Purchas his pilgrimes. part 2 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.

The Letters of Dauid, the Mightie Emperour of Aethiopia, vnto Emanuel King, [ 40] * 1.1 of Portugall, &c. Written in the yeere 1521. as also to King Iohn and Pope Clement.

IN the name of God the Father, who was from Euerlasting, and hath no beginning, &c. These Letters are sent from me Athani Tingil, &c. Emperour of the great and high Aethiopia, and of mightie Kingdomes, Dominions, and Territories, King of Xoa, of Caffate, of Fatigar, of An∣gote, of * 1.2 Baru, of Baaliganze, of Aden, of Vangue, of Goiame, (where Nilus springeth) of A∣mara, of Baguemedri, of Ambeaa, of Vagne, of Tigremahon, of Sabaym, from whence came the Queene of Saba, of Bernagaes, and Lord euen to the Countrey of Nubia, bordering vpon Egypt. [ 50] These Letters are directed vnto the most mightie, most excellent, and victorious King, Don Emanuel, who dwelleth in the 〈…〉〈…〉 God, and remayneth stedfast in the Catholike Faith, the Sonne of the Apo∣stles Peter and Paul, the King of Portugall and Algarbi, a louer of Christians, an Enemie, Iudge, Emperour, and Uanquisher of the Moores and Gentiles of Africa and Go〈…〉〈…〉ea, of the Cape of Buo∣na Speranza, and of the Ile * 1.3 of the Moone, also of the Red Sea of Arabia, Persia, and Ormuz, of the greater India, and of all places, Ilands, and Countries adiacent, the destroyer of the Moores, and stout Pagans, the Lord of Fortresses, high Castles and Walls, the Inlarger of the Faith of Iesus Christ. Peace 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto thee. King Emanuel, who relying vpon the assistance of God, destroyest the Moores, and with thyships, thy Souldiers and Captaines, expellest them in all places like faithlesse Dogs. Peace be with [ 60] the Queene thy Wife, beloued of Iesu Christ. Seruant of the Virgine Marie, the Mother of the Sauiour of all people. Peace be to thy Sonnes, b••ing now, as it were, in a fresh Garden, amidst the flourishing Lillies, a Table furnished with all Dainties. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bee vnto your Daughters, which are adorned with Princely Robes, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Hangings of Tapistr••. Peace vnto your Kinsfolkes, the Off-spring

of Saints, of whom saith the Scripture, Blessed are the Sonnes of Saints, and mightie abroad and at home. Peace be to thy Counsellers, thy Officials, thy Magistrates and Irdges. Peace be to the Captaines of thy Castles and Borders, and of all thy defensible places. Peace be vnto all Nations, People and Ci∣ties, and to all Inhabitants, except Moores and Iewes. Peace bee to all Parishes, and to all that are faithfull to Christ, and to thy selfe. Amen.

I was aduertised (most worthy King, and my Father) that so soone as the renowne of my Name was brought vnto you by Matthew, mine Ambassadour, you presently caused a great number of Arch-bishops, Bishops, and other Prelats to be assembled, to giue thankes vnto our Sauiour Christ, for the same Ambassage, and that the said Matthew was entertained with great honour and solemnitie, &c. But let vs omit these matters, and consult betweene our selues, how wee may inuade and conquer * 1.4 [ 10] other Lands of Infidels. I verily will bestow 100000000. drachmes of Gold, and so many thousands of Souldiers. Yea, I will bestow Wood also, and Iron, and Copper, for the building and furnishing of a Nauy, and great plentie of victuals. Oh King, and my Father, Emanuel, that one God protect and saue you, which is the God of Heauen, and alwaies of one substance, being subiect neither to youth nor old age. He which brought your message, was called Roderigo de Lima, and was the principall of all his good company, and with him came Francis Aluarez, whom for his honest demeanour, his singular Religion, and vpright dealing, I could not but most entirely loue, especially, when as being demaunded as touching the Faith, he answered most truly and aptly. You ought therefore to exal•• him, to call him Master, and to grant him authoritie to conuert the people of Maczua, of Delaqua, of Zeila, and of all the Ilands of the Red Sea, because they are vpon the Borders of my Kingdomes, and I haue giuen [ 20] vnto him a Crosse and a Staffe, in token of authoritie, and so likewise commend you the same things to be graunted vnto him, and let him be created Bishop of the said Countries and Ilands, for he deserueth so to be, and is meete for the administring of this Function: and God will so mightily blesse you, that you shall euer haue the vpper hand of your enemies, and shall constraine them to fall downe before your feete. The same God prolong your daies, and make you partaker of the Kingdome of Heauen in a most Honourable place, euen as I would wish for mine owne selfe. I haue heard with mine eares, many good reports of thee, and with mine eyes I see those things that I neuer expected to haue seene: God pro∣sper all your affaires from good to better, and grant you a place vpon the wood of life, where the Saints themselues are placed, Amen.

