The decades of the newe worlde or west India conteynyng the nauigations and conquestes of the Spanyardes, with the particular description of the moste ryche and large landes and ilandes lately founde in the west ocean perteynyng to the inheritaunce of the kinges of Spayne. ... Wrytten in the Latine tounge by Peter Martyr of Angleria, and translated into Englysshe by Rycharde Eden.

THE DECADES of the newe worlde or west India, Conteynyng the nauigations and conquestes of the Spanyardes, with the particular de∣scription of the moste ryche and large landes and Ilandes lately founde in the west Ocean perteynyng to the inheritaunce of the kinges of Spayne. In the which the diligent reader may not only consyder what commoditie may hereby chaunce to the hole christian world in tyme to come, but also learne many secreates touchynge the lande, the sea, and the starres, very necessarie to be knowē to al such as shal attempte any nauigations, or otherwise haue delite to beholde the strange and woonderfull woorkes of God and nature. Wrytten in the Latine tounge by Peter Martyr of Angleria, and trans∣lated into Englysshe by Rycharde Eden.

¶ LONDINI. In aedibus Guilhelmi Powell. ANNO. 1555.

¶ POTENTISSIMO AC SERE∣NISSIMO PHILIPPO, AC SERENIS∣simae potentissimae{que} Mariae, Dei gratia Regi ac Re∣ginae, Angliae, Franciae, Neapolis, Ierusalem, et Hi∣berniae: Fidei defensoribus, Principibus Hispania∣rum et Siciliae, Archiducibus Austriae, Duci∣bus Mediolani, Burgundiae, et Brabantiae, comitibus Haspurgi▪ Flandriae, et Tirolis, Richardus Edenus perpetuam optat foeli∣citatem.

CVM IN PRIMO VESTRO ingressu in hanc celeberimam Londini vrbem (illustrissimi Principes) cerne∣rem quanto omnium applausu, popu¦li concursu, ac ciuium frequentia, quā∣to insuper spectaculorum nitore, nobilium virorum splendore, equorum multitudine, tubarum clango∣re, caeteris{que} magnificis pompis ac triumphis, pro dignitate vestra accepti estis dum omnes {quod} sui est officij facere satagebant, vbi in tanta hominum tur∣ba vix vnus reperiatur qui non aliquid agendo ad∣uentum vestrum gratulabatur, coepi et ego quo{que} a∣liorum exemplo (propius presertim ad me acceden∣tibus

Celsitudinibus vestris) tanto animi ardore ad aliquid agendum accendi ne solus in tanta hominum corona otiosus viderer, {quod} vix me continebam quin in aliquam extēporariam orationem temere erupuis∣sem, nisi et praesentiae vestrae maiestas, et mea me ob∣scuritas a tam audaci facinore deterruissent. Verum, cum postea penitius de hac re mecum cogitassem, consyderassem{que} quam haec omnia alioqui per se lau de digna, vestris tamen meritis ac regiae dignitatis e∣minentiae comparata, plebeia ac ludicra videantur, coepi denuo cum animo meo reputare qua in re ita cum immortali rerum memoria foelicissimum vestrū aduentum gratularer, vt inde nominis vestri fama et splendor, non vllis spectaculorum temporarijs osten tis, sed rerum gestarum gloria, ad posteros perpetuo emanaret. Excutio statim diuitias meas. Perscrutor si quid ex penu meo depromere possum {quod} me ad ali∣quid agendum vestris heroicis virtutibus dignum excitet. Sed cum penes me nihil tale reperio, agnos∣co nuditatem meam, at{que} ad vos confugio. Patrum, auorum, proauorum, at{que} atauorum vitas et facta recolo. Syluam rerum gestarum video, tot{que} precla∣rissimorum principum propagines, vt merito ab ip∣sis heroibus, Saturno videlicet, Ioue, ac Hercule, caete••••{que} theanthropis, originem duxisse videantur.

Quod cum ita sit, non aliunde profecto quam ex hac sylua materies mihi petenda erit quo in mentibus ho¦minum et aeterna rerum memoria, perpetua specta∣cula rerum a vobis et progenitoribus vestris praecla∣re gestarum, in mundi theatro ab omnibus cum sū∣ma nominis vestri fama ac veneratione cernantur. Cum ita{que} inter caetera a maioribus vestris praeclare gesta, nihil sit admirabilius aut maiori laude dignū, quam {quod} incredibili fiducia et plus quam Herculeis laboribus superato Oceano, foelicissimo tandem euē∣tu, Indiae Occidentalis ditissimas Insulas at{que} Con∣tinentis amplissimas regiones, mortalium primi in∣uenerunt, in quibus infinitas incolarum myriades ad fidem Christi conuerterunt (quo nihil augustius aut Christianis principibus magis dignum excogitari potest) visus sum mihi {quod} non alia in re magis possē foelicitati vestraemerito gratulari, quā si nostris quo{que} hominibus quibus haec hactenus nihil aut parum cognita sunt, innotescere faciam, vt perspectis illo∣rum simul et vestrorum amplissimis imperijs non si∣ne diuina prouidētia (vt credere par est) ad ipsos vs{que} Antipodes et PLVS VLTRA terminatis, omnes boni, ipsa rerum magnitudine in admirationē ducti, vos ament et venerentur: Malis vero et impro bis, os obstruatur si quam in maledicendo volupta∣tem

capiunt. Haec dum cogito, venit mihi in mentē {quod} olim adolescens perlegi Decades de Nouo Orbe a Petro Martyre ab Angleria, illustrissimi Ferdinādi regis Catholici, ac tui (Serenissime rex) proaui ora∣tore, Latine conscriptas, at{que} sacrae Caesariae maie∣stati patri tuo d••dicatas. Tanti ita{que} autoris fide et eruditione motus, eum prae caeteris in nostram lin∣guam traducendum suscepi, {quod} non solum vt histori∣cus res Indicas cum summa fide scriptis mandauit, sed etiam vt philosophus ({quod} in caeteris scriptoribus desyderatur (naturalium rerum occultas causas red∣dit, ac admirabilium naturae operum (quibus haec vestra India plena est) rationes inuestigat. At{que} vt h••ius Indiae posterior status cognoscatur▪ quantus{que} thesaurus auri, gemmarum, aromatum, aliarum{que} ditissimarum mercium ac annui census inde quotan∣nis in Hispaniam aduehitur, adiunxi doctissimi vi∣ri Gonzali Ferdinandi Ouiedi libellum quem ille Indicae historiae generalis Summarij titulo inscripsit, eiusdem{que} illustrissimi Caroli Imperatoris patris tui nomini consecrauit: Caetera{que} plurima ex recentio∣ribus scriptoribus excerpsi, que mihi in tam immen∣sa rerum memorabiliū bibliotheca, praecipue adno∣tanda videbantur. Quae, quanta et qualia sunt, quā∣tis{que} parasangis, omnium heroum ac Argonautarū

res gestas toto terrarum orbe tantopere celebratas superent, haec mea sequens praefacio vulgari sermone ad huius historiae lectores populum{que} Anglicū con∣scripta, satis prolixa oratione indicabit, adeo vt idem hic repetere superuacaneum sit, minime{que} necessari∣um, quandoquidem Anglica lingua tibi Serenissi∣ma Regina vernacula est, idem{que} illustrissimo Regi {quod} tibi scriptum aut dictum existimen, non solum {quod} diuino vinculo vnum sitis in carne vna, sed etiam {quod} eadē animi lenitate, humanitate, affabilitate, caeteris∣{que} virtutibus, non minus animi moribus quā carnis vinculo vnum sitis. Sed ne{que} hic opus est vt ego La∣tino sermone vestras virtutes, animi moderationem, clementiam, religionem, pietatem, educationē, casti∣tatem foelicitatem, fortunas, opes, munificentiam, victorias, imperia, stemmata, caetera{que} huiusmodi multa enumerē, cum praesertim vir nobilis et doctus Leonhardus Goretius Polonus de his omnibus de{que} foelicissimo vestro matrimonio, orationae satis fusa tractauit, in qua nihil pretermisit {quod} ad Celsitudinis vestrae et progenitorum vestrorum gloriam virtute partam, pertineat. Caeterū cum regiae vestre virtutes nominis{que} splēdor ac regnorum amplitudo alias per vniuersa Christiani orbis imperia satis nota sint, nisi forte ibi minime vbi maxime nota esse deberēt, nem∣pe

in hoc Angliae regno, ideo operepraecium et rem omnibus bonis gratam, quod{que} mei est officij erga Celsitudines vestras me facturum existimaui, si haec nostris (vt dixi) hominibus, nostra{que} lingua ob ocu∣los contemplanda proposuero. Quod quam foeli∣citer aut dextre a me factum sit, aliorum esto iudici∣um. Quam vero fideliter, syncere, ac animo in Ma∣iestatis vestras propenso hoc idem aggressus sum, testis est mihi conscientia mea in conspectu illius qui hominum corda et renes scrutatur. Macteigitur vir∣tutis istius animi vestri estote Serenissimi Principes, at{que} Diuino auxilio freti, pergite ea qua coepistis fi∣ducia, huius deploratae ac collapsae reipub▪ nostrae sta¦tum, pristino decori restituere, id {quod} omnes a vo∣bis expectant at{que} eff••agitant, pollicentes insuper vo¦bis in eo negotio suam operam in nullo defuturam. Ne terreat vos quorūdam canum latratus qui bonis omnibus oblatrant, et tunc desinent latrare cum de∣sinent viuere. Vulgatissimum semper fuit improbos homines viris probis vel propter inuidiam vel prop∣ter dissimilitudinem, solere latrare. Et tamen ille pro bus semper habitus est, quem peruersi maxime im∣probauerint. Non est igitur curandum quid de no∣bis homunculi, sed quid viri boni loquantur. Cogi∣tat (Serenissimi Principes) {quod} magnanimitate ac ma

iorum insignijs, aquilis et leonibus similes estis. A∣quilae natura est, alta petere, et aduersus solis radios in altum volare. Leonis proprium est parcere sub∣iectis et debellare superbos. Generosus equus per plateas incedens, canes vt animalcula imbella praete∣rit non perturbatus▪ Virtus non exercita (inquit Se∣neca ad Neronem) paruam laudem meretur. Non admodum magnificum fuerit mediocrem fortunam probe administrare: Sed tanta rerum omnium licen∣tia non abuti, hoc vero admirabile est: Multo autem admirabilius in iuuenili ac lubrica aetate cui accedat aetas magistra: hijs praesertim qui contumelia laces∣cuntur, quae alioqui homines vel placidissimos solet de gradu deijcere. Sed (vt supra dixi) non est hic me••propositi (Serenissimi Principes) vestras laudes pro meritis decantare, aut exprimere quo modo in summo rerum fastigio vos humiles praebuistis, de quare fu••ius in praefacione ad lectores tractaui. Iam ita{que} vt huic epistolae dedicatoriae finem imponam, rogo Serenissimas Maiestates vestras vt has meas lucubrationes in hijs autoribus vertendis, (quas ve∣stro nomini consecraui) ea humanitate ac fauore sus∣cipiatis, quibus omnes beneuolo animo ad vos ac∣cedentes, facile admittitis ac neminem reijcitis. Quē∣admodum enim qui pomarium aut vineam planta∣uit

ac maturos inde fructus collegit, illi merito primi∣tias soluit a quo prima semina primas{que} arborum in∣sitiones habuit, ita et ego qui a maiorum vestrorum rebus gestis primis sumptis seminibus, hos quales∣cum{que} ••tuctus aedidi, videor profecto mihi, debito vestro honore vos defraudasse, nisi eosdē vestro nomini ac numini obtulissem. Deus. Opt. Max. Celsitudines vestras perpetuo ser∣uat incolumes, faxit{que} vt foecunda sobolis propagine, summa{que} pace ac trāquillitate, huius regni ha∣benas ad Diuini nominis gloriam, diu gu∣bernetis.

FINIS.

¶ The table of the contentes of this booke. Besyde the Decades (the table of whose contentes yow may reade in the ende of the booke) are contey∣ned furthermore in this boooke these thynges folowynge.

• ¶ Of the landes and Ilandes lat••ly founde. Folio. 149.
• The popes bulle and donation. 167. and. 171.
• The hystorie of the Weste Indies, wrytten by Gonzalus Ferdinandus. 174.
• The ordinarie nauigation from Spayne to the Weste Indies. 175.
• Of two notable thynges as touchynge the West Indies: and of the greate ryches brought from thense into Spaine. 176
• Of the golde mines and maner of woorkynge in them. 177.
• The maner of fysshynge for pearles. 180.
• The familiaritie that the Indians haue with the deuyl. 181.
• Of temperate and habitable regions vnder the Equinoc∣tiall line. &c. 184.
• Of dyuers particular thynges, as woormes, serpentes, beastes, foules. &c. 185.
• Of trees, fruites, and plantes. &c. 194.
• Of the venemous apples wherwith the Canibales inueneme theyr arrowes. 199.
• Of fysshes and theyr maner of fysshynge. 201.
• Of the rysynge and faulynge of owre Ocean sea and the south sea cauled the sea of Sur. 204.
• Of the streight of lande beinge betwene the north and south sea. 205.
• Howe thynges of one kynde, dyffer by the nature of the place: and of the beastes cauled Tygers. 206.
• Of the maners and customes of the Indians of the firme lande and of theyr women. 208.
• Of the Ilandes Hispaniola and Cuba. 210.
• Of the Ilande of Cuba and other. 213.
• Of the lande of Baccallaos. 213.
• Other notable thynges gathered owt of dyuers autours: and of the vniuersall carde and newe worlde. 214.
• ...

• A discourse of the maruelous vyage made by the Spany∣ardes rounde about the worlde. 215.
• The order of the starres abowt the pole Antartike. 222.
• The prices of precious stones and sp••ces with their weightes and measures as they are soulde bothe of the Moores and Gentyles. 233.
• Of the weightes of Portugale and India, and howe they agree. 239.
• Of the dooues of the Ilande of Madera. 239.
• Of the Ilande of saynt Thomas vnder the Equinoc∣tial line. 240.
• The debate and strife betwene the Spanyardes and Portu∣gales for the diuision of the Indies and the trade of spyces. 240.
• Of the pole Antartike and the starres about the same: and of the qualitie of the regions and disposition of the elementes abowt the Equinoctiall line: Also of certeyne secreates tou∣chynge the arte of saylynge. 245.
• A discourse of dyuers vyages and wayes by the which spices, precious stones, and golde were brought in owlde tyme from India into Europe and other partes of the worlde. Also of the vyage to Cathay and Easte India by the northe sea: And of the viages of Sebastian Cabot. 249.
• Of the vyages to Moscouia and Cathay. 249.
• A breefe description of Moscouia. 259.
• The description of the north regions: and how they are habi∣table, contrary to thopinion of the owlde wryters. 264.
• Scondia. 267.
• Gronlande. 268.
• Islande. 269.
• Laponia. 270.
• Norway. 273.
• Suetia or Suethlande. 275.
• Gothia or Gothlande. 276.
• Finlande and Eningia. 276.
• Bothnia. 275.
• The dy••ference of regions and causes of great cities. 277.
• The hystorie of Paulus Iouius of the ambassade of great Ba¦silius Prince of Moscouia to pope Clement the seuenth. 278.
• Other notable thynges as concernynge Moscouia, gathered owt of the bookes of Sigismundus Liberus. 289.
• The description of the regions and people lyinge North and Easte from Moscouia to the ryuer Petzora and the pro∣uince of Iugaria and the ryuer Obi. &c. 294.
• ...

• Of the famous ryuer of Tanais. 297.
• More directly from Moscouia to ••athay. 298.
• Of the Tartars. 299.
• The nauigation by the frosen se••▪ 303.
• The letters missiue which kynge Edwarde the .vi. sent to the kynges, princes, and other potentates inhabitynge the north east partes of the worlde towarde the Empire of Cathay. 306. and. 308.
• The letters of the prince of Moscouia sente to kynge Edwarde. 319.
• Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies: and of the foreknowleage that the poet Seneca had of the fyndynge of the newe worlde & other regions not then knowen. 310
• Of the greate Ilande whiche Plato cauled Atlantica or Atlantide. 310.
• Of the coloure of the Indians. 311.
• Why they were cauled Indians. 311.
• The fyrst discouerynge of the West Indies. 312.
• What maner of man Christopher Colon was, and howe he came fyrst to the knowleage of the Indies. 313.
• What laboure and trauaile he tooke in attemptynge his firste vyage to the Indies. 313.
• Of newe Spayne cauled Noua Hispania or Mexico. 315.
• Of Peru. 316.
• Of the great ryuer cauled Rio de la Plata. 316.
• Of the hygher or superior India cauled India Tercera or Terciera. 317.
• Ageyne of the landes of Laborador and Baccalaos. 318.
• The discouerynge of the lande of Florida. 319.
• An opinion that Europe, Africa, and Asia, are Ilandes: and of certeyne Nauigations abowt the same. 320.
• That the Spanyardes haue sayled to the Antipodes whiche inhabite the vndermost halfe of the baule of the earth, con∣trary to thopinions of the owlde wryters. 321.
• Who fyrst founde the nedle of the compasse and the vse therof. 322.
• The situation and byggenesse of the earth. 323.
• What degrees are. 324.
• A demonstration of the roundenesse of the earth. 324.
• What credit owght to be gyuen to wryters as touchynge the

• woorkes of nature. 325.
• The preface to the booke of metals. 326.
• Of the generation of metalles and theyr mines, with the ma∣ner of fyndynge the same. 327.
• Of the mine of golde and the qualitie therof. 334.
• Of the myne of syluer. 340.
• The maner of woorkynge in the golde mines of Egypte in oulde tyme. 342.
• The discription of the two vyages made owt of Englande to Guinea in Afrike. 343.
• A briefe description of Afrike. 344.
• The fyrste vyage to Guinea. 345.
• The seconde vyage to guynea. 350.
• The maner of fyndynge the Longitude of regions by dyuers wayes. 360.
• A newe maner of fyndynge the Longitudes of regions. 361▪
• A briefe rehearsall of the contentes of the bookes of the Decades. &c.

FINIS.

¶ The interpretacion of cer∣teyne Woordes.

• ¶ Continente (that is) the firme lande not inclosed with water, or no Ilande.
• A Carauel or Caruel, a kynde of shyppes.
• Hemispherium, the halfe globe of the earth and water.
• Pesus, a ducate and a halfe.
• Equinoctial, the line that diuideth the heauen and the earthe in the myddest betwene the two poles, in the which when the sonne commeth, the days & nyghtes are of equal length
• Clime, is a portion of the worlde betwene north and south.
• Paralleles, are lines whereby the sonne passynge causeth variation of tyme.
• Gatti Mammoni, Monkeys.
• Schoenus, is a space of .xl. furlonges.
• Werst, is an Italian mile.
• Colonie, an habitacion.

The Indian language.

• ¶ Canoa, a boate or barke.
• Caciqui, kynges or gouernours.
• Zemes an Idole.
• Tuyra, the deuyll,
• Machana, a sworde.
• Areitos, songes or balades.
• Tona, the moone.
• Tonatico, the soonne.
• Quines, prestes.
• Chiuy, a man.
• Ira, a woman.
• Boa, a house.
• Cauni, golde.
• Mayani, nothynge. &c.

¶ Note that the Ilande of Hispaniola, is nowe cauled San Domingo by reason of the chiefe citie so named. Also saynte Iohns Ilande cauled sancti Iohannis, or Burichena, is o∣therwyse cauled Boriquen.

Rycharde Eden to the reader.

THe moste famous oratoure and learned Phylo∣sopher Marcus Tullius Cicero, wryteth, that in all consultations as touchynge owre beha∣uoure and order of lyuynge amonge men, it be∣houeth vs euer to beare in mynde howe farre the dignitie of mans nature, excelleth the con∣dition of brute beastes. For they, beinge ruled altogether by sence, delyte in nothynge but beastely appetites, whereunto they runne headlonge as to theyr onely felicitie. But the mynde of man, beinge of more noble nature, is nurysshed with knowleage, and taketh pleasure in diuisynge or excogi∣tatynge sume honest thynge, whereby it not onely leaueth a∣monge men a memorie of his immortall nature, but also en∣gendereth the lyke affection in other that delyte to see and heare such thinges as are commendable in theyr predicessours And this surely thynke I to bee the cause that eyther the fa∣mous factes of woorthy men,* 5.1 or ingenious inuentions of ex∣perte artificers, haue not onely nobilitate the autours and di∣uisers of the same, or such to whom they haue byn dedicate, but also that parte of theyr commendations haue redounded to all suche as haue spente theyr tyme and taken peynes in il∣lustratynge and settynge furthe theyr doynges. For who shulde at this daye haue knowen Mausolus the kynge of Ca∣ria,* 5.2 with his wyfe Artemisia, or these famous artificers,* 5.3 Sco¦pa, Bryaces, Timotheus, Leochares, or Pythis, if the won¦derfull and sumptuous woorke of the sepulcher whiche Arte∣misia made for kynge Mausolus her husband (beinge of such woorkemanshyppe that it was accompted for one of the mar∣ueyls of the worlde) had not geuen vnto all these immortall fame, whereas neuerthelesse it coulde not defende it selfe a∣geynst thiniurie of tyme consumynge all thynges. There re∣mayneth at this daye no token of the laborious Tabernacle whiche Moises buylded,* 5.4 or of the renoumed and maru••••lous Temple that was buylded in Hierusalem by Salomon and re¦newed by Esdras.* 5.5 Yet shall the name of the excellente artifi∣cers Ooliab and Beselchel, and Hyram the kynge of Tyrus,* 5.6

lyue for euer in the memory of men. Furthermore also, Salo∣mon hym selfe, although he were many other wayes famous, yet gaue he a greate parte of his glory to that princely buyl∣dynge. But certeynely the most trewe and permanent glory,* 5.7 procedeth of such monumentes as brynge sume great and no∣table cōmoditie & profite to the lyfe of men, rather then of the hugious heapes of stones of the Pyramides of Egypt, wherin is nought els to see but the fonde & barbarous ostentation of superfluous riches:* 5.8 Or of the Mazes cauled Labyrinthi, or of horryble great Images cauled Colossi, of knottes inexplica∣ble, of brasen caudrons of monstrous byggenesse, of hauens with echo seuen tymes reboundynge, and dyuers suche other portentous inuentions, the which as they do delite vs in con∣siderynge the maruelous arte and witte of suche artificers as diuised and made the same, so are they otherwyse vnprofita∣ble: And brynge rather a fame to theyr inuentoures, then trewe glorye.* 5.9 Perillus was famous by diuisynge his brasen bulle: yet so, that it had byn better for hym to haue byn ob∣scure and vnknowen. They haue therefore deserued more trewe commendation whiche in buyldynge of cities, townes, fortresses, bridges, cundites, hauens, shyppes, and suche o∣ther, haue so ioyned magnificence with profecte, that bothe may remaine for an eternal testimonie of absolute glory,* 5.10 whose perfection extendeth to the gratifyinge of vniuersal mankind as farre as mans mortalitie wyll permit. The whiche thinge whyle I consider, and caule to memorie howe Cicero defineth trewe glory to bee a fame of many and greate desertes eyther towarde owre citizens,* 5.11 owre countrey, or towarde all man kynde, and the same to bee of such excellencie that the owlde poetes for sume effecte fayned it to bee the sweete Ambrosia and Nectar wherwith the goddes are fedde, and that of such force that who so may drynke therof, shal also become a god, (that is to say immortall and happy) mee thynke verely that (yf man maye be a god to men as holy scripture speaketh of Moises and other) the kynges of Spayne of late dayes (if I may speake it without offence of other) may so much the more for theyr iust desertes and good fortune be compared to those goddes made of men (whom the antiquitie cauled Heroes and for theyr manyfolde benefites to man kynde honoured theym with* 5.12 diuine honoure) as theyr famous factes so farre excell al

other, as I dare not speake to such as haue not yet harde or redde of the same, least the greatnesse therof shulde at the first brunte so muche astonyshe the reader that he myght geue the lesse credite to the autoure of this booke, who neuerthelesse hath moste faythfully wrytten this hystorye of suche thynges wherof he hath seene a greate parte him selfe (as being by the moste catholyke and puissaunt kynge Ferdinando appoynted a commissionarie in thaffayres of India) and gathered the re∣sidewe partly by information and partly out of the wrytinges of such as haue byn (as Uyrgyll wryteth of Eneas,* 5.13 Et quorum pars magna fui) that is, doers and parte of such thynges as are conteyned in the hystorie: as Gouernours, Lieuetenauntes, Capitaynes, Admirals, and Pylottes, who by theyr paineful trauayles and prowes, haue not onely subdued these landes and seas, but haue also with lyke diligence commytted thor∣der therof to wrytinge: And not this onely, but for the better tryall of the trewth herein, haue and yet doo in maner dayly sende from thense into Spayne such monumentes as are most certeyne testimonies of theyr doynge, as yow may reade in dy¦uers places in this boke. This newe worlde is nowe so much frequented, the Ocean nowe so well knowen, and the commo∣dities so greate, that the kynge erected a house in the citie of Siuile (cauled the house of the contractes of India) pertey∣nynge onely to thaffayres of the Ocean,* 5.14 to the which al such resorte for necessaries as attempte anye vyage to this newe worlde, and lykewyse at theyr returne make theyr accompte to the counsayle for the Indies for the golde and suche other thynges as they brynge from thense.* 5.15 It is therefore appa∣rent that the heroical factes of the Spaniardes of these days,* 5.16 deserue so greate prayse that thautour of this booke (beinge no Spanyarde) doth woorthely extolle theyr doynge aboue the famous actes of Hercules and Saturnus and such other which for theyr glorious and vertuous enterpryses were ac∣coumpted as goddes amonge men. And surely if great Alex∣ander and the Romans which haue rather obteyned then de∣serued immortall fame amonge men for theyr bluddye victo∣ries onely for theyr owne glory and amplifyinge theyr empire obteyned by slawghter of innocentes and kepte by violence,* 5.17* 5.18 haue byn magnified for theyr doinges, howe much more then shal we thynke these men woorthy iust commendations which

in theyr mercyfull warres ageynst these naked people haue so vsed themselues towarde them in exchaungynge of benefites for victorie, that greater commoditie hath therof ensewed to the vanquisshed then the victourers. They haue taken no∣thynge from them but such as they them selues were wel wyl¦lynge to departe with, and accoumpted as superfluities, as golde, perles, precious stones and such other: for the which they recompensed theym with suche thynges as they muche more estemed.* 5.19 But sum wyll say, they possesse and inhabyte theyr regions and vse theym as bondemen and tributaries, where before they were free. They inhabite theyr regions in deede: Yet so, that by theyr diligence and better manurynge the same, they maye nowe better susteyne both, then one be∣fore. Theyr bondage is suche as is much rather to be desired then theyr former libertie which was to the cruell Canibales rather a horrible licenciousnesse then a libertie,* 5.20* 5.21 and to the in∣nocent so terrible a bondage, tha•• in the myddest of theyr fere¦full idlenesse,* 5.22 they were euer in daunger to be a pray to those manhuntynge woolues. But nowe thanked be God, by the manhodde and pollicie of the Spanyardes, this deuelysshe generation is so consumed, partely by the slaughter of suche as coulde by no meanes be brought to ciuilitie, and partly by reseruynge such as were oue••come in the warres, and conuer¦tynge them to a better mynde, that the prophecie may herein bee fulfylled that the woolfe and the lambe shall feede toge∣ther,* 5.23 and the wylde fieldes with the vale of A••hor, shalbe the folde of the heard of gods people. Moises as the minister of the lawe of wrath and bondage geuen in fyer & tēpestes,* 5.24 was cōmaunded in his warres to saue neyther man, woman, nor chylde, and yet brought no commoditie to the nations whom he ouercame and possessed theyr landes. But the Spaniardes as the mynisters of grace and libertie,* 5.25 browght vnto these newe gentyles the victorie of Chrystes death wherby they be∣inge subdued with the worldely sworde, are nowe made free from the bondage of Sathans tyrannie, by the myghty poure of this triumphante victourer,* 5.26 whom (as sayth the prophet) god hath ordeyned to be a lyght to the gentyles, to open the eyes of the blynde, and to delyuer the bounde owt of pryson and captiuitie. What other men do phantasie herein, I can not tell: but suer I am, that lyke as the slowe and brutyssh••

wyttes, for the sclendernesse of theyr capacitie and effeminate hartes, do neuer or seldome lyfte vp theyr myndes to the con¦templation of goddes workes and maiestie of nature,* 5.27 but lyke brute beastes lookynge euer downewarde, thynke the worlde to be in maner no bygger then theyr owne dungehylles or ca∣gies, lyttle passynge whether the Chrystian fayth do spreade through the worlde, or bee dryuen to one corner: Euen so al good wyttes and honest natures (I doubte not) wyl not one∣ly reioyce to see the kyngedome of God to bee so farre enlar∣ged vppon the face of the earthe, to the confusion of the deuyll and the Turkysshe Antichryste,* 5.28 but also do the vtter∣most of theyr poure to further the same. For surely, as Gon∣salus Ouiedus wryteth to the Emperours maiestie in his hy∣storie of the Weste Indies, that he thynketh hym no trewe Spanyarde whiche reioyceth not in the good fortune of theyr kynges by whose ayde and godly zeale this myghtie portion of the worlde hath byn added to the flocke of Chrystes con∣gregation,* 5.29 Euen so do I thinke them no trewe Chrystian men that do not reioyce with the Angels of heauen for the deliue∣rie of these owre brootherne, owre flesshe, and owre bones, from the handes of owre commune enemie the oulde serpente who hath so longe had them in hys possession, vntyll the ful∣nesse of the gentyles be accomplysshed accordynge to the time prefinite by hym, who vnto the yeare after his incarnation .M.CCCC.lxxxxii. hath suffered the greate serpente of the sea Leuiathan,* 5.30 to haue suche dominion in the Ocean and to caste such mystes in the eyes of men, that sence the creation of the worlde vntyll the yeare before named, there hath byn no passage from owr knowen partes of the world to these newe landes, wheras nowe the same are moste certeynely knowen to be not past .xxx. dayes saylynge from Spayne. Neyther yet had the church of Europe any knowleage of the myghtie Chrystian Empire of Preciosus Iohannes, otherwyse cauled Presbyter Iohannes, Emperour of many Chrystian nations in Ethiope,* 5.31 vntyll the yeare of Chryste .M.CCCC.xxxiii. as largely appeareth in the nauigations of the Portugales, and especially in the booke of Damianus a Goes, wrytten to the bysshop of Rome, Paule the thyrde of that name, of the fayth and religion of the Ethiopians which they haue hadde sence the tyme of the Apostles. A thynge certes most woon∣derfull,

and suche, that yf the same were not hydde hetherto by gods vnsercheable prouidence, I can not but thynke much negligence or ignorance in owr forefathers and predicessours vntyll the dayes of the ryght noble, prudent, and Catholike kynge of Aragon Don Ferdinando grandfather to Thempe∣rours maiestie by his eldest dowghter,* 5.32 & to the queenes hygh∣nesse by his seconde dowghter the most vertuous lady queene Catherine her graces moother: A prince doubtelesse of suche nobilitie, prowes, magnificence, and all other vertues com∣mendable in a prince, that who so shall indifferentely way all his doinges and good successe in all his affayres, comparinge the same to thenterpryses and doinges atchyued by suche fa∣mous princes in whome the Greekes and Romans haue so greately gloryed, maye with one eye perceaue not onely howe farre his noble factes do surmount theyrs, but also wel con∣syder what noble braunches of isshewe were lyke to sprynge owt of so woorthy a stocke. And suerly if sence the begynning of the worlde, the fauour of god toward men hath byn know¦en by such benefites and blessynges as he hath geuen to men,* 5.33 it seemeth to me that in maner (onely Chryste excepted) there neuer lyued man to whom god hath geuen greater benefites and shewed more fauoure. Great doubtlesse was the fauour and mercie that god shewed vnto Noe,* 5.34 by whom he saued the remanent of mankynde beinge but fewe in number. But much greater was the grace which he shewed to kynge Ferdinando vnder whom and by whose meanes he saued not onely the bo¦dies but also the soules of innumerable millions of men inha¦bytynge a great part of the worlde heretofore vnknowen and drowned in the deluge of erroure.* 5.35 What shulde I here speake of Abraham the father of fayth whose promyses were great,* 5.36 and he cauled the frende of god? Dyd he or his posteritie see Israell increase to such multitudes and nations as kyng Fer¦dinandos posteritie may see thincrease of this spirituall Isra¦ell vnto whome as a seconde Abraham he was the father of fayth?* 5.37 Moises was so great in the syght of god that he dis∣closed vnto hym his secreate name,* 5.38 and miraculously caused a corner of the sea to open at his prayer. But howe greater a myracle was it that he opened vnto the nauie of Don Fer∣dinando the greate Ocean thowght before that tyme to bee without ende, where neuerthelesse he and his posteritie the

kynges of Spayne haue nowe planted a newe Israell muche greater then that whiche Moises ledde throughe the red sea. It were here superfluous to speake of Dauid whom Godde founde a man accordynge to his hartes desyre:* 5.39 and yet maye it be doubted whether his plages and scourges were greater then his benefites? His sonne Salomon for al his inconstant and wauerynge wysedome and his great ryches obteyned by his nauigations to Ophir,* 5.40* 5.41 yet was there at this tyme no knowleage of Antipodes,* 5.42 neyther dydde any of his shyppes sayle abowt the hole worlde, perce the Ocean,* 5.43 and trauerse the Equinoctial line to thinferiour hemispherie or halfe globe of the earthe and sea as dyd the famous shyppe Uictoria sent furth by Themperours maiestie. A thyng doubtlesse so strange and marueylous that as the lyke was neuer done before, so is it perhaps neuer lyke to be done ageyne: so farre haue the nauigations of the Spanyardes excelled the vyage of Iason and the 'Argonautae to the region of Colchos, or all that euer were before. And although in the booke of kynges and Para¦lipomenon it bee hyperborically wrytten that in the da••es of Salomon golde & syluer were in Hierusalē in maner as plenti¦ful as stones, & that his seruantes brought from Ophir foure hundreth & fiftie talentes of gold, yet do we not reade that a∣ny of his shyppes were so laden with golde that they soonke, as dyd a shyppe of kynge Ferdinandos as yow maye reade in the last booke of the fyrste Decade. Neyther was the domini¦on of Salomon extended from the ryuer of Euphrates to the lande of the Philistians and thextreme confines of Egypte to be compared with the large Empire whiche the kynges of Spayne haue in the west Indies:* 5.44* 5.45 Nor his ryches of golde to be thought much in respect of that which hath byn browght from thense into Spayne as shall playnely appere to al suche as wyll seeke to knowe the truth hereof. But to let passe to speake any further of the myracles which god hath wrought by the handes of this noble prince in this newe world among these newe gentyles.* 5.46 Is it not well knowen to al•• the world what a defence and brasen wall he hath byn to all Chrysten∣dome in that he hath quite dryuen out of Spayne the Moores or Sarasens and Iewes which so many hundreth yeares pos¦sessed a greate parte of Spayne to no smaule daungioure of the hole Christian Empire, and yet coulde neuer before bee

cleane vanquysshed vntyll the dayes of this noble and Catho¦lyke prince so named for his warres ageynste the infidelles, whom God raysed for a Capitayne of his people as an other Gedion vnder whose banner they myght ouercome theyr ene∣mies and pourge his vineyarde from suche wycked weedes. The which thynge doubtelesse may seeme so much the greater and more difficulte, forasmuch as in the myddest of the chiefe heate of his chargeable warres ageynste the Moores of Gra∣nada, he euen then and at the same tyme sente furth shyppes for the conquestynge of the Indies,* 5.47 as thowgh he and the na¦tion of the Spanyardes had byn appoynted by god eyther to subdue the enemies of the fayth or to bringe theym to Christes religion. The selfe same kynge Ferdinando also abowte the yeare of Chryst. 1503. sent a nauie of shyppes into Italy, where they vanquysshed, chased, and s••ewe the Frenchemen, and recouered the kyngedome of Naples with all the dominions belongynge thereunto.* 5.48 By which noble victory, his successi∣on and posteritie as themperours maiestie and nowe his sonne the kynge owre master and soueraigne lorde haue euer sence enioyed thinheritaunce of the same as of antiquitie by iust and ryght tytle dewe to them and theyr predicessours. And as it is the nature of god not only to shewe his loue and fauour to such as haue pleased hym, but also to poure furth the plentie of his grace vppon theyr succession from generation to gene∣ration, so hath he with lyke fecilitie prospered the reigne of Themperours maiestie who by his wisdome and prowes hath not onely pollitikly gouerned,* 5.49 but also augmented and inlar∣ged such dominions as fel to hym by discente of inheritaunce. What shuld I speake of his warres and conquestes in India, in Aphrike, in Italie, in Fraunce, in Germanie, and in Flaun¦ders: all the which to be declared accordyngely wolde rather require hole volumes then fewe sheetes of paper. Yet hath one in fewe woordes effectually expressed his dominions and con¦questes in these verses folowynge.

Impiger expauit rapidas transire per vndas Oceani Alcides: continuit{que} gradum. Maximus at Caesar, PLVS VLTRA tendere cur••um Ausus, et ignotis est dare iura locis. Et domita aurifera nunc victor gente reuersus, Caetera sub sceptro ponat vt ipse suo. Nam pater omnipotens vt famam terminet astris Iussit, et imperium fineat Oceano.

¶ An other also breefely hath declared the same in these verses.

Consortem Imperij voluit quia Iuppiter orbis. Astra Deo cedunt, Carole terra tibi.

And certes who so well considereth the progenie of kynges that in so shorte a time haue linially descended from Don Fer¦dinando, and howe many kyngedomes they possesse, may see that God hath fulfylled in hym also the promises and bles∣synges of Abraham,* 5.50 as to make hym the father of many nati¦ons, and his seede to growe great vpon the earth: Also that many kynges shulde come furth of his loynes, and to make a perpetuall league and conuenaunt with hym and his posteri∣tie to bee theyr god for euer. And here to omytte to speake of other: Was there euer better hope or more likenes then now, that these blessynges and promyses of god shulde continewe in this princely progenie, syth the vertues and felicitie of thē al doo so shyne and florisshe in owr noble and gratious prince kynge Phylyppe,* 5.51 to whom euen in his youth his father (oc∣cupied in the warres of Italye and Aphrike) commytted the hole gouernaunce of the kyngedomes of Spayne and the In∣dies. Of his behauour in Englande, his enemies (which can∣ker, vertue neuer lacked) They I say (if any such yet remaine) haue greatest cause to reporte well: ye so well, that yf his na∣turall

clemencie were not greater then was theyr vnnaturall indignation they knowe them selues what myght haue folow¦ed. The properties of ••ooles and wyse men are declared in these owld verses.

Quid stulti proprium? Non posse et velle nocere. Quid sapie••tis opus: Non velle et posse nocere.

That is to say: What is the propertie of a foole: To wyl to doo hurte and can not. What is the woorke of a wyse man? Not to wyll to hurte though he may. But whether he hath lacked poure or wyll, it is knowen to barbers and blere eyde men. Who lamented theyr folly more then he? Who more humbly admytted theyr sutes and supplications? Ye who ob¦teyned theyr pardon but he? Beynge a Lion he behaued hym selfe as a lambe,* 5.52 and strooke not his enemie hauynge the swoorde in his hande. Stoope Englande stoope, and learne to knowe thy lorde and master, as horses and other brute beastes are taught to doo. Be not indocible lyke Tygers and dragons, and such other monsters noyo••s to man kynde. God by the mouth of Isaias the prophet reproueth the Israelites that they knewe not so well theyr dewtie towarde hym as dyd the brute beastes the mangiers of theyr masters.* 5.53 The oxe and the asse (sayth he) knoweth the mangier of theyr master, but Israell knoweth not me. For shame let vs not be woorse then oxen and asses, & lyke vnto horses and mules in whom is no vnderstandynge. But O vnthankefull Englande and voyde of honest shame? Who hath geuen the the face of a hoore and toonge of a serpent withowt shame to speake venemous woordes in secreates ageynst the annoynted of god. O payn∣ted hoore that hast Chryste in thy mouth and the deuyl in thy harte. Hath not the pocke of thy licentiousnesse brus••e furth in maner to thyne owne destruction. Howe longe wylt thou nurysshe in thy boosome that serpente whose nature is to de∣uoure her moother? Take a vomyte in tyme least thy disease become vncurable. What neede I rehearse vnto the thy ma∣nyfolde infirmities and deformities whiche thou arte faulen into by thyne owne owtragiousnesse? If the greefes of them bee to thee vnsensible by reason of thy feeblenesse and longe sickenes, take vnto the that glasse wherin thou gloryest with the Iewe and thynkest that thou seest at thynges and ••••nst iudge all mysteries. Looke I say in that pure glasse and be∣holde

thy owne deformities, which thou canste not or wylt not feele. I feare greatly that if thou looke therein diligently and looke euen throughe thy selfe▪ thou wylte abhorre thy selfe to see howe many monsters lye hid in the vnder the shape of man.* 5.54 There is euen nowe great talke of the in the mouthes of all men that thou hast of late yeares brought furthe many monsters and straunge byrthes, wherof dyuers men make dy∣uers interpretacions more monstrous then the monsters theim selues. But shall I breefely and simply declare vnto thee the signification of thy monsters?* 5.55 Fyrst then consyder that they are monsters of mankynde and not of other beastes. Secunda∣rily marke well that in them al, the headde is perfect, so that the monstrosit••e groweth owt of the body, although not owt of the hole body but certeyne partes therof. But not to go to farre. Consyder ageyne that disorder of the partes is a defor¦mitie to the hole. One hath well interpreted that such mon∣strous byrthes signifie the monstrous and deformed myndes of the people mysshapened with phantastical opinions,* 5.56 disso∣lute lyuynge, licentious talke, and such other vicious beha∣uoures which monstrously deforme the myndes of men in the syght of god who by suche signes dooth certifie vs in what similitude we appere before hym, & thereby gyueth vs admo∣nition to amende before the day of his wrath and vengeance. What deformed beastes are more monstrous then lyinge, rebel¦lion, strife, contention, priuie malice, slaunderynge, mu••te∣rynge, conspiraces, and such other deuilysshe imaginations. But O Englande whyle tyme is gyuen thee, circumcise thy harte. Put to onely thy good wyll, and thou mayste fynde grace and fauoure to recouer thyne aunciente bewtie whiche hath so longe byn defaced.* 5.57 Thou haste nowe a kynge and queene that desyre thee to remember thy dewtie, and holde theyr armes abrode to embrase thee yf thou wylt drawe nere vnto them. They are sory to occupie the whyppe yf thou migh¦test otherwyse bee brought to obedience. But yf thou take pleasure to persist in frowarde stoobbernesse, knowe thou that they are Lions whelpes and conquerours of monsters wher∣of thou hast had suche experience, that proudely trustynge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thyne owne strengthe, and attemptynge lyke an other Nem∣roth to buylde a n••we towre of confu••••on, the woorkes of thy giantes were miraculously ouerthrowne by a woman who de∣liuered

thee from that captiuitie, whereby thou oughtesse to knowe the daungiour thou wast in, and bee thankefull to thy deliuerer. Beware therefore leaste whyle thou contemne the peaceable princes that god hath sent the, thou bee lyke vnto Isopes frogges to whō for theyr vnquietnesse, Iupiter sent a hearon to picke them in the hedes. Consider what benefi••es than mayst receaue at theyr handes if thou doo thy dewtie to∣warde them. Consyder ageyne that as they are able, so may thy gentelnesse make them wyllynge to recomp••nse the same. Stoppe thyne eares from vayne fables as from the inchaun∣tynge Mermaydes. For as manye speake of Robbyn Hoode and of his bowe that neuer shot therin, so doo fooles prate of such thynges as they knowe not. But O god? what phanta¦sies are nowe in the head••s of men? Howe ••edy they are to in∣uent lyes and tales? and of howe smaul sparkes they kyndle greate flames? Summe are so curious to fynde faute in other,* 5.58 that for lacke of iust matter woorthy reproche in them whom they desyre to depraue, they speake euyll of theyr parentes & kynred of whom they knowe as lyttle. And not so satisfyed they dispise and with lyinge disprayse theyr hole nation and countrey. Ye sum take such pleasure herein, that if they can fynde nought els to disprayse, they wyll fynde faute in suche as they fauour not, bycause they weare not theyr apparell as they doo, or perhappes are not so effeminate as they, or eate not as they eate, or fight not as they fyght, so parciall is the iudgenent of fooles in theyr owne rudenesse, thynkyng them selues the better for dispraysynge of other.* 5.59 Spayne is a beg∣gerly countrey sayth one: Themperour is but poore sayth an other: He is deade sayth an other: The Indies haue rebelled sayth an other, and eyther there commeth no more golde from thense, or there is no more founde nowe: with suche other false and licentious talke diuised by vnquiet braines in whose heades the hammers of sedition sease not to forge ingens of iniquiti••. If I shulde here answere to all these querels parti∣cularly and as the woorthynesse of the thynge requireth, I myght fynde matter sufficient to make a volume of iuste quan¦titie and perhappes be tedious to summe. Yet not to passe o∣uer so great a matter vntouched, and partely to stoppe the mouthes of suche impudence lyers, I haue thought good to speake sumwhat hereof. Fyrst therfore to speake of Spayne,* 5.60

& by the testimonie of oulde autours to declare the commodi∣ties therof: Plinie a graue & faythful autour, in the last boke & last chapiture of his natural history greatly commendynge Italy aboue al other contreys, giueth the second prayse vnto Spaine, aswel for al such thynges as in maner the heuen can geue & the earth brynge furth for the commoditie of this lyfe as also for the excellente wittes of men & Ciuile gouernaunce. Also Diodorus Siculus in the sixt booke of his Bibliotheca speakynge of Spayne (cauled of the Greekes Iberia) writeth that when in the mountaines named Pyrine•• thinhabitantes bu••nte vp the wooddes,* 5.61 there ranne owt of the mountaynes as it were dyuers streames of pure syluer molten by the heate of the fyre. But the estimation and price of syluer beinge at those dayes to them vnknowen, the Phenician marchauntes bought the same of them for thynges of smaule value: And caryinge it into Grecia, Asia, and other countreys, got great rychesse therby. For the desyre o•• gaynes (sayth he) so great∣ly moued the marchauntes, that when more syluer remayned then myght lade theyr shyppes, they tooke the leade frome theyr ankers, and put syluer in the place therof. The Pheni∣ces by this gaynes beinge made very ryche, dyd assigne many colonies both in Sicilie and the Ilandes there abowt, and also in Libya, Sardinia, and Iberia. But after many yeares when the Iberians (that is the Spaniardes) knewe the price of syluer, and applyed them selues to the seekynge of metals and founde great plentie of syluer, they obteyned greate ry∣ches therby forasmuch as in maner al that earth of the moun¦taynes is so replenysshed with syluer that it is a marueylous thynge to con••yder the nature of the region and the continual laboure of the woorkemen in those mynes. Lykewyse when afterwarde the Romans subdued the Iberians,* 5.62 the Italians which for the desyre of gaynes searched those metals, gotte great rychesse by the same. For they deputed to that laboure a multitude of bowght seruauntes, whiche searchynge the haynes of metals in dyuers places, and percyng the earth dy∣uers wayes for the space of many furlonges, browght furthe great plentie of golde and syluer. But the rychesse of these mynes was fyrst founde at such tyme as the Carthaginenses (the enemies of the Romane Empire) had the Iberians in sub¦iection:* 5.63 which was the cause that theyr poure afterwarde in∣creased.

For, with monye hyringe the best and moste expert•• souldiers, they kepte greuous warres ageynst theyr enemies. And not vsynge the ayde eyther of theyr owne souldiers or theyr associates, they were a terrour to the Romanes, Sici∣lians, and Libyans, whom they browght into great daungi∣our by reason they passed them al in abundaunce of golde and syluer. With better fortune therefore, and greater hope of gayne are ryche metals sought in Spayne, the goodnesse of whose soyle yeldeth cloddes of earth conteynynge much golde and syluer. And these be the very wordes of Diodorus Sicu¦lus, which the later wryters doo also confirme. For Iulius Solinus in his Polyhistor, compareth Spayne to the best con¦treys in plentie of grayne, vyttayles, oyle, syluer, golde, and Iron. Likewyse Strabo, Statius, and Claudius, do no lesse commende it. It were to longe here to speake of the greate plentie of fine woolles lyttle inferiour vnto owrs: also abun∣daunce of sugar,* 5.64 vines, pome granates, limondes, and oran¦gies in such plentie that they suffice not only Spayne, but al∣so in maner all Europe: whereas the apples and crabbes of Englande are scarsely able to serue it selfe. And althowghe here summe wyll obiecte, that they lacke corne, woodde, and certeyne other thynges, yet are theyr commodities so greate otherwyse, that al such thynges are browght them owt of o∣ther countreys for theyr wares: and that in such plentie, that they are there better chepe then euer they were in Englande sence the signe of the steeple the poore mans Inne was pulled downe in all places.* 5.65 Summe for lacke of other matter, fynde greate faute that in trauaylynge in Spayne, men shalbe ser∣ued with halfe a henne, and go to the cookes for theyr meate and to the tauerne for theyr drynke. And what then I praye yow? What inconuenience enseweth hereof? Is it not better so to doo then to pay thryse for one thinge as is the maner to doo in summe of owre Innes and in tauernes where all that eate roste meate are beaten with the spitte, as where they that of late in Barthelmewe fayre payde fortie pense for a pygge, where the good man of the house was not a shamed to make his vaunte that he had made foure shyllynges of a pygge, and had in one day taken foure pounde for pygges. But if I shuld here particularly and at large declare howe Englande is in fewe yeares decayed and impouerysshed,* 5.66 and howe on the

contrary parte Spayne is inryched, I shulde perhappes dis∣please more in descrybyng the myserie of the one, then please other in expressynge the florysshynge state of the other, which by all reason is lyke dayly to increase, aswell for the great ry¦chesse that are yearely browght thyther from the Indies, as also for the ryche syluer mynes that are founde of late in Spayne in the countrey of Asturia as I was credably infor∣med by the woorthy and lerned gentelman Augustinus de Ce∣ratta,* 5.67 Contador (that is) the auditour of the kynges myntes who had longe before byn surueyoure of the golde mynes of Peru,* 5.68 and browght from thense and from Rio de Plata .xiii. thousand pounde weyght of syluer which was coyned to the kinges vse in the towre of London where neuer so much hath byn seene at once as suche as haue byn owlde officers in the mynte doo affirme. What shulde I heare speake of the golde which themperours maiestie receaueth frome all the Indies,* 5.69 wheras onely in the two meltynge shoppes of the gold mines of the Ilande of Hispaniola, is molten yearely three hun∣dreth thousande pounde weyght of .viii. vnces to the pound, wherof the fyfte parte is dewe vnto hym, whiche amounteth to three score thousande weyght yearely. Yet doo I not here speake of the golde mines of the other Ilandes and the firme lande reachynge .viii. thousande myles from the north to the south: Neyther of the ryche Ilandes of the south sea cauled Mare del Sur,* 5.70 where the kynge of one lyttle Ilande named Tararequl, Margaritea, or de las Perlas, lying in the goulfe of Saynt Michael, payeth yearely for his tribute a hundreth pounde weight of perles: Neyther yet of the fyfte parte of o∣ther thynges, as precious stones, brasile, gossampine cotton, spices, and dyuers other thynges, wheras also the ryche I∣landes caused the Maluchas perteyne to the inheritaunce of Castile,* 5.71 althowgh the kynge of Portugale enioy them for cer∣teyne yeares by composition. But the Indies haue rebelled (say they) and there commeth no more golde from thense. But what if summe of them haue rebelled? dooth it therby folowe that there commeth no more gold from the other that lyue vn¦der obedience? But if thou wylte say that they haue al rebel∣led at once, thou must proue that thou sayest eyther by hysto∣rie or wytnesse of such as know the truth herof, as I (hauing made diligent searche for the same) am able to proue the con∣trarie,

and that suche talke is onely imagined by busie head∣des. Ageyne: what if they haue rebelled in summe prouin∣ces? dooth it folowe that they maye not ageyne be browght vnder subiection as were oftentymes the prouinces of the Ro∣manes and as were in owre dayes dyuers countreys of Eng∣lande whiche haue byn sore afflicted with that plage. But whether the sandes of the ryuers and the mountaynes of the Indies bee so emptied with golde that no more can be founde there, I thinke it here superfluous to answere to this obiecti∣on, forasmuch as it is hereafter confuted in the booke of me∣tals where yow shall fynde by experience that metals growe and increase, and that after certeyne yeares, suche owlde ca∣ues of the mynes as haue byn dygged, are ageyne replenys∣shed with vre: Also that the sprynges of suche mountaynes turnynge theyr course and breakynge furth in other places, brynge with them greate plentie of such golden sande as is founde in the ryuers into the which they faule. What impu∣dencie is it therfore with woordes of reproche to caule hym poore whose poure is so greate, his treasure so infinite, and his doinges so chargeable, that I beleeue that when so euer it please almyghtie God to caule hym frome this lyfe to the greate domage of all Chrystendome, it shalbe harde to fynde an other that shall in all poyntes bee so well able to supplye that roome and maynteyne thimperiall dignitie. Let al honest natures therfore learne to speake well of princes accordynge to the sentence De Principibus nil nisi bonum, forasmuch as they are the ministers of god who hath theyr hartes in his hande and ruleth the same as seemeth beste vnto hym. For there is no poure neyther good nor badde, but of god: and he that resy∣steth or speaketh euyll of the poure, resisteth and speaketh euyll of god. Thou shalt not speake euyll of the prince or ru∣ler of thy people saith saint Paule.

But wheras nowe by the poure of Neptunus (I wot nere with what wynde) I haue byn dryuen thus farre from my na∣uigations,* 5.72 I haue though•• good to turne my sayles and to folowe the ordinarie course which I beganne, and by thex∣emple of this woorthy capitayne kynge Ferdinando, encou∣rage al other to theyr poure to attempte the lyke vyages: As touchynge the which in fewe woordes to declare my opyny∣on, if any man s••ulde as••e me what I thynke these thinges

wyll growe to in tyme, I wyll answere as dooth the autoure of this booke, that when I consyder howe farre owre poste∣ritie shall see the Christian religion enlarged, I am not able with tounge or penne to expresse what I conceaue hereof in my mynd. Yet one thyng I see which enforceth me to speake & lament, that the haruest is so great & the workemen so few. The Spanyardes haue shewed a good exemple to all Chrysti∣an nations to folowe. But as god is great and woonderfull in all his woorkes, so besyde the portion of lande perteynyng to the Spanyardes (beinge eyght tymes bygger then Italye as yowe maye reade in the laste booke of the seconde Decade) and beside that which perteineth to the Portugales,* 5.73 there yet remayneth an other portion of that mayne lande reachynge towarde the northeast, thought to be as large as the other, and not yet knowen but only by the sea coastes, neyther inha∣byted by any Christian men: whereas neuerthelesse (as wry∣te••h Gemma Phrisius) in this lande there are many fayre and frutefull regions, hygh mountaynes, and fayre ryuers, with abundaunce of golde and dyuers kyndes of beastes. Also cities and towres so wel buylded and people of such ciuilitie, that this parte of the worlde seemeth lyttle inferiour to owre Europe, if thinhabitauntes had receaued owre religion. They are wytt••e people and refuse not barterynge with straungers. These regiōs are cauled Terra Florida and Regio Baccalea∣rum or Bacchallaos of the which yow may reade sumwhat in this booke in the vyage of the woorthy owlde man yet lyuing Sebastiane Cabote,* 5.74 in the .vi. booke of the thyrde Decade.* 5.75 But Cabote touched only in the north corner and most barba¦rous parte hereof,* 5.76 from whense he was repulsed with Ise in the moneth of Iuly. Neuerthelesse, the west and south partes of these regions haue sence byn better searched by other, and founde to bee as we haue sayde before. The chiefe citie in the southwest partes of these regions, is cauled Temixtetan, or Mexico in maner vnder the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri, and s••rongely defended by the nature of the place.* 5.77 For it standeth in a very great lake hauynge abowt it innumerable bridges, and buyldynges to be compared to the woorkes of Dedalus. Th••nhabitaun••es also can wryte and reade. Summe wryters connecte th••s lande to the firme lande of Asia: But the truth hereof is not yet knowen. And althoughe the Spanyardes

haue certeyne colonies in that part of this lande that is nowe cauled Noua Hispania, yet are the people for the moste parte Idolatours. Howe much therfore is it to be lamented, and howe greatly dooth it sounde to the reproche of all Christen∣dome, and especially to such as dwell nerest to these landes (as we doo) beinge muche nearer vnto the same then are the Spanyardes (as within .xxv. dayes saylinge and lesse) howe muche I saye shall this sounde vnto owre reproche and inex∣cusable slothfulnesse and negligence bothe before god and the worlde, that so large dominions of such tractable people and pure gentiles, not beinge hytherto corrupted with any other false religion (and therefore the easyer to bee allured to em∣brase owres) are nowe knowen vnto vs, and that we hau•• no respecte neyther for goddes cause nor for owre owne com∣moditie to attempte summe vyages into these coastes, to doo for owr partes as the Spaniardes haue doone for theyrs, and not euer lyke sheepe to haunte one trade, and to doo nothynge woorthy memorie amonge men or thankes before god, who maye herein woorthely accuse vs for the slackenesse of owre dewtie towarde hym. Saynt Paule the doctoure of the gen∣tiles (to whose Apostelshippe also these newe gentiles doo perteine) was of such zeale toward the Iewes whom god had reiected,* 5.78 that he wysshed hym selfe to bee accursed of god for theyr sakes. He went from Damascus to Arabie, preached the gospell in Grecia, came prisoner to Rome, was scourged and stoned, and suffered thryse shypwracke, what then thinke yow he wold do if he were now aliue? Is it to be thought that he wolde not aduenture .xxv. dayes saylynge to come to such a marte of soules in such redinesse to bee easely obteyned? I beleue verely that neyther death, nor the deuyll, nor Leuia∣than, nor the worlde, shulde let hym but that he wolde geue thonset ageynst them all in hope of victorie by hym by whom he sayth he can doo all thynges. He was not negligent in his office nor ignorant of his rewarde, but trusted to the promesse of him that sayde by the mouth of the prophet Isai:* 5.79 Of them that shalbe saued, I wyl sende sum to the gentyles in the sea, into Aphrike and Libia, Italie, and Grecia, and into the I∣landes a farre of, to thē that haue not harde of me, and haue not seene my glorie. The like zeale that Paule had, and pro∣ceadynge of the same spirite, hath euer sence Chrystes tyme,

moued not only the Apostles, but also many other famous and godly men (as superuisours of his testamente) to sende owte preachers into dyuers partes of the worlde to shewe furth the gladde tydynge of the gospell. By this zeale dyd Gregorye bysshoppe of Rome and fyrste of that name,* 5.80 when he sawe Englysshe mens chyldren in Rome and asked what nation they were, when answere was made hym in the laten tounge that they were Angli, (that is, Englysshe men) he sayd (allu∣dyng to the similitude of the worde) that they myght wel be cauled Angeli, that is, Angels:* 5.81 Meanyng therby that lyke as god had done his part in geuyng them bodies of natural bew¦tie and comelynesse, so it apperteyned to his office beinge the cheefe pastoure of goddes flocke, to prouyde that theyr soules might be made woorthy to inhabite such bodies and the hole nation consecrated vnto god by baptisme. For he sayde fur∣thermore: It is meete that vnto these also, the gospell of life bee preached: And hereuppon immediatly sent preachers into Englande whereby the hole nation was in shorte tyme conuer¦ted to Christes faith,* 5.82 although sum had receaued the gospell longe before euen from Chrystes tyme by the preachyng of Io¦seph of Arimathia who asked the body of Chryste of Pilote, and buryed it reuerently. I wolde to god that there were now many mo such Gregories in the worlde: And that there might lyke zeale and gentelnesse bee founde in vs Englysshe men to∣warde other nations, as we haue founde in other towarde vs. Owre predicessoures were not vtterlye vnmyndefull of these benefites, but applyed them selues lykewise to spreade the gospell in other nations. For Uadianus in his booke De tribus terrae partibus, wryteth, that more then seuen hundrethe yeares after the death of Chryste, one Unefride an Englysshe man and bysshoppe of Mogunce (nowe cauled Mense) was the fyrste that tawght the fayth of Chryste amonge the Ger∣maynes,* 5.83 at such tyme as the Frankes and Almaynes had pas¦sed ouer the ryuers of Rhene and Danubius, and by puttynge the garrysons of the Romans to flight, had possessed a great parte of theyr moste no••able prouinces. For albeit that these rude and barbarous nations then accustomed onely to warre and robberie did hardly admitte that holsome doctrine at the beginning. Yet by the pollic••e and wisedome of the Frankes, it came so to passe that in maner through owt all Germanie,

greate increase of the Christian religion folowed there moste ample victories, as the lyke successe is also seene in these bar¦barous nations subdued by the Spanyardes. Whereby it is apparent, that although sum holde opinion that none owght to bee compelled to the faythe,* 5.84 yet we see by experience that withowt disputynge of opinions (leste the pacientes shulde dye before the phisitians agree of the remedie) these enterpri¦ses haue taken good effect to the great glory of god who cau¦leth men vnto hym by dyuers meanes and at dyuers ages of the declinynge worlde, otherwyse nowe then in the tyme of Chryste and his Apostles when the poure of miracles was gi∣uen vnto men to confirme the newe fayth which had yet pre∣uailed no where in the worlde.* 5.85 Albeit, I beleue verely, that if we wolde take the matter in hande accordyngly, god wolde not forget to ayde vs with miracles if it shuld so be requ••site, as yowe may reade in this booke howe he wrought miracles by the fayth of a simple mariner euen in thinfancie of faythe.* 5.86 And suerlye, lyke as there is no cause why we shulde anye thynge doubte of goddes goodnesse in this behalfe if the faue be not in owre selues. Euen so, if we wolde fyrste sette owre handes to the plowe, we ought to hope that he wolde giue encrease and woorke with vs as he hath doone with other, by whose prosperous successe we may plainely see that it was his wyll that suche thynges shulde go forwarde. For euen Israell to whom promesse was made by signes and miracles that they shulde possesse the lande to thinheritaunce wherof,* 5.87 the sea opened it selfe to giue them free passage, yet were they commaunded by the poure of the swoorde to make way, with greate losse and slaughter of men and by force of armes to ob¦teyne the lande promysed to theyr fathers, whiche neuerthe∣lesse fewe of them possessed that first fought for the same, but lefte theyr carkeses in the wildernesse. Is it not also written of the Iuwes which repayred the walles of the citie of Hieru¦salem after theyr captiuitie in Babilon,* 5.88 that Nehemias theyr capitaine set the people in order with swoordes, speares, and bowes to defende the woorkemen? And that also euen the Princes of Iuda wrought vppon the walles and caried bur¦dens? lykewyse that they wrought with one hande and held theyr swoordes in the other? And if it were lawful for Isra∣ell accordynge to the flesshe, to vse all meanes and pollicies

to buylde vp the walles of earthly Hierusalem, howe muche more then ought the spirituall Israelites to vse all possible meanes to buylde vp the walles and temples of spirituall Hie¦rusalem,* 5.89 whose fundation is Christe, wyllynge all the nati∣ons of the worlde to bee buylded vppon the same. It is the propertie of a wyse buylder to vse such tooles as the woorke requireth. And not at all tymes or in all woorkes to vse one toole. For that that serueth in softe tymber, wyll not serue in knottie pieces, nor yet for stones. Thexpert phisitian vseth v••hement remedies for desperate diseases: And cunninge sur¦gians vse burnynge and cuttynge if the case so require, as in cuttynge of the fynger to saue the hande, or in cuttyng of the hande to saue the hole body. Ye it hath sumtymes so chaun¦sed that wheras men haue entēded hurt, there hath good pro∣ceaded therof in fine: As he that wolde haue slaine Prome∣theus, wounded his wenne with his swoorde, whereby he was healed of that disease. So is god able to turne euyll in∣to good, and to make thynges that are not, as thynges that are. Euen so although summe wyll obiecte that the desyre of golde was the chiefe cause that moued the Spanyard••s and Portugales to searche the newe founde landes, trewly albeit we shulde admitte it to bee the chiefe cause, yet dooth it not folowe that it was the only cause, forasmuch as nothyng let∣teth but that a man may bee a warrier or a marchaunte, and also a Christian. Therefore what so euer owre chiefe intente bee, eyther to obteyne worldely fame or rychesse, (althoughe the zeale to encrease Christian religion ought ch••efly to moue vs) I wolde to god we wolde fyrst attempte the matter: And then I doubte not but that it wolde so comme to passe with vs as it dyd with them who of longe time after the beginning of the worlde before menne were accustomed to eate flesshe, thought it first sufficient so to vse them selues amonge beastes that they were not hur••e of them: but shortly after, vsed them for theyr commoditie: Then begunne to weare theyr skinnes: And in fine, fell to eatynge of theyr flesshe, and to vse certeine partes of thē for remedies ageinst diseases. Euen so may these barbarians by the only conuersation with the Christians, (al∣though they were enforced therto) be brought to such famili∣aritie with ciuilitie and vertue, that not onely we maye take greate commoditie thereby, but they may also herewith

imbibe trewe religion as a thing accidental although neyther they nor we shulde seeke the same. For lyke as they that goo much in the soonne, are coloured therewith although they go not for that purpose, So may the conuersation of the Christi¦ans with the gentyles induce theym to owre religion,* 5.90 where there is no greater cause of contrarye to resyste as is in the Iuwes and Turkes who are alredy drowned in theyr confir∣med erroure. But these simple gentiles lyuinge only after the lawe of nature, may well bee lykened to a smoothe and bare table vnpainted, or a white paper vnwritten, vpon the which yow may at the fyrst paynte or wryte what yow lyste, as yow can not vppon tables alredy paynted, vnlesse yow rase or blot owt the fyrste formes. They may also theslyer bee allured to the Christian fayth,* 5.91 for that it is more agreable to the lawe of nature then eyther the cerimonious lawe of Moises, or por¦tentous fables of Mahometes Alcharon. If we were therfore as desyrous to enlarge the fayth of Chryste as to seeke world∣ly gooddes, why do we deferre to aduenture that wherin we may doo bothe. We muste not nowe looke for a newe Paule or doctoure of the gentiles to bee conuerted by heauenly reue∣lations: Or for a newe Moises to leade men through the sea: Or for an Angel to cary men in the ayer from one place to an other as Habacucke the prophete was caryed by the heare of his heade from Iudea to Babilon: Or as Phylippe thappo∣stle was caryed by the spirite from Gaza to Azotus: but muste (as sayth the prophete Isaias) euery man exhorte his neygh∣boure,* 5.92 and bid his broother be of good chere: That the ma∣son and carpenter may buylde togyther, and say to the glewe or cemente, it is good and faste byndynge. What negligence and slackenesse hath hytherto byn in Christian men in this kynde of buyldynge of goddes lyuely temple, the great clerke Erasmus hath declared in his booke intiteled Ecclessiastes, whose woordes for the woorthynesse of the autoure, I haue here thowght good to rehearse as they are wrytten by hym in the laten tounge in the fyrhe booke of the sayde woorke. He wryteth therfore as foloweth.

Audimus quotidianas queremonias deplorantiū col¦lapsā Christianā religionē,* 5.93 eam{que} ditionē quae quon¦dam complexa est vniuersum terrarum orbem, in

has angustias esse contractam Hoc igitur quibus ex animodolet, eos decet ardentibus assiduis{que} votis flagitare a Christo vt operarios dignetur mittere in messem suam, aut (vt melius dicam) seminatores mit¦tere in segetem suam. Deum immortalem, quantum in orbe patet agrorum in quibus aut non dum iactū est semen Euangelicum, aut ita iactum est, vt plus sit zizaniarum quam tritici. Orbis minima pars est Europa: Omnium florentissima pars est Graecia et Asia minor in quam magno successu primum a Iu∣daea demigrauit Euangelium. At haec fere tota, non∣ne tenetur a Mahumetanis et ijs qui Christi nomen habent inuisum? Iam in Asia maiore quae latissime pater, quid obsecro nostrum est? quum ipsa Palesti∣na vnde primo eff••uxit lux Euangelica, seruiat Allo∣phylis? In Aphrica vero quid nostrum est? Nec du¦bitandum est quin in tanta vastitate regionum sint populi rudes et simplices qui facile possent ad Chri∣stum alici, si mitterentur qui facerent bonam semen∣tem. Quid quod quotidie regiones hactenus in∣cognitae reperiuntur, feruntur{que} superesse quo nul∣lus adhuc nostratium peruenit. Omitto nunc infi∣nitam Iudaeorum vim nobis admixtam: omitto plu¦rimos qui titulo Christi tegunt Ethnicos: omitto tantas schismaticorum et haereticorum phalanges. Quantus in his esset prouentus Christo, si guaui ac

fideles mitterētur operarij qui iaciant semen bonum, qui reuellant zizaniam, qui plantent plantulas bo∣nas, malas exterpent, qui extruant domum Dei, de∣moliantur structuras non innitentes petrae Christo, deni{que} qui metant maturam segetem, sed Christo me¦tant non sibi, et animas Domino colligant, non o∣pes sibi. Nuper Aethiopiae rex quem vulgus appel∣lat Presteian,* 5.94 per oratorem suum submisit se sedi Ro¦manae, non nihil expostulans cum pontifice quod ea gens quum a fide Christi non sit aliena, tam diu fuerit a tocius orbis pastore neglecta. Quidam viri boni, et propagandae religionis studiosi, queruntur Pilapios Scythiae septentrionalis populum mire sim¦plicem ac rudem,* 5.95 a nescio quibus principibus Chri∣stianis teneri ditione, sed ita duro premi iugo huma∣no, vt eis non imponatur suaue iugum Christi, at{que} ita spoliari bonis externis, vt non ditentur opibus euangelicis. Pulcherrimum, Deo{que} gratissimum e∣rat dare potius quā accipere ijs quos studemus Chri¦sto lucrifacere, ac sic eos in ditionem nostram recipe∣re vt gaudeant se subiectos esse principibus sub quo∣rum imperio commodius degant quam ante dege∣bant. Nouimus cicutare bestias feras et horribiles, vel ad voluptatem, vel ad vsum vulgarem: et non nouimus mansuefacere homines vt seruiant Christo? Monarchae alunt qui doceant elephantos ad saltan∣dum,

qui doment leones ad lus••m, qui doment lynces et leopardos ad venatum: et monarcha ecclesiae non inuenit quo homines alliciat ad amabile Christi ser∣uicium? Scio vix vllam reperiri beluam domitu diffi∣ciliorem quam est Iudaeus obstinatus, et obduratus haereticus: quanquam nullum est animal tam immi¦te quod non cicuretur beneficentia et suauitate. Ere∣pertis regionibus euehitur aurum et g••mmae: Sed triumpho dignius erat illuc inuehere Christianam sapientiam auro preciosiorem, ac margaritum euan∣gelicum quod omnibus diuenditis benae compara∣tur. Dominus iubet suis rogare dominum messis vt extrudat operarios quod messis esset ampla, ope∣rarij pauci. Non minus opus est nunc rogare deū vt in tam late patentes agros eijciat operarios, Sed excusant omnes, alius aliud.* 5.96 Atqui Christiana di∣tio tot habet myriadas Franciscanorum in quibus probabile est quamplurimos esse qui vere flagrant igni seraphico: nec pauciores sunt myriades Domi∣nicanorum, et in his consentaneum est permultos esse Cherubici spiritus.* 5.97 Ex his cohortibus eligantur viri, mundo vere mortui, Christo viui, qui syncere a∣pud barbaras gentes doceant verbum Dei. Excusa∣tur linguae imperitia.* 5.98 Atqui principes ob humanas legationes inueniunt qui varias linguas perdiscant: Et Themistocles Athenienses vno anno sic didicit* 5.99

sermonem Asiaticum vt abs{que} interprete cum rege lo qui posset: An idem non studebimus in tam sublimi negocio? Inter barbaras et ignotas nationes Aposto liinuenerunt victum et amictum: et Deus pollicitus est nihil defuturum quaerentibus regnum Dei. Nec miracula quidem defutura sunt si res postulet, modo ad sit syncera fides cum seraphica charitate. &c.

Furthermore Damianus a Goes,* 5.100 wryteth in his booke De de∣ploratione Lappianae gentis, that he was the fyrst that moued Eras∣mus to speake sumwhat hereof: And that he (Erasmus I meane) was determined to write a iust volume of this matter yf he had not byn preuented by death. Albeit (sayth Damia∣nus) in his booke entiteled Ecclesiastes, he dyd not keepe si∣lence of so wicked an vngodlynesse, whiche surely is suche, that it may in maner make all Christian men (and especiallye such vnto whom god hath gyuen poure and knowleage) giltie of so heyghnous a crime,* 5.101 that he may take vengeance of them in the day of iudgement before the iuste iudge Chryst. Nowe therfore (sayth he) let the Christian Monarches take heede what accoumpte they shall make before the tribunal of Chryste at the laste day, when neyther fauoure, nor pardon, or flatte∣rie can take place to bee any excuse for the losse of so manye soules. And these be the very woordes of the woorshipful and lerned man Damianus a Goes, wrytten to the bysshoppe of Rome Paule the thyrde of that name, whom he further char∣geth to looke diligently hereunto, as a thynge moste chiefely perteynynge to the office of Christian prelates. Mee thynke verely that the sheepe of Europe shulde by this tyme be so well fedde,* 5.102 that they shulde by good reason be so stronge and migh¦tie in Christes religion (excepte they be infected with the dy∣sease which the phisitians caule Cachexia, beinge an euyl dis¦position of the body whereby the more they are fed the worse they lyke) that many sheppardes myght well bee spared to bee sent to other sheepe which ought to be of the same foulde. For this purpose the doctoure of diuinitie when he commenseth,* 5.103 hath his scapular cast ouer his headde in token that he hathe

forsaken the worlde for Christes sake: And his bootes on his legges in token that he shall euer bee in a redinesse to go for∣warde in preachynge the gospell, as I doubte not there bee many in Englande wolde gladly doo euen amonge these new gentyles if they were therto mainteyned by the ayde of the se∣cular poure as in this case it shalbe requisite for the furniture of necessaries hereunto apperteynynge,* 5.104 I must nowe therfore appele vnto yow, yow riche men and rulers of the worlde, to whom god hath giuen gooddes as thynges neyther good nor badde of them selues, but onely as they are vsed wel or euil. If yowe vse them well, they are the gyftes of god wherwith yow may doo many thynges acceptable both to god and men. And if yow vse them otherwyse, yowe possesse not them, but they possesse yow, and theyr canker and ruste (as saythe the Apostle) shalbe a testimonie ageinst yow in the day of the great audit. Thinke not therfore that this thynge perteyneth not vnto yowe, if yowe perteyne vnto Christe and looke to haue any parte with hym. Consyder with yowre selues if it were onely to get worldely ryches, howe redye and greedy yowe wolde bee to venture a greate deale to get a thyrde part, with owt castynge of any perell by lande or by sea, as the wyttie poet Horase hath in fewe wordes descrybed the marchauntes desyre and aduentures to obteyne rychesse.* 5.105

Impiger extremos currit mercator ad Indos, Per mare pauperiem fugiens, per saxa, per ignes. The which verses are thus much to say in effecte. The marchaunt in hope greate rychesse to fynde, By fyer and by water passeth to Inde, By the burnte line or Equinoctiall, To flye from pouertie and hasarde al

As the poet hath in these verses, by the marchaunt declared the desyre that couetous men haue to obteyne slippery riches, the lyke affection to obteyne worldly fame and honour,* 5.106 maye we see in valiant and noble capitaynes in the warres where they contende to put them selues forwarde to the moste daun∣gerous aduenture as to haue the forewarde of the battayle: a token surely of much nobilitie and manly corage. But oh im∣mortall god? Is it not to bee lamented that men can be so va∣lient, slowte, and in maner desperate in theyr owne priuate

matters, perteynyng onely to theyr bodies, and yet so coulde, negligent,* 5.107 and fearefull in goddes cause and thynges tou∣chynge the health of theyr soules? If there were neyther de∣uyll nor lawe to accuse men before god in this case, shall not theyr owne consciences bee a lawe of condemnation ageynste theym in that they haue not shewed that loue to mankynde, which the very lawe of nature moueth brute beastes to shewe one to an other in theyr generations? But what hope is there (excepte god wolde in maner by myracle conuerte the hartes of such men) what hope is there I say, that they wyll depart with any of theyr gooddes, muche lesse aduenture theyr bo∣dies, to the furtheraunce of Christes religion in these regions beinge so farre from them, wheras many shewe lyttle loue, cha¦ritie, or liberalitie (if not rather cruelt••e, tyrannie, and op∣pression) to theyr poore neighbours and brootherne dwelling euen at home at theyr owne elbowes. But as this couetous∣nesse is to bee reproued, so is the liberalitie of such to be com¦mended as haue byn at greate coaste and charges in settynge forwarde suche viages: wherein not onely the marchauntes of London, but also diuers noble men and gentelmen as well of the counsayle as other,* 5.108 which bothe with theyr money and furtheraunce otherwyse haue furnysshed and sent furth cer∣teyne shyppes for the discouerynge of such landes and regions as were heretofore vnknowen, haue herein deserued immor∣tall fame, for as much as in such attemptes and daungerous vyages, they haue shewed no smaule liberalitie vppon vncer∣teyne hope of gayne: wherein they haue deserued so much the greater prayse as theyr intent seemed to bee rather to further honest en••erprises then for respecte of vantage. And here cer¦teynely in the mention of these viages I myght seeme vngra∣tefull if I shulde omitte to giue dewe commendations to the two chiefe capitaynes of the same as the woorthy knyght syr Hugh Wylloby and the excellent pilotte Rycharde Chaunce∣ler who haue therein aduentured theyr lyues for the commo∣ditie of theyr countrey:* 5.109 Men doubtlesse woorthye for theyr noble attemptes to bee made knightes of the Ocean or other∣wyse preferred if euer god sende them home ageyne although they fayle of theyr purpose. For as suche haue obteyned abso¦lute glory that haue browght great thynges to passe,* 5.110 so haue they deserued immortall fame which haue only attempted the

same: forasmuch as fortune (who sumtymes fauoureth the vnworthyest) is not in the poure of man. Xerses obteyned glo¦rie in makynge a bridge ouer the sea Hellespontus ioynynge Europe to Asia, and Darius ouer Bosphorus when he passed with his armye towarde the Scythians. No lesse fame and commendation (although not lyke glory) deserued Demetrius, Cesar, Calligula, and Seleucus Nicanor, whiche attempted to cutte in sundre certeyne places cauled) Isthmi, (beinge na∣rowe portions of lande so diuidynge twoo seas, that there is no passage from the one to the other) and yet neuer finisshed that they tooke in hande, beinge hyndered eyther by deathe,* 5.111 warres, or other chaunces. The auncient Romans & Greekes gaue such glorye vnto them that had eyther well deserued of the common welthe, or otherwyse attempted such great enter¦prises as might bee profitable for mankynde, that after theyr death they caused Images of golde, syluer, brasse, Iuery, and marble to bee made to theyr lykenesse, and the same to be pla¦ced in theyr solemne haules, palaices, or temples, with cer∣teyne verses made to the comnendation of them whom the I∣mages represented. And th••s no lesse to prouoke and enco∣rage other forwarde natures to themula••ion of their vertues, then al••o to geue them the due honoure of theyr iust desertes. And surely if ••uer sence the begynnynge of the worlde any en¦terpryse haue deserued greate prayse as a thynge atchyued by men of heroicall vertue, doubtlesse there was neuer any more woorthy commendation and admiration then is that wh••che owre nation haue attempted by the north seas to discouer the mightie and riche empire of Cathay,* 5.112 by wh••ch vyage not on∣ly golde, syluer, precious stones, and spices, may be browght hether by a safer and shorter way, but also much greater mat∣ters may hereof en••ewe in tyme if it shall please God to gyue vnto Christian men such passage into those regions, whereby such familiaritie may further growe betwene the Christiā prin¦ces of Europe and the greate emperoure of Cathay, that (as wryteth Haytho De societate Christianorum et Tartarorum) there can nothynge be imagined more effectuall for the confusion of the Turke if the great Cham of Cathay and the Sophie of Per∣sia on the one syde,* 5.113 and the Christian Princes on the other syde, shulde with one consent inuade his dominions, as dyd Tamburlanes Themperoure of the Tartars who abowte the* 5.114

yeare of Christe .M.CCC.lxxxxviii. toke prisoner Baiasetes Ottomanus Themperoure of the Turkes and slewe .xx. thou∣sande of his men in one battayle besyde many other great vic∣tories, as yowe may further reade in this booke in the hysto∣rie of Paulus Iouius. And to haue sayde thus muche in ma∣ner of a preface it may suffice.

¶ To the moste noble Prince and Catholike kynge, Charles, Peter Martyr of Angleria wysheth perpetuall felicitie.

THe diuine prouidence, frome the tyme that he fyrste created the worlde, hathe reserued vnto this day the knowleage of the great and large Ocean sea:* 6.1 In the which tyme he hath opened the same, chiefely vnto yowe (moste mightie Prince) by the good fortune and happie suc∣cesse of yowr grandfather by yowr mothers syde. The same prouidence (I knowe not by what destenie) hath brought me owt of my natiue countrey of Milane, and owt of the citie of Rome (where I continued almost .x. yeares) into Spaine, that I myght particularlye collecte, these marueylous and newe thynges, which shoulde otherwyse perhappes haue line drow¦ned in the whirlepoole of obliuion: forasmuch as the Spany∣ardes (men woorthy greate commendation) had onely care to the generall inuentions of these thynges. Notwithstandinge, I doo not chalenge vnto me only, the thankes of the trauaile bestowed herein, wheras the chiefe rewarde therof is due to Ascanius vicounte Cardinal,* 6.2 who perceauynge that I was wylling to departe owt of the citie to be present at the warres of Granatum,* 6.3 dissuaded me from my purpose. But seing that I was fully resolued to departe, exhorted and required me to wryte vnto hym such newes as were famous in Spayne and woorthy to be noted. I tooke therfore my iorney into Spaine chiefely for the desyre I had to see thexpedition whiche was prepared ageynst the enemies of the fayth: forasmuche as in Italye, by reason of the dissention amonge the Princes, I coulde fynde nothynge wherewith I myght feede my wytte, beinge a younge man desyrous of knowleage and experience of thynges. I was therefore presente at the warres: frome whense I writte to Cardinal Ascanius, and by sundry epistels

certifyed hym of such thynges as I thought moste woorthye to be put in memorie. But when I perceaued that his fortun•• was turned from a naturall moother to a steppedame, I cea∣sed from wrytynge. Yet after I sawe, that by thouerthrowe of the enemies of owre faythe, Spayne was pourged of the Moores as of an euyll weede plucked vp by the rootes, Leaste I shulde bestowe my slippery yeares in vnprofitable Idlenesse I was mynded to returne to Italie. But the singuler benig∣nitie of bothe the Catholyke kynge and queene nowe depar∣ted, and theyr large promises towarde me vppon my returne frome my legacie of Babilon, deteyned me frome my purpose.* 6.4 Yet dooth it not repent me that I drewe backe my foote: As∣wel for that I see in no other place of the worlde at this time the lyke woorthy thinges to bee done: As also that in maner throwgh owt all Italy, by reason of the discorde of the Chri∣stian Princes, I perceaued all thynges to runne headelonge into ruine,* 6.5 the countreys to be destroyed and made fatte with humane bludde: The cities sacked, virgines and matrones with theyr gooddes and possessions caried away as capt••ues and miserable innocentes without offence to be slayne vnar∣med within theyr owne houses. Of the which calamities,* 6.6 I dyd not onely heare the lamentable owtcryes, but dyd also feele the same. For euen the bludde of mine owne kinsfolkes and frendes, was not free from that crueltie. As I was ther¦fore musynge with my selfe of these thynges, the Cardinal of Arragonie, after that he had seene the two fyrste bookes of my Decades wrytten to Ascanius, required me in the name of kynge Frederike his vncle,* 6.7 to put foorth the other eyght epistell bookes, In the meane tyme also, while I was voyde of all care as touchynge the matters of the Ocean, the Apo∣stolicall messengers of the bysshopppe of Rome Leo the tenth,* 6.8 (by whose holsome counsayle and autoritie we truste the cala∣mities of Italy shalbe fynysshed) raysed me as it were frome sleape, and encoraged me to proceade as I had begunne. To his holynesse I writte two Decades cōprysed in short bokes after the maner of epistels, and added them to the fyrst, which was printed withowt myne aduise, as shall further appeare by the preface folowynge. But nowe I returne to yow (most noble Prince) from whom I haue sumwhat digressed.* 6.9 Ther∣fore wheras yowr graundefathers by yowre moothers syde,

haue subdued all Spayne vnder yowr dominion except onely one corner of the same, and haue also lefte yowe the kynge∣dome of Naples with the frutefull Ilandes of owr seas,* 6.10 it is suerly a greate thynge and woorthy to be noted in owre cro∣nacles. But not offendynge the reuerence due to owre predi∣cessours, what so euer frome the begynnynge of the worlde hath byn doone or wrytten to this day,* 6.11 to my iudgement see∣meth but lyttle, if we consyder what newe landes and coun∣treys, what newe seas, what sundry nations and tounges, what goldemynes, what treasuries of perles they haue lefte vnto yowre hyghnesse, besyde other reuenues. The whiche, what they are and howe greate, these three Decades shall de∣clare. Come therfore moste noble Prince elected of God, and enioy that hyghe estate of thynges not yet vnderstode to men. We offer vnto yowe the Equinoctiall line hetherto vnknow∣en and burnte by the furious heate of the soonne and vnhabi∣table after the opinion of the owlde wryters a fewe excepted:* 6.12 But nowe founde to bee most replenisshed with people, faire, frutefull, and moste fortunate, with a thowsande Ilandes crowned with golde and bewtifull ••erles, besyde that greate port••on of earth supposed to bee parte of the firme lande, ex∣cedynge in quantitie three Europes.* 6.13 Come therfore and embrase this newe worlde, and suffer vs no longer to consume in desyre of yowr presence. From hense, from hense I saye (mooste noble younge Prince) shall instrumentes be prepared for yow,* 6.14 whereby al the worlde shalbe vnder yowr obeysaunce.

And thus I byd yowr maiestie farewell: To whose taste if I shal perceaue the fruites of this my tyllage to be delectable, I wyll hereafter doo my endeuoure that yowe maye receaue the same more a∣bundauntly. From Madrid. The day before the Calendes of Oc∣tober, In the yeare of Chryste. M. D. XVI.

FINIS.

The fyrst decade. (Book 1)

¶THE FIRSTE BOOKE OF THE DECADES of the Ocean, written by Peter Martyr of Angleria, Milenoes, counsiler to the kyng of Spayne and Protonotarie Apostolicall, To Ascanius Sphorcia, vicount Cardinall. &c.

THE REVERENDE AND thanckefull antiquite was accustomed to esteme those men as goddes,* 7.1 by whose industrie and magnani∣mitie suche Landes and Regions were disco∣uered, as were vnknowen to theyr predices∣soures. But vnto vs hauynge onely one god whom we honour in triplicitie of person, this resteth, that albeit we do not woorship that kind of men with diuine honoure, yet do we reuerēce them, and woorthely mar¦uell at theyr noble actes and enterprises. Unto kynges and princes we gyue due obeysaunce, by whose gouernaunce and furtheraunce they haue bin ayded, to perfurme theyr attemp∣tes. we commende bothe, and for theyr iust desertes worthe∣ly extoll them. Wherfore, as concernynge the Ilandes of the west Ocean,* 7.2 lately discouered, & of the auctours of the same, (whiche thynge you desyre by your letters to knowe) I wyll begynne at the fyrst auctoure therof, leste I be iniurious to a∣ny man. Take it therfore as foloweth.

¶ Christophorus Colonus (other wise called Columbus) A gentilman of Italy,* 7.3 borne in the citie of Genua, perswaded Fernando and Elyzabeth, catholike prynces, that he doubted not to fynde certayne Ilandes of India,* 7.4 nere vnto owre Occean sea, if they wolde furnysshe hym with shyppes and other thynges apper∣teynynge. Affyrminge that therby not onely the Christian re∣ligion myght be enlarged, but Spayne also enryched by the great plentie of golde, pearles, precious stones, and spices, whiche might be founde there. At the lenghte three shyppes were appoynted hym at the kinges charges: of the which one was a great caracte with deckes: and the other twoo were light marchaunte shyppes without deckes, whiche the Spa∣niardes call Carauelas. Thus he departed from the costes of Spaine about the calendes of September, in the yere of Christ 1492. and set forward on his viage,* 7.5 being accompanied with C C. xx. Spanyardes. The fortunate Ilandes (as manye

thinke them to be, whiche the Spaniardes call Canariae,* 7.6 found but of late dayes) are distaunte from the Ilandes of Gades,* 7.7 a thousande and twoo hundreth myles, accordyng to theyr ac∣compte: for they say they are distant three hundreth leaques:* 7.8 wheras such as are expert sea men, affyrme that euery leaque conteyneth foure myles, after theyr supputations. These I∣landes were called fortunate,* 7.9 for the temperate ayre whiche is in them. For neyther the coldenesse of wynter is sharpe vn∣to them, nor the heate of sommer intollerable. Yet some men are of opinion, that those were in olde tyme called the fortu∣nate Ilandes,* 7.10 whiche the Portugales call Capo Verde. Colonus therfore sayled fyrste to the Ilandes of Canariae, to the intente there to refreshe his shyppes with freshe water and fuell, be∣fore he committed him selfe to this so laborious a vyage. And bycause I haue here made ment••on of the Ilandes of Canariae: It shall not be muche from my purpose to declare howe of vn∣knowen they became knowen, and of saluage and wilde, bet∣ter manured. For by the longe course of manye yeres, they were forgotten, and remayned as vnknowen.

These seuen Ilandes (the••fore) called the Canaries,* 7.11 were foūde by chaunce by a frenche man, called Betanchor,* 7.12 by the permis∣sion of queene Katharine, protectrixe of kyng Iohn her son, while he was yet in his nonage, about the yere of Christe. M. CCCC. V. This Betanchor inuaded twoo of these Ilan∣des called Lancelotus and Fort••suentura,* 7.13* 7.14 whiche he inhabited and brought to better culture. He beinge deade, his son and heire solde bothe the sayde Ilandes to certayne Spaniardes.

After this, Fernandus Peraria and his wyfe, inuaded Ferrea and Gomera.* 7.15* 7.16 The other three were subdued in our tyme. Grancanaria,* 7.17 by Perrus de Vera, citezen of the noble citie of Xericium, and Mi∣chaell of Moxica. Palma and Tenerifen,* 7.18* 7.19 by Alphonsus Lugo, at the kynges charges. Gomera and Ferrea were easely subdued: But the matter wente harde with Alphonsus Lugo.* 7.20 For that naked and wylde nation, fyghtinge onely with stones and clubbes, droue his armie to flighte at the fyrste assaulte, and slewe a∣boute foure hundreth of his men. But at the length he ouer∣came them. And thus all the Ilandes of Canariae were added to the dominion of Spayne. From these Ilandes Colonus di∣rectynge his viage towarde th•• weste, folowinge the fallinge of the sonne, but declining somwhat towarde the left hande,

sayled on forwarde .xxxiii. dayes continually, hauynge onely the fruition of the heauen and the water. Then the Spany∣ardes whiche were accompanied with hym, beganne fyrste to murmure secretely among them selues: and shortly after with wordes of reproche spake euyll of Colonus theyr gouernoure,* 7.21 and consulted with them selues, eyther to rydde hym out of the waye, orelles to cast hym into the sea: Ragyng that they were deceyued of a straunger, an outlandishe man, a Ligurian a Genues, and brought into suche daungerous places, that they myght neuer returne ageyne. And after .xxx. days were paste, they furiousely cryed out againste him, and threatned him that he shulde passe no further. But he euer with ientyll wordes and large promyses,* 7.22 appeased theyr furie, and pro∣longed day after day, some tyme desyring them to beare with hym yet a whyle, and some time putting them in remembrance that if they shulde attempte any thinge agaynst him, or other¦wise disobey hym, it wolde be reputed for treason. Thus af∣ter a fewe dayes, with cherefull hartes they espied the lande longe looked for. In this fyrst nauigation, he discouered .vi. Ilandes, wherof twoo were exceding great: Of whiche, the one he called Hispaniola,* 7.23 and the other Iohanna.* 7.24 But at that tyme he knewe not perfectely that Iohanna (other wyse called Cuba,) was an Ilande. As they coasted alonge by the shore of certayne of these Ilandes, they harde nyghtingales synge in the thycke woodes in the month of Nouember.* 7.25 They foūd also great riuers of freshe water, and naturall hauens, of ca∣pacitie to harborowe greate nauies of shippes. Saylinge by the coastes of Iohanna, from the northe poynte to the west, he rode lyttell le••se then eyght hundreth miles (for they call it a hundreth and foure score leaques) supposyng that it had byn the continent or fyrme land, bicause he coulde nother fynd the landes ende, nor any token of the ende, as farre as he coulde iudge with his eye: wherfore he determined to returne backe agayne, beyng therto partly enforced by the roughnesse of the sea. for the sea banckes of the Ilande of Iohanna, by sondrye wyndinges and turnynges, bende them selues so muche to∣warde the Northe, that the northnortheaste wynde roughely tossed the shyppes by reason of the wynter. Turnynge ther∣fore the stemmes of his shyppes towarde the Easte, he affyr∣med that he had founde the Ilande of Ophir,* 7.26 whyther Salo∣mons

shyppes sayled for golde. But the description of the Cosmographers well considered, it seemeth that bothe these, and the other Ilandes adioynyng, are the Ilandes of Antilia.* 7.27 This Ilande he called Hisp••niola: on whose northe syde as he approched nere to the lande, the keele or bottome of the big∣geste vessell ranne vpon a blynde rocke couered with water,* 7.28 and cloue in sunder. But the playnenesse of the rocke was a helpe to them that they were not drowned. Makynge haste therfore with the other two sh••ps to helpe them, they brought awaye al the men without hurte. Here comming fyrst a land, they sawe certayne men of the Ilande:* 7.29 who perceauynge an vnknowen nation comminge towarde them, flocked together and ranne al into the thycke wooddes, as it hadde byn hares courc••d with grehoundes.* 7.30 Owre men pursuing them, tooke onely one woman, whom they brought to the shyppes: where fyllinge her with meate and wyne, and apparelinge her, they let her departe to her company. Shortly after a greate multi¦tude of them came runnynge to the shore to beholde this newe nation, whom they thought to haue discended from heauen. They cast them selues by heapes into the sea, and came swim∣minge to the shyppes, bryngyng golde with them,* 7.31 which they chaunged with owre men for erthen pottes, drinking gla••ses, poyntes, pynnes, hawkes belles, lokinge gla••ses, and suche other trifles. Thus growing to further familiaritie, owre men were honorably enterteyned of the kynge of that parte of the Ilande,* 7.32 whose name was Guaccanarillus: for it hath many kyn∣ges, as when Eneas arriued in Italy, he founde Latium diui∣ded into many kyngedomes and prouinces, as Latium, Mezeuri∣um, Turnum, and Tarchontem, which were seperated with narow boundes, as shall more largely appere hereafter. At the euen tyde about the faulyng of the sonne,* 7.33 when owre men went to praier, and kneled on their knees after the maner of the Chri∣stians, they dyd the lyke also. And after what maner so euer they sawe them praye to the crosse, they folowed them in all poyntes as well as they coulde. They shewed much humani∣tie towardes owre men: and helpen them with theyr lighters or small boates (whiche they call Canoas) to vnlade theyr bro¦ken shyppe:* 7.34 And that with suche celeritie and cherefulnesse, that no frende for frende, or kynseman for kynseman, in su∣che case moued with pitie, coulde do more. Theyr boates are

made only of one tree,* 7.35 made holow with a certain sharpe stone (for they haue no yron.) And are very longe and narowe. Ma¦ny affirme that they haue sene some of them with fortie ores. The wylde and myscheuous people called Canibales, or Caribes, whiche were accustomed to eate mannes flesshe (and called of the olde writers, Anthropophagi) molest them excedyngly,* 7.36 inua∣dynge theyr countrey, takynge them captiue, kyllyng and ea∣tyng them. As owre men sayled to the Ilandes of these meke and humayne people, they lefte the Ilandes of the Canibales, in maner in the middest of theyr viage towarde the south. They complayned that theyr Ilandes were no lesse vexed with the incursions of these manhuntyng Canibales when they go forth a rouynge to seeke theyr praye:* 7.37 then are other tame beastes, of Lyons and Tigers. Such chyldren as they take, they geld to make them fat as we doo cocke chikyns and younge hog∣ges, and eate them when they are wel fedde: of suche as they eate, they fyrst eate the intralles and extreme partes, as han∣des, feete, armes, necke, and heade. The other moste fle••shy partes, they pouder for store, as we do pestelles of porke and gammondes of bakon. Yet do they absteyne from eatynge of women and counte it vyle. Therfore suche younge women as they take, they keepe for increace, as we doo hennes to leye egges. The olde women, they make theyr drudges. They of the Ilandes (which we may nowe caul owres) bothe the men and the women when they perceaue the Canibales coming, haue none other shyfte but onely to flie: for althoughe they vse ve∣ry sharpe arrowes made of reedes, yet are they of small force to represse the furie of the Canibales: for euen they them selues confesse, that tenne of the Canibals are able to ouercome a hun¦dreth of them if they encountre with them. Theyr meate is a certeyne roote which they cal Ages:* 7.38 muche lyke a na••ew roote in fourme and greatnesse: but of sweete taste, muche lyke a greene chestnutte. They haue also an other kynde of rootes, whiche they call Iucca, wherof they make breade in lyke ma∣n••••.* 7.39 They vse Ages more often rosted or sodden, then to make breade therof. But they neuer eate Iucca, excepte it be firste sliced and pressed, (for it is ful of lycoure) and then baked or sodden. But this is to be marueled at, that the iuyce of this roote is a poyson as strong as Aconitum,* 7.40 so that if it be dronke it causeth present death, and yet the breade made of the ••a••e

therof, is of good taste and holsome, as all they haue proued. They make also an other kynde of breade of a certayne pulse, called ••anicum,* 7.41 muche lyke vnto wheate, wherof is great plē∣tie in the dukedome of Mylane, Spayne, and Granatum.

But that of this countrey is longer by a spanne, somewhat sharpe towarde the ende, and as bygge as a mannes arme in the brawne: The graynes wherof are sette in a maruelous or¦der, and are in fourme somwhat lyke a pease. While they be soure and vnripe, they are white: but when they are ripe they be very blacke. When they are broken, they be whyter then snowe. This kynde of grayne, they call Maizium. Golde is of some estimation among them:* 7.42 for some of them hange certain small pieces therof at theyr eares and nosethrilles. A lyttell beyonde this place, our men wente a lande for fresshe water, where they chaunced vpon a Ryuer whose sande was myxed with muche golde.* 7.43 They founde there no kindes of foure fo∣ted beastes excepte three kyndes of lyttell conyes. These I∣landes also nourishe serpentes:* 7.44 but such as are without hurt. Lykewise wylde geese, turtle doues, and duckes,* 7.45 much grea∣ter then ours, and as whyte as swannes, with heades of pur∣ple colo••re. Also Popiniaies,* 7.46 of the whiche some are greene, some yelowe, and some lyke them of India, with yelowe ryn∣ges about theyr neckes, as Plinie describeth them.* 7.47 Of these they broughte fortie with them, of moste liuely and delectable coloures, hauyng three fethers entermengled with greene, ye∣lowe, and purple, whiche varietie, deliteth the sense not a li∣tle. Thus muche thought I good to speake of Potingiaies, (ryghte noble Prynce) specially to this intente, that albeit the opinion of Christophorus Colonus (who affirmeth these Ilan¦des to be parte of India) dothe not in all poyntes agree with the iudgement of auncient wryters as touchynge the bignesse of the Sphere and compasse of the Globe as concernynge the nauigable portion of the same beynge vnder vs,* 7.48 yet the Po∣pingiaies and many other thynges brought from thence, doo declare that these Ilandes sauoure som••hat of India, eyther beynge nere vnto it, or elles of the same nature: forasmuche as Aristotle also,* 7.49 about the ende of his booke De C••elo et Mundo. and likewise Seneca,* 7.50 with diuerse other authours not ignorant in Cosmography, do affirme that India is no longe tracte by sea, distante from Spayne by the weste Ocean,* 7.51 for the soyle

of these Ilandes, bryngeth forthe Mastir,* 7.52 Aloes,* 7.53 and sun∣drye other sweete gummes and spyces as doth India. Cotton also of the gossampine tree,* 7.54 as in India in the countrey of the people called Seres.* 7.55

¶The languages of all the nations of these Ilandes,* 7.56 maye well be written with our Latine letters. For they cal heauen Tur••i. A house, Boa. Golde, Cauni. A good man, Taino. nothing Mayani. All other wordes of theyr language, they pronounce as playnely as we doo the Latine tongue. In these Ilandes they founde no trees knowen vnto them, but pyne appe trees, and date trees:* 7.57 And those of maruelous heyght and exceding harde, by reason of the greate moystnesse and fatnesse of the grounde,* 7.58 with continuall and temperate heate of the sonne,* 7.59 whiche endureth so all the hole yere. They playnely affyrme the Ilande of Hispaniola to be the most fruiteful lande that the heauen compasseth aboute,* 7.60 as shall more largely appere here∣after in the particular description of the same, whiche we in∣tende to sette foorthe when we shall be better instructed.

Thus makynge a leage of frendshyppe with the kynge, and leauynge with hym .xxxviii. men to searche the Ilande, he de¦parted to Spayne takynge with hym .x. of the inhabitauntes to lerne the Spanishe tongue, to the intent to vse them after∣warde for interpretours. Colonus therfore at his returne, was honorably receaued of the kyng and queene: who caused him to sytte in theyr presence, whiche is a token of great loue and honoure amonge the Spaniardes. He was also made Admi∣rall of the Ocean: and his brother gouenoure of the Iland.

Towarde the second viage,* 7.61 he was furnished with .xii. ship∣pes: wherof there were great caractes of a thousand tunne: xii. were of that sorte, whiche the Spaniardes call Carauelas: without deckes: and twoo other of the same sorte somewhat bygger, and more apte to beare deckes, by reason of the gret∣nesse of theyr mastes. He had also a thousand and two hun∣dreth armed footemen well appoynted: Amonge whiche were many artificers, as smythes, carpenters, myners, and suche other: Certayne horsemen also, wel armed: Likewise mares, shiepe, heyghfers, and such other of bothe kindes for incrase. Lykewise all kynde of pulse or grayne and corne, as wheate, barlye, rye, beanes and pease, and suche other, as well for food as to sowe:* 7.62 Besyde vynes, plantes and seedes, of suche

trees, fruites, and herbes, as those countreyes lacke. And (not to be forgotten) sundry kindes of artillery & iron tooles,* 7.63 as bowes, arrowes, crossebowes, bylles, hargabuses, brode swoordes, large targettes, pikes, mattockes, sh••ouelles, ham¦mers, nayles, sawes, ares, and suche other. Thus beynge furnished accordyngely, they set forwarde from the Ilandes of Gad••s, (nowe called Cals,) the .vii. day before the calendes of October, in the yere of Christe .1493. and arriued at the Ilandes of Canarie, at the calendes of October. Of these I∣landes, the laste is called Ferrea, in whiche there is no other water that maye be drunke, but onely that is gathered of the dewe whiche continually distilleth from one onely tree grow∣ynge on the h••ghest backe of the Ilande,* 7.64 and falleth into a rounde trenche made with mannes hande. We were infour∣med of these thynges within fewe dayes after his departure. what shal succede, we wyl certifie yowe hereafter. Thus fare ye well, from the courte, at the Ides of Nouember .1493.

¶ The seconde booke of the fyrste Decade to Ascanius Ph••rcia, vicounte Cardinall. &c.

YOwe repete (ryghte honorable Prynce) that yowe are desirous to knowe what newes we haue in Spayne from the newe worlde: and that those thynges haue greatly delyted you which I wrote vnto yowre highnesse of the fyrste nauigation. Yowe shal now therefore receaue what hath succeded. Methymna Campi,* 7.65 is a famous towne in high Spayne in the respect from yowe, and is in that parte of Spayne whiche is called Castella Vetus:* 7.66 beynge distante from Gades about .xl. myles. Here the courte remayned, when aboute the .ix. of the kalendes of Aprell in this yere of nynetie and foure, there were postes sente to the kynge and queene, certifyinge them that there were .xii. ship∣pes come from the newe Ilandes and arryued at Gades.* 7.67 But the gouernoure of the shyppes sente worde to the kynge and quene that he had none other matter to certifie them of by the postes, but onely that the Admiral with fiue shippes and .iiii. score and tenne men remayned styll in Hispaniola, to searche the

secretes of the Ilande. And that as touching other matters, he hym selfe wolde shortly make ralation in theyr presence, by worde of mouthe. Therfore the daye before the nones of A∣prel, he came to the courte him selfe. What I learned of him and other faythefull and credible men whiche came with hym from the Admirall, I wyl reherse vnto yowe in such order as they declared the same to me when I demaunded them. Take it therfore as foloweth. The thyrde daye of the Ides of Oc∣tober, departynge from Ferrea,* 7.68 the laste of the Ilandes of Ca∣nariae, and from the costes of Spayne with a nauie of .xvii. ship∣pes, they sayled .xxi. dayes before they came to any Ilande: inclyning of purpose more towarde the lefte hand then at the fyrst viage, folowyng the northnortheast wynde: and arriued fyrst at the Ilandes of the Canibales,* 7.69 or Caribes of which, onely the fame was knowen to our men. Amonge these, they chaun¦sed fyrste vpon one, so beset with trees, that they coulde not se so muche as an elle space of bare earthe or stony grounde. this they called Dominica,* 7.70 bicause they found it on the sunday. They taried here no tyme, bycause they sawe it be deserte. In the space of these .xxi. dayes, they thynke that they sayled .viii. hundreth and .xx. leaques,* 7.71 the Northenortheast wynde was so full with them, and so fresshely folowed the sterne of theyr shyppes. After they hadde sayled a lyttle further, they espied dyuerse Ilandes replenysshed with sundrye kyndes of trees, from the whiche came fragrant sauours of spyces and sweete gummes. Here they sawe neyther man nor beaste, ex∣cept certayne lisartes of huge bignesse,* 7.72 as they reported whi∣che went alande to viewe the countrey. This Iland they cau¦led Galana, or Galanta.* 7.73 From the cape or poynt of this Iland, es∣pying a mountayne a farre of, they sayled thyther. Aboute .xxx. myles from this mountayne, they sawe a ryuer discēding whiche seemed to be a token of some great and large fludde. This is the fyrste lande whiche they founde inhabited from the Ilandes of Canariae, and is an Ilande of the Canibales,* 7.74 as they lerned by the interpretours whiche they tooke with them from Hispaniola into Spayne at theyr fyrste viage. Serchynge the Ilande, they founde innumerable villages of .xx. houses or .xxx. at the mooste, sette rounde abowte in order,* 7.75 ma∣kynge the streete in coompasse lyke a markette place. And for asmuch as I haue made mention of theyr houses, it shal not be

greately from my purpose to describe in what maner they are buylded. They are made rounde lyke belles or rounde pauy∣lions.* 7.76 Theyr frame is raysed of excedynge hyghe trees, sette close together and fast rampaired in the grounde, so standyng a slope and bending inward that the tappes of the trees ioyne together and beare one agaynste an other, hauynge also with∣in the house, certayne stronge and shorte props or postes whi∣che susteyne the trees from ••allynge. They couer them with the leaues of date trees and other trees strongly compact and hardened, wherewith they make them close from wynde and wether. At the shore postes or proppes with••n the hou••e, they t••e ropes of th•• ••ottō of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 trees,* 7.77 or other ropes made of certayne long and toughe ••••tes much lyke vnto the shrubbe called Sp••r••••m. wherof in olde tyme they vsed to make bondes for v••nes 〈…〉〈…〉 and rop•••• for shyppes. These they tye ouer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the hou••e fro•• poste to poste. On these they ley as it 〈…〉〈…〉 matt••e••••es made of the cotton of the gos∣samp••ne tress, wh••che g••••we plentifully in these Ilandes.

Th••s cotton the Spani••••des call Algodon, and the Italians B••m••••sine. And thus they ••••eepe in hangynge beddes.* 7.78 At the enteraunce of one of theyr hou••es, they sawe two Images of woodde lyke vnto serpentes, wh••che they thoughte had byn such idoles as they honour. But they le••ned afterwarde that they were se••te there onely for cooml••nesse. For they knowe none other god then the Sunne and Moone, althoughe they make certaine Images of gossampine cotton to the similitude of such phantasies as they say appere to them in the nyghte.* 7.79 Our men found in theyr houses, all kyndes of erthen vessels, not muche vnlyke vnto oures. They founde also in theyr ki∣chens, mannes flesshe, duckes fless••e, and goose flesshe, al in one pot:* 7.80 and other on the spittes redye to be layde to the fire. Entrynge into theyr inner lodgynges, they founde faggottes of the bones of mennes armes and legges, which they reserue to make heades for theyr arrowes,* 7.81 bycause they lacke iron. The other bones they caste awaye when they haue eaten the flesshe. They founde likewise the heade of a yonge man faste∣ned to a poste and yet bledinge. They haue in some villages, one great haule or pallaice, aboute the whiche theyr common houses are placed. To this they resort, as often as they come together to playe. When they perceaued the commynge of

our men, they fledde, in theyr houses they founde also about xxx. chyldren and women captiues which were reserued to be eaten, but our men tooke them awaye to vse them for inter∣pretoures. Searchyng more diligently thynner partes of the Ilande, they founde .vii. other ryuers, bygger then this whi¦che we spake of before, runnyng throughe the Ilande, with fruitefull and pleasante banckes, delectable to beholde. This Ilande, they called Guadalupea, for the similitude that it hath to the mounte Guadalupus in Spayne,* 7.82 where the Image of the virgin MARIE is religiously honored. But the inhabitaun∣tes caul it Carucueria.* 7.83 or Queraquiera. It is the chiefe habitation of the Canibales. They brought from this Iland .vii. Popin∣payes, bygger then phesantes,* 7.84 muche differynge from other in coloure: hauynge theyr backes, brestes, and bealies of purple coloure, and theyr wynges of other variable coloures. In al these Ilandes is no lesse plentie of popingiayes then with vs of sparrowes or starlinges. As we brynge vp capons and hennes to francke or make them fatte, so do they these bigger kyndes of popyngaies for the same purpose. After that they hadde thus searched the Ilande and dryuen these Canibales to flyghte,* 7.85 (whiche ranne awaye at theyr fyrst approche as sone as they had espied them) they cauled theyr company together. And as soone as they had broken the Canibals boates or lygh∣ters (whiche they call Canoas) they lowsed theyr ankers the daye before the Ides of Nouember, and departed from Gua∣dalupea. Colonus the admirall, for the desyre he hadde to se his companions, whiche at his fyrst vyage he lefte the yere before in Hispaniola to searche the countrey, lette passe many Ilandes bothe on his righte hande and lefte hande, and sayled direct∣ly thyther. By the waye, there appeared from the Northe. A great Ilande which the captiues that were taken in Hispaniola, cauled Madanino, or Matinino:* 7.86 Affirmynge it to be inhabited only with womē: To whō the Canibales haue accesse at certen tymes of the yeare, as in owlde tyme the Thracians had to the Amazo∣nes in the Ilande of Lesbos. The men children, they sende to theyr fathers. But the women theye kepe with them selues. They haue greate and stronge caues or dennes in the ground, to the which they flye for safegarde if any men resorte vnto them at any other tyme then is appoynted. And there defende them selues with bowes and arrowes, ag••nst the violence of

suche as attempte to enuade them. They coulde not at this tyme approche to this Ilande, by reasō of the Northenorth¦east wynde which blewe soo vehemently from the same, wher as they nowe folowed the Eastesoutheaste. After they de∣parted frome Madanino, and sayled by the space of .xi. myles, they passed not farre frome an other Ilande which the cap∣tyues sayde to bee verye peopulous, and replenyshed with all thynges necessarie for the life of man. This they cauled Mons Serratus,* 7.87 bycause it was ful of mountaynes. The captyues fur∣ther declared that the Canibales, are wonte at some tyme to goo frome theyr owne coastes aboue a thousande myle to hunte for men.* 7.88 The daye folowynge, they sawe an other Ilande the whiche, bycause it was rownde, they cauled Sancta Maria Rotunda.* 7.89 The nexte daye, theye founde an other, which they cauled S. Marrini.* 7.90 Which they lette passe also bycause they had no leasure to tarye. Lykewyse the thirde daye they espyed an other, whose Diamerral syde extendynge frome the Easte to the weste, they iudged to bee a hundreth and fyftie myle.

Theye affirme all these Ilandes to be maruelous fayre and frutefull. This laste, they cauled Sancta Maria Antiqua.* 7.91 Saylyng yet forwarde, and leauynge many other Ilandes, after they had sayled aboute fortie myle, they chaunced vpon an other muche bygger then any of the reste, which thinhabitans caule Ay Ay, but they named it Insula crucis.* 7.92 Heare they cast anker to fetche fresshe water. The Admiral also commaunded .xxx. men to go a lande out of his owne shyp, and to search the Ilande Here they founde fowre dogges on the shore. The Inhabi∣tants are Canibales,* 7.93 and maruelous experte in shutinge, as well women as men: And vse to infecte theyr arrowes with poy∣son: when they had taryed there two dayes, they sawe a farre of, a Canoa, in the whiche were eight men and as manye women hauynge with them bowes and arrowes.* 7.94 They fearsly assayled owre men withoute all feare, and hurte sum of them with theyr venemous arrowes. Amonge these there was a certen woman to whome the other gaue reuerence and obeyde as though she were theyr queene. Her sonne wayted vppon her, beinge a younge man, strongly made, of terrible & frow∣nynge countenaunce and a lyons face.* 7.95 Owre men leaste they sholde take the more hurte by beinge wounded a farre of, thowght it beste to ioyne with them. Therfore with all spede

settinge forewarde with their ores the brigantine in whiche they were sette alande, they ouerturned their Canoa with a great violence, which beinge ouerwhelmed, they notwith∣stondinge, as well the women as the men swymminge, caste theyr dartes at owre men, thicke and threefowlde. At the lengthe, gatherynge them selues together vpon a rocke coue∣red with the water, they fowght manfully vntyll they were ouercome and taken, one being slayne, and the queenes sonne sore wounded. When they were browght into the Admirals shippe, they dyd no more put of their fiernes and cruell coun¦tenances,* 7.96 then do the Lyons of Libia when theye perceaue thē selues to be bownde in chaynes. There is no man able to be∣howlde them, but he shall feele his bowelles grate with a cer¦ten horroure, nature hath endewed them with soo terrible menacynge, and cruel aspecte. This coniecture I make of my selfe and other which often tymes wente with me to see them at Methymna Campi.* 7.97 But nowe to returne to the viage. Procea∣dinge thus further and further, more then fiue hundrethe myles, firste towardes the Westesoutheweste, then towarde the Southwest, and at the lengthe towarde the Weste northe¦weste, they entered into a mayne large sea hauinge in it in∣numerable Ilandes,* 7.98 maruelouslye differinge one from an o∣ther, for sum of them were verye frutefull and full of herbes and trees. Other sum, verye drye, barren, and rowgh with high rockye mountaynes of stone, wherof sum were of bright blewe or asurine coloure, and other glysteringe white: wher¦fore they supposed them by good reason to bee the mynes of metalles and precious stones.* 7.99 But the rowghnes of the sea, and mult••tude of Ilandes standinge so thicke togyther, hinde¦red them soo, that they cowlde caste no anker leaste the big∣ger vesselles shulde runne vppon the rockes. Therefore they deferred the searchinge of these Ilandes vntyl an other tyme They were so manye and stoode so thicke, that they coulde not number them. Yet the smauler vesselles which drewe no greate depthe, entered emonge them and numbered fortie and syxe Ilandes. But the bigger vesselles, kepte aloofe in the mayne sea for feare of the rockes. They caule the sea where this multitude of Ilandes are situate, Archipelagus.* 7.100 Frome this tracte proceadinge forrewarde, in the mydde waye there lyeth an Iland which thinhabitantes caule Burichena, or Buchona.

But they named it Insula. S. Iohannis,* 7.101 Dyuers of theym whome we had delyuered frome the Canibales, sayde that they were borne in this Ilande: affirminge it to be very peopulous and frutefull, hauinge also manye fayre wooddes and hauens. There is deadly hatred and continual battayle betwene them & the Canibales, They haue no boates to passe from their owne coastes to the Canibales. But if it bee their chaunce to ouercome them, when they make incursion into theyr countreye to seke their praye (as it sumtyme happeneth, the fortune of warre beinge vncerteyne) they serue them with like sause, requiringe deathe for deathe.* 7.102 For one of theym mangeleth an other in pieces, and roste them and eate them euen before their eyes. They taryed not in this Ilande. Yet in the weste angle ther¦of, a fewe of them went a lande for fresshe water, and fownd a greate and h••gh howse after the maner of their buylding, hauinge .xii. other of their vulgare cotages placed abowte the same:* 7.103 but were all lefte desolate, whether it were that they resorted to the mountaynes by reson of the heate which was that tyme of the yeare, and to returne to the playne when the ayre wareth cowlder, or els for feare of the Canibales which make incursion into the Ilande at certen seasons. In all this Ilande is only one kinge. The south syde hereof exten∣deth abowte two hundrethe myles. Shortlye after, they came to the Ilande of Hispaniola, beinge distante frome the firste Ilande of the Canibales, fyue hundrethe leaques.* 7.104 Here they fownde all th••nges out of order, and theyr felowes slayne whi••h they lefte here at their fyrste vyage. In the begin∣ninge of Hispaniola, (hauinge in it many regions and kynge∣domes as we haue sayde) is the region of Xamana whose kinge is named Gua••canarillus.* 7.105 This Guaccanarillus ioyned frendeshippe with owre men at the fyrste viage, and made a league with them: But in the absence of the Admirall, he rebelled, & was the cause of owre mens destruction, althowgh he dissimuled the same, and pretended frendship at the Admirales returne. As owre men sayled on yet a litle furthe••, they espied a longe Canoa with many ores, in which was the b••other of Guaccanaril∣lus with only one man waytinge on hym. He browght with hym two Images of goulde,* 7.106 which he gaue the Admirall in the name of his brother. And towlde a ••ale in his language as concerninge the deathe of owre men, as they proued after¦warde,

but at this tyme had no regarde to his communicati∣on for lacke of interpretours, which were eyther all deade, or escaped and stoulne awaye when they drewe nere the Ilan¦des. But of the .x.vii. dyed by change of ayre and dyer. The inhabitantes of these Ilandes haue byn euer soo vsed to liue at libert••e, in playe and pastyme,* 7.107 that they can hardely away with the yoke of seruitude which they attempte to shake of by all meanes they maye. And surely if they had receaued owre rel••gion, I wolde thinke their life moste happye of all men,* 7.108 if they might therwith enioye their aunciente libertie. A fewe thinges contente them, hauinge no delite in suche su∣per••luites,* 7.109 for the which in other places men take infinite paynes and commit manie vnlawfull actes, and yet are neuer satisfied, wheras many haue to muche, and none inowgh.* 7.110 But emonge these simple sowles, a fewe clothes serue the na¦ked: we••ghtes and measures are not needefull to such as can not skyll of crafte and deceyte and haue not the vse of pestife∣tous monye, the seede of innumerable myscheues. So that if we shall not be ashamed to confesse the truthe, they seeme to lyue in that goulden worlde of the whiche owlde wryters speake so much▪* 7.111 wherin men lyued simplye and innocentlye without inforcement of lawes, without quarellinge Iudges and libelles, contente onely to satisfie nature, without fur∣ther vexation for knowelege of thinges to come. Yet these na¦ked people also are tormēted with ambitiō for the desyre they haue to enlarge their dominions:* 7.112 by reason wherof they kepe warre & destroy one an other: frō the which plage I suppo••e the golden world was not free. For euen then also, Cede, non c••dam, that is, gyue place,* 7.113 & I wyll not giue place, had entred emonge men. But nowe to returne to the matter frō which we haue digressed. The admiral desyrous to knowe further of the death of his men, sent for Guaccanarillus to come to him to his ship, dissimulinge that he knew any thinge of the matter.* 7.114 After that he came aboord shyp, saluting the Admiral & his cō¦pany gyuing also certē golde to the Capetaynes and offycers, turned him to the womē captiues which not longe before our mē had deliuered frō the Canibales. And ernestly beholding one of them whome owre men cauled Catharyne, he spake gentel¦ly vnto her.* 7.115 And thus when he had seene and marueyled at the horses and suche other thinges as were in the shyppe, vn∣knowen

to them, and had with a good grace and merelye as∣ked leaue of the Admirall, he departed. Yet sum there were which counseyled the Admirall to kepe hym styll: that if they might by any meanes proue that he was consentinge to the deathe of owre men, he might bee punished accordinglie. But the Admirall considering that it was yet no tyme to incense thinhabitantes myndes to wrathe,* 7.116 dysmyssed hym. The next daye folowing, the kinges brother resortyng to the shyppes, eyther in his owne name or in his brothers, seduced the wo∣men. For on the next nyght about mydnight, this Katherine aswell to recouer her owne libertie as also her felowes, being suborned therto eyther by the kinge or his brothers promises attempted a much more difficulte and daungerous aduenture then dyd Cloelia of Rome,* 7.117* 7.118 which beinge in hostage with other maydes to the kynge Porcena, deceaued her kepers, and rode ouer the ryuer Tiber, with the other virgins which were pled∣ges with her. For wheras they swamme ouer the ryuer on horsebacke. This Katharyne with seuen other women, tru∣stynge onlye to the strengthe of theyr owne armes, swamme aboue three longe myles: and that also, at suche tyme as the sea was sumwhat rowghe. For euen soo farre of frome the shore, lay the shippes at rode, as nigh as they could coniecture But owre men folowinge them with the shippeboates, by the same light seene on the shore wherby the women were ledde, tooke three of them: supposinge that Katharyne with the o∣ther foure, wente to Guaccanarillus. For in the springe of the morninge, certen messengers beinge sente to hym by the Admi¦rall, had intelligence that he was fledde with all his familie and stuffe, and the women also. which thinge ministred fur∣ther suspection that he was consentinge to the death of owre men. Wherfore the Admirall sente forthe an armye of three hundrethe men, ouer the which he appoynted one Melchior to be capitayne, wylling hym to make diligent searche to fynde owte Guaccanarillus. Melchior therfore with the smauleste vessels enteringe into the countreye by the ryuers and scouringe the shores,* 7.119 chaunced into certen croked goulfes defended with .v lyttle & stiepe hilles, supposinge that it had byn the mouth of sum greate ryuer. He founde here also a verye commodious and safe hauen, and therefore named it Portus Regalis. They saye that the enteraunce of this is so crooked and bendinge,

that after the shippes are once within the same, whether they turne thē to the lefte hand, or to the ryght, they can not perceaue where they came in vntyll they returne to the mouth of the ryuer: Although it be there so brode that three of the byggeste vessels may sayle together on a froont. The sharpe & high hilles on the one syde and on the other, so brake the wynde, that they were vncerten howe to rule theyr sayles. In the myddle gulfe of the ryuer, there is a promontorie or point of the lande with a pleasaunte groue full of Popingayes and other byrdes which breede therein and singe verye sweetlye.* 7.120 They perceaued also that two ryuers of no smaule largenes fell into the hauen. Whyle they thus searched the lande be∣twene bothe, Melchior espied a high house a farre of, where supposinge that Guaccanarillus had lyne hyd, he made towarde it. And as he was goynge, there mette hym a man with a frownynge countenaunce and a grymme looke, with a hun∣dreth men folowynge hym, armed with bowes and arrowes, and long and sharpe staues like iauelynnes, made harde at the endes with fyre. Who approchyng towardes owre men, spake owte alowde with a terryble voyce, sayenge that they were Taini,* 7.121 (that is) noble men, and not Canibales. But when owre men had gyuen them signes of peace, they lefte bothe theyr weapons and fiercenes. Thus geuynge eche of them certen haukes belles,* 7.122 they tooke it for so greate a rewarde, that they desyred to enter bondes of nere frendeshyppe with vs, and feared not immediatly to submitte them selues vnder owre power, and resorted to our shyps with theyr presentes. They that measured the house (beinge made in rounde fourme fownde it to be from syde to syde .xxxii. greate paces,* 7.123 compa∣sed abowte with .xxx. other vulgare houses, hauinge in them many beames crosse ouer, and couered with reedes of sundry colours,* 7.124 wrethed and as it were weaued with maruelous art When owre men asked sum of them where they myght fynde Guaccanarillus. They aunswered that that Region was none of his. But theyr kynges beynge there presente. Yet they sayde they supposed that Guaccanarillus was gone from the playne to the mountaynes. Makynge therfore a brotherly league with this Caccicus,* 7.125 (that is to saye a kynge) they retourned to the Ad¦myrall to make relation what they hadde seene and harde.

whervppon he sent forth dyuers other Centurians with their

hundrethes to searche the countrey yet further. Emonge the which were Hoiedus and Gorualanus,* 7.126 noble younge gentlemen & of great courage. And as they went towarde the mountaines to seeke Guaccanarillus, dyuidinge the mountaynes betwene thē one of them fownde on the one syde therof foure ryuers fau∣lynge frome the same mountaynes: and the other founde .iii. on the other syde. In the sandes of all these ryuers is fownd great plentye of goulde,* 7.127 which thinhabitantes of the same I¦lande which were with vs, gathered in this maner. Making holes in the sande with theyr handes, a Cubette deape, and takynge vp sande with their lefte handes from the botome of the same,* 7.128 they picked out graynes of goulde with their ryght handes withowte any more arte or cunnynge.* 7.129 And so deliue∣red it to owre men: who affirme that many of them thus ga∣thered, were as bygge as tares or fytchis. And I my selfe sawe a masse of rude goulde,* 7.130 (that is to say, suche as was ne¦uer molten) lyke vnto suche stones as are founde in the bot∣tomes of ryuers, weighinge nyne ownces, which Hoieda him selfe fownde. Beinge contented with these signes, they retur¦ned to the Admirall to certifie him hereof. For the Admirall had commaunded vnder payne of punyshement that they shuld meddle no further then their commission: which was only to searche the places with their signes. For the fame went that there was a certeyne kynge of the mountaynes from whense those ryuers had their faule, whom they caule Cacicus Caunaboa that is, the lord of the house of golde.* 7.131 For they caule a house Boa, goulde, Cauni: and a kynge or Lorde, Cacicus, as we haue sayde before.* 7.132 They affirme that there can noo where be found better fysshe, nor of more pleasant tast, or more holsome then in these ryuers: also the waters of the same to be most holsom to drynke. Melchior hym selfe towld me, that in the moneth of December,* 7.133 the days and nyghtes bee of equal length among the Canibalis. But the sphere or circles of the heauen, agreeth not thervnto.* 7.134 Albeit that in the same moneth, sume byrdes make their nestes, and sume haue alredy hatched their egges by reason of the heate beinge rather continuall then extreme. He towlde me also when I questioned with hym as concer∣nynge the eleuation of the pole from the horizontal lyne,* 7.135 that al the sterres cauled Plastrum or charles wayne,* 7.136 are hydde vn∣der the Northe pole to the Canibales. And surely there retur∣ned none from thense at this viage, to whome there is more

credit to be gyuen, then to this man. But if he had byn skil¦full in Astronomye, he shulde haue sayde that the day was al¦moste equall with the night. For in no place towarde the stay of the sonne (cauled Solsticium) can the night be equall with the day. And as for them, they neuer came vnder the Equinoc••iall,* 7.137 for asmuch as they had euer the northe pole theyr guyde, and euer eleuate in sight aboue the Horizontal. Thus haue I briefe∣ly written vnto yowre honoure, as muche as I thought suffi∣ciente at this tyme. And shall shortly hereafter (by Gods fa∣uoure) wryte vnto you more largely of suche matters as shal∣be dayly better knowen. For the admirall hym selfe (whome I vse famylyerly as my verye frende) hathe promysed me by his letters, that he wyl gyue me knowlege of al such thynges as shall chaunce. He hath nowe chosen a stronge place where he may buyld a Citie nere vnto a comodious hauen. And hath alredy buylded many houses and a chapell in the whiche (as in a newe worlde heretofore voyde of all religion) god is day¦ly serued with .xiii. preestes accordinge to the maner of owre churches.* 7.138 When the tyme nowe approched when he promy∣sed to sende to the kynge and queene, and hauynge prospe∣rous wynde for that purpose, sent backe the .xii. Carauelles wherof we made mencion before it was no smaul hynderance and greefe, vnto hym: Especially consyderynge the death of his men whom he lefte in the Ilande at the fyrst vyage, wher¦by we are yet ignorant of many places & other secretes wher∣of we might otherwyse haue had further knowleage. But as tyme shall reueale them ageyne, so wyll I aduertyse yowe of the same. And that you may the better knowe by conference had with the Apothecaries and marchaunt strangers Sirophenici∣ans,* 7.139 what these Regions beare, and howe hotte theyr ground is, I haue sent you all kyndes of graynes, with the barke & inner partes of that tree whiche they suppose to bee the Cina¦mome tree.* 7.140 And yf it be your pleasure to taste eyther of the graynes, or of the smaule seedes the which you shoulde per∣ceaue to haue fawlen from these graynes, or of the wodde it selfe, touch them firste softely mouinge them to your lyppes. For although they bee not hurtefull, yet for theyr excesse of heate, they are sharpe and byte the tongue, yf they remayne any whyle theron. But if the tongue be blystered by tastynge of them, the same is taken away by drynkynge of water. Of

the corne also wherof they make theyr breade, this brynger shall delyuer sume graynes to your Lordeshyppe bothe whyte and blacke: And therwith also, a Trunke of the tree of Aloes The which if you cutte in peeces,* 7.141 you shall feele a sweete sa∣uoure to proceade from the same. Thus fare you hartely wel. From the courte of Methimna Campi. The thyrde day before the Calendes of May. Anno. Domini, M. CCCC. XCIIII.

¶ The thyrde boke of the fyrst Decade, to Lodouike Cardinall of Aragonye and Neuie to the kynge.

YOwe desyre that folyshe Phaeton shulde ageine rule the Chariotes of the Sunne:* 7.142 And con∣tende the drawe sweete lycoures out of the harde flynte, wheras you requyre me to dys∣scribe vnto you the newe worlde, fownde in the weste by the good fortune & gouernaunce of the Catholike Princes Ferdinandus and He∣lisabeth,* 7.143 your Uncle and Aunte: shewyng me also the letters of kynge Frederike your vncle, wrytten to me in the same be∣halfe. But sythe you haue layde this burden on my backe, in whose power it is to commaunde me to take vppon me more then I am wel able. Ye bothe shal receaue this precious stone, rudely closed in leade after my maner of workemanshyppe. Wherfore when you shall perceaue the lerned sorte frendelye: The malicious, enuiously: And the backebyters, furiously, to bende theyr sclaunderous dartes ageynst owre fayre Nimphes of the Ocean,* 7.144 You shall freely proteste in howe short tyme, and in the myddeste of what troubles and calamities, you haue en¦forced me to wryte of the same. Thus fare you well frome Granata the ninthe day before the Calendes of May.

¶ We haue declared in the boke here before, howe the Admi∣rall passed by the coastes of the Canibales to the Ilande of Hispa∣niola with his whole nauie.* 7.145 But nowe we entende further to shewe what he fownde as concernynge the nature of this I∣lande, after that he had better searched the seacreates of the same: Likewyse of the Ilande of Cuba nere vnto it which he yet supposed to bee the firme lande. Hispaniola therfore (which he affirmeth to bee Ophir,* 7.146 wherof we reade in the thyrde boke

of the kynges) is of latitude, fyue southe degrees: hauynge the northe pole eleuate on the northe syde .xxvii. degrees: And on the Southe syde (as they saye) xxii. degrees. It reacheth in length from the Easte to the Weste, seuen hundrethe and foure score myles. It is distant from the Ilandes of Gades (cau¦led Cales) xlix. degrees, and more as sum saye. The forme of the Ilande, resembleth the leafe of a chesnutte tree. Uppon a high hyll on the North syde of the Ilande, he buylded a ci∣tie,* 7.147 bycause this place was most apte for that purpose by rea∣son of a myne of stones which was nere vnto the same, ser∣uynge well bothe to buylde with, and also to make lyme. At the bottome of this hyll, is there a great playne of three score myles in lengthe:* 7.148 and in bredth sumwhere .xii. sumwhere .xx. myles where it is brodest, and .vi. myles where it is narowest Through this playne runne dyuers fayre ryuers of holsome waters. But the greatest of them which is nauigable, fauleth into the hauen of the citie for the space of halfe a furlonge. Howe fertile and fruitfull this valley is, you shal vnderstand by these thynges which folowe. On the shore of this ryuer,* 7.149 they haue lymyted and enclosed certeyne grounde to make gardeynes and orchiardes, in the which al kyndes of bygger herbes, as radyshe, letuse, colewortes, borage, and such o∣ther, waxe rype within .xvi. dayes after the seede is sowen. Lykewyse Melones, Gourdes, Cucumers, and suche other, within the space of .xxxvi. dayes. These garden herbes, they haue fresshe and greene all the whole yeare.* 7.150 Also the rootes of the canes or reedes, of the lycour wherof, suger is made, growe a cubette high within the space of .xv. dayes:* 7.151 but the lycoure is not yet hardened. The lyke they affirme of plantes or shrouddes of younge vines: And that they haue the second yeare gathered ripe and sweete grapes of the same. But by reason of to muche rankenes, they beare but fewe clusters. Furthermore, a man of the countrey sowed a lyttle wheate a¦bout the Calendes of February, and brought with hym to the citie a handefull of the rype eares of the same the thyrde day before the calendes of Aprell: which was that yeare the vigile of the Resurrection of owre Lorde. Also, al kyndes of pulse, as beanes, peason, fytches, tares, and suche other, are rype twyse in the yeare,* 7.152 as all they which come from thense, affirme with one voyce: Yet that the grounde is not vniuer∣sally

apte to beare wheate. In the meane tyme whyle these thynges were doinge, the Admirall sent owte a companye of xxx. men to searche the Region of Cipangae, otherwyse cauled Cibana This Region is full of mountaynes and rockes:* 7.153 And the myddle ba••ke of the hole Ilande in the whiche is greate plentie of goulde.* 7.154 When they that went to searche the Regi∣on, were returned they reported maruelous thynges as tou∣chinge the great ryches of this Region. Frome these moun∣taynes, descende foure greate ryuers,* 7.155 which by the marue∣lous industrye of nature, deuided the hole Ilande into foure partes, in maner equall, ouerspreadinge and wateringe the hole Ilande with their branches. Of these foure ryuers, the one reacheth towarde the Easte. This the inhabitantes caule Iunna: An other, towarde the Weste, and is cauled Attibunicus. The thirde towarde the Northe, named Iachem: the laste rea∣cheth into the Southe, and is cauled Naiba. The daye before the Ides of Marche, the Admiral him selfe with al his horse men and foure hundreth footemen,* 7.156 marched directly towarde the South syde of the goulden Region. Thus passinge ouer the ryuer, the plaine and the mountayne which enuironed the other syde of the playne, he chaunced vpon an other vale the which a ryuer muche bygger then the fyrste, and many other meane ryuers runne throwgh. When he had also conueighed his armye ouer the ryuer and passed the seconde vale whiche was in no part inferiour to the firste, he made away through the thirde mountayne,* 7.157 where was no passage before, and des¦cended into an other vale which was nowe the beginninge of Cibana.* 7.158 Through this also runne many fluddes, and ryuers, out of euery hyll, and in the sandes of theym all, is fownde great plentie of goulde. And when he had nowe entered three score and twelue myles into the goulden region from the citie he entended to buylde a fortresse vppon the toppe of a hyll, standing by the shore of a certeyne great ryuer, that he might the better and more safelye searche the secreates of the inner partes of the Region. This he cauled the fortresse of saynte Thomas. The which in the meane tyme whyle he was buyl∣dynge, thinhabitantes beinge desirous of haukes belles and other of owre thinges,* 7.159 resorted dayly thyther. To whom the Admirall declared, that if they wolde brynge goulde, they shulde haue what so euer they wolde aske, Forthwith tur∣ninge

theyr backes and runnynge to the shore of the next ry∣uer, they returned in a short tyme, brynginge with them their handes full of goulde. Amongest al other, there came a owld man bringynge with him two pybble stones of goulde weigh∣inge an vnce,* 7.160 desyrynge them to gyue him a bell for the same who when he sawe oure men maruell at the byggenes therof, he made signes that they were but smaule and of no value in respecte of sume that he had seene. And takynge in his hande foure stones the least wherof was as bygge as a walnut, and the byggest as bygge as an orange, he sayde that there was fownde peeces of goulde soo bygge in his countrey, beynge but halfe a dayes iourney from thense, and that they had no regarde to the gatheringe therof. Whereby we perceaue that they passe not muche for goulde in asmuch as it is goulde on∣ly,* 7.161 but so farre esteeme it, as the hande of the artificer hathe fashioned it in any coomely fourme. For who doth greatly esteeme rowgh marble or vnwrought Iuerye. But if they be wrought with the cunninge hande of Phidias or Praxiteles, and shaped to the similitude of the fayre nimphes or fayeres of the sea (cauled Nereiades) or the fayres of the wods, (cauled Hamadri¦ades) they shal neuer lacke byers. Besyde this owld man, there came also dyuers other, brynginge with them pypple stones of gold weighing .x. or .xii. drammes: And feared not to confesse, that in the place where they gathered that golde, there were found sūtyme stones of gold as bygge as the heade of a chyld When he had taryed heare a fewe dayes,* 7.162 he sent one Luxanus, a noble younge gentylman with a fewe armed men to searche all the partes of this Region. Who at his returne, reported that thinhabitantes shewed him greater thinges thē we haue spoken of here before. But he dyd openly declare nothynge therof: which they thought was doone by the Admirales com¦maundement. They haue wooddes full of certeyne spyces:* 7.163 but not suche as we commonly vse. These they gather euen as they do golde: that is as much as wyl serue for theyr pur¦pose, euery man for hym selfe, to exchange the same with the inhabitantes of other countreys adioyninge to them, for such thinges as they lacke, as dysshes, pottes, stooles, and suche other necessaries. As Luxanus returned to the Admiral, (which was about the Ides of Marche) he fownde in the wooddes, certeyne wylde vines, rype and of pleasaunt taste.* 7.164 But thin∣habitantes

passe not on them. This Region though it bee full of stones and rockes (and is therfore cauled Cibana, which is as muche to saye as a stone) yet it is well replenyshed with trees and pastures.* 7.165 Ye they instantly affirme, that if the grasse of these mountaynes bee cutte, it groweth ageyne within the space of foure dayes, higher then wheate. And for as muche as many showers of rayne doo faule in this Region, whereof the ryuers and fluddes haue their increase, in euery of the which, golde is fownde myrte with sande in all places, they iudge that the golde is dryuen from the mountaynes,* 7.166 by the vehement course of the streames which faule from the same, and runne into the ryuers. The people of this Region are gy¦uen to Idelnes and playe.* 7.167 For suche as inhabyte the moun∣taynes, syt quakynge for coulde in the wynter season,* 7.168 & had rather soo wander vppe and downe Idelly, then take the pei¦nes to make them apparell, wheras they haue wooddes full of gossāpine cotton. But such as dwel in the vales or plaines feele no coulde in wynter. When the Admirall had thus sear¦ched the beginninge of the region of Cibana, he repayred to Isa¦bella (for so he named the citie) where, leauinge the gouernance of the Ilande with his deputies, he prepared hym selfe to search further the lymettes of the Ilande of Cuba or Iohanna, which he yet doubted to bee the firme lande,* 7.169 and distant from Hispaniola. onely three score and ten myles. This dyd he with more speedy expedicion, caulyng to remembraunce the kinges commaundement, who wylled hym fyrst with all celeritie to ouer runne the coastes of the newe Ilandes, leaste any other prince shulde in the meane tyme attempte to inuade the same.* 7.170 For the Kynge of Portugale affirmed that it perteyned only to hym to discouer these vnknowen landes. But the byshop of Rome Alexander the .vi. to auoyd the cause of this discenti∣on,* 7.171 graunted to the Kynge of Spayne by thauctoritie of his leaden bulles, that no other prince shulde bee so boulde as to make any viages to any of those vnknowen regions, lyenge without the precinct of a directe lyne drawē from the North to the Southe a hundreth leaques westwarde without the pa¦ralelles of the Ilandes cauled Capud Viride. or Cabouerde, which we thynke to bee those that in owlde tyme were cauled Hespe∣rides.* 7.172 These perteyne to the kynge of Portugale. And frome these, his pylottes whiche doo yearely searche newe coastes

and regions, directe their course to the Easte,* 7.173 saylynge euer towarde the lefte hande by the backe of Aphrike and the seas of the Ethiopians: Neyther to this day had the Portugales at any tyme sayled Southwarde, or Westewarde from the I∣landes of Cabouerde. Preparyng therfore three shippes, he made haste towarde the Ilande of Iohanna or Cuba whyther he came in shorte space, and named the poynt therof where he fyrst ar¦ryued, Alpha and O:* 7.174 that is, the fyrste and the laste: for he supposed that there had byn thend of owre Easte bycause the sonne fauleth there: And of the weste, bycause it ryseth there. For it is apparente, that westwarde, it is the beginninge of India beyonde the ryuer of Ganges: And Eastewarde, the fur∣thest ende of the same:* 7.175 which thinge is not contrary to reason forasmuche as the Cosmographers haue lefte the lymites of India beyonde Ganges vndetermyned: where as also sume were of opinion that India was not farre frō the coastes of Spaine as we haue sayde before.* 7.176 Within the prospecte of the begyn∣nynge of Cuba, he founde a commodious hauen in the extreme angle of the Ilande of Hispaniola. For in this part, the Iland receaueth a greate goulfe. This hauen, he named saynt Ny∣colas porte,* 7.177 beinge scarsely .xx. leaques from Cuba. As he de¦parted from hense and sayled westwarde by the south syde of Cuba, the further that he went, so muche the more the sea see∣med to bee extended in breadth & to bende towarde the south. On the south syde of Cuba, he fownde an Ilande which thin∣habitantes caule Iamaica.* 7.178 This he affirmeth to bee longer and broder then the Iland of Sicilie: hauyng in it only one moun¦tayne, which on euery parte begynninge from the sea, ryseth by little and little into the myddest of the Ilande: And that soo playnely without rowghnes, that suche as goo vp to the toppe of the same, can scarsely perceaue that they ascende.* 7.179 This Ilande he affirmed to bee very fruitfull and full of peo∣ple as well in thinner partes of the same as by the shore: And that thinhabitantes are of quicker wytte then in the other I∣landes,* 7.180 and more experte artificers and warrelyke men. For in many places where he woulde haue arryued, they came ar∣med ageynst him and forbodde him with threatening wordes But beinge ouercome,* 7.181 they made a league of frendeship with hym. Thus departynge from Iamaica, he sayled towarde the Weste with a prosperous wynde for the space of three••core &

tenne dayes: thinkinge that he had passed so farre by the com¦passe of the earth being vnderneth vs, that he had byn nere vnto Aurea Chersonesus (nowe cauled Malaccha,* 7.182) in owre Easte In¦dia beyonde the beginninge of Persides. For he playnely bele∣ued that he had lefte onely two of the twelue howres of the sonne,* 7.183 which were vnknowen to vs, for the owlde wryters haue lefte halfe the course of the sonne vntouched, where as they haue but onely discussed that superficiall parte of the earth which lyeth betwene the Ilandes of Gades and the ry∣uer of Ganges:* 7.184 or at the vttermoste, to Aurea Chersonesus. In this nauigation, he chaunced on many furious seas, running with a faule as it had byn the streames of fluddes: Also many whorlepooles, and shelfes, with many other daungers, and streyghtes by reason of the multytude of Ilandes,* 7.185 which ley on euery syde. But not regardinge all these perelles, he deter¦myned to proceade vntyl he had certaine knowledge whether Cuba were an Ilande or firme lande. Thus he sayled forward coastinge euer by the shore towarde the weste for the space of CC.xxii. leaques, that is, abowte a thousande and three hun¦dreth myles: And gaue names to seuen hundreth Ilandes by the waye:* 7.186 Leauynge also on the lefte hande (as he feared not to reporte) three thousande here and three.* 7.187 But let vs nowe returne to suche thinges as he fownde worthy to be noted in this nauigation. Saylinge therfore by the syde of Cuba, and searchinge the nature of the places, he espied not farre from Alpha and O, a large hauen of capacitie to harborowe manye shippes:* 7.188 whose enteraunce is bendinge, beinge inclosed on bothe sydes with capes or poyntes which receaue the water. This hauen is large within, and of exceadinge depthe. Say∣linge by the shore of this porte, he sawe not farre frome the same, two cotages couered with reedes, and in many places fyer kyndeled. Here he sente certeyne armed men owte of the shippes to the cotages: where they fownde nother man nor woman, but rostemeate enowgh. For they fownde certeyne spyttes of woodde lyenge at the fyre, hauinge fyshe on theym abowt a hundreth pownde weight, and two serpentes of .viii foote longe a piece,* 7.189 wherat marueylinge, and lokynge abowt if they coulde espye any of thinhabitantes, and that none ap∣peared in syght (for they fledde all to the mountaynes at the comminge of owre men) they fell to theyr meate, and eate the

fyshe taken with other mens trauayle: But they absteyned frō the serpentes, which they affirme to differ nothinge from Cro¦codiles of Egypt,* 7.190 but onely in byggenes. For (as Plinie sayth) Crocodiles haue sumetymes byn fownde of .xviii. cubettes longe. But of these the byggest were but of .viii. fote. Thus be¦inge well refresshed, they entered into the next woodde where they fownde many of the same kynde of serpentes hangynge vppon bowghes of trees: of the which, sume had theyr mou∣thes tyed with strynges, and sume theyr teethe taken owte. And as they searched the places nere vnto the hauen, they sawe abowte .lxx. men in the toppe of a hyghe rocke, whiche fledde as soone as they had espied owre men. Who by signes and tokens of peace, caulinge them ageyne, there was one which came nere them and floode on the toppe of a rocke, see∣mynge as thowgh he were yet ferefull. But the Admiral sent one Didacus to hym,* 7.191 a man of the same countrey, whom he had at his fyrste vyage taken in the Ilande of Guanahaini, beinge nere vnto Cuba: wyllinge hym to come nere and not to bee a∣frayde. When he harde Didacus speke to him in his owne tonge he came bowldly to hym: and shortly after resorted to his cō∣pany, persuadinge them to come without all feare. After this message was doone, there descended frome the rockes to the shippes, abowt three score and ten of thinhabibitantes, pro∣feringe frendeshippe and gentelnes to owre men: whiche the Admirall accepted thankefully, and gaue them dyuers rewar¦des: And that the rather, for that he had intelligence by Di∣dacus thenterpretoure, that they were the kynges fysshers,* 7.192 sent of theyr lorde to take fysshe ageynst a solemne feaste which he prepared for an other kynge. And wheras the Admirales men had eaten the fysshe whiche they lefte at the fyre, they were the gladder therof, bycause they had lefte the serpentes.* 7.193 For there is nothinge amonge theyr delicate dysshes, that they esteeme so muche as these serpentes: In soo muche that it is no more lawfull for the common people to eate of them, then peacockes or phesantes amonge vs. As for the fysshes, they doubted not to take as many more the same nyght. Beynge asked why they fyrst rosted the fysshe which they entended to beare to their kynge. They answered, that they might bee the fressher and vncorrupted. Thus ioyninge handes for a token of further frendeship, euery man resorted to his owne. The

Admirall went forwarde as he had appoynted, folowing the faulinge of the sonne from the beginninge of Cuba cauled Al∣pha and O. The shores or sea bankes euen vnto this hauen, al∣beit they be ful of trees, yet are they rowgh with mountains. Of these trees, su••e were ful of blossoomes and flowres, and other laden with fruites.* 7.194 Beyonde the hauē the lande is more fertile and peopulous, whose inhabitantes are more gentyll and more desyrous of owre thinges. For as sone as they had espied owre sh••ppes, they flocked all to the shore, brynginge with them suche breade as they are accustomed to eate, and gourdes full of water, offeringe theym vnto owre men, and further desyringe them to coome alande. In all these Ilandes is a certeyne kynde of trees as bygge as elmes, whiche beare gourdes in the steade of fruites.* 7.195 These they vse only for drin∣kynge pottes, and to fetche water in, but not for meate, for the inner substance of them, is sowrer then gaule, & the barke as harde as any shelle. At the Ides of Maye, the watche men lokinge owte of the toppe castell of the shyppe towarde the Southe, sawe a multitude of Ilandes standinge thicke toge∣ther,* 7.196 beynge all well replenished with trees, grasse, and her∣bes, and wel inhabyted. In the shore of the continent, he chaū∣ced into a nauigable ryuer whose water was soo hotte,* 7.197 that no man myght endure to abyde his hande therein any tyme. The day folowinge, espying a farre of a Canoa of fysher men of thinhabitantes, fearinge least they shulde flye at the syght of owre men, he commaunded certeyne to assayle them pryuily with the shyppe boates. But they fearinge nothinge, taryed the comminge of owre men. Nowe shal you heare a newe kind of fyshinge.* 7.198 Lyke as we with greyhoundes doo hunte hares, in the playne fieldes. So doo they as it were with a huntyng fysshe,* 7.199 take other fysshes. This fysshe was of shape or fourme vnknowen vnto vs: but the body therof, not muche vnlyke a greate yele: hauinge on the hynder parte of the heade, a very towgh skynne, lyke vnto a greate bagge or purse. This fysshe is tyed by the syde of the boate with a corde lette downe soo farre into the water, that the fysshe maye lye close hyd by the keele or bottome of the same, for shee may in no case abyde the sight of the ayer. Thus when they espie any greate fysshe, or tortoyse (wherof there is great abundance bygger then great targettes) they let the corde at lengthe.* 7.200 But when she feeleth

her selfe loosed, shee enuadeth the fysshe or tortoyse as swift∣ly as an arrowe. And where she hath once fastened her howld shee casteth the purse of skynne wherof we sp••ke before: And by drawyng the same togyther, soo graspeleth her pray, that no mans strength is sufficient to vnloose the same, excepte by lyttle and lyttle drawinge the lyne, shee bee lyfted sumwhat aboue the brymme of the water. For then, as sone as she se∣eth the brightnes of the ayer, shee lettethe goo her howlde. The praye therfore, beinge nowe drawen nere to the brymme of the water,* 7.201 there leapeth soodenly owte of the boate into the sea soo manye fysshers, as maye suffice to holde faste the praye, vntyll the reste of the coompany haue taken it into the boate. Which thinge doone, they loose soo muche of the cord, that the hunting fysshe, may ageyne return•• to her place with in the water: where by an other corde, they let downe to her a piece of the praye, as we vse to rewarde greyhoundes after they haue kylled theyr game. This fysshe, they caule Guaicanū,* 7.202 But owre men caule it Reuersum. They gaue owre men foure tortoyses taken by this meanes: And those of such byggenes that they almoste fylled theyr fysshinge boate. For these fys∣shes are esteemed amonge them for delicate meate. Owre men recompensed them ageyne with other rewardes, and soo lette them departe. Beinge asked of the coompasse of that lande, they aunswered that it had no ende westewarde. Most instant¦ly defyringe the Admirall to coome alande:* 7.203 or in his name to sende one with thē to salute their Cazicus, (that is) their kinge: Affirmynge that he wolde gyue owre men many presentes, yf they wolde goo to hym. But the Admiral, leaste he shulde bee hyndered of the vyage which he had begunne, refused to goo with them. Then they desyred to knowe his name, and towld owre men lykewyse the name of theyr kyng. Thus sayling on yet further euer toward the West, within fewe dayes he came nere vnto a certeyne exceding high moūtayne, wel inhabyted by reason of the great fertilitie of the same.* 7.204 Thinhabitauntes of this mountayne, browght to owre shippe, breade, gossam∣pine cotton, cunnies, and sundry kyndes of wyldfowle: de∣maun••ynge relygiously of thinterpretoures, if this nation des¦cended not from heauen. The kynge of this people, and dy∣uers other sage men that stoode by hym, informed hym that that lande was no Ilande. Shortly after, enteringe into one

of the Ilandes beinge on the lefte hande of this lande, they fownde no body therin: for they fledde al at the commyng of owre men. Yet fownde they there fowre dogges of maruelous deformed shape,* 7.205 and suche as coulde not barke. This kynd of dogges, they eate as we do goates. Here is great plentie of geese, duckes,* 7.206 and hearons.* 7.207 Betwene these Ilandes and the continente, he entered into soo narowe streyghtes, that he coulde scarsely turne backe the shippes: And these also so sha∣lowe, that the keele of the shyps sumtyme rased on the sandes The water of these streyghtes,* 7.208 for the space of fortie myles, was white and thycke lyke vnto mylke,* 7.209 and as thowgh mele had byn sparkeled throwgh owte al that sea. And when they had at the lengthe escaped these strayghtes, and were nowe coome into a mayne and large sea, and had sayled theron for the space of foure score myles, they espyed an other excedinge hygh mountayne, whyther the Admirall resorted to store his shyppes with fresshe water and fuel. Heare amonge certeyne wooddes of date trees,* 7.210 and pyneable trees of excedyng height he fownd two natiue sprynges of fresshe water. In the meane tyme whyle the woodde was cuttynge and the barrelles fyl∣lyng, one of owre archers went into the wood to hunt: where he espyed a certeyne man with a whyte vesture,* 7.211 soo lyke a fryer of thorder of saynt Marye of Mercedis, that at the fyrste sight he supposed it had byn the Admiralles preeste which he browght with hym, beyng a man of the same order. But two other folowed hym immediatlye owte of the same wooddes, shortly after, he sawe a farre of a hole coompany of men clo∣thed in apparel, beinge abowte .xxx. in nomber. Then turning his backe and cryinge owte to his felowes, he made haste to the shyppes with all that he myght dryue. These apparelled men, made signes and tokens to hym to tary and not to bee afrayde. But that notwithstandinge, he ceased not to flye. The Admirall beinge aduertised hereof, and not a lyttle reioy¦synge that he had fownde a ciuile people, in continently sent forth armed men, with commaundement, that yf neede should soo requyre, they shulde enter fortie myles into the Ilande, vntyl they myght fynde eyther those apparelled men, or other inhabitantes of that countrey. When they hadde passed ouer the woodde, they came into a greate playne full of grasse and herbes, in which appeared no token of any pathe way. Here

attemptinge to goo throwgh the grasse and herbes, they were soo entangled and bewrapte therin, that they were scarsely a¦ble to passe a myle, the grasse beinge there lyttle lower then owre rype corne.* 7.212 Beinge therfore weryed, they were enforced to returne ageyne, fyndyng no pathe way. The day folowing he sent foorth .xxv. armed men an other way: Commaunding them to make diligent searche and inquisition what maner of people inhabited the land. Who departinge, when they had fownde not farre from the sea syde certeyne steppes of wylde beastes,* 7.213 of the which they suspected sum to bee of Lyons feete being striken with feare, returned backe ageyne. As they came they fownde a woodde in the which were many natiue vines here and there crepinge abowte highe trees,* 7.214 with many other trees bearinge aromaticall fruites and spyces.* 7.215 Of these vines they browght with them into Spaine many clusters of grapes very ponderous and full of lycoure. But of the other fruites, they browght none bycause they putrified by the waye in the shippe, and were caste into the sea. They saye also that in the laundes or medowes of those wooddes, they sawe flockes of greate cranes twyse as bygge as owres.* 7.216 As he went forward and turned his sayles towarde certeyne other mountaines, he espied two cotages on the shore, in the whiche he sawe onely one man: who beinge browght to the shyppe, signified with heade, fyngers, and by al other signes, that he coulde deuise that the lande which lay beyonde those mountaynes, was ve∣ry full of people. And as the Admirall drewe nere the shore of the same, there mette hym certeyne Canoas hauinge in them ma¦ny people of the countrey, who made signes and tokens of peace and frendeshyp. But here Didacus thinterpretour whiche vnderstoode the language of thinhabitantes of the beginning of Cuba,* 7.217 vnderstode not them one whytte, wherby they consy∣dred that in sundry prouinces of Cuba, were sundry languages He had also intelligence, that in the inlande of this Region, was a kynge of greate power, and accustomed to weare appa¦rell. He sayth that all the tracte of this shore, was drowned with water and full of mudde, besette with many trees, after the maner of owre marysshes, Yet whereas in this place they wente alande for fresshe water, they fownde many of the shel¦fysshes in the whiche pearles are gathered.* 7.218 But that coulde not cause the Admirall to tracte the tyme there, entendinge at

this viage, only to proue howe many landes & seas he coulde discouer accordin••e to the kynges commaundement. As they yet proceded forwarde, they sawe here and there al the waye alonge by the shore, a great smoke rysinge, vntyll they came to an other mountayne foure score myles distant. There was no rocke or hyll that coulde be seene, but the same was all of a smoke. But whether these fyers were made by thinhabi∣tantes for their necessary busynes, or as we are wont to sette beacons on fyre when we suspecte thapproche of owre enemi∣es, thereby to gyue warninge to theyr neyghbours to bee in a redines, and gather togyther if perhappes owre men shulde attempte any thinge ageynst them, or otherwyse as seemethe most lykely, to caule them togyther as to a wonder to behould owre shippes, they knewe yet no certentie. In this tracte, the shores bended sumetyme towarde the Southe, and sumetyme towarde the Weste and westesouthwest: And the sea was eue¦ry where entangeled with Ilandes:* 7.219 by reason whereof, the keeles of the shippes often tymes rased the sandes for shalow¦nes of the water: So that the shyppes beinge very sore brused and appayred the sayles, cables, and other tackelinges, in ma¦ner rotten, and the vytayles, (especially the byskette breade) corrupted by takynge water at the riftes euyll closed, the Ad∣mirall was enforced to turne backe ageyne. This laste poynte where he touched of Cuba (not yet beinge knowen to be an Ilande) he cauled Euangelista.* 7.220 Thus ••urning his sayles toward other Ilandes lyinge not farre from the supposed continente, he chaunced into a mayne sea where was suche a multitude of greate tortoyses,* 7.221 that sumtyme they stayed the shyppes. Not longe after, he entered into a gulfe of whyte water,* 7.222 lyke vn∣to that wherof we spake before. At the lengh fearing the shel∣fes of the Ilands, he returned to the shore of Cuba by the same way which he came. Here a multitude of thinhabitantes, as well women as men, resorted to hym with cheerefull counte∣naunce and without feare: bringynge with them popingayes breade, water, and cunnyes: But especially stocke doues much bygger then owres: which he affirmeth, in sauour and taste, to bee muche more pleasaunt then owre partryches.* 7.223 Wherfore where as in eatinge of them he perceaued a certeyne sauoure of spyce to proceade from them, he commaunded the croppe to bee opened of suche as were newely kylled, and fownde the

same full of sweete spyces, whiche he argued to bee the cause of theyr strange taste. For it standeth with good reason, that the flesshe of beastes, shulde drawe the nature and qualitie of theyr accustomed nury••hemente. As the Admirall harde masse on the shore, there came towarde hym a certeyne gouernoure,* 7.224 a man of foure score yeares of age, and of great grauitie, al∣thowgh he were naked sauinge his pryuie partes. He had a greate trayne of menne waytinge on hym. All the whyle the preeste was at masse, he shewed hym selfe verye humble and gaue reuerente attendaunce with graue and demure counte∣naunce. When the masse was ended, he presented to the Ad∣mirall, a baskette of the fruites of his countrey, delyueringe the same with his owne handes. When the Admirall had gen¦telly interteyned hym, desyringe leaue to speake, he made an oration in the presence of Didacus thinterpretoure, in this ef∣fecte.* 7.225 I haue byn aduertised (moste mighty prince) that you haue of late with greate power subdued many landes and Re¦gions hytherto vnknowē to you: and haue browght no little feare vppon all the people and inhabitantes of the same. The which your good fortune, you shal beare with lesse insolencie,* 7.226 if you remember that the soules of men haue two iourneyes after they are departed from this bodye. The one fowle and darke, prepared for suche as are iniurious and cruell to man kynde: The other pleasaunt and delectable, ordeyned for thē which in theyr lyfe tyme, loued peace and quietnes. If there∣fore you acknowleage your selfe to bee mortall, and consyder that euery man shall receaue condigne rewarde or punyshemēt for such thinges as he hath done in this life, you wyl wronge¦fully hurte no man. When he had sayde these wordes and o∣ther lyke, which were declared to the Admirall by thinterpre∣tour, he marueylinge at the iudgemente of the naked owlde man, answered, that he was gladde to heare his opinion as touchinge the sundry iourneys and rewardes of sowles depar¦ted from theyr bodyes: Supposinge that nother he, or any o∣ther of thinhabitantes of those Regions,* 7.227 had had any know∣leage thereof. Declaringe further that the chiefe cause of his comminge thyther was to instructe them in such godly know∣leage and trewe religion: And that he was sente into those countreys by the Christian kynge of Spayne (his lorde and maister) for the same purpose:* 7.228 And specially to subdue and

punishe the Canibales and such other mischeuous people: And to defende innocentes ageynst the violence of such euyl doers wyllynge hym and all other such as embrased vertue, in no case to bee afrayde: But rather to open his mynde vnto him, if eyther he, or any other suche quiete men as he was, hadde susteyned any wronge of theyr neyghbours: and that he wold see the same reuenged. These comfortable wordes of the Ad∣mirall soo pleased the owlde man, that notwithstandyng his extreeme age, he woulde gladly haue gone with the Admiral as he had doone in deede, if his wyfe and chyldren had not hyndered hym of his purpose. But he marueyled not a lyttle, that the Admirall was vnder the dominion of an other: And muche more, when thinterpretour towlde hym of the glorye, magnificence, pompes, greate power, and furnymentes of warre of owre kynges, and of the multitudes of cities and townes which were vnder theyr dominions. Intendyng ther¦fore to haue gonne with the Admirall, his wyfe and children fell prostrate at his feete, with teares desyrynge hym not to forsake them and leaue them desolate. At whose pytifull re∣questes, the worthy owlde man beinge moued, remayned at home to the comfort of his people and famylie, satisfyenge ra¦ther them then hym selfe. For not yet ceasinge to woonder, and of heauy countenaunce bycause he myght not departe, he demaunded oftentymes if that lande were not heauen, which browght foorth suche a kynde of men. For it is certeyne, that amonge them, the lande is as common as the sonne and wa∣ter:* 7.229 And that Myne and Thyne (the seedes of all myscheefe) haue no place with them. They are contente with soo lyttle, that in soo large a countrey, they haue rather superfluitie thē scarsenes. Soo that (as wee haue sayde before) they seeme to lyue in the goulden worlde,* 7.230 without toyle, lyuinge in open gardens, not intrenched with dykes, dyuyded with hedges, or defended with waules. They deale trewely one with an o∣ther, without lawes, without bookes, and without Iudges. They take hym for an euyll and myscheuous man, which ta∣keth pleasure in doinge hurte to other. And albeit that they delyte not in superfluities, yet make they prouision for thin∣crease of suche rootes,* 7.231 wherof they make theyr breade, as Ma∣izium, Iucca, and Ages, contented with suche simple dyet,* 7.232 wher∣by health is preserued, and dyseases auoyded. The Admirall

therfore departinge from thense, and myndinge to returne a∣geyne shortly after, chaunced to coome ageyne to the Ilande of Iamaica beinge on the sowthe syde therof:* 7.233 and coasted all a longe by the shore of the same, from the Weste to the Easte. From whose last corner on the East syde, when he sawe to∣warde the North on his lefte hande, certeyn high mountains he knewe at the length that it was the sowthe syde of the I∣lande of Hispaniola,* 7.234 which he had not yet passed by. Wherfore at the Calendes of September, enteringe into the hauen of the same Ilande, cauled saynt Nycolas hauen, he repayred his shippes to thintent that he myght ageyne wast and spoyle the Ilandes of the Canibales,* 7.235 and burne all theyr Canoas, that those raueninge wolues myght no longer persecute and deuoure the innocent sheepe. But he was at this tyme hynde∣red of his purpose by reason of a dysease which he had gottē with to muche watchinge.* 7.236 Thus beinge feeble and weake, he was ledde of the maryners to the citie of Isabella, where, with his two brytherne which were there, & other his familiers, he recouered his health in shorte space. Yet coulde he not at this tyme assayle the Canibales, by reason of sedicion that was ry¦sen of late amonge the Spanyardes which he had lefte in His∣paniola, wherof we wyll speake more heareafter. Thus fare ye wel.

¶ The fourth booke of the fyrst decade to Lodouike Cardinall of Aragonie.

COlonus the Admirall of the Ocean, returning (as he supposed) from the continent or firme lande of East India,* 7.237 had aduertisement that his brother Boilus & one Peter Margarita, an owld familier of the kinges, and a noble man, with diuers other of those to whom he had left the gouernemēt of the Iland,* 7.238 were of corrupted mynde ageynst him, departed into Spayne. Wherfore as wel to purge him of such crimes as they shuld ley to his charge, as also to make a supply of other men in the place of them which were returned, & especially to prouyde for vitailes, as wheat, wyne, oyle, and such other which the Spanyardes are accu∣stomed to eate, bycause they coulde not yet well agree with such meates as they fownde in the Ilandes, determined short¦ly

to take his vyage into Spayne. But what he dyd before his departure, I wyll brefely rehearse.

The kynges of the Ilandes which had hytherto lyued quiet∣ly and content with theyr lyttle whiche they thowght abun∣dante,* 7.239 wheras they nowe perceaued that owre men began to fasten foote within theyr Regions and to beare rule amonge them, tooke the matter so greuously, that they thowght no∣thynge elles but by what meanes they myght vtterly destroy them, and for euer abolysshe the memory of theyr name. For that kynde of men (the Spanyardes I meane which folowed the Admirall in that nauigation,* 7.240) was for the most parte vn∣ruly, regardynge nothinge but Idlenes, playe, and libertie: And wolde by no meanes absteyne from iniuries: Rauyshynge the womē of the Ilandes before the faces of their husbandes fathers, and brethrene: By which theyr abhomynable mysde maynour, they disquieted the myndes of all thinhabitantes: In so much that where so euer they fownde any of owre men vnprepared, they slewe them with suche fyercenes and glad∣nes, as thowgh they had offered sacryfyce to God. Inten∣dynge therefore to pacifie their troubled myndes, and to pu∣nyshe them that slew his men before he departed from thense, he sent for the kynge of that vale, which in the booke before, we descrybed to bee at the foote of the mountaynes of the Re¦gion of Cibaua. This kynges name was Guarionexius:* 7.241 who, the more streyghtly to concyle vnto hym the frendeshyppe of the Admirall, gaue his syster to wyfe to Didacus, a man from his chyldes age browght vp with the Admiral, whom he vsed for his interpretoure in the prouinces of Cuba. After this, he sent for Caunaboa, cauled the lorde of the howse of goulde: that is, of the mountaynes of Cibaua, For this Caunaboa,* 7.242 he sent one ca¦pitayne Hoieda, whom the ditionaries of Caunaboa had enforced to keepe his howlde bysiegeinge for the space of .xxx. dayes, the fortresse of saynte Thomas, in the which Hoieda with his fyftie souldiers, stoode at theyr defence, vntyll the comminge of the Admirall. Whyle Hoieda remayned with Caunaboa,* 7.243 ma∣ny ambassadours of the kynges of dyuers Regions were sent to Caunaboa, persuadinge hym in no condicion to permitte the Christians to inhabite the Ilande, except he had rather serue then rule. On the other partie, Hoieda aduertised Caunaboa to goo to the Admirall, and to make a league of frendeship with

hym. But the ambassadours on the contrary part, threatened hym, that yf he wolde soo doo, the other kynges wolde in∣uade his Region. But Hoieda aunswered theym ageyne, that wheras they conspired to maynteyne their libertie, they shuld by that meanes be browght to seruitude & destruction if they entended to resist or keepe warre ageinst the Christians. Thus Caunaboa on the one syde and the other,* 7.244 beinge troubeled as it were a rocke in the sea, beaten with contrary fluddes, & much more vexed with the stormes of his gyltie conscience for that he had priuilie slaine .xx. of owre men vnder pretence of peace feared to coome to the Admirall. But at the length, hauing ex¦cogitated this deceyte,* 7.245 to haue slayne the Admirall and his coompany vnder the colour of frendshippe if oportunitie wold soo haue serude, he repayred to the Admiral with his hole fa¦milie and many other wayting on hym, armed after theyr ma¦ner. Beinge demaunded why he browght soo greate a rout of men with hym, he aunswered that it was not decente for soo great a prince as he was, to goo foorth of his howse without suche a bande of men. But the thinge chaunced much other∣wyse then he looked for. For he fell into the snares which he had prepared for other. For wheras by the way he began to repente hym that he came foorthe of his howse, Hoieda with many fayre wordes and promyses,* 7.246 browght hym to the Admi¦rall: At whose commaundement, he was immediatly taken & put in prison: So that the sowles of owre men were not longe from their bodies vnreuenged. Thus Caunaboa with all his fa∣milie beinge taken, the Admirall was determined to runne o∣uer the Ilande. But he was certified that there was such fa∣mine amonge thinhabitantes,* 7.247 that there was alredye fyftie thousande menne deade therof: And that they dyed yet dayly as it were cotton sheepe: The cause wherof was wel knowen to bee theyr owne obstinacie and frowardnes. For where as they sawe that owre men entended to choose them a dwelling place in the Ilande, supposinge that they myght haue driuen them from thence if the vytailes of the Ilande shoulde fayle, they determyned with them selues, not only to leaue sowing and plantyng, but also to destroy and plucke vp by the rootes euery man in his owne region,* 7.248 that whiche they had alredye sowen of both kyndes of breade wherof we made mencion in the fyrst booke. But especially amonge the mountaynes of

Cibaua, otherwyse cauled Cipanga, for as muche as they hadde knoweleage that the golde which abundeth in that Region, was the cheefe cause that deteyned owre men in the Ilande. In the meane tyme, he sent foorth a Capitayne with a bande of men to searche the sowthe syde of the Ilande. Who at his returne, reported that throwghe out all the Regions that he trauayled, there was suche scarsenes of breade, that for the space of .xvi. dayes he eate nowght elles but the rootes of her¦bes, and of younge date trees, or the fruites of other wylde trees, But Guarionexius, the kynge of the vale lyinge beneth the mountaynes of Cibaua, whose kyngedoome was not soo wa∣sted as the other, gaue owre menne certeyne vytayles.

Within a fewe dayes after, bothe that the iourneys myght bee the shorter, and also that owre men myght haue more safe places of refuge, if the inhabitantes shuld hereafter rebell in lyke maner, he buylded an other fortesse (whiche he cauled the towre of Cōception) betwene the citie of Isabella and saint Thomas fortresse,* 7.249 in the marches of the kyngdome of this Guarionexius within the precincte of Cibaua vpon the syde of A hyll, hauynge a fayre ryuer of holsome water runnynge hard by the same. Thus when the inhabitantes sawe newe buyl∣dynges to bee dayly erected, and owre shippes lying in the ha¦uen rotten and halfe broken, they beganne to despayre of any hope of libertie, & wandered vp and downe with heuie ••here. From the towre of Conception, searchynge diligently the in∣ner partes of the mountaynes of Cibaua, there was A certeine kyng whiche gaue them a masse of rude golde, as bygge as a mans fyst, weighing .xx. vnces.* 7.250 This golde was not fownde in the banke of that ryuer, but in a heape of drye earthe: and was lyke vnto the stone cauled Tofus,* 7.251 whiche is soone resol∣ued into sande. This masse of golde, I my selfe sawe in Ca∣stile, in the famous citie of Methymna Campi, where the courte lay all that wynter. I sawe also a great piece of pure Electrum:* 7.252 of the whiche belles and apothecaries morters, and many su∣che other vessels and instrumentes maye bee made, as were in owlde tyme of copper of the citie of Corinthus. This piece of E∣lectrum, was of such weight, that I was not onely with both my handes vnable to lifte it from the grownde, but also not of strengthe to remoue it eyther one waye or an other. They affyrmed that it wayde more then three hundreth pownde

weight, after .viii. vnces to the pownde. It was fownde in the howse of a certen prynce, and lefte hym by his predeces∣sours. And albeit that in the dayes of thinhabitantes yet li∣uynge, Electrum was no where digged, yet knewe they where the myne therof was:* 7.253 but owre men with muche adoo, coulde hardely cause them to shewe them the place, they bore them suche priuie hatred. Yet at the length, they browght theym to the myne, beyng nowe ruinate and stopped with stones and rubbisshe. It is muche easier to dygge then is the iren myne: and myght bee restored agein, if myners and other woorke∣men skylfull therin, were appoynted therto. Not farre from the towre of Conception, in the same mountaynes, is fownd great plentie of Amber:* 7.254 and owte of certen rockes of the same distilleth a substance of the yelowe coloure whiche the payn∣ters vse.* 7.255 Not farre from these mountaynes are many greate wooddes, in the which are none other trees then brasile, whi¦che the Italians caule Verzino.* 7.256 But here perhappes (right no¦ble prynce) yowe wolde aske what shoulde be the cause, that where as the Spanyardes haue brought owte of these Ilan∣des certen shyppes laden with brasile, sumwhat of gossam∣pine cotton, a quantitie of amber, a lyttel golde, and sum spi¦ces, why they haue not broughte suche plentie of golde and suche other ryche marchaundies as the fruitfulnesse of these regions seeme to promisse. To this I answere,* 7.257 that when Colonus the admirall was lykewise demaunded the cause here∣of, he made answere that the Spanyardes whiche he tooke with him into these regions, were gyuen rather to slepe, pley, and ydlenesse; then to laboure: And were more studious of se∣dition and newes, then desyrous of peace and quietnesse: Also that beynge gyuen to lycenciousnes,* 7.258 they rebelled & forsooke hym, fyndynge matter of false accusations agaynst hym, by∣cause he went aboute to represse theyr owtragiousenes.

By reason wherof he was not yet able to breake the power of the inhabytantes, and freely to possesse the full dominion of the Ilande. And these hynderaunces to be the cause that hi∣therto the gaynes haue scarsely counteruayled the charges.* 7.259 Albeit, euen this yere whyle I wryte these thynges at owre requeste, they gathered in twoo moonethes the summe of a thousande and twoo hundreth poundes weight of golde. But bycause we intende to speake more largely of these thynges

in theyr place, we wyll nowe retourne from whense we haue digressed. When the inhabitantes perceaued that they could by no meanes shake the yoke from their neckes, they made hū¦ble supplication to the Admirall that they myght stande to theyr tribute,* 7.260 and apply them selues to reincrease the fruites of theyr countrey, beinge nowe almoste wasted. He graunted them theyr requeste: and appoynted such order that euery Re¦gion shulde paye their tribute, with the commodities of theyr countreys, accordinge to theyr portion, and at suche tyme as they were agreed vppon. But the violent famine dyd frustrate all these appoyntmentes.* 7.261 For all the trauayles of theyr bo∣dyes, were scarsely able to suffice to fynde them meate in the wooddes, whereby to susteyne theyr lyues, beinge of longe tyme contented with rootes and the fruites of wylde trees. Yet manye of the kynges with theyr people, euen in this ex∣treme necessitie, browght parte of theyr tribute: Moste hum∣bly desyringe the Admirall to haue compassion of theyr cala∣mities, and to beare with them yet a whyle, vntyll the Iland were restored to the owlde state. Promysinge further, that that which was nowe wantinge, shulde then bee dowble re∣compensed. But fewe of the inhabitantes of the mountaynes of Cibaua, kepte theyr promyse, bycause they were sorer op∣pressed with famine then any of the other.* 7.262 They saye, that the inhabitantes of these mountaynes, differ no lesse in ma∣ners and language from them which dwel in the playnes, thē amonge vs, the rusticalles of the countrey from gentylmen of the courte: wheras notwithstandinge, they lyue bothe as it were vnder one portion of heuen, and in many thinges, much after one fasshion, as in nakednes, and rude simplicitie: But nowe lette vs returne to Caunaboa,* 7.263 the kynge of the howse of golde, beinge in captiuitie. When he perceaued him selfe to be caste in pryson, fretinge and gratinge his teethe as it had bin a lyon of Libia, and dayely and nightlye deuisinge with hym¦self howe he myght bee delyuered,* 7.264 beganne to persuade the Admirall, that for as muche as he had nowe taken vnto his dominion the Regiō of Cipanga or Cibaua (wherof he was king) it shulde bee expedient to sende thyther a garryson of Christi∣an men, to defen••e the same from the incursions of his owld enemyes and borderers. For he sayde, that it was signyfied vnto hym, that the countreye was wasted and spoyled with

suche incursions. By this crafty deuise, he thought to haue browght to passe, that his brother whiche was in that regy∣on, and the other his kynsefolkes and frendes with their ad∣herentes, shoulde haue taken, eyther by sleyghte or force, as many of owre men, as myght haue redeemed hym. But the Admyrall vnderstandynge his crafty meanynge, sente Hoi••dae with suche a coompany of men, as might vanquishe the Ciba∣uians, if they shulde moue warre ageynste them. Owre men had scarsely entered into the Region, but the brother of Cau∣naboa came agenste them with an armie of fyue thousande na∣ked menne,* 7.265 armed after theyr maner with clubbes, arrowes typte with bones, and speares made harde at the endes with fyre. He stole vpon owre men beyng in one of theyr howses: and encamped rownde about the same on euery syde. This Ci¦bauian, as a man not ignorant in the disciplyne of warre, a∣bowte the distance of a furlonge from the howse, diuided his armye into fyue batayles, appoyntinge to euery of them a cir¦cuite by equal diuision: And placed the froont of his owne ba¦tayle, directlye ageynst owre men. When he had thus set his batayles in good array, he gaue certeyne signes that the hole army shulde marche forwarde in order with equal paces, and with a larome fresshly assayle theyr enemies,* 7.266 in such sort that none might escape. But owre men iudginge it better to en∣counter with one of the batayles, then to abyde the brunt of the hole army, gaue onset on the mayne batayle aranged in the playne, bycause that place was most commodious for the horsemen. When the horsemen therfore hadde gyuen the charge, they ouerthrewe them with the brestes of theyr hor∣ses, and slewe as many as abode thende of the fyght.* 7.267 The re¦sidue beinge stryken with feare, disparcled, and fledde to the mountaynes and rockes: from whense they made a pytifull houlynge to owre men, desyringe them to spare them: prote∣stinge that they wolde neuer more rebelle, but doo what so e∣uer they woulde commaunde them, if they wolde suffer theim to lyue in theyr owne countrey. Thus the brother of Caunaboa beinge taken, the Admirall licenced the people to resorte eue∣ry man to his owne. These thinges thus fortunately atchiued this Region was pacified. Amonge those mountaynes, the vale which Caunaboa inhabited, is cauled Magona, and is exce∣dynge fruitfull: hauinge in it many goodly springes: and ry∣uers,

in the sande wherof, is fownde great plentie of golde. The same yeare in the mooneth of Iune,* 7.268 they saye there rose suche a boystous tempeste of wynde from the sowtheaste, as hath not lyghtly ben harde of: The violence hereof was such that it plucked vppe by the rooes what so euer greate trees were within the reache of the force therof. When this whirle wynde came to the hauen of the citie, it beate downe to the bottome of the sea, three shippes which lay at anker,* 7.269 & broke the cables in sundre: and that (which is the greater maruail) without any storme or rowghnes of the sea, onely turnynge them three or foure tymes abowte. The inhabitantes also af∣firme, that the same yeare, the sea extended it selfe further in to the lande, and rose higher then euer it dyd before by the memory of man, by the space of a cubet. The people therfore, muttered amonge them selues, that owre nation hadde trow∣bled the elementes, and caused such portentous signes. These tempestes of the ayer (which the Grecians caule Tiphones, that is, whyrle wyndes) they caule,* 7.270 Furacanes:* 7.271 which they say, doo often tymes chaunce in this Ilande: But that neyther they nor theyr great grandfathers euer sawe suche violent and fu∣rious Furacanes, that plucked vppe greate trees by the rootes: Neyther yet suche surges and vehement motions on the sea, that soo wasted the lande. As in deede it may appeare, for as muche as, where so euer the sea bankes are nere to any plaine there are in maner euery where, florishing medowes reachinge euen vnto the shore. But nowe let vs returne to Caunaboa. As kynge Caunaboa therefore and his brother shoulde haue binne browght into Spayne,* 7.272 they dyed by the waye for verye pen∣syuenes and anguyshe of mynde. The Admiral, whose shippes were drowned in the forsayde tempeste, perceauinge him selfe to bee nowe enclosed, cōmaunded foorthwith two other ship∣pes (which the Spaniardes caule Carauelas) to bee made. For he had with hym, all maner of artificers perteyninge therun∣to. Whyle these thinges were dooinge, he sent foorth Bartholo¦meus Colonus his brother, beinge leauetenaunt of the Ilande, with an army of men to searche the golde mynes beinge dy∣stant three score leaques from the citie of Isabella,* 7.273 which were fownde by the conducte of certeyne people of the Ilande, bee∣fore the mynes of Cipanga or Cibaua, were knowen. In these mynes, they fownde certeyne deepe pittes which had byn dig¦ged

in owlde tyme, owte of these pyttes, the Admirall (who affirmeth this Ilande of Hispaniola to bee Ophir, as we haue sayde before) supposeth th••t Salomon the kynge of Hierus••lem had his greate ryches of golde wherof we reede in the owlde testamente:* 7.274 And that his shippes sayled to this Ophir by the goulfe of Persia cauled Sinus Persicus. But whether it bee soo or not, it lyeth not in me to iudge, but in my opinion it is farre of. As the myners dygged the superficiall or vppermost parte of the earthe of the mynes,* 7.275 durynge for the space of .vi. miles, and in dyuers places syfted the same on the drye lande, they fownde such plentie of golde, that euery hyred labourer could easely fynde euery day, the weyght of three drammes. These mynes beinge thus searched and fownde, the Lieuetenaunte certifyed the Admirall hereof by his letters. The which when he had receaued the .v. daye of the Ides of Marche. Anno. 1495. he entered into his newe shippes, and tooke his viage directly to Spayne to aduertise the kynge of all his affayres,* 7.276 leauinge the hole regiment of the Iland with his brother the Lieuetenaunte,

¶ The fyfte booke of the fyrst decade, to Lodouike Cardinall of Aragonie.

AFter the Admyralles departyng into Spain his Brother the Lieuetenaunte, buylded A fortesse in the golde mynes, as he had com∣maunded hym. This he cauled the golden towre,* 7.277 bycause the labourers fownde golde in the earth and stone wherof they made the waules of the fortresse. He consumed three monethes in makynge the instrumentes wherwith the golde shulde bee gathered, washed, tryed, and molten.* 7.278 Yet was he at this tyme by reason of wante of vitayles, enforced to leaue all thynges imperfecte, and to goo seeke for meate. Thus as he with a bande of armed men, had entered three score myles further within the lande, the people of the countrey here and there resortynge to hym, gaue hym a certen portion of theyr breade in exchange for other of owre thynges. But he coulde not long tary here, bicause they lacked meate in the fortresse, whyther he hasted with such as he had now gotten. Leauyng

therfore in the fortresse a garryson of tenne men, with that portion of the Ilande breade whiche yet remayned,* 7.279 leauynge also with them a hownde to take those kyndes of lyttle bea∣stes which they caule Vsias, not muche vnlyke owre conyes, he returned to the fortresse of Conception. This also, was the moonthe wherin the kynge Guarionexius, and also Manicautexius,* 7.280 bortherer vnto hym, shulde haue brought in theyr tributes. Remaynynge there the hole moonthe of Iune, he exacted the hole tribute of these twoo kinges, and vytayles necessary for hym and suche as he brought with hym, whiche were abowt foure hundreth in number. Shortely after, abowte the calen∣des of Iulye, there came three Caraueles from Spayne,* 7.281 brin∣gynge with them sundry kyndes of vitayles, as wheate, oyle wyne, bacon, and marckelmas beafe: whiche were dyuyded to euery man accordynge as neede required. Sum also was lost in the cariage for lacke of good lookyng too. At the arry∣uall of these shyppes, the lieuetenaunte receaued commaund∣ment from the kynge and the Admyrall his brother, that he with his men shulde remoue theyr habitation to the sowthe syde of the Ilande, bycause it was nerer to the golde mynes: Also that he shoulde make dilygent searche for those kynges whiche had slayne the Christian men, and to sende them with theyr confederates, bownd into Spayne. At the nexte vyage therfore, he sent three hundreth captiues with three Kinges: And when he had diligently searched the coastes of the south syde, he transported his habitation, and buylded a fortresse there, vpon the toppe of a hyll, neere vnto a shure hauen.

This fortresse, he cauled saynt Dominikes towre.* 7.282 Into this hauen, runneth A ryuer of holsome water, replenyshed with sundrye kyndes of good fysshes. They affyrme this ryuer to haue many benefytes of nature. For, where so euer it runneth all thynges are excedynge pleasaunte and fruitfull: hauynge on euery syde, groues of date trees,* 7.283 and dyuers other of the Ilande frutes so plentyfully, that as they sayled alonge by the shore, often tymes the branches therof laden with flow∣res & fruites, hunge soo ouer theyr heades, that they mighte plucke them with theyr handes. Also that the frutefulnes of this grownde, is eyther equall with the soyle of Isabella, or better. In Isabella,* 7.284 he lefte only certeyne sicke men and shippe wrightes, whom he had appointed to make certeyne carauels

The residue of his men, he conueighed to the sowth, to saint Dominickes towre. After he had buylded this fortresse, lea∣uinge therin a garryson of .xx. men, he with the remanent of his souldiers, prepared them selues to searche the inner par∣tes of the Weste syde of the Ilande, hytherto knowen onely by name. Therfore abowte .xxx. leaques, (that is) foure score and tenne myles from the fortresse, he chaunced on the ryuer Naiba,* 7.285 whiche we sayde to descende from the mountaynes of Cibaua, ryght towarde the sowth, by the myddest of the Iland. When he had ouerpassed this ryuer with a coompanye of ar∣med men diuided into .xxv. decurions, that is, tenne in a com¦pany with theyr capitaynes, he sent two decurions to the re∣gions of those kinges in whose landes were the great woods of brasile trees.* 7.286 Inclyninge towarde the lefte hande, they fownde the woodes, entered into them, and felled the hygh and precious trees, which were to that day, vntouched. Eche of the decurions fylled certeyne of the Ilande howses with the trunkes of brasile, there to be reserued vntyll the shyppes came which shulde cary them away. But the Lieuetenaunt di¦rectinge his iourney towarde the ryght hande, not farre from the bankes of the ryuer of Naiba, fownde a certeyne kynge whose name was Beuchius Anacauchoa,* 7.287 encamped ageynst thinha∣bitantes of the prouince of Naiba, to subdue them vnder his do¦minion, as he had doone manye other kynges of the Ilande, bortherers vnto hym: The palaice of this great kynge, is cau∣led Xaragua:* 7.288 and is situate towarde the Weste ende of the I∣lande, distante from the ryuer of Naiba .xxx. leaques. All the prynces which dwell betwene the Weste ende and his palaice, are ditionaries vnto hym. All that Region from Naiba,, to the furtheste marches of the weste, is vtterly withowte golde, al∣thowgh it bee full of mountaynes.* 7.289 When the kynge had espi∣ed owre men, layinge a parte his weapons, & gyuinge signes of peace, he spake gentelly to them, incerteyne whether it were of humanitie or feare) and demaunded or thē what they woolde haue. The Lieuetenaunte aunswered: That he shulde paye tribute to the Admirall his brother,* 7.290 in the name of the Christian kynge of Spayne. To whom he sayde: Howe can yowe requyre that of me, whereas neuer a Region vnder my dominion bringeth foorth golde. For he had harde, that there was a strange nation entered into the Ilande, whiche made

greate searche for golde. But he supposed that they desyred none other thynge. The leauetenaunt answered ageyne: God forbydde that we shulde enioyne any man to pay such tribute as he myght not easely forbeare, or such as were not engende¦red or growinge in the Region: But we vnderstand that your Regions brynge foorth great plentie of Gossampine cotton, and hempe,* 7.291 with suche other, whereof we desyre yowe to gyue vs parte. When he harde these woordes, he promysed with cherefull countenaunce, to gyue hym as muche of these thynges as he wolde requyre. Thus dismissinge his army, & sendynge messengers beefore, he hym selfe accoompanyed the Leauetenaunte and browght hym to his palaice, beinge dy∣stante (as we haue sayde) .xxx. leaques. In al this tracte, they passed throwgh the Iurisdiction of other princes beinge vn∣der his dominion: Of the whiche, sume gaue them hempe, of no lesse goodnes to make tackelinges for shippes then owre woodde. Other sume, browght breade, and sum gossampyne cotton:* 7.292 And soo euery of them payde tribute with suche com∣modities as theyr countreys browght foorth. At the lengthe they came to the kinges mansion place of Xaragua. Before they entered into the palaice,* 7.293 A greate multitude of the kynges ser¦uauntes and subiectes resorted to the courte, honorably (after their maner) to receaue their kyng Beuchius Anacauchoa, with the strangers which he browght with hym to se the magnificence of his courte. But nowe shall yowe heare howe they were in∣terteyned. Amonge other tryumphes and syghtes, two are es∣pecially to bee noted. Fyrste there mette them a company of xxx. women, beinge all the kynges wyues and concubines,* 7.294 bea¦ringe in theyr handes branches of date trees, singinge and daunsinge: They were all naked, sauynge that theyr pryuie partes were couered with breeches of gossampine cotton. But the virgins, hauynge theyr heare hangynge downe abowte their shulders, tyed abowte the foreheade with a fyllet, were vtterly naked.* 7.295 They affirme that theyr faces, brestes, pappes handes, and other partes of theyr bodyes, were excedynge smoothe, and well proportioned: but sumwhat inclyning to a louely browne. They supposed that they had seene those most beawtyfull Dryades,* 7.296 or the natyue nymphes or fayres of the fontaynes wherof the antiquites speake so muche. The bran∣ches of date trees which they bore in theyr right handes whē

they daunced, they delyuered to the Leauetenaunt with lowe curtesy and smylynge countenaunce. Thus enteringe into the kynges howse, they fownde a delycate supper prepared for them after theyr maner.* 7.297 When they were well refreshed with meate, the nyght drawinge on, they were browght by the kynges officers, euery man to his lodginge, accordyng to his degree, in certeyne of theyr howses abowte the palaice, where they rested them in hangynge beddes after the maner of the countrey,* 7.298 wherof we haue spoken more largely in an other place.

¶ The daye folowyng they browght owre men to their com∣mon haule,* 7.299 into the whiche they coome together as often as they make any notable games or triumphes, as we haue said before. Here, after many daunsynges, synginges, maskinges runnynges, wrestlynges, and other tryinge of mastryes, soo∣denly there appered in a large plaine nere vnto the haule .ii. greate armies of men of warre, whiche the kynge for his pa∣styme had caused to bee prepared,* 7.300 as the Spaniardes vse the playe with reedes whiche they caule Iuga de Canias. As the ar∣mies drewe neere together, they assayled the one the other as fiersely, as if mortal ennemies with theyr baners spleade, shulde fight for theyr goodes, theyr landes, theyr lyues, their libertie, theyr countrey, theyr wyues and theyr chyldren.

Soo that within the momente of an howre, foure men were slayne,* 7.301 and many wounded. The battayle also shoulde haue contynued longer, if the kynge had not at the request of owre men, caused them to cease. The thyrde day, the Lieuetenant conselynge the kynge to sowe more plentie of gossampine vp∣pon the bankes nere vnto the waters syde, that they myghte the better paye theyr tribute priuately accordynge to the mul∣titude of theyr howses, he repayred to Isabella to vysite the sicke men whiche he had lefte there, and also to see howe his woorkes wente forwarde. In the tyme of his absence .xxx. of his men were consumed with diuerse diseases.* 7.302 Wherfore be∣inge sore trowbled in his mynde, and in maner at his wyttes ende what he were best to doo, for as muche as he wanted al thynges necessarie as well to restore them to healthe whiche were yet acrased, as also vitayles to mayntaine the hole mul∣titude, where as there was yet no shippe coome from Spaine, as at the length he determyned to sende abrode the sicke men

here and there to sundrye Regions of the Ilande, and to the castelles which they had erected in the same. for directly from the citie of Isabella to saynt Dominikes towre, that is, from the north to the south,* 7.303 throwgh the Iland, they had buylded thus many castelles. Fyrste .xxxvi. myles distante from Isa∣bella, they buylded the castell of Sperantia. from Sperantia. xxv. myles, was the castell of saynte Catharine. from saynte Ca∣tharines .xx. myles, was saynt Iames towre. Other .xx. mi∣les from saynte Iames towre, was A stronger fortresse then any of the other, which they cauled the towre of Conception: which he made the stronger bicause it was situate at the roo∣tes of the golden mountaynes of Cibaua,* 7.304 in the greate and large playne soo fruitefull and well inhabited as we haue be∣fore described. He buylded also an other in the mydde waye betwene the towre of Conception & saynt Dominikes towre. The which also was stronger then the towre of Conception, bycause it was within the lymittes of A great kynge, hauing vnder his dominion fiue thowsande men: whose chiefe Citie and heade of the Realme, beynge cauled Bonauum,* 7.305 he wylled that the castell shulde also bee cauled after the same name.

Therfore leauynge the sicke men in these castels and other of the Ilande howses nere vnto the same, he hym selfe repay∣red to saynte Dominikes,* 7.306 eractinge tributes of all the kyn∣ges whiche were in his waye. When he had taryed there A fewe dayes, there was a rumor spredde, that all the kynges abowte the borders of the towre of Conception, had conspy∣red with desperate myndes to rebell agenste the Spaniardes.* 7.307 When the Lieuetenaunte was certified hereof, he tooke his iorneye towarde them immediately, not beyng discoraged ey∣ther by the lengthe of the waye, or feeblenesse of his souldy∣ers, beynge in maner forweried with trauayle. As he drewe nere vnto them, he had aduertisement that kynge Guarionexius was chosen by the other prynces to bee the Capitayne of this rebellion:* 7.308 And that he was enforsed therto halfe vnwilling, beynge seduced by theyr perswasions and prouocations. The whiche is more lykely to be trewe, for that he had before had experience of the power and policie of owre men. They came together at a daye appoynted, accoompanied with .xv. thou∣sande men,* 7.309 armed after their maner, once agen to proue the fortune of warre. Here the Lieuetenaunte consultynge with

the Capitayne of the fortresse and the other souldiers of whō he had the conducte, determyned to sette vpon them vnwares in their owne howses before they coulde prepare theyr army. He sent foorthe therfore to euery kynge, a Centurian, that is, a capitaine of a hundreth, which were commaunded vppon a sudden to inuade theyr howses in the night, and to take thē sleepinge, beefore the people (beinge scattered here and there) might assemble togyther. Thus secreatly enteringe into their vylages, not fortified with waules, trenches, or bulwarkes, they broke in vppon them, tooke them, bounde them,* 7.310 and led away euery man his prisoner according as they were cōmaun¦ded. The Lieuetenaunt hym selfe with his hundreth men, as∣sayled kynge Guarionexius as the woorthier personage, whom he tooke prysoner as dyd the other capitaynes theyr kynges, & at the same howre appoynted. Foureteene of theym were browght the same nyght to the towre of Conception. Short∣lye after, when he had put to death two of the kynges which were the chiefe autours of this newe reuolte, and had subor∣ned Guarionexius and the other kynges to attempte the same: least the people for sorowe of theyr kynges shulde neglecte or forsake their countrey, which thinge myght haue byn greate incommoditie to owre men, who by thincrease of theyr seedes and fruites were oftentymes ayded, he freely pardoned and dismissed Guarionexius and the other kynges.* 7.311 The people in the meane tyme flocked togyther abowte the towre, to the nōber of fyue thowsande withowte weapons, with pytiful houling for the delyueraunce of theyr kynges: The ayer thundered, & the earth trembeled throwgh the vehemencie of theyr owtery The Lieuetenaunt warned Guarionexius and the other kynges, with threatenynges, with rewardes, and with promyses, ne¦uer hereafter to attempte any suche thynge. Then Guarionexius made an oration to the people of the great power of owre mē, of theyr clemencie towarde offenders, and liberalitie to suche as remayne faithfull: desyringe them to quiet theyr myndes: and from hensefoorth nother in deede nor thowght to inter∣pryse any thynge ageynst the Christians, but to obeye & serue them, excepte they wolde dayly br••nge them selues into fur∣ther calamyties. When the oration was fynyshed, they tooke hym vp and set hym on theyr shulders, and soo caryed hym home to his owne palaice. And by this meanes, this Region

was pacified for a whyle. But owre men, with heauy coun∣tenaunce wandered vppe and downe, as desolate in a strange countrey, lackinge vytailes,* 7.312 and worne owte of apparell, wheras .xv. moonethes were nowe passed sence the Admirals departure: duringe which tyme, they coulde heare nothynge owte of Spayne. The Leauetenaunt comforted them all th••t he coulde with fayre wordes and promyses. In the meane tyme, Beuchius Anacauchoa (the kynge of the Weste partes of the Region of Xaragua (of whom we spake before) sente messen∣gers to the Lieuetenaunt to signifye vnto hym,* 7.313 that he hadde in a redynes the gossampine cotton and suche other thin∣ges as he wylled hym to prepare for the paymente of his try∣bute. Whervppon the Lieuetenaunt tooke his iorney thyther, and was honorably receaued of the kynge and his syster, sū∣tyme the wyfe of Caunaboa the kynge of Cibaua,* 7.314 bearing no lesse rule in the gouernaunce of her brothers kyngedome, then he hym selfe. For they affirme her to bee a wyse woman, of good maners, and pleasaunt in company. Shee ernestly persuaded her brother by thexample of her husbande, to loue and obeye the Christians. This woman was cauled Anacanoa. He fownde in the palaice of Beuchius Anacauchoa .xxxii. kynges which hadde browght theyr tributes with them,* 7.315 and abode his comminge. They browght with them also besyde theyr trybute assigned them, further to demerite the fauour of owre men, great plen¦tie of vytayles: as bothe kyndes of breade, cunnyes, and fys∣shes, alredy dryed bycause they shulde not putrifie: Serpen∣tes also of that kynd which wee sayd to bee esteemed amonge them as most delicate meate,* 7.316 and lyke vnto Crocodiles sauing in byggenes. These serpentes they caule Iuannas, which owre men learned sumewhat to late to haue byn engendred in the Ilande. For vnto that day, none of them durste aduenture to taste of them by reason of theyr horrible deformitie and lothe sumnes. Yet the Lieuetenaunt beinge entysed by the pleasant¦nes of the kynges syster, determined to taste of the serpentes. But when he felte the fleshe therof to bee so delicate to his tonge, he fel too, amayne without al feare. The which thinge his coompanyons perceauinge, were not behynde hym in gree¦dines: In soo muche that they hadde nowe none other talke then of the sweetenes of these serpentes: which they affyrme to bee of more pleasaunte taste, then eyther owre phesauntes

or pertriches. But they lose theyr taste, excepte they bee pre∣pared after a certeyne fasshion: as doo peacockes and phe∣sauntes except they bee interlarded beefore they bee rosted. They prepare them therefore after this maner.* 7.317 Fyrst takynge owte theyr bowels euen from the throte to the thyghes, they wa••••e and rubbe theyr bodies very cleane bothe within and withowte. Then rouling them togyther on a cyrcle, inuolued after the maner of a slepynge snake, they thruste them into a potte of no bygger capacitie then to houlde them only. This doone, puttinge a lyttle water vnto them with a portion of the Ilande pepper, they seethe thē with a soft fyer of sweete woodde, and suche as maketh no greate smoke. Of the fat of them beinge thus sodde, is made an excedinge pleasaunte brothe or potage. They say also, that there is no meate to bee compared to the egges of these serpentes,* 7.318 which they vse to seethe by them selues. They are good to bee eaten as sone as they are sodde: And may also bee reserued many dayes after. But hauinge sayde thus muche of theyr intertaynement and daintie fare, let vs nowe speake of other matters. When the Lieuetenaunt had fylled one of the Ilande howses with the gossampine cotton which he hadde receaued for trybute,* 7.319 the kynges promysed furthermore to gyue hym as muche of theyr breade, as he wolde demaunde. He gaue them hartie thankes and gentely accepted their freendly profer. In the meane time whyle this breade was gatheringe in sundry Regions to bee browght to the palaice of Beuchius Anacauchoa kynge of Xaragua, he sent messengers to Isabella for one of the two carauelles which were lately made there: intendinge to sende the same thyt••er ageyne laden with breade. The maryners gladde of these tydynges, sayled abowte the Ilande, and in short space browght the shippe to the coastes of Xaragua. The syster of kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, that wyse and pleasaunt woman Ana∣caona,* 7.320 (the wyfe sumtyme of Caunaboa the kynge of the golden howse of the mountaynes of Cibaua, whose husbande dyed in the way when he shulde haue byn caryed into Spayne,) when shee harde saye that owre shyppe was arryued on the shore of her natiue countrey, persuaded the kynge her brother that they bothe myght goo togyther to see it. For the place where the shyppe lay, was not paste .vi. myles distante from Xaragua. They rested all night, in the mydde way, in a certeyne vyllage

in the which was the treasurye or iewell howse of An••caona.* 7.321 Her treasure was nother goulde, syluer, or precious stones, but only thynges necessary to bee vsed, as cheyars, stooles, settels, dysshes, potingers, pottes, pannes, basons, treyes, and suche other howsholde stuffe and instrumentes, worke∣manly made of a certeyne blacke and harde shyninge woodde which that excellent lerned phisition Iohn baptiste Elisius, af∣firmeth to bee hebene.* 7.322 What so euer portion of wytte nature hath gyuen to the inhabitantes of these Ilandes, the same doth most appeare in these kynde of woorkes, in whiche they shewe great arte and cunnyng. But those which this woman had, were made in the Iland of Guanabba,* 7.323 situate in the mouth of the weste syde of Hispaniola. In these they graue the lyuely Images of such phantasies as they suppose they see walke by night which the Antiquitie cauled Lemures. Also the Images of men serpents,* 7.324 beastes, & what soo euer other thyng they haue once seene. What wolde yowe thinke (moste noble Prynce) that they coulde doo, if they had the vse of Iren and steele? For they onely fyrste make these softe in the fyre, and after∣warde make them holowe & carue them with a certeyne stone which they fynde in the ryuers.* 7.325 Of stooles and chayers, shee gaue the Lieuetenaunt .xiiii. And of vesselles perteynynge to the table and kychen, shee gaue hym three score, sum of wood and sume of earthe. Also of gossampine cotton ready spunne foure great bottomes of excedinge weight. The day folowing when they came to the sea syde, where was an other vylage of the kynges, the Lieuetenaunt commaunded the shyppe boat to bee browght to the shore. The kyng also had prepared two canoas, paynted after theyr maner: one for hym selfe and cer¦teyne of his gentelmen: an other for his syster Anacaona and her waytinge women. But Anacaona desyred to bee caried in the shyppe boate with the Lieuetenaunte. When they nowe approched nere vnto the shyppe,* 7.326 certeyne great pieces of ordinaunce were discharged of purpose. The sea was fyl∣led with thunder, and the ayer with smooke. They trembled and quaked for feare, supposinge that the frame of the world had byn in danger of fauling. But when they sawe the Lieue¦tenaunte lawgh, and looke cherefully on them, they cauled ageyne theyr spirites.* 7.327 And when they yet drewe nerer to the shippe, and harde the noyse of the fluites, shalmes, & drūmes,

they were wonderfully astonyed at the sweete harmony ther∣of.* 7.328 Enterynge into the shyppe and beholdinge the foreshippe and the sterne, the toppe castel, the maste, the hatches, the ca∣bens, the keele, and the tackelinges, the brother fixinge his eyes on the syster, and the syster on the brother, they were bothe as it were dumme and amased, and wyste not what to saye for to muche wonderynge. Whyle beholdinge these thin∣ges they wandered vp and downe the shippe, the Lieuetenaūt commaūded the ankers to bee loosed, and the sailes to be hoy¦sed vp. Then were they further astonyshed, when they sawe soo greate a mole, to moue as it were by it selfe, without ores and without the force of man. For there arose from the earth suche a wynde as a man wolde haue wyshed for of purpose. Yet furthermore, when they perceaued the shyppe to moue sū¦tyme forwarde and sumtyme backewarde: sumtyme towarde the ryght hande and sumtyme towarde the lefte, & that with one wynde and in maner at one instante, they were at theyr wyttes ende for to muche admiration. These thynges fynished and the shyppes beinge laden with breade and suche other re∣wardes, they beinge also recompensed with other of owre thynges, he dismissed not onely the kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, and his syster, but lykewise all theyr seruauntes and women replenyshed with ioye and woonderinge. After this, he hym selfe tooke his iorney by foote with his souldiers to the citie of Isabella: where he was aduertised that one Roldanus Ximenus,* 7.329 a nawghty felowe, (whom before beinge his seruante, he had preferred to bee capitayne of the myners and labourers, and after made hym a Iudge in causes of controuersie) had vsed hym selfe owtragiously and was malyciously mynded ageinst hym, and further, the cause of much myschiefe in his absēce.* 7.330 For kynge Guarionexius (who a whyle before was pardoned of his former rebellion, and persuaded the people to obeye the Spanyardes) was by his nawghty vsage, and suche other as were confethered with hym, so accensed to reuenge the iniu∣ries which they susteyned at his handes, bysyde the abhomi∣nable actes which they folowynge onely the lawe of nature, abhorred to admytte, that he with his famelie, famylyers, & ditionaries, of desperate mynde fledde to the mountaynes be∣inge distant from Isabella onely tenne leaques Westwarde, to∣warde the north syde of the sea. These mountaynes,* 7.331 and also

the inhabitantes of the same they caule by one name Ciguaios. The greate kyng of al the kynges and regions of these moun¦tayne, is cauled Maiobanexius:* 7.332 and his courte or palaice is na∣med Capronus. The mountaynes are rowgh, hygh, and suche as no man can passe to the toppes therof. They are also ben∣dynge: and haue theyr corners reachinge downe to the sea. Betwene bothe the corners of the mountaynes, is there a greate playne, by the which many riuers faule from the moun¦taynes into the sea. The people are verye fierse and warlyke men,* 7.333 hauing theyr original of the Canybales. For when they descende from the mountaynes to the playnes to keepe warre with theyr bortherers, they eate all suche as they kyll. Guario∣nexius therfore,* 7.334 flyinge to this kyng of these mountaynes, gaue hym many presentes of suche thynges as are wantinge in his countrey: therwith declaringe howe vylely, vylaynously, and violently, he had byn vsed of owre men: with whom he could nothinge preuayle nother by fayre meanes, nor by foule: no∣ther by humilytie nor by stoutnes. And that to bee the cause of his resortinge to hym at that tyme: moste humbly desyring hym to bee his defence ageynst thoppressions of suche mysche¦uous people. Maiobanexius here vppon, made hym promesse to ayde and helpe hym ageynst the Christians al that he myght. The Lieuetenaunt therfore made hast to the fortresse of Con∣ception: whyther as soone as he was coome, he sent for Rol∣danus Xeminus,* 7.335 who with suche as folowed hym, lay in certeyne of the Ilande vylages, twelue miles distant from the fortres. At his comminge, the Leauetenaunt asked hym what al these sturres and tumultes ment. He answered without abashemēt: Yowre brother the Admirall hath to doo therwith, and shall answere for the same before the kynge. For we perceaue that the kynge hath soo put hym in truste, that he hath hadde no regarde to vs. Here we peryshe for hunger whyle we folowe yowe: and are dryuen to seeke owre vnhappy foode in the de¦sertes. Yowre brother also, assigned me assistant with yowe in gouerninge the Ilande. Wherfore syth yowe haue no more respecte vnto vs, we are determyned noo longer to bee vnder yowre obedience. When Roldanus had spoken these wordes & suche other, the Lieuetenaunte wolde haue layde handes on hym: but he escaped his fyngers, and fledde to the weste par∣tes of the Region of Xaragua, hauinge with hym a trayne of

threescore and tenne men whiche were of his confetheracie. Here this fylthy synke of rebels thus conspired, played their vages and lyued with loose brydels in al kyndes of myschefe robbynge the people, spoylinge the countrey,* 7.336 and rauyshinge bothe wyues and virgines. Whyle these thynges were doing in the Ilande, the Admirall hadde eyght shyppes appoynted hym by the kynge: Of the whiche he sent two laden with vi∣tayles, from Cales or Gades of Hercules pyllers,* 7.337 directly to the Lieuetenaunt his brother. These shyppes by chaunce arryued fyrst on that syde of the Ilande where Roldanus Xeminus ranged with his coompanyons. Roldanus in shorte tyme hadde seduced them: promysinge them in the steade of mattockes,* 7.338 wenches pappes: for laboure, pleasure: for hunger, abundance: and for wearynes and watchinge, sleepe and quietnes. Guarionexius in the meane tyme,* 7.339 assemblynge a power of his freendes and confetherates, came oftentymes downe into the playne, and slewe as many of the Christian men, as he coulde meete con∣uenientlye, and also of the Ilande menne whiche were theyr freendes: wastynge theyr grounde, destroyinge theyr seedes, and spoylinge theyr vylages. But Roldanus and his adheren∣tes, albeit they had knowleage that the Admiral wolde short¦ly coome, yet feared they nothynge bycause they had seduced the newe menne which came in the fyrste shippes. Whyle the Lieuetenaunt was thus tossed in the middest of these stormes, in the meane tyme his brother the Admyrall set forwarde frō the coastes of Spay••e: But not directly to Hispaniola: For he turned more towarde the southe. In the which vyage,* 7.340 what he dyd, what coastes both of the lande and sea he coompased, and what newe regions he discouered, wee wyl fyrst declare. For to what ende and conclusion the sayde tumultes and se∣ditions came, wee wyll expresse in thende of the booke folow¦ynge. Thus fare ye well.

¶ The syxte booke of the fyrste decade, to Lodouike Cardinall of Aragonie.

COlonus the Admyral, the thyrde day of the Calendes of Iune, in the yeare of Christe .1498. hoysed vp his sayles in the hauen of the towne Barrameda∣bas, not farre distante from Cales: and set forwarde

on his vyage with eyght shippes laden with vytayles and o∣ther necessaries. He diuerted from his accustomed rase which was by the Ilandes of Canarie, by reason of certeyne frenche∣men pirates and couers on the sea,* 7.341 whiche laye in the ryght way to meete with hym. In the way frō Cales to the Ilandes of Canarie, abowte foure score and ten myles towarde the lefte hande, is the Ilande of Madera,* 7.342 more southwarde then the citie of Ciuile by foure degrees. For the pole artyke is eleuate to Ciuile, xxxvi. degrees: But to this Iland (as the mariners saye) only .xxxii. He sayled therfore fyrste to Madera. And sen¦dinge from thense directly to Hispaniola, the resydue of the ship∣pes laden with vytayles and other necessaries, he hym selfe with one shyppe with deckes, and two marchaunt carauelles coasted towarde the southe to coome to the Equinoctial lyne,* 7.343 and so furth to folowe the tracte of the same towarde the West, to thintent to searche the natures of suche places as he coulde fynde vnder or nere vnto the same, leauinge Hispaniola on the north syde on his ryght hande. In the myddle of his rase, lye xiii. Ilandes of the Portugales, whiche were in owlde tyme cauled Hesperides: And are nowe cauled Caput Viride, or Caboeurde.* 7.344 These are situate in the sea, ryght ouer ageynst the inner par∣tes of Ethiope, Westwarde two dayes saylinge. One of these the Portugales caule Bonauista. With the snayles, or rather tortoyses of this Ilande, many leprous men are healed and clensed of theyr leprositie.* 7.345 Departing sodainly from hense by reason of the contagiousnes of the ayre, he sayled .CCCCLXXX myles towarde the Weste southwest, which is the myddest be¦twene the weste and the southe. There was he so vexed with maladies and heate (for it was the moneth of Iune) that his shyppes were almoste sette on fyre.* 7.346 The hoopes of his barrels cracked and brake, and the fresshe water ranne owte. The men also complayned that they were not able to abyde that extremitie of heate. Here the northe pole was eleuate only .v. degrees from the Horizontall.* 7.347 For the space of .viii. dayes in the which he suffered these extremites, only the fyrst day was fayre: but all the other, clowdy and rayny: yet neuerthelesse feruent hotte. Wherefore it oftentymes repented hym not a little that euer he tooke that way. Beinge tossed in these dan¦giours and vexations eyght contynuall dayes, at the lengthe an Eastsoutheaste wynde arose, and gaue a prosperous blaste

to his sayles. Which wynde folowinge directly towarde the weste, he fownde the starres ouer that paralelle, placed in o∣ther order,* 7.348 and an other kynde of ayer, as the Admirall hym selfe towlde me. And they al affirme, that within three dayes saylinge, they fownde moste temperate and pleasaunte ayre. The Admirall also affirmeth, that from the clime of the great heate and vnholsome ayer, he euer ascended by the backe of the sea, as it were by a hygh mountayne towarde heauen.* 7.349 Yet in all this tyme, coulde he not once see any lande. But at the length, the day before the Calendes of Iuly, the watcheman lookynge foorth of the toppecastell of the greatest shyppe, cry∣ed owte alowde for ioy that he espyed three excedynge hyghe mountaynes: Exhortinge his felowes to bee of good cheere, and put away all pensiuenes. For they were very heauy and sorowfull, as well for the greefe which they susteyned by rea¦son of thintollerable heate, as also that their freshe water fay¦led them, which ranne owte at the ryftes of the barels, cau∣sed by extreme heate as we haue sayde.* 7.350 Thus beinge wel con∣forted, they drewe to the lande. Yet at theyr fyrst approche, they coulde not arryue by reason of the shalownes of the sea nere the shore. Yet lookyng owte of theyr shyppes, they might well perceaue that the Region was inhabyted and well cultu¦red. For they sawe very fayre gardens, and pleasaunte me∣dowes: frome the trees and herbes wherof, when the mor∣nynge dewes beganne to ryse, there proceaded manye sweete sauoures.* 7.351 Twentie myles distant from hense, they chaunced into a hauen, verye apte to harborowe shippes, but it had no ryuer runninge into it. Saylinge on yet sumwhat further, he fownde at the lengthe a commodious hauen wherin he might repayre his shippes and make prouision of fresshe water and fuell. Arenalis cauleth this lande Puta.* 7.352 They fownd no houses nere vnto the hauen: but innumerable steppes of certeine wilde beastes feete, of the which they fownde one deade much lyke a goate. The day folowynge,* 7.353 they sawe a Canoa commynge a farre of, hauinge in it .xxiiii, younge men of godly corpora∣ture & high stature, al armed with targets, bowes & arrowes The heare of theyr heds, was lōge & plaine, & cutte on the for¦heade much after the maner of the Spanyardes. Theyr priuie partes were couered with fillettes of gossampyne cotton, of sundry coloures enterlaced: And were besyde al ouer naked.

Here the Admirall consideringe with hym selfe the corpora∣ture of this people and nature of the lande, he beleaued the same to bee soo much the nerer heauen then other Regions of the same paralelle,* 7.354 and further remoued from the grosse va∣pours of the vales and marysshes, howe muche the hygheste toppes of the byggest mountaynes are distante from the deepe vales. For he ernestly affirmeth, that in all that nauigation, he neuer wente owte of the paralelles of Ethiope: So greate difference is there betwene the nature of thinhabitantes and of the soyles of dyuers Regions all vnder one clyme or para∣lelle▪ as is to see betwene the people and regions being in the firme lande of Ethiope,* 7.355 and theym of the Ilandes vnder the same clime, hauinge the pole starre eleuate in the same degree. For the Ethiopians are all blacke, hauinge theyr heare curld more lyke wulle then heare. But these people of the Iland of Put•• (beinge as I haue sayde vnder the clyme of Ethiope) are whyte, with longe heare, and of yelowe colour. Wherfore it is app••rente, the cause of this soo greate difference,* 7.356 to bee rather by the disposition of the earthe, then constitucion of heauen. For wee knowe, that snowe fauleth on the moun∣taynes of the Equinoctiall or burnte lyne, and the same to en¦dure there continually: We knowe lykewyse that thinhabi∣tantes of the Regions farre distante frome that lyne towarde the northe, are molested with greate heate.

¶ The Admiral that he myght allure the younge men to him with gentelnes, shewed them lokynge glasses, fayre & bright vesselles of copper, haukes belles, and suche other thynges vnknowen to them. But the more they were cauled, so much the more they suspected crafte and deceate, and fledde backe∣warde. Yet dyd they with greate admiracion beholde owre men and theyr thynges, but styll hauinge their ores in theyr handes redy to flye. When the Admirall sawe that he coulde by no meanes allure thē by gyftes, he thought to proue what he coulde do with musicall instrumentes:* 7.357 and therefore com∣maunded that they which were in the greatest shippe, shulde play on theyr drummes and shalmes. But the younge men sup¦posinge this to bee a token of battayle, lefte theyr ores, and in the twynlynge of an eye hadde put theyr arrowes in theyr bowes and theyr targettes on theyr armes: And thus direc∣tinge theyr arrowes towarde owre men, stoode in expectaciō

to knowe what this noyse myght meane. Owre men lykewise preparinge theyr bowes and arrowes, approched toward thē by lyttle and lyttle. But they departinge from the Admirals shippe, and trustinge to the dexteritie of theyr ores came soo neare one of the lesse shippes, that one of theym plucked the clooke from the gouernour of that shippe, and as wel as they coulde by signes, requyred hym to coome alande, promysinge feyth that they wolde common with hym of peace. But when they sawe hym goo to the Admirals shippe whether he went to aske leaue that he might common with them, suspectinge heareby sume further deceate, they lept immmediatly into the Canoa, and fledde as swyft as the wynde. So that to con∣clude, they coulde by no meanes be allured to familiaritie.

Wherfore the Admirall thowght it not conuenient to bestowe any longe tyme there, at this vyage. No greate space frome this Ilande, euer towarde the weste, the Admirall saith he fownde so owteragious a faule of water, runninge with such a violence from the Easte to the Weste,* 7.358 that it was nothynge inferioure to a myghty streame faulynge from hyghe moun∣taynes. He also confessed, that since the fyrst daye that euer he knewe what the sea mente, he was neuer in suche feare. Proceadinge yet sumwhat further in this daungerous vyage, he fownde certeyne goulfes of .viii. myles, as it had byn then¦teraunce of sume greate hauen, into the which, the sayde vi∣olent streames dyd faule. These goulfes or streyghtes, he cau∣led Os Draconis,* 7.359 that is, the dragons mouth. And the Iland directly ouer ageynste the same, he named Margarita. Owte of these streyghtes, isshewed no lesse force of fresshe water whi∣che encounteringe with the saulte, dyd stryue to passe foorth: Soo that betwene bothe the waters, was no smaule conflict.* 7.360 But enteringe into the goulfe, at the lengthe he fownde the water therof very fresshe and good to drynke. The Admyrall hym selfe, and they which were his companions in this vy∣age, beinge men of good credit, and perceauinge my diligence in searchinge for these matters, towlde me yet of a greater thynge. That is, that for the space of .xxvi, leaques, amoun∣tynge to a hundreth and foure myles, he sayled euer by freshe water:* 7.361 In so muche, that the further he proceaded, especial∣ly towarde the west, he affirmeth the water to bee the fre••her. After this, he came to a highe mountayne,* 7.362 inhabited onely

with moonkeys or marmasits on that part towarde the East. For that syde was rowgh with rockye and stony mountains: And therfore not inhabyted with men. Yet they that went a lande to searche the countrey, fownde nere vnto the sea, ma∣ny fayre fieldes well tylled and sowen: But noo people, nor yet houses or cotages. Parhappes they were gone further in to the countrey to sowe theyr corne and applye theyr husban∣dry, as wee often see owre husbande men to leaue theyr stati∣ons and vyiages for the same purpose. In the weste syde of that mountayne, they espyed a large playne, whither they made haste,* 7.363 and cast anker in the brode ryuer. As soone as the inhabitantes had knowleage that a strange nation was arry∣ued in theyr coastes, they came flockinge withowte all feare to see owre men. We vnderstode by theyr sygnes and poyn∣tynges, that this Region was cauled Paria: and that it was very large: In so muche that the further it reacheth towarde the weste, to be so muche the better inhabited and replenished with people. The Admiral therfore, takynge into his shyppe foure of the men of that lande, searched the weste partes of the same. By the temperatenes of the ayer, the pleasauntnes of the grownde,* 7.364 and the multytude of people which they saw dayly more and more as they sayled, they coniectured that these thynges portended sum great matter: As in deede their opinion fayled them not, as we wyll further declare in his place. The soonne not yet rysen, but beginninge euen now to ryse, beinge one day allured by the pleasauntnes of the place and sweete sauours which breathed from the land to the ship∣pes,* 7.365 they went alande. Here they fownde a greater multy∣tude of people then in any other place. As owre men appro∣ched towarde them, there came certeine messengers from their Cacici, that is, the kynges of the countrey, to desyre the Ad∣mirall in the name of theyr princes to coome to theyr palay∣ces withowte feare,* 7.366 and that they and al theyrs shulde bee at his commaundement. When the Admirall had thanked them and made his excuse for that tyme, there came innumerable people with theyr boates to the shippes: hauyng for the most parte cheynes abowte theyr neckes, garlandes on theyr hea∣des, and braselettes on theyr armes of pearles of India:* 7.367 And that so commonlye, that owre women in playes and tryum∣phes haue not greater plentie of stones of glasse and crystall

in theyr garlandes, crownes, gerdels, and suche other tyre∣mentes. Beinge asked where they gathered them, they poyn∣ted to the next shore by the sea bankes. They signified also by certeyne scorneful giestures which they made with theyr mou¦thes and handes, that they nothyng esteemed perles.* 7.368 Taking also baskettes in their handes, they made signes that the same might bee fylled with them in shorte space. But bycause the corne wherwith his shyppes were laden to bee caryed into Hispaniola, had taken hurt by reason of the salte water, he de∣termined to deferre this marte to a more conuenient tyme. Yet he sent to lande two of the shippe boates laden with men, to thintent to fetch sum garlandes of perles for exchange of our thynges, and also sumwhat to searche the nature of the Re∣gion and disposition of the people. They enterteyned owr mē gentelly:* 7.369 and came flockynge to them by heapes, as it hadde byn to beholde sume straunge monsters. Fyrste there came to meete owre men, two men of grauitie, whome the multitude folowed. One of these was well in age, and the other but younge. They thinke it was the father with his soonne whi¦che shulde succede hym. When the one had saluted and embra¦sed the other, they browght owre men into a certeyne rownde howse, nere vnto the whiche, was a greate courte. Hether were browght many chayers and stooles made of a certeyne blacke woodde,* 7.370 and very coonningely wrowght. After that owre men, and theyr Princes were sette, theyr wayting men came in laden, sume with sundry delicate dysshes, and sume with wyne.* 7.371 But theyr meate, was only fruites: and those of dyuers kyndes and vtterly vnknowē to vs. Theyr wyne was both whyte and redde: not made of grapes, but of the lycour of dyuers fruites, and very pleasaunte in drynkynge.* 7.372 After this banquette made in the owlde mans howse, the younge man browght them to his tabernacle or mancion place, where was a greate coompany bothe of men and women, but they stoode deceauered the one from the other. They are whyte,* 7.373 e∣uen as owre men are, sauynge suche as are much conuersant in the sonne. They are also very gentyll, and full of humani∣tie towarde strangiers. They coouer theyr pryuie partes with gossampine cotton wrowght with sundry coloures: and are besyde all naked. There was fewe or none, that had not ey∣ther a coller, a cheyne, or a braselette of golde and pearles,

and many had all. Beinge asked where they had that golde, they poynted to certeyne mountaynes,* 7.374 seemynge with theyr countenaunce to dissuade owre men from goinge thyther. For puttinge theyr armes in theyr mouthes, and grynninge as thowgh they bytte the same, stylle poyntinge to the moun∣taynes, they seemed to insinuate that men were eaten there: But whether they mente by the Canibales,* 7.375 or wylde beastes owre men cowlde not well perceaue. They tooke it excedinge greeuouslye, that they coulde nother vnderstande owre men, nor owre men them. When they which were sente to lande, were returned to the shippes abowte three of the clocke at af∣ter noone the same daye, bringinge with them certeyne gar∣landes and collers of pearles, they loosed theyr ankers to de¦parte, myndinge to coome ageyne shortly, when all thynges were sette in good order in Hispaniola. But he was preuented by an other, which defeated hym of the rewarde of his tra∣uayle. He was also hyndered at this tyme by reasō of the sha¦lownes of the sea & violēt course of the water,* 7.376 which with con¦tinual tossing, broosed the greatest ship as often as any great gale of wynde arose. To auoyde the daungiours of suche sha∣lowe places, and shelfes, he euer sent one of the smaulest ca∣rauelles before,* 7.377 to try the way with soundinge: and the byg¦gest sh••ppes folowed behynde. The Regions beinge in the large prouince of Paria for the space of .CCXXX. myles, are cau∣led of thinhabitantes, Cumana,, and Manacapana:* 7.378 from these re¦gions distant three score leaques, is there an other Region cauled Curiana. When he had thus pass••d ouer this long tract of sea, supposing styll that it had byn an Ilande, & doutinge that he might passe by the Weste to the Northe directlye to Hispaniola, he chaunced into a ryuer of .xxx. cubettes depthe, & of such breadth as hath not lyghtly byn harde of.* 7.379 For he af∣firmeth it to bee .xxviii. leaques. A lyttle further toward the Weste, yet sumwhat more sowthwarde as the bending of the shore requyred, ••he entered into a sea full of herbes or weedes.* 7.380 The seede of the herbes whiche swymme on the water, are muche lyke the berryes of the tree cauled Lentiscus,* 7.381 which beareth the sweete gūme cauled M••stix.* 7.382 They grewe soo thicke, that they sumetyme in maner stayed the shippes. The Admirall reported, that here there is not one daye tho∣rowghe owte all the yeare muche longer or shorter then an

other: And that the Northe pole is here eleuate onely fyue degrees as at Paria,* 7.383 in whose tracte all these coastes lye. Hee also declared certeyne thynges as concerninge the variete of the northe pole: The which because they seeme contrarye to thoppinions of all the Astronomers,* 7.384 I wyll touche them but with a drye foote as sayth the prouerbe. But it is wel know¦en (moste noble prince) that the starre which we caule the pole starre, or north starre, (cauled of the Italians Tramontana) is not the very poynte of the pole Artyke vppon the whiche the axes or extremities of heauens are turned abowte. The which thynge may well be proued, if when the starres fyrst appeare,* 7.385 yowe beeholde the pole starre throwgh any narowe hole. For soo, applyinge yowre instrument therto in the morninge sum∣what before the day springe haue blemyshed theyr lyght, yf then yowe looke throwgh the same hole, yowe shall perceaue it to bee moued from the place where yowe sawe it fyrst. But howe it commeth to passe, that at the beginnynge of the eue∣nyng twilight, it is eleuate in that Region only fyue degrees in the moneth of Iune, and in the morninge twylight to bee eleuate .xv. degrees by the same quaadrante,* 7.386 I doo not vn∣derstande. Nor yet doo the reasons which he bringeth, in any poynt satysfye me. For he sayth, that he hereby coniectured, that the earth is not perfectlye rownde: But that when it was created, there was a certeyne heape reysed theron,* 7.387 much hygher thē the other partes of the same. So that (as he saith) it is not rownde after the forme of an apple or a bal (as other thynke) but rather lyke a peare as it hangeth on the tree: And that Paria is the Region which possesseth the supereminente or hyghest parte thereof nereste vnto heauen. In soo muche that he ernestly contendeth, the earthly Paradyse to bee situ∣ate in the toppes of those three hylles,* 7.388 which wee sayde bee∣fore,* 7.389 that the watche man sawe owte of the toppe castell of the shippe: And that the outragious streames of the fre••he wa¦ters whiche soo violentlye isshewe owte of the sayde goulfes and stryue soo with the salte water, faule headlonge from the toppes of the sayde mountaynes. But of this matter, it shall suffice to haue sayde thus muche. Lette vs nowe therfore re∣turne to the historye from which we haue dygressed. When he perceaued hym selfe to bee thus inwrapped in soo greate a goulfe beyonde his expectacion, soo that he had now no hope

to fynde any passage towarde the northe whereby he myght sayle directly to Hispaniola, he was enforced to turne backe the same way by the which he came, and directed his viage to His¦paniola by the northe of that lande lyinge towarde the Easte. They which afterwarde searched this lande more curiou••lye, wyll it to bee parte of the continente or firme lande of India,* 7.390 and not of Cuba as the Admiral supposed. For there are many which affirme that they haue sayled rownd abowt Cuba. But whether it bee so or not, or whether enuyinge the good for∣tune of this man, they seeke occasions of querelinge ageynste hym, I can not iudge: But tyme shall speake, which in tyme appoynted, reuealeth both truth and falsehod.* 7.391 But whether Paria bee Continent or not, the Admirall dothe not muche con∣tende. But he supposeth it to bee Continente. He also affir∣meth that Paria is more southewarde then Hispaniola,* 7.392 by eyght hundreth fourescore and two myles. At the length he came to Hispaniola (to see his souldiers which he left with his brethren) the thyrde day of the calendes of September: In the yeare 1498. But (as often tymes chaunceth in humayne thynges,) amonge his soo many prosperous, pleasaunte, and luckye af∣fayres, fortune mengeled sume seedes of wormewoodde, and corrupted his pure corne with the malicious weedes of coccle.

¶ The seuenth booke of the fyrst decade, to the same Lodouike Cardinall. &c.

WHen the Admirall was nowe coome to the I∣lande of Hispaniola, he fownde all thynges con¦founded and owte of order. For Roldanus (of whom wee spake beefore) refused in his ab∣sence to obey his brother,* 7.393 trustinge to the mul¦titude of such as were confethered with him. And not onely behaued hym selfe proudely a∣geynst the Admiralles brother and Lieuetenaunt sumtyme his maister, but also sente letters to his reproche to the kynge of Spayne, therin accusinge bothe the brehtren, leying heynous matters to theyr charges. But the Admirall ageyne, sent mes¦sengers to the kynge, which myght informe hym of theyr re∣bellion: Instantly desyringe his grace, to sende hym a newe supplye of men, wherby he myght suppresse theyr licēciousnes

and punyshe them for theyr mischeuous actes. They accused the Admirall and his brother to bee vniust men,* 7.394 cruel enemies and sheaders of the Spanyshe bludde: declarynge that vppon euery lyght occasion, they wolde racke them, hange them, and heade them: And that they tooke pleasu••e therin. And that they departed from them as from cruell tyrantes and wylde beastes reioysinge in bludde, also the kynges enemyes. Affyr∣minge lykewyse that they well perceaued theyr intente to bee none other then to vsurpe Thempire of the Ilandes: whiche thynge (they sayde) they suspected by a thousand coniectures. And especially in that they wolde permitte none to resorte to the golde mynes, but only suche as were theyr familiers.* 7.395 The Admirall on the contrary parte, when he desyred ayde of the kynge to infringe theyr insolencie, auouched that al those his accusers, which had deuised suche lyes ageynste hym, were nowghtye felowes, abhominable knaues and vylaynes, the∣ues and baudes, ruff••ans aduouterers and rauishers of women faulse periured vagabundes, and suche as had byn eyther con¦uict in prysons, or fledde for feare of Iudgment: soo escaping punyshement, but not leauinge vice wherin they styll contynu∣ed and browght the same with them to the Ilande, lyuinge there in lyke maner as before, in thefte, lechery, and all kyn∣des of myscheefe: And soo gyuen to Idlenes and sleepe,* 7.396 that wheras they were browght thyther for myners, labourers, & scullyans, they wolde not nowe goo one furlonge from theyr houses except they were borne on mens backes, lyke vnto thē whiche in owlde tyme were cauled Ediles Curules. For,* 7.397 to this office, they put the miserable Ilande men, whom they hande∣led moste cruelly. For leaste theyr handes shulde discontinewe from sheadinge of bludde, and the better to trye theyr strength and manhod, they vsed nowe and then for theyr pastyme to stryue amonge them selues and proue who coulde most cleanely with his swoorde at one stroke stryke of the heade of an inno∣cente.* 7.398 Soo that he which coulde with moste agilitie make the heade of one of those poore wretches to flye quyte and cleane from the body to the grounde at one stroke, he was the best mā and counted moste honorable. These thynges and many suche other, the one of them layde to the others charge beefore the kynge. Whyle these thynges were doinge, the Admirall sente his brother the lieuetenaunt with an army of foure score and

tenne footemen, and a few horsemen, (with three thousande of the Ilande men which were mortall enemies to the Cigua∣uians) to meete the people of Ciguaua, with Kynge Guarionexius theyr graunde capitayne,* 7.399 who had doone muche myscheefe to owre men and suche as fauoured theym. Therefore when the Lieuetenaunt had conducted his army to the bankes of a cer¦teyne greate ryuer runnynge by the playne which we sayd be¦fore to lye betwene the corners of the mountaynes of Ciguaua and the sea, he fownde two scoutes of his enemyes lurkinge in certeyne busshes: wherof the one, castynge hym selfe head longe into the sea, escaped: and by the mouthe of the ryuer swamme ouer to his coompanyons. The other beinge taken, declared that in the woodde on the other side the ryuer, there lay in campe syxe thousande Cyguauians redy, vnwares to a••sayle owre men passynge bye. Wherfore the Lieuetenaunte fyndyng a shalowe place where he myght passe ouer, he with his hole army entered into the ryuer. The which thyng when the Ciguauians had espyed, they came runnynge owte of the wooddes with a terrible crye and moste horrible aspect, much lyke vnto the people cauled Agathyrsi of whom the poete vir∣gile speaketh.* 7.400 For they were all paynted and spotted with sundry coloures, and especiall with blacke and redde whiche they make of certeyne fruites nooryshed for the same purpose in theyr gardens,* 7.401 with the ioyce wherof they paynt them sel∣ues from the forheade, euen to the knees: hauing theyr heare (whiche by arte they make longe and blacke if nature deny it them wrethed and rowled after a thousande fasshions.* 7.402 A man wold th••nke them to bee deuylles incarnate newly broke owte of hell, they are soo lyke vnto helhoundes. As owre mē waded ouer the ryuer, they s••otte at them and hurled dartes soo thicke, that it almoste tooke the lyght of the sonne from owre men. In so much that if they had not borne of the force therof with theyr targettes,* 7.403 the matter hadde gonne wronge with them. Yet at the length, many beinge wounded, they pa••••ed ouer the ryuer, which thynge when the enemies sawe, they fled••e: whome owre men persuinge, slewe sume in the chase:* 7.404 but not many, by reason of theyr swyftenes of foote. Thus beinge in the wooddes, they shotte at owre men more safely. For they being accustomed to the wooddes and naked without any lette, passed throwgh the busshes and shrubbes

as it had byn wylde bores or hartes: wheras owre men were hyndered by reason of theyr apparell, targettes, longe iaue∣lens, and ignorance of the place. Wherfore, when he had rested there all that nyght in vayne, and the daye folowynge sawe none steringe in the wodes, he went (by the councel and conducte of the other Ilande men which were in his a••mye) immediatly from thense, to the montaynes in the which king Maiobanexius had his cheefe mansion place in the vylage cauled Capronum,* 7.405 by the which name also, the kynges palaice was cau¦led, beinge in the same vylage. Thus marchinge forwarde with his army, abowte twelue myle of, he encamped in the vylage of an other kynge, which thinhabitantes had forsa∣ken for feare of owre men. Yet makynge dyligent search, they fownde two, by whom they had knowleage that there was tenne kynges with Maiobanexius in his palaice of Capronum, with an army of eight thousand Ciguauians.* 7.406 At the Lieuetenantes fyrst approche, he durst not gyue them battayle vntyll he had sumwhat better searched the Region: Yet did he in the meane tyme skyrmysshe with them twyse. The nexte nyght abowte mydnyght, he sent furth scoutes, and with them guydes of the Ilande men which knewe the countrey. Whom the Cigua¦uians espyenge from the mountaynes, prepared them selues to the battayle with a terrible crye or alarome after their ma∣ner:* 7.407 but yet durst not coome owte of the wooddes, supposing that the Lieuetenaunt with his mayne army had byn euen at hande. The day folowynge, whē he brought his army to the place where they encamped, leaping owt of the wooddes,* 7.408 they twyse attempted the fortune of warre, fiercely assayling owre men with a mayne force, and woundinge manye before they coulde coouer them with theyr targettes. Yet owre men put them to flyght, slewe many, and tooke many. The resydewe fledde to the wooddes, where they kept them styll as in their moste safe houlde. Of them which were taken, he sent one, & with hym an other of the Ilande men which was of his parte to Maiobanexius with commaundement in this effect. The Lieue¦tenaunt brought not hether his army (O Maiobanexius) to kepe warre eyther ageynst yowe or yowre people:* 7.409 For he greately desyreth yowre frendeshippe. But his entent is, that Guario∣nexius who hath persuaded yowe to bee his ayde ageynste hym to the greate destruction of yowre people and vndoynge of

yowre countrey, may haue dewe correction aswell for his dis¦obedience towarde him, as also for raysing tumultes amonge the people. Wherfore, he requyreth yowe and exorteth yowe, to delyuer Guarionexius into his handes.* 7.410 The which thynge yf yowe shall performe, the Admirall his brother wyll not only gladly admitte yowe to his frendeshyppe, but also enlarge & defende yowre dominion. And if herein yowe refuse to accom¦plys••••e his requeste, it wyll folowe, that yowe shall shortelye repent yowe therof. For yowre kyngedome shall be wasted with swoorde and fyer, and yowe shall abyde the fortune of war••e wherof yowe haue had experience with fauour, as you shall further know here after to yowre payne, yf with stober∣nes yowe prouoke hym to shewe the vttermoste of his poure. When the messenger had thus doone his errante, Maiobanexius answered,* 7.411 that Guarionexius was a good man, indued with ma¦ny vertues as all men knewe: And therfore he thought hym worthy his ayde: especially in as muche as he fledde to hym for succoure, and that he had made him such promesse, whom also he had proued to bee his faithfull frende.* 7.412 Ageyne, that they were nawghty men, violent and cruell, desyringe other mens goodd••s, and suche as spared not to sheede innocentes bludde: In fyne, that he wolde not haue to doo with suche myscheuous men, nor yet enter into frendeshippe with them. When these thynges came to the Lieuetenauntes eare, he com¦maunded the vylage to be burnte where he hym selfe encam∣ped, with many other vylages there abowte. And when he drewe nere to the place where M••iobanexius lay, he sent messen¦gers to hym ageyne, to common the matter with hym, and to wyll hym, to sende sume one of his moste feythful frendes to entreate with hym of peace. Where vppon the kynge sent vn¦to hym one of his cheefe gentelmen, and with hym two other to wayte on hym. When he came to the Lieuetenauntes pre∣sence,* 7.413 he frendly requyred hym to persuade his lord and ma∣ster in his name, and ernestly to admonysshe hym, not to suf∣fer his floryshinge kyngedome to bee spoyled, or hym selfe to abyde the hasarde of warre for Guarionexius sake: And further to exhorte hym to delyuer hym, ex••epte he wolde procure the destruction bothe of hym selfe, his people, and his countrey. When the messenger was returned, Maiobanexius assembled the people, declaring vnto them what was doone, but they cried

owte on hym to delyuer Guarionexius: And beganne to curse the daye that euer they had receaued hym,* 7.414 thus to disturbe theyr quietnes. Maiobanexius answered them, that Guarionexius was a good man, and had well deserued of him, giuinge hym many princely presentes: And had also tawght both his wyfe and hym to synge and daunce, whiche thynge he dyd not lyttle esteeme. And was therfore fully resolued in no case to forsake hym, or ageynste all humanitie to betraye his frende whiche f••edde to hym for succoure: but rather to abyde al extremities with him, then to minister occasion of obloquye to slaunderes to reporte that he had betrayed his geste whom he tooke into his house with warranties, Thus dismissinge the people sigh¦inge and with sorowfull hartes, he cauled Guarionexius before hym, promysinge hym ageyne, that he wolde bee partaker of his fortune whyle lyfe lasted. In so muche that he thowght it not beste to sende any further woorde to the Lieuetenaunt: but appoynted hym whome before he sent to hym, to keepe the way with a garryson of men, to thintent that if any mes∣sengers shulde be sent from the Lieuetenaunt, to sleye them by the way, and admitte none to communication or further entre¦tie of peace. In the meane tyme, the Lieuetenaunt sent twoo, wherof the one was a captiue C••guauian, and the other an I¦lande man of them which were frendes to owre men: They were bothe taken and slayne.* 7.415 The Lieuetenaunt folowed thē onely with ten footemen and foure horsemen. Fyndinge his messengers deade in the waye, he was further prouoked to wrathe, and determyned more extremely to deale with Maioba¦nexius. And therefore wente forwarde incontinently with his hole army to his cheefe palaice of Capronum where he yet laye in campe. At his approche, all the kynges fledde,* 7.416 euery man his way, and forsooke theyr capitayne Maiobanexius: who also with all his famelye, fledde to the rowgh mountaynes. Sum of the Ciguauians, sowght for Guarionexius to sley hym, for that he was the cause of all these troubles. But his feete sa∣ued his lyfe. For he fledde in tyme to the mountaynes where he lurked in maner alone amonge the desola••e rockes.

