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.

§. XX. [ 20]

The Frier. Ambassadours Signiories. Their departure and arriuall at Ormuz, and after at Goa: at Lisbon. Briefe Notes of Ethiopia, and Letters to the King of Portugall, and the Grand Captaine.

139. THe same day that the Prete departed toward the Kingdome of Adea, the Frier his Ambassadour, and I, departed toward the Lordship, which the Prete had giuen him. One of these Lordships contayneth eightie houses and two Chur∣ches. [ 30] and belonged vnto a little Monasterie, which the said Frier had before. The Lordship which was newly giuen vnto him, was Arras of the Cauas, that is, Captaine of the men of Armes, in the Countrey of Abugana, and they may be some eight hundred and more. About mid-Lent, wee came to the place where our people aboad, and wee thought long vntill Easter, when the Portugals were to come for vs. When Easter was past (about which time is the motion of the Sea) and we saw no body come for vs, we remayned very sad, as we had been before. The moneth of Iuly being come, when the Prete vnderstood, that the Portugals were not arriued, he gaue order to his Ambassadour, and to a Nobleman of Abugana, whose name was Abiue Arraz, that they should goe with vs vnto these Lordships, to furnish vs with victualls: and because the Haruest was alreadie ended, hee commanded that wee should haue fiue hundred [ 40] loades of Corne, one hundred Oxen, and one hundred Sheepe: and that Zaga Zabo his Ambas∣sadour should giue vs Honey to make vs Wine. And hauing receiued those victuals, we returned to Barua, by the midst of Ianuarie.

140. On Easter Tuesday at mid-night, there came Letters from Don Hector de Siluiera, Grand Captayne of India, that he was come for vs, and was at Maczua: which Letters be∣ing read, we conceiued all of vs vnspeakable ioy. Don Roderigo the Ambassadour, would haue had vs depart without delay the next morning, but I would not, saying, That if we did so, they would take vs for no Christians, and that we ought to stay till the Octaues of Easter; and im∣mediately we dispatched one of our Portugals with a man of the Countrey, with our Letters, vn∣to the said Don Hector, and sent another Letter to Zaga Zabo the Ambassadour of the Prete, [ 50] who stayed behinde, that he should come with as great haste as was possible, and trauell day and night toward the Sea-side, to the Towne of Ercoco, because the Fleet was come thither to fetch vs away.

141. On Munday, being the Octaue after Easter, we departed from Barua, the Barnagasso, and all we Portugals, toward Ercoco. The Barnagasso, what with his owne and his Gentlemens traine, had one thousand men riding vpon Mules, and aboue sixe hundred men on foot: and wee * 1.1 lodged sixe miles from Barua, in a Towne called Dinguil, standing in the midst of a great cham∣paigne field, where euery Munday at night great store of people meet together, to goe to the Faire of Ercoco, and they goe as it were in Carauan, for feare of the Arabia 〈…〉〈…〉s, and of the wilde Beasts of the Countrey. Here two thousand men ioyned themselues with vs, which went to [ 60] the said Faire. And they said, they were but few, because the rest would not goe thither, for feare they should not finde water to drinke; howbeit, the people that went with Barnagasso, * 1.2 and we our selues, were all prouided: and from the Towne of Barua to Ercoco, might bee some fiue and fortie miles, and we spent a whole weeke in this voyage. And on Saturday morning, we lodged neere the Towne of Ercoco, and came not vnto our Ships.

On Tuesday morning, the Barnagasso with all his Captaines and people, deliuered vs to Don Hector de Siluiera, with exceeding ioy and gladnesse, and sent vs for a present fiftie Oxen, many Sheepe, Hens, Capons, and Fish, which hee had caused to bee taken, to diuide the same among our Ships. On Wednesday morning, came Zaga Zabo, the Ambassadour of Prete Ianni, whom we went to meet with vnto Ercoco, to accompanie him; and so Barnagasso came and deliuered him to the Captaine of the Armie, and so we stayed attending for the motion of the * 1.3 Sea, that is to say, the time for our departing, which alwayes commeth betweene the foure and twentie or sixe and twentie of April, and the third or fourth of May: and if wee depart not at this mo∣tion, and in this season, there commeth none other till the end of August.