I, like an obedient Sonne, haue done those things which you commanded, and will hereafter doe, [ 30] whensoeuer your Ambassadours shall come, to the end we may mutually assist one another. And vnto euery of your Ambassadours which shall come, as the former did vnto Maczua, or Delaca, or to other Hauens within the streits of the Red Sea, I will giue, and cause to bee giuen those things which you shall request, according to my earnest desire; that wee may prosperously bee conioyned, both in Counsels and Actions. For when your Forces shall resort vnto those Coasts, I will there be present with my Armies also. And because that vpon my Borders there are no Christians, nor Christian Churches, I will freely giue vnto your subiects those Lands to inhabite, which are next vnto the Dominions of the Moores: for it is requisite, that you bring your good beginnings to a happy end. In the meane while, send ••e•• learned men, and Caruers of Siluer and Golden Images, and such as can worke in Copper, Iron, Ti〈…〉〈…〉e, and Lead: as also Artificers, which may Print Bookes in the Letters of our language for the Church, and [ 40] likewise such as can beate Gold into thinne Plates, and therewith can gild other Metals. All these shall be most honestly intreated in my Court, and whensoeuer they will depart, I will giue them liberall wages for their paines. And I sweare by our Lord Iesus Christ, the Sonne of God, that I will freely dismisse them, when they shall thinke good. And this I doe most confidently demaund, because I am not ignorant of your vertue, and know right well the goodnesse of your disposition, being also assured of your exceeding loue toward me: and this I know the more certainly, because you so honourably intertained, and dismissed Matthew for my sake. And this is the cause that maketh mee so earnestly to request. Neither let this cause you to bee ashamed, for I will pay f••r all things to the vttermost. That which a Sonne asketh of his Father, ought not to be denyed: you are my Father, and I am your Sonne: let vs therefore be ioyned together, as one stone in a wall is ioyned to another, so being two, we doe agree in one [ 50] heart, and in the loue of Iesus Christ, who is the head of the world, and they that are with him, are like∣ned vnto stones vnited in a wall. Amen.

IN the Name of God the Father, Almightie Creator of Heauen and Earth, of all things visible and * 1.5 inuisible. In the Name of God the Sonne, Christ, who is the Sonne, and Counsell, and Prophet of his Father. In the Name of God the holy Spirit, the Comforter, the liuing God, equall to the Father and the Son, who spake by the mouth of the Prophets, inspiring the Apostles, that they might giue thankes and glorifie the Trinitie, perfect alwaies in heauen, and in earth, in the sea, and in the deepe. Amen.

