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. Encrease of Samarcand; Affaires of China: Funerals of the Can; comming to Quinza, and description thereof. His dispo∣sition of his estate and death.

[ 40]

PErsia, as long as he liued was much affected vnto him: which greatly serued him for the keeping as well of Syria, as of the Soldans Empire, leauing continually men there, and drawing out Colonies, the better to settle his Affaires in those places. So the Emperour leauing the Prince of Thanais, with his Army to attend his pleasure, he marched with the rest of his forces into his owne Countrey with all the Ioyes and Triumphes that might be possible, the chiefest Prisoners marching before the Emperour, amongst the which was Baiazet Emperour of the Turkes all chayned, and was a Spectacle vnto all the World of Fortunes inconstancy: hee continued notwithstanding in the same fiercenesse was woont to be in him. So wheresoeuer the Emperour passed, the people assembled themselues by thousands,* 1.1 praysing and singing his Victories. We arriued at the last at Samarcand with all our spoyles, in very great magnificence: where after we had beene the space of one moneth or two [ 50] in Feastings and Manificences, the Emperour with his accustomed Deuotion, hauing in great so∣lemnitie vowed a Church and Hospitall vnto his God, the most magnificent that might bee de∣uised. Whereupon to performe the same, he began to search out all sorts of Handicrafts men for to honour this Citie, the which hee had a desire to make one of the stateliest Cities in the World. And in one of the corners thereof he began, and did build there his Temple and Hospi∣tall, making an account to increase yet this Citie, as large againe as it was, and to people the same, with so many seuerall kinds of people and Nations as hee had brought with him, giuing libertie vnto them all to frame and build their Houses, causing money to be distributed to do the same, and giuing all kinds of Priuiledges and Freedomes vnto the Prisoners, for to giue them a [ 60] greater desire to build and settle themselues there: and hauing caused the streets and places to be plotted, and hauing appointed a place for euery one to build vpon, hee tooke no other plea∣sure, neither had he any other care then the preseruing the good will of his most famous Soul∣diers, whose name hee hauing caused to bee written in a generall Muster-booke, the which 〈◊〉〈◊〉

commanded to be made, from day to day, they (not thinking thereof) receiued honours, and good turnes of the Prince, in recompence of their so great seruices. Now he declared the death of the Emperour his Vncle vnto his Councell (of which he before had receiued Intelligence, but kept it close) and forgot no Ceremony due vnto the honour of the said Emperour outwardly, shewing the griefe he conceiued for his death; where after hee had rested some eight dayes, hee determined to goe vnto Quinzai for to see the Empresse, and hauing left Baiazet in the custodie of the Gouernour of Zachetay, the Emperour set forward with his ordinary Court which was of forty thousand Horse, and threescore thousand Foot-men.

The Emperour being come vnto Cambalu, receiued newes of the Battell Odmar, had wonne [ 10] against the King of Chinas, Captayne Generall, and how he pursued his Victory,* 1.2 hauing taken three or foure great and rich Cities, the which did yeeld themselues vnto him, and that againe the Chinois did desire peace. The Emperour sent the Articles he required, which were that be∣fore all other things the King of China should pay the Arrerages of the Tribute, the which hee had agreed with the Emperour. First, he should come in person to doe homage vnto his Majesty, [ 1] and acknowledge himselfe as Vassall vnto his Empire. That the Army should withdraw it selfe [ 2] during his Voyage, and he should deliuer vp vnto him all his Cities, sauing three such as the Em∣perour [ 3] should nominate; and that the things should be restored vnto the same estate they were in [ 4] before the Warre, when the Emperour made the first peace; that hee should pay the Army for sixe moneths, and should also satisfie all the expences of the War, seeing he had begunne it, and [ 20] was Author of the breach of peace. Then the Emperour gratified Odmar, sending vnto him for Wife one of his Sisters with all magnificence that might be, for to make him the more affectio∣ned vnto him. I will declare how the Emperour was receiued at Cambalu by his Subjects, with all the magnificence possible, the Emperour for to gratifie them hauing restored their Priuiled∣ges, the which he had taken from them, for the Rebellion they had committed with Calix: so as the Emperour went ouer all gratifying his Subjects for this new Succession that was lately fallen vnto him, all the Companies comming vnto him: for in these Countreyes they haue no certayne dwellings, they are alwayes wandring in troupes wheresoeuer they goe: thither the Empresse (hauing left Prince Axalla to gouerne at Quinzai) came vnto him. The Prince remay∣ned there almost two moneths, hauing in this place giuen order for all the Affaires he had. Cam∣balu was also neere vnto mount Althay, where they vse to bury the Scythian Emperours, whom [ 30] we doe call the great Cham.

