EUROPA SOME YEARS TRAVELS INTO AFRICA & ASIA the Great. Especially Describing the Famous Empires of PERSIA and INDUSTANT. As also Divers other Kingdoms in the Oriental INDIES, and I'les Adjacent By Tho: Herbert. Esq LONDON Printed by R Br. for jacob Blome and Richard Bishop. 1638 W. M. sculp: PAR MER. Herbert coat of arms Pawb in ŷ Arver. PAR TERRE. SOME YEARS TRAVELS INTO DIVERS PARTS OF ASIA and AFRICA. Describing especially the two famous Empires, the Persian, and great Mogul: weaved with the History of these later Times As also, many rich and spacious Kingdoms in the Oriental INDIA, and other parts of ASIA; Together with the adjacent Iles. Severally relating the Religion, Language, Qualities, Customs, Habit, Descent, Fashions, and other Observations touching them. With a revival of the first Discoverer of AMERICA. Revised and Enlarged by the Author. Segniùs irritant Animos demissa per Aures Quam quae sunt Oculis Subjecta fidelibus, & Quae Ipse sibi praebet Spectator. Horat. SHALT LABOUR FOR THOU PEACE PLENTY LONDON, Printed by R. Bip. for jacob Blome and Richard Bishop. 1638. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PHILIP Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomery: Baron Herbert of Caerdiff ' and Sherland; Lord Parr and Ross ' of Kendal; Lord Fitz-Hugh, Marmyon, and Saint Quintin: Lord Chamberlain of his MAJESTY'S most honourable Household, Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Wiltes, etc. Lord Warden of the Stanneries in Corn-Wales and Devon: Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter: and one of his MAJESTY'S most honourable Privy Council. MY LORD, HAving past the Pikes, I take new courage to come on again. One blow more and I have done. Ten to one it lights on my own pate: but if my head stand free, my hand shall not be guilty of more Intrusion: No more pressure to the Press: the Crowd is too strong already: and I will get out by Head and Shoulders rather than fail. Your Lordship's word may pass for me: and I dare not break it. Greatness hath a great stroke over Men, but Goodness a greater; Men choosing to obey for Love, rather than Fear. In both, you have a strong Interest, and in both sorts of Men they have taken Possession, and like Twins grow up together: Quam bene conveniunt! And may their residence be as immovable as your Constancy to Good: yea may the Title of plain Dealing and honest Man be the worst Reproach, Malice or double Dealing can fix upon your Name and Memory, who have gained much honour and ease too in Court and Country, by that excellent Dialect and general Belief. The Dedication like a fair Frontispiece to a mean House, or a beautiful Sign to an ill Lodging, hath tempted Travellers to look in and make some stay: But I fear to have used my Readers, as my Host the Guests, that set a mark on the Door, to pass by, and call in no more. 'tis my fear only; which being begot of Modesty, may serve to invite the best and most ingenious Company. To please all is my Desire; but my Choice a few: taking the bigger Number to be the lesser in Virtue, and swollen only with a timpany of Wind and Water. The Boat is in your Lordship's hand, which steers as you direct it. Yours is the greatest Interest: you are our Chief: yours is the leading judgement: do but approve, the Mark is hit, and you make many Followers; Which is the Request of Your Lordship's humblest Servant Tho. Herbert To his virtuous Kinsman THO. HERBERT Esquire. WHat! is't the Love thou bearest the Southern Clime? Or Care to instruct us? That the second time Thou ingagest Fame. Or is't thy Love to pay, Thanks to mild censures? or thy Friends to obey? Or to Enlarge? or deck thy Maiden lines? Like to a Nurse whose eyes on th'Infant shines. Which of them all? or all it be: 'Tis well▪ Who threats goodwill imparts a part of hell. CH. HERBERT. Nobili suo amico THO. HERBERTO armigero APpulit Eôis Herbertus sospes ab Oris, Vicit & immensi mille periclâ Maris. Non tulit hinc secum piper, aurum, balsama, gemmos, Costum, aloen, myrrham, cinnama, thura, crocum. Rettulit hic Mores HominûmqueViator, & Vrbes, Regna, habitus, lingvas, praelia, jura, deos. Divite ne post hac quaeras è Perside gazas, Anglia nunc Anglis Persia tota domi est. AR. JONSTONUS Med. Reg. Descriptio decoris reciproci, inter Arborem Nobilem seu Familiam de Herbert; & Authorem vere ramum ejusdem arboris seu Familiae. NIl tantum decorat ramum quam nobilis arbour, Florentem ramum sic Decus Arbor habet. MAR. BELWOOD Dr. Med. Amico suo nobilissimo THO. HERBERTO armigero. VRbes quod varias solers vidisset Ulysses Et Mores hominûm, clarus honore fuit. Sola inter Phrygiam licet errans Hesperiamque Littora lustrasset per duo lustra Maris. Tuspatia ut saperes immensa emensus es Orbis Herberte inque Salo gnaviter inque Solo. Comperta unde tibi nova multa & mira Brittannis Candidus impertis veridicusque tuis. Fallacem hoc Ithacum superasque peritia rerum Quod tua candori sit fideique comes. WALT. O-QVIN Armig. To the Reader. HEre thou at greater Ease than he Mayst behold what he did see; Thou participates his gains, But he alone reserves the pains. He traded not with lucre sotted. He went for knowledge and he got it. Then thank the Author: thanks is light, Who hath presented to thy sight, Seas, Lands, Men, Beasts, Fishes, and Birds, The rarest that the World affords. THO. Lord FAYRFAX Baron of Cameron. TRAVELS BEGUN Anno 1626. DESCRIBING DIVERS parts of afric, and Asia the Great; but principally the two famous Monarchies, the Mogul and Persian. THE FIRST BOOK. ALL things are the more, The Induction. most things the better for Addition. In honour and wealth no fault is found with increase; full meals & full pleasures too; brimful have no guard upon them. The fuller the better: If the husbandry bestowed upon this Book hath improved the soil, since you viewed it last, the Lime was yours and charge of bringing; the spreading only belongs to me as your day-labourer. To improve on your encouragement, is for your credit, my delight; both our benefits. The gale you late so favourably lent me spread my affection, and again launched me into another Ocean. And, Turpe mihi abire domo, vacuumque redire est. I know my new Relations must endure the touch; yea, and the handling too. So should all Books: But in this Age it fares with Books as with French toys, fair to the eyes, well covered with your empty Gallants, who take the people with the outside bravery; Give me good Linings. My mind is like my habit, plain; and my expressions (I hope so) too. If my new thoughts have added to your bottom, I know you will unwind gently for fear of ravelling, and tie a knot where the thread breaks. But if I have made no Topographic mistakes, I fear no other deviations. The first (the fruits of youth and haste) came abortive into your hands; and failed not of respective welcome. Yet in so cold, so nipping a Zone, more clothing may be accepted of, and which I have woven with some toil, but very willingly, hoping it may discover more maturity. I formerly obeyed my friends, who thought the first too short; this than may prove the happier, since I have laboured to give them a ready acknowledgement. Let my