142. On the eight and twentieth of April, 1526. the whole Fleet departed, which consi∣sted * 1.4 [ 10] of fiue Sailes, that is to say, of three great Galeons, and two Carauels, and wee arriued on the Ile of Camaran. The tenth of May, when wee were ouer against the Citie of Aden. And when we began to launch into the mayne Sea, from whence the Winter of India began to come against vs full in our faces, and we sailed against the same, there began so great a Tempest, that the second night wherein we entred into the same, with extreme darknesse and rage of weather, we lost companie, not knowing what course any of our Consorts held. We sailed in this storme vntill we came to the Streight of Ormuz: and the eight and twentieth of May, we came to the Hauen of Mazcare, which belongeth to the Kingdome of Ormuz. Departing from this Hauen, * 1.5 we arriued in the Citie of Ormuz, where the King our Master hath a Fortresse. Here Lopez. Vaz of Saint Paul, being Grand Captaine and Gouernour of the Indies, came forth to receiue vs on [ 20] the Sea-shoare, who embraced vs all; and the next day, after we had heard Masse, we went to speake with the said Grand Captaine, and presented vnto him the Letter of Prete Ianni, which we brought for Diego Lopez de Sequeira, which brought vs into the Countrey of Prete Ianni; which Letter the said Lopez Vaz did reade, because he was Successor to Diego Lopez de Sequeira. Then we presented him a Vesture of silke, hauing fiue plates of gold before, and fiue more be∣hinde, and one vpon each shoulder, which make twelue in all, euery one of them as bigge as the palme of a mans hand, which the Prete sent to Diego Lopez: and the said Lopez Vaz gaue vnto Don Roderigo de Lima the Ambassadour two hundred Pardaos, that is to say, two hundred Du∣cats, and vnto the Ambassadour of the Prete other two hundred, and to me one hundred. Don Hector de Siluiera stayed but a while in Ormuz, and would needs returne with his Fleet, to wait [ 30] for the ships which depart from Zidem to come vnto Diu, and set forth at the time of the mo∣tion of the Sea, wherein we came forth; but they winter in Aden, and so goe forward in their voyage: but we stayed here in Ormuz, vntill wee were sure that the Winter was ended.

A Copie of the Letter which Prete Ianni writ to Don Diego Lopez de Sequiera, which was deliuered to Lopez Vaz of Saint Paul, his Successour in the gouernment of the Indies.

IN the Name of God the Father, which hath beene alwayes, who hath no beginning; In the Name [ 40] of his onely begotten Sonne, which is like vnto him, before the light of the Starres was seene, and be fore the foundation of the Ocean Sea was laid, who was conceiued at another time in the Virgins wombe, without the Seede of Man, and without Marriages, for after this sort was the vnderstanding of his Office: in the Name of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, which knoweth all secrets, whatsoeuer they bee, that is to say, of all the heighths of the Heauen, which is sustayned without any pillars or props, and hath amplifieth the Earth, which before was neither created nor knowne, from the East vnto the West, and from the North vnto the South. And of these three Persons, none is afore or after another, but is a Trinitie, contayned in one eternall Creator of all things, by one sole Counsell, and one onely Word eternally. Amen.

These Letters and Ambassages are sent from mee Atani Tingil, that is by interpretation, The [ 50] Incense of the Uirgin (for so was I named at the day of my Christning) but now am called Dauid, the Head of my Kingdomes of the higher and larger Ethiopia, the beloued of God, the Pillar of the Faith, descended of the Stocke of Iuda, the Sonne of Dauid, the Sonne of Salomon, the Sonne of the pillar of Sion, the Sonne of the Seede of Iacob, the Sonne of the Hand of Mary, the Sonne of Nahu, according to the flesh; To Diego Lopez de Sequeira, Grand Captaine of the Indies. I haue vnderstood, that albeit you are subiect vnto a King, yet neuerthelesse, that you are a Conquerour in all enterprizes, which are committed to you, and are not afraid of the innumerable forces of the Moores, hauing subdued For∣tune, with the Armes of the holy Faith, and that you cannot be vanquished of any secret things, being armed with the Truth of the Gospell, and resting your selfe vpon the Speare, which carrieth the Banner of the Crosse, for which cause the Lord be alwayes blessed, which hath fulfilled our ioy for the loue of our [ 60] Lord Iesus Christ.