The Emperor caused the body of the Emperour his Vncle to be brought thither, and himselfe would conduct it with all pompe, honouring not only his body, but also all that hee had loued in the World, and although it was not the custome to cause women for to assist the Funerals,* 1.3 yet would he affoord this honour vnto the Empresse, that she should assist the bringing of the body, going neere vnto the same. This he did, the more to make appeare how much he honoured the memory of the late Emperour in his Wife, being his Daughter, and also to the end that if God did take him away, his children being small, shee should haue the greater authority, and bee the better acknowledged worthy to gouerne in the minoritie of his Children; and also for that shee [ 40] had beene brought vp alwayes in authority, euen since shee was marryed. The Prince desiring thereby the more to acknowledge the honour the Emperour his Vncle had done him, by adop∣ting him as his Sonne, and in hauing left him so great and large an Empire, as that was, where∣of he left vnto him the possession. Now the Emperour loued her onely, hauing no other affecti∣on in such pleasure, but only the happinesse of a faire Off-spring, the which he hoped for. Now the body of the late Emperour being come vnto Cambalu, he determined to conduct it vnto the buriall according vnto the accustomed Ceremony,* 1.4 and to put the body with the Kings and Em∣perours his Ancestors. After he had from point to point performed the last Will and Testament of the late Emperour, he returned from thence vnto Cambalu, where he spent all Winter in Tilt and Turnying, going a hunting, making his abode there, because he was in a place neerest vnto the Kingdome of China, to know how matters passed there, hauing now brought thither his last [ 50] Affaires, purposing to goe thither in person the next Winter,* 1.5 if Odmar did not make an end of the Wars alreadie begunne, and if the King of China did not submit himselfe wholly vnder his obedience, hauing determined not to depart from Cambalu, vntill this Countrey were pacified, the marke he shot at, being only to keepe that which his valour was able to conquer through his good fortune, being desirous to spend the rest of his life in enjoying the fruits of his trauels, and for to publish his prayses vnto his people, and with Millions to maintayne them in peace. He had also a purpose to bring vnto an end that which hee had determined to doe at Samarcand.

Now Axalla was at Quinzai, as well vnto the contentment of all the men of Warre, as the Inhabitants, who desired much to see their Prince, and hauing caused Prince Axalla in their be∣halfe to beseech it, that it would please the Emperour to cause his Sonne to bee brought vp a∣mongst [ 60] them there, the which he did grant vnto them in fauour of the said Prince Axalla, esta∣blishing him for to command in the absence of the Prince his Sonne, whom hee made Gouer∣nour of Quinzai, from Cambalu euen vnto the Sea. This Countrey was replenished with some three hundred Cities, and was in largenesse more then foure hundred leagues, besides an finite

number of Villages. To make short, it was that the Emperour his Vncle gouerned, where this Prince Axalla was his Lieutenant generall,* 1.6 vnder the authoritie of the young Prince his sonne, vnto whom he deliuered him in charge for to be his Gouernour, authorising him vnto the go∣uernement generall of all his Kingdomes: for the great wisedome that was in this Knight, made him beloued in all the Countreys vnder the Emperours obedience: the seruices also and great victories the which he had caused the Emperour to obtayne by his stout courage, and good conduct, who for these occasions put his principall trust in him, and after himselfe hee thought him onely worthie to preserue for his children his Kingdome and Empresse.