errors therefore reflect on them, and impale me in your favour, for peradventure I may give boldness to your Factors, to fetch exotique rarities in a new division of the world, and in assuring their Barks to bring you home, what may prove worthy your sight and money. But this lucky gale will suffer no longer compliment. The relation of our Sea, is first enjoined me. 1626. Upon Good-Friday, we took ship at Dover, having six great & well-maned ships along with us. In few hours coasting close by the I'll of Wight (called so from Gwydh a British word signifying, seen at distance; Vectis in Pliny, Vecta in Eutropius;) where, a sudden and violent gust assaulted us; which, after an hour's rage, spent itself, and blew us the third day (double solemnised by being the feasts of Mother and Son) upon the Lizards point or lands end of England, the utmost promontory of Cornwall; and from whence, to the extremest cape of Africa, we compute our longitude, and not from the Azores the first Meridian. The wind blew fair, so as the seven and twentieth day we entered the Spanish Ocean, the coast of Biscay neighbouring us. Ere long, we descried seven tall ships, whom reputing enemies, we bore up to speak with, but they proved friends, Hollanders out of the Levant, who drunk our healths as they passed, by a roaring Culverin; and we vomited out a like echo of thunder, ploughing up the liquid Seas in merriness, till the nine and twentieth day made us the sport of Danger, dancing upon the raging billows, Aeolus from his iron whistle blustering melancholy tunes, a good while heaven and sea seeming undivided. To which Tune Horace, Od. 3. lib. 1. Illi robur et aes triplex circa pectus erat, qui fragilem truci Commisit pelago ratem— Primus; nèc timuit praecipitem Africum Decertantem Aquilonibus, nèc tristes hyadas, nèc rabiem Noti. A heart of brass that man had sure, Who in a Bark durst first endure The raging waves, not valuing life Midst fierce South-west and North winds strife. The Hyads (who clouds seldom want) Nor blustering South his spirit could daunt. Violence has no permanence; in thirty hours, the quarrel 'twixt wind and sea was ended, and joy in a serene sky reanimated us, so as we ended March in chase of a Turkish Pirate, whom with top-gallant topsails we pursued 6 hours, but (to our grief) he outsailed us. The first of April we cut our passage into the vast Atlantic Ocean, by Arabs called Magribana, as saith Marmolius, Atlantic Ocean. (named from Atlas Maurus, (brother to the star-gazer Prometheus) from whom two famous Mounts, one in Mauritania, th'other in Lybia, are denominate.) Long we had not been in these seas, but another Barbarian Sally man of War came up to us, skulking all night in hope to board the first he saw divided; at day break we found the villain, who, loath to parley in fire and shot, fled amain and left us; who swum so well, that the third of April at Titan's first blush we got sight of Porto Santo, a holy Port, (called Cerne in Ptolemy) commanded by the superstitious Spaniard, and of Madaera (or I'll of Wood) from the Canaries 300 miles; the first, discovered by Perestrellus, anno 1419. 5398 undiscovered; given him upon condition he would people it, which he found difficult, the Coneys in such numbers resisting and undermining him. The other the same year by Gonzalvo Zarco from encouragement of Henry, son to King john the first, of Portugal. The holy Port has five and twenty mile's compass, notable in Wheat, Ry, Rice, Oxen, Sheep, Boars, Coneys. Sanguis Draconûm, Fruits, Flowers, and Grapes, at 8 leagues distance thus respecting us. Porto Sancto The sixth of April we had 27 degrees and a half, at that instant descrying the Isles Canariae, of old, fortunate in name though not in quality, undiscovered till the year 1328 accidentally by one Machan (or Marcham) an English man, from whose relation Lewes de Cerdezo two year after sailed thither, and by consent of his King, Pedro of Arragon, had liberty of conquest and benefit; but long enjoyed neither, john 2. the Castilian King, Anno 1405 extruding him: From whom also, Ventacurtius a French man snatches them, but by john de Betancour a well-descended Gentleman, kinsman to Bracamonté the French Admiral, is dispossessed, Anno 1417 shipping 10000 volunteers, by whose valour and constancy he subdued five of the Isles, La Palma, La Gomera, Lanzarota, Ferro, and Fortéventura, an achievement honourable, yet such vexation possessed the ambitious Gaul that Canary mastered him, as made him entertain death with an useless compliment; his Nephew Menaldus left heir to what he had got, and (has added) his misfortunes; Myndus a haughty Bishop incensing the Castilian King, by whose greatness Menaldus is forced thence, glad of some composition paid him by Don Barba the Bishop's kinsman. But see variety! Barba reputes the purchase, and for small profit assigns his Title to Don Fernando Perazzo, whose brain taking like infection, grows weary of his toil, and for other employment parts with his claim to the Prince of Castille, from whom 'twas torn by Don Henrico Infant of Spain, to this day constant to Spanish servitude. These Isles (perhaps the same Ptolemy and Mela call Deorum currus) are from the Morocco or Lybian continent 20 leagues, from Spain 200. six commonly numbered (Cadamastus, ten; three by speculation) by old Authors, Ptolemy, Pliny, Strabo, and others, Canaria, Capraria, Nivaria, junonia, Ombrian (or Pluvialia,) Aprosita (or fracta lancea) and, as Martian adds, Casperia (or Fortunata.) At this day thus; Canaria, La-palma, Teneriffa, Lancaerota, Hierro, La Gomera, and Fortéventura. A word of what they were and are. They knew no God, but Nature, were ignorant of the use of fire, shaved with flint stones, gave their children to be nursed by Goats, cultured the earth with horns of Oxen, abhominated the slaughter of beasts. — For how can they be good Who dare each day imbrue their hands in blood. Like beasts used women in common. No meum tuum. Lust and carelessness so vailing them, that little difference was 'twixt them and their cattles. Sylva domus erat, cibus— herba, cubilia frondes. The Woods their dwelling was, the herbs their Diet, And on the leaves and boughs they slept in quiet. Some glimmering they had of superstition: having always two Kings, one alive, one dead. The dead they wash and erect him in a Cave, a staff in one hand, a pail of milk and wine set by him, to support and help him in his Travel. At this day are Spanish Christians. The Inquisition affrighting honest men to come among 'em. Grand Canary is the residence of the Inquisitor, whither all the other Isles repair for Justice and other business. Canary has 120 mile's circumference, full of many good things, Goats, Beefs, Asses, Hogs, Barley, Rye, Rice, variety of Flowers, Grapes, and other excellent fruits. The I'll as I took it, thus seems at 8 leagues distance. Grand Canaria. Teneriffa, in multitude of Inhabitants compares with great Canary. Exceeds it in Grapes, yielding yearly eight and twenty thousand Butts of Sack, outbraves all the earth for supereminence. Her high peak Teyda towering so loftily into the air, as seems not only to penetrate the middle Region, but in a sort to peep into heaven itself, from whence Laerius metaphorically calls it Atlas and Olympus. 