Whereas nowe the Lieuetenauntes souldiers were forwe∣ryed with longe warre, with watchinge, laboure, and hun∣ger, (for it was nowe three moonethes sence the warres be∣ganne) many desyred leaue to departe to the towre of Concep¦tion,

where they had graneges and exercised tyllage. He gaue them theyr pa••seportes with alowance of vytayles, and soo that only thyrtie remayned with hym. These three moonethes warre, they contynued very paynefull and myserablye: Soo th••t duryng al that tyme,* 7.417 they had none other meate but only Cazibi: that is, suche rootes whereof they make theyr breade, and that but syldome to theyr fyll: Also Vsias, that is, lyttle beastes lyke Conyes, if by chaunce now and then, they tooke sume with theyr houndes. Their drinke was none other then water, such as they fownde, sumtyme sweete, and sumtyme muddy saueringe of the marysshes. Emonge these delicates, that lyttle sleepe that they had, was euer for the moste parte abrode vnder the firmamente: And that not without watche∣men, and in contynual remoouinge as the nature of warre re∣quyreth.* 7.418 With these fewe therfore, the Lieuetenaunt determi¦ned to searche the mountaynes, dennes, & caues, if he coulde in any place fynde the steppes of Maiobanexius or Guarionexius. In the meane tyme certeyne of his menne (whom hunger enfor∣ced to goo a huntinge to proue if they coulde take any conies) chaunced vppon twoo of Maiobanexius familyers, whiche were sent to certeyne vylages of his, to make prouision of breade. These he enforced to declare where theyr lord lay hydde. And vsed the same also for guides to bringe owre mē to the place. Twelue of owre men tooke this enterpryse in hand, painting them selues after the maner of the Ciguauians. Soo that by this stratageme or policie,* 7.419 they came sodenly vppon Maiobanex¦ius,* 7.420 and tooke hym prisoner with his wyfe, children, and fa∣milie, and conueighed them to the towre of Conception to the Lieuetenaunt. Within a fewe dayes after, hunger compelled Guarionexius to coome owte of the dennes: whome, certeine of the people fearinge the Lieuetenaunt, bewrayde to owre hun¦ters. The Lieuetenaunt beinge certified hereof, sent furthe a bande of foote men, commaunding them to lye in ambushe vn¦tyll suche tyme as Gu••rionexius wente from the playnes to the mountaynes,* 7.421 and then soodenly to intrappe hym. They went as they were commaunded, tooke hym, and browght hym a∣waye with them. And by this meanes were all the Regions nere abowte, pacified and quyeted. A certeyne noble woman of nere kynred to Maiobanexius, and wyfe to an other kynge whose dominion was yet vntouched, folowed hym in al these

aduersities. They affirme this woman to bee the fayrest and moste bewetifull that euer nature browght foor••he in the I∣lande.* 7.422 Whom, when the kynge her husbande who looued her moste ardently (as her bewetie deserued) harde saye that shee was taken prisoner he wandered vppe and downe the deser∣tes lyke a man owte of his wytte, not knowinge what to doo or saye. But at the lengthe, he came to the Lieuetenaunte, promysinge moste faythfully that he wold submitte hym selfe and all that he coulde make, vnder his poure, soo that he wolde restore hym his wyfe. The Lieuetenant accepted the cō¦dition & restored him his wife, with certeyne other rulers and gentelmen which he had taken prisoners before: Charginge them, and byndinge them with an othe, to bee euer redye at his commaundement. Shortly after, this kynge, of his owne free motion, came ageyne to the Lieuetenaunt, bringyng with hym fyue thousande men without weapons, sauynge onely suche instrumentes as they vse in tyllage of theyr grownde.* 7.423 He brought with hym also, seedes to sowe: wherwith at his owne charge, he caused suche plentie of theyr corne and frui∣tes to growe in sundry places of the large vale whereof wee spake before, that shortely after, were seene manye fayre and fruitefull fieldes that came therof. And for his gentelnes be∣inge rewarded of the Lieuetenaunte with certeyne of owre thynges, he departed ioyfully. When the report hereof came to the Ciguauians,* 7.424 it mooued the myndes of the kynges to hope of clemencie. Where vppon they came togyther to the Lieuetenaunt with humble submission and faythful promesse euer after to bee vnder his obedience: desyring hym to restore vnto them theyr kynge, with his famylie. At theyr requeste, the kynges wyfe and his householde was sette at Libertie, but he kepte styll as a prisoner. These thynges dyd the Lieue∣tenaunt in the Ilande, not yet knowinge what his a••uersa∣ries and accusers had layde to his charge before the kynge of Spayne: who beinge disquyeted with theyr quarelinges and accusacions, and especially for that by reason of theyr discen¦tion, of soo greate abundaunce of golde and other thynges, there was as yet but lyttle browght into Spayne, appointed a newe gouernour which shuld see a redresse in these thinges:* 7.425 And eyther to punyshe suche as were fautie, or elles to sende them to hym. What was fownde ageynste the Admirall and

his brother,* 7.426 or ageynst his aduersaries whiche accused hym, I doo not wel knowe. But this I am sure of, that both the brethrene are taken, browght, and cast in prison, with their goodes confiscate. But as soone as the kynge vnderstoode that they were browght bounde to Cales, he sent messengers in poste, with commaundemente that they shulde bee loosed and coome freely to his presence: wherby he declared that he tooke theyr troubles greeuouslye. It is also sayde, that the newe gouernoure sent letters to the kynge, wrytten with the Admiralles hande in straunge and vnknowen sypheringes, to his brother the Lieuetenaunt beinge absente, wyllynge hym to bee in a redynes with a poure of armed men to coome and ayde hym if the Gouernoure shulde profer hym any violence. Wherof the gouernour hauinge knowleage (as he saythe) be∣inge also aduertised that the Leauetenaunt was gonne to his brother before the men which he had prepared were in a redi¦nes, apprehended them bothe vnwares, before the multitude came togyther. What wyl folowe, tyme, the moste trewe and prudent Iudge, wyll declare. Thus fare ye well.

¶ The eyghth booke of the fyrste Decade, to Cardinall Lodouike.

THe greate ryche, and plentifull Ocean sea, heretofore vnknowen,* 7.427 and nowe fownde by Christophorus Colonus the Admyrall, by thautori∣tie and furtherance of the Catholyke kynge, I haue presented vnto yowre honoure (ryght noble Prince) lyke a golden cheyne vnwoork manly wrought. But yowe shall nowe re∣ceaue a precious iewell to bee appendaunt therto. T••erfore e∣monge suche as were pylottes or gouernoures vnder the Ad∣myrall,* 7.428 and had dylygently marked the courses and differen∣ces of the wyndes, many had licences graunted them of the kynge to seeke further of theyr owne charges, vppon condici¦on to pay hym faithfully his portion,* 7.429 which is the fyrst part. But bycause emonge all other, one Petrus Alphonsus cauled Nig∣nus by his surname) sayled towarde the Southe with more prosperous fortune then any of the other,* 7.430 I thinke it best first to speake sumwhat of his vyage. He therfore, with only one

shippe, well furnyshed at his owne charges, after that he had his passeporte with commaundement in no case to caste anker paste fyftie leaques distante from any place where the Admy∣rall hadde touched, sayled fyrste to Paria where the Admyrall fownde bothe the men and women soo laden with cheynes,* 7.431 garlandes, and braselettes of pearles, as wee haue sayde be∣fore. Coastynge therfore alonge by the same shore accordinge to the kynges commaundement, (yet leauinge behynde hym the Regions of Cumana and Manacapana) he came to the Region which thinhabitantes thereof,* 7.432* 7.433 caule Curiana:* 7.434 where he fownd a hauen (as he saythe) muche lyke the porte of Gades or Cales. In to the which enteringe, he sawe a farre of certeyne how∣ses on the shore, and perceaued when he drewe nere, that it was a vylage of onely eyght howses. Proceadynge yet fur∣ther for the space of three myles, he espyed an other vylage well replenyshed with people, where there met hym fyftie na∣ked men on a coompany hauinge with them a certeyne ruler, who desyred Alphōsus to coome to theyr coastes. He browght with hym at this tyme, many haukes belles, pynnes, nedels, braselettes, cheynes, garlandes, and rynges with counterfet stones and glasses, and such other tryfelles,* 7.435 the which with∣in the momente of an houre, he hadde exchaunged for .xv. vnces of theyr pearles which they wore abowte theyr neckes and armes. Then they yet more ernestly desyred him to sayle to theyr coastes: Promysynge hym that he shulde there haue as many pearles as he wolde desyre.* 7.436 He condecended to their requeste: And the daye folowynge, came to the place where they appoynted hym: Lyinge there at anker, a great multy∣tude of people resorted to hym,* 7.437 instantely requyringe hym to coome alande. But when he consydered the innumerable mul¦tytude of people which was there assembled, and that he had only .xxxiii. men in his coompany, he durste not commyt hym selfe to theyr handes, but gaue them to vnderstand by signes and tokens that they shulde coome to the shyppe with theyr canoas. For theyr boates (which the men of the Iland caule Canoas) are made only of one hole peece of woodde as in the I¦landes: yet more rude, and not soo artificially as theyrs are. These they caule Gallitas: They swarmed therefore to the shyp as faste as they myght, brynginge with them great plentie of pearles (which they caule Tenoras) exchaunginge the same for

owre marchaundies. He fownde this people to bee of gentyl nature, simple and innocente, beinge conuersant with them in theyr houses, for the space of .xx. dayes. Theyr houses are made of woodde, coouered with the leaues of date trees. Theyr meate for the moste parte, is the shelfysshes in the whi¦che pearles are engendred,* 7.438 wherof theyr sea coastes are ful. They haue also greate plentie of wylde beastes, as hartes, wylde bores, and coonys lyke vnto hares, both in colour and byggenes.* 7.439 Stocke doues also, and turtle doues. Lykewyse geese and duckes which they nooryshe in theyr houses as wee doo. Peacockes flye abowte in maner in euerye woodde and groue: but they are not distinct with sundry coloures as ours are: for the cockes are lyke vnto the hennes. These people of Curiana, are craftie hunters and exceding cunning archers,* 7.440 soo that they wyll not lyghtly mysse any beast or byrde that they shoote at. Owre men consumed certeyne dayes here very ple∣sauntely. Durynge which tyme, who soo euer brought them a peacocke,* 7.441 had for the same, foure pynnes. He that brought a pheasaunt, had twoo: And for a stocke doue or turtle doue, one: And for a goose, a smaul lookyng glasse or a lyttle stone of glasse. Thus they bought and soulde with proferynge and byddynge, denyinge and refusinge as it had byn in a greate market. When pynnes were profered them,* 7.442 they asked what they shulde doo with them, beinge naked. But owre men sa∣tisfied them with a craftie answere, declaring by tokens that they were very necessary to picke theyr teeth and to pul thor∣nes owte of theyr flesshe. But aboue al thynges haukes bel∣les were most esteemed amonge them,* 7.443 for theyr sounde & faire coloure: And wolde therfore gyue much for one of thē. Owre men lodginge in theyr houses, harde in the nyght season hor∣ryble noyses and rorynges of wylde beastes in the wooddes which are full of exceadinge greate and hygh trees of sundry kyndes.* 7.444 But the beastes of these wooddes, are not noysome to men. For the people of the countrey goo dayly a hunting, naked, with theyr bowes and arrowes: Yet hath it not byn harde of, that any man hath byn slayne of any wylde beaste. As many hartes or wylde bores as owre men woolde desyre them to brynge,* 7.445 they woolde kyll in the wooddes with their bowes and arrowes, and not fayle to brynge theim. They lacke kyne, goates, & sheepe. Theyr breade is made of rootes,

as is theyrs of the Ilandes. This nation, hath blacke heare, grosse and sumwhat curlde, yet longe also. They keepe theyr teeth very whyte:* 7.446 And for that purpose vse to cary a certeine herbe betwene theyr lyppes for the most parte of the day, and to wasshe theyr mouthes when they cast it away. The women doo all theyr busynes at home in theyr howses, and haue al∣so the cure of tyllage of the grounde. But the men apply them selues to the warres and huntynge, to playe,* 7.447 singynge and daunsing. They haue sundry kyndes of water pottes, iugges, and drinckinge cuppes made of earthe in other places abowt theym and brought thether for exch••unge of other thynges: For they vse fayres and markettes for the same purpose: and are gretly desyrous of such thynges, as are not brough•• forth or made in theyr countrey, as nature hath gyuen a dispositi∣on to al men to desyre and bee delyted with newe and strange thynges. Many of them, had hangynge at theyr pearles,* 7.448 the Images of certeine beastes and birdes very artificiously made of golde, but not pure. These also are brought them from o∣ther places for exchange of other thynges. The golde wher∣of they are made,* 7.449 is natiue, and of much lyke finenes to that wherof the florenes are coyned. The men of this countrey, in close theyr priuie members in a gourde, cutte after the fashion of a coddepiece: or els, coouer the same with the shelle of a tor¦toyse,* 7.450 tyed abowte theyr loynes with laces of gossampine cot¦ton. In other places of that tract, they thrust the synew with in the sheethe therof, and bynde the skinne fast with a stringe. The greate wylde beastes wherof wee spake before, and many other thynges whiche are not founde in any of the Ilandes, testifie that this regiō is part of the cōtinēt or firme land.* 7.451 But the chiefest cōiecture wherby they argue the same, is, that by the coastes of that lande, from Paria towarde the weste, they sayled aboute three thousande myles, fyndynge no signe or token of any ende. These people of Curiana (whiche sum caule Curtana) beinge demaunded where they hadde suche plentie of golde, signified that it was brought them from a Region cau¦led Canchieta or Cauchieta,* 7.452 being distant from them syxe soonnes, that is, syxe dayes iourney westwarde: And that theyr Ima∣ges of goulde, were m••de in the same Region. Where vppon owre men directed theyr vyage thyther immediatly: and arry∣ued there at the calendes of Nouember, in ••he yeare of Christ

a thousande and fyue hundreth. The people of the countrey resorted to them withoute feare, bryngynge with them of the golde which we sayde to bee natyue in that Region. This peo¦ple had also collers of pearles abowte theyr neckes, whiche were brought them frome Curiana for exchange of theyr mar∣chandies. None of them wolde exchaunge any of those thin∣ges which they had owte of other countreys: as nother the Curians golde, nor the Canchietans pearles. Yet amonge the Canchietans, they fownde but little gold redy gathered. They toke with thē frō thense, certen very fayre marmasets or mun¦keys, & many popingayes of sundry coloures. In the monethe of Nouember,* 7.453 the ayer was there most temperate, & nothyng coulde. The gardens of the north pole, were owte of syght to bothe these people, they are soo nere to the Equinoctiall.* 7.454 Of the degrees of the pole, they can gyue none other accoumpte. These people,* 7.455 are wel disposed men, of honest condicions, and nothinge suspicious. For all most all the nyght longe, they re∣sorted to the shippe with theyr boates, and went aboorde ship withowte feare, as dyd the Curians. They caule pearles, Co∣rixas. They are sumwhat ielyous. For, when any straungers coome emonge them, they euer place theyr women behynd thē. In this Region of Canchieta, the gossampine trees growe of them selues commonly in many places,* 7.456 as doo with vs elmes, wyllowes, and salowes. And therfore they vse to make bree∣ches of cotton,* 7.457 wherwith they coouer theyr pryuie partes in many other Regions there aboute. When they had yet sayled on forwarde by the same coastes, there came foorth ageynste them abowte twoo thousande men, armed after theyr maner, forbydding them to coome aland. These people were soo rude and saluage, that owre men coulde by no meanes allure them to familiaritie. Owre men therfore, contented only with their pearles, returned backe the same way they came: where they remayned with the Curians continually for the space of twen¦tie dayes,* 7.458 and fylled theyr bellyes wel with good meate. And here it seemeth to me, not farre from my purpose, to declare what chaunced vnto theim in theyr returne, when they came nowe within the syght of the coaste of Paria.* 7.459 They happened therefore in the way, at Os Draconis and the goulfes of Paria, (wherof wee spake before) to meete with a nauie of .xviii. Ca¦noas of Canibales which went a rouyng to hunt for mē. Who

soone as they had espyed owr men, assailed theyr shippe fierce¦ly and without feare enclosed the same, disturbing owre men on euery syde with theyr arrowes. But owre men so feared them with theyr gunnes, that they fledde immediatly, whom owre menne folowinge with the shippe boate, tooke one of theyr Canoas, and in it, only one Canibal (for the other had escaped) and with hym, an other man bownde: Who, with teares runninge downe his cheekes, and with giesture of his handes, eyes, and heade, signified that syxe of his coompa∣nyons had byn cruelly cutte in pieces and eaten of that mys∣cheuous nation: and that he shulde haue byn lykewyse hande¦led the day folowynge. Wherfore they gaue hym poure ouer the Canyball, to doo with hym what he wolde.* 7.460 Then with the Canibales owne clubbe, he layde on hym al that he might dryue with hande and foote, grinninge and fretinge as it had byn a wylde bore: Thinkynge that he had not yet sufficiently reuenged the death of his companyons, when he had beaten owte his braynes and guttes. When he was demaunded af∣ter what sorte the Canibales were woont to inuade other con¦treys,* 7.461 he answered that they euer vsed to carye with them in theyr Canoas, a greate multitude of clubbes: The whiche, where soo euer they lande, they pitche in the grownde, and encampe them selues within the coompasse of the same, to lye the more safely in the nyght season. In Curiana, they fownde the head of a capitaine of the Canibales, nailed ouer the doore of a certeyne gouernoure, for a token of victorie, as it hadde byn the standerde or helmette taken from the enemye in bat∣tayle. In these coastes of Paria, is a Region cauled Haraia,* 7.462 in the whiche, greate plentie of salte is gathered after a strange sorte. For the sea beinge there tossed with the poure of the wyndes, dryueth the salte waters into a large playne by the sea syde:* 7.463 where: afterward when the sea waxeth c••ulme, and the soonne begynnethe to shyne, the water is congeled into moste pure and whyte salte, wherewith innumerable shyppes might bee laden, if men doo resorte thether for the same bee∣fore there faule any rayne. For the rayne meltethe it, and cau¦seth it to synke into the sande, and soo by the pores of the earthe, to returne to the place from whense it was dryuen. Other say, that the playne is not fylled from the sea, but of certeine springes whose water is more sharpe and salt thē the* 7.464

water of the sea. Thinhabitantes doo greatlye esteeme this bay of salte. Which they vse, not only for theyr owne commo¦ditie, but also woorkinge the same into a square forme lyke vnto brickes, they sell it to strangers for exchaunge of other thynges whiche they lacke. In this Region, they stretche and drye the deade bodies of theyr kinges and noble men,* 7.465 lay¦inge the same vpon a certeyne frame of woodde much lyke vn¦to a hurdle or grediren, with a gentell fyre vnder the same, thus by lyttle and lyttle consuminge the flesshe and keepinge the skynne hole with the bones inclosed therein. These dryed carcases, they haue in greate reuerence, and honour them for theyr householde and famylier goddes. They say that in this place they sawe a man, and in an other place a woman, thus dryed and reserued. When they departed from Curiana, the .viii day of the Ides of February to returne to Spayne, they had three score and .xvi. poundes weight (after .viii. vnces to the pownde) of perles, which they bought for exchange of owre thynges, amountinge to the value of fyue shyllinges.* 7.466 Depar∣tinge therfore, they consumed three score dayes in theyr iour¦ney (althowgh it were shorter then frome Hispaniola) by reason of the contynuall course of the sea into the weste,* 7.467 whiche dyd not only greately stey the shippe, but also sumtymes dryue it backe. But at the length they came home soo laden with per∣les, that they were with euery maryner, in maner as common as chaffe. But the master of the shyppe, Petrus Alphonsus,* 7.468 beinge accused of his coompanyons that he had stowlen a great mul∣titude of precious perles, and defrauded the kynge of his por¦tion which was the fyueth parte, was taken of Fernando de Ve¦ga, a man of greate lerninge and experience and gouernour o•• Gallecia, where they arryued, and was there kepte in pryson a longe tyme. But he styll denyethe that euer he deteyned anye parte of the perles. Many of these perles were as bygge as hasell nuttes,* 7.469 and oriente, (as we caule it) that is, lyke vnto them of the Easte partes. Yet not of soo greate price, by rea∣son that the holes therof are not soo perfecte. When I my selfe was presente with the ryght honorable duke of Methyna, and was bidden to dyner with hym, in the citie of Ciuile, they browght to hym aboue a hundre••h and twentie vnces of per∣les to be soul••e: which surely did greatly delyte me with their fayrenes and brightnes. Sum saye, that Alphonsus hadde not

these perles in Curiana being distante from Os Draconis more thē a hundreth and twentie leaques,* 7.470* 7.471 but that he had them in the Regions of Cumana and Manacapana,* 7.472* 7.473 nere vnto Os Draconis and the Ilande of Margarita.* 7.474 For they deny that there is any per∣les fownde in Curiana. But sithe the matter is yet in controuer¦sie, we wyll passe to other matters. Thus muche yowe haue whereby yowe maye coniecture what commoditie in tyme to coome may bee looked for from these newe landes of the west Ocean, wheras at the fyrste discoueringe, they shewe such to∣kens of greate ryches. Thus fare ye well.

¶ The .ix. booke of the fyrst Decade to Cardynall Lodouike.

VIncentiagnes Pinzonus, and also Aries Pinzonus,* 7.475 his neuie, by his brothers syde, which accompa∣nyed the Admiral Colonus in his fyrste vyage, and were by him appoynted to bee masters of twoo of the smaule shippes which the Spani¦ardes caule Carauelas, beinge mooued by the greate ryches and amplytude of the new lan¦des, furnyshed of theyr owne charges, foure carauels in the hauen of theyr owne countrey which the Spanyardes caule Palos, bortheringe on the weste Ocean. Hauynge therfore the kynges licence and passeporte to departe,* 7.476 they loosed frō the hauen, abowte the Calendes of December, in the yeare 1499. This hauen of Palos is three score and twelue myles distant from Gades, commonly cauled Cales: and three score and foure myles from Ciuile.* 7.477 All thinhabitantes of this towne, not one excepted, are greately gyuen to searchinge of the sea, and continually exercysed in sayling. They also directed their vyage fyrst to the Ilandes of Canarie by the Ilandes of Hespe¦rides,* 7.478 nowe cauled Cabouerde,* 7.479 which sum caule Gorgodes Meducias. Saylinge therfore directly towarde the southe frome that I∣land of the Hesperides which the Portugales (being possessers of the same) caule Sancti Iacobi, and departinge frome thense at the Ides of Ianuary, they folowed the southwest wynde,* 7.480 be¦inge in the myddest betwene the south and the weste. When they supposed that they had sayled aboute three hundrethe leaques by the same wynde, they say that they loste the syght

of the Northe starre:* 7.481 and were shortelye after, tossed with excedinge tempestes bothe of wynde and sea, and vexed with intollerable heate. Yet sayled they on further (not without greate daunger) for the space of twoo hundrethe and fortie leaques, folowing yet the same wynde by the lost pole. Wher∣fore, whether habitable Regions bee vnder the Equinoctiall lyne or not,* 7.482 let these men and the owlde wryters, aswel Phi¦losophers as poetes and cosmographers discusse. For these men, affirme it to bee habitable, and maruelou••ly replenished with people: and they, that it is vnhabitable by reason of the soone beames dependinge perpendicularly or directlye o∣uer the same. Yet were there many of the oulde wryters, whi∣che attempted to proue it habitable. These maryners beinge demaunded, if they sawe the south pole, they answered that they knewe no starre there lyke vnto this pole, that myght be decerned aboute the poynte. But that they sawe an other or∣der of starres, and a certeyne thicke myst rysynge from the ho¦rizontall lyne,* 7.483 which greatly hyndered theyr syght. They con¦tende also, that there is a great heape or rysynge in the myd∣dest of the earth,* 7.484 which taketh away the syght of the southe pole, vntyll they haue vtterly passed ouer the same. But they verely beleue that they sawe other images of starres, muche differinge from the situation of the starres of owre hemisphe∣rie or halfe circle of heauen. Howe soo euer the matter bee, as they informe vs, wee certifie yowe. At the lengthe, the se∣uenth day of the calendes of Februarye, they espied lande a farre of. And seinge the water of the sea to bee troubelous, soundinge with theyr plummet, they founde it to bee .xvi. fa∣thames deepe. Goinge a lande, and tarienge there for the space of twoo dayes, they departed bycause they saw no peo∣ple steringe, althowghe they fownde certeyne steppes of men by the sea syde. Thus grauinge on the trees and the stones nere vnto the shore, the kynges name and theyrs, and the tyme of theyr comming thether, they departed. Not farre frō this station, folowynge the fyers on the lande by nyght, they founde a nation lyinge vnder the open fyrmamente after the maner of warre. Owre men thought it not beste to trowble them vntyll the morninge. Therefore, at the rysinge of the soonne, fortie of owre men well armed, wente toward them: ageynst whom came furth .xxxii. of them, with bowes, slinges

and dartes, euen redy to the feyght. The other coompanye folowed them, armed after the same maner. Owr men affirme that they were of hygher stature then eyther the Almaynes or Pannonians.* 7.485 They behelde owre men with frownynge and threatenynge countenaunce. But owre men thought it not good to faule to bickeringe with them, vncerteyne whether it were for feare, or bycause they wolde not dryue thē to flight. Wherfore they went aboute to allure them by faire meanes & rewardes. But they refused all kynde of gentelnes, & stoode euer in a redines to feight, declaringe the same by signes and tokens. Thus owr men resorted to theyr shippes, and they to the place from whence they came, without any further busy∣nes. The same nyght abowte mydnyght, they fledde, and left the place voyde where they lay in campe. Owre men suppose them to bee a vagabunde and wanderinge nacion lyke vnto the Scythians,* 7.486 withowte houses or certeyne dwellinge pla∣ces, lyuinge onely with the fruites of the earth, hauing theyr wyues and chyldren folowinge them. Such as measured their footesteppes in the sande, affirme with greate othes, that one of theyr feete is almost as longe as twoo feete of owre men of the meane sorte. Saylinge on yet further,* 7.487 they founde an o∣ther ryuer, but not of deapth sufficient to beare the carauels. They sent therfore the foure shippe boates to lande, ful of ar∣med men to search the countrey. They espyed vppon a hyghe hyll nere vnto the sea syde, a greate multitude of people, to whom owre coompany sent furthe one man with certeyne of owre thynges to allure them to exchaunge. And when he had cast a haukes bell towarde them, they cast downe a wedge of golde a cubette longe. The which as he stouped to take vppe, they soodenly inclosed hym, and caryed hym awaye. But he was shortly after rescued by his coompanyons, to sum of their paynes: for they slewe eyght of owre men, and wounded ma∣ny a farre of, with theyr arrowes, and dartes made of wood hardened at the endes with fyre. After this, they encoompa∣sed owre shippe boates within the ryuer, and came rasshelye within the reache of owre men,* 7.488 layinge houlde on the boates sydes, where they were thrust throwgh and hewen in peeces as it had byn sheepe, by reason they were naked. Yet wolde they not for al this, gyue ouer: but tooke from owre men one of their boates, hauing noo men in it. For the gouernour ther¦of

being slayne with an arrowe, the other fledde and escaped. And thus they lefte this fierce and warlyke people, saylinge towarde the northweste alonge by the same coastes, with so∣rowfull hartes for the death of theyr coompanyons. When they had sayled abowte .xl. leaques, they chaunced into a sea of suche fresshe water,* 7.489 that they fylled theyr barelles and hog¦ges heades therwith. Searching the cause hereof, they vnder¦stoode that a vehement course of ryuers discended with great violence from the toppes of certeyne greate hylles. They say also that there lyeth within the sea, many fortunate and fruit¦full Ilandes,* 7.490 and well inhabyted: And that thinhabitantes of this tracte are men of meeke nature and suche as doo not refuse strangers:* 7.491 Yet lyttle profytable to them, bycause they had noo marchandyes for their purpose, as golde or precyous stones. For lacke wherof, they brough•• frome thense thyrtie captiues to sell for slaues. Thinhabitantes caule this Region Mariatambal.* 7.492 The Region of the easte parte of that ryuer, is cau¦led Camomorus:* 7.493 And that of the weste parte, Paricora:* 7.494 in the mid¦lande wherof, thinhabitantes signified that there is greate plentie of golde. For, folowynge this ryuer directly toward the Northe (as the bendynge of the shore requyred) they reco¦uered ageyne the syght of the north pole. All the coaste of this tracte, perteyneth to Paria,* 7.495 the which (as we sayd before) was fyrst founde by Colonus hym selfe,* 7.496 and hath in maner in euery place, greate abundaunce of pearles. They saye that these coastes are adioynynge vnto, and all one with Os Draconis,* 7.497 and also bortherynge vppon the Regions of Cumana,* 7.498 Manacapana,* 7.499 Cu∣riana,* 7.500 Cauchieta, and Cuchibachoa. Wherfore they thought it to bee parte of the firme lande of India beyonge the ryuer of Ganges. For the greate and large coompa••se therof, dothe not permit that it shulde bee an Ilande. Albeit, the hole earth vncouered with water, largely taken, may bee cauled an Ilande.* 7.501 From the poynte of that land where they lost the sight of the north pole, saylynge by a continuall tracke abowte three hundreth leaques towarde the weste syde of Paria, they say that almoste in the mydde way, they chaunced into a ryuer cauled Maragno∣num,* 7.502 which they affirme to bee of such excedinge breadth, that it myght seeme incredible, if the antiquitie dyd not make men¦tion of the lyke. Beinge demaunded of me if it were not salte water where it diuided the lande, they answered, that the wa¦ter

therof was very fresshe and sweete: And that the further it ranne, to bee soo muche the fressher: Also full of Ilandes & homsome fyshe. They bare auouche the breadth therof, to bee more then thirtie lea••ues. Yet if wee well weighe and consy∣der the largenes and wydenes of Boriostomea and Spiriosiomea, the mouthes of the famous ryuer of Ister (nowe cauled Danubius) & howe farre they violate or corrupte the salte water with their freshenes,* 7.503 wee shall cease to marueile, althowgh this other ry¦uer bee greater. For, who can diminysshe the poure of nature, but that it may make this bigger then the other, and an other bygger then this. And I suppose this to bee the ryuer wher∣of Colonus the Admirall made mention in the discription of his vyage in these coastes. But wee shall hereafter haue further knowleage hereof. Let vs nowe therfore returne to the com∣modities of these Regions. They fownde in many Ilandes a¦bowte Paria,* 7.504 great wooddes of brasile trees: And brought a∣waye with them, three thousande poundes weight thereof. They say that the brasile of Hispaniola, is muche better then this, to dye clothe with a more fayre and durable colour. Frō hense, folowynge the wynde (whiche the Spanyardes caule Norduest, and the Italians Graeco) they passed by many Ilandes very fruitefull, yet lefte desolate and wasted by reason of the crueltie of the Canibales.* 7.505 For they went alande in many pla∣ces, and fownde the ruines of many destroyed howses. Yet in sum places, they founde men, but those exceadinge fearefull, flyinge to the mountaynes, rockes, and wooddes at the sight of euery straunger or shippe, and wanderinge without houses or certeyne abydinge places, for feare of the Caniballes lay∣inge wayte and huntinge after them.* 7.506 Here they founde those great trees which of thē selues in dyuers places bringe furth the fruite or spice whiche the Apothecaries caule Cassia f••stula:* 7.507 And that of noo lesse goodnes then that which the phisitians minister to such as bee diseased with the ague. Bu•• it was not ripe at theyr beinge there. They affirme that there are trees of suche byggenes,* 7.508 that .xvi. men ioyninge handes togyther and standinge in coompasse, can scarsely embrase sum of them. E∣monge these trees is fownde that monstrous beaste with a snowte lyke a foxe, a tayle lyke a marmasette,* 7.509 eares lyke a batte, handes lyke a man, and feete lyke an ape, bearing her whelpes abowte with her in an owtwarde bellye muche lyke

vnto a greate bagge or purse. The deade carkas of this beast, you sawe with me, and turned it ouer and ouer with yowre owne handes, marueylynge at that newe belly and wonder∣full prouision of nature. They say it is knowen by experience, that shee neuer letteth her whelpes goo owte of that purse, ex¦except it bee eyther to play, or to sucke, vntyl suche tyme that they bee able to gette theyr lyuing by them selues. They tooke this beaste with her whelpes: But the whelpes dyed shortely after in the shyppes. Yet the damme liued certeyne moonethes: But at the length, not beinge able to abyde soo greate altera¦tion of ayer, and chaunge of meate,* 7.510 shee dyed also in the way. But of this beaste, wee haue sayde enowgh. Let vs now ther¦fore returne to the autoures of these thynges. These twoo Pin¦zoni, the vncle and the neuie, susteyned manye great trowbles and horrible tempestes and perilles in this nauigation. For when they had nowe sayled by the coastes of Paria abowte .vi. hundreth leaques, and (as they supposed) beyonde the citie of Cathay and the coastes of Easte India beyonde the ryuer of Ganges,* 7.511 there rose soodenly soo fierce a tempeste in the moo∣neth of Iuly, that, of the foure carauels which they had with them, twoo were drowned euen beefore theyr eyes:* 7.512 and the thyrde lyenge at anker, with lyke soodennes caryed owte of theyr syght throwgh the violence of the tempeste: The fourth also lyinge at anker, was soo shaken and broosed, that al the seames therof were almost loosed. Yet came they to lande owt of this laste shyppe, but vtterlye despayrynge of the shyppe. Wherfore consultynge with them selues what was best to bee doone in soo extreeme a case, and how to prouide them a safe dwellinge place in those Regions beinge owt of al hope how to departe from thense,* 7.513 they determined to sley all the inhabi¦tantes of the contrey nere abowte them, leaste they with the other shulde conspire togyther to kyl them, but theyr fortune was better. For the carauell which the tempeste had caryed a way, was coome to them ageyne. This had in it .xviii. men: And the other that remayned, was saued and repayred. With these two therfore, they tooke theyr vyage directly to Spaine And thus beinge tossed with tempestes and vexed with aduer¦sities, they returned to theyr natiue contrey of Palos, to theyr wyues and children, the day before the Calendes of October, with the losse of many of theyr dere frendes and neighbours.

they browght with them Cinamome and gynger:* 7.514 but not ve∣ry good, bycause they were not there fully seasoned with the heate of the soone before they brought them frō thense. They browght also, certeyne precious stones, whiche Baptista Elysius. that excellent philosopher and yowre lordeshippes phisitian, affirmeth to bee trewe Topases.* 7.515 After these mens returne, o∣ther of theyr neighbours beinge moued thereto by a certeyne emulation, to proue yf theyr fortune wolde bee anye better, lyke men of good corage,* 7.516 beinge nothing discomforted by the harde fortune of theyr neighboures, knowinge that it often tymes chaunceth that that which is one mans vndoinge is an other mans makynge, attempted a newe vyage towarde the sowthe by the coastes of Paria,* 7.517 folowynge the steppes of Colo∣nus the Admiral, who had fyrst discouered the same. They also browght with them greate plentie of Cassia fistula: And fownde that precious medecine cauled of the Spanyardes, Animae album,* 7.518 whose perfume is of most excellent effect to heale the reumes, murres, and heauines of the heade. As touchinge this vyage, as yet I knowe noo other newes that I thought worthy to certifie yowe of. Wherfore, I wyl nowe make an ende of this booke, bycause yow put me so often in rememberance of your departure. Yet to accomplysshe the Decade, I wyll declare sumwhae of the superstitions of Hispaniola.* 7.519 Yowe shall nowe therfore vnderstand the illusions wherwith the people of the Ilande haue byn seduced after the errours of the owlde gen∣tilitie,* 7.520 and wandered in the ignorance and blyndenes of hu∣mane nature corrupted by the disobedience of owr fyrst paren¦tes, which hath remayned in all nations vpon the face of the earth, except where it hath pleased god by the lyght of his spi¦rite by his woorde, to poure vppon his electe the grace of re∣nouation,* 7.521 by the lyght wherof the naturall darkenes recea∣ueth sume clearenes as in a glasse, vntyll imperfection shalbe abolyshed. Owre men therefore, were longe in the Ilande of Hispaniola, before they knewe that the people thereof honorede any other thynge thē the lyghtes of heauen, or had any other Religion. But when theye had byne nowe longe conuersante with them, and by vnderstandyng their language, drewe to a further familiaritie, they had knowleage that they vsed dy∣uers rytes and superstitions. I haue therfore gathered these fewe thynges folowynge, owte of a booke wrytten by one

Ramonus an heremyte,* 7.522 whom Colonus had lefte with certeyne kynges of the Ilande to instruct them in the Christian fayth. And bycau••e in maner their hole religion is none other thing then Idolatry, I wyll begynne at theyr Idoles.* 7.523 It is therfore apparente by the Images which they honour open∣ly and commonly, that there appere vnto them in the nyghte seasons certeyne phanta••ies and illusions of euyll spirites,* 7.524 seducinge them into many fonde and folyshe errours. For they make certeyne Images of gossampine cotton foulded or wre∣thed after theyr maner,* 7.525 and harde stopped within. These I∣mages they make sytting, much lyke vnto the pictures of spri¦tes and deuelles which owr paynters are accustomed to pa••nt vppon waules. But forasmuch as I my selfe sent yowe foure of these Images, yowe may better presently signifie vnto the kynge yowre vncle, what maner of thynges they are, & howe lyke vnto paynted deuelles, then I can expresse the same by wrytynge. These Images, thinhabitantes caule Zemes:* 7.526 wher¦of the leaste, made to the lykenes of younge deuels,* 7.527 they bind to theyr forheades when they goo to the warres ageynst their enemies: And for that purpose haue they those strynges han∣gynge at them which yowe see. Of these, they beleue to ob∣teyne rayne if rayne be lackyng, and lykewyse fayre wether. For they thinke that these Zemes are the mediatours and mes¦sengers of the greate god,* 7.528 whom they acknowleage to be on∣ly one, eternall,* 7.529 withowte ende, omnipotent and inuisible. Thus euery kynge hath his particuler Zemes which he honou¦reth.* 7.530 They caule the eternall god, by these twoo names, Iocau¦na, and Guamaonocon, as theyr predicessours tawght them. Affir¦minge that he hath a father cauled by these fyue names:* 7.531 that is, Artab••ra, Mamona, Cuacarapita, Liella, Guimazoa. Nowe shall yowe heare what they fable on the earth as touchinge the originall of man.* 7.532 There is in the Ilande a Region cauled Caunana, wher they fayne that mankynde came fyrst owte of twoo caues of a mountayne: and that the byggest sorte of men, came furth of the mouth of the byggest caue, and the least sorte owte of the leaste caue. The rocke in the which these caues are, they caule Cau••a. The greatest denne, they name Cazibaxagua, and the lesse Amaiauna.* 7.533 They say, that before it was lawful for men to come foorth of the caue, the mouth of the caue was kepte and wat¦ched nyghtly by a man whose name was Machochael. This Ma∣chochael,

departinge sumwhat farre from the caue to thintente to see what thynges were abrode, was soodenly taken of the soonne (whose sight he was forbydden) and was turned into a stone. They fayne the lyke of dyuers other, that whereas they went foorthe in the nyghte season a fysshynge, so farre from the caue that they coulde not returne before the rysynge of the soone (the which it was not lawful for them to behold) they were transformed into myrobalane trees,* 7.534 which of them selues growe plentifully in the Ilande. They saye further∣more, that a certeyne ruler cauled Vagoniona, sent one furth of the caue to goo a fysshynge, who by lyke chaunce was turned into a nyghtyngale bycause the soonne was rysen beefore he came ageyne to the caue:* 7.535 And that yearelye abowte the same tyme that he was turned into a byrde, he dothe in the nyght with a moornynge songe bewayle his mysfortune, and caule for the helpe of his maister Vagoniona. And this they thynke to bee the cause why that byrde singeth in the night season. But Vagoniona, beinge sore troubled in his mynd for the losse of his familier frende whom he loued soo intierly, leauinge the men in the caue, brought foorth onely the women with theyr suc∣kynge chyldren, leauinge the women in one of the Ilandes of that tracte, cauled Mathinino,* 7.536 and caryed the chyldren awaye with hym: which poore wretches oppressed with famine, fain¦ted and remained on the banke of a certeine ryuer where they were turned into frogges,* 7.537 and cryed toa, toa, that is, mama, ma∣ma, as chyldren are wont to crye for the mothers pappe. And hereof they say it commeth that frogges vse to cry so pytiful∣ly in the sprynge tyme of the yeare: And that men were scat∣tered abrode in the caues of Hispaniola withowte the companye of women. They say also, that whereas Vagoniona hym selfe, was accustomed to wander in dyuers places, and yet by a spe¦ciall grace,* 7.538 neuer transformed, descended to a certeyne fayre woman whom he sawe in the bottome of the sea, and recea∣ued of her certeyne pibple stones of marble (whiche they caule Cibas) and also certeine yelowe and bright plates of laton, whi¦che they caule Cuaninos. These thynges to this day are had in greate estimation amonge the kynges, as goodly iewels and most holy reliques.* 7.539 These men whiche we sayde before were lefte in the caues withowte women, went furth in the nyght (as they say) to wasshe them selues in a ponde of raine water

and sawe a farre of by the way a greate multitude of certeine beastes in shape sumwhat lyke vnto women, creping as thicke as antes aboute the myrobalane trees: And that as they at∣tempted to take these beastes,* 7.540 they slypped owte of their han∣des as they had byn yeles. Where vppon they consulted, and determyned bythaduice of the elders,* 7.541 that al suche shulde bee sowght foorthe amonge them, as were scabbyd and leprous, to thintente that with theyr rowghe and harde handes, they myght theselyer take holde of them. These men, they caule Caracaracoles: And sente them foorthe a huntinge to take these beastes. But of many which they tooke, they coulde keepe but only foure: The whiche as they wolde haue vsed for women, they fownde that they lacked womans priuities. Wherefore caulinge thelders ageyne to counsayle, to consult what were beste to bee done in this case,* 7.542 theyr aduice was that the byrde which wee caule the Pye, shuld bee admitted with his byll to open a place for that purpose, whyle in the meane tyme these men cauled Caracaracoles, shulde hould fast the womens thighes abrode with theyr rowgh handes. Full wysely therfore was the pye put to this office, and opened the womens priuities, and hereof the women of the Ilande haue theyr original and ofspringe. But nowe doo I cease to marueyle that the owlde Grekes dyd fable and wryte so manye bookes of the people cauled Myrmidones,* 7.543 which they fayned to bee engendred of an∣tes or pissemeres. These and suche lyke, the sagest and wysest of the people,* 7.544 preache continually to the simple sorte, and re∣herse the same as moste holy oracles. But it is yet more chyl∣dysshe that they fable as touchinge thoriginall of the sea. For they saye that there was once in the Ilande, a man of greate power, whose name was Iaia: whose only soonne being dead, he buryed hym within a greate gourde.* 7.545 This Iaia, greuouslye takyng the death of his soonne, after a fewe moonthes, came ageyne to the gourde: The which when he had opened, there isshewed foorth many great whales and other monsters of the sea:* 7.546 where vppon he declared to suche as dwelt abowte hym, that the sea was enclosed in that gourde. By which report, foure brethren (borne of one woman who dyed in her trauail) beinge moued, came to the gourde in hope to haue many fys∣shes. The whiche when they had taken in theyr handes, and espied Iaia comming, (who oftentymes resorted to the gourd

to viset the boones of his soonne, fearing least he shulde sus∣pecte them of thefte and sacrileage, sodaynely let the gourde faule owte of theyr handes: which beinge broken in the faule the sea furthwith brake owte at the ryftes therof, and so fyl∣led the vales, & ouerflowed the playnes, that only the moun∣taynes were vncouered, whiche nowe conteyne the Ilandes which are seene in those coastes.* 7.547 And this is the oppinion of theyr wyse men as concernynge thoriginall of the sea. But nowe (most noble prince) you shall heare a more pleasaunt fa∣ble. There is a certeyne caue cauled Iouanaboina, in the territo¦rye of a certeyne kynge whose name is Machinnech. This caue they honour more religiously then dyd the Grekes in tyme paste, Corinth, Cyrrha, or Nysa:* 7.548 And haue adourned it with pictures of a thousand fasshions. In thenterance of this caue they haue twoo grauen Zemes, wherof the one is cauled Bin∣thaitel, and the other Marohu.* 7.549 Beinge demaunded why they had this caue in soo greate reuerence, they answered ernestly, by∣cause the Soonne and the Moone came fyrst owt of the same to gyue lyght to the worlde.* 7.550 They haue religious concourse to these caues, as wee are accustomed to goo on Pylgramage to Rome or Uaticane,* 7.551 Compostele, or Hierusalem, and most ho∣lye and heade places of owre Religion. They are also subiect to an other kynde of superstition.* 7.552 For they thinke that deade folkes walke in the nyght, and eate of the fruite cauled Guan∣naba, vnknowen vnto vs, and sumwhat lyke vnto a quynse. Affirmynge also that they are conuersant with lyuing people,* 7.553 euen in theyr beddes, and to deceaue women in takynge vp∣pon them the shape of men, shewynge them selues as thowgh they wolde haue to doo with them: But when the matter cō∣meth to actual deede, soodenly to vanysshe away.* 7.554 If any doo suspecte that a deade body lyeth by hym when he feeleth anye straunge thynge in the bedde, they say hee shalbe owt of dout by feelynge of the belly therof: affirmyng that the spirites of deade men may take vppon them al the members of mans bo∣dy, sauinge only the nauell. If therfore by lacke of the na∣uell he doo perceaue that a deade body lyeth by hym, the fee∣lynge is immediatly resolued. They beleue verely, that in the nyght, and often tymes in theyr iourneys, and especially in common and hygh wayes, deade men doo meete with the ly∣uynge. Ageynste whome, if any man bee stoute and owte of

feare, the phantasye vanyssheth incontinentely.* 7.555 But yf anye feare, the phantasy or vysion doth soo assaute hym and stryke hym with further feare, that manye are thereby astonysshed and haue the lymmes of theyr bodyes taken. Thinhaby∣tantes beinge demaunded of whom they had those vayne su∣persticions,* 7.556 they answered that they were lefte them of theyr forefathers as by discent of inheritance: And that they haue had the same (before the memory of man) composed in certeine rymes and songes, which it was lawful for none to lerne but onely the kynges soonnes, who commytted the same to me∣morye,* 7.557 bycause they hadde neuer any knoweleage of letters. These they synge beefore the people on certeyne solemne and festiuall dayes, as moste religious ceremonies: whyle in the meane tyme they play on a certeyne instrumente made of one hole peece of woodde sumwhat holowe lyke a tymbrell. Their preestes and diuines (whom they caule Boitios) instructe them in these superstitions.* 7.558 These preestes, are also phisitians,* 7.559 di∣uisinge a thousande craftes and subtylties howe to deceaue the simple people which haue them in greate reuerence. For they persuade them that the Zemes vse to speake with theym familierlye,* 7.560 and tel them of thynges to come. And if any haue bin sicke & are recouered, they make them beleue that they ob∣teyned theyr healthe of the Zemes. These Boitii, bynde them selues to muche fastinge and owtewarde clenlynes and pour∣geinges:* 7.561 Especially when they take vppon them the cure of any Prince. For then they drynke the pouder of a certeyne herbe, by whose qualitie they are dryuen into a furye: At whi¦che tyme (as they say) they lerne many thynges by reuelation of the Zemes.* 7.562 Then, puttinge secreatly in theyr mouthes, ey∣ther a stone, or a bone, or a piece of fleshe, they coomme to the sicke person, commaundinge al to departe owte of that place,* 7.563 excepte one or twoo, whom it shall please the sicke man to ap∣poynt. This doone, they goo about hym three or foure tymes, greatly deforminge theyr faces, lyppes, and nosethrils with sundry fylthy giestures:* 7.564 blowynge, breathinge, and suckyng the forheade, temples, and necke of the pacient, wherby (they saye) they drawe the euyll ayer from hym, and sucke the di∣sease owt of his veynes. Then rubbinge hym about the shoul∣ders, thyghes, and legges, and drawynge downe theyr han∣des close by his feete, holdinge them yet faste togyther, they

runne to the dore beinge open, where they vnclose and shake theyr handes, affirminge that they haue dryuen away the di∣sease, and that the pacient shall shortely bee perfectly restored to health. After this, commynge behynde hym, he conueygh∣eth the piece of fleshe owte of his owne mouth like a iuggeler, and sheweth it to the sicke man, sayinge, behoulde what you haue eaten to muche: you shall nowe bee hole, bycause I haue taken this from you. But if he intende yet further to deceaue the pacient, he persuadeth hym that his Zemes is angry,* 7.565 ey∣ther bycause he hath not buylded hym a chapell, or not hono∣red hym religiously, or not dedicated vnto him a groue or gar¦den. And if it soo chaunce that the sicke person dye, his kins∣folkes by wytchecrafte enforce the deade to confesse whether he dyed by naturall destenye,* 7.566 or by the neglygence of the Boi∣tius, in that he had not fasted as he shulde haue doone, or not mynistred a conuenient medicine for the disease. Soo that yf this phisitian bee founde fautie, they take reuenge of hym. Of the stones or bones which these Boitii carye in theyr mouthes, yf the women can coome by them, they keepe them religiously beleauinge them to bee greatly effectuall to helpe women whi¦che trauayle with chylde: And therfore honoure them as they doo theyr Zemes. For dyuers of thinhabitantes, honour Zemes of dyuers fasshions. Sume make theim of woodde,* 7.567 as they were admonyshed by certeyne visions apperinge vnto them in the wooddes. Other, whiche haue receaued answere of them amonge the rockes, make thē of stone and marble. Sum they make of rootes to the similitude of suche as appeare to them when they are gathering the rootes cauled Ages, wherof they make theyr breade, as we haue sayde before. These Zemes, they beleue to send plentie and frutefulnes of those rootes, as the antiquitie beleued suche fayries or spirites as they cauled Dryades, Hamadryades, Satyros, Panes, and Nereides,* 7.568 to haue the cure and prouidence of the sea, wooddes, sprynges and fountaynes, assigninge to euery thynge, theyr peculier goddes.* 7.569 Euen soo doo thinhabitantes of this Ilande attribute a Zemes to euery thynge, supposinge the same to gyue eare to theyr inuocati∣ons. Wherfore, as often as the kynges aske counsaile of their Zemes as concerning their warres,* 7.570 increase of fruites or scars∣nes, or health and sickenes, they enter into the house dedicate to theyr Zemes, where, snuffinge vp into theyr nosethryls the

pouder of the herbe cauled Cohobba (wherwith the Boitii are dry¦uen into a furye) they say that immediatly they see the houses turne topsy turnye,* 7.571 and men to walke with theyr heeles vp∣warde: of suche force is this pouder vtterly to take away all sense. As soone as this maddenes ceaseth, he embraseth his knees with his armes, holdynge downe his heade. And whē he hath remayned thus a whyle astonysshed, he lyfteth vp his heade as one that came newe owt of sleepe: And thus loking vp towarde heauen, Fyrst he fumbeleth certeyne confounded woordes with hym selfe. Then certeyne of the nobilitie or chiefe gentelmen that are about him (for none of the common people are admytted to these mysteries) with lowde voyces gyue tokens of reioysing that he is returned to them from the speache of the Zemes,* 7.572 demaundynge of hym what he hathe seene. Then hee openinge his mouthe, doateth that the Zemes spake to hym duryng the tyme of his traunce: declaring that he had reuelations eyther concerninge victorye or destruction:* 7.573 famyne or plentie: health or syckenes, or what soo euer hap∣peneth fyrst on his toonge. Nowe (moste noble Prince) what neede you hereafter to marueyle of the spirite of Apollo soo sha¦kynge his Sibylles with extreme furie?* 7.574* 7.575 Yowe had thowght that the superstitious antiquitie hadde peryshed. But nowe wheras I haue declared thus much of the Zemes in generall, I thowght it not good to lette passe what is sayde of them in particuler. They saye therefore, that a certeyne kynge cauled Guamaretus,* 7.576 had a Zemes whose name was Corochotum: who (they say) was often tymes woonte to descende frome the hygheste place of the house where Guamaretus kepte hym faste bounde. They affirme, that the cause of this his breakynge of his ban¦des and departure, was eyther to hyde hym selfe, or to goo seeke for meate,* 7.577 or els for the acte of generation: And that sumtymes beinge offended, that the kynge Guamaretus had byn negligent and slacke in honouringe hym, he was woont to lye hyd for certeyne dayes. They say also that in the kynges vy∣lage there are sumtyme chyldren borne hauing twoo crownes which they suppose to bee the children of Corochotum the Zemes.* 7.578 They fayne lykewyse, that Guamaretus beinge ouercome of his enemies in the battayle, and his vylage with the palaice con∣sumed with fyer, Corochotus brake his bandes and was after∣warde founde a furlonge of, safe and withowte hurte. He

hath also an other Zemes cauled Epileguanita, made of woodde, in shape lyke a foure footed beaste: who also is sayde,* 7.579 often tymes to haue gonne from the place where he is honoured, in to the wooddes. As soone as they perceaue him to bee gonne, a great multitude of them gather togyther to seeke hym with deuoute prayers: And when they haue fownde hym, brynge hym home religiously on theyr shulders to the chapell dedica∣ted vnto hym. But they coomplayne that sence the commynge of the Christian men into the Ilande, he fledde for all togy∣ther, and coulde neuer sence bee founde, wherby they diuined the destruction of theyr countrey. They honoured an other Ze¦mes in the lykenes of a woman, on whom wayted twoo other lyke men, as they were ministers to her. One of these, execu∣ted thoffice of a mediatour to the other Zemes which are vnder the power and commaundement of this woman,* 7.580* 7.581 to rayse wyn¦des, cloudes, and rayne. The other is also at her commaunde¦mente a messenger to the other Zemes whiche are ioyned with her in gouernaunce, to gather togyther the waters whiche faule from the hygh hylles to the valleys, that beinge loosed, they may with force brust owte into greate fluddes and ouer∣flowe the countrey if the people doo not gyue due honoure to her Image. There remayneth yet one thynge woorthy to bee noted, wherwith we wyll make an ende of this booke. It is a thynge well knowen, and yet fresshe in memory amonge the inhabitantes of the Ilande, that there was sumetyme twoo kynges (of the which one was the father of Guarionexius of whō we made mention before) which were woont to absteyne fyue dayes togyther continually from meate and drinke,* 7.582 to knowe sumwhat of theyr Zemes of thynges to coome:* 7.583 And that for this fastynge beinge acceptable to theyr Zemes, they receaued answere of them, that within fewe yeares, there shuld coome to the Ilande a nation of men couered with apparell, which shulde destroye al the customes and cerymonyes of the Iland. and eyther sley all theyr chyldren,* 7.584 or brynge them into serui∣tude. The common sort of the people, vnderstoode this oracle to bee mente of the Canibales. And therefore when they had any knowleage of theyr commyng, they euer fledde, and were fully determyned neuer more thaduenture the battayle with them. But when they sawe that the Spanyardes had entered into the Ilande, consultinge amonge them selues of the mat∣ter,

they concluded that this was the nation which was mēt by thoracle.* 7.585 Wherin, theyr opinion deceaued them not. For they are nowe all subiecte to the Christians, all suche beinge slayne as stoobernely resisted. Nor yet remayneth there anye memory of theyr Zemes: for they are al brought into Spayne, that we myght bee certified of theyr illusions of euyl spirites and Idoles, the which yowe yowre selfe (most noble Prince) haue seene and felte when I was presente with yowe. I let passe many thynges bycause yow put me in remembrance that to morowe yowe take yowre iorney towarde yowre countrey, to brynge home the queene yowre aunte, whom yowe accoom∣panyed hether at the commaundemente of kynge Frederyke yowre vncle. Wherfore I byd yowe farewel for this tyme, de∣syrynge yowe to remember yowre Martyr, whome yowe haue compelled in the name of the kynge yowre vncle, to gather these fewe thynges owte of a large feelde of hystoryes.

¶ The tenth and laste booke of the fyrst decade, as a con∣clusion of the former bookes: Wrytten to Inacus Lopez Mendocius, countie of Tendilla, and vice∣roye of Granata.

AT the fyrst begynnynge and newe attempte, when Colonus had taken vppon hym thenter¦pryse to search the Ocean sea, I was ernest∣ly moued and requyred by the letters of cer∣teyne of my frendes and noble men of Rome to wryte suche thynges as shoulde happen. For they whyspered with greate admiraci∣on, that where as there were many newe landes founde, and nations which liued naked and after the lawe of nature,* 7.586 they coulde here noo certentie therof, beinge greately desyrous of the same. In this meane tyme had fortune ouerthrowne Ascani¦us (his brother Lodouike beinge cast owt of Mylayne by the frenchmen) whose autoritie wold not suffer me to bee idle,* 7.587 but euer to haue my pen in hande. To hym I wryte the twoo fyrst bookes of this decade, besyde many other of my hyd commen∣taries whiche yowe shall see shortely. Fortune dyd noo lesse withdrawe my mynde frome wrytynge, then disturbe Ascaniu•• from power. As he was tossed with contrary stormes and cea¦sed

to persuade me, euen soo slacked my feruentnes to enquyre any further, vntyl the yeare of Christe .1500. When the court remayned at Granata where yowe are viceroye: At which time Lodouike the Cardinall of Aragonie, neuie to kynge Frede∣rike by his brothers syde (beinge at Granata with the queene Parthenopea the syster of owre catholike kynge) browght me kynge Frederikes letters, wherby he exhorted me to fynyshe the other bookes whiche folowed the twoo epystell bookes,* 7.588 which I wryte to Ascanius. For they both acknowleaged that they hadde the copie of all that I wryte to cardinall Ascanius. And albeit that euen then I was sicke (as yowe knowe) yet tooke I the burden vppon me, and applyed my selfe to wry∣tynge. I haue therfore chosen these fewe thynges, owte of a greate heape of suche as seemed to me most woorthy to bee no¦ted amonge the large wrytynges of the autoures and sear∣chers of the same. Wherfore, forasmuch as yowe haue ende∣uoured to wreste owt of my handes the hole exemple of al my woorkes, to adde the same to the innumerable volumes of yowre librarie, I thowght it good nowe to make a breefe re∣hersall of those thynges which were done from that yeare of a thowsande and fyue hundreth,* 7.589 euen vnto this yeare which is the tenth from that. For I entende to wryte more largelye of these thynges hereafter, if god graunte me lyfe. I hadde wrytten a hole booke by it selfe of the superstitions of the peo¦ple of the Ilande, supposinge therwith to haue accomplyshed the hole Decade consistynge of tenne bookes. But I haue ad¦ded this to the tenthe as a perpendiculer lyne, and as it were a backe guyde or rerewarde to the other: So that yowe may knytte the fyrst tenthe, to the nynthe, and impute this to oc∣cupie the place of the tenthe to fyll vp the Decade. This or∣der haue I appoynted, lest I shulde bee compelled often times to wryte ouer the hole woorke, or sende yowe the same defa∣ced with blottes and interlynynge. But nowe let vs coome to owre purpose. The shippe masters and maryners ranne ouer many coastes durynge these tenne yeares: But euer folowed suche as were fyrste fownde by Colonus. For rasinge continual¦ly alonge by the tracte of Paria,* 7.590 which they beleue to bee parte of the firme lande or continent of easte India, sume of theym chaunced vppon certeyne newe landes towarde the easte, and sume towarde the weste, in which they fownde bothe goulde

and frankensence.* 7.591 For they browght from thense many iew∣els and ouches of golde, and greate plentie of frankensence, whiche they had of the people of those countreys, partely for exchange of sume of owre thynges, and partely by force, ouer commynge them by warre. Yet in sume places, althowgh they bee naked,* 7.592 they ouercame owre men, and slewe hole armyes. For they are excedinge fierce, and vse venemous arrowes, and longe staues lyke iauelens, made harde at the ende with fyer. They fownde many beastes,* 7.593 both creepinge and foure footed, muche differinge from owres, variable and of sundrye shapes innumerable: yet not hurtflul, excepte Lyons, Tygers, and Crocodiles. This I meane in sundry Regions of that greate lande of Paria: but not in the Ilandes: Noo not soo much as one. For all the beastes of the Ilandes, are meeke and with∣owte hurte,* 7.594 except men which (as wee haue sayde) are in ma∣ny Ilandes deuourers of mans flesshe. There are also dyuers kyndes of foules. And in many places battes of such bygnes, that they are equall with turtle doues.* 7.595 These battes, haue often tymes assauted men in the nyght in theyr sleepe, and soo bytten them with theyr venemous teethe, that they haue byn therby almoste dryuen to madnes, in soo much that they haue byn compelled to flye from such places, as from rauenous har¦pies. In an other place, where certeyne of them slepte in the nyght season on the sandes by the sea syde, a monster com∣mynge owte of the sea,* 7.596 came vppon one of them secreatly and caryed hym away by the myddeste owte of the sight of his fe∣lowes to whome he cryed in vayne for helpe vntyll the beaste lepte into the sea with her praye. It was the kynges pleasure that they shulde remayne in these landes,* 7.597 and buylde townes and fortresses. Where vnto they were soo wel wyllynge, that dyuers profered them selues to take vppon them the subduing of the lande, makyng great sute to the kynge that they might bee appoynted therto. The coaste of this tracte is exceadynge greate and large: and the Regions and landes therof extende maruelous farre:* 7.598 Soo that they affirme the continent of these Regions with the Ilandes abowte the same, to bee thryse as bygge as al Europe, besyde those landes that the Portugales haue fownde southwarde, whiche are also exceadynge large. Therfore doubtlesse Spayne hathe deserued greate prayse in these owre dayes,* 7.599 in that it hath made knowen vnto vs soo

many thowsandes of Antipodes which leye hyd before and vn∣knowen to owre forefathers:* 7.600 And hath thereby mynystred so large matter to wryte of, to suche lerned wyttes as are desy∣rous to sette furthe knowleage to the commoditie of men: to whom I opened away when I gathered these thynges rudely to gyther as yowe see: The which, neuerthelesse I trust yowe wyll take in good parte, aswell for that I can not adourne my rudenes with better vesture,* 7.601 as also that I neuer tooke penne in hande to wryte lyke an historiographer, but only by epistels scribeled in haste, to satisfie theym, from whose com∣maundementes I myght not drawe backe my foote. But now I haue digressed enowghe. Let vs nowe therefore returne to Hispaniola.* 7.602 Owre men haue founde by experience, that the breade of the Iland is of smaule strength to such as haue byn vsed to owr breade made of wheate: And that theyr strenthes were much decayed by vsynge of the same, Wherfore the king hath of late commaunded that wheate shulde bee sowen there in diuers places and at sundry tymes of the yeare.* 7.603 It groweth into holowe reedes, with fewe eares, but those verye bygge and frutefull. They fynde the lyke softenes or delicatenes to bee in herbes, which growe there to the height of corne. Neat or cattall, becoome of bygger stature and exceadynge fat, but theyr flesshe is more vnsauery, and theyr bones (as they say) eyther withowte marye, or the same to bee verye waterysshe. But of hogges and swyne,* 7.604 they affirme the contrarye, that they are more holsoome and of better taste, by reason of cer∣teyne wylde frutes whiche they eate, beinge of muche better nooryshement then maste. There is almost none other kynd of flesshe commonly soulde in the market. The multitude of hog∣ges, are excedingly encreased,, and becoome wylde as soone as they are owte of the swyneheardes keepynge. They haue suche plentie of beastes and foules,* 7.605 that they shall heareafter haue noo neede, to haue any brought from other places. Thin¦crease of all beastes, growe bygger then the broode they came of, by reason of the rankenes of the pasture, althowgh theyr feadynge bee only of grasse, withowte eyther barley or other grayne. But wee haue sayde enowgh of Hispaniola. They haue nowe fownde that Cuba,* 7.606 (which of longe tyme they thowght to haue byn firme lande for the greate length therof) is an I∣lande. Yet is it noo maruell that thinhabitantes them selues

towlde owre men when they searched the length therof, that it was withowte ende. For this nacion being naked and con∣tente with a lyttle, and with the limittes of theyr owne con∣trey, is not greatly curyous to know what theyr neyghbours doo, or the largenes of theyr dominion. Nor yet knewe they if there were any other thinge vnder heauen, besyde that whi¦che they walked on with theyr feete. Cuba,* 7.607 is frome the Easte into the Weste, muche longer then Hispaniola: And in breadthe from the Northe to the Southe, much lesse then they suppo∣sed at the fyrst: for it is very narowe in respecte to the length: And is for the moste parte, very frutefull and pleasaunt. East∣warde not farre from Hispaniola, there lyethe an Ilande, lesse then Hispaniola more then by the halfe, which owre men cauled Sancti Iohannis,* 7.608 beinge in maner square. In this they founde ex¦cedynge ryche golde mynes. But beinge nowe occupied in the golde mynes of Hispaniola,,* 7.609 they haue not yet sent labourers in to that Iland. But the plentie and reuenewe of golde of al o∣ther Regions, gyue place to Hispaniola, where they gyue theim selues in maner to none other thynge then to gather golde,* 7.610 of which woorke this order is appoynted. To euery such wyttie and skylfull man as is put in truste to bee a suruoier or ouer∣seer of these woorkes, there is assigned one or more kynges of the Ilande with theyr subiectes.* 7.611 These kynges accordyng to theyr league, coome with theyr people at certeyne tymes of the yeare, and resorte euery of them to the golde myne to the which he is assigned: where they haue all maner of dygginge or myninge tooles deliuered them: And euery kynge with his men, haue a certeyne rewarde alowed them for theyr labour. For when they departe from the mynes to sowynge of corne, and other tyllage (wherunto they are addict at certeyne other tymes,* 7.612 leaste theyr foode shulde fayle them) they receaue for theyr laboure, one a ierken, or a dublet, an other a sherte, an other a cloke or a cappe. For they nowe take pleasure in these thynges, and goo no more naked as they were wont too doo. And thus they vse the helpe and laboure of the inhabitantes both for the tyllage of theyr ground, and in theyr gold mines as thowghe they were theyr seruauntes or bondemen. They beare this yoke of seruitude with an euyll wyll: but yet they beare it. They caule these hyred labourers, Anaborias. Yet the kynge doth not suffer that they shulde bee vsed as bondemen:

And onely at his pleasure they are sette at libertie or appoyn∣ted to woorke. At suche tyme as they are cauled together of theyr kynges to woorke (as souldiers or pioners are assem∣bled of theyr centurians) many of them stele away to the moun¦taynes and wooddes, where they lye luckynge,* 7.613 being con∣tent for that tyme to lyue with wyld frutes, rather then take the paynes to laboure. They are docible and apte to lerne,* 7.614 and haue nowe vtterly forgotten theyr owlde supersticions. They beleue godly, and beare wel in memory suche thynges as they haue lerned of owre faith. Theyr kynges children are brought vp with the chiefest of owre men,* 7.615 and are instructed in letters and good maners. When they are growen to mans age, they sende them home to theyr countreys to bee exemple to other, and especially to gouerne the people if theyr fathers bee dead that they maye the better set foorthe the Christian Religion, and keepe theyr subiectes in loue and obedience. By reason whereof, they coome nowe by fayre meanes and gentell per∣suasions to the mynes which lye in twoo Regions of the I∣lande aboute thirtie myles distante frome the citie of Dominica: wherof the one is cauled Sancti Christophori:* 7.616 And the other being distante aboute foure score and tenne myles, is cauled Cibaua, not farre from the cheefe hauen cauled Portus Regalis. These re¦gions are very large: In the which in many places here and there, are fownd sumtyme euen in the vpper crust of the earth and sumtyme amonge the stones,* 7.617 certeyne rounde pieces or plates of golde, sumtyme of smaule quantitie, and in sum pla¦ces of great weyght: In so muche that there hath byn found rounde pieces of three hundreth pounde weyght, and one of three thousande, three hundreth and tenne pounde weyght:* 7.618 The whiche (as yowe harde) was sente hole to the kynge in that shyppe in the which the gouernour Boadilla was comming home into Spayne, the shyppe with all the men beinge drow∣ned by the way, by reason it was ouer laden with the weight of golde and multytude of men. Albeit, there were moo then a thowesande persons whiche sawe and handeled the piece of golde. And wheras here I speake of a pounde, I doo not meane the common pounde, but the summe of the ducate of golde, with the coyne cauled Triens, which is the thyrde parte of a pounde, whiche they caule Pesus.* 7.619 The sum of the weyght hereof, the Spanyardes caule Castellanum Aureum. Al the golde

that is dygged in the mountaynes of Cibaua and Porte Re∣gale,* 7.620 is caryed to the towre of Conception, where shoppes with al thynges apperteyninge are redy furnysshed to fyne it, melte it, and caste it into wedges. That doone, they take the kynges portion therof, whiche is the fyfte parte, and soo re∣store to euery man his owne whiche he gotte with his labour. But the golde whiche is fownde in saynt Christophers myne and the Region there aboute, is caryed to the shoppes whiche are in the vylage cauled Bonauentura. In these twoo shoppes, is molten yerely, aboue three hundreth thousand pounde weight of golde.* 7.621 If any man bee knowen deceatefully to keepe backe any portion of golde, whereof he hathe not made the kynges officers pryuie, he forfiteth the same for a fyne. There chaunce amonge them often tymes many contentions and controuer∣sies,* 7.622 the whiche onlesse the magistrates of the Ilande doo fy∣nysshe, the ease is remoued by applelation to the hyghe coun∣sayle of the courte, from whose sentence it is not lawfull to appele in all the dominions of Castyle. But lette vs nowe re∣turne to the newe landes frome whense wee haue digressed.* 7.623 They are innumerable, dyuers, and exceadynge fortunate. Wherfore the Spanyardes in these owre dayes, and theyr no¦ble enterpryses,* 7.624 doo not gyue place eyther to the factes of Sa∣turnus, or Hercules, or any other of the ancient princes of famous memorie which were canonized amonge the goddes cauled He∣roes for theyr searchinge of newe landes and regions, & brin∣ginge the same to better culture and ciuilitie. Oh God: howe large and farre shal owre posteritie see the Christian Religion extended?* 7.625 Howe large a campe haue they nowe to wander in, whiche by the trewe nobilitie that is in theym, or mooued by vertue, wyll attempte eyther to deserue lyke prayse amonge men, or reputacion of well doinge before god. What I con∣ceaue in my mynde of these thynges,* 7.626 I am not able to expresse with penne or tonge. I wyll nowe therfore soo make an ende of this perpendiculer conclusion of the hole Decade, as myn∣dinge hereafter to searche and gather euery thynge particuler¦lye, that I maye at further leasure wryte the same more at large. For Colonus the Admiral with foure shyppes, and a hun¦dreth threescore and tenne men appoynted by the kynge, dis∣couered in the yeare of Christe .1520. the lande ouer ageynste the weste corner ••f Cuba, distant from the same aboute a hun∣dreth

and thirtie leaques: In the myddest of which tracte, ly∣eth an Ilande cauled Guanassa.* 7.627 From hense he directed his vy∣age backewarde towarde the Easte by the shore of that coast, supposinge that he shulde haue founde the coastes of Paria: but it chaunced otherwyse. It is sayd also that Vincentius Agnes (of whom we haue spoken before) and one Iohannes Diaz (with dyuers other of whose vyages I haue as yet no certeyne knowleage) haue ouer runne those coastes.* 7.628 But if God graunt me life, I trust to know the truthe hereof and to aduertise yowe of the same. Thus fare ye well.

¶ The seconde Decade foloweth.

¶THE FYRST BOOKE OF THE SECONDE Decade, to Leo bysshop of Rome, the tenthe of that name, of the supposed Con∣tinent or firme lande.

SENSE the tyme that Galeatius Butrigarius of Bo∣nonie, and Iohannes Cursius of Florence (moste holye father) came to the catholyke kynge of Spayne, the one, of yowre holynes ambasage, and thother for thaffaires of his cōmon welth, I was euer for the moste parte in theyr coom∣panie, and for theyr vertues and wysedoome, had theym in greate reuerence. And wheras they were greatly gyuen to stu¦dye, and continuall reuoluinge of dyuers autours, they chaun¦ced vppon certeyne bookes negligently let slyppe owte of my handes, entreatinge of the large landes and Regions hether∣to lyinge hyd, and almost west Antipodes,* 8.1 fownde of late by the Spanyardes. Yet beinge allured and delited with the newe∣nes and strangenes of the matter althowgh rudely adourned, they commended the same: Therwith ernestely desyringe me

in theyr owne names, and requyring me in the name of yowr holynes, to adde here vnto all suche thynges as were fownde after that tyme, and to gyue them a copie thereof to sende to yowre holynes, that yowe myght therby vnderstande, bothe howe greate commoditie is chaunced to the progenye of man∣kynde, as also increase of the militante congregation in these owre dayes,* 8.2 by the fortunate enterpryses of the kynges of Spayne. For lyke as rased or vnpaynted tables, are apte to receaue what formes soo euer are fyrst drawen theron by the hande of the paynter, euen soo these naked and simple peo∣ple, doo soone receaue the customes of owre Religion, and by conuersation with owre men, shake of theyr fierce and natiue barbarousnes. I haue thowght it good therefore to satisfie the request of these wyse men, especially vsinge thautoritie of yowre name, wherunto not to haue obeyed, I shulde esteeme my selfe to haue commytted a heynous offence. Wherefore I wyl nowe brefely reherse in order, what hyd coastes the Spa¦nyardes ouerranne, who were the autours therof, where they rested, what further hope they browght, and fynallye what great thynges those tractes of landes doo promesse in tyme to coome. In the declaration of my decade of the Ocean, which is nowe printed and dispersed throwghowte Christendome vnwares to me, I described howe Christophorus Colonus fownde those Ilandes wherof we haue spoken,* 8.3 and that turnynge from thense towarde the lefte hande southwarde, he chaun∣ced into greate regions of landes, and large seas, distant frō the Equinoctial lyne, onely from fyue degrees to tenne:* 8.4 where he founde brode ryuers and exceadinge hygh mountaynes co∣uered with snowe and harde by the sea bankes, where were many commodious and quyet hauens. But Colonus being now departed owte of this lyfe,* 8.5 the kynge beganne to take care, howe those landes myght be inhabited with Christian men to thincrease of owre fayth: Where vppon he gaue licence by his letters patentes to al such as wolde take the matter in hand,* 8.6 and especially to twoo, wherof Diego Nicuesa was one, and the other was Alphonsus Fogeda.* 8.7 Wherfore aboute the Ides of De∣cember, Alphonsus departinge fyrst with three hundreth souldi¦ers from the Ilande of Hispaniola (in the which wee sayde the Spanyardes had builded a citie, and planted theyr habitaci∣on) and saylynge in maner full southe, he came to one of the

hauens founde before whiche Colonus named Portus Carthaginis,* 8.8 bothe bycause of the Ilande standynge ageynste the course of the streame, & also that by reason of the largenes of the place and bendynge sydes, it is muche lyke to the hauen of Spaine cauled Carthago. Thinhabitantes caule the Ilande Codego, as the Spanyardes caule the Ilande of theyr hauen, Scombria.

This Region is cauled of the inhabitantes Caramairi:* 8.9 In the which they affirme bothe the men and women to bee of good∣ly stature,* 8.10 but naked. The men haue theyr heare cutte rownde by theyr eares, but the women were it longe. Bothe the men and women are very good archers. Owre men fownde certen trees in this prouince, which bore greate plentie of sweete ap∣ples, but hurteful, for they turne into wormes when they are eaten.* 8.11 Especially the shadowe of the tree,* 8.12 is contagious, for suche as sleepe vnder it any tyme, haue theyr headdes swolne and lose theyr sight. But if they sleepe but a whyle, theyr syght commeth ageyne after a fewe dayes. This porte is dy∣stant foure hundreth fyftie and syxe myles from that parte of Hispaniola which the Spanyardes caule Beata, in the which also they furnysshe them selues when they prepare anye vyage to seeke other newe landes. When Fogeda had entered into the hauen,* 8.13 he inuaded, slewe, and spoyled the people, whome he founde naked and scattered. For they were gyuen hym for a praye, by the kynges letters patentes bycause they hadde bin before tyme cruel ageynst the Christians, and coulde neuer bee allured to permytte them quietly to coome within theyr domi∣nions. Here they founde gold, but in no greate quantitie, nor yet that pure. They make of it, certeyne brest plates and broo¦ches, which they weare for coomelynes. But Fogeda not con∣tent with these spoyles, vsinge certeyne captiues whiche he had taken before, for guydes, entered into a vyllage twelue myles distante frome the sea syde further into the lande, into the whiche they were fledde whom he fyrst inuaded.* 8.14 Here he founde a naked people, but apte to warre. For they were ar∣med with targettes, shieldes, longe swoordes made of wood, and bowes with arrowes typte with bone, or hardened with fyer. As soone as they had espyed owre men, they with their gestes whom they had receaued, assayled them with desperate myndes, beinge therto more ernestly prouoked, beholding the calamitie of these whiche fledde vnto theym, by the violence

doone to theyr women and chyldrē, in the spoyle and slawgh¦ter. In this conflicte owre men had the otherthrowe:* 8.15 In the which, one Iohannes de Lacossa (beinge in autoritie nexte vnto Fo¦geda the capitayne, and also the fyrste that gathered golde in the sandes of Vraba) was slayne with fyftie souldiers. For these people infecte theyr arrowes with the deadly poyson of a certeyne herbe.* 8.16 The other with theyr capitayne Fogeda be∣inge discomfited, fledde to the shyppes. Whyle they remayned thus in the hauen of Carthago sorowfull and pensyue for the losse of their companions, the other capitayne Diego Nicuesa,* 8.17 (whom they lefte in Hispaniola, preparyng hym selfe towarde the vyage in the hauen Beata) came to theim with fyue ship∣pes and seuen hundrethe foure score and fyfteene menne. For the greater number of souldyers, folowed Nicuesa, both bycause free libertie was gyuen them to choose which of the capytaynes them lyst, and also that by reason of his age, he was of greater autoritie: But especially bycause the ru∣moure was that Beragua beinge by the kynges commission ap∣poynted to Nicuesa,* 8.18 was rycher in golde then Vraba assigned to Alphonsus Fogeda. Therfore, at the arryuall of Nicuesa, they con∣sulted what was beste to bee doone: And determyned fyrste to reuenge the deathe of their felowes. Where vppon, settynge theyr battayle in arraye, they marched in the nyght towarde them whiche slewe Cossa with his coompanyons,* 8.19 Thus stea∣lynge on them vnwares in the last watche of the nyght, and encoompasinge the vyllage where they laye, consistynge of a hundreth howses and more, hauynge also in it thryse as ma∣ny of theyr neyghbours as of them selues, they set it on fyer, with diligent watche that none myght escape. And thus in shorte tyme they browght theym and theyr howses to asshes, and made them pay the raunsome of bludde with bludde.* 8.20 For of a greate multitude of men and women, they spared one∣ly syxe chyldren, al other being destroyed with fyer or sword except fewe which escaped priuilye. They lerned by the reser∣ued chyldren, that Cossa and his felowes were cutte in pieces and eaten of them that slewe them. By reason wherof, they suppose that these people of Caramairi tooke theyr originall of the Caribes otherwyse cauled Canibales.* 8.21 Here they founde sume golde amonge the asshes. For the hunger of golde,* 8.22 dyd noo lesse encorage owr men to aduenture these perels and labours

then dyd the possessynge of the landes. These thynges thus fynysshed, and the death of Cossa and his felowes reuenged, they returned to the hauen. After this, Fogeda whiche came fyrst, fyrst lykewyse departinge with his army to seeke Vraba, commytted to his gouernaunce, sayled by an Ilande cauled Fortis,* 8.23 lyinge in the mydwaye betwene Vraba and the hauen of Carthago. In to the which descendinge, he fownde it to bee an Ilande of the Canybales, brynginge with hym frome thense two men and seuen women: for the residue escaped. Here he fownde in the cotages of them that fledde, a hundrethe foure score and tenne drammes of golde, caste and wrought in dy∣uers formes.* 8.24 Saylynge forwarde from hense, he came to the Easte coastes of Vraba, whiche thinhabitantes caule Caribana,* 8.25 from whense the Caribes or Canibales of the Ilandes are sayde to haue theyr name and originall. Here he beganne to buylde a fortresse, and a vyllage nere vnto the same, therein intendynge to place theyr fyrst habitacion. Shortly after, be∣inge instructed by certeyne captyues that there was aboute twelue myles further within the lande, a certeyne vyllage cau¦led Tirufi, hauinge in it a ryche golde myne,* 8.26 he determyned to destroye the vylage. To the which when he came, he fownde thinhabitantes redye to defende theyr ryght:* 8.27 And that soo stoutly, that encounteryng with them, he was repulsed with shame and domage. For these people also, vse bowes and ve∣nemous arrowes. within a fewe dayes after, beinge enfor∣sed for lacke of vytales to inuade an other vyllage, he hym selfe was stryken in the thyghe with an arrowe.* 8.28 Sume of his felowes say, that he was thus wounded of one of thinhaby∣tantes whose wyfe he had ledde awaye captiue before. They say also that he had first frendly comoned with Fogeda for re¦demynge of his wyfe, & had appoynted a day to brynge a por¦tion of golde for her raunsome:* 8.29 And that he came at the daye assigned, not laden with golde, but armed with bowes and arrowes, with eyght other confetherate with hym, whiche had bin before partetakers of the iniuries doone to them first at the hauen of Carthago, and afterward at the burnyng of the vyllage. In reuenge wherof they had desperatly consecrated them selues to death. But the matter beinge knowen, the cap¦tayne of this conspiracie was slayne of Fogeda his coompany∣ons, and his wyfe deteyned in captiuitie. Fogeda also throwgh

the maliciousnes of the veneme, consumed and was dryed vp by lyttle & lyttle. Whyle these thynges chaunced thus, they espyed Nicuesa the other capitayne to whom Baragua the region of the weste syde of Vraba,* 8.30 was assigned to inhabite. He gaue wynde to his sayles to take his vyage towarde Beragua, the day after that Fogeda departed owte of the hauen of Car••hago.* 8.31 He with his army which he browght with hym, coasted euer alonge by the shore vntyll he came to the goulfe Coiba,* 8.32 whose kynges name is Careta. Here he founde theyr language to bee in maner nothynge lyke vnto that of Hispaniola or of the hauen of Carthago: wherby he perceaued that in this tracte there are many languages differinge from theyr owne bortherers.* 8.33 Nicue∣sa departinge frome Coiba, wente to the prouince or Lieuete∣nauntshippe of Fogeda his companion. Within a fewe dayes after he hym selfe enteringe into one of those marchaunt ship∣pes whiche the Spanyardes caule Carauelas, commaunded that the bygger vessels, shulde folowe farre behynde. He tooke with hym twoo smaule shyppes commenly cauled bergantines or brygantynes.* 8.34 I haue thowght it good in all the discourse of these bookes, to vse the common names of thinges, bicause I had rather bee playne then curious: especially forasmuche as there doo dayly aryse manye newe thynges vnknowen to the antiquitie, wherof they haue lefte noo trewe names. Af∣ter the departure of Nicuesa, there came a shyppe from Hispanio∣la to Fogeda, the capitayne wherof, was one Barnardino de Calaue¦ra,* 8.35 who had stoulne the same from Hispaniola with three score men, withowte leaue or aduice of the Admirall and the other gouernours. With the vytayles whiche this shippe browg••t they refresshed theym selues and sumewhat recouered theyr strengthes muche weakened for lacke of meate, Fogeda his companyons whyspered and muttered ageynste hym daylye more and more, that he fedde them furthe with vayne hope. For he had towlde them that he left Ancisus in Hispaniola (whō he chose by the kynges commission to bee a Iudge in causes,* 8.36 bycause he was lerned in the lawe) to coome shortly after him with a shippe laden with vytayles: And that he marueyled that he was not coome many dayes sense. And herein he said nothinge but trewth. For when he departed, he lefte Ancisus halfe redy to folowe hym. But his felowes supposinge that all that he sayde of Ancisus had byn fayned, sume of them de∣termyned

priuilie to steale away the twoo brigantynes frome Fogeda, and to returne to Hispaniola. But Fogeda hauing know∣leage hereof, preuented theyr diuise. For leauynge the custo∣die of the fortresse with a certeyne noble gentelman cauled Francisco Pizarro, he hym selfe thus wounded, with a fewe other in his companie, entered into the shyppe wherof we spake be∣fore, and sayled directly to Hispaniola,* 8.37 both to heale the wound of his thygh if any remedy myght bee found, & also to knowe what was the cause of Ancisus taryinge: Leauing hope with his felowes (which were nowe browght from three hundreth to three score, partly by famyne and partly by warre) that he wolde returne within the space of .xv. dayes:* 8.38 prescribyng al∣so a condition to Pizarro and his companions, that it shulde not bee imputed to them for treason to departe from thense if he came not ageyne at the day appoynted with vytayles and a newe supply of men. These .xv. dayes beinge nowe paste, whereas they coulde yet heare nothynge of Fogeda, and were dayly more and more oppressed with sharpe hunger, they en∣tered into the twoo brigantynes which were lefte, and depar¦ted from that land. And as they were nowe saylynge on the mayne sea towarde Hispaniola, a tempeste soodeynly arysynge,* 8.39 swalowed one of the brygantynes with all that were therein. Sum of theyr felowes affirme that they playnely sawe a fyshe of houge greatenes swymmyng abowte the brygantyne (for those seas brynge furthe greate monsters) and that with a stroke of her tayle, shee broke the rudder of the shyppe in pee∣ces: which faylynge, the brigantine beinge dryuen abowt by force of the tempest, was drowned not farre from the Ilande cauled Fortis,* 8.40 lyinge betwene the coastes of the hauen Carthago and Vraba. As they of the other brygantyne wolde haue lan∣ded in the Ilande, they were dryuen backe with the bowes and arrowes of the fierce barbarians. Proceadynge therfore on theyr vyage, they mette by chaunce with Ancisus betweene the hauen of Carthago,* 8.41 and the Region of Cuchibacoa in the mouthe of the ryuer whiche the Spanyardes cauled Boiū gatti,* 8.42* 8.43 that is, the house of the catte, bycause they sawe a catte first in that place: and Boium, in the toonge of Hispaniola, is a house. Ancisus came with a shyppe laden with all thynges necessarye, bothe for meate and drynke, and apparell, bryngynge also with hym an other brigantine. This is he for whose comming

the capitayne Fogeda looked for soo longe. He loosed anker from Hispaniola in the Ides of September: And the fourth day after his departure, he espyed certeyne hyghe mountaynes,* 8.44 the whiche for the abundance of snowe which lyeth continu∣ally in the toppes therof, the Spanyardes cauled Serra Neuata,* 8.45 when Colonus the fyrst fynder of those Regions passed by the same. The fyfte daye, he sayled by O•• Draconis.* 8.46 They whiche were in the brygantyne, towlde Ancisus that Fogeda was retur¦ned to Hispaniola. But Ancisus supposing that they had fayned that tale, commaunded them by thautoritie of his commission to turne backe ageyne. The brigantiners obeyed and folowed hym: yet made they humble sute vnto hym that he woolde graunte them that with his fauour they myght eyther goo a∣geyne to Hispaniola, or that he hym selfe woolde brynge theim to Nicuesa: And that they woolde for his gentelnes declared towarde them in this behalfe, rewarde hym with twoo thou∣sande drammes of golde. For they were ryche in golde, but poore in breade.* 8.47 But Ancisus assented to neyther of theyr re∣questes: affirmynge that he myght by no meanes goo anye o∣ther way then to Vraba the prouince assigned to Fogeda. Where vppon, by theyr conduct, he tooke his vyage directly toward Vraba. But nowe let it not seme tedious to yowre holynes to heare of one thyng worthy to bee remembred, which chaunced to this Lieuetenaunt Ancisus as he came thether. For he also cast anker in the coastes of the region of Caramairi whiche wee sayde to bee famous by reason of the hauen of Carthago:* 8.48 and of the goodly stature, strength, and beawty of both men and wo¦men beinge in the same. Here he sent certeyne to goo alande on the shore, both to fetche fresshe water, and also to repaire the shippe boate which was sore broosed. In this meane tyme A greate multitude of the people of the countrey armed after theyr maner,* 8.49 came aboute owre men as they were occupied a¦bowte theyr busynes, and stoode in a redynes to feight, for the space of three dayes contynually: durynge whiche tyme, neyther durst they set vppon owre men, nor owre men assayle them. Thus bothe parties keepynge theyr arraye, stoode styl three hole dayes the one gasynge on the other. Yet all this tyme owre men applyed theyr woorke, placinge the shippe∣wrightes in the myddeste of theyr armye.* 8.50 As they stoode thus amased, twoo of owre coompanye wente to fyll theyr water

pottes at the mouthe of the ryuer nere vnto them both, where soodenly there came furthe ageynste them a capitayne of the barbarians with ten armed men which inclosed them, & with terrible countenaunce bent theyr arrowes ageynste them, but shotte theym not of. One of owre men fledde: but the other remayned, caulynge his felowe ageyne and rebukynge hym for his fearefulnes. Then he spake to the barbarians in their owne language which he had lerned beinge conuersant with the captiues that were caryed from thense longe before. They marueylynge to here a straunger speake in their natiue tonge, put of theyr fiercenes and fell to frendly communication, de∣maundinge who were the capitaynes of that coompanie whi∣che were arryued in theyr lande. He answered that they were strangers passyng by: And that he marueyled why they wold attempte to dryue them from theyr coastes and disturbe theyr shyppes: arguinge theim of follye and crueltie, and further threatinge their ruine and destruction, except they woold vse them selues more frendely towarde them. For hee aduertised them that there wolde shortly coome into theyr lande armed men, in nōber lyke to the sandes of the sea: And that to theyr¦ter destruction, not only if they resysted them not, but also ex¦cepte they receaued them and enterteyned them honorably. In the meane tyme Ancisus was enformed that his men were de∣teyned. Wherefore suspectinge sume deceate, he browght furth al his target men for feare of theyr venemous arrowes:* 8.51 And settinge them in battell arraye, he marched forwarde to∣warde them which steyed his men. But he which communed with the barbarians, gyuinge him a signe with his hande to procede noo further, he steyed. And cauling to hym the other, he knewe that all was safe. For the barbarians profered him peace, bycause they were not they whom they suspected them to haue byn: meanynge by Fogeda and Nicu••sa, who had spoy∣led the vyllage standinge there by the sea syde, and caryed a∣way many captiues, and also burnte an other vyllage further within the lande. And therefore (as they sayde) the cause of theyr comminge thether, was to reuenge those iniuries, if by any meanes they coulde.* 8.52 Yet that they woolde not exercyse theyr weapons ageynste the innocente. For they sayde it was vngodly to feyght ageynst any, not beinge prouoked.

Layinge a parte therefore theyr bowes and arrowes, they

enterteyned owre men gentelly, and gaue them greate plentie of salted fysshe and breade of theyr contrey:* 8.53 And fylled theyr vessels with syder made of theyr contrey frutes and seedes,* 8.54 not inferiour to wyne in goodnes. Thus Ancisus hauinge en∣tered into frendshyp and made a league of peace with thinha∣bitantes of Caramairi whiche were before sore prouoked by o∣ther capitaynes, he lanched from that lande, and directed his course to Vraba by the Ilande Fortis,* 8.55 hauinge in his shippe a hundreth and fyftie fresshe men whiche were substitute in the place of suche as were deade. Also twelue mates, and manye swine, and other beastes both males and females for increase. Lykewyse,* 8.56 fyftie pieces of ordinaunce, with a greate multy∣tude of targettes, swoordes, iauelyns, and suche other wea∣pons for the warres. But all this with euyl speede and in an euyll houre. For as they were euen nowe enteringe into the hauen,* 8.57 the gouernour of the shippe which satte at the helme, stroke the shyppe vppon the sandes, where it was soo fast en∣closed, and beaten with the waues of the sea, that it opened in the myddes••e, and al lost that was therin. A thynge surely miserable to beholde. For of all the vytayles that they had, they saued onely twelue barels of meale, with a fewe chieses, and a lyttle bysket breade.* 8.58 For al the beastes were drowned: And they them selues scaped hardly and halfe naked by helpe of the brigantine & ship boate, caryeng with them only a fewe weapons. Thus they fell from one calamitie into an other, be¦inge nowe more carefull for theyr lyues then for golde. Yet beinge browght alyue and in health to that land which they soo greatly desyred, they coulde doo noo lesse then to prouide for the susteynynge of theyr bodyes, bycause they coulde not lyue onely by ayer. And wheras theyr owne fayled, they must needes lyue by other mens. Yet amonge these soo many aduer¦sities, one good chaunce offered it selfe vnto them. For they founde, not farre from the sea syde, a groue of date trees,* 8.59 a∣monge the which, & also amonge the reke or weedes of the ma¦ryshes, they espyed a multitude of wylde bores,* 8.60 with whose fleshe they fed the selues wel certeine dayes. These they say to bee lesse then owres: And with soo shorte tayles, that they thought they had byn cutte of. They dyffer also from owres in theyr feete: for theyr hynder feete are hole vndiuided, and also withowte any houfe. But they affirme that they haue

proued by experience theyr flesshe to bee of better taste & more holsoome then owres. Durynge this tyme, they fedde also of dates and the rotes of younge date trees, which they eate like wyse in Ciuile and Granata where they caule them Palmitos, of the leaues wherof they make biesomes in Rome. Sumetymes also, they eate of the appels of that Region,* 8.61 whiche haue the taste of prunes, and haue also stones in them, and are but lyt∣tle and of redde coloure. I suppose them to bee of that kynde wherof I eate in the citie of Alexandria in Egypt in the moneth of Aprell: The trees wherof, the Iewes that dwel there, be¦inge lerned in the lawe of Moyses, affirme to bee the Ceders of Libane,* 8.62 which beare owlde fruites and newe all the yeare as dothe the orange tree. These apples are good to bee eaten, and haue a certeyne sweetnes myxte with a gentell sharpnes, as haue the frutes cauled Sorbes.* 8.63 Thinhabitantes plant these trees in theyr orchyardes and garedens, and nooryshe theym with greate diligence as wee doo cheries, peaches, and quyn∣ses. This tree in leaues, heyght, and trunke, is verye lyke vnto the tree that beareth the frute cauled Zizipha, which the Apothecaries caule Iuiuba. But wheras now the wylde bores beganne to faile them, they were ageyne enforced to consulte and prouyde for the tyme to coome. Where vppon with theyr hole army, they entered further into the land. The Canibales of this prouince, are moste experte archers.* 8.64 Ano••sus had in his coompany, a hundreth men. They mette by the way with only three men of thinhabitantes, naked,* 8.65 and armed with bowes and venemous arrowes, who without al feare, assayled owr men fiercely, wounded manye, and slewe manye: And when they had emptied theyr quyuers, fledde as swyftely as the wynde: For (as we haue sayde) they are excedynge swyfte of foote by reason of theyr loose goinge frome theyr chyldes age They affirme that they lette slyppe no arrowe owte of theyr bowes in vayne. Owre men therfore returned the same waye that they came, much more infortunate then they were before and consulted amonge them selues to leaue that lande: espe∣cyally because thinhabitantes had ouerthrowne the fortresse which Fogeda buylded, and had burnte thirtie houses of the vyllage, as soone as Pizarrus and his company lefte of Fogeda, had forsaken the lande. By this occasion therefore, beinge dryuen to seeke further, they had intelligence that the weste

syde of that goulfe of Vraba,* 8.66 was more frutefull and better to inhabite. Wherfore, they sent the one halfe of theyr men thi∣ther with the brigantine, and lefte the other nere to the sea syde on the easte p••rt. This goulfe, is .xxiiii. myles in bredth: And howe muche the further it entereth into the firme lande, it is soo muche the narower. Into the goulfe of Vraba, there faule many ryuers: but one (as they say) more fortunate then the ryuer of Nilus in Egypte. This ryuer is cauled Darien,:* 8.67 vp∣pon the bankes whereof, beinge verye frutefull of trees and grasse, they entended to playnte their newe colonie or habita∣cion. But thinhabitantes maruelynge at the brygantine be∣inge bygger then theyr canoas, and specially at the sayles therof, fyrst sente away theyr chyldren and weakeste sorte of theyr people with theyr baggage and housholde stuffe, and as∣sembled all suche togyther bothe men and women, as were meete for the warres: Thus beinge armed with weapons and desperate myndes, they stoode in a redynes to feight, and ta∣ryed the comminge of owre men vppon a lyttle hyl, as it were to take thaduantage of the grounde. Owre men iudged them to bee aboute fyue hundreth in nomber. Then Ancisus the ca∣pitayne of owre men, and Lieuetenaunt in the steede of Fogeda, settinge his men in order of battayle array, and with his hole coompany kneelinge on his knees, they al made humble pray∣ers to god for the victorie, and a vowe to the Image of the blessed virgin whiche is honoured in Ciuile,* 8.68 by the name of Sancta Maria Antiqua, promysinge to sende her manye golden gyf∣tes and a straunger of that contrey: also to name the vyllage Sancta Maria Antiqua after her name: lykewyse to ••erecte a temple cauled by the same name: or at the leaste to dedicate the king of that prouince his palaice to that vse, if it shulde please her to assiste them in this daungerous enterpryse. This doone, al the souldiers tooke an othe,* 8.69 that noo man shulde turne his backe to his enemies. Then the capytayne commaundinge them to bee in a redines with theyr targets and iauelens, and the trumpyter to blowe the battayle, they fiercely a••sayled theyr enemyes with a larome. But the naked barbarians, not longe able to abyde the force of owre men, were putte to flyght,* 8.70 with theyr kynge and capitayne Cemaccus. Owre men entered into the vyllage, where they fownde plentie of meate suche as the people of the contrey vse, sufficiente to assuage

theyr present hunger, as breade made of rootes, with certeine fruites vnlyke vnto owres, whiche they reserue for store as wee doo chestnuttes.* 8.71 Of these people, the men are vtterly na∣ked: but the women from the nauell downewarde, are coue∣red with a fyne clothe made of gossampine cotton. This Re∣gion is vtterly withowte any sharpenes of wynter. For the mouthe of this ryuer of Darien, is onlye eyght degrees distante from the Equinoctiall lyne:* 8.72 So that the commone sorte of owre men, scarsely perceaue anye difference in lengthe betwene the day and nyght all the hole yeare. But bycause they are igno∣rant in astronomie, they can perceaue noo smaule difference. Therfore wee neede not much passe if the degree do differ sum what from theyr opinion, for asmuche as the difference can not bee greate. The day after that they arryued at the lande▪ they sayled alonge by the ryuer, where they founde a greate thicket of reedes continuinge for the space of a myle in length supposing (as it chaunced in deede) that the bortherers there aboute which had fledde, had eyther lyne lurkynge there, or els to haue hyd theyr stuffe amonge those reedes: Where vp∣pon, armynge them selues with theyr targettes,* 8.73 for feare of the people lyinge in ambusshe, they searched the thicket dily∣gently, and founde it withowte men, but replenyshed with householde st••ffe and golde. They fownde also a great multi∣tude of sheetes, made of the sylke or cotton of the gossampine tree.* 8.74 Lykewyse dyuers kyndes of vessels and tooles made of woodde, and many of earth: Also many breste plates of gold and ouches wrought after theyr maner,* 8.75 to the sum of a hun∣dreth and twoo pounde weight. For they also take pleasure in the bewtie of gold, and worke it very artificially, although it bee not the price of thynges amonge them as with vs. They haue it owte of other Regions for exchaunge of such thynges as theyr contrey bringeth furthe. For suche Regions as haue plentie of breade and gossampine, lacke golde: And suche as brynge furth golde, are for the most parte rowght with mon∣taynes and rockes, and therfore baren.* 8.76 And thus they exer∣cise marchandies withowte the vse of money. Reioysing ther¦fore with double gladdenes, aswell in that they sawe greate lykenes of golde, as also that fortune hadde offered them soo fayre and frutefull a contrey, they sent for theyr felowes whō they hadde lefte before in the easte syde of the goulfe of Vraba,

Yet sume saye that the ayer is there vnholsome, bycause that parte of the Region lyethe in a lowe valley enuironed with mountaynes and marysshes.

¶ The seconde booke of the seconde decade, of the supposed continente.

I Haue described to yowre holynes where Fo∣geda with his coompany (to whome the large tractes of Vraba was assigned to inhabite) in¦tended to fasten there foote.* 8.77 Lette vs nowe therfore leaue them of Vraba for a whyle, and returne ageyne to Nicuesa to whom the gouer∣naunce and Lieuetenaunteshippe of the moste large prouince of Beragua (beinge the weste syde of the goulfe of Vraba) was appoynted.* 8.78 We haue declared howe Nicuesa de¦partinge with one carauell and twoo brigantines frome Vraba the iurisdiction of his frende and companyon Fogeda, directed his course westwarde to Beragua, leauinge the bygger shippes sumewhat behynde hym,* 8.79 to folowe hym a farre of. But he tooke this diuise in an euyll howre. For he bothe loste his fe∣lowes in the nyght, and went past the mouth of the ryuer of Beragua, which he chiefely sowght. One Lupus Olanus a Can∣tabrian,* 8.80 and gouernoure of one of the greate shippes, had the conducte of one of the brigantines. He commynge behynde, lerned of thinhabitantes which was the waye Eastewarde to the goulfe of Beragua ouer passed and lefte behynde of Nicuesa. Olanus therfore directinge his course towarde the Easte, mette with the other brigantine which had also wandered owte of the way by reason of the darkenes of the nyght. The gouer∣nour of this brigantine, was one Petrus de Vmbria.* 8.81 Thus bothe beinge gladde of theyr meetinge, they consulted what was best to bee doone, and which way they coulde coniecture their gouernour had taken his vyage.* 8.82 After deliberation, they iud¦ged that Nicuesa could no more lacke sum to put him in remem∣beraunce of Beragua, then they them selues were myndful ther∣of, hopynge also to fynde hym there. They sayled therefore towarde Beragua: where they founde within .xvi. myles dy∣stant, a ryuer which Colonus named Lagartos, bycause it noo∣ryshethe greate lysardes whiche in the Spanysshe toonge are

cauled Lagartos.* 8.83 These lysertes are hurtfull bothe to man and beaste, and in shape muche lyke vnto the Crocodiles of the ry∣uer of Nilus in Egypte. In this ryuer, they founde theyr com¦panyons and felowes of theyr erroure lyinge at anker with the greate shippes which folowed behynde by the gouernours commaundement. Here the hole assemble beinge carefull and disquieted by reason of the gouernours erroure, after consul∣tacion, by thaduise of the capitaynes of the brigantines, who had rased nere vnto the coastes of Beragua, they sayled direct∣ly thether. Beragua, in the language of thinhabitantes of the same prouince, is as much to saye, as the golden ryuer.* 8.84 The region it selfe is also cauled by the same name, takynge name of the ryuer. In the mouth of this ryuer, the greatest vessels cast anker, and conueighed al theyr vytailes and other neces∣saries to lande with theyr shippe boates: and elected Lupus O∣lanus to bee theyr gouernour in the steede of Nicuesa whom they had loste. By thaduice therfore of Olanus and the other vnder capitaynes, that all hope of departure myght bee taken from the souldiers which they had nowe browght thether, and to make them the more wyllinge to inhabite that land, they vt∣terly forsooke and caste of those shyppes beinge nowe rotten for age, and suffered them to bee shaken and broosed of the surges of the sea. Yet of theyr soundeste plankes, with other newe, made of the trees of that Region (which they say to be excedinge bygge and hygh) they framed a newe carauel short∣ly after, whiche they myght vse to serue for theyr necessitie. But Beragua was founde by the vnfortunate destenie of Petrus de Vmbria.* 8.85 For he, beinge a man of prompt wytte and apt for∣wardenes to attempte thynges (in whiche sumetyme fortune wyll beare a stroke notwithstandinge owre prouidence) tooke vpon hym thaduenture to searche the shore to thintent to find a waye for his felowes where they myght beste coome alande. For this purpose, he chose hym twelue maryners, and wente aboorde the shippe boate whiche serued the greateste shyppes. The flowinge of the sea, raged and rored there, with a horri∣ble whurlinge as wee reede of the daungerous place of Scylla in the sea of Scicilie,* 8.86 by reason of the houge and ragged roc∣kes reachyng into the sea, from which the waues rebounding with violence, make a greate noyse and rowghnes on the wa¦ter, whiche rowghnes or reflowinge, the Spanyardes caule

Resacca. In these daungers wretched Vmbria wresteled a while. But in shorte space, a waue of the sea almoste as bygge as a mountayne, reboundinge from the rockes, ouerwhelmed the boate and deuoured the same with the men, euen in the sight of theyr felowes: So that of them all, onely one escaped by reason he was experte in swymmynge.* 8.87 For gettinge holde of the corner of a rocke, and susteynynge the rage of the sea vn¦tyll the nexte daye when it wexed caulme, and the shore was drye by the faule of the water, he escaped and resorted to his coompanye. But Vmbria with the other eleuen, were vtterlye caste away. The resydue of the coompany, durst not commite them selues to the shippe boates, but went alande with theyr brigantines. Where remaynynge a fewe dayes, and saylinge alonge by the ryuer, they founde certeyne vyllages of thinha¦bitantes, which they caule Mumu. Here they beganne to build a fortresse, and to sowe seedes after the maner of theyr coun∣trey, in a certeyne vale of frutefull grownde, bicause in other places the region is baren. As these thynges were thus doo∣inge in Beragua, one of their coompanye standynge vppon the toppe of a hyghe rocke of especiall, and lyftynge his eyes to∣warde the Weste, beganne to crye, Lynnyn sayles, lynnyn say∣les. And the nerer it drewe towarde hym, he perceaued it to bee a shyppe boate comminge with a lyttle sayle. Yet receaued they it with muche reioysinge: for it was the fyssher boate of Nicuesa his carauele,* 8.88 and of capacitie to carye onely fyue men, and had nowe but three in it, which had stoulne it from Nicu¦esa bycause he refused to gyue credit to theim that he had pas∣sed Beragua, and lefte it behynde hym Eastwarde. For they se∣inge Nicuesa and his felowes to consume dayely by famynne, thowght they woolde proue fortune with that boate, if their chaunce myght bee to fynde Beragua, as in deede it wss. De∣batinge therefore with theyr felowes, of these matters, they declared howe Nicuesa erred and loste the carauele by tempest,* 8.89 and that he was nowe wanderinge amonge the marysshes of vnknowen coastes, full of myserie and in extreeme penurie of all thynges, hauinge nowe lyued for the space of three score and tenne dayes, only with herbes and rootes, and syldoome with frutes of the countrey, contented to drinke water, and yet that often tymes faylynge, bycause he was instant to tra∣uayle westwarde by foote, supposing by that meanes to come

to Beragua. Colonus the fyrste fynder of this mayne lande, had coasted alonge by this tracte, and named it Gratia Dei: but the inhabitantes caule it Cerabaro.* 8.90 Throwghe this Region, there runneth a ryuer which owre men named Sancti Matthei,* 8.91 distante from the weste syde of Beragua aboute a hundrethe and thirtie myles. Here I lette passe the name of this ryuer, and of ma∣nye other places by the names which thinhabitantes vse, by∣cause owre men are ignorant thereof. Thus Lupus Olanus the conductor of one of the shippes of Nicuesa, and nowe also vice Leauetenaunt in his steede, after that he hadde receaued this information of the maryners, sente thether a brigantine vn∣der theyr guydynge, these maryners therfore, which came in the fyssher boate, founde Nicuesa,* 8.92 and browght hym to the place where Olanus laye, whome at his commynge he caste in pryson, and accused hym of treason bycause he vsurped thau∣toritie of the Lieuetenauntshippe, and that for the desyre he had to beare rule and bee in autoritie, he tooke no care of his errours: also that he behaued hym selfe negligently: demaun¦dinge further more of hym, what was the cause of his soo longe delay. Lykewyse he spake to al the vnder officers sharp¦lye and with a troubled mynde: And within fewe dayes after commaunded them to trusse vp theyr packes, and make them redye to departe. They desyred hym to quyet hym selfe, and to forbeare them a while vntyl they had reaped the corne that they had sowne, which wolde shortly bee rype. For all kynd of corne waxeth rype there euery fourth moonethe after it is sowne.* 8.93 But he vtterly denyed to tarye and whytte: but that he woolde foorthwith departe from that vnfortunate lande: And plucked vp by the rootes al that euer was browght into the goulfe of Beragua, and commaunded them to directe theyr course towarde the Easte. After they had sayled aboute the space of .xvi. myles, a certeyne younge man whose name was Gregorie, a Genues borne, and of a chylde browght vp with Colonus,* 8.94 cauled to rememberance that there was a hauen not farre frome thense: And to proue his sayinge trewe, he gaue his felowes these tokens: that is, that they shulde fynde vp∣pon the shore, an anker of a loste shyppe halfe couered with sande: And vnder a tree nexte vnto the hauen, a sprynge of cleere water. They came to the lande: founde the anker and the sprynge, and commended the wytte and memorye of the

younge man, that he only amonge many of the marynes whi∣che had searched those coastes with Colonus, bore the thynge soo well in mynde. This hauen, Colonus cauled Portus Bellus.* 8.95 Wheras in this vyage for lacke of vytayles they were sume∣tymes enforced to goo alande, they were euel entreated of the inhabitantes. By reason wherof, theyr strengthes were soo wekened with hūger,* 8.96 that they were not able to keepe warre ageynst naked men, or scarsely to beare theyr harnes on their backes. And therfore owre men loste twentie of theyr coom∣panie, which were slayne with venemous arrowes. They con¦sulted to leaue the one halfe of theyr felowes in the hauen of Portus Bellus: And the other parte Nicu••sa tooke with hym to∣warde the Easte: where abowte twentie and eyght myles frō Portus Bellus, he intended to buylde a fortresse harde by the sea syde vppon the poynte or cape which in tyme paste Colonus na∣med Marmor.* 8.97 But they were soo feeble by reason of longe hun¦ger, that theyr strength serued them not to susteyne suche la∣boure. Yet he erected a lyttle towre able to resyst the fyrst as∣saute of the inhabitantes. This towre he cauled Nomen Dei.* 8.98 From the tyme that he left Beragua, what in the iorney amonge the sandie playnes, then also for hunger whyle he buylded the towre,* 8.99 of the fewe which remayned a lyue, he loste twoo hundreth. And thus by lyttle and lyttle, the multitude of se∣uen hundreth foure score and fyue men, was nowe browght to scarsely one hundreth. Whyle Nicuesa lyued with these few miserable men, there arose a contētion amonge them of Vraba,* 8.100 as concerninge the Lieuetenantshippe. For one Vaschus Nunnez,* 8.101 by the iudgemente of all men, trustynge more to his strengthe then wytte, stoured vp certeyne lyght felowes ageynst Ancisus, sayinge that Ancisus had not the kynges letters patentes for that office: And that it was not sufficient that he was auto∣rised by Fogeda.* 8.102 And therfore forbodde that he shulde execute the office of the Lieuetenaunteshippe: And wylled theym to chuse certeyne of theyr owne coompanye, by whose coun∣sayle and authoritie they myght bee gouerned.

Thus beinge diuided into factions by reason that Fogeda, their capitayne came not ageyne, whom they supposed to bee nowe deade of his venemous wounde, they contended whether it were beste to substitute Nicuesa in his place. The wyseste sorte suche as were famylier with Nicuesa, and coulde not beare thin¦solencie

of Vaschus Nunnez, thowght it good that Nicuesa shuld bee,* 8.103 sowght owt throwgh owt all those coastes. For they had knoweledge that he departed from Beragua bycause of the ba∣rennes of the grounde: And that by thexemple of Ancisus, and suche other as had made shippewracke, it were possible that he might wander in sume secreate place: And that they coulde not be quiete in theire myndes vntyll they knewe the certētie, whether he with his felowes were alyue or deade. But Vas∣chus Nunnez, fearinge leaste at the commyng of Nicuesa he shulde not bee had in autoritie emonge his felowes, sayde they were mad men to thinke that Nicuesa lyued: And althowgh he were alyue, yet that they hadde noo neade of his helpe. For he auouched that there was none of his felowes, that were not as meete to rule as Nicuesa. While they were thus reasonynge too and froo, one Rodericus Colmenaris arryued in those coastes with two greate shippes hauinge in theym three score fresshe men,* 8.104 with greate plentie of vitailes and apparel. Of the na∣vigation of this Colmenaris,* 8.105 I intende to speake sumewhat more. He therfore departed from the hauen of Hispaniola cauled Beata (where they prepare and furnysshe theym selues whiche make any viage into these landes) aboute the Ides of Oc∣tober in the yeare .1510: And landed the .ix. of Nouember in a Region in the large prouince of Paria founde by Colonus betwene the hauen Carthago and the Region of Cuchibachoa.* 8.106 In this viage what by the rowghnes of the sea & fiercenes of the barbariās, he suffered many incommodities. For when his fresshe water fayled, he sayled to the mouthe of a certeyne riuer which thin¦habitantes caule Gaira,* 8.107 beinge apte to receaue shippes. This ryuer had his course from the toppe of an exceadinge hyghe mountayne couered with snowe,* 8.108 hygher then the which, all the coompanyons of this capitayne Rodericus, saye that they ne∣uer sawe. And that by good reason, yf it were couered wyth snowe in that Region which is not past ten degrees distante from the Equinoctial lyne. As they beganne to drawe water owt of their shippeboate, a certeyne Kynge made towarde theym appareled with vestures of gossampine cotton, hauinge twen∣tie noble men in his coompanye appareled also:* 8.109 Whyche thinge seemed straunge to owre men, and not seene before in those parties. The Kinges apparell, hunge loose from his shoulders to his elbowes: And from the ge••dle downewarde,

it was muche like a womans kertle, reachinge euen to his hee¦les. As he drewe neere towarde owre men, he seemed frendly to admonysshe theym to take none of the water of that ryuer, affirminge it to bee vnholsome for men: And shewed theym that not farre from thense, there was a ryuer of good water. They came to the ryuer. And endeuouringe to coome nere rhe shore, they were dryuen backe by tempeste. Also the burbulinge of the sande, declared the sea to bee but shalowe there. They were therefore enforced to returne to the fyrste ryuer where they myght safely caste anker. This Kinge layde wayte for owre men. For as they were fyllinge theire barrelles, he set on theym with abowt seuen hundreth men (as owre men iud∣ged) armed after theire maner, althowgh they were naked. For only the kynge and his noble men were appareled. They tooke away the shippeboate, and brooke it in maner to chips: soo fiercely assylynge owre menne with theyr venemous ar∣rowes,* 8.110 that they slewe of them fortie and seuen beefore they coulde couer them selues with theyr targettes. For that poy∣son is of such force, that albeit the woundes were not great, yet they dyed therof immediatly. For they yet knewe noo re∣medie ageynste this kynde of poyson,* 8.111* 8.112 as they after lerned of thinhabitantes of Hispaniola. For this Ilande bringeth foorth an herbe which quencheth and mortifieth the violent poyson of the herbe wherewith theyr arrowes are infected, soo that it bee ministred in tyme. Yet of owre coompany whiche went for water, seuen escaped that conflicte, and hyd them selues in a hollowe tree,* 8.113 lurkynge there vntyll nyght. Yet escaped they not the handes of theyr enemyes. For the shippe depar∣ted from thense in the nyght season and lefte them there, sup∣posinge that they had byn slayne. Thus by manye▪ suche pe∣rels and daungers (which I lyghtly ouerpasse bicause I wyl not bee tedious to yowre holynes) he arryued at the length at the hauen of Vraba,* 8.114 and cast anker at the easte syde therof, frō whense not longe before, owre men departed to the west syde by reason of the barennes of that soyle. When he had conty∣nued a whyle in the hauen, and sawe noo man stourynge, mar¦ueylinge at the silence of the places (for he supposed there to haue fowunde his felowes) he coulde not couiecture what this shulde meane: and there vppon beganne to suspecte that eyther they were deade, or that they had chaunged the place

of theyr habitacion. To knowe the certentie hereof, he com∣maunded all the greate ordinaunce and other smaule gunnes which he had in his shippes, to bee charged: And fyers to bee made in the nyght vppon the toppes of the rockes. Thus the fyers beinge kyndeled, he commaunded all the gunnes to bee shotte of at one instante: by the horrible noyse whereof, the goulfe of Vraba was shaken,* 8.115 althowghe it were .xxiiii. myles distante: for soo brode is the goulfe. This noyse was harde of theyr felowes in Dariena:* 8.116 And they aunswered them ageyne with mutual fyers. Wherfore, by the folowynge of these fy∣ers, Colmenaris browght his shippes to the Weste syde. Here those wretched and miserable men of Dariena which nowe tho rowgh famen and feeblenes helde theyr wery sowles in theyr teethe redy to departe from theyr bodies by reason of the cala¦mities which beefell vnto them after Ancisus shippewracke,* 8.117 lyf¦tinge vp theyr handes to heauen, with the teares runnynge downe theyr cheekes bothe for ioye and sorowe, embrased Ro¦dericus and his felowes with such kynde of reioysinge as their presente necessitie seemed to requyre. For whereas they were before his comminge, withowte vytayles and almoste naked, he brought them abundance of meate, drynke, and apparell. It restethe nowe (moste holy father) to declare what came of the dissention amonge them of Vraba,* 8.118 as concernynge the go∣uernaunce after the losse of theyr capitaynes.

¶ The thyrde booke of the seconde Decade of the supposed continent.

ALl the chiefe officers in Beragua,* 8.119 and such as were most politike in counsayle, determyned that Nicuesa shulde bee sowght owte if by a∣ny meanes he coulde bee founde. Where vp∣pon they tooke from Ancisus the gouernoure refusinge the commynge of Nicuesa, a brygan¦tyne whiche he made of his owne charges: And agreed, ageynst bothe the wyll of Ancisus, and the master of fence Vaschus Nunnez, that Nicuesa shulde bee sowght foorthe to take away the stryfe as touchinge the gouernement.* 8.120 They elected therfore Colmenaris (of whom we spake before) to take this matter in hande: wyllynge hym to make diligent search

for Nicuesa in those coastes where they supposed he erred. For they harde that he had forsaken Beragua, the region of an vn∣frutefull grounde. They gaue hym therfore commaundement to brynge Nicuesa with hym, and further to declare vnto hym that he shulde doo ryght good seruice to coome thether, in ta∣kyng away thoccasion of theyr seditions. Colmenaris tooke the thynge vppon hym the more gladly bycause Nicuesa was his ve¦ry frende: Supposinge that his commynge with vytayles shulde bee noo lesse thankefull to Nicuesa and his coompanie, then it was to them of Vraba. Furnysshynge therefore one of his owne shippes whiche he browght with hym and also the brigantyne taken frome Ancisus, he frayghted the same with part of the vytayles and other necessaries which he browght with hym before from Hispaniola to Vraba. Thus coursynge a∣longe by all the coastes and goulfes nere there abowte, at the length at the poynte cauled Marmor, he founde Nicuesa,* 8.121 of all lyuynge men most infortunate, in maner dryed vppe with ex∣treeme hunger, fylthye and horrible to beholde, with onely three score men in his company, lefte alyue of seuen hundreth. They al seemed to hym soo miserable, that he noo lesse lamen¦ted theyr case, then yf he had founde them deade. But Colme∣naris conforted his frende Nicuesa: and embrasinge hym with teares and cherefull woordes, relyued his spirites, and fur∣ther encoraged hym with greate hope of better fortune: decla¦rynge also that his commynge was looked for and greatelye desyred of al the good men of Vraba, for that they hoped that by his autoritie, theyr discorde and contention shulde bee fy∣nysshed. Nicuesa thanked his frende Colmenaris. after such sorte as his calamitie requyred. Thus they tooke shyppe to gyther, and sayled directly to Vraba. But so variable and vnconstant is the nature of man, that he soone groweth owte of vse, be∣commeth insolente and vnmyndful of benefites after to much felicitie.* 8.122 For Nicuesa, after thus many teares and weepynges after dyuers bewaylinges of his infortunate desteny, after so many thankes geuynge, ye after that he had faulen downe to the grounde and kyssed the feete of Colmenaris his sauioure, he beganne to quarel with hym before he came yet at Vraba, repro¦uinge hym and them all for thalteracion of the state of thyn∣ges in Vraba, and for the gatheringe of golde: Affirming that none of them owght to haue layde hande of any golde with

owte the aduice of hym or of Fogeda his coompanion. When these sayinges and suche lyke, came to the eares of theym of Vraba, they soo stoured vp the myndes of Ancisus Lieuetenaunte for Fogeda, and also of Vaschus Nunnez, of the contrary parte, a∣geinste Nicuesa,* 8.123 that shortely after his arryuall with his three score men, they commaunded hym with threatenynge to de∣parte frō thense. But this pleased not the better sort. Yet fea∣rynge least tumult shulde bee amonge the people whom Vaschus Nunnez had stered to factions, the best parte was fayne to giue place to the greatest.* 8.124 This wretched man therfore Nicuesa thus drowned in miseries, was thruste into the brigantyne whiche he hym selfe browght: and with hym only seuentene men, of his three score which remayned alyue. He tooke shyppe in the Calendes of Marche in the yeare .1511. intendynge to goo to Hispaniola to coomplayne of the rasshenes of Vaschus Nunnez, and of the violence doone to hym by Ancisus.* 8.125 But he entered into the brigantine in an vnfortunate houre: for he was neuer seene after. They suppose that the brigantine was drowned with all the men therin. And thus vnhappie Nicuesa faulynge headlonge owte of one miserye into an other, ended his lyfe more myserablye then he lyued. Nicuesa beinge thus vylely re∣iected,* 8.126 & al theyr vytayles consumed which Colmenaris browght them, faulynge in maner madde for hunger, they were enfor∣ced lyke raueninge woolues seakynge theyr praye, to inuade suche as dwelte abowte theyr confynes. Vas••hus Nunnez there∣fore,* 8.127 theyr newe capitayne of theyr owne election, assembling togyther a hundreth and thirtie men, and settinge them in or¦der of battell after his swoordeplayers fasshion, puffed vppe with pryde, placed his souldiers as pleased hym in the fore∣warde and rereward, and sume as pertisens abowt his owne person. Thus associatinge with hym Colmenaris, he wente to spoyle the kynges which were bortherers there abowte, and came fyrst to a Region abowte that coaste, cauled Coiba, (wher¦of we made mencion before) imperiously and with cruel coun∣tenaunce commaundinge the kynge of the region whose name was Careta,* 8.128 (of whome they were neuer troubled as often as they passed by his dominions) to gyue them vytayles. But Careta denyed that he coulde gyue them any at that tyme: al∣leagyng that he had oftentymes ayded the Christians as they passed by those coastes: by reason wherof his store was nowe

consumed: Also that by the meanes of the contynuall warre which he kepte euer from his chyldes age with a kyng whose name is Poncha, bortheringe vppon his dominion, he and his famelie were in greate scarsenes of all thynges. But Vaschus woolde admytte none of these excuses: And thervppon tooke Careta prisoner,* 8.129 spoyled his vyllage, and browght hym bownd with his twoo wyues and chyldren and all his famelie to Dari¦ena. With this kynge Careta, they founde three of the felowes of Nicuesa, the whiche when Nicuesa passed by those coastes to seeke Beragua, fearynge punysshement for theyr euyll desertes stoule away from the shyppes lyinge at anker: And when the nauie departed, commytted them selues to the mercie of Careta, who enterteyned them very frendely. They had nowe bynne there .xviii. moonethes, and were therefore as vtterly naked as the people of the contrey. Duringe this tyme, the meate of thinhabitances seemed vnto them delicate di••shes and prince∣ly fare:* 8.130 especially bycause they enioyed the same withowte a∣ny stryfe for myne and thyne,* 8.131 which twoo thynges moue and enforce men to such harde shyftes and miseries, that in lyuing they seeme not to lyue. Yet desyred they to returne to theyr owlde cares, of su••he force is education and natural effection towarde them with whom we haue byn browght vp. The vy¦tayles whiche Vaschus browght frome the vyllage of Careta to his felowes lefte in Dariena, was rather sumewhat to assuage theyr present hunger, and vtterly to take away theyr necessi∣tie. But as touchinge Anc••sus beinge Lieuetenaunt for Fogeda,* 8.132 whether it were before these thynges or after, I knowe not. But this I am sure of, that after the reiectinge of Nicu••sa, ma¦ny occasions were sought agenst Ancisus by Vascus and his fac∣tionaries. Howe soo euer it was, Ancisus was taken, and cast in pryson, and his goodes confiscate. The cause hereof was, (as Vaschus alleaged) that Ancisus hadde his commission of the Lieuetenauntshippe, of Fogeda onely whome they sayde to bee nowe deade, and not of the kynge. Sayinge that he woolde not obey any man that was not put in office by the kyng hym selfe by his letters patentes. Yet at the request of the graueste sorte, he was sumwhat pacified, and delt more gentelly with hym, hauinge sum compassion of his calamities. And thervp¦pon commaunded hym to bee loosed. Ancisus beinge at libertie, tooke shyppe to departe from thense to Hispaniola.* 8.133 But beefore

he had hoysed vppe his sayle, all the wysest sorte resorted to hym, humbly desyringe hym to returne ageyne: promysynge that they wolde doo theyr diligence, that Vaschus beinge recon¦ciled, he myght bee restored to his full autoritie of the Lieue∣tenauntshippe. But Ancisus refused to consent to theyr request and soo departed. Yet sume there were that murmured that god and his angels shewed this reuenge vpon Ancisus,* 8.134 bycau••e Nicuesa was reiected throwgh his counsayle. Howe soo euer it bee, the searchers of the newe landes, faule headlonge in∣to ruine by theyr owne follye, consuminge them selues with ciuile discorde,* 8.135 not weighinge soo greate a matter, nor em∣ployinge theyr beste endeuoure aboute the same as the woor∣thynes of the thynge requyreth. In this meane tyme, they de¦termyned all with one agreemente, to sende messengers into Hispaniola to the younge Admirall and viceroy, sonne and heyre to Christophorus Colonus the fynder of these landes,* 8.136 and to the o∣ther gouernoures of the Ilande (from whom the newe landes receaue theyr ayde and lawes) to signifie vnto thē what state they stoode in, and in what necessitie they lyued: also what they had founde, and in what hope they were of greater thin¦ges if they were furnyshed with plentie of vytayles and other necessaries. For this purpose they elected at the assignement of Vascus, one Valdiuia,,* 8.137 beinge one of his faction, and instruc∣ted by hym ageinst Anc••sus. And to bee a••sistant with hym, they appoynted one Zamudius a Cantabrian: So that commaunde∣ment was gyuen to Valdiuia to returne from Hispaniola with vy∣tayles: And Zamudius was appoynted to take his vyage into Spayne to the kynge.* 8.138 They tooke shippe both togyther with Ancisus, hauinge in mynde to certifie the kynge howe thynges were handeled there, muche otherwyse then Zamudius informa¦tion. I my selfe spake with both Ancisus and Zamudius at their commynge to the courte. Whyle they were occupied aboute these matters, those wretched men of Dariena loosed Carera the kynge of Coiba vppon condicion that he shulde ayde theym in theyr warres ageynst his enemy and theyrs, kynge Poncha bor¦theringe vpon his dominions.* 8.139 Careta made a league with thē, promysinge that as they passed by his kyngedome, he woolde gyue them all thynges nece••sarie, and meete them with an ar∣mie of men, to goo forwarde with them to the battaile agenst Poncha. Theyr weapons are nother bowes nor venemed ar∣rowes,

as we sayde thinhabitantes to haue which dwel east∣warde beyonde the goulfe. They feight therefore at hande, with longe swordes (which they caule Macanas) made of wood bycause they haue noo Iren.* 8.140 They vse also longe staues lyke ia••elens hardened at the endes with fyer, or typte with bone. Also certeyne stynges and dartes. Thus after the league made with Careta, bothe he and owre men had certeyne dayes ap∣poynted theym to tyll theyr grounde and sowe theyr seedes. This doone, by the ayde of Careta and by his conduction, they marched towarde the palaice of Poncha,* 8.141 who f••edde at theyr cō¦mynge. They spoyled his vyllage and mytigated theyr hun∣ger with such vytayles as they founde there. Yet coulde they not helpe their felowes therwith by reasō of the farre distance of the place, althowghe they had greate plentie. For the vyl∣lage of Poncha, was more then a hundreth myles distant from Dariena: wheras was also none other remedy but that the same shulde haue byn caryed on mens backes to the sea syde beinge farre of, where they left theyr shyppes in the which they came to the vyllage of Car••ta. Here they founde certeyne powndes weyght of gold, grauen & wrought into sundrye ouches.* 8.142 Af∣ter the sacking of this vyllage they resorted toward the ships intendyng to leaue the kinges of the inland vntouched at this tyme, & to inuade onely them which dwelt by the sea coastes. Not farre from Coiba, in the same tracte, there is a Region na∣med Comogra,* 8.143 and the Kinge thereof, cauled Comogrus after the same name. To this Kinge they came fyrst next after the sub∣vertion of Poncha: And founde his palaice situate in a frutefull playne of twelue leaques in bredthe, at the rootes of the fur∣ther syde of the nexte mountaynes. Comogrus had in his courte a certeyne noble man of nexe consanguinitie to Kynge Careta, whiche had fledde to Comogrus by reason of certeyne dissention whiche was betwene Careta and hym. These noble men, they caule Iura.* 8.144 This Iura therfore of Coiba, mette owre men by the way, and conciled Comogrus to them, bycause he was well kno∣wen to owr mē from the tyme that Nicuesa passed fyrst by those coastes. Owre men therefore went quietlye to the palaice of Comogrus beinge distante from Dariena thirtie leaques by a plaine waye abowte the mountaynes, This Kynge Comogrus, had se∣uen sonnes,* 8.145 younge men of comelye forme and stature, whiche he had by sundry wyues. His palaice was framed of postes

or proppes made of trees fastened togeyther after a straunge sorte, and of soo stronge bylding, that it is of no lesse strength then waules of stone. They which measured the length of the floure thereof, founde it to bee a hundreth and fyftie pases, and in breadthe, foure score foote: beinge roofed and paued with maruelous arte. They founde his store house, furnysshed with abundance of delicate vitailes after the maner of theyr countrey: And his wyne celler replenished with great vesselles of earth and also of woodde fylled with theyr kynde of wyne and syder.* 8.146 For they haue noo grapes. But lyke as they make theyr breade of those three kyndes of rootes cauled Iucca, agis, and Naizium, (whereof we spake in the fyrste decade) Soo make they theyr wyne of the frutes of date trees, and syder of other frutes and seedes, as doo the Almaynes, Flemynges Englysshe men, and owre Spanyardes whych inhabite the mountaynes, as the Uascons and Asturians: likewise in the mountaynes of the Alpes, the Noricians, Sueuians, and Hel∣uetians, make certeyne drynkes of barley, wheat, hoppes, and apples. They say also that with Comogrus, they droonk wynes of sundry tastes, both whyte and blacke.* 8.147 But nowe yow shall heare of a thynge more monstrous too behoulde. Enterynge therfor īto the inner partes of the palaice, they were browght into a chamber hanged aboute with the carkeses of men,* 8.148 tyed with ropes of gossampine cotton. Beinge demaunded what they ment by that superstition, they answered that those were the carkeses of the father, graundefather, and great graund∣father with the other auncestours of theyr Kyng Comogrus. De¦claringe that they had the same in greate reuerence, and that they tooke it for a godly thynge to honoure them religiously: And therfore appareled euery of the same sumptuouslye with golde and precious stones accordynge vnto theyr estate. After this sorte dyd the antiquitie honoure theyr Penates,* 8.149 whyche they thowght had the gouernaunce of their lyues. Howe they drye these carkeses vppon certeine instrumētes made of wood,* 8.150 like vnto hurdels, with a softe fyer vnder the same, so that onely the skynne remayneth to houlde the bones together, we haue described in the former decade. Of Comogrus his seuen soonnes, the eldest had an excellente naturall wytte.* 8.151 He ther∣fore thowght it good to flatter and please thys wandrynge kynde of men (owr men I meane) lyuynge onely by shiftes and

spoyle, least beinge offended and seekynge occasions ageynste hym and his familie, they shuld handle hym as they dyd other whiche sowght noo meanes howe to gratifie theym. Where∣fore, he gaue Vaschus and Colmenaris foure thousande ounces of golde artificially wrought,* 8.152 and also fyftie slaues whyche he had taken in the warres. For suche, eyther they sell for ex∣chaunce of other thinges, or otherwise vse them as theym ly∣steth▪ For they haue not the vse of money. This golde with as muche more which they had in an other place, owre men way∣ed in the porche of Comogrus his palaice to separate the fyfte parte thereof,* 8.153 whiche portion is due to the Kynges escheker. For it is decreed that the fyft parte of both golde, perles, and precious stones, shulde be assigned to the Kinges treasourers: And the resydue, to bee diuided emonge theym selues by com∣position. Here as brabblynge and contention arose emonge owr men abowt the diuidinge of gold, this eldeste soonne of Kynge Comogrus beinge presente, whome we praysed for his wysedome, commynge sume what wyth an angery counte∣naunce towarde hym whiche helde the balences, he strooke theym wyth his fyste, and scatered all the golde that was therein,* 8.154 abowte the porche, sharpely rebukynge theym with woordes in this effecte. What is the matter yowe Christian men, that yow soo greatly esteme soo litle a portion of golde more then yowr owne quietnes, whiche neuerthelesse yow en∣tend to deface from these fayre ouches and to melte the same into a rude masse. If yowre hunger of goulde bee soo insati∣able that onely for the desyre yowe haue therto,* 8.155 yowe disqui∣ete soo many nations, and yow yowre selues also susteyne soo many calamites and incommodities, lyuing like banished men owte of yowre owne countrey, I wyll shewe yowe a Region floweinge with goulde,* 8.156 where yowe may satisfie yowr raue∣ninge appetites. But yowe muste attempte the thynge with a greater poure: For it standeth yow in hande by force of armes to ouercome kynges of greate puissaunce, and rigorous defen∣ders of theyr dominions. For bysyde other, the greate kinge Tumanama will coome foorthe ageynste yowe,* 8.157 whose kengdome is moste ryche with golde, and distante from hense onely syx soonnes: that is, syx dayes: for they number the dayes by the sonne.* 8.158 Furthermore, or euer yowe canne coome thether, yow must passe ouer the mountaynes inhabited of the cruell Cany∣bales

a fierce kynde of men, deuourers of mans flesshe, lyuing withowte lawes, wanderinge, and withowte empire. For they also, beinge desyrous of golde, haue subdewed them vn¦der theyr dominion whiche before inhabited the golde mynes of the mountaynes,* 8.159 and vse them lyke bondemen, vsyng their laboure in dygginge and workynge theyr golde in plates and sundry Images lyke vnto these whiche yowe see here. For wee doo no more esteeme rude golde vnwrought,* 8.160 then we doo cloddes of earthe, before it bee formed by the hande of the workeman to the similitude eyther of sume vessell nece••sarie for owre vse, or sume ouche bewetifull to be worne. These thynges doo wee receaue of theim for exchaunge of other of owre thynges, as of prisoners taken in warre,* 8.161 whiche they bye to eate, or for sheetes and other thynges perteynynge to the furnyture of householde, suche as they lacke which inha¦bite the mountaynes: And especially for vitayles wherof they stande in greate neede by reason of the barrennes of the moun¦taynes. This iorney therfore, must bee made open by force of men. And when yowe are passinge ouer these mountaynes (poyntinge with his fynger towarde the southe mountaynes) yowe shal see an other sea, where they sayle with shyppes as bygge as yowres (meanynge the caraueles) vsinge both say∣les and ores as yowe doo,* 8.162 althowghe the men bee naked as wee are. All the waye that the water runnethe frome t••e mountaynes, and all that syde lyinge towarde the Southe, bryngeth foorth golde abundantly. As he sayde these woor∣des, he poynted to the vesselles in whiche they vse to serue theyr meate, affirmyng•• that kynge Tumanama, and all the o∣ther kynges beyonde the mountaynes, had suche and al their other householde stuffe of golde:* 8.163 And that there was noo lesse plentie of golde amonge those people of the Southe, then of Iren with vs. For he knewe by relation of owre men, wher∣of owre swoordes and other weapons were made. Owre ca∣pitaynes marueylyng at the oration of the naked younge man (for they had for interpretours those three men whiche had byn before a yere and a halfe conuersant in the court of kynge Careta) pondered in theyr myndes, & ernestly considered his say∣inges. Soo that his rasshenes in scatteringe the golde owte of the balances, they turned to myrth and vrbanitie, commen¦dynge his dooinge and sayinge therin. Then they asked hym

frendely, vppon what certeyne knoweleage he spake those thynges: Or what he thowght beste herein to bee doone yf they shulde brynge a greater supplye of men. To this, younge Comogrus, stayinge a whyle with hym selfe as it were an ora∣tour preparinge him selfe to speake of sume graue matter, and disposynge his bodye to a giesture meete to persuade, spake thus in his mother tonge. Gyue eare vnto me o yowe Chry∣stians. Albeit that the gredie hunger of golde hathe not yet vexed vs naked men,* 8.164 yet doo we destroy one an other by rea∣son of ambition and desyre to rule. Hereof springeth mortall hatred amonge vs, and hereof commethe owre destruction. Owre predicessours kepte warres, and soo dyd Comogrus my father with princes beinge bortherers abowte hym. In the which warres, as wee haue ouercoome, so haue wee byn ouer coome, as dothe appere by the number of bondemen amonge vs, which we tooke by the ouerthrowe of owre enemyes, of the whiche I haue gyuen yowe fiftie. Lykewyse at an other tyme, owre aduersaries hauinge thupper hande agenste vs, ledde away manye of vs captiue. For suche is the chaunce of warre. Also, amonge owre familiers (wherof a great number haue byn captiues with them) beholde here is one whiche of longe tyme ledde a paynefull lyfe in bondage vnder the yoke of that kynge beyonde the mountaynes, in whose kyngdome is suche abundance of golde. Of hym, and suche other innu∣merable, and lykewyse by the resort of free men on theyr syde comminge to vs, and ageyne of owre men resortinge to theim by safe conduct, these thynges haue byn euer as well knowen vnto vs,* 8.165 as owre owne possessions. But that yowe maye bee the better assured hereof, and bee owte of all suspection that yowe shal not bee deceaued, make me the guyde of this viage, byndynge me fast and keepyng me in safe custodie to bee han∣ged on the next tree, yf yowe fynde my sayinges in any point vntrewe. Folowe my counsayle therfore, and send for a thou¦sande Christian men apte for the warres, by whose power we may with also the men of warre of Comogrus my father armed after owre maner, inuade the dominions of owre enemyes: where, bothe yowe may bee satisfyed with golde, and we for owre conductinge and aydynge yowe in this enterpryse, shall thynke owre selues abun••antly rewarded, in that yowe shall helpe to delyuer vs from the iniuries and perpetuall feare of

owre enemies. After these woordes, this prudente younge Comogrus helde his peace. And owre men moued with greate hope and hunger of golde,* 8.166 beganne ageine to swalowe downe theyr spertle.

¶ The fourth booke of the seconde Decade, of the supposed Continent.

AFter that they had taryed here a fewe dayes and baptised Comogrus with all his famelie,* 8.167 and named hym by the name of Charles af∣ter the kynge of Spayne, they returned to theyr felowes in Dariena leauinge with hym the hope of the thousande souldyers, which his sonne requyred to passe ouer those moun¦taynes towarde the South sea. Thus enteringe into the vyl∣lage which they had chosen to inhabite, they had knowleage that Valdiuia was returned,* 8.168 within syxe moonethes after his departure: but with noo great plentie of vytayles, bycause he browght but a smaule shippe: yet with hope that shortely after, there shulde bee sent them abundance of vytayles with a newe supply of men. For younge Colonus, the Admiral and viceroy of Hispaniola, and the other gouernours of the Ilande, acknowleaged that hetherto they had noo respecte to theym of Dariena, bycause they supposed that Ancisus the Lieuetenant had safely arryued there with his shippe laden with vatayles: wyllynge them from hensefoorth to bee of good cheere, and that they shulde lacke nothynge hereafter: But that at this present tyme, they had noo bygger shippe wherby they myght sende them greater plentie of necessaries by Valdiuia. The vy∣tayles therfore which he browght, serued rather sumwhat to mytigate theyr present necessitie, then to satisfye theyr lacke. Wherfore within a fewe dayes after Valdiuia his returne, they fel ageine into lyke scarsnes: especially for asmuch as a great storme and tempest whiche came from the hyghe mountaynes with horrible thunder and lyghtnynge in the mooneth of No¦uember,* 8.169 browght with it suche a fludde, that it partely cary∣ed away and partly drowned all the corne and seedes whiche they had sowne in the moonethe of September in a frutefull ••rounde before they went to kyng Comogrus. The seedes which

they of Hispaniola caule Maizium,* 8.170 and they of Vraba caule Hobba: Wherof they make theyr bread, which also wee sayde to bee rype thryse euery yeare, bycause those Regions are not bytten with the sharpnes of wynter by reason of theyr nerenes to the Equinoctial lyne. It is also agreable to the principles of na∣turall philosophie, that this breade made of Maizius or Hobba, shulde bee more holsome for thinhabitantes of those contreys then breade made of wheate, by reason that it is of easyer di∣gestion.* 8.171 For wheras coulde is wantinge, the naturall heate is not dryuen frome the owtewarde partes into the inwarde partes and precordials, whereby digestion is much strengthe∣ned. Beinge therfore thus frustrate of the increase of theyr seedes, and the kynges nere abowte them spoyled of both vy∣tayles and golde, they were enforced to seeke theyr meate fur¦ther of:* 8.172 And therwith to signifie to the gouernours of Hispani¦ola with what great necessitie they were oppressed: And what they had lerned of Comogrus as concernynge the Regions to∣warde the Southe: wyllynge them in consideration therof to aduertyse the kynge to sende them a thousande souldiers,* 8.173 by whose helpe they myght by force make waye throwghe the mountaynes diuidynge the sea on bothe sydes, if they coulde not brynge the same to passe quyetly. The same Valdiuia was also sent on this message, caryinge with hym to the kynges treasourers (hauinge theyr office of recepte in Hispaniola) three hundreth poundes weyght of golde after eyght ounces to the pounde, for the fyfte portion dewe to the kynges escheker. This pounde of .viii. vnces, the Spanyardes caule Marcha,* 8.174 whiche in weyght amounteth to fyftie pieces of golde cauled Castellani. But the Castilians, caule a pound Pesum. We conclude therfore,* 8.175 that the sume hereof, was .xv. thousande of those peeces of golde cauled Castellani. And thus is it apparente by this accompte, that they receaued of the barbarous kynges, a thousande and fyue hundreth poundes of eyght ounces to the pounde.* 8.176 All the whiche they founde redy wrought in sundry kyndes of ouches, as cheynes, braselets, tablets, and plates, bothe to hange before theyr brestes, and also at theyr eares, and nosethryls. Valdiuia therefore tooke shyppinge in the same carauell in the whiche he came last, and returned also beefore the thyrde day of the Ides of Ianuary, in the yeare of Christ M.D.XI. What chaunced to hym in this vyage, wee wyll

declare in place conuenient. But let vs nowe returne to them which remayned in Vraba. After the dismissinge of Valdiuia, be∣inge pricked forwarde with owtragious hunger, they deter∣mined to searche the inner partes of that goulfe in sundry pla¦ces.* 8.177 The extreme angle or poynt of the same goulfe is distant from the enterance therof, aboute foure score myles. This an¦gle or corner, the Spanyardes caule Culata.* 8.178 Vaschus hym selfe came to this poynte with a hundreth men, coastynge alonge by the goulfe with one brygantine and certeyne of the boates of those regions, which the Urabians caule Vru,* 8.179 lyke vnto them whiche thinhabitantes of Hispaniola caule Canoas. From this poynt, there fauleth a ryuer from the East into the goulfe,* 8.180 ten tymes bygger then the ryuer of Dariena which al∣so fauleth into the same. Saylyng alonge by the ryuer about the space of thirtie myles (for they caule it nyne leaques) and sumwhat inclynynge towarde the ryght hande southwarde, they founde certeyne vyllages of thinhabitantes, the Kynge whereof, was cauled Dabaiba. Owre men also were certifyed before, that Cemacchus the kynge of Dariena whom they put to flyght in the battayle,* 8.181 fledde to this Dabaiba. But at the com∣mynge of owre men, Dabaiba also fledde. It is thowght that he was admonysshed by Cemacchus, that he shulde not abyde the brunte of owre men. He folowed his counsayle: for••ooke his vyllages, and lefte all thynges desolate. Yet owre men founde heapes of bowes and arrowes: Also much household stuffe and many fysshyng boates. But those maryshe groundes were neyther apte for sowinge of seedes or planting of trees.* 8.182 By reason wherof, they founde there fewe suche thynges as they desyred that is, plentie of vytayles. For thinhabitantes of this Region, haue noo breade but such as they get in other contreys nere abowte them by exchaunge for theyr fy••she, on∣ly to serue theyr owne necessitie. Yet founde they in the hou∣ses of them that fledde, golde wrought and grauen, amoun∣tynge to the sume of seuen thousande of those pieces whiche we sayde to bee cauled Castellani:* 8.183 Also certeyne canoas: of the which they brought away twoo with them, and great plentie of theyr hou••holde stuffe, with certeyne bundels of bowes and arrowes. They saye, that from the marysshes of that ryuer, there coome certeyne battes in the nyght season, as bygge as turtle dooues,* 8.184 inuadyng men and bytinge them with a deadly

wounde, as sume of them testifie whiche haue byn bytten of the same. I my selfe communing with Ancisus the Lieuetenant whom they reiected,* 8.185 and amonge other thynges askynge him of the venemous bytinge of these battes, he toulde me that he hym selfe was bytten by one of them on the heele, his foote ly¦inge vncouered in the nyght by reason of the heate in sommer season: But that it hurt hym noo more, then yf he hadde byn bytten by any other beaste not venemous. Other saye, that the bytynge of sume of them is venemous: Yet that the same is healed incontinently,* 8.186 if it be wasshed with water of the sea. Ancisus toulde me also, that the venemous woundes made by the Canibales arrowes infected with poyson, are healed by wasshynge with water of the sea, and also by cauterising with hotte Irens: And that he had experience thereof in the region of Caribana, where many of his men were so wounded. They departed therfore, from the poynte of the goulfe of Vraba, not well contented bycause they were not laden with vitailes. In this their returne, there arose soo greate a tempest in that wyde goulfe,* 8.187 that they were enforced to caste into the sea, all the householde stuffe whiche they tooke from the poore wret∣ches whiche lyued onely by fisshinge. The sea also swalowed vpp the two boates that they tooke from theym, wherewyth the men were likewise drowned. The same tyme that Vaschus Nunnez attempted to searche the poynte of the goulfe towarde the southe, euen then by agremente, dyd Rodericus Colmenaris take his viage towarde the mountaynes by the easte,* 8.188 with threscor¦men, by the ryuer of the other goulfe. Aboute fortie miles dis∣tante from the mouthe of the ryuer, (for they caule it twelue leaques) he founde certeyne vilages situate vppon the bankes of the ryuer, whose Chiui, (that is,) kinge, they caule Turui. With this kinge dyd Colmenaris yet remayne when Vaschus after his re∣turne to Dariena, sayling by the same ryuer, came to hym. Here refresshinge theyr hole coompany with the vitailes of this Tur∣ui,* 8.189 they departed from thense togyther. Other fortie myles from hense, the ryuer encoompaseth an Iland inhabited with fyssher men. In this, bycause they sawe greate plentie of the trees which beare Cassia f••stula, they named the Iland Cannafistula.* 8.190 They found in it, threescore villages of tenne cotages apiece. On the right syde of the Iland there runneth an other ryuer, whose chanell is of depth suffiente to beare brigantines. This

ryuer they cauled Riuum Nigrum:* 8.191 from the mouthe wherof about xv. myles distante they founde a towne of fyue hundreth hou∣ses seuered: whose Chebi, (that is,) kinge, was cauled Abenama∣chei. They all forsooke theyr houses as soone as they harde of owre mennes commyng. But when they sawe that owre men pursued them, they turned ageyne and ranne vppon them with desperate mindes, as men driuen from their owne possessi¦ons. Theyr wepons, are swordes of wod, and long staues like iauelens, hardened at the ende with fyer: But they vse ney∣ther bowes nor arrowes: nor any other of thinhabitantes of the weste syde of the goulfe.* 8.192 The pore naked wretches were easely dryuen to flight with owre weapons. As owre men fo∣lowed theym in the chase, they tooke the kinge Abenamachei and certeine of his noble men.* 8.193 A common souldier of owres whom the kynge had wounded, coomminge to hym when he was ta∣ken, cutte of his arme at one stroke with his swoorde. But this was doone vnwares to the capitaynes. The number of the Christian men which were here, was aboute a hundrethe and fiftie: the one halfe whereof, the capytaynes lefte here, and they with the resydue, rowed vpp the ryuer ageyne with twelue of the boates of those Regions, whiche they caul. Vru, as they of Hispaniola caule them Canoas, as we haue sayde. From the ryuer of Riuus Niger and the Iland of Cannafistula,* 8.194 for the space of threescore and ten myles, leauing both on the right hande & on the lefte many riuers faulinge into it bigger then it selfe, they entred into one by the conductynge of one of the naked inhabitantes, beinge appoynted a guyde for that purpose. Uppon the banke of this ryuer next vnto the mouthe of the same, there was a kynge cauled Abibeiba:* 8.195 who, bycause the Region was full of marysshes, had his palaice buylded in the toppe of a highe tree, a newe kynde of byldynge and seldome seene. But that lande beareth trees of suche exceding heigth,* 8.196 that emonge theyr branches, a man may frame large houses: As wee reede the like in diuers autoures howe in many Regi∣ons where the ocean sea rysethe and ouerflowethe the lande, the people were accustomed to flye to the high trees, and after the faule of the water, to take the fysshe lefte on the lande.* 8.197 This maner of buyldinge, is to laye beames crosse ouer the branches of the trees, faste bownde togyther, and there vp∣pon to rayse theyr frame, strongly made ageynste wynde and

wether. Owre men suppose that they buylde theyr houses in trees, by reason of the greate fluddes and ouerflowinge of ry¦uers whiche often tymes chaunce in those Regions. These trees are of suche heighth,* 8.198 that the strength of no manes arme is able to hurle a stone to the houses buylded therein. And therfore doo I gyue the better credit to Plinie and other au∣tours whiche wrytte that the trees in sume places in India are soo high by reason of the frutefulnes of the grounde,* 8.199 abun∣dance of water, and heate of the Region, that noo man is able to shute ouer theym with an arrowe. And by iudgemente of all men, it is thowght that there is noo frutfuller ground vn∣der the soonne,* 8.200 then this is whereof wee nowe entreate. Owr men measuringe manye of these trees, founde theym to bee of suche biggnes, that seuen men, ye sumetymes eight, holdinge hande in hande with theyr armes streached furthe, were scar∣sely able too fath••me them aboute. Yet haue they theyr cel∣lers in the grounde,* 8.201 well replenysshed with such wynes wher¦of wee haue spoken beefore. For albeit that the vehemencie of the wynde, is not of poure to caste downe those houses, or to breeke the branches of the trees, yet are they tossed there∣with, and swaye sumwhat from syde to syde, by reason wher¦of, the wyne shulde bee muche troubeled with moouinge. All other necessarye thinges, they haue with theym in the trees. When the kynge or any other of the noble men, dyne or suppe in these trees, theyr wyues are browght theym from the cel∣leres by theyr seruantes, whyche by meanes of exercise, are accustomed with noo lesse celeritie to runne vppe and downe the steares adherente to the tree, then doo owre waytynge bo∣yes vppon the playne grounde, fetche vs what wee caule for from the cobbarde bysyde owr dyninge table. Owre men ther¦fore, came to the tree of kinge Abibeiba, and by thinterpretoures cauled hym foorthe to communication, gyuinge hym signes of peace, and there vppon willinge hym to coomme downe. But he denyed that he woolde coomme owte of his house: Desy∣ringe them to suffer hym to lyue after his fasshion. But owre men fell from fayre woordes to threateninge, that excepte he wolde descende with all his famelie, they wolde eyther ouer∣throwe the tree, or elles set it on fyer. When he had denied them ageyne, they fell to hewinge the tree with theyr axes. Abibeiba seeinge the chippes faule from the tree on euery syde,* 8.202

chaunged his purpose, and came downe with only two of his soones. Thus after they had entreated of peace, they commu∣ned of gatheringe of golde. Abibeiba answered that he had noo golde, and that he neuer had any neede therof, nor yet regar∣ded it any more then stones. But when they were instante vppon hym, he sayde vnto them.* 8.203 If yowe soo greatly desyre golde, I will seeke for sume in the nexte mountaynes, and bringe it vnto yowe. For it is plentifully engendred in those mountaynes. Then he appointed a day when he wold bringe this golde. But Abibeiba came neyther at the day, nor after the daye appoynted. They departed therfore from thense well re¦fresshed with his vitailes and wyne, but not with goulde as they hoped. Yet were they enformed the like by Abibeiba and his ditionaries as concerninge the golde mynes and the Cani¦bales, as they harde before of kinge Comogrus. Saylinge yet further aboute thirtie myles, they chaunced vppon certeyne cotages of the Canibales:* 8.204 But vtterly voyde with owte men or stuffe. For when they had knowleage that owre men wan¦dered in the prouinces nere aboute theym they resorted to the mountaynes, caryinge al theyr goodes and stuffe wyth them.

¶ The fyfte booke of the seconde Decade of the supposed continent.

IN the meane tyme whyle these thynges were doone alonge by the shores or bankes of the ryuer, a certeyne Decurian, that is a capy∣tayne ouer tenne, of the coompanye of those which Vascus and Colmenaris had lefte for a gar¦ryson in Riuo Nigro in the dominion of kynge Abinamachei, whether it were that he was com¦pelled throwgh hunger, or that his fataule dayes was nowe coome, he attempted with his souldiers to searche the coun∣treys nere there about, and entered into the vyllage of a king cauled Abraiba.* 8.205 This capitaynes name was Raia: whom Abrai∣ba slewe, with twoo of his felowes: but the resydue fledde. Within a fewe dayes after, Abraiba hauinge compassion of the calamitie of his kynseman and neyghbour Abenamacheius being dryuen from his owne possessions (whose arme also we sayd before that one of the souldiers cut of at the riuer of Riuo Nigro

and nowe remaynynge with Abraiba to whome he fledde by stelth after he was taken, went to Abibeiba thinhabitour of the tree, who had nowe lykewyse forsaken his contrey for feare of owre men, and wandered in the desolate mountaynes and wooddes. When he had therfore founde him, he spake to him in this effecte.* 8.206 What thynge is this Oh vnfortunate Abibeiba? or what nation is this that soo tormenteth vs that wee can not enioye owre quyet lybertie? Howe longe, howe longe I say shall wee suffer theyr crueltie? were it not much better for vs to die, then to abide such iniuries and oppre••sions as yow, as Abinamacheius owre kynseman, as Cemacchus, as Careta, as Pon∣cha, as I and other princes of owr order doo susteyne? Canne any thinge bee more intollerable then to see owre wyues, owre chyldren, and owre subiectes, to bee ledde awaye cap∣tiues, and owre goodes to be spoyled euen before owre faces.

I take the goddes to wytnes, that I speake not soo much for myne owne part as I doo for yowe whose case I lament. For albeit they haue not yet touched me, neuer••helesse, by the example of other, I owght to thynke that my destruction is not farre of.* 8.207 Let vs therfore (yf wee bee men) trye owre stren∣gthe and proue owre fortune ageynst them whiche haue delte thus cruelly with Abenam••cheius, and dryuen hym owte of his contrey. Let vs set on them with all owre poure, and vtterly destroy them And yf wee can not sleye them al, yet shall wee make them afrayde eyther to assayle vs ageyne, or at the least dimynysshe theyr poure. For what soo euer shall befaule, no∣thynge can chaunce woorse vnto vs then that which we now suffer. When Abibeiba harde these wordes and such other like, he condecended to doo in al thinges as Abraiba wolde requyre: Where vppon they appoynted a day to brynge theyr conspira∣cie to passe. But the thynge chaunced not accordynge to their desyre. For of those whiche wee sayde to haue passed to the Canibales, there returned by chaunce to Riuus Niger the nyght before the day appoynted to woorke theyr feate, thirtie men to the ayde of theym whiche were lefte there yf anye sedition shulde ryse they suspected.* 8.208 Therfore at the daunyng of the day, the confetherate kynges with fyue hundreth of theyr di∣tionaries armed after theyr maner, beseaged the vyllage with a terrible alarome, knowynge nothynge of the newe menne which came thether the same nyght. Here owre target men

came foorth ageynst them, and fyrst assayled them a farre of with theyr arrowes, then with theyr pykes, and laste with theyr swoordes: But the naked seely sowles, perceauinge a greater number of theyr aduersaries thē they looked for,* 8.209 were soone dryuen to flyght, and slayne for the most parte lyke sca∣terynge sheepe. The kynges escaped, they slewe manye, and tooke many captiues whiche they sente to Dariena where they vse them for labourers to tyll and sowe theyr grounde. These thynges thus happely atchyued, and that prouince quyeted, they returned by the ryuer to Dariena, leauinge theyr thyrtie men for a garryson vnder the gouernance of one Furatado a ca∣pitayne.* 8.210 This Furatado therfore, sente from Riu•• Nigro where he was appoynted gouernoure, twentie of his felowes & one woman, with, xxiiii. captiues to Vaschus and his company, in one of the byggest Canoas of that prouince. As they rowed downe by the ryuer,* 8.211 there came foorth soodenly ouerthwarte the ryuer ageynst them, foure greate Canoas, which ouerthrew theyr boate and slewe as many of them as they coulde coome by, bycause they were vnprepared suspecting noo such thinge. Owre men were all drowned and slayne excepte twoo, which hyd them selues amonge certeyne fagottes that swamme on the water, in the whiche they laye lurkynge, and soo escaped to theyr felowes in Dariena: who by them beinge aduertysed hereof, beganne to caste theyr wyttes what this thyng might meane: beinge no lesse solicitate for them selues, then medita¦tynge in what daunger theyr felowes had byn in Riuo Nigro, excepte by good fortune, those thirtie newe men which were sente to them, had coome to the vyllage the nyght before the conspiracie shulde haue byn wrought. Consultinge therefore what was best to bee doone herein, at the lengthe with dyly∣gent searchynge they had intelligence that fyue kynge, that is to wytte, Abibeiba the inhabitoure of the tree,* 8.212 and Cem••cchus dryuen from his vyllage whiche owre menne nowe possessed, Abraiba also and Abenamacheius, kynsemen, with Dabaiba the king of the fysher men inhabytinge the corner of the goulfe whiche we cauled Culata, were all a••sembled to conspire the Christian mens destruction at a day assigned. Which thynge had surely coome to passe, if it had not byn otherwyse hyndered by gods prouidence. It is therfore ascrybed to a myracle:* 8.213 And trewly not vnwoorthely if wee weye howe chaunce detected and be∣wrayed

wrayed the counsayle of these kynges. And bycause it is wor¦thy to bee harde, I wyll declare it in fewe woordes. Vaschus Nunnez therfore,* 8.214 who rather by poure then by election, vsur∣ped the gouernaunce in Dariena, beinge a master of fence, and rather a rasshe royster then politike capitayne (althowgh for∣tune sumtyme fauoureth fooles) amonge many women which in dyuers of these regions he had taken captyue, had one whi¦che in fauoure and bewtie excelled all other. To this woman her owne brother often tymes resorted,* 8.215 who was also dryuen owte of his contrey with kynge Cemacchus, with whom he was very familier and one of his chiefe gentelmen. Amonge other communication which he had with his syster whom he loued entierly, he vttered these woordes. My deare and welbeloued syster, gyue care to my sayinges, and keepe moste secreatelye that whiche I wyll declare vnto yowe, yf yowe desyre yowre owne wealth and myne, and the prosperitie of owre contrey and kynsefolkes. The insolencie and crueltie of these menne whiche haue dryuen vs owte of owre possessions, is soo intol¦lerable, that the princes of the lande are determyned noo lon∣ger to susteyne theyr oppressions.

By the conductinge therfore of fyue kinges (which he named in order) they haue prepared a hundreth greate Canoas,* 8.216 with fyue thousande men of warre by lande and by sea, with vitai∣les also in the village of Tichiri, sufficient to maintayne such an army. Declaringe further, that the kinges by agremente, had diuided emonge theym the goodes and headdes to owre men:* 8.217 And therfore admony••hed her, at the daye appoynted by sume occasion to conueigh her selfe owte of the way, leste shee shuld bee slayne in the confusion of the bataile. For the souldier victourer, is not woonte to spare any that commethe in his rase. And thus shewinge his syster the daye a••••igned to the slawghter,* 8.218 he departed. But the younge woman (for it is the swoord that women feare and obserue more then the grauitie of Cato,) whether it were for the loue or feare that shee had to Vaschus, forgettinge her parentes, her kynsfolkes, her countrey and all her frendes, ye and all the kinges into whose throtes Vaschus, had thruste his swoorde shee opened all the matter vn∣to hym, and conceled none of those thinges whiche her vndis∣crete broother had declared to her. When Vaschus therfore had hard the matter, he caused Fuluia, (for soo had they named her)

to sende for her brother, who came to her immediatly, was ta¦ken, and enforced to tell the hole circunstances of the matter. Where vppon, he playnely confessed that kinge Cemacchus hys lorde and master, sente those foure canoas to the destruction of owre men, and that these newe conspiraces were attempted by his consaile.* 8.219 Likewise that Cemacchus sowght the destructi∣on of Vaschus hym selfe when he sent hym fortie men vnder pre¦tence of fren••shippe to tyll and sowe his grownd after the ma¦ner of the contrey, gyuinge them in commaundement to sleye Vaschus at Marris, whyther he resorted to comforte his laboures as the maner is of all good husbandes. Yet durste they at noo tyme execute theyr lordes commaundemente vppon hym, by∣cause Vaschus came neuer emonge them afoote or vnarmed,* 8.220 but was accustomed to ryde to theym in harnes with a iauelen in his hande and a swoorde by his syde. Wherfore Cemacchus be∣inge frustrate of his particu••er con••aile, tooke this laste thing in hande to his owne destruction and his neighbours. For the conspiracie beinge detected, Vaschus cauled threescore and tenne souldiers,* 8.221 commaundinge them to folow him, but decla∣red nothing vnto them whether hee wente or what hee enten¦ded to do. He wente forwarde therfore fyrste towarde Cemac∣chus which ley from hym, onely tenne myles. But he had know¦leage that he was fledde to Dabaiba the kinge of the marishes of Culata. Yet searchinge his village, he founde a noble man a ruler vnder hym and also his kinsseman, whome he tooke pri∣soner with many other of his familiers and frendes both men and women. The same houre that he sette forwarde to seeke for Cemacchus, Rodericus Colmenaris rowed vp the ryuer with foure of theyr biggeste Canoas and threescore men by the conduction of the maydes brother who browght hym to the village of ••i∣chiri,* 8.222 in the which we sayd all their vitailes to remayne whiche were prepared for theyr armye. Colmenaris therfore, sacked the village, and possessed all their vitayles and wyne of sundry colours: likewise tooke the gouernoure thereof prisoner, and hanged hym on the tree in whiche he dwelte hym selfe, com∣maundinge hym too bee shotte throwgh with arrowes in the sight of thinhabitantes,* 8.223 and with hym foure other rulers to bee hanged on iebbettes to the exemple of other rebelles. This punysshmente thus executed vppon the conspiratours, s••rooke the hartes of all thinhabitantes of the prouince wych suche

feare, that there is not nowe a man that dare stoore his finger ageynst the wrathe of owre men. They lyue nowe therefore quietly: And the other kinges by theyr exemple doo the glad∣lyer liue in subiection, with lesse offence bearinge the yoke whyche they can by noo meanes shake of.

The syxte booke of the seconde decade of the supposed continente.

THese thinges, thus fynysshed, assemblinge all their company togither they determined with one consente, that a messynger shulde foorth with bee sente to Hispaniola (from whense they haue their lawes and ayde) to declare the hole order of all these affayres, fyrste to the admirall and gouernoure of the Ilande, and afterwarde to the Kinge of Spayne, and to persuade hym to sen••e those thousand men which younge Comogrus said to bee expediente to passe ouer the mountaynes lying betwene them and the golden regions towarde the Southe.* 8.224 Vaschus him selfe dyd greatly affecte this embasage: But neyther woolde the resydewe of his felowes electe hym therto, nor his factiona∣ries suffer hym to departe: Aswell for that therby they thou∣ght they shulde bee left desolate, as also that they murmured that if Vaschus shulde once goo from theym, he wolde neuer re∣turne to suche turmoyles and calamities, by thexemple of Val∣diuia and zamudius,* 8.225 who had byn now absente sence the mooneth of Ianuary, in soo muche that they thowght they woolde ne∣uer coomme ageine. But the matter was otherwise then they tooke it, as I wyl shewe in his place. For they were perissh••d. At the lengeth after many scrutinies, they elected one Iohn Quicedus,* 8.226 a graue man well in yeares, & treasourer of the kings escheker in those prouinces. They had conceaued a good opi∣nion of this Quicedus that all thynges shulde bee well browght to passe by his meanes, aswell for his wysdome, as also that they were in good hop of his returne, bycause he had brought his wiffe with hym to those regions, whome he lefte with his felowes for a pledge of his comminge ageyne. When they had thus elected Quicedus, they were ageyne of diuers opinions whome they might ioyne with hym for assistance: Affirminge

that it were a daungerous thinge to committe soo weightye a matter to one mans handes. Not that they mistrusted Quice∣dus. but bycause the life of man is frayle, and the chaunge of the ayer perelous,* 8.227 especially to theym hauynge nowe of longe tyme byn accustomed to the temperature nere vnto the Equinoc∣••iall, if they shulde bee compelled to returne to the North with alteratiō of ayer & dyet. They thowght it therfore good to ap¦poynt a cōpaniō to Quicedus, that if ••y chance the one shuld fayl the other might remayne: And that if they both escaped, the king shuld gyue the better credit to the relation of both: After longe consultatiō therfore, they chose Rodericus Colmenaris a man of good experience,* 8.228 of whō we haue often tymes made mēcion. For from his youth, he had trauayled ouer al Europe by land and by sea, and was present at the doinges of all thynges in Italy ageynst the Frenchemen: Of whose returne also, they had noo smaule hope bycause he had many fermes and h••dde tylled and sowne much grounde in Dariena, by thincrease wher¦of he might get much gold by sellyng the same to his felows. He lefte therfore the charge of al his affayres in Dariena, with his partener Alphonsus Nunnez, a Iudge of the lawe, who also was lyke to haue byn chosen procuratoure of this vyage be∣fore Colmenaris if one had not put theim in remembraunce that he had a wyfe at Matritis:* 8.229 fearyng least beinge ouercoome with her teares, he woolde no more returne. Colmenaris therefore, a free man and at libertie being associate assistant with Quicedus they tooke shyppyng togyther in a brigantine, the fourth day of the Calendes of Nouember, in the yeare of Christ .1512.

In this vyage, beinge tossed with sundry tempestes, they were by the violence of the wynde, cast vppon the Weste coa∣stes of that large Ilande whiche in the fyrste Decade we cau∣led Cuba,* 8.230 supposed to haue byn fyrme lande. They were sore oppressed with hunger. For it was nowe three moonethes sence they departed from theyr felowes.* 8.231 By reason whereof, they were enforced to take lande to proue what ayde they coulde gette amonge the inhabitantes. Theyr chaunce there∣fore, was to arryue in that part of the Ilande, where Valdiuia was dryuen alande by tempest. But oh yowe wretched men of Dariena? Tary for Valdiuia whom yowe sent to prouide to h••lpe yowre nece••sities?* 8.232 Prouyde for yowre selues rather and trust not to them whose fortune yowe knowe not. For when he ar¦ryued

in Cuba, thinhabitantes slewe him with al his felowes, and lefte the carauell wherin they were caried, torne in pieces and halfe couered with sande on the shore: where Quicedus and Colmenaris fyndyng the fragmentes therof, bewayled their fe∣lowes mysfortune. But they founde none of theyr carkeses: supposinge that they were eyther drowned, or deuoured of the Canibals, which oftentymes make incursions into that I¦lande to hunte for men. But at the length, by twoo of the I∣lande men which they had taken, they had knowleage of Val¦diuia his destruction: And that thinhabitantes the more gree∣dely attempted the same,* 8.233 for that they had harde by the bab∣lynge of one of his felowes that he had great plentie of gold. For they also take pleasure in the bewtie of gold, which they forme artificially into sundry ouches. Thus owre men stry∣ken with pensyuenes for the cruell destenie of theyr felowes, and in vayne seekynge reuenge for theyr iniuries, determyned to forsake that vnfortunate lande, departynge from those co∣uetous naked barbarians with more sorowe and necessitie then they were in before. Or euer they had passed the South syde of Cuba, they fel into a thousande mysfortunes: and had intellygence that Fogeda arryued thereaboute,* 8.234 leadynge a my∣serable lyfe, tossed and turmoyled with tempestes and vexed with a thousand perplexities: Soo that departing from thense almost alone, his felowes beinge for the most parte all consu∣med with maladies and famyn,* 8.235 he came with much difficultie to Hispaniola, where he dyed by force of the poyson of his vene∣mous wound which he had receaued in Vraba as we haue said before. But Ancisus elected Lieuetenaunt,* 8.236 sayled by all those coastes with much better fortune. For as he hym selfe toulde me, he founde prosperous wyndes in those parties, and was well enterteyned of thinhabitantes of Cuba. But this special∣ly in the dominion of a certeyne kynge whose name was Com∣mendator.* 8.237 For wheras he desyred of the Christian men whiche passed by, to bee baptised, demaundynge the name of the go∣uernour of the Ilande next vnto Hispaniola, beinge a noble man and a knyght of thorder of Galatraua of which order al are cau¦led Commendatores, this kynges desyre was to bee named after hym. Kynge Commendator therfore, frendely receaued Ancisus, and gaue hym greate abundance of al thynges necessarie. But what Ancisus lerned of theyr religion durynge the tyme of his* 8.238

remaynynge there, I haue thowght good to aduertyse yowre holynes. Yowe shall therefore vnderstande,* 8.239 that certeyne of owre men saylinge by the coastes of Cuba, lefte with kynge Commendator▪ a certeyne poore maryner beinge diseased. Who in shorte space recoueringe his health, and hauynge nowe sum∣what lerned theyr language, beganne to growe into great esti¦mation with the kynge and his subiectes, in soo muche that he was oftentymes the kynges Lieuetenaunt in his warres a¦geynst other princes his bortherers. This mans fortune was soo good, that all thynges prospered well that he tooke in hande. And albeit that he were not lerned, yet was he a ver¦tuous and well meanynge man accordynge to his knowleage, and dyd religiously honoure the blessed virgin, bearynge euer about with hym her picture fayre paynted vpon paper & sowd in his apparell nere vnto his breste:* 8.240 Signifyinge vnto the kyng, that this holynes was the cause of al his victories: per∣suadynge hym to doo the lyke, and to cast away all his Zemes which were none other then the symilitudes of euyll spirites,* 8.241 moste cruell enemyes and deuourers of owre sowles: And to take vnto hym the holy virgin and moother of god to bee his patronesse if he desyred all his affayres aswell in warre as in peace to succede prosperously. Also that the blessed virgyn woolde at noo tyme fayle hym, but bee euer redy to helpe him and his, if they woolde with deuoute hartes caule vppon her name. The maryner had soone persuaded the naked nation: And there vppon gaue the kynge (who demaunded the same) his pycture of the virgin, to whom he buylded and dedicate a chapell and an altare,* 8.242 euer after contemnynge and reiectynge his Zemes. Of these Zemes made of gossampine cotton to the similitudes of sprytes walkynge in the nyght which they of∣tentymes see, and speake with them familierly, wee haue spo¦ken sufficiently in the nynth booke of the fyrst Decade. Fur∣thermore, accordynge to the institution of this maryner; when the soonne draweth towarde the faule, this kynge Commenda∣tor with all his famely bothe men and women, resorte daylye to the sayde chapell of the virgin Marie,* 8.243 where kneelyng on theyr knees and reuerently bawyng downe theyr heades, hol¦dynge theyr handes ioyned togyther, they salute thimage of the virgin with these woordes: Aue Maria, Aue Maria. For fewe of them can rehearse any more woordes of this prayer. At

Ancisus his beinge there, they tooke hym and his felowes by the handes, and ledde them to this chapell with reioysinge, sayinge that they woolde shewe theym maruelous thynges. When they were entered,* 8.244 they poynted with theyr fyngers to the Image of the virgin altobeset and hanged abowte with ouches and iewels and many earthen pottes, fylled sum with sundry meates, and sume with water, rownde aboute all the tabernacle. For these thynges they offer to the image in the sleede of sacrifice, accordynge to theyr owlde supersticion to¦warde theyr Zemes. Beinge demaunded why they dyd thus, they answered,* 8.245 leaste the image shulde lacke meate if perhaps it shuld be a hungerd. For they most certenly beleue that ima∣ges may hunger, and that they doo eate and drynke.

But what ayde and helpe they confesse that they haue had of the godly poure of this image, that is of the blessed virgin, it is a thynge woorthy to be harde, and most assuredly to bee ta¦ken for a truthe. For by the report of owre men, there is such feruēt godly loue & zeale in these simple men toward the holy virgin, that to them beinge in the daungers of warre ageynst theyr enemies, they doo in maner (yf I may soo terme it) com¦pel her to descende from heauen to helpe them in theyr neces∣sities.* 8.246 For such is the goodnes of god, that he hath lefte vn∣to men in maner a pryce wherby wee may purchase hym with his holy angels and sayntes, that is to wytte, burnyng loue, charitie & zeale. Howe therfore can the blessed virgin at any time be absent frō thē which cal for her helpe with pure faith & feruent loue? Commendator him selfe, with al his noble mē and gentelmen, doo testifie with one voyce, that in a fought bat∣tayle in the which this maryner was capitayne, bearyng with hym this picture of the virgin Marie,* 8.247 the Zemes of theyr ene∣mies turned their backes and trembeled in the presence of the virgins Image and in the syght of them all. For euery of thē brynge theyr Zemes to the battayle, hopynge by theyr helpe to obteyne the victorie. Ye they say further, that duryng the tyme of the battayle, they sawe not only an Image, but a liue¦ly woman clothed in fayre and whyte apparel, aydynge them ageinst theyr enemies: whiche thynge also the enemyes them selues acknowleaged,* 8.248 confessynge that on the contrary parte shee appeared to them, shakynge a septer in her hande with threatenynge countenaunce, whiche caused theyr hartes to

shake and faynt for feare. But after that this maryner depar∣ted from them, beinge taken into a shyppe of certeyne Christi∣ans passynge by those coastes, Commendator declared that he with all his subiectes, continually obserued his institucions: In soo muche that beinge at contention with an other prince, which of theyr Zemes were moste holy and of greateste poure, the matter grewe to suche extremitie that they tryed it with hande strokes: And that in all these attemptes, the blessed virgin neuer fayled hym, but was euer presente in the brunte of the battayle, and gaue hym easye victorie with a smaule poure of men, ageynst a mayne armye of his enemies. Beinge demaunded with what woordes they cryed vppon the virgin Mary when they assayled theyr enemies, they answered that they had lerned noo other woordes of the mariners doctrine, but Sancta Maria adiuua nos, Sancta Maria adiuua nos: That is, holy Ma¦ry helpe vs, holy Marye helpe vs: And this also in the Spa∣nysshe tonge. For he had lefte these woordes in the mouthes of all men.* 8.249 Whyle they murthered and destroyed them selues thus on bothe sydes, they fell to entreatie of peace and agre∣ed to trye the matter, not hande to hande by combatte of cer∣teyne chosen for bothe parties as the maner was amonge the Romaynes and dyuers other nations in the owlde tyme, or by any slyght or policie, but that twoo younge men shulde bee chosen, for eche partie one, with theyr handes bounde fast be∣hynde them in the playne fielde, bothe parties beinge sworne to acknowleage that Zemes to bee the better, which fyrst loo∣sed the bandes of the younge man whiche stoode bounde for the tryall of his religion. Thus diuidinge them selues,* 8.250 and placeinge the sayde younge men before them in the syght of them al, with theyr handes fast bounde by theyr enemyes, the contrary parte cauled fyrst on theyr Zemes (that is, the deuyll to whose similitude theyr Images are made) who immediatly appered in his lykenes aboute the younge man that stoode bounde in the defence of Sathans kyngedome.* 8.251

But as soone as Commendator with his coompanye cryed Sancta Maria adiuua nos, Sancta Maria adiuua nos, forthwith there appeared a fayre virgin clothed in whyte, at whose presence the deuell vanquisshed immediatly. But the virgin hauinge a longe rod in her hande, & putting the same on the bandes of the younge man that stoode for Commendator, his handes were loosed imme¦diatly

in the syght of them all, and his bandes founde about the handes of hym that stoode for the other partie,* 8.252 in somuch that they them selues fownde hym dowble bounde. But for all this, were not the enemies satissyed: querelinge that this thynge was doone by sum slyght or diuise of man, and not by the poure of the better Zemes. And there vppon requyred for thaduoydynge of all suspection, that there myght bee eyght graue and sage men appoynted, for eche syde foure, whiche shulde bynde the men in the syght of theim all, and also gyue iudgemente whether the thynge were doone withowte crafte or gyle. Oh pure simplicitie and constant fayth: Oh golden and blessed confidence. Commendator and his familiers, doubted not to graunte theyr enemies theyr requeste with lyke faythe wherwith the diseased woman obteyned healthe of the fluxe of her bludde,* 8.253 and wherby Peter feared not to walke on the sea at the syght of his master Christe. These younge men ther¦fore were bounde in the presence of these eight graue men, and were placed within theyr lystes in the syght of bothe parties. Thus vppon a signe gyuen, when they cauled vppon theyr Zemes, there appered in the syght of them all,* 8.254 a deuyll with a longe tayle, a wyde mouthe, greate teeth, and hornes, resem∣blyng the similitude of the Image which the kyng being ene¦mye to Commendator, honoured for his Zemes. As this deuyl at∣tempted to loose the bandes of his cliente, the blessed virgin was immediatly presente as before at the caule of Commendator and his subiectes,* 8.255 and with her rodde loosed the bandes of her suppliant, which were ageyne lykewyse founde fast tyed aboute the handes of hym that stoode for the contrarye parte. The enemies therefore of Commendator, beinge stryken with greate feare and amased by reason of this greate miracle, con¦fessed that the Zemes of the virgin was better thē their Zemes. For the better profe wherof, these pagans beinge bortherers to Commendator,* 8.256 which had euer before byn at continuall warre and enmitie with hym, when they had knowleage that Ancisus was arryued in those coastes, they sente ambasadoures vnto hym, to desyre hym to send them preestes of whom they might bee baptised: Where vppon he sent them twoo which hee had with hym there at that present. They baptised in one day a hundreth and thirtie of thinhabitantes, sumtyme enemyes to Commendator, but now his frendes & ioyned with him in aliance.

All suche as came to bee baptised, gaue the preestes of theyr owne liberalitie,* 8.257 eyther a cocke or a henne. But no capons: for they can not yetskyl how to carue theyr cocke chyckēs to make them capons. Also certeyne salted fysshes, and newe fyne ca∣kes made of theyr breade: likewise certeyne foules franked and made fatte. When the preestes resorted to the shippes, syxe of these newe baptysed men accoompanied theym laden with vitailes, wherwith they ledde a ioyfull Easter. For on the Sunday two dayes before saynte Lazarus day, they depar∣ted from Dariena, and touched at that tyme, onely to the cape or angle of Cuba nere vnto the Easte syde of Hispaniola. At the requeste of Commendator, Ancisus lefte with hym one of his coom∣panie, to thintente too teache hym and his subiectes wyth o∣ther his bortherers, the salutacion of the angell whiche we caule the Aue Maria.* 8.258 For they thinke them selues to be soo much the more beloued of the blessed virgin, as they can reherse the more woordes of that prayer. Thus Ancisus takinge his leaue of kynge Commendator, directed his course to Hispaniola, from whiche he was not farre. Shortely after, he tooke his viage to Spayne,* 8.259 and came to Valladoleto to the kynge, to whom he made greuous complaint of the insolencie of V••schus N••nnes,* 8.260 in so muche that by his procuremente, the Kynge gaue sentence a∣geynste hym. Thus muche haue I thowght good (moste holy father) wherof to aduertyse yowr holynes as concernyng the religiō of these nations, not only as I haue byn instructed of Ancisus (wyth whom I was dayly couersante in the court and vsed hym familiarlye) but also as I was enformed of dyuers other men of greate autoritie, to thintente that yowre excel∣lencie may vnderstande howe docible this kynde of men is, and wyth what facilitie they may bee allured to embrase owr religion. But this can not bee doone soodenlye.* 8.261 Yet we haue greate cause to hope that in shorte tyme they wilbe all drawen by litle and litle to the euan¦gelicall lawe of Christe, to the great en∣crease of his flocke. But let vs nowe returne to the messengers or pro¦curatours as concerniynge the affayres of Dariena.

¶ The seuenth booke of the seconde decade of the supposed continente.

FRom Dariena to Hispaniola is eyghte dayes sai∣linge and sumtymes lesse with a prosperous wynde.* 8.262 Yet Quicedus and Colmenaris the procu∣ratoursof Dariena, by reason of tempestes and contrary wyndes, could scarsely saile it in a hundrethe dayes. When they had taryed a fewe dayes in Hispaniola, and had declared the cause of the comminge to the admirall and the other gouer∣nours, they tooke shippinge in two marchante shippes beinge redye furnysshed, which were also accustomed to saile too and froo betwene Spayne and the Ilande of Hispaniola. They departed from Dariena (as we sayde before) the fourthe day of the calendes of nouember in the yeare of Christ .1512, and came not to the courte before the calendes of May in the yeare fo∣lowinge beinge the yeare of Christe .1513.* 8.263 At thyr commynge to the courte, Iohannes Fonseca (to whom at the begynnynge the charge of these affayres was committed, whom also for hys faithful seruice towarde the kinge, yowre holynes created ge∣nerall commissarie in the warres ageynste the moores) recea∣ued them honorably, as men comminge from the newe world, from naked nations, and landes vnknowen to other menne.

¶ By the prefermente therefore of the bysshope of Burges, Quicedus and Colmenaris were brought before the king, and decla¦red theyr legacie in his presence. Suche newes and presentes as they brought, were delectable to the kinge and his noble men, for the newnes and straungnes therof. They also suior∣ned with me often tymes.* 8.264 Theyr countenaunces doo declare the intemperatenes of the ayer and region of Dariena. For they are yelowe lyke vnto them that haue the yelowe gaundies: And also swolne. But they ascrybe the cause hereof, to the hunger which they susteyned in tyme past. I haue byn aduer∣tised of thaffayres of this newe woorlde, not onely by these procuratours of Dariena,* 8.265 and Ancisus, and Zamudius, but also by conference with Ba••••ia the lawier, who ranne ouer a greate parte of those coastes. Likewyse by relation of Vincentius Annex the patrone of the shippes, and Alfonsus Nignus, both being men of greate experience and wel trauayled in those parties, beside

many other, of whom wee haue made mention in other places For there came neuer any from thense to the court, but tooke greate pleasure to certifie mee of al thynges eyther by woorde of mouth or by wrytynge. Of many thynges therfore which I lerned of them, I haue gathered suche as to my Iudgemēt seeme moste worthy to satisfie them that take delyte in hysto∣ries. But let vs nowe declare what folowed after the com∣minge of the procuratours of Dariena. Therfore, before theyr arryuall there was a rumoure spreade in the courte, that the chiefe gouernoures and Lieuetenauntes Nicuesa and Fogeda, al∣so Iohannes De la Gossa (a man of such reputacion that by the kyn∣ges letters patentes he was named the greate master of the kynges shippes) were all peryshed by mischaunce:* 8.266 And that those fewe which yet remayned alyue in Dariena, were at con∣tencion and discorde amonge them selues: So that they ney∣ther endeuoured theyr diligence to allure those simple natiōs to owre faythe, nor yet had regarde to searche the natures of those Regions. In consideration wherof, the kynge was de∣termyned to sende a newe capitayne thyther whiche shulde re∣store and set all thynges in good order, and put them owte of autoritie whiche hadde vsurped thempire of those prouinces withowte the kynges speciall commaundement. To this of∣fice, was one Petrus Arias assigned,* 8.267 a man of greate prowes and a citisen of Segouia. But when the procuratours of Dariena had published in the courte howe greate a matter it was, and of what moment, many laboured ernestly to the kyng, to take the office owte of his handes. But the bysshop of Burges be∣inge the kynges chiefe chaplayne, and one of the commissio∣ners appoynted by hym in these matters, beinge aduertised hereof, came immediatly to the kynge, and spake to hym in this effect.* 8.268 May it please yowre hyghnes to vnderstand (most catholyke Prince) that wheras Petrus Arias a man of valiente corage and greate seruice, hath offered hym selfe to aduenture his lyfe in yowre maiesties affayres, vnder vncerteyne hope of gayne and moste certeyne perels, yet that notwithstandynge sum other haue ambiciously maliced his felicitie and prefermēt labouringe for thoffice whereto he is elected: It maye please yowre grace herein soo to shewe hym yowr fauour and permit hym to enioye his sayde office, as yowre maiestie doo knowe hym to bee a woorthy and meete man for the same, hauyng in

tyme paste had greate experience of his prowesse and valiane¦nesse, aswell in behauinge hym selfe as orderinge his souldi∣ers, as yowr hyghnes may the better consyder if it shal please yowe to caule to remembrance his doinges in the warres of A∣phrica,* 8.269 where he shewed hym selfe bothe a wyse Capitayne, and valient souldier. As concerninge his maners and vsages other wayes, they are not vnknowen to yowre maiestie, vn∣der whose wynge he hath of a chylde byn browght vp in the courte, and euer founde faythfull towarde yowre hyghnesse. Wherfore, to declare my opinion vnder yowre graces fauour (whom it hath pleased to appoynt me a commissioner in these affayres) I thinke it were vngodly that he shuld bee put from his office at the sute of any other, especially beinge thereto moued by ambition and couetousnes: who perchaunce woold proue them selues to be the same men in the office if they shuld obteyne it, as they nowe shewe them selues in the ambitious desirynge of the same. When the bysshoppe had sayde these woordes, the kynge confirmed the election of Petrus Arias in more ample maner then before:* 8.270 wyllynge the byshoppe to ap∣poynt hym a thousande and twoo hundreth souldiers at his charges, makynge hym a warrante to thofficers of his esche∣ker to delyuer hym money in preste for the same purpose. Pe∣trus Arias therfore beinge thus put in office and authorysed by the kynges letters patentes vnder his brode seale,* 8.271 chose a greate number of his souldiers in the court, and soo departed frome Valladoleto aboute the calend••s of October in the yeare 1513: And sayled fyrst to Ciuile beinge a verye ryche citie and well replenyshed with people: where by the kynges magistra∣tes he was furnyshed with men and vytayles and other neces¦saries perteynynge to soo greate a matter. For the king hath in this citie erected a house seruinge only for thaffayres of the Ocean,* 8.272 to the which al they that goo or coome from the newe landes and Ilandes, resorte to gyue accomptes aswell what they cary thyther as what they brynge from thense, that the kynge may bee truly answered of his custome of the fyfte part bothe of golde and other thynges as wee haue sayde before. This house, they caule the house of the Contractes of Indi. Petrus Arias founde in Ciuile aboue twoo thousand younge men which made great sute to goo with hym:* 8.273 lykewyse noo small number of couetous owlde men: of the whiche, many offered

them selues to goo with him of theyr owne charges withowt the kynges stipende.* 8.274 But leste the shippes shulde bee pestered with to great a multitude, or least vytayles shulde fayle them, the libertie of free passage was restraynt. It was also decre∣ed that noo stranger might passe withowt the kynges licence. Wherfore I doo not a lyttle maruaile at Aloisius Cadamustus a ve¦netian and wryter of the Portugales vyages,* 8.275 that he was not a shamed to wryte thus of the Spanyardes nauigations: we went: we sawe: we dyd. Wheras he neuer went, not any Uenetian sawe. But he stoule certeyne annotacions owte of the three first bookes of my fyrst Decade wrytten to Cardinal Ascanius and Arcimboldus, supposinge that I woolde neuer haue publysshed the same. It myght also happen that he came by the copie therof at the hande of sum ambasadoure of Uenice. For I haue graunted the copie to many of them, and was not daungerous to forbyd them to cōmunicate the same to other. Howe so euer it bee, this honeste man Aloisius Cadamustus feared not to chalenge vnto hym the frute of an other mans laboure. Of the inuentions of the Portugales (which surely are woon¦derfull) whether he haue wrytten that whiche he hath seene (as he sayth) or lykewise bereaued other men of the iuste com∣mendations of theyr trauayles,* 8.276 I wyll not iudge, but am con¦tent to let hym lyue after his maner. Emonge the company of these souldiers, there were none embarked but suche as were licenced by the kynge, except a fewe Italians, Genues, who by frendshippe and sute were admitted for the Admirals sake younge Colonus, sonne and heyre to Christophorus Colonus the fyrst fynder of those landes. Petrus Arias therfore tooke shippyng in the ryuer Betis (nowe cauled Guadalqueuir) runnyng by the citie of Ciuile,* 8.277 aboute the beginnynge of the yeare of Christe .1514. But he loosed anker in an euyll houre.* 8.278 For suche a tempeste folowed shortly after his departure, that it rent in pieces two of his shippes, and soo tossed the other that they were enfor∣ced to heaue ouer boorde parte of theyr vytayles to lyghten them. All such as escaped, sayled backe ageyne to the coastes of Spayne: where, beinge newely furnyshed and refreshed, by the kynges officers, they went forwarde on theyr viage. The master pylot of the gouernoures shyppe, was Iohannes Vesputius a Florentine, the neuie of Americus Vesputius,* 8.279 who left hym as it were by discente of inheritance, thexperience of the mariners

facultie, and knowleage of the sea, carde and compasse. But wee were aduertised of late by certeyne which came from His∣paniola, that they had passed the Ocean with more prosperous wynde. For this marchaunt shyppe commynge from Hispaniola founde them landinge at certeyne Ilandes nere there aboute. But in the meane tyme whyle my importunate caulers on, Ga∣leaceus Butrigarius and Iohannes Cursius, men studious by al meanes to gratifie yowre holynes, ceased not to put me in remembe∣rance that they had one in a redines to depart into Italy, and taryed onely to cary with hym vnto yowre holynes these my fayre Nereides althowgh rudely decked, leaste I shulde bestow muche tyme in vayne, I haue let passe many thynges, & wyll reherse onely such as seeme in my iudgement moste woorthye memory, althowgh sumwhat disordered as occasion hath ser¦ued. So it is therfore that this Petrus Arias hath a wyfe named Helisabeth a Boadilla,* 8.280 beinge niese by the broothers syde to the marques of Boadilla, which rendered the citie of Segouia to Fer¦nando and Helisabeth princes of Spayne at such tyme as the Portugales inuaded the kingdome of Castile: by reason wher¦of they were encoraged fy••ste to resyste, and then with open warre to assayle and expulse the Portugales for the great tre∣sure which kynge Henry brother to queene Helisabeth hadde gathered togyther there.* 8.281 This marquesse whyle shee lyued, dyd euer shewe a manly and stoute mynde, bothe in peace and warre, so that by her counsayle manye noble thynges were browght to good effecte in Castile: vnto this noble woman, the wyfe of Petrus Arias was niese by her brothers syde. Shee folowyng the magnanimitie of her aunt, perceauinge her hus∣bande nowe furnyshyng hym selfe to depart to the vnknowen coastes of the newe woorlde, and those large tractes of lande and sea, spake these wordes vnto hym. My moste deare and welbeloued husbande,* 8.282 we owght not nowe to forget that frō owre younge yeares we haue byn ioyned togyther with the yoke of holy matrimonie to thintente that wee sh••lde soo lyue togyther and not a sunder durynge the tyme of owre naturall lyfe. Wherefore for my parte to declare my affection herein, yowe shall vnderstande, that whyther so euer yowre fatal de∣stenye shall dryue yowe, eyther by the furious waues of the greate Ocean, or by the manyfoulde and horrible daungers of the lande, I wyll surely beare yowe coompany. There can no

perell chaunce to me so terrible, nor any kynde of death so cru¦ell, that shal not bee much easyer for me to abyde, then to liue so farre seperate from yowe. It were muche better for me to dye, and eyther to bee cast into the sea to bee deuoured of the fysshes, or on the lande to the Canibales, then with continu∣all mournynge and bewaylinge, to lyue in deathe and dye ly∣uinge, whyle I consume in lookyng rather for my husbandes letters then for hym selfe. This is my full determinacion, not rashely nor presentely excogitate, nor conceaued by the lyght phantasie of womans brayne, but with longe deliberatiō and good aduisement. Nowe therfore choose to whether of these twoo yowe wyll assente: Eyther to thruste yowre swoorde in my throte, or to graunte me my requeste. As for the ch••ldren which god hath giuen vs as pledges of owr inseperable loue, (for they had foure sonnes and as many dowghters) shal not stay me a moment. Let vs leaue vnto them suche gooddes and possessions as haue byn left vs by owre parentes and frendes wherby they may lyue amonge the woorshipful of theyr order. For other thynges I take no care. When this noble matrone of manly vertue had fynisshed these woordes, her husbande seinge the constant mynde of his wyfe, and her in a redynes to doo accordynge to her woordes, had no hart to denye her lo∣uinge peticion: but embrasinge her in his armes, commended her intente and consented to her requeste. Shee folowed hym therfore as dyd Ipsicratea her Mithridates with her heare hange∣inge loose aboute her shulders. For shee loueth her husbande as dyd Halicarnassea of Caria, hers beinge deade, and as dyd Ar∣temisia her Mausolus: We haue also had aduertisemēt sence their departure that she (being browght vp as it were amonge soft fethers) hath with noo lesse stoute corage susteyned the rorin∣ges and rages of the Ocean, then dyd eyther her husband or any of the maryners brought vp euen amonge the sourges of the sea. But to haue sayde thus much hereof, this shal suffice. Let vs nowe speake of other thynges no lesse woorthy memo¦rie. Therfore, whereas in the fyrste Decade we haue made mencion of Vincentius Annez Pinzonus, ye shal vnderstande that he accoompanyed Christophorus Colonus the Admirall in his fyrst vy∣age, and afterwarde made an other vyage of his owne char∣ges with onely one shyppe. Ageyne, the fyrste yeare after the departinge of the Capitaynes Nicuesa and Fogeda, he ran ouer

those coastes from Hispaniola,* 8.283 and searched all the southe syde of Cuba from the Easte to the weste, and sayled rownde about that Ilande which to that day for the greate length thereof, was thowght to haue bin part of the continent or firme land, al thowgh sume other say that they dyd the lyke. Vincentius An∣nez therfore, knowyng nowe by experience that Cuba was an Ilande, sayled on further, and found other landes westward from Cuba,* 8.284 but such as the Admirall had fyrst touched. Wher¦fore, beinge in maner encompased with this newe lande, tur∣ninge his course towarde the lefte hande, and rasing the coa∣stes of that lande by the East, ouerpassinge also the mouthes of the goulfes of Beragua,* 8.285 Vraba,* 8.286 and Cuchibachoa,* 8.287 he arryued at the Region which in the fyrst Decade we cauled Paria and Os Draconis:* 8.288* 8.289 And entered into the greate goulfe of fresshe water, which Colonus discouered, beinge replenished with great abun¦dance of fysshe, and famous by reason of the multitude of I∣landes lyinge in the same, beinge distant Eastwarde from Cu∣riana aboute a hundreth and thirtie myles,* 8.290 in the which tract are the Regions of Cumana and Manacapana,* 8.291* 8.292 whiche also in the syxte booke of the fyrst Decade we sayde to bee Regions of the large prouince of Paria, where many affirme to bee the gre∣teste plentie of the beste pearles,* 8.293 and not in Curiana.

The kinges of these regions (whom they caul Chiacones, as they of Hispaniola caule theym Cacici) beinge certified of the comminge of owre men, sente certeyne spyes to enquire what newe nati∣on was arryued in theyr coastes, what they browght, and what they woolde haue: and in the meane tyme furnysshed a number of theyr Canoas (whiche they caule Chichos) with men armed after their maner. For they were not a lytle astonisshed to beholde owre shippes with the sayles spreade, wheras they vse no sayles, nor can vse but smaule ons if they woolde, by reason of the narownes of theyr canoas. Swarmynge ther∣fore aboute the shippe with theyr canoas (which we may well caule Monoxyla,* 8.294 bycause they are made of one hole tree,) they feared not to shute at owr men beinge yet within their ships and keepinge theym selues vnder the hatches as safely as yf they had byn defended with stone waules. But when owre men had shotte of certeyne pieces of ordinance ageynst theym they were soo discomfited with the noyse and slawghter ther¦of that they droue them selues to flight.* 8.295 Beinge thus dispar∣cled,

owr men chased them with the shippe bote, tooke many, and slewe many. When the kynges harde the noyse of the gunnes, and were certyfied of the losse of their men, they sent ambasadours to Vincentius Agnes to entreate of peace, fearinge the spoyle of theyr goodes and destruction of theyr people, if owre men shuld•• coomme alande in theyr wrathe and furye. They desyred peace therfore,* 8.296 as could bee coniectured by their signes and poyntinges: For owre men vnderstoode not one woorde of theyr language. And for the better proofe that they desired peace, they presented owre men with three thou∣sand of those weights of gold that the Spanyardes caule Cas∣••ellanum Aureum, which they commonly caule Pesum.* 8.297 Also a gre∣ate barell of woodde full of moste excellente masculine fran∣kensence, weighing about two thousande and syxe hundreth poundes weight after eight ounces to the pounde: Whereby they knewe that that lande browght furthe greate plentie of frankensence.* 8.298 For there is noo entercourse of marchaundies betwene thinhabitantes of Paria and the sabeans beinge soo farre distante, wheras also the of Paria knowe nothynge with owte theyr owne coastes.* 8.299 With the golde and frankensence whiche the presented to owre men, they gaue them also a gre∣ate multitude of theyr peacockes,* 8.300 bothe cockes and hennes, deade and alyue, aswell to satisfie theyr present necessitie, as also to cary with theym into Spayne for encrease. Lykewyse certeyne carpettes, coouerlettes, table clothes and hanginges made of gossampine silke fynelye wrought after a straunge di¦uise with plesante & variable colours,* 8.301 hauing golden belles & suche other spangles and pendauntes as the Italians caule Sonaglios, and the Spanyardes Cascaueles, hanging at the purfles therof. They gaue theym furthermore speakinge popingiais of sundry colours as many as they woolde aske.* 8.302 For in Paria, there is no lesse plentie of popingiais, then with vs of dooues or sparous, Thinhabitantes of these Regions both men and women are appareled with vestures made of gossampine cot∣ton,* 8.303 the men to the knees, and the women too the calfe of the legge. The fasshion of theyr apparell, is symple and playne muche like vnto the Turkes. But the mens, is double and quilted like that whiche the Turkes vse in the warres. The princes of Paria, are rulers but for one yeare:* 8.304 But their autoritie is noo lesse emonge the people both in peace and warre, then

is thautoritie of other kynges in those Regions. Theyr villa∣ges are buylded in coompasse,* 8.305 along by the bankes of all that greate goulfe. Fyue of theyr princes came to owre men wyth theyr presentes, whose names I thowght worthy to bee put in this historie in remembrance of soo notable a thinge Chiaco∣nus Chiauaccha, (that is the prince of Chiauaccha, for they caule prin¦ces or kinges Chiaconos) Chiaconus Pintiguanus, Chiaconus Chamailaba, Chiaconus Polomus, and Chiaconus Potto. The goulfe beinge fyrste founde of the admirall Colonus, they caule, Baia Natiuitatis,* 8.306 bycause he entered into the same in the day of the natiuitie of Christe: But at that tyme he only passed by it withowte anye further searching. and Baia in the Spanysshe tong, signifieth a goulfe. When Vincentius had thus made a league with these Princes, folowinge his appoynted course, he founde many regions to∣warde the East,* 8.307 desolate by reason of diuers finddes and ouer flowynges of waters: also many standynge pooles in dyuers places, and those of excedynge largenes. He ceased not to fo¦lowe this tracte vntyll he came to the poynte or cape of that moste longe lande. This poynte semethe as though it woolde inuade the monte Atlas in Aphrica.* 8.308 For it prospectethe towarde that parte of Aphrike, whiche the portugales caule Caput Bonoe Sperantiae. The poyntes or capes of the mount Atlas, are rough and saluage nere vnto the sea. The cape of Bona Speranza, ga∣therethe thirtie and foure degrees of the Southe pole, cauled the pole antartike: But that poynte, onely seuen degrees. I suppose this lande to bee that, which I fynde in owlde wry∣ters of Cosmographie to bee cauled the greate Iland Atlan∣tike,* 8.309 withowt any further declaringe eyther of the sytuation, or of the nature therof.

¶ The eight booke of the seconde decade of the supposed continente.

WHen Iohan the king of portugale lyued which was predicessoure to hym that nowe reigneth,* 8.310 there arose a great contention betwene the Cas¦tilians and Portugales as concerninge the do∣minion of these newe founde landes. The Por∣tugales, bycause they were the firste that durst attempte to searche the Ocan sea sence the memorie of man,

affirmed that all the nauigations of the Ocean, owght to per∣teyne to theym onely. The Castilians argued on the contrarie parte, that what so euer god by the ministratiō of nature hath created on the earth, was at the begynnynge common emong men: And that it is therfore lawfull to euery man to possese suche landes as are voyd of Christian inhabitours. Whyle the matter was thus vncerteynly debated, bothe parties agre¦ed that the controuersie shulde bee decerned by the bysshope of Rome, and plighted faithe to stande to his arbitrimente. The kyngedome of Castile was at that tyme gouerned by that great Queene Helisabeth with her husbande: for the roialme of Castile was her dowerye.* 8.311 Shee also and the kynge of Por∣tugale, were cosyn germaynes of two systers: by reason wher¦of the dissention was more easely pacified. By thassent ther¦fore of both parties, Alexander the bysshop Rome, the .vi. of that name, by thautorite of his leaden bull, drewe a right line from the North to the South a hundreth leaques westwarde withowte the paralelles of those Ilandes whiche are cauled Caput Viride or Cabouerde,* 8.312 Within the compase of this lyne (al∣thowgh soomme denye it) faulethe the poynte of this lande wherof we haue spoken, which they caule Caput Sancti Augustini, otherwyse cauled Promontorium Sancti Augustini, that is, saynt Au∣gustines cape or poynte. And therfore it is not lawful for the Castilians to fasten foote in the beginnynge of that lande. Vin∣centius Annez therfore, departed from thense, beinge aduertised of thinhabitantes, that on the other syde of the hyghe moun∣taynes towarde the South, lyinge before his eyes, there was a Region cauled Ciamba,* 8.313 which browght foorth greate plentie of golde. Of certeyne captiues whiche he too••e in the goulfe of Paria (which certenly perteyneth to the dominion of Castile) he browght sume with hym to Hispaniola, and lefte them with the younge Admirall to lerne owre language. But he hym selfe, repayred to the courte to make ernest sute to the kynge that by his fauoure, he myght bee gouernour of the Iland of Sancti Iohannis (otherwyse cauled Burichena,* 8.314 beinge distante from Hispaniola onely .xxv. leaques) bycause he was the fyrst fynder of golde in that Ilande. Before Vincentius made sute for this office, one Don Christopher a Portugale, the soonne of the countie of Camigna, was gouernoure of the Ilande: whom the Canibales of the other Ilandes slewe, with all the Christian

men that were in the same, excepte the byshop and his famili∣ers, which fledde and shyfted for them selues, forsakynge the church and all the ornamentes thereof. For yowre holynes hath consecrated fyue byshoppes in these Ilandes at the re∣quest of the most catholyke kynge.* 8.315 In Sancto Dominico being the chiefe citie of Hispaniola, Garsia de Padilla, a reguler fryer of the or∣der of saynt Fraunces, is byshop. In the towne of Concepti∣on, doctor Petrus Xuarez of Deza: And in the Ilande of saynte Iohn or Burichena, Alfonsus Mansus a licenciate, beinge bothe ob∣seruantes of thinstitucion of saynt Peter. The fourth, is fryer Barnarde of Mesa, a man of noble parentage, borne in Toledo, a preacher, and byshop of the Ilande of Cuba. The fyfte is Io¦hannes Cabedus, a fryer preacher, whom yowre holynes annoyn∣ted mynister of Christ, to teache the Christian faithe amonge the inhabitantes of Dariena. The Canibales shall shortely re∣pent them, and the bludde of owre men shalbe reuenged: And that the sooner, bycause that shortly after they had committed this abhominable slaughter of owre men, they came ageyne from theyr owne Ilande of Sancta Crux (otherwyse cauled AyAy) to the Ilande of Sancti Iohannis.* 8.316 and slewe a kynge whiche was a frende to owre men, and eate hym and all his famely, vtter∣ly subuertinge his vyllage, vppon this occasion that viola∣tinge the lawe of hostage, he had slayne seuen Canibales whi¦che were lefte with hym by composition to make certeyne ca∣noas, bicause the Iland of Sancti Iohannis beareth greater trees and apter for that purpose, then doth the Ilande of Sancti Crux the chiefe habitacion of the Canibales. These Canibales yet remaynynge in the Ilande, certeine of owre men sayling from Hispaniola, chaunced vppon them. The thynge being vnderstode by thinterpretoures, owre men quarelynge with theym and caulynge them to accompte for that mischeuous deede, they immediatly directed theyr bowes and venemous arrowes a∣geynst them, and with cruell countenaunces threatened thē to bee quyet, least it shulde repent them of theyr commyng thy¦ther. Owre men fearynge theyr venemous arrowes (for they were not prepared to fyght) gaue them signes of peace. Being demaunded why they destroyed the vyllage, and where the kynge was with his famelye, they answered that they rased the vyllage and cutte the kynge with his famelie in peeces & eate them in the reuenge of theyr seuen woorkemen: And that

they had made faggottes of theyr bones to cary theim to the wyues and chyldren of theyr slayne woorkemen, in wytnesse that the bodyes of theyr husbandes and parentes lay not vn∣reuenged: and therewith shewed the faggottes of bones to owre men: who beinge astonyshed at theyr fiercenes and cru∣eltie, were enforced to dissimble the matter and houlde theyr peace, quarelynge noo further with them at tha•• tyme. These and suche other thynges doo dayly c••aunce, the which I doo let passe least I shulde offende the eares of yowr holynes with suche bluddy narrations. Thus haue wee sufficiently digres∣sed from the regions of Beragua and Vraba beinge the chiefeste foundations of owre purpose.* 8.317 Wee wyll nowe therefore en∣treate sumewhat of the largenes and depthe of the ryuers of Vraba:* 8.318 Also declare bothe what they and the landes whiche they runne through doo brynge foorth: lykewise of the great¦nes of the lande from the Easte to the West, and of the bredth therof from the Southe to the North, and what theyr opini∣on and hope is of thynges yet vnknowen in the same. Wee wyll therfore beginne at the newe names wherwith the Spa∣nyardes haue named these prouinces sence they were vnder the dominions of the Christians.

¶ The nynth booke of the seconde Decade, of the supposed Continent.

BEragua therfore, they cauled Castella Aurea, that is golden Castile: And Vraba they named An∣daluzia Noua, that is, newe Andalusia.* 8.319 And lyke as of many Ilandes which they subdu∣ed, they choose Hispaniola for the chiefe place of theyr habitacion, soo in the large tract of Paria, they appoynted theyr coloine or bydyng place in the twoo regions of Vraba and Beragua,* 8.320 that all suche as attempte and vyages in those coastes, may resorte to them as to safe portes to bee refreshed when they are wery or dry∣uen to necessitie. All owre seedes, and plantes,* 8.321 do nowe mar¦uelously encrease in Vraba. Lykewyse blades, settes, slippes, graffes, suger canes, and suche other as are brought from o∣ther places to those regions, as also beastes and foules as we haue sayde before. O maruelous frutefulnes. Twentie dayes

after the seede is sowne, they gather rype cucumers, and such lyke, But colwortes, beetes, Letuse, Borage are rype within the space of ten dayes. Gourdes, melones, and pompones, within the space of .xxviii. dayes. Dariena hathe many natiue trees and frutes of dyuers kyndes with sundry tastes,* 8.322 & hol∣some for the vse of mē:* 8.323 of the which I haue thowght it good to descrybe certeyne of the best. They noorysshe a tree which they caule Guaiana,* 8.324 that beareth a frute much resemblynge the kynde of citrous which are commonly cauled limones, of taste sumwhat sharpe myxt with swetenes. They haue also abun∣dance of nuttes of pynetrees, and great plentie of date trees,* 8.325 whiche beare frutes bygger then the dates that are knowen to vs: but they are not apte to bee eaten for theyr to much so∣wernes. Wylde and baren date trees, growe of them selues in sundry places, the branches wherof they vse for biesommes, and ea••e also the buddes of the same. Guarauana,* 8.326 being higher and bygger then the orange tree, bringeth furth a great frute as bygge as pome citrous.

Ther is an other tree much lyke to a chestnut tree whose frute is lyke to the bygger sort of fygs, beinge holsome & of plesant taste. Mameis,* 8.327 is an other tree that bringeth foorthe frute as bygge as an orange, in taste nothynge inferioure to the beste kyndes of melones. Guananala,* 8.328 beareth a frute lesse then any of the other, but of sweete sauoure lyke spice, and of delectable taste. Houos,* 8.329 is an other tree whose frute bothe in shape and taste, is much lyke to prunes, but sumwhat bygger. They are surely persuaded that this is the Myrobalane-tree.* 8.330 These growe soo abundantely in Hispaniola, that the hogges are fedde with the frute therof as with maste amonge vs. The hogges lyke this kynde of feadynge soo well, that when these frutes wax rype, the swyneherdes can by no meanes keepe them owte of the wooddes of these trees: by reason wherof, a greate mul∣tytude of them are becoome wylde. They also affirme, that in Hispaniola, swynes flesshe is of much better taste and more hol∣some then mutton.* 8.331 For it is not to bee doubted, but that dy∣uers kyndes of meates do engender sundry tastes and quali∣ties in suche as are noryshed therwith. The moste puissaunte prince Ferdinandus, declared that he had eaten of an other frute browght from those landes, beinge full of scales with keyes mu••h lyke a pine apple in forme and coloure, but in tendernes equal to melopepones, and in taste excedyng al garden frutes.

For it is noo tre, but an herbe much lyke vnto an archichoke, or Acantho. The kynge hym selfe, gaue the cheefest commenda¦tion to this. I haue eaten none of these frutes. For of a great number which they browght from thense,* 8.332 only one remayned vncorrupted, the other being putrified by reason of the longe vyage. All suche as haue eaten of theym newely gathered in theyr natyue soyle, doo maruelou••ly commende theyr swete∣nes and pleasaunt taste. They dygge also owte of the ground certeyne rootes growynge of theim selues, whiche they caule Betatas,* 8.333 much lyke vnto the nauie rootes of Mylayne, or the greate puffes or musheroms of the earth. Howe soo euer they bee dressed, eyther fryed or sodde, they gyue place to noo such kynde of meate in pleasant tendernes. The skyn is sumwhat towgher then eyther of nauies or mussheroms, and of earthy coloure: But the inner meate therof, is verye whyte. These are noorysshed in gardens, as we sayde of Iucca in the fyrste Decade. They are also eaten rawe, and haue the taste of rawe chestnuttes, but are sumwhat sweeter. Wee haue spoken suf∣ficiently of trees, herbes, and frutes. Wee wyll nowe there∣fore entreate of thynges sencitiue. The laundes and desolate pastures of these regions, are inhabited and deuoured of wild and terrible beastes, as Lions, Tygers,* 8.334 and such other mon∣sters as we nowe knowe, and haue byn descrybed of owlde au¦toures in tyme past. But there is especially one beast engende¦red here,* 8.335 in which nature hath endeuoured to shewe her cun∣nyng. This beaste is as bygge as an oxe, armed with a longe snoute lyke an Elephant, and yet no Elephant. Of the colour of an oxe and yet noo oxe. With the houfe of a horse, and yet noo horse. With eares also much lyke vnto an Elephant, but not soo open nor soo much hangyng downe: yet much wyder thē the eares of any other beaste. Of the beast which beareth her whelpes about with her in her seconde b••lly as in a purse (beinge knowen to none of the owlde wryters) I haue spokē in the fyrst Decade which I doubte not to haue coome to the handes of yowre holynes. Let vs nowe therfore declare what resteth of the fluddes and ryuers of Vraba.* 8.336 The ryuer of Dariena fauleth into the goulfe of Vraba with a narowe chanel,* 8.337 scarsly able to beare the canoas or lyghters of that prouince, and run¦neth by the vyllage where they chose theyr dwellynge place. But the ryuer in the corner of the goulfe which we sayde that

Vaschus passed by, they found to bee .xxiiii. furlonges in bredth (which they caule a league) and of exceadynge depthe,* 8.338 as of twoo hundreth cubettes, faulynge into the goulfe by dyuers mouthes. They say that this ryuer fauleth into the goulfe of Vraba, lyke as the ryuer Ister (otherwyse cauled Danubius,* 8.339 and Danowe) fauleth into the sea Pontike, and Nilus into the sea of Egypte: wherfore they named it Grandis,* 8.340 that is great: whi¦che also they affirme to nooryshe many and great Crocodyles,* 8.341 as the owld wryters testifie of Nilus, and especially as I haue lerned by experience, hauinge sayled vp and downe the ryuer of Nilus when I was sent ambasadoure to the Soldane of Al¦cayr at the commaundement of the moste catholyke Kynge.

What I may therfore gather owte of the wrytynges of so ma¦ny lerned autours as concerninge the ryuer of Nilus, * 8.342 I knowe not. For they say that nature hath gyuen two riuers of that name to water the lande, whether they wyll them to sprynge owte of the mountaynes of the moone or the soonne,* 8.343 or owte of the toppes of the rowgh mountaines of Ethiopia:* 8.344 Affirming one of the same to faule into the goulfe of Egypte toward the Northe, and the other into the South Ocean sea. What shall wee saye in this place? Of that Nilus in Egypte, there is noo doubte. The Portugales also whiche sayle by the coastes of the Ethiopians cauled Nigritae,* 8.345 and by the kyngedome of Me∣linda passinge vnder the Equinoctiall lyne, amonge theyr m••r¦uelous inuentions haue founde an other towarde the South, and ernestly affirme the same to bee also deriued frō the moun¦taynes of the moone: And that it is an other chanell of Nilus, bycause it bryngeth foorth Crocodyles, whereas it hathe not byn reade before tyme that any other ryuer noorysshed Croco∣dyles sauinge onely Nilus. This ryuer, the Portugales caule Senega.* 8.346 It runneth throwgh the Region of the Nigritas, beinge very frutefull towarde the north shore: but on the southe syde sandie and rowghe. Crocodiles are also engendred herein. What shall wee then say of this thyrde: ye I may wel say the fourth.* 8.347 For I suppose them also to bee Crocodiles which Co¦lonus with his coompany founde armed with scales as harde as shelles in the ryuer cauled Delagartos wherof wee haue made mention before.* 8.348 Shall wee say that these ryuers also of Darien and Vraba, haue theyr originall frome the mountaynes of the moone, wheras they sprynge owte of the nexte mountaynes,

and can by noo meanes haue the same originall with Nilus in Egypte, or that in Nigrita,* 8.349 or els that in the kyngedome of Me¦linda, from whense soo euer they are deryued. Whereas these other (as we haue sayde) springe owt of the next mountaines whiche deuyde an other southe sea with noo greate distaunce from the North Ocean. Wherfore it appeareth by experience of such as haue trauayled the worlde in owre time, that other waters besyde the ryuer of Nilus in Egypte,* 8.350 maye lykewyse brynge foorth Crocodiles. In the marysshes also and fennes of the Regions of Dariena, are founde greate plentie of Phe∣sauntes and peacockes, (but not of variable coloures) with many other kyndes of byrdes and foules vnlyke vnto owres,* 8.351 as well apte to bee eaten, as also to delite the eares of menne with pleasaunt noyse. But owre Spanyardes, bycause they are ignorant in foulynge, take but fewe. Also innumerable po¦pingayes of sundry kindes are found chattering in the groues of those fenny places. Of these there are sume equall to Ca∣pons in byggenes, and sume as lyttle as sparowes. But of the diuersitie of popingayes,* 8.352 we haue spoken sufficientely in the fyrst Decade. For in the rase of this large lande, Colonus hym selfe browght and sent to the courte a greate number of euery kynde,* 8.353 the which it was lawfull for all the people to be¦holde, and are yet dayly browght in lyke maner. There re∣mayneth yet one thynge moste woorthy to bee put in hystorye: The which I had rather to haue chaunced into the handes of Cicero or Liuie, then into myne. For the thynge is soo maruey∣lous in my estimation, that I fynde my wytte more entange∣led in the description hereof, then is sayde of the henne when shee seeth her younge chekyn inwrapped in towe or ••laxe. The breadth of that lande from the North Ocean to the south sea is only syxe dayes iourney by relation of thinhabitantes.* 8.354 The multitude therfore and grea••nes of the ryuers on the one side and on the other syde the narowenes of the lande, brynge me into suche doubte howe it can coome to passe, that in soo little a space of three dayes iourney, measurynge from the hygh top¦pes of those mountaynes, I doo not vnderstande howe soo many and soo great ryuers, may haue recourse into this north sea. For it is to bee thought that as many doo flowe towarde thinhabitantes of the southe. These ryuers of Vraba are but smaule, in comparison of many other in those coastes. For the

Spanyardes say, that in the tyme of Colonus, they founde and passed by an other ryuer after this,* 8.355 whose goulfe faulynge in to the sea, they affirme to bee lyttle lesse then a hundreth my∣les in the fyrste coastes of Paria, as wee haue sayde elsewhere. For they saye that it fauleth from the toppes of hyghe moun∣taynes with soo swyfte and furious a course, that by the vio∣lence and greatnes therof, it dryueth backe the sea althowgh it bee rowghe and enforced with a contrary wynde. They all affirme lykewyse, that in all the large tracte therof, they felt noo sower or salte water, but that all the water was fresshe, sweete, and apte to bee droonke. Thinhabitantes caule this ryuer Maragnonum:* 8.356 And the regions adiacent to the same, Ma∣riatambal,* 8.357 Camamorus,* 8.358 and Paricora.* 8.359 Besyde those ryuers whiche I haue named before, as Darien, Grandis, Dabaiba, Beragua, Sancti Ma∣thei, Boius ga••ti, Delagartos, & Gaira, they which of late haue searched those coastes, haue founde many other. Deliberatinge there∣fore with my selfe, from whense these mountaynes beinge soo narowe and nere vnto the sea on bothe sydes, haue such great holowe caues or dennes of suche capacitie, and from whense they are fylled to cast foorth such abundance of water, hereof also askynge them the opinions of the inhabitantes, they af∣firme them to bee of dyuers iudgementes herein: Alleagynge fyrst the greatnes of the mountaynes to bee the cause, whiche they say to bee very hygh, which thynge also Colonus the first fynder therof affirmeth to bee trewe: Adding there vnto that the Paradise of pleasure is in the toppes of those mountaines whiche appeare from the goulfe of Paria and Os Draconis,* 8.360 as he is fully persuaded. They agree therfore that there is greate caues within these mountaynes: but it resteth to consy••er frō whense they are fylled.* 8.361 If therefore all the ryuers of fresshe waters by thoppinion of manye, do soo flowe owte of the sea as dryuen and compelled throwghe the pa••sages or pores of the earth by the ponderous weyght of the sea it selfe, as wee see them breake furth of the sprynges and directe their course to the sea ageyne,* 8.362 then the thynge is lesse to bee marueyled at here then in other places. For wee haue not redde that in a∣ny other place twoo such seas haue enuironed any lande with soo narowe lymittes. For it hath on the right syde, the great Ocean where the sonne goeth downe on the lefte hande: And an other on the other syde where the sonne ryseth, nothynge

inferioure to the fyrst in greatenes, for they suppose it to bee myxte and ioyned as all one with the sea of East India.

This lande therefore being burdened with so great a weight on the one syde and on the other (yf this opinion bee of anye value) is enforced to swalowe vp such deuoured waters, and ageyne to cast foorth the same in open springes and streames. But if wee shall denye that the earth draweth humours of the sea, and agree that all fountaynes or sprynges are engende∣red of the conuersion or turnynge of ayer into water distilling within the halowe places of the montaynes (as the most part thinke) we wyll gyue place rather to thautoritie of them whi∣che stycke to those reasons, then that owre sense is satisfyed of the full truth therof. Yet doo I not repugne that in sume caues of mountaynes, water is turned into ayer.* 8.363 For I my selfe haue seene, howe in the caues of manye mountaynes in Spayne, in maner showers of rayne doo faule continually: And that the water gathered by this meanes, doth send furth certeyne ryuers by the sydes of the mountaynes, wherwith al suche trees as are planted on the s••iepe or foote of the moun∣taynes, as vines, Oliue trees, and suche other, are watered. And this especially in one place: As the ryght honorable Lo∣douike the Cardinall of Aragonie moste obsequious to yowre holynes, and twoo other byshoppes of Italy, wherof the one is Siluius Pandonus, and the other an Archebysshop (whose name and tytle I doo not remember) can beare me wytnes. For whē wee were togyther at Granata, lately delyuered from the domi∣nion of the Moores, and walked for owre pastyme to certeine pleasaunte hylles (by the whiche there ranne a fayre ryuer) Whyle Cardinall Lodouike occupied hym selfe in shutynge at byrdes whiche were in the bushes nere vnto the ryuer, I and the other twoo bysshops determined to clime the mountaynes to searche thoriginall and springe of the ryuer: for wee were not farre from the toppes thereof. Folowynge therefore the course of the ryuer, wee founde a greate caue in which was a continuall faule of water as it had byn a ••houre of rayne:* 8.364 the water wherof, faulyng into a trenche made with mans hand, encreaseth to a ryuer, and runneth downe by the sydes of the mountaynes. The lyke is also seene in this famous towne of Valladoleto (where we nowe suiorne) in a certeyne greene close, not past a furlonge distant from the waules of the towne. I

graunte therfore that in certeyne places by conuersion of the ayrie dewe into water within the caues of suche mountaynes, many sprynges and ryuers are engendred. But I suppose that nature was not sollicitate to brynge furthe suche greate fluds by this so smaule industry. Twoo reasons therfore, do sound beste to my iudgement: whereof the one is, the often faule of rayne:* 8.365 The other, the continuall autumne or sprynge tyme which is in those regions beinge soo nere vnto the Equinocti∣al that the common people can perceaue no difference betwene the length of the day and the night throwgh owt al the yeare whereas these two seasons are more apte to engender abun∣dance of rayne then eyther extreme wynter or feruent summer An other reason in effect much lyke vnto the fyrst,* 8.366 is this: If the sea bee full of pores, and that by the pores therof beinge opened by the Southe windes,* 8.367 wee shal consent that vapours are lyfted vp wherof the watery cloudes are engendred, this lande must needes bee moysted with moo shoures then anye o∣ther, yf it bee as narowe as they saye, and enuironed with twoo mayne seas collaterally beatinge on the same. Howe so euer it be: I can not but gyue credit to the report of such wor¦thy men as haue recourse to those regions: And can noo lesse then declare the same albeit it may seeme incredible to sume ig¦norant persons not knowynge the poure of nature to whome Plinie was persuaded that nothynge was impossible.* 8.368 Wee haue therfore thought it good to make this discourse by the way of argument, least on the one syde, men of good lernyng and iudgement, and on the other syde, suche as are studious to fynde occasions of quarelynge in other mens wrytynges, shulde iudge vs to bee so vndescreete lyghtly to gyue creditte to euery tale not beinge consonant to reason. But of the force and greate violence of those fresshe waters,* 8.369 which repulsinge the sea make so greate a goulfe (as wee haue sayde) I thinke the cause therof to bee the greate multitude of fluddes and ry¦uers, which beinge gathered togither, make so great a poole: and not one ryuer as they suppose. And for as muche as the mountaynes are excedynge hyghe and stiepe,* 8.370 I thinke the vi∣olence of the faule of the waters to be of such force, that this conflicte betwene the waters, is caused by thimpulsion of the poole that the salte water can not enter into the goulfe. But here perhappes sume wyll marueyle at me why I shulde mar∣ueyle

soo muche hereat, speakynge vnto me scornefully after this maner. Why dothe he soo marueyle at the greate ryuers of these Regions? Hathe not Italye his Eridanus,* 8.371 named the kynge of ryuers of the owlde wryters? Haue not other regi∣ons also the lyke? as wee reede of Tanais,* 8.372 Ganges,* 8.373 and Danubius,* 8.374 which are sayde soo to ouercoome the sea, that freshe water may bee drawne fortie myles within the fame. These menne I woolde satisfie with this answere. The famous ryuer of Padus in Italye (whiche they nowe caule Po,* 8.375 and was of the Greekes cauled Eridanus) hath the greate mountaynes cauled Alpes diuidinge Fraunce,* 8.376 Germanie, and Pannonie from I∣talye, lyinge at the backe therof as it were bulwarges agger, full of moysture: And with a longe tracte receauinge Ticinum with innumerable other great ryuers,* 8.377 fauleth into the sea A∣driatike.* 8.378 The lyke is also to bee vnderstode of the other. But these ryuers (as owre men were enformed by the kynges) faul into the Ocean sea with larger and fuller chanels nere hand. And sume there are which affirme this lande to bee very large in other places althowgh it bee but narowe here. There com¦meth also to my remembrance an other cause: the whiche al∣thowgh it bee of no greate force,* 8.379 yet doo I entende to wryte it. Perhappes therfore the length of the lande reachyng far from the Easte to the weste, if it bee narowe, may bee a helpe hereunto. For as wee reade that the ryuer Alpheus passethe through the holowe places vnder the sea from the citie of Elis in Peloponoso,* 8.380 and breaketh foorth at the fountayne or sprynge Arethusa in the Iland of Sicilia,* 8.381 so is it possible that these moun¦taynes may haue suche longe caues perteynynge vnto theim,* 8.382 that they may be the receptacles of the water passing through the landes beinge farre distante: And that the same waters commynge by soo longe a tracte, may in the way bee greately encreased by the conuersion of ayer into water, as wee haue sayde. Thus muche haue I spoken freely, permittinge bothe to them whiche doo frendely enterprete other mens doinges, and also to the malicious scorners, to take the thynge euen as them lysteth. For hetherto I can make no further declara¦tion hereof. But whē the truth shalbe better knowē, I wyl do my diligence to commit the same to wryting. Nowe therefore, forasmuche as we haue spoken thus muche of the breadth of this land, we entēd to describe the length & forme of the same.

¶ The tenth booke of the seconde Decade, of the supposed Continent.

THat lande reacheth foorth into the sea euen as doth Italy, althowgh not like the legge of a man as it doth.* 8.383 But I nowe compare a Pigmean or a dwarfe to a giant. For that part therof which the Spaniardes haue ouer runne from the sayde Easte poynt which rea∣cheth towarde the sea Atlantike (the ende not beinge yet founde towarde the Weste) is more then eyght tymes longer then Italye.* 8.384 And by what reason I am moued to say eyght tymes, yowre holynes shall vnderstande. From the tyme therefore that I fyrste determined to obeye their re∣questes who wylled me fyrste in yowre name to wryte these thynges in the laten tonge, I dyd my endeuoure that al thin¦ges myght coome foorth with dewe tryall and experience.

Wherupon I repayred to the byshoppe of Burges beinge the chiefe refuge of this nauigation. As wee were therfore secret¦ly togyther in one chamber, we had many instrumentes pertey¦nynge to these affayres as globes and manye of those mappes which are commonly cauled the shipmans cardes, or cardes of the sea.* 8.385 Of the which, one was drawen by the Portugales, wherunto Americus Vesputius is sayde to haue put to his hande, beinge a man moste experte in this facultie and a Florentyne borne:* 8.386 who also vnder the stipende of the Portugales, hadde sayled towarde the south pole many degrees beyond the Equi¦noctiall. In this carde we founde the fyrst front of this land to bee brooder then the kynges of Vraba had persuaded owre men of theyr mountaynes. To an other, Colonus the Admiral whyle he yet lyued and searched those places had gyuen the beginnynge with his owne handes:* 8.387 Wherunto Bartholomeus Co∣lonus his brother and Lieuetenaunt had addid his iudgement, for he also, had sayled aboute those coastes. Of the Spany∣ardes lykewyse, as many as thought them selues to haue any knowleage what perteyned to measure the lande and the sea, drewe certeyne cardes in parchement as concernyng these na∣uigations. Of all other, they most esteeme them which Iohan∣nes de la Cossa the coompanion of Fogeda (whom wee sayde to bee slayne of the people of Caramairi in the hauen Carthago,* 8.388) and an

other expert pylot cauled Andreas Moralis,* 8.389 had set foorth. And this aswell for the greate experience which they bothe hadde (to whom these tractes were as wel knowen as the chambers of theyr owne houses) as also that they were thought to bee cunninger in that parte of Cosmographie which teacheth the description and measuringe of the sea. Conferringe therefore all these cardes togyther, in euery of the whiche was drawen a lyne expressinge, not the myles,* 8.390 but leagues after the maner of the Spanyardes, we tooke owre compases and beganne to measure the sea coastes after this order. From that poynt or fronte which we sayde to bee included within the lyne pertey¦nynge to the Portugales iurisdiction,* 8.391 beinge drawen by the paralelles of the Ilandes of Cabouerde,* 8.392 but a hundreth leagues further towarde the weste (which they haue nowe also sear∣ched on euery syde) we founde three hundreth leagues to the enterance of the ryuer Maragnonum:* 8.393 And from thense to Os Dra¦conis,* 8.394 seuen hundreth leagues: but sumwhat lesse in the descrip¦tion of sume: For they doo not agree in al poyntes exquisite∣ly. The Spanyardes wyll that a league conteyne foure myles by sea and but three by lande.* 8.395 From Os Draconis, to the cape or poynt of Cuchibacoa,* 8.396 which beinge pa••sed, there is a goulfe on the lefte hande, we measured three hundrethe leagues in one carde, and much thereabout in an other. From this poynt of Cuchibacoa, to the region of Caramairi in which is the hauen Car∣thago (which sum caule Carthagena) we found about a hundreth and seuentie leagues.* 8.397* 8.398 From Caramairi to the Ilande Fortis,,* 8.399 fif¦tie leagues. From thense to the goulfes of Vraba amonge the which is the vyllage cauled Sancta Maria Antiqua where the Spa¦nyardes haue apoynted theyr habitacion,* 8.400 only .xxxiii. leagues. From the ryuer of Vraba in the prouince of Dariena to the ry∣uer of Beragua where Nicuesa hadde intended to haue fastened his foote if god hadde not otherwyse decreed,* 8.401 we measured a hundreth and thirtie leagues. Frome Beragua to that ryuer whiche wee sayde of Colonus to bee cauled Sancti Matthei,* 8.402 in the which also Nicuesa loosinge his carauell, wandered in greate calamities, we founde in owre cardes, onely a hundreth and fortie leagues: Yet many other which of late tyme haue coome from these partes, haue descrybed many moo leagues in this tracte frō the ryuer of Sancti Matthei: In which also, they place dyuers ryuers, as Aburema with the Ilande cauled Scutum Cateba* 8.403* 8.404

lyinge before it, whose kynges name is Facies combusta. Lyke∣wise an other ryuer cauled Zobraba:* 8.405 after that, Vrida:* 8.406 and thē Duraba in the which gold is founde.* 8.407 Furthermore, many good¦ly hauens, as Cerabaro and Hiebra,* 8.408* 8.409 soo cauled of thinhabitan∣tes. And thus if yowre holynes wyll conferre these numbers togyther, yowe shall fynde in this accompte, a thousand fiue hundreth twentie and fyue leagues,* 8.410 whiche amounte to f••ue thousande and seuen hundreth myles from the poynt of Sancti Matthei,* 8.411 which they caule Sinum perditorum: that is, the goulfe of the loste men. But we may not leaue here. For after this, one Astar Ouetens••s, otherwyse named Iohannes Dias de Solis,* 8.412 borne in Ne¦brissa (which bringe••h foorth many lerned men) saylinge frome this ryuer towarde the weste, ouer ranne manye coastes & lea∣gues: But the myddeste of that shore, bendethe towarde the North: And is not therfore directly placed in order with the other. Yet may we gather by a diameter or ryght lyne, about three hundreth leagues. Hereby maye yowe gather what is the length of this lande.* 8.413 But of th•• breadth, perhappes wee shall hereafter haue further knowleage. Let vs nowe speake sumwhat of the varietie of the degrees of the eleuation of the pole starres. This lande therfore, althowgh it reache foorth from the East into the Weste, yet is it crooked and hathe the poynt bendynge so toward the south, that it loseth the sight of the North pole,* 8.414 and is extendend beyonde the Equinoctial lyne seuen degrees towarde the South pole. But the poynt herof, perteyneth to the iurisdiction of the Portugales as we haue sayde. Leauinge this poynt and saylinge toward Paria the north starre is seene ageyne,* 8.415 and is so much the more lyf∣ted vp, in howe much the region enclyneth more towarde the Weste. The Spanyardes therfore, haue dyuers degrees of ele¦uations, vntyl they come to Dariena beinge their chiefe station and dwellynge place in those landes.* 8.416 For they haue forsaken Beragua,* 8.417 where they found the North pole eleuate .viii. degrees But from hense the lande doth soo muche bende towarde the North, that it is there in maner equall with the degrees of the strayghtes of Hercules pyllers:* 8.418 especially yf wee measure certeyne landes founde by them towarde the Northe syde of Hispaniola. Emonge the which, there is an Ilande, about three hundreth and .xxv. leagues from Hispaniola, as they say whiche haue searched the same, named Boiuca or Agnaneo, in the which

is a continual sprynge of runnynge water of such maruelous vertue, that the water therof beinge dronk,* 8.419 perhappes with sume dyete, maketh owld men younge ageyne. And here must I make protestacion to yowre holynes, not to thynke this to bee sayde lyghtly or rashely.* 8.420 For they haue soo spredde this rumour for a truth throwghowt all the courte, that not onely all the people, but also many of them whom wisedome or for∣tune hath diuided from the common sort, thinke it to be true. But if yowe shal aske my opinion herein,* 8.421 I wyl answere that I wyll not attribute so greate poure to nature: but that god hath noo lesse reserued this prerogatiue to hym selfe, then to searche the hartes of men, or to gyue substance to priuation, (that is) beinge to noo beinge: Excepte we shall beleue the fa∣ble of Colobis of Eson renouate, to bee as trewe as the wrytin∣ges of Sibylla Erythrea. Albeit perhappes the scoles of phisitians and naturall philosophers wyll not muche stycke to affirme that by thuse of certeyne secreate medecines and dyete,* 8.422 the ac¦cidentes of age (as they caule them) may be longe hydden and deferred, which they wyll to bee vnderstoode, by the renoua∣cion of age. And to haue sayde thus much of the length and breadthe of these Regions, and of the rowghe and hugious mountaynes with theyr watery caues, also of the dyuers de∣grees of that lande, I thinke it sufficient. But I thowght it not good to let passe what chaunced to these miserable men a¦monge theyr generall calamities. I remember that when I was a chylde, mee thowght my bowelles grated and that my spirites were maruelouslye troubeled for verye pitie, when I readde in the poet Uirgyl howe Achemenides was lefte of Vlysses vpon the sea bankes amonge the giantes cauled Cyclopes.* 8.423* 8.424* 8.425 where for the space of many dayes from the departinge of Vlyss••s vn∣tyll the commynge of Encas he eate none other meate but only berryes and hawes. But owre vnfortunate Spanyardes whi¦che folowed Nicuesa to inhabite Beragua,* 8.426 woolde haue estemed hawes and berryes for greate delicates. What shulde I heare speake of the heade of an asse bowght for a greate price, and of such other extremities as men haue suffered in townes be∣seaged?* 8.427 After that Nicuesa hadde determyned to leaue Beragua for the barrennes of the soyle, he attempted to searche Por••um Bellum,* 8.428 and then the coastes of the poynt cauled Marmor,* 8.429 if he myght there fynde a place more fortunate to inhabite. In this

meane tyme, so greuous famen oppressed his souldiers, that they neyther absteyned from eatinge of mangie dogges which they had with them aswell for theyr defence as for huntynge (for in the warre ageynst the naked people,* 8.430 dogges stoode thē in greate steade) nor yet sumtymes from the slayne inhabitan∣tes. Fo•• they founde not there any frutefull trees or plentie of foules as in Dariena, but a barren grounde and not meete to bee inhabited. Here certeyne of the souldiers made a bargein with one of theyr felowes for the price of a leane dogge, who also was almoste deade for hunger:* 8.431 They gaue the owner of the dogge many of those pieces of golde which they caule Pesos or golden Castellans. Thus agreinge of the price, they fleid the dogge to bee eaten, and caste his mangie skynne with the bones of the heade hangynge therto, amonge the bushes. The day folowynge, a certeyne foot••man of theyr company, chaun¦ced to fynde the skynne beinge nowe full of maggottes and stynkynge. He brought it home with hym, sodde it, and eate it. Many resorted to hym with theyr dysshes for the brothe of the sodde skynne,* 8.432 proferinge hym for euerye dysshefull a piece of golde. An other founde twoo toades and sodde them which a sicke man bought of hym for twoo fyne shertes curi∣ously wrought of lynen intermyxt with golde.* 8.433 Certeyn other wanderinge abowte to seeke for vytayles, founde in a pathe∣way in the myddest of a fyelde, a deade man of thinhabitan∣tes whiche had byn slayne of his owne coompanye and was nowe rotten and stynkynge.* 8.434 They drewe hym a syde, dismem¦berde hym secreatly, rosted hym and eate hym, therewith as∣swagynge theyr hunger as yf they had byn fedde with phea∣sauntes. One also, which departinge from his companions in the nyght season, went a fyshyng amonge the reedes of the marysshes, lyued only with slyme or mudde for the space of certeyne dayes, vntyll at the lengthe creepinge and almoste deade, he founde the way to his felowes. And thus these mi∣serable men of Beragua vexed with these and suche other aflic∣tions, were browghe from the number of seuen hundreth thre score & ten souldiers, scarsely to fortie, beinge nowe also ad∣ded to the coompany of them in Dariena. Fewe were slayne of thinhabitantes. But the resydewe consumed by famen, brea∣thed owt theyr wery sowles, openynge a waye to the newe landes for such as shal coome after them, appeasinge the fury

of the barbarous nations, with the price of theyr bludde.* 8.435 Con¦syderinge therfore after these stormes, with what case other men shall ouerrunne and inhabite these landes, in respecte to the calamities that these men haue suffered, they shall seeme to goo to bryde feastes where all thynges are redy prepared a¦geynst their commynge. But where Petrus Arias arryued with the kynges nauie and newe supply of men,* 8.436 to this houre I knowe no certentie. What shall chaunce herafter I wyll make diligente inquisition if I shall vnder∣stande this to bee acceptable to yowre holynes. Thus I byd yowe hartely farewell: from the courte of the mooste Catholyke kynge, the daye beefore the nones of December, in the yeare of Christe, M. D. XIIII.