Upon your comming into these parts, you certified vs of the ambassage of the King your Lord, Don Emanuel, and of the Presents which you haue preserued with so great trauell in your ships, hauing indured great Windes and Stormes, as well by Sea as by Land, wherein you haue come from so farre

Countreyes to subdue the Moores and Pagans, conducting and gouerning your Ships whither soeuer you thinke good, which is wonderfull to consider: and aboue all things, that you haue beene two whole yeeres in Warre vpon the Seas, enduring so great trauell, taking rest neither day nor night; considering, that the actions of Man, according to the vsuall custome, are done in the day-time, as to buy, to sell, to trauell by the way, and the night is made to sleepe, and to take rest, as the Scripture saith; The day is * 1.6 made for Men to doe their businesse, from the morning vnto the euening, and the Lions roaring after their prey, doe seeke their meate at God; and when the Sunne ariseth, they get them a∣way together, and lay them downe in their Dens: and so both Men and Beasts are wont to take their rests: yet neither sleepe hath ouercome you, nor the night, nor the day, when the Sunne ariseth, for the loue which you beare vnto our holy Faith, as Saint Paul saith; Who shall separate vs from the * 1.7 [ 10] loue of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakednesse, or perill, or sword. And the Apostle Saint Iames saith: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried he shall receiue the Crowne of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him. God fulfill your desires, and giue you prosperitie, and bring you safe and sound vnto King Don Emanuel, your Lord, and remooue the Moores out of your sight, which you haue vanquish∣ed, because they beleeue not in the Faith of our Lord Iesus Christ: and blessed be your men of Warre al∣so; for surely, they be Martyrs for our Lord Iesus Christs sake, for they die for hunger, for cold, and for heate, for his holy Names sake. Honorable Sir, when I vnderstood of your comming into our Coun∣tries, I greatly reioyced there at, and afterward vnderstanding of your sudden departure, I was not a little grieued. I reioyced also, when I was informed, that you had sent an Ambassadour vnto mee, and [ 20] praised the Name of God the Father, and of his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord, especially for the good re∣port of you, which resoundeth on all sides, and because you were desirous to enter in〈…〉〈…〉 friendship with vs. And because (as I conceiue) your goodwill is such, I wish that you would vouch safe to fulfill the same, in sending vs Artificers which can worke in gold and siluer, and can make Swords, and Armour of Iron, and Head-peeces; and also Masons to build Houses, and men that are skilfull to plant and trim Vines after your manner, and to dresse Gardens, and are skilfull in all other Artes, which are best and most necessarie for the life of man, and also Worke-men to cast sheets of Lead for the couering of Churches, and Tile-makers for our houses, for we couer them with Grasse, and of these we stand in very great need, and for want of them we are alwaies in disquiet. I haue built a great Church, which is named the Tri∣nitie, wherein the body of my Father is buried, for his soule is in the hand of God, and the walls there∣of [ 30] (as your Ambassadour can declare vnto you) are good, and I would couer the same as soone as I could possibly, and would take away the Grasse which at this present is vpon it. For Gods sake, send mee of these Artificers, twelue at the least in euery Art: and yet for this you shall neuer want Crafts-men. And if they will stay with vs, they shall stay, and if they will depart, they shall depart, and I will pay them very bountifull for their paines, &c. This Towne of Zeila is the Hauen, whither all the Victuals doe come, which are transported into Aden, and so through all Arabia, and other Kingdomes and Coun∣tries, which cannot be furnished but onely with such Victuals as come from Zeila and Maczua, which are brought thither from our Kingdomes, and the Kingdomes of the Moores. And if you doe this, which I perswade you, you shall bring vnder your subiection the whole Kingdome of Aden, and all Ara∣bia, and other Kingdomes adioyning, without warre, or the death of any of your people, for taking vic∣tuals [ 40] from them, they will remaine besieged, and hunger-starued. And when you will wage warre against the Moores, acquaint mee with whatsoeuer you want; for I will send you great troopes of Horse-men and Archers, Victuals and Gold, and will come my selfe in person, and I and you will defeat the Moores and Pagans, for the aduancement of the holy Christian Faith.

