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.

§. IIII.

The Kings condescending to Sir ANTHONIES Motion, employing [ 10] and furnishing him in Ambassage to Christian Prin∣ces. Two Friers.

THe next morning the King came vnto me, and after some other Discourses, hee told me he had well considered of my Proposition, which though otherwise hee had no great inclination vnto, both, because of the great separation by distance, and difficult meanes of correspondencie, which could bee made betweene the Princes Christian and himselfe, besides the small necessitie he had of them (God hauing giuen him so ample, so rich, and so warlike a Dominion) and if he had, their owne dis-vnion amongst themselues gaue him [ 20] small hope of any great good effect in what he should propound vnto them: Besides the dero∣gation from his owne greatnesse to a demander of their Amitie, whose Predecessors had sought it of his by diuers meanes, and vpon great conditions. Yet to shew me how deare an estimation hee held of me, hee was contented not to see what belonged to himselfe, but onely to regard my satisfaction: which he willed me to determine of, and assured me of the effecting of it whatsoe∣uer it was.

And after I had giuen his Maiestie thankes which were conuenient for so high a fauour, I told him that I had propounded nothing but that which the future experience, and present reason of * 1.1 things would proue not onely infinitely auaileable, but also necessary for his honour, profit and securitie: to which counsell I was readie and desirous to adde my owne perill, which could by [ 30] no other meanes bring an answerable benefit to the greatnesse of it selfe, but onely in the true estimation which I made of the merit of his Maiesties vertue, and my infinite affection to his seruice. The necessitie of his State. I knew either counselled him to prouide for a Warre; or to make a Warre: Priuate cogitations hauing their progresse of such a condition, that they may take (as themselues will) either more or lesse of fortune; but those which had raised their thoughts to the subli∣mitie of Dominion are no more in their owne power: hauing no meane to step vpon betweene the highest of all, and precipitation. For his Maiestie to sleepe longer, called vpon by so mayne Reasons which did euidently demonstrate vnto him the ineuitable danger (if not ruine) of his State, and con∣trariwise, the certaine addition which his Maiestie might make to his Glorie and State, would seeme to those that did not rightly vnderstand the excellencie of his Maiesties heart, such a [ 40] weaknesse in him, as is incident to those which haue not power to temper felicitie, from glut∣ting themselues with the abundant fruits of present prosperitie; though they haue a patient for∣ced vigour to withstand aduersitie. That the Turke was to be vanquished, his owne Rebels had shewed, which haue ouercome with small forces his great power in sundry Encounters. If his Militia hath had heretofore more vigour and valour, it is now changed through pleasure, ease, and surfeitings by (their Princes Example) with great corruptions; which a more vertuous Prince may reduce to their soundnesse: his Maiesties wisdome should worke immediately vpon the present generall defect and errour. Neither should hee make a proportionable concurrence betweene his facts and wisedome, if hee did lose time in doubtfull deliberations, in such a case which did euidently shew him that if he might securely continue in peace, yet that peace was [ 50] more pernicious vnto him then Warre: leesing so many faire occasions of propagating his Em∣pire, and making his Estate eternally inuincible, & too dangerous to be attempted againe by the Turke: when there should be so equall a ballance of potencie, as would bee betweene them, but by the recouerie of his owne, if his desire and fortune, and vertue disposed no more vnto him then that which was iustly his owne, and was vniustly detayned from him. For those Rebellions of the Turkes they were likely rather to increase then diminish: such manner of people euer∣more easily consenting in vnitie in Warre, then in peace to be commanded, or yeeld obedience: And the greatest powers which are, haue beene, or may be, which vnited beare all before them, the vio∣lence of their strength, once diuided either by time, by patience, or by diuersitie of Fortune (which can∣not be at all times, and in all places alike) may be and are subuerted. The Wa••re it selfe will open [ 60] and disclose many hidden and swelling wounds, which are now onely couered by ignorance, and others detracting of their determination. And though it be true that the Princes Christian bee farre deuided; and some of them incumbred with particular Designes amongst themselues, through the passions of their priuate interests; yet the Emperour (who is the greatest in Title,

and by his Alliance of the most power) is already ingaged against the Turke: which Warre hee wil more or lesse prosecute according as he shal haue more or lesse hopes. And what greater (almost assurance of prosperous successe) can he haue then the coniunction with your Maiestie, whose power and vertues he shall know? And the mouing of both your ends being the same, can lose no propertie in their working, by the large separation or distinction of places. The Pope also (who carryeth a Supreme Authoritie among Princes, to mooue them to those things which shall best preserue, or augment the limits of his Church) animated by your Maiesties great name and offer; will assuredly vse the vttermost of the strength, of his authoritie and industrie, to recon∣cile all particular enmities, and to combine all hearts to that Generall Warre, in which euery particular is truly much interessed; if they consider their conscience to their profession, and the [ 10] danger where with they all haue beene threatned, by that great Enemies potencie: diuers Prin∣ces hauing alreadie by it suffered the vttermost of ruine.