¶The fyrst booke of the thyrde Decade, to the bysshoppe of Rome Leo the tenth.

I Was determyned (moste holye father) to haue closed vp the gates to this newe worlde, sup¦posinge that I had wandered farre enowgh in the coastes therof, while in the meane time newe letters were brought me frome thense, which caused me ageyne to take my penne in hande. For I receaued letters not only from certeyne of myne acquaintaunce there, but also frome Vaschus Nunnez whome we sayde by the confidence of his owne poure with his confetherates,* 9.1 to haue vsurped the gouernaunce of Dariena after the reiecting of Nicues•• and Ane••sus, Lieuetenantes. By his letter wrytten after his warlyke maner, wee vnder∣stand that he hath passed ouer the mountaynes, diuidyng the Ocean knowen to vs,* 9.2 from the other mayne sea on the south syde of this lande hetherto vnknowen. His epistell is greater then that cauled Capreensis de Seiano. But wee haue gathered out of that and other, onely suche thynges as we thowght moste woorthy to bee noted. Vaschus soo behaued hym selfe in these affayres, that he dyd not onely pacifie the kynges displeasure

conceaued ageynst hym, but also made hym so fauorable and gracious good lorde towarde hym, that he rewarded him and his coompanions with many honorable gyftes and priuileges for theyr attemptes. Wherfore I desyre yowre holynes to in¦clyne yowre attentiue cares, and to consyder with a ioyfull mynde what they haue browght to passe in these great enter∣pryses.* 9.3 For this valiante nation (the Spanyardes I meane) haue not onely with greate paynes and innumerable dangers subdued to the Christian empire, infinite hundre••es and legi∣ons, but also myriades of men. Vaschus Nunnez therfore, whe∣ther it were that he was impacient of Idlenes (for a valiente mynde can not rest in one place or bee vnoccupyed) or leaste a∣ny other shulde preuent hym in soo great a matter (suspecting the newe gouernour Petrus Arias) or being moued by both these causes,* 9.4 and especially for that the kynge had taken displea∣sure with hym for such thynges as he had doone before, toke thaduenture vppon hym with a fewe men to brynge that to passe which the sonne of kynge Comogrus thought could hard∣ly haue byn doone with the ayde of a thousande men,* 9.5 wherof Petrus Arias was appoynted capitayne for the same purpose. As∣semblynge therfore certeyne of the owlde souldiers of Dariena, and many of those whiche came lately from Hispaniola, allured by the fame of greater plentie of golde,* 9.6 he gathered an armye of a hundreth fourescore and tenne men. Thus beinge fur∣nysshed and redie to take his vyage by sea, whyle the wynde serued hym, he departed frome Dariena with one brygantine and tenne of theyr boates whiche they caule Canoas as wee haue sayde. Fyrst therfore arryuynge in the dominion of Care¦ta kynge of Coiba and frende to the Christians,* 9.7 and leauynge his shyppe and boates there, he made his deuout prayers to al¦myghtie god, and therwith went forwarde on his iourney by lande toward the mountaynes. Here he fyrst entered into the region of kynge Poncha,* 9.8 who fledde at his commyng as he had doone before. But Vaschus sent messengers to hym by the con¦duct of certeyne of Careta his men, promysinge hym frendsh••p and defence ageynst his enemies, with many other benefites. Poncha thus entysed with the fayre speache and frendely pro∣fers bothe of owre men and of the Caretans, came to owr men gladly and wyllyngely makynge a league of frendshippe with them, Vaschus enterteyned hym very frendely, and persuaded

hym neuer therafter to stande in feare. Thus they ioyned handes, embrased, and gaue greate gyftes the one to the o∣ther to knytte vp the knotte of contin••all amitie. Ponc••a gaue Vaschus a hundreth and ten poundes weyght of golde,* 9.9 of ••hat pounde which the Spanyardes caule Pesum. He had no grea∣ter plentie of golde at this tyme, by reason he was spoyled the yeare before as we haue sayde. Vaschus to recompence one benefyte with an other, gaue hym certeyne of owre thynges,* 9.10 as counterfet rynges, Christal stones, copper cheynes & brase lettes, haukes belles, lokynge glasses, and suche other fyne stuffe. These thynges they set much by and greately esteeme. For suche thynges as are straunge, are euery where counted precious. He gaue also to Poncha certeyne axes to fell trees: which he accepted as a princely gyfte, bycause they lacke I∣ren and all other metals except golde:* 9.11 by reason wherof they are enforced with greate laboure to cut theyr trees to buylde theyr houses, and especially to make theyr boates holowe withowte instrumentes of Iren, with certeyne sharpe stones whiche they fynde in the ryuers.* 9.12 Thus Vaschus leauynge all thynges in safetie behynde hym, marched forwarde with his armye towarde the mountaynes, by the conducte of certeyne guydes and labourers which Poncha had gyuen hym, as well to leade hym the way, as also to cary his baggages and open the straightes through the desolate places and craggy rockes full of the dennes of wylde beastes. For there is seldoome en∣tercourse or byinge and sellynge betwene these naked people, bycause they stand in neede of fewe thynges and haue not the vse of money.* 9.13 But yf at any tyme they exercise any bartering they doo it but nere hande, exchangynge golde for housholde stuffe with theyr confines whiche sumewhat esteeme the same for ornamente when it is wrough••. Other superfluities they vtterly contemne, as hynderances of theyr sweete libertie, for asmuch as they are gyuen only to play and Idelnes. And for this cause, the high wayes which lye betwene theyr regions are not much worne with many iorneys. Yet haue theyr scou¦tes certeyne priuie markes whereby they knowe the waye the one to inuade the others dominions, and spoyle and infeste them selues on bothe sydes with mutual incursions priuilie in the nyght season. By the helpe therfore of theyr guydes and labourers, with owre carpenters,* 9.14 he passed ouer the horrible

mountaynes and many greate ryuers lyinge in the way, ouer the which h•• made brydges eyther with pyles or trunkes of trees.* 9.15 And here doo I let passe manye thynges whiche they su••fered for lacke of necessaries, beinge also in maner ouer∣come with extreme laboure, leaste I shulde bee tedious in re∣hersinge thynges of smaule value. But I haue thought it good not to omitte suche doinges as he had with the kynges by the waye. Therefore or euer he came to the toppes of the hygh mountaynes, he entered into a Region cauled Quarequa,* 9.16 and mette with the kynge thereof cauled by the same name, with a greate hande of men armed after theyr maner, as with bowes and arrowes, longe and brode two handed swordes made of wodde, longe staues hardened at the endes with fy∣er, dartes also and slynges. He came proudely and cruelly a∣geynst owre men, and sent messengers to them to byd theym stande and procede no further: demaundynge whyther they went and what they hadde to doo there.* 9.17 Herewith he came foorth and shewed hym selfe beinge appareled with al his no¦bilitie: but the other were all naked. Then approchinge to∣warde owre men, he thretened thē with a lions countenance to depart from thense except they woolde bee slayne euery mo¦thers sonne. When owre men denyed that they woolde goo backe, he assayled them fiercely. But the battayle was sone fyny••••••ed. For as soone as they harde the noyse of the har∣gabu••••es,* 9.18 they beleued that owre menne caryed thunder and lyghtenynge about with them. Many also beinge slayne and sore wounded with quarels of crossebowes,* 9.19 they turned their backes and fledde. Owre men folowynge them in the chase, hewed them in pieses as the butchers doo flesshe in the sham∣welles, from one an arme, from an other a legge, from hym a buttocke,* 9.20 from an other a shulder, and from sume the necke from the bodye at one stroke. Thus, syxe hundreth of them with theyr kynge, were slayne lyke brute beastes. Vaschus founde the house of this kynge infected with most abhomina¦ble and vnnaturall lechery.* 9.21 For he founde the kynges bro∣ther and many other younge men in womens apparell, smoth & effeminately decked, which by the report of such as dwelte abowte hym, he abused with preposterous venus. Of these abowte the number of fortie, he commaunded to bee gyuē for a pray to his dogges. For (as we haue sayd) the Spaniardes

vs•• he helpe of dogges in their warres ageynst the naked peo∣ple whom they inuade as fiercely and rauenyngely as yf they were wylde boares or hartes.* 9.22 In soo muche that owre Spa∣nyardes haue founde theyr dogges noo lesse faythful to them in all daungiours and enterpryses, then dyd the Colophoni∣ans or Castabalenses which instituted hole armies of dogges soo made to serue in the warres, that beinge accustomed to place them in the fore froonte of the battayles, they neuer shrunke or gaue backe. When the people had harde of the se∣uere punysshement which owr men had excecuted vppon that fylthy kynde of men,* 9.23 they resorted to theim as it had byn to Hercules for refuge, by violence bryngyng with them al such as they knewe to bee infected with that pestilence, spettynge in theyr faces and cryinge owte to owre men to take reuenge of them and rydde them owte of the worlde from amonge mē as contagious beastes. This stinkynge abhomination hadde not yet entered amonge the people,* 9.24 but was exercised onely by the noble men and gentelmen. But the people lyftinge vp theyr handes and eyes toward heauen,* 9.25 gaue tokens that god was greuously offended with such vyle deedes. Affirmynge this to bee the cause of theyr soo many thunderinges, lyght∣nynge, and tempestes wherwith they are soo often troubeled: And of the ouerflowinge of waters which drowne theyr sets and frutes, whereof famenne and dyuers diseases insue, as they simplye and faythfully beleue, although they knowe none other god then the soonne, whom onely they honoure, thinkynge that it dooth bothe gyue and take awaye as it is pleased or offended. Yet are they very docible,* 9.26 and easye to bee allured to owre customes and religion, if they had any tea¦chers. In theyr language there is nothynge vnpleasaunte to the eare or harde to bee pronounced, but that all theyr woordes may bee wrytten with latin letters as wee sayde of thinhabitantes of Hispaniola. It is a warlyke nation,* 9.27 & hath byn euer hetherto molestous to theyr bortherers. But the re∣gion is not fortunate with frutful ground or plentie of gold. Yet is it full of greate barren mountaynes beinge sumewhat colde by reason of theyr heyght.* 9.28 And therfore the noble men and gentelmen are apparelled. But the common people lyue content onely with the benefytes of nature. There is a regi∣on not past two dayes iourney distant from Quarequa, in which

they founde only blacke Moores:* 9.29 and those excedynge fierce and cruell. They suppose that in tyme paste certeyne blacke mores sayled thether owt of Aethiopia to robbe: & that by ••hippewracke or sume other chaunce, they were dryuen to those mountaynes. Thinhabitantes of Quarequa lyue in con∣tinuall warre and debate with these blacke men. Here Vaschus le••uinge in Quarequa many of his souldiers (which by reason they were not yet accustomed to such trauayles and hunger,* 9.30 fell into dyuers diseases) tooke with hym certeyne guydes of the Quarequatans to conduct hym to the toppes of the moun¦taynes. From the palaice of kynge Poncha, to the prospect of the other south sea,* 9.31 is only syxe dayes iorney: the which ne¦uerthelesse by reasō of many hynderances and chaunces, and especially for lacke of vytayles, he coulde accomplyshe in noo le••se then .xxv. dayes. But at the length, the seuenth daye of the calendes of October,* 9.32 he behelde with woonderinge eyes the toppes of the hygh mountaynes shewed vnto hym by the guydes of Quarequa, from the whiche he myght see the other sea soo longe looked for, and neuer seene before of any man commynge owte of owre worlde. Approchinge therefore to the toppes of the mountaynes, he commaunded his armye to stey, and went him selfe alone to the toppe, as it were to take the fyrst possession therof.* 9.33 Where, faulynge prostrate vppon the grounde, and raysinge hym selfe ageyne vpon his knees as is the maner of the Christians to pray, lyftynge vppe his eyes and handes towarde heauen, and directinge his face to¦warde the newe founde south sea, he poored foorth his hum¦ble and deuout prayers before almyghtie God as a spirituall sacrifice with thankes gyuing,* 9.34 that it had pleased his diuine maiestie to reserue vnto that day the victorie and praise of so greate a thynge vnto hym, beinge a man but of smaule witte and knowleage, of lyttle experience and base parentage.

When he had thus made his prayers after his warlike maner he beckened with his hande to his coompanions to coome to hym, shewynge them the greate mayne sea heretofore vnkno∣wen to thinhabitantes of Europe, Aphrike, and Asia. Here ageyne he fell to his prayers as before: desyringe almyghtie God and the blessed virgin to fauour his beginninges, and to gyue hym good successe to subdue those landes to the glorie of his holy name and encrease of his trewe religion. All his

coompanions dyd lykewyse, and praysed god with loude voy¦ces for ioye. Then Vaschus, with no lesse manlye corage then Hanniball of Carthage shewed his souldiers Italye and the promontories of the Alpes,* 9.35 exhorted his men to lyft vp their hartes, and to behoulde the lande euen nowe vnder theyr feete, and the sea before theyr eyes, whiche shulde bee vnto them a full and iust rewarde of theyr great laboures and tra∣uayles nowe ouerpa••sed. When he had sayde these woordes, he commaunded them to raise certeine heapes of stones in the steede of alters for a token of possession.* 9.36 Then descendynge from the toppes of the mountaynes, least such as might come after hym shulde argue hym of lyinge or falshod, he wrote the kynge of Castelles name here and there on the barkes of the trees bothe on the ryght hande and on the lefte: and raysed heapes of stones all the way that he went, vntyll he came to the region of the nexte kynge towarde the south whose name was Chiapes.* 9.37 This kynge c••me foorthe ageynste hym with a greate multitude of men: threateninge and forbyddynge him not onely to passe through his dominions, but also to goo no further. Herevppon, Vaschus set his battayle in array,* 9.38 and exhorted his men (beinge nowe but fewe) fiercely to assayle theyr enemies, and to esteeme theym noo better then dogges meate as they shulde bee shortly. Placeinge therfore the har∣gabusiers and masties in the forefroonte, they saluted kynge Chiapes and his men with su••h a larome,* 9.39 that when they hard the noyse of the gunnes, sawe the flames of fyer, and sme••te the sauour of brymstone (for the wynde blewe towarde them) they droue them selues to flyght with suche feare leaste thun∣derboultes and lyghtnynges folowed theim, that manye fell downe to the grounde: whom owre men pursuinge, fyrst kee¦pinge theyr order, and after breakyng theyr array, slewe but fewe and tooke many captiue. For they determined to vse no extremitie, but to pacifie those Regions as quie••lye as they myght. Enteringe therfore into the palaice of kynge Ch••apes, Vaschus commaunded many of the captiues to bee loo••ed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lynge them to search owte theyr kynge,* 9.40 and to 〈…〉〈…〉 to coome ••hyther: And that in soo doinge, he woolde h••e his frende and profer hym peace, besyde ma••y 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••enefites. But if he refused to coome, it shulde turne to the destruction of hym and his, and vtter subuersion of his contrey. ••nd

that they myght the more assuredly do this message to Chiape•• he sent with them certeyne of the guydes whiche came with hym from Qnnrequa.

Thus Chiapes beinge persuaded aswel by the Quareqans who coulde coniecture to what ende the matter woolde coome by thexperience whiche they had seene in them selues and theyr kynge, as also by the reasons of his owne men to whome Vas¦chus hadde made soo frendely promyses in his behalfe, came foorthe of the caues in the whiche he lurked, and submytted hym selfe to Vaschus,* 9.41 who accepted hym frendelye. They ioy∣ned handes, embrased the one the other, made a perpetuall league of frendeshippe, and gaue greate rewardes on bothe sydes. Chiapes gaue Vaschus foure hundreth poundes weyght of wrought goulde of those poundes whiche they caule Pesos:* 9.42 And Vaschus recompensed hym ageyne with certeyne of owre thynges. Thus beinge made freendes, they remayned togy∣ther a fewe dayes vntyll Vaschus souldiers were coome which he lefte behynde hym in Quarequa. Then caulinge vnto hym the guydes and labourers which came with hym from thense he rewarded them liberallye and dismissed theym with than∣kes. Shortly after, by the conduct of Chiapes hym selfe, and certeyne of his men, departinge from the toppes of the moun¦taynes, he came in the space of foure dayes to the bankes of the newe sea: where assemblynge al his men togyther with the kynges scribes and notaries, they addicted al that maine sea with all the landes adiacent there vnto to the dominion and Empire of Castile.* 9.43 Here he left part of his souldiers with Chiapes that he myght theselier searche those coastes. And ta∣kyng with hym nyne of theyr lyghters made of one hole tree (which they caule Culchas as thinhabitantes of Hispaniola caul them Canoas) and also a bande of fourescore men with certeine of Chiapes men, he passed ouer a greate ryuer and came to the region of a certeyne kynge whose name was Coquera.* 9.44 He at∣tempted to resyste owre men as dyd the other, and with lyke successe: for he was ouercoome and put to flyght. But Vaschus who entended to wynne hym with gentelnes,* 9.45 sente certeyne Chiapeans to him to declare the greate poure of owre menner howe inuincible they were: howe mercifull to such as submit them selues, also cruell and seuere to such as obstinatly with stande them. Promysinge hym furthermore, that by the frēd¦shippe

of owre men, he myght bee well assured by thexemple of other, not onely to lyue in peace and quietnes hym selfe, but also to bee reuenged of thiniuries of his enemies. Wylling hym in conclusion soo to weigh the matter, that if he refused this gentelnes profered vnto hym by soo greate a victourer, he shulde or it were longe, lerne by feelynge to repent him to late of that perel which he myght haue auoyded by hearing. Coquera with these woordes and exemples, shaken with great feare, came gladly with the messengers, bryngyng with him syxe hundreth & .l. Pesos of wrought gold,* 9.46 which he gaue vnto owre men. Vaschus rewarded hym lykewise as we sayd before of Poncha, Coquera beinge thus pacified, they returned to the palaice of Chiapes. Where, visitinge theyr companions, and re¦stynge there a whyle, Vaschus determyned to search the nexte greate goulfe, the which, from the furthest reachynge therof into the lande of theyr countreys, from the enteraunce of the mayne sea, they saye to bee threescore myles.* 9.47 This they na∣med saynt Mychaeld goulfe,* 9.48 which they say to bee full of in∣habited Ilandes ans hugious rockes. Enteringe therefore into the nyne boates or Culchas wherwith he passed ouer the ryuer before, hauinge also with hym the same coompanye of fourescore hole men, he wente forwarde on his purpose, al∣though he were greatly dissuaded by Chiapes, who ernestly de¦syred hym not to attempt that vyage at that tyme,* 9.49 affirming the goulfe to be soo tempestious and stormy three moonethes in the yeare, that the sea was there by noo meanes nauigable: And that he had seene many Culchas deuoured of whirlepoles euen beefore his eyes. But inuincible Vaschus, impaciente of idlenes, and voyde of all feare in goddes cause, aunswered that god and his holy sayntes woolde prosper his enterpry∣ses in this case, forasmuche as the matter touched God and the defence of the Christian religion, for the maynetenaunce wherof it shulde bee necessarie to haue great abundance of ry∣ches & treasure as the synewes of war ageynste the enemies of the faythe.* 9.50* 9.51 Thus vsinge also thoffice both of an oratoure and preacher, and hauinge persuaded his coompanyons, he lanched from the ••lande. But Chiapes, least Vaschus shulde any thynge doubt of his faythfulnes towarde hym, profered him selfe to goo with hym whither soo euer he went:* 9.52 And wolde by noo meanes assent that Vaschus shulde depart from his pa∣laice,

but that he woolde brynge hym on the waye and take part of his fortune. Therfore as soone as they were nowe en¦tered into the maine sea, such sourges and conflictes of water arose ageynst them that they were at theyr wyttes endes whi¦ther to turne them or where to reste. Thus beinge tossed and amased with feare, the one loked on the other with pale and vncherefull countenaunces. But especially Chiapes and his coompany, who had before tyme with theyr eyes seetle thex∣perience of those ••eoderdies, were greatly discomforted. Yet (as god woolde) they escaped all, and landed at the nexte I∣lande: Where makynge faste theyr boates, they rested there that nyght. Here the water soo encreased, that it almost o∣uerdowed the Iland.* 9.53 They say also that that south sea doth soo in maner boyle and swelle, that when it is at the hyghest it doth couer many greate rockes, which at the faule therof, are seene farre aboue the water. But on the contrary parte, all suche as inhabite the North sea,* 9.54 affirme with one voyce, that hit scarsely riseth at any tyme a cubet aboue the bankes as they also confesse which inhabite the Ilande of Hispanio¦la and other Ilandes situate in the same. The Ilande ther∣fore beinge nowe drye by the faule of the water, they resor∣ted to theyr boates which they founde all ouerwhelmed and full of sande, and sume sore brused, with great ryftes, and almost lost by reason theyr cables were broken.* 9.55 Such as were brused, they tyed fast with theyr gyrdels, with slippes of the barkes of trees, and with tough and longe stalkes of certein herbes of the sea, stopping the ryftes or chynkes with grasse accordynge to the presente necessitie. Thus were they enfor∣ced to returne backe ageyne lyke vnto men that came frome shippewracke, beinge almost consumed with hunger, bycause theyr vytayles were vtterly destroyed by tempeste. Thinhabi¦tantes declared that there is harde all the yeare horrible ro∣rynge of the sea amonge those Ilandes as often as it rysethe or fauleth. But this most especially in those three monethes in the which it is moste boystious as Chiapes towlde Vaschus be¦fore: Meanynge (as they coulde coniecture by his woordes) October, Nouember, and December: for he signifie) the pre¦sent moone and the twoo moones folowynge, countynge the moonethes by the moones, whereas it was nowe October. Here therefore refresshynge hym selfe and his souldiers a

whyle, and passynge by one vnprofitable kynge, he came to an other whose name was Tumaccus,* 9.56 after the name of the re∣gion, beinge situate on that syde of the goulfe. This Tumaccus came foorth ageynste owre men as dyd the other, and with lyke fortune. For he was ouercoome, dryuen to flyght,* 9.57 and many of his men slayne. He hym selfe was also sore woun∣ded, but yet escaped. Vaschus sent certeyne messengers of the Chiapeans to hym to returne, and not to bee afrayde. But he could be nothyng moued nether by promysses nor threatenin¦ges. Yet when the messengers were instant, & ceassed not to threaten death to him and his famely, with the vtter desola∣tion of his kyngedome if he persisted in that obstinacie, at the length he sent his soonne with them: whom Vaschus hono∣rably enterteyninge, apparelinge hym gorgiously and gyuing hym many gyftes, sent hym to his father, wyllynge hym to persuade hym of the puissaunce, munificence, liberalitie, hu¦manitie, and clemencie of owre men. Tumaccus beinge mooued by this gentelnes declared toward his sonne, came with him the thyrde day, bryngynge nothynge with hym at that tyme. But after that he knewe that owre men desyred goulde and pearles,* 9.58 he sent for syxe hundreth and .xiiii. Pesos of golde, and two hundreth and fortie of the biggest and fayrest perles besyde a great number of the smaulest sorte. Owre men mar∣ueyled at the byggenes and fayrenes of these perles although they were not perfectely whyte bycause they take theym not owte of the sea musculs excepte they fyrst rost them,* 9.59 that they may theselyer open them selfe, and also that the fysshe maye haue the better taste, whiche they esteeme for a delicate and princely dysshe, and set more thereby then by the perles them selues. Of these thynges I was enformed of one Arbolantius beinge one of Vaschus coompanions whom he sent to the kyng with manye perles and certeyne of those sea musculs. But when Tum••ccus sawe that owre men soo greatly regarded the bewtie of the perles, he commaunded certeyne of his men to prepare them selues to goo a fysshynge for perles.* 9.60 Who de∣partinge, came ageyne within foure dayes, bringynge with them twelue pounde weight of orient perles after eight oun∣ces to the pounde.* 9.61 Thus reioysinge on bothe parties, they embrased and made a league of continual frendeshippe. Tumac∣cus thought him selfe happie that he had presented owre men

with such thankeful gyftes and was admitted to theyr frend¦shippe: and owre men thinkynge them selues happie and bles¦sed that they had founde suche tokens of great ryches, swa∣lowed downe theyr spettle for thyrste.* 9.62 At all these doinges, kynge Chiapes was present as a wytnes and coompanion. He also reioysed not a lyttle, aswell that by his conductinge he sawe that owre men shulde bee satisfied of theyr desyre, as al¦so that by this meanes he had declared to the next kynge his bortherer and enemie, what frendes he had of owre men, by whose ayde he myght lyue in quyetnes and bee reuenged of his aduersarie if neede shulde soo requyre.* 9.63 For (as wee haue sayde) these naked kynges infeste theim selues with greuous warres onely for ambition and desyre to rule. Vaschus bosteth in his epistell, that he lerned certeyne maruelous secreates of Tumaccus him selfe as concernynge the greate ryches of this lande: wherof (as he sayth) he woold vtter nothyng at this presente,* 9.64 for asmuche as Tumaccus toulde it him in his eare. But he was enformed of bothe the kynges, that there is an Ilande in that goulfe, greater then any of the other, hauing in it but onely one kynge, and hym of soo great poure,* 9.65 that at suche tymes of the yeare as the sea is caulme, he inuadethe theyr dominions with a greate nauie of Culchas, spoyling and caryinge a way for a praye, all that he meeteth. This Iland is distant from these coastes, onely twentie myles: Soo that the promontories or poyntes therof rechyng into the sea, may bee seene from the hylles of this Continent. In the sea nere about this Ilande, sea musculs are engendred of such quanti¦tie, that many of them are as brode as buckelers,* 9.66 In these are perles founde (beinge the hartes of those shell fysshes) of∣ten tymes as bygge as beanes, sumtymes bygger then olyues and such as sumptuous Cleopatra myght haue desyred.* 9.67 Al∣thoughe this Ilande bee soo nere to the shore of this firme lande, yet is the begynnyng therof in the mayne sea without the mouth of the goulfe. Vaschus beinge ioyfull and mery with this rych communication, fantasinge nowe in maner nothing but princes treasures, beganne to speake fierce and cruell woordes ageynst the tyranne of that Ilande, meanyng here∣by too woonne the myndes of the other kynges, and bynde them to hym with a nearer bande of frendeship. Yet therfore raylynge further on hym with spytefull and opprobrious

woordes, he swore great othes that he woolde furthwith in¦uade the Ilande, spoylynge, destroyinge, burnynge, drow∣nynge, and hangynge, sparinge neyther swoorde nor fyre, vntyll he hadde reuenged theyr iniuries: And therwith com∣maunded his Culchas to bee in a redynes. But the twoo kyn∣ges Chiapes and Tumaccus, exhorted hym frendly to deferre this enterprise vntyll a more quiete season, bycause that sea was not nauigable withowte greate daunger, beinge nowe the be¦gynnynge of Nouember. Wherin the kynges seemed to saye trewe. For as Vaschus hym selfe wryteth, great roryng of the sea was harde amonge the Ilandes of the goulfe by reasō of the raginge and conflicte of the water. Great ryuers also des∣cending from the toppes of the mountaynes the same time of the yeare,* 9.68 & ouerflowyng theyr bankes, dryuyng downe with theyr vyolence greate rockes and trees, make a marueylous noyse. Lykewise the furie of the South and Northeast wyn¦des, associate with thunder and lyghtnynge at the same sea∣son, dyd greatly moleste them.* 9.69 Whyle the wether was fayre they were vexed in the night with could: and in the day time, the heate of the sonne troubled them: wherof it is noo mar∣uaile, forasmuche as they were neare vnto the Equinoctiall lyne,* 9.70 although they make noo mention of the eleuation of the pole. For in such regions, in the nyght, the mone and other coulde planettes: but in the daye, the soone and other hotte planettes, doo chiefely exercise theyr influence: Althowghe the antiquitie were of an other opinion,* 9.71 supposinge th•• Equi¦noctiall circle to bee vnhabitable and desolate by reason of the heate of the soonne hauinge his course perpendiculerly or directly ouer the same: except a fewe of the contrary opinion, whose assertions the Portugales haue at these dayes by ex∣perience proued to bee trewe.* 9.72 For they saile yearely to thinha∣bitantes of the south pole, being in maner Antipodes to the peo¦ple cauled Hyperborei vnder the North pole, and exercise mar∣chaundies with them. And here haue I named Antipodes, foras¦much as I am not ignorant that there hath byn men of singu¦lar witte and great lernyng, which haue denyed that there is Antipodes: that is, such as walke feete to feete. But it is most certeyne, that it is not gyuen to anye one man to knowe all thynges. For euen they ••lso were men: whose propertie is to erre and bee deceaued in many thynges. Neuerthelesse, the

Portugales of owre tyme, haue sayled to the fyue and fyftie degree of the south pole:* 9.73 Where, coompasinge abowte the poynt thereof, they myght see throughowte al the heauen a∣bout the same, certeyne shynynge whyte cloudes here & there amonge the starres, lyke vnto theym whiche are seene in the tracte of heauen cauled Lactea via,* 9.74 that is, the mylke whyte waye. They say, there is noo notable starre neare about that pole lyke vnto this of owres which the cōmon people thynke to bee the pole it selfe (cauled of the Italians Tramontana, and of the Spanyardes Nortes) but that the same fauleth benethe the Ocean.* 9.75 When the sonne descendeth from the myddeste of the exiltree of the woorlde frome vs, it rysethe to them, as a payre of balances whose weyght inclynynge from the equall poyse in the myddest towarde eyther of the sydes, causeth the one ende to ryse as much as the other fauleth. When there∣fore it is autumne with vs, it is sprynge tyme with thē: And summer with vs when it is wynter with them. But it su••fi∣seth to haue sayde thus much of strange matters. Let vs now therfore returne to the historie and to owre men.

¶ The seconde booke of the thyrde Decade.

VAschus by thaduice of kynge Chiapes and Tuma∣cus, determyned to deferre his vyage to the sayde Ilande vntyll the nexte sprynge or summer, at which tyme Chiapes offered hym selfe to accoompany owre men and ayde thē therin all that he myght. In this meane tyme Vaschus had knowleage that these kyn¦ges had nettes and fysshynge places in certeyne stations of that sea nere vnto the shore, where they were accustomed to fyshe for sea musculs in the which perles are engendred:* 9.76 And that for this purpose they had certeyne dyuers or fysshers ex¦ercised frome theyr youthe in swymmynge vnder the water. But they doo this onely at certeyne tymes when the sea is calme,* 9.77 that they may theselyer coome to the place where these shell fyshes are woonte to lye. For the bygger that they are, soo much ly they the deaper and nerer to the bottome But the lesser, as it were dowghters to the other, are nerer the bryme

of the w••ter. Lykewyse the leaste of all, as it were their nie∣ses, are yet nearer to the superficiall parte therof. Too them of the byggeste sorte whiche lye loweste, the fysshers descende the depthe of three mens heyght, and sumtyme foure. But to the doughters or nieses as their succession, they descend one∣lye to the mydde thygh. Sumtymes also, after that the sea hathe byn disquyeted with vehemente tempestes, they fynde a greate multytude of these fysshes on the sandes, beyng dry∣uen to the shore by the vyolence of the water. The perles of these whiche are founde on the sande, are but lytle. The fisshe it selfe, is more pleasaunte in eatynge then are owre oysters as owre men report. But perhappes hunger the sweete cause of all meates, caused owre men soo too thynke. Whether per∣les bee the hartes of sea musculs (as Aristotell supposed) or the byrthe or spaune of there intrals (as Plinye thought) Or whether they cleaue contynually to the rockes,* 9.78 or wander by coompanies in the sea by the guydinge of thelde••e: Whether euerye fysshe brynge foorthe one perle or more, at one byrthe or at dyuers: Also whether theye bee fyled frome the rockes wherunto theye cleaue, or maye bee easylye pulled awaye, or otherwyse faule of by them selues when theye are coomme to there full grouth: Lykewyse whether perles bee harde within the shelle or softe, owre men haue as yet noo certayne experyence. But I truste or it bee longe, too knowe the truth hereof. For owre men are euen nowe in hande with the mat∣ter. Also, as soone as I shall bee aduertysed of the arryuall of Petrus Arias the capytayne of owre men,* 9.79 I wyll desyre hym by my letters to make diligent searche for these thynges, and certifye me therof in all poyntes. I knowe that he wyll not bee slacke or omytte any thynge herein. For he is my verye frende: and one that taketh greate pleasure in consyderynge the woorkes of nature. And surelye it seeme••h vnto me vnde∣cente, that wee shoulde with sylence ouerslyppe so greate a thynge whiche aswell in the owlde tyme as in owre dayes, hathe, & yet doothe, drawe bothe men and women to emmo∣derate desyre of superfluous pleasure.* 9.80 Spayne therefore shal∣be able hereafter with perles to satisfie the gredye appetite of suche as in wanton pleasures are lyke vnto Cleopatra & Asopus So that frome hensforth we shal neyther enuye nor reuerence the nyse frutefulnes of Stoidum,* 9.81* 9.82* 9.83 or Taprobana,* 9.84 or the re••de sea.

But lette vs nowe returne to owre purpose. Vaschus therfore determined with the fysshers of Chiapes to proue what myght bee doone in his fyshe pooles or stations of sea muscules. Chiapes to shewe hym selfe obediente to Vaschus his requeste, al∣though the sea were boystyous, coommaunded thirtye of his fysshers to prepare them selfes and to resorte to the fysshinge places. Vaschus sente onelye syxe of his men with them to bee¦holde them frome the sea bankes, but not to coommitte them selues to the daunger of the sea. The fysshynge place was distante frome the palayce of Chiapes aboute tenne myles.* 9.85 They durste not aduenture to dyue to the bottome by reason of the furye of the sea. Yet of the muscules whiche lye hyghest, and of suche as were dryuen to the shore by the vyolence of the water, theye broughte syxe greate farthels in the space of a fewe dayes. The perles of these were but lyttle, aboute the bygnes of smaule fytches: yet verye fayre and bewtyfull, by reason theye were taken newely owte of the fysshe, beinge yet rawe. And that they shulde not bee reproued of lyinge as concerninge the bignes of these sea musculs, they sente many of them into Spayne to the kynge with the perles, the fysshe beynge taken owte. Wee thinke verily that there maye in noo place bygger bee founde. These shelle fysshes therfore beynge thus founde here in soo manye places in that sea, and gold in maner in euerye house,* 9.86 doo argue the ryche treasurye of na∣ture too bee hyd in those coastes, forasmuche as suche greate ryches haue byn founde as it were in the lytle fynger of a gi∣antes hande.* 9.87 What then maye wee thynke of the hole hande of the gyante (for hetherto theye haue onely bynne in hande with the confynes of Vraba) when theye shall haue thorowly searched all the coastes and secreates of the inner partes of all that large lande. But Vaschus contented with these sygnes & ioyfull of his good successe in these enterprises, determined by an other waye to returne to his felowes in Dariena, where also, they haue golde mynes aboute tenne myles from the vil∣lage.* 9.88 He gaue therfore kyng Chiapes leaue to depart, and to fo∣lowe hym noo further: Consailyng hym to continue faythfull to the christian kynge his lorde & maister. Thus embrasinge the one the other, & ioyninge handes, Chiapes departed, with teares declaring the good mynde which he bore to owre men. Vaschus leauing his sicke mē with Chiapes, Went forward on his

iourney with the resydue, hauinge also with him for guydes three of Chiapes maryners. He conueyghed his armye ouer a greate ryuer into the dominion of a certeine kynge cauled Tea¦ocha:* 9.89 who beinge aduertised of the coommyng of owre men, of whose famous actes he had harde muche before, was verye gladde therof and enterteyned them honorably: So that for a token of his frendely affection towarde them, he gaue Vas∣chus twentie poundes weyght of wrought golde after eyght ounces to the pounde:* 9.90 Also twoo hundreth bigge perles: but not fayre, by reason they were taken owt of the musculs after they had byn sodden. After they had ioyned handes, Vaschus recompensed hym with certeyne of owre thynges. Lykewise rewardynge his guydes the seruantes of Chiapes, he dismissed them with commendations to theyr lord. Kyng Teaocha at the departure of owr men from his palaice, dyd not onely appoint them guydes to conduct them in the way, but also gaue them certeyne slaues in the steede of beastes to cary theyr vytayles, bycause they shulde passe throwgh many desertes,* 9.91 baren and rowgh mountaynes and terrible wooddes full of tygers and Lions. He sent also one of his sonnes with these slaues, la∣dynge them with salted and dryed fysh••,* 9.92 and breade of those regions, made of the rootes of Maizium and Iucca. He also commaunded his sonne not to depart from owr men vntyl he were licenced by Vaschus. By theyr conductinge therfore, Vas∣chus came to the dominion of an other kyng whose name was Pacra, a cruell tyranne,* 9.93 fearefull to the other kynges his bor∣therers, and of greater poure then any of them. This tyran, whether it were that his giltie conscience for his mischeuous actes, put him in feare that owre menne woolde reuenge the same, or that he thought hym selfe inferior to resist them, fled at theyr commynge. Vaschus wryteth that in these regions in the mooneth of Nouember he was sore afflicted with greate heate and intollerable thirst,* 9.94 by reason that syde of the moun¦taynes hath lyttle water: In soo muche that they were in daunger to haue perisshed but that certeyne of thinhabitants shewed them of a sprynge which was in the secreate place of a woodde, whither Vaschus with all speade sent twoo quycke and stronge younge men of his coompanions with theyr gour¦des and suche water vesselles as Teaocha his men browghte with them. Of thinhabitantes, there durst none depart from

there coompany bycause the wylde beastes doo soone inuade naked men. For in those mountaynes, and especially in the wooddes neare vnto the springe, they saye that they are sum∣tymes taken owte of there houses in the nyght, excepte they take good heede that the doores bee well sparde. It shall not bee frome my purpose hereto declare a particular chaūce be∣fore I enter any further in this matter.* 9.95 Theye saye therfore that the laste yeare the regyon of Dariena was noolesse infested and trowbeled with a fierse tyger,* 9.96 then was Calidonia in tyme paste with a wylde bore,* 9.97 and Nemea with a horrible lyon.* 9.98 For they affyrme that for the space of syxe hole moonethes there passed not one nyghte withowte summe hurte doone: soo that it kylled nyghtlye eyther a bullocke, a mare, a dogge, or a hogge, sumtimes euen in the highe wayes of the village. For owre men haue nowe greatheardes of cattayle in those regions. They say also that when this tyger had whelpes,* 9.99 noo man myght safelye goo furthe of his doores, bycause shee spared not men if shee mette fyrste with them. But at the len∣geth, necessitye enforced them to inuente a policye howe they myght bee reuenged of suche bludshed. Searchynge therfore dilygently her footesteppes,* 9.100 and folowynge the pathe wher∣bye shee was accustomed in the nyght season to wander owte of her denne to seeke her praye, theye made a greate trenshe or pytte in her walke, coueringe the same with hurdels wher∣vppon theye caste parte of the earthe and dispersed the resy∣due. The dogge tyger chaunsed fyrste into this pitfaul,* 9.101 and fel vppon the poyntes of sharpe stakes and suche other ingens as were of purpose fyxed in the bottome of the trenshe. Be∣ynge thus wounded, he rored soo terrybly, that it grated the bowels of suche as harde hym, and the wooddes and mon∣taynes neare aboute, rebounded the noyse of the horryble crye. When they perceaued that he was layde faste, they re∣sorted to the trenshe and slewe hym with stones, dartes, and pykes. With his teethe and clawes, he broke the dartes in∣to a thousande chyppes, Beynge yet deade, he was fearefull to all suche as behelde hym: what then thinke you he woolde haue doone beynge alyue and loose. One Iohannes Ledisma of Ciuile, a nere frynde to Vaschus and one of the coompanyons of his trauayles, toulde me that he hym selfe dyd eate of the fleshe of that tiger:* 9.102 and that it was nothinge inferyor to biefe

in goodnes. Beynge demaunded howe they knewe hit to bee a tyger forasmuche as none of them had euer seene a tyger, they answered that they knewe hit by the spottes, fiercenes, agilitye, and suche other markes and token wherby the an∣ciente writers haue described the tiger. For sum of them, had before tyme seene other spotted wilde beastes, as lybardes & panthers. The dogge tiger beynge thus kylled, theye folo∣wynge the trase of his steppes towarde the mountaines, came to the denne where the bytche remayned with her twoo younge suckynge whelpes.* 9.103 But shee was not in the denne at there coommynge. Theye fyrste caryed awaye the whelpes with them. But afterwarde fearynge leaste they shulde dye bycause theye were very younge,* 9.104 entendynge when they were bygger to sende them into Spayne, they put cheynes of yren aboute there neckes, and caryed them agayne to there denne: whither returnynge within a fewe dayes after, theye founde the denne emptye and the cheynes not remoued frome there place.* 9.105 Theye suppose that the damme in her furye fore them in pyeces and caryed them awaye, leste anye shulde haue the fruition of them. For theye playnely affirme that it was not possible that they shulde bee loosed frome the chaynes alyue. The skynne of the deade tyger stuffed with drye herbes and strawe, theye sente to Hispaniola to the admyrall and other of the chiefe rulers frome whome the newe landes receyue there lawes and succoure. It shall at this tyme suffyce to haue writ∣ten thus much of the tygers, as I haue lerned by the reporte of them whiche bothe susteyned domage by there rauenynge, and also handeled the skynne of that whiche was slayne. Let vs, nowe therfore returne to kynge Pacra frome whome wee haue disgressed.* 9.106 When Vaschus had entred into the houses for∣saken of Pacra, he sente messengiers to reconcyle hym as he had doone the other kinges. At the first he refused to coomme. But after threatenynges, he came with three other kynges in his coompanye. Vaschus writethe that he neuer sawe a more monstrous and deformed creature: And that nature hath one¦ly gyuen hym humane shape, and otherwyse to bee wor••e thē a brute beaste, with maners accordynge to the linyamentes of his bodye. He abused with moste abhominable lechery the doughters of foure kynges his brotherers frome whome hee had taken them by vyolence. Of the fylthye behauoure of

Pa••ra,* 9.107 of his crueltye and iniuryes doone by hym, many of the other kynges made greuous coomplayntes to Vaschus as vnto a hygh Iudge and iuste reuenger: Moste humblye besechyng hym to see suche thynges punysshed, forasmuche as theye tooke hym for a man sente of god for that purpose. Herevp∣pon Vaschus aswell to wynne their good wylles, as also too shewe an exemple of terroure to suche as vsed lyke fasshions,* 9.108 coommaunded that this monstrous beaste with the other three kynges whiche were subiecte to hym and of lyke condi∣tions, shulde bee geuen for a praye to his feyghtinge dogges, and their torne carkeses to bee burned. Of these dogges whi¦che theye vse in the warres,* 9.109 theye tell maruelous thynges. For theye saye that theye runne vppon thinhabitantes ar∣med after there maner, with noo lesse fiercenes then if theye were hartes or wylde bores, if the Spaniardes doo but one¦ly poynte towarde them with their fyngers: In soo muche that oftentymes they haue had no neede too dryue their ene∣myes too flyght with swoordes or arrowes: But haue doone the same onely with dogges placed in the forefronte of their battayle, and lettynge them slyppe with their watche woorde and priuye token. Wheruppon the barbaryans stry∣ken with feare by reason of the cruell countenaunces of the masties, with their desperate bouldenes and vnaccustomed houlynge and backynge, haue disparcled at the fyrste onsette and broke their arraye. Yet it chaunseth otherwyse when theye haue anye conflicte agaynst the Canibales and the peo∣ple of Caramairi. For these are fyerser, and more warrelyke men: Also so experte arches,* 9.110 that theye can moste certenlye dyrect their venemous arrowes against the dogges with su∣che celeritye as if theye were thunderboltes: By reason wher∣of, they sumtymes kyl many of thē. Thinhabytantes of these montaynes, doo not keepe warre with bowes and arrowes: But vse onelye M••chanis, that is certayne longe and broude swordes made of woodde:* 9.111 Also slynges, longe pykes and dartes hardened at the endes with fyere. Whyle kynge Pacra yet lyued, noo man coulde knowe of hym neyther by fayre meanes nor by foule, where he had the golde whiche was founde in his house. For owre men founde in his iewel house fyftye poundes weyght of golde.* 9.112 Beynge therfore demaun∣ded where he had it, he answered that they whiche gathered

the same in those montaynes in his fathers dayes, were all deade: And that sense he was a chylde, he neuer esteemed golde more then stoones. More then this, theye coulde not gette of hym. By this seuere punyshment executed vppon Pa∣cra, Vaschus concyled vnto hym the myndes of all the other kynges of that prouynce. And by this meanes it came too passe, that when he sente for the sycke men whiche he lefte behynde hym with kynge Chiapes, an other kynge whiche was in the mydde waye (whose name was Bononiama) enter∣teyned them gentellye,* 9.113 and gaue them .xx. pounde weyght of pure wrought golde,* 9.114 besyde great plentye of vyttayles. And not this onely, but also accoompanyed them hym self•• vntyll he had brought them safely frome his palaice into th•• domynyon of Pacra: Where takynge eche of them by the ryghte handes, he delyuered them to Vaschus hym selfe, as a faythefull pledge commytted too his charge, and there∣with spake to Vaschus in this effecte. Mooste myghtye and valyaunte vyctourer, beholde I here delyuer vnto yowe, yowre coompanions in suche plight as I receaued them:* 9.115 wis∣shynge that I had byn aswell able to gyue them healthe, as they were hertely welcoome to suche pore enterteynement as I was able to shewe them. For the fauoure and gentelnesse whiche I haue founde bothe in yowe and them, he shall re∣warde yowe whiche sendeth thunderynge and lyghtelyng to the destruction of myscheuous men,* 9.116 and of his clemencye gi∣ueth vnto good men plentie of Iucca and M••••izium in dewe sea¦son. As he spake these woordes, he lyfted vppe his handes and eyes towarde the soonne whome they honoure for god. Then he spake further to Vaschus, sayinge: In that yowe haue destroyed and slaine owre vyolent and proude enemies, yowe haue browght peace and quyetnesse to vs and owre fa∣melyes, and bounde vs for euer to loue and obeye yowe. Yowe haue soo ouercoome and tamed wylde monsters, that wee thynke yowe to bee sente from heauen for the punyshe∣ment of euell men and defence of innocentes, that vnder the protection of yowre myghtye swoorde, wee maye hereafter leade owre lyues withowte feare, and with more quietne••se gyue thankes to the giuer of all good thinges for h••s mercie shewed vnto vs in this behalfe. When thinterpretoure had toulde Vaschus that kyng Bononiama had sayde the••e woordes,

and suche lyke, Vaschus rendered hym lyke thankes for his humanitye declared towarde owre men, and rewarded hym as he had doone other in whome he founde lyke gentilnesse. Vaschus wryteth that he lerned manye thynges of this kynge as concernynge the greate rychesse of these regions: ••ut that he woolde at this present speake nothynge therof: And rehersethe the same as thynges lyke to haue good successe. What this implicate Hiperbole,* 9.117 or aduauncement meaneth, I doo not well vnderstande. But he playnely seemeth hereby to promysse many greate thynges. And surely it is to be thought that accordynge to his hope, great riches maye bee looked for. For they came in maner into none of thinhabytauntes houses,* 9.118 but that they found in them, eyther bresteplates or curettes of golde, or elles golden ouches, iewels, or gar∣landes to weare aboute there heades, neckes, or armes. I coniecture therfore thus by a symilitude of owre houses:* 9.119 If amonge vs any man of great poure were moued with the de∣syre to haue great plentye of Iron, and woolde enter into I∣talye with a mayne force as dyd the Gothes in tyme paste, what abundaunce of Iron shoulde he haue in their houses: where as he shulde fynde in one place a friyngpan, in an o∣ther a chauldron, here a tryuet, and there a spytte, and these in maner in euery pore mannes house, with suche other innu∣merable: Whereby any man maye coniecture that Iren is plentifully engendred in suche regions where they haue soo greate vse therof. Owre men also perceaued that thinhaby∣tantes of these regions do no more esteeme golde then we do Iren:* 9.120 nor yet soo muche after they sawe to what vse Iren serued vs. Thus muche haue I thoughte good to write too yowre holynesse of suche thynges as I haue gathered owt•• of the letters of Vaschus Nunnez, and learned by woorde of mouthe of such as were his cōpanyons in these affayres. As wee receyue them, so wee gyue them vnto yowe. Tyme which reueleth all secretes, shall hereafter mynyster larger argu∣ment of wrytynge. Theye coulde at this tyme doo no greate thynge in searchynge the golde mynes, forasmuche as of a hundreth fourescore and tenne men whiche Vaschus broughte with hym from Dariena, there remayned onely threescore and ten, or at the most fourescore, whose ayde he nowe vsed in these daungerous aduentures, leauynge euer the crased men

behynd hym in the kinges houses all the waye that he went But they mooste especially fell into sundrye diseases,* 9.121 whiche came lately from Hispaniola. For they were not able to abyde suche calamities as to lyue onely contented with the breade of those regions, and wylde herbes without salte, drinkinge none other then ryuer water, and that oftentimes eyther lac∣kinge or vnholsome, where as before their stomakes had byn vsed to good meates. But the owlde souldiours of Dariena,* 9.122 were hardened to abyde all sorowes, and exceadynge tolle∣rable of labour, heate, hunger, and watchynge: In so muche that merilye they make their booste that they haue obserued a longer and sharper lent then euer yowre holinesse inioyned.* 9.123 For they saye that for the space of foure hole yeares, they eate none other then herbes and frutes, excepte nowe and then perhappes fyshe, and verye seldoome fleshe: Yea, and that sumtime for lacke of al these, they haue not abhorr••d frō mangye dogges and fylt hye toades as wee haue sayde be∣fore. The owlde souldiers of Dariena, I caule those whiche fyrste folowed the capytaynes Nicuesa and Fogeda to inhabyte the lande, of the whiche nowe fewe were lyuynge. But lette vs nowe omytte these thynges, and retourne to Vaschus the victourer of the montaynes.

¶ The thyrde booke of the thyrde Decade.

WHen Vaschus had remained thirtye dayes in the palayce of kynge Pacra, concilynge vnto hym the myddes of thinhabitantes and prouidinge thynges necessarye for his coompanions, he departed frome thense by the conducte of cer∣tayne of kynge Teaocha his men, and came too the banke of the ryuer Comogrus,* 9.124 wherof the region and king therof, are named by the same name. He founde the sydes of these montaynes so rude and baren, that there was nothinge apte to bee eaten, but wilde rootes and certayne vnpleasante frutes of trees. Two kynges beinge neare of bludde, inhaby∣ted this infortunate region,* 9.125 whiche Vaschus ouerpassed with all speede for feare of hunger. One of these poore kinges was named Cotochus, and the other Ciuriza. He tooke them bothe

with hym to guyde hym in the waye, and dismyssed Teaocha his men with vytayles and rewardes. Thus for the space of three dayes, he wandered throughe many deserte wooddes,* 9.126 craggye mountaynes, & muddy marysshes full of suche qua∣myres that men are oftentymes swalowed vp in them if they looke not the more warelye to their fiete. Also through pla∣ces not frequented with resorte of men, and suche as nature had not yet opened to their vse, forasmuche as thinhabitan∣tes haue seldoome entercourse betwene them, but onely by sundrye incurtions, the one to spoyle and destroye the other: Beynge otherwise contented to lyue onely after the lawe of nature, withowte worldly toyle for superfluous pleasures. Thus enteringe at the lengthe into the territorye of anothe•• kynge whose name was Bechebuea,* 9.127 they founde all thynges voyde and in silence: For the kynge and his subiectes, were all fledde to the wooddes. When Vaschus sente messengers to fetche hym, he dyd not onely at the fyrste submytte hym selfe, but also promysse his ayde with all that he myghte make: Protestynge furthermore, th••t he fledde not for feare that owre men woolde doo hym any iniurie, but that he hyd hym selfe for verye shame and griefe of mynde, for that he was not able to receyue them honorablye accordynge vnto their dignitye, bycause his store of vitayles was consumed. Yet in a token of obedience and frendeshyppe, he sente owre men many vesselles of golde,* 9.128 desyring them to accepte them as the gifte of a frind whose good will wanted not in grea∣ter thynges if his abilytye were greater. By whiche woor∣des the poore man seemed to insinuate that he had byn rob∣bed and otherwise cruelly handled of his bortherers. By rea¦son wherof, owre men were enforced to departe from thense more hungerly then theye came. As theye wente forwarde therfore, they espyed certeine naked men coomminge downe from a hylle towarde them. Vaschus coommaunded his armye to staye, and sente his interpretours to them to knowe what they wold haue. Then one of thē to whom the other seemed to gyue reuerence, spake in this effect. Owre lorde & kinge Chiorisus,* 9.129 greeteth yowe well: Wyllynge vs to declare that he hath harde of yowre puissaunce and vertue wherby yowe haue subdued euell men and reuenged the wronges doone to innocentes. For the whiche yowre noble factes and iustyce,

as he doothe honour yowre fame, soo woolde he thinke him selfe moste happye if he myght receiue yowe into his palaice. But, forasmuche as his fortune hath byn so euell (as he im∣puteth it) that beynge owte of yowre waye, yowe haue o∣uerpassed hym, he hath sent yowe this golde in token of his good wyll and fryndshyppe towarde yowe. And with these woordes he deliuered to Vaschus thirty disshes of pure golde. Addynge hereunto, that when so euer it shulde please him to take the paynes to coomme to their kynge, he shulde receyue greater gyftes. He declared further, that a kynge whyche was their bortherer and mortall enemye, was very ryche in golde: And that in subduynge of hym they shulde bothe ob∣teine greate rychesse, and also delyuer them from daylye vex∣ations: whiche thinge myght easilye be doone by their helpe bycause they knewe the countrey. Vaschus put them in good coomforte, and gaue them for rewarde certayne Iren axes whiche they more esteemed then greate heapes of golde.* 9.130 For they haue lyttell neede of golde, hauynge not thuse of pesti∣ferous money. But he that maye get but one axe or hatchet, thynketh hym selfe rycher then euer was Crassus. For euen these naked men doo perceyue that an axe is nece••sarye for a thousande vses: And confesse that golde is desyred onely for certayne vaine and effeminate pleasures,* 9.131 as a thyng whi∣che the lyfe of man maye lacke withowte any inconuenience. For owre glutteny and superfluous sumptuousnesse hath not yet corrupted them: By reason wherof they take it for noo shame to lacke cobardes of plate, where as the pride and wan¦tonnes of owre tyme dooeth in maner impute it to vs for ig∣nominye to bee withowte that, wherof by nature we haue no neede.* 9.132 But their contentation with the benefytes of nature doothe playnly declare that men may leade a free and happy life withowt tables, table clothes, carpettes, napkyns, and towels, with suche other innumerable wherof they haue no vse, excepte perhappes the kynges furnishe their tables with a fewe golden vessels. But the common people dryue awaye hunger with a pyece of their breade in the one hande, and a piece of broylde fyshe or summe kynde of fruite in the other hande. For they eate fleshe but seldome. When their fingers are imbrued with any ounctuous meates, they wype them eyther on the soules of their feete, or on their thyghes, ye &

sumtymes on the skynnes of their priuye members in the steede of a nappekynne. And for this cause doo they often tymes washe them selues in the ryuers. Owre men therfore wente forwarde laden with golde,* 9.133 but sore afflicted with hunger. Thus they came at the length to the dominion of kynge Pocchorrosa who fledde at their coommynge. Here for the space of thirtye dayes they fylled their emptye bellies with breade of the rootes of Maizium. In the meane tyme Vaschus sente for Pocchorrosa:* 9.134 who beynge allured with pro∣misses and fayre woordes, came and submytted hym selfe brynginge with hym for a present .xv. poundes weighte of wrought golde,* 9.135 and a fewe slaues. Vaschus rewarded hym as he had doone other before. When he was mynded to depart, he was aduertised that he shulde passe through the dominiō of a certayne kynge whose name was Tumanama.* 9.136 This is hee whome the soonne of kynge Comogrus declared to bee of soo great poure and fearefull to all his bortherers, & with whom many of Comogrus familyers had byn captyue. But owre men nowe perceiued that they measured his poure by their owne. For their kinges are but guattes compared to elephantes, in respecte to the poure and pollicye of owre men. Owre men were also enformed by suche as dwelte neare aboute Tu∣manama, that his region was not beyonde the montaynes as they supposed: Nor yet so ryche in golde as younge Como∣grus▪ had declared. Yet consulted they of his subduyng: whi∣che they thoughte they myght theaslyer brynge to passe by∣cause Pocchorrosa was his mortall enemye, who moste gladly promysed them his aduice and ayde herein. Vaschus therfore, leauynge his sycke men in the vyllage of Poochorrosa, tooke with hym threscore of his moste valiante souldiers, and de∣clared vnto them howe kynge Tumanama had oftentymes spo∣ken proude and threatnyng woordes ageynste them:* 9.137 Lyke∣wise that it nowe stoode them in hande of necessitye to passe through his dominion: And that he thought it beste to sette vppon hym vnwares. The souldiers consented to his aduice, an•• exhorted him to gyue thaduenture, promisinge that they woolde folowe hym whether so euer he wente. They deter∣mined therfore to go two dayes iorney in one daye, that Tu∣manama not knowynge of their sooden commyng, myght haue no leasure to assemble an armye. The thynge came to passe

euen as they had deuysed. For in the fyrste watche of the nyght, owre men with the Pocchorrosians, inuaded the vyllage and palaice of Tumanama, where they tooke hym prisoner sus∣pectynge nothinge lesse.* 9.138 He had with hym two younge men whiche he abused vnnaturally: Also fourscore women whi••h he had taken vyolently from dyuers kynges. Lykewise a greate number of his gentelmen and subiectes were taken stragelynge in other vyllages neare aboute his palaice. For their houses are not adherent togither as owres bee, bycause they are oftentimes troubeled with vehement whrilewyndes by reason of the sudden chaunges and motions of the ayre caused by the influence of the planetes in the equalitie of the daye and nyght beynge there in maner bothe of one lengthe throughowte all the yeare, forasmuche as they are neare vn∣to the Equinoctiall lyne as we haue sayde before.* 9.139 Their hou∣ses are made of trees, couered and after their maner thetched with the stalkes of certayne towghe herbes. To the palayce of Tumanama,* 9.140 was onely one house adherent, and that euen as bygge as the palayce it selfe. Eyther of these houses were in length a hundreth and twentie pases; and in bredth fyftie pases as owre men measured them. In these two houses the kynge was accustomed to muster his men as often as he prepared an armye. When Tumanaman therfore, was thus ta∣ken captyue with all his Sardanapamcall famelye, the Poc∣chorrosians bragged and threatened hym beynge nowe bounde, that he shulde shortly bee hanged. The other kynges also his bortherers, reioysed at his mysfortune. Wherby owre men perceaued that Tumanama was nolesse troublesome to his neigh¦bours, then was Pacra to the kinges of the southe syde of the montaynes. Vaschus also the better to please them, threatned hym greuously: But in deede entended no euell toward him. He spake therfore sharpely vnto hym with these woordes:* 9.141 Thou shalte nowe su••fer punyshment thou cruell tyranne, for thy pryde and abhominations. Thou shalte knowe of what poure the christians are whom thou haste soo contemned and threated to drawe by the heare of their heades to the nexte ry••er and there to drowne them as thou haste often tymes made thy vaunte emonge thy naked slaues. But thou thy selfe shalte fyrste feele that whiche thou haste prepared for o∣ther.: And herewith commaunded hym to bee taken vppe.

Neuerthelesse gyuynge a priuye tooken of pardon to them whiche layde handes on him. Thus vnhappye Tumanama, fea∣rynge and beleuynge that Vaschus had mente in ernes••e as he commaunded, fell prostrate at his feete and with teares de∣syred pardon: Protestynge that he neuer spake any suche woordes. But that perhappes his noble men in their droon∣kennesse had so abused their toonges whiche he coulde not rule. For their wynes although they bee not made of grapes yet are they of force to make men droonken. He declared fur∣thermore that the other kynges his bortherers had of ma∣lice surmysed suche lyes of hym enuyinge his fortune bycause he was of greater poure then they.* 9.142 Moste humbly desyringe Vaschus that as he tooke hym to bee a iuste vyctourer, soo to gyue no credytte vnto their vniuste and malycious complain∣tes.* 9.143 Addynge herevnto that if it woolde please hym to par∣don hym not hauinge offended, he woolde bringe him great plentie of gold. Thus layinge his ryght hande on his breast, he swore by the sonne, that he euer loued and feared the chrystians sence he fyrste harde of their fame and vyctoryes: Especially when he harde saye that they had Machanas, that is, swoordes sharper then thearse, and such as cutte in pie∣ces al thynges that coomme in their waye. Then directynge his eyes towarde Vaschus who had his swoorde in his hand, he spake thus. Who (excepte he were owte of his wytte) dare lyfte vppe his hande ageynste this swoorde of yowres wherwith yowe are able with one strooke to cleane a man from the heade to the nauell. Lette no man therfore perswade yowe (o moste myghtye victourer) that euer suche woordes proceded owte of my mouthe. As Tumanama with trembeling spake these woordes, therwith swalowynge downe the knot of deathe, Vaschus seemed by his teares to bee moued to com∣passion:* 9.144 And speakyng to hym with chearefull countenance commaunded hym to bee loosed. This doone, he sente imme∣diatly to his palaice for .xxx. poundes weyght of pure gold artifycially wrought into sundry ouches whiche his wyues and concubynes vsed to weare.* 9.145 Also the thyrde daye folo∣wynge, his noble men and gentylmen sent threscore poun∣des weight of golde for their fyne and raunsumme.* 9.146 Tumanama beyng demaūded wher they had that gold, answered that it was not gathered in his dominiōs But that it was brought

his auncestours from the ryuer Comogrus toward the southe. But the Pocchorrosians & other his enemies, sayd that he lyed: Affirmynge that his kingdome was ryche in golde. Tumanama on the contrary part, instantly protested that he neuer knewe any golde myne in all his dominions. Yet denyed not but that there hath sumtimes byn found certaine smaule graines of golde, to the gatherynge wherof, he neuer had any re∣garde, bycause they coulde not gette it without great & longe labour.* 9.147 Whyle these thynges were dooinge, the sycke men whiche Vaschus had lefte in the village of Pocchorrosa, came to hym the .viii. day of the Calendes of Ianuary in the yeare of Christe. M.D.XIII. bringyng with them certayne la∣bourers from the kynges of the southe with sundrye instru∣mentes to dygge the grounde and gather golde. Thus pas∣synge ouer the day of the natiuitye of Christ without bodely labour, vppon sainte Steuens daye he brought certeyne my∣ners to the syde of a hyll not farre dystante from the palaice of Tumanama, where (as he saith) he perceaued by the coloure of the earth that it was lykely to brynge furthe golde. When they had dygged a pytte not past a hand breadth and a halfe,* 9.148 and syfted the earthe therof, they founde certayne smaule graynes of golde no bygger then lintell seedes, amountynge to the weyght of twelue graynes as they prouyd with their balances of assaye before a notarie and wytnesse that the bet∣ter credytte myghte bee gyu••n therto. Wherby they argued that the rychenesse of that lande was agreable to the report of the bortherers, although Vaschus coulde by noo meanes cause Tumanama to confesse the same. They suppose that he no∣thynge esteemed so smaule a portion. But other saye that he denyed his countrey to bee frutefull of golde, leaste by reason therof the desyre of golde, myght intyse owre men to inha∣byte his kyngdome, as in deede the seely kynge was a pro∣phet in soo thinkynge. For they chose that and the region of Pocchorrosa to inhabyte, and determyned to buylde townes in them bothe, if it shulde so please the kynge of Castyle: Aswell that they myght bee baytinge places and vytailynge houses for suche as shulde iorney towarde the southe, as also that both the regions were frutfull and of good grounde to beare frutes and trees. Intendynge nowe therfore to departe from

thense, he tried the earth by chaunce in an other place, where the colour of the grounde with certayne shyninge stones, see∣med to bee a tooken of golde. where causynge a smaule ••itte to bee dygged lyttell beneath thupper cruste of the ea••the, he founde somuche golde as weyghed that pyece of golde whi∣che the Spaniardes caule Castellanum aureum, and is commonly cauled Pesus,* 9.149 but not in one grayne. Reioysynge at the••e too∣kens in hope of great riches, he badde Tumanama to be of good coomforte, promysynge hym that he woolde bee his frende and defender, soo that he troubeled not any of the kynges whiche were frendes to the Christians. He also perswaded hym to gather plentye of golde. Su••me saye that he ledde a∣waye all Tumanam•• his women, and ••p••yled him leaste he shuld rebell. Yet he delyuered his soonne to Vaschus to bee broughte vppe with owre men, to learne their language and relygyon, that he myght therafter the better vse his helpe aswell in all thynges that he shulde haue to doo with owre men, as also more polytykely rule, and obtayne the loue of his owne sub∣iectes. Vaschus at this tyme fell into a vehement feuer by rea∣son of excesse of labour,* 9.150 immoderate watchyng, and hunger: In somuche that departynge from thense, he was fayne too bee borne vppon mennes backes in shietes of gossampyne cot∣ton.* 9.151 Lykewyse also many of his souldiers whiche were soo weake that they coulde nother go nor stonde. To this pur∣pose they vsed the helpe of thinhabytantes, who shewed thē¦selues in althynges wyllynge and obedyente. Also summe of th••m whiche were su••what feeble and not able to trauayle, although not greuously sycke, were ledde by the armes vn∣tyll they came to the domynion of kynge Commogrus a greate frende to the Christyans,* 9.152 of whom wee haue largely made mention before. At Vaschus commynge thether, he founde that the owlde kynge was deade, and his soonne (whome we so pray••ed for his wisedome) to raygne in his steade: And that he was bapti••e•• b•• the name of Charles. The palayce of this Comogrus, is situate at the foote of a st••epe hyll well cultured. H••uynge towarde the southe a playne of twelue leages in b••eadth and veary frutefull.* 9.153 This playne, they caule Zauana. Beyonde his, are the great and hyghe montaynes whiche ••e••yd•• th•• two seas wherof we haue spoken before. Owte of the styepe hylles, spryngeth the ryuer Comogrus,* 9.154 whiche run∣neth

throwgh the sayde playne to the hyghe montaynes, re∣ceauynge into his chanell by their valleys, all the other ry∣uers, & so fauleth into the south sea. It is distante from Da∣riena, aboute threscore and tenne leages towarde the weste. As owre men therfore came to these parties, kynge Comogrus (otherwyse cauled Charles by his christian name) mette thē ioyfully and entertayned them honorably, gyuynge them their fyll of pleasaunte meates and drynkes. He gaue also to Vaschus, twenty pounde weyght of wrought golde.* 9.155 Vaschus re∣compensed him with thinges which he esteemed muche more: As axes and sundry kyndes of carpenters tooles. Also a soul¦diours cloke, and a faire sherte wrought with needle woorke By these gyftes, Comogrus thought hym selfe to bee halfe a god amonge his bortherers. Vaschus at his departynge from hense, ernestly charged Comogrus and the other kynges to re∣mayne faithfull and obedient to the christian king of Castile, if they desyred to lyue in peace and quietnesse: And that they shulde hereafter more diligently applye them selu••s to the ga∣theringe of golde to bee sente to the great christian Tiba (that is) kyng. Declaryng fur••her, that by this meanes th••y shuld bothe gette them and their posterity a patrone and defender ageinst their enemyes, and also obtayne great abundaun••e of owre thinges. These affayres thus happely achiu••d, he went forwarde on his vyage to the palaice of kyng Poncha, where he founde foure younge men whiche were come from Dariena to certify hym that there were certayne shyppes coomme from Hispaniola laden with vyttayles and other necessaries.* 9.156 Wher∣fore takyng with him twentie of his moste lusty souldiers, he made haste to Dariena with longe iorneys: leauinge the resy∣due behynd him to folow at their leasure. He writeth that he came to Dariena the .xiiii. Cal. of Fe, An. 1514. The date of his letter is: From Dariena, the .iiii. day of march.* 9.157 He writeth in the same letter, that he had many sore conflictes, & that he was yet neyther wounded, or loste any of his men in the bat∣taile. And therfore in al his large letter, there is not one leafe without thankes geuynge to almyghty god for his delyuery and preseruation from so many imminent pecels. He attemp∣ted no enterprise or tooke in hande any viage withowt thin∣uocation of god and his holy saintes. Thus was Vaschus Bal∣boa of a vyolen••e Goliath, tourned into Hels••as:* 9.158 And frome

Anteus too Hercules the conquerour of monsters. Beynge therefore thus tourned from a rasshe royster to a polytyk•• and discreate capitayne, he was iudged woorthy to bee ad∣uaunced to greate honoure. By reason whereof, he was bothe receaued into the kynges fauour, and therevppon crea¦ted the generall or Lieuetenaunt of the kynges army in those Regions.* 9.159 Thus much haue I gathered bothe by the letters of certeyne my faythefull frendes beinge in Dariena, and al∣so by woorde of mouth of suche as came lately frome thense. If yowre holynes desyre to knowe what I thynke herein, Suerly as by suche thynges as I haue seene, I beleue these thynges to bee trewe, euen so thorder and agreinge of Vaschus and his coompanions warrelyke letters, seeme to confirme the same.* 9.160 The Spanyarde therfore shall not neede hereafter with vndermynynge the earth with intollerable laboure to breake the bones of owre mother, and enter many myles into her bowels, and with innumerable daungers cut in sunder hole mountaynes to make a waye to the courte of infernall Pluto,* 9.161 to brynge from thense wycked golde the seede of innu∣merable mischeues, withowte the whiche notwithstandynge we may nowe scarsely leade a happy lyfe sithe iniquitie hath so preuayled and made vs slaues to that wherof we are lords by nature: The Spanyarde (I say) shall not neede with such trauayles & difficultie to dygge farre into the earth for gold, but shal fynde it plentifully in maner in the vpper crust of the earth, or in the sandes of ryuers dryded vppe by the heate of sommer, onely wasshynge the earth softely frome the same: And shall with lyke facilite gather plentie of pearles.* 9.162 Cer∣tenly the reuerent antiquitie (by al the Cosmographers assent obteyned not soo greate a benefyte of nature, nor yet aspired to the knowleage hereof, bycause there came neuer man be∣fore owte of owre knowen worlde to these vnknowen nati∣ons:* 9.163 At the leaste, with a poure of men, by force of armes, in maner of conquest: wheras otherwise nothyng can be gotten here, forasmuch as these nations are for the most part seuere defenders of theyr patrimonies, and cruell to straungers, in no condition admittinge them otherwyse then by conquest: es¦pecially the fierce Canibales or Caribes. For these wylye hunters of men,* 9.164 gyue them selues to none other kynde of ex∣ercyse but onely to manhuntynge and tyllage after theyr ma∣ner.

At the commynge therfore of owre men into theyr regi∣ons, they loke as suerly to haue them faule into their snares as if they were hartes or wylde bores:* 9.165 and with no lesse con∣fydence licke their lippes secreately in hope of their praye. If they gette the vpper hande, they eate them greedely: If they mystruste them selues to bee the weaker parte, they truste to theyr feete, and flye swyfter then the wynde. Ageyne, yf the matter bee tryed on the water, aswell the women as men can dyue and swymme, as though they had byn euer brought vp and fedde in the water. It is noo maruayle therefore yf the large tracte of these regions haue byn hytherto vnknowen. But nowe sithe it hath pleased God to discouer the same in owre tyme,* 9.166 it shall becoome vs to shewe owre naturall loue to mankynde and dewtie to God, to endeuoure owre selues to brynge them to ciuilitie and trewe religion, to thincrease of Christes flocke, to the confusion of Infidels and the Deuyll theyr father who delytethe in owre destruction as he hathe doone frome the begynnynge. By the good successe of these fyrst frutes, owre hope is, that the Christian regilion shall streache foorth her armes very farre. Which thyng shulde the sooner coome to passe yf all menne to theyr poure (especially Christian Princes to whom it chiefely perteyneth) wolde put theyr handes to the plowe of the lordes vineyarde.* 9.167 The har∣uest suerly is greate, but the woorkemen are but fewe. As we haue sayde at the begynnynge, yowre holynes shall hereafter nooryshe many myriades of broodes of chekins vnder yowre wynges. But let vs nowe returne to speake of Beragua beinge the weste syde of Vraba,* 9.168 and fyrst founde by Colonus the Admi¦rall, then vnfortunately gouerned by Diego Nicuesa,* 9.169 and nowe lefte in maner desolate: with the other large regions of those prouinces brought from theyr wylde and beastly rudenes to ciuilitie and trewe religion.

¶ The fourth booke of the thyrde Decade.

I Was determyned (moste holy father) to haue proceded no further herein, but that on•• fierye sparke yet remaynynge in my mynde, woolde not suffer me to cease. Wheras I haue therfore declared howe Beragua was fyrste fownde by

Colonus, my thincke I shulde commytte a heynous cryme if I shuld defraude the man of the due commendations of his tra∣uayles,* 9.170 of his cares and troubles, and fynally of the daun∣geours and perels, whiche he susteyned in that nauigation.

Therfore in the yeare of Christe .1502. in the .vi. daye of the Ides of Maye, he hoysed vppe his sayles and departed from the Ilandes of Gades with .iiii. shyppes of fyftie or .iii. score tunne a piece, with a hundreth threscore and tenne mē, and came with prosperous wynde to the Ilandes of Canari•• within fiue daies folowinge, from thense arryuinge the .xvi. day at the Ilande of Dominica beinge the chiefe habitation of the Canibales, he sayled from Dominica to Hispaniola in fyue o∣ther daies. Thus within the space of .xxvi. daies, with pros∣perous wynde and by the swyfte faule of the Ocean from the Easte to the west, he sayled from Spaine to Hispaniola: Which course is counted of the mariners to bee no lesse then a thou∣sande and twoo hundreth leagues.* 9.171 He taryed but a whyle in Hispaniola, whether it were wyllingly, or that he were so ad∣monisshed of the viceroye. Directing therfore his vyage from thense towarde the weste, leauyng the Ilandes of Cuba and Iamaica on his ryght hande towarde the northe, he wryteth that he chaunsed vppon an Ilande more southewarde then Iamaica, whiche thinhabitantes caule Guanassa, so florysshinge and frutefull that it myghte seeme an earthlye Paradyse.* 9.172

Coastynge alonge by the shores of this Ilande, he mette two of the Canoas or boates of those prouinces, whiche were drawne with two naked slaues ageynst the streame. In these boates, was caryed a ruler of the Ilande with his wyfe and chyldren, all na••ed. The slaues seeynge owre men a lande, made signes to them with proude countenaunce in their mai∣sters name, to stande owte of the waye, and threatned them if they woolde not gyue place.* 9.173 Their sympelnes is suche that they nother feared the multitude or poure of owre men, or the greatnes and straungenes of owre shippes. They thought that owre men woolde haue honoured their maister with like reuerence as they did. Owre men had intelligēce at the length that this ruler was a greate marchaunte whiche came to the marte from other coastes of the Ilande.* 9.174 For they exercyse byinge and sellynge by exchaunge with their confinies. He had also with him good stoore of suche ware as they stande

in neede of or take pleasure in: as laton belles, rasers, kny∣ues, and hatchettes made of a certeyne sharpe yelowe bryght stone, with handles of a stronge kynd of woodde. Also many other necessary instrumentes with kychen stuffe and vesselles for all necessary vses. Lykewise sheetes of gossampine cotton wrought of sundrye colours. Owre men tooke hym prysoner with all his famely. But Colonus commaunded hym to bee lo∣sed shortely after, and the greatest parte of his goodes to bee restored to wynne his fryndeshippe. Beinge here instructed of a lande lyinge further towarde the southe, he tooke his vy∣age thether. Therfore lytle more then tenne myles distant frō hense, he founde a large lande whiche thinhabitantes cauled Quiriquetana: But he named it Ciamba.* 9.175 When he wente a lande and commaunded his chaplaine to saye ma••se on the sea ban∣kes, a great confluence of the naked inhabitantes flocked thi¦ther symplye and without feare, brinkynge with them plen∣ty of meate and freshe water, marueylynge at owre men as they had byn summe straunge miracle.* 9.176 When they had presen∣ted their giftes, they went sumwhat backewarde and made lowe curtesy after their maner bowinge their heades and bo∣dyes reuerently. He recompensed their gentylnes rewardinge them with other of owre thynges, as counters, braslettes and garlandes of glasse and counterfecte stoones, lookynge glasses, nedelles, and pynnes, with suche other trashe, whi∣che seemed vnto them precious marchaundies. In this great tracte there are two regions wherof the one is cauled Taia and the other Maia.* 9.177 He writeth that all that lande is very fayre and holsome by reason of the excellent temperatnesse of the ayer: And that it is inferiour to no lande in frutefull ground beinge partely full of mountaines, and partely large playn••s: Also replenyshed with many goodly trees, holsome herbes, and frutes, continuynge greene and floryshynge all the hole yeare. It beareth also verye many holy trees and pyne aple trees. Also .vii. kyndes of date trees wherof summe are frute∣full and summe baren.* 9.178 It bringeth furth lykewyse of it selfe Pelgoras and wilde vynes laden with grapes euen in the wood∣des emonge other trees.* 9.179 He saythe furthermore that there is suche abundaunce of other pleasaunte and profitable frutes, that they passe not of vynes. Of one of those kyndes of date trees, they make certeyne longe and brode swoordes and dar∣tes.

These regyons beare also gossampyne trees here and there commonly in the woodd••s. Lykewise Mirobalanes of sun∣dry kyndes,* 9.180 as those which the phisitians caule Emblicos and Chebulos. Maizium also, Iucca, Ages, and Battatas, lyke vnto those whiche we haue sayde before to bee founde in other regions in these coastes. The same nooryssheth also lyons, Tygers, Hartes, Roes, Goates, and dyuers other beastes. Lyke∣wyse sundry kyndes of byrdes and foules:* 9.181 Emonge the whiche they keepe onely them to franke and feede, whiche are in colour, bygnes, and taste, muche lyke vnto owre pe∣hennes. He saith that thinhabitantes are of high and good∣ly stature,* 9.182 well lym••ed and proportioned both men and wo∣men: Couerynge their priuye partes with fyne breeches of gossampine cotton wrought with dyuers colours. And that they may seeme the more cumlye and bewtifull (as they take it) they paynte their bodyes redde and bla••ke with the iuce of certeyne apples whiche they plante in their gardens for the sa••e purpose. Summe of them paynte their hole bodies:* 9.183 summe but parte: and other summe drawe th•• portitures, of herbes, floures, and knottes, euery one as seemeth be••te to his owne phantasye. Their language differeth vtterlye from theirs of the Ilandes nere aboute them.* 9.184 From these regions, the waters of the sea ranne with as full course to∣warde the weste, as if it had byn the faule of a swyfte riuer. Neuerthelesse he determined to searche the Easte partes of this lande, reuoluynge in his mynde that the regions of Pa∣ria and Os Draconis with other coastes founde before toward the Easte,* 9.185 shulde bee neare theraboute as in deede they were. Departyng therfore from the large region of Quiriquetana the xiii. daye of the calendes of September, when he had sailed thirtie leaques, he founde a ryuer, without the mouth wher∣of he drewe freshe water in the sea.* 9.186 Where also the shoore was so cleane withowte rockes, that he founde grounde e∣uery where, where he myght aptely caste anker. He writeth that the swifte course of the Ocean was so vehement and con¦trarye, that in the space of fortye dayes he coulde scarcelye sayle threscore and tenne leaques, and that with muche dif∣fy••ultie with many fetches and coompasynges,* 9.187 fyndyng him selfe to bee sumtimes repulsed and dryuen farre backe by the vyolente course of the sea when he woolde haue taken lande

towarde the euenynge, le••s••e perhappes wanderynge in vn∣knowen coastes in the darckenes••e of the nyght, he myghte bee in daunger of shypwracke: He writeth that in the space of eyght leaques, he found three great and fayre ryuers vp∣pon the banckes wherof,* 9.188 there grewe reedes bygger then a mannes thygh, In these ryuers was also greate plentye of fyshe and great tortoyses:* 9.189 Lykewise in many places, mul••i∣tudes of Crocodiles lyinge in the ••ande, and yanyng to ••ake the heate of the soonne: Besyde dyuers other kyndes of beastes whervnto he gane no names. He sayth al••o that the soyle of that lande is very diuers a••d variable: beyng sum∣where stonye and full of rough and ••e••ggie promonto••••es or poyntes reachynge into the sea. And in other places as frut∣full as maye bee. They haue also diuers kynges and rulers.* 9.190 In summe places they caule a kynge Cacicus: in other places they caule hym Quebi, and sumwhere Tiba. Suche as haue behaued them selues valiantly in the warres ageynste their enemies, and haue their faces full of scarres, they caule Cu∣pras, and honour them as the antiquitie dyd the goddes whi∣che they cauled Heroes,* 9.191 supposed to bee the soules of suche men as in their lyfe tyme excelled in vertue and noble actes. The common people, they caule Chiui: and a man, they caule Ho••••cu••. When they saye in their language, take man, they say Hoppa home. After this, he came to an other ryuer apte to beare great shyppes: Before the mouthe wherof, l••ye foure smaule Ilandes full of florisshing and frutfull trees. These Ilandes he named Quatuor tempora.* 9.192 From hense saylynge towarde the Easte for the space of .xiii. leaques styll ageinste ••he vyolent course of the water, he founde twelue other smaule Ilandes. In the whiche bycause he founde a newe kynde of frutes muche like vnto owre lemondes, he cauled them Limonares.* 9.193 Wanderynge yet further the same waye for the ••pace of .xii. leaques, he founde a great hauen enteryng into th•• land af∣ter the maner of a goulfe the space of three l••aqu••s, and in maner as brode, into the whiche fell a great ryuer. He••e was Nicuesa loste afterwarde when he soug••te Ber••ga••: By rea••on wherof they cauled it Rio delos perdido••:* 9.194 that is the ryuer of the loste men. Thus Colonus the Admirall yet further con••ynu∣ynge his cour••e ageynste the furye of the ••ea, fou••de manye hyghe montaynes and horrible valleys, with dyuers ryuers

and hauens, from all the whiche (as he saythe) proceaded sweete sauers greatly rec••eatynge and confortynge nature. In so muche that in all this longe tracte there was not one of his men desea••ed vntyll he ca••e to a region whiche thin¦habitantes cau••e Quicuri,* 9.195 in the whiche is the hauen cauled Cariai, named M••robalanus by the admyrall bycause the Miroba∣lane trees are natiue in the regions therabout. In this hauen of Cariai,* 9.196 there came about two hundreth of thinhabitantes to the sea syde with euerye of them three or foure dartes in their handes: Yet of condition gentell enoughe, and not re∣fusyng straungers. Their commyng was for none other pur∣pose then to knowe what this newe nation mente, or what they brough••e with them. When owre men had gyuen them sygnes of peace, they came swymmynge to the shyppes and desyred to barter with them by exchaunge. The admyrall to allure them to frend••hippe, gaue them many of owre thinges: But they refused them, suspectynge summe disceate thereby bycause he woolde not receyue theirs. They wroughte all by sygnes:* 9.197 for one vnderstoode not a woorde of the others lan∣guage. Suche gyftes as were sente them, they lefte on the shore a••d woolde take no part therof. They are of suche ciui∣litye and humanytie, that they esteeme it more honorable to gyue then to take. They sente owre men two younge women beinge vyrgines, of cōmendable fauour and goodly stature, sygnifyinge vnto them that they myghte take them awaye with them if it were their pleasure. These women after the maner of their countrey, were couered from their ancles sum∣what aboue their priuye partes with a certeyne clothe made of gossampine cotton. But the men are al naked. The women vse to cutte their heare: But the men lette it growe on the hynder partes of their heades, and cutte it on the fore parte. Their longe heare, they bynde vppe with fyllettes, & winde it in sundry rowles as owre maydes are accustomed to do. The virgins which were sente to the Admirall he decked in fayre apparell, & gaue them many gyftes, and sent theym home ageyne. But lykewise all these rewardes and apparel they left vppon the shore bycause owre men had refused their gyftes. Yet tooke he two men away with him (and those ve¦ry wyllyngly) that by lernyng the Spanyshe tonge, he might afterwarde vse them for interpretours. He considered that

the tractes of these coastes were not greately troubeled with vehement motions or ouerflowynges of the sea, forasmuche as trees growe in the sea not farre frome the sh••re,* 9.198 euen as they doo vppon the bankes of ryuers. The which thynge al¦so other doo affirme whiche haue latelyer searched those coa∣stes, declaring that the sea riseth and fauleth but lyttle there aboute. He sayth furthermore, that in the prospecte of this lande, there are trees engendred euen in the sea,* 9.199 which after that they are growen to any height, bende downe the toppes of theyr branches into the grounde: which embrasing them causeth other branches to sprynge owt of the same, and take roote in the earth, bringynge foorth trees in theyr kynde suc∣cessiuely as dyd the fyrst roote from whense they had theyr o¦riginall, as do also the settes of vines when onely bothe the endes therof are put into the grounde. Plinie in the twelfth booke of his natural historie maketh mention of suche trees,* 9.200 describynge them to bee on the lande, but not in the sea. The Admirall wryteth also that the lyke beastes are engendered in the coastes of Cariai, as in other prouinces of these regions, and such as we haue spoken of before. Yet that there is one founde here in nature much differinge from the other. This beaste is of the byggenes of a greate moonkeye,* 9.201 but with a tayle muche longer and bygger. It lyueth in the wooddes, and remoueth from tree to tree in this maner. Hangynge by the tayle vppon the braunche of a tree, & gatheryng strength by swayinge her body twyse or thryse too and fro, she casteth her selfe from branche to branche and so from tree to tree as though she flewe. An archer of owres hurt one of them. Who perceauinge her selfe to be wounded,* 9.202 leapte downe from the tree, and fiercely set on hym which gaue her the wounde, in so muche that he was fayne to defende hym selfe with his swoorde. And thus by chaunce cuttyng of one of her armes, he tooke her, and with muche a doo brought her to the ships where within a whyle, shee waxed tame. Whyle shee was thus kep••e and bownde with cheynes, certeyne other of owr hunters hadde chased a wylde bore owt of the maryshes nere vnto the sea syde. For hunger and desyre of fleshe, caused thē to take double pleasure in huntynge. In this meane tyme o∣ther which remayned in the shippes, goinge a lande to recre∣ate them selues, tooke this moonkey with them. Who, as

soone as shee had espied the bore, set vp her brystels & made towarde her. The bore lykewyse shooke his bristels & whette his teethe. The moonkey furiously inuaded the bore,* 9.203 wrap∣pynge her tayle about his body, and with her arme reserued of her victourer, helde hym so fast aboute the throte, that he was suffocate. These people of Cariai, vse to drye the deade bodyes of theyr princes vppon hurdels, and so reserue them inuolued in the leaues of trees.* 9.204 As he went forwarde about twentie leagues from Cariai, he founde a goulfe of suc•• large¦nes that it conteyned .xii. leagues in compa••se. In the mouth of this goulfe were foure lyttle Ilandes so nere tog••ther, that they made a safe hauen to enter into the goulfe. This goulfe is the hauen which we sayde before to be cauled Cera∣baro of thinhabitantes.* 9.205 But they haue nowe lerned th••t only the lande of the one syde therof, lyinge on the ryght hande at the enterynge of the goulfe, is cauled by that name. But that on the lefte syde, is cauled Aburema.* 9.206 He saythe th••t all this goulfe is ful of fruteful Ilandes wel replenysshed with goodly trees: And the grounde of the sea to bee verye cleane withowt rockes, and commodious to cast anker: Lykewyse the sea of the goulfe to haue greate abundance of fysshe: and the land•• of both the sydes to bee inferior to none in frutful∣nes. At his fyrst arryuynge, he espyed two of thinh••bitan••es hauynge cheynes about theyr neckes,* 9.207 made of ouches (which they caule Cuauines,) of base golde artificially wrought in the formes of Eagles, and lions, with dyuers other beastes and foules. Of the two Cariaians whiche he brought with hym from Cariai, he was enformed that the regions of Cerabaro and Aburema were rych in golde. And that the people of Cariai haue all theyr golde frome thense for exchaunge of other of theyr thynges.* 9.208 They towlde hym also, that in the sa••e regi••ns there are fyue vyllages not farre from the sea ••yde, whose in¦habitantes apply the•• selues onely to the gathering of gold The names of the••e vyllages are these: Chirara, Puren, Chitaza, Iureche, Atamea.* 9.209 All the men of the prouince of Cerabaro, go na¦ked, and are paynted with dyuers coloures. They take g••eat pleasure in wearynge garlan••es of floures, and crownes made of the clawes of Lions and Tygers.* 9.210 The women couer onely theyr priuie partes wi••h a fyller of gossampine cotton. Departinge from hen••e and ••oastynge styll by the same shore

for the space of .xviii. leagues, he came to another ryuer, wh••re he espyed aboute three hundreth naked men in a com∣pany. When they sawe the shippes drawe neare the lande, they cryed owte aloude, with cruell countenaunces shakynge th••yr woodden swoordes and hurlynge dartes, takynge also wa••er in theyr mouthes and spoutyng the same ageynst our men:* 9.211 wherby they seemed to insinuate that they woolde re∣ceaue no condition of peace or haue owght to doo with them. Here he commaunded certeyne pieces of ordinaunce to be shot of toward them: Yet so to ouershute them, that none myght be hurt therby. For he euer determyned to deale quietly and peaceably with these newe nations. At the noyse therfore of the gunnes and syght of the fyer, they fell downe to the grounde, and desyred peace.* 9.212 Thus enteringe into further frendshippe, they exchaunged theyr cheynes and ouches of golde for glasses and haukes belles and such other marchan¦dies. They vse drummes or tymbrels made of the shelles of certeyne sea fysshes, wherewith they encorage theym selues in the warres. In this tract are these seuen ryuers, Acateba, Quareba, Zobroba, Aiaguitin, Vrida, Duribba, Beragua,* 9.213 in all the whiche, golde is founde. They defende them selues ageynste rayne and heate with certeyne great leaues of trees in the steade of clokes. Departinge from hense, he searched the coastes of Ebetere, and Embigar, into the which faule the goodly ryuers of Zohoran and Cubigar:* 9.214 And here ceaseth the plentie and frute∣fulnes of golde, in the tracte of fiftie leagues or there about. From hense onely three leagues distant, is the rocke whiche in the vnfortunate discourse of Nicuesa we sayde was cauled of owre men Pignonem.* 9.215 But of thinhabitantes the Region is cauled Vibba.* 9.216 In this tracte also aboute syxe leagues frome thense, is the hauen which Colonus cauled Portus Bellus (wher∣of we haue spoken before) in the region whiche thinhabitan∣tes caule Xaguaguara.* 9.217 This region is very peopulous: but they go all naked. The kyng is paynted with blacke colours, but all the people with redde.* 9.218 The kynge and seuen of his noble men,* 9.219 had euery of them a lyttle plate of golde hangynge at theyr nosethrylles downe vnto theyr lyppes. And this they take for a cumly ornamente.* 9.220 The menne inclose theyr priuie members in a shell: And the women couer theyrs with a fyl∣••et of gossampine cotton tyed about theyr loynes. In theyr

gardens they noorysshe a frute muche lyke the nutte of a pine tree: the whiche (as we haue sayde in an other place) gro∣weth on a shrubbe muche lyke vnto an archichocke: But the frute is muche softer, and meate for a kynge. Also cer∣teyne trees whiche beare gourdes, wherof we haue spoken before. This tree, they caule Hibuero. In these coastes they mette sumtymes with Crocodiles lyinge on the sandes. the whiche when they fled, or tooke the water, they lefte a ve∣ry sweete sauour behynde them sweeter then muske or Casto∣reum.* 9.221 When I was sente ambassadour for the catholike king of Castile to the Soltane of Babilon or Alcayer in Egipte,* 9.222 thinhabitantes nere vnto the ryuer of Nilus toulde me the like of their female Crocodiles. Affyrmyng furthermore that the fatte or sewette of them is equall in sweetnes with the plea∣saunte gummes of Arabic. But the Admirall was nowe at the length enforced of necessytie to departe from hense, as∣well for that he was no longer able to abyde the contrarye and vyolente course of the water, as also that his shyppes were daily more and more putrified and eaten throwgh with certeyne wormes whiche are engendred of the warmenes of the water in all those tractes nere vnto the Equinoctial line.* 9.223 The Uenetians caule these woormes Bissas. The same are al∣so engendred in two hauens of the citie of Alexandria in Egipt and destroye the shyppes if they lye longe at anker.* 9.224 They are a cubet in lengch, and sumwhat more: not passyng the quan∣titie of a fynger in bygnesse. The Spanyshe mariner cauleth this pestilence Broma.* 9.225 Colonus therfore whom before the great monsters of the sea coulde not feare, nowe fearyng this Bro∣ma, beynge also soore vexed with the contrary faule of the sea, directed his course with the Ocean towarde the west, and came first to the ryuer Hiebra,* 9.226 distant onely two leaques from the ryuer of Beragua, bycause that was commodious to har∣borowe great shippes. This region is named after the riuer, and is cauled Beragua the lesse:* 9.227 Bycause bothe the ryuers are in the dominion of the kyng which inhabiteth the region of Beragua.. But what chaunsed vn••o hym in this vyage on the ryghte hande and on the lefte, le••te vs nowe declare. Whyle therfore Colonus the Admirall remayned yet in the ryuer Hie∣bra, he sent Bertholomeus Colonus his brother and Lieuetenaunte of Hispaniola, with the shyppe boa••es and threscore and .viii.

men to the ryuer of Beragua,* 9.228 where the king of the region be∣inge naked and painted after the maner of the countrey, came towarde them with a great multitude of men waytynge on hym, but all vnarmed and without weapons, gyuinge also sygnes of peace. When he approched nerer, and entered com∣munication with owre men, certeyne of his gentelmen nea∣reste aboute his person, rememberinge the maiestie of a king, and that it stoode not with his honour to bargen stondynge, tooke a greate stoone owte of the ryuer, wasshynge an•• rub∣bynge it veary•• decently, & so put it vnder hym with humble reuerence.* 9.229 The kyng thus syttyng, seemed with sygnes & to∣kens to insinuate that it shuld be lawful for owre men to sear¦che & viewe al the ryuers within h••s dominion. Wherfore, the vi. day of the Ides of February, leauing his boates with cer∣teyne of his coompany, he wente by lande a foote from the bankes of Beragua vntyl he came to the ryuer of Duraba,* 9.230 whi∣che he affirmeth to be richer in gold then eyther Hiebra or Bera∣gua. For gold is engendred in al the riuers of that land. In so muche that emonge the rootes of the trees growynge by the bankes of the ryuers, & amonge the stones left of the water,* 9.231 & also where so euer they dygged a hole or pyt in the grounde not paste the deapthe of a handfull and a halfe, they founde the earthe taken owte therof, myxte with golde: Where vp∣pon he determyned to fasten his foote there and to inhabyte. Whiche thynge the people of the countrey perceauynge and smellynge what inconuenyence and myschiefe myght thereof ensewe to their countrey if they shulde permitte straungers to plante their habitation there, assembled a great army, and with horrible owte crye assayled owre men (who had nowe begoonne to buylde houses) soo desperately that they were scarcely able to abyde the fyrste brunte. These nake•• barba∣rians at their fyrst approche, vsed onely slynges and dartes:* 9.232 But when they came nearer to hande strookes, they foughte with their woodden swoordes whiche they caule Machan••s, as wee haue sayd before. A man woolde not thinke what great malice and wrath was kyndeled in their hartes ageinst owre men: And with what desperate myndes they fought for the defense of their lybertie whiche they more esteeme then lyfe or rychesse.* 9.233 For they were nowe so voyde of all feare, and contemnynge deathe, that they neyther scared longe bowes

or crossebowes, nor yet (whiche is mooste to be marueyled) were any thynge discouraged at the terryble noyse of the gunnes shotte of from the shyppes. They retyred once. But shortly after encreasynge their noumber, they returned more fiercely then at the fyrste. They woolde haue byn contented to haue receyued owre men frendly as straungers, but not as inhabitours. The more instante that owre men were to re∣maine, so muche the greater multitude of bortherers flocked togyther dayly, disturbyng thē both nyght & daye sumtymes on the one syde & sumtymes on the other.* 9.234 The shyps lying at anker neare vnto the shore, warded them on the backe halfe. But at the length they were fayne to forsake this lande, and retourne backe the same way by the which they came. Thus with much diffyculty and danger, they came to the Iland of Iamaica lyenge on the south syde of Hispaniola and Cuba,* 9.235 with their shyppes as full of holes as sieues, and so eaten with woormes, as though they had byn bored through with wim∣bles. The water entered so faste at the ryftes and holes, that if they had not with the paynefull labour of their han∣des empted the same as faste, they were lyke to haue perys∣shed. Where as yet by this meanes they arryued at Iamaica, althoughe in maner halfe deade. But their calamitie ceased not here. For as fast as their shyppes leaked, their strengthe dimynisshed so that they were no longer able to keepe theym from synkynge.* 9.236 By reason wherof, faulynge into the han∣des of the barbarians, and inclosed withowte hope of de∣parture, they led their lyues for the space of tenne monthes emong the naked people more myserably then euer dyd Ache∣menides emonge the gyantes cauled Ciclopes: rather lyuing thē beinge eyther contented or satisfied with the strange meates of that Ilande: and that onely at such tymes as pleased the barbarians to giue them part of theirs. The deadly enmity and malice whiche these barbarous kinges beare one ageinst an other, made greatly with owre men. For at suche tymes as they attempted warre ageinst their bortherers they woold sumtymes gyue owre men parte of their breade to ayde them. But howe myserable and wretched a thyng it is to lyue one∣ly with breade gotten by beggynge, yowre holynesse maye easylye coniecture: Especially where all other accustomed foode is lackynge, as wyne, oyle, flesshe, butter, chiese, and

milke, wherwith the stomakes of owr people of Europe haue euer byn noorisshed euen from their cradelles.* 9.237 Therfore as necessyty is subiecte to no lawe, so doothe it enforce men to attempte desperate aduentures. And those the soner, which by a certeyne nobylytie of nature do no further esteeme lyfe then it is ioyned with summe felicity. Bertholomeus Colonus ther∣fore, intendynge rather to proue what god woolde do with hym and his companyons in these extremities,* 9.238 then any lon∣ger to abide the same, commaunded Diegus Mendez his steward with two guydes of that Ilande whome he had hyred with promysses of great rewardes at their retourne, to enter in∣to one of their canoas and take their viage to Hispaniola.

Beynge thus tossed on the sea two and fro from rocke too rocke by reason of the shortenesse and narownes of the ca∣noa, they arryued at the length at the laste corner of Hispa∣niola, beynge distante from Iamaica fortie leagues. Here his guydes departynge from hym, returned ageine to Colonus for the rewardes which he had promysed them. But Diegu•• Men∣dez wente on forward a foote vntyll he came to the citie cau∣led Sanctus Dominicus beynge the chiefe and heade citye of the Ilande.* 9.239 The offycers and rulers of Hispaniola, beinge enfor∣med of the matter, appoynted hym two shyppes wherwith he retourned to his maister and coompanions. As he founde them, soo came they to Hispaniola, verye feeble and in maner naked. What chaunced of them afterwarde, I knowe not as yet. Lette vs nowe therfore leaue these particulers, and speake sumwhat more of generals. In al those tractes whi∣che we sayde here before to haue bynne found by Colonus the Admyrall,* 9.240 bothe he hym selfe writeth, and all his coompa∣nyons of that vyage confesse, that the trees, herbes,* 9.241 and fru∣tes, are floryshing and greene all the hole yeare, and the ayer so temperate and holesome, that of all his coompanye there neuer fell one man sycke, nor yet were vexed eyther with ex∣treme coulde or heate for the space of fyftie leagues from the great hauen of Cerabaro to the ryuers of Hiebra and Beragua.* 9.242* 9.243* 9.244

Thinhabitantes of Cerabaro, and the nat••ons whiche are be∣twyxte that and the sayde ryuers, applye not them selues to the gatherynge of golde but onely at certeyne tymes of the yeare: And are very experte & cunnyng herein, as are owre myners of syluer and Iren.* 9.245 They knowe by longe experience

in what places golde is mooste abundantly engendred: as by the colour of the water of the ryuers, and suche as faule frō the montaynes: And also by the colour of the earthe and sto∣nes. They beleue a certeyne godly nature to be in golde,* 9.246 for asmuche as they neuer gather it excepte they vse certeyne re∣lygious expiations or pourgynge, as to absteyn from women, and all kyndes of plesures and delycate meates and drinkes, d••ring all the tyme that their golden haruest laste••he.* 9.247 They suppose that men do naturally lyue and dye as other beastes do, and therfore honour none other thynge as god. Yet doo th••y praye to the soonne, and honour it when it ryseth. But lette vs nowe speake of the montaines and situation of these landes. From all the sea bankes of these regyons, exceding great and hyghe mountaynes are seene towarde the Southe,* 9.248 yet reachynge by a continuall tracte from the Easte into the weste. By reason wherof I suppose that the two greate seas (wherof I haue spoken largly before) are deuided with these montaynes as it were with bulwarkes, leaste they shoulde ioyne and repugne, as Italye deuideth the sea cauled Tirrhe∣num,* 9.249 from the sea Adriatyke, which is nowe commonly cau∣led the goulfe of Uenes.

For whiche waye soo euer they sayled from the poynt cauled Promontorium, S. Augustini (whiche perteyneth to the Portugales & prospecteth ageynste the sea Atlantike) euen vnto Vraba and the hauen Cerabaro,* 9.250* 9.251* 9.252 and to the furthest landes found hyther∣to westwarde, they had euer greate mountaynes in syghte bothe nere hande and farre of, in all that longe rase. These mountaynes were in sume place, smooth, pleasaunt and frut¦full,* 9.253 full of goodly trees and herbes: And sumwhere, hygh, rowgh, ful of rockes, and baren, as chaunseth in the famus mountayne of Taurus in Asia, and also in dyuers coastes of our mountaynes of Apennini,* 9.254 and suche other of lyke byggenesse. The rydgies also of these mountaynes are diuided with good¦ly and fayre valleis. That part of the mountaynes which in¦cludeth the lymettes of Beragua,* 9.255 is thought to be hygher then the clowdes,* 9.256 in so much that (as they saye) the tops of them can seldome bee seene for the multitude of thicke clowdes which are beneath the same. Colonus the Admirall the fyrste fynder of these regions, affirmeth that the toppes of the mon¦taynes of Beragua are more then fiftie myles in heyghth.* 9.257 He

sayth furthermore that in the same region at the rotes of the montaynes the way is open to the south sea, and compareth it as it were betwene Uenice and Genua, or Ianua as the Ge∣nues wyll haue it cauled, whiche fable that theyr citie was buylded of Ianus.* 9.258 He affirmeth also that this lande reacheth foorth towarde the south: And that from hense it taketh the begynnynge of breadth, lyke as from the Alpes owte of the narowe thygh of Italy,* 9.259 we see the large and mayne landes of Fraunce, Germanye, and Pannonye, to the Sarmatians and Scythyans, euen vnto the mountaynes and rockes of Riphea and the frosen sea, and embrase therwith as with a continuall bonde, all Tracia, and Grecia, with all that is included within the promontorie or poynt of Malea and Hel∣lespontus southwarde, and the sea Euzinus and the marysshes of Maeotis in Scythia northwarde. The Admirall supposethe,* 9.260 that on the lefte hande in saylynge towarde the weste, this lande is ioyned to India beyonde the ryuer of Ganges: And that on the ryght hande towarde the North, it bee extended to the frosen sea, beyonde the Hyperboreans and the North pole: So that both the seas (that is to meane that south sea which we sayde to bee founde by Vaschus, and owre Ocean) shulde ioyne and meete in the corners of that land: And that the waters of these seas doo not onely inclose and compasse the same withowt diuision as Europe is inclosed with the seas of Hellespontus and Tanais, with the frosen Ocean & owre sea of Tyrrhenum with the Spanysshe seas. But in my opini∣on, the vehement course of the Ocean toward the weste, doth signifie and lette that the sayde two seas shulde not so ioyne togither:* 9.261 But rather that that land is adherent to the firme landes towarde the Northe, as we haue sayde before. It shall suffice to haue sayde thus muche of the length hereof. Let vs nowe therfore speake sumwhat of the breadth of the same,* 9.262 We haue made mention before howe the south sea is diuided by narowe lymittes from owre Ocean, as it was pro¦ued by thexperience of Vaschus Nun••ez and his coompanions which fyrst made open the way thyther. But as dyuersly as the mountaynes of owre Alpes in Europe are sumwhere na∣rowe and in sume place brode, euen so by the lyke prouidēc•• of nature, this lande in sume parte therof reacheth farre in breadth, and is in other places coarcted with narowe limet∣tes

from sea to sea, with valleys also in sume places, wher∣by men may passe from the one syde to the other. Where we haue descrybed the regions of Vraba and Beragua to bee situ∣ate,* 9.263 these seas are deuided by smaule distaunce. Yet owght we to thynke the region which the great ryuer of Maragnonus runneth through,* 9.264 to bee very large if we shall graunt Marag∣nonum to bee a ryuer and no sea, as the freshe waters of the same owght to persuade vs. For in suche narowe caues of the earth, there can bee no swalowinge goulfes of such byg¦nesse as to receaue or nooryshe so great abundance of water. The lyke is also to bee supposed of the great ryuer of Dabaiba which we sayde to bee from the corner of the goulfe of Vraba in sume place of fortie fathomes depth,* 9.265 and sumwhere fiftie: Also three myles in breadth, and so to faule into the sea. We must needes graunt that the earth is brode there, by the whi∣che the ryuer passeth from the hyghe mountaynes of Dabaiba from the East and not from the west. They say that this ry∣uer consisteth and taketh his encrease of foure other ryuers faulynge from the mountaynes of Dabaiba.* 9.266 Owre men caule this ryuer Flumen. S. Iohannis. They say also that from hense it fauleth into the goulfe of Vraba by seuen mouthes as doothe the ryuer of Nilus into the sea of Egypte.* 9.267 Lykewyse that in the same region of Vraba there are in sume places narowe streyghtes not passynge fyftene leaques: and the same to bee saluage and withowt any passage by reason of dyuers ma∣rysshes and desolate wayes,* 9.268 which the Latines caule Lamas: But the Spanyardes accordynge to theyr varietie, caule thē Tremedales, Trampales, Cenegales, Sumideros, and Zabondaderos. But before we passe any further, it shall not bee greatly from owr purpose to declare from whense these mountaynes of Dabaiba haue theyr name accordynge vnto thantiquities of thinhabi∣tantes.* 9.269 They saye therefore that Dabaiba was a woman of greate magnanimitie and wysedome emonge theyr predices∣sours in owlde tyme: whom in her lyfe, all thinhabitantes of those prouinces did greatly reuerence, and beinge deade gaue her diuine honour and named the regiō after her name, beleuynge that shee sendeth thunder and lyghtnynge to de∣stroy the frutes of the earth yf shee bee angered, and to send plentie if shee bee well pleased. This superstition hathe byn persuaded them by a craftie kynde of men vnder pretense of

religion to thintent that they might enioye suche gyftes and offeringes as were brought to the place where shee was ho∣noured.* 9.270 This is sufficient for this purpose. They saye fur∣thermore that the marysshes of the narowe lande wherof we haue spoken, brynge foorth great plentie of Crocodiles, dra∣gons, battes, and gnattes beinge very hurtfull. Therefore when so euer they take any iorney towarde the south, they go owte of the way towarde the mountaynes, and eschewe the regions neare vnto those perelous fennes or maryshes. Sume thinke that there is a valley lyinge that way that the ryuer runneth which owre men caule Rio de los perdidos, that is, the ryuer of the lost men (so named by the misfortune whiche there befell to Nicuesa and his coompany) and not far distant from the hauen Cerabaro whiche diuideth those mountaynes towarde the south.* 9.271 But let vs nowe fynishe this booke with a fewe other thynges woorthy to bee noted. They say there∣fore that on the ryght hande and lefte hande frome Dariena, there are twentie ryuers in all the whiche,* 9.272 greate plentie of golde is founde. Being demaunded what was the cause why they brought no greater abundance of gold from thense, they answered that they lacked myners: And that the men which they tooke with them from Spayne thyther, were not accu∣stomed to laboure, but for the moste parte brought vp in the warres. This lande seemeth also to promesse many precious stones.* 9.273 For besyde those which I sayde to bee founde neare vnto Cariai and Sancta Martha, one Andreas Moralis a pylot (who had trauayled those coastes with Iohannes de la Cossa whyle he yet lyued) had a precious diamonde which he bought of a na∣ked younge man in the region of Cumana in the prouince of Paria.* 9.274 This stone was as longe as two ioyntes of a mans mid¦dell fynger, and as bygge as the fyrst ioynte of the thumme: beinge also paynted on euery syde, consistynge of eyght squa¦res perfectly formed by nature. They say that with this they made scarres in anuilles and hammers, and brake the teethe of fyles, the stone remaynyng vnperysshed. The younge man of Cumana, wore this stone aboute his necke emonge other ou¦ches, and soulde it to Andreas Moralis for fyue of our coūterfect stones made of glasse of dyuers colours wherwith the igno∣rant younge man was greatly delyted. They founde also cer¦teyne topases on the shore.* 9.275 But thestimation of golde was so

farre entered into the heades of owre men, that they had no regarde to stones. Also the most part of the Spanyardes,* 9.276 do lawgh them to scorne which vse to weare many stones: speci¦ally such as are common: Iudginge it to bee an effeminate thynge, and more meete for women then men. The noble mē onely when they celebrate solēne mariages, or set forth any triūphes, weare cheynes of gold byset with precious stones, and vse fayre apparell of sylke embrothered with golde inter¦mixt with pearles and precious stones: And not at other ty∣mes. They thynke it no lesse effeminate for men to smell of the sweete sauours of Arabie:* 9.277 And iudge hym to bee infected with sum kynde of fylthy lechery, in whom they smell the sa¦uour of muske or Castoreum. But lyke as by one apple taken from a tree, we may perceyue the tree to bee frutfull, and by one fyshe taken in a ryuer, we may knowe that fyshe is ingen∣dered in the same, euen so, by a lyttel gold, and by one stone, we owght to consyder that this lande bringeth forthe great plentie of golde and precious stones.* 9.278 What they haue found in the porte of Sancti Martha in the region of Cariai when the hole nauye passed therby vnder the gouernaunce of Petrus A∣rias and his coompany with certeine other of the kynges of∣fycers,* 9.279* 9.280 I haue suffyciently declared in his place. To be shorte therefore, all thynges do so florysshe, growe, encrease, and prosper, that the laste are euer better then the fyrste. And surely to declare my opinion herin,* 9.281 what so euer hath here••o¦fore byn discouered by the famous trauayles of Saturnus and Hercules, with such other whō the antiquitie for their heroical factes honoured as goddes, seemeth but lyttell and obscure if it be compared to the Spanyardes victorious laboures.

This I byd yowre holynes fare well, desyringe yowe to cer∣tifye me howe yowe lyke these fyrste frutes of the Ocean, that beyng encoraged with yowre exhortations, I maye the gladlyer and with lesse tediousnesse write suche thynges as shal chaunce heraf¦ter.

The fyft booke of the thirde decade.

AL suche lyuynge creatures as vnder the cer∣cle of the moone bringe forthe any thynge, are accustomed by thinstincte of nature as soone as they are delyuered of their byrthe, eyther to close vppe the matrice, or at the leaste to bee quyete for a space. But owre mooste frutefull Ocean and newe woorlde, engendereth and bringeth furthe dayly newe byrthes wher∣by men of great wytte, and especially suche as are studyous of newe and meruelous thinges, may haue sumwhat at hand wherwith to feede their myndes. If yowre holynesse do aske to what purpose is al this, ye shal vnderstand, that I had scarcely fynysshed the historye of suche thynges as chaunsed to Vaschus Nunnez and his coompanye in their vyage to the southe sea, when soodenly there came newe letters from Pe∣trus Arias the newe gouernour whom the kyng had appoynted the yeare before with an army of men and a nauye of shippes to sayle to these newe landes. He sygnifyeth by his letters, that he with his nauye and coompany, arryued all safelye.

Furthermore, Iohannes Cabedus (whome yowre holynes at the requeste of the moste catholyke kynge had created bysshoppe of that prouynce of Dariena) and three other of the chiefe offy∣cers ioined in cōmission to be his assystance,* 9.282 as Alfonsus de Ponte, Diegus Marques, and Iohannes de Tauira, confyrmed the same let∣ters and subscribed them with their names. The nauygati∣on therfore of Petrus Arias,* 9.283 was in this maner. The daye be∣fore the Ides of Apryll, in the yeare of Christe .1514. he hoy∣sed vppe his sayles in the towne of saincte Lucar de Barrameda,* 9.284 sytuate in the mouthe of the ryuer Batis,, whiche the Spani∣ardes nowe caule Guadalchebir. The seuen Ilandes of Canaria are about foure hundreth myles distant from the place where this riuer fauleth into the sea.* 9.285 Summe thinke that these are the Ilandes which the owlde writers did caule the fo••t••n••te Ilandes. But other thynke the contrary. The name of the••e Ilandes, are these. The two whiche appere fyrste in syght, are named Lanzelota and Fortisuentura. On the backehalfe of these, lyeth Magna Canaria or Grancanaria. Beyonde that is Te∣urife: and Gomera sumwhat towarde the northe frome that.

Palma and Ferrea, lye behynde as it were a bulwarke to all the other. Petrus Arias therfore, arriued at Gomera the eyghte daye after his departure, with a nauye of .xvii. shippes and a .M. and fyue hundreth men, althoughe there were onely a thou∣sand and two hundreth assygned hym by the kynges letters. It is sayde furthermore that he lefte behynd hym more then two thousande verye pensyue and syghynge that they also myght not be receaued, proferynge them selues to go at their owne charges. He taried .xvi. dayes in Gomera to thintente to make prouysyon of fuell and freshe water:* 9.286 But chiefely to repayre his shyppes beynge sore brosed with tempestes, and especially the gouernours shippe whiche had loste the rudder. For these Ilandes are a commodious restynge place for all suche as intende to attempte any nauygations in that mayne sea. Departynge from hense in the nones of Maye, he sawe no more lande vntyll the thirde daye of Iune, at the whiche he arriued at Dominica an Ilande of the Canibales,* 9.287 being distant from Gomera aboute eyght hundreth leaques. Here he remay∣ned foure dayes, makinge newe prouision of freshe water and fuell, durynge whiche tyme he sawe no man nor yet any step∣pes of men: But founde plentie of sea crabbes and greate ly∣sartes. From hense he sayled by the Ilandes of Matinina (o∣therwyse cauled Madanino) Guadalupea,* 9.288 and Galanta (otherwyse cauled Galana) of all whiche, we haue spoken in the fyrste de∣cade. He passed also throughe the sea of herbes or weedes, continuyng a long tracte. Yet nother he, nor Colonus the Ad∣myrall (who fyrste founde these Ilandes and sayled through this sea of weedes) haue declared anye reason howe these weedes shoulde coome.* 9.289 Summe thynke the sea too be ve∣rye muddye there, and that these weedes are engendered in the bottome therof, and so beynge loosed, to ascende to the vppermooste parte of the water, as wee see oftentymes chaunce in certeyne stondynge pooles, and sumtymes also in greate ryuers. Other suppose that they are not engendered there, but to bee beaten from certeyne rockes by the vyolence of the water in tempestes. And thus they leaue the matter in dowte: Neyther haue they yet any certeyne experyence whe∣ther they stycke faste and gyue place to the shyppes, or wan∣der loose vppon the water. But it is to bee thought that they are engendered there. For otherwyse they shulde bee dryuen

togyther on heapes by thympulsyon of the shyppes euen as a beasome gathereth the swepynges of a house, and shulde al∣so lette the course of the shyppes. The fourth day after that he departed frome Dominica,* 9.290 the hyghe mountaynes couered with snowe (wherof we haue spoken in the seconde decade) appered vnto hym. They saye that there the seas runne as swyftely towarde the weste,* 9.291 as it were a ryuer faulyng from the toppes of hyghe montaynes: Although they sayled not directly toward the west, but inclined sumwhat to the south. From these montaynes fauleth the ryuer of Gaira,* 9.292 famous by the slaughter of owre men at such tyme as Rodericus Colmenares passed by those coastes as we haue sayde before. Lykewyse many other fayre ryuers haue their originall from the same montaynes. This prouynce (in the whiche is also the regy∣on of Caramairi) hath in it two notable hauens,* 9.293 of the which owre men named the one Carthago or Carthagona,* 9.294 and the other Sancta Martha, the region wherof, thinhabitantes caule Satur∣ma.* 9.295 The porte of Sancta Martha, is nearer to the montaines co∣uered with snowe cauled Montes Niuales:* 9.296 for it is at the rootes of the same montaines. But the hauen of Carthago, is more westewarde aboute fyftie leaques. He writeth marueylous thynges of the hauen of Sancta Martha, whiche they also con∣firme that came lately frō thēse: Of the which younge Vesput••us is one to whō Americus Vesputius his vncle (being a Florētine borne) left the exact knowlege of the mariners facultie,* 9.297 as it were by inheritance after his death for he was a very expert maister in the knowledge, of his carde, his compasse, and the eleuation of the pole starre with all that perteineth ther∣to. This younge Vesputius was assygned by the kyng to bee one of the maisters of the gouernours shyppe, bicause he was cunninge in iudgyng the degrees of the eleuation of the pole starre by the quadrante. For the charge of gouernynge the rudder, was chiefely coommytted to one Iohannes Serranus a Spaniarde, who had oftentymes ouer runne those coastes. Vesputius is my verye familyar frende, and a wyttie younge man in whose coompany I take great pleasure, and there∣fore vse hym oftentymes for my geste. He hath also made many vyages into these coastes, and diligently noted suche thinges as he hath seene. Petrus Arias therfore writeth, and he confyrmeth the same, that thinhabitantes of these regy∣ons

tooke their originall of the Caribes or Canibales, as ap∣peared by the desperate fiercenes and crueltie which they of∣tentymes shewed to owre men when they passed by their coa∣stes. Suche stou••enes and fortitude of mynde is natu••••llye engendered in these naked Barbarians,* 9.298 that they feared not to a••sayle owre hole nauy & to forbyd them to coome a land. They feyght with venemous arrowes as we haue sayde be∣fore. Perceauynge that owre men contempned their threat∣nynges, they ranne furiously into the sea, euen vppe to the breastes,* 9.299 nothynge fearinge eyther the bygnes or multitude of owre shyppes, but ceased not continually beinge thus in the water, to cast dartes and shute their venemous arrowes as thicke as hayle: In so muche that owre men had bynne in great daunger if they had not byn defended by the cages or pauisses of the shyppes and their targettes. Yet were two of them wounded whiche died shortely after. But this con∣flycte continued so sharpe, that at the length owre men were enforced to shute of their byggest pieces of ordinaunce with hayleshotte:* 9.300 At the slaughter and terrible noyse wherof the barbarians beynge sore discomfited and shaken with feare, thynkynge the same to be thunder and lyghtnynge,* 9.301 tourned their backes and fledde amayne. They greately feare thun∣der bycause these regyons are oftentymes vexed with thun∣der and lyghtnynge by reason of the hyghe montaynes and nearenesse of the same to the region of the ayer wherin such fierie tempestes are engendered which the philosophers caule Meteora.* 9.302 And all be it that owre men had nowe dryuen their enemyes to flyght, and sawe them disparcled and owte of or∣der, yet dowted they and were of dyuers opinions whether they shulde pursue them or not On the one partie, shame pric∣ked them forwarde, and on the other syde feare caused them to caste many perelles, especially consyderynge the venemous arrowes whiche these barbarians canne direct so certeynely.* 9.303 To departe from theym with a drye foote (as saithe the pro∣uerbe) with so great a nauye and suche an armye, they repu∣ted it as a thynge greately soundynge to their reproche and dishonour. At the length therfore shame ouercommyng feare, they pursued them and came to land with their shippe boates.

The gouernoure of the nauie, and also Vesputius doo wryte, that the hauen is no lesse then three leagues in compasse, be∣inge

also safe withowt rockes, and the water therof so clere, th••t a man may see pybble stones in the bottome twentie cu∣bettes deape. They saye lykewyse that there fauleth twoo fayre ryuers of fresshe water into the ha••••n: but the same to bee meeter to beare the canoas of these prouinces then anye bygger vessels. It is a delectable thynge to heare what they tel of the plentie and varietie, and also of the pleasaunt tast of the fysshes aswel of these riuers as of the sea there about. By reason wherof they founde here many fyssher boates and nettes woonderfully wrought of the stalkes of certeyne her••∣bes or weedes dryed and tawed and wrethed with cordes of spunne gossampine cotton.* 9.304 For the people of Caramairi, Gaira,* 9.305 and Saturma, are very cunnynge in fysshynge, and vse to sell fysshe to theyr bortherers for exchaunge of suche thynges as they lacke. When owre men had thus chased the Barbary∣ans from the sea coastes, and hadde nowe entered into theyr houses, they assayled them with newe skyrmushes, especial∣ly when they sawe them faule to sackynge and spoylyng, and theyr wyues and chyldren taken captiue. Theyr householde stuffe was made of great reedes which growe on the sea ban∣kes,* 9.306 and the stalkes of certeyne herbes beaten and afterward made harde. The floures therof were strewed with herbes of sundry coloures: And the waules hanged with a kynde of tapstry artificially made of gossampine cotton,* 9.307 and wrought with pictures of Lions, Tygers, and Eagles. The doores of theyr houses and chambers were full of dyuers kyndes of shelles hangynge loose by smaule cordes,* 9.308 that beinge shaken by the wynde they myght make a certeyne rattelynge and al∣so a whystelynge noyse by gatherynge the wynde in theyr ho¦lowe places. For herein they haue greate delyte, and impute this for a goodly ornamente. Dyuers haue shewed me many woonderfull thynges of these regions: Especially one Conza∣lus Fernandus Ouiedus beinge one of the maiestrates appointed in that office which the Spanyardes caule Veedor,* 9.309 who hath al∣so hetherto entered further into the lande then any other. He affirmeth that he chaunced vppon the fragmente of a saphire bygger then the egge of a goose. And that in certeyne hylles where he trauayled with thirtie men, he founde many of the precious stones cauled Smaragdes,* 9.310 calcidones, and Iaspers, besyde great pieces of amber of the montaines. He also with

dyuers other do affirme that in the houses of sume of the Ca¦nibales of these regions,* 9.311 they found the lyke precious stones set in golde and inclosed in the tapstry or arras (if it may soo bee cauled) wherewith they hange theyr houses. The same lande bryngeth foorth also many wooddes of brasile trees & great plentie of golde:* 9.312 In so much that in maner in al places they founde on the se•• bankes and on the shoores, certeyne marchasites in token of golde.* 9.313 Fernandus Ouiedus declareth fur∣thermore that in a certeyne region cauled Zenu, lyinge foure score and tenne myles from Dariena Eastwarde, they exercyse a straunge kynde of marchaundies. For in the houses of the inhabitantes, they founde greate chestes and baskets made of the twigges and leaues of certeyne trees apte for that pur¦pose, beinge all full of gressehoppers, grylles, crabbes, or crefysshes: snayles also, and locustes whiche destrowe the fieldes of corne,* 9.314 all well dryed and salted. Beinge demaun∣ded why they reserued such a multitude of these beastes, they answered that they kepte them to bee soulde to theyr borthe∣rers which dwell further within the lande: And that for the exchange of these precious byrdes and salted fysshes, they re¦ceaued of them certeyne strange thynges wherin partely they take pleasure, and partly vse them for theyr necessary affay∣ers. These people dwel not togyther, but scattered here and there. Thinhabitantes of Caramairi, seeme to dwel in an earth¦ly Paradise, theyr region is so fayre and frutefull, withowt owtragious heate or sharpe coulde, with lyttle difference of the length of day and nyght throwghowt all the yeare. Af∣ter that owre men had thus dryuen the barbarians to flyght, they entered into a valley of two leagues in breadth & three in length, extendynge to certeyne frutful mountaynes ful of grasse,* 9.315 herbes, and trees, at the rootes wherof, lye twoo o∣ther valleys towarde the ryght hande and the left, throwgh eyther of the which runneth a fayre ryuer, whereof the ryuer of Gaira is one, but vnto the other they haue yet gyuen noo name. In these valleys they founde manye fayre gardeyns and pleasaunte fyeldes watered with trenshes distrybuted in marueylous order,* 9.316 with no lesse arte then owre Insubrians and Hetrurians vse to water theyr fyeldes. Theyr common meate, is Ages, Iucca, Maizium, Battatae, with suche other rootes and frutes of trees, and also suche fysshe as they vse in the

Ilandes and other regions of these prouinces. They eate mans fleshe but seldome, bycause they meete not oftentymes with strangiers, except they goo foorth of theyr owne domi∣nions with a mayne army of purpose to hunt for men,* 9.317 when theyr rauenynge appetite pricketh them forwarde. For they absteyne from them selues, and eate none but suche as they take in the warres or otherwyse by chaunce. But suerly it is a miserable thynge to heare howe many myriades of men these fylthy and vnnaturall deuourers of mans flesshe haue consumed,* 9.318 and lefte thousandes of moste fayre and frutfull Ilandes and regions desolate withowte menne: By reason wherof owre men founde so many Ilandes whiche for theyr fayrenes and frutefulnesse myght seeme to bee certeyne earth¦ly Paradyses, and yet were vtterly voyde of men. Hereby yowre holynesse may consider howe pernitious a kynde of men this is. We haue sayde before that the Ilande named Sancti Iohannis (which thinhabitantes caule Burichena) is nexte to Hispaniola. It is sayde that onely the Canibales which dwell in the other Ilandes nere about this, as in the Ilande cau∣led Hayhay or Sancte Crucis, and in Guadalupea (otherwise cauled Queraqueiera,* 9.319 or Carucuiera) haue in owre tyme vyolentely taken owte of the sayde Ilande of Sancti Iohannis, more then fyue thousande men to bee eaten. But let it suffice thus much to haue wandered by these monstrous bludsuckers. We wyll nowe therfore speake sumewhat of the rootes whereof they make theyr breade, forasmuch as the same shall hereafter bee foode to Christian men in steede of breade made of wheate,* 9.320 and in the steade of radysshe with such other rootes as they haue byn accustomed to eate in Europe. We haue oftentymes sayde before that Iucca is a roote whereof the beste and moste delicate breade is made bothe in the firme lande of these regi¦ons, and also in the Ilandes. But howe it is tylled or hus∣banded, howe it groweth, and of howe dyuers kyndes it is, I haue not yet declared. Therefore, when they intende to plante this Iucca,* 9.321 they make a hole in the earth knee deape, and rayse a heape of the earth taken owte of the same, fashio¦nynge it lyke a square bedde of nyne foote breadth on euerye syde, settynge twelue trunkes of these rootes (beinge about a foote and a halfe longe a piece) in euery of the sayd beddes conteynynge three rootes of a syde, so layde a slope, that the

endes of them ioyne in maner togyther in the center or myd∣dest of the bedde within the grounde. Owt of the ioyntes of the rootes and spaces betwene the same, sprynge the toppes and blades of newe rootes, which by lyttle and lyttle encrea¦synge, growe to the byggenes and length of a mans arme in the brawne, and oftentymes as bygge as the thygh: So that by the tyme of theyr full rypenes, in maner all the earthe of the heape, is conuerted into rootes.* 9.322 But they say that these rootes are not rype in lesse tyme then a yeare & a halfe: And that the longer they are su••fered to growe euen vntyll twoo yeares complete, they are so muche the better and more per∣fecte to make breade therof.* 9.323 When they are taken foorthe of the earth, they scrape them and slyse thē with certeyne sharpe stones scruynge for the same purpose: And thus layinge thē betwene two great stones, or puttynge them in a sacke made of the stalkes of certeyne towgh herbes and smaule reedes, they presse them (as we do cheese or crabbes to drawe owte the iuse thereof) and so let them drye a daye before they eate them. The iuse or lyquoure, they cast away: for (as we haue sayde) it is deadly poyson in the Ilandes.* 9.324 Yet is the iuse of suche as growe in the firme lande, holsome if it bee sodde, as is the whey of owre mylke. They saye that there are manye kyndes of this Iucca, wherof su••e are more pleasaunte and delycate then the other, and are therefore reserued as it were to make fine manchet for the kynges owne tables. But the gentelmen eate of the meaner sorte, and the common people of the basest. The fynest they caule Cazabbi,* 9.325 which they make rounde lyke cakes in certeyne presses before they seeth it or bake it. They saye furthermore that there are lykewyse dy∣uers kyndes of the rootes of Ages and Battata.* 9.326 But they vse these rather as frutes and dysshes of seruice, then to make breade therof, as we vse rapes, radysshes, mussheroms, na∣uies, perseneppes, and such lyke. In this case, they mooste especially esteeme the best kynde of Battatas, which in pleasant tast and tendernes farre exceadeth owre musheromes. It shal suffice to haue sayde thus muche of rootes.* 9.327 We wyll nowe therfore speake of an other kynde of theyr breade. We decla¦red before that they haue a kynde of grayne or pulse muche lyke vnto Panicum, but with sumwhrt bygger graines, which they beate into meale vppon certeyne greate hollowe stones

with the labour of their handes when they lacke Iucca: And of this is made the more vulgar or common breade. It is sowen thrise a yeare, so that the frutfulnesse of the grounde may beare it by reason of the equalitie of the tyme, whereof wee haue spoken suffyciently before.* 9.328 In these regyons they founde also the graine of Maizium,* 9.329 and sundry kyndes of fru∣tes of trees diligentely planted and well husbanded. The waye betwene the regyons of Caramairi and Saturma, is fayre, brode, and ryghte foorthe. They founde here also sundrye kyndes of waterpottes made of earthe of dyuers colours,* 9.330 in the whiche they bothe fetche and keepe freshe water. Lyke∣wise sundry kindes of iugges, godderdes, drynkyng cuppes, pottes, pannes, dysshes, and platters artifycially made.

When the gouernour had gyuen commaundement by procla∣mation, that thinhabitantes shulde eyther obey the Christian kynge and embrase owre relygion, or elles to depart owte of their countrey, they answered with venemous arrowes. In this skyrmyshe, owre men tooke summe of theym: whereof clothynge the moste parte in faire apparell, they sente them ageyne to their owne coompany: But leadyng the resydue to the shyppes to thin••ent to shewe them the poure and magny∣fycence of the christians that they myght declare the same to their coompanions, therby to wynne their fauour, they ap∣pareled them lykewyse and sente them after their felowes.

Theye affyrme that in all the ryuers of these coastes, theye sawe great argumentes and tokens of golde.* 9.331 They founde here and there in their houses good store of hartes flesshe and bores fleshe wherwith they fedde them selues dilycately.* 9.332

They also, haue greate plentie of sundry kyndes of byrdes and foules,* 9.333 wherof they brynge vppe many in their houses, summe for necessarye foode, and other for daynty dysshes as we do hennes and partriches. Owre men hereby coniecture that the ayer of these regions is veary holsome,* 9.334 for as muche as sleapynge all nyghte vnder the fyrmament on the bankes of the ryuers, none of them were at any tyme offended with reumes or heade ache by reason of any noysome humoure or vapoure proceadynge from the earthe, ayer, or water. Owre men furthermore, founde there many great bothomes of gos∣sampyne cotton ready spunue, and fardelles of dyuers kyn∣des of fethers wherof they make them selue•• crestes and plu∣mes* 9.335

after the maner of owre men of armes: also certeine clo∣kes whiche they esteeme as moste cumly ornamentes. They founde lykewyse an innumerable multitude of bowes and ar∣rowes.* 9.336 Thinhabitantes also of these regiōs, in summe places vse to burne the carkeses of their prynces when theye are deade, and to reserue their bones buryed with spyces in cer∣teyne hylles.* 9.337 In other places, they onely drye theym and imbaume them with spyc••s and sweete gummes, and soo re∣serue them in sepulchers in their owne houses. Sumwhere also, they drye them, spyce them; adourne them with precy∣ous iewells and ouches, and so reuerently place them in cer∣teyne tabernacles made for the same purpo••e in their owne palayces. When owre men had many of their tabellets, bras∣lettes, collers, and suche other ouches (whiche they caule Guanines) they founde them rather to bee made of laton then of golde:* 9.338* 9.339 wherby they suppo••e that they haue vsed to exchaunge their ware with summe craftie straungers whiche broughte thē those counterfect ou••hes to defraude them of their golde. For euen owre menne perceaued not the deceate vntyll they came to the meltynge. Furthermore, certayne of owre buyl∣ders wanderynge a lyttell way from the sea coastes, chaun∣ced to fynde certayne pyeces of white marble.* 9.340 Wherby they thynke that in tyme paste summe straungers haue coome too those landes, whiche haue dygged marble owte of the moun∣taines, and lefte those fragmentes on the plaine. There owre men learned that the ryuer Maragnonus descendeth frome the montaynes couered with snowe cauled Montes Niuales or Serra Neuata:* 9.341 And the same to bee encreased by many other ryuers whiche faule into it throughowte all the lowe and watelye regions by the whiche it runneth with so longe a tracte from the sayde montaynes into the sea: And this to bee the cause of the greatnesse therof. These thynges beyng thus brought to passe, the gouernour cōmaunded the trumpitour to blowe a retraite: Whervppon they whiche were sente to lande (be∣ynge fyue hundreth in noumber) makynge a great shoute for ioye of their victory, sette them selues in order of battayle, and so keping their array, returned to the shippes laden with spoyle of those prouinces, and shynynge in souldiers clokes of fethers,* 9.342 with faire plumes and crestes of variable colours. In this meane tyme hauynge repaired their shyppes and fur∣nysshed

the same with all necessaries, they loosed anker the xvi. daye of the Calendes of Iuly, directynge their course to the hauen of Carthagena, in the whiche viage they destroyed and wasted certayne Ilandes of the Canibales lyinge in the waye, accordynge as they were commaunded by the kynge. But the swifte course of the water deceaued bothe Iohannes Serranus the chiefe Pilet of the gouernours shyppe,* 9.343 and all the other, althoughe they made their boste that they perfectely knewe the nature therof. For they affyrme that in one night they were caried forty leaques beyonde their estimation.* 9.344

The syxte booke of the thirde Decade.

HEre muste we sumwhat digresse from cosmo∣graphy, and make a philosophicall discours to searche the secreate causes of nature. For wheras they al affyrme with on cōsent, that the sea runneth there from the Easte to the weste as swyftly as it were a ryuer faulinge from hyghe mountaynes,* 9.345 I thoughte it not good to lette so great a matter slyppe vntou∣ched. The whiche while I consyder, I am drawen into no smaule ambyguitie and doute, whether those waters haue their course whiche flowe with so contynuall a tracte in cir∣cuite from the Easte, as thowghe they fledde to the west ne∣uer to retourne, and yet neyther the weste therby any whitte the more fylled, nor the Easte emptied. If we shall saye that they faule to their centre (as is the nature of heuye thynges) and assigne the Equinoctiall lyne to be the centre (as summe affyrme) what centre shall we appointe to bee able to receaue so great aboundaunce of water?* 9.346* 9.347 Or what circumference shal be founde weate? They whiche haue searched those coastes, haue yet founde no lykely reason to be trewe. Many thynke that there shoulde bee certeyne large straightes or enterances in the corner of that great lande whiche we described to bee eyght tymes bygger then Italye,* 9.348 and the corner therof to be full of goulfes, wherby they suppose that summe strayghtes shulde passe through the same lyinge on the weste syde of the Ilande of Cuba: And that the sayde straightes shoulde swa∣lowe vp those waters, and so conuey the same into the weste

and from thense ageyn into owre Easte Ocean, or north seas as summe thynke.* 9.349 Other wyll, that the goulfe of that great lande bee closed vppe: and the land to reache farre towarde the northe on the backe syde of Cuba: so that it embrace the northe landes whiche the frosen sea encompaseth vnder the northe pole: And that all the lande of those coastes, shoulde ioyne togyther as one fir••e lande: Wherby they coniecture that those waters shulde bee turned aboute by the obiecte or resystaunce of that lande so bendynge towarde the north, as we see the waters ••courned aboute in the crooked bankes of certeyne ryuers. But this agreeth not in all poyntes. For they also whiche haue searched the frosen sea,* 9.350 and sayled frome thense into the weste, do lykewyse affyrme that those northe seas flow•• contynually towarde the weste, although nothing so swiftely. These northe seas haue byn searched by one Se∣bastian Cabot a Uenetian borne,* 9.351 whom beinge yet but in ma∣ner an infante, his parentes caryed with them into Englande hauyng occasion to resorte thether for trade of marchandies, as is the maner of the Uenetians too leaue no parte of the worlde vnsearched to obteyne richesse.* 9.352 He therfore furnis∣shed two shippes in England at his owne charges:* 9.353 And fyrst with three hundreth men, directed his course so farre toward the northe pole, that euen in the mooneth of Iuly he founde monstrous heapes of Ise swimming on the sea,* 9.354 and in maner continuall day lyght. Yet sawe he the lande in that tracte, free from Ise, whiche had byn molten by heate of the sunne. Thus seyng suche heapes of Ise before hym he was enforced to tourne his sayles and folowe the weste, so coastynge styll by the shore, that he was thereby broughte so farre into the southe by reason of the lande bendynge so muche southward that it was there almoste equall in latitude with the sea cau∣led Fretum Herculeum,* 9.355 hauynge the north pole eleuate in maner in the same degree. He sayled lykewise in this tracte so farre towarde the weste, that he had the Ilande of Cuba his lefte hande in maner in the same degree of langitude. As he tra∣ueyled by the coastes of this greate lande (whiche he named Baccallaos) he sayth that he found the like course of the waters toward the west,* 9.356 but the same to runne more softely and gen∣telly then t••e swifte waters whiche the Spanyardes found in their nauigations southeward.

Wherefore, it is not onely more lyke to bee trewe, but ought also of necessitie to bee concluded, that betwene both the lan∣des hetherto vnknowen, there shulde bee certeyne great open places wherby the waters shulde thus continually passe from the East into the weste: which waters I suppose to bee dry∣uen about the globe of the earth by the vncessaunt mouynge and impulsion of the heauens:* 9.357 and not to bee swalowed vp and cast owt ageyne by the breathynge of Demogorgon as sume haue imagined bycause they see the seas by increase and de∣crease,* 9.358 to flowe and re••••owe. Sebastian Cabot him selfe, na∣med those landes Baccallaos, bycause that in the seas therabout he founde so great multitudes of certeyne bigge fysshes much lyke vnto ••umes (which thinhabitantes caule Baccallaos) that they sumtymes stayed his shippes. He founde also the peo∣ple of those regions couered with beastes skynnes:* 9.359 Yet not without thuse of reason.

He saythe also that there is greate plentie of beares in those regions, whiche vse to eate fysshe.* 9.360 For plungeinge theym selues into the water where they perceue a multitude of these fysshes to lye, they fasten theyr clawes in theyr scales, and so drawe them to lande and eate them. So that (as he saith) the beares beinge thus satisfied with fysshe, are not noysom to men. He declareth further, that in many places of these regions,* 9.361 he sawe great plentie of laton amonge thinhabitan¦tes. Cabot is my very frende, whom I vse famylierly, and de¦lyte to haue hym sumtymes keepe mee company in myne owne house. For beinge cauled owte of England by the commaun∣dement of the catholyke kynge of Castile after the deathe of Henry Kynge of Englande the seuenth of that name, he was made one of owre counsayle and assystance as touchynge the affayres of the newe Indies, lookynge dayely for shippes to bee furnysshed for hym to discouer this hyd secreate of na∣ture. This vyage is appoynted to bee begunne in March in the yeare next folowynge,* 9.362 beinge the yeare of Chryst M. D. X••I. What shall succeade, yowre holynes shalbe aduertised by my letters if god graunte me lyfe. Sume of the Spany∣ardes denye that Cabot was the fyrst fynder of the lande of Baccallaos: And affirme that he went not so farre westewarde. But it shall suffice to haue sayde thus much of the goulfes & strayghtes, and of Cebastian Cabot. Let vs nowe therefore

returne to the Spanyardes. At this tyme, they let passe the hauen of Carthago vntouched, with all the Ilandes of the Ca¦nibales there aboute,* 9.363 whiche they named Insulas Sancti Bernardi: Leauynge also behynde theyr backes, all the region of Cara∣mairi. Heare by reason of a sooden tempeste, they were caste vppon the Ilande Fortis,* 9.364 beinge about fyftie leagues distante from the enteraunce of the goulfe of Vraba. In this Ilande, they founde in the houses of thinhabitantes, many baskets made of certeyne greate sea reedes, ful of salte. For this I∣lande hath in it many goodly salte bayes: by reason whereof they haue greate plentie of salte which they sell to other na∣tions for such thynges as they stande in neede of.* 9.365 Not farre from hense,* 9.366 a great curlewe as bygge as a storke came flying to the gouernours shippe, and suffered her selfe to bee ••easely taken: which beinge caryed about amonge all the shippes of the nauie, dyed shortly after, They sawe also a great multy¦tude of the same kynde of foules on the shore a farre of.

The gouernour his shyppe whiche we sayde to haue loste the rudder beinge nowe sore broosed and in maner vnprofytable, they lefte behynde to folowe at leasure. The nauie arriued at Dariena the twelfth day of the Calendes of Iuly,* 9.367 and the go∣uernour his shippe (beinge voyde of men) was dryuen a lande in the same coastes within foure dayes after. The Spany∣ardes whiche nowe inhabited Dariena, with theyr Capitayne and Lieuetenant Vuschus Nunnez Balboa (of whom we haue large¦ly made mention before) beinge certified of tharryual of Petrus Arias and his coompanye,* 9.368 wente foorthe three myles to meete him, & receaued him honorably & religiously with the psalme Te deum Laudamus, giuing thankes to god by whose safe cōducte they were brought so prosperously thether to al theyr confor∣tes. They receaued them gladly into theyr houses builded af¦ter the maner of those prouinces. I may well caule these re∣gions, Prouinces,* 9.369 a Procul victis, (that is) such as are ouercome farre of, forasmuch as owre men doo nowe inhabite the same all the barbarous kynges and Idolatours beinge eiected. They enterteyned them with such chere as they were able to make them: as with the frutes of those regions, and newe breade bothe made of rootes and the grayne Mai••ium. Other delicates to make vp the feast, were of theyr owne store whi∣che they brought with theym in theyr shyppes, as poudered

flesshe, salted fysshe, and breade made of wheate. For they brought with them many barrelles of wheate meale for the same purpose.* 9.370 Here maye yowre holynes not withowt iuste cause of admiracion beholde a kynges nauie and great multi¦tude of Christians, inhabytinge not onely the regions situate vnder the circle of heauen cauled Tropicus Cancri, but also in maner vnder the Equinoctiall lyne,* 9.371 contrary to thopinion of the owlde wryters, a fewe excepted. But after that they are nowe mette togyther, let vs further declare what they deter¦myned to doo. Therefore, the daye after that the nauie arri∣ued, there assembled a coompany of the Spanyardes thinha∣bitoures of Dariena, to the number of foure hundreth and fyf∣tie men. Petrus Arias the gouernour of the nauie and his coom¦pany, conferred with them bothe priuilie and openlye of cer∣teyne articles wherof it was the kynges pleasure he shulde en¦quire: And most especially as concernyng such thynges wher¦of Vaschus the fyrste fynder and Admirall of the Southe sea, made mentiō in his large letter sent frō Dariena to Spayn. In this inquisition they founde all thynges to bee trewew, herof Vaschus had certifyed the kynge by his letters: And there vp∣pon concluded that in the dominions of Comogra, Pocchorrosa, & Tumanama, at thassignement of Vaschus, certeine fortresses shuld bee erected foorthwith to thintente there to plant theyr colo∣nie or habitacion.* 9.372 To the better accomplysshemente hereof, they sent immediatly one Iohannes Aiora a noble younge gentel¦man of Corduba and vnder Lieuetenant,* 9.373 with foure hundreth men and foure carauelles and one other lyttle shippe. Thus de¦partinge, he sayled fyrst directly to the hauen of Comogrus,* 9.374 dy¦stant from Dariena aboute twentie and fyue leagues, as they wryte in theyr last letters. Frome hense, he as appoynted to sende a hundreth and fyftie of his foure hundreth, towarde the South by a newe and ryghter way founde of late, by the which (as they say) it is not paste .xxvi. leagues from the pa∣laice of kynge Comogrus to the enteraunce of the goulfe of Sancti Michaelis.* 9.375 The residewe of the foure hundreth, shall re∣mayne there to bee an ayde and succour to all such as shall ior¦ney to and fro. Those hundreth and fiftie which are assigned to go southwarde, take with them for interpretours certeine of owre men which had lerned the sootherne language of the bonde men which were gyuen to Vaschus when he ouerranne

those regions, and also certeyne of the bondem••n them selues which had nowe lerned the Spanysshe tonge. They say that the hauen of Pocchorrosa,* 9.376 is onely seuen leaques distante frome the hauen of Comogrus. In Pocchorrosa, he is assigned to leaue fyft••e men with the lyghtest shyp which maye bee a passinger betwene them:* 9.377 that lyke as we vse poste horses by lande, so may they by this currant shippe, in shorte space certifie the Lieuetenaunt and thinhabitours of Dariena of suche thynges as shall chaunce. They entende also to buylde houses in the region of Tumanama. The palaice of kynge Tumanama,* 9.378 is distant from Pocchorrosa about twentie leaques. Of these foure hun∣dreth men, beinge of the owlde souldiers of Dariena and men of good experience, fyftie weare appoynted to bee as it were Decurians to guide and conducte the newe men from place to place to do their affaires.* 9.379 When they had thus sette all thynges in order, they thought it good to aduertise the king hereof, and therwith to certifye hym that in those prouinces there is a kynge named Dabaiba whose dominion is very riche in golde:* 9.380 But the same to be yet vntouched by reason of his great power. His kingedome ioyneth to the seconde greate ryuer named Dabaiba after his name,* 9.381 whiche fauleth into the sea owt of the corner of the goulfe of Vraba as we haue large¦ly declared before. The common reporte is, that all the lande of his dominions is ryche in golde. The palayce of kynge Dabaiba is fyfty leaques distante from Dariena.* 9.382 Thinhabitan∣tes saye that from the palaice, the golde mynes reache to the borthers on euery syde.* 9.383 Albeit, owre men haue also golde mynes not to bee contempned, euen within three leaques of Dariena, in the which they gather golde in many places at this presente: Yet doo theye affyrme greater plentie to bee in the mynes of Dabaiba. In the bookes of owre fyrste frutes wrytten to yowre holynesse, we made mention of this Dabai∣ba, wherin owre men were deceaued and mystooke the mat∣ter.* 9.384 For where they founde the fyssher men of kyng Dabaiba in the marysshes, they thought his region had byn there also. They determyned therfore to sende to kynge Dabaiba, three hundreth choyse younge men to be chosen owte of the hole army as moste apte to the warres,* 9.385 and well furnysshed with all kyndes of armoure and artillery, to thintent to go vnto hym and wyl hym, eyther frendly and peaceably to per∣mytte

them to inhabyte parte of his kingdome with the frui∣tion of the golde mynes, or elles to bydde him battayle and dryue hym owte of his countrey. In their letters, they often ••ymes repete this for an argument of great rychesse to coome,* 9.386 that they in maner dygged the grounde in noo place, but founde the earthe myxte with sparkes and smaule graynes of golde. They haue also aduertised the kynge that it shalbe commodious to place inhabitours in the hauen of Sancta Mar∣tha in the region of Saturma,* 9.387 that it maye bee a place of refuge for them that sayle from the Ilande of Dominica from the whi∣che (as they saye) it is but foure or fyue dayes saylyng to that hauen of the regyon of Saturma:* 9.388 And from the hauen, but thre dayes saylyng to Dariena.* 9.389 But this is to bee vnderstode in go∣ynge and not in returnynge. For the returnyng from thense is so laborious and difficulte by reason of the contrary course of the water,* 9.390 that they seeme as it were to ascende hyghe montaynes and stryue ageynste the poure of Neptunus. This swyfte course of the sea towarde the Weste, is not so violente to theym whiche retourne to Spayne frome the Ilandes of Hispaniola and Cuba: Althoughe they also do laboure ageynste the faule of the Ocean: The cause wherof is, that the sea is here verye large, so that the waters haue their full scoope. But in the tracte of Paria, the waters are constrayned toge∣ther by the bendynge sydes of that great lande, and by the multytude of Ilandes lyinge ageynste it, as the lyke is seene in the straightes or narowe seas of Sicilie where the violent course of the waters cause the daungerous places of Scylla and Charybdis,* 9.391 by reason of those narowe seas whiche conteine Ionium, Libicum, and Tirrhenum. Colonus the fyrst fynder of these regyons, hath lefte in wrytynge, that saylynge from the I∣lande of Guanassa,* 9.392 and the prouynces of Iaia,* 9.393 Maia,* 9.394 and Cera∣baro,* 9.395 beyng regyons of the west marches of Beragua,* 9.396 he founde the course of the water so vehemente and furious ageynste the fore parte of his shippe whyle he sailed from those coastes towarde the Easte, that he coulde at no tyme touche the grounde with his soundynge plummet, but that the contra∣ry vyolence of the water woolde beare it vppe from the bot∣tome.* 9.397 He affyrmeth also, that he coulde neuer in one hole daye with a meately good wynde, wynne one myle of the course of the water. And this is the cause why they are of∣tentymes

enforced to sayle fyrste by the Ilandes of Cuba and Hispaniola, and so into the mayne sea toward the North when they returne to Spaine, that the Northe wyndes maye fur∣ther their vyage whiche they can not brynge to passe by a di∣recte course.* 9.398 But of the motions of the Ocean sea to and fro, this shal suffyce. Let vs now therfore reherse what they write of Dariena, & of their habitation there, which they caule Sancta Maria Antiqua,* 9.399 planted on the sea bankes of Dariena. The situati¦on of the place, hath no natural munition or defense: And the ayer is more pestiferous then in Sardus.* 9.400 The Spanyshe inhabi∣tours, are all pale & yelowe, lyke vnto them that haue the ye∣lowe gianndyes. Whiche neuerthelesse commeth not of the na∣ture of the region as it is situate vnder the heauen. For in ma¦ny regyons beyng vnder the selfe same degree of latitude, ha∣uyng the pole of the same eleuation,* 9.401 they fynd holsome & tem∣perate ayer, in such places where as the earth bryngeth forth fayre sprynges of water, or where holsome ryuers runne by bankes of pure earthe without mudde: but moste especyally where they inhabyte the sydes of the hylles and not the val∣leyes. But that habytation whiche is on the bankes of the ryuer of Dariena, is sytuate in a deepe valley, and enuironed on euery syde with hyghe hylles: By reason wherof, it re∣ceaueth the soonne beames at noonetyde directly perpenticu∣lar ouer their heades, and are therfore sore vexed by reflecti∣on of the beames bothe before, behynde, and from the sydes. For it is the reflection of the soonne beames whiche causeth feruente heate,* 9.402 and not their accesse or nerenesse to the earth. Forasmuche as they are not passyble in them selues as dothe manyfestly appeare by the snowe lyinge contynually vnmol∣ten vpon certeyne hygh montaynes, as yowre holynesse kno∣weth ryghte well. The soonne beames therfore faulyng on the montaynes, are reflected downewarde into the valley by reason of thobiecte of the declynynge sydes of the hylles, as it were the faule of a greate rounde stoone rowled frome the toppe of a montayne. The valley therfore receaueth, both those beames whiche faule directly theron, and also those whiche are reflected downwarde from euery syde of the mon∣taynes. Their habitation therfore in Dariena,* 9.403 is pernicious and vnholsome onely of the particular nature of the place, & not by the sytuation of the regyon as it is placed vnder the

heauen or ••••eare to the soonne. The place is also contagious by the nature of the soyle, by reason it is coompased aboute with muddy and stynkynge marysshes, thinfection wherof is not a lyttle encreased by the heate. The vyllage it selfe, is in a maryshe, and in maner a standynge puddle, where, of the droppes faulyng from the handes of the bond men whyle they water the pauementes of their houses,* 9.404 toades are en∣gendered immediately, as I my selfe sawe in an other place the droppes of that water turne into flees in the soomer sea∣son. Furthermore, where so euer they dygge the grounde the deapthe of a handefull and a halfe, there springeth owte vnholsome and corrupte water of the nature of the ryuer which runneth through the deepe & muddy chanel of the val∣ley, and so fauleth into the sea. Now therfore they consulte of remouyng their habytation. Necessytie caused them fyrst to fasten their foote heare,* 9.405 bycause that they whiche fyrst ar∣ryued in those landes, were oppressed with suche vrgente hunger, that they had no respecte to chaunge the place al∣thoughe they were thus vexed by the contagion of the soyle and heate of the soonne, besyde the corrupte water and in∣fectious ayer by reason of venemous vapours and exhalati∣ons rysynge from the same. An other great incommoditie was, that the place was destitute of a commodious hauen, beynge three leaques distante from the mouthe of the goulfe. The waye is also roughe and diffyculte to brynge vyttayles and other necessaries from the sea. But lette vs nowe speake sumwhat of other particular thynges whiche chaunsed.

Therfore shortly after that they weare arryued, there happe∣ned many thynges wherof they had no knowledge before. A certayne well learned phisytion of Ciuile, whome partely thautorytie of the bysshoppe of Dariena, and partely the de∣syre of golde had allured to those landes, was so scarred with lyghtnynge in the nyghte season lyinge in bedde with his wyfe, that the house and all the stuffe therin beynge sette on fyer and burnte,* 9.406 he and his wyfe beynge bothe soore scorched, ranne foorthe cryinge and almoste naked, hardely escapynge the daunger of deathe. At an other tyme, as cer∣tayne of them stoode on the shoore, a great Crocodyle soden∣ly caryed awaye a masty of a yeare and a halfe owlde,* 9.407 as a kyte shulde haue snatched vppe a chicken:* 9.408 And this euen in

the presence of theym all, where the myserable dogge cryed in vayne for the helpe of his mayster. In the nighte season they were tormented with the bytynge of battes whiche are there soo noysome that if they byte any man in his sleape,* 9.409 they putte hym in daunger of lyfe, onely with drawynge of bludde: In so muche that summe haue dyed therof, fau∣lynge as it were into a consumption through the malycious∣nesse of the venemous wounde. If these battes chaunce to fynde a cocke or a henne abrode in the nyght season, they byte them by the combes and so kyll them. They also whi∣che wente laste into these regions, do wryte, that the lande is troubeled with Crocodyles, Lyons, and Tigers:* 9.410 But that they haue nowe deuised artes and ingens howe to take them. Lykewyse that in the houses of their felowes, they founde the hydes and cases of suche Lyons and Tygers as they had kylled. They wryte furthermore, that by reason of the ranke¦nesse and frutefulnesse of the grounde, kyne, swyne, and hor∣ses, doo maruelously increase in these regions, and growe to a muche bygger quantitie then they whiche weare of the first broode.* 9.411 Of the excedynge hyghnesse of the trees with their fruites, of the garden herbes, fruites, plantes, and seedes whiche owre men broughte from Spayne and sowed and set the same in these regyons, lykewyse of the hertes and other foure footed beastes bothe tame and wylde, also of dyuers kyndes of foules, byrdes, and fysshes, they write euen as we haue declared in the decades before. Careta the kynge of the regyon of Cioba,* 9.412 was with them for the space of three dayes: whome when they had frendly enterteyned and she∣wed hym the secreate places of their shyppes, their horses al∣so with their trappars, bardes, and other furnimentes, be∣syde many other thinges whiche seemed straunge to hym, and had further delited his mynd with the harmony of their musycall instrumentes, and gyuen hym many rewardes, they dysmyssed hym halfe amased with to muche admyration.* 9.413

He sygnifyed vnto them, that their trees in that prouynce, of the planckes wherof, if shyppes were made, they shoulde bee safe from the woormes of the sea whiche they caule Bro∣mas.* 9.414 Howe these woormes knawe and corrode the shyppes, wee haue declared before. Owre shyppes are greatly trou••e∣led with this plage if they lye longe in the hauens of these

regyons. But they affyrme that the woodde of this tree is soo bytter, that the woormes wyll not taste therof. There is also an other tree peculyar to these landes:* 9.415 whose leaues if they onely touche the bare in any place of a mannes body, they cause greate blysters, and those soo malycious that ex∣cepte the same bee foorthwith healed with salte water or fastynge spyttle, they doo incontynently engender deadely paynes. They saye lykewyse, that the sauour of the woodde is presente poyson:* 9.416 And that it can noo whither bee caryed without daunger of lyfe. When thinhabitauntes of the I∣lande of Hispaniola had oftentymes attempted to shake of the yoke of seruytude, and coulde neuer brynge the same to passe neyther by open warre nor yet by priuye conspiraces, they were determyned in the nyghte season to haue kylled owre men in their sleepe with the smoke of this woodde. But when the Christian men had knowledge hereof, they com∣pelled the poore wretches to confesse their intente, and pu∣nysshed the chiefe autours of the deuyse. They haue also a certayne herbe with the fauour wherof they are preserued from the hurte of this venemous woodde so that they maye beare it safely.* 9.417 Of these smaule thynges it shall suffyce too haue sayde thus muche. They looke dayly for many greater thynges to certyfye vs of from the Ilandes of the south sea.* 9.418 For at suche tyme as the messenger whiche broughte owre letters departed from thense, Petrus Arias prepared an expedi∣tion to that ryche Ilande whiche lyeth in the mouthe of the goulfe cauled Sinus S. Michaelis, and reacheth into the southe sea,* 9.419 beyng also lefte vntouched of Vaschus by reason that the sea was at that tyme of the yeare sore troubeled with tem∣pestes, as wee haue further declared in Vaschus his vyage to the southe. Wee looke therfore dayly for greater thynges then are hetherto paste. For they haue nowe taken in hand to subdue manye other prouynces, whiche wee suppose too bee eyther verye ryche, or to brynge furthe summe straunge woorkes of nature. Iohannes Diaz Solistus of Nebrissa (of whome we haue made mention before) is sente by the froonte of the cape or poynte of Sancti Augustini (whiche reacheth seuen de∣grees beyonde the Equinoctiall lyne,* 9.420 and perteyneth to the dominion of the Portugales) to thintent to ouer runne the southe syde from the backe halfe of Paria, Cumana, Cuquibacoa,

with the hauens of Carthag•• and Sancta Martha, of Dariena also and Beragua, that more perfecte and certeyne knowledge may bee had of those tractes. Furthermore, one Iohannes Poncius was sente foorthe with three shyppes to destroye the Cani∣bales bothe in the lande and Ilandes there aboute:* 9.421 aswell that the nations of the more humane and innocente people maye at the length lyue without feare of that pestiferous ge∣neration, as also the better and more safely to searche the se∣creates and rychesse of those regions. Many other lykewise were sente dyuers and sundry wayes: as Gasper Badaiocius too searche the West partes: Franciscus Bezerra, to sayle by the cor∣ner of the goulfe: And Valleius, to passe by the mouthe or en∣teraunce therof to the Easte coastes of the goulfe to searche the secreates of that lande, in the whiche Fogeda with his coompanye had of late begunne to plante their habitation,* 9.422 and had buylded a fortresse and a vyllage. Badaiocius departed fyrste frome Dariena with foure score souldiours well appoyn∣ted: Whome Lodouicus Mercado folowed with fyftye:

To Bezerra were also fourescore assygn••d, and three score and tenne to Valleius.* 9.423 Whether they shall arryue at safe and com∣modious hauens, or faule into vnfortunate stations, he one∣ly knoweth whose prouydence ruleth all: For as for vs men wee are included within the knowledge of thinges after they haue chaunced. Lette vs now therfore coome to o∣ther matters.

¶The seuenthe booke of the thirde decade.

PEtrus Arias the gouernour of the supposed con∣tinente, was scarsly entred into the mayne sea with his nauye onwarde on his vyage to Dariena. But I was aduertised that one Andreas Moralis a pilot who had oftentymes ouer runne the coastes of these new seas and the Ilandes of the same,* 9.424 was coome to the courte to sell suche marchaundies as he broughte with hym frome thense. This man had dyligently searched the tracte of the supposed continente, and especyally thinner regyons of the Ilande of Hispaniola, wherunto he was appoynted by

his brother Nicolaus Ou••ndos (the gouernour of the Iland and chiefe Commendatory of the order of the knyghtes of Alcanta∣ra) bycause he was a wytty man and more apte to searche su∣che thynges then any other: So that with his owne han∣des he drewe faire cardes and tables of suche regyons as hee discouered. Wherin as he hath bynne founde faythfull of suche as haue sense had better tryall hereof, so is he in most credyt emongest the best sorte. He therfore resorted to me as all they are accustomed to doo, wh••che retourne from the Ocean.* 9.425 What I learned of hym and dyuers other of thin∣ges heretofore vnknowen, I wyll nowe declare. The begin∣nynge of this narration, shalbe the particular description of the Ilande of Hispaniola, forasmuche as it is the heade and as it weare the principall marte of all the lyberality of the Oce∣an, and hath a thousande and againe a thousande fayre, plea∣saunt,* 9.426 bewtifull, and ryche Nereides whiche lye aboute it on euery syde, adournynge this their ladye and moother, as it were an other Tethis the wyfe of Neptunus,* 9.427 enuyronynge her aboute, and attendynge vppon her as their queene and pa∣tronesse. But of these Nereiades (that is to saye, the Ilandes placed aboute her) we wyll speake more hereafter. Lette vs in the meane tyme declare sumwhat of the Ilande whiche owre men named Margaritea Diues (whiche the Spanyardes caule De las perlas) beyng nowe well knowen,* 9.428 and lyinge in the southe sea in the goulfe cauled Sinus Sancti Michaelis (that is) sainte Michaels goulfe.* 9.429 This Iland hath presently brought to owre knowledge many straunge and woonderfull thynges and promysseth no smaule hope of greater thynges in tyme to coome. In this is founde great plentie of pearles so fayre & great,* 9.430 that the sumptuous queene Cleopatra myght haue see∣med to weare them in her crownes, chaynes, and braslettes. Of the shelfysshes wherin these are engendered, wee wyll speake sumwhat more in thende of this narration. But let vs nowe returne to Hispaniola moste lyke vnto the earthly pa∣radyse.* 9.431 In the description hereof, we wyll begynne of the imposytion of dyuerse names: Then of the forme of the I∣lande, temperate ayer and benefyciall heauen: And fynally of the deuisyon of the regyons. Therfore for the ryghter pro∣nunsyation to the names, yowre holynesse muste vnderstande that they are pronounced with thaccent, as yowe may know

by the verge sette ouer the heddes of the vowels, as in the name of the Ilande Matinino, where the accente is in the last vowell, and the lyke to be vnderstoode in all other names. They saye therfore, that the fyrste inhabitours of the Iland were transported in their Canoas (that is boates made of one hole pyece of woodde) from the Ilande of M••tinino,* 9.432 beynge lyke banysshed men dryuen from thense by reason of certaine contrary factions and diuisyons emonge them selues, lyke as wee reade howe Dardanus came from Corytho,* 9.433 and Teuerus from Creta into Asia,* 9.434 and that the regyon where they placed their habitation, was afterwarde cauled Troianum.* 9.435 The lyke wee reade howe the Tirians and Sidonians arryued with their nauye in Libya by the fabulous conduction of Dido.* 9.436* 9.437 These Matininans in like maner beynge banysshed from their owne countrey, planted their fyrste habytation in that parte of the Iland of Hispaniola whiche they caule Cabonao, vpon the banke of the ryuer named Bahaboni: As is redde in the begynnynge of the Romaynes that Eneas of Troye aryued in the region of Italy cauled Latium vppon the bankes of the ryuer of Ti∣ber.* 9.438* 9.439 Within the mouthe of the ryuer of Bahaboni, lyeth an I∣lande where it is sayde that thinhabitauntes buylded their fyrste howse whiche they named Camoteia. This howse they consecrated shortely after, and honoured the same reuerently with continual gyftes and monumentes, euen vntyl the com∣mynge of owre men, lyke as the Christians haue euer relygy∣ously honoured Ierusalem the fountayne and oryginall of owre faythe:* 9.440 As also the Turkes attribute the lyke to the cytie of Mecha in Araby,* 9.441 and thinhabytantes of the fortunate Ilandes (cauled the Ilandes of Canarye) to Tyrma buylded vppon a hyghe rocke from the whiche many were wounte with ioyfull myndes and songes to caste them selues downe headlonge,* 9.442 beyng persuaded by their priestes that the soules of all suche as so dyd for the loue of Tyrma, shulde therby en∣ioye eternall felycity. The conquerours of the Ilandes of Canarie, founde them yet remaynyng in that superstition, e∣uen vntyll owre tyme: Nor yet is the memory of their sacri∣fyces vtterly worne awaye: The rocke also reserueth the owlde name vnto this daye. I haue also learned of late, that there yet remayneth in the Ilande summe of the faction of Betanchor the Frenshe man and fyrste that broughte the I∣landes* 9.443

to good culture and ciuilitie beyng therto lycenced by the kynge of Castile as I haue sayde before. These doo yet (for the moste parte) obserue bothe the language and maners of the Frenshemen, although the eyres and successours of Be∣tanchor, had soulde the two subdued Ilandes to certeyne men of Castile. Yet thinhabitours whiche succeded Betanchor, and buylded them houses and encreased their families there, do contynue to this daye: And lyue quietly and pleasauntly with the Spanyardes, not greued with the sharpe coulde of Fraunce. But lette vs nowe returne to thinhabitauntes of Matinino and Hispaniola. The Ilande of Hispaniola was fyrste named by the fyrste inhabitours,* 9.444 Quizqueia, and then Haiti.

And this not by chaunce, or at the pleasure of suche as diui∣sed these names, but of credulitie and belefe of summe great effecte. For Quizqueia, is as muche to saye as a great thinge: And that so greate that none maye bee greater. They inter∣prete also, that Quizqueia sygnifyeth, large, vniuersall, or al, in like signification as the Greekes named their god cauled Pan:* 9.445 Bycause that for the greatnes therof, these symple sou∣les supposed it to bee the hole worlde: And that the soonne beames gaue lyghte to none other worlde but onely to this Ilande with the other adiacente aboute the same: And thervppon thoughte it most woorthy to bee cauled great, as the greatest of all other knowen to them. Haiti is as muche to saye by interpretation, as roughe, sharpe, or craggie. But by a fyguratiue speache cauled denomination (wherby the hole is named by part) they named the hole Iland Haiti (that is) roughe: For as muche as in many places the face of this Iland is rough b•• reason of the craggie montaynes,* 9.446 horrible thicke wooddes, and terrible darke and diepe valleys enuy∣roned with great and highe montaynes, althoughe it bee in manye other places exceadynge bewtifull and florysshynge.

Here muste wee sumwhat digresse from thorder we are ente∣red into. Perhappes your holynesse wyll maruell by what meanes these symple men shoulde of soo longe contynuance beare in minde suche principles, where as they haue no know¦ledge of letters. So it is therfore, that from the beginninge, their princes haue euer byn accustomed to committe their chil∣dren to the gouernaunce of their wise men whiche they caule Boitios, to bee instructed in knowledge,* 9.447 and to beare in me∣morie

suche thynges as they lerne. They gyue them selues chieflye to two thynges: As generally to lerne thoriginall and successe of thynges: And particularlye to reherse the no∣ble factes of their graundefathers great graundefathers and auncestours aswell in peace as in warre. These two thynges they haue of owlde tyme composed in certeyne myters and ballettes in their language. These rhymes or ballettes,* 9.448 they caule Ar••itos. And as owre mynstrelles are accustomed too synge to the harpe or lute, so doo they in lyke maner synge these songes and daunce to the same, playinge on tymbrelles made of shels of certen fysshes. These tymbrels they caule Ma∣guei. They haue also songes and ballettes of loue: And o∣ther of lamentations and moornyng:* 9.449* 9.450 Summe also to enco∣rage them to the warres, with euery of them their tewnes a∣greable to the matter. They exercyse theym selues muche in daunceinge, wherin they are verye actyue and of greater agi∣litie then owre men, by reason they gyue them selues to no∣thyng so muche, and are not hyndered with apparell whiche is also the cause of their swiftenesse of foote. In their bal∣lettes lefte them of their auncestours, they haue prophecies of the comminge of owre men into their countrey. These they synge with moornyng and as it were with gronyng,* 9.451 bewayle the losse of their lybertie and seruitude. For these prophecies make mention that there shoulde coome into the Ilande Ma∣guacochios,* 9.452 that is, men clothed in apparell, and armed with suche swoordes as shulde cutte a man in sunder at one stroke: vnder whose yoke their posteritie shulde bee subdued. And here I do not maruell that their predicessours coulde prophe¦cye of the seruitude and bondage of their successyon, if it bee trewe that is sayd of the familiaritie they haue with spirites whiche appeare to them in the night,* 9.453 wherof we haue large∣ly made mention in the nynth booke of the first decade, where also wee haue entreated of their Zemes (that is) their Idoles and Images of diuelles whiche they honoured.* 9.454 But they saye that sence these Zemes were taken awaye by the Christi¦ans, the spirites haue no more appeared. Owre men ascribe this to the sygne of the crosse wherwith they defende theym selues from suche spirites. For they are nowe all clensed and sanctifyed by the water of bapt••me wherby they haue renoun¦ced the deuel and are consecrated the holy members of Christ.

They are vniuersally studyous to knowe the boundes and ly∣mettes of their regions and kingdomes: And especially their Mitaini (that is) noble men. So that euen they are not vtterlye ignorante in the surueyinge of their landes.* 9.455 The common people haue none other care then of settynge, sowynge, and plantynge. They are mooste experte fysshers,* 9.456 by reason that throughowte the hole yeare, they are accustomed daylye to plounge them selues in the ryuers, so that in maner they lyue no lesse in the water then on the lande. They are also giuen to huntynge. For (as I haue sayde before) they haue twoo kyndes of foure footed beastes, wherof the one is lyttle cun∣nes cauled Vtias, and the other Serpentes named Iuannas,* 9.457 muche lyke vnto Crocodiles,* 9.458 of eyght foote length, of moste pleasaunte taste, and lyuynge on the lande. All the Ilandes nooryshe innumerable byrdes and foules:* 9.459 As stocke doues, duckes, geese, hearons, bysyde nolesse number of popingiais then sparowes with vs.* 9.460 Euery kynge hath his subiectes di∣uided to sundrye affaires: As summe to huntynge, other to fysshynge, and other summe to husbandrye. But let vs now returne to speake further of the names. We haue sayde that Quizqueia and Haiti, were the oulde names of this Ilande.

The hole Ilande was also cauled Cipanga of the region of the montaynes aboundynge with golde:* 9.461 Lyke as owre anciente poetes cauled all Italye Latium of parte therof.* 9.462 Therfore as they cauled Ausonia and Hesperia, Italie, euen soo by the na∣mes of Quizqueia, Haiti, and Cipanga, they vnderstode the hole Ilande of Hispaniola. Owre men dyd fyrste name it Isabella of queene Helisabeth whiche in the Spanyshe tounge is cauled Isabella:* 9.463 And so named it of the fyrst Colonie where they plan∣ted their habitation vpon the banke nere vnto the sea on the Northe syde of the Ilande, as wee haue further declared in the fyrste decade. But of the names, this shall suffyce. Lette vs nowe therfore speake of the forme of the Ilande.* 9.464 They whiche fyrste ouer ranne it, described it vnto me to bee lyke the leafe of a chestnutte tree, with a goulfe towarde the west syde, lyinge open ageynst the Ilande of Cuba. But the experte shyppe mayster Andreas Moralis, broughte me the forme therof sumwhat differynge from that. For from bothe the corners, as from the Easte angle and the West, he described it to be in∣dented and eaten with many great goulfes, and the corners

to reache foorthe verye farre: and placeth manye large and safe hauens in the great goulfe on the East syde. But I trust shortely soo to trauayle further herein, that a perfecte carde of the particular description of Hispaniola maye bee sente vnto yowre holynesse.* 9.465 For they haue nowe drawne the Geogra∣phicall description therof in cardes, euen as yowre holynesse hath seene the forme and sytuation of Spayne and Italye with their montaines, valleyes, ryuers, cities, and colonies. Lette vs therfore without shamfastnesse compare the Ilande of Hispaniola to Italie,* 9.466 sumtyme the heade and queene of the hole worlde. For if wee consyder the quantitie, it shal bee founde lyttle lesse, and muche more frutefull. It reacheth from the Easte into the Weste, fyue hundreth and fortye my∣les accordynge to the computation of the later searchers: Althoughe the Admyrall sumwhat increased this number as wee haue sayde in the fyrste decade. It is in breadth summe where, almoste three hundreth myles: And in summe places narower where the corners are extended. But it is suerlye muche more blessed and fortunate then Italie:* 9.467 Beynge for the mooste parte therof so temperate and florysshynge, that it is neyther vexed with sharppe coulde, nor afflycted with immoderate heate. It hath bothe the steyinges or conuersy∣ons of the soonne (cauled Solstitia) in maner equall with the Equinoctiall,* 9.468 with lyttle difference betwene the length of the daye and nyghte throughout all the yeare. For on the the south syde, the day ascendeth scarcely an houre in length aboue the nyghte, or contrary wyse. But the dyfference is more on the northe syde.* 9.469 Yet are there summe regions in the Ilande in the whiche the coulde is of sum force. But yowre holynesse muste vnderstonde this to bee incident by reason of the obiecte or nearenesse of the mountaines, as wee wyl more largely declare hereafter. Yet is not this coulde so pearcynge or sharpe, that thinhabitantes are molested with snowe or bytynge froste. In other places, the Ilande enioyeth perpe∣tuall springe tyme, and is fortunate with contynuall soomer and haruest.* 9.470 The trees floryshe there all the hole yeare: And the medowes contynue alway greene. All thynges are excea∣dynge fortunate, and growe to great perfection. How won∣derfully all garden herbes and frutes doo encrease,* 9.471 soo that within the space of syxtene dayes after the seede is sowne, al

herbes of smaule steames, as lettesse, borage, radyshe, and suche other, coome to their full rypenesse: And also howe herbes of the bygger sorte, as gourdes, melones, cucumers, pompons, citrous, and suche other, coome to their perfection in the space of thirtie dayes, wee haue sufficiently declared elles where. Of the beastes transported out of Spaine the∣ther,* 9.472 wee haue sayde howe they growe too a muche greater kynde: In so muche that when they faule into communica∣tion of the oxen or kyne, they compare them in bignesse to ele¦phantes, and swyne to mules:* 9.473 But this sumwhat by an ex∣cessyue kynde of speache. Wee haue also made mention how their swynes flesshe is more sauourye and of farre better and more pleasaunte taste and more holsome then owres, by rea∣son they are fedde with the frutes of Myrobalane trees,* 9.474 and other pleasaunte and nurysshynge fruites of that contrey, whiche growe there of them selues, as do with vs beeches, holly, & okes. Uynes woolde also prosper there with marue∣lous encrease,* 9.475 if they had any regard to the plantinge therof. The lyke encrease commeth of wheate if it be sowen vppon the mountaynes where the colde is of sume strength:* 9.476 but not in the playnes, by reason of to much fatnes and rankenes of the grownde. It is in maner incredible to heare, that an eare of wheate shuld bee bygger then a mans arme in the brawne,* 9.477 and more then a spanne in length, bearynge also more then a thousande graynes, as they all confesse with one voyce, and ernes••ly affirme the same with othes. Yet they say the bread of the Ilande (cauled Cazabbi made of the roote of Iucca,* 9.478 to bee more holsome, because it is of easyer digestion, and is cul¦tured with lesse labour and greater increase. The residue of the tyme which they spende not en settynge and plantynge, they bestowe in gatheringe of golde.* 9.479 They haue nowe suche plentie of foure footed beasts,* 9.480 that horses and oxe hydes with sheepe skynnes and goate skyns and such other, are brought from thense into Spayne: So that nowe the doughter in ma∣ny thynges helpeth and succurreth her mother. Of the trees of brasile,* 9.481 spices, the graine which coloureth scarlet in bright shinynge redde, mastix,* 9.482 gossampine cotton,* 9.483 the precious me∣tall cauled Electrum,* 9.484 and such other commodities of this I∣lande, we haue spoken sufficiently before. What therefore can chaunce more happy vnto man vpon the earth, then there

to lyue where he neede not to bee dryuen to close chaumbers with sharpe coulde or fayntynge heate?* 9.485 Nor yet in wynter eyther to bee laden with heauy apparell, or to burne the shin¦nes with continual syttyng at the fyer, which thynges make men oulde in short tyme by resoluinge the natural heate, wher of a thousande diseases insue.* 9.486 They also affirme the ayer to bee very healthfull: and the waters of the ryuers to bee no lesse holsome, as they whiche haue theyr continuall course through the earth of the golden mynes.* 9.487 For there is in ma∣ner no ryuer, no mountaynes, and but fewe playnes that are vtterly without golde. But let vs nowe at the length coome to the particular description of the inner partes of this bles∣sed Ilande.* 9.488 We haue before declared howe it is in maner e∣qually diuided with foure greate ryuers descendynge frome hygh mountaynes: wherof that which runneth towarde the East, is cauled Iunna, as that towarde the West is named At∣tibunicus: The thyrde is Naiba or Haiba which runneth South∣warde: The fourth is cauled Iache, and fauleth towarde the North. But this shippe master, hath brought an other des∣cription obserued of thinhabitantes from the begynnynge.

Let vs therfore diuide the hole Ilande into fiue partes, cau∣lynge the regions of euery prouince by theyr owlde names: and fynally make mention of suche thynges as are woorthye memory in euery of them. The begynninge of the Ilande on the East syde, is conteyned in the prouince named Caizcimu: so named for that in theyr language Cimu, signifieth the front or begynnynge of any thynge. After this, foloweth the pro∣uince of Huhabo, and then Caihabo. The fourth is Bainoa, Guacca¦iarima conteyneth the west corner. But the last saue one, Bainoa is of larger boundes then the three other. Caizcimu reachethe from the fyrst fronte of the Ilande to the ryuer Hozama, whi∣che runneth by the citie of saynt Dominicke.* 9.489 But towarde the North syde, it is ended at the rough mountaynes of Hai∣ti.* 9.490 Huhabo, is included within the mountaynes Haiti and the ryuer Iaciga. Caeiabo the thyrde prouince, conteyneth all that lyeth betwene Cubaho and Dahatio, euen vnto the mouth of the ryuer of Iaccha or Iache (one of the foure which diuide the I∣lande equally) and ascendethe to the mountaynes of Cibaua,* 9.491 where the greateste plentie of golde is founde: Owte of the which also the ryuer Demahus springeth: and ioynynge with

the springes of the ryuer of Naiba, (being an other of the foure which diuideth the Ilande towarde the south sea) fauleth to an other banke of the ryuer of saynt Dominicke. Bainoa, be∣gynneth at the confines of Caiabi, and reacheth euen vnto the Ilande of Cahini which lieth neare vnto the sea bankes of the north syde of the Ilande where wee sayde that they erected the fyrst colonie or habitacion.* 9.492 The prouince of Guaccaiarima,* 9.493 occupieth the remanent towarde the west. This they named Guaccaiarima, bycause it is the extreme or vttermost parte of the Ilande. For Iarima in theyr language signifieth the tayle or ende of any thynge: And Gua, is an article whiche they vse often tymes in the names of thynges: And especially in the names of theyr kynges: as Guarionexius, and Guaccanarillus. In the prouince of Caizimu, are these regions: Higuei, Guanama, Rey∣re, Xagua, Aramana, Arabo, Hazoa. Macorix, Caiacoa, Guaiagua, Baguanimabo and the rough mountaynes of Haiti. Here let vs speake sume¦what of theyr aspirations which they vse otherwyse then the Latins doo.* 9.494 It is to bee noted that there is no aspiration in theyr vowels, which hath not theffecte of a consonant. So that they pronounce theyr aspirations more vehemently then wee do the consonant .f. Ye, all suche woordes as in their tonge are aspirate, are pronounced with lyke breath and spi∣rite as is .f. sauing that herein the neather lyppe is not mo∣ued to thuppermost teethe. With open mouthes and shakynge theyr brestes, they breath out these aspirations, ha, he, hi, ho, hu, as the Hebrewes and Arabians are accustomed to pronounce theyrs.* 9.495 I fynde also that the Spanyardes vse the lyke vehe∣mence in the aspirations of those woordes whiche they haue receaued of the Moores & Arabians which possessed Spaine,* 9.496 and continued there many yeares: As in these woordes: Almo hadda, whiche signifieth a pyllowe or bolster: Also Almohaza, that is, a horse combe: with dyuers such other woordes whi¦che they speake in maner with panting brestes and vehement spirite. I haue thought it good to reherse these thynges, by¦cause amonge the Latines it often tymes soo chaunceth that onely the accent or aspiration, chaungeth the signification of the woorde:* 9.497 as hora, for an houre, and ora for the plurale number of this woorde os, which signifieth the mouth: Also ora, which signifieth regions or coastes. The lyke also chaun¦ceth in the diuersitie of the accente, as occido I kyll, and occi∣••o

I faule. Euen so in the language of these simple men, there are many thynges to bee obserued. But let vs nowe returne to the description. In the prouince of Hubabo, are these regi∣ons: Xamana, Canabacoa, Cuhabo, with many other, the names wherof I haue not yet learned. The prouince of Caibabo, con¦teyneth these regions: Magua, and Cacacubana. Thinhabitan∣tes of this region, haue a peculyar language much differinge from the common language of the Iland,* 9.498 and are cauled Ma∣coryxes. There is also an other region cauled Cubana, whose language differeth from the other. Lykewyse the region of Baiohaigua, hath a dyuers toonge. There are also other regi∣ons, as Dahabon, Cybaho, and Manabaho. Catoy is in the myddle of the Ilande. By this runnethe the ryuer Nizaus: And the montaynes cauled Mahaitin, Hazua, and Neibaymao, confine with the same. In the prouince of Bainoa, are the regions of Ma∣guana, Iagohaiucho, Bauruco, Dabaiagua, and Attibuni, so named of the ryuer: Also Caunoa, Buiaici, Dahabonici, Maiaguariti, Atiei, Maccazina, Guahabba, Anniuici, Marien, Guaricco, Amaguei, Xaragua, Yaguana, Azzuei, Iacchi, Honorucco, Diaguo, Camaie, and Neibaimao. In Guaccaierima the last prouince, these regions are conteyned: Mauicarao, Guabagua, Taquenazabo, Nimaca, Bainoa the lesse, Cabaymi, Iamaizi, Manabazao, Zaua¦na, Habacoa, and Ayqueroa. But let vs entreate sumwhat of the particulars of the regions. In the prouince of Caizcimu, with in the great goulfe of the beginnynge, there is a greate caue in a hollowe rocke vnder the roote of a hygh mountayne,* 9.499 a∣bout twoo furlonges from the sea. The enterie of this caue is not much vnlyke the doores of a great temple, beinge very large and turnynge many wayes. Andreas Moralis the shyp ma∣ster,* 9.500 at the commaundement of the gouernoure, tempted to searche the caue with the smaulest vessels. He sayth that by certeyne priuie wayes, manye ryuers haue concourse to this caue as it were to a sinke or chanell.* 9.501 After thexperience here of, they ceased to maruaile whither other ryuers ranne whi∣che commynge fourescore and tenne myles, were swalowed vp, so that they appeared no more, nor yet fell into the sea by any knowen wayes. Nowe therfore they suppose that ry¦uers swalowed vp by the holowe places of that stony moun∣tayne, faule into this caue. As the shipmaster entered into the caue his shippe was almost swalowed. For he saith that there are many whyrlepooles and rysinges or boylinges of the wa∣ter,

which make a violent conflicte and horrible rorynge one encounteryng the other. Also many huge holes & holowe pla∣ces: So that what on the one syde with the whirle pooles,* 9.502 & on the other side with the boyling of the water, his shyp was long in maner tossed vp and downe lyke a baule. It greatly repented hym that he had entered, yet knewe he no way how to come forth. He now wandered in darkenesse, as wel for the obscurenesse of the caue into the which he was farre entered,* 9.503 as also that in it were thicke cloudes engendered of the moist vapours proceading of the conflicte of the waters whiche cō∣tinually faule with great violence into the caue on euery side. He compareth the noyse of these waters, to the faule of the famous ryuer of Nilus from the montaines of Ethyope.* 9.504 They were al so deafe, that one could not here what an other said. But at the length with great daunger & feare, he came foorth of the caue as it had byn owte of hel. Aboute three score mi∣les distante from the chiefe citie of saincte Dominicke, there are certeyne hyghe montaynes vppon the toppes wherof is a lake or standynge poole inaccessible,* 9.505 neuer yet seene of them whiche came latelye to the Ilande, bothe by reason of the roughnesse of the montaines, and also for that there is noo pathe or open waye to the toppes of the same. But at the length the shyppe maister beinge cond••cted thether by one of kynges, ascended to the toppes of the montaines and came to the poole. Hee saith that the coulde is there of sum force. And in token of wynter, hee founde ferne and bramble bus∣shes, whiche two, growe only in coulde regions.* 9.506 These mon∣taynes, they caule Ymizui Hibabaino. This poole is of freshe water three myles in compasse, and wel replenysshed with di∣uerse kindes of fysshes. Many smaule riuers or brookes faule into it. It hath no passage owte, bycause it is on euery syde enclosed with the toppes of mountaynes. But lette vs nowe speake of an other poole whiche maye well bee cauled a sea in the mydlande, and bee coompared to the Caspian or Hircanian sea in the fyrme land of Asia:* 9.507 with certeyne other la∣kes and pooles of fresshe water.

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¶The eyghte booke of the thirde decade.

THe prouynce of Bainoa beynge thrise as bygge as the three fyrst, that is, Caizcimu, Vhabo, and Caihabo, includeth a valley named Caiouani, in the whiche there is a lake of salte, soure, and bytter water, as wee reade of the sea cauled Caspium,* 9.508 lyinge in the firme lande betwene Sar∣matia and Hircania. Wee haue therfore named it Caspium, al∣thoughe it bee not in the region of Hircania. It hath manye swalowinge goulfes,* 9.509 by the whiche, bothe the water of the sea springeth into it, and also suche as faule into it from the montaines,* 9.510 are swalowed vppe. They thyncke that the ca∣ues therof, are so large and deepe, that great fysshes of the sea passe by the same into the lake. Emonge these fysshes, there is one cauled Tiburonus whiche cutteth a man in sunder by the myddest at one snappe with his teethe,* 9.511 and deuoureth hym. In the ryuer Hozama, runnynge by the chiefe citie of sayncte Dominicke, these Tiburoni do sumtymes coome from the sea and deuoure manye of thinhabitauntes: Especially suche as do dayly ploonge them selues in the water to thin∣tent to keepe their bodyes verye cleane. The ryuers whiche faule into the lake,* 9.512 are these. From the Northe syde, Guani∣nicabon: From the Southe, Xaccoei: from the Easte, Guannabo And from the West, Occoa. They saye that these ryuers are great and continuall: And that besyde these, there are .xx. other smaule ryuers whiche faule into this Caspium.* 9.513 Also on the Northe syde within a furlonge of the lake, there are a∣boue twoo hundreth springes, occupyinge lykewise aboute a furlonge in circuite, the water wherof is coulde in soomer, freshe also, and holsome to bee droonke. These sprynges make a ryuer than can not bee waded ouer, whiche neare at hande ioynynge with the other, fauleth into the lake. Here muste wee staye a whyle. The kynge of this regyon founde his wyfe praying in a chapel builded by the Christians with in the precincte of his dominion,* 9.514 and required her coompanie to satisfye his fleshely luste. His wyfe reproued hym, and put hym in remembraunce to haue respecte to the holye place. The woordes whiche shee spake to hym,* 9.515 were these: Teitoca,

Teitoca: whiche is as muche to saye, as, bee quyet, bee quyet: Techeta cynato guamechyna: That is, god wyl bee greatly angerie. Guamechyna, sygnifyeth god, Techeta greatly, Cynato angrie. But the husbande halynge her by the arme, sayde: Guaibba, that is, go: Cynato macabuca guamechyna: That is: what is that to me if god be angerye?* 9.516 And with these woordes as he pro∣fered her violence, soodenlye he became dumme and lame. Yet by this myracle beynge striken with repentaunce, he euer after ledde a relygious lyfe: In soo muche that from thense foorthe hee woolde neuer suffer the chapell to bee swepte or decked with any other mannes hande. By the same myracle, manye of thinhabitauntes and all the Christians beyng mo∣ued, resorted deuoutly to the chappell. They take it in good parte that the kynge suffered the reuenge of that reproche. Lette vs nowe retourne to Caspium. That salte lake is tossed with stormes and tempestes: And oftentymes drowneth smaule shyppes or fyssher boates, and swaloweth them vppe with the maryners:* 9.517 In so muche that it hath not byn harde of, that any man drowned by shyppewracke, euer ploonged vppe ageyne, or was caste on the shore, as commonly chaun∣ceth of the deade bodyes of suche as are drowned in the sea. These tempestes, are the deintie banquetes of the Tiburones. This Caspium, is cauled Hagueigabon. In the myddest hereof, lyeth an Ilande named Guarizacca,* 9.518 to the whiche they resorte when they go a fysshynge: But it is not cultured. There is in the same playne, an other lake nexte vnto this, whose wa∣ter is myxte of salte and freshe: And is therfore nother apte to bee droonke, not yet to bee refused in vrgente necessytie. This conteineth in length .xxv. miles, and in breadth eight myles: In summe places also nyne or ten. It receaueth ma∣nye ryuers whiche haue no passage owte of the same, but are swalowed vppe as in the other. Water springeth out of the sea into this also: but in no great quantitie, whiche is the cause that it is so commyxte. In the same prouynce to∣warde the Weste syde, there is an other lake of freshe water,* 9.519 not farre distante from Caspius. This thinhabitauntes caule Iainagua. The same salte lake, hath on the North syde therof, an other named Guaocaa. This is but lyttle: as not past three or foure myles in breadth, and one in length. The water of this, maye well bee droonke. On the southe syde of the salte

lake, there lyeth an other named. Babbareo, of three myles in length and in maner rounde. The water of this is freshe as of ••he two other. This lake bycause it hath no passage owte nor yet any swalowynge goulfes, conueyeth the superfluous waters to the sea if it be encreased with the streames whiche faule sumtimes more abondantly frō the montaines. This is in the region of Xamana in the prouince of Bainoa. There is an other cauled Guaniba, lying betwene the East & the South nere vnto the syde of Caspius. This is ten myles in length and al∣moste rounde.* 9.520 There are furthermore many other smaule stan∣dyng pooles or lakes disparsed here and there in the Iland, whiche I wyll lette passe leste I shulde bee tedious in remai∣nyng to longe in one thynge. I wyll therfore make an ende with this addition, that in all these, great plentie of fyshe and foule is nourysshed. All these lakes lye in a large playne, the whiche from the East reacheth into the West a hundreth and twentie myles:* 9.521 beyng of breadth .xviii. myles where it is na∣rowest, and .xxv. where it is largest. Lookyng toward the West, it hath collaterally on the lefte hande the montaines of Daiguani: And on the ryght hande, the montaines, of Caigua, so cauled of the name of the vale it selfe. At the rootes of the montaines of Caigua toward the North syde, there lyeth an o¦ther vale much longer & larger then that before named. For it conteineth in length, almoste two hundreth myles:* 9.522 And in breadth .xxx. wher it is largest, & about .xx. wher it is narowest This vale in summe parte therof, is cauled Maguana: In an other place, Iguamu, & elles where, Hathathiei. And forasmuche as wee haue here made mention of this parte of the vale na∣med Hathathiei, wee wyll sumwhat digresse from the discourse of this description, and entreate of a thinge so straunge and maruelous, that the lyke hath not vyn hard of. So it is ther∣fore, that the kyng of this region named Caramatexius, taketh great pleasure in fysshinge. Into his nettes chanced a yonnge fyshe of the kynde of those huge monsters of the sea whiche thinhabitours caule Manari,* 9.523 not founde I suppose in owre seas nor knowen to owre men before this tyme. This fy••he is foure footed, and in shape lyke vnto a tortoyse althoughe shee be not couered with a shel, but with scales: And those of such hardnesse & couched in suche order, that no arrowe can hur••e her. Her scales are byse•• & defend with a thousand knobbes.

Her backe is playne, and her heade vtterly lyke the heade of an oxe. She lyueth both in the water and on the lande: She is slowe of mouynge: of condition meeke, gentell,* 9.524 assocyable and louing to mankind and of a maruelous sence or memorie as are the elephant and the delphyn. The king norisshed this fyshe certeine daies at home with the breade of the countrey, made of the roote of Iucca and Panycke with suche other rootes as men are accustomed to eate. For when shee was yet but younge, he cast her into a poole or lake neare vnto his palaice there to bee fedde with hande. This lake also receaueth wa∣ters and casteth not the same foorth ageine. It was in tyme passe cauled Guaurabo: But is nowe cauled the lake of Mana••i after the name of this fyshe whiche wandered safelye in the same for the space of .xxv. yeares, and grewe excedyng byg. What so euer is written of the Delphines of Baian or Ari∣on, are muche inferior to the dooinges of this fysh: which for her gentle nature they named Matum, that is gentle or noble. Therefore when so euer any of the kynges familyers, especi∣ally suche as are knowen to her, resorte to the bankes of the lake and caule Matum, Matum,* 9.525 then she (as myndefull of suche benefites as she hath receaued of men) lyftethe vp her heade and commeth to the place whither she is cauled,* 9.526 and there re∣ceaueth meate at the handes of suche as feede her. If any desirous to passe ouer the lake, make signes and tokens of theyr intente, she boweth her selfe to them, therewith as it were gentelly inuitynge them to amount vppon her, and con¦ueyeth them safely ouer. It hath byn seene that this mon∣strous fysshe hath at one tyme safely caryed ouer tenne men singinge and playinge.* 9.527 But if by chaunce when she lyfteed vp her heade she espyed any of the Christian men, she woolde immediatly ploonge downe ageyne into the water and refuse to obey, bycause she had once receaued iniury at the handes of a certeyne wanton younge man amonge the Christians, who hadde caste a sharpe darte at her, although she were not hurte by reason of the hardenes of her skynne beinge roughe and ful of skales and knobbes as we haue sayde. Yet dyd she beare in memorie thiniurie she susteyned, with so gentell a re∣uenge requitynge thingrat••tude of hym which h••d delte with her so vngentelly. From that day when so euer she was cau∣led by any of her familiers, sh•• woolde fyrst looke circum••pect¦ly

about her, least any were present appareled after the ma∣ner of the Christians. She woolde oftentymes play and wre∣stle vppon the banke with the kynges chamberlens: And es∣pecially with a younge man whom the kynge fauoured well, beinge also accustomed to feede her. Shee woolde bee sume∣tymes as pleasaunt and full of play as it had byn a moonkey or marmaset: And was of longe tyme a great comfort and so∣lace to the hole Ilande. For no smaule confluence aswell of the Christians as of thinhabitantes, had dayly concourse to beholde so straunge a myracle of nature, the contemplation wherof was no lesse pleasaunt then woonderfull. They say that the meate of this kynde of fysshe, is of good taste: And that many of them are engendered in the seas therabout. But at the length, this pleasaunt playfelowe was loste, and cari∣ed into the sea by the great ryuer Attibunicus,* 9.528 one of the foure which diuide the Ilande. For at that tyme there chaunced so terrible a tempest of wind, & rayne, with such fluds ensewing that the like hath not lightly byn hard of. By reason of this tempest, the ryuer Attibunicus so ouerflowed the bankes, that it fylled the hole vale & myxt it selfe with all the other lakes. At which tyme also, this gentell Matum and pleasaunte com∣panyon,* 9.529 folowynge the vehemente course and faule of the fluddes, was therby restored to his oulde moother and na∣tyue waters, and sence that tyme neuer seene ageyne. Thus hauynge digressed sufficiently, let vs nowe coome to the situ¦ation of the vale. It hathe collaterally the mountaynes of Cibaua and Caiguam which brynge it to the South sea.* 9.530 There is an other vale beyonde the mountaynes of Cibaua towarde the North. This is cauled the vale of Guarionexius, bycause that before the memorie of man, the predicessours and aun∣cestours of kyng Guarionexius to whom it is descended by right of inheritaunce,* 9.531 were euer the lordes of the hole vale. Of this kynge, we haue spoken largely in the fyrst narration of the Ilande in the fyrst Decade. This vale is of length from the East to the West, a hundreth and fourescore myles: And of breadth from the South to the North, thirtie myles wher it is narowest, and fiftie where it is brodeste. It begynneth from the region Canobocoa by the prouinces of Huhabo and Caia¦bo: And endeth in the prouince of Bainoa and the region of Ma¦riena. It lyeth in the myddest betwene the mountaynes of C••∣baua,

and the mountaynes of Cabonai and Cazacubuna. There is no prouince nor any region, which is not notable by the ma∣iestie of mountaynes,* 9.532 frutefulnes of vales,* 9.533 pleasauntnesse of hylles,* 9.534 and delectablenes of playnes,* 9.535 with abundaunce of fayre ryuers runnynge through the same.* 9.536 There are no sides of mountaynes or hylles, no ryuers, which abound not with golde and delycate fysshes,* 9.537 except only one ryuer which from thoriginall therof, with the sprynges of the same breakynge foorth of the mountaynes, commeth owt salte and so conty∣nueth vntyll it peryshe. This ryuer is cauled Bahuan: and run¦neth through the myddle of the region Maguana in the pro∣uince of Bainoa. They suppose that this ryuer hathe made it selfe awaye vnder the grounde by sume passages of playster or salte earthe. For there are in the Ilande many notable salte bayes,* 9.538 wherof we wyl speake more hereafter. We haue declared howe the Ilande is diuided by foure ryuers & fyue prouinces.* 9.539 There is also an other particion, whiche is this. The hole Ilande consysteth of the tops of foure mountaines which diuide it by the myddest from the East to the weste. In all these is abundance of nooryshynge moysture and greate plentie of golde:* 9.540 of the caues also of the whiche, the waters of al the riuers (into the which the caues emptie them selues) haue theyr originall and increase.* 9.541 There are lykewyse in thē horryble dennes, obscure and darke vales, and myghtie roc∣kes of stone. There was neuer any noysome beaste founde in it: Nor yet any rauenynge foure footed beaste.* 9.542 No lyon, no beare no fierce tygers, no craftie foxes, nor deuouring wool∣fes. Al thynges are blessed and fortunate: And nowe more fortunate, for that so many thousandes of men are receaued to bee the sheepe of Christes flocke, all theyr Zemes and I∣mages of deuylles being reiected and vtterly out of memorie.* 9.543 If I chaunce nowe and then in the discourse of this narrati∣on to repeate one thynge dyuers tymes or otherwise to make digression, I must desyre yowre holynes therwith not to bee offended. For whyle I see, heare, and wryte these thinges, mee seemeth that I am herewith so affected, that for verye ioy I feele my mynde stirred as it were with the spirite of A∣pollo as were the Sibylles, whereby I am enforced to re∣peate the same ageyne: Especially when I consyder howe farre the amplitude of owre religion spreadeth her wynges.

Yet amonge these so many blessed and fortunate thynges, this one greeueth me not a lyttle: That these simple poore men neuer brought vp in labour,* 9.544 do dayly peryshe with intol∣lerable trauayle in the golde mynes: And are therby brought to suche desperation, that many of them kyll them selues, ha¦uynge no regarde to the procreation of chyldren. In so much that women with chylde, perceauynge that they shall brynge foorth such as shalbe slaues to the Christians, vse medecines to destroy theyr conception. And albeit that by the kynges letters patentes it was decreed that they shulde bee set at ly∣bertie, yet are they constrayned to serue more then seemeth conuenient for free men. The number of the poore wretches is woonderfully extenuate. They were once rekened to bee aboue twelue hundreth thousande heades: But what they are nowe, I abhorre to rehearse. We wyll therefore let this passe: and returne to the pleasures of Hispaniola.* 9.545 In the moun¦taynes of Cibaua, which are in maner in the myddest of the I∣lande in the prouince of Caiabo (where we sayd to bee the grea¦test plentie of natyue golde) there is a region named Cotohi, si¦tuate in the clowdes,* 9.546 enuironed with the toppes of hyghe mountaynes, and well inhabited. It consisteth of a playne of .xxv. myles in length, and .xv. in breadth. This playne is hygher then the toppes of other mountaynes:* 9.547 So that these mountaynes, maye seeme to bee the chiefe and progenitours of the other.* 9.548 This playne suffereth alterations of the foure tymes of the yeare: as the Sprynge, Soomer, Autumne, and wynter. Here the herbes ware wythered, the trees loose theyr leaues,* 9.549 and the medowes become hore: The whiche thynges (as we haue sayde) chaunce not in other places of the Ilande, where they haue only the Spring and Autumne. The soyle of this playne bryngeth foorth ferne and bramble busshes bearynge blacke berries or wylde raspes,* 9.550 which two are tokens of coulde regions. Yet is it a fayre region: for the coulde therof is not very sharpe: neyther dooth it aflicte thin¦habitantes with froste or snowe. They argue the frutefulnes of the region by the ferne, whose stalkes or steames are byg∣ger then a spere or iauelen. The sydes of those mountaynes are ryche in golde.* 9.551 Yet is there none appoynted to dygge for the same, bycause it shalbe needefull to haue apparelled my∣ners, and such as are vsed to labour. For thinhabitantes ly¦uinge

confeuted with lyttle, are but tender: And can not ther∣fore away with labour or abyde any coulde.* 9.552 There are two ryuers which runne through this region, and faule from the toppes of the present mountaynes. One of these is named Co¦moiayxa, whose course is towarde the West, and fauleth into the chanell of Naiba. The other is cauled Tirecotus: which run∣nynge towarde the East, ioyneth with the ryuer of Iunna. In the Ilande of Creta (nowe cauled Candie) as I passed b•• in my legacie to the Soldane of Alcayr or Babylon in Egypte,* 9.553 the Uenetians toulde me that there laye suche a region in the toppes of the mountaynes of Ida, whiche they affirme to bee more frutefull of wheate corne then any other region of the Iland. But forasmuch as once the Cretenses rebelled agenst the Uenetians, and by reason of the streight and narowe way to the toppes therof, longe defended the region with armes against thauctoritie of the Senate, and at the length beinge forweryed with warres, rendered the same, the Senate com∣maunded that it shulde bee lefte deserte, and the streightes of thenteraunces to bee stopped, lest any shulde ascende to the region without their permissyon. Yet in the yeare of Christe M. D. ii. lycence was graunted to the husband men to tyll and manure the region, on suche condition that no suche as were apte to the warres, myght enter into the same. There is also an other region in Hispaniola named Cotoby after the same name. This diuideth the boundes of the prouinces of Vhabo and Caiabo. It hath mountaynes, vales, and plaines. But bycause it is baren, it is not muche inhabited. Yet is it richest in golde: For the originall of the abundaunce of gold, beginneth here: In so muche that it is not gathered in smaule graines and sparkes as in other places: but is founde hole,* 9.554 massie, and pure, emonge certaine softe stones and in the vai∣nes of rockes, by breakynge the stones wherof, they folowe the vaynes of golde. They haue founde by experience, that the vayne of golde is a lyuinge tree:* 9.555 And that the same by all wayes that it spreadeth & springeth from the roote by the softe pores and passages of the yearth,* 9.556 putteth foorth bran∣ches euen vnto the vppermost part of the earth, & ceaseth not vntyl it discouer it selfe vnto the open ayer: At whiche time, it sheweth foorth certaine bewtifull colours in the steede of floures, rounde stones of golden earth in the steede of frutes,

and thynne plates in steede of leaues. These are they whiche are disparcled throughout the hole Ilande by the course of the ryuers, eruptions of the spr••nges owte of the montaines, and violent faules of the fluddes. For they thincke that such graines are not engendered where they are gathered: especial¦ly on the dry land: but otherwise in the riuers. They say that the roote of the goldē tree extendeth to the center of the earth & there taketh norishēmt of increase.* 9.557 For the deaper that they dygge,* 9.558 they fynd the trunkes therof to be so muche the grea∣ter as farre as they maye folowe it for abundaunce of water springing in the montaines. Of the braunches of this tree, they fynde summe as smaule as a threde, and other as bygge as a mannes fynger accordynge to the largenesse or straight∣nesse of the ryftes and clyftes. They haue sumetimes chaun∣ced vpon hole caues susteyned and borne vp as it were with golden pyllars:* 9.559 And this in the wayes by the whiche the branches ascende: The whiche beynge fylled with the sub∣staunce of the truncke creapynge from beneath, the branche maketh it selfe waye by whiche it maye passe owte.* 9.560 It is of∣tentymes diuided by encounterynge with sum kynde of harde stone. Yet is it in other clyftes noorisshed by the exhalations and vertue of the roote. But now perhappes yowe will aske me what plentie of golde is brought from thense. Yowe shall therfore vnderstande that onely owte of Hispaniola,* 9.561 the sum of foure hundreth and sumtymes fyue hundreth thousande du∣cates of gold is brought yearely into Spayne: as may be ga∣thered by the fyfthe portion dewe to the kynges Excheker, which amounteth to the sum of a hundreth and fourscore, or fourescore and ten thousande Castellanes of golde, and sum¦tymes more. What is to bee thought of the Ilande of Cuba and Sancti Iohannis (otherwise cauled Burich••na) beyng both ve∣ry ryche in golde, we wyll declare further hereafter. To haue sayde thus muche of golde,* 9.562 it shall suffyce. Wee wyll nowe therfore speake sumwhat of salte wherwith wee may season and reserue suche thynges as are bought with golde. In a region of the prouince of Bainoa, in the montaynes of Daiaguo, about twelue myles distant from the salte lake cauled Caspius, there are salte bayes in the montaynes in a maner as hard as stoones, also clearer and whiter then cristall. There are lyke∣wyse suche salte baies whiche growe woonderfully in Lai••ta∣••ia

(now cauled Cataloma) in the territorie of the duke of Cadona the chiefe ruler in that region. But suche as knowe theym bothe, affyrme that these of Bainoa are moste notable. They saye also that this can not be clefte without wedges and bea¦telles of Iron. But that of Lale••ana,* 9.563 maye easlye bee broken as I my selfe haue proued. They therfore compare this to su∣che stoones as may easely bee broken: And the other to mar∣ble. In the prouince of Caizimu▪ in the regions of Iguanama, Ca∣iacoa, and Guariagua, there are sprynges whose waters are of maruelous nature,* 9.564 beynge in the superfytial or vppermooste parte, fre••he: In the myddest, myxte of salte and fre••he: And in the lowest parte, salte and sower. They thincke that the salte water of the sea, issheweth owte softely, and the freshe, to sprinke owte of the mountaines. The one fauleth downe and the other ryseth: & are not therfore so vniue••sal∣ly myxt wherby the one may vtterly corrupt thother. If any man laye his eare to the grounde neare to any of these sprin∣ge••, he shal perceaue the ground there to bee so hollowe,* 9.565 that the reboundyng noyse of a horseman comminge may be harde for the space of three myles, and a foote man one myle. In the laste region towarde the southe named Guaccaiarima, in the lordshyp of Zauana,* 9.566 they say there are certeyne wyld men whi¦che lyue in the caues & dennes of the montaynes, contented onely with wilde fruites. These men neuer vsed the compa∣nye of any other: nor wyll by any meanes becoome tame.

They lyue without any certaine dwellynge places, and with owte tyllage or culturynge of the grounde, as wee reade of them whiche in oulde tyme lyued in the golden age. They say also that these men are withowte any certaine language.* 9.567 They are sumtymes seene. But owre men haue yet layde handes on none of them. If at any tyme they coome to the syght of men, and perceyue any makynge toward them, they flye swifter then a harte. Ye they affyrme them to bee swifter then grehowndes.* 9.568 What one of these solytarie wanderers dyd, it is worth the hearyng. So it is that owr men hauyng granges adioyning nere vnto the thicke wods, certen of thē repaired thither in the mooneth of Septēber in the yeare .M.D.xiiii. In the meane tyme,* 9.569 one of these wylde men came leapynge owte of the woodde. And approchynge sumwhat toward them with smyling countenaunce, soodenly snatched

vppe a childe of therse beynge the soonne of the owner of the graunge, whiche he begotte of a woman of the Ilande. He ranne awaye with the childe, and made sygnes to owre men to folowe hym. Many folowed aswel of owre men as of the naked inhabytantes, but all in vayne. Thus when the plea∣saunt wanderer perceaued that the Christians ceased to pur∣sue hym, he lefte the childe in a crosse waye by the whiche the swyneheardes were accustomed to dryue the swyne to their pasture. Shortly after, a swynchearde founde the chyld and brought hym home to his father yet tormentynge hym selfe for sorowe, supposynge that wylde man to haue byn one of the kynde of the Canibales, and that his soonne was nowe deuowred. In the same Ilande they gather pytche whiche sweateth owte of the rockes,* 9.570 beynge muche harder and sou∣rer then the pitche of the tree: and is therfore more commo∣dious to calke or defende shyppes ageynste the woormes cau∣led Bromas, wherof wee haue spoken largely before. This I∣lande also bryngeth foorth pitche in two kyndes of trees,* 9.571 as in the Pyne tree and an other named Copeia. I neede not speake of the pyne tree,* 9.572 bycause it is engendered and knowen in maner euery where. Lette vs therfore speake sumwhat of the other tree cauled Copeia:* 9.573 Pitche is lykewyse gathered of it as of the pyne tree: althoughe summe saye that it is gathe∣red by distyllyng or droppyng of the woode when it is burnt. It is a straunge thynge to here of the leafe thereof: and how necessary prouision of nature is shewed in the same. It is to be thought that this is the tree in the leaues wherof the Chal¦deans (beynge the fyrste fynders of letters) expressed their myndes before the vse of paper was knowen.* 9.574 This leafe is a spanne in breadth and almost round. Owre men write in them with pynnes or nedles or any suche instrumentes made of me∣tall or woodde, in maner as well as on paper. It is to bee lawghed at what owre men haue perswaded the people of the Ilande as towchynge this leafe.* 9.575 The symple soules be∣leue that at the commandement of owre men, leaues do speak and disclose secreates.* 9.576 They were brought to this credulitie by this meanes. One of owre men dwellynge in the citie of Dominica the chiefe of the Ilande, delyuered to his seruaunte (beyng a man borne in the Ilande) certayne rosted connies, (whiche they caule Vtias beynge no bygger then myse) wyl∣lynge

hym to carie the same to his frende whiche dwelte fur∣ther within the Ilande. This messenger, whether it were that he was therto constrayned through hunger, or entysed by appetite, deuoured three of the counnies by the waye.

He to whome they were sente, writ to his frynde in a leafe howe manye he receaued. When the mayster had looked a whyle on the leafe in the presence of the seruaunt, he sayde thus vnto hym. Ah soonne, where is thy faythe? Coulde thy gredye appetyte preuayle so muche with the as to cause the to eate the connies commytted to thy fydelytie? The poore wretche trembelynge and greatlye amased, confessed his faute: And therwith desyred his mayster to tell hym howe he knewe the treweth therof. This leafe (quod he) whiche thou browghtest me, hath toulde me all. Then hee further rehearsed vnto hym the houre of his coommynge to his frende,* 9.577 and lykewyse of his departynge when hee re∣tourned. And thus they meryly deceaue these seely soules and keepe theym vnder obedyence: In so muche that they take owre men for goddes, at whose coommaundement lea∣ues doo disclose suche thynges as they thyncke mooste hyd and secreate. Bothe the sydes of the leafe receaueth the for∣mes of letters euen as dooeth owre paper.* 9.578 It is thycker then double parchement, and meruelous toughe. While it is yet florys••hynge and newe, it sheweth the letters whyte in greene. And when it is drye, it becommeth whyte and harde lyke a table of woodde: but the letters wexe yelowe. It dooeth not corrupte or putrifye: nor yet looseth the let∣ters thoughe it bee wette: nor by any other meanes excepte it bee burnte. There is an other tree named Xagua: the iuise of whose soure apple beynge of a darke redde coloure,* 9.579 stay∣neth and coloureth what soo euer is touched therwith: And that soo fyrmely, that noo wasshynge canne take it awaye for the space of twentie dayes. When the apple is full ripe, the iuise looseth that strength. The apple is eaten, and of good tast. There is also an herbe whose smoke (as we haue rehersed the like before of a certen woodde) is deadly poison. On a tyme when the kynges assembled together and conspi∣red the destruction of owre men,* 9.580 where as they durste not at∣tempte thenterprise by open warre, theyr diuise was, priui∣lye to lay many bundels of those herbes in a certeyne house,

whiche shortly after they intended to set on fyer, to thinten•• that owre men makynge haste to quenshe the same, myght take theyr death with the smoke therof. But theyr purposed practyse beinge bewrayed, thautours of the diuise were pu∣nysshed accordyngly. Nowe (moste holy father) for as much as yowre holynesse wryteth that what so euer we haue writ∣ten of the newe worlde, dooth please yowe ryght well, wee wyll reherse certeyne thynges owte of order, but not greatly from owre purpose. Of the settynge the rootes of Maizium Agis, Iucca, Battatas, and such other beinge theyr common foode, and of thuse of the same, we haue spoken sufficiently before. But by what meanes they were fyrste applyed to the commo∣ditie of men, we haue not yet declared. We nowe therefore entende to entreate sumwhat hereof.

¶ The nynth booke of the thyrde Decade.

THEY saye that the fyrste inhabitours lyued contented with the rootes of dates,* 9.581 and Ma¦gueans, which is an herbe muche lyke vnto that which is commonly cauled Sengrene or Orpin. Also the rootes of Guaiegans, whi¦che are rounde and greate muche lyke vnto puffes of the earth or mussheromes. They did lykewise eate Guaieros, lyke vnto perseneppes: Cibaios lyke nuttes, Cabaioes and Macoanes, lyke vnto onions, with dy∣uers other suche rootes. They say that after many yeares, a certeyne Boi••ion, that is, a wyse oulde man, sawe vppon the bankes syde, a bushe lyke vnto fenel: and transplantyng the roote therof, brought it from wyldenes to a better kynde, by noorysshynge it in gardens.* 9.582 This was the begynnynge of Iucca, which at the fyrste was deadely poyson to all suche as dyd eate therof rawe. But for as muche as they perceaued it to bee of pleasaunte taste, they determyned many wayes to proue the vse therof: And at the length founde by experience that beinge sodde or fryed, it was lesse hurtefull: by whiche meanes also, they came to the knowledge of the veneme ly∣inge hyd in the iuse of the roote. Thus by dryinge, saltynge, seasonynge, and otherwyse temperynge it, they brought it

to theyr fine breade which they caule Cazabbi,* 9.583 more delectable and holsome to the stomacke of manne then breade made of wheate, bycause it is of easyer digestion. The same is to bee vnderstoode of other rootes and the grayne of Maizium whi∣che they haue chosen for their chiefe meate amonge the seedes of nature, as we reade howe Ceres the doughter of Saturnus,* 9.584 gathered wheate and barley (with suche other corne as are nowe most in vse amonge men) in Egypte of certeyne graynes taken owt of the mudde dryuen from the mountaynes of Ethi¦opia by thincrease of the ryuer Nilus, and lefte in the plaine at such tyme as Nilus resorted ageyne to his chanell. For the which facte, we reade that the antiquitie gaue diuine honour to Ceres, who fyrst norished and increased such chosen seedes. There are innumerable kyndes of Ages:* 9.585 the varietie wherof, is knowen by theyr leaues and floures. One kynde of these, is cauled Guanaguax. This is whyte boothe within & without An other named Guaraguei is of vyolet colour without & white within. The other kyndes of Ages, they caul Zazaueios. These are redde without and whyte within. Squiuetes, are whyte within and without. Tunna, is all together of vyolet coloure. Hobos is yelowe booth of skynne and inner substance. There is an other named A••ibunicix: The skynne of this is of violet colour, and the substance whyte. Aniguamar, hath his skynne also of vyolet coloure, and is whyte within. Guaccaracca. hath a whyte skynne, and the substance of vyolet colour. There are many other which are not yet brought to vs. But I feare me least in the rehearsall of these,* 9.586 I shal prouoke the spurres of malicious persons ageynst me which wyll scorne these owr doinges for that we haue wrytten of many such smaule thin∣ges to a prince occupyed in suche weyghty affayres, as vnto yowre holynes vppon whose shulders resteth the burthen of the hole Christian worlde. But I wolde aske of these maly¦cious en••yers of other mens trauayles, whether Plinie and such other famous wryters,* 9.587 when they dyrected and dedica∣ted such thinges to kynges and princes, entended only to pro¦fyte them to whom they consecrated the frute of theyr know∣leage. They sumtymes intermyxte famous thynges with ob∣scure thynges, lyght with heauie, and greate with smaule, that by the foortheraunce of princes, theyr vniuersall poste∣ritie myght enioye the fruition of the knowleage of thynges.

At other tymes also, beinge intent about particular thinges, and desyrous of newe thynges, they occupyed them selues in the searchinge of particular tractes and coastes, with suche thynges as nature brought foorth in the same, by this mea∣nes to coome the better to more absolute and vniuersal know¦leage. Let theym therefore contemne owre doinge: And wee wyll laugh to scorne, not theyr ignoraunce and slothfulnes, but pernicious curiousnes: And therewith hauynge pitie of theyr frowarde dispositions, wyll commit theim to the vene∣mous serpentes of whome enuie tooke his fyrst orginall. It shall in the meane tyme abundantly contente vs that these thynges do please yowre holynes: And that yowe doo not dispise owre simple vestures wherwith we haue only weaued togyther and not adourned, gathered and not described such maruelous thynges in the garnyshynge wherof, nature hath sufficiently shewed her cunnynge. Owre desyre is none other but herein for yowre sake to doo owre endeuoure that these thynges maye not peryshe. Let euery man take hereof what lyketh hym best. Of the sheepe or bullocke soulde in the mar∣ket, nothynge remayneth in the euenynge, bycause the shul∣der pleaseth one, the legge an other, and the necke an other. Ye, sume haue most phantasie to the bowels, and sume to the feete. Thus hauynge enough wandered, lette vs returne to owre purpose and declare with what woordes they salute the kynges chyldren when they are fyrst borne: or howe they ap¦ply the begynnyng of theyr lyues to the end: And why their kynges are cauled by many names. Therfore when the kynge hath a sonne borne, such as dwel neare about his pallaice or vyllage, repayre to the queenes chamber, where one saluteth the newe borne chylde with one name, and an other with an other name.* 9.588 God saue the thowe shyninge lampe sayth one: An other cauleth him bryght and cleare. Sume name him the victourer of his enemies: and other sume, the puissaunt con∣querour descended of bludde royall, and bryghter then gold, with dyuers other suche vayne names. Therfore lyke as eue¦ry of the Romane emperours was cauled Adiabenicus,* 9.589 Par••••icus, Ar¦menicus, Dacicus, Go••bicus, and Germanicus, accordynge to the titles of theyr parentes and auncestours, euen so by thimposition of names inuented by other kynges, Beucbicus Anacachoa the lord of the region of Xaragua (of whome and of the wyse woman

Anachaona his syster, we haue spoken largely in the fyrste De∣cade) was cauled by all these names folowynge: Tureigua Ho∣bin: whiche is as muche to saye, as, a kynge shynynge as bryght as laton. Starei, that is, bryghte: Huibo, hyghnesse: Duih••ynequen, a ryche fludde. With all these names and more then fortye other suche, dooeth kynge Beuchius magnifye hym selfe as often as he commaundeth any thynge to bee doone or causeth any proclamation to bee made in his name. If the cryer by neglygence leaue owte any of these names, the king thynketh it to sounde greatly to his contumely and reproche. The lyke is also of other. Howe fondely they vse them sel∣ues in makynge their testamentes,* 9.590 wee wyll nowe declare. They leaue thinheritaunce of their kyngedomes to theldest soonnes of their eldest systers. If shee fayle, to theldest of the seconde syster and so of the thirde if the second also faile. For they are owte of doubte that those children coome of their bludde. But the children of their owne wyues, they counte to bee not legitimate. If there remayne none of their systers children, they leaue thinheritaunce to their broothers.* 9.591 And if they faile, it descendeth to their owne soonnes. Laste of all, if al these faile, they assygne it to the woorthiest, as to hym that is of greatest power in all the Ilande, that he may defende their subiectes from their auncient enemyes. They take as many wyues as them lysteth. They suffer the best be∣loued of the kynges wyues, and concubynes to bee buryed with hym.* 9.592 Anachaona the syster of Beuchius the kyng of Xaragua, being a woman of suche wisedome and cunnynge that in ma∣kynge of rhymes and balettes shee was counted a prophetisse emonge the beste, commaunded, that emonge all the wyues and concubynes of the kinge her brother, the fayrerest (whose name was Guanahattabenechina) shulde be buried alyue with him, and two of her waytyng maydes with her. Shee woolde also haue appointed dyuers other to that offyce, if shee had not byn otherwise perswaded by the prayers of certeyne fryers of saincte Fraunces order whiche chaunced then to bee pre∣sente.* 9.593 They saye that this Guanahattabenechina had none in all the Iland comparable to her in bewtie. She buried with her all her iewelles and twentie of her best ornamentes. Their custome is, to place besyde euery of them in their sepultures, a cuppe full of water and a portion of the fyne breade of Ca∣zabbi.

In Xaragua, the regyon of this kynge Beuchius, and in Hazua, parte of the regyon of Caiabo, also in the fayre vale of salte and freshe lakes, and lykewise in the region of Yaquino in the prouynce of Bainoa, it rayneth but seldome.* 9.594 In al these regyons are fosses or trenches made of oulde tyme, wherby they conueye the waters in order to water their fyeldes, with no lesse arte then doo thinhabitours of newe Carthage, and of the kyngedome of Murcien in Spartaria for the feldoome faule of rayne. The region of Maguana, deuydeth the prouynce of Bainoa from Caiabo,* 9.595 and Zauana from Guaccaiarima. In the deepe vales, they are troubled with raine more often then ned••th. Also the confynes of the chiefe citie named saincte Dominike are moister then is necessary. In other places, it rayneth mo∣derately. There are therfore in the Ilande of Hispaniola, dy∣uers & variable motions of the elementes,* 9.596 as we reade the lyke of manye other regions. Of their colonies or mantions which the Spaniardes haue erected in this Ilande we haue spoken suffycientelye beefore.* 9.597 They haue sence that tyme buylded these vyllages: Portus Platae, Portus Regalis, La∣res, Villanoua, Azuam, and Saluaterra. Hauynge sayde thus muche of the Ilande of Hispaniola the moother and ladye of the other Ilandes,* 9.598 and as it were Tethys the moste bewtifull wyfe of Neptunus the god of the sea, let vs nowe entreate sumwhat of her Nymphes and faire Nereides whiche waite vppon her and adourne her on euery syde. Wee wyll therfore begynne at the nearest cauled the newe Arethusa,* 9.599 soo named of the fontayne Arethusa in the Ilande of Sicilie. This is famous by reason of a sprynge: but otherwyse vnprofytable. Owre men na∣med it of late, Duas Arbores, bycause it hath onely twoo trees groynge in it: nere vnto the whiche is a fountaine that com∣meth from the Ilande of Hispaniola throughe the secreate pas∣sages of the earth vnder the sea, and breaketh foorth in this Ilande, as the ryuer Alpeus in Achaia runneth vnder the sea from the citie of Elide, and breaketh foorth in the Ilande of Sicilie in the fountayne Arethusa.* 9.600 That the foūtayne of this newe Arethusa hath h••s original from the Ilande of Hispaniola, it is manifest hereby, that the water isshewynge owte of the fountayne, bryngeth with it the leaues of many trees whiche growe in Hispaniola, and not in this Ilande. They saye that the fountayne hath his originall from the ryuer Yiamiroa in the region of Guaccaiarima confynynge with the land of Zauan••

This Ilande is not pas••e a myle in circuite, and commodi∣ous for fyssher men. Directly towarde the Easte (as it were the porter kepynge the enterie to Tothys) lyeth the Ilande of Sancti Iohannis (otherwise cauled Burichena) wherof wee haue spoken largely before.* 9.601 This aboundeth with golde: and in fruitefull soile, is equall with her moother Hispaniola. In this are many colonies or mansions of Spaniardes, whiche ap∣plye them selues to gatherynge of golde. Towarde the west on the Northe syde, great Cuba (for the longenesse therof,* 9.602 longe supposed to be the continent or fyrme lande) wardeth owre Tethys on the backe halfe. This is muche longer then Hispaniola: And from the Easte to the Weste, is diuyded in the myddest with the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri. Hispaniola and the other lyinge on the South syde of this, are included almost in the mydde space betwene the sayde Tropyke and the Equi∣noctiall lyne,* 9.603 whiche many of the oulde writers supposed to bee vnhabitable & desert by reason of the feruent heate of the soonne in that clyme as they coniectured. But they were deceaued in their opinion. They affyrme that rytcher golde mynes are founde in Cuba then in Hispaniola.* 9.604 They saye also that euen nowe while I wryte these thynges, there is golde gathered together ready to the meltyng, amountynge to the quantitie of a hundreth and fourescore thousande Castellans of gold, an argument surely of great rychesse. Iamaica is more towarde the Southe then these:* 9.605 And is a pleasaunte and fruitefull Ilande, of soyle apte for corne, graffes, and settes, it consysteth of onely one mountayne. Thinhabitauntes are warrelyke men and of good wytte. Colonus compared it to Sicilie in bygnesse. They whiche of late searched it more ex∣actely, saye that it is sumwhat lesse: but not muche. It is thought to be without gold and precious stoones, as the like was supposed of Cuba at the begynnynge. The Ilande of Guadalupea (fyrste named Caraqueira) lyinge on the Southe syde of Hispaniola,* 9.606 is foure degrees nearer the Equinoctiall. It is eaten and indented with two goulfes (as wee reade of great Britanye nowe cauled Englande, and Calidonia nowe cau∣led Scotlande) beinge in maner two Ilandes.* 9.607 It hath fa∣mous portes, In this they founde that gumme whiche the Apothecaries caule Animae Album,* 9.608 whose fume is holesome a∣geynst reumes and heauynesse of the heade. The tree whiche

engendereth this gumme, beareth a fruite muche lyke to a date,* 9.609 beinge a spanne in length. When it is opened, it see∣meth to conteyne a certayne sweete meale. As owre husbande men are accustomed to reserue chestenuttes and suche other harde fruites all the wynter, soo do they the dates of this tree,* 9.610 beynge muche lyke vnto a sygge tree. They founde al∣so in this Ilande, Pyne trees of the beste kynde, and suche other deyntie dysshes of nature, wherof wee haue spoken largely before. Ye, they thyncke that thinhabitauntes of o∣ther Ilandes, had their seedes of soo many pleasaunt frutes from hense. For the Canibales beinge a wylde and wande∣rynge people,* 9.611 and ouer runnynge all the countreys aboute them to hunte for mannes fleshe, were accustomed to brynge home with them what so euer they founde straunge or profy∣table in any place. They are intractable, and wyll admytte no straungiers. It shall therfore bee needefull to ouercoome them with great poure.* 9.612 For as well the women as men, are experte archiers, and vse to inueneme their arrowes. When the men go foorthe of the lande a man huntynge, the women manfully defende their coastes ageynst suche as attempte to inuade the same. And hereby I suppose it was thought that there were Ilandes in the Ocean, inhabited onely with wo∣men, as Colonus the admirall hym selfe perswaded me, as I haue sayde in the fyrste decade. This Ilande hath also frute∣full mountaynes and playnes, and notable ryuers. It nou∣ryssheth honye in trees, and in the caues of rockes,* 9.613 as in Palma one of the Ilandea of Canarie, honye is gathered emong the briers and bramble busshes. Aboute .xviii. myles Easte∣ward from this Iland, lieth an Iland which owr men named Desiderata,* 9.614 brynge .xx. myles in circuite and verye fayre. Also aboute ten myles from Guadalupea towarde the Southe, lyeth the Ilande of Galanta,* 9.615 beynge thirtie myles in circuite and playne. It was so named for the neatenesse and bewtifulnes therof. Nyne myles distant from Guadalupea toward the East, there are syxe smaule Ilandes named Todos Sanctos or Barbara.* 9.616 These are full of rockes and barren: Yet necessarye to bee knowen to suche as vse to trauayle the seas of these coastes. Ageyne, from Guadalupea .xxxv. myles towarde the Northe, there is an Ilande named Monsserratus,* 9.617 conteynynge in circuite fortye myles, hauynge also in it a mountayne of notable

heyght. The Ilande named Antipua,* 9.618 distante from Guadalupea thirtie myles, is aboute fortye myles in circuite. Diegus Colo∣nus the soonne and heyre of Christophorus Colonus, tould me that his wyfe (whome he lefte in the Ilande of Hispaniola a•• his comming into Spaine to the courte) did write vnto hym, that of late emonge the Ilandes of the Canibales, there is one founde whiche aboundeth with golde. On the lefte syde of Hispaniola towarde the Southe, neare vnto the hauen Botea, there lyeth an Ilande named Portus Bellus.* 9.619 They tell marue∣lous thynges of the monsters of the sea aboute this Ilande, and especially of the tortoyses. For they saye that they are bygger then greate rounde targettes. At suche tyme as the h••ate of nature moueth theym too generation,* 9.620 they coome foorthe of the sea: And makynge a deepe pytte in the sande, they laye three or foure hundreth egges therin. When they haue thus emptied their bagge of conception, they putte as muche of the sande ageyne into the pytte, as maye suffyce to couer the egges: And soo resorte ageyne to the sea, no∣thynge carefull of their successyon. At the daye appoynted of nature to the procreation of these beastes, there creapeth owte a multitude of tortoyses, as it were pyssemares swar∣mynge owte of an ante hyll: And this onely by the heate of the soonne withowte any helpe of their parentes. They saye that their egges are in maner as bygge as geese egges.* 9.621 They also coompare the fleshe of these tortoyses, to be equall with veale in taste. There are besyde these, innumerable I∣landes the whiche they haue not yet searched:* 9.622 nor yet is it greatly necessarye to syfte this meale so fynely. It maye suffyce to vnderstond that there are large landes & many re∣gyons whiche shal hereafter receaue owre nations, tounges, and maners: and therwith embrase owre relygion. The Troyans dydde not soodenly replenyshe Asia,* 9.623 the Tyrians Libia,* 9.624 nor the Greekes and Phoenices Spayne.* 9.625* 9.626

As touchynge the Ilandes which lye on the north syde of His∣paniola, I haue let passe to speake. For albeit they are commo¦dious for ty••lage and fysshynge, yet are they lefte of the Spa¦nyardes as poore and of smaule value.* 9.627 We wyll nowe there∣fore take owre leaue of this owlde Tethis with her moyst and watery Nymphes:* 9.628 And receaue to owre newe acquaintance the bewetifull ladye of the South sea rychely crowned with

great pearles, the Ilande of Dites beinge ryche both in name and in treasure. In my epistell booke whiche I sente vnto yowre holynes this last yeare, I declared howe Vaschus Nunnez Balboa the capitayne of them whiche passed ouer the daunge∣rous mountaynes towarde the South sea,* 9.629 learned by report that in the prospect of those coastes there laye an Ilande a∣boundynge with pearles of the greatest sorte: And that the kynge therof was ryche and of great power, infestynge with warres the other kynges his bortherers, and especially Chi∣apes and Tumacchus. We declared further howe at that tyme it was lefte vntouthed by reason of the ragynge tempestes whi¦che troubled that South sea three moonethes in the yeare. But it is nowe better knowen to owre men, who haue nowe also brought that fierce kynge to humanitie: and conuerted hym from a cruell tyger to one of the meeke sheepe of Christes flocke sanctifyed with the water of baptisme with all his fa∣melie and kyngedome.* 9.630 It shall not therefore bee from owre purpose to declare by the gouernaunce of what capitaines or by what meanes these thynges were so happely atchyued.

¶ The tenth booke of the thyrde Decade.

TT the arryuall of Petrus Arias the newe gouer¦nour of Dariena, he gaue commaundment that one Gaspar Moralis shulde take in hande thexpe¦dition to the Ilande of Dites.* 9.631 He therefore tooke his vyage fyrst to Chiapes and Tumacchus kynges of the South, whom Vaschus beefore had concyled and lefte fryndes to the Christi¦ans. They frendely and magnifycally enterteyned owr men who prepared them a nauie of the kynges boates to passe o∣uer into this Ilande, which they caule Dites and not Margarita or Margaritea,* 9.632 although it abounde with pearles which in the latin tonge are cauled Margaritae. For they fyrst cauled an other by this name, which lyeth next to the mouth of Os Draconis in the region of Paria,* 9.633* 9.634 in the which also is founde greate plentie of pearles. Gaspan brought with hym onely threescore armed men to the Ilande, for that he coulde conuey ouer no greater number by reason of the smaulenes and narownes of theyr

boates or barkes which they caule Culchas, made of one hole piece of tymber as we haue sayde b••fore.* 9.635 The kynge of the I¦lande came foorth ageinst them fiercely with cruell and threa¦tenynge countenaunce, and with a great bande of armed men cryinge in maner of a larome and in token of the battayle, Guazzauara, Guazzauara, which is as much to saye as, battayle a∣geynst the enemie: And is as it weare a watch worde to giue thonset, wherwith also they threwe theyr dartes. For they haue not thuse of bowes. They were so obstinate and despe∣rate that they assayled owre men with foure Guazzauaras▪ that is, battayles. At the length owre men with certeyne of Chia∣pes and Tumacchus men (beinge oulde enemies to this kynge of the Ilande, gotte the vpper hande by reason they assayled the kynge soodenly and vnwares. Yet was he determyned to assemble a greater power, and once ageyne to attempt the for¦tune of warre, but that he was otherwyse persuaded by the kinges his bortherers which counceled him to gyue ouer and submyt hym selfe: sumtyme by thexemple of them selues and other threatenynge the destruction of his flooryshynge kynge∣dome: And otherwhyles declarynge vnto hym the humani∣tie and gentelnes of owre men, by whose frendship he might obteyne honoure and quyetnes to hym and his: wyllyng hym furthermore to consider what chaunced vnto them which the yeare before resysted and aduentured the hasarde of the bat∣tayle as dyd these kynges, Poncha, Pocchorrosa, Quarequa, Chiapes, and Tumaccus with such other. By these persuasions, the king submytted hym selfe and came freendely to owre men whom he conducted to his palaice which they say to be maruelously adourned and princelyke.* 9.636 As soone as they entered into the pallaice,* 9.637 he brought foorth a basket of curious woorkeman∣shyp and full of pearles which he gaue them. The summe of these pearles amounted to the weyght of a hundreth and ten poundes after .viii. vnces to the pounde.* 9.638 Beinge ageyne re∣warded of owre men with such tryfles as they brought with them of purpose, as garlandes of Christall and glasse and o∣ther counterfet stones of dyuers colours, with lookyng glas∣ses also and laton belles, and especially two or three Iren hatchets (which they more esteme then great heapes of gold) he thaught hym selfe abundantly recompensed.* 9.639 They laughe owre men to scorne that they wyll departe with so great and

necessarie a thynge for any summe of golde: affyrmynge an axe or hatchet to bee profytable for manye vses of men: and that golde serueth onely for wanton pleasures, and not to be greatly necessary. Beynge therfore ioyfull and gladde of the frendeshyppe of owre men, he tooke the capitaine by the hand and brought him with certeine of his familiars to the highest towre of his palaice, from whense they myght prospecte the mayne sea.* 9.640 Then castyng his eyes about hym on euery side, and lookynge towarde the Easte, he sayde vnto them. Be∣holde here lyeth open before yowe the infynite sea extended beyond the soonne beames. Then tournyng hym toward the Southe and Weste, he sygnyfied vnto them that the lande which laye before their eyes, the toppes of whose great mon∣taynes they myght see,* 9.641 was exceadynge large. Then coom∣mynge sumwhat nearer, he sayde: Beholde these Ilandes on the ryght hande and on the lefte, whiche all obeye vnto owre empyre, and are ryche, happye, and blessed, if yowe caule those landes blessed whiche abounde with golde and perle. Wee haue in this Ilande lyttle plentie of golde: But the deepe places of all the seas aboute these Ilandes, are full of perles: wherof yowe shall receaue of me as many as yow wyll requyre, so that ye persyste in the bonde of frendeshyppe whiche yowe haue begunne. I greatly desyre yowre frende∣shyppe, and woolde gladlye haue the fruition of yowre thyn∣ges, whiche I sette muche more by then myllyons of perles. Yowe shall therfore haue no cause to doubte of any vnfayth∣fulnesse or breache of frendeshyppe on my behalfe. Owre men gaue hym lyke frendly woordes: and encouraged hym with many fayre promysses to doo as he had sayde. When owre men were nowe in a redynesse to departe, they couenaunted with hym to paye yearely to the greate kynge of Castyle a hundreth pounde weyghte of perles.* 9.642 He gladlye agreed to their request, and tooke it for no great thyng: nor yet thought hym selfe any whitte the more to becoome tributarie. With this kynge they founde suche plentie of hartes and connies,* 9.643 that owre men stondynge in their houses myght kyll as ma∣nye as them lyste with their arrowes. They lyue heare verye pleasauntly, hauynge greate plentie of al thynges necessary. This Ilande is scarsely syxe degrees distant from the Equi∣noctiall lyne. They haue the same maner of breade made of

rootes and the graine of Maizium, and wyne made of seedes and fruites,* 9.644 euen as they haue in the region of Comogra and in other places aswell in the Ilandes as in the firme lande. This kynge is nowe baptised with all his familye▪ and sub∣iectes.* 9.645 His desyre was at his baptisme, to bee named Petrus Arias after the name of the gouernour. When owre men de∣parted, he accompanied them to the sea syde and furnysshed them with boates to retourne to the continent.* 9.646 Owre men diuided the perles emonge them, reseruyng the fyfte portion to be delyuered to thoffycers of the kynges Excheker in those partes. They saye that these perles were maruelous precious, faire, oriente, and exceadynge bygge:* 9.647 In so muche that they broughte manye with theym bygger then hasell nuttes. Of what pryce and value they myghte bee, I consyder by one perle the which Paulus predicessour to yowre holines,* 9.648 bowght at the second hand of a marchant of Uenece for foure & forty thousande ducates. Yet emonge those whiche were brought from this Ilande, there was one bought euen in Dariena for a thousande and two hundreth Castelans of golde. This was almost as bygge as a meane walnutte:* 9.649 And came at the length to the handes of Petrus Arias the gouernoure, who gaue it to that noble and faithefull woman his wyfe, of whose maner of departure with her husbande, wee haue made mention be∣fore. Wee muste then needes thinke that this was verye pre∣cious which was bowght so deare emonge suche a multitude of perles where they were not bought by one at once, but by poundes and at the least by ounces. It is also to be thought that the Uenecian marchaunte boughte his for no great sum of mony in the East parts. But he sould it the dearer for that he chaunced to lyue in those lasciuious and wanton dayes when men were gyuen to suche nyse and superfluous pleasu∣res,* 9.650 and mette with a marchaunt for his purpose. But lette vs nowe speake sumwhat of the shelfysshes in the whiche perles are engendered. It is not vnknowen to yowre holy∣nesse, that Aristotell, and Plinie his folower, were of dyuers opinions as concernynge the generation of perles.* 9.651 But these Indians and owre men, rest onely in one assertion, not assentyng to them in any other: as eyther that they wan∣der in the sea, or that they moue at anye tyme after they are borne. They wyll therfore that there bee certayne gree••••

places as it were medowes in the bottome of the sea,* 9.652 bryn∣gynge foorthe an herbe muche lyke vnto thyme, and affyrme that they haue seene the same: And that they are engende∣red, norysshed, and growe therin, as wee see thincrease and succession of oysters to growe aboute them selues. Also that these fysshes delyteth not in the conuersation or coompanye of the sea dogges: Nor yet to bee contented with onely one, twoo, or three, or at the moste foure pearles: Affyrmyng that in the fysshynge places of the kynge of this Ilande, there was founde a hundreth pearles in one fyshe,* 9.653 the whirhe Gas∣par Moralis the capitayne hym selfe, and his coompanions, diligently numbered. For it pleased the kynge at their be∣ynge there & in their presence, to commaund his diuers to go a fysshynge for those kynde of fysshes. They compare the matrices of these fysshes,* 9.654 to the places of conception in hen∣nes, in the whiche their egges are engendered in great mul∣titudes and clusters: And beleue that these fysshes brynge foorth their byrth in lyke maner. For the better profe wher∣of, they saye that they founde certaine pearles coommynge foorthe of their matreces, as beynge nowe coome to the tyme of their full rypenesse,* 9.655 and moued by nature to coome owte of their moothers wombe openynge it selfe in tyme conueni∣ent. Lykewise that within a while after, they sawe other succede in lyke maner. So that to conclude, they sawe sum coommynge foorthe, and other summe yet abydinge the tyme of their perfection: whiche beyng complete, they also became loose and opened the matrice. They perceaued the pearles to bee inclosed in the myddest of their bellies, there to bee noris∣••hed and increase as an infante suckynge his moothers pap∣pes within her wombe, before hee moue to coome foorthe of her priuye places. And if it chaunce any of these shelfysshes to be founde scatered in the sande of the sea (as I my selfe haue seene oysters disparcled on the shores in diuers places of the Ocean) they affyrme that they haue byn violently dryuen thi∣ther from the bottome of the sea by force of tempestes, and not to haue wandered thither of them selues. But, that they becoome white by the clearenesse of the mornynge dewe, or waxe yelowe in troubled wether, or otherwyse that they ••eeme to reioyse in faire wether and cleare ayer, or contrary¦wyse to bee as it were astonisshed and dymme in thunder and

tempestes, with suche other, the perfecte knowledge hereof is not to bee looked for at the handes of these vnlearned men whiche handell the matter but grossely, and enquire no fur∣ther then occasyon serueth. Yet do they affyrme by thexperi∣ence and industrie of the dyuers, that the greatest pearles lye in the deepest places,* 9.656 they of the meane sorte hygher, and the least hyghest of all and nearer to the brymme of the wa∣ter. And saye therfore that the greatest do not wander: but that they are created, nourysshed, and increase in the dee∣pest places of the sea, whether fewe, dyuers, and that but seeldome dare aduenture to diue so deepe to gather them, as∣wel for feare of the sea crabbes whiche wander emonge these perle fyshes to feede of them,* 9.657 and for feare of other monsters of the sea, as also leste their brethe shuld fayle them into long remayninge in the water. And this they saye to bee the cause why the owldest and therfore byggest sea muscles,* 9.658 inhabyte the deepest places from whense they are not lyghtly moued by tempestes. Furthermore, howe muche the bygger and oul∣der these fyshes are, they say that in their larger matrices, the greater number and bygger pearles are founde: And that for this cause, there are fewer founde of the byggest sorte. They thyncke also, that when they fyrste faule from their fysshes in the deepe places, they are deuoured of other fysshes, by∣cause they are not yet harde. Ageyne, the smaulest differ from the byggest in a certayne swellynge or impostumation whiche the Spaniardes caule a tympane. For they denye that to be a pearle which in oulde muscles cleaueth fast to the shel: But that it is a warte, whiche beynge rased from the shell with a fyle, is rounde and bryght but onely of one syde, and not pre∣cious, beynge rather of the nature of the fyshe it selfe, then of a pearle. They confesse that they haue seene certayne of these muscles cleauynge on rockes: Yet these but fewe, and nothynge woorthe. It is also to bee thought that the pearle fysshes or sea muscles whiche are founde in India, Arabie, the redde sea, or Taprobana, are ruled in suche order as the afore named famous autours haue written. For their opini∣on herein is not vtterly to bee reiected, forasmuche as they were learned men and trauayled longe in the serchynge of these thynges. But wee haue nowe spoken suffyciently of these sea fysshes and of their egges which the fonde nysenes

and wantonnesse of men haue made dearer then the egges of hennes or geese. Lette vs therfore entreate sumwhat of o∣ther particular thynges whiche are coome to owre know∣ledge of late. We haue elles where largely described the mou¦thes of the goulfe of Vraba, with sundrye and variable regi∣ons diuided with the manyfolde goulfes of that sea. But as∣concernynge the West coastes in the whiche owre men haue buylded houses and planted their habitations on the bankes of Dariena, I haue no newe matter to write. Yet as touching the East partes of the goulfe,* 9.659 I haue learned as foloweth. They saye that the vnyuersal lande of the East region of the goulfe from the corner therof farre reachynge into the sea, and from the extreame or vtter moste mouthe of the same re∣ceauynge the waters of the sea whiche faule into it, euen vn∣to Os Draconis and Paria, is by one generall name cauled Cari∣bana,* 9.660 of the Caribes or Canibales whiche are founde in euery regyon in this tracte. But from whense they had their par∣ticular originall,* 9.661 and howe leauynge their natiue soyle, they haue spredde their generation so farre lyke a pestiferous con∣tagion, wee wyll nowe declare. Therfore from the fyrste fronte reachynge foorth into the sea (in whose tracte we said that Fogeda fastened his foote) toward the corner, about nyne myles distant, there lyeth a vyllage of Caribana named Fu••craca.* 9.662 Three myles distant from this, is the vyllage of Vraba, of the whiche it is thoughte that the hole goulfe tooke his name, because this vyllage was once the heade of the kyngedome. Aboute syxe myles from this, is Fe••i. Nyne myles from Feti••, is Zerema:* 9.663 And about twelue myles from this, Sorache. Owre men founde all these vyllages full of people, all the whiche gyue them selues onely to manhuntynge. In so muche that if they lacke enemyes ageynst whom they maye keepe warre, they exercise crueltie ageynst them selues, and eyther sleye the one the other, or elles dryue the vanquysshed to flyghte.

