A relation of some yeares trauaile begunne anno 1626. Into Afrique and the greater Asia, especially the territories of the Persian monarchie: and some parts of the orientall Indies, and iles adiacent. Of their religion, language, habit, discent, ceremonies, and other matters concerning them. Together with the proceedings and death of the three late ambassadours: Sir D.C. Sir R.S. and the Persian Nogdi-Beg: as also the two great monarchs, the King of Persia, and the Great Mogol. By T.H. Esquier·

AN ITENERARIE OF SOME YEARES Trauaile , through diuers parts of Asia and Africke , with the description of the Orientall Indies , and some Iles adjacent . Especially the Territories of the now Persian Monarchie : included betwixt Me sopotamia , Indus , and the Caspian Sea .

THis Iournall was taken in danger , Begun in the Teare , 1616. which admits of no curiositie , and craues but the same fauourable light for Approbation , it was drawne by . Many stormes it has endured for company , but more hot dayes , which haue Sun-burnt my lines , aswell as face . And though I am on shore , yet I feare , the Sea is not yet calme ; for each Booke , sent into the World , is like a Barke put to Sea , and as liable to censures as the Barque is to foule weather .

When I landed , I thought to haue hoyst saile no more ; but Friends whose breath is powerfull , haue once more lancht mee into the deepe ( and may it proue a faire gale ) by commanding these iude and indigested notions from me , which being accompanied with truth and simplicite ( the soule of Historie ) are then like the Elements , In most splendour and perfection when least mixt and troubled with Quotations or Obseruations of other men .

I challenge no thankes for what I publish , nor reward , because I plead guilty to vnworthiness , and all the imperfections you can throw vpon youth or hast .

None can thinke so ill of mee , as I doe of my selfe , the rather , that your pardon may flow freely , and worke a kind of miracle vpon mee , in raising my dead thoughts to life . And that my wel-wishers ( who haue offered , a ciuill violence to friendship , in forcing my priuate satisfactione , into publique shame ) may owne my faults , which must reflect vpon them , since in my obedience , I haue made all my errours , theirs .

More Authours I might haue vsed , and rendred my selfe , to some more vsefull in this way . But I was on my way to many Countries , and Trauellers haue enough to doe with varietie , In men and manners , which make vp a Librarie to themselues ; besides the scituations and present beings of Cities and Territories , seeming better then to labour in vncertaine stories , which not only perplexe the hearers , but beget incredulitie , oftentimes amongst the credulous .

My other trauailes into some parts of Europe , I could haue troubled you withall , but I loue not repetitions , nor to entertaine you with that from my selfe , I hate in others , besides , since all Trauellers , are subject to imputations of vntruths , I had rather goe farre to fetch it , and send you farre off , to disproue it ; then giue you libertie of condemning mee at home .

If my thoughts haue wandred , I must intreat the wel-bred Reader to remember , I haue wandred through many deserts , as to afford mee his helpe to call home my Itenerant Notions , to fixe them ( by his fauour ) vpon this Iland of Iles , Great Brittaine : which like a reall Map of the whole World , containes the summe and abridge of all sorts of Excellencies , met here like Paralels , in their proper Centre .

At Sea J learnt to pray , though I was taught it from my Cradle , and he that is more giuen to swearing then praying may see the wonders of the Deepe for his recouerie , and take the receipt from mee , with a Probatum est .

This will serue for induction , that the Reader dwell not vpon impertiencies .

The description of our Sea passage , is enjoyned mee .

Vpon good Friday , we tooke ship at Douer , 〈◊〉 . 1626. hauing six great and welmann'd ships along with vs .

Next day we coasted by the I le of Wight , where a sudden and violent gust of winde ore-charged vs , but in lesse then one houre , its fury was abated , and we enjoyed a happie blast , whereby vpon Easter day , being the fiue and twentieth of March , we lost sight of the Lizard point .

At our entrance into the Spanish Ocean ( which was three dayes after ) vpon the Coast of Biskay , wee descried seuen saile of great ships , wee bore vp to speake with them , imagining them Enemies and men of war , but they proued Flemmings and our Friends .

The nine and twentieth day we had verie raging Seas and tempests , but at night a gentle calme ensued , and on the thirtieth day wee gaue chase to a Turkish Pirat , after halfe a dayes chase , we gaue him ouer , his celeritie so much exceeded ours .

The first of Aprill , we entred the great Atlanticke Ocean , where againe a Barbarian man of warre at Sun-rising came afterne of vs ; but vpon better view he feared and fled vs .

The third of Aprill , A Pirat fled vt . early in the morning , wee had sight of the Holy Port , belonging to the Spaniard , which I le at eight leagues distance , gaue it selfe in this shape vnto vs .

The sixt of Aprill , we discried the Canary Ilands , in former Ages called Fortunate , they are seuen in number , the first , 〈…〉 second , La Palma ; the third , Teneriffa ; the fourth , Lancaerota ; the fift , Hierro ; the sixt , La Gomera ; the seuenth , Forte ventura ; they are now subiect to the King of Spaine . These Iles were vnknowne in Romes greatness , they were first discouered ( as Galuano writes ) by a French Gentleman , called Iohn de Be●ancour , Anno Domini 1417. though some report it of another , and another yeare , Anno 1330. At which time the Inhabitants were rather monsters then men .

They knew no God but Nature , were ignorant of the vse of fire , they shaued their heads with flints and other stones . Their brutish knowledge . Their children were giuen to Goats to sucke , they cultured the earth with hornes of Goats and Oxen.

In Grand Canaria , Their common affections . of all things , they most hated the slaughter of beasts which they accounted a vile and base act , and therefore imposed it on their prisoners .

In Gomera , they vsed to haue their Wiues in common .

In Teneriffa , they euer had two Kings , one dead , the other liuing , they gaue adoration to all Aetheriall Bodies . Their Dead they washt exceeding cleanly , Their Buria●● ; put the carcasse into a Caue or Graue , standing vpright , a staffe in his hand , and a pale of Milke and Wine was placed by him , good Coadiutors to his Imaginarie Pilgrimage .

These Iles were conquered by Don Henrico Infant of Spaine , Anno 1418.

Grand Canarie at this day precedes the rest in greatnesse and excellencie ; for thither all the other Iles repaire for Trials and Iustice . Howbeit Teneriffa is thought to equall it in wealth and circuit , in height I am sure it doth , and not it only , but any other Land in the World , allowing its immediate ascent from the Ocean . The high peak is by most Geographers reputed the highest in the World , by some said to be fifteene miles high : though a third part may well suffice to beget credulity and wonder . It is seene by Sea-men , in a Serene Skie , a hundred and twentie English miles , and serues as an apt Sea-mark vnto Passengers . The top of this Peake or Pyramide ( exceeding those artificiall ones , built by the Aegyptian Pharo● , for their Sepulchres ) by reason of their rare height and affinitie with the middle Aerie Region are seldome without Snow .

This I le is distant from the Grand Canarie , twentie leagues , or sixty English miles . Hierro or Ferrum , beares from the Grand Canarie South , or South and by West .

This I le is high , and by reason of its extendure , towards the Tropicke of Cancer , such time as the Sunne is vernall , becomes exceeding hot and scalding ▪ & is blessed only in one Tree , A happie Tree . which besides its shade ( like the miraculous Rocke in the Desert ) affords the Inhabitants fresh and delightfull water , which by a heauenly moisture distils it selfe , to the peoples benefit , the I le hauing water no where els● , that s potable .

The great Canarie gaue its representation to vs in this forme .

The twelfth of Aprill , wee had the winde high and large ; so that on the fourteenth day we had the Sunne in our Zenith , his declination fourteene degrees , where note , that only then , when wee are Nadyr to the Sunne , we haue no shadow . And againe , whereas to all Inhabiters in the Temperate Zone , their shadowes are euer North in the Sunnes Meridian . When you haue past the Zenith , the shade becomes iust contrary , which made the Sun-burnt Arabs to wonder in their discent to Europe , as the Poet speakes : Ignotum vobis Arabes , venistis in Orbem , Vmbras mirati Nemorum , non iresinistras .

And here ( the wind something abating ) wee felt excessiue heat , that , and the losse of a Sailer falling from the shrouds into the mercilesse waues perishing their , was all our sorrow . Yet a little was added , for vnder sixe degrees , at midnight so violent and forcible a storme of raine poured on our Ships ; that in lesse space then two houres , the Skiffe , which was fastned to the vpper Decke was fild with it ; & which aggrauated the gust , was the fury of Thunder and flashes , which mightily raged with the raine . Nor is this weather rare about the Aequinoctiall ; by Marikers termed the Tornadoes : and t is so vncertaine , that now you shall haue a quiet breath and gale , and suddenly an vnexpected violent gust , and storme , so fierce , that many times the ships will feele no helme .

Yet in my iudgement this is most vnhappy to the Sailers , who in those raines handing in their sailes and standing on the De●kes , after the action , commonly goe to sleepe ( the weather being terrible hot ) in their wet clothes , which stinke very much of that ill digested showre , and thereby beget long diseases and mortall , as the Calenture , Scorbute or Scuruie , Feauers , Fluxes , Aches and the like : which ( did they but forbeare Arack or strong liquours , and shift themselues out of those nasty infectious wet clothes , when they take their rest ) might be preuented .

And besides these , they should be wary , where , and when they was● themselues : Many heretofore haue beene deuoured by rauenours fishes , such as iustly we call Sharkes , whose cruell appetite encourage them to deuoure men aliue , they are alwayes directed by a little specled fish , called a pilot fish , by guiding their Monster-masters to a prey . Such attendants Lions haue ▪ like little Dogges called Jackalls , and here vnder fiue degrees , the aduentrous ship-boyes were in perill of those Sharkes , swimming so without heed ; that some were in apparant danger .

The shape of which fish I haue here ( though vnskilfully ) pourtrayed for your better satisfaction .

In this latitude we were paralell to Sierra Leoou , a place in Afrique , strong and something more famous for refreshing that aduenturous Captaine Sir Francis Drake , at his returne from Circumnauigating the Globe of the whole Earth , and note , that heere and along the Coast of Guinaea , and Bynnyn , Cape Palmas , Lopez Gonzaluo , and the rest . The inhabitants are coale blacke Moores .

An English ship not long agoe , coasting out for discouery , here vnder the Aequinoctiall and elsewhere he anchored , the Negroes repairing to our ship , earnestly desired one or two of our men to goe ashoare , leauing hostage in our ship for their safe returne : two Englishmen allotted by the Captaine went with them , who were no sooner ashoare , but thousands of the Aethiopians flockt about them , extremely admiring their Colour , so passing along , they were often presented with Flowres , Fruits , Toddy , and like things , and hauing in some measure satiated their immeasurable admirations , our men returned satisfied and safe aboard .

The Inhabitants are Idolaters , Idolaters ▪ knowing no true God , only what nature and force aimeth at : such are they , and such their customes and ceremonies .

And this is memorable , vnder sixteene degrees North , by which we trauelled , and close by the Iles of Cape de Verde , which head-land is commander of the small Iles ; Mayo , Bonauista , Sal , Vincentio , Iacobo and Fuogo , discouered Anno 1495.

In old times , some thinke , these were the Hesperides , The Hesperides . so famous for the Garden of golden Apples , conquered by Alcides , in despight of that hundred headed Dragon , engendred by aspiring Typhon and Echydna .

Here was the sumptuous fabricke of Anthaeus , who was seuentie Cubits tall ( as saith Sertorius . ) Hee was thrice throwne violently to the ground by Hercules , and three times recouerd life , by the Earth his Mother , which seene by Ioues sonne , hee strangled him in the Aire .

The Hesperides were the daughters of Hesperus , and of the same Mother withall-bearing - Atlas . Their names Aeglae , Arethusa , and Hesperthu●a ; which three are concealed in the three Iles Mayo , Sal , and Bonauista : Howbeit some Authenticks haue reduced them to Lixus neere Gibralter , where is the Ne plus vltra . Others as Natalis Comes , and Pliny say , the Hesperides were part in Lixus , part in Maeroae , and the Red Sea , but that I allow not of , the too great distance arguing it . And Dominicus Niger ghesses them at Berenice , neere the Arabian Gulfe , where stands the Riuer Laethe so warbled out by Poets . But we say they were here , and sixe in number , thought by Poets to be the Atlantiades , and daughters of Atlas , and Hesperia daughter of Hesperus , his brother , which six are named in the beginning of this superfluous discourse .

The one and twentieth of Aprill , because we had no wind , and lying so neere the Sunne , the weather was very sulphurous and raging hot , so that ( albeit we had Deckes and Awnings to shade vs , and were almost naked ) we could enioy no rest , nor eate , drinke , lie still , or what else without excessiue sweating day and night .

This calme and immoderate heate continued with vs seuen dayes , only on the fiue and twentieth day , when Phoebus was in his height and glorie , a long spout of stinking raine Pyramide wise , dissolued it selfe very neere vs .

This hidious Cataract , as I conceiue is exhaled by the Suns powerfull Attract , and conuerted into an ill congested Cloud , wanting height and heate , is forced into a violent eruption , which dissolued by the penetrating Sunne , effudes it selfe altogether ( whence it had beginning ) into the Ocean , and with such fury , that many times great ships , are sunke or dasht in pieces by it , and when the raine is spent , out of that Cloud is issuant so forcible a whirle-wind , as breeds feare and admiration ; the wind and raine so impetuously tormenting the Seas , that sometimes the surges or Sea-flashes doe rebound top-gallant height .

Vpon May day , we crost the Aequinoctiall , Aequinoctiall Line . the Sunne then being in the seuenteenth degree , thirtie one minutes , Northerne declination and in the nineteenth degree of Taurus .

The Aequinoctiall , is an imaginarie Circle , diuiding the World into two equall parts , and is equidistant from either Pole ninetie degrees . For the Aequator is Horizon to both Poles , and note that at two degrees , South declination , we lost sight of the Pole-star , which is of a third magnitude , Vrsa minor . and fixt in the tip of the little Beares taile .

The sixt of May , wee past by the I le of the Holy Crosse , Holy Crosse. or Santo Croix ; euery houre expecting those Anniuersarie winds , called by the Sea-men and Portugals , Monzoons ; the property of which wind is to blow constantly one way , sixe moneths , and the other way , the other halfe yeare . Whereby the Merchants and Sea-men are bound to a limited time to imbrace them , otherwise the passage to the East Indies is very difficult and vncertaine .

Now how preposterous , the Yeare and Winds were else-where in the World , I know not , this I know , that nothing is more inconstant than the Winds . The Monzoon proued our Antagonist , whereby our passage to the Cape of good Hope , became of six weekes longer continuance than our Captaine looked for , and were forced to runne into much more longitude , than was desired .

The eight day , we were vnder eight degrees ten minutes latitude , and neere the Lands of Monomotapa , the Brazelian Coast in America , siding vs to the West .

The Continent here in Africke , we call Congo , Manicongo , Longa , Monomotapa , Benomotapa , Angola , &c. all which T●rritories you must passe by , ere you view the vtmost Promontorie of Africke , the Cape of good Hope .

Some attribute the Discouery of these Countries , to Bartholomew de Dios , and others to Vasco de Gama , who sailing about the Cape , called it first Tormentozo ( by reason of those great and continuall stormes vsually their ) he was seruant to Iohn the Second , and thirteenth King of Lusitania , or Portugall .

In Angola the people are fearfull blacke , their Religion is Ethnick , their Idols are of great esteeme amongst them , Extreme Paganisme . and called Mokisso , generally they are so wedded to Superstition , that some adore the Deuill in forme of a bloudie Dragon . Others a Ram-goat , a Leopard , a Batt , an Owle , a Snake or Dogge , to whom they ceremoniously kneele and bow vnto , groueling then vpon the Earth , they throw dust on their faces , and offer Hearbes , Rice , Rootes , Fruits and such like , which is deuoured by the Witches , a Monster not a little feared and esteemed of amongst these Deuillish Sauages .

The Female Sexe against the appearing of the New Moone , assemble vpon a Mountaine , where turning vp their bare bummes , they contemptuously defie Dame Cynthia , The Moone derided . who hath this despight , only for being causer of their monthly Fluxes .

They esteeme much of nouelties , amongst which , Dogges are of especiall value with them , Dogs esteemed . Insomuch , that twentie slaues haue beene sold , The coine . for an Europaean Dogge . Their Come are beades of glasse , she is , stones , and the like . Their Burials thus They first wash the dead body , paint him , clothe him , and so conueigh him to his Dormitorie , which is spacious and neat , ●uriall of the people . wherein they bury his Armolets , Bracelets , Shackles and such Treasure , concluding their Ceremonies with Mimmicke gestures and eiaculations : which , with the Sacrifice of a Goat , vpon his Graue , puts a period to their Burials .

In Loanga and towards the Mountaines of the Moone or Zair , ( whence seuen-mouthed Nyle , deriues his Origen drawing his discent into the Mid-land Sea ) their Ceremonies for the Dead are these . They bring the Bodie to an Idoll Altar , where placing it , they pacifie their Dieties with the Sacrifices of two Goats and a Ram , which are slaughtered , at the foot of their Pagothaes : the bloud they giue vnto the Deuill , the rest they bestow vpon themselues , all the deceased mans kindred in thirty miles compasse assembling to grace his Funerals : and ere they depart , they repaire vnto the Sepulchre , most part of the night vsing The aenodies and dolorous complaints , each day reuelling and making pastime .

Next these , Bloudy inhabitants . inhabit the Anzigues , a Nation endued with many temporall benefits , as wealth , health ; gold , strength , valour , and the like , yet want these the vertue to make them ciuill , for though they abound with Natures blessings , yet they delight in eating mans flesh , more then other food . And whereas other people , infesting them , content their appetites with the flesh of their Enemies . These barbarous Anzigui couet their friends , whom they imbowell with a greedy delight , saying , they can no way better expresse a true affection , then to incorporate their dearest Friends and Couzens into themselues , as in loue before , now in body vniting two in one , a bloudy Sophistry .

They haue Shambles of men and womens flesh , ioynted and cut in seuerall Morsels and some ( weary of life ) voluntarily proffer themselues vnto the bloudy Butchers , who accordingly are sod and eaten .

They are so expert in Archery , Good Archers . and agile , that they can shoot a dozen Arrowes on high , ere the first touch ground .

Although they trouble themselues but little in deuotion , yet doe they circumcise Males and sometime Females .

In adding to their beauties , they haue two or three slashes in the face , and ( if to any ) they giue reuerence to those two glorious Planets , Sun and Moone , whom they suppose to liue in Matrimony .

These and other black-faced Africans , are much addicted to rapine and the euery , they will commit a villany sooner in the day then night , least Moone and Starres giue testimony against them . The Deuill is no stranger amongst them , whose Oracles they vse , to offend an Amazonian people neere them , valiant , though naked , and not fearing them , as Odo . Lopez lib. 2. speakes of them .

The foure and twentieth of May , we were vnder nineteene degrees and thirty one minutes of South latitude , where one of the Saylers espying a Bird filty called a Booby , hee mounted to the top-mast and tooke her . The foolish quality of which Bird to sit still , not valuing danger , which Bird I haue simply depicted as you see .

Our obseruation was three minutes aboue thirty degrees , and early our Admirall descried a Saile , and immediately made towards her with his Barge and long Boat with eighty men . After two leagues pursuit , they knew her for a Portugall Carrack of aboue fifteene hundred tunne , she knew her weaknesse for fight , and on the night escaped vs , though we diuided our selues all night , some of our fiue ships hoping to meet her . On the seuen and twentieth day we againe espied her , but after a little chase , shee got from our view againe , her iournie lying vnto Goa .

The last of May after a storme wee cut the Tropique of Capricorne , the vtmost limit of Apolloes progresse , and note that vpon May day we crost the Aequinoctiall Circle , and the last of that moneth the Tropicke .

The first of Iune , we had declination of twenty foure degrees , forty two minutes : the Sunne then being twenty three degrees eight minutes North , in the twentieth degree of Gemini .

In this latitude we had many sudden gusts and violent stormes , and so contrary , that we could not hold our direct course , but were driuen to lee-ward a hundred leagues vpon the Coast of Brazil , Brazil . twenty fiue degrees of South latitude , and neere twentie seuen degrees of longitude from the Lizard .

On the seuenth of Iune , wee once more got sight of the Carracke , and lost her for euer , in two houres after , but heard that she recouered India , a moneth afore vs . Our course was East South-east , and foure dayes after we had twentie foure degrees of latitude , ou● longitude much varying from the Cape .

In the morning Watch , 〈◊〉 13. wee enioyed that desired Fauonius , so long kept from vs , but it came too fiercely to vs ; for veering about , it conuerted it selfe into extreme fury , A great storm●● in such horrible blasts and stormes , that the Mariners became exceeding fearefull , the Cape or Promontorie of good Hope , being so neere vs .

The winde so impetuously raging , that Heauen and Sea seemed vndevided , the surges so sublime and terrible , that all these foure days incessant Tempest , our Fleet lay a hull , without any saile , driving whether Aeolus and Neptune pleased , each shifting for its owne safetie , wee lost each other , not meeting againe till we rode in the Souldania Bay .

On Midsomer day our observation was thirtie foure degrees of latitude , and twentie fiue degrees of longitude , wanting three degrees of longitude from the Cape .

The last of Iune we raised the Antarticke Pole , thirty fiue degrees of longitude , and twenty sixe degrees , the variation of the Compasse three degrees , our course South South-east , the Sunnes declination twenty two degrees , twenty six minutes , and twenty two seconds , in the seuenteenth degree of Gemini .

The seuenth of Iuly , very early we descried land , which proued ( as we desired ) that great Promontory , the Cape of good Hope . The Land at twenty leagues distance ) gaue it selfe very high .

That night not fauouring vs , we cast anchor afore a little Iland , which is by Seamen called Cony I le , where we landed & kild some conies , they are greater then any in England , and something resemble a wilde Cat , they eat waterish and bad , and had they not so good a sau●● as hunger , I perswade my selfe they would not be commended .

This little I le is distant from the mayne , fourteene leagues .

Neerer the road ( is another small I le ) seven leagues at most distant from the Bay , t is now and hath time out of mind beene called Pengwin I le . So called from a number of birds white-headed and blacke intermixt , which bird is rather participant with the water then land , yet uses both , her diet is at Sea ( where shee feeds and diues rarely ) her nest ashore where she breeds and rests : they have wings , but flie nor , they are better to satisfie the Curious , then to feed the stomacke , except Oyle be delightfull to it .

And indeed the Analogie of the word induces me to imagine , some aduentrous Cambrian first arrived here , memorizing it by this name Pengwin in the Brittish Tongue , Etymologizing so much .

And can any thinke such a rare place could be buried in obscuritie , till the yeere 1497. by Bartholomew de Dios afore-named .

Many we know allude the Discouery of the West Indies to Columbus and Americus , though others know they had an Antecessor from whose Writings and Plats they had their illuminations .

But will any honest man deny the first Discovery of all to the honour of our Welsh Prince Dauid ap Owen Gwined , Dauid ap Owen Gwynneth , who descended from Prince Rodorick the Great , from whom the Her●●rts are issued . who liued Anno 1169. and if his Actions , extended so farre as to this Cape , who will envie him . J cannot proue it , but this we can , that he is ecclypst too much in his Honour , wanting a fit pen to declare his towardlinesse and Travailes .

The eleuenth day of Iuly , wee came to Anchor in the Souldani● Bay : at the Cape of good Hope , which Cape by reason of the continuall tempests about it , was by Vasco de Gama , denominated Cape Tormentozo , but since by the Portugals De Buona Esperanza , for this reason that it being the halfe way into India , when they recover this Cape , they are confident of a good Voyage . Many having perisht to arriue at it , and more forced backe , and lost their passage : besides the good water and refreshing here obtained .

A Description of the Cape of good Hope in Aethiopia .

THe Cape of good Hope is a Promontory in the utmost point of Africa , ( though the Needle Cape , or de Aguillas , see me to branch out more Southerly , it elevates the Antarticke Pole thirty foure degrees three minutes latitude , and has longitude from the Meridian of the Lizard about twenty eight degrees .

To what peculiar Potentate it belongs , I dare not determine , finding each Towne and Canton gouerned by peculiar Captaines , though to say truly they haue neither Order , Policie , nor Religion .

If I should appropriate it vnto Prester Iohn , Emperour of the Abizines , t is a question if hee would owne it , the two places so remore , and the Inhabitants so indomitable ; if to any , our King has most right to it . Captaine Fitz-Herbert some yeares since taking possession of it for King Iames , calling the ascent to the Sugar-loafe and Table , two His so named ) King Iames his Mount , and another dedicated to Prince Charles , our now most gracious Soueraigne .

Nor is the Land , not worth the challenging , for in all my life , I never saw ground more pleasant for view , or healthfull for vse . September is their Spring , the same time being Autumne in Europe .

The ground by Floraes mellifluent vertue , was ore-spread with Flowres which only Dame Nature trauels with : Art , nor knowledge haue no being amongst these Canibals ; nor were Tempe and Alcedilion , but Emblemes of this Elisium .

Quamuis enim montosa appareat , & collibus multis distincta , interim tamen multis vallibus , syluis , pratisque decorata est , gramina & flores suavissune olentes , magna copia producit : Ceruosque & faeras , & Leones multo numero nutrit , quae omnia visu & aspectu longe incundissime existunt .

Praeterea limpidissimis fontibus scatet quamplurimis , qui non sine gratissimo susurro , de montibas altis prorumpentes , fluminibus sese passim insinuant , & cum eis postmodum in mare exonerantur .

A Description of the Sauage Inhabitants .

THe people are of a swarthy darke colour ( I cannot say complexion ) well limmed and proper , nor want they courage ( though discretion ) to their limmes .

Their heads are long , their haire curld , and seeming rather wooll , then haire ; t is blacke and knotty : no part of their attire shewing like varietie , in shape and manner : some shaue one side , and leaue the other long and curled . A second shaues all off ( one tuft , a top excepted ) a third makes fiue tufts , the skull shaued betweene : others haue a little haire before , bauld else-where , not vnlike occasion .

Some in opinion , finer then the rest , hang their haire with brasse buttons , pieces of Pewter , spur-rowels , or what else the mirthfull Saylers exchange for Ostrich-egge-shels , Tortoises , Wood-so●ell , Beeues , Mutton , or the like .

Their eares are long and made longer by ponderous bables , they hang their , extending the holes to a great capacitie , some put a long linke of Brasse or Iron , others Chaines , Glasse , Blew stones or Bullets in them .

Such as want that treasure , make vse of singles of Deere , beaks of Birds , Bels , stones of Dogges , or wilde Catts : of which fopperies these Troglodites esteeme so much , as we of Gold , Pearle , Amber , or the like .

About their neckes ( for I omit their flat noses , and blubberd lips , bigge enough without addition ) they are ornified with long brasse chaines , or hoopes , of Iron , such as Mariners affoord them .

Others make shift with Tortoise shels and legges , with greazie thongs of leather , wreathes of grasse , birds guts , and some with Feathers .

Their armes are loaden with pride , such make the Iron shackles , beades , twigges of trees and brasse Rings . The women imitate ( or Ape ) the men .

Both men and women hidiously cut and slash their flesh in sundry formes , their browes , noses , cheeks , armes , breast , back , belly , thighes and legs , are pinckt and cut in more admirable ( then amiable ) manner .

They contemne apparell , not comparable to the antiquitie of their weare , Gold , they value not as Gold , but for its colour .

Their clothing at best is a stinking beast skinne , the haire inuerted , reaching from head to wast ▪ and as a couer to their modest parts , they gird themselues with a piece of raw leather , and fasten a square peece like the backe of a Gloue , to it , which almost hangs so low as their pendants .

Most haue but one stone , the other is forced away in their infancie , that Venus allure them not from Pallas .

Their hummes and legges are naked , some only haue a broad peece of leather , which helped by a small string , is fastned to their feet , which too , when they come into a strangers company , they vsually hold them in their hands , whereby their feet may haue the greater liberty to steale , which with their toes , they practise and can performe most cunningly .

During the night , they sleepe round a fire in the open fields , the fire secures them from their watchfull , and hungry Neighbours the Lions ( who are so familiar and bold , that one aduentured into our Tent , and stole some of our Diet , though the Sentinell with his Musquet acrocke was set to guard it ) their stomackes , diet , enmitie , and policie are almost equall .

In darke weather the Lions vse subtilty to catch and eat the Sauages . In the day time they digge pits , couer them with boughes , and traine the couragious Lions thither , where they receiue destruction , eating them to day , who perhaps were Sepulchres to their friends or parents the day before .

These wel-bred people , descend each morning from the Mountains , adorned with two or three raw guts of Cats or Lions , seruing for chaines or neck-laces , and break-fast too : and in their actiue complements , salute , eating and speaking both together .

They are very ceremonious in thanksgiuings , for , wanting requitals , if you giue a woman a piece of bread , she will immediatly pull by her flap , and discouer her pudenda . A curtesie commanded them , I suppose , by some Dutch-ill-bred Sayler , for taught it they are , they say , by Christians . And English men , I know , haue greater modestie .

The female sexe are for the greater sort excised in their hidden parts , but the men know no such custome , for in place of Circumcision , they pull away one stone , fearing to beget too many children . Those few not knowing well how to be ordered , amity ; extending their not to his Neighbour : where though all be Meum , Tuum , yet they want all , rapine and cruelties , are so practised in generall .

These Troglodites liue sometimes vnder ground , at other , in mansions like to Ouens , round and without furniture , a whole Tribe vsually liue , associate , commit villanies , feed and sleepe together , the ablest in force swaying ouer the other .

Their words are sounded rather like that of Apes , then men , whereby it s very hard to sound their Dialect , the antiquitie of it whither from Babell or no. The qualitie , whither beneficiall or no , I argue not .

For the Readers content I haue noted some of their Language , which I haue writ so neere as J could pronounce it , their pronunciation is like the Irish : their customes not much vnlike the rude ones , of antique times . Their numbers exceed not Ten , ( like those , in some part of Madagascar ) such as follow .

Istwee , is one . Istum ; two . Istgwunuy , three . Hackey , foure . Croe , fiue . Istgunnee , sixe . Chowhawgh , seuen . Chishow , eight . Cusho , nine . And Gheshee , is ten . A Knife , Droaff . A Quill , Guasaco . A Hat , Twubba . A Nose , Tweam . A Sword , Dushingro . A Booke , Bueem . A Ship , Chichunney . Water , Chtammey . Brasse , Haddechereef . A Skin , Gwummey . A Bracelet , Whohoop . Egge-shels , Sun . Seales , Harkash . A Woman , Traqueosh . Bread , Bara . Giue me , Quoy . The Genitor , Gwammey . Mens stones , Wchraef . The wombe , Wchieep . Paps , Semigwe . Yard , Istcoom .

One word of their food , t is dead Whales , Seales , Grease , raw Puddings , or mans flesh , which rather then want they will digge Christians out of their graues .

They delight to dawbe and make their skin glister with grease and char-cole beat together , which when halfe dried , they then indent it with their fingers . In a word , they haue all trickes possible to disfigure themselues , and to proue their Patrimony and Reuersions in Acheron .

And comparing their imitations , speech and visages , I doubt many of them haue no better Predecessors then Monkeys : which I haue seene there of great stature .

The women giue their Infants sucke as they hang at their backes , the vberous dugge stretched ouer her shoulder .

And though these Sauages be treacherous , yet doubtlesse they esteeme more of an Englishman then of Portugall or Flemming .

This is sufficient to speake of the Inhabitants . I will adde one line of the Bay , and so goe on .

That the deceased men such as haue the Scuruy , Aches , &c. so soone as they taste the shore , and eat three-leafed-grasse , fresh meate , or the like , and bathe : they become whole and frolicke , in small space , as aboue three hundred in our company found benefit in .

Many rarities might be obserued , in what probably the earth affords them , Beasts abound amongst them , brought from more inner parts of Africa , they traine them so to obedience , that with a Whistle they will make an hundred of all sorts of cattle follow them . Which when they sell ( for Iron Beads , Looking-glasses , &c. vnto Sea-men , running away so soone as they haue receiued their bargaine , and with a call , all the sold beasts will follow them like Dogs , and vse it so oft that now the Saylers tie them to a stake , so soone as they haue bought them . Here are many rare sorts of Birds : Many we saw sold , one only I haue drawne , which though vnworthy the labour , yet in that with vs they are not , and the colour of their feathers so excellent Crimson and White : with other colours , that they may compare with Birds of Paradise .

The ninth of Iune , wee weighed anchor , bending our course towards Madagascar , at the doubling of Cape Falso , Boraeas spake lowdly and bid vs expect a storme , and this memorable , that about this remote Land , you shall see a small blacke Bird long and sharp-winged , constantly flying vpon the surface of the Ocean ; vpon view of this Bird ( which Sea-men improperly call Deuils Bird ) an infallible tempest and storme in lesse then two dayes , assailes the ships . By which forewarning they haue the benefit of preuention ; and Gods mercie is yet more , that after a storme , when the shippes are tossed they know not where , wanting their steerage , forty or fifty leagues from Land , they see many Pantado Birds ( so called from their Colours ) flying about them . Whereby we know our being neere the shoare , for in no other part , are those Birds resident , and the like benefit is vpon the Indian Coast. For they know assuredly by many Snakes , swimming vpon the Seas , they are not farre distant from the shore , no where else do these signes appeare . And about the Cape Sargassoes and Trumbaes floate fifty leagues into the Seas , eradicated by foule weather , which likewise giues knowledge to Mariners in stormes where-abouts they are driuen .

The three and twentieth of Iuly , the storme increased , the Seas sweld extremely , our surging waue aboue the rest , hit our broad-side so compleatly , that it turned our ship aboue fiue points of the Compasse at one push , giuing a cracke like a Canon .

The eight and twentieth day , the Winde veered about , and the Sea-men steered East North-east .

The seuenteenth of August , the Winde being East by North , our course was North North-east . So on the eighteenth day wee crost the Tropique of Capricorne , Trop . of Cap●● . hauing Soffala and Mozambique on the left side , and Madagascar on the right ; the Sea thereabout hauing a great and insensible current .

Madagascar .

MAdagascar was discouered by the Portugall vpon Saint Lawrence day , and by them therefore denominated Saint Lawrence .

This I le is one of the greatest in the Vniuerse , its extendure is from Cape Roma , vnder the Tropique to sixteene degrees of latitude from the Aequator , t is in length a thousand English miles , the breadth , in some part affording two hundred and thirty miles . The best knowne Bay is that of Augustine where our ships ride .

The Inhabitants are exceeding blacke ; haue limbes of great strength and composure . Both sexe goe naked , a linnen cloth only about their middles , which stiles them modest .

They vse pinking and cutting their brest and faces ; and dilate their eares much , by those massie weights they fixe there .

Gold and Siluer is of no value amongst them ; but the beads of Aggats , Bracelets , Glasses , Bels and such like , they esteeme well of .

They haue cattle both great , many and good , yea , and good cheap ; for a Bead or two of two-pence value , wee buy sheep and beeues of good bignesse and taste , the sheepe here ( as in Abrabia , Syria , and Persia ) are as heauy in their tailes , as bodies : some weighing sixteene some twenty pounds . And for Pins and Needles , Bels , Glasses , and such like , they returne Beeues , Goats , Sheepe , Hens , Egges , Milke , Tamarinds , Coco-nuts , Palmes , Orenges , Lymes , Lemmons , Plantaines , Toddy , &c.

The Madagascars , are more addict to Mars then Mercury .

They are giuen much to warres , and their owne Ile affords it them ; they know accuratly how to iaculate their Darts of blacke Ebony barbed strongly and workmanlike , they vse long Pikes and Targets of great length and defence .

Their Religion is Paganisme , yet Circumcision tels vs , they haue heard of Mohomet , some report of them , they neither pray , nor fast , nor feast : each calls the dayes by seuerall names .

They are of great stomacks in both kinds , no name terrifies them saue Taiuvaddai ; which name in times past was wont to scare them more than thunder .

They liue more by fishing then Agriculture , Thaetis commands them more than Caeres .

They hate Poligamy , yet affect copulation too early , the youth scarce knowing twelue , the maid ten yeares in the World , the title of Virginity .

Theft and Adultery they punish seuerely ( Nature hath taught it them ) and whiles the better sex seeke prey abroad . The Women ( therein like themselues ) keepe constant home , and spin .

The I le abounds with all good things necessary for mans vse , as Copper , Gold , Iron and Siluer . Cotten they haue store of , but most vberous in Fruits , the Aery Camelion and fiery Salamander are frequent there .

Here ( as where not ) they much delight in nouelties , and dancing many times , a great multitude passe together , and in Maeanders turne and winde themselues , now beating , then clapping their breasts and hands . So with their Fleet they spurne the yeelding sands , oft forcing the Spectators further off . During which , the women with chanting melodie , lift vp their hands and eyes , conioyning feet , in true measures , equall if not exceed the men in their more laborious treadings .

They curle their haire and are proud of it , they loue to make their bodies shine with melted grease and ●allow .

Their Arithmeticke is soone attained to , their greatest number , not exceeding ten . Numbers . They are cald , Isso , one . Tone , two . Tello , three . Effad , foure . Fruto , fiue . Woubla , sixe . Sidday , seuen . Fonlo , eight . Malo , nine . Nel , ten .

Townes of note are Roma , Augustine , Point Antogil , Antabosta , Sa●to Iacobo , Matatana , Angoda , Herendo , &c.

Nine leagues of Madagascar , sailing North-east we were neere the shoales of Iudaea , our Variation was thirteene degrees . Longitude eighteene from the Cape : the Sunne then being in the third degree of Virgo , and ten degrees fifteene minutes , twenty six seconds of declination .

Then they steered North-east & by East towards Mohelia : Shoales of Iud●● , dangerous . that time the Saylers tooke a Sharke , a man-eating Monster , she was nine Foot long and a halfe by rule , in her paunch were fiftie fiue yong Sharkes euery one aboue a Geometricall foot in length : that night we were vnder seuen degrees of South latitude , and twenty degrees , seuen minutes of longitude from the Cape of good Hope , our variation thirteene degrees and seuenteene minutes .

And not suspecting danger , at ten at night , the wind blowing strongly ; we were cast vpon the shoales or flats of Mozambique : Sh●●les or Flatt of Mozambique dangerous . where sounding , we had no more then eight fathomes . Whereupon we gaue them a-sterne , two Gunnes as warning peeces of great danger , and tackt about , at next sounding hauing fourteene fathomes , then twelue , after that fifteene , fourteene , twenie two , twenty foure , thirtie three , thirtie fiue , and fortie fathomes .

Next morne we perceiued the Coast of Mozambique , which in this forme at Sea appeares vnto vs , vnder seuenteene degrees , thirtie seuen minutes of latitude , and twentie degrees twentie minutes of longitude : our variation thirteeue degrees fiftie two minutes , heere the current is very violent , and sets , I thinke , South-west .

Leauing that Coast , wee saw another small Ile sixe leagues North-east from the other land , full of Palmito trees , where being be calmed , the current set vs twenty leagues in twenty foure houres , this I le is called Castle I le , and lies vnder sixteene degrees , thirty minutes of latitude , and of longitude twenty one and twentie eight minutes . The shape was this .

The seuenth of September , wee descried an Iland called Maeottey , scituate in view of some three other ( placed at the South-end yet out of view of Madagascar , Mohelia , Ioanna and Chomroae , Maeottis rises very high with a Peake or Pyramidall Spire , East as you faile to Mohelia : Its latitude is twelue degrees fiftie sixe minutes , its longitude , twenty three degrees , fifty nine minutes South .

The eight of September , we sent our Boat ashore for refreshing to that I le , who for a trifle brought aboard two Buffols or Oxen , some Grates , Orenges , Coco-nuts , and Plantaines .

And towards night got view of Ioanna I le , and eight leagues from the first . This Ile was then gouerned by a Queene , but the rule coheres at other times with Kings , as are the rest .

Of these Jles Chomroe is both highest and best , but nourishes a people treacherous and least sociable .

The eleuenth of September , wee anchored at twenty fiue fathomes , but all the Morne wafted neerer the shoare , and rode in seuenteene degrees all the West end of the I le , where is built a strong Towne called Meriangu●a , the chiefe Captaines name is Alicuzary , whose knowledge and propertie , precedes the rest in courtesie and merchandize .

Mohelia , its description .

MOhelia is an I le beneficiall for such ships as saile for India and the Red Sea , affording them water , flesh , fruits and Toddie . It eleuates the Antarticke Pole twelue degrees fifteene minutes , her ●ongitude is twentie foure degrees from the Cape de buona Speranza , wose Variation is sixteene degrees twenty minutes .

T is seated in the Asrique Seas ; is not aboue twentie miles in length and breadth sixteene . Their Religion is from Mecha , whence they de●iue most of their language and customes , and by conuerse with Mestizoes , and Portugals , they can speake that tongue .

Their colour is ( answerable to the Zone they breathe in ) blacke and Torrid , their stature large , they are couragious , affable , and not very treacherous . Their habit like to Adams , a few Plantaine leaues only fixt about their middles .

The women are of like complexion and attire . And to seeme more amiable , are pinckt and cut in seuerall shapes , on face , armes , and thighes , they esteeme much of Tobacco , and drinke it in long canes or pipes called hubble bubbles .

The I le affords Buffols , Goats , Hens , Milke , Camelions , Rice , Toddie , Coco-nuts , Orenges , Lemmons , Pome-citrons , Ananas , Plantaines , Cowcumbers , Sugar-canes , Turtle Doues , Pease , berries , good Rock Oysters , Breames , Tamarind , Poppaes , mother of Pearle ( and good Pearle too , t is probable . )

Two Kings now command the I le , though formerly but one , who left two daughters co-heires , one married to a Natiue , the other to an Arabian Lord .

Their Priests are of esteeme amongst them , so are their Moscheas or Temples , kept cleane and matted neatly , into which we could not enter with our shoes on .

They are superstitious and Magicall : this partly cleares it , as my selfe , A Magique Nation . and another Gentleman , rested one Euening vnder a Palmito-tree , the weather thundring and storming exceedingly . A Negroe standing by vs in great feare and agony lift vp his hands , inuocating Mahomet or the Deuil very seriously , then in rage and sudden rapture drew out his Knife , which he flourished about his head seuen or eight times , murmuring his Orizons , that done , he fell vpon his face and rising , in great sobrietie put vp his weapon , yet gaue not ouer exorcising till the tempest ceased .

In these Ilands , fruit is cheape and delicate , they will exchange thirtie Orenges and Lemmons , or sixe Cocoes for a sheet of paper , bels , or the like . The Coco-nut , is admirable in quantitie and vse .

They are so bigge as a Cabbage , ( nut and rinde ) the liquor in it is a pint , and tasted like Wine and Sugar . The kernell is in taste better then our Filberd , and enough to content two men : from this rare Nut the people receiue other benefits , as meate , and clothing , furniture for their houses , mast , cables and ropes . The tree is straight and high , at the very top , swelling in her beautifying plumes , like which , the leaues and nuts proportion themselues .

The Today is drawne out of the Palmito-tree , which has affinitie with the Date or Coco , the liquor at first , is vnpleasant , but afterwards becomes wholsome and delectable : in the morne t is loosing , at Eue costiue , and in one dayes ( age ) becomes good Vineger . A top the tree is a pith , in taste better then Cabbage ; and eating it takes away the future benefit of growth or fructifying , these and the Date-tree thriue not , except the male and female be vnited , and haue copulation : the she is only fruitfull .

Their Canoes or Boats hued our of one tree , and capable of three naked men , they fish in faire weather with the helpe of them , and in stormes carry them vpon their shoulders , and though of no vse with vs , Yet for the raritie of them I shall present their shape , that they may better be imagined .

The fifteenth day of September , wee left those Iles , and foure dayes after came within foure degrees of the Aequinoctiall : that night the Ocean was as white as snow , A white Sea . but how caused I am ignorant . The next day we had the Sunne in our Zenith .

On the twentie three of September , The Aequinoctiall Circ●● . we sailed vnder the Aequinoctiall Line , our course North-east , but vnder eight degrees North , the Monzoon got into East North-east , whereby the ship could lie no neerer then South-east . And here the Sea-men fell into great extremes , as Calentures , Fluxes , Aches , Feauers , and the like . They imagined , the raging heate , stinking water and meate causer of it ( though doubtlesse their too much farcinating and late ore-charging their stomacke● with fresh victuall , at Mohelia ) acted rather their vnhealthinesse .

Here we were Parelell to Socotora , an I le rich in Alloes , Gummes and Spices , t is at the entrance into the Red Sea , where at Aden , the Turke has a Castle well fortified . This Sea is no redder then others are , the sands are red indeed , yet insufficient to beget that Epehite .

King Erithreoes , sonne of Persaeus and Andromida , in old times , swayed here , and from his name ( which signifies Red ) gaue denomination to this Sea . Some say he liued afore Moses , the great Prophet and first Historiographer .

The eighteenth of October , wee found by obseruation , the North-pole elated seuenteene degrees . Our longitude from Moh●lia nineteene .

The fourth of this moneth , Mohomet a Persian Merchant died , t was thought a Christian , he came into England with Nogd●beg , the King of Persia's Ambassadour , and returned so farre homeward , with the Ambassadour , and though he gained richly in his Traffique , yet if he found this Pearle , true Christianitie , no doubt , hee gained nobly , and with aduantage , the Captaine gaue him foure Culuerin shot at his buriall , his bodie was throwne into the Sea , imbowelled in a spacious Coffin ; the Ocean , a sure Treasury , for the Resurrection .

The twentie sixt of October wee arriued into nineteene degrees of latitude , fortie minutes ; and twenty degrees of longitude . The ships steerage South-east , where we had shoales of flying fishes ( in bignesse of a Herring , and who to auoid the Tyrannicke Fishes , Dolphines , Bonetaes , and Albycores , make vse of the Ayery finnes , Nature has inrich● them with , and wherewith , so long as they continue wet , they flie aboue two hundred paces , and are caught by the hungry Fowles , who houer aboue in hope to catch them .

On the seuenteenth of Nouember we discouered the Coast of India in fifteene degrees of latitude , and thirty two degrees of longitude , where Goa is seated , Goa . a great and Metropoliticall Citie of the daring Portugalls , and the residence of their Vice-roy and Arch-bishop .

From thence , passing towards Surrat , a vehement and vnexpected storme ore-tooke vs , for three dayes raging incessantly , so that wee doubted a Hero-cane , a Tempest of thirtie dayes continuance , and of such fury , that ships , trees and houses perish in it , it vses once in nine yeares to thunder amongst them , but praysed be God , wee mist it ; though not of a second disaduenture , this last foule weather forcing a Iunck-man of Warre full of desperate Malabars , a bloudie and warlike people in view of vs , our Skiffs manned with fortie or fiftie Musquetiers thought to board her , iudging her of small defence , which opinion deceiued them . For they got fiery entertainment , the Mallabars pushing them and throwing fire-balls at vs , forcing vs to retrea● , burnt , grieued and vanquished , aboue thirtie hurt and scalded , this skirmish was in nineteene degrees fortie minutes of latitude , and twentie nine of longitude , where the Sea changed colour , and sounding they had ground at forty fathomes ; abundance of Shakes swimming by our ships , gaue assurance of the Coast of India .

The twenty foure of Nouember , vnder nineteene degrees thirtie fiue minutes of latitude , and of longitude , twentie nine degrees were descried neere to the East Indies in that part cald Saint Iohns , a Towne subiect to the Lusitanian fifteene leagues from Surrat . Saint Iohn is high land , ambitious in a tall rising of land , cald the Peake , the land Towres along very high , so farre as Gundaue , a Hill sixe leagues South from Swalley Road.

Here we tooke a Fisher-man , who told vs of great Portugall forces neere the Road. We purposed a Combat and tyding , vp with streame . Anchors , each sixe houres weighing and dropping , in few dayes wee came against Daman , a beautifull and pleasant Towne , conspicuous to passers by . At the North end is a Castle , strong , and of white chalky stone , its Ordnance planted high to play in Mounts vpon the vantage . Opposite Southerly is a great Church edged a-top with white hauing houses of like colour , neere her are three more Temples affording glory to the heart and eye .

The twenty ninth of Nouember , wee descried thirteene sayle in Swalley Road whom we reputed enemies , yet feared not , in conclusion ( past the barre ) wee found them our friends English and Flemmings . The sixe English ships , three of a thousand tunne , the other three of seuen hundred , good men of warre , though ships for traffique .

The same day we came to an Anchor in India . Nogdibeg the King of Persiaes Ambassadour gaue vp the ghost , Persian Ambassadour poysons himselfe . hauing poysoned himselfe wilfully in foure dayes feeding only vpon ●pium .

The truth is , he dared not to see his Master , nor plead his defence against his Aduersary Sir Robert Sherley , in our Company and thitherward , to purge his honour . I can witnesse that at my being at the King of Persiaes Court ( as I shall discourse of in the fequell ) the King said , it was well he poysoned himselfe , for 〈◊〉 come to Court , his bodie should haue beene cut in three hundred sixtie fiue pieces , and burnt in the open Mydan , or market place with Dogges t●rds .

Anno 1612. after many conflicts , betwixt the Turke and Persian , they were both so prest by neighbour Countries , whom they had vsurpe vpon , that they propounded Articles of peace and friendship . To which end , King Abbas , sends his Ambassadour to Constantinople , in company of Nassuf Bashaw , the Visier and Generall to Sultan Achmat , the eight Emperour of the Turkes , and sonne of Mahomet the Third , which Nassuf in his Expedition into Armenia , Mesopotamia , and Media , returned fortunately , and enriched with two hundred and thirtie Mules loaden with treasure of Gold and Pearles .

The Persian Ambassadour ( being that Grand Signio● , was not then in Constantinople ) lodged himselfe at Scudaret , opposite to the Citie , attending the entrance of the Great Turke , who three dayes after came thither , in magnificent order guarded by twentie thousand Ianizaries , Agaes , their Captaines and Iemoglans , with many Bassaes of other Countries .

At whose entrance , there expected him Ambassadours from most parts of Europe : from the Emperour , King of England , France , Poland , Hungary , Netherlands , and from Venice .

The Visier Nassuf , a while after receiued the Grand Signiors token of loue and respect , three Cabbaes or vests of cloth of Gold , a Sword , a Shash , and a Courser .

Here the Persian Ambassadour finding much ceremonious welcome from the Turkes , to shew his bountie , as the Sultan Achmat in great brauerie passed by his lodging , threw amongst his guard a hundred bales of Silke , which got him much loue and esteeme among them .

At his Audience hee deliuered his Masters present , foure hundred bales of raw Silke , a rich Dagger , many rich Persian Carpets , and Clothes of Gold and Siluer , a Bezar stone so bigge as a Hens Egge , nine bags full of Turquesses and the like .

These gifts were acceptable to the Grand Signior ( all the Princes of Asia , affect complements of that nature ) so after many Treaties , at length the Persian Ambassadour accepted of these conditions , that the King of Persia should pay a Tribute of two hundred Camels load of Silke , that the Mirza , or Prince of Persia , should content himselfe with the title of Bashaw of Tauris , and that the Cadi , or Iudge of Tauris should thence forth be elected by the Turke .

He departed with these propositions , and at Cazbeen found his Master the King , who perceiuing the conditions dishonourable and vnfruitfull , denied the Turkes Chiaux , or Agent , to performe them , receiuing them with much scorne , King of Persia beheads his Ambassadour . and to recompence his ill-aduised Ambassadour , in the open Market , made him headlesse three dayes after .

The example of this seueritie and iustice , so frighted Nogdibeg , that he chose rather to be his owne Executioner , then to entertaine the cruell aspect of his Master , and those certaine tortures , he had doubtlesse receiued , had he stood vpon his Iustification at the Court.

Abraham Bassa , Cycala , Synon Bassa and Nassuf , were all of them , so great and potent with the Grand Signiors ; that few Ambassadours could be heard or dispatched without their licence and good will ; and which was accomplisht by briberies .

Nassuf , in the height of his fortunes , at the instigations of his wife ( the Grand Signiors daughter ) was strangled in his bed by eight Caepigies , and his treasure ( no lesse then eighty bags of gold , and in stones then two bushels of Diamonds and Pearles ) fell to his Master , for which perhaps this infortunate Vsurer , lost his life , a iust recompence for thrusting Cycala Bassa , Visier of Babylon , from his principality , vpon false suggestions .

At his buriall , the Ship hee died in , gaue him eleuen Culuerin shot .

His owne people conueighed his body to Surat , ten miles from the rode , and buried him , where not a stones cast further , sleepes Tom Coriats bones , Tom. Coriats graue . consumed in his pedestriall , ill contriued Pilgrimage .

The last of Nouember , our ships came to anchor in Swalley roade , so called from a Towne of that name one mile distant . Wee rode in seuen fathome water , and note that this road is not two hundred paces from the Barre , ouer which wee passed twixt two Boes placed in three fathomes and an halfe , the space from one Boa to another , is an hundred paces or more .

The Bay is on the one side enclosed with the Continent , on the other , with the sands , which towards Goga , at a low water is like an Iland .

At my being in Surrat , I receiued courteous welcome from the English Merchants their , whose Chiefe or President was Master Wild , a modest and vnderstanding Gentleman , and their we had certaine report of Sultan Curroones Coronation , at Agra , 1627. In ioy of which , the English Merchants Ships , then in Swally rode shot off two hundred peeces of great Ordnance . The story of whose being Mogull , because hapning at our being their , will be pertinent to rehearsall .

These Moguls or Emperours of East India , are descended from the Tartar , and got the Dominion of these Countries , such time as Tamberlaine ( sirnamed the Scourage of God ) passed that way to fight with Baiazet the Great Turke , in compassion of many distressed Christian Princes : Which attempt he gloriously finished , ouerthrew the Turks huge Army , carried him captiue in a Cage , ouer-ran the Turkish Empire , and in eight yeares subdued more Kingdomes and Townes , then the warlike Romanes could doe in eight hundred .

From this Tamberlaine ( sonne of Ogg , sonne of Sagathay ) the now Moguls fetch their Descent . Curroone , now being in nine Descents extracted from him ; named thus . The first , Tamberlaine ; the second , Allancham ; the third , Barcham ; the fourth , Emanpaxda , the fift , Shaugh Mahumed , the sixt , Adabar ; the seuenth , Mahumed Selabdyn ; sirnamed Ekbar ; the eight , Iangheer , sirnamed Shaw Selym ; the ninth , Blockie ; ( slaine presently after his Coronation ) and the tenth , Curroon ; sirnamed Shaw Iehan .

In October 1627. Shaw Selym ( by some cald Iangheer ) the great Mogull died , hauing beene sicke not aboue three dayes , and if the vulgar sort , may be beleeued ) he was poysoned . And that by his only friend and chiefest Fauourite his brother in law Assaph Chawn ; whose greatnes and pride was eleuated both by being brother to Normall the Empresse , Iangheers last wife , and Father in law to Sultan Curroon , who had married his daughter , and by her had issue , for whose only aduancement , Assaph Chawn , bent all his powers and intreaties with Iangheer , his aged and inraged Father , to be Successour to his Dignities .

But though this Nobleman , was in great repute with the Mogull , yet Curroones life was so dissolute and hopelesse of bettering ( hauing with some Rashbootes or wild companies , offended the Moguls Friends and Neighbours , the Decans ; the King of Gulcunday , and seuerall Princes in Narsinga , and towards Mesulipatan . ) That when his Father lay vpon his death-bed , which was all Cashmeer , three thousand miles from Surrat , he made all his Vmbrawes or Noble men , sweare by their Alcoran , to make his Grand-child , Sultan Blockee , Mogull , or Emperour , after him , and to exclude Curroon for euer ; who had most vnnaturally fiue yeares before caused his elder Brother , and Father to Blockee , be murdred at Agra , by his seruant Regea Bandor , who afterwards was Executioner of Blockee the sonne , in the same Citie .

According to which Oath , so soone as Iangheer was dead , Assaph Chawn , and the other Nobles proclaimed Blockee their King ( then , sixteene yeares old , and well-conditioned ) and which they durst not disobey , aswell to discharge themselues , from their obligation as to giue satisfaction vnto the people , who affected him .

