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CHAP. V. Of the Rock of the Sea-Monk.
THere is a high Mountaine in the Sea, it was formerly under the dominion of the rich Kingdom of Norway, neer to the Island Tarens, which the Mar∣riners by a conformable appellation call, the Monk. For it hath by its naturall scituation and incision of parts, especially of the Crown, a wrought hood, and also the propriety of it, so that in cruel tempests all that fly to it are conso∣lated and received securely. Moreover wo to all those that being driven by the violence of wind, cannot come to the skirt of it, or to ride neere it: because the South-West winds are so fierce there, and the North winds, that Marriners who would avoid the sharpnesse thereof, are constraind every moment with all their skill and force, and labour, and experience to look unto it, and to watch, how they may escape to that Monk as the most secure port. Moreover in the Northern Seas, there are many high Mountains that are signes as it wer•• of secure Ports, that are to be made against what tempest whatsoever, or calm∣nesse of weather. But before the entrance of them there lye hid many blind Rocks, which as they drown'd many Ships when the wind is but small, so when there is a tempest, they save them more wonderfully, by reason of the waves of the Sea rising high. There are also Mountaines of Faulkons, Eagles, Crows, that shew security to Marriners that retire, or a caution to those that shun them, that they may not come neere to them. Moreover there are Moun∣tains of strife, and most strong Castles, especially in East-Finland, raised upon the mouths of the Rocks by reason of the Warrs with the Muscovite, and they are so fortified by Nature and Art, that the besiegers which way soever they make their approach, may more easily intercept the Mountaines than they can the forts.