Whereby it is apparante that by these their continuall war∣res, and dryuynge the one the other owte of their countreis, this infection hath gonne so farre not onelye on the fyrme lande, but also into the Ilandes. I was also aduertised of an other thynge the whiche to my iudgement, seemeth woor∣thye to bee putte in memorye.

One Corrales a iudge in causes of lawe amonge the Spany∣ardes

of Dariena, sayth that on a tyme walkyng abrode with his booke in his hande, he met by the waye with a fugityue which had stedde from the great landes lyinge farre toward the weste, and remayned here wyth a Kynge wyth whom he was enterteyned. When this man perceaued the lawier lookynge on his booke, marueylynge thereat, he came run∣ninge vnto him, and by interpretours of the kynge whom he serued, spake thus vnto him: Haue yowe also bookes wherin yowe may reserue thynges in perpetual memorye?* 9.664* 9.665 And letters wherby yowe may declare yowre mynde to suche as are ab∣sent? And herewith desyred that the booke might bee opened vnto hym, supposyng that he shulde therein haue founde the letters of his owne countrey. But when he sawe theim vn∣lyke, he sayde further that in his countrey there were cities fortified with waules and gouerned by lawes: and that the people also vsed apparell. But of what religion they were, I dyd not learne. Yet had owre men knowleage both by the woordes and signes of this fugitiue, that they were circum∣cised.* 9.666 What nowe thinke yowe hereby (most holy father) Or what do yowe diuine may come hereof when tyme shall sub∣due al these vnder yowre throne?* 9.667 Let vs nowe entermyngle certeyne smaule thynges amonge these great matters. I haue not thought good to pretermitte that which chaunced to Io∣hannes Solysius, who, to searche the South syde of the supposed continent, departed with three shippes from porte Ioppa (not farre distante from the Ilandes of Gades or Cales in the Oce∣an) the fourth day of the Ides of September in the yeare. M D. xv. Or what successe Iohannes Pontius had, whom the newe gouernour Petrus Arias appoynted to vanquishe and destroy the Caribes or Canibales, deuourers of mans fleshe.* 9.668 Also to what ende the vyages of the other capitaynes came, whiche were sent foorth dyuers wayes at the same tyme: As Gonzalus Bada∣••ocius, Franciscus Bezerra, and Valleius, Iohannes Solicius tooke the mat¦ter in hande in an euyll houre.* 9.669 He sayled beyonde the poynt of saynt Augustine, (which they caule Cabo. S. Augustini) toward the South syde of the supposed continent beyonde the Equi∣noctiall lyne.* 9.670 For (as we haue sayde before) that poynt rea∣cheth Southwarde to the seuenth degree of the South poole cauled the pole Antartike. He proceaded in that viage syxe hundreth leagues: And founde the lande from the poynte to

extende so farre towarde the South beyonde the Equinocti∣all, that he came to the thirtie degree of the South pole. As he sayled thus forwarde, hauynge nowe on his backe halfe the starres named Caput Draconis, (that is, the dragons heade) and the regions of Paria lyinge northwarde frome hym, and prospectynge towarde the pole Artyke, he chaunced to faule into the handes of the fylthye Canibales.* 9.671 For these craftie foxes seemed to make signes of peace, when in theyr mindes they conceaued a hope of a daintie banquet:* 9.672 And espying their enemies a farre of, beganne to swalowe theyr spettle as their mouthes watered for greedines of theyr pray. As vnhappye Solys••us descended with as many of his coompanie as coulde en¦ter into the boate of the byggest shippe, soodenly a great mul∣tytude of thinhabitantes bruste foorth vppon them, and slew them euery man with clubbes, euen in the syght of theyr fe∣lowes. They caried away the boate, and in a moment broke it all to fytters. Not one man escaped. Theyr furie not thus satisfied, they cutte the slayne men in pieces euen vppon the shore where theyr felowes might beholde this horrible specta¦cle from the sea. But they being stryken with feare through this exemple, durst not coome foorth of theyr shyppes, or di∣uise howe to reuenge the death of theyr Capitaine and coom∣panyons. They departed therefore from these vnfortunate coastes: And by the waye ladynge theyr shippes with brasell returned home ageyne with losse and heauie chere.* 9.673 Of these thynges I was aduertysed of late by theyr owne letters.

What they haue els doone, I shal haue more particular know¦leage hereafter, Iohannes Pontius was also repulsed by the Cani∣bales in the Ilande of Guadalupea beinge one of the chiefe I∣landes of theyr habitacion.* 9.674 For when they sawe owre men a farre of on the sea, they ley in ambushe soodenly to inuade them when they shulde coome alande. Owre men sent foorth a fewe foote men and with them theyr laundresses to wasshe theyr shertes and sheetes. For from the Ilande of Ferrea be∣inge one of the Ilandes of Canarie (euen vnto this Ilande, for the space of foure thousande and twoo hundreth myles) they had seene no lande where they myght fynde any fresshe water: for as muche as in all this large space, the Ocean is without Ilandes. At theyr commynge therfore to lande, the Canibales assayled them, caried awaye the women, and put

the men to suche distresse that fewe of them escaped. By rea∣son wherof, Pontius being greately discomfited, durste not in∣uade the Canibales, fearynge theyr venemed arrowes which these naked manhunters can direct most certenly. Thus good Pontius faylyng of his purpose, was fayne to gyue ouer the Ca¦nibales, whome (beinge safe and vnder the house roufe) he threatened to vanquyshe and destroy. Whether he went from thense, or what newe thynges he founde, I haue as yet no further knowleage. By these mysfortunes, Solysius loste his lyfe, and Pontius his honour. Let vs nowe speake of an other whose enterpryse came to lyke purpose the same yeare. Iohan∣nes Aiora borne in the citie of Corduba,* 9.675 a man of noble parentage, sent in steade of the Lieuetenaunt (as we haue sayde) more co¦uetous of golde then carefull of his charge or desyrous of prayse for well deseruynge,* 9.676 sought occasions of querelynge ageynst the kynges and spoyled many, violently extortynge golde of them ageynst ryght and equitie: And further hande∣led them so extremely, that of frendes they became most cruel enemies:* 9.677 In so much that they ceased not with desperat myn¦des by all meanes they coulde to sley owre men openly or pri¦uilye. By reason wherof it is coome to passe, that where be∣fore they bartered quyetly exchanginge ware for ware, they are nowe fayne to doo all thynges by force of armes. When he had thus exacted a great quantitie of golde of them (as it is sayd) he fledde priuilie and tooke away a shyppe with him by stelth as the common rumoure goeth: Nor yet hetherto haue we hard whyther he went or where he is arryued. Sum suspect that Petrus Arias the gouernour shulde consente to his departure bycause this Iohannes Aiora is brother to Gonsalus Aiora the kynges historiographer, a man booth lerned, and expert in the discipline of warre: and so much the gouernours frend, that these two amonge a fewe, may be counted exemples of rare amitie. I my selfe also am greately bounde vnto theym bothe and haue longe enioyed theyr frendeshippe. Yet shall I desyre them bothe to pardone me in declarynge my phan∣tasie herein, that in all the turmoyles and tragicall affayres of the Ocean, nothynge hath so muche displeased me as the couetousnes of this man who hath so disturbed the pacified myndes of the kynges. Nowe emonge these troubelous chaun¦ces, let vs rehearse the variable fortune of Gonsalus Badaiccius,

& his felowes,* 9.678 whose prosperous begynnynges, ended with vnfortunate successe. Gonsalus therfore in the moneth of May in the yeare of Christe M. D. xv. departed from Dariena with fourescore armed men, directynge his vyage towarde the Southe, and restynge in no place vntyll he came to the regi∣on of Cerabaro which owre men named Gratia Dei,* 9.679 distant from Dariena about a hundreth and fourescore myles: for they caule it threescore leaques. He spente certeyne dayes here in Idel∣nesse: for he coulde neyther by fayre meanes nor by foule, al∣lure the kynge of the regyon to coome to hym. While he laye thus idelly, there came to hym other fyftie men sente frome Dariena vnder the gouernaunce of capytayne Lodouicus Mercado who departed from Dariena in the calendes of Maye, to thin∣tent to searche thinner partes of those regyons. When they mette together, they determyned after consultation, to passe ouer the montaynes lyinge towarde the Southe, euen vnto the Southe sea latelye founde. Beholde nowe a wonderfull thynge: That in a lande of suche maruelous longitude in other places, they founde it here to bee onely aboute fyftie myles distant to the Southe sea:* 9.680 for they counte it .xvii. lea∣ques,* 9.681 as the maner of the Spanyardes is to reken, and not by myles. Yet saye they that a leaque consysteth of three my∣les by lande and foure by sea as wee haue noted before. In the toppes of the mountaynes and turnynge of the waters, they founde a kynge named Iuana▪ whose kyngedome is also named Coiba as is the regyon of kynge Careta, of whome we haue made mention elles where. But for as muche as the re∣gyon of this Iuana, is rycher in golde, they named it Coiba Di∣tes,* 9.682 that is, Coiba the rych. For, whersoeuer they dygged the grounde, whether it were on the drye lande or in the weate chanelles of the ryuers, they founde the sande whiche they caste foorthe, myxte with golde. Iuana fledde at the coom∣mynge of owre men,* 9.683 and coulde neuer bee brought ageyne. They spoyled all the countrey neare aboute his palayce. Yet had they but lyttle golde: for hee had caryed all his stuffe with hym. Here they founde certeyne slaues marked in the faces after a straunge sorte. For with a sharpe prycke made eyther of bone, or elles with a thorne, they make holes in their faces: and foorthwith sprinkelynge a pouder theron, they moiste the pounced place with a certeyne blacke of redde

iuise, whose substaunce is of suche tenacitie and claniminesse, that it wyll neuer weare awaye. They brought these slaues away with them. They saye that this iuise is of such sharp∣nesse and putteth them to suche payne, that for extreeme do∣loure they haue no stomacke to their meate certaine dayes af∣ter. The kynges whiche take these slaues in their warres, vse their helpe in seekynge for golde and in tyllage of the grounde, euen as do owre men. From the pallaice of Iuana. folowynge the course of the water aboute tenne myles to∣warde the Southe, they entered into the dominion of an other kynge, whome owre men named the oulde man, bycause hee was oulde, not passynge of his other name. In the regyon of this kynge also, they founde golde in all places bothe on the lande and in the ryuers.* 9.684 This region is verye fayre and frutefull: and hath in it many famous ryuers. Departynge from hense, in fyue dayes iorneye they came to a lande lefte desolate. They suppose that this was destroyed by ciuile dis∣corde for as muche as it is for the mooste parte fruiteful,* 9.685 and yet not inhabited. The fyfth daye, they sawe two men com∣mynge a farre of. These were laden with breade of Maizium, whiche they caryed on their shulders in sackes. Owre men tooke them: and vnderstoode by them that there were twoo kynges in that tracte: The one was named Periqu••te,* 9.686 whoe dwelte neare vnto the sea. The others name was Totonoga. This Totonoga, was blynde and dwelte in the continent. The twoo men whiche they mette, were the fysshers of Totonoga, whome he had sente with certayne fardelles of fyshe to Peri∣quete, and had ageyne receaued breade of hym for exchaunge. For thus do they communicate their commodities one with an other by exchaunge, without ••huse of wycked money.

By the conductinge of these twoo men, they came to kynge Totonoga dwellynge on the Weste syde of sayncte Michaelles goulfe in the Southe sea.* 9.687* 9.688 They had of this kynge, the sum of syxe thousande Castellans of golde bothe rude and artify∣cially wrought. Emonge those groumes of rude or natyue golde, there was one founde of the weyghte of two Castel∣lans,* 9.689 whiche argued the plentifull rychenesse of the ground. Folowing the same coastes by the sea syde toward the West, they came to a kynge whose name was Taracuru,* 9.690 of whome they had golde amountynge to the weyght of eight thousand

Pesos.* 9.691 Wee haue sayde before that Pesus is the weyghte of a Castelane not coyned. From hense they wente to the domi∣nion of this kynges broother named Pananome,* 9.692 who fledde at their commynge, and appered no more afterwarde. They saye that his kyngdome is ryche in golde. They spoyled his pallaice in his absence. Syxe leaques from hense, they came to an other kyng named Tabor.* 9.693 From thense they came to th•• kyng of Cheru.* 9.694 He frendly enterteyned owre men, and gaue them foure thousande Pesos of golde.* 9.695 He hathe in his do∣minion many goodly salte dayes: the region also aboundeth with golde. About twelue myles from hense, they came to an other kyng cauled Anata,* 9.696 of whome they had .xv. thousande Pesos of golde whiche he had gotten of the kinges his borthe∣rers whom he had vanquisshed by warre.* 9.697 A great part of this golde was in rude forme bycause it was molten when he set the kynges houses on fyer whom he spoyled.* 9.698 For they robbe and sley the one the other, sackynge and fyryng their villa∣ges, and wastinge their countreys. They keepe warre barba∣rously and to vtter destruction, executing extreeme crueltie a∣geinst them that haue the ouerthrowe. Gonsalus Badaiocius with his felowes, wandered at lybertie vntyll they came to this kyng: And had gathered great heapes of gold of other kin∣ges. For, what in braslettes, collers, earinges, breste plates, helmettes, and certeine barres wherwith women beare vppe their brestes, they had gathered together in gold the sum of fourescore thousande Castellans,* 9.699 whiche they had obteyned partly by exchaunge for owre thinges where they founde the kinges their frendes, & otherwise by forceible meanes where they founde the contrary. They had gotten also forty slaues whose helpe they vsed both for cariage of their vitailes and bagagies in the steade of moiles or other beastes of burden, and also to relieue suche as were sycke and forweried by rea∣son of their longe iorneys and hunger. After these prospe∣rous viages, they came by the dominion of kynge Scoria,* 9.700 to the palaice of a kynge named Pariza:* 9.701 where (fearyng no such thing) Pariza enclosed them with a great armye,* 9.702 and assayled them straggelyng and vnwares, in suche sorte that they had no leasure to put on their armure. He slewe and wounded a∣bout fyftie, and put the resydue to flyght. They made such•• hast, that they had no respect eyther to the gold they had ga∣thered,

or to their slaues: but lefte all behynde them. Those fewe that escaped, came to Dariena. The opinion of all wyse men as concernynge the varyable and inconstant chaunces of fortune in humane thinges,* 9.703 were false, if al thinges shuld haue happened vnto them prosperously. For such is the na∣ture of this blynde goddesse, that she oftentimes delyteth in the ouerthrowe of them whom she hath exalted: and taketh plesure in confounding hygh thinges with lowe, and the con∣trary. Wee see this order to bee impermutable, that who soo wyll applye hym selfe to gather rootes, shall sumtymes meete with sweete lyqueresse, and other whiles with soure cockle. Yet wo vnto Pariza: for he shall not longe sleape in rest. The gouernour him selfe was of late determined with three hun∣dreth and fyftie choise souldiers to reuenge the death of owr men: But where as he by chaunce fell sycke, his poure went forward vnder the conducting of his Lieuetenant Gaspar Spino∣sa, a Iudge in cases of lawe in Dariena. At the same time other were sent foorth to the Ilande of Dites to exacte the portion of pearles lymited to the king for his tribute. What shal suc∣cede, tyme will bring to owre knowleage. The other two, at∣tempted thinhabitantes beyond the goulfe Franciscus Bezerra pas¦syng ouer by the corner of the goulfe and the mouthes of the ryuer of Dabaiba,* 9.704 with two other capitaines and a hundreth and fyftie souldiers well appointed, went to make warre vp∣pon the Canibales euen in Caribana their owne chiefest domini¦on, toward the vyllage of Turusy, wherof we haue made men∣tion before in the comming of Fogeda. They brought also with them diuers engens of warre:* 9.705 as ••hree pieces of ordinanunce whose shot were bygger then egges: Likewise forty archers, and .xxv. hagbutters to thintent to reache the Caniballes a farre of, and to preuent their venemed arrowes. But what became of hym and his company, or where they arriued, we haue yet no parfecte knowleage. Certaine which came of late from Dariena to Spaine, reported that at their departure, they of Dariena stode in great feare least they also were tossed with sum misfortune. The other capitaine Valleius,* 9.706 obteyned the fore parte of the goulfe. But he passed ouer by an other waye then dyd Bezerra. For he tooke the beginning of Caribana, and Bezerra the ende. Valleius returned ageine. But of the three score and ten men whiche he conueighed ouer with hym, hee

lefte fortye and eyght slaine emonge the Canibales. These are the newes whiche they bringe that came laste from Da••iena. There came to me the day before the Ides of October in this yeare M.D.xvi. Rodericus Colmenares (of whom we haue made mention before) and one Franciscus Delapuente. This Franciscus, was one of the vnder capitaines of this bande, whose chiefe capitaine was Gonsalus Badaiocius who hardly escaped the han∣d••s of kyng Pariza. These twoo capitaines therfore, Rodericus and Franciscus who departed from Dariena immediatly after the misfortune whiche befell to Badaiocius and his companye,* 9.707 do both affirme, the one that he hath harde, and the other that he hath seene, that in the Southe sea there are diuers Ilan∣des lying westwarde from the Iland of Dites and saincte Mi∣chaels goulfe,* 9.708 in many of the which are trees engendred and nourisshed which bring foorth the same aromaticall fruites, as doth the region of Collocutea,* 9.709 This lande of Collocutea, with the regions of Cochinus and Camemorus,* 9.710 are the chiefe marte pla¦ces from whense the Portugales haue their spices. And here∣by do they coniecture that the land where the frutfulnesse of spyce begynneth, shulde not be farre from thense. In so much that many of them whiche haue ouerrunne those coastes, do onely desyre that leaue may be graunted them to searche fur∣ther, and that they wil of their owne charges frame and fur∣nishe shippes and aduenture the viage to seeke those Ilandes and regions. They thinke it best that these shippes shulde bee made and prepared,* 9.711 euen in saincte Michaels goulfe: And not to attempte this vyage by sainte Augustines point, which waye were both longe and di••fyculte, and ful of a thousande daungers, and is saide to reache beyonde the forty degree of the pole Antartike. The same Franciscus, being partener of the trauailes and daungiers of Gonsalus, saithe that in ouer run∣ninge those landes, he founde great heardes of hartes and wylde bores:* 9.712 and that he toke many of them by an arte which thinhabitauntes taught him: whiche was to make pittes or trēches in their walkes, and to couer the same with bouwes. By this meanes also they deceaue al other kindes of wild and foure footed beastes. But they take foules after the same ma∣ner that we do: As stocke doues with an other tame stocke done brought vp in their houses.* 9.713 These they tye by a strynge, and suffer them to flye a little emong the trees. To the which

as other birdes of their kind resort, they kil thē with their ar¦rowes.* 9.714 Otherwyse they take thē with nettes in a bare place pourged from trees & bushes: and scateryng certeyne seedes rounde about that place, in the myddeste whereof they tye a tame foule or byrde of the kynde of them whiche they desyre to take. In lyke maner do they take popingiayes and other foules. But they say that popingiayes are so simple,* 9.715 that a great multitude of them wyll flye euen into the tree in whose bouwes the fouler sytteth: & swarme about the tame chatte¦rynge popingiaye, sufferynge them selues to bee easely taken. For they are so without feare of the syght of the fouler, that they tary whyle he cast the snare about theyr neckes, the o∣ther beinge nothynge feared hereby, thoughe they see hym drawe them to him with the snare, and put them in the bagge which he hath about hym for the same purpose. There is an other kynde of foulynge,* 9.716 heretofore neuer harde of, and plea¦saunt to consyder. We haue declared before howe that in cer∣teyne of the Ilandes, and especially in Hispaniola, there are dy∣uers lakes or standynge pooles. In sume of these (beinge no deaper then men may wade ouer them) are seene great multy∣tudes of water foules: as wel for that in the bottome of these lakes, there growe many herbes and weedes, as also that by reason of the heate of the sonne pearceinge to the naturall place of generation and corruption,* 9.717 where beinge doubled in force by reflection and preserued by moyster, there are engen∣dered of the stymines of the earth and water, and by the pro¦uidence of the vniuersall creator, innumerable lyttle fys••hes, with a thousande sundry kyndes of frogges, wormes, knat∣tes, flyes and such other. The foules which vse these lakes,* 9.718 are of dyuers kyndes: As duckes, geese, swannes, seemewes, gulles, and such other. We haue sayde also that in theyr or∣chardes they noryshe a tree which beareth a kynde of greate gourdes. Of these gourdes therefore well stopped leaste any water shulde enter in at theyr ryftes and cause them to sinke,* 9.719 they cast many in the shalowe pooles: where, by theyr conti∣nuall wanderynge and wauerynge with the motions of the wynde and water, they put the foules owt of suspection and feare. The fouler in the meane tyme, disguysinge hym selfe as it were with a visour, putteth a great gourde on his head much lyke to a helmet, with two holes neare about his eyes,

his face and hole heade besyde beinge couered therwith. And thus entereth he into the poole euen vnto the chynne. For beinge from theyr infancie exercised in swymmynge and ac∣customed to the waters, they refuse not to continue therein a longe space. The foules thynkynge this gourde to be one of the other that swymme vppon the water, the fouler goeth softly to the place wher he seeth the greatest flocke of foules: And with waggynge his heade, counterfectinge the mouing of the wauerynge gourdes, drawethe neare to the foules: where softely puttynge foorth his ryght hande, he soodenly snatcheth one by the legges and plungeth her into the water where he putteth her into a bagge whiche he hath with hym of purpose The other foules supposinge that this dyued in∣to the water of her owne motion to seke for foode (as is their maner) are nothyng moued hereby, but go forwarde on their waye as before, vntyll they also faule into the same snare. I haue here for this cause entered into the declaration of theyr maner of huntynge and foulynge, that by these more pleasaunt narrations I may sumwhat mytigate and asswage the horrour conceaued in yowre stomake by the former rehear¦sall of theyr bluddy actes and cruell maners. Lette vs nowe therfore speake sumwhat ageyne of the newe and later opini¦ons as concernynge the swyfte course of the sea towarde the west about the coastes of Paria:* 9.720 also of the maner of gathering of golde in the golde myne of Dariena, as I was aduertised of late. And with these two quyet and peaceable thynges, we wyl make an ende of the tragical affayres of the Ocean: and therwith byd yowre holynes fare wel. So it is therfore, that Andreas Moralis the pylot, and Ouiedus (of whom we haue made mention before) repayred to me, at my house in the towne of Matrite, As we met thus togyther, there arose a contention betwene them two, as concernynge this course of the Ocean. They both agree that these landes and regions perteynynge to the dominion of Castile, doo with one continuall tract and perpetuall bonde, embrase as one hole firme lande or conti∣nent al the mayne lande lyinge on the north syde of Cuba and the other Ilandes,* 9.721 beinge also northwest both from Cuba and Hispaniola. Yet as touchynge the course of the water, they var∣rie in opinion. For Andreas, wyll that this vyolent course of water bee receaued in the lappe of the supposed continente

which bendeth so much and extendeth so farre towarde the North, as we haue said: And that by the obiect or resistance of the lande so bendynge and crookynge, the water shulde as it were rebounde in coompasse, and by force therof be dryuen about the north syde of Cuba and the other Ilandes excluded without the circle cauled Tropicus Caneri, where the largenes of the sea maye receaue the waters faulynge frome the narowe streames, and therby represse that inordinate course, by rea∣son that the sea is there very large and great. I can compare his meanynge to nothynge more aptely then to the swyfte streame commyng foorth of a mylle and faulyng into the myl poole. For in al suche places where waters runne with a vy∣olent faule through narowe chanels, and are then receaued in large pooles, they are soodenly disparcled and theyr violence broken: So that wheras before they seemed of such force as to ouerthrowe all thynges beinge in theyr waye, it can not then be perceaued which way they runne. The Admiral him selfe Diegus Colonus,* 9.722 sonne and heyre to Christophorus Colonus the fyrst fynder of these landes (who had nowe in commyng and goinge, foure tymes passed throughe these seas) beinge de∣maunded of me what he founde or perceaued in saylynge too and fro,* 9.723 answered that there was muche difficultie in retur∣nynge the same way by the which they go. But wheras they fyrst take the waye by the mayne sea towarde the North be∣fore they directe theyr course to Spayne, he saythe that in that tract, he felt the shippe sumtymes a lyttle dryuen backe by the contrary course of the water. Yet supposeth that this chaunceth onely by the ordinarie flowynge and reflowynge of the sea: And the same not to be enforced by the circumflec¦tion or course of the water reboundynge in compasse as we haue sayde. But thinketh rather, that this mayne lande or supposed continent, shulde sumwhere bee open: And that the sayde open place, shoulde bee as it were a gate, enterie, or streyght, diuydyng the North partes of that lande from the South: by the which also, the Ocean runnynge towarde the West, may by the rotation or impulsion of the heauens, bee dryuen about the hole earth. Ouiedus agreeth with Andreas Mo¦tralis as touchynge the continuall adherence and closenes of the sayde continente. Yet neyther that the waters shulde so beate ageynst the bendynge backe of the West lande, or bee in

such sorte repulsed and dryuen into the mayne sea. But saith that he hath diligently consydered, that the waters runne from the deepest and myddest of the maine sea, towarde the West. Also that saylinge nere vnto the shore with smaule ves∣selles, he founde the same waters to returne ageine towarde the East.* 9.724 So that in the same place, they runne together with contrary course, as we oftentimes see the lyke to chaunce in riuers wherby the obiecte of the bankes, diuers whirlepooles and turnynges aryse in the water. By reason wherof, if any chaffe, strawe, woodde, or any other thyng of lyght substance be caste in any suche places in ryuers, it foloweth that al such as runne with the water in the myddest of the chanell, pro∣cede well forwarde: But suche as faule into the bendynge goulfes and indented margentes of the crooked bankes, are caryed ouerthwarte the chanell, and so wander about vntyll they meete with the ful and directe course of the ryuer. Thus haue we made yowe partener of suche thinges as they haue gyuen vs, and writen their dyuers opinions. We wyll then gyue more certeyne reason, when more certeyne truth shalbe knowen. We must in the meane tyme, leane to opinions vntil the day coome appointed of god to reueale this secreate of na¦ture, with the perfecte knowleage of the pointe of the pole starre.* 9.725 Hauyng sayd thus muche of the course of the Ocean, a briefe declaration of the golde mynes of Dariena,* 9.726 shall close vppe owre Decades and make an ende of owre trauayles. Wee haue sayde, that nyne myles distante from Dariena, are the sydes of the hylles and the drye playnes in the whiche golde is gathered bothe on the drye lande, and also on the bankes and in the chanelles of ryuers. Therfore to al such as are wyllynge to gather golde, there is of ordinarie custome appointed to euery man by the suruoiers of the mynes, a square plotte of grounde conteyning twelue pases, at the ar∣bitriment of the chooser, so that it bee not grounde already occupied, or lefte of other. The portion of grounde beinge thus chosen (as it were assygned of the augures to buylde a temple) they inclose their slaues within the same, whose helpe the Christians vse in tyllynge of their grounde and ga∣therynge of golde, as we haue saide. These places appointed vnto them, they keepe as long as them lyue. And if they per∣ceaue tookens of lyttle golde, they requyre an other plotte of

ground of twelue pases to be assigned them, leauyng the first in commen.* 9.727 And this is thorder which the Spaniardes inha∣bitinge Dariena obserue in gatheryng of golde. I suppose al∣so that they vse the lyke order in other places: How be it, I haue not yet enquired so farre. It hath byn proued that these twelue pases of grounde, haue yelded to their choosers, the summe of fourescore Castellans of gold.* 9.728 And thus leade they theyr lyues in fulfyllynge the holy hunger of golde. But the more they fyll their handes with fyndynge,* 9.729 the more increa∣seth their couetous desyre. The more woodde is layde to the fyer, the more furiously rageth the flame. Unsaciable coue∣tousnesse is no more diminisshed with increase of rychesse, then is the drinesse of the dropsye satisfyed with drinke. I lette passe manye thynges wherof I intende to write more largely in tyme conuenient, if I shall in the meane season vn∣derstande these to be acceptable vnto yowre holynesse: my dewtie and obseruaunce to whose autoritie; hath caused me the gladlier to take this labour in hande. The prouidence of the eternall creatour of all thynges, graunt yowre holynesse many prosperous yeares.

¶The laste booke of Peter Martyr of Angle∣ria, of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde: and of the maners of the inhabitauntes of the same.

I Haue partli declared before in mi decades how certeine fugit••ues which came owt of the large West landes arriued in the confynes of Dariena:* 9.730 And howe that marueylinge at the bookes of owre men, they declared that they sumtyme dwelte in regions whose inhabitauntes vsed suche instrumentes and were ruled by politike lawes. Also that they had cities fortified with waules,* 9.731 and faire pallaces with streates well paued, and common places whyther mar∣chauntes resort as to the burse or streate. These landes, owre men haue nowe founde. Therfore who were thautours here∣of, or what successe they had herein, who so desireth to know with the conditions of straunge regions and the maners of

the people, let hym giue diligent attendance to such thynges as folowe. Of the Iland of Cuba (nowe cauled Fernandina,* 9.732 ly∣ynge nexte vnto Hispaniola on the west syde, and yet sumwhat so bendynge towarde the Northe that the circle cauled Tropi∣cus Caneri deuideth it in the myddeste, wher as Hispaniola is dis∣tante from the Tropike and declinynge certen degrees to∣ward the Equinoctial line) we haue spoken sumwhat before. In this Iland of Fernandina, there are nowe syxe townes ••rec∣ted. Wherof, the chiefe is named Sanctiago of saynt Iames the patrone of the Spanyardes. In this, there is natiue golde, found both in the mountaynes and ryuers: By reason wher∣of they are daylye occupied in gathering & digging the same. But shortely after that I had finished my sayde bookes, thre Spanyardes that were the most auncient citizens of Cuba,* 9.733 as Franc••scus Fernandes of Corduba Lupus Ocho, & Christophorus Morantes, de¦termined to seeke newe landes, as the myndes of the Spa∣nyardes are euer vnquiet and geuen to attempte great enter∣prises. They furnyshed at their owne charges, three of those shyppes whiche they caule Carauels. And hauynge fyrste ly∣cence of Diegus Velasquen the gouernour of the Ilande, they de∣parted with a hundreth and ten men from the West angle of Cuba.* 9.734 For this angle is moste commodious to relieue shyppes and to make prouision for freshe water and fuell. Thus they sayled continually syxe dayes and a halfe, betwene the West and the South, contented onely with the syght of the heauen and the water: durynge whiche tyme, they suppose that they sayled not past threescore and syxe myles.* 9.735 For they ley at an∣ker all nyght where so euer the faulynge of the soonne tooke the day light from them, leaste by wanderynge in vnknowen seas, they myght chaunce to be cast vppon rockes or sandes. But at the length they chaunced vppon a great Ilande na∣med Iucatana,* 9.736 whose beginnyng thinhabitauntes caule Eccam∣pi.* 9.737 Owre men went to the citie stondynge on the sea syde, the whiche for the bygnes therof, they named E••yrus or Alcair. Thinhabitauntes enterteined them very frendly. When they were entered into the citie, they marueyled to behold the hou∣ses buylded lyke towres, magnifycall temples,* 9.738 streates well paued, and great excercise of bying and sellyng by exchaunge of ware for ware.* 9.739 Their houses are eyther bylte of stone, or of bricke and lyme, and artifycially wrought. To the fyrste

porches of their houses and fyrst habitations, they ascend by ten or twelue steares. They are couered eyther with tyles,* 9.740 slates, reades, or stalkes of certeyne herbes. They gratified the one the other with mutuall gyftes. The barbarians gaue owre men many brooches and iewelles of golde, verye fayre and of cunnyng woorkmanshyppe. Owre men recompensed them with vestures of sylke and woolle, counterfecte stones, of coloured glasse and christall, haukes belles of laton, and suche other rewardes whiche they greatly esteemed for the straungenes of the same. They sette nowght by lookynge glasses, bycause they haue certeyne stoones muche brighter.* 9.741 This nation is appareled after a thousande fasshyons with vestures made of gossampyne cotten or bombage of dyuers coloures. The women are couered from the girdle to the heele hauynge dyuers fasshions of veles aboute their heades and brestes, with great cautele least any parte of their legges or feete bee seene. They resorte muche to their temples: vnto the which the chiefe rulers haue the wayes paued from their owne houses. They are Idolatours and circumcised.* 9.742 They occupie their maner of exchaunginge, with muche fydelitie. They vse to adourne the heares of their heades, being deman¦ded by thinterpretours of whom they receaued their circum∣cisyon, they answered that there once passed an exceadynge fayre man by their costes, who lefte them that in tooken to remember hym. Other saye that a manne brighter th••n the soone, went emonge them and executed that offyce. But there is no certentie hereof. When owre men had remayned there certeyne dayes, they seemed to bee molestous to thinhabitan∣tes accordynge to the common sayinge. The longer a geste ta∣rieth, the woorse is his enterteynement. The whiche thynge owre men perceauyng, they made the more h••st awaye. Be∣ynge therfore prouided of all thynges nece••sary, they tooke their vyage directly towarde the west by the prouidence wh••∣che thinhabitauntes caule Comi and M••i••m.* 9.743* 9.744 They ouer passed these regions takyng onely freshe water and fuel in the same. The barbarians both men, women, and ch••ldren flocked to the sea syde, astonysshed greatly to behold the huge bygnesse of the shyppes. Owre men marueyled in maner no le••se to viewe their buyldynges and especially their temples sytuate neare vnto the sea, and erected after the maner of towers.

Thus at the length hauyng sayled about a hundreth and ten myles, they thought it good to ley anker in a prouince named Campechium,* 9.745 whose chiefe towne consysteth of three thousande houses.* 9.746 Thinhabitauntes came swymmynge to the shyppes: marueylyng excedyngly at the maner of saylinge, and at the sayles and other tackelynges But when they hard the thun∣der of the gunnes, sawe the smoke, and smelte the sauour of brimstone and fyer, they supposed that thunderboultes and lyghtnynges had byn sente from god. The kynge receaued owre men honorably and broughte them into his pallayce: where he feasted them well after his maner. They are accusto∣med to eate fleshe, and haue great plentie of beastes and fou∣les:* 9.747 as peacockes, and other whiche they francke and feede in their houses: Also dyuers kyndes of wylde foules of the mountaines, wooddes, and waters: Likewise partriches, quailes, turtle dooues, duckes, and geese. Of beastes, they haue connies, woolues, lyons, tigers, foxes, wylde boores, hartes, and hares. After this banquet, the kyng with his traine and famylie brought owre men into a brode crosse way where many streates do meete.* 9.748 In this, they shewed them as it were a great and highe aulter buylded foure square of mar∣ble compacte together partly with the toughe cleye of Babi∣lon cauled Bitumem, and partly with smaule stoones. It had on euery syde foure steares. Uppon the altare was an Image of a man made of marble: and fast by it the Images of two beastes of vnknowen shape, whiche seemed as thoughe they wolde with yanynge mouthes haue torne in sunder the bealy of the mannes Image. On the other syde stoode a great ser∣pent compacte of the sayde toughe cleye and smaule stoones. This serpent beynge in length .xlvii. foote, and of the byg∣nesse of a large oxe, seemed to deuour a lyon of marble, and was al by sparcled with freshe bludde. Harde by the altare, were thre postes fastned in the ground, the which three other trauersed and were susteined with stones. In this place offen∣ders were put to death: In token wherof they sawe innume∣rable arrowes steined with bludde, sum scatered, sum lyinge on heapes, and sum broken: Also a great number of mennes bones lying in a court or yarde nere vnto this funestal place. Their houses are here also builded of lime and stone.* 9.749 They na¦med this king, Lazarus, bicause they arriued at this lande on

saint Lazarus day. Departing frō hense & directing theyr course styl toward the West for the space of .xv. myles, they came to a prouince named Aquanil,* 9.750 whose chiefe towne is cauled Moseo,* 9.751 & the kynge thereof, Cupoton. He behelde owre men with a fro∣warde countenaunce, and fought occasion to doo them sume priuie mischiefe whyle they sought for fresshe water. For he made signes vnto them that on the further syde of the nexte hyll, they shulde fynde sprynges of water, intendyng to haue assayled them in that narowe passage. But by the colouryng of theyr forheades (as they are accustomed in theyr warres) and by the bearynge of theyr bowes and other weapons, owr men perceaued theyr wylynes, and refused to go any further. Yet a thousande of the Barbarians assayled theym vnwares and vnprepared. By reason wherof, they were put to flyght, and dyuers of them slayne in the chase.* 9.752 Many that fledde to warde the shippes, were entangeled in the mudde and mary∣shes nere vnto the shore. Twentie and two, were slayne with arrowes, and the resydewe for the most parte, wounded. Fran¦ciscus Fernandes the gouernour of the nauie, receaued in this con¦flicte three and thirtie woundes. And in maner none escaped without hurt. If they had gonne to the hylles whiche were appoynted them, they had byn slayne euery man. They ther¦fore that escaped, returned to the Ilande of Fernardina frome whense they came, where they were receaued of theyr felows with heauie chere. But when Diegus Velasquen the gouernoure of the Ilande, had intelligence hereof,* 9.753 he immediatly furny∣shed a newe nauie of foure Caraueles with three hundreth men. Of this nauie he appoynted Iohn Grisalua his neuie, to be the gouernour: And assigned for vnder capitaynes, Al∣phons Auila, Frances Montegio, and Peter Aluarado. For the pylot he assigned Antonie Alamino who had the regiment of the fyrst nauie. They attempted the same vyage ageyne, but declyned sumwhat more towarde the South about thre∣score and tenne myles. Before they sawe any lande, they es∣pyed a towre a farre of, by the viewe wherof, they came to an Ilande named Cozumella,* 9.754 from the whiche they smelte sweete sauours proceadynge with the wynde,* 9.755 before they approched to the lande by the space of three myles. They founde the I∣lande to be fortie and fiue myles in circuite. It is playne and of maruelous frutefull s••yle.* 9.756 There is also golde in it, but it

is not engendered there, but brought thether from other regi¦ons. It aboundeth with hony, fruites, and herbes: And hath also great plentie of foules and foure footed beastes. Theyr order and maner of lyuyng, is in al thynges lyke vnto theyrs of Iucatana.* 9.757 Lykewyse theyr howses, temples, streates, and ap¦parell. In many of theyr houses, are great postes of marble after the maner of owre buyldynge. They founde there, the foūdations of certeyne owlde towres ruinate: And one especi¦ally with .xviii. steares ascendynge to it, after the maner of so¦lemne temples. They marueyled greatly at owre shippes and maner of saylynge. At the fyrst, they wolde admyt no straun∣gers: but shortly after, receaued them gentelly. Theyr chiefe ruler (whom owre men supposed to bee a preeste) led them vp to the toppe of the towre, where they erected a banner and addicted the Ilande to the dominion of the kynge of Castyle, namynge it Sancta Crux,* 9.758 bycause they entered into the same in the nones of Maye beinge then the feaste of the holye crosse. They saye that it was cauled Cozumella of kynge Cozumellaus, whose auncestours were the fyrst that inhabited the Ilande.* 9.759 In the towre, they founde many chambers furnyshed with I¦mages, made both of earthe and marble to the similytude of beares. These they caule vppon with a houlynge and lamen¦table songe,* 9.760 perfumyng them with sweete odours, and other wyse honourynge them as theyr domesticall goddes They are also circumcised. The kynge was in fayre apparel made of gossampine cotton curiously wrought. He was lame on the one foote by reason that as he once exercysed hym selfe in swymmynge, a deuourynge fyshe cauled Tuberon, byt of al the toes,* 9.761 of one of his feete. He entreated owre men very frend∣ly and made them great chiere. After they had byn here thre dayes, they departed. And saylynge styll towarde the Weste, they espyed great mountaynes a farre of. But as they drewe neare, they perceaued it to bee the Ilande of Iucatana beinge distant from Cozumella onely fyue myles.* 9.762 Directynge therfore theyr course towarde the south syde of Iucatana, they compa∣sed it on that syde which lyeth nearest to the supposed conti∣nent: Yet coulde they not sayle rounde about it by reason of the multitude of rockes, shalowe places, and shelfes of sande. Then Alaminus the pylot turned his sailes to the North side wherof he had better knowleage. Thus at the length, they

came to the towne Campeebium and kynge Lazarus with whom they had bin that attempted the fyrst vyage the yeare before. At the fyrst, they were gentelly receaued, and requyred to re∣sort to the towne. But shortly after,* 9.763 they repented that they had bydden them: and there vpon wylled them to stay about a stones cast from the towne, and to proceade no further.

When owre men desyred that they myght make prouision for freshe water before theyr departure, they assigned them to a certeyne well which they had lefte behynde them. Declaringe further, that it shulde be lawfull for them to take water there or els no wheare. Owre men rested that nyght in the fyelde adioynynge to the well. The which thynge the Barbarians suspectinge, assembled an army of three thousande men, and encamped not farre from them. Bothe partes passed awaye the nyght without sleepe. They fearynge leaste owre menne shulde breake into the towne: And owre men, least the Bar∣barians shulde inuade them soodenly, on the one parte with trumpettes, and on the other syde with the noyse of timbrels kept them styll wakynge that were disposed to sleape, At the sprynge of the day, the Barbarians approched to owre mens campe & cauled for thinterpretours of Cuba, whose language is much agreable vnto theyrs. They had diuised to lyght a torche of frankensence and to place the same betwene bothe tharmies to thintent that if owre men dyd not depart before the torche were consumed, to stande to theyr perell.* 9.764 The torch was wasted and the matter came to hand strokes. They slewe onely one of owre men with an arrowe bycause his tar¦get fayled hym. But many were wounded. After this con∣flicte, owre men resorted to theyr ordinaunce which they had planted neare vnto the well. When they had discharged cer¦teyne pecces, the Barbarians fledde backe into the towne. Owre men were of fierce and greedy courage to haue pursued them, but that Grisalua the gouernour wolde not suffer thē. From thense they proceaded to the last ende of Iucatana,* 9.765 which they founde to reache more then two hundreth myles frome the East to the West. Here they founde a comodious hauen and named it Portus desideratus. From hense they sayled to other landes, and came to the region nexte to Iucatana Westwarde, whiche they doubte whether it be an Ilande or parte of the firme lande: but thinke it rather to be annext to the continent

In this there is a goulfe which they suppose to be incoompa∣sed with bothe the landes. But of this, there is no certentie. Thinhabitantes caule this region Caluacam or otherwise Oloan.* 9.766 They founde here also a great ryuer whiche by his violente course and faule, driueth freshe water two myles into the sea. This they cauled Grisalua after the name of the gouernoure.* 9.767 The barbarians marueilyng at the huge greatnesse and mo∣uynge of owre shyppes, came swarmyng the bankes on bothe sydes the ryuer, to the number of syxe thousande men armed with targettes and brest plates of gold,* 9.768 bowes and arrowes, brode swoordes of heauy woodde, and longe iauelens harde∣ned at the endes with fyer: Thus stondynge in battayle raye to defende their coostes, and with proude countenaunces for∣byddinge owre men to coome alande. Bothe parties watched al that nyght in armes. In the dawne of the day, owr men es¦pied about a hundreth Canoas (whiche we haue saide to be their boates) full of armed men. Here also the language of thinterpretours of Cuba agreed well enowghe with thers. When they had admitted the peace profered them by thinter∣pretours, al the Canoas staied excepte one whiche approched toward the shippes. A certeyne ruler that was in this Canoa, demaunded of owre men what they sought in other mennes landes. They answered, gold. And that, for permutation of other ware, and not of gift or vyolently. The Canoa returned and the ruler certified the kyng hereof, who came gladlye to the shyppes. When he had saluted the gouernour, he cauled his chamberlen vnto hym, commaundynge him to bringe his armure and other ornamentes of golde wherwith he armed Crisalua from the toppe of the heade to the soule of the foote:* 9.769 In so muche that, what so euer any man of armes armed at all partes, is emong vs accustomed to weare of Iren or steele when he commeth in to the fielde,* 9.770 all suche kynde of furni∣tures made of golde and wrought with woonderfull arte, the kyng gaue to the gouernour. He recompensed hym with ves∣tures of sycke, clothe, lynen, and other of owre thinges▪ In the beginning of this Iucatana, when they sayled to Cozumella, they chaunced vppon a Canoa of fyssher men to the number of nyne, fysshyng with hookes of golde.* 9.771 They tooke them all prisoners. One of them was knowen to this kyng, who pro∣mysed the daye folowyng to sende the gouernour as muche

golde for his raunsome as the man hym selfe waied. But the gouernour denyed that he coulde release hym withowte the consent of his felowes: And therfore kept hym styll to proue what he could further knowe of hym. Departing from hense and saylynge styll westwarde, they founde a great goulfe in the which three smaule Ilandes were sytuate. Of these,* 9.772 they went to the byggest. But oh abhominable crueltie: oh most corrupted myndes of men, and deuelyshe impietie? Let euery godly man close the mouth of his stomake lest he be desturbed.* 9.773 They offer younge children of bothe kyndes to their Idoles of marble and earth. Emonge their Idoles of marble,* 9.774 there standeth a lyon hauynge a hole throwgh the necke, into the whiche they poure the bludde of the miserable sacrifyce, that it maye from thense runne downe into a syncke of marble. Lette vs nowe declare with what ceremonies they sacryfyce the bludde of these pore wretches. They cutte not their thro∣tes, but open the very brestes of these selye soules and take owte their hartes yet pantynge, with the hotte bludde wher∣of, they anoynte the lyppes of their Idoles, and suffer the resydue to faule into the synke. This doone, they burne the harte and bowels, supposynge the smoke therof to be accep∣table to their goddes. Of their Idoles, one is made to the shape of a man, bowynge downe his heade and lookynge to∣ward the synke of bludde, as it were acceptyng the offeringe of the slayne sacrifyce. They eate the fleshe of the armes, thighes, and legges, especially when they sacrifyce an enemy taken in the warres. They founde a streame of congeled blud as thoughe it had runne from a bouchery. For this my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 purpose, they bringe these wretches from the nexte I∣landes. They sawe also innumerable heades, and trunkes of bodies thus mangeled, besyde many other yet remaining hole and couered with certeine mattes. All the trackes of these re∣gions abounde with golde and precious stones.* 9.775 One of owre men wanderynge in the Ilande, chaunced to fynde two wa∣ter pottes of alabaster artifycially wrought and full of lyttle stones of dyuers colours. They saye also that they founde a stone of the value of two thousand Castilans of gold,* 9.776 whiche they sent to the gouernour. This Ilande they named the I∣land of sacrifyce. Thinhabitauntes are circumcised. There are also other Ilandes sytuate about this Coluacana, or Caluacam,

the whiche are inhabited onely with women lyuing without the coompanye of men after the maner of the Amazones.* 9.777 But they that ponder the matter more wisely, thinke them rather to be certeyne women whiche haue vowed chastitie and pro∣fessed a solytarie lyfe as the nunnes doo with vs, or as the virgins cauled Vestales or Bonae Deae, were accustomed to do a∣monge the gentiles in oulde tyme. At certeyne tymes of the yeare, men of the other Ilandes resorte vnto them. But not for thintent of generation, but moued with pitie to helpe them to dresse their gardens and tyll their grounde. The re∣porte goeth lykewise that there are other Ilandes of cor∣rupte women to whom men resorte for carnall copulation: And that they cutte of one of the pappes of their women chil¦dren least it shuld hinder their shootyng. Also that they kepe onely the women children and sende awaye the men children. Owr men therfore drewe nere to the shore of Colluacana where they quyetly exercised marchaundies with thinhabitauntes. The kyng gaue them a great potte of gold:* 9.778 Also braslettes, chaynes, brouches, with many other iewelles, and al of gold. Owre men ageyne on the other parte satisfyed him with such stuffe as they had done other before. Here wolde they gladly haue planted a newe colonie or habitation, but that the go∣uernour wolde not permytte them, wherat they gruged not a lyttle. The houses and other edifyes of this prouynce, are buylded like vnto towres.* 9.779 It hath also .xv. great townes in it.* 9.780 Of these they affirme that they haue seene sum consisting of more then .xx. thousande houses,* 9.781 not ioyning together, but deseuered with courtes and gardens. They haue also cer∣teyne large market places encompased with waules, and streates well paued. Likewise fornaces and ouens made of lyme and bricke. Furthermore al sortes of handy craftes men & very cunning artificers. This kinges name was Potanchanus: & the region is cauled Palmaria.* 9.782 The towne where the king ke¦peth his court, cōteineth .xv. thousand houses. When they re∣ceaue any straungiers and make a leage of frendshyppe with them, they are accustomed with a knife made of a sharpe stone, to let them selues bludde in the toonge,* 9.783 hande, arme, or sum other parte of the body: And this euen in the syght of them whom they admitte to frendshyp, in token that they are ready to shedde their bludde in their fryndes causes. Their priestes professe a vertuous lyfe,* 9.784 and liue vnmaried. What it is to

haue to do with women, no man knoweth before he be ma∣ried. Fornication and adultery (which selde chaunce emonge thē) they counte abhomination. The women are of maruelous chastitie.* 9.785 Eurey noble mā after that he haue had one wife, may haue as many concubines as hym lysteth. But a maried wo∣man taken in adulterie,* 9.786 is soulde of her husbande. But this onely to the prince: at whose handes it shal be lawfull for her kynsefolkes to redeeme her. It is not lawfull for suche as are not maried,* 9.787 to sytte at the same table with them that are maried, or to eate of the same dyshe or drinke of the same cup. In the moneth of August and September, they absteine .xxxv. dayes not onely from fleshe wherof they haue great plentie,* 9.788 but also from fyshe and al other thinges that lyue by bludde: And durynge these daies, lyue onely with herbes and frutes. They reken twentie dayes to the moneth, and twentie mo∣nethes to the yeare. Owre men consumed certeyne dayes here verye pleasauntly. When they departed, coastynge styll by the same shore, they came to an other kyng whom they na∣med Ouandus.* 9.789 When he had intellygence that owre men desi∣red golde, he brought foorth certeyne plates of molten gold. But whē the gouernour signified vnto him by thinterpretors that he desyred great plentie of that metal, the day folowing he brought him a mannes Image of golde beinge a cubette in length: Also a fanne of golde,* 9.790 and an Idole of one of his domesticall goddes of curious woorkemanshyppe. Likewyse garlandes of stones of sundry colours, with many breste plat¦tes, brooches, and other kyndes of ornamentes, and all of golde. He gaue hym furthermore aboundaunce of delycate meates well salted and poudred with spices. When he had required owre men to coome alande, he commaunded his ser∣uauntes with all speede to prepare a great multitude of bran∣ches of trees and to waite vppon owre men to his pallayce. As they went thus in order, sum behynde and sum before on bothe sydes, they seemed so to shadowe owre men with the bouwes as thoughe they had gonne in a continuall arbour. The kynge hym selfe hauynge a septer in his hand, dyd sette them in their arraye, and sumtyme strike suche as were negli∣gent in bearyng their bouwes. They shewed them selues obe∣dient in all thynges, and with graue countenaunce, humbled them selues to receaue his stripes. When he was demaunded

where he had suche plentie of golde,* 9.791 he pointed with his fynger to the next mountaynes, and to the ryuers descen••yng from the same. They are so accustomed to the riuers and exer∣cised in swymming,* 9.792 that it is al one to them to li••e in the wa∣ter and on the lande. When they desyre to gather golde, they plunge theym selues in the ryuers and brynge from the bot∣tome therof, bothe their handes full of sande, whiche syf∣tynge from hande to hande, they gather owte the graynes of golde. And by this meanes in the space of twoo houres, they fyll a reede as bygge as a mannes fynger. Of the sweete sauours of these landes,* 9.793 many thinges myght be spoken, the whiche bycause they make rather to theffeminatynge of the myndes of men, then for any necessarye purpose, I haue thought best to omytte them. The kynge also gaue the go∣uernour a younge virgine of twelue yeares of age, adourned with ryche and fayre iewelles.* 9.794 Of the stones whiche he had of this kynge, one was valued at twoo thousande Castellans of golde. Thus at the length they departed from this kyng, laden with golde and precious stoones. Crisalua the gouer∣nour, sente one of the Carauelles to his vncle Diego Velasquen gouernour of the Ilande of Cuba, with messengers to dely∣uer hym the golde, iewelles, and other ornamentes. The resydue in the meane tyme styll folowed the tracte towarde the West. One of them in the whiche Frauncis Montegius the vnder gouernour was caryed, sayled harde by the shore: and the other twoo kept aloofe within prospecte of the land. Thinhabitauntes of these coastes also, no lesse marueylynge at the shyppes then dyd the other, came with twelue Canoas to Montegius, desyringe hym by thinterpretours to coome alande, promysynge in the name of their kynge, that hee shoulde be honorably entertayned. But Montegious answe∣red that hee coulde not assente to their request bycause his coompanions were so farre from hym. Yet dyd he gyue them certayne of owre thynges straunge vnto them, and thankes for their gentylnesse. Shortly after espyinge a great towne they directed their course thither. Thinhabitauntes prohi∣byted them to coome alande, and came foorthe ageynst them with bowes & quyuers ful of arrowes, brode swoordes made of heauy woode, and Iauelens hardned at the ende with fier. They shotte at owre men a farre of: And owre men dischar∣ged

certeyne pieces of ordinaunce ageynst them. The Barba∣rians astonysshed at the noyse of the gunnes, fledde amayne, and desyred peace. Here owre mens vytayles began to fayle them, and theyr shyppes were broosed with longe vyages. Hauynge therefore founde and doone these thynges whereof we haue spoken, Crisalua returned to the Ilande of Fernandina well contented,* 9.795 but so were not his companions. We muste nowe diuerte sumwhat from this matter, and speake of an o∣ther nauigation. And from thense wyll we returne to these landes which owre men haue founde. So it is therfore, that Diegus Velasquen the gouernour of the Iland of Fernandina, about the same tyme that he had sent foorth this nauie of foure Ca∣raueles, he prepared an other nauigation of onely one Cara∣uell and one brygantine with fortie and fyue men. These ex∣ercised vyolent handes ageinst thinhabitauntes of those regi∣ons where they arryued, thynkynge that they myght forcea∣bly drawe them to the dyggynge of golde bycause they were Caffranite Idolaters and circumcised.

There are at the sea syde not farre from the supposed continent,* 9.796 many lyttle Ilan¦des of moste fortunate and frutefull soyle, whereof three are thus named: Guanapan, Guanguan, and Quitilla. Owte of one of these (which they named Sancta Marina) they violentely caried away three hundreth men and women which they thrust in∣to the Carauell and returned immediatly to Fernardina, lea∣uynge the brigantine with .xxv. of theyr felowes to thintent to hunt for more men. The hauen where the Carauell fyrste arryued, is cauled Carenas, beinge distante from the angle of Cuba and the chiefe citie of Sanctiago,* 9.797 two hundreth and fyftie myles. For this Ilande of Cuba, is very longe, reachyng in length from the East to the West, and situate directly vnder the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri as we haue sayde before. Now shall you heare how fortune sought the reuenge of these pore wretches. Therfore as theyr kepers went aland and few re¦mained in the Carauel, they perceuing occasiō ministred wher by they myght recouer theyr libertie, soodeynely snatched vp owt mens weapons and slewe syxe of them which yet remay¦ned in the Carauel, whyle the residue lepte into the sea.* 9.798 And by this meanes the Barbarians possessed the Carauell which they had soone learned to rule, and thus returned to theyr owne countreys. But they sayled fyrste to the nexte Ilande

where they burnte the Carauel and caried away the weapons with them. From hense they conueyed them selues to theyr owne countreys with the Canoas of this Ilande. Heare in lyke maner they pryuilie assayled them that were lefte with the brigantyne, and slewe many of them also. The residue that escaped, fledde to the brigantine where they bewayled theyr felowes deathes and counted theyr owne escape a vic∣torie. On the shore not farre from the place where they suffe∣red this misfortune, there is a tree, in the toppe wherof they set vp a crosse, and graued this inscription in the barke of the tree: Vannuis Aldarieci. There is a ryuer named Darien, on the banke wherof standeth the chiefe citie of the supposed conti∣nent.* 9.799 The gouernour therfore hauing intelligence herof, sent with all speede two shippes of warre well furnyshed, to the ayde of them that were lefte. But they were wyse to late. Yet folowynge the viewe of the crosse, they came to the shore and redde the letters grauen on the tree, but durste not attempte fortune. Thus with all theyr hardie souldiers departinge from hense with despayre, they sayled to the nexte Ilande, out of the which they caryed away by violence fyue hundreth men and women, supposynge lykewyse that they myght law¦fully so doo bycause they were Idolaters and circumcised. But the like chaunce happened vnto them when they landed at Fernandina. For the Barbarians espyinge oportunitie, sette vppon the Spaniardes in one of the shippes with theyr owne weapons and slewe theyr keepers.* 9.800 The residue that escaped, castynge them selues into the sea, swamme to the nexte cara∣uell, and with theyr felowes assayled the carauell that was taken from them. This conflicte was so sharpe, that for the space of foure houres, it was doubtfull whether parte shulde obteyne the victorie. The Barbarians both men and women fought verye fiercely, aswell to recouer theyr libertie, as also to holde faste the praye whiche they had gotten. But in fine, the Spanyardes had the vpper hande by reason they were more experte in handelynge of theyr weapons and rulyng of theyr Carauell. The Barbarians beinge thus ouercoome,* 9.801 lepte into the sea: but the Spanyardes tooke theym ageyne with the shippe boates. About a hundreth of the Barbarians peryshed, beinge partely drowned and partly slayne with the swoorde: And but fewe of the Spanyardes. These thynges

thus pacified, the resydue of the Barbarians were caryed to the towne of Sanctiago and condemned to laboure in the golde mynes. Shortly after they made owte a newe vyage to an o∣ther of the Ilandes,* 9.802 whiche lye there about so thicke, that they commonly caule the number of them Archipelagus,* 9.803 as they in owre sea of Ionicum are cauled Symplegades.* 9.804 Here owre men were cruelly handeled: and as many of them as came alande eyther slayne or wounded. This Ilande they named Florida, bycause they arryued there on Easter day whiche the Spany∣ardes caule the floryshynge day of the resurrection. They say also that in this tracte they sawe .xxvi. Ilandes which Colo∣nus had ouerpassed:* 9.805 And the same so to lye aboute Hispaniola & Cuba, as though they warded them from the furie of the Oce∣an. In many of these they founde natiue golde of lyke good∣nes to that which is founde in Granatum. Thinhabitantes al∣so weare many iewels, and haue many Images of theyr do∣mesticall goddes made both of golde artificially wrought and also of woodde gylted.* 9.806 Francis Cheregatus browght one of theyr Idoles with hym, wherby may bee considered of what wytte and aptenes they are. It is a maruelous thynge to see what maner of rasers they haue,* 9.807 made of certeyne yelowe stones cleare & transparent lyke vnto Crystal. With these they shaue and carue as though they were made of fine steele. Whē the edges are blunte with longe exercise, they sharpen them not with a whetstone, or powder, or any other stone, but tem¦per them onely with water. They haue also a thousande kin¦des of instrumentes or tooles and such other thynges of fyne deuise,* 9.808 which were to longe to rehearse. Let vs therefore re¦turne from whense we haue digressed, as to Cozumella, Iucatana, Colluacana or Olloa, beinge al landes lately founde, and so rich fruteful and pleasaunt, that they may in maner be compared to the earthly Paradyse.* 9.809 Therfore, after that it was know∣en to owre men of howe greate momente these trattes were, the Spanyardes which inhabited the Ilande of Cuba Anunc∣tus beinge the gouernour of the Ilande furnyshed a newe na¦uie of ten Carauelles and fyue hundreth menne,* 9.810 with twoo smaule brigantines, as it weare in the steade of lyght horse∣men or forerunners whose ayde they myght vse as scoutes to searche the wayes for daunger of rockes and shalow sandes or shelfes. They shipte also certeyne horses,* 9.811 as fyue stoned

horses and .xvi. mares apte for the warres. For their gene∣rall gouernour and Admiral of the nauy, they elected Fernando Cortesius who at that tyme was the chiefe ruler of the citie of Sanctiago.* 9.812 For vnder capitaines, they appointed Alfons Portu∣carerius, Francis Montegius, Alfons Auila, Aluerado Spatense Iohn Velasquen, & Diegus Ordassus. They styll folowed the same wynde from the last angle of Cuba toward the west. As soone as Frauncis Fernandes of Corduba, and then Iohn Gri∣salua came within prospecte of the Ilande of Sacrifyces (wherof we haue made mention before) soodenly a tempest of contrary wynde prohibited theym to take lande and drowe them backewarde to Cozumella lyinge on the East syde of Iuca∣tana.* 9.813 This Ilande hath onely one hauen named sainte Iohns porte. And hath in it, onely syxe townes. Also none other water then in welles and cesterns, bycause it lacketh riuers and springes by reason it is plaine, conteynynge onely .xlv. myles in circuite. At the coommynge of owre men, thinha∣bitauntes fledde to the thicke woods, & forsoke their townes for feare. Owre men entered into their houses where they founde plentie of vyttayles and many ornamentes pertey∣nynge to the furnyshynge of their houses, as hanginges and carpettes of dyuers colours, sheetes also of gossampine cot∣ton (whiche they caule Amaccas) and muche apparell.* 9.814 They haue furthermore innumerable bookes,* 9.815 of the whiche with many other thinges sent to owre newe Emperour, we wyll speake more largely hereafter. The souldiers wandered a∣bout the Iland & viewe althynges diligently, kepyng them selues styll in battell raye least they myght be sodenly inua∣ded. They founde but a fewe of thinhabitauntes and onely one woman in their coompanie. By thinterpretours of Cuba and other whiche the Spaniardes tooke fyrst from Iucatana, they perswaded the woman to caule the kynges that were absente. They came gladly & made a leage of frendshyp with owre men, wherby they were restored to their houses and a great parte of their stuffe. They are circumcised Idolatours,* 9.816 and sacrifyce children of bothe kyndes to their Zemes, which are the Images of their familiar and domesticall spirites whiche they honour as goddes. When I enquired of Alaminus the pilote, also of Frances Montegius and Portucarerius, from whense they had the children they offered in sacrifyce,* 9.817 they

answered that they bowght them in the Ilandes theraboute by exchaunge for golde and other of their trafycke. For in al this so large a space of land, the deuelyshe anxietie for the de∣syre of wicked money, hath not yet oppressed thinhabitantes. They saye the same also of the Ilandes lately founde, wher∣of two are named Destam and Sestam,* 9.818 whose inhabitauntes go naked: and for scarenesse of children, sacrifice dogges whi∣che they nourishe aswell for that purpose as also to eate as wee do connies. These dogges are dumme and can not barke,* 9.819 hauynge snowtes lyke vnto foxes. Suche as they destinate to eate, they geld while they are whelpes, wherby they waxe very fat in the space of foure monethes. They reserue al the bytches for increase, and but fewe dogges. Owre men dis∣swaded them from these superstitions, declarynge how they were abhominable and detested of god. They were soone per∣swaded and desyred a law whiche they myght folowe.* 9.820 Owre men therfore declared vnto them that there was onely one god which made heauen & earth, the geuer of al good thyn∣ges, beyng of one incomprehensyble substaunce vnder tripli∣citie of person. As soone as they harde these woordes, they broke their Zemes, and pared, scraped, and washed the paue∣mentes and waules of their temples. Owre men gaue them a painted picture of the blessed vyrgine whiche they placed reuerently in their temple,* 9.821 and aboue it a crosse to be hono∣red in the remembraunce of god and man and the saluation of mankynde. They erected also an other great crosse of wod in the toppe of the temple, why••her they oftentymes resorte togither to honour the Image of the vyrgine. Thinhabitan∣tes signified by thinterpretours that in the Iland of Iucatana not far from them, there were seuē Christians captiues which in tyme past were dryuen thither by tempeste. The Ilande of Cozumella, is onely fyue miles distant from Iucatana. The go∣uernour Cort••si••s being aduertised herof,* 9.822 furnyshed ii. Carauels with fyftie mē, wyllyng thē incontinent to direct their viage thither & to make serch for these mē. They toke with thē thre interpretours of Cozumella (whose lāguage agreeth with theirs with let••ers to the Christians if any myght be found. He fur∣ther declared vnto theym howe goodly a matter they shoulde bringe to passe if they coulde bringe away any of them. For he no wayes doubted but that by their information, he shuld

be fully certified of the commodities of all those tractes, and the maners of thinhabitauntes. Thus they departed with commaundement to retourne within the space of syxe dayes. But when they had remayned there now .viii. days, and hard no woorde of their Cozumellane interpretours whome they had sent alande with the message and letters, owre men re∣turned to Cozumella without them, suspectyng that they were other slaine or deteyned. And where as the hole nauye was now determyned to depart from Cozumella but that they were hyndered by contrary wynde, they sodenly espied towarde the weste a Canoa coommynge from Iucatana, and in it, one of the Christian captiues (named Hieronimus Aquillaris) who had lyued seuen yeares in that Ilande.* 9.823 With what ioye they em∣brased the one the other, the chance may declare. They were no lesse desyrous to heare, then he to tell of the mysfortune wh••che befell to hym and his coompanions. And here it shal not bee greatly from my purpose breefely to rehearse how the thynge chaunced. In my Decades I haue made mention of a certayne noble man named Valdiuia,* 9.824 whome the Spanyardes whiche inhabited Dariena in the supposed continente of the goulf of Vraba, sent to the Iland of Hispaniola to Colonus the Ad¦miral and viceroy with the residue of the Senate and counsel there (to whom perteyneth the redresse and orderynge of all thinges in these newe landes) to sygnifye vnto them in what extreme necessitie and penurie they lyued. Unhappy Valdiuia therfore,* 9.825 takynge this matter in hand in an euell houre, was with a sudden and vyolent whirlewinde, dryuen vppon cer∣tayne quickesandes in the prospecte of the Ilande of Iamaica, lyinge on the South syde of Hispaniola and Cuba. These blind and swalowyng sandes, the Spaniardes caule vypers:* 9.826 And that by good reason, bycause in them many shyppes are en∣tangled, as the lycertes are implycate in the tayles of the vi∣pers. While the Carauell thus wresteled with the water, it was so bruste in sunder, that Valdiuia with thirtie of his fe∣lowes, coulde scarsely with muche difficultie descende into the shyppe boate: where, without ••ers, and without sayles, they were caried awaye by the vyolence of the water. For (as we haue said before in owre Decades) the seas do runne there continually with a vyolent course towarde the West.* 9.827 They wandered thus .xiii. dayes not knowyng whyther they went

nor yet fyndynge any thyng to eate. Famen consumed seuen of them whiche were caste in the sea to feede the fyshes. The resydue lykewise in maner consumed by famen and faulynge from one calamitie into an other, were driuen to Iucatana and fell into the handes of a cruell kynge who slewe Valdiuia the gouernour with certayne of his felowes.* 9.828 And when hee had fyrst sacrifyced them to his Zemes, shortely after he eate them with his frindes of that conspiracie. For they eate onely their enemyes and straungiers: And doo otherwise absteyne from mannes fleshe. In this meane tyme, while Hieronimus Aqullraris with syxe of his felowes were reserued to be sacrifyced the thirde daye,* 9.829 they brooke their bandes, escaped the han∣des of that cruell tyranne, and fledde to an other kynge be∣ynge his enemye, who receaued them, yet onely as bonde∣men. It is a straunge thinge to heare of the moother of this Aquillaris. For as soone as she harde that her soonne was fau∣len into the handes of the nations that eate mannes fleshe, shee fell madde incontinent: So that when so euer after, shee sawe any meate rostyng at the fyer, or onely ready spytted to laye to the fyer, shee ceased not to crye out in this maner. O me moste wretched moother: Behold the members of my son. But to returne to owre purpose. When Aquillaris had now re∣ceaued the gouernours letter sente by the Cozumellane mes∣sengers, hee declared to the kynge his mayster (whose name was Taxmarus) what was their erraunt thither,* 9.830 and wherfore they were sent: vsyng in the meane tyme many large discour∣ses in expressynge the great poure and magnifycence of their kynge who had of late arriued in those coastes. Also of their humanitie and gentilnesse toward their frindes and suche as submytted them selues to them, and againe their rygour and fiercenesse ageynst suche as stoobernly eyther contemned them or denyed their requestes. With these woordes he broughte Taxmarus into suche feare, that the maister was now fayne to desyre his seruaunt so to handell the matter that they myght quyetly enter into his dominion as his freendes and not as his enemies. Aquillaris promised in their behalfe that they shuld not onely coome in peace, but also to ayde hym ageynst his enemyes if neede shulde so require. Whervppon hee dismissed Aquillaris and with hym three of his fam••liers and coompani∣ons. Thus they sayled together from Cozumella to Iueatana to

the ryuer whiche they had founde before in the fyrst vyage thither by the gouernance of Alaminus the pilot. They found the mouthe of the ryuer stopped with sande,* 9.831 as wee reade of the ryuer of Nilus in Egipte when the wyndes (cauled Etesū) blowe in summer and especially in the canicular dayes. Ther∣fore where as they coulde not enter into thē ryuer with the biggeste vesselles (although it bee otherwise apte to receaue great shyppes) the gouernour caused two hundreth men to be sette alande with the brigantynes and shyppe boates: wyl∣lynge Aquillaris to offer peace to thinhabitauntes. They de∣maunded what owre men required. Aquillaris answered, vyt∣tayles. There was a longe space of sande by the syde of the towne, whither they wylled them to resorte, promysynge to brynge them vyttayles thither the daye folowynge.* 9.832 Owre men wente and they came accordynge to their promisse and brought with them eyght of their hennes beynge as bygge as peacockes, of brownyshe coloure, and not inferiour to pea∣cockes in pleasaunte tast. They brought also as muche bread made of Maizium (whiche is a graine not muche vnlyke vnto panyke) as wolde scarcely serue tenne hungry men: And here with desyred them to depart. But when they perceaued that owre men made no hast away, immediately there came a great coompanye of armed men towarde theym demaundyng what they had to do thus to wander in other mennes landes. Owr men made answere by Aquillaris, that they desyred peace, vyt∣tayles, and golde for exchaunge of other thinges. They an∣swered ageyne, that they wolde nother peace nor warre with them. But threatned them to auoyde the lande excepte they woolde bee distroyed euery manne. Owre men sayde that they woulde not departe withowte suffyciente vyttayles to mayntayne their souldyers.

They appoynted the day folowynge to brynge them more vy∣tayles: but they brooke promesse. Yet perceauing the second day that owre men were encamped on the sande and had re∣posed there that nyght, they brought them as much more vy¦tayles, and commaunded them in the name of theyr kynge to departe. Owre men sayde that they were desyrous to see the towne, and to haue yet more store of vytayles. The Barba∣rians denyed theyr request, and therewith departed whispe∣rynge and mutterynge amonge them selues. In the meane

tyme owre men were styll so oppressed with hunger that they were enforced to seeke for meate. The gouernoure therefore sent his vnder capitaynes to lande with a hundreth and fyf∣tie men.* 9.833 As they went dispersed in dyuers companyes about the vyllages of the country, the Barbarians met with one of theyr bandes, and put them to great distresse. But when theyr felowes beinge not farre from them, harde the noyse of theyr alarome, they came with all possible haste to theyr res∣cue. The gouernour on the other syde, placinge his ordinance in the brygantines and shippe boates, approched to the shore with the residue of his souldiers. The Barbarians lykewise, beinge redy furnyshed to the battayle, came run∣nynge to the sea syde to disturbe theym that they shulde not coome alande: And with theyr arrowes, wounded manye a farre of vnprepared. The gouernoure discharged aboute .xx. pieces of ordinaunce ageynste them:* 9.834 With the slaughter and terrible thunder wherof, & with the flame of fyer and smel of brimstone, they were so astonished and put to such feare, that they fled and disparcled lyke wylde beastes: whom owre men persuinge, entered into the towne which thinhabitantes for∣fooke in maner for feare of theyr owne men whom they sawe so dismayde. On the banke of this ryuer there is a towne of such portentous byggenes as I dare not speake.* 9.835 But Alami∣nus the pylot, sayth that it conteyneth in circuite fyue hun∣dreth myles, and that it consisteth of .xxv. thousande houses.* 9.836 Sume make it sumwhat lesse: But they all agree that it is exceadynge great and notable. The houses are diuided with gardens, and are buylded of lyme and stone verye artificially and of cunnynge woorkemanshippe. To theyr haules, cham∣bers, parlers, or other places of habitation, they ascende by tenne or twelue steares: And haue certeyne spaces betwene euery house: so that it is not lawful for any to lade his neigh¦bours waules with rafters or beames. Theyr houses are sep••¦rate one from an other by the space of three houses: And are for the more parte couered with reede and thetche: And ma∣ny also with slate or other stone. The barbarians them selues confessed that they were that day fortie thousande men at the battayle, which were vanquished of a fewe by reason of the newe and vnknowen kynde of feyght with gunnes and hor∣ses.* 9.837 For the gouernour had vnbarked .xvi. horses which were

also at the battayle, and so fiercely assayled the Barbarians on the backehalfe, that they brake theyr array and scattered them as it had byn flockes of sheepe, ouerthrowing, woun∣dynge, and kyllynge them on euery syde. Whiche thynge th•• seely wretches so imputed to a miracle, that they had not the poure to occupie theyr wepons. For wheras before they had neuer seene any horses, they thought that the man on horse∣backe and the horse, had byn all one beaste,* 9.838 as the antiqui∣tie dyd fable of the monster Centaurus.* 9.839 Owr men possessed the towne .xxii. dayes where they made good chere vnder couert, whyle the owners of the houses lay vnder the firmament and durst not assayle owre men who had placed them selues in the strongest parte of the towne, where sume kepte continuall watche (least the Barbarians shulde soodenly inuade theim) whyle other gaue them selues to reste and sleepe. Thinhabi∣tantes caule this towne Potanchana: But owre men for the vic¦torie which they obteyned here, named it Victoria. It is a mar¦uelous thynge to consider the greatenes, magnifi••ence and finenes of the buyldinge of certeyne palaices they haue in the countrey to the which they resorte sumtymes for theyr solace and pastyme.* 9.840 These are curiously buylded with many plea∣saunt diuises, as galeries, solars, t••rrettes, portals, gutters with chambers boorded after the maner of owre waynscotte and well flowred. Foure of owr Spanyardes went into one of them of such greatnes, that they wandered in the same for the space of foure houres before they coulde fynde the waye owt. At the length by thinterpretours and certeyne captiues owre men sent for the kynge and suche rulers as were nexte vnder hym in autoritie, wyllyng them to submyt them selues and to coome into the towne vnarmed. Gyuinge the messen∣gers further in commaundement to certifie them that in their so doinge, they wolde commen with them as concernynge con¦ditions of peace, and restore them theyr towne. They came gladly, and entered euery man into his owne house vppon condition that they shulde euer thereafter absteyne from such cerimonies and horrible sacrifices of mans fleshe to deuils the mortal enemies to mankynd, whose Images they honoured. And to directe the eyes of theyr myndes to Christe owre god the maker of heauen and earth,* 9.841 who was borne into this world of a virgin, and suffered death on the crosse for the re∣demption

of mankynde. And fynally to professe them selues subiectes to the great Christian kynge of Spayne. They pro∣mysed both, and were instructed as farre as the shortenes of tyme wolde permitte. Beinge thus restored, they recompen∣sed owre men with many rewardes: Supposynge suche men to be sent from heauen, which being so fewe in number, durst attempte battayle ageynst so great a multitude. They gaue owre men also certeyne golde and twentie slaues. Departing therefore from hense, and coastynge styll alonge by the same shore, they came ageyne to the goulfe whiche Alaminus the py∣lot founde before vnder Grisalua. This they named Bian Sancti Iohannis, that is, Saynt Iohns goulfe: For Bian in the Spa∣nyshe tonge signifieth a goulfe. Here thinhabitantes resor∣ted to them peaceably. Aboute a myle frome the shore, was a towne of a thousande and fyue hundreth houses situate vp∣pon a hyll.* 9.842 They profered owre men halfe the towne if they wolde dwel with them for euer. This perhaps they dyd the rather eyther fearynge thexemple of thinhabitantes of Potan∣••hana, the fame wherof myght haue coome to theyr eares, or els hopynge that vnder the shadowe of suche valiant menne, they myght obteyne ayde and succour ageynst theyr enemies and bortherers. For (as I haue sayde before) they dystroye one an other with continuall warre for the desyre to inlarge theyr dominions. Owre men refused perpetuall habitacion, and accepted theyr frendely profer for a tyme. As they came alande, the people folowed them on euery syde with bouwes in theyr handes which they helde ouer owre mens heades to defende them from the rayne as though they had walked in a continual arbour. Here they encamped. And least the residue lefte in the shippes, shulde in the meane tyme waxe slothefull with Idlenes, the gouernour gaue commaundement to Alami¦nus the pylot and Francis Montegius to search the west par¦tes of that lande, whyle he relieued the weried souldiers and healed suche as were wounded. To them that went forward on this vyage, he assigned two brigantines with fiftie men.* 9.843 Unto this goulfe, the course of the water was gentyl enough and moderate.* 9.844 But when they had sayled a lyttle further to¦warde the Weste, they founde the sea runnynge with so swift a course as if it were a great ryuer faulynge from the tops of hygh mountaynes: In so much that in a shorte space of tyme

it caried them fiftie myles from theyr felowes. When they were now entered into this violent streame of the water,* 9.845 they sawe on their left hand a large playne sea which mette with the course of the other waters faulynge from the weste. And lyke as two great ryuers that runne contrary wayes, make a vehement conflycte where they meete, so seemed the waters commyng from the Southe to resyst these waters as enemyes that had entered into the ryght or possessyon of an other. On the contrary parte, they sawe the lande reachynge farre bothe on the lefte hande and on the ryght. In this strife be∣twene the waters, they were so tossed on bothe sydes and entangled with whirlepooles,* 9.846 that they longe wrestled with owte hope of lyfe. At the length with muche difficultie, tur∣nynge the stemmes or forpartes of their shyppes ageynst the streame from whense they came, and labourynge al that they myght with their oers and sayles, they coulde scarsely ouer∣coome the rage of the water: In so much that where as they thought that they had in one nyght sayled twoo myles, they founde that they were dryuen backe foure myles. Yet at the length with goddes helpe, they ouercame this daungerours conflycte. They spente .xxii. daies in this lyttle space of sea: And when they were nowe returned to their felowes, decla∣red vnto them that that ende was the land of Colluacana whi∣che they adiudged to be parte of the supposed continent.* 9.847 The lande whiche they sawe a farre of before their fase, they sup∣pose eyther to be annexed to owre continent, or to bee ioyned to the large North regions cauled Baccalaos,* 9.848 wherof we haue made mention in owr Decades in the vyage of Sebastian Ca∣bote. This matter is yet doubtefull. But wee truste it shall once bee better knowen. While Alaminus and Montegius searched these secreates, the kynge of the prouince (whose name was Multoxumam) sent owre men by one of his chiefe of∣fycers (beynge also his Lieuetenaunt of the sayde towne) ma∣ny ryche and goodly presentes of golde, syluer, and precious stoones,* 9.849 sette and wroughte after a marueylous straunge de∣uyse and with no lesse cunnynge woorkemanshyp. Here they determined to sende messengiers to owre newe Emperour to knowe his pleasure that they myght in this prouince plan•• a newe colonie or habitation. And this dyd they withowte thaduise of Diegus Velasquen the gouernour of the Iland of Cuba or

Fernandina, who fyrste sente them foorth with commaundement to returne ageyne after they had searched these regions and obteyned plentie of golde. While they consulted hereof, they were of dyuers opinions. But the moste part alleaged that in this case it was not requisyte to make the gouernour of their counsaile. Forasmuche as the matter shulde be referred to a higher Iudge, as to the kyng of Spaine him selfe. When they were thus agreed, they receaued vyttayles of the gentle kyng of the prouince, and assigned the place of their colonie twelue myles from the sayde towne, in a fruteful and holsome soile.* 9.850 For their generall gouernour, they elected Cortesius the gouer∣nour of the nauye, against his wyll as sum saye. For other magistrates to gouerne the citie which they intended to build he choose Portu••arerius and Montegius of whome we haue made mention before.* 9.851 They chose also certeyne messengiers to sende to the kyng by the conduction of Alaminus the pylot. Furthermore, foure of the princes of this prouince offered thē selues wyllyngly to go with owre men into Spaine to thin∣tent to see owre landes and that kynge whose poure is soo great and whose auctoritie reacheth so farre. They brought lykewise two women with them, which serued & obeied thē in all thinges after the maner of theyr countrey. The people of this nation is of broune or yelowyshe colour. Bothe the men and the women haue pendauntes of gold and precious stones hanginge at their eares. The men also, boore their nether lyppes full of holes from the vppermoste parte of the lyppe euen vnto the nethermoste parte of the gumme.* 9.852 At these they hange certeyne rynges and plates of golde and syluer fastned to a smaule and thynne plate lyinge within betwene the lippe and the gumme. At the byggest hole in the myddest of the lip, there hangeth a rounde plate of syluer as brode as the coyne cauled a Corolyne, and as thicke as a mannes fynger. I do not remember that euer I sawe any thinge that seemed more fylthy in myne eye.* 9.853 Yet do they thynke that there is nothing more cumly vnder the circle of the moone. Wherby we may see howe vainely mankynde wandereth in his owne blynd∣nesse. The Ethiopian thincketh the blacke colour to be fayrer then the white: And the white man thinketh otherwise. They that are pouled, thinke that more decent then to weare a bush and they that weare beardes, iudge it a deformitie to be sha∣uen.

As appetite therfore moueth, and not as reason perswa¦deth, men runne after vanities: And euery prouynce is rul••d by their ownesense, as writeth saint Ierome. From whense they haue their golde, we haue spoken sufficiently before. But as owre men marueyled where they had their syluer,* 9.854 they shewed them certayne high mountaynes whiche are con∣tinually couered with snowe sauynge that at certeyne ••ymes of the yeare, the onely toppes are seene hate bicause the snow is there molten by reason of the thicke and warme ••loudes. The playnes therfore, or mylde, softe, and pleasaunt moun∣taynes seeme to brynge foorthe golde: And the rough crag∣gye mountaynes with their coulde valleyes, are the places wh••re syluer is engendered.* 9.855 They haue also laton, wherof they make such maces and hammers as are vsed in the war∣res.* 9.856 Dyggynge mattockes also, and spades: for they haue nother Iren nor steele. But lette vs nowe speake of the pre∣sentes sent into Spayne to the kyng: and fyrste of the bokes. These procuratours therfore of the newe colonie of the pro∣uynce of Colluacana, emong other their presentes, brought al∣so a great number of bookes, the leaues wherof are made of the inner ryndes or barkes of trees, thinner then eyther that of the elme or of the salowe. These they smere or annoint with the pytche of molten Bitumen, and while they be softe, extend them to what forme them lysteth. When they be coulde and harde, they rubbe them ouer with a certeyne playster. It is to bee thoughte that they beate the playster into fine floure, and so temperynge it with sum byndynge moister, to make a cruste therwith vppon the leaues, wheron they wryte with any sharpe instrument, and blotte the same againe with a ••punge or sum suche other thynge, as marchaunt men and noble mens stewardes are accustomed to do with their wry∣tynge tables made of the woodde of fygge trees. The leaues of their bokes are not set in order after the maner of owres, but are extended many cubettes in length. The matters whi∣che they write, are conteyned in square table: Not loose, but so bounde togither with the toughe and flexible cley cau∣led Bitumen, that they seeme lyke woodden tables whiche had byn vnder the handes of cunnyng bokebynders. Which way so euer the booke lyeth open, there are two leaues seene and two sydes written, with as many lyinge hyd vnder them, ex∣••epte the booke be vnfoulded in length. For vnder one leafe

there are many leaues ioyned togyther. The formes of their letters are nothynge lyke vnto owres.* 9.857 But are muche more crooked and entangeled, lyke vnto fyshehookes, knottes, snares, starres, dise, fyles, and suche other muche lyke vnto the Egiptian letters, and written in lynes lyke vnto owres. Here and there betwene the lynes, are pictured the shapes of men & dyuers beastes: And especially the Images of kynges and other noble men.* 9.858 Wherby it is to be thought tha•• in suche bookes, the factes of their kynges are conceyued, as wee see the lyke emonge vs howe owre printers expresse the summe of histories in pictures, that men may therby be the more al∣lured to bye suche bookes. The couerynges of their bookes are also artifycially wrought and paynted. When they are shutte, they seeme to differre nothynge from owres in forme. In these bookes are furthermore comprehended their lawes, rytes of ceremonies and sacrifyces, annotations of Astro∣nomie, accomptes, computations of tymes, with the maner of graffynge, sowyng, and other thynges perteinyng to hus∣bandry. They begynne the yeare from the goynge downe of the seuen starres cauled Vergiliae or Pleiades: And counte theyr monethes accordyng to the moones. They name a moneth, Tona, of the moone. For in theyr language, they caule the moone Tona, they reken the dayes by the soonnes. Therfore as many daies as they name, they saye, so many soonnes. The soonne in their tonge, is cauled Tonati••o. They destribute the yeare (without any reason why) into twentie monethes: And the moneth into as many dayes. The temples whiche they frequent,* 9.859 they adourne with golden hangynges and o∣ther ornamentes of golde and syluer with precious stones in∣termixte. At the springe of the daye,* 9.860 they perfume their tem∣ples with frankensence and make their praiers before they take in hande any other busynesse. But oh horrible crueltie. For thinhabitauntes of all these tractes also, doo sacrifyce children to their Idoles in lyke maner as wee haue sayde be∣fore.* 9.861 At suche tyme as the seedes lye in the ground, and when the corne begynneth to shewe foorth the eare, they destinate to their Zemes suche bondmen as they haue bought, or suche captiues as they haue taken in the warres, which they sacri∣fyce after that they haue made them great chiere and decked them in precious apparell. Also before they sacrifyce these

poore wretches,* 9.862 they lead them about the towne whyle al the people salute them humbly and reuerently, affyrmyng that in shorte space, they shalbe receaued into the coompanye of the goddes. They honour their Zemes with an other sharp kind of deuotion: For they lette them selues bludde, eyther in the tonge,* 9.863 lyps, eares legges, thyghes, or brest, which they take in their handes and hurle it vppe towarde heauen, soo that with the faule therof the pauement of the temple is all s••ar∣cled with bludde, wherby they thincke that their goddes are well pleased. From the newe colonie (cauled Villa Ricca) nyne myles distante,* 9.864 there is a towne of .xv. thousande houses, whiche thinhabitauntes caule Cemobal, but owre men named it Sybilla.* 9.865 The kynge of this towne had fyue men whiche he reserued to be sacrifyced. Whom when owre men wold haue delyuered, the kynge made humble request to them, sayinge that if they tooke awaye suche men as he had consecrated to be offered to the goddes, they shulde brynge vtter destruction to hym and all his kyngdome.* 9.866 For if owre sacrifyces (sayd he) do cease, owre Zemes wyll take suche displeasure with vs that they wyll suffer owre corne, graffes, and frutes, to bee consumed of woormes, scortched with drowth, destroyed with fluddes, or blasted with lyghtnynge. Owre men per∣ceauynge his ernestnesse herein, thought it beste to chose the least euel, perceauynge that it was yet no tyme to disquyes their myndes, and therfore suffered them to exercise their ac∣customed ceremonies. And althoughe their priestes promysse theym immortall glorie, eternall felicytie, and perpetuall conuersation with the goddes after the stormye dayes of this lyfe,* 9.867 yet do they with heauy countenaunces giue eare to their promisses, and had rather be sette at lybertie. Their priestes are named Quines in the plurell number, and Quin in the syn∣gular. They leade a pure and chaste lyfe: And are honoured of the people with feare and reuerence. They make fagots of the bones of their enemyes which they haue taken in the war¦res,* 9.868 and hange vppe the same at the feete of their Zemes, as tokens of the victories obteyned by their fauour. To these they adde certayne titles and superscriptions as testimonies of the same. This is straunge and woorthy to be noted, that when their children are a yeare oulde, the priestes in their temples with deuoute ceremonies and murmurynge woordes,

poure water in forme of a crosse vpon their heades with a cruet, wherby they seeme to baptise them.* 9.869 Neyther do they as the Iewes and Turkes, thinke their temples polluted if any of a straunge relygion bee present at their sacrifyces and other solemnities. Wee haue nowe spoken suffycientely of their bookes, temples, and superstitions. Lette vs nowe therfore coome to the other presentes which were brought to the kynge.* 9.870 Emonge these, there were twoo broode and rounde plates (whiche summe haue named the Images of the soonne and moone) the one of siluer and the other of gold in largenesse and roundnesse muche lyke to the stones of hand mylles:* 9.871 yet but thynne, and in maner bothe of one circumfe∣rence, that is xxviii. spannes in circuite.

That of golde is of the weyght of three thousande and .viii. hundreth Castellans, where as wee haue sayde before that a Castellane is a coyne of golde which weyeth more then a Du¦cate by a trient, that is the thyrde parte of a pounde. In the center of this, was the Image of a kynge of halfe a cubette longe, syttinge in a trone and appareled to the knee, lyke vn¦to a maumette, with such countenaunce as owre paynters are wonte to paynte fayries or sprites. About the Image, were the ••hapes of trees and floures, so that it seemed to sytte as though it had byn in a fielde. The other of syluer, was made to the same similitude, beinge also in maner of the same weyght, and both of pure metall. They brought lykewyse certeyne graynes of rude golde (that is, suche as was neuer molten) about the byggenes of fytches or the pulse cauled lin¦tels in token of plentie of natiue golde. Also two cheynes of golde,* 9.872 wherof the one conteyned .viii. lynkes in the whiche were set two hundreth threescore and twoo fayre and cleare redde stones, and yet no rubyes: furthermore, a hundrethe fourescore and three greene stones, and yet no emerodes. Ne∣uerthelesse, these are in lyke estimation with them as the o∣ther are with vs. At the edge of this cheine, there hange .xxvii golden belles, hauynge betwene euery of them, foure iewels of precious stones inclosed in golde, at euery of the which in lyke maner hange certeyne spangels of golde. The other cheyne consisteth onely of foure golden lynkes, beset rounde about with a hundreth and two redde stones, and a hundreth threescore and twelue greene stones, with .xxvi. golden belles

curiously wrought and placed in comely order. In the very•• myddest of the cheyne, are ten great precious stones inclosed in golde, at the whiche also hange a hundrethe golden pen∣dauntes of cunnynge woorkemanshippe.* 9.873 They brought fur∣thermore twelue paire of lether huskynnes of diuers colours, summe imbrothered with gold and summe with syluer, with plates and iewelles of golde and precious stones inclosed, and at euery of them certayne golden belles. Also certeyne myters besette with precious stoones of dyuerse colours,* 9.874 emonge the whiche sume are blewe like vnto saphires. Of crestes, gerdles, and fannes made of fethers, I wotte not what I shulde saye.* 9.875 But suerly if euer the wyttes and inuen∣tions of men haue deserued honoure or cōmendacion in such•• artes, these seeme moste woorthy to bee had in admiracion. I do not maruaile at golde and precious stones. But am in maner astony••hed to see the woorkemanshyppe excell the sub∣stance. For I haue with woonderynge eyes behelde a thou∣sande formes and similitudes, of the which I am not able to write.* 9.876 And in my iudgement, I neuer sawe any thing whose bewtie myght so allure the eyes of men. As they marueyled at the naturall bewtie of the fethers of owre peacockes and pheasantes, so dyd we no lesse maruel at the artifycial bewtie of suche thinges as they make of fe••hers and quilles impaled with golde. For I sawe in manye of their woorkes, all ma∣ner of natiue colours euen in the quilles wherof they make suche instrumentes. They brought also two helmettes gar∣nysshed with precious stones of a whiteshe blewe colour.* 9.877 One of these is edged with belles and plates of golde, and vnder euery bell two knobbes of golde. The other, besyde the sto∣nes wherwith it is couered,* 9.878 is lykewyse edged with .xxv. golden belles and knobbes: & hath on the crest, a greene bird with the feete, bylle, and eyes, of golde. Also foure speares muche lyke vnto troute speares or yele speares,* 9.879 the woodde wherof is all couered with quilles of diuers colours maruei∣lously wrethed with golden wyers and plates intermyxte. Euery of these speares haue three pikes, whose edges or teeth are all of precious stones made faste with wyers of golde. Of like workmanship they brought a great scepter byset with pre¦cious stoones and belles of gold,* 9.880 also a braslet of gold,* 9.881 and showes made of a hartes skynne,* 9.882 sowed bimbrothered with

goldē wyers, with a white sole beneth. Furthermore a glasse of a bryght blewe stone,* 9.883 and an other of white, bo••h enclosed in golde. Likewise a precious stone of the kynde of them that are cauled Sphinges, inclosed in golde. Furthermore the heade of a great lysarde, two great shelles, two duckes, the shapes of diuers other byrdes, foules, and fysshes, and all of massie golde.* 9.884 Furthermore .xxiiii. rounde and souare targettes,* 9.885 shieldes, and buckelers of golde, and fyue of ••yluer. Also a triple crowne of plates and wyers of golde marueyleuslye wreathed with quilles and fethers of diuers colours,* 9.886 hauing on the fronte a plate of golde on the whiche is grauen the I∣mage of the Idole Zemes. About this Image, hange foure other plates like crosses of gold in the whiche are grauen the heades of diuers beastes,* 9.887 as lyons, tigers, woulues, and such other. They brought also the symilitudes of certeyne bea∣stes made summe of roddes or twygges, and sum of woodde with the beastes owne skynnes theron,* 9.888 and garnysshed with collers of laton belles. Lykewise diuers shietes weaued of gossampyne cotton of sundry colours,* 9.889 wherof two are ryche∣ly frynged with golde and precious stones, and three other with euilles and fethers intermyxte with gossampine cotton of sundrye colours and chekered lyke the panes of a cheste borde. Sum are on the one syde, of blacke, white, and redde colours: and on the other syde, plaine without any varietie. Other sum, are wrought in lyke maner with variable colours wi••h a wheele or circle of blacke in the myddest intermyxt•• with shyning fethers and sparkes of golde lyke starres. They brought also cloth of Aras or Uerdure of marueylous wo••k∣manshyppe.* 9.890 Lekewise a souldiers cl••ke suche as their pryn∣c••s weare in the warres,* 9.891 with certeyne priuye coates of sence, and sundrye tirementes perteynyng to their heades, with al∣so many suche other thynges more bewtifull to the eye then ryche or precious, wherof to entreate particularly, it shoulde be more tedious then profytable. I lette passe here also to speake of many particular nauigations and of the traua••les and daungers whiche they susteyned in the sam••, with the monsters and secreates of nature they sawe: ••hiche are all conteyned in the regesters of owre Se••••te of th••ffayres of India,* 9.892 owte of the whiche I haue select••d the••e fe•••• a••••••∣tations, suche as seemed to me moste meete to bee ••u••lis••••••d.

Notwithstandyng these ryche and goodly presentes, yet were they that brought them, and also Cortesius the gouernour of the nauye and autour of erectinge their newe colonie in those remote regions,* 9.893 adiudged by the Senate to haue doen ageinst ryght and equitie, in that they attempted the same withowte thaduice of the gouernour of the Ilande of Cuba who sente them foorthe by the kynges auctoritie, where as they dyd other thinges besyde their commyssyon, ye althoughe they wente to the kynge, not fyrst knowynge his pleasure whom the kyng had substitute his Lieuetenaunt in that Ilande. In so muche that by his procuratour, he accused them before the Senate as fugitiue theeues and traytours. They on the other parte alleaged that they had dooen the kyng better seruyce then he: And that they had shewed suffycient obedience in appealyng to the kyng as the hygher Iudge. But the gouer∣nour required by the vertue of his commission and the kinges letters pattentes that they myght be headed for their disobe∣dience ageinst hym whom they knewe to be autorised by the kynge. They ageine replied that they had not offended the kyng, but rather deserued rewarde for their great dangiers and trauailes. Bothe the rewarde and punishment were de∣ferred, and a daye appointed when bothe parties shoulde bee harde. Leete vs nowe therfore coome to the Spaniardes of Dariena,* 9.894 thinhabitours of the goulfe of Vraba in the supposed Continent. We haue sayde before that Dariena is a ryuer run∣nynge towarde the Weste syde of the goulfe of Vraba. On the banke of this ryuer, the Spaniardes planted their fyrst colo∣nie or habitation after they had vanquisshed kynge Chemaccus. This colonie they named Sancta Maria Antiqua,* 9.895 by reason of a vowe whiche they made to the virgine Marie in the tyme of the battaile ageynst Chemaccus. To these (as wee haue mad•• mention in the ende of owre decades) was Petrus Arias sente with a thousande and two hundreth men at the request of Vas∣chus Nunnez Balboa,* 9.896 who was then the gouernour of Dariena, and the fyrst that found and discouered the large South sea here∣tofore vnknowen.* 9.897 Wee haue also declared how at the arriual of Petrus Arias the newe gouernour, he deuided his armye into Centurions, that is, capitaines ouer hundrethes, whom hee sent foorth dyuers waies. What tragedies folowed hereof, I wyll absolue in fewe woordes, bycause all are horrible and

vnpleasaunte. For sence we fynyshed owre Decades,* 9.898 there hath byn none other then kyllynge, sleyinge, murtherynge and accusinge. The kynge made Vaschus gouernoure but du∣rynge his pleasure. His courage was such, and his factes so notorious, that he coulde not longe abyde the hautynes of Pe¦trus Arias. To bee breefe, theyr faulynge owte and discord con¦founded al thynges. Iohn Cacedus the pulpitte fryer of the order of saynt Frances, dyd his vttermoste endeuour to make them frendes, promysynge vnto Vaschus the dowghter of Petrus Arias to wyfe. But no meanes coulde be founde howe these two which bore the chiefe rule, myght bee brought to agree∣ment. At the length the matter grewe to such extremitie, that Petrus Arias fyndynge occasion of querelynge ageynste Vaschus,* 9.899 sent processe to the maiestrates of the towne, wherby he com¦maunded them to strangle Vaschus, and fyue other which were chiefe capitaynes vnder hym: Alleagynge that they and their confetherates conspired to rebel in the South sea: And that Vaschus hym selfe for that intente, had buylded and furnished foure shippes to search the south coastes of the supposed con∣tinent: Also that to his three hundreth souldiers and compa¦nions which he had with hym, he shulde speake woordes of this effecte as foloweth. My frendes, and felowes of my longe peynes and trauayles:* 9.900 Howe longe shall we be subiecte to the commaundement of other, sythe wee haue bydden the brunt and ouercumme thenterprise for the whiche this newe gouernour was sent with so great a multitude? Who can any longer abyde his pryde and insolentie? Lette vs therefore fo∣lowe these coastes whyther so euer fortune shall dryue vs: And amonge these so many pleasaunt and fruteful prouinces of this large lande, let vs chose one in the whiche wee maye with libertie spende that portion of owre lyues which yet re∣mayneth. Who can fynde vs, or shalbe able to profer vs vyo∣lence? When these or the lyke woordes were declared to Pe∣trus Arias, he sente to the Southe partes for Vaschus, wyllynge hym by the vertue of his commission to repayre to him foorth with. Vaschus obeyed, and at his commynge was caste in pry∣son: yet constantly denyinge that euer he entended any suche thynge. Wytnesses were brought ageynst hym, and his wor¦des rehearsed from the begynnynge.* 9.901 To conclude, he was iudged woorthy death, and was put to execution. And this

is the rewarde wherwith the blynde goddesse oftentymes re∣compenseth such as haue susteyned great trauayles and daun¦giours to bee hyghly in her fauoure. Petrus Arias leauynge his wyfe in Dariena,* 9.902 embarked hym selfe in the shippes left of Vas∣chus, to thintent to searche those coastes. But whether he be returned or not, we haue yet no certeyne knoweleage. He hath also his fortune. Yet is there an other gouernour as∣signed, whose name is Lupus Sosa,* 9.903 the viceroye of the I∣landes of Canarie. What stomake Petrus Arias may haue yf he re¦turne, let good men iudge. There was nothyng doone vnder hym woorthy glorie. Sume thynke that he was at the be∣gynnyng to slacke and negligent in his office, and not seuere in correctynge errours and misorders. But we wyll leaue him and rehearse sumwhat wherof we haue byn lately informed as touchynge the great and diepe ryuer of Dabaiba,* 9.904 the whiche for the greatnes and largenes therof, owre men named Gran∣dis, that is, great, as we haue noted in owre Decades. This riuer fauleth into the furthest corner of the goulfe of Vraba by seuen portes or mowthes as dooth the ryuer of Nilus into the Egyptian sea,* 9.905 whose large description yowe may also reade in owre Decades. That the mountaynes on euery syde about this ryuer,* 9.906 are rych in golde, we haue learned by thinforma∣tion of thinhabitauntes, of whom we made diligent inquisiti¦on. Vaschus, and besyde hym other gouernoures and Lieu••te∣nauntes, haue fouretymes entered into this ryuer with theyr armyes in battayle array, and with dyuers kyndes of shippes fyrste for the space of fortie myles, then fyftie, and at the last fourescore, at an other tyme also ouerthwarte the ryuer. Oh shamefull chaunce and detestable couwardenes of owre men.* 9.907 A naked nation encounterynge with them that had apparell, the armed ageynste the vnarmed, had the ouerthrowe in ma∣ner in all conflictes, and were other all slayne or wounded. They vse inuenemed arrowes, and are suche experte archers, that if they espye any place of theyr enemie bare or vnarmed, they wyll not lyghtly fayle to stryke him there They vse al∣so many dartes,* 9.908 which in the tyme of the battayle they hurle so thicke a farre of, that they take the lyght of the sonne frō theyr enemies as it were with a clowde. They haue lykewise brode and longe swoordes made of a heauie and harde kinde of woodde,* 9.909 wherewith they feyght fiercely neare at hande.

Vaschus hym selfe receaued many woundes in encounterynge with them. And thus by reason of the fiercenes of these bar∣barians, the ryuer of Dabaiba is yet lefte vnsearched. We wil nowe speake sumwhat more of the Iland of Hispaniola (which the Spanyardes caule Spagnuola) the moother and chiefe of al other landes or Ilandes wherof we entended to wryte.* 9.910 In it the Senate is now restored, and fyue Iudges assigned to giue lawes to all thinhabitauntes of those tractes. But in shorte tyme, they shall cease gatherynge of golde although there bee grea••e plentie: by reason they shall lacke labourers and my∣ners, forasmuch as thinhabitauntes whose helpe they vsed herein, are brought to a smaule number, consum••d partly by warre, and many more by famen that yeare that they dygged vp the rootes wherof they made theyr beste breade, and lefte of sowynge theyr grayne of Maizium which is theyr common foode, supposinge hereby to haue dryuen owre men owte of the Ilande, who had vytayles sente them from Spayne. A great number of them also, dyed of newe and straunge disea∣ses which in the yeare of Christe a thousande fyue hundreth and .xviii. consumed theym lyke rotton sheepe.* 9.911

And (to saye the truth) owre mens vnsaciable desyre of gold, so oppressed these poore wretches with extreme labour and ••oyle, where as before they lyued pleasauntly and at lybertie, gyuen onely to playes and pastymes as daunsynge, fysshinge, foulynge, and huntyng of lyttle connies, that many of them peri••shed euen for verye anguy••he of mynde, the whiche (with their vnaccustomed labour) are thynges of them selues suffy∣cient to engender many newe diseases. But the kynge and the Senate haue nowe determyned that they be reduced to a people, and to gyue them selues onely to increase, and tyl∣lage of the gound: And that onely such as are bought or ta∣k••n owte of other regions, bee appointed to labour in the golde mynes.* 9.912 But it shall suffyce to haue sayde thus muche of the pestiferous hunger of golde. Therfore to speake of o∣ther matters: It is a marueylous thynge to consyder howe all thynges increase and prosper in this Ilande. There are nowe .xxviii suger presses wherwith great plentie of suger is made.* 9.913 The canes or reedes wherin the suger groweth, are bygger and hygher then in any other place: And are as bygge as a mans arme in the brawne, and higher then the

stature of a man, by the halfe. This is more woonderfull, that where as in Ualentia in Spaine (where a great quanti∣tye of suger is made yearely) where so euer they applye them selues to the great increase therof,* 9.914 yet doth euery roote bring foorthe not paste fyue, or syxe, or at the moste seuen of those reedes: wheras in Hisponiola one roote beareth twentie, and oftentymes thirtie. Foure footed beastes and cattayle,* 9.915 are marueylously increased in this Ilande. And albeit that the rauenynge hunger of golde hath hitherto greatly hyndered owre men from tyllage of the ground, yet is there great plen∣tye of wheate,* 9.916 whiche prospereth so wel that it yealdeth sum¦tyme a hundreeh foulde: And this especially on the hylles or rydges of the mountaynes prospectynge towarde the North. Uines do also increase here with no lesse frutefulnesse.* 9.917 What shuld I speake of the trees that beare Cassia fistula,* 9.918 brought first into this Iland from the other Ilandes neare vnto the suppo¦sed Continent, as we haue noted in owr decades? There is nowe suche plentie hereof, that after a fewe yeares we shall haue a pounde of the price that wee paye nowe for an ounce. Of the bresyle and mirobalane trees,* 9.919* 9.920 with other innumerable prerogatiues and benefites whiche nature hath plentiful∣ly giuen to this blessed Iland, we haue spoken suffyci∣ently in owr decades. Yet haue I thought good to repeate part of the same, bycause I think that the wittes of many readers haue di∣uerted from the weyght of great af∣faires, to the recordation of such pleasaunt thynges. And yet do not suche thynges as are sauery, engen∣der tedyous∣nesse, soo that a precious mat∣ter bee adourned with a precious vesture.

FINIS.

EXEMPLAR BVLLAE SEV DONATIONIS, AVTORITATE CVIVS, EPISCOPVS ROMANVS ALEXAN∣der eius nominis sextus, concessit et donauit Castel∣lae regibus & suis successoribus, regiones & In∣sulas noui orbis in Oceano occidentali Hispanorum nauigationi∣bus repertas∴

ALEXANDER EPISCOPVS, seruus seruorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo filio Ferdinando Regi, et Charissimae in Christo tiliae Eliza∣beth Reginae Castellae, Legionis, Aragonum, Siciliae, et Granatae, illustribus, salu∣tem et Apostolicam benedictionem.

Inter caetera Diuinae maiestati beneplacita opera et cordis nostri desiderabilia, illud profecto potisi∣mū existit vt fides catholica & Christiana religio no¦stris praesertim temporibus exaltetur ac vbilibet amplietur ac dilatetur, animarum{que} salus procure∣tur, ac barbarae nationes deprimantur et ad fidē ipsam reducantur. Vnde cum ad hanc sacram Pe∣tri sedem Diuinafauente clementia (meritis lic••t im∣paribus) euocati fueremus, cognoscentes vos tan{quam} veros catholicos reges et principes: quales semper fuisse nouimus, & a vobis praeclare gesta, toti pene

orbi notissima demonstrant, nedum id exoptare, sed omni conatu, studio, et diligentia, nullis laboribus, nullis impensis, nullis{que} parcendo periculis, etiam proprium sanguinem effundendo efficere, ac omnem animum vestrum, omnes{que}, conatus ad hoc iam du∣dum dedicasse, quemadmodum recuperato regni Granatae a tyrannis de Sarracenorum hodiernis tem poribus per vos, cum tanta Diuini nominis gloria facta, testatur. Digne ducimur non immerito, et debemus illa vobis etiam sponte, ac fauorabiliter con cedere, per quae huiusmodi sanctum ac laudabile ab immortali deo acceptum propositum, indies feruen∣tiori animo ad ipsius dei honorem et Imperij Chri∣stiani propagationem, prosequi valeatis. Sane acce∣pimus {quod} vos qui dudum animum proposueratis a∣liquas insulas et terras firmas remotas et incognitas, ac per alios hactenus non repertas, quaerere et inue∣nire, vt illarum incolas et habitatores ad colendum redemptorem nostrum et fidem catholicam profi∣tendum reduceretis, hactenus in expugnatione et re∣cuperatione ipsius regni Granatae plurimum occu∣pati, huiusmodi sanctum et laudabile propositum vestrum ad optatum finem perducere nequiuistis: Sed tamen sicut Domino placuit, regno predicto recuperato, volentes desiderium vestrum adimplere, dilectum filium Christophorum Colonum virum

vti{que} dignum et plurimum commendatum ac tanto negotio aptum, cum nauigijs et hominibus ••d simi∣lia instructis, non sine maximis laboribus, acperi∣culis, et expensis destinastis vt terras firmas et Insu∣las remotas et incognitas, huiusmodi per mare vbi hactenus nauigatum non fuerat, diligenter inquire∣ret. Qui tandem (Diuino auxilio facta extrema di∣ligentia in mari Oceano nauigantes) certas insulas remotissimas et etiam terras firmas quae per alios hactenus repertae non fuerant, inuenerunt. In qui∣bus plurimae gentes pacifice viuentes, et (vt asseri∣tur) nudi incedentes, nec carnibus vescentes, inhabi∣tant: Et vt praefati nuncij vestri possunt opinari, gen tes ipsae in Insulis et terris praedictis habitantes, cre∣dunt vnum deum creatorem in Coelis esse, ac ad fi∣dem catholicam amplexandum et bonis moribus imbuendum, satis apti videntur: Spes{que} habetur, {quod} si erudirentur, nomen Saluatoris Domini nostri Ie∣su Christi in terris et insulis praedictis facile indu••ere tur. Ac prefatus Christophorus in vna ex principa∣libus Insulis praedictis, ••am vnam turrim satis mu∣nitam, in qua certos Christianos qui secum iuerant, in custodiam et vt alias Insulas ac terras firmas re∣motas et incognitas inquirerent posuit, constru••et aedificari fecit. In quibus quidem Insulis et terris iam repertis, aurum, aromata, et aliae quamplurimae

res praeciosae diuersi generis et diuersae qualitatis re∣periuntur. Vnde omnibus diligenter, et praesertim fidei catholicae exaltatione et dilatatione (prout de∣cet Catholicos Reges et Principes) consideratis, mo∣re progenitorum vestrorum clarae memoriae Regum, terras firmas et insulas praedictas, illarum{que} incolas et habitatores, vobis diuina fauente clementia subii∣cere et ad fidem Catholicam reducere proposuistis.

Nos ita{que} huiusmodi vestrum sanctum et lauda∣bile propositum plurimum in domino commendan∣tes, ac cupientes vt illud ad debitum finem perduca∣tur, et ipsum nomen saluatoris nostri in partibus il∣lis inducatur, hortamus vos quamplurimum in do∣mino, et per sacri lauacri susceptionem, qua manda∣tis Aposto••icis obligati estis, et {per} viscera misericordiae Domini nostri Iesu Christi attente requirimus, vt cum expeditionem huiusmodi omnino prosequi et assumere prona mente orthodoxae fidei zelo inten∣datis, populos in huiusmodi Insulis et terris degen∣tes, ad Christianam religionē suscipiendum induce∣re velitis et debeatis, nec pericula nec labores vllo vn{quam} tempore vos deterreant, firma spe fiducia{que} con∣ceptis {quod} Deus omnipotens conatus vestros foelici∣ter prosequetur. Et vt tanti negocij prouintiam A∣postolicae gratiae largitate donati, liberius et auda∣cius assumatis, motu proprio non ad vestram vel

alterius pro vobis super hoc nobis oblatae petitionis instantiam▪ sed de nostra mera liberalitate, et ex cer∣ta scientia, ac de Apostolicae potestatis plenitudine, omnes Insulas et terras firmas inuentas et inuenien∣das, detectas et detegendas versus Occidentem et Meridiem, fabricando et construendo vnam lineam a polo Arctico, scilicet Septemtrione, ad polum Antarcticum, scilicet Meridiem, siue terrae firmae et insulae inuentae et inueniendae sint versus Indiam aut versus aliam quamcun{que} partē quae linea distet a qualibet Insularum quae vulgariter nuncupantur de los Azores er Cabo verde centum leucis versus Occi∣dentem et Meridiem. Ita{que} omnes Insulae et terrae firmae repertae et reperiendae, detectae et detegendae a praefata linea versis Occedentem et Meridiem, quae per alium Regem aut Principem Christianum non fuerint actualiter possessae vs{que} ad diem natiuitatis Domini nostri Iesu Christi proxime praeteritum, a quo incipit annus praesens Millessimus Quadringen tessimus Nonogessimus tercius, quando fuerunt per nuncios et capitaneos vestros inuentae aliquae prae∣dictarum Insularum, Autoritate omnipotentis Dei nobis in beato Petro concessa, ac vicariatus Iesu Christi qua fungimur in terris, cum omnibus illa∣tum dominijs, ciuitatibus, castris, locis, et villis, iu∣tibus{que} et iurisdictionibus ac partinentijs vniuersis,

vobis heredibus{que} et successoribus vestris (Castellae et Legionis regibus) in perpetuum tenore praesenti∣um donamus, concedimus, et assignamus: Vos{que} et haeredes ac successores praefatos illarum Domi∣nos, cum plena, libera, et omnimoda potestate, au∣toritate, et iurisdictione, facimus, constituimus, et deputamus. Decernentes nihilo minus per huius∣modi donationem, concessionem, et assignationem nostram, nullo Christiano Principi qui actualiter praefatas Insulas et terras firmas possederit vs{que} ad praedictum diem natiuitatis Domini nostri Iesu Christi ius quaesitum, sublatum intelligi posse aut auferri debere.

Et insuper mandamus vobis in virtutae sanctae obedientiae (vt sicut pollicemini et non dubitamus pro vestra maxima deuotione et regia magnanimi∣tate vos esse facturos) ad terras firmas et Insulas praedictas, viros probos et Deum timentes, doctos, peritos, et expertos ad instruendum incolas et ha∣bitatores praefatos in fide Chatholica et bonis mo∣ribus imbuendum, destinare debeatis, omnem de∣bitam diligentiam in praemissis adhibentes. A qui∣buscum{que} personis, cuiuscun{que} dignitatis, etiam im∣perialis et regalis stratus, gradus, ordinis vel condi∣tionis, sub excommunicationis latae sententiae poena quam eo ipso si contra fecerint incurrant, districtius

inhibemus ne ad insulas et terras firmas inuentas et inueniendas, detectas et detegendas versus Occiden∣tem et Meridiem, fabricando et construendo lineam a polo Arctico ad polum Antarcticum, siuae terrae firmae et Insulae inuentae et inueniendae sint versus Indiam aut versus aliam quamcun{que} partem quae linea distet a qualibet Insularum quae vulgariter nun cupantur de los Azores et Cabo verde centum leu∣cis versus Occidentem et Meridiem vt praefertur, pro mercibus habendis vel quauis alia causa accedere praesumat abs{que} vestra ac haeredum et successorum vestrorum praedictorum licentia speciali: Non ob∣stantibus constitutionibus et ordinationibus Apo∣stolicis, caeteris{que} quibuscun{que}, in illo in quo impe∣ria et dominationes et bona cuncta procedunt: Con∣fidentes {quod} dirigente Domino actus vestros, si hu∣iusmodi sanctum ac laudabile propositum prose∣quamini, breui tempore cum foelicitate et gloria to∣tius populi Christiani, vestri labores et conatus exi∣tum foelicissimum consequentur. Verum quia diffi∣cile foret praesentes literas ad singula quae{que} loca in quibus expediens fuerit deferri, volumus ac motu et scientia similibus decernimus, {quod} illarum transsump∣tis manu publici notarij inderogati subscriptis, et sigillo alicuius personae in ecclesiastica dignitate con∣stitutae, seu curiae ecclesiasticae munitis, ea prorsus

fides in iudicio et extra ac alias vbilibet adhibeatur, quae praesentibus adhiberetur si essent adhibitae vel ostensae.

Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc pagi∣nam nostrae commendationis, hortationis, requisi∣tionis, donationis, concessionis, assignationis, con∣stitutionis, deputationis, decreti, mandati, inhibi∣tionis, et voluntatis infringere vel ei ausu te∣merario contraire. Si quis autem hoc at∣tentare praesumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei, ac beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum eius, se nouerit in∣cursurum∴

Datum Romae apud sanctum Pe∣trum: Anno incarnationis Do∣minicae .1593. quarto nonas Maij: Pontificatus nostri anno primo∴

¶ The coppie of the Bull or donation, by thautoritie wher¦of, Pope Alexander the syxte of that name, gaue and graunted to the kynges of Castyle and theyr succes∣sours the Regions and Ilandes founde in the Weste Ocean sea by the nauigations of the Spanyardes.

ALexander byshoppe, the seruaunte of the ser∣uauntes of God: To owre moste deare belo∣ued sonne in Christ Kynge Ferdinande, And to owre deare beloued doughter in Chryste Elyzabeth Queene of Castyle, Legion, Ara∣gon, Sicilie, and Granata, most noble Prin¦ces, Gretynge and Apostolical benediction.

Amonge other woorkes acceptable to the diuine ma••estie and accordynge to owre hartes desyre, this certeinely is the chiefe, that the Catholyke fayth and Christian religion, spe∣cially in this owre tyme may in all places bee exalted, ampli∣fied, and enlarged, wherby the health of soules may be pro∣cured, and the Barbarous nations subdued and brought to the fayth. And therefore wheras by the fauoure of gods cle∣mentie (although not without equall desertes) we are cauled to this holy seate of Peter, and vnderstandynge you to bee trewe Catholyke Princes as we haue euer knowen you, and as youre noble and woorthy factes haue declared in maner to the hole worlde in that with all your studie, diligence, and industrye, you haue spared no trauayles, charges, or perels, aduenturynge euen the shedynge of your owne bludde, with applyinge yowre hole myndes and endeuours here vnto, as your noble expeditions achyued in recoueryng the kyngdome of Granata from the tyrannie of the Sarracens in these our dayes, doo playnely declare your factes with so great glorye of the diuine name. For the whiche as we thinke you woor∣thy, so owght we of owre owne free wyl fauorably to graunt you all thynges whereby you maye dayely with more feruent myndes to the honoure of god and enlargynge the Christian empire, prosecute your deuoute and laudable purpose most ac∣ceptable to the immortall God. We are credably informed that wheras of late you were determyned to seeke and fynde certeyne Ilandes & firme landes farre remote and vnknowen

(and not heretofore found by any other) to thintent to bringe thinhabitauntes of the same to honoure owre redemer and to professe the catholyke fayth, you haue hetherto byn much oc∣cupied in thexpugnation and recouerie of the kyngedome of Granata, by reason whereof yowe coulde not brynge yowre sayde laudable purpose to thende desyred. Neuerthelesse as it hath pleased almyghty god, the foresayde kyngedome be∣inge recouered, wyllyng taccomplyshe your sayde desyre, you haue, not without great laboure, perelles, and charges, ap∣poynted owre welbeloued sonne Christopher Colonus (a man certes wel commended as moste worthy and apte for so great a matter) well furnyshed with men and shippes and other ne∣cessaries, to seeke (by the sea where hetherto no manne hath sayled) suche firme landes and Ilandes farre remote and hi∣therto vnknowen. Who (by gods helpe) makynge diligente searche in the Ocean sea, haue founde certeyne remote Ilan∣des and firme landes whiche were not heretofore founde by any other. In the which (as is sayde) many nations inhabite lyuinge peaceably and goinge naked, not accustomed to eate fleshe. And as farre as yowre messengers can coniecture, the nations inhabitynge the foresayde landes and Ilandes, beleue that there is one god creatoure in heauen: and seeme apte to be brought to thimbrasinge of the catholyke faythe and to be imbued with good maners: by reason whereof, we may hope that if they be well instructed, they may easely bee induced to receaue the name of owre sauiour Iesu Christ. We are further aduertised that the forenamed Christopher hathe nowe builded and erected a fortresse with good munition in one of the foresayde principall Ilandes in the which he hath placed a garrison of certeine of the Christian men that wente thyther with him: aswell to thintent to defende the same, as also to searche other Ilandes and firme landes farre remote and yet vnknowen. We also vnderstande, that in these lan∣des and Ilandes lately founde, is great plentie of golde and spices, with dyuers and many other precious thynges of sun∣dry kyndes and qualities. Therfore al thinges diligently ocn¦sidered (especially thamplifyinge and enlargyng of the catho¦like fayth, as it behoueth catholike Princes folowyng thex∣emples of yowre noble progenitours ol famous memorie) wheras yowe are determyned by the fauour of almightie god

to subdue and brynge to the catholyke fayth thinhabitauntes of the foresayde landes and Ilandes.

Wee greatly commendynge this yowre godly and lau••able purpose in owr lorde, and desirous to haue the same brought to a dewe ende, and the name of owre sauioure to be knowen in those partes, doo exhorte yowe in owre Lorde and by the receauynge of yowre holy baptisme wherby yowe are bounde to Apostolicall obedience, and ernestely require yowe by the bowels of mercy of owre Lorde Iesu Christ, that when yowe intende for the zeale of the Catholyke faythe to prosecute the sayde expedition to reduce the people of the foresayde landes and Ilandes to the Christian religion, yowe shall spare no la¦bours at any tyme, or bee deterred with any perels, concea∣uynge firme hope and confidence that the omnipotent godde wyll gyue good successe to yowre godly attemptes. And that beinge autorysed by the priuilege of the Apostolycall grace, yowe may the more freely and bouldly take vpon yowe then∣terpryse of so greate a matter, we of owre owne motion, and not eyther at yowre request or at the instant peticion of any o∣ther person, but of owre owne mere liberalitie and certeyne science, and by the fulnesse of Apostolycall power, doo gyue, graunt, and assigne to yowe, yowre heyres and successours, al the firme landes & Ilandes found or to be found discouered or to be discouered toward the West & South, drawyng a line frō the pole Artike to the pole Antartike (that is) frō the north to the Southe: Conteynynge in this donation, what so euer firme landes or Ilandes are founde or to bee founde towarde India, or towarde any other parte what so euer it bee, beinge distant from, or without the foresayd lyne drawen a hundreh leaques towarde the Weste and South from any of the Ilan∣des which are commonly cauled De los Azor••s and Cabo Verde.

All the Ilandes therfore and firme landes, founde and to be founde, discouered and to be discouered from the sayde lyn•• towarde the West and South, such as haue not actually bin heretofore possessed by any other Christian kynge or prynce vntyll the daye of the natiuitie of owre Lorde Ie••u Chryste laste paste, from the which begynneth this present yeare be∣inge the yeare of owre Lorde .M.CCCC.lxxxxiii. when so euer any such shalbe founde by your messingers & capytaines,

Wee by the autoritie of almyghtie God gr••unted vnto vs

in saynt Peter, and by the office which we beare on the earth in the steede of Iesu Christe, doo for euer by the tenoure of these presentes, gyue, graunte, assigne, vnto yowe, yowre heyres, and successoures (the kynges of Castyle and Legion) all those landes and Ilandes, with theyr dominions, territo¦ries, cities, castels, towres, places, and vyllages, with all the ryght, and iurisdictions therunto perteynynge: constitu∣tynge, assignynge, and deputynge, yowe, yowre heyres, and successours the lordes thereof, with full and free poure, auto∣toritie, and iurisdiction. Decreeinge neuerthelesse by this owre donation, graunt, and assignation, that from no Chri∣stian Prince whiche actually hath possessed the foresayde I∣landes and firme landes vnto the day of the natiuitie of owre lorde before sayde theyr ryght obteyned to bee vnderstoode hereby to be taken away, or that it owght to be taken away.

Furthermore wee commaunde yowe in the vertue of holy o∣bedience (as yowe haue promysed, and as wee doubte not you wyll doo vppon mere deuotion and princely magnanimitie) to sende to the sayde firme landes and Ilandes, honeste, vertu∣ous, and lerned men, suche as feare God, and are able to in∣structe thinhabitauntes in the Catholyke fayth and good ma∣ners, applyinge all theyr possible diligence in the premisses.

We furthermore streightly inhibite all maner of persons, of what state, degree, order, or condition so euer they bee, al∣though of Imperiall and regall dignitie, vnder the peyne of the sentence of excommunication whiche they shall incurre yf they doo to the contrary, that they in no case presume with∣out speciall lycence of yowe, yowre heyres, and successours, to trauayle for marchaundies or for any other cause, to the sayde landes or Ilandes, founde or to bee found, discouered, or to bee discouered, toward the west & south, drawing a line frō the pole Artyke to the pole Antartike, whether the firme lands & Ilandes found & to be found, be situate toward India or towarde any other parte beinge distant from the lyne dra∣wen a hundreth leagues towarde the west from any of the I∣landes commonly cauled De los Azores and Cabo Verde: Not∣withstandynge constitu••ions, decrees, and Apostolycall ordi∣naunces what so euer they are to the contrary: In him from whom Empyres, dominions, and all good thynges doo pro¦cede: Trustynge that almyghtie god directynge yowre enter¦prises,

yf yowe folowe yowre godly and laudable attemptes, yowre laboures and trauayles herein, shall in shorte tyme ob∣teyne a happy ende with felicitie and glorie of all Christian people. But forasmuch as it shulde bee a thynge of great dif∣ficultie these letters to bee caryed to all suche places as shuld bee expedient, we wyll, and of lyke motion and knowleage doo decree that whyther so euer the same shalbe sent, or wher so euer they shalbe receaued with the subscription of a com∣mon notarie therunto requyred, with the seale of any person constitute in ecclesiasticall dignitie, or suche as are autorysed by the ecclesiasticall courte, the same fayth and credite to bee gyuen thereunto in iudgement or els where, as shulde bee ex∣hibyted to these presentes.

It shall therefore bee lawefull for no man to infringe or rashely to contrarie this letter of owre commendation, exhor∣tacion, requeste, donation, graunt, assignation, constitu∣tion, deputation, decree, commaundement, inhibiti∣on, and determination. And yf any shall presume to attempte the same, he owght to knowe that he shall thereby incurre the indignation of almyghtie God and his holye Apostles Peter and Paule.

¶ Gyuen at Rome at saynt Peters: In the yeare of thincarnation of owre Lord M. CCCC. LXXXXIII. The fourth day of the nones of Maye, the fyrste yeare of owre seate.

To the reader.

ALthough amonge dyuers which haue wrytten of the Ocean and Weste Indies, there is none to be compared to Peter Martyr of Angleria, in declarynge by philosophical discourses the secreate causes of naturall affectes bothe as touchynge the lande, the sea, the starres, and other straunge woorkes of nature, yet forasmuche as of later dayes those countreys haue byn better knowen and searched, and dyuers suche particular and notable thynges founde as are contey∣ned in the hystories of later wryters, emonge the number of whom, Gonzalus Ferdinandus Ouiedus, (whom lerned Cardanus com¦pareth to the ancient writers) is doubtles the chiefe, I haue therfore thought good to ioyne to the Decades of Peter Mar¦tyr certeyne notable thynges which I haue gathered owte of his booke intiteled the Summarie or abbrigement of his ge∣nerall hystorie of the west Indies wrytten in th•• firme lande of the same in the citie of Sancta Maria Antiqua in Dariena (where he dwelte and was gouernoure many yeares) And dedicated to Themperous maiestie, as maye appeare by the epystell fo∣lowynge.

¶ To the most hygh and myghtie prince Charles the fyfte of that name: Emperour of Rome, Kynge of Spayne, and of the twoo Sicilies, of bothe the sydes of the streyght of Faro, Kynge of Hierusalem and Hungarie, Duke of Burgonie and Earle of Flaunders, Lorde and inheritoure of the firme lande and Ilandes of the Weste Ocean. &c. Gonzalus Ferdinandus Oui∣edus his most humble seruant wysheth health and per∣petual felicitie.

THe thynges whiche principally preserue and mayntayne the woorkes of nature in the memo¦ries of men, are hystories and bookes compo∣sed of the same. Amonge the whiche certes those are esteemed moste trewe and autentyke which haue byn wrytten by wyttie and expert

men well trauayled in the worlde, as faythfull wytnesses of suche thynges as they haue partely seene and byn partely in∣formed by credible persons. Of this mynde and opinion was Plinie, who better then any other autoure hathe wrytten in xxxvii. bookes al that perteyneth to the naturall historie, con¦teyned al in one volume dedicated to Uespasian Themperour. Wherein, as a prudente historiographer, he declareth suche thynges as he had harde: Attributynge the seconde autoritie to suche as he had redde in autoures that wrote before hym: And thyrdely ioyned to the same hystorie, such thynges as he hym selfe had seene as moste certeyne testimonie. Whose exem¦ple I folowynge, wyl in this my breefe summarie reduce and represent to yowr maiesties memorie such thynges as I haue seene in yowre Empyre of the West Indies aswell in the I∣landes as in the firme lande of the Ocean sea, where I haue serued nowe more then twelue yeares in the place of suruoy∣er of the golde mynes by the commaundemente of the Catho∣lyke kynge Don Fernando the fyfte of that name and graundfa∣ther vnto yowre maiestie, to whom god gaue great fame and glorie. Sense whose death also I haue lykewies serued and trust whyle the rest of my lyfe yet remayneth, to serue yowre maiestie as shall please yowe to commaunde. As touchynge which thinges and such other lyke, I haue more largely writ¦ten in a hystorie begunne as sone as my age was rype to take suche matters in hande. Wherein furthermore I haue made mention of suche thynges as haue chaunced in Spaine, from the yeare .1494. vnto this tyme. Addynge also thereunto suche thynges woorthy memorie as I haue obserued in other realmes and prouinces where I haue trauayled. And haue likewise particulerly wrytten the lyues and woorthy actes of the catholyke Princes of famous memorie Don Ferdinando and lady Elizabeth his wyfe to theyr last dayes. After whose fru¦ition of heauenly Paradyse, I haue noted suche thynges as haue chaunced in yowre most fortunate succession. Not omit¦tynge particularly to wryte a large booke of such thynges as haue seemed moste woorthy to bee noted as touchynge yowre maiesties Indies. But for asmuche as that volume remaineth in the citie of San. Dominico in the Ilande of Hispaniola where I dwell and am placed in housholde with wyfe, chyldren, and famelie, I haue brought no more with me of that my wri¦tynge

then I beare in memorie. Determynynge notwithstan∣dynge for yowre maiesties recreation to make a breefe rehear¦sall of certeyne notable thynges wherof I haue more largely entreated in my sayde general historie, and such as may seeme moste woorthy to bee redde of yowre maiestie. Of the which, although a great parte haue byn wrytten by other who haue also seene the same, yet perhappes they are not so exactly and particularly described as of me, forasmuche as in maner all that trauayle into these Indies haue greater respecte to luker and gaynes then diligently to searche the woorkes of nature wherunto I haue byn euer naturally inclyned, and haue ther¦fore with all possible endeuour applyed myne eyes and intel∣ligence to fynde the same. And this presente Summarie shall not bee contrary or dyuers from my larger historie wherin (as I haue sayde) I haue more amplye declared these thynges: but shal onely more breefely expresse theffect therof vntyl such tyme as Godde shal restore me to myne owne house, where I may accomplyshe and fynishe my sayd general hystorie. Where vnto to gyue the fyrst principle, I say that Don Christopher Colonus (as it is well knowen) beinge the fyrste Admyrall of this India, discouered the same in the dayes of the Catho∣lyke kynge Don Ferdinando and the ladye Elyzabeth his wyfe, graundfather and graundmother vnto yowre maiestie: In the yeare .1491. And came to Barzalona in the yeare 1492. with the fyrst Indians and other shewes and profes of the great ryches and notice of this west Empire. The whi∣che gyfte and benefyte was suche, that it is vnto this daye, one of the greatest that euer any subiect or seruant hath done for his prince or countrey, as is manifeste to the hole worlde. And to saye the trewth, this shall doubtlesse bee so commodi∣ous and profytable vnto the hole realme of Spayne, that I repute hym no good Castilian or Spanyarde that doothe not recognise the same. And (as I haue sayde before) foras∣much as in my sayde generall historie I haue more largely in¦treated of these thynges, I intend at this present only briefe¦ly to rehearse certeyne especiall thynges, the whiche suerly are verye fewe in respecte of the thousandes that myght bee sayde in this behalfe. Fyrst therfore I wyl speake sumwhat of the nauigation into these parties. Then of the generati∣on of the nations whiche are founde in the same, with their

rytes, customes, and cerimonies. Also of beastes, foules, byrdes, woormes, fysshes, seas, ryuers, sprynges, trees, plantes, herbes, and dyuers other thinges which are engen∣dered boothe on the lande and in the water. And forasmuche as I am one of thorder and company of them that are appoin¦ted to returne into these regions to serue yowre maiestie, yf therfore the thynges conteyned in this booke shall not bee di¦stincte in such order as I promised to performe in my greater woorke. I desyre yowre maiestie to haue no respecte herevn¦to, but rather to consyder the noueltie of suche straunge thyn∣ges as I haue herein declared, whiche is the chiefe ende that moued me to write. Protestyng that in this Summarie I haue written the trewth of suche thynges as coome to my re∣membraunce: wherof not onely I my selfe can testifye, but also diuers other woorthy and credible men which haue bin in those regions, and are nowe presente in yowre maiesties courte. And thus it shal suffyce to haue saide thus much vn∣to yowre maiestie in maner of a proheme vnto this present worke which I most humbly desyre yowre maiesticas thank¦fully taccept, as I haue written it faythfully.

¶Of the ordinary nauygation from Spayne to the Weste Indies.

THe nauygation whiche is commonly made from Spayne to the Weste India, is from Siuile, where yowre maiestie haue yowre house of contractation for those partes, with also yowre offycers thervnto perteynynge, of whom the capitaines take their passeporte and lycence. The patrones of suche shyppes as are appoynted to these vyages, imbarke theym selues at san Luca di Barameda, where the ryuer Cuadalchiber entereth into the Ocean sea. And from hense they folowe their course to∣ward the Ilandes of Canarie. Of these seuen Ilandes, they commonly touche two, that is, eyther Grancanaria or Gomera▪ And here the shyppes are furnysshed with freshe water, fuell, cheese, biefe, and suche other thynges whiche may seeme re∣quisyte to be added to suche as they brynge with them owte of Spayne. From Spayne to these Ilandes, is coommonly

eyght dayes saylinge, or lyttle more or lesse. And when they are arryued there, they haue sayled two hundereth and fyftie leaques, whiche make a thousande myles, accomptyng foure myles to a leaque as is their maner to recken by sea. Depar∣tynge from the sayde Ilandes to folowe their course, the ship∣pes tary .xxv. dayes, or a lyttle more or lesse, before they see the fyrste lande of the Ilandes that lye before that whiche they caule La Spagnuola or Hispaniola. And the lande that is com∣monly fyrste scene, is one of these Ilandes whiche they caule Ogni sancti Marigalante (or Galanta) La Desseada (otherwise cauled Desy∣derata) Matanino, Dominica, Guadalupe, San. Christoual, or summe other of the Ilandes wherof there are a great multitude lyinge aboute these aforesaide. Yet it sumtymes so chaunceth that the ship∣pes passe withowte the syght of any of the sayde Ilandes, or any other that are within that course vntyll they coome to the Iland of Sancti Iohannis or Hispaniola, or Iamaica, or Cuba, whi∣che are before the other. It may also chaunce that they ouer passe all these likewyse, vntyll they faule vppon the coastes of the fyrme lande. But this chaunceth when the pylote is not well practised in this nauigation or not perfecte in the trewe carde. But makynge this viage with experte maryners (wherof there is nowe great plentie) one of the sayde fyrste Ilandes shall euer bee knowen. And from the Ilandes of Canarie to one of the fyrste of these, the distaunce is nyne hundreth leaques by saylynge, or more. And from hense to the citie of saynte Dominike which is in the Ilande of Hispa∣niola, is a hundreth and fyftie leaques: So that from Spayne hitherto, is a thousand and three hundreth leaques. Yet for asmuche as sumtimes the nauigation procedeth not so direct∣ly, but that it chaunceth to wander euer on the one syde or on the other, wee may well saye that they haue nowe sayled a thousande and fyue hundreth leaques and more. And if the nauigation be slowe by reason of summe hynderaunce, it com∣monly chaunceth to be fynisshed in .xxxv. or .xl. dayes. And this happeneth for the moste parte, not accomptynge the ex∣tremes: that is, eyther of them that haue slowe passage, or of them that arryue in verye shorte tyme. For wee owghte to consyder that which chaunceth most commonly. The returne from those partes to Spayne, is not fynysshed without lon∣ger tyme, as in the space of .l. dayes, or a lyttle more or lesse.

Neuerthelesse in this present yeare of .1525. there came foure shyps from the Iland of San Dominico to saint Luca in Spaine, in .xxv. dayes. But (as I haue sayd) we ought not to iudge of that whiche chaunceth seldome, but of that which happe∣neth most ordinarily. This nauigation is very safe and much vsed, euen vnto the sayd Ilande. And from this to the firme land, the shyppes trauerse diuers wayes for the space of fiue, syxe, or seuen dayes saylynge, or more, accordyng to the par∣tes or coastes whither they directe their vyages, forasmuche as the sayde fyrme lande is verye great and large, and many nauigations and vyages are directed to dyuers partes of the same. Yet to the fyrme land whiche is nearest to this Iland, and lyeth directly ageynst San Dominico, the passage is fynis∣shed in the tyme aforesayde. But it shalbe muche better to re∣mytte all this to the carde of these nauigations and the new Cosmographie, of the whiche no parte was knowen to Pto∣lomie or any other of the owlde wrytters.

¶Of twoo notable thynges as touchyng the West Indies: And of the great rychesse brought from thense into Spayne∴

AFter my vniuersall description of the historie of the Indies, there commeth to my remem∣beraunce two thynges chiefely to be noted as touchynge thempire of this West Indies per∣teynynge to the dominion of yowre maiestye. And these besyde the other particulars wher∣of I haue suffyciently spoken, are to be con∣sydered as thinges of great importaunce. Wherof, the one is the shortenesse of the way & with what expedition yowr ma∣iesties shyppes maye passe beyonde the mayne fyrme lande of these Indies into the newe Southe sea cauled Mare del Sur ly∣ynge beyond the same. And this to thintent to coome to the Ilandes where the spices growe, besyde the other innumera∣ble rychesse of the kingedomes and signiories whiche confin•• with the sayde sea where are so many people and nations of dyuers toonges and maners. The other thinge, is to consy∣der howe innumerable treasures are entered into Spayne by

these Indies, aswell that whiche commeth dayly from thense as also that is continually to bee looked for, bothe of golde and perle & other marchaunties which are first brought into this yowre realme of Spaine before they are seene of other nations or traded into other realmes. Wherby not onely this yowre realme is greatly inriched, but also the benefyte ther∣of redoundeth to the great profyte of other countreys which are neare thervnto. A testimonye of this, are the double du∣cades whiche yowre maiestie haue caused to bee coyned, and are disparsed throughowte the hole worlde. But after they are once pa••sed owt of this yowre realme, they neuer returne agein bycause they are the best curraunt money of the world. And therfore if after they haue byn in the handes of straun∣gers they chaunce to be retourned ageyne into Spaine, they coome disguised in an other habite, and are diminisshed of the goodnesse of their golde, with the stampe of yowre maie∣stye chaunged: So that if it were not for their suche defa∣cynges in other realmes for the cause aforesayde, there shulde not bee founde so great quantitie of fyne golde of the coyne of any prynce in the worlde as of powre maiesties. And the cause of all this, are yowre Indies.

¶Of the mynes of golde, and the ma∣ner of woorkynge in theym.

THis particular of the mynes of gold, is a thing greatly to bee noted: And I maye muche bet∣ter speake hereof then any other man, foras∣muche as there are nowe twelue yeares paste sense I serued in the place of the surueier of the meltynge shoppes perteynynge to the golde mynes of the firme lande, and was the gouernour of the my∣nes of the Catholyke kyng Don Ferdinando, after whose depar∣ture from this lyfe, I serued longe in the same roome in the name of yowr maiestie: By reason wherof, I haue had great occasion to knowe howe golde is founde and wrought owte of the mynes: And do knowe ryght well that this lande is exceadynge ryche: hauynge by my accompte and by the la∣bour of my Indians and slaues, gathered and fyned a great portion of the same: and may therfore the better affyrme this

by testimonie of syght. For I am well assured that in no part of Cas••ilia del oro, that is, golden Castile (otherwise cauled Bo∣ragua) no man coulde aske me of the mynes of golde, but that I durste haue bounde my selfe to haue discouered them in the space of ten leagues of the countrey where it shulde haue byn demaunded me, and the same to bee verye ryche. For I was alowed all maner of charges to make searche for the same. And although golde be founde in maner euery where in these regions of golden Castile, yet owght wee not in euery place to bestowe the trauell, and charge to get it owte, bycause it is of lesse quantitie and goodnesse in sum place then in sum. And the myne or beyne whiche owghte to be folowed, ought to bee in a place whiche may stande to saue muche of the char∣ges of the labourers, and for the administration of other ne∣cessary thinges that the charges may bee recompensed with gaynes. For there is no doubte but that golde shalbe founde more or lesse in euery place. And the golde whiche is founde in golden Castile, is verye good, and of .xxii. caractes or bet∣ter in fynesse. Furthermore, besyde this great quantitie of golde whiche I haue sayde to be founde in the mynes, there is also from day to day found or otherwise gotten, great trea¦sure of suche wrought gold as hath byn in the custodie of the subdued Indians and their kynges, aswell of suche as they haue gyuen for their fyne and raunsome, or otherwise as frendes to the Christians, besyde that whiche hath byn vpo∣lently taken from the rebelles. But the greatest parte of the wrought gold whiche the Indians haue, is base and holdeth sumwhat of copper. Of this they make braslettes and chaines and in the same they close their iewels whiche their women are accustomed to weare and esteeme more then all the richesse of the worlde. The maner howe golde is gathered, is this, eyther of suche as is founde in Za••ana, that is to saye in the plaines and riuers of the champian countrey being withowt trees, whether the earth be with gra••se or without. Or of su∣che as is sumtymes founde on the land without the riuers in places where trees growe, so that to coome by the same, it shalbe requisite to cutte downe many and great trees. But af∣ter whiche so euer of these two maners it be founde, eyther in the riuers or ruptures or breaches of waters, or elles in the earth, I wyll shewe howe it is founde in bothe these places,

and howe it is seperate and pourged. Therfore when the myne or veine is discouered, this chaunceth by serchyng and prouyng in suche places as by certeyne sygnes and tooken do appeare to skylfull men apte for the generation of golde and to holde golde. And when they haue founde it, they folowe the myne and labour it, whether it be in the ryuer or in the plaine as I haue sayde. And if it bee founde on the plaine, fyrst they make the place verye cleane where they intende to dygge. Then they dygge eyght or ten foote in length and as muche in breadth: but they goo no deeper then a spanne or two, or more as shall seeme best to the maister of the myne, dyggynge equally. Then they wa••he all the earthe whiche they haue taken owte of the sayde space. And if herein they fynde any golde, they folowe it. And if not, they dygge a spanne deeper, and washe the earth as they dyd before. And if then also, they fynde nothynge, they continue in dyggyng and wasshyng the earth as before vntil they come to the hard rocke or stone. And if in fyne they fynd no gold there, they fo∣lowe no further to seeke golde in that place, but go to an o∣ther parte. And it is to be vnderstode, that when they haue founde the myne, they folowe it in digginge in the same mea∣sure in leuell and deapth vntill they haue made an ende of al the myne which that place conteyneth, if it appere to be riche. This myne ought to consyst of certen feete or pases in length or breadth accordynge to certeyne orders determined. And within that compasse of earth, it is not lawfull for any other to dygge for golde. And where as endeth the myne of hym that fyrste founde the gold, immediatly it is lawfull for any other man that wyl, with a staffe to assygne hym selfe a place by the syde of the same, inclosynge it with stakes or pales as his owne. These mynes of Zauana (that is such as are found in the playnes) owght euer to bee sought neare to sum ryuer or brooke or springe of water, or dyke, or standyng poole, to thende that the golde maye bee wasshed, for the whiche pur∣pose they vse the laboure of certeyne Indians as they doo o∣ther in dygginge of the myne. And when they haue dygged owte the myne, they fyl certeine traies with that earth, whi∣che other Indians haue the charge immediatly to receaue at their handes, and to carye those treyes of earth to the water where it maye bee wasshed. Yet do not they that brynge it,

washe it, but delyuer it to other, puttynge it owte of their owne trayes into theirs which they haue ready in their han∣des to receaue it. These wasshers for the moste parte, are the Indian women, bycause this woorke is of lesse paine and trauayle then any other. These women when they washe, are accustomed to sytte by the waters syde, with their legges in the water euen vppe to the knees or lesse as the place serueth their purpose. And thus holdynge the trays with earth in their handes by the handles therof, and puttynge the same into the water, they moue them rownde aboute after the ma∣ner of syftynge, with a certeyne aptenesse in suche sorte that there entreth no more water into the trais then serueth their turne: And with the selfe same apte mouynge of their trais in the water, they euer auoyd the foule water with the earth owte of the one syde of the vessell, and receaue in cleane wa∣ter on the other side therof. So that by this meanes by little and lyttle, the water wassheth the earth as the lyghter sub∣staunce owte of the trais, and the golde as the heauier mat∣ter resteth in the bottome of the same, beyng rounde and ho∣lowe in the myddest lyke vnto a barbars basen. And when all the earth is auoyded, and the golde gathered togither in the bottome of the traye, they putte it aparte, and returne to take more earth, whiche they washe continually as ••efore. And thus they that laboure in this woorke, do gather dayly suche portion of golde as shal please god to graunt to the pa∣trones of these Indians and suche other as trauaile in the same. Furthermore, it is to bee noted that for euery two In∣dians that washe, it is requisite that two other serue them to brynge earthe from the myne, and other twoo to breake the same smaule and fylle their trais therwith. Also besyde these labourers, it is necessarye that there bee other people in the place where they woorke and reste in the nyghte. These are suche as make their breade, and prouyde for vyttayles and o∣ther necessaryes. So that to conclude, there are in all, fyue persons ordinarily assigned to euery traye of wasshers.

There is an other maner of woorkyng the mynes in riuers or brookes of runnynge waters. And this is, that in auoy∣dynge the water of his course, after that the beddes of the ryuers are drye and vtterlye emptied, they fynde golde e∣monge the breaches, cliftes, and ryftes of stones, and among

all that is in the bottome of the chanell, and where naturally the riuer runneth of greatest force. So that it chaunceth sum tyme, that when the bedde of the ryuer is good and ryche, they fynde in it great quantitie of golde. And therfore yowe maiestie ought to vnderstande for a generall rule, as it appe∣reth in facte, that all golde is engendered in the toppes and hyghest places of the montaines: And in continuance of time is by lyttle and lyttle browght downe to the vales and plai∣nes by showres of rayne, and the faules of sprynges, ryuers, and brookes hauynge their originall in the mountaynes and descendynge from the same, notwithstandynge it bee often∣tymes founde in the plaines farre from the mountaynes.

But when it chaunceth to be founde in great quantitie, it is for the moste parte amonge the mountaynes and in the riuers, or their branches, more then in any other parte of the plaine. And in these two maners is it commonly founde moste abun∣dauntly. And for the better profe that golde is engendered on hyghe, and is brought downe into the lowe places, I haue one great tooken therof whiche causeth me to beleue it for certeine. And this is to consyder that coles neuer putrifie nor corrupt vnder the ground, if they be made of stronge woodde. Wherby it chaunceth that diggyng the earth by the fouldes or indented places of the mountaynes, or on the sydes, and breakynge a myne in the earthe where it had not byn broken before, and hauyng nowe dygged one or two or three poles in measure, the myners founde certeyne coles of wood vnde•• the same leuel where they found gold. And this I saye in the earth whiche was taken for a vyrgine: that is to saye, such as had not before byn opened for any myne. The which coles coulde not naturally bee engendred there, or enter in by any meanes. But when the superficial part of the earth was equal with the leuel where the coles were founde, it is lyke that the coles were left there by sum occasion of fyre, & that they fast∣ned there in tyme, and that afterwarde in longe continuance of tyme, they were by lyttle and lyttle couered with the earth which the often showers of rayne washed from the mountay∣nes, so that by the course of yeares the earth ouergrewe the coles vnto the sayde leuell and measure whiche had before tyme byn the superficiall parte of the earthe where the coles and golde were founde togyther: whereby it maye appeare

that the golde was no more engendered there then were the coles, but brought thyther from the mountaynes by the fau∣les of waters as we haue fayde: forasmuche as the moun∣taynes are the matrices and bowels of all ryche metals. Fur∣ther and besyde this, I say that in how much more the gold is gonne farre from the naturall place of his generation to the place where it is founde, it is so muche the more puryfied and fyned and of a better carracte. And the nearer that it is founde to his proper myne or vaine where it is engendered, it is so muche the baser, fouler, and more crude, and of a ba∣ser alay and caracte, and dothe wast so much the more in mel¦tynge, and remayneth more brickle. Sumetyme there are founde graynes of golde of greate quantitie and of greate weyght aboue the earth and sumtymes also vnder the earth. And the greateste of all other that was founde to this daye in the Indies, was that which was loste in the sea about the Ilande Beata, whiche weyed three thousande and twoo hun∣dreth Castellans of golde, which are in value foure thousand a hundreth, thirtie and eyght ducades of golde, which waye one Arroua and seuen pounde, or .xxxii. pounde after .xii. oun∣ces to the pounde,* 11.1 whiche make threescore and foure markes of golde. And I sawe in the yeare .1515. in the handes of Mychel Passamonte treasurer to yowre maiestie, two graines of the which one wayde seuen poundes, which are .xiiii. mar∣kes, and are in the value aboute threescore and fyue ducades of golde euery marke. The other was of .x. markes, which are lyue poundes of lyke value, and of very good golde of .xxii. taractes and better. There are also founde many other greate graynes, although not equall vnto these in byggenes. And forasmuche as I haue spoken of golde, I haue thought good to declare sumewhat howe the Indians can very excel∣lently gylte suche vesselles of copper and base golde as they make. For they can gyue them so fayre and f••oryshynge a co∣loure, that all the masse whiche they gylte, appearethe as though it were golde of .xxii. caractes and better. This colour they gyue with a certeyne herbe as thoughe it were wrought by the arte of any goldesmyth of Spayne or Italie, and wold of them bee esteemed as a thynge of greate ryches, and a se∣create maner of gyldynge. And for as muche as I haue spo∣ken sufficiently of the myne of golde, I wyll nowe speake

sumwhat of copper bycause I haue made mention thereof. This metall is founde in many of the Ilandes of the Indies and also in the firme lande: And is founde dayely in greate quantitie holdynge sumwhat of golde. But for the desyre that owre men haue to golde, they nothynge esteeme the cop∣per, although there myght great commoditie and profi••te he had therby, and also by other metals whiche they nothynge regarde excepte syluer whiche is founde abundantly in that parte of the firme lande which is cauled newe Spayne. But of this it shall suffice to haue sayde thus muche, bycause I haue more particularly entreated of these thynges in my gene¦rall hystorie of India.

¶ Of the maner of fyshynge for perles.

THe Indians exercise this kynde of fysshynge for the moste parte in the coastes of the North in Cubagua and Cumana. And manye of theym which dwell in the houses of certeyne particu∣lar lordes in the Ilandes of San Dominico and Sancti Iohannis, resort to the Ilande of Cubagua for this purpose. Theyr custome is to go fyue, syxe, or seuen, or more in one of theyr Canoas or barkes erly in the mornynge to sume place in the sea there about where it appeareth vnto thē that there shulde bee greate plentie of those shell fyshes (which sume caule muscles and sume oysters) wherin perles are engen¦dered. And there they plonge them selues vnder the water, euen vnto the bottome, sauynge one that remaynethe in the Canoa or boate which he keepeth styll in one place as neare as he can, lookynge for theyr returne owte of the water. And when one of them hath byn a good whyle vnder the water, he cyseth vp and commeth swymmynge to the boate, enterynge into the same, and leauynge there all the oysters whiche he hath taken and brought with hym. For in these, are the perles founde. And when he hathe there rested hym selfe a whyle, and eaten parte of the oysters, he returneth ageyne to the water, where he remaynethe as longe as he can endure, and then ryseth ageyne, and swimmeth to the boate with his pray, where he restethe hym as before, and thus continueth course by course, as doo all the other in lyke maner, being all

moste experte swymmers and dyuers. And when the nyght draweth neare, they returne to the Ilande to theyr houses, and presente all the oysters to the master or stewarde of the house of theyr lorde who hath the charge of the sayde Indi∣ans. And when he hath gyuen them sumwhat to eate, he lay¦eth vp the oysters in safe custodie vntyll he haue a great quan¦titie therof. Then hee causeth the same fyssher men to open them. And they fynde in euery of theym pearles other great or smaul, two or three or foure, and sumtymes fiue and syxe, and many smaule graines accordyng to the lyberalitie of na∣ture. They saue the pearles bothe smaule and great whiche they haue founde••: And eyther eate the oysters if they wyl, or caste them away, hauynge so great quantitie therof that they in maner abhorre them. These oysters are of hard fleshe, and not so plesaunt in eatyng as are owres of Spayne. This Ilande of Cubagua where this maner of fysshing is exercised, is in the Northe coaste, and is no bygger then the Iland of Zelande. Oftentymes the sea increaseth greatly, and muche more then the fyshers for pearles wold, bycause where as the place is very depe, a man can not naturally rest at the bottome by reason of the aboundaunce of aery substaunce whiche is in hym, as I haue oftentymes proued. For althoughe he may by vyolence and force descende to the bottome, yet are his feete lyfted vp ageyne so that he can continue no tyme there. And therfore where the sea is verye deepe, these Indian fys∣shers vse to tye two great stoones aboute them with a corde, on euery syde one, by the weyght wherof they descend to the bottome and remayne there vntyl them lysteth to ryse ageine: At which tyme they vnlose the stones, and ryse vppe at their pleasure. But this their aptenesse and agilitie in swimming, is not the thynge that causeth men moste to maruaile: But rather to consyder howe many of them can stande in the bot∣tome of the water for the space of one hole houre, and summe more or lesse, accordynge as one is more apte hereunto then an other. An other thynge there is whiche seemeth to me ve∣ry straunge. And this is, that where as I haue oftentymes demaunded of summe of these lordes of the Indians, if the place where they are accustomed to fy••••e for pearles beynge but lyttle and narrowe, wyll not in shorte tyme bee vtterly withowt oysters if they consume them so faste, they al answe∣red

me, that althoughe they bee consumed in one parte, yet if they go a fysshynge in an other parte or an other coaste of the Ilande, or at an other contrary wynd, and continue fysshing there also vntyll the oysters be lykewyse consumed, and then returne ageyne to the fyrste place, or any other place where they fysshed before and emptied the same in lyke maner, they find thē ageine as ful of oysters as though they had neuer bin fysshed.* 11.2 Wherby we may iudge that these oysters eyther re∣moue from one place to an other as do other fysshers, or elles that they are engendered and encrease in certeyne ordinarie places. This Iland of Cumana and Cubagua where they fyshe for these perles, is in the twelfe degree of the part of the said coaste which incline••h toward the North. Lykewise pearles are founde and gathered in the South sea cauled Mare del Sur. And the pearles of this sea are verye bygge. Yet not so bigge as they of the Ilande of pearles cauled de las perlas, or Marga∣ritea, whiche the Indians caule Terarequi, lyinge in the goulfe of saincte Michael, where greatter pearles are founde and of greater price then in any other coaste of the Northe sea, in Cumana, or any other parte. I speake this as a trewe testi∣monie of syght, hauyng byn longe in that South sea, and ma¦kynge curious inquisition to bee certenly informed of al that perteyneth to the fysshynge of pearles. From this Ilande of Tararequi,* 11.3 there was brought a pearle of the fasshyon of a peace, wayinge .xxxi. carattes, whiche Petrus Arias had a∣monge a thousande and soo many poundes weight of other pearles whiche hee had when capitayne Gaspar Morales (before Petrus Arias) passed to the saide Ilande in the yeare .1515. whiche pearle was of great prise. From the saide I∣lande also, came a great and verye rounde pearle, whiche I brought owte of that sea. This was as bygge as a smaule pellet of a stone bowe, and of the weight of .xxvi. cacattes. I bought it in the citie of Panama in the sea of Sur: And paide for it syxe hundreth and fyftie tymes the weyght therof of good gold, and had it thre yeares in my custodie: and after my returne into Spaine, soulde it to therle of Nansao Marquesse of Zenete, great chamberleyne to yowre maiestie, who gaue it to the Marquesse his wyfe, the ladye Mentia of Mendozza. I thyncke verely that this pearle was the greatest, fayrest, and roundest that hath byn seene in those partes. For yowre

maiestie owght to vnderstande that in the coaste of the sea of Sur, there are founde a hundreth greate pearles rounde after the fasshyon of a peare, to one that is perfectely rounde and greate. This Ilande of Terarequi, which the Christians caule the Ilande of pearles, & other caule it the Ilande of floutes, is founde in the eyght degree on the southe syde of the firme lande in the prouince of golden Castyle or Beragua. And these are the coastes of the firme lande where pearles are founde euen vnto this day. I vnderstande also that there are pooles founde in the prouince and Ilandes of Cartageni••. And ••ence yowr maiestie appoynted me a gouernour and capytayne, I haue made further searche, and am aduertised that peatles are founde in dyuers other places as about the Iland of Gode¦go which lyeth ageynst the mouth of that porte of the Ilande of Carta••enia which the Indians caul Coro. The which Iland and porte, are on the North syde in the tenthe degree of the coastes of the firme lande.

¶ Of the familiaritie which certeyne of the Indians haue with the deuyll, and howe they receaue answere of hym of thynges to coome.

WHen the Indians begynne theyr batrayle, or go to any combat or attempte any other greate matter, they haue certeyne electe menne whom they reuerendely esteme and caule them Tequ••nas, whiche in theyr tonge is as muche to saye as masters. Notwithstandynge that they caule euery man that is cunnynge in any science, by the same name, as fysshers, foulers, hunters, or makers of nettes. These Tequinas therfore, they caule the masters of theyr aun••weres by¦cause they speake with Tuyra, that is th•• deuyll, and brynge them aunswere what he saythe, eyther as touchynge suche thynges as they haue to doo or shall chaunce to them the day folowynge, or many dayes to coome. For the deuyll beinge so auncient an Astronomer, knowethe the tymes of thynges and seeth howe they are naturally directed and inclin••d. And makethe theym beleue that they come so to passe by his ordy∣naunce, as though he were the lorde and mouer of all that is and shalbe: And that he gyueth the day lyght and ••ayne: cau¦seth

tempest and ruleth the stations of tymes, gyuyng lyfe or takynge awaye lyfe at his pleasure. By reason wherof, the Indians being deceaued of hym, and seing also such effectes to coome certeynely to passe as he hath tolde them before, be∣leue hym in all other thynges and honoure hym in many pla∣ces with sacrifyces of the bludde and liues of men and odori∣ferous spices. And when god disposeth the contrary to that whiche the deuell hath spoken in oracle wherby he is proued a lyer, he causeth the Taquin••s to perswade the people that he hath chaunged his mynde and sentence for summe of their synnes, or deuiseth summe suche lye as lyketh hym beste, be∣ynge a skylfull maister in suche subtile and craftie deuises to deceyue the symple and ignorant people whiche hath smaule defence against so mighty and craftie an aduersarie. And as they caule the deuell Tuyra, so doo they in many places caule the Christians by the same name, thynkyng that they greatly honoure them therby, as in deede it is a name very feete and agreable to many of them, hauynge layde aparte all honestie and vertue, lyuynge more lyke dragons then men amonge these symple people.

Before thinhabitauntes of the Ilande of Hispaniola had re∣ceaued the Christian faithe there was amonge them a secte of men whiche liued solytarily in the desertes and wooddes and ledde their lyfe in sylence and abstinence more straightly then euer dyd the phylosophers of Pythagoras secte, absteinyng in lyke maner from the eatyng of al thynges that liue by bludde contented onely with suche fruites, herbes, and rootes as the desertes and wooddes mynistred vnto them to eate. The pro∣fessours of this secte were cauled Piaces. They gaue them sel∣ues to the knowleage of naturall thynges, and vsed certeine secreate magicall operations and superstitions wherby they had familiaritie with spirites whiche they allured into theyr owne bodyes at suche tymes as they wolde take vppon them to tell of thynges to coome, whiche they dyd in maner as fo∣loweth. When any of the k••nges had occasyon to caule any of them owte of the desertes for this purpose, their custome was to sende them a portion of their fyne breade of Caxabbi or M••azium, and with humble requeste and sute to desyre them to tell them of suche thynges as they woulde demaunde. After the request graunted and the place and daye appoynted, the

Plari coometh with twoo of his disciples waytynge on hym, wherof the one bryngeth with hym a vessell of a secreate wa∣ter, and the other a lyttle syluer bell. When he coommeth to the place, he sytteth downe on a rounde seate made for hym of purpose. Where hauynge his disciples the one standynge on the one hande and the other on the other euen in the pre∣sence of the kyng and certeyne of his nobles (for the common people are not admytted to these misteries) and turnynge his face toward the deserte, he begynneth his inchauntment and cauleth the spirit with loude voyce by certeyne names which no man vnderstandeth but he and his disciples. After he hath dooen thus a while, if the spirite yet deferre his coommyng, he drynketh of the sayde water, and therwith waxeth hotte and furious, and inuerteth and turneth his inchauntement, and letteth hym selfe bludde with a thorne, marueilously tur∣moylyng hym selfe as wee reade of the furious Sybilles not ceasynge vntyl the spirite bee coome: who at his coommyng entereth into hym and ouerthroweth hym as it weare a gre∣hounde shulde ouerturne a squerell. Then for a space, he see∣meth to lye as thoughe he were in great payne or in a rapte, wonderfully tormentynge hym selfe, durynge whiche agonie, the other disciple shaketh the syluer bell contynually. Thus when the agonie is paste and he lyeth quietly (yet withowte any sence or feelyng) the kynge or summe other in his steade, demaundeth of hym what he desyreth to knowe, and the spi∣rite answereth by the mouth of the rapte Piaces with a directe and perfecte answere to all poyntes. In so muche that on a tyme certeyne Spanyardes beynge presente at these mysteries with one of the kinges, and in the Spanyshe tounge demaun∣dynge the Piaces of their shyppes whiche they looked for owte of Spayne, the spirite answered in the Indian toonge, and toulde them what daye and houre the sh••ppes departed from Spayne, how many they were, and what they brought with∣owt faylynge in any poynte. If he be also demaunded of the eclypse of the soonne or moone (which they greatly feare and abhorre) he geueth a perfecte answere, and the lyke of tem∣pestes, famen, plentie, warre or peace, and suche other thin∣ges. When all the demaundes are fynysshed, his disciples caule hym aloude, rynging the syluer bell at his eare and blo∣wynge a certeyne pouder into his nosethrilles wherby he is

raysed as it we••e from a deadesscape beinge yet sumewhat heauy headed and faynt a good whyle afect. Thus beinge a∣geyne r••w••••••ded of t••••cky••ge with more breade, he departeth ageyne to the desert is with his disciples. But sence the Chri¦stian fayth hath byn disparsed throwghe owte the Ilande, these deuyll 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pr••ouses haue ceased, and they of the mem∣bers of the deuyll, are made the members of Chryste by bap∣tisme, forsakynge the deuyll and his workes, with the vaine curiositie o•• desyre of knowleage of thynges to coome, wher∣of for the most part it is better to be ignorant then with vex∣ation to knowe that which can not be auoyded.

Furthermore; in many places of the firme lande, when any of the kynges dye, all his housholde seruauntes, aswell women as men which haue continually serued hym, kyl them selues, beleauynge as they are taught by the deuyl Tuyra, that they which kyll them selues when the kynge dyeth, go with hym to heauen and seene hym in the same place and office as they dyd before on the earth whyle he lyued. And that all that refuse so to doo, when after they dye by theyr naturall death or otherwyse, theyr soules to dye with theyr bodyes and to bee dissolued into ayer and become nothynge us do the soules of hogges, byrdes, or fysshes or other brute beastes. And that only the other may enioy the priuileage of immorta¦litie for euer to serue the kynge in heauen. And of this false opinion commeth it that they which sowe corne or set rootes for the kynges breade, and gather the same, are accustomed to kyll them selues that they may enioy this priuileage in hea¦uen. And for the same purpose, cause a portion of the graine of Maizium and a bundle of Iucca (wherof theyr breade is made) to bee buryed with them in theyr graues that the same maye serue them in heauen if perhappes there shuld lacke seedes to sowe. And therfore they take this with them to begyn with all, vntyl Tuyra (who maketh them all these fayre promisses) prouyde them of greater quantitie. This haue I my selfe sene in the toppe of the mountaynes of Guaturo, where hauynge in pryson the kynge of that prouince (who rebelled from thobe∣dience of yowre maiestie) and demaundynge of hym to whom perteyned those sepultures or graues whiche I sawe in his hou••e, he answered that they were of certeyne Indians whi¦che ••••ewe them selues at the death of his father. And bycause

they are oftentymes accustomed to burye greate quantities of wrought golde with them, I caused twoo graues to bee ope∣ned, wherein was nothynge founde but a vessell full of the grayne of Maizium, and a bundell of Iucca as I haue sayde. And demaundyng the cause hereof of the kinge and the other Indians, they aunswered that they that were buryed there, were the labourers of the grounde, and men skylful in sow∣ynge of seedes and makynge of breade, and seruauntes to the kynges father. And to thende that theyr soules shoulde not dye with theyr bodyes, they slewe them selues at the deathe of the kynge theyr master to lyue with hym in heauen. And to thintent that they myght seene him there in the same office they reserued that Maizium and Iucca to sowe it in heauen.

Wherunto I aunswered them in this maner. Beholde howe your Tuyra deceaueth yowe? And howe all that he teacheth yow is false? Yowe see how in so long a tyme sence they are deade, they haue not yet taken awaye this Maizium and Iucca which is nowe putrified and woorth nothynge, and not lyke to bee sowen in heauen. To this the kynge replyed, sayinge. In that they haue not taken it away nor sowen it in heauen, the cause is that they chaunced to fynde enowgh there, by rea¦son wherof they had no neade of this. To this errour manye thynges were sayde which seemed of lyttle force to remoue hym from his false opinion, and especially any such as at that age are occupyed of the deuyll, whom they paynt of the selfe same forme and coloure as he appereth vnto theym in dyuers shapes and formes. They make also Images of golde, copper and woodde, to the same similitudes in terrible shapes and so variable as the paynters are accustomed to paynt them at the feete of saynte Mychaell tharchangell or in anye other place where they paynt them of most horrible portiture. Lykewyse when the deuyll greatly intendeth to feare theym, he threte∣neth to sende them great tempestes which they caule Fu••acanas or Haurachanas, and are so vehement that they ouerthrowe ma¦ny howses and great trees. And I haue seene in montaynes full of many and greate trees, th••t for the space of three quar¦ters of a league the m••untayne hathe byn subuerted and the trees ouer••hrowen and plucked owte of the earthe with the rootes: a thynge doubtelesse so fearefull and terryble to be∣hold, that it may verely appere to be doen by the hand of the

deuyll. And in this case the Christian men ought to consider with good reason, that in al places where the holy sacrament is reserued, the sayd tempestes are no more so owtragious, or so perelous as they were wonte to bee.

¶ Of the temperature of the regions vnder or neare to the burnt lyue cauled Torrida zona or the Equinoctiall: and of the dyuers seasons of the yeare.

THe landes and regions that are neare about the clymes of the Equinoctiall lyne, are naturally hotte, althowghe they bee otherwise tem∣perate by the diuine prouidence. And therfore suche flesshe or fyshe as is taken and kylled in these regions, can not bee preserued from pu∣trefaction except it be tosted, sodden, or perboylde, the same daye that it is kylde. And wheras I haue sayde that such re¦gions are naturally hot, and yet temperate by the prouidence of god, it is so in deede. And therfore not without cause the auncient autours were of opinion that the burnte lyne or Tor∣rida zona where passeth the lyne of the Equinoctiall, shulde be vnhabitable by reason the soonne hath greater dominion in that place then in any other of the sphere, remaynynge conti¦nually betwene the two tropykes of Cancer and Capricorne. For when in these regions the earth is opened or dygged frō the superficial parte therof to the depth of a mans heyght, it is founde temperate. And within this space, the trees and plantes fasten and spreade their rootes, and no dieper. Exten¦dynge the same as farre in breadth in the ground as do the••r braunches in the ayer: And enter no dieper into the grounde then I haue sayde, bycause that beneth the depth of the said space of a mans heyght, the earth is verye hotte, the vpp••r parte beinge temperate and verye moyste aswell by reason of thaboundaunce of water whiche fauleth from heauen vppon that earth at certeyne ordinarie seasons of the yeare, as also for the multitude of great ryuers, brokes, sprynges and ma∣rysshes, wherby the myghtie and supreme lorde which made the••e landes, hath moste prudently prouyded for the preser∣uation of the same.

R. E. As touchynge this poynt whiche was vnknowen to the owlde wryters, and withowt consideration wherof rea••on can not perfectly conceaue howe temperate regione shulde be vnder the Equinoctiall lyne. I haue thought good for the better manifestynge of this ••ecreate woorke of nature, to note owte of Cardanus his booke de Elementis, howe all waters haue theyr cour••e toward the South as to the lowest part of the earth. he wayteth therefore as foloweth. The water was made of lesse quantitie then the earth and only in maner in the superficiall parte therof, that place might bee lefte for the habitation of beastes, and that water by his could∣nesse myght temperate and not destroy the lyfe of beastes. And bi∣cause this generation of lyuynge creatures, was only necessary on the superficiall partes of the earth in comparison to the hole, ther∣fore was the water made to occupie onely the superficiall parte, in the which, metals, plantes, beastes, and fysshes shulde bee nury∣shed. And bycause there was great perell least it shulde be to much con••umed by the ayer and heate of the soonne, continuall mouinge was ioyned to it, wherby it gathereth cou••denes and is preserued from sodeyne resolution. For suche waters as doo not moue▪ doo soone putrifie, and are easely resolued into ayer. By reason wherof nature prouyded for the generation of water in cou••de places, as vn¦der the coles and mountaynes. And whereas the earth vnder the Equinoctiall shu••de otherwi••e for lacke of moyster haue bin to much burned and scorched▪ nature also prouyded that that parte of the earth shulde bee lowest, by reason wh••reof all waters haue theyr course towarde the South to mitigate with moyster thextremitie of heate which otherwise shulde haue byn intollerable in that c••yme. And by this reason, the famous ryuer of Nilus in Egypte, albeit it haue his originall and ••prynge, owt of the mountaynes of the mone cauled Montes Lunae nere vnto the cyrcle of Caprico••ne, yet run∣nynge with all his braunches vnder and beyonde the Equinoctiall cyrcle, ••t di••parseth throwgh owt the burnt line of Torrida ••ona, and by the same vyolent course fauleth into owre sea nere vnto the citie of Alexandria. It was necessary therfore that the greatest parte of the coulde and moyst element shulde haue recourse thyther and con¦syst there, wheras was the gr••atest necessitie therof to temper the heate of the soonne by moystynge and coolyn••e the earthe and the ayer, as vnder the Equinoctiall. And herewith also hath most pru¦dent nature prouyded for the securitie and preseruation of the pla∣ces lyinge betwene bothe thextremities of heate and colde, as be∣twene the poles and the Equinoctiall. For the waters flowynge e∣uer one wayes and k••pynge one course, no regions can be drowned by studdes: which thynge they well obserue that delyuer fieldes from inundations or ou••rflowynges, and that take in hande to drye vp marysshes It therfore waters had not theyr cour••e and faul to∣warde places low•• or declynynge, the hole casth shulde bee ouer∣flowne as a marrysshe And that the most declynynge parte shulde bee towarde the South, and sumwhat hygher about the poles, the cause is aswell the consumynge deare of the soonne in the South•• partes, as the preseruynge coulde of the hygh mountaynes nere to the poles. For we haue els where proued that heate consumeth and

wasteth as coulde gathereth and preserueth. And for this cause that parte of the earthe that is nearest the poles, is, was, and e∣uer shalbe highest, and likewise lowest in the middest furthest from the poles. And therfore it was not conuenient that the sonne shuld ••aue his course on euery syde, neither to the poles. For if it weare ••••ryed alyke to euery parte throughowt the worlde, it is necessary ••hat the earth bee equall: and by that reason shulde it eyther bee altogether dryed, or elles all ouerflowed with water. But where as this coulde not suffyce to the free course of ryuers for the often intercourse of higher places lyinge in the waye, whereby ouerflo∣wynges and stayes of wat••rs and their corruption myght ensue, mooste prouydent nature hath gyuen this priuileage to water that it maye so much ascende as it hath discended: that by his meanes passynge ouer mountaynes and hylles, it maye at the length bee ca∣ryed into the sea. &c. hytherto Cardanus, lette vs nowe returne to the historie.

There are also many roughe and hyghe mountaynes with temperate ayer and pleasaunt, cleare, and moderate nightes. Of the whiche particularitie the auncient writers hauyng no certeyne knowleage, affyrmed the said burnte lyne or Torrida zona, or Equinoctial to be naturally vnhabitable. As touching which thing I am able to witnesse the contrary by testimonie of syght and feelyng as by most certeine senses, hauyng liued many yeares in this regions, by reason wherof better credit ought to be giuen to me then to suche as haue grounded their opinion onely vpon coniectures. And to speake further of the sytuation of these regyons, yowe shall vnderstande that the coaste of the Northe sea, beynge in the goulfe of Vraba and in the porte of Dariena, where the shyppes arryue whiche coome owte of Spayne, is in the syxte degree and a halfe, and in the seuenth, and from syxe and a halfe vnto eyght, excepte a smaule pointe which entereth into the sea toward the North That pointe which of this land and new parte of the worlde lieth moste towarde the East, is the cape of saincte Augustine which is in the eight degree. So that the said goulfe of Vraba is distant from the Equinoctiall lyne, from a hundreth and twentie to a hundreth and thirtie leaques and three quarters of a leaque after thaccompte of .xvii. leaques and a h••lfe for euerye degree from pole to pole. And thus for a lyttle more or lesse, goeth all the coaste. By reason wherof, in the citie of Sancta Maria Antiqua in Dariena, and in all that course of the for∣sayde goulfe of Vraba, at all tymes of the yea••e the dayes and nyghtes are in maner of equall length. And if there bee any

dyfference betwene theym by reason of this smaule distance from the Equinoctial, it is so lyttle, that in .xxiiii. houres ma¦kynge a naturall daye, it canne not bee perceaued but by the iudgement of speculatiue men and suche as vnderstande the sphere. From hense the North starre is seene very lowe And when the starres which are cauled the wardens of the north starre, are vnder the chariotte, it can not bee seene, bycause it is vnder the horisontal. And whereas I haue sayde beefore that it rayneth in these regions at certeyne ordinarie tymes, it is so in deede. For it is wynter and summer there at con∣trary tymes to that whiche is in Spayne, where the greateste coulde of froste and rayne is in December and Ianuary: And the greatest heate of sommer aboute saynt Iohannes daye at mydsommer or in the moneth of Iuly. But in golden Castile or Beragua, it is contrary. For the sommer and tyme of grea∣test drowght and withowt rayne, is at Chrystmas and a mo∣neth before and a moneth after. And the tyme when it ray∣neth most, is about midsommer and a moneth before and a mo¦neth after. And this season whiche they caule wynter, is not for that it is any coulder then, then at any other tyme of the yeare, or hotter at Christmas then at other seasons, the tyme in these regions being euer after one maner, but for that that in this tyme which they caule wynter, the soonne is hyd from theyr syghtes by reason of cloudes and rayne more then at o∣ther tymes. Yet forasmuch as for the moste parte of the yeare they lyue in a cleare, open, and temperate ayer, they sumwhat shrynke and feele a lyttle coulde durynge the tyme of the said moist and cloudy ayer, althowgh it bee not coulde in deede, or at the least suche coulde as hath any sensible sharpenes.

¶ Of dyuers particular thynges, as woormes, ser∣pentes, beastes, foules, trees, &c.

MAny other thynges myght be sayde, & much differyng from these wherof I haue spoken. But to lette passe the multitude of thynges whiche are as variable as the power of na∣ture is infinite, and to speake of suche thyn∣ges as coome chiefely to my rememberaunce as mooste woorthy to be noted, I wyll fyrste

speake of terteyne lyttle and troubelous beastes whiche may•• seeme to bee engendered of nature to molest and vexe menne, to shewe them and gyue them to vnderstand howe smaul and vyle a thynge may offende and disquiete them, to thende that they maye remember the pryncipall ende for the whiche they were created, that is, to knowe theyr maker and procurer of theyr saluation by the waye whiche is open to all Christian men and all other whiche wyll open the eyes of theyr vnder∣standynge. And although the thynges whereof wee entende nowe to speake may seeme vyle and lyttle to bee esteemed, yet are they woorthy to bee noted and consydered to vnderstand the difference and variable woorkes of nature. So it is ther¦fore, that whereas in many partes of the firme lande by the which aswell the Christians as Indians doo trauel, there are such marysshes and waters in the way that they are fayne to go withowt breeches amonge the herbes and weedes, by rea¦son wherof, certeyne smaule beastes or woormes (which they caule Garapates) much lyke vnto tykes, cleaue fast to theyr leg∣ges. These wormes are as little as the pouder of beaten salt: And cleaue so fast that they can by no meanes be taken away except the place bee noynted with oyle. And after that the legges bee noynted awhyle with oyle, or the other partes where these lyttle tykes are fastened, they scrape the place with a knyfe and so take them away. But the Indi••ns whi¦che haue no oyle, smoke them and burne them with fyer, and abyde great peynes in takynge them awaye by this meanes. Of other lyttle beastes which trouble men and are engende∣in theyr heades or other p••rtes of theyr bodies, I saye that the Christian men which trauell into these partes, haue them but seldome tymes, and that not past one or two, and this al¦so very seldome. For passynge by the lyne of the Diameter where the compasse makethe difference of saylynge by the wynde cauled Greco, (that is North East) and Magistral, (that is south west) which is in the course of the Ilandes of Azori, they sayle but a lyttle way folowing owre vyage by the west, but that all the ly••e which the Christians cary with them, or are engendered in theyr heades or other places of theyr bo∣dies, dye and vtterly consume by lyttle and lyttle, and are not engendered in India excepte in the heades of lyttle chyl∣dren in those partes aswel amonge the chyldren of the Chri∣stians

which are borne there, as also amonge the natural In∣dians who haue theym commonly in theyr heades and sume∣tymes in other partes of theyr bodyes, and especially they of the prouince of Cueua, which is a region conteynynge more then a hundreth leaques in length, and embraseth the one and the other coast of the North sea and of the East. When these Indians are infected with this fylthynesse, they dresse and clense one an other. And they that exercise this, are for th•• moste parte women who eate all that they take: And haue herein such dexteritie by reason of theyr exercise, that owre men can not lyghtly atteyne th••runto. There is also another thynge greatly to bee consydered. And this is how the Chri¦stian men beinge there cleane frome this fylthynes of India, aswell in theyr heades as the reste of theyr bodyes, yet when they returne to coomme ageyne into Europe and begyn to ar∣ryue in that place of the Ocean sea where wee sayde befor•• that the lyse dyed and forsoke them, suddenly in theyr repas∣synge by the same clyme (as thoughe the lyse had taryed for them in that place) they can by no meanes auoyde theym for the ••pace of certeyne dayes although they change theyr sher∣tes two or three tymes in a day. These lyse are at the fyrste as lyttle as nyttes, and growe by lyttle and lyttle vntyl they bee of the byggenesse that they are in Spayne. This haue I often tymes proued, hauynge nowe foure tymes pa••••ed the Ocean sea by this vyage.

Besyde these woormes and vermyn wherof we haue spo∣ken, there is another lyttle mischeuous woorme, whiche we may number amonge the kyndes of f••eas, This pestilence the Indians caul Nigua:* 11.4 And is much lesse then a flea. It perse••h the fleshe of a man, and so launseth or cutteth the same (while in the meane tyme it can nother bee seene nor taken) that frō sume it hath cutte of theyr handes, and from other theyr fiete vntyll the remedy was founde to annoynt the place with oyle and scrape it with a rasoure.

In the firme lande in golden Castyle or Beragua, there are many vypers lyke vnto them of Spayne.* 11.5 They that a••e byt∣ten of them, dye in short space. For fewe lyue to the fourthe day except present remedy. Of these, sume are of a le••••e k••nd then other: And haue theyr tayle sumwhat rounde, and leape in the ayer to assayle men. And for this cause, sume caule

this kynde of vypers Tyro. Theyr bytyng is most venemous, and for the moste parte incurable. One of theym chaunced to byte an Indian mayde whiche serued me in my house, to whome I caused the surgians to mynister theyr ordinarye cure, but they coulde doo her no good, nor yet get one droppe of bludde owt of her, but only a yelowe water, so that shee died the thyrd day for lacke of remedy as the like hath chaun¦ced to dyuers other. This mayde was of thage of .xiiii. yeares and spoke the Spanysshe toonge as yf shee had byn borne in Castyle. Shee sayde that the vyper whiche bytte her on the foote, was two spannes longe or lyttle le••se. And that to byte her shee lepte in the ayer for the space of more then syxe pases, as I haue harde the lyke of other credible persons.

I haue also seene in the firme lande, a kynde of adders very smaule and of seuen or eyght foote longe.* 11.6 These are so redde that in the nyght they appeare lyke burnynge cooles, and in the day seeme as redde as bludde. These are also vene¦mous, but not so much as the vypers. There are other much lesse and shorter and blacker. These coome owt of the ryuers and wander sumtymes farre on the lande, and are lykewyse venemous. There are also other adders of a russet coloure. These are sumwhat bygger then the vypers, and are hurtful and venemous. There are lykewyse an other sorte of manye coloures and very longe. Of these I sawe one in the yeare of Christ 1515. in the Iland of Hispaniola nere vnto the sea costes at the foote of the mountaynes cauled Pedernales. When this adder was slayne, I measured her and founde her to be more then .xx. foote longe, and sumwhat more then a mans fyst in byggenes. And althoughe she hadde three or foure deadely woundes with a swoorde, yet dyed shee not nor stoonke the same daye, in so much that her bludde continued warme all that tyme. There are also in the marysshes and desertes of the firme lande many other kyndes of lysertes, dragons,* 11.7 and other dyuers kyndes of serpentes wherof I entende not here to speake much, bycause I haue more particulerly entreated of these thynges in my generall historie of the Weste Indyes.

There are also spiders of marueylous bygnessse.* 11.8 And I haue seene summe with the body and legges, bygger then a mannes hande extended euery waye, And I ones sawe one of suche bygnesse, that onely her bodye was as bygge as a

sparowe, and full of that laune wherof they make their web∣bes. This was of a darke russette coloure, with eyes greates then the eies of a sparow. They are venemous and of terrible shape to beholde. There are also scorpions and dyuers other suche venemous wormes. Wherby we maye see, that where as natural causes and influence of the planettes are of stron∣gest actiuitie, they cease not to engender and brynge foorthe bothe good and badde accordynge to the disposytion of the matter, whiche they also doo partely dispose as the phyloso¦phers affyrme.

Furthermore in the fyrme lande, there are manye toades beyng very noyous and hurteful by reason of their great mul∣titude. They are not venemous. They are seene in greate a∣boundance in Dariena where they are so bygge that when they dye in the time of drouth, the bones of sum of them (and espe∣cially the rybbes) are of suche greatnesse that they appere too bee the bones of cattes or of summe other beastes of the same byggenesse. But as the waters dyminishe and the moysture ••onsumeth in the tyme of drouth (as I haue sayde) they also consume therwith vntyll the yeare nexte folowing when the rayne and moysture increase, at whiche tyme they are seene a∣geyne. Neuerthelesse, at this present, there is no such quan∣titie of them as was wonte to bee, by reason that as the land is better cultured by the Christians, as well by the fellynge of wooddes and shrubb••s as also by the pasture of kine, horses, and other beastes, so is it apparent that this poyson dimini∣sheth dayly, wherby that regyon becometh more holsome and pleasaunt. These toades synge after three or foure sortes. For summe of them synge pleasauntly: other, lyke owres of Spayne. Summe also whistle: and other summe make an o∣ther maner of noyse. They are lykewyse of dyuers colours: as summe greene, summe russette or grey, and summe almost blacke. But of all sortes, they are great, and fylthye, and noyous by reason of their great multitude: yet are they not venemous as I haue sayde.

There are also a straunge kynde of crabbes,* 11.9 whiche coome foorthe of certeyne holes of the earth that they them selues make. The head and bodye of these, make one rounde thing muche lyke vnto the hoode of a fawkon: hauynge foure feete commyng owt of the one syde and as many owt of the other.

They haue also two mouthes like vnto a paire of smaule pin∣sers, the one bygger then the other, wherwith they byte, but do no great hurte bycause they are not venemous. Their skyn and bodye is smoothe and thynne as is the skynne of a man, sauynge that it is sumwhat harder. Their colour is russette or white, or blewe, and walke sydelonge. They are very good to bee eaten: In so muche that the Christians trauayling by the fyrme lande, haue byn greatly nurysshed by them bycause they are founde in maner euery where. In shape and forme, they are muche lyke vnto the crabbe which we paynte for the sygne Cancer, and like vnto those which are found in Spaine in Andalusia in the ryuer Guadalchiber where it entereth into the sea, and in the sea coastes therabout, sauynge that these are of the water and the other of the lande. They are sumtymes hurtefull, so that they that eate of them dye. But this chaun∣ceth onely when they haue eaten any venemous thyng, or of the venemous apples wherwith the Canibale archers poyson their arrowes wherof I wyll speake hereafter. And for this cause the Christians take hede howe they eate of these crab∣bes if they fynde them neare vnto the sayd apple trees.

Furthermore in these Indies, aswell in the fyrme lande as in the Ilandes, there is founde a kynde of serpentes, which they caule Y. V. anas, which summe caule Iuannas.* 11.10 These are terrible and fearefull to syght, and yet not hurtefull. They are very delicate to bee eaten, and it is not yet knowen whe∣ther they be beastes of the lande or fyshes, bycause they lyue in the water, and wander in the woddes and on the lande. They haue foure feete, and are commonly bigger then connies and in summe places bygger then otters, with tayles lyke li∣sartes or eutes. Their skynne is spotted, and of the same kynd of smothnesse or barenesse, although of dyuers colours. Upon the ridge of their backes, they haue many long prickes. Theyr teeth•• are very sharpe, and especially theyr fanges or dogge teeth. Their throtes are longe and large, reachynge from their bea••des to their breastes, of the lyke skynne to the resydewe of their bodyes. They are dumme, and haue no voyce or make any noyse or crye although they bee kepte tyde to the foote of a cheste or any other thynge for the space of .xx. or .xxv. dayes withowt any thyng to eate or drynke, excepte they gyue them nowe and then a lyttle of the breade

of Cazabbi, or summe such other thyng. They haue foure feete, and their fore feete as longe as a mans fynger with clawes lyke the clawes of a byrde, but weaker, and suche as can not grasple or take holde of any thynge. They are muche better to bee eaten then to beholde. For fewe that see them, wyll haue desyre to eate of them, by reason of their horrible shape excepte suche as haue byn accustomed to the beastes of these regyons, whiche are more horrible and fearefull, as this is not but onely in apparence. Their fleshe is of much better tast then the fleshe of connyes and more holsome. For it hurteth none but onely such as haue had the frenshe poxe. In so much that if they haue onely byn touched of that infyrmitie, al∣though they haue byn hole of longe tyme, neuerthelesse they feele hurte and complayne of the eatynge of these Iuannas, as hath byn often tymes proued by experience.

There are founde in the fyrme lande certeyne byrdes so lyt∣tle that the hole body of one of theym is no bygger then the toppe of the byggest fynger of a mans hande:* 11.11 and yet is the hare body withowt the fethers not paste halfe so bygge. This byrde, besyde her lyttlenes,* 11.12 is of such velocitie and swyftnes in flying that who so seeth her sleing in the ayer, cā not se her flap or beate her winges after any other sort then do the dor¦res or hūble bees or betels: so that there is no man that see••h her flie, that wold think her to be any other thē a dorre. They make their nestes accordyng to the proportiō of their b••gnes. And I haue scene that one of these byrdes with her nest put in a paire of gold weights, altogether hath ward no more thē ii. Tomini, which are in poise .24. grams, with the fethers w••th out the which she shulde haue wayed sumwhat le••se. And do••bt lesse when I consider the fynenesse of the clawes and feete of these birdes, I knowe not whervnto I may better liken them then to the lyttle byrdes whiche the lymmers of bookes are accustomed to paynte on the margentes of churche bookes and other bookes of deuine seruice. Their fethers are of ma∣ny faire colours as golden yelowe and greene beside other va∣riable colours. Thei•• beake is verye longe for the proportion of theyr bodies: and as fyne and subtile as a sowyng nedle. They are very hardye: so that when they see a man clyme the tree whe••e they haue theyr nestes, they ••lye at hys face and stryke hym in the eyes, commyng, goynge, and retournynge

with such swyftnes, that no man wolde lightly beleue it that hath not seene it. And certenly these byrdes are so lyttle, that I durst not haue made mention hereof if it were not that di∣uers other which haue seene them as wel as I, can beare wit¦nes of my saying. They make their nestes of flockes and heare of cotten wherof there is great plentie in these regions, and serueth wel for theyr purpose. But as touchyng the byrdes, foules, and beastes of these Indies, bycause they are innume∣rable bothe lyttle and greate, I intende not to speake muche heare, bycause I haue spoken more largely hereof in my gene∣rall hystorye of the Indyes.

There is an other kynde of beastes seene in the firme land which seemed very straunge and marueilous to the Chrystian men to beholde,* 11.13 and muche differynge from all other beastes which haue byn seene in other partes of the worlde. These beastes are cauled Bardati:* 11.14 And are foure footed, hauing their raile and al the rest of theyr bodies couered onely with a skyn lyke the coperture of a barbed horse or the chekered skynne of a lysarte or Crocodyle, of coloure betwene whyte and russet, inclynynge sumwhat more to whyte. This beast, is of forme and shape much lyke to a barbed horse with his barbes and flankettes in all poyntes. And from vnder that which is the barbe and coperture, the tayle commeth foorth, and the feete in theyr place, the necke also and the eares in theyr partes, and in fyne all thynges in lyke sorte as in a barbed courser. They are of the bygnes of one of these common dogges. They are not hurtfull. They are fylthy, and haue theyr habitation in certen hillockes of earthe where digginge with there feete they make their dens very deepe & the holes therof in like ma¦ner as do connyes. They are verye excellent to be eaten, and are taken with nettes and sum also killed with crosbowes. They are lykewise taken often tymes when the husband men burie the stubble in sowyng time, or to renewe the herbage for kyne and other beastes. I haue often times eaten of their fleshe which semeth to me of better tast then kyddes fleshe, and hol∣some to be eaten. And if these beastes had euer byn seene in these partes of the woorlde where the first barbed horses had their original, no man wold iudge but that the forme and fas∣shion of the coperture of horses furnished for the warres was fyrste deuysed by the syght of these beastes.

There is also in the firme lande an other beaste cauled Or∣so Formigaro that is, the Ante beare.* 11.15 This beaste in heare and coloure, is much lyke to the beare of Spayne, and in maner of the same makynge saue that he hath a much longer snowt and is of euyll syght. They are often tymes taken only with slaues without any other weapon, and are not hurtful. They are also taken with dogges bycause they are not naturally ar∣med althowgh they byte sumwhat. They are founde for the moste parte about and neare to the hyllockes where are great abundaunce of antes.* 11.16 For in these regions is engendered a certeyne kynde of antes very lyttle and blacke, in the fyeldes and playnes where as growe no trees, where by thinstinct of nature these antes separate them selues to engender far from the wooddes for feare of these beares: The whiche bycause they are fearefull, vyle, and vnarmed (as I haue sayde) they keepe euer in places full of trees vntyll very famen and neces∣sitie, or the great desire that they haue to fiede of these antes, cause them to coomme owt of the wooddes to hunte for them. These antes make a hyllocke of earth to the heyght of a man, or sumwhat more or lesse, and as bygge as a great chest, and sumtymes as bygge as a butte or a hogges head, and as hard as a stone: So that they seeme as thoughe they were stones set vp to lymytte thendes and confines of certeyne landes.

Within these hyllockes made of most harde earth, are innu∣merable and infinite lyttle antes, the which may bee gathered by busshelles when the hyllocke is broken. The which when it is sumtymes moysted by rayne and then dryed ageyne by the heate of the soone, it breaketh and hath certeyne smaul ryftes as lyttle and subtyle as the edge of a knyfe. And it se∣meth that nature hath gyuen sense to these Antes to fynde such a matter of earth wherwith they may make the sayde hil¦locke of suche hardenes that it may seeme a stronge pauement made of lyme and stone. And wheras I haue proued and cau¦sed sum of them to bee broken, I haue founde theim of suche hardenes as if I had not seene I coulde not haue beleaued: In so muche that they coulde scarsely bee broken with pykes of Iren: So stronge fortresses doo these lyttle beastes make for theyr sauegarde ageynst theyr aduersarie the beare, who is chiefely nurysshed by them, and gyuen them as an enemie, accordynge to the common prouerbe which sayth, Non ••alcun••

persona filibera, a chim••nchi il suo Bargello: That is, there is no mā so fre that hath not his persecutour or pryuie enemie. And here whē I consyder the maruelous prouidence which nature hath gy∣uen to these lyttle boddies, I caule to remembraunce the wit¦tie sentence of Plinie, where speakyng of such lyttle beastes, he sayth thus. Why doo we maruayle at the towrebearynge shoulders of Elephantes, and not rather where nature hathe placed so many sences and suche industry in suche lyttle bod∣dies? where is hearynge, smellynge, seeinge, and feelynge, ye, where are the vaynes & arteries (without which no beaste can lyue or moue) in these so lyttle boddies whereof sume are so smaule that theyr hole boddies can scarsely be sene of owr eyes, what shall we then saye of the partes of the same? Yet euen amonge these are there many of such sagacitie and indu¦strye as the lyke is not seene in beastes of greater quantitie, no nor yet in man. &c. But to returne to the hystorie. This enemie which nature hath gyuen to these lyttle beastes, vseth this maner to assayle them. When he resortethe to the hyl∣locke where the antes lye hid as in theyr fortresse, he putteth his toonge to one of the ryftes wherof we haue spoken being as subtyle as the edge of a swoorde, and there with continu∣all lyckynge, maketh the place moyst, the fome and froth of his mouth beinge of such propertie that by continual lycking the place, it enlargeth the ryfte in such sort by lyttle and lyt¦tle, that at the length he easely putteth in his toonge whiche he hath very longe and thynne, and much disproportionate to his bodye. And when he hath thus made free passage for his toonge into the hyllocke to put it easely in and owt at his pleasure, then he thrusteth it into the hole as farre as he can reache, and so letteth it reste a good space vntyl a great quan¦titie of the antes (whose nature reioyseth in heate and moy∣ster) haue laden his tonge and as many as he can conteyne in the holownesse therof: at which tyme he suddeynly draweth it into his mouth and eateth them, and returneth ageyne to the same practise immediatly vntyl he haue eaten as manye as hym lysteth, or as longe as he can reache any with his tonge. The flesshe of this beaste, is fylthy and vnsauery. But by rea¦son of thextreme shyftes and necessitie that the Christian men were put to at theyr fyrst commynge into these partes, they were inforced to proue al thynges and so fel to theatyng of

these beastes. But when they had founde more delycate mea∣tes, they fell into hatred with this. These antes haue thap∣peraunce of the place of theyr enteraunce into the hyllocke, vnder the grounde. And this at so lyttle a hole that it could hardely be founde yf certeyne of them were not seene to passe in and owt. But by this way the beares coulde haue no such poure to hurte them as aboue at the sayde ryftes as I haue sayde. There is an other strange beaste whiche by a name of contrary effecte,* 11.17 the Spanyardes caule Cagnuolo leggiero, that is the lyght dogge, wheras it is one of the sloweste beastes in the worlde, and so heauy and dull in mouynge that it canne scarsely go fyftie pases in a hole day. These beastes are in the firme lande, and are very straunge to beholde for the dispro∣portion that they haue to all other beastes. They are abowte two spannes in length when they are growne to theyr full byggenesse. But when they are very younge, they are sume∣what more grosse then longe. They haue foure subtyle fiete, and in euery of them foure clawes lyke vnto byrdes, and ioy∣ned togyther. Yet are nother theyr clawes or theyr fiete able to susteyne theyr bodyes from the grounde. By reason wher∣of and by the heauynesse of theyr boddies, they drawe theyr bellyes on the grounde. Theyr neckes are hygh and streyght and all equall lyke the pestle of a morter, which is altogyther equall euen vnto the toppe withowt makynge any proporti∣on or similitude of a headde, or any dyfference excepte in the noddle. And in the toppes of theyr neckes, they haue verye rounde faces much lyke vnto owles: And haue a marke of theyr owne heare after the maner of a cyrcle whiche makethe theyr faces seeme sumwhat more longe then large. They haue smaule eyes and rounde: And nostrylles lyke vnto munkeys. They haue lyttle mouthes, and moue theyr neckes frome one syde to an other as thoughe they were astonysshed. Theyr chiefe desyre and delyte is to cleaue and stycke faste vnto trees or sume other thynge whereby they may clyme alofte. And therfore for the moste parte, these beastes are founde vppon trees whervnto cleauynge fast, they mounte vp by lyttle and lyttle, steyinge them selues by theyr longe clawes. The co∣loure of theyr heare, is betwene russet and whyte, and of the proper coloure of the heare of a wesell. They haue no tayles, and theyr voyce is much dyfferynge frome other beastes: for

they synge onely in the nyght: And that continually frome tyme to tyme syngynge euer syxe notes one hygher then an o∣ther, so faulynge with the same that the fyrste note is the hyghest and the other in a baser tewne as yf a man shuld say La, sol, fa, mi, re, vt. So this beast sayth, Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ha. And doubtelesse, it seemeth vnto me, that as I haue sayde in the chapiter of the beaste cauled Bardari, that those beastes might bee thoriginall and document to imbarbe horses, euen so the fyrste inuenture of musycke myght seeme by the hearynge of this beast to haue the fyrst principles of that scyence rather then by any other thynge in the worlde. But nowe to returne to the hystorie: I say that in a shorte space after this beaste hath soonge and hath paused a whyle, she returneth ageyne to the selfe same songe, and doth this only in the nyght and not in the day. By reason wherof and also bycause of her e∣uyll syght, I thynke her to bee a nyght beaste and the frende of darkenesse. Sumtymes the Christian menne fynde these beastes and brynge theym home to theyr howses, where also they creepe all abowte with theyr naturall slowenesse, in so much that nother for threatenynge or pryckynge they wyll moue any faster then theyr natural and accustomed pase. And yf they fynde any trees, they creepe thyther immediatly, and mounte to the toppe of the hyghest braunche thereof, where they remayne continually for the space of eyght, or tenne, or twentie dayes without eatynge of any thinge as farre as any man can iudge. And wheras I my selfe haue kepte theym in my house, I coulde neuer perceaue other but that they lyue onely of ayer. And of the same opinion are in maner all men of those regions, bycause they haue neuer scene them eate any thynge, but euer turne theyr heades and mouthes towarde that parte where the wynde b••oweth most: whereby may bee consydered that they take moste pleasure in the ayer. They byte not, nor yet can byte, hauyng very lyttle mouthes. They are not venemous or noyous any way: but altogyther brutishe and vtterly vnprofytable and without commoditie yet know∣en to men, sauynge onely to moue theyr myndes to contem∣plate thinfinite poure of god, who delyteth in the varietie of creatures, wherby appeareth the poure of his incomprehen∣sible wisedome and maiestie so farre to excede the capacitie of mans vnderstandynge.

In these regions there are likewise found certeyne foules or byrdes which the Indians caule Alcatraz.* 11.18* 11.19 These are much bygger then geese. The greatest parte of theyr fethers are of russet coloure, and in sume partes yelowe. Theyr bylles or beakes are of two spannes in length and verye large neare to the heade, and growynge smaule towarde the poynte. They haue greate and large throtes: And are much lyke to a foule which I sawe in Flaunders in Brusselles in yowre maiesties pallaice which the Flemynges caule Haina. And I remember that when yowr maiestie dyned one day in yowre great haule there was brought to yowre maiesties presence a chauderne of water with certeyne fysshes alyue, which the sayde foule did eate vp hole. And I thynke verely that that foule was a foule of the sea bycause shee had fiete lyke foules of the water as haue also these Alcatrazi, which are likewyse foules of the sea: and of such greatnesse that I haue seene a hole cote of a man put into the throates of one of theym in Panama in the yeare 1521. And forasmuch as in that coaste of Panama,* 11.20 there pas∣seth and flyeth a greate multitude of these Alcatrazi beinge a thynge very notable, I wyll declare the maner hereof as not onely I, but also dyuers other nowe presente in yowre ma∣iesties courte haue often tymes seene. Yowre maiestie shall therfore vnderstande that in this place (as I haue sayde be∣fore) the sea or Sur ryseth and fauleth two leagues and more from syxe houres to syxe houres: so that when it increaseth, the water of the sea arryueth so neare to the houses of Panama as doth owre sea (cauled Mare Mediteraneum) in Barzalona or in Naples. And when the sayd increasyng of the sea commeth, there commeth also therwith such a multitude of the smaule fysshes cauled sardynes, that it is so marueylous a thynge to beholde, that no man wolde beleue it that hath not seene it. In so much that the Cacique, (that is) the kynge of that land at such tyme as I dwelt there, was bounde dayly as he was commaunded by yowre maiesties gouernour, to brynge ordy∣naryly three canoas or barkes full of the sayde sardynes and to vnlade the same in the markette place, whiche were after∣warde by the ruler of the citie diuyded amonge the Christian men without any coste or charge to any of them. In so much that yf the people had bin a much greater multitude then they were, and as many as are at this presente in Toledo or more,

and had none other thynge to lyue by, they myght haue byn sufficiently susteyned by these sardynes, bysyde thouerplus which shulde haue remayned. But to returne to the foules wherof we haue spoken. As the sea commeth, and the sar∣dynes with the same, euen so lykewyse coome the sayde Alca∣trazzi therwith: and flye continually ouer it in suche a multy∣tude, that they appeare to couer thupper parte or floure of the water. And thus continue in mountynge and faulynge from the ayer to the water, and from the water to the ayer du¦rynge all the tyme of theyr fysshynge. And as soone as they haue taken any of these sardynes, they flye aboue the water and eate them incontinently, and suddeynly returne ageyne to the water for more, continuing thus course by course with owt ceasynge. In lyke maner when the sea fauleth, they fo¦lowe there fysshynge as I haue sayde. There goethe also in the company of these foules, an other kynde of foules cauled Coda inforcata, (that is) the forked tayle, whereof I haue made mention before. And as soone as the Alcatraz mounteth from the water with her pray of the sardynes, suddeynly this Coda inforcata gyueth her so many strokes, and so persecuteth her, that shee causeth her to let faule the sardynes which shee hath in her mouth. The which as soone as they are faulne, and be¦fore they yet touch the water, the Coda inforcata catcheth them euen in the faule, in suche sorte that it is a great pleasure to beholde the combatte betwene them all the daye longe. The number of these Alcatrazzi is such, that the Chrystian menn•• are accustomed to send to certeyne Ilandes and rockes which are neare abowte Panama, with theyr boates or barkes to tak•• these Alcatrazzi whyle they are yet younge and can not flye: and kyll as many of them with staues as they wyll, vntyll they haue therwith laden theyr barkes or canoas. These younge ones are so fatte and wel fedde that they can not bee eaten. And are taken for none other intent but only to make grease for candels to burne in the nyght, for the whiche pur∣pose it serueth very well: and gyueth a cleare lyght, and bur¦neth easely. After this maner and for this purpose, innume∣rable of them are kylde. And yet it seemeth that the number of them that fysshe for sardynes doo dayly increase

There are other foules cauled Passere sempie:* 11.21 that is, simple sparowes. These are sumwhat lesse then semewes: and haue

theyr fiete lyke vnto great malardes: And stande in the wa∣ter sumtymes. And when the shyppes sayle fyftie or a hun∣dreth leaques abowte the Ilandes, these foules beholdynge the shyppes commyng towarde them, breake theyr flyght and faule downe vpon the sayle yardes, mastes, and cables therof. And are so simple and folyshe that they tary vntyll they maye easely be taken with mens handes, and were therefore cauled of the maryners simple sparowes. They are blacke, and vp∣pon their blacke, haue theyr headde and shoulders of fethers of a darke russet coloure. They are not good to bee eaten, al∣thowgh the mariners haue sumtimes bin inforced to eate thē.

There is an other kynde of byrdes in the fyrme lande, which the Christians caule Picuti,* 11.22 bycause they haue very great beakes in respecte of the lyttlenesse of theyr boddies: For theyr beakes are very heauy and waye more then theyr hole boddyes bysyde. These byrdes are no bygger then quayles, but haue a much greater bushement of fethers, in so much that theyr fethers are more then theyr boddies. Theyr fethers are very fayre and of many variable coloures. Theyr beakes are a quarter of a yarde in length or more, and bendynge downe towarde the earthe, and three fyngers brode neare vnto the heade. Theyr tonges are very quilles, wherwith they make a greate hyssynge. They make holes in trees with theyr bea∣kes, in the which they make theyr nestes. And surely these byrdes are maruelous to beholde for the great difference whi∣che they haue from all other byrdes that I haue seene, aswel for theyr toonges (which are quylles as I haue sayde) as also for the strangenesse of theyr syght and disproportion of their greate beakes in respect of the rest of theyr boddies. There are no byrdes founde that prouyde better for the safegarde of theyr younge in the tyme of theyr breedynge to bee withowte daunger of wylde cattes that they enter not into theyr nestes to destroye theyr egges or younge. And this aswell by the straunge maner of buyldyng theyr nestes, as also by theyr owne defence. And therfore when they perceaue that the cat∣tes approche towarde them, they ente•• into theyr nestes: and holdynge theyr beakes towarde thenteraunce of the same, stande at theyr defence, and so vexe the cattes that they cause them to leaue theyr enterpryse.

There are also other byrdes of sparowes, whiche the

Christians by contrary effect caule Matti, that is fooles. Wher¦as neuerthelesse there is no byrde that sheweth more wyt and crafte in defendynge her younge from perell.* 11.23 These byrdes are lyttle and in maner blacke, and sumewhat bygger then owre thrusshes. They haue certeyne whyte fethers in theyr neckes, and the lyke sagacitie or sharpenes of sense as haue the byrdes or pyes cauled Gazzuole. They seldome tymes light vppon the earth. They make theyr nestes in trees separated from other, bycause the wylde cattes (cauled Mammoni) are ac¦customed to leape frome tree to tree, not descendynge to the grounde for feare of other beastes, excepte when they are en¦forced by thyrste to coomme downe to drynke at suche tymes as they are sure not to bee molested. And for this cause doo not these byrdes make theyr nestes but in trees farre diuyded from other. They make them of a cubette in length or more, after the maner of bagges or lyttle sackes, large at the bot∣tome, and growynge narower and narower towarde the mouth whereby they are fastened: hauynge the hole whereat they enter into the sacke, of such byggenes as may onely suf¦fice to re••eaue them. And to thende that the cattes maye not deuoure theyr younge yf they chaunce to mounte vppon the trees where they haue theyr nestes, they vse an other crafte, which is, to make theyr nestes in thycke braunches of trees, and to defende the same with sharpe and stronge thornes im∣plycate and set in such order that no man is able to make the lyke. So that the cattes can by no meanes put theyr legges into the hole of the neste to take owte the younge byrdes, as∣well for the sharpenes of the thornes as also for the depth of the nestes, in the bottome wherof, the younge birdes rest with owt daunger of theyr enemie. For sum of theyr nestes beynge three or foure spannes in lengthe, the legge of the catte can not reache to the bottome therof. They vse also an other pol¦licie: which is, to make many of theyr nestes in one tree. The which they doo for one of these two causes: that is, that ey∣ther of theyr owne naturall disposition they are accustomed to go in great multitudes, & reioyse in the company of theyr owne generation as do the byrdes which we caule stares, or elles to thintent that yf it shoulde so chaunce that the cattes shulde clyme the trees where they make theyr nestes, they might bee a greater company to resyste and molest the cattes,

at whose approch they make a feareful and terrible cry, wher¦by the cattes are put to flyght.

Furthermore, in the firme land, and in the Ilandes, there are certeyne byrdes cauled Piche or Gazzuole,* 11.24 sumewhat lyke vnto those which we caule woodwaules, or woodpeckes, be∣inge lesse then owrs of Spayne. These are altogither blacke, and go hoppynge and leapyng. Theyr beakes are also blacke and of the same fasshyon as are the popingiays beakes. They haue longe tayles, and are sumwhat bygger then s••ares.

There are other byrdes cauled Pintadelli,* 11.25 whiche are lyke vnto certeyne greene byrdes whiche the Italyans caule Frin∣guelli: and are of seuen coloures. These byrdes for feare of the cattes, are euer woonte to make theyr nestes ouer the bankes of ryuers or the sea, where the braunches of trees so reache ouer the water that with a lyttle weyght they maye bowe downe to the water. Theyr nestes are made so neare the top∣pes of the braunches that when the cattes coome theron, the braunches bende towarde the water, and the cattes turne backe ageyne for feare of faulynge. For althoughe no beaste in the worlde bee more malicious then this, yet whereas the moste parte of beastes are naturally inclyned to swymme, this catte hath no maner of aptenesse thereunto, and is therefore soone drowned or strangeled in the water, and by a pryuie sense of nature feareth the daunger which he can not escape. These byrdes make theyr nestes in suche sorte, that althowgh they bee weete and fylled with water, yet doo they so sudden¦ly ryse vp ageyne, that the younge byrdes are not thereby hurte or drowned.

There are also many nyghtyngales and other byrdes whi¦che synge maruelously with great melodie and dyfference in syngynge. These byrdes are of maruelous dyuers coloures the one from the other. Sum are altogither yelowe, and sum other of so excellente, delectable, and hyghe a coloure as it weare a rubye. Other are also of dyuers and variable co∣loures: sum of fewe coloures, and other sume all of one co∣loure: beinge all so fayre and bewtifull, that in bryghtnesse and shynynge they excell all that are seene in Spayne, or Ita∣ly or other prouinces of Europe. Many of these are taken with nettes, lyme twygges, and sprynges of dyuers sortes.

Dyuers other sortes of greate foules lyke vnto Eagles,* 11.26

and suche other as lyue of pray, are founde in the firme lande of suche diuersitie, that it is in maner impossible to descrybe them all particularly. And forasmuche as I haue more large¦ly intreated hereof in my generall hystorie of the Indies, I thynke it not requysite here to make anye further mention of the same.

¶ Of trees, fruites, and plantes.

THere is bothe in the firme lande and the Ilan∣des a certeyne tree cauled Cocus,* 11.27 beinge a kynd of date trees and hauynge theyr leaues of the selfe same greatenesse as haue the date trees which beare dates, but dyffer much in their growynge. For the leanes of this Cocus grow owte of the trunkes of the tree as doo the fyngers owt of the hande, wreathynge them selues one within an other and so spreadynge abrode. These trees are hygh: and are founde in great plentie in the coaste of the sea of Sur, in the prouince of Cacique Chiman. These date trees brynge furth a frute after this sorte. Beinge altogyther vnite as it groweth on the tree, it is of greater circumference then the heade of a man. And frō the superficiall parte to the myddest which is the frute, it is inuolued and couered with many webs much lyke vnto those hyrdes of towe whiche they vse in Andalusia. Of this towe or webbe, the East Indians make a certeyne kynde of clothe of three or foure sortes, and cordes for the sayles of shyppes.

But in these Indies of yowr maiestie, they passe not for these cordes or this clothe that maye be made of the frute of Cocus, by reason of the great plentie that they haue of the bombage or cotton of the gossampine trees. The frute which is in the myddest of the sayde towe, is (as I haue sayde) as bygge as a mans fyfte, and sumtymes twyse as bygge and more. It is in forme, lyke vnto a walnutte, or sum other rounde thynge sumwhat more longe then large, and very harde. The rynde or barke herof, is as thycke as the cyrcle of letters of a riale of plate. And within, there cleaueth faste to the rynde of the nutte a carnositie or substaunce of coornel, of the thyckenesse of halfe a fynger or of the least fynger of the hande: And is verye whyte, lyke vnto a fayre Almonde, and of better taste

and more pleasaunt. When this fruite is ch••wed, there re∣mayne certeyne crummes as do the lyke of almondes. Yet if it bee swalowed downe, it is not vnpleasaunt. For al••howgh that after the iewse or moysture bee gonne downe the throte before the sayde crummes bee swalowed, the reste whiche is eaten seeme sumwhat sharpe or sower, yet ••oth it not so great¦ly offende the taste as to bee caste away. Whyle this Cocus is yet freshe and newly taken from the tree, they vse not to eate of the sayde carnositie and frute: But fyrste beatynge it very much, and then straynynge it, they drawe a mylke thereof, much better and sweeter then is the mylke of beastes, and of much substaunce: The which the Christian men of those regi∣ons put in the ••ortes or cakes which they make of the grayne of Maizium wherof they make theyr breade, or in other breade as we put breade in porrage: So that by reason of the sayde mylke of Cocus, the cortes are more excellent to be eaten w••th owt offence to the stomake. They are so pleasaunte to the taste, and leaue it aswell satisfyed as thowghe it had byn de∣lyted with many delycate dysshes. But to proceade further, yowre maiestie shall vnderstand, that in the place of the stone or coornell, there is in the myddest of the sayde carnositie, a voyde place, which neuerthelesse is full of a moste cleare and excellent water, in such quantitie as maye fyll a greate egge shell,* 11.28 or more or lesse accordynge to the byggenesse of the Co∣cus. The which water suerly, is the moste substantial, excel∣lent and precious to be droonke, that maye bee founde in the worlde. In so much that in the momente when it passeth the palate of the mouth and begynneth to goo downe the throte it seemethe that frome the sole of the foote to the crowne of the headde, there is no parte of the boddye but that feelethe great cōfort therby: as it is doutlesse one of the most excellent thynges that may be tast••d vppon the earth, and suche as I am not able by wrytynge or toonge to expresse. And to pro∣ceade yet further, I say that when the meate of this frute is taken from the vessell therof, the vessell remayneth as fayre and nette as though is were pullyshed: and is without, of co¦lour inclynynge towarde blacke, and shyneth or glystereth ve∣ry fayre. And is within of no lesse dilicatenesse. Suche as haue accustomed to drynke in these vesselles, and haue bynne trowbeled with the disease cauled the fretinge of the guttes,

say that they haue by experience founde it a maruelous reme∣die ageynst that disease: And that it breakethe the stone and prouoketh vrine. This frute was cauled Cocus for this cause, that when it is taken from the place where it cleaueth faste to the tree, there are seene two holes, and aboue them two o∣ther naturall holes, which altogyther, doo represent the gie∣sture and fygure of the cattes cauled Mammone, that is, mun∣keys, when they crye: whiche crye the Indians caule Coca: But in very deede, this tree is a kynd of date trees: and hath the same effecte to heale fretynge of the guttes, that Plinie descrybeth all kyndes of date trees to haue.

* 11.29There are furthermore in the firme lande, trees of suche byggenesse that I dare not speake therof but in place where I haue so many wytnesses which haue seene the same as wel as I. I say therfore, that a leaque from Dariena or the citie of Sancta Maria Antiqua, there passeth a ryuer very large & diepe, which is cauled Cuti: ouer the which the Indians had layde a greate tree so trauersinge the same that it was in the steade of a brydge, the which I my selfe with dyuers other that are at this present in yowre maiesties courte, haue often tymes passed ouer. And forasmuch as the sayde tree had lyne longe there, and by the great weight therof was so shronke downe∣warde and partely couered with water that none could passe ouer it but were weete to the knee, I being then in the yeare 1522. thofficial of Iustice in that citie at yowre maiesties ap∣poyntemente, caused an other greate tree to bee layde in that place whiche in lyke maner trauersed the ryuer and reached more thē fyftie foote ouer the further syde. This tree was ex∣ceadynge greate, and rested aboue the water more then twoo cubytes. In the faule, it cast downe all suche other trees as were within the reache therof: And discouered certeyne vy∣nes whiche were so laden with blacke grapes of pleasaunte taste, that they satisfyed more then fiftie persons whiche eate theyr fylle therof. This tree in the thyckest parte therof, was more then syxtene spannes thicke: And was neuerthelesse but lyttle in respect of many other trees which are founde in this prouince. For the Indians of the coaste and prouince of Car∣••agenia, make barkes or boates therof (which they caule Cano∣as,) of such byggenesse, beinge all of one hole tree, that sume conteyne a hundreth men, sume a hundreth and thirtie, and

sume more, hauynge neuerthelesse suche voyde space within the same, that there is lefte sufficiente roome to passe to and fro through owte all the Canoa. Sum of these are so large by∣syde the length, that they conteyne more then tenne or twelue spannes in breadth, and sayle with twoo sayles as with the master sayle and the trinkette which they make of verye good cotton. The greatest trees that I haue seene in these partes or in anye other regions, was in the prouince of Guaturo, the kynge wherof rebellynge from thobedience of yowre maiestie, was persued by me and taken prysoner: At whiche tyme I with my company, passed ouer a very hygh mountayne ful of great trees, in the toppe wherof we founde one tree whiche had three rootes or rather diuisions of the roote aboue the earth in forme of a tryangle or triuette:* 11.30 so that betwene eue∣ry foote of this triangle or three feete, there was a space of twentie foote betwene euery foote. And this of such heyght aboue the earthe, that a laden carte of those wherewith they are accustomed to brynge home corne in the tyme of haruest in the kyngedome of Toledo in Spayne, myght easely haue pas∣sed throwgh euery of those particions or wyndowes whiche were betwene the three feete of the sayd tree. From the earth vpwarde to the trunke of the tree, the open places of the dy∣uisions betwene these three feete, were of suche heyght from the grounde, that a footeman with a iauelyn was not able to reache to the place where the sayde feete ioyned togyther in the trunke or body of the tree which grewe of great height in one piece and one hole body, or euer it spredde in braun∣ches, which it did not before it exceaded in heyhht the towre of saynt Romane in the citie of Toledo: from whiche heyght and vpwarde, it spreade very greate and stronge braunches. Amonge certeyne Spanyardes which clymed this tree, I my selfe was one. And when I was ascended to the place where it begunne to spreade the branches, it was a maruelous thing to beholde a greate countrey of suche trees towarde the pro∣uince of Abrayme. This tree was easy to clyme, by rea••on of certeyne Besuchi (wherof I haue spoken before) which grewe wreathed aboute the tree in suche sorte that they seemed to make a scalynge ladder. Euery of the foresayde three feete which bore the boddie of the tree, was twentie spannes in thyckenesse. And where they ioyned al togyther aboue in the

trunke or boddye of the tree, the principall trunke was more then fortie and fyue spannes in circuite. I named the moun∣tayne where these trees grow, the mountayne of three footed trees. And this which I haue nowe declared, was seene of all the companye that was there with me when (as I haue sayde before) I tooke kynge Guaturo prysoner in the yeare 1522. Many thynges more myght here bee spoken as tou∣chynge this matter, as also howe there are many other excel¦lent trees founde of dyuers sortes and dyfference, as sweete Ceder trees, blacke date trees, and many other: of the which sum are so heauy that they can not flote aboue the water but synke immediatly to the bottome. And other ageyne as light as a corke. As touchynge all whiche thynges I haue wryt∣ten more largely in my generall hystorie of the Indies. And forasmuch as at this present I haue entered to intreate of trees, before I passe any further to other thynges, I wyl declare the maner howe the Indians kyndle fyre, only wi••h woodde and without fyre,* 11.31 the maner wherof is this. They take a piece of woodde of two spannes in lengthe, as bygge as the leaste fynger of a mans hande, or as an arrowe well pullysshed, and of a stronge kynde of woodde whiche they keepe onely for this purpose. And where they intende to kyn¦dle any fyre, they take two other pieces of woodde of the dry¦est and lyghtest that they can fynde, and bynde them fast to∣gyther one with an other as close as two fyngers ioyned. In the myddest or betwene these, they put the poynt of the fyrste lyttle staffe made of harde and stronge wood which they hold in theyr handes by the toppe thereof, and turne or rubbe it rounde aboute continually in one place betwene the two pie∣ces of woodde which lye bounde togyther vppon the earthe, which by that vncessant rubbynge and chafynge, are in short space kyndeled and take fyer.* 11.32

I haue also thought good here to speake sumwhat of such thynges as coomme to my rememberaunce of certeyne trees which are founde in this lande, and sumetyme also the lyke haue bynne seene in Spayne. These are certeyne putrifyed troonkes which haue ••yne so longe rottyng on the ••arth that they are verye whyte and shyne in the nyght lyke burnynge fyre brandes. And when the Spanyardes fynde any of this woodde, and intende priuily in the nyght to make warre and

inuade any prouince when case so requyreth that it shalbe ne∣cessary to go in the nyght in suche places where they knowe not the way, the formost Christian man whiche guydethe the waye, associate with an Indian to directe hym therein, ta∣keth a lyttle starre of the sayde woodde, which he put••eth in his cappe hangynge behynde on h••s shoulders, by the lyght wherof he that foloweth nexte to him, directeth his iourney, who also in lyke maner beareth an other starre behynde hym, by the shynynge whereof the thyrde foloweth the same waye, and in lyke maner do al the rest, so that by this meanes none are loste or stragle owte of the way. And forasmuche as this lyght is not seene very farre, it is the better pollicie for the Chrystians bycause they are not thereby disclosed before they inuade theyr enemies.

Furthermore as touchynge the natures of trees, one par∣ticular thynge seemeth woorthy to bee noted, wherof Plinie maketh mention in his natural hystorye where he saythe that there are certeyne trees which contynewe ••uer greene and ne∣uer lose theyr leaues,* 11.33 as the baye tree, the Ceder,* 11.34 the orange tree, and the olyue tree with such other, of the whiche in all togyther he nameth not paste fyue or syxe. To this purpose, I saye, that in the Ilandes of these Indies, and also in the firme lande, it is a thynge of muche difficultie to fynde twoo trees that lose or cast theyr leaues at any tyme. For althowgh I haue diligentely searched to knowe the trewthe hereof, y••t haue I not seene any that lose theyr leaues, eyther of theym which we haue browght owt of Spayne into these regions, as Orange trees, Linions, Ceders, Palmes, or date trees and Pomegranate trees, or of any other in these regions ex∣••epte onely Cassia,* 11.35 which loseth his leaues and hath a greater thynge appropriate to it selfe onely: which is, that whereas all other trees and plantes of India spreade theyr roo••••s no d••eper in the earthe then the depth of a mans heyght or sume∣what more,* 11.36 not descendyng any further into the ground by reason of the greate heate which is found beneth that depth, yet dooth Cassia pearce further into the grounde vntyl it fynd water: whiche by the Phylosophers opinion shoulde be the cause of a thynne and watery radycall moyster to suche thyn∣ges as drawe theyr nuryshement therof,* 11.37 as ••at and v••ctuous groundes with temperate heate, yelde a fast & firme moysture

to suche thynges as growe in them, whiche is the cause that suche trees lose not theyr leaues, as the sayde thynne and wa¦terysshe moysture is cause of the contrarie, as appearethe by the sayde effecte which is seene onely in Cassia, and none other tree or plante in all these parties.

¶ Of Reedes or Canes.

I Haue not thought it conuenient in the chapi∣ture before to speake of that whereof I in∣tende nowe to intreate of reedes or canes to thintente that I woolde not mengle theym with plantes or trees, beinge thynges of thē selues woorthy to bee particularly obserued. So it is therfore, that in the firme land there are many sortes of reedes, so that in many places they make theyr howses therof, couerynge them with the toppes of the same, and makynge theyr waules of them in lyke maner, as I haue sayde before. And amonge these kyndes of reedes, there is one so greate, that the canes therof are as bygge as a mans legge in the knee, and three spannes in length frome ioynt to ioynt or more: in so much that euery of them is of ca¦pacitie to conteyne a lyttle bucket of water. In this kynde, here are founde sum greater and sum lesse, of the which sum they vse to make quyuers for arrowes. There is founde an other kynde which suerly is marueylous, beynge lyttle byg∣ger then a Iauelen, the canes whereof are longer then twoo spannes. These reedes growe one farre from an other, as sum¦tymes twentie or thirtie pases, and sumetymes also twoo or three leaques. They growe in maner in all prouynces in the Indies: And growe nere to very hygh trees whereunto they leane, and creepe vp to the toppes of theyr braunches, which they imbrase and descende ageyne downe to the earth. Theyr canes are full of moste cleare water without any maner of tast or sauoure eyther of the canes or of any other thynge: And suche as yf it were taken owte of the fressheste sprynge in the worlde. Nor yet is it knowen that euer it hurte any that droonke therof. For it hath oftentymes so chaunced that as the Chrysten men haue trauayled in these regions in desolate wayes where for lacke of water they haue byn in great daun∣ger

to dye for thyrste, they haue escaped that perell by reason that they founde the sayde reedes, of the water of whose ca∣nes they haue droonke a great quantitie withowt any hurte thereof ensewynge. Therefore when they fynde these in any place, they make water vesselles of the canes therof, and cary as many of them ful of water as may suffice for one dayes ior¦nay. And sumtyme they cary so many, that they take for eue∣ry man two or three quartes of water which may serue them for many dayes bycause it doth not corrupte, but remaynethe styll fresshe and good.

There are also certeine plantes which the Christians caul Platani.* 11.38 These are as hygh as trees, and become as bygge in the trunke as the knee of a man or more. Frome the foote to the toppe, they beare certeyne longe and large leaues, beinge more then three spannes in largenes, and about ten or twelue in length: The whiche when they are broken of the wynde, the stalke remayneth hole in the myddest. In the myddeste of this plant in the hyghest parte thereof, there groweth a clu∣ster with fortie or fyftie Platans abowt it, euery of them be¦inge a spanne and a halfe in length, and as bygge as a mans arme in the smau••e, or more or lesse accordynge to the good∣nesse of the soyle where they growe. They haue a rynde not very thycke, and easy to bee broken: being within altogither full of a substaunce lyke vnto the marye of the bone of an oxe as it appeareth when the rynde or barke is taken frome the same. This cluster owght to bee taken from the plant, when any one of the Platans begynne to appere yelowe. At which tyme they take it and hange it in theyr houses where all the cluster waxeth rype with all his Platans. This cluster is a very good frute: And when it is opened and the rynde taken of, there are founde within it many good drye fygges which beynge rosted or stewed in an ouen in a close pot or sum suche other thynge,* 11.39 are of pleasaunte taste muche lyke the conserue of hony. They putrifie not on the sea so soone as sume other frutes do: but continue fyfteene dayes and more yf they bee gathered sumwhat greene. They seeme more delycate on the sea then on the lande, not for that they any thinge increase in goodnesse on the sea, but bycause that whereas on the sea o∣ther thynges are lackyng wherof is plentie on the land, those meates seeme of beste taste which satisfie presente necessitie.

This troonke or sprygge whiche bryngeth foorth the sayde cluster is a hole yeare in growyng and brynging foorth frute. In whiche tyme it hath put foorth rounde abowte it tenne or twelue sprygges as bygge as the fyrst or principall, and mul∣tiplieth no lesse then the pryncipall in bryngynge foorthe of clusters with frutes lykewyse at theyr tyme, and also in bryn∣gynge foorth other and many sprygges as is sayde beefore. From the which sprygges or trunkes, as soone as the cluster of the frute is taken away, the plante begynneth to drye and wyther, which then they take owt of the grounde bycause it doth none other then occupie it in vayne and without profyt. They are so many and doo so maruelously increase and multi∣plie, that it is a thynge in maner incredible. They are excea∣dynge moyste. In so much that when they are plucked vp frō the place where they gro••••, there issheweth forth a great quan¦••••tie of water as well owte of the plante as owte of the place where it grewe: In suche sorte that all the moysture of the earth farre abowte, myght seeme to bee gathered to gyther a∣bowte the trunke or blocke of the sayde plante: with the frutes whereof, the antes are so farre in loue, that they are seene in great multitudes in the branches of the plantes. So that for the multitude thereof it sumetyme so chaunceth that men are inforced to take away the Platans frome theyr pos∣session. These frutes are founde at all tymes of the yeare.

There is also an other kynd of wyld plantes that groweth in the fyeldes: which I haue not seene but in the Ilande of Hispaniola, althowgh they be founde in other Ilandes of the Indies. These they caule Tunas.* 11.40 They growe of a thistle full of thornes, and brynge foorth a fruite muche lyke vnto great fygges, which haue a crowne lyke medlers, and are within of a hyghe coloure, with graynes and the rynde lyke vnto a fygge. They are of good taste: And growe abundant∣ly in the fyeldes in many places. They woorke a straunge ef∣fecte in suche as eate them. For if a manne eate two or three or more, they cause his vrine to bee of the verye coloure of bludde, which thynge chaunced once to my selfe. At whiche tyme as I made water and sawe the colour of my vrine, I en∣tered into a great suspition of my lyfe, beinge so astonysshed for feare, that I thought the same had chaunced to me vpon sum other cause. In so muche that surely my imagination

myght haue doone me hurte, but that they whiche were with me dyd conforte me immediately, declarynge the cause therof as they knewe by experience beinge auncient inhabitours in those regions.

There groweth also an other plante whiche the people of the countrey caule Bihaos.* 11.41 This putteth forth certeyne streight braunches and very brode leaues which the Indians vse for dyuers purposes. For in sum places they couer theyr houses with the leaues therof cowched and layde after the maner of thetche, wherunto it serueth very well. Sumtymes also whē it rayneth, they cast these ouer theyr heades to defende theim from the water. They make also certeyne chestes whiche they caule Hauas,* 11.42 weaued after a straunge sorte and intermixt with the leaues of this Bihaos. These chestes are wrought in such sort, that although it rayne vpon them, or they chaunce to faule into the water, yet are not such thynges wette as are within them. They are made of the braunches of the sayde Bihaos with the leaues weaued togyther therwith. In these they keepe salte and other subtyle thynges. They vse theym also for an other purpose, which is this: That findyng them in the fieldes at such tyme as they haue scarsenesse of vyttay∣les, they dygge vp the rootes of these plantes whyle they are yet younge, or eate the plante it selfe in that parte where it is moste tender, which is from a foote vnder the grounde, where it is as tender and whyte as a reede or bulrusshe.

And forasmuch as wee are nowe coomme to thend of this narration,* 11.43 it commeth to my rememberaunce to make menti∣on of an other thynge which is not farre from my purpose. And this is howe the Indians do stayne or dye cloth of bom∣bage cotton, or any other thynge which they intende to dye of dyuers coloures: as blacke, tawny, greene, blewe, yelowe, and redde, whiche they doo with the barkes or ryndes, and leaues of certeyne trees, whiche they knowe by experience to bee good for this practise. And by this arte they make colours in such perfection and excellencie that no better can bee diuy∣sed. But this seemeth a straunge thynge,* 11.44 that they doo all this in one selfe same vessell: So that when they haue caused the sayde ryndes and leaues to boyle togyther, they make in the same vessell without any chaunge (as I haue sayde) as many colours as them lysteth. Whiche thynge I suppose to

coomme to passe by the disposition of the coloure whiche they haue fyrste gyuen to the thynge that they intende to dye or co¦lour, whether it bee threede, webbe, or clothe, or any thynge that they intende to coloure.

¶ Of venemous apples wherwith they poyson theyr arrowes.

THe apples wherewith the Indian Canibales inueneme theyr arrowes, growe on certeyne trees couered with many braunches and leaues beinge very greene and growyng thicke. They are laden with abundaunce of these euyll fru∣tes, and haue theyr leaues lyke the leaues of a peare tree, but that they are lesse and rounder. The frute is much lyke the muscadell peares of the Ilande of Sicilie or Naples in forme and byggenesse: And are in sum partes stey∣ned with redde spottes, and of very sweete sauours. These trees for the moste parte, growe euer by the sea coastes and neare vnto the water: And are so fayre and of pleasaunte sa∣uour, that there is no man that seethe theym but wyll desyre to eate therof.

In so much that if it may bee spoken of any frute yet grow¦ynge on the earth,* 11.45 I wolde saye that this was the vnhappy frute wherof owre fyrste parentes Adam and Eue tasted, wher¦by they both lost theyr felicitie and procured death to them & theyr posteritie. Of these frutes, and of the greate antes whose bytynge causeth swellynge (whereof I haue spoken els where) and of the eutes or lysartes, and vypers, and such other venemous thynges, the Canibales which are the chyefe archers amonge the Indians,* 11.46 are accustomed to poyson theyr arrowes wherwith they kyll all that they wounde.