These Letters and this Messenger are sent from me, the Incense of the Virgine, &c. Now I send my message by Frier Christopher Licanati, being named at his Baptisme, Zaga Zabo, that is to say, The [ 60] Grace of the Father, who shall sollicite my request vnto you. Moreouer, vnto the Pope of Rome, I send Francis Aluarez, to performe obedience in my Name, as it is meete. Renowned King and my Bro∣ther, indeuour thy selfe to confirme that friendship betweene vs, whereof they Father was the Authour, and send often vnto me thy Messengers and Letters, which I greatly desire to see, as comming from

my deare Brother, for it is very conuenient, sithens we are both Christians, and sith the wicked Moores are alwaies at concord in their sect. And now I doe protest, that I will not hereafter admit the Ambas∣sages of the King of Egypt, nor of other Kings, which haue often sent Messengers vnto me, but onely the Ambassadours of your Highnesse, whose comming I earnestly desire; for the Moorish Kings e∣steeme not me to be their friend, in regard of our dissention in Religion: but they faine a kind of friend∣ship, to the end they may more safely and freely exercise Traffique in our Kingdomes, whereby they reape great Commoditie. For they conuey mightie summes of Gold, whereof they are most greedy, out of my Dominions, whereas they are my Enemies, neither doe their Commodities please me any whit. Howbeit, this was to be tolerated, because it hath beene an ancient custome of my Predecessours, I doe not indeed wage warre against them, nor vtterly destroy them, but spare them onely in this respect, least they on the contrary should violate and cast downe the holy Temple at Ierusalem, wherein stands the Sepulchre of [ 10] Iesus Christ, which God hath left in the power of the abhominable Moores, and least they should make hauocke of all other Christian Churches in Egypt and Syria; and this is the cause why I doe not in∣uade and conquer them, and it is a great griefe vnto me. And I am the more perswaded hereunto, see∣ing I haue no Christian King neere vnto me to ayde me, and to comfort my heart. I my selfe (Oh King) can finde no cause of reioycing in the Christian Kings of Europe, when as I heare that they are at dis∣cord and warre among themselues. Be ye all vnited in one concord; For you ought all to bee conioyned together in a certaine league of amitie. And verily, if I had any Christian King bordering vpon me, I would not depart for the space of one houre from him: but I know not in the world what to say or doe, as touching this matter, when as it seemeth so to be appointed by God. My Lord, send (I pray you) Mes∣sengers [ 20] often vnto me: For in seeing your Letters, I doe certes behold your countenance, because grea∣ter friendship groweth betweene men farre distant asunder, then betweene those that are neere toge∣ther, in regard of the mutuall desire which they haue. For he that hath hidden Treasures, not seeing them with his eyes, be loueth them alwaies, and that most vehemently with his heart, as our Lord ••esus Christ in his Gospell saith, Where thy Treasure is, there is thy heart; Euen so my heart is with thee, seeing thou thy selfe art my Treasure, and thou likewise oughtest to make me thy Treasure, and sin∣cerely to ioyne thy heart with mine. Oh Noble Brother, keepe this word: for thou art most wise, and (as I heare) like vnto thy Father in wisedome, which when I know, I presently gaue thankes vnto God, and abandoning sorrow, I exceedingly reioyced, and said; Blessed bee the wise Sonne of so greata Father, the Sonne of King Emanuel, which sitteth in the Throne of his Kingdomes. My Lord, [ 30] see that you be not discouraged, because you are strong as your Father was: neither send you any feeble forces against the M••ores and Gentiles. For by Gods helpe and the indeuour of your vertue you shall easily vanquish and destroy them. And say not that your Father left you but meane forces: for they be very great, and God will euer assist you. I haue men, Gold and Victuals, like the sands of the Sea, and the Starr••s of Heauen. Wee two ioyned together, will destroy all the sauage and barbarous Moores. Neither doe I request ought else of you then men of skill, which may teach my Souldiers feats of warre. And thou (Oh King) art a man of a perfect age. King Salomon at twelue yeares old, vndertooke the managing of his Kingdome, and had mightie Forces, and was wiser then his Father. My selfe also, when Nahu my Father deceased, was a child but of eleuen yeares old, and being inuested into his Throne, I haue by the goodnesse of God, attained to greater wealth and strength then he. For in my hand are the [ 40] Borderers and Nations of my Kingdome. Wherefore both of vs ought to thanke God for so great a be∣nefit receiued. Giue eare vnto me, my Brother and Lord: for heere in one word I request you, that lear∣ned men and Artificers may be sent mee, which can Print Bookes, and make Images, Swords, and all kind of Militarie Weapons: as also cunning Builders, Carpenters, and Physicians, which can both minister Potions, and heale Wounds. I would gladly also haue such, as can beate Gold into thinne Plates, and can artificially carue, both Gold and Siluer, and also can digge Gold and Siluer out of the Mines, and such as haue skill in Mining of all other Metals. Moreouer, they shall bee welcome vnto me, that can make sheets of Lead, and such as can frame Brickes and Tiles of Clay. To be short, all Artificers shall be seruiceable vnto me, & especially Gun-founders. Assist me (I beseech you) in these things, as one Bro∣ther [ 50] should assist another, &c.