'Tis accounted 15 miles high, and seen (in fair weather) (some say 300) English miles distant, and serves as an excellent Pharoe, exceeding those at Cayro on the otherside of Nilus. The shape I thus present, badly form. Teneriffa: Teneriffa is 20 leagues from Grand Canaria. Hyerro or Ferrum gave itself very high, and bears from grand Canary South and by West; which I'll (as be the rest) such time as Phoebus is to us vernal, grows insufferable scorching. Famous in one tree (it has but one) which (like the miraculous rock in the Desert) affords sweet water to all th'Inhabitants, by a heavenly moisture distilling constantly to the people's benefit. Hear Sylvester. In th' I'll of Iron (one of those same seven Whereto our Elders, happy name have given) The savage people never drink the streams Of Wells and Rivers, as in other Realms. Their drink is in the Air! their gushing spring, A weeping Tree out of itself doth wring. A Tree whose tender bearded root being spread In driest sand, his sweeting leaf doth shed. A most sweet liquor; and (like as the Vine Untimely cut, weeps (at her wound) the Wine In pearled tears,) incessantly distils A royal stream, which all their Cesterns fills Throughout the Island; for all hither by, And all their vessels, cannot draw it dry! Of these Isles, Lancaerota was taken by that English Leonidas the Earl of Cumberland, anno 1596. and Teneriffa 4 years after by the Dutch; the first pillaged, the other burnt; since when, both are better fortified. The ninth of April we crossed the Tropic of Cancer, Tropic. Cancri. of like distance from the Aequator, the utmost limit of the temperate Zone is from the Pole, called Cancer from Apollo's Crablike retrogradation, moving back in june from that sign in the Zodiac: The 12 day, we had the wind high and large, so that in two days sail we made the Sun our Zenith or vertical point, his declination at that instant 14. degrees North; where note; that only then, when we are Nadyr to the Sun, we have no shadow; as also, whereas to all in the temperate Zone, in the Sun's Meridian their shadows cast North, having past the Zenith, the shade or umbra becomes contrary. An Observation forcing wonder in the Sunne-burnt Arabs upon their descent into Thessaly, As Lucan notes. Ignotum vobis (Arabes,) venistis in Orbem Vmbras mirati Nemorûm non ire sinistras: An unknown world (Arabians) you invade! Wondering to see the Groves yield right-hand shade. And because we have nilnisi pontus et Aer to observe upon, let us theorize a little upon the Mathematics. The Inhabitants within this Zone (the torrid) we are now in, are called Amphiscij, in respect they cast their shadows both ways according as the Sun is in declination, and Ascij or shadowlesse, when Sol-is Zenith, from which point when it fleets either North or South the shadow ever darts contrarily, as falls out when ever the gnomon or coelated body is interposed. The periscij have their shadow circulating, their meridional shadows having no existence from the vertice, but obliqne and extended to the plain of the terrestrial Horizon, glomerating the gnomon or body opacous; these sort of people freezing within the polar circles (of like distance from the pole, the Tropics are from the Equinoctial) the pole being their vertex, and Aequator (90 degrees) their direct Horizon. The Heteroscij are such as live in the temperate Zone, whose shadows at noon day turn but one way. And this the Mathematics teach us, that the Heteroscij comprehend 41 parellells, the Amphiscij seven, the Periscij (those in the frozen Zone) half the year. With these, go others as they stand comparatively, the Periaeci, Antoeci, Antichthones. The first being such as dwell in two opposite points of a like circle, one from the other a semicircle or 180 degrees, so they be numbered after lesser parellells. The Antoeci are also opposite, but vary neither in Meridian nor aequidistance from the Horizon, respecting either Hemisphere. The Antipodes are such as be feet to feet, a precise strait line passing thorough the Centre from one side to another: differing from the Periaeci by degrees of a smaller circle, whence we observe, that such as be to us Periaeci, be Antoeci to our Antichthones, each inverted to other in a perfect contrary. Nor doubt we that there be, Antipodes, (the veil of stupid ignorance being rend away) the sphericity of the world, and that every place in the earth (though opposite) is habitable, now so well known as nothing seems more familiar. Notwithstanding, it was not so of old, when Boniface Bishop of Mentz (a Clerk well learned in that blockish age) was excommunicated by Pope Zachary, Anno 745. for maintaining such a paradox, yea was sentenced to be burnt for a heretic except he had re canted: the holy Father bringing in Saint Augustin against it in his 16. book the civet. Dei, Qui Antipodas esse fabulantur, etc. nullo modo credendum est: and Lactantius another great Scholar deriding it in his third book of Institutions. Very strange, such famous men to be so ill read in Chorography: especially, since such a tenet was proved before them by many: by Euclyde, by Cicero in his 4. lib. de Academ. question. by Tyberianus who records an old letter beginning, Superi inferis, Salutem, by Strabo, and of all others most ingeniously by Lucretius, lib. 1. Illi cum videant , nos sydera noctis Cernere, & alternis nobiscum tempora coeli Dividere, & noctes pariles agitare diebus: Sed vanus stolidis haec omnia parturit error. When they see Sun, we see the lamps of night, And with alternal courses times do change, Dividing equal dark with equal light: But error vain in fools makes these seem strange. To return: in changing so many parellels, the weather increased from warm to raging hot, the Sun flaming all day, insomuch that Calentures begun to vex us. A sailer either by accident or infection falling from the shrowds into the merciless waves aggravating our extremity, increased by a violent gust and storm of wind and rain which in 6 degrees suddenly affrighted us, the squiffe (fastened to the upper deck) in less than two hours being filled with nasty rain, ending in thunder and flash, mingling terribly, Tornathos. a great while the Tornado troubling us, a weather so incertain and variable as is admirable; now blowing fresh and fair, and forthwith storming outrageously, in one hours' space the wind veering about every point of the compass: The winds from East, West, North, and South advance Their force, and urge the furious waves to dance. una Eurusque Notusque ruunt, Zephirusque malign flumine, tum Boreas.