* 11.47These venemes they mengle togyther and make thereof a blacke masse or composition which appeareth lyke vnto very blacke pytche. Of this poyson I caused a great quantitie to be burnt in Sancta Maria Antiqua in a place two leaques and more within the lande, with a greate multitude of theyr inuenemed arrowes and other munition, with also the house wherein they were reserued. This was in the yeare .1514. at suche tyme* 11.48 as tharmy arriued there with capitayne Pedrarias da villa at

the commaundemente of the Catholyke kynge Don Ferdinando. But to returne to the hystory. These apples (as I haue said) growe neare vnto the sea. And wheras the Christians which serue yowr maiestie in these parties, suppose that there is no remedy so profytable for such as are wounded with these ar∣rowes, as is the water of the sea if the wounde be much was¦sted therwith,* 11.49 by which meanes sum haue escaped although but fewe, yet to saye the trewthe, albeit the water of the sea haue a certeyne caustike qualitie agenyst poyson, it is not a suf¦ficient remedy in this case: nor yet to this day haue the Chri¦stian perceaued that of fiftie that haue byn wounded, three haue recouered. But that yowr maiestie may the better consy∣der the force of the veneme of these trees, yowe shall further vnderstande that yf a man doo but repose hym selfe to sleepe a lyttle whyle vnder the shadow of the same, he hath his head and eyes so swolne when he ryseth, that the eye lyddes are ioyned with the chekes. And if it chaunce one droppe or more of the dewe of the sayde tree to faule into the eye, it vtterly destroyeth the syght. The pestilent nature of this tree is such that it can not bee declared in fewe woordes. Of these there groweth greate plentie in the goulfe of Vraba towarde the North coast on the Weste and Easte syde.* 11.50 The wood of these trees when it burneth, maketh so greate a stynke that noo man is able to abyde it, by reason it causeth so great a peyne in the headde.

Amonge other trees which are in these Indies as well in the Ilandes as in the firme lande, there is an other kynde which they caule Xagua,* 11.51 wherof there is great plentie. They are very hygh and streyght, and fayre to beholde. Of these they vse to make pykes and iauelyns of dyuers lengthes and byggenesse. They are of a fayre colour betwene russette and whyte. This tree bryngeth foorth a greate frute as bygge as Papauer or poppie and much lyke therunto. It is very good to be eaten when it is ••ype. Owte of this they gette a very cleare water wherwith they wasshe theyr legges and sume∣tymes all theyr boddyes when they feele theyr flesshe werye, faynt, or loose. The which water, bysyd•• that it hath a byn dynge qualitie, it hath also th••s propertie, th••t what so euer it toucheth, it steyneth it blacke by ly••tle and lyttle vntyll it bee as blacke as giete, which coloure can not be taken away

in lesse space then tenne or twelue dayes. And if the nayle bee but touched therwith, it is so steined that it can by no meanes bee taken away vntyll it eyther faule of, or growe owte and bee clypped away by lyttle and lyttle, as I my selfe haue of∣tentymes seene by experience.

There is an other kynde of trees whith they caule Hobi.* 11.52 These are very great and fayre,* 11.53 & cause holsome ayer where they growe and a pleasaunt shadow, and are founde in great abundaunce. Theyr frute is very good, and of good tast and sauoure, and much lyke vnto certeyne damsons or prunes be¦inge lyttle and yelowe. But theyr stone is very great: by rea¦son wherof they haue but lyttle meate. Theyr barke or rynde boyled in water, maketh a holsome bathe for the legges, by∣cause it bindeth and steyeth the loosenesse of the flesshe so sen¦cibly that it is a marueyle to consyder. It is suerly a holsome and excellent bathe ageynst such fayntnesse: And is the beste tree that may bee founde in those parties to sleepe vnder. For it causeth no heauinesse of the headde as doo dyuers other trees. Whiche thynge I speake bycause the Christians are muche accustomed in those regions to lye in the fyeldes. It is therfore a common practice amonge them, that where so euer they fynd these trees, there they spreade theyr mattresses and beddes wherin they sleepe.

There are also a kynde of hyghe date trees and full of thornes.* 11.54 The woodde of these is moste excellent: beinge ve∣ry blacke, and shynynge, and so heauy that no parte thereof can swymme aboue the water, but synketh immediatly to the bottome. Of this woodde they make theyr arrowes and dar¦tes: Also iauelyns, speares, and pykes. And I saye pykes, bycause that in the coastes of the sea of Sur,* 11.55 beyonde Esquegus and Vracha, the Indians vse great and longe pykes made of the woodde of these date trees. Of the same lykewyse they make clubbes and swoordes and dyuers other weapons. Also vesselles and housholde stuffe of dyuers sortes very fayre and commodious. Furthermore of this woodde the Christians vse to make dyuers musicall instrumentes, as clarisimbals, lutes, gyterns, and suche other, the whiche bysyde theyr fayre shy∣dynge coloure lyke vnto giete, are also of a good sounde and very durable by reason of the hardenesse of the woodde.

After that I haue sayde thus much of trees and plantes,

I haue thought good also to speake sumwhat of herbes.* 11.56 You shall therefore vnderstande that in these Indies there is an herbe much lyke vnto a yelowe lyllie, abowte whose leaues there growe and creepe certeyne cordes or laces, as the lyke is partly seene in the herbe which we caule lased sauery. But these of the Indies are muche bygger, and longer: and so stronge that they tye theyr hangynge beddes thereby whiche they caule Hamacas wherof we haue spoken elswhere. These cordes, they caule Cabuia and Henequen,* 11.57 which are al one thing sauynge that Henequen is lesse and of a fyner substaunce as it were line: And the other is grosser lyke the wycke or twyste of hempe, and is imperfecte in comparison to the other. They are of coloure betwene whyte and yelowe lyke vnto abarne, and sum also whyte. With Henequen whiche is the moste sub∣tyle and fyne threede, the Indians sawe in sunder fetters,* 11.58 cheynes, or barres of Iren in this maner. They moue the threede of Henequen vppon the iren which they intende to saw or cutte, drawynge the one hande after the other as doo they that sawe, puttynge euer nowe and then a portion of fyne sande vppon the threede, or on the place or parte of the Iren where they continue rubbynge the sayde threede. So that yf the threede be worne, they take an other, and continewe in theyr woorke as before vntyl they haue cutte in sunder the i∣ren although it bee neuer so bygge: and cut it as yf it were a tender thynge and easye to bee sawne.

And for asmuch as the leaues of trees may bee counted a∣monge herbes,* 11.59 I wyll here speake sumewhat of the qualitie of the leaues of certeyne trees which are founde in the Iland of Hispaniola. These trees are so full of thornes, that there is no tree or plante that seemeth more wylde and deformed: so that I can not well determyne whether they bee trees or plan¦tes. They haue certeyne braunches full of large and defor∣med leaues, which braunches were fyrste leaues lyke vnto the other. As the braunches made of these leaues growe foorthe inlength, there commeth other leaues of them. So that ••n fine it is a dyfficult thyng to descrybe the forme of these trees except the same shulde bee doone by a paynter wherby the eye myght conceaue that wherein the toonge fayleth in this be∣halfe. The leaues of this tree are of such vertue,* 11.60 that beyng well beaten and spreadde vppon a cloth after the maner of a

playster, and so layde to a legge or arme that is broken in ma¦ny pieces, it healeth it in fyftene dayes, and maketh it as hole as though it had neuer byn broken. Durynge the tyme of this operation, it cleaueth so fast to the flesshe that it can not without much difficultie bee taken away. But as soone as it hath healed the sore and wrought his operation, it loo∣seth it selfe from the place where it was layde, as I my selfe and dyuers other which haue proued it, knowe by experience

¶ Of fysshes and of the maner of fysshynge.

IN the sea coastes of the firme lande, there are dyuers and sundry kyndes of fysshes muche differynge in shape and forme. And althoughe it be impossible to speake of all, yet wyll I make mention of sum. And fyrst to begynne at sardynes, yowe shall vnderstande that there is founde a kynde of these fysshes very large and with redde tayles, beinge a very delicate fysshe. The beste kyndes of o∣ther fysshes are these: Moxarre, Diabace, Brettes, Dahaos, Thorn backes, and Salmons. All these and dyuers other which I donot now remember, are taken in great quantitie in ryuers. There are lykewyse taken very good creuysshes. There are also founde in the sea, certeyne other fysshes: as soles, macke¦relles, turbuttes, Palamite, Lizze, Polpi, Chieppe, Xaibas, Locustes, Oysters, exceadynge great Tortoyses, and Tiburoni of mar∣uelous byggenesse:* 11.61 Also Manates,* 11.62 and Murene, and manye other fysshes which haue no names in oure language. And these of such diuersitie and quantitie as can not bee expressed without large wrytynge and longe tyme. But to let passe to intreate particulerly of the multitude of fysshes, I intende to speake chiefely and sumwhat largely of three sortes of moste notable fysshes: wherof the fyrst is, the great Tortoyses,* 11.63 the seconde is cauled Tiburon, and the thyrde Manate. And to begynne at the fyrste, I saye that in the Ilande of Cuba, are founde great Tortoyses (which are certeyne shell fysshes) of such byggenesse that tenne or fyfteene men are scarsely able to lyfte one of them owt of the water, as I haue byn infor∣med of credible persons dwellynge in the same Ilande. But

of that which I my selfe haue seene, I can testifie that in the firme lande in the vyllage of Acla there are of this sorte sum taken and kylled of suche byggenes that sixe men with much difficultie coulde scarsely drawe them owt of the water. And commonly the least sort of them are as much as two men may cary at a burden. That which I sawe lifted vp by syxe men, had her shell a yarde and a quarter in length, and in breadth more then fyue yardes. The maner of takynge them, is this. It sumtymes chaunceth that in theyr greate nettes (whiche they caule shoote ne••tes) there are founde certeyne Tortoyses of the common sorte in great quantities. And when they coomme owt of the sea and bringe foorth theyr egges and go togyther by coompanies from the sea to feade on the lande, the Christians or Indians folowe theyr steppes whiche they fynde in the sande, and soone ouertake them bycause they are very heauy and slowe in goynge, although they make all the haste they can to return•• to the sea as soone as they espie any boddie. When they that pursewe them haue ouertaken them, they put a stake or staffe vnder theyr legges and ouerturne thē on theyr backes as they are yet runnynge, so that they can go no further nor yet ryse ageyne or turne. And thus they suffer them to lye styll whyle they folowe after the reste which they ouerturne in lyke maner: And by this meanes take very ma∣nye at suche tymes as they coome furth of the sea as I haue sayde. This fysshe is very excellent and holsome to be eaten, and of good taste. The seconde of the three fysshes wherof I haue spoken, is the Tiburon.* 11.64 This is a very greate fysshe and very quicke and swyfte in the water, and a cruell deuourer. These are often tymes taken, as well when the shippes are vn∣der sayle in the Ocean, as also when they lye at anker, or at any other time, and especially the leaste kynd of these fisshes. When the shippes are vnder sayle, the biggest sorte are taken after this maner. When the Tiburon seeth the shippe sailinge he foloweth it swymmynge behynde. The which thinges the mariners seeinge, caste furthe all the fylthe of the shippe into the sea for the fysshe to eate, who neuerthelesse foloweth thē with equal pase although th••y make neuer suche haste wyth full wynd and sailes, and waloweth on euery syde and about the shyppe: And thus foloweth it sumetyme for the space of a hundreth and fyftie leaques and more. And when the ma∣riners

are disposed to take them, they cast downe by the sterne of the shippe, a hoke of yren as bigge as the biggest finger of a mans hande of three spannes in lengthe and crooked like a fysshehooke with beardes accordinge to the bignesse thereof, and fastened to an iren chayne of fyue or syxe linkes neare vn∣to thende, and from thense tyed with a greate rope, fastening also on the hooke for a bayte, a piece of sum fisshe, or hogges flessh, or sum other flesshe, or the bouwelles and intralles of an other Tiburon wh••che they haue taken before, whiche may easely bee doone, for I haue seene nyne taken in one day. And if they wold haue taken more, they myght also. Thus when the Tiburon hath pleasauntly folowed the ship a longe viage, at the lengthe he swaloweth the baite with the hooke. And a••well by his stryuinge to flye or escape, as also by the swyfte passage of the s••yppe, the hooke ouerthwarteth and catcheth hold of his chappes. The which fisshe whē it is takē, it is of suche huge b••ggenesse that twelue or fyfeteene men are scarsely able to drawe it owt of the water and lifte it into the shyppe: Where one of the mariners gyueth it many knoc∣kes on the headde with a clubbe or beetle vntil he haue slaine it. They are sumtymes founde of tenne or twelue foote long, and of fyue, syxe, or seuen spannes in breadth where they are brodest. They haue very greate and wyde mouthes to the pro¦portion of the reste of theyr boddies, and haue two rowes of teethe the one sumewhat separate from the other, of cruell shape & standing very thicke. When they haue slayne this fysshe, they cutte the boddy therof in smaule pieses, and put it to drye, hangynge it three or foure dayes at the cordes of the sayle clothes to drye in the wynde, and then eate it. It is doubtlesse a good fysshe and of greate commoditie to serue the shippes for vitalles for many dayes. The leaste of these fysshes are moste holsome and tender. It hath a skinne much like to the skynne of a sole, whervnto the sayde Tuberon is like in shape. Which I saye bycause Plinie hath made men∣tion of none of these three fisshes among the number of them wherof he wryteth in his natural historie.* 11.65 These Tiburons coomme furth of the sea and enter into the ryuers, where they are no lesse perelous then greate lisartes or Crocodiles wher∣of I haue spoken largely before.* 11.66 For they deuoure men, kine, and horses, euen as doo the Crocodiles. They are very daun¦gerous

in certeyne wasshynge places or pooles by the ryuers sydes, and where they haue deuoured at other tymes. Dy∣uers other fysshes both greate and smaule, of sundry sortes and kyndes are accustomed to folowe the shyppes goynge vn∣der sayle, of the which I wyl speake sumwhat when I h••ue wrytten of Manate which is the thyrde of the three whereof I haue promysed to entreate.* 11.67 Manate therefore, is a fysshe of the sea, of the byggest sorte, and muche greater then the Tiburon in length and breadth: And is very brutysshe and vyle, so that it appeareth in forme lyke vnto one of those great vesselles made of goates skynnes wherin they vse to ca¦ry newe wyne in Medina de Campo or in Areualo. The headde of this beast is lyke the head of an oxe, with also lyke eyes. And hath in the place of armes, two great stumpes wherwith he swymmeth. It is a very gentle and tame beaste: And cōmeth oftētymes owt of the water to the next shore where if he find ny herbes or grasse, he feedeth therof. Owre men are accusto¦med to kyl many of these and dyuers other good fysshes with theyr crossebowes, pursuinge them in barkes or Canoas, by∣cause they swymme in maner aboue the water. The whiche thynge when they see, they drawe them with a hooke tyde at a smaule corde, but sumwhat stronge. As the fysshe flyeth a∣way, the archer letteth go and prolongeth the corde by lyt∣tle and lyttle vntyll he haue lette it go many fathams. At the ende of the corde, there is tyde a corke or a piece of lyght woodde. And when the fysshe is goone a lyttle way, & hathe coloured the water with his bludde, and feeleth hym selfe to faynt and drawe towarde thende of his lyfe, he resortethe to the shore, and the archer foloweth gatherynge vp his corde: wherof whyle there yet remaine sixe or eyght fathams or sum¦what more or lesse, he draweth it towarde the lande, and draweth the fysshe therwith by little and lyttle as the waues of the sea helpe hym to doo it the more easely. Then with the helpe of the reste of his companie he lyftethe th••s greate beast owt of the water to the lande, beinge of such hygnesse that to conuey it from thense to the citie, it shalbe requ••site to haue a carte with a good yoke of oxen, and sumtymes more, accordyng as these fysshes are of byggenesse, sum being much greater then other sum in the same kynde as is seene of other beastes. Sumtymes they lyft these fysshes into the Canoa or

barke, withowt drawynge them to the lande as before. For as soone as they are slayne, they flote aboue the water. And I beleue verely that this fysshe is one of the best in the world to the taste, and the lykest vnto flesshe. E••pecially so lyke vnto biefe, that who so hath not seene it hole, can iudge it to bee none other when he seethe it in pieces then verye biefe or veale. And is certeynly so lyke vnto flesshe, that all the men in the worlde may herein bee deceaued. The taste lykewyse, is lyke vnto the tast of very good veale, and lasteth longe yf it bee poudered. So that in fine, the base of these parties, is by no meanes lyke vnto this. This Manate,* 11.68 hath a c••rteine stone or rather bone in his headde within the brayne, which is of qualitie greatly appropriate ageynste the disease of the stone,* 11.69 if it bee burnte and grounde into smaule pouder, and taken fastynge in the mornynge when the payne is felte, in such quantitie as may lye vppon a penye with a drawght of good whyte wyne. For beynge th••s taken three or foure mor¦nynges, it a••quieteth the grefe as dyuers haue toulde me whi¦che haue proued it trewe. And I my selfe by testimonie of sight, doo wytnesse that I haue seene this stone sought of dyuers for this effecte.

There are also dyuers other fysshes as bygge as this Ma¦nate:* 11.70 Emonge the which there is one caule•• Vihuella. This fy••he beareth in the toppe of his headde, a swoorde beinge on euery syde full of many sharpe teeth. This swoorde is natu∣rally very harde & stronge, of foure or fyue spannes in length and of proportion accordynge to the same byggenes. And for this cause is this fyshe cauled Spada: that is the swoord fyshe. Of this kynde sum are found as lyttle as sardines: and other so greate, th•••• two yokes of oxen are scarsely able to drawe them on a carte. But whereas before, I haue promysed to speake of other fysshes which are taken in these seas whyle the shyppes are vnder sayle, I wyl not forget to speake of the Tunnye which is a great and good fysshe,* 11.71 and is oftentymes taken and kylde with troute speares and hookes caste in the water when they play and swymme aboute the shyppes. In lyke maner also are taken many turbuts which are very good fysshes as are lyghtly in all the sea.* 11.72

And here is to bee noted, that in the greate Ocean sea, there is a straunge thynge to bee considered, whiche all that

haue byn in the Indies affirme to bee trewe. And this is, that lyke as on the lande there are sum prouinces fertile and frut∣full,* 11.73 and sum barren, euen so dooth the lyke chaunce in the sea: So that at sum wyndes the shyppes sayle fiftie or a hun∣dreth, or two hundreth leaques and more, withowt takyng or seinge of one fysshe. And ageyne in the selfe same Ocean, in sum places, all the water is seene tremble by the mouynge of the fysshes, where they are taken abundauntly.

It commeth further to my rememberaunce to speake sum∣what of the flyinge of fysshes,* 11.74 which is doubtlesse a straunge thynge to beholde, and is after this maner. When the shyp¦pes sayle by the greate Ocean folowynge theyr vyage, there ryseth sumtymes on the one syde or on the other, many coom∣panies of certeyne lyttle fysshes, of the which the byggest is no greater then a sardyne: and soo diminisshe lesse and lesse from that quantitie that sum of them are very lyttle. These are cauled Volatori: that is, flyinge fysshes. They ryse by great coompanies and flockes in such multitudes that it is an asto∣nysshement to beholde them. Sumtymes they ryse but lyttle from the water: & (as it chaunceth) continew one flyght for the space of a hundreth pases and sumtymes more or lesse be∣fore they faule ageyne into the sea. Sumtymes also they faule into the shyppes. And I remember that on an euenyng when all the company in the shippe were on theyr knees syngynge Salue regina in the highest parte of the Castel of the poope, and sayled with a full wynde, there passed by vs a flocke of these flyinge fysshes: and came so neare vs that many of them fell into the shyppe, amonge the which, two or three fell hard by me which I tooke alyue in my hande: so that I myght well perceaue that they were as bigge as sardynes and of the same quantitie, hauynge two wynges or quylles growyng owt of theyr fynnes, lyke vnto those wherwith all fysshes swymme in ryuers. These wynges are as longe as the fysshes theym selues. As longe as theyr wynges are moyste, they beare them vp in the ayer. But as soone as they are drye, they can continewe theyr flyght no further then as I haue sayde be∣fore, but faule immediatly into the sea, and so ryse ageyne, and flye as before from place to place.

In the yeare. A thousand fyue hundreth fiftene. when I came fyrst to informe your maiestye of the state of the thynges Indya, and was the yeare folowynge in Flaunders in the tyme of youre moste fortunate successe in these youre kynge∣domes of Aragonie and Castyle, wheras at that vyage I say¦led aboue the Iland Bermuda otherwyse cauled Garza,* 11.75 beynge the furtheste of all the Ilandes that are founde at thys daye in the worlde, and arryuynge there at the deapthe of eight yeardes of water, and dystant from the land as farre as the shotte of a piece of ordynaunce, I determined to sende sume of the shyppe to lande as well to make searche of suche thynges as were there, as also to leaue in the Ilande certayne hogges for increase. But the tyme not seruyng my purpose by reason of contrarye wynde, I could bryng my shyppes no nearer the Ilande beinge twelue leaques in lengthe and syxe in breadth and about thyrty in circuite, lying in the thyrtie thre & degre of the northe syde. Whyle I remayned here, I sawe a stryfe and combatte betwene these flyinge fyshes and the fyshes na∣med gylte heades, and the foules cauled seamewes and cor∣morauntes, whych suerlye seemed vnto me a thynge of as greate pleasure and solace as coulde bee deuysed, whyle the gylte heades swamme on the brymme of the water and sum∣tymes lyfted their shulders aboue the same to rayse the swym¦mynge fysshes owt of the water to dryue them to flyght, and folowe them swymming to the place where they faule to take and eate them sodaynlye. Agayne on the other syde, the sea∣mewes and cormorantes, take manye of these flying fysshes: so that by thys meanes theye are nother safe in the ayre nor in the water.* 11.76 In the selfe same perrell and daunger doo men lyue in thys mortall lyfe wherin is no certayne securytye ne∣ther in hygh estate nor in lowe. Which thynge suerlye ought to put vs in rememberaunce of that blessed and safe restynge place whych god hath prepared for such as loue hym, who shall acquyete and fynyshe the trauayles of thys troubelous worlde wherin are so manye daungyours, and brynge them to that eternall lyfe where they shall fynde eternall securytye and reste. But to returne to the hystorye: these byrdes and foules whych I sawe, were of the Ilande of Bermuda nere vn∣to the whych I sawe these flyinge fysshes. For they coulde bee of no other lande, forasmuche as they are not accustomed

to wander farre frome the coastes where they are bredde.

¶Of thincrease and decrease, (that is) rysynge and faullynge of our Ocean sea and Southe sea caulled the sea of Sur.

I Wyll nowe speake of certeayne thynges whi∣che are seene in the Prouynce, or at the leaste in the citie of golden Castyle otherwyse cau∣led Beragua,* 11.77 and in the coastes of the North sea and of the South sea caulled the sea of Sur. Not omittyng to note one synguler and mer∣uelous thynge which I haue consydered of the Ocean sea. wherof hytherto no cosmogra¦pher, pylote or maryner or any other haue satisfyed me.

I say therfore as it is well knowen to your maiestye and all such as haue knowlege of the Ocean sea, that this greate Ocean casteth from it selfe the sea Mediterraneum by the mouthe of the strayght of Gibilterra: in the which the water from thend and furtheste parte of that sea,* 11.78 euen vnto the mouth of the sayde straight, eyther in the East towarde the coaste common¦lye cauled Leuante, or in any other parte of the sayde sea Me∣diterraneum,* 11.79 the sea doothe not so faule nor increase as reason wolde iudge for so greate a sea. But incresethe verye lyttle and a smaule space. Neuerthelesse, withoute the mouthe of the straight in the mayne Ocean, it increaseth and fauleth verye muche and a great space of grounde from syxe houres to syxe houres, as in all the coastes of Spayne, Britannye, Flan¦ders, Germanye and England. The selfe same Ocean sea in the fyrme lande newly founde, in the coastes of the same ly∣ynge towarde the Northe, dothe neyther ryse nor faule, nor lykewise in the Ilandes of Hispaniola and Cuba and all the other Ilandes of the same sea lyinge towarde the northe,* 11.80* 11.81 for the space of thre thousande leaques, but onelye in lyke maner as doothe the sea Mediterr••neum in Italye: whiche is in maner no∣thynge in respecte to that increase and decrease whiche the sayde Ocean hath in the coastes of Spayne and Flaunders. But this is yet a greater thynge, that also the selfe same Ocean in the coastes of the sayde fyrme lande lyinge toward•• the Southe in the citie of Panama, and also in the coaste of that

lande whiche lyethe towarde the Easte and Weste frome that citie, as in the Ilande of pearles or Margaritea whiche the In∣dians caule Tarrarequi, and also in Taboga and Otoque, and in all other Ilandes of the southe sea of Sur, the water ryseth and fauleth so much, that when it fauleth it goth in maner owt of syghte, which thynge I my selfe haue seene oftentymes.

And here youre maiestie may note an other thynge, that from the northe sea to the southe sea beynge of suche dyffer••nce the one from the other in rysynge and faulynge,* 11.82 yet is the lan¦de that deuydeth theym not paste eyghteene or twentye lea∣ques in breadthe frome coaste to coaste. So that bothe the sayde seas beynge all one Ocean this straunge effecte is a thynge worthy greately to bee considered of al suche as haue inclination and desyre to knowe the secreate woorkes of na∣ture wherin the infinite powre and wysedome of god is seene to bee such as may allure all good natures to reuerence and loue so diuine a maiestie.* 11.83 And wheras by the demonstrations of lerned men I am not satisfyed of the natural cause hereof, I content my selfe to knowe and beleue that he which hathe made these thynges, dooth knowe this and many other whi¦che he hath not granted to the reason of man to comprehend, much lesse to so base a wyt as myne is. They therefore that are of greater vnderstandynge, shall searche the cause hereof, for them and for me, forasmuch as I ha••e onely put the mat¦ter in question as a wytnesse that haue seene thexperience of the thynge.

¶ Of the strayght or narowe passage of the lande lyinge be∣twene the North and South sea, by the whiche spyces way much sooner and easlyer be brought from the I∣landes of Molucca into Spayne by the West Oce∣an then by that way wherby the Portugales sayle into East India.

IT hath byn an opinion amonge the Cosmogra¦phers and Pylottes of late tyme, and other which haue had practise in thynges touchynge the sea, that there shulde bee a straygh•• of wa∣ter passynge from the North sea of the firme, in to the South sea of Sur, whiche neuerthelesse

hath not byn seene nor founde to this daye. And suerlye yf there be any suche strayght▪ we that inhabite those partes do thynke the same shulde bee rather of lande thē of water. For the fyrme lande in sum partes therof is so strayght and nar∣rowe that the Indyans saye that frome the mountaynes of the prouynce of Esquegua or Vrraca,* 11.84 (whych are betwene the one sea and the other) If a man assend to the toppe of the moun∣taynes and looke towarde the Northe, he maye see the wa∣ter of the North sea of the Prouynce of Beragua. And ageyne lookynge the contrarye waye, may on the other syde towarde the Southe, see the sea of Sur and the prouynces whyche confyne with it, as doo the territoryes of the twoo Lordes or kynges of the sayde prouinces of Vrraca and Esquegua. And I beleue that if it bee as the Indyans saye, of al that is hether∣to knowen, this is the narowest strayght of the fyrme lande, whiche sume affyrme to bee full of rough mountaynes. Yet doo I not take it for a better waye, or so shorte as is that whyche is made from the porte cauled Nomen dei (whiche is in the Northe sea) vnto the newe citye of Panama beynge in the coaste and on the banke of the sea of Sur.* 11.85* 11.86 Whiche waye is like¦wyse very rough ful of thicke wods, mountaines, ryuers, val¦leys, and verye diffyculte to passe through, and can not bee doone withowt greate laboure and trauayle. Sum measure this waye in this part, to bee from sea to sea .xviii. leaques, whych I suppose to bee rather .xx. not for that it is any more by measure, but bicause it is rough and dyffyculte as I haue sayde, and as I haue founde it by experyence hauynge nowe twyse passed that way by foote: countyng from the porte and vyllage of Nomen Dei vnto the dominion of the Cacique of Iuana¦ga otherwyse cauled Capira .viii. leaques: And frome thense to the ryuer of Chagre,* 11.87 other .viii. leaques. So that at this ryuer beinge .xvi. leaques from the sayde porte, endeth the roughnesse of the way. Then from hense to the maruelous brydge are two leaques: And beyonde that, other twoo vnto the port of Panama: So that all togyther in my iudgemente, make .xx. leaques. And if therfore this nauigation may bee founde in the South sea for the trade of spices (as we trust in God) to bee brought from thense to the sayde porte of Panama (as is possible enough) they may afterwarde easly passe to the Northe sea notwithstaddynge the difficultie of the waye of

the .xx. leaques aforesayde. Whiche thynge I affirme as a man well trauayled in these regions, hauynge twyse on my feete passed ouer this strayght in the yeare .1521. as I haue sayde. It is furthermore to bee vnderstode, that it is a mar∣uelous facilitie to bryng spices by this way which I wil now declare. From Panama to the ryuer of Chagre, are foure leaques of good and fayre way by the which cartes may passe at plea∣sure by reason that the mountaynes are but fewe and lyttle, and that the greateste parte of these foure leaques is a playne grounde voyde of trees. And when the cartes are coomme to the sayde ryuer, the spices may bee caryed in barkes and pin∣nesses. For this ryuer entereth into the North sea fyue or .vi leaques lower then the port of Nomen dei, and emptieth it selfe in the sea nere vnto an Ilande cauled Bastimento,* 11.88 where is a ve∣ry good and safe port. Yowr maiestie may now therfore consy¦der howe great a thynge and what commoditie it maye bee to conuey spices this way, forasmuch as the ryuer of Chagre ha∣uyng his originall only two leaques from the South sea, con¦tineweth his course & emptieth it selfe into the other North sea. This ryuer runneth fast and is very greate, and so com∣modious for this purpose as may be thowght or desyred. The marueilous bridge made by the worke of nature,* 11.89 being two leaques beyonde the sayd ryuer, and other twoo leaques on this syde the porte of Panama, so lyinge in the mydde way be∣twene them both, is framed naturally in such sort that none which passe by this viage see any such bridge or thynke that there is any such buyldyng in that place vntyll they bee in the toppe therof in the way toward Panama. But as soone as they are on the brydge, lookynge towarde the ryght hande, they see a lyttle ryuer vnder them which hath his chanell distante from the feete of them that walke ouer it, the space of twoo speares length or more. The water of this ryuer is very sha∣lowe, not passyng the depth of a mans legge to the knee: and is in breadth be••wene thyrtie and fortie pases: and faulethe into the ryuer of Chagre. Towarde the ryght hand standyng on this brydge, there is nothyng seene but great trees. The largenesse of the brydge, conteyneth .xv. pases: and the l••ngth ••herof about threescore or fourescore pases. The arche is so made of moste harde stone, that no man can beholde it without admiration, beinge made by the hyghe and omnipo∣tent

creatour of all thynges. But to returne to speake sum∣what more of the conueying of spices, I say that when it shal please almyghty god that this nauigation aforesayde shal bee founde by the good fortune of yowre maiestie, and that the spices of the Ilandes of the South sea (which may also bee otherwyse cauled the Ocean of the East India in the whiche are the Ilandes of Molucca) shalbe browght to the sayd coaste and the porte of Panama,* 11.90 and bee conueyed from thense (as we haue sayde) by the firme lande with cartes vnto the ryuer of Chagre, and from thense into this owr other sea of the North, from whense they may afterward bee browght into Spayne, I say that by this meanes the vyage shall bee shortened more then seuen thousande leaques,* 11.91 with muche lesse daunger then is by the viage nowe vsed by the way of Commendator of Ay¦sa capitayne vnder yowre maiestie, who this present yeare at∣tempted a vyage to the place of the sayde spyces. And not on∣ly the way is thus much shortened, but also a thyrde parte of the tyme is abbreuiate. To conclude therfore, if any had he∣therto attempted this vyage by the sea of Sur, to seeke the I∣landes of spyces, I am of firme opinion that they shuld haue byn founde longe sence, as doubtelesse they maye bee by the reasons of Cosmographie.

¶ Howe thynges that are of one kynde, dyffer in forme and qualitie, accordynge to the nature of the place where they are engendred or growe. And of the beastes cauled Tygers.

IN the firme lande are fownde many terryble beastes which sum thinke to be Tigers.* 11.92 Which thynge neuerthelesse, I dare not affirme, con∣syderynge what auctoures doo wryte of the lyghtnes and agilitie of the Tyger, whereas this beast beynge other wyse in shape very like vnto a Tyger, is notwithstandynge very slowe. Yet trewe it is, that accordynge to the maruayles of the worlde and diffe¦rences which naturall thynges haue in dyuers regions vnder heauen and dyuers constellations of the same vnder the whi¦che they are created, wee see that sum suche plantes and her¦bes as are hurtfull in one countrey,* 11.93 are harmelesse and hol∣some

in other regions. And byrdes which in one prouince are of good taste,* 11.94 are in other so vnsauery that they may not bee eaten. Men likewyse which in sum countreys are blacke, are in other places whyte: and yet are both these and they men.* 11.95

Euen so may it bee that Tygers are lyght in sum region as they wryte, and maye neuerthelesse bee slowe and heauy in these Indies of yowr maiestie wherof we speake. The sheepe of Arabie drawe theyr tayles longe and bigge on the ground,* 11.96 and the bulles of Egypt haue theyr heare growynge towarde theyr headdes: yet are those sheepe and these bulles.* 11.97 Men in sum countreys are hardy and of good courage, and in other naturally fearefull and brutyshe. All these thynges and ma∣ny more which may bee sayde to this purpose, are easy to bee proued and woorthy to bee beleued of suche as haue redde of the lyke in autours or trauayled the worlde, whereby theyr owne syght may teache theym thexperience of these thynges wherof I speake. It is also manifest, that Iucea wherof they make theyr breade in the Ilande of Hispaniola,* 11.98 is deadely poy∣son yf it bee eaten greene with the iuse: And yet hathe it no suche propertie in the firme land where I haue eaten it many times & founde it to bee a good frute. The bats of Spayne al¦though they bite,* 11.99 yet are they not venemous. But in the firme lande many dye that are bytten of them. And in this fourme may so many thynges bee sayde that tyme shall not suffice to wryte, wheras my intent is only to proue that this beast may be a Tiger or of the kind of Tigers although it be not of such lyghtnesse and swiftnes as are they wherof Plinie and other autours speake,* 11.100 discrybynge it to bee one of the swyftesse beastes of the lande, and that the ryuer of Tigris for the swift course therof was cauled by that name. The first Spaniardes which sawe this Tyger in the firme lande, dyd so name it. Of the kynde of these was that which Don Diego Columbo the Admirall sent yowre maiestie owte of newe Spayne to Tole∣do.* 11.101 Theyr heades are lyke to the heades of Lyons or Lio∣nesses, but greater. The reste of all theyr boddies and theyr legges, are full of blacke spottes one nere vnto an other and diuided with a circumference or frynge of redde colour shew∣inge as it were a fayre woorke and correspondent picture. Abowt theyr croopes or hynder partes, they haue these spots bydgest: and lesse and lesse towarde theyr bellies, legges, and

headdes. That which was brought to Toledo, was younge and but lyttle, and by my estimation, of thage of three yeares But in the firme lande there are many founde of greater quan∣titie. For I haue seene sum of three spannes in heyght, and more then fyue in length. They are beastes of greate force, with stronge legges, and well armed with nayles and fanges which we caule dogge teeth. They are so fierce that in my iudgement no reall lyon of the byggest sorte is so stronge or fierce. Of these, there are many founde in the firme land whi∣che deuour many of the Indians & do much hurte otherwyse. But syns the comming of the Christians, many haue byn kyld with Crossebowes after this maner. As soone as the archer hath knowlege of the haunt of any of these Tygers,* 11.102 he gothe searchynge theyr trase with his crossebowe and with a lyttle hounde or bewgle and not with a greehounde, bycause this beast wolde soone kyll any dogge that wolde venter on hym. When the hounde hath founde the Tyger, he runneth about hym bayinge continually, and approcheth so neare hym snap∣pynge and grynnynge with so quicke flyinge and returnyng, that he hereby so molesteth this fierce beaste that he dryuethe hym to take the next tree, at the foote whereof he remayneth styl baying and the Tyger grynnyng and shewyng his teeth, whyle in the meane tyme the archer commeth neare, and .xii. or .xiiii. pases of, stryketh hym with the querel of his crosse∣bowe in the breste, and flyeth incontinent, leauynge the Ty∣ger in his trauayle for lyfe and death, bytynge the tree and ea∣tynge earth for fi••rcenesse. Then within the space of twoo or three houres or the day folowynge, the archer returneth thy∣ther, and with his dogge fyndeth the place where he lyethe deade.

In the yeare, 1522. I with the other rulers & magistra∣tes of the citie of Sancta Maria Antiqua in Dariena, toke order in owr counsayle, A rewarde of foure or fyue pieces of golde to bee giuen to euery man that kylde any of these Tygers:* 11.103 by reason wherof many were kylde in shorte space both with crosse∣bowes and also with dyuers snares and ingens. But to con∣clude, I wyll not obstynately stand in opinyon whether these beastes bee Tygers or Panthers, or of the number of any o∣ther such beastes of spotted heare, or also peraduenture sum other newe beaste vnknowen to the owlde wryters as were

many other wherof I haue spoken in this booke. Of which thynge, I doo not greately meruayle, For asmuche as vnto owre tyme thys greate parte of the worlde was vnknowen to the antiquitie: In so muche that none of the wryters of that age, nor yet Ptolomie in his Cosmographie, or any other sence hym, haue made any mention herof, vntill the fyrst Ad¦myrall Don Chrystopher Colonus discouered the same.

A thynge doutelesse without comparyson muche greater then that whyche is sayd of Hercules,* 11.104 that he fyrste gaue thente∣rance of the sea Mediterraneum into the O••ean,* 11.105 whiche the Grekes coulde neuer doo before hym. And herof rysethe the fable that the mountaynes of Calpe and Abila (which are di∣rectly one agaynst an other in the strayght of Gibilterra,* 11.106 the one beyng in Spayne and the other in Affryke) were ioyned togi¦ther before they were opened by Hercules,* 11.107 who erected those hys pyllers whiche your maiestye gyue in token of prehemy∣nence and lyke enterpryses with lykewyse these hys wordes PLVS VLTRA:* 11.108 wordes doutelesse worthy for so greate an vnyuersall an Emperoure, and not conuenyent for any other Prynce.* 11.109 Forasmuche as your holy Catholyke Maiestye haue spredde them in so straunge and remote regyons, so manye thousande leaques further than euer dyd Hercules. And cer∣teynlye syr, If there had byn an Image of golde made in the prayse and fame of Colonus, He had as well deserued it as any of those men to whom for theyr noble enterpryse the antiquy¦tie gaue deuyne honoure, if he had byn in their tyme. But to returne to the matter whereof I began to speake: I neede say no more of the forme of thys beaste, for as muche as your Maiestye haue seene that whych is yet alyue in Tolledo. And suerly the keper of your Maiesties lyons, who hath taken vp¦pon hym the charge to tame this beaste, myght better haue be∣stowed his paynes in an other thynge that myght haue bynne more profitable for the safegarde of his lyfe bycause this Ty∣ger beinge yet but younge, wyl dayly bee stronger and fiercer and increase in malyce. The Indians (and especially they of the firme lande in the prouince whiche the Catholyke Kynge Don Ferdinando commaunded to bee cauled golden Castyle) caule this beaste Oobi. This thinge is straunge that chaunced of late: that wheras the Tiger wherof we haue made mention before,* 11.110 wolde haue kylde his kee•••••• that then kept hym in a

cage, was in fewe dayes after made so tame that he ledde her tyed only with a smaule corde and playde with her so family∣arly that I maruayled greatly to see it, yet not without cer∣teyne belefe that this frendshyp wyll not laste longe without daunger of lyfe to the keeper, forasmuch as suerly these bea∣stes are not meete to bee amonge men for theyr fiercenes and cruell nature that can not bee tamed.

❧ Of the maners and customes of the Indians of the firme lande, and of theyr women.

THe maners and customes of these Indians, are dyuers in diuers prouinces. Sum of them take as many wyues as them lyste, and other lyue with one wyfe whome they forsake not with∣out consent of both parties, which chauncethe especially when they haue no chyldren.* 11.111 The no¦bilitie aswel men as women, repute it infamous to ioyne with any of base parentage or strangers, except Christians, whom they count noble men by reason of theyr valientnes, although they put a difference betwene the common sorte and the other to whom they shewe obedience, countynge it for a great mat∣ter and an honorable thyng yf they bee beloued of any of thē. In so much that yf they knowe any Christian man carna••ly, they keepe theyr fayth to hym, so that he bee not longe ab∣sent farre from them. For theyr intent is not to bee widowes or to lyue chast lyke religious women. Many of theym haue this custome, that when they perceaue ••hat they are with chylde, they take an herbe wherwith they destroy that is con¦ceaued. For they say that only wel aged women shulde beare chyldren, and that they wyl not forbeare theyr pleasures and deforme theyr boddies with bearynge of chyldren, wherby theyr teates becoome loose and hangynge which thynge they greatly disprayse. When they are delyuered of theyr chyldren they go to the ryuer and washe them. Whiche doone, theyr bludde and purgation ceaseth immediatly. And when after this they haue a few days absteyned frō the company of men, they becomme so strayght as they say which haue had carnall familiaritie with them, that such as vse them, can not with∣out much difficultie satis••ie theyr appetite, They also whiche neuer had chyldren, are euer as byrgins.* 11.112 In sum partes they

weare certeyne lyttle apernes rounde about them before and behy••de as lowe as to theyr knees and hammes, wherwith they couer theyr priuie partes, and are naked all theyr boddie bysyde. The principal men beare theyr priuities in a holowe pype of golde: but the common sorte haue theym inclosed in the shelles of certeyne great welkes, and are bysyde vtterly naked. For they thynke it no more shame to haue theyr cods seene then any other parte of theyr boddies. And in many pro¦uinces bothe the men and women go vtterly naked without any such couerture at al. In the prouince of Cueua they caul a man Chuy, and a woman Ira: which name is not greately disagreeable to many both of theyr women and of owres.

These Indians gyue great honour and reuerence to theyr Cacique (that is) theyr kynges and rulers. The principall Ca∣cique,* 11.113 hath twelue of his most stronge Indians appoynted to beare hym when he remoueth to any place, or gothe abrod for his pleasure. Two of them cary hym syttyng vppon a longe piece of woodde which is naturally as lyght as they can fynd The other tenne folowe nexte vnto hym as foote men. They keepe continually a trottynge pase with hym on theyr shul∣ders. When the twoo that cary hym are wery, other twoo coomme in theyr places without any disturbance or stey. And thus if the way bee playne, they cary hym in this maner for the space of .xv. or .xx. leaques in one day. The Indians that are assigned to this office, are for the moste parte slaues or Naboriti, that is, such as are bounde to continuall seruice.

I haue also noted that when the Indians perceaue them selues to bee troubled with to much bludde,* 11.114 they lette theym selues blud in the calfes of theyr legges & brawnes of theyr armes, This doo they with a very sharpe stone, and sum∣tymes with the smaule toothe of a vyper, or with a sharpe reede or thorne

All the Indians are commonly without beardes:* 11.115 In so much that it is in maner a maruayle to see any of them eyther men or women to haue any downe or heare on theyr faces or other partes of theyr boddies. Albeit, I sawe the Cacique of the prouince of Catarapa who had heare on his face and other partes of his boddie, as had also his wyfe in suche places as women are accustomed to haue.* 11.116 This Cacique had a great part of his body paynted with a blacke colour which neuer fadeth: And is much lyke vnto that wherwith the Mores paynt them

selues in Barberie in token of nobilitie. But the Moores are paynted specially on theyr vysage and throte and certeyne other partes. Likewyse the principall Indians vse these payntynges on theyr armes and brestes, but not on theyr vy∣sages, bycause amonge them the slaues are so marked. When the Indians of certeyne prouinces go to the battayle (especi∣ally the Caniball archers) they cary certeyne shelles of greate welkes of the sea which they blowe and make therwith great sounde muche lyke the noyse of hornes.* 11.117 They carye also cer∣teyne tymbrels which they vse in the steade of drummes. Also very fayre plumes of fethers, and certeyne armure of golde:* 11.118 especially great and rounde pieces on theyr ••restes, and splin¦tes on there armes. Lykewyse other pieces whiche they put on theyr heades and other partes of theyr bodyes.* 11.119 For they esteeme nothynge so much as to appeare galante in the wars, and to go in most coomely order that they can deuyse, glyste∣rynge with precious stones, iewelles, golde, and fethers. Of the leaste of these welkes or perewincles, they make certeyne lyttle beades of diuers sortes and colours. They make also little brass••lets whiche they mengle with gaud••es of golde.* 11.120 These they rowle about there armes frome the elbowe to the wreste of the hande. The lyke also doo they on theyr legges from the knee to the soles of theyr feete in token of nobilitie. Especially theyr noble women in dyuers prouinces are accu∣stomed to weare such Iewelles, and haue theyr neckes in ma¦ner laden therwith. These beades and Iewels and such other trynkettes, they caule Caqu••ras. Bisyde these also, they weare certeyne rynges of golde at theyr cares and nostrelles which they bore ful of holes on both sides, so that the ringes hange vppon theyr lyppes. Sum of these Indians, are poulde and rounded. Albe••t, commonly both the men and women take it for a decent thynge to weare longe heare, which the women weare to the myddest of theyr shulders and cut it equally, es∣pecially aboue theyr browes. This doo they with certeyne harde stones which they keepe for the same purpose. The prin¦cipall women when theyr teates faule or becoome loose, beare them vp with hartes of golde of the length of a••spanne and a halfe,* 11.121 wel wrought, and of such byggenesse that sum of them way more then two hundreth Castilians or ducades of golde. These barres haue holes at both thendes, whereat they tye

two smaul cordes made of cotton at euery ende of the barres. One of these cordes goth ouer the shulder, and the other vn∣der the arme holes where they tye both togyther, so that by th••s meanes the barre beareth vp theyr teates. Sum of these chiefe women go to the battayle with theyr husbandes, or when they themselues are regentes in any prouinces, in the which they haue all thynges a•• commaundement and execute thoffice of generall capitaynes, and cause them selues to bee caryed on mens backes in lyke maner as doo the Caciques of whom I haue spoken before.

These Indians of the firme lande are muche of the same stature and coloure as are they of the Ilandes.* 11.122 They are for the most part of the colour of an olyue. If there bee any other difference, it is more in byggenesse then otherwyse. And espe¦cially they that are cauled Coronati are stronger and bygger then any other that I haue seene in these parties,* 11.123 except those of the Ilande of giantes whiche are on the south syde of the Ilande of Hispaniola:* 11.124 nere vnto the coastes of the firme lande: And lykewyse certeyne other which they caule Yucatos which are on the north syde.* 11.125 All which chiefely, although they bee no giantes, yet are they doubtelesse the byggeste of the Indy∣ans that are knowen to this day, and commonly bygger then the Flemynges: and especially many of them aswell women as men, are of very hyghe stature, and are all archiers bothe men and women. These Coronati inhabite thirtie leaques in length by these coastes from the poynt of Canoa to the greate ryuer which they caule Guadalchibir nere vnto Sancta Maria de gra∣tia. As I trauersed by those coastes, I fylled a butte of freshe water of that ryuer syxe leaques in the sea frome the mouthe therof where it fauleth into the sea. They are cauled Coronati (that is crowned) bycause theyr heare is cutte round by theyr rares, and poulde lower a great compase abowte the crowne much lyke the fryers of saynt Augustines order. And bycause I haue spoken of theyr maner of wearynge theyr heare, here commeth to my rememberaunce a thynge which I haue often∣tymes noted in these Indians. And this is, that they haue the bones of the sculles of theyr heades foure tymes thycker and much stronger then owres.* 11.126 So that in comm••ng to hand strokes with them, it shalbe requisite not to strike them on the heades with swoordes. For so haue many swoordes bynne

broken on theyr heades with lyttle hurt doone. And to haue sayde thus much of theyr customes and maners, it shal suffice for this tyme, bycause I haue more largely intreated herof in my generall hystorie of the Indies. Yet haue I nother there nor here spoken much of that parte of the firme lande whiche is cauled Noua Hispania (that is, newe Spayne whereof the I∣lande of Iucatana is part) forasmuche as Ferdinando Cortese hath wrytten a large booke thereof.* 11.127

Of the houses of these Indians,* 11.128 I haue spoken sufficient¦ly elswhere. Yet haue I thought good to informe yowr ma¦iestie of the buyldynge and houses which the Christians haue made in dyuers places in the firme lande. They buylde them nowe therfore with two solars or loftes, and with loopes and wyndowes to open and shutte. Also with stronge tymber and very fayre bordes. In suche sorte that any noble man maye wel and pleasauntly bee lodged in sum of them. And amonge other, I my selfe caused one to bee builded in the citie of Sancta Maria Antiqua in Dariena whiche coste me more then a thousande and fyue hundreth Castelians:* 11.129 being of such sort that I may well interteyne and commodiously lodge, any Lorde or noble man, reseruynge also a parte for my selfe and my famelie. For in this may many householdes bee kepte both aboue and be∣nethe. It hath also a fayre garden with many orange trees bothe sweete and sowre: Ceders also, and Lemondes,* 11.130 of the which there is nowe great plentie in the houses of the Chry∣stians. On one syde of the gardeyne, there runneth a fayre ry¦uer. The situation is very pleasaunte, with a good and hol∣some ayer, and a fayre prospecte abowte the ryuer. In fine, owre truste is that in fewe yeares al thynges in these regions shall growe to a better state accordynge to the holy intention of yowre maiestie.

Of the chiefe Ilandes Hispaniola and Cuba.

THe Indians which at this present inhabite the Ilande of Hispaniola, are but fewe in num∣ber, and the Chrystyans not so many as they ought to bee forasmuche as many of them that were in this Ilande, are gonne to other Ilan∣des and to the fyrme lande. For beynge for the

moste parte younge men vnmaried, and desirous dayly to see newe things wherin mans nature deliteth,* 11.131 they were not willinge to continewe longe in on place: especially seeing dai¦lie other newe landes discouered where they thowght theye might sooner fylle there purses by beinge present at the firste spoyle. Wherin neuerthelesse their hope deceaued many of them, and especially suche as bad houses and habitations in ••hys Ilande, For I certeynly beleue, confyrmynge my selfe herein with the Iudgement of many other, that if any one Prynce had no more signiores then only this Ilande, it shuld in shorte tyme bee suche as not to giue place eyther to Sicilie or Englande:* 11.132 wheras euen at this present there is nothynge wherefore it shulde malice their prosperitie not beinge inferi¦oure to them in any filicite that in maner the heauens can graunte to any lande: being furthermore suche as maye in∣riche many prouinces and k••ngedomes by reason of manye riche golde mynes that are in it of the beste golde that is founde to this day in the worlde,* 11.133 and in greatest quantitie. In this Ilande, nature of her selfe bringeth furthe suche a∣boundance of cotton that if it were wrought and maynteyned there shuld be more and better then in any parte of the world.* 11.134 There, is so greate plentie of excellent Cassia that a gr••ate quā¦titie is brought from thense into Spayne:* 11.135 from whense it is caried to dyuers partes of the worlde. In increaseth so muche that it is a meruelous thynge to consider. In this are many ryche shoppes wher suger is wrought:* 11.136 and that of such perfectenes and goodnes, and in suche quantitie that shippes come laden therwith yearly into Spayne.* 11.137 All suche sedes, sertes, or plantes, as are brought out of Spayne and planted in this Ilande, becoomme muche better, bygger, and of grea¦ter increase then they are in any parte of owre Europe. And if it chaunce otherwyse that sumetymes they prosper nor so well, the cause is that they which shulde tyll and husband the grounde,* 11.138 and sowe and plant in dewe seasons, haue no respect hereunto, being impacient whyle the wheate and vynes waxe rype, beinge gyuen to wanderynge and other affayres of pre∣sent gaynes (as I haue sayde) as searchynge the gold mines, fyshynge for pearles, and occupyinge marchaundies, with such other trades, for the greedy folowyng wherof, they neg∣lecte and contempne both sowynge and plantynge. Suche frutes as are brought owt of Spayne, into this Ilande, pros∣per

maruelously and waxe rype all tymes of the yeare: as her¦bes of all sortes very good and pleasaunt to bee eaten. Also many pomegranates of the best kynde, and oranges bothe sweete and sower.* 11.139 Lykewyse many fayre Lymones & ceders: and a great quantitie of all such as are of sharpe, sowre, and bytter taste. There are also many fygge trees whiche brynge furth theyr frute all the hole yeare.* 11.140 Lykewyse those kynd of date trees that beare dates:* 11.141 and dyuers other trees and plan¦tes which were brought owt of Spayne thyther.

Beastes doo also increase in lyke abundaunce:* 11.142 and especi¦ally the heardes of kyne are so augmented both in quantitie and number, that there are nowe many patrones of cattayle that haue more then two thousand heades of neate:* 11.143 and sum three or foure thousande, and sum more. Bysyde these, there are very many that haue heardes of foure or fyue hundrethe. And trewth it is, that this Iland hath better pasture for such cattayle then any other countrey in the worlde:* 11.144 also holsome and cleare water and temperate ayer, by reason whereof the heardes of such beastes are much bygger, fatter, and also of better taste then owres in Spayne bycause of the ranke pa∣sture whose moysture is better digested in the herbe or grasse by the continuall and temperate heate of the soonne,* 11.145 wherby being made more fatte and vnctuous, it is of better and more stedfast nuryshement.* 11.146 For continuall and temperate heate, dooth not only drawe muche moysture owt of the earth to the nuryshement of such thynges as growe and are engendered in that clyme, but dooth also by moderation preserue the same from resolution and putrefaction, digestynge also and conden¦satynge or thyckenynge the sayde moyste nuryshemente into a gummie and vactuous substaunce as is seene in all suche thin¦ges as growe in those regions. And this is the only naturall cause aswell that certeyne great beastes and of longe lyfe (as the Elephante and Rhinoceros with such other) are engende¦red only in regions nere vnto the Equinoctiall,* 11.147 as also that the leaues of such trees as growe there, doo not wyther or faule,* 11.148 vntyll they bee thruste owt by other, accordynge to the verse of the poete which sayth: Et nata pira piris, et ficus in ficubus ex∣tant. That is in effecte: peares growynge vppon peares, and fygges vppon fygges. Plinie also wryteth, that suche trees are neuer infected with the disease of trees that the Latines

caule Caries, which we may caule the worme or canker,* 11.149 being but a certeyne putrifaction by reason of a wateryshe nuryshe∣ment not well consolidate. The same thynge hath bynne the cause that certeyne Phylosophers considerynge aswell that man is the hottest and moystest beast that is (which is the best complexion) as also that men lyue longeste in certeyne partes of India nere the Equinoctiall (where yet to this day summe liue to thage of a hundreth and fiftie yeares) were of opinion that yf mankynde had any begynnynge on the earthe,* 11.150 that place owght by good reason to be vnder or not farre from the Equinoctiall lyne for the causes aforesayde.* 11.151 Sum of the di∣uines also vppon lyke consideration haue thought it agreable that theyr Paradyse shulde bee about the same within the pre∣cincte of those ryuers which are named in the booke of Gene∣sis. But to lette passe these thynges and to returne to the hystorie.

In this Ilande furthermore, are many sheepe and a great number of hogges:* 11.152 of the which (as also of the kyne) manye are becoome wyld: And lykewyse many dogges and cattes of those which were brought owt of Spayne.* 11.153 These (and espe∣cially the dogges) doo much hurte amonge the cattayle by rea¦son of the negligence of the hearde men.

There are also many horses, mares, and mules, and suche other beastes as serue thuse of men in Spayne, and are much greater then they of the fyrst brode brought thether owt of Spayne.* 11.154 Sum places of the Ilande are inhabyted, although not so many as were requisite: Of the whiche I wyll saye no more but that all the regions of the Ilande are so well situate that in the course of tyme all thynges shall coomme to grea∣ter perfection by reason of the rychnesse and pleasauntnesse of the countrey and fertilitie of the soile.

But nowe to speake sumwhat of the principall and chiefe place of the Ilande, which is the citie of San Domenico:* 11.155 I saye that as touchynge the buildynges, there is no citie in Spaine so muche for so muche (no not Barsalona whiche I haue often∣tymes seene) that is to bee preferred before this generallye. For the houses of San Domenico, are for the moste parte of stone as are they of Barsalona: or of so stronge and well wrought earth that it maketh a singuler & stronge byndyng. The situa¦cion is muche better thē that of Barsalona by reason that the

are much larger and playner▪ and without comparyson more directe and streyght furth. For beinge buylded nowe in owr tyme, bysyde the commoditie of the place of the foundation, the streates were also directed with corde, compase and mea∣sure, wherin it excelleth al the cities that I haue sene. It hath the sea so nere, that of one syde there is no more space betwen the sea and the citie then the waules. And this is about fyftie pases where it is furthest of. On this syde, the waters of the sea beate vppon the naturall stones and fayre coaste. On the other parte, harde by the syde and at the foote of the hou¦ses, passeth the ryuer Ozama whiche is a marueylous porte wherin laden shyppes ryse very nere to the lande and in ma∣ner vnder the house wynd••wes,* 11.156 & no further from the mouth of the ryuer where it entereth into the sea, then is frome the foote of the hyll of Monyuye to the monastery of saynt Frances or to the lodge of Barsalona. In the myddest of this space in the citie, is the fortresse and castle, vnder the which and twen¦tie pases distant from the same, passe the shippes to aryse sum what further in the same ryuer. From the enteraunce of the shyppes vntyll they cast anker, they sayle no further from the houses of the citie then thyrtie or fortie pases, bicause of this syde of the citie the habitacion is nere to the ryuer. The port or hauen also,* 11.157 is so fayre and commodious to defraight or vn∣lade shyppes, as the lyke is founde but in fewe places of the worlde. The chymmeis that are in this citie, are abowt syxe hundreth in number, and such houses as I haue spoken of be¦fore: Of the which sum are so fayre and large that they maye well receaue and lodge any lorde or noble manne of Spayne with his trayne and famelie. And especially that which Don Diego Colon viceroy vnder your maiestie hath in this citie, is suche that I knowe no man in Spayne that hath the lyke by a quarter in goodnesse consyderynge all the commodities of the same. Lykewyse the situation thereof, as beinge aboue the sayde porte and altogyther of stone and hauynge many faire and large roomes with as goodly a prospect of the lande and sea as may be deuysed, seemeth vnto me so magni∣ficall and princelyke that yowr maiestie maye bee as well lod∣ged therin as in any of the mooste exquisite builded houses of Spayne. There is also a Cathedrall churche buylded of late where aswell the byshop accordyng to his ••ignitie,* 11.158 as also the canones are wel indued. This church is wel buylded of stone

and lyme, and of good woorkemanshyppe. There are further∣more three monasteries bearyng the name of saynt Dominike, saynt Frances, and saynt Marie of Mercedes: The whiche are all well buylded althoughe not so curiouslye as they of Spayne. But speakynge without preiudice of any other reli¦gious monasterie, yowre maiestie may bee well assured that in these three monasteries, god is as wel serued as in any other religious house with men of holy lyuynge and vertuous exem¦ple. There is also a very good hospitall for the ayde and suc∣cour of pore people,* 11.159 whiche was founde by Michaell Passa∣ment threasurer to yowr maiestie. To conclude, this citie frō day to day increaseth in welth and good order, aswel for that the sayde Admyrall and viceroy with the lorde Chaunceloure and counsayle appoynted there by yowr maiestie, haue theyr continuall abydynge here, as also that the rychest men of the Ilande resort hyther for theyr moste commodious habitation and trade of such marchaundies as are eyther brought owt of Spayne or sent thyther from this Iland which nowe so abun¦deth in many thynges that it serueth Spayne with m••ny com¦modities, as it were with vsury requityng such benefites as it fyrst receaued from thense.

The people of this Ilande are commonlye of sumewhat lesse stature then are the Spanyardes, and of a shynynge or cleare browne coloure. They haue wyues of theyr owne, and absteyne from theyr dowghters, systers, and mothers. They haue large forheades, longe blacke heare, and no beardes or heare in any other parts of theyr bodies aswel mē as women,* 11.160 except very fewe as perhaps scarsely one amonge a thousand. They go as naked as they were borne, excepte that on the partes which may not with honestie bee seene, they weare a certeyne leafe as brode as a mans hande, which neuerthelesse is not kepte close with suche diligence but that sumtymes a man may see that they thynke sufficiently hydde.

In this Iland are certeyne glo woormes that shyne in the nyght as doo owres.* 11.161 But are muche bygger and gyue a grea∣ter lyght: In so much that when the men of the Ilande goo any iorneys in the nyght, they beare summe of these woormes made fast abowt theyr fiete and heade, in suche sorte that he that shulde see them a farre and ignorant of the thinge, wolde bee greatly astonyshed therat. By the lyght of these also, the

women woorke in theyr houses in the night. These woormes they caule Cleuas. Theyr lyght lasteth for the space of three dayes, and diminissheth as they begynne to drye vp.

There is also a kynd of crowes whose breath stynketh in the mornynge and is sweete at after noone.* 11.162 The excremente which they auoyde, is a lyuynge worme.

As touchynge other thynges of this Ilande whereof Pe∣ter Martyr hath more largely intreated in his Decades, I haue thought it superfluous to repeate the same ageyne owte of this hystorie of Gonzalus Ferdinandus: but haue here gathered only suche thynges as eyther are not touched of Peter Mar∣tyr or not so largely declared: as I haue doone the lyke in all other notable thynges which I haue collected owt of this Summarie of Gonzalus.

¶ Of the Ilande of Cuba and other.

OF the Ilande of Cuba and the other, as the I∣landes, of Sancti Iohannis and Iamaica,* 11.163* 11.164 the same maye bee sayde in maner in all thynges as be∣fore of Hispaniola although not so largely. Yet in lesse quantitie doo they brynge foorth the lyke thynges: as gold, copper, cattayle, trees plantes, fysshes, and such other of the whiche wee haue spo∣ken there.

In Cuba, is a certeyne kynde of Partyches beinge verye little, with theyr fethers much of the colour of turtle dooues:* 11.165 but are of muche better taste to bee eaten. They are taken in great number. And beinge brought wylde into the houses, they becoome as tame within the space of three or foure dayes as though they had byn hatched there. They becoomme ex∣ceadynge fatte in short space, and are doubtelesse the most de∣licate and pleasaunt meate that euer I haue eaten. But to let passe many other thynges that myght here bee sayde, and to speake of two maruelous thynges which are in this Iland of Cuba: wherof the one is,* 11.166 that a valley conteynynge twoo or three leaques in length betwene two mountaynes, is full of a kynde of very harde stones of suche perfecte roundenesse and lyke vnto pellettes of gunnes that no arte can make bet∣ter or more exactly polysshed. Of these, sum are as smaule

as pellettes for handegunnes: and other so increasynge byg∣ger and bygger from that quantitie, that they may serue for all sortes of artyllerie althoughe they bee of byggenesse to re∣ceaue one or two or more quintales of pouder, euery quintale conteynyng one hundreth weyght: or of what other quanti∣tie so euer they bee. These pelletes are founde through owte al the valley within the earth as in a myne, which they digge and take ow••e such as they neede of all sortes.

The other marueylous thinge of this Iland is this: That farre from the sea, there issheweth owt of a mountayne a cer¦teyne lycour much lyke the cley of Babilon cauled Bitumen or lyke vnto pytche in great quantitie and such as is very com∣modious for the calkynge of shyppes.* 11.167 This fauleth continu∣ally from the rocke and runneth into the sea in suche abun∣daunce that it is seene flotynge aboue the water on euery side of the sea there abowt as it is dryuen frome place to place by the wynde or course of the water.

Quintus Cursius wryteth in his hystorie,* 11.168 that great Alexander came to the citie of Memi where is a great caue or denne in the which is a sprynge or fountayne that continually auoydethe a great quantitie of Bitumen in such sort that it is an easy thing to beleue that the stones of the walles of Babilon myght bee layde therwith accordynge as the sayde auctoure wryteth.* 11.169 I haue seene this myne of Bitumen, not only in the Iland of Cu∣ba, but also such an other in new Spayne, which was found of late in the prouince of Panuco where it is much better then the other of Cuba,* 11.170 as I haue seene by experience in calkynge of shyppes.

¶ Of the lande of Baccaleos cauled Terra Baccalearum, situ∣ate on the North syde of the firme lande.

SHortly after that yowr Maiestie came to the ci¦tie of Toledo, there arryued in the moneth of Nouember, Steuen Gomes the pylot who the yeare before of 1524. by the commaundement of yowre maiestie sayled to the Northe partes and founde a greate parte of lande continu∣ate from that which is cauled Baccaleos discoursynge towarde the West to the .xl. and .xli. degree,* 11.171 frō whense he broughe

certeyne Indians (for so caule wee all the nations of the new founde landes) of the whiche he brought sum with hym from thense who are yet in Toledo at this present,* 11.172 and of greater stature then other of the firme lande as they are commonlye. Theyr coloure is much lyke thother of the firme lande. They are great archers, and go couered with the skinnes of dyuers beastes both wylde and tame.* 11.173 In this lande are many excel∣lent furres, as marterns, sables, and such other rych furres of the which the sayde pilote brought summe with hym into Spayne. They haue syluer and copper, and certeyne other metalles. They are Idolaters and honoure the soonne and moone,* 11.174 and are seduced with suche superstitions and errours as are they of the firme.

And to haue wrytten thus muche, it maye suffice of suche thinges as haue semed to me most woorthy to be noted in the Sūmarie of Gonzalus Ferdinandus wrytten to Thēperours maiestie

¶ Of other notable thynges gathered owte of dyuers autours: And fyrste of the vniuersal carde and newe worlde.

THe hole globe or compase of the earth was dy∣uyded by the auncient wryters into three par∣tes, as Europa, Affrica, and Asia: whiche partes conteyne in longitude .180. degrees, begyn∣nynge the fyrst degree at the Ilandes of Cana¦rie. And conteyne in latitude towarde the North .63. degrees, begynnynge the fyrste degree frome the Equinoctiall: And .10. degrees towarde the South. All the reste of the longitude which conteyneth other .180. degrees, is discouered of late tyme, as the West India cauled the newe worlde,* 11.175 bycause none of the owlde autoures had any knowe∣lege or made any mention therof. All that therfore is cauled newe which is Westwarde from the Ilandes of Canarie. And thus accomptynge these .180. degrees towarde the East disco¦uered in owlde tyme, with the other .180. degrees disco¦uered of late dayes, they make, 360. degrees, which is al the circle of the Equinoctiall in the sphere.* 11.176 Also the part aboue the .63. degrees of the North latitude,* 11.177 was founde by men of late tyme, as Norway and Grutlande with many other pro∣uinces.

Lykewise the part more south then .10. degrees of la¦titude,* 11.178 was discouered of late dayes, althoughe Ariane and Plinie say that it was knowen in owlde tyme: whiche yf it were, yet had they no suche particular description thereof as we haue in these dayes.

¶ A discourse of the vyage made by the Spanyardes rounde abowte the worlde.

THe vyage made by the Spanyardes rownde abowt the worlde, is one of the greatest and moste marueylous thynges that hath bynne knowen to owre tyme. And althoughe in ma¦ny thynges we excell owre aunciente predi∣cessours, in this especiallye wee so farre ex∣ceade all theyr inuentions, that the lyke hath not heretofore byn knowen to this day. This viage was writ¦ten particularly by Don Peter Martyr of Angleria being one of the counsayle of Themperours Indies,* 12.1 to whom also was commytted the wrytyng of the hystorie and examination of al suche as returned from thense into Spayne to the citie of Si∣uile, in the yeare .M. D. xxii. But sendynge it to Rome to bee prynted in that miserable tyme when the citie was sacked it was lost and not founde to this day or any memory remay∣nynge therof,* 12.2 sauynge suche as sum that redde the same haue borne in mynde. And amonge other notable thynges by hym wrytten as touchynge that vyage, this is one, that the Spa∣nyardes hauynge sayled abowt three yeares and one moneth,* 12.3 and the most of them notynge the dayes, day by day (as is the maner of all them that sayle by the Ocean) they founde when they were returned to Spayne, that they had loste one daye: So that at theyr arryuall at the porte of Siuile beinge the se∣uenth day of September, was by theyr accompt but the sixth day. And where as Don Peter Martyr declared the strange effecte of this thynge to a certeyne excellente man who for his singuler lernynge was greately aduaunced to honoure in his common welthe and made Themperours ambassadoure, this woorthy gentelman who was also a greate Philosopher and Astronomer, answered that it coulde not otherwyse chaunce vnto them hauynge sayled three yeares continually, euer fo∣lowynge

the soonne towarde the West. And sayde furthermore that they of owlde tyme obserued that all suche as sayled be∣hinde the soonne towarde the West, dyd greatly lengthen the day. And albeit that the sayde booke of Peter Martyr is pe¦rysshed, yet hath not fortune permitted that the memorie of so woorthy and marueylous an enterpryse shulde vtterly bee extincte: forasmuch as a certeyne noble gentleman of the cy∣tie of Uincenza in Italie, cauled master Antonie Pigafetta (who beinge one of the coompanie of that vyage and after his returne into Spayne in the shyppe Uictoria,* 12.4 was made knyght of the Rhodes) wrote a particular and large booke therof which he gaue to Themperours Maiestie, and sente a coppie of the same into Fraunce to the lady Regente moo••her vnto the frenche kynge, who committed it to an excellent phi¦losopher cauled master Iacobus Faber,* 12.5 hauyng longe studyed in Italy, wyllynge him to translate it into the Frenche toonge. This booke therefore was printed fyrst in the frenche toonge and then in the Italien, with also an epistle to the Cardinall of Salsepurge as touchynge the same viage, written by Max¦imiliane Transiluane secretarie to Themperours Maiestie,* 12.6 in the yeare .1522. And doubtelesse amonge al the cities of I∣talie, the citie of Uicenza may herein much glorie, that beside the ancient nobilitie and many excellent and rare wyttes whi¦che it hath browght furth aswell in learnynge as discipline of warre, it hath also had so woorthy and valiaunt a gentle¦man as was the sayde master Antonie Pigafetta, who hauing compased abowte the ball or globe of the worlde, hath lyke∣wyse described that vyage particularly. For the whiche his so noble and woonderfull an enterprise so happily atchiued,* 12.7 if the same had byn doone in the owlde tyme when thempyre of the Grekes and Romans florysshed, he shulde doubtelesse haue byn rewarded with an Image of marble or golde erec∣ted in a place of honoure in perpetuall memorie and for a sin∣gular exemple of his vertue to the posteritie. In fine, this may we bouldly affirme, that the antiquitie had neuer such know∣lege of the worlde whiche the soonne coompaseth abowte in xxiiii. houres,* 12.8 as we haue at this presente by thindustrye of men of this owre age. But before I speake any thynge of the viage, I haue thought it good fyrst to adde hereunto, the E∣pistle of Maximilian Transiluane which he wrote to the Car∣dinall

of Salsepurge as a preface to his sayde booke.

¶ The Epistle of Maximilian Transiluane, secretarie to The Emperours maiestie: wrytten to the ryght honorable and reuerende lorde, the lorde Cardinall of Salsepurge, of the marueylous and woonderfull nauigation made by the Spanyardes rounde abowt the worlde in the yeare of Christ. M. D. xix.

IN these daies my most honorable and reuerend lorde, returned one of those fiue shippes which the yeare before Themperours beinge at Sara∣gosa in Spayne, were at his maiesties com∣maundement sent to the newe worlde hereto∣fore vnknowen vnto vs, to seeke the Ilandes of spices.* 12.9 For albeit the Portugales brynge vs great quanti∣tie of spyces from that parte of Easte India whiche in owlde tyme was cauled Aurea Chersonesus (where is nowe thought to bee the greate and ryche citie of Malaccha) yet in Easte India growe none of those spices excepte pepper.* 12.10* 12.11* 12.12 For other spices, as Sinamome, cloues, nutmegges, and mase, (whiche is the huske that couereth the shell of the nutte) are brought frome other farre contreys & frō Ilandes scarsely knowen by theyr names. From the whiche Ilandes they are brought in shyps or barkes made withowt any iren tooles, and tyed togyther with cordes of date trees: with rounde sayles lykewise made of the smaule twigges of the branches of date trees weaued togyther. These barkes they caule Giun••he: with the whiche barkes and sayles, they make theyr vyages with onely one wynde in the stearne or contrarywyse.

Neyther yet is it a thynge greatly to bee marueyled at that these Ilandes where the spyces growe haue byn vnknowen so many worldes past vnto owre tyme,* 12.13 forasmuch as all such thynges as vnto this day haue byn wrytten of owld autours of the places where spices growe, are all fabulous and false: In so muche that the countreys where they affirme theym to growe, are nowe certeynely founde to bee further frome the place where they growe in deede, then we are from them. For lettynge passe many other thynges that are wrytten, I wyll

speake onl•• of this which Herodotus (otherwise a famous auc∣tou••) aff••••meth that Sinamome,* 12.14* 12.15 is founde in the toppes of the nestes of certeyne byrdes and foules that brynge it frome farre countreys, & especially the Phenyx,* 12.16 the which I knowe no man that euer hath seene. But Plinie who myght more certeynely affirme thynges by reason that before his tyme ma¦ny thynges were knowen and discouered by the nauigations of great Alexander and other,* 12.17* 12.18 sayth that Sinamome groweth in that parte of Ethiope which the people inhabite cauled Tro∣gloditi.* 12.19* 12.20 Neuerthelesse it is nowe founde that Sinamome grow¦eth very farre from all Ethiope and muche further frome the Trogloditi whiche dwell in caues vnder the grounde. But to owre men which are nowe returned from those partes and the Ilandes of spices, hauynge also good knowlege of Ethiope, it was necessarie to passe farre beyonde Ethiope beefore they coome to these Ilandes,* 12.21 and to coompasse abowte the whole worlde, and many tymes vnder the greatest circumference of heauen. The which nauigation made by th••m, being the most marueylous thynge that euer was doone by man vppon the earth sence the fyrst creation of the worlde, and neuer founde before, or knowen, or attempted by any other, I haue delibe∣rated faythfully to wryte to yowre honorable lordshippe and to declare the hole successe therof. As touchynge which mat∣ter, I haue with all diligence made inquisition to knowe the trewth aswell by relation of the Capitayne of that shyppe as also by conference with euery of the maryners that returned with hym. All which, gaue the selfe same information both to Themperours maiestie and dyuers other: And this with such faythfulnesse and sinceritie, that not only they are iud∣ged of all men to haue declared the trewth in all thynges, but haue thereby also gyuen vs certeyne knowlege that all that hath hytherto byn sayde or written of owlde autours as tou∣chynge these thynges,* 12.22 are false and fabulous. For who wyll beleue that men are found with only one legge. Or with such fiete whose shadowe couereth theyr bodyes? Or men of a cu∣bite heyght, and other such lyke, beinge rather monsters then men?* 12.23 Of the which, neyther the Spanyardes who in owre tyme saylyng by the Ocean sea,* 12.24 haue discouered al the coastes of the lande toward the West both vnder and aboue the Equi¦noctiall, nor the Portugales who compassynge abowt al Af∣fryke haue passed by all the Easte and lykewyse discouered all

those coastes vnto the great goulfe cauled Sinus Magnus,* 12.25 nor yet the Spanyardes in this theyr laste nauigation, in the which they compased abowt the hole earth, dyd neuer in any of their vyages wryte of such monsters: which doubtelesse they wold not haue omytted if they myght haue had certeyne knowelege therof. But nowe intendynge to speake of the whole world, I wyll not bee longe in my preface, but begynne my narrati∣on as foloweth.

❧ A briefe declaration of the vyage or nauigation made a∣bowte the worlde. Gathered owt of a large booke wrytten hereof by master Antonie Pygafetta Uincentine, knyght of the Rhodes and one of the coomp••nye of that vyage in the which, Ferdinando Magalianes a Portugale (whom sum caule Magel¦lanus) was generall Capitayne of the nauie.

ALthowgh Sebastian Munster in his vniuer∣sall Cosmographie in the fyfthe booke of the landes of the greater Asia (which I transla¦ted into Englyshe abowte two yeares sen••e) hath wrytten of the vyage of Magellanus,* 12.26 de∣clarynge therein howe the Spanyardes by the West, and the Portugales by the Easte, saylyng to the Ilandes of Molucca,* 12.27 compased the hole globe of the worlde betwene them, yet haue I here thought it good to make a breefe repeticion of this vyage, addynge hereunto dy∣uers notable thynges which were not touched of Munster, as I haue gathered them owt of the bookes of Antonie Pigafet∣ta and Transiluanus wrytten of the same vyage. For albe∣it in deede it was a straunge and woonderful thynge that the Spanyardes and Portugales compased the hole circumfe∣rence of the worlde betwene them, yet is it more marueylous that the same was doone with one shippe and one coompanie of men as dyd the Spanyardes in this vyage, who keepynge theyr continuall cours•• by the Weste, returned into Spayne by the Easte. A thynge doubtlesse so much more woonderfull and strange then yf they had returned from the halfe circumfe¦rence by the same way they went. In howe muche they were

ignorante in the vyage neuer attempted beefore, besyde the thousande daungiours and perylles whiche they were daylye lyke to faule into, aswell by wanderynge in vnknowen coa∣stes as also by faulynge into the handes of the Portugales by whose dominions in the Easte,* 12.28 they shulde needes passe of necessitie, not trustynge to theyr gentelnesse for the contro∣uersie which had byn longe betwene them for the Ilandes of Molucca. I wyll therefore (as I haue sayde) make a briefe re∣hearsall of this vyage from the begynnynge to the endynge: Omyttynge neuerthelesse many notable thynges whiche are more largely described in the bookes of Maximilianus Transiluanus and Antonius Pigafetta.

The tenthe day of August, in the yeare of owre lorde M. D. xix. Ferdinando Magalianes departed from the porte of Siuile in Spayne with a nauie of fyue shyppes and two hun∣dreth thirtie and seuen men,* 12.29 wel furnysshed with all thynges necessarie. And saylynge fyrste downe by the ryuer of Gua∣dalehiber which runneth from the sayde porte into the sea, they came fyrste to a place named Giouan Dulfarax where are manye vyllages of the Moores: And from thense arryued at a castel of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, where is the porte from whiche they enter into the sea and to the cape saynte Uincent beinge distant from the Equinoctiall .xxxvii. degrees,* 12.30 and frome the sayde port .x. leaques, and is from thense to Siuile betwene xvii. and .xx. leaques. Here they remayned certeyne dayes to make newe prouision of such thynges as they lacked.

Departynge from hense the .xx. daye of September, they arryued the .xxvi. day of the same moneth at one of the Ilan∣des of Canarie cauled T••nerife,* 12.31 beinge .xxv. degrees about the Equinoctiall. In one of these Ilandes is none other water but that is continually engendered of a clowde which appea∣reth dayly at noone tyde as though it descended from heauen and compaseth abowt a certeyne great tree from whose bran∣ches distilleth greate abundaunce of water,* 12.32 and faulethe in streames from the roote of the same into certeine trenches and cestarnes made and placed to receaue it. This water serueth sufficiently all thinhabitauntes and cattayle of the Ilande. The lyke thinge is also seene in the Iland of saynt Thomas,* 12.33 lyinge directly vnder the Equinoctiall lyne.

The thyrde day of October abowt mydnyght, the capy∣tayne

commaunded theym to lyght fyrebrandes and to hoyse vp theyr sayles directynge theyr course towarde the South, saylynge betwene Capo Verde of Affryke and the Ilandes ly∣inge abowt the same,* 12.34 beinge from the Equinoctiall .xiiii. de∣grees and a halfe. They fayled thus, manye dayes in the syght of the coaste of Guinea, of Ethio••e,* 12.35 where is the moun∣tayne cauled Serra Liona beinge .viii. degrees aboue the Equi∣noctiall.* 12.36 In this coast they had no maner of contrary wynde but a great calme and fayre wether for the space of threescore and tenne dayes, in the which they came vnder the Equinoc∣tiall lyne. In this vyage they sawe manye straunge fysshes and monsters of the sea besyde an other straunge thynge whi¦che appeared vnto them.* 12.37 For there appeared in theyr shyppes certeyne flames of fyre burnynge very cleare, which they caul saynt Helen and saynt Nicolas.* 12.38 These appeared as thought they had byn vppon the mast of the shyppes, in suche cleare∣nesse that they tooke away theyr sight for the space of a quar¦ter of an houre: by reason wherof, they so wandered owte of theyr course and were disparsed in sunder, that they in maner dispayred to meete ageyne. But as God wolde, the sea and tempest beinge quieted, they came safely to theyr determyned course. And before I speake any further of the vyage, I haue here thought good to saye sumewhat of these straunge fyers,* 12.39 which sum ignorant folkes thynke to bee spirites or suche o∣ther phantasies wheras they are but natural thynges procea∣dynge of naturall causes and engendered of certeyne exhala∣tions. Of these therefore, the greate Philosopher of owre tyme Hieronimus Cardanus in his seconde booke de Subtilitate,* 12.40 wry∣teth in this maner.

There are two maner of fyers engendered of exhalations wherof the one is hurtfull and the other without hurte.* 12.41 That which is hurtful, is fyer in deede, engendered of malicious & venemous vapours which in successe of time take fyer as apt matters to be kyndeled. The other kynd, is no trew fy••e, but lyke the matter that is in such owlde putrified wod as giueth the shynynge of fyer without the substaunce or qualitie ther∣of. Of the kynde of trewe fyer,* 12.42 is the fyer baule or starre com¦monly cauled saynt Helen which is sumtyme seene abowt the mastes of shyppes, beinge of suche fy••ry nature that it sume∣tyme melteth brasen vesselles, and is a token of drownyng,

forasmuch as this chaunceth only in great tempestes. For the vapoure or exhalation whereof this fyre is engendered, can not bee dryuen togyther or compacte in forme of fyre, but of a grose vapoure and by a great poure of wynde, and is ther∣fore a token of imminent perell: As on the contrary parte, the lyke fyers cauled in owlde tyme Castor and Pollux and nowe na¦med the two lyghtes of saynt Peter and saynt Nycolas whi∣che for the most parte faule on the cables of the shyppes,* 12.43* 12.44 lea∣pynge from one to an other with a certeyne flutterynge noyse lyke byrdes, are a token of securitie and of the tempeste ouer∣passed. For they are but vapoures cleauynge to the cables: which in successe of tyme, the fyer passynge from one to an o∣ther, appere in the similitude of a lyght candell. They are a token of securitie bycause they are lyttle, not slowe or grosse, wherby they myght haue ioyned altogyther in one, and byn thereby more malicious and lasted longer, wheras beinge ma¦ny and but lyttle, they are the sooner consumed. Hetherto Cardanus. But let vs nowe returne to the vyage.

When they had sayled paste the Equinoctiall lyne, they lost the syght of the north starre,* 12.45 and sayled by southweste vntyll they came to a lande named the lande of Bressil whiche sum caule Brasilia,* 12.46 beinge .xxii. degrees and a halfe toward the south pole or pole Antartyke.* 12.47 This lande is continuate and one firme lande with the cape of saynte Augustine whiche is viii. degrees from the Equinoctiall. In this lande they were refresshed with many good frutes of innumerable kindes, and founde here also very good sugar canes and diuers kyndes of beastes and other thynges which I omitte for breuitie.* 12.48 They entered into this hauen on saynt Lucies day: where the sonne beinge there Zenith (that is the poynt of heauen directly ouer theyr heades) they felte greater heate that daye then when they were vnder the Equinoctiall line. This lande of Brasile is very large and great:* 12.49 and bygger then all Spayne, Portu∣gale, Fraunce, and Italie: and is moste abundaunte in all thynges. The people of this countrey praye to noo maner of thinge: but liue by thinstincte of natu••e, and to thage of .C.xx and .C. xl. yeares. Bothe the men and women go naked, and dwell in certeyne longe houses. They are very docible, and soone allured to the Chrystian fayth.

Therteene dayes after that they arryued at the sayd port,

they departed from this lande and sayled to the .xxxiiii. de∣gree and a halfe toward the pole Antartike where they found a great ryuer of fre••she water and certeyne Canibales.* 12.50 Of these they sawe one owt of theyr shyppes, of stature as bigge as a giante,* 12.51 hauynge a voyce lyke a bul. Owre men pursued them, but they were so swyfte of foote that they coulde not ouertake them. Abowt the mouth of this ryuer, are seuen I∣landes,* 12.52 in the byggest wherof, they founde certeyne precious stones, and cauled it the cape of saynt Marie.* 12.53 The Spany∣ardes thought that by this ryuer they might haue passed into the south sea. But they were deceaued in theyr opinion. For there was none other passage then by the ryuer which is .xvii leaques large in the mouth.

Thus folowynge this coaste by the tracte of the lande to∣warde the pole Antartyke,* 12.54 they came to a place where were two Ilandes replenysshed with giese and woolues of the sea which sum thynke to bee those fysshes that wee caule pikes.* 12.55 These were in such number that in an houre all the fyue ship∣pes myght haue byn lade with giese beinge all of blacke co∣loure, and such as can not flye. They lyue of fysshe and are so fatte that they coulde scarsely fle theym. They haue noo fe∣thers but a certeyne downe: and theyr byls like rauens byls. These woolues of the sea are of dyuers coloures, and of the byggenesse of calues, with theyr heades of golden coloure. Here were they in great daungiour by tempest. But as soone as the three fyers cauled saynte Helen, saynte Nycolas, and saynt Clare, appered vppon the cabels of the shyppes, sud∣deynely the tempeste and furye of the wyndes ceased.

Departynge frome hense, they sayled to the .49. degree and a halfe vnder the pole Antartyke:* 12.56 where beinge wynte∣red, they were inforced to remayne there for the space of two monethes, all which tyme they sawe no man except that one daye by chaunce they espyed a man of the stature of a giante,* 12.57 who came to the hauen daunsyng and syngynge, and shortly after seemed to cast dust ouer his heade. The capitayne sente one of his men to the shore with the shyppe boate, who made the lyke signe of peace. The which thynge the giante seinge, was owt of feare and came with the capitaynes seruaunte to his presence into a lyttle Ilande. When he sawe the capi∣tayne with certeyne of his coompany abowte hym, he was

greatly amased and made signes heldynge vppe his hande to heauen, signifyinge therby that owre men came from thense. This giante was so bygge,* 12.58 that the heade of one of owr men of a meane stature, came but to his waste. He was of good corporature and well made in all partes of his bodie, with a large vysage paynted with dyuers coloures, but for the most parte yelowe. Uppon his cheekes were paynted two hartes, and redde circles abowt his eyes. The heare of his headde was coloured whyte, and his apparell was the skynne of a beaste sowde togyther. This beaste (as seemed vnto vs) had a large heade and great eares lyke vnto a mule, with the body of a camel and tayle of a horse. The feete of the g••ant were foulded in the sayde skynne after the maner of shoos. He had in his hande, a bygge and shorte bowe, the strynge whereof was made of a synewe of that beaste. He had also a bundell of longe arrowes made of reedes fethered after the maner of owrs, typte with sharpe stones in the steade of iren heades. The Capitayne caused him to eate and drynke, and gaue him many thynges, and amonge other a greate lookynge glasse: In the which as soone as he sawe his owne lykenesse, was sud¦deynely afrayde and started backe with such violence that he ouerthrewe two that stoode nearest abowte hym. When the Capitayne had thus gyuen hym certeyne haukes belles and other great belles, with also a lookynge glasse, a combe, and a payre of beades of glasse, he sente hym to lande with foure of his owne men well armed.

Shortely after, they sawe an other giaunte of sumewhat greater stature,* 12.59 with his bowe and arrowes in his hande, As he drewe neare vnto owre menne, he layde his hande on his heade and poynted vp towarde heauen, and owr men dyd the lyke. The Capitayne sente his shyppe boate to brynge him to a lyttle Ilande beinge in the hauen. This giante was verye tractable and pleasaunt. He soonge and daunsed: and in his daunsynge lefte the printe of his feete on the grownde. Here mayned longe with owre men who named hym Iohan. He coulde wel speake and playnely pronounce these wordes: Iesus: Aue Maria, Iohannes, euen as we doo, but with a bygger voyce.

The capitayne gaue hym a shert of lynnen clothe, and a coate of whyte woollen clothe: Also a cappe, a combe, a lookynge glasse, with dyuers suche other thynges, and so sente hym to his coompany. The day folowyng, he resorted ageyne to the

shyppes, and brought with hym one of those greate beastes▪ which he gaue the capitayne. But after that daye they neuer sawe hym more, supposynge hym to bee slayne of his owne coompany for the conuersation he had with owre men.

After other .xv. dayes were paste, there came foure other giantes without any weapons,* 12.60 but had hydde theyr bowes and arrowes in certeyne busshes. The capitayne reteyned two of these whiche were youngest and beste made. He tooke them by a deceyte in this maner, that gyuynge them knyues, sheares,* 12.61 lookynge glasses, belles, beades of crystall, & suche other ••ryfels, he so fylled theyr handes that they coulde hold no more. Then caused two payre of shackels of iren to bee put on theyr legges, makynge signes that he wold also gyue them those chaynes: which they lyked very wel bycause they were made of bryght and shynynge metal. And wheras they could not cary them bycause theyr handes were full, the other gy∣antes wolde haue caryed them: but the Capitayne wolde not suffer them. When they felte the shakels faste abowte theyr legges, they begunne to doubte: but the Capitayne dyd put them in comforte and badde them stande styll. In fine when they sawe how they were deceaued they rored lyke bulles and cryed vppon theyr greate deuyll Setebo•• to helpe them.* 12.62 Being thus taken, they were immediatly seperate and put in sundry shyppes. They coulde neuer bynde the handes of the other two, Yet was one of them with much difficultie ouerthrowne by nyne of owre men, and his handes bownde: but he sud∣deynely loosed hym selfe and fledde, as dyd also the other that came with them. In theyr f••ying, they shot of theyr arrowes and slewe one of owre men. They say that when any of them dye,* 12.63 there appere .x. or .xii. deuyls leapynge and daunsynge a¦bout the bodye of the deade. and seeme to haue theyr boddyes paynted with dyuers colours. And that amonge other, there is one seene bygger then the residue, who maketh great mirth and reioysynge. This grea••e deuyll they caule Setebos, and caule the lesse Chel••ule. One of these giantes which they toke, declared by signes that he had seene deuyls with two hornes aboue theyr heades, with longe heare downe to theyr feete: And that they cast furth fyre at theyr throtes both before and behynde. The Capitayne named these people Patagoni.* 12.64 The most part of them weare the skynnes of suche beastes wherof I haue spoken before: And haue no houses of continuaunce

but make certeyne cotages whiche they couer with the sayde skynnes, and cary them from place to place. They lyue of raw flesshe and a c••rteyne sweete roote whiche they caule Capar. One of these which they had in theyr shippes, dyd eate at one meale a basket of byskette,* 12.65 and drunke a bowle of water at a draught.

They remayned fyue monethes in this porte of saint Iuli∣••n, where certeyne of the vnder capitaynes conspirynge the death of theyr general,* 12.66 were hanged and quartered: Amonge whom the treasurer Luigo of Mendozza was one. Certeyne of the other conspiratours, he left in the sayd land of Patogoni

Departyng from hense to the .52. degree toward the pole Antartike lackynge a thyrde parte, where they founde a ry∣uer of fresshe water and good fysshe. Theyr shyppes were here in great daungiour. They remayned twoo monethes in this porte where they made newe prouision of fresshe water, fuell, and fysshe. Here the Capitayne caused all his men to bee confessed.* 12.67

Approchynge to the .52. degrees, they founde the straight nowe cauled the straight of Magellanus,* 12.68 beinge in sum place L. x. leaques in length: and in breadth sumwhere very large and in other places lyttle more then halfe a leaque in bred••h. On both the sydes of this strayght, are great and hygh moun¦taynes couered with snowe, beyonde the whiche is the ente∣raunce into the sea of Sur.* 12.69 This enteraunce the Capitayne na¦med Mare Pacificum.* 12.70 Here one of the shyppes stole away puni∣lie and returned into Spaine. In this was one of the giantes who dyed as soone as he felt the heate that is abowte the E∣quinoctiall lyne.

When the Capitayne Magalianes was past the straight and sawe the way open to the other mayne sea,* 12.71 he was so gladde therof that for ioy the teares fell from his eyes, and named the poynt of the lande from whense he fyrst sawe that sea, Ca∣po D••siderato.* 12.72

Supposing that the shyp which stole away had byn loste, they erected a cro••••e vppon the top of a hyghe hyll to directe their course in the straight yf it were theyr chaunce to coome that way. They founde that in this strayght in the moneth of Oc¦tober the nyght was not past foure houres longe.* 12.73 They found in this strayght at euery three myles, a safe hauen and exce∣llent

water to drynke: woodde also and fysshe, and greate plentie of goodherbes. They thynke that there is not a fayrer strayght in the worlde. Here also they sawe certeyne ••••yinge fysshes.* 12.74

The other giante which remayned with them in the shyp, named breade Capar: water, Ol••: redde clothe, Chereca••red colour,* 12.75 Cheiche: blacke colour, Amel: And spoke al his wor∣des in the throte. On a tyme, as one made a crosse before him and kyssed it, shewynge it vnto ••ym, he suddeynely cryed Se∣tebos, and declared by signes that if they made any more cros∣ses, Setebos wold enter into his body and make him brust. But when in fine he sawe no hurte coome thereof, he tooke the crosse and imbrased and kyssed it oftentymes, desyringe that he myght bee a Chrystian before his death. He was therfore baptysed and named Paule.* 12.76

Departynge owt of this strayght into the sea cauled Mare Pacificum the .xxviii. day of Nouember in the yeare .1520. they sayled three moonethes and .xx. dayes before they sawe any lande.* 12.77 And hauynge in this tyme consumed all theyr bysket and other vyttayles, they fell into suche necessitie that they were inforced to eate the pouder that remayned therof beinge nowe full of woormes and stynkynge lyke pysse by reason of the salte water.* 12.78 Theyr fresshe water was also putrifyed and become yelowe. They dyd eate skynnes and pieces of lether which were foulded abowt certeyne great ropes of the shyps. But these skynnes beinge made verye harde by reason of the soonne, rayne and wynde, they hunge them by a corde in the sea for the space of foure or fiue dayes to mollifie them, and sodde them and eate them. By reason of this famen and vn∣clene feedynge, summe of theyr gummes grewe so ouer theyr teethe,* 12.79 that they dyed miserably for hunger. And by this oc∣casion dyed .xix. men, and also the giante with an Indian of the lande of Brasile otherwyse cauled Terra de papagalli, that is the lande of popingiayes. Besyde these that dyed .xxv. or .xxx were so sicke that they were not able to doo any seruice with theyr handes or armes for feeblenesse: So that there was in maner none without sum disease. In these three monethes & xx. dayes, they sayled foure thousande leaques in one goulfe by the sayde sea cauled Pacific••m (that is) peaceable, whiche may well bee so cauled forasmuch as in all this tyme hauyng

no syght of any lande, they had no misfortune of wynde o•• any other tempest. Durynge this tyme also, they discouered only two little Ilandes vnhabited, where they sawe nothing but birdes and trees, and therefore named theym infortunate Ilandes,* 12.80 beinge one from the other abowte two hundreth lea¦ques distante. The firste of these Ilandes is from the Equi∣noctial toward the pole Antartike .xv. degrees, and the other fyue. Theyr sailinge was in suche sorte that they sailed dai∣ly betweene .l.lx. to .lxx. leaques.* 12.81 So that in fine, if god of his mercy had not gyuen them good wether, it was necessary that in this soo greate a sea they shuld all haue dred for hun∣ger. Whiche neuerthelesse they escaped soo hardely, that it may bee doubted whether euer the like viage may be attemp∣ted with so good successe.

They consydered in this nauigation that the pole Antar∣tike hath no notable starre after the sorte of the pole Artike. But they sawe many starres gathered togyther,* 12.82 whyche are like two clowdes one separate a l••ttle from an other, and sum what darke in the myddest. Betweene these, are two starres not very bigge, nor muche shynninge, whiche moue a little: And these two are the pole Antartike. The needell of theyr compasse varyed sumwhat,* 12.83 and turned euer towarde the pole Artike. Neuerthelesse, had no suche force as when it is in these partes of the pole Artike. In so muche that it was nece••sarie to helpe the needle with the lode stone (com∣monly cauled the adamant) before they could saile ther∣with,* 12.84 bycause it mou••d not as it doothe when it is in these owre partes. When they were in the myddest of the goulfe, they sawe a crosse of fiue cleare starres directly toward the West, eand of equall distance the one from the other.

[illustration]

❧ The order of the starres abowt the pole An∣tartike, summe haue figured in this maner.

A. The pole Antartike. B. The Crosse.

In these dayes they sayled betwene the West and South so farre that they approched to the Equinoctiall line,* 12.85 & were in longitude from the place from whense they fyrst departed, a hundreth and twentie degrees. In this course they sayled by two Ilandes of exceadynge height, wherof the one named Cipanghu, is .xx. degrees from the pole Antartike: And the o∣ther named Sumbdit .xv. degrees.* 12.86 When they were past the Equinoctiall line, they sayled betwene the West and South∣west at the quarter of the West towarde the Southwest more then a hundreth leaques, changinge theyr sayles to the quar∣ter of the Southwest vntyll they came to the .xiii. degrees a∣boue the Equinoctial towarde the pole Artyke, intendyng as much as were possible, to approche to the cape cauled of the owlde wryters Cartigara: The whiche is not founde as the owlde Cosmographers haue discribed it, but is towarde the north abowt .xii. degrees as they afterwarde vnderstode.

When they had thus sayled .lxx. leaques of this vyage in the .xii. degree aboue the Equinoctial, and .C.xlvi. degrees of longitude (as I haue sayde) the syxte day of March they dis∣couered a lyttle Ilande towarde the northweste, and two o∣ther towarde the southweste: but the one was hygher and bygger then the two other. In the byggest of these, the gene¦rall capitayne wolde haue rested hym selfe a whyle: but he coulde ••ot by reason the people of these Ilands resorted con¦tinually to the shippes with theyr canoas, and stole nowe one thynge and nowe an other, in such sorte that owr men could take no reste, and therfore demaunded of the capitayne that they myght stryke theyr sayles to brynge the shyppes to land. But the Capitayne beinge prouoked to anger, wente alande with fortie armed men, and burnte about fiftie of theyr hou∣ses with many of theyr Can••as: And slewe also abowt seuen men, and recouered a shyppe boate whiche the Barbarians had stolne, and so departed folowynge his vyage. The Capi¦tayne named these Ilands Insulae Latronum, that is,* 12.87 the Ilands of theeues. When owr men had so wounded summe of th••ym with arrowes that they were stryken throughe bothe syd••s, they pulled furth the arrowes not cea••yng to marueyle at thē tyll they ••ell downe deade: And yet coulde not the other ••o de¦part, but styll folowed ••he shyppes with more then two hun∣d••eth of theyr boates, approchynge as nere to the shyppes as

they coulde, and prof••rynge owre men certeyne fysshee. As the s••yppes passed with full sayle in ••he myddeste of theyr b••ates, they sawe in sum of them certeyne wom••n lam••n••ing and tearynge theyr heare, which ••wre men thought they did for the death of theyr husbandes. As farre as they could per¦ceaue, these people lyue at theyr owne libertie without anye ruler or gouernour. They go naked and haue blacke beardes and blacke heate on theyr heades whiche they weare longe downe to theyr wastes.* 12.88 They are of the same sta••ure that we are, and well made, of coloure lyke vnto an olyue. Theyr wo¦men are well fauored with blacke and thicke heare on theyr heades reachynge to the grownde. The menne coloure theyr teeth redde and blacke,* 12.89 which they esteeme a coomely thynge. They annoynt theyr bodies and heare with the oyle of Cocus. Theyr boates are sum all blacke, sum whyte, and sum redde, and haue sayles made of the broade leaues of date trees sowd togyther. In the steade of a rudder, they vse a certeyne brode boo, d•• with a staffe in the toppe, and maye when they wyll, make the st••rne the forecastell, or the forecastell the sterne.

They sayle to swyftely that they seeme a farre of, lyke Del∣phyns swymmynge aboue the water.

The tenth day of ••arch, in the yeare .1521. they wente alande vppon a lyttle Ilande named Zamal .xxx. leaques dy∣stant from the Ilande of the••ues.* 12.90 Bycause this Ilande was not inhabyted, they rested here a whyle, where the capitayne caused a pauilion to bee pytched for the sicke and crased men, and a hogge to bee kylde.

The .xviii. day of Marche, they sawe a boate with nyne men commynge towarde them, shewynge theim selues ioyfull and reioysynge of theyr commynge. They brought many pre∣sentes with them, and seemed to bee people of much humani∣tie. They gaue the cap••tayne a great fyshe, and a great vessel of the wyne of those date trees whiche beare the frute Cocus.* 12.91 They made also signes that within the space of foure dayes, they wolde bryng rysse and dyuers foules and beasts as they dyd in deede.

This Cocu•• is a frute of certeyne date trees whereof they make breade,* 12.92 wyne, oyle, and vineger. They make wyne in this maner. They cutte a bygge braunche of the tree, & hange therat a reede as bigge as a mans legge, into the which drop¦peth

a sweete li••••ur from the tree lyke vnto newe whyte wine sumwhat ••ar••, & let the reede continewe there from mornynge tyll euenynge, and from euenynge to mornynge. The frute of this tree cauled Cocus, is as bygge as the head of a ••an or more. The fyrste rynde of this, is greene and of the thycke∣nesse of two fyngers, hauynge in it certeyne threedes wherof they make cordes with the which they tye theyr boates. Un∣der this rynde, there is a thicke shell whiche they burne and make pouder therof and vse it as a remedie for certeyne disea∣ses. Under this shell, is a whyte substaunce lyke the carnell of a nutte being a fynger in thickenesse, which they eate with flesshe and fysshe as wee doo breade. It hath the taste of an almonde, and is vsed in the steade of breade when it is dryed. In the myddest of this carnell, is a cleare and sweete water, beinge very holsome and cordiale. This water sumtyme con∣geleth and lyeth within the shell lyke an egge. When they in¦tende to make oyle hereof, they ley it to putrifie in water, and boyle it vntyll it bee lyke oyle or liquide butter. When they intende to make vineger, they suffer only the water to putri∣fie, and then set it to the soonne where it becommeth vineger lyke vnto that which is made of whyte wyne. And when they mengle the carnell with the water which is in the myddest of the frute, and strayne it thorowe a cloth, they make a mylke therof lyke vnto goates mylke. These date trees are lyke vn¦to them that beare dates, but are not so full of knottes. With the iuise of two of these date trees, a hole famelie of tenne per¦sons may bee maynteyned with wyne vsynge one viii. dayes, and the other, other .viii. dayes: for they shulde els bee dryed and wythered. These trees continue for the space of a hun∣dreth yeares. This Ilande where they founde this humane and gentell people, is cauled Zuluan,* 12.93 and is not verye bygge. Abowt this Ilande they founde manye other Ilandes, and therefore named this sea Archipelago di San Lazaro,* 12.94 that is, the great sea of saynte Lazarus, beinge tenne degrees aboue the Equinoctiall towarde owre pole, and .C.lxi. frome the place from whense they departed. The people of this Ilande are Caphranitae (that is gentyles.* 12.95 They go naked sauynge that they couer theyr priuie partes with a clothe made of the rynde of a certeyne tree. The chiefest men, haue abowte theyr heades a sylken cloth of needle woorke. They are grosse and brode set

and of the coloure of an oliue. They annoynte theyr bodies with the oyle of Cocus to defend them ageynst the heate of the soonne and drynesse of the wynde. The .xxv. day of Marche, they departed from hense and directed theyr course betwene the Weste and southwest, and sayled betwene foure Ilandes named Cenalo, Huinanghan, Hibusson, and Abarien,* 12.96 &c.

The xxviii. daye of Marche, they came to the Ilande of Buthuan where they were honorably interteyned of the Kynge and the Prince his soonne who gaue theim muche golde and spices.* 12.97 The capitayne gaue the kynge a vesture of red clothe and an other of yelowe made after the Turaysshe fasshyon, and also a red cappe. And gaue li••ewi••e to other that came with hym, certeyne knyues, glasses, and beades of cristalle.

After that, the capitayne had shewed the Kynge the secreates of his shippe and suche marchaundies as he had therin, he caused a piece of ordinaunce suddenly to bee shore of, whereat the kyng was greately amased vntil the capitayne comforted hym. Then the Capitaine commaunded one of his men to be armed from the heade to the foote, and caused three other to strike hym with theyr swoordes, whereat the Kynge maruay∣led greately, and sayde to thinterpretoure (who was a slaue borne in Malacha) that one of those armed men was able to encounter with a hundreth of his men. But he maruayled muche more when the capitaine tould hym by thinterpretoure howe he founde the straight by the compasse and lode stone, and howe many dayes they were without sight of any lande. Then askynge licence to departe, the capitayne sente two of his men with him, of the whiche Antonie Pigafetta was one. When the kynge sawe Antonie Pigafetta write the names of many thinges, and afterwarde rehearse them ageyne, he mar∣uayled yet more, makynge sygnes that suche men descended from heauen. The Kynge brought them firste to his pallaice where he interteyned them honorably and gaue them manye gyftes, as dyd also the Prince in his pallaice beynge in an o∣ther Ilande named Caleghan.* 12.98

As they syfted a certeyne myne of earthe in the Kynges Ilande, they founde pieces of golde, su•• as bigge as nuttes and other as bigge as egges. All the kynges ve••selles were of golde,* 12.99 and his house well furnysshed. In all the hole na∣tion there was no man of coomlier personage then the kinge.

He had his heare long downe to his shulders, and very blake, with a vaile of silke rowled abowte his head,* 12.100 and two greate ringes of golde hanginge at his eares. He had abowte hys myddle, a clothe wroughte of cotton and silke impaled wyth golde, and reacheinge downe to his knees. On his one syde, he had a long dager with a hafte of golde, and the shethe of a fayre kynde of carued woodde. He had on euery finger, three ringes of golde, and had his bodie annoynted with oyle of storax and Beniamin. The natural coloure of his face was like vnto the coloure of an oliue: And all his bodye bysyde paynted with diuers colours. The kynges name was Raia Colambu, and the Prince was cauled Raia Siagu.

The laste day of Marche neare vnto Easter, the capitaine caused his preeste to say masse,* 12.101 and sente to the kinge by thin∣terpretoure, that his commyng a lande at that tyme was not to dyne with hym, but only to heare masse. The Capitayne came alande with fyftie of his men in theyr best apparel with owte weapons or harnesse, and all the resydue well armed. Before the boates came to lande, he caused sixe pieces of or∣dinaunce to be shotte of in token of peace, and so came aland, where the two kinges embrased hym, and accompanyed hym to the place appoynted for masse to be sayde not farre frome the sea syde. Sumwhat before the beginnynge of masse, the Capitayne sprinkeled the Kynges with damaske water.

When the preeste was at mid masse at the offitorie, the kings profered them selues to go to kysse the crosse with the capy∣tayne, but offered nothynge. At the tyme of sacringe when the preeste lifted vppe the bodie of Christ, and the Christians kneeled downe and helde vppe their handes ioyned togither, the kinges dyd the like also wyth greate reuerence. In the meane tyme, whyle certeyne of the Christians were at the com¦munion, a handegunne was shotte of to signifie vnto theym that were in the shyppes, to discharge all theyr ordinaunce.

When masse was fynysshed, the Capitaine caused certeyne of his men to put on theyr harnesse and to make a combat with theyr naked swoordes,* 12.102 wherat the kynges tooke great plea∣sure. This doone, the Capitaine caused a crosse to be brought furth, with nayles and a crowne of thornes,* 12.103 gyuynge com∣maundement to all his men to gyue reuerence therunto, and signifyinge to the kynges by thinterpretour that that banner

was gyuen hym by Themperoure his lorde and master, with commaundement t•• l••aue the same in al places where he came to the great commoditie and profite of all such as wolde reue∣rendly receaue it as an assured token of frendship: And that he wold ther••ore leaue it there aswel to accomplyshe his lords commaundement, as also that if at any tyme any shyppes of Christians shulde chaunce to coome that way, shulde by seing that crosse perceaue that owre men had byn well enterteyned there. and wolde therfore not onely absteyne from doing them any hurte or displeasure, but also helpe to ayde them ageynste theyr enemies. And that therfore it shulde bee requisite to e∣recte that crosse v••pon the toppe of the hygheste mountayne that myght bee seene from the sea on euery syde. Also to pray vnto it reuerently. And that in so doinge, they shulde not bee hurte with thunder, lyghtnynge, or tempestes. When the kynges harde these woordes, they gaue the Capitayne great thankes, promysinge gladly to obserue and fulfyll all suche thynges as he required. Then the Capitayne demaunded whether they were Moores or gentyles.* 12.104 They answered that they had none other kynde of religion, but that lyftyng•• vppe theyr handes ioyned togyther and theyr faces toward heauen, they cauled vppon theyr god Abba. whiche answere lyked the Capitayne ver•• well, bycause the gentyles are sooner persua∣ded to owre fayth then the Moores. &c.

* 12.105D••partynge frome hense, they came to the Ilandes of Zeilon, Zubuth, Messana, and Calaghan, by the conducte of certeyne pylottes of the sayde kynges. Of these, Zubuth is the beste, and hath the trade of beste trafique. In the Ilande of M••ssana,* 12.106 they founde dogges, cattes, hogges, heunes, goates, ry••e, ginger, Cocus, mylle, panyke, barlye, fygges, oranges ware▪ and golde in greate quantitie. This Ilande is aboue the Equinoctiall towarde owre pole .ix. degrees twoo thyrde partes: and .162. degrees frome the place frome whense they depar••ed. They remayned in this Iland for the space of .viii dayes, and then directed theyr vyage towarde the northwest, and passed betwene these fyue Ilandes, Zeilon, Bohol, Cangbu, Bar¦bai, and Catighan. In this Ilande of Catighan, are certeyne great battes as bygge as Eagles,* 12.107 of the which they toke one. They are good to bee eaten, and of taste muche lyke a henne. There are also stocke dooues,* 12.108 turtle dooues, popingiayes, and cer∣teyne foules as bygge as hennes. These foules haue lyttle

hornes, and lay great egges, which they couer a cubet depthe in the sande,* 12.109 by the heate whereof and vertue of the soonne, they are hatch••d, and the younge byrdes creepe owte of the sande by them selues. From the Ilande of Messana to Catighan▪ are .xx. leaques saylynge towarde the West. And bycause the kynge of Messana coulde not folowe the shyppes, they tary∣ed for him about the Ilandes of Polo, Ticobon, and Pozon, where the Capitayne tooke hym into his shippe with certeyne of his principall men, and so folowed theyr vyage towarde the I∣lande of Zubut,* 12.110 whiche is abowte fiftie leagues distante from Catighan.

The .vii. day of Apryll abowte no one, they entered into the porte of Zubut: And passynge by many vyllages and habi∣tacions in trees, they came to the citie, where the Capitayne gaue commaundement to the maryners to stryke theyr sayles & to set them selues in order in maner of battayle ray, causing all the ordinaunce to bee shorte of, wherewith all the people were put in greate feare. After this, the Capitayne sent an ambassadoure with thinterpretoure to the kynge of Zabut.* 12.111 When they approched nere to the citie, they founde the kyng with a great company of men sore astonyshed at the noyse of the gunnes, But thinterpretour aduertised them that it was the custome of owre men in al sucke places where ••hey coome, to discharge theyr ordinaunce in token of frendeshyppe and to honour the lorde of the citie. With which woordes the kyng and his coompany, were well quieted. After this, thinterpre¦tour declared that his master was the Capitayne of the ships of the greatest Prince in the worlde, and that they wente to discouer the Ilandes of Molucca: And further, that hearyng of his good name and fame by the reporte of the kyng of Mes¦sana, they determyned to visite hym and to haue vyttayles for exchaunge of theyr marchaundies. The kynge answered that he was well contented therwith, and that t••ey were har¦tely welcoome. Neuertheles••e, that it was a custome in that place▪ that all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shyppes as cutered into that hauen, shuld pay tribute: And that there were not many dayes paste, sence a shyppe laden with golde and slaues dyd so paye.* 12.112 In token wherof, he caused to coome before hym certeyne marchaunces of that coompany whiche yet remayned with hym. To this thinter••recour answered, that forasmuch as his lorde was the Capitayne o•• so myghtie a Prince, he neuer payde tribute

to any kynge in the worlde, and wolde not nowe begynne. Wyllynge hym to take this for a resolute answere, that if he wolde accepte the peace that was profered hym, he shulde en∣ioy it, And if he rather desyred warre, he shoulde haue his handes full. When thinterpretour had sayde these woordes, one of the sayde marchauntes (who was a Moore) spake to the kynge in this maner. CATACAIA Chitae: that is. Take hede syr. For these men are they that haue conquered Calicut,* 12.113 Ma¦laca,* 12.114 and all the greater India: and are of suche poure that yf yowe intreate them otherwyse then well, yowe may to late knowe what they are able to doo more then they haue doone at Calicut and Malaca. When thinterpretoure harde these woordes, he sayde that the kynge his lorde was of much grea¦ter puissaunce and more dominions, and lorde of more shyppes then was the kynge of Portugale: declarynge further that he was kynge of Spayne and Emperour of all Christendome Addynge hereunto that yf he wolde not bee his frende, he wolde hereafter sende thyther suche a poure of armed men as shulde destroy his contrey. The Moore conferred all these woordes with the kynge, who sayde that he wolde further deliberate with his counsayle, and gyue theym a full answere the daye folowynge. In the meane tyme he sente theym cer∣teyne vyttayles and wyne. When all these thynges were de∣clared to the kynge of M••ssana who was the chiefest there a∣bowt nexte vnto hym, and lorde of many Ilandes, he wente alande and repayred to the kynge of Zubut and declared vnto hym the great humanitie and curtesie of the generall Capi∣tayne. Shortely after, the Capitayne sente certeyne of his men with thinterpretour to the kynge of Zubut to knowe his pleasure and what aunswere he wolde make them. As they wente towarde the courte, they mette the kynge commyng in the streete accompanied with many of his chiefe men. He caused owr men to sit downe by him, and demaunded of them if there were any more then one Capitayne in theyr coompa∣nie: And whether it were theyr requeste that he shulde pay tri¦bute to Themperour. They answered that they desyred none other thynge but that they myght exercise marchaundies with them,* 12.115 and to barter ware for ware. The kynge made answere that he was well content therwith: wyllynge the Capitayne in token of frendshippe to sende him a little of the blud of his ryght arme, affirmyng that he wold do the lyke. &c

After this the kynge of Messana with the kynge of Zubu•• his neuie (who was the prince) and certeyne other of his gen¦tylmen, came to the shyppes and brought the Capitayne ma∣ny goodly presentes. They entered into greate amitie, and had large communication of many thynges. The Capitayne persuaded them to the Christian fayth, which they gladly em¦brased, and tooke suche pleasure in hearynge the articles of owre beliefe, that the teares fell from theyr eyes for ioye. They were baptised,* 12.116 and shortely after all the people of the Ilande. They esteeme nothyng more precious then drynking glasses of Uenice woorke.

When they came to the citie, they founde the kyng in his pallaice sittynge vppon a floure or stuorie made of the leaues of date trees wrought after a curious diuise lyke a certeyne kynde of mattes. He had vppon his body, none other appa∣rell but only a cloth of bombasine cotton hangyng before his priuie partes.* 12.117 On his heade, he had a vayle of needle worke: and abowte his necke a chaine of greate price. At his eares, hunge two rynges of golde wherein were inclosed many pre∣cious stones. He was but of smaule stature, but sumewhat grosse, and had the residue of his body paynted with dyuers coloures wherof sum were lyke vnto flamynge fyre. Before hym, he had two vesselles made of the fine earth cauled Por∣cellana, with sodden egges. Also four vessels of Porcellana full of wyne made of date trees, and couered with many odorife∣rous herbes. The prince brought them to his house, where he had foure doughters verye well fauoured and whyte lyke owres.* 12.118 He caused them to daunce all naked, and therwith to synge, and play on certeyne tymbrelles made of metall.

At this tyme it so chaunced that one of the Spanyardes dyed in one of the shyppes. And when certeyne of theyr coom¦panye desyred the kynge to gyue them leaue to burie hym on the land, he answered that forasmuch as he and all his, were at the commaundement of theyr kynge and master, how much more ought the grounde so to bee.

They greatly marueyled at the cerimonies perteynyng to the maner of owre funeralles, and honoured the crosses whi∣che were set at bothe thendes the graue.

They lyue with iustice, and vse waightes and measures. Theyr houses are made of Timber and sawne boordes: and

are so buylded aboue the grownde vppon proppes and pyles, that they ascende to the same by certeyne stayers. Under theyr houses, they keepe theyr hogges and hennes.

When they came to barterynge,* 12.119 they gaue golde, rysse, hogges, hennes, and dyuers other thynges for sume of owre tryfels of smaule value. They gaue tenne Pesos of golde for xvi. poundes weyght of men.* 12.120 One pesus is in value a ducate and a halfe. The sunday folowynge, the kynge was bapty∣sed with great solemnitie. At which tyme, the Capitayne ad∣monysshed him before not to bee afrayde at the shootyng of of the ordinaunce, bycause it was theyr custome so to doo at such solemne feastes. After this, the Capitayne caused theym to breake all theyr Idoles,* 12.121 and to set vppe the crosse in dyuers places, prayinge to the same bothe mornynge and euenynge kneelynge on theyr knees and holdynge vp theyr handes ioy¦ned togyther. The kinge in his baptisme, was named Char∣les after the Emperours name, and the Prince, Ferdinando after the name of his maiesties brother. The kynge of Mes∣sana was named Iohn, and the Moore Christopher. To all other they gaue such names as are commonly vsed in Christen¦dome. And thus beefore masse was begunne, were fiue hun∣dreth men baptised.* 12.122 When masse was fynysshed, the Capi∣tayne inuited the kynge to dyne with him in his shyppe, and at his commynge, caused the ordinaunce to bee discharged.

* 12.123The queene was also baptised with fortie of her gentlewo¦men, and her doughter the Princes wife. The queene was ve¦ry younge and fayre, hauynge her body couered with a white cloth. Her lyppes were redde, and she had on her head a hat, on the toppe wherof was a triple crowne much lyke the papes This crowne & the hat, were made of the leues of dates trees.

Within the space of .viii. dayes, thinhabitauntes of the I∣lande were baptised excepte one vyllage of Idolaters who wolde not herein obey the kynges commaundement. Wherup¦pon the Capitayne sent certeyne of his menne thyther, who burnt the towne and erected a crosse in that place bycause the people of the vyllage were gentyles (that is) Idolaters. But if they had byn Moores (that is Machumetistes) they wold haue erected a pyller of stone, bycause the Moores are more stooberne and harder to bee conuerted then are the gentyles.

When the queene came to the place where shee shuld heare

masse, shee came surth with great pompe and solemnitie, ha∣uynge goinge before her three younge damoselles and three men with theyr cappes in theyr handes,* 12.124 whom shee folowed apparelled in whyte and blacke, with a great vayle of sylke vppon her heade fringed abowte with golde, whiche couered her hatte and hunge downe to her shoulders. Shee had also a great trayne of women folowynge her, beinge all barefoo∣ted and naked, excepte that vppon theyr heades and priuie partes, they wore certeyne vayles of silke, and hadde theyr heare spredde.

Before the kynge of Zubut was baptised, he was named Raia Humabuon. When the Capitayne demaunded of hym why all the Idoles in the Ilande were not burnt accordynge to his promesse, he answered that they esteemed thē no more as goddes, but only made sacrifice to theym for the Princes brother who was very sycke, and as noble and wyttie a man as was in the Ilande. The Capitayne answered that if he wolde burne a•• his Idoles and beleue faythfully in Christ, and bee baptised, he shulde be immediatly restored to health, and that he wolde els gyue them leaue to stryke of his heade. By these woordes and persuasions of the Capitayne, he con∣ceaued such hope of health, that after he was baptised he felt no more greefe of his disease. And this was a manifest myra¦cle wrought in owre tyme wherby dyuers infidels were con∣uerted to owre fayth,* 12.125 and theyr Idoles destroyed, and also theyr altares ouerthrowen on the whiche they were accusto∣med to eate the sacrifyced flesshe. The people of the Ilande pay the kynge a portion of vittayles for theyr tribute by all theyr cities and vyllages.

Not farre from this Ilande of Zubut, is the Iland of Ma∣than,* 12.126 whose inhabitauntes vse maruelous cerimonies in theyr sacrifices to the soonne and burying the deade. They weare rynges of golde abowt theyr priuie members. The Ilande is gouerned by two Princes wherof the one is named Zula, and the other Cilapulapu. And wheras this Cilapulapu refused to pay tribute to the kynge of Spayne, the Capitayne went ageynst hym in his owne person with .lx. of his menne armed with coates of mayle and helmettes. Cilapulapu diuided his army into three battayles, hauynge in euery battaile two thousand and fiftie men armed with bowes, arrowes, dartes and iaue∣lins

hardened at the poyntes with fyer. This continued longe and sharpe. But the Capitayne beinge a valient man and pre∣synge hym selfe in the brunte of the battayle, was sore woun¦ded and slayne,* 12.127 forasmuch as the moste of the Barbarians di¦rected all theyr force ageynst hym. Besyde the Capitayne, were slayne of owre men abowt .viii. or .ix. Of the Barbari¦ans, were .xv. slayne and many sore wounded. After the death of the Capitayne, they chose two other in his place, of the which one was Odoardo Barbessa a Portugale, and the o∣ther Iohn Serrano who was shortely after betrayde by thin∣terpretour and taken prisoner with dyuers other.

Certeyne dayes before the Capitaynes death, they hadde knowleage of the Ilandes of Molucca whiche they chiefely sought. Departynge therfore from the Ilande of Mathan, they sayled farre and came to the cape of an other Ilande na∣med Bohol.* 12.128 In the myddest of this mayne sea (whiche they named Archipelagus) they consulted to burne the shyppe named Conception,* 12.129 bycause they were nowe fewe in number, and to furnyshe the other two shyppes with thartillerie therof. Thus directynge theyr course towarde Southewest, they came to an other Ilande named pauiloghon, where they founde blacke men lyke vnto the Sarasins. Shortly after, they arryued at an other great Iland,* 12.130 whose kyng named Raia Calauar, in∣treated them very frendely in all thynges as dyd the kyng of Messana. This Ilande is ryche in golde, and hath plentie of rysse, gynger, hogges, goates, hennes, and dyuers other thynges. It is named Chippit,* 12.131 and is .viii. degrees aboue the Equinoctiall line towarde owr pole: And in longitude from the place from whense they first departed .170. degrees: And abowt .50. leaques from Zubut.

Departinge frome hense they came to an other Iland na∣med Caghaian beinge 40. leaques frome Chippit as they sayled betwene the weste and Southe weste.* 12.132 This Ilande is ve¦ry greate, and in maner vnhabited. The people are moores, and were banyssshed owt of the Ilande of Burnei whiche sum caule Porne.

Frome this Ilande aboute xxv. leaques betwene the west and northe weste, they founde a maruelous frutefull Ilande named Pulaoan,* 12.133 beinge towarde owre pole aboue the Equinoc∣tiall ix. degrees and a thirde parte: And C.lxxix. degrees and

a third parte in longitude frome the place of theyr departing.

Frome this Ilande .x. leaques towarde the South weste, they sawe an other Ilande whiche seemed to them sumtymes to mounte as they sayled by the coastes therof.* 12.134 As they were enteringe into the porte, there arose a boystious and darke tē∣peste which ceased as soone as the fiers of the three sayntes (wherof we haue spoken before) appeared vppon the cabells. Frome the beginninge of this Ilande to the porte, are fyue leaques. This Ilande is greate and riche: and the chiefe citie therof conteyneth .xxv. thousande houses.* 12.135 The kynge inter∣teyned owre men very frendlye, and sent them bysyde many other presentes, two elephantes trapped with silke to bring them to his pallaice that brought the presentes which the Ca¦pytaynes sent hym.* 12.136 He hath a magnyfycalle courte and a greate garde. Also a multitude of concubynes. He is a moore, and is named Raia Siripada. He is a kynge of great poure, and hath vnder hym many other kynges, Ilandes, and cities. This Ilande of Burnei is aboue the Equinoctiall toward owre pole fyue degrees and a quarter. And in longitude frome the place of theyr departing .C.lxxvi. degrees and two thirde partes.

Departinge frome Burnei, they came to an Ilande cauled Cimbubon,* 12.137 beinge .viii. degrees aboue the Equinoctiall lyne Hete they remayned .xl. days to calke theyr shyppes and fur∣nysshe them with fresshe water and fuell whiche was to them great payne and trauayle because they were in maner all bare footed, theyr shooes and in maner theyr other apparell being worne by reason of the longe vyage. In the wooddes of this Ilande, they founde a tree whose leaues as soone as they faule on the grounde, doo slurre and remoue frome place to place as though they were alyue.* 12.138 They are muche lyke the leaues of a mulbery tree: And haue on euery syde as it were two short and blunt fiete. When they are cut or broken, there is no bludde seene come furth of them. Yet when any of them are touched, they suddeynely moue and starte away. Antonie Pigafetta k••pte one of them in a platter for the space of .viii. dayes. And euer when he touched it, it rannt, rounde abowt the platter. He supposeth that they liue only by ayer.

Departynge from hense, they directed theyr course by the Weste quarter towarde the South easte, to fynde the Ilandes

of Molucca. and sayled not farre from certeyne mountaynes where they founde the sea full of great weedes and herbes.* 12.139

From hense, they came to the Ilandes of Zolo and Taghima, in the which are founde perles of exceadyng biggenesse.* 12.140

Folowyng theyr course toward the north East, they came to a great citie named Mangdando, lyinge aboue the Ilandes of Buthuan and Calaghan, where they tooke a canoa of certeyne of thinhabitaunts: by whome being informed of the Ilandes of Molucca, they lefte theyr course towarde the north Easte, and folowed the South easte nere vnto a cape of the Iland of Bu∣thuan, they were aduertised for certentie that on the bankes of a certeyne ryuer, there dwelte men ouergrowen with heare,* 12.141 and of high stature.

Folowyng still theyr course by the south easte, and pas∣syng by many smaule Ilandes, they came to the Ilandes of Molucca the syxte daye of Nouember and the .xxvii. monethe after theyr departure owt of Spayne.* 12.142 Beinge therfore ioy∣full and gyuyng thankes vnto god, they discharged all theyr ordynaunce. In the coaste of all these Ilandes, euen vnto the Ilandes of Molucca, soundyng with theyr plummet, they founde the deapthe of the sea to bee no lesse then a hundreth and two yardes, which is contrary to the saying of the Por∣tugales who affyrme that no shyppe can passe that way with out great daungioure by reason of the shalownes and rockes or shelues:* 12.143 and for the darkenesse which the clowdes cause in the heauen. All which thyngs they fayned to thintent that none other shulde haue knoweleage of theyr vyagies.

The .viii. day of Nouember in the yeare .1521. before the rysinge of the soonne, they entered into the porte of the Ilande of Tidore,* 12.144 being one of the chiefe Ilandes of Molucca, where they were honorably interteyned of the kynge who de∣clared that he had longe before seene a sygne in heauen that certeyne shyppes shuld comme from a farre contrey to the I∣landes of Molucca: And that wheras for the better certificat therof he consydered the starious of the moone,* 12.145 he sawe ther∣in the commyng of owre shyppes, and that we were the men whome he seemed to see in the same. Wherupon he profered hym selfe to enter into leaque of frendshyppe w••th the kynge of Spayne, and to accepte owre men as his brotherne and chyldren wyllyng them to come alande as into theyr owne

houses. Also that for theyr commynge, that Ilande shulde no more bee cauled Tidore, but Castile for the greate loue whi¦che he bore to theyr kynge whom he reputed as his lorde and master. This kynge is a Moore, and is named Raia Sultan Mauzor.

The Ilandes of Molucca are fiue in number, & are thus named: Tarenate, Tidore, Mutir, Macebian, and Bacchian.* 12.146 Of these, Tarenate is the chiefest.* 12.147

Directly ageynste the Ilande of Tidore, there is an other great Ilande named Gilolo,* 12.148 inhabited of Moores and Gen∣tyles.* 12.149 The Moores haue two kynges, of the which one hath syxe hundreth chyldren, & the other sixe hundreth and fiftie. The Gentyles kepe not so many women as doo the Moores nor yet lyue in suche superstitions. They praye to the fyrste thynge that they meete in the mornynge when they go furth of theyr houses, and honoure that as theyr god for that day. The kynge of the gentyles is very ryche in golde.* 12.150 In the sayde Ilande of Gilolo, are reedes as bygge as a mans legge, and full of cleare water holsome to bee drunke.* 12.151

The .xii. daye of Nouember, the kynge of Tidore ap∣poynted owre men a ware house in the citie where they might sell theyr marchaundies. Theyr maner of exchange was in this sort.* 12.152 For tenne yardes of good redde cloth, they had one Bahar of cloues, whiche amounteth to foure Cantari and syxe pounde weight: And one Cantar is a hundreth pounde weight. For .xv. yardes of cloth sumwhat woorse then the other, they receaued in Cambie, one Bahar. For .xxxv. dryn∣kynge cuppes of glasse, they had one Bahar. For .xvii. Ca∣thyls of quicke syluer, one Bahar. They came dayly to the shyppes with many of theyr barkes full of goates, hennes, fygges of a spanne longe, also the frute cauled Cocus, with dy¦uers other kyndes of vyttayles in such quantitie that it was a marueylous thynge to beholde.* 12.153 They furnyshed also theyr shyppes with fresshe water which is hotte as it issheweth owt of the sprynge, but is very coulde when it hath stoode a while in an other place. It spryngeth from the mountaynes on the which the cloue trees growe. They sawe a cloude ryse in ma¦ner dayly, which compaseth about the sayde mountaynes.

The kynge of the Ilande of Bacchian, sente the kynge of Spayne two deade byrdes of straunge forme.* 12.154 They were of the bygg••nes of turtle dooues, with lyttle heades and longe

vylles: also longe and smaule legges and no wynges, but in the st••ade therof certeyne longe fethers of diuers colours, and tayles lyke turtle dooues. All the other fethers are of one co∣loure much lyke vnto tawny, except those of the wynges.

They flye not but when the wynde bloweth. These Moores are of opinion that these byrdes coomme frome the heauenlye Paradyse, and therfore caule them Manuccodiata, that is the byrdes of god.

When they were determyned to depart from the Ilandes of Molucca, certeyne kynges of the Ilandes accompanied thē with theyr canoas, and conducted them to an Ilande cau∣led Mare where they refresshed theyr shyppes with freshe wa¦ter and fuell. The kynges sent Themperours maiestie many presentes: and embrasynge owre menne, departed with the teares in theyr eyes: And owre men for theyr laste farewell, shotte of all theyr ordinaunce. When in the Ilande of Mare, they perceaued that one of theyr shyppes leaked and toke wa¦ter very sore:* 12.155 wherby they were inforced to tary there three dayes. But seinge that they coulde fynde no remedie for the same but in longe tyme, they determined to leaue it, gyuynge order that if afterwarde it coulde bee repayred, they shuld re¦turne into Spayne as well as they coulde.

In all the Ilandes of Molucca is founde cloues,* 12.156 ginger, breade of the roote of Sagu, ryse, goates, sheepe, hennes, fygges, almondes, sweete pomegranates and sowre, oran∣ges, lemondes, and hony which is made of certeyne flyes l••sse then antes:* 12.157 Also canes of suger, oyle of Cocus, mellons, geurdes, and a marueilous coulde frute which they name Ca∣mulicai and dyuers other frutes. Furthermore whyte and redde popingiayes,* 12.158 and other of variable coloures. It is not paste fiftie yeares sence the moores fyrste inhabited anye of these Ilands, which were before inhabited only with gētyles.

The Ilande of Tidere,* 12.159 is aboue the Equinoctiall line to∣warde owre pole, abowt .27. minutes: And in longitude frō the place from whense they departed .171. degrees. And from the Archipelagus in the which is the Iland of Zamal which our men named the Iland of theeues, ix. degrees and a halfe, and runneth to the quarter of south southwest, and north north∣east. Terenate,* 12.160 is vnder the Equinoctial line foure minutes vn¦der the pole Antartike. Mutir,* 12.161 is directly vnder the Equinoc∣tiall line, Macchian is .xv. minutes toward the pole Antartike,* 12.162

••nd Bac••hian one degree. These Ilandes are lyke foure sharpe mountaynes, except, Macchian which is not sharpe. The byg∣gest of all these, is Bacchian.* 12.163

Departynge from the Iland of Mare and directyng these courle towarde the southwest, with onely .xlvi. men in theyr shyppe and .xiii. Indians, they passed by the Ilandes of Cha¦couan, Lagoma, Sico, Gioghi, Caphi, Sulacho, Lumatola,* 12.164 Tenetum, Buru, Ambon, Budia, Celaruri, Benaia, Amba∣lao, Bandan, Zorobua, Zolot, Noceuamor, Galian, and Mallua, with dyuers other Ilandes both great and smaule, of Moores, Gentyles, and Canibales. Owre men remayned xv. dayes in the Ilande of Mallua to repayre theyr shyppe in certeyne places where it tooke water.* 12.165 All the fieldes of this Ilande is full of longe and rounde pepper,* 12.166 and is situate to∣warde the pole Antartike vnder the Equinoctiall line .viii. de¦grees and a halfe, and is in the longitude of .169. degrees and 40. minutes.

The pilote which owre men brought owt of the Ilandes of Molucca, toulde them that not farre from thense, was an Iland named Arucetto in the which are men and women not past a cubite in height, hauynge eares of such byggenesse that they lye vppon one and couer them with the other.* 12.167 But owr men wolde not sayle thyther, bothe bycause the wynde and course of the sea was ageynste theym, and also for that they gaue no credite to his reporte.

The .xxv. day of Ianuary in the yeare .1522. they departed from Mallua, and the day folowyng, arryued at a greate I∣land named Timor,* 12.168 beinge fiue leaques distante from Mallua betwene the south and southwest. In this Ilande is founde the woodde of whyte sanders and ginger,* 12.169 and dyuers kindes of frutes. Also sundry kyndes of beastes, and plentie of vyt∣tayle and golde. They of the Ilandes of Giaua, Molucca, and Lozon, resort to this Ilande for sanders. Thinhabitauntes are gentyles. They say that when they go to cut the woodde of saunders, the deuyll appeareth to them in dyuers formes and asketh theym what they haue neede of:* 12.170 And that after this vision, many of them are longe sicke. In al the Ilandes of this Archipelagus, rayneth the disease of saynt Iob (whi¦che wee caule the frenche poxe) more then in any other place in the worlde.* 12.171

Farre from this Ilande betwene the west and northwest they came to an Ilande named Eude, in the whiche growethe great plentie of Sinamome.* 12.172 In this tracte are founde many Ilandes lying in order as it were one directly behynde an o∣ther, euen vnto the Ilande of the greater Giaua,* 12.173 named Giaua maior, and vnto the cape of Malaccha,* 12.174 beinge in East India. Gia¦ua the lesse, is as bygge as the Ilande of Madera, and is but halfe a leaque distante from Giaua maior. Here they were infor¦med that aboue Giaua maior toward the north, is a great goulfe cauled the goulfe of China,* 12.175 in the which are trees of exceadyng byggenesse, inhabyted with foules of suche greatenes that they cary great beastes in the ayer. The frutes of these trees are as bygge as cucummers.

The cape of Malaccha is one degree and a halfe aboue the Equinoctiall line towarde the pole Artike.* 12.176 On the East side of this cape, runneth a very longe coaste in the which are ma¦ny regions and cities wherof sum are cauled by these names, Cingaporla which is the cape.* 12.177 Also Pahan, Calantan, Patani, Braalin, Beneu, Longon, and Odia wherin is the citie in the which dwel∣leth the kynge of Sian named Zacabedera. Theyr cities are buil¦ded as owres are, and subiecte to the kynge of Sian. After the realme of Sian, are the regions of Iamgoma & Campaa where Reubarbe groweth,* 12.178 of the which are dyuers opinions, sume supposynge it to bee a roote, and other a putrifyed tree, affir∣myng that yf it were not putrified, it shulde not haue so great a sauour. They caule it Calama. Next vnto this, is found the great China,* 12.179 whose kyng is thought to bee the greatest prince in the worlde, and is named Santoa Raia. Furthermore, al that is written hereafter of this kyng and these regions, they lerned by thinformation of a Moore that was in the Ilande of Timor. He affirmed that the sayde kynge hathe threescore and tenne crowned kynges vnder his empyre, and hathe a porte in the sea named Canthan: And two principal cities na∣med Nauchin and Connulaha where he remayneth hym selfe, and hath euer foure of his chiefe princes lying abowt his pallaice on euery syde, towarde the Easte, Weste, Northe, and South giuinge dylygente attendaunce what is doone in euerye of theyr quarters. All the prynces of the greater India (cau∣led India Maior,* 12.180) and of that wherof I haue spoken before, are obedient to this kynge. And in token that they are trewe

subiectes, they keepe in theyr pallaices which are in the mid∣dest of theyr cities, the beaste cauled Linx,* 12.181 being fayrer then a lyon, And is the great kynges signette, whiche all suche as intende to go to China, beare with them sealed in waxe or on a piece of Iuerye for theyr safe conducte, withowt the which they may not enter into the hauen.

When any of his kyngs rebell or are disobedient, he cau∣seth them to bee f••ene, and salted and dryed at the soonne: Then to bee stuffed with chaffe,* 12.182 and sette vppe on sum hygh thyng in the myddest of the chiefe streate of the citie where al the people may see it. He neuer suffereth his owne person to bee openly seene to any man. But when his noble men of the courte are desyrous to see hym,* 12.183 he commeth downe frome hys pallaice into a ryche pauylyon accompanyed with syxe of hys principall concubynes appareyled with lyke vestures as is he hym selfe. All thys way he is not seene by reason of the pauylyon. When he hath passed through the pauylyon, he entereth into a serpent named Nagha,* 12.184 being the most mar∣ueylous and ryche woorke of the worlde, and placed in the grea••est courte of the pallaice. When the kynge entereth in to this with the womē, to thintent that he may not be knowē among them, he causeth the sayd noble men only to looke in at a glasse which is in the breste of the serpente, where they see the kynge amonge the women, but can not dicerne which is he. He ioyneth in mariage with hys syster that the blud royall bee not myxte with any other.* 12.185 His pallaice is enuiro¦ned with seuen large walles,* 12.186 the one being farre dystante frō the other: And hath in euery such circuite tenne thowsande men for the garryson of hys pallaice,* 12.187 who haue theyr way∣tinge dayes appoynted them course by course with fresshe mē in theyr places, and thus keepe theyr watch continually both daye and nyght. In this pallaice are .lxxix. haules, in the which is an infinite number of women that serue the kynge hauyng euer lyght torches in theyr handes for the greater magnyfycence••.* 12.188 He that wolde see all the pallaice, shulde spend a hole day therin. Amonge other, there are foure principal haules where sumtymes the kynge gyueth audience to hys noble men.* 12.189 Of these, one is couered both aboue and beneth with metall, an other all ouer with syluer, the thyrde with gold, and the fourth with pearles and precious stones.

These people of China,* 12.190 are whyte menne, appareled as we are, and eate theyr meate on tables as wee doo. They haue th•• crosse in sum estimation, but knowe not the cause whye. Beyonde the coaste of China,* 12.191 are dyuers other nations and peo∣ple as Chenchii where pearles and cynamon are founde. Also the people named Lichii, where reyneth the great kynge of M••en,* 12.192 hauyng vnder hym .xxii. kynges, and is subiecte to the kyng of China. Here is also founde the great citie of CATHAY in the East,* 12.193 and dyuers other nations in the sayd firme land, of the which sum are brutysshe and bestiall which vse to kyll and eate theyr parentes when they are owld, thinking therby that they shall reuyue in them. All these people are gentyles.

The .xi. day of February in the yeare .1522, they departed from the Iland of Timor and were ingulfed by chance in the great sea cauled Lantchidol,* 12.194 and tooke theyr course betwene the weste and south weste, leauynge the northe coastes on theyr ryght hand, fearyng least if they shuld sayle toward the firm land, they myght bee seene of the portugales who are of great power in Malaccha:* 12.195 and therfore dyrected theyr cours withowt the Iland of Sumatra cauled in owld tyme Taprobana:* 12.196 Leauyng al¦so on theyr ryght hand vpon the fyrm land, the prouinces and regions of Pegu,* 12.197 Bengala,* 12.198 Calicut,* 12.199 Canonor,* 12.200 Coa,* 12.201 Cambaia,* 12.202 the goulfe of the Ilande of Ormus,* 12.203 and all the coastes of the greater India.* 12.204 And more safely to passe the cape of Buona Speranza being about Affrike,* 12.205 they sayled about .xlii. degrees toward the pole An∣tartike, and remayned seuen weekes abowte that cape with many fetches compassyng the wynd with theyr sayles conty∣nually alofte, because they had a west and north weste wynd in the proos of theyr shyppe which wolde not suffer them to passe. The cape of Buona Speranza, is toward the pole Antartik beneth the Equinoctiall line .xxxiiii. degrees and a halfe: and .1600. leaques from the cape of Malaccha: And is the greateste and moste daungyerous cape that is founde at thys day in al the worlde.

When they had by these perels ouerpassed thys cape, cer∣teyne of them aswell for lacke of vytayles as also by reason of syckenesse, were mynded to sayle to a hauen of the Portu∣gales named Monzambique aboue Affryke.* 12.206 But the other an∣swered that they wold rather dye then go to any other place then directly to Spayne. They folowed theyr course therfore

saylynge towarde the Southwest two monethes continually without touchynge at any porte: In whiche tyme there dyed abowte .xxi. of theyr coompany, whom they cast into the sea. And suerly if god of his infinite mercie had not preserued the residue in tyme, they hadde all dyed of famen.* 12.207

In fine, beinge inforced of necessitie, and halfe of theyr com∣panye deade, they sayled to one of the Ilandes of Capo verde cauled Insula Sancti Iacobi,* 12.208 that is, saynte Iames Ilande,* 12.209 par∣teyning to the kyng of Portugale. Where, as soone as they ariyued, they sent certeyne alande in the shippe boate for vyt¦tayles, declarynge to the Portugales with all loue and fa∣uour what necessitie they were dryuen to and what miseries and trauayles they had susteyned, informynge them further of theyr marueylous viage and suche thynges as they hadde seene in both the East and West India, with such other gen∣tel woordes wherby they obteyned certeyne measures of rise.* 12.210 But when afterwarde .xiii. of theym returned for more ryse, they were deteyned: Whereuppon the reste whiche remayned in the shippe, fearynge the lyke chaunce, departed with full sayles, and the .vii. day of September with the helpe of god entered into the hauen of San Lucar nere vnto Siuile,* 12.211 where dischargynge all theyr ordinaunce for ioy, they wente imme∣diatly to the greate churche in theyr shertes and barefooted with a torche before them to gyue thankes to almyghtie god who had brought them safe to theyr owne countrey, and re∣stored them to theyr wyues and chyldren.

As touchynge thende of this viage, Transiluanus wry∣teth sumwhat more largely as foloweth.

The other shyppe which they lefte behynde them to bee re¦payred,* 12.212 returned afterwarde by the Archipelagus aforesayde and by the great sea to the coastes of the firme of the west In¦dia, and arryued at a region of the same being ageynst Dariena,* 12.213 where the South sea of Sur is seperate but by a lyttle space of lande from the Weste Ocean in the which are the Ilandes of Hispaniola and Cuba, and other Ilandes of the Spanyardes. The other shyppe which returned into Spayne by compasing abowt the hole bowle of the worlde by the coastes of East In∣dia and Affrike, departynge from the Iland of Tidore, and say¦lynge euer on this syde the Equinoctiall, dyd not fynde the cape of Cattigara beinge aboue Asia,* 12.214 and (by the description

of Ptolome) rechynge many degrees beyonde the Equinoctial.* 12.215 But hauynge sayled many dayes by the mayne sea, they came to the cape of Buona Speranza and frome thense to the Ilandes of Capo verde, where their shyppe beinge soore broosed by rea∣son of the longe viage, leaked and tooke water, in suche sorte that the mariners being nowe but fewe in number, and those also weake and feeble by reason of longe sickenesse and hun∣ger,* 12.216 were not able both to drye the poompe continually and otherwyse gouerne the shippe: and were therfore of necessitie inforced to goo alande at the Ilande of saynte Iames to bye theym certeyne slaues to helpe theim.* 12.217 But beinge destitute of mony, according to the custome of the mariners, they profered them cloues for theyr slaues. The which thyng when it came to the eares of the Portugale that was Capitayne of that I∣lande, he cast .xiii. of them in prison. Wherby the residue that remayned in the shippe (beinge nowe but .xviii. in number) were put in such feare that they departed immediatly without rescuing theyr felowes, and sayled continually both by daye and by nyght by the coastes of Affrike, and came in fine to Spayne the .vi. day of September in the yeare .1522. and ar¦ryued at the porte nere vnto Siuile the .xvi. moneth after they departed from the Ilande of Tidore. Mariners doubtlesse more woorthy to bee celebrate with eternal memorie then they whi¦che in owlde tyme were cauled Argonauti that sayled with Ia∣son to win the golden fleese in the region of Cholehic and the ri¦uer of Phasis in the greate sea of Pontus.* 12.218* 12.219* 12.220 And the shyppe it selfe, more woorthye to bee placed amonge the starres then that owlde Argo which departynge owt of Grecia, sayled to thende of that great sea. For this owre marueylous shyppe, takynge her vyage from the straightes of Gibilterra and say¦lynge by the greate Ocean towarde the South and pole Antar¦tike,* 12.221 and turnynge from thense to the Weste, folowed that course so farre that passynge vnder the great circumference of the worlde,* 12.222 shee came into the Easte, and frome thense ageyne into the Weste, not by returnynge backewarde, but styll fay¦lynge forwarde, so compasynge abowt the vaule of the world vnder the hole circumference of heauen vntyll shee were my∣raculously restored to her natiue region of Spayne and house of Siuile.

¶ Of the prices of precious stones and Spices, with theyr weightes and measures as they are accustomed to bee soulde bothe of the Moores and the gentyles: And of the places where they growe.

FOrasmuch as in dyuers places of this historie, mention is made of precious stones, I haue thought good to declare sumewhat aswell of theyr prices as of the places of theyr generati∣on, that wee may not vtterly bee ignorant of the thinges which we so greately esteeme and bye so deare.

Of the Rubie.

THe Rubies growe in India: and are founde for the most parte in a ryuer named Pegu. These are of the best kind and fineste, whiche they of the lande of Malabor caule Nunpuclo, and are well soulde if they bee fayre and cleane without spottes. The Indians to know theyr finenesse, put them vppon theyr toonges, coumptynge that to bee best that is couldest and most harde. And to see theyr finenesse, they take them vp with a piece of waxe by the sharpest poynt: and lookynge ageynst the lyght, espie in theim euery smaule spot or flake. They are also founde in certeyne diepe fosses or pit∣tes which are made in mountaynes that are beyonde the said ryuer. They are scoured and made cleane in the countrey of Pegu. Yet can they not square and polyshe them. But for this purpose sende them to dyuers other contreys, and especi¦ally to Paleatate, Narsinga, Calicut, and the region of Ma¦labar, where are many cunnynge Lapidaries.

And to gyue yow intelligence of the value of these stones, ye shall vnderstande that this woorde Fanan, signifiethe a weight sumwhat more then two of owre carattes: And .xi. Fanans and a quarter, is one Mitigal: And .vi. Mitigales and a halfe, make one vnce. This Fanan,* 13.1 is also a kynde of money which is in value, one ryale of syluer. And therefore after this accompte I say that

Eyght fiue rubies of the weyght of one Fanan (which are in all, abowt two carat••es) are in value.* 13.2	Fanan x.
Foure Rubies that wey one fanan, are worth	Fanan xx.
Two that wey one fanan	Fanan xl.

One that weyth three quarters of one fanan	Fanan xxx.
One that weyth one fanan	Fanan l.
One that weyth one fanan and a quarter.	Fanan lxv.
One that weyth one fanan and a halfe	Fanan C.
One that weyth one fanan and three quarters	Fanan Cl.
One that weyth two fanans.	Fanan CC.
One that weyth two fanans and a quarter	Fanan CCl.
One that weyth two fanans and a halfe	Fanan .ccc.
One that weyth two fanans and thre quarters	Fanan cccl.
Of three fanans	Fanan cccc.
Of three and a quarter	Fanan D.
Of three and a halfe	Fanan Dl.
Nf three and three quarters.	Fanan Dc.
Of three and three quarters and a halfe	Fanan Dcxxx.
Of foure fanans	Fanan Dclx.
Of foure and a quarter	Fanan Dcc.
Of foure and a halfe	Fanan Dcccc
Of fyue fanans	Fanan M.
Of fyue and a halfe	Fanan Mcc.
Of syxe fanans, which are about .xii. carattes.	Fanan .MD.

which make .150. crownes of golde.

And these are commonly the prices of perfecte Rubies. But suche as are not perfecte, and haue any spottes in them, or are not of good coloure, are of lesse prise accordynge to the ar¦bitriment and estimation of the byer.

¶ Of the Rubies which growe in the Ilande of Zeilam.

IN the Ilande of Zeilam, beinge in the seconde India, are founde many Rubies which the Indians name Manecas, the greatest parte wherof do not arriue to the perfection of the other aforesayde in coloure, bycause they are redde as though they were wasshed, and of a fleshye colour. Yet are they very coulde and harde. The perfectesse of theym are greatly estee∣med amonge the people of the Ilande, and reserued only for the kynge hym selfe if they bee of any great quantitie. When his iewelers fynde any bygge piece of this rocke of the beste kynde, they put it in fyer for the space of certeyne houres. Which if it coomme owt of the fyer vncorrupte, it becommeth of the coloure of a burnynge cole, and was therfore cauled of the Greekes, Anthrax, which signifieth a burnyng cole. The

same that the Greekes caule Anthrax, the Latines caule Car∣bunculus. These they greatly esteeme. When the kyng of Nar¦singa can get any of theym, he causeth a fine hole to bee boo∣red in the vndermost part of them to the myddest: And suffe∣reth none of thē to passe owt of his realme: especially if they haue byn tryed by the sayde profe. These are of greater va∣lue then the other of Pegu, if they bee in theyr naturall per∣fect••on and cleanenesse.

Of these, one that weith a carratte (whiche is halfe a fanan) is woorthe in Calecut.	Fanan xxx.* 13.3
One of two carattes	Fanan .lxv.
Of three carattes.	Fanan cl.
Of three carattes and a halfe	Fanan cc.
Of foure carattes	Fanan ccc.
Of foure carattes and a halfe	Fanan cccl.
Of fyue carattes	Fanan cccc.
Of fyue carattes and a halfe	Fanan ccccl.
Of syxe carattes	Fanan Dxxx
Of sixe carattes and a halfe	Fanan Dlx.
Of seuen carattes	Fanan Dcxxx
Of seuen carattes and a halfe	Fanan Dclx.
One of .viii. carattes that hath bynne wel proued in the fier, is woorthe	Fanan Dccc
Of .viii. carattes and a halfe	Fanan Dcccc.
One such of tenne carattes	Fanan M ccc
One of .x. carattes and a halfe	Fanan M d c
Of .xii. carattes	Fanan MM
Of .xiiii. carattes	Fanan MMM
Of .xvi. carattes	Fanan 6000.

¶ Of the kynde of Rubies. cauled Spinelle.

THere is also founde an other kynde of Rubies which wee caule Spinelle and the Indians, Caropus. They growe in the selfe same countrey of Pegu where as are the fine Rubies. And are found in the mountaynes in the vpper crust or floure of the earth. These are not so fine nor of so good co∣lour is are the trewe Rubies: But haue sumwhat the colour of a granate which we commonly caule a garnet. Yet of these

suche as are parfecte in theyr coloure, are of value halfe lesse then trewe Rubies.

¶ Of the Rubies cauled Balassi.

BAlassi, are of the kyndes of Rubies, but are not so harde. Theyr colour is sumwhat lyke a rose, and sum are in ma¦ner whyte. They growe in Balassia, whiche is a region within the firme lande aboue Pegu and Bengala: And are browght from thense by marchauntes of the Moores to Cal••¦cut where they are wrought and polysshed: And are sould of the same price that are Spinelle.

¶ Of the Diamundes of the owlde myne.

THese Diamundes are founde in the fyrste India in a kyngdome of the Moores named Decan, from whense they are brought to other regions. There are also founde other Diamundes whiche are not so good, but sume∣what whyte, and are cauled Diamundes of the newe myne which is in the kyngedome of Narsinga. They of the owlde myne, are not polyshed in India, but in other places. There are made lykewyse in India, other false Diamundes of Ru∣bies, Topases, and whyte Saphires, whiche appere to bee fine: and are also founde in the Ilande of Zeilam. These stones differ in none other, sauynge that they haue loste their naturall colour. Of these, summe are founde that haue halfe the coloure of Rubies, and other of Saphires: other also of the coloure of a Topase. Other haue all these coloures men∣geled togyther. They bore a fine hole in these throughe the myddest, wherby they appere lyke the eyes of a catte. Of the whytest, they make many smaule diamundes whiche can not bee knowen from the trewe, sauynge by touchinge of such as are skylfull in that practise. They are soulde by a poyse or weight which they caule Mangiar, which wayeth two Tar∣re, and two thyrdes, which amount to two thyrdes or thirde partes of one caratte. For foure Tarres, wey one fanan whi∣che is abowt two carattes.

Viii. Diamundes that wey one mangiar (which is two third partes of a caratte are in value. which are three crownes of golde.	Fanan xxx.

vi. Diamundes that wey one mangiar	Fanan xl.
Foure that wey one mangiar	Fanan lx.
Two that wey one mangiar	Fanan lxxx.
One that weith one mangiar	Fanan C.
One of one mangiar and a quarter	Fanan clxv.
One of one mangiar and a halfe	Fanan clxxx.
Of one mangiar and three quarters	Fanan ccxx.
Of two mangiars	Fanan cccxx.
Of two mangiars and a quarter	Fanan ccclx.
Of two mangiars and a halfe	Fanan ccclxxx
Of two mangiars and three quarters ful perfect	Fanan. 420
Of three mangiars of lyke perfection	Fanan ccccl.
Of three mangiars and a halfe	Fanan cccclxxx.
Of foure mangiars	Fanan Dl.
Of fyue mangiars	Fanan Dccl.
Of syxe mangiars	Fanan Dccc.
Of seuen mangiars.	Fanan Mcc.
Of eyght mangiars	Fanan Mcccc.

And thus they proceade, increasynge the price as they in∣crease in weight.

¶ Of Saphires.

IN the Ilande of Zeilam are founde the beste and moste trewe Saphires, beinge very harde and fiue, and of the coloure of azure. They are of price as foloweth.* 13.4

One that weith one caratte is of value which are abowt two marcels of syluer.	Fanan ii.
One of the weight of two carattes	Fanan v.
Of three carattes	Fanan x.
Of foure carattes	Fanan xv.
Of fyue carattes	Fanan xviii
Of syxe carattes	Fanan xxviii
Of seuen carattes	Fanan xxxv.
Of eyght carattes	Fanan l.
Of nyne carattes	Fanan lxv.
Of tenne carattes	Fanan l.
Of .xi. carattes	Fanan lxv.
Of .xii. carrates	Fanan lxxv.
Of .xiii. carattes in all perfection of coloure	Fanan Cxv.
Of .xiiii. carattes.	Fanan Clx.

Of .xv. carattes	Fanan Clxxx.
Of .xvi. carattes	Fanan CC.
Of .xviii▪ carattes	Fanan CCl.
One that weith a mitigal, which is .xi. fanans and a quarter th••t is abowt xxiii. carattes.	Fanan CCCl.

Lykewyse in the Ilande of Zeilam, is founde an other sorte of Saphires which they caule Quinigelinam. These are not so stronge, or darker colour and of much lesse value th••n are the other of the best kynde, wherof one is woorth .xiii. of these of equall poise. Also in the kyngedome of Narsinga, in a mountayne aboue Bacanor and Mangalor, is founde an o∣ther sort of Saphires more tender and of woorse colour, whi∣che they caule Cinganolam. These are sumwhat whyte and of smaule value: So that the most perfect of this kynde, wey¦inge .xx. carattes, is not woorth one ducate. Theyr colour is inclynynge sumwhat to yelowe. There is lykewyse found an other kynde of Saphires vppon the sea coastes of the kynge∣dome of Calicut, in a place named Capucar. These the Indi∣ans caule Carahatonilam. They are of a ••arke asure coloure not shynynge but in the cleare ayer. They are also tender and bric¦kle, and of smaule estimation amonge the Indians. They seeme on the one syde lyke glasse.

¶ Of Topasies.

THe natural Topasies, growe in the Ilande of Zeilam, and are named of the Indians Purceragua. It is a harde and fine stone: and of equall estimation with the Ru∣bie and the Saphire, bycause all these three are of one kynd. The perfecte colour of this, is yelowe lyke vnto fine beaten golde. And if it bee perfect and cleane, whether it bee greate or lyttle, it is woorth in Calicut as much fine gold as it wey¦eth. But if it bee not perfect, it is woorth the weight of gold the fanan, which is lesse by the halfe. And if it bee in maner whyte, it is woorth much lesse. And of these, are smaule di∣amundes counterfecte.

¶ Of Turquesses.

TUrquesses are founde in Erer a place of Siech Ismael. Theyr mine is a drye eacth that is founde vpon a black

stone, which the Moores take of in smaule pieces, and carye them to the Iland of Ormus, from whense they are brought to dyuers partes of the worlde by sea and by lande. The In∣dians caule them Perose. They are soft stones, of smaule weight and not much coulde. And to knowe that they are good and trewe, in the day they shall appere of the verye colour of the Turquesse: and in the nyght by the lyght, they shall appere greene. They that are not so perfect, doo not so change there colour to the sight. If these stones bee cleane and of fine co∣lour, they haue vnderneth in the bottome, a blacke stone, vp∣pon the which they growe. And if any lyttle vayne ryse vp∣pon the sayde stone, it shalbe the better. And to knowe more certeynely that they are trewe Turquesses, they put on the toppes of them a lyttle quicke lime tempered with water after the maner of an oyntment. So that if the quicke lime ap∣pere coloured, they are iudged perfecte, and are of value as foloweth.

One that weith one caratte, is worth in Malabar.	Fanan .xv.
One of two carattes	Fanan xl.
Of foure carattes	Fanan xc.
Of .v••. carattes	Fanan Cl.
Of .viii. carattes	Fanan CC
Of .x▪ carattes	Fanan CCC
Of .xii. carattes	Fanan CCCCl
Of .xiiii. carattes	Fanan Dl.

Of greater then these they make none accompte byc••use they are lyghter pieces and of greater circuite. These of the byg∣gest sorte the Moores carie into the kyngedome of Guzerath.

¶ Of Iacinthes.

IAcinthes growe in the Ilande of Zeilam. They are ten∣der stones and yelowe. They are best that are of d••••peste colour. The greatest part of these, haue in them certeine pimples or burbuls, whiche diminishe theyr fayrenesse. And they that are in theyr persection cleane from this deformitie, are neuerthelesse of smaule value. For in Calicut where they are polysshed, they that wey one fanan are woorth no more then halfe a fanan. And they of .xviii. fanans, are not worth xvi. fanans.

There are also founde other stones lyke vnto cartes eyes, as Chrisolites, and Amethistes, whiche they doo not muche esteeme bycause they are of smaule value, as also the stones cauled Giagonze.

¶ Of Smaragdes or Emeraldes.

SMaragdes growe in the countrey of Babilon, where the Indians caule the sea Dieguan. They grow also in other partes of India. They are stones of fayre greene colour, and are lyght and tender. Of these stones, many are conter∣fecte. But lookyng on them curiously towarde the lyght, the conterfectes shewe certeyne burbuls, as doot•• glasse. But in the trewe, there is no such seene. But rather there appea∣reth to the eye a certeyne verdour shynynge lyke the beames of the soonne. And beinge rubbed vppon the touche stone, they leaue the coloure of copper. And the Smaragde of this sorte is the best and most trewe: And is in value in Calicut, as much as a diamunde and sumwhat more: And this not by weyght, but by greateness, bycause the diamunde quantitie for quantitie, is of greater weyght then the Smaragde. Ther is lykewyse founde an other kynde of Smaragdes, whiche are greene stones, but not so much esteemed. Neuerthelesse, the Indians reserue these to set them foorth with other pre∣cious stones. They leaue not any greene coloure vppon the touche.

¶ Of dyuers kyndes of Spices, where they grow, what they are woorth in Calicut, and whi∣ther they are caried from thense.

¶ Of Pepper.

FYrste in all the kyngedome of Malabor and Calicut pepper groweth: and is sould in Ca∣licut by euery .CC. Bahars, fine, for .CCxxx fanans, euery fanan (as I haue sayde) be∣inge in value, one ryall of plate of Spayne: which is as muche as one marcell of syluer

in Uenice. Bahar, weith foure cantares of the owld weight of Portugale, by the whiche they sell all spices in Lisbona. Cantar, is in Uenece .C.xii. pounde weyght of the gros•• pounde (beinge .xviii. vnces) and of the subtyle pounde .C.lxxviii. So that the sayde .712. poundes of Uenece subtile, wyl cost abowt .xx. frenche crownes of golde: which amount to abowt two Marchetti (whiche make one peny) the pounde. They pay also to the kyng of Calicut for custome .xii. fanans euery Bahar by the lode. They that bye them, are accustomed to brynge them to Cambaia, Persia, Aden, and Mecha, and from thense to Alcayre and Alexandria. Nowe they pay cu∣stome to the kynge of Portugale after the rate of .6562. Mar¦uedies the Bahar, which are .193. fanans. Maruedies are Spanyshe coynes wherof .vi. go to a peny. This doo they partly bycause there arryueth no more so greate diuersitie of marchantes to bye them, and partly by the agreement which the sayde kynge of Portugale made with those kynges, and the Moores, and marchauntes of the countrey of Malabar.

Much pepper groweth lykewyse in the Ilande of Suma∣tra nere vnto Malaca, which is fayrer and bygger then that of Malabar, but not so good and stronge. This is brought from Bengala to China, and summe parte to Mecha, priuilie and by stelth, vnwares to the Portugales which wolde not otherwyse suffer them to passe. It is woorth in Sumatra, from .iiii. C. vnto .vii. C. marau••dis the cantar of Portugale, of the newe weight. And frome the newe to the owlde weight in Portugale, the difference is, twoo vnces in the pounde weight. For the owlde pounde consisteth of .xiiii. vn¦ces: and the newe pounde of .xvi. vnc••s.

¶ Of Cloues.

CLoues growe in the Ilandes of Molucca, from whense they are brought to Malacha, and then to Calicut and the countrey of Malabar. They are woorth in Calicut euery bahar (which is .712. poundes of the subtyle pound of Uenece) from .500. to .600. fanans (which are abowte fyftie frenche crownes, which are in value abowte .xii. marchatti the pounde weight. And beinge cleane from stalkes & h••••kes are in value 700. fanans. To cary theym frome then••e into

other regions, they paye for pasporte .xviii. fanans the ba∣har, which is woorth in Malacca from .x. to .xiiii. ducades ac¦cordynge to the rate and custome of the marchauntes.

¶ Of Cinamome.

CInamome of the best sort, groweth in the Ilande of Ze∣ilam: and in the countrey of Malabar, growethe the woorst. That of the beste kynde, is of smaule price in Zeilam. But in Calicut (if it bee choise and freshe, it is worth CCC. fanans the bahar, whiche are abowte fiue march••tti the pounde.

¶ Of Ginger cauled Beledi.

GInger Beledi, groweth on euery syde abowte Calicut from syxe to nine myles: And is woorth th•• bahar .••l. fanans, and sumtymes fiftie, whiche is lesse then one marchetto the pounde.

They brynge it from the mountaynes and owt of the contrey to the citie, where they sell it by retayle to the Indian mar∣chauntes, who ga••••er it togither in great quantitie and kepe it to such ty••e as the Moores shyppes arryue the••e, to whom they sell it, by the price of .xc. fanans, to .Cx. whiche is lesse then ••wo mar••h••tti the pound, bycause the weight is greater.

¶ Of Ginger Mechino.

GInger Mechino groweth, begynnynge from the moun∣ta••ne of Deli, vnto Canonor. It is smaule, and not so whyte nor so good as the other. It is woorthe the bahar in Cananor, abowt .lx. fanans whiche is abowte one marchetto the pounde. They pay for the bahar syxe fanans in money for the custome. It is sould vnclensed or vnpurged.

¶ Of greene Ginger in conserues.

IN Bengala is founde greate plentie of Ginger Beledi, of the whiche they make muche Ginger in conserues with su∣ger, and carie it in stone pots from Martabani to bee sould in the cauntrey of Malabar. And is woorth the farazuola

(which is .xxii. poundes and syxe vnces) after the rate of .xiiii xv. or .xvi. fanans.

That that is freshe and made in conserues, is woorth in Ca∣licut .xxv. fanans the farazuola, bycause suger is dere there. Greene ginger to put in conserues, is woorth in Calicut three quarters of one fanan the farazuola, which is abowte twoo poundes for one marchetto.

¶ Of the Apothecaries drugges: And of what price they are in Calicut and Malabar.

LAcca of Martabani, if it bee of the beste, is woorth the farazuola, which is .xxii. pounde weyght and syxe vn∣ces of Portugale after .xvi. vnces the pounde (whiche is abowte .xl. pounde weyght of the subtyle pounde of Ue∣nece) And is in value .xviii. fanans: whiche are .xviii. mar∣cels of syluer. For one fanan, is in value abowte one marcell of syluer.

Lacca of the contrey, is woorth the farazuola	Fanan xii.
Borace that is good and in great pieces is woorthe the farazuola.	Fanan .xxx. to .xl. & .l.
Camphire that is grosse in cakes, is woorth the fara∣zuola	Fanan .lxx. to .lxxx.
Camphire to annoynt Idoles,	***
Camphire for theyr chyldren to eate, is woorth the my∣tigal.	Fanan iii.
Aguila is woorth the farazuola	Fanan .ccc. to .cccc.
Lignum aloe, blacke, heauy, and fine, is woorth	Fanan .M.
Muske of the best is woorth the vnce	Fanan xxxvi.
Beniamin of the beste, is woorth the farazuola	Fanan lxv.
Tamarindi being newe, are woorth the farazuola	Fanan .iiii
Calamus aromaticus, the farazuola	Fanan xii.
Endego to dye silke, trewe & good, the farazuola	Fanan .xxx
Mirre, the farazuola.	Fanan .xviii. to .xx.
Frankensence good and in graynes, is woorth the fara∣zuola	Fanan xv.
Frankensence in paste of the basest sorte, the faraz.	Fanan .iii
Ambracan or amber greese that is good, is woorthe the metical	Fanan ii. to .iii.
Mirabolanes in cōserue of suger, the faraz.	Fanan .xvi. to .xxv

Cassia, freshe and good, and farazuola.	Fanan one & a halfe
Redde Sanders, the farazuola	Fanan .v. to .vi.
Whyte Sanders and citrine, whiche growe in the Ilande of Timor, the farazuola	Fanan .xl. to .lx
Spikenarde, freshe and good, the faraz.	Fanan .xxx. to .xl.
Nutte megges, whiche coome frome the Ilande of Bandan where the bahar is woorth from .viii. to .x. fanans, (which importe .vi. poundes weight to the marchetto) are woorthe in Calicut, the faraz.	Fanan x. to xii.
Mace which is brought from the Ilande of Bandan where the Bahar is woorth fiftie fanans (which import abowt one marchetto the pounde a••e woorth in Calicut the farazu∣ola.	Fanan xxv. to .xxx.
Turbithes, are woorth the farazuola	Fanan xiii.
Woorme seede of the best kynde, cauled Semenzina, is woorthe the farazuola.* 14.1	Fanan xv.
Zerumba, the farazuola	Fanan ii.
Zedoarta, the farazuola	Fanan i.
Gumme Serapine, the farazuola	Fanan xx.
Aloe cicotrine, the farazuola	Fanan xviii
Cardamome in graynes, the farazuola	Fanan xx.
Reubarbe groweth abundantly in the countrey of Malabar: And that which commeth from China by Malacha, is worth the farazuola	Fanan xl. to .l.
Mirabolani emblici, the farazuola	Fanan ii.
Mirabolani belirici, the farazuola	Fanan one & a halfe.
Mirabolani citrini & chebuli, which are al of one sort.	Fa .ii.
Mirabolani Indi, which are of the same citrine trees	Fa .iii.
Tutia, the farazuola	Fanan xxx.
Cububes which growe in the Ilande of Iaua or Giaua, are there of smaule price, and sould by measure withowt weight. Opium which is browght from the citie of Aden where it is made, is woorth in Calicut the faraz.	Fanan .cclxxx. to .cccxx.
Opium of an other sort which is made in Cambaia is woorth the farazuola,	Fanan cc. to .ccl.

¶ Of the Weyghtes of Portugale and India: And howe they agree.

THe pound of the owld weight, conteyneth .xiiii. vnces.

The pound of the newe weight conteyneth .xvi. vnces.

viii. cantares of the owlde weyght, make .vii. of the newe.

And euery newe cantare, is of .C.xxviii, poundes after .xvi. vnces to the pounde

Euery owlde cantare, conteyneth three quarters and a halfe of the newe cantar: And is of .C.xxviii. poundes, after .xiiii vnces the pounde.

One farazuola, is: xxii. poundes of .xiiii. vnces, and .vi. vn∣ces more, with two fifte partes.

Twentie farazuoles, are one Bahar.

One bahar is .iiii. cantares of the owld weight of Portugale. All the Spices and drugges, and all suche other thynges as coome frō India, are sould in Portugale by the owld weight and all the reste by the newe weyght.

¶ Hereby may we well consider that as we owght to reioyse and gyue god thankes for the abundaunce of al these thinges which he causeth the earth so plentifully to brynge foorth to owre vse, so may we lament thabuse of men whose couetous∣nesse causeth great dearth and searsenesse in the myddest of a∣bundance: herein no lesse offendyng the lawe of nature then doo such as by wychcrafte intermingle poyson with thinges created for the health of man, or by inchauntment corrupt the seedes in the ground: ye rather as the vnnatural mother who destroyeth the chylde whom she hath longe nuryshed.

❧ Of the Dooues of the Ilande of Madera.

CAdamustus wryteth, that before the Portuga∣les came to this Ilande, it was ouergrowen with trees and vnhabited. Yet were there ma∣ny beastes, and great plentie of dooues which were vtterly without feare of mē bycause they had neuer seene any men before, nor yet were accustomed to bee put in feare. In so much that they stode styl whyle snares were put abowte theyr neckes with longe rods and poles: The which thynge he sayth he hath also seene in other Ilandes. There are many ryche men in this Ilande, and great abundaunce of flesshe, bycause the hole Ilande is in maner one gardeyne.

¶ Of the Ilande of saynt Thomas vnder the Equinoctiall line.

THe chiefest occupacion and liuynge of thinhabi¦tauntes of this Ilande, is the makynge of su∣ger, which they sell yearely to the shyppes that coomme for it owt of Spayne and Portugale laden with buttes of meale and floure, also wyne, oyle, cheese, lether, swoordes, cuppes of glasse, beades, certeyne scaruels of the fine whyte earthe cauled Porcellana, of the which are made the earthen dys∣shes of the woorke of Maiolica. And if it were not that such vyttayles and prouisions were brought them owt of Spaine and Portugale, the whyte marchauntes which dwell in that Ilande (perteynynge to the dominion of the kinge of Portu∣gale) shulde not bee able to lyue there, forasmuch as they are not accustomed to eate such meates as doo the Ethiopians or Negros. And therfore the Portugales whiche inhabite this Ilande, haue certeyne blacke slaues of Guinea, Benin, and Manicongo, which they set to tyll and laboure the grounde and make suger. Amonge these whyte inhabitauntes, there are many ryche men which haue .150. or .200. and sum .300. blacke slaues of men and women to tyll the grounde and doo other laborious woorkes. This Ilande was discouered four score yeares sence by the nauigations of the Portugales and was vnknowen to the owlde wryters. It lyeth in the greate goulfe of Affrike in the .30. degree of longitude from the West to the East, and is in maner rounde. It is of largenesse from side to syde .lx. Italiā myles, (that is to say) one degree. The horizontal line of the Iland, passeth by the two poles, Artike and Antartyke: and hath euer the day equall with the nyght without any sensible difference, whether the son bee in Can∣cer or in Capricorne. The starre of the pole Artike, is there inuisible: But the wardens are seene sumwhat to moue about: And the starres cauled the Crosse, are seene very hyghe. Of this Ilande with the other landes and Ilandes lyinge be∣twene Portugale and the same, a certeyne pylotte of Portu∣gale hath wrytten a goodly vyage to Conte Rimondo.

¶ The debate and stryfe betwene the Spanyardes and Portugales, for the diuision of the Indies and the trade of Spices: and also for the Ilands of Molucca, which sum caule Malucas. Wrytten in the Spanyshe toonge by Francisco Lopez de Gomara.

THemperours maiestie was verye gladde that the Malucas and Ilands of the spicery were discouered: and that he myght passe vnto them through his owne countreys withowt any preiudice or hurte to the Portugales: And bycause also that Almanzor, Luztu, and Corala which were the lordes of the spicerie, shewed them selues to bee his frendes and became tributaries to hym He also gaue certeyne gyftes and rewa••d••s ••o Iohn Sebastian for his greate paynes and good seruice,* 14.2 fora••much as he craued a rewarde for the good newes that the Ilandes of the Malucas and other Ilandes rycher and great••r then they, we••e found to bee in his part of those countreys which perteyned vnto hym accordynge to the popes bull.* 14.3 And here∣by it came to passe that there was great contention and stri••e betwene the Spanyardes and the Portugales abowte the spicerie and the diuision of the Indies by reason of the re∣turne of Iohn Sebastian and thinformation whiche he gaue therof. Who also affirmed that the Portugales had neuer any enteraunce before that tyme into those Ilandes. Here vp¦pon, the counsayle for the Indies, aduertised Themperoure to maynteine his fleete for those partes,* 14.4 and to take the trade of spices into his owne hand, forasmuch as it was his owne of dewtie, aswell for that those Ilandes fell on his parte, as also that he had nowe founde passage and waye through his west Indies into those regions. And finally to consyder that he shulde thereby obteyne and gette to him selfe greate reue∣nues besyde thinrychynge of his subiectes and realmes, and that with smaule coaste and charge. Themperoure beinge thus aduer••i••ed of the truth, tooke it for good counsayle, and commaunded all thynges hereunto apperteynynge to bee fur∣nysshed accordyngely. In this meane tyme, when kynge Iohn of Portugale had knowleage what themperour deter∣myned* 14.5

to doo, and the speedy hast his counsayle made for the performance herof, and of the commynge home of Iohn Se∣bastian of Cane, with thinformation he made, what of stout∣nesse of mynde and what for greefe, was puffed vp with an∣ger as were also the reste of the Portugales, stormynge as thowgh they wolde haue plucked downe the skye with their handes, not a lyttle fearynge leaste they shulde lose the trade of spices, if the Spanyardes shulde once put in theyr foote. Wheruppon the kyng immediatly made supplication to Them¦peroure, not to set forwarde any shyppes vntyll it were deter¦myned to whether of theym those Ilandes shulde belonge: And that he wolde not so muche endomage hym as to cause him to liese the trade of spices which was so commodious and profitable to hym.* 14.6 And finally to auoyde thoccasion of mur∣ther and bludshed whiche were lyke to ensue thereof, yf the Spanyardes and Portugales shyppes shulde meete togyther. Themperoure althowghe he knewe that all this was but to make delays and prolongynge of tyme, yet was he gladde to haue it tryed by iustice for the better iustification of his cause and ryght. In fine, both parties were agreed to appoynt ler∣ned men, Cosmographers and Pylots which shulde determine the controuersie betwene them:* 14.7 promysynge on bothe parties to abyde and stande to the sentence and determination made by those persons appoynted and sworne to iudge indiffe∣rentely.

¶ The reparticion and diuision of the Indies and newe worlde betwene the Spany∣ardes and the Portugales.

THis matter concernyng the trade of spices and the newe worlde of the Indies, by reason of the great ryches therof was of greate impor∣taunce and very difficultie to bee limitted and drawen foorth by l••nes. By reason wherof, it was necessarie and conuenient to seeke wyse & woorshypful men expert in nauigations,* 14.8 in Cosmographie, and the mathematicall sciences. Themproure for his syde, chose and named for iudges of the possession, the licentiate Acuna, one of the kynges consayle. Also the licentiate Barri¦entos

of the counsayle of the orders: The licentiate Petro Manuel auditour of the courte of the Chauncerie in Uallado∣l••th. For iudges of the propertie, he chose Don Fernando Colonuo the soonne of Christopher Colonus: Also doctor Sancho Salaya, Peter Ruiz of Uillegas, fryre Thomas Du¦ran, Simon of Alcazaua, and Iohn Sebastian of Cano. His aduocate & atturney, he made the licentiate Iohn Rodriguez of Pisa: & for his fyscal doctor Ribera, & his secretarie, Bar∣thalome Ruiz of Castaneda. He also apoynted that Sebastian Cabote,* 14.9 Steuē Gomes, Nunnio Garcia, Diego Riuero, being al expert pilots & cunning in making cardes for the sea, shuld be present,* 14.10 & brynge foorth theyr globes and mappes with other instrumentes necessarie to declare the situation of the Ilandes of the Malucas abowt the which was al the conten¦tion and stryfe.* 14.11 But order was taken that they shulde shewe theyr myndes on neyther syde, nor enter into the coompany of the other but when they were cauled. Al these and diuers other, wente togyther to a towne cauled Badaioz:* 14.12 and as many Portugales came to Elbes, or rather more. For they browght with them two fiscals and two aduocates. The principall of theym, was the licentiate Antonie de Asseuedo, Diego Lopes of Sequeyra the clarke of the weightes and re∣ceptes, who had before byn gouernour in India. Also Peral∣fonso of Melo, clerke: Simon of Tauira, with dyuers other whose names I knowe not. Before they mette togyther, the one parte remaynynge at Badaioz and the other in Elbes, there was much a doo amonge them beefore they coulde agree vppon the place where they shulde mete and who shuld speke fy••ste.* 14.13 For the Portugales doo greatly weight suche circum∣stances. At the last, they concluded to meete togyther at Caya a lyttle ryuer which diuideth Castile from Portugale, stan∣dynge in the mydde way betwene Badaioz and Elbes. And when they were a••••embled togyther one day at Badaioz and an other daye at Elbes and saluted the one the other,* 14.14 bothe parties were sworne that they shulde proceade and speake ac∣cordynge to truth, iustice, and ••quitie. The Portugales re∣fused Simon de Alcazaua because he was a Portugale: and fryer Thomas Duran bycause he had sumetyme byn preacher to theyr kynge. So th••t Simon was by consent put owte of the coompany, in whose roome was placed master Antonie of

Alcaraz. Yet fell they not to reasonynge the matter vntyll the fryer was put owt. They were manye dayes in beholdynge globes, mappes, and cardes of the sea, and hearynge what myght bee sayde, both sydes all••agynge for the ryght which they pretended. But the Portugales standynge in vayne con¦tention,* 14.15 sayde very angerly the Ilandes of Malaca whereup¦pon theyr meetynge and resonynge was at that presence, fell of theyr parte and was of theyr conquest. And that they both had byn there, and had them in theyr possession before Iohn Sebastian had euer seene them. Lykewyse that the line shulde bee drawen from the Ilande of Bonauista,* 14.16 or the Iland cau¦led de la Sal, which are the most Easterly Ilandes from Ca∣bouerde, and not from the Ilande of Santanton or saynt An∣tonie, which lyeth towarde the West, and are .lxxxx. leaques the one from the other. Al this was no more but to contend: and the other of the Malucas, is vntrewe. But they that haue a nawghtie matter must set it foorth with woordes and brabelynge.* 14.17 Here they founde howe greatly they were decea¦ued in that they demaunded that the line shulde bee drawen three hundreth .lxx. leaques more to the West from the Ilan∣des of Cabouerde (as appeareth hereafter) and not one hun∣dreth accordyng to thassignement of the popes bul. The Spa¦nyardes on the contrary parte affirmed and made demonstra∣tion,* 14.18 that not only the Ilandes of Burney, Gilolo, Zubut, and Tidore, with the other Ilandes of the Malucas. But as well Samatra,* 14.19 Malacha,* 14.20 and a great parts of China,* 14.21 shuld belonge to the Cast••lians: and that those countreys fell on theyr syde and on the parte of theyr conquest: Also that Ma∣gallanes and Iohn Sebastian were the fyrste Christian men that founde them and obteyned them for Themperour,* 14.22 as the letters and presentes of Almanzor doo testifie. And although the Portugales had byn there fyrste, yet wente they thyther after the donation of the pope: neyther got they any ryght or iuste tytle thereby. For althowgh they shulde drawe the line by Buena Uista,* 14.23 what inconuenience shulde folowe thereof, sith aswell by the one way as the other, the Ilandes of the Malucas must perteyne to the Castilians: yea and moreouer, the Ilandes of Cabo verde shulde also perteine to the Castili∣ans,* 14.24 forsomuch as drawynge the line by Buena Uista, the I∣landes of the Malucas doo remayne within the line on the

Emperours syde. They continued in these controuersies for the space of two moonethes without anye resolution or ende made. For the Portugales prolonged and put of the matter, flying from the sentence with cauillations and could reasons to thende that they myght dissolue that assemble without any conclusion or determination:* 14.25 for so it stoode them vppon. The Castilians which were the Iudges of the propertie, drewe a line in the great globe three hundreth and .lxx. leaques from saynt Antonies Ilande,* 14.26 lyinge by Weste Cabo Uerde accor∣dynge to the intreatie and determination whiche was agreed vppon betwene the Catholike princes and the kynge of Por∣tugale. These iudges gaue sentence vppon this matter,* 14.27 cau∣lynge the con••rary parte before them vpon the bridge of Caya in the yeare. ••524. The Portugales coulde neyther disturbe or deferre the sentence, nor yet wolde they alowe it to bee iust and accordynge to ryght: Sayinge that there was not suffi∣cient processe made that they shulde passe to the gyuynge of sentence. And so departed threatenyng to sley the Castilians as many as they shulde fynde in the Ilandes of the Malucas.* 14.28 For they knewe ryght well that theyr contreymen the Por∣tugales had alredy taken the shyppe cauled the Trinitie and had also taken the Castilians in Tidore. Then also departed owre men, takynge theyr iorney to the courte gyuynge vp to Themperour all theyr wrytynges and declaration what they had doone. And accordynge to this declaration must bee sig∣ned and marked all globes and mappes which good Cosmo∣graphers and masters doo make. The line also of the reparti¦cion and last diuision of the newe world of the Indies,* 14.29 ought to passe (lyttle more or lesse) by the poyntes of Humos and Buen Abrigo, as I haue sayde in an other place. And thus shall it appeare euidently that the Ilandes of Spices, and al¦so the greate Ilande of Zamotra,* 14.30 do perteyne to Castile. But the lande of Brasile perteyneth to the kynge of Portugale where the cape of saynt Augustine is,* 14.31 beinge .viii. degrees be¦neth the Equinoctiall. This lande reacheth from the poynte of Humos to the poynte of Buen Abrigo: and is in lengthe North and South .viii. hundreth leaques. Beinge also sum way two hundreth leaques East and West.

And hereafter these serious matters, wee wyll rehearse ••ne mery thynge,* 14.32 which was this. It so chaunced that as

Frances de Melo, Diego Lopes of S••queyra, and other of those Portugales of this assemble, walked by the ryuer syde of Guadiana, a lyttle boy who stoode keepynge his mothers clothes which she had washed, demaunded of theym whether they were those men that parted the world with Themperour And as they answered, yea: he tooke vp his shert and shewed them his bare arse, sayinge: Coomme and drawe yowre line here throughe the myddest. Which sayinge was afterwarde in euery mans mouth and laughed at in the towne of Bada∣ioz: yea euen amonge the commissioners them selues, of whō sum were angry, and summe maruayled at the sayinge of the chylde.

¶ The cause and autoritie wherby they diuided the Indies.

THe Castilians and Portugales had longe deba¦ted and reasoned abowt the golde myne of Gui¦nea which was found in the yeare of owre lorde 1471,* 15.1 in the tyme of the reigne of Don Alonso Kynge of Portugale the firste of that name.* 15.2

This was a matter of greate importaunce. For the negros or blacke Moores,* 15.3 for thynges of no value, gaue golde by hole handefuls whyche was at that tyme when the sayde Kynge of Portugale pretended title and clayme to the kingedome of Castile in the right of his wyfe Queene Iohn (cauled the excellent) ageynste the Catholike princes Isabel and Don Fernando whose it was in deede.* 15.4 But that stryfe was ended as sone as Don Fernando had vanquisshed Don Alonso at a place cauled Temulos not farre from Toro, which place Don Fernando chose rather to make warre ageinst the Moores of Granada,* 15.5 then to bye and sell with the blacke Moores of Guinea. And thus the Portugales remained with the conquest of Affryke from the streightes forwarde:* 15.6 whiche began where the infante of Portugale Don Henrique (sonne to kynge Iohn the bastarde and master of Auis) dyd bebynne to enlarge it. When pope Alexander the .vi. (beinge a valen∣tinian borne) had knowleage hereof,* 15.7 he mynded to gyue the Indies to the kinges of Castile withowt any preiudice to the Portugales who had conquered the sea coastes of Affryke.

These Indies, the pope gaue of his owne mynde withowte the motion of anye other, with this burden and charge that they shulde conuert the Idolatours to the faythe of Chryste: And commaunded a line or meridian to bee drawen Northe and south from one hundreth leaques Westwarde beyond one of the Ilandes of Cabo Uerde towarde the Weste,* 15.8 bycause the Spanyardes shulde not meddle in Affryke perteynynge to the conquest of the Portugales, to thauoydynge of all stryfe betw••ne them. Kynge Iohn of Portugale,* 15.9 the seconde of that name, was greatly offended when he redde the bull and donation of the pope, althowgh his owne ambassadours had made the selfe same request vnto his holynesse. He also found hym selfe agreeued with the Catholyke princes Isabell and Fernando, that they had shortened the course of the landes he had discouered, depriuynge hym of the rychesse which be∣longed to hym. And therfore refused to stande to the popes bull in this case: desyrynge the Catholyke princes Isabell and Fernando to graunt him three hundreth leaques more to the Weste, besyde the one hundreth which they had graunted before: and therwith sent his shyppes to kepe the coastes of Affryke. The princes Catholyke were content to satisfie his mynde and to please hym accordynge to theyr gentle nature and for the aliance that was betwene theym: And in fine, with the consent and agreement of the pope,* 15.10 graunted twoo hundrech .lxx. leaques more then the bull made mention of: At Tordefillas the .vii. day of Iune, in the yeare of owr lord 1494. And wheras owr kynges thought that they shulde haue lost grounde in grauntynge so many leaques that way, they woonne by that meanes the Ilandes of the Malucas with many other ryche Ilandes. The kynge of Portugale also, herein deceaued him selfe or was deceaued of his whom he put in trust,* 15.11 hauynge no certeyne knowleage of the situa∣tion of the Ilandes of the riche Spicery in demaundyng that which the kynge dyd demaunde. For it hadde byn better for hym to haue requested the three hundreth and .lxx. leaques ra¦ther Eastwarde from the Ilandes of Cabo Uerde then to∣warde the west. And yet for all that, I doubte whether the Malucas shulde haue faulen within his conquest accordynge to the ordinarie accoumpte and dimension which the pylotes and Cosmographers doo make. And after this maner they

diuided the Indies betwene them by thautoritie of the pope for the auoydynge of further stryfe and contention.

❧ Howe and by what occasion Themperoure layde the Ilandes of the Malucas to pledge to the kynge of Portugale.

WHen the kynge of Portugale Don Iuan the thyrde of that name, had knowleage that the Cosmographers and pylottes of Castile hadde drawen the line from the place before named, and that he could not denye the truth, fearing also therby to liese the trade of Spices, made sute and request to Themperoure that he shulde not send furth Loaisa nor Sebastian Cabote to the Malucas,* 16.1 and that the Castilians shulde not attempte the trade of spices nor see such euyls and miseries as his capitaynes had shewed in those I∣landes to them that aduentured that viage with Magalanes. Which thynge he greatly couered, although he payde all the charges of those two fleetes, and made other great bargens. In the meane tyme, Themperoure maryed the Lady Isabell syster to kynge Iohn: and kynge Iohn maryed the lady Ca∣tharine syster to Themperour:* 16.2 whereby this matter waxed coulde although the kynge ceased not to speake hereof, euer mouynge the particion. Themperour by the meanes of a cer∣teine Biscaine that was with Magallanes in the gouernours shyppe, had knowleage what the Portugales had doone to the Castilians in the Iland of Tidore,* 16.3 wherof he tooke great displeasure, and brought the sayde maryner face to face be∣fore thambassadours of Portugale, who denyed all that he sayde, one of them beinge the chiefe capitayne and gouernour of India when the Portugales tooke the Castilians in Tido∣re and robbed them of theyr Cloues and Cinamome and such other thynges as they had in the shyppe named the Trinitie. But as the kynge of Portugales trade was greate, and owre necessitie greater, in the meane tyme Themperoure (who was nowe goinge into Italie to bee crowned in the yeare .1529) gagied the Malucas and the spicerie to the kynge of Portu∣gale* 16.4

for three hundreth and fiftie thousande ducades with∣owt any tyme determyned otherwyse then the controuersie was defined vppon the brydge of the ryuer of Caya:* 16.5 for the which thynge, kynge Iohn punyshed the licentiate Azeuedo bycause he payde the money withowt declaration of the time. The couenaunt of the pledge was blyndely made and great∣ly ageynst the myndes of the Castilians, as men that wel vn∣derstode the profite, commoditie, and rychesse of that trade: Affirmynge that the trade of spices myght haue byn rented for one yeare or for two, for syxe tymes as much as the kinge gaue for it. Peter Ruiz of Uillegas who was twyse cauled to the bargeyne, as once at Granada and an other tyme at Madrid, sayde that it had byn muche better to haue pledged Estremadura or Serena, or other greater landes and cities, ra¦ther then the Malucas, Zamatra, or Malaca, or other riche landes and ryuers in the Easte not yet well knowen: foras∣muche as it maye so chaunce, that eyther by continuaunce of tyme, or aliance, the pledge myght bee forgotten as thowgh it perteyned to the ryght of Portugale. In fine, Themperour considered not the iewel that he pledged, nor the kyng what he receaued. Themperour was often tymes counsayled to re∣lease the pledge of those Ilandes in cōsideration of the great vantage he myght haue therby in fewe yeares. Furthermore, in the yeare .1548. the procuratoures of Cortes being in Ual¦ladolid, made peticion to Themperour to surrender the spice∣••ie to the kyngedoome of Castile for .vi. yeares, and that they wold repay to the kyng of Portugale his .350. thousād crow∣nes, and after those yeares, restore the trade to the crowne, that his maiestie myght inioye the same as was agreed at the begynnynge. But Themperour beinge then in Flaunders, sente woorde to the counsayle that they shulde not assēt to Cortes his request, nor speake any more hereof. Wherat, sum marueyled, other were sory, & all held theyr peace.

¶ Of the Pole Antartike and the starres abowt the same And of the qualitie of the regions and disposition of the Elementes abowt the Equinoctiall line. Also certeyne secreates touchyng the arte of saylynge.

AMericus Uesputius in the Summarie of his vyages, wryteth in this maner as foloweth.

Departynge frome Lisbona (commonlye cauled Lusheburne) the .viii. day of May, in the yeare .1501. we sayled fyrst to the Ilan∣des of Canarie and from thense to Capouer∣de which the Ethiopians or blacke Moores caule Bisineghe,* 17.1* 17.2 beinge .xiiii. degrees on this syde the Equinoc∣tiall line. From whense directynge owre course towarde the South pole by the Southwest, we sawe no more land for the space of three moonethes and three dayes. Of whiche tyme durynge .xl. dayes, we had cruell fortune: In so muche that for that space,* 17.3 the heauen in maner neuer ceased thunderyng rorynge, and lyghtenynge with terrible noyse, and fearefull syghtes of fyery exhalations flyinge abowt in the ayer, and in maner continuall showers of rayne with darke clowdes co∣uerynge the heauen in such sorte that aswell in the day as in the nyght we coulde see none otherwyse but as when the moone giueth no lyght by reason of thicke and darke clowds The sea was in lyke case vnquieted with surgies and mon∣sters. After these greuous & cruel days, it plesed god to haue cōpassion on owr liues. For wee suddenly espied land wher¦by we recouered owr spirites and strength. This land which wee founde, is from Capo Uerde .700. leaques, although I∣suppose that we sayled more then .800. by reason of the cruel tempest and ignoraunce of the Pylottes and mariners where∣by wee were lyke to haue byn cast away.* 17.4 For wee were in suche daungerous places wanderynge in vnknowen coastes, that if I had not byn skylfull in the science of Cosmographie we had suerly peryshed,* 17.5 forasmuch as there was not one py∣lot that knewe where wee were by the space of fiftie leaques. In so much that if I had not in tyme prouyded for the safe∣garde of myne owne lyfe and them that were with me, with my quadrant and Astrolabie instrumentes of Astronomie,* 17.6 wee

had styl wandered lyke blynde men. But when in fine I had persuaded the pylots by demonstrations perteynynge to that arte, they gaue me great honour and confessed that the ordi∣narie pilottes and mariners ignorant in Cosmographi, are not to bee compared to men of speculatiue knowleage. &c.

Wee sayled by the coaste of the sayde lande .600. leaques And went oftentymes alande where wee were frendely and honorably interteyned of thinhabitauntes: In so much that considerynge theyr innocent nature, we sumtymes remayned with them .xv. or .xx. dayes. This firme lande begynneth be¦yonde the Equinoctiall line .viii. degrees towarde the pole Antartike. Wee sayled so farre by the sayde coaste that wee passed the wynter Tropyke towarde the pole Antartike by xvii. degrees and a halfe,* 17.7 where we had the Horizontal line eleuate fiftie degrees. Such thynges as I sawe there, are not yet knowen to men of owre tyme: as the people, theyr customes and maners, the fertilitie of the lande, the goodnes of the ayer, the fauourable influence of heauen and the pla∣nettes, and especially the order of the starres of the eyght sphere in the inferioure hemispherie or lower halfe circle of heauen towarde and abowt the South pole,* 17.8 wherof neyther the owlde or newe wryters haue made any mention to this daye.

To wryte particularly of the commodities and felicities of these regions, it wolde requyre rather a hole volume then a booke: And that such, as if Plinie had had knowleage of these thynges,* 17.9 he myght greatly haue increased his bookes of naturall histories. The trees gyue from them continually such sweete sauours as can scarsely bee imagined: And on euery part put furth such gummes, liquours, and iuses, that yf we knewe theyr vertues, I suppose we myght fynde in them marueylous medicins ageinst diseases and to mainteyne health. And suerly in my opinion, yf there bee any earthely Paradyse in the worlde,* 17.10 it can not bee farre from these regi∣ons of the south, where the heauen is so beneficiall and the elementes so temperate that they are neyther bytten with coulde in wynter, nor molested with heate in summer.* 17.11 The ayer also and the heauen is seldome darkened with clowdes, so that the dayes and nyghtes are euer cleare. Yet haue they sumtymes moyst dewes in the mornynge and euenyng for the* 17.12

space of three houres, whereby the grounde is marueylously refresshed. Lykewyse the firmament is marueylously adour∣ned with certeyne starres which are not knowen to vs, wher¦of I noted abowt .xx. to bee of suche clearenesse as are the starres of Uenus and Iupiter when they are nere vnto vs.* 17.13

And wheras hauynge the knowleage of Geometrie,* 17.14 I consi¦dered theyr circuite and dyuers motions, and also measured theyr circumference and diameter, I am well assured that they are much greater then men thynke them to bee. Amonge other, I sawe three starres cauled Canopi, wherof two were exceadynge cleare, and the thyrde sumwhat darke. The pole Antartike hath nother the greate beare nor the lyttle as is seene abowte owre pole.* 17.15 But hath foure starres whiche com∣passe it abowt in forme of a quadrangle.

[illustration]

¶When these are hydden, there is seene on the lefte syde a bryght Canopus of three starres of notable greatnesse, whi∣che beinge in the myddest of heauen, representeth this figure.

[illustration]

After these, succeade three other shynynge starres, whereof that which is in the myddest, is of measure .xii. degrees and a halfe in circumference.* 17.16 And in the myddest of these, is seene an other bryght Canopus. After this, folowe .vi. other shy∣nynge starres which in bryghtnesse passe al other that are in the eyght sphere. Of these, that that is in the middest in the superficiall part of the sayde sphere, hath the measure of his circumference .xxxii. degrees. After these foloweth an other great Canopus, but sumwhat darke. All these are seene in the parte of heauen cauled Via Lactea,* 17.17 that is the mylke waye: And beinge ioyned to the meridiane line, shewe this fygure here folowynge.

[illustration]

I sawe also there manye other starres, the dyuers motions wherof diligently obserued, I made a particular boke of the same, wherin I made mention of al such notable thyngs as I sawe and had knoweleage of, in this nauigation. The whi¦che booke I deliuered to the kynges maiestie, trustynge that he wyll shortly restore it me ageyne. In this hemispherie or halfe coompasse of the heauen,* 17.18 I diligently considered many thinges which are contrarie to thoppinions of philosophers. And amonge other thynges, I sawe a whyte raynebowe a∣bowt mydnyght,* 17.19 wheras other affirme that it hath foure co∣lours of the foure elementes, as redde of the fyer, greene of the earth, whyte of the ayer, and blewe of the water. But Aristotle in his booke intiteled Meteora,* 17.20 is of an other opinion For he sayth that the raynebowe is a reflection of the beames of the soonne in the vapoure of a clowde directly ageynste the soonne, as the shynyng of the same on the water, is reflected on a waule: And that the sayde clowde or vapoure tempereth the heate of the soonne: and beinge resolued into rayne, ma∣keth the grounde fertyle, and pourgeth the ayer. Also that is a token of abundaunt moysture. By reason wherof,* 17.21 sum are of opinion that it shall not appeare .xl. yeares before thende of the worlde, which shalbe a token of the drynesse of the ele∣mentes approchynge to the tyme of theyr conf••agration or consumyng by fyer. It is a pledge of peace betwene god and men, and is euer directly ouer ageynst the soonne. It is ther¦fore neuer seene in the South, bycause the soonne is neuer in the North. Neuerthelesse, Plinie sayth, that after the Equi¦noctial in Autumne, it is seene at al houres. And thus much haue I gathered owte of the commentaries of Land••nus vp∣pon the fourth boke of Uirgyl his Eneades, bycause I wold defraude no man of his trauayle. I sawe the sayd raynebowe twoo or three tymes. And not I onely, but also many other which were in my coompany. Lykewyse wee sawe the newe moone the selfe same day that shee ioyned with the soonne.* 17.22

Wee sawe furthermore vapours and burnynge flames flyinge

abowt heauen euery nyght.* 17.23 A lyttle before, I cauled this countrey by the name of Hemispherium (that is) the halfe sphere.* 17.24 Which neuerthelesse can not bee so named but by spe¦kynge improperlie in comparyson of owres. Yet forasmuche as it seemeth to represent suche a forme, I haue improperlye so named it.

Departynge therfore from Lisbona (as I haue sayde) be∣inge from the Equinoctiall line towarde the North abowt .xl degrees,* 17.25 wee sayled to this countrey whiche is beyonde the Equinoctiall .l. degrees:* 17.26 All which summe, maketh the num¦ber of .lxxxx. beinge the fourth part of the greatest circle ac∣cordynge to the trewe reason of the number tawght by the owlde autours. And by this demonstration it is manifest that wee measured the fourth parte of the worlde: Forasmuch as we that dwell in Lisbona on this syde the Equinoctial line a∣bowt .xl. degrees towarde the Northe, sayled frome thense lxxxx. degrees in lengthe meridionale angularly by an ouer∣thwart line, to thinhabitantes .l. degrees beyond the Equi∣noctiall. And that the thynge may bee more playnely vnder∣stode, imagine a parpendicular line to faule from the poyntes of heauen which are Zenith (that is the pricke ouer the head) to vs both standynge vpryght in the places of owre owne ha∣bitacions: and an other ryght line to bee drawne frome owre Zenith to theyrs:* 17.27 Then grauntynge vs to bee in the ryght line in comparyson to them, it must of necessitie folowe that they are in the ouerthwart line as halfe Anti∣podes in comparyson to vs: In suche sorte that the figure of the sayde lines make a triangle which is the quarter or fourth parte of the hole circle, as appea∣reth more playnely by the fygure here folowynge.

[illustration]

As touchyng the starres and reasons of Cosmographie, I haue gathered thus much owt of the vyage of Americus Uesputius. And haue thought good to ioyne hereunto that whiche Andreas de Corsali writeth in his vyage to East India as concernynge the same matter.* 17.28

After that we departed frome Lisbona, wee sayled euer with prosperous wynde, not passynge owt of the Southeast and Southwest. And passyng beyonde the Equinoctial line,* 17.29 we were in the heyght of .37. degrees of the other halfe cir∣cle of the earth. And trauersynge the cape of Bona Speran∣za a coulde and wyndy clime bycause at that tyme the soonne was in the north signes,* 17.30 wee founde the nyght of .xiiii. hou∣res. Here we sawe a marueylous order of starres, so that in the parte of heauen contrary to owre northe pole,* 17.31 to knowe in what place and degree the south pole was, we tooke the day with the soonne, and obserued the nyght with the Astro¦labie, and sawe manifestly twoo clowdes of reasonable byg∣nesse mouynge abowt the place of the pole continually nowe rysynge and nowe faulynge,* 17.32 so keepynge theyr continuall course in circular mouynge, with a starre euer in the myddest which is turned abowt with them abowte .xi. degrees frome the pole. Aboue these appeareth a marueylous crosse in the mydddest of fyue notable starres which compasse it abowt (as doth charles wayne the northe pole) with other starres whiche moue with them abowt .xxx. de∣grees distant from the pole,* 17.33 and make their course in .xxiiii. houres. This crosse is so fayre and bewtiful, that none other heuenly signe may be compared to it as may appeare by this fygure.

[illustration]

A. The pole Antartike. B. The Crosse. Hetherto Andreas de Corsali.

OF the lyke matters, and of the straunge rysynge of the soonne in the mornynge, and of the dyuers seasons of the yeare and motions of the Elementes in the coaste of Ethiope abowt the ryuer of Senega,* 17.34 and the riche region of Gambra where plentie of golde is founde,* 17.35 sumewhat be∣yonde Capo Uerde, Aloisius Cadamustus wryteth in this effecte.

Durynge the tyme that wee remayned vppon the mouth of the ryuer,* 17.36 we sawe the north starre but once: which appe∣red very lowe aboue the sea the height of a iauelen. We saw also syxe cleare, bryght, and great starres verye lowe aboue the sea. And considerynge theyr stations with owre coom∣passe,* 17.37 we founde them to stande ryght south, fygured in this maner.

[illustration]

WE iudged them to bee the chariotte or wayne of the south: But we sawe not the principall starre, as we coulde not by good reason, except we shuld first lose the syght of the north pole. In this place wee founde the nyght of the length of a .xi. houres and a halfe: And the day of .xii. houres and a halfe at the begynnynge of Iuly. This countrey is euer hotte al times of the yeare. Yet is there a certeyne varietie which they caule wynter.* 17.38 For from the moneth of Iuly to October, it rayneth continually in maner dayly abowt none after this sorte. There ryse continually cer¦teyne clowdes aboue the lande betwene the northeast and the south east,* 17.39 or from the east and southeast with greate thunde∣rynge and lyghtnynge and exceadynge great showers of raine At this tyme the Eth••opians begynne to sowe theyr seedes.* 17.40 They lyue commonly with hony, herbes, rootes, flesshe, and mylke. I had also intelligence that in this region by reason of the great heate of the ayer, the water that raineth in hotte:* 17.41 And that the soonne rysynge in the mornynge, makethe no cleare daylyght as it dooth with vs: But that halfe an houre after the rysyn••e, it appeareth troubeled, dymme and smoky. The whiche thynge,* 17.42 I knowe not to proceade of any other cause then of the lowenesse of the grounde in this contrey be∣inge without mountaynes.

¶ A discourse of dyuers vyages and wayes by the whiche Spices, Precious stones, and golde were brought in owlde tyme from India into Europe and other partes of the world. Also of the vyage to CATHAY and East India by the north sea: And of certeyne secreates touchynge the same vyage, declared by the duke of Moscouie his ambassadoure to an excellent lerned gentelman of Italie, named Gale∣atius Butrigarius. Lykewyse of the vyages of that woorthy owlde man Sebastian Cabote, yet liuynge in Englande, and at this present the gouernour of the coom∣pany of the marchantes of Ca∣thay in the citie of London.

IT is doubtlesse a marueylous thynge to con∣syder what chaunges and alterations were caused in all the Romane Empire by the Gothes and Uandales,* 18.1 and other Barbari∣ans into Italy. For by theyr inuasions were extinguyshed all artes and sciences, and all trades of Marchaundies that were vsed in dy∣uers partes of the worlde. The desolation and ignoraunce which insued hereof, continued as it were a clowde of perpe∣tuall darkenesse amonge men for the space of foure hundreth yeares and more,* 18.2 in so much that none durst aduenture to go any whyther owt of theyr owne natiue countreys: whereas before thincursions of the sayde Barbarians when the Ro∣mane Empire florysshed, they might safly passe the seas to al partes of East India which was at that time as wel knowen and frequented as it is nowe by the nauigations of the Por∣tugales.* 18.3 And that this is trewe, it is manifest by that which Strabo wryteth,* 18.4 who was in the tyme of Augustus and Ti∣berius. For speakynge of the greatnesse and ryches of the ci∣tie of Alexandria in Egypte (gouerned then as a prouince of the Romanes) he wryteth thus. This only place of Egypte,* 18.5 is apte to receaue all thynges that coome by sea, by reason of the commoditie of the hauen: And lykewyse all such thynges as are brought by lande, by reason of the ryuer of Nilus wherby they may bee easely conueyde to Alexandria,* 18.6 beinge

by these commodities the rychest citie of marchauntes that is in the worlde.

The reuenues of Egypt are so great, that Marcus Tulli∣us sayth in one of his oracions,* 18.7 that kynge Tolomeus surna∣med Auleta, the father of queene Cleopatra, had of reuenues twelue thousande and fyue hundreth talentes, which are se∣uen millions and a halfe of golde. If therfore this kyng had so great reuenues when Egypt was gouerned of so fewe and so negligently,* 18.8 what myght it then bee woorth to the Roma∣nes by whom it was gouerned with great diligence, & theyr trade of marchandies greatly increased by the traffike of Tro¦gloditica and India?* 18.9 wheras in tyme paste there could hard∣ly bee founde .xx. shyppes togyther that durste enter into the goulfe of Arabie,* 18.10 or shewe theyr proos withowt the mouth of the same. But at this present, great nauies sayle togyther in¦to India and to the furthest partes of Ethiope from whense are brought many rych and precious marchandies into Egipt and are caryed from thense into other countreys.* 18.11 And by this meanes are the customes redoubeled aswell by suche thynges as are brought thyther,* 18.12 as also by suche as are caryed frome thense, forasmuche as greate customes arryse of thynges of great value. And that by this vyage, infinite and precious marchaundies were brought from the redde sea and India,* 18.13 and those of dyuers other sortes then are knowen in owre tyme, it appeareth by the fourthe volume of the ciuile lawe wherin is described the commission of Themperours Marcus and Commodus,* 18.14 with the rehearsall of all suche stuffe and marchandies wherof custome shuld bee payde in the redde sea by such as had the same in fee ferme, as were payde the cu∣stomes of all other prouinces perteynynge to the Romane Em¦pyre: and they are these folowynge.

• Cinamome.
• Longe pepper.
• Whyte pepper.
• Cloues.
• Costus.
• Cancamo.
• Spikenarde.
• Cassia.
• Sweete perfumes.
• Xilocassia.
• Mir.
• Amome.
• Ginger.
• Malabatrum.
• Ammoniac.
• Galbane.
• Lasser.
• Agarike.
• ...

• Gumme of Arabie.
• Cardamome.
• Xilocinamome.
• Carpesio.
• Sylkes of dyuers sortes.
• Linnen cloth.
• Skynnes and furres of Par∣thia and Babilon.
• Iuery.
• Woodde of Heben.
• Precious stones.
• Perles.
• Iewels of Sardonica.
• Ceraunia.
• Calamus Aromaticus.
• Berille.
• Cilindro.
• Slaues.
• Cloth of Sarmatia.
• The sylke cauled Metaxa.
• Uestures of sylke.
• Dyed cloth and sylke.
• Carbasei.
• Sylke threede.
• Gelded men.
• Popingiayes.
• Lions of India.
• Leopardes.
• Panthers.
• Purple.

Also that iuise or liquour which is gathered of wolle and of the heare of the Indians.

By these woordes it dooth appeare that in owld tyme the sayde nauigation by the way of the redde sea, was wel know¦en and muche f••••••uented, and perhappes more then it is at this present. In so much that the auncient kynges of Egypt consideryng the great profyte of the customes they had by the viages of the red sea,* 18.15 & wyllyng to make the same more easy & commodious, attempted to make a fosse or chanel which shulde begynne in the laste parte of the sayde sea, where was a citie named Arsinoe (which perhappes is that that is nowe cauled Sues) and shulde haue reached to a branche of the ry∣uer of Nilus named Pelusio,* 18.16 which emptieth it selfe in owre sea towarde the East abowt the citie of Damiata. They deter¦myned also to make three causeis or hyghe wayes by lande, which shulde passe from the sayde braunche to the citie of Ar∣sinoe: but they founde this to difficulte to brynge to passe.

In fine, kynge Tolomeus surnamed Ph••ladelphus, ordeyned an o••her way: as to sayle vppon Nilus ageynst the course of the ryuer vnto the citie of Copto,* 18.17* 18.18 and from thense to passe by a deserte countrey vntyll they coome aboue the redde sea to a citie named Berenice or Miosormo,* 18.19 where they imbarked all theyr marchaundies and wares for India, E••hiope, and Ara¦bie, as appeareth by the wrytynge fyrst of Strabo (who wry¦teth that he was in Egypte) and then by Plinie who was in

the tyme of Domitian. Strabo also speaking of the sayd fo••••e or trench which was made toward the red sea,* 18.20 wryteth thus

There is a trenche that goth towarde the red sea and the goulfe of Arabie, and to the citie of Arsinoe, which sum caul Cleopatrida: and passeth by the lakes named Amari (that is) bitter,* 18.21 bicause in deede they were fyrst bytter. But after that this trenche was made and the ryuer entered in, they became sweete, and are at this present full of foules of the water by reason of theyr pleasauntnesse. This trenche was fyrst begun by kynge Sesostre,* 18.22 before the battayle of Troy. Sum saye that it was begunne by kynge Psammiticus whyle he was a chylde:* 18.23 And that by reason of his death, it was lefte imper∣fect: Also that afterwarde, kynge Darius succeded in the same enterpryse,* 18.24 who wold haue finisshed it, but yet brought it not to thende bycause he was informed that the redde sea was hygher then Egypt: And that if this lande diuydynge bothe the seas, were opened, all Egypte shulde bee drowned thereby. Kynge Tolomeus wold in deede haue finyshed it:* 18.25 but yet left it shut at the hed that he myght when he wolde, sayle to the other sea and returne withowt perell. Here is the citie of Arsinoe: And nere vnto that, the citie cauled Heroum in the vttermost par•• of the goulfe of Arabie toward Egipt with many portes and habitacions.* 18.26 Plinie likewyse speakynge of this trench,* 18.27 sayth. In the furthest part of the goulfe of Ara∣bie, is a porte cauled Daneo, frō whense they determyned to brynge a nauigable trench vnto the ryuer of Nilus, where as is the fyrst Delta. Betwene the sayde sea and Nilus, there is a streight of lande of the length of .lxii. myles. The first that attempted this thynge, was Sesostre kynge of Egypte: and after hym Darius kynge of the Persians, whome Tolomeus folowed,* 18.28 who made a trenche a hundreth foote large, & .xxx. foote diepe, beinge three hundreth myles in lengthe vnto the lakes named Amari, and durste proceade no further for feare of inundation, hauynge knoweleage that the redde sea was hygher by three cubites then al the countrey of Egypt. Other say that this was not the cause: but that he doubted that yf he shulde haue let the sea coome any further, all the water of Nilus shulde haue byn therby corrupted, which onely myny∣streth drynke to all Egypte. But notwithstandynge all these thynges aforesayde, all this vyage is frequented by lande

from Egypte to the redde sea,* 18.29 in which passage are three cau∣seis or hyghe wayes. The fyrst begynneth at the mouth of Ni¦lus named Pelusio. All which way is by the sandes: In so much that if there were not certeyne hyghe reedes fyxt in the earth to shewe the ryght way, the causei coulde not be founde by reason the wynde euer couereth it with sande. The second causei is two myles from the mountayne Cassius. And this also in thende of .lx. myles, commeth vppon the way or cau∣sey of Pelusius, inhabited with certeyne Arabians cauled An∣tei. The thyrde begynneth at Gerro, named Adipson: and passeth by the same Arabians, for the space of .lx. myles sum∣what shorter, but full of rowgh mountaynes and great scarse¦nesse of water. All these causeis,* 18.30 leade the way to the citie of Arsinoe, buylded by Tolomeus Philadelphus in the goulfe Carandra by the red sea. This Ptolomeus was the fyrst that searched al that parte of the red sea which is cauled Troglo∣ditica. Of this trenche described of Strabo and Plinie, there are seene certeyne tokens remaynynge at this present as they affirme which haue byn at Sues beyonde the citie of Alcayr otherwyse cauled Babylon in Egypte. But the marchauntes that of later dayes trauayle this viage by lande, ryde through the dry & baren desertes on camels both by day and by night: directynge theyr way by the starres and compase as do mary¦ners on the sea, and caryinge with them water sufficient for many dayes iorneys.* 18.31 The places of Arabie and India named of Strabo and Plinie,* 18.32 are the selfe same where the Portuga∣les practise theyr trade at this daye, as the maners and cu∣stomes of the Indians doo yet declare.* 18.33 For euen at this pre∣sente theyr women vse to burne theym selues alyue with the deade bodies of theyr husbandes. Which thynge (as wryteth Strabo in his .xv. booke) they dyd in owlde tyme by a lawe, for this consideration that sumtyme being in loue with other they forsooke or poysoned theyr husbandes. And forasmuch as accordynge to this custome, the owlde poete Propertius (who lyued abowt a hundreth yeares before thincarnation of Chryst) hath in his boke made mention of the contention that was amonge the Indian women which of them shuld bee bur¦ned aliue with theyr husbandes, I haue thought good to sub¦scribe his verses, whiche are these.

Foelix Pois lex funeris vna maritis, Quos aurora suis rubra colorat equis. Mam{que} vbi mortifero iacta est fax vltima lecto, Vxorum suis stat pia turba comis, Et certamen habent lethi, quae viua sequatur Coniugium, pudor est non licuisse mori. Ardent victrices, & flammae pectora praebent, Imponunt{que} suis ora perusta viris.

As touthynge these vyages both by sea and by lande to East India & Cathay, many thynges are wrytten very large∣ly by dyuers autours which I omytte bycause they perteyne not so much vnto vs as doth the viage attempted to CATHAY by the north seas and the coastes of Moscouia discouered in owre tyme by the viage of that excellent yonge man Rychard Chaunceler no lesse lerned in all mathematicall sciences then an expert pylotte,* 18.34* 18.35 in the yeare of owre lorde .1554.

As concernynge this vyage, I haue thought good to de∣clare the communication which was betwene the sayde lear∣ned man Galeatius Butrigarius, and that great philosopher and noble gentelman of Italie named Hieronimus Fracastor as I fynde wrytten in the Italian hystories of nauigations. As they were therfore conferrynge in matters of learnynge, and reasonynge of the science of Cosmographi,* 18.36 the sayde ler∣ned man hauynge in his hande an instrument of Astronomie, declared with a large oration howe muche the worlde was bounde to the kynges of Portugale, rehearsynge the noble factes doone by them in India,* 18.37 and what landes and Ilan∣des they had discouered▪ and how by theyr nauigations they made the whole worlde hange in the ayer.* 18.38 He further decla∣red what parts of the baul of the earth remained yet vndisco¦uered. And sayde that of the landes of the inferior hemisphe∣rie or halfe compase of the baule towarde the pole Antartike,* 18.39 there was nothynge knowen but that lyttle of the coaste of Brasilia vnto the streight of Magellanus.* 18.40 Also a part of Pe¦ru:* 18.41 And a lyttle aboue Affrike towarde the cape of Bona Spe¦ranza. Also that he marueyled withowte measure that this thynge was no better considered of Christian Princes to whō god hath deputed this charge,* 18.42 hauyng euer on theyr counsail¦men of great lernynge which may informe them of this thing beinge* 18.43 so marueylous and noble whereby they maye obteyne

glorie and fame by vertue, and bee impuled amonge men as goddes, by better demerites then euer were Hercules & great Alexander who trauayled only into India:* 18.44 and that by ma∣kynge the men of this owre hemispherie knowen to theym of the other halfe compase of the baule beneth vs, they might by the tytle of this enterpryse, withowt comparyson farre ex¦cell all the noble factes that euer were doone by Iulius Ce∣sar or any other of the Romane Emperours. Which thynge they myght easely brynge to passe by assignynge colonies to in¦habite dyuers places of that hemispherie, in lyke maner as dyd the Romanes in prouinces newely subdued.* 18.45 Whereby they myght not only obteyne great ryches, but also inlarge the Christian fayth and Empire to the glory of god and confu∣sion of infidels. After this, he spake of the Ilande of saynt Laurence, cauled in owlde tyme Madagascar,* 18.46 which is grea∣ter then the realme of Castile and Portugale, and reachethe from the .xii. degree towarde the pole Antartike, vnto the xxvi. degree and a halfe, lyinge Northeaste frome the cape of Bona Speranza and partly vnder the line of Tropicus Capri¦corni: beinge well inhabited and of temperate ayer, with a∣bundaunce of all thynges necessarie for the lyfe of man, and one of the most excellent Ilandes that is founde this daye in the worlde: And that neuerthelesse there is nothynge know∣en therof, except only a fewe smaule hauens by the sea side, as the lyke ignorance remayneth of the greatest part of the I∣landes of Taprobana, Giaua the more and the lesse,* 18.47 and infi∣nite other. Then begynninge to speake of the partes of owre pole, he raused the bookes of plinie to bee brought him where diligentely ponderynge the .lxvii. chapiture of the se∣conde booke,* 18.48 he founde where he reherseth the historie of Cor¦nelius Nepos,* 18.49 by these woordes: That in his tyme, one Eu∣doxus escapynge the handes of kynge Lathyro, departed frō the goulfe of Arabie and came by sea to the Ilande of Calese. Declarynge further, that whereas this narration was many yeares reputed for a fable, was nowe in owre tyme by the ver¦tue of the Portugales, kdow••n to bee trewe: And that lyke∣wyse the same Cornelius Nepos recitethe that at the tyme when Quintus Met••llus Celer was proconsul or lieuetenant for the Romans in Fraunce,* 18.50 the kynge of Sueuia gaue hym certeyne Indians which saylinge owt of India for marchan∣dies,

were by tempest dryuen to the coastes of Germanie. Whē he had redde these woordes, he proceaded, sayinge that the same thynge myght bee verified nowe in owr tyme if the prin¦ces which confine vppon that sea wolde endeuoure theyr in∣dustry and diligence to brynge it to passe.* 18.51 And that there coulde not any nauigation bee imagined so commodious and profitable to all Christendoome as this myght bee yf by this way tke vyage shulde bee founde open to India to come to the rych contrey of CATHAY which was discouered now two hundreth yeares sence by Marcus Paulus.* 18.52 Then taking the globe in his hande, he made demonstration that this vy∣age shulde bee very shorte in respect of that which the Portu∣gales nowe folowe, and also of that which the Spanyardes may attempte to the Ilandes of Moluca. He declared further more that the citie of Lubyke beinge rych and of great poure,* 18.53 and situate vppon the sea of Germanie, and also accustomed with continuall nauigations to trauayle the sea of Norwaye and Gothlande, and lykewyse the ryght noble kynge of Po∣lonie whose dominions with his realme of Lituania,* 18.54 extende to the sayde sea, shulde be apte to discouer this secreate: But that aboue all other, the duke of Moscouia,* 18.55 shulde performe the same with greater commoditie and more facilitie then any other Prince. And here steyinge a whyle, he began to speake ageyne and sayde. Nowe forasmuch as we are coome to this passe, mee thynke it shulde seeme a great discurtesie if I shuld not shewe yowe all that I knowe as touchynge this vyage, wherof I greatly mused with my selfe many yeares by occa∣sion of the woordes of Plinie. Whereas therefore beinge a younge man, I was in Germanie in the citie of Augusta, it so chaunsed that in those dayes there came thyther an ambasa∣dour of the duke of Moscouia,* 18.56 a man singularly learned both in the Greeke toonge and the Latine, and of good experience in worldely thynges, hauyng byn sent to dyuers places by the sayde Prince, and one of his counsayle. Of whose learnyng beinge aduertised, I sought his acquayntaunce. And tal∣kynge with hym one day of these Indians dryuen by fortune to the coastes of Germanie, and of the vyage that myght bee discouered by the North sea to the Ilandes of spices, I per∣ceaued that at the fyrste he marueyled exceadyngely, as at a thynge that he coulde neuer haue imagined. But restynge a

whyle in maner astonysshed in his secreate phantasie, he toke great pleasure therin, and sayde.* 18.57 Forasmuch as the Portu∣gales haue nowe compased abowt all the south partes suppo¦sed in owlde tyme to bee inaccessable by reason of great heate, why shulde wee not certeinely thynke that the lyke maye bee done abowt this parte of the north withowt feare of coulde, especially to men borne & brought vp in that clime? Yet proce¦dyng further, he said, that if his Prince and master, had men that wolde animate hym to discouer this vyage, there was no Prince in Christendome that myght do it with more facilitie. Then caulynge for a mappe in which was the description of Moscouia and the prouinces subiecte to the same,* 18.58 he decla∣red that from the citie of Moscouia or Mosca going towarde the northeast for the space of .lx. myles, they come to the ry∣uer of Uolochda,* 18.59 and afterwarde by that, and folowyng the course therof, to the citie of Usting,* 18.60 so cauled bycause the ry∣uer of Iug fauleth into the ryuer of Succana,* 18.61 where they lose theyr owne names and make the great ryuer Duina:* 18.62 And by that, leauyng on the ryght hande the citie of Colmogor,* 18.63 they sayle vnto the north Ocean.* 18.64 The which waye, althoughe it bee a longe tracte, as more then .800. myles, neuerthelesse he sayde that in sommer it myght commodiously bee sayled: And that wheras it fauleth into the sea, there are infinite woods of goodly trees apte to make shyppes.* 18.65 And the place so con∣uenient for this purpose, that shipwryghtes and other skylful workemen for all thynges hereunto apperteynynge, may ea∣sely coome owt of Germanie. Also that the men which are v∣sed to trauayle the sea of Germanie abowte the coastes of Gothlande,* 18.66 shulde bee best and most apte to attempte this en∣terpryse, bycause they are indurate to abyde coulde, hunger, and laboure. He sayde furthermore, that in the court of his Prince, they haue much knowleage of the great cane of Ca∣thay,* 18.67 by reason of the continuall warres they haue with the Tartars, of whō the greatest part gyue obedience to the said great Cane as to theyr chiefe Emperoure. He made also de∣monstration in the sayde carde by the northeaste, that beinge paste the prouince of Permia and the ryuer Pescora (whiche fauleth into the north sea) and certeyne mountaynes named Catena Mundi,* 18.68* 18.69* 18.70 there is thenteraunce into the prouince of obdo¦ra,* 18.71 whereas is Uecchiadoro and the ryuer Obo,* 18.72* 18.73 whiche also

fauleth into the sayd sea, and is the furthest borther of Them¦pire of the Prince of Moscouia. The sayde ryuer hath his ori¦ginall in a greate lake cauled Chethai,* 18.74 which is the fyrste ha∣bitacion of the Tartars that paye tribute to the greate Cane.* 18.75 And from this lake for the space of two monethes vyage (as they were credably informed by certeine Tartares taken in the warres) is the most noble citie of Cambalu,* 18.76 beinge one of the chiefest in the dominion of the greate Cane, whom sum caule the great Cham.* 18.77 He also affirmed, that if shippes shulde bee made on the coastes of the sayde sea, and sayle on the backe halfe of the coast therof (which he knewe by many relations made to his Prince, to reach infinitely toward the northeast) they stulde doubtelesse in folowynge the same, easely discouer that countrey. Unto these woordes he added, that although there were greate difficultie in Moscouia,* 18.78 by reason that the waye to the sayde sea is full of thicke wooddes and waters which in the sommer make great marysshes and impossible to bee trauayled, aswell for lacke of vyttayles whiche can not there bee founde, not for certeyne dayes, but for the space of certeyne monethes, the place beinge desolate withowt inha∣bitauntes, neuerthelesse he sayde that yf there were with his Prince, only two Spanyardes or Portugales to whome the charge of this vyage shulde bee commytted,* 18.79 he no wayes doub¦ted but that they wolde folowe it and fynde it, forasmuch as with great ingeniousnesse and inestimable pacience, these na∣tions haue ouercome much greater difficulties then are these which are but lytele in comparison to those that they haue o∣uerpassed and doo ouerpasse in all theyr viages to India.* 18.80 He proceaded declarynge that not many yeares sence, there came to the courte of his Prince,* 18.81 an ambassadour frome pope Leo, named master Paulo Centurione a Genuese vnder dyuers pre¦tenses. But the principall occasion of his commynge, was, bycause he hadde conceaued greate indignation and hatred a∣geynst the Portugales:* 18.82 And therfore intended to proue yf he coulde open anye vyage by lande whereby spiers myght bee brought from India by the lande of Tartaria, or by the sea Caspium (otherwyse cauled Hircanum) to Moscouia:* 18.83 And from thense to bee brought in shippes by the ryuer Riga,* 18.84 whi∣che runnynge by the countrey of Liuonia,* 18.85 fauleth into the sea of Germanie. And that his Prince gaue eare vnto hym: and

caused the sayde viage to bee attempted by certeine noble men of Lordo, of the Tartars confininge nexte vnto hym.* 18.86 But the warres whiche were then betwene them, and the greate desertes which they shulde of necessitie ouerpasse,* 18.87 made them leaue of theyr enterpryse: which if it had bin purposed by the coastes of this owre north sea,* 18.88 it myght haue byn easely fy∣nyshed. The sayde Ambassadour continued his narration, say¦inge that no man ought to doubte of that sea but that it may bee sayled syxe monethes in the yeare, forasmuch as the days are then very longe in that clime, and hot by reason of conty∣nuall reuerberation of the beames of the soonne and shorte nyghtes.* 18.89 And that this thynge were as well woorthy to bee proued, as any other nauigation wherby many partes of the worlde heretofore vnknowen, haue byn discouered & brought to ciuilitie. And here makynge an ende of this talke, he said: Let vs nowe omytte this parte of Moscouia with his coulde, and speake sumwhat of that parte of the newe worlde in whi¦che is the lande of Brytons cauled Terra Britonum, and Bacca∣leos or Terra Baccalearum,* 18.90 where in the yeare .1534. and .1535. Iaques Cartiar in two vyages made with three great French gallies, founde the great and large countreys named Canada, Ochelaga, and Sanguenai: which reach from the .xlv. to the li. degree, beinge well inhabited and pleasaunte countreys,* 18.91 and named by hym Noua Francia.* 18.92 And here steyinge a while and lyftynge vppe his handes, he sayde: Oh what doo the Christian Princes meane that in such landes discouered they do not assigne certeine colonies to inhabite the same to bringe those people (whom god hath so blessed with natural gyftes) to better ciuilitie and to embrase owre religion,* 18.93 then the whi∣che, nothynge can bee more acceptable to god? The sayd re∣gions also, beinge so fayre and frutefull, with plentie of all sortes of corne, herbes, frutes, woodde, fysshes, beastes, me¦tals, and ryuers of suche greatnesse that shyppes maye sayle more then .180. myles vppon one of theym,* 18.94 beinge on bothe sydes infinitely inhabited: And to cause the gouernoures of the sayde colonies to searche whether that lande toward the northe named Terra de Laborador,* 18.95 doo ioyne as one firme lande with Norwaye: Or whether there bee any streight or open place of sea as is moste lyke there shulde bee, forasmuch as it is to bee thought that the sayde Indians dryuen by fortune

abowte the coastes of Norway, came by that streyght or sea, to the coastes of Germanie: And by the sayde streight to saile northwest to discouer the landes and countreys of CATHAY, and from thense to sayle to the Ilandes of Molucca.* 18.96 And these surely shulde be enterprises able to make men immortal. The whiche thynge, that ryght woorthy gentelman master Antony di Mendoza considerynge by the singular vertue and magnanimitie that is in hym,* 18.97 attempted to put this thynge in practise. For beinge viceroy of the countrey of Mexico (so named of the great citie Mexico otherwise cauled Temistitan, nowe cauled newe Spayne, being in the .xx. degree aboue the Equinoctiall, and parte of the sayde firme lande, he sent cer∣teyne of his capitaynes by lande, and also a nauie of shyppes by sea, to search this secreate. And I remember that when I was in Flaunders in Themperours courte,* 18.98 I sawe his letter wrytten in the yeare .1541. and dated from Mexico: wherin was declared howe towarde the northwest, he had fownd the kyngedome of Sette Citta (that is) Seuen Cities, whereas is that cauled Ciuola by the reuerend father Marco da Riza: & howe beyonde the sayde kyngedome yet further towarde the Northwest, Capitayne Francesco Uasques of Coronado, ha∣uynge ouerpassed great desertes,* 18.99 came to the sea syde where he found certeyne shyppes which sayled by that sea with mar¦chaundies, and had in theyr baner vppon the proos of theyr shyppes, certeyne foules made of golde and syluer which they of Mexico caule Alcatrazzi: And that theyr mariners shewed by signes that they were .xxx. dayes saylynge in commynge to that hauen: wherby he vnderstode that these shippes could bee of none other countrey then of Cathay,* 18.100 forasmuch as it is situate on the contrary parte of the sayde lande discouered. The sayde master Antonie wrote furthermore, that by the o∣pinion of men well practised, there was discouered so greate a space of that countrey vnto the sayd sea, that it passed .950. leaques,* 18.101 which make .2850. myles. And doubtlesse yf the Frenche men in this theyr newe Fraunce, wolde haue passed by lande towarde the sayd northwest and by north, they shuld also haue founde the sea wherby they myght haue sayled to Cathay. But aboue all thynges, this seemed vnto me moste woorthy of commendation,* 18.102 that the sayde master Antonie wrote in his letter that he had made a booke of al the natural

and marueylous thynges whiche they founde in searchynge those countreys, with also the measures of landes and alty∣tudes of degrees: A worke doubtlesse which sheweth a prince¦ly and magnificall mynde, wherby wee may conceaue that yf god had gyuen hym the charge of the other hemispherie, he wolde or nowe haue made it better knowen to vs. The which thynge, I suppose no man doth greatly esteeme at this time: beinge neuerthelesse the greatest and most glorious enterprise that may bee imagined.* 18.103

And here makynge a certeyne pause, and turnynge hym selfe towarde vs, he sayde: Doo yow not vnderstande to this purpose howe to passe to India toward the northwest wind, as dyd of late a citizen of Uenese, so valiente a man, and so well practysed in all thynges perteynynge to nauigations and the science of Cosmographie, that at this present he hath not his lyke in Spayne, in so much that for his vertues he is pre¦ferred aboue all other pylottes that sayle to the west Indies,* 18.104 who may not passe thyther withowt his licence, and is ther∣fore cauled Piloto Maggiore (that is) the graunde pylote. And when wee sayde that wee knewe him not, he proceaded, say∣inge, that beinge certeyne yeares in the citie of Siuile,* 18.105 and de¦syrous to haue sum knowleage of the nauigations of the Spa¦nyardes, it was toulde hym that there was in the citie a va∣lient man, a Uenecian borne, named Sebastian Cabote,* 18.106 who had the charge of those thynges, being an expert man in that science, and one that coulde make cardes for the sea with his owne hande. And that by this reporte, seekynge his acquain¦taunce, he founde hym a very gentell person, who entertey∣ned hym frendly and shewed him many thynges, and amonge other a large mappe of the worlde with certeine particular na¦uigations aswell of the Portugales as of the Spanyardes. And that he spake further vnto hym, in this effecte. When my father departed from Uenese many yeares sence to dwell in Englande to folowe the trade of marchaundies, he tooke me with him to the citie of London whyle I was very yonge, yet hauynge neuerthelesse sum knowleage of letters of huma¦nitie and of the sphere. And when my father dyed in that tyme when newes were browght that Don Christopher Colo∣nus Genuese, had discouered the coastes of India, whereof was great talke in all the courte of kynge Henry the seuenth

who then reigned: In so much that all men with great admi¦ration affirmed it to bee a thynge more diuine then humane, to sayle by the Weste into the East where spices growe, by a way that was neuer knowen before. By which fame and re∣porte, there increased in my harte a greate flame of desyre to attempte sum notable thynge. And vnderstandyng by reason of the sphere, that if I shulde sayle by the way of the north∣west wynde, I shulde by a shorter tracte coomme to India, I thereuppon caused the kynge to bee aduertised of my diuise, who immediatly commaunded two carauels to bee furnysshed with all thynges apperteynynge to the vyage,* 18.107 which was as farre as I remember, in the yeare .1496. in the begynnynge of sommer. Begynnyng therfore to saile towarde Northwest, not thynkyng to fynde any other lande then that of CATHAY, and from thense to turne towarde India. But after certeine dayes, I founde that the lande ranne towarde the Northe, which was to me a great displeasure. Neuerthelesse, sayling alonge by the coast to see if I could fynde any goulfe that tur¦ned, I founde the lande styll continent to the .56. degree vn∣der owre pole. And seinge that there the coast turned toward the East, dispayringe to fynd the passage, I turned backe a¦geyne, and sayled downe by the coast of that lande towarde the Equinoctiall (euer with intent to fynde the sayde passage to India) and came to that parte of this firme lande whiche is nowe cauled FLORIDA.* 18.108 Where, my vyttayles fayling, I departed from thense and returned into England, where I founde great tumultes amonge the people, and preparaunce for warres in Scotlande: by reason whereof, there was no more consideration had to this vyage: Wheruppon I wente into Spayne to the Catholyke kynge,* 18.109 and queene Elizabeth: who beinge aduertised what I had doone, interteyned me, and at theyr charges furnysshed certeyne shyppes wherwith they caused me to sayle to discouer the coastes of Brasile, where I founde an exceadynge great and large ryuer, named at this present Rio della Plata (that is) the ryuer of syluer, into the which I sayled,* 18.110 and folowed it into the firme lande more then syxe hundrethe leaques, fyndynge it euery where very•• fayre and inhabited with infinite people, which with admy∣ration came runnynge dayly to owre shyppes. Into this ry∣uer, runne so many other riuers, that it is in maner incredible.

After this, I made many other vyages which I now preter∣mitte. And wexynge owlde, I gyue my selfe to rest from such trauayles bycause there are nowe many younge and lusty py∣lotes and mariners of good experience, by whose forwarde∣nesse I doo reioyse in the frutes of my labours, and rest with the charge of this office as yowe see. And this is as much as I haue vnderstoode of master Sebastian Cabote, as I haue ga¦thered owte of dyuers nauigations wrytten in the Italian toonge.

And whereas I haue before made mention howe Mosco∣uia was in owr tyme discouered by Richard Chanceler in his viage toward Cathai by the direction and information of the sayde master Sebastian who longe before had this secreate in his mynde,* 18.111 I shall not neede here to describe that viage, for∣asmuche as the same is largely and faythfully written in the Laten tonge by that lerned young man Clement Adams scole mayster to the Queenes henshemen, as he receaued it at the moutht of the sayde Richard Chanceler. Neuerthelesse I haue thought good here to speake sumwhat of Moscouia as I haue redde in the booke of Iohn Faber written in the La∣tin toonge to the ryght noble Prynce Ferdinando Archeduke of Austria and Infant of Spaine,* 18.112 of the maners and religion of the Moscouites, as he was partely instructed by the amba∣sadours of the duke of Moscouie sent into Spayne to Them∣perours maiestie in the yeare .M.D.XX.V. He wryteth therfore as foloweth.

I thynke it fyrste conueniente to speake sumewhat of the name of this region wherby it is cauled at this day,* 18.113 and how it was cauled in owlde tyme. Conferrynge therfore the moste ancient of the Greeke and latine monumentes with the histo∣ries of later tyme, I perceaue it to bee a thynge which requi∣reth no smaule iudgement of wytte and lernynge. For we see in howe shorte tyme the names of thynges are chaunged, as are also the maners of men. I fynde therfore that those peo∣ple whom at this day wee commonly caule Moscouites, were in tyme past (as wytnesseth Plinie) cauled Roxolani,* 18.114 whom ne∣uerthelesse by chaungynge one letter, Ptolomie in his ••yght table of Europe, cauleth Rosolanos as dooth also Strabo.* 18.115

They were also many yeares cauled Rutheni:* 18.116 And are that peo¦ple which sumtyme fought manfully ageynst the Capitaynes

of Methridates as Strabo wryteth. They were cauled Mos¦couites of the chiefe citie of al the prouince named Moscouia or Mosca: or (as Uolaterane saith) of the riuer Mosco.* 18.117 They were sumtyme gouerned by duke Iohan, whose wyfe was Helena of the lynage of Themperours of Constanstinople of the noble famelie of the Paleologi. Beyonde these Roxola∣nos, Strabo sayth there is no lande inhabited. These Ruthe¦nians therfore or Moscouites, are people of the northeaste parte of the worlde from vs: And are determined with the li∣mettes of the great ryuer Boristhenes of Scithia,* 18.118 on the one syde with the Lituanians and Polonians, and on the other syde with the Tartars who cease not to vexe them with conti¦nuall warres and incursions. Especially the great Emperour Cham of Cathay the chiefe Prince of the Tartars,* 18.119 residente by the sea syde in Taurito Chersoneso, molesteth theim with sore warres. They are towarde the north syde inclosed with the frosen sea,* 18.120 the lande of whose coastes beinge verye large, perteyneth in maner all to the dominion of the duke of Mosco¦uie. This sea is it which the owlde wryters caule Lacus Croni∣cus,* 18.121 so named of the Greeke worde Cronos, which the Latines caule Saturnus whom they fayne to bee an owlde man,* 18.122 of com∣plexion coulde and slowe, and thereby name all such thynges as are coulde and slowe, Cronica, as by lyke reason they dyd this northe sea which beinge in maner euer frosen, is slowe and coulde and in maner immouable. And for lyke considera∣tion (as saythe Plinie) Hethens nameth it in the Scythian toonge, Amaltheum,* 18.123 whiche woorde signifieth as muche as congeled or frosen. But that I wander not farre frome my purpose: Thempire and dominion of the duke of Moscouie re∣cheth so farre that it comprehendeth certeyne partes of Asia and also of Europe.* 18.124 The citie of Moscouia or Mosca,* 18.125 is coun∣ted twyse as bygge as Colonia Agrippina as they faythfully reporte which knowe bothe. Unto this they haue also an o∣ther not vnequall in byggenesse cauled Fladimer.* 18.126 Also Bles∣couia, Nouogradia, Smolne, and Otifer, al which, theyr am¦bassadours affirme to bee of princely and magnificall buyl∣dynges, and strongely defended with waules bothe of brycke and square stone. Of these, Blescouia is strongest and enuiro¦ned with three waules. Other which they haue innumerable are not so famous as are these wherof this duke of Moscouie

and Emperoure of Russia taketh thinscription of his litle.* 18.127

For euen at this present, when so euer eyther by his ambassa∣dours or his letters, he dooth signifie hym selfe to bee Empe∣roure of Moscouie, his is accustomed to vse this litle.* 18.128 Basili∣us by the grace of god Emperoure of all Russia and greate Duke of Fladamer, Moscouie, Nouigrade, Blescouia, Smolne, and Otifer. &c. And this is the tytle whereby the sayde ambassadours saluted yowre maiestie in the name of great Basilius when they began theyr oration.* 18.129 This prince of Moscouie hath vnder hym princes of many prouinces and those of great poure: Of the which, that owlde whyte bear∣ded man whom this Emperour of the Ruthians sente for his ambassadoure to Themperours maiestie into Spayne,* 18.130 is not one of the least. For euen he when necessitie of warre requy∣reth, is accustomed to make for his Emperour a bande of .xxx thousande horsemen. But this is to theyr singular commen∣dation that they are so obedient to theyr prince in al thynges,* 18.131 that beinge sommoned by hym by neuer so meane an hearald, they obey incōtinent as if it were to god,* 18.132 thynkynge nothyng more glorious then to dye in the quarell of theyr prince. By reason of which obedience, they are able in short tyme, to as∣semble an army of two or three hundreth thousande men a∣geynst theyr enemies eyther the Tartars or the greate Cham: And haue hereby obteyned great victories and triumphes as∣well ageynst the Turkes as the Tartars by the exceadyng mul¦titude of theyr horsemen and continual experience in warres. At such time as Themperour Maximilian made a league with them, they kept warre ageynst the kynge of Polonie.* 18.133 They vse not only bowes and dartes after the maner of the Parthi¦ans, but haue also the vse of gunnes as we haue. And to bee briefe, onely the Moscouites maye seeme that nation whiche hath not felte the commodities of peace:* 18.134 In so muche that yf theyr region were not strongely defended by the nature of the place beinge impreignable, it had or nowe byn often tymes conquered. Theyr language agreeth much with the toonge of the Bohemians, Croatians, and Sclauons: so that the Scla¦uon dooth playnly vnderstande the Moscouite,* 18.135 although the Moscouian toonge be a more rude and hard phrase of speach. The historiographers wryte that the Sclauons toonge tooke the name of the confusion whiche was in Babell in the tyme

of that stowt hunter Nemroth of whome mention is made in the Genesis. But I can not enowgh marueyle at this thing, that wheras betwene Dalmatia (now cauled Sclauonia) and Moscouia,* 18.136 both the Pannonies are situate,* 18.137 yet this notwith¦standynge, the Hungarians toonge nothynge agreeth w••th the Mosc••uites.* 18.138 Wherby wee may coniec••ure that the e••a∣t••ons were sumtymes diuided by legions,* 18.139 and that they came owt of Dalmatia thyther: whiche thynge also Uolateranus affirmeth, sayinge that the language of the Ruthenians (whi∣che are the Moscouites) is Semid••lmatic•• (that is) halfe Scla∣uone.* 18.140 Howe so euer it bee, this is certeyne that the ohemi¦ans, Croatians, Sclau••ns, and Mo••couites, agree in lan∣guage as wee perceaued by thinterpretours which yowre ma∣iestie had then in yowre courte. For whereas the sayde in∣terpretours were borne amonge the Croatians and Sclauons and none of them had euer byn in Moscouia, or beefore that tyme had any conuersation with them, yet dyd they well vn∣d••rstande the ambassadours woordes.

