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.

§. II. Obseruations of M. POLO, of Armenia, Turkie, Zorzania, Baldach, Persia, Chir∣main, Cobniam, Ormus, Knaue-fooles Paradise, and other Easterne parts in Asia, and Armenia the lesse.

[ 30]

THere are two Armenia's, the greater and the lesse. In the lesse the King abides in a Citie called Sebastoz, which in all his Countrey obserueth Iustice and good Gouernment. The Kingdome it selfe hath many Cities, Fortresses and Castles: the soyle also is fer∣tile, and the Countrey lacketh no necessary thing, nor doth it want game of Beasts and fowle: the ayre is not very good.* 1.1 The Gentlemen of Armenia in times past were stout warriours, but become now effeminate and nice, giue themselues to drunkennes and ryot. There is a certaine Citie in this Kingdome seated neere the Sea, named Giazza, hauing an excellent Hauen whither many Merchants resort from diuers Countries, euen from Venice and Genua, by reason of the diuers marchandises brought thither, especially Spices of sundry sorts, and cer∣taine [ 40] other precious riches brought thither out of the East Countries for trading: for this place is as it were a certaine part of all the East Countries.

In Turchomania are three sorts of Nations; to wit, the Turchomans or Turke-men,* 1.2 which ob∣serue the law of Mahumet. They are men vnlearned, rude, and wilde, inhabiting the Moun∣taines and inaccessible places, where they know are pastures; for they liue onely of their beasts. There are good Horses, called Turke-men, (or Turkie horses) Mules, of great estimation. The other Nations are Grecians and Armenians, who possesse the Cities and Townes, and bestow their labour on Marchandise and Artes. They make the best Carpets in the world. And they haue many Cities, the chiefe whereof are Cogno, or Iconium, Caesarea, and Sebaste, where Saint Basil suffered Martyrdome for Christ, and they acknowledge one of the Kings of the Tartars for their Lord.

[ 50] Armenia the greater, being a very large Prouince, tributary to the Tartars, hath many Cities and Townes. The chiefe Citie thereof is called Arzuiga, and the best Bukram is made there. Most wholsome hot waters also spring there, for the washing and curing of mens bodies. And the other more famous Cities next to the Metropolis, are Argiron and Darziz. In the Sum∣mer time, very many Tartars resort thither with their Flockes and heards, allured through the fatnes of the pasture: and againe in the Winter depart for a certaine time by reason of the abun∣dance of Snow. The Arke of Noah remained in the Mountaines of this Armenia. This Countrey hath the Prouince of Mosull and Meridin, bordering on the East. But on the North is Zorza∣nia * 1.3, in the confines of which a Fountaine is found, from which liquor-like oyle floweth, yet is it [ 60] vnprofitable for the seasoning of meat, but very fit for the making and maintaining of Lampes, and to anoint other things enough to lade Camels.

In Zorzania is a King called alway Dauid Melicz, or King Dauid:* 1.4 One part of the Pro∣uince is subiect to him, the other payeth tribute to the King of the Tartars. The Woods there are of Boxe-tree. The Countrey abutteth on the two Seas, Mar-maggiore, and that of Abaccu,

(or the Caspian) which containeth in Circuit twentie eight hundred Miles, and is like a Lake, not mingled with other Seas. In it are many Ilands, Cities and Castles, some of which are in∣habited by those which fled from the Tartars out of Persia. The people of Zorzania are Christi∣ans, obseruing the rites of the Christians. They keepe their hayre short, like the Westerne Clergie. The Inhabitants haue many Cities and Castles, and abound with Silke, of the which they make very faire Cloathes.

Moxul is a Prouince in which dwell people of many sortes, one called Arahi which are Ma∣humetans,* 1.5 other are Christians, some Nestorians, others Iacobites, and others Armenians: and they haue a Patriarch called Iacolit, which ordaineth Archbishops, Bishops, and Abbots, and sends them thorow all parts of India, and to Cairo and Baldach, and all parts where Christians dwell, as doth the Pope of Rome. And all the cloathes of Gold and of Silke called Mossulines are wrought in [ 10] Moxul. But in the Mountaines of this Kingdome dwell the people called Cordi, whereof some are Nestorians, other Iacobines, and some followers of Mahumet. They are wicked men and rob Merchants. Neare to them is another Prouince, called Mus and Meridin, wherein growes infi∣nite store of Cotton or Bombast, whereof they make Buckrams and other workes. They are all vnder the Tartars.