— The infectious raines most damnifying the poor sailors, who must be upon the decks to hand in their sails, abiding the brunt, and (which is worse) commonly get forthwith into their beds (or hamackoes) resting their tired bodies in wet nasty clothes, thereby breeding many furious and mortal diseases, as burning Fevers, Calentures, Fluxes, Aches, Scurvy, and the like; which doubtless, did they moderate their bibbing strong waters, and shift their filthy apparel, might be prevented: Other unlucky accidents happen in these seas to vex them, as when (in most becalmings) they swim in the bearing Ocean, the greedy Tuberon or Shark armed with a double row of venomous teeth pursues them, directed by a little Rhombus, Musculus or pilot-fish that scuds to and fro to bring intelligence, His body is right fair, though seeming small, And fitly him by name of Guide they call. Musculus est parvus visu, sed corpore pulchro, Hinc piscem vero ductorem nomine dicunt. the Shark for his kindness, suffering it to suck when it pleaseth. Many have been devoured by this ravenous Dogge-fish, more have suffered in their members, whose shape (mistaken in the posture by the Ingraver) is thus resembled. a Shark fish By this, under 13. degrees we are parrellel with Sierra Leon a Cape land upon the Lybian shore, by old Geographers improperly called Deorum currus, Frons Africa, Tagazza and Zanguebai in Thevet and Marmolius: strengthened by a Castle built by the Spaniard, famoused for refreshing our English Neptune, Drake, at his return from circumnavigating the body of the whole Earth: and that thence to Bab-mandel, (the entrance into the red Sea) afric is no where broader. The Inhabitants here along the Guinea coast, Bynnin, Cape Palmas, Lopez Gonzalvo, etc. know no God, nor are willing to be instructed by Nature. Scire nihil, jucundissimum. Howbeit, the devil (who will not want his ceremony) has infused demonomy and prodigious idolatry into their hearts, enough to relish the devil's and agrandize their own tortures, when he gets power to fry their souls, as the raging Sun has scorched their bodies. A Ship of ours coasting along and landing for discovery, was so admired at by the Savages, as if they never had seen men nor Ship afore. Two of our men adventured the shore, (some hostages kept in the boat till they returned) and are welcomed by thousands of those naked black skinned Aethiopians, who were so fare from injury, that they loaded them with Flowers, Fruits, Toddy and what they judged acceptable: after immeasurable admirations returning them safe aboard all contented. Cape Verd. April the 18. we had 15. degrees, and ere morn were in height of Cape Verd in 14. degr. so named by Florian Hesperion cornu & Surrentium in Pliny, Lybiae promontorium in Strabo, of old called Arsinarium, at this day by the Negroes Mandangan, Hacdar by the Alfarabes. Discovered by Dio Fernandezo, or Antonio di Nolle a Genoan, Hesperidae. Anno 1445. at the charge of King Alphonsus 5. Famoused especially in the Hesperian Garden, enriched with Golden Apples, robbed by Alcides in despite of that hundred-headed Dragon, engendered by Typhon on Echydna. 'Twas a Greek fable: who surpassed for lies. The moral this. The garden was a spacious, green and pleasant Field; the apples of gold, good sheep worth gold (such sheep and fleece as jason had) the error partly arising from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, admitting a double construction, sheep and apple. The Dragon, no other than a mere or flux of the Sea, in form or nature of a Dragon or Serpent environing it, swelling in 100 arms or sluices: which Hercules (to enrich Spain) passed over and exported. The three fair daughters of Hesperus, were three honest Lands in the West, adjoining this garden; their names Aeglae, Arethusa, and Hesperthusa; now new named, Mayo, Sal, and Bonavista: three other neighbouring them, the Atlantiades, which we have no leisure now to treat of, the magnific Fabric of Anthaeus calling us away to look upon, but alas we find nothing extant save memory; a palace doubtless brave and capacious, the Lord of it being no mean nor little man: he grew 70. cubits high (a dozen ordinary men's proportion) a proper man, and an excellent log for Hercules to smite at: yet (the Greeks' persuade us) his sword could not conquer, nor was he overcome when by prodigious force joves' son threw him thrice upon the ground, the Earth his mother still reanimating him; till being perceived, he strangled or choked him in the helpless Air. Extreme heat April 21. Aeolus was a sleep, one breath of Air not comforting us, the Sun over-topping us and darting out such fiery beams that the Air inflamed, the Seas seemed to burn, our Ship sulphureous, no decks, no awning nor invention possible able to refresh us, so that for 7 days (70. are better endured in a zone more temperate) we sweat and broil, unable to sleep, rest, eat or drink without much faintness; in this space our Ship making no way (no current is felt in the vast Ocean) till the fift day the billows began to roll and the Air troubled, travelling with an abortive cloud, which suddenly fell down in form of an inverted Pyramid, wonderful and dangerous. A cloud (as I apprehend) exhaled by the Sun (a powerful Magnet) not agitated by the wind, and missing the retentive property in the lowest region, distils not in sweet drops, but diffudes or falls hideously the whole cloud together, so impetuously into the Ocean, Spouts of rain. that many great ships (as if a thousand millstones or cataracts had fallen) have been dashed and sunk past all recovery; and what's little less formidable, the stinking rain is no sooner in the Sea, but (as a fearful farewell) a whirlwind circles with such violence as helps the cloud to lash the murmuring Seas so furiously that oftimes the waves or surges rebound top gallant height, as if it meant to retaliate the Air in another region: God be praised, we missed the rage of rain, the gust somewhat affrighted us; but it contraried Seneca's Philosophy. Finis alterius mali, gradus est futuri: a pleasant Breese first, increasing into a happy gale, cooled the Air and posted us out of those exuberances of nature: so that on May day we crossed under the Equinoctial, Aequator. a circle imagined to divide the world into two equals, from either Pole ninety degrees, and where we lost sight of the Sydus salutare, the Polestar, of a third magnitude, fixed in the tip of the little Bear's tail: the Sun at this time was in the 19 degree of Taurus; in Arctic declination 17. degrees, 31. minutes. May 6. We had some thunder and lightning or corpo sanctos, such as seem good Omens to the superstitious portugals; and at night, past by Santo croix, the holy cross, every hour expecting the Monzoon, Monzoa. an anniversary wind that blows one way six months, and the other half year the contrary way constantly; which if Seamen neglect they lose their happy passage into India. But how preposterous the year and wind proved elsewhere I know not, doubtless it is the Emblem of inconstancy, experience taught it us; so long time proving our Antagonist that our passage to the Cape of good Hope became six weeks longer than we looked for, forced to run into much more longitude than we desired. An Inhabitant of Angola. The slaughter of a man doth not suffice These cannibals we see, but breasts, arms, eyes, Like dainty meat they eat. Aspicimus populos, quorum non sufficit itae Occidisse aliquem; sed pectora, brachia, vultum Crediderint genus esse cibi. Nothing commendable in them but their Archery, in which they excel; shooting a dozen shafts ere