And with all speed Assaph Chawn ( who now thought hee had done his duty ) sent a Post with quicke Expresses to Curroone , with what had hapned , whom he found retired , in a small Village neere Daita , bordering the Decans Kingdome and distant from Surrat , sixe small dayes trauell .

So soone as Sultan Currone , receiued these packets , hee intends a speedy progresse for the Crowne , which he gaped for , notwithstanding all his Fathers Legacies : and first imparts his resolutions to his companion Mahabet Chawn , Champion to Shaw Selym , late Mogull , and to say truth , the best and most approued Souldier through India , for many yeares a heauy and mortall Enemy to Curroon , and but lately reconciled vnto him , by great perswasions and entreaties of Assaph Chawn , who wrought him , to be his Protector , and with his Army to safegard him to the Kings Metropolis and Royall seat Agray ( a City first built by Wine-god Bacchus ) with this aduantage , that in Mahabet Chawns company ( one much beloued and feard by the people ) he might aduance securely , and without whom , he could neuer haue passed Amadavad , the way to Agray , nor had hopes to enioy the title of an Emperour , Curroone was so generally hated by the vulgar .

And that hee might leaue nothing vndone , which might aduantage his resolutions , ( according to the order of the late Mogulls ) he changed his name from Currone to Shaw Iehan ( or King Iohn ) thinking by that in some sort to appease the peoples hatred : whom as he past , hee saw ill-willers to his happinesse , and entending to oppose him in a battle , being formerly a proclaimed Traitour and a Rebell , which he wisely fore-saw and feared , hoping by policie more than force to winne them to him : so that he sent them word , hee came in friendship , and that rather then offend them , would returne , though his iourney was to submit himselfe to his Nephew , late made Mogull , from whom he doubted not to receiue forgiuenesse .

But when the people heard that Mahabet Chawn was in his company , and had an Army , their thoughts were changed , such was the great and generall loue and feare they bore that Champion ; whom as they knew to be victorious , and therefore durst not much oppose him , and most seuere in iustice and truth by which they thought Curroone Inheritor , and without opposition , suffered him to march , through all the Country vnto Agra , eleuen hundred miles , from that place where the messenger found him at , and fiue and twenty hundred , from Cashmeer , where Iangheer his father died .

In the meane time , Normall , when she saw her Husband the Great Mogull , was dead , and that by his last Will , had nominated Blockee for Emperour ( to secure which , he had made all the Vmbrawes to sweare ) she was almost distracted .

Fearing her deuices to Crowne Seriare her Sonne ( and yongest to Iangheer ) would be preuented , but assuring her selfe , feare nor wishes without action could performe it , shee assumes courage and with those forces , she then had ( which she euer kept about her for her safety ) she hoped to effect her long desires , which was to seaze vpon Blockee , the new King , and vpon her Brother Assaph Chawne , whom shee resolued to strangle , knowing hee was euer against her Sonne Seriare , his Nephew , to make Emperour , Curroone , who had wedded his Daughter : and the reason , why she euer had an Army about her , euen in her husbands time , was this .

Mahabet Chawn , being a most valiant and iust man , and one who all his Masters life time ( whom he knew to be a quiet and good King ) he had done faithfull seruice to , noting her abusiue carriage and command ouer her aged Husband the Mogüll , how shee heaped vp a masse of treasure , and apparantly discouered her aymes to make her Sonne Seriare King . And that on the other side Assaph Chawn did what hee could to conferre that dignity vpon Curroon , and both of them labouring to disinherit Blockee , the true heire to the Crown , both by bloud , nomination and descent , for these causes Mahabet Chawn , cryes out vpon them , and to the World discouers their combinations and deuices ; whereat they were so netled , that they got the good Mogull to banish him , hoping then , to perfect , what they had begun .

But Mahabet Chawn , was no baby , nor would he suffer such indignities : And thereupon , gathers an Army of twenty thousand Horsemen , with which hee set vpon them all vpon a sudden , as they were passing ouer a Riuer , and so amazed their Army , that hee tooke the Mogull Prisoner , and conueighed him to a Tent ( not for all the world , purposing any hurt vnto him ) whom hee knew to be good , and only abused by Normall his Queene . Who in this interim had passed safely ouer the Riuer , with most part of the Lescar , or Army , which shee immediatly put into Battaglia , and stood in her owne defence , to expect her mortall Enemy Mahabet Chawn , The Great Mogull and Empresse taken prisoners by a subiect . that straight way gaue her battaile , slue most of her men , tooke her prisoner , and commanded her head off , to satisfie his fury , with her brothers Assaph Chawn , who being wiser of the two , in the skirmish fled amayne to a strong Castle , where he entrencht himselfe till hee had petitioned the Mogull for his liberty and reconcilement , with Mahabet Chawn .

Who so soone as the Battaile was ended , gaue order to his Army to pursue Assaph Chawn , and to behead him , and brought forth Queene Normall to receiue her iudgement , but shee got so much fauour from Iangheer , the olde Mogull her doting Husband , That with teares hee begd her life , from this his Champion , who though hee knew , would be destruction to him or his : yet to shew his loyaltie to his Master , he released her , and became friends .

Then Assaph Chan , became so intimate with Mahabet , that hee preuayled with him to goe into Decan , to Sultan Curroone , to conduct him to the Court , to beget his pardon from his Father , which hee accordingly did by his power and respect , conueighed Curroone to Agra , and set the Crowne vpon his head , as is and shall be better spoken of hereafter .

Queene Normall , euerafter , by licence from her Husband , kept a a peculiar Army for her safety , and vnder colour of that , so soone as the great Mogull was dead ( as I haue said before ) shee sought to seize the new Mogull , and her Brother Assaph , to make them headlesse , and then doubted not to set the Imperiall Crowne vpon her sonne ( Sultan Seriare's ) head , his yeares being twenty , and capable in her opinion to rule so vast an Empire .

But Assaph Chawn , not ignorant of her intents and malice to him , so soone as Iangher was dead , and Blockie proclaimed Mogull , hee forth-with raises an Army , and approaches hers , where hee pitched and sends vnto her , to assure her of his loue and diligence to do her seruice , excuses what hee had done , being bound by oath , and that vpon better considerations , hee had forsaken Blockie , to conioyne with her , not fearing any opposition , when both their Armies were vnited , and that hauing the young King in their power , shee might then commit herselfe vnto security , and rule as formerly .

The Queene , knowing who it was , that profered this , euen her owne Brother , and then farre from his Sonne in Law Curroone , belieues him and admits of him . Imagining this occasion , ministred security to her designes , and by which ( whiles she bleared him with shew of friendship ) shee might more easily kill him , and the new King , on a sudden .

But Assaph Chawn knowing her ambitious qualities , when hee had well viewed her seuerall forces , and got out of her , where her sonne Seriare lay ( which was at Lohore , with foure thousand horse , for feare of Mahabet Chawn , as was divulged ) hee suddenly raised his Army and forsooke her , desiring all the Nobles with their forces to accompany him , and Blockie to Lohore , to apprehend the traitour Seriare ( as he called him ) then in Armes and in competition for the Empire , with those his forces , entending to strengthen Queene Normall , his mothers Army , the better to attempt it .

When Normall perceiued her brothers treachery , she blamed her credulity , and sorrowed , that she had not strangled him : but hoping to confound him , shee followed with a resolued Army to encounter him .

But Assaph Chawn , though this power was more then hers , and therefore feared her not , yet hauing other things to execute , and to hazard the victory at Sea , might hinder his other designes , he passed speedily through the Mountaines , and to preuent her speed to ouertake him , made great stones be cast downe thither to stop the passage , which is so narrow that scarce two men can passe together ; this so hindred his sisters speed , that ere she could cleere the passage , Assaph Chawn met with Sultan Seriare , who with eight thousand men , was comming to ioyne with the Queene his mother , as she had willed him .

His Army was small and quickly vanquisht , himselfe imprisoned and sent so backe vnto Lahore , where so soone as he arriued : Blockie was againe proclaimed Mogull by his Protector Assaph Chawn , who thereupon sent a Herald to Normall , to come submissiuely vnto the Court , and he offered her faithfully to haue remission , and that the Infant Mogull out of his clemency should forget all former Quarrels , and that shee should not want all honour due to so great a Queene , with maintenance agreeable , for the wife of so great a Monarch .

Normall when she had wisely accounted her distresses and misfortunes , that her sonne was a Prisoner , her owne life in danger , and no possible meanes left to make Seriare King : came and submitted to Blockie , who gaue her assurance of life and liberty , with the continuance of her former Guard or Army . And during Blockies raigne she liued happily and with content . But when Currone came to be Emperour , he tooke her Army from her , ransackt her treasures , slue her friends , and confined her to a priuate Castle for her life , where now she liues in no small misery .

But to continue our History , Queene Normals miserie . when Assaph Chawn saw all the Princes of the bloud then in his power , in Lahore , to wit , the Mogull , Sultan Blockie , Sultan Seriare his Vncle , two sonnes of Sultan Perues , elder brother to Sultan Currowne ( and poysoned by Azaph Chawn , the yeare before at Brampore ) two sonnes of the old Kings elder brother Morad , or Amurath , who because they should vtterly be incapable of the Crowne and Kingdome , caused them to be baptized into the Faith of Christ ( against their wils conferring a greater glory on these two despised Princes then the Monarchie & beliefe of all Mahometan Dominions could doe ) by some Portugall Iesuites . For the Alcoran ( their Law booke ) forbids a Christian to weare a Crowne , where Mahomet is worshipped . These fore-named Princes who were Christened , were by all the Indians , knowne to be of the bloud Royall , and from them therefore receiued esteeme and good respect , but by all the Court , were slighted , despised and cald Christians , which title and other indignities ( so reputed of by them ) they obediently suffered , expecting one day some deliuerance , which now was giuen them by Assaph the Duke , who sent them to Lahore , and there destroyed them .

The other Princes were reserued to a more opportune massacre , vntill Sultan Currown had entred Agra , and receiued the Imperial Crowne and Scepter , with other Ceremonious rites due to the Coronation , of the Great Moguls ,

Which so soone as Currown's Father in Law Duke Azaph was certaine of , banishing all pittie and loyaltie from his heart , flesht in former murthers , by his trayterous killing and poysoning Sultan Blockies Father ( Currowns elder Brother ) and the Mogull himselfe Iangheer with some others , he giues order to the same Rascall Reia Bander to come to Lahore , to perpetrate like villany on the other Princes , who according to his commission , and Currowns liking came thither and found them in an Euening , bathing themselues in a secure Hummum : whereinto Azaph Chawn ( who only had the keyes for entrance ) admitted him , who straight way cut all their throats , and carried their heads as a Trophie and sure testimonie of his villany , vnto Agra , where Currown expected them .

This cruell Act , A bloudie murther of the bloud Royall of Indostant . was threatned , to be reuenged by many Nobles , all imputing it to Azaph Chawn , who sware his innocency , and that he had no hand , in the bloud of these slaughtered Princes .

The Nobles , when they saw no remedie , none else that had title to the Crown , being aliue : they vnanimously trauelled to Agra , and submitted to Curroon . Who ( for his greater safety ) forgaue them and embraced them , but awhile after , his old humour shewed it selfe , for by degrees , vpon small occasion he beheaded and strangled most of them , to the terrour of the rest , and to settle himselfe in a more quiet tyranny : after the murther of Father , three Brothers , three Nephewes , and two Cozen Germans .

Since which , his Queene ( Assaph Chawns Daughter ) died , and hee hath taken his owne Daughter to be his wife . These crying sinnes , haue apparantly drawne downe Gods heauy iudgements vpon those Countries : by those immediate and late plagues of Pestilence and Famine , neuer heard of the like in those parts before , the Sword will doubtlesse follow in Gods appointed time . For hee will haue glory by punishing those from whom he cannot haue his glory . And Curroon ( or Shaw Iehan ) is not yet sensible of those castigations .

At our being their Curroon came within two dayes iourney to vs , and in way of congratulation , the English Merchants ships bestowed on him two hundred great shot . He is the tenth in Descent from the Tartarian Tamberlaine .

Surat .

SVrat is scituate within the burning Zone , in the Latitude of twentie one degrees , twenty minutes , in the Kingdome of Guzurat , and tributary to the Great Mogull : t is ten miles from the Bay , and is watered by a Riuer ( not so broad as is our Thames ) which I imagine deriues its originall from some streame of the Riuer Indus . Inus .

The City of Surat is for quantity comparable to Plymmouth , her houses of sun-dried mud , trellized and flat a-top : at the South end it enioyes a Castle planted with great Ordnance and Ammunition , but of small vse , in that the Riuer is not nauigable , but with Shallops and Frigots , that draw not much water .

There are many large and handsome Houses in it . And at the North-west end the English Merchants haue a residence , and vnder a President : The Merchants in India courteous . their House is very great and magnificent in bulke and entertainment , for any Forreiner . I am their Debtor for loue and courtesie ,

The Inhabitants are alike in colour , though different in Religion , they are of three seuerall compositions : Moores , Bannyans , and Persae .

The Moores are Lords , and Supreame ore the rest , their Religion is Mahometicall . They affect much the Language of Persia , which has got the best repute in the Mogols Court , most of whose Sultans and Captaines are by birth Persians , more resolute and victorious than these Indians , and no lesse faithfull to him ; although mercenarie .

They regard not Letters , their Armes are Sword and Buckler , Bowes , and Arrowes , Iauelins , Kniues , and the like . The Indians are sawcie , proud , bloudy , trayterous and cowardly ; much addicted to Venery .

The Persae are reliques of the old inhabitants , from Alexanders time , who conquered them .

The Bannian Priests called Bramini , are the Pythagorian Sect of the Gymnosophists . They hate Mahumed , and acknowledge one God and Creatour of all things . The better sort are called Mockadams , or Masters ; their behauiour very good and tolerable .

I referre the description of their Religion to a Booke late written by Master Lord a Preacher to the Merchants in Surat . His Booke is called A Display of two Sects in India . Persae and Bannyans .

I shall represent the garbe of the Bannyan , that it may the better possesse your imagination .

A Description of the Bannyans in India .

THe Bannyans are tawny in complexion , are craftie , faire spoken , exquisite Merchants and superstitious .

They weare their haire long , paint their faces , and put Rice vpon the paint , a holy remedy for each dayes chances : their habit is a long coat of white quilted Callico , tied vnder the left side with Ribbands , their head , has a Tulipant or Shash , sometimes of one , sometimes of many colours . They weare shooes without latchets , and often Sandals .

Their Religion is rare and wonderfull , beyond apprehension , and scorne Mahomet . The seuerall casts of them are Cutteries , Shudderies and Wyses . They neuer marry out of their owne Triball vocation , as Bannyans , Bannyans ; Persae , Persaes ; Moores wed Moores , and in their owne Trades . They haue many Taylours , but no slaughtermen . For they so much detest the slaughter of any creature , though a Louse , that they not only abhorre to eat it , or destroy it , but buy their liues , of those that would destroy them . Imagining as did Pythagoras , the transmigration of mens soules into other creatures .

They wil not feed on ought has bloud and life . Their food is Rice , Plantaines , and many other dainty fruits , their liquour , water and Rose-water , Sugar and iuice of Lemmons , which they drinke out of a spout , and powre it into their mouthes , without touching the pot to auoid pollution , some haue beene assest at twenty thousand Mammoodaes , or shillings ; by Judges of their owne Religion , for tasting Wine or strong Water .

The two Elements of Fire and Water , are of diuine esteeme amongst them , and grieue to see those creatures abused in needlesse , or profane vses . So that at their Funerals , their bodies are incorporated with those sacred flames , which burns to ashes , those corps which duly worshipt this consuming Deitie . They belieue no Resurrection of their bodies , therfore giue the foure Elements their peculiar dues .

Some of this Sectadore the Trees , and adorne them with Streamers of silke Ribands and the like .

Their Priests are of venerable account their , and in some places haue the first nights embraces with the Bride , reputing their Issue holier and more fortunate .

They come each morning through the streets , and bestow a Charme vpon them , beautifying their faces with streakes of red , blue and yellow paint , on which they affixe Rice , which is the signall of their Baptisme .

The women are of a little better colour , some haue louely countenances , they weare long haire and loose , and yet couered with a fine thinne vaile of Callico Lawne . Their eares hung with fiue , six , or eight Rings , some so great and ponderous , that their eares are extended and ●●acerated very much . They also hang their noses with Rings and Iewels of Gold inammeld and set with stones of worth and lustre , the shapes of which you may see elsewhere depicted .

They worship the Deuill , in sundry shapes and representations .

I haue seene some of their Pagothes or Idols , in wood , resembling a man , painted with sundry colours , his legs stradling , very wide , vnder him two Lampes , not alwayes burning . In other Fanes they haue three or fiue great Pagods , to which they pray , though they be mishapen and horrible .

They adore the fire also , and conceiue diuine thoughts of Kine and Heifers .

Their mariages are sometimes secret , other times performed with much superstition . They hate Poligamy , but so extreamely honour Wedlocke , that they seldome are vnmarried at seuen yeares of age . The men goe in triumph about the streets one day , and the Bride next , and if it chance , a childe die , ere he be married , the parents of him that died , procure some Damsell ( to whom for a Dowrie , they giue some Dynaes of Gold to betroth him ) to lie one night with the deceased .

Their Funerals are these , they bring the dead corps neere to their Churches , where they sacrifice him to ashes , in costly perfumes , in Aromatique Gummes and Spices . Sometimes the woman throwes herselfe into the fire , and burnes together with her husbands carcasse deriuing to themselues much reputation and glory amongst the suruiuers . Indian Fun●ralt . But at Surat , Brampore , Amadavad , Lohore , Agray or Cabull , where the Moores predominate , they are not suffered , though in other parts of India , towards Bengala and the Coast of Chormandell , they continue that louing custome deuoutly to this day , as shall be spoken of in my description of those parts following .

Another Ceremony in Funerall pompe among the Persae is this : They put the dead body into a winding sheet , all the way his kindred beat themselues till they come within fiftie or an hundred paces neere the monument or buriall place , their the Herboods or Priests , oppose them , attired in yellow Skarffes and Turbants , who take the dead body ( leauing them their , where they stand , till the action be ended ) the Nacesselars , Priests carry it to a little shed , or furnace , and exercise hidden raptures by fire , vnto the fire . Which done , they place the corps , a top of a round stone building twelue foot high & eightie about , the entrance only to the North-east side , where is a small grate , through which they conueigh the body , into that monument : which is flat aboue , wholy open , and plaistered with smooth white loame , in the midst is a hole , discending to the bottome , which receiues that putrefaction and vncleannesse , issuing from the melting bodies , which are laid there naked , and in a twofold roundnesse , exposed to the Sunnes fiery rage , and deuouring appetites of Vultures and Cormorants , who vsually prey their : tearing their flesh , and disordering it , so that the vglinesse and fearefull stench of the vnburied bodies ( in some Dormitories three hundred ) is so violent , that ( vnlesse the raritie of wonders vrge a Trauellour to view them ) they are better to be spoken of , then seene . And note that after the corps are laid there , the Persae will neuer approch to see the buried , nor doe they enquire after them , but grieue exceedingly , that a Christian should goe thither to view them , or tell them of it . The good are laid in one , and the bad in others ; all are carried in Iron coffins , because wood is sacred to the fire , which they adore .

These Persae are descended of the ancient Persians , who adored fire . For the Persians , that now inhabit Persia , are extract from Scythia , and came hither with Tamberlaine , or the Turko-mans .

A like people now liue among the Persians , called Gowers , who were of the old inhabitans . They yet pray to the fire , and are much abased by the Moores .

The vtmost point South of this Indian tract is cald Cape Comri or Comrein from the Aequinoctiall eight degrees to the North. That vtmost point is in Mallabar , a Kingdome ruled by the Sambreyn or King . On the otherside the point , is the Kingdome of Narsmga Negapatan , and Maesulipatan . In which Countries are found Wonders and heathen Entertainments .

So soone as a stranger arriues , of what Countrey soeuer , hee shall presently haue his choice of many Virgins , and choosing one he fancies , for a small price ; she guides him to a lodging , and performes his domestique affaires what euer , at bed and board , all the time of his abode their discharging her duty and priuacie very punctually : and he during that season must beware of familiarity with other women , which if he subiect himselfe to , she aymes to poyson him .

At his departure , Strange customes of the Indians . he payes her wages to her parents , she returnes home , with credit and oftentation .

Here also , when any Noble or Inferiour person enters wedlocke , he takes it for a courtesie , that any stranger will accept the first nights ceremonie with his Bride .

Some ( but most are Peguans ) weare bels of gold fixt to their Genitors , within the bell is an Adders tongue dried , which sounds harmoniously .

The women goe most part naked , except a cloth which should couer those parts , made to be priuate .

In some of these Cities , the Paynym parents , sow vp almost the wombe of their female children , which is only then dissected , when she is married .

Their vilest ceremony is this . That at the marriage of a Virgin , the Bridegroome , to honour the Deuillish Idoll , brings her afore the Pagode , or Idoll ; who commonly is of a tall stature , and shaped vgly , in his priuy parts he has a bodkin of gold or siluer , an intended Instrument , to violate her chastitie . Which , they suppose obtained , by the Pagotha , such time , as she is forcably put vnto his Engine , the the sharpnesse being such , that the bloud issues not only thence , but from other parts of her wounded body , this done , with great ioy and applause she returnes to her Pagan husband , and if shee be with childe that yeare , t is supposed the Pagod got it .

The vsuall Coine in India , Moguls Coine . within the Moguls Territories are Pice , Mammoodees , Rowpees , and Dynaes , thicke and round , and engrauen with Arabique Sentences ( for Mahometisme allow not Images ) a Pice is in English money , a half-peny , a Mammoodee is twelue pence , a Rowpee , two shillings three pence , a Dyna thirty shillings , an English shilling values twentie two Pice , or a Mammoodee and one Pice . A Spanish shilling ( which is a fourth part of a Dollar ) giues twenty fiue Pice , a Riall of eight giues fiue Mammoodees wanting three Pice , and an English twentie shilling peece ( too many of which are conueighed among the Indians ) will at Surat giue twentie two shillings sixe pence , and in Persia twentie fiue shillings at least .

In Swalley Road ( such times , the ships come thither ) the Bannyans , haue Tents and straw houses pitcht neere the water side in abundance , their they sell Callicoes , Cheney Sattin , Cheney ware , Aggats , Turquesses , Sugar and such like . Many little boyes at your going ashore will desire to doe you daily seruice , which they will carefully performe for two pence a day , they prattle English and Portugall prettily .

The vsuall sort of trauell is by Coaches , poorely furnisht and drawne with Oxen and Buffols .

These people will neither eat nor drinke , with any Christian , yet they will conuerse and cozen one without scruple : the Deuill warrants them .

They will not entertaine a stranger to their houses , iealous of their Wiues and Daughters ; who ( as many report ) are extreme venerous or lustfull .

Cambaya .

THree dayes iourney from Surat , is seated a pleasant Citie cald Cambaya , subiect at sometimes to that potent Monarch the Mogoll , and in the Kingdome of Gougurat : it is watered by part of triumphing Indus , and giues Amadavad ( by some wrongfully cald Ardavat ) supremacie ore all her Cities . The limit of this Kingdome is from Sanga to Dulcinda , ( a name inuented by Maffaeus ) North , on the East it has Mandao , on the West Gedrosia , the South is terminated by the Sea . It is a Kingdome of as great wealth as extent , of as great fame as wealth , and of as sundry delights and rarities as fame . The Inhabitants of Cambaya , are a mixture of Mahometans , Moores , Persians , Bannyans and from Arabia .

They are crafty and deceitfull , the Priests are singularly reputed of , the women proper , but vailed and obscure in their best aspect , their faces they colour , their teeth blacke , thinking that shewes most delight and beautie , and to differ from Dogs , whose teeth are white . Their apparell is like the other Indians .

Hence went the Grecian Captaines Nearchus and Onesecritus ( sent out for discouery by Alexander ) vp the Persian Gulfe , as sayes Arrianus , in his eight Booke , the Kingdome is much populate , for the quantitie , not any part of India shewing more men or Cities , for before its subiection , about an hundred and ninety yeares , they haue come into the field seuen hundred thousand men ; but the Citie of Cambaya not exceeding three miles compasse cannot containe eight hundred thousand men , as some haue guessed at .

This place was heretofore lorded ouer by the Kashboots , a noble and valiant ( but now a Theeuish ) people , in the yeare of our Lord , 1423. they were expeld their Country by one Mahumed an Arabian , who left his sonne Mamudeus ( from whence the Coine Mamudees has denomination ) to succeed him , and see Badur who out of a Tyrannique mind , sent defiance to Galgee King of Manda , who to make his party stronger , inuites the Great Mogul Myramud a Zagatayan Tartar to his aide , who came to helpe him , and in the battaile slue King Badur , tooke his Kingdome from him , and cut in peeces all his Army , which Histories report to be an hundred & fifty thousand horse ; and fiue hundred thousand foot , eight hundred peeces of great Artillery , fiue hundred waggons full of powder and shot , two hundred Elephants , and fiue hundred chests of gold and siluer .

The Citie Diu.

NEere this place , along the Gulfe of Persia , is the Citie of Diu , it is in the latitude of twenty two degrees , odde minutes North. It has a Castle of great strength and beautie , built and possest by the Lordly Portugall , t is placed in a small peninsula made by the Riuer Indus , which their ingulfes herselfe into the Indian Seas , after her long and swift descent from Caucasus .

Muskat .

MVskat , is a Citie in Arabia the Happy , vpon the Persian Gulfe and almost Nadyr to the crabbed Tropique , t is not farre from that point of Land cald Cape Rozelgate and paralell to Surat , t is possest by the Portugall , and is his best Port and Defence , for their Frigots and Iunckes , Their Vessels of Traffique and Warre . From Mallabar , Decanee , Gouzurat , Cambaya , and other places : t is strengthened by a wel-built Castle , and peopled by the Reliques of late captiued Ormus , t is a place rather boasting of profit than renowne , and is a little obscured , by her opposite Antagonist Diu.

I will offer you a little of the Arabian Tongue as is now spoken in that Countrey . English . Arabique . Sunday , Ahad . Munday , Esteaninea . Tuesday , Salassa . Wensday , Arbaw . Thursday , Ghameese . Friday , is their Sabbath , Dumaad . Saturday . Sabtu .

The seuen dayes of the Moguls and Persians . Sunday , Yecksumbea . Munday , Dosumbea . Tuesday , Teensumbea . Wensday , Charsumbea . Thursday , Panohsumbea . Friday , Yowma . Saturday . Sambea .

English . Arabique . September , Maharram . October , Sawfor . Nouember , Rabbioul-owl ' December , Rabbioul-auchor . Ianuary , Yowmadul-owl ' February , Yowmadul-awchor . March , Radiab . Aprill , Sabaan . May , Ramulan . Iune , Schowull . Iuly , Heidul-kaida . August . Heidul-beidghea .

Arabique . English . Persian . Mallee , Salt , Namac , Sammack , Fish , Mohee . Moyhea , Water , Obb. Narr , Fire , Attash . Hattop , Wood , Yzom . Be et , A house . Conna . Degang ' Hens , Morgh . Salet , Oyle , Rogan-cherough . Sammon , Butter , Rogan . Beddo , Egges , Toughmorghwe . San , A Dish , Shecky . Cobbeer , Great , Buzzurk . Sackeer , Little , Cowcheck . Annestre , I buy it , Man Mechoree . Vntan-aphea . Haue you . Dare Suma .

Iasques .

IAsques is a Towne famous in nothing except her prospect into the Gulfe of Persia. Their the Pole Artick is eleuated aboue the Horizon twenty fiue degrees , fifty eight minutes , is now of no account , Ormus her neere Neighbour being desolate ; it belongs to the King of Persia , whose Territories are , neere this place , and neerer Indus limited , a riuer diuiding the Mogull from the Persian . T is from Ormus Ile forty leagues due South , is scituate in the Kingdome of Carmania or Carpella , no great matter where , only here lies buried one Captaine Shilling , vnfortuately slaine by the insulting Portugall : but that his bones want sence and expression , they would tell you the earth is not worthy his receptable , and that the people are blockish , rude , treacherous and indomitable .

Ormus .

ORmus is an I le within the Gulfe , in old times knowne by the name Geru , and before that Ogiris ( but I dare not say from a famous Thaeban of that name ) its circuit is fifteene miles , and procreates nothing note-worthy , Salt excepted , of which the Rockes are participant , and the Siluer-shining Sand expresseth Sulpher .

At the end of the I le appeare yet the ruines of that late glorious Citie , built by the Portugals , but vnder command of a Titular King a Moore . T was once as bigge as Exeter , the buildings faire and spacious , with some Monasteries , and a large Buzzarr , or Market .

Of most note and excellencie is the Castle , well seated , entrencht and fortified . In a word , this poore place , now not worth the owning , was but ten yeares agoe , the only stately City , in the Orient , if we may beleeue this vniuersall Prouerbe .

Si terrarum Orbis , quaqua patet , Annulus esset , Illius Ormusium gemma , decusque foret . If all the World were but a Ring , Ormus the Diamond should bring .

This poore Citie , was defrauded of her hopes , continuing glory , such time as Emangoly-Chawn . Duke of Shyras or Persepolis , tooke it with an Army of fifteene thousand men , by command of the King of Persia , who found himselfe bearded by the Portugall . Howbeit , they had neuer triumpht ouer them , had not some English Merchants ships ( then too much abused , by the bragging Lusitanian and so exasperated ) helped them , by whose valour and Cannon , the City was sackt and depopulated . The Captaines ( seruing the East India Merchants ) were Captaine Weddall , Blyth and Woodcocke .

Their Articles with the Persian Duke were to haue , the liues of the poore Christians at their disposall , some Cannons , and halfe the spoile , and accordingly when the Citie was entred , after a braue and tedious resistance ( forst to yeeld by Plague , Fluxes and Famine ) euery house of Quality , Magazen and Monastery were sealed vp , with the Signets of the Duke and Merchants . By which good order , the Company had no doubt been enriched with two millions of pounds ( though but their share ) had it not beene preuented , by a Rascall Saylers couetousnesse , who though hee knew the danger of his life and losse of the Christians credit , yet stole into a Monastery sealed with both consents , commits Sacriledge vpon the siluer Lampes , Chalices , Crucifixes and other rich Ornaments and stuft so full , that in descending , his Theft cried out against him , was taken by the Persians , led to the Duke , confest , and was drubd right handsomely , but the greatest mischiefe , came hereby vnto the English , for the perfidious Pagans ( though they knew the Merchants were not guiltie of his transgression , and consequently had not broke the Order . ) Notwithstanding the Souldiers went to the Duke , saying , shall wee sit idle , whiles the English , by stealth and secrecie exhaust all our hopes of benefit and riches , whereat the Duke ( glad of such aduantage ) replyed , if so , then goe and haue your desires , whereupon they broke open the houses , and store of what was valuable , and made themselues masters of all they found , whiles the confident Sailers , lay bragging of their victories a ship-board . And when they were possest of what was done , they exclaimed , as men possest , but the Persians vnderstood them not , nor cared they what their meaning was , seeing they terrified the Adye , giue loosers leaue to prate .

Yet they found enough to throw away , by that small , sufficiently shewing their luxurious minds and prodigalitie , if they had gotten more : dicing , whooring , brawling , and tipling being all the relicks of their husbandry and thankfulnesse .

Only Captaine Woodcocke had good luck and bad , lighting vpon a Frigot that stole away , vnwitting to the Enemie , loaden with pearles and treasure , that he tooke for prize and kept all to himselfe , perhaps worth a million of Rials , or better , but see ill Fortune . The Whale ( of which he was Captaine ) rich laden with his Masters and his owne goods , hard by Swally Road without the Barre , sunke and was swallowed by the Sands , occasioned by a hole , neglected by the Carpenter , and failing to carine or mend her , the Ports were open and tooke in water , which to proue that euen Whales are subiect to destruction perished in that mercilesse Element , Woodocke not long after ouerwhelming his life with too much care , too vnable to moderate so great misfortunes .

This poore Citie is now disrobed of all her brauerie , the Persians each moneth conueigh her ribs of wood and stone , to agrandize Gombroone , not three leagnes distant , out of whose ruines , shee begins to triumph .

Ormus Iland , has no fresh water , saue what the fruitfull Cloudes weepe ouer her , in sorrow of her desolation , late so populous , those are preserued in Vrnes or earthen Iarres , and are most comfortable to drinke in , and to giue bedding a coole and refrigerating-sleeping-place , to lenifie scorching Phaeton , who is their potent in his flames and sulphur .

Gombroone .

GOmbroone , is by the Natiues , cald Bander , ( or Port Towne ) it eleuates the Articke Pole twentie seuen degrees nine minutes . Is distant from Ormus nine English miles at most . Is seated vpon the Gulph and in the Ormusian Kingdome ( whose limit was of old into Arabia ) yet some say in Carmania , and others in Larr , which was a Kingdome .

It was a dozen yeares agoe , so short from the title of a Citie , that it could not boast of twelue houses , at this time , hauing very neere a thousand .

T is gouerned by a Sultan and Shaw-bander ( or King of the Port ) one has the Sword of Iustice , the other the Scale of Weights , both whose houses conioyne the Market-place or Buzzar .

In Iunuary here arriue yeerely ships from India , English and Dutch , and here the English Agents receiue custome of all strangers , that honour being granted them from the Persian King for their good seruice at Ormus against the Portugals , yet I beleeue the Pagans are by this time weary of their courtesie , and beginne to deny the English that honour any more . The English and Dutch Merchants Houses are apparant from the rest by their Ensignes flying a top their Tarrasses .

The Towne in Winter is inhabited by sundry Nations as Persians , Indians , Arabs , Iewes and others : all which flie away in Summer to auoid the intolerale heat their , caused both by the burning sands and great height of a mountaine towards the North , anticipating the coole breath or aire .

Of all sorts of people , the Bannyans exceed for number , they are the most subtle and faire spoken Merchants in the Orient . Here they sell all sorts of Fruits , Seeds , Roots , Drugs , and Rose-water . The Arack and Wine sophisticated and brought from Shyras , is sold by Iewes and Moores . The Bannyan is tied from it by Religion , the Inhabitants are of an Oliue colour , and the poorer sort clothed but to the middle . The women are attired in linnen of white or other colours , they weare , in their Noses , Rings of Siluer and Buttons of Gold . As also a Bodkin or long Iewell of Gold , enammeled and set with Rubies , Turquioses and Garnats . The shape of which is here described .

Their Eares haue twelue or fourteene siluer rings , their armes loden with shackles of Brasse and Iuory . Vpon their fingers they haue many siluer rings , and on the thumbe commonly one with a Glasse to looke in , and no wonder , their beauties are so delicate and charming , and such as preuaile in my iudgement , towards chastitie , more then Ouids Remedy of Loue .

They are the most vgly and impudent Whoores , in all Persia , and infect that corporation with their Heathenisme and numbers .

The vehement heat something excuses them , and in Summer to coole their bodies and affections , they sleepe in Troughs and Tancks of water , which kind of bedding was vsed very much when Ormus had any glory .

The houses are of mudde , thicke and hardned in the scorching Sunne , they are flat and tarrased a top , where in hot weather , when Serenes fall not , they sleepe on Carpets . The Windowes are large like those in Italy , and in stead of Glasse vse wooden trell●●es or casements .

The people are superstitious and owe much ceremonie to their Goddesse Luna , they are more valiant and generous then the Indians , affect complement , and hate walking , all their delight and brauery is on horse-backe .

Though the Country about Gombroone be sterrile and sandy , yet in the Winter season , there is abundance of all things necessary , chiefly fruits and flowres , as Orenges , Lemmons , Pomegranats , Pomcitrons , Quinces , Peares , Apples , Almonds , Currans , Figs , Dates , and Lillies , Roses , Tulips , with other things , as abundance of Egges , Hens , Kids , Rice and the like : most of which are brought from other places hither .

In the Towne are some Moscheas and Synagogues of Iewes , and three miles from Gombroon , right against Ormus I le , growes a tree , which we call the Bannyan tree , whose circumference in the leaues and boughs fixt in the earth , is two hundred & nine of my paces , as I measured . Within , the boughes are lopt off , so that it seemes a Theater . And wherein , may ambush very priuately three hundred Horse .

A Chappell sacred to the Bannyans Numen , is built close to the bole included and hidden , to those without , by her thicke spreading branches , neere which , is the Caue or Hermitage of an ancient Braminy , a deuout Wretch , A Monke of Charitie . hauing constantly serued his Master the Deuill aboue threescore yeares . At the Marriage of a Bannyan maid , the custome is , she sits the first night by the Pagod ( which is an Idoll of vgly caruing ) expecting some reuelations . At mid-night the Bramini enters in a hidden ha●●● and vnresisted reaps her Virgin honour , which is the more shame , in that at nine or ten yeares old , they desire to lose it . The 〈…〉 Salli●n , sometimes will priuately condition with a Trauellor , to take his mid-night Offerings , which ( as I was told ) none but ●ortugals do● accept of .

The tenth of Ianuary , Sir Robert Sherley entred Gombroone , after our arriuall there out of the Gulph of Persia : Our Ambassadors entertainment at Gombroon , Ian. 10. which knowne , the Sultan of the Towne came to visit him : Sir Robert Sherley being Ambassadour from the Persian , and speaking the Turkish Tongue , demanded of him pompe and entertainment for Sir Dodmore Cotton , Ambassadour from our Soueraigne , as also Horses , Mules and Camels for his iourney to the Court , which hee grudged at ▪ the King then being at the Caspian Sea . But vpon sight of his Phirman ( or Letter of command ) hee agreed willingly and accordingly prouided for him .

At his landing , Cozelbashaes with the Persian , as the Spahi with the Turks . the Captaines of the English ships ( riding their ) gaue him an hundred Culuerin shot , for a farewell from them . At his going vp to the Towne , the Sultan , the Shaw-bander ( or King of the Port ) and many Couzel-bashaes ( or Horsemen of the best ranke ) met him , and very ciuilly conueighed him to the Town . The Castle of Gombroon gaue him ten great shot .

All the way from the water-side to the Sultans house , ( wee rode twixt two rankes of Persian Archers and Musquetiers ) where our Ambassadour , the Gentlemen his followers and Sea-captaines were welcommed to a very neat and curious Banquet and musique from the ships . Thence we rode to the English Agents house , where wee receiued a second entertainment .

And after fourteene dayes repose , wee begun our Land Trauaile into Persia , furnisht with twenty nine Cammels , and twelue Horse , by the Sultan , who after a Piscash or Present giuen him ( fiue miles accompanying vs ) returned .

Our departure from Gombroone , towards Persia.

THe first night wee lay at Bannarow , is sixteene miles from Gombroone , where is a Carrauans-raw ( as they call it ) or common receptacle of all Trauellers , such being at euery Manzeil or resting places , through these Kingdomes , in regard their be no Jnnes , and vnlesse they carry with them their Kitchin , they are like to want prouision to eate , in all places through their Iourney . And note that neere all or most of the Carrauans-raws , are Tancks or couered ponds of water , fild by the beneficiall raines , for the vse and drink of Trauellers and their Cattle : in very few places , Springs being found , except where Cities and Townes are placed .

From Bannarow , next night we got fiue leagues ( or fifteene English miles ) further ▪ and next to a place cald Cawrestan , their and at other places our Mammandore or Harbinger , prouiding for vs .

The fourth night wee lay at Tangee-Dolon ( or the narrow way ) where is a pretty Carrauans-raw and the more praise-worthy , for the excellent water wee found their : which issuing from a mountaine three miles distant , has passage through another towring hill where we lay , the Aqueduct being merualously cut through the bottome of this mount , and thence runs into an Euen and champagne soyle , which containes twentie miles circuit , surrounded with Hils of stupendious height and vneuennesse to ascend , within which Tempe is a Towne ( of thirtie houses ) cald Dolon , possessors of that pleasure .

The first night our Manzeil ( or Iournies end for that day ) was at Whorwoote , where a little from vs , wee viewed a Blacke Tent , and going thither found three old Arabians , with each his Booke , out of which they chanted dolefull Requiems to their Cozens soule , ouer whose graue they sat , and were to mourne their fiue dayes for him , according to their Ceremony .

Next night we trauelled sixe leagues further , and two dayes after into Larr , into which old City , the Cawsee ( or Iudge ) and Calen●ar or Gouernour , with many other men of note gallantly mounted , with great courtesie brought vs thither ; neere the Citie a Persian , out of a Poetique fury thundred vs a speech of welcome , and thereupon the Kettle-drums and other their Iingling Instruments stroue to deafe vs . After this a Venus ( like in honestie , though not in beautie ) attired in an anticke fashion , presents her selfe , accompanied with more Syluanes , where they danced Lauoltoes , their armes and legs were adorned with Bels , which with the other musique , made a consort . During this Anticke , Bacchus ( a great Dietie among those people ) crept in amongst them : so that the iangling of their discording pipes : the Whoores bels , roaring of the Mules and Asses , with the shooting and clamour of two thousand people all the way before vs till wee entred Larr , so amated vs , that had Vulcan and his Cyclopes beene working there , there noise had beene preuented . After we were lodged , they without more ceremony ( tired , I suppose , with the former ) left vs .

A Description of Larr .

LArr is a Citie vnder the Latitude of twenty seauen degrees and forty minutes North , t is vnder the Iurisdiction Royall of Emang Ally , the Chawn or great Duke of Shyras , from whence t is distant fourteene easie dayes iourney , and from late passed Gombroon , seuen dayes , or sixscore English miles or thereabouts : all the Countrey for foure hundred miles together , is desart , sterile and full of loose sand and dangerous , it also shewes huge high Hils , on euery side , trauell which way you will : without grasse , riuer herbes , or what else , a Pilgrim , in those inhospitable Desart might desire ( a few Date-trees excepted , which stand rather as markes to passe by , than other seruice ) and did not the Tancks ( their watery Magazens ) assist them , neither were the people able to abide there , or Trauellers to find passage .

The Citie of Larr , is the principall place for Iustice and Commerce within that sandy Kingdome ( cald by some by the same name , though in my iudgement in Susiana ) Shushan being not many dayes trauell distant thence .

The Citie is very ancient , and thirty yeares agoe had fiue thousand houses in her , of which three thousand were turned topsie turuy by an Earth-quake , two thousand at this day is her number .

T is now famous for nothing but a Castle and Buzzar , which is large , strong , and beautifull , t is in a sort Quadrangular , though of vnequall Angles . The extent from North to South is an hundred and seuentie paces Geometricall , and from East to West , an hundred and ninetie .

The Castle is built at the North end vpon a high aspiring Mountaine , well stored with Ordnance brought from Ormus : the order and scituation of this Fort and Fabricke , equalizing if nor preceding any other in Persia.

In this poore City is a Mesquite or Temple , framed in some part with Mosaique worke and round in Figure : at the entrance hangs a Mirrour or Looking-glasse , wherein Mahometa●s behold their deformities , this Church lodges the great Long-named-long-buried Prophet Emyr-Ally-Saddey a meer , whose sleepe ( they say ) has beene fifteene hundred yeares long in that Sepulchre . They expect his Resurrection shortly to waite on Mahomet ( of whom hee prophesied fiue hundred yeares before his knaueries . ) And t is sure great Pluto loues them so dearely , that hee will not part with them , because he expects these Mussulmen there also .

This Towne affords Dates , Orenges and Aquauita , o● Arack , the riuer water I may call Aqua-mortis . The basenesse of it such , that so little came in my belly , as was possible , because it corrupts the body , hurts the eyes , and breeds long Wormes like a Lute-string in their legges that loue it , these Wormes they vnwinde with a Pinne and come out daintily : sometimes they breake , and then danger to that legge ensueth it .

The people are blacke and needy , many miserable Iewes inhabit there and haue their Synagogues , but their only receptacle is North-west from Larr sixtie miles , at Iaaroone , in which Citie are a thousand Families all Iewes , transported thither in the Babylonish captiuitie , & this they named in memory of their old Kyria●h Iaarim .

About thirty yeares since , the Duke of Shyras ( commanded by the King ) subdued this Kingdome , ruined one Castle and built another , slue many of the Citizens , ransacke the Towne and sent home to Shyras so much Treasure as burthened seuen hundred Cammels ; much , in respect of the great famine and pouertie of this Kingdome , but most part raised , I beleeue , out of those great and many Carrauans , from Babylon , Tauris , Cazbeen and Spawhawn , traffiquing to the Portugall , while Ormus had Trade and Riches .

The poore King , though his life was granted him , when hee was dreaming of other matters , an vnexpected Semiter , ( to end his stratagems ) cut off his head , and by death of all his Progeny establisht the Soueraignty vnto the Persian .

Some Maps place Larr by a great Riuer , wherein they are mistaken so exceedingly , that within a hundred miles is not any Riuer or Riuolet .

After nine dayes abode in Larr , wee continued our iourney to Shyras , most of vs mounted vpon good Mules , who though slow , are sure of foot , and Emblemes of Sobrietie .

Our first night we pitcht our Tents not far from Larr , and could not trauell next day , by reason of an immoderate showre , that made the earth very slippery , whereby the Camels could not foot it .

The raine as it seldome fals here ( not a showre sometimes in fiue yeares ) when it fals , brings incredible ioy and profit to this people , and Sun-burnt Countries , and with which happinesse , it often brings with it mischiefe and sorrow , for we were told here , that six yeares since , such a violent storme of raine vnburthened it selfe neere this place , and caused such a sudden Deluge and Cattaract , that a Carrauan of two thousand Camels perisht , and were cast away by it .

Next night we slept in Techoa , or Ded-chow , ( which signifies the Towne vnder a Hill ) where the Calenter of Larr , Cogee-Obdruza tooke farewell of vs .

At this Techow , are many pretty Tombes , not any buried without memorials , a mile from this Towne we see threescore blacke Pauillions , wherein we found nothing , but what gaue mirth and beautie .

These are a people , who liue wholy in Tents , and obserue the customes of the Tartars , they haue no certaine habitation , they delight in motion , they graze and feed here and there , with all their substance .

The Persians stile them Vloches , or Shepheards , these Nomades are well described by the Poet.

Nulla domus , plaustris habitant , migrare per Arua , Mos , atque Errantes circumuectare Penates . They haue no constant dwellings , but delight To wander with their House-gods , day and night .

Next day we roade by a huge wall , cut by incredible labour out of the solide Rocke , as a secure defence against the inuading Persian , the Kingdome of Larr their terminating .

Thence we came to Berry , a small Towne , and Schoole for the Arabique Tongue , this has a Mosquit , or Church , promising much afarre off , but deceiues the expectation neerer hand , howbeit t is much honored by the people , for being an euerlasting Dormitorie as they belieue , to their Learned Pseudo-prophet Emaum-zaddey-a-meer-amaddey-Ally , a man of great length in name , power , and eight hundred yeares antiquitie : his Tombe is foure foot high , and eight in length , couered with a white linnen cloth , the sides painted and set forth , with Poesies of Arabique , neere him are fixt two Speares and Ensignes curiously wrought , and vpon the Coffin lie a set of great Beades , with which he vsed to worke miracles , a top of the Chappell hangs a Globe to expresse his power and greatnesse , in the wall are round Glasses ( such as are in Doue-houses ) in which these people see representations of their sinnes . And ( which is not least esteemed ) I perceiued a stone pendent neere the wall which they preserue for a valuable Relique , they say , the Prophet vsed to lay this stone on the shoulders of the erronious , the miraculous waight and vertue of which was such , as reduced him into a right path . A little pot comes next to our description , it has an vnguent of great vertue and Antiquitie in it , which it seemes cannot be spent , and is of Soueraigne force for weake eyes : The Alcoran , or Alfurcan , is their Booke of Religion . to crowne all , his Booke , yet no Alfurcan , of deuotion is laid vpon him as too worthy the vse of sinners . The Church vnder foot is neatly matted ▪ and as the Church has superstition , so the Priests haue ceremony , none can enter with boots or shooes on , because the place , they say , is holy .

Hence we trauelled to Bannarow , at which Towne the Gouernour met vs with musique and welcome ; three Drummes and sixe Muskets . The ruines of an ancient Castle , lately demolist by the Persians , shewes its ribs vpon the top of a stupendious mount , the view of one side inclining to the Towne , the other to the Deserts . Our next nights Manzeil was at Goyoam , a Towne at least of a thousand Houses , A Iugler . after our reposing there , a Persian Hocus-Pocus , affronted vs , he performed rare trickes with hands and feet , hee trod vpon two very sharpe Persian Semiters with his bare feet , then laid his naked backe vpon them , and suffered a heauy Anuill to be laid on his belly , on which two men beat two Horse-shooes forceably : that tricke done , he thrust Kniues and Arrowes thorow many parts of his armes and thighes , and by meere strength of his head , tooke vp a stone of sixe hundred pound waight , which was fastned to the ring with his haire , and in like sort tore asunder a Goats heads with his fore-locke , still crying Allough whoddow , or great God to helpe him , we gaue him perticular requitals , and so left him and the towne , where lies entombed the Prophet Meleck Mahumet , one very famous for fomenting the precepts of his master Mahumet , when opposed by the Sarazens .

Thence our Trauaile was through the Wildernesse , riding so long and carelesly that some of vs lost our company , straying in that comfortlesse Desart , but next day wee found out the Carauan , At this time such raine , thunder and lightning fell vpon vs , that wee were imprisoned in our Tents . Yet on we went next day , and lodged at night in Whormoot ( or Towne of Dates ) by the way was a Tombe of the harmelesse Shepheards , hung with threeds tripartite , each threed beautified with parti-couloured wooll , and at each end was placed a Puppet or Pagod to protect it .

The two and twentieth day we dislodged a wilde Bore , but neither shot nor Dogges preuailed against him . That night wee slept in Cutbobbow , and next in Mohouck , in which is a Monument of foure famous Prophets , Hodgee , Mohomet , Izmael and Ally , buried foure hundred yeares agoe .

Thence to Caughton , next night to Vngea , next to Moyechaw , thence to Pully Potshaugh , so to Syras : the description of which it is now , and was , I haue here deciphered .

Persepolis .

PErsepolis ( out of whose ruines is come Siras ) was built by Sosarinus , as some suppose , who liued in the Median Dynasty , he was the third Emperour from Arbaces , who gaue end to Sardanapalus , and the Assyrian Monarchie , which had continued from Belus , Father of Ninus 1480. years , in succession of one and forty Monarchs , howbeit she was most beautified by Cambyses , sonne to Cyrus , and second King of the second Monarchie , which Cyrus obtained by ouerthrow of Astyages , who had kept the Soueraigntie to the Medes , from Arbaces , in nine Kings , to two hundred ninetie seuen yeares .

This Citie continued mightiest in Asia from Cambyses , to Darius Codoma●●s sonne to Arsamus in the line of thirteene Monarchs two hundred and thirtie yeares , at which time the valiant Greeke Alexander , by conquest of all As●a , more easily gaue a Period to this glorious Citie , by one blaze , at the whoorish councell of Athenian Thao● , so that , through his riot and her villany , this Imperiall Citie felt the flames of Warre , which Alexander afterwards deplored with teares , but helplesse .

I cannot beleeue Quintus Curtius his report of Cedar trees , of which he would haue this Citie builded , the Countrey no where producing any , if he meant Cypresses , t is credible , albeit they had whole mountaines of excellent blacke Marble ioyning to them , and out of which the Imperiall Palace was extracted and cut out , as to this day appeares in that ruinous monument .

This Citie when the Macedonian Victor ransackt it , gaue him in Gold a hundred and twenty thousand Talents , his Souldiers hauing spoiled what they pleased .

This Citie , saith Diodorus Siculus , was the richest and most louely City vnder the Sunne . It had saith the Historian , a high stately Tower , enuironed with a three-fold wall , the first wall was sixteene Cubits high , beautified with battlements . The second , was as high againe , and the third as much exceeded that to sixtie Cubits , composed of hard Marble ( no● strange thing , all the mountaine being the best black Marble in the World , in many of which polisht stones I could see my face ) fixt with brazen gates : to the East of which was a Hill of foure Acres , wherein were entombed the Monarchs of the World . Nor was the glorious Temple of Diana , of lesse cred●t that being ( as writes Iosephus ) couered with refined gold , which greedy Antiochus thought to haue ransackt , as he did Ierusalem , from whose holy Temple he tooke no lesse then ten tun of Gold .

Arist. lib. de mundo auerreth , the admirable ingenuitie of the Magi , such , combined with the immense Power of those Emperours , that they could heare in one day , of all affaires , through that bulkie Empire , euen from the Hellespont vnto India .

In this Palace , the Kings Throne was Gold and Orientall Gemmes , the Palace roofe shined with Gold , Amber , Siluer and Iuory , his lodgings were rich too , for in one Chamber was a Vine , studded with Pearles , the artificiall clusters , were Pearles and precious Rubies , his Beds pillow ( saith the Authour ) was bolstred with fiue thousand Talents of Gold , his Beds feet with three thousand both Gold and Vine was giuen Darius , by the Bythinian Pythius , many rare things more are reported of this louely Paradice . But how time has demolisht her glory , as most of all the Wonders of the World , how she lies now subiected giue me leaue a little to rest vpon her pleasant bankes of Byndamir , and I shall truly set downe what is now left of her .

Chil-manor , or forty Towres .

THe great Palace of Persepolis , is by the inhabitants ( who little respect Antiquitie ) cald Chil-manor , ( or forty Towres ) by which , it seemes they haue seene so many in their Predecessors , though now there be but nineteene standing , and one below , to the East , howbeit the ruines and ground of fourescore more , are yet visible , this great roome was the Hall , and cut out of the blacke shining Marble , wherein were placed a hundred white marble Pillars , which gaue admirable beauty to it , each Pillar or Towre is about fifteene foote high , each in rotundity forty squares , each square three inches .

From this roome , is a stately prospect of all the Plaines thirty miles about it .

The ascent to this is cut out of the marble Rockes , the staires ( reseruing their durance and beauty to this day ) are ninetie fiue , and so broad that a dozen Horsemen may ride vp abreast together ; the immediate ascent is twenty two foot high , at which is the gate ( or entrance into the said Hall ) the breadth of the Gate is sixe of my paces , the height of each side or Gate ( engrauen with a mightie Elephant on one side , a Rhynoceros on the other ) thirty foot high , very rarely cut out of the marble , fixt and durable for euer .

A little further from the entrance are two Towres of like shape and bignesse . Neere which is another part of the gate , wherein is engrauen a Pegasus : an inuention of the Sculptor , to expresse his workemanship , these are the portals to that Apollo , supported by a hundred white marble Pillars , a top of which now inhabit the pious Storkes : the fashion of this roome exceeds all the other in circuit , and brauery .

Adioyning is another foure-square roome , whose blacke marble wals are yet abiding . T is I say foure square , each square ninetie paces , all foure amounting to three hundred and sixtie , it has eight doores , foure of which are sixe paces broad , the other foure of halfe that breath , euery doore has seuen engrauen marble stones fixt one vpon another , each stone in length foure yards and height fiue quarters , all which eight doores are exquisitely engrauen with Images of Lions , Tygres , Griffins , and Buls of rare sculpture and proportion , a top of each doore is of stone the Image of an Emperour in state , holding in his hands a staffe and Scepter .

A third Chamber ioynes to the former , which ( these people tell vs ) was a receptacle for the Queene and Ladies , t is of a Quadrangular but not equall forme , two sides sixtie , the other seuentie paces .

A fourth Chamber is next , two sides twentie , the other two , thirtie paces , which Nurserie , though of blacke shining marble , is not yet obscured in her glorie : the wals are rarely engrauen with Images of huge stature , and haue beene illustrated with Gold , which in some places is visible , the stones in many parts so well polisht , that they equall for brightnesse a steele mirrour : this Chamber has its wals of best lustre . But Age and Warres , two great consumers of rare monuments , has turned topsie-turuie , this , as many other things , and left nought but wals to testifie the greatnesse of that glory and triumph it has enioyed .