Baldach is a great Citie, in which was the Chalifa that is the Pope of all the Sarcens. A Riuer runnes thorow it,* 1.6 from whence to the Sea is ordinarily seauenteene dayes iourney. They sayle by a Citie called Chisi: but before they come thither is Balsara, about which grow the best Dates in the world. In Baldach are many cloathes of Gold and Silke: there are wrought Da∣maskes [ 20] and Veluets with diuers figures of creatures. All the pearles (in manner) in Christen∣dome come thence. In that Citie is studyed the law of Mahomet, Negromancie, Physicke, Astro∣nomie, Geomancie, and Phisnomie: It is the chiefe Citie in those parts. When the Tartars began to raigne, there were foure Brethren, the eldest of which, Mongu raigned in Sedia. These purpo∣sing to subdue the world, went one to the East, another to the North, to the South a third, which was Vlau, and the other to the West. In the yeare from the Incarnation of our Lord 1250. V∣lau hauing a great Army of one hundred thousand Horse,* 1.7 besides Foot, yet vsed policie, and ha∣uing hid a great part of his men brought by fained flight, the Calipha into his ambush, and tooke him, and the Citie: in which he found infinite store of treasure, insomuch that he wondered.

He sent for the Califa, and reproued him that in that warre hee had not therewith prouided [ 30] himselfe of Souldiers for defence: and commanded that hee should be inclosed in that Tower, where his Treasure was, without other sustenance. This seemed a iust iudgement from our Lord Iesus Christ on him. For he in the yeare 1225. seeking to conuert the Christians to Mahumet: And taking aduantage on that place of the Gospell, that hee which hath Faith asmuch as a graine of Mustard-seed, should be able to remoue mountaines, he Conuerted all the Christians, Nestorians, and Iacobites, and propounded to them in ten dayes to remoue certaine Mountaines, or turne Ma∣humetans, or be slaine, as not hauing one man amongst them which had the least faith. They therefore continued eight dayes in Prayer: after which a certaine Shoomaker by reuelation to a Bishop, was designed to performe it. This Shoomaker once tempted to lust by sight of a young Woman in putting on her Shooe, zealously had fulfilled that of the Gospell, and literally had put [ 40] out his right eye: He now on the day appointed with other Christians following the Crosse and lifting his hands to Heauen, prayed to God to haue mercy on his people, and then with a loude voyce commanded the Mountaine in the name of the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost to remoue, which presently with great terrour to the Califa and all his people was effected. And that day is since kept holy, with fasting also on the euen.

Tauris is a great Citie in the Prouince of Hirace. It is a most populous Citie. They liue of Arts and Merchandise.* 1.8 They make Cloathes of gold and silke. Foraine Merchants make there great gaine, but the Inhabitants are generally poore: a mixed people of Nestorians, Armenians, Iacobites, Georgians, and Persians, and Mahumetans. These last are perfidious and treacherous, thinking all well gotten which they steale from men of other Religions. And this wickednesse [ 50] of the Saracens hath conuerted many Tartars thereto. If the Christians kill them in their robbe∣rie,* 1.9 they are reputed Martyrs. From Tauris to Persia are twelue dayes iourney. In the confines of Tauris is the Monasterie of Saint Barsam, the Monkes whereof are like Carmelites; they al∣way make girdles which they lay on the Altar, and giue to their friends, which deuoutly e∣steeme of them.

* 1.10Persia containeth eight Kingdomes: whereof the first is called Casibin, the second Curdistan, the third Lor, the fourth Suolistan, the fift Spaan, the sixt Siras, the seauenth Soncara, the eight Timochaim, which is neere Arboresecco towards the North. Faire and great Horses are there, whence they are sold into India. There are also very goodly and excellent Asses sold dearer then the Horses, for that they eat little, carrie much and farre. They haue Camels but not so swift. [ 60] These are necessary in those Countries, which sometime in a long way yeeld no grasse. The peo∣ple in those Countries are very wicked,* 1.11 contentious, Theeues, and Murtherers, professing the faith of Mahumet. Merchants are euery where slaine by those Theeues, vnlesse they trauell in troupes. Yet are there excellent Artificers in the Cities, who make wonderfull things in gold,

silke, and Embroyderie. They abound with Silke-wormes, Wheat, Barley, Milium, and other kindes of Corne: and haue also plenty of Wine and fruits. And though their Law forbid wine,* 1.12 yet they haue a glosse to correct or corrupt the text, that if they boyle it, then it changeth the taste, and therefore the name also of Wine.