Father Don Francisco is worthy of double reward, because hee is an holy man, and of an vpright conscience, and exceeding honest for the loue of God. Being fully acquainted with his good disposition, I haue giuen him a Iurisdiction, a Crosse, and a Staffe in his hand, which is a signe of authoritie, and haue made him an Abbot in our Dominions, and I would wish you to increase his honour, and to make him Bishop of Maczua, and of Zeila, and of all the Ilands of the Red Sea, and head of our Countries, because he is sufficient, and deserueth the like, or a greater office, &c. [ 50]

143. Wee departed from Ormuz in the fleet of Lopez Uaz of Saint Paul, the Grand Cap∣taine, * 1.8 because Don Hector de Siluiera was gone toward the Red Sea, to encounter the Ships of Mecca, which wintered in the Citie of Aden, as I said before: and being come out of the streit of Ormuz, we found that the Winter of India was past, and that wee might sayle without any Tempest, and we sailed to a Fortresse of the King our Lord, in the Countrey of Chaul, which * 1.9 is very pleasant, and aboundeth with Corne, which commeth from Cambaia, and of Oxen, Sheepe, Hennes, and infinite store of Fish, and many fruits of India, and Herbs of Gardens, made by our Portugals. Within few daies after, Don Hector de Siluiera returned, and brought * 1.10 with him three Ships of Mecca, which he had taken, with great riches of Gold, because as yet they had not brought their merchandize, and came to buy them in India, and all the Moores [ 60] which were young and lustie, that were taken in the said ships, they thrust into the Kings Gal∣lies, selling them at ten Duckets a man, which is the Kings ordinary price. The rest which were old and weake, were likewise sold for ten duckets a piece. Departing from thence, wee came vnto the Citie of Goa, the fiue and twentieth of Nouember, on Saint Katherines Euen. * 1.11

We departed from thence, and came to Cananor, where we stayed sixe daies, then wee went to * 1.12 Go••••in, where wee found Antonie Galuano, the Sonne of Edward Galuano, the Ambassadour, whose bones I brought with me from Camaran, to whom I declared the whole matter, and hee * 1.13 exceedingly reioyced thereat, and would needs come and fetch them from the ship, with all the Priests and ••riers of the Citie, and with an infinite number of Waxe-Candles, and so hee was carried to the Monasterie of Saint Antonie. And because the Mariners will not carrie dead Corpses in their ships, therefore the said Antonie caused a Graue to bee made behind the high Altar, and made as though he had put the Coffin therein, but secretly caused the same to bee car∣ried to his ship, whereof he was Captaine.

145. Being come to an Anker in the Riuer of Lisbon, ouer against the Kings house, incon∣tinently * 1.14 [ 10] came Boats vnto vs to receiue our stuffe, and carried them to Saint Arrem, where we rested sixe daies, and bought vs Mules and apparell, after the manner of Portugall. From hence we departed in a greater heate, then euer I felt in the, Countrey of Prete Ianni, or in the Indies. The Ambassadour of Prete Ianni with-drew himselfe out of the way to the Towne of Azinaga, being himselfe and all his Company almost smothered with heate. The Kings Commissary conducted me to Ponte de Anonda, where I thought verily that I should haue ended my daies for extreame heate, and if I had not beene succoured with coole Water, I had presently beene sti∣fled. While we stayed in this place, Don Roderigo came thither, riding as fast as he could, and crying, Helpe, helpe for the loue of God, for the Moores, the Kings Pilots, and my Slaues, are dead for heate. Straight-way foure Mulettiers ranne with foure Mules, and brought them thi∣ther, * 1.15 whereof one dyed immediatly, and another within two daies after: and so we indured a [ 20] great extremitie of heate. And vpon the death of these two Moores, there was some suspici∣on of the plague, but the Kings Commissarie gaue sufficient Testimony of the truth, that is to say, That they dyed with extreame heate; because that albeit they came out of hot Countries, yet were they not wont to goe clad and shod, but onely with a cloath from the girdle downe∣ward: and now in this extreame heat which happened, being cloathed in apparell, they were vtterly stifled. And truly, all the time that I was in the Indies, and in Ethiopia, I neuer felt so great a heat; and it was told me for a certaintie, that the selfe-same day, there were very many that dyed of heate. The next day we trauailed by night, and came to Zarnache, where we re∣ceiued order from the King, to stay there till he sent for vs.