At the highest of this Palace , is cut , out of the perpendicular mountaine , the Images of a King ( which may be Cambyses ) adoring three Deities , the Fire ▪ the Sunne , and a Serpent .

The mountaine on the other side is also cut perpendicular , vp which is no ascending , this is sufficient for this Theame , on which I should not haue so much insisted , but for its worth , and that none hath formerly in truth described it .

These Persians say one Iamshet was the structor , whose Image is frequently carued in most places , hee ruled ouer Persia , in nine Discents from Noe , and is by Historiographers supposed sonne of Ouchange King of Persia.

Halfe a mile from Persepolis , is a Towne of two hundred houses , cald Mardash , whose inhabitants so little know or value memory , that they daily teare away the monument , for Sepulchres and benches to sit vpon .

Which they cannot doe , where the Rockes are fixt , in one of which Hals described , is excellently engrauen , Battailes , Hecatombes , Triumphs and the like .

And though , some imagine , Persepolis to haue stretcht so farre as Syras , which now is thirtie English miles distant . The distance does not so much diswade me from it , as those high craggie mountaines interposing them , and vnder the olde Persepolis is a plaine Horizon East , another way .

No doubt , but Syras may haue risen from her ruines , though built in a distant place , as we see Tauris from Ecbatane , Bagdat from olde Babell , Ierusalem toward mount Caluary , Cayro from Memphis , Tunis from Carthage , Constantinople from Bizantium , Rome now in Campus Martius , and many other Cities , which altering their seats though but a league , some also haue got other denominations .

From Chihilmannor fiue miles West is the Image of their great Champion Rustan , cald Nocta Rustan : his Tombe is vpon an apparant high Hill three miles from Hispahan , they beleeue such Wonders of him , as our boyes doe of Bellianys , or of the Knight of the Sunne ,

I come now to describe Syras , which though spoken of after Persepolis , yet in our trauell we came thither first .

Description of Shiras .

SYras or Sheiras ( as the Persians pronounce it ) has North Latitude twenty nine degrees forty minutes . Some would haue her built by Cyrus , and from him called Cyropolis . Others from Iamshet , fist King of Persia , and so from Noe. But I rather thinke its deriuation is from Sheir or Milke , as Aleppo from Halip , which Synonymies are taken from plentie and pleasures : many Towns in these parts agreeing so , as Whormoote , which is a Towne of Dates , De-Achow , a Towne vpon a Hill , De-Gardow ( a Towne of Walnuts , &c.

The compasse of this Citie is about eight or nine miles , the greatest extent from the South-east to North-west neere three miles , a farre lesse compasse then those that write , it has twenty miles compasse , and in it sixty thousand houses . T is seated at the North-west end of a large euen plaine , twenty miles long , and sixe broad , the sides enuironed with mighty Hils , vnder one of which this Citie is placed . At the first view , it affords a very pleasing obiect , and by reason of abundance of high Pyramidall Cypresse-trees , circumuoluing the Towne , it seemes , a Garden , till at the entrance the Hummums , ( or hot Baths ) and Moscheas , their Churches , by the refulgent splendour of their bluenesse , gaine admiration in the beholders . The prime beautie of this Citie ▪ is her Churches and Gardens .

Within the Citie are fourteene or fifteene Churches , most of which are round like Theaters , their outside tyling , pargetted with azure stones , resembling Turquoises .

Two of these are more eminent then the rest , the one , for brauery has two Pillars or Steeples ( as high as Pauls in London ) couered and wrought with blue and Gold , the Inside vast and vnfurnished , shewing onely one small place allotted for deuotion . The other for vse , whose superficies is Mosaicke worke , enterlaced with Arabian Characters out of their Alcoran , in the entrance , yet speakes it selfe rather a Royal Carrauan-raw , then a Temple , though nightly a thousand Lamps adorne it .

Other Churches , haue beauty in them , and are most respected for the buriall places of some famous Prophets , seruants to their adored Ally sonne in Law and equall with them to Mahomet , whose Iugling trickes , haue so bewitched these Infidels , that Zeale and Wealth together haue richly adorned their monuments with precious fragments of Brasse and Stone , and what Art is defectiue in , Nature and Gold has made vp its wants , each Sepulchre boasting of an hundred Lampes and siluer Sockets : in one of which is embalmed that Prophetick man Shaw-Meer-Ally-hamzey , who this seuen hundred yeares has waited vpon Ally in Acheron , for doing as was written in his Alcoran . The length of his Temple is sixtie paces , and the breadth so many .

In another , sleepes Sandan Emyr Amahow , a man who became Mahomets deare Disciple , when he taught his owne Law , and the longer time runs on , the more increases this Sandants power and vertue , they say , to worke Miracles .

The Houses are of Sun-burnt bricks , flat a top , the windowes trellized very curiously . And though generally they haue within , no Ornaments after our fashion , yet some peculiar Houses , as the Dukes . Shock-Ally-Beg . Ally-chon , and others may be competitors for delicacie with most in Europe .

Sultan Shock-ally-Beg ( in whose House we had a Banquet and ciuill welcome ) his Chamber was large , high , and round , the windowes of painted glasse ( no common ware ) the roofe and sides imbost and wrought with gold and Images most exquisitely , the floore was spread with Carpets of Silke very rich and comely .

This Sultan had beene twelue times in battaile against the Turke , and most times Victour , and in a single Combate with Aly Bashaw ( whom he slue ) receiued a lamenesse .

I will added a little of the Great Dukes Entertainment to vs , and goe on .

Hee is cald Emangoly Chawn ( Chown is Duke ) is now Protector of Persia , during Soffees infancy . His Father and Grand-father were Dukes afore him . A Genealogie of that Antiquitie as many Sultans and Dukes in India and Persia , cannot equall it , they know so little that way .

Hee is one of the Kings foure great Dukes , each of which has twelue Sultans , each Sultan fiue thousand Couzel Bashawes ( a better Warriour then the Ianizaries ) his Titles without ostentation , are these .

Emang Ally Chawn Lord of Persia ( which they call Farsee ) Great Duke of Shiras , Titles of the D. of Shyras . Sultan of Larr , and of the mountaines of Iaaroon ▪ Lord of Ormus , Ruler of Carmania , Mergiana , Susiana , Gedrozia , Aria and Sigestan , Prince of the Gulph of Arabia , Great Beglerbegg , Commander of twelue Sultans , Flowre of Courtesie , Second in Glory , Protector of Mussulmen , Nutmeg of Comfort , and Rose of Delight .

He got an Oath from the late King Abbas , that he neuer should be beheaded , a recompence for small reason too vsuall from their Emperour , hi● conquests , He subdued all Larr , Ormus , and vnto Iasques for his Soueraigne , and got a footing in Arabia , in this manner . Two Princes of Arabia , contending for Soueraignetie , hee that was vanquisht , demands succour from this Duke , who entertaines him willingly , and with twenty thousand Horse fights with his Aduersary , kils him and becomes Lord of both Territories . The relieued Prince , thankes him and desires to returne home . Emangoly Chawn cryes fie , at that , could he with any honesty leaue him , perfidie that so had succoured him : the Prince must stay , and in fine , becomes his Sonne in Law , and Father at one time , for hee weds the Dukes Daughter , and the Duke his Lands and Signiories , and keeps him prisoner .

His Reuenues ( as Merchants say ) is foure hundred thousand Tomaynes a yeare ( a Tonian is three pound sixe shillings ) his Plate and Jewels valued at three hundred thousand pounds , wealth he has three hundred women in his Seraglio ( called here Haram ) when he hunts the Tygre , Lion , Bores and such like ( which , hee does once in foure yeares ) he sets twentie thousand men to rouze them , and when they are together on some mountaine , he impales it with a huge toile , of Wire , and sports . Cords , and Wood , a toile and burthen for sixe hundred Camels , and so commands them .

At our entrance into his Metropolis , hee was two dayes iourney thence , at his House of pleasure . Sir Robert Sherley rode to him , to acquaint him with our Ambassadours being there : hee knew it well enough , and thought we should attend his leasure : so after wee had reposed sixe dayes in the Citie , our Ambassadour acquainted Shocke-Aly-Beg with his desire to part . What ; replyed hee , would you goe ere you see the Dukes face , he answered , his businesse swayed him to another end , he came to see his Master . So the next day the Duke came to Shiras , followed with two thousand horses , and rested two dayes without sending or taking notice of vs .

At length hee sent a Gentleman to our Ambassadour , with a complement of welcome , and bade him to visit him : our Ambassadour sent him word hee had come so great a Journey , as excused him , if the Duke would please to ride thither , he was his seruant .

The Duke stormed exceedingly to see his greatnesse slighted , and after a pawse fearing to affront him ( because the King of Persia , had before hand writ to him , and others through his Kingdomes as wee traueld to respect vs ) sent word , hee would come next day and see him , but he did not , his sonne ( a Gentleman of eighteene yeares old ) came to excuse his Father , and without any stay departed .

Next day our Ambassadour sent the Dukes sonne word by Shocke-Aly-Beg , he would trouble him , the Duke was not well pleased his sonne should haue the visit , so that at our Ambassadours alighting , we were conueighed into the Dukes Gallery , which was very long and richly furnisht with Plate , rich Carpets , dancing Wenches and Ganimeds .

The Duke was set at the very end crosse-legged like a Taylour , but his fierce aspect and brauery denied that title , hee stirred not one foot , till our Ambassadour was at him , and then standing vp , embraced him , we had Wine , Women and a Banquet to accompany vs , and after two houres stay departed .

Next day ( being the two and twentieth of March ) we were inuited to a Solemne and Royall Banquet .

We were vshered into the Banqueting-house , a large open roome , and supported with twenty Pillars richly gilded , the Roofe of imbost gold , the ground spread with rich silke Carpets , this looked into a large foure-squared Court , round , in which were placed the prime men of the Citie , and in another Court fiue hundred common people , all which the Duke had inuited to declare his greatnesse .

The Banqueting Hall had a State at the end , of Crimson Satten , embroydered with Pearles and Gold , vnder which hee sat directly vpon the Carpets crosse-legged , on his right-hand was placed the Prince of Tartarie , on the left our Ambassadour , next him sate the Dukes eldest sonne , or Beglerbeggee ( whose head three yeares after , viz. in the yeare 1632. was strucke off , at command of the young King vpon small reason ) and to him the captiued King of Ormus ( who has fiue markes a day allowed for his maintenance ) neere him sate the two desolate Princes his sonnes , in whose company wee were placed , such as were Gentlemen .

On the other side next to the Prince of Tartary , sate the Prince of Georgia , a Gentleman of as braue a looke as euer liued , and no lesse braue in Armes ; his faith is Christian.

During their stay , they were sad and melancholy , whose being there , I could perceiue , was more to content others , then themselues .

The rest of the Hall was fild with Sultans , chiefe Merchants and Coozel-bashawes , the Banquet was very costly and plentifull , of Candid dried meates , Dates preserued , preserued Peares , Pistachoes , Almonds , Duroyens , Quinces , Apricocks , Myrabilans , Iacks , and a hundred other Fruits and Spices , the Ganymeds , young Boyes in Wanton habits , powred out Wine to such as loued it .

At the end of the Banquet , the people without gaue a great shout , crying Yough Ally Whoddaw Bashat ( which was God be thanked . )

Then the Duke himselfe entred , with thirty Gentlemen , viz. slaues , in Crimson-satten-quilted-Coats and Turbants , euery Turbant wreathed about with chaines of Rubies , Turquoises , Emeralds , and the like of great lustre and value .

The Duke himselfe was attired in a Coat imbrodered with siluer , vpon it , he had a Vest or Gowne of great length , so thick powdered with Orientall glittering stones that the ground of it could scarce be seene , and t was inualuable , his Tulipant and Sandals had like lustre .

His not entring till the Banquet was finisht , so grieued our Ambassadour ; that when he came ( all the Company bowing their heads to the ground ) he sate still as discontened . For the truth is , the Duke forbare of purpose , that his people might wonder at his greatnesse .

Sir Robert Sherley bending very low , made bold to drinke to him , in a bowle of pure gold , which the Duke bid him accept of for his paines : the Duke perceiuing our Ambassadour so silent , smiled vpon him , drunke his health , and after a few complements , departed .

I had forgot the Trophies of his Ormus Victory , which is painted in Gold by a Portugall Captiue , wherein are set downe the incamping vpon the shoare . The assaults and massacres of the Ormusians , some beheaded , some led in chaines with their fellowes heads hung at their girdles : as also the English Ships and Colours , by whose assistance , the Towne was taken .

I will speake a little of the Citie , and so passe on .

This Citie , A description of Shiras . the Metropolis of Persia , ( for Spahawn is in Parthia ) is fabricated about with spacious Gardens , some of which are eight hundred paces long and foure hundred broad , and that of the Kings cald Hony Shaw , is twice as much . These Gardens abound more in fruits then flowres , as Pomegranats , Pome-citrons , Muske & Water-melons , Quinces , Peares , Apples ▪ Orenges , Grapes , Almonds , Figs ▪ Currans , Pistachoes , Plums , Cheries , and Apricockes , to which are added the comely Cypresses , Pines and Chenor-trees . And remember this , that though these things be in the Citie , because they haue a Riuer , which procreates their Garden delights . Yet if you exceed three miles trauaile from the Towne , you shall finde no motiues to beget Alexanders Riot , except barren Mountaines , Sand and salty Desarts , can procure Epicurisme .

Indeed within this Citie is the best Grape in Asia , the name of Sheraz Wine is famous farre and neere . The Wine is like the French , but better tasted .

In a word , it wants , nothing so much , as water , yet wants not that altogether , but I am of opinion , that this place for Wine , prettie Women , Fruites and gallant People , compares with any part of Persia.

The fiue and twentieth day of March , or Lady day we left Shiras , and thence the first night rode thirtie miles , to olde Persepolis , of which I haue already spoken .

From Chil-manor , we rode to Moyown , eight Farsangs , or foure and twentie miles , twixt which two Townes is a high impregnable Mount , at whose top has stood a Castle , so fortified by nature and industrie , that it was thought impregnable .

A late rebellious Sultan , wearie of slauery manned it against his Prince , the late victorious Abbas , who in person came against him , and in sixe moneths could see no signe of victory , A siege and victorie . whereat enraged , he proposed a great reward to him could enter it . An old couetous Magician vndertakes it ▪ and wrought so by his damned Spels , that the Sultan came downe , forced by the Deuill , who assured his pardon .

The Blocke rewarded him , and the old Wizard ( ignorant of his end ) demands his gold , which the King grudgingly gaue him , but secretly took off his head for coniuring , a Quality , the King praised at other times , but now cried shame on it , to recouer his beloued Gold againe .

Moyown is seated delightfully , it had good water , Woods , greene Pastures , and good Wine , t is a peculiar Towne ▪ giuen by ancient Kings to the Prophet Ismael , buried there . His Scpulchre is cald ●moom Ismael , or Prophet Ismael , the Towne payes yearely to the enriching and keeping this Prophet ▪ twelue thousand Mawn of P●ice and Barley ( a Mawnd is six pounds . )

Next night we lodged in O-jone , a Village of thirtie houses . This Towne brags not a little , of her holy Inhabitants , for they are all of them Prophets or Prophets children .

Next night , to a place where is buried a great Vncle of King Abbas , neere whose Tombe we slept that night . Thence ouer the most craggie steepe and dogged Hils in Persia , that night wee lay at Assepose , a small Towne , yet has a Castle and Garrison , for it holds some captiue Sarcassens and Georgians , fortie thousand of which poore Christians are imprisoned , thereabouts forced from their Countrie by the Persians .

They are faire , proper and comely people , and so valiant that they scorne a Pagan . If the King can preuaile with any to forsake his Sauiour , and acknowledge Ally or Mahomet , hee is preferred aboue common merit . The poore soules hearing we were Christians , flockt about vs and wept to see vs .

Thence wee rode to Commeshaw two and twentie miles distant , next day to Cuzauzar two and twentie miles , so to Deagardow ( or Walnut Towne ) foure and twentie miles , so to Yezdecawz ( denominated , it may be from Yezdcawd , the fiue and fortieth King of the Persians from Kayumarras ) where is the best Carrauans-raw about her . This Towne is seated in a low narrow Valley , sunke downe in midst of a large Plaine , whereby you cannot see it till you be at it , did not an eminent Castle mounted higher , point it out .

Next night in Amno-baut , a place of thirtie houses , included in one , the wall about it , ore-tops the Houses , in it liue thirtie Apostate Georgians , the Towne is Dauid Chawns , a Brother of the Duke of Shiras , and he is Lord of three Titles . In this Towne is a Carrauans-raw , and a pretty Garden Lodge , which has fiue roomes , rich imbost with Gold and Pictures .

Next night we lay in Commeshaw , ( foure and twentie miles from Anno-baut ) at which Towne the Authoritie and Territorie of Emangoly Chawn Duke of Shyras is limited . Commeeshaw has a thousand houses , t is distant from Spahawan , six and thirtie English miles , twenty yeares agoe , it was vnder command of an Apostate Prince of Georgia , cald Chonstandoll-chawn , and vnder him Sir Robert Sherley , but it seemes , they are vnthankfull people , for though they knew of his being in our company , and that an Ambassadour was with him , they tooke no notice of vs , but let vs goe by without any Ceremonie .

Next night wee came to Moyeor , one and twentie miles from Commeshaw , that Towne has the like bignesse of a thousand Families , and exceeds in this , their Doue-houses , are so finely builded , that they excell their dwellings .

Thence we came to Spawhonet , a Towne sixe miles distant from Spawhawne , wee rested in Spahawnet , three dayes , at the entreatie of Meloyembeg the Kings Treasurer , that our Ambassadour might be entertained into that Citie , with greater triumph .

Our Ambassadours entrance into Spawhawn .

WE entred Spawhawn , the tenth of Aprill , and I shall truly relate the order of our enterainment .

Three miles short of the great Citie , we were entreated to repose an houre in a Garden of the Kings , where wee had a Banquet , thither came the Agent and some English Factors to waite vpon our Lord Ambassadour , thence riding in good Equipage , the Sultan of Spawhawn , Meloym-beg the Treasurer , Hodgea-Nazar the Prince of the Armenian Christians , with all the Beglerbegs and Coozel-bashaes of the Citie , accompanied with foure thousand Horsemen , came to welcome vs .

The fields and streets for two miles were fild in our passage with Bannyans and women from the Citie , ten thousand at the fewest , who as we past , cried welcome ▪ and shouted strongly : amongst the horse were aboue fortie Kettle-drummes and Tabrets , nor wanted the Whores and Boyes their places , all which with Antique Dances , made the Ceremony more notable .

After our arriuall in the Citie , wee alighted at the Kings Palace , which is in the great Mydan or Market place , Meloym-beg and Sir Robert Sherley , kneeled downe three times , and kist the threshold or ground , at the first entrance , which done , a Souldier made an Oration , so past to our Lodging , which was one of the Kings best Houses , and neere the water .

The Emperour or Pot-shaugh of Persia , was then at the Caspian Sea .

The fourteenth of Aprill ▪ foure dayes after our stay in Spawhawn , the Agent for the English Merchants inuited vs to a Banquet , where he shewed a heartie Entertainment : and to honour his Feast the more , he had at night , a pond of water set round with Wax-lights , and spent many Squibs and Fireworks which flying high , made all the Citie wonder .

Next day wee inuited our selues to Hodgee Nazarr the Armenian Prince , who has the sole rule of a small Citie called Ielphea , whose Inhabiters are all Christians . This Ielphea , is on the other side the water , and seated in the same sort , as Southwarke is to London .

Hodgee-Nazarr was glad to see vs , and gaue vs royall welcome , amongst other meate , wee had a Pigge roasted ( a meate abhorred by Mahometans and Iewes ) the Wine bottles and flat cups we drunke in , were of pure Gold .

A Description of the Ielphelines in Persia.

THese Armenians , by some are termed Ielphelines , from their Citie Ielphee , neere to Ararat : they are one in habit with Mahometans , but differ in their names and consciences ( they adore Christ Iesus ) who in old times has had so many faithfull seruants here , that in Anno 430 , when Sapor raigned , no fewer then twentie thousand Christians suffered Martyrdome .

These Armenians , since their translation from Armenia by the Persians , haue beene scattered vp and downe , and are without any certaine abode or Citie , saue here at Telphee ( so called in memory of their other Metropolis . ) These here , liue in as great freedome and securitie as doe the Persians , only their Pole-money is rated at ● higher taxe .

Their Bible and Beliefe is as ours , they giue credit to the three first generall Councels , they haue two Patriarchs or Archbishops , one at Hierusalem , the other at Ielphea , who sometimes resides at Syon , other times at Syna a mountaine in Arabid the Desart : they haue been Metropolitans of Antioch , but now are satisfied with another Title . They haue twelue other Bishops , but very miserable , most of them are seated in their vnquiet Country , which lying twixt two great Kings ) is a prey many times to the Turke or Persian . Former times haue called their Nation by other names , some Colchos ( now Mengrelia ) the place where Iason and his Argonautes obtained their Golden Fleece , from iniured King Aeta , vndone by his subtle Daughter Medaea , who also betrayed her selfe .

Others haue named it Iberia , and some Albania , ( now called Zuria . )

It brings forth the brauest Warriours , in all the East , men so reputed of ( for constancie and valour ) that the Sultans of Aegypt had thence their Mamulukes , and the Persian King has his now Coozel-bashaes .

Their Countrey is full of Woods , Hils , Rockes and Ruines , it abounds with Silke-wormes , Wild Beasts , Hawkes and Fruits . It enioyes a streame of the old Riuer Cyrus , and viewes Araxis , which comming from Taurus , where Periardo and Abo are set , runnes through the Caldoran plaines , and at last is swallowed by the Caspian Sea .

Their Lent is very strict , they eat no Flesh , Butter , Milke , or Egges , only Oile , Water , Bread , Honey , Herbs , Fruits , and the like .

Vpon Good-Friday , they represent the Death and Buriall of our Sauiour , during which they weepe exceedingly till Easter day , when they take vp the representatiue Bodie , intimating thereby his Resurrection , the salutation for that morne ( according to the Easterne wont ) is ( Hee is truly risen ) which Angelicall newes they celebrate vnanimously with ioy and feasting , all which time , the Iewes and Mahometans dare not mocke nor intrude amongst them . The King affords them this prerogatiue .

When they enter the Church , they bend low vnto the Patriarch , who sits in Maiestie neere to the Altar , and after Seruice giue him like reuerence .

In the yeare 1609. a thousand of these suffered martyrdome by bloudy Abbas King of Persia. Only ( as hee was falsly informed by a very Rascall , who in enuie to these Georgians and Armenians , had fained Letters from their Patriarch to the Pope , that they were willing to become one , with the Church of Rome , and to acknowledge the Pope their Head , and Vicar of the Catholike Church ) at sight of which counterfeit Letters , the Persian King grew so inraged , that no lesse satisfaction then the liues of a thousand innocent Christians , could moderate his Fury , threatning more bloud-shed , if hee should proue it more apparantly .

Whereat , these distressed Christians send an Ambassadour to the Turke to helpe them , which he granted and raised a bloudie Scene to ensuing troubles .

Their Religion , was sithence illuminated , by Lodouic Grangier a Iesuite and some others , who hearing of their erronious doctrine , in charitie departed from Pera , neere Constanti●ople , crost the blacke Sea , and landed in Mengrellia , where Threbis Chawn Prince of Georgia entertained and encouraged them , to bring saluation to the blind and irreligious of that Nation . Two of them liue at Mocaury in Iberia , the rest at Cazbeen and Babylon .

Threbis Chawn a whiles after , was imprisoned by Emangoly Chawn , and conueighed to Shiras a prisoner , where we had his company at our Ambassadours entertainment , before spoken of . The Georgians and Armenians haue since beene often conquered , and againe proued Conquerours .

Some of whose Tragicall misfortunes , I shall speake of , intreating the Readers patience , being the discourse of Christian miseries : and those whose Patron and first Conuerter was Saint George , Bishop of Cappadocia , beheaded by Dioclesian the Emperour for louing Christ , and from whom they are called Georgians . A Saint of no small repute , and honoured by the Order of the Garter in England .

Most of which troubles came vpon them by Cycala Bassa , whose peculiar attempts I will only write of , hapning in memory of some to this day liuing .

This Cicala or Cigala , was sonne of a Christian Gentleman , whose life proued him a profest Enemy of the blasphemous Turkes , and in that profession and Quarrell sacrificed his life , his wife was named Lucrece , there abode at Messina within Sicily : both of them vertuous , and might haue beene counted in the number of the happy , had not their sonnes vngracious life opposed their best contentments .

He turned Turke , and was Circumcized by perswasion of Ozman Bassa , Generall against the Persian , for Amurath the Third , and lay at Van , during those two Battailes , wherein Emyrhamze-mirzay the vndaunted Prince of Persia , with his own hands , struck off the head of the Sultan of Caraemit , Generall for the Turke , and wherein died the Bassaes of Trepizond , and fiue Sanzacks with twentie thousand Turkes . And that other victory ouer them by the same Prince at Sancazan , neere Cazbeen , wherein for griefe died Osman the Valiant Bassa and aboue three and twentie thousand Turkes , the Persians receiuing very little losse , this was in Anno 1586. and though he boasted of great matters , so soone , as hee descended into Media , the Persian Prince , hunted him backe againe , not daring to abide a Combat with that happy Mirza . So that had not Ozman at his death requested his good vsage and continuance of Authoritie , the great Turke had vtterly discarded him . Howbeit all Amuraths Raigne hee was neuer put vpon any valuable Employment , till in Mahomet the third his rule , he helped them at Karesta in Bulgaria , after the famous siege of Buda in Hungary , where , for all their valour and policie , they lost not only sixty thousand able Souldiers , but gaue ouer their hopes of enioying those parts of Europe .

Cycala after this , insinuates so farre with Achmat the Great Turke , Successor to Mahomet , that to be reuenged vpon the Georgians , hee grants him ( power , to torture them , with ) an Army of eighty thousand men , proclayming his cruell entended reuenge vpon them for Rebellion , and agreeing with the Persian . But after much labour and hopes , when it came to triall , his expectations and brags deceiued him , in that , sooner then hee expected ( forgetting both his former mischances and Zellallybegs later ouerthrow ) the Georgians ( with whom the Persians as in a common cause had ioyned themselues ) set vpon him , and wel-nigh routed his whole forces , and two moneths after , by a supply of the Mirza , Shaw Abbas his eldest sonne ( and Father to Shaugh Soffee , now raigning ) with twelue thousand Horse , they chased him to the Confines of Armenia , where Cycala resolued to try his fortune once againe vpon them , and the fight indeed was terrible and bloudy , but at last the Georgian and Persian Princes preuailed ouer him and his amazed Turkes , who seeing resistance of no worth , fled and gaue the Persians libertie to kill thirtie thousand of them , the Persians in the battaile hauing lost nine thousand , which losse to the Great Turke was so great and sensible , that to this day , hee has cause to thinke on it . For vpon this Victory Cycala fled into Iberia , and Abbas the King of Persia slaughtered all his Garrisons in Teflis , Tauris , Cazbeen and Babylon , that yeare regaining no lesse , then they had anciently lost in the troublesome Raigne of King Tamas , 1537. to Solyman the Magnificent , fourth Emperour of the Turkes .

Those vnfortunate attempts could not daunt Cycala Bassaw , but after his Apologie to the Grand Signior , he enters the Persian Territories in hostile manner ( the same time that Hussau Bassaw marched against the Bulgars and Hungarians ) but his arriuall and forces were soone knowne too Victorious Abbas , who with Aliculibeg Sultan of Syras , Lollabeg , Methiculibeg , and other his expert Captaines and thirtie thousand Coozel-bashes , sent Letters of Defiance to him , and at the time appointed fought with him , tooke all his Cannons , slue fifteene thousand of his men , and put him to a shamefull flight : which ill fortunes , so soone as the Grand Signior , Achmat heard of he raged extremely , vowed his reward , but first sends the Bassaw of Caramania to conioyne their forces , to try all wayes of recouery , but Abbas the King of Persia and his men were so vsed to conquer them , that with Victory in their fore-heads ; they couragiously assaulted the Turkes , and for seuen houres the Combat seemed equall , till towards night , vpon an ambush of the Georgians , the day fell to the Persian , the Turkes very sorrowfull turned backe , and sought to saue themselues , vowing neuer after to be commanded , by that vnhappy Generall . Some of which Armie arriued at Constantinople , and vpon rehearsall of Cycalas ouerthrow , the Great Turke , was so transported with rage , that he gaue Cycalas treasure there , to the Ianizaries and Spaheis to prey ouer , and that his memory might be forgot , puld downe his Palaces .

The Persian King vpon these his Victories , hearing of Achmats tyrannies and Expeditions into Hungary and other parts of Christendome , to encourage the Christians dispatcht three Ambassadours into Europe , some to the Emperour , the other to the Pole , his Ambassadours are Zeuall Chawn Duke of Tyroau ( our small friend , at our being in his Citie ) Methicullybeg and Iusbassahossau , whose newes as welcome , so they returned home well gratified , and after these , when he had assured himselfe of Babylon , he sent Ambassadour into England Nogdibeg , and Shaugh Suares Nephew into France and Netherlands , and Sir Robert Sherley ( to the Pope and other Princes of Italy ) through Muscouia .

One passage more of the miserable Georgians , I will deliuer you , related by Sir Robert Sherley as we trauelled , in which is apparant the insulting pride of Mahumetan Kings ouer those that are christned , and in which is seene the danger of a poore Nation , that would maintaine its freedome , placed twixt two powerfull aduersaries , distressed Georgians and Circassians .

A late Tragicall History of the Georgians , Christians .

SKander ( or Alexander ) was of late yeares King of Georgia , and for his Valour , Iustice , Temperance , and other vertues , famous through most of Asia .

Skander , as fortunate in many things , had this to his contentment added , the issue of three sonnes , got of his Wife , a Sarcashen , her beliefe Christian , Descent Noble , and worth equall , to her other attributes , but to speake poetically as the best beautie , wants not blemishes , the best wits , vices , nor the fairest day its showres , so albeit he iudged himselfe , right blest and happy in his children , to shew perfection is not in mortalitie , the sequell shewes you the weaknesse of our ioyes , and vncertaine hopes fixt to posteritie .

His father was yet liuing , and participant in all his happinesse , but regarding his owne great yeares and sonnes deseruings , conferred the Royaltie and cares vpon Prince Alexander , whose two younger brothers knowing themselues by law of grace and nature , much inferiour to Prince Skander . Yet their owne ambition and others assassinations , begot great opinions of their merits , though grounded vpon no other , then tyranny and pale Enuie : and neglecting the names giuen them at their Baptisme , the faith of Christ , wherein their famous Predecessours had stood , with constant valour to become Martyrs , The profession they had seene their parents , elder brother and kindred , yea , and themselues thither to apparantly reioyce in . All these despised , Thre-beg Apostatizes , and turnes Turke , embracing without their perswasions the abominations of Mahomet . And Constandel-chawn flies to the Persian , both , by their Idolatry , customes and modes of that Nation endeuoring to aduance his thoughts , though thereby hee reuolted from his Sauiour . In whose power it was , in this impietie , to haue sent him flaming to Hell , in choaking Brimstone and other plagues of reuenge and punishment .

This Constandel-chawn ( as Fame goes of him ) was actiue and ingenious , nature hauing sufficiently enricht him , with gifts vnworthy such a Master . Yet some report , by casualtie of riding , or like accident , his bodie in some sort became imperfect . Which notwithstanding quenched not , but rather inflamed his daring courage , maliciously looking vpon the vertue and perfections of other mens minds and bodies .

Abbas ( then ruling ouer Persia ) offended with the Turkish insolencies , resolues to beate them out of Samachand , to effect it , hee makes Ally-chawn his Generall ( a tried Warriour ) and to encourage Constandell , ioynes him in equall command with Ally-chawn the Persian , the way to affront the Turkes , was through Georgia , which gaue a fit occasion to the Apostate Georgians ancient practices . So that , without reuealing his intended Treason to Ally-chawn or others in his company , and brazen-faced , not fearing to behold his grieued parents and friends by his Apostasie , he visits them , and to stop their exclamations ( which he saw ready against his Mahometanisme and Circumcision ) he begins to lay open his receiuings , creations , fauour , wealth , and trust , amongst the Persians , his great command prouing no lesse then he had cold them . What knew they , but hee did this to secure his Countrey , who knew his heart , but hee that made it , to whose rule he deuoted all his actions . And with such heathenish and detested Oratory , this wretch so blazed himselfe , and in requitall , instead of ioy and applauses , had no other language retaliated him , saue teares , sighes , sad countenances , and strange feares in their distracted visages .

All which moued him to such condolings , that in place of asking pardon , requesting prayers , promising amends , and sympathizing with their heartie dolours , he beseeches them , to leaue off wounding him , ( those expressions being more pungent then Swords or Arrowes . ) And if any loue or pittie remained in them , to forgiue him , who had vowed a satisfaction and preferment to each of them , in memory of their true affections ( Hypocrite , Villaine , that only aymed at their destruction , and vnwittingly in despight of his hellish purposes ) sent them to receiue a Crowne of Martyrdome .

But to make his Tragedie the cleerer , after some cessation of their sorrowes , and to mitigate their ill opinions , hee earnestly inuites them to a solemne Supper , where after great varietie of entertainment , by his appointment , The Georgian King , Prince & Nobles murdred at a Supper . which succeeded at his watch-word ( being the holding vp aloft a siluer Ewre , after washing ) immediatly rush in , his vailed Seruants , the Executioners of bloud and horrour , who , to accomplish his commandement , without let cut all their throats , this parracide , the new Mahometan ( vnworthy the name of Constantine or Christian ) without ayding them , or flying at these murderers , but as in astonishment , lift vp his hands and eyes , as if transformed by a Gorgon , that at least his dying friends , ( if soules then continue memories of sad Catastrophies ) might in some measure opinionate , his innocencie in that murther .

So when he saw , they were immortall ( vniustly made so by his villany ) without least shew of remorse or pietie , ere his parents , Prince Alexander , Magar and other Nobles were cold in death , hee proclaimes himselfe apparant Heire to the Georgian Diadem . Which sudden and vnnaturall proiect , as hee knew , carried with it amazement and detestation , so to become sure in his deuices , hee places new Guards of Persians , in each fortified place , and where such wanted , he suddenly built some , and there bestowed Garrisons . After which , to shew the modester Persians his integritie to Heathenisme , he sacrilegiously ransacks the Temples or Houses of Christian Deuotion , trampling vnder . foot ( so farre as hee was able ) all reliques and vsefull Ornaments , belonging to Presbytery .

And forcing along with him some troupes of Georgians , to increase his Army , he and Ally-chawn , in haste and fury marcht to Somachand , daring the Turkes to aset battaile . Which the Turkish Generall ( who was sonne of Cycala the Bashaw , in this J●enarary some where spoken of ) for the honour of his Master the Grand Signior , and his owne ingagement , accepts of , and with a resolued Army encounters them .

Where was fought ( 〈◊〉 these old and inueterate Aduersaries ) a long , and famous battaile , in heat of which the two Generals , full of spirit and resolution , fought hand to hand , without distraction , and after equall hopes of victory , at length they parted , but not without honourable characters of emulation and dexteritie . Constandel-chawn , was wounded in the elbow , and Sicala's sonne in the thigh , the army in this interim on both sides , expressing all wayes possible to obtaine conquest , which yet was anticipated by the nights darknesse ( the Moone , it seemes , vnwilling to patronize their bloud-shed ) so that the Turkes , first made retreat , and entred the Towne . Though the report giues victory to the Persian ( bought at a deere price and worth little , when obtained . )

Constandell , when he saw the Turkes were entred Samac hand , giues order that his wounded Souldiers should be cured , and resoluing afterwards , to bid them battaile or besiege them , hee entrencht himselfe , pitching his owne and Ally-chawns Tent , one neere the other .

The Georgians ( he had forced to this battaile ) though tired with trauaile , and hurt in that dayes combate , sorrowfully remembring the cruell murther of their aged King and good Prince Alexander , inhumanely perpetrated by this Mahometan Monster , fearing his apparant Tyrannies , and ioying little to be copartners with Infidels and Agents of his base ambition : these and some other reasons swayed them . That , not respecting his vsurped Title to the Crowne of Georgia , his power with the Persian , the rigour of armes , forsuch reuolts , vnanimously and with a faithfull courage , they assaulted the fearelesse Persians , ( that little dreamed of such Conspiracies ) and after some slaughter they came to the Generals Tents , who had escaped scaped thence , at first newes of this sedition , the Georgians , pulled downe their new Kings Tent , and instead of Constandell ( whom they thirsted after ) they cut in pieces a base Eunuch whom hee of long time against Lawes of God and Nature had made a Catamite .

In this strange and vnexpected trouble Constandel-chawn to ( whose imagination then were visible , the wounds and hated murthers of his father , brother and friends ) after he had fled his Tent ( in wonder how this tumult tooke beginning , and by whose encouragements ) armed with amazement and nake dues , he followed after Ally-chawn , his neighbour and copartner . Whom so soone as he espied , he threw himselfe at his feet ( supposing this combustion came from his inuention , either to murther him , or at best , to manifest how little he accounted his ambitions ) & crying out with a lowd and hideous voice , exclaimes against cursed Fortune , who when hee thought himselfe , most free from danger , and in the next degree to securitie and promotion , had bitterly cast him downe , and made him more abiect , then in his former beings before he had massacred , his dearest friend● to become aduanced . And if that Ally-chawn desired his ruine , he requested him with earnestnesse , his death might be giuen him , by such a Heroicke hand as his , rather then perish by the rascall multitude , whose enuie and rage he knew , both insufferable and without mercie . Especially that his Georgians ( whom by this time , hee saw were principall against him ) might not bragge hereafter , of their fortune , and daring resolutions to cut off him their Soueraigne .

But Ally-chawn , who at first , thought this rebellion , began from Constandel , when he saw it otherwise , his feare and amazement became greater , and insensible how to qualifie these bloudle 〈◊〉 , and seeing the fire and noise grow higher , nothing but clangor and out-cries possessing both sence and Tents . Hee embraces halfe-dead Constandel , assures him of his innocencie and ignorance , bids him to take courage , and conuocate the Persian Horsemen , and without more inquisition to poste away a little further from the Turke , who doubtlesse had he knowne of this conspiracie , had entred with them and routed them vtterly .

The two Generals hauing giuen signall to their Captaines when and where to follow them , vpon two swift Arabian coursers fled away , the night and disguised habit furthering their priuie parting , where being some miles distant , the ablest of their army followed them . The reuengfull Georgians also another way , retyring into Georgia , displacing such Garrisons of Persians as Constandell had seated there , and by each way fortifying all places of resistance and aduantage , assured of asecond entry of the Persian .

And indeed , this opinion , did not any whit deceiue them , for Constandel-chawn when he had recouered the rest of his distracted army , animating them with all reasons possible to prouoke reuenge , vpon these weake and treacherous Georgians , rebels to the Law of Armes and Traitors in a high degree to him their Soueraigne . He protested to receiue none into mercy , his former indulgence of a father , should now perfectly conuert it selfe into desire of vtter extirpation and tyrannie , or rather Iustice , that the Persians may see his faith and loyaltie towards them , and all the World be witnesses of iust and impartiall retribution , to them his faithlesse and mad-brained slaues and vassals .

The Persians , wisely conceiuing , their former losses , weaknesses and remote beings , and that Constandels late Parricides , were incomparable , able not only to prouoke loyall Subiects to reuenge ( and hauing indeed another King , Temeriscus , sonne of Alexander ) but euen strangers , in way of pitie , and to diuert like miseries from their owne Nations , they were more addicted homewards , and had returned quietly , had not Ally-chawns perswasion altered them . Who being bribed or by great imprecations conjured by Constandel to chastise them , at last they consented to goe , if but to regaine their late lost honours , and that the Georgian valour might not seeme too terrible .

Glad of this resolution was Constandel , and no lesse glad , to see them ingaged in the Quarrell of their reputation , by this , not doubting to refeat himselfe , and make aduantage of the forfeitures of their weake inheritances . So to giue more vigour to this action , he , giues out great words against the Georgians , desiring the Persians to enrich themselues with the spoiles , of goods or beauties , that they may see how truly he labours to content and satisfie them to the full .

In this manner proceedes this imperious Constandel , daring to trample on his Sires ashes , and reioycing how hee should see his Country in consuming flames , with a hideous massacre of man , woman and childe ( but Almighty God who is the Ancient of dayes whose arme is neuer shortned , nor power vnable , or vnwilling to defend his seruants , these poore Bethulians , gaue way to this inraged Holofernes , so farre as for his glory he saw conuenient , though , long patient at length confounded him ) for this Army of the Persians , so soone , as they arriued neere to Georgia , was affronted by the Queene , ( wife of late murdered Alexander , eldest brother vnto Constandel ) and being a Lady of faithfull memory to her destroyed husband , a very good Christian of great wit and courage , and much beloued of her people , she rather chose to sacrifice her selfe ( if that would be sufficient ) then see the downfall of the Georgians her Countrimen . ) So couragiously entring the Persian army , discloses who she is , and as an Ambassadour required the sacred Law of Nations , to speake freely and returne to the King her sonne without disturbance , which granted her , shee desires a parlee with her brother Constandel , that hearing of her being there , issued forth in brauery and shew of insolence , demanding her businesse .

This poore Lady , after some signes of sorrow and respect vnto his person , beginnes to reprehend him mildly , sets before him , his late murthers , how odious they were to all the Christians ( and as she belieued ) vnto Infidels . What could he expect , when he had ruined his countrimen , burnt all their trees and Cities , hee might easily know the Persians vsed him for their owne aduantagious attempts , and that he should neuer be without the brand of Traitour and Parricide , that as yet , the meanes was open to redeeme the good opinion of his subiects , which he must looke to doe , if euer hee would be famous to fight against them , or secure to defend his owne : say they had offended him , yet no vertue more deified a Prince then Clemencie and in some measure they deserued mercy , the destruction of their beloued Princes slaine by him and vndeseruingly , mouing their choler , and that it might be his owne case , which fidelitie ( no doubt ) would please his soule , though in other ioyes , and with the immortall , hee knew the Georgians could neuer bee vanquisht , without infinite murther , the valour of one Georgian , equall to contend with fiue Persians , the very Mameluckes , Ianizaries , and chiefe Commanders of Persia and India now being Georgians : and who doubtlesse would beare reuenge in their hearts , if he should be so cruell to their Kindred . Shee beseeched him ( if hee could not be disswaded ) to condiscend thus farre , that they two might next day meet , conueniently betwixt both Armies : where after discourse , they would referre peace or warre vnto his iudgement .

This parley ended , proud Constandell , after some notions of pride and haughtinesse , bids her rest confident of his resolutions , that , as Nature had graced him with the dignitie of being eldest ( his brothers being murdred ) and the safetie of Georgia depended vpon the care and fame of such a person as he reputed himselfe , hee would , after some chastisement of his Rebels , take vpon him the defence and gouernment of that Kingdome , and for Temeriske their supposed King ( her sonne ) hee should not want preferment , either the inheritance of Mengrellia , ( a forced right ) Charsee or some such Dukedome , should giue him satisfaction , in the extreame of his desires or merits , his infancie and doubt of legitimation , secluding him a while , from enioying any Soueraigntie : and that his deserts and right might appeare , perfect in view of all men , he accepted of her motion , and would with twenty horsemen meete her , in an appointed place twixt both the Armies , where his Title and plea of right and entrance should defend it selfe , aswell in conference , as battaile .

This granted , after two dayes respire , according to the Articles , Constandel-chawn and the Queene of Georgia met , at the place appointed : where shee begun , her promeditated Oratory , perswading him , to looke with pitie on his Countrey , the Widdowes , aged men , Orphants , innocent Children , and such Motiues , begging mercy● then shee represented the weaknesse of his designes , withstood both by the inraged Armies of the Georgians , resolued to maintaine their liberty to the last man , The fauour Temeriske had with the Persian , ( in whose Court he was educated , and liued much honoured and affected by the people and King ) who when Canstandell had discharged the vtmost of his rage , was sure of small thankes from Abbas King of Persia , In that there was no conquest ( the Georgian and Persian being friends ) but a prouocation against their loyaltie and alliance . This vnder ( fraud she spoke that he might be reconciled , and by faire doings , lay a better ground of his aduancement , and retreat from Persia , whereby he might become Commander , and haue meanes , to recouer his faith , which he ought to looke after repentantly and with more zeale , then the Conquest of the Vniuerse besides . The Georgians ( passing by his irreligion and Mahumetisme ) had a very good opinion of his valour and knowledge in Armes , so that they were desirous to entertaine him as their Gouernour . By his expertnesse encouraging them to a defence against the Turkes and Persians , both whom in all occasions were insulting ouer them , because indefensiue and without gouernment , And that she had faithfully spoke , what she desired , though it was in great part against the dignitie and securitie of Temeriske her sonne , as then in Persia.

Whereto , Constandel-chawn , beyond measure efflated with pride and high opinions of his worth and conquests ( iudging his being their , no lesse ) replyed in few words . That he was fearelesse of his establishment in his Fathers Royalties , That amongst such haughtie and perfidious people , he had rather come in as a Conquerour , then by right of succession , that himselfe and his good friends the Persians had suffered in their honour so exceedingly , that without battaile and bloud they could not part well satisfied , that hee had his Army in Battalia ; and resolued to execute , that ( notwithstanding hee perceiued the Georgians ready to receiue them in fury ) he doubted not to massacre the best of them . For as hee had incorporated himselfe vnto another people in Religion , speech , order and action , and such as loued him , he would neuer trust his owne Countrimen , who had with such peaceable faces so lately betrayed him , and whom hee knew , irreconcileable , and so assured her , in a word , hee sought reuenge and murther , not excepting the innocents .

At which the Heroicke Queene , sighed , and shooke her Iauelin ( saying , if it will be no better , then God destroy the Homicide ) immediatly vpon that signe hee was shot to the heart , and sunke downe dead , with a wrathfull countenance , Duke Constandel Slaine by an Ambushment . as only grieuing hee perished in this base sort , without recompence . At sight of which , the Queene , and the ambushed Musquetiers ( hid of purpose to destroy him ) forthwith with retired to their Army , who expected the euent , and receiued her ioyfully .

Ally , chawn , when he knew , Constandell was slaine : was cooled in a further reuenge , only that the King of Persia , might not impute cowardize or treason to him , hee speedily affronted the Georgians , who receiued him in warlike sort , with such furie and hast pressing on the Persians , that they desired to come off without more venture , and so after losse of some common Souldiers retired home , leauing the Georgians Victors , though defensiues , who without delay , slue all such Garrisons of Persians , as eclypsed them , and by all industry of men and monies , made strong all such places of defence and refuge , as might defend themselues , and offend their enemies .

So soone as Ally-chawn returnes , he acquaints the King his Master . In what had hapned . He was no stranger to the Georgian humours , he knew well , tyranny was of all things , most odious to generous dispositions , and that mens bodies might , but neuer the minds of the Georgians be subiugated by violence , or deceitfull manners . Whereupon he studies how to pacifie and draw them to him , he knew policie was of more force then power , hee assured himselfe , so ancient a Nation required a Prince of their owne beliefe and temper , he knew Temeriscus was he , and thereupon encourages his progresse , affords him many Complements of Wel-wishes and Alliance , clothes him sumptuously , returnes him all the ornaments of Right and Royaltie , were taken from his Predessours , and guarded with a traine of Coozel-bashawes , sends him home securely , where many thousands of his people thronged to see him , ioying and enioying his wished company . And Temeriske to denotate himselfe a thankfull person , requites with many fauours such Persians as accompanied him , & sends old Abbas word of his welcomes and inthronization .

Now see how mischiefe appeares in a louely and vndistempered Scene , when all Asia celebrated this reconcilement , and none could fasten vpon any colour of futured discontentment .

An Ambassadour of the Grand Signior , arriues at Spawhawn , and there vnder pretext of other imployments , by all priuate subtiltie , labours to annihilate this late made Friendship , being very preiudiciall to the Turkish Empire : so that he first sends secretly to yong Temeriske and by his Sinon , possesses him , the Persian would neuer digest their late ouerthrow neere to Armenia , and that Ally-chawn had a promise of being Visier , or Lieutenant of those Countries for the Persian , who resolued to make it a Prouince and to extirpate the Title of a Kingdome . As he had done to Larr , Shushan , Babylon , Hircania , Candahor , Hery and other Kingdomes , to the preiudice of their honour , and apparant ruine of Christian Religion .

This inueighing discourse , so preuailed , with credulous youthfull Temeriske , that he resolues to defend himselfe , the maintenance of his true beliefe , life , honour and freedome . The lesse fearing them . In regard the Turkes had sworne to helpe them vpon all occasions .

Now when the politicke Ambassadour , had wrought Prince Temeriske , as he desired , he then perswades with Abbas , that the Georgians hated him , that their King had entertained discourse with the Grand Signior , and sought but an aduantage to betray his trust , that if his words seemed of no moment , the matter was not consequentious , and his employment carried him , to other ends then forreigne Obiects .

The King of Persia , sayes but little . Imagining the more , and being euer iealous and apt for each suspition , apprehends it fully , and though he knew the Ambassadour hated their agreement , and would reioyce to see them disunited , yet to rest confident of Temerisks alliance and fidelitie , and that the Turke might see his errour , he sends his Elchee ( or Ambassadour into Georgia , and by him entreats Prince Temeriske to come and visit him .

The Ambassadour found Royall welcome , but all his asseuerations and desires could not draw Temeriske to visit Persia , he sends excuses , but those so weake and vnwelcome , that Abbas in no small choler , sweares his destruction , repenting that he had heartned him with too much clemencie ( a vertue very rare in this old Abbas ) & sending for Aliculibeg , Iolla-beg & other Captains , with a potent Army he inuades Georgia , where finding small resistance , he gaue leaue to his needy Army , to destroy and make all vse and meane of benefit , where ere they trauelled , so that they fired their Villages sacrilegiously profaned their Churches , defloured their Virgins , and committed all such villany , as lawlesse and barbarous enemies most hunt after : and hauing enricht their Treasurie , satiated Reuenge , and fortified some defensiue places , the victorious Persians returne , crosse ouer Taurus , and leaue their King at Farabaut at the Caspian Sea , till more imployment .

In this wretched time , Temeriske fled to the Turke , who readily receiued him and assures him of re-establishment , this granted , that he would protest an inuiolable league with them against the Persian . To which the distressed Georgian assents , and accompanied with a mightie Army of Turkes and his owne Nation , re-enters Georgia , in a battle , beats the enemy , and by a foolish pride and securitie of the Persian Deputy , defeats their best and ablest forces killing the Deputy , and recouering what formerly they had beene put from , and finding all things so well ordered the Turkes returne some vnto Teflis , the rest to other places .

The newes of this came presently to Abbas King of Persia , and as Fame increases in its progresse , so without question , the Georgian outrage was aggrauated to the height , by some , that hated them . He was as a man distracted , his sweet ease and effeminate sports in Mozendram , so one way swayed him , and point of Honour and Reuenge the other way prouoked him . At last , after a volly of imprecations against them , for snatching him from his golden quiet and recreations , flaming with crueltie , he sends for his Generals , and commands them leuie a mightie Army , vowing the vtter distruction of these Georgians , and attiring himselfe in red , his Tulipant , Cabbay , Boots , Scabberd , and other furniture ( as signals of bloud and horror ) In hastie marches he enters King Temeriskes vnhappy Country ( who hearing of the mighty Army and vndoubted threats of the King of Persia had with all his friends and ablest men , conueighed away their Plate and Iewels , retired into some protecting places of the Grand Signiors Countries , not daring to oppose the huge Army of their Aduersaries at that instant . )

The Persian with like liberty to offend and spoyle , slue all the aged and infant Georgians they could meet withall : violated the chaste Matrones , regarded no age nor sexe , committed all possible villanie in the Churches , vtterly defaced and spoiled their Groues and pleasant places , massacred all their Cattle , cut downe their Mulberry trees , and wholy destroyed their profitable Silke-wormes and many such like out-rages , in so high a nature as could be effected by renenge or tumult , and full gorged with bloud and bootie , they returned home .

The Georgians and Temeriske their sorrowing King , thought this a staine vnto their Honour , but policie and discretion warranted them , that they might afterward be euen with the Persian , when least suspected , and so soone as they heard of Abbas departure , they resolued to fight with or famish all his Garrisons , and hauing obtained a good force from the relieuing Turkes and Tartars , he easily aduanced homewards , in all places finding nothing but signes of desolation and murther , by which this poore Prince refrained not from teares and prayers to Almightie God , to punish those deuastating and mercilesse Infidels , and that by his Omnipotencie hee might recouer , what in right was taken from him , and his miserable subiects● which his desires , it seemes , were granted him . For in lesse then two yeares , he againe became Lord of all his Territories , expulsed the Persian , repaired his Cities , re-built his Temples , and to his power distributed graciously to each impouerished , and strengthened more then formerly , his defensiue Cities , Castles , and Cittadels , ruling with more fame and splendour then he had done before .

And in some measure became euen , with some of their heauiest enemies , by asubtle deuice of Morad-chawn a Duke of Georgia , who stomached exceedingly the villany they had acted in his Countrey , hauing destroyed two pleasant Castles and fruitfull Forrests of Mulbery-trees , belonging to himselfe , which were both his greatest profit and contentment .

He flies vnto the Persian , assures them of his friendship and perfect hatred to his vnthankfull Countrimen , tels them he would deliuer not only King Temeriscus and his valiant Mother prisoners to them , but also all the strength of Georgia . And in this , he begets beliefe , associates twelue Persian Princes , and an Army with him , to whom he addes some of his owne : and after long trauaile , so soone as he attained the Georgian Confines , in a darke night , such time as the Persians slept , and least suspected Treason . Morad with his Confederates issues armed from their Tents , making an Alarme , as if the Tartars had come vpon them : Eleuen Dukes and 700 , men slaine by the Georgiaus , Anno 1618. by which stratagem , the amazed Persians , fled , maymed and discouraged , eleuen Dukes slaughtered , and seuen hundred common men : Morad returned ioyfull of his victory and the Persians sad , and vowing neuer to credit a reconciled enemy any more . Old Abbas himselfe , bit his lip when he heard this Tragedie , but concealed his passion , forced to it by his present warres against the Turke and Arab.

This shall be enough for this digression , I shall hence-forth recompence the Reader , with our successiue . Trauailes and descriptions of Townes , Customes and Places . And ( because falling in my way ) will begin with the Metropolis , and best built Citie of all the Persian Monarchy , Spahawn .

A Description of Spawhawn .

THe Imperiall Citie Spawhawn is in thirtie two degrees thirty nine minutes North , is seated in the Kingdome of Parthia , in a faire Plaine and pleasant Horizon . T is by some called Spaan , and by others Spahan and Hispahan , as their seuerall Dialects concorded .

It is a Citie of as great extent as Fame , and as ancient as famous , and no lesse proud then ancient . At this time triumphing ouer those once more Royall Cities , Babylon , Niniue , Shushan , Echatan , Pers●polis , Arsatia and Nabarca .

This Citie was in her infancie cald Dura ( but whither in that Dura where the great Assyrian Monarch Nabuchadnez●ar erected his golden Coloffe , I know it not . ) But this is knowne , that it was called by the ancient Greekes Hecatompilos , from its hundred gates . For Hecatonpolis was meant by the Craetan Ile which had so many Cities .

The boasting Persians , named her , for her bignesse ( halfe the World ) and this greatnesse of hers was long agoe , for these Scythopersae know her no longer , then cald Spawhawn , which has no signification . To say truth shee is beautifull and ancient , her circuit may be nine miles , and in that , the better halfe is Gardens .