Iasdi is a great Citie in the confines of Persia, where much Trading is exercised.* 1.13 It hath also cunning Artificers who labour in Silke.

Chierman is a Kingdome in the confines of Persia to the East, subiect to the Tartars. In the veines of the Mountaines the stones are found, commonly called Turchisses; veines also of Az∣zaio and Andanico. There are also made all Armes and munition for warre, and by the Women [ 10] excellent needle-workes in Silkes, with the portraitures of all sorts of Creatures verie admira∣ble. There are the best Falcons in the world, verie swift of flight, red brested, and vnder the trayne, lesse then those of other Countries. Proceeding further, you goe through a great Plaine, and hauing ended eight dayes iourney, you come vnto a certaine descent. In the Plaine many Par∣tridges are found, and also Castles and Townes. But in that steepe descent are many trees and those fruitfull, but no habitation is there but of Shepheards. This Countrey in the winter time hath intollerable cold.

After this you come vnto a certaine great Plaine, where a certaine Citie is seated,* 1.14 named Ca∣mandu, which in times past was great, but is now destroyed by the Tartars, and the Countrey is called Reobarle. There grow Pomgranats, Quinces, Adams-apples, and diuers others fruits, [ 20] which grow not in our cold Countries. It hath also very great Oxen, and all white, thin hayred with thicke blunt short hornes, with a Camels bunch on the backe,* 1.15 accustomed to beare great burthens. And when the packe-saddles are set vpon the bunch, they bow the knee like Camels, and hauing receiued the burthen rise againe, being so taught by men. The Sheepe of that Coun∣trey are no lesser then Asses, bearing so long and broad a tayle, that they weigh thirty pound weight. They are very faire and fat, and good meat. Moreouer, in the plaine of this Countrey are many Cities and Townes, with high walls of Mud to defend them from the Caraunas, that is Mestizos, or mingled people of Indian women and Tartars, ten thousand of which bee con∣ducted by one Nugodar, the nephew of Zagathai who ruled in the greater Turkie. This Nugod••r hearing of the Malabars subiect to Soldan Asidin, without his Vncles knowledge went and [ 30] tooke Dely with other Cities, and erected a new Seignorie, and mixing with the Indian women procreated these Caraunas, which goe vp and downe to rob and spoyle in Reobarle and other Countries. There they learned magicall and diabolicall Arts,* 1.16 by which the ayre is so darkned in the day time for a long space, that none may see them or preuent them. M. Marco one time thorow such darknesse did almost fall into their hands, but made shift to escape to a Castle called Cousalmi: but many of his company were taken or slaine.