HAppy and Fortunate Holy Father, who of God art made a Conseruer of Nations, and holdest the * 1.6 Seat of S. Peter, to thee are giuen the Keyes of the Kingdome of heauen, and whatsoeuer thou shalt binde and loose, shall be bound and loosed in heauen, as Christ hath said, and Matthew hath so written in his Gospell. I, the King, whose Name the Lions honor, and by the Grace of God, Atani Tingil, &c. Em∣peror of great and high Ethiopia, of great Realmes, Iurisdictions, and Lands, King of Xoa, of Caffate, of Fatigar, of Angote, of Baru, and of Baaliganze, of Adea, of Vangue, and of Goiame, (where Nilus springeth) of Amara, of Bagua Medri, of Ambea, of Vaguc, of Tigremahon, of Sabaim, (whence was the Queene of Saba) of Barnagaes, and Lord as farre as Nubia, which is on the Confines of E∣gypt. All these Prouinces are in my power, and many other great and small, which I reckon not. Nor [ 60] haue I expressed the said Kingdomes and Prouinces by name, induced by pride or any vaine-glorie, but that the great God might be praised therefore, who of his singular bountie, hath giuen to the Kings my Predecessors, the Empire of so large Kingdomes of Christian Religion, and hath after exalted me with speciall Grace amongst other Kings, that I should continually be at the seruice of his Religion, and for