But hee that wrote it was a dayes iourney about on horsebacke , that it was and is the most stately Citie in the Orient , that it has two impregnable Forts , with great store of great Ordnance , a deepe Trench and two Seraglioes , hauing wals glistering with red Marble and parget of diuers colours paued with Mosaicke worke , euery thing combining beautie and majestie , I cannot beleeue him , for I was their aboue twentie dayes , and no time idle , and could see no such strength , bulke or rarenesse in her , such as it is shall deliuer you , but first of her antiquitie ,

Before it had the denomination of Spahawn , such time as the World knew her in her Greeke name Hecatonpilon ( or hundred gates ) Demetrius Nicannor , sonne of Demetrius Soter , neuer satiated with ambition and vniust desires , couets no lesse ( though none lesse able to encompasse it ) the sole Empire of syria and Hierusalem , willing he was to attempt it valiantly , but in equall valour and resolution hee saw many iealous Princes enuious at him , which not knowing how to withstand , rather then faile of his plot , hee resolues vpon vniust meanes , periury and murther ( qualities degenerating from the nature of Royall Princes , yea and valiant men . ) And first he beginnes with Antiochus , sonne of Alexander , whom vnworthily he slue , because interposing the view of his ambition .

Which when valiant Tryphon heard of , he resolues reuenge and accordingly prepares to finish it , which Nicannor fearing , and labouring to make his preparations stronger , posts into Media , where then he found Arbaces the Persian King , who hearing his message , made him see his weaknesse , to flie for aide to a reconciled enemie , for Arbaces , remembring some passed iniuries , though triuiall , yet to taxe his insolence , without any intercession , sent him prisoner to Hecatompilon ( our now Spahawn ) where for two yeares hee was strictly lookt too , and thence , conueighed into Hircania ( at that time subiect to the Persian ) where for some moneths he vsed him hardly , and then supposing he was euen with him , gaue him a little libertie , lest through griefe and want of exercise , hee might hope to lose him , which he no way aimed at . For in his heart hee loued him , and the yeare after , forgaue him his ransome , pitied his hard fortune , and looking better into his youthfull qualities and person affected him , made him his sonne in Law , and with a potent Army fought with his Opposers , and such as in his imprisonment had seized vpon his Kingdomes , and with great good fortune establisht him in his former royalties , where for some yeares hee gouerned happily . Which History I offer you only to memorize Spawhawn in somewhat , out of her former Title . This hapning afore our Sauiours bodily comming into this World one hundred and thirtie yeares , or thereabouts .

In the yeare after our Sauiours birth 1030. ( such time as Edward the Confessor ruled England , and Griffith ap Llewellin , Wales . One Mahomet was Sauldan or Sultan of Persia , who being distrest both by the Caliph of Babylon and the Indians , he implored aide from Tangrolipix ( or Sadocke , Prince of the Zelzuckian Family ) who accordingly came and immediately ouerthrew the Babylonian Pysastris . For which good seruice Tangrolipix desires leaue only to passe ouer Araxis , with intent to see the Turkes , which was denied him by the thanklesse Souldan , whereat inraged , he lurkes in the Carmanian Desert , daily doing much mischiefe , to preuent which , Mahomet sends against him twenty thousand Souldiers , whom Tangrolipix by stratagem easily vanquisht , and by that victory grew so daring , that hee affronted the Persian to his face , who fought with him with three score thousand men , Soldan of Persia breaks his 〈◊〉 . but lost the victory and flying to Spawhawn , twixt it and Rustans Tombe he brake his necke , by which Tangrolipix got the Crowne , and brought in the Turkish or Scythique Race .

The Citie is round , like Paris , its circuit I haue said about nine English miles , her inhabitants three hundred thousand soules at most .

The chiefe Ornaments of the Citie are the Mydan , ( or great Market , the Hummums , or Hot-houses ) the Moscheas , the Kings Palaces and the Gardens .

The Mydan or great Merkitt in Spahawne .

A. is a Mosque South .

B. is an archt way to the North.

C. is the Kings house .

D. is a Mosque East .

The Mydan , is in the heart of the Citie , and to say truth , all the brauery , concourse , wealth and Trade is comprised in her . T is built Quadrangular , though of vnequall Angles . From North to South ; is seuen hundred seuenty fiue of my paces , from East to West two hundred , but accounting the I le to the North issuing , is at least a thousand .

It is built in forme of our royal Exchange , with foure Iles , & a court within , cald the Hippodrome , so cald from their running with horses there . T is stored with all Merchandizes , chiefly Drugs , and to this place daily resort most Nations , as English , Dutch , Portugals , Arabians , Turkes , Iewes , Armenians , Muscouians , and Indians .

This Citie is distant from Shiras two hundred and odde miles , from hence to Babylon three hundred miles ; from hence to Cazbeen and Tauris two hundred seuenty miles , and to the Caspian Sea three hundred and thirty miles English .

The Hummums here are round , spacious and costly , one of which built by this King , cost fifteene thousand pound sterling , ere it was finished , they are much giuen to bath , and it is most of their Physick , it is preualent too against the lues venerea , and that disease not a little infects the lustfull . The men goe in the afternoone , the women at morne , and guided by the Eunuches .

The Moscheas , or Churches are large and handsome , that at the West side of the Mydan is most beautifull , t is round built with good white Marble fiue yards high from the Sole , the rest is dried Bricks , coloured ouer with Posies of Arabique and like worke .

In the midst is a Tancke of water , with which they purifie their hands and eyes , when they prepare to prayer : they performe their Orisons kneeling , and ducking frequently . They turne their faces towards Mecha . Neere which at Talnabi rests the bones of their great Mohomet .

At the appearing of euery new Moone , they goe out to worship it , and each day at S●n-set in euery Ward of the Towne or Citie they beat their Kettle-Drummes , till he arise with the Antipodes .

At that time and at his looking in our Horizon , a well voiced boy from the Tarrasse or top of their Churches sings Eulogies to Mahomet and Ally , their voices are shrill and heard farre off , and then each Laycke Pagan fals to deuotion , what exercise soeuer they then are acting .

Their Prayers are in the Arabique , their Negotiations in other Languages . Their Alcoran containes many Canons for Deuotion . Some of which in my Discourse of their Religion I shall present you .

The Kings prime House is within the Mydan , yet no way entrenching further then the other Houses , it is two stories high , gilded and wrought in antique works and posies , to the outward view , within , the roomes are couered with rich Carpet● , the roofe embost and wrought with Gold and Blue , and tarrased aboue .

Afore his doore lie vnmounted forty three Demicannons , one and thirtie are brasse , the rest of Iron , and are Culuerins . These were brought from Ormus or Babylon .

At the North end of the Mydan , is eight or nine roomes , like Chappels hung with Lampes , which being many and cleare , giue a dainty splendour ; hither sometimes the King repaires , and sees the Sodomiticall Boyes and Wenches dance , and sport together , and when he is away , the people haue them .

At the furthest end , North of the Mydan , is the Kings Mint , wherein all forreigne Coines are new stampt , with the Persian Characters . One day is for money , a second for Gold , a third for Brasse , besides this he hath fourteene other Mints , at Larr , Shiras , Babylon , Tauris , Cazbeen , Candahor , and other Cities .

The Gardens fall in the next place , to bee spoken of , and in this , this Citie enioyes many both large and delightfull ; I will content my selfe to speake of one , by which you may coniecture of the rest .

T is at the Southwest end of the Citie , to which you passe through a street of two miles length and better , both sides planted with Chenor-trees .

The Garden is called Nazar-iareeb , t is a thousand paces from North to South , and seuen hundred broad . It hath varieties of fruites and pleasant trees , and is watered with a streame cut through the Coronian Mountaine , and is forceably brought hither , the first walke is set with pipes of Lead and Brasse , through which the water is vrged ▪ and giues varietie of pleasure .

From the entrance to the further end , is one continued open ally , diuided into nine ascents , each mounting higher by a foot then other , the space twixt each ascent , is smooth and pleasant . In the midst is a faire Tancke or pond of water , of twelue equall angles and rowes set with pipes to spout the water .

At the entrance is a little ( but wel-built ) house of pleasure , the lower roomes adorned with Chrystall water , immured with Tancks of rich white Marble .

The Chambers aboue , are enricht with pictures , representing sports , hawking , fishing , archery , wrastling , &c. other places in vse very richly ore-laid with Gold and Azure .

But that which is of most commendation is the prospect it enioyes , for by being seated so high , it ore-tops and giues the excellent view of a great part of the Citie , which cannot be obtained else-where .

Returning to the Citie you passe ouer a Bridge , archt and supported with fiue and thirtie Pillars , vnder which is a streame of water , sometimes so broad as the Thames at London , but other sometimes neere dried vp , and he that looketh to it is called Prince of the Riuer , a name and employment of great honour and benefit .

Abbas , the late victorious King , with whom few things were impossible . For many yeares past , hath endeuoured , to cut through many Mountaines ( the Coronian being next the Towne ) to bring the riuer to Spawhawn , by the daily labour of fortie thousand slaues ) which of it selfe runnes quietly fiftie miles distant thence , and has performed it almost successefully : which when it has perfection , may well compare with that olde wonder , entended by vain-glorious Nero ; twixt Ostia and Auernus , now cald Lycola .

Out of the Citie ( behind that late described Garden ) is a Mount rising in midst a spacious plaine ) which by the Persians is cald Darow , and supposed that place where Darius ( in imitation of his Predecessor Xer●ces ) wept vpon view of his innumerous Army , so suddenly to become nothing .

A little further , vpon a high imperious mountaine is Rustans Tombe , more eminent for height and perspicuitie , then beautie or admiration , his Image is cut very artificially vpon a blacke shining marble mountaine neere Persae-polis , called Nogdi-rustan , he is of great account among the Gowers , a people liuing subiect to the Persians , though of old the sole inhabitors heere , till Alexander conquered them .

They are well grounded in Traditions , and can forge Lyes without Authoritie , beget wonder and beliefe amongst the admiring Persians .

They say Rustan liued , Story of Rustan . when Artaxerxes surnamed Longimanus flourisht with the Persian Diadem . In the yeare after the Creation 3500. he was sonne of Xerxes , who entred Greece to ruine Athens , ( which attempt , set Persae-polis on fire , not long time after ) with an Army of two millions , so great , that Historians report , they drunke Riuers dry . And yet were vanquisht at Sea by Themistocles at Salamis , and by land at the Straights of Thermopilae by Leonidas , with a handfull of men .

This Artaxerzes was that Ahashuerus , who married Hester , the great friend and preseruer of her people the Iewes . And this was hee who gaue order to Esdras , to re-build Hierusalem .

In his time this Champion Rustan liued and was of great account with his Master , whose loue a while protected him from domestique Aduersaries , other-whiles his owne valour was his safeguard . By which two he enioyed great dignities and reports , till old age ouertook him , which kild him not , but his traiterous brother Shawgad , out of no other cause then pale Enuie , sought his destruction , and effected it ; by digging pits , couered with boughes , which seeming harmelesse , gaue him miserable ruine , into one of which as he was in chase ; he fell , and calling out for helpe , his deuillish brother affoorded it ▪ with death-bringing-darts , basely destroying a valiant Champion , and one who most of all others , gaue glory to him and his owne Family , who notwithstanding ere hee died with two arrowes shot out of the pit , slue his trayterous brother and his father in Law . In memory of him , the people bestowed this erected Monument , which by all ensuing Conquerours has scaped defacing , finding better dealing , then the man himselfe could from his Fratricide .

These Gowers , are of the same opinion and antiquitie , with the Persees in India .

The Persians , now ruling ouer them , thinke basely of them , they adore the Fire and other Elements : When they salute at morne , they sprinkle their vrine , in one anothers faces , they delight to haue their apparell tinctured with yellow , the women goe vnuailed , and ha●e a flame coloured Scarfe hanging behind them . They neuer marrie out of their owne Tribes , Trades and Religion , the dead they carrie to a Tree , Funerall of the Gowers . hollow within , in which they place the carcasse clothed as he liued standing vpright , supported by the bole , each side releeuing him . Their he stands , till his Sonne or Nephew ( who diligently in a secret place is opposite ) markes which eye the Vultures ( who smell him and come to prey there quickly ) first feeds vpon , by which they vndoubtedly imagine where his soule is . If the right eye first , they feast for ioy , presuming hee is in Paradice , if his left , they mourne , imagining the Deuill has him , and this knowne , they in their fashion bury him .

In Spawhawn ( at our being there ) were two Couents of Spanish Friers , Augustines and Carmelites ( which last if they eat no flesh , I feare , can here get little fish , to grow wanton by . ) They haue a pretie Chappell there , gilt and furnisht with Church Ornaments , Tapers , Chalices , Crucifixes , Images , Altars , and Organs . They would conuert Mahometans to the knowledge of Christ , but the Armenians loue them not , nor doe the Persians Images . They serue well to giue Intelligences vnto God , and for Christendome .

In this Citie is a Columne , compact of seuerall heads , of men , Antilopes , Buckes , Goates , Buffols , Elephants and Camels , t is at the Base about twentie foot in compasse , and , I suppose , the height three-score . It was erected vpon this occasion , when Abbas was proclaimed King , the Spawhawnians would not let him enter , but charged him with the death of Mahomet his father , and the murther of Emyrhamze the Prince , his elder brother .

This netled Abbas , and made him sweare stoutly by his Crowne , by his fathers Soule , the eight refulgent Orbes , the eleuen hundred names of God , and the honour of his Prophet Mahomet , for this rebellion he would chastice them brauely , cut off fortie thousand of their heads , to raise a Pillar of terrour and admiration , as a readie sacrifice vnto Mahomet .

After much Adoo , he conquers them , ransacks the Citie , kils a thousand of them , and mindfull of his oath , giues order to behead fortie thousand , a lamentable cry was raised , and much entreaty vsed , but to small purpose . The vow of the Persians neuer alters , nor could he be disswaded , till the Muftie , or sacred messenger , assures him , Mahomet by reuelation told him , his oath might be dispenced with , so fortie thousand were beheaded , no matter what , to which at length he is content to , whereupon a generall massacre of all sorts of beast executed , the harmelesse often suffering for the nocent , and this monument of mercilesse mercy , was reared higher then any Mosque in that Citie , though now growne ruinous .

A like Trophee , was built by cruell Mustapha Bassaw , Generall for the Great ●urke Amurath the Third , who with a hundred thousand men entred Persia , and was repulst by Sultan Tocomack the Persian Generall , where , in the Caldaran Plaines thirtie thousand Turkes lost their liues , and only eight thousand Persians , of whose heads Mustapha made a monument for his deare bought victory , and horrour to the Persians .

Hence we iournied towards the Court which then was in Hircania , neere the Caspian Sea , first night to Reig , hence forward trauelling all the night and reposing ( I cannot say sleeping , the Gnats so troubled vs ) all the day .

We had guides and a Conuoy to direct vs , the Starres were theirs , without whose ayme there is no certaintie . The Sunne is so fiery and makes the Sands so scalding on the day time , that it then prohibits Pilgrimages .

Hence to Sardahan , sixteene miles from our last Manzeil , next night to Whomg seuen and twentie miles , and next to Tawgebawt , a House and Garden of the Kings , giuing place to few in Parthia . The house is small in compasse , not affoording aboue a dozen Chambers , but the Ornament is Gold , enameled and pargeted very daintily : the Garden is North from the House yet ioyning to it , it has six seuerall discents , each part giuing eightie paces , & seuentie broad , t is watered by a cleare riuolet ( tho litle ) by whose vertue it abounds in Damaske Roses and other flowres , plentie of broad spreading Chenor-trees ( which is like our Beech ) with Pomegranats , Peaches , Apricockes , Plummes , Apples , Peares , Chesnuts and Cherries . It has Ecchoes , naturall Grottoes and Labyrinths , made by art and nature . It enioyes a Hot-house well built and paued with white Marble , and these are the rarer , because they are seated and walled about , in a large euen Plaine , rich in nothing but Salt and Sand.

Hence wee rode to Bawt , ( which signifies a Garden too ) next in Obigarmy , both these are Houses belonging to the King , who twixt Spawhawn and the Caspian Sea has a House at euery twelue miles for entertainment .

This nights trauaile was bettered by Cynthia's candor , and behooffull , because wee trauelled through a miserable inhospitable wilde Desert of Sand , A sandy Desart . ten miles broad , and the length ten times so much . The sands by the fury of Tempests lies in great drifts , like mountaines , so light and vnstable , that the high wayes are neuer certaine , whereby passengers are oft inuolued and ouer-turned , they and their Camels , and so perish in the mercilesse sands ; to preuent which danger ( as much as can be ) the King causes euery three miles a Castle to be builded for a safegard against stormes , which though strong & spacious yet ( because their foundation is sandy ) are in March or September yearely torne asunder in peece-meale , and no signe left of their once being there .

That night we rode thirtie miles , and next night to Suffedaw one and twentie miles , next to Siacow , wherein is a Carrauans-raw of white free stone , and the first building of that materiall , I saw in those parts of Parthia .

That night we rode thirtie miles , most of which was ouer a broad causey built by incredible labour and expence , ouer a miserable Desert , nothing but Salt ( not vnlike pure Snow ) where note that the whole Wildernesse is so deepe and boggie , A Salt Desart . that Horse , Camell , or Elephant , if they goe from the Causey are plunged and buried in the Salt and Bogge , yea , many out of curiositie and ignorance haue perisht in it . The danger is added , by reason of Theeues who keepe the passage , no way but backe vpon the same Causey shewing way for flight or defence , and so soone as wee had past securely the Salt Desart , we rode ouer , and about hils so high and glomerating , as if Olympus had beene cut into Dedalian Labyrinths .

From Siacow , we rode next night ouer another salt and vast Desart , the ground of like danger and trouble , in which many thousands haue also perished , and would yet be lost , had not the King caused a like large and deepe grounded Causey be built for their securitie , this nights iourney was two and twenty miles .

Whence next night vnto Gezz a Lodge of the Kings , eighteene miles distant from our last dayes rest , which moonlight night , we rode through the bottomes of transected Taurus , whose stupendious forehead , wets it selfe within the Airy middle Region . The lane or passage is fortie yards wide , the hils on either side towring as I haue spoken of , the inhabitants say that Mortis Haly ( their renowned Prophet ) cut this marualous passage with his slycing Semiter , that his people might passe more easily .

How false soeuer that be , this is certaine , that twelue yeares past , a very valiant and famous Thiefe , with fiue hundred horse and three hundred shot , was Lord of this straight , and receiued tribute from all passengers .

This aggrated the Persian King exceedingly to be so bearded , A famous Christian turnes Mahometan , and is slaine . and proposed a great reward and honour to any that could vanquish him . 'T was knowne to most of them , this Thiefe neuer refused the Combat against one or twentie : Yet an Armenian Christian of more courage then grace affronted him , fought with him a long space , and after much adoe slue him . When suddenly the Mountainers fell vpon him , and to his succour an ambush of Persians opposed them , ouercame and cut them all in peeces .

The Armenian returnes to the Court with victory , had his reward , and became so full of vain-glory , and hopes that hee turned Mahometan , and was made a Sultan , but see the vengeance pursuing him ( for who can be secure without a Sauiour ) he continued happie in many fights and imployments against the Tartar , yet the iealous King , notwithstanding his deserts and expectances , three yeares afore our being here , by secret warning from the Emperour , by Lolla-beg , had his head cut off , and felt a terrible reward for his Apostasie , which drew aforetime many a teare from the distressed Christians their inhabiting .

Hence we trauelled to a Towne called Hal●ary , eighteene miles from our last Manzeil , this place affoorded plentie of good Water , Wood , Oliues , Corne and Walnuts .

Next night we came to Periscow , eighteene miles distant , which Towne is in the latitude of thirtie sixe degrees : T is famous through all Media , is gouerned by a seuere Iustice called Mahomet-beg a Darraguod , who at our entrance , cut off the nose and eares of one , the hands of a second , and hanged the third , their fault only the stealing a trifle , of two shillings value from a footman seruing an English Merchant liuing in Spawhawn . Another peece of Iustice happened that eue . Iustice of Mahomet-beg . A Farmer for lying with a Whore ( as she said ) against her will , Mahomet-beg commands an Executioner to geld him , the poore man , entreated hard for his vsefull parts , so did his Wife , and by mediation of friends , and thirtie pound fine to the Darraguod or Iustice , he satisfied for his errour .

Periscow is famous for the Court oft there residing , yet is the Kings House of no great beautie , it shewes the ruines of a Castle , and is most louely in this , that her water is sweet and the earth produces grasse and fruits in some measure , the Towne is set vpon the brow of a great Hill , and thence takes her denomination .

On the fifteenth of May , as we ranged on some part of Caucasus , at our first view of the Caspian Sea , so great a storme of wind and raine beat vpon vs that wee not only lost our way , Caucasi● port● . but our selues , and at length wrastled to Geer , hauing first past through the Straits of Mozendram . That nights iourney was foure and twentie long miles , next night foure and twentie more , and next to Alliauarr , one and twentie miles distant from our last nights lodging , which Towne is full of wood and water , and abounds with Partridge and Pheasant , next night to Nekaw , fiue and twenty miles , and so to Asharaffe , where the King of Persia then was . The King hearing of our Lord Ambassadour , sent the Gouernour of the Citie and about fiftie horsemen to conuoy him to his lodging .

A Description of Asharaff in Hyrcania .

ASharaffe or Ahasuraffe , in the Kingdome of Hyrcania , is in the latitude of thirtie eight degrees seuenteene minutes , and full North from Spawhawn , as the Pole-starre ( which is of a third magnitude , in the tip of the little Beares taile ) assured vs ; this Citie is distant from Spawhawn three hundred and thirty English miles .

Hyrcania is now called Mozendram , is limited on the North with the Caspian Sea , on the South with Mount Taurus , hath Zagathia on the East ( which is part of Scythia intra Imaum ) and to the West Media , or rather some part of the lesser Armenia , vpon whose tops the Arke rested . The Countrey is full of Woods , amongst which are Oakes , though the people vse them little on the Hyrcan Sea .

Araxis , from the Taurisian Mountaines , ( as Ptolomy writes from Sagapene , Colthyan and Seducaene ) waters and fattens this peacefull Countrey , to perfect which , shee is diuided and sub-diuided so oft and into so many streames and Riuolets , that from an ample Riuer , ere she kisse the Caspian , she loseth her pride and giues leaue to wade through her deepest channell .

The Country of old , and yet abounds with Tygres , according to the Poets Songs , Hyrcanaeque admorunt vbera Tygres , whose like companions , are Wolues , Lions , Wild-cats , Bores , and Scorpions , amongst which rabble may be cataloguized , the swarmes of Gnats , Flies and Snakes , that pestered vs to our wofull remembrances .

By some , this Kingdome , has beene called Corca , by others Girgia ( meaning perhaps Georgia , which is Iberia , twixt the two Seas ) some againe Caspia , Steana , and Diurgument , which Titles , as questionlesse they haue beene subiect to inuention , so the errour is not great , since we are sure it is old Hyrcania , knowne with trouble to the victorious Macedohian Alexander .

The people are ciuilized ( as say the Persians ) since they haue called Abbas their Conquerour . Their Country is vsefull for passage into Tartarie and Turcomania , and therefore has endured no small troubles to defend its right . T is pleasant and rich , and therefore a bait to allure her Sun-burnt and famisht Neighbours to extenuate her plentie .

The people of old , Alexander the Great . thought to forbid Achilles successor his desired entrance , by twisting one tree to another , forcing the vnwilling boughes to bad subiection .

But hee that had dissected Gordions knot , though very mysticall , with the same sword annihilated their simple policies , and sub●ugated them .

The Countrie is ( as I haue said ) full of Wood , which , both befriends them against Winter colds , and shades them from the parching Sunne , both which in their seasons are there extreame ; in those Woods lurke sauage creatures , Leopards , Tygres , Wolues , Foxes , Apes , Antilopes , Red and Fallow Deere and such like , but in greatest number and offence , swarme of Gnats and Flies , and stinging Scorpions : they are small in bulk , but fierce in their venemous dispositions , he that is stung if he escape death , is frantique twentie houres at least : and no better remedy then ( like Achilles Speare ) to turne a Scorpion into Oile , Remedie against Scorpions . and apply it to the place offended . The Hyrcanians thinke to preuent their poyson , by Charmes which they tie about their armes , yet it sometimes failes them , and then the cause is there that dayes sinne , themselues excusing it .

The prime Cities of this Kingdome are Farrabaut , Asharaffe , Periscow , Omoall , Barsrushdea , and Derbent , most of which places are watered by the Riuers , Araxis , Connack , Obsel , Cyre , Rha and Cheisell , from the Desarts of Lorr , and together with seuentie mouthed Volga , from Muscouia , emptie themselues into this Caspian Sea , which though turbulent , wee saw neither ebs nor flowes ( yet neuer ouerflowes ) and has no commerce or entercourse with any Sea , except ( as is credible ) it be subterranean , into the Euxine : and is lesse wonderfull , remembring the floud Zioberis , which arising out of Taurus , hides it selfe thirtie miles vnder ground and opens it selfe againe , and mixes with another Riuer in that Countrey called Rhodago , both which run into the Caspian Sea . And Tradition tels vs that the Monarch Alezander to find the truth of this report , made two Oxen be throwne into Zioberis , who were seene to rise againe at Rhodago . The like is reported of the Riuer Niger in Afrique .

The Caspian Sea is in compasse neere three thousand miles , t is from North to South , seuen hundred and odde miles , and from East to West sixe hundred , t is in forme Ouall .

Hyrcania affoords Rice ( neere which fields t is vnwholsome dwelling , by reason of the water which stands so long ouer it ) with Barley and Rie , and fruits in great plentie .

The people speake the Language of Persia , their apparell like the Irish Trooses , their heads haue a high woollen Cap , furred with their sheep-skins . They are affable , and delight in nouelties .

Howbeit the Persians , if one may beleeue them , report merrie stories of these Hyrcanians , making the men brutish and the women vnchast , that they are very faire and amiable ( which we credit , finding so ) and so kind and louing vnto Trauellers , that vpon any signall , they will receiue them , and hold it a point of rudenesse in the Virgins , if they he coy or disdainfull vnto strangers , this the Persians say of them : but in all such reports , sure I beleeue them not .

Asharaff .

ASharaffe has two thousand houses in her , shee is seated in a Plaine , and not aboue two miles from the Caspian Sea , the Towne has but of late got the Kings residence there , a●d therefore is not so great nor beautifull as Farrabaut , fiue miles West , where also the King has a stately Palace , but two miles from Asharaffe he has a most pleasant house called Abassebaut , excelling all the rest for prospect , imagery and deuices by water-workes .

The Buzzar in this Towne is but homely , nor enioyes shee any Mosques , or Prophets to be spoken of .

I will giue a relation of the Court , & of our Ambassadors Entertainment and Audience , and so will on , in the illustrating otherplaces .

The Ambassadours entertainment by the King of Persia.

AFter our Ambassadour had reposed himselfe foure dayes in Asharaffe , the King sent a Coozel-bash to him , with commendations , and that next day he would giue him Audience , accordingly next day , which was our Sabbath , and with them a day of Ceremonie , being the first day of their great Fast and Feast ( for on that day t is not permitted to eat or drinke , but after Sun-set they doe both excessiuely ) this Feast is called Ramazan , Ramdam , is their Lent , and Byram their Easter . Ramdam or Ramadan , our Ambassadour , with Sir Robert Sherley , and seuen or eight English Gentlemen his followers , set forwards to the Court : and this I remember our Ambassadour tooke it ill , none came to vsher him , or shew the way . For that morning hauing sent to Mahomet Ally-beg the great Fauorite to that end , the Infidell returned a footman , whom our Ambassadour scorning , sent backe , and so proceeded with his owne Company .

At our alighting at the Court gate , an Officer led vs in to a little place , hauing a prettie Marble Pond or Tancke in Centre . The rest spread with silke Carpets , where our Ambassadour and the rest stayed two houres , and then were feasted with a dish of Pelo , which is Rice boyled with Hens , Mutton , Butter , Almonds and Turmerack : but how meane soeuer the diet was , the furniture was excellent , pure beaten gold , both dishes , couers , flaggons , cups and the rest .

Thence we were led by many Sultans , through a large , delicate , and odoriferous Garden , to a house of pleasure , whose Chambers both viewed the tops of Taurus and the Caspian Sea .

Into this Lodge we entred , the low-roome was round and spacious , the ground spread with silke Carpets , in the midst a Marble Tancke full of Chrystaline water ( an Element of no small account in those Torrid habitations ) and round about the Tancke , vessels of pure Gold , some fild with wine , others with sweet smelling flowres .

Thence into a Chamber , furnisht in manner as the former , The Kings 〈◊〉 . but with three times more vessels of Gold , set there for pompe and obseruation .

At the end sate the Potshaugh or great King , crosse-legged , and mounted a little higher then the rest , his seat hauing two or three white silke shags vpon the Carpets .

His attire was very ordinary , his Tulipant , could not out-value fortie shillings , his coat red Callico quilted with Cotton , worth very little , his sword hung in a leather belt , its handle or hilt was gold , and in regard the King was so plaine attired , most of the Court , had like apparell on for that day .

Yet the Plate and Iewels in that House argued against pouertie , a Merchant then there , imagined it worth twenie millions of pounds .

So soone as our Lord Ambassadour came to him , hee by his Interpreter deliuered briefly , the cause of his iourney which was to congratulate his victorious successe against the Turke , to renue the Traffique of Silke , and other things to benefit the Merchants , and to see Sir Robert Sherley purge himselfe from those imputations laid on him by Nogdibeg the King of Persia his late Ambassadour .

The King gaue him a very gracious reply , and whereas he thinkes it honour enough to let the great Turkes Ambassadour kisse the hem of his Coat , and sometimes his Foot , he very nobly gaue our Ambassadour his Hand , and with it puld him downe and seated him next to him crosse-legged , and calling for a cup off wine drunke to his Master our famous King , at which he put of his Hat , and the King seeing it , put off his Turbant , and drunke the cup off , which our Ambassadour pledged thankfully . And the people thought it a strange thing to see their King so complementall , fortis a shame with them to be bare-headed .

The Chamber wherein he was entertained , had the sides painted and gilded very beautifully , though indeed the Verse may be inuerted , Materia superabat opus , and not materiam .

Round about , with there backs to the wall , were seated fiftie or sixtie Beglerbegs , Sultans and Chawns , who sit like so many Statues , rather then liuing men . The Ganymed Boyes goe vp and downe with flaggons of wine , and fill to those that couet it .

The day before this Ceremony , the King rode to hunt the Tygre , accompanied only with two hundred Women , his Wiues and Concubines , most of them were attired like couragious Amazons , with Semiter , Bow and Arrowes , the Eunuchs riding abroad to prohibit any to come in view of them , the penaltie is no lesse then losse of life , a deare price for Nouelties .

And though for the most part , when the King is in a Progresse , he has sometimes ten thousand , other times twentie thousand Cozelbashawes , or Souldiers of best reckoning , yet at our being then at Court , two thousand was the most , then attending him .

I will relate his seuere iustice , acted at our being in Hyrcania , a poore man who had trauelled from Cabull in India a place though belonging to the Mogol , yet Candahor and much of Arachosia conioyning it , is wonne from them by the Persian ) this poore man after so long a iourney , got to the Court , and the weather being very sulphurous , affected rather the grasse to sleepe on then the Towne , t is so pestered with Musketoes , Flyes and other vermine , his businesse was not much , yet had better , beene none at all .

It was his ill fate , to be a sleepe , as old Abbas was going a hunting within the path , the King saw him not , but his pamperd horse startled at him , whereat immediatly the King sent a broad Arrow into the poore mans heart , and ere all his followers had past , the man was kild a hundred times ouer , if so many Arrowes could haue forfeited so many liues , in imitating the King , as if the deed were good and commendable .

A Souldiers Wife abounding with more Lust then Loue , complaines to the King , her Husband did not satisfie her , whereat hee makes her be coupled to an Asinego , whose villany and lust tooke away her life .

A Cozel-bash here presented him a Petition , The Kings crueltie . the writing did not please him , he sends for the Clarke , cuts off his hand , and made the Petitioner be almost drubd to death .

Two needie Knaues were brought afore him , and condemned for stealing .

The King threatned them more for being ragged and lousie , there by to disgrace his Court , then for the theft . And that they might die neatlier then they liued , he causes new Coates to be put vpon them , and forthwith commanded they should be carried out of Towne and impaled vpon two stakes , thrust through their fundaments .

He has other tortures , as poysons , strangling with bow-strings , men-eating Dogs ( some of which the Merchants or Sea-men bring out of England , and sell there ) and men from their infancie educated to Canibalisme , with many other tortures rather beseeming a bloudie Tyrant , then so famous a King .

A Duke who is his Vice-roy for Hyrcania , seeing a Boy , whose Father was poore ( and vnder his command ) against the Boyes will , his parents knowledge and the Law of Nature , makes him a Sodomite ( which crying sinne , though licensed by their Alcoran , yet force is not to be vsed , and therefore haue Ganymeds in each great Citie tolerated ) the Father of this wronged child prostrates himselfe before the King , and acquaints him with that villany , the King seeing sorrow and truth in the Peasants looke , demands of the Duke , who then was sitting there , how true it was : his countenance bewrayes him . The King hauing at that instant , a Knife in his hand , giues it the poore Father and bids him Eunuchize him , punishing those parts , that had offended . The Duke durst not startle or entercede the Law of the Persian , neuer alters the poore man , executes , as was enioyned him . The King though , continues his iurisdiction to him , and has him yet , his obedient slaue or seruant . His Seraglio only lost most by that bargaine .

The King by a Hyrcanian Lady ( which Countri-woman the Beggoon his mother also was , wife to Mahomet ) had two sonnes , Ismaell and another , Mirza . Ismaell died , hauing not attained twenty yeares , and the yonger brother by right and law of birth and Nations then became heire apparant to his dignitie and expectations .

Shaw Abbas his Father by his other Paramours had many children , but this Mirza as endued with the prerogatiues of yeares and birth-right , preuailed more in his Fathers affection , and the establishment of succession , then the other children , obtained by his affabilitie ( a vertue of especiall lustre and value with the Persian ) courage , bountie , experience in Armes and other Princely Qualities requisite for the place he liued in , the sonne of such a father , and the report hee aimed at , to beget loue and admiration amongst his friends , and terrour with his enemies . Whereby hee got leaue at sundry times , to command his Fathers ready Armies , men apt for action , and no longer satisfied , then when employed , either to enrich themselues by spoile or other aduantages of Warre and Fortune , and by whose skill and his owne valour , he much enlarged the Persian Territories , and got somewhat from the Mogull towards Candahor , from the Arabian neere to Balsora , and the Tartar East of the Hyrcanian Sea . So that this Mirzaes prowesse and good lucke became newes of ioy and sorrow to the Persian and their enemies . His friends from secret wel-wishes breake out into acclamations of prayses and extreme Desarts , and in peculiar fancies eleuated him . Some commend his person , some his excellencie and delight in armes , others his eloquence and all his liberalitie and care . In a word they esteemed him without comparison , and left nothing vnsaid or vndone that could adde either honour or contentment to him , who for all this ( not like our common spirits , who vpon small aduancement or other attributes deifie themselues and suppose all such additions tributary , and vnder their deseruings ) stood immoueable , and sorry they accounted him so worthy , in modestie blaming them for doubling his merits , and accusing himselfe of hypocrisie and neglect , to suffer his Acts to be so gilded , and least hee might eclypse the King his Father either in his splendour or content .

And to say truth , his popularitie begot iealousie and contempt in the King his Father , who out of his suspitious nature , grounded on Tyrannie , his feare of the Mirzaes ambitious designes , the inconstancie of the Persians , and irritations of some Cabinet Counsellours ( enemies to the Prince ) about him , beganne to feare him and desirous ( though his sonne ) to haue him strangled , thus we see how cruell iealousie is , more cruell then the Graue , and the bloud-thirstie degenerating of Tyrants and cruell men from grace , who as they are by Gods Soueraigne pleasure seated in more eminencie then others , to defend and relieue the distrest and wel-deseruing , turne it into pride and crueltie , diuiding mercie and iustice who delight each other , and such appeares in this old Abbas , that so farre forgot repentance , for murthering his eldest brother Emir-hamze-mirza , a Prince so compleatly valiant , victorious , and each way worthy , that though the Turkes ( whose scourge he euer was like another Scanderbeg ) reioyced at it , yet it drew flouds of teares and incessant lamentations from the Persians , for the vntimely and treacherous downfall , of such a hopefull , beautifull , and delightfull Cedar , and in memory of whom ( being all and the vtmost reuenge they durst to expiate ) they solemnized his Funerals with annuall teares , and for many yeares exceedingly hated his Fratricide Abbas , then ruling ouer them and who by all acts of conquest against their aduersaries , and indulgence for their safeties laboured his ingratiating into their loue , and by a counterfeit deploring what had beene perpetrated , at length obtained it : the thought of this , and posting his pur-blind Father into Paradice , in time forgotten , especially seeing they enioyed their seuerall pleasures in like sort as anciently , and that by Shaugh Abbas his victories against the Turke and Tartars , they became redoubted and feared in most of Asia . So that for many yeares hee gouerned fortunate and iustly , beloued and honoured , and neuer at a higher pitch attained it , then now , crowning his hostile employments by the victory and brauery of his sonne the admired Mirza ( himselfe tumbling in wanton pleasures and varietie of delights . )

The Prince in some attempts into Arabia , heard of , saw , admired , and after some reciprocall fauours , espouses an Arabian Princesse to his Wife , a Ladie ( if report of a Persian man of note , be worth the crediting ) endowed with such gifts and ornaments of minde , birth , beautie and loyaltie , as parelleld the best their liuing , and enstiled the possessor rich and happy . And the rather , because without exceptions , in the quarrelsome opinions of the King his father .

By this Lady he had two children , Soffie and Fatyma : both accounted of , by Parents and Grandsire , and pleasing to the Persians , who honour the issue of such as descend from Ancestors of courage , high birth , beautie and the like , all which flowed into these two Princes .

All terrene ioyes are mixt with discontent and periods , and old Abbas , day by day increasing his iealousie and enuie to his sonne , intends to hinder his further progresse into glory or other happines ▪ he durst not banish him , least hee should conuert his rage , to affront his vnnaturall Father , and when he thought of killing him by treason in his Army ( the innocent Prince at that time , sweating in bloud to redeeme the honour of his Countrimen against the Turke ) that frighted him , lest when his cruelty disclosed it selfe , vpon apprehension of the murderer , his men in reuenge and detestation of his Tyranny might rebell , or ioyning with the enemie , to his irreparable losse of purse and honour . So that he resolued to execute him at the Court , when farre from friends and where he could best faine an inuented crime , so without more procrastinations , he sends a shooter or footman to him , and ( all excuses set aside ) to post to Court : where the businesse should then be told him .

The Prince , to forfet their amazement and ill opinion of him , declares the message and assures them of his flying speed thither and backe againe , and without more ceremonie hastens to receiue instead of thankes , destruction .

His arriuall was quickly knowne to his father Abbas , who sends him word he was not very well , and desired him to repose where they should carry him , and ere long hee would come and welcome him .

The credulous Prince , without any suspect of treachery ( inuincible signes of honestie and a sincere mind ) followes the man appointed to shew his lodging , whereinto , ( so soone as that seruant was departed ) enters at a trap-doore , seuen great Villaines , deafe and dumbe , armed with Bow-strings and bloudie minds , whose habit and weapons without other Interpreters , assured the amazed Prince that he was betrayed , and sealed to destruction . If oratorie or other submissiue signes of entreatie could haue begot pitie or intermission from these hel-hounds , but only till he knew the cause of this vnnaturall proiect , he had affoorded it , but knowing they were deafe in bodie and soule , inflamed with rage and sorrow , that hee wanted a Sword or other Weapon to defend himselfe , hee flew vpon them all , one after another , offending them by rare force and agilitie , a long time preuenting the noozes to fasten on him , which they threw incessantly towards his necke , presenting pale death in their terrible twangs , and armed with integritie and innocence , ere they could strangle him , he sent three of them to the Deuill , to receiue their recompence , the other foure seeing their danger , re-enforced their actions , and at last fastned on him , who quite spent with rage and opposals , fell downe dead , and as crauing a cessation of that horrible fight , and that they would not equallize him in the manner of his death , to abiect Dogs . But these Canibals continued their cruell cowardize both dead and liuing , and had surely finisht their villany , had not the King then entred and preuented them ( who some say , was a secret spectator of this vnparalleld barbarisme ) hee forthwith , commands his tired armes to be pinnioned , and ere he had fully recouered his sences , makes a hot flaming steele be drawne afore his eyes , which though giuing no great paine , yet tooke away his eye-sight : forbidding him for euer any more sight of what hee loued , wife , children , friends , and endeared Souldiers . And by this excessiue impietie , Asia lost her chiefest Iewell , Mars his Darling , and Persia her incomparable treasure , now vndone , blind , imprisoned , and hopelesse of any ioy or honour euer after .

This could not be so secretly committed , but in time , all Persia knew it , and lamented it with teares for him , and imprecations of all mischiefe vpon the Authours of it : his Army were of long time implacable , but when they saw it was past remedie , and the King would in time , serue them with like sawce , if they continued refractorie , they retired , and buried in murmure and forced silence , what their hearts fully and freely discourst vpon .

So soone as the blinded Prince , perceiued himselfe imprisoned ( which hee saw with the eyes of griefe and vnderstanding ) hee was more then half-distracted , exclaimed vpon his bloudie father , curst his birth-day , and vowed the Kings destruction and his Fauourites , if it lay in his power to see or touch them : but when he cald to mind his impossible desires , he roared hideously , and in a word , exprest all true symptomes of madnesse and desire of reuenge , till his afflicted Kinsmen and companions , flockt about him , and dictated patience : which they bettered , by relating their owne quondam greatnesse in bloud and offices , till by the like dislike and mutabilitie of Shaw Abbas his humours , they were digraded , trod vpon , mutilated , some their eyes put out , some their eares and noses cut off , and others in other members , here captiued and almost famished .

In those discontented times , the King mouing like Saturne in the highest Orbe , deliciously tooke his pleasure , and on all sides stood free and firme against stormes or other accidentall causes , able to withstand his quiet .

He surfeited in varietie of pleasures , but none tooke him so much as the beautie and pretie discourse he obserued in Fatyma ( daughter to his blinded and enraged sonne ) which Ladie , though not seuen yeares old , in such sort inchanted doting Abbas , that nothing rellisht well without Fatyma , none gaue him mirth , saue Fatyma , and if inraged against any , no better reconcilement then by Fatyma , so that Court and Kingdome wondred at his loue to this wittie Ladie his beloued grand-child , whom when aged two yeares more , he purposed a marriage with an Arabian King .

Nor had King Abbas all the benefit of this little Lady , for though she had all possible delight and pleasure at the Court : yet neglected she no part of dutie , but came very oft into the Cittadell to ioy her father and releeue his wants ; for that none saue shee , durst aske the King for their allowances , without apparant danger of displeasure and life withall , if it hapned he was displeased , though in other matters , whereby the royall ( but most miserable ) prisoners at sometimes were neere famished , none daring to releeue them , lest the iealous King might haue them in suspition .

Thus by this good Lady gained they what formerly they pined for , euen food and comfort . But as the Deuill is neuer fild with villany , bloud , or horrour , so he exasperates this blinded Prince her father to a strange reuenge ( sonne of a father both vnnaturall ) for thirsting after it though neuer so terrible , in a Deuillish apprehension , hearing of his fathers immoderate ioy and pleasure hee tooke in Fatyma , whom too ( reuenge excepted which whirld him headlong to perdition ) he affected exceedingly the law of Nature , ( for wee name not grace in these Catastrophes ) her infinite deseruings , as loded with admirable beautie , a delicate spirit , sweet behauiour and charitable acts surpassing child-hood , forced him to conceiue well of her , and wish he had some meanes to be reuenged , but this word reuenge he still harpt vpon : it was his food , rayment , sleepe and chiefe delight , for all the rest were comprehended in bloud-thirstinesse . Which wicked designe at length he accomplishes , for one time when his sad Wife and sonne were sitting by him , prettie Fatyma came in with reliefe vnto her father , and by all actions of loue and dutie to shew her selfe obedient , such time ( cursed time ) as this young Princesse plaid about him , the Prince called her , who readily came to be made much of , but see a horred entertainment , for in stead of loue and kindnesse , with admirable celeritie and rage , grasping her tender necke with his strong and wrathfull hands , whirli●g her about , ere shee could begge for pittie or helpe , the cruell father threw starke dead vpon the floore his daughter Fatyma , and in her the ioy of parents , excessiue delight of the aged King , and sole ornament and comfort of all that Kingdome : the poore Princesse strugled and cried out against him , that it was Fatyma , little thinking , hee therefore kild her , because Fatyma . But hee hearing his sonne Soffie was there too , in blind sort pursued him , who to his good fortune escape downe staires , and some yeares after at his Grand-sires death , was crowned King of Persia at our comming thence .

So soone as old King Abbas heard of this sad accident , hee fell into such passions of rage and sorrow , that each man feared he would become his owne Executioner : and though many pittied him and were sorry for the cause , yet none durst comfort hm , fearing his impatient nature , but left it to time and the Kings owne courage and prouidence to mitigate his dolours .

Yet , to expresse how ill he tooke so foule a murther ( hypocritically masquing his former cruelties ) sends threats of terrible satisfactions , as famine , strapadoes and other punishments to the inraged Prince his Sonne . Who , by the Messinger retuned his father many curses , hopes of better reuenge and wishes of ten thousand miseries to fall vpon him , and in this cholloricke and melancholy temper he spent two sad dayes , and in the third gaue a period to his miseries in this World , by supping a delighted cup of extreame poyson , and when his death was told the King , he commanded some Noble men to see him buried , but not where harmelesse Fatyma was entombed .

The sad Princesse his wife , surfeiting with sorrow and discontent mewed her selfe vp , and since that time has seldome beene seene to any , so that the certaintie of her life is doubtfull vnto many . Except now her sonne Soffie-Shaw , ( succeeding his royall Grandsire Abbas , in the Persian dignitie , and crowned at our comming thence ) hath since disswaded her from that solitary and vnfitting life , and to afford her some ioy then , rather then for euer to liue without it .

But of what courage , ingenuitie , or inclination King Soffie shewes himselfe , I cannot giue the Reader satisfaction in , in that we parted thence , iust at his Coronation , and his yeares cannot yet beget discretion in full measure ( being not aboue fifteene ) but it appeares partly ▪ that he is truly of the Abasian pedigree , Mahomet the Great Fauourite beheaded , and the Beglerbeg of Shir●● . for so soone as he got securitie of the Diademe , hee cut off Mahomet-ally-begs head ( his Grand-fathers only Fauourite ) to be heire to his estate , and to content his Guardian Emangoly Chaw● , Duke of Shiras , and since has shewed his Guardian such another curtesie , Anno 1631. by making headlesse the Beglerbeg his eldest sonne , vpon small ground of reason , except to beget terrour in other his high-minded subiects .

The beginning of Iune the King departed Asharaffe , by the straits of Mozendram , going to Cazbeen , where hee bid our Ambassadour meet him for his dispatch .

Hee sent vs another way by Mount Taurus , that wee might see the rest of Hircania the better .

Sir Robert Sherley left vs awhile , and trauelled to the Court in company of a Georgian Ambassadour , and at this time an Ambassador from the Tartar , tooke his leaue and departed home by Samarch●nd .

From Asharaffe , wee rode to Farrabaut ( into which wee entred vpon Whitsunday ) a Citie extending to the Sea of Bacu , Hyrcan or Caspian Sea .

A Description of Farrabaut , and the Caspian Sea .

FArrabat or ( Baut ) lies one mile from the Caspian Sea , it is the best Towne for beautie , greatnes and wealth in the Kingdome of Hircani● .

T is watered with a streame of fortie paces broad , which arising from Mount Taurus , here embowels it selfe into that Sea , it abounds with fish of most sorts , and is furnished with a few little Canoes or Boats made of one Tree , and is capable to receiue eight men in faire weather , in this Riuer are some long , deepe prams , sowed together with hempe and cord ( but vnpitcht or calkt . ) In these the Muscouian Merchants , saile downe Volga , ouer the Caspian Sea , and arriue at Farrabaut , to traffique for raw silkes , which they transport to Mosco , and through Russia . These ships ordinarily come thither in March and returne in Iuly , so that with a faire winde from Farrabaut , they doe crosse the Sea , and get to Astraoan in eight or ten dayes saile .

Farrabaut glories aswell in her two large and beautifull Buzzars , and fragrant Gardens , as in a sumptuous Palace of the Kings , seated neere the riuer at the North end of that Citie , the Court and shades of pleasant trees affoord delight from each Chamber in the House , the roomes are vniforme , three of them especially rich in furniture , the ground laid with Crimson Veluet , stuft with Downe , the Casements of broad cleere Muscouian glasse● the top richly imbost with Gold , the sides all Mirrours or Looking-glasses . And these Chambers are his retiring parts for recreation with his Concubines , other Chambers in this Palace , are wrought with Pictures of vile and vnseemely pastimes , better forgot then memorized .

From thence we trauelled to a Towne called Chacoporo , twelue miles from Farraba●t , feated vpon the Caspian Sea , it has a Riuer a stone cast ouer , which the people say is eleuen moneths fresh and one extreame salt . Next night we lay in Bar●rushdee , a Towne both great and happy , in wood and water , but has no wine , the reason is , the Law there takes away his life that drinkes any , this is from the last twelue miles :

Next night we got to a pleasant Towne cald Omoall , seated at the foot of Mount Taurus .

A Description of Omoall .

OMoall is a Citie built vnder the North side of the Imperious Mountaine Taurus , has three thousand houses , and those not builded in the meanest fashion . T is inhabited by diuers Nations , Armenians , Georgians , Iewes , Persians , Hircans , Curdies , Taurisians and others whereby seuen seuerall Languages are spoken in this Citie .

The place is fruitfull and blessed , aswell in her present prosperity as antique greatnesse , shee was anciently cald Nabarca , and famoused for a dreaming Oracle , long time of diuine Aesteam among them . In which age it was the Metropolis of that Kingdome , to this houre testified by her ruines about her , howbeit as yet she excels in the rarenesse of a Castle ( second to none about her ) which besides the well composed Architecture , affoording no small pleasure to the eye , it has sweet Gardens , repleat with fragrant flowres and choisest fruits . And for her defence is inclosed by a deepe trench , which fild with water yeelds aswell profit as defence .

Close by is a Church or Mosque , in which lie intombed foure hundred fortie foure Princes and Prophets of that Kingdome , many of whose Tombes yeeld admiration to the beholders , principally that of Meer Agowmaden , to whose adored Shrine are daily offered serious Deuotions ; at my entrance I found twenty ancient well apparelled Arabians , close by Prince Agoomadens Graue , set round with each an Arabian Booke before him , out of which with great Modesty and wel-tuned Songs they celebrated to those dead Princes , a long continued lamentation , wherein they were so serious , that though they saw me , they continued their dolours till the end , and then very curteously arose and bid me welcome , shewing mee all I desired in their Temple .

The people are very courteous & the women beautified with complement and daintie feature : one day , when the weather was exceeding hot , I went to the water-side ( neere the bridge ouer which the night before we entred the Citie ) where thinking by helpe of many Popler-trees to shade my selfe from outragious Phaeton , seuen or eight beauteous ( but not bashfull ) Damozels suddenly , naked , came forth of the riuer to admire my habit , hauing neuer seene any European there before , some wonders at my clothes , some my spurres , o●thers my haire ( differing from the mode of that Nation ) by which I became iealous of their honesty and left them , but by enquiry I perceiued , it was an affected nouelty , and when the men ( such time vsually as the sonne , is in his Meridian ) goe to sleepe , the women then enioy the riuer , and coole their heate , in both kinds too much abounding there .

Their habit is only a smocke of Callico Lawne , wrought at hands necke and skirts , with silke and gold .

From Omoall , wee roade to a place cald Larry-Iohn , the distance thirty miles , at which Towne , ends the Kingdome of Hircania , and the entrance to Mount Taurus takes beginning .

Mount Taurus .

OVr journey lay sometimes through inhospitable Straits , other times ouer most stupendious Hils , the breadth from one side to another neere fifty English miles , the length fifteene hundred , towring in a ledge of Hils from Armenia vnto India : indeed after two dayes ascent we got so high , that we might see the middle Region vnder vs , and we involued in it .

But the height did not so amate vs , as the danger of descending , the path was so vneuen and craggy , and the Rockes cut so vnskilfully , that great heed must be taken in the treading , or a terrible downfall into a bottomlesse Lake will threaten vs .

Tradition tels vs that Prometheus is chained here , his heart is gnawed by a Vulture , his fault only for stealing fire from Iupiter , the Allegory is familiar . Hence wee passe on to a Village cald Ryna , where is a Castle so built , vpon the best aduantages of art and nature that it seemes inuincible ; aboue , it wants no ground for benefit and resistance , helped with Gardens , flowres , and fruits , and is most happy in a Riuolet of pure water , which pleasantly and plentifully streames through the Castle into the bottome .

In this place , fiue and twenty yeares agoe ruled a King Meleck Bahaman by name , who commanded like another Pluto , through these Hils and Dales in Taurus , a Prince though confined to small limits , and forced with great cost and care to maintaine his Royalties against the Tartar and Persian , his great and quarrelsome Neighbours , yet such was his good fortune , his policie , valour and loue vnto his subiects , that though often inuaded and by many Princes , hee stood secure , and liued to see the r●ine and downfall of many , his late enemies . His only ayme tending to preserue , what his Predecessours had made him heire to , and that his gray haires might goe in peace to an eternall Dormitory .

Thus thought Bahaman , and added his endeuours to preserue his thoughts . But Abbas the Persian and victorious King , whose resolutions were all for conquest , whose doings were euer turbulent , and whose aspiring conceits most wonderfull : In his returne from the conquest of Mozendram ( or Hyrcania ) which he got by perswasion more then force , and by helpe of his Herians and Ouz-beg Tartars , resolues to be no longer bearded by this mountaynous Prince , who from his dwellings could not only view farre into either Kingdomes Mozendram and Sheirvan , but thereby tooke opportunitie to ransacke his Carrauans , anticipate his progresse to the Caspian Sea , and turne those Riuers into other sources , which springing from the Taurisian Hils , flowed through the Persian Territories , and was the sole delight and wealth of all those Kingdomes .

Now though these reasons were coniecturall , in that hee neuer knew Prince Bahaman a deceitfull or grating Neighbour , yet Abbas playd the Wolfe , who drinking at the Fountain-head , quarrels with the harmeles Lambe for quenching his flagrant thirst at the streame below . And impatient of longer tryall , conuocates a great Army of Timariots and Coozel-bashaes , ouer whom hee appoints Methiculi-Chawn and some other expert Warriours , to see his designes succeed with good hap and victory ouer those defenced Nations .

This could not be so secretly entended , but aged Bahaman heares of his aymes and prouisions , at which though somewhat terrified . In that his great yeares were more propense to ease then tumult , yet that his faithfull people might not in any thing receiue discouragement or cowardize from his example , whose interest and honour was most , and most engaged : hee prouides as a common father for them , and performes each act , requisite in a carefull and experienced Souldier .

Hee plants Garrisons in places of defence and seruice , leaues naked and destitute of all helpe his Countrey , lest the Persian Armie might prey vpon it , and mewes himselfe , his Wife , two sonnes and ten thousand men in this aforenamed Castle , stored with prouision and victuals , sufficient for a fiue yeares siege against the Enemy .

The Persian Generall with thirtie thousand men , hasten towards Taurus , where at their first ascent , they were troubled by some Mountayners , set their purposely by King Bahaman , these with Darts , and rowling stones vpon them , for some time endamaged the Persian , but could not preuent their resolued passages : and after some small skirmishes , encampt themselues before this Castle , hauing heard by some prisoners , that Melech Bahaman , the two Princes and force of all the Kingdome was there included .

Methiculi-beg , when he had well viewed this inaccessible Fortresse , halfe despayred of subduing him , for besides the strength of men and wals , he saw it was impregnable , such was the great height of the Castle and the perpendicular ascent , two mayne defences wherewith nature and industry had graced it .