That Plaine whereof I now speake, is fiue daies iourney extended towards the South. But at the end therof, the way beginneth by litle and litle to descend for twenty miles together,* 1.17 & the way it selfe is very bad, and not without danger by reason of Theeues. At length you come to very goodly Plaines, which extend themselues two dayes iourney in length, and the place it selfe is [ 40] called Ormus. That Countrey aboundeth with Riuers of water and Palme trees. There is also plenty of diuers Fowles, especially of Poppin-jayes, which are not like to ours. From hence you come vnto the Ocean, where on an Iland is seated, a Citie called Ormus,* 1.18 whereto many Mer∣chants resort, bringing Spices, Pearles, precious Stones, cloath of Gold and Silkes, and Elephants teeth, and all other precious things from India. That Citie is a great Mart, hauing Cities and Castles vnder it, and is head of the Kingdome Chermain: the King is called Ruchmedin Acho∣mach, who yeelds obedience to the King of Chermain. He makes himselfe heyre, if any Mer∣chant dyes there. In Summer they by reason of the heat betake themselues to their Garden hou∣ses built on waters. And from nine till noone there blowes a winde with such extreame heat from the sands, that it swallowes vp a mans breath and stifleth him, which makes them lye in [ 50] the water. The King of Chermain sent an Armie of sixteene hundred Horse, and fiue thousand Foot, against the Lord of Ormus for not paying his tribute, which were all surprised and stifled with that winde. The Inhabitants of the place eate no Bread made of Corne and flesh, but feed vpon Dates, salt Fish, and Onions. They haue not very sound Ships:* 1.19 for they fasten them not with yron nayles (by reason that the wood is brittle and would cleaue) but with woodden pins, with certaine threds made of the shels of Indian Nuts. These shels are dressed after the manner of Leather, out of the which, threds are cut, and of the thrids exceeding strong cordes are made,* 1.20 which are able to indure the force and violence of the water, and are not easily corrupted there∣by. Those Ships haue one Mast, one sayle, one beame, and are couered but with one decke. They are not chalked with Pitch, but with the Trane of Fishes. And when they crosse the Sea [ 60] to India, carrying Horses and other fraight with them, they lose many Ships, beeause that Sea is very tempestuous, and the Ships are not strengthened with yron. The Inhabitants of that Countrey are blacke, and addicted to the Law of Mahumet. It is the custome of this Countrey, when any Master of a family dyeth, that the wife left behind him should mourne for him foure weekes, once a day. They haue women which professe the practise of mourning and are thereto hired, to mourne daily for their dead.

Returning from Ormus to Chermain is a fertile Plaine, but the bread made there, cannot bee ea∣ten of them, who are not accustomed thereunto, it is so bitter by reason of the bitter water put therein, whereof are store of hot Bathes good against diseases.

Going from Chermain in three dayes riding you come to a Desart, which continued till you come to Cobinam,* 1.21 seuen dayes Iourney, which is extended. In the first three dayes you shall haue no water, saue a very few, and those salt and bitter, of a greene colour in shew, as if it were the iuyce of Herbs: and whoso tasteth but a little thereof, cannot escape loosenesse of the belly. The like also hapneth, if any taste the Salt made of that water. It is therefore needfull, that Tra∣uellers carrie some water with them, if they will not be indangered through thirst. The beasts also which are compelled to drink that water, escape not without scouring. In the fourth day they [ 10] find a fresh Riuer vnder ground: the three last dayes are as the first.

* 1.22Cobinam is a great Mahumetan Citie; goodly, and great Looking Glasses of Steele, are made there. Tutia also which cureth the eyes; and Spodio and that, after this manner. That Coun∣try hath Mines, out of which they digge Earth, which they boyle casting it into a fierie Fornace, an Iron grate receiuing the ascending vapour from aboue, in the which, the conglutinated and clammie vapour becommeth Tutia. But the grosser matter remayning in the fire, is called Spodio. The Inhabitants of this Countrey, are followers of Mahumet.

* 1.23Leauing the Citie Cobinam, you meet with another Desart eight dayes Iourney in length, and in it there is great drynesse: it wanteth trees, and fruits, and waters which it hath are very bit∣ter, so that the very beasts refuse to drinke them except they mixe meale therewith, and Tra∣uellers carrie water with them. But hauing passed ouer this Desart, you came to the Kingdome [ 20] Timochaim in the North Confines of Persia,* 1.24 where many Cities and Castles are. There is a great Plaine in which a great tree groweth, called the tree of the Sunne, which the Christians call, The dry Tree.* 1.25 This tree is very great and thicke, and hath leaues, which on the one side are white, and on the other side greene. It produceth a 1.26 prickly shales like those of a Chesnut, but nothing in them. The wood is solide and strong, yellow like Boxe. There is no tree within one hundred miles, except on one side, on which are trees within ten miles. In this place the Inhabitants say, that Alexander the Great fought with Darius. The Cities are plentifull of good things, but Mahumetan, and of temperate Aire. It hath also goodly men, but specially women, the most beautifull in my iudgement in the World. [ 30]