There are in Moscouia, wooddes of exceadynge bygge∣nesse, in the which blacke woolues and whyte beares are hun¦ted.* 18.141 The cause wherof may bee thextreme could of the north, which dooth greatly alter the complexions of beastes, and is the mother of whytenesse as the Philosophers affirme. They haue also great plentie of bees, wherby they haue such abun∣daunce of hony and waxe that it is with them of smaul price.* 18.142 When the commoditie of theyr countrey is neglected by rea∣son of longe warres, theyr chiefe aduauntage whereby they haue all thynges necessarie towarde theyr lyuynge, is the gaines which they haue by theyr rych furres,* 18.143 as Sables, Mar¦ternes,* 18.144 Luzernes, most whyte armyns, and such other which they sell to marchauntes of dyuers countreys. They bye and sell with simple faythe of woordes exchaungynge ware for ware withowt any curious bondes or cautels. And albeit they haue the vse of both golde and syluer monyes, yet doo they for the most part exchaunge theyr furres for frutes and other thynges necessarie to manteine theyr lyfe.* 18.145 There are also sum people vnder the dominion of this Emperour, which haue nei¦ther wyne nor wheate, but lyue onl•• by flesshe and mylke as doo the wylde Tartars theyr bortherers which dwel in wods by the coastes of the frosen sea.* 18.146 These people are brutysshe,

and lyue in maner lyke wylde beastes. But they of the citie of Mosca and Nouigrade, and other cities, are ciuile people:* 18.147 and agree with vs in eatynge of fysshe and flesshe althowgh theyr maner of coquerie is in many thynges differynge frome owres. Uolaterane wryteth that the Ruthenians vse money vncoyned.* 18.148 And inquirynge further, I was informed that the money of Hungary is much currant with them. But this is chiefely to bee consydered,* 18.149 that they imbrase the Christian fayth which they affirme to haue byn preached to them fyrste by saynt Andrewe thappostle and broother to Simon Peter. Such doctrine also as vnder Constanstine the greate, in the yeare .CCC.xviii. was concluded in the fyrst generall coun∣sayle holden in the citie of Nicene in Bithynia,* 18.150 and there de¦termyned by .CCC.xviii. bysshoppes, and also such as hath byn wrytten and tawght by the Greeke doctoures Basilius Magnus and Chrisostomus,* 18.151* 18.152 they beleue to bee so holy, firme and syncere, that they thinke it no more lawfull one heare to transgresse or go backe from the same, then from the gospell of Christ. For theyr constancie and modestie is such,* 18.153 that no man dare caule those thynges into question which haue once byn decised by holy fathers in theyr general counsailes. They doo therfore with a more constante mynde perseuer in theyr fyrst fayth which they receaued of saynt Andrewe thappostle and his successours and holy fathers, that doo manye of vs beinge diuided into scismes and sectes whiche thynge neuer chaunceth amonge them.* 18.154 But if any difficultie chaunce to rise as touchynge the fayth or custome of religion, all is referred to the archbyshoppe and other byshoppes as to bee defined by theyr spirite.* 18.155 not permyttinge any iudgemente to the incon∣stant and ignorant people. Theyr archebyshoppe is residente in the citie of Mosca, where also Themperoure keepethe his courte. They haue lykewyse dyuers other byshops: as one in Nouigradia, where also Isodorus was bysshop vnder pope Eugenius. They haue an other in Rosciuia, an other in Su∣s••ali, an other in Otileri: also in Smolne, in Resan, in Col∣mum, and in Uolut, all which haue theyr dioces. They ac∣knowleage theyr Archebyshop as the chiefe.* 18.156 Before the patri¦arche of Constantinople was oppressed by the Tiranni of the Turkes,* 18.157 this Archebysshoppe recognised hym as his superi∣oure. In so much that this duke of Moscouia and Em∣perour

of Russia, not vnmyndefull hereof but a diligente ob∣seruer of his accustomed religion, dooth at this daye yearely sende a certeyne stypende in maner of almes to the patriarche of Constantinople,* 18.158 that he may with more quiete mynd looke for thende of this his Egiptian seruitude vntyll it shal please almyghty god to restore hym to his former churche and auto∣ritie. For he iudgeth it much impietie, if he shulde nowe for∣sake hym whose predicessoures haue ruled and gouerned so many churches, and of whom the fayth and religion of so ma¦ny regions and prouinces haue depended.

But to speake briefely of theyr religion,* 18.159 they agree in ma∣ny thynges with vs, and in sum thynges folow the Greekes. They haue munkes and religious men. Not farre from the ci∣tie of Mosca, they haue a great monasterie in the whiche are three hundreth munkes lyuynge vnder the rule of Basilius Magnus in the which is also the sepulcher of S. Sergius the abbot.* 18.160 They obserue theyr vowe of chastitie which none may breake that haue once professed. Yet such as haue maried vir∣gins of good fame, may bee admitted to thorder of presthod, but may neuer bee a munke. The prestes and bysshops whiche are admitted to orders vnmaried,* 18.161 may neuer after bee maried: nor yet such as haue wiues, mary ageine when they are dead, but liue in perpetual chastitie. Such as committe adulterie or fornication, are greeuously punysshed by the bysshoppes and depriued of the benefices.* 18.162 They celebrate masse after the ma∣ner of the Greekes which differeth from owres in dyuers thin¦ges,* 18.163 as in fermented breade after the maner of the Greekes. They put in the chalesse as much water as redde wine, which water they vse to heate, bycause (not withowt a great myste∣rie) there isshewed furth of the syde of owre lorde, both blud and water, which wee ought by good reason to thynke was not withowt heate: for els shulde it scarsely haue byn iudged for a miracle.* 18.164 In fine, they affirme that all theyr customes and rytes are accordynge to thinstitutions of the primatyue church and the doctrine of Basilius Magnus, and Chrisosto∣mus.* 18.165 In this thynge they dyffer greately from vs, that they minister the communion to younge children of three yeares of age, which they doo with fermented breade dipte in a spone∣full of wyne, and gyue it them for the bodye and bludde of Chryste.

¶ A briefe description of Moscouia after the later wryters, as Sebastian Munster and Iacobus Bastaldus.

THe prouince of Moscouia, is so named by the ryuer Mosco which passeth by the metrapoli∣tane citie of Moscouia cauled Mosca by the name of the ryuer Mosco. This prouince was cauled of the owlde wryters, Sarmatia Asiati¦ca.* 19.1 The bortherers or confines to the Mosco∣uians on the one syde towarde the East, are the Tartars cau∣led Nogai, and the Scianbanians, with the Zagatians. To∣warde the West, the prouinces of Liuonia and Lituania. To∣warde the South, the ryuer of Tanais and the people confi∣nyng with the ryuer Uolga, cauled of the owld writers Rha. And towarde the North, the Ocean sea cauled the Scythian sea,* 19.2 and the region of Lapponia. Moscouia is in maner all playne and full of marysshes, wooddes, and many very great ryuers wherof the ryuer of Uolga is the principal.* 19.3 Sum caul this Ledyl, as the owld autours named it Rha. It beginneth at the great lake cauled Lacus Albus (that is) the white lake and runneth into the sea of Bachau,* 19.4 named of the aunciente wryters, the sea Caspium or Hircanum.* 19.5 Under the domini∣on of Moscouia, are certeyne regions and dukedoomes: as Alba Russia (that is whyte Russia. Also Colmogora, Plesco∣nia, Basrida, Nouogardia, with also manye places of the Tartars which are subiecte to the duke of Moscouia. The chiefe cities of Moscouia,* 19.6 are Mosca, Plesconia, Nouogar∣dia, Colmogora, Otogeria, Uiatra, Smolenser, Percassauia, Cologna, Uolodemaria, Roslauia, and Cassam. The people of Moscouia are Christians, and haue greate abundaunce of hony and waxe: also ryche furres, as Sabels, Marternes, Foynes, Calaber, and dyuers other. All the Tartars which inhabite towarde the East beyonde the ryuer of Uol∣ga,* 19.7 haue no dwellynge places, nor yet cities or castels. But cary abowt with theym certeyne cartes or wagens couered with beastes hydes, vnder the whiche they reste, as wee do in owre houses.

They remoue togyther in great companies whiche they caule Hordas.* 19.8 They are warlike people and good horsemen, and are all Macometistes.

Sebastian Munster in his booke of Uniuersall Cosmogra∣phie, wryteth that the citie of Mosca or Moscouia conteineth in circuite .xiiii. myles,* 19.9 and that it is twyse as bygge as the citie of Praga in Bohemie. Of the countrey of Moscouia, bi∣syde other prouinces subiecte to the same, he wryteth thus. It extendeth in largenesse foure hundreth myles, and is rich in syluer.* 19.10 It is lawfull for no man to go owt of the realme or coome in withowt the dukes letters.* 19.11 It is playne without mountaynes, and ful of wooddes and marysshes. The beastes there by reason of the coulde,* 19.12 are lesse then in other countreis more southwarde. In the myddest of the citie of Mosca be∣inge situate in a playne, there is a castell with .xvii. towres and three bulwarkes so stronge and fayre,* 19.13 that the lyke are scarsely seene in any other place. There are also in the castell xvi. churches, and three very large courtes in the which the noble men of the courte haue theyr lodgynges. The dukes pallaice is buylded after the maner of the Italian buyldyng,* 19.14 and very fayre, but not great. Theyr drynke is mede & beere as is the maner of the moste parte of the people that inhabite the North partes of the woorlde.* 19.15 They are exceadynge∣ly gyuen to droonkennesse.* 19.16 Yet (as sume saye) the princes of the lande are prohibite in peine of death to absteine from such stronge drinkes as are of force to inebriate, except at certeyne tymes when licence is graunted theym, as twyse or thryse in the yeare. They plowe the grownde with hor∣ses and plowes of woodde. Theyr corne and other grayne by reason of longe coulde,* 19.17 doo seldome waxe rype on the ground by reason wherof they are sumtimes inforced to rype and dry them in theyr stooues and hotte houses,* 19.18 and then grynd thē. They lacke wyne and oyle. Moscouia is extended vnto Iur¦ham and Corelia which are in Scythia. The famous ryuer of Tanais,* 19.19 the Moscouites caule Don, hauyng his sprynges and originall in Moscouia in the dukedome of Rezense. It ryseth owt of a grownde that is playne, baren, muddy, full of marysshes and wooddes. And where it proceadeth toward the East to the mountaynes of Scithia and Tartarie, it ben∣deth to the south: and commyng to the marysshes of Meotis

it fauleth into them.* 19.20 The ryuer of Uolga (sumetyme cauled Rha,* 19.21 and nowe cauled of the Tartars Edel) runneth toward the north certeyne myles, to whom is ioyned the ryuer Occa or Ocha,* 19.22 flowynge owt of Moscouia, and then bendynge in∣to the South and increa••ed with many other ryuers, fauleth into the sea Euxinum,* 19.23 which diuideth Europe and Asia.

The woodde or forest cauled Hircania sylua, occupie••h a smal portion o•• Moscouia. Yet is it sumwhere inhabited,* 19.24 and by the longe labour of men made thinner and barer of trees. In that parte that lyeth towarde Prussia, is a kynde of greate and fierce bulles cauled Uri or Bisontes,* 19.25 as wryteth Paulus Iouius. There are also Alces muche lyke vnto har••es,* 19.26 with longe snoutes of flesshe and longe legges withowt any bow∣inge of theyr houx or pasternes. These beastes, the Mosco∣uites caule Lozzi, and the Almaynes Helenes. The iornaye that is betwene Ulna of Lituania by Smolense to Mosca, is trauayled in wynter on sleades by the snowe congeled by longe froste,* 19.27 and made very slypperye and compacte lyke Ise by reason of much wearynge and treadynge, by meanes wher¦of this vyage is performed with incredible celeritie. But in the sommer, the playne countreys can not bee ouercome with owt difficulte labour. For when the snowe begynneth to bee dissolued by continuall heate,* 19.28 it cause••h marysshes and qua∣myres inextricable and daungerous both for horse and man, were it not for certeyne causeyes made of tymber with in ma∣ner infinite labour.* 19.29 The region of Moscouia (as I haue said) beareth neyther vynes nor olyue trees, nor yet any other trees that bere any apples or frutes of very plesant or sw••te sauour or taste exc••pt chery trees, for as much as al ••ender frutes & trees are burnte of the coulde blastes of the North wynde.

Yet doo the fieldes beare all kyndes of corne, as wheate and the grayne cauled Siligo,* 19.30 wherof the fynest kynde of breade is made: also mylle and panyke, whiche the Italians caule Melica: Likewyse all kyndes of pulse, as beanes, peason, tares, and suche other.* 19.31 But theyr chife haruest consisteth of hony and waxe, forasmuch as the hole region is replenysshed with fru••e••ull bees which make most sweete hony, not in the husbande mens hyues, but euen in holowe trees. And hereby commeth it to passe that both in the wooddes and sha¦lowed launes, are seene many swarmes of bees hangynge on

the bowes of trees, so that it shall not bee necessarie to caule them togyther or charme theym with the sounde of basens. There are oftentymes founde greate masses of hony combes, conserued in trees of the owlde hony forsaken of bees, foras∣much as the husband men can not seeke euery tree in so great and large wooddes: In so much that in the stockes or bodies of exceadynge great and holowe trees, are sumtymes founde great pooles or lakes of hony. Demetrius thambassadour of the duke of Moscouia whom he sent to the bysshop of Rome not many yeares sence,* 19.32 made relation that a husbande man of the contrey not farre from the place where he remayned, see∣kynge in the wooddes for hony, descended into a greate hol∣lowe tree full of hony into the which he slypte vp to the brest,* 19.33 and lyued there only with hony for the space of two dayes, caulynge in vayne for helpe in that deserte of wooddes. And that in fine dispayrynge of helpe, he escaped by a marueilous chaunce,* 19.34 beinge drawen owt by a great beare that descended into the tree, with her loynes downewarde after the maner of men. For when the man (as present necessitie and oportu¦nitie serued) perceaued the beare to bee within his reache, he suddeinly clasped her abowt the loynes with his armes, and with a terrible crye prouoked the beast to inforce her strength to leape owt of the tree, and therwith to drawe hym owt, as it chaunced in deede.

These regions abounde with beares whiche euery where seeke both hony and bees,* 19.35 not only herewith to fyl theyr bel∣lies, but also to helpe theyr syght. For theyr eyes are often∣tymes dulled, and theyr mouthes wounded of the bees: both which greefes are eased by eatynge of hony. They haue wea∣kest heades, as lions haue strongest. In so muche that when (beinge therto inforced) they caste theim selues downe heade∣longe from any rockes, they couer theyr heades with theyr fiete, and lye for a tyme astoonysshed and halfe deade with knockes. They walke sumtyme on two fiete, and spoyle trees backewarde. Sumtyme also they inuade bulles,* 19.36 & so hange on them with al theyr fiete, that they wery thē with weight. The beare (as sayth Plinie) bryngeth furth her byrth the .xxx day and oftentymes two.* 19.37 Theyr byrth is a certeyne whyte masse of flesshe withowt forme and little bigger then a mouse withowt eyes, and withowt heare, with onely the nayles or

clawes commynge foorthe. But the damme with continuall lyckynge, by lyttle and lyttle figurethe the informe byrthe. When shee entereth into the denne whiche shee hath chosen, shee creepeth thyther with her belly vpwarde lesse the place shulde bee founde by the steppes of her fiete.* 19.38 And being there deliuered of her byrthe, remaynethe in the same place for the space of .xiiii. dayes immoueable as wryteth Aristoteles. They lyue withowt meate fortie dayes, and for that tyme susteyne them selues only by lyckynge and suckyng theyr ryght foote.* 19.39 At the lengthe chaunsynge to fynde meate, they fyll theym selues so full, that they remedy that surfecte by vomyte whi∣che they prouoke by eatynge of antes. Theyr byrthe is op∣pressed with so heauy a sleape for the space of .xiiii. dayes, that it can not bee raysed eyther with prickinge or woundes,* 19.40 and in the meane tyme growe exceadynge fat. After .xiiii. dayes they wake from sleepe, and begyn to licke and sucke the soles of theyr fore fiete and lyue thereby for a space: Nor yet is it apparent that they liue by any other meate vntyll the sprynge tyme of the yeare. At whiche tyme begynnynge to runne abrode, they feede of the tender buds and younge sprig¦ges or braunches of trees, and other herbes correspondent to theyr lyppes.

Before fiue hundreth yeares, the Moscouites honoured the goddes of the gentyles:* 19.41 And then fyrste receaued the Christian faith when the bysshoppes of Grecia began to dis∣cent from the churche of the Latines: and therfore receaued the rites of the Greekes. They minister the sacrament with fermented breade vnder both kyndes: And thinke that the soules of deade menne are not helped with the suffragies of preestes, nor yet by the deuotion of theyr frendes or kinsfol∣kes: Also that the place of Purgatorie is a fable. In the tyme of the diuine seruice, the hystorie of the miracles of Christe and the Epistels of saynt Paule are rehearsed owt of the pulpitte. Beyonde Moscouia, are manye people whiche they caule Scythians, and are partely subiecte to the Prince of Moscouia.* 19.42 These are they which duke Iuan subdued, as are the people of Perm, Baskird, Czriremissa, Iuhra, Core∣la, and Permska. These people were Idolatours before the duke compelled theym to baptisme, and appoynted a bysshop ouer them named Steuen, whom the Barbarians after the

departure of the duke, fleyde alyue and slewe. But the duke returnyng shortly after, afflicted them sore and assigned them a newe bysshoppe.

It is here also to bee noted that the owlde Cosmogra∣phers fayned that in these regions towarde the Northe pole, there shuld bee certeyne great mountaynes which they cauled Ripheos & Hyperboreos, which neuerthelesse are not founde in nature. It is also a fable that the ryuers of Tanais and Uolham doo sprynge owt of hygh mountaynes,* 19.43 wheras it is apparent that both these ryuers and many other, haue theyr originall in the playnes.

Nexte to Moscouia, is the frutefull region of Colmogo∣ra throwgh the whiche runneth the ryuer of Diuidna beinge the greatest that is knowen in the north partes of the world.* 19.44* 19.45 This ryuer increaseth at certeyne tymes of the yeare as dooth the ryuer of Nilus in Egypte, ouerfloweth the fyeldes round abowt, and with abundaunce of fatte moysture, resisteth the couldenesse of the ayer. Wheate sowne in the grounde, grow¦eth abundauntly withowt plowynge:* 19.46 and fearynge the newe iniurie of the proude ryuer, spryngeth, groweth, and rypeth with woonderfull celeritie of hastynge nature.

Into the ryuer of Diuidna runnethe the ryuer of Iuga:* 19.47 And in the very angle or corner where they meete, is a fa∣mous marte towne named Ustiuga,* 19.48 beinge a hundreth and fyftie myles distant from the chiefe citie of Mosca. To this mart towne from the hygher countreys, are sent the precious furres of marternes,* 19.49 sables, woolues and such other whiche are exchaunged for dyuers other kyndes of wares and mar∣chaundies. Hytherto Munsterus.

* 19.50And forasmuche as many doo maruaile that suche plentie of hony shuld bee in so coole a contrey, I haue thought good to declare the reason and naturall cause hereof. It is there∣fore to be considered that lyke as spices, gums, & odoriferous frutes are engendered in hot regions by continuall heate du∣ryng al the hole yeare withowt impression of the mortifying qualitie of could wherby al thynges are constrayned as they are dilated by heate,* 19.51 euen so in could & moyst regions (whose moysture is thinner & more waterysshe then in hot regions) are dowres engendered more abundantly as caused by impres¦sion of lesse and faynter heate woorkynge in thynne matter

of waterysshe moisture lesse concocte then the matter of gum∣mes and spices and other vnctuous frutes and trees growing in hotte regions. For althoughe (as Munster saithe here be∣fore) the region of Moscouia beareth nother vines or oliues, or any other frutes of sweete sauoure by reason of the coulde∣nesse therof, neuerthelesse forasmuch as floures (wherof hony is chiefely gathered) may in sommer season growe abundant∣ly in the playnes,* 19.52 marysshes, and wooddes, not onely on the grownde but also on trees in coulde regions, it is agreeable to good reason that great plentie of honye shulde bee in suche regions as abounde with floures, which are brought furthe with the fyrst degree of heate and fyrst approch of the sonne, as appeareth in the sprynge tyme not onely by the springinge of floures in fyeldes and gardeynes, but also of blossomes of trees spryngynge before the leaues or frute,* 19.53 as the lyghter and thynner matter fyrste drawne owte with the loweste and leaste degree of heate,* 19.54 as the lyke is seene in the arte of styl∣lynge wherby all thinne and lyght moystures are lyfted vp by the fyrste degree of the fyre: and the heuyest and thickest moy¦stures are drawne owt with more vehement fyre. As we may therfore in this case compare the generation of floures to the heate of May,* 19.55 the generation of gummes to the heate of Iune and spices to the heate of Iuly. Euen so in suche coulde regi∣ons whose soommer agreeth rather with the temperate heate and moysture of May then with thextreeme heate of the other monethes, that heate is more apt to brynge foorth abundance of floures as thynges caused by moderate heate, as playnely appeareth by theyr tast and sauoure in which is no sharpe qua¦litie of heate eyther bytynge the toonge or offendyng the head as is in spices, gummes, and frutes of hotte regions. And as in could and playne regions, moderate heate with abundance of moisture, are causes of the generation of floures (as I haue sayde) so lykewyse the length of the dayes and shortnesse and warmenesse of the nyghtes in sommer season in suche coulde reg••ons,* 19.56 is a greate helpe herunto. Cardanus wryteth in his booke De Plantis, that bramble & fearne growe not but in could regions,* 19.57 as dooth wheate in temperate regions. And that spi¦ces and hotte seedes,* 19.58 can not growe in coulde regions, foras∣much as beinge of thinne substaunce, they shulde soone be mor¦tified & extinct by excessiue could. For (as he sayth) nothing

can concocte, rype, and attenuate the substance of frutes with owt the helpe of ayer agreable to the natures of such thynges as are brought foorth in the same, althowgh it may doo this in rootes. But in maner all floures are of sweete sauour,* 19.59 for∣asmuch as the moysture that is in them, being thinne and but lyttle, is by meane heate soone and easely concocte or made rype. Such also as are soone rype, are soone rotten according to the prouerbe.

Plinie, althowgh in the .xi. booke of his naturall hysto∣rie. Cap. viii. he wryteth that hony is gathered of the floures of all trees and settes or plantes,* 19.60 except sorell and the herbe cauled Chenopode (whiche sume caule goose foote) yet he affir∣meth that it descendeth from the ayer: for in the .xii. chapy∣ture of the same booke, he wryteth thus.

Thus coommeth from the ayer at the rysynge of certeyne starres, and especially at the rysynge of Sirius,* 19.61 and not before the rysyng of Vergiliae (which are the seuen starres cauled Pleia∣des) in the sprynge of the day. For then at the mornynge sprynge, the leaues of trees are founde moist with a fat dewe: In so much that such as haue bynne abrode vnder the firma∣mente at that tyme, haue theyr apparell annoynted with ly∣quoure and the heare of theyr headde clammy. And whether this bee the swette of heauen,* 19.62 or as it were a certeyne spettyl of the star••es, eyther the iuise of the ayer pourgynge it selfe, I wolde it were pure,* 19.63 liquide, and simple of his owne nature as it fyrste fauleth from aboue. ••ut nowe descendyng so far, and infected not only with such vncleane vapoures and exha¦lations, as it meteth with by the way, but afterward also cor¦rupted by the leaues of trees, herbes, and floures of sundrye tastes and qualities, and lykewyse aswel in stomackes of the bees (for they vomite it at theyr mouthes) as also by longe re¦seruynge the same in hiues, it neuerthelesse reteyneth a great parte of the heauenly nature. &c. Ageyne in the .xiiii. chapiture of the same booke, he wrytethe that in certeyne regions to∣ward the north,* 19.64 as in sum places of Germanie, hony is found in such quantitie that there haue bynne seene hony combes of eyght foote longe, and blacke in the holowe parte. By the whiche woordes of Plinie, and by the principles of naturall philosophie, it dooth appere that abundaunce of hony shulde chiefely bee engendered in such regions where the heate of

soommer is temperate and continuall aswell by nyght as by day as it is not in hotte regions where the nyghtes be longe and coulde as is declared in the Decades.* 19.65 For lyke as suche thynges as are fyned by continuall heate, mouynge, and cir∣culation,* 19.66 are hyndered by refrigeration or coulde (as appereth in the art of styllynge and hatchynge of egges) euen so by the action of temperate and continuall heate withowt interposi∣tion of contrarie and mortifyinge qualitie, crude thynges are in shorte tyme made rype, sower made sweete, thicke made thinne, heauie made lyght, grosse made subtyle, harde made softe, deade made lyuynge, and in fine bodies made spirites,* 19.67 as manifestly appeareth in the marueylous woorke of dygesti∣on of lyuyng beastes, wherby the finest part of theyr nurisshe¦ment is turned into bludde, and the finest of that bludde con¦uerted into spirites, as the like is also seene in the nurysshe∣ment of trees, plantes, and herbes, and all other thynges that growe on the grounde, all whiche are moued, digested, subtiliate, attenuate, ryped, and made sweete by the action of this continuall heate wherof I haue spoken. To conclude therfore, if hony bee eyther the sweete of the starres, or the iuise of the ayer pourginge it selfe (as plinie writeth) or other wyse engendered of subtyle and fine vapoures rysinge frome the earth, and concocte or digested in the ayer by the sayd con¦tinuall and moderate heate,* 19.68 it may seeme by good reason that the same s••ulde bee engendered in soommer season more abundantly in coulde regions then in hot, for the causes aforesayde. And that it may by autoritie and reason more manifestlye appeare bothe that the heate of soommer in could regi∣ons is continual (as I haue sayd) and also that the coulde in wynter is not there so intollerable to thin∣habitauntes of those regions as other doo thynke,* 19.69 I haue though•• good for the better declaration hereof to adde hereunto what I haue gathered owt of the booke of Ziglerus wrytten of the north regions.* 19.70

¶ Of the North regions and of the moderate and continuall heate in coulde regions aswell in the nyght as in the day in soommer season: Also howe those regi∣ons are habitable to thinhabitauntes of the same, contrary to thoppinion of the owlde wryters.

OF this matter, Ziglerus in his booke of the Northe regions in the description of Scondia wryteth as foloweth.* 20.1

Wee wyll intreate of this matter, not as puttynge the same in question as dyd the owld wryters, nor gatherynge iudgement deducted of reasons in way of argument, forasmuch as wee are alredy more certeyne by hystorie that these coulde regions are inhabi¦ted. Wee wyll fyrst therfore shewe by naturall reason and by consideration of the sphere, declare how by the helpe of man and arte, coulde regions are inhabited withowt domage or destruction of lyuynge beastes: And wyll fyrste speake of the qualitie of sommer,* 20.2 declarynge howe it is there augmented Yet intende I not to comprehende all that maye bee sayde in this matter, but only rehearse such reasons and similitudes as are most apparent and easy to bee vnderstoode.

In such regions therfore, as are extended from the burnt line or Equinoctiall towarde the north, as much as the sonne rysethe hygher ouer theim,* 20.3 so muche are they the more burnte with heate, as Affrica, bycause it ryseth hyghest ouer them as they are nearest to the Equinoctiall: and taryinge with theim so much the shorter time causeth shorter days, with longer & coulder nyghtes to restore the domage of the day past by reasō of the moisture consumed by vapour.* 20.4 But in such regions ouer the which the sonne ryseth lower (as in Sarmatia) it remay∣neth there the longer in the day, and causeth so much the shor¦ter and warmer nyghtes,* 20.5 as reteynynge warme vapoures of the day past, which vapours helpe the woorke of the day. I speake as I haue founde by experience, saythe Upsaliensis. For I haue felt the sommer nyghtes scarsely tollerable for heate in Gothlande,* 20.6 wheras I felte them coulde in Rome.

This benefite of thincrease of the day, doth augment so much the more in coulde regions as they are nearer the poles: and

ceaceth not vntyll it coome directly ouer the center or poynte of the ares or axceltree of the worlde, where the sonne beinge at the hyghest in sommer,* 20.7 is eleuate abowt .xxiiii. degrees: In which regions, one continual day consisteth of .vi. monethes from the sprynge tyme by the standynge of the soonne (cauled Solstitium) in the signe of Cancer to Autumne. The soonne therfore, withowt any offence of the night, gyueth his influ∣ence vppon those landes with heate that neuer ceasethe du∣rynge that tyme, which maketh to the great increase of soom¦mer by reason of continuance.* 20.8 We haue now therfore thought good to gather by a certeyne coniecture howe greately wee thinke the soommer to bee increased hereby.

Wee haue before declared howe hyghe the soonne is ele∣uate ouer the regions that are vnder the poles at the staye of the soonne: And so manye partes is it eleuate in Rome at the stay of the soonne in wynter (that is) at the shortest day in the yeare.* 20.9 But here, in the mydde wynter, the soonne at noone tyde is beneficiall, and bryngeth foorth floures, roses, and ielefloures. I haue gathered sum in wynter in the moneth of December, not procured at home by humane arte, but grow∣inge ••n open gardenes in maner in euery bedde vnder the bare heauen, browght foorth only by the soonne. But this benig¦nitie of the soonne,* 20.10 continueth not past fiue houres in the na∣turall day, forasmuch as thoperation therof is extinct by the couldenesse of the nyght folowynge. But if this benefite myght bee receaued withowt hinderaunce of the nyght, as it is vnder the poles, and so continue many monethes in hot re∣gions vnto winter, it shulde suerlye brynge foorthe manye woonderfull thynges, if moysture fayled not. And by this condition thus propounded, wee may well conceaue that the Romane winter,* 20.11 althowgh it be not hotte, yet to be equal in heate to the full sprynge tyme in the same citie durynge the tyme of the sayde fiue houres. And thus by a similitude of the height of the soonne vnder bothe places, and of the knowen qualitie of the Romane heauen, and by thaccesse of the soonne to such places where the longest day continueth certeyne mo∣nethes, wee maye gather that soommer in places vnder the pole, is lyke vnto and equall with the full Romane sprynge.

But the more difficulte question, is of the tyme of the .vi moonethes in the whiche the soonne leaueth those regions,* 20.12

and goth by the contrarye or ouerthwarte circle towarde the south in wynter.* 20.13 For they say that at that tyme, those regi∣ons are deformed with horrible darkenesse and nyghtes not increased, which may bee the cause that beastes can not seke theyr foode. And that also the coulde shulde then bee in••olle∣rable: by which double euyls all thynges constrayned shulde dye, so that no beaste were able to abyde thiniuries of wyn∣ter and famen insuinge therof: but that all beastes shulde pe∣rysshe before the sommer folowynge, when they shulde bringe furth theyr broode or succession: And that for these causes, the sayde coulde clime shulde bee perpetually desolate and vn¦habitable. To al which obiections, we answere in this maner

As touchynge the nyghtes not increased, I saye, that it was not conuenient to assume that for any reason. For not as the soonne fauleth, so suddeynly commeth the darke night but that the euenynge dooth substitute and prolonge the day longe after,* 20.14 as also the day sprynge or dawnynge of the daye gyueth a certeyne lyght before the rysinge of the soonne: Af∣ter the whiche, the residue of the nyght that receaueth no light by the sayde euenynge and mornynge twilightes, is ac∣complysshed by the lyght of the moone,* 20.15 so that the nyghtes are seldome vnaugmented. Let this bee an exemple proued by owre temperate regions, wherby we may vnderstande the con¦dition of the nyght vnder the pole.* 20.16 Therfore euen there also the twilightes helpe the nyght a longe tyme, as we wyl more presently demonstrate. It is approued by the Astronomers, that the soonne descendynge from the highest halfe sphere by xviii. paralels of the vnder horizon, makethe an ende of the twylight,* 20.17 so that at the lengthe the darke nyght succedeth: And that the soonne approchynge, and rysynge aboue the hyghest halfe sphere by as many paralels, dooth diminysshe the nyght and increase the twylyght. Ageyne, by the positi∣on or placeinge of the sphere vnder the pole, the same is the horizontall that is the Equinoctiall. Those paralelles there∣fore that are paralels to the horizontal line, are also paralels to the Equinoctiall. So that the soonne descendynge there vnder the horizon, dooth not brynge darke nyghtes to those regions vntyll it coomme to the paralele distant .xviii. partes from the Equinoctiall.

Other demonstrations hereof are made by certeyne fygures of Astronomie, whiche I wolde haue added hereunto but that I coulde not gette the same grauen or cutte.

Durynge the tyme of these sayde syxe moonethes of darke∣nesse vnder the pole, the nyght is destitute of the benefite of the soonne and the sayde twylyghtes, onely for the space of three moonethes, in the whiche the soonne goeth and retur∣neth by the portion of the ouerthwart circle. But yet neyther this tyme of three moonethes is withowt remedy frome hea∣uen. For the moone with her full globe increased in lyghte,* 20.18 hath accesse at that tyme, and illuminateth the moonethes lackynge lyght, euery one by them selues, halfe the course of the moonethe: by whose benefite it coommeth to passe that the night, named as vnaugment••d, possesseth those regions no longer then one mooneth and a halfe, neyther that conti∣nually or al at one tyme: but this also diuided into three sorts of shorter nyghtes, of the whiche euery one endureth for the space of twoo weekes, and are illuminate of the moone accor∣dyngly. And this is the reason conceaued of the poure of the sphere wherby we testifie that the sommers and nyghtes vn∣der the pole, are tollerable to lyuynge beastes.

But wee wyll nowe declare by other remedies of nature and arte,* 20.19 that this coulde so greatly feared, is more remisse & tollerable then owre opinion: so that compared to the nature of such beastes as liue there, it may bee abydden. And there is no doubt but there are autours of more antiquitie then that age in the which any thynge was exactly knowen or disco∣uered of the north regions. The owlde wryters therfore per∣suaded onely by naked coniecture, dydde gather what they myght determine of those places: Or rather by the estimati∣on of heauen, the which, bycause they felte it to bee hardely tollerable to them selues, and lesse to men borne in the clyme of Egypte and Grecia, tooke therby an argument of the hole habitable earth. The hystorie of Strabo is knowen, that a potte of brasse which was broken in sunder with frosen wa∣ter,* 20.20 was brought from Pontus and shewed in Delphis in to¦ken of a greuous wynter. Here therfore, they that so great∣ly feared the winter (such as chaunceth to the earth vnder the xlviii. paralele) and therefore consecrated that broken pot to the temple of Apollo, what coulde such men trewly define vp¦pon regions so farre withowt that paralele, whether they

were inhabited or not? But such as folowed these, being con¦tented with thinuentions of the owlde autours, and borne in maner vnd••r the same qualitie of heauen, persisted wyllyng∣ly in the same opinion, with more confidence then considera¦tion of the thynges whereof wee nowe intreate: so lyghtly was that opinion receaued as touching the vnhabitable clime vnder the poles. But we with better confidence and faithe (forasmuch as we are not instructed with coniectures) intend to stande ageynst the sentence of the owld autours: Affirming the north regions within the coulde clime to bee inhabyted with hearynges,* 20.21 coddes, haddockes, and brettes, tunnyes, and other great fysshes, with thinfinite number wherof, ta∣bles are furnysshed through a great parte of Europe: Al whi∣che are taken in the north sea extended beyonde owr knowe∣leage.* 20.22 This sea at certeyne tymes of the yeare, poureth furth his plentifulnesse, or rather dryueth furth his increase to seke newe mansions, and are here taken in theyr passage. Fur∣thermore also, euen the mouthes of the riuer of Tyber receaue a fysshe as a newe gest sent from the north sea. This swamme twyse through Fraunce and twise throughe Spayne: Ouer-passed the Ligurian and Tuscan sea to communicate her selfe to the citie of Rome. The lakes also and ryuers of those re∣gions are replenysshed with fysshe: In so much that no poure of coulde is able to extinguy••she thincrease of the yeare folow¦inge, and the succession reparable so many hundreth yeares. And I playnely thinke, that yf it shulde of necessitie folowe, that one of these two elementes,* 20.23 the earthe and the water, shuld•• be destructiue to lyuynge creatures, the water shulde chiefely haue wrought this effecte. But this is founde so trac¦table, that in the diepe wynter, both that increase is brought furth, and fysshynge is also exercised. The lande is lykewise inhabited with lyke plentifulnesse.* 20.24 But that we wander not to farre: Let the fayth hereof rest in thexposition folowynge, wherin we intend to declare howe by the poure of nature and industry of man, this commoditie may coomme to passe. Ther¦fore as touchynge nature, wee suppose that the diuine proui¦dence hath made nothynge vncommunicable,* 20.25 but to haue gy∣uen such order to all thynges wherby euery thynge maye bee tollerable to the nexte. The extremeties of the elementes con¦sent with theyr next. The ayer is grosse abowt the earth and

water: But thinne and botte abowt the fyre. By this proui¦dence of nature, the vttermost sea is very salte.* 20.26 And salte (as wytnesseth Plinie) yeldeth the farnesse of oyle. But oyle, by a certeyne natiue heate, is of propertie agreable to fyre. The sea then, beinge all of such qualitie,* 20.27 poureth furth it selfe far vppon thextreme landes, whereby by reason of the saltenesse therof, it moueth and stereth vp generatiue heate,* 20.28 as by fat∣nesse it noryssheth the fecunditie of thynges generate. It gy¦ueth this frutfulnes to the earth at certeyne fluds, although the earth also it selfe, haue in his inner bowels the same liue∣ly and nurysshynge heate, wherby not only the dennes, caues and holowe places,* 20.29 but also sprynges of water are made warme: And this so much the more, in howe muche the wyn∣ter is more vehement. This thyng dooth more appere by this exemple, that the mountaynes of Norway and Suethlande are fruteful of metals, in the which, syluer and copper are con¦cocte and molten into veynes, which can scarsely bee doonne in fornaces. By this reason also, the vapours and hotte exha¦lations perceinge the earthe and the waters,* 20.30 and throwghe both those natures breathynge furth into the ayer, tempereth the qualitie of heauen and maketh it tollerable to beastes, as wytnesseth the huge byggenesse of the whales in those seas,* 20.31 with the strength of bodye and longe lyfe of suche beastes as liue on the lande:* 20.32 whiche thynge coulde not bee, excepte all thynges were there commodiously nurysshed by the benefite of the heauen and the ayer. For nothyng that in the tyme of increase is hyndered by any iniurie, or that is euyll fedde all the tyme it lyueth, can prosper well.* 20.33 Neyther are such thyn∣ges as lyue there, offended with theyr naturall wynter as thowgh an Egiptian or Ethiopian were suddeynly conueyed into those coulde regions. For they were in longe tyme by lyttle and lyttle browght fyrst acquaynted with the nature of that heauen, as may be proued both by the lyfe of man and by the historie of holy scripture. They that were led from Me∣sopotania, and that famous towre of Babilon towarde the north partes of the worlde in the fyrst dispertion of nations, dyd not immediatly passe to thextreme boundes,* 20.34 but planted theyr habitations fyrst vnder a myddle heauē betwene both, as in Thracia and Pontus, where theyr posteritie was accu∣stomed the better to susteyne the rygoure of Scythia and La∣nais,

as he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at commeth from winter to soommer, maye the better after abyde Ise and snowe beinge fyrst hardened ther∣to by the frostes of Autumne. In lyke maner mortall men, ac¦customed to beare the hardenesse of places nexte vnto theym, were therby at the length more confirmed to susteyne the ex∣tremes. And here also, if any sharpenesse remayne that maye seeme intollerable, nature hathe prouyded for the same with other remedies. For the lande and sea, hathe gyuen vnto beastes, diepe and large caues, dennes,* 20.35 and other holowe pla¦ces and secreate corners in mountaynes and rockes bothe on the lande and by the sea bankes, in the which are euer contey¦ned warme vapoures so much the more intent and vehement, in howe much they are the more constrayned by extreme could Nature hath also gyuen valleys diuerted and defended frome the north wyndes.* 20.36 Shee hath lykewise couered beastes with heare so much the thicker in howe muche the vehemencie of could is greater: by reason wherof the best and rychest furres are browght frome those regions,* 20.37 as Sables whose price is growne to great excesse nexte vnto gold and precious stones,* 20.38 and are estemed princely ornamentes. The beastes that beare these furres, are hunted chiefely in wynter (wh••ch thynge is more straunge) bycause theyr heare is thenne thicker and clea¦ueth faster to the skyn. Howe greauous then shall we thinke the winter to bee there where this lyttle beast lyueth so well, and where the hunters may search the dennes and hauntes of such beastes throwghe the wooddes and snowe?* 20.39 But suche beastes the condition of whose bodies is so tender that they are not able to abyde thiniurie of coulde, eyther lye hydde in wynter, or chaunge theyr habitation, as do certeyne beastes also in owre clime. Nature hath furthermore gyuen remedie to man bothe by arte and industry to defende him selfe both a brode and at home. Abrode, with a thicke vesture, and the same well dowbeled. At home, with large fyers on harthes, chymyneys, and in stooues for the day, with close chambers, and couches, softe and warme beddes for the nyght: by whi¦che remedies they mirigate the winters which seeme rigorous to straungers,* 20.40 althowghe they are to thinhabitauntes more tollerable then owre opinion, as in deede by the fyrst natural mixture or composition of theyr bodies, such thinges are agre¦able to them as seeme very harde to other. The lion in Affrike

and the beare in Sarmatia, are fierce as in theyr presente strength and vigoure: but translated into a contrary heauen, are of lesse strength and courage. The foule cauled Ciconia (which sum thinke to bee the storke) dooth not tary the win∣ter: yet doo the cranes coomme at that tyme. The Scy∣thian wyll accuse the Romane heauen as induccinge feuers, wheras neuerthelesse there is none more holsoome.* 20.41 Such as haue byn tenderly browght vp, if they coomme suddenly in to the campe, can not away with hunger, watchynge, heate, passages throwgh ryuers, ba••tayles, sieges, and assaultes. But the owld souldier exercised in the warres, vseth these as meditations of the fielde, as hardened therto by longe expe∣rience. He that hath byn accustomed to the shadowe of the ci∣tie, and wyll attempte the sayinge of the poet Uirgil, Nudus ara, sere nudus, that is, naked and bare withowt house & home, shall to his perell make an ende of the verse,* 20.42 H••bebis frigora fe∣brem (that is) he shall haue the coulde ague. Suche thynges therfore as seeme harde vnto vs, beinge accustomed by lyttle and lyttle, becomme more tollerable: In so much that this ex¦ercise of su••feraunce by such degrees, dooth oftentymes grow to prodigious effectes facte beyonde owre expectation. And thus wee seeme to haue made sufficient demonstration, by hea¦uen, nature, and arte, wherby it may appere that no part of the lande or sea is denyed to lyuynge creatures. The reader may also perceaue how large matter of reasons and exemples may bee opened for the declarynge of owre opinion wherein wee rest. Let the••fore thautoritie of the ancient autours gyue place, and the consent of the newe wryters agree to this hy∣story, not as nowe at the length comprehend••d (whereas be∣fore many hundreth yeares Germanie and Scondia had en∣tercourse of,* 20.43 marchaund••es not seuered by the large goulfe of Bothia▪ but as nowe by owr commentaries brought to light. And hau••ng sayde has much in maner of a preface, we w••ll nowe procede to wryte of the north regions.

¶ Schondia.

SChondia, S••hondama, or Schondenmarchia, is as much to say as fayre Dania or fayre Denmarke.* 20.44 Plinie in one place, nameth it Scandia, and in an other, Scandina¦ui•• if there bee no fauce in the templers.

It was named Schondia, by reason of the fayrenesse and true fulnesse therof. And this aswell for that in beneficiall hea∣uen, fertilitie of gronnde,* 20.45 commodite of hauens and marte townes, abundaunce of ryuers and fysshe, plentie of beastes, great quantitie of metall, as golde, syluer, copper, and leade, diligent culturynge the grounde, with townes and cities wel inhabited and gouerned by ciuile lawes, it gyuethe place to none other fortunate region. This was in maner vnknowen to the owlde Greekes and Latins as may appeare by this ar∣gomente that with one consente they affirmed that in these north regions the could zon•• or clime, was condemned to per¦petuall snowe intollerable to all lyuynge creatures. For few of thē haue made mention hereof as to be inhabited. Amonge whom Plinie as one of the chiefe, sayth in his fourth booke, that Schondania is of vnknowen byggenesse: and only that portion therof to be knowen which is inhabited with the na¦tion of the Hilleui••nes in fiftie vyllages. Neyther yet is Enin¦gia lesse in opinion.* 20.46 Other more auncient then Plinie, haue placed most fortunate regions, with men of longe lyfe (whi∣che the Greekes caule Macrobios) and of moste innocente beha∣uour vnder the tracte of those landes: and that there came from thence to Delphos, certeyne religious virginnes with vowes and gyftes consecrated to Apollo: And furthermore that that nation obserued this institution vntyll the sayde virgins were violated of them of whome they were receaued as straungers. These are most cleare testimonies of Antiqui∣tie, both of the greatnesse of Schondia, and the people that inhabite the same, althowgh they were sence vnknowen, as lykewyse the Gothes departynge from these north landes al¦thowghe they obteyned Thempire of the regions abowte the marisshes of Meotis and the coastes of the sea Euxinus,* 20.47 with the realme of Denmarke (wherof that is thought to bee a por¦tion which is nowe cauled Transiluania) and the bankes of the ryuer of Danubius,* 20.48 and in fine inuaded the Romane Em∣pire, yet were not the regions wel knowen from whense they tooke theyr originall. Therefore lyke as parte of the owlde wryters are vnsufficient wytnesses to testifie of owre narrati∣ons as touchynge these landes vnknowen to them, Euen so the other parte which excluded the same as vnhabitable, are to bee conuinced leaste theyr autoritie beinge admitted, shuld

ingender opinions not agreeable or conuenient to the nature of places. Sigismundus Liberus, in his commentaries of Moscouia, wryteth thus. Scandia or Scondia, is no Iland (as sume haue thought) but parte of the continente or firme lande of Suetia, which by a longe tracte reacheth to Goth∣lande: And that nowe the kynge of Denmarke possesseth a great parte therof. But wheras the wryters of these thinges haue made Scondia greater then Suetia, & that the Gothes and Lumbardes came frome thense,* 20.49 they seeme in my opinion to comprehende these three kyngedomes as it were in one bo∣dy, only vnder the name of Scondia, forasmuch as then, that parte of lande that lyeth betwene the sea Balthrum (whiche floweth by the coastes of Finlandia) and the frosen sea, was vnknowen: And that by reason of so many marisshes, innu∣merable ryuers, and intemperatnesse of heauen, it is yet rude vncultured, and lyttle knowen. Which thynge hath byn the cause that summe iudged all that was cauled by the name of Scondia, to bee one great Ilande.

¶ Gronlande.

GRonlande is interpreted greene lande: so cauled for the great increase and frutefulnesse of pasture.* 20.50 By reason wherof, what great plentie of cattayle there is, it may hereby appere that at such tyme as shyppes may passe thyther they set furth great heapes of cheese and butter to bee sould, wherby wee coniecture that the lande is not rowgh with bar¦ren mountaynes. It hath two Cathedrall Churches vnder thordina••ion of Nidrosia. To one of these, was of late yea∣res a bysshop appoynted onely by the tytle of a suffragane in consideration that while the metropolitane dooth neglect the direction of religion for the distance of the place and difficult nauigation, the people is in maner faulne to gentilitie,* 20.51 beinge of them selfe of mouable wyttes and gyuen to magical artes. For it is sayde that they (as also the people of Laponia) doo rayse tempestes on the sea with magical inchauntmentes,* 20.52 and brynge such shippes into daungeour as they int••••de to spoile. They vse lyttle shyppes made of lether, and safe ageynste the brusynge of the sea and rockes, and with them assayle other shippes. Peter Martyr of Angletia, writeth in his Decades

of the Spanisshe nauigations, that Sebastian Cabote sayling from Englande continually towarde the north,* 20.53 folowed that course so farre that he chaunsed vppon greate flakes of Ise in the mooneth of Iuly: and that diuertynge from thense, he folowed the coaste by the shore bendynge towarde the South vntyl he came to the clime of the Ilande of Hispaniola aboue Cuba, an Iland of the Canibales. Which narration hath gi∣uen me occasion to extende Gronlande beyonde the promon∣tory or cape of Huitsarch to the continente or firme lande of Lapponia aboue the castell of Wardhus:* 20.54* 20.55 which thynge I did the rather for that the reuerende Archebysshoppe of Nidro∣sia, constantely affirmed that the sea bendethe there into the forme of a crooked elbowe. It agreeth herewith also, that the Lapones consent with them in the lyke magical practises and doo neyther imbrase the Christian religion nor refuse it: wherby I haue thowght this lykenesse of customes to bee be∣twene them bycause they ioyne togyther in one continent.* 20.56 The distance lykewyse, seemeth not to disagree. For betwene both these people,* 20.57 the distance is not full twoo hundreth Sch••ni, euery one being a space of grounde conteinyng .lx. furlonges, which make .vii. myles and a halfe. It furthermore agreeth with this coniecture that Cabote chaunsed into such Ise. And albeit as touchynge the mooneth of Iuly,* 20.58 I wyll contend it is not well rehersed, no althowghe he had sayled vnder the pole, for such reasons as wee haue declared before to the con∣trary, neuerthelesse, that at sum tyme he sayled by Ise, this testifieth in that he sayled not by the mayne sea, but in places nere vnto the lande comprehendyng and imbrasyng the sea in forme of a goulfe,* 20.59 wheras for the same cause, the goulfe of Gothland is frosen bycause it is streyght & narow, in the whi¦che also the lyttle quantitie of salt water is ouercoome by the abundance of fresshe water of many and greate ryuers that faule into the goulfe. But betwene Norwaye and Islande,* 20.60 the sea is not frosen for the contrary cause, forasmuch as the poure of fresshe water is there ouercomme of thabundance of the salte water. There is a fame (but of vncerteyne autoritie) that the Spanyardes sayle at this presente to Gronlande, and to an other lande which they caule Terra viridis,* 20.61 that is, the greene lande, bringynge from thense suche wares as are founde in Gronlande. Towarde the north, it reacheth to the

vnknowen lande vnder the pole, from whense also the theues and robbers of th•• Pigmei coomme into this lande.* 20.62 Whiche is an argument that the regions vnder the pole are inhabited and almost enuironed with the sea, as are they whiche the Cosmographers caule Chersonnesi or Peninsula (that is) al∣most Ilandes.

☞ The description of Gronlande. ¶ The description of the East syde whiche lyeth towarde Norway.

Wardhus castell.	54.		70.	50.
Towarde the North.	53.	30.	71.	30.
The fyrst extention.	40.		71.	40.
The seconde extention.	28.		72.
Huitsarch. promont.	22.		67.
The extention.	5.		61.	45.

It is continued from thense by the coastes of the lande of Baccallaos.* 20.63 356. 60.

Towarde the west and north, it is termined with an vnkno∣wen ende of landes and seas.

Islande.

ISlande is interpreted the lande of Ise, and is cauled of the owlde wryters T••yle.* 20.64 It is extended betwene the south and the north almost two hundreth schoenes in lon¦gitude.* 20.65 It is for the most part full of mountaynes and vn∣cultured. But in the playnes it hath suche frutefull pastures, that they are fayne sumtymes to dryue the beastes from th••ir feedynge least they shulde bee suffocate with to much fa••nes.* 20.66 This Iland is famous by the strange miracles of natu••e, of the which Saxo Grammaticus in his hystorie of Denmarke, and Olanus Gothus in his description of the n••r••h landes, doo make mention. There are in it three mountaynes of mar¦ueylous height the toppes where of are couered with perpe∣tuall snowe.* 20.67 But the nether partes of them, are of lyke na∣ture to the mountayne Etna in the Ilande of Sicilie boyling with continuall flames of fyre and castynge furth brymstone. One of these is named Helga,* 20.68 and the other Mons Cruci•• (that le) the mounte of the crosse. The thyrde is named Hecla:* 20.69 whose flames neyther consume flare or rowe, matters moste apte to take syre, nor yet are quenched with water. And with

lyke force as the shotte of great artillerie is driuen furth by vi¦olence of fyre, euen so by the commixtion and repugnaunce of fyre, coulde, and brymstome, greate stones are here throwne into the ayer. Nere vnto these mostraynes are three chynkes or open places in the earthe of houge byggenesse and suche depth (e••pecially at the mounte Hecla) that no syght can at∣tayne therto.* 20.70 But to such as looke into them, there fyrst ap∣peare men as thowgh they were drowned and yet breathyng furth theyr sowles: who beinge exhorted by theyr frendes to resorte to theyr owne, they aunswere with moornynge voyce and greuous syghes, that they must departe frome thense to the mount Hecla, and therwith suddeynly vanysshe owte of syght. Ise floweth abowt the Ilande for the space of seuen or eyght moonethes,* 20.71 makynge by runnynge togyther a cer∣teyne miserable waylinge and gronynge noyse not vnlyke the voyce of man.* 20.72 Thinhabitauntes thynke, that in this Ise & the mounte Hecla,* 20.73 are the places where the euyll soules of theyr people are tormented. If any man take a greate porti∣on of this Ise, and kepe it as diligently as may bee in a close vessell or cofer, the same dooth so vanysshe at the tyme when the other Ise abowt the Ilande dissolueth, that not so much as one droppe of water or Ise can therof bee founde.

Not farre from these mountaynes reachynge toward the sea coastes, are foure sprynges of water of moste diuers and contrary nature.* 20.74 The fyrste, by reason of his perpetuall and feruente heate, suddeynely turneth all bodies that are caste therin, into stones, reseruynge neuerthelesse theyr fyrst forme and shape. The seconde, is of intollerable couldenesse. The thyrde is sweeter then hony, and most pleasaunte to quenche thyrst. The fourth is playne poyson, pestilent, and deadely. There is furthermore in these sprynges suche abundaunce of brymstone,* 20.75 that a thousande pounde weight therof is bought for lyttle, as for the tenth parte of a ducate. Theyr chiefe wares, are dryed fysshe,* 20.76 as soles, maydens, playces, salpas stockefysshes, and such other which they exchange for wheat and such other thynges as are browght thyther from Lubeck Hamborowe, and Amsterdam. For they haue oftentymes such scarsenesse of corne,* 20.77 that they vse dryed fysshe in the steade of breade, althowgh in soommer the Ilande so floryssheth with greene and frutefull medowes, that they are fayne sumtimes

to dryue theyr beastes from pasture leaste they shulde suffocate for to much fattenesse, as I haue sayde before. They make very good butter, and apte to bee vsed in matters of phisicke. There are founde dyuers kindes of good haukes,* 20.78 as faulcons gerfalcons, lanners, and sperhaukes. Also rauens, crowes, beares, hares, and foxes, both whyte and blacke.* 20.79 They haue most swyfte horses: and such as runne .xxx. myles continual∣ly withowt rest or bayte. They haue manye churches: and houses buylded of the bones of whales and other greate fys∣shes.* 20.80 The nauigation is not open to this Ilande but in som∣mer season: and that only for the space of foure moonethes,* 20.81 by reason of the coulde and Ise whereby the passage is stop∣ped. If any stryfe or debate aryse on the sea amonge the ma∣riners for the commoditie of the hauen, the gouernour of the place althowgh he haue knowleage therof, yet dooth he not punysshe them, forasmuch as it apperteyneth not to his office to decerne such thynges as are doonne on the sea, but only on the lande. Shippes are there often tymes in great perell by reason of whales and such other monsters of the sea,* 20.82 excepte the mariners take good heede and keepe them farre frome the shyppes with the noyse of droommes, and emptie barrels cast into the sea. There are many mynstrels and other that play on instrumentes, with the sweete noyse whereof, they vse to allure foules and fisshes to theyr nettes and snares.* 20.83 Many also, lye lurkynge in caues and dennes to auoyde the sharpe∣nesse of coulde, as the Affricanes doo the lyke to defend them selues from the heate. On the toppe of a certeyne mountayne cauled Weyszarch, (lyinge betwene Islande and Gruntland or Gronlande) is erected a shypmans quadrant of marueilous byggenesse,* 20.84 made by two pirates named Pinnigt & Pothorst in fauour of such as sayle by those coastes that they may ther¦by auoyde the daungerous places lyinge towarde Gronland.

The myddest of the Ilande.	7	0	65	30.
The citie Harsol. &c.	7	40	60	42.

Laponia.

THe region of Laponia; was so named of the people that inhab••te it. For the Germayns, caule all suche La∣pones, as are simple or vnapte to thynges. This peo∣ple

is of smaule stature, and of such agilitie of bodie, that ha¦uynge theyr quyuers of arrowes gerte to them & theyr bowes in theyr handes,* 20.85 they can with a leape, caste th••ym selues throwgh a circle or hope of the diameter of a cubite. They seyght on foote, armed with bowes and arrowes and after the maner of the Tartars. They are exercised in hurlynge the darte and shootynge from theyr youth: in so muche that they giue theyr chyldren no meate vntyll they hit the marke they shoote at, as dyd in owlde tyme thinhabitauntes of the I∣landes cauled Bal••ares. They vse to make theyr apparell streight and close to theyr boddies that it hynder not theyr woorke.* 20.86 Theyr winter vestures are made of the hole skinnes of seales or beares artificially wrought & made supple. These they tye with a knotte aboue theyr heades, leauynge onely two holes open to looke through, and haue all the residue of theyr bodies couered as thoughe they were sowed in sackes, but that this beinge adapted to all partes of theyr bodies, is so made for commoditie and not for a punisshement as the Ro¦mans were accustomed to sowe paricides in sackes of lether with a cocke,* 20.87 an ape, and a serpent, and so to hurle them a∣lyue all togither into the ryuer of Tyber. And hereby I thinke it came to passe that in owlde tyme it was rasshely beleued that in these regiōs there were men with rowgh & hery bodies wilde beastes, as parte made relation throwghe ignoraunce, parte also takynge pleasure in rehearsall of suche thynges as are straunge to the hearers. The Lapones defended by this arte and industry, go abrode and withstande the sharpenes of wynter and the north wyndes, with all the iniuries of hea∣uen. They haue no houses, but certeyne tabernacles like ten∣tes or hales wherwith they pa••se from place to place & change theyr mansions.* 20.88 Sum of them liu•• after the maner of the peo¦ple of Sarmaria cauled in owlde tyme Amaxobii, which vsed waynes in the steade of houses. They are much gyuen to hun¦tynge: and haue such plentie of wylde beastes that they kyll them in maner in euery place.* 20.89 It is not lawfull for a wo∣man to go furth of the tente at that doore by the whiche her husbande wente owte on huntynge the same daye: nor yet to touche with her hande any part of the beaste that is taken vn¦tyll

her husbande reache her on the spitte suche a portion of flesshe as he thinketh good. They tyll not the grounde. The region nuryssheth no kynde of serpentes:* 20.90 yet are there greate and noysoome gnattes.* 20.91 They take fysshe in greate plentie•• by the commoditie wherof, they lyue after the maner of the E¦thiopians cauled Ichthiophagi. For as these drie theyr fisshe with feruent heate, so doo they drye them with coulde, and grynde or stampe them to pouder as smaule as meale or floure They haue such abundaunce of these fysshes,* 20.92 that they h••ued great plentie therof in certeyne store houses to cary them vn∣to other landes nere abowt them, as Northbothnia & whyte Russia. Theyr shyppes are not made with nayles, but are tide togyther and made fast with cordes and wyththes.* 20.93 With these they sayle by the swyft ryuers betwene the mountaines of Laponia, beinge naked in sommer that they may the better swymme in the tyme of perell, and gather together such wa∣res as are in daunger to bee lost by shipwracke. Part of them crereise handiecraftes, as imbrotherynge and weauynge of cloth interlaced with golde and syluer.* 20.94 Suche as haue diui∣sed any necessary arte, or doo increase and amende thinuenti¦ons of other, are openlye honoured, and rewarded with a vesture, in the which is imbrothered an argument or token of the thynge they deuised. And this remayneth to the poste∣ritie of theyr famelie in token of theyr desertes. They frame shippes, buylde houses, and make diuers sortes of housholde stuffe artificially, and transporte them to other places neare abowte. They bye and sell bothe for exchaunge of wares and for mon••y.* 20.95 And this only by consent of both parties with¦owt communicacion: yet not for lacke of wytte or for rude∣nesse of maners, but bycause they haue a peculiar language vnknowen to theyr bortherers. It is a valiant nation, and lyued longe free, and susteyned the warres of Norwaye and Suecia vntyll at the length they submitted them selues, and payde ryche furres for theyr tribute. They chose them selues a gouernour whom they caule a kynge: But the kyng of Sue¦tia gyueth hym autoritie and administration. Neuerthe∣lesse, the people in theyr sutes and doubtfull causes, resorte to Suecia to haue theyr matters decised.

In theyr iorneys, they go not to any Inne, nor yet enter into any house, but lye all nyght vnder the firmament. They haue no horses:* 20.96 but in the s••eade of them, they tame certeyne wyld beastes which they caule Keen, beinge of the iuste byggenesse of a mule,* 20.97 wi••lyrowgh heare lyke an Asse, clouen feete, and bra••nthed hor••es lyke a harte, but lower and with fewer antlettes. They wyll not abyde to bee rydden. But when theyr pestrels or drawynge collers are put on them, and they so ioyned to the chariotre or sleade, they runne in the space of .xxiiii. h••••res, a hundreth and fiftie myles, or .xxx. sch••∣nos:* 20.98 The whiche spare they affirme to chaunge the horizon thryse:* 20.99 that is theyse to coome to the furthest signe or marke that they see a farre of. Which doubtlesse is a token both of the marueylous swiftnesse and great strength of these beastes beinge able to continewe runnynge for so great a space, in the meane whyle also spendynge sumtyme in feedynge. I suppose that this thynge was sumewhat knowen to the owlde wry∣ters, although receaued in maner by an obscure and doubtful fame. For they also wryte that certeyne Scythians doo ryde on hartes.* 20.100

They neyther folowe the Christian religion, nor yet re∣fuse it or are offended therwith as are the Iuwes: but do sum tymes receaue it fauorably to gratifie the princes to whome theȳ obey.* 20.101 And that no more of theym imbrase the Christian fayth, the faute is sumwhat to bee imputed to the by shoppes and prelates that haue eyther reiected this cure and charge of instructynge the nation, or su••fered the faith of Christ to be suffocate euen in the fyrst sprynge. For vnder the pretense of religion, they woulde haue aduaunced theyr owne reuenues and ouerburthened the people by an intollerable exemple, none otherwyse here then in all Christendome, which thynge is doubtlesse the cause of moste greuons defections. I harde Iohn a bysshoppe of Gothlande say thus: We that gouerne the churche of Up••alia, and haue vnder owre dioce••se a great parte of that nation, lyke as it is not conueniente to declare many thynges of owre vigilance and attendaunce ouer the flocke committed to owre charge, euen so absteynynge frome myscheuous couetousnesse wherby religion is abused for lu∣ker, we doo in all places owre diligent endeuour that we mi∣nister none occasion whereby this nation as o••fended by owre

••innes, maye bee the lesse wyllynge to embrase the Christian ••ayth. This is the state of the religion amonge the Lapones: Althowgh of theyr owne institution and custome receaued of theyr predicessours, they are Idolatours,* 20.102 honourynge that lyuynge thynge that they meete fyrst in the mornynge, for the god of that daye, and diuinynge thereby theyr good lucke or euyll. They also erecte images of stone vpon the mountaines which they esteeme as goddes, attributing to them diuine ho¦nour. They solemne mariages, and begynne the same with fyre and flynte,* 20.103 as with a mysterie so aptely applyed to the image of stone as if it had byn receaued frome the mydde••••e of Grecia. For in that they adhibite a mysterie of fyre, as they doo not this alone (forasmuche as the Romanes obserued the same custome) euen so are they herein partly to be commended in that they vse the ceremonies of so noble a people. The my∣sterie of the flinte is no lesse to bee praysed, both forasmuche as this is domesticall philosophie, and hath also a nere affi∣nitie and signification to these sonemnities. For as the flynt hath in it fyre lyinge hydde whiche appeareth not but by mo∣uynge and force, so is there a secreate lyfe in both kyndes of man and woman whiche by mutuall coniunction coommethe furth to a lyuynge byrth. They are furthermore experte in∣chaunters.* 20.104 They tye three knottes on a strynge hangynge at a whippe. When they lose one of these, they rayse tollerable wyndes, When they lose an other, the wynde is more vehe∣ment. But by losyng the thyrde, they rayse playne tempestes as in owlde tyme they were accustomed to rayse thunder and lyghtnynge. This arte doo they vse ageinst such as sayle by theyr coastes, and staye or moue the ryuers and seas more or lesse as they lyst to shewe fauoure or displeasure. They make also of leade certeyne shorte magicall dartes of the quantitie and length of a fynger.* 20.105 These they throwe ageynste suche of whome they desyre to bee reuenged,* 20.106 to places neuer so farre distant. They are sumtimes so vexed with the canker on their armes or legges that in the space of three dayes they dye throwgh the vehemencie of the payne. The sonne fauleth very lowe in these regions: and prolongeth one continuall nyghte for the space of thre moonethes in wynter,* 20.107 durynge whiche tyme they haue none other lyght but lyke vnto the twylyght of euenynges and mornynges. This is very cleare, but con∣tinueth

but fewe honres, and is lyke the bryght shynynge of the moone. Therfore that day that the sonne returneth to the hemispherie, they keepe holy day and make great myrth with solemne festiuitie. And these are the maners of this nation, not so brutysshe or saluage as woorthy therfore to bee cauled Lapones for theyr vnaptnesse or simplicitie as when they ly∣ned vnder theyr owne Empire and vsed no familiaritie or en¦tercourse with other nations and knewe not the commoditie of theyr owne thynges,* 20.108 neyther the pryce and estimation of theyr furres in owre regions, by reason whereof they soulde great plentie of them for sum of owre wares of smaule v••lue.

The houndes or limittes of Laponia (beinge thextreme lande of Scondia knowen towarde the north pole) are exten¦ded towarde this parte of the North, to the worlde yet vn∣knowen to vs: And furthermore towarde the same parte of the vttermost sea, accordynge to this description.

The fyrst coaste,	70	72.
The coaste folowynge.	80	7.
That that yet foloweth,	90	70.

From the fysshynge places and store houses of this sea,* 20.109 they cary foorth to Nordbothnia and whyte Russia, landes confinynge to them, great plentie of fysshe. Wherby we may coniecture that this sea is extended on euery syde toward the North. Towarde the weste, it is limitted with the moste in∣warde goulfe of at the Castell of Wardhus at the de∣gree.* 20.110 54 70 30.

Towarde the Southe, it is lymitted by a line drawen from thense vnto the degree .90 69.

Norwegia or Norway.

NOrdway, is as muche to say as the Northwaye. This was sumtyme a florysshynge kyngedome, whose domi¦nion comprehended Denmarke, Friselande and the I∣landes farre abowt, vntyll the domestical E••pire wa•• gouer¦ned by the succession of inheritaunce. In the meane tyme while this gou••rnaunce ceased for lacke of dewe issue, it was instituted by consent of the nobilitie that the kynges shuld be admitted by election: supposinge that they wolde with more equitie execute that office forasmuche as they were placed in

the same by such autoritie, and not by obteynynge the kynge¦dome by fortune and newe aduauncement. But it came so to passe, that as euery of them excelled in richesse, ambition and fauour by consangiuitie, so were they in greater hope to ob∣teyne the kyngedome: And were by this meanes diuided into factions,* 20.111 attemtyng also occasions tinuade foraigne realmes wherby they might strengthen theyr parties. It is therefore at this present vnder the dominion of the Danes:* 20.112 who doo not only exact intollerable tributes, but also brynge all theyr ryches and commodities into Denmarke, constitutynge the continuance of theyr gouernaunce in thinfirmitie and pouer∣tie of the subiectes: which exemple, sum other princes doo fo¦lowe at this day in the Christian Empire. For after that the princes had forsaken suche vertues as shulde haue shyned in them, as to bee Patres patriae (that is) the fathers of theyr coun¦treys, and that in the place hereof, onely the proude counte∣naunce of dominion remayned, which opened licentiousnesse to thiniuxie of the subiectes, this folowed therof, that wher∣as the Danes by this occasion had no further trust or ayde in the loue of the people,* 20.113 they prouided for thindempnitie of theyr owne est••te by forcible extenuatinge the gooddes and poure of them whom they desired to kepe in subi••ction. This is the fortune of Norway, whose edefies, townes, and cities cannot defende theyr auncient amplitude and dignitie: ney∣ther is there any hope of repayrynge theyr state. For there are no consultations admitted for the redresse of the common welth: No man dare shewe his aduice or attempte any thing, vncerteyne of the myndes and consent of other. To this dif∣ficultie, is added the qualitie of the place. For the Danes haue in theyr poure all the nauigations of Norway, whereby it may exercise no trade by sea, neyther cary furthe wares to other places. So that in fine it may seeme most vnfortunate,* 20.114 as lackynge the fauoure of heauen, the sea, and the lande. From hen••e is brought into all Europe a fysske of the kindes of them whiche wee caule haddockes or hakes indurate and dryed with coulde, and beaten with clubbes or stockes, by rea¦son whereof the Germayns caule them stockefysshe.* 20.115 The ta∣k••nge of these, is most commended in Ianuarie that they may bee sufficiently dryed and hardened with coulde. For such as are taken in the more temperate monethes, doo corrupte and

putrifie: And are not meete to bee caried furth.

The description of the west coaste, with the parte thereof lyinge most towarde the north.

Wardhus (that is) the watche house, or watche towre .54 70 30. It is a stronge castell or fortresse appoynted to the Lapones. The coaste folowynge, 48 50 70. Matthkur. &c.

All the coast from hense, and the places neare abowt vnto the degree .45 69. beinge sumtyme lefte desolate by the seditions and destructi∣on of Norway, the Lapones chose for theyr habitations,* 20.116 as commynge to a more beneficiall heauen.

Frō the Castel of Wardhus, vnto the degree .40 30 64 10 all the coaste in the sprynge tyme is daungerous to passe, by reason of whales of such huge byggenesse that sum of theym growe to a hundreth cubites.* 20.117 For these fysshes at that tyme of the yeare resort togyther for generation. Such shyppes as chaunce to faule eyther vppon theyr bodies, or into suche whyrlepooles as they make by theyr vehemen•• motions, are in great perell. The remedie to auoyde this daungiour, is to poure into the sea Castoreum (that is) oyle made of the stones of the beaste cauled the Beuer,* 20.118 mengeled with water. For with this, the hole hearde of whales vanyssheth suddeynely to the bottome of the sea: They make a terrible rorynge:* 20.119 and haue two breathynge places in the hyghest parte of theyr for∣heades, standynge furth right a cubite in length, and are as brode at the endes, beinge couered with a skynne, throughe the which they blow waters lyke showers or stormes of raine. The prickes of theyr backes, are founde conteynynge three els in circuite,* 20.120 and euery knotte betwene theym, of one elle. They are at the least of .lx. cubites in length: And are salted and kept in store houses. The greatest are vnprofitable to bee eaten by reason of theyr ranke and vnsauery taste which can not bee qualified.

Nidrosia standing vpon the south syde of the sea banke,* 20.121 was the chiefe citie and metropolitane churche throwgh owt all Norway, Iselande, Gronlande, and the Ilandes there abowt. This citie was noble at the fyrst vnder the ••lorysshing Empire of Norway, conteinynge in circuite .xxiiii. parysshes,

but it is nowe browght in maner to a village and is cauled in the Germayne toonge Truthaim, as the house of the Dryi∣des. There remayneth at this daye a Cathedrall churche in token of the ancient felicitie,* 20.122 beinge suche that in byggenesse & workemanship of wrought stone, the lyke is not in all Chri∣stendome. The greeses or compasse abowt the altare, was de¦stroyde by fyre, and was repared at the same tyme that wee write this historie. The charge of the reparasion, was estee∣med to bee seuen thousande crownes: by which smaule porti∣on, an estimate maye bee made of the excellencie of the hole Churche.

The tracte of all the sea coastes Norwaye, is very quyete and meeke. The sea is not frosen. The snowes indure not longe. This lande hath also a peculiar pestilence which they caule Leem or Lemmer. This is a lyttle foure footed beaste a∣bowte the byggenesse of a ra••te with a spotted skynne.* 20.123 These faule vppon the grounde at certeyne tempestes and suddeyne showers, not yet knowen from whense they comme, as why∣ther they are browght by the wyndes from remote Ilandes, or otherwise engendered of thicke and feculent clowdes. But this is well knowen, that as soone as they faule downe, greene grasse and herbes are founde in theyr bowels not yet digested. They confume all greene thynges as doo locustes: And such as they only byte, wyther and dye. This pestilence lyueth as longe as it dooth not taste of the grasse newelye sproonge. They coome togyther by flockes as do swalowes: And at an ordinarie tyme, eyther dye by heapes with great in∣fection of the lande (as by whose corruption the ayer is made pestiferous and molesteth the Noruegians with swymmynge in the headde and the iaundies) or are consumed of other beastes named Lefrat. Towarde the East, it is included with in the l••ne that is drawen by the mountaynes whose endes or vttermost boundes they are that lye towarde the south aboue the mouthes of the ryuer Trolhetta. But that par••e that ly∣eth towarde the north, passeth by the castel of Wardhus,* 20.124 and is extended to the vnknowen lande of the Lapones.* 20.125

The lake cauled Mos, and the Ilande of Hossuen in the myddest therof, is in the degree .45 30 61.

In this lake appeareth a straunge monster: which is, a ••erpent of houge byggenesse.* 20.126 And as to all other places of

the worlde, blasynge starres doo portende thalteration and chaunge of thynges, so dooth this to Norway. It was see••e of late (in the yeare of Christ: M. D. xxii. apperynge farre ••∣boue the water rowlynge lyke a greate pyller: And was by coniecture farre of, esteemed to bee of fiftie cubites in length. Shortely after folowed the reiectynge of Christiernus kynge of Denmarke.* 20.127 Suche other monstrous thynges are sayde to bee seene in dyuers places of the worlde. And doubtlesse ex∣cepte wee shulde thinke that the diuine prouidence hauynge mercie vpon mortall men, and hereby warnynge them of their offences, dooth sende suche straunge thynges (as also blasing starres and armies feyghtynge in the ayer, with suche other portentous monsters wherof no causes can bee founde by na∣turall thynges) we might els suspecte that such syghtes were but imaginations of the sence of man deceaued.

On the East side, are exceading rowgh montaynes which admit no passage to Suecia. The sea betwene Norway & the Ilandes, is cauled Tialleslund, Euripus, or the streightes. The Ilande of Lofoth. whose myddest .42 67 10. Langanas, whose myddest, 41 67 Uastral,* 20.128 whose myddest .41 30 67 30.

The sea betwene these three Ilandes, is cauled Musco∣strom (that is) boylynge. At the flowynge of the sea, it is swa¦lowed into the caues, and is blowne owt ageyne at the reflo∣wynge, with no lesse violence then the streames of ryuers faule from mountaynes. This sea is nauigable vntyll it bee lower then the mouthes of the rockes. Such as chaunce into it owt of dewe tyme, are caried headlonge into whyrlepooles The fragmentes of the lost ships, are seldome call vp ageyne. But when they are caste vp, they are so brused and freted a∣geynste the rockes,* 20.129 that they seeme to bee ouergrowne with hore. This is the poure of nature, passyng the fabulous Sim∣plegades and the fearefull Malea, with the daungerous pla∣ces of Silla and Caribdis, and all other miracles that nature hath wrought in any other sea hytherto knowen to man.

The Ilandes abowt Norway, are of such frutfull pasture,* 20.130 that they brynge not theyr beastes into the stables before the moneth of Nouēber: And do many places winter thē abrode.

Suecia, or Suethlande.

¶ Suecia, is a kyngedome ryche in golde, syluer,* 20.131 copper,

leade, Iren, fruyte, cattayle, and exceadynge increase of fysshe of the ryuers, lakes, and the sea. And hath no lesse plentie of such wylde beastes as are taken with huntinge.

Towarde the West, it is ended with the mountaynes of Nor∣way from the Castel of Wardhus vnto thend.* 20.132 51 63 40 Towarde the South, with the line from this ende vnto the degrees .53. 30. 61. And frome thense vnto the de∣grees .61. 60. 30. Aboue the goulfe of Suecia,* 20.133 toward the north, with the south ende of Lapponia from the castel of Wardhus vnto thende .62. 70. Towarde the Easte, it is ended with the line frome this ende vnto the degree .63. 69. &c. Stokholme the chiefe citie.* 20.134 64. 61. This is the chiefe mart towne of Suecia, and is strongely defended by arte and nature. It is situate in marisshes after the maner of Uenece: and was therefore cau∣led Stokholme, forasmuche as beinge placed in the water, the fundation is fortified with stockes or piles. The sea ente¦reth into it with two armes or branches of such largenes and depth that ships of great burden and with mayne sayles may enter by the same with theyr full fraight. This suffered of late yeares greuous spoyle & destruction to the singular exem∣ple of cruel hostilitie: And such, as the like hath not bin light¦ly shewed to any other citie receaued by league & composition.

In al the tract from Scokholme to the lake aboue the riuer of Dalekarle, which is in the degree.* 20.135 56. 30. 63. 50. are moū¦taines frutful of good siluer, copper, and leade. They gette great ryches by the salmons and plentie of other fysshes whi∣che they take in certeyne greate lakes.* 20.136

The dukedome of Agermannia, occupieth the north syde to the consines of Laponia. This tract is ful of wods in the w••i¦che they hunt the beastes cauled Uros or Bisontes, which in theyr toonge they caule Elg,* 20.137 (that is) wilde asses. These are of such height, that the highest part of their backes are equal with the measure of a man holdynge vp his armes as hyghe as he may reach. &c. Upsalia the chiefe citie.* 20.138 62. 62. 30. here is buried the body of saynt Hericus kynge and martyr.

Copperdalia (that is) the copper valley,* 20.139 is a dukedome southwarde from the dukedome of Iemptia. Under this, is the valient nation of the people cauled Dalekarly.

Oplandia, is a dukedome & the nauil or middest of Scondia.* 20.140

The citie of Pircho, on the north syde of the lake of Me∣ler, was once a great citie and able to arme .xiiii. thousande men to the warres: but is nowe browght to a vyllage.

All the tracte of Oplandia, hath mynes of syluer, cop∣per, and steele.

Of the Ilandes and rockes that lye abowte Suecia, the myddest is .67 30 61 30. These were cauled of the owlde wryters Done, the reason of which name remayneth to this day. For there are in these innumerable multitudes of byrdes:* 20.141 In so muche that thinha∣bitauntes of the nexte coaste, sayle thyther in the mooneth of May whyle the byrdes syt on theyr egges: which they steale and reserue them in salte for a longe tyme.* 20.142

Bothnia.

BOthnia is so named of the precious furres of all sortes that are caried from thense into foraigne regions.* 20.143 For by these and theyr fysshynge, they haue great commodi∣tie.* 20.144 Salmons of the best sort are taken in these seas and are great ryches amonge these nations. Bothnia is diuided into twoo partes, as Nordbothnia, and South Bothnia, cauled Ostrobothnia. Nordbothnia, is termined with the south ende of the Lapones vnto the ende .78 30 69. Towarde the East, it is termined with this end and vnto the degree .78 30 68 20. Towarde the West, with the line terminynge the East syde of Suecia: And towarde the Southe, with the residue of the goulfe of Suecia from thende that hath degrees .63 69.

Ostrobothnia, towarde the East is termined from the said ende of the most East coaste. And towarde the South, with a line extended by the mountaynes frome this ende vnto the degree .71 66

Towarde the north and weste, with part of the goulfe of Suecia. &c.

Gothia or Gothlande.

GOTHIA, is by interpretacion good. For the holye name of God, is in the Germayne toonge Goth (that is) Good. At what tyme the Gothes vppon a general

consent, sent furth theyr ofsrpyng or succession to seeke newe seates or countreys to inhabite,* 20.145 and when they possessed the coastes of Meotis and Asia, none of the owlde wryters haue made mention as farre as I knowe. But they haue byn kno∣wen sence the tyme that the Romanes dilated theyr Empyre by Illirium (nowe cauled Slauonie) vnto the ryuer of Da∣nubius. And were also famous from the tyme of Cesar Dic∣tator and Octauianus Augustus by reason of theyr greate warres at Danubius beinge thuttermost bounde of Thempire.* 20.146 Neuerthelesse, in that renoume, what Gothia was, vnder what parte of heauen it was situate, or of whom the Gothes toke theyr original, it hath byn vnknowē almost to this age. This is termined towarde the north, with the south ende of Suecia: And towarde the weste,* 20.147 with the other mountaynes of Norway, which continewe from the boundes of Suecia to the mouthes of the ryuers of Trolheta. &c.

It hath many goodly townes, cities, castels, mines. &c. The citie of Uisba,* 20.148 being in the degree .61 30 54 15. was an ancient and famous marte towne as is Genua in Ita¦lie at this day. But afterwarde beinge afflicted by thincursi¦ons of the pirates of the Danes and Moscouites,* 20.149 it was left desolate. There remayne to this day certeyne ruines whiche testifie the ancient nobilitie In this place were the fyrste sta∣cions of the Gothes that possessed Meotis. It is at this daye of frutfull soyle, and famous by many goodly and stronge ca∣stels and monasteries. There is amonge other, a monasterie of thorder of saynt Benedicte, in the which is a librarie of a¦bowt two thousande bookes of owlde autours.* 20.150

Abowt the yeare of Christ fourscore and .viii. the Gothes, vnto whom resorted a great multitude of other people of these northe par••es of the worlde, as from Liuonia, Prusia, Russia and Tartaria with diuers other contreys, makynge them dy∣uers Kynges and capitaynes, dyd depopulate and brynge in subiection the more parte of Europe, inuaded Italie, destroyd Rome,* 20.151 inhabited that parte of Italie now cauled Lumbardie▪ and lykewyse subdued the roialmes of Castile and Aragonie. Theyr warres contynewed aboue three hundreth yeares.

¶ Finland, and Eningia.

FInlandia, is as much to say as a fayre lande or fine land, so named for the fertilitie of the grownde, Plinie semeth

to caule it Finnonia. For he saith that abowte the coastes of Finlande, are many Ilandes withowt names. Of the which there lyeth one before Scithia cauled Pannonia. The goulfe cauled Sinus Finnonicus, is so named at this day of the lande of Finnonia.* 20.152 Finnonia confineth with Scithia, and runneth withowt all Tanais (that is to say) withowte the limetes of Europe to the confines or Asia. But that the name of Fin∣lande seemeth not to agree hereunto, the cause is that this place of Plinie is corrupted as are many other in this autour: So that from the name of Finnonia, or Phinnonia, it was a likely erroure to caule it Pannonia forasmuch as these woor∣des doo not greately differ in wrytynge and founde: so that the counterfecte name was soone put in the place of the trew name by hym that knewe Pannonia and redde that name be∣fore, beinge also ignorant of Phinnonia.

Eningia had in owlde tyme the tytle of a kingedome,* 20.153 it is of such largenesse. But hath nowe only the tytle of an infe∣riour gouernoure, beinge vnder the dominion of the Slauons and vsyng the same tonge. In religion, it obserued the rites of the Greekes of late yeares, when it was vnder the gouer∣naunce of the Moscouites. But it is at this present vnder the kynge of Suecia and obserueth thinstitucions of the Occiden¦tall church. Spanysshe wynes are browght thyther in great plentie which the people vse merely and cherefully.* 20.154 It is ter∣mined on the north syde, by the southe line of Ostrobothnia, and is extended by the mountaynes. Towarde the west, it is termined with the sea of Finnonia accordyng to this descrip∣tion: and hath degrees .71. 66. &c.

¶ Of the difference of regions and causes of greate cities, after the description of Hieronimus Cardanus. Liber .xi. de Subtilitate.

THere is an other difference of regions caused of coulde and heate. For suche as are neare vnto the poles, are vexed with to much coulde: And such as are vnder the line where the soonne is of greateste force, are oppressed with heate. Such as are in the myddest betwene both, are nearest vnto temperatnesse. Under the pole, it is impossible

that there shulde bee populous cities bycause the lande is ba∣ren, and the cariage or conueyaunce of frutes, vyttayles, and other necessaries, is incommodious. By reason wherof, it is necessarie that thinhabitauntes of suche regions lyue euer in continuall wanderynge from place to place, or els in smaule vyllages. Suche as inhabite temperate regions, haue meane cities, aswell for that they haue more commodious conuey∣aunce for necessaries, as also that they may dwell better and more safely togyther then in vyllages by, reason of fortifying theyr townes with walles, and exercisynge of artes and occu¦pations whereby the one maye the he••ter helpe the other. Yet that owlde Rome (beinge in a t••mperate region) was of such incredible byggenesse, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was that it obteyned Them∣pire of the worlde, by reason wherof, all nations had cons••u∣ence thyther, and not the greatnesse of the walles. But it is necessarie that the greatest cities bee in hotte regions: fyrste, for that in such regions, parte of the soile is eyther barren yf it lacke water, or els most frutefull if it abounde with water. And for this inequalitie, when they fynde any place meete to susteyne a multitude, it foloweth of necessitie that greate ci∣ties bee buylded in such places by reason of great concourse of people resortynge to the same. An other greate cause is, that wheras in such regions, marchauntes come very farre to such commodious places, they passe through many deserte and pe∣relous regions: So that it shalbe necessary for theyr better se∣curitie, to coome in great companies as it were grea•• armies. And therfore whereas such a societie is once knytte togyther in a commodious place, it shulde bee great hinderance aswell to thinhabitantes as to marchauntes if they shulde wander in incommodious places. And by this confluence, both of suche as dwell neare to suche places, and also of straungers and such as dwell farre of, it is necessarie that in continuance of tyme, smaule townes becoome greate c••ties, as are these: Quinsai, Singui, Cambalu, Memphis, Cairus, or Alcair, o∣therwise cauled Babilon in Egipte. But if here any wyll ob∣iecte Constan••inople (in owlde tyme cauled Bizantium) being in a temperate r••gion, althowgh it bee not to bee compared to such cities as are more then .lx. myles in ••ircuite, yet doo we aunswere hereunto, that the Turkes Empire is the cause of the greatnesse hereof, as wee sayde before of Rome.

¶The historie written in the latin toonge by Paulus Iouius bysshoppe of Nuceria in Italie, of the legation or am∣bassade of greate Basilius Prince of Moscouia, to pope Clement the .vii. of that name: In which is conteyned the description of Moscouia with the regions confininge abowte the same euen vnto the great & ryche Empire of Cathay.

I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fyrste briefely to desc••ribe the situati∣on of the region which we plainely see to haue bin little know•••• to Strabo and Ptolome, and then to procede in rehearsinge the maners, cu∣stomes and religion of the people. And this in maner in the lyke simple style and phrase of speache as the same was declared vnto vs by Demetrius the ambassadoure,* 22.1 a man not ignoraunt in the Latin toonge, as from his youth browght vp in Liuonia, where he learned the fyrst rudimentes of letters. And beinge growne to mans age, executed thoffice of an ambassadour into dyuers Christian pro¦uinces. For wheras by reason of his approued faithfulnesse and industrie, he had before byn sent as oratoure to the kyn∣ges of Suecia and Denmarke, and the great master of Prus∣sia, he was at the last sente to Themperoure Maximilian, in whose courte (beinge replenysshed with all sortes of menne) whyle he was conuersant, if any thyng of barbarous maners yet remayned in so docible and quiet a nature, the same was put away by framynge hym selfe to better ciuilitie. The cause of his legacie or ambassade, was gyuen by Paulus Centurio a Genuese,* 22.2 who when he had receaued letters commendatori of pope Leo the tenth, and came to Moscouia for the trade of marchaundies, of his owne mynde conferred with the fami∣liers of Duke Basilius as touchynge the conformation of the rites of both churches. He furthermore of great magnanimi∣tie and in maner owtragious desire, sowght howe by a newe and incredible viage, spices myght bee browght from India.* 22.3 For whyle before he had exercised the trade of merchaundies in Syria, Egypte, and Pontus, he knewe by fame that spices myght bee conueighed from the further India vp the riuer In¦dus ageynst the course of the same,* 22.4 and from thence by a smal

vyage by lande passinge ouer the mountaynes of Paropani∣sus, to bee caried to the riuer Oxus in Bactria,* 22.5 which hauing his original almost from the same mountaynes frome whense Indus dooth springe, and violently caryinge with it manye other ryuers, fauleth into the sea Hircanum or Caspium at the porte cauled Straua.* 22.6 And he ernestly affirmed that frome Straua, is an easy and safe nauigation vnto the marte towne of Citrachan or Astrachan and the mouth of the ryuer Uolga and from thense euer ageynst the co••rse of the ryuers,* 22.7 as Uol¦ga, Occha, and Moscho, vnto the citie Moscha, and frome thence by lande to Riga and into the sea of Sarmatia and all the west regions. For he was vehemently and more then of equitie accensed and prouoked by the iniuries of the Portuga¦les,* 22.8 who hauynge by force of armes subdued a great parte of India, and possessed all the marte townes, takynge holy into theyr handes all the trade of spices to brynge the same into Spayne, and neuerthelesse to sell them at a more greuous and intollerable price to the people of Europe then euer was hard of before: And furthermore kepte the coastes of the Indian sea so straightly with continuall nauies, that those trades are thereby lefte of, which were before exercised by the goulfe of Persia and towarde the ryuer of Euphrates,* 22.9 and also by the streightes of the sea of Arabia and the ryuer Nilus, and in fine by owre sea:* 22.10 by which trade all Asia and Europe was abundantly satisfied and better cheape then hathe byn sence the Portugales had the trade in theyr handes with so manye incommodities of such longe viages wherby the spices are so corrupted by thinfection of the poompe and other fylthynesse of the shippes, that theyr naturall sauour, taste,* 22.11 and qualitie aswell hereby as by theyr longe reseruyng in the shoppes, sel∣lers, and warehouses in Lussheburne, vanyssheth and resol∣ueth, so that reseruynge euer the fresshest and neweste, they sel only the woorst and most corrupted. But Paulus, although in all places he ernestly and vehemently argued of these thin∣ges, and styrred great malice and hatred ageynst the Portu∣gales, affirmynge that not only therby the customes and reue¦newes of princes shulde bee much greater if that vyage might bee discouered, but also that spices myght bee better cheepe bowght at the handes of the Moscouites, yet coulde he no∣thinge auayle in this sute, forasmuche as Duke Basilius

thowght it not good to make open or disclose vnto a straun∣ger and vnknowne man, those regions which giue enterance to the sea Caspium and the kyngedomes of Persia.* 22.12 Paulus therfore excludynge all hope of further trauayle, and become nowe of a marchaunte an Ambassadoure, browght Basilius letters (pope Leo beinge nowe departed) to Adriane his suc∣cessoure,* 22.13 in the whiche he declared with honorable and reue∣rened woordes his good wyll and fauorable mynde towarde the bysshop of Rome. For a fewe yeares before, Basilius (then keepynge warres ageynste the Polones at suche tyme as the generall counsayle was celebrate at Laterane) requyred by Iohn, kynge of Denmarke (the father of Christierne who was of late expulsed from his kyngedome) that safe passage myght bee graunted to thambassadours of Moscouia to go to Rome. But wheras it so chaunced, that kynge Iohn and pope Iulius dyed both in one day, wherby he lacked a conue¦nient sequester or solicitoure, he omittted his consulation as touchynge that legacie. After this, the warre waxed hot be∣twene him and Sigismunde the kynge of Polonie: who obtei¦nynge the victorie ageinst the Moscouites at Boristhene,* 22.14 sup¦plications were decreed in Rome for the ouerthrowe and van¦quyssynge the enemies of the Christian faithe, whiche thinge greatly alienated both kynge Basilius him selfe and all that nation from the bysshop of Rome. But when Adriane the .vi. departed from this lyfe, and lefte Paulus nowe redie to his seconde vyage, his successour Clemente the .vii. perceauynge that Paulus styll furiously reuolued and tossed in his vnquiet mynde that vyage towarde the Easte, sente hym ageyne with letters to Moscouia,* 22.15 by the which with propense and frend∣ly persuasions, he exhorted Basilius to acknowleage the ma∣iestie of the Romane churche,* 22.16 and to make a perpetuall leage and agreement in matters of religion, which thynge shuld be not only for the health of his soule, but also greatly to thin∣crease of his honour: And further promysed, that by the holy autoritie of his office he wolde make hym a kynge and gyue hym kyngely ornamentes, if reiectyng the doctrine of the Greekes, he wolde conforme hym selfe to thautoritie of th•• Romane churche. For Basilius desyred the name and tytle of a kynge by thassignation of the bysshoppe of Rome, foras∣m••ch

as the iudged that to apperteyne to the catholyke right and the bysshoppes maiestie, of whome (as he knewe ryght well) euen Themperours them selues by an auncient custome haue receaued there insignes of honoure with the Diademe and scepter of the Romane Empire:* 22.17 althowghe it is sayde that he required the same of Themperour Maximiliane by ma∣ny ambassades. Paulus therfore who with more prosperous iorneys then great vantage, had from his youth trauayled a greate parte of the world, althowgh he were nowe aged and sore vexed with the strangurie, came with a prosperous and spedy iornay to Moscouia, where he was gentely receaued of Basilius, and remayned in his courte for the space of twoo monethes. But in fine, mistrustynge his owne strength, and deterred by the difficultie of so great a iorneye, when he had vtterly put away all his imaginations and hope of this trade to India, returned to Rome with Demetrius ••hambassadour of Basilius, before we yet thowght that he had byn in Mos∣couia.* 22.18 The bysshoppe commaunded that Demetrius shuld bee lodged in the most magnificēt and princely part of the houses of Uaticane, the rouffes of whose edifies are gylted and em∣bowed, and the chambers richly furnysshed with sylken bed¦des and cloth of Arresse. Wyllynge furthermore that he shuld bee honorably receaued and ves••ured with silk••. He also as∣signed Franciscus Cheregatus the bysshoppe of Aprutium (a man that had often tymes byn ambassadoure to diuers regy∣ons) to accompanie hym and shewe hym thorder and rites of owre religion with the monumentes and maners of the citie. Furthermore, when Demetrius had certeyne dayes rested and recreate him selfe, wasshyng away the fylth he had gathered by reason of the longe vyage, then apparelled with a fayre vesture after the maner of his countrey, he was browght to the bysshoppes presence, whom he honoured kneelynge with great humilitie and reuerence (as is the maner) and therwith presented vnto his holynes certeyne furres of Sables in his owne name and in the name of his prince,* 22.19 and also delyuered the letters of Basilius, which they before, and then the Il∣lyrian or Slauon interpretoure Nicolaus Siccensis transla∣ted into the Latine toonge in this effecte as foloweth.

To pope Clemente sheparde and teacher of the Romane churche,* 22.20 greate Basilius by the grace of God, lorde, Empe∣rour and dominatour of al Ru••sia, and great duke Uolode∣maria, Moscouia, Nouogrodia, Plescouia, S••nolenia, Ifferia Iugoria, Periunia, Uetcha, Bolgaria. &c. Dominator & great prince of Nouogrodia in the lower cōtrei: Also of Cern••gouia, Razania, Uolotchia, Rezeuia, Belchia, Rostouia, Iaroslauia, Belozeria, Udoria, Obdoria, & Condinia. &c. Yow sent vnto vs Paulus Centurio a c••tizē of Genua with letters wherby yowe do exhorte vs to ioine in poure and counsayle withyowe and other Princes of Christēdome ageynst the enemies of the chri¦stian faith: and that a free passage and redy way may bee ope¦ned for bothe yowre ambassadours and owres to coome and go to and fro, whereby by mutuall dewtie and indeuoure on both parties, we may haue knowleage of the state of thinges perteynynge to the welth of vs both. Wee certes as we haue hetherto happely by the ayde and helpe of almyghty god con∣stantly and ernestly resisted the cruell and wycked enemies of the Christian faithe, so are we determined to doo hereafter. And are likewise redy to consente with other Christian Prin∣ces, and to graunt free passage into owte dominions. In con¦sideration wherof, we haue sente vnto yowe owre faithfull seruaunt Demetrius Erasmus with these owre letters: and with hym haue remitted Paulus Centurio: desyringe yowe also shortly to dismisse Demetrius with safegarde and indem¦nitie vnto the borthers of owre dominions. And we wyl like¦wyse doo the same if yowe sende yowre ambassadoure with Demetrius, wherby both by communication and letters, wee may bee better cert••fied of thorder and administration of such thynges as yowe require: so that beinge aduertised of the mindes & intent of al other Christian princes, we may also con¦sult what is best to be done herein. Thus fare ye wel. Giuen in owr dominion in owr citie of Moscouia, in the yeare from the creation of the worlde, seuen thousande and three hun∣dreth, the thyrde day of Aprell.

But Demetrius, as he is experte in diuine and humane thynges, and esp••cially of holy scripture, seemed to haue se∣create commaundement of greater matters whiche we thinke he wyll shortly declare to the se••ate in priuate consultations. For he is nowe deliuered of the feuer into the whiche he fell

by chaunge of ayer, and hath so recouered his strengthe and natiue colour, that beinge a man of threescore yeares of age, he was not only presente at the popes masse celebrated with great solemnitie in the honour of saynt Cosmus and Damian but came also into the Senate at such tyme as Cardinal Cam¦pegius commynge ••yrst from the legacie of Pannonia,* 22.21 was re¦ceaued of the pope and all the nobilitie of the courte: And fur¦thermore also vewed the temples of the holye citie with the ruines of the Romane magnificence,* 22.22 and with woonderynge eyes behelde the lamentable decay of the auncient buildinges So that we thinke that shortly after he hath declared his mes¦sage, he shall returne to Moscouia with the bysshop of Sca∣rense the popes legate, not vnrecompensed with iust rewards at the handes of his holynesse.

The name of the Moscouites is nowe newe,* 22.23 althowgh the poete Lucane maketh mention of the Moschos confinynge with the Sarmatians, and Plinie also placeth the Moschos at the sprynges of the great ryuer of Phasis in the region of Colcho•• aboue the sea Euxinus towarde the East. Theyr re∣gion hath very large boundes, and is extended from the al∣tars of great Alexander abowt the springes of Tanais,* 22.24 to the extreme landes and north Ocean in maner vnder the Northe starres cauled charles wayne or the greate beare, beinge for the most parte playne and of frutfull pasture, but in sommer in many places full of marisshes. For whereas all that lande is replenysshed with many and great ryuers which are great∣ly increased by the winter snow and ise resolued by the heate of the soonne, the playnes and fyeldes are therby ouerflowen with marisshes,* 22.25 and all iorneys incumbered with continuall waters and myrie slabbynesse vntyl by the benefite of the new wynter the ryuers and marisshes bee frosen ageyne, and giue safe passage to the sleades that are accustomed to iorney by the same. The woodde or forest of Hercynia (and not Hyrca∣nia as is redde in sum false copies) occupieth a great parte of Moscouia,* 22.26 and is here and there inhabited, with houses buylded therein and so made thinner by the longe laboure of men that it dooth not nowe shewe that horrour of thicke and impenetrable woods and laundes as many thinke it ••o haue. But beinge replenysshed with many wylde beastes,* 22.27 is so farre extended through Moscouia with a continuall tracte betwene.

the East and the North towarde the Scythian Ocean,* 22.28 that by the infinite greatnesse therof it hath deluded the hope of such as haue curiously searched thende of the same. In that parte that reacheth towarde Prussia, are founde the greate and fierce beastes cauled Uri, or Bisontes,* 22.29 of the kynde of bulles: Also Alces lyke vnto hartes, whiche the Moscouites caule Lozzi, and are cauled of the Germaynes Helenes.* 22.30

On the East syde of Moscouia, are the Scythyans which are at this day cauled Tartars,* 22.31 a wanderinge nation, and at all ages famous in warres. In the stede of houses they vse wa∣gons couered with beastes hydes, wherby they were in owlde tyme cauled Amaxouii.* 22.32 For cities and townes, they vse greate tentes and pauilions, not defended with trenches or waules of tymber or stone, but inclosed with an innume∣rable multitude of archers on horsebacke. The Tartares are diuided by companies which they caule Hordas,* 22.33 which word in theyr toonge signifieth a consentynge companye of people gathered togyther in forme of a citie. Euery Horda is gouer¦ned by an Emperour whom eyther his parentage or warlyke prowes hath promoted to that dignitie. For they oftentimes keepe warre with theyr bortherers and contende ambiciously and fiercely for dominion.* 22.34 It dooth hereby appeare that they consiste of innumerable Hordas, in that the Tartars possesse the most large desertes euen vnto the famous citie of Cathay in the furthest Ocean in the East They also that are neareste to the Moscouites,* 22.35 are knowen by theyr trade of marchaun∣dies and often incursions.* 22.36 In Europe nere vnto the place cauled Dromon Achillis in Taurica Chersoneso, are the Tar¦tars cauled Precopites, the dowghter of whose prince, Sely¦mus Themperour of the Turkes tooke to wyfe. These are most infest to the Polones, and wast the regions on euery syde betwene the ryuers of Boristhenes and Tanais. They that in the same Taurica possesse Caffam a colonie of the Liguriās (cauled in owlde tyme Theodosia) doo bothe in religion & al other thynges agree with the Turkes. But the Tartars that inhabite the regions of Asia betwene Tanais and Uolga, are subiecte to Basilius the kynge of the Moscouites,* 22.37 and thuse them a ••ouernour at his assignement. Amonge these, the Cre¦mii afflicted with ciuile seditions, where as heretofore they were riche and of great poure, haue of late yeares loste theyr

dominion and dignitie. The Tartars that are beyonde the ryuer of volga,* 22.38 do religiously obserue the frēdship of the Mos¦couites and professe them selues to be their subiectes. Beyond the Cassanites towarde the Northe, are the Sciambani, rich in heardes of catta••lle and consistynge of a great multitude of men. After these, ar•• Nogai,* 22.39 whiche obteyne at this daye the chiefe fame of ryches and warly affayres. Theyr Horda, althowgh it bee most ample, yet hath it no emperoure, but is gouerned by the wysdome and vertue of the most ancient and valient men after the maner of the common wealthe of Ue∣nece. Beyonde the Nogais sumwhat towarde the south and the Caspian sea, the nobelest nation of the Tartars cauled Za¦gathai,* 22.40 inhabite townes buylded of stone, and haue an excea∣dynge greate and fayre citie cauled Samarcanda, which Iax¦artes the greate ryuer of Sogdiana runneth through,* 22.41 and passinge from thense about a hundreth myles, fauleth into the Caspian sea. With these people in owre dayes, Ismael the Sophi and kynge of Persia hathe often tymes kepte war with doubtfull successe:* 22.42 In so muche that fearynge the greate¦nesse of theyr poure which heresysted with all that he myght, he lefte Armenia and Taurisium the chiefe citie of the kynge∣dome, for a pray to Selinius the vyctourer of one wynge of the battayle. From the citie of Samarcanda,* 22.43 descended Tam¦burlanes the myghty Emperoure of the Tartars whome sum caule Tanberlanis.* 22.44 But Demetrius sayth that he shulde bee cauled Themircuthlu. Thys is he that abowte the yeare of Chryste .M.CCC.lxxxxviii. subdued almost all the Easte partes of the worlde: And lastly with an innumerable multy∣tude of men inuaded the Turkes dominions, with whom Ba∣iasetes Ottomanus their kynge, (and father to the greate grandefather of this Solyman that nowe lyueth) metinge at Ancyra in the confines or marches of Galatia and Bythinia, gaue hym a sore battaile, in the whiche selfe on the Turaes parte .20000. men, and Baiasetes hym selfe was taken priso¦ner,* 22.45 whom Tamburlanes caused to bee locked in an iren••cage and so caried hym abowte with hym throwgh all Asia which he also conquered with a terrible army. He conquered al the landes betwene Tanais and Nilus, and in fine vanquisshed in battayle the great Soltane of Egypte, whom he chased be¦yonde Nilus, and tooke also the citie of Damascus.

Frome the region of these Tartars cauled Zagathei, is browght great plentie of silken apparel to the Moscouites.* 22.46 But th•• Tartars that inhabite the midland or inner regions, b••inge none other wares then truckes or droues of swyft•• runnynge horses and clokes made of whyte feltes: also hales or tentes to withstonde thiniuries of coulde and rayne. These they make very artificially and apte for the purpose. They receaue agayne of the Moscouites, coa••es of cloth, and syluer monye,* 22.47 conteynynge all other bodely ornamentes, and the furnyture of superfluous housolde stuffe. For beynge de¦fended ageynst the violence of wether and tēpestes only with suche apparell and couerture whereof wee haue spoken, they trust only to theyr arrowes which they shoote aswell back∣warde flyinge as when they assayle theyr enemies face to face: Albeit, when they determined to inuad Europ, theyr princes and capitaynes had helmetts coates of fense, and hooked swoordes which they bought of the Persians. Towarde the southe,* 22.48 the houndes of Moscouia are termined by the same Tartars which possesse the playn regyons nere vnto the Cas∣pian sea: aboue the marysshes of Meotis in Asia, and about•• the ••yuers of Borysthenes and Tanais in parte of Europe. The people cauled Roxolani, Gete and Bastarne,* 22.49 inhabited these regions in oulde tyme, of whom I thynke the name of Russia tooke originall.* 22.50 For they caule parte of Lituania, Rus¦sia the lower, wheras Moscouia it selfe, is cauled whyte Rus¦sia. Lituania therfore, lyeth on the Northwest syde of Mos¦couia:* 22.51 But towarde the full west the mayne landes of Prussia and Liuonia are ioyned to the confines or marches of Mosco¦uia, where the Sarmatian sea breakynge furth of the streigh¦tes of Cimbrica Chersonesus (nowe cauled Denmarke) is bē∣ded with a crooked goulfe towarde the northe. But in the furthest bankes of that Ocean where the large kyngedomes of Norwaye and Suecia are ioyned to the continent and al∣moste enuironed with the sea, are the people cauled Lapones, A nation exceadynge rude, suspicyous, and fearefull, fly∣inge and astonysshed at the syght of al straungiers & shyppes. They knowe neyther frutes nor apples, nor yet any benigni∣tie eyther of heauen or earth. They prouyde them meate onely with shootynge, and are ••p••areled with the skynnes of wild beastes. They dwell in caues fylled with drye leaues, and in

holow trees consumed within eyther by fyre or rotten for age Suche as dwell neare the sea syde, fysshe more luckyly then cunnyngly, and in the stead of frutes, reserue in store fysshes dryed with smoke, They are of smaule stature of body, with starre visagies, pale and wannye coloure, and very swyfte of foote. Their wittes or dispositions, are not knowen to the Moscouites theyr bortherers, who thynke it therfore a mad∣nesse to assayle them with a smaule poure,* 22.52 and iudge it ney∣ther profitable nor glorious, with greate armies to inuade a poore and beggerly nation. They exch••unge the most whyte furres which wee caule Armelines for other wares of dyuers sortes:* 22.53 Yet so, that they flie the syght and coompanie of all marchauntes. For comparynge and layinge theyr wares to∣gether, and leauynge theyr furres in a mydde place, they bar∣geyne with simple fayth, with absente and vnknowen men.* 22.54 Sum men of great credite and autoritie, doo testifie that in a region beyond the Lappones, betwene the west and the north oppressed with perpetuall darkenes, is the nation of the peo∣ple cauled Pig••ei, who beinge growen to theyr ful grought, doo scarsely excede the stature of owre chyldren of ten yeares of age. It is a fearefull kynde of menne, and expresse theyr wordes in such chatteryng sort that they seeme to be so much the more lyke vnto apes, in howe muche they dyffer in sence and sta••ure from men of iust heyght.

Towarde the North, innumerable people are subiecte to thempire of the Moscouites. Theyr regions extende to the Scythian Ocean for the space of almoste three moonethes iorney.* 22.55

N••x•• vnto Moscouia, is the region of Colmogora aboun¦dyng with frutes.* 22.56 Through this runneth the ryuer of Diuid¦na beinge one of the greateste that is knowen in the Northe partes, and gaue the name to an other le••••e ryuer w••ich brea∣keth furthe in••o the sea Baltheum.* 22.57 This increasynge a•• c••r∣teyne tymes of the yeare as dooth the ryuer Nilus, ou••r low∣eth the f••eldes and playnes, and with his fat and nurishinge moysture, dooth maruelously re••ist the iniuries of heauen and the sharpe b••astes of the North wynde. When it ryseth by rea∣son of molten snowe and greate shoures of rayne, it faul••th into the Ocean by vnknowen nations, and with so large a trenche lyke vnto a greate sea, that it can not bee sayled ouer

in one day with a prosperous wynde. But when the waters are faulen, they leaue here and there large and frutful Ilan¦d••s. For corne there cast on the grounde, groweth without any helpe of the plowe, and with maruelous celeritie of ha∣stynge nature fearynge the newe iniurie of the proude ryuer, dooth both sprynge and rype in short space.

Into the ryuer Diuidna, runneth the ryuer Iuga:* 22.58 And in the corner where they ioyne togyther, is the famous marte towne cauled Ustiuga distant from the chiefe citie Mosca .vi. hundreth myles.* 22.59

Note that wheras Paulus Iouius wryteth here that the ryuer of Diuidna, otherwyse cauled Dwina,* 22.60 runneth throughe the region of Colmogor, it is to bee vnderstode that there are twoo ryuers of that name, the one on the Northeast syde of Moscouia towarde the frosen sea, and the other on the southwest syde faulyng into the sea Beltheum, or the goulfe of Finnonia by the citie of Riga in Liuonia. And forasmuch as the trewe knowleage of these and certeine other i•• very necessary for all such as shall trade into Moscouia or other re¦gions in those coastes by the northe sea, I haue thought good to make further declaration hereof as I haue founde in the hystorie of Moscauia, most faythfully and largely wrytten by Sigismundus Li∣berus who was twyse sent ambassadour into Moscouia, as fyrst by Maximilian Themperour, and then ageyne by Ferdinando kyng of Hungary and Boheme. This haue I doone the rather, for that in all the mappes that I haue seene of Moscouia, there is no mention made of the ryuer of Dwina that runneth through the region of Col¦mogor and by the citie of the same name, although the prouynce of Dwina bee in all cardes placed Northewarde frome the ryuer of Ustiug or Succana,* 22.61 whiche is the same Dwina whereof we nowe speake, and wherof Paulus Iouius wryteth, although it bee not so named but from the angle or corner where ioynynge with the ryuer of Iug and Suchana, it runneth Northewarde towarde the citie of Colmogor, and from thence fauleth into the north or frosen sea,* 22.62 as shall hereafter more playn••y appeare by the woordes of Sigismun∣dus, that the one of these bee not taken for the other being so farre distant that great errour myght ensue by mistakynge the same, espe¦cially bicause this wherof Paulus Iouius wryteth is not by name ex¦pressed in the cardes, but only the other, wherby is the errour myght bee the greater. Of that therfore that runneth by the conf••nes of Liuonia and the citie of Riga, Sigismundus wryteth in this maner.

The lake of Dwina, is distante from the sprynges of Bousthe∣nes, almost tenne myles, and as many from the marysshe of Frono¦wo. From it, a ryuer of the ••ame name towarde the west, distante from Uuilua .xx. myles, runneth from thence towarde the Northe, where by Riga the chiefe citie of Liuonia, it faulethe into the Ger∣mayne sea which the Mo••couites caule Uuareczk••••e moue. It run∣neth by Uuitepsko, Polotzko, and Dunenburg, and not by Plescouia as one hath wrytten. This ryuer beinge for the moste part nauiga∣ble, the Lyuons caule Duna.

Of the other Dwina wherof Paulus Iouius speaketh, he wry∣teth as foloweth.

The prouince of Dwina and the ryuer of the same name, is so named from the place where the ryuers of Suchana and Iug mea∣tynge togyther, make one ryuer so cauled.* 22.63 For Dwina in the Mosco¦uites tounge, signifieth two. This ryuer by the course of a hundred myles, entereth into the North Ocean on that part where the sayde sea runneth by the coastes of Swecia and Norwaye, and diuidethe Engronlande from the vnknowen lande. This prouince situate in the ful north, perteined in tyme cast to the segniorie of Nouegorede.* 22.64 From Moscouia to the mouthes of Dwina, are numbered .CCC. my¦les: Albeit as I haue sayde, in the regions that are beyond Uolga, the accompte of the iorney can not bee well obserued by reason of many marysshes, ryuers, and very greate wooddes that lye in the way. Yet are we led by coniecture to thinke it to bee scarsely twoo hundreth myles:* 22.65 forasmuch as from Moscouia to Uuolochda, from Uuolochda to Ustyug sumwhat into the Easte: and laste of all frome Ustyug by the ryuer Dwina, is the ryght passage to the northe sea. This region, besyde the castel of Colmogor and the citie of Dwina, situate almost in the mydde way betwene the spryngs and mouthes of the ryuer, and the castell of Pienega standynge in the very mou∣thes of Dwina, is vtterly withowt townes and castels: yet hath it many vyllages whiche are farre in sunder by reason of the baren∣nesse of the soyle. &c.

In an other place he wryteth, that Suchana and Iug, after they are ioyned togyther in one, loose theyr fyrste names and make the ryuer Dwina. &c. But lette vs nowe returne to the hystone of Paulus Iouius.

Unto Ustiuga, from the Permians, Pecerrians, Inugri∣ans,* 22.66 Ugolicans, and Pinnegians, people inhabytynge the north and northeast prouinces, are brought the precious fur∣res of Marterns and Sables: Also the cases of woulfes and foxes both whyte and blacke: And lykewise the skynnes of the beastes cauled Ceruarii Lupi (that is) harte woolfes,* 22.67 be∣inge engendered eyther of a woolfe and a hynde, or a harte and a bytch woolfe. These furres and skyns. they exchange for dyuers other wares. The best kynde of sables and of the finest heare wherwith nowe the vestures of princes are lyned,* 22.68 and the tender neckes of delicate dames are couered with the expresse similitude of the lyuynge beaste, are brought by the Permians and Pecerrians, whiche they them selues also re∣ceaue at the handes of other that inhab••te the regions neare vnto the north Ocean. The Permians and Pecerrians, a lyt¦tle before owre tyme, dyd sacrifice to Idols after the maner of the Gentyles:* 22.69 but doo nowe acknowleage Chryste theyr God. The passage to the Inugrians, and Ugolicans, is by

certeyne rowgh 〈…〉〈…〉, which perhappes are they that in owlde tyme we••e c••uled Hyperborei. In the toppes of these, are founde the be••••e kyndes of Falcons: whereof one kynde (cauled Herodiu••) is whyte with spotted fethers.* 22.70

There are also ierfalcons, sakers, and peregrines, whiche were vnknowen to the ancient princes in theyr excessiue and nise plea••ures.

Beyo••de those people whom I last named (beinge all tri∣butar••es to the kinges of Moscouia) are other nations the last of men, not knowen by any viages of the Moscouites, foras∣muche as none of theym h••ue passed to the Ocean,* 22.71 and are therefore knowen onely by the fabulous narrations of mar∣chauntes. Yet is it ap••arente that the ryuer of Diuidna or Dwina, drawynge with it innumerable other ryuers, run∣neth with a vehement course towarde the northe: and that the sea is there exceadyng large: so that saylyng by the coast of the ryght hande, shippes may haue passage from thense to Cathay as is thought by most lykely coniecture,* 22.72 excepte there lye sum lande in the waye. For the region of Cathay per••ey∣neth to thextreme and furtheste partes of the Easte, situate al¦most in the paralell of Thracia,* 22.73 and knowen to the Portuga∣les in India when they sayled neare thereunto by the regions of Sinara and Malacha to Aurea Chersonesus, and brought from thense certeyne vestures made of Sables skynnes, by which only argument it is apparente that the citie of Cathay is not farre from the coastes of Scythia.

* 22.74But when Demetrius was demaunded whether eyther by the monumentes of letters or by fame lefte theym of theyr predicessours, they hadde any knowleage of the gothes who nowe more then a thousand yeares sence subuerted Thempire of the Romane Emperours, and defaced the citie of Rome, he answered,* 22.75 that both the nation of the Gothes of the name of kynge Totilas theyr chiefe capitayne, was of famous memo∣rie amonge them: And that dyuers nations of the north regi¦ons conspired to that expedition, and especiallye the Mosco∣uites: Also that that armie increased of the confluence of the Barbarous Liuons and wanderynge Tartars: But that they were all cauled Gothes forasmuch as the Gothes that inha∣bited Scondania and Iselande, were the auctoures of that inuasion.* 22.76

And with these boundes are the Moscouites inclosed on euery side, whom we thinke to be those people that Ptolome cauled Modocas: but haue doubtelesse at this day their name of the riuer Mosco whiche runneth through the chiefe citie Mosca named also after the same.* 22.77 This is the most famous citie in Moscouia, aswell for the situation thereof beinge in maner in the myddest of the region, as also for the commodi∣ous oportunitie of ryuers, multitude of houses, and stronge fense of so fayre and goodly a castell. For the citie is exten∣ded with a longe tracte of buyldynges by the bankes of the ryuer for the space of fyue myles. The houses are made all of tymber, and are diuided into parlers, chambers, & kichins of large roomes: yet neyther of vnseemely height or to lowe, but of decent measure and proportion.* 22.78 For they haue greate trees apte for the purpose browght from the foreste of Herci∣nia? of the which, made perfectly rounde like the mastes of shippes, and so layde one vppon an other that they ioyne at the endes in right angles, where beinge made very faste and sure, they frame theyr houses thereof of maruelous strength with smaule charges and in verye short tyme. In maner all the houses haue priuate gardens aswell for pleasure as com∣moditie of herbes, wherby the circuite of the dispersed citie appeareth very greate. All the wardes or quarters of the ci∣tie, haue theire peculiar chappells. But in the chiefest and highest place therof, is the Church of owre ladi of ample and goodly workemanshyppe, whiche Aristoteles of Bononie, a man of singular knowleadge and experience in architecture, buylded more then .lx. yeares sence. At the very head of the citie,* 22.79 a little ryuer cauled Neglina which dryueth many corne mylles, enteryth into the ryuer Moscus, and maketh almost an Iland, in whose end is the castell with many strong towrs and bullwarkes, buylded very fayre by the diuise of Italien architecturs that are the masters of the kinges workes. In the fieldes abowt the citie, is an incredible multitud o•• hares and roe buckes,* 22.80 the which it is lawefull for no man to chase or persue with dogges or nettes excepte only certeyne of the kinges familiars and straunge ambassadours to whom he gi∣ueth licence by speciall commaundement. Almost three par∣tes of the citie is inuironed with two ryuers, and the resytus with a large mote that receaueth plentie of water frome the

sayde ryuers. The citie is also defended on the other syde with an other ryuer named Iausa, whiche fauleth also into Moscus a little beneath the citie. Furthermore Moscus run∣nyng towarde the South, fauleth into the ryuer Ocha or Oc∣ca muche greater then it selfe at the towne Columna,* 22.81 and not very farre from thense Ocha it selfe increased with other ri∣uers, vnladeth his streames in the famous riuer Uolga,* 22.82 wher at the place where they ioyne, is situate the citie of Nouogro¦dia the lesse,* 22.83 so named in respecte of the greater citie of that name from whense was browght the firste colonie of the lesse citie. Uolga cauled in owlde tyme Rha,* 22.84 hath his originall of the greate marysshes named the white lakes.* 22.85 These are a∣boue Moscouia betwene the Northe and the West, and sende furthe from them almost all the ryuers that are dispersed in∣to dyuers regions on euery syde, as wee see of the Alpes from whose toppes and sprynges descend the waters of whose con¦course the ryuers of Rhene, Po, and Rodanum, haue theyr increase. For these marysshes in the steade of mountaynes ful of sprynges, minister abundant moysture, forasmuch as no mountaynes are yet founde in that region by the longe tra∣uayles of men, in so much that manye that haue byn studious of the owlde Cosmographie, suppose the Ryphean and Hy∣perborean mountaynes so often mentioned of the ancient wri¦ters,* 22.86 to bee fabulous. From these marysshes therfore, the ry¦uers of Dwina, Ocha, Moschus, Uolga, Tanais, and Bo∣rysthenes, haue theyr originall. The Tartars caule Uolga Edel: Tanais they caule Don: And Borysthenes is at this day cauled Neper.* 22.87 This, a lyttle beneathe Taurica, runneth into the sea Euxinus.* 22.88 Tanais is receaued of the marysshes of Meotis at the noble marte towne Azoū. But Uolga lea∣uynge the citie of Moscha towarde the south, and runnynge with a large circuite and greate wyndynges and creekes first towarde the Easte, then to the West, and lastly to the south, fauleth with a full streame into the Caspian or Hyrcan sea.* 22.89 Aboue the mouth of this, is a citie of the Tartars cauled Cy∣trachan, which sum caule Astrachan,* 22.90 where martes are kepte by the marchauntes of Media,* 22.91 Armenia,* 22.92 and Persia.* 22.93 On the further banke of Uolga, there is a towne of the Tartars cau¦led Casan,* 22.94 of the which the Horda of the Casanite Tartars tooke theyr name. It is distante from the mouth of Uolga

& the Caspian sea fyue hundreth myles. Aboue Casan .Cl. myles at the enteraunce of the ryuer Sura,* 22.95 Basilius that now reig¦neth, buylded a towne cauled Surcium,* 22.96 to thintente that in those desertes, the marchauntes and trauailers which certifie the gouernours of the marches of the doinges of the Tartars and the maners of that vnquiet nation, may haue a safe man¦sion amonge theyr customers.

Themperours of Moscouia at dyuers tymes, eyther mo∣ued therto by occasion of thynges presente, or for the desyre they had to nobilitate newe and obscure places, haue kepte the seate of theyr courte and Empire in dyuers cities. For Nouogrodia whiche lyeth towarde the Weste and the Lyuon sea,* 22.97 not many yeares past, was the headde citie of Moscouia, & obteyned euer the chiefe dignitie by reason of the incredible number of houses and edifies, with the oportunitie of the large lake replenysshed with fysshe, and also for the fame of the moste auncient and venerable temple whiche more then foure hundreth yeres sence was dedicated to Sancta Sophia Chryste the soonne of God,* 22.98 accordynge to the custome of the Emprours of Bizantium nowe cauled Constantinople. Nouo¦grodia is oppressed in maner with continuall wynter and darkenesse of longe nyghtes.* 22.99 For it hath the pole Artike ele∣uate aboue the Horizon threescore and foure degrees: and is further from the Equinoctiall then Moscouia by almoste .vi. degrees. By whiche dyfference of heauen, it is sayde that at the soommer steye of the soonne, it is burnte with continuall heate by reason of the shorte nyghtes.* 22.100

The citie also of Uolodemaria,* 22.101 beinge more then twoo hundreth myles distant from Mosca towarde the Easte, had the name of the chiefe citie and kynges towne, whyther the seate of Thempire was translated by the valiant Emperours for necessarie considerations, that such ayde, furniture, and requisites as appperteyne to the warres myght bee neare at hande at suche tyme as they kepte continuall warre ageynste the Tartars theyr bortherers. For it is situate withowt Uol∣ga, on the bankes of the ryuer Clesma, whiche fauleth into Uolga. But Moscha,* 22.102 aswell for those gyftes and commodi∣ties whereof we haue spoken, as also that it is situate in the myddest of the most frequented place of all the region and Em¦pire, and defended with the ryuer and Castel, hath in compa∣ryson

to other cities byn thowght moste woorthy to bee estee∣med for the chiefe. Mo••cha is distant from Nouogrodia fiue hundreth myles: and almost in the mydde way is the citie of Ottoferia (otherwyse cauled Otwer or Tuwer) vppon the ry¦uer of Uolga.* 22.103* 22.104 This ryuer neare vnto the fountaynes and springes of the same, not yet increased by receauyng so many other ryuers, runneth but slowely and gentelly: And passeth from thense to Nouogrodia through many wooddes and de∣solate playnes. Furthermore frome Nouogrodia to Riga the nexte porte of the Sarmatian ••ea,* 22.105 is the iornay of a thousand myles lyttle more or lesse. This tracte is thought to bee more commodious then the other, bycause it hath manye townes and the citie of Plescouia in the waye,* 22.106 beinge imbrased with two ryuers. From Riga (perteynynge to the dominion of the greate master of the warres of the Liuons) to the citie of Lu∣becke a porte of Germanie in the goulfe of Cymbrica Cherso∣nesus (nowe cauled Denmarke) are numbered aboute a thou∣sande myles of daungerous saylynge.* 22.107

From Rome to the citie of Moscha,* 22.108 the distance is know∣en to bee two thousande and syxe hundreth miles by the nea∣rest way passynge by Rauenna, Taruisium, the Alpes of Car∣nica: Also Uillacum, Noricum, and Uienna of Pannonie: and from thense (passynge ouer the ryuer of Danubius) to Ol¦mutium of the Marouians and to Craconia the chiefe citie of Polonie, are coumpted .xi. hundreth myles. From Cracouia to Uilna the headde citie of Lithuania, are coumpted fiue hun¦dreth myles: and as many from that citie to Smolenzko situ∣ate beyonde Borysthenes, from whense to Moscha are coump¦ted syxe hundreth myles. The iorney frome Uilna by Smo∣lenzko to Moscha,* 22.109 is trauayled in wynter with expedite sleades and incredible celeritie vppon the snowes hard••ned with longe froste and compacte lyke Ise by reason of muche wearynge. But in soommer, the playnes can not bee ouer∣passed but by difficulte and laborious trauayle. For when the snowes by the continuall heate of the soonne begyn to melte and dissolue, they cause greate marysshes and quamyres able to intangle bothe horse and man,* 22.110 were it not that wayes are made throwgh the same with brydges and causeys of wood, and almost infinite laboure.* 22.111

In all the region of Moscouia, there is no vayne or mine

of golde or syluer, or any other common metall excepte iren: neyther yet is there any token of precious stones. And there∣fore they bye all those thynges of straungers. Neuerthelesse, this iniurie of nature is recompensed with abundaunce of rich furres,* 22.112 whose price by the wanton nisenesse of men is growne to such excesse that the furres perteynynge to one sorte of ap∣parell,* 22.113 are nowe soulde for a thousande crownes. But the tyme hath byn that hese haue byn bought better chepe when the furthest nations of the north beinge ignorant of owr nyse finenesse and breathyng desyre toward effeminate and super∣fluous pleasures, exchanged the same with muche simplicitie often tymes for tryfles and thynges of smaule value: In so muche that commonly the Permians and Pecerrians, were ac¦customed to gyue so many skynnes of Sables for an Iren axe or hatchet as beinge tyed harde togyther,* 22.114 the marchauntes of Moscouia coulde drawe through the hole where the hafte or handyll entereth into the same. But the Moscou••tes sende into all partes of Europe the best kynde of flaxe to make lyn∣nen clothe,* 22.115 and hempe for ropes: Also many oxe hydes,* 22.116 and exceadynge great masses of waxe.* 22.117

They proudely denye that the Romane churche obteyneth the principate and preeminent autoritie of all other.

They so abhorre the nation of the Iewes,* 22.118 that they detest the memorie of them, and wyll in no condition admitte them to dwell within theyr dominions: esteemyng them as wycked and mischeuous people that haue of late tawght the Turkes to make gunnes. Besyde the bookes that they haue of the an¦cient Greeke doctours,* 22.119 they haue also the commentaries and homelies of saynt Ambrose, Augustine, Ierome, and Grego∣rie, translated into the Illirian or Slauon tounge whiche a∣greeth with theyrs. For they vse bothe the Slauon tounge and letters, as doo also the Sclauons, Dalmates, Bohemes, Pollones, and Lithuanes. This tounge is spredde further then any oth••r at this day.* 22.120 For it is familyar at Constantino¦ple in the courte of the Emperours of the Turkes: and was of late harde in Egypte amonge the Mamalukes in the court of the Soltane of Alcayre otherwyse cauled Memphis or Ba∣bilon in Egipte. A greate number of bookes of holy scripture a••e translated into this tounge by thindustrie of saynte Ie∣rome and Cyrillus. Furthermore, besyde the hystories of

theyr owne countreys,* 22.121 they haue also bookes conteynyng the factes of great Alexander and the Romane Emperours, and lyk••wyse of Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra. They haue no maner of knowleage of philosophie, Astronomie, or sp••cula∣tiue phisicke with other liberall sciences: But such are taken for phisitians as professe that they haue often times obserued the vertue and qualitie of sum vnknowen herbe.

They number the yeares, not from the byrth of Chryste, but from the begynnynge of the worlde.* 22.122 And this they begin to accoumpte, not frome the monethe of Ianuary, but from September.

They haue fewe and simple lawes throwghe owte all the kyngedome,* 22.123 made by the equitie and conscience of theyr prin∣ces, and approued by the consent of wyse and good men: and are therfore greatly for the welthe and quyetnesse of the peo¦ple forasmuch as it is not lawfull to peruerte them with any interpretations or cauillations of lawyers or atturneys. They punyshe theues, rouers, priuie pyckers, and murtherers.

When they examine malefactours, they poure a great quanti∣tie of coulde water vppon suche as they suspecte, whiche they say to bee an intollerable kynde of tormente. But sumtymes they manacle suche as are stoborne, and wyll not confesse ap∣parent crymes.

Theyr youth is exercised in dyuers kyndes of games and plays resembelyng the warres,* 22.124 wherby they both practise pol¦licie and increase theyr strength. They vse runnynge both on horsebacke and afoote. Also runnynge at the tylte, wreste∣lynge, and especially shootynge.* 22.125 For they gyue rewardes to suche as excell therin.

The Moscouites are vniuersally of meane stature,* 22.126 yet ve∣ry square set and myghtyly brawned. They haue al grey eyes longe beardes, shorte legges, and bygge bellyes. They ryde very shorte, and shoote backewarde very cunnyngely euen as they flye. At home in theyr houses, theyr fare is rather plen∣tifull then deyntie. For theyr tables are furnysshed for a smaule price with all suche kyndes of meates as may bee de∣syred of such as are gyuē to most excessiue gluttony.* 22.127 Hennes and duckes are bought for lyttle syluer pense the piece. There is incredible plentie of beastes and cattayle bothe greate and smaule. The flesshe of biefe that is kylled in the myddeste of

wynter, is so congeled and frosen, that it putrifiethe not for the space of two moonethes.* 22.128 Theyr beste and moste delicate dysshes, are gotten by huntynge and haukynge as with vs.* 22.129 For they take all sortes of wylde beastes with houndes and dyuers kyndes of nettes. And with falcons and erens or eagles of a marueylous kynde whiche the region of Pecerra bryngeth furth vnto them, they take not onely fesantes and wylde duckes, but also cranes and wylde swannes. They take also a foule of darke coloure abowte the byggenes of a goose with redde ouerbrowes, whose flesshe in taste passeth the pleasauntnesse of Pheasauntes. These in the Moscouites tounge are cauled Tetrao, whiche I suppose to bee the same that Plinie cauleth Erythratao, knowen to the people of the Al∣pes, and especially to the Rhetians which inhabite the laun∣des abowte the sprynges of the ryuer Abdua. The ryuer of Uolga ministreth vnto them great fysshes and of pleasaunte taste:* 22.130 especially sturgions or rather a kynde of fysshe lyke vn¦to sturgions: whiche in the wynter season beinge inclosed in Ise, are longe reserued fresshe and vncorrupte.* 22.131 Of other kin¦des of fysshes, they take in maner an incredible multitude in the whyte lakes whereof wee haue spoken before. And wher¦as they vtterly lacke natiue wynes,* 22.132 they vse suche as are browght from other places. And this only in certeyne feastes and holy misteries. Especially the pleasaunte Maluasies of the Iland of Creta nowe cauled Candy,* 22.133 are had in moste ho∣noure: and vsed eyther as medicens or for a shewe of excessiue aboundaunce, forasmuche as it is in maner a miracle that wynes browght frome Candy by the streyghtes of Hercules pillers and the Ilandes of Gades,* 22.134 & tossed with such fluddes of the inclosed Ocean, shulde be droonke amonge the Scythy¦an snowes in theyr natiue puritie and pleasauntnesse.

The common people drinke mede made of hony & hoppes sodden together, whiche they keepe longe in pytched barrells where the goodnes increaseth with age. They vse also beere and ale as doo the Germanes and Polones. They are acusto¦med for delycatenes n•• sommer to coole theyr beere and mede with puttynge Ise therin,* 22.135 whiche the noble men reserue in theyr sellars in great quantite for the same purpose. Summe there are that delyte greately in the iuse that is pressed owte of cherries before they bee full rype:* 22.136 whiche they affyrme to

haue the coloure of cleare and ruddy wyne with a verye plea∣saunte taste.

Theyr wyues and women,* 22.137 are not with them in suche ho¦noure as they are in other nations. For they vse them in ma∣ner in the place of seruantes. The noble men and gentelmen, doo diligently obserue theyr walkes and haue an eye to their chastitie. They are seldom bydden furth to any feastes: nether are permytted to resorte to churches farre of, or to walke a∣brode withowt sum grea••e consyderation. But the common sorte of women, are easely and for a smaule price allured to lecherye euen of straungers: by reason wherof, the gentelmen doo lyttle or nothynge esteme them.

Iohn the father of kynge Basilius dyed more then .xx. yeares sence. He maryed Sophia the doughter of Thomas Paleologus who reigned farre in P••loponnesus (now cauled Morea) and was brother to Themperoure of constantinople.* 22.138 Shee was then at Rome when Thomas her father was dry∣uen owte of Grecia by the Turckes.* 22.139 Of her were fyue chyl∣dren borne, as Basilius hym selfe, George, Demetrius, Sy∣meon, and Andreas. Basilius tooke to wyfe Salomonia the doughter of George Soborouius a man of synguler fideli••ie and wysdome & one of hys counsayle. The excellent vertues of wh••ch woman, only barennesse ob••cured.

When the prynces of Moscouia delyberat to marie, theyr custome is to haue choyse of the vyrgynes in the realme,* 22.140 & to cause suche as are of most fayre and bewtyfull vysage and personage with maners & vertues accordyng, to bee browght before them. Which afterwarde they committe to certayne faythful men and graue matrones to bee furder vewed, in so muche that they leaue no parte of them vnserched. Of these, shee whome the prynce moste lyketh, is pronounced worthy to bee hys wyfe, not withowt greate and carefull expectatiō of theyr parentes, lyuynge for that tyme betwene hope and feare. The other vyrgyns also which stoode in election and contended in bewty and integritie of maners, are often times the same day to gratyfye the prynce, maryed to hys noble mē, gentellmen, and capytaynes: wherby it sumtymes commeth to passe that whyle the princes contemne the lynage of roiall descente, suche as are borne of humble parentage, are exalted to the degree of princely estate, In lyke maner as Thempe∣rours

of the turckes were accustomed to bee chosen by cumly∣nesse of personage and warly prowes.

Basilius was vnder thage of forty and seuen yeares,* 22.141 of cu••ly personage, singuler vertue, and princely qualities, by all meanes studyous for the prosperitie and commodities of hys subiectes. Furthermore in beneuolence, lyberalytie and good successe in hys doynges, to bee preferred before his pro∣genitours. For when he hadde .vi. yeares kepte warre with the Lyuons that moued .lxxii. confetherate cities to the cause of that warre, he obteyned the victorie and departed with fewe conditions of peace rather gyuen then accepted.* 22.142 Also at the begynnynge of his reigne, he put the Polones to flight and tooke prisoner Constantine the capitayne of the Ruthens whom he brought to Moscouia tyed in chaynes. But shortly after at the ryuer Boristhenes aboue the citie of Orsa, he hym selfe was ouercomne in a great battayle by the same Con¦stantine whom he hadde dismissed: Yet so, that the towne of Smolenzko whiche the Moscouites possessed before and was nowe woonne by the Polons, s••ulde styll perteyne to the do∣minions of Basilius. But ageynste the Tartars,* 22.143 and especi∣ally the Tartars of Europe cauled the Precopites, the Mos∣couites haue often tymes kepte warre with good successe, in reuenge of thiniuries doone to them by theyr incursions.

Basilius is accustomed to brynge to the fielde more then a hundreth and fiftie thousande horsemen deuided into three bandes and folowynge the banners or enseignes of theyr ca∣pitaynes in order of battayle.* 22.144 On the banner of the kynges wynge, is figured the image of Iosue the capitaine of the He¦brewes at whose prayer the soonne prolonged the daye and steyde his course as wytnesse the hystories of holye scripture. Armies of footemen are in maner to no vse in those great wyl¦dernesses, aswel for theyr apparel beinge loose and longe, as also for the custome of theyr enemies, who in theyr warres truste rather to the swyftenesse of theyr lyght horses then to trye the matter in a pyght fyelde.

Theyr horses are of lesse then meane stature:* 22.145 but verye stronge and ••wyfte. Theyr horsemen are armed with pykes, ryuettes, mases of Iren and arrowes. Fewe haue hooked swoordes.* 22.146 Theyr bodies are defended with rounde Targets after the maner of the Turkes of Asia: or with bendyng and

cornarde targettes after the maner of the Greekes: Also with coates of mayle, brygantynes, and sharpe helmettes. Basili∣us dyd furthermore instytute a band of hargabusiers on hors¦backe:* 22.147 and caused many greate brasen pieces to bee made by the woorkemanshype of certeyne Italyans:* 22.148 and the same with theyr stockes & wheeles to bee placed in the castell of Mosca.

The kynge hym selfe with pryncely magnyfycence & syn∣guler familiaritie (wherwith neuerthelesse no parte of the ma¦iestie of a kynge is vyolate) is accustomed to dyne openly with hys noble men and straunge ambassadours in hys owne cham∣ber of presence where is seene A meruelous quantitye of syl∣uer and gylte plate standynge vppon two great and high cub∣bardes in the same chamber.* 22.149* 22.150 He hath not abowte hym any other garde for the custody of hys person sauynge only hys accustomed famylye. For watche and warde is dylygently kepte of the faythfull multytude of the citisens: In so muche that euery warde or quarter of the citie is inclosed with gates rayles,* 22.151 and barres: neyther is it lawfull for any man rasshely to walke in the citie in the nyght, or withowt lyght. All the courte consysteth of noble men,* 22.152 gentelmen, and choyse souldy∣ers which are cauled owte of euery regyon by theyre townes and vyllagies, and commaunded to wayte course by course at certeyne moonethes appoynted. Furthermore when warre is proclaymed, all the armye is collected bothe of the owlde souldiers and by musterynge of newe in all prouynces. For the lieuetenauntes and capytaynes of the armye, are accusto∣med in all cities to muster the youth, and to admytte to thor∣der of souldyers such as they thynke able to serue the turne. Theyre wages is payde them of the common treasurye of eue∣ry prouynce which is gathered and partely payde also in the tyme of peace although it bee but lyttle.* 22.153 But such as are assig¦ned to the warres, are free frome all tributes, and inioye cer∣tein other priuilegies wherby they may the more gladly & cher¦fully serue theyr kynge and defend theyr contrey. For in the tyme of warre, occacyon is mynystred to shewe trewe vertue and manhodde, where in so greate and necessarie an instititu∣on, euery man accordynge to hys approued actiuitie and in∣genyous forwardnesse, may obteyne the fortune eyther of per¦petuall honoure or ignominie.

Vix olim vlla fides referentibus horrida regna Moschorum, & Ponti, res glacialis erat. Nunc Iouio autore, ill•• oculis lustramus, et vrbes. Et nemora, et mon••es cernimus et fluuios. Moschouiā, monumenta Ioui, tua culta reuoluen••. Coepi alios mund••s credere Democriti.

¶ Other notable thynges as concernynge Moscouia: gathered owt of the bookes of Sigismundus Li∣berus. Note that when he sayth myles, he meaneth leaques.

FRom whense Russia had the name,* 22.154 there are dyuers opinions. Sume thynke that it was so named of one Russus the soonne or neuie of Lech the kynge of the Polons. Other af∣firme that it was so cauled of a certeyne owlde towne named Russus not farre frome Nouogoroda or Nouogardia the more.

Sum also thynke that it was so cauled of the browne coloure of the nation.* 22.155 But the Moscouians confute al these opinions as vntrewe: Affirmynge that this nation was in owlde tyme cauled Rosseia as a nation dispersed, as the name it selfe dooth declare. For Rosseia in the Ruthens tounge,* 22.156 doothe signifie dispersed or scattered. The which thynge to be trew, dyuers other people commyxt with thinhabitauntes, and dy∣uers prouinces lyinge here and there betwene dyuers partes of Russia doo playnely declare. But whense so euer they tooke theyr name, doubtlesse all the people that vse the Sla∣uon tounge,* 22.157 and professe the fayth of Chryst after the maner of the Greekes, (cauled in theyr common language Russi, and in the Latin tounge Rutheni) are increased to suche a multy∣tude that they haue eyther expulsed all the nations that lye beewene them, or drawne them to theyr maner of lyuynge, in somuche that they are nowe cauled all Rutheni by one com∣mon name.

Furthermore the Slauon tounge (whiche at this daye is sumwhat corruptly cauled Sclauon) runne••h exceadyng fa••, as vsed of the Dalmates, Bossuenser, Croatians, Istri••ns,

and by a longe tracte of the sea Adriatike vnto Forum Iulii: Of the Caruians also whome the Uenetians caule Charsos: and lykewyse of the Carniolans and Carinthians vnto the ry¦uer Drauus: Furthermore of the Stirians within Gretzi∣um and by Muera vnto Danubius and from thense of the My∣sians, Seruians, Bulgarians, and other inhabitynge euen vnto Constantinople: Furthermore of the Bohemians, Lusa∣cians, Silesians, Moranians, and thinhabitauntes neare vnto the ryuer Uagus in the kyngedome of Hungarie: The Polons also and the Ruthenians whose Empire reacheth ve∣ry farre: lykewyse the Circasians and Quinquemontanians vnto Pontus: and is from thense vsed in the north partes of Germanie amonge the remanent of the Uandales inhabityng here and there.* 22.158 All whiche nations althowgh they acknow∣leage them selues to bee Sclauons, yet the Germayns taking the denomination only of the Uandales, caule al thē that vse the Slauon tounge, Uuenden, Uuinden, or Uuindysh.

Of the Princes that nowe reigne in Russia,* 22.159 the chiefe is the great Duke of Moscouia who possesseth the greatest part therof. The seconde is the great duke of Lithuania: and the thyrde the kynge of Polonie, who nowe obteyneth the domi∣nion of Polonie and Lithuania.

In autoritie and dominion ouer his subiectes, the prince of Moscouie passeth all the monarkes of the worlde.* 22.160 For he depriueth all his noble men and gentelmen of al theyr holdes and munitions at his pleasure. He trusteth not his owne bro¦therne, but oppresseth all with lyke seruitude. In so muche that whome so euer he commaundeth eyther to remayne with hym in the courte, or to goo to the warres, or sendeth on am∣bassage, they are compelled to bee at theyr owne charges, ex∣cepte the younge gentelmen the soonnes of the Boiarons, that is, the noble men of the lowest degree. He vsurpeth this au∣toritie aswell ouer the spiritualtie as the temporaltie: consti∣tutynge what him lysteth of the goods and lyfe of al men. Of his counsilers there is not one that dare dissente from hym in any thynge. They openly confesse that the wyl of the prince is the wyll of god: and therfore caule hym the key bearer and chamberlen of god, and beleue him to bee the executor of gods wyll. By reason wherof, the prince hym selfe when any pe∣ticion is made to hym for the deliuerie of any captiue, is ac∣customed

accustomed to aunswere: When god commaundeth he shalbe deliuered. Lykewyse when any asketh a question of an vncer∣teyne or doubtefull thynge, theyr custome is to answere thus: God knoweth and the greate prince. It is vncerteyne whe∣ther the crueltie and fiercenes of the nation doo requyre so ty∣rannous a prince, or whether by the tyranny of the prince, the nation is made so fierce and cruell.

Basilius the soonne of Iohn, was the fyrst that tooke vp¦pon hym the name and title of a kynge in this maner: The great lorde Basilius, by the grace of god kynge and lorde of all Russia and the greate duke of Uuolodimaria, Moscouia, Nouogardia. &c.

Furthermore, wheras nowe this prince is cauled an Em∣perour,* 22.161 I haue thought good to shewe the tytle and cause of this errour. Note therfore that Czar in the Ruthens tounge signifieth a kynge, wheras in the language of the Slauons, Pollons, Bohemes, and other, the same woorde Czar, signi∣fieth Cesar by whiche name Themperours haue byn common∣ly cauled. For bothe they and the Slauons that are vnder the kyngdome of Hungarie, caule a kynge by an other name: as sum Crall, other Kyrall, and sum Koroll: but thinke that only an Emperoure is cauled Czar. Whereby it came to passe that the Ruthene or Moscouite interpretours hearynge theyr prince to bee so cauled of straunge nations, began them selues also to name hym an Emperour, and thinke the name of Czar to bee more worthy then the name of a kynge, althowgh they signifie all one thynge. But who so wyl reade all theyr hysto¦ries and bookes of holy scripture,* 22.162 shall fynde that a kynge is cauled Czar, and an Emperour Kessar. By the lyke erroure Themperour of the Turkes is cauled Czar, who neuerthe∣lesse of antiquitie vsed no hygher tytle then the name of a kynge, expressed by this woorde Czar. And hereof the Tur∣kes of Europe that vse the Slauon tounge, caule the citie of Constantinople Czargead, (that is) the kynges citie.

Sum caule the prince of Moscouie the whyte kynge,* 22.163 whi∣che I thinke to proceade of the whyte cappes, or other tyre∣mentes they weare on theyr heades, lyke as they caule the kynge of Percia Kisilpassa (that is) redde headde.* 22.164 He vseth the tytle of a kynge when he writeth or sendeth to Rome, the Emperour, the pope, the kynge of Suetia and Denmacke, the

greate master of Prussia and Liuonia, and also to the greate Turke as I haue byn credably informed: but he is not cauled kynge of any of them, excepte perhappes of the Liuons. Yet by reason of his later conquestes, sum haue thought hym wor¦thy the name of a kynge or rather of an Emperour bycause he hath kynges vnder his Empire.

To the kynge of Polone, he vseth this tytle: The greate lorde Basilius by the grace of god, lorde of all Russia, and greate duke of Uuolodimeria, Moscouia, Nouogardia. &c. leauynge owt the tytle of a kynge. For none of them vouche∣safeth to receaue the letters of the other augmented with any new tytle, as I knewe by experience at my being in Mosco∣uia, at which tyme Sigismundus the kynge of Polone sente hym his letters augmented with the tytle of the duke of Ma∣souia, wherwith he was not a lyttle offended.

They glorie in theyr hystories that before Uuolodimeria and Olha, the lande of Ru••sia was baptised and blessed of saynt Andrewe thappostle of Chryst,* 22.165 affirmynge that he came from Grecia to the mouthes of the ryuer Borysthenes: and that he sayled vppe the ryuer to the mountaynes where as is nowe Chiouia; and that there he blessed all the lande and pla¦ced his crosse, prophesyinge also that the grace of god shulde bee greate there, and that there shulde bee many churches of Chrystian men: Lykewyse that he afterwarde came to the sprynges of Borysthenes vnto the great lake Uuolok, and by the ryuer Louat descended into the lake Ilmer: from whense by the ryuer Uuolcon whiche runneth owte of the same lake, he came to Nouogardia: and passed frome thense by the same ryuer to the lake Ladoga and the ryuer Heua, and so vn¦to the sea whiche they caule Uuaretzkoia, beinge the same that we caule the Germayne sea, betwene Uuinlandia or Fin¦landia and Liu••nia, by the whiche he sayled to Rome, and was at the laste crucified for Chryste his gospell in Pelopon∣nesus by the tyranny of Agus Antipater, as theyr crownacles make mention.

The prynce euery seconde or thyrde yeare, causeth a mu∣ster to bee taken of the soonnes of the Boiarons,* 22.166 and takethe an accoumpt•• bothe of theyr number and howe many horses and men euery of them is able to make: and then appoynteth

a certeyne stypende to suche as are able further to beare theyr owne charges in the warres. They haue seldome any rest or quyetnesse. For they eyther keepe warre with the Lithuani¦ans. Liuonians, Suetians, or Tartars of Casan. Or yf it so chaunce that the prynce keepe no warre, yet dooth he yeare∣ly appoynte garrysons of .xx. thousande menne in places a∣bowt Tanais and Occa to represse the incursions and robbe∣ryes of the European Tartars cauled Precopites.

As in other matters,* 22.167 euen so in thorder of warrefare ther is great diuersitie amonge men. For the Moscouian as soone as he begynneth to flye, thinketh of none other succoure but putteth all his confidence therein. Beinge pursued or taken of his enemie, he neyther defendeth him selfe nor desirethe perdon.

The Tartar cast of from his horse, spoyled of al his armure & weapons, and also sore woūded, defendeth hym selfe with handes, feete, and teethe, and by all meanes he may, vntyll his strength and spirite fayle hym.

The Turke, when he seeth hym selfe destitute of all helpe and hope to escape, doth humbly desyre pardon, casting away his weapons & armure, and reching furth to the victourer his handes ioyned together to be bounde, hopynge by captiuitie to saue his lyfe.

The Moscouites in placeinge theyr armye chuse them a large playne where the best of them pytch theyr tentes & the other make thē certen arbours of bouwes fyxt in the grounde,* 22.168 bendyng together the toppes therof, whiche they couer with theyr clokes to defende them selues, theyr bowes, arrowes, saddyles, and other theyr necessaries from rayne. They put furth theyr horses to pasture, and for that cause haue theyr tentes so farre in sunder, which they fortifye neyther with cartes or trenches or any other impedyment, excepte per∣happes the place bee defended by nature as with wooddes, ryuers and marysshes.

It may perhappes seeme straunge howe he maynteyneth hym and hys so longe with so smaule an armye as I haue sayde.* 22.169 I wyll nowe therfore brefely declare theyre sparynge and frugalitie. He that hath syxe or sumtymes more horses, vseth one of them as A packe horse to beare all theyr necessa∣ryes,

eyes. He hath also in a bagge of two or three spanes longe, the floure or meale of the grayne cauled mylle: and .viii. or x. poundes weyghte of swynes flesshe poudered. He hathe lykewyse A bagge of salte, myxte with pepper if he bee ryche. Furthermore euery man caryeth with hym A hatchet, A fyre boxe, and a brasen potte: so that if they chaunce to coomme to any place where they can fynde no frutes, garlyke, onyons or flesshe, they kyndle a fyre and fylle theyr pottes with wa¦ter wherunto they put a spoonefull of meale with a quantitie of salte, and make pottage therof, wherwith the master and all hys seruauntes lyue contented. But if the master bee very hungary he eateth all alone, and the seruantes are sumtymes inforsed to faste for the space of two or three dayes. And yf the master intende to fare sumwhat more delycately, then he addeth therto a lyttle portion of swynes flesshe. I speake not thys of the best of them, but of suche as are of the meane sorte. The gouernours and capytaynes of tharmye, doo sum¦tymes bydde the poorer sorte to theyre tables: where theye feede them selues so wel, that they fast two or three dayes af¦ter. When they haue frutes, garlyke, and onyons, theye can well forbeare all other meates. Procedynge forwarde to the battayle, they put more confydence in theyr multitude, and with what greate armyes they assayle theyr enemyes, thē eyther in the strengthe and valyantenesse of theyr souldyers, or in well instructynge theyr armye: and fyght better afarre of, then at hande: and therfore study howe to circumuent or inclose theyr enemyes and to assayle them on the backe halfe.

* 22.170They haue many trumpiters: The which whyle they blow all at once after theyr maner, make A meruelous straunge noyse. They haue also an other kynde of instrumentes which they caule Szurna. These they blowe withowte seasynge for the space of an houre togither, so temperyng the same and holdyng in the wynd whyle they drawe more, that the noyse seemeth continuall withoute intermyssion.* 22.171

They vse all one maner of appareyle: as longe coates withowte pleyghtes and with narrowe sleaues after the ma¦ner of the Hungaryans. These the Christians vse to butten on the ryght syde: and the Tartars (vsinge the lyke) butten them on the lefte syde. They weare redde and shorte buskyns that reache not to theyr knees: and haue the soules therof de∣fended

with plates of Iren. In maner all theyr shyrtes are wroughte with dyuers colours aboute the necke: and haue the collars and ruffes bysette with lyttle rounde baules lyke beades, of syluer or gylted copper, and sumtyme perles also. They gyrde them selues beneth the bellye euen as lowe as theyr priuy members, that they may seme more boorely which they greately esteme, as doo at thys day the Spanyardes, I¦talyans, and Almaynes.

The prouince of Moscouia is neyther very large nor frut¦full,* 22.172 forasmuche as the fertylytye is hyndered with sandye grounde which eyther with to muche drynesse or moyster kyl∣leth the corne. Furthermore the immoderate and sharpe vn∣temperatenesse of the ayre while the coulde of the wynter o∣uercommethe the heate of the soonne,* 22.173 sumtymes dothe not suffer the corne to rype. For the coulde is there sumtyme so ex¦treame, that lyke as with vs in sommer by reason of heate, euen so there by extreame coulde the yearth hath many great chynkes or breaches. Water also cast into the ayre, and spet¦tle faulyng from ons mouthe, are frosen before they touche the grounde. I my selfe, when I came thether in the yeare 1526. sawe the braunches of frutefull trees wythyred by the coulde of the wynter before, which was so extreame that ma¦ny of theyr wagoners or caries (whom they caule Gonecz) were founde frosen to deathe in theyr sleades. There were sum that at the same tyme leadyng and dryuyng theyr cat∣tayle from the nexte villagies to Moscouia, dyed by the way with theyr beastes through thextremytie of the coulde. Fur¦thermore, the same yeare many players that were accustomed to wander aboute the contrey with daunsyng beares, were founde dead in the high wayes. Wylde beares also inforced therto by famyn, lefte the wooddes and ranne here and there into dyuers villagies and houses: At whose commyng while the men of the countrey forsooke theyr houses and fledd into the fieldes, manye of them perysshed throughe the vehemen¦cie of the coulde. Agayne, it sumtymes so chaunceth that in sommer the heate is as extreame:* 22.174 as in the yeare .1525. in the which almost al kynds of pulse and grayne were scorched and burnte: and such a derth of corne folowed that drought, that that which before was bowght for three dengas, was afterwarde soulde for .xx, or .xxx. Furthermore also, ma∣nye

villagies, wooddes, and stackes of corne, were sette on fyre by thextreame heate: The smoke wherof so fylled the re∣gyon, that the eyes of many were sore hurte therby. There arose also as it were a darke and thycke myst without smoke which so molested the eys, that many loste theyr sight therby.

They sowe and narysshe the seades of melons with great diligence in certeyne raysed beddes myxte with doonge: wher¦by they fynde a remedy both ageynst extreame could and heat. For if the heate exceade, they make certeyne ryftes in the beddes as it were breathyng places least the seades shulde be suffocate with to muche heate. And if the coulde bee extreme it is tempered with the heate of the mucke or dunge.

* 22.175Theyr beastes are muche lesse then owres: yet not all withowt hornes as one hath written. For I haue there sene oxen, kyne, goates, and rammes all with hornes.

Not farre from the citie of Moscha, are certeyne monaste¦ries which a farre of, seeme lyke vnto a citie. They saye that in thys citie is an incredible number of houses:* 22.176 And that the syxte yeare before my commynge thyther, the prince caused them to bee numbered, and founde them to bee more then one and fortye thousande and fyue hundreth houses. The citie is very large and wyde: and also very slabby and myrie. By rea¦son wherof it hath many brydges and causeys.

The ayre of the regyon is so holsome,* 22.177 that beyond the sprynges of Tanais, especially towarde the north and a great parte also towarde the Easte, the pestylence hath not byne harde of sence the memorye of man. Yet haue they sumtimes a disease in theyr bowells and headdes not much vnlyke the pestylence. Thys disease they caule a heate: wherwith suche as are taken, dye within fewe dayes.

* 22.178Sum wryte that Iohn the duke of Moscouia and sonne of Basilius, vnder the pretence of religion sacked & spoyled, the citie of Nouogardia: and caried with hym from thense to Moscouia three hundreth sleades laden with golde, syluer, and precious stones of the gooddes of the Archebysshoppe, the marchauntes, citisins, and straungiers.

Solowki is an Ilande situate in the north sea .viii. leaques from the continent betwen:* 22.179 Dwina and the province of Corela. Howe farre it is dystant from Moscouia, can not bee well knowne by reason of manye sennes, marysshes,

Wooddes, and desolate places lyinge in the way. Albeit, sū say that it is not three hundreth leaques from Moscouia, & two hundreth frome Bieloiesero.* 22.180 In thys Ilande is made greate plenty of salte: and it hath in it a monasterie into the which it is not lawfull for any woman or virgyn to enter.

There is also great fysshyng for hearyng. They say that here the soonne at the sommer Equinoctiall,* 22.181 shyneth continually excepte two houres.

Demetriowe, is a citie with a castel, distante from Moscouia xii. leaques declining from the west sumwhat toward the north. By this runneth the ryuer Lachroma that runneth in to the ryuer of Sest. Sest also receaueth the ryuer Dubna which vnladeth it selfe in Uolga. And by the commoditie of thus many ryuers, many riche marchaundies are browght without great laboure or difficultie from the caspian sea by the ryuer Uolga to Moscouia and dyuers other prouynces & cities abowte the same.* 22.182

Bieloiesero, a citie with a castell, is situat at a lake of the same name. For Bieloiesero in the Moscouites toung, signi¦fieth a white lake.* 22.183 The citie standeth not in the lake as sum haue sayd. Yet is it so enuironed with marysshes that it may seeme to bee inexpugnable: In consideration wherof, the prin¦ces of Moscouia are accustomed to keepe theyr treasure there. Bieloiesero is from Moscouia, a hundreth leaques, and as muche from Nouogardia the great. The lake it selfe, is .xii. leaques in length and as much in breadth: and hath (as they say) three hundreth ryuers faulynge into it. Thinhabitaun∣tes of this place, haue a peculyar language, although nowe in maner all speake the Moscouites tounge. The longest day here in the soommer Equinoctial,* 22.184 is sayde to consyste of .xix. houres. A man of greate name and credite toulde me, that at the begynnyng of the sprynge when the trees began nowe to bee greene, he wente in poste from Moscouia to Bieloiesero: And passynge ouer the ryuer Uolga, founde the region there so couered with Ise and snow, that he was fayne to dispatch the residue of his iorney on fleades. And although the wyn∣ter bee longer there, yet doo the frutes waxe rype and are ga∣thered euen at the same tyme that they are in Moscouia. With in an arrowe shotte of the lake,* 22.185 there is an other lake that bryngeth furth brymstone. which a certē ryuer running owt of

the same, caryeth with it in great quantitie flotyng aboue the water lyke a scoomme. Yet through the ignorance of the peo¦ple, they haue no commoditie therby.

The people that inhabite the regions lyinge farre northe and east from Moscouia, exchaunge theyr furres for apparel, knyues, needles, spoones, hatchets, and suche at her necessa¦rye wares.* 22.186 For they haue not the vse of golde and syluer.

¶ The description of the regions, people, and ryuers, lyinge North and Easte from Moscouia: As the way from Mos∣couia to the ryuer Petzora, and the prouince of Iuga∣ria, or Iuhra: And frome thense to the ryuer Obi. Lykewyse the discription of other countreys and regions, euen vnto Thempire of the greate Cham of Cathay.

THe dominion of the Prince of Moscouia rea∣cheth farre towarde the Easte and north vnto the places which we wyll nowe descrybe. As concernynge whiche thynge,* 22.187 I translated a booke that was presented vnto me in the Mos∣couites tounge, and haue heare made a bryefe rehearsall of the same. I wyll fyrst therfore describe the ior∣ney from Moscouia to Petzora, and so to Iugaria and Obi.

From Moscouia to the citie of Uuolochda,* 22.188 are numbered fyftie Werstes,* 22.189 one Werst conteynynge almoste the space of an Italyan myle. From Uuolochda to Ustiug towarde the right hande descendinge with the course of the ryuer of Uuolochda and Suchana with whom it ioyneth,* 22.190 are coumpted fyue hun¦dreth Werstes: where within two Werstes of the towne cau∣led Strelze and hard by the citie of Ustiug Suchana ioyneth. Iug which runneth from the south: from whose mouth vn∣to the sprynges of the same, are numbered fyue hundrethe Werstles.

Note that wheras here before the autour numbereth but fyftie werstes from Moscouia to Uuolochda, it semeth that the place is cor¦rupted by the Printers mystakynge one worde for an other, as Quin¦quaginta, which is fyftie, for Quingenta, whiche is fyue hundreth. For the distance is no lesse from Moscouia to Uuolochda, then is frō Uuolochda to Ustiug, which is fyue hundreh werstes.

But Suchana and Iug after they ioyne togyther,* 22.191* 22.192 lose theyr fyrst names and make bothe one ryuer named Dwina,* 22.193 by the whiche the passage to the citie of Colmogor conteyneth fyue hundreth Werstes:* 22.194 from whense in the space of syxe dayes iorney, Dwina entereth into the north Ocean at .vi. mouthes, And the greateste parte of this iorney consysteth by nauigati∣on. For by lande, from Uuolochda vnto Colmogor, passing ouer the ryuer Uuaga, are a thousande Werstes. Not farre from Colmogor, the ryuer Pienega runnynge frome the Easte on the ryght hande for the space of seuen hundreth Werstes, fauleth into Dwina. From Dwina by the ryuer Pienega by the space of two hundredth Werstes,* 22.195 they coome to a place cau¦led Nicolsi:* 22.196 from whense within halfe a werst, shyppes haue passage into the ryuer Kuluio,* 22.197 which hath his original from a lake of the same name towarde the north, from whose sprin¦ges is .viii. dayes vyage to the mouth of the same where it entereth into the Ocean.

Saylynge by the coastes of the ryght hande the sea,* 22.198 they passe by the regions of Stanuwische, Calunczscho, and Apnu. And saylynge abowt the promontorie or cape of Chorogoski Nosz, Stanuwische, Camenckh, and Tolstickh, they come at the length into the ryuer Mezen, and frome thense in the space of syxe dayes to a vyllage of the same name, standyng in the mouth of the ryuer Pieza:* 22.199 by the which ageine ascendyng towarde the lefte hande and soommer East, they come to the ryuer Piescoya.* 22.200 From whense saylynge for the space of fyue Werstes, they coomme into two lakes in the whiche are seene two wayes: wherof one on the ryght syde, goeth to the ryuer Rubicho,* 22.201 by the which they passe to the ryuer Czircho. Other by an other and shorter way, brynge theyr shyppes frome the lake directly into Czircho:* 22.202 From whense, except they be hyn∣dered by tempest, they coomme in the space of three weekes to the ryuer and mouth of Czilma,* 22.203 flowynge into the great ry¦uer Petzora,* 22.204 which in that place is two Werstes in breadthe. Saylyng from hense, they coomme in the space of syxe dayes to the towne and castell of Pustoosero,* 22.205 neare vnto the which, Petzora entereth into the north Ocean at syxe mouthes. The inhabitauntes of this place, are men of simple wytte. They receaued the fayth of Chryste, and were baptised in the yeare M.D.xviii.

From the mouth of Czilma vnto the mouthe of the ryuer Ussa,* 22.206 goinge by Petzora, is one monethes vyage. Ussa hath his sprynges in the mountayne Poyas Semnoi, being on the lefte hande towarde the soommer East,* 22.207 and springeth owte of a great stone of the same mountayne, cauled Camen Bols∣choi. From the sprynges of Ussa to the mouthes of the same, are numbered more then a thousande Werstes. Furthermore Petzora runneth from this south wynter parte, from whense ascendynge from the mouthes of Ussa vnto the mouthes of the ryuer Stzuchogora,* 22.208 is three weekes vyage. They that described this vyage, sayde that they rested betwene the mou¦thes of the ryuers of Stzuchogora and Potzscheriema:* 22.209 and lefte theyr vyttayles there whiche they browght with theym from Russia. Beyonde the ryuers of Petzora and Stzucho∣gora towarde the mountayne Camenipoias and the sea with the Ilandes there abowte and the castell of Pustoosero,* 22.210 are dyuers and innumerable nations whiche by one common name are cauled Samoged (that is) such as eate them selues.* 22.211 They haue great increase of foules, byrdes, & dyuers kyndes of beastes:* 22.212 as Sables, Marternes, Beuers, Otters, Herme∣lines, Squyrels: and in the Ocean the beaste cauled Mors: Also Uess, whyte beares, woolfes, hares, Equiwoduani, great whales, and a fysshe cauled Semfi, with dyuers other. The people of these nations, come not to Moscouia. For they are wylde,* 22.213 and flye the company & societie of other men.

From the mouthes of Stzuchogora saylynge vp the ryuer vnto Poiassa,* 22.214 Artawische, Cameni, and Poiassa the greater, is three weekes vyage. Furthermore the ascendynge to th•• mounte Camen,* 22.215 is three dayes iorney: from the whiche, des∣cendyng, they come to the ryuer Artawischa,* 22.216 and from thense to the ryuer Sibut,* 22.217 from whence they passe to the castell of Lepin,* 22.218 and from Lepin to the ryuer Sossa. The people that inhabite the region by this ryuer, are cauled Uuogolici. Lea∣uynge Sossa on the ryght hande,,* 22.219 they come to the greate ry∣uer Oby,* 22.220 that spryngeth owt of the lake Kitaisko* 22.221 the whi∣che with all the haste they coulde make, they coulde scarsely passe ouer in one day, the ryuer beinge of such breadth that it reacheth fourescore Werstes. The people also that dwell a∣bowt this ryuer, are cauled Uuogoli••i and Ugritzschi.* 22.222 From

the castell of Ohea ascendynge by the ryuer of Oby, vnto the ryuer Irtische into the which Sossa entereth,* 22.223 is three moo∣nethes iorney. In these places are two castels named Ierom and Lumen,* 22.224* 22.225 kepte by certeyne lordes cauled Knesi Iuhorski. beinge tributaries to the greate duke of Moscouia as they say. Here are dyuers kyndes of beastes and furres.

Frome the mouth of the ryuer Irtische to the Castell of Grustina,* 22.226 is two monethes iorney: from whense to the lake Kitai by the ryuer Oby (which I sayde to haue his sprynges in this lake) is more then three monethes iorney.* 22.227 From this lake come many blacke men, lackyng thuse of common spech.* 22.228 They brynge with them dyuers wares, and especially pearles and precious stones, whiche they sell to the people cauled Grustintzi and Serponowtzi. These haue theyr name of the castell Serponow,* 22.229 situate in the mountaynes of Lucomorya beyonde the ryuer Obi.* 22.230 They say that to the men of Luco∣morya, chaunceth a marueylous thynge and incredible.* 22.231 For they affirme, that they dye yearely at the .xxvii. daye of No∣uember, beinge the feast of saynt George amonge the Mosco∣uytes: and that at the nexte sprynge abowte the .xxiiii. daye of Apryll, they reuyue ageyne as doo frogges.

With these also, the people of Grustintzi and Serponowtzi,* 22.232 exercise a newe and straunge kynde of trade. For when the accustomed tyme of theyr dyinge, or rather of sleapynge, apro¦cheth, they leaue theyr wares in certeyne places appoynted, which the Grustintzi and Serponowtzi carye away leauynge other wares of equall valewe in theyr places: whiche if the deade men at the tyme of theyr reuyuyne perceaue to bee of vn¦equall pryce, they requyre theyr owne ageyne: by reason wherof muche stryfe and fighting is betwene them.

From the ryuer of Obi descending toward the left hand,* 22.233 are the people cauled Calami,* 22.234 which came thether from Obi∣owa and Pogosa. Beneth Obi, abowte Aurea Anus (that is the golden owlde wyfe) are the ryuers Sossa, Beres, Uua,* 22.235 and Danadim, al which sprynge owt of the montayne Camē, Bolschega, Poiassa, and the rockes ioynynge to the same.

All the nations that inhabite from these ryuers of Aurea A∣nus, are subiecte to the prynce of Moscouia,

Aurea Anus cauled in the Moscouites toonge Slata Baba,* 22.236 is an Idole at the mouthes of Obi in the prouince of Obdo∣ra,* 22.237 standynge on the furthest banke towarde the sea. Alonge by the bankes of Obrand the ryuers neare there about, are here and there many castells and fortresses, all the lordes wherof are subiecte to the prince of Moscouia, as they say.

They say also, or rather fable, that the Idole cauled Aurea Anus, is an Image lyke vnto an owlde wyfe hauyng a chyld in ••er lappe: and that there is nowe seene an other infante which they say to bee her neuie: Also that there are certeyne instrumentes that make a continuall sounde lyke the noyse of trumpettes. The which if it so bee, I thynke it to bee by rea¦son of the wynde blowynge continually into the holowe pla¦ces of those instrumentes.

The ryuer Cossin,* 22.238 fauleth owt of the mountaynes into Lucomoria. In the mouth of thys, is a castell. Whyther frō the sprynges of the great ryuer Cossin, is two moonethes by age. Furthermore from the sprynges of the same ryuer, the ryuer Cassima hath hys original:* 22.239 which runnynge throwgh Lucomoria, fauleth into the great ryuer Tachnin,* 22.240 beyonde the which (as is sayde) dwell men of prodigious ••hape, of whom sum are ouergrowne wich heare lyke wylde beastes: other haue heades lyke dogges,* 22.241 and other theyr faces in theyr brestes withowt neckes, and with longe handes also and withowte feete.* 22.242 There is lykewyse in the ryuer Tachnin, a certeyne fysshe with headde, eys, nose, mouthe, handes, fiete,* 22.243 & other members vtterly of humane shape, and yet with∣owt any voyce, & pleasante to bee eaten as are other fysshes.

All that I haue hetherto rehersed, I haue translated out of the sayde ioyney whiche was delyuered me in the Mos∣couites tounge. In the which perhappes sum thynges maye seeme fabulous and in maner incredible, as of the doomme men and the deade reuyuynge, the Aurea Anus also, and the monstrous shapes of men, with the fysshe of human forme: wherof althowgh I haue made dylygēt inquisicion, yet could I knowe nothynge certeyne of any that had seene the same with theyr eys, neuerthelesse to gyue further occasion to other to searche the truth of these thynges, I haue thowght good to make mention hereof.

Noss in the Moscouites tounge signifieth a nose: and ther∣fore

they caule all capes or poyntes of lande that reache into the sea, by the same name.

The mountaynes about the ryuer of Petzora,* 22.244 are cauled Semnoi Poyas, or Lingulus mundi: (that is) the gyrdle of the worlde, or of the yearth.

Kithay, is a lake of whome the greate Chan of CATHAY whom the Moscouiās caule Czar Kythaiski,* 22.245 hath hys name. For Chan in the Tartars language signifieth a kyng.

The places of Lucomorya nere vnto the sea,* 22.246 are saluage, full of wooddes, and inhabited withowt any houses. And albeit that the autour of thys iorney, sayd that many nations of Lucomorya are subiecte to the prynce of Moscouia, yet for asmuch as the kyngdome of Tumen is neare therunto,* 22.247 whose prince is a Tartar and named in theyr toung Tumenski Czar (that is) a kynge in Tumen, and hath of late doone great do¦mage to the prynce of Moscouia, it is moste lyke that these nations shulde rather bee subiecte vnto hym.

Neare vnto the ryuer Petzora,* 22.248 (wherof mentiō is made in thys iorney) is the citie and castell of Papin or Papinow∣gorod,* 22.249 whose inhabytauntes are named Papini, and haue a priuate language differyng from the Moscouites. Beyond thys ryuer, are exceadynge hygh mountaynes,* 22.250 reachyng euen vnto the bankes: whose ridgies or toppes by reason of con∣tinuall wyndes, are in maner vtterly barrayne withowt grass or frutes. And although in dyuers places they haue dyuers names, yet are they commonly cauled Cingulus Mundi, (that is) the worlde. In these mountaynes doo ierfalcons breede, wherof I haue spoken before. There grow also Ced••r trees, amonge the which are founde the best and blackest kynde of sables. And only these mountaynes are seene in all the domy¦nyons of the prynce of Moscouia, which perhappes are the same that the owld writers caule Rhipheos or Hyperboreos, so named of the Greeke worde Hiper, (that is) vnder: and Bo∣reas (that is) the north. For by reason they are couered with continuall snow and froste, they can not withowt great diffi∣cultie bee trauayled and reache so farre into the north, that they make the vnknowne land of Engroneland.* 22.251 The duke of Moscouia Basilius the soonne of Iohn, sent on a tyme two of hys capitaynes named Simeon Pheodorowitz Kurb∣ski, and Knes Peter Uschatoi, to search the places beyonde

these mountaynes and to subdewe the nations therabowte. Kurbiki was yet alyue at my being in Moscouia: and declared vnto me that he spent xvii. days in ascendyng the mountayn, and yet coulde not coome to the ••oppe therof, which in they•• tounge is cauled Stolp (that is) a pyller.* 22.252 Thys mountayne is extended into the Ocean vnto the mouthes of the ryuers of Dwina and Pe••zora. But nowe hauyng spoken thus muche of the sayde iorney, I wyll returne to the domynyons of Mos¦couia with other regyons lyinge eastwarde and southe frome the same towarde the myghtye Empyre of CATHAY.* 22.253 But I wyll fyrst speake sumwhat brefely of the prouynce of Rezan and the famous ryuer of Tanais.

The prouynce of Rezan situate betwene the ryuers of Oc¦ca and Tanais,* 22.254 hath a citie buylded of woodd not farre from the banke of Occa. There was in it a castell named Iaros∣law,* 22.255 wherof there nowe remayneth nothynge but tokens of the olwd ruine. Not farre from that citie, the ryuer Occa maketh an Ilande named Strub which was sumtym a great dukedome, whose prince was subiect to none other. Thys prouince of Rezan is more frutfull then any other of the pro∣uynces of Moscouia: In so muche that in thys (as they saye) euery grayne of wheate bryngethe furthe two and sumtymes more eares: whose stalkes or strawes growe so thycke that horses can scarsely go throwgh them, or quayles flye owt of them. There is greate plenty of honnye,* 22.256 fysshes, foules, byrdes, and wylde beastes. The frutes also do farre exceade the frutes of Moscouia. The people are bould & warlyk men.

¶Of the famous ryuer of Tanais.

FRome Moscouia vnto the castell of Iaros∣law, and beyonde for the space of almoste xxiiii. leaques, rūneth the ryuer of Tanais, at a place cauled Donco,* 22.257 where the mar∣chauntes that trade to Asoph,* 22.258 Capha,* 22.259 and Constantynople,* 22.260 fraight theyr shyppes: and thys for the moste parte in autumne beynge a rayney tyme of the yeare. For Tanais here at other tymes of the yeare doth not so abounde with water as to heare

shyppes of any burden: Thys famous ryuer of Tanais, dy∣uydeth Europe from Asia:* 22.261 and hath hys orygynal or springes almost .viii. leaques from the citie of Tulla toward the south inclynyng sumwhat towarde the Easte:* 22.262 and not owte of the Riphean mountaynes as some haue wrytten: But owte of a great lake named Iwanowosero (that is) the lake of Iohn:* 22.263 being in length and breadth abowt .1500. Werstes in a wood whiche sum caule Okonitzkilies, and other name it Iepipha∣nowlies. And owt of this lake, sprynge the twoo greate ry∣uers of Schat and Tanais.* 22.264 Schat towarde the Weste recea∣uynge into it the ryuer of Uppa, runneth into the ryuer of Oc¦ca betwene the West and the north. But Tanais at the fyrste runneth directly East: and continueth his course betwene the kyngdomes of Casan and Astrachan within syxe or seuen leaques of Uolga:* 22.265* 22.266 And frome thense bendynge towarde the south, maketh the fennes or marysshes of Meotis.* 22.267 Further∣more, nexte vnto his sprynges, is the citie of Tulla:* 22.268 and vp∣pon the banke of the ryuer almoste three leaques aboue the mouthes of the same, is the citie of Asoph, which was fyrste cauled Tanas. Foure dayes iorney aboue this, is a towne cauled Achas,* 22.269 situate harde by the same ryuer:* 22.270 whiche the Moscouites caule Don. I can not sufficiently prayse this ry¦uer for the exceadynge abundaunce of good fysshes, and faire¦nesse of the regions on bothe sydes and bankes, with plentie of holsoome herbes and sweete rootes, besyde dyuers and ma∣ny frutefull trees growynge in ••uche coomly order as though they had byn set of purpose in gardens or archardes. There is also in maner euery where suche plentie of wylde beastes,* 22.271 that they may easely be slaine with arrowes▪ In so much that suche as trauayle by those regions, shal stand in neede of none other thynge to mayntayne theyr lyfe but only fyre and salte.* 22.272 In these partes, is no obseruation of myles, but of dayes ior¦neys. But as farre as I coulde coniecture, from the foun∣taynes or sprynges of Tanais vnto the mouthes of the same iorneyinge by lande, are almost fourescore leaques. And say∣lynge from Donco (frome whense I sayde that Tanais was fyrste nauigable) in scarsely .xx. dayes vyage,* 22.273 they come to the citie of Asoph tributarie to the Turkes:* 22.274 which is (as they say) fyue dayes iorney frome the streight of Taurica, other∣wyse cauled Precop. In this c••tie is a famous mart towne,

vnto the which resort many marchauntes of dyuers nations, and from dyuers partes of the worlde.* 22.275 For, that all nations may the gladlyer haue recourse thyther, free lybertie of bying and sellynge is graunted vnto all:* 22.276 and that withowt the citie euery man may freely vse his owne and accustomed maner of lyuynge withowt punysshement.

Of the altares of great Alexander and Iulius Cesar whi∣che many wryters make mention of in this place,* 22.277 or of theyr ruines, I coulde haue no certeyne knowleage of thinhabi∣tauntes or any other that had oftentymes trauayled these pla¦ces. Furthermore the souldyers whiche the prince of Mos∣couia maynteyneth there yearely to oppresse thincursion of the Tartars, beinge of me demaunded hereof, answered that they neuer sawe or harde of any such thynge. Neuerthelesse, they sayde that abowt the mouthes of Tanais the lesse, foure dayes iorney from Asoph nere vnto a place cauled Sewerski, by the holy mountaynes,* 22.278 they sawe certeyne images of stone and marble. Tanais the lesse,* 22.279 hath his sprynges in the duke∣dome of Sewerski: whereof it is cauled Donetz Sewerski: and fauleth into Tanais three dayes iorney aboue Asoph. But suche as iorney from Moscouia to Asoph by lande,* 22.280 they, passynge ouer Tanais abowt the owlde and ruinate towne of Donco, doo sumwhat turne from the south to the Easte: In the which place, if a ryght line bee drawen from the mouthes of Tanais to the spirnges of the same, Moscouia shalbe found to bee in Asia and not in Europe.* 22.281

¶ More directly from Moscouia. to Cathay.

THe great and large prouince of Permia,* 22.282 is dy∣stante from Moscouia two hundreth and fyftie or (as sum say) three hundreth leaques directly betwene the East and North: And hath a citie of the same name by the ryuer Uischora which runneth .x. leaques beneth Kamam. The ior∣ney by lande can scarcely bee trauayled thyther but in wynter by reason of many ryuers, marysshes,* 22.283 and fennes. But in som∣mer, this iorney is dispatched with more facilitie in boates or smaule shippes by Uuolochda, Ustiug, and the ryuer Uit∣zechda

which runneth into Dwina .xii. leaques from Ustiug.* 22.284* 22.285 But they that go from Permia to Ustiug, muste sayle vp the ryuer Uischora ageinst the course of the streame: and passing ouer certeyne ryuers, sumtymes also conueyinge theyr boates into other ryuers by lande, they come at the length to Ustiug three hundreth leaques distant frome the citie of Permia. There is smaule vse of breade in this prouince. For theyr yearely tribute,* 22.286 they pay to the prynce furres & horses.* 22.287 They haue a priuate language, and letters of theyr owne, whiche one Steuen a bysshop (who confirmed them yet waueryng in the fayth) dyd inuente. For before beinge yet infantes in the fayth of Chryste, they slewe and fleyde an other bysshop that was appoynted to instructe them. This Steuen afterwarde when Demetrius the sonne of Iohn reigned, was taken for a saynte amonge the Ruthens. Of these people there yet re∣mayne many Idolatours here and there in the woods, whom the moonkes and heremites that go thyther,* 22.288 doo not cease to conuert from theyr vayne errour. In the wynter they iorney in Artach as they doo in many places of Russia. Artach, are certeyne longe patentes of woodde of almost syxe handfuls in length,* 22.289 whiche they make faste to theyr fiete with latchettes, & therwith performe theyr iorneys with great celeritie.* 22.290 They vse for this purpose greate dogges in the steade of other bea∣stes, with the which they cary theyr farthels on sleades, as other doo with hartes in other places, as we wyll further de¦clare hereafter. They say that that prouince toward the East confineth with the prouince cauled Tumen, perteynynge to the Tartars.

The situation of the prouince of Iugaria,* 22.291 is apparente by that which we haue sayde before. The Moscouites caule it Iuhra with an aspiration: and caule the people Iuhrici. This is that Iugaria from whense the Hungarians came in tyme paste,* 22.292 possessed Pannonia,* 22.293 and vnder the conduct of At∣tila,* 22.294 subdued many prouinces of Europe: wherin the Mosco¦uites doo greatly glory, that a nation subiecte to them, inua∣ded and wasted a great parte of Europe. Georgius Paruns a greeke borne, and a man of reputation with the Prince of Moscouia, wyllynge to ascribe to the ryght of his prince the great dukedome of Lithuania, and the kyngedome of Polo∣nie with certeyne other dominions, toulde me that the Iuha∣rici

or Iuhgary, beinge subiectes to the great duke of Mosco¦uia, came furth of theyr owne countrey, and fyrste inhabited the regions abowt the fennes of Meoris, and then Pannonie which was afterwarde cauled Hungarie,* 22.295 by the ryuer of Da¦nubius: Also that in fine they possessed the region of Mora∣uia so named of the ryuer: and lykewyse Pollonie,* 22.296 so cauled of Polle, which signifieth a playne. Furthermore that Bu∣da was so cauled after the name of the brother of Attila.* 22.297 They say also that the Iuhgari vse the same tounge that doo the Hungarians. The which whether it be trew or not, I do not knowe. For althowgh I haue made diligent inquisition to knowe the truth hereof, yet coulde I fynde no man of that region with whom my seruaunt beinge expert in the Hunga∣rian tounge myght speake. They also pay furres for theyr tributes to the prince of Moscouia.* 22.298 And albeit that pearles and precious stones are brought frome thense to Moscouia,* 22.299 yet are they not gathered in theyr Ocean, but in other places: especially about the coast of the Ocean nere vnto the mouthes of Dwina.

The prouince of Sibier,* 22.300 confineth with Permia and Uui¦athka: The whiche, whether it haue any castels or cities, I doo not yet certeynly knowe. In this the ryuer Iaick hathe his originall, and fauleth into the Caspian sea. They saye that this region is deser••e bycause it lyeth so neare the Tar∣tars:* 22.301 Or that yf it bee in any parte inhabited, the same to be possessed of the Tartar Schichmamai. Thinhabitantes haue a peculiar language: and haue theyr chiefe gaynes by the furres of marterns, whiche in fayrenes and greatnes, excell all the furres of that kynde that are founde in any other pro∣uinces. Yet coulde I haue no great plentie of them in Mos∣couia at my beinge there. Note that longe after the wri∣tyng of this hystorie, at Rycharde Chaunceler his fyrst being in Mos¦couia, Duke Iohn Uasilivich that nowe raygneth, subdued all the Tartars with theyr regions and prouinces euen vnto the great citie and mart towne of Astrachan & the Caspian ••ea. At the same tyme also, there was in the dukes court an ambassadour that came frome this prouince of Sibier: who declared that his father had byn sent ambassadour to the great Chan of Cathay. And that the great citie of Cambalu where the great Chan kepeth his courte in winter, was in maner destroyed by Necromancie and magicall artes wherin the Cathaynes are very expert as wryteth Marcus Paulus Uenctus. Ther was also at the same tyme thambassadour of the kynge of Per¦sia cauled the great Sophic. This ambassadour was appareled all inscarlet, and spake much to the duke in the behalfe of owre men, of whose kyngdome and trade he was not ignorant.

The people cauled Czeremisse,* 22.302 dwell in the wooddes be∣neth Nouogardia the lower. They haue a peculiar language and are of the secte of Machumet. They were sumtyme sub∣iecte to the kynge of Casan: but the greater part of them are nowe subiecte to the prince of Moscouia. Many of them at my beinge there, were brought to Moscouia, as suspected of rebellion. This nation doth inhabite a large region withowt houses from Uuiathka and Uuolochda,* 22.303 to the ryuer of Kama All the nation aswell women as men, are very swyft of foote, and expert archers: wherin they so delite, that theyr bowes are in maner neuer owt of theyr handes: and gyue theyr chil¦dren no meate vntyl they hyt the marke they shoote at.

Two leaques distante from Nouogardia the lower, were many houses to the similitude of a citie or towne, where they were accustomed to make salte.* 22.304 These a fewe yeares sense be¦inge burnt of the Tartars, were restored by the commaunde∣ment of the prince.

Mordwa, are people inhabytynge by the ryuer of Uolga on the south banke beneth Nouogardia the lower: And are in al thynges like vnto the Czeremisses but that they haue more houses. And here endeth Thempire of the Moscouites.

Note here that Matthias of Michou, in his booke of Sarmatia Asiatica, writeth that the dominion of the duke of Moscouia recheth from the northwest to the southeast fyue hundreth myles of Germa∣nie, which are more then leaques. For they affirme that a Germane myle is more then three Englysshe myles.

¶Of the Tartars.

WEe wyll nowe adde hereunto sumwhat of the people confinynge with ••he Moscouites towarde the East: of the which the Tartars of Casan are the first.* 22.305 But before wee speake of them particularly, wee wyl fyrst reherse sumwhat of theyr maners and customes in generall.

The Tartars are diuided into companies which they caul Hordas, of the which the Horda of the Sawolhenses is the chiefe in fame and multitude.* 22.306 For it is sayde that the other Hordas had theyr ofsprynge and original of this. And albe∣it that euery Horda hath his peculiar name, as the Sawol∣henses, Precropenses, and Nahays with dyuers other being all Machumetans, yet doo they take it euyll and count it re∣proch to bee cauled Turkes: but wyll them selues to bee cau∣led Besermani,* 22.307 by the which name also the Turkes desyre to bee cauled.

And as the Tartars inhabyte many prouynces reachynge far on euery syde, euen so in maners and order of lyuynge doo they not agree in all thynges. They are men of meane sta∣ture,* 22.308 with broade and fat faces, holowe eyde, with roughe and thyck beardes, and poulde heades. Onely the noble men haue longe heare, and that exceadyng black, which they wreath on both sydes theyr eares. They are stronge of bo∣dy and stoute of mynde: prone to leacherye, and that vnnatu¦rall. They eate the fleasshe of horses, camells, and other b••astes excepte hogges,* 22.309* 22.310 from which they absteyne by a lawe. They can so abyde fasting & hunger, that they sūtime forbeare meate and sleepe for the space of foure days, occupyed neuer∣thele••se aboute theyr necessary affayres. Ageyne when they gette any thyng to deuoure,* 22.311 they ingorge them selues beyond measure: and with that surfecte in maner recompense theyr former abstynence. And beynge thus oppressed with laboure and meate, they sleepe contynually for the space of three or foure days withowt doyng any maner of worke or labour: durynge which tyme the Lyuons and Moscouites into whose domynyons they are accustomed to make theyr incursions, as∣sayle them vnwares thus oppressed with meate and sleepe, lyinge scatered here and there owt of order withowte watch or warde. Also if when they ryde, they bee molested with hunger and thyrste,* 22.312 they vse to lette theyr horses blud, and with drynkyng the same, satysfye theyr present necessytie, and affyrme theyr horses to bee the better therby. And bicause they all wander in vnknowen places, they vse to dyrect theyr iorneys by thaspecte of the starres,* 22.313 and especyally of the pole starre, which in theyr tounge they caule Selesnikoll, (that is) an iren nayle. They greatly delyte in mares mylke,* 22.314 and beleue that it maketh men strong and fatte. They eate herbes very much: and especyally such as growe abowt Tanais. Fewe of them vse salte.* 22.315 When theyr kynges dystrybute any vytayles among them, they are accustomed to gyue one horse or cowe to fortye men. Of the slayne beaste, the bowells and trypes are reserued for the chiefe men and capytaynes.* 22.316 These they heate at the fyre vntyll they may shake owt the doonge, and then deuoure them gredely. They sucke and lycke, not only theyr fyngers imbrued with fatte, but also theyr knyues and styckes wherwith they scrape the doong from the guttes.

The heades of horses are counted delycate disshes with them as are bores heades with vs:* 22.317 and are reserued only for the chyefe men.* 22.318 Theyr horses (wherof they haue great aboun∣daunce) are but smaule, and with short neckes: but very strong and such as can wel away with labour & hunger. These they fede with the branches & barkes or ryndes of trees & the rotes of hearbes and weedes, wherby they accustome them to hard feedynge, and exercyse them to contynuall laboure: by reason wherof (as say the Moscouytes) theyr horses are swyfter and more durable then any other. These kynde of horses, they caule Pachmat. They haue none other saddells and ste∣roppes then of woodd,* 22.319 except suche as they eyther bye of the Chrystians, or take from them by vyolence. Least theyr horse backes shulde bee hurte with theyr saddells, they vnderlaye them with grasse and leaues of trees. They also passe ouer ry¦uers on horsbacke. But if when they flye, they feare the pur∣suynge of theyr enemyes, then castynge away theyr saddells, apparelle, and all other impedymentes, reseruyng only theyr armoure and weapons they flye amayne and with greate ceelrytye. Theyr women vse the same kynde of apparell that doo the men withowt any dyfference except that they couer theyr heades with lynnen vayles,* 22.320 and vse lynnen hose muche lyke vnto maryners sloppes. When theyr queenes coome abrod, they are accustomed to couer theyr faces. The other multytude of the common sorte that lyueth here and ther in the feeldes, haue theyr apparell made of sheepes skynnes, which they chaung not vntyll they bee worne and torne to fytters. They tarye not longe in one place, iudgyng it a great mysery so to doo:* 22.321 In so muche that when they are angrie with theyr chyldren, the greatest curse that they can gyue them, is that they maye remayne perpetu∣ally in one place, and drawe the stynshe of theyr owne fyl∣thynesse as doo the Chrystyans. When they haue consumed the pasture in one place, they go to an other with theyr droues of cattayle and theyr wyues and chyldren whom they euer cary about with them in Wagons: albeit the Tartars that dwell in cities and townes, vse an other order of lyuynge. If they be inclosed with any daungerous warr••, they place theyr wyues, chyldren, and owld folkes, in the sauest places. There is no iustice amonge them.* 22.322 For if any man stande in

neade of any thynge, he may withowt punnysshemente take it awaye from an other. If any complayne to the Iudge of the vyolence and wronge doonne vnto hym, the offender de∣nyeth not the cryme, but sayth that he coulde not lacke that thyng. Then the Iudge is wonte to gyue thys sentence: If thowe also shalte haue neede of any thynge doo the lyke to other. Sum say they do not steale: But whether they steale or not, lette other iudge. They are surely a thee••••sshe kynd of men and very poore,* 22.323 lyuynge only by robbyng of other, and stealyng away other mens cattayle, and vyolently also cary∣ynge awaye the men them selues whom eyther they selle to the Turkes or proffer them to bee redemed by ransome, reser¦uynge only the younge wenches. They seldome assaulte cities or castells,* 22.324 but burne and waste townes and vyllagyes: In so muche that they so please them selues herin, that they thynke they haue so muche the more inlarged their empire, in howe muche they haue wasted and made desolate manye pro∣uynces. And althowgh they bee moste impacyent of reste and quyetnesse, yet doo they not kyll or destroye one an other, ex∣cepte theyr kynges ••ee at dessention betweene them selues. If any man bee slaine in any fraye or quarel, and the autours of the myschefe bee taken, only theyr horsse, harnesse, wea∣pons, and app••rell, are taken from them, and they dismissed. So that the murtherer by the losse of a vyle horse or a bowe, is dyscharged of the Iudge with these woordes: gette the hense and goo abowte thy busynesse. They haue no vse of golde and syluer, excepte only a fewe marchauntes: But ex∣ersyse exchaunge of ware for ware. And if it so chaunce that by sellyng of such thynges as they haue stolne, they gette any monye of theyr bortherers, they bye therwith certeyne appa∣rel and other nece••saryes of the Moscouites. The regyons of theyr habytations (the feelde Tartars I meane) are not ly∣mytted with any boūdes or borthers.* 22.325* 22.326 There was on a tyme a certeyne fatte Tartar taken prysoner of the Moscouites: to whom when the prynce sayd, How arte thow so fatte thowe dogge, sythe thowe haste not to eate, the Tartar answered, Why shulde not I haue to eate sythe I possesse so large a land from the East to the west, wherby I may bee abundaun∣tely nury••shed? But thowe mayste rather seeme to lacke, syth thowe inhabytest so smaule a portion of the worlde, and duste

dayly stryue for the same.

Casan,* 22.327 is a kyngedome, also a citie, and a castell of the same name, situate by the ryuer Uolga on the further b••nke, almost threscore and ten••e leaques beneath Nouogar••ia the lower. Alonge by the cour••e of Uolga towarde the East an•• South, it is termined with deserte fyeldes. Towarde the som¦mer East, it confineth with the ••artars cauled Schiba••••••i, and Kosatzki. The kynge of this prouince,* 22.328 is able to make an army of .xxx. thousande men, especially foote men, of the which the Czeremi••se & Czubas••hi are most expert a••chers.* 22.329 The Czubaschi are also cunnynge maryners,* 22.330 The citie of Casan, is threscore leaques distant frō the princip••l castel Uuiathka. Furthermore, Casan in the Tartars language,* 22.331 signifieth a bra••en potte boylynge. These Tartars are more ciuile then the other. For they dwell in houses, tyll the grownde, and exercise the trade of marchaundies. They were of late subdu¦ed by Basilius the greate duke of Moscouia, and had theyr kynge assigned them at his arbitriment. But shortely after,* 22.332 they rebelled ageine: and associate with other Tartars, in¦uaded the region of Moscouia, spoyled and wasted many ci∣ties and townes, and ledde away innumerable captiues, euen from the citie Moscouia which they possessed for a tyme, and had vtterly destroyed the same if it had not byn for the valy∣antnesse of the Almayne gunners which kept the castell with great or••inaunce.* 22.333 They also putte duke Basilius to flyght, and caused him to make a letter of his owne hande to Mach∣metgirei theyr kynge to acknowleage hym selfe for a perpetu∣all tributarie to them, wheruppon they di••solued the siege, and gaue the Moscou••tes free liber••ie to redeeme theyr cap∣tiues and gooddes, and so departed. But Basilius not longe able to abyde this contumelie and dishonour,* 22.334 after that he had putte to death suche as flyinge at the fy••st encounterynge were the cause of this ouerthrowe, assembled an armye of a hundreth and fourescore thousande men shortely after in the yeare .1523. And sent forwarde his army vnder the conducte of his Lieuetenaunte: and therewith an heralde at armes to bydde battayle to Machmetgirei the kynge of Casan, with woordes in this e••••ecte: The last yeare lyke a theefe and rob∣ber withowt byddyng of battayle, thou dyddeste pryuilie op∣presse me. Wherefore I nowe chalenge the, once ageyne to

proue the fortune of warre if thou mystruste not thyne owne poure. To this the kynge answered, that there were manye wayes open for hym to inuade Moscouia: And that the war∣res haue no lesse respect to the commoditie of tyme and place thē of armure or strēgth: And that he wold take thaduantage therof when & where it shulde seeme best to him and not to o∣ther. With which woordes Basilius b••inge greatly accensed and burnyng with desyre of reuenge, inuaded the kyngdome of Casan: whose kynge beinge stryken with suddeyne feare at thapproche of so terrible an army, assigned the gouernance of his kyngdome to the younge kynge of Taurica his neuie, whyle he hym selfe went to requyre ayde of the Emperour of the Turkes. But in fine the kynge of Casan submytted hym selfe vppon certeyne conditions of peace whiche the Mosco∣uites dyd the gladlyer excepte for that time because theyr vit¦tayles fayled them to maynteyne so great a multitude.* 22.335 But wheras duke Basilius hym selfe was not present at this last expedition, he greatly suspected Palitzki the Lieuetenaunte of tharmy to bee corrupted with brybes to proceade no fur∣ther. In this meane tyme, the kynge of Casan sent ambassa¦dours to Basilius to intreate of peace: whome I sawe in the dukes courte at my beynge there: but I coulde perceaue no hope of peace to bee betwene them. For euen then, Basilius to endomage the Casans, translated the marte to Nouogar∣dia, which before was accustomed to bee kepte in the Ilande of marchauntes nere vnto the citie of Casan:* 22.336 Commaundyng also vnder peyne of greuous punysshemente that none of his subiectes shulde resorte to the Ilande of marchauntes: thyn∣kyng•• that this translation of the marte shulde greately haue endomaged the Casans: and that only by takyng away their trade of salte (which they were accustomed to bye of the Mos¦couites at that marte) they shulde haue byn compelled to sub∣myssion. But the Moscouites them selues felte no lesse incon∣uenience hereby then dyd the Casans, by reason of the dearth and ••earesenesse that folowed hereof of al such thynges as the Tartars were accustomed to brynge thyther by the ryuer of Uolga from the Caspian sea,* 22.337 the kyngedomes of Persia and Armenia,* 22.338* 22.339 and the marte towne of Astrachan:* 22.340 especially the great number of most excellent fysshes that are taken in Uol∣ga both on the hyther and further syde of Casan.

But hauynge sayde thus much of the warres betwene the prince of Moscouia and the Tartars of Casan, we wyll now procede to speake sumwhat of the other Tartars inhabytyng the regions towarde the southeast and the Caspian sea.

Next beyonde the Tartars of Casan,* 22.341 are the Tartars cau∣led Nagai or Nogai,* 22.342 which inhab••te the regions beyond Uol¦ga abowt the Caspian sea at the ryuer Iaick, runnyng owt of the prouince of Sibier. These haue no kynges but dukes In owre tyme, three bretherne diuydynge the prouinces equally betwene them, possessed those dukedomes.* 22.343 The fyrst of them named Schidack, possesseth the citie of Scharaitzick, beyond the ryuer of Rha or Uolga towarde the Easte, with the regi∣on confinynge with the ryuer Iaick. The seconde cauled Cos¦sum, enioyeth all the lande that lyethe betwene the ryuers of Kaman Iaick and Uolga. The thryde brother named Schich¦mamai, possesseth parte of the prouince of Sibier and all the region abowt the same. Schichmamai, is as much to say by interpretacion, as holy or myghty. And in maner al these re¦gions are full of wooddes, excepte that that lyeth towarde Scharaitz, which consysteth of playnes and fyeldes.

Betwene the ryuers of Uolga and Iaick, abowt the Cas∣pian sea, there sumtymes inhabyted the kynges cauled Sa∣wolhenses.* 22.344 Demetrius Danielis (a man among these barba∣rians, of singular fayth and grauitie) toulde vs of a marue∣lous and in maner incredible thyng that is sene amonge And that his father beinge sente by the prynce of Moscouia to the kynge of Sawolhense, sawe whyle he was in that legacie, a certeyne seede in that Ilande sumwhat lesse and rounder then the seedes of Melones: Of the whiche be∣inge hydde in the grounde, there groweth a frute or plante very lyke a lambe,* 22.345 of the heyght of fyue spannes: And is therfore cauled in theyr tounge Boranetz, whiche signifyeth a lyttle lambe. For it hath the headde, eyes, eares, an all other partes like vnto a lambe newly cyned: with also a very thynne skynne wherwith dyuers of thinhabitauntes of those regions are accustomed to line theyr cappes and hattes and o∣ther tyrementes for theyr heades. Many also confirmed in owre presence that they had seene these skynnes. He sayde furthermore that that plant (if it may bee cauled a plant hath bludde, and no flesshe: but hath in the steade of flesshe a cer∣teyne

substance like vnto the flesshe of creuysshes. The hoofes also are not of horne a•• are the lambes, but couered with heare in the same forme. The roote cleaueth to the nauell or myddest of the belly. The plante or fruite lyueth vntyll all the grasse and herbes growyn••e abowte it beinge eaten, the roote wythereth for lacke of nurysshement. They say that it is very sweete to bee eaten, and is therefore greately desyred and sought for of the woolues and other rauenynge beastes. And albeit I extreme all that is sayde of this plant to be fabu∣lous, yet forasmuch as it hath byn toulde me of credible per∣sons, I haue thought good to make mention hereof.

Of this straunge frute, Mandeuell maketh m••ntion,* 22.346 where in the .ixxxiiii. chapiture of his booke he wryteth thus: Nowe shall I say of sum landes, countreys, and Iles that are beyonde the lande of Cathay. Therfore who so goeth from Cathay to India the hygh and the lowe▪ he shall go through a kyngedome that men caule Ca∣dissen, and is a great lande. There groweth a maner of frute as it were gourdes. And when it is rype, men cut it a sunder: and fynd therin a beast as it were of fle••she, bone, and bludde, as it were a lyttle lambe withowt woolle.* 22.347 And men eate that beast and the frute also, which is a great maruayle Neuerthelesse, I sayde vnto them that I helde that for no maruayle. For I sayde that in my coun••rey are tres that beare frute that become byrdes flying which are good to bee eaten. And that that fauleth into the water, lyueth: And that that fauleth on the earth dyeth. And they had greate maruayle of this▪ &c.

From the prince of Schidack, proceadyng .xx. dayes iorney towarde the East, are the people which the Moscouites caule Iurgenci, whose prince is Barack Soltan,* 22.348 brother to the greate Chan of Cathay.* 22.349 In tenne days iorney from Barack Soltan, they coomme to Bebe••d Chan. And this is that great Chan of Cathay.

Names of dignities amonge the Tartars,* 22.350 are these, Chan, signifieth a kynge. Soltan, the soonne of a kynge. Bii, a Duke. Mursa, the soonne of a duke. Olboud, a noble man or counsiler. Olboadulu, the soonne of a noble man. Seid, the hygh preste. Ksi, a priuate person.

The names of offices are these:* 22.351 Ulan, the seconde digni∣tie to the kynge. For the kynges of the Tartars haue foure principall men whose counsayle they vse in al theyr weyghty affayres. Of these the fyrste is cauled Schirni: the seconde Barni. the thyrde, Gargni: The fourth, Tziptzan. And to haue sayde thus much of the Tartars, it shall suffice.

Marcus Pau••us wryteth that the greate Chan, is cauled ••han Cu¦bl••i that is, the great kynge of kynges:* 22.352 as the greate turcke wry∣teth hym selfe in lyke maner, as I ••awe in a letter wrytten by hym of late to the citie of Raguls, in the which he v••eth this ••ub••cr••pti∣on: Soltan Soliman deselun Chain Signore de Signo•• in ••empiter¦no. As concernynge Mo••couia and Cathay, I was mynded to haue added hereunto dyuers other thynges, but that for certeyne considerations I was persuaded to proceade no further. Unto who••e requeste, herein satisfyinge rather other then my selfe, wyllynge o∣therwyse to haue accomplysshed this booke to further perfection, I was content to agree for two causes especaially mouynge me: wher∣of the one is, that as touchynge these trades and vyages▪ as in ma∣ner in all other sciences, there are certeyne secreates not to bee pub¦lysshed and made common to all men. The other cause is, that the parteners at whose charge this booke is prynted, although the c••p¦py wherof they haue wrought a longe space haue cest them nought doo not neuerthelesse cease dayly to caule vppon me to make an end and proceade no further: affirmynge that the booke wyll bee of to great a pryce & not euery mans money: fearyng rather theyr owne losse and hynderaunce, then carefull to bee beneficiall to other, as is nowe in maner the trade of all men. which ordinarie respecte of priuate commoditie hath at this tyme so lyttle m••ued me, I take god to wytnesse, that for my paynes and trauayles taken herein such as they bee, I may vppon iust occasion thynke my selfe a looser manye wayes, except such men of good inclination as shall take pleasure and feele sum commonditie in the knowleage of these thynges, shall thynke me woorthy theyr good woor••e, wherwith I shall repute my selfe and my trauayles so abundantly satysfyed, that I ••hall repute other mens gaynes a recompense for my losses, as they may bee in deede, yf men bee not vnthankefull, which only vice of ingratitude hath hyndered the worlde of many benefites.

☞ The nauigation by the frosen sea.

AT my beinge in Moscouia when I was sent thyther by kynge Ferdinando my lorde and master, it so chaunced that Georgius Isto∣ma the duke of Moscouia his interpretour, a man of great experience who hadde before lerned the latin tounge in the court of Iohn kynge of Denmarke, was there present at the same tyme. He in the yeare of Christ .1496. beinge sente of his prince with master Dauid a scotte borne and them am∣bassadour for the kynge of Denmarke, (where also I knows there at my fyrst legacie) made me a breefe information of all

thorder of his iorney. The which, forasmuch as it may seeme difficult and laborious aswel for the distaunce as daungerous places, I haue thought good to describe the same as I recea¦ued it at his mouth.

Fyrst he sayde that beinge sent of his prince with the sayd Dauid, they came fyrst to Nouogardia the great.* 22.353 And wher¦as at the tyme the kyngedome of Suecia reuolted frome the kynge of Denmarke, and also the duke of Moscouia was at discention with the Suctians,* 22.354 by reason wherof they coulde not passe by the most accustomed way for the tumultes of war they attempted theyr iorney by an other way longer by safer And came fyrst from Nouogardia to the mouthes of the ryuer of Dwina and Potiwlo,* 22.355* 22.356 by a very dyfficult and paynefull ior¦ney. For he sayd that this iorney which can not bee to muche de••ested for suche laboures and trauayles, continueth for the space of three hundreth leaques. In fine, takyng foure smaul shyppes or barkes at the mouthes of Dwina, they sayled by the coaste on the ryght hande of the Ocean, where they sawe certeyne hyghe and rowgh mountaynes:* 22.357 and at the lengthe saylynge .xvi. leaques, and passynge a great goulfe, folowed the coaste on the lefte hande: And leauyng on the ryght hand the large sea which hath the name of the ryuer Petzora (as haue also the mountaynes adiacent to the same) they came to the people of Finlappia:* 22.358 who, although they dwell here and there in lowe cottagies by the sea syde, and leade in maner a beastly lyfe, yet are they more meeke and tractable then the wylde Lappians.* 22.359 He sayde that these also are tributaries to the prince of Moscouia. Then leauynge the lande of the Lap∣pians, and saylynge fourescore leaques, they came to the re∣gion of Nortpoden vnder the dominion of the kynge of Sue∣cia This the Moscouites caule Katenska Semla,* 22.360 and the people Kayeni. Departynge from hense, and saylynge alonge by the coaste of a wyndynge and bendynge shore reachyng to∣warde the ryght hande, they came to a promontorie or cape cauled the Holy nose,* 22.361 beinge a greate stone reachynge farre into the sea to the similitude of a nose: vnder the whiche is seene a caue with a whyrlepoole which swalowth the sea eue∣ry syxe houres:* 22.362 and castynge furth the same ageyne with ter∣ryble rorynge and violence, causeth the sayde whyrlepoole. Sum caule this the nauell of the sea: and other name it Cha∣rybdis.

He affirmeth that the violence of this swalowynge goulfe is such, that it draweth into it, inuolueth,* 22.363 and swa∣loweth vp shyppes and al other thynges that comme neare it: and that they were neuer in greater daungioure. For the whyrlepoole so suddeynely and violentely drewe vnto it the shyppe or barke wherin they were caryed, that with the helpe of ores and great labour they hardly escaped. When they had thus ouerpassed the holy nose, they came to a certeyne stonye mountayne which they shulde needes compasse abowte. But beinge there stayed with contrary wyndes for the space of cer¦teyne dayes, the pylotte of the shippe spake vnto them in this effecte: This stone (sayth he) that yowe see, is cauled Semes:* 22.364 The which except we please with summe gyfte, wee shall not passe by withowt great daungiour. But the pylot beinge re∣proued of Istoma for his vayne superstition,* 22.365 helde his peace. And when they had byn deteined ther by tempest for the space of foure dayes, at the length the tempest ceased and they went forwarde on theyr vyage with a prosperous wynd. Then the pilotte spake vnto them ageyne, sayinge: Yowe despised my admonicion of pleasynge the Semes, and scorned the same as vayne and superstitions. But if I had not priuilie in the nyght ascended a rocke and pleased the Semes, wee shulde surely haue had no passage. Beinge demaund••d what he offe∣red to the Semes,* 22.366 he sayde that he poured butter myxt with otemele vpon the stone which wee sawe reache furth into the sea. As they sayled further, they came to an other cape named Motka,* 22.367 which was almost enuironed with the sea lyke an I∣lande: in whose extreme poynte, is situate the castell of Bar∣thus, which sum caule Wardhus,* 22.368 (that is) a house of defence or fortresse. For the kynges of Norway haue there a garry∣son of men to defende theyr marches. He sayde furthermore that that cape reacheth so farre into the sea, that they coulde scarcely compasse it in eyght dayes. By which tarying leaste they shulde bee hyndered, they caryed on theyr shulders with greate laboure, theyr barkes and fardelles ouer a streyght of lande conteynyng halfe a leaque in breadth. From hense they sayled to the region of the wyld Lappones,* 22.369 cauled Dikilappo¦nes to a place named Dront,* 22.370 beinge .CC. leaques distant from Dwina towarde the North. And thus farre as he sayth, doth the prince of Moscouia exacte tribute. Furthermore leauyng

theyr barkes here, they fynysshed the residue of theyr iorney on sleades.* 22.371 He further declared that there were heardes of hartes as are with vs of oxen, whiche in the Noruegians tounge are cauled Rhen, beinge sumwhat bygger then owre hartes.* 22.372 These the Lappones vse in this maner. They ioyne them to sleades made lyke fyssher botes, as wee put horses to the carte. The man in the sleade, is tyed fast by the feete least he fall owte by the swyfte course of the hartes. In his lefte hande, he holdeth a collar or rayne wherwith he moderateth the course of the hartes: and in the ryght hand, a py••••ed staffe wherwith he may susteine the sleade frō faulyng if it chaunce to decline to much on any part. And he toulde me that by this meanes he trauayled twentie leaques in one daye,* 22.373 and then dismysses the harte, who by hym selfe returned to his owne master and accustomed stable. This iorney thus fynysshed, they came to Berges a citie of Norduegia or Norway,* 22.374 situ∣ate d••rectly towarde the north betwene the mountaynes: and went from thense to Denmarke on horsebacke. At Dront and Berges, the day is sayde to bee .xxii. houres longe in the som∣mer Equinoctiall. Blasius an other of the prynce of Mosco∣uia his interpretours, who a fewe yeares before, was sent of his prince into Spayne to Themperour, declared vnto vs an other and shorter way of his iorney.* 22.375 For he sayde that when he was sent from Moscouia to Iohn the kyng of Denmarke, he came fyrste on foote vnto Rostowe:* 22.376 And takynge shyppe there, came to Pereaslaw:* 22.377 and from Pereaslaw by the ryuer Uolga to Castromow:* 22.378 and that from thense goynge seuen Werstes by lande, he came to a lyttle ryuer: saylynge by the which, when fyrst he came to Uuolochda,* 22.379 then to Suchana,* 22.380 and Dwina,* 22.381 and in fine to the citie of Berges in Norway, o∣uerpassynge in this vyage all the perelles and laboures that Istoma rehearsed before, he came at the length to Hafnia the ch••efe citie of Denmarke,* 22.382 whiche the Germaynes caule Kop∣penhagen.* 22.383 But in theyr returnynge home, they both confesse that they came to Moscouia by Liuonia:* 22.384 and that they were a yeare in this vyage: Albeit Georgius Istoma, sayde that halfe the parte of that tyme, he was hyndered by tempestes, and inforced to tary longe in many places by the waye. Yet they both lykewyse constantely affirme that in this iorney ey∣ther of them trauayled a thousand threescore and ten Werstes* 22.385

(that is) three hundreth and fortie leaques. Furthermore al∣so Demetrius who of late was sent ambassadour from the prynce of Moscouia to the bysshoppe of Rome, (by whose re∣lation also Paulus Iouius wrote his description of Mosco∣uia) confirmed all these thynges to bee trewe.* 22.386 All they being demaunded of me of the congeled or frosen sea, made none o∣ther answere but that in places nere vnto that sea,* 22.387 they saw many and great riuers by whose vehemente course and abun∣daunt flowynge, the seas are dryuen farre from the shore: and that the sayde water of the ryuers is frosen with the sea a good space from the lande, as in Liuonia and other partes of Suecia. For althowgh by the vehemencie of the wyndes,* 22.388 the Ise is broken in the sea,* 22.389 yet dooth this chaunce seldome or neuer in ryuers, excepte by sum inundation or flud the Ise gathered togyther bee lyfted vp and broken. For the flakes or pieses of Ise caryed into the sea by force of the ryuers, doo flote aboue the water in maner all the hole yeare, and are a∣geyne so vehemently frosen togyther, that a man maye there sumtymes see great heapes of the Ise of manye yeares,* 22.390 as dooth appere by such pieses as are dryuen to the shore by the wynde. I haue also byn credebly informed by faythfull men that the sea Baltheum (otherwyse cauled the goulfe of Liuo∣nia) is often tymes frosen in many places.* 22.391 They say further∣more, that in that region whiche is inhabyted of the wylde Lappones, the soonne in the sommer Equinoctiall dooth not faule for the space of .xl. dayes:* 22.392 yet that the body therof is so hydden with a darke myste or cloude three houres, that the beames doo not appere: Neuerthelesse to gyue such lyght du∣rynge that tyme, that the darkenesse hyndereth not theyr woorke. The Moscouites make theyr boste that these wylde Lappones are tributaries to theyr prynce.* 22.393 Wherat I do not greatly maruayle, forasmuch as they haue none other neare vnto them, that may demaunde tribute of them. Theyr try∣bute is onely furres and fysshe,* 22.394 hauynge in maner none other thynge greately commodious. And albeit they lacke breade, salte, and other intysementes and glutteny, and lyue onely with fysshe and wylde beastes, yet are they exceadyng prone to lechery. They are such expert archers,* 22.395 that if in theyr hun¦tynge they espye any beastes whose skynnes they desyre to saue vnperysshed, they wyll not lyghtly mysse to hytte them

in the nosethrylles. ••hen they go furth on huntynge, they are accustomed to leaue at home with theyr wyues suche mar∣chauntes or straungers as they haue receaued into theyr hou∣ses.* 22.396 So that if at theyr returne, they perceaue theyr wyues throwgh the company of the strangers to be myrier and more iocunde then they were wonte to bee, they gyue the straun∣gers sum present. But yf they fynd it otherwyse, they thrust them furth of the doores with woordes of reproche. But nowe by the company they haue with straungers that resorte thyther for gaynes, they begyn to leaue theyr natiue barba∣rousnesse. They gladly admitte marchauntes, bycause they brynge them apparel of grose cloth: also hatchettes, needels, spones, knyues, drynkynge cuppes, earthen and brasen pot∣tes, with such oth••r necessarie wares:* 22.397 So that they vse now to eate sodden and rosted meate, and doo embrase more ciuile maners. Theyr owne apparell is made of the skynnes of dy∣uers beastes sowed togyther. And in this apparell they sum∣tymes comme to Moscouia. Yet fewe of them haue cappes or hosen, which they vse to make of hartes skynnes. They haue not the vse of golde or syluer money:* 22.398 but vse only barteryng of ware for ware. And beinge ignorant of other languages besyde theyr owne, they seeme amonge straungers to bee in maner domme. Theyr cotages are couered onely with the barkes of trees.* 22.399 They haue no certeyne restynge habitacion. But when they haue consumed the fysshe and wylde beastes in one place, they remoue to an other. Furthermore also the sayde ambassadours of the prince of Moscouia, declared that in the same partes they sawe certeyne hygh mountaynes con¦tinually castynge furth flames of fyre as doth the mountayne of Etna in the Ilande of Sicilia:* 22.400 and that euen in Norway, many mountaynes are faulen downe and burnte in maner to asshes with such continuall flames. Which thynge sum con∣syderyng, fayne the fyre of Purgatorie to bee there.* 22.401 And as concernynge these mountaynes of Norway, when I was sent ambassadour to Christierne kynge of Denmarke, I was infor¦med the lyke by the gouernours of Norwaye who chaunced at that tyme to bee present there.

Abowt the mouthes of the ryuer Petzora that are toward the ryght hande from the mouthes of Dwina,* 22.402 are sayd to bee dyuers and great beastes in the Ocean: and amonge other, a

certeyne great beast as bygge as an oxe, which thinhabitaun∣tes caule Mors.* 22.403 This beast hath shorte feete lyke a beuer or an Otter, with a brest sumwhat hygh and brode for the pro∣portion of the residue of his body: and two longe and greate teeth growynge owte of the vpper iawe. These beastes for rest and increase, doo sumtymes leaue the Ocean, & by great heardes ascende the mountaynes: where before they gyue thē selues to profounde sleepe (wherunto they are naturally incli¦ned) they appoynt one of theyr number as it were a watche∣man as doo cranes for the securitie of the reste.* 22.404 Whiche if he chaunce to sleepe, or to bee slayne of the hunters, the residue may easely bee taken. But if the watchman gyue warnynge with torynge (as the maner is) immediatly the hole hearde a wakened thereby, suddeynly put theyr hynder feete to theyr teeth: And so faulynge from the mountayne with great cele∣ritie as it were on a s••eade. they cast thē selues headlong into the Ocean: where also they rest and sleepe for a whyle vppon the heapes of Ile. The hunters pursue these beastes only for th••yr teethe: Of the which the Moscouites, Tartars, and es¦pecially the Turkes, make haftes for swoordes and dagges very artificially. And vse these rather for ornamente, then to gyue the greater stroke for the weyght or heauinesse thereof as summe fable. Also amonge the Turkes, Moscouites, and Tartars, these teethe are soulde by weight, and are cauled the teethe of fysshes.

The frosen sea reacheth farre and wyde beyonde Dwina to Petzcora and vnto the mouthes of the great riuer Obi:* 22.405 be∣yonde the which they say to bee the region of Engroneland,* 22.406 vnknowen and seperate from the trade and conuersation of owre men, by reason of hygh mountaynes coue∣red and coulde with perpetuall snowe, and the sea no lesse incumbered with conty∣nually Ise whiche hyndereth na∣uigations and maketh them daungerous, as they saye.

EXEMPLAR EPISTOLAE SEV LI TERARVM MISSIVARVM QVAS illustrissimus Princeps Edvvardus eius no∣minis Sextus, Angliae, Franciae, et Hiber∣niae Rex, misit ad Principes Septemtri∣onalem ac Orientalem mundi pla∣gam inhabitantes iuxta mare gla∣ciale, nec non Indiam Ori∣entalem. Anno Dn̄i. 1553. Regni sui Anno septimo et vltimo.

EDvvardus sextus, Angliae, Franciae, & Hiberniae Rex. &c. Omnibus, Regi∣bus et Principibus ac Dominis, et cun∣ctis Iudicibus terrae, & Ducibus eius qui buscun{que} est excellens aliqua dignitas in ea cunctis in locis quae sunt sub vniuerso coelo: Pax, tranquilli∣tas, & honor vobis, terris, et regionibus vestris quae imp••rio vestro subiacent, cui{que} vestrum quemadmo∣dū conuenit ei, Propterea quod indidit Deus Opt. Max. hominibus prae cunstis alijs viuentibus cor & desiderium tale, vt appetat quis{que} cum alijs societatē mire, amare, et vicissim amari, beneficijs afficere, et mutua accipere beneficia studeat, ideo cui{que} pro fa∣cultate

sua hoc desiderium in omnibus quidem ho∣minibus beneficijs fouere et conseruare conuenit, in illis autem maxime, qui hoc desiderio adducti, a re∣motis etiam regionibus ad eos veniunt. Quo enim longius iter, eius rei gratia ingressi sunt, eo arden∣tius in eis hoc desiderium fuiste declararunt. Insuper etiam ad hoc, nos patrum maiorum{que} nostrorum exempla inuitant, qui semper humanissime suscepe∣runt et benignissime tractauerunt illos qui tum a lo∣cis propinquis tum a remotis, eos amice adibant, eo∣rum se protectioni commendantes. Quod si omni∣bus id prestare aequum est, certe mercatoribus impri mis praestari debet, qui per vniuersum orbem discur∣runt, mare circūlustrantes et aridam, vt res bonas et vtiles quae Dei beneficio in regione eorum inueni∣untur, ad remotissimas regiones et regna adferant, at{que} inde viuissim referant {quod} suae regioni vtile ibi re∣pererint: vt et populi ad quos eunt, non destituan∣tur commodis quae non profert illis terra eorum, & ipsi sint participes rerum quibus illi abundant. Nam Deus coeli et terrae, humano generi maxime consu∣lens, noluit vt omnia in quauis regione inuenirentur, quo regio ope alterius regionis indigeret, et gens ab alia gente commodum aliquod expectaret, ac ita sta biliretur amicitia inter omnes, singuli{que} omnibus be nefacere quererent, Hoc ita{que} ineundae ac stabiliēdae

••micitiae desiderio moti viri quidam regni nostri, iter in remo•••• matitimas regiones instituerunt, vt inter nostros e••••llos populos viam mercibus inferendis et eferendi•• aperirent: Nos{que} rogauerunt vt id illis con cederemus. Qui peticioni illorum annuentes, conces¦simus viro honorabili et forti Hugoni Wilibeo et alijs qui cum eo sunt seruis nostris fidis et charis, vt pro sua voluntate, in regiones eis prius incognitas e∣ant, quesituri ea quibus nos caremus, et adducantil∣lis ex nostris terris, id quo illi carent. At{que} ita illis et nobis commodum inde accedat, sit{que} amicitia perpe∣tua et foedus indissolubile inter illos et nos, dum per mittent illi nos accipere de rebus quibus superabun∣dant in regnis suis, et nos concedemus illis ex regnis nostris res, quibus destituuntur. Rogamus ita{que} vos Reges et Principes & omnes quibus aliqua est pote∣stas in terra, vt viris istis nostris transitum permitta∣tis per regiones vestras. Non enim tangent quicquā ex rebus vestris inuitis vobis. Cogitate {quod} homines et ipsi sunt. Et si quare caruerint, oramus pro vestra beneficentia, eam vos illis tribuatis, accipientes vi∣cissim ab eis quod poterunt rependere vobis. Ita vos gerite erga eos quemadmodum cuperetis vt nos et subditi nostri nos gereremus erga seruos vestros si quando transierint per regiones nostras. At{que} pro∣mittimus vobis per Deum omnium quae coelo, terra

et mari continentur, per{que} vitam nostram et tranquil litatem regnorum nostrorum, nos pari benignitate seruos vestros accepturos si ad regna nostra aliquan∣do venerint. At{que} a nobis et subditis nostris, ac sina∣ti fuissent in regnis nostris, ita benigne tractabuntu•• vt rependamus vobis benignitatem quam nostris ex hibueritis. Postquā vos Reges, Principes, &c. roga uimus vt humanitate et beneficentia omniprosequa∣mini seruos nostros nobis charos, oramus omnipo∣tentem Deum nostrum, vt vobis diuturnam vitam largiatur, et pacem quae nullam habeat finem. Scrip tum Londini, quae ciuitas est regni nostri. Anno. 5515. a creato mundo, mense Iiar. xiiii. die men∣sis, anno septimo regni nostri.

¶The copy of the letters missiue which the right noble princ•• Edwarde the .vi. sent to the Kynges, Princes, & other potentates inhabytynge the Northeast partes of the worlde towarde the myghtye Empire of Cathay, at suche tyme as syr Hugh Willoby knyght and Rychard Chaunceler with theyr com∣pany attempted theyr vyage thyther in the yeare of Chryst .1553. and the .vii. and laste yeare of his reigne.

EDwarde the syxte by the grace of God, kyng•• of Englande, Fraunce, and Ierlande▪ &c. To all Kynges, Princes, Rulers, Iudges, and go¦uernours of the earthe, and all other hauynge any excellent dignitie on the same in all places vnder the vniuersall heau••n: Peace, tranqui∣litie, and honoure, bee vnto yowe, and your landes and regi∣ons

which are vnder yowr dominions, and to euery of yowe as is conuenient.

Forasmuche as the greate and almyghty god hath gyuen vnto mankynd aboue al other liuing creatours, such a hart & desyre, that euery man desyreth to ioyne frendeshyppe with other, to loue and bee loued, also to gyue and receaue mutu∣all benefites, it is therfore the dewtie of all men, accordyng to theyr poure to maintayne and increase this desyre in euery man with well deseruynge to all men, and especially to shewe this good affection to such as beinge moued with this desire, coomme vnto them from farre countreys. For in howe much the longer viage they haue attempted for this intent, so much the more doo they therby declare that this desyre hath byn ar¦dent in them. Furthermore also thexemples of owre fathers and predicessours doo inuite vs hereunto, forasmuch as they haue euer gentelly and louyngly intreated such as of frendely mynde came to them aswel from countreis nere hand as farre remote, commendynge them selues to theyr protection. And if it bee ryght and equitie to shewe such humanitie toward all men, doubtlesse the same owght chiefely to bee shewed to mar¦chauntes, who wanderynge abowt the worlde, searche both the lande and sea to cary such good and profitable thinges as are founde in theyr countreys, to remote regions and kynge∣domes: and ageyne to brynge from the same, suche thynges as they fynde there commodious for theyr owne countreys: Bothe, aswell that the people to whom they go, may not bee destitute of such commodities as theyr countreys brynge not furth to them, as that also they may bee partetakers of suche thynges wherof they abounde. For god of heauen and earth, greatly prouydynge for mankynde, wolde not that al thinges shulde bee founde in one region, to thende that one shuld haue neede of an other, that by this meanes frendshippe myght bee establysshed amonge all men, and euery one seeke to gratifie all. For thestablysshynge and furtherance of which vniuer∣sall amitie, certeyne men of owre realme moued hereunto by the sayde desyre, haue institute and taken vppon theym a vy∣age by sea into farre countreys to thintent that betwene owre people and them, a way bee opened to brynge in and cary owt marchaundies, desyryng vs to further theyr enterpryse. Who assentynge to theyr peticion, haue licenced the ryght valiante

and woorthy syr Hughe Wylloby knyght, and other owre trusty and faithful seruauntes which are with hym according to theyr desyre to go to countreys to them heretofore vnknow¦en, aswell to seeke such thynges as we lacke, as also to cary vnto them from owre regions, suche thynges as they lacke. So that hereby not only commoditie may ensewe both to thē and to vs, but also an indissoluble and perpetuall league of frendshippe be establysshed betwene vs bothe, whyle they per¦mitte vs to take of theyr thynges suche whereof they haue a∣bundaunce in theyr regions, and we ageine graunt them such thynges of owrs wherof they are destitute. Wee therfore de∣syre yow kynges and princes, and all other to whom there is any poure on the earth, to permitte vnto these owr seruantes, free passage by yowr regions and dominions. For they shall not touche any thynge of yowres vnwyllyng vnto yow. Con¦syder yow that they also are men. If therfore they shal stand in neede of any thynge, we desyre yowe of all humanitie, and for the nobilitie whiche is in yowe, to ayde and helpe theym with such thynges as they lacke, receauynge ageyne of them such thynges as they shalbe able to gyue yowe in recompense. Shewe yowre selues so towarde theym, as yowe wolde that wee and owr subiectes shulde shewe owr selues toward yowr seruauntes, if at any tyme they shall passe by owre regions. Thus doinge, wee promesse yowe by the God of all thynges that are conteyned in heauen, earth, and the sea, and by ••he lyfe and tranquilitie of owre kyngedomes, that we wyl with lyke humanitie accepte yowre seruauntes if at any tyme they shal coomme to owre kyngdomes, where they shall as frendly and gentelly bee inte••teyned as if they were borne in owr do∣minions, th••t we may hereby recompense the fauour and be∣nignitie which yow haue shewed to owr men. Thus after we haue desyred yow kynges and princes. &c. With all huma∣ni••••e and fauour to interteyne owr welbeloued seruantes, wee pray owre almyghty god to graunt yowe longe lyfe and peace which neuer shall haue ende. Wrytten in London whiche is the chiefe citie of owre kyngedome: In the yeare frome the creation of the worlde .5515. in the moneth of I••ar, the .xiiii. day of the moneth, and seuenth yeare of owre reigne.

¶ This letter was wrytten also in Greeke and dyuers other languages.

¶ Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies: and fyrst of the foreknowleage that the poet Seneca had of the fyndynge this newe worlde and other regions not then knowen. Francisco Lopes.

TO speke of thynges that shalbe, longe before they are, is a kynde of diuination if the truth thereof folowe effectually.* 24.1 Neuerthelesse althowgh such thynges as are spoken eyther by coniecture,* 24.2 or by thinstincte of nature, or by naturall reason, doo oftentymes take place and succede accordyngely, yet are not such coniectures to bee accoumpted as certeyne as prophesies reueled by the spirite of god,* 24.3 which wee ought entierly to be∣leue: but not so the other gathered only by certeine apparen∣ces, similitudes, reasons, and demonstrations: althowghe it bee greatly to bee maruailed to consyder howe they hytt e the truthe sumtyme: which perhappes they doo accordyng to the prouerbe that sayth: He that speaketh much shall sumtimes stumble on the truth.* 24.4 All this I speake consyderynge the say¦inge of the poet Seneca in his tragedie of Medea, where his woordes seeme in all poyntes to agree with the discouerynge of the Indies founde of late by Chrystofer Colon & the Spa∣nyardes. The woordes of Seneca,* 24.5 are these.

Venient annis Saecula seris, quibus Oceanus Vincula rerum laxet, et ingens Pateat tellus, Tiphis{que} nouos Detegat orbes, Nec sit terris vltima Thyle.

That is to saye: There shall coomme worldes in late yeares, in the which the Ocean shall vnlose the bondes of thynges, and a great lande shall appeare. Also Typhis (that is naui∣gation) shall discouer newe worldes: And Thyle shall not bee the furthest lande.* 24.6

¶The coppie of the duke of Moscouie and Em∣peroure of Russia his letters, sent to kinge Edwarde the syxte.

The almighty poure of god and the incomprehensible ho∣lie Trinitie, rightfull Christian beleefe, we greatest Duke I∣van Uasileuich by the grace of god Emperoure of all Russia and greate duke of Uflademerskii,* 26.1 Moskouskii, Nougorod∣skii, Cazanskii, Pskouskii, Smolenskii, Tuerskii, Yougor∣skii, Permskii, Ueatsskii, Bolgarskii, with diuers other landes. Emperoure also and greate duke of Nouagoroda, and in the lowe countreys of Chermgouskii, Rezan∣skii, Uolotsskii, Rzefskii, Belskii, Rostouskii, Yaroslauskii, Bclocherskii, Oodorskii, Ob∣dorskii, Condinskii, and many other countreys, Lord ouer all the north coaste, Greetinge.

BEfore all right great and of honoure woorthy Edwarde kynge of Englande oure moste harty and of good zeale with good intente and frend¦ly desyre, and of owre holy Christian fayth & of greate gouernaunce, & in the lyght of greate vnderstandynge: Owre aunswere by thys our honorable writing vnto yowre kyngly gouernaunce at the re¦quest of yowre faithfull seruaunt Rycharde with his compa∣ny as they shall let yowe wysely knowe, is thus.

In the strengthe of the twentie yeare of owre gouernaunce, be it knowen that at owre sea coastes, arryued a shyppe with one Rycharde and hys company: and sayd that he was desy∣rous to comme into owre dominions: and accordynge to hys request, hath seene owre lordshyppes and owre eys:* 26.2 & hathe declared vnto vs yowre maiesties desyre as that we shulde graunte vnto yowre subiectes to go and comme: And in oure dominions and among owre subiects to frequente free mart••s with all sortes of marchandies; and vppon the same to haue wares for theyr returne. And they haue also delyuered vs yowre letters which declare the same request. And here vppō we haue gyuen order, that where soeuer your faythfull ser∣uaunte Hugh Wyllobie lande or touche in owre dominions,

to bee well interteyned, who as yet is not arryued as yowre seruaunte Rycharde can declare.

And wee with Christian beleefe and faythfulnesse, and accor∣ding to your honorable requeste and my honorable commaun∣dement, wyll not leaue it vndoone: And am furthermore wil∣lynge that yow sende vnto vs with your shyppes and vessels when and as often as they may haue passage, with good as∣surance on owre partie to see them harmelesse. And if yow sende one of yowre maiesties counsaile to treate with vs wher by your countrey marchauntes may with all kyndes of wares and where they wyll, make theyr market in our dominions, and there to haue theyr free marte with all free liberties tho∣rough my whole dominions with al kyndes of wares to come and goo at theyr pleasure without any lette, domage, or im∣pediment accordynge to thys our letter, our worde, and our seale which wee haue commaunded to bee vnder sealed. Wrytten in our dominion, in our towne and our palesse in the Castell of Moscouia, in the yeare .vii. thousande and syxtie, the seconde moneth Febriarie.

Thys letter was wrytten in the Moscouian tounge, in let∣ters much lyke vnto the Greeke letters very fayre wryt∣ten in paper with a brode seale hangynge at the same, sealed in paper vppon wex. Thys seale was much lyke vnto the brode seale of Englande, hauyng in it on the one syde, the Image of a man on horsebacke in complete harnes fighting with a dragon. Under this letter, was an other paper writtē in the duche toung, which was thin¦terpretation of the other wrytten in the Mosco¦uite Letters.

These letters were sent the nexte yeare after the data of Kynge Edwardes Letters.

¶ Of the great Ilande which Plato cauled Atlantica or Atlantide.

THe Philosopher Plato wrytethe in his Dia∣loges of Timeus and Cricia, that in the owlde time there was in the sea Atlanticke ouer agenst Affrica, an Ilande cauled Atlantide greater then Affrica and Asia:* 26.3 affirmynge that those landes a••e from thense continent and greate: And that the kynges of that Ilande gouerned a greate parte of Affrica and Europe. But that in a certeyne greate earthe∣quake and tempest of rayne,* 26.4 this Ilande soonke and the peo∣ple were drowned: Also that there remayned so much mudde of the drownynge or synkynge of that Ilande, that that sea Atlantike coulde not bee sayled. Sum take this for a fable: and many for a trewe hystorie, as doothe Marcilius Ficinus inducinge Proclus alleagynge certeyne hystories of the Ethi∣opians wrytten by one Marcellus,* 26.5* 26.6 who corfirmeth the same to bee trewe. But there is nowe no cause why wee shulde any longer doubte or dispute of the Iland Antlantide, forasmuch as the discouerynge and conquest of the west Indies do plain¦ly declare what Plato hath wrytten of the sayde landes. In Mexico also at this day they caul that water Atl. by the halfe name of Atlant,* 26.7 as by a woorde remaynynge of the name of the Ilande that is not. Wee may lykewyse say that the In∣dies are eyther the Ilande and firme lande of Plato or the re¦manent of the same: and not the Ilandes of Hesperides or Ophir, or Tharsis, as sum haue thought of late dayes. For the Hesperides, are the Ilandes of Cabo Uerde and the Gor¦gonas from whense Hanon browght apes: Albeit in confer∣rynge it with Solinus,* 26.8 there is sum doubte by reason of the nauigation of fortie dayes wherof he speaketh. Aswell maye it bee, that Cuba or Hayti,* 26.9 or any other Ilande of the In∣dies, shulde bee those which the Carthaginenses founde and forbodde theyr citisens to make any vyages thyther or to in∣habite the same as Aristotle and Theophraste doo rehearse where they wryte of the marueylous and vnknowen workes of nature.* 26.10* 26.11 As concernynge Ophir and Tharsis, it is not kno¦wen what or where they bee, althowgh many lerned men as saynt Augustine and other haue searched what citie or lande

Tharsis myght bee. Saynt Ierome who was experte in the Hebrewe tounge, sayth in many places vppon the prophetes that Tharsis is as much to say as the sea: and that whereas it is wrytten that Ionas fledde to Tharsis,* 26.12 he wente to the sea by a longe iorney. Furthermore as concernynge the naui∣gations of Salomon, it is not to bee thowght that his nauies sayled to the west Indies,* 26.13 forasmuch as to passe thyther, it was requisite for them to sayle Westwarde departy••ge frome the sea of Bermeio: and not Eastward as they sayled. Ageine, the west Indies haue no vnicornes, elephantes, diamondes, and such other thynges as they browght in the trade of their nauigations.* 26.14

¶ Of the colour of the Indians.