146. Hauing stayed thirtie daies at Zarnache, with as much pleasure as might be, Diego Lo∣pez [ 30] de Sequeira, Surueyer of the Nauie, came vnto vs, who was the man that brought vs with his Fleet into the Country of Prete Ianni, to fetch vs vnto the Citie of Coimbra, where the King lay. After two daies came many Bishops, the Deane of the Chappell, and sundry Chaplaines, to fetch the Ambassadour of-Prete Ianni, and all of vs which were with him from his lodging, and they brought vs to the Kings Palace, where the said Ambassadour presented to his Highnesse a Crowne of Gold and Siluer, which was square in foure pieces, and euery one was two spannes high, and very rich, which the Prete Ianni sent, and two Letters made in quaternians of Parch∣ment, said; King Dauid my Lord, sent this Crowne, and these Letters to the King your Father, which is in glorie, and sent him word, that neuer Crowne was sent by the Sonne vnto the Father, but that [ 40] they were wont to come from the Father to the Sonne: and that by the signe of this Crowne King Da∣uid himselfe was knowne, loued, feared, and obeyed in all his Kingdomes and Signiories, and hee being his Sonne, sent vnto the King his Father the said Crowne, to assure him, that all his Kingdomes, Signiories, and people, were readie to doe whatsoeuer his Highnesse should command. And afterward, hauing beene enformed of the death of King Don Emanuel, hee said; Let the Crowne and Letters, which I sent vnto the King Don Emanuel, my Father, be sent vnto the King Don Iohn, my Brother, with other Letters which I will write vnto him.

This being done, the said Ambassadour and I presented two bagges of Embroydered Cloath, with two Letters, and a little Crosse of Gold, which the Prete Ianni had sent to the Popes Ho∣linesse, which things he requested to bee presented vnto him by me, Francis Aluarez. His Ma∣iestie [ 50] receiuing the Crosse, kissed the same, and afterward gaue it to Antonie Carniero, together with the Letters, and said, that he thanked the Diuine Maiestie, for that hee had guided in an happy way, the things which were begunne by the King his Lord and Father, and that hee would finish them accordingly, to the honour and glory of our Lord Iesus Christ.

In the yeare 1529, a good Benefice being fallen void in the Arch-bishopricke of Braga, his Maiestie bestowed the same of me, and commanded me to goe and present my selfe to my Lord Arch-bishop, Don Diego de Sousa, that hee might confirme me in the same: which when I had done, his Lordship asked me many things concerning the Countrey of Prete Ianni, which hee wished me to put downe in writing.

When the Prete trauelleth with all his Court, the Altar of the consecrated stone, whereupon [ 60] Masse is said, is carried by Priests vpon their shoulders, and the said stones are laid vpon a little beare of Wood, and the Priests are alwaies eight, that is to say, Foure and foure to carrie them by turnes, and before them goeth a Clerke with a censer, and a Bell which he ringeth, and eue∣ry man remoueth out of the way, and they which are on horse-backe do light, and doe their re∣uerence.

In all this Countrey there is no Towne, that hath in it aboue sixteene hundred houses, and there are but few that are so bigge. Neither is there any walled Towne or Castle. Their Vil∣lages are without number, and they haue an infinite multitude of people. Their Houses are made in a round forme, all of Earth couered with Flagges, or with a certaine kind of Straw, which lasteth a mans life, with yards about them. There are no stone Bridges vpon their Riuers, but Bridges of Wood. They lye commonly vpon Oxe-hides, or in beds made of the thongs of the said Hides. They haue no kind of Table to eate vpon, but feed vpon certaine flat Platters of wood, which are very broad, without Towels or Napkins. They haue * 1.16 certaine great Platters like Basons of blacke Earth, as bright as blacke Amber, and Vessels like Cups to drinke water, and the Wine of the said Countrey. Many eate raw flesh, others broyle [ 10] it vpon the coles or burning embers: also there are Countries so destitute of wood, that they broyle their meate vpon fire made with Oxe-dung.

The cause why Nilus ouerfloweth Egypt, is this, that whereas the generall Winter beginneth * 1.17 in Aethiopia, in the midst of Iune, and ••a••••eth vntill the midst of September, by reason of the exceeding great raines, which continue there all that season; Nilus groweth great and ouer∣floweth Egypt.

Prete, and all his receits and expenses are onely put in writing. The Prete Ianni hath two names of honour, that is to say, Aregue, which signifieth an Emperour, and Neguz, a King.