Some attempts he vsed but inualidable ; to shoot Darts or Arrowes at it , was one with ayming at the Moone . Some small shot they had , but too weake to penetrate Rockes , and great Ordnance ( which only was auailable ) they had not , wherewith either to affright or batter them .

So after many tedious brauadoes ( wherein the Persian receiued stones for their arrogancy ) the Generall ( not daring to returne without the victory ) finding force nor patience of any value , turnes Machiauillian .

He summons them aboue to parley with him , which being granted by his Herald he presents him many protestations of loue and desire of friendship , that his Warre was grounded only to satisfie Shaw Abbas , who had sworne to be reuenged vpon them , for offering in old times some hostile affronts vnto poore passengers , and to preuent his conuerting the Riuers other wayes then hee enjoyed them , that seeing his surmises were without true ground or reason , hee saw no obstacle , that ought to forbid a new league of peace and vnitie , and to strengthen his Ambassage , that it might shadow truth , and beget beliefe the readier , presents the aged King with Tulipants , Semiters , Pearles and some other inticing Iewels , withall entreates him to come downe and taste a Banquet , swearing by Mortis Ally and King Abbas heads , by Paradice and the eight Orbes , that he should returne in safety , and he most desired it , that some Articles of agreement might ensue their parley .

The King ( who euer affected peace ) heares his messages , receiues his presents , and becomes too credulous of the Persians honestie , his Wife and Sonnes disswade him from it , tell him examples of their hypocrisie , and by many wayes seeke to diuert his iourney , but neither those , nor the teares his Souldiers showred to begge his stay , ( vowing to mayntayne the defence , to the last man ) could hinder his destiny , but downe he goes , and finds the Generall ready to embrace him , leads him to his Tent , bestowes a Banquet on him , and at night imprisons him , regarding neither his vow , honour , nor ingagement .

Meleck Bahaman , perceiues the losse of his liberty when past recouery , rememorizes his sonnes aduice and teares shed by his loyall subiects to diuert him , which now hee resents and tearmes Elegiac .

And in these fruitlesse sorrowes , the Persian Generall summons the youthfull Princes to descend , if they respected the addition of new honours to themselues , a period to this warre , and ( which was most ) security and life to their indulgent King and Father , all which by discord , and denying to come downe would be denied them , be an infallible Theame of endlesse troubles , and beget an eternall monument of shame to their posterity .

The two Princes considerately first demanded their imprisoned father , and then they might worthily credit the Persian , otherwise he might iudge them , worse then Ideots , the villany and breach of promise towards their Soueraigne , being so true and fresh amongst them . They might aswell desire the Castle and other Royalties , as demand the Owners of them , and by whom subsisting , other answer they would make none , this excepted , that the King of Persiaes ill-grounded ambition would neuer prosper , that though of long time he had politely auoided the Epethite of a Tyrant . This would rub afresh his former injustice and anatomize him , so cleerely , that all Asia , would not only suspect him , but account him odious , that all men might see apparantly his auarice , who commanding ouer many and fruitfull Prouinces , could not be contented , without subjugating a Nation , neuer wronging him , a King whose Ante-cessours had for more ages gouerned Larry Ioon . Then the posterity of Ismael had done Persia ▪ and a Countrey so cold and barren , that more then title , the Persian could not make any vse of nor benefit of addition , saue ostentation .

When these words were rehearsed to the Generall , hee was mad with anger , and ( without more Ceremony ) inuites them from their Castle , to view their Fathers head off . They resolutely bid him doe as pleased him , and remember , that murther was not excused in their Alcoran .

This enraged the Generall more then the former , verily imagining they would yeeld to any thing rather then the slaughter of their King and Father .

Whereupon , he againe in vtmost rage and fury assaulted them , and for a recompence of his haste receiued , besides the losse of many Cozel-bashes , a plaine protest from his men , of returning homewards , arguing that they had got the Countrey , that Shaw Abbas with more benefit and credit could imploy them against the Turke or Indian , that Meleck was with them , and by his perswasions might recouer it , without battaile , as he had lately done Larr , at any time .

The Generall by this was drawne into a twofold danger , if he dissented from their humours , he knew all past was to no purpose , and would inferre dishonour to his Master . On the other side , if hee returned without victory , hee knew his head should off : so in great anguish , he first releases Meleck Bahaman , assures him , hee vsed this discourtesie but to try him , that if hee pleased hee should safely returne againe or stay with him , where he should possesse all content and honour possible . That hee was sent for by the King : and had order to compound this difference : he desired the Princes his sonnes to descend and to articulate , or let him goe vp and their seale an agreement , but that he judged vnworthy his good meaning , who thereby might be thought a Spy : with which discourse , the olde King was so ouer-joyed , that he referd the choice vnto the Generall , which hapned as he aymed at , and so without delay desires the Princes to come downe .

A Messenger inuites them to it , assures them of King Bahamans welfare , deliuers them his doting letters and perswasions : enterlaces these with Piscashes or gifts of worth , and shewes them a pretended Copy of the easie Articles .

The poore and wel-nigh distracted Princes , knew not what to do , on the one side their refusall might cost the King his life , and irritate the Persian to further mischiefe , on the other , their Discent , might bring deceit , distraction and losse of life and liberty not only to the King and Princes , but to all those loyall subjects pent aboue , and who vndoubtedly after them must to the shambles .

They argued long time too and fro , and though the Souldiers disswaded them , yet the Queene , to enjoy her Husband prouoked them downe . In obedience to whom , and confidence in the Generals oaths and promises , they sorrowfully forsake the Castle , and are securely guarded to the Tents , where they feasted , and vpon sight of their beloued Lord and Father , had noble entertainment from the Generall .

But when these three were blessing their good destiny , smiling one vpon another , ( the Generall then in company ) at sight of a priuate token , three Cozel-hashawes standing by , in an instant whipt off all their heads , with their slicing Shamsheers or Semiters , and ere it was divulged abroad , The King and two Princes treacherously murdered . by counterfeit seales and signes , made them aboue , descend and yeeld the Castle , some of which receiued destruction , others mercy . By this detested policie the Persian got the Soueraigntie , and yoakt in tyranny this late thought indomitable Nation .

Such was the end of Meleck Bahaman , and two hopefull Princes , forgetfull of Warres stratagems , and how Aladules King of Anti-Taurus , for playing fast and loose with Seylim the first Emperour of the Turkes , in the end , crediting their promises , gaue a like period to his life and Kingdome .

Opposite to the Castle is erected the Sepulchre of Maleck Bahamans beloued Queene , in sight of passengers , t is of foure Aequilaterall squares , eleuated eight yards high of stone , and playstered with white , very apparant and comely .

A mile higher , we climed vp with much difficultie , to the top of the high Peake of Damoan , whose top like a Sugar-loafe is viewed aboue all the aspiring Hils , on those defatigating ledges , and from whence we saw the Caspian Sea , though a hundred an eighty miles distant ; t is aboue composed of Sulphur , which makes it in the night sparkle as does Vesuvius , t is so offensiue to mount vp , that you cannot doe it without a Nose-gay of strong Garlicke , and hence all Persia and Chaldea has their Brimstone .

Here are famo●s hot-baths , three of which are walled about , and two open , to which resort decrepit and vnsound people from afarre in mightie multitudes .

Now whither this high Peake be denominated from the Towne of Damoan fiue leagues distant , or the Towne from it , I cannot argue . But this is so , that Damoan in their Language signifies a second Plantation , from which , and the height of those Hils , with the vncertaine place of the first Seminary from Armenia , the Iewes here inhabiting , say Noahs Arke there rested , and though the Zone be good , the Country healthy , the Vines excellent , and the name point at it , yet I referre my selfe here to the Iudicious , it contents me only to recite the Iewes opinions .

Here the Hils conioyne of old cald Amanus , Niphates , Choatras , Zagrius , Oronti , Parathoatras , and which inuironed the Territories of Ragiana and Sygriana .

Hence also run those titles of people , the Saces , the Saeres , the Messagetes , the Taburaei , the Suebi , and the Alinorzi : which I suppose only Dukedomes , confining Hyrcania and Sacazini .

On the other side of Damoan is the Towne of that Persian Merchant that died in England 1625 , whose sonne Mahomet died in our trauaile . The Towne is called Noua , and has a hundred Families within it . A youth his other sonne , hearing of our passing by , accompanied with all his kindred ( who in these parts loue one another dearely ) came to meete vs ; apparrelled in a long Roabe of cloth of Gold , and on his head a Shash or Tulipant of Silke and Gold , hee gaue vs a Banquet , and thence we rode to Damoan , where descending a high mount , we rode by a large blacke Tent , in which were about thirty women , and so many Taurisian men , to solemnize a Wedding , the Bride was ten yeares old and beautifull , the man thirty , in condition a very Carle , and in his visage vgly some of the bride-maids came out vnto vs , and after a Sallam or Congee began a Morisko , their faces , hands , and feet painted with flowres , Castles , and Birds , their legs chained with voluntary fetters of brasse and siluer , with such they performed the dance of Bac●hus , by inquiry wee found these were pastorall , and in their Genealogy from the Tartars , whose vagrant habitacles , are no where permanent : in that part where those Nomades honour their discent , liue those Nations cald by Authenticks , Essedones , Scytho-Tauri , Gryphaei and the Tapereni , as also the Orgasi , Erymni , Norozbei , Nonossi , and the Catagi , placed sometimes twixt Taurus and the Riuer Iaxartes .

And more North towards Candahors and Arachozia , are accounted dwellers , the Galactophagi , Azpisty , Tabureni , or Thabreni , Samnitij , Pamardi , and others , whose strange names would rather burthen , then profit the Readers memory .

Damoan .

DAmoan , is a Towne well knowne among the Persians , more for its limiting of Media , then other Rarities , it shewes not more then two hundred houses , and those few , are meane and most inhabited by hatefull Iewes , ( whom the Persians name Iehuds this Towne is seated vnder the South end of Taurus , and has a Buzzar aloft , but scarce worth the climbing too , vnlesse to buy Wine , or Fruits , both which there are valuable .

Media , now called Sheirvan ( or milkie Plaine ) is by some deriued from Madai , third sonne of Iaphet , sonne of Noah , others from Medeus sonne of Iason and Medaea , daughter of King Aeta , t is bounded on the North with the mountaine Taurus , on the South with Parthia , hath to East Aria or Sablestam , and West Armenia minor , or part of Georgia .

It was a rich and puissant Countrey in the Worlds infancy , but now whither by the al-consuming hand of Warre ( here euer acting ) or by the Iustice of God , for massacring so many good Christians in Chozroes time , t is now a very barren and miserable kingdome , chiefly if you compare it with our Phoenix great Brittaine , who in her selfe exceeds , all the best compacted riches or pleasures , of these Asiaticall Empires .

Media was first subiected by that simple husband of Semiramis , Ninus , who liued in the age from Adams Creation , Anno 1900. hee was sonne of Belus , by some reputed Iupiter Babylonicus , a man deified by the Pagans of those times by name of Bell and Baal .

This Belus was sonne of the great Hunter Nimrod , who was the only founder-master of that monster Babell , the Assyrians ( which name they tooke from Ashur , second sonne of Shem ) haue called Nimrod , by other names , but is chiefly taken for Saturnus of Babylon , sixt sonne of Chush , Chams eldest sonne , from whom the Sun-burnt Aethiopians haue a Pettigree and curse withall . His Descent is this , Noah had Cham father of Chush , ( begot , as some say , in the Arke ) father of Nimrod , father of Baladan or Belus ) father of Berodach , of whom descended Nebuchadnezzar , father of Euilmeredoch , father of Belshazzer , who according to Daniels Prophecie was the last of his Family in the Empire , the Medes and Persians falling from his rule into the hands of that great Warriour Darius sirnmed Medus , Anno Mundi 3426. called by some Cyaxares secuudus , and Grand-child to the first , his Daughter and Heire was married to Cyrus the Fortunate , who after the ouerthrow of the Babylonian Balthazer or Belshazzer , and that Monarchie , slue Astyages , by which hee became Lord of Persia and the Medes . This is he so famoused by Xenophon , and is father to that magnificent Cambyses , of whom I spoke in the description of Persae-polis .

I will now speake of this kingdome , which I haue said is barren , though if we may credit Pius the Second , and other Writers of this place , one pastue has heretofore nourisht fifty thousand Mares . They write of the Oyle Medicum , which doubles its flame in water of Naphta and some other Ceremonies . I will adde the description of the Villages and Cities which haue beene badly done by some moderne Authours , and leaue the beliefe of those other rarities , to some more credulous .

The great Cities of Media , are Cazbeen , Tabris , or Tauris , Ardauil , Tyroan , Cashan and Coom , whose seuerall descriptions truly follow .

From Damoan we rode through Bomaheem into Tyroan , fiue and twenty miles .

Tyroan .

THis City is scituate in the midst of a faire large Plaine , which although inuironed in some parts , with Hils of stupendious height , yet some wayes affoords an ample Horizon , t is within the Kingdome of Media , Atropatia , and in the Prouince or Shire of Sultania , a place famous for winds , and some ouerthrowes of late giuen the Turkes , by the inraged Persian .

This Citie is now gouerned by a Duke , called Zenal-chon , a man of more title then worth , as wee found there by his discourtesie and entertainment .

This City is built of white Sun-burnt brickes , is watered with a small streame , which runs in two parts through the Towne , and meloes most of the Gardens and Groues within her , whereby shee yeelds a thankfull tribute of sundry fruits . The Towne is most beautified , by a vast Garden of the Kings , succinct with a great towred mud-wall , larger then the circuit of the Citie .

It has a Buzzar or Market , which though diuided , shewes a combined beauty in her separation .

The House where we lodged , ore-topping all the other , from its Tarrases , I could view ouer all the City , each house top spred with Carpets , wheron slept a man & his peculiar Seralio , some had three , some sixe , others twelue female beauties sleeping by him . T was indeed rashly done of me to view them . Their Orders punish it , with no lesse terror , then by shooting an Arrow into his braine that dares to doe it .

Tyroan has a sweet though hot aire in the morning , but in the Sunnes ambition , hot and fiery , shee has three thousand dwelling Houses . In few of which are fewer , then a dozen people . Her Carrauans lodge exceeds her Mosque , yet neither , of power to beget admiration with the curious .

Thence we rode towards Taurus , the first night sleeping in Charah a filthy Towne affoording no reliefe against the frying Sun and hot sandy earth , both which afflicted vs . From Tyroan to Tauris is foure good dayes iourney .

Tauris , or Ecbatane .

TAuris deriues her name from her seate ; neere mountayne Taurus is now a Citie both great and famous , yet incomparable to what shee was in Ecbatans time . Her founder was Deioces , by some called Arphaxad and Arbactus , Predecessor of the valiant and victorious Phraartes , ( liuing in the yeare 3300. from the Creation ) and sixt in succession from Arbaces , who Anno 3146. begun the Median Dynasty .

Ecbatan was once in compasse fifteene miles , her wals seuenty Cubits high and fiftie broad , adorned within by a gorgeous Palace built of Cedars , the roofe studded and plated with burnisht Gold .

T is distant from Hierusalem twelue hundred miles , and from Babylon foure hundred .

Here the Prophet Daniel , built himselfe a stately Palace , which remayned vndemolisht for many ages , and wherein for some Descents lay buried the Median Kings , swaying in their successiue Dynasties .

Hither Tobias remoued from Niniuie to Raguel father to his wife , where ere hee died hee heard of Niniuies destruction , by the great Babylonian Monarch Nabuchodonozer at that time Gods Instrument to fulfill his threatnings . Tobias at a hundred and twenty seuen yeares old died here and had noble buriall .

Tauris , or Tabris , though builded from the others ruines , is comparable to olde Ecbatan neither in beauty nor greatnesse , her circuit now six miles at most , and some miles distant from her Antecessor .

Being placed by a Riuer , which some vnjustly cald Orontes , the Hill Baronta shades her , and to the South shewes a large and pleasant Plaine .

T is well peopled and much resorted to for traffique , which makes it famous through all Asia , but her fame is larger by a Garrison kept there against the daring Turkes who too oft haue made this Citie , a subiect of their bloudy cruelty .

T is inferiour to Spawhawn and Cazbeen , in circuit , wealth , and beauty it has a small mud wall , of little seruice , the houses are flat aboue and built of Bricks dried in the Sunne , her Buzzar is inferiour to some about her , her best ornament is a Garden , to the South-east , which was planted by Shaw Tamas sonne to Izmael , and great great-Grand-●ire to Abbas lately reigning .

This poore City has endured sundry violent stormes of war , wherby though made more famous , she is lesse flourishing . Anno 1514. t was ouerturned by Selymus the Grand Signior , and sixteene yeare after by Solyman his Successour : when it was wholy ruined by the insatiate Souldiers , who not only pillaged it , but made a Chaos of those elaborate walkes and sweet Gardens planted by King Tamas , which together with the Buzzar was set on fire .

But the greatest ransack and villany , was Anno 1585. by Ozman the luxurious Bashaw and slaue of Amurath the Third , and groaned vnder their subiection , till thirty yeares after by Emyr-hamzae-mirzey eldest sonne of Mahomet the blinde ( father of Abbas ) it was relieued , re-built , and regained from Turkish thraldome , and in memory of which tyrannies , Abbas the Hemirs yonger brother and late King , in few yeares following beat him out of Babylon , Bulsora , and most of Mesopotamia .

Next night we lay in Sangurrabat , where we buried a ciuill Gentleman Master Welflit our Comrade , vnder a broad-spreading-Chenor-tree , and fixt a brazen Scroule ouer him , which spoke his name and Nation .

Next night we lay in the open fields vnder a bespangled Canopie the Firmament , and next in Shawdee ( or the Kings Towne ) a Towne , none so couetous as to desire it : for if that Kingdome haue a purgatory , so a conspiracie of loose and scalding sand , the burning Sun , and vn-receiueable Cottages , can make ; one there it is next day to Cazbeen .

Cazbeen .

CAzbeen , is that City which of past ages was cald Arsatia , buile by that famous Conquerour Arsaces , from whom the ensuing Kings were cald Arsacidae , hee liued Anno Mundi 3720. and was the first that laid the foundation of that Empire , in despight of Seleu●us , sonne of Antiochus Theos King of Syria .

The North Pole is there eleuated thirty six degrees , Anno1517 . Iewes Messias receiues them . fifteene minutes . It was by Tamas sonne of Ismael , ( the Iewes reputed Messias , till they found him worse then Titus ) made the Metropolis of his Kingdomes ( as Spawhawn by Abbas now ) aswell for the commodiousnesse of the place , as bordering the Turks , his detested enemies .

By interpretation it is ( Exile ) a phrase giuen of old vnto the Parthian . By some t is thought to be that City Rages , whither Tobias and the Angell Gabriel trauelled vnto the Parthians , to demand the ten Talents ( which is about two thousand pound of our money ) his father lent to Gabael sonne of Gabrias , nor am I ignorant , that many imagine Edissa in Mesopotamia to be Rages , which cannot be , that Rages was in Media and Edissa , is not aboue fiue hundred miles from Ierusalem , no part of Media being so neere by many more miles .

It was after that cald Europus , by command of Nicannor , and lost that name too , when other people came to conquer it .

Cazbeen is distant from the Caspian Sea , sixty fiue Farsangs , or a hundred ninety fiue English miles . From Spawhawn two hundred and ten miles . T is seated in a faire euen place , no Hill of note in thirtie miles affronts it , it has small quantity of wood or water , or such other blessings , as make a City exquisite , only by the peoples industry , and helpe of a small Brooke ( scarce worth a name else-where ) it produces sundry hearbs and fruits : as Vines , Orenges , Lemons , Muske , and Water-Melons , Plums , Pome-granads , Cheries , Beries , Figs , Apples , Peares , Peaches , Apricocks , Pistachoes , Nuts , Walnuts , Almonds ( but no Dates except brought from farre ) &c.

The compasse of this Citie is seuen miles : her Buzzarr is large and pleasant ( but not so regular as many are about her . )

The Kings House and Haram or Seraglio , are ( neere the Market ) built of raw Bricks , trellized with carued Windowes , both painted and varnished with blew , red and yellow , mixt with Arabique knots and poesies of Gold and Azure . Afore his doore , is a great Tancke of water made at our being there .

Mosques & Hummums or Baths ( which the Turks call Bannias ) there are , resplendent with the Azure paint wherewith they are ceruleated ; for the other buildings , they content the inhabitans , but to the affected Traueller yeeld small wonder or amazement .

The King of Pers●a got into Cazbeen two dayes afore vs .

At this time , forty Camels loaden with Tobacco , out of India , came hither , which Mahomet-Alli-beg the Fauourite hearing , acquaints the King with it , who commanded forth-with the Camel-men to haue their noses and eares cut off , the forty load of Toback ▪ ( as they call it , or Tewton ) was put into a large earthen Pipe ( the ground ) and fired , whose blacke vapour vpon free-cost , gaue the whole City infernall incense , two whole dayes and nights together . It seemes some late Edict had forbid it , and then t is death or as bad as death to drinke it , Forty load of Tobaccovaporized . for he sometimes tolerates and forbids the same thing three or foure times in two yeares as the humour pleases him .

Some Occurrents in Cazbeen are note-worthy , and may be excused , if rehearsed , because obuious .

Mahomet Codoband ( or pur-blind ) King of Persia , was all his raigne much troubled with the insolent attempts and brauadoes of the Grand Signior Amurath the Third , sonne of Selym the Second , whose tyrannies and ambition made him feared through Asia , entitling himselfe in his Letter to the Polanders , God of the Earth , Gouernour of the whole World , Messenger of God , and best seruant of Mahomet his diuinest Prophet ; adding to his Epithites such actions of warre and good lucke , that his words vnto the simple seemed modest .

His three great Captaines ( and to say truth , by whose sole valours he became terrible ) to the World : were Synan , Ferat and Mustapha Bashawes , of which last I shall anon speake of , in a memorable matter , hapning in this Citie .

I will first speake of the King of Persia ( father of Abbas now reigning ) he was eldest sonne of Tamas King of Persia , who by a Georgian Princesse had twelue Sonnes , Mahomet the first , Izmael the second , Ayder-chawn the third , Solyman the fourth , Emangoli the fift , Mamut the sixt , Mustapha-chawn the seuenth , Ali-chawn the eight , Amet-chawn the ninth , Abraham the tenth , Hamze the eleuenth , and Isma-chawn the twelfth .

Mahomet by reason of some imperfections in his body was thought vnworthy ( by his Father ) to succeed him in his dignity , and thereupon made knowne vnto his subjects , the great deseruings of his second sonne Ismael , who at his fathers death lay at Cohac , twixt Cazbin and Tauris , and vpon newes of the King his fathers death hasted to Cazbeen , where he was joyfully receiued , both by the Sultans and his virago sister , the Lady Periaconconna , whose loue to Izmael was more then to her other Brethren , notwithstanding was much perplext knowing her ingagements and promises to Ayder-chawn his yonger brother , who also aymed at the Kingdome , and thought himselfe in some possession , hauing had the Imperiall Crowne vpon his head put their by his owne hands , such time as his noble Father lay a dying , and in these doubts , foure dayes after , by meanes of Zal or Zenal-chawn Duke of Tyroan his faithfull friend , had his desires . The Crowne once more was set vpon his head and he proclaimed King , but he enioyed it not aboue two dayes , for when he least suspected , his head was strucke off , by his Vncle Sahamal-chawn , and throwne in great contempt vnto the people , Prince Ayder slaine . as a iust recompence , for his ill-grounded ambition .

The report of whose slaughter , came suddenly to Ismael his brother , who without more feares or ceremonies , accounted himselfe no lesse then King led to it by his Father will , his sisters desires , and the peoples expectations .

But to omit nothing that might strengthen his hold , he comes to Cazbeen , Eight Princes beheaded . where with wonderfull ioy and acclamation of the multitude hee is saluted King , after which by example of the bloudy Turkes , hee causes eight of his innocent brethren to be beheaded , all that were in his power .

His elder brother Mahomet he aymed at , whose fight though dim , yet in iudgement saw his danger , which happily he fled from , strengthening himselfe by an assembly of his friends and kindred , who loued him ( for his inclinations and humours were good and tolerable ) and euery day his Army increased , into such hatred was Ismael falne among his people , for that beside his fratricides and murther of thousand others , he endeuoured all he could to apostatize their great Prophet Mortis-Aly , affirming that Abubicher , Omer , and Ottoman Successors to Mahomet at Mecha ( the only hatefull men vnto all Persians ) were true Prophets , and to be preferred before Mortis Aly , which report of his and others of like distast and sorrow to the people , got him so much hatred with them , that they curst him deeply , amongst whom his valiant sister Peria-con-Conna , confederating with foure Sultans then in Cazbeen , Calil , Emyr , Mahumed , and Curchychans , habited like foure Virgins , entred his Bed-chamber , and with a silken halter strangled him , sending him to receiue his deserts for his vnnaturall bloudy cruelties with his God Mahomet , whom he so fauoured . This hapned in Cazbeen the foure and twentieth of Nouember 1577.

This Monster being taken away , Mahomet , by perswasion of Salmas-mirza , his deere friend , accepts the Empire , thereby annihilating the hopes & practices of Emyr-chawn and Peria-con-Conna ( second of them that murdred Ismael ) & to be euen with his aspiring sister ( who had made away the two last Kings his brothers , and enterprised the like against himselfe ) gaue secret order to Prince Salmas , that hee should without much noise enter the Citie , and by some meanes or other , behead her , which accordingly he did and sent her head , with the haire disheueld about her shoulders , vpon a Speares point , vnto the King her brother , to the terrour and admiration of all men , especially her complices , who thereupon fled , some into Georgia , and others vnto Babylon .

Immediately after this ( at the instigation of the false Armenian Vstrefbeg ) the Great Turke Amurath the Third sends Mustapha his victorious Basha , with aboue a hundred thousand men , enters Media , and in the Caldaran-fields was suddenly confronted by Sultan Tokomac the King of Persiaes Generall , who very valiantly with twenty thousand men assailed him , whereupon ensued a most bloudy and furious battaile , in which the Turkes got the greatest losse , and were disheartned to proceed further , sixe and thirty thousand Turkes were slaine , and eight thousand Persians , with whose heads ( to terrifie the Persians further , and to make his losse seeme lesse ) he made a fortification . But this cruelty cost him deerely afterwards , the same yeare ( what against Tocomac and Emangoly-chawn and what with passing Conac towards Hyrcania ) he lost neere thirty thousand men , and returning out of these parts with conceited conquest , lost all he got by the valour of Arez-beg , Emangoly Chawn , and other Persian Captaines his ancient enemies .

The Tartars ( ancient friends vnto the Turkes ) informed of Mustaphaes retreat , and that his Garrisons were defeated by the Persians , they descend in great troupes into Hyrcania , where they committed many insolencies , and in Media sought to command the whole Country .

But their hopes deceiued them , for staying to ioyne with Osman Bassa , ( left by Mustapha , to guard these Territories ) they grew so secure , that vnawares , Arezb●g with ten thousand Persians , routed a great part of their forces , and had vtterly destroyed them , had not their Captaine Abdilcheri , came so suddenly vpon Arez-chawn , that in amazement the Persians fled , and Arez was sent Prisoner to Ozman at Sumachia , Persian Generall hanged . who cruelly made him be hanged for his former victories against them .

The news hereof came speedily to Mahomet the King of Persia , who sorrowed for the losse of so good a Captaine , and thirsting for reuenge , sends his victorious sonne ( the braue Prince Emyr-hamze-mirza ) with twelue thousand men , who from Cazbeen in nineteene great dayes trauailes so furiously and hastily assailed the Tartars , that first he recouered the Citie Erez , and massacred the bloudy Turkes , there too confounding Caitas the Bassa and his companies , recouering also the two hundred peeces of Artillery , wonne from them formerly in the Reigne of Tamas King of Persia , which Ordnance he conueighed some to Cazbeen , and the rest to Spawhawn , where aboue thitty yet lie vnmounted in the great Mydan neere to the Palace .

Thence this actiue Prince runs along , with his speedy Army and encounters Abdilcherai and his Tartars , most of whom hee cut in pieces , and sent the youthfull Captaine Prisoner to Eres , where the Begun ( or Queene mother ) then resided .

The Prince from thence hastens to Sumachia , where he besieged the Sultan Ozman and his Turkes , who seeing no resistance , pretending to yeeld next day , that night stole away not looking backe till they came into Hyrcania , to Derbent , where they stayed in safety .

But Sumachia for her rebellion and perfidie was set on fire , and most of her Inhabitants put to the Sword , which victories so suddenly and brauely finished , Emyr-Hamze-mirza returnes to Eres , taking along with his Army , his Mother and the Tartar Captaine , they entred Cazbeen with great ioy and Triumph .

And during Abdilcherais imprisonment in Cazbeen , hee got so much loue and respect from the King and people , that hee became pittied and admired , especially his valour and beauty tooke such place in the Queene mothers heart , that of an Enemy shee became exceeding amorous of this Captaine ( who was to marry Emyr-Hamzes sister shortly ) deseruing her for these respects , that hee was very boble ( as brother to the Great Cham ) and that by this vnion , his power might be ioyned vnto Persia.

But the report of his vnchast conuersation with the Queene , so exasperated the Sultans in Cazbeen , that one day in great choller , they entred the Place , Queene of Persia , and Prince of Tartarymurdered . where finding him and the Queen together , they cut both their throats , but first dismembred him , concluding so the end and triumphs of this Praecopensian Tartar , Anno 1578.

Occurrents in Cazbeen .

AFter some stay in Cazbeen , our Ambassadour , desirous of his dispatch visited Mahomet-Aly-beg , and by him intreated answere of his Letter .

The Pagan in short told him , if hee had any more to possesse the King he should first acquaint him , and consequently haue an answer , to which our Ambassadour replyed little , tho discontented much , perceiuing by this , he should haue no further accesse vnto the King , but willing to be gone , and loth the Fauourite should see him danted , he trusted him with his businesse . Some part the continuation of amity betwixt their Masters , with some words of the Merchants Traffique , and an acknowledgment from the King , that Sir Robert Sherley was his true Ambassadour into Europe .

To the two first Mahomet-Ally-beg vndesired , bolted out , that hee knew his Master the King of Persia or Potshaw , stood more affected to no one Prince of the World , then to our King : and that the Trade and Exchange betwixt their Merchants , was both pleasing and profitable to his King : and for Sir Robert Sherley ( whose enemy Mahomet euer has ) he knew and had heard the King himselfe say , he cared not for him , and that his Ambassies and Messages to the Princes of Christendome , were friuolous and forged , t is true , quoth hee , the King gaue him ( as an argument of fauour ) at the Caspian Sea , a Horse and Garment , but it was more to satisfie the other Ambassadour himselfe , then out of any respect the King had vnto him .

And when our Lord Ambassadour told him , Sir Robert Sherley had the Kings Letter of Credence or Firman , to testifie the truth of it , and that s if he were an Imposture , he were the veriest Foole liuing , to vndertake a iourney of that length and danger , knowing with all the Kings seuerity .

To which the Pagan answered not , but told him , at their next meeting he would giue him ampler satisfaction , intreating him for a sight of Sir Roberts Testimoniall Letter , and a Copy of what Sir Robert Sherley had treated about in England , or other places .

Two dayes after , attended by some Gentlemen , he visited Mahomet-Ally-beg againe , and gaue him the Copy of what he last desired , and with all shewed him , Sir Roberts Letter of Credence signed by his King Shaw Abbas in Spahawn .

He bid him looke vpon it , and tell him if it had the Image of a Counterfeit , the malicious Fauourite thought it had , but being vncertaine , craued it to shew the King , which accordingly he did ( if we may giue credit to an enemy and Infidell ) vnto the King three dayes after , who ( as he told Sir Dodmore Cotton ) viewed them , denied them for true , and in rage had burnt them , wishing Sir Robert Sherley to depart his kingdome , as old and troublesome .

He was amazed at it , but knew no remedie .

For my owne part I am verily perswaded , the Kings Seales and Phirman were true , and that either Mahomet-Ally-beg jugled with him ( for wee had but his word , for all wee knew , and neuer more came in presence of the King ) he might forge other Letters to shew the King , else why kept he them two dayes without deliuery , or he might haue slandered the King , to say hee burnt them , being an act , not worthy so iust a Prince as Abbas was reputed for .

This argument may proue his being true Ambassadour , because the King hearing he came in that defence , and to cleere his honour from Nogdi-begs aspersions in England , as the King gaue him no apparant satisfaction yet because he neuer questioned an injury done him ( that had he beene an Imposture had beene one ) it followes he was guarded with innocencie and truth .

And but that Nogdi-beg had done Sir Robert Sherley injury , wherefore should Shaugh Abbas say , t was well for him hee poysoned himselfe ( guiltie of reuenge ) for had hee come to the Court of Persia , he would haue sliced his body into as many parts as there be dayes in a yeare , and burnt them with Dogs Turds , in the open Market place .

Againe , his sonne in our company , durst not come at Court to account for his vnluckie Father , till Zenall Chawn the Duke of Tyroan his kinsman enterceded , and bribed for his peace and entrance .

The truth is Sir Robert Sherley had deserued well from the Persian , but being old and vnable for further seruice , got this recompence , to be slighted in his honour , euen then when he hoped for most thanks and other acknoledgments .

The death of Sir Robert Sherley at Cazbeen .

THese and the like discontents ( casuall to mortall men ) so much afflicted him , that immediatly a Feuer and Apoplexie ouer-charged him , so that on the thirteenth of Iune , he gaue an vltimum vale to this World . And wanting a fitter place of Buriall , was put into the earth at the doore of his owne House in Cazbeen where he died .

He was brother to two worthy Gentlemen Sir Anthonie and Sir Thomas Sherleys , his age exceeded not the great Clymacterick , his condition was free , noble , but inconstant . He was the greatest Traueller in his time , and had tasted liberally of many great Princes fanours : of the Pope he had power to legitimate the Indians , and from the Emperour receiued the Honour and Title of a Palatine of the Empire . His patience was better then his intellect , he was not much acquainted with the Muses , but what he wanted in Phylosophy , hee supplyed in Languages . He had beene seruant to the Persian neere thirty yeares , and merited much better then you see , he then obtained when he most expected it .

Though , it may seeme impertinent , I cannot passe by in silence , without iniury to her memory , whom I so much honoured , the thrice worthy and vndanted Lady Terezia , his faithfull Wife , to this sad time , constant to our company , her Faith was euer Christian , her parents so , and noble , her Countrey Circashia , which joynes to Georgia , and to Zuiria , neere the Euxine and Caspian Seas .

At that time when her Husband , lay dead by her , and herselfe very weake by a long Dissentery , a Dutch Painter ( who had serued the King of Persia twenty yeares ) complies with Mahomet-Ally-beg , and pretending an Ingagement he was in , to one Crole a Flemming ( for some monies Sir Robert Sherley had long since borrowed of him ) he is beleeued , and got a Warrant from the Cawsee or Iustice to seize vpon the Ladies goods , which wicked plot could not be so priuate , but was knowne by a faithfull honest Gentleman Master Hedges , a Follower of our Ambassadour , who straight-way acquaints the Lady with it , which as she knew was false , so seemed it strange , yet recalling herselfe , she tore a Sattin Quilt with her feeble hands , and trusted him with her treasure , a Cabinet , some Iewels , rich stones and the like , with which hee was no sooner gone , when the Pagan Serjants , with Iohn the Flemming , entred her Chamber , carried away what was valuable or vendible , his Horses , Camels , Vests , Turbants , a rich Persian Dagger , and some other things , but after narrow search finding no Iewels , ( for they had seene him weare many and t was them , hee had woorried in his Ostrich appetite ) mad , angry and ashamed , they departed vnsatisfied .

The Gentleman when the storme was past , re-deliuered her her Jewels , of a double value now , cause of that conquest , which had she wanted , I doe not thinke her fortunes left her would haue made vp fifty pound , a small reuenue for so deseruing a Lady , and most vsefull in those vncharitable Regions against Woman-kind , of whom though much esteemed by the Persians , yet seeme rather , in those parts created for slauery and fancy , then to enjoy liberty or praises , prizes not a little sought for and desired by those female weake ones .

The death of Sir Dodmore Cotton Ambassadour , at Cazbeen .

AFter some discontents and fourteene dayes sicknesse of a Fluxe , got either by eating too much fruits , or cold on Taurus , that religious Gentleman our Ambassadour Sir Dodmore Cotton died in Cazbeen the three and twentieth of Iuly 1628. we obtained a Dormitory for his Body among the Armenian Christians residing there , who with their Priests assisted vs . His Horse was led before , with a mourning Veluet Saddle on his backe , his Coffin had a Crimson Sattin Quilt lined with purple Silke , ouer him was laid his Bible , Sword and Hat : Such of his followeres as were able , waited on it , and Doctor Goch ( a reuerent Gentleman ) put him into the ground , where though his memory and vertue cannot die , yet I would he had a Monument , a more emient memoriall .

After a moneths stay in Cazbeen , where wee left buried our two Ambassadours , the king sent each of vs two long Coates or Vests of Cloth of Gold in signe of fauour .

And after much attendance vpon Mahomet-Ally-beg , got licence to depart with Letters from the Potshaugh , for our safer Trauaile , hee deliuered vs with all a Letter to our Gracious King from the king of Persia , sowed vp in a piece of cloth of Gold , fastned with a silke string , and sealed with a stampe of Letters after their fashion .

Where before we goe on any further , I shall tell you of Mahomet-Ally-beg , his rising and destruction .

His birth-place was Parthia , ( cald so from Parah , to fructifie ) and neere Spahawn . His parentage so worshipfull that hee knew no further then his father , a man both meane and poore .

Mahomet , it seemes , had no stomacke for the Warres , and hauing a large Bulke to maintaine , and no Camelion , his education being simple , he became Costermonger , and by that became wealthy and capable to maintaine himselfe .

In a happy houre , the king ( then in the Hippodrome , and in Spawhawn ) tooke notice of him , viewd him , lik't him and prefered him , so as in small time he became sole Fauorite , and then was feared and honoured euery where among the Persians , for so shall it still be done to him whom the king honours . Not any Prince , Duke , Sultan or other , who depended vpon the Potshaughs smiles , but in an awfull complement sent him yearely some gift or other to cherish his fauour , whereby his wealth became wonderfull .

His presence was very good , a good and smiling countenance , big body , great mustachoes , and full eyes ( a great beautie among Mahumetans ) his yeares vnder forty , a third part of which age hee liued in Honour and generall account , till to his vtter confusion at Cazbeen , Abbas the king ( though loth ) gaue way to Atropos , who could shee haue beene bribed , might yearely haue got large Tribute from now dead Abbas , till hee had out-spun the yeares of old Methusala , so loth are Tyrants to goe to Erebus .

The king was low of stature , aspect quicke , low fore-head , fiery eyes , King of Persia described and dies . his nose long and hooked , ouer his eyes he wanted haire , his Mustachoes very long and bending downwards , his chin sharpe , his tongue fluent .

He was king of Heri ( neere Tartaria ) by birth , but vnnaturall ambition ( though hee remoued father and brother for it ) soone made him Monarch of Persia , and a terrour to the Turke , Arabian , Tartar and Mogull .

He dead , his Grand-child Shaugh Soffee is inuested with his Diadem , aged sixteene , his courage hopefull .

Emangoly-chawn , the braue Duke of Persae-polis , is by his Grandsires will made his Protectour , Mahomet beheaded . which Mahomet-Ally-beg ( now no Fauourite ) looking after , for his late ambition and bribes euen then was made shorter by the head . His estate was confiscate to the yong king for want of Issue in headlesse Mahomet .

Our Phirman or Letter to passe safely , is thus interpreted .

The Emperour of Persia's Firman . ABBAS .

THe high and mighty Starre , whose Head is couered with the Sun , whose Motion is comparable to the Aaeriall Firmament , whose Maiesty is come from Asharaff , and hath dispatched the Lord Ambassadour of the English King : The Command of the Great King is , That his Followers shall bee cnducted from our Pallace of Cazbeen , to Saway , and by the Darraguod ( or Maior ) of Saway to the Citie of Coom , and by the Gouernour of Coom , vnto the Citie of Cashan , &c. through all my Territories . Faile not my Command , I also command them a peaceable Trauaile .

Sealed with a Stampe of Letters in Inke .

Titles of the King of Persia may be these .

ABbas is King of Persia , Parthia , Media , Bactria , Chorazon , Candahor , and Heri , of the Ouz-beg Tartar , of the Kingdomes of Hircania , Draconia , Euergeta , Parmenia , Hydaspia , and Sogdiana , of Aria , Paropaniza , Drawgiana , Arachosia , Mergiana , and Carmania , as farre as stately Indus . Sultan of Ormus , Larr , Arabia , Susiana , Chaldea , Mesopotamia , Georgia Armenia Sarcashia , and Uan , Lord of the Imperious Mountaines of Ararat , Taurus , Caucasus and Periardo : Commander of all creatures from the Sea of Chorazan to the Gulph of Persia , of true Discent from Mortys-Ally . Prince of the foure Riuers , Euphrates , Tygris , Araxis , and Indus : Gouernour of all Sultans , Emperour of Mussulmen , Bud of Honour , Mirrour of Vertue , and Rose of Delight .

Although ( to the modest Reader ) a great deale of ostentation , appeare in these blustering Epithites and Titles , yet know that t is no newcustom vsed among Pagans to this day in other places , and of old .

We read that after the Creation 3419 , when Cyrus the Fortunate Persian , wrested the Monarchy from Astyages , Ezra the Prophet to declare his greatnesse writes thus .

The Lord God of Heauen , hath giuen me all the Kingdomes of the Earth .

Domitian in all his Proclamations began thus :

I am your Lord God Domitian .

Caligula cald himselfe , Deum optimum maximum , & Iouem Latialem , The great and best God and safeguard of Italy .

And Sapores , sonne to Mizdates , Monarch of Persia , in the yeare after our Sauiour 315. wrote thus to Constantius the good Emperour .

I Sapores King of Kings , Equall to the Starres , and Brother to the Sunne and Moone .

And Chozroes ( Father of Ormizda ) who ruled Persia Anno Dom. 543. enstiles himselfe thus , in humble manner to the Emperour Mauritius ( Master of bloudie Phocas , who gaue Pope Boniface the Antichristian Title of Vniuersall Bishop ) in this sort .

I Chozroes , great King of Kings , Begler-beg ( or Lord of Lords ) Ruler of Nations , Prince of Peace , Saluation of men , Among the Gods ( a man good and euer ) among men ( A God most glorious ) the great Conquerour , arising with the Sunne , giuing lustre to the night , a Heroe in Discent .

These blasphemous Epithites may accuse him of arrogancie , but when t is granted he was a Pagan , t is lesse admirable .

For in these our times those forreigne Potentates are so haughty and ignorant of the World , that the China not thirty yeares agoe , sending an Ambassador to the King of Persia , Abbas . The Letter was thus directed To his Slaue the Sophy of Persia , the vndaunted Emperour of all the world sends greeting . For which , his Ambassadour got durtie welcome . His thoughts are puft vp by his great power and riches , for t is reported he has sixe hundred large Cities , two thousand walled Townes , a thousand Castles , sixty millions of Subjects , and a hundred and twenty millions of Zechynes or Crownes yearely .

They call him , the beautie of the whole earth , Heire apparant to the liuing Sunne and vndaunted Emperour .

The great Cham or Emperor of Tartaria , The Emperour of China . has no lesse ambition then the former , imagining all the World is tributary to him , hee is sirnamed , The Sonne of the highest God ; and Quintessence of the purest Spirits , and euery day so soone as he hath dined ; at his Court-gate causes a Herald by sound of Trumpet to proclaime , that all other Kings and Potentates of the Earth may goe to dinner : supposing he affoords them no small fauour who perhaps are set at meate before him .

And as he assumes such majestie on the earth , so at his death , that he may want no seruitors , a thousand or ten thousand sometimes are ( vnwillingly ) sacrisiced to serue him in another Kingdome , as Venetus assures vs was acted when Mango Cham was buried , in the Tombe where Allan Cham or Chawn , The Emperour of Tartaria . and Tamerlaine or Tamyr Cham , his Grandfather lie intombed .

The Kings of Pegu , Mattacala and among the Manicongoes , are so sublimated , that when an Ambassadour comes before them , they must doe it creeping , and hiding their faces with their hands , and so long as they be in presence , after one looke , they sit crosse-legged , their elbowes fixt vpon their thighes , and with their hands couer their shamefast faces .

Amongst which Ceremonious Princes , hee of Monomotapa is not least , who when he goes abroad , is not publicke to his people , lest his Majestie should too much dazell them , and when he drinkes or coughes , t is so remarkable among them , that by mightie shouts and clamours they make the whole Citie sound againe .

The great Christian of Aethiopia , vulgarly cald Prester , Precious , or Priest-Iohn , The Emperour of the Abyssi●●s or Pr●ter Iohn . has no lesse names of honour , then any yet , for besides the rehearsall of his fifteene Territories , he cals himselfe , The Head of the Church , the Fauourite of God , the Pillar of Faith , descended from Salomon , Dauid , Iudah and Abraham , Sions prop , extract from the Virgins hand , Sonne of Saint Peter and Saint Paul by the Spirit , and of Nahu by the flesh . This great Prince appeares among his people not very often publiquely to become a Nouelty vnto them , his life and gouerment is not vnlike the Tartars . Hee seldome resides in Cities , or any one place long , but affects perpetuall motion .

Our departure from the Persian Court.

WE left Cazbeen at ten at night ( thereby auoiding Sols too much warmth ) and got by Sun-rise to Perissophon , where we found good water to quench our thirst ( a thing not to be past ouer without memory through all Asia ) next night to Asaph ) next to Begum , where is a goodly Fabricke , built by King Tamas , for a lodge to passengers , but the water there is brackish . Next night to Saway a Citie of twelue hundred Families , seated vnder a rising Hill , and watered with a streame flowing from Baronta . The Inhabitants are industrious , such as the Turks call Tymariots : who for their Lands are bound to till the yeilding Earth , and vpon all occasions to bring each his light-horse , and are curious to stop insurrections or tumults at the first appearance .

Next night , we rode ouer Plaines ( in which are artificiall Mounts and ruines of Warre ) vnto a Citie called Coom.

In these Plaines was fought that famous battaile betwixt Lucullus and Methrydates King of Pontus , wherein the Romans got the Conquest .

Marcus Crassus the rich Roman , after his impious sacriledge of the holy reliques and treasure in the Temple of Ierusalem , valued at six tunnes of Gold , three and fiftie yeares before the Natiuity of our Sauiour Christ , puft vp with his great wealth , and forlorne amongst the Iewes with fifty thousand men marched against the Parthians , who with Herodes their King , sonne of Mythredate the third , Anno Mundi 3915. couragiously came against this greedy Generall , and encountred him at Haran in Mesque , The Towne where Abraham liued with Terah his Father , and successefully vanquished the insulting Romans , slue thirty thousand of them and tooke Crassus prisoner , inflicting Gods iust iudgement on him , for knowing what he had done at Ierusalem , and the couetousnesse of his mind , they powred downe his throat melted gold , bidding him quench his thirst , with that hee had so long lusted after , and by this victorie the Parthians became Masters of that Kingdome . Some notwithstanding referre the place of Battaile to these Plaines , how true I know not .

But fiue yeares after Marke Anthony by his Generall requited the Parthian , not only putting his men to flight who then could not make good that Prouerbe of Seneca , Terga conuersi , metuendi Parthi , but besides their owne destruction , lost their succeeding hopes , Prince Pacorus slaine with the rest by the chafed Roman .

And a little after , Herodes whom though vanquisht could not be taken by the Romans , at home by the parracide Phraortes his vnnaturall sonne hee lost his life , to reuenge which villany and the rest , Anthony came against him with no small force , but returned beaten and disconsolate . But Augustus ( in whose time our Sauiour tooke flesh of the blessed Virgin , and a generall peace was through the World ) preuailed with Phraortes , to submit vnto the Roman Empire , which hee did and gaue leaue after that to the Romans , to nominate their Kings , that being all their tribute or acknowledgment . But for all this subiection , they lost not their Empire wholy ( for formerly sixteene seuerall Kingdomes were vnder them ) till the yeare 230. or thereabouts , such time as Artaxerxes Father of Sapores the first , and second of the second descent of the Kings of Persia aimed at it , and though fiue hundred and thirty yeares were past , since Darius slaine by Alexander the Great had the Monarchy , yet no Persian borne got the Crowne , till this Artaxerxes by ouerthrow of Artabanus the third , ( sonne of King Vologesus the third ) got the Kingdome and liberty of the Persians restored , which from Arsaces in the yeare 3718. To this Artabanus , for aboue fiue hundred yeares , had acknowledged the Parthian for their Gouernours .

And Artaxerzes , puft vp with this three dayes deere bought victory ( for so long the valiant Parthians fought resolutely against their Aduersaries ) he sent a challenge to Alexander Seuerus ( the foure and twentieth Emperour from Iulius Caesar , and next to Heliogabalus or Bassianus the lustfull Emperour ) to restore those kingdomes in Asia , anciently belonging to his Monarchy . Seuerus likt it not , but came to correct his insolencie , where arriuing as far as Euphrates , Artaxerxes met his diuided Army and destroyed it . The Emperour , though he came in anger and hast , returned full of those passions in a double measure , and had no better lucke at home , for a while after the Thracian Maximinus tooke his Empire from him , and to make his losse the greater , was by some Villanes in Germany bereaued of his life aswell as Empire . His vertuous mother Mammaea ( Origens Proselyte ) now pertaking death with him , as she had done glory formerly .

And about eighty yeares after , Lycinius Valerianus the Roman Emperour ( sirnamed Colobus , the thirtieth from Iulius Caesar ) hoping to reuenge these losses by the Persians , entred Asia with a stronger Army . Slauery of a Roman Emperour . Where in this Countrey , by Sapores the then king , his Army contrary to his expectation was vtterly defeated , himselfe taken prisoner , and to his dying day , made a foot-stoole , when euer Sapores got on Horsebacke . And this was a iust iudgement of Almighty God vpon this cruell Emperour , who ( amongst other holy Saints and Martyrs ) tormented Saint Lawrence on a broyling Gridiron vnto death .

This shall be sufficient in this place to renew the memory of the Parthians , in whose kingdomes wee now are entring . And first of Coom , where we reposed our selues three dayes .

A Description of Coom.

COom is a Citie placed in the halfe way betwixt the two Royall Cities Cazbeen and Spawhawn , it is scituate in a faire and sensible Horizon , and in Front of both Kingdomes , Media and Parthia .

It was in ages past cald Guriana , and afore that Arbacta , perhaps built by Arbaces , who in the yeare from Adam 3146. gaue end to the Assyrian Monarchy ( rapt from effeminate Sardanapalus , the sixe and thirtieth from Ninus , first Emperour and Monarch of the World ) and by which , a beginning to the Median Dynastie .

The now ruines about her , may gaine beliefe to the Inhabitants , who say it was once comparable in pride and greatnesse to mightie Babylon , but what euer it has beene , t is now a pleasant fruitfull and healthy City and the people curteous .

By some t is called Coim and by others Com , vnfitly , for they pronounce it Coom. The Citie has two thousand Houses in her , wel-built sweet and wel-furnished , her streets are wide , her Buzzar faire , and her Mosque of most honourable esteeme among them , therein is richly entombed Fatima , daughter and heire of their greatest Prophet Mahomet , and married to Mortis Haly. Falimaes Tombe . The King and much reuerenced Prophet of the Persian . Her Tombe is round like other Mosques , the Ascent three or foure steps of siluer .

This City is watred with a sweet but small Riuer , which deriues her spring out of the Coronian Mountaines , the aire here is second to none for freshnesse , nor wants this Towne any fruit requirable for the Zone t is placed in it , has Grapes good and great store . Melons of both sorts , Cowcumbers , Pomegranads , Pome-citrons , Apricocks , Peaches , Plums , Pistachoes , Peares , Apples , Quinces , Almonds , Figs , Wal-nuts , Cherries , Berries , and the best wheat bread in Persia ( Gombazellello excepted . )

Neere abouts was that great and terrible combat of Hismael , and thirty thousand Persians , against Selymus the First and three hundred thousand Turks , where the victor Turks lost more then the vanquisht Persians and had been defeated , had not the great Ordnance terrified the Persian Horse : this battaile was fought Anno Domini 1514. begun at Coy in Armenia and ended here , and by the Turkes is cald the Day of Doome .

From Coom we rode to Zenzen , and thence to Cashan six and thirtie miles from Coom.

A description of Cashan .

CAshan is a famous Citie in Parthia , whose Metropolis is Spawhawn , whence she is distant sixtie miles and odde .

The antiquitie of it is not much , in this name , either taking beginning from Cazan-Mirzey , sonne to Hocem , or from Cassan , who in the yeare 1202. was vtterly ruined by the Great Cham , the rule being kept but three Descents from his Grand-sire Tangrolipix and his Father Axan : or from Cushan , which in the Syriacke , is heate or blacknesse ; but most likely from Vsan-Cashan , Anno 1470. who from his Armenian rule , vanquishing Malaoncres , the last of Tamberlains progeny in this Countrey , got the Crowne of Persia , whose issue from Hismael sway now that Scepter , of which alteration this Citie and Coom are joyfull , in reuenge of that terrible and violent destruction Tamberlaine made in his Expedition against Baiazet , Anno Domini 1397 , whom he brought away imprisoned in an Iron Cage ; hauing ouerthrowne him in that place where Pompey the Great ouercame Methrydates King of Pontus , at mount Stella : This Tamberlaine was sonne of Ogg , sonne of Sagathai , and got the Crowne by marriage of Gyno Chans ( Daughter and Heire ) sonne of Barr Chan , sonne of Hocuchan , sonne of Cyngis-chan , who Anno Domini 1162 , subdued vn-chan , the last of the Kings of Tenduck . These two Cities aboue others parched in his fiery anger .

Cashan is well seated , well peopled , and well built : ouer-topt by no Hill , nor watered by no great streame , which augments the heat , chiefly when Sol resides in Cancer , in which there is no lesse violence then the Sun , the stinging Scorpion in too great plentie liuing amongst them , whose loue and vnderstanding is such to Trauellers ( as say the Inhabitants ) they neuer hurt them . Here the curse ( may a Scorpion of Cashan sting thee ) is frequent among them .

The people are orderly and more giuen to trade , then in some greater Townes about her . Silkes , Sattens , and Cloth of Gold are here in great aboundance , and at reasonable prices .

The Carrauans-raw , the Mosques and Hummums or Banneas : are her only ornaments , of which the Carrauans-raw not only precedes them , but all other I saw in Persia , T was built by Abbas , and is able and fit to entertaine the greatest Potentate of Asia . Yet built for Trauellers to lodge in , vpon free cost by act of Charitie .

T is two large stories high , the materiall bricke varnished and coloured with knots and Arabian letters poeses of azure , red and white , from its Basis t is built six foot high of good stone . The Fabrique is Quadrangular , and each proportionable Angle two hundred paces , in the middle is a faire large Court , where , in midst is a foure square Tancke , or pond of pure water , about it are spacious and fragrant Gardens .

And though there be no affinity in the names , yet Ctesiphon was a prime Citie of the Persian Arsacidae , and there are some who iudge her reuiued in Cashan , but I beleeue it not . Yet be it so or no , the memory of that infamous Apostate Iulian cals mee to speake his end .

This Iulian succeeded Constantius ( the eight and fortieth Emperour from the first Caesar ) who deceased at Mopsocriue , Iulian the Apostale . a Towne vnder mount Taurus ) Iulian was first a Christian , but reuolted and became a most bitter and constant Persecutour to all that honoured Christ .

He thought to subiugate the Parthians , who proued his destruction , for in an vnexpected alarme and on-set by them , he ran out of his Tent weaponed with Sword and Shield , where rage transported him and ventured so farre that a common Souldier strucke him into the guts with a Dart , whereby he was forced to take his Tent , and entring the battaile againe , his bloud issued so strongly from him that he returned backe , perceiuing his end at hand , and as he had liued a Tyrant vnto Christians , so in his death throwing his bloud into the aire , cried out , Vicisti Galileae . And at midnight vnder these wals , bequeathed his loathsome soule and body to him he serued , and his Empire to Iouinianus who succeeded him .