Neither shall your Maiesty despaire, but that all may bee perswaded to so honourable and pi∣ous an action, being a propertie in mans nature to follow, that which hath beene contrarie to their disposi∣tion to begin: And if they all should not; yet the Emperour, Pope, and King of Spaine, absolutely will imbrace the Amitie, honour the name of your Maiestie, and vnite themselues in any termes of Princely Alliance: and your Maiestie shall haue an eternall glory amongst all; for inuiting them all to so Noble, Generous, and Royall an Action: and at the least, draw great Intercourse of Merchants of all those parts; which will giue an entrance to a kind of sociablenesse, and that will proceed to a common respect, And so to a mutuall friendship which will giue the communication and knowledge of many things hidden (both in the knowledge, vse and profit of them) for want of such an [ 20] Intercourse. Your Maiestie also wisely desireth to take away all reputation from the Turkish Re∣ligion, through your Dominions, both by scandalizing it publikly, and punishing it in particular persons: Sithence, Heresie in all Religion causeth Diuision, and the corrupted part becommeth a perni∣cious Enemy to the Prince who supporteth the contrarie; From it arise as from a mayne turbulent Spring, Treasons, Conspiracies, secret Conuenticles, and Seditions.

Besides, the greatest and largest way, which the Turke hath into your Dominions, is the fa∣ction of his Sect; as Ismael your Predecessor had, of that which your Maiestie professeth, to de∣uide your State from him: Hee is an absolute and Tyrannous Enemy to the Christians; Your Maiesties Religion, hath a charitable opinion of them: and if drinking of Wine, burning of [ 30] their Prophets Images, and such lesse apparances be in your Maiesties opinion effectuall things to estrange the people hearts from that Religion, by a contrary vse, with those Opprobries, to the other; a greater meanes your Maiestie may worke by: in giuing libertie of Christian Religion, so much abhorred of their part and securitie of Trade, goods and person to Christians, by which you shall bind their Princes, expresse the charitie of your Law, serue your selfe in diuers things of them which haue beene hidden vnto you, both for your vtilitie, strength and pleasure: and more inure your people to despise the other Religion, by so contrary, so apparant and so great ef∣fect. Neither can they euer be dangerous to your Maiesty, their increase being alwayes to be li∣mited by your will. This also will giue your Maiestie great fame, since by their meanes you shall recouer auaileable Instruments both to preserue and augment your Estate by: as Founders of [ 40] Ordnance, Makers of all sorts of Armes, and Munition. So that though it may seeme a strange Act in your Maiestie to bee contented to inlarge Christians, so new and so great a fauour, yet since all great Examples euer haue in them some thing of an extraordinarie qualitie, those are to bee made vse of that repaire by publike profit, those particular disgusts which priuate men may receiue of them: I know that it is for the most part a fallacious ambition which imbraceth greedily new and dange∣rous things, but to determine and execute fit and conuenient things, is the proper effect of wisdome and courage. Your Maiestie knoweth your present Estate, remembreth the courses of times past; and the excellencie of your iudgement weigheth, that which may succeed hereafter. No man recei∣ueth harme but from himselfe; nor your Maiestie can suffer none but from that which your selfe will determine of your selfe: you are inuited to no act depending vpon fortune, but such a one as shall haue his foundation vpon Counsell, Reason and Iudgement. My satisfaction shall be aboue [ 50] all other greatest if your Maiestie resolue of that which wil be most secure, honourable and com∣modious for your Person, State, and particular Subiects.

Well said the King, you would then haue mee to write to as many of the Christian Princes * 1.2 as are greatest amongst them, who if they will apply themselues to our purpose may draw all other lesser vnto it, by the example of their authoritie; or at the least (if they will not consent in that point) will command their Merchants to repaire to our Dominions: so that wee and they may haue some good friendly vse the one of the other. The Letters you shall appoint to be written to as many, and to whom you will, with priuiledge for Merchants, and the secure profession of their Religion and peaceable possession of their goods, and persons, in as ample sort [ 60] as your selfe will deuise; and not onely for them but for all Christians whatsoeuer, which for cu∣riositie to see, or loue to mee, will take paines to come hither; or for any purpose soeuer: beeing impossible their purpose can at any time be ill towards vs, which wish them in all things so wel. And because you haue bin the Mouer and Perswader of this businesse, you also shall be the Actor