The King of China came to visit him at his Court, according vnto the couenants offered vn∣to him, the which he accepted: he did sweare once againe obedience vnto the Emperour, who caused him to see all his greatest Cities, for to make himselfe the more to be feared of this Bar∣barian, [ 10] who kept no more promise then pleased himselfe. Hee was astonished to behold so ma∣ny Souldiers, and the Countrey so well replenished with people; and aboue all, that they vsed so little curiositie of riches in their apparell and garments, wondring that the Emperour was apparelled in meane Cloth of one colour, without any other fashion: but to counteruaile that, he had about him men which seemed to bee Kings. At the same time when the King of China was at the Court, the Emperour receiued newes of the * 1.7 victorie against the Soldan, for the which the Emperour reioyced, making feasts and turneys in his Court in token of mirth, and this reioycing continued for the space of eight dayes. After the Emperour had giuen order for the double paying of his Armie that came into Persia, vnder the conduct of the great Chamber∣laine, [ 20] and Synopes Colonell generall in the Imperiall Armie, the Emperour went vnto Quinsay for to see his sonne, and visit the people of this Countrey.

The Emperour arriuing neere vnto Quinsay, Prince Axalla comming to meet him two dayes iourney off, with all the chiefe Lords of the Countrey, together with the principall Citizens, who were preparing for the Emperour the most magnificent receiuing that might bee, as well by water as by land.* 1.8 As this Citie is one of the richest in the world, so is it one of the greatest, and of the most wonderfull situation, being all wholly diuided and ouerthwarted with channels, vpon the which are framed wonderfull and stately buildings, accompanied with an infinite number of Bridges, vpon the which they passe ouer channels: this Citie aboundeth with all kinde of spices, and in great quantitie, likewise with all manner of merchandises. The Empe∣rour [ 30] as soone as he was arriued, receiued presents of the Citizens, the which were esteemed to be worth aboue two millions of Gold, with a wonderfull variety of all rare and singular things, the which they presented vnto him, for to testifie the loue and obedience they did owe vnto him. The Emperour was desirous to see his sonne, whom they brought vp with the accusto∣med greatnesse of Princes: and hauing caused the child to be brought before him, being of the age of seuen yeeres: he forbad from hence forward they should suffer him to weare any thing vpon his head, and himselfe did hang a Bowe about his necke, saying aloud, that they which from their birth were called vnto soueraignties, should bee vsed both vnto cold and heate, and should bee exercised in Armes betimes, and not brought vp delicately and easily, reprehending them which had the bringing of him vp, demanding of them, if they meant to make a woman [ 40] of him?* 1.9 And they answering, that he was tender. If he be not borne (said he) for to be strong in Armes, he will not be worthy to succeed mee: for he must not be an effeminate Prince that shall preserue the Parthian Empire. Now he had sent the Empresse vnto Samarcand to be de∣liuered, where shee was honourably receiued, hauing neuer beene there since shee was married. Hee receiued newes that shee was there deliuered of another goodly sonne,* 1.10 a thing which hee caused to be published ouer all, and himselfe in token of ioy, made feasts fifteene dayes, with all kindes of magnificent turneys: this he did for to shew his agilitie vnto this people, to the end, that as he excelled all his Court in vertues, that they should also iudge him worthie to gouerne them aboue all other men. After he continued there a moneth, and hauing visited all the Sea-townes neere vnto Quinsay,* 1.11 hunting all kindes of chases, neglecting nothing notwithstanding [ 50] which belonged to his charge, saying often, that the recreations hee did take, were helpes for to ease him in the paines of his publike affaires whereunto God had called him. Hauing vpon his returne called together all the people, he published his lawes, which were all reuerenced of this people,* 1.12 as though they had proceeded from the Diuinitie, so much admiration had euery one of the greatnesse of this Prince. The which I will truely declare vnto you, that so long as the Emperour was there, this people did almost nothing, being for the most part busied in be∣holding of him, not finding any greater contentation then that. Some of his Courtiers, and a∣mongst the rest, Prince Axalla said one day vnto him, that this was a Citie fit for his abode. O my friend, it is not so: if they should see mee daily, they would make no more account of mee. It is a maxime, that the Lord of this great Citie must not goe thither but once in ten yeeres, and when he is there, it behooueth him to temper his actions, as if he were vpon a Scaffold rea∣die [ 60] for to play some Comedie, where grauitie and good grace is necessary for to content the be∣holders: for the people doe easily receiue an euill impression of their Prince, as they also doe a good, if you performe it well vnto them.