On the three and twentieth of August wee left Cashan , that night making Bizdeebode our lodging six leagues distant or Farsangs , as the Persians call them , a Farsang is three of our English miles . Thence we trauelled to Natane or Tane , the place where Darius last breathed at by the Bactrian Bessus his villany , after his three great ouerthrowes by Olympias victorious sonne Anno mundi 3635 at Granuicus , Cilicia , and at Arbela , where he consummated life and Monarchie . The lodge here is in a craggie place immured betwixt two Hils , but looking ouer , you see a large Champaigne ground full of streames and Villages . This Manzeil was ten Farsangs or thirty miles . Next night seuen Farsangs , next to Reig , a place scarce worth the memorizing .

This place is from Spawhawn nine miles , and note that from Cazbeen to Spawhawn , is eighty eight Farsangs , or two hundred sixtie foure English miles .

Hence ( that I defraud the Reader no longer of his patience ) to Babylon thus . To Corranda , to Deagow , to Miskarroon , to Corryn , to Lackaree , to Corbet , to Nazareil , to Sabber-Chawn , to Buldat , to Bagdat , or Babylon , a hundred and thirty Farsangs , or three hundred and ninetie English miles .

A description of Babylon in Chaldaea .

BAbylon ( now called Bagdat ) is seated in the Vaile of Shinaar , whose first inhabiter was Arphaxad , some of Sem , sonne of Noah .

The Citie Babylon has its signification from Confusion , because there first hapned the diuision of Languages from one ( which was the Hebrew , though Goropius will haue it Dutch ) to seuentie two by Nimrods vngodly designe , Anno mundi 1788. A hundred and thirty yeares after the Floud , and before Christs Incarnation 2180 to frame a mighty building able to secure them against a second Deluge , not regarding the Majesty of God Almighty . This building was hastned by fiue hundred thousand men , so that in small time they made it rise from its Basis ( no lesse then nine miles of ground ) to aboue fiue thousand paces towards the Skie , so that the Poet tels vs : The Heauens looke pale with wonder to behold , With what attempts and rage the Gyants bold Seeke to affront the Gods , by rearing hie , Mount vpon mount t' inhabit in the Skie . intending to equalize it with the Starres , but hee that sits aboue , and accounts the best of mans judgement but meere folly , not only preuented this designe , but seuered them into seuentie Companies , and so many Languages .

The Tower , though it stood for euer vnfinished , the Citie notwithstanding went on in his greatnesse , and by Semyramis receiued most perfection , by whom t was walled about , the circuit of which wals ( as Solinus relates ) were sixtie English miles ( or foure hundred and eighty Furlongs ) Diodorus Siculus makes it three hundred sixty fiue , each day in the yeare performing one Furlong , and Quintus Curtius affirmes it three hundred fifty eight , the thicknes and height corresponding to its circuit . Some say two hundred Cubits high and fiftie thicke , so that a-top might driue together sixe Chariots , and to effect this miracle of buildings , three millions of men were daily labouring at it .

This Nimrod ( sonne of Chush , or Iupiter ●elus , sonne of Cham the accursed sonne of Noah ) liued sixe and fifty yeares after his founding Babell , and was buried there . In memory of whose acts and greatnes the superstitious Chaldees deified him , by the name of Sudormin , conuerted after by the Romans into Saturne .

His sonne Ninus followed him , in his tyranny and victories is making compleat his fathers late intended Monarchie by conquest of his Neighbour Nations after which he built Niniue , though some allude it to Assur , who gaue title to the Assyrian , and suppose by some to be this Ninus : who in his dotage gaue Semirani s his wife , so much libertie in his Imperiall power , that t is thought she deposed him , and during her sonnes infancie sate as Emperour , doing wonders , walled Babylon , built Gardens in Media of admirable workes and greatnes , conquered into India , and became feared throughout all Asia

And burning in lust with her owne sonne , hee to reuenge his fathers death , slue her in stead of her wisht imbraces .

This young Ninus is called Amraphell , and hee who with Arioch , Tydall and Chedorlaomer came against Sodome and captiued Lot , rescued by his Vncle Abraham , with the slaughter of those Kings , in whose returne Melchisedecke King of Salem the High Priest met and blessed him .

But I cannot approoue altogether of their Opinions , that make this Ninus to be Amraphell , for wee know , Ninus was but six Discents from Noah , and Amraphell must needes be ten at fewest , except you will allow Ninus and Abraham , to liue in the same age together .

This Citie after sixteene hundred yeares tyrannicall gouernment , was subdued by Cyrus , Anno Mundi , 3432. and before Christ fiue hundred thirty six yeares ( seuenteene yeares after the Captiuity of Israel and Iuda by Nabuzaradan Generall for Nabuchadnezzer , as in the last of Ieremy . )

In the seuenth yeare of Artaxerxes Longimai●us King of Persia , A. Mundi , 3511. and before out Sauiour Christs Incarnation , foure hundred fifty seuen , the Prophet Esdras went hence to Ierusalem to rebuild the Temple of God , and thirteene yeares after that , Nehemiah went from Sushan to further it .

Of the greatnesse of Babilon , Aristotle reports , when Alexander tooke it , A. Mundi 3633. one part of the Citie knew not in three dayes after , that it was taken whereby though it may seeme wonderfull . It will seeme the lesse , excused either in their solemne Sa●rifices , or by comparison of other Cities in China , and other places , the Imperiall Citie Sun●yen , or Quinzay affecting no lesse compasse then a hundred miles , ( if a Friers Trauailes can be credited ) in which is a Lake thirty miles about , and in which City are twelue thousand bridges . Consider also the Citie Nanquin , ( subiect to the same Monarch ) in compasse thirty miles , inuironed with three strong walls , and including two hundred thousand houses , which Cities and wonderfull reports of that Kingdome , as most consequentious for knowledge and instruction , so I wish with all my heart , some Gentleman of worth might from some Christian Prince be sent of purpose for that action , that these doubts and wonders might be assured , and with truth discouered .

The chiefe ornament in Babilon was two Royall Pallaces , built by the magnanimous Queene Semiramis , ( daughter or sister to Euilmerodach slaine by Astyages ) one in the East of the City of thirty Furlongs , the other West comprehending sixtie , immured with wals of wondrous height .

But of most admiration was the Tower consecrated to Iupiter Belus , or Cush in the Centre of the Citie , strengthened with brazen gates , the frame foure squared , each square a thousand paces , in midst eleuated a strong built Tower , on which were eight others one vpon another , in top of all were set three great golden Images sacred to Iupiter , Ops and Iuno , statues loden with gemmes of great lustre and value , and which continued till Cyrus , after the Creation 3406. yeares , when he made himselfe Master of these and the Empire , by drayning Euphrates into pits and other channels .

Yet some Historians , say Ninus and Semiramis , begun to make Babilon glorious , and that Nabuchadnezzar and Nytocris his Wife enlarged it , A. Mundi 3350 ; shee was sayes Herodotus daughter of Alyattes . This Assyrian Monarch was so taken with its brauery , that hee could not forbeare to boast , Is not this great Babeil , which I haue built for the house of the Kingdome , by the might of my power , and for the honour of my Maiestie . At which instant God decreed his transmutation and the renting away his Empire , which hapned soone after by Cyrus , when we got the victory at Borsippa . These state alterations no doubt extenuated Babilons greatnesse , in the Monarchies remoouall . Yet Pliny in his sixt Booke and sixe and twentieth Chapter tels a greater cause of subiecting her , occasioned by Seleuchus Nicanor , An. Mundi 3645. Alexanders Captaine and Gouernour after his death in Assyria , who to vex the Babylonians and impouerish them , built a Citie after his owne name called Seleucia , fiftie miles lower then Babel to the gulph of Persia , where because of his greatnesse , and the wel-seating it ( in the bowels of Tygris and Euphrates ) he allured out of Babilon sixe hundred thousand soules , so that the late triumphant Citie became halfe desolate .

Alexander when he entred it , found to satiate his trauell , two hundred thousand Talents of Gold , deliuered him by Bagophanes , where this Worlds greatest Victor , in his returne from India found his buriall .

Another City in Aegypt called Al-Cairo , is by some called Babilon , but that name is not so authenticall as the former , because built in emulation of the others memory and quondam greatnesse .

Bagdat , or Babilons ruines .

OVt of Babilons ruines , is reuiued Bagdat , seated not farre from the old Citie : it signifies Arabically a Garden , but then it must be Bawdt-dat and not Bagadat : it is with more reason denominated from Bugiafer Caliph of Babilon , An. 758. who spent two millions of Gold , to rebuild it , after that cruell deuastation by Almericke King of Iewry , An. Dom. 1170.

But long , shee enioyed not her glory , for An. Dom. 640. Chyta a Prince of Tartary , sends his brother Alacho against it , who tooke it and sickt it , with a Tartarian greedinesse , cruelly putting to death the then Caliph Musteadzem , the foure and fiftieth and last of the Abasian Pedigree . After which it was taken by Tangrolipix or Sadot Lord of the Zelzucchian Family , A. Mun. 1031. and from him discended to the Turkes , and remayned in the Ottoman tyranny till the yeare 1625. when Abbas the victorious Persian King beat them out of it ▪ as also out of Tauris , Van and the greater Asia .

And t is very probable , that if the King of Persia had not taken Babilon , whereby hee was forced to keepe continuall Garrisons against the Turke in many places , he had made a conquest of all India . For he got Candahor and other places from the Mogull , and kept them without any difficulties , the Indians are so effeminate , and rule more by policie and mony with the helpe of other Nations , as Per and Geo. who are their Chans and greatest Princes .

The Citie is now of no great wonder , her circuit and building equall to Cazbeen , rage and time giues her nothing to boast off , but her memory , but the Bridge is eminent in her , so is her Buzzar and the Sultans Palace and Gardens , more large then louely , of more Quantitie then vse , shewing no more artificiall strength , wealth , or beautie then neighbouring and late start-vp-townes about her .

Twelue miles thence is a grosse confused Mount , which Tradition only assures vs of , was part of Nimrods Tower the place seemes bigger at distance then neere at hand , slimy bricks and morter are digged out of it : which are all the liuing testimonials of this monument . To which I apply that old and much vsed Verse .

Miramur perijsse homines , monumenta fate scunt ? Interitus saxis , nominibusque veni● . Why wonder we that people die ? since monuments decay : And flintie stones , with mens great names , Death's tyrannies obay .

A little lower is seated Shushan , a place ( though signifying a Lilly , a Rose or Ioy ) deriuing it selfe from the Kingdome in which shee is placed , Susiana .

A description of Sushan .

SHushan was one of three Royall Palaces of the Median Emperours , one at Babilon , another at Ecbatan , a third at Susa or Shushan .

This Palace is mentioned in Hester the first Chapter , that Ahasuerus An. Mundi 3500. ruling ouer the Medes and Persians and ouer one hundred seuen and twentie Prouinces , made a feast in Shushan , lasting a hundred and eighty dayes ( which custome , it seemes , is yet among them . For yearely to this day the King celebrates a Feast of Roses , and the Duke of Shiraz or Persae-polis ( who is Lord of Susiana , a Feast of Lillies or Daffadillies of like continuance . )

Nehemiah and Daniel make it situate in the Prouince of Elam ( or Persia , and when Alexander tooke it , hee found fifty thousand Talents of vncoyned Gold , besides siluer wedges and Iewels in abundance .

Some say Laomedon built it , such time as Thola iudged Israel , but more likely it was first built by Memnon , sonne of Tython , ( slaine by the perfidious Thessalians , sent by this Tewtamos or Tythonos , in aide of Priamus , sonne of Laomedon , his brother against Agamemnon , Anno Mundi 2783. with twenty thousand men , as saith Diodorus Siculus in his third Booke and seuenth Chapter . This we beleeue that Memnon so ioyed and gloried in this worke that Cassiodore in his seuenth Booke and fifteenth Epistle reports , hee mixed gold with stones ( a costly morter ) and made it the glory of the World , which perhaps made out that fiftie Talents Alexander extracted out of it . And Aristagoras after him , told his Souldiers , it would make each of them compare with Ioue for riches . T is written that the three wise men went hence ( where then flourisht a famous Academie ) to Bethlem with their gifts vnto our Sauiour . Because it is not probable they came from Aethiopia , which was North East from Ierusalem .

It is now called Valdack , is watered by Choses or Choazpes , which in Meanders circumuolues her , and at lenghth imbowels her streames into the Persian Gulph not farre from Balsora , where the two famous Riuers Tygris from Lybanus and Euphrates from Taurus or Ararat , become one with the same deuouring Gulph .

The Riuer Choazpes was of such esteeme with the Persian Monarchs , that no other water would serue their pallat , no wine but the Chalybonian in Syria , nor no bread but what grew at Assos in Phrygia , and their salt from Aegypt , truly verifying the Prouerbe ( things farre fetcht and deare bought are rarest ) for Ormus neerer hand by much , affoorded much better .

This Choazpes is the same riuer which Pliny cals Eulaeus , & the same which Daniel in his eight chapter cals Vlai , one streame of this Riuer runs twixt Syras and old Persae-polis , ouer which is a wel-built bridge , cald Pully-chawn , as wee trauelled in nine and twentieth degrees of latitude .

The ruines of this and other noble Cities about her are such that we truly say with King Dauid , Psal. 46. Verse 8. Come and behold the workes of the Lord , what desolations he hath made in all the earth .

I will adde one side concerning Paradice , and then will goe on without digression .

Paradice .

THe true place of the Terrestriall Eden is much doubted of . Some confining it to an Allegory , others to a locall place . Some say it was East , aboue the Ayrie middle Region , whence they will force the foure great Riuers spoken of in Genesis , to procreate their springs .

Some will haue these foure Riuers to signifie foure Cardinall vertues , and that the word Paradice is only a place for delight and pleasure ; mans fall , his banishment , the torrid Zone , the fiery Sword . Others say all the World was a Paradice till sin●e abrogated its glory . Some say it was in the mountaines of the Moone ( those are in Aethiop whence Nilus runs ) some place it in the circle of the Moone ( and those without doubt , first found out him , that drinkes Claret there . ) other some vnder the Circle of the Moone , and that thence the foure Riuers begin their course , run vnder the large Seas , and so into Paradice , these brainsicke fancies , sure made the Hermians and Seleucians , sweare there neuer was a Paradice .

But the more iudicious allow the being , only vary in its place and progresse . Many imagining the true compasse ten miles and in that I le in Meso-potamia , as yet cald Edens

Some others giue it more existence , that it stretcht ouer the Vaile of Shinar , incircling Babylon , and went with Euphrates , comprehending Meso-potania , Armenia , Seleucia , Mo●ut Taurus , and what was watered by Tygris .

Others yet and not a few nor those vnlettered , carry it further , allowing the limits so farre as Nilus and Ganges hold in distance . Yet this opinion is oppugned by many , agreeing vnanimously that neither of those Riuers watered Paradice , as too large a compasse for any Garden . Nilus arising from Zaire or the mountaines of the Moon in Afriq●e , empties it selfe into the mid-land Sea . And Ganges in the vtmost India from Imaus the huge mountaine ingulphing it selfe in the Bengalan Ocean , places too remote and incongruent .

The Inhabitants in the I le Seyloon affirme t was there , and to authorize their Axiome shew Adams old footsteps imprinted in the sacred ground , and preserued since then by miracle .

Other-some include Aegypt , Syria , and Iudaea , and say that the Tree of knowledge grew on mount Caluary , in that very place where our Sauiour Christ was crucified ( the second Adam suffering , where the first offended ) and there want not others who imagine Paradice remoued to a high mountaine aboue the middle Region , where is no alteration of weather , and there they suppose Enoch and Elias are corporall to this day .

The best opinion is this , that Nile nor Ganges had no being there , and that the Septuagints were troubled at it , in translating Pison to be Ganges and Gyhon , Nyle : now this is probable , that Meso-potamia is East from Arabia where Moses wrote , and that the Riuer going out of Eden to water it is Tygris , which conioyning there with 〈◊〉 diuides it selfe into foure branches . The first being Pison , which compasseth the land of Hauilah , it must be a branch of Tygris called Hiddekel , or else Choaspes which encircles Hauilah , which is Susiana .

The second is Gihon , which encompasseth Aethiopia or Cush , Gihon is the West part of Euphrates and Cush not yet in Afrique is Susiana , or Chushiana , as some Writers doe well denotate .

And to make it easier , because many old Writers will haue Hauilah to be in India , that is not denied , but againe t is prooued there were two Hauilahs , one tooke its name from Hauilah sonne of Ioctan , sonne of Eber , the fourth from Shem ; who with his brothers Ophir and Iobab Soone after the diuision of the Earth inhabited India .

The other Hauilah from Hauilah sonne of Chus , eldest sonne of Ham or Cham , and he afore his Discent into Aethiope , gaue name to Susiana or Chusiana , also which is Hauilah .

Now the extent of Paradice may be allowed vnto Indus , which terminates these lands and the other way vnto Hircania , watered by Araxis . Which if so , then Tygris , Euphrates , Araxis and Indus , must be supposed the foure riuers : I for my owne part , cannot maintaine it but this I can , that euen Hircania then and now giues place to no one place in the Orient for delight and plenty , were the Inhabitants agreeable to its worth , so that if it were no part of Paradice then , t is now no whit inferiour to any part where that pleasant Garden stood for comparable qualities , which I referre to a riper braine for definition . This being too much I feare vpon this subiect .

For the Readers easier vnderstanding and memory I will orderly digest such Cities and Townes now being , betwixt the gulph of Persia and the Caspian Sea through which we trauelled , aswell to benefit the future Traueller , as to furnish our moderne Geographicall Maps with names of truth , being indeed stuffed with false ones , and but inuented , together with the Farsangs or Leagues ( each accounted three miles English ) that the true distances may be knowne , and the Caspian placed in a better height .

From Ormus to Bander-Gomroon , three Farsangs or Dutch leagues . To Band-Ally 4 To Gacheen 7 To Cawrestan 5 To the desart of Tanghe dolon 4 To Whormoot 11 To Larr 9

The distance betwixt Ormus and the Citie of Larr ( from which the Kingdome is denominated ) is three and forty Farsangs or a hundred nine and twentie English miles .

Fro● Larr to Techoo , in the Wildernesse of Larr foure Farsangs . From thence to Berry 4 To Bannarow 4 To Goyome 4 Three nights to the Desart 11 To Wchormoot 3 To Cut-bobbaw 3 To Mohack 4 To Coughton 5 To Emoom 5 To Vnghee 4 To Moyechaw 4 To Pully-pot-shaw 4 To Shyras or Syras , three and a halfe .

The distance betwixt Larr and the Citie of Shyraz in Persia , is sixty two Farsangs , or a hundred eighty six English miles .

Frow Shyraz to Pully-chawn seuen Farsangs : To Chilmanor 3 To Camber-Ally 3 To Pull 2 To Tartang 4 To Deorden 3 To Cafferr 4 To Whoomgesh 2 To Baze-bachow 6 To De-gardow 6 To Gumbazellello 4 To Yezdecoz 4 To De-moxalbeg 6 To Comme-shaugh 5 To Moyeor 6 To Spahonet 6 To Spahawn . 3

The distance betwixt Shyraz and the famous Citie of Spahawn in Parthia , is seuenty foure Farsangs , or two hundred two and twenty English miles .

From Spahawn to Reigue , three Farsangs ▪ To Sardahan 5 To Whoam 9 To Tagebawgh 3 To Bawt 6 To Obygarmy 10 To Suffedow 7 To Syacow 10 Through the Salt Desart to Gezz 13 To Periscow 6 To Gheer 8 To Alliauarr 15 To Necaw 9 To Asharaff 4

From Asharaff to Farrabaut , a Citie vpon the Caspian Sea , 10.

Distance betwixt Spahawn and the Caspian Sea by Periscow , ( for another way is by Cazbeen ) is a hundred and eighteene Farsangs , or three hundred fifty foure English miles .

A discourse of the life and habit of the Persians at this present .

ALbeit I haue ( with what breuitie I might ) described our Manzeils , and the best Cities and Pallaces belonging to the Persian , yet I may say something more compendiously of the habit , diet , customes and ceremonies of these Persians , otherwise that which is written would seeme harsh and imperfect .

I haue formerly noted the Countries deriuation from Elam , sonne of Sem , sonne of Noah , and then cald Elamites , such time as Chedorlaomer of ten Disce●●s from Sem ruled ouer them , slaine by Abraham in rescue of his Nephew Lot . It was after that cald Panchaya , and by Seleuchus the Greeke 〈◊〉 : prophane Historie deriues Persia from Persaeus , Ioues sonne by Danae . And although it has since then been ruined and rigned ouer by Princes of many Nations , yet they haue neuer altered the Dialect from its vtter sence , at this day being cald Pharsee : Frasie and by Mercator , Farsistan ; in the Chaldee Tongue , implying a horse hoo●● , a hooked nose , or a diuision . The Kingdome of it selfe is not much , not were her Monarchs at any time content , with her bounds , but haue euer either beene Victors , or vanquished

For before Chedo●laomers time , they became subiect to the Assyri●ns , vnder Ninus and his warlike Empresse , Anno Mundi 1915. in which Empire it lay obscured till the yeare 3146. at which time the vicious Emperour Sardanapalus , by an abhorred life gaue way to those two great Captaines Belocus and Arbaces , who rent away his Monarchie and life , which as he had prodigally spun out , so died he no lesse costly , for perceiuing no escape he burnt himselfe in his Castle amidst his Women together with a hundred millions of talents of Gold , & a thousand millions of talents of Siluer , as Iustine relates .

Phul Belochus tooke Assyria , Mesopotamia , and Chaldae● .

Arbaces tooke Media and Persia , whereby hee begun the Median Dynasty , and continued Lords of Persia , till Cyrus establisht the Monarchy to the Persian , by ouerthrow of Astiages his cruell Grandsire , Anno Mundi 3406. which Cyrus sonne of Cambyses , and Mandana daughter of Astiages , is equalized by Xenophon to any Prince before him for valour and bountie . Hee inlarged his Monarchy , but at last fighting against Tomiris the Scythian Queene lost his life , but his Monarchy endured till the yeare 3635. when Alexander the great and famous Macedonian translated it to the Greekes , after his fatall Battailes against Darius , the last Monarch ; and a few yeares after himselfe was conquered at Babilon by deadly poyson .

After whom for aboue fiue hundred yeares Persia groaned vnder many Lords and Tyrants , till the yeare after our Sauiour Christ 228 , Artaxerxes a Heroicke Persian regained her glory and freedome , killing Artabanus , last of the Parthian Monarchs , & the twelfth King from Artabanus , who by treachery tooke the rule from Tyridates the last of the Arsacidae .

Since when it was vanquished by Tangrolipix the Turke , An. 1030. and after that , in three Discents by the Tartars , who for two hundred yeares kept the Diadem till the yeare 1430. Vsan Cassan an Armenian Prince tooke it from the Tartar . His daughter ( bego● of Despina , daughter of Calo-Iohannes Emperour of Trepizond a Christian ) was married to Sultan Ayder , father of Ismael Sophy of Persia 1495 , which Ismael was a most victorious King , and discended lineally from Mus● Ceresin , the twelfth sonne of Hussan or Ossan , sonne of Mortis Haly who married Fatima sole Daughter and Heire of Mahomet the great Imposture . Ismael had Tamas , father of Ismael , father of Ayder-Mirza , father of Mahomet cald the blind , father of Abbas , grand-father of Shaw Sophy now reigning An. 1631. which Genealogy shall in this Bookeelfe-where at large be decyphered .

It remaynes now to speake of the habit and disposition of the Persians . It is therefore first , to be noted that though the Turkes be not comparable to the Persian for magnanimity and noblenesse of mind , yet are the Persian from the Duke vnto the Peasant slaues vnto the King , who is Supreme in and ouer all .

That s the reason , hauing so much good marble , they build with vnburnt clay , because their lands and houses be not hereditary . The King by a forced will , becomming Lord and heire to all , both Mahometans , Iewes and Christians liuing vnder his protection ( merchants excepted out of Europe . )

They are valiant , proper for the most part , Oliue-coloured , mirthfull and venerious .

They haue no haire on head nor chin , on the vpper-lip they haue it very long and turned down-wards . Some reserue a locke vpon the top of the head , as a certaine note that Mahomet at Doomes Day , will distinguish them from Christians , and by it lift them vp to Paradize : their eyes are generally blacke ( the Georgians grey ) their noses high as be their fore-heads .

About their heads they winde great roules of Calico , some of silke and gold , somewhat higher and not so bungy as the Turkish Tulipants . A little fash of gold or fringe hangs downe behind , as doe our Skarfes , which ornament , they lately borrowed from the Arabian .

Bands are not amongst them , they are signes of peace and quiet , the King weares the contrary side of his Tulipant forwards , which is all the difference in habit , twixt him and others .

In Triumphs I haue seene them wreath long chaines of Pearles and Rubies about their Turbants , of great value and beautie .

Their out Garment or Vest is commonly of Callico quilted with Cotton , some weare them of parti-coloured silkes , some of Sattin and some of rich gold or siluer Chamlets , and other of cloth of gold and Tinselled : they affect varietie of colours as Emblemes of diuersitie of Ioyes and pleasure . Blacke is not knowne among them , they say t is dismall and a signe of hell and sorrow : their sleeues are strait and long ( therein different from the Turkes who haue them wide and short ) the coat reaches to their calues and beares round , by being ingirted with a towell of silke and gold eight or nine yards long : vnder this garment they weare a smocke couloured like our Scottish plad , and in length agreeing to our demi-shirts : their breeches are like Irish troozes , hose and stockings sowed together , and sometimes they reach but to the ancles , two or three inches naked to their shooes which haue no latchets , are of good leather , and what colour you will ( blacke excepted ) they are vsually sharpe at the toe , and turning vpwards , the heeles shod with thin Iron , and end with small nailes in seemely order . Some againe ( especially such as trauell much ) haue short coats or calzoons of cloth without sleeues , lined with Furres of Persian Sheepe , Sables , Foxes , Mushwhormaes or Squirrils , and can suffer short wide stockings of English cloth or Kersies , the heeles faced with coloured leather which too when they ride they make vse of , their Boots are well sewed , but ill cut , saue that their widenesse beats off the showres . They vse no Gloues , nor Rings of Gold , some paint their hands with an herbe or juice , which colours and keepes coole the hands . They commonly haue their nailes parti-coloured , Vermillion and white , they vse siluer Rings and Seales , the first set with an Aggat , the other with Ara●ique letters , not one noble Warriour of a thousand among them , knowing how to write .

They neuer goe without their Shamsheers or Swords , which are crooked like a Crescent ( and is their Armes ) of so good mettle that they preferre them afore any other , and so sharpe as any 〈◊〉 , nor will they buy one , vnlesse they can cut an Asinego asunder at one stroke , the hilts are without ward , must haue them of steele some of Gold , the poore of wood , the scabberds well made and fit : which in solemnities are set with stones of value .

They neuer ride without Bowes and Arrowes , the Quiuer and Case , wrought and cut ingeniously , the Bowes are short and bended , not vnlike a Crossebow , which though not comparable to the Gun ( an instrument they now make practice of ) yet they haue been famous for their Archery . Such made Crassus , going to encounter them cryed out hee feared Sagittarius and not Scorpio ) when an Astronomer told him it presaged danger respecting Sol , and accordingly he lost both life and victory .

Nor are they now reputed of , except they can cleaue an Orenge which hangs in a string , a-thwart the Hippodrome , and when past the marke , with an other ready Arrow , can strike the rest looking backwards , which he easily accomplishes , riding so short in his stirrops .

This is enough for description of the men , their forme and habit . The women as vnseene may passe vnspoken of , what may be expected I shall publish it .

Their stature is meane but straight and comely , and incline rather to corpulency then leannesse , their haire blacke and curling , their fore-heads high and pure , eyes Diamond-like , hauing blacke lustre , their noses high , mouthes rather large then sparing , thicke lips and cheekes fat , round and painted , so that without errour , their complexions cannot be deciphered : those that come in assemblies are best reputed of , though by profession Whores , they are rich habilimented , their heads rounded with a golden caule : their cheekes tinctured with Vermillion , their noses and eares hung with Iewels of price and bignesse , and about their faces ( tied to the chin ) a rope of orient pearle of exceeding value , if not counterfeit : their hands are painted with flowres or posies , as be their feet and legs , both which are denudated in their dances , which elaborately they performe with bels and antiques : their habit or gowne is to their mid-legs , some of Sattin , some of Tissued-stuffes , of rich imbrodery in gold or siluer , these looke wantonly , drinke strongly , laugh extremely and couet really mens monies , esteeme , reputation and honesties .

The other women belonging to Seraglioes or Haramms , liue discontented . Eight or ten lustfull women , by the law subiected to one ( and he perhaps an impotent man ) their only libertie is to haunt the Gardens , which being spacious , receiue many , where they parly at pleasure , but not free from Eunuchs their iealous Argoes , whose sole care , is from out of the womens lauish abundant talke , to screw out some thing may be gratefull for the King , touching the Nobles ( anotomized by these women ) by which many great ones come to vnexpected destruction .

Other women when they goe abroad , wrap themselues in a large receiuing sheet , which tyed to the head reaches to her feete , opening only to the eyes a very little to beget passage , they passe and repasse vnknowne and vnrespected : nothing lesse among them then praise of beautie , because nothing so familiar with them as cruell Iealousie .

Their houses ( to speake generally ) within are poore and sordid , a Carpet , a Pan , and a Platter , epitomizes all their Furniture ,

The better sort sleepe vpon Cots , or Beds two foot high , matted or done with girth-web : on which a Shagg or Yopangee which riding serues as an Vmbrella against raine , and sleeping for a bed and couerture .

Those that haue slaues during ( or rather to beget ) rest , receiue breath and coolnesse from their fanning them , who also driue away those bold Muschetoes or Gnats which too turbulently sting and buzze about them . Their diet is soone drest , soone eaten , soone digested and soone described .

The better sort sit vpon Carpets crosse-legged , and feed soundly vpon Pelo , Chishmee-pelo , Sheere-pelo , Chelo and the like , that is , Rice boiled with Butter , with Mutton , with Hens , with Almonds , or with Rice without Butter : they vse no spoones , for hands are ancienter : some colour their Pelo blacke , some yellow , some white , and twenty other wayes , which though all but Rice , are counted so many seuerall dishes . But though the meat be particoloured , or party named . Yet the ground and meate is Pelo and no other . They vse Sallads Acharrs and rosted Egges , all which are of sundry colours tinctured , sad and hard that they may stay the longer in their bellies , and strengthen heat and moysture in their stomackes . They drinke cold water out of a Hussinee or Pitcher , but they want no wine nor appetites to drinke it , a sure signe Bacchus once conquered them , and rules no lesse then their Alcoran : at meales they are merry and no way offensiue ( if no women sit among them , who out of wantonnesse ouer-load their mouthes with Pelo or other meat , and by a sudden laughter exonerate their chaps , and throw the ouerplus into the dish whence first they had it , which was to vs strange and offensiue ) they will be drunke , but it is voluntary , no man compels it . Nor is it admirable or losse of credit with them , they are so quiet and free from censure , & though with vs drink irritates quarrels and comparisons , yet here they neuer differ ; the law is so seuere , the act so strange , and the vnity of Mussulmen ( or true beleeuers ) so ioynt and efficatious : nor is this want of spirit in them , but order and conformity . No Nation in the Vniuerse has better nor more daring spirits in fight or exercise , then Persia has .

They are very facetious in discourse , they are not very inquisitiue about forreigne affaires , they are content with home occurrents , and affect more sensuall delights for their lustf●●l bodies , then by vncertaine stories to perplexe their mindes . When so ere they receiue a mandate from the King or Nobles , they kisse it in diuers places and then vse it . They sweare very vsually , and those Oathes are , by Serrey Mortis Ally , the head of Mortis Ally , by Shawambashee or Serreyshaw by the Kings head , as by putting one finger vpon their eye . And then ( if you please ) you may beleeue them .

The poore eat Rice sometimes , but most commonly Roots , Melons , Fruits , Garlicke , Opium , Honey , and Fraize like to our Thlummery . These are seldome drunke , but the cause is preualent , they cannot get it . They haue Arack or Vsquebagh , distilled from Dates or Rice , both which are Epidemick in their mirth and Festiuals .

The sheepe are sweete , and fattest in the taile , whose weight oft ponderizes twenty pound , and many times their whole body . Cheese and Butter is among them , but such as squemish English stomacks wil disdaine at : Dates preserued in sirrup mixt with Butter-milke , is precious diet : the Spoones to eat with are halfe a yard in length , and aske a contented mouth to entertaine their bignesse .

They hate Swines flesh , Veale , Beefe , Hares and Buffoles . Mahomet forbad it them , and they obserue it .

But Camell , Goat , Sheepe , Hens , Egges , and Phe●sants are tolerated : they are no great Rost-meat-men . But it may be Ignorance more then disliking has made it of some wonder there : In some Buzzars they haue Camell or Mutton cut in mammocks or small bits put vpon scuets and carbonaded or rosted in the fire , of this they sell three or foure spits for two pence , some practize the art of baking , and to proue it , put a whole Lambe into an Ouen , without paste or better cookery , when t is throughly tosted , though blacke , they eat it and say it tasteth daintily . The truth is , they are all Martialists and are not daintie .

They vse another potion , faire water , juice of Lemmons , Sugar , and Roses , which Sherbets are vsed more commonly in India .

Twixt meales ( which are three aday at eight , twelue , and foure ) they meet often in houses , like our Tauernes . Where is vendible Wine , Arack , Sherbet , Tobacco suckt through water by long canes or pipes , issuing from a boule or round vessell : they spit but seldome ( the Iewes lesse ) and that liquour which most delights them , is Coffa or Coho , a drinke brewed out of the Stygian Lake , blacke , thicke and bitter ; distrained from Berries of that quality , though thought good and very wholsome , they say it expels melancholy , purges choler , begets mirth , and an excellent concoction .

Opium ( of which Nogdibeg tooke so much as poysoned him ) is of great vse and vertue with them taken moderately , they are alwayes chawing it , t is good against vapours , cowardize and the falling sicknesse : it makes them strong and long in Venus exercises , the footmen vse it too as a preseruer of strength , and which is strangest , so giddies them , that in a constant dreame or dizzinesse , they run sleeping not knowing whom they meet , and yet misse not their intended places : and by its power protract their trauell , to deceiue their body of seasonable rest of lodgings .

Their Coines are Mammoodees , which value eight pence , Larrees fashioned like point-aglets , and are worth ten pence , Shawhees foure pence , and Bistees two pence : &c , they haue sundry Coines of gold , as Sultanees , &c. but I saw very few of them . The Coz-begs or small Copper money is engrauen with the Emperours Coat Armour , a Lion passant , gardant , the Sunne Orient vpon his backe .

The men account it a great shame to vrine standing , and because they hate pollution they after it wash themselues , for which end their slaues are euer attending them with Ewres of siluer filled with water . They cannot endure it in themselues , nor to see others walking , so that when they goe but to the next doore they doe it riding . Their Horses are of Arabian breed , small , swift and fiery , they haue round cutting bitts , their bridles long and platted with gold , as are their saddle-pomels and stirrops for the better sort , their saddles of Veluet , some like the Morocko , others hard , small and close , which they borrow from the Tartar .

The Horses feed vsually of Barley and chopt-straw put into a bag , and fastned about their heads , which implyes their manger : they are strictly tied to proportion of prouant , any surplusage brings death or diseases . Their mules are of great price and vertue , chiefly where the iourney is ouer Sands , Desarts , or craggie Mountaines . They serue better for patience and sure footing then the Horses , but in Warres they are for baggage , wanting courage for more honourable employment : the women of note trauell vpon Coozelbash-camels , each Camell loaded with two cages ( or Cajuaes as they call them ) which hang on either side the beastframed of foure small woodden Pillars , boarded to sit vpon , but so low that they affoord not standing , and are couered with Crimson Veluet or Kers●es . They are guarded by Eunuches weaponed with Bow and Arrowes , and threaten death to any bold opposer or such dare come within shot of their mercilesse shafts , with which they are loaden as they trauell : so that the best and brauest company , knowing the custome of those Countries and the Eunuchs iealousies , giue them larger and contented passages .

I might here content my selfe with this description , did not some expect a little of their Religion : which being so oft and so well related by others , may warrant me to passe in silence , for which , I will runne on more swiftly ayming only to content the Ignorant .

The Religion of the Persians .

THeir beleife is in Mahomet , yet haue they Mortis Haly in no lesse account among them . I will acquaint you with the tradition of them both .

Mahomet was by birth an Arabian , his father Abdar a Saracen ( or rather of discent from Ismael sonne of Hagar , and so a Hagaren ) Emma , his mother a Iew : from which two hee suckt the knowledge of both religions , to whom was added Sergius a Sabellian Heretique , that denied the Trinitie , from him hee receiued Baptisme , though formely circumcised . And from these three he deduced his Alcoran .

This was about the yeare after our blessed Sauiours Incarnation 597. at that time Heraclius the Emperour and Chosroes King of Persia , contending for Soueraigntie , against both whom Mahomet set himselfe with a troope of Tartars and Arabians , to whom he descyphered the Roman bondage , and though they seemed willing to reiect them , yet scorned they so vnworthy a Commander , to effect it be , being but lately from his prentiship , which Mahomet salued by his ingenuitie , telling them of the manners of the Romans in their infancie , and that though his knowledge and fame in Battailes were not much , yet assured them , he knew it by reuelation , himselfe was borne to actuate no small matters .

The people both admire him & beleeue him , so that by his own wit & their valour he became victorious in seuen great & wel-fought battailes , and desiring to eternize his fame , in a more continuing way , perceiuing most part of his Followers , Heathens and profane wretches , divulged himselfe to be a mightie Prophet ordained before Adams fall to come into the World to correct the Law of Moses and the Prophets , and preferres himselfe before Christ , so much as hee preceded Moses , both whom notwithstanding he esteemes of , and tolerates them to helpe him at Doomesday to iudge the World .

This aduantage the Deuill gaue him , to shew his people how deuided and cruell the Christians were . At that time , Boniface the third obtayning by grant of vsurping Phocas the bloudie Emperour , ouer the three other Patriarchs and whole Church of Christ , the Title of Vniuersall Bishop : though but little before , Gregory his Predecessour , branded him for Christs enemy that went about it , in that threescore and sixe Bishops formerly in that Sea from Lynus , seuen yeares after Christ to this Boniface neuer intended it : and whereby Iohn Patriarch of Constantinople gaue it ouer because vniust , and no way agreeing with humility .

And that Mahomet might not want his lying Miracles , he perswaded them , he had daily instructions from the holy Ghost , which he shewed them to be the Doue , accustomed when shee was hungry , to feed in his eare , and that his groueling and foming ( a disease much troubling him ) was caused by the exceeding glory , the Angell Gabriel brought with him ; who hee pretended told him all that is comprised in the Alcoran .

Though some , finding his subtletie gaue no credit to him , yet he wonne the hearts of most of those Idolatrous Pagans , then about him , and in time , by money and force subiected the rest , so that hee begun to broach his Traditions , which after by Ozman his Successor , were compiled together and cald an Alcoran , writ in the Arabian Tongue consisting of eight Points or Commandements , and in Verse , to which he added Miracles , Visions , Fables , and the like : many of which are not authenticall amongst the Persians .

The Persian's Commandements .

The first is that much sung Verse , a-top of Churches . Llala-ylala , Mahummed-resullula : translated thus : Their is one God , the great God and Mahomet is his Prophet .

ANd by this they interdict all superstitious worship of Images , Pictures , and such like , hated exceedingly , and therefore haue Popery in abomination , & though Mahomet be supreme of all , yet the Alcoran commends many Fathers in the old Law : as Enoch , Abraham , Moses , Elias , and as most excellent , Iesus Christ , whom they repute a great and holy Prophet , but not to be the Sonne of God , or that hee died vpon the Crosse , but that it was another Iew whom the people crucified in his place , they beleeue he was sonne vnto a Virgin , but not conceiued by the Holy Ghost , but by smelling to a Rose giuen her by the Angell Gabriel , and that hee was borne out of her beasts , In some things they speake very reuerently of him , and punish seuerely , such as speake against him , so that because the Alcoran stiles him the vertue of God , a powerfull Prophet good and just , if they casually finde a piece of paper that has his name in it , they preserue it from all bad vses . And beleeue hee shall appeare againe forty or fifty yeares before Mahomet , like to Elias or Iohn the Baptist.

The second Commandement . T is not good nor iust , that any should liue vnmarried , lest the Professours of Mahumetisme should thereby be diminished .

THis Commandement sprung most from his owne carnall lust and ability , for as Calius reports he had forty Wiues , and liked so well of Venery , that he reputed him best deseruing and worthy most honour could play his part best in bed , often glorying , that by diuine strength , hee exceeded any ten in that point of valour , and that it was fit it should be so , that the greater number of Prophets and holy men might issue from him . And in his Paradice hee promises them rare Women , strong and louely , with eyes like sawcers , strength in Venery , coole shades , rich Carpets , nimble Attendants , with Gold , Pearle , sweet Flowres , Perfumes , Violets and such sensuall pleasures in abundance .

The third Commandement . It behooues Mussulmen ( or true Beleeuers ) to be charitable , and to hate Contention .

THis third Precept ties them to beneuolence , and this is a mayne cause of their pittie to Storkes , Doues , and other Creatures . That there are such noble places of Receipt or Carrauans-rawes for Trauellors to rest in , that such order is taken for the poore and impotent : and that seldome or neuer any one jars or wrangles with another .

The fourth Commandement . It behooues all Musselmen to inuocate their Prophet , each day fiue times with Sobrietie , and to expect his Comming patiently .

WHich they carefully accomplish , and haue such regard to it , that when they heare the Boy cry aloud vpon the Steeple , they fall to prayer , though neuer so busie in prophane talke , drinking , wenching , or the like : they euer turne their face to Mecha , ( neere which Mahomet is intombed in an old plaine Monument ) they kneele , bend and ducke at euery Epithite of Mahomet , and entring , wash themselues : this is the most vsuall prayer with them .

IN the Name of the good and religious God , praysed be the Soueraigne of all Worlds , the only pittifull and mercifull God of Doome : thee we serue , thee we cal vpon , shew vs the best way , that which thou hast reuealed to Mahomet , but not that whereby thou punishest the vngodly . This they say at Morne , Noone , Euening , mid-night , and two houres after in these formes .

Prayers to Mahomet . Lala ylala Mahummed resullula : Another vsed by the Indians , Iauans , Arabians and Persians .

BIzmilla raugh mawn , arawheam Alhumdill Ally , Etto hyatto Almo Barachatto , assulwatto , Attayo Batto , Leila , heessalam , Aleika , I , Iaanna , nebeen rawmaet , Wallaw heeweeber-catto . Esselamalena , walla-Ebadulla , hesolaheam eshaddo , awla-Elaha , El-alaho eshaddo Mahumed resullula , l'alla Essalamaleena , Ebadulla-Solaheem , Essalamalekam , Essalamaleka , Aly homma Sullea . Allaw Mahomet don wallaw , wessalam chamma Salleata , Alhumdillalley Whoddaw .

All or most of which , are Epithites of God and Mahomet .

The Alcoran bids a seuen-fold daily worship , they neuer pray with their shooes on , and being entred sit without distinction of degrees or qualities ( as things not to be challenged in places of deuotion ) they neuer looke aside vpon any occasion , till they are come to Mahomets All-humdillallaw , and then they looke ouer either shoulder , beleeuing he will come to Iudgement suddenly , iust when they are praying that particle .

Their seruice is sometimes performed by Songs and Rimes , but of vnequall numbers .

The Abdall a voluntary Monke amongst them , is reputed by the wiser sort a Wolfe in a Sheeps skin , but of the superstitious is reported holy and venerable , he is clad with a sheep-skin and professes pouerty , they will in the Markets or Assemblies preach lying wonders , and expound the Alcoran according to their inuentions , supposing their spirituall abilities superiour to others in that exercise , his Image is in the Title page . Howbeit I referre the discourse of these vnto a fitter place , and will here goe on with the description of other matters .

The fift Commandement . See that thou obserue yearely a moneth Lent , and a Byram .

THis they keepe very wisely , all day they abstaine from euery kind of meate , but vntill mights , for so soone as the Sunsets , and the Kettles beat , then they bowze it lustily , with varietie of meates and pleasure , only Trauellers and weake men , are euer exempted : And commonly Shaw Abbas during this Ramdam or Rammazan ( the moneth wherein Mahomet got the Alcoran from Gabriel the Angell ) did vse to trauell , to be priuiledged from fasting deuotions . In this solemnitie they adde a double proportion of Lamps about the Prophets , and hang the Steeples with lights , which burne past midnight . Two more Feasts they haue , the Byram and Nowrowz : the former as our Easter , is celebrated by the Abdals , Hodgees , Deruisses , and Frier●s , all which rabble receiue liberally from such as meet them , Offerings of good will and Charitie . The Nowrowz is their Newyeares day , beginning the tenth of March , such time as the Sunne dwels in the Aequinoctiall . At which Feast the Sultans and Chans bestow Pishcashes , or gifts one on another .

The sixt Commandement . Reuerence thy Parents .

WHich though they commend in others , they seldome practice in themselues . Many late examples accusing them , treated of in most Histories where Mogul , Tartar , Turke , or Persian Soueranize , few of them attending patiently the death of their Predecessours , but by impious meanes labour their vntimely establishment .

The seuenth Commandement . Cursed be the Slayer .

ANd truly this is kept vnanimously , this precept and the rigour of the Caddies or Causae in the Divanoes , or Iudgement Hals so bridle them , that among the Inferiour and better sort of men I neuer saw a combat or causelesse brabble , though they be very apt in prompt occasions , to demonstrate valour and resolution . Onely the King and great ones flight this Law , for they delight in tyranny , and account Emperializing a qualitie proper for great Personages , who otherwise are no Nymrods vpon earth , in their opinion , vtterly ignorant of true Humanitie and Philosophie , which commands clemencie and vertue in them , as publique examples to all Inferiours .

The eight Commandement . Doe so to others as thou wouldest haue them doe to thee .

BY which hee wils them to be louing , iust , and wise , and the keepers of these his Lawes , he rewards with Paradice , which hee thus brings them too . Hee transformes himselfe at Doomes-day into a great Ram , and all Musselmen into Fleas , they shall hide themselues in his spacious Fleeces , and thus burthened , shal trauell till hee come where he can skip into Paradice : there hee assumes his proper glory , and giues them new shapes , new strength , Wine , braue Women , infinite of Treasure and Ptouisions , Riuers , Trees , Amber , Gold , Odours of Arabia , and continuall joy , all new and better then now imagined : they exclude no Religion● out of their heauenly Paradice , Moses shall bring the Iewes , Christ the Christians , and Mahomet Mahometans : but the chiefe place and glory shall be theirs : theirs is the best Gold , sweetest Riuers , and the most beautifull Damozels .

These are commanded in the Alcoran , and for the Authour himselfe , Bonfinus writes that he permitted Sodomy : and lay with beasts . So that Master Smith arraignes him of blasphemy , pride , lies , Sodomy , bloud , subtiltie , and entitles him heire apparant vnto Lucifer , no lesse then twelue thousand falshoods contained in his fabulous Alcoran .

This false Prophet ( sore against his will ) died in his sixtie third yeare ( his great Clymatericke ) and gaue his seduced Followers a sure promise of his miraculous Resurrection the third day after ; till when they kept it vnburied , and as Authonius writes , thirty dayes aboue the reckoning , but this is certaine , that smelling he was a lyer , they kept him no longer , forced to it by a monstrous and filthy stinke proceeding from his carcasse : yet by Abubecher his Father in law and successor in the Popedome of Mecha , hee was purified , entombed and laid in a new built Sepulchre at Medina Talnaby , three dayes iourney from Mecha : to which place is daily resort , by such of his Religion as haue zeale to Pilgrimage : and those not only , are euer after accounted Syets or Holy men , and cannot fable from that time forward , but their Camels & Apparell also are of such esteeme , that they neuer after doe them seruice in vile carriages or occasions of that qualitie .

Mahomet promised them his second glorious comming after a thousand yeares , which they seriously lately looking for , and seeing themselues guld by such credulity began to stagger , till the Mufti assured them , the figures were mistaken , and that vpon better view of the Originall hee found two thousand for a thousand , when hee would not faile to visit them : till which first thousand yeares , the Kings of Persia , euer kept a Horse sadled and well lookt too , which with one of his daughters , hee reserued for Mahomet , or for Hoce●●-Mahumed-Mahadin , last sonne of Mortis Haly , who the Persians to this day verily iudge yet liuing : first come , first serued . So that for aboue eight hundred yeares the Turke and Persian , differed not in points of Religion , til Siet Guynet a Persian born at Ardouile in Media .

Anno 1375. ( a little before Tamberlaine ouer-run Asia ) sought how to recouer Halies memory , as a plot to make a perpetuall hatred twixt the Turkes and them , and to re-establish the Scepter in the time of Mortis Haly , from whom he lineally deriued his pedigree ) This his proiect was begun by Gunet , but accomplished by Ismael his Grand-sonne King of Persia , who got the Kingdome by ouerthrow of King Iacob his mothers brother , sonne to Vsan-Cassan an Armenian Prince and Emperour of Persia : Siet Guynet , I say perswades the Persians that Abubecher , Omar and Ozman , the three immediate Caliphs or Successours to Mahomet , were Villanes and Impostures , that most vniustly they opposed Mortis Haly , Mahomets sonne in Law , and heire by Legacie . Which till they were all dead , he could neuer enter into : and that Osman who compiled the Alcoran out of Mahomets loose paper , had put in new inuentions of his owne , that hee had put out some and added other stories at his pleasure , that in comparison of Haly , they were Knaues and Impostures , and though the Turkes pray to them , magnifie them aboue Haly , and thinke them holy . Yet let all true Persians thinke otherwise of them , as enemies to Mahomef , and all good men , and that all their Disciples were Toades , the of-scum of the earth & vile Apostates , and so framed this Prayer , Cursed be Abubecher , Omer and Ozman , and God be gracious to Haly , and well pleased with him , and all true Persians . Which Prayer and opinion they haue since maintained stifly , and ( in some sort not only to make him excell the three great Turkish Prophets , but euen to equallize the great Mahomet himself ) as the whole rabble of them else-where say to Mahomet , lala ylala , Mahomet resullula .

The Persian new composer Siet retorts the like eccho to Mortis Haly , and since some others to Izmael Siets Grand-chile in this sort , lalay-lala Mortis Aly Vellilula . For which the Turkes hate them like Dogges , and call them Rafadi and Caffarrs , or Schismaticks , and themselues Sonnj , and Mussulmen , which is truly faithfull .

This aforesaid Ali had by Fatima his Wife , Daughter of Mahomets two sonnes Hussan and Ossan , Hali after his victory against Maui Lord of Damasco lost his life by Muavias , who succeeded him in the Sea at Mecha , and to establish his Title , slue Ossan and eleuen of his sonnes , all whom with Hali , were buried at Massad , Hali , Telnab neere Cafe , two dayes iourney from Babilon : where the Kings of Persia discended from him , oftentimes were enthronized and kept their Coronation Ceremonies .

The twelfth sonne of Ossan , Hussan , or Hocem escapt slaughter , his name was Musa , or rather Mirza Cherisim , or Prince Chersim , by some called Mahumed Mahadin , who had issue , and from whom this Siet , Guned or Iuned , Grandfather of Ismael did discend , and from him the now ruling King of Persia.

The Persians themselues contract their Alcoran into a lesser Volnme then doe the Arabians , reiecting most of those Commentaries or Glosses made by Ozman and Ibnul , and content themselues with Gunets reformations , preferring the Imamian Sect which is their own from Hali , before the Melchian , Anefian , Benefian , or Kefayans broached by Abubeche ▪ Omar , and Ozman , and from which foure are sprung aboue seuenty seuerall sorts of Religious Orders , as Morabits , Abdals , Deruisses , Papassi , Rafadi , Cobtini , &c.

Their greatest Doctour of Antiquitie is Elhesin-Ibnu-Abilhasen , borne at Balsora in the Persian Gulph , hee taught the Persian and Arabs eighty yeares after Mahomets death , and by his fluent language and austere life got no small reputation with those pur-blind Nations , yet could his Disciples neuer preuaile with him to register his doctrine , so that leauing all to their memories , so soone as hee was buried , they grew among themselues to an immediate difference , which could not be reconciled till a hundred yeares after a Babilonian Siet , cald Elharu-Ibnu-Esed , imployed his vtmost wits , not only to agree but eternize the fore-named Elhesius Paragraphs . Howbeit the Mahometan Doctours of other parts bended themselues against this late Opinionist , and by a common vote condemned them all as Heretiques and Villaines to the Alcoran , so that about ninetie yeares after by their instigations , Melick-shaw the Turkes Antecessor came against them , and vtterly confounded them , men , Bookes and all other monuments of their reformation .

Howbeit a while after they got breath , and screwed into their good fauour and opinion King Cazell , Nephew to their great enemy King Meleck , and by request and valour of their noble friend Nydam-Emul , they got the dignity of their former Treatises and points of Religion restored againe , so that Elgazzuli a man of no meane fame and ingenuitie was imployed by them , not only to apologuize but to dispute strongly against their opposites , which hee did at first , and after that moderated twixt the Cadies and his owne Reformatists : After which generall agreement they fell into abundance of errours and obscene opinions , turning most of their doctrine into lasciuious Poems and Songs of lust and carnall pleasures , alledging for themselues euen Mahomets owne Tenents for authoritie : to correct which , start vp a seuere Scholler Essebrauer Diserauerd of Chorasan who tooth and naile , cries out against their filthinesse , against whom arises Elfargani . and takes vpon him to defend his brethren , by a charitable Commentary of their discourse and actions , so that some applauded , and other-some exploded this busie Cabalist .

At last to conduce things to some order out of this Chaos of confusion , their most learned Historian Elifarni , tooke vpon him to make straight these crooked postures : so that of seuenty two feuerall Sects of Heresies he reduced all to two , the Leshari and Imamiae , the first magnifying eulogically their Great Mahumed , and receiued by all his Sectaries in Thrace , Aegipt , Greece , Palestine and Syria . The other no lesse eleuating Mortis Ally his sonne-in-law , ( who with a Sword of a hundred Cubits length , cut off at one blow ten thousand Christians heads , and transected Taurus , as I haue formerly noted ) and his worth and equalitie is receiued by all the Persian Empie and some Indians : And this is able to giue reason , in the vnderstanding their debate , and of their Alcoran .

This added that as we compute from our Sauiours Natiuitie , so they begin from Mahomets compiling his Alcoran , deliuered on a Friday , then made their Sabbath : that accout ( they call ) the Hegir●● or yeare of deliuerance .

Emperours , Kings , and Caliphs of Persia successiuelie .

I Dare not goe about to trouble you , with the Chronologie and succeeding Raignes of such Monarchs & Kings as haue swayed Persia , without a requested pardon , aswell demanded , In respect of many that formerly haue named them , both Chaldee , Greeke and Latine Writers , as for the incertainty of most Historians . And although to some it appeare not pleasant , not much profitable , it may notwithstanding happily adde some content and ease vnto a Traueller , if he haue it vpon the report and credit of their Natiue Authorities .

Their owne Traditions writ long agoe , and preserued hitherto amongst them , is that Kayomarraz first wote a Crowne and commanded ouer them , and foolishly they imagine he was Adam , but I will rather beginne with Elam ( from whom the people were called Elamites and Persae-polis from them denominated , Elanis ) sonne of Sem , sonne of Noah . And if we may beleeue those Authours that suppose this Patriarch Sem , was that Melchisedeck , who blessed Abraham , then may Kayomarraz be reputed Noah : but the Scripture tels vs that Abram was in a lineall line from Sem , no lesse then ten Discents , and though Noah himselfe , liued till the confusion of Languages at Babilon , ( hapning a hundred and thirty yeares after the Floud ) yet it is not probable he was Melchisedecke , by that description of him in the Hebrewes , that he was without Parents , Discent , beginning or ending , most of which are apparant in this Sem , or Shem Predecessour to our Sauiour in humanity .