the first touch ground; their Amazonian neighbours forcing their care and diligence. The only ornament they have, is slashing and cutting their skin and faces; the Sun and Moon are man and wife, the Stars their children, in their religion; the devil is their Oracle. May 24. We had 19 degrees and a half, from whence to the thirtieth degr. the wind was large and prosperous, nothing in that great distance observable, save that on the 26 day, our Admiral the Mary (in which one Hall commanded) early descried a sail, which he made after with his barge, long boat, and 80. men; at two leagues distance they perceived her a Carack of 1500 Tun, who durst not adventure her hulk against our shot, and therefore made all sails draw and that night escaped; though to grapple her, our fleet divided all night, but saw her not till the 27. day, and but saw her, her velocity so much excelled ours; till the 7. of june she again deluded us, after two hours' chase as a phantasma vanishing towards God. Upon May day we crossed the line, and last of May the Tropic of Capricorn, Tropicus. Capricorni. the utmost limit of Apollo's progress towards the Antarctic; and 53 days we sweat within the burning Zone ere we passed under both the Tropiques. The first of june, our observation was in 24 degrees 42 minutes South latitude, junij. 1. the Sun then in 23. degrees, 8l. North, in the 20. degree of Gemini. In which height, we had many sudden and violent gusts and storms, contrary to our desires, unable thereby to direct our course, being driven to Lee-ward 100 leagues upon the coast of Brazeel, to 25. degr. latitude and 27. of longitude from the Lizard. Howbeit, post multos sequitur una serena dies, for on the 13. day, in the first watch, our long looked for Favonius blew sweetly upon us. — The West wind (most men know) From the vast sea is ever felt to blow. — Semper lenis aura Favoni Spirat ab Oceano.— At which time, some Boobyes', weary of flight, made our Ship their perch, an animal so simple as suffers any to take her without fear, as if a stupid sense made her careless of danger, which to sympathise I have as simply for your sport depicted. A Booby 'tis not long, since I told you how favourably Aeolus entertained us, but his other adjunct is inconstancy; for, veering into another quarter, he began to puff and bluster, yea so furiously, that Neptune swelled with rage in such impatience, that the Tritons (Mariners) grew aghast, not without reason, the Cape land thought (not near enough, and yet) too near us: for four days and nights not daring to bear any sail, but lay ahull, driving whither the storm compelled us, all that while the sea surges so sublime and impetuous, that we were tossed up into the Air, and forth with thrown down as into an Abyss, sometimes dancing upon the liquid ridge of a dreadful wave, and anon enveloped with many others all seeming to swallow us, heaven and sea roaring and commixing in an undivided manner; yet the Lord be praised (having Sea room and good tight Ships) his providence saved us; in 16 days more, meeting together joyfully at the Cape of good hope: and I confess ingeniously, not till then did I feel that Ironic Satire of juvenal biting us. I, nunc & ventis animam commit, doloso Confisus ligno; Digitis â morte remotus Quattuor, aut septem; si sit latissimataeda. Go, now and to the winds thy life commit, Trust the smooth wood four or seven fingers set From death, the broadest heart of Pine admit. june 24. We raised the Pole Antarctic six and thirty degrees, our longitude from the Meridian of the Lizard five and twenty degrees, wanting three to the Cape; variation three degrees; our course E. S. E. the Sun's declination, two and twenty degrees, twenty six minutes, and as many seconds North, in the 17. degree of Gemini. The same time midsummer in England, and midwinter with us in those South climates. The 7. of july, betimes we descried land and though threescore miles distant (from its height) seemed very nigh us, proving the place we aimed at, that famous promontory (now no longer Tormentozo, but) of good Hope. Howbeit, we could not fly upon the wings of desire, the wind withstanding our haste, whereby we let fall our Anchor (14 leagues short of the Bay of Soldania) and went a shore upon a little Isle (3 miles round) corruptly called Coney I'll, from the Welsh Cain-yne or white Isle, where we killed many Coneys (or Cats rather) great and rammish, bad and waterish, commended for dainty meat by hungry Sailors, je junus raro stomachus vulgaria temnit: It also superabounds with Seals (piscis marinus) as big as Lions, and though doggedly visaged, can out bark them, yea bellow like Bulls, and from such as not till then see any, may challenge wonder. They turn to oil, and give their skins for buff coats, soft and serviceable. Here are also birds called Pengwins (white-head in Welch) like Pigmies walking upright, their sins or wings hanging very orderly down like sleeves, a creature, fish and flesh, participating sea and shore, feeding in the one, breeding in the other; easy to be caught on land (but that their undermining the sandy ground for habitacles makes the passage bad,) at sea, diving like a Duck, swift as a Dolphin; fat, but oily; some dare eat them, curiosity may invite a taste, but to make a meal on, unsapory and offensive: to which May-game of nature I may inculcate that, made on her acquaintance. Divide her, I desire but neck and breast, They savour well: the Cook may eat the rest. Tota quidem ponatur anas; sed pectore tantum & cervice sapit; caetera redde coquo. For whose further satisfaction the Idea I present you, not drawn by Phydias. A Pengwin Pengwin I'll is 6 or 7 leagues from the continent, which when we got afterne we grew becalmed, land-lockt in a sort, and were sported all the way (till we dropped anchor) by Whales, the Seas Leviathan, who after their manner thundered our welcome into Aethiopia, fuzzing or spouting part of the briny Ocean in wantonness out of their oily pipes bored by nature a top their prodigious shoulders, like so many floating Lands concomitating us. The 1. of july we anchored with safety in the Soldania Bay, 12 leagues short of the utmost Cape: a Road worthily called good Hope, by King john 2. of Portugal rejecting that of Tempestuous first imposed by Gama; in that if any attain hither, their Indian voyage is half done, and the other part less solitary, so many excellent Lands entertaining them. The Soldania Bay is of a semi-lunary form; large and safe; high, 5 or 6 miles from the sea; towards the shore, low and fruitful. Where we pitch our Tents, is a small stream of Chrystallin water, exceeding sweet, trickling from a mighty mountain 4 miles from the Sea; and in a perpendicular eleven thousand eight hundred and sixty foot; from its resemblance, commonly called the Table; the ascent uneasy, but most pleasant at the top, discerning thence 100 miles into the Ocean, and looking S. S. W. we see the Cape or extreme point of afric 12 leagues off, whose character in the inhabitants seems long since to be drawn in this same distich. Extremique hominum maris ad vadasalsa seorsim Degimus: ac nobiscum nemo negocia