Kings Eunuch, his pompe.
• * 1.18

  Eunuchs base minded.
• * 1.19

  Not subiect to ordinary Ma∣gistrates.
• * 1.20

  Conceit of gemmes.
• * 1.21

  He dismisset•• them.
• * 1.22

  Silence of de∣niall.
• * 1.23

  Eunuchs pom∣pous Barge.
• * 1.24

  Glorious Var∣nish.
• * 1.25

  Abundance of all colours in Iapon and China.
• * 1.26

  Painted Fi∣gures.
• * 1.27

  Very great Oares and the excellent vse of them. Musike.
• * 1.28

  Manner of pe∣titioning the King.
• * 1.29

  Eunuch e∣stranged.
• * 1.30

  They stayed three months.
• * 1.31

  Lincin.
• * 1.32

  This was the thirteenth of October.
• * 1.33

  Couetousnesse iniurious.
• * 1.34

  Images.
• * 1.35

  A Crosse and Reliques.
• * 1.36

  A Chalice.
• * 1.37

  A Crucifixe.
• * 1.38

  Suspicion.
• * 1.39

  Dying dread∣full.
• * 1.40

  The force of Winter.
• * 1.41

  This was till the b••ginning of Ianuarie, 1601.