Wine of Grapes is made openly but in two places, that is to say, in the house of Prete Ianni, and of Abuna Marke, and if they make it else-where, they doe it secretly. The Wine which * 1.18 [ 20] they vse at the Communion, is made in this manner. In the Monasteries and Churches they keepe Grapes as it were halfe dryed in their Vestries, and sleepe them ten dayes in water, when they be swolne, they dry them, and then they presse them in a Wine-presse, and with that Wine they say Masse.

There is infinite plentie of Sugar-canes, but they know not how to boyle and refine the same, * 1.19 onely they eate them raw.

There is no Mountaine in the Countrey whereon Snow is seene, neither doth it snow, al∣though * 1.20 there be verie great Frosts, and specially in the plaine Countries.

There is exceeding great quantitie of Honey in all this Countrey, and the Bee-hiues are pla∣ced after our manner, without the principall house, but they set them in the Chambers where [ 30] the Husbandmen remayne, and set them against the wall, wherein they make a little hole, whereby they goe out into the fields. They also flie about the Chambers, and yet the people will stay within, for they vse to goe in and out. They bring vp great store of these Bees, espe∣cially in the Monasteries, because they are a great foundation of their sustenance. There are also Bees in the Woods and Mountaines, by whom they set wholsome barkes of Trees, and when they be full of Honey, they carrie them home. They gather great store of Waxe, and make * 1.21 Candles thereof, because they vse no Tallow-candles.

They haue no Oyle of Oliues, but of a certaine kind, which they call Hena, and the Herbe whereof they make it is like vnto little Vine-leaues: this Oyle hath no smell at all, but is as faire and yellow as Gold. There groweth Flaxe also, but they know not how to dresse it to make * 1.22 [ 40] Cloth thereof. There is great store of Cotton-wooll, whereof they make Cloth of diuers co∣lours. There is also a certaine Countrey that is so cold, that they are forced to goe apparelled in course Cloth like a darke tawnie.

In no Towne where I haue beene, haue I seene any shambles of flesh, sauing in the Court? and in other places no man may kill an Oxe, although it be his owne, without asking licence of the Lord of the Towne.

Touching their ordinarie Iustice, it is not their manner to put any man to death, but they * 1.23 beat him, according to the qualitie of his fault, and also they put out his eyes, and cut off his hands and feete, howbeit, I saw one man burnt, because hee was found to haue robbed a Church. [ 50]

The common people seldome speake the truth, although an Oath bee ministred vnto them, vnlesse they be bound to sweare by the head of the King. They greatly stand in feare of Ex∣communication, and if they be commanded to doe any thing which is greatly to their preiudice, they doe it for feare of Excommunication. An Oath is ministred after this manner. They goe to * 1.24 the Church gate with two Priests, which carrie Incense and Fire with them: And hee which is to sweare, layeth his hand vpon the Church gate, and the Priests will him to tell the truth, saying, If thou sweare falsly, as the Lion deuoureth the sheepe in the Forrest, so let the Deuill deuoure thy soule; and as the Corne is grinded vnder the Mil-stone, so let the Deuill grind thy bones; and as the fire burneth the wood, so let thy soule be burnt i•• Hell fire. And hee which sweareth, answereth Amen, to each of these Sentences. But if thou shal•• ••ell the truth, let thy [ 60] life be prolonged with honour, and thy soule goe to Paradise with the Blessed: and hee saith, Amen. Which Ceremonie being done, they cause him to giue like testimonie.

Whereas I haue said, that they sit not in their Churches, therefore I tell you, that without the gates of the same, there are alwayes placed a great number of woodden Crouches, like those

wherewith lame men doe helpe themselues, and euery man taketh his owne, and leaneth vpon it vntill Seruice be done. All their Bookes, which are many, are written in Parchment, for they haue no Paper, and the writing is in the Language of Tigia, which is the Abassine Tongue, that is the Language of that Countrey wherein they became first Christians.

All the Churches haue two Curtanies, one by the high Altar with Bels, and within this Cur∣taine * 1.25 none doe enter but the Priests: then there is another Curtaine in the midst of the Church: and none doe enter into the Church, but such as haue receiued holy Orders, and many Gentle∣men and Honourable persons doe receiue Orders, that they may be admitted into the Church.

The greatest part of the Monasteries are seated vpon high Mountaines, or in some deepe Val∣ley. They haue great Reuenues and Iurisdictions, and in many of them, they eate no flesh all [ 10] the yeare long. They eate also very little fish, because they know not how to take them.