miscet. By salt seas limited, the World's end we Inhabit, none with us to trade agree. And from this Table, or from Herbert's mount (a Pyramid adjoining, like the Sugar loaf, another hill so named) we see Cape Falso S. and by E. ten leagues; either of these great Promontories are divided by a Bay, but inconvenient to ride in: the distance of each Cape is 10 miles from North to South; either side environed with mountains so lofty as seem to penetrate the middle region with their aspiring foreheads, where they find sufficient moisture to cool their ambition: another river called jaquelina, streams upon the N. side of the road, half a league from our Tents (under King james his mount we usually pitch them) broader than our rio dulce: but by a low course and too long sporting with the briny Ocean it tastes brackish and insalubrious; it is foordable without boat or Elephant, and gives variety of Shellfish, as Tortoises, Limpits, Mussels, Cockels, Crabs, Rock-fish, and Mullets, Crayfish, Thornback, Gudgeon, Eeeles, etc. The Earth abounds with roots, herbs and grass aromatic, redolent and beneficial: such as I took notice of, I may dare to name; Agrimony, Mint, Calamint, Betony, Plantain, Ribwort, spinach, Sorrel, Scabious, Holy Thistle, and (of which beware) Coliquintida: all the year long, nature roabing the fruitful earth with her choicest Tapestry, Flora seeming to dress herself with artless Garlands; Alcinoe and Tempe serving as Emblems to this Elysium. Quamvis enim montosa appareat, & collibus multis distincta, interim tamen multis vallibus, silvis, pratisque decorata est, gramina & flores suavissimè olentes, magna copia producit. Cervosque & faeras & leones multo numero nutrit, quae omnia visu & aspectu longe jucundissime existunt: preterea, limpidissimis fontibus scatet quamplurimis, qui non sine gratissimo susurro, de montibus altis prorumpentes, fluminibus sese passim insinuant, & cum eis postmodum in mare exonerantur. The Mountains, without doubt, abound with Marquisate and all rich Minerals, which for want of search are yet undilucidated: the chief refreshment we get here is water, bunch-backed Buffolos and Sheep, not of jasons' race; these in lieu of wool, have hair particoloured, long legged, lean bodied, not caused by want of pasture, rather from too high feeding, or from restless moving with their tripping Masters. But, the land exuberates in many other Animals. Lions, (which usually steal Beef out of the water when Ships are here, fire or a lighted match only scaring them) Dromidaries, Antilopes, Apes, Baboons, (venereous ones) Zebrae, Wolves, Foxes, jackalls, Dogs, Cats, and others; and in birds, as Ostriches, Vultures, Cranes, and Pass flemingoes, whose feathers (equallizing the birds of Paradise) are rich crimson and pure white so amiably commixed, that above others it enticed my pains to present it you, which shall terminate our curiosity touching the earth, & commence an Anatomy lecture of the most savage (of all savage) inhabitants. Pasche-Flemingo. The Cape of good Hope elevates the Antartick-Pole four and thirty degrees 3 minutes; has longitude from the Meridian of the Lizard 28 degrees, and Westerly variation, one degree, and about forty minutes: distant from England about 6600 miles English; (or 2200 leagues, which at Sea we usually reckon by) from Saint Helena S.E. 600 leagues; from java major 1850 leagues; from Surat 1800. This land is the furthest part of the old known world, god Terminus here especially triumphing. Africa in holy writ is called (from Cham) Chamesia: Lybia by the Greeks: Besecath by the Indians: by Leo, Iphrychia: by Thevet, Alkebulan: by Pliny, Atlantia & Aetheria. Aphrica and Aethiopia in their Etimon are not discrepant: the first from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, without cold: the other from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to scorch the face: but some would have the one from Afer son of Abram and Getura: the other from Aethiops son of (Cham or) Vulcan. That it is part of Aethiopia, we must prove against inconsiderate Laudinus who will not be persuaded, any part so named, exceeds the Tropics. Aethiopia is (therefore) either superior, from 6 degrees North to the Ne plus ultra, comprising Mauritania, Lybia, Guiney, Cape Verd, etc. or inferior, from thence stretching South to this promontory by Zanzibar, Monomotapa, Manicongo, Angola, Caffaria, etc. by Homer also, divided into two extra et intra, allowing it the better half of afric, terminated (saith he) on East, West, and South by the Ocean; Aethiopes, Aetherij & Macrobij qui Africum ad Australe mare habitant. Herod. lib. 3. admitting which, it must needs transcend the Tropics: the most Authentic of Poets is of this opinion. Od. 13. The utmost sort of people (known to man) Is the divided Aethiopian. Extremos homin ûm Aethiopes, geminisque diremptos partibus. Let us then examine the discoverer. Ptolemy nor Pliny knew it not; that report of Herodotus gaining little credit, who labours to persuade us in his fourth book, how Pharaoh Necho (after his loss of 1200000 men employed to make the red and midland Sea as one) encouraged the Phoenicians (then, proud of their Art in Navigation) to surround Africa, which to please him but more for glory, they undertook, and in three years effected. But sure, so excellent an adventure (if it had been so) could not have escaped the busy pens of the Egyptians and Greeks, who for want of true matter, invented a thousand Fables. The first therefore we can honour (as says Osorius) is, Vasco de Gama or Bartolo de Dios, Lusitanians, anno 1497. from Adam 5467. by importunity of that excellent Prince, john 2. coasting hither and so into the Orient. The Country is rich and fruitful in her womb, but owned by an accursed Progeny of Cham, who differ in nothing from bruit beasts save form; a people by some called (metonimically) Caffarrs or Atheists; Anarchy confounds order, no Prince of power or policy awing them: each Canton commanded by a Captain, not chosen by voice but as force urges it. Captain Fitz-Herbert some years since ceremoniously devoted the Title to our King, in a memorial new naming two little rising Mounts 'twixt the Sea and Sugar loaf, King james and Prince Charles their Mounts, (our now dread Sovereign;) Give we an exact Idea of the Inhabitants. The People described. Their colour is ugly black, are strongly limbed, desperate, crafty, and injurious. Their heads are long; their hair, woolly and crisped, no apparel in any place showing more variety. Some shave one side and leave the other long and curled. Another cuts all away, a little tuft atop, excepted; a third (thinking his invention best) shaves here and there, the bald scull appearing in many places; and othersome, (not unlike Occasion) shave away all save a lock before, of no use, save ornament. Such as have tufts, or hair, plait brass buttons, spurre-rowells, pieces of pewter, or what else the mirthful Sailor exchange for Beef, Mutton, Woodsorrell, Oestrich eggshells, little Tortoises, etc. their ears are long, made longer by ponderous Babbles they hang there, some using links of brass, of iron, others have