Now I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forgotten to tell you how the Emperour sent Prince Axalla in his name from Quinsay 〈◊〉〈◊〉 China,* 1.13 and his Imperiall Maiestie did not depart out of the Prouince before he re∣turned he went thither with great diligence for to establish peace there. Prince Axalla went forward towards Paguin, where he was receiued of the Gouernour with all possible honour. An•• hauing assembled all the Emperours forces, hee set forward towards the borders of China, ••••ue an enteruiew at Pochio, where the meeting place was agreed vpon. He passed by Quantou: went forward vnto Pochio, whither the King came also to meet with him; and hee entred full fiftie leagues into the Countrey newly conquered. It seemed vnto him a thing too much dero∣gating from the greatnesse of the Emperour, the maiestie of whose person hee represented, if [ 10] he went any further to see this barbarous King, being more fit that he should come forward into the Countrey conquered lately from him by Odmar, after he had obtayned the victory, then to goe into his Countreys although he had subiected them vnto the Emperour, and did pay a very great tribute. So the King of China arriued within a league of Pochio with all his Court:* 1.14 hee set forward vnto a Plaine, where he and Prince Axalla did see each other, who was much bet∣ter accompanied, from whom the King did as much differ as from the Emperours owne person. They met three seuerall times together: the King desired to bee admitted into a Citie, which the Emperour had granted vnto him by the treatie. Prince Odmar declared that it was of great importance, therefore Prince Axalla was by the Emperour appointed for to bee Iudge of this controuersie, In the end they required another further within the Countrey, the which the King accepted: so hee was put into possession of that Citie, the situation whereof was very [ 20] pleasant, being compassed about with a Lake. Axalla hauing discouered that this barbarous King, did earnestly desire it onely for his pleasure, and not for any other euill intent, the Citie which hee deliuered being seated vpon a Riuer further within his Countrey, and that other within our Countrey compassed about with our fortresses: but Odmar did not allow of that, and supposed it to bee for an euill purpose, as for to contriue some new practises. Odmar be∣ing an olde man, who knew the Kings vnfaithfulnesse, although hee had made him know it well enough vnto his smart, hauing (as I haue said) wonne twenty or thirty Cities from him; and aboue fourescore leagues of Countrey, at such time as hee obtayned the last Battell, during the time that the Emperour was in his last Voyage against the Persians.

[ 30] So the enteruiew continued yet betweene Prince Axalla and the King of China on the Plaine, a Tent being pitched, whither Prince Axalla did come vnto him, whom hee continual∣ly honoured as much as the Emperours owne person, where after they had long time trea∣ted by Interpreters, it was in the end agreed, that the King of China should enter againe in∣to Quinanci, not suffering him to put any Garrison into it, nor to fortifie the same: but euen as a Prisoner and Subiect vnto the Emperour, hee should enioy it, and it should bee his owne, enioying all the reuenue thereof, neither should hee carrie any kingly Ensignes, without the expresse leaue of the Gouernour for the Emperour:* 1.15 hee should notwithstanding haue a guard of three hundred men for his person; and should giue knowledge vnto the said Gouernour of his iourney, before he entred into the Emperours Countries, the which hee must passe for to [ 40] goe thither. Now the Citie was situated in the middest of a very great Lake, in the which were many Ilands, wherein there were an infinite number of houses of pleasure, and it had beene al∣waies a very delicate place, where the Kings of China were wont to recreate themselues in all kindes of pleasures that were there to be found: in so much as this barbarous King did not re∣spect the conditions propounded vnto him, so as he might make his abode there, as it were in an Hermitage. Hauing left vnto his brother the gouernment of his whole Kingdome,* 1.16 through the displeasure he had of his bondage whereunto he was brought; a courage certainly magna∣nimous, and worthie a Nation made ciuill with the best learning, and vnworthie the name of a Barbarian wherewith we called him.

Three times in the weeke at Samercand, Tamerlan ministred open iustice vnto the meanest,* 1.17 [ 50] in his Imperiall Maiestie, a thing which made him beloued of the people ouer whom hee com∣manded. In the other dayes hee gaue secret audience for the affaires of his Estate, and tooke ad∣uice for matters of importance, which were decided daily in his presence. He had such seueritie in his counsell, that they must needs deale truely before him, and without all passion in discour∣sing: notwithstanding he alwaies shewed himselfe courteous in his conuersation, and made him∣selfe both beloued and feared of his people: hee neuer changed his seruants, except they com∣mitted great faults against him: of all the seruants of the late Emperour his Vncle he did not change one of them, but hee did withall encrease their estates, making them in this change to feele his liberalitie, which he made strangers for to taste also, vnto whom he was accustomed to giue, to binde them vnto him. He drew great store of money yeerely for tribute of the Mosco∣uite: [ 60] but he distributed it within the same countrey for to maintayne his authoritie there, win∣ning those for his which might haue hurt him, by meanes of giuing vnto them.* 1.18 Hee had great care of his reuenues, and he had such a readinesse, that he did see his estate from three moneths vnto three moneths within one houre, both the ordinarie and extraordinarie expences, they presented it so well digested vnto him.