ONe of the marueylous thynges that god vseth in the composition of man, is coloure: whiche doubtlesse can not bee consydered withowte great admiration in beholding one to be white and an other blacke, beinge coloures vtterlye contrary. Sum lykewyse to be yelowe whiche is betwene blacke and white: and other of other colours as it were of dyuers liueres. And as these colours are to be mar∣ueyled at, euen so is it to be considered howe they dyffer one from an other as it were by degrees, forasmuche as sum men are whyte after dyuers sortes of whytenesse:* 26.15 yelowe after dy¦uers maners of yelowe: and blacke after dyuers sortes of blackenesse: and howe from whyte they go to yelowe after dis∣colourynge to browne and redde: and to blacke by asshe co∣lour,* 26.16 and murrey sumwhat lyghter then blacke: and tawnye lyke vnto the west Indians which are all togyther in general eyther purple, or tawny lyke vnto sodde quynses, or of the coloure of chestnuttes or olyues: which colour is to them na∣tural and not by theyr goynge naked as many haue thought: albeit theyr nakednesse haue sumwhat helped therunto. Ther¦fore in lyke maner and with suche diuersitie as men are com∣monly whyte in Europe and blacke in Affrike,* 26.17 euen with like varietie are they tawny in these Indies, with dyuers degrees diuersly inclynynge more or lesse to blacke or whyte. No lesse maruayle is it to consyder that men are whyte in Siuile and

blacke at the cape of Buena Speranza, and of chestnutte co∣lour at the ryuer of Plata,* 26.18 bringe all in equall degrees frome the Equinoctiall line. Lykewyse that the men of Affryke and Asia that lyue vnder the bu••nte line (cauled Zona Terrida) are blacke:* 26.19 and not they that lyue beneathe or on this syde the same line as in Mexico, Yucatan, Quauhtema, Lian, Nica∣ragua, Panama, Santo Domingo, Paria, Cape, saynt Au∣gustine, Lima, Quito, and other landes of Peru which touch in the same Equinoctiall.* 26.20 For in al the ••racte of these coastes certeyne blacke men were found only in Quarequa when Uas¦chus Nunnez of Balboa discouered the sea of Sur.* 26.21 By rea∣son wherof it may seeme that suche varietie of colours procea¦deth of man,* 26.22 and not of the earth: whiche maye well bee al∣thowgh wee bee all borne of Adam and Eue, and knowe not the cause why god hath so ordeyned it, otherwise then to con¦syder that his diuine maiestie hath doonne this as infinite o∣ther to declare his omnipotencie and wisedome in such diuer∣sities of colours as appere not only in the nature of man,* 26.23 but the lyke also in beastes, byrdes, and floures, where dyuers and contrary colours are seene in one lyttle fether, or the leaues growynge owt of one lyttle stalke. An other thyng is also greatly to bee noted as touchynge these Indians. And this is,* 26.24 that theyr heare is not curlde as is the Moores and Ethiopians that inhabite the same clime: neyther are they balde excepte very seldome, and that buy lyttle. All whiche thynges may giue further occasion to phylosophers to search the secreates of nature and complexions of men with the no∣uelties of the newe worlde.

¶ Why they were cauled Indians.

SUm thynke that the people of the newe world were cauled Indians bycause they are of the colour of the Easte Indians.* 26.25 And althowghe (as it semeth to me) they dyffer much in colour and fasshions, yet is it trewe that of India they were cauled Indians.* 26.26 India is properlie cauled that great prouince of Asia in the which great Alexander kepte his warres: and was so named of the ryuer Indus: and is diuyded into many kynge∣domes confynynge with the same. From this greate India

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(cauled the East India) came great companyes of men as wry∣teth Herodotus: and inhabited that parte of Ethiopia that lyeth betwene the sea Bermeia (otherwyse cauled the redde sea or the goulfe of Arabia) and the ryuer of Nilus: al which regions that great Christian prince Prester Iohn dooth now possesse.* 26.27 The sayde Indians preuayled so much, that they vt¦terly changed the customes and name of that lande, and cau∣led it India:* 26.28 by reason wherof, Ethiopia also hath of longe tyme byn cauled India. And hereuppon came it that Arysto∣tell, Seneca, and certeyne other oulde autours sayd that In¦dia was not farre from Spayne.* 26.29 After this also, of later dayes owre West India was so cauled of the sayde India of Prester Iohn where the Portugales had theyr trade. For the pylot of the caruell that was fyrste dryuen by forcyble wynde to an vnknowen lande in the Weste Ocean,* 26.30 cauled the same India bycause the Portugales so cauled such landes as they had lately discouered Eastwarde. Chrystopher Colon also af∣ter the sayde pylot, cauled the west landes by the same name. Albeit, sum that take Colonus for an expert Cosmographer, thynke that he so named them of the East India, as to be the furthest and vnknowen ende therof reachynge into the Weste vnder the other hemispherie or halfe globe of the earthe be∣neathe vs:* 26.31 affirmynge that when he fyrst attempted to dico∣uer the Indies, he went chiefely to seeke the ryche Iland of Cipango,* 26.32 which fauleth on the parte of great China or Ca∣thay as wryteth Marcus Paulus Uenetus and other:* 26.33* 26.34 And that he shulde sooner come thyther by folowyng the course of the soonne Westwarde then ageynst the same:* 26.35 Albeit manye thynke that there is no suche Ilande, or at the leaste not yet knowen by that name: wheras also Marcus Paulus obserued no exacte description of the place eyther of this Ilande or of Cathay.* 26.36

☞ The fyrste discouerynge of the Weste Indies.

A Certeyne caruell saylynge in the weste Ocean a∣bowt the coastes of Spayne, had a forcyble and continuall wynde from the East wherby it was dryuen to a land vnknowen and not descrybed in any mappe or carde of the sea:* 26.37 and was dry¦uen

styl alonge by the coaste of the same for the space of many dayes vntyll it came to a hauen: where in a shorte tyme the most parte of the maryners beinge longe before verye weake and feeble by reason of hunger & trauayle, dyed: So that on¦ly the pylot with thre or foure other remayned alyue. And not only they that dyed dyd not inioy the Indies which they fyrst discouered to theyr mysfortune, but the resydue also that ly∣ued had in maner as lyttle fruition of the same: not leauynge or at the least not openly publyshynge any memorie therof, ney¦ther of the place, or what it was cauled, or in what yeare it was founde. Albeit, the faute was not theyrs, but rather the malice of other, or the enuie of that which wee caule fortune. I doo not therefore marueyle that the auncient hystories af∣firme that great thynges proceade and increase of smaul and obscure be∣gynnynges,* 26.38 syth wee haue seene the same verefyed in this fyndyng of the Indies, being so notable and newe a thynge. Wee neede not bee curious to seeke the name of the pylot syth death made a shorte ende of his doinges. Sum wyl that he came from Andaluzia, and traded to the Ilands of Ca∣naria and the Ilande of Madera when this large and mortal nauigation chaūced vnto hym.* 26.39 Other say that he was a Bys∣cayne, and traded into Englande and Fraunce. Other also, that he was a Portugale: and that eyther he wente or came from Mina or India:* 26.40 which agreeth well with the name of these newe landes as I haue sayde before. Ageyne, sum there bee that say that he browght the carauel to Portugale: or to the Ilande of Madera, or to sum other of the Ilandes cauled delos Azores. Yet doo none of them affirme any thynge, al∣thowgh they all affirme that the pylotte dyed in the house of Chrystopher Colon, with whome remayned al such wrytynges and annotacions as he hadde made of his vyage in the sayde carauell, aswell of such thynges as he obserued both by lande and sea, as also of the eleuation of the pole in those landes whi∣che he had dis∣couered.

¶ What maner of man Chrystopher Colon was: and howe he Came fyrst to the know∣leage of the Indies.

CHristopher Colon was borne in Cugureo, or (as sum say) in Nerui, a vyllage in the territo¦rie of Genua in Italie. He descended as sum thynke, of the house of the Pelestreles of Pla∣centia in Lumbardie. He beganne of a chylde to bee a maryner: of whose arte they haue great exercise on the ryuer of Genua.* 26.41 He traded many yeares into Suria and other partes of the East. After this, he be∣came a master in makynge cardes for the sea, whereby he had great vantage. He came to Portugale to knowe the reason and descr••ption of the south coaste of Affrica and the nauiga∣tions of the Portugales, thereby to make his cardes more per¦fecte to bee solde. He maryed in Portugale as sum say: or as many say, in the Ilande of Madera, where he dwelt at suche tyme as the sayde caruell arryued there, whose pylot suiorned in his house, and dyed also there, bequethynge to Colon his carde of the description of suche newe landes as he hadde founde, wherby Colon had the fyrst knowleage of the Indy∣es. Sum haue thowght that Colon was well lerned in the Latine tounge and the science of Cosmographie:* 26.42 and that he was therby fyrst moued to seeke the landes of the Antipodes and the ryche Ilande of Cipango whereof Marcus Paulus wryteth. Also that he had redde what Plato in his dialoges of Timeus and Cricias, wryteth of the greate Ilande Atlan∣tide,* 26.43 and of a great lande in the West Ocean vndiscouered be¦inge bygger then Asia and Affrica. Furthermore that he had knowleage what Aristotell and Theophrastus saye in theyr bookes of maruayles, where they wryte that certeyne mar∣chauntes of Carthage saylyng from the streyghtes of Gibral∣tar towarde the west and south,* 26.44 founde after many dayes a greate Ilande not inhabited: yet replenyshed with al thinges requisite, and hauynge many nauigable ryuers. In deede Colon was not greately lerned: yet of good vnderstandynge. And when he had knowleage of the sayde new landes by the information of the dead pylot,* 26.45 made relation thereof to cer∣teyne lerned men with whom he conferred as touchynge the

lyke thynges mentioned of owlde autours. He communica∣ted this secreate and conferred chiefely with a fryer, named Iohn Perez of Marchena that dwelt in the monastery of Ra∣bida. So that I verely beleue, that in maner all that he de∣clared, and many thynges more that he lefte vnspoken, were wrytten by the sayde Spanyshe pylot that dyed in his house. For I am persuaded, that if Colon by science atteyned to the knowleage of the Indies, he wolde longe before haue commu∣nicate this secreate to his owne contrey men the Genueses, that trauayle all the worlde for gaynes, and not haue comme into Spayne for this purpose. But doubtelesse he neuer thought of any such thyng before he chaunced to bee acquain¦ted with the sayd pylot who founde those landes by fortune,* 26.46 accordynge to the sayinge of Plinie: Quod ars docere non potuit, ca∣sus inuenit. That is: That arte coulde not teache, chaunce founde. Albeit, the more Chrystian opinion is,* 26.47 to thinke that god of his singuler prouidence and infinite goodnesse, at the length with eyes of compassion as it were lookynge downe from heauen vpon the sonnes of Adam so longe kepte vnder Sathans captiuitie, intended euen then (for causes to hym only knowen) to rayse those wyndes of mercy whereby that caruell (herein most lyke vnto the shyppe of Noe whereby the remanent of the hole world was saued as by this caruel this newe worlde receaued the fyrst hope of theyr saluation) was dryuen to these landes.* 26.48 But wee wyll nowe declare what great thynges folowed of this smaule begynnynge, and how Colon folowed this matter reueled vnto hym not withowte goddes prouidence.

¶ What labour and trauayle Colon tooke in at∣temptyng his fyrst vyage to the Indies.

AFter the death of the pilot and mariners of the Spanyshe caruell that discouered the Indies, Chrystopher Colon purposed to seke the same. But in howe muche more he desyred this, the lesse was his poure to accomplishe his desire. For, besyde that of him selfe he was not able to furnysshe one shyppe, he lacked also the fauour of a kynge vnder whose protection he might so enioy the riches he hoped

to fynde, that none other myght take the same from hym or defeate hym therof. And seinge the kynge of Portugale occu¦pied in the conquest of Africa and the nauigations of the East which were then fyrst attempted,* 26.49 the kynge of Castyle lyke∣wyse no lesse busyed in the warres of Granada,* 26.50 he sent to his brother Bartholomewe Colon (who was also priuie to this se∣create) to practise with the kynge of Englande Henry the se∣venth beinge very ryche and withowt warres:* 26.51 promysynge to brynge hym great ryches in short time if he wolde shew him fauour and furnysshe hym with shippes to discouer the newe Indies wherof he had certeyne knowleage. But neyther here beinge able to brynge his sute to passe, he caused the matter to bee moued to the kynge of Portugale Don Alonso the fyfte of that name: at whose handes he founde neither fauour nor money, forasmuch as the licenciate Calzadilla the byshop of Uiseo,* 26.52 and one master Rodrigo men of credit in the science of Cosmographie, withstoode him and contended that there nei∣ther was nor coulde any golde or other ryches bee founde in the west as Colon affirmed. By reason whereof he was very sadde and pensiue: but yet was not discouraged or despaired of the hope of his good aduenture which he afterward found This done, he tooke shippinge at Lisburne, and came to Pa∣los of Moguer where he cōmuned with Martin Alōso Pinzō an expert pylot, who offered hym selfe vnto hym. After this disclosynge the hole secreates of his mynde to Iohn Perez of Marchena (a fryer of thorder of saynt Frances in Rabida, and wel lerned in Cosmographie) & declarying vnto hym how by folowyng the course of the son by a temperate vsage, rich and great landes myght be founde, the fryer greatly commen∣ded his enterpryse, and gaue him counsayle to breake the mat∣ter to the duke of Medina Sidonia Don Enrique of Guzman a great lorde and very ryche:* 26.53 And also to Don Luys of Cerda the duke of Medina Celi,* 26.54 who at that tymes had great prouisi¦on of shippes well furnyshed in his hauen of Santa Maria. But wheras both these dukes tooke the matter for a dreame and as a thynge diuised of an Italian deceauer who (as they thought) had before with lyke pretence deluded the kynges of Englande and Portugale, the fryer gaue hym courage to go to the courte of the Catholyke princes Don Ferdinando and lady Isabell princes of Castile: affirmynge that they

wolde bee ioyfull of such newes. And for his better furthe∣rance herin, wrote letters by hym to fryer Ferdinando of Ta¦lauera the queenes confessor. Chrystopher Colon therfore, re∣payred to the court of the Cathollike princes, in the yeare .M.CCCC.lxxxvi. and delyuered vnto theyr handes the peticion of his request as concerninge the discouerynge of the newe In¦dies. But they beinge more carefull, and applyinge all theyr mynde howe they myght dryue the Moores owt of the kyng∣dome of Granade,* 26.55 which great enterpryse they had alredy ta¦ken in hande, dyd lyttle or nothynge esteme the matter. But Colon not thus discouraged, found the meanes to declare his sute to such as had sumtymes priuate communication with the kynge.* 26.56 Yet bicause he was a stranger and went but in sim¦ple apparell, nor otherwyse credited then by the letter of a gray fryer, they beleued hym not, neyther gaue eare to his woordes: wherby he was greatly tormented in his imagina∣tion.* 26.57 Only Alonso of Quintanilia the kynges chiefe auditour gaue hym meate and drynke at his owne charges, and hard gladly such thynges as he declared of the landes not then founde: desyrynge hym in the meane tyme to bee contente with that poore enterteynemente, and not to despayre of his enterpryse: puttynge hym also in good conforte that he shulde at one tyme or other, coome to the speache of the Catho¦lyke princes. And thus shortly after by the meanes of Alonso of Quintanilia, Colon was browght to the presence and audi∣ence of the Cardinall Don Pero Gonzales of Mendoza, arch¦bysshop of Toledo,* 26.58 a man of great reuenues & autoritie with the kynge and queene, who brought hym before them after that he well perceaued and examyned his intent.* 26.59 And by this meanes was his sute harde of the Catholyke princes, who al¦so redde the booke of his memorials which he presented vnto them. And although at the fyrst they tooke it for vayne and false that he promysed, neuerthelesse they put hym in good hope that he shulde bee well dispatched when they had fy∣nyshed the warres of Granada which they had now in hand. With which answere, Colon beganne to reuyue his spirites, with hope to bee better estemed and more fauorably to bee hard amonge the gentelmen and noble men of the court, who before tooke hym only for a craftie felowe and deceauer: and was nothynge dismayde or discouraged when so euer he de∣bated

the matter with them, althowghe many iudged hym phantasticall,* 26.60 as is the maner of ignorant menne to caule all such as attempte any thynge beyonde theyr reach and the com¦pa••se of theyr knowleage: thinkyng the worlde to bee no big¦ger then the cagies wherin they are brought vp and lyue. But to returne to Colon: So hotte and vrgente was the siege of Granada, that they presentely graunted hym his demaunde to seeke the newe landes,* 26.61 and to brynge from thense golde, syluer, perles, precious stones, spices, and suche other rych thynges. They gaue hym also the tenth parte of all the reue¦nues and customes dewe vnto the kynge of al such landes as he shulde discouer,* 26.62 not doynge preiudice in any thynge to the kynge of Portugale. The particulars of this agrement were made in the towne caused Sanera Fe: and the priuilege of the rewarde, in Granada the .xxx. daye of Aprell the same yeare that the citie was woonne. And wheras the sayde Catholyke princes had not mony presently to dispatch Colon, Luys of s. Angell the kynges secretary of accomptes, lente theym syxe quentes of marauedes, whiche in a grosse summe make .xvi. thousande ducades. Two thynges are herein chiefely to be noted:* 26.63 wherof the one is, that for so smaule charges they haue increased the reuenues of the crowne of Castyle as much as the Indies are in value. The other is, that endynge the conquest of the Moores who possessed the kyngdome of Gra∣nada eyght hundreth yeares, they immediately beganne the conquest of the Indies, as though the nation of the Spany∣ardes were euer appoynted to feyght ageynst infidels and ene∣mies of the fayth of Iesu Chryst.

By this trauayle of Colonus in so noble an enterpryse and so harde successe, dooth the sayinge of Plinie appere to be most trew, wher in the preface of his natural hystory wryttē to thēprour Uespa¦siā he writeth ī this maner. Res ardus vetustis novitatem dare: Nouis, autori tatem: absoletis, nitorem, obseuris, lucem: sastiditis, gratiam: dubiis, fidem: om∣nibus vero naturam, et naturae fuatl omnia, Ita{que} etiam non assecutis, voluisse abund•• pulchrum at{que} magnificum est. That is to say: It is a dyfficulte thynge to gyue newenes to owlde thynges, autoritie to newe thynges: bew¦tie to thynges owt of vse: fame to the obscure: fauoure to the hate∣full: credite to the doubtefull: nature to all, and all to nature. To such neuerthelesse as can not attayne to all these, it is greately commendable and magnificall to haue attempted the same.

In the scuchen of armes gyuen to Colon by Don Ferdinando and queene Elizabeth Catholike princes (so cauled for theyr warres ageynst the infidels) these verses were wrytten.

Por Castilla y por Leon, Nueuo mundo hallo Colon.That is; For Castile and for Leon, The newe worlde founde Colon.

¶ Of newe Spayne cauled Noua Hispania, or Mexico.

NEwe Spayne is that parte of the continent or firme lande that lyeth West and South frome the lande of Floryda. This was subdued to thempire of Castile by the ryght noble gentel∣man Ferdinando Cortese the marquesse of the vale of Quaxaca. In this lande are many pro∣vinces cōteynyng in thē in maner innumerable cities, amonge whichthat is the chiefe which the Indiās caule Mexico or Te¦mixtitan,* 26.64 cōsystyng of more thē fiue hundreth thousand inha¦bitauntes. It standeth in the myddest of a lake of salte wa∣ter as doth Uenece in the sea. The lake conteyneth fortie Per¦sian myles cauled Parasange, euery one consystynge of .xxx. furlons, and more as sum say. In these regions is founde great plentie of golde, syluer,* 26.65 and precious stones, with in∣numerable other thynges both necessary for the lyfe of man and pleasaunt: as sylke,* 26.66 bombasine cotton,* 26.67 alame,* 26.68 Safferne, Woade,* 26.69 with dyuers other thynges wherwith clothe & sylke is dyed. There is also such abundance of suger,* 26.70 that cer∣teyne Spanysshe shippes are yearely fraighted therwith and brynge the same into Siuile from whense it is caryed in ma∣ner to all partes of Chrystendome. Thinhabitauntes of Mex∣ico are subtyle people, and vse much craft in theyr bargening They haue not the vse of golde and syluer monye:* 26.71 but vse in the steade therof the halfe shelles of almonds, whiche kynde of Barbarous money they caule Cacao or Cacanguate. In ma∣ner al kyndes of corne are there very good cheape:* 26.72 especially barly and wheate. They haue great plentie of hartes, wylde bores, Lyons, Leopardes, and Tygers, which beastes wan∣der

in maner in euery place. The region is moste commodious for haukynge and huntynge for the great abundaunce it hath of beastes and foules.* 26.73 But the people exercise all theyr cun∣nynge in makynge the images of theyr Idolatry, and in pain¦tyng.* 26.74 Theyr women are valiant: and sumptuous in theyr ap¦parell and other tyrementes. For they so vychely frynge and byset the same with perles,* 26.75 precious stones, and golde, that nothynge can be more excellent. They haue a kynde of pa∣per greatly differyng from owrs. In this they expresse theyr mindes by certeyn figures. For they haue nor otherwise thuse ofletters. The nation is desyrous of warre: and dooth not longe keepe the condicions of peace vnuiolated:* 26.76 But delyteth rather in ciuile and most cruell battayle amonge them selues then to lyue in peace and quietnesse. Suche as in the warres faule by any meanes into the handes of theyr enemies, eyther by submission or otherwyse, are partely sacrificed to the I∣doles,* 26.77 and the residue gyuen to the souldiers to bee eaten, in lyke maner as wee rewarde dogges and haukes with parte of theyr pray. They haue innumerable Idoles which euery one maketh for his particular god after the phantasie of his own brayne, and gyueth therto diuine honour. Albeit at this day they doo by lyttle and lyttle leaue of theyr barbarous fierce∣nesse: and with owre religion embrase better maners. For they nowe professe the fayth of Chryst, and in his name pray vnto God the father.

Vnderstande here that as touchynge these regions cauled new Spayne, yow may reade at large in the booke here before entiteled of the landes and Ilandes lately founde. This booke foloweth im∣mediatly after the Decades, althowgh the printer haue also wryt∣ten the thyrde decade ouer the head of that booke which intreateth principally of the regions nowe cauld newe Spayne. Of the con∣quest of this Mexico, Francisco Lopez hath written a large booke in the Spanysshe tounge.

¶Of Peru.

The prouince cauled Peru, was also named no∣ua Cathilia by them that fyrste founde it. This region is the west parte of America: and is situ∣ate in the longitude of .290. degrees, procea∣dynge from the West to the East. And south∣warde begynneth fiue degrees beyonde the E∣quinoctial

line, and is extended very farre into the south. This is taken to bee the rychest lande in golde, syluer,* 26.78 perles precious stones, and spyces, that euer was founde yet to this day. For golde is there in such plentie that they make pys∣pots therof, and other vessels applyed to fylthy vses. But this is more to bee marueyled at, that in a citie cauled Collao was founde a house all couered with massie plates of golde.* 26.79 In theyr warres also theyr harnesse was of golde and syl∣uer.* 26.80 Theyr weapons are bowes, arrowes, flynges, dartes, and pikes. Thinhabitantes are warlyke people and of great agilitie. They haue cities defended with lawes and armes. The region is exceadyng frutefull,* 26.81 and yeldeth corne twyse in the yeare. It is so florysshynge with many fayze wooddes, mountaynes, ryuers, and other both pleasaunt and necessary commodities, that it seemeth in maner an earthly Paradyse. It hath dyuers kyndes of beastes, and yet none hurtfull or of rauenynge kynde. There are sheepe of such heyght that they vse them in the steade of horses.* 26.82 Sume wryte that they are as bygge as the younge foles of camels: and that theyr woolle is very softe and fine. Also that the ewes brynge furth lambes twyse a yeare. The people are wytty and of gen¦tyl behauoure. Cunnynge also in artes, faythful of promes,* 26.83 and of maners not greatly to bee discommended, saue that they are ignorant of Chryst: who neuertheless is nowe know¦en vnto them in many places, as our hope is he shalbe dayly more and more if all princes wyll herein putte theyr helpynge handes to the plowe of owre lorde, and sende labourers into his vyneyarde.

¶Of the great ryuer cauled Rio de la Plata (that is) the ryuer of syluer.

This is ryuer reacheth very farre in length & bredth: and is cauled Uruai in the Indian tounge. Into this fauleth an other ryuer named Paraue.* 26.84 The fyrste that sayled into the ryuer of Plata, was Iohn Dias Solis,* 26.85 whom the ryght noble kynge of Spayne Ferdinandus made Admyral of these seas. In the ryuer lyeth an Ilande whiche Iohn Dias named Martinus Gratias bycause a pylot of his so cauled,* 26.86 was buryed there.

This Ilande is situate in the myddest of the ryuer: and is dy∣stant from the mouth of the same abowt fortie leaques. As the sayde Admirall attempted to expugne the Iland, he was sud¦deynly oppressed and slayne of the Indians that priuilie as∣sayled hym. Wherwith neuerthelesse theyr barbarous cruel∣tie was not satisfyed vntyll they had torne him in pieses and deuoured hym. But many yeares after, Themperoures maie∣stie and kynge of Spayne Charles the fyfte, sente foorth Se∣bastian Cabot (a man of great courage and skylfull in Cosmo∣graphi,* 26.87 and of no lesse experience as concernynge the starres and the sea) with commaundement to discouer and subdue the Ilandes of Tharsis,* 26.88 Ophir,* 26.89 Cipango,* 26.90 and Coi Cathay.* 26.91 Re∣ceauynge therfore his commission and proceadynge forwarde on his vsage, he arryued by chaunce at this Ilande: The cause wherof was that the principall vessell was lost by ship∣wracke, and the men that saued theyr lyues by swymmynge were receaued into other shyppes. Perceauynge therfore that by reason of this chaunce he could by no meanes performe his vyage attempted, he intended to expugne the sayde Ilande, and theruppon to conueygh his vytayles to land, to prepare his soldiers to thinuasion, to plant colonyes, and to erect for tresses by the ryuers syde wherby the Spanyardes myght bee defended from the violence of the barbarians. But before he attempted this, he was aduertised that the Ilande was riche in golde and syluer. Which thynge dyd so encorage him, that withowt respect of perel he thought best to expugne it by one meanes or other, wherein his bouldenes tooke good effecte as often tymes chaunceth in great affayres. Furthermore as touchynge the ryuer,* 26.92 Sebastian Cabote made relation that he neuer sawe any cōparable vnto this in bredth and depth. For whereas it fauleth into the sea, it conteyneth .xxv. leaques in breath. From the mouth of the ryuer, Cabot sayled vp the same into the lande for the space of three hundreth and fiftie leaques as he wryteth in his owne carde. That it is of great depth, may hereby bee consydered that manye greate ryuers faule into it: so that the chanell can not bee shalowe that con¦teyneth such abundance of water, and suche plentie of good and great fysshes. For there in is maner no fysshe in the sea, that is not founde in this ryuer. As soone as the Spanyards were set alande, they made a proofe if the soyle were frutfull

to beare corne. Takynge therefore fiftie graynes of wheate and commyttynge the same to the earth in the moneth of Sep¦tember,* 26.93 they gathered therof two thousande and fiftie at De¦cember nexte folowynge: wherin sume beinge deceaued and mistakynge the thynge, haue wrytten in the steade of twoo thousande and fiftie, fyftie thousande and two. The lyke fer¦tilitie is there of all other grayne and pulse. Furthermore thinhabitauntes declared that not farre from that place, ther are great and hygh mountaynes in the which is founde great plentie of golde. And no great distance from the same, to bee other mountaynes no lesse frutefull of syluer,* 26.94 and many other thynges longe to rehearse. Thinhabitauntes are paynefull men, and tyll the grounde diligently, wherin they take great pleasure: and haue therfore great plentie of breade of Maizi∣um. There are sheepe of suche byggenesse that they compare them to younge camels or asses as sum say.* 26.95 Theyr woolle is very fine: and nearest vnto the fyennesse of sylke. There are also beastes of dyuers kyndes. Amonge men there is dyf¦ference, that such as lyue in the mountaynes, are whyte,* 26.96 and for the most parte lyke vnto the men of owre regions. But they that dwell abowt the ryuer (as though they tooke theyr coloure therof) are blackysshe or purple of the coloure of fine Iren or steele.* 26.97 This also chaunceth to many of them, that theyr fiete and legges are lyke the legs and fiete of the foule cauled the oystreche.

¶ Of the hygher East India cauled India Tercera or Trecera.

IN this India whiche the Portugales caule Tercera, are very great kyngedomes: as the kyngdomes of Bengala, Pegu, Berma, Erā¦cangui, Dausian, Copelam, and the greate kyngdome of Malacha,* 26.98 cauled of the owlde wryters Aurea Chersonesus: whose chiefe citie isalso cauled Malacha, and was in owlde tyme named Tachola.* 26.99 Under this kyngedgme are in∣finite Ilandes cauled Maluche,* 26.100 whereof the principall are these: Iaua the greater, Iaua the lesse, Polagua, Mendana Cubu, Cailon, Huban, Bur, Tenado, Anbon, and Gilolo.

With infinite other. On the Southwest parte from Malacha, is the great Ilande of Samotra cauled in owlde tyme Lapro∣bana,* 26.101 in the which are the kyngedomes of Pe••ir, Biraen, Pa¦zer, Ardagni, and Ham. This Iland and al the other caule•• Maluche,* 26.102 brynge furth great quantitie of cloues, cinamome, nuttemegges, maces, and all other kyndes of spyces exe. p••o pepper, which groweth in the prouince of Calecut a••d the I¦lande of Ceilam.* 26.103* 26.104 All these sortes of spices are caryed to Ma¦lacha to bee soulde. But the greatest parte of them is caryed to Cathay and China: and from thense to the north partes of Tartarie.* 26.105* 26.106 This kyngdome of China, is very great: and was in owlde tyme cauled Sina. Here is founde great plentie o•• precious stones.* 26.107 The people are very subtyle and ryche. They are all appareled eyther in sylke or cloth,* 26.108 or vestures of other woorkemanshippe: and are of good ciuilitie. They doo not gladly permitte the Portugales or other straungers to tra∣fike in theyr kyngedome: whose moste famous place vppon the sea syde, is named Cautan,* 26.109 and the sea Machiam, cau∣led of the owlde wryters the sea of Sina.

¶ Of the landes of Laborador and Baccalaos, lyinge west and northwest from Englande, and beinge parte of the firme lande of the West Indies.

MAny haue trauayled to search the coast of th•• lande of Laborador, aswell to thintente to knowe howe farre or whyther it reachethe, as also whether there bee any passage by sea through the same into the sea of Surand the Ilandes of Maluca which are vnder the E∣quinoctiall line:* 26.110 thinkynge that the way•• thyther shulde greatly bee shortened by this vyage. The Spa¦nyardes as to whose ryght the sayde Ilandes of spices per∣teyne,* 26.111 dyd fyrst seeke to fynde the same by this way The Por¦tug••les also hauynge the trade of spices in theyr handes, dyd trauayle to fynde the same: although hetherto neyther anye such pa••sage is founde or the ende of that lande. In the yeare a thousande and fiue hundreth. Basper Cortesreales,* 26.112 made a vyage thyther with two carauelles: but founde not the

••••reyght or passage he sought. At his beinge there, he named the Ilandes that lye in the mouth of the goulfe Quadrado, after his name Cortesreales,* 26.113 lyinge in the .L. degrees and more: and browght from that lande abowt three score men for slaues. He greatly maruayled to beholde the houge quan¦titie of snowe and Ise.* 26.114 For the sea is there frosen excedyng∣ly. Thinhabitauntes are men of good corporature, although tawny lyke the Indies, and laborious. They paynte theyr bodyes, and weare braselettes and hoopes of syluer and cop∣per.* 26.115 Theyr apparel is made of the skynnes of marternes and dyuers other beastes, whiche they weare with the heare in∣warde in wynter, and owtwarde in soommer. This apparell they gyrde to theyr bodyes with gyrdels made of cotton, or the synewes of fysshes and beastes. They eate fysshe more then any other thynge, and especially salmons,* 26.116 althoughe they haue foules and frute. They make theyr houses of tim∣ber wherof they haue great plentie•• and in the steade of tyles, couer them with the skynnes of fysshes and beastes. It is sayde also that there are grifes in this lande:* 26.117 and that the beares and many other beastes and foules are whyte.* 26.118 To this and the Ilandes abowt the same, the Britons are accustomed to resorte:* 26.119 as men of nature agreable vnto them and borne vn¦der the same altitude and temperature. The Norwayes also sayled thyther with the pylot cauled Iohn Scoluo: And the Englysshe men with Sebastian Cabot.* 26.120

The coaste of the lande of Baccallaos,* 26.121 is a greate tracte: and the greatest altitude therof, is .xiviii. degrees and a halfe Sebastian Cabot was the fyrst that browght any knowleage of this lande. For beinge in Englande in the dayes of kyng Henry the seuenth,* 26.122 he furnysshed twoo shippes at his owne charges or (as sum say) at the kynges, whome he persuaded that a passage might bee founde to Cathay by the north seas, and that spices myght bee brought from thense soner by that way, then by the vyage the Portugales vse by the sea of Sur He went also to knowe what maner of landes those Indies were to inhabite. He had with hym three hundreth men, and directed his course by the tracte of Islande vppon the cape of Laborador at .lviii. degrees:* 26.123 affirmynge that in the monethe of Iuly there was such could and heapes of Ise that he durst passe no further: also that the dayes were very longe and in

maner withowt myght, and the nyghtes very cleare. Cer∣teyne it is, that at the. lx. degrees, the longest day is of .xviii. houres. But consyderynge the coulde and the straungenes of th•• vnknowen lande, he turned his course from thense to the West, folowynge the coast of the lande of Baccalaos vnto th•• xxxviii. degrees,* 26.124 from whense he returned to Englande. To conclude, the Brytons and Danes haue sayled to the Bacca∣laos:* 26.125* 26.126 and Iaques Cartier a frenche man was there twyse with three galeons:* 26.127 as one in the yeare .xxxiiii. and the other in the .xxxv. and chose the lande to inhabite frome the .xlv. degrees to the. li. beinge as good a lande as Fraunce, and al thynges therein commune to such as fyrst possesse the same.

Of these lands, Iacobus Gastaldus wryteth thus: The newe lande of Baccalaos,* 26.128 is a coulde region, whose inhaby∣tauntes are Idolatours and praye to the soonne and moon•• and dyuers Idoles. They are whyte people and very rustical. For they eate flesshe and fysshe and all other thynges rawe. Sumtymes also they eate mans flesshe priuilye so that theyr Laciqui haue no knowleage therof. The apparell of both the men and women, is made of beares skynnes, althowgh they haue sables and marternes, not greatly estemed bycause they are lyttle. Sum of them go naked in soommer, and weare ap¦parell only in wynter. The Brytous and Frenche men are ac¦customed to take fysshe in the coaste of these landes where is founde great plentie of Tunnyes which thinhabitauntes caul Baccalaos wherof the lande was so named.* 26.129 Northwarde from the region of Baccalaos, is the lande of Laborador,* 26.130 all full of mountaynes and great wooddes in whiche are manye beares and wylde bores. Thinhabitauntes are Idolatoures and warlike people, appareled as are they of Baccallaos. In all this newe lande, is neyther citie or castell: but they lyue in companies lyke heardes of beastes.

¶ The discouerynge of the lande of Floryda.

THe gouernour of the Ilande of Boriquena Iohn Ponce of Leon beinge discharged of his office and very ryche,* 26.131* 26.132 furnysshed and sente foorth two car∣uels to seeke the Ilandes of Boyuca in the which the Indians affirmed to be a fontayne or springe

Whose water is of vertue to make owlde men younge. Whyle he trauayled syxe monethes with owtragious desyre amonge many Ilandes to fynde that he sought, and coul••e fynde no token of any such fountayne, he entered into Bimini and dis∣couered the lande of Florida in the yeare .1512. on Easter day which the Spanyardes caule the florysshyng day of Pascha,* 26.133 wherby they named that lande Florida. And supposyng that great rych••s myght be browght from thense, he returned in∣to Spayne and conuenaunted with kynge Ferdinando as tou¦chynge the trade: and by thintercession of Nicolas de Quan∣do and Peter Nunez de Guzman, the kynge dyd not onely make hym gouernoure of Bemini and Florida, but also sente furthe with hym three shippes from Siuile toward his second vyage in the yeare .1515. He touched in the Ilande of Guaca∣na otherwyse cauled Guadalupe,* 26.134 and sent to lande certeyne of his men with the landresses of the shyppes: whom the Ca∣nibales lyinge in ambusshe,* 26.135 assayled with theyr inuenemed ar¦rowes: and slaying the most parte, caryed away the women. With this euyll begynnynge, Iohn Ponce departed frome hense to Boriquen and from thense to Florida wher he went alaude with his souldyers to espie a place moste commodious to inhabite and plant a colonie.* 26.136 But the Indians commynge furth ageynst hym to defende the enterance, assayled the Spa∣nyardes fiercely and slewe and wounded many of them. At which conflicte also he hym selfe beinge wounded with an ar∣rowe, dyed shortely after in the Ilande of Cuba:* 26.137 and so en∣dynge his lyfe, consumed a great parte of the rychesse he had before begotten at saynt Iohannes of Boriquen. This Iohn Ponce had before sayled with Chrystopher Colon to the I∣lande of Hispaniola in the yeare .1493. He was a gentel soul¦dier in the warres of this Ilande, and capitayne of the pro∣uince of Niguei for Nycolas de Quando ••hat conquested the same. The region of Floryda is a poynt or cape of lande rea∣chynge into the sea lyke vnto a tounge:* 26.138 beinge a famous and notorious place amonge the Indians by rea••on of many Spa¦nyardes that haue bin slayne there. But wheras by same this Floryda was estemed a ryche lande, many valient and noble men desyred the conquest therof, amonge whome Ferdinando de Soto (who had before byn a capitayne in Peru and great∣ly inryched by thimprisonment of kynge Atabaliba) attēpted* 26.139

a vyage thyther with a good bande of men, and spente fyue yeare in seekynge of golde mynes, supposynge that this lande hadde byn lyke vnto Peru.

In fine, he dyed there and was the destruction and vndoinge of all that went with hym withowt inhabytynge that lande.* 26.140 in the which the conquestours had hytherto neuer good suc∣cesse, forasmuche as these Indians are valiente archers and stronge and hardy men. But the valiant myndes of the Spa∣nyardes not discouraged by these mysaduentures, after the death of Ferdinando Soto,* 26.141 many woorthy gentelmen desy∣red this conquest in the yeare .1544. amonge whom was Iu¦lyan Samano, and Peter de Ahumada beinge brotherne and men of sufficient abilitie for such an enterprise. But neyther themprour beinge then in Germanie, neyther the prince Don Phylippe his sonne who gouerned all the kyngedomes of Castile and Aragonie, neyther yet the counsayle of the Indies wolde in any case agree to the conqueste.* 26.142 Neuerthelesse not vtterly contemnynge the matter which they were partly per∣suaded myght otherwyse bee browght to passe, they sent thy¦ther fryer Luys Cancell of Baluastro with other fryers of the order of saynt Dominike who offered them selues to conuerte the nations of that lande from theyr gentilitie to the fayth of Chryst and obedience to Themperoure, onely with woordes. The fryer therfore goinge forwarde on his vyage at the kyn∣ges charges in the yeare .1549. went aland with foure other fryers which he tooke with hym and certeyne maryners with owt harnesse or weapons: vnto whom as he began his prea∣chynge,* 26.143 many of the Indians of the sayd Florida resorted to the sea syde, where withowt gyuynge audience to his woor∣des, they caryed hym away with three other of his company∣ons and dyd eate them, whereby they suffered martyrdom•• for the fayth of Chryst. The resydue that escaped, made hast to the shyppe and kept them selues for confessours as sum say Many that fauoure thintente of the fryers, doo nowe consy∣der that by that meanes the Indians coulde not be browght to owre frendeshippe and religion. Neuerthelesse, that if it coulde so haue byn browght to passe,* 26.144 it had byn better. There came of late from that shippe, one that had byn the page of Ferdinando de Sodo, who declared that the Indians han∣ged vp the skynnes with the heades and crownes of the sayd fryers in one of theyr temples.

¶ An opinion that Europa, Africa, and Asia, are Ilandes: and of certeyne nauiga∣tions abowt the same.

THe anciente wryters diuided this owre worlde into Asia, Africa, and Europa, by the ryuer Ta∣nais as Isocrates declareth in his Panegyri∣co. Afterwarde they diuided Asia and Africa by the ••urnynges and course of the ryuer Ni∣lus, thowghe the same had byn better by the sea Bermeto (that is) the redde sea, which almoste trauerseth and passeth throwgh the lande from the Ocean to the sea Me¦diterraneum which diuideth Europa and Asia. But Berosus the Caldean, sayth that Noe gaue names to Africa, Asia, and Europa:* 26.145 and gaue them to his sonnes, Cham, Sem, and Ia∣fet: also that he sayled by the sea Mediterraneum ten yeres. In fine we nowe conclude that the three sayde prouinces oc∣cupy this mydlande of the worlde. All in gene••all say that Asia is greater then any of the other,* 26.146 and in maner as bygge as they both. Albeit Herodotus in his Melpomene, scorneth them that make Europe and Asia equall:* 26.147 affirmynge that Eu¦rope in longitude is equal to Asia and Afrike: and that it pas¦seeh them in latitude, wherin he speaketh not greatly owt of square. But to speake more of this elswhere, not pertey∣nynge to the matter wee haue in hande,* 26.148 I say that Homerus one of the most ancient wryters, sayth that the world which is diuided into Asia, Africa, and Europa, is an Ilande as re¦herseth Pomponius Mela in his thyrde booke. Strabo in the fyrst boke of his Geographie, sayth that the earth which is inhabited, is an Ilande enuironed with the Ocean. H••gi∣nius also, and Solinus, confirmed this sentence, Althowghe Solinus doo erre in mystakinge the names of the seas, suppo¦synge that the Caspian sea was parte of the Ocean,* 26.149 beinge rather lyke vnto the sea Mediterraneum so named bycause it is in the mydlande as is the Caspian sea withowt participa∣cion of the great Ocean.* 26.150 Strabo wryteth that in the tyme of Tolomeus Euergetes, one Eudoxus sayled three or foure tymes from Caliz to India:* 26.151 And that the guides of the redde sea (cauled the goulfe of Arabie or Bermeio) presented to the same kynge Tolomeus, an Indian whome he brought frome

thense. Kynge Iuba also prooued this nauigation from Ca∣liz to India as wryteth Solinus. Whereby it appeareth that the nauigation to India by the Ocean was then wel knowen and frequented, althowgh not so much as at this present, the same beinge neyther then or nowe a thynge of gret difficultie or trauayle by the coastes of hotte regions.* 26.152 But to sayle from India to Caliz by the other parte of the north by a clyme and regions of extreme coulde, shulde bee doubtlesse a difficult and daungerous thynge, wherof is no memory amonge the owlde autours sauynge onely of one shyppe as Plinie and Mela doo wryte, rehersynge the testimony of Cornelius Nepos who af¦firmed that the kynge of Suema presented to Quintus Mete∣lus Cele•• Lieuetenaunt of Fraunce,* 26.153 certeyne Indians dryuen by tempest into the sea of Germanie: if the same were not of the lande of Laborador or Bacallaos, and they deceaued in theyr coloure.* 26.154 For sum say that lykewyse in the dayes of the Emperoure Fredericus Barbarossa, certeyne Indians were browght in a Canoa from the citie of Lubec in Germanie.* 26.155 Fur¦thermore pope Eneas Syluius wryteth that the Sarmation sea, is as certeyne as the Scythian, Germanian, or Indian sea. Nowe also there is great knowleage and experience how the nauigations and passage may be attempted by Norway•• and other north regions vnder the same north,* 26.156 and to folow that coaste to the sou••h sea of Sur and keepe that course by the tracte of China. Olanus Gothus the archbysshop of Up¦salia and borne in Gothlande, hath wrytten muche of these north regions and nauigations by the north sea. In the trace of this vyage by the north sea,* 26.157 are the Ilandes of Islande and Gruntlande,* 26.158 althowgh there is doubte whether Grunt∣lande be an Ilande or parte of the firme lande. It is, xl. lea∣ques, from Lapponia,* 26.159 and sumwhat more frome Finmarchia a lande of Scandinauia in Europe.* 26.160 The people of Gruntland are stronge men and of coomly stature. They sayle with smaul shippes or barkes couered close aboue with lether or beastes hydes for feare of the coulde and fysshes.* 26.161 Gruntlande as sum say, is fyftie leaques from the north parte of the firme lande of the West Indies by the lande of Laborador.* 26.162 But it is not yet knowen whether this land be continent or adherent with Gruntlande, or if there bee any streyght of sea betwene thē. If all bee one firme lande adioynynge by any parte, then the

two great partes of the world seeme to ioyne togyther abowt the north pole or vnder it, or beneth it,* 26.163 forasmuch as it is not past fortie or fiftie leaques frō Finmarche to Grun••lan•••• wher¦by it may appere that althowgh there be any suchstraight of ••idynge them, yet are they neyghbours & not farre in sunder. Furthermore from the land of Laborador by thaccompt of the pilottes, is abowte foure hundreth leaques to ••aial, one of the Ilandes of Azores,* 26.164 otherwyse cauled the Ilandes of So¦ria lyinge in the West Ocean ouer ageynst Spayne. Also by their accompte the lande of Laborador is abowte fiue hun∣dreth leaques from Irland,* 26.165 and sixe hundreth from Spayne.

That the Spanyardes haue sayled to the Antipodes (that is) suche as go fiete to fiete ageynst vs, and inhabite the inferiour hemispherie or halfe globe of the earthe, contrarie to thoppinion of the owlde writers.

AL the ancient philosophers of the gen••iles do deny that there may be any passage from owre hemispherie or halfe compasse of the earth to the Antopides by reasō of the burnt line (cauled Zona Torrida) and the Ocean sea ly¦inge in the mydde way, wherby this vyage shulde be hyndered and impossible, as Ma∣crobius wryteth,* 26.166 at large in his cōmentaries vpon the dreame of Scipio. Of the Chrystyan phylosophers, Clemente wry∣teth that it is not possible for any man to passe the Ocean:* 26.167 and other wryters of later tyme, seeme to confirme the same. In deede I verely beleue that this way was neuer knowen to them, aswell for that euer presupposynge the thynge to bee impossible they neuer attempted it, as also that the Indians (whom we caule Antipodes) haue no shippes sufficient for so longe and difficulte a nauigation to brynge them knowleage herof,* 26.168 as haue the Spaniardes to passe the Ocean vnto thē: In so much that at this present this vyage is by dayly expe∣rience so well knowen vnto the Spanyardes and Portuga∣les, that they can in maner go thyther blyndfielde, contrarye to thoppinion of those phylosophers. I wyll here omytte to speake of many shippes ••hat haue sayled ordynaryly frome

Spayne to India, and speake onely of the shyppe Uictoria which compass••d abowt the hole globe of the worlde and tou¦ched in the landes of two or three Antipodes,* 26.169 and in fine re∣turned to Spayne by a contrary way, wherby is declared the ignorance of the sage antiquitie. In this nauigation, they founde m••ny secrea••es,* 26.170 amonge the which this is strange and woorthy memorie, that al such deade Christians as were cast into the sea, lay on theyr backes and turned theyr faces vp∣warde: but the gentyles lay all groouelyn on theyr bellyes. They also p••rceaued the soonne and moone to keepe a contra∣ry course from that they doo here, & euer to cast the shadowes of all thynges towarde the south:* 26.171 whiche thynge also was knowen to sum of the owlde wryters. For this is manifeste that the sonne ryseth on the ryght hande to theym that lyue in the thyrtie degrees on thother syde the Equinoctiall:* 26.172 so that lookynge towarde the sonne, they turne theyr faces to the north: wherby it appeareth to bee trew that they affirme. They consumed three yeares lackynge .xiiii. dayes in goyn••e and commynge,* 26.173 and loste a daye in theyr accompte, whereby they dyd eate flesshe on frydayes, and celebrated the feaste of Easter on Mundayes: so that they ouerleaped a day (not fay¦lynge in the calender) and kept no iust rekenynge of the biser¦tile. The cause wherof whyle some haue searched by phylo∣sophie, they haue erred more then the maryners. They sayled x. thousande leaques and .xiiii. myles by theyr accompte, albe¦it they shulde haue gonne lesse, if theyr way hadde liue ryght forth. But as they were enforced partely of necessitie, and partely to fynde that they sowght, they made many wyn∣dynges and turnynges. They trauersed the Equinoctiall line syxe tymes withowt burnynge, contrary to thoppinion of t••e owlde autours. They remayned fyue monethes in the Iland of Tidore, whose inhabitauntes are Antipodes to theym of Guinea,* 26.174* 26.175 wherby it is apparente that wee maye communicate with them. And althowgh they lost the syght of the northe starre, yet dyd they euer dyrecte theyr course therby. For be∣inge in the .xl. degrees of the south,* 26.176 they sawe the needle of the compa••se stande as directly towarde the north as it dooth in the sea Mediterraneum: althowgh sum say that it looseth his force sumwhat.* 26.177 Abowt the poynt of the Southe or pole Antartike, they sawe a lyttle whyte cloude and foure starres

lyke vnto to crosse with three other ioyay••ge therunto, which resemble owre Septentrion, and are indeed to bee the signes or tokens of the south exeltre of heauen.* 26.178 Gre••t was the na∣u••gation of the f••eete of Salamon, bu•• greater was this of Themprours maiestie Don Charles kynge of Spayne. The Argos of Iason whiche the an••••quitie plac••d amonge the starres, sayled but a lyttle way and a shorte vyage in comp••∣rason of the sh••ppe Uictoria whiche owght woorthely to bee kepte in the Arsenall of Siuile in perpetuall memory of so fa∣mous an enterpryse. The daungiours, payn••s, trauayles and laboures of Uly••ses were nothynge in respecte of suche as Iohn Sebastian susteyned:* 26.179 whereby in the scuchion of his armes in the stead of a monstrous or inuincible beast, he woor¦thely gaue the woorlde with this circumscription: PRIMVS CIRCVNDEDISTI ME. (that is) Thou art the fyrst that hath compassed me abowt.

As touchynge the need••e of owr compasse▪ I haue redde in the Portugales nauigations that say••ynge as farre so••th as Cap. de ••••¦na Speranza, the poynt of the needle sty'd res••ected ••h•• northe as it dyd on th••s syde the Equinoctiall. ••a••ynge that it ••um what trembe∣led and ••eciyned a ••••t••e, wherby the fo••ce ••eemed sumwhat to be ••iminisshed, so that they were fayne to helpe it with the lede stone.

¶ Who fyrst founde the needle of the com∣passe, and the vse therof.

SPeakynge much of nauigations, it myght s••••e a thynge vndecent to omyt to say sumwhat of the ne••dle of the compasse▪ withowt the wh••ch as all nauigations are but blynde and wande∣rynge coniectures, euen so shulde the Ind••es neuer haue bynne founde but by helpe of the same, forasmuch as the shippes shulde haue byn lost in the Oce¦an,* 26.180 were it not that theyr courses were directed by the ne••d••e and compasse, which owght therfore to be compled the ch••efe partes of the shyppe and principall instrumentes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The fyrst that founde the needle and the vse therof 〈…〉〈…〉 and Mapheus Girarours doo wryt•• was one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Malpha a citie in the kyngdome of Naples, of 〈…〉〈…〉 Neopolitans glory to this day: and that by goo•• 〈…〉〈…〉 as much as a citisen and neyghbour••s 〈…〉〈…〉

the fyrst fynder of so commodious and profytable a thinge, to the secreate wherof so many excellente wyttes as were before hym coulde not attayne, althowgh they hadde both iren and the lode stone (caule•• M••gnes) whiche are the materials of the needle.* 26.181 F••ert vnto Flautus, the chiefe commendation is dew to the Spanyardes and Portugales by whose daylye experi∣ence,* 26.182 the same is browght to further perfection, and the vse therof better kwowen: althowghe hytherto no man knoweth the cause why the iren touched with the lode stone, turneth euer towarde the north starre, as playnely appeareth in euery common dyall.* 26.183 In maner all wryters attribute this to a se∣create and hyd propertie, sum of the north, and other of the mixture or naturall temperature of elementes that is betwene iren and the sayde stone. If it bee the propertie of the north or north starre, then (as the pylots make theyr rekenynge) neyther shulde the needle make anye chaunge or dy••fer in∣northestinge, as in saylynge northeaste withowt the Ilande of Tercera beinge one of the Ilandes of Azores or Soria and two hundreth leaques from Spayne towarde the West East∣west) neyther yet shulde it lose his office (as sayth Olanus) in pa••synge from the Ilande of Magnete,* 26.184* 26.185 that is, the Iland of the lode stone, which is vnder or neare abowte the northe pole. But howe so euer it bee, or what so euer bee the cau••e, trewth it is that the nedle turneth euer to the north although wee sayle abowt the south. We owght therefore to vnder∣stande that the lode s••one (whiche wee falsely caule the ada∣mant) hath heade,* 26.186 fiete, and also armes as sum say. The i∣ren that is rubbed with the heade, neuer ceaseth to turne dy∣rectly towarde the north, as is to see in the dyals that are made to the soonne. The rubbynge of the fiete seruethe for the south: as doo lykewyse the other partes, for other quar∣ters and poyntes of heauen.

Note here that yf a piece of this stone, of the byggene••se of an egge or a walnutte, or more or lesse, bee broken into manye sma••le pieces as bygge as ••yce or le••se, yet euery of those smaule pieses, hath headde, foote, and armes, as is sayde here before.

¶The Situacion and byggenes of the earth.

IT may to sume seeme a vaine thyng to seke the situacion and byggenes of the earth, although it bee easy to knowe, forasmuche as it is situ∣ate in the myddeste of the worlde as the center of the same,* 26.187 beinge enuironed and as it were borne vp of the sea which cōpa••seth it abowt. Mela sayth that the pyllers that susteyne it, are Easte, West, North, and South: which sayinge Dauyd confirmeth in the C.vi. psalme.* 26.188 These foure are the most notable pyllers or su∣stentacions that the earth hath in heauen, accordynge to the motions wherof, all vyages are ruled on the earthe, frome whense they haue theyr originall, as engendered of the dy∣uers qualities of vapoures & exhalations raysed by the sonne and otherwy••e. Eratosthenes put none other sustentacions then the north and south poles,* 26.189 and parteth the earth by the course of the soonne: which particion Marcus Uarro dooth greatly commende as agreable to reason. The poles are firme and immouable as an exeltre abowt the which the heauen mo¦neth and is th••rby susteyned. They furthermore declare vn∣to vs vnder what parte of heauen wee bee, howe farre, and wh••ch way wee go, with also the largenes of heauen and cō¦mensuration of the earth. As for exemple: the streyght of Gibraltar (accomptynge from Spayne) is from the north,* 26.190 or to speake more playnely from the poynte of the earthe that is or may be directly vnde•• the north ••ole, abowt .liiii. degrees which make .ix. hundreth and .lxxx. leaques according to the common computaciō of th•• Cosmographers and Astronomers: And is from the Equinoctiall line .xxxvi. degrees▪ which ad¦ded to the other .liiii make .xxx. degrees, beinge the hole distance from the north poyn••e to the Equinoc••iall l••ne diuy∣dynge the earth by the myddeste, and the quarter or fourthe parte of the hole circumference of the earth: the whiche how great it is in compasse and how many le••ques or myles it con¦teynethe, is easy to perceaue accomptyng•• euery degree .lx. myles. But that yowe may the bet••er perceaue wh••t degrees are, I haue thowght good to speake sumwhat more hereof.

¶ What degrees are.

IN the owlde tyme theyr maner was to measure the earth and the woorlde by furlonges, pa••es, and fiete, as is to reade in Plinie, Strabo, and ••ther wryters. But after that P••olome founde degrees a hundreth and fiftie yeares after the death of C••ryst, that maner of accompte was receaued as the best.* 26.191 Ptolomie diuided all the hole body and face of the land and sea into three hundreth and sixtie degrees of length o•• lō¦gitude: and other as many degrees of bredth or latitude: so that the hole globe of the baule beinge rounde, conteyneth as much ••n latitude as longitude.* 26.192 He assigned lykewyse to eue¦ry degree three score myles, whiche make .xvii. Spany••she lea••ues and a halfe: In such sorte that the globe or baule of the earth mea••ured directly by any of the foure partes of the same,* 26.193 cont••yne••h ••n circuite sy••e thou••and and two hundreth leaques. This computacion and measurynge, is so certeyne, th••t as it is approued of all men and founde ••rewe by experi∣ence, so much the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is it to bee commended and had in ad¦miration for 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ereof was iudged so dyfficult by Iob and 〈…〉〈…〉, that no ••••an had founde the mea∣sure of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the ••ame. They name those degrees of lon∣g••tude,* 26.194 that they accompte from soonne to soonne by the E∣quinoc••iall line which reacheth from the East to the Weste by the myddle of the globe or baule of the earth. These can not well bee obseru••d, forasmuch as in this ••ract of heauen, there is no fyxe or permanent signe whereunto the pylots maye di∣recte theyr eyes or instrumentes. For the soonne, althowghe i•• be a moste cleare signe, yet doothe it dayely chaunge the place of rysynge and faulynge,* 26.195 and keepethe not the same course the day folowynge as the Astronomers a••firme. And al¦thowgh there is no number of thē that in trauaylyng strange landes and seas haue spent theyr gooddes and almoste theyr wyttes to fynde the degrees of longitude withowt errour as are found the degrees of latitude & heyght,* 26.196 yet is there none that hytherto hath any trewe knowleage therof. The degrees of latitude or altitude, are they that are accompted from the north pointe to the sout••, the commen••uration or mea••uring whe••by, is most certeine by reason that the north starre is per¦mane* 26.197

and remayneth styll in one place, or at the least moueth abowt the pole which is theyr firme and stedfast signe wher∣by they accompte theyr degrees and directe theyr vyages. By the degrees therfore accompted by these most certeine signes, is vnfaylably measured the hole circumference of the lande and sea,* 26.198 diuydynge the same into foure equall partes in this maner. From the north poynte to the Equinoctial, are .lxxxx. degrees: and from the Equinoctiall to the south poynt, other lxxxx. Ageyne on the contrary syde, from the south poynt to the Equinoctiall, are other .lxxxx. degrees: and from the E∣quinoctial ageyne to the north poynte, are as many. This may we coniecture by good reason aswell of thinferioure he∣misphery wherof a great parte is knowen vnto vs by the na∣uigations of such as haue passed the streyghets of Magella∣nus and the cape of Bona Speranza,* 26.199 althowgh we haue noo such cleare and manifest relation as we ought to haue of the lande vnder the southe pole beinge the other exel••ree of the worlde whose syght we lacke. For (as Herodotus sayth) yf there bee any lande of the Hype••boreans (that is suche as are vnder the north) ther is also of the hypernorios,* 26.200 that is such as are vnder the south:* 26.201 which perh••ppes are they that lyue in the lande of the streygh••es of Magellanus as nere vnto the other pole. But what these l••ndes are, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we can haue no certeyne knowleage vntyl sum man shal h••ue compassed abowt the lands vnder the south pole as did Iohn Sebastian the circumference of the Equinocti••ll line.

These last annotacions of the Indies, ha••e I tran••••••ted owt of the bookes of Franciscus Lopes, wrytten in the 〈…〉〈…〉 Themperours maiestie: and partly also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the carde ma••se by Sebastian Cabot.

¶ A demonstrat••on of the roundenesse of the Earth.

MAny ignoran•• men thynke that the earthe is not rounde onely by iudgemente of the eye which is deceaued in many thynges not only of the woorkes of nature,* 26.202 but also of ••athe as are doonne b•• the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and arte of man. For they say: Howe can it bee rounde foras¦muche

as thowgh a man trauayle neuer so far eyther by land or sea, he seemeth euer to passe as it were by a ryght line with out any such circuite or compassynge, ascendynge or discen∣dynge, as perteyneth to all the partes of a rounde forme. The which obiection, as it is grose and simple, proceadyng of the narownesse of the vnderstandyng of such as can not conceaue the large circumference of the lande and sea, euen so may it be answered with this simple demonstration. In a rynge that serueth for the fynger of a mans hande,* 26.203 the space of halfe an ynche or lyttle more, is halfe a cyrcle. But in a rynge or cyrcle of bygger circumference, as in the hoope of a tubbe, halfe an ynche appeareth in maner a ryght line, althowghe it bee not so in deede, forasmuch as it is not possible for any parte of a circle to consist of a ryght line, neyther any parte of a line to consyst of a cyrcle, sithe the partes must needes bee conforma¦ble to the hole, consystynge of such vniforme partes as are in mathematicals. But not to wander to farre in these subtyl∣ties, the greater that yow can imagen the circle to bee, so shal a greater parte therof seeme a ryght line or playne forme: As for exemple, imaginynge a circle whose diameter (that is mea¦sure from syde to syde) consysteth of a myle: in this circle a pole length or more, may seeme a ryght line, as yowe may o∣therwyse multiply of the like infinitely: wherby it shal appere that the large circumference of the earth well consydered, a muche greater part of the circle therof then the eye of man con¦ceaueth, may seeme to bee a ryght line, and he contynually to walke vppon a playne forme forasmuch as euery part of a cir∣cle is lyke vnto other as I haue sayde. This may suffice for a simple and briefe demonstration and induction for suche as are desyrous to seeke furth to knowe the truth hereof.

¶ What credit owght to bee gyuen to wryters as touchynge the woorkes of nature.

THe moste auncient wryter Diodorus, Siculus, in the fourth booke of his Bibliotheca, wry∣teth in this maner. If any man for the marue∣lous straungenes and noueltie of such thinges as are descrybed in owre bookes, wyl not per∣happes gyue credyt to owre hystorie, let hym

with ryght iudgement consider the difference that is betwene the ayer of the Scythians and the Troglodytes compared to owres,* 26.204 and he shall the easelyer perceaue the woorkes of na∣ture and approue owre wrytynges. For owre ayer dyffereth so much from theyrs, that it myght seeme incredible if experi∣ence were not more certeyne then doubtfull reason. In sume regions the coulde is so extreme that greate ryuers are so fro∣sen,* 26.205 that laden cartes and armies of men passe ouer the immo¦uable ise. Wine also and other moist thynges are so conieled that they may bee cutte with knyues. But this is more mar∣ueylous, that thextreeme partes of suche apparell as menne weare, are so bytten with coulde that they faule of. Mens eyes are also dymmed: the fyre gyueth not his natural bryght¦nesse: and brasen vesselles and images are broken. Sumtime by reason of thicke cloudes, thunders and lyghtnynges are neyther seene or harde in such regions. Many other thinges more marueylous thē these hath nature wrought, which may seeme incredible to the ignorant: but easy to such as haue ex∣perience. In the furthest partes of Egypt and Trogloditica, the heate of the soonne is so extreme abowt noone,* 26.206 that noo man can se hym that standeth by hym, by reason of the thicke ayer caused by the vapoures and exhalations raysed by the heate. None can go withowt shoos but haue theyr fiete sud∣deynly blystered and exulcerate. Such as are a thyrst, dye im¦mediatly except they haue drynke at hande, the heate so faste consumeth the moysture of theyr bodyes. Meate put in bra∣sen vesselles, is sodde in short space by the heate of the soonne withowt other fyre.* 26.207 Yet they that are borne and browght vp in such regions, had rather wyllyngely susteyne these incom∣modities then bee inforced to lyue otherwyse: such a loue of theyr natiue countrey hath nature gyuen to all men: custome of continuance from younge yeares being also of force to ouer comme the maliciousnesse of the ayer. Neuerehelesse,* 26.208 these places of such contrary natures wherby suche strange effectes are caused, are not farre in sunder or diuided by any great di∣stance. For, from the marysshes of Meotis or Meotides where certeyne Scythians dwell in extreme coulde,* 26.209 many haue say∣led with shyps of burden to Rodes in the space of ten dayes: and from thense to Alexandria in foure dayes. From whense passynge throwgh Egypte by the ryuer of Nilus, they haue

arryued in Ethiopia in other tenne dayes: So that the naui∣gation from the couldest partes of the worlde to the hottest r••¦gions, is no more then .xxiiii. continuall dayes. Where as th••refore the varietie of the ayer is such in places of so smaul distance, it is no marueyle that the customes and maners of ly¦uynge of the people of those regions, with the complexions of theyr bodyes and such thynges as are engendered there, do greatly dyffer from owres.

¶ The preface to the book•• of Metals.

TO this booke of the Indies and nauigations I haue thowght good to adde the booke of metals, for three causes especially me mouynge: whereo•• the fyrst is, that it seemeth to me a thynge vnde∣cent to reade so much of golde and syluer, and to knowe lyttle or nothynge of the naturall generation thereof, beinge neuerthelesse thynges not onely most desyred, but also such withowt the which at this age the lyfe of man can not bee passed ouer withowt many aduersities, forasmuch as po∣uertie is hatefull to all men, and vertue no further esteemed then it is supported by ryches, syth nowe that lady that reig¦ned in Saturns dayes, is becomme the slaue to hym that was then her bondeman in that golden worlde, so named, not for the desyre that men had to golde, but for thinnocencie of ly∣uynge in those dayes, when Mars was of no poure, and men thought it crueltie by breakynge the bones of owre mother the earth, to open a way to the courte of infernal Pluto from thence to get golde and syluer the seedes of al mischiefes and angels of such a god, whom the antiquitie (not without good consyderation) paynted blynde, affirmynge also that of hym golde and syluer haue receaued the propertie to blynde the eyes of men. But syth it is nowe so that we shalbe inforced to seke ayde by that which was sumtymes a myschefe, it resteth to vse the matter as doo cunnynge phisitians that can myni∣ster poyson in proportion with other thynges in such sort qua¦lyfyinge the maliciousnesse therof, that none shall therby bee intoxicate. Forasmuch therfore as golde and syluer haue ob¦teyned this prerogatiue that they are suche necessarie euyls

which the lyfe of man can not lacke withowt detriment, not only they but other metals also perhappes more necessarie al∣thowgh not so precious, are thynges woorthy to bee better knowen then only by name, syth they are thinstrumentes of ••ll artes, the prices of all thynges, the ornamentes of al dig∣nities, and not the least portion of nature, wherby the contē∣plation of them is no lesse pleasaunte then necessary. But for¦asmuch as it is not here my intent to intreate much of metals, I wyll speake of the seconde cause: which is, that if in tra∣uaylyng strang and vnknowen countreys any mans chaunce shalbe to arryue in such regions where he may knowe by thin¦formation of thinhabitauntes or otherwyse, that suche regi∣ons are frutefull of riche metals, he may not bee without sum iudgement to make further searche for the same. The thyrde cause is, that althowgh this owre realme of Englande be ful of metals not to bee contemned and much rycher then men sup¦pose, yet is there fewe or none in Englande that haue anye greate skyll thereof, or any thynge wrytten in owr tounge, whereby men maye bee well instructed of the generation and fyndyng of the same: as the lyke ignorance hath byn amonge vs as touchynge Cosmographie and nauigations vntyll I at∣tempted accordinge to the portion of my talent and simple ler¦nynge to open the ••yrst dore to the enteraunce of this knowe∣leage into owre language, wherin I wolde wyshe that other of greater lernynge wolde take sume peynes to accomplysshe and bringe to further perfection that I haue rudely begunne, not as an autour but a translatoure, leaste I bee iniurious to any man in ascrybyng to my selfe the trauayles of other. And wheras as concernynge the knowleage of metals, I was once mynded to haue translated into Englyshe the hole woorke of Pyrotechnia wherof I fynysshed .xxii. chapitures nowe more then three yeares sence, and lefte the copie therof in the han∣des of one of whom I coulde neuer get it ageyne (omyttynge to speake of other ingratitudes) I was therby discouraged to proceade any further in that woorke. Neuerthelesse, sythe this hystory of the Indies hath ministred occasion to intreate sumwhat of metals, I haue ageyne translated three of the fyrst chapitures of that booke, which seeme most necessary to bee knowen in this case. And hereof to haue sayde thus much in maner of a preface it may suffice.

Of the generation of metalles and their mynes with the maner of fyndinge the same: written in the Italien tounge by Vannuccius Biringuczius in his booke cauled Pyrotechnia. To his louynge frende Master Bernardino Moncellese, greeting.

WHereas I promysed yow to wrytte of the na∣tures of metalles in particular, I am nowe in∣forced to declare euery thinge in generale, and especially of the places of their generation and their order, with the forme and maner of woor¦kynge in the same, and the instrumentes therto perteyninge. Yowe shall therefore vnderstande, that mynes of metalles are founde in the moste partes of the worlde, more or lesse according to the diligence of witti searchers: and shew them selues standinge in the grounde in maner in suche sorte as the veynes of bludde are disparsed in the bodies of lyuing beastes,* 28.1 or like vnto the braunches of trees spredde foorth di∣uers wayes. Wherfor, the diligent searchers of mines, willing by a certeyne similitude declare howe the mynes are placed in the mountaynes, haue figured a greate tree full of branches planted in the myddeste of the base of a mountayne, frome the whyche are diriued dyuers and many bouwes and branches, sum greate and sum smaule, muche like vnto verye trees that are in owlde woddes.* 28.2 They will also that in growynge, they euer ingrose them selues and reache towarde the heauen, con∣uertynge into theyr nature the moste disposed and neare mat∣ter, vntil the toppes of theyr braunches extend to the highest parte of the mountayne, and there shewe furthe theyr selues with manifeste apperaunce, puttinge furthe in the steade of bouwes and floures, certeyne fumosites of blewe or greene co¦loure, or marchasites with smaule veynes of ponderous mat∣ter,* 28.3 or suche other compositions of tinctures. And when by this means they shewe thē selues vnto vs, we may make firme coniecture that suche mountaynes are minerall, and that ac∣cordinge to the demonstrations they shewe more or lesse, they are richer or porer of myne. Therefore the searchers, according to thapperaunces which they fynde,* 28.4 take good courage vnto them: and with hope and securitie of profecte, apply al their possible diligence with witte and expenses to digge or gette

owte such ethynges as the signes and owtewarde apperaun∣ces declare vnto them. And by this maner of fynd••nge of mynes, it hath often tymes chaunced that many haue byn ex∣alted to the highest degree of riches. Wheras therfore by this meanes men enter into the mountaynes with the eys of consi∣deration and right Iudgemente, and see the places where the mineralles are ingendered and comprehende in maner theire quantitie, they adapte theyr caues or fosses accordynge there∣vnto, wheras they shulde otherwyse wander by chaunce, be∣cause no man can by any other meanes knowe where the mines are in the mountaynes, although he were of neuer so good iud¦gement, and shulde make searche for the same neuer so cury∣ously by litle & litle. It shal therfore in this case be necessary to folow the certificat & aperaūces of signes,* 28.5 & to encoūtre the same as nere as may be, with eys & eares euer attentiue where they maye hope to fynde any tokens of metalles, especially by enquyringe of shepardes and other anciente inhabitauntes of such regions in the which mineralls are engendered. And this I speake the rather for that I am perswaded that at the first sight of a mountaine,* 28.6 by reason of the greate barrennesse and roug••nes therof, and also by reason of the great aboundance of waters that are engendered in the same, a right good iud∣gemente shall not suffice to coomme to certayne knoweleage that metall is contayned in such mountaynes, vntill the sear∣chers haue with charges and trauail caused miners in sundry places to discouer the same. And therfore I also beleue that one man althowgh he bee neuer so stronge, wyttie, and farre castinge, shall not be able in a newe and straunge contreye, to searche by smaule portions not onlye all the mountaynes of one or moo prouinces which may bringe furth minerals, but shall with muche difficultie scarsely suffice to searche the se∣creates of only one mountayne:* 28.7 In so muc••e that sum consyde¦ringe the difficultie hereof, are of opinion that in this effecte, it shuld be requysite to worke by the arte of Negromancie, which I thynke to be a fable withowt further knoweleage. But I wolde that these necromancers shulde tell me why this theire arte helpeth theym no further in the woorke after that they haue once founde the myne, if it be trewe that they say.* 28.8 Why (I say) doth it not helpe them furthe as at the begyn∣nynge to fynde the myne, so consequently in the myddest and

the ende to brynge the ••ame to further perfection, as to gett•• it owte, to brynge it to fusion or meltynge, and to purifie or pourge it from drosse, which doubtlesse it shulde haue pour•• to doo if it may bee beleaued that it can doo the other. But forasmuch as such effectes are so fearefull and terrible, that they owght not or can not be practised of al men, and also per¦happes bycause such maner of woorkynge is not knowen, I thinke it not good to be vsed: but thinke rather by good rea∣son that this arte is so much the more to be omytted and con∣temned, in howe much we are accustomed in the begynnyng•• of dyggynge of mynes, especially to caule for the grace of god that it may please hym to be presente with his ayde to owre doubtfull and traualious woorke. Lettynge passe therefore this deuylysshe diuise of such beastly and fearefull men, I ex∣horte yowe to folowe the practise by the foresayde signes mi∣nystred vnto yowe by the benignitie of nature, bothe groun∣ded vppon the foundation of truth and approued by thexperi∣ence of many practicionars, not consystynge in woordes or promysses of thynges vayne and incōprehensible. With these signes therfore shall yow searche the bankes and sides of the valleys, with the clyffes and ryftes of the stones, and the bac¦kes, toppes, or ridges of the Montaynes: Also the beddes, chanels, and courses of ryuers, lookynge diligently amonge theyr sandes,* 28.9 and the ruines of theyr fosses, amonge the whi¦che yow shall often tymes espie marchasites or smaule sparkes of mynes, or other dyuers tinctures of metals, whereby yow may be certified that certeyne mynes are in such places, which yowe shall exactly fynd by diligent and curious searchyng the clyffes of theyr ryftes and dry places. After these aduertise∣mentes, take this for a generall signe,* 28.10 that all suche places and moūtaynes are mineral, owt of the which many springes and great abundaunce of crude water dooth isshewe, hauyng with theyr clearenes a certeyne minerall taste, and such as at variable seasons of the yeare chaunge theyr qualitie, beinge warme in the sprynge tyme and coulde in sommer. And this thynge owght yow to beleue the more when yow shall see the aspecte of such mountaynes to be rough,* 28.11 sharpe, and saluage withowt earth or trees. Or so that yf there bee a lyttle earth found vpon the same with a smaule veyne of herbes or grasse yowe shall perceaue the grenenes therof to be faynt and in ma¦ner

wythered and dryed. And albeit that sumtymes also, mines are founde in mountaynes hauynge earth and frutefull trees in the toppes therof, yet are they for the most part found in such wherof we haue spoken. Of these other, there maye fewe signes be gyuen, except to go by lyttle and lyttle to seke the bankes of theyr sydes. But amonge all these, the best and most certeyne signe that may bee gyuen,* 28.12 is wheras on the su∣perficiall parte of the earth eyther on hyghe or belowe, the myne dooth shewe it selfe apparente to syght. Sum there are that for a good signe do greately commende the residences which certeyne waters make wher they haue rested for a time and beinge dryed vp of the heate of the sonne,* 28.13 do often times shewe in certeyne partes of theyr residencies dyuers tinctures of mynerall substaunce. Summe other are accustomed to take such waters, and in a vessell of earth or glasse or other mat∣ter, cause them to boyle and vapoure away vntyll the dregs or residence remayne in the bottome well dryed in the likenes of a grose earth, of the which they make an assaye eyther by the ordinarie tryall of fyer, or after sume other maner as ly∣keth them best. And by this meanes (althowgh they attayne not to thexacte knowleage of the truth) yet do they approche to a certeyne knowleage of the thyng wherby they haue sum intelligence of what sufficiencie and goodnesse the myne is which they seeke, before they be at any great charges in fo∣lowynge the same: Prouydynge alway that with all diligent aduertisement the places neare vnto the rootes of the confine mountaynes be curiously searched, with also the bankes and sydes of the selfe same mountayne, and all such superficiall partes therof, where any stones are founde discouered eyther of theyr owne proper nature or by the course of water: presup¦posynge euer that it is in maner impossible but that yf suche mountaynes contayne any mynes, they muste needes shewe furth sum floures, tinctures, or colours of theyr exhalations.* 28.14 Yet yf it shulde so chaunce that they do not this, the goodnes of the mine may be the cause hereof forasmuche as eyther it is not of vaporable nature, or to be of smaule quantitie, or els perhappes bycause the mountayne is greate and the myne ve∣ry low or so farre with in, that it is not sufficient to put furth any signes of fumosities. The cause also hereof maye bee that sum stone lyke vnto that cauled Albasano (which I thynke to be

of that kynde which we caule the greete stone) or blacke and whyte marble of thycke and resystynge nature, may be found to lye betwene and so to stoppe the passages,* 28.15 that the sayde fu¦mosities may therby be hyndered to arryue to the vppermoste parte of the earth: by reason wherof, it is possible that suche mountaynes may brynge furth trees and herbes forasmuche as the earth therof dooth reteyne his vertue and may nuryshe theyr rootes not beinge incinerate or burnte with hotte and venemous vapours of the mynes: so that the shoures of rayne or fluds with their courses can not cary away the earth as in such places wher the same is found sore dryed. And therfore vppon such mountaynes I haue seene great wooddes of chest¦nutte trees, beeches also and okes, with well cultured and frutfull fieldes. So that to conclude, by the signes of the rowghnesse or barennesse of the mountayne, is not taken a∣way but that other places may also haue plentie of mines whi¦che ought to be searched and folowed. But forasmuch as these signes are of the natures of minerals, I wyll speake more de¦terminately of theym in the places where I entreate of theyr proper mynes: Not intendynge here to saye muche of these thynges in generall, but only to induce yow to sum clearnesse of the fyrst lyght. And therfore that yow may gyue the more diligent aduertisment, I saye vnto yowe that all the mynes which yow shall fynde by such signes, by what meanes so e∣uer they shall coome to yowre handes, whether they be found in stones,* 28.16 earth, or sande, after that at the fyrste syght they haue shewed them selues to bee mynes of metals, yow owght to consyder of what ponderositie or weyght they are: The which the greater that it is, so much the more dooth it shewe both the perfection and goodnesse of the substaunce, and also the more quantitie of the mine. And thus presupposyng that by the signes or other meanes yow haue founde the mine, not yet fully perceauynge of what kynde of metall it myght be, to certifie yowe hereof and also of what quantitie it is, or howe it is accompanyed or myxt with other, or lykewyse of what puritie it is of it selfe, or of what euyll disposition or malice it is founde to bee, it shall herein be necessary before yow be at any further charges therwith, to proue the same by twoo or three assayes or mo,* 28.17 as I wyll further declare in the particu∣lar place of assayes. Beinge therfore certifyed of the myne,

and of what metall it is, and also what quantitie it contey∣neth, fyndynge it by accompte to bee so profitable as to beare the charges, I exhorte yowe bouldely to gyue the fyrste at∣tempte to faule to mynynge, and with all possible diligence to folowe yowr enterpryse: assurynge yowre selfe, that of what so euer mynerall matter yow shall take assay accordyng to the proportion of that pice which yow tooke of the vppermost or owtmost parte of the mine for that purpose, yow shall fynde that to bee muche better and rycher whiche is further within the mountayne.* 28.18 And thus being certified by the assay of what quantitie the thynge is that appered by the signes, and of all other reasonable consyderations apperteynyng to the worke, yow shall with all celeritie dispose yowr selfe to faule to dyg∣gynge, to thintent that yowe may shortely eyther here enioye the frute of yowre trauell, or els where with better suc∣cesse proue yowre good fortune. But in thattempte of this enterpryse, yow owght principally to haue respecte to the situation of the place where yowe intende to make the begynnynge of yowr caue or fosse:* 28.19 Takynge good aduertise∣ment that it be commodious for the labourers that shal worke therein: prouydynge aboue all thynges that it haue an easye enteraunce into the mountayne, with lesse charges and in shor¦ter tyme to arryue vnder the signes which yowe haue taken: encounterynge the same as muche as is possible as it were by a ryght line, fyrst with iudgemente and then with workeman shyppe, vntyll yow stryke on the grose masse or bodye of the myne,* 28.20 breakynge in the course of the caue al matters of hard compositions, as quarreys and stones ouerthwartynge the same: hauynge euer respecte to the owtwarde signes whiche yow folowe, forecastynge in yowre mynde how yowe may di∣rectly arryue to the same, euen as the maryners directe theyr course by theyr compasse and syght of the north starre. Also bysyde that place where yow haue determined to make the en¦teraunce and begynnynge of the caue,* 28.21 yow muste take choyse of an other place, eyther on the front of the mountayne or on the syde that it may bee neare and commodious to make one or two or mo cotages for the commoditie and necessitie of the woorkemen. One of these must bee appoynted for theyr dor∣mitorie where sum may rest and sleepe whyle other woorke, and that yow may the more commodiously be present and as∣systaunt

to theyr doynges, diligently to beholde all thynges and to conforte theim in theyr laboures: also to dispence and bestowe theyr vyttayles as shall bee nedefull, and to reseru•• the same in safe custodie, with dayly prouision of al thynges apperteynynge. The other must bee as it were a smythes forg•• wherin theyr worne and broken tooles must bee renewed, and other newe made, to thintent that the woorke be not hynde∣red for lacke of store of necessarie instrumentes. When thes•• thynges are thus fynysshed, with good prouision of vyttayles and a sufficient number of expert myners, then in the name of God and good aduenture, causynge a preste to blesse the mos•• tayne with all the shoppes, and to baptise the caue, dedica∣tynge it (as the maner is) to the holy Trinitie or to owr Lady or to the name of sum other saynt which yowe haue in deuot••¦on,* 28.22 with inuocation to theym to prosper yowre attemptes, yow shall with good courage and hope begynne to dygge the caue, with intente to folowe the same withowte ceasynge as farre as yowre abilitie shall reache, or vntyll yowe haue pas∣sed ouer the lymettes signified by the signes before named: Takynge euer diligent heade that yowe begyn yowre caue as lowe as yow may at the foote of the mountayne, in such order that yowr myners so continue and folow the same by a right line,* 28.23 that they encounter the veyne of the myne by the shortest and safest way that may bee deuised. For it often times chaun¦ceth, that althowgh the caue haue byn wel begunne, yet hath it not byn well folowed,* 28.24 for that the myners beinge with∣drawen from the ryght course by the hope of suche braunches of mynes as haue appered vnto them in the waye, doo often times decline from theyr attēpted course, and from the signes which they owght to haue folowed. And bysyde other pre∣ceptes, see that yow beare in memory to procure that in dyg∣gynge, yow eschewe as muche as yowe maye, the cuttynge of softe or brykell stones,* 28.25 aswell for that it may bee daungerous for ruine of the caue, as also that it seldome chaunceth that any mynes are founde in such stones. But yf yow shal chaunc•• so to fynde them that yow can by no meanes auoyde them, A confort yow that where suche cause of feare sheweth it selfe, both that yow lose not the charges of the caue and for the be••¦ter safegarde of yowre woorkemen, it shalbe necessary that yow vse all possible diligence in well vpholdynge and forty∣fying••

the caue with arches of waules trauersed with stronge postes of tymber after the maner of framed beames,* 28.26 susteyned with grose and stronge pyles made of good and stronge tym∣ber of oke or other great trees. And in this maner owght yow to proceade in dyggyng yowre myne that yow may with more securitie enioy the frute of yowr trauayle.* 28.27 But in the owlde tyme they that dygged mynes (as is yet to see) in the caues lefte of them) folowed an other maner: so that in the steade of begynnynge the caue belowe at the foote of the moun¦tayne (as doo the later myners) they begunne to dygge theyr caue in the vpper or hyghest parte where the daye discouered the myne, dyggynge downewarde after the maner of a pytte or a well, folowynge the same sumtyme on the one syde, and sumtyme on the other euen vnto the depth, as the veyne shew¦ed it selfe to theyr syght: whereof I haue thought good to make mention, for that in thoppinion of many men, this way dooth seeme much better and of more securitie to fynde that they seeke, then to dygge by the sydes: bycause that by this meanes they haue euer the mine before theyr eyes eyther more or lesse as a line to leade them to the grosse masse. Yet who so consydereth the thynge well, shall vnderstande that the later myners haue better conceaued the reason of this woorke, in respecte (as is to see) of many more commodities and securi∣ties which insue rather of this maner of woorkynge then of the other: as the difficultie to descende and ascende the caue, & the daungiour lest it bee stopped vp by many ruines, bysyde the traualyous labour to draw owt the mine with the rockes & fragmentes of stones: And aboue al thynges, that they shal not bee able to drawe owt the waters whiche are often tymes so abundaunt that they greatly increase the charges and tra∣uayles of the patrones of the mynes by reason of the greate ayde and helpe which shalbe requisite to haue in that case and also for the makynge of wheeles, troughes, pypes, & pumpes,* 28.28 with suche other instrumentes seruynge for the purpose to drawe owt the waters. And yet with all this, it often tymes chaūceth that although they labour hereat cōtinually, yet shal they be īforced to forsake their profitable & laudable ēterpryse So that to conclude,* 28.29 I saye (as yowe maye well vnder stand) that it is a much better way and of more securitie to begynne the diggyng of the caue rather at the roote or fote of the moū¦tayne

and to enter into the same by litle and lytle a slope vp∣warde, then to begynne at the toppe or the highest backe ther¦of. And this both for the more commodious passinge furthe of the water, and also for the easier trauaile of the labourers. Obseruynge euer diligently the chaunge of the signes whiche appere vnto yow owtwardly,* 28.30 vsynge the rudder and compasse as do they that sayle on the sea. For hereby the myners shalbe instructed euer to folowe the right way in the caue vntill by the conductinge of wytte and arte,* 28.31 they bee browght to the place of the grose masse or bodie of the tree, whyche is the cause, fontayne, and original from whense the sayd tinctures fumosites, and mineral signes, are diriued and sente furth to the superficiall partes. And as concernynge this pu••pose, I thincke it good to declare vnto yow howe in the Dukedome of Austria,* 28.32 betweene Isprue and Alla where I contynued manye yeares, I sawe a large vale enuironed with a greate number of mountaynes,* 28.33 by the middest wherof a ryuer passed through of greate aboundaunce of water: and in maner in all the mon∣taynes that are there abowt, is digged great plentie of mine, wherof the moste parte are of copper or leade, althoughe also in maner euery of them is founde to holde sum portion of sil∣uer. Amonge these mountaynes, I sawe one in the whyche thinhabitauntes of the countrey dwellyng there abowt, allu∣red by the sight of many signes, beganne to digge a caue after the maner wherof we haue spoken: In so muche that (as it appered vnto me) from the place where they begane the caue, they had digged litle lesse then two myles before they sawe any sparke or shadowe of any myne And beinge arryued with the caue in maner perpendicularly vnder the signes they folo¦wed,* 28.34 they were encountered with a veyne of the harde stone cauled Albazano, of a yarde and a halfe thicke, which they pas¦sed through with greate trauayle and longe tyme, and with the helpe of commodious instrumentes of iren hardened to woorke in suche stones. And when they had thus passed through this quarrey of stone,* 28.35 they chaunced vppon a verye great veyne of the myne of copper of such sorte that when I was there, lookinge betweene the one and the other, I sawe on euery syde as it were a waule of the hard stone of Albazano, and therin a voyde place of suche largenes from the one syde to the other that more then two hundreth men al at one time,

had sufficiente roome to stande labouringe frome the hygheste parte to the lowest, hauynge non other lyght then of candells,* 28.36 and makinge certeyne markes in euery place where they saw the vre or myne shewe it selfe: and thus ceased not to woorke continually both day and nyght, course by course, a thynge suerly maruelous to be holde. Without the mouth of the caue, I sawe great abundaunce of mine partely mixt with the stone of the vre, and partely chosen and seperated. Amonge these pieces, there was one consistynge of a hole masse of pure mine of suche biggnes and weyght,* 28.37 that two good horses with a light carre coulde scarsely drawe it away. This myne was of copper as I haue sayde. But to magnifie it, they cauled it syluer, bycause it helde suche plentie thereof that it surmoun∣ted the charges, whereas they had also the copper for aduan∣tage. Yowe shall further vnderstond that in the myddest of the caue, there was a chanell or gutter whyche gathered togyther the waters that fell into it continually on euery syde from the ruptures or broken places and cliffes.* 28.38 These waters ranne through the chanel with so vehemente a streme, that I suerly beleue that it might well suffice to dryue and greate mylle. In so muche that in goynge in and comming owt of the caue, I remember that by the contynual faule & sprinkeling of the waters from aboue & beneth, I was as wet as though I had passed through a ••••eate shoure of rayne. Wherat I maruel the lesse when I consyder that water is the fyrst and nearest prin∣ciple of the whiche the substaunce of minerals is engendered.* 28.39 By reason wherof, such men of vnderstandynge as haue sear¦ched the natures of these thynges, argue hereby and take it for a generall rule,* 28.40 that all those mountaynes owt of the whi¦che spryngeth great abundaunce of water, doo also abounde with myne. The which thynge well consyderynge, and wey¦inge the greatnes hereof, I faule into this accompte with my selfe, that if to the patrones of the sayde caue, the charges of the same hadde byn a hynderaunce or greefe, eyther for the length therof, or for despayre that they shuld not haue found that they sought, they wolde surely haue forsaken it. And beinge nowe comme to this harde stone after they had sustey∣ned so great charges bysyde the trauayle both of mynde and body, if they shulde then haue lefte of theyr enterpryse,* 28.41 they shulde not haue come to such ryches whereby they haue obtey¦ned

many commodities aswell profitable for them selues a•• also for theyr lordes and princes, theyr countrey, theyr kins∣folkes and famelie. Neyther yet shulde they haue byn so wel able to helpe theyr poore neyghbours as they haue doone by the meanes of the valientnesse of theyr constant myndes and persistynge in so good and commendable an enterprise. Wher∣fore to conclude, yow that wyll begynne to attempt any such thynge,* 28.42 must be of good courage and much pacience to folowe that yow haue begunne, at the least vntill yow knowe by the signes what the thynge is: hopinge euer that in goynge for∣warde, the day folowynge (as it is possible) shal discouer the thynge that yowe seeke and content your desyre: Wherof yow may bee the better assured, if yow well consyder that the moo¦thers and matrices of moste estemed ryches, and the myntes of al treasures, are the mountaynes:* 28.43 To the whiche (with th•• helpe of fortune and yowr ingenious indeuoure) yow shall open the way, not only to fynde the myne and arryue to the belly of the mountaynes where suche thynges lye hyd, but shall also bee exalted by ryches to hyghe honoure and digni∣tie as they of whome we haue made mention before; foras∣much as most beningne and liberall nature, doothe open her lappe and promesse good successe to suche as seeke ryches by such honest meanes. The whiche way surely is muche rather to be folowed, then eyther the warres full of trowbles and miserie, or the carefull trade of marchaundies with wande∣rynge abowt the worlde, or suche other fastidious cares per∣happes vnlawfull for a good man. And albeit (as sume men vse to speake) the fyndynge of mynes bee an especial grace of God, neuerthelesse, forasmuch as we are borne to laboure, i•• shalbe necessary that we seeke the same in suche places where they are brought furth by the woorke of nature,* 28.44 and by sear∣chynge to fynde them, and beinge founde to dygge for them. and by this meanes to receaue the grace of God with apply∣inge owre owne diligence therto, with helpe of the dispositi∣on of fortune and naturall iudgemente.* 28.45 And yet shal not this only suffice withowt sufficiencie of money able to susteyne the charges and continue the woorke: to thende that if yow can not fynysshe it with yowr owne expenses, yow maye supplye the same by the ayde of other, eyther patrones or parteners. But let vs nowe cease to reason any further of these thinges.

Presupposyng therfore that yow haue alredy passed the char∣ges, and haue not only founde the myne yow sought, but al∣so haue brought furth to lyght a great quantitie therof, it shal then bee needeful (as a thyng chiefely to be consydered before yow begin to dygge) wel to ponder & examen both the cōmodi¦ties of such thynges as shall occurre,* 28.46 and also of such wherof yow shall haue neede: as tymber and woodde of all sortes, with water and vyttayles: of all the whiche, yow must haue great plentie: and especially of woodde,* 28.47 whereof yowe muste haue great quantitie, aswell to serue to the proportion of the myne, as also to make coles to the vse of meltynge, fynynge, dryinge, garboylyng, and such other broylynges, bysyde that which must serue to fortifie caue and to buyld shoppes and cotages with such other edifies.* 28.48 Diligent consideration must lykewyse be had to the situacion of the place where the buyl∣dynges shalbe erected:* 28.49 as that the plotte therof bee commodi∣ous with abundaunce of water hauynge a good faule. Also not onely of plentie of woodde and cole nere vnto the myne, but of such as may serue the turne. And of all other incommo¦dities, yowe muste chiefely auoyde the lacke of water,* 28.50 as a thynge of greatest importaunce and most necessarie in this ef∣fecte. For by the force and weyght of the course hereof, wheeles and dyuers other ingenious instrumentes are adap∣ted with ease to lyfte vppe greate bellowes to make fyers of great poure, to beate with hammers of great weyght, and to turne myghtie and stronge eugens, by the force whereof the trauayles of men are so much furthered, that withowt such helpe, it were in maner impossible to ouercome suche tedious trauayles or to arryue to the ende of the woorke, forasmuch as the force of one wheele may lyfte more, and that more safe¦ly then the paynefull labour of a hundreth men. It shal ther∣fore be needefull to haue great consyderation hereof, not on∣ly to make these edifies or houses of office, but also to make them commodious for the purpose, as for the cariage of myne and cole with other necessaries. For if any of these effectes shulde be wantynge, the coste, tyme and trauayle, shulde bee cast away: forasmuch as these thynges doo so much the more relieue the one the other as they are ioyned togyther,* 28.51 and hin¦der the woorke not a lyttle yf any be separate. But bycause these commodities can not euer be hadde all togyther, yowe

owght to wey with yowr selfe which of the twoo serueth for mo necessarie vses, as eyther to haue the cole or the mine most commodious to the houses, and accordinge there vnto to place the houses nere vnto the same if the commoditie of water wyll so permytte.

Albeit, if it were possible, it shulde be much better if al these necessarie commodities were ioyned togyther, whereas other¦wyse yowe muste contente yowre selfe as occasion serueth. Nowe therefore to conclude, bysyde that whiche I haue de∣clared vnto yow of the findinge of the myne and the digging thereof with other considerations, I exhorte yowe further to faule to practyse with sum myne of your owne, that yow may therby take occasion to ryse to the degree of ryches whyche yow desire. And therfore I aduertise yow that after yow haue founde the mountayne and begun to digge, yow shal euer go forwarde with a boulde mynde and stoute corage, woorkyng with witte and Iudgement, forasmuche as in this effecte the one serueth the other in the steede of eys to enter where they can not. Gyue no credit to that whiche many ignorante fol¦kes doo say and beleue,* 28.52 affirminge that in digging for metals, they are founde rather by chaunce then by arte. The which although it were trewe, yet owght we to trust more to art and practyse then to chaunce. And when yow are nowe entered into the mountayne, beare well in memory that yow haue pre∣sently with yow the tallie or ruler of the caue, wherby yowe may trauerse the veyne of the myne when yow are coomne to it.* 28.53 For if yow shulde folowe it by the course as it lyeth, it is possible that yowe mighe folowe it a greate way not paste the biggnesse of a mans finger and perhappes lesse: By reason wherof, it might happen that yow shuld lose it and neuer find it ageyne. The like shuld chaunce vnto yow if after that yow haue begun to digge a caue, it shulde repent yow of the char∣ges, and that for the basnes therof yowe shulde forsake it, as many haue doone who bycause they coulde not fynde the mine at the first stroke,* 28.54 despayringe that they shulde neuer fynde it, haue forsaken it as a thyng vnprofitable, thynking that they haue woonne enough in that they were not at further char∣ges with that which they accompt losse and domage: And thus furiously leaue of their enterprise, not regardinge that they may leaue the frute of theyr expenses and trauaile to an other

that may folowe their begynninges, and perhappes fynde the myne within the distance of a cubet, a spanne, or a finger. We may say therfore that suche men doo willinglye forsake theyr good fortune as many haue doone. He therfore that hath be∣gune to digge a caue, let hym determine to folowe it, puttinge away thestimation of the basenes therof, and not to feare the streyghtnesse of the way, but rather to applye all his possible diligence withowt remorse, hopynge thereby no lesse to ob∣teyne honour and ryches, then to auoyde shame and infamie for omyttynge so profitable an enterpryse. And that yow may the more circumspectly behaue yowr selfe in all thynges, be∣syde the former instructions, I further aduertise yowe to set euer fresshe men a woorke by course in such order,* 28.55 that in eue¦ry sixte or eyght houres (accordynge to the number of the my∣ners) yow appoynt such to the woorke as haue reposed or ta∣ken theyr rest, that yow may by this meanes the sooner come to thende yow desyre, whereunto (after yowe haue layde so sure a fundation) I exhorte yow to runne withowt a brydle. And wheras to these effectes it shalbe necessarie to haue many instrumentes adapted for the purpose, I can none otherwyse speake of them then in generall, consyderynge that according to the nature of the place and the myne, it shalbe necessary to vse instrumentes and iren tooles of dyuers formes,* 28.56 as there ought to be difference in such wherwith yow shall dygge in mynes engendered in marble, greete stone, and harde freese stone, or such other. For the dyggynge of such as are found in deade and tender stones, as Alabaster and marle, it is re∣quisite to haue apte and stronge instrumentes, as greate bee∣tels, mattockes and spades of iren, also great & longe crowes of iren to lyfte great burdens: lykewyse greate and smaule picke axes sum of iren and sum of steele: furthermore greate maules with handels and withowt handels, and such other bothe of iren and fine steele hardened, if the hardenes of stone shall so requyre. But as for such as shall serue to dygge the mynes which are engendered in tender and softe stones, I neede make no mention of them, forasmuch as the tooles of the common sorte may suffice, and necessitie shall dayly furthe instructe yow to diuise such as shal serue for yowre purpose. Albeit, for the moste parte, they are beetels, maules, mattoc∣kes, pikes, shouels, spades, and such lyke. But as well for

the softe stones as for the harde, it shalbe necessarye to haue great plentie of al sortes, to thende that the myners may lose no tyme, and that the woorke may go the better forwarde to the comfort of the patrones of the mine. Bysyde these before named, it shall also be requisite to haue plentie of greate bas∣kettes, spades, sh••uels, sleades, and handbarrowes, bothe with wheeles and without wheeles: also sackes made of raw or vntande hydes to carye the fragmentes owt of the caue. It shall furthermore be requisite to haue greate quantitie of vnctuous liquours to maītayne fire:* 28.57 as are the oiles of oliues, of nuttes, of line seede and hempe seede: Lykewise the rootes of putrified trees, or talowe of beastes, or fatte and oyle of fysshes. For withowt the lyght of fyre, it is not possible for the labourers to woorke:* 28.58 Nor yet can any fyre be mayn∣tayned in the caue except it receaue the ayer by sum respiracle or breathynge place by the meanes of a funnell or trunke of woodde or such other open instrument wherby the ayer maye be conueyed into the caue.

¶ Of the myne of golde and the qualitie therof in particular.

FOrasmuche as golde is a compounde mynerall which of the phylosophers and all men of vn∣derstandynge,* 28.59 is founde to be of greatest perfec¦tion amonge all other myxt minerals, it is iud∣ged by the vniuersal opinion of such men, that for the bewtie and excellent qualitie thereof, it shulde be of excessiue vertue to helpe and confort men. And therfore amonge all thynges that are in this worlde (excepte lyuynge creatures) it is ch••efely esteemed. By reason wherof, I also the more to honour it, wyll fyrst speake of this before I entreate of any other metall, and declare in particular the conception with the most apparēt qualities therof. The which although it be a metal most knowen, desyred also and sought for of all kyndes of men, yet are there not many that do care to knowe of what substaunce or natural mixtion it consisteth. But that yow shulde not be one of theim that knowe it onely by name or by superficiall apparence,* 28.60 I certifie yow that the originall and proper matter therof, is none other then elemen¦tall

substaunces with equall quantitie and qualitie proportio∣nate the one with the other, most perfectly purified by the sub¦tyle woorke of nature. For of these beinge thus ioyned togy¦ther (and of equall force) is engendered an am••able and most perfect mixtion by the helpe of fermentacion and decoction of the minerall heate,* 28.61 wherby is caused such a permanent vnion betwene the sayde elementes, that they are in maner insepera∣ble: So that by the vertue of heauenly influence or of tyme, or by thorder of most prudent nature, or by all these causes concurrant, such substaunce is conuerted into this metalline body that we caule golde.* 28.62 The which (as I haue sayd) by his much temperatenes, purenes, and perfect mixtion, is conden∣sate and made thicke, in such sorte that the elementes therof can not be vnbounde or loosed, so that it remayneth in maner incorruptible: The cause wherof is, that it eyther conteyneth in it no maner of super••lui••ie, or the same to be but very lytle. And hereof commeth it, that althoughe it lye many yeares in the earth or in the water, it is not infected with rust or canker for that neyther of them are able to corrupte it,* 28.63 nor yet the fy¦er whose force dooth incinerate or brynge to asshes & resolue in maner all creatures: And yet is the poure hereof so farre vn¦able to destroy or corrupte this metall, that it is thereby the more purified and made better. Lykewyse the sayde perfecte vnion or mixtion, causeth it to be a body withowt steame, and withowt vnctuous or fat superfluitie:* 28.64 which is the cause that it euer remayneth in the natiue bryghtnes and fayrenes of co∣loure, in so much that when it is rubbed vppon any thynge, it leaueth not behynde it the tincture of any blacke or yelowe co¦lour, as doo in maner all other metals: Nor yet hath it any taste or sauour that may be perceaued to the sence. Further∣more, if it be eaten eyther wyllyngly or by chaunce, it is not venemous to the lyfe of man, as are sum of the other metals: but is rather a medicine curynge dyuers diseases.* 28.65 In so much that nature hath gyuen vnto it of peculiar propertie, a vertue and priuileage to conforte the weakenes of the harte, and to gyue ioyfulnes and myrth to the spirits, disposynge thereby the mynde to magnanimitie and attemptes of great enterpry∣ses.* 28.66 Which singular qualities, sum wyse men affirme that it hath receaued by thinfluence of the sonne, and that it is therfore of such grace and poure to helpe men: especially such

as haue many great bagges and chesses full therof. To con∣clude therfore, this metall is a body tractable and bryght, of coloure lyke vnto the soonne: And hath in it inwardely such a naturall attractiue or allurynge vertue, that beinge seene, it greatly disposeth the myndes of men to desyre it and esteme it as a thyng most precious:* 28.67 although many there are whiche crye owt ageynst it and accuse it as the roote and sede of most pestiferous and monstrous couetousnesse, and the cause of ma¦ny other myscheues. But whether it bee the cause of more good or euyll, we entende to lette passe this disputation as a thynge vnprofitable. To proceade therfore as I haue begun I say (as before) that the woorthynesse whiche is founde in it, hath caused me to entreate of it before any other metall. And this the rather for that thorder of this presente worke meth so to requyre, that I may the better descende to the de∣grees of other metals, to thende that in these owre partes of Italy, yow may haue sum instruction of practise, whiche may redounde from yow to other, whereby the myndes of all men may receaue sum lyght: beinge well assured that newe infor¦mations, wilbe the seedes of other newe wittie diuises in the vnderstandynges of suche men as with these keys shall open theyr wyttes to arryue to suche places whyther they can not els coomme or by any meanes approche. And nowe therfore, bysyde that which I haue sayde vnto yowe in generall, I wyl further in particular declare the nature hereof and the ge¦neration of the same, with also the signes whiche it sheweth furth, that I do not omytte any thynge. Last of all, I wyll shewe yowe howe it owght to bee pourged from superfluous earthynes of the mine, after that I shal haue expressed the ma¦ner howe it is founde. But forasmuch as I haue not with mine eyes seene the mountaines which conteyne the mynes of golde, or the places where this thynge is put in practice, I wyll only shewe yow (hauynge made diligente inquisition for the same) what hathe byn toulde me of credible persons, or what I haue gathered in readynge of dyuers autoures,* 28.68 by whom I am certified for a truth that the greatest plentie of this metall,* 28.69 is founde in Scithia, in those prouinces which we commonly caule the East partes, where the soonne extendeth his chiefe force and vigour. Of these places India is thought to be the chiefe, and especially those Ilandes which the ships

of Themperours maiestie and the kynge of Portugale haue founde of late:* 28.70 as the Ilandes about Peru and Paria with the firme lande of the same which extendeth it selues very farre on both sydes the Equinoctiall. In Europe also, golde is founde in many places: as in Astesia, and in many places in Boheme. Also in Hungarie, in Rhene, and in Apsa. Plinie sayth that it is lykewyse founde in Austria and in Portugale:* 28.71 and that the Romans had from thense yearely .xxiiii. pounds weyght. And thus speakynge of this precious metall,* 28.72 I be∣leue certeynly, that it is and may be engendered in all suche places wher the influence of the heuens disposeth the elemen∣tall causes to brynge furth an apte substaunce for this pur∣pose. But nowe intendynge more particularly to speake of the places of the conception hereof,* 28.73 yowe shall vnderstande that it is engendered in dyuers kyndes of stones in great and rowgh mountaynes, and suche as are vtterly bare of earth, trees, grasse, or herbes. And amonge all the stones of this myne, that is best which is of a blewe or asurine coloure lyke vnto a saphire, and is commonly cauled Lapis Lazuli.* 28.74 But it is not bryght and harde as is the saphire. It is also founde in orpemente cauled Auripigmentum:* 28.75 but more often in the mynes of other metals.* 28.76 It is lykewyse founde in many prouinces in the sandes of ryuers.* 28.77 That which is founde in the mountaines lyeth in order veynes betwene quarrey and quarrey ioyned with the sayde Azurine stone and mixte therwith. They saye that this myne is so much the better in howe much it is the he¦uyer and of hyghe colour, shewyng in it many sparkes of gold They say furthermore that it is engendered in an other stone lyke vnto salte marble: but it is of a deade colour. And also in an other whose colour is yelowe with certeyne redde spots within it. They affirme lykewyse that it is founde in certaine blacke stones, whose veynes sprede dyuers wayes much like the courses of ryuers. They further declare that it is founde in a certeyne bituminous earth,* 28.78 of coloure lyke vnto cley and very heauy, hauynge in it a great sauour of brymstone: And that the golde which is founde in this, is very good, and in maner all togyther fyne, yet very harde to bee gotten owte, bycause it consysteth of so smaule sparkes lyke vnto inuisible atomes of such lytelnesse that they can hardely bee perceaued with the eye.* 28.79

And herein may yow not do as in Lapis Laxuli, or other stones, or as the maner is to do with that which is found in the sāds of ryuers: the which the more it is wasshed, the more it fau¦leth to the bottome: & in meltynge with the mother of his ear¦thines, doth incorporat it selfe therwith in a brickle substāce But in fine,* 28.80 with much pacience and by one meanes or an o∣ther, or by the helpe of quickesyluer, it is drawen owt. A∣geyne (as I haue sayde before) it is found ia the sandes of dy¦uers ryuers, as in Spayne in the ryuer Tago: in Tracia, in Ebro: In Asia, in Patolo and Ganges. In Hungarie and Boheme, it is founde in Lasiesia in dyuers ryuers: And in Italie, in the sands of Tesino, Adda, and Po. But not euery where in the beddes of theyr chanels, but in certeyne particular places where in cer∣teyne cloddes the sande is discouered in the tyme of the ouer∣flowynge of the ryuers when the water leaueth behynde it a fine sande wherwith the sayde golde is myxte in the forme of certeyne smaule scales,* 28.81 and shynynge graynes. Then in the sommer season, with pacience and ingenious practise, the sear¦chers to pourge it from the grose earthinesse of the myne, and wasshe it diligently: preparynge for that effecte, certeyne ta∣bles made eyther of the tymber of plane trees,* 28.82 of elme, or whyte nuttes, or such other woodde apte to be sawen, hauing theyr playnes made ful of hackes, & notches, with the helpe of the sawe or such other instrumentes of ir••n. Upon these tables standynge sumwhat a slope or declynynge, with a ho∣lowe shouel they cast a great quantitie of water myxt with the sayde sande, which they cast so, that the water runne downe directly alonge the tables.* 28.83 And by this meanes the gold, as a matter most heuy, fauleth to the bottome of the sawne hac∣kes, and there restynge and cl••auynge fast, is so diuided from the sande. When therfore they perceaue a sufficient quantitie of golde thus remaynynge on the tables, they gather it with diligence and put it in a trey or great shallowe dysshe of wod lyke vnto those which the golde finers vse:* 28.84 And in these they wasshe it more exactly ageyne and ageyne from al fylth or vn¦clenlynesse. This doone, they beate or mixte (or amalgame it as they caule it) with Mercurie or quicksyluer, whiche after∣ward they seperate ageyne from the same eyther by straynyng and pressynge it through a bagge of lether, or by styllynge or ••uaporatynge the quickesyluer from it in a styllatory of glasse

and so fynde they the golde remaynynge in the bottome of the vessell in the lykenes of fine sande, which they brynge into a metalline body by meltynge it with a lyttle borage, or salt pe∣tre or blacke sope, & so cast it eyther in the forme of a wedge or a rodde, or otherwyse as lyketh them best. And this is the exacte maner of drawynge golde owt of the sandes of riuers, which many haue vsed to theyr great commoditie: And that the rather bycause that in folowyng this order of woorke in the pourgynge and diuydynge of golde, it shall not bee requi∣site as in other maner of practises, to bee at greate charges by reason of many men which shall be needefull,* 28.85 with manye mu∣rals, fornaces, fiers, and dyuers artificers: wheras in woor¦kyng after this sorte, one man may suffice with one table and one holowe shoouell, with a lyttle quickesyluer and sufficient abundaunce of water. But lettyng passe to speake any fur¦ther of these thynges: perhappes summe man wolde here de∣maunde from whense this golde is deryued into the sandes of the sayde ryuers, and whether it be browght thyther by the water, or engendered there. As touchynge which question, I haue oftē tymes deliberated with my selfe not withowt great marueyle: and especially of that which is founde in the san∣des of the ryuers of Tesino, Adda, and Po, bicause (wheras I haue sayde before that it is browght thyther by the course of the water) I can not perceaue from whense it shuld be browght, forasmuch as there is no myne of golde, or of any other metal that is knowen, nere to any of those places. By reason wher¦of, my iudgemente is in maner confounded, seinge also that it is thoppinion of certeyne wryters, that it is engendered euen where it is founde: The which, if it so be, it is not trewe that it is browght thyther by the water. Ageyne, if it be engen∣dered there, it seemeth to me a dyfficult thyng to comprehend whether it be brought furthe there by the vertue of the water or the earth, or the heauen.* 28.86 If furthermore any of these shuld be the cause of the generation hereof, it seemethe agreable to reason that it shulde bee both founde and engendered through owt all the beddes of such riuers, and at al tymes. And if the influence of heauen be the most prepotent cause of this effecte, then it seemeth to me that it shuld woorke immediatly, bicause it can not otherwyse obserue thorder whiche nature vseth in the generation of metals: fyrst brynginge it furth to the open

shewe, in the place where aboundeth the continuall isshewe of water, which owght also to be of such force as to remoue the earthy substaunce thereof from place to place, and not to intermixte such great inequalitie of couldenesse and moistnes. And albeit that this composition begunne in this order, shuld not be disseuered or broken by the waters of the ryuers, yet it appeareth to me that the showers of rayne and increase of fiuddes, shulde be of sufficient poure to distemper, breake, and vtterly destroy all such compositions as shulde be engendered in such places, forasmuch as al thynges are conceaued by rest and quietnesse after the commixtion of the fyrste elementes. And therfore if this golde of the ryuers, bee there engendered where it is founde, I wolde it were declared vnto me why it is engendered only in these places and not in other: and why in lyke maner, syluer, copper, leade, or any other metals are not also engendered there as well as golde, beinge matters of an easyer composition of nature then it is, by reason of the perfecte vnitie and concordaunce with puritie of substaunce & perfecte concoction which is in golde aboue all other metals: whereas also in many places in the territories of Rome, there are founde many sparkes of the mine of ••ren of blacke colour amonge the sandes of certeyne smaule ryuers: And yet these only in certeyne particular places of the sayde riuers: wherby it appeareth that these also, shulde not bee engendered where they are founde. By all which reasons and apparent effectes, it seemeth most agreable to truth that the golde which is foūd in such sandes,* 28.87 is rather brought thyther by the water, then engendered there. And therefore to declare my mynde more playnely herein, I suppose that this chaunceth only in great ryuers which receaue abundaunce of waters of dyuers sprin∣ges, fosses, and other ryuers, engendered partly of the mel∣tynge of snowe and partly of great showers of rayne, whiche faulyng in certeyne chanels from the toppes and sydes of mi∣nerall mountaynes, wasshe away parte of the earth of theyr bankes and the ouerchanginge and holowe rockes which may conteyne the substaunce of golde:* 28.88 Or otherwyse, that in such places, there are ordinarie mines in the hyghe mountaynes or other superficiall owt places, perhappes incessable, and ey∣ther such whyther men can not come for extreme heate or cold or other hynderaunces, or els such as they haue contemned to

searche. And yet the same to bee so consumed by the force of water as we haue sayde, and by the course therof to bee cari∣ed into the ryuers. It may also chaunce that suche mynerall earthes bee farre within the mountaynes neare vnto such ry∣uers:* 28.89 And that in the space of many yeares, the sprynges is∣shewynge owt of the same, may eyther bee dryed vp (whiche thyng hath byn seene) or els turne theyr course an other way So that it is no maruayle if in such a multitude of yeres, the trewe originall of these thynges bee vnknowen euen vnto thē that dwell nere such places. But in fine, howe so euer it bee, trewe it is that golde is founde ••n the sandes of many riuers: And particularly (as I haue noted) in the forenamed ryuers. A••d if therefore I haue maruayled at this ••hynge, I owght worthely to bee excused, forasmuch as where iudgement can not bee certified by reason or effectuall apparence, there aris•• many doubtfull coniectures and newe causes of admiration. But yet do I maruel much more of an other thyng the which I am informed to bee most trewe by the report of many credi∣ble p••rsons: That is,* 28.90 that in sum places of Hungarie at cer∣tey••e tym••s of the yeare, pure, golde spryngeth owte of the earthe in the lykenesse of smaule herbes, w••ethed and twyned lyke smaule stalkes of hoppes, about the byggenesse of a pack threde, and foure fyngers in length or sume a handfull. As concernynge which thynge,* 28.91 Plinie also in the .xxxiii. boke of his naturall hystorie, wryteth the lyke to haue chauncet in Dalm••tia in his tyme. The which (if it bee trewe) suerly the hus∣••ande men of these fieldes shall ••••ape heauenly and not earth¦ly frutes, sent them of god from heauen, and browght furth of nature withowt theyr trauayle or a••te. A grade doubtle••se most especial, syth that in so great a quantitie of earth graun¦ted to the possession of men, in mande onely this is thought woorthy so hygh a priuileage But what shall I say of that wherof Albertus Magnu•• wryteth in his boo••e of minerals, affir¦mynge that he hath seene golde engendered in a d••ade mans heade:* 28.92 And that the same beinge founde by chaunce in dyg∣gynge, and perceaued by the weyght and coloure to conteyne sum minerall substaunce, was proued by experience to holde a portion of fine golde mixte with smaule sande. And indeede his woordes seeme to sound to none other sence but only that this precious metall was engendend there by the great dispo∣sition

of the place and stronge influence of heauen: The which suerlie is a thynge hardely to be beleued. Yet consyderynge thautoritie of so greate a clerke, with the force of the superi∣our causes and the maruelous poure of nature, I had rather gyue fayth hereto then rasshely to contemne the iudgement of so greate a clarke. And forasmuche as I haue begun to tell yow of these effectes, I wyll not omytte to shewe yowe of a straunge thynge which chaunced also in a part of Hungarie, where a myne of gold was so founde by chaunce and vnsought for,* 28.93 that it may neuerthelesse be an aduertisement to other to searche diligently. So it is therefore, that a woman of the contrey beinge accustomed to resorre with her bucke of clo∣thes to wasshe them in a certeyne fosse or dike where ranne a lyttle water, and vsynge to beate and rubbe them vppon a ••••one which seemed commodious for her purpose, chaunced at the length by her good fortune to espie on the stone, a veyne of golde trauersyng or ouerthwartinge the same abowte the byggenesse of a grose packe threede,* 28.94 shewynge fayre & bright by reason of her much rubbynge. Wherat marueylynge dayly more and more, at the length opened the matter of her famili¦ers: who conferrynge with such as hadde better skyll of the thynge, founde it in fine to bee a veyne of pure golde: And that the quarrie of that stone, trauersed the course of the wa∣ter of the fosse. Remouynge therfore the water, and turning the course thereof an other waye, they beganne to dygge and folow the mine which hath now continued certeine. C. yeares fence it was fyrst found: And hath not only greatly enriched that contrey, But also all Christendome hath had great com¦moditie by the same. This haue I rehearsed vnto yow the ra¦ther that yow shulde not bee negligent in any poynt of omitte and signe or token wherebye yowe may bee certified of greate thynges.* 28.95 not con••emnynge the shadowe of any smaule to∣kens: but aswel to gyue attentyue care and eye vnto them, as to feare and foresee all such thynges as may hynder: For (as yow may hereby well perceaue) if credit had not fyrst byn gy∣uen to the woordes of the simple wooman, and the thynge af∣terwarde well folowed, perhappes they shulde neyther now nor euer hereafter haue enioyed the frute of so great a commo¦ditie. Men therfore of good courage folowinge suche ryche signes, dyd nether feare the smaulenesse of the veyne or hard∣nesse

of the stone: presupposynge by good reason that golde and syluer can not lyghtly bee founde in so smaule quantitie, but that the same shalbe able to surmounte the charges. And this the more, in howe much the further yowe shall enter into the stone, as chaunceth commonly in all other mynes. Albeit, the practised searchers, saye that the myne of golde is not founde in such great quantitie as are the mines of other me∣tals.* 28.96 Wherin although perhappes they say trewly, yet dooth it not folowe but that golde also maye bee founde in greate quantitie. And suerly it seemeth to me, that the benignitie of nature hath graunted large quantities thereof to the worlde, and that much hath euer byn and is founde amonge men, con¦syderynge in howe many places it is dayly gathered aswel in mountaynes as in sandes of ryuers,* 28.97 bysyde that whiche is founde accompanied and ioyned with other metals. A further profe hereof may that bee, which is consumed and hydde by the dyuers inuentions of men: As that whiche the paynters bestowe in adournynge theyr woorkes: And goldesmythes both in gyltynge other metals and also in makynge dyuers woorkes of massie golde:* 28.98 bysyde that which the woorker of clothe of golde and arras doo consume: with such as imbro∣therers and sylke woomen spende abowt the vanities of men and womens apparell and tyrementes. Also such as is consu∣med vppon trappers and furnimentes for horses, with gylted harnesse and such other sumptuousnesse as perteyneth to the warres and magnifical buyldinges of noble mens houses and temples: Bysyde that also whiche the couetousnesse of men hath hydde in stronge waules, and buryed in the grounde, in∣closed in chayned cofers locked with triple keyes: And that which serueth to the dayly vses of men and wandereth about the worlde through the handes of marchauntes. The whiche thynges well consydered, who so thinketh that nature brin∣geth furth but lyttle golde, shall perceaue that there is greate quantitie therof in the worlde,* 28.99 although there bee but fewe that haue so much as may satisfie the thirst of theyr couetou••∣nesse. And to speake particularly of I••alie,* 28.100 althoughe there bee no myne of golde knowen in it, yet by the vertue and dili∣gence of good wyttes, it hath euer and at all ages byn more ryche then many other prouinces. Notwithstandynge it hath often tymes byn spoyled and ouerrunne of dyuers nations, as

nowe of late in owre tyme by the cruell handes of the Barba∣rians which entered into it abowt .xl. yeares paste. But who knoweth as hath chaunced in the dayes of owre valient pre∣dicessours) whether Godde wyll ageyne gyue vs occasion to chastise them and so to inuade theyr regions that wee maye woonne owre owne ageyne with increase of dowble vsurie. Or if he wyll not permitte this, perhappes he wyll graunte vs to fynde sum ryche myne of golde.* 28.101 For, consyderynge and seynge that this owre region of Italie is replenysshed with as many excellent thynges as in maner heauen can gyue to a∣ny habitable place, it is not to bee thought that this benefite of golde shulde bee wantynge, wheras it bryngeth furth such plentie of al other mines except this of golde and tynne.* 28.102 And yet doo I verely beleue that it is not withowt the mynes of these also, although they be not yet discouered to the know∣leage of men: As I am persuaded bothe by the golde th••t is founde in the sayd ryuers, and also by the dyuers and sundry meane minerals which are founde in many places and adiud∣ged of the practicionars to bee certeyne cleare tokens of theyr proper and natural agentes.* 28.103 But for that they are not found, felte, or seene, we owght not therby to affirme that they are not. To conclude therfore, I thinke that in owr partes of I∣talie,* 28.104 pure golde is none other wayes founde (excepte that which is currant amonge the marchauntes) then after twoo sortes, wherof the one is that which is founde in the sandes of ryuers: And the other, that whiche is gotten by the indu∣strious & subtyle art of partyng gold frō new syluer, or frō gil∣tyng syluer, or other metals which hold gold,* 28.105 as there are in maner but fewe which hold not sū smaul portion therof, more or lesse according to the mixtiō & permanencie of theyr substan¦ces, or accordynge to the qualitie and force of the planettes which expresse theyr influence in the generation of them. And in fine, this is the golde that which is founde in owre partes of Italie. Nowe therfore to returne to the matter whereof is owre chiefe intente to intreate, hauynge before spoken suffi∣ciently of the generation and inuention of the myne of golde, I wyll further declare vnto yowe howe it owght to be pour∣ged from earthly superfluitie,* 28.106 and especially that whiche is founde lyinge in the forme of veynes, And although I haue not seene the edifies and engens wherwith the myners are ac∣customed

to get it owt, yet wyll I shewe yow howe ••y other practises I haue learned to pourge it, that yow may not bee without sum knowleage yf your fortune shalbe so good as to fynde any in Italy. When yow haue therfore dygged owt the myne and placed it in order, yow owght to consider in what kynde of stone it is engendered. And if it bee in that which is cauled Lapis Lazuli,* 28.107 then muste yow so drawe owte the golde that yowe also saue the stone, bycause perfecte Asure is made therof,* 28.108 and such as the paynters caule Azu••ro Oltramarino, that is, Asure of beyonde the sea, which they greatly esteme & bye it deare. And to do this, it is necessary that yowe fyrst beate it into fine pouder, and then put it in a trey or brode treene dysshe, and wasshe it fayre and cleane with water. This done amalgame or rubbe it well with quickesy••uer vntyll it haue lycked vppe and drawne al the golde into it and left the stone pure of it selfe.* 28.109 Then strayne the quickesyluer from the golde through a bagge of lether, or vapour it away in a styllatorie of glasse: And thus shal yowe fynde the golde in the bottome of the vessell in maner pure without quickesyluer, as I haue sayde before. And if yow haue no respecte to saue the stone, it shall suffice to vse the common experience, meltynge it in a fornace in a bayne or teste of leade.* 28.110 But in my opinion, the best maner to brynge it to purenesse, is fyrst to burne the mine with a gentell fyre in an open fornace, and to suffer it to eua∣porate well if it bee not in such stone as yowe desyre to saue. Then grynde it in a mylle or beate it with pestelles adapted with a wheele vntyll it be browght to fine pouder. And when yow haue wel wasshed it and so much wasted the superfluous earthynesse therof, then put it in a teste made accordynge to the quantitie of the same, and melt it therin with leade whi∣che yowe shall consume partely by vapoure and partely with drawynge it owt by the syde of the teste (as is the maner) vn∣tyll yowe come to the pure golde whiche yowe shall in fine brynge to perfecte purenesse in vtterly consumynge the rema∣nent of the leade with vehement fire increased by the helpe of stronge bellowes. And this is the vniuersal maner which yow may vse not only in pourgynge the myne of golde,* 28.111 but also the mynes of all other metals.

☞ Of the myne of siluer and the qualitie therof.

THere are (as I vnderstande) diuers opinions emonge the practitionars of the mynes, whe∣ther syluer haue a proper myne by it selfe or no.* 28.112 The reasons of suche as writte of the na∣turs of mineralles, and thautoritie of the most, persuade me to assent to the affirmatiue: Not only to see the naturall matter distincte, as is to perceaue in the mynes of golde, copper, leade and other metals whiche in theyr mynes are found pure by them selues without mixtion, but also that I vnderstand that there hath bin foūd likewyse certeyne pieces as well of this metall of siluer, as of gold and copper, browght to his laste fynesse by thonly worke of na∣ture. And this dooth Georgius Agricola a lerned man of Germany confirme in his booke of minerals where he writteth that in Saxonie there was foūd in a caue a piece of mineral siluer of such bignes,* 28.113* 28.114 that the duke the prince & pa••rone of that place, caused a chayre and square dyninge table after the maner of Almanye to be made therof withowte any further woorke of mans hande: Gloryinge often tymes that in this thynge he surmounted the greatnesse and magnificence of the Empe∣roure. But in deede (excepte copper) I haue seene no me∣tall taken owte of the caue pure withowt his vre. Yet doo I beleeue it a thynge possible, consydering the greate force and poure of nature,* 28.115 thende of whose woorkynge euer intendeth to bringe all thynges to perfection as farre as it is not other∣wyse hyndered. Yet (as I haue sayde) of the moste parte of those mynes whiche I haue seene, none of theym haue byn withowt mixture,* 28.116 not only of the earthe of their owne proper myne, but haue byn also mixte with other metals: And espe∣cially this of syluer more then any other, excepte onlye that which was digged in Schio in Vicentina. And therefore not with∣owt sum sh••dow of apparent reason, haue suche doubtes risin amonge the practitionars of the mynes. And yet (as I haue sayd I beleue that siluer may haue and hath his proper mine, forasmuche as euery substaunce that maye be conuerted into metall, may aswell stande by it selfe pure in his owne kynde, as eyther seperate or mixte with other, as is often times seene

in one masse in the whiche diuers metals are conteyned and engendered by nature.* 28.117 And by this meanes it often chaunceth that he that speaketh of the mine of siluer, may with the same brethe and withowt distinction, speake also of all other me∣tales, forasmuche as there are but fewe mynes which are not mixte with other. But bycause the moste noble and riche me∣tals haue obteyned the prerogatiue to be estemed aboue other, therfore the name of the myne is gyuen to them wher they are mixte with other: as the mynes which holde copper, leade, or iren,* 28.118 (as doo the moste parte) yet if they holde also golde or syluer, they are cauled gold mynes or syluer mynes, according vnto that which is founde in them to bee of most value. But to lette passe this matter, yowe shall further vnderstande that when suche mynes are mixte of diuers metals, they shew furth so much the more diuers and variable fumosites of tinctures and marchasites, as signes where they bee and of what pure∣nesse: forasmuch as euery of them according to theyr natures, exalte theyr colours which they shewe furthe to the eye,* 28.119 sum in the similitude of asurine or blewe stones, sum greene, sum yelowe, and sum of vndistinct colours accordynge to the com¦positions and mixtures of the fyrst matters of metals, which is also the cause that they are founde more or lesse in quanti∣tie. Nowe to speake more particularly of this metall of syl∣uer,* 28.120 the philosophers speculatours of naturall thynges, saye that it is engendered of substaunce more watery then fyerie, of complexion f••minine and flegmatike in cōparason to gold: receauynge more of thinfluence of the moone then of the son,* 28.121 and therfore engendered more in coulde regions nerer vnto the moone, then in hotte regions vnder the soonne: consisting also of pure elementes, although sumwhat crude and vndy∣gested in respecte of the elementes of golde as may bee plaine∣ly perceaued by theyr colours, weyght, and fixation.* 28.122 The practicionars affirme that it is engendered in a stone lyke vn∣to Albazano, and also in an other ••••one of a russet, deade, and darke colour: And is often tymes founde in an other stone lyke vnto Treuertino or in Treuertino it selfe. The myne hereof, is very ponderous, and hathe in it often tymes certeyne shy∣nynge graynes:* 28.123 The which howe much the lesse they are like to the poynte of a needle so muche is the myne founde to bee the perfecter, bycause this is a token of purenesse and fixion.

And when it is founde in a whyte stone, or leade stone, it is so muche the better, bycause it maye be the easyer pourged from the stone and earthynesse. When also it is founde lyinge as it were loose amonge certeine frales or cloddes of earth, they saye th••t it is perfecte, although it haue not to the eye suche resplendence as other are wonte to haue. The•• say also that it is engen••ered in an earth of darke ru••set colour: And that when it is founde in this, it is of gre••t quantitie and perfec∣tion, and that there is great plentie therof within the moun∣tayne:* 28.124 This also to be so much the better in howe much more it is shynynge of the coloure of iren or red••e. And that yowe may the bet••er comprehend the signes of the myne of the fore∣sayde metall, yowe shall vnderstand that euen togyther with the myne, eyther where it is fyrste founde, or nere vnto the same, yowe shall see certeyne marchasites of yelowe coloure lyke vnto golde.* 28.125 The which, the more they holde of suche hyghe colour, so much the more do they shewe adust or burnt ma••ter and heate, as thynges contrary to the na••ure of theyr metals. And therfore accordynge to the degrees of suche co∣lours, yow may in maner iudge of what fatnes or leanenesse the myne is lyke to bee. Such marcha••ites therfore as ••hew•• the best signes of the goodnesse of theyr mynes,* 28.126 owght in co∣loure to approche to whytenesse as much as may bee, and to consyst of smaule graynes, and not in greate quantitie. And this is a generall rule of all marchasites, that howe much th•• narower and lesse they are, the more do they shewe the good∣nesse of theyr myne. This myne of syluer is also often times founde in a veyne of great quant••tie, and yet so leane in qua∣litie that it wyll not beare the charge of the dyggyng, bicause it is founde in a harde stone lyke vnto Al••azano,* 28.127 beinge verye harde to bee dygged or broken. Sum tymes also, it is found in the company of copper or leade:* 28.128 The which lykewyse if it do not surmount the value of the charges, it is not to bee fo∣lowed. Otherwhyles also, it so chuanceth that these thre me∣tals are founde accompanyed togyther in one myne: In whi∣che case it shalbe ••ecessarie to vse aduertisement of arte. And presupposynge that yowe desy••e to se••arate the syluer frome the other metall, it is necessarie that yowe increase the leade. But if yow passe not to saue neyther the syl••er nor the leade,* 28.129 but ••nly the copper, it shal••e requi••ite to proceade wi••h l••••g••

••nd great fyers vntyl the weakest marters bee consumed. But this owght to be doone especially in such mines as hold iren.* 28.130 Yet neyther for this or those, can there any general rule be gy¦uen, but that accordynge vnto theyr qualitie and nature, so owght they to be diuided: And this so much the more in that they are often tymes mixte with sum drye earthe, or with a quantitie of antimonie or arsenike,* 28.131 which are matters al to∣gyther euaporable and burnte, or of harde substaunce to bee reduced to fusion or meltynge: In so much that the artificers sumtymes beinge ouercumme of them, leaue them as thynges vnprofitable. Wherof there can none other cause often times be gyuen, then theyr owne ignoraunce by reason of extraordi¦narie and longe fyers whiche they gyue them. And therefore they woorke inordinately in such kynd of mynes, except they accompanie them in the fusion or meltynge with such thinges as may defende them from the fyer.* 28.132 For wheras is suche a∣bundaunce eyther of burnte matter, or of super••••uous wate∣rynesse, wherof the one is cauled Sulphur or brymstone, & the other Mercurie or quicksyluer not fixed,* 28.133 or arsenike, it is ne∣cessarie that the one burne and syluer, and the other cary it a way, so that of the myne there resteth none other then an ear thye sub••taunce infusible and not able to bee molten. To saue the sayde myne therefore it shalbe requisite to vse discretion with much pacience and conueniente meanes,* 28.134 fyrste after the common maner of woorkynge to euaporate the myne (as wee haue sayde) or withowt euaporation to grinde it smaule: then to wasshe it often, and in fine, if not by greate fyers, at the leaste by great baynes or testes of leade to pourge it. And to brynge this effect the more easely to passe as much as may be, after that it is grounde yow owght to proue in the same grin¦dynge or in an other, if it may be amalgamed with Mercurie which is the best maner of profe,* 28.135 if the myne bee of a drye na¦ture: And I knowe that it hath bynne vsed of many to theyr greate profyte: And especially in those sorte of mynes which I sayde before to bee dygged in Vigentina in Schio, beinge very ryche and good. Proue it therfore. For all kyndes of mines do not receaue it. And of this wherof I haue spoken, I haue intelligence that there hath bynne pieces founde holdynge a fourth part of syluer,* 28.136 and sum more then halfe. And this was founde lyinge in maner in the superficia••l parte of the earth:

and sum tymes in pathes and high wayes. It hath also bin founde vnder the rootes of suche trees as haue byn ouerthro∣wen by tempeste: and this very perfecte. So that emong•• all the mynes whiche I haue seene in the dominions of Uenice, as in Carnia and in mnay other places, I can not saye that I haue seene any better: Although there bee many caues wher∣of the most parte are of coppe•• holdinge syluer:* 28.137 and emonge other, that in the mountayne of Auanzo, where I in the com∣pany of certeyne other gentlemen caused a caue to bee digged. And bycause the hole charge was committed to mee, I wente by occasion twyse into high Almanye to see the mynes of ••hat countrey, wherby I might haue the better experience to faule to practyse at my returne. In so much that I founde the mine which we had taken in hand to folowe, to bee very good and ryche: holdynge more then three vnces and a halfe of syluer in euery hundreth of the myne.* 28.138 And doubtlesse we shuld haue obteyned great commoditie hereby if fortune at that tyme had not raysed warre betwene Maximilian Themperoure and the signorie of Uenece:* 28.139 which was the cause that those places of Frioli and Carnia, coulde not be quietly inhabited: whereby w•• were enforced to forsake owre enterpryse, and to rase and de∣stroy thorder which we had begunne. And by reason that the warres continued longe, we were constrayned to diuide owr company, where I also departed an other way, hauyng euer in mynde to folowe owre attempted enterpryse when better oportunitie shulde serue. In the meane tyme returnyng agein•• into hyghe Almanie,* 28.140 I made more diligent searche to know•• the mynes then before: and went to Sbozzo, Plaiper, Ispruch, Alla, and Arotrinbergh: frome whense I wente into dyuers places of Italy. So that to conclude, the most and best mynes whiche I haue sene to holde most of syluer, are those that are found•• in Vice••tina in certeyne stones of a dark grey, or russet colour, as I haue sayde before. And nowe for a generall aduertise∣ment, I wyll not omyt to tell yow, that when yow haue at∣tempted to dygge any mynes, and haue founde the marcha∣si••e and the myne myxt togyther,* 28.141 yowe shall leaue of yowre woorke, bycause it signifieth that the myne is neare to the su∣perficial part of the earth, & that it is of but lyttle quantitie. And thus as touchyng this myne of syluer, I can say no mor•• sauynge that I haue not yet shewed yowe the maner of pour∣gynge

it from earthly grosenes and to brynge it to perfect me¦tall. But bycause I haue determyned to speake largely here∣of in the proper place of the fusion or meltynge of all metals, I haue thowght good to speake no further of this matter at this presente.

The maner of workynge in golde mynes of Egipte in owld tyme, after the description of Diodorus Siculus, who wrotte his historie cauled Bibliotheca, sumwhat before the dayes of themperoure O••tauianus Augustus, & before thincarnatiō of Christ abowt .xl. yeares. He wryteth therefore in his fourthe booke as foloweth.

WE haue not thowght good to pretermit howe golde is founde, digged, and wrought amonge the Egiptians. In the confines therefore of Egipte where it borthereth with Ethiopia and Arabia, there are certeyne places frutefull of metalles, owt of the whiche, golde is digged with great laboure and expenses. For a blacke earthe of mine¦rale nature, hath certeyne vaynes of moste white marble excea∣dinge bright and shyninge.* 28.142 The surueyours of this woorke, haue assigned them a greate company of men to woorke and coyne golde. For the kinges of Egipte are accustomed to ap∣poynte to these paynefull trauailes,* 28.143 all suche as haue byn con¦victe for certeyne crimes and condemned by lawes, or taken prisoners in the warres, or suche as haue byn committed to prison through the indignation of princes who by this mea∣nes haue bothe great vantage by theyr laboure, and punyshe them sufficiently for theyr offenses. For barbarous & strange souldiers of diuers languagies, bare ruleouer them and keepe them to theyr worke, in suche sorte that thuse of speache be∣inge taken from thyem, they can not bee corrupted by loue or intreatie. They drawe golde owt of the hardest earth decocte with much fyer. The softest stone which is broken with meane labour, is digged with instrumentes of iren by the trauayle of many thousāds of men. The scrier which decerneth the veines of the myne,* 28.144 goth before the workemen, appoynting them the places where they shall digge. The marble stone whiche he

sheweth theim, they breake and cleaue with wedgies of iren by the mere strength of their bodies withowte arte. They make theyr fosse or caue, not right furthe, but as the bright nature of the golden marble leadeth them,* 28.145 beinge otherwyse darke and obscure by reason of theyr sundry turnes and ben∣dinges diuers wayes. The labourers caryinge lyght befor•• theyr forheades, digge great stones owt of the myne, whych•• they let faule on the ground. From this labour they neuer rest, inforced to contynual woorke with strokes and contumelious woordes.* 28.146 Children of thage of .xii. or .xiii. yeares or vppe∣warde, are diuided into two companyes, whereof the one breake the stones into smaule pieces, and the other cary furth that which is brokē. They that are past thage of .xxx. yeares, receaue the sayd broken stones at theyr hands and beate them in vessels of stone with maules of iren, to the quātitie of tares or fytches which afterward they cast into many milles,* 28.147 where by the laboure of two or three women or owlde men to euery mylle,* 28.148 they are grounde as smaule as meale. The fylthinesse of the bodies of these labourers, is apparent to all men. For not so muche as their priuie members are couered with any thinge: And theyr bodies bysyde so fylthy, that no man can beholde them withowt compassion of theyr miserie. But no pitie, no reste, no remission is graunted them, whether they bee men or women, younge or owlde, sycke or feeble: But are all with strokes inforced to continuall labour vntyl the poore wretches faynt and often tymes dye for extreme debilitie: In so much that many of them for feare of theyr lyfe to coomme (which they thynke woorse then the present payne) preferre death before lyfe.* 28.149 When they haue thus grounde the stones very smaule, they cast that substaunce vppon brode tables in∣clynynge sumwhat stiepe or standynge a slope, and cast wate•• theron, sterynge continually the sayde pouder of marble: by the meanes wherof the earth and vre of the myne is wasshed away, and the golde as the heauier matter remayneth on the tables. When they haue doonne thus often tymes, they ouer∣turne the golde continually with t••eyr handes & rub it with thynne spoonges, owt of the which they presse a softe earth, and thus continewe vntyll the pure metall remayne lyke vnto golden sande.* 28.150 After that this preparation is fynysshed, oth••r woorkemen receauynge it at theyr handes by measure and

weyght, cast it into earthen pottes, puttynge thereto a cer∣teyne portion of leade, with branne of barly, and weedes of the sea cauled reites or ouse. These thynges proportioned ac∣cordyngly, they close the pottes diligently with cley,* 28.151 and so let them stand in a furnesse with fyer for the space of fyue con¦tinuall dayes and nyghtes. In which space, al other thinges of contrary mixture beinge consumed, only the golde is found in the vessels, sumwhat diminysshed of the fyrst weyght. And by this labour and diligence is golde possessed in the furthest parte of Egypt. Wherby, euen nature her selfe teacheth vs howe laborious it is in fyndynge, tedious in pursuinge, daun¦gerous in keepynge, and in vse constitute betwene pleasure and sorowe.

¶ The discription of the two viages made owt of Eng∣land into Guinea in Affrike at the charges of certeyne marchauntes aduenturers of the citie of Lon∣don, in the yeare of owre Lorde .M.D.LIII.

THat these vyages to Guinea are placed after the booke of Metals as separate from other vyages, the cause hereof is, that after I had delyuered the sayde booke of metalles to the handes of the printers, I was desyred by cer∣teyne my frendes to make summe mention of these viages, that sum memorie therof myght remayne to owr posteritie if eyther iniquitie of tyme consumynge all thinges, or ignoraunce creepynge in by barbarousnesse and contempte of knoweleage, shulde hereafter bury in obliuion so woorthy attemptes, so much the greatlyer to bee estemed as before ne∣uer enterprysed by Englysshe men, or at the leaste so frequen∣ted as at this present they are and may bee to the greate com∣moditie of owre marchauntes, if the same be not hyndered by thambision of such as for the conquestynge of fortie or fyftie myles here and there, and erectynge of certeyne fortresses or rather blockhouses amonge naked people,* 29.1 thinke thē selues woorthy to bee lordes of halfe the worlde, enuying that other shulde enioy the commodities which they them selues can not holy possesse. And although such as haue byn at charges in

the discouerynge and conquestynge of such landes, owght by good reason to haue certeyne pr••uilegies, preeminencies, and tributes for the same, yet (to speake vnder correction) it may seeme sumwhat rigorous and ageynst good reason and consci∣ence, or rather ageynst the charitie that owght to bee amonge Chrysten men, that such as violentely inuade the dominions of other, shuld not permit other frendely to vse the trade of marchandies in places neuer or seldome frequented of them, wherby theyr trade is not hindered in such places where they them selues haue at theyr owne election appoynted the mar∣tes of theyr trafike. But forasmuche as at this presente it is not my intent to accuse or defend, approue or improue, I wil cease to speake any further hereof, and proceade to the de∣scrip••iō of the fyrst viage as briefely and faythfully as I was aduertised of the same by thinformation of such credible per∣sons as made diligent inquisition to knowe the truth hereof as much as shalbe requisite, omyttynge to speake of many par¦ticular thynges not greatly necessarie to be knowen: whiche neuerthelesse with also thexact course of the nauigation, shal be more fully declared in the second vyage. And if herein fa∣uoure or frendshyppe shall perhappes cause sum to thinke that sum haue byn sharpely touched, let them laye a parte fauoure and frendshippe and gyue place to truth, that honest men may receaue prayse for well doinge, and lewde persons reproche as the iust stipende of theyr euyll desertes, whereby other may bee deterred to do the lyke, and vertuous men encouraged to proceade in honest attemptes.

But that these vyages may bee more playnely vnderstode of al men, I haue thowght good for this purpose before I in¦treate hereof, to make a breefe description of Affrica beinge that greate parte of the worlde,* 29.2 on whose Weste syde begyn∣neth the coast of Guinea at Cabo Uerde abowte the .xii. de∣grees in latitude on this syde the Equinoctiall line,* 29.3 and two degrees in longitude from the measurynge line, so runnynge from the north to the south and by east in sum places within v.iiii. and .iii. degrees and a halfe within the Equinoctiall, and so furth in maner directly east and by north for the space of .xxxvi. degrees or there abowt in longitude from the West to the East, as shall more playnely appere in the descryption of the seconde vyage.

¶ A breefe description of Affrike.

IN Affrica the lesse are these kyngedomes: The kyngedome of Tunes and Constantina which is at this day vnder Tunes,* 29.4 and also the region of Bugia,* 29.5 Tripoli,* 29.6 and ••zzab. This part of Afrike is very baren by reason of the great desertes, as the desertes of Numidia and Barcha.* 29.7 The principall portes of the kyngedome of Tunes are these: Goletta, Bizerta, Por¦tofarnia, Boua, and Stora. The chiefe cities of Tunes, are Constantia and Boua with dyuers other.* 29.8 Under this kynge∣dome are many Ilandes, as Zerbi, Lampadola, Pantalarea, Limoso, Beit, Gamelaro, and Malta where at this presente is the greate master of the Rodes.* 29.9 Under the southe of this of kyngdome, are the great desertes of Libia.* 29.10 Al the nations this Africa the lesse, are of the secte of Machomet and a rusti¦call people lyuynge scattered in vyllages. The beste of this parte of Afrike, is Barbaria lyinge on the coaste of the sea Mediterraneum.* 29.11

Mauritania (nowe cauled Barbaria) is diuided into two partes,* 29.12 as Mauritania Tingitania, and Cesariensis. Mau∣ritania Tingitania, is nowe cauled the kyngdome of Fes and the kyngedome of Marrocko. The principall citie of Fes, is cauled Fessa: and the chiefe citie of Marrocko,* 29.13 is named Marrocko. Mauritania Cesariensis is at this day cauled the kyngedome of Tremisen,* 29.14 with also the citie cauled Tremisen or Telensin. This region is full of desertes, and reacheth to the sea Mediterraneum to the citie of Oram with the porte of Massaquiber.* 29.15* 29.16 The kyngedome of Fes reachethe vnto the Ocean sea from the West to the citie of Argilla: and the porte of the sayde kyngedome is cauled Salla.* 29.17

The kyngedome of Marrocko is also extended aboue the Ocean sea vnto the citie of Azamor and Azafi whiche are a∣boue the Ocean sea towarde the West of the sayde kyngdome.* 29.18 In Mauritania Tingitanea (that is to say in the two kynge∣domes of Fes and Marrocko) are in the sea, the Ilandes of Canarie cauled in owlde time the fortunate Ilandes.* 29.19 Toward the south of this region, is the kyngedome of Guinea,* 29.20 with Senega, Iaiofo, Gambra, and manye other regions of the blacke Moores cauled Ethiopians or Negros,* 29.21 all whiche are watered with the ryuer Negro cauled in owlde tyme Niger.

In the sayde regions are no cities: but only certeyne lowe co∣tages made of bouwes of trees plastered with chauke and co∣uered with strawe: In these regions are also very great de∣sertes.

The kyngedome of Marrocko hath vnder it these seuen kyngedomes: Hea, Sus, Guzula, the territorie of Marroc∣ko,* 29.22 Duchala, Hazchora, and Telde. The kyngedome of Fes hath as many: as Fes,* 29.23 Temesne, Azgar, Elabath, Errifi, Garet, and Eicauz. The kyngedome of Tremisen hath these regions:* 29.24 Tremisen, Tenez, and Elgazaet, all which are Ma¦chometistes. But all the regions of Guinea are pure Gen∣tyles and Idolatours withowt profession of any religion or other knowleage of god then by the lawe of nature.* 29.25

Africa the great,* 29.26 is one of the three partes of the worlde knowen in owlde tyme and seuered from Asia, on the East by the ryuer Nilus: On the West, from Europe by the pillers of Hercules. The hyther part is nowe cauled Barbarie, and the people Moores. The inner parte is cauled Libia and Ethio∣pia. Afrike the lesse is in this wyse bounded:* 29.27 On the west it hath Numidia: On the east Cyrenaica: On the north, the sea cauled Mediterraneum. In this countrey was the noble citie of Carthage.* 29.28

In the East syde of Afrike beneth the redde sea, dwelleth the greate and myghtye Emperour and Chrystian kynge Pre¦ster Iohan,* 29.29 well knowen to the Portugales in theyr vyages to Calicut. His dominions reache very farre on euery syde: and hath vnder hym many other kynges both Chrystian and hethen that pay hym trybute. This myghty prince is cauled Dauid Themperour of Ethiopia. Sum wryte that the kynge of Portugale sendeth hym yearely .viii. shyppes laden with marchaundies. His kyngedome confineth with the redde sea, and reacheth farre into Afrike towarde Egypte and Barba∣rie. Southwarde it confineth with the sea towarde the cape de Buona Speranza:* 29.30 and on the other syde with the sea of sande cauled Mare de Sabione,* 29.31 a very daungerous sea, lyinge betwene the great citie of Alcaer or Cairo in Egypte and the countrey of Ethiopia:* 29.32 In the whiche way are many vnhable desertes continuinge for the space of fyue dayes iorney. And they af∣firme that if the sayde Chrystian Emperour were not hynde∣red by those desertes (in the which is great lacke of vittayles

and especially of water) he wolde or nowe haue inuaded the kyngedome of Egypte and the citie of Alcayer. The chiefe ci¦tie of Ethiope where this great Emperour is resydent, is cau¦led Amacaiz beinge a fayre citie, whose inhabitauntes are of the coloure of an olyue. There are also many other cities, as the citie of Saua vppon the ryuer of Nilus where Thempe∣roure is accustomed to remayne in the soommer season. There is lykewyse a great citie named Barbaregaf: And Ascon from whense it is sayde that the queene of Saba came to Ierusa∣lem to heare the wysdome of Salomon.* 29.33 This citie is but lyt∣tle, yet very fayre and one of the chiefe cities in Ethiope. In the sayde kyngdome is a prouince cauled Manicongni,* 29.34 whose kynge is a Moore and tributarie to Themperour of Ethiope. In this prouince are many excedynge hyghe mountaynes vp∣pon the which is sayde to be the earthly Paradyse:* 29.35 And sum say that there are the trees of the soonne and moone whereof the antiquitie maketh mention:* 29.36 Yet that none can passe thy∣ther by reason of greate desertes of a hundreth dayes iorney. Also beyonde these mountaynes, is the cape of Buona Spe∣ranza. And to haue sayde thus much of Afrike it may suffice.

¶ The fyrst vyage of Guinea.

IN the yeare of owre Lorde .M.D.LIII. the xii. day of August, sayled from Porchemouth two goodly shyppes, the Primrose and the Li∣on,* 29.37* 29.38 with a pynnesse cauled the moone:* 29.39 beinge all well furnysshed aswell with men of the lu∣stiest sorte to the number of seuen score, as al∣so with ordinaunce and vyttayles requisite to such a vyage: Hauynge also two capitaynes, the one a straunger cauled An¦toniades Pinteado a Portugale,* 29.40 borne in a towne named the porte of Portugale, a wyse, discrete, and sober man, who for his cunnynge in saylynge beinge aswell an expert pylot as polytyke capitayne, was sumtyme in great fauoure with the kynge of Portugale, and to whom the coastes of Brasile and Guinea were commytted to bee kepte from the Frenchemen to whom he was a terroure on the sea in those partes:* 29.41* 29.42 and was furthermore a gentleman of the kinge his masters house. But as fortune in maner neuer fauoureth but flattereth,* 29.43 neuer

promyseth but deceaueth, neuer rayseth but casteth downe a∣geyne, and as great wealth and fauour hath alwayes compa∣nions emulation and enuie, he was after many aduersites and quarels made ageynst hym, inforced to come into Englande: where in this golden vyage he was euyll matched with an vn¦equall coompanion and vnlyke matche of most sundry quali∣ties and conditions with vertues few or none adourned, with vices dyuers and many fowly spotted,* 29.44 knowen of many with out profyte, and desyred of fewe or none for his wyckednes: whose smaule acquayntaunce was profitable to all men, and his familiar conuersation an vndoinge, that happye was the man or woman that knewe hym not, he for his gooddes and shee for her name. In fine, vnfortunate was the coompany that had owght to doo with hym: in so much that it was no maruayle that so goodly an enterpryse with so noble a furni∣ture of men, shyppes, and ordina••••ce of all sortes, with all kynde of vyttayles and that of so ••reat abundaunce, had so smaul successe: which could be none otherwyse wher so foule a spotte dyd blemysshe, ye rather deface the rest. Thus depar¦ted these noble shyppes vnder sayle on theyr vyage. But first this capitayne Wyndam, puttyng furth of his shyp at Porch∣mouth, a kynseman of one of the headde marchauntes, and shewynge herein a muster of the tragical partes he had concea¦ued in his brayne, and with such smaule begynninges nurys∣shed so monstrous a byrth, that more happy, yea and blessed was that younge man beinge lefte behynde then if he had byn taken with them, as sum doo wysshe he had doonne the lyke by theyrs. Thus sayled they on theyr vyage vntyl they came to the Ilandes of Madera where they toke in certeyne wynes for the store of theyr shyppes,* 29.45 and payde for them as they agre¦ed of the price. At these Ilandes they met with a great ga∣lion of the kynge of Portugale full of men and ordinaunce:* 29.46 yet suche as coulde not haue preuayled if it had attempted to withstande or resyst owre shyppes, for the which cause it was set furth, not only to lette and interrupte these owre shyppes of theyr purposed vyage, but all other that shulde attempte the lyke. Yet chiefely to frustrate owre vyage. For the kyng of Portugale was sinisterly informed that owre shyppes were armed to his castel of Mina in these parties,* 29.47 wheras nothing lesse was ment.

After that owr shyppes departed from the Ilandes of Ma¦dera forwarde on theyr vyage, began this woorthy capitaine Pinteados sorowe as a man tormented with the company of a terrible hydra who hytherto flattered with hym and made hym a fayre countenance and shewe of loue.* 29.48 Then dyd he take vppon hym to commaunde all alone, settynge nowght bothe by capitayne Pinteado with the reste of the marchaunte fac∣tours: sumtymes with opprobrious woordes and sumtymes with threatenynges most shamefully abusynge them, takinge from Pinteado the seruice of the boys and certeyne mariners that were assigned hym by thorder and direction of the woor¦shypfull marchauntes, and leauynge hym as a common mary∣ner, which is the greatest despite and greefe that can be to a Portugale or Spanyarde to be diminysshte theyr honoure which they esteeme aboue all rychesse. Thus saylyng forward on theyr vyage, they came to the Ilandes of Canarie,* 29.49 conti∣nuynge theyr course from thense vntyll they arryued at the Ilande of saynt Nicolas where they vyttayled them selues with fresshe meate of the flesshe of wylde goates whereof is great plentie in that Ilande and in maner of nothynge else.* 29.50 From hense folowynge on theyr course, and taryinge here and there at the deserte Ilandes in the waye, bycause they wolde not coome to tymely to the countrey of Guinea for the heate,* 29.51 and taryinge sumwhat to longe (for what can bee wel mynystred in a common wealth where inequalitie with tyran∣nie wyll rule alone) they came at the length to the fyrst lande of the countrey of Guinea where they fell with the great ry∣uer of Sesto where they myght for theyr marchaundies haue laden theyr shyppes with the graynes of that countrey,* 29.52* 29.53 which is a very hotte frute, and much lyke vnto a fygge as it grow∣eth on the tree. For as the fygges are full of smaule seedes, so is the sayde frute ful of graynes which are lose within the codde, hauynge in the myddest thereof a hole on euery syde. This kynde of spice is much vsed in coulde countreys, and may there be solde for great aduantage for thexchaunge of o∣ther wares.* 29.54 But owr men by the persuasion or rather inforce¦ment of this tragicall capitayne, not regardynge and settyng lyght by that commoditie in comparason to the fine gold they thristed,* 29.55 sayled an hundreth leaques further vntyl they came to the golden lande: where not attemptinge to come nere the

castell perteynynge to the kynge of Portugale, whiche was within the ryuer of Mina,* 29.56 made sale of theyr ware onely on this syde and beyonde it for the golde of that countrey to the quantitie of an hundredth and fiftie poundes weyght, there beinge in case that they myght haue dispatched al theyr ware for golde, if the vntame brayne of Wyndam had or could haue gyuen eare to the counsayle and experience of Pinteado. For when that Wyndam not satisfied with the golde whiche he had (and more myght haue had if he had taryed abowt the Mina) commaundynge the sayde Pinteado (for so he toke vp¦pon hym) to leade the shyppes to Benin beinge vnder the E∣quinoctial line and a hundreth and fiftie leaques beyonde the Mina where he loked to haue thyer shyppes laden with pep∣per:* 29.57* 29.58 And beinge counsayled of the sayde Pinteado consyde∣rynge the late tyme of the yere for that tyme to go no further but to make sale of theyr wares such as they had for golde wherby they myght haue byn great gayners. But Wyndam not assentynge hereunto, fell into a suddeyne rage, reuilynge the sayde Pinteado,* 29.59 caulynge hym Iewe with other oppro∣brious woordes, sayinge. This horson Iewe hath promised to brynge vs to such places as are not, or as he can not bring vs vnto. But if he doo not, I wyl cut of his eares and naile them to the mast. Pinteado gaue the forsayde counsayle to goo no further for the safegard of the men and theyr lyues, which they shulde put in daungioure if they came to late for the rossia which is theyr wynter,* 29.60 not for coulde but for smo∣therynge heate with close and cloudy ayer and storminge we∣ther of such putrifyinge qualitie that it rotted the cotes of theyr backes.* 29.61 Or els for coommynge to soonne for the scor∣chynge heate of the sonne which caused them to lynger in the way.* 29.62 But of force and not of wyll, browght he the shyppes before the ryuer of Benin:* 29.63 where rydynge at an anker, sente their pinnesse vp into the ryuer fiftie or threscore leaques, frō whense certeyne of the marchauntes with capitayne Pintea∣do, Francisco a Portugale,* 29.64 Nicolas Lambert gentleman,* 29.65 and other marchauntes were conducted to the courte where the kyng remayned .x. leaques from the ryuer syde: whyther when they came,* 29.66 they were browght with a greate company to the presence of the kynge who beinge a blacke moore (althoughe not so blacke as the rest) sat in a great houge haule longe and

wyde, the walles made of earthe withowte wyndowes, the the roofe of thynne boordes open in sundry places lyke vnto louers to lette in the ayer.

And here to speke of the great reuerence they gyue to their kynge,* 29.67 beinge such that if wee wolde gyue as much to owr sa¦uiour Chryst, we shuld remoue from owr heades many plages which w••e dayly deserue for owre contempte and impietie.

So it is therfore, that when his noble men are in his pre¦sence, they neuer looke hym in the face, but syt courynge, as wee vppon owre knees so they vppon theyr buttockes with theyr elbowes vppon theyr knees and theyr handes beefore theyr faces, not lookynge vppe vntyll the kynge commaunde them. And when they are commynge towarde the kynge as farre as they do see him, do they shewe such reuerence sytting on the grounde with theyr faces couered as before. Lykewise when they depart from hym they turne not theyr backes to∣warde hym, but go creepynge backewarde with lyke reue∣rence.

And nowe to speake sumwhat of the communication that was betwene the kynge and owre men,* 29.68 yowe shall fyrst vnder¦stande that he hym selfe coulde speake the Portugale tounge which he had lerned of a chylde. Therfore after that he had commaunded owre men to stande vp, and demaunded of them the cause of theyr commynge into that countrey, they answe∣red by Pinteado that they were marchauntes trauaylynge in∣to those parties for the commodities of his countrey for ex∣chaunge of wares which they had browght from theyr coun∣treys, beinge such as shulde bee no lesse commodious for him and his people. The kynge then hauynge of owlde lyinge in a certeyne store house thirtie or fortie kyntals of pepper (euery kyntall beinge an hundreth weyght) wyllynge them to looke vppon the same,* 29.69 and ageyne to brynge hym a syght of suche marchaundies as they had browght with them. And therup∣pon sent with the capitayne and the marchauntes certeyne of his men to conducte them to the warers syde, with other to brynge the ware from the pinnesse to the courte. Who when they were returned and the wares seene, the kynge grewe to this ende with the marchauntes,* 29.70 to prouyde in thirtie dayes the ladynge of all theyr shyppes with pepper.

And in case theyr marchaundies wolde not extende to the va¦lue

of so muche pepper, he promysed to credite them to theyr nexte returne: and thereuppon sente the countrey rounde a∣bowt to gather pepper, causynge the same to be browght to the courte: So that within the space of .xxx. days they had gathered foure score toonne of pepper.

In the meane season owre men partly hauynge no rule of them selues,* 29.71 but eatyng withowt measure of the frutes of the countrey, and drynkyng the wyne of the palme trees that droppeth in the nyght from the cutte branches of the same, and in such extreeme heate runnynge continually into the wa¦ter, not vsed before to such suddeyne and vehement alterati∣ons (then the which nothynge is more daungerous) were ther¦by browght into swellynges and agues. In so much that the later tyme of the yeare cōmyng on, caused thē to dye sū••ymes iii. & sūtimes .iiii. or .v. in a day. Then Wyndam perceauyng the tyme of the .xxx. dayes to be expyred, & his men dying so fast, sent to the court in poste to capitayne Pinteado and the rest to come away and to tary no longer. But Pinteado with the rest, wrote backe to hym ageyne, certifyinge hym of the great quantitie of pepper they had alredy gathered and loked dayly for much more: Desyrynge hym furthermore to remem¦ber the great prayse and name they shulde wynne if they came home prosperously, and what shame of the contrary. With which answere Wyndam not satisfied, and many of theyr men dyinge dayly, wylled and commaunded them ageine eyther to coomme away furthwith, or els thretened to leaue them be∣hynde. When Pinteado harde this answere, thynkynge to persuade hym with reason, tooke his way from the court to∣warde the shyppes beinge conducted thyther with men by the kynges commaundement.

In the meane season Windam all rageinge,* 29.72 brake vppe Pin∣teados Caben, broke open his chestes, spoyled suche prouisy∣on of coulde stilled waters and suckettes as he hade prouided for his health, and lefte hym nothynge neyther of his instru∣mentes to sayle by, nor yet of his apparell. And in the meane tyme faulinge sycke hym selfe, dyed also.* 29.73 Whose death Pin∣teado comminge aborde, lamented as muche as if he had byn the derest frend he had in the worlde. But certeyne of the maryners and other officers dyd spette in his face,* 29.74 sum cau∣lynge hym Iewe, saying that he had browght them thether

to kylle them: And sum drawynge theyr swordes at hym ma∣kynge A shewe to sley hym. Then he perceauinge that they wolde nedes away, desyred them to tary that he might fetch the reste of the marchauntes that were fefte at the court. But they wolde not graunte his request. Then desyred he them to gyue hym the shippe boate with as muche of an owlde sayle as myght serue for the same, promisynge them therewith to bringe Nicolas Lamberte and the rest into England: But all was in vayne. Then wrotte he a letter to the courte to the marchauntes informynge them of all the matter, and promy∣synge thē if god wolde lende hym life to returne with al hast to fetche them. And thus was Pinteado kepte a bordeshippe ageynste his wyll, thrust amonge the boyes of the shippe, not vsed like a man, nor yet like an honest boy: But glad to find fauoure at the cokes hande. Then departed they, leauing one of theyr shippes behynde them, whiche they soonke for lake of men to cary her. After this within sixe or seuen days say∣linge, dyed also Pinteado for very pensiuenesse and thowght that strooke hym to the harte:* 29.75 A man worthy to serue any prince and most vilely vsed. And of seuen score men came home to Plymmuowth scarsely fortye, and of them many dyed. And that no man shulde suspecte these wordes which I haue sayd in commendation of Pinteado, to be spoken vpon fauour otherwyse then truth, I haue thought good to adde herevnto the coppie of the letters which the kyng of Portugale and the infant his brother wrote vnto hym to reconcyle hym at suche tyme as vppon the kynge his masters displeasure (and not for any other cryme or offence as may appere by the sayde letters) he was onely for pouertie inforced to coomme into Englande where he fyrst persuaded owre marchauntes to attempte the sayde vyages to Guinea. But as the kynge of Portugale to late repented hym that he had so punysshed Pinteado vp∣pon malicious informations of such as enuied the mans good fortune, euen so may it hereby appere, that in sum cases, euen Lyons them selues, may eyther bee hyndered by the contempt or ayded by the helpe of the pore myse accordynge vnto the fa¦ble of Isope.

¶ The coppie of Antomanes Pinteado his letters parentes wherby the kynge of Portugale made hym knyght of his house after all his troubles and imprisonment, which by wronge information made to the kynge, he had susteyned of longe tyme, beinge at the laste deli∣uered, his cause knowen and manifested to the kynge by a grey fryer the kynges confessoure.

I The kynge do gyue yow to vnderstande lorde Frances Desseosa one of my counsayle and o∣uerseer of my house, that in consideration of the good seruice which Antonie Anes Pinte∣ado, the sonne of Iohn Anes, dwellynge in the towne cauled the porte, hath doone vnto me, my wyll and pleasure is, to make hym knyght of my house, alowynge to hym in pension seuen hun∣dreth reys monethly,* 30.1 and euery daye one alcayr of barly as longe as he kepeth a horse, and to bee payde accordynge to the ordinaunce of my house. Prouydynge alwayes that he shal receaue but one mariage gyfte: And this also in such con¦dition that the tyme whiche is excepted in owre ordinaunce forbyddynge such men to mary for gettynge such chyldren as myght succeade them in this alowance, which is syxe yeares after the makynge of this patente, shalbe fyrste expired before he do mary. I therfore commaunde yowe to cause this to bee entered in the booke cauled the Matricola of owre housholde vnder the tytle of knyghtes. And when it is so entered, let the clerke of the Matricola for the certentie therof, wryte on the backe syde of this Aluala or patente, the number of the leafe wherin this owre graunt is entered. Which doone, let hym returne this wrytynge vnto the sayd Antonie Anes Pin¦teado for his warrant.

I Diego Henriques haue wrytten this in Almarin the xxii. day of September, in the yeare of owre lorde .1551. And this beneuolence the kynge gaue vnto Antonie Anes Pintea∣do the .xxv. day of Iuly this present yeare.

Rey. —

¶ The secretaries declaration wrytten vnder the kynges graunt.

YOwre maiestie hath vouchsafed in respect and consyderation of the good seruice of Antonie Anes Pinteado dwellynge in the porte, and soonne of Iohn Anes to make hym knyght of yowre house with ordinarie alowance of seuen hundreth reys pension by the moneth and one Alcayr of barley by the day as longe as he keepeth a horse: And to bee payde accordyng to the ordinaunce of yowr house with condition that he shall haue but one mariage gyfte: And that not within the space of .vi. yeares after the makynge of these letters patentes.

The secretaries note. Entered in the booke of the Matrico∣la. Fol. 683.

Francisco de Siquera.

¶ The coppie of the letter of Don Lewes thinfant and brother to the kynge of Portugale: sent into Englande to Antonianes Pinteado.

ANtonie Anes Pinteado, I the infant bro∣ther to the kynge, haue me hartely commen¦ded vnto yow. Peter Gonsalues is gone to seeke yow, desyrynge to brynge yowe home ageyne into yowr countrey. And for that purpose, hath with hym a safe conduct for yow, graunted by the kynge, that thereby yowe may freely and withowt all feare come home. And al∣though the wether be foule and stormy, yet fayle not to come. For in the tyme that his maiestie hath gyuen yow, yow maye doo many thynges to yowre contentacion and gratifying the kynge, wherof I wolde bee ryght gladde: and to brynge the same to passe wyll doo all that lyeth in me for yowre profyte. But forasmuch as Peter Gonsalues wyll make further decla∣ration hereof vnto yow, I say no more at this present. Wrytten in Luxburne the .viii. day of December, Anno .M.D.LII.

¶ The Infant don Lews.

AL these forsayd wrytynges I sawe vnder sel•• in the house of my frende Nicolas Lyese with whom Pinteado left them at his vnfortunat•• departynge to Guinea. But notwithstanding all these frendly letters and fayre promyses, Pinteado durste not attempte to go home, neyther to keep•• company with the Portugales his countrey men withowt th•• presence of other, forasmuch as he had secreate admonition that they intended to sley hym, if tyme and place myght hau•• serued theyr wycked intent.

☞ The seconde vyage to Guinea.

AS in the fyrst vyage I haue declared rathe•• the order of the hystory thē the course of the nauigation, whereof at that tyme I coulde haue no perfecte information, so in the dis∣cription of this seconde vyage my chiefe in∣tent hath byn to shew the course of the same accordynge to the obseruation and ordinarie custome of them aryners, and as I receaued it at the handes of an experte pylot beinge one of the chiefe in this viage, who also with his owne handes wrote a briefe declaration of the same as he founde and tryed all thynges not by coniecture, but by the arte of saylynge and instrumentes perteynynge to the mariners facultie. Not therfore assuminge to my selfe the commendations dewe to other, neyther so boulde as in anye parte to chaunge or otherwise dispose the order of this vyag•• so wel obserued by art and experience, I haue thowght good to set furth the same in such sorte and phrase of speache as is commonly vsed amonge them, and as I receaued it of the said pylot as I haue sayde. Take it therfore as, foloweth.

In the yeare of owre lorde .M.D.LIIII. the .xi. day of October, wee d••parted the ryuer of Temmes with three goodly shyppes, thone cauled the Trinitie, a shyppe of the bur¦den of seuen score toonne: Thother cauled the Barthelmewe a shyppe of the burden of .lxxxx. The thyrde was the Iohn Euangelist a shyppe of seuen score toonne. With the sayde

shyppes and two pyunesses (wherof the one was drowned in the coast of Englande) we went forwarde on owr vyage, and steyde at Douer .xiiii. dayes. We steyde also at Rye three or foure dayes. More ouer last of all we touched at Darth∣mouth.

The fyrst day of Nouember at .ix. of the clocke at nyght departynge from the coaste of Englande, we s••rte of the stert bearynge southwest all that nyght in the sea, and the nexte day all day, and the next nyght after vntyll the thyrde day•• of the sayde mooneth abowt noone, makynge owr way good, dyd runne .60. leaques.

Item from .xii. of the clocke the thyrde daye tyll .xii. of the clocke the .iiii day of the sayde mooneth, makynge owr way good southeast, dyd runne euery three houres twoo leaques, which amounteth to .xvi. leaques the hole.

Item from .xii. of the clocke the .iiii. day to .xii. of the clocke the .v. day, runnynge southwest in the sea, dydde runne .xii. leaques.

Item runnynge from .xii. of the clocke the .v. day vntyll .xii. of the clocke the .vi. day runnyng southeast, dyd runne .xviii leaques.

And so from .xii. of the clocke the .vi. daye vntyll .xii. of the clocke the .vii. day, runnynge southsouthwest, dyd runne e∣uery houre .ii. leaques which amoūt to .xlviii. leaques the hole. Item from .xii. of the clocke the .vii. day tyl .iii. of the clocke the .viii. day, southsouthwest, runnyng in the sea. dyd runne xxx. leaques.

Item from three of the clocke the .viii. day, vntyll .iii. of the clocke the .ix. day, runnyng southsouthwest, dyd runne .xxx. leaques.

Item from .iii. of the clocke the .ix. day tyll .iii. of the clocke the .x. day, dyd southsouthaest in runnynge in the sea the sum of .xxiiii. leaques.

Also from .iii. of the clocke thy .x. day vntyl .xli. of the clocke the .xi. day, dyd run southsouthwest the sum of .xii. leaques, and from .xii. of the. clocke tyll .vi. of the sayde day, dyd run vi. leaques.

Runnynge south and by west in the sea from .vi. of the clock•• the .xi. day tyll .vi. of the clocke the .xii. day; dyd run .xxxvi leaques.

From .vi. of the clocke at after none the .xii. daye tyll .vi. of the clocke the .xiii. day at after none, dyd runne .xiii. leaques Item from .vi. of the clocke the .xiii. day, tyl .vi of the clocke the .xiiii. day at after none that we were becalmed that w•••• coulde lye southwest with a sayle. And the .xv. daye in the mormynge, the wynde came to the East and easte northeast. The .xvii. day in the mornynge, we had syght of the Ile of Madera which doth ryse to hym that commeth in the north northeast parte vpryght lande in the west part of it, and very hyghe: and to the south southeaste a lowe longe lande and a longe poynt with a saddle throwgh the myddeste of it, stan∣deth in the .xxxii. degrees: and in the west parte, many sprin∣ges of water runnynge downe from the mountayne, and ma∣ny whyte fyeldes lyke vnto corne fieldes, and sum whyte hou∣ses to the southeast parte of it: and the toppe of the moun∣tayne sheweth very ragged if yow may se it, and in the north∣east parte there is a byght or bay as thowgh it were a harbo∣rowe. Also in the sayde part, there is a rocke a lyttle distance from the shore: and ouer the sayde byght, yow shall se a great gappe in the mountayne.

The .xix. day at .xii. of the clocke, we had syght of the Ile of Palmes and Teneriffa and the Canaries.* 32.1* 32.2* 32.3 The Ile of Palme ryseth rounde and lyeth southeaste and northweste, and the northwest parte is lowest. In the south, is a rounde hyll o∣uer the hedde lande, and an other rounde hyll aboue that in the lande.

There is betwene the southeast parte of the Ile of Madera and the northwest parte of the Ile of Palme .lvii. leaques.* 32.4 This Ile of Palme lyeth in the .xxix. degrees. And owre course frō Madera to the Ile of Palme was south and south and by west, so that we had syght of Teneriffa and of the Ca¦naries. The southeast parte of the Ile of Palme, and the north northeast of Teneriffa, lyeth southeast and northweste. And betwene them is .xx. leaques. Teneriffa and the greate Canarie cauled Grancanaria,* 32.5 and the west part of Fortisuen∣tura standeth in .xxvii. degrees and a halfe.* 32.6 Gomera is a fayre Ilande and very ragged and lyeth west southwest of Te∣neriffa.* 32.7 And who so euer wyll come betwene theym twoo I∣landes, must come south and by east, and in the south parte of Gomera, is a towne and a good rode in the sayde parte of

the Ilande: and it standeth in .xxvii. degrees & three terces. Teneriffa is a hygh lande and a great hyghe picke lyke a su∣ger lofe.* 32.8 And vppon the sayde picke is snowe throughowt a••l the hole yeare.* 32.9 And by reason of that picke, it maye bee knowen aboue all other Ilandes, and there we were becalmed the .xx. day of Nouember from .vi. of the clocke in the mor∣nynge vntyll foure of the clocke at after none.

¶ Betwene Gomera and Cape de las Barbas.

THe .xxii. day of Nouember vnder the Tropike of Cancer, the soonne goeth downe west and by south.

Upon the coast of Barberie xxv. leaques by north cape blanke at .iii. leaques of the mayne,* 32.10* 32.11 there is .xv. fadome and good shelly grounde and sande amonge, and no stremes, and two smaule Ilandes standyng in the .xxii. degrees and a t••r••e.

From Gomera to cape de las Barbas is a hūdreth leaques and owr course was south and by east. The sayde cape stan∣deth in .xxii. and a halfe: and all that coaste is starte .xvi. or xvii. fadome deepe, vii. or .viii. leaques of frome the ryuer de Oro to cape de las Barbas,* 32.12 there vse many Spanyardes and Portugales to trade for fysshynge durynge the mooneth of Nouember: and all that coast is very lowe landes. Also wee went from cape de las Barbas southsouthwest and southwest and by south ••yll we brought owre selues in .xx. degrees and a halfe, rekenynge owr selues .vii. leaques of: and that was the least sholes of cape Blanke.

Then we went south vntyll we browght owre selues in xiii. degrees, rekenynge owre selues .xxv. leaques of. And in xv. degrees, we dyd reere the crossiers:* 32.13 and we myght haue rered them sooner if we had loked for theym. They are not ryghte a crosse in the moonethe of Nouember by reason the nyghtes are shorte there. Neuerthelesse we had the syght of them the .xxix. day of the sayde mooneth at nyght.

The fyrst of December owte .xiii. degrees, we sette owre course south and by East vntyll the fourth daye of December at .xii. of the clocke the same day. Then we were in .ix. de∣grees and a terce, rekenynge owr selues .xxx. leaques of the sholes of the ryuer cauled Rio Grande beinge west southweste of them:* 32.14 The which sholes be .xxx. leaques longe.

The fourth of December, we beganne to sette owre cours•• southeaste, we beinge in .vi. degrees and a halfe.

The ninth day of December we set owr course east southeast

The .xiiii. day of the sayde mooneth, we set owre cours•• east, we beinge in .v. degrees and a halfe, rekenynge owre selues .xxxvi. leaques from the coast of Guinea.

The .xix. day of the sayde mooneth, we sette owre course east and by north, rekenynge owr selues .xvii. leaques distan•• from cape Mensurado,* 32.15 the sayde cape beinge east northeast of vs, and the ryuer of Sesto beinge east.* 32.16

The .xxi. day of the sayde mooneth we fel with cape Me¦surado to the southeast abowt two leaques of. This ca••e may be easely knowen, by reason the rysynge of it is lyke a por∣pose hedde. Also towarde the southeast there are three trees, wherof the eastermost tree is the hyghest, and the myddlemost is lyke a heye stacke, and the southermost lyke vnto a iebet: and vppon the mayne, are foure or fyue hygh hylles rysynge one after an other lyke round hoommockes or hyllockes. And the southeast of the three trees, is thre trees lyke a brandier∣wyse: and all the coaste alonge is whyte sande. The sayd•• cape standeth within a lyttle in .vi. degrees.

The .xxii. of. December, we came to the ryuer of Sesto, and remayned there vntyll the .xxix. day of the sayde moneth Here we thought it best to sende before vs the pynne••••e to th•• ryuer of Dulce cauled Rio Dulce, that they myght haue the begynnynge of the market before the commynge of the Iohn.

At the ryuer of Sesto,* 32.17 we had a toonne of graynes. This ryuer standeth in .vi. degrees lackynge a terce. From the ry∣uer of Sesto to Rio Dulce,* 32.18 is .xxv. leaques. Rio Dulce stan¦deth in .v. degrees and a halfe. The ryuer of Sesto is easy to bee knowen by reason there is a ledge of rockes on the south∣east parte of the rode. And at the enterynge into the hauen, are fyue or syxe trees that beare no leaues. This is a good har¦borowe: but very narrowe at the enteraunce into the ryuer. There is also a rocke in the hauen mouth right as yow enter. And all that coast betwene cape de Monte and cape de las Palmas,* 32.19 lyeth southeast and by east, northwest and by weste, beinge three leaques of the shore. And yow shall haue in sum places rockes two leaques of: and that betwene the ryuer of Sesto and cape de las Palmas.* 32.20

Betwene the ryuer of Sesto and the riuer Dulce, is .xxv. leaques. And the hygh lande that is betwene them bothe, is cauled Cakeado,* 32.21 beinge .viii. leaques from the ryuer of Sesto. And to the southeastwarde of hym, is a place cauled Shaw∣gro and an other cauled Shyawe or Shauo,* 32.22 where yow may get fresshe water. Of this Shyawe, lyeth a ledge of rockes: and to the Southeastwarde, lyeth a hed lande cauled Croke.* 32.23 Betwene Cakeado and Croke, is .ix. or .x. leaques. To the Southeastwarde of, is a harborowe cauled saynte Uincent. Ryght ouer ageynst saynt Uincent, is a rocke vnder the wa∣ter, two leaques and a halfe of the shore. To the southeast∣warde of that rocke,* 32.24 yow shall see an Ilande abowt three or foure leaques of. This Ilande is not paste a leaque of the shore. To the east southeast of the Ilande, is a rocke that ly∣eth aboue the water: and by that rocke goeth in the ryuer of Dulce,* 32.25 which yow shall knowe by the sayde ryuer and rocke. The northwest syde of the hauen, is flat sande: and the south east syde therof, is lyke an Ilande and a bare plot••e without any trees, and so is it not many other place.

In the rode, yow shall ryde in .xiii. or .xiiii. fadomes, good owes and sande, beinge the markes of the rode to bring the Ilande and the northwest lande togyther. And here wee ankered the last of December.

The thyrde day of Ianuary, we came from the ryuer of Dulce.

Note that cape de las Palmas is a fayre high land.* 32.26 But summe lowe places therof by the water syde, looke like redde cliffes with white strakes like wayes a cable length a piece. And this is to the East parte of the cape. This cape is the southermost lande in all the coast of Guinea:* 32.27 And standeth in foure degrees and a terce.

The coast from cape de las Palmas to cape Trepoyntes or de tres Puntas,* 32.28 is fayre and cleare without rocke or other daungiour.

xxv. leaques from cape de las Palmas, the lande is high∣er then in any place vntyll we came to cape Trepoyntes And abowt .x. leaques before yow comme to cape Trepointes, th•• lande ryseth styll hygher and hygher vntyll yow come to cap•• Trepoyntes. Also before yowe coomme to the sayde cape af∣ter other fiue leaques to the northwest parte of it, there is cer∣teyne

broken grounde with twoo greate rockes: and within them in the byght of a bay, is a castel cauled Arra,* 32.29 perteyning to the kynge of Portugale. Yow shall knowe it by the sayde rockes that lye of it: For there is none such from cape de las Palmas to cape Trepoyntes. This coaste lyeth easte and by north, west and by south. From cape de las Palmas to the sayde castell, is foure score and xv. leaques. And the coaste lyeth from the sayde castell to the Westermoste poynte of the Trepoyntes, southeast and by south, northwest and by north Also the Westermost poynt of the Trepointes, is a lowe lande lyinge halfe a myle owt in the sea: and vppon the innermoste necke to the landwarde, is a tufte of trees, and there we arry¦ued the .xi. day of Ianuary

The .xii. day of Ianuary, we came to a towne cauled Sam¦ma or Samua,* 32.30 beinge .viii. leaques from cape Trepoyntes to¦ward east northeast. Betwene cape Trepointes and the towne of Samua, is a great ledge of rockes a great way owt in the sea. Wee continued foure dayes at that towne: and the capi¦tayne therof wolde needes haue a pledge a shore. But when they receaued the pledge,* 32.31 they k••nte hym styl and wolde traf¦fike no more, but shot of theyr ordinaunce at vs. They haue two or three pieces of ordinaunce and no more.

The .xvi. day of the sayde mooneth, we made rekenynge to come to a place cauled cape Corea where capitayne Don Iohn dw••lleth,* 32.32 whose men interteyned vs frendly. This cape Corea is foure leaques eastwarde of the castell of Mina,* 32.33 otherwyse cauled La Mina, or Castello de Mina, where we arriued the .xviii. day of the mooneth. Here we made sale of al owr cloth sauynge two or three packes.

The .xxvi. day of the same mooneth, we weyd anker and departed from thense to the Trinitie which was .vii. leaques eastwarde of vs where she solde her wares. Then they of the Trinitie wylled vs to go eastwarde of that .viii. or .ix. leaques to sel part of their wares in a place caled Perecow,* 32.34 & an other place named Perecowe grande,* 32.35 beinge the eastermost place of both these, which yow shal knowe by a great rounde hyl nere vnto it named Monte Rodondo lyinge westewarde from it.* 32.36 And by the water syde are many hyghe palme trees. From hense dyd we set furth homewarde the .xiii. day of February and plyed vppe alongest tyll we came within .vii, or, viii,

leaques to cape Trepointes. Abowt .viii. of the clocke the .xv day at after noone, we dyd cast abowt to seawarde. And be∣ware of the currantes,* 32.37 for they wyll deceaue yow sore.

Who so euer shall coomme from the coast of Mina home∣warde,* 32.38 let hym be suer to make his way good west vntyll he reken hym selfe as farre as cape de las Palmas where the cur¦rant setteth alwayes to the eastwarde. And within .xx. lea∣ques eastwarde of cape de las Palmas, is a ••yuer cauled Rio de los Poros where yow may haue fresshe water and balasse enowgh,* 32.39 and plentie of Iuery or Elephantes teethe.* 32.40 This ryuer standeth in foure degrees and almost two terces.

And when yow reken yowre selfe as farre shotte as cape de las Palmas,* 32.41 beinge in a degree or a degree and a halfe, yow may go west or west and by north vntyll yowe comme in three degrees: and then yowe maye go weste northwest, and northwest and by west vntyll you comme in fiue degrees and then northwest. And in the .vi. degrees, wee mette northerly wyndes and greate roos••ynge of tydes. And as wee coulde iudge, the currantes went to the north northwest. Further∣more betwene cape de Monte and cape Uerde, go greate cur∣rantes which deceaue many men.* 32.42

The .xxii. daye of Apryll, wee were in .viii. degrees and two terces: and so we ranne to the northwest, hauynge the wynde at northeast and eastnortheast, and sumtymes at easte vntyll we were at .xviii. deg••ees a••d a terce, which was on May day. And so from .xviii. and two terces, wee hadde the wynde at east and east northeast, and sumtymes at east south∣east: and then wee rekened the Ilandes of cape Uerde easte southeast of vs, wee iudg••••ge owre selues to be .xlviii. lea∣ques of. And in .xx. and .xxi. degrees, wee had the wynde more easterly to the southwa••de then before. And so we ran to the northwest and northnorthwest, and sumetymes north and by west and north vn••yll wee came into .xxxi. degrees, where we rekened owre ••elues a hundreth and foure score leaques southwest and by south of the Ilande de Flore or de los Flores.* 32.43 And there we met with the wynde at south••outh∣east, and ••et owre course north••ast.

In .xxxiii. degrees, we had the wynde at the south and southwest: and then we set owr course north northeast, and so we ranne to xl. degrees: and then we set our course north∣east

the wynde beinge at the southwest and hauynge the Ile de Flore east of vs, and .xvii. leagues of.

In .xli. degrees, we met with the wynd at northeast, and so we ranne northwestwarde. Then we met with the wynde at the west northwest and at the west within .vi. leaques run∣nynge towarde the northwest: And then wee cast abowt and ley northeast vntyll we came in .xlii. degrees, where we sette owr course east northeast, iudgynge the Ile of Coruo south and by west of vs and .xxxvi. leaques distant from vs.* 32.44

A rememberaunce that the .xxi. day of Maye, we commu∣ned with Iohn Rafe, and he thought it best to go northeaste, and iudged hym selfe .xxv. leaques eastwarde to the Ile de Flore, and in .xxxix. degrees and a halfe.

Note that in the fourth day of September vnder nine de∣grees, we lost the syght of the north starre.* 32.45

Note also, that in the .xlv. degrees the compasse is va∣ryed .viii. degrees to the west.* 32.46

Item, in .xl. degrees, the compasse dyd vary .xv. degrees in the hole.

Item, in xxx. degrees and a halfe, the compasse is vary∣ed .v. degrees to the west.

Be it also in memorie, that two or three dayes before we came to cape Trepointes, the pynnesse went alongest the shore th••nkynge to sell sum of owr wares. And so we came to an∣k••r three or foure leaques west and by south of the cape Tre∣poyntes where we lefte the Trinitie.

Then owre pynnesse came a boorde with all owr men. The pynnesse also tooke in more wares. They toulde me more ouer that they wolde go to a place where the Primrose was and had receaued much golde at the fyrste vyage to these par••ies.* 32.47 And tolde me furthermore that it was a good place. But I fearynge and brigantine that was then vppon the coast, dydde wey and folowe theym, and lefte the Trinitie abowte f••ure leaques of from vs. And there we rode ageynste that towne foure dayes: so that Martine by his owne desyre and assente of sum of the commissioners that were in the pinnesse, wente a shore to the towne. And there Iohn Beryn went to trafike from vs beinge three myles of traf••kynge at an other towne. The towne is cauled Samma or Samua.* 32.48 For Samma and Sammaterra,* 32.49 are the names of the two fyrste townes wh••re

wee did trafficke for gold, to the northeast of cape Trepoints:

Hetherto continueth the cou••se of the vyage as it was described by the sayde pylot. Nowe therfore to speake sum∣what of the contrey and people, and of suche thynges as are browght from thense.

They browght from thense at the last vyage, foure hun¦dreth pounde weyght and odde of golde of .xxii. carrattes and one grayne in finenesse.* 32.50 Also .xxxvi. buttes of graynes:* 32.51 and abowt two hundreth and fiftie elephantes teethe of all quan∣tities.* 32.52* 32.53 Of these, I sawe and measured sum of .ix. spannes in length as they were croked▪ Sum of them were as bygge as a mans thygh aboue the knee: and weyed abowte foure score and ten pounde weyght a piece. They say that sum one hath byn seene of a hundreth and .xxv. poun••e weyght. Other there were which they caule the teeth of calues of one or two or three yeares, wherof sum were a foote and a halfe, summe two foote, and sum three or more accordynge to thage of the beaste. These great teeth or tuskes, growe in the vpper iaw downewarde, and not in the nether lawe vpwarde, wherein the paynters and arras woorkers are deceaued. At this laste viage was browght from Guinea the headde of an elephante of such huge byggenesse,* 32.54 that only the bones or crauewe ther¦of besyde the nether ••awe and greate tuskes, wayed abowte two hundreth weyght, and was as muche as I coulde well lyfte from the grounde. In so muche that conside••ynge also herewith the weyght of .ii. such great teeth, the nether ••awes with the lesse teethe, the tounge, the greate hangynge eares, the bygge and longe snowte or troonke, wit•• all the flesshe, braynes, and skynne, with all other partes belongynge to the hole headde, in my iudgemente it coulde wey lyttle lesse then fyue hundreth weyght. This headde dyuers haue sene in the house of the woorthy marchaunt syr Andrewe Iudde, where also I sawe it, and behelde it not onely with my bodely eyes, but much more with the eyes of my mynde and spirite consy∣dered by the woorke,* 32.55 the cunnynge and wysedome of the woorke master: withowt which consyd••ration, the syght of such straunge and woonderfull thynges may rather seeme cu∣riosities then profitable contemplations.

The elephante (which sum caule an oliphant) is the big¦gest of all foure footed beastes.* 32.56 His forelegges are longer

then his hynder He hath ankles in the lower parte of his hynder legges, and fyue toes on his fiete vndiuided. His snowte or troonke is so longe and in such forme that it is to hym in the steede of a hande. For he neyther eateth nor drin∣keth but by bryngynge his troonke to his mouth. Therwith he helpeth vp his master or keeper: therwith he ouerthroweth trees. Bysyde his two greate tuskes, he hath on euery syde of his mouth foure teethe wherwith he eateth and gryndeth his meate. Eyther of these teeth, are almost a span in length as they growe alonge in the lawe: and are abowt two inches in height and almost as much in thickenesse. The tuskes of the male are greater then of the female. His tounge is verye lyttle, and so farre in his mouth that it can not bee seene. Of all beastes they are moste gentyll and tractable. For by many sundry ways they are taught and do vnderstand: In so much that they learne to do due honour to a king, and are of quicke sence and sharpenes of wyt. When the male hath once seaso∣ned the female, he neuer after toucheth her. The male Ele∣phante lyueth two hundreth yeares, or at the leaste one hun∣dreth and twentie. The female almost as longe: but the floure of theyr age, is but .lx. yeares as sum wryte. They can not suffer wynter or coulde. They loue ryuers and wyll often go into them vp to the snowte wherwith they blowe and snuffe, and play in the water: but swymme they canne not for the weyght of theyr bodyes. Plinie and Soline wryte that they vse none adulterie. If they happen to meete with a manne in wyldernesse beinge owt of the way, gentylly they wyl go be∣fore hym and brynge hym into the playne waye. Ioyned in battayle, they haue no smaule respecte vnto thē that be woun¦ded. For they brynge them that are hurt or wery into the mid¦dle of the army to be defended. They are made tame by dryn∣kynge the iuse of barley. They haue continuall warre ageynst dragons which desyre theyr bludde bycause it is very coulde. And therfore the dragon lyinge awayte as the Elephant pas∣seth by,* 32.57 wyndeth his tayle (beinge of exceadynge length) a∣bowt the hynder legges of the elephant: and so steying hym, thrusteth his heade into his tronke and exhausteth his breth, or els byteth hym in the eare wherunto he can not reach with his troonke. And when the elephant waxeth faynt, he fau∣leth downe on the serpente beinge nowe full of bludde: and

with the poyse of his body breaketh hym: so that his owne bludde with the bludde of the elephant, runneth owt of hym mengeled togyther: whiche beinge coulde, is congeled into that substaunce which the apothecaries caule Sanguis Draconis,* 32.58 (that is) dragons blud, otherwyse cauled Cinnabaris, although there be an other kynde of Cinnaba••is,* 32.59 commonly cauled cinoper or vermilion which the paynters vse in certeyne coloures.

They are also of three kyndes,* 32.60 as of the marysshes, the playnes, and the mountaynes, no lese differynge in conditi∣ons. Philostratus wryteth, that as much as the elephant of Lybia in byggenesse passeth the horse of Ny••ea, so much doth the elephantes of India excede them of Lybia. For of the ele¦phantes of India, sum haue byn seene of the heyght of .ix. cu¦bites. The other do so greatly feare these that they dare not abyde the syght of them. Of the Indian elephantes, only the males haue tuskes. But of them of Ethiopia and Lybia, both kyndes are tusked. They are of dyuers heyghtes, as of .xii. xiii. and .xiiii. dodrantes, euery dodrant beinge a measure of ix. ynches. Sum wryte that an elephant is bygger then three wylde oxen or buffes. They of India are blacke or of the co∣lour of a mouse. But they of Ethiope or Guinea, are browne. The hyde or skynne of them all, is very harde and withowte heare or brystels. Theyr eares are two dodrantes brode, and theyr eyes very lyttle. Owr men sawe one drynkyng at a ry∣uer in Guinea as they sayled into the lande.

Of other properties and conditions of the elephant, as of theyr maruelous docili••ie, of theyr feight and vse in the war∣res, of theyr generation and chastitie, when they were fyrste seene in the theaters and tryumphes of the Romans, howe they are taken and tamed, and when they cast theyr tuskes, with thuse of the same in medicine, who so desyreth to know, let hym rede Plinie in the .viii. booke of his natural hystorie. He also wryteth in his .xii. booke, that in oulde tyme they made many goodly woorkes of Iuery or elephantes teeth:* 32.61 as tables, tressels, postes of houses, rayles, lattesses for wyn∣dowes, Images of theyr goddes, and dyuers other thynges of Iuery both coloured and vncoloured and intermyxte with sundry kyndes of precious wooddes, as at this day are made certeyne chayres, lutes, and virginalles.

They had such plentie therof in owlde tyme, that (as farre as I remember) Iosephus wryteth that one of the gates of Hie∣rusalem was cauled Porta Eburnea, (that is) the Iuery gate. The whytenesse thereof was so muche esteemed that it was thought to represent the naturall fayrenesse of mans skynne: In so much that such as went abowt to set furth (or rather corrupte) naturall bewtie with colours and payntynge, were reproued by this prouerbe: Ebur atramento candesacere. That is: To make Iuery whyte with ynke. The poettes also descri∣bynge the fayre neckes of bewtifull virgins, caule them Ebur∣nea colla: That is: Iuery neckes. And to haue sayde thus much of elephantes and Iuery, it may suffice.

* 32.62Nowe therfore to speke sumwhat of the people and their maners and maner of lyuynge, with also an other briefe de∣scription of Africa. It is to vnderstande that the people whi¦che nowe inhabite the regions of the coast of Guinea and the mydde partes of Affrica, as Lybia the inner, and Nubia with dyuers other great and large regions abowt the same, were in oulde tyme cauled Ethiopes and Nigrite, which we nowe caule Moores, Moorens, or Negros, a people of beastly ly∣uynge, without a god, lawe, religion, or common welth, and so scorched and vexed with the heate of the soonne, that in many places they curse it when it ryseth. Of the regions and people abowt the inner Libia (cauled Libia Interior) Gemma Phrysius wryteth thus.* 32.63

Lybia Interior, is very large and desolate, in the whiche are many horrible wyldernesses and mountaynes replenisshed with dyuers kyndes of wylde and monstrous beastes and ser¦pentes. Fyrst from Mauritania or Barberie toward the south is Getulia,* 32.64 a rowgh and saluage region whose inhabitantes are wylde and wand••rynge people. After these folowe the people cauled Melanogetuli and Pharus••i whiche wander in the wyldernesse caryinge with them greate gourdes of water. The Ethiopians cauled Nigrite,* 32.65* 32.66 occupie a great parte of A∣phrica, and are extended to th•• West Ocean. Southwarde al∣so they reache to the ryuer Nigritis whose nature agreeth with the ryuer of Nilus forasmuch as it is increased and di••i¦nyssh••d at the same tyme,* 32.67 and bryngeth furth the like beastes as the Crocodile. By reason wherof, I thinke this to be the same ryuer which the Portugales caule Senega. For this ry∣uer

is also of the same nature. It is furthermore ma••uelous and very strange that is sayde of this ryuer.* 32.68 And this is, that on the one syde therof, thinhabitauntes are of hygh•• stature and blacke: and on the other side of browne or tawny colour and lowe stature, which thynge also owre men confirme to be trewe.

There are also other people of Lybia cauled Garamantes,* 32.69 whose women are common. For they contracte no matrimo∣nie, neyther haue respect to chastitie. After these ••re the na∣tions of the people cauled Pyrei, Sathiodaphnite, Odrangi, M••maces, Lynxamate, Dolopes, Agangine, Leuce Ethiopes,* 32.70 Xilicei Ethiopes, Calcei Ethiopes, and Nubi. These haue the same situation in Ptolomie that they nowe giue to the kyng∣dome of Nub••a. Here are certeyne Christians vnder the do∣minion of the greate Emperoure of Ethiopie cauled Prester Iohn.* 32.71 From these towarde the west, is a great nation of peo¦ple cauled Aphricerones: whose region (as farre as maye bee gathered by con••ecture) is the same that is nowe cauled Reg∣num Orguene,* 32.72 confinynge vppon the east partes of Guin••a. From hense westwarde and sumwhat towarde the north, are the kyngedomes of Gambra and Budomel not farre from the ryuer of Senega.* 32.73 And from hense towarde the inlande regi∣ons and alonge by the sea coast, are the regions of Ginoia or Guinea which wee commonly caule Gynne.* 32.74 On the west side of these regions towarde the Ocean, is the cape or poynt cau¦led Cabouerde or Caput viride (that is) the greene cape,* 32.75 to the wh••¦che the P••rtugales fyrst directe theyr course when they sayle to America or the lande of Brasile.* 32.76 Then departynge frome hense, they t••r••e to the ryght hande towarde the quarter of the wynde cauled Garbino which is betwene the west and the south. Bu•• to speake sumwhat more of Ethiopia.* 32.77 Althowgh there are many nations of people so named, yet is Ethiopia chiefely diuyded into two partes: wherof the one is cauled E∣thiopia vnder Egypte, a great and ryche region. To this per¦teyneth the Ilande of Meroe,* 32.78 imbrased rounde abowte with the stremes of the ryuer Nilus. In this Ilande women reyg∣ned in oulde tyme. Iosephus wryteth that it was sumtyme cauled Sabea: and that the queene of Saba came from thense to Hierusalem to heare the wysedome of Salomon.* 32.79 From hense towarde the East, reigneth the sayde Christian Empe∣roure

Prester Iohn whom sum caule Papa Iohannes, and o∣ther say that he is cauled Pean Iuan (that is greate Iohn,* 32.80 whose empyre reacheth farre beyonde Nilus, and is extended to the coastes of the redde sea and Indian sea. The myddle of the region is almost in the 66. degrees of longitude, and .xii. degrees of latitude. Abowte th••s region inhabite the people cauled Clodii,* 32.81 Risophagi, Babilonii, Axiunite, Mosyli, and Molybe. After these is the region cauled Trogloditica, whose inhabitauntes dwell in caues and dennes. For these are theyr houses,* 32.82 and the flesshe of serpentes theyr meate, as wryteth Plinie and Diodorus Siculus. They haue no speache, but rather a grynnynge and chatterynge. There are also people without heades cauled Blemines,* 32.83 hauynge theyr eyes and mouth in theyr breste. Lykewyse S••rucophagi and naked Gā¦pha••antes. Satyrs also which haue nothynge of men but on¦ly shape. More ouer Oripei great hunters. Mennones also, and the region of Smyrnophora which bryngeth furth myrre After these is the region of Azania in the whiche m••nye ele∣phantes are founde.* 32.84* 32.85 A great parte of the other regions of A∣frike that are beyonde the Equinoctiall line, are nowe ascry∣bed to the kingedome of Melinde,* 32.86 whose inhabitauntes are accustomed to tra••••ike with the nations of Arabie, and theyr kynge is ioyded in frendship with the kyng of Portugale, and payeth tribute to Prester Iohn.

The other Ethiope cauled ••••hiopia Interior (that is) the inner Ethiope,* 32.87 is not yet knowen for the greatnesse therof but on∣ly by the sea coastes. Yet is it described in this maner. Fyrste from the Equinoctiall towarde the south, is a great•• region of Ethiopians which bryngeth furth whyte elephantes,* 32.88 ty∣gers, and the beastes cauled Rhinocerontes. Also a region that bryngeth furth plentie of Cinamome, lyinge betwene the braunches of Nilus. Also the kingdome of Habech or Habas¦sia,* 32.89 a region of Chrysten men, lying both on this syde and be¦yonde Nilus. Here are also the Ethiopians cauled Ichthio∣phagi (that is) such as lyue only by fisshe:* 32.90 and were sumtime subdued by the warres of great Alexander. Furthermore the Ethiopians cauled Rhansii, and Anthropoph••gi that are ac∣customed to eate mans flesshe,* 32.91 inhabite the regions nere vnto the mountaynes cauled Montes Lunae,* 32.92 (that is) the mountaynes of the moone. Gazatia,* 32.93 is vnder the tropike of Capricorne.

After this, foloweth th•• fronte of affrike, the cape of Buena Speranza or Caput Bonae Spei, (that is) the cape of good hope,* 32.94 by the which they pa••se that sayle from Spayne to Calicut. But by what names the capes and goulfes are cauled, foras∣muche as the same are in eu••ry globe and carde, it were here super••••uous to rehearse them.

Sum wryte that Aphrica was so named by the Grecians bycause it is withowt coulde.* 32.95 For the Greeke letter Alpha or, A, signifyeth pryuation, voyde, or withowt: and phrice, signifieth coulde.* 32.96 For in d••ede althowgh in the steede of wynter they haue a cloudye and tempestious season, yet is it not coulde, but rather smoothering hot with also hot shoures of raine and sumwhere suche scorchynge wyndes, that what by one meanes and other they seeme at certeyne tymes to liue as it were in fornaces▪* 32.97 and in maner alredy halfe way in Pur¦gatorie or hel. Gemma Phrisius writeth that in certeyne partes of Aphrica, (as in Atlas the greater) the ayer in the night season is seene shyninge with many straunge fyers and flames rys••nge in maner as high as the moone: And that in the element are sumtime harde as it were the sounde of pipes, trumpettes, and droomines. Whiche noyses may perhappes be caused by the vehemente and sundry motions of such fyery exhalations in the ayer,* 32.98 as we se the lyke in many experiences wrought by fyre, ayer, & wynd. The holownesse also & diuers reflexions & breaking of the cloudes may be greate causes here of, bysyde the vehement cold of the myddle region of the ayer wherby the sayd fyery exhalations ascending thether are sud¦denly stryken backe with greate force. For euen common and dayly experience teacheth vs by the whyssinge of a burninge torge what noyse fyer maketh in the ayer,* 32.99 & much more where it striueth when it is inclosed with aye as apereth in gonns, and as the like is sene in only ayer inclosed, as in orgen pipes and such other instrumentes that go by winde. For wynde as say the philosophers is none other then ayer vehemently mo∣ued,* 32.100 as we see in a payer of belowes and suche other.

Sum of owre men of good credit that were in this last vyage to Guinea, affirme ernestly that in the nyght sea∣son they felt a sensible heate to coomme from the beames of the moone.* 32.101 The which thynge altho••ghe it be straunge and insensible to vs that inhabite coulde regions, yet doothe it

stande with good reason that it may so be, forasmuche as the nature of the starres and planets (as wryteth Plinie) consy∣steth of fyre,* 32.102 and con••eyneth in it a spirite of lyfe, whiche cannot be wi••hout heate.

And that the moone gyueth heate vpon the earth, the pro∣phete Dauyd seemeth to confirme in his .Cxx. Psalme, where speakynge of such men as are defended from euyls by goddes protection, he sayth thus: Per diem sol non exuret te, necluna per noc∣tem. That is to say. In the day the soonne shall not burne the nor the moone by nyght.

They say furthermore that in certeyne places of the sea, they sawe certeyne stremes of water which they caule spoutes faulynge owt of the ayer into the sea:* 32.103 And that sum of these are as bygge as the greate pyllers of churches: In so muche that sumtymes they faule into shyppes and put them in great•• daungiour of drownynge. Sum phantasie that these shulde bee the ••arractes of heauen whiche were all opened at Noes fludde.* 32.104 But I thynke them rather to be suche fluxions and eruptions as Aristotle in his boke de Mundo, saith to chaūse in the sea. For speakynge of suche straunge thynges as are seene often tymes in the sea,* 32.105 he wryteth thus: Often tymes also euen in the sea are seene euaporations of fyre, and suche eruptions and breakyng furth of sprynges, that the mouthes of ryuers are opened, whyrlepooles, and fluxions are caused of such other vehement motions not only in the middest of the sea, but also in creekes and streyghtes. At certeyne tymes al∣so, a great quantitie of water is suddeynly lyfted vp and ca∣ryed abowt with the moone. &c. By which woordes of Ary∣stotle it dooth appere that such waters maye bee lyfted vp in one place at one tyme, and suddeynly faule downe in an other place at an other tyme. And hereunto perhappes perteyneth it that Kycharde Chaunceler toulde me that he harde Seba∣stian Cabot reporte,* 32.106 that (as farre as I remember) eyther a∣bowt the coastes of Brasile or Rio de Plata, his shyppe or pin¦nes was suddeinly lyfted from the sea and cast vpon the land I wotte not howe farre. The which thynge and suche other lyke woonderfull and straunge woorkes of nature whyle I consyder and caule to rememberaunce the narownes of mans vnderstandynge and knowleage in comparyson of her mighty poure,* 32.107 I can but cease to maruayle and confesse with Plinie

that nothynge is to her impossible, the leaste parte of whose poure is not yet knowen to men.

Many thynges more owre men sawe and consydered in this vyage worthy to bee noted, wherof I haue thought good to put sum in memory that the reader maye aswell take plea∣sure in the varietie of thynges as knowleage of the hystorye. Amonge other thynges therefore touchynge the maners and nature of the people, this may seeme straunge that theyr prin¦ces and noble men vse to pounse and rase theyr skynnes with prety knottes in diuers formes as it were branched damaske,* 32.108 thynkynge that to be a decent ornament. And albeit they go in maner all naked, yet are many of them and especially their women in maner laden with collars, braslettes, hoopes, and chaynes eyther of golde, copper, or Iuery.* 32.109 I my selfe haue one of theyr braselettes of Iuery wayinge twoo pounde and vi. ounces of Troye weyght, whiche make .xxxviii. ounces.* 32.110 This, one of theyr women dyd weare vppon her arme. It is made of one hole piece of the byggest parte of the toothe tur∣ned and sumwhat carued, with a hole in the myddest wherin they put theyr handes to weare it on theyr arme. Sum haue of euery arme one and as many on theyr legges,* 32.111 wherewith sum of theym are so galded that althoughe they are in maner made lame therby, yet wyll they by no meanes leaue them of. sum weare also on theyr legges great shackels of bryght cop∣per which they thynke to bee no lesse cumly. They weare al∣so collars, braslets, garlandes and gyrdels of certeyne blewe stones lyke beades. Lykewyse sum of theyr women weare on theyr bare armes certeyne foresleeues made of the plates of beaten golde.* 32.112 On theyr fyngers also they weare rynges made of golden wyres with a knotte or wrethe lyke vnto that whi∣che chyldren make in a rynge of a russhe. Amonge other thin¦ges of golde that owr men bowght of them for exchaunge of theyr wares, were certeyne dogges chaynes and collers.* 32.113

They are very ware people in theyr bargenynge, and wyl not lose one sparke of golde of any value. They vse weyghtes and measures, and are very circumspecte in occupyinge the same. They that shall haue to do with them must vse them ••en¦telly▪ for they wyl not trafike or brynge in any wares if they be euyll vse. At the fyrst v••age that owr men had in••o the••e parties, it so chaunsed that at theyr departure from the fyrste

place where they dyd trafike, one of them eyther stole a musk•• catte or tooke her a way by force,* 32.114 not in••strustynge that that shulde haue hyndered theyr bargenynge in an other place why¦ther they intended to go. But for al the hast they could make with full sayles, the fame of theyr mysusage so preuented thē that the people of that place also offended therby, wold bring in no wares: In so muche that they were inforced eyther to restore the catte or pay for her at theyr price before they could trafike there.

Theyr houses are made of foure postes or trees,* 32.115 and coue∣red with bouwes.

Theyr common feedynge is of rootes and such fysshes as they take,* 32.116 wherof they haue great plentie. There are also such flyinge fysshes as are seene in the sea of the Weste Indies.* 32.117 Owre men salted of theyr fysshes hopynge to prouyde store therof. But they wolde take no salte: And muste therefore be eaten furthwith as sum say. Howe be it, other affirme that if they be salted immediatly after they be taken, they wyl last vncorrupted .x. or .xii. dayes. But this is more straunge, that parte of such flesshe as they caryed with them owte of Eng∣lande and putrifyed there,* 32.118 became sweete ageyne at theyr re∣turne to the clime of temperate regions.

They vse also a straunge makynge of breade in this ma∣ner.* 32.119 They grynde betwene two stones with theyr handes as much c••rne as they thynke maye suffice theyr famelie. And when they haue thus brought it to floure, they put thereto a certeyne quantitie of water and make therof very thin dowgh which they stycke vppon sum post of theyr houses, where it is baked by the heate of the sonne: So that when the master of the house or any of his famely wyll eate thereof, they take it downe and eate it.

They haue very fayre wheate,* 32.120 the ere whereof is twoo handfulles in length and as bygge as a great bulrusshe, and almost foure ynches abowt where it is byggest. The steme or strawe, semeth to be almost as bygge as the lyttle fynger of a mans hande, or lyttle lesse. The graynes of this wheate are as bygge as owr peason: rounde also, and verye whyte and sumwhat shynynge lyke perles that haue lost theyr colour. Al∣most all the substaunce of theym turneth into floure, and ma∣keth lyttle branne or none. I toulde in one ere twoo hun∣dreth

and three score graynes. The ere is inclosed in thre bla∣des longer then it selfe, and of two inches brode a piece. And by this frutefulnesse the soonne seemeth partly to recompence such greefes and molestations as they otherwyse receaue by the feruent heate therof. It is doubtlesse a woorthy contem∣plation to consider the contrary effectes of the soonne:* 32.121 or ra∣ther the contrary passions of suche thynges as receaue thinflu¦ence of his beames eyther to theyr hurte or benefite.

Theyr drynke is eyther water or the iuise that droppeth from the cut braunches of the barren date trees cauled Pal∣mites.* 32.122 For eyther they hange greate gourdes at the sayde branches euery euenynge and let them so hange all nyght, or els they set them on the ground vnder the trees that the drop¦pes may faule therin. They say that this kynde of drynke is in tast much lyke vnto whey, but sumwhat sweeter and more pleasaunt. They cut•••• the branches euery euenynge bycause they are scred vp in the day by the heate of the soonne. They haue also great beanes as bygge as chestenuttes, and verye harde with a shell in the steede of a huske.

Many thynges more myght be sayd of the maners of the people and of the woonders and monstrous thynges that are engendered in Afrike. But it shall suffice to haue sayde thus much of such thynges as owre men partely sawe and partely browght with them.

And wheras before speakynge of the frute of graynes,* 32.123 I descrybed the same to haue holes by the syde (as in deede it is as it is browght hether) yet was I afterwarde informed that those holes were made to put strynges or twygges throughe the frute therby to hange them vp to drye at the sonne. They growe not paste a foote and a halfe or twoo foote frome the grownde: and are as red as bludde when they are gathered. The graynes them selu••s, are cauled of the physisians, Gra∣na Paradysi.

At theyr comminge home, the keles of theyr shyppes were maruelously ouergrowē with certein shels of .ii. ynches length and more as thycke as they coulde stande,* 32.124 and of such bygge∣nes that a man may put his thom in the mouthes of thē. They certeynly affirme that in these there groweth a certeyne slymy substaunce which at the length slypping owt of the shel & fau∣ling in the sea, becōmeth those foules which we cal barnacles* 32.125

The lyke shelles haue byn seene in shyppes returning from I••∣lande. But these shelles were not past halfe an inch in length. Of the other that came from Guinea, I sawe the Prymrose lyinge in the docke, and in maner couered with the sayd shel∣les, which in my iu••gemente shulde greately hynder her say∣lynge. Theyr shyppes were also in many places eaten with the woormes cauled Bromas or Bissas whereof mention is made in the Decades.* 32.126 These creepe betwene the plankes whiche they eate throwgh in many places.* 32.127

Amonge other thynges that chaunced to them in this vy∣age, this is woorthy to be noted, that wheras they sayled the¦ther in seuen weekes, they coulde returne in no lesse space then .xx. weekes. The cause wherof they say to be this: ••hat abowt the coast of Cabo Uerde, the wynd is euer at the East by reason whereof they were info••ced to sayle farre owte of theyr course into the mayne Ocean to fynde the wynde at the west to brynge them home.* 32.128 There dyed of owre men at this last vyage abowt .xxiiii. whereof many dyed at theyr returne into the clime of the coulde regions, as betwene the Ilandes of Soria and Englande. They browght with them certeyne blacke slaues, wherof sum were taule and stronge men, and coulde well agree with owr meates and drynkes.* 32.129 The coulde and moyst ayer dooth sumwhat offende them. Yet doubtlesse men that are borne in hotte regions may better abyde coulde, then men that are borne in coulde regions may abyde heate, forasmuch as vehement heate resolueth the radicall moisture of mens bodies, as could cōstreyneth and preserueth the same

This is also to bee consydered as a secreate woorke of na∣ture, that throughout all Afryke vnder the Equinoctiall line and neare abowt the same on bothe sydes, the regions are ex¦treeme hotte and the people very blacke. Wheras contraryly such regions of the West Indies as are vnder the same line,* 32.130 are very temperate and the people neyther blacke nor with curlde and short woolle on theyr heades as haue they of Af∣fryke, but of the coloure of an olyue with longe and blacke heare on theyr heades: the cause of which varietie is declared in dyuers places in the Decades.

It is also woorthy to bee noted that summe of them that were at this vyage toulde me. That is, that they ouertooke the course of the soonne, so that they had it north from them

at noone the .xiiii. day of Marche. And to haue sayde thus much of these vyages it may suffice. For (as I haue sayd be∣fore) Wheras the parteners at whose charges this booke is prynted, wolde longe sence haue me proceaded no further, I had not thought to haue wrytten any thynge of these vyages but that the liberalitie of master Toy encoraged me to attempt the same. Whiche I speake not to the reproche of other in whome I thynke there lacked no good wyll, but that they thought the booke wolde be to chargeable.

¶ The maner of fyndynge the Longitude of regions by dyuers wayes after the description of Gemma Phrysius.

PErceauynge what contention is and longe hath byn not only amonge the pylottes that by tra∣uaylynge the sea haue obserued the starres, but also amonge sum men that are skylfull in ma∣thematicall sciecens, wherof many affirme that the longitude (that is to meane, the course from the East to the Weste) can not be perfectely knowen, I haue thowght good for the better satisfying of such as desire to haue sum knowleage hereof, to interprete such demonstra∣tions as I haue redde of the declarynge of the same in Gem∣ma Phrysius, who as touchynge this matter hath added to thinuentions of other, a more certeyne way of his owr diuise wherby (as he sayth) he can fynde the longitude of regions although he were dryuen owt of the way a thousande myles into places vnto hym vtterlye vnknowen and of vnknowen distance. He wryteth therfore as foloweth.

When yow haue founde the place of the mone,* 33.1 yow ought to consyder the houre when she occupyed that place. Then ey∣ther by the Ephimerides or by the tables of Alphonsus yowe owght to knowe in what houre the moone entereth into the same signe of the Zodiake in an other region or towne whose longitude is well knowen. Then reducynge the houres to xxiiii. the lesse number of houres is to be deducted out of the greater number. Then the remanent of the houres & mynutes is to be brought to degres in this maner. Multiplie the hours by .xv. and diuide the minutes of the houres by foure: so shall appere the degrees of the Equinoctial conteyned betwene two

meridians. And if after this diuision there r••mayne any mi∣nutes, multiplie them also by .xv. and therby shalbe know••n the minutes of degrees. Adde th••s di••ference of longitu••e founde to the longitude of the region knowen if the houres of that place bee more in number: or take awaye from the same longitude if they be lesse: So shall yowe in fin•• gather the longitude of the place vnknowen from the Ilandes of Cana∣rie.* 33.2 But the same is more easely and redely found geome∣trically by the globes by this meanes. Set directly vnder the meridian, the place whose longitude is knowen in the globe.* 33.3 Then directe the poynte or style that moueth abowt the pole, to the houre in the whiche the moone occupyeth the place assigned in that region. Then turne the globe vntyll the style that sheweth the houre, be coomme to the houre in the whi∣che yowesowght the vnknowen place of the moone. And so shall the degrees of the Equinoctiall distaunte or diuy∣ded frome the moueable meridian, declare the longitude of the region which yow seeke. Neuerthelesse, the more certeine way wherby the differences of longitudes may bee founde, is by sum one thynge that in one moment appeareth in all regi∣ons, as by the eclypses of the moone.* 33.4 For the dyuers houres beinge knowen in the whiche the sayd eclypses chaunce in dy¦uers regions, the longitudo maye thus aswell be knowen by geometrie and arithmetike, as it is founde by the rule here be¦fore. But forasmuch as this doth neyther appere at al tymes nor to all men, and the other way is sumwhat difficult, ney∣ther at al tymes redy by reason of the cōiunctions of the mone and furthermore also sumtymes vncerteyne and varying sum what from the truth for the dyuers aspectes and l••titud••s of the mone, it so chaunceth hereby that wee haue eyther no lon¦gitudes or the same very vncerteyne of many regions, and es∣pecially of those which the Spanyardes haue of late discoue∣red. For no certentie doubtlesse can be knowen by such com∣mensurations as are made in the wanderynge turnynges and wyndynges of such vyages, as Ptolome affirmeth in the first booke of his Cosmographie. I wyll therfore adde herevnto sum thynge of myne owne inuention whereby by an easy way and at all tymes the longitudes of regions may bee founde in all vyages and nauigations.

¶ A newe maner of fyndynge the Longi∣tudes of regions.

WEe see that in these owre dayes certeyne lyttle clockes are verye artificially made the whiche for theyr smaule quantitie are not comberous to be caryed abowt in all vyages.* 34.1 These often tymes moue continually for the space. of .xxiiii. houres: and may with helpe continewe theyr mouynge in maner perpetually. By the helpe therfore of these the longitude may bee founde after this maner. Before wee enter into any vyage, wee muste fyrste foresee that the sayde clocke exactly obserue the houres of the place from whense we departe: And ageyne that in the way it neuer cease. Accom∣plysshynge therfore .xv. or .xx. myles of the vyage, if wee de¦syre to knowe howe much in longitude we are dystant frome the place of owre departure, we must tary vntyll the poynt or style of the clocke do exactly come to the poynt of sum houre: and at the same moment by owr Astrolabie or globe,* 34.2 owght wee to seeke the houre of the place where we bee: The which yf it agree in minute with the houres which the Horosco∣pium or ascendent dooth shewe,* 34.3 then is it certeyne that wee are yet vnder the same Meridian or the same Longitude: and that owre course hath byn to∣warde the south or north. But if it dyf∣fer one hour or any mynute, thē are the same to bee reduced to degrees or minutes of degrees as we haue tought in the chapiture here before.

And so shall the longitude bee founde. And by this arte can I fynde the longitude of regions althowgh I were a thou∣sand myles owt of my attemp∣ted course & in an vnkno∣wen distance, but the latitude must fyrste bee perfectely knowen.* 34.4

FINIS.

¶ A bryefe rehersal of the contentes of the bookes of the fyrst Decade, and so folowynge of all the other Decades. Folio .i.

• IN the fyrst booke is declared howe Christopho¦rus Colonus otherwyse cauled Columbus, per¦suaded Fernando and Elizabeth, prynces of Spayne, to foorther his attempte in searching newe and vnknowen landes in the West Oce∣an. Also of the .vii. Ilandes of Canarie, by whom they were founde and conquered.
• Howe Colonus founde the Ilandes of Hispaniola, and Cuba: And of the fierce people cauled Canibales or Caribes, which are accustomed to eate mans flesshe.
• Of the rootes cauled Ages, Iucca, and the grayne Mai∣zium, wherof the people of the Ilandes make theyr breade.
• Of the golde found in the sandes of ryuers, and of the ser¦pentes which are without hurte. Also of turtle doues, duckes and popyngiayes.
• Of Mastix, and Aloe, with dyuers frutes and trees vn∣knowen to vs: and of the frutefulnes of the Iland of Hispa¦niola which the Spanyardes caule Spagnuola.
• Of the seconde vyage of Colonus into these regions, and howe he was furnysshed with .xvii. shyppes and a thou∣sande and two hundreth souldyers, with all kynde of artili∣arye, artificers, and grayne to sowe. And of the tree frome the which water droppeth continually into a trenche made by mans hande.

☞ The contentes of the seconde booke. Fol. 4.

• ¶ Howe Colonus departynge from the Ilandes of Canarie, sayled .viii. hundreth and .xx. leagues in .xxi. dayes, and came to Dominica an Ilande of the Canibales: And of the fragrant sauour of spices which proceded from the Ilandes.
• Of the Ilandes of Galanta or Galana and Guadalupea, and of the trees which beare that kynde of cotton whiche the Italians caule Bombasine, and the Spanyardes Algadon.
• Of dyuers kyndes of popingiayes: And of the Iland of

• Matinino or Madanino, being inhabited only with women: Also of dyuers other frutefull Ilandes: And of a conflicte which the Spanyardes had with the Canibales.
• Of certeyne Ilandes in the which are seene the mynes of metals and precious stones: and of the frutefull and peopu∣lous Ilande cauled Burichena or Boriquen. or Insula S. Iohanuis
• Howe all the Admirals men whiche at his fyrst vyage he lefte in Hispaniola, were slayne in his absence by the rebelli∣on of Guaccanarillus, kynge of the Region of Xamana: and of the free kynde of lyfe which they leade that haue not the vse of money.
• Of the .vii. maydens which swamme .iii. myles in the sea: And of the maner of gatheryng of gold in the sands of riuers

¶ The Contentes of the thyrde booke. Fol. 10.

• ¶ A particular description of the Ilande of Hispaniola, whi¦che Colonus thynketh to be Ophir, from whense kynge Sa∣lomon had his great ryches of golde.
• Of the maruelous frutefulnes of Hispaniola, and of the suger canes growynge there.
• Of the golden regions of Cipanga or Cibaua, and of the ryuers in whose sandes is founde great plentie of golde.
• Of certeyne graines of gold of exceadyng great quantitie.
• Of wylde vines of pleasaunt taste, and of grasse which in foure dayes groweth as hygh as wheate.
• Of the Ilande of Iohanna or Cuba, beinge the ende of the East and the West: And of the frutefull and peopulous I∣lande of Iamaica.
• Howe the Admirall thought that he had sayled abowte the lowest hemispherie or halfe circle of the earth, and of a se¦create of Astronomie touchynge the same matter.
• Howe the Admirall gaue names to .vii. hundreth Ilan∣des, and passed by three thousande unnamed.
• Of certeyne serpentes lyke vnto Crocodiles of .viii. foote longe, whose flesshe is delicate to be eaten: and of certeyne trees which beare gourdes.
• Of the ryuer whose water is very hotte: and of the hun∣tynge fysshe which taketh other fysshes.
• Of great abundaunce of Tortoyses as bygge as targets, and of a frutefull mountayne well inhabited.
• ...

• Of dogges of deformed shape and dum: And of whyte and thicke water.
• Of wooddes of date trees and pynepaple trees, and of certeyne people appareled like white friers.
• Of certeyne trees whiche beare spices, and of cranes of exceadynge bignes.
• Of stocke doues of more pleasaunte taste then partriches.
• An oration of a barbarous gouernoure as touchinge the immortalitie of the sowle: Also of the rewarde of vertue and punysshmente of vice.
• A similitude of the golden worlde, and of prouision with owte care.
• Howe the admirall fell sicke by reason of to much watch¦ynge: And of a sedition which rose among the Spaniardes in the Ilande of Hispaniola.

¶ The Contentes of the fourth booke. Fol. 18.

• Howe the Kynges of the Ilande of Hispaniola, were by the Spaniardes mysbehauoure prouoked to Rebellion: And howe the admirall sent for them.
• Howe kinge Caunaboa the Lorde of the house of golde, that is, of the mountaynes of Cibaua, conspired the Admi∣rals death, and how he with his familie were takē prisoners.
• Of a greate famine that chaunced in the Iland of His∣paniola: and howe the Admiral builded certeyne fortresses.
• Of a piece of rude golde waighinge .xx. vnces: and of the myne of the riche metall cauled Electrum.
• Of the mountayne in the whyche is founde greate plen¦tye of Amber and orpemente: And of the wooddes of bra∣sile trees.
• Howe thinhabitauntes are put to theyre tribute: And howe the nature of the Region disposethe the maners of the people.
• Howe the brother of kinge Caunaboa came ageynste the Admiral with an army of fiue thowsand naked men: and how he was taken and his amry put to flyght.
• Of the frutfull vale Magona, in the sandes of whose ry¦uers is founde great plentie of golde: and of certeyne whirle∣wyndes and tempestes.
• Howe the Admirall sente foorthe his brother Bartho∣lomeus

• Colonus with an army of mē to search the gold mines & of the fosses which he found to haue bin digged in old tyme

¶ The Contentes of the .v. booke. Fol. 22.

• Howe the Lieuetenaunt builded a fortresse in the golde mynes: And prepared instrumentes for the pourginge and fy∣ninge of the golde.
• Howe certeyne shyppes laden with vyttayles, came frome Spayne: And howe the Lieuetenaunt sent the kynges which rebelled, with three hundreth captiues into Spayne.
• Howe the Liefetenaunte remoued his habytacion: And buylded a fortresse which he cauled saynt Dominickes towre Also howe he passed ouer the ryuer Naiba, and entered into the wooddes of brasyle trees.
• Howe the great kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, frendely enterteyned the Lieuetenaunt, and browght hym to his pal∣layce, where the kynges wyues and concubines receaued him honorably with pompes and triumphes.
• Of the fortresses which were erected in Hispaniola: And howe the Lieuetenaunt exacted tribute of the kynges whiche rebelled ageyne.
• Howe the Lieuetenaunt sette vppon the kynges vnwares in the nyght season, and tooke .xiiii. of them prysoners.
• Howe kynge Guarionexius, capitayne of the conspiracie was pardoned, & howe he persuaded the people to obedience.
• Howe kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, sente messingers to the Lieuetenaunt to repayre to his pallayce where he founde xxxii. kinges redy with theyr tributes: And howe the queene Anacaona entysed hym to eate of the serpentes flesshe.
• Howe the serpentes flesshe is prepared to be eaten: And how delicate meate theyr egges are yf they be sodden.
• Howe queene Anacaona, syster to kynge Beuchius A••a∣cauchoa, enterteyned the Liefetenaunt, and gaue hym muche housholde stuffe and many vessels of Hebene woodde artifici∣ally wrought and carued.
• Howe kynge Anacauchoa and the queene his syster went aboorde the Liefetenaunt his shyppe, and howe greately they were amased to beholde the furniture therof.
• Howe Roldanus Xeminus a Spaniarde, rebelled in the

• Lieuetenauntes absence: by whose mysdemeanour also kinge Guarionexius was prouoked to a newe conspiracie, & with hym Maiobanexius the kynge of the mountaynes.

☞ The contentes of the syxte boke. Foli. 28.

• ¶ The thy••de vyage of Colonus, and howe he diuerted from his accustomed rase by the Ilandes of Canarie to the Ilande of Madera for feare of certayne frenche pirates and rouers.
• Of the .xiii. Ilandes which in olde tyme were cauled Hes¦perides, and are nowe cauled the Ilandes of Caput Uiride or Cabouerde. Also of the Tortoyses of the Ilande of Bonaui∣sta, wherwith the leaper is healed.
• Howe the Admirall founde contagious ayre and extreme heate nere the Equinoctial where the north pole was eleuate onely fyue degrees: And how sailyng from thence westward, he founde the starres placed in other order, and the sea ry∣synge as it were the backe of a mountayne.
• Howe the Admyrall saylynge westwarde, and neuer pas∣syng owte of the clyme or paraleles of Ethiope, founde a tem¦perate Region and people of goodly corporature: And what difference is betwene the natures of Regions beyng vnder one paralele and one eleuation of the pole.
• Of the Ilandes of Puta and Margarita: and of the swift course or faule of the Ocean from the East to the weste.
• Of the goulfes cauled Os Draconis: And of the conflicte betwene the freshe water and the salte.
• Of a sea of freshe water: And a mountayne inhabited one∣ly with monkeys and marmasettes.
• Of the fayre, riche, and large region of Paria: And howe frendly thinhabitantes entreated the Admyrall and his men. Also of pleasaunte wyne made of dyuerse fruites: And of greate abundaunce of perles and golde.
• Of the regions of Cumana, Manacapana, and Curiana, beynge regions of the large prouynce of Paria: And of the ••ea of herbes or weedes.
• A certeyn secreate as touchynge the pole starre and the eleua∣tion of the same: Also of the roundnesse of the earthe.
• Of the mountaynes of Paria in the toppes wherof Colo∣nus ernestly affirmeth the earthly Paradise to be situate: And

• whether Paria be part of the firme land or cōtinent of India.

¶ The contentes of the .vii. booke. Fol. 33.

• ¶ Howe Roldanus Xeminus with his confetherates, accused the Admirall to the kynge: And howe he pourged hym selfe and accused them
• Howe kynge Guarionexius rebelled ageyne: And with him kyng Maiobanexius: Also howe they with other kinges came ageynst the Lieuetenaunte with an armye of .viii. thou∣sande naked and paynted Ciguauians. Also twoo rare exem∣ples of frendshyppe and faythfulnes in barbarous princes.
• Howe Colonus the Admirall and the Lieuetenaunte hys brother, were sent bounde into Spayne: And newe officers appoynted in theyr places.

The contentes of the .viii. booke. Fol. 37,

• ¶ The Nauigation of Petrus Alphonsus frome Spayne to Paria, where in the region of Curiana, he had in shorte space .xv. vn¦ces of pearles & greate plenty of vytailes for haukes bellees, pynnes, lokinge glasses, and suche other tryfelles,
• Of certeyn coniectures wherby Paria is thought to bee parte of the firme lande: And of the golden region of Cauchieta, where in the moneth of Nouember the ayre is temperate and not coulde.
• Howe Alphonsus had a conflicte with the Canibals: and howe they are acustomed to inuade other contreys.
• Of greate abundaunce of salte in the region of Haraia: & howe the dead bodyes of theyr prynces are dryed, reserued, and relygiously honoured.
• Howe Alphonsus at his returne to Spayne frome Curia¦na, brought with hym threescore and .xvi. pounde weight of pearles which he bought for owre tryfells amountinge only to the value of fiue shillyngs.

The contentes of the .ix. booke. Fol. 40.

• ¶ The Nauigation of Uincentius Pinzonus and Aries Pin∣zonus, and howe they sayled beyonde the Equinoctiall lyne,

• losse the syght of the northe starre, and founde the starres in other order.
• Howe Uincentius passynge the equinoctiall towarde the southe pole, founde fierce and warlike people of great stature: And of the sea of freshe water.
• Howe Uincentius directing his course towarde the north weste from the equinoctiall, recouered the syght of the northe pole, and by the regions of Mariatamball, Camomorus, and Pericora, came to the fayre and ryche prouince of Paria, and to the regyons of Os Draconis, Cumana, Manacapana, Cu∣riana. &c.
• A coniecture that Paria (wherby is ment that mayne land now cauled America) shulde be parte of the fyrme lande or con¦tinent of India, beyonde the ryuer of Ganges and no ilande: And of the excedynge great riuer Maragnonus replenished with Ilandes.
• Of Boriostomea and Spiriostomea, the mouthes of the fa∣mous ryuer of Danubius, cauled in olde tyme Ister: And of the commodities of the regions and Ilandes about Paria. Also of the woodes of brasile trees.
• Of many frutfull Ilandes wasted and lefte desolate by re¦son of the Can••balles crueltie: And of the trees of Cassia Fi∣stula. Also of other trees of excedyng bygnesse.
• The description of a certayne monstruous beaste, And how Uincentius loste two of his shyppes by tempeste.
• Howe Uincentius at his returne to Spayne, brought with hym cinamome, gynger, and certayne precious stoones cauled Topases And of the nauigations of certayne other inhabitan¦tes of the towne of Palos.
• Of the precious medicine cauled Anime Album. And of the diuerse superstitions of the inhabitauntes of Hispaniola. Also of their Idolatry, and howe they honour the ymages of deuylles, whiche they caule Zemes.

¶ The Contentes of the .x. booke. Fol. 48.

• Of great glentie of golde, perles, and franken••ence found in the regions of Paria. And of innumerable beastes in shape dyfferynge from owres.
• Howe the Spaniardes profered them selues to conquere the newe founde landes, beynge in largenesse thryse as great

• as Europe besyde the southe landes parteynynge to the Por∣tugales. And howe the nature of the place altereth the formes and qualities of thynges.
• Of the Ilande of Cuba, and of the golde mynes of the I∣land of Sancti Iohannis, otherwise cauled Burichena, or Bu¦chena. Also of the ryche golde mynes of Hispaniola, and of the order of workynge in the same.
• Of the two chiefe golde mynes of Hispaniola. And of a pece of golde weyinge thre thousande thre hundreth and tenne pounde weyght.
• Howe the golde is fyned and distrybuted: And howe that only in the meltynge shops of the two golden mynes of His∣paniola, is molten yearely aboue three hundreth thousande pounde weyght of golde.
• Howe thenterpryses of the Spanyardes are not inferior to thactes of Saturnus or Hercules: And howe the Admy∣rall discouered the lande ouer ageynst the west corner of Cuba and the Ilande or Guanassa.

¶ The Contentes of the bookes of the seconde Decade.

¶ The contentes of the fyrst booke. Fol. 51.

• ¶ Howe after the death of Colonus the Admirall, the kyng•• gaue free lycence to all suche as wolde attempte any vyages: And of the nauigatiōs of Diego Nicuesa, & Alphōsus Fogeda
• Of the Ilande Codego and the region of Caramairi: And of certeyne sweete apples whiche turne into woormes when they are eaten, whose trees are also contagious.
• Howe Alfonsus Fogeda, the Lieuetenaunt of Uraba, en∣counterynge with the barbarians had the ouerthrowe. And howe in this conflicte, fyftie of his men were slayne with Io∣hannes de la Cossa theyr capytayne.
• Howe Fogeda, and Nicuesa the Lieuetenaunte of Bera∣gua, reuenged the death of theyr coompanyons. And howe Fogeda came to the Ilande Fortis and the region of Cariba∣na where he was repulsed from the golde mynes by the fierce¦nesse of the barbarians vsyng arrowes infected with poyson.
• ...

• Howe Fogeda was wounded in the thygh with a vene∣mous arrowe, and his men almost consumed with famyn.
• Howe a brigantine was drowned with the stroke of a fysshe: And of the nauigation of Ancisus from Hispaniola to Uraba.
• Of the Lamentable shyppewracke of Ancisus: And of the date trees and wytde bores which he founde.
• Of the frutes or apples of the trees cauled Ceders of Libane which beare owlde frutes and newe all the yeare.
• Howe onely three of the Canibales with theyr bowes and inuenemed arrowes assayled Ancisus with a hundreth of his men: In which conflicte they wounded and slewe many. Also of theyr swyftnesse of foote.
• Of the great ryuer of Dariena: And how Ancisus encoun¦tered with fyue hundreth of thinhabitauntes of the goulfe of Uraba and put them to flyght. Also howe he founde greate plent••e of wrought golde and housholde stuffe in a thycket of reedes.

¶ The contentes of the seconde booke. Fol. 58.

• ¶ Howe Nicuesa loste his felowes in the darke nyght and went past the mouth of the ryuer Beragua which he sought: And howe the capitaynes of the other shyppes consulted how to fynde hym. Also of the ryuer Lagartos in the which great Lysartes are founde much lyke vnto the Crocodiles of Nilus.
• Howe the capitaynes forsooke theyr shyppes that the soul¦dyers myght bee without hope of departure: And of the mi∣serable chaunce of Petrus de Umbria and his felowes.
• By what chaunce Nicuesa was founde, and of the calami∣ties which he and his coompany susteyned. Also of the regi∣on of Gracia Dei or Cerabaro, and of the ryuer of Sancti Matthei.
• Howe Nicuesa caused them to remoue theyr habitacion from Beragua to poynte Marmor where he bylded a fortresse And howe his men by warre and famyn, were consumed from seuen hundreth and odde, to scarsely one hundreth.
• Howe one Uaschus Nunnez vsurped thautoritie of the Lieuetenaunte shyppe of Uraba in thabsence of Fogeda: And of the nauigation of Rodericus Colmenatis from Hispanio∣la to Uraba.
• Of the ryuer Gaira descendynge from the toppe of a hygh

• mountayne couered with snowe: And howe Rodericus Colm••¦naris in a conflicte ageynst the barbarians, loste .xlvii. of his men by reason of theyr inuenemed arrowes.
• Of the force of the poyson wherewith the barbarians in∣fecte theyr arrowes, and a remedie for the same. Also howe Colmenaris by gunneshot and kyndelynge fyers on the hyghe toppes of the rockes, came to the Spanyardes lefte desolate in Dariena.

¶ The contentes of the thyrde booke. Fol. 61.

• ¶ Howe Nicuesa was sought foorth to acquiete the conten∣tions of Uraba: And howe he was ageyne reiected.
• Howe Uaschus Nunnez inuaded, tooke prysoners, and spoyled the kynges bortherynge abowt the region of Uraba: And howe Ancisus Lieuetenaunt for Fogeda was cast in pry¦son, and afterwarde set at libertie.
• Howe Ancisus tooke his vyage from Uraba to Spayne to accuse Uaschus: who also at the same tyme sent Ualdiuia as∣well to speake in his defence, as also to certifie the kynge of theyr doynges.
• Howe kynge Careta conspired with the Spanyardes a∣geynst kynge Poncha whom they put to flyght and spoyled his vyllage.
• Howe kynge Comogrus frendely enterteyned the Spany∣ardes and brought them to his pallaice where he shewed them the dryed Carkases of his auncestours reserued and sumptu∣ously apparelled: And howe the kynges elder sonne gaue Uas¦chus and Colmenaris foure thousand vnces of wrought gold and fiftie slaues. Also a wyttie oration which he made to the Spanyardes, wherein he certifyed theym of a countrey excea∣dynge ryche in golde. &c.

¶ The contentes of the fourth booke. Fol. 66.

• ¶ Of horryble thunder and lyghtnynge in the mooneth of Nouember, and of grayne which waxeth rype thryse a yeare Also how digestion is strengthened by owtwarde coulde.
• Howe Ualdiuia is sent ageyne into Hispaniola to mou•• the gouernour and counsayle there to sende into Spayne to

• the kynge for a supplie of a thousand souldyers to make way to the golden moūtaynes: And howe he caryed with hym the kynges portion, (that is) the fyfte parte of golde and other thynges.
• Howe Uaschus inuaded the kynges inhabytynge the re∣gions about the goulfe of Uraba, and howe he put kyng Da¦baiba to flyght, in whose vyllage he founde wrought gold•• amountynge to the weyght of seuen thousande Castellans.
• Of battes as bygge as turtle dooues which sumtyme byt•• men in the nyght in theyr sleepe, whose bytynge is also vene∣mous: but is healed with water of the sea or by cauterization as are also the woundes of venemous arrowes.
• Of the Ilande of Cannafistula, and a towne of fyue hun¦dreth houses, whose kynge Abenamachei was taken and his arme cutte of in the fyght.
• Of trees of exceadynge bygnesse and heyght: And howe kynge Abibeiba had his pallaice in the toppe of a tree frome the which he was inforced to descende and entreate of peace.

¶ The contentes of the fyfth booke. Fol. 69.

• ¶ Howe kynge Abraiba slewe a capitayne of the Spanyards and caused the kynges to rebell. Also howe they were put to flyght and many of theyr men slayne.
• Of fyue kinges which attempted a newe conspiracie with a hundreth great Canoas and fiue thousand men: And howe theyr intent was bewrayed by a woman, and preuented. Al∣so howe Rodericus Colmenaris sacked the vyllage of Tichiri and honge the kynge therof with foure of his chiefe rulers, and commaunded them to be shotte through with arrowes.

¶ The contentes of the syxte booke. Fol. 72.