glasse-beads, chains, blue stones, bullets, or Oyster-shells. And such as cannot reach to such jewels (rather than be without) have singles of Dear, beaks of birds, Dogs or Cats stones, Eggshells, or the like: their noses are flat, crushed so in their infancy; great lips, description cannot make them greater; quick crafty eyes; and about their necks (in imitation of the Dutch Commandores chains) have guts and raw-puddings, serving both for food and compliment, eating and speaking both together. Yet of late they have got hoops of iron, and long links of brass, grass wreathes, or greasy thongs of stinking leather. Their arms are loaden with voluntary shackles of iron, Ivory, rusty brass, or musty copper. The rest of their bodies are naked, save that a thong or girdle of raw leather circle's them, a square piece (like the back of a Glove) is fastened to it, serving to cover their pudenda. But I cannot commend their modesty, the women (upon receipt of any thing) returning her gratitude by discovering her shame, a courtesy taught them by some ill-bred Boor, our men I hope have more civility. The grand Signors among them have better clothing; a nasty untand hide or skin of a Lion, Leopard, Calf, Baboon, or Sheep (the hair inverted) is as a robe put about their shoulders reaching to their waste, thighs and legs never covered, their feet fastened to a broad piece of leather, tied by a little strap, resembling the Roman crepidula, not always worn; their hands for the most part hold them, not that they fear to wear them out, but that their feet may have their liberty to steal, which with their toes they can do most daintily, all the while looking you in the face as if they knew not how to deceive any. Most of the men are Semi-eunuches, one stone ever being ta'en away by the Nurse, either to dististinguish them from ordinary men, or that Mistress Venus allure them not from Pallas. The women also excise themselves, not from a Notion of religion but as an ornament: Both sex, hideously cut, and gash, and pinks in sundry works, their brows, nose, cheeks, arms, breast, back, belly, thighs and legs in Acherontic order: in a word, are so deformed, that if they had studied to become antic, they might be praised for invention. Antrae lares, dumeta thoros, caenacula rupes; They have no houses, Caves and holes they delight to dwell in, or Lion's dens, unfurnished, but perfumed I warrant you, a whole Tribe commonly keeping together, equally villainous, coupling without distinction, the name of wife or brother unknown among these incestuous Troglodytes: feeding, sleeping, speaking all together without order or law; in the night sleeping round a fire, a Sentinel regarding the Lions their adversaries, 'twixt whom is such hate and stratagems, Vivitur ex rapto that one eat other, the Lion suddenly tearing some of them, and they other times training the Lions over covered pits, which catches them, and so retaliating; slaying and eating them to day, who perhaps were Sepulchers to their friends or parents the day before. Other times they dawb and rub their skin with grease and coal, and so indent it, drying them in the Sun, by that trick becoming Monsters to all civil eyes that look them upon. By what I have said, you may imagine their palates are not very delicate. Solinus calls the tawny Africans, Agriophagi (or Panther and Lyon-eaters) we now call them Icthio and Anthropophagis, a degree more barbarous than the Lions, of whom 'tis said, Mortuorum cadavera non gustant; quod vivit, corripiunt et ex comedunt. But these Savages eat men alive or dead, as in both kinds many poor men have lamentably made experience of. Which when they fail of, dead Whales, Seals, Pengwins, grease or raw Puddings diet them. Safety is scarce among themselves, for when the frost of old age benumbs their vigour, unapting them to provide their own food, they either eat them, or leave them destitute of defence upon some Mountain, pitied by none, where famine kills them, or the ravening Lions. With these, no violent death nor 'stroying rage Of Lust, is half so dreadful as old age. Non praematuri cineres, nec funus acerbum Luxuriae, sed morte magis metuenda senectus, The less to be admired at, for where God is not known, what villainy is unwarrantable. Aristotle a Heathen (I remember) could make it a maxim. 1 lib. de coelo. Omnes homines Notionem Deorûm habent, etc. And another. Vniversum genus humanum ubique Terrarum colit Deum verum vel falsum. Which is believed by most men, and I dare not oppose it. Notwithstanding, though I made all signs, and tried each way possible to discover some spark of devotion, of the knowledge of God, heaven, hell, or imortality; I could not find any thing that way, no place of worship, no day of rest, no order in Nature, no shame, no truth, no ceremony in births, or burials, mere brutishness and stupidness wholly shadowing them. The women give suck, the Vberous dug stretched over her naked shoulder: the shape of which Soldanias' with a landscape of the Table and other Mounts, lo here presented. A man and woman at the Cape of good Hope Their language is apishly sounded (with whom 'tis thought they mix unnaturally) the idiom very hard to be counterfeited, some words I gathered from one of the gravest of them, which (being voiced like the Irish) if I give it hardly to be pronounced, you may excuse me, in that Pliny confesses in the Proem of his 5 lib. Nat. histor. That their names and Towns were ineffable, or not to be distinguished. These be Anonimi and so more barbarous. Their Arithmetic exceeds not ten. Istwee 1. Istum 2. Istgwunny 3. Hacky 4. Croe 5. Istgunny 6. Chowhawgh 7. Kishow 8. Cusho 9 and Gheshy 10. A knife droaf, a quill guasaco, a hat twubba, a nose tweam, a sword dushingro, a book bueem, a ship chikunny, water chtammey, brass hadderchereef, a skin gwummey, a bracelet whohoop, eggshells sun, seals harkash, a woman traqueosh, bread bara, give me quoy, the yard gwammey, stones wchraef, womb wchieep, paps semigwe, geniter Istcoom, etc. To draw to an end, (lest Mindus' gates be opened) many beasts we got here for refreshment, such and the good salads and baths quickly recurring above 300 of our men (till their landing) nigh dead of the scurvy. Anno 1600 Sir james Lancaster had 1000 Sheep and 50 Oxen for Trifles. We had no want, and might have had more but for a trick the Hollanders put upon our Nation; riding here with our Colours out, and killing some of the people when they had got their ends, that at our arrival we might be the baselier used; they train their cattles to such obedience, as with a Call or Whistle (impossible to be counterfeited) a great Herd will follow them like dogs, and being sold, with a like Call will as readily run after them, to the purchasers costly mirth and admiration; a deceit so long so unjustly acted, that now (to prevent them) our men upon delivery of each beast, either kill it quickly, or fasten their horns with cords to stakes placed here of purpose: and to say truly, by the friendship and good dealing our men use to them (Nomen amicitiae barbara corda movet) our esteem among them is more gracious than of Portugal, Dane, or Flemmin. Their