But our haste of other voyages permits not our stay here. Onely we will adde, that after 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things or∣dered, Sicknesse arrested and Death conquered this great Conquerour: and this Traueller trauelled the way of all flesh into another world. Presently after his death they ranne to call his sonne, who as soone as he was come shut his eyes,* 1.19 powring out teares, as also did all his seruants. The Prince Sautochio his eldest sonne, within two houres after was proclaymed Emperour throughout ••ll the whole Armie, and dispatches were made from all parts to aduertise the Gouernours of Pro∣uinces thereof, the Letters being signed with the hand of the new Emperour, who hauing as∣sembled all the Armie together, hee made an Oration vnto the Captaines and Souldiers, and caused them to make a generall muster, gratifying all the ancient Seruants of the Emperour his Father: he would not dispose of any thing before he had seene Prince Axalla, and was ioyned [ 10] with the Imperiall Armie. This young Prince, when he came vnto this Empire was nineteene yeeres old,* 1.20 hee was faire, and had much of the Emperor his Fathers naturall disposition. They hoped that hee would wisely (through the good counsell that was about him) maintayne this great Empire: but they feared greatly the young Prince Letrochio his brother (whom his mo∣ther loued) would cause diuisions, as it happened in the times of their great grand-father be∣tweene two brethren, who had beene occasion of the destruction of their estate, the which was releeued and lifted vp againe vnto his height by the valour of Tamerlan.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tamerlan his vow vnto God
• * 1.2

  Articles of a new agreemen•• betweene Ta∣merlan and the King of China.
• * 1.3

  The magnifi∣cent Funerall of the great Cham of Tar∣taria.
• * 1.4

  Tamerlan his vertuous and chaste loue vn∣to his good Wife.
• * 1.5

  The young Prince made Couernour of Quinzai and ouer all the Countrey; which seemeth to bee the North parts of China, and per∣haps in these times, Nan∣quin was the Seat of the K. of China and Quinzai, of the Tartar Can.
• * 1.6

  Axalla appoin∣ted the young Princes Go∣uernour, and authorised o∣uer all the Kingdomes of Tamerlan, as Gouernour generall. The King of China came vn∣to the Empe∣rour Tamerlans Court, and did sweare vn∣to him once a∣gaine obedi∣ence.

  The meane ap∣parell of Ta∣merlan.
• * 1.7

  This battell. for breuitie is omitted, as is also the most part of the Booke.
• * 1.8

  The descripti∣on of the Citie of Quinzay, with the won∣derfull situa∣tion thereof. Tamerlan re∣ceiued with great magni∣ficence into Quinsay, with rich and rare presents.

  The order hee tooke for his sonnes educa∣tion.
• * 1.9

  Tamerlan his notable saying of succession in his Empire
• * 1.10

  The Empresse deliuered of an other sonne at Samarcand in Parthia.
• * 1.11

  Tamerlan his recreations, and notable saying thereof.
• * 1.12

  The admira∣tion and ex∣ceeding loue the people of Quinzay did beare vnto their Emperor. The nature of the people of Quinzay to∣ward their Emperour.
• * 1.13

  Prince Axalla sent into China for to establish a peace there.
• * 1.14

  The meeting of Prince A∣xalla with the King of China at Pochio.
• * 1.15

  The resolution of the meeting betweene A∣xalla and King of China.
• * 1.16

  King of China•• brother suc∣ceeds.
• * 1.17

  The iustice of Tamerlan. Tamerlan his great libera∣litie.
• * 1.18

  Tamerlan his core of his reuenue.
• * 1.19

  The death of the Emperour Tamerlan.

  Prince Sauto∣chie proclay∣med Emperor and signed di∣spatches.
• * 1.20

  Prince Sauto∣chio nineteene yeeres old when he came vnto his Em∣pire.