of it, assuring my selfe that my Honour cannot be more securely reposed in any mans hands, then your owne: both in that I iudge of your owne disposition; and more, in that which I know of your Obligation to me; besides, There is none so proper an Executor of any Enterprize, as hee * 1.3 which is the first deuiser of it: I humbly thanked his Maiestie for his confidence; and excused my inabilitie to performe so great a charge; Many men being more fitter to propound then to execute: That requiring a particular valour and experience, which I had not. Notwithstanding, since I would not giue his Maiestie cause to suspect, that I had intimated such a thing vnto him; as eyther was so dangerous to carrie, or impossible to effect, that I durst not for those causes vndertake it: I would onely beseech of his Maiestie one of his Princes, eyther to be my Superiour or Equall in the Ambassage, or such a one as might be absolutely my Inferiour, for a Testimonie, onely of [ 10] my assured comming from his Maiestie. All which hee promised: commended my Reason and Prouidence in that point; and offering also Presents of great value, and worth to accompany his Letters, which should bee goodly Carpets, Swords and Daggers couered with Gold, and Iewels, Plumes according to their Countrey fashion, and other things worthy to bee esteemed, both for the price and rarenesse. Then he told me I must recouer my selfe, strengthen my minde and come abroad, that he might feast me before my departure.

For thirtie dayes continually, the King made that Feast in a great Garden of more then two * 1.4 miles compasse, vnder Tents pitched by certaine small courses of running water, like diuers Ri∣uers, where euery man that would come, was placed according to his degree, eyther vnder one or other Tent, prouided for abundantly with Meate, Fruit, and Wine, drinking as they would, [ 20] some largely, some moderately without compulsion. A Royaltie and Splendor which I haue not seene, nor shall see againe but by the same King: euer to bee praysed for the constant Antiquite, if not for the reason of the expence. The ioy of the Feast was much augmented by two great * 1.5 Fortunes, which gaue themselues at that time to the King; which were these: The Tartars of Bucke••awrd (which haue euer beene of greatest reputation amongst all those of the Orient, both for their valour in Armes and Wealth) moued vnto it through their owne diuisions; the Cap∣taines of which being of validitie and proper industry, to enflame the Ciuill dissentions, and vn∣fit to temper their alternate good successes, by the fame of the King of Persiaes Iustice in Go∣uernment, and the felicitie which followed all his Enterprizes, were brought to consent vnite∣ly in one to send, and deliuer themselues and their Countrey vnder his subiection. And the [ 30] Great Mogor King of Lahor mooued by the like fame, sent a great Ambassador to desire a Mar∣riage betweene his eldest Sonnes Daughter, and Cephir Micza eldest Sonne to the King of Per∣sia, * 1.6 with a mightie Present, and as mightie offers both of readie money, and to pay thirtie thousand men in any Warre, which the King of Persia should vndertake for seuen yeares.

In this time came vnto me a Portugall Frier, named Alphonso Cordero, of the Order of the Franciscans Secular, and an other Armenian Frier of Ierusalem, with a Message from an other Frier of better estimation, called Nichola Di-Meto: the effect of which was this, that hee had beene Inquisitor generall of the Indies, and his time being finished, as also, hauing receiued commandement from the Pope and King of Spaine to returne, and for some other important causes to the Christianitie of these parts, not beeing willing to attend the tedious Voyage of the [ 40] Portugall Fleet by Sea, chose rather the hazard to goe ouer Land.

But when hee came, though this insinuation of his were like a good meane; and shewed to proceed from the best condition of spirits; Yet he did much degenerate from the name of a Chri∣stian, much more of a Religious man, of a true Subiect to his Prince, and of a Pious wisher to those things which tended to the generall good of the whole Common-wealth of Chri∣stendome.

For I vsed him with all those duties and reuerences which I could possibly deuise, or any am∣bitious heart could desire: which gaue (as it fell out) but a freer passage to the iniquitie of his soule; to my great griefe, preiudice of the estimation in those parts of Religious men, and to the most infinite affliction of the other Franciscan, that can bee expressed; hee beeing certainly a [ 50] good man, and as farre as his vnderstanding guided him, zealous to perswade others to bee so, helping to expresse by a sincere and holy Example of life what he wanted in Discourse. But vbi Dei numen praetenditur sceleribus, subit animum timor, ne frandibus humanis vindicandis, diuini iuris aliquid immixtum violemus. For which reason I will say only this: that to free my selfe from the vnexpected crosses which daily rose against my businesse, I pressed the King as hotly (as ciuilly I could) for my dispatch: which hee granted mee at the thirtie dayes end: hauing ap∣pointed Assan Chan a gallant young Prince to goe with mee: when it was concluded that Assan Chan should goe, and his prouisions were all ready, my Commission and Patent (for the prin∣cipall points of my businesse) sealed; the King marryed him to an Aunt of his, much against his Princes will and more to my griefe; none other of the great Ones hauing a spirit to ap∣prehend * 1.7 [ 60] only such a Voyage, much lesse a heart to performe it.