* 1.27Mulehet is in Saracen Language, as much to say as a place of Heretikes, and of this place they call the men Mulehetici, that is, Heretikes in their Law, as with vs Patarines. Hauing spoken of the Countrey, the old man of the Mountayne shall bee spoken of, of whom Marco heard much from many.* 1.28 His name was Aloadine, and was a Mahumetan. Hee had in a goodly Valley betwixt two Mountaynes very high, made a goodly Garden, furnished with the best trees and fruits he could find, adorned with diuers Palaces and houses of pleasure, beautified with gold Workes, Pictures, and Furnitures of silke. There by diuers Pipes answering diuers parts of those Palaces were seene to runne Wine, Milke, Honey and cleere Water. In them hee had placed goodly Damosels skilfull in Songs and Instruments of Musicke and Dancing, and to make Sports and Delights vnto men whatsoeuer they could imagine. They were also fairely at∣tyred [ 40] in Gold and Silke, and were seene to goe continually sporting in the Garden and Palaces. He made this Palace, because Mahomet had promised such a sensuall Paradise to his deuout fol∣lowers. No man might enter: for at the mouth of the Valley was a strong Castle, and the en∣trance was by a secret passage.

Alaodine had certaine Youthes from twelue to twentie yeares of age, such as seemed of a bold and vndoubted disposition,* 1.29 whom hee instructed daily touching Mahomets Paradise, and how hee could bring men thither. And when he thought good, he caused a certaine Drinke to bee gi∣uen vnto ten or twelue of them, which cast them in a dead sleepe: and then hee caused them to be carryed into diuers Chambers of the said Palaces, where they saw the things aforesaid as soone as they awaked; each of them hauing those Damosels to minister Meates and excellent [ 50] Drinkes, and all varieties of pleasures to them; insomuch that the Fooles thought themselues in Paradise indeed. When they had enioyed those pleasures foure or fiue dayes, they were againe cast in a sleepe, and carryed forth againe. After which, hee caused them to be brought into his presence, and questioned where they had beene, which answered, by your Grace, in Paradise, and recounted before all, all before mentioned. Then the old man answered, This is the commande∣ment of our Prophet, that whosoeuer defends his Lord, he make him enter Paradise: and if thou wilt bee obedient to mee, thou shalt haue this grace. And hauing thus animated them, hee was thought happie whom the old man would command, though it cost him his life: so that other Lords and his Enemies were slaine by these his Assasines, * 1.30 which exposed themselues to all dangers, and contemned their liues. Hereupon hee was esteemed a Tyrant, feared in all those parts; and had two Vicars one in the parts of Damasco, and another in Curdistan: which obser∣ued [ 60] the same order with young men. Hee vsed also to rob all which passed that way. Vlau in the yeare 1262. sent and besieged his Castle, which after three yeares siege they tooke, slue him and ruined his Paradise, not being able for want of victuall to hold out longer.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The manner of the Inhab••••tants. Giazza.
• * 1.2

  Turchomania Turkie.
• * 1.3

  Of the Geor••••••an••
• * 1.4

  Georgia.
• * 1.5

  Moxul.
• * 1.6

  Baldach. Chisi. Balsara.
• * 1.7

  Vlau Alau, or Haalon.
• * 1.8

  Tauris.
• * 1.9

  Deuils Martyrs
• * 1.10

  The eight Kingdome of Persia. Horses. Asses.
• * 1.11

  The Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.12

  Fine distincti∣on, as in a Popish fasts.
• * 1.13

  Iasdi.
• * 1.14

  Camandu.
• * 1.15

  Oxen with a bunch on the backe.

  Sheepe of the bignes of Asses
• * 1.16

  Their Inchant∣ments.

  The Authors danger.
• * 1.17

  Ormus.
• * 1.18

  Parrats.
• * 1.19

  Their Ships
• * 1.20

  An outward shell which growes vpon the Caco Nut, and yeelds a thready sub∣stance.
• * 1.21

  A Desart in which is Salt, bitter, laxa∣tiue, greene water.
• * 1.22

  Cobinam. Tutia and Spodio.
• * 1.23

  A Desart of eight dayes Iourney.
• * 1.24

  Timochaim.
• * 1.25

  Tree of Sun, or Arbor Secco.
• a 1.26

  Ricci.
• * 1.27

  Mulehet.
• * 1.28

  Aloadine the old man of the Mountayne.
• * 1.29

  Knaue-fooles Paradise.
• * 1.30

  It is likely that the Assa∣sines mentio∣ned in the eight & ninth Bookes were branches of this stock. Dis∣ciples of his Syrian Vicar: or this of them.