• ¶ Howe Uaschus with his confetherates, sente Iohannes Quicedus and Colmenaris from Dariena to Hispaniola and from thēse to Spayne to the kyng for a thousand men to passe ouer the mountaynes to the golden regions: And what mi∣series they susteyned in that vyage. Also of the death of Ual¦uia, Zamudius, and Fogeda.
• Of the prosperous vyage of Ancisus: And howe godde

• wrought miracles by the simple fayth of a mariner. Also ho•• god respecteth thinfancie of fayth for zeles sake: And howe one religion turned into another, holdeth styll many thinges of the fyrste.
• Howe many of the barbarians were baptised by reason of the miracles: And howe they rewarded the prestes by whome they were baptised.
• Howe Ancisus shortly after his arryuall in Spayne, resor¦ted to the courte and made his complaynt to the kinge of thin¦solencie of Uaschus, wheruppon the kynge gaue sentence a∣geynst hym: And howe apte the barbarous nations are to em¦brase the Christian fayth.

¶ The contentes of the seuenth booke. Fol. 79.

• ¶ Howe Quicedus and Colmenaris the procuratours of Da¦riena, were honorably enterteyned at the courte and brought to the kynges presence: And howe theyr complexion was chaunged by alteration of the ayer.
• Howe Petrus Arias a noble man, was elected gouernou•• and Lieuetenaunt of Dariena: And howe other of the court laboured for the same office. Also howe the bysshop of Bur∣ges spake to the kynge in his behalfe.
• Howe Petrus Arias had a thousande and two hundrethe souldyers appoynted hym at the kynges charges: And of th•• kynges custome hou••e in the citie of Ciuile, cauled the house of the contractes of India.
• Howe a great number of Spanyardes profered thē selues to go at theyr owne charges: And of a restra••nt made that no straunger myght passe without the kynges licence. Also howe the autour reproueth Aloisius Cadamustus a wryter of the Portugales vyages.
• Howe Petrus Arias shortely after his departure frome Ci∣uile, lost two of his shyppes and was dryuen backe ag••yne by tempest: And howe beinge newly furnysshed, hee pa••sed the O••ean with more prosperous wyndes.
• The thyrde vyage of Uincentius Pinzonus, and howe he came to the regions of Paria where encounterynge with thin¦habitauntes he put them fyrst to flyght: but after faulyng to entreatie of peace, they gaue hym greate plentie of golde and

• abundaunce of masculine frankensence with dyuers other princely presentes.
• Of the greate multitude of popingiayes which are in th•• region of Paria, and howe thinhabitours are apparelled. Also of the fyue kynges that made a league of frendeshyppe with Uincentius.
• Howe Uincentius sayled Eastwarde by the tracte of the regions of Paria vntyll he came to the poynte of that longe lande which the autour supposeth to be the greate Ilande At∣lantike wherof the owlde wryters make mention.* 35.1

¶ The contentes of the .viii. booke. Fol. 80.

• ¶ A contention betwene the Castilians and Portugales as concernynge the diuision of the newe founde landes: And howe the controuersie was fynysshed by the byshop of Rome.
• Howe Don Chrystopher the gouernoure of the Ilande of Sancti Iohannis, was slayne by the Canibales and the bys∣shop put to flyght. Also of the other bysshops of the Ilandes.
• Howe the Canibales of the Iland of Sancta Crux, slew and eate a kynge with certeyne of his men beinge frendes to the Chrystians and made faggottes of theyr bones: And how querelynge with owre men, they put them to silence.

¶ The contentes of the .ix. booke. Fol. 81.

• ¶ Of the maruelous frutefulnes of the regions of Beragua, Uraba, and Dariena: And of the dyuers kyndes of trees and frutes. Also of the pleasaunt taste of swynes flesshe beinge fedde with the frutes of Mirobalane trees.
• Of Lions and Tygers and other wylde beastes: And of a beaste of straunge forme.
• Of the ryuers of the goulfe of Uraba, as the ryuer of Da¦riena and Rio Grandis: And howe the great serpentes cau∣led Crocodiles, are founde in other ryuers bysyde Nilus in Egypte. Also howe thautour of this booke was sent Ambas∣sadour to the Soldane of Alcayr in Egipte.
• Of the Portugales nauigations, and of the ryuer Sene∣ga founde by them to bee a chanel of Nilus. Also of the mul∣titude of byrdes & foules beinge in the marysshes of Dariena.
• ...

• A phylosophicall discourse of thoriginall and generatio•• of sprynges and ryuers: And of the breadth of the lande di∣uydynge the north and south Ocean.
• Of the great ryuer Maragnonus and of the earthly Pa∣radyse: And howe sprynges are engendered by conuercion of ayer into water.
• Of the often faule of rayne vnder the Equinoctiall line, and of the pores of the sea opened by the South wyndes.
• Of the great ryuers of Tanais, Ganges, Danubius, and Eridanus, famous to the owlde wryters: And howe certeine ryuers runnynge throughe the caues of the earthe, breake furth into sprynges afarre of.

¶ The contentes of the .x. booke. Fol. 86.

• ¶ Howe the newe founde landes discouered by the Spany∣ardes in the West Ocean, are eyght tymes bygger then Italie besyde that which the Portugales possesse: And of the cardes of the sea drawen by Colonus and Americus Uesputius.
• The order of measurynge the lande: And howe a league conteyneth foure myles by sea and but three by lande.
• The Nau••gation of Iohannes Dias, and of the sundrye eleuations of the pole starre.
• Of the Ilande of Boiuca or Agnaneo, and of the springe whose water being dronke, causeth owld men to loke yonge.
• Howe Nicuesa and his souldiers were so oppre••sed with famin, that they were dryuen to eate mangie dogges, toades, and deade men: And howe a brothe made of a dogges skinne, was soulde for many pieces of golde.

¶ The contentes of the bookes of the thyrde Decade.

¶ The contentes of the fyrst booke. Fol. 88.

• ¶ Of the desperate aduenture and good fortune of Uaschus: And how with a hundreth fourscore and ten men, he brought that to passe for the wh••ch Petrus Arias was sente with a thousande and two hundreth fresshe souldyers.
• ...

• Howe iren serueth for more necessary vses then gold, and howe superfluities hynder libertie.
• Howe Uaschus in one conflicte, slewe syxe hundreth bar¦baryans with theyr kynges: And howe he founde the house of kyng Quarequa infected with vnnatural lechery, commaun¦dynge that the kynge and fortie suche as he kepte for that purpose, shulde be gyuen for a pray to his dogges whiche he vsed to serue in the warres ageynst these naked people.
• Of a region of blacke Moores: And howe Uaschus came to the toppes of the mountaynes, where geuynge thankes to god, he behelde the newe south Ocean neuer before sene nor knowen to men of owre worlde.
• Howe Uaschus put kynge Chiapes to flyght, and after made a league of frendeshyppe with hym: And howe the king gaue hym .iiii. hundreth poundes weyght of wrought golde.
• Howe kynge Coquera was putte to f••yght, who also be∣inge receaued to frendeshyppe, gaue Uaschus syxe hundreth and fiftie poundes weyght of wrought golde.
• Of the goulfe cauled Sinus. S. Michaelis beinge full of inhabited Ilandes: And of the manly corage and godly zeale of Uaschus. Also of the rysynge and faulyng of the south sea.
• Howe kynge Tumaccus beinge dryuen to flyght and after¦warde reconciled, gaue Uaschus .vi. hundreth and .xiiii. pe∣sos of golde, and two hundreth and fortie of the greatest and fayrest pearles: And howe the kynge caused his men to fyshe for pearles.
• Of the Ilande cauled Margaritea Diues: And of the a∣bundaunce of fayre and great pearles founde therin.
• Of habitable regions vnder the Equinoctiall line: And of the Portugales nauigations to the Antipodes inhabytynge the fyue and fiftie degree of the south pole. Also a declara∣tion of Antipodes, and of the starres about the south pole.

¶ The contentes of the seconde booke. Fol. 95.

• ¶Of the maner of fysshynge for pearles and of the three kyndes therof. Also dyuers other questions cōcernyng perles.
• Of the multitude of the shell fysshes wherin perles are in∣gendered and founde in maner in all places in the south sea: And of abundaunce of golde founde almoste in euery house.

• Also howe the treasurie of nature is in those coastes: And of the golde mynes of Dariena.
• Howe kynge Teaocha gaue Uaschus .xx. poundes weight of wrought golde and two hundreth perles. Also of desertes full of wylde beastes, and howe Uaschus was troubled with greate heate in the moneth of Nouember.
• Howe a dogge Tyger was taken, and his whelpes tyed in cheynes and torne in pieces: Also howe Uaschus gaue .iiii kynges to his dogges to be deuoured.
• Of the vse of dogges in theyr warres, and of the fierce∣nesse of the Canibales.
• Howe kynge Bononians fauoured the Chrystians and gaue Uaschus .xx. pounde weyght of wrought golde. Also his oration to Uaschus.
• A similitude prouynge greate plentie of golde in the regi∣ons of the south sea, and of the trauayles which owlde soul∣dyers are able to susteyne.

¶ The contentes of the thyrde booke. Fol. 99

• ¶ Howe kynge Buchibuea submytted hym selfe to Uaschus, and sent hym certeyne vesselles of golde. Also howe kyng•• Chiorisus sente hym .xxx. dysshes of pure golde.
• Howe iren serueth for more necessary vses then gold. Al∣so an exemple of the lyfe of owr fyrste parentes.
• Howe kynge Pocchorrosa submytted hym selfe, and gaue Uaschus .xv. pounde weyght of wrought golde. Also howe Tumanama the great kynge of the golden regions toward•• the south sea, is taken prisoner. Lykewyse howe he gaue Uas¦chus .xxx. pounde weyght of pure and wrought golde, and his noble men .lx. poundes weyght of golde.
• Of the cause of vehement wyndes nere vnto the Equinoc∣tiall line, and of the coloure of the earth of the golden mines.
• Of the large and frutefull playne of zauana, and of the ryuer Comogrus. Also howe kynge Comogrus baptised by the name of Charles, gaue Uaschus .xx. pounde weyght of wrought golde.
• Of the good fortune of Uaschus, and howe he was tur∣ned frō Goliath to Eliseus, and frome Anteus to Hercules: And with what facilitie the Spanyardes shall hereafter ob∣teyne

• greate plentie of golde and pearles.
• Of the Spanyardes conquestes, and fi••rc••nesse of the Canibales. Also an exhortacion to Chrystian princes to sette forwarde Chrystes religion.

¶ The contentes of the fourth booke. Fol. 104▪

• ¶ The fourth vyage of Colonus the Admitall frome Spayne to Hispaniola, and to the other Ilandes and coastes of the firme lande: Also of the florysshynge Ilande Guanassa.
• Of seuen kyndes of date trees, wylde vyues, and Myro∣balanes: Also of byrdes and foules.
• Of people of goodly stature which vse to paynt theyr bo∣dyes: And of the swyfte course of the sea from the east to the west. Also of fresshe water in the sea.
• Of the large regions of Paria, Os Draconis, and Qui∣riquetana: And of greate Tortoyses and reedes. Also of the foure frutefull Ilandes cauled Quatuor Tempora, and .xii. Ilandes cauled Limonares.
• Of sweete sauours and holsome ayer: And of the region Quicuri, and the hauen Cariai or Myrobalanus: Also of cer∣teyne ciuyle people.
• Of trees groynge in the sea after a straunge sorte, and of a straunge kynde of Moonkeys which inuade men and feight with wylde bores.
• Of the greate goulfe of Cerabaro replenisshed with many frutefull Ilandes, and of the people which weare cheynes of golde made of ouches wrought to the similitude of dyuers wylde beastes and foules.
• Of fyue vyllages whose inhabitauntes gyue them selues onely to gatherynge of golde, and are paynted, vsynge to weare garlandes of Lyons and Tygers clawes. Also of seuen ryuers in all the which is founde greate plentie of golde: And where the plentie of golde ceaseth.
• Of certeyne people which paynt theyr bodyes, and couer theyr priuie members with shelles, hauynge also plates of golde hangynge at theyr nosethrylles.
• Of certeyne woormes which beinge engendered in the seas nere abowt the Equinoctiall, eate holes in shyppes: And how the Admirals shyppes were destroyde by them.
• ...

• Howe the kynge of Beragua enterteyned the Lieuet••nant and of the great plentie of gold in the ryuer of Duraba and in al the regions there about: Also in rootes of trees and siones and in maner in all the ryuers.
• Howe the Lieuetenaunt and his coompany wolde haue e∣rect••d a colonie besyde the ryuer of Beragua, and was repul¦sed by thinhabitauntes.
• Howe the Admirall fel into the handes of the barbarians of the Ilande of Iamaica where he lyued miserably the space of tenne moonethes: And by what chaunce he was saued and came to the Ilande of Hispaniola.
• Of holsome regions, temperate ayer, and continual spring al the hole yeare: Also of certeyne people which honour golde religiously durynge theyr golden haruest.
• Of the mountaynes of Beragua beinge fiftie myles in heyght and hygher then the clowdes: Also the discription of other mountaynes and regions there about, comparynge the same to Italy.
• Colonus his opinion as touchynge the supposed conti∣nente, and ioynynge of the no••th and south Ocean. Also of the breadth of the sayde continente or firme lande.
• Of the regions of Uraba and Beragua and the great riue•• Maragnonus and the ryuer of Dabaiba or Sancti Iohannis Also of certeyne marysshes and desolate wayes, and of dra∣gons and Crocodiles engendered in the sa••e.
• Of .xx. golden ryuers abowt Dariena and of certeyne pre∣cious stones, especially a diamunde of marueilous byggenesse bought in the prouince of P••••ia.
• Of the heroical factes of the Spanyardes and howe they contemne effeminate pl••asures. Also a similitude prouynge greate plentie of golde and precious stones.

¶ The contentes of the fyfth booke. Fol. 113.

• ¶ The nauigation of Petrus Arias from Spayne to Hispani¦ola and Dariena, and of the Ilandes of Canarie. Also of the Ilandes of Madanino, Guadalupea, and Gatan••a.
• Of the sea of herbes and mountaynes couered with snow: Also of the swyfte course of the sea towarde the west.
• Of the ryuer Gaira, the region Caramairi, and the porte

• Carthago and Sancta Martha: Also of Americus Uesputius and his expert cunnynge in the knowledge of the carde, com∣passe and quadrant.
• Howe the Canibales assayled Petrus Arias with his hole nauie, and shot of theyr venemous arrowes euen in the sea. Also of theyr houses and housholde stuffe.
• Howe Gonzalus Quiedus founde a saphire bygger then a goose egge: Also emerodes, calcidonies, iaspers, and am∣ber of the mountaynes.
• Of woddes of brasile trees, plentie of golde, and marcha¦sites of metals founde in the regions of Caramairi, Gaira, and Saturma. Also of a straunge kynde of marchaundies ex∣ercised amonge the people of Zunu.
• That the region of Caramairi is lyke to an earthly Para∣dise: And of the frutefull mountaynes and pleasaunte gar∣deynes of the same.
• Of many goodly countreys made desolate by the fiercenes of the Canibales, and of dyuers kyndes of breade made of rootes. Also of the maner of plantynge the roote of Iucca, whose iuise is deadely poyson in the Ilandes, and without hurte in the continent or firme lande.
• Of certeyne golden ryuers, hartes, wylde bores, foules, gossampine, whyte marble, and holsome ayer. Also of the greate ryuer Maragnonus descendynge from the mountaines couered with snowe, cauled Serra Neuata.
• Howe Petrus Arias wasted certeyne Ilandes of the Cani¦bales: Also howe by the swyfte course of the sea, his shyppes were caried in one nyght fortie leaques beyonde thestimation of the beste pylottes.

¶ The contentes of the syxte booke. Fol. 118.

• ¶ Of sundry opinions why the sea runneth with so swyft a course from the Easte to the west: and of the greate goulfe of the north parte of the firme lande.
• The vyage of Sebastian Cabote from Englande to the fro¦sen sea, and howe beinge repulsed with Ise in the moonethe of Iuly, he sayled farre westwarde.
• Of people apparelled with beastes skynnes: And howe beares take fysshes in the sea and eate them.
• ...

• Howe Sebastian Cabote after that he had discouered the lande of Baccallaos or Baccallearum, was cauled out of Eng¦lande into Spayne, where he was made one of thassistaunce of the counsayle of thaffayres of India, & of his second viage
• Of the Ilande Fortis: And howe a great foule as bygge as a storke lyghted in the gouernours shyppe. Also howe he arryued at Dariena with the kynges nauie.
• Howe Uaschus receaued the newe gouernour: And of ha∣bitable regions vnder the Equinoctial.
• Howe Petrus Aries the newe gouernour distributed his army to conquere the south regions ryche in golde, and to e∣recte newe colonies in the same.
• Of the ryche golde mynes of Dabaiba, and of thexpediti∣on ageynst the kynge of that region.
• Of the Uiolent course of the sea from the east to the west: And of the difficulte saylynge ageynst the same.
• Of the pestiferous and vnholsome ayer of Sancta Maria Antiqua in Dariena: and howe the Spanyardes were of necessitie inforced to plant theyr fyrst colonie and habita∣cion there.
• The cause of the varietie of regions lyinge all vnder one degree or paralelle, and by what meanes the soonne beames are cause of feruent heate.
• Of toades and flees engendered of droppes of water, and of a house set on fyre with lyghtnynge.
• * 35.2Of a dogge deuoured of a Crocodyle, and of the venemus bytynge of great battes. Also of Lions and Tygers and other wylde beastes.
• Howe in these regions all foure footed beastes growe to a bygger quantitie then they whiche were of the fyrste b••oode. Also of certeyne trees of whose planckes if ships be made, they are safe frome the woormes cauled Broma or Byssas.
• Of a tre whose wod is present poyson yf it be only borne a¦bout: And of an herbe that is a preseruatiue ageinst the same.
• Of the ryche Ilandes of the south sea, and of certeyne expeditions ageynst the Canibales.

¶ The contentes of the .vii. booke. Fol. 124.

• ¶ The particular description of the Ilande of Hispaniola,

• and of the ryche Ilande cauled Margaritea Diues lyinge in the South sea. Also of the greate abundaunce of bigge pearles founde in the same.
• Howe the autoure compareth Hispaniola to the earthely Paradyse: And howe it farre excelleth Italy in fertilitie and temperate ayre.
• Of the fyrste inhabitours of Hispaniola & of the Ilandes of Canarie.
• Howe the inhabitauntes of Hispaniola in theyr songes & rhymes had certeyne prophesies that appareled men shulde coome to theyr contrey and brynge them into seruitude: And of theyr familiaritie with spirites. Also howe those spirites haue no more appered to them sence they were baptised.
• Of theyr expertenesse in swymmynge: And of theyr dely∣cate serpentes, byrdes, foules, and popingiais.
• Of the forme and situation of Hispaniola nere the Equi¦noctiall: And howe coulde is in sum place thereof accidentall and not by the situation of the region.
• Of oxen and swyne of exceadinge bygnesse: And of eares of wheate as bygge as a mans arme in the braun. Also howe the swyne are fedde with myrobalanes. &c.
• Of plenty of golde, brasyle, mastix, gossampyne, Elec∣trum &c: And of thincommodities of intemperate regions.
• Of dyuers languages in the Ilande: And howe the pro∣uynces are deuided into regions.
• Howe Andreas Moralis sayled into a daungerous and darke caue within the rocke of a mountayne: And of hole ryuers deuoured of suche caues. Also of the conflycte of the waters.
• Of a standynge poole in the tope of an hygh mountayne: And howe ferne and bramble busshes growe only in coulde regyons.

The contents of the .viii booke. Fol. 130

• ¶ Of a greate lake or standyng poole of sowre and salte wa∣ter, and of the sea fysshes in the same in the myddelande of the Ilande. Also of deuourynge fysshes cauled Tiburoni.
• Of the ryuers fauling into the lakes, and of .CC. springes in the space of a furlonge.
• ...

• Ameruelous hystory of a kynge stryken dumme and lame by a myracle: And of the Indian language.
• Howe suche as are drowned in the lake, are neuer caste vp ageyne: And of the Ilande Guarizacca in the myddeste of a standynge lake. Also of a lake of fresshe water, and an other of salte and fresshe water.
• Of a large playne of two hundreth myles in length: And an other of hundrethe and twentie.
• Of the meruelous fysshe or monster of the sea, cauled Ma∣nati or Matum, fedde with mans hande: and howe she ca∣ryeth men ouer the lake.
• Of the mountaynes, vales, hylles, playnes, and ryuers of Hispaniola: And howe golde is founde in all mountaines and golde and fysshe in all ryuers.
• Of salte bayes, and howe the ryuers haue theyr increase from the caues of the mountaynes. Also howe there is no hurtefull beaste in the Ilande.
• Of the pleasures of Hispaniola: And of the region of Co∣tohi well inhabyted and situate in a playne in the toppes of mountaynes reachynge to the clowdes.
• Of moderate coulde in the mountaynes, and of ferne of merueylous bygnesse.
• Howe pure and massie gold is founde in the region of Co∣toy or Cotohy: And that the veyne of golde is a lyuynge tree. Also of the rootes, braunches, and floures of the same, and howe certeyne caues are susteyned with pyllers of golde.
• What golde is broughte yearely frome Hispaniola into Spayne: And of the salte of the mountaynes, beinge as hard as stones and cleare as crystall. Also sprynges of salte, fressh and sower water.
• Of certeyne wylde men lyuynge in caues and deunes with out any certeyne language: And of theyr merueylous swift∣nesse a foote.
• Of pytche of the rocke and twoo kyndes of trees: And of the leafe of a tree vsed in the steede of paper. Also howe thinhabitantes thinke that the Christians can make those leaues speake and disclose all secreates.
• Of a stronge coloure made of the iuse of a certeyn apple: And of the herbe whose smoke is poyson.

The contentes of the .ix. booke. Fol. 136.

• Of the kyndes of frutes wherwith thinhabitauntes of Hispaniola lyued fyrste, and howe they came to the knowe∣ledge of Iucca. Also howe Ceres fyrst found wheate and bar¦ley in Egypte.
• Why theyr kinges are cauled by dyuers names, & by what names they salute the kynges chyldren when they are borne.
• Howe they make theyr testamentes, and howe certeyne of the kynges wyues and concubines are buryed with them.
• Of the variable motions of the elementes in Hispaniola: And where it rayneth but lyttle, and where much.
• Of the colonies and vyllages that the Spanyardes haue buylded in Hispaniola: & of the other Ilands about the same
• Of a sprynge which runnyng vnder the sea from Hispani¦ola, breaketh furth in the Iland of Arethusa: Also of habita∣ble regions vnder the Equinoctial, and of the ryche golde mynes of the Ilande of Cuba.
• Of the gumme cauled Animae Album: And of the Canibale Also whereby it was thought that there were Ilandes of women.
• Of hony founde in trees and rockes: And of the generall on of greate Tortoyses and of theyr egges.

¶ The contentes of the .x. booke. Fol. 140.

• ¶ Of the expedition ageynste the kynge of the Ilande Dites in the south sea: And howe after foure conflictes, submyt∣tynge hym selfe, he gaue our men a hundreth and ten pounde weyght of greate pearles. Also howe he agreed to pay yeare∣ly a hundreth pounde weyght of pearles for a tribute.
• Howe axes and hatchettes are more esteemed then golde, or perles: And of greate plentie of hartes and cunnyes. Also howe the kynge of Dites and his famelie were baptised.
• Of perles of great pryce: And howe Paule the bysshop of Rome bowght a perle for foure and fortie thousand ducades.
• Dyuers opinions of the generation of perles: And of a hun¦dreth perles founde in one shel fysshe. Also of the byrth of pearles.
• Of the regions of the Easte syde of the goulfe of Uraba:

• And of the originall of the Canibales.
• Of certeyne circumcised people which haue the knowledge ••f letters and vse ••ookes: And what chaunced of the capi∣taynes which Petrus Arias sente furth dyuers wayes. Also howe Iohn Solysius was slayne of the Canibales, and of theyr fiercenesse.
• Howe Iohn Pontius was repulsed of the Canibales, and of the lewde behauour of Iohn Aiora.
• Of the variable fortune of Gonsalus Badaiocius: And howe after he hadde gathered greate ryches of golde, he had the ouerthrowe, and was spoyled of all.
• Of the golden region of Coiba Dites: And howe theyr slaue•• are ma••ked in the face.
• Of the Islandes of the souh sea: And of the regions frome whense the Portugales fetche theyr spices.
• Of a straunge kynde of fowlynge: and of the trees that beare gourdes.
• Of the later opinions as touchynge the swyfte course of the Ocean towarde the weste: and of the continente or firm•• lande. Also of the vyage from the newe landes to Spayne.
• Of the golde mynes of Dariena, and the maner of gathe∣rynge of golde in the same: Also of the dropsie of couetous∣••es which is not satisfyed with ryches.
• ¶ For the contentes of the booke of the Ilands lately found ••ade the margente notes of the same.

FINIS.

¶ Thinterpretours excuse.

I haue not in wrytynge byn very curious To auoyde the scornes of Rhinocetos nose, Or the fyled iudgement of seuere Aristarchus Not fearynge thereby any thynge to lose, But haue thought it sufficient to be open and playn•• Not lookynge for other commoditie or grayne.

I am not eloquent I knowe it ryght well, I I be not barbarous I desyre no more,

I haue not for euery woorde asked counsell Of eloquent Eliot or syr Thomas Moore. Take it therfore as I haue intended, The fantes with fauour may soone be amended.

The poet Homere for all this eloquence, Lacked not Zoilus to be his fo•• Wherfore I conclude this for a trewe sentence. That no man lacketh fuo bargello: For as no beaste lyueth without woorme or ••lye, So no man lacketh his priuie enemie.

Rumpatur Zoilus.

¶ Fautes escaped in the pryntynge. F. the leafe. L. the line. B. the backe syde of the leafe.

F. 2. B. L. 36. helpen, reade help••d.

F. 3. B. L. 25. three fethers, reade theyr f••ther••.

F. 9. L. 28. fourme, reade forme.

F. 20. L. 37 owre, reade yowre.

F. 22. B. L. 27. shure, reade sure.

F. 30. L. 6. clooke, reade cloke.

F. 34. L. 5. wodes, reade wooddes.

F. 36. B. L. 2. put out and.

F. 36. the last line. put out, I do.

F. 36. B. L. 34. first parte, reade fyf•• parte.

F. 38. B. L. 13. gardens, reade guardens.

F. 52. L. 18. parte, reade porte.

F. 62. B. L. 25. and, reade then.

F. 68. the last line, put out trees.

F. 92. L. 18. Michaeld, reade Michaels▪

F. 92. L. 19. ans, reade and.

Also there the laste line, put out, arose▪

F. 95. L. 12. cause, reade sause.

F. 96. B. L. 15. gretheardes, reade greate hearde••▪

F. 99. L. 17. filt hye, reade fylthy.

F. 118. B. L. 35. langitude, reade longitude.

F. 128. L. 4. eyres, reade heres,

F. 129. L. 1. Antipu••▪ reade Antiqu••.

F. 140. L. 17. counceled, reade counsayled.

F. 150. L. 15. veles, reade vayles. F. 150. L. 33. prouydence, reade prouince.

F. 153. L. 32. trackes, reade tractes.

F. 154. L. 2. selde, reade seldome.

F. 157. L. 26. wod, reade woodde.

F. 168. B. L. 13. bortamus, reade hortamur.

F. 170. B. L. 17. for. 1593, reade. 1493.

F. 171. L. 21. without, reade with.

F. 188. B. L. 33. burie, reade burne.

F. 193. B. L. 21. webs, reade webbes.

F. 199. B. L. 37. shydinge, reade shyninge.

F. 202. L. 17. ny, reade any.

F. 206. B. L. 23. fourme, reade forme.

F. 208. B. L. 7. codes, reade coddes.

F. 209. L. 15. wars, reade warres.

F. 212. L. 40. ignitie, reade dignitie.

F. 219. L. 10. vs, reade them.

F. 228. L. 37. rant, reade ranne.

F. 241. L. 4. Colonuo, reade Colono.

F. 249. L. 17. reade by the commynge of the Gothes and Uandales▪ &c.

F. 262. B. L. 15. Thus, reade this.

F. 296. L. 26. reade Cingulus Mundi, that is the gerdle of the worlde, otherwyse cauled Ca••en•• Mundi, that is, the chayne of the worlde.

F. 298. B. L. 3. sennes, reade fennes.

F. 300. L. 20. ceelrytie reade celeritie.

F. 317. L. 27. reade Tercera or Terciera▪

Also. L. 35. kyngedgme, reade kyngdome. F. 322. L. 17. owre compasse; reade the compasse.

¶Imprynted at London in Lumbard streete at the signe of the Cradle by Edwarde Sutton.

Anno. D̄ni. M. D. LV.

Notes

• * 5.1

  Commendati∣on of noble factes.
• * 5.2

  Mausolus.
• * 5.3

  Cunnynge ar∣tificers.
• * 5.4

  The Taber∣nacle of Moi∣ses.
• * 5.5

  The Temple of Salomon.
• * 5.6

  Hyram.
• * 5.7

  Trewe glory.
• * 5.8

  Great and sūp¦tuous works,
• * 5.9

  Fame diffe∣reth from true glory.
• * 5.10

  Absolute glory.
• * 5.11

  What is true glory.
• * 5.12

  The kynges of Spayne. Heroes.
• * 5.13

  The certentie of this hystory
• * 5.14

  The house of the contractes of India.
• * 5.15

  The counsayl for the Indi••s
• * 5.16

  The heroicall factes of the Spanyardes.
• * 5.17

  Great Alexan¦der.
• * 5.18

  The ••pany∣ardes warres in the Indies.
• * 5.19

  The benefites that the Indi∣ans haue recea¦ued by the Spanyardes.
• * 5.20

  Lybertie.
• * 5.21

  The Cani∣bales,
• * 5.22

  Feareful idle∣nesse.
• * 5.23

  Isai. 65.
• * 5.24

  The warres of Moises.
• * 5.25

  The Indians subdued to the fayth.
• * 5.26

  Isai. 42.
• * 5.27

  The contem∣plation of gods workes.
• * 5.28

  The Christi∣an Empire en¦larged.
• * 5.29

  The conuerti¦on of the gen∣tyles.
• * 5.30

  Leuiathan.
• * 5.31

  Prester Iohn the Christian Emperour of Ethiope.
• * 5.32

  Don Ferdi∣nando kynge of Aragon.
• * 5.33

  The fauour of god know∣en by his bene∣fites.
• * 5.34

  Noe.
• * 5.35

  What god hath wrought by kynge Fer∣dinando.
• * 5.36

  Abraham,
• * 5.37

  Spirituall Israell.
• * 5.38

  Moises.
• * 5.39

  Dauid.
• * 5.40

  Salomon.
• * 5.41

  Ophir.
• * 5.42

  Antipodes.
• * 5.43

  The nauiga∣tion rounde about the worlde.
• * 5.44

  The dominion of Salomon. Paral, 9.
• * 5.45

  The Indies.
• * 5.46

  The warres of kynge Fer∣dinando a∣geynst the Sarasens.
• * 5.47

  The conqueste of the Indies
• * 5.48

  The conqueste of Naples.
• * 5.49

  The Empe∣rours maiestie
• * 5.50

  Gen. 17.
• * 5.51

  The kinges maiestie.
• * 5.52

  Apostrophe to Englande.
• * 5.53

  Isai. 1.
• * 5.54

  Monstrou•• byrthes.
• * 5.55

  The significa¦tions of mon∣strus byrthes.
• * 5.56

  T••e deformity of monstrous myndes.
• * 5.57

  The kyng and Queene.
• * 5.58

  How curious summe are to fynde faute in other.
• * 5.59

  Lyes Imagi∣ned.
• * 5.60

  Commendati∣ons of Spain
• * 5.61

  Ryche syluer mynes in Spayne,
• * 5.62

  The Romans inriched by the syluer of Spayne.
• * 5.63

  The Cartha∣ginenses inri∣ched by the syl¦uer of Spain.
• * 5.64

  The commodi¦ties of Spain
• * 5.65

  The sygne of the steeple.
• * 5.66

  England im∣pouerisshed, Spayne inri∣ched.
• * 5.67

  Siluer mines founde of late in Spayne.
• * 5.68

  Syluer brought frome Peru into Englande.
• * 5.69

  Thēperours reuenues from the Indies.
• * 5.70

  The Ilandes of the South-sea.
• * 5.71

  The Ilandes of Maluca.
• * 5.72

  The nauiga∣tions of the Spanyardes
• * 5.73

  Itali is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 myles in leng¦the and, 126. in breadthe.
• * 5.74

  The lande cauled Terra florida, & regio baccalearum.
• * 5.75

  Looke the last booke. thirde decade.
• * 5.76

  This region is now cauled Noua Hispa∣nia. S••m thinke that this c••tie is Quinsa•• of marcus P••u∣lus.
• * 5.77

  Looke the last booke of the 3. decade, and the be••••n••ing of the booke of ••he land••s lately ••ound.
• * 5.78

  The godlye zeale of. S. Paule.
• * 5.79

  Isai. 66.
• * 5.80

  Gregorie th•• First.
• * 5.81

  Thoffice of byshoppes.
• * 5.82

  England con∣verted to the faith of christ.
• * 5.83

  This vnifrid•• was after¦warde named Boneface.
• * 5.84

  Whether any may bee com∣p••ll••d to the faythe.
• * 5.85

  The tyme of miracles.
• * 5.86

  Miracles of l••te dayes.
• * 5.87

  Howe Israell possessed the lande of promesse.
• * 5.88

  ••••dra. 2. cap. 4.
• * 5.89

  The buylding of spirituall Hierusalem.
• * 5.90

  The conuersi∣on of the gen∣tiles.
• * 5.91

  The ch••istian faythe.
• * 5.92

  Isai. 4••.
• * 5.93

  ••ugust•••• Christi∣•••••• di••ionis.
• * 5.94

  ••resteian Aethio∣pia rex.
• * 5.95

  ••••apii.
• * 5.96

  Franciscani Ser••∣phici.
• * 5.97

  Dominicani Che¦rubici.
• * 5.98

  Linguae imperic••••.
• * 5.99

  Miracula.
• * 5.100

  Damianus a Goes
• * 5.101

  To the christi¦an princes.
• * 5.102

  The sheepe of Europe.
• * 5.103

  The doctoure of diuinitie
• * 5.104

  An admonitiō to riche men.
• * 5.105

  The marchant
• * 5.106

  The desyre of wordely fame.
• * 5.107

  Men are sloth¦full in goddes cause.
• * 5.108

  Uyages from Englande.
• * 5.109

  Syr Hugh Wylloby and Rycharde Chaunceler.
• * 5.110

  Glory and fame.
• * 5.111

  The rewarde of noble enter∣prises.
• * 5.112

  The vyage to Ca••hay by the north seas.
• * 5.113

  Societie be∣twene the T••e¦••a••s and the Christians. The Turke. The Sophie.
• * 5.114

  Tambulanes. Baiasetes.
• * 6.1

  The largenes of the Ocean vnknowen to this day.
• * 6.2

  Cardinal As∣canius.
• * 6.3

  The warres of Granatum ageynst the Moores.
• * 6.4

  The autour was ••ent am∣bassadour to the Soltane of Alcayr in Egypte.
• * 6.5

  Italy disqui••¦ted with warres.
• * 6.6

  The sequeles of water.
• * 6.7

  Kynge Frede∣rike.
• * 6.8

  Leo the tenth▪ byshoppe of Rome.
• * 6.9

  Spayne sub∣dued from the Moores,
• * 6.10

  The kyndome of Naples.
• * 6.11

  Note, frome the begynning of the worlde
• * 6.12

  The temperat¦nes of the E∣quinoctial vn¦knowen to the owlde wry∣ters.
• * 6.13

  Continente or firme lande as bygge as thre Europes
• * 6.14

  Ryches are the instru∣mentes of con∣questes.
• * 7.1

  The reward of vert••e
• * 7.2

  The Ilandes of the weste Ocean.
• * 7.3

  Christopho∣rus Colonus.
• * 7.4

  India▪
• * 7.5

  The fyrst vi¦age of Colo∣nus.
• * 7.6

  The Ilandes of Canarie.
• * 7.7

  Gades or Cals mals.
• * 7.8

  A leaque, what it con∣teyneth by sea.
• * 7.9

  the fortunate Ilandes.
• * 7.10

  Cabouerde.
• * 7.11

  The seuen I¦landes of Ca¦narie.
• * 7.12

  Betanchor A frenche man subdued the Ilandes of Canarie.
• * 7.13

  L••ncelotus.
• * 7.14

  Fortisuētura.
• * 7.15

  Ferrea.
• * 7.16

  Gomera.
• * 7.17

  Grancanaria.
• * 7.18

  Palma.
• * 7.19

  Tenerifen.
• * 7.20

  Alphonsus Lugo.
• * 7.21

  Colonus men rebel against hym.
• * 7.22

  Faire wo••∣des and pro∣mises.
• * 7.23

  hispaniola.
• * 7.24

  Iohanna.
• * 7.25

  Nightinga∣les synge in Nouember.
• * 7.26

  The Ilande of Ophir.
• * 7.27

  The ilandes of Anti••ia.
• * 7.28

  A shypwrack
• * 7.29

  The people of the Iland••.
• * 7.30

  Naked peo∣ple.
• * 7.31

  Expert swim¦mers▪ go••d for erth and glasse.
• * 7.32

  Many kinges
• * 7.33

  Relygious & humaine peo∣ple
• * 7.34

  Canoas.
• * 7.35

  Mono••yla. They haue no Iren.
• * 7.36

  Can••bales or Caribes Anthropo∣phagi.
• * 7.37

  The crueltie of the Cani∣bales.
• * 7.38

  Ages. Rootes ••n the steede or meate.
• * 7.39

  Iucca. Breade of rootes.
• * 7.40

  an herbe of a straung•• na¦ture.
• * 7.41

  Ma••••••um.
• * 7.42

  ••olde in esti∣••ation.
• * 7.43

  Golde in the sandes of ry∣uers.
• * 7.44

  Serpentes without ve∣m••ne.
• * 7.45

  Turtle doues Duckes.
• * 7.46

  Popingiayes.
• * 7.47

  Plini.
• * 7.48

  These Ilan∣d••s are parte of India. The Indians are Antipo∣des to the spaniardes.
• * 7.49

  Aristotle.
• * 7.50

  Seneca.
• * 7.51

  India not far from Spaine
• * 7.52

  Mastir.
• * 7.53

  Aloe.
• * 7.54

  Gossampyne cotton or bo••¦base.
• * 7.55

  Seres.
• * 7.56

  The lāguage of these Indi¦ans.
• * 7.57

  Trees and frutes vnkno¦wen to vs.
• * 7.58

  Far & moyste grounde.
• * 7.59

  heate conti∣nuall and tem¦perate.
• * 7.60

  The fru••tful∣nes of hispa∣niola
• * 7.61

  The seconde viage of Co∣lonus.
• * 7.62

  Come and se¦des to sowe,
• * 7.63

  Tooles and artillery.
• * 7.64

  water drop∣pyng from a tree continu∣ally.
• * 7.65

  Methymna Campi.
• * 7.66

  Castella ve∣tu••.
• * 7.67

  Gades
• * 7.68

  The Iland of Ferrea.
• * 7.69

  Ilands of the Canibales.
• * 7.70

  The Iland of Dominica.
• * 7.71

  viii. hundreth & .xx. leaques in .xxi. dayes.
• * 7.72

  Lysertes,
• * 7.73

  The Ilande of Galanta.
• * 7.74

  The Iland of Guadalupea.
• * 7.75

  Uilages of .xx or .••xx. houses.
• * 7.76

  The building of theyr hou∣ses.
• * 7.77

  ••••••ampine ••otton.
• * 7.78

  Bomba••e. han••in••e beddes.
• * 7.79

  Images.
• * 7.80

  Fyne cookery
• * 7.81

  Arrowe heds of bones▪
• * 7.82

  The mount Guadalupus••
• * 7.83

  Carucueria.
• * 7.84

  Popyngayes bygger then phesauntes
• * 7.85

  The Caniba∣les dry••en to flyght.
• * 7.86

  Matinino an I••ande of wo¦men.
• * 7.87

  The Ilandes of Mons Ser¦ratus.
• * 7.88

  hunt••nge for men.
• * 7.89

  Sancta Mari¦a Rotunda.
• * 7.90

  Sanctus Mar¦••inus.
• * 7.91

  Sancta Mari¦a Antiqua,
• * 7.92

  Insula crucis An Ilande of the Canibals
• * 7.93

  The Caniba∣les are ex∣pert archers.
• * 7.94

  Arrowes in∣fected with veneme.
• * 7.95

  A conflict ••ith the Ca∣nib••les.
• * 7.96

  The fierce∣nes and terri∣ble counte∣n••unce of the Canibales.
• * 7.97

  Methymna Campi.
• * 7.98

  Innumerable ilandes.
• * 7.99

  The mynes of Metales & precious sto∣nes.
• * 7.100

  The sea cau∣led Archipe∣lagus▪
• * 7.101

  Insula. S. Io∣hannes o•• Bu¦chena.
• * 7.102

  Death for d••athe
• * 7.103

  The moun∣taynes are coulder then the playnes.
• * 7.104

  From Domini¦ca to hi••pani∣ola fyue hun∣dreth leaques
• * 7.105

  The Spany∣••••des lefte in the Iland are s••ayne. kynge Guac∣canari••lus re¦belleth.
• * 7.106

  Two images of goulde.
• * 7.107

  Libertie and idlenes.
• * 7.108

  A happy kind of lyfe.
• * 7.109

  Superfluite.
• * 7.110

  many haue to much and none inough.
• * 7.111

  The goulden worlde
• * 7.112

  Naked men troubled with ambicion.
• * 7.113

  Gyue place.
• * 7.114

  The Admira sendeth for the kynge.
• * 7.115

  No horses in the Ilandes.
• * 7.116

  A tyme for all thynges.
• * 7.117

  A desperate aduenture of a woman.
• * 7.118

  Cloelia of Rome.
• * 7.119

  Guaccanaril∣lus is sought. ••••l••hior.
• * 7.120

  Popingayes and byrdes
• * 7.121

  Taini.
• * 7.122

  haukes bel∣les▪
• * 7.123

  A large hous
• * 7.124

  Reedes of sū∣dry colours.
• * 7.125

  Caccius.
• * 7.126

  ho••edus and Gorualanus.
• * 7.127

  Golde in ry∣uers faulinge from moun∣taynes.
• * 7.128

  The maner of gathering golde.
• * 7.129

  Graynes of golde.
• * 7.130

  A masse of rude go••de weighinge .ix ounces.
• * 7.131

  Cannaboa, kynge of the house of gold
• * 7.132

  hol••ome wa∣ter and plen∣tie of fysshe.
• * 7.133

  The day and nyght of e∣qual length in Decēber.
• * 7.134

  ••yrdes breed in December
• * 7.135

  The eleuati∣on of the po••e
• * 7.136

  The starres are cauled gardens of the pole,
• * 7.137

  The Equino∣tial lyne.
• * 7.138

  A chapel and preestes.
• * 7.139

  Marchaunts Sirophenici∣ans.
• * 7.140

  The Cyna∣mome tree.
• * 7.141

  Xiloaloes or lignū Aloes.
• * 7.142

  The fable of Phaeton.
• * 7.143

  kynge Ferdi∣nandus and queene Heli∣zabeth
• * 7.144

  hereides. He meaneth the Ilandes.
• * 7.145

  hispaniola.
• * 7.146

  ••phir whe∣ther Salo∣mons ••hips sayled for golde.
• * 7.147

  Isabella.
• * 7.148

  A playne of threescore myles of len∣gthe.
• * 7.149

  A token of maruelous fruitfu••nes,
• * 7.150

  herbes grene at the hole yeare.
• * 7.151

  Suger reeds Plantes and vines.
• * 7.152

  Corne and grayne rype twise a yeare
• * 7.153

  The Region of C••panga or Cibana.
• * 7.154

  Golde.
• * 7.155

  Foure greate ryuers.
• * 7.156

  The golden region of Cibana.
• * 7.157

  Uales and mountaynes.
• * 7.158

  The vale of Cibana.
• * 7.159

  Golde for haukes bels.
• * 7.160

  Graynes end pipple stones of golde.
• * 7.161

  They passe not for golde, in that it is golde onely but. &c.
• * 7.162

  Stones of golde as byg as the heade of a chy••de,
• * 7.163

  Spyces▪
• * 7.164

  wylde Vines of pleasaunte taste.
• * 7.165

  F••uitful moū∣t••ynes.
• * 7.166

  Golde in the landes of ry∣uers faulinge from the moū¦taynes.
• * 7.167

  Libertie and Idelnes.
• * 7.168

  The moun∣taynes are coulde.
• * 7.169

  The Ilande of Cuba.
• * 7.170

  Least any o∣the•• prince. &c
• * 7.171

  Discencion betweene the Portugales and Spani∣ardes.
• * 7.172

  T••e Ilandes o•• Cabouerde o•• hisperides
• * 7.173

  The Portu∣gales viages
• * 7.174

  Alpha and O
• * 7.175

  The ende of the Easte and West.
• * 7.176

  Note. India not far frō Spayne.
• * 7.177

  Saynt Nyco∣las porte.
• * 7.178

  The Iland of Iamaica.
• * 7.179

  Iamaica.
• * 7.180

  Quicke wyt∣ted people.
• * 7.181

  The compo¦seinge of the earth.
• * 7.182

  Aurea Cher∣sonesus, or Malaccha.
• * 7.183

  A secreate of Astronomie.
• * 7.184

  The ryuer of Ganges.
• * 7.185

  Daungerous streightes by reason of ma∣ny Ilandes.
• * 7.186

  The Admi∣ral gaue na∣mes to seuen hundrethe I∣landes.
• * 7.187

  thre thousād Ilandes.
• * 7.188

  A large hauē
• * 7.189

  Rosted fysshe and serpents of .viii. foote longe.
• * 7.190

  Crocodiles of Egypte.
• * 7.191

  Didacus thin∣terpretour.
• * 7.192

  The kynges. fysshers.
• * 7.193

  Serpentes esteemed for delicate mea•• Ophiophagi▪
• * 7.194

  Blossomes & fruites bothe at one tyme.
• * 7.195

  Trees which beare gourds
• * 7.196

  A multitude of Ilandes.
• * 7.197

  hotte water.
• * 7.198

  A straunge kynde of fys¦shynge.
• * 7.199

  A h••ntynge ••ysshe.
• * 7.200

  Abu••••ance of to••oy••es.
• * 7.201

  Fyssher men.
• * 7.202

  The fysshe Guaicanum.
• * 7.203

  humaine peo¦ple.
• * 7.204

  A moun••aine fruitefull and well inhabi∣ted.
• * 7.205

  Dogges of strange shape and dumme.
• * 7.206

  Duckes.
• * 7.207

  hearons
• * 7.208

  Streightes.
• * 7.209

  whyte and thicke water.
• * 7.210

  wooddes of date trees.
• * 7.211

  Men appare∣led like white fryers.
• * 7.212

  grasse almost as hyghe as corne
• * 7.213

  Steppes of wyld beastes feete.
• * 7.214

  Natiue vines
• * 7.215

  Trees bea∣ringe spyces and sweete fruites.
• * 7.216

  Greate Cra∣nes.
• * 7.217

  Dyuers lan∣guages in the Ilande of Cuba.
• * 7.218

  Pearles in ••helfysshes.
• * 7.219

  The sea en∣tangeled with Ilandes
• * 7.220

  Euangelista.
• * 7.221

  A multitude of great tor∣toyses
• * 7.222

  A goufe of whyte water humaine peo¦ple.
• * 7.223

  Stock doues of more plea∣saunt tast thē partriches.
• * 7.224

  The humani¦tie of a reue∣rende owlde gouernour.
• * 7.225

  An oration of the naked go¦uernour.
• * 7.226

  Theyr opini∣on of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of man.
• * 7.227

  Desyre of golde founde that which re¦ligion coulde not fynde.
• * 7.228

  Virtus post num∣mos. &c.
• * 7.229

  The Iland as common as the sunne and water.
• * 7.230

  The golden worlde.
• * 7.231

  Prouisiō with¦out care.
• * 7.232

  Simple diete
• * 7.233

  The Iland of Iamaica.
• * 7.234

  hispaniola.
• * 7.235

  The Cani∣bales.
• * 7.236

  Sickenes of to much wat∣chinge.
• * 7.237

  Easte India.
• * 7.238

  The Spany∣arde•• rebelle in the Admi∣r••ls absence.
• * 7.239

  The kynges of the Ilande rebell.
• * 7.240

  The Spani∣ardes m••sbe∣hauour.
• * 7.241

  Guarionexius the kynge of the greatyale Didacus the interpretour
• * 7.242

  Caunaboa, the kynge of the house of golde.
• * 7.243

  Capitayne ho¦ieda.
• * 7.244

  kynge Cauna¦boa, ••ad s••ain the Spany∣arde••.
• * 7.245

  Caunaboa cō¦spireth the Admiralle•• death.
• * 7.246

  Fayre worde make fooles fayne.
• * 7.247

  Famine in the Ilande of his¦paniola.
• * 7.248

  The hunger of golde cau∣seth great famine.
• * 7.249

  The towre of conception.
• * 7.250

  A masse of gold weigh∣inge .xx. oun∣ces.
• * 7.251

  Tofus.
• * 7.252

  Electrum is a metall natu∣rally mix•• of one portion of golde & an¦other of ••iluer beinge of pro¦pertie to be∣wray poyson, and was ther¦fore in owlde tyme in grea∣ter estimation then golde.
• * 7.253

  The myne of Electrum.
• * 7.254

  An other kynde of am∣ber is taken out of greate whale fishes
• * 7.255

  Orpement or oker.
• * 7.256

  wooddes of brasile trees.
• * 7.257

  Causes of hinderance.
• * 7.258

  Licenciusnes of to much l••∣bertie
• * 7.259

  And this on∣ly gathered & not digged out of the bo∣di of the min••
• * 7.260

  The people make ••u••••li∣ca••ion to st••d to their tri∣bute
• * 7.261

  Famine.
• * 7.262

  The nature of the Region dispo••eth the maner of the people.
• * 7.263

  kynge Cauna¦boa in capti∣uitie.
• * 7.264

  The persuasi¦on of Cauna∣boa.
• * 7.265

  Caunaboa his brother rebelleth.
• * 7.266

  A conflict be∣twene the Ci¦bauians and the Spany∣ardes.
• * 7.267

  The Cibaui∣ans haue the ouerthrowe.
• * 7.268

  A great tem∣pest in the mo¦neth of Iune.
• * 7.269

  Three ships drowned ly∣inge at anker
• * 7.270

  whyrle wyn∣des.
• * 7.271

  Furacanes.
• * 7.272

  The death of kynge Cauna¦b••a and his brother.
• * 7.273

  Bartholome¦us Colonus th•• ••eauete∣••a••nt sear∣••he•••• the go••d•• ••••nes.
• * 7.274

  The golde mynes of Sa¦lomon.
• * 7.275

  Golde in the superficiall partes of the earth.
• * 7.276

  The Admiral taketh his vi∣age to spaine
• * 7.277

  The golden towre.
• * 7.278

  Lacke of vy∣tayles.
• * 7.279

  huntinge houndes.
• * 7.280

  kynge Mani∣cautexius.
• * 7.281

  Uytayles browght frō Spayne.
• * 7.282

  Saynt Domi∣nikes towre.
• * 7.283

  Groues of date trees.
• * 7.284

  Isabe••l••.
• * 7.285

  The ryuer of Naiba
• * 7.286

  wooddes of brasile trees.
• * 7.287

  kinge Beuchi¦us Anacau∣choa.
• * 7.288

  The palaice of ••aragua.
• * 7.289

  Mountaynes without gold
• * 7.290

  Tribute.
• * 7.291

  The woolfe entreateth. the sheepe.
• * 7.292

  hempe and gossampine cotton.
• * 7.293

  howe the Lieuetenant was recea∣ued at the kynges pa∣laice.
• * 7.294

  The kinges wyues.
• * 7.295

  well fauered women.
• * 7.296

  Dryades.
• * 7.297

  A delicate supper.
• * 7.298

  hanginge beddes.
• * 7.299

  A common haule.
• * 7.300

  A pretie pastyme.
• * 7.301

  Foure men slaine in ••port
• * 7.302

  Prouision for diseased men
• * 7.303

  The castels or towres of hispaniola.
• * 7.304

  The golden mountaynes of Cibaua.
• * 7.305

  Bonauum
• * 7.306

  Tribute.
• * 7.307

  The kynges rebelle.
• * 7.308

  Guarionexius capitaine of the conspira∣cie.
• * 7.309

  An army of xv thou••ande Barbarians.
• * 7.310

  The kynges are taken p••••¦soners.
• * 7.311

  kynge Guari∣onexius is pardoned.
• * 7.312

  Lacke of vy∣tayles.
• * 7.313

  Beuchius A∣nacauchoa, the kynge of Xaragua.
• * 7.314

  Queene Ana∣caona, the wife of kynge Caunaboa.
• * 7.315

  xxx••i. kynges.
• * 7.316

  Serpentes eaten.
• * 7.317

  The dressing of serpentes to be eaten.
• * 7.318

  Serpentes egges eaten.
• * 7.319

  Gossampine cotton.
• * 7.320

  ••ueene Ana¦caona.
• * 7.321

  The treasurie of Queene Anacaona.
• * 7.322

  hebene woodde.
• * 7.323

  The Ilande of Guanabba
• * 7.324

  Conninge ar∣tificers.
• * 7.325

  A stone in the steede of Iren
• * 7.326

  Gunnes.
• * 7.327

  Musical in∣strumentes.
• * 7.328

  Ignorance causeth admi¦ration.
• * 7.329

  Roldanus Xe¦minus.
• * 7.330

  The intempe¦rancie and malice of a seruile witte aduaunced.
• * 7.331

  Cignaian••▪
• * 7.332

  Maiobanexi∣us, the great kynge of the mountaynes
• * 7.333

  The inhaby∣tantes of the mountaynes.
• * 7.334

  Guarionexi∣us rebelleth ageyne.
• * 7.335

  Roldanus Xe¦minus rebel∣leth.
• * 7.336

  Licenciou••∣nes in l••berte
• * 7.337

  hercules pyllers.
• * 7.338

  A violente persasion.
• * 7.339

  The furie of guarionexius
• * 7.340

  The thyrde vyage of ••o∣lenus the Ad¦mirall.
• * 7.341

  Frenche mē pyrats.
• * 7.342

  The Iland of Madera.
• * 7.343

  The Admiral ayleth to the Equinoctiall.
• * 7.344

  ••ixii. Ilandes of hesperi∣des, now cau¦led Cabouer∣de.
• * 7.345

  healynge of the leper.
• * 7.346

  Contagious ayre and ex∣treeme heate
• * 7.347

  The pole ele∣uate .v. de∣grees.
• * 7.348

  The starres placed in o∣ther order.
• * 7.349

  A sea rysyng lyke a moun∣tayne.
• * 7.350

  heate cau∣seth the bar∣rels to breke.
• * 7.351

  Swete sa∣uours procea¦dynge frome the lande.
• * 7.352

  The Iland of Puta.
• * 7.353

  People of ly corporature & longe heare nere the E∣quin••ctiall.
• * 7.354

  The higher the coulder.
• * 7.355

  Difference be¦twene people of one c••ime. Ethiopia.
• * 7.356

  Note the cause of difference.
• * 7.357

  Musical instru¦mentes.
• * 7.358

  The violent course of the water from the Easte to the Weste.
• * 7.359

  The goulfe cauled Os Draconis.
• * 7.360

  A conflict be∣twene the fre••he water & the salte.
• * 7.361

  A sea of fresh water.
• * 7.362

  marmasets & monkeys.
• * 7.363

  The fayre & large region of paria.
• * 7.364

  Temperate ayer and frut¦ful grounde.
• * 7.365

  Sweete s••∣uours procea¦dynge frome the lande.
• * 7.366

  humayne people.
• * 7.367

  Cheynes and garlandes of gold & perles
• * 7.368

  Baskettes ful of pearles, I knowe who had bags ful.
• * 7.369

  howe the Ad¦mirals men were enter∣teyned.
• * 7.370

  cheyers and st••les of he∣bene.
• * 7.371

  Fruites and wyne.
• * 7.372

  wyne of the lycour of fruites.
• * 7.373

  whyte men nere the Equi¦noctial
• * 7.374

  mountaynes are the matri¦ces of golde.
• * 7.375

  Canibales
• * 7.376

  Shalownes of the sea,
• * 7.377

  The vse of careuelles or brigantines.
• * 7.378

  Cumana and Manacapana regions of the prouince of Paria. Curiana.
• * 7.379

  A ryuer of maruelous depth and bredth.
• * 7.380

  A ••ea of wee∣des.
• * 7.381

  Lentiscus.
• * 7.382

  Mastix.
• * 7.383

  The eleuati∣on of the pole at Paria.
• * 7.384

  Note a se∣cre••te as con¦cerning the pole starre.
• * 7.385

  An experiēce
• * 7.386

  A maruelous secreate.
• * 7.387

  That the earth is not perfectly rownde.
• * 7.388

  paradise is in the moun∣taynes of pa∣ria.
• * 7.389

  Looke the nin••h booke seconde de∣cade.
• * 7.390

  Paria is part of the firme lande of india
• * 7.391

  Tyme reuea∣leth al things
• * 7.392

  Paria more southewarde then hispani∣ola
• * 7.393

  The spany∣ardes rebe••l in the Admi∣rals absence
• * 7.394

  The Spany∣ardes accu••e the Admirall.
• * 7.395

  The Admira¦les answere.
• * 7.396

  In••olencie & idelnes of li∣bertie.
• * 7.397

  These had the cust••••••es of the tēp••ts.
• * 7.398

  A cruel and deuel••she pa∣styme.
• * 7.399

  kynge Guari∣onerius is ca∣pitaine of .vi. thousand Ci∣guauians.
• * 7.400

  Pie••i Agathyrsi.
• * 7.401

  Naked men painted with the ioyce of certē fruites.
• * 7.402

  heare made longe & black by arte.
• * 7.403

  The vse of targettes.
• * 7.404

  The Ci••uani an•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dryuē to ••l••ght.
• * 7.405

  kynge Maio∣banexius.
• * 7.406

  An army of viii. thousand Ciguau••a••••.
• * 7.407

  A Larome.
• * 7.408

  The Ciguaui¦ans out to f••yght ageine
• * 7.409

  The Lieuete¦naunt his am¦bassage to kynge Maio∣banexius.
• * 7.410

  kynge Guari∣onexius.
• * 7.411

  Maiobanexi∣us h••s an∣swere.
• * 7.412

  Natural ha∣tred of vyce.
• * 7.413

  The Lieuete¦naunte•• gen∣telnes toward Ma••obanexius
• * 7.414

  A rare fayth∣fulnes in a barbarous kynge.
• * 7.415

  The Lieuete¦nauntes mes∣sengers are slayne.
• * 7.416

  A•• the k••nges are dryuen to ••lyght.
• * 7.417

  The Spany∣ardes are peinful in the warres.
• * 7.418

  A desperate aduenture with .xxx. men
• * 7.419

  A police,
• * 7.420

  kynge Maio∣banexius is taken.
• * 7.421

  Guarionexius is taken.
• * 7.422

  A Bewtifull woman.
• * 7.423

  A kynge sen∣deth the lieue¦tenaunt fyue thousand mē to tyll the grownde.
• * 7.424

  The kynges submit them selues to the Lieuetenaunt
• * 7.425

  A newe go∣uen••our of the ilande.
• * 7.426

  An vnwoor∣thy r••warde fo•• soo greate paynes.
• * 7.427

  The Ocean sea heretofore vnknowen.
• * 7.428

  Shipmasters vnder the Ad¦miral.
• * 7.429

  The fifte por∣tion dewe to the kynge.
• * 7.430

  The na••igati¦on of Petrus A••phonsus.
• * 7.431

  Paria.
• * 7.432

  Cumana.
• * 7.433

  Manacapana▪
• * 7.434

  Curiana.
• * 7.435

  Perles for try¦fels.
• * 7.436

  Great plentie of pearles.
• * 7.437

  humayne people.
• * 7.438

  Shel fy••hes in which per∣les are engen∣d••••d
• * 7.439

  Beastes and foules.
• * 7.440

  hunters and archers.
• * 7.441

  Theyr maner of bargening
• * 7.442

  The vse of pynnes.
• * 7.443

  haukes bels in great esti∣mation.
• * 7.444

  Roringe of Wyld beastes
• * 7.445

  hartes and wyl•• bores.
• * 7.446

  Blacke and curlde heare. White teethe.
• * 7.447

  Earthen Ues∣sels.
• * 7.448

  Conninge a••¦t••ficers.
• * 7.449

  Base golde.
• * 7.450

  A strange m••¦ner of coue∣ringe theyr pr••¦uities.
• * 7.451

  Tokēs of the continent or firme lande.
• * 7.452

  The g••••den Regiō of Cau¦chieta.
• * 7.453

  Temperate ayer ••n No∣uember.
• * 7.454

  The Equinoc¦tial lyne.
• * 7.455

  humane peo∣ple.
• * 7.456

  Gossampine trees.
• * 7.457

  Chorlyshe people
• * 7.458

  Alphōsus re∣turneth to Paria.
• * 7.459

  Can••bales in the goulfes of Paria.
• * 7.460

  Death for death.
• * 7.461

  howe the ca∣nibales forti∣fie their cāpe
• * 7.462

  Haraia.
• * 7.463

  Salte engen∣dred of the water of the sea.
• * 7.464

  Sprynges of of salt water.
• * 7.465

  The bodies of princes dry¦ed & reserued
• * 7.466

  Threescore & xvi. poundes weight of per¦les for .v. shil∣lynges.
• * 7.467

  The course of the sea to∣ward the weste.
• * 7.468

  perles as cō∣mō as chaffe ••etrus Alphō¦sus in prison.
• * 7.469

  Orient perles as bygge as hasel nuttes.
• * 7.470

  Curiana
• * 7.471

  Os Draconis.
• * 7.472

  Cumana.
• * 7.473

  Manacapana.
• * 7.474

  The Iland of Margarita.
• * 7.475

  The nauigati¦on of vincenti¦us and Aries Pinzonus.
• * 7.476

  Licence and passeporte.
• * 7.477

  Cales. Ciuile.
• * 7.478

  The Ilandes of Canarie
• * 7.479

  Cabouerde.
• * 7.480

  s. Iames I∣lande.
• * 7.481

  The North pole owte of syght.
• * 7.482

  habitable Re¦gions vnder the Equinoc∣tial lyne.
• * 7.483

  An other or∣der of starres A thycke mist
• * 7.484

  A rysinge in the myddest of the earth.
• * 7.485

  People of hygh stature.
• * 7.486

  A vagabunde kynde of men
• * 7.487

  Giantes.
• * 7.488

  Desperate bouldenes.
• * 7.489

  A sea of fres∣she water.
• * 7.490

  Many fruite∣full Ilandes.
• * 7.491

  humane people.
• * 7.492

  Mariatāball.
• * 7.493

  Camomorus.
• * 7.494

  Paricora.
• * 7.495

  Regions of Paria.
• * 7.496

  Golde and perles.
• * 7.497

  Os Draconis.
• * 7.498

  Cumana.
• * 7.499

  Manacapana.
• * 7.500

  Curiana
• * 7.501

  The hole earth largely tak••••▪ maye bee cauled an Ilande.
• * 7.502

  Maragnonus a ryuer of ex∣cead••nge bread••h and full of Ilands looke decade ••i. liber. ix.
• * 7.503

  Boriostomea, and Spirio∣s••omea▪ mou∣thes of the ryuer of Da∣nubius,
• * 7.504

  The commo∣dities of the Regions and Ilandes a∣bout Paria. Brasile.
• * 7.505

  Mani fruitful Ilandes lefte desolate.
• * 7.506

  Canibales.
• * 7.507

  Trees of Cas¦sia fistula.
• * 7.508

  Trees of mar¦uelous bygge¦nes.
• * 7.509

  A monstrou•• be••ste.
• * 7.510

  Alteracion of ayer & chāge of meate
• * 7.511

  Cathay in In¦dia beyonde the ryuer of Ganges
• * 7.512

  A shipwracke by tempest.
• * 7.513

  Extreme re∣medie in a desperat case
• * 7.514

  Cinamome and gynger
• * 7.515

  Topases.
• * 7.516

  Men of noble corage.
• * 7.517

  A nother vyage
• * 7.518

  Animae album.
• * 7.519

  The supersti∣tions of his∣paniola.
• * 7.520

  The errours of the owlde gentilitie.
• * 7.521

  The grace of renouation.
• * 7.522

  Ramonus an heremyte.
• * 7.523

  Ido••atry and Idoles.
• * 7.524

  Illu••ions of euyl spirites.
• * 7.525

  Images of gossamp••ne cotton.
• * 7.526

  zemes.
• * 7.527

  younge de∣uyls.
• * 7.528

  Mediatours.
• * 7.529

  Only one god eternall.
• * 7.530

  The names of god.
• * 7.531

  The father of god.
• * 7.532

  The originall of man kynde
• * 7.533

  Fables much lyke Ouide his transfor∣mations.
• * 7.534

  The original of Miroba∣lane trees.
• * 7.535

  The nightin∣gale.
• * 7.536

  The Iland of Mathinino.
• * 7.537

  Children tur∣ned into frog¦ges.
• * 7.538

  A speciall grace.
• * 7.539

  holy reliques
• * 7.540

  women are slippery cat∣tayle.
• * 7.541

  Al wisedome gothe not by age.
• * 7.542

  here nedeth sum tropolo∣gicall inter∣pretour.
• * 7.543

  Myrmidones
• * 7.544

  Preachers for the deuyl.
• * 7.545

  A vengeable greate gourd.
• * 7.546

  The originall of the sea.
• * 7.547

  The originall of Ilandes.
• * 7.548

  A holy caue.
• * 7.549

  Images.
• * 7.550

  The originall of the soone and moone.
• * 7.551

  Pylgramage.
• * 7.552

  walkynge sprytes.
• * 7.553

  Incubi.
• * 7.554

  A remedye a∣geynst wal∣kyng sprites.
• * 7.555

  Phantasies proceadynge of feare.
• * 7.556

  Al is not good that is owlde
• * 7.557

  Syngynge & playinge
• * 7.558

  Preestes and diuines.
• * 7.559

  Phisitians.
• * 7.560

  Ignorance is noryshed with super∣st••tion.
• * 7.561

  Fastynge and outward clen¦lynes.
• * 7.562

  A pouder of maruelous effecte.
• * 7.563

  Iuggelynge.
• * 7.564

  A strange ma¦••er of curing
• * 7.565

  Angery gods
• * 7.566

  They make the deade to speake.
• * 7.567

  Diuers Idols of sundry shape.
• * 7.568

  Fayries or spi¦rites of the gentyles.
• * 7.569

  Peculier goddes.
• * 7.570

  They aske cō¦saile of Ido••s
• * 7.571

  The ••ouder of the herbe Cohobba.
• * 7.572

  Secreate mi∣steries.
• * 7.573

  Reuelations.
• * 7.574

  The spirite of Apollo.
• * 7.575

  The Sibilles
• * 7.576

  I haue harde the lyke of o∣ther in Eng∣lande.
• * 7.577

  hungery and ••echerous Gods.
• * 7.578

  Childrē with two crownes
• * 7.579

  wanderinge Images.
• * 7.580

  Mediatours,
• * 7.581

  A woman ze∣mes of great poure.
• * 7.582

  Fyue dayes fastinge.
• * 7.583

  A maruelous il••usion of the deuyll.
• * 7.584

  The deuyll sumtyme tel∣leth truth.
• * 7.585

  The Idols abolyshed.
• * 7.586

  The Lawe of nature.
• * 7.587

  Milayne in the hands of the frenchmē
• * 7.588

  Epistel books
• * 7.589

  The historye folowing, con¦teyneth the actes of ten yeare.
• * 7.590

  Paria, part of the firme lād of East India
• * 7.591

  Golde & fran∣kensence.
• * 7.592

  The fierce∣nes of the na¦ked people.
• * 7.593

  Innumerable beastes vn∣lyke vnto owres.
• * 7.594

  Nothing hurt¦full in the I∣landes.
• * 7.595

  Battes as bygge as tur∣tle doues.
• * 7.596

  A man deuou¦red of a mon∣ster of the sea
• * 7.597

  The Spany∣ardes profer them selues to subdue the newe landes.
• * 7.598

  Note the lar∣genes of the newe landes.
• * 7.599

  Commendaci¦on of the Spaniardes.
• * 7.600

  Antipodes.
• * 7.601

  The autours excusse.
• * 7.602

  Hispaniola.
• * 7.603

  The nature of the place, al∣tereth the for¦mes and qua∣lities of thynges. Wheate. herbes. Catayle,
• * 7.604

  hogges.
• * 7.605

  Plentie of beastes and fou••e.
• * 7.606

  Cuba, is an Ilande.
• * 7.607

  The descrip∣tion of Cuba.
• * 7.608

  The Iland of Burichema or S. Iohannis.
• * 7.609

  Golde mynes
• * 7.610

  The order of woorkynge in the golde mynes.
• * 7.611

  The kynges brynge theyr subiectes to woorke in the golde mynes.
• * 7.612

  Tyllage.
• * 7.613

  They abhorre laboure
• * 7.614

  They are do∣cible.
• * 7.615

  The kynges chyldren.
• * 7.616

  The two chiefe golde myres of his¦paniola.
• * 7.617

  Golde founde in the vpper part of the earth.
• * 7.618

  A piece of golde weigh∣inge three thousande three hūdreth & ten pounds. A coastly ship¦wrake.
• * 7.619

  Pesus.
• * 7.620

  The fynynge and 〈…〉〈…〉 of go••de.
• * 7.621

  Three hun∣dreth thousād weyght of gold molten yerely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••is∣paniola.
• * 7.622

  Controuerses
• * 7.623

  The newe landes.
• * 7.624

  The Spany∣ardes noble enterpryses. are not inferi¦our to the actes of her∣cules or Sa∣turnus. &c.
• * 7.625

  Enlarging of the Christian Religion
• * 7.626

  The originall of trewe nobi¦litie.
• * 7.627

  The Ilande of Guanassa
• * 7.628

  The vyage of Iohannes Diaz.
• * 8.1

  west Antipo∣des.
• * 8.2

  The ••ncrea••e of the Christi∣an congrega∣tion.
• * 8.3

  Christophorus Colonus.
• * 8.4

  Of landes di∣stante frō the Equinoctiall from fyue de¦grees to ten.
• * 8.5

  The death of Colonus.
• * 8.6

  A generall lycence.
• * 8.7

  The nauigati¦on of Alphon¦sus Fogeda.
• * 8.8

  Portus Cartha¦ginis.
• * 8.9

  The Region of Caramairi▪
• * 8.10

  People of goodly stature
• * 8.11

  Apples whi∣che turne in∣to woo••mes.
• * 8.12

  A tree whose shadowe is hurtfull.
• * 8.13

  Fogeda his autoritie con∣firmed by the kynges let∣ters patents.
• * 8.14

  warlyke people.
• * 8.15

  The Spany¦ardes haue the ou••r¦throwe.
• * 8.16

  Arrowes in∣fected with poyson.
• * 8.17

  The nauigati¦on of Diego Nicuesa.
• * 8.18

  The regions of vraba and ••eragua.
• * 8.19

  The Spany∣ardes reuēge the death of theyr compa∣nyons.
• * 8.20

  A greate slawghter.
• * 8.21

  Canibales.
• * 8.22

  The hunger of golde.
• * 8.23

  The Ilande Fo••tis.
• * 8.24

  wrought gold
• * 8.25

  Caribana.
• * 8.26

  A gold myne.
• * 8.27

  The Spany∣ardes are re∣pulsed.
• * 8.28

  Fogeda i•• wounded.
• * 8.29

  Ransome.
• * 8.30

  Fogeda con∣sumeth by force of the Beragua and Uraba.
• * 8.31

  Nicuesa.
• * 8.32

  The goulfe Coiba.
• * 8.33

  Dyuers lan∣guages.
• * 8.34

  Bergantines or brigāt••nes.
• * 8.35

  Barnardino de 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 8.36

  Ancisus.
• * 8.37

  Fogeda re∣turneth to hispaniola.
• * 8.38

  Famyne
• * 8.39

  A brigantine drowned with the stroke of a fyshe.
• * 8.40

  The Ilande Fortis.
• * 8.41

  Ancisus.
• * 8.42

  The Region of Cuchiba∣coa.
• * 8.43

  Boiū gatti.
• * 8.44

  Mountaynes couered with snowe.
• * 8.45

  Serra Neuata.
• * 8.46

  Os Draconis.
• * 8.47

  Riche in gold and pore in breade.
• * 8.48

  The Region of Caramairi
• * 8.49

  Feare on both partes.
• * 8.50

  Ship w••ygh∣tes.
• * 8.51

  The vse of targettes a∣genst vene∣mous ar∣rowes.
• * 8.52

  The barbari∣an•• haue res∣pect to iustice
• * 8.53

  Salted fi••he.
• * 8.54

  wyne of fr••t••s and see••es.
• * 8.55

  Vr••••a.
• * 8.56

  Art••ller••e.
• * 8.57

  Ancisus ship w••acke.
• * 8.58

  Meale. chee∣••es, & bysket.
• * 8.59

  A groue of date trees.
• * 8.60

  wylde bores.
• * 8.61

  Apples of a strange kynd
• * 8.62

  Ceders of Libane.
• * 8.63

  Sorbes are cauled in french Cou••••¦er they grow not in Eng∣lande.
• * 8.64

  The frute cauled ••i••i∣pha or Iuiuba Canibales.
• * 8.65

  Men of des∣perat bold∣nes.
• * 8.66

  The goulfe of Uraba.
• * 8.67

  The great ry¦uer of Dariē, fauleth into the goulfe of Uraba.
• * 8.68

  Prayer and vowes.
• * 8.69

  The souldi∣ers make an othe.
• * 8.70

  The barba∣rians are dry¦uen to flight.
• * 8.71

  Chestnuttes.
• * 8.72

  The ryuer of Darien, but viii. degrees from the E¦quinoctial.
• * 8.73

  Golde founde in a thicket of reedes.
• * 8.74

  Sheetes of gossampine.
• * 8.75

  Breste plates of golde.
• * 8.76

  The golden Reg••on•• are for the moste pa••te baren.
• * 8.77

  Fogeda, the Lieuetenaunt of Uraba.
• * 8.78

  Nicuesa the Lieuetenaunt of Beragua.
• * 8.79

  Nicuesa loste his felowes in the night.
• * 8.80

  Lupus Olanus
• * 8.81

  Petrus de vmbria
• * 8.82

  The capitay∣nes consu••te where to find theyr lost go∣uernour.
• * 8.83

  The ryuer Lagartos.
• * 8.84

  The golden ryuer of Be∣ragua.
• * 8.85

  The enter∣prise & death of Petrus de Umbria.
• * 8.86

  The daunge∣rous place of Scilla in the sea of Cicilie.
• * 8.87

  Swymminge
• * 8.88

  The fyssher boate of Ni∣cuesa his ca∣rauele.
• * 8.89

  The misera∣ble case of Nicuesa.
• * 8.90

  The Region of Gratia Dei or Cerabaro.
• * 8.91

  The ryuer of Sancti Mat∣thei.
• * 8.92

  The rigo∣rousnes of Nicuesa.
• * 8.93

  Come wa••eth rype euery fourth month
• * 8.94

  The commen¦dacion of a younge man browght vp with Colonus
• * 8.95

  Portus Bellus.
• * 8.96

  weakenes of hunger.
• * 8.97

  Cap Marmor.
• * 8.98

  Nomen Dei.
• * 8.99

  Nicuesa his men cōsumed
• * 8.100

  Contencion a¦bout the lieue¦tenauntship of Uraba.
• * 8.101

  Ua••chus Nun¦nez moneth sedition.
• * 8.102

  Ancisus lieue¦tenaunt for Fogeda.
• * 8.103

  Nicu••sa.
• * 8.104

  Rodericus Col∣menaris.
• * 8.105

  The nauiga∣tion of Rode∣ricus Colme∣naris.
• * 8.106

  Cuchibacoa.
• * 8.107

  The ryuer Gaira.
• * 8.108

  An exceding hygh moun∣tayne coue∣red with snowe.
• * 8.109

  Appareled men.
• * 8.110

  Seuen and forty Spany∣ardes are s••aine with venemous arrowes.
• * 8.111

  Ierua.
• * 8.112

  A remedy a∣genste vene∣mous arrows
• * 8.113

  Seuen men left behynde.
• * 8.114

  The hauen of Uraba.
• * 8.115

  The gou••fe of Uraba.
• * 8.116

  Dariena.
• * 8.117

  Famen.
• * 8.118

  what became of the conten¦cion of Uraba
• * 8.119

  Beragua.
• * 8.120

  Nicuesa is sought foorth
• * 8.121

  Nicuesa is founde in a miserable case.
• * 8.122

  In••olencie of to much felici¦tie.
• * 8.123

  Nicuesa fau∣leth from one miserie into an other.
• * 8.124

  The greatest part ouercom¦meth the best
• * 8.125

  The death of Nicuesa.
• * 8.126

  Famen enfor∣seth them to faule to spoy∣lynge.
• * 8.127

  Uaschus vsur¦peth thautori¦t••e of the Lieuetenant∣shippe.
• * 8.128

  Careta, k••nge of Coiba.
• * 8.129

  kynge Careta is taken and spoyled.
• * 8.130

  hunger is the best sauce.
• * 8.131

  Wyne & thine the seedes of al mischefe.
• * 8.132

  Ancisus, lieue¦tenaunt for Fogeda is cast in prison.
• * 8.133

  Anci••us ta∣keth his vy∣age to hispa∣niola.
• * 8.134

  The reueng of God.
• * 8.135

  The inconue¦niences of discorde.
• * 8.136

  The sonne & heyr•• of Colo¦nus, is Admi¦rall and vice∣roy of hispa∣niola.
• * 8.137

  Valdiuia.
• * 8.138

  zamudius & Ancisus, take their vyage to Spayne.
• * 8.139

  kinge Pōcha.
• * 8.140

  Swoordes of woodde.
• * 8.141

  kynge Careta conspireth with the Spa¦nyardes a∣genst kynge Poncha.
• * 8.142

  wrought gold
• * 8.143

  The region of Comogra, distant frome Dariena xxx. leaques.
• * 8.144

  kynge Como∣grus.
• * 8.145

  The kynges palaice.
• * 8.146

  wyne & syder
• * 8.147

  Blacke wine.
• * 8.148

  The bo••yes of deade kyn¦ges, religious¦ly honoured.
• * 8.149

  Penat••s.
• * 8.150

  The carcases of men dryed
• * 8.151

  The kynges sonne a yonge man of excel¦lent wytte,
• * 8.152

  Foure thou¦sande vnces of wrought golde.
• * 8.153

  The distribu¦tion of golde.
• * 8.154

  Young Como∣grus his ora∣tion.
• * 8.155

  The hunger of golde.
• * 8.156

  A reg••on flo∣winge wyth golde.
• * 8.157

  kynge Tuma¦nama.
• * 8.158

  Canibales.
• * 8.159

  The golde mynes of the mountaynes.
• * 8.160

  Unwrought golde not este¦med.
• * 8.161

  Exchaunge.
• * 8.162

  Abundance of golde.
• * 8.163

  householde stuffe of gold
• * 8.164

  Naked peo∣ple tormēted with ambitiō
• * 8.165

  A vehement persuasion.
• * 8.166

  A token of hunger.
• * 8.167

  kynge Como∣grus is bapti¦sed with his famely.
• * 8.168

  Ualdiuia re∣turneth from hispaniola.
• * 8.169

  horrible thun¦der and ••ight¦nynge in the moneth of Nouember.
• * 8.170

  Bread of Ma¦izius & hobba
• * 8.171

  Digestion strengthened by owtwarde colde.
• * 8.172

  hunger.
• * 8.173

  A newe sup∣ply of a thou∣sande souldy∣ers.
• * 8.174

  Marcha.
• * 8.175

  Pesus.
• * 8.176

  A thousande and fyue hun¦dreth pounds weyght of wrought gold
• * 8.177

  The goulfe of Uraba.
• * 8.178

  Culata.
• * 8.179

  Uaschus sear¦cheth the goulfe of Ura¦ba.
• * 8.180

  A maruelous great ryuer▪ faulyng into the g••u••fe of Uraba.
• * 8.181

  kynge Daba∣iba and ••he∣macchus, are dryuen to flyght.
• * 8.182

  Marysshe grounde
• * 8.183

  wrought gold wheyghynge vii. thousand Castellane••.
• * 8.184

  Battes as bygge as tur¦tle doue••.
• * 8.185

  Ancisus byt∣ten of a batte
• * 8.186

  Remedies a¦geynst vene∣mous arrows
• * 8.187

  A tempest.
• * 8.188

  Colmenaris taketh his vy¦age towarde the montains
• * 8.189

  kynge Turui.
• * 8.190

  The Iland of Cannafistula.
• * 8.191

  She ryuer or Riuu•• Niger. A to••••e of v. hundreth houses.
• * 8.192

  Th••nhabitan∣tes of the west ••yde of the goulfe.
• * 8.193

  kynge Abena¦machei, is ta∣ken and his arme cut of.
• * 8.194

  Many other ryuers fau∣ling into Ri∣uus Niger.
• * 8.195

  kyng abibei∣ba dwellethe in a tree.
• * 8.196

  Abundance of moyster & heat is cause of byggenes.
• * 8.197

  The rysynge of the Ocean sea.
• * 8.198

  Trees of mar¦uelous height
• * 8.199

  Plinie.
• * 8.200

  Frutefull grounde.
• * 8.201

  Cellers in the grounde.
• * 8.202

  Abibeiba, the kynge of the tree, yeldethe to Uaschus.
• * 8.203

  Gold no more estemed then stones.
• * 8.204

  Canibales.
• * 8.205

  kyng Abraib••
• * 8.206

  Abraiba cau∣seth the kyn∣ges to rebell.
• * 8.207

  Men good enowgh yf they had ••ren
• * 8.208

  The kynges are dryuen to flyght.
• * 8.209

  Captyues.
• * 8.210

  A garyson of xxx. men.
• * 8.211

  xviii. Spany∣ardes slayne and drowned
• * 8.212

  The kinges which conspi¦red the death of the Christi∣ans.
• * 8.213

  A strange chaunce.
• * 8.214

  Vaschus.
• * 8.215

  women can keepe no coun••ayle.
• * 8.216

  An army of C¦••anoas and lyue. W••men
• * 8.217

  Tryu••phe before victory
• * 8.218

  Affection cor∣ru••teth trew iudgement.
• * 8.219

  The con••pi∣r••ti•• of the kynges is de∣tected.
• * 8.220

  kyng Cemac∣chus, con••••••¦reth the o••th of Uaschus.
• * 8.221

  Ua••chus pur¦seweth the kynges with threescore & ten men.
• * 8.222

  Colmenaris ••acketh the vylage of Ci¦chiri.
• * 8.223

  Fyue rulers hanged and shot th••owgh with arrows.
• * 8.224

  The golden region•• on the south side the moun∣taynes.
• * 8.225

  The death of Ualdiuia and zamudius.
• * 8.226

  Iohannes Quiced••s is sent to Spain
• * 8.227

  Chaunge of the ayer is daungerous.
• * 8.228

  Rodericus Colmenaris assist••nt wi•••• Quicedus.
• * 8.229

  A wyfe is a hynderance
• * 8.230

  Cub••.
• * 8.231

  Three moo∣••eth•••• ••rom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Cuba, by rea∣••on of tepest••
• * 8.232

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 8.233

  hurt of la∣uyshenes of the tonge.
• * 8.234

  The calami∣tie & death of Fogeda.
• * 8.235

  Maladies & famen.
• * 8.236

  The prospe∣rous vyage of Ancisus.
• * 8.237

  A kyng of Cu¦ba ••aptised by the name of Commen∣dator.
• * 8.238

  Ancisus
• * 8.239

  A maruelou•• historie howe God wrought miracles by the simple fayth of a maryner.
• * 8.240

  Be not rashe in iudgement
• * 8.241

  Zemes,
• * 8.242

  A chapel buil¦ded to the pic¦ture of the virgin Mary
• * 8.243

  God re••pec∣teth the infan¦cie of fa••the for zeles sake
• * 8.244

  One Religion turned into an other, hol∣deth styl ma∣ny th••nges of the fyrst.
• * 8.245

  A strange fan¦tasie.
• * 8.246

  The effect of godly zeale.
• * 8.247

  A miracle in the tyme of the battayle
• * 8.248

  The virgin Mary▪ is pre∣sent at the battayle.
• * 8.249

  A maruelus experience of fayth
• * 8.250

  Muche lyke vnto this, is redde in. Reg. xviii.
• * 8.251

  The deuil ap¦peareth in his lykenes
• * 8.252

  An other mi∣racle.
• * 8.253

  Math. 14.
• * 8.254

  The deuyl ap¦pereth agein.
• * 8.255

  The Uirgin Mary ouer∣commeth the deuyll.
• * 8.256

  Infidels con¦uerted by mi∣racle▪ and baptised.
• * 8.257

  The preeste & rewarde.
• * 8.258

  Aue Maria.
• * 8.259

  Ancisus vy∣age to Spain
• * 8.260

  Ancisus com∣playneth of Uaschuz.
• * 8.261

  The haruest is grea••, but the labourers are fewe.
• * 8.262

  From Darie∣na to hispani¦ola viii. dayes saylyng.
• * 8.263

  The procura∣tours of Dari¦ena, are hono¦rably recea∣ued at the courte.
• * 8.264

  Their cōplex¦ion is altered
• * 8.265

  Of whom the autour had information
• * 8.266

  The greate master of the kynges ships
• * 8.267

  Petrus arias is e••ected go∣uernour of Dariena.
• * 8.268

  Thoracion of the byshop. of Burges in the def••nce of Pe••••us ari¦as.
• * 8.269

  The warres of Aphrica.
• * 8.270

  Petrus Arias Lieuetenante of Dariena.
• * 8.271

  Petrus Arias hath a thou∣sand & tw••o hundreth mē appoynted at the kynges charges.
• * 8.272

  A house in Ci¦uile appoin∣ted to the af∣fayres of India.
• * 8.273

  Perularia.
• * 8.274

  Many profe them selues to go of they•• owne char∣ges.
• * 8.275

  Aloisius Ca∣damustus i•• reproued.
• * 8.276

  The Port••¦gales inue••¦tions.
• * 8.277

  The nauiga∣tiō of Petrus Arias.
• * 8.278

  A shipwracke
• * 8.279

  Americus Vespu¦tius.
• * 8.280

  A notable ex∣emple of a va¦lient woman.
• * 8.281

  kynge henry.
• * 8.282

  The wyfe of Petrus Arias.
• * 8.283

  The thyrde nauigation of Uincentiu•• Pinzonus.
• * 8.284

  Cuba.
• * 8.285

  Beragua.
• * 8.286

  Vraba.
• * 8.287

  Cuchibacoa.
• * 8.288

  Paria.
• * 8.289

  Os Draconis
• * 8.290

  Curiana,
• * 8.291

  Cumana.
• * 8.292

  Manacapana,
• * 8.293

  Plentie of Pearles.
• * 8.294

  Monoxyla. The Barbari¦ans assayle owre men be¦inge in theyr shyppes.
• * 8.295

  The vse of gunnes.
• * 8.296

  Great abun∣dance of gold and franken∣sence.
• * 8.297

  Olibanum.
• * 8.298

  Sabea, ••is a contrey in A∣rabie, which bringeth forth frankensence
• * 8.299

  Paria.
• * 8.300

  Peacockes which wee cau••e Turkye cockes.
• * 8.301

  ••arpets and couerlett••s fynely wrou∣ght.
• * 8.302

  Popyngayes.
• * 8.303

  Thapparell of the ••••h••bittants o•• paria
• * 8.304

  Rule••s for one yeare.
• * 8.305

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 greate goulfe of Pa∣ria.
• * 8.306

  Baia Natiui∣tatis the gret goulfe of Pa∣••ia.
• * 8.307

  Uincentuis maketh a league with v. princes. of Paria.
• * 8.308

  Mount Atlas in aphrike.
• * 8.309

  The great I∣land atlantike.
• * 8.310

  Contention betwene the Castilians & Portugale•• for the newe landes
• * 8.311

  The bysshop of Rome diui∣deth the land
• * 8.312

  Cabouerde loke decade i. lib. iii
• * 8.313

  The golde•• region of Ci∣amba.
• * 8.314

  The Iland of S. Iohannes
• * 8.315

  Fyue byshop∣pes of the I∣land made by th•• bysshop of Rome.
• * 8.316

  The Caniba∣les of the I∣land of Sanc¦ta Crux.
• * 8.317

  Beragua and Uraba.
• * 8.318

  The ryuers of Uraba.
• * 8.319

  Beragua, cau¦led Castella aurifera, and Uraba, Anda¦luzia noua. Sum caule Peru, Noua Castilia.
• * 8.320

  Beragua and Uraba, regi∣ons of Paria▪
• * 8.321

  The fruteful∣nes of Uraba
• * 8.322

  The frutfu••∣nes of Dari∣ena.
• * 8.323

  Dyuers hol∣somy frutes of ••rees.
• * 8.324

  Guaiana,
• * 8.325

  Pine trees. Date trees.
• * 8.326

  Guarauana
• * 8.327

  Mameis,
• * 8.328

  Guananala.
• * 8.329

  Houos.
• * 8.330

  Mirobalani, Hogges fed with miroba∣lanes
• * 8.331

  Swynes fle••she of bet¦ter tast and more holsum then mutton.
• * 8.332

  Frutes putri∣fyed on the sea.
• * 8.333

  Betatas,
• * 8.334

  Lions and Tygers.
• * 8.335

  A straunge beast.
• * 8.336

  The ryuers of Uraba.
• * 8.337

  The ryuer of Darien fau∣leth into the goulfe of Uraba.
• * 8.338

  A league is xxiiii furlōges
• * 8.339

  Danubius.
• * 8.340

  Grandis or Rio grandis.
• * 8.341

  A crocodile is much lyke an eute, but of excedyng big¦nes.
• * 8.342

  The autoure of this booke was in Egipt The riuer Ni¦lus in Egypte
• * 8.343

  Montes,
• * 8.344

  Lunae.
• * 8.345

  The Portuga¦les nauigaci∣ons.
• * 8.346

  The ryuer Senega▪ an o¦ther chanell of the ryuer of Nilus.
• * 8.347

  Crocodiles. The thyrde & fourth Nilus.
• * 8.348

  Delagartos.
• * 8.349

  The ryuers springe owt of the moun∣taynes
• * 8.350

  Crocodiles en¦gendred in o∣ther ryuers besyde Nilus ••n Egypte.
• * 8.351

  Byrdes and foules.
• * 8.352

  Popingayes.
• * 8.353

  A philosophi∣cal discourse as cūcerning thoriginal of springes and ryuers.
• * 8.354

  The breadth of the ••ande at Uraba frō the North O∣cean to the South sea.
• * 8.355

  A ryuer of maruelous byggenes loke the first decade the ix. boke.
• * 8.356

  The great ry¦uer Maragno¦nus. l••ber. i••. decade i.
• * 8.357

  Mariatambal.
• * 8.358

  Camamorus.
• * 8.359

  Paricora.
• * 8.360

  Paradice. Loke .vi, ••oke fyrst decade.
• * 8.361

  The sea.
• * 8.362

  The land en∣closed with two seas.
• * 8.363

  Conursion of ayer into wa∣ter in the ca∣ues of moun∣tayn••s.
• * 8.364

  Showers of rayne in the caues of mon¦taynes
• * 8.365

  The often fal of ra••ne and cont••nuall sprynge time.
• * 8.366

  The Equinoc¦••iall.
• * 8.367

  The pores of the sea & the South wynd.
• * 8.368

  Nothinge im∣possible to the poure of naure.
• * 8.369

  The cause of the greatnes and force of the goulfe.
• * 8.370

  hygh and stiepe hylles
• * 8.371

  The fludde Eridanus.
• * 8.372

  Tanais.
• * 8.373

  Ganges.
• * 8.374

  Danubius.
• * 8.375

  Padus.
• * 8.376

  Alpes.
• * 8.377

  Ticinum.
• * 8.378

  The sea Adri¦atike, sume caule the go••lfe of Uenes.
• * 8.379

  An other rea∣son
• * 8.380

  The ryuer Alpheus.
• * 8.381

  Arethusa
• * 8.382

  Longe caues in the moun∣taynes.
• * 8.383

  The length and forme of the Iland. Cap. S. Augusti.
• * 8.384

  Eyght tymes bygger t••en Italy besyde that part whi¦che the Por∣tugales po••∣sesse. Italy is in length a thou••and and two hundreth myles, and in breadth foure hundreth and ten.
• * 8.385

  Cardes of the sea.
• * 8.386

  The carde of Americus Uesputius.
• * 8.387

  The carde of Colonus.
• * 8.388

  The carde of Iohannes de la Cossa.
• * 8.389

  The carde of Andreas mo∣ralis.
• * 8.390

  The maner of measuring the cardes.
• * 8.391

  Loke decade i. liber. iii.
• * 8.392

  The Iland of Cabouerde.
• * 8.393

  Maragnonum
• * 8.394

  Os Draconis
• * 8.395

  A league.
• * 8.396

  Cuchibachoa.
• * 8.397

  Caramairi.
• * 8.398

  Carthago.
• * 8.399

  The Iland Fortis.
• * 8.400

  Vraba.
• * 8.401

  Beragua.
• * 8.402

  R. Sancti Mat∣thei .i
• * 8.403

  R. Aburema
• * 8.404

  Scutum Cateba
• * 8.405

  R. Zobroba.
• * 8.406

  Vrid••.
• * 8.407

  Duraba,
• * 8.408

  Cerabaro,
• * 8.409

  Hiebra,
• * 8.410

  Note.
• * 8.411

  R. d•• los perdides
• * 8.412

  The nauigati¦on of I••••an∣nes Dias.
• * 8.413

  The eleuatiō of the pole.
• * 8.414

  The iuri••dic∣tion of the Po••tugales.
• * 8.415

  Paria,
• * 8.416

  Darlena.
• * 8.417

  Beragua.
• * 8.418

  hercules pyl∣lers.
• * 8.419

  The Ilande Boiuca or Agnaneo.
• * 8.420

  A water of maruelous vertue.
• * 8.421

  The renoua∣tion of age.
• * 8.422

  The acciden∣tes of age may bee hyd∣den.
• * 8.423

  Achemenides,
• * 8.424

  Vlyss••s.
• * 8.425

  Encas.
• * 8.426

  Extreme hun¦ger.
• * 8.427

  This was at the ••iege of hieru••alem.
• * 8.428

  Portus B••llus
• * 8.429

  Ma••mo••.
• * 8.430

  Mangy dogs eaten.
• * 8.431

  A mangy dog dere sold.
• * 8.432

  Broth of a mangy dogs skynne.
• * 8.433

  Toades eatē
• * 8.434

  A deade man eaten.
• * 8.435

  Note.
• * 8.436

  Petrus Arias whom the Spanyardes caule Ped••ari¦as.
• * 9.1

  Ua••chus Nun¦n••z, gouernor of Dariena.
• * 9.2

  The newe south Ocean.
• * 9.3

  ••••mmendati∣•••• of the Spa¦••••ardes.
• * 9.4

  •• Ualient mynd can not ••ee ydle.
• * 9.5

  •• desperate ••duenture
• * 9.6

  Uaschus his v••age toward ••he golden ••ountaynes.
• * 9.7

  Careta kynge of Coiba
• * 9.8

  kyng Poncha
• * 9.9

  A hundreth & x. poundes weyght of golde.
• * 9.10

  Strange thin¦ges are coun∣ted precious.
• * 9.11

  Lacke of ••ren.
• * 9.12

  A stone in the steede of Irē.
• * 9.13

  Superflu••∣ties hynder libertie.
• * 9.14

  Carpenters.
• * 9.15

  Brydges.
• * 9.16

  The region of Quarequa.
• * 9.17

  kinge Quare∣qua is dryuen to flyght.
• * 9.18

  hargabus••es.
• * 9.19

  Crossebow••s
• * 9.20

  vi. C. Barbari¦ans are s••aine
• * 9.21

  Unnatural le∣chery.
• * 9.22

  The vse of dogges in the warre agenst the naked Barbarians.
• * 9.23

  Naturaul ha∣tred of vnna∣tural sinne.
• * 9.24

  Palatini.
• * 9.25

  I wolde all men were of this opinion.
• * 9.26

  The harue•••• is great & the woorkemen but fewe.
• * 9.27

  warre••yke people.
• * 9.28

  The hygher the cou••der.
• * 9.29

  A region of black moores
• * 9.30

  Diseases of change of ayer & dyet.
• * 9.31

  The south sea.
• * 9.32

  Ua••chus is coome to the fyght of the newe south sea.
• * 9.33

  Prayer.
• * 9.34

  God rayseth the poore frō the dungehyl
• * 9.35

  hanniball of Carthage.
• * 9.36

  Uaschus ta∣keth possessi∣on of the mountaynes
• * 9.37

  kynge Chia∣pes.
• * 9.38

  A battayle.
• * 9.39

  Chiapes is d••yuen to f••yght.
• * 9.40

  Ua••chus sen∣••••th for k••ng 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 9.41

  Chiapes sub∣mitteth hym selfe to Uas∣chus.
• * 9.42

  iiii.C. pounds weyght of wrought gold.
• * 9.43

  Uaschus ad∣dicteth the newe land & sea, to the do∣minion of Castile.
• * 9.44

  kynge Coque¦ra is dryuen to flygh••.
• * 9.45

  Uaschus vseth both gentelnes and rigour.
• * 9.46

  vi.C. and .l. poundes weyght of wrought gold
• * 9.47

  A goulfe of threescore myles.
• * 9.48

  Saynt Mich••¦els goulfe
• * 9.49

  The manly corage and godly zeale of Uaschus
• * 9.50

  Ryche•• are the synewea of warre
• * 9.51

  The faythful¦nes of kynge Chiapes.
• * 9.52

  A tempest on the sea.
• * 9.53

  The increa∣sing of the South sea.
• * 9.54

  The Northe Ocean.
• * 9.55

  hard shyft in necessitie.
• * 9.56

  The Region Tumacca.
• * 9.57

  kynge Tu∣maccus is dri¦uen to flyght.
• * 9.58

  Golde and perles,
• * 9.59

  Musculs of the sea.
• * 9.60

  Fysshyng for perles
• * 9.61

  xii pounde weyght of perles.
• * 9.62

  The thyrst of golde.
• * 9.63

  Ambition a∣monge naked men.
• * 9.64

  This Ilande is cauled Margarites Diues, or Di∣tes.
• * 9.65

  A kynge of greate poure.
• * 9.66

  Biggeperles.
• * 9.67

  Cleopatra, queene of E∣gypt resolued a pearle in vineger and drunke it, price.v. thou∣sande pounde of owr mony. thef••rcenes of U••schus.
• * 9.68

  Great ryuer•• faulyng from mounta••nes.
• * 9.69

  Thunder and lyghtnynge in Nouember.
• * 9.70

  Colde in the nyght nere the Equinoc∣tial.
• * 9.71

  habitable re∣gions vnder the Equinocti¦all lyne.
• * 9.72

  The natiuita∣tions of the Portiugales towarde the southe pole. Antipodes. he meaneth S. Augustine and Lectau∣tius.
• * 9.73

  The starres ••b••i••••e the southe pole.
• * 9.74

  Lactea via.
• * 9.75

  A simyli••ude declarynge Antipodes.
• * 9.76

  The maner of fysshynge for perles.
• * 9.77

  T••••e kindes o•• per••es.
• * 9.78

  Dyuers ques∣ti••s as cōcer∣nynge perles
• * 9.79

  Petrus arias
• * 9.80

  wanton and superfluous pleasures.
• * 9.81

  Cleopatra.
• * 9.82

  A••opus.
• * 9.83

  Stoidum.
• * 9.84

  Taprobana,
• * 9.85

  The fysshing place of king Chiapes.
• * 9.86

  Golde in ma∣ner in euery house.
• * 9.87

  The ryche treasurye of nature.
• * 9.88

  The golde mynes of Dariena.
• * 9.89

  Kynge Teao∣cha entertey∣neth vaschus frende••ye.
• * 9.90

  Twentye pounde weight of wroughte golde.
• * 9.91

  Desertes full of wylde beastes.
• * 9.92

  Dryed fysshe
• * 9.93

  Kynge Pacr•• a tyranne.
• * 9.94

  Greate heate in the mo∣nethe of No∣uember.
• * 9.95

  hurte by wylde bea∣stes.
• * 9.96

  A tyger.
• * 9.97

  Calydonia is a foreste in Scotlande.
• * 9.98

  Nemea is a wodde in Greece.
• * 9.99

  Tigers whel∣pes.
• * 9.100

  Thus the E∣giptians take Crocodiles.
• * 9.101

  The dogge tyger taken. The rorynge of the tyger.
• * 9.102

  Tigers flesh eaten.
• * 9.103

  The bitche tyger.
• * 9.104

  Tigers whel¦pes.
• * 9.105

  A straunge thynge.
• * 9.106

  kynge Pacr••.
• * 9.107

  Naturall ha∣tred of vyce.
• * 9.108

  Foure kinges deuo••red of dogges.
• * 9.109

  The vse of dogges in warre a∣geinst naked men.
• * 9.110

  The Cany∣bales are ex∣perte ar∣chers.
• * 9.111

  Swoordes of woodde.
• * 9.112

  F••••tie pounde w••••ght of golde.
• * 9.113

  kynge Bono∣niama, fr••nde to the christi∣ans.
• * 9.114

  wroughte golde.
• * 9.115

  The oration of kynge Bonon••ama
• * 9.116

  The sparke of the lawe of nature, is the lawe written in the hartes of men.
• * 9.117

  Hiperbole.
• * 9.118

  Great plenty of golde.
• * 9.119

  A symilitude for the profe of plentye of golde.
• * 9.120

  Iren more estemed then golde.
• * 9.121

  Chaunge of dyet is daun∣gerous.
• * 9.122

  Owld•• soul∣diers.
• * 9.123

  A longe len••.
• * 9.124

  Comogrus▪
• * 9.125

  Two poore kynges.
• * 9.126

  Desertes.
• * 9.127

  kynge Beche¦buea submyt∣teth him selfe
• * 9.128

  Uessels of golde.
• * 9.129

  kynge Chiori∣sus ••endeth Ua••chus xxx. dysshes of pure golde.
• * 9.130

  Axes of Iren more este••med then any gold
• * 9.131

  Su••erfluous an•• effemy∣nate plesur••••
• * 9.132

  An exemple of the lyfe of owre fyrst pa¦rentes.
• * 9.133

  Plentye of gold & scarce¦nesse of m••are.
• * 9.134

  kn••g Pecchor¦ro••a ••ub••yt∣teth hym selfe.
• * 9.135

  xv. pounde weyghte of wroughte golde.
• * 9.136

  kyng Tuma∣nama, looke decad. ii. lib. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 9.137

  A good po∣licye.
• * 9.138

  〈…〉〈…〉 is tak•• prisoner.
• * 9.139

  The cause of vehemente wyndes nere he Equinoc∣••ial.
• * 9.140

  kynge Tum••¦nama his palaice.
• * 9.141

  Uaschus his woordes to kynge Tuma¦nama.
• * 9.142

  Oderunt quen metuunt.
• * 9.143

  kyng Tuma∣nama his woordes.
• * 9.144

  T••manama is pardoned.
• * 9.145

  xxx. pounde weyghte of wroughte golde.
• * 9.146

  lx poundes weyght of golde.
• * 9.147

  They ab∣horre labour.
• * 9.148

  The coloure of the golden earthe and a tryall of the same.
• * 9.149

  Tokens of great plentie of go••de.
• * 9.150

  Ua••chus fau∣leth ••icke.
• * 9.151

  Feeblenes of hunger and watchinge.
• * 9.152

  kynge Como∣g••us frende•• to the Chris••i¦ans
• * 9.153

  The large & ••••••teful plain o•• ••auana.
• * 9.154

  Tho ryuer Comogru••.
• * 9.155

  xx. pounde weyght of wrought gold
• * 9.156

  Uaschus re∣••u••neth to Dariena.
• * 9.157

  The good fortune of Uaschus.
• * 9.158

  Uaschus wa•• turned from G••••••••th to ••••••••eus,
• * 9.159

  O flaterynge fortune, looke his death in the booke of the Ilande lately founde.
• * 9.160

  The earth is owre general mother.
• * 9.161

  The courte of infernall Pluto.
• * 9.162

  There i•• a better waye then this.
• * 9.163

  The Sp••ni∣ardes con∣questes.
• * 9.164

  Manhunters
• * 9.165

  The fierse∣nesse of the Can••bales.
• * 9.166

  Owre duty to god, and na∣turall loue to mankynde.
• * 9.167

  Thoffyce of Chrystian prynces. The haruest is great. &c.
• * 9.168

  Beragua.
• * 9.169

  Nicuesa.
• * 9.170

  The fourth nauigation of Colonus the Admirall.
• * 9.171

  From Spaine to hispan••ola a thou••ande and two hun∣dreth leagues
• * 9.172

  The flory••∣shyng Ilande of Guanassa.
• * 9.173

  Simple. people.
• * 9.174

  A greate marchaunt.
• * 9.175

  The regyon of Querique∣tana or Ci∣amba.
• * 9.176

  Gentle peo∣ple.
• * 9.177

  The regyons of Taia and Maia.
• * 9.178

  Seuen kyn∣des of date trees.
• * 9.179

  wylde vines.
• * 9.180

  M••robalanes
• * 9.181

  Byrdes and foules.
• * 9.182

  People of goodly stature
• * 9.183

  They paynt theyr bodyes
• * 9.184

  The ••wyfte cour••e of the sea from the East to the West.
• * 9.185

  Pari••.
• * 9.186

  Fresshe wa∣ter in the sea.
• * 9.187

  F••••ches and compasinges
• * 9.188

  Faire ryuers. Great reedes
• * 9.189

  Great tortoy∣ses.
• * 9.190

  Dyuers lan∣guages.
• * 9.191

  Hero••••▪
• * 9.192

  Quatuor tem∣pora.
• * 9.193

  Twel••e I∣lāds na••ed Li••••••na••es.
• * 9.194

  Rio de los pe••∣didos.
• * 9.195

  The region of Qu••curi.
• * 9.196

  The hauen of Cariai or Mirobalanus
• * 9.197

  Ciuile and hu¦man•• people
• * 9.198

  sy••e.
• * 9.199

  Trees gro∣wyn•••• in th•• sea after a straunge sor••▪
• * 9.200

  Plinie,
• * 9.201

  A straunge kynde of moonkeys.
• * 9.202

  A moonkeye feyghteth with a man.
• * 9.203

  •• conflict be∣twene a mon∣key and a wylde bore.
• * 9.204

  The bodyes of kynges dry¦ed & reserued
• * 9.205

  Cerabaro.
• * 9.206

  Aburema.
• * 9.207

  Cheynes of golde.
• * 9.208

  Plentie of golde.
• * 9.209

  Fiue villages rych in gold.
• * 9.210

  Crownes of beasts claws
• * 9.211

  Soytefu••l people.
• * 9.212

  Guns make peace.
• * 9.213

  Seuen goldē ryuers
• * 9.214

  Note where the plentie of golde endeth
• * 9.215

  Pignonem.
• * 9.216

  Vibba.
• * 9.217

  Portus Bellus.
• * 9.218

  Paynted people.
• * 9.219

  A strange syght.
• * 9.220

  A she•• in the steede of a codpiece.
• * 9.221

  Crocodiles of ••weete sa∣uour.
• * 9.222

  Alcayr or Ba∣bilon in Egipt
• * 9.223

  Shippes ea∣ten with wormes.
• * 9.224

  Alexandria in Egypte.
• * 9.225

  Broma.
• * 9.226

  Hiebra,
• * 9.227

  Beragua.
• * 9.228

  how the king of Beragua enterteyn••d the lyeuete∣naunte.
• * 9.229

  The••r reue∣rence to their kynge.
• * 9.230

  Golde in the ry••er of Du∣raba.
• * 9.231

  Great plenty of golde.
• * 9.232

  Slynges and dartes.
• * 9.233

  L••berty mo••e esteemed thē ryches.
• * 9.234

  The Spany∣ardes are dryuen to flight.
• * 9.235

  The Ilande of Iamaica.
• * 9.236

  A myserable case.
• * 9.237

  Necessytie hath no lawe howe farre lyfe is to bee esteemed.
• * 9.238

  A daunge∣rous enter∣pryse.
• * 9.239

  Sanctus Domi∣nicus.
• * 9.240

  Landes foūd by Colonus.
• * 9.241

  Temperate regions and holsome aier
• * 9.242

  Cerabaro.
• * 9.243

  Hiebra.
• * 9.244

  Beragua.
• * 9.245

  Experte my∣ners.
• * 9.246

  A god••y na∣ture in golde.
• * 9.247

  Go••den har∣uest.
• * 9.248

  hyghe ••nd greate moun∣taynes.
• * 9.249

  Ty••rhenuum is nowe cau∣led Tu••eane
• * 9.250

  Cap. S. Augusti∣ni.
• * 9.251

  Vraba.
• * 9.252

  Cerabaro.
• * 9.253

  Frutful moun¦taynes.
• * 9.254

  A••ennini are mountaynes which d••uide Italy lute .ii. partes
• * 9.255

  Beragaa.
• * 9.256

  The moun∣taynes of Be¦ragua higher then the cl••udes.
• * 9.257

  Montaynes of fiftie miles heyght.
• * 9.258

  Ianus other∣wy••e cauled Iaphet, the son of Noe.
• * 9.259

  Italy is lyke vnto a legge in the sea, & the moun∣taynes of the alpes, are in the thyghe therof.
• * 9.260

  Colonus his opinion of the suppo••ed Continent. By this con∣iecture, the way shuld be open to Ca∣thay by the hiperbore••••.
• * 9.261

  Looke the n••¦uigation of Cabote. deca. iii. lib. vi.
• * 9.262

  The breadth of the lande
• * 9.263

  The regions of Uraba and Beragua.
• * 9.264

  The greate riuer Marag∣nonus.
• * 9.265

  The great riuer Dabai∣ba, or sancty Iohannis.
• * 9.266

  The ryuers haue their in∣crease from the sprynges of the mon∣taynes.
• * 9.267

  The ryuer of Nilus in E∣gypte.
• * 9.268

  Marisshes and desolate wayes.
• * 9.269

  A superstiti∣ous opinion of thoriginall of montaines of Dabaiba.
• * 9.270

  Dragons and crocodiles in the marishes
• * 9.271

  The hauen Cerabaro.
• * 9.272

  Twentie gol∣den ryuers.
• * 9.273

  Precious stones.
• * 9.274

  a precious di∣emonde of ercedynge bygnes.
• * 9.275

  Topases.
• * 9.276

  The Spany∣erdes con∣temne effemi¦nate plesures
• * 9.277

  Sweete sa∣uoru••.
• * 9.278

  A similitude prouing great plentie of golde & preci∣ous stones.
• * 9.279

  The hauen of Sancta Mar∣tha.
• * 9.280

  Cariai.
• * 9.281

  The heroical factes of the Spaniardes.
• * 9.282

  The bysshop of Dariena.
• * 9.283

  The nauigati¦on of Petrus Arias.
• * 9.284

  Saint Lucar.
• * 9.285

  The Iland of Canarie.
• * 9.286

  Prouision of fresshe water and fuell.
• * 9.287

  The Iland of Dominica.
• * 9.288

  Guadalupea, otherwy••e cauled Caru∣cuer••a, or Que¦raquiera.
• * 9.289

  The sea of herbes.
• * 9.290

  These moun∣taynes are cauled Mon∣tes Niuales or Serra Ne∣uata, dec••de ii. liber. i & .ii.
• * 9.291

  The swyfte cour••e of the sea towarde the west.
• * 9.292

  The ryuer Gaira.
• * 9.293

  Caramairi.
• * 9.294

  Carthago.
• * 9.295

  Saturma.
• * 9.296

  Mountaynes couered with snowe.
• * 9.297

  Americus Vesp••¦tius.
• * 9.298

  The stoutnes of the Barba∣rian••.
• * 9.299

  The Caniba∣les feygh•• in the water.
• * 9.300

  The vse of gunnes.
• * 9.301

  The genera∣cion of thun∣der and lyght¦nynge.
• * 9.302

  Meteora.
• * 9.303

  Uenemous arrowes
• * 9.304

  Plentie of fysshe.
• * 9.305

  Cunnynge fysshers.
• * 9.306

  Theyr house∣holde stuffe.
• * 9.307

  Tapstry.
• * 9.308

  A straunge phantasy.
• * 9.309

  This is he whom Card••¦nus praiseth.
• * 9.310

  Precious stones The Sma∣ragde is the treweme••od••
• * 9.311

  Another kind of amber is founde in whales.
• * 9.312

  Gold & bra∣sile.
• * 9.313

  Marchasites are flowers of metals, by the colours wherof the kyndes of me¦tals are kno∣wen.
• * 9.314

  These locu∣stes burne the corne with toching and deuoure the residewe they are in India of .iii. foote length. The fayre re∣gion of Cara∣mairi.
• * 9.315

  Fruteful mon¦taynes.
• * 9.316

  Gardens. In••ubres are nowe cauled Lumbardes, and hetrusci, Tuseans.
• * 9.317

  Many coun∣treys lefte de¦solate by the fiercenes of the Caniba∣les.
• * 9.318

  One my••iade is ten thou∣sande.
• * 9.319

  A miserable hearynge.
• * 9.320

  Breade of rootes.
• * 9.321

  The maner of plantinge the roote Iuc¦ca.
• * 9.322

  Earth turned into rootes.
• * 9.323

  howe breade is made of rootes.
• * 9.324

  A straunge thynge.
• * 9.325

  Cazabbi.
• * 9.326

  Ages and Battata.
• * 9.327

  Panicum is a grayne sume∣what lyke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The Italians caule it Me∣••••ca.
• * 9.328

  he meanethe the equall length of day and nyght which i•• con∣tinually in re∣gions vnder the Equinoc∣tial lyne.
• * 9.329

  Maizium
• * 9.330

  Earth of dy∣uers colours.
• * 9.331

  Golde in ryuers.
• * 9.332

  hartes and bores.
• * 9.333

  Foules.
• * 9.334

  holsome ayer.
• * 9.335

  Gossampine cotton. Fethers.
• * 9.336

  Bowes and ar••owes.
• * 9.337

  Deade bo∣dies reserued
• * 9.338

  Ouches of la∣ton.
• * 9.339

  Gonzalus Oui¦edus, sayth that they gilt maruelo••••••y with the iuse of a certeyne. herbe.
• * 9.340

  whyte mar∣ble.
• * 9.341

  The great ry¦uer Maragno¦nus. This ioyneth with the myghty ryuer cauled Flumen Ama¦zonum, found of late.
• * 9.342

  Clokes of fethers.
• * 9.343

  The swyfte course o•• the water.
• * 9.344

  x••. leaques in one nyght.
• * 9.345

  Sundry opini∣ons why the sea runneth with so swyft course from the East into the west.
• * 9.346

  The equinocti∣all lyne.
• * 9.347

  why all wa∣ters moue to∣warde the south or Equi∣noctial, ••reade Cardanus de sub¦tili••. l••ber .ii. de E••ementis.
• * 9.348

  Strayghtes.
• * 9.349

  As by the strayght of Magellanus. The north landes.
• * 9.350

  The frosen sea.
• * 9.351

  Sebastian Cabot.
• * 9.352

  The veneti∣ans.
• * 9.353

  The viage of Sebastian Ca¦bot from Eng¦lande to the fro••en sea.
• * 9.354

  Frost in the moneth of Iuly.
• * 9.355

  Fretum her∣culeum, diui∣deth Spayne & the Moores and is nowe cauled the strayghtes of Marrok.
• * 9.356

  Ba••••••llaos, or Terra Baccallea∣••um.
• * 9.357

  The mouyng of heuen cau∣seth the sea to moue.
• * 9.358

  Demogorgon is the spirite of the earth.
• * 9.359

  People coue∣red with beastes sk••n••
• * 9.360

  howe beares take and eate fysshes of the sea.
• * 9.361

  Perhappes this laton is copper which ho••deth gold. For latō hath no myne, and is an artifici∣all metal and not natural. Cabot cauled owt of Eng∣lands into Spayne.
• * 9.362

  The Second viage of Ca∣bot.
• * 9.363

  The Ilandes of the Cany∣bales.
• * 9.364

  The Ilande Fortis.
• * 9.365

  Salte
• * 9.366

  A straunge thynge.
• * 9.367

  how Petrus Arias with the kynges nauy arriued at Dariena.
• * 9.368

  howe Uas∣chus recea∣ued the new gouernour.
• * 9.369

  whye these regions are cau••ed pro∣••••••ces.
• * 9.370

  Barrelles of meale.
• * 9.371

  habitable re∣gions vnder the Equinoc∣tiall lyne.
• * 9.372

  where the newe gouer∣nour planted his habitatiō
• * 9.373

  The viage of Iohannes Aiora
• * 9.374

  The hauen of Comogrus
• * 9.375

  Sainte My∣chaels goulf••
• * 9.376

  The hauen Pocchorrosa.
• * 9.377

  A passynger shyppe.
• * 9.378

  Kyng Tuma∣nama.
• * 9.379

  Decurians are officers deuided into ••ennes, &c.
• * 9.380

  Kyng Dabai∣ba.
• * 9.381

  The gold my∣nes of Daba∣iba
• * 9.382

  The pallaice of kynge Dabaiba.
• * 9.383

  The gold my¦nes of Darie∣na.
• * 9.384

  ••n erroure.
• * 9.385

  E••pedition a∣geinst kynge Dabaiba.
• * 9.386

  Great plentie of golde,
• * 9.387

  The regyon of Saturma
• * 9.388

  The Ilande of Dominica,
• * 9.389

  Dariena.
• * 9.390

  Difficulte say¦lyng ageynst the course of the sea,
• * 9.391

  The daunge∣rous straigh∣tes of Scylla & Charybdis,
• * 9.392

  Guanassa.
• * 9.393

  Iaia,
• * 9.394

  Maia.
• * 9.395

  Cerabaro.
• * 9.396

  Beragua.
• * 9.397

  The vehe∣ment course of the sea fro the east to the west.
• * 9.398

  The north•• wynde
• * 9.399

  Sancta Ma∣ria Antiqua, the fy••st ha∣bitation of the spaniar∣des in the fyrme lande.
• * 9.400

  Sardus the Ilande of Sardinia,
• * 9.401

  The variety of regions ly∣nge vnder one paralel,
• * 9.402

  By what mea¦nes the ••onne beames are cau••e of fer∣uent heate▪
• * 9.403

  The pernicious ayer of Darien••.
• * 9.404

  Toades and flees engen∣dered of drop¦pes of water,
• * 9.405

  Necessytie hath no ••aw••
• * 9.406

  A hou••e sette on fyer with lyghtnynge,
• * 9.407

  A dogge de∣uoured of a crocodyle,
• * 9.408

  Tanquam canis e Nilo.
• * 9.409

  The byting of battes.
• * 9.410

  Lyons and tygers,
• * 9.411

  Beastes wer bygger in the••r kynde,
• * 9.412

  how the go∣uernour en∣terteyned kyng Careta,
• * 9.413

  Note.
• * 9.414

  Broma or Bissa, are wormes whi∣che destroy shippes,
• * 9.415

  A venemous tree.
• * 9.416

  Perhappes they•• vene∣mous arrows are made of this woodds or. &c.
• * 9.417

  A preserua∣tiue ageynst poyson,
• * 9.418

  The Ilands of the south sea,
• * 9.419

  The ryche I∣land cauled Dites,
• * 9.420

  Cab, sancti Augustini, Of the euyll successe of these viages, reade decade iii, Liber, ix,
• * 9.421

  An expedition to destroy the Canibales,
• * 9.422

  Fogeda.
• * 9.423

  Looke. decad. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lib. ix,
• * 9.424

  The nauigati¦ons of An∣••reas Mo∣••alis
• * 9.425

  A particular description of the Ilande of hispaniol••
• * 9.426

  Nereides are nymphes of the ••ea▪ he meaneth I∣landes,
• * 9.427

  T••this the wyfe of Nep¦tunus and goddesse of the sea,
• * 9.428

  The Ilande of Margari∣tea Diues,
• * 9.429

  Saincte Mi∣chaels goulfe
• * 9.430

  Great perles
• * 9.431

  hispaniola lyke vnto the earthly para∣dyse,
• * 9.432

  The fy••st in∣habitours of hi••paniola
• * 9.433

  Dardanus.
• * 9.434

  Teu••rus.
• * 9.435

  Troianum.
• * 9.436

  T••rians,
• * 9.437

  Sidonians:
• * 9.438

  Eneas.
• * 9.439

  Latium.
• * 9.440

  hierusalem
• * 9.441

  Mecha.
• * 9.442

  The Ilandes of Canarie,
• * 9.443

  Betanchor, a Frenchman,
• * 9.444

  The fyrst na∣mes of his∣paniola.
• * 9.445

  Pan.
• * 9.446

  The rough∣nesse of his∣paniola
• * 9.447

  The maner of lernynge.
• * 9.448

  Ballets and rhymes.
• * 9.449

  Singing and daunceing.
• * 9.450

  Soonges of loue and moor¦nynge.
• * 9.451

  Prophesies,
• * 9.452

  Note
• * 9.453

  Theyr famili∣aritie with spirites
• * 9.454

  The deuyl is dryuen awaye by baptisme
• * 9.455

  Surueyers
• * 9.456

  They lyue as much in the water as on the lande
• * 9.457

  Serpentes
• * 9.458

  A Crocodile is much lyke to owr ewte or Lyserte
• * 9.459

  Byrdes and foules
• * 9.460

  Popingayes
• * 9.461

  Cipanga.
• * 9.462

  Italy cauled Latium
• * 9.463

  Isabella
• * 9.464

  The forme of the Ilande of hispaniola
• * 9.465

  A particular carde of his∣paniola.
• * 9.466

  hispaniola compared to Italie,
• * 9.467

  The tempera¦ture of hispa∣niola.
• * 9.468

  The equinoc∣tiall.
• * 9.469

  Coulde acci∣dentall, and not by the sy∣tuation of the region,
• * 9.470

  Perpetuall ••pringe and ••oomer,
• * 9.471

  Maruelous frutfulnes
• * 9.472

  Beastes
• * 9.473

  Oxen and swyne of ex∣ceadyng byg∣nesse,
• * 9.474

  Swyne fed with Myroba¦lanes
• * 9.475

  Uines
• * 9.476

  wheate
• * 9.477

  An eare of wheate as byg as a mās arme in the brawne
• * 9.478

  The bread of the Ilande.
• * 9.479

  Golde,
• * 9.480

  Great plentie of cattayle,
• * 9.481

  Brasile,
• * 9.482

  Mastyx,
• * 9.483

  Gossampine
• * 9.484

  Electrum.
• * 9.485

  Incommodi∣ties of intem∣perat regiōs
• * 9.486

  holsome ayer and water
• * 9.487

  Golde euery where
• * 9.488

  The descripti¦on of the in∣ner partes of ••he Ilande,
• * 9.489

  The citie of s. Dominicke
• * 9.490

  The moun∣taynes of haiti
• * 9.491

  The moun∣taynes of Ci∣baua
• * 9.492

  The Ilande of Cahini
• * 9.493

  Of prouinces diuided into region••
• * 9.494

  Of theyr aspi∣rations
• * 9.495

  The pronunci¦ation of the hebrewes & Arabians,
• * 9.496

  The Moores and Arabiās possessed Spayne.
• * 9.497

  howe the as¦piration chan¦geth the sig∣nification of wordes
• * 9.498

  Dyuers lan¦guages in the Ilande
• * 9.499

  A greate caue in the rocke of a moun∣tayne,
• * 9.500

  A daungerus enterprise
• * 9.501

  Riuers deuou¦red of caues,
• * 9.502

  whirlepooles and conflict•• of waters,
• * 9.503

  Clowdes in the caue.
• * 9.504

  The Catarac∣tes of Nilus
• * 9.505

  A standynge poole in the t••ppe of a hygh moun∣tayne.
• * 9.506

  Ferne and bramble bus∣shes, growe only in coulde regions.
• * 9.507

  The Caspia•• and hircani∣an sea.
• * 9.508

  A great lake of soure and salte water.
• * 9.509

  Swalowinge goulfes.
• * 9.510

  Sea fysshes in lakes of the midlande
• * 9.511

  The deuou∣rynge fysshe cauled T••bu∣ronus.
• * 9.512

  The ryuers that fau••e in∣to the lake Caspium,
• * 9.513

  CC•• sprynges within the space of a furlonge.
• * 9.514

  A myracle.
• * 9.515

  The Indian language.
• * 9.516

  A kyng stric∣ken dumme and lame by •• myracle.
• * 9.517

  Such as are drowned in the lake are not cast vp ageyne.
• * 9.518

  The Ilande Guarizacca in the myddest of the poole. A lake of salt and freshe water.
• * 9.519

  A lake of fresshe water
• * 9.520

  A lake of ten myles in l••ngth
• * 9.521

  A playne of a hundreth and twentie miles
• * 9.522

  A playne of two hundreth myles in length.
• * 9.523

  The marue∣lous fysshe Manari.
• * 9.524

  A monster of the sea fedde with mans hande.
• * 9.525

  Matum.
• * 9.526

  A fyshe cary∣eth men oue•• the lake.
• * 9.527

  A maruelou•• thynge.
• * 9.528

  The ryuer Attibunicus.
• * 9.529

  The situation of the great ••ale.
• * 9.530

  The moun∣taynes of Ci∣baua and Cai¦guam.
• * 9.531

  The greate vale of Guari∣••nexius.
• * 9.532

  Mountaynes,
• * 9.533

  Uales.
• * 9.534

  hylles.
• * 9.535

  Playnes.
• * 9.536

  Ryuers.
• * 9.537

  Golde in all mountaynes, and golde and fysshe in all ryuers.
• * 9.538

  Salte bayes,
• * 9.539

  howe the I∣lande is diui∣ded with mountaynes.
• * 9.540

  Golde.
• * 9.541

  The ryuers haue theyr in∣crease from the caues of the moun∣taynes
• * 9.542

  No hurtful or raueninge beast in the Ilande.
• * 9.543

  The autours excuse.
• * 9.544

  By what mea¦ne•• the peo∣ple of the I∣land are gret¦ly consumed.
• * 9.545

  The plesures of hispaniola.
• * 9.546

  The region of Cotohi, ••i∣tuate in the Clowdes.
• * 9.547

  A playne in the toppes of mountaynes
• * 9.548

  The hygher, the coulder.
• * 9.549

  Moderate coulde in the mountaynes.
• * 9.550

  Ferne of mar∣uelous bignes
• * 9.551

  Golde.
• * 9.552

  Thinhabi∣tantes of his∣paniola can abyde no la∣bour nor coulde.
• * 9.553

  The Iland of Creta of Can∣die, vnder the dominion of the Ueneti∣ans.
• * 9.554

  Pure and massie golde in the region of Cotoy.
• * 9.555

  The vaine of golde, is a ly∣uynge tree.
• * 9.556

  These colers or floures are cauled Mar∣chasites, Pyntes.
• * 9.557

  The roote of the golden tree.
• * 9.558

  The braun∣ches of the golden tree.
• * 9.559

  Caues sustey¦ned with pyl∣lers of golde.
• * 9.560

  The stones of the golde mynes.
• * 9.561

  what ••old is brought yere∣ly from his∣paniola into Spayne.
• * 9.562

  Salte of the mountaynes, very hard and cleare.
• * 9.563

  Salt as hard as stones.
• * 9.564

  Sprynges of salt, fresshe and sower water.
• * 9.565

  holowe ca∣ues in the grounde
• * 9.566

  Certeyne wyld men ly∣uing in caue•• and dennes
• * 9.567

  Men without a certeyne language
• * 9.568

  Men as swift as greihoūds
• * 9.569

  A wyld man runneth a∣way with a chylde
• * 9.570

  Pitche of the rocke.
• * 9.571

  Pitche of two kyndes of trees.
• * 9.572

  The pine tree.
• * 9.573

  The tree Copeia.
• * 9.574

  The leafe of a tree in the steede of paper.
• * 9.575

  They beleue that leaues do speake.
• * 9.576

  A pretie storie.
• * 9.577

  Ignorance causeth ad∣miration.
• * 9.578

  The leafe wherin they wryte.
• * 9.579

  A stronge co∣lour of the iuise of an apple.
• * 9.580

  An herbe who••e smoke is poyson.
• * 9.581

  The kyndes of frutes wherwith thinhabitan∣tes lyued fyrst.
• * 9.582

  Necessitie the moother of all artes.
• * 9.583

  The fine breade Ca∣zabb••, made of the rootes of Iucca.
• * 9.584

  howe Ceres fyrst founde wheate and ••arly in E∣gypte.
• * 9.585

  The ••ootes of ages.
• * 9.586

  The autour•• excu••e.
• * 9.587

  Plinie.
• * 9.588

  By what na∣mes they sa∣lute the kyn∣ges chyldren when they are borne.
• * 9.589

  The names and ytles of the Romane Emperours.
• * 9.590

  howe they make theyr testamente••
• * 9.591

  So dyd grea Alexander
• * 9.592

  The kynges wyues and concubines are buryed with hym.
• * 9.593

  They burie theyr iewels with them. A dreame of an other lyfe after this.
• * 9.594

  where it ray∣neth but sel∣dome.
• * 9.595

  where it ray∣neth much.
• * 9.596

  Uariable mo∣tions of the elementes.
• * 9.597

  The colonies and vyllages which the Spanyardes haue buylded
• * 9.598

  The other I∣landes about hispaniola,
• * 9.599

  The Ilande Arethusa.
• * 9.600

  A sprynge run¦nyng vnder the sea frome hispan••ola to Arethusa.
• * 9.601

  The Iland of Sancti Iohan¦nis.
• * 9.602

  The Ilande of Cuba.
• * 9.603

  habitable re∣gions vnder the Equinoc∣tiall.
• * 9.604

  The ryche golde mynes of Cuba.
• * 9.605

  The Iland of Iamaica.
• * 9.606

  The Iland of Guadalupea.
• * 9.607

  England and Scotlande.
• * 9.608

  The gumme cauled Anim•• album.
• * 9.609

  Dates.
• * 9.610

  Pine trees.
• * 9.611

  The Cani∣ba••es.
• * 9.612

  whereby it was thought that there were Ilandes of women▪
• * 9.613

  hony in trees and ro••kes.
• * 9.614

  The Ilande Desiderata.
• * 9.615

  The Ilande Galanta.
• * 9.616

  The Ilandes of Todos Sanctos or Barbara.
• * 9.617

  The Ilande•• monsserratus
• * 9.618

  The Ilande Antiqua,
• * 9.619

  The Ilande Portus Bellus Great Tortoy¦ses.
• * 9.620

  The genera∣tion of Tor∣toyses.
• * 9.621

  The egges o•• Tortoyses.
• * 9.622

  Innumerable Ilandes.
• * 9.623

  Troians▪
• * 9.624

  Tirians.
• * 9.625

  Greekes.
• * 9.626

  P••en••t••ns.
• * 9.627

  The North Iland••s.
• * 9.628

  The Ilandes of the south sea,
• * 9.629

  The Iland of pearles.
• * 9.630

  wylde beasts must be tamed with the rod.
• * 9.631

  An expeditiō to the Ilande of Dites in the south sea
• * 9.632

  The Iland of Margaritea.
• * 9.633

  O•• Draconis.
• * 9.634

  Paria.
• * 9.635

  A conflict.
• * 9.636

  The kynge of the Ilande of Dites submit¦teth him selfe.
• * 9.637

  The kynges pal••aice.
• * 9.638

  A hundreth & ten pounde weight of pearles.
• * 9.639

  axes and hat∣chets more esteemed thē golde.
• * 9.640

  The kynges woordes.
• * 9.641

  Ilandes rych in golde and pearles.
• * 9.642

  C. pounde weyght of perles yerely for a tribute.
• * 9.643

  Plentie of hartes and conni••••.
• * 9.644

  wyne of frui∣tes and sedes
• * 9.645

  The kynge is baptised.
• * 9.646

  The fyft part of perles due to the kynge.
• * 9.647

  Byg perles.
• * 9.648

  A perle for a pope.
• * 9.649

  An other perle of great price.
• * 9.650

  Nise and su∣perfluous pleasures.
• * 9.651

  Dyuers opini¦ons of the generation of pearles.
• * 9.652

  h••rbes in the bottome of the sea.
• * 9.653

  A hundreth perles ••n one shell fysshe.
• * 9.654

  The matrice of the perle fysshe.
• * 9.655

  The ••yrth of perles.
• * 9.656

  where the byggest, meane, and least pearles are engēdred
• * 9.657

  Sea crabbes
• * 9.658

  The sea mus∣cles wherin perles are engendred.
• * 9.659

  The regions of the ••ast syde of the goulfe of Ura∣ba,
• * 9.660

  The region of Caribana.
• * 9.661

  The original of the Cani∣bales.
• * 9.662

  The vylages of Caribana.
• * 9.663

  Manhun••ers.
• * 9.664

  Bookes.
• * 9.665

  Loke in the begynnyng of the booke of the landes lately founde.
• * 9.666

  Circumcised people.
• * 9.667

  what chaun∣ced to the Ca¦pitaines whi∣che the gouer¦nour sent dy∣uers wayes,
• * 9.668

  Looke decade iii. liber .vi.
• * 9.669

  The vyage of Iohannes So¦lisius.
• * 9.670

  Cap. S. Augusti••i▪
• * 9.671

  Iohn Solysi∣us is slaine of the Caniba∣les.
• * 9.672

  The fierce∣nes of the Ca¦nibale••.
• * 9.673

  Brasell.
• * 9.674

  Iohannes Pō¦••ius is repul∣sed by the Ca¦nibales.
• * 9.675

  The vyage of Io••annes Aior••.
• * 9.676

  Locke decade iii. liber, v••.
• * 9.677

  The lewde behau••ur of Iohn Aiora.
• * 9.678

  The variable fortune of Gō¦••alus Bada••o∣cius.
• * 9.679

  Ce••abaro. De¦cade .iii.li.iii.
• * 9.680

  The South sea.
• * 9.681

  A leaque con∣teyneth foure myles by sea and but three by lande.
• * 9.682

  The golden region of Coi∣••a Dytes.
• * 9.683

  Sande myxte w••th golde. howe theyr slaues are marked in the face.
• * 9.684

  Golde.
• * 9.685

  A fruteful re∣gion left deso¦late by ciuile discorde.
• * 9.686

  kynge Per••∣quete.
• * 9.687

  S. Mi••hael,
• * 9.688

  kynge Toto∣noga.
• * 9.689

  Six thousand Cas••ellan•• of golde.
• * 9.690

  kyng Tara∣curu.
• * 9.691

  viii. thou••and pesos of gold
• * 9.692

  kynge Pana∣nome.
• * 9.693

  kyng Tabor.
• * 9.694

  kynge Cheru.
• * 9.695

  ••iii. thousande pesos of gold Salte.
• * 9.696

  kyng Anata.
• * 9.697

  xv. thousande pesos of gold
• * 9.698

  Theyr maner of warre.
• * 9.699

  Fourescore thousand Ca∣stellans o•• golde.
• * 9.700

  kyng Scoria.
• * 9.701

  kyng Pariza.
• * 9.702

  Gasalus Bada¦iocius hath the ouerthrow and is spoy∣led of grea•• ryches of golde,
• * 9.703

  The Incon∣stancie of fortune.
• * 9.704

  The expedi••i∣on of Fraun∣ces Be••arra ••¦geynst the Canibales.
• * 9.705

  Gun••e••▪
• * 9.706

  Ualeius ••epul∣sed of the Ca¦nibales.
• * 9.707

  The Ilandes of the south s••a.
• * 9.708

  In this sea 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Il••ndes of Molucca. most frutefull of ••pices.
• * 9.709

  Collocutea.
• * 9.710

  Cochinus and Camemorus, from whense the Portuga∣les haue their spyces.
• * 9.711

  he meaneth by the streight of Magella∣nus.
• * 9.712

  howe they take hartes and wylde bores.
• * 9.713

  Stocke d••ue••
• * 9.714

  Theyr maner of foulynge.
• * 9.715

  Po••ingiayes ar•• ea••ely ta∣ken.
• * 9.716

  A straunge kynde of fou∣lynge.
• * 9.717

  Fysshes and wo••mes engē¦dered of sume
• * 9.718

  Foules.
• * 9.719

  Gourdes of the tree.
• * 9.720

  L••••er opini∣ons of the swift course of the Ocean towarde the west.
• * 9.721

  The continēt or firme land.
• * 9.722

  The vyages of Diegus Colonus.
• * 9.723

  The vyage from the new landes to Spayne.
• * 9.724

  The contrary course of wa∣ters.
• * 9.725

  The poynt of the pole star,
• * 9.726

  The golde mynes of Da¦riena and the maner of ga∣therynge golde.
• * 9.727

  Owre inclosi∣ers woolde leaue no such commens.
• * 9.728

  Aurisacra Fam••e
• * 9.729

  The broosie of couetous∣nes.
• * 9.730

  Loke Decade ••ii. Liber. x.
• * 9.731

  Cities fortify∣ed with wau∣les.
• * 9.732

  The Iland of Cuba or Fer∣nand••na.
• * 9.733

  The Spani∣ards of Cuba attempt new vyages.
• * 9.734

  The west an∣gle of ••uba.
• * 9.735

  Note.
• * 9.736

  The Iland of Iucatana.
• * 9.737

  A great citie well buylded.
• * 9.738

  Temples.
• * 9.739

  humane peo∣ple.
• * 9.740

  Cunnyng arti¦fycers.
• * 9.741

  Appareled people.
• * 9.742

  Circumci••ed Id••laters.
• * 9.743

  Comi.
• * 9.744

  Mai••m.
• * 9.745

  Campechium.
• * 9.746

  A towne of three thou∣sand howses.
• * 9.747

  Plentie of beastes and foules.
• * 9.748

  Theyr Idoles and Idolatry.
• * 9.749

  houses of lyme & stone.
• * 9.750

  The prouince Aquinall.
• * 9.751

  Moseo.
• * 9.752

  The Spany∣ardes are put to flyght and many slayne.
• * 9.753

  An other ex∣pedition.
• * 9.754

  The Iland of Cozumella.
• * 9.755

  Sweete sa∣uours.
• * 9.756

  A frutefull Ilande,
• * 9.757

  Towres and ••emples.
• * 9.758

  Cozumella na¦med Sancta Crux.
• * 9.759

  Idoles lyke beares.
• * 9.760

  Idolatry.
• * 9.761

  Gentell peop••e.
• * 9.762

  Iucatana but fyue myles from Cozu∣me••la.
• * 9.763

  The Barba∣rians make resistaunce.
• * 9.764

  A conflicte,
• * 9.765

  The length of Iuca••ana.
• * 9.766

  The region of Caluacam, or Oloan.
• * 9.767

  The ryuer Grisalua.
• * 9.768

  Targets and brest plates of golde.
• * 9.769

  Armure of golde.
• * 9.770

  Experte arti∣ficers.
• * 9.771

  Fysshe hokes of golde.
• * 9.772

  The Ilandes of Sacrifice.
• * 9.773

  Chyldren sa∣crified to I∣doles.
• * 9.774

  Their Idoles of marble.
• * 9.775

  Gold and pre¦cious stones▪
• * 9.776

  A stone of great price.
• * 9.777

  Ilandes of women.
• * 9.778

  Golde.
• * 9.779

  houses lyke towres.
• * 9.780

  xv. greate townes in the prou••nce of Col••ua••ana.
• * 9.781

  Townes of x••. thousande hou••es.
• * 9.782

  The region of Palmaria.
• * 9.783

  A token of frendship.
• * 9.784

  Preestes.
• * 9.785

  Chastitie.
• * 9.786

  The puny••he¦ment of adul¦terie.
• * 9.787

  Mariage is honoured.
• * 9.788

  Fastynge.
• * 9.789

  kynge Ouan¦dus.
• * 9.790

  Idoles, iew∣els, and ou∣ches of gold.
• * 9.791

  Gold in moun¦taynes and ryuers
• * 9.792

  Theyr maner of gatheryng golde.
• * 9.793

  Sweete sa∣uours.
• * 9.794

  A stone of great price.
• * 9.795

  Other viages from Cuba or Fernandina.
• * 9.796

  Many Iland•• betwene Cu¦ba and the firme lande.
• * 9.797

  Sanctiago the chiefe ci∣tie of Cuba.
• * 9.798

  The Barba••i¦ans sley the Spaniardes with theyr owne wea∣pons.
• * 9.799

  The chiefe ci¦tie of the sup∣posed conti∣nent.
• * 9.800

  The Spany∣ardes are s••ayne ageyne with theyr owne wepōs.
• * 9.801

  The barbari∣ans are slaine and pu•• to flyght.
• * 9.802

  An other vy∣age.
• * 9.803

  Archipelagus.
• * 9.804

  A multitude of Ilandes.
• * 9.805

  xxvi. Ilandes about hispani¦ola & Cuba.
• * 9.806

  Images of golde.
• * 9.807

  Rasers of stone.
• * 9.808

  Instrumentes and tooles.
• * 9.809

  Landes lyke vnto the earth¦ly Paradyse.
• * 9.810

  An other vy∣age of .x. Cara¦uels and a. hundreth mē.
• * 9.811

  horses and mares.
• * 9.812

  Fernando Cortesius.
• * 9.813

  The Iland of Cozumella.
• * 9.814

  Carpets and sheetes.
• * 9.815

  Innumerable bokes.
• * 9.816

  Circumcised Idolaters.
• * 9.817

  They Sacri∣fice Chyldren
• * 9.818

  The Ilandes of Dis••am & Sestam.
• * 9.819

  Sacrifice of dogges.
• * 9.820

  They are soone persua¦ded to owre religion.
• * 9.821

  The picture of the bles∣sed virgine
• * 9.822

  An other vy∣age
• * 9.823

  Aquillaris .vii. yeares captiue in the Iland of Iu∣catana.
• * 9.824

  Valdiuia.
• * 9.825

  The ship∣wracke of Ualdiuis.
• * 9.826

  The quicke sandes cau∣led vypers.
• * 9.827

  The course of the sea to∣warde the west.
• * 9.828

  Ualdiuia is sacrificed to Idoles.
• * 9.829

  howe Aquil∣laris escaped
• * 9.830

  kynge Tax¦marus.
• * 9.831

  The mouth of a ryuer sto••ped with sande.
• * 9.832

  Turky hens.
• * 9.833

  A confl••cte.
• * 9.834

  The Barba∣rians are put to flyght.
• * 9.835

  The great towne of Pos¦tanchana or Uictoria.
• * 9.836

  A towne of xxv. thou••ād houses.
• * 9.837

  Gunnes and horses.
• * 9.838

  The man & the horse. thought to be one beast.
• * 9.839

  Centaurus.
• * 9.840

  ••alaices of maruelous bygnes and ••el buylded.
• * 9.841

  They receue owre religiō.
• * 9.842

  A towne of a thousand & fyue hundred houses,
• * 9.843

  An other v••∣age of two brygantines & fiftie men.
• * 9.844

  where the sea runneth swyftly from the East to the West.
• * 9.845

  A conflict be∣twene the wa¦ters comming from the west and from the south.
• * 9.846

  A dangerous and peinefull vyage.
• * 9.847

  The land of Colluacana.
• * 9.848

  The land of Baccaleos or Baccal••arum
• * 9.849

  Rych presen∣••es of golde and precious sle••es.
• * 9.850

  A newe colo∣nie.
• * 9.851

  This Cortesi∣us hath writ∣ten a booke of these thinges
• * 9.852

  They weare rynges and plates at ther lyppes.
• * 9.853

  The dyuers phantasies of men.
• * 9.854

  Syluer.
• * 9.855

  Note where go••d and syl∣ue•• are engē∣dered.
• * 9.856

  I thinke this l••ton to ••e sum ky••de of pure copper▪ or els copper that holde••h golde. Fo•• la∣ton is an arti∣ficial me••a••, & hath no natu∣••all myne Theyr bokes
• * 9.857

  Theyr letters
• * 9.858

  what is con¦teyned in theyr bookes.
• * 9.859

  Temple•• rychly adour∣ned.
• * 9.860

  Prayer.
• * 9.861

  They sacry∣fice chyldren & captyues.
• * 9.862

  A wronge way to heauē
• * 9.863

  Bluddy gods
• * 9.864

  Villa Ricca.
• * 9.865

  Siuilla Noua.
• * 9.866

  The force of an owlde er∣rour.
• * 9.867

  Theyr priests lyue chast.
• * 9.868

  Faggots of bones.
• * 9.869

  A fygure of baptisme.
• * 9.870

  The presen∣tes sent into Spayne to the kynge.
• * 9.871

  Two Images of gold and syluer.
• * 9.872

  Two cheine•• of gold mar∣uelou••ly byset with precious stones and iewels.
• * 9.873

  Buskyns.
• * 9.874

  Myters.
• * 9.875

  how can we then ca••l thē beastly or Barbarous.
• * 9.876

  If they had chāged their gold for owre Irē, they had not so soone byn subdued. Quylles.
• * 9.877

  ••elmets.
• * 9.878

  •• byrde.
• * 9.879

  Speares.
• * 9.880

  A sce••ter.
• * 9.881

  A braselet.
• * 9.882

  Shooes.
• * 9.883

  Glasses.
• * 9.884

  Byrdes. fou∣les, & fysshes of golde.
• * 9.885

  Targets. &c. of gold.
• * 9.886

  A crowne of golde.
• * 9.887

  Crosses.
• * 9.888

  Images of baest••s.
• * 9.889

  Shi••tes.
• * 9.890

  Cloth of ar∣ras.
• * 9.891

  A souldyers cl••cke.
• * 9.892

  Reg••stere of thaff••yres of India.
• * 9.893

  Tha••toritie of the Lieue∣tenaunt.
• * 9.894

  The Spany∣ardes of Da∣riena.
• * 9.895

  Sancta Maria Antiqua.
• * 9.896

  Petrus Arias whom the Spanyardes name Pedia∣••ias.
• * 9.897

  This sea the spanyardes ••aule ••ardel 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 9.898

  Contention betwene Uas¦chus and Pe∣trus Arias.
• * 9.899

  Petrus Arias commandeth that Uaschus be put to death.
• * 9.900

  Uaschus is accused.
• * 9.901

  Uaschus is put to death.
• * 9.902

  Petrus Arias.
• * 9.903

  Lupus Sosa.
• * 9.904

  The great ry¦uer of Dabai∣ba or Grandis
• * 9.905

  The goulfe of Uraba.
• * 9.906

  The ryche mountaynes of Dabaiba.
• * 9.907

  Fierce & war lyke people.
• * 9.908

  Dartes.
• * 9.909

  Swoordes of heauie wood.
• * 9.910

  hispan••ola Ouiedus wry∣teth that ther are nowe .v. monasteries.
• * 9.911

  Newe and strange disea∣ses.
• * 9.912

  The suger of hispaniola.
• * 9.913

  Suger of Ua∣leutia.
• * 9.914

  A token of maruelous fruitfulnes.
• * 9.915

  Cattayle.
• * 9.916

  wheate.
• * 9.917

  Uines.
• * 9.918

  Cassia Fistula.
• * 9.919

  Brasyle.
• * 9.920

  Myrobalanes
• * 11.1

  A marke, is •• pounde of viii. ounces summa .xl••i.li. weyght .viii. ounces, after xii. ounces to the .li.
• * 11.2

  Of this reade more largely in the deca∣des.
• * 11.3

  By the com∣putation of ve¦nice .iiii. gra••∣nes make a carette.
• * 11.4

  Nigua.
• * 11.5

  Uypers,
• * 11.6

  Adders.
• * 11.7

  Dragons,
• * 11.8

  Spyders,
• * 11.9

  Crabbe••▪
• * 11.10

  Serpentes cauled Iuan∣••i.
• * 11.11

  Byrdes.
• * 11.12

  A very lyttle byrde.
• * 11.13

  Beastes.
• * 11.14

  Bardati.
• * 11.15

  Beares.
• * 11.16

  Antes.
• * 11.17

  A straunge beast whiche seemeth a kynd of Cha∣meleon.
• * 11.18

  Foules, and byrdes,
• * 11.19

  Alcatraz,
• * 11.20

  Panama▪
• * 11.21

  P••ssere sempie.
• * 11.22

  Picuti.
• * 11.23

  Folysshe spa∣rowes.
• * 11.24

  Gazz••ole.
• * 11.25

  Pintadelli.
• * 11.26

  Great foules
• * 11.27

  Cocus.
• * 11.28

  I haue seene one of these fruites ope∣ned the whi∣che wh••n it was ho••e, yf it were ••hakē the water was harde shogge ther∣in as it were in a bottle, but in tyme it consumed and was pa••t¦ly congeled in¦to a salte sub∣staunce,
• * 11.29

  Great trees.
• * 11.30

  A maruelo••-tree.
• * 11.31

  ••yndlynge of fyre withowt fyre.
• * 11.32

  Purrified woodde shy∣nyng in the nyght.
• * 11.33

  Plinie.
• * 11.34

  Trees which continue euer greene.
• * 11.35

  Cassia,
• * 11.36

  A secreat•• thy••ge.
• * 11.37

  Radycall moysture▪
• * 11.38

  Platani.
• * 11.39

  Figges.
• * 11.40

  ••unas.
• * 11.41

  Bihaos.
• * 11.42

  Hauas,
• * 11.43

  Dying of cot¦ton.
• * 11.44

  A straunge thynge.
• * 11.45

  Note.
• * 11.46

  Canibales ar¦chiers.
• * 11.47

  wherwith they inuenym¦ther arrowes
• * 11.48

  P••trus Arias.
• * 11.49

  The water of the sea.
• * 11.50

  The goulf of vraba.
• * 11.51

  Xagua.
• * 11.52

  Hobi.
• * 11.53

  Sum thynke these to be mi¦••obalanes.
• * 11.54

  Date trees,
• * 11.55

  Thinhabitan¦••es of the sea of Sur.
• * 11.56

  An herb that bearethe cor∣des.
• * 11.57

  Cabuia & he••••∣quen.
• * 11.58

  A straūg thi••∣ge.
• * 11.59

  Leaues,
• * 11.60

  A leafe of great vertue.
• * 11.61

  Tiburons.
• * 11.62

  Manates
• * 11.63

  G••eat Tortoy¦••es.
• * 11.64

  Tiburons.
• * 11.65

  Plinie.
• * 11.66

  Crocodyles.
• * 11.67

  Manates.
• * 11.68

  The fysshe Manate.
• * 11.69

  A remedy a∣geynst the stone.
• * 11.70

  The swoorde fysshe.
• * 11.71

  Tunnye.
• * 11.72

  Turbut,
• * 11.73

  Note,
• * 11.74

  Flyinge fys∣shes.
• * 11.75

  The Iland of Bermuda.
• * 11.76

  Not to hie for the pye nor to lowe fro: the crowe.
• * 11.77

  Beragua.
• * 11.78

  The West Ocean.
• * 11.79

  The s••a Me∣diteraneum.
• * 11.80

  Hispaniola.
• * 11.81

  Cuba.
• * 11.82

  The South sea.
• * 11.83

  The power and w••sdome of god is sene in his crea∣tures.
• * 11.84

  Esquegua and vrrace.
• * 11.85

  Nomen De••.
• * 11.86

  Panama.
• * 11.87

  The ryuer of Chagre.
• * 11.88

  The Ilande Bastimento.
• * 11.89

  The marue∣lous bridge.
• * 11.90

  The Ilandes of Molucca.
• * 11.91

  The commo∣ditie of this viage.
• * 11.92

  Tigers.
• * 11.93

  Plantes and herbes.
• * 11.94

  Birdes.
• * 11.95

  Men.
• * 11.96

  Sheepe.
• * 11.97

  Bulles.
• * 11.98

  Iucea.
• * 11.99

  Battes.
• * 11.100

  Plinie.
• * 11.101

  the Tiger.
• * 11.102

  The huntyng of tigers.
• * 11.103

  A reward for kyllinge of ••i¦gers.
• * 11.104

  Colocus com∣pared to Her∣cules.
• * 11.105

  The pillers of hercules.
• * 11.106

  the straightes of Gibilterra.
• * 11.107

  Note.
• * 11.108

  PLVS VLTRA.
• * 11.109

  howe farre Themperou•• maiestie excel¦leth hercules.
• * 11.110

  A tiger made ••ame.
• * 11.111

  The Indian women.
• * 11.112

  The men of India.
• * 11.113

  The kynge is borne on mēs b••ckes.
• * 11.114

  Lettinge of bludde.
• * 11.115

  They haue no beardes.
• * 11.116

  They paynte theyr bodies.
• * 11.117

  The Caniba∣les.
• * 11.118

  Armure of golde.
• * 11.119

  Their galant∣nes in the warres.
• * 11.120

  Their Iuell••
• * 11.121

  howe the wo¦men beare vp their s••a••es, wy••h barres of golde.
• * 11.122

  The stature & coloure of the Indians.
• * 11.123

  The Indians cauled Coro∣nati.
• * 11.124

  The Ilande of giantes.
• * 11.125

  Iucato••.
• * 11.126

  The sculles of the Indiās heades.
• * 11.127

  New Spaine.
• * 11.128

  The house•• of the Christi¦ans in India
• * 11.129

  Darien••.
• * 11.130

  Garde••••.
• * 11.131

  Men are desi∣rous of newe thinges.
• * 11.132

  The commo∣dities of his∣paniola-Englande and Sicilie.
• * 11.133

  Golde mines.
• * 11.134

  Cotton.
• * 11.135

  Cassia.
• * 11.136

  Suger.
• * 11.137

  Plantes and Herbes.
• * 11.138

  Greate thyn∣ges hindered by respecte of presente gay∣nes.
• * 11.139

  Orangies. Pomegrana∣tes.
• * 11.140

  Figges al the yeare.
• * 11.141

  Dates.
• * 11.142

  Beastes.
• * 11.143

  Greate hear∣des of catta••l.
• * 11.144

  good pasture.
• * 11.145

  The effecte of continual and moderate heate.
• * 11.146

  The cause of fatte nurisshe¦mente.
• * 11.147

  Beastes of longe lyfe ••n regions a¦bowte the E∣quinoctiall line
• * 11.148

  Trees whos leaues doe not wither
• * 11.149

  The cancar of the tree
• * 11.150

  Longe lyu••de men in India.
• * 11.151

  Paradise beare the e¦quinoctial line
• * 11.152

  Shepee and hogges
• * 11.153

  Dogges and cattes becom wylde
• * 11.154

  The situation of hispaniola.
• * 11.155

  The citie of sandomenico
• * 11.156

  The riuer ••¦zama
• * 11.157

  The hauen
• * 11.158

  A cathedrall churche and monasterie in hispaniola.
• * 11.159

  An hospitale.
• * 11.160

  The people
• * 11.161

  Glo wormes
• * 11.162

  Crowes sty••¦kynge and sweete.
• * 11.163

  Saynt Iohn his Ilande.
• * 11.164

  Iamaica.
• * 11.165

  Partriches.
• * 11.166

  Pellettes for gunnes wrought by nature.
• * 11.167

  A fountayne of the pytche of Bitumen.
• * 11.168

  Quintus Cu••sius
• * 11.169

  Bitumen of Babi••on.
• * 11.170

  Panuco.
• * 11.171

  Baccaleos.
• * 11.172

  Indians.
• * 11.173

  Ryche furres and syluer.
• * 11.174

  Idolaters.
• * 11.175

  west India the newe worlde.
• * 11.176

  The circum∣ference of the Equinoctiall lyne.
• * 11.177

  The North regions.
• * 11.178

  The South regions.
• * 12.1

  Don Peter Martyr.
• * 12.2

  Rome sacked
• * 12.3

  A day lost in three yeares and one mo∣neth.
• * 12.4

  Antonie Pi∣gafetta.
• * 12.5

  Iacobus Faber.
• * 12.6

  Maximilian Transiluane
• * 12.7

  The rewarde of noble en∣terpryse••.
• * 12.8

  The antiqui∣tie had no suche know∣lege of the worlde as we haue.
• * 12.9

  The Ilandes of Molucca.
• * 12.10

  Aurea Cherso∣nesus.
• * 12.11

  Malaccha.
• * 12.12

  Spyces.
• * 12.13

  The Ilandes of Spyces vn¦knowen in owlde tyme.
• * 12.14

  Herodutus.
• * 12.15

  Sinamome,
• * 12.16

  The Phenyx.
• * 12.17

  Plinie.
• * 12.18

  The nauigati¦ons of greate Alexander.
• * 12.19

  Ethiope.
• * 12.20

  Trogloditi.
• * 12.21

  The nauigat••¦on abowte the worlde.
• * 12.22

  The owld•• autours re∣proued.
• * 12.23

  Monsters.
• * 12.24

  The vyages of the Spany¦ardes and Po••tugales,
• * 12.25

  Sinus Magnus.
• * 12.26

  Sebastian Munster.
• * 12.27

  The Ilandes of Molucca.
• * 12.28

  Controuer••ie betw••ne the Spanyardes and Portuga∣les.
• * 12.29

  Ferdinando Magalianes.
• * 12.30

  The Cape of saynt Uincent
• * 12.31

  The Ilandes of Canarie.
• * 12.32

  water engen∣dered of a clowde.
• * 12.33

  The Iland of saynt Tho∣ma••.
• * 12.34

  Capo verde.
• * 12.35

  Ginnea in Ethyope
• * 12.36

  Serraliona.
• * 12.37

  Fysshes and monsters of the sea.
• * 12.38

  The fyers of saints helene & S. Nicolas. A tempest.
• * 12.39

  The naturall cause of such ••iers as faule in the ••hyps
• * 12.40

  Cardanus.
• * 12.41

  Two kyndes of fyers engē¦dered of exha¦lations.
• * 12.42

  Trewe fyer & false fyer.
• * 12.43

  Casto•• and Pollux.
• * 12.44

  The lyghtes of saynt Pe∣ter and saynte Nycolas.
• * 12.45

  They lost the syght of the North starre.
• * 12.46

  The lande▪ of Bresile.
• * 12.47

  The South pole.
• * 12.48

  Sugar.
• * 12.49

  The greate∣nesse of the land of Bra∣sile.
• * 12.50

  C••ni••ales.
• * 12.51

  Giantes.
• * 12.52

  Insula•• gemma∣rum.
• * 12.53

  Cap. S. Marie.
• * 12.54

  The pole ••n¦artike.
• * 12.55

  Geese-Sea woolues
• * 12.56

  The .xlix. de∣gree of the south pole.
• * 12.57

  Giantes.
• * 12.58

  The bygnes of the giants.
• * 12.59

  An other giante.
• * 12.60

  Foure other giantes.
• * 12.61

  Two giantes are t••ken by a po••licie.
• * 12.62

  The deuyll Setebos.
• * 12.63

  Deuyls ap∣p••r•• to the gy¦ant•••• when they dye.
• * 12.64

  Patagoni.
• * 12.65

  The gyantes feedynge.
• * 12.66

  They cospire ageynst theyr Capitayne.
• * 12.67

  Confession.
• * 12.68

  The straight of Magella∣nus.
• * 12.69

  The South sea.
• * 12.70

  Mare pacificu••.
• * 12.71

  The giantes di••d fo•• heat.
• * 12.72

  Capo Deside••ato
• * 12.73

  Short nights in the moneth of October.
• * 12.74

  F••ying fy••••hes
• * 12.75

  The gyantes language.
• * 12.76

  The gyant is baptised.
• * 12.77

  Three mo∣nethes sayt lyng without the syght of lande.
• * 12.78

  Extreme f••∣m••n.
• * 12.79

  Di••ease•• of famen.
• * 12.80

  Unfortunate Ilandes.
• * 12.81

  what they sayled dayl••
• * 12.82

  The ••tarre•• abow•• the south pole.
• * 12.83

  The needle of the coom∣pase.
• * 12.84

  The lode stone.
• * 12.85

  The Equi∣noctial line.
• * 12.86

  The Ilandes of Cipanghu and Sumbdit
• * 12.87

  Insule Latronū.
• * 12.88

  People with longe heare
• * 12.89

  They coloure theyr teethe.
• * 12.90

  The Ilande of zamail.
• * 12.91

  wyne of date trees.
• * 12.92

  The marue∣lous frute. Cocus.
• * 12.93

  The Iland of zuluan
• * 12.94

  The sea cau∣l••d Arch••pe∣lago d••••an La••aro.
• * 12.95

  Gentyles.
• * 12.96

  Foure Ilands
• * 12.97

  The Iland of Buthuan.
• * 12.98

  The Iland of Cal••ghan.
• * 12.99

  Plent••e of golde.
• * 12.100

  The kynge of Buthuan.
• * 12.101

  Masse.
• * 12.102

  A combatte.
• * 12.103

  The Crosse and crowne of thornes.
• * 12.104

  Moores and gentyles.
• * 12.105

  Many Ilands
• * 12.106

  The Iland of Messana.
• * 12.107

  Battes as bygge as Eagles.
• * 12.108

  Fowles with hornes.
• * 12.109

  Egges hat∣ched in sand.
• * 12.110

  The Ilande of zubut.
• * 12.111

  The kynge of zubut.
• * 12.112

  A shyp laden with gold and slaues.
• * 12.113

  Calicut.
• * 12.114

  Malacha.
• * 12.115

  Sheadyng of bludde is a to¦ken of frend∣shyppe
• * 12.116

  The kynge of zibut is bap∣tised.
• * 12.117

  The kynge of zubut his ap∣parell.
• * 12.118

  well fauored women.
• * 12.119

  Barterynge
• * 12.120

  Pesus what.
• * 12.121

  They breake theyr Idoles and erecte the crosse.
• * 12.122

  Fyue hun∣dreth men baptised.
• * 12.123

  The queene of zubut.
• * 12.124

  The queenes apparell.
• * 12.125

  A miracle.
• * 12.126

  The Iland of Mathan.
• * 12.127

  The capitaine Magellanus is slayne.
• * 12.128

  The Iland of Bohol.
• * 12.129

  They burnte one of theyr shyppes.
• * 12.130

  Blacke men.
• * 12.131

  The Ilande of Chippit.
• * 12.132

  The Iland of Caghaian.
• * 12.133

  The Iland of Pulaoan.
• * 12.134

  The Ilande Burne•• or Po¦ne.
• * 12.135

  A great citie.
• * 12.136

  Elephantes.
• * 12.137

  The Iland of Cimbulon.
• * 12.138

  Leaues of trees which seeme to liue
• * 12.139

  A sea full of weedes.
• * 12.140

  Perles.
• * 12.141

  Men ouer∣growen with heare.
• * 12.142

  The Ilandes of Molucca.
• * 12.143

  The Portu∣gales are re∣proued.
• * 12.144

  Tidode one of the Ilandes of Molucca.
• * 12.145

  A vision in the planettes
• * 12.146

  The fyue I∣landes of mo∣lucca.
• * 12.147

  Tarenate.
• * 12.148

  The Iland of Gilolo.
• * 12.149

  Moores & gen¦tyles.
• * 12.150

  Golde.
• * 12.151

  water in reedes.
• * 12.152

  Theyr maner of barteringe.
• * 12.153

  water of A straunge qua∣litie.
• * 12.154

  Byrdes of a straunge forme,
• * 12.155

  They lea••e one of theyr shyppes be∣hynd them.
• * 12.156

  The Ilandes of Molucca.
• * 12.157

  hony of flyes.
• * 12.158

  Popingiayes.
• * 12.159

  The Iland of Tidore.
• * 12.160

  Terenate.
• * 12.161

  Mutir.
• * 12.162

  Macchian.
• * 12.163

  Bacchian.
• * 12.164

  Many Ilande.
• * 12.165

  The Iland of Mallua.
• * 12.166

  Pepper.
• * 12.167

  Lyttle men with longe eares.
• * 12.168

  The Iland of Timor.
• * 12.169

  whyte san∣ders and gin∣ger.
• * 12.170

  The deuyll appeareth.
• * 12.171

  Saynt Iob his disease.
• * 12.172

  Cinamome
• * 12.173

  The Ilandes of Giaua.
• * 12.174

  Malaccha.
• * 12.175

  The greate goulfe of China.
• * 12.176

  The cape of Malaccha.
• * 12.177

  The names of many regi∣ons.
• * 12.178

  Reubarbe.
• * 12.179

  The greate kynge of Chi∣na.
• * 12.180

  The greater India.
• * 12.181

  The beast cauled linx.
• * 12.182

  The punishe∣ment of re∣belles.
• * 12.183

  The kynge is not seene but at a glasse.
• * 12.184

  A thyng of strange work∣manshyppe.
• * 12.185

  The kynge maryeth his syster.
• * 12.186

  hispallaice.
• * 12.187

  A marueilous garde.
• * 12.188

  women serue the kynge.
• * 12.189

  Foure mar∣uelous haules
• * 12.190

  The people of China.
• * 12.191

  The Crosse.
• * 12.192

  The greate kyng of m••en
• * 12.193

  CATHAY.
• * 12.194

  The sea of Lantchidol.
• * 12.195

  Malaccha.
• * 12.196

  The Iland of Sumetra.
• * 12.197

  Pegu,
• * 12.198

  Bengala.
• * 12.199

  Calicut.
• * 12.200

  Canonor.
• * 12.201

  Coa.
• * 12.202

  Cambaia.
• * 12.203

  Ormus.
• * 12.204

  East India.
• * 12.205

  Cap. de Buona. Speranza.
• * 12.206

  The port of M••nzambi∣q••••▪
• * 12.207

  Famen.
• * 12.208

  Capo Verde.
• * 12.209

  S. Iames Ilande.
• * 12.210

  The ingrat••¦tude of the Portugales.
• * 12.211

  The port of saynt Lucar nere vnto Siuile.
• * 12.212

  what became of the other shyppe.
• * 12.213

  Dariena
• * 12.214

  The cape of Cattigara.
• * 12.215

  Ptolome.
• * 12.216

  The vyage hardly per∣formed.
• * 12.217

  They bye slaues for lacke of helpe
• * 12.218

  Maryners woorthy im∣mortal fame.
• * 12.219

  Argonauti.
• * 12.220

  The viage of Iason to wyn the golden fleese.
• * 12.221

  The shyppe more woorthy fame then owlde Argo of Grecia.
• * 12.222

  The vyage
• * 13.1

  One caratte is iiii. graines
• * 13.2

  which is one crown of golde
• * 13.3

  which are iii. crowes of golde
• * 13.4

  A marcell, is a syluer coine of Uenice, of xi. vnces .iii. d. with fine, wherof ten make an vne.
• * 14.1

  Seedes kyll lyse.
• * 14.2

  Iohn Sebasti¦an.
• * 14.3

  The cause of contention.
• * 14.4

  The trade of ••pice pertey∣neth to Them¦peroure.
• * 14.5

  Iohn kyng of Portugale.
• * 14.6

  The trade of Spices.
• * 14.7

  The contro∣uersie deter∣mined by Cos¦mographers and Pylots.
• * 14.8

  The arby∣••rers on the Empiour•• syde.
• * 14.9

  Sebastian Cabote.
• * 14.10

  Instruments of Cosmogra∣phic.
• * 14.11

  The Ilandes of Maluca.
• * 14.12

  Thearbitrers on the Por∣tugales syde.
• * 14.13

  The place where they mette.
• * 14.14

  Tho••der of theyr p••oces.
• * 14.15

  The Portu∣gales.
• * 14.16

  Contention for drawynge the line of the diuision.
• * 14.17

  howe the portuga••es were decea∣ued.
• * 14.18

  The Spany∣a••des allega∣tions.
• * 14.19

  Samatra.
• * 14.20

  Malacha.
• * 14.21

  China.
• * 14.22

  Magallanes.
• * 14.23

  Buena Uista.
• * 14.24

  The Ilandes of C••bo Uer∣de.
• * 14.25

  The Portu∣gales cauil∣lations.
• * 14.26

  The line of diuision.
• * 14.27

  The sentēce.
• * 14.28

  The Portu∣gales threa∣ten death to the Castilians
• * 14.29

  The line of the last diui∣sion.
• * 14.30

  The great Iland of Sa∣motra.
• * 14.31

  The lande of Bra••ile, per∣te••neth to the portugales.
• * 14.32

  A mery tale.
• * 15.1

  The golde myne of Gui∣nea.
• * 15.2

  Alonso kynge of Portugale.
• * 15.3

  Gold for thynges of smaul value.
• * 15.4

  Contention for the kyng∣dome of Cast••le.
• * 15.5

  warre agenst the Moores of Granada.
• * 15.6

  The conque∣stes of the Portugales in Affrike.
• * 15.7

  Pope Alex∣ander.
• * 15.8

  The pope maketh the diuision.
• * 15.9

  The kynge of Portugale re∣fuseth to stand to the Popes bull.
• * 15.10

  The agree∣ment of the last diuision
• * 15.11

  wherin the Portugales were decea∣ued.
• * 16.1

  Sebastian Cabote.
• * 16.2

  Themperour and the kinge of portugale ioyned i•• ali∣ance by ma∣riage.
• * 16.3

  The portu∣gales robbe the Castilians
• * 16.4

  The corona∣tion of Them¦perour.
• * 16.5

  The gageing of the Ilands of Malucas. zamatra and Malaca.
• * 17.1

  Cabouerde
• * 17.2

  Besenegha.
• * 17.3

  A tempest.
• * 17.4

  The igno∣rance of Py∣lots and ma∣riners.
• * 17.5

  The vse of Cosmogra∣phie.
• * 17.6

  The vse of the ••uadrant and Astrola∣bie.
• * 17.7

  The pole Antartike.
• * 17.8

  The starre•• abowt the south pole.
• * 17.9

  Most plea∣sant & frutfull regions.
• * 17.10

  The earthlye Paradyse.
• * 17.11

  Continual tē∣peratnesse.
• * 17.12

  Moyst dewes
• * 17.13

  Starres vn∣knowen to vs
• * 17.14

  The vse of Geometri.
• * 17.15

  Notable stars in the inferi∣our hemis∣pherie.
• * 17.16

  Most bright and shynynge starres.
• * 17.17

  Lactea via.
• * 17.18

  The inferi∣our hemis∣ph••rie.
• * 17.19

  The rayne∣bowe.
• * 17.20

  Aristotle his opinion of the rayne∣bowe.
• * 17.21

  A stran••e opinion.
• * 17.22

  The newe mone.
• * 17.23

  Fyery exhala¦tions.
• * 17.24

  hemispheriū.
• * 17.25

  Lisbona.
• * 17.26

  The fou••th part of the worlde.
• * 17.27

  Z••nith.
• * 17.28

  The vyage of Andreas de Corsali.
• * 17.29

  The Equinoc¦tial line.
• * 17.30

  Cap. de Spe∣ranza.
• * 17.31

  The starres of the vnder hemispherie.
• * 17.32

  Cloudes a∣bowt the south pole.
• * 17.33

  A crosse of fyue starres.
• * 17.34

  The coastes of Ethiope.
• * 17.35

  Golde ••n E∣th••ope.
• * 17.36

  The vyage of Aloisius Cadamustus.
• * 17.37

  The chariote of the south pole.
• * 17.38

  The wynter abowt the Equinoctiall.
• * 17.39

  Raine and clowdes.
• * 17.40

  Thunder & lyghtnynge.
• * 17.41

  hot showres of rayne.
• * 17.42

  The day, and rysynge of t••e so••••ne.
• * 18.1

  The romaine empyre.
• * 18.2

  iiii. hundreth yeares of ig∣noraunce.
• * 18.3

  Easte India well knowen in owld time.
• * 18.4

  Strabo.
• * 18.5

  The great ry¦chesse of E∣gipte.
• * 18.6

  The citie of A••exandria.
• * 18.7

  Marueylous rychesse.
• * 18.8

  The gouer∣naunce and reuenues of the Romans.
• * 18.9

  Trogloditica and India.
• * 18.10

  The goulfe of Arabie.
• * 18.11

  Ethiope.
• * 18.12

  Rich customs
• * 18.13

  The rychesse which were brought in owlde tyme from India. and the red sea.
• * 18.14

  The commis∣sion of Them¦perours Mar¦cus and Com¦modus.
• * 18.15

  The great ri∣ches the kyn∣ges of E••ipte had by cu∣stomes.
• * 18.16

  The noble en¦terprises of the kinges of Egypte. Ar••••noe. Damiata. Pelu••io.
• * 18.17

  Nilus.
• * 18.18

  Copt••.
• * 18.19

  ••erenice,
• * 18.20

  A nauigable tren••h made from Egypte to the red sea
• * 18.21

  Lacus Amari.
• * 18.22

  Kynge Seso∣stre.
• * 18.23

  Kynge Psam∣miticus.
• * 18.24

  kyng Darius
• * 18.25

  kynge Ptolo∣meus.
• * 18.26

  The citie he∣roū.
• * 18.27

  What Plynye w••tt••h of the nauigable trenche.
• * 18.28

  The large∣nesse and len∣gthe of the trenche.
• * 18.29

  The viage bi¦lande from E¦gypte to the red sea.
• * 18.30

  What kynge ptolomeus discouered.
• * 18.31

  Alcayre.
• * 18.32

  The viage to Easte Indya frequented in owlde tyme.
• * 18.33

  The custōes and maners of the Indy∣ans.
• * 18.34

  The vyage to Cathay.
• * 18.35

  Rycharde Chaunceler.
• * 18.36

  A lerned dis∣course of dy∣uers vyages.
• * 18.37

  The vigages of the Portu∣gales.
• * 18.38

  The worlde hangynge on the ••yer.
• * 18.39

  what is kno∣wen of the lo¦wer hemis∣pherie.
• * 18.40

  The lande of Brasile.
• * 18.41

  Peru.
• * 18.42

  The charge & dewtie of Christian prin¦ces.
• * 18.43

  Note.
• * 18.44

  hercules and Alexander.
• * 18.45

  The colonies of the Ro∣mans in regi∣ons subdued.
• * 18.46

  The great I∣land of saynt Laurence or Madagasca••.
• * 18.47

  The Ilandes of Tap••••ba∣na or Giaua.
• * 18.48

  Plinie.
• * 18.49

  The hystorie of Cornelius Nepos.
• * 18.50

  Shypes of In¦dia driu••n in∣to the sea of Germanie.
• * 18.51

  An enterprise wherby prin∣ces may ob∣teyne trewe fame and glory.
• * 18.52

  Cathay disco¦uered ••i Mar¦cus Paulus.
• * 18.53

  The citie of Lubyke.
• * 18.54

  The kyng of Polanie.
• * 18.55

  The duke of Moscouia.
• * 18.56

  An ambassa∣dour from the duke of Mos∣couia.
• * 18.57

  The woordes of thambassa¦dour of Moscouia
• * 18.58

  The way frō Moscouia to the north Oce¦an & Cathay.
• * 18.59

  Uolochda.
• * 18.60

  Ustiug.
• * 18.61

  Succana.
• * 18.62

  Duina.
• * 18.63

  Coimogor.
• * 18.64

  The north Ocean.
• * 18.65

  Greate wooddes.
• * 18.66

  Gothlande.
• * 18.67

  The Mosco∣uites haue knowleage of the greate cane of Ca∣thay.
• * 18.68

  Permis.
• * 18.69

  Plescora.
• * 18.70

  Catena mūdi.
• * 18.71

  Obdora.
• * 18.72

  Ucchiadoro.
• * 18.73

  Obo.
• * 18.74

  ••he lake Chethay.
• * 18.75

  The Tartars
• * 18.76

  The citie of Cambolu.
• * 18.77

  Note this se∣create.
• * 18.78

  Difficult tra∣uaylynge in Moscoula.
• * 18.79

  Commendati∣on of the Spa¦nia••des and Portugales.
• * 18.80

  ••he hystorie of Paulus Centur••o.
• * 18.81

  Of this reade more at large in the booke of Paulus Io¦mus.
• * 18.82

  Malice may do more with sum then Uer∣tue.
• * 18.83

  The Cospien sea.
• * 18.84

  Riga.
• * 18.85

  Liuonia.
• * 18.86

  The Tartar•• of Lordo.
• * 18.87

  Desertes.
• * 18.88

  The viage by the north se••.
• * 18.89

  The woorth••¦nesse of this vyage.
• * 18.90

  The viage•• of the Frēch∣men to the land of Bac∣calaos.
• * 18.91

  Pleasaunt countreys.
• * 18.92

  New Fraūce.
• * 18.93

  Apostrophe to the Christi∣an Princes.
• * 18.94

  Great ryuer••.
• * 18.95

  A thyng woor¦thy to be sear¦ched.
• * 18.96

  The way to Cathay and the Ilandes of Maluca by the northwest A notable en∣terpryse.
• * 18.97

  The noble en¦terprise of An¦toni di Men∣doza, viceroy of Mexico.
• * 18.98

  The discoue∣rynge of the northwest partes.
• * 18.99

  Shyps say∣lynge from Cathay by the north hy∣perboreā sea to the coastes of the north∣west part of the lande of Baccaleos.
• * 18.100

  Cathay.
• * 18.101

  The sea from new Fraunce or Terra Bri∣tonum to Ca∣thay.
• * 18.102

  A notable booke.
• * 18.103

  A great and glorious en∣terprise.
• * 18.104

  Sebastian Ca¦bote the grād pylot of the west Indies.
• * 18.105

  Commendati∣on of Sebasti¦an Cabote.
• * 18.106

  Sebastian Ca¦bote tould me that he was borne in Bry∣stowe, & that at .iiii. yeare owld he was caried with his father to Uenice and so returned a∣geyne into England with his father af∣ter certeyne yeares: Wher by he was thought to haue bin born in Uenice.
• * 18.107

  The fyrst vy∣age of Seba∣stian Cabote.
• * 18.108

  The land•• of Florid••.
• * 18.109

  The seconde vyage of Ca∣bote to the land of Bra∣sile, and Rio ••ella Plata.
• * 18.110

  Cabote tould me that in a region with∣in this ryuer ••e sowed l. ••raynes of weate in Sep¦tember, and gathered ther¦of. l. thousand in December as wryteth al¦so Francisco Lopes.
• * 18.111

  The vyage to Moscouia.
• * 18.112

  The hystory•• of Moscouia
• * 18.113

  The dyuer•• names of Moscouia.
• * 18.114

  Roxolani.
• * 18.115

  Rosolani,
• * 18.116

  Rutheni.
• * 18.117

  The ryuer Mosco.
• * 18.118

  The ryuer Boristhenes.
• * 18.119

  Themperour of Cathay.
• * 18.120

  The frosē sea
• * 18.121

  Lacus Croni∣cus.
• * 18.122

  Saturnus.
• * 18.123

  Amaltheum.
• * 18.124

  The dominiō of the duke of Moscouia.
• * 18.125

  The citie of Moscouia.
• * 18.126

  The chiefe cities of Mos∣couia.
• * 18.127

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Moscouia & Emperour of Russia.
• * 18.128

  Th•• duke of Moscouia his tytle.
• * 18.129

  Duke Basi∣lius.
• * 18.130

  Their poure.
• * 18.131

  Theyr obedi∣ence to theyr prince.
• * 18.132

  Theyr wars & conquestes.
• * 18.133

  Gunnes.
• * 18.134

  On••y the mos¦couites haue not felt the commodities of peace.
• * 18.135

  Theyr lan∣guage.
• * 18.136

  Dalmatia.
• * 18.137

  Pannonia.
• * 18.138

  hungarie.
• * 18.139

  Theyr origi∣nal.
• * 18.140

  The Sclauō t••••nge rea∣cheth farre.
• * 18.141

  Great woods white beares and blacke woo••ues.
• * 18.142

  Abundance of hony and waxe.
• * 18.143

  Rych furres.
• * 18.144

  Theyr maner of bargenyng
• * 18.145

  Rude & wylde people.
• * 18.146

  Tartares.
• * 18.147

  Ciuile people in cities.
• * 18.148

  Theyr money
• * 18.149

  They ēbrase the Christian fayth whiche thei receaued of the Apo∣stles.
• * 18.150

  The coūsaile of Nicene.
• * 18.151

  Basilius Mag¦nus.
• * 18.152

  Chrisostomus
• * 18.153

  Theyr constā¦cie in theyr religion.
• * 18.154

  The bysshop∣pes define cō¦trouersies in religion.
• * 18.155

  Theyr bysshops.
• * 18.156

  The Arche∣bysshoppe.
• * 18.157

  The patri∣arke of Con∣stantinople.
• * 18.158

  A notable ex∣emple of a Christian prince.
• * 18.159

  Theyr reli∣gion.
• * 18.160

  A monasterie of .ccc. mun∣kes
• * 18.161

  Preestes.
• * 18.162

  Masse.
• * 18.163

  A mysterie.
• * 18.164

  The prima∣tiue church.
• * 18.165

  A straunge custome.
• * 19.1

  Sarmatia asi¦atica.
• * 19.2

  The Scythi∣an Ocean.
• * 19.3

  The ryuer or Uolga.
• * 19.4

  Lacus albus.
• * 19.5

  The Caspian sea.
• * 19.6

  Theyr chiefe cities.
• * 19.7

  The wylde T••rtars.
• * 19.8

  hordas.
• * 19.9

  The bygnes of the citie of Moscouia.
• * 19.10

  Syluer.
• * 19.11

  The region of Moscouia.
• * 19.12

  Beastes.
• * 19.13

  A fayre and stronge castel in the citie of Mo••ca.
• * 19.14

  The dukes pallaice.
• * 19.15

  Theyr drynke
• * 19.16

  They are gy∣uen to drun∣kennesse.
• * 19.17

  Corne and grayne.
• * 19.18

  Stoues.
• * 19.19

  The famous ryuer of Ta∣nais.
• * 19.20

  The marys∣shes of Meo∣tis.
• * 19.21

  Uolga.
• * 19.22

  Ocha.
• * 19.23

  The sea Euxinum.
• * 19.24

  The forest of hircania.
• * 19.25

  Uri.
• * 19.26

  Alces.
• * 19.27

  They trauayl in wynter on sleades.
• * 19.28

  Causeys of tymber.
• * 19.29

  Trees and frutes.
• * 19.30

  Corne and grayne.
• * 19.31

  hony in wods and trees.
• * 19.32

  Lakes or pooles of hony.
• * 19.33

  A man almost drowned in hony.
• * 19.34

  A marueilous chaunce.
• * 19.35

  Beares feede of hony and bees.
• * 19.36

  Beares in∣uade bulles.
• * 19.37

  The ••eares byrth.
• * 19.38

  The beares denne.
• * 19.39

  Beares lyue withowt meate .xl. dayes.
• * 19.40

  The sleape of beares.
• * 19.41

  The religion of the Mosco∣uites.
• * 19.42

  The Scythi∣ans subiecte to the duke of Moscouia.
• * 19.43

  It was then an opinion that al riuers spronge owte of montaines
• * 19.44

  The fruteful region of Col¦mogora.
• * 19.45

  The great ri∣uer Diuidna.
• * 19.46

  wheate with¦owt plowing
• * 19.47

  The ryuer of Iuga.
• * 19.48

  Ustiuga.
• * 19.49

  Furrea.
• * 19.50

  The naturall cau••e of much hony in could regiōs▪ Gummes and spices in hot countreys.
• * 19.51

  Floures in coulde regiōs
• * 19.52

  Floures of trees.
• * 19.53

  Blossoomes of trees.
• * 19.54

  An exemple of the de∣grees of heate.
• * 19.55

  The genera∣tion of floures by moderate heate.
• * 19.56

  Longe dayes and shorte nyghtes.
• * 19.57

  Bramble and ferne.
• * 19.58

  Spices.
• * 19.59

  The sauoure o•• floures.
• * 19.60

  what plinie wryteth of hony.
• * 19.61

  Serius is o∣therwyse cau¦led Canicula, this is the dogge, of whom the ca¦nicular dayes haue theyr name.
• * 19.62

  what is hony
• * 19.63

  howe hony is corrupted.
• * 19.64

  hony of great quantitie in North regiōs
• * 19.65

  hot nyghtes in coulde re∣gions.
• * 19.66

  A similitude.
• * 19.67

  Natural heat dooth subtyle and digest all thynges.
• * 19.68

  Subtyle va∣pours dige∣sted by heate
• * 19.69

  Could regiōs
• * 19.70

  Ziglerus.
• * 20.1

  Ziglerus.
• * 20.2

  The qualitie of soomer in could regiōs.
• * 20.3

  The course of the sonne.
• * 20.4

  Uapours.
• * 20.5

  Short and Warme nyghtes.
• * 20.6

  Gothlande
• * 20.7

  One day of .vi monethes.
• * 20.8

  howe the sommer is in¦creased in could regiōs.
• * 20.9

  Rome.
• * 20.10

  Could nights in hot regiōs.
• * 20.11

  The Roman•• wynter.
• * 20.12

  One nyght of vi. monethes
• * 20.13

  Obiections.
• * 20.14

  The twy∣lyghtes.
• * 20.15

  The lyght of the mone.
• * 20.16

  ••he myght vnder the pole.
• * 20.17

  A demonstra∣tion.
• * 20.18

  The Moone.
• * 20.19

  Remedies of nature & art.
• * 20.20

  A brasen pot broken with frost.
• * 20.21

  Fysshes of the North seas.
• * 20.22

  The North sea.
• * 20.23

  The qualitie of water.
• * 20.24

  The lande
• * 20.25

  The diuine prouidence in moderatynge the elements
• * 20.26

  The nature of the sea.
• * 20.27

  Salte.
• * 20.28

  Generatiue heate.
• * 20.29

  Owtwarde could is cause of inwarde heate.
• * 20.30

  Uapours and exhalations.
• * 20.31

  whales.
• * 20.32

  Beastes.
• * 20.33

  hereby maye bee conside∣red the cause of the deathe of owr men that sayle di∣r••ctly to Gui∣nea.
• * 20.34

  No passage from one ex∣tremitie to an¦other but by a meane.
• * 20.35

  Caues and dennes.
• * 20.36

  Ualleys.
• * 20.37

  The best furres.
• * 20.38

  Sables.
• * 20.39

  Beastes that lye hyd in wynter.
• * 20.40

  All beastes haue the na∣ture of the place where they are en∣gendere••
• * 20.41

  what exer∣cise may doo.
• * 20.42

  Use maketh masteries.
• * 20.43

  Scondia.
• * 20.44

  Scone. is fayre in the duch toonge.
• * 20.45

  The fertilitie of ••condia.
• * 20.46

  he meaneth Diodorus Si¦culus.
• * 20.47

  ••hinuasions of the Gothes
• * 20.48

  ••ransiluania
• * 20.49

  The Gothes and Lum∣bardes.
• * 20.50

  Frutefull pasture.
• * 20.51

  Religion neg∣lected.
• * 20.52

  Inchaunters
• * 20.53

  The vyage of Sebastian Cabote to the frosen sea
• * 20.54

  Gronlande.
• * 20.55

  wardhus.
• * 20.56

  Lapponia & Gronlande.
• * 20.57

  Schoeni.
• * 20.58

  Cabote tould me that this Ise is of fresshe wa∣ter, and not of the sea.
• * 20.59

  A commixtiō of salt water and fresshe.
• * 20.60

  The sea be∣twene Nor∣way and Is∣lande.
• * 20.61

  Terra Viridis.
• * 20.62

  Pigme.
• * 20.63

  Baccalaos.
• * 20.64

  Island cau∣led Thyle.
• * 20.65

  Schoeni is lx. furlonges.
• * 20.66

  Miracles of nature in Islande.
• * 20.67

  Three marue¦lous moun∣taynes.
• * 20.68

  helgate.
• * 20.69

  hecla.
• * 20.70

  Straunge vi∣lions.
• * 20.71

  Ise.
• * 20.72

  Purgatory.
• * 20.73

  A straunge thynge.
• * 20.74

  Four springs of contrary nature.
• * 20.75

  Abundaunce of brimstone.
• * 20.76

  Dryed fysshe
• * 20.77

  Scarsenes of corne.
• * 20.78

  haukes.
• * 20.79

  white rauēs.
• * 20.80

  houses of whales bones.
• * 20.81

  The nauiga∣tion to Island
• * 20.82

  whales.
• * 20.83

  One thynge seruyng for contrary vses
• * 20.84

  A shipmans quadran••.
• * 20.85

  People of great agilitie.
• * 20.86

  A straunge apparell.
• * 20.87

  The cau••e of an owlde er∣roure.
• * 20.88

  So doo the Tartars.
• * 20.89

  Plentie of wyld beastes
• * 20.90

  No serpents.
• * 20.91

  Great gnats,
• * 20.92

  Abun••aunce of fysshe.
• * 20.93

  Ships with∣owt nayles.
• * 20.94

  Science ho∣noured.
• * 20.95

  Bargeinynge withowt woordes.
• * 20.96

  No horses.
• * 20.97

  A beast of marueylous strength and swyftnesse.
• * 20.98

  shat Schoe∣nus is loke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gronland.
• * 20.99

  The change of the horizō.
• * 20.100

  The owld au¦tours cauled all the north people Scy∣thyans.
• * 20.101

  Erasmus la∣menteth this in his fyrste booke de ra∣tine concionā¦di, where he speaketh of the people. cauled pilap••••
• * 20.102

  Idolatrie.
• * 20.103

  A misterie of mariage in fyre & f••int.
• * 20.104

  Experte in∣chauncers.
• * 20.105

  Magical dartes.
• * 20.106

  The canker.
• * 20.107

  One nyght of three moo∣nethes.
• * 20.108

  Rich furres.
• * 20.109

  Plentie of sea fysshe.
• * 20.110

  wardhus.
• * 20.111

  kyngdomes destroyd by factions.
• * 20.112

  The Dane••
• * 20.113

  An exemple of tyranni.
• * 20.114

  The myser••∣ble state of Norway.
• * 20.115

  Stockfysse.
• * 20.116

  The La∣pone••.
• * 20.117

  Shippes in daung••our by reason of whales.
• * 20.118

  Castoreum.
• * 20.119

  The rorynge of whales.
• * 20.120

  whales sal∣ted and reser¦ued.
• * 20.121

  The citie of Nidrosia.
• * 20.122

  A magnificall churche.
• * 20.123

  Noysome beastes of vn¦knowen gene¦ration.
• * 20.124

  wardhus.
• * 20.125

  The vnkno∣wen lande of the Lapon••s.
• * 20.126

  A ••erpent of houge bigge∣nesse.
• * 20.127

  God warneth vs by signes of thynges to coome.
• * 20.128

  The streigh∣tes or boyling sea.
• * 20.129

  Dangerous places in the sea.
• * 20.130

  Frutfull I∣landes about Norway.
• * 20.131

  Golde and syluer.
• * 20.132

  wardhus castell.
• * 20.133

  The goulfe of Suecia.
• * 20.134

  The citie of Stockholme.
• * 20.135

  Gold in could reg••ons.
• * 20.136

  Fysshe.
• * 20.137

  The beaste cauled Uro•• or Elg.
• * 20.138

  Upsalia.
• * 20.139

  Copperdali••.
• * 20.140

  Oplandia,
• * 20.141

  Byrdes.
• * 20.142

  Egges reser∣ued in salte.
• * 20.143

  Precious furres.
• * 20.144

  Fysshe.
• * 20.145

  Thinuasions of the Gothes
• * 20.146

  The warre of the gothe•• ageynst the Romans.
• * 20.147

  The boundes of Gothland.
• * 20.148

  The citie of Ui••ba.
• * 20.149

  Danes and Moscouites.
• * 20.150

  A librarie of two thousand ••ookes.
• * 20.151

  The Gothes inuaded Eu∣rope and de∣stroyd Rome.
• * 20.152

  Pannonia falsely taken for Finnonia.
• * 20.153

  Eningia.
• * 20.154

  Spanysshe wyne••.
• * 22.1

  Demetrius the ambassa∣dour of Mos∣couia.
• * 22.2

  Paulus Cen∣turio.
• * 22.3

  Spice•• browght frō India to Mos¦couia.
• * 22.4

  The ryuer Indus.
• * 22.5

  Oxus or hex∣ina a ryuer of Asia. runneth through the desertes of Sythia.
• * 22.6

  The sea hir∣canum, is now cauled mare Abacuk or mare de Sala.
• * 22.7

  Citrachan or Astracan.
• * 22.8

  Sarmartia is that greate countrey wherin 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conteyned Russia Liuonia and Tartaria, & the north and East part of Polonia.
• * 22.9

  Ageynst the Portugales.
• * 22.10

  The trade of spices inowld tyme.
• * 22.11

  Spices cor∣rupted.
• * 22.12

  The Caspian sea.
• * 22.13

  Basilius wrot to Pope A∣d••••ane.
• * 22.14

  warre be∣twene the Polones and Moscouites.
• * 22.15

  The seconde viage of Pau∣lus to Mosco∣ui••.
• * 22.16

  The Pope persuadeth Basilius to acknowledge the Romane churche.
• * 22.17

  The Empe∣roures recea∣ue there dia∣deme of the bysshoppes of Rome.
• * 22.18

  Demetrius in¦terteynement at Rome.
• * 22.19

  Demetrius is brought to the popes presence.
• * 22.20

  Basi••ius let∣ters to pope Clement.
• * 22.21

  Cardinall Campegius.
• * 22.22

  The ••uines of Rome.
• * 22.23

  The descrip∣tion of Mos∣couia.
• * 22.24

  The altares of great alex¦ander.
• * 22.25

  Marisshes in sommer.
• * 22.26

  The forest of hercynia.
• * 22.27

  wyld beastes
• * 22.28

  The Scythi∣an Ocean.
• * 22.29

  The beastes cauled Uri or Bisontes.
• * 22.30

  helenes.
• * 22.31

  Of the Scy∣thyans and Tartars.
• * 22.32

  Amaxouii.
• * 22.33

  hord••.
• * 22.34

  The large do¦minion of the Tartars.
• * 22.35

  Cathay.
• * 22.36

  The Tartars of Europe.
• * 22.37

  The Tartars of Asia. are subiecte to the Du••e of Moscouia.
• * 22.38

  The Tartars beyonde the ryuer of Uol∣ga.
• * 22.39

  Nogai. Sigismundu•• cauleth them Nogaysri.
• * 22.40

  The nobeles•• nation of the Tartars.
• * 22.41

  The ryuer Iaxartes.
• * 22.42

  Ismael the Soph••, kyng•• of Persia.
• * 22.43

  The citie of Samarcāda.
• * 22.44

  Tāburlanes, the myghtie Emperour of the Tartars. The conque∣stes of Tam∣burlanes.
• * 22.45

  Baiasetes.
• * 22.46

  This ap••arel t••ey haue of the Per••ians.
• * 22.47

  The Tartars traffi••ke w••th the Moscoui∣tes.
• * 22.48

  The tartars of the South syde of Mo••∣couia.
• * 22.49

  Gete and Rox¦olani.
• * 22.50

  Russia.
• * 22.51

  Moscouia cauled white Russia. Lituania. Pruissa. Liuonis. Denmarke. Norway. Tuecia. The people of Laponia.
• * 22.52

  Armeline fur¦res.
• * 22.53

  Bargeninge withowt wor¦des.
• * 22.54

  The darke re¦gion by th••s darke region and the Pig∣me••ts the way to Ca∣thay by the Northe sea.
• * 22.55

  The ••cythia•• Ocean.
• * 22.56

  The region of co••mogora.
• * 22.57

  She ryuer of diuidna.
• * 22.58

  The ryuer of Iuga or Iug.
• * 22.59

  Ustiuga.
• * 22.60

  The ryuer of Diuidna or Dwina.
• * 22.61

  The ryuer Suchana.
• * 22.62

  The frosen sea.
• * 22.63

  Dwina and Suchana.
• * 22.64

  Gronland or Engronland.
• * 22.65

  Understand myles of Ger∣many, that is leaques.
• * 22.66

  Rych furres.
• * 22.67

  Lupi Ceruarii
• * 22.68

  Sables.
• * 22.69

  The moun∣taines cauled hiperbore••.
• * 22.70

  haukes of di∣uers kyndes.
• * 22.71

  The passage from Mo••co∣uia to cathay.
• * 22.72

  Cathay.
• * 22.73

  Master Eliot cauleth Ca∣thay the regi¦on of siuarū.
• * 22.74

  The Gothes subuerted the Romane Empire.
• * 22.75

  The north re¦gions con••pi∣red ageinst the Romans.
• * 22.76

  Moscouia
• * 22.77

  The citie of Mosca.
• * 22.78

  Richard chast celer toulde me that these mastes are sumwhat ho∣lowe on the one syde, and that the hole syde of the next entereth into the same wherby they lye very close
• * 22.79

  The castel of Mo••ca.
• * 22.80

  whitehares and roe bu••∣kes.
• * 22.81

  The ryuer Ocha.
• * 22.82

  Uolga.
• * 22.83

  Nouogrodia.
• * 22.84

  Rha.
• * 22.85

  The whyte lakes.
• * 22.86

  The Ryphe∣an & hyperbo¦rean moun∣taynes.
• * 22.87

  Tanais and Boristhenes.
• * 22.88

  The sea Eux∣inus.
• * 22.89

  The Caspian sea.
• * 22.90

  Astrachan.
• * 22.91

  Media.
• * 22.92

  Armenia.
• * 22.93

  Persia.
• * 22.94

  Casan.
• * 22.95

  Sura.
• * 22.96

  Surcium.
• * 22.97

  Nouogrodi••.
• * 22.98

  The temple of Sancta Sophia.
• * 22.99

  The eleuatiō of the pole at Nouogrodia, & Moscouia.
• * 22.100

  heate by rea∣son of short nyghtes.
• * 22.101

  The citie of Uolodemaria
• * 22.102

  The citie of Moscha.
• * 22.103

  Otteferis.
• * 22.104

  Uolga.
• * 22.105

  Riga.
• * 22.106

  The citie of Plescouia.
• * 22.107

  The citie of Lubeke.
• * 22.108

  Frome Rome to Moscouia.
• * 22.109

  wynter tra∣uayle by ise & sn••we.
• * 22.110

  Marysshes in sommer.
• * 22.111

  Other wri∣ters denye this.
• * 22.112

  Riche furres.
• * 22.113

  The price of furres,
• * 22.114

  how many s••¦bles skynnes for an axe.
• * 22.115

  Flax.
• * 22.116

  O••e hydes.
• * 22.117

  waxe.
• * 22.118

  Thei abhorre the Iewes.
• * 22.119

  Their bokes and religion.
• * 22.120

  The Sclauon tounge spred further then any other.
• * 22.121

  ••••••nte Ie∣rome was borne in ••al∣man•• nowe c••uled Scla∣uonia.
• * 22.122

  howe they number the yeares.
• * 22.123

  Fewe and simple lawes
• * 22.124

  The exercise of youth.
• * 22.125

  Shootynge.
• * 22.126

  The corpora∣ture of the Moscouites.
• * 22.127

  Theyr fare.
• * 22.128

  Flesshe pre∣serued longe by reason of coulde.
• * 22.129

  haukyng and huntynge.
• * 22.130

  Plentie of fysshe.
• * 22.131

  Fysshe longe reserued in Ise.
• * 22.132

  wyne.
• * 22.133

  Maluasie.
• * 22.134

  All the north parte of the firme lande was cauled Scythia ••nd the people Scythyans.
• * 22.135

  Drynke coo∣led with Ise.
• * 22.136

  wyne of cher¦ryes.
• * 22.137

  Their womē.
• * 22.138

  Thomas Pa∣leologus.
• * 22.139

  The cōquest of the turkes in Grecia.
• * 22.140

  how the Prin¦ces chu••e theyr wyues.
• * 22.141

  Duke Basi∣lius.
• * 22.142

  war betwene the Polones and Mo••cho∣uites.
• * 22.143

  war betwene the Moscho∣uites & Tar∣tars.
• * 22.144

  The Mosco∣uit••s army. Their bāner.
• * 22.145

  Their horses and horsme••.
• * 22.146

  Theire ar∣mure.
• * 22.147

  hargabusi∣ers.
• * 22.148

  Gunnes.
• * 22.149

  The Prince dyneth open∣ly.
• * 22.150

  Sigismundus sayth that much of this is golde.
• * 22.151

  The custodie of the citie.
• * 22.152

  The dukes courte.
• * 22.153

  Souldyers wages of the common trea¦sury.
• * 22.154

  Russia.
• * 22.155

  The browne colour of the Russes.
• * 22.156

  Rossei••.
• * 22.157

  The Slauon tounge spre••¦d••th farre.
• * 22.158

  Uandales.
• * 22.159

  The P••inces of Russia.
• * 22.160

  The duke of Moscouia.
• * 22.161

  why the duke of Mo••couia was cauled an Emperour
• * 22.162

  The greate Turke.
• * 22.163

  The whyte kynge.
• * 22.164

  The duke of Mo••couia his ty••le.
• * 22.165

  Russia bapty∣sed by saynte Andrewe the Apostle.
• * 22.166

  The Mosco∣uites warres
• * 22.167

  Dyuers ma∣ners of dy∣uers people in the ware.
• * 22.168

  The Mosco∣uytes army.
• * 22.169

  howe he maynteyneth his army.
• * 22.170

  Instruments of warre.
• * 22.171

  The Mosco∣uites and Tartars ap∣parell.
• * 22.172

  The prouince of Moscouia.
• * 22.173

  Extreme coulde.
• * 22.174

  Extreme heate in cold regions.
• * 22.175

  Lyttle beastes.
• * 22.176

  The citie of Mo••couia or Mosca.
• * 22.177

  holsome ayer.
• * 22.178

  A ryche spoyle.
• * 22.179

  The ••land of Solowki.
• * 22.180

  Bieloiesero.
• * 22.181

  The lengthe of the day.
• * 22.182

  The trade from Mosco∣couia to the Caspian sea.
• * 22.183

  Bieloiesero or the whyte lakes.
• * 22.184

  Diuersitie of temperament in smaul dy∣stance.
• * 22.185

  A lake of brymstone.
• * 22.186

  Exchange of furres for o∣ther ware.
• * 22.187

  The domini∣on of the duke of Moscouia.
• * 22.188

  Uuolochda.
• * 22.189

  werste.
• * 22.190

  Ustiug.
• * 22.191

  Suchana.
• * 22.192

  Iug.
• * 22.193

  Dwina.
• * 22.194

  Colmogor.
• * 22.195

  Pieneg••.
• * 22.196

  Nicolai.
• * 22.197

  Kuluio.
• * 22.198

  The regions by the North sea.
• * 22.199

  Pieza.
• * 22.200

  Piescoia.
• * 22.201

  Rubicho.
• * 22.202

  Czircho.
• * 22.203

  C••ilma.
• * 22.204

  Petzora.
• * 22.205

  Pustoosero.
• * 22.206

  Ussa.
• * 22.207

  Cingulus mundi.
• * 22.208

  Stzuchogora.
• * 22.209

  Potzscherie∣ma.
• * 22.210

  Camenipoias.
• * 22.211

  Samoged.
• * 22.212

  Foules and beastes.
• * 22.213

  wyld people.
• * 22.214

  Poiassa.
• * 22.215

  Camen.
• * 22.216

  Artawischa.
• * 22.217

  Sibut.
• * 22.218

  Lepin.
• * 22.219

  So••sa.
• * 22.220

  Ob••.
• * 22.221

  Kitaisko.
• * 22.222

  Uuogolici.
• * 22.223

  Irtische.
• * 22.224

  Ieron.
• * 22.225

  ••umem.
• * 22.226

  Grustina.
• * 22.227

  Kitai.
• * 22.228

  Blacke men withowt speache.
• * 22.229

  Serponowe.
• * 22.230

  Lucomoria.
• * 22.231

  Men that yearely dye and reuyue.
• * 22.232

  A straunge trade of mar∣chaundies.
• * 22.233

  Obi.
• * 22.234

  Calami.
• * 22.235

  Ryuers.
• * 22.236

  Aurea Anus.
• * 22.237

  Obdora.
• * 22.238

  Cossin.
• * 22.239

  Cassima.
• * 22.240

  Tachnin.
• * 22.241

  People of Monstrous shape.
• * 22.242

  A fysshe lyke a man.
• * 22.243

  Plinie wry∣teth of the lyke fysshe.
• * 22.244

  Mountaynes.
• * 22.245

  The greate Chan of Ca∣thay.
• * 22.246

  Lucomoria.
• * 22.247

  Tumen.
• * 22.248

  Petzora.
• * 22.249

  Papin.
• * 22.250

  hygh moun∣taynes, sup∣posed to bee hyperborei, and Rhiphei▪
• * 22.251

  Engronland.
• * 22.252

  Stolp.
• * 22.253

  Cathay.
• * 22.254

  The frutfull prouince of Re••an.
• * 22.255

  Iaroslaw.
• * 22.256

  honny.
• * 22.257

  Donco.
• * 22.258

  Asoph.
• * 22.259

  Capha.
• * 22.260

  Constantino∣ple.
• * 22.261

  Tanais divi∣deth Europe frome Asia.
• * 22.262

  The springes of Tanais.
• * 22.263

  A great lake▪
• * 22.264

  The ryuer Schat.
• * 22.265

  Casan.
• * 22.266

  Astrachan.
• * 22.267

  Meotis.
• * 22.268

  Tulla.
• * 22.269

  Achas.
• * 22.270

  Frutefull regi¦ons abowt Tanais.
• * 22.271

  Plentie of wylde beastes.
• * 22.272

  Fire and salt.
• * 22.273

  where Ta∣nais is fyrste nauygable.
• * 22.274

  Asoph.
• * 22.275

  The marte of Asoph.
• * 22.276

  Libertie a••su∣reth strangers.
• * 22.277

  The altars of Alexander and Cesar.
• * 22.278

  The holy mountaynes.
• * 22.279

  Tanais the lesse.
• * 22.280

  From Mosco∣uia to Asoph.
• * 22.281

  Moscouia in Asia and not in Europe.
• * 22.282

  The prouince of Permia.
• * 22.283

  Marysshes in sommer.
• * 22.284

  Dwina.
• * 22.285

  Ustiug.
• * 22.286

  Tribute.
• * 22.287

  Furres and horses.
• * 22.288

  Monkes and heremites.
• * 22.289

  Patentes.
• * 22.290

  Marcus Pau∣lus wryteth that these dogges are almost as byg as Asses: and that they v••e syxe to one steade.
• * 22.291

  Iugaria.
• * 22.292

  hungaria.
• * 22.293

  Pannonia.
• * 22.294

  Attila.
• * 22.295

  The hygher or superyor Hungarye, is cauled Austri¦a.
• * 22.296

  Polonie.
• * 22.297

  Buda.
• * 22.298

  Furres.
• * 22.299

  Pearles and Precious stones.
• * 22.300

  Sibi••r.
• * 22.301

  Aspreolos, I thynk to be marterns: yet sum think thē to be squerels Ge••nerus wryteth that the kyngs of the Tartars, haue theyre ten••e•• coue∣red withowt wyth the skynnes of lyons: & with∣in▪ with the skynnes of ••s¦bles and Er∣mynes.
• * 22.302

  Czeremisse.
• * 22.303

  h••bitacion withowt hou¦ses.
• * 22.304

  Salte.
• * 22.305

  The Tartars of Casan.
• * 22.306

  horda.
• * 22.307

  Besermani.
• * 22.308

  The stature of the Tar∣tars.
• * 22.309

  They abste••ne from hogges flesshe.
• * 22.310

  Abstinence.
• * 22.311

  Uoracitie.
• * 22.312

  So doo the Turkes.
• * 22.313

  Iorneying by the pole star.
• * 22.314

  Mares mylke
• * 22.315

  horse flesshe eaten.
• * 22.316

  Clenly.
• * 22.317

  hors heades, deintie meate
• * 22.318

  The Tartars horses.
• * 22.319

  Saddels and styrrops of woodde.
• * 22.320

  The Tartars women.
• * 22.321

  The Tartars curse.
• * 22.322

  No iustice amonge the Tartars.
• * 22.323

  The Tartars are theeues and poore.
• * 22.324

  They reioyce in spoylynge
• * 22.325

  The feelde Tartars.
• * 22.326

  A mery tale.
• * 22.327

  Ca••an.
• * 22.328

  The kynge of Ca••an.
• * 22.329

  Archers.
• * 22.330

  Maryners.
• * 22.331

  The towne Tartars.
• * 22.332

  Mo••cou••a in∣u••ded by the Tartars.
• * 22.333

  The prince of moscouia tributary to the Tartars.
• * 22.334

  Duke Basili∣us arm•• a∣geynst the Tartars.
• * 22.335

  The kyng of Casan ••ubmit¦teth hym selfe.
• * 22.336

  The Iland of marchauntes
• * 22.337

  The Ca••pi∣••n ••ea.
• * 22.338

  P••r••ia.
• * 22.339

  ••••menia.
• * 22.340

  ••str••c••an.
• * 22.341

  The Tartars neare to the Caspian ••ea.
• * 22.342

  Nog••i.
• * 22.343

  The po••se••si¦on of three brytherne.
• * 22.344

  The kynges cauled Sa∣wolhenses.
• * 22.345

  A maruelous frute lyke a lambe.
• * 22.346

  Mandeuell.
• * 22.347

  Barnacles o•• the O••ke∣••eys.
• * 22.348

  Barack Sol∣tan.
• * 22.349

  Cathay.
• * 22.350

  Names of dignities a∣monge the Tartars.
• * 22.351

  Names of offices.
• * 22.352

  Chan Cublai
• * 22.353

  Nouogardia.
• * 22.354

  Suecia vnder the kynge of Denmarke.
• * 22.355

  Dwina.
• * 22.356

  Potiwlo.
• * 22.357

  hygh moun∣tayn••s neare the north Ocean.
• * 22.358

  Finlappia.
• * 22.359

  The wylde Lappians.
• * 22.360

  The region of Nortpoden
• * 22.361

  The cape cauled the holy nose.
• * 22.362

  A whyrl••oole or swalowing goulfe.
• * 22.363

  ••uch whyrle pooles, are cauled vipers
• * 22.364

  The stone cauled S••∣mes.
• * 22.365

  Superstitio••
• * 22.366

  Sacrifice to the stone Se∣mes
• * 22.367

  The cape Motka.
• * 22.368

  The Castel of Wardhus.
• * 22.369

  The region of the Wylde Lappones.
• * 22.370

  D••ont.
• * 22.371

  Iorneyinge on sleades.
• * 22.372

  howe the baites drawe sleades.
• * 22.373

  ••••. leaques in one day.
• * 22.374

  The citie of Berges in Norway.
• * 22.375

  A shorter iorney.
• * 22.376

  Rostow.
• * 22.377

  Pereaslaw.
• * 22.378

  Castromow.
• * 22.379

  Uuolochda.
• * 22.380

  Suchana.
• * 22.381

  Dwina.
• * 22.382

  hafnia.
• * 22.383

  Koppenhagē.
• * 22.384

  Liuonia.
• * 22.385

  werste is al∣most an Itali∣an myle.
• * 22.386

  Paulus Io∣uius.
• * 22.387

  Ryuers fau∣lyng into the fro••en sea.
• * 22.388

  wynde.
• * 22.389

  Ise.
• * 22.390

  Ise of many yeares.
• * 22.391

  The sea Bal∣theum.
• * 22.392

  where the son fauleth not in .xl. day••.
• * 22.393

  The Wylde Lappones are tributa∣ries to the Moscouites
• * 22.394

  Furres and fysshe.
• * 22.395

  Experte archers.
• * 22.396

  Good felow∣shyp.
• * 22.397

  Necessary warres.
• * 22.398

  No v••e of money.
• * 22.399

  Theyr cota∣ges.
• * 22.400

  Mountaynes continually bu••nyng.
• * 22.401

  Purgatory.
• * 22.402

  The ryuer Pet••ora,
• * 22.403

  The beaste cauled Mors.
• * 22.404

  ••he proui∣dence of nature.
• * 22.405

  The frosen sea.
• * 22.406

  Engronland or Groneland
• * 24.1

  Diuination.
• * 24.2

  Coniecture.
• * 24.3

  Prophesie.
• * 24.4

  So do the Egiptians.
• * 24.5

  The wordes of Seneca.
• * 24.6

  Islande was in owlde time cauled Thyle as summe thinke.
• * 26.1

  Iuan Uasili∣uich (that is) Iohn the soon of Basilius. He conquered Casan, & ther¦fore wryteth Lazanskii.
• * 26.2

  Seene owre eyes (that is) coomme to owr presence.
• * 26.3

  Plato sayth that these kynges were the sonnes of Neptunus.
• * 26.4

  An earth∣quake.
• * 26.5

  Marcilius Fi∣cinus.
• * 26.6

  Proclus.
• * 26.7

  Mexico or new Spaine.
• * 26.8

  hesperides. Capo Uerde Ophir. Tharsis. Gorgonas. Solinus.
• * 26.9

  Lands found by the Car∣thaginenses.
• * 26.10

  Aristotell.
• * 26.11

  Theophrast.
• * 26.12

  Ionas fledde to Thar••is.
• * 26.13

  The nauigati¦ons of Salo∣mon.
• * 26.14

  Bermeio••is the ••rabian sea.
• * 26.15

  how colour•• dyffer by de∣grees.
• * 26.16

  The coloure of the west Indians.
• * 26.17

  Dyues sortes of whyte and blacke.
• * 26.18

  Difference of coloure in the same clyme.
• * 26.19

  Rio de la plata.
• * 26.20

  Peru.
• * 26.21

  Blacke men in the west Indies.
• * 26.22

  From whē••e proceadeth the varietie of colours.
• * 26.23

  Gods wyse∣dome & poure is seene in his workes.
• * 26.24

  Curld heare and baldnes.
• * 26.25

  The colour of the East Indians.
• * 26.26

  East India.
• * 26.27

  Prester Iohn came owt of India to E∣thiope.
• * 26.28

  Ethyopia cau∣led India.
• * 26.29

  India not far from Spayne
• * 26.30

  Prester Iohn knowen to the Portu∣gales.
• * 26.31

  At the fur∣thest Easte, begynneth the west.
• * 26.32

  The Iland of Cipango.
• * 26.33

  China.
• * 26.34

  Cathay.
• * 26.35

  To the East by the west.
• * 26.36

  Marcus Pau∣lus Uenetus.
• * 26.37

  A harde be∣gynnyng.
• * 26.38

  Great thinges proceadyng of smaule and obscure be∣gynnynges.
• * 26.39

  The pylotte that fyrst founde the Indies.
• * 26.40

  Mina.
• * 26.41

  Thus also be¦gan Rychard chaunceler.
• * 26.42

  Colon was not much ler∣ned.
• * 26.43

  The Ilande ••tlantide.
• * 26.44

  The lande found by the Carthaginen∣ses.
• * 26.45

  Colon confer∣red with ler∣ned men.
• * 26.46

  Chaunce and arte.
• * 26.47

  A Christian opinion.
• * 26.48

  The caruel cōpared to the ship of Noye.
• * 26.49

  The kinge of Portugale.
• * 26.50

  The kyng of Castile.
• * 26.51

  Kynge Henry the seuenth.
• * 26.52

  Barnarde knewe not all thynges.
• * 26.53

  The duke of Medina Si∣donia.
• * 26.54

  The duke of Medina Celi.
• * 26.55

  The cōquest of Granada.
• * 26.56

  what men knowe not they count funtasticall.
• * 26.57

  Colon his in∣terteinmente.
• * 26.58

  The arch∣bysshop of Toledo.
• * 26.59

  Colon is brought to the kynges presence.
• * 26.60

  The iudge∣ment of igno∣rant folkes.
• * 26.61

  Colon is dis∣patched.
• * 26.62

  Colon his re∣warde.
• * 26.63

  One quent is .x hun∣dreth thou∣sand••.
• * 26.64

  The citie of Mexico or Te¦mixtitan
• * 26.65

  Golde and syluer.
• * 26.66

  Sylke.
• * 26.67

  Cotton.
• * 26.68

  Alam.
• * 26.69

  woade.
• * 26.70

  Sugar.
• * 26.71

  Shelles for money.
• * 26.72

  Corne Beastes.
• * 26.73

  haukyng and huntynge.
• * 26.74

  Paintynge.
• * 26.75

  women sump¦tuously appa∣reled.
• * 26.76

  A warlike na∣tion.
• * 26.77

  Captiues sa∣crificed to I∣doles.
• * 26.78

  Peru is the rychest lande that is know∣en
• * 26.79

  A house coue∣red withgold
• * 26.80

  harnes of golde.
• * 26.81

  A frutful re∣gion.
• * 26.82

  Great sheepe
• * 26.83

  The bewtie of Chrystian Princes.
• * 26.84

  Paraue.
• * 26.85

  Iohn Dias Solis.
• * 26.86

  The Ilande Martinus Gratias.
• * 26.87

  The viage of Sebastian Cabote to the ryuer of Pla∣ta.
• * 26.88

  Thar••is.
• * 26.89

  Ophir.
• * 26.90

  Cipango.
• * 26.91

  Cathay.
• * 26.92

  The ryuer of Plata.
• * 26.93

  Maruelous fru••fu••nes.
• * 26.94

  Mountaynes conteynynge golde and syl∣uer.
• * 26.95

  Great sheepe
• * 26.96

  Men with de¦formed legs.
• * 26.97

  Theyr colou••.
• * 26.98

  Malacha.
• * 26.99

  Tachola.
• * 26.100

  The Ilande of ••alucha.
• * 26.101

  The Iland of Samotra.
• * 26.102

  Spyces.
• * 26.103

  Calocut.
• * 26.104

  Ceilam.
• * 26.105

  Cathay.
• * 26.106

  China.
• * 26.107

  Precious stones.
• * 26.108

  Sylke.
• * 26.109

  Cautan.
• * 26.110

  The way to the Ilandes of Maluca by the north sea.
• * 26.111

  The Spany∣••••des.
• * 26.112

  Ba••per Cor∣te••reales.
• * 26.113

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 26.114

  Snowe and Ise.
• * 26.115

  Furre••.
• * 26.116

  Fysshe.
• * 26.117

  Gryfes.
• * 26.118

  Beares.
• * 26.119

  The britons.
• * 26.120

  Sebastian Cabot.
• * 26.121

  The land of Baccall••os.
• * 26.122

  The vyage of Cabot in the dayes of kyng henry the seuenth.
• * 26.123

  Ise in Iuly.
• * 26.124

  Baccallaos.
• * 26.125

  Bry••ons.
• * 26.126

  ••anes.
• * 26.127

  Iaques Car∣tyer.
• * 26.128

  The people of Baccallaos
• * 26.129

  Fysshynge for tunnyes.
• * 26.130

  Laborador.
• * 26.131

  Iohn Ponce.
• * 26.132

  water of great vertue, of this reade in the De∣••ades.
• * 26.133

  Bemmin••.
• * 26.134

  Guacana.
• * 26.135

  The Cani∣bales.
• * 26.136

  Boriquena.
• * 26.137

  The dea•••• of Iohn Ponce.
• * 26.138

  The land of Floryda.
• * 26.139

  Ferdinando de Soto.
• * 26.140

  The valiente myndes of the Spany∣ardes.
• * 26.141

  The thyrde attempte of the conqueste of Florida.
• * 26.142

  ••erteine fry∣ers attempte the conquest onely with woordes, but with euyll successe.
• * 26.143

  The fryers are slayne and eaten.
• * 26.144

  A new kynde of disgrading
• * 26.145

  Noe gaue names to Africa, A••ia, and Europa.
• * 26.146

  A••ia.
• * 26.147

  Europe.
• * 26.148

  The hole earth is an Ilande.
• * 26.149

  The Caspi∣an sea.
• * 26.150

  Caliz is a ryuer.
• * 26.151

  ••auigations from the red sea to East India.
• * 26.152

  The vyage to India by the no••th seas.
• * 26.153

  The hystorye of Comelius Nepos.
• * 26.154

  Note this.
• * 26.155

  Indians in Lubec.
• * 26.156

  The Sarma∣••••an sea.
• * 26.157

  ••lande.
• * 26.158

  Gruntlande.
• * 26.159

  Lapponia.
• * 26.160

  Finmarchia.
• * 26.161

  Gruntlande.
• * 26.162

  The distance from Grunt∣land to the lande of La∣borador.
• * 26.163

  of the streight if it be.
• * 26.164

  The Ilande•• of Soua, or Azores.
• * 26.165

  From labora∣dor to Irland.
• * 26.166

  Macrobius.
• * 26.167

  Clement.
• * 26.168

  The Indians are Antipo∣des.
• * 26.169

  The shyppe 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 26.170

  A str••unge thinge.
• * 26.171

  Shadowes to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the so••th
• * 26.172

  The sonne ry¦synge on the ryght ••ande.
• * 26.173

  The vyage of Magella∣nus.
• * 26.174

  Antipodes.
• * 26.175

  Guinea.
• * 26.176

  The north starre.
• * 26.177

  The needle & compasse.
• * 26.178

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 26.179

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ioh•• S••••••∣stian.
• * 26.180

  The chiefest 〈…〉〈…〉 the shypp••.
• * 26.181

  Magnes.
• * 26.182

  The Spany∣ardes and Portugales.
• * 26.183

  why the nee∣dle turneth to the north.
• * 26.184

  The Iland of Tercera.
• * 26.185

  The Il••nd of Magnete.
• * 26.186

  Note the quar¦ters of the lode stone.
• * 26.187

  The sea.
• * 26.188

  The wyndes
• * 26.189

  The poles.
• * 26.190

  The measu∣rynge the cir∣cumference of the earth
• * 26.191

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 26.192

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 26.193

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 26.194

  Degrees of Long••••ude.
• * 26.195

  The de••rees of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 k••ow¦••n.
• * 26.196

  The degrees of latitude.
• * 26.197

  The nor••h st••••••e.
• * 26.198

  The circuite of the earth.
• * 26.199

  The inferior hemi••pherie.
• * 26.200

  hyp••rbore••.
• * 26.201

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 26.202

  T•••• eye is de••ea••ed.
• * 26.203

  A rynge. A circle.
• * 26.204

  The diuersi∣tie of ayer in dyuers regi∣ons.
• * 26.205

  Extreme colde.
• * 26.206

  Extreme heate.
• * 26.207

  The force of education.
• * 26.208

  Extreme heate & colde in A smale distance.
• * 26.209

  Frome Scy∣thia to Ethio∣pia.
• * 28.1

  The mineral tree.
• * 28.2

  The mynes doo growe.
• * 28.3

  Marchasites.
• * 28.4

  Signes of metals.
• * 28.5

  Signes and tokens of me¦tals.
• * 28.6

  Mountaynes in the which metals are en¦gendered.
• * 28.7

  Ageynst see∣ky••ge metals w••••h the rod whi••h they caule v••rgu∣la diuina.
• * 28.8

  Negromācie,
• * 28.9

  The maner of searchyng for mynes.
• * 28.10

  A generall signe.
• * 28.11

  Rowgh and barren moun¦••aynes▪
• * 28.12

  The best signe.
• * 28.13

  The residēce of waters.
• * 28.14

  Marchasit••s are the tinc∣tures of my∣neral exha••••∣tions.
• * 28.15

  Metals in frutful moun∣taynes.
• * 28.16

  howe the signes are to bee consyde∣red.
• * 28.17

  The assay of the mines.
• * 28.18

  The richer myne further within the montayne.
• * 28.19

  Consyderaci∣ons how the caue ought to bee made.
• * 28.20

  The bodie of the myne.
• * 28.21

  howses of office for the myners.
• * 28.22

  Baptisinge & dedication of the caue.
• * 28.23

  The makīge of the caue.
• * 28.24

  Causes of hī∣deraunce.
• * 28.25

  Soft stones.
• * 28.26

  The fortef••ī•• of the caue.
• * 28.27

  howe the caue•• were made in olde tyme.
• * 28.28

  Abundanu•••• of water in the mynes.
• * 28.29

  The beste maner of ma∣kinge the caue.
• * 28.30

  The change of the signes.
• * 28.31

  The rudder & compasse.
• * 28.32

  Austria.
• * 28.33

  Mynes of copper and leade holdīg syluer.
• * 28.34

  A caue of two myles.
• * 28.35

  A large caue of the myne of copper hol∣dinge siluer.
• * 28.36

  Candle light.
• * 28.37

  A greate masse of pure myne.
• * 28.38

  Abundaunce of water in the mynes.
• * 28.39

  water is the nearest princi¦ple of mine¦rales.
• * 28.40

  A general rule.
• * 28.41

  Great rich is obtayned by searchinge of mynes.
• * 28.42

  Magnanimi∣tie & paciēce.
• * 28.43

  The moun∣ta••nes are the matrices of riches.
• * 28.44

  The grace of God is recea∣ved by owre endeuoure.
• * 28.45

  Monye beget¦teth ryches.
• * 28.46

  Necessarie aduertis∣mētes.
• * 28.47

  Plentye o•• woode.
• * 28.48

  Cotages and edifies.
• * 28.49

  The situaciō of the place.
• * 28.50

  The vse of water,
• * 28.51

  Necessarye considerat••∣ons.
• * 28.52

  A false opiniō
• * 28.53

  The trauer∣singe of the veyne.
• * 28.54

  Continuaunce in the worke.
• * 28.55

  Fresshe mē.
• * 28.56

  Instrumētes.
• * 28.57

  Fyre in the caue.
• * 28.58

  The cōuey∣ance of eyer.
• * 28.59

  The excellē∣cie of golde.
• * 28.60

  The orginall & substaunce of golde.
• * 28.61

  Mineral heate.
• * 28.62

  The tēpera∣ture & pure∣nesse of golde.
• * 28.63

  Golde is in¦corruptible.
• * 28.64

  The bewtie of golde.
• * 28.65

  Golde is me∣dicinable.
• * 28.66

  Golde is con∣fortable.
• * 28.67

  The attrac∣tiue qualitie of golde.
• * 28.68

  where moste plentie of golde is foūd.
• * 28.69

  Cathay.
• * 28.70

  Golde in the I••nde of the weste ••ndies.
• * 28.71

  Golde in Europe.
• * 28.72

  The influen•• of heauen.
• * 28.73

  The moun¦taynes and stones in the whiche golde is engēdered.
• * 28.74

  Lapis Lazuli.
• * 28.75

  Orpemente.
• * 28.76

  Golde ī other metals.
• * 28.77

  golde in the ••andes of ry∣uers.
• * 28.78

  Gold ī earth.
• * 28.79

  Golden duste.
• * 28.80

  Ryuers in the which gold is founde.
• * 28.81

  The wasshīg and pourge∣ing•• of golde.
• * 28.82

  howe golde is deuided frome sande.
• * 28.83

  The Spany∣••rdes make these disshes with hādels.
• * 28.84

  The drawe∣••nge out of golde with ••uicke siluer.
• * 28.85

  From whēse golde is de∣riued into the sandes of ryuers.
• * 28.86

  That golde is not engen∣dered in the ••andes of riuers.
• * 28.87

  This mater is apparent ī the golde founde in the ryuers in the Indies.
• * 28.88

  The ••aule of waters from montaynes.
• * 28.89

  Springes of water in mountaynes.
• * 28.90

  Uegetable golde gro∣winge owt of the earthe.
• * 28.91

  Of this, reade Alexander ab Alexandro. lib. 4 Genialium dierum. Cap. 9.
• * 28.92

  Golde founde in A deade mans heade.
• * 28.93

  A myne of golde found by chaunce.
• * 28.94

  A vayne of golde in a stone.
• * 28.95

  No signes to be omitted.
• * 28.96

  Golde is not founde in like quātitie as are other me∣tals.
• * 28.97

  Argumentes of plentye of golde.
• * 28.98

  howe diuers wayes golde is consumed.
• * 28.99

  Ma•••••• haue to muche, but fewe haue enowgh.
• * 28.100

  Italie wasted byt the barba∣r••ans.
• * 28.101

  Cōmendaciō of Italie
• * 28.102

  Golde and tynne.
• * 28.103

  Meane mine∣rals.
• * 28.104

  The golde of Italie.
• * 28.105

  Golde cōtay∣ned in other metals.
• * 28.106

  The maner of pourginge of golde.
• * 28.107

  Lapis lazuli.
• * 28.108

  Asure.
• * 28.109

  howe golde is drawen frome Lapis lazuli. with quicke syluer.
• * 28.110

  The baine or test of leade.
• * 28.111

  The maner of pourginge gol••e with leade.
• * 28.112

  whether syl∣ver haue A mine by hi•• selfe or no.
• * 28.113

  Georgius Agri¦cola.
• * 28.114

  A table of mi∣••eral syluer▪
• * 28.115

  The workes of nature.
• * 28.116

  Mixte me¦tales.
• * 28.117

  Diuers me∣tals in one masse.
• * 28.118

  In the indies golde founde in greate quā¦titie, pure and vnmixte.
• * 28.119

  The coulours of mineral fu∣mosites.
• * 28.120

  The genera∣ciō & qualitie of siluer.
• * 28.121

  The influēs of the mone.
• * 28.122

  Stones in the ••hich s••lu••r is en∣gend••red.
• * 28.123

  The myne of ••ylu••r.
• * 28.124

  The moun∣tayne.
• * 28.125

  Marchasites of syluer.
• * 28.126

  what mar∣chasites are the beste sig∣nes.
• * 28.127

  Syluer myns in harde stones.
• * 28.128

  Syluer with copper or leade.
• * 28.129

  The deuydīg ••t siluer from other metals.
• * 28.130

  Iren.
• * 28.131

  Metals mixte with Antimo∣nie or Arsnike
• * 28.132

  howe metals are preserued in fusion.
• * 28.133

  Sulphur and mercurye.
• * 28.134

  Grinding and wasshinge of mynes.
• * 28.135

  The amalga∣mynge of mines with Mercury.
• * 28.136

  Mines hol∣dynge the fourthe part of siluer.
• * 28.137

  Copper hol∣dinge syluer.
• * 28.138

  Th••e vnces dī of siluer in euery hun∣dreth of mine
• * 28.139

  war betwene Maximilian ••hemperour and the Uene∣cians.
• * 28.140

  The mynes of Almanye.
• * 28.141

  The m••rcha∣site mixt with the myne.
• * 28.142

  Gold ī a black earth••, and white marble
• * 28.143

  Then dam∣ned to the metales as nowe to the gallies.
• * 28.144

  The scrier of the vayne.
• * 28.145

  Golden mar∣ble.
• * 28.146

  The woorke of chyldren.
• * 28.147

  Mylles.
• * 28.148

  The mi••ery of the miners
• * 28.149

  The pourge∣inge of the metall frome the vre.
• * 28.150

  The melting of golde.
• * 28.151

  Alg••▪
• * 29.1

  Ambition▪
• * 29.2

  Africa.
• * 29.3

  The coast of Guinea.
• * 29.4

  Tunnes.
• * 29.5

  Bugia.
• * 29.6

  Tri••oli.
• * 29.7

  Numidia.
• * 29.8

  Ilandes of Tunnes.
• * 29.9

  Malta.
• * 29.10

  The disertes of Libia.
• * 29.11

  Barbarie.
• * 29.12

  Mauritania.
• * 29.13

  The kingdōs of Fes and ma••rock.
• * 29.14

  Tremesin.
• * 29.15

  Oram.
• * 29.16

  Nassaquiber
• * 29.17

  Sa••la.
• * 29.18

  Azamor.
• * 29.19

  The Ilandes of Canarie.
• * 29.20

  Guinea.
• * 29.21

  Ethiopians.
• * 29.22

  Marrocko.
• * 29.23

  Fes.
• * 29.24

  Tremesin.
• * 29.25

  Guinea.
• * 29.26

  Africa the great.
• * 29.27

  Affrike the lesse.
• * 29.28

  Carthage.
• * 29.29

  Prester Iohn.
• * 29.30

  Cape de Buo¦na Speranza.
• * 29.31

  The sea of sande.
• * 29.32

  Alcair.
• * 29.33

  From whēse the queene of Saba came.
• * 29.34

  Manicongni.
• * 29.35

  The earthly Paradyse.
• * 29.36

  The trees of the soonne and moone.
• * 29.37

  The prym∣rose
• * 29.38

  The Lyon.
• * 29.39

  The Moone
• * 29.40

  Pinteado.
• * 29.41

  Brasile.
• * 29.42

  Guinea.
• * 29.43

  The flatte∣ryng of for∣tune.
• * 29.44

  The euel con¦ditions of Wyndam.
• * 29.45

  The Ilandes of Madera.
• * 29.46

  A galeon of the kinge of Portugale.
• * 29.47

  The castel of Mina.
• * 29.48

  howe Wyndā abused Pin∣teado.
• * 29.49

  The Ilandes of Canarie.
• * 29.50

  The Ilande of. s. Nico••as.
• * 29.51

  Guinea.
• * 29.52

  The ryuer of ••esto.
• * 29.53

  Graynes.
• * 29.54

  The thrist of golde.
• * 29.55

  The castel of mena.
• * 29.56

  The quantite of golde.
• * 29.57

  Benin.
• * 29.58

  Pepper.
• * 29.59

  Furie admit∣teth no coun∣sayle.
• * 29.60

  The Rossia.
• * 29.61

  Rottinge heate.
• * 29.62

  Scorchinge heate.
• * 29.63

  Benin.
• * 29.64

  Francisco.
• * 29.65

  Nicolas Lam¦bert.
• * 29.66

  The kyng of Benin his court.
• * 29.67

  Reuerence towarde the kynge.
• * 29.68

  The commu∣nication be∣twene the kynge of Be∣nin and owr men.
• * 29.69

  Pepper.
• * 29.70

  The kynges gentlenesse towarde owr men.
• * 29.71

  The disorder and death of owre men.
• * 29.72

  The furie of Wyndam.
• * 29.73

  The death of Wyndam.
• * 29.74

  Pinteado euil vsed of the maryners.
• * 29.75

  The death of Pinteado.
• * 30.1

  Seuen hun∣dreth reys are .x. s. Alcayr, is halfe a bus∣shel.
• * 32.1

  The Ile of pa••mes.
• * 32.2

  T••neriffa.
• * 32.3

  The Canari∣e••.
• * 32.4

  Frome ma∣dera to the Ile of Pal∣mes.
• * 32.5

  Grancanaria.
• * 32.6

  Fortes Uentu∣ra.
• * 32.7

  The Iland of Gomera.
• * 32.8

  Teneriffa.
• * 32.9

  Snowe.
• * 32.10

  The coast of ••arbarye.
• * 32.11

  Cape blanke.
• * 32.12

  The ryuer of de Oro.
• * 32.13

  The crosiers or crosse starres.
• * 32.14

  Rio Grande
• * 32.15

  Cape Mesu∣rado.
• * 32.16

  The riuer of Sesto.
• * 32.17

  The riuer of Sesto.
• * 32.18

  Rio Dulce.
• * 32.19

  Cape de Mon¦te.
• * 32.20

  Cape de las Palmas.
• * 32.21

  The lande of Cakeado.
• * 32.22

  Shauo.
• * 32.23

  Croke▪
• * 32.24

  Saint Uincen∣tes harborou▪
• * 32.25

  The riuer Dulce.
• * 32.26

  Cape de las Palmas.
• * 32.27

  The coast of Gu••nea.
• * 32.28

  Cape de tres Puntas.
• * 32.29

  The castell of Arra.
• * 32.30

  The towne of Samma.
• * 32.31

  The plege was ••t Iohn yorke his n••∣v. c.
• * 32.32

  Cape Corea.
• * 32.33

  The castel of mina pe••tey∣kinge to the kinge of Por∣tugale.
• * 32.34

  Perecowe.
• * 32.35

  Perecowe grande.
• * 32.36

  Monte rodō∣do.
• * 32.37

  The currant••
• * 32.38

  Frome mina homewarde.
• * 32.39

  Rio de los Poros.
• * 32.40

  Iverye.
• * 32.41

  Cape de las Palmas,
• * 32.42

  Currantes.
• * 32.43

  The Ile de F••ore.
• * 32.44

  The Ile of Corvo.
• * 32.45

  where they lost the light of the northe starre.
• * 32.46

  howe the compasse dooth varie.
• * 32.47

  The prym∣rose.
• * 32.48

  The towne of Samma.
• * 32.49

  Golde.
• * 32.50

  Golde foure hundreth weyght.
• * 32.51

  Graynes▪
• * 32.52

  Iuery.
• * 32.53

  Elephante•• teethe.
• * 32.54

  The head of an Elephant.
• * 32.55

  The contem∣plations of gods workes
• * 32.56

  The descrip∣tion and pro∣pert••es of the Elephante.
• * 32.57

  Debate be∣twene the E∣lephant and the dragon.
• * 32.58

  Sanguis Draco∣nis.
• * 32.59

  Cinnabaris.
• * 32.60

  Thre kyndes of elephātes.
• * 32.61

  workes of Iuery.
• * 32.62

  The peop••e of Africa.
• * 32.63

  Libia Interior.
• * 32.64

  Getul••a.
• * 32.65

  Ethiopes.
• * 32.66

  Nigrite.
• * 32.67

  The ryuer Ni¦gritis or Se∣nega.
• * 32.68

  A strange thynge.
• * 32.69

  Garamantes.
• * 32.70

  People of Lybia.
• * 32.71

  Prester Iohn.
• * 32.72

  Regnum Or∣guene.
• * 32.73

  Gambra.
• * 32.74

  Guinea or Gino••a.
• * 32.75

  Cap. Uerde.
• * 32.76

  The Portu∣gales nauigat••ons to Bra∣si••e.
• * 32.77

  Ethiopia.
• * 32.78

  The Ilande of Meroe.
• * 32.79

  The queene of Saba.
• * 32.80

  Prester Iohn emperour of Ethiopia.
• * 32.81

  People of the east syde of Africa.
• * 32.82

  Ophiophagi.
• * 32.83

  Pe••ple with∣out heades.
• * 32.84

  Myrre.
• * 32.85

  Azania.
• * 32.86

  Regnum Me∣linde.
• * 32.87

  Ethiopia In∣terior.
• * 32.88

  whyte ele∣phantes.
• * 32.89

  habassia.
• * 32.90

  Ichthiophagi
• * 32.91

  Anthropopha¦gi.
• * 32.92

  Montes Lu∣na.
• * 32.93

  Gazatia.
• * 32.94

  Cap Bonae Spei.
• * 32.95

  Ephica with¦owt coulde.
• * 32.96

  The winter of Africa.
• * 32.97

  Flames of fire & noyse in the ayer.
• * 32.98

  Uhe myddell region of the ••er is coulde.
• * 32.99

  The strife of clementes.
• * 32.100

  wynde.
• * 32.101

  The heate of the moone.
• * 32.102

  The nature of ••he stars.
• * 32.103

  Spoutes of water fauling out of the ayer.
• * 32.104

  Cataracts of heauen.
• * 32.105

  Uehement motions in the sea.
• * 32.106

  A straunge. thynge.
• * 32.107

  The poure of nature.
• * 32.108

  They ••ase their ••kinnes.
• * 32.109

  Fine iewells.
• * 32.110

  A braslet.
• * 32.111

  ••hackelles.
• * 32.112

  ••inges.
• * 32.113

  Dogs chain•• of golde.
• * 32.114

  A mu••ke cat.
• * 32.115

  Their hous••s.
• * 32.116

  Their feding.
• * 32.117

  Fleing fishes
• * 32.118

  A straunge thyng.
• * 32.119

  Their bread.
• * 32.120

  Their wheate.
• * 32.121

  The soonne.
• * 32.122

  Their drinke.
• * 32.123

  Graynes.
• * 32.124

  Shelles that cleaue to shippes.
• * 32.125

  Barnacles.
• * 32.126

  Bromas.
• * 32.127

  A secreate.
• * 32.128

  The death of owr men.
• * 32.129

  Could may be better abidē then heate.
• * 32.130

  The west In¦••ise.
• * 33.1

  By the mone.
• * 33.2

  The Ilandes of Canarie.
• * 33.3

  howe to fynd the longitude by the globe
• * 33.4

  The Eclipses of the moone.
• * 34.1

  Little clocke••
• * 34.2

  By the Astro∣labie and globe.
• * 34.3

  horoscopus or the Ascen∣dent.
• * 34.4

  The latitude.
• * 35.1

  Cap. S. A••∣gustini.
• * 35.2

  Tanqua••m canis •• Nilo.