So that beeing instantly sued to by Cuchin-Allibi a Courtchie of sixe Thomans Stipend by the Yeare, and in disgrace also, for some ill part that hee had played, I (pressed there∣unto by the Vizier and Bastan Aga) spake vnto the King that hee might goe with mee,

in the forme onely of a Testimonie, though honoured with some good words in the Letters, for the better reputation of the Businesse: which the King was exceeding backward in con∣senting vnto, desiring mee eyther to goe alone, or better accompanied.

At the last, I was vrged to take that fellow, and the King content to let him goe: But would bestow on him no more then fiftie Tomans for the whole expence: which hee called also cast a∣way. Him I left to bring the appointed Present after mee; and the Letters to the particular Princes; which were then readie at my departure not sealed, and the Present not throughly pro∣uided: my selfe desiring to free my selfe from the Court, where euery occasion was receiued by those, which were contrary to the Enterprize, to hinder it.

After I had taken my leaue of the King, the morning before my departure he came to find me * 1.8 [ 10] againe at my House: and after a little other speech he said vnto mee, That my absence from him would exceedingly grieue him, his affection to me being true, and his hopes of me many. If hee had bin furnished of any fit to haue vndergone the management of this Affaire, hee would neuer haue enioyned me to so much trauaile, and so many perils, but that I knew his Court to bee ignorant of the Language and properties of our parts, and since he was prouoked by mee to send thither, hee knew that I would bee contented with my labour to keepe him and his, from all sorts of scorne. That my Brother was young, and therefore the more to be tendered, and not euery day to be exposed to new labours; his loue to vs both made him carefull in that point, but more particularly his infinite desire of my returne; which he thought would be more assured by so deare a pawne: And by daily Relation which I should receiue of his Royall vsage, I should also be daily inuited to returne howsoeuer. If I met with such Fortunes as would bee [ 20] worthy to make me stay from him; or such accidents as had power to hinder me by their necessitie; the company of my Brother should giue him great satisfaction in my absence. And if the worst should happen vnto me, he did desire euer to haue a Subiect so neere vnto me, vpon whom he might make a de∣claration vnto the World, both of what qualitie his owne minde was; and of what condition his true and Royall affection towards me was.

Before I could answere this infinite fauourable and gracious speech of his: my Brother, whose minde, apprehending that his staying with the King, might bee of wonderfull effect, to keepe his minde constant in the resolution which he had taken: and ghessing at many occasions which might happen in my absence, answered the King presently thus. That our two soules * 1.9 were so vnitely conioyned, that our wils were diuided in nothing, our affections to his Maiesty, [ 30] and our desires to serue him were the same, ••and such as they could not bee separated from his Commandements. But because hee did desire to haue one of vs, which was himselfe, to remaine with him, he would doe it, &c.

These words of his were graciously and tenderly receiued of the King, and after some teares on all parts, the King and himselfe hauing brought mee some sixe miles, wee all parted, they for the Court, my selfe for my Iourney, hauing first left with my Brother, my heart certainly, not onely for the coniunction which Nature had made betweene vs, but also for those worthy sparkes, which I found in him likely to bee brought to great perfection by his Uertue, which cannot leaue working in any, which will giue them way, much more in him, who will make way for them. [ 40]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sir Anthony Sherley confir∣meth the King in his purpose of sending to the Princes of Christendome.
• * 1.2

  The King of Persiaes resolu∣tion to employ Sir A Sherley as his Ambassa∣dour.
• * 1.3

  Sir Anthonie Sherley his ac∣c〈…〉〈…〉ptance of the employ∣ment.
• * 1.4

  The Persian magnificence in their so∣lemne Feasts.
• * 1.5

  Two great for∣tunes which befell the King during his Feast. First, The sub∣mission of the Tartars to his Crowne.
• * 1.6

  Secondly, The rich Present with the Alli∣ance of the great Mogor offered to the Persian. The comming of two Friers to insinuate with Sir Antho∣nie Sherley.
• * 1.7

  Sir Anthonies Enterprize hindred by his owne instru∣ment.
• * 1.8

  The causes for which the King of Persia detai∣ned Sir Robert Sherley.
• * 1.9

  Sir Robert Sher∣leys Answere to the King of Persia.