Vpon all the wals of the Churches are Pictures of Christ and of our Ladie, and of the Apostles, the Prophets, and Angels, and in euery one of them is the Picture of Saint George. They haue * 1.26 no grauen nor carued Images; neither will they suffer Christ crucified to bee painted in the wals, because, they say, they be not worthy to see him in that Passion. All their Friers, Priests, and Noblemen, continually carrie a Crosse in their hand; the people weare Crosses about their neckes. Euery Priest alwayes carryeth with him a Cornet of Brasse, full of holy water, and wheresoe∣uer they goe, the people alwayes pray them to bestow holy water, and their blessing vpon them, which they giue vnto them, And before they eate; they cast a little holy water vpon their meat, and likewise into the Cup where they drinke.

The moueable Feasts, as Easter, the Ascension and Whitsuntide, are kept on the very same [ 20] * 1.27 dayes and seasons, wherein wee obserue them. Touching Christmas, the Circumoision, and Twelfe-tide, and other Feasts of Saints they likewise agree with vs; in other Feasts they doe not.

Their yeare and their first moneth beginneth the sixe and twentieth of August, which is the beheading of Saint Iohn. And their yeare consisteth of twelue moneths, and their moneth of * 1.28 thirtie dayes and when the yeare is ended they adde fiue dayes▪ which they call Pagomen, that is to say, the ending of the yeare. And in the Leape yeere 〈◊〉〈◊〉 adde sixe dayes, and so they a∣gree with vs.

They haue Cymbals like ours, and certaine great Basons 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they ring. Flutes they [ 30] haue, and certaine square Instruments with st〈…〉〈…〉gs like 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 which they call Dauid M〈…〉〈…〉∣quo, * 1.29 that is to say, Dauid•• Harpe, and they play vpon these before the Prete Ianni, but some∣what rudely.

The naturall Horses of the Countrey are infinite, but are not very good, but are like vnto Hackneies, but those which come from Arabia and Egypt, are very excellent and faire, and the great Lords haue Races of these Horses, and as soone as they bee foled, they suffer them not to sucke their Dams aboue three dayes, whom they will presently trauell on, and taking the Colt•• from their Dams, they put them to be suckled of Kine, and they become exceeding faire.

The Letters of Dauid, the Mightie Emperour of Aethiopia, vnto Emanuel King, [ 40] * 1.30 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 * 1.31 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 * 1.32 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 * 1.33 [ 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 * 1.34 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 * 1.35 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 * 1.36 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

  Dinguil.
• * 1.2

  From Barua to Ercoc•• fiue and fortie miles.
• * 1.3

  The Mon∣son.
• * 1.4

  The Portugall Fleet of fiue sailes. Camaran. Aden.
• * 1.5

  The Hauen of Mazcare.
• * 1.6

  Psal. 104. v. 20. 21. 22.
• * 1.7

  Rom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 35. Iames 1. 12.
• * 1.8

  Ormuz.
• * 1.9

  Chaul.
• * 1.10

  Three rich ships of Mecca taken.
• * 1.11

  Goa,
• * 1.12

  Cananor.
• * 1.13

  Antonie Galua∣no Captaine of a Garracke.
• * 1.14

  Greatheate. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.15

  Two Moores dyed in Por∣tugall for heat.
• * 1.16

  Their manner of feeding.
• * 1.17

  The cause of the increase of Nilus.
• * 1.18

  Small store of Wine made in this Countrey.
• * 1.19

  Sugar-canes.
• * 1.20

  No snow is seene in Ae∣thiopia▪ Abundance of Honey.
• * 1.21

  Waxe.
• * 1.22

  Flaxe. Cotton-wooll.
• * 1.23

  Their ordinary manner of Iu∣stice.
• * 1.24

  Their manner of ministring an Oath.
• * 1.25

  Of the Chur∣ches.
• * 1.26

  No painted Crucifixes.
• * 1.27

  Their princi∣pall Feasts.
• * 1.28

  When their yeare begin∣neth.
• * 1.29

  Their Musicall Instruments.
• * 1.30

  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.
• * 1.31

  Breu.
• * 1.32

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.33

  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.
• * 1.34

  His Letters to Iohn the third King of Portu∣gall.
• * 1.35

  His Letter to Pope Clement the seuenth.
• * 1.36

  Dam. à Goes de Ethiop. m••ri••.