I will begin with Kayomarraz , next whom ruled these succeeding Emperours .

1. Kayomarraz . 2. Syamech . 3. Owchang . 4. Iamshet , first Founder of Persae-polis . 5. Zoak . 6. Fraydhun , from whom discend the Sacae , Saxons , and English men . 7. Manucher . 8. Nawder , or Chedorlaomer , one of those Kings slaine by Abraham . In rescue of his Nephew Lot . 9. Asraciab . 10. Bazab . 11. Kaycobad . 12. Salomon . 13. Chozrao . 14. Lorazpes . 15. Guztap . 16. Bahaman Ardchir ( or Axtaxerxes Longimanus . ) 17. Queene Omay , Wife of Ochus . 18. Darab . 19. Darab-kowcheck ( or little Darius ) who after a carelesse securitie and scorne of Alexander the Great ( or as the Persians call him ) Askander Buzzurk , lost vnto him the Monarchie of Asia , in his last battaile neere to Tane .

And in him ended those Kings or Monarches of Persia , begun in the yeare after the Creation 1700. and ending , Anno mundi , 3636.

Askander Buzzurk , fell in loue with Rowchank , King Darabs Daughter , but left no issue , whereby the gouernment of Persia ( as all the other Countries ) fell amongst his Captaines , so that confusedly for about fourescore yeares they were pressed by Greekes and Syrians , and foure hundred and fifty by the valiant Parthians , who recouered the Monarchie to themselues , vnder Arsaces ( after whom the Kings were cald Arsacidae ) in the yeare after the Creation 3718. & kept the Diadem till the Raigne of Artabanus , slaine in the yeare after Christ two hundred twenty eight by Ardchyr , or Artaxerxes a Nobleman of the discent of the subiected Persians .

But we will follow the Persian tradition , which reports that after Alexander ( buried at Babilon ) the Persians nominated themselues a King , who by reason of his spirit and force was called Shaw-pur , he was brothers sonne vnto Darius , and according to that order so called himselfe : he liued seuenty yeares after the valiant Macedonian .

1. Shaw-pur , or Sapor 2. Ardchir-baba-chawn ( or Father and Lord ) in whose time , was incarnate our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ : Augustus Caesar the second Emperour then swaying ore the World . 3. Shaw-pur the second sirnamed Zabell . 4. Cherman-Shaw . 5. Yerzdgerd . 6. Baharan . 7. Yezgird . 8. Hormuz , from whose name perhaps Ormus tooke her name . 9. Feruz . 10. Belax . 11. Chobad . 12. Chezer . 13. Hormuz . 14. Chozrao , where note , that though these differ from some other Authours , yet they may be reconciled with very little industry . Next Chozrao raigned 15. Chobad . 16. Ardchir . 17. Shawryr . 18. Ioon , first planter vpon Taurus . 19. Shin-shaw . 20. Turan Daughter of Chozrao . 21. Iasan-zeddah . 22. Shezir . 23. Ferrogzad . 24. Yezdgird . 25. Bornarint , and 26. Hormuz , or Hormisda the last of the Persian Princes of true Discent . This Prince ruled Anno Dom. 630. In whose Raigne sprung vp Mahomet ; borne at Itrarip in Arabia , from which time begins the Hegira , or Mahomet an account .

Next these came in the Babilonian Caliphs , who by perswasion to obey the Alcoran , were forced to accept the Saracens , though at first vnwillingly , at last , were compelled to it by Omar , that pretended all those Countries Tributarie to the Caliph-ship , and Sea of Mecha ( neere which , at Talnabi , is buried their greatest Mahumet . ) Albeit we bring in Mahumet himselfe as Regent here , and succeeded by his three fathers in Law , Abubacher , Omer , & Ottoman , yet by some he is left out , the Regencie beginning in those three successiue and only enemies of Mortis Ally ( Mahomets sonne in Law ) Prophets for long time honoured with the Persian , but now growne extreame odious , albeit wonderfully reputed of by the Turkes , as good and holy men , this diuersitie of opinion causing that great opposition and hatred twixt the Turke and Persian , apparant to this day , to the generall good of Christendome .

1. Mahumet . 2. Abubecher . 3. Omer , 4. Ottoman . 5. Mortis Aly slaine by Muavias , and buried at Cafe neere Babilon , where the Persian Kings haue euer since vsed to be consecrated . 6. Acem , or Hocem Mahumed Mahadin , sonne of Hali. 7. Muauias , first of the Race of the Ben-humians , A●no Dom. 657. 8. Yhezid , who ruled the Caliph-ship in Arabia . 9. Muauia , Abdalla , or Mutarr . 10. Meruan . 11. Abdelmalek . 12. Oyledore . 13. Solyman . 14. Omer the second . 15. Yeyzd . 16. Ebrahim , or Euelyd . 17. Maruan , last of the bloud of Ben Humia , slaine by Soffa , or Salin , sonne of Saint Azmulli , a Lord of Candahor , who with Lamonit inuaded Persia , and put to flight Hiblin , Maruans Generall and a hundred thousand men , and after that , Maruan himselfe with three hundred thousand , forcing Maruan into AEgipt , where the said Soffa Azmullis sonne met , fought with and foiled him vtterly , by which encouragements , Azmulli seized on Persia , and reuiued Muters tenents . In which were anathamatized the three successors of Mahomet , and renued long time after Siet , Gunet of Ardouile .

This hapned in the yeare of our Lord , 750. and of the Hegira , 131. in which time Carolus Martellus King of France , plagued the Mahumetans , in the Quarrell of Christs honour through Christendome ,

Thus the line of Ben-humia , being extirpt , begun by Muauias , Anno Dom. 657. ending Anno 750. in Maruan : where note that these were not all fathers and sonnes , but such as occasion and the voice of men made choice of , as are the Popes of Rome .

And now speake we of the Family of Ben-Abbas , the first of whom we account Safa or Salim , sonne of Azmully , sonne of Hocem , sonne of Aly.

1. Safa or Salin . 2. Abubecher , Bugiafer or Abbiafer is next , this repaired Babilon and made it be called Bagdat , Anno Dom. 758. 3. Mahady . 4. Elady-mirza , or Musa . 5. Arachid , or Aron . 6. Mahamed Amin. 7. Mahamun Ben Amin. 8. Malla-chawn . 9. Vuacek . 10. Almoto Vuakell byla Iafar . 11. Montacer . 12. Abul-Abbas . 13. Mustad-zem . 14. Almatez-bila . 15. Motadi-Bila , flourisht Anno Dom. 870. 16. Almat Hamed bila hamed Eben Emoto V●akell . 17. Matzed bila , or Mutezad . 18. Muctafy bila . 19. Mocktader bila . 20. Iafar ben Matazed , or Elhaker . 21. Ratshaw , or bila Mahamed . 22. Kazi bila . 23. Muctafi bila . 24. Mostachfi Abdula . 25. Moriah . 26. Tayaha Abdell carin . 27. Kader Hamed . 28. Alkahem Abdula . 29. Almoctadi bila . 30. Almostazer , or Albumazer . 31. Almostarched , or Musterashaw . 32. Rached bila . 33. Almochtafi , or Mustenged . 34. Almostawget . 35. Almostauzi-Benur-Elah-Acen . 36. Nacer , or Narzy . 37. Altaher Mahumed , slaine at Spahawn , by Tangrolipix or Sadoc Princes of the Zelzucchian Family . 38. Mustenatzer , or Almonstaucer , and 39. Mustadzem , or Almostacem bila Abdala , the last of the Caliphs that ruled Persia , Arabia , and Babilon : he died Anno Dom. 1258. and of their Hegira 655. Mustadzem was thrust out by the Tartars , vndet command of Allan-chawn , or Cyngis-chawn , son of Badur , son of Partan , son of Phil-chawn , son of Fonama-chawn , son of Byzan-chawn , son of Shawdub-chawn , sonne of Tomin-chawn , sonne of Buba-chawn , sonne of Buzamer . Next to Cyngis or Allan-chawn is rallied , 2. Octaka-kawn . 3. Gwioc-kawn . 4. Vlakuk-kawn . 5. Habka-kawn . 6. Nikador-oglan ( or youth ) 7. Tangador , or Argon-chawn , an extreme enemy of all Christians , and being ouercome by Argonus sonne of Abaga , in reuenge of his cruelties , he commanded Tangadors belly to be cut open , and his bowels cast vnto the Dogges . 8. Giuiatuc-chawn or Regato . 9. Badu , or Baduham , of whom many good things are spoken , and died a Christian. 10. Gazun . 11. Aliaptu Abuzad . 12. Hobaroc-mirza , slaine by Tamerlang , or Tamberlan . 13. Tamerlange . 14. Olough mirza , father of Abdel , father of Abdula , ( or Malaoncres ) slaine by Vsan Cassan an Armenian Prince , Anno 1470. yet Tamerlaines issue ruled towards Candahor , in more splendour , euen in the Moguls now being . For Abdula had Sultan-mirza , father of Hamed-mirza , father of Babermirza , father of Fidiager , father of Ocem , father of Bahadi , father of Homer-mirza , father of Mirza Abubecher .

For then came in the Family of the Guzpan chara chy onlu , or black Sheepe , viz: 1. Karassaph . 2. Emir-ascander . 3. Ioon-shaw . 4. Acen-ally , to whom succeded the Race of white Sheepe , or Guzpan Acuculu .

1. Ozun Azembeg , or Acembeyus , and by some cald Vsan Cassan. 2. Sultan Chalile . 3. Iacup sonne of Ozun or Vsan Cassan , and poysoned by his wife . 4. Baysangor mirza . 5. Rustan-beg . 6. Hagmat-beg , these three last intruded . 7. Aluan-beg , sonne of Iacup , and slaine by Izmael his Couzen Germane . 8. Sultan Morad , or Amurath . 9. Abdel sonne of Olough , and father of Malaoncr . 10. Chugcubeg . 11. Abuzed-chawn . 12. Obed-chawn . 13. Abdula-chawn . 14. Adelatif , who died Anno Dom. 1499. and left the Empire to Ismael , sirnamed Sophy , sonne in law , though some thinke Grand sonne to Vsan-chashan , which he got hauing slaine Iacup sonne of Vsan , and Eluan his sonne .

This Izmael Sophy is famous for his victories against Bainzet the second , and Selym the first , and Emperours of the Turkes .

He was sonne of Cheque Aider , sonne of Siet Guinet borne at Ardouile , that first altered their Religion the better to be reuenged of those Prophets who opposed Mortis Ally his Ancestor , his Genealogie is thus : Izmael was sonne of Aider , sonne of Siet Gunet , sonne of Cheque Ebrahim , sonne of Cheque Ally , sonne of Cheque Mucha , sonne of Cheek Sofy discended in a right Line from Mirza Ceresin the twelfth sonne of Hocem or Hussan , ( and only of all the twelue who escaped murther from Mnauias ) and Hussan was sonne of Mortis Haly . So from Izmael discend lineally the Emperours of Persia , to Abbas late raigning , thus 1. Izmael . 2. Tamas . 3. Izanael the II. 4. Mahomet Codoband , or purblind . 5. Abbas who died Anno 1629 , leauing the Empire to his Grandchild Soffy-shaw , or King . 6. Soffy aged about twenty yeares , Anno Saluationis 1634.

They celebrate the death of Hussan eldest sonne of Hali , yearely with many Ceremonies , I haue seene them nine seuerall dayes in great multitudes , in the streets all together crying out Hussan , Hussan , so long and fiercely , that many could cry no more hauing spent their voices , they ninth day they find him ( whom they imagine lost in a Forrest ) or one in his place , and then in a huge hurly burly , men , girles and boyes , crying out Hussan , Hussan with Drummes , Fifes , and the like , they bring him to the Mosque , and so after some admiration and thanksgiuing they put an end to that their Orgee .

Other Feasts are performed by the Abdals , ( who take their name from Abdala , father of Mahomet ) these haue no abode , vow pouerty , lodge in Churches ( which made our Lodgings louzie after them ) and haue prouision brought them by the charitable , they are couered with a sheep-skin , and though poore , yet trauell with dangerous weapons , with which t is thought they oft doe villany and get by , a horne is tied about their necke , which they vse to blow in Markets , when they would haue the people to heare Orations , their picture is in the Frontispiece .

The Circumcision of their male children , is at eight yeares old , but some at eight dayes , most commonly when hee can in some sort render his profession .

When they purpose it , they conuocate his Kindred , who with themselues present him gifts , and what may then delight him . That done , they all mount and carry with them the boy brauely mounted and attired , a Sword in his right hand , the Bridle in his other . Afore him are carried a Speare and a Flambeaux , or torch linkt to it , the Musique accompanies him , with the father next and according to bloud or degree , the other follow . The Hodgee or Priest meets him at the Mosque , and takes him downe , and entring the Church , one holds him on his knee , another vnclothes him , a third holds fast his hands , the rest giue some triuiall discourse to diminish the expectation of his paine : and then the Priest dilating his prepuce , in a trice with his siluer Cissers circumcises him , and applyes a healing powder of Salt and Marmalate of Dates , which stanches the bloud and mitigates his griefe , thence-forward hee is called Mussulman , or true Beleeuer , sometimes they elate a finger , smile and pray to Mahomet .

The poorer sort want Circumcision , and are ignorant wholy of the Alcoran .

Such women or girles of Christians that liue in slauery , by price or conquest , are excized forceably , by which they repute them Mahometans , though their beliefe and heart be otherwise

Their Marriages haue not much Ceremony , Poligamy is tolerable . Their Burials are exactly performed by hired women , who for fiue houres space , scratch their vgly faces , howle bitterly , teare their false haire , swoone and counterfeit sorrow abominably , these their ejaculations continue till his placing in the graue , which is after they haue washt him ( for they thinke purification in life and death is very necessary ) they persume him , wrap him in fine linnen , bid him commend them to all their friends , lay him with his head to Medina Talnabi , place him where neuer any was formerly buried ( because they thinke it an extreme injury to molest the bones of such as sleepe ) place two stones writ with Arabique letters , to signifie his lodging , its length and breadth , then bid farewell .

After the death of some noble Gentleman , The Authours sicknesse . my course came next , though not to die , yet to goe neere the Graue , whether the cause was cold got vpon Mount Taurus , where wee exposed our heated bodies to vndigested vapours which easily penetrated vs , or rather our immoderate gormundizing their delicious fruits , which abounding we affected in too great measure , these and Gods will first so ordered it , that I begun a tedious sicknesse , in twelue dayes I had a thousand bloudy stooles ( which excesse kild our Lord Ambassadour Sir Dodmore Cotton at that time , and for forty dayes more , continued with such cruelty , that neuer any man was brought lower and into greater feeblenesse than I was .

I wanted not the helpe and opinion of the Kings best Doctours , who though they hoped of my recouery , gaue me small appearance of it , yet I tooke what they prescribed mee , and gaue them Gold what they desired , so that it became a hard question , whether my spirits or Gold decayed faster .

In this weaknesse , I was forced to trauell 300. miles , hanging vpon a Camell , and when I most hoped for recouery , Morod their famous Aesculapius , seeing no more money , limited my life to fiue dayes more existence , It was the more terrible , cause hee had seene Mecha and neuer after lied , as was told me .

But he that sits on high , and accounts all humane reason but meere folly , in foure and twenty houres after proued this great Oraculizer a compleat lier .

For at that time , an old Tartarian Hecate my seruant to whom I allowed eight pence daily , inuocated her Succubi to succour mee , which not a little hurt me , by forcing me to raile and curse her Orisons , shee whether to hasten the Doctours sentence concerning me , or rather to possesse my linnen ( of which I had no small store ) aimed to poyson me , and shee knew strong drinke was vtterly forbid me , for feare of inflammation , yet forced by inordinate thirst to call for water , she returnes me old intoxicating Shiraz Wine , which insensibly I powred downe , and so immeasurably , it immediately ouercharged my vitall sences , and put mee for foure and twentie houres into a deadly trance , so that it was a thousand to one , but it had kild me : yet by Gods mercy after a virulent vomit and sleepe ( which for a moneth before I tasted not to any purpose ) I recouered ( in that time once destinated to be buried by the Natiues , for few friends I had to helpe me ) but when they saw me liue , they both admired and reioyced at it , so that by the binding qualitie of that wine and sleepe , I became bound and in small time got strength and action ; the olde Whore in this season , opened my Trunckes ( while my other seruant sorrowed forme ) tooke away my linnen and some moneys , and run whether I neuer pursued her : this sicknesse hapned to mee , in my age of one and twentie , which is one of the Clymactericks .

I will shew the Persian Alphabet , and so continue my trauaile . They haue nine and twenty Letters which they write , as doe the Arabians and Hebrewes , with which they haue affinitie in Prayers and Language .

Aleph . bea . tea . sea . Icam he● chea ▪ taul . zaul. rea . zea . zean . sheen . saut . zaud. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ctea . zcea. ine . kine . phea . caufe . coffe . Lom . meam . nuen . wow . hea .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Loomealephloy . yeae .

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉

Cumque supeeba fo●●t Babilon spolianda t●op●●eis .

And as I haue in some order giuen you the description of these people and Countries . It will not offend all ( in that vsefull to some ) if I adde a little of their language in most familiar Dialogues , the English , and Persian explaying one the other , in these agreeing sequences .

ThePersianLanguage. English Persian . GOD WHoddaw The Sunne Afta The Moone Mawe A Prophet Emoomê A Prophets sonne Emoomseddy The Earth Zameen Emperour Pot-shaw King Shaw Queene or Empresse Beggoon Prince Mirzey Duke Chawn Marquesse Beglerbeg Earle Sultan Lord Beg. Lords Sonne Beg Zedday Gentleman Awgam Merchant Soldager Souldier Cowzel-bash Lord Ambassadour Elchee-beg President Visyer Iustice Darraguod . Constable Calentar Purueyour Mamendar A Christian Franghee A Pagan beleeuer Mussulman A Iew Iehewd An Armenian Armenee Persian Farsee Indian Mogull Georgian Gorgee Sarcashan Carcash Turke Turke Iudge Causee Lady Connam A holy man Hodgee a Frier Mendicant Abdall a Saint Meere a Prophets sonne Siet a holy Father Padree a Mother Madree a Mother Mamma a Boy Pissar a Girle Daughter a Woman Zan a Wench Whotoon a Seruant Marda a Slaue Colloom a Foot-man Shooter a Taylour Chiat a Groom Myter-bashee A Horse Asp a Saddle Zeen a Saddle-cloth Zeen-push a Shooe Cosh a Naile Cheat a Cooke Ashpash a Barber Cyrtrash a Butler Suffragee A Friend Memam a Sister Quar A Scribe Vikeel an Interpreter Callama-chee Wine Sherap Water Obb Fire Attash Wynd Bawd The Sea Deriob a Ship Kishtee a Boate Kishtee-cowcheok Fish Mohee a Sheepe Guspan a Goate Booze Rost Meate . Cobbob Rice Brindg Boyld Rice Peloe Wood Yzom Apples Sib Pomegranads Narr Muske-Melons Corpoos Water-Melons Hendoon Dates Wchormaw Almonds Bodoom Raisins Kishmish Walnuts Gardow Sugar Sucker Small Nuts Pistachoes Sirrup of Dates Dooshab Pleasant liquour Sherbet Bezar Pezar a Rose Gull Grapes Angwor Figges Anger Orenge Noreng . Lemmons Lemoon Carroway seed Gizneese Anny-seed Zera Nutmeg Goose Cloues Mekut Mace Basbas Cinamon Dolcheen Spice Filfill Nightingale Bulbull Ginger Gingerfill Pepper Pepperfill Ophium Triacke Rubarbe Rhubarr Onions Peose One Yeare Yeck Sol One moneth Zeck-maw A day Rowse To day Amroose Yesterday Diggroose To morrow Subbaw Two dayes hence Past-Subbaw Soone Zood Much Pishaar More Digger Good Cowbass Bad Baddass Naught Cowb-nees Great Buzzurck Little Coucheck Small Cham Lesse Andack Bread Noon Butter Rogan Cheese Paneer Milke Sheer Sower milke Mosse Hony Dowshabb Salt Namack Water Obb Raine water Ob-baroon Salt water Ob-namack Hot Garmas Cold Sermawas A Booke Catobb A Chest Sandough A Carpet Collee A Man Addam A League Farsang Halfe a League Nym-Farsanga● A resting place Manzeil Common Inne Carrauans-raw A Nursery Haram A house Conney A place Ioy Straw Io Barley Cow Wheat Gandowm Money Zarr White Seuittas Red Sourck Iron Pholot A Knife Cord A Sword Shamshere A Gun Tophangh A Needle Suzan A Glasse Shusha A Cup Paola Shooes Cosh A Candle Sham A Bed Mafrush A Pillow Nazbolish Paper Coggesh A Quill Callam A Garden Baugh A Towne . De The Deuill Shitan Hell Iehendam Rogue Haramzedday Slaue Colloom Whore Cobba Cuckold Gyddee Foole Dooanna Villaine Haramsedda Base Whore Moder Cobba The Kings euill Boagma Dogge Segg Horse Asp Mule Astor Cow Gow An Asse Owlock Camell Shouter Mule-man Astor-dor Camel-man Sheuter-dor Horse-keeper Myter Sheepherd Vloch Bird Quoy Beefe Goust de gow Hen Morgh Hens Egges Tough morgh Boyld Poactas Halfe boyld Nym-poact All boyld Hamay-poact Kitchen Mawdbaugh A Cooke Ash pash A Towre Manor A Needle Suzan Thread Respun A Looking-glasse Oyna A Whip Chawbuck Rose-water Gul ob Vineger Cyrca Old Chonnay New Nou●s I Man Thou , he San O Euen so Hamshe Beate him Besome It is day Rouse hast It is night Shab hast It is darke Tareekas Write Binweese Sing Bowhoo● Say thou Gu●ta Oh braue Shaw Abbas Brauely done Barra-collas . Braue Game Tama●sha● A Towell Dezmall Nothing Heach A Garden Baugh A high way Raw A Tree Drake A Turquoyse Pheruzay A Pasport Phyrman A Cap Mandeel ▪ A Coate Cabay A Key Cleet A Glasse bottle Suzan A riding Coat Bolla-push A hill Achow A hot-house Hummum A Sweet heart Ionanam A Physician Hackeam The stones Sechim The Yard Keeree Matrix Cus Belly Shechem The Market Buzzarr The great Market Mydan You lie Drugmagues You say true Rosmaguee Very right Dreustas Neere , farre off Nazeecas , duras Bring it higher Beare ingee Goe , call him Bro , Awascun He is a sleepe Cobbedat He is abroad Swarshudat He is not within Conneyneese He eats and drinkes Moughwhorat Come quickly Zood beaw Goe quickly Zood burro Know you , yes , Medanny baly Where is he Quo iaas Who , my father Che , pader man I know not Che medannam Can I tell you , Che cunnam Not farre off Dureneese God blesse you Wchodaw bashe I drinke to you Esco-sumaw I thanke you , Bizmilla With all my heart Allhumderalley Much good do it you Awpheat Doe you loue me Dooz me dare Strength , soone Zoor , Zood Full Pooras Fill full Poorcunne Boile the meate Goust buppose Strait Tunghea Weake Sangheneese In health Choggea Sicke Na chaggea Dead Mordasse Gone Raftas Here Ingls Aboue Bolla Below Pvin Angry Ianghea Hungry O lam A Colour Raugh A Misbeleeuer Caffar A Priuy Adam Conney A Close-stoole Obb Conney Sope Saboon Broken Shekestas Laden Barkonnas Lost Gumshottas Found Paydcun A Cradle Caguey Tobacco Tombacco Giue me Bedde Stop Bast Wash Bushure Take away Verdure You trifle Basim●cunne A Gift Piskash A Platter Langaree A Pl●te . Nalbuchee .

Persian . English Turkish . Yeck One Beer Do two Echee Se three Ewch Char foure Dewrt Panch fiue Beash Shesh sixe Altee Haft seuen Yedte Hasht eight Seckez No nine Dockoz Da ten One Yezda eleuen One-beer Dozda twelue One-eche Sezda thirteene One-ewch Charda fourteene One-dewrt Pounzdata fifteene One-beash Shoonzdata sixteene One-altea Haft-data seuenteene One-yedte Hasht-data eighteene One-setkez No data nineteene One-dockoz Beest twentie Ygarmy Yec-beest twentie one Ygarmy beer Dota beest twentie two Ygarmy echee Se beest twentie three Ygarmy ewch Charbeest twentie foure Ygarmy dewrt Pouncbeest twentie fiue Ygarmy beash Se thirtie Otooz fortie Coorgh fiftie ▪ Ally

Babylon Bagdat Tauris Tabris Syras Shyraz Hierusalem Kursakaleel Constantinople Stambull Alexandretta Skandrown Grand Cairo Al-Cayr

English . Persian . A good morrow or God blesse you Sir , Sallam-alleekam The like I wish you Sir Aleekam-sallam Whether doe you goe ? Quo ia merue ? Not farre Dure neese How doe you to day ? Chaldery Amrooz ? Well I prayse God Choggee Shoochoro-Whoddaw Good , I am very glad thereof , Koobas , Whowddaw bashat Where haue you beene ? Quo ia boodee ? Now I am your seruant Hali man Merda sumaw Welcome , Sir , heartily welcome . Hoshomedee , Agaw , Suffowardee Tell me , how you doe , healthy , Gufta , chehaldery ? choggee Where is your house ? at Babylon , Quoiaas chonna sumaw ? Bagdat Haue you a Wife ? Zan darre ? Yea truly , fifteene Sir , Bally , pounsdata beg How old are you ? twenty foure . Chan sol daree ? char-beest How are you called ? Che nome Daree sumaw ? My name is called Teredoro , Noma mannas Teredore Is this the way to Tauris ? Eeen raw hast Tabyris ? Yea , but how many leagues thither ? Bally , o chan Far sangas vntraf ? I suppose , t is twenty , Man medonam , beest Is the way good or bad ? Raw koob o baddas ? Is there good Wine ? Vnjee koob sherabbas ? Yea , in the high way . Bally , raw hast Whose Garden is that ? Een baugh mally chee ? T is the great Kings , Mally-pot-shaughas Know you Cazbeen ? Cazbeen medanny ? I doe Sir , haue you seene it ? Manbali beg , sumaw dedee ? Why not , I know all Persia , Cheree-na , hamma Farsee dedam Come hither good Boy , Ingee bear koob pissar Giue me some Wine soone Sherap bedee zood Fill me but one cup Pourcun yeck paola Then saddle my Horse Asp zeen pushee I thanke you Sir Whoddaw-negaturat It growes darke , I le sleepe Tarreekas , man mechobed Giue me some water slaue Ob bedee colloom Here Sir , take it Ingee Agaw , hast bede Much good doe it you brother Awpheat bashat-broder What businesse haue you ? Che Corr daree sumaw ? Little , but stay a little Coocheck , andac wyst I haue some occasions man corr daram Tell me where is the King Gufta ? pot-shaw quo iaas ? I beleeue in Hyrcania , Man medonam Mozendram God blesse you , Whoddaw bashat .

On the thirteenth of Aprill , we set saile for other parts , when being three or foure leagues at Sea , the winde came faire , so that on the fifteenth day we were parallel to Saint Iohns , seuenty miles from Swalley Road , on which day the expedition bearing vp to speak with vs , the ships fell foule or thwart one another , whereby her bole-sprit broke our mizen shrowdes , no more harme comming to either at that time .

The nineteenth of Aprill we made our selues Nadir to the Sunne , which had Northerne declination fifteene degrees at which time we sayled close by the Iland and Citie of Goa , the seate of the Archbishop and Vice-roy of Portugall in the East Indies , this time being becalmed and without winde , we had the weather exceeding sultry and hot , our course lay still from Swalley Road all along the Coast of India , Decan , and Malabar , South and South and by West , as farre as the vtmost Cape of India , cald Cape de Comerin vnder seuen degrees North , and all the way we failed close by the shore , hauing fourteene , fifteene and sixteene fathome water .

The three and twentieth of Aprill being Saint Georges day we sailed close by Mangalor , a Citie of the Mallabars , where were riding thirty or forty Frigots Malabars men of warre , who all hoyst sayle towards Goa , we steering contrary , only one Frigot came by chance neere the Ionas , who sent her Barge after her , but she both rowing and making large saile got away , howbeit the Barge once gaue her a volly of small shot , but to small purpose .

On the three and twentieth of Aprill wee came to an Anchor at Mount Elly , or Delyn , a Towne belonging to the Malabars , and in that Countrey , our Anchorage was nine fathomes , but at the shore was only three .

Wee durst not land , the people are so treacherous , and bloudy , howbeit they came aboard vs in their small Canooes , and sold vs for other trifles , Coco-nuts , Mangoes , lacks , greene Pepper , Carauances or Indian Pease , Hens , Egges , and Buffols , which because rare are deere . And for euery tun of fresh water , they demanded and was payed a Royall of eight , or foure shillings and foure pence .

The Bannians of these parts , as they liue in superstition , so they affect Ceremony in their Burials . For according to the qualitie and wealth of the deceased , such and so costly are their Funerals , aboue those that be inferiour . Many sweet Gummes and Aromaticke Odours from Arabia , are incended and put in flames about the dead body which is inuolued in linnen pure white , sweete and delicate , or Taffataes of transparant finenesse : amongst other Wood● both rare and precious , they affect that cald Aquila and the older Calamba , trees of admirable height & euennesse , found most commonly in the loftie Mountaine of Chaemoys , in Cochin-China , which those people sell at excessiue rates , both in regard of the Bannian Obsequies , and esteeme , the Inhabitants of Iapan hold of it , imagining no pillow wholsomer nor more efficatious for health then that to sleepe vpon . For they extremely hate such as their heads may sinke into , which , both heates the bloud and perturbes the fancie .

And amongst other fruits as Orenges ( which are sweet , succulent and daintie ) of so pleasant a taste and rellish , that they affect the eater wonderfully offering the rinde with no lesse pleasure then the iuice , both which seeme to haue dulcitie and Acrimony mixt together , are Lemmons , Pappaes , Cocos , both sweete and great , Bananas or Plantanes ( the supposed fruit that Eue was temped with , and with which Adam clothed himselfe to auoid the shame of nakednes ) which Tree mounts to no great height but spreads in comely manner , the fruit is long in fashion of a soulsage , they will ripen though you first plucke them in their greenesse , and become of a dainty yellow , the rinde or skin peeles off most easily , the fruite then put into your mouth , melts with mellow ripenesse , and giues a most delicious tast and rellish , not much vnlike our choicest Peares in England .

The Iacks or Giacks ( which the people brought vs ) deserue description , they grow vpon high trees , streight and vneasie to be ascended , the Iacke is for bignesse comparable to a Pumpion , without t is yellow and shewes some veines , but within is soft and tender full of golden coloured Cloues including graines flat and globous , each of which comprehends a white bone , not eaten with the fruit but being boyld giue food no lesse pleasant and vsefull to Kine and s●ch creatures then doe the Date-stones of vse in Persia , the Iacke is at first taste somewhat vnpleasant , but that is caused rather by its rarenesse and heat then other reason , t is glutinous and leaues a clammy farewell in the mouth , but addes a double benefit to the stomacke , being restoratiue , pleasant and good to strengthen a weake backe , and therefore not ill for that disease , by vs denominated French , but first called Indian .

The Ananas for goodnesse and shape may craue attention , which though it be not inferio●r to the Giacke , for bulke and roundnesse , yet is the plant she comes of , no way equall , this growes nor from Tree nor sowing , but of a root agreeable to our Arthi-choake , they appeare aboue ground at maturity , and affect not aboue two foot height , the better and with lesse labour to enrich the gatherer , t is armed on the out side with a rinde moystlesse hard and scaly , the fruit within good , wholsome , and pleasant , which though too soone satiating the appetite , yet experience tels vs the stomacke couets it , and admits digestion easily .

They haue here Silke-wormes , though not in that plenty we saw in Hircania , nor in the Coast of Cochin-China , and Chormandell , they will be no where merry nor vsefull , but where are store of Mulbery Trees , from which they plucke their nourishment , bettered with that refrigerating aire whispering among them , whence with delight they spin out their Silke , and actuate their variable cods , bladders and bottomes in great abundance of pleasure and purenesse .

If it were not troublesome vnto the Reader , I could adde some other worthy Fruits into this Caralogue , but I feare to be offensiue , so that I will conclude all in one more , and referre the rest to a Discourse fitting for that subject .

The Duroyen , one only comming to my view , because rare here , but in Malacca , some parts of Iana and Malabar , are in no scarcenesse .

This fruit is not much vnlike the Iack , but lately spoke of , the shape round and out-side beauty no way equall to the inside goodnesse and vertues , at first opening it giues a smell like that of a rotten boyled Onion , and to many seemes odious and offensiue , but proues as an excellent foile to make it rarer . For the meat is whitish and seemes diuided into a dozen seuerall Cels or partitions fild with many bones or stones white and restoratiue , in bignesse like a Chesnut , the fruit in a word is pleasant , nutritiue and dainty and may be called an Epitome of all the best and rarest fruits in all the Orient .

These Negroes you see haue no famine of Natures gifts and blessings , and to let passe their perfidie ( taught them by the auaritious , proud and deceitfull Portugall ) impart freely of what they haue to any ciuill Traueller , expecting some small retribution for their curtesie . After some small acquaintance , they will allow you the common curtesie , Arecca mixt with Betele , which they make vse of in all kinds of Exercise and Complements ( a little resembling the Irish wild ones with their sneezing-tobacco-powder . )

Arecca , the trees are high as Cedars , but are liker to Palmeto-trees , are of a fuzzie concaue substance , and decorated with boughes only at the very top where hangs the fruit in clusters , shaped in bignesse of a Walnut , white within , not easily penetrated and without all taste , odour or moysture , in which respect they , neuer eat it alone , but couer or rap it about with leaues of Betele not vnlike the Iuy , so laying vpon each piece of the dissected Betele , a little Arecca , chaw it into many and seuerall morsels , to which ( as I obserued formerly amongst the Mohelians ) they often adde a kind of lime made of white large Oister-shels , all which together cures the wind Collicke , remoues Melancholy , destroyes Wormes , encreases Venerie , purges the maw and stomacke , and preuents hunger .

On the fiue and twentieth day at the Bay point , we espied a Mahlabar Iuncke of seuentie Tunnes , bound for Acheen in Sumatra , neere this Iuncke lay a Frigat man of warre , with intent to take her , supposing her loading worth the aduenturing for , to auoid which Charibdis she fell into as bad a Scilla , the Ionas Barge saw her , chast , boorded her , & towd her to the Admirall , where after a consultation amongst the Merchants , and Sea-captaines they concluded she was good prize and worth the keeping , in her was great store of Cotton , Opium , and Onions , but what was vnder the Cotton , the Captaine and Merchants know best : eightie able men were made prisoners , the Ionas men not content with their wealth and conquest , vnworthily and without cause beat the miserable Blacks that shewed no resistance , so that sixtie of them desperately threw themselues into the Sea , where truly it must needs moue compassion in any , to see so many wretched soules ( vpon the cruelty of the Saylers ) rather to expose their tired bodies , to the mercilesse fury of the Sea , then to be insulted ouer by their raging Victors . Some of which sixtie Negroes were drowned , vnable to swim to shore occasioned by age , and violent course of the Sea , but the Blackes Canoes tooke vp some and our Boats others , carrying them away to Bantam in Iaua , where each of them are sold for fifty or sixty Rials of eight . This done they weighed anchor and steered away South and by West : the Ionas towed the Iuncke after her , but their Boat we sent away ; and fiue Blackes in her . That night we had a stormy gust and thunder , lightning and raine , being weather not vnusuall so neere the Sunne , which had three degrees of declination from vs vnder twelue degrees of latitude from the Line .

These Mallabars are cole blacke of colour , well limmed , their haire long and curled , about their heads they tie a Handkerchiefe wrought with gold and silke , and about their middle a cloth which couers their priuities , their Religion is Mahometicall , their Priests vnderstand the Arabique , in which Language are all their Prayers , they die circumcized and liue subiect to the great Samoreyn , or King of Calicut , but in some measure at some times are tributary to the great Mogull . They are to say truly a warlike and valiant but desperate Nation , excell in the euing , are enemies to the Portuga● ; and foure leagues South at Cananor they haue a Fort , nigh which the Portugalls haue another , they vse both great and small Ordnance , but haue no great store of them , or art to make them vsefull , but of Fire-workes , poysoned Arrowes , Darts and Targets , they haue too great plenty , and offred to sell vs some ; the Country is woody and mountainous . The Road where wee anchored represents this protraict .

Mountelly is vnder twelue degrees sixe minutes of latitude , variation thirteene degrees .

Thence we sailed still South , and by the Indian Coast passing by Cananor , Callicut , and Cochin , great and ancient Cities , at one of which the King commonly resides , or neere about , the Mallabars call their King Samoreyn , and here the Portugals had their first trade in the East Indies , before they found out the other Orientall places . This day we were vnder nine degrees fifteene minutes North , our course still lay dew South . Next wee had eight degrees of latitude , when towards Snn-set wee see the Coast or high land of Brin Iohn , neerest Cape Comereyn , which lies vnder seuen degrees , thirty minutes , the variation is fourteene degrees .

Of Mallabar . Obseruare modum laus est , nimiumque mouende In dubium trahitur religiosa fides .

ANd that we are now in sight of Mallabar , a famous and weal thy part of the Orientall Indies , let the patient Reader suffer me to lead him along in the description of this & other no lesse famous ( then honourable Kingdomes , different in Eleuation , power , Language , Religion , and other heathen Ceremonies , which tho they proceed from an vncertaine Obseruation , yet the author can assure him most part truth . And in this may receiue some immediate benefit , if by contemplation , hee behold the varietie of temporary blessings , no part in the Vniuerse exceeding these , not with-held from Pagan people afforded by Gods al-knowing and guiding Prouidence , which notwithstanding being mixt with vnthankfulnesse , damnable Idolatry , and variety of carnall obiects turne to their greater distruction , and endlesse miseries . And by these we see Gods infinite mercy towards our selues , to whom hee has vouchsafed not only a sufficient portion of wealth and worldly pleasures , but enriched vs aboue all , with that inualuable Pearle the Gospell , and benefit of his sonnes satisfaction for our sinnes , by which ( though to a Carnalist those triumphs of nature may seeme incomparable ) we see our owne happy difference with their conceited Paradice and Trophees of consuming pleasure .

I account so farre of East India , as is from eighteene degrees North latitude to the vtmost point cald Cape Comr●in , vnder seuen degrees or thereabouts ( by the Sea-coast ) the Kingdome of Mallabar , in the first place presenting it selfe vnto description , wherein are many well built Cities and great , as Goa , Dabull , pertaining vnto the Portugall , Callicut , Cochin , Cananore , Mangalore and others , it is gouerned by a King whom they call Samorein , his best sort of people are termed Nairos , the great Samorein or Emperour commonly resides at Cochin , vnder whom rule many Vice-royes , they are of Mahomets Sect , but dissent much from the Turkes and Persians , and differ much from that kind of Idolatry Lodouicus Vertomanus reports them for . Their colour is blacke ( liuing in the scorching frie of the Torrid Zone ) goe naked from the waste vpwards , saue that their heads are couered with a low Tulipant ( or wreath of silke and gold ) about their middles , they haue a cloth of particoloured plad , like that with vs in England .

Their thighes and legs are naked , yet haue the poorer sort nothing more then a small vaile ouer their priuities wholy naked elsewhere , their haire is blacke and crispe . And in augmention of fashion , they very orderly cut and pinke their skin of sundry formes in sundry places .

Their Marriages are rare and ceremonious , one same obserued from King to Pesant , for who so marries , has not the first nights imbraces with the Bride , but very honestly bestowes her mayden-head on the Bramini ( or their Priests ) who well performe it . And truly these Idoll Priests are in such great esteeme among them , that it is vsuall with them to enter the Kings house or any others , discourse at pleasure with their females , and to vse ( I might say abuse ) them with discretion . And note that at such time as the Bramini enters , the good man of the house leaues him possession , ioying not a little , that the holy ( so reputed ) man discends to teach and accompany their wiues and daughters .

When the King dies , they forbeare to crowne his sonne , but accumulate that honour on his Sisters sonne ( and good cause for it ) for they say who knowes truly , whether his sonne were of his owne begetting , but the Sisters boy is of his bloud and infallible Discent , whereby they scorne to erre according to their owne assertions .

The women here ( as in other places of India , where we trauelled ) dilacerate their eares to a monstrous proportion , for by the ponderousnesse of their eare Iewels they teare their eares to that capacitie : that I haue easily put my arme through their eare-holes . The Gentry are stiled Nairos , are a valiant and well made people , pleate their haire very decently , and their naked armes are only clothed with Bracelets of siluer and juory , they neuer walke the streets without Sword and Target , and if any vulgar fellow meet them , they presently shake and vibrate their Swords vpon their Shields , crying aloud Nayroe and so obtaine the way without opposition .

But whereas some haue reported that no poore man dare looke a Nayro in the face , or meet a Priest or Nairo within fifty paces , thereby securing themselues from the others fury , it may well be it has once beene so , but now it is not altogether true nor fabulous .

In Calicut , a great Citie ten leagues whence we tooke our price , the people are reputed Paynims . For their King adores the Deuill ( whom they call Deumo ) the Chappell where this Monster sits is vncouered , and in height about three yards . As they goe in , the woodden entrance is ingrauen with hellish shapes . Within , their beloued Deumo is imperiously inthronized vpon a brazen Mount . His head is aduanced with a rich Diadem , from his head issue foure great hornes ( such as haue the Rams of Persia ) his eyes gleering , mouth like a port Cullis , beautified with foure tuskes , his nose vgly flat , his looke terrible , hands like clawes , has Lions thighes and legs , and feet not vnlike a Monkey . And besides this Grand Pagod are lesser Deumoes glistering like Glowormes . Some of which are pictured deuouring soules .

Each morne the Braminy or Priest perfume and wash them , not going away without crauing his malediction , humbly prostrate hee requires it ( and t is granted him . ) For euery Moone they solemnely bequeath a liuing Sacrifice vnto their Deumo , which vsually is a daintie Cocke . The Priest in his Sacrifice is apparelled in fine Lawne , and with a sharp siluer Knife , he nobly destroyes the yeelding Cock , whose warme bloud is offered to the Deuill , the Sacrificers armes , and legges are garnished with round siluer plates and other trifles , which as he moues makes a gingling noyse . The Ceremony ended , he fils his hands with Rice , and Crab-like goes retrograde from the Idoll , all the way stedfastly fixing his eyes vpon his Deumo , when being come to a Lake ( like Acheron ) there hee embowels his Rice , therewith aduanceth his hands aboue his head , he returns and makes himselfe heire vnto the Offerings .

Nor sits the King to meate till such time as the Deumo has it offered by the Preists , and hauing spread it , with Acheronticke murmors returne it to the King , but what is left is giuen to the Crowes , whose modest appetites , make those prettie Birds be dedicated to the Deuill .

The people in way of mutuall loue and amity , vse to exchange their wiues , with which the women seeme contented , and here Poligamy is not forbidden ; for as the men haue many Wiues , so haue the women many Husbands . But the children are giuen to such the woman fancies and bequeathes vnto , and hee is thereto right well contented , nor doubting , nor questioning his best right vnto the Infant .

It is an ordinary custome here to wash the body wholy euery morne , that done they goe vnto the Idoll , where , with vnspeakable ill-fauoured gestures , and writhing of their mouth and eyes , they continue their inuocations wel-nigh an houre , which ceremony is so hideously acted that it raises no small stupefaction in the beholders .

This superstitious people frequently resort to the Citie of Callicute , in the forme of sober Pilgrimage , which Idolatry deriues not a little wealth to the Deumo their and his Agents , Concomitants in his knaueries .

Of the Isle Zeyloon .

THis famous Isle is not farre distant from the point of India cald Cape Comrein , it eleuates the Articke Pole seuen degrees , by which we closely trauelled , leauing the Asiaticall Continent . It abounds with Cinamon and other odoriferous and Aromaticall Spices . The people ( for the greater part ) are Paynims , and know no God . Some haue a smacke of Christ , others of Mahomet , but those are very few . The people goe naked , not forced to it by pouerty but heat , they are Owners of the best Smaragds , Rubies and Amber-greese through Asia . Yet want these inestimable stones that vertue in their Orient lustre ; to lighten them the way to perfect glory ( poore wretched creatures ) they are too zealous ( foolish zeale ) in their bewitching cursed Jdolatry . For it is apparant , that on the high peake ( cald by the Europaeans ) Columbo , t is orthodoxally held by them , that Adam was their Created and liued there , they beleeue it rather in regard his vestigatings are yet imprinted in the earth , but generally the Inhabitants are egregious Paynims . As testifies the Apes tooth , so highly so generally esteemed , so feruently prayed vnto , which tooth was taken from them not long agoe , by the aduenturous Lusitanians , and carried to Goa , where the Archbishop and Vice-roy burnt it , although the people to redeeme it offered an incredible masse of treasure , refused vnwisely . For by a crafty Bannian an other like to the former was brought forth , which he protested was the same and recouered miraculously , thereby infinitely enriching himself , and joying not a little these credulous and well contented Zelonians .

Pilgrims from remote parts apace flocke hither , where a top a high Mount is conspicuously set the Idaea of a horrible Caco-demon , touching which Pagod , the Syngales ( their Priests ) Cronography . That once Iohna their King held this monstrous Daemon in derision , but entring the sacred Temple , he ( in great agonie ) beheld the Idoll Deuill breath forth fury against him , shewing it by his fiery eyes and flaming Semiter ( threatfully held against him ) whereat the relenting King amazed returnes , becomes penitentiary , and ecchoes sorrow for his former errours ,

The Isle is repleate with innumerable abominations , for in most corners are seene one vgly monstrous shape or other , which as they are diuers , so doe they diuersly infect the humours of diuers men , and to which ( as particular fancie feeds them ) they bestow Orizons vpon .

The place where the great Pagotha stands , is inueloped with a cloud of armes and as sedulously looked vnto ( and good reason ) for they verily beleeue that so soone as that tottering fabrique fals , the finall ruine of the World shall immediatly come after .

And though this Nation disagree in sundry fantasies , yet cohere they in this one , that when one proues diseased , hee procures some worthy thing for a more gratefull Sacrifice , reputing the same meritorious and preualent in their decaying healths , but such as want memory take a wiser course , by inuocating the head of an Elephant ( an vnderstanding beast ) to ease them of that art , taught by Simonides with greater trouble .

A description of Choromandell .

THe Coast of Choromandell stretches , from the point called Cape Comerin , and so runnes along Northerly towards the Bengalan Gulph and Ganges , by the Townes Negapatan , Narsinga , Armagun , Meliapore , Mesulipatan , &c.

At Negapatan and other places inhabit Pagans ( howbeit about Meliapor , where lies martyred Saint Thomas , are Christians ) and in many other places great Rulers of the Sect of Mahomet and vnder the Moguls command . The people are of a duskie complexion , and weare little clothing , saue what is thin and delicate , Gold nor Copper want they , or fruits , or meates that be right good , the Braminy are with them in great plenty , who very readily teach and instruct the perfect way vnto damnation . Their beliefe is beyond their owne expression and others apprehensions , nor vse these people Circumcision , which tels me that they loue not Mahomet . They allow Poligamy , and in their Weddings affoord obseruation for a Traueller . The Priests and ( to be ) married couple , A Wedding . with a faire fruitfull Cow ( a beast of Diuine repute amongst them ) repayres vnto the water side , where after Prayers to their Infernall Guiders , they linke their hands vniformely in the Cowes taile , on which the Braminy powres a Violl of hallowed Oile and Water , and after Ceremony driues the Cow into the water , who enters many times so farre that they are couered to the middles in the Sea . During which they hold fast their hands , till the Cow fearing Neptune , wisely returnes , they then disunite themselues , holding that conjunction sacred and powerfull euer after .

Their Epithalamies are done , le ts heare their Funerals ; such time the Husband dies , he is embalmed , and shortly after , his dearely louing Wife in company of parents and children , wanting no attendance of Musique and Boals Priests , all deckt in neat attire , her head , armes , necke , nose , eares , legs and toes , each charged with Amulets and Bracelets of siluer , A Funerall . with other Iewels , her hands hold fragrant flowres , which as shee goes she sweetly giues to all shee meets withall , and which distributed , the Bramini shewes her a Magique glasse , whose art represents vnto her , frolique Birds , fragrant trees , and sensuall pleasures , at which view ( poore soule ) shee grants a modest smile , interpreted , as longing to possesse them , and in her hands they fixe a gilded ball , which ( with her body ) she rowles in antique forme and order , in the way ( still gazing in the mirrour ) the Bramlni whispers in her eares , telling her of wonderfull matters ▪ and ineffable joyes shee should possesse , which so tickle her , as transported she shewes herselfe beyond all measure , so that being arriued , shee sees the fire whereinto her late dead Spouses body is put ( a hole of two yards depth and equall widenesse ) enuironed with sweet wood and other perfumes , entranc'd , she sees , she leanes into , she incorporates herselfe with fire and husband ( mercilesse too much adored ) fire , which leaues nothing extant saue fame and ashes , immediatly shee is consumed , and for her Auc her sacrifice is bettered with a number of Annulets and Iewels , her Kindred throw vpon her ▪ which done , the liuing Spectatours returne well satisfied .

But such as deny to burne , are shauen , put away and hated like a Dogge , yea , liue hourely in danger to be slaine by their owne issue , a iust reuenge , for their former too much abused liberty , growne so audaciously impudent , that vpon the least distaste nothing but the harmelesse liues of their too much louing Husbands , would satiate their lustfull boldnesse , procured by poyson , till by Parliament this course was taken ( to burne their Wiues with their dead bodies ) to secure themselues from future dangers .

Againe ( O griefe to speake it ) in these parts , the people are so extreamely Idolatrous , and ouerswayed by the insatiable gulph of perdition the Deuill , that they adore a great massie Copper gilded Idol , whose Statue is gloriously mounted vpon a Chariot which mooues with eight mighty wheeles , ouerlaid with Gold , the ascent vp to the Idoll vpon the Chariot is spacious and easie by many and enlarging steps , on which sit with sober visage , the Priests and other little Girles who in way of deuotion ( impure sanctitie ) prostiute themselues to the libidinous heat of wicked men , the better thereby to enrich their Pagode , or adored Deuill , and for which their dutifulnesse , they are entitled , the Pagodes children : these Nemeses with their Priests giue Sacrifices to the Deuill ( fond zeale of their besotted Parents to destinate their prettie children , from their infancie , to such an abominable libertie . )

The story followes , when the Idoll goes on procession , the prime men of the place assemble together , in company of many others to draw the Chariot , happy is that man or child can lay a hand to help to draw it . For in this his triumphant progresse , many men and women ( more forward then wise ) throw themselues voluntarily in the Chariots way , who by the ponderousnesse of the Idoll haue their poore wretched bodies miserably crusht in pieces , thereby becomming vain-glorious Martyrs , but more vnhappy men .

Yea more , such is the stupid folly of the men their in these parts , by compelling their Virgins to become base prostitutes ( their Religion shadowing all deformities ) that t is a great wonder to behold so many Girles of so small modestie , to proffer themselues at such tender yeares .

A description of Casta.

ILL agrees this name with the Quality of that place .

It is a Citie in Chormandell , adioyning Narsinga , where the people differ not in colour nor condition , from the other afore spoken of , but their Funerals diffent from the rest . In that these build to themselues Sepulchres deepe and narrow , and wherein the dead bodies lie entombed , but ( to preuent his melancholy ) the too long , too much , liuing-louing Wife is put therein too , where-out shee cannot moue , but this poore creature is forced to be partaker in her Husbands destinie , till Atropos with a dull Knife coequalizes her warme composure with her mates infecting carcasse .

And t is note worthy that in these parts one trade marry with another , and neuer out of their owne Triball Vocation .

Their Religion is austere ( but irreligious ) agreeing with our old Adage , Quot homine● , tot sententiae ; some adore a Cow ; others a Snake , other-some the Sunne , Moone , Starres , Water , Trees , and other Idols . And it is vsuall , that what they first meet withall at their going forth of doores at Sun-rising , that same thing ( be it bird or beast ) they make their Numen and tutelary God for that day .

Solemne Feasts haue they likewise , in one of which they erect a Tree , with a crosse-yard fastned to it , nigh thereto is a Pagod ( or Deuill ) placed : vpon the yards are nailed two small hookes of Iron , So that when any vowes ( vowes they haue many ) vnto the Pagod occasioned either by sicknesse or disaster , pietie ( pitie to see ) so eleuates them , that they readily proffer themselues vnto the Priests who ingeniously as readily fasten their naked shoulders to the hookes , and then hoise him vp to his greater height of view ( but greatest view of torture ) and being downe , the bloud issuing from his tortured carcasse , is preserued , and by the vnderstanding Braminy dasht against the Tree in honour of the Idoll . Then ( Caitiffe like ) he is drawne afore the Idoll , to whom submissiuely hee attributes serious ( but ill deserued ) prayses , Which done he has free leaue to recure himselfe and looke better to his needfuller cure then Vowes for future .

Ceremony they haue also in the night , during which , the streets are splendide with gl●tering Lights and Torches then eight or more of them filling their hands and pouches full , with Rice and other meates , they dance together amid the flaming Lights , th●●wing their meate ( as they run along ) vpon the ground ( as an Offering to the Deuill ) not daring looke blacke least the Deuill should therefore kill them ( whom they imagine followes them the whiles they run ) such is the power of this old Inchanter the Deuill , such the misery of these fuliginated creatures , who as they vse all Ceremonies of deuotion vsually on the nights and not at day time , t is they say because the Deuill is then sole Rulor and delights in darknesse .

The shape of their Boates or Curricurroes haue this representation .

A description of Pegu.

NOw I goe further on , to speake a little of this as famous , as remote Territory .

Pegow ( so they pronounce it ) is a mighty Kingdome extra Gangem but by late affronts some part is subiected to the great King of Syam ( thought the true Cham ) I let passe what others afore mee haue repeated , or to particularize the great riches and maiestie hee has and liues in . Or of his Elephats , foure monstrons great ones , three milke white , one cole blacke , all which ( poore Prince ) he diuinely worships .

I might speake of his warres and power , or of his apparell , albeit who is ignorant that trauels their , how he is roabed and laden with rich orientall glittering Gemmes , on head , eares , armes , legges and feet , whereby a good eye is dazeled , a good sence amazed with the glory of them , and on the night ( each night he shewes himselfe ) by Torches , he is wonderfull to behold . Such , yea so powerfull are the refulgences of those Carbuncles , Rubies , Diamonds , Smaragds , and Saph●res , and such the treasure and wealth of those Torrid Regions , that affoord it him .

The Religion of the Peguans is Exh●icall , knowing many but false Gods , they haue among them ( inseparable companions of wicked men ) many vgly and deformed Pagods , to whom they pray to , of great height and bignesse , hels they haue also of like assize , whose onely tolling beings st●pefaction enough vnto the hearers .

The Priests are called Tallapois , who though they seeme like Frier mendicants , yet what by awe ( for the very infernall Spirits obey their in ohantations ) and what by policie ( for they contempla●● humilitie , externally very much ) the people haue them in 〈◊〉 repute and reuerent estimation . I will speake further of them in Syam .

A description of Syam .

SYam is a Kingdome conjoyning Pegu , and part of the Orientall I●dia . Patonia and other Kingdomes neere Ganges and Be●g●la , are tributary to him .

The people are included within the burning Zone , therefore not faire .

They haue limbes and hearts able enough to stile them proper ▪ Mahomet has a little crept among them , but for the most part , they know him not .