this hath made me Lord of Adel, and enemie of the Moores and idolatrous Gentiles. I send to kisse the feet of your Holinesse, as other Christian Kings my Brethren are wont to doe, to whom, neither in Po∣wer nor in Religion I am inferiour. I am my Kingdomes, am the Pillar of Faith, nor haue I neede of o∣ther ••••d••s, but place all my confidence and help in God, who hath alway sustained and gouerned me, from that time that the Angell of God spake to Philip, when he taught the right Faith to the Eunuch of Can∣dace, a puissant Queene of Ethiopia, which went from Ierusalem to Gaza. Then Philip baptized the E〈…〉〈…〉h, of whom afterwards the Queene was bapti••ed, with great part of her Family, and her peo∣ple which neuer since ceased to be Christians, and all of them from that time till now, haue beene strong in the Faith. My Predecessours helped of none but God, haue enlarged the Christian Faith in these great Kingdomes, which I enforce my selfe also to doe. I abide in my Confines, as a Lion encompassed [ 10] with a ••••icke Wood, strong against the Moores, and other Nations, enemies of the Christian Faith, which will not heare the word of God, nor my faithfull exhortations, I girt with my Sword, pursue them, and by little and little, chase them out of their nest, by the helpe of God which neuer failed mee, which hath otherwise happened to other Christians. For if they will extend the Confines of their Kingdomes, they doe it not against Infidels, which they easily may; because one of them may helpe and succour ano∣ther, being also marueilously furthered by the benediction of your Holinesse, whereof I also am partaker, hauing found in my Bookes the Letters of Pope Eugenius, which in times past he sent with his blessing to the King, the Seede of Iacob, of which blessing, hauing receiued it from hand to hand, I am glad and reioyce. Moreouer, I hold in great veneration the Temple of Ierusalem, whither I often send due offe∣rings by our Pilgrims: and much better and richer would I send, if the waies were not infested with Moores and Infidels, which not onely take away the Presents and Treasures from my Messengers, but [ 20] hinder them also from free passage. And if the way were open, I would come into familiaritie, and commerce with the Church of Rome, as doe other Kings Christian, to whom I am not inferiour: and as they beleeue, I also confesse one right Faith and Catholike Church, and beleeue sincerely in the holy Tri∣nitie and in one God; the virginitie of our Ladie, the Virgin Marie and I hold and obserue the Articles of the Faith, as the Apostles haue written. At this present, our Lord God, by the hand of the most mighty and Christian King Emanuel, hath opened the way that we may know each other by Embassie, and Chri∣stians ioyned with Christians to serue God. But his Ambassadours being in our Court, newes came of his death, and that his Sonne Iohn (who is my Brother) hath receiued the Scepter in his Fathers King∣dome. Whence, as by his Fathers death I was much grieued, so was I marueilously cheered by the happy succession of his Sonne in the Kingdome: insomuch as I hope, that hauing ioyned our Armies and For∣ces, [ 30] we shall be able both by Sea and Land to open a way through the Prouinces of the wicked Moores, and set vpon them with such furie, that we shall chase them out of their Seates and Kingdomes, and so Christians may more commodiously goe to the Temple of Ierusalem, and returne at their pleasure. And I, as I earnestly desire to be made partaker of the Diuine loue in the Temple of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, so I desire to haue the holy blessing of the Vicar of Christ; and without doubt, I hold that your Ho∣linesse is the Vicar of Christ; and also that of the Pilgrims, which come from our Regions to Ierusa∣lem, and to Rome, and not without great miracle returne, I heare many things spoken of your Holi∣nesse, which cause me incredible pleasure and ioy. Yet should I haue much more pleasure, if my Am∣bassadours could vse a shorter way, and at all times relate the newes vnto mee, as I hope they shall once bring me before I dye, by the Grace of Almightie God, who keepe you in health and happinesse. Amen. [ 40] I kisse your holy feete, and humbly intreat your Holinesse to send me your blessing. Your Holinesse shall receiue these by meanes of our Brother Iohn, King of Portugall, of our Ambassador, Francis Aluarez.

Another Letter of his was deliuered by the same Aluarez, to the same Pope: desiring him to * 1.7 send him Artificers in Glasse, and Musicall Instruments, &c. Also to accord the Christian Kings, that they might take Armes against the Mahumetans, which assist one another, &c. But we haue beene already tedious, and therefore omit it: And the Letter of his mother Helena, sent 1509. by Matthew aforesaid, which in Goes aforesaid is to be seene.

Aluarez was receiued by the Pope, Clement the seuenth, at Bolonia, Ianuary 29. 1533. in the presence of Charles the fifth Emperour, and Martin the Nephew, Counsellour and Am∣bassadour [ 50] of King Iohn of Portugall, and entertained as Ambassadour of the said King Dauid, in his Name, presenting obedience to the Pope, as more at large in Ramusio appeareth. [ 60]

Notes

• * 1.1

  These Letters following were translated into Latine, by Pa. louius, and re∣uiewed after also and pub∣lished by Da∣mianus a Goes, and in Italian by Ramusio. That which is omitted, is the same with that in the former Letter.
• * 1.2

  Breu.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Here is much omitted for breuitie, which in the former Authors may be seene: as that Matthew was not sent by him, but by Queen Heleua, &c.
• * 1.5

  His Letters to Iohn the third King of Portu∣gall.
• * 1.6

  His Letter to Pope Clement the seuenth.
• * 1.7

  Dam. à Goes de Ethiop. m••ri••.