They haue beene ( in foregoing times ) wicked Sodomites ; which filthy sinne was since corrected a Queene Rectrix , commanding vpon palne of death , that all male children at their births , should haue a round bell of Gold ( in it an Adders tongue dryed ) put through their fore-skin and the flesh , so that if they demand why t is answered them for deterring them the hatefull sinne of Sodomy .

At such time as the desire of copulation wils him get the bels away quite from the flesh , only vnto the fore-skin , which knowne , hee is brought afore some expert Mid-wiues who present him Virgins , one whom he likes , he chooses , returnes and drinkes a somniserous potion , whose operation puts him in a sleepe , during which the bell is loosed from the flesh , and only fastned to the prepuce , an vnguent is applyed , the cure is ready , then is he at liberty to vse his body , but some in way of pride haue foure or fiue bels , which harmoniously resound their melodie in the streets , and preserue them there of purpose , aswell for ornament , as titulation in venerious exercises .

Moreouer , ( which is pittie ) a Virgin here , at Virgins yeares , is resembled to a blacke Swanne : in regard at very greene yeares , they guie the too forward may dens a virulent potion , which being drunk , by its efficacious power or diste●●● their 〈◊〉 to such a capacitie , that bels and all may find too easle entrance , and which is as bad ( dull memory compels me write it ) the worden are not ashamed here ( the easier to illure the men from Sodomitry ) to 〈…〉 in those parts ) into their middles , where with a fine 〈…〉 they are couered , for though the loynes are girded with a daintie I●wne , yet 〈◊〉 deuice , 't is 〈◊〉 made to open , that as they goe along , the least aire giues all to all mens immodest ve●wes , 〈◊〉 those parts , which euery modest eye most scomes , each thought more hates to see and thinke vpon .

The boyes are foolish too , they paint themselues from top to toe with a coeruleall colour , which cannot be washt off , till time proue coadjutor to him in it , the ordinary tricke of cutting and flashing their skin , they excell in , which ( contrary to their assertion ) rather breeds horrour , and admiration , than delight and affectation in the beholders .

The Priests here as in Pegu , and termed Tullapoi , they euery 〈◊〉 day in the open market , 〈…〉 minde of their charitie . Vpon those day 〈◊〉 arise rightearly and goe through all the streets in the Citie , w●th●● Copper Bafon in their hands , on which they beat aloude , thereby giuing notice of th●i● intent to preach ( but the Abdals in Persta ●inde a great hoine like a Sow-gelder ) in their Sermons aduising them to lone one another , and to forbeare bloud-shedding , &c. These Tallapois houses are in trees , to secure them from the Tygres . They eat once a day , are clothed with a Robe of a red and blacke colour ( but the Abdals in Pe●siae vse a sheeps skin , with the haire vpon it ) they haue no haire 〈◊〉 any part of their bodie , they lead an austete but hypocritical life and are outwardly seeming chast , So are the Abdals in Persia twixt whom because I see such vnisornitie . I the better call to minde what past twixt me and one of them neere olde Persae-polis , which was thus . As I was musing one euenieng our Garden their ( which wit● Cypresse and other trees was like a Wildernesse ) their came towards me one of these seemingly deuost Abdals , in his sheeps skin & horne about his necke and bare-footed , espying me , hee blest himselfe and suddenly began to mutter his prayer to Mahomet with feruent ardencie , but seeing me not moue , he came vnto me and prayed for mee , to requite his loue I proffered him some wine which hee ( contrarie to his Law ) tasted of , and liking it , bid me fill his horne , I did so , and he bedlam-like , made but one draught of it , then grauely elating his eyes , hands and one legge , he cryed out to Mortis Ally his Propher , in the Arabian tongue , & with a low Sallam , he bid me Adeiu , but by and by he came againe , and pointed to one end of the Gatden , where couertly I espied three ma●dens , to whom hee willed me goe 〈◊〉 not a little wondring at him , I denied him , bating his ●ibaldry and fearing his rillany departe●● such are the Tallapois of whom I speake now .

They make vowes in their sicknesse vnto the Deuill , whom they account sole author of euill , yet dar●● not displease him . In their vowes they build a small Altar afore the Deuill , on which they strow flesh and flowres , thereby ( for that season ) appeasing his implacoble malice . And many times , they bring sweete musique to him , with which , and their harmonious voices they chaunt most pleasantly , thereby to delight his melancholy . Each yeare they choose a man to looke vnto him , and to safegard the Deuill , and he is rightly termed the Deuils Guardian .

Others so soone as Aurona shewes her golden tra●mols , fill a basket with Rice and other meates , and lighting a 〈◊〉 , they swlloly run through the streets , to giue their Deuill his breakfast , be ●●●ching him to doe them no mischiefe that day . But , if by chance a Dog came by , they giue him the offered meates , being perswade hee came there by instinct of the Deuill .

A description of Patania .

PAtania is a Towne in the gulph of Bengala extra Gangem , about eight degrees towards the Antarctique , from the Equinoctiall . The people are very blacke and goe naked in all parts , saue a small wreath vpon their heads , and a lung or couer to conceale their priuy members : haue Sandals for their feete , they are very humane and indulgent vnto strangers . Mahomet has a little made himselfe famous among them , but the greatest part are Heathens and extreme Idolaters .

This Citie is betwixt the I le Malacca and Syam , subject to a King or Queene , who liue and fight with great state and power of men and Elephants , which they vse aswell in warre as triumphs .

They hate and punish Adultery very sore ( howbeit there are great multitudes of Whoores among them ) and suffer none to see their Wiues except of Kindred . They take great delight in eating Betele and Opium , and loue Arack ( or strong liquour exceedingly ) they vsually eat in plates of Gold , and frequently speake three languages , the Malay , Syam , and that of China . Their writing differs , one which is the Malay from the right hand to the left , as the Hebrewes , another which is the Syam , from the left to the right , as we , a third which is the China , right downe , and bending to way , all very vsuall and affected by the darefull .

In the Citie are twelue pieces of great 〈◊〉 of brasse , one of which is sixe and twentie foot long , very well proportioned in bord ●●●quaring .

They come 〈…〉 from another in 〈◊〉

The 〈…〉 allowes them 〈◊〉 from one to 〈◊〉 them .

Yet such is the it good opinion of Strangers , Trauellers of what Nation colour or Religion soewer , 〈◊〉 first 〈◊〉 many 〈◊〉 of note repaire vnto him , and bring along with them their young Daughters or 〈◊〉 and friendly 〈◊〉 them their to his desires . First 〈…〉 a little money ▪ which done , the foolish made goes with him to his house , whore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 performes all Ceremonies at bed and board 〈…〉 . And at the end of the fixed time goes home with her wages , well contented , and 〈◊〉 taken as a credit then infamy for her , no way preuenting , but rather furthering her future marriage .

But note , that during this time the stranger must beware he be not amorous else-where for 〈…〉 at home will seeke to poyson him . Contrary he , if he find defect in her may ●igorously tortute her . This Ceremony though to Libidinists may seeme mirthfull and charitable , yet a perfect Christian values his saluation at a higher rate , 〈◊〉 by a Deuillish 〈◊〉 with Pagan beauties or forceties to 〈◊〉 his deare soule into endlesse tortures and perdition .

A description of Macassar , or the Celebes .

MAcassar is an Iland and Citle , a little South of the Aequator , and not farre from the I le Sum●tra , or Taprobane , which cuts the Line .

The I le is fruitfull , but very hot , the people of a duskie colour , but inwardly much more vgly as being too much insnared with Mahomets Religion .

They are beneuolent and bold in their behauiour , admit Poligamy , and being dead like all Mahometans , are laid with their heads towards Meccha , neere which at Medina is the Pseudo-prophets Sepulchre .

They we are a small linnen roll about their heads , a thin cloth about their middles , goe naked elsewhere . The women are neatly adorned with Bracelets , Rings and other things , and well perfumed , they weare a large long cawle or sack , liknet-worke , which as a garment hides them wholy , and is so capacious that two more may creepe into it , as witnesse the vse of it , that as a stranger ( not strange enough to vice ) goes in the streets , meets one , shewes her a piece of Coigne , which without Interpreter speaks her wished language . Shee agrees , and receiues him ( hell-like ) into her sacke , or net , wherein they keepe like Mars and Venus , and pittie it is they haue few Vulcons .

They drinke Tobacco exceedingly , and such is their base art in horrid venome , that they can drinke in a poysoned pipe with a stranger , kill him , and hurt not herselfe ( t is very good to hate it in those parts , to auoid the Dilemma . )

But which is rarest , yet very true , they all vse long Canes ( they call them Sempitans ) like our shooting Trunkes , out of which they can blow a little pricking-piercing quill , which , if it draw the least drop of bloud in any part of that body , t will make him ( though the strongest and ablest man liuing ) die immediatly . Some poysons operate in an houre , others in a moment , all the wounded body ( by the virulent strength of the venome ) in that small space rots and consumes most rufully and not without much wonder .

A description of Sumatra .

SVmatra is an I le right vnder the Aequinoctiall Line , anciently called Taprobane , and by some taken to be Ophir , whence King Salomons Nauy from Ezion-geber or the Sues at the Red Seas vpmost channell , in three yeares made a returne not without wealth and triumph . T is now a place where many seuerall Kings sway their Seepters , the greatest is he of Acheen , who as he precedes the rest in state , wealth and power , so is he formost in tyranny , exaction and cruell resolutions . He has many Eliphant● with whose Maiestie he greatly delights himselfe , the Riuers abounds with Crocodiles ( whom Seamen improperly call Alligators ) they grow from a small Egge to fiue and twentie foote in length , their condition is subtile ( such their bloudie teares when they haue deuoured a man p●oue them for ) cruell and yet valiant .

The Talupoi , their Flameus by Magique sp●ls ( the Deuils vertue ) can command them at their pleasure .

The people are in greatest number Mahometans , obserue like Rites and Ceremonies with the Indians , but exceed them in giuing diuine honour to Aetheriall bodies , supposing them Deities so transcendent , pure and vertuous , that they merit no small repute and adoration with the holiest .

The women here ( not differing from all other parts of the Pagan World ) are much vnchast , heate of Phoebus prouokes them more then Thunder can assuage , both which here rage terribly . They marrie at tender yeares , are strictly lookt to by their galled Husbands , & though liuing in excessiue slauery , they endure it patiently , supposing that all other women in remoter Countries taste like thraldom .

Their colour is quite contrary to white , which darknesse they thinke without apparell obnubilates their nakednesse . The women are for courage , Amazonian , and of such account with their tyrannique Lords , that the safeguard of their bodies 〈◊〉 committed sometimes to their care , oft to their valours , but mo●● to enioy perpetually their company . For societie with that sex , is much lusted after by all inflamed Asiatiques .

A description of Poligundee .

NEere to Sumatra is Poligundea , an Ile where not long agoe the English Merchants entended a Plantation , bringing thither all such necessaries , an action of that nature and bene fit required . But whether the heat ( which is there extreme ) whether immoderate Venus , or other laborious exercises ouerthrew them , who knowes it . This is sure , that the Flux and other diseases so troubled them that they died in abundance . So that this Monopoly , became of no price nor reckoning in very small space , adding no alteration to the Iland , saue a new denomination , kill abundance .

A description of Iaua Maior .

IAua is an I le both great and famous , declining seuen degrees from the Aequator towards the Antarctique Pole , is judged to stand in the gulph of Bengala , wherein the holy ( so reputed ) Ganges loses himselfe after three thousand miles discent from Scythia or Sarmatia .

In it are many Kings , most of which are tributary to the Emperour entitled Mattaran , next whom in honour is the Vice-roy of Bantam , whose honourable title is cald Pengran , and in authoritie of Armes precedes all other Substitutes or Deputies within that I le , for at our being in these parts , with a great and sudden Army he entred Iackatra , a Towne re-edified by the Dutch , and cald Batauia , a second Sodome .

In which extasie the English Factors fled to Bantam , not thirtie miles thence , where they liue in more securitie and account , then formerly in Iackatra . Amboyna too apparantly prooues the horrid villany and hate , they beare an Englishman , where with safetie they can shadow their bloudie cruelties though acted vpon them , by whom they haue beene nourisht in their infancie , and liue yet subsisting .

Iana is ouall , and in circuit not much inferiour vnto England , abounds with sundry sorts of Aromatique Spices , of which store , Pepper is their best and most seasable merchandize .

The Inhabitants are for the greater ( not better ) part Mahometans , poligamy delights them , and Cock-fighting and Rams affect them in no lesse measure .

Their colour is like night ( if blacke , may properly be cald a colour ) such is their haire and actions , blacke , dismall , strong , impatient and subtle . Tygres and they at hap-hazard , destroy each other .

Their apparell is not costly , their black-long-shag-curld heads , are wrapt about with valuable Tulipants , the rest , naked vnto the waste , where they gird themselues with a parti-coloured mantle , reaching to the knee or a little lower .

They are strong limbed , and expert swimmers , their best weapon is a Faulchion , or Crest , with which in desperate fights , they defend , and offend too readily .

They haue a custome , a condemned man may take his flight , from an appointed place , his Crest in his hand , striking at his opposers , through whom if he can passe , hee saues himselfe , which is but seldome .

The King of Tuban here in times past was potent .

I will insert some words of the Malayan Tongue spoken in many Ilands of the Orient , especially in Malacca , Iaua , Sumatra , Macassar , and indeed no lesse generall then the Arabique , Latine and Sclauonian are in other Kingdomes .

The Malayan Tongue . English . Malay . MY father , Beta-babpa . A brother , Addal-ally . A sister , Adde-Paparas . An Vncle , Niana . A youth , Monda . A boy , Catsyon . An infant , Buda . A Priest , Cadda . A Merchant , Fetor . A man , Oran . A woman , Paran-poan . A Nobleman , Orankay . A Chyrurgion , Goetheing . An Iron-smith , Goada . A friend , Marty-lowty . A Muske-nut , Palla . A Muske-cat , Gatto Dalgalia . A Dogge , Hanghee . A sort of Crabs , Horra . A Hen , Ayam . A Ducke , Bebee . An Elephant , Catgha . A Goat , Carbow . An Oxe or Buffle , Camb● . A Lambe , Domba . A Bird , Borron . A stone , Batu . A Cap or Turbant , Cayo . A ship , Capall . A Ring , Chinsim . A shooe , Apon . A Wimble , Alforees . A Sword , Ita , or Padang . A Knife , Pieson . A Boat , Praw . A Boat , Paca Suyra . A warme thing , Penas . A Lampe , Pulita . A Coate , Nassee . A Needle , Naroen . A Gun , Bedyll . A barrell of a Gun , Sombo-bedyl . A custome , Negry . A King , Rutgee . A Lord , Queay . A Iauelin , Tomba . A shield , Saluack . A Looking-glasse , Sarmi . A Sow , Sabi A hand , Tanga . A beard , Tianga . A command , Tsuyka . A yeare , Tauwa . A day , Aris. A rope , Tali . Fruit , Tacat . A foot , Backie . A marriage-maker , Coemod● . Copper , Tambagle Lead , Tyma . Iron , Negle . Glasse , Lora . Inke , Mangsy . Bloud , Darno . Merchandize , Dyman● . Pepper , Lada . Lignum Aloes , Garro . Cloues , Chocho . Sweet Gummes , Daringo . Sweet Spices , Dingyn . Cynamome , Cajumayns . Ginger , Alia . Mace , Bengo . Tamarind , Assa. Rice , Brasse . Chalke , Capier . Nuts , Calappen . Salt , Garram , or Matary . Flesh Lalier . Oyle , Nuagia . Gold , Maz. Siluer , Peca , or Salacha . Money , Sarsi . Arack , Pinanga . Egges , Teloor . Mustard seed , Sajani . A fish , Ican . Water , Eyer . A Water-pot , Laude . The Head , Capell . The Eyes , Martic . The Necke , Goulon . The Teeth , Auton . The Eye-lids , Alys . A Tongue , Ilatt . The Lips , Lambider . Eares , Talinga . A backe & shoulder , Balacca baon . An Arme , Backeyen . The Fingers , Iary-laree . A Foot , Backie . The Belly , Penot . The priuy part , Perot . A Toe , Goumo . An Herbe , Oberbedil , or Lancuas . Death , Mattu . Night , Malam . To stretch out , Dusta . To remember , Engat . An Interpreter , Iorbissa . A Booke , Naymoda . Better , Parma . Great , Bazaer . Paper , Cartas . Quils , Cazamp . Plates , Pienig . To eate , Makan . Giue place , Lalan . To choose , Damare . Come yee , Maree . Regard yee , Nanthy . Friendship , Pondarra . To liue , Iagaua . Let passe , Ganga . Neere hand , Gila . It is , Dalan . Require it , Mynta . Goe yee , Pegi . Wee , Dep. Yee , 〈◊〉 Shee , Dya . It is found , Botonvum . To beat one another , Baccalayo . To pay , Chyny . What say you , Abba-katt● . To giue , Berui . To ashame , Malon . To arise , Passai . Early , Pagi . Yesterday , Bulmari . The other day , Bulmari-dula . I haue , Ada. To buy , Bilby . Strong , Cras. Heauy , Brat . To destroy , Ilan . We will goe , Maree . I see , Green . Scarlet-cloth , Facca lata miera . To be silent , Dyem . To obserue , Doduer . These , Itouven . To gaine , Menang . To liue , Iagana . A Booke , Katab . Sunday , Ionmaheet . That couers the head , Kokodang . Where is it , Manauten . Leaue it , Iamgemast . To poyson , Ampo . To burne , Baccar . Bring backe , Combali . Fire , Api . To kill , Benue . Needles , Caluenetten . Bags , Corni . Merchandize , Bayick . A Bed , Bantell . Sloth , Checho . How much , Bar appe Itu . Take it , Ambell . What s done , Bigimana . Hard Wax , Caju-●●cta . Now , Baca-baren . To sweare , Sempa . To helpe , Touloug . To sell , Iouwall . To doe , Bretoon . Melancholy , Chinta . Is he not here Bees . To know , Kyunall . Well done , Soosa . I vnderstand not , Tyeda taw . To vs , Quia bota . Woe , Saya . A good day , Tabea . To let bloud , Bewangdarner . Not good , Tieda-bayck . Betimes , Ysouck . Giue thankes , Tarrima , Casse . Haire , Ramboyet . To die , Bantaren . I am sicke , Bite-secata . To question , Betangia . I care , Tage . I haue not , Tyeda-da . I desire not , Tyeda-●aw . All , Samoanga To spin , Tyeda . Little , Kitchill . Farewell , Tyngall .

The people in Iaua call these thus , somewhat differing from the Malay . English . Iauan . PEpper , Syhang . Mace , Massa. Sweet Nuts , Pall● . Cloues , Syanck . Water , Eyer , or Baya . Siluer , Salorcka ▪ A Royall of eight , Serpy . Fish , Iuack . Champions , Crissen . A Ship , Capell● . English . Iauan . It is the least , Courang . A great torment , Bedil besar . A Gun , Py●sil . Meate , Mackan . Paper , Cartaes . Wine , Arack . A Sow , Sieleng . An Oxe , Alomba . Christians , Vrangy . Strangers , Oranleya .

These are the numbers in the Malayan Speech . English . Malay . ONe , Satu Two , Dua. Three , Tiga . Foure , Enpat . Fiue , Lyma . Sixe , Nam . Seuen , Tousiou . Eight , De lappan . Nine , Sambalan . Ten , Sapola . Eleuen , Sabalas . Twelue , Dua-balas . Thirteene , Tiga-balas . Fourteen , Enpat-balas . Fifteene , Lyma-balas . Sixteene , Nam-balas . Seuenteene , Toufiou-balas . Eighteene , De lappan-balas . Nineteene , Sambalam-balas . Twentie , Dua-pola . Twentie one , Dua-pola-satu . Twentie two , Dua pola-dua . Twentie three , Dua pola-tiga twenty foure , Dua pola-enpat Twenty fiue , Dua pola-lyma , &c.

If I should speake of Iapan or China , I should ouerslip a thousand lies , and goe but by relation .

A Flemming in my company told me this , that the Iaponian Emperour , vsually resides at Meacco , in which Citie is a great 〈◊〉 , or Statue of gilded Copper , to which they pray , and by th●● and other things declare themselues extreme Idolaters . To extenuate the bulke of this their Pagod , they place him sitting , his chaire is eightie foure foot broad , and seuentie high : his head so notable that without trouble there upon may stand fifteene men , his body may be knowne by his proportlonable thumbe , forty inches about , Geometrically measured .

The Citie has seuenty Temples , in one of which are set three thousand three hundred thirty three gilded Idols . The Ile ( if it be one ) has many poore Christians in it . The forme of their executions are vpon crucif●tes , in which sort very lately fiue thousand haue at one time suffered .

Of China .

CHina exceeds the limit of Trauellers , t is by common vote , reputed the greatest Empire in the Orient , chalenging no lesse circuit then eight thousand miles . Wee call it China , from Synarum or Chinarum Regio , they Tabenzoes and Sanglians .

The inhabitants are numbred by some presuming Suppositist aboue sixtie millions : haue nine Cities , the least containing fifty thousand Families , of which their heauenly Citie Quinza is cald the Metropolis , in old times a hundred miles about , now not much lessened . Next which is Pazquin where the King himselfe is commonly resident .

That wall built ( against the Tartars by Zaintzon their one hundred and seuenteenth Monarch ) nine hundred miles long of brasse and stone , is of no small wonder .

These people are crafty Merchants , but bad Warriours . They pretend their owne Country and speech , for the anclentest through all the World , and repute all matters of excellencie and knowledge amongst other Nations , deducted and borrowed from their inuentions . They challenge the first art of Printing and inuention of Guns , and say the vertue of the Adamant was first by them discouered , howbeit to this day they haue but eight points vnto their Compasse , except very lately taught them by some Christians .

They say the World is aboue a hundred thousand yeares old after their Chronologies , and accordingly deriue a Pedigree and tell of wonders done nin●tie thousand yeares before Adams Creation .

They are great Idolaters , subtle and cowardly , their colour rawny , their chins , holding fiue or sixe long haires apeece .

They are tulipanted about their heads , their other habit not much differing from the ciuill Indians .

They are facetious , giuen to Epicurisme , and delight in many but small dishes , the meate they take and eate with two stickes , hating with their fingers to touch their mouthes . Venery allures them mightily , they delight much in May-games and such deuices , and generally loue play : so that at Passage , or In and In , they will hazard all their worth , themselues , wiues , children and other substance .

They haue many Mosques beautified with as many richly gilded Idols , to which they act as sundry ●orts of Superstition .

They haue among them many young youthes , condecorated with propheticke gestures , who , when many are together , goe vnto the Pagod , and sit demurely on the ground , not much distant from the Idoll , grauely and right soberly doe these spectators note the Antique gestures of these Vaticinating Boyes , who with their long-spread haire fall flat afore the Idoll .

In this their Extasie , the lookers on incessantly warble out soft trembling Musique , till such time as the boyes arise , who anon ( as from a diuine trance ) raise themselues and lie downe againe some what more leasurely , then suddenly in great hast and feare with gastly amazed lookes , vibrate a readie sword against the beholders . The people submissiuely bow vnto the Idoll , till the boyes speake vnto them some ingenious inuented matter , they harken , belieue , and then depart well satisfied .

Pectoribus mores tot sunt , quot in Orbe figurae , Qui sapit , inumeris moribus aptus erit . Mans heart commands as many wayes , as stars find resting places , Who trauels must disguise himselfe each way with Ianus faces .

Vpon the seuenth of Iune , sayling from these parts we descryed land bearing from vs North North-west , and next morne knew it to be the I le cald Dygarroys , vnder twentie degrees South latitude , from which I le to Mauritius , the course is West North-west , and distant ninetie leagues , or two hundred and seuentie English miles or thereabout .

This Ile was first discouered by the Portugall , as Mariners report , howbeit the name comes fitly from the Welsh word Dygarad , or desolate .

●Tis full of Wood , Tortoises , Dodoes and wild-fowle , but no humane inhabitants , it giues it selfe to our view , not very high , sixe leagues distant , and to the South-west end are long shoales and dangerous .

Thence , after some patience and benefit of good Windes , wee arriued at the Mauritius , a place not vnworthy the remembrance , or to be spoken of .

A description of Mauritius .

MAuritius is an I le scituate within the burning Zone close by the Tropick of Capricorne , but in what part of the World t is questionable , participating aswell in part with America , in respect of the immense South Ocean , as bending towards the Asiatique Seas from India and Iaua . But most properly adioyning the great Ile Madagascar , from which it is distant two hundred leagues , or sixe hundred English miles , whereby I iudge it placed in the Afri . que Seas , and thereby incorporated into Afrique . But how euer doubtfull of what part of the three it is , of this I nothing doubt , that for varietie of Gods temporall blessings , no part of the Vniuerse obscures it . For what I affirme , I doe it not by fame , but being an eye-witnesse in part , and partly expert in the rest , I may affirme the whole , scarce to be paralellized .

It s latitude twentie degrees fiue minutes , longitude from the Meridian of Cape Comrein , twentie degrees , twenty minutes , Variation , twenty foure degrees nineteene minutes .

It first was discouered by the Portugals , who ( not vnlike a second Adam , denominating all new places and things ) gaue it the name of Do-Cerne , by some Cygnaea , but since by the Hollanders , Mauritius ; either from the name of Graue Maurice , or more likely by the shipwracke of a Dutch Ship cald the Mauritius , that laid her bones here , dead through rottennesse .

It is an Ile abounding with all good things requisite for mans vse , and requireable for the Zone , t is placed in , the Land is high and mountainous , chiefly where it beholds the Sea . The compasse or circuit of the I le about a hundred miles . The greatest extent declining from North-east to South-west : it procreates a healthy nourishing aire , the flourishing fragrant trees , as well lenifying the burning heate , when Phoebus embraces the Goate , as helped by the sweete mollifying breath of the Noto-Zephirus , such time as Sol adheres to Cancer : And as that body is best compounded that partakes indifferently of all the Elements , which either super-abounding , or wanting begets defect . So to be blest in all , this place is abortiue in none .

For water is here in plentie , nor is its goodnesse , and sweetnesse , exceld by plenty , but as it gently drils it selfe from the high Rocks , so it trickles downe the Valleyes , as it were besotted at the delightfull murmure it liueth in , and in some places spreads Meanders , till too secure in his owne mildnesse , hee is ingulpht into the all-deuouring Ocean .

It is abounding in diuers sorts of trees , which are as plentifull , some good for timber , other for food , all for vse , here is store of box trees , whose growth and greennesse , affoord profit and delight , here is also great store of Ebony both blacke , red , white , and yellow , the tree is outwardly couered with barque , but within digests her Ebony : the best is cole blacke , and good for Mathematicall Instruments , playing Tables , Bowles , &c.

And as it is plentifull in all things , so no one thing exceeds the wood , which is in so great quantitie , that I could hardly procure passage . But the most beneficiall tree to Trauellers is the Palmeto ▪ it growes like the Date or Coco-tree , saue that her boughes are more large and round . The tree is long , straight and very soft ▪ hauing no leaues , boughes or branches , saue at the top ▪ which are but few , yet those good to couer Tents , or to shelter vs from the raines , at the top whereof is a soft pith , in which consists the soule and vegetatiue vertue of that tree , which cut out , the tree expires , its taste is like a good sweet Nuts kernell , and boyld like Cabbage , but the best commoditie is the Wine issuing from the tree , which is sweet , pleasant and nourishing as Muskadine or Alligant , thus wee drinke it : we come to a place where two or three trees grow together , and with a Hatchet cut a small hole in euery tree , into which immediatly effudes the liquour , so that suddenly all the holes I cut are full , then with a cane or quill we sucke the Wine first out of one tree , and then the other , and still one trees hole is full againe by that time we had drunke out of the two other , thus in three trees in lesse then one houre three of vs bowzed our bellies full . This Palmeto Wine , is cold in digestion , purges the belly and helpes obstructions , and let stand , in two dayes becomes good Vineger .

Againe , such is the life and pleasure of this Ambrosia , that ( as I haue noted ) we were no sooner gone from the trees , though scarce three yards , but diuers Birds as Parrats ( which here are store of ) Kites and Lizards ( of whom here be plenty , and those not a little curious ) would speed to sucke the distilling Nectar .

Diuers other trees here be , strange both in shape and nature , one out of curiositie I tasted of , which for halfe an houre so malignantly bit and wronged my mouth and lips , as if Vitrioll and Sulphur had beene imbrued . This tree procreates nothing that is greene or good , is wholy naked , without leafe or flowre , and the body very soft and penetrable , in so much that I thinke a Mukset bullet would wel-nigh pierce through a tree of fiue yards circuit , whose softnesse , one of those inuited me to write my name in , which my Knife as easily performed , as with a sticke you may doe in sand .

Another tree beares a codfull of sharpe prickles , wherein are hid a round fruit like a Doues Egge , which broken has in it a kernell , in taste , not vnlike an Acorne , but in digestion , if not the same , little better then poyson .

Other trees haue fruits like Pine-apples , like Arthichokes , like Plummes , others like Nuts and Berries , but what vertue , the fruits or names , or trees doe challenge , I must plead ignorance . This Jobserued that of these , what the Birds eat not , the Tortoyses doe , and what they refuse , the Swine deuoure , so that by one or other all is tasted of .

And againe , as the I le is prodigall in her water and wood , so shee corresponds in what else a fruitfull mother labours to be excellent in , not only boasting in that varietie of feathered creatures , but in the rarenesse of that varietie , which if run ouer briefly , yet may be thought too tedious , I feare by some on such a subiect .

First , here and here only and in Dygarroys , is generated the Dodo , which for shape and rarenesse may Antigonize the Phoenix of Arabia , her body is round and fat , few weigh lesse then fifty pound ▪ are reputed of more for wonder then food , greasie stomackes may seeke after them , but to the delicate , they are offensiue and of no nourishment .

Her visage darts forth melancholy , as sensible of Natures injurie , in framing so great a body , to be guided with complementall wings , so small and impotent , that they serue only to proue her Bird● ▪

The halfe of her head is naked , seeming couered with a fine vaile , her bill is crooked downwards , in midst is the thrill , from which part to the end t is of a light greene , mixt with a pale yellow tincture ; her eyes are small , and like to Diamonds round and rowling : her clothing downy feathers , her traine three small plumes short and inproportionable , her legs suting to her body , her pounces sharpe , her appetite strong and greedy , Stones and Jron are digested , which description , will better be conceiued in her representation .

In this I le are sundry other Birds , as Goshawkes , Hobbies , Parrats , Reer-mice , or Bats so large as Goshawkes , Passe-flemingoes , Geese , Powts , Swallowes , Kites , Black-birds , Sparrowes , Robbins , Herons ( white and beautifull ) Cacatoes ( Birds like Parrats , fierce , and indomitable : and may properly be so called from the Greeke 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 proceeding from an euill egge ) Bitters , Hens and such like , which I name , for some mens better information .

Fishes are in huge numbers here , fresh and Sea-fish , of which the Mannatee or Cow-fish for taste and shape can pose both feeders and beholders , who because vsing the shore ; on which she creepes vpon her paps , tastes like Veale , though not so delicate . Captaine Euans hauing struck one with a Fiz-gig lept vpon her , and with his Dagget after fifty wounds , got conquest ouer her . He bought it deerely , for she so crusht him with her taile , that he spit bloud vntill he died , being three weekes after . The head of this Monster is like an Elephant , some say a Cow , that s no small difference , her eyes small , bodie three yards long and one broad , her finnes so little that they are like the Dodoes wings , more to looke at , then for execution , t is a gentle fish vnmoued , and some say affects the visage of a man exceedingly , yea haue succoured some that were wounded and like to perish , more charitable and mercifull then reuengfull man .

In his head is a stone which being pownded , and put in wine , is very soueraigne for the Stone and Collicke , that is of more value then his other sixe , which yet to him are farre more vsefull .

If I name what fish we took , t will helpe my memory . One speckled fish the Seamen fed vpon vnwarily , and for its naughtinesse is called the poyson fish , t is shaped like a Tench , but meazled , the rest are Breame , Tench , Trowte , Eeles ( excessiue great ) Crabs , Lobsters , Oysters , Caualloes , Porpiece , Grampasse , Whales , Bonetaes , Albycores , Flying Fish , Gar-fish , Rock-fish , Lympits , Sharkes , Pikes , Skate , Crafish , Cuttlefish , Soles , Tortoyses , ( in which I haue seene aboue a thousand Egges , great and manducable ) and Dolphins , with many other , whose simplenesse , giue leaue to the starued Traueller to banish famine and hunger .

The I le affoords vs withall Goats , Hogges , Beeues , and Kine , land I ortoyses , ( so great that they will creepe with two mens burthens , and serue more for sport , then seruice or solemne Banquet ) Rats and Monkeyes , all which becomes food to such ships as anchor here . They were first brought hither by the Portugall , who may truly say of those parts , as some before times of other .

Quae Regio in terris nostri non plena laboris .

Though now for the English and Dutch forces , they dare not rest there , nor owne their firstlings .

The birds are so vnused to tyrannicke people , that I haue shot one Heron in sixe , and kild them all one after another , the one not knowing or valuing the others danger , but beget destruction to themselues , by condoling their late dead associates .

The like for the fish , only the Goats are wary and haue their centinels .

The Hens in eating taste like parched Pigs , if you see a flocke of twelue or twentie , shew them a red cloth , and with their vtmost silly fury they will altogether flie vpon it , and if you strike downe one ; the rest are as good as caught , not budging a iot till they be all destroyed .

The Bats , some case like Rabbets , though in my judgement , worse meate cannot be tasted of . They sqweake and call one the other , in most offensiue cryes , and hang in swarmes vpon the trees ( by clawes fixed to their wings ) with their heads downwards , they are faced like Monkeyes . Their Images vpon the Coco-trees , will speake best concerning their description .

One fish like to a Skate we caught , tailed like a Monkey , his eyes fiue quarters asunder , his finnes ends foure large yards , his mouth like a Port-cullis , a creature rather made to wonder at , then feed vpon .

One word of the soile it selfe , t is stonie and troublesome towards the shore , but within , fat , euen and pleasant , full of shadowing trees , and drilling Riuolets which giue both deligh and tast to the eye and tongue ( some few places except ) which either storming at the aspiring height of the adjacent mountaines , or proud in his owne noyse , discends so violently , that it makes meere Cattaracts by its motion . Yet this fury addes to the benefit of the earth , making it sweete and mellow , which otherwise would shew too full of stones and sandy .

At some times Amber-greese is found here , which whether comming from the Whales sperme , Sea-froth , or other wayes , I leaue it to other satisfaction , for there are seuerall conjectures about it , here is Corall , white and louely . Tobacco is here also but whither by the labour of man or from Dame Nature , that I know not certainly .

The I le has no humane Inhabitants . These creatures that possesse it , haue it on condition , to pay tribute ( without exception ) to such ships , as famine , or foule weather force to anchor there .

Hence our journey led vs homewards in fiue dayes sayle descrying land , which bore from vs Southwest , and next day attained it , by its latitude , knowing it for Englands-Forrest .

T is exceeding high , full of wood , water , Birds , great Eeles , but without Hogs or Goats , till our Captaine bestowed some there now as we passed , t is in compasse fiftie miles , has latitude from the Aequator , twenty degrees fifty fiue minutes , longitude from Mauritius one degree , fiue and twenty minutes , and distant thence thirty seuen leagues . It s Portugall name is Maskarenas .

Hence in seuenty dayes more we arriued at Sancta Helena , an I le in sixteene degrees South latitude , in longitude from Soldania Bay twenty two degrees , Variation of the Needle fiue degrees and some few minutes .

A description of Sancta Helena .

SAint Helena , was so denominated by Iuan de Noua , the Portugall , in regard he first discouered it on that Saints day .

It is doubtfull whether in adhere to America or Afrique , the vast Ocean bellowing on both sides , and almost equally : yet I imagine she inclines more to Afer , then Vespusi●● .

T is is circuit thirty English miles , of that ascent and height , that t is oft inueloped with cloudes , from whom she receiues moisture to fatten her : and as the land is very high , so the Sea at the brinke of this I le is excessiue deepe , and the ascent so immediate , that though the Sea beat fiercely on her , yet can no ebbe nor flow be well perceiued there .

The water is sweet aboue , but running downe and participating with the salt Hils , tasts brackish at his fall into the Valleyes which are but two and those very small , hauing their appellations from a Lemmon-tree aboue , and a ruined Chappell placed beneath built by the Spaniard , and delapidated by the Dutch. Their has beene a Village about it , lately depopulated from her Inhabitants , by command from the Spanish King , for that it became an vnlawfull Magazin of Seamens treasure , in turning and returning out of both the Indies , whereby he lost both tribute and prerogatiue in apparant measure .

Monuments of antique beings nor other rarities can be found here . You see all , if you view the ribs of an old Carrick , and some broken pieces of her Ordnance left their against the owners good will or approbation : Goats & Hogs are the now dwellers , who multiply in great abundance ( & though vnwillingly ) affoord themselues to hungry and Sea-beaten passagers : It has store of Partrich & Guinea Hens , all which were brought thither by the honest Portugall , who now dare neither anchor there , nor owne their labours , lest the English or Flemmings question them .

The I le is very euen and delightfull aboue , and giues a large prospect into the Ocean . T is a saying with the Sea-men , a man there has his choice , whether he will break his heart going vp , or his necke comming downe , either wish bestowing more iocundity then comfort , and here we left buried our honest Captaine Andrew Euans .

After sixe dayes commorance in Saint Hellen , wee sailed thence North-west , and on the sixteenth of October , had latitude thirteene degrees fifty minutes , the Sunne then being in our Zenith , and in his progresse into Capricorne , then whose station hee neuer trauels farther South .

Three dayes after , wee were by Ascention I le , in seuen degrees fiftie minutes , its compasse is thirtie miles , and from Saint Helens two hundred and forty leagues or seuen hundred and twentie English miles .

On the seuen and twentieth we crost the Aequator , where we had too many ▪ Tornat●oes , and to nine degrees , had little other or beter weather then high stormes , 〈◊〉 ra●nes and Iowd thunders ▪ On the eleuenth of No●ember , were Parallel to the greene Cape , and to the Gorgades , Iles famo●ed by Poets for their Princesse Gorgon and Meduza , slaine by Pers●● , that made a defenside and offenside shield of her Head , whose haires being curled like to Snakes , made them as stones by admiration of 〈◊〉 beauty or horrour , that did behold them .

And with a beneficiall gale past by those parts of the Westerne World so lately discouered , and much written of , the riuer of Ama●●nes , Guiae● , Florida , and other parts of Mexico , ( and into some of which I s●thence trauelled ) where I will a little defranude the Reader from concluding with a few lines touching the first Discouerer of th●se Countries .

A Discourse and proofe that Madoc ap Owen Gwynedd first found out that Continent now call'd America .

FOr albeit I haue formerly in two lines vindlcated the honour of our Countrie , lost in the greater part by protract of enuious time , or want of wel-willers to defend it . I shall here somewhat more largely shew the ground of our coniecture , which which with the most censorious may happily beget admittance , if analogie of Language and authority of good Authours may finde it , touching the first Discouerer of the Westerne World , commonly ( tho improperly ) cald America , and to redeeme an errour formerly by a printed mistake of Dauid for Madoc , of whom wee treat of .

We may entertaine some lights out of authentique Story , and peraduenture whereby at first Madoc , and his brother Dauid aduenture● vpon those Discoueries , and since them , Colon , vesputius , Magellan , and others .

Plato may be brought into our first ranke , in that writing Dialogue wise of Tymaeus and Crici●s , he discourses of a great vast I le , West of the Atlantique Ocean , and denominates it from Mount Atlas , supposing the extendure , comparable to Astique and Asia , ioyned together .

In the next place we may obserue , some small conjectures out of those Bookes of Rarities , writ two thousand yeeres agoe by Aristotle and Theophrastus , wherein is set downe a relation of some Merchants passing from the Straits of Gibraltar , by tempest driuen to the West where they at length found out an Iland vninhabited ( which I imagine the Azores , many ages after discouered by the Flemmings , and from them called the Flemmish Ilands . )

And others that suppose Hanno the Carthaginian , light their after much perill and industry , but though some would haue the great I le West from Carthage , yet others as Pomponius Mela , and Lampridus affirme t was South where hee discouered , which granted , it could be no part of the West Indies , but some of the Canarie Iles , Atlantiades , Saint Helena , or Ascention I le , which though they carry not the Epethite of great , yet in respect of the noueltie , great aduenture and distance , may affect that stile , Madagascar if he got so farre ( as some are of opinion ) will cleare it . Only then it seemes to me , that after so long a Sea journey foure mouthes at least , and escape from such terrible stormes as constantly are noted in doubting the Cape of good Hope , hee should haue added a little more , and found out the Red Sea ( not distant very much ) and abreuiated his progresse home , through calmer Seas and lesse difficulties euery way .

Seneca , Nero's Master in a Prophetique way , points out at the discouery : Extant in his Medaean Tragedie . — Venient annis Secula seris , quibus Oceanus Vincula rerum laxet , & ingens Pateat tell us , Typhisque nouos Detegat orbes , nec sit terris — Vltima Thule .

Marke well my speech : — The time will one day bee ( Guided by prouidence ) when you shall see , The liquid Ocean to enlarge her bounds ; And pay the earth a tribute of more grounds In amplest measure : For the Sea-gods then Shall shew new Worlds and rarities to men . And by his leaue who all great acts commands . See Thul lesse North by farre , then other Lands .

To fulfill which , we must introduce our Madoc ap Owen Guynedd , who ( to say truth ) was the first and sure discouerer of those Countries , his Plantations and other Reasons proouing it , which I trust will not offend any , because hurtfull to none , that wish well to vs or our Countrie , being withall a great Honor buried in modern silence and rapt from vs , by all the Christian World , who vnanimously accumulate the glory of it to the aforenamed Columbus . Americus and many others .

And least any may thinke the person to whom wee attribute a Trophee of so great honour subiect to inuention or not worth a memory , I will first giue you a word of his Discent , with the occasion of his honourable Voyage and so goe on .

His name was Madoc brother of Prince Dauid , and sonne of that famous Owen Gwyneth Prince of Wales , who for aboue thirty yeares gouerned their with great wisdome , courage and good fortune : his Father was that Gruffith ap Conan that did homage to William the Conquerour , at Saint Dauids for his Principallties in Wales , and other places , and lineally descended from King Rodri-mawr , or Rodericke the Great , who in many conflicts beat the Saxons , especially is renowned by those ouerthrowes he gaue Burchred King of Mercia , Athelwolfe King of the West Saxes , and Merick a valiant Prince amongst them in foure seuerall Battailes at Gwerthen , Bangelu , Monegid , and Anglesea , Anno Dom. 846.

Enough to satisfie the modest , touching the worth and value of this Madoc , this added , that so soone as his Father Prince Owen was dead , a great and implacable enmitie arose betweene Iorwerth ( sirnamed Drwyndwn , by reason of his broken nose ) Howell and Dauid sonnes of Owen .

Iorwerth ( or Edward ) was thought vnworthy the Crowne and dignitie both in respect of his deformity and simplenesse , Howell was excluded by vote of the common short in that his mother was an Irish woman , and Dauid though inferiour in yeares , yet by marriage of Emma Plantaginet , sister to King Henry the Second , by generall applause was judged worthiest , and secured himselfe not long time after , by that victory he got against his opposite Brethren , wherein Howell was slaine and Iorwerth escaped , by which Prince Dauid became secure , till Anno 1194. Llewellin ap Iorwerth recouered his Fathers right , helped by those actiue Gentlemen , Howell up Meredith and Conan ap Own Guinedd , his neere Kinsmen .

During which turmoiles and vnnaturall strifes , the said Madoc loath to be an Agent of Discord to either party , and seeing propositions of peace ineffectuall , studies by all good meanes to auoid the knowledge of it , and aymes at some forren place of ease and profit , neither discouraged by improbabilities nor likely disasters .

These ( no doubt ) were causes mouing Prince Madoc to this Heroicke Employment , added by those foretelling Southsayes , before named , and which without question were knowne vnto this Madoc , who according to his dignitie was instructed , in seuerall sorts of a● and learning . And it may be hee called to minde that Prophetique Song made by that honorable Bardh or Poet Ambrose Teleyssen , who flourished in the time of Aurelius Ambrosius , brother to Vther-pendragon , called hither out of Armorica , by the distressed Brittaines , to reuenge them vpon the vnciuill Saxons in the yeare 490. after Christ . Teyleyssen in that Song first reprooues the Clergie of Auarice , Pride , and Superstition ( though they boasted of a conuersion made awhiles before by Augustine the Monke sent to that end by Gregorit the Great . )

It seemes ignorant that long before , our Countrimen had embraced Christ by the preaching of Ioseph of Arimathea and Zelotes in this manner .

Gwae'r offeiriad byd Nys angreifftia gwyd ac ny phregetha . Gwae ny cheidw eygail Ac ef yn Vigail Ac nys areilia . Gwae ny theidw ey ddeuaid Rhae bleidhic , Rhufeniaid A'i ' ffon gnwppa . Thus in English : Woe be to that Priest yborne That will not cleanly weed his corne And preach his Charge among . Woe be to that Shepheard I say , That will not watch his Fold alway As to him doth belong . Woe be to him that doth not keepe , From Romish Wolues his silly sheepe With staffe and weapon strong .

And then goes on vaticinating ,

Eu Nar a folant Eu hiaith a godwant Eu tir a gothlant Ond gwyllt Wallia . Vsque laudabunt Dominum creantem Vsque seruabunt Idioma linguas Aruaque amittent sua cuncta Praeter Wallica rura . Whiles Cambray's issue serue the Lord their Maker ▪ And with no other Language be partaker So long , with glory they their owne shall keepe Whiles other Nations in obliuion sleepe .

Madoc ingeniously perusing the older illuminations and seeing in some things the prophecie of this authentique Bardh , accomplished ( for till they forgat God no strangers infested them ) employing his Patrimoniall Estate vpon men , ships and prouision , scarce bidding farewell to Brother or Kindred , lest his honorable designes by preposterous ceremony and complement ( actions when affected , sure remonstrances of shallow braines and vanity ) might find lets or discouragement to himselfe or seruants , Anno 1170. hee left his Country , and after long saile and no lesse patience , blest with some happy windes , at last they discried land in the Gulph of Mexico , not farre from Florida , a land affoording health , aire , gold , good water and plenty of Natures blessings , by which Prince Madoc was ouer-ioyed and had reason to account his happy estate , superiour to that his brothers stroue for , so eagerly emulating with ambitious hate & bloud each other , euen for a little Territory , incomparable to that , good destiny allotted him , being a vast and wealthy Kingdome , obtained in some part without opposition , and able to satiate the most couetous . There he planted , fortified some aduantagious places , left a hundred and twenty men to finish what hee had begun and returned home after some bad windes , guided by supreame prouidence ( his large compasse ) and the benefit the Pole-starre gaue him on the night . Gods prouidenc● the best compasse

When he was landed and had accounted his happy and miraculous Voyage , told the hopes of succeeding Conquests , and other motiues of perswasion and admiration , these and the worth of Madoc himselfe drew so many willing minds and purses to a returne , that he attempted it with ten good Barques , loaded with all necessary prouisions , a matter of that consequence required . At his arriuall hee found many of his Brittaines dead , caused by the Nati●es Villany or alteration of the Clime , which notwithstanding he digested patiently , and with Edwell and Eneon his Brothers , bettered the first intentions , liuing with content , and dying in no lesse distance from Heauen , then when at home , vnhappiest in this , that their owne Nation forgot them quite , either iudging them lost , because neuer after hearing from them , or because their owne Beings were turned topsie turuy , by the fatall end of that last vnhappy Prince Lluellyn ap Gruffith ( who married Elianor Daughter of Simon Mount for t Earle of Leic●ster ) slaine at Buelht by Francton an Englishman , in base and cowardly fashion , Anno Dom. 1282.

And though the Cambrian issue in the new found world may seeme extinct , the Language to this day vsed amongst those Canibals , together with their adoring the Crosse , vsing Beades , Reliques of holy men and some other , noted in them of Acusano , and other places testified by Franciscus Lonez , by Columbus and other Spaniards at their first Discouery , points at our Madocs former being there , being impossible these ceremonies should come amongst them without instruction .

For Ferdinando Curtez Ambassadour and Generall for Ferdinando King of Spaine , confesses that Matezuma ( second sonne of Antzol , and Father of Quabutymoc , last King of Mexico ) told him , vpon demand how such venerable things came first amongst them , that they had it by tradition that many yeares before , a strange Nation liued amongst them , but whence deriued or how named , hee could not satisfie , though by any indifferent man it may be granted , it could be no other saue Madoc , confirmed by the Records yet extant , writ by Cynuric ap Grono and Guten Owen , and no lesse orthodoxall , by that language left by the Cambrians to Birds , Riuers , Rocks , Beasts , and the like .

Some of which words are these Gwrando , signifying in the Cambrian speech to giue eare vnto or hearken . Pen-gwyn , with vs a white head , referd by the Mexicans , to a Bird so called , and Rockes complying with that Idiom . Some Promontories had like denominations , called so by the people to this day , tho estranged and concealed by the Spaniard . Such are the Iles Corroeso . The Cape of Brutaine or Brittaine . The floud , Gwyndowr or white-water , Bara bread , Mam mother , Tate father , Dowr water , Bryd time , Bu or Buch a Cow , Clugar a Heath-cocke , Llwynog a Fox , Wy an Egge , Calaf a Quill , Trwyn a Nose , Nef Heauen ; and the like then vsed : by which in my conceit , none saue detracting Opinionatists can iustly oppose such worthy testimonies and proofes of what I wish were generally allowed of . And if recitall of Authours may beget more credence , were referre the Reader to those Records writ two hundred yeares agoe and more , by Cynwric ap grono , Gutyn Owen who liued in King Edward the Fourths time , Humphrey Lloydd , Dauid Powell Sir Iohn Price , Richard Hackluyt , Purchas , Dauis and others Enough to the wel-willers of Truth and Iustice , too much for carping Zoylists , and such as take pleasure in sophistry and opposition .

This , no doubt , had it beene so faithfully knowne and belieued amongst forreigne and moderne Writers as is merited , then Christophur Columbus ( a man in truth worthy and industrious ) Americus Vespucius , Magellan , and many others had not wholy carried along with them the immortall honour of that happy enterprize , nor had Prince Dauid and Madoc beene defrauded of their claime into those Countries , nor had the Pope nor Spaniard had that immediate interest grounded vpon their first Discouery as very many Iesuits and Statists haue late disputed for .

We allow no lesse ( I dare say more ) honour to Columbus then they or any other can , but this withall . That this his Nauigation succeeded Madoc ap Owens , three hundred two and twenty yeares , and the aduantage is this , hee prosecuted his intents in a happier Age , and when the World was more addicted to forreigne Employments , and abler by Nauigation to attaine with lesse perill , actions much more difficult .

Columbus was borne in Cugureo , not farre from Genoa , a man both modest and expert in Sea affaires , his helpes left him by a Pilot dying at his house , soone after his returne from those parts forced thither by storme and destinie , and comparing those proofes with the coniectures of ancient and graue Philosophers , and it may be not wholy ignorant of Madocs former being there ( for what Nation formerly knew not the Acts of Englishmen better than themselues , else had not Pollidore Virgill ( to our shame ) vndertooke our Chronologie with Verstegan , alias Rowley , from both whom wee sucke too many vntruths and coniecturall testimonies .

Columbus armed with hopes and some assurances repaires to some Christian Princes for his vndertakers , King Henry the Seuenth louing money too well , and obseruing simplicitie , in the Messingers deliuery and lookes ( who vnfortunately had beene detained prisoner by some Rascals in his passage hither ) denied him so that immediatly vpon the Kings refusall and the French Kings , his brother by that time had drawne on King Ferdinand ( though first against it , hauing his hands full , ere he could vtterly expell the Saracens , too long among them ) so that vpon the commends of Iohn Perez de Marchena , Rector of the Monastery of Rabida , Colon was trusted with two small ships and two hundred men .

With which after sixtie dayes sayle after much patience , and no lesse adoe to quiet the discontented Spaniards , they descried land in some part of Mexico . Infinitely ioying himselfe and them , and by this good lucke deriuing no lesse Gold vnto the Spaniard , than all Europe enioyed formerly , but how meanly this worthy man was after that rewarded , I leaue it to the Reader to satisfie himselfe in others Writings concerning it .

Not long after Americus Vespucius ( before his Orientall Nauigations ) aduances Southerly , where with small toyle hee found land enough ( but part of that Continent formerly discouered ) to glut ambition , howbeit iudging his labours more excellent then the others , he denominates that vast & spacious Continent from his owne name , America , iniuriously assumed and vnwisely giuen him by other Kingdomes , being that others had the glory of first finding it , and might more iustly haue called it Madocya , Brittania , Colonia , or Columbina .

But wee see by generall assent Americus has got the honour of it , and thriues better ( tho deseruing equally ) then Bathillus the Poetaster , who thought to haue defrauded Virgill of his elaborate Poem , and there want not some ( yet those not enuious ) that wish his reward agreeable .

Magellan soone after sailes yet more South , and passes that Fretum or strait , with more reason called Magellan , a hundred others haue since that gleaned seuerall additions of Titles and new names their distributed .

Only he that in truth most of all deserued it , Madoc , sleepes , ambitious of quiet more then vain-glory , yet those that loue his memory will not passe by such liuing Monuments of his deseruings ( my owne case at this present ) without some small testimonie of their affections and zeale to worth and equitie , and leaue it to a better Authour , in a better method , to reuiue him clearlier .

I will lead you through no more extrauagancies , lest your entreated patience turne into exoticke passion : being iealous I haue mounted higher then can become modestie and small desires , and in truth am no lesse desirous of home ( tyred in a double Trauaile , by scor-Zones and surfer of presuming ignorance which adde nothing , but detract from better Notions . )

On the last of Nouember , after much strugling with contrary windes and some tempests , we got sight of the Azores knowne by other names , as the Westerne or Flemmish Ilands . In their Origine knowne best to Flemmings , though now subiect to a higher command , the Imperious Portugall . They are nine in number , of which Tercaera is ( if not greatest ) most famous for a defensiue Warre the Prior Don Antonio , Titularie King of Portugall , made there against the insatiate and inuading Spaniard , who finally got that and the rest of Don Antonioes territories claymed by right of bloud and conquest , as the Historian Cunestagio in his vnion of the two Kingdomes treateth of .

They are abounding , with no rich Commodities , their victuall is small , Wine bad , and water not very excellent . They affoord much Oade , which has made them most famous and best inriched them .

This added , that the old account of the first Meridian is transferd hither from the Canaries , or Iles once Fortunate , for twixt Flores and Coruo , the Needle finds no Variation , elsewhere saue in that parallel increasing .

The other seuen are these , Saint George , Saint Michael , Saint Mary , Fayall , Pyco , Gratiosa , and Tercaera . Some of which I here tho vn-usefully demonstrate .

Leauing these , wee entred the Spanish or Cantabrian Ocean , where thinking our selues past all danger ( such ioy the sight of the Christian World and affinitie with our owne Country enricht vs with ) when loe to shew there is no constancie nor trust in incertaine Seas and terrene pleasures , an horred three dayes continued tempest ( not without much feare and doubt ) threw vs vpon Vshents point in Brittany ( a marittime part of France ) and immediately againe , when we expected most danger , the weather fauoured vs , and with a smiling gale affoorded vs in few watches , sight of our long-lookt-for Ithaca : And the more desired , that these Relations might find acceptance from that most noble Lord the Earle of Pembroke , Lord Steward ( now with God ) & my Lord of Powys , from whose encouragements I affected Trauaile : which I cannot passe by without acknowledgement .

To conclude , wee came safe to an anchor in Plymouth Hauen , where ( not without great cause ) wee gaue God hearty thankes , for his former mercies and our present safeties .

The End . Stat sua cuique dies : breue & irreparabile tempus Omnibus est vitae , sed famam extendere factis Hoc virtutis opus est :