Art in War is guided by disorder, their weapon no other than a Javelin headed with iron, and directed by some feathers, which they take off and on at pleasure; some quarrels happened (by some men's indiscretion) 'twixt us and them, and I know a dozen Muskets will chase 1000, at every discharge falling down as thunderstruck. Yet let me advise our Men to avoid needless bravadoes, and not contemn them from their indefensive nakedness, or by a supercilious conceit of their own weapons and field practices. Exempla docent. Almeyda the bravest Captain the Portugals ever had, after many glorious achievements in Asia and afric, thought invincible, and returning home anno 1510 out of India: He, eleven Captains and many other gallant men, upon a small affront putting some of the Savages to death (who grew desperate in revenge) were set upon by these naked Barbarians, and slain every one of them. Qui (saith Osorius) cumper medias flammas, per pilas innumerabiles, per tela, per gladios, sine ulla formidinis significatione ruentes, maximum terrorem hostibus intulissent et insignes victorias contra innumerabiles inimicos adepti fuissent, tunc à paucis hominibus inermibus atque nudis interfecti et spoliati fuerunt. And as simple as they seem, they are witty enough in craft, revenge, and villainy. I will end all in a succinct character Salvian libro de vero judicio has made of all the Africans. Omnes quippe gentes habent sicut peculiaria mala, ita etiam quaedam bona; in Afris pene omnibus insunt omnia mala: inhumani, impuri, ebriosi, falsissimi, fraudulentissimi, cupidissimi, perfidissimi, & obscaenis libidinum omnium impuritati & blasphaemiis addictissimi, etc. The 19 of july we weighed anchor from the Cape of Good Hope, Our parting from the Cape. bending our course towards Madagascar; the wind was favourable till such time as Cape Falso was doubled, for then being off to Sea we perceived a storm intended us, happy in sight of a small black bird, long winged (in-justly by Seamen called the devil's bird) an Antimilago never seen but against stormy weather; doubtless it is a warning from God rather, as be the Pantado birds (like jays in colours) who about these remote seas are ever flying and give Seamen an infallible encouragement (when neither sounding nor observation from Sun, Moon nor Planets for many days are had) they are upon this coast, these birds and Sargasses or Trumbaes' (eradicated by storms) being never seen in such quantity in any other part of the universe, upon these for 50. leagues into the sea seldom failing our intelligence. The three and twentieth of july the wind got up, enraging the restless Ocean; one surging wave (I well remember) striking us so pat upon our broad side, as forced our Ship in despite of her helm (than close by the Lee) to turn about above 5 points in the compass, the noise not inferior to a Cannon; insomuch, our Captain cried out we had struck upon a rock, but his error quickly appeared (after so great a thunder) the wave flashing upon our decks so much salt water as sound washed us all; the storm continuing till the eight and twentieth day, when veering into a milder quarter (our course E. N. E.) it grew calm and moderate. And now that the Seas are peaceable, the Air calm, the Sky serene; let us look about for some I'll or other, that; (if possible) which Venetus (perhaps from an Optic glass upon a Tarrase beyond Tartary) descried in this sea and about this place; where we find none resembling; but he not only assures an I'll, but saw a bird there (his multiplying glass deceived him) so big as a Ship, and so strong as in her talons can easily gripe and truss up an Elephant: I will not paraphrase, take his phantasma in his own expansion, Nam falsa est veris affinia multa locutus. In quadam Insula versus Meridiem prope Madagascar, certo Anni tempore apparet mirabilis species Avis, quae Ruc appellatur. Aquilae quidem habens effigiem, sed immensae magnitudinis: plerasque alarum pennas habet, in longitudine continentes duodecim passus, spissitudinem vero ejus proportionem tenere longitudinis, & totum Avis corpus pennis proportione respondet. Est etiam tantae fortitudinis, ut sola sine aliquo adminiculo Elephantem capeat & in sublime sustollit, atque iterum ad terram cadere sinat quo carnibus ejus vesci posset. A bird worthy of Gesners' knowledge, and which we will rank with those Gryffins' that guard the Ophyrian Mounts of gold against the Arimaspi (who from winking when they shoot are said to be Monoculi) not seldom from their Scythie holes attempting the conquest of Mammon enclosed in the Rhyphean hills, as Tostatus ex Rabano, Aeschilus', Dionysius and Herodotus would persuade us: rejecting which, let us rest a while upon Madagascar the Empress of all the Lands in the Universe. MADAGASCAR, so called by the Natives; by Ptolemy, Menuthyas; by M. Paulus Venetus, Magaster; by Thevetus, Albagra; by Marcator, Do Cerne; (both unwisely:) by Tristan d' Acuna the Portuguise (who discovered it Anno Dom. 1508.) Saint Laurence; that day he first veiwed it: howbeit I find great difference in Spanish writers about the first that landed here. Some saying that Emanuel Telezo de Menezes anchored here two year before d' Acuna: and Osorius in his 4. lib. de vitae Emanuelis reg. port. fo. 140. says, that Fernando Suario and Roderigo Frierio, two Mariners in two Ships returning from India to Lisbon, Anno 1506. accidentally fell upon this I'll, and suffered from the treachery of the savage inhabitants, and that in honour of Laurence son of Almeida the Admiral and Commander of all the Forts in India, from his name named it; but in his 5. book fol. 162. that D' Acuna named it. Let us now a shore; our observation may prove more consequentious. Madagascar (that name sounds best) is questionless the greatest Island in the world: accounting its extent from Cape Roma in the South, to point Saint Sebastian, from 16 to six and twenty degrees; the North end, parralelling Cuama in Quiloa (a famous part of the Africa continent:) and to the South, the great River of Magnice in 26 degrees in length; a thousand English miles (some report 1200.) in breadth, in some part 230. Osorius numbers 400. and a hundred where 'tis narrowest, full of Towns, People, Minerals, Beasts, Wood, Water, and what's requirable. map of southeastern Africa Such Marittim towns and ports as be known to us are these: Roma, Augustine, Antabosta, St. jacobo, Matatana, Angoda, Ferendo, Fermoso, Anton-gill and jungomar; the 2. last almost opposite: Augustine (under the South Tropic) (and Anton-gill (upon the East side) afford best anchoring: the first, we usually ride in passing to Surat, the other home bound is best; as Sir james Lancaster Anno 1600. made proof of, in 8. fathom water, in the bottom of the Bay (a small I'll behind them to sea) ozie ground, the place good for victualling, air quick and healthful. Howbeit, the Dutch, at this place 2. months formerly (through distempers) lost 200. men, of agues and fluxes: the variation at Augustine Bay is 16. degrees. The whole I'll is Tetrarchicall, 4. several Kings swaying their Ebony Sceptres in each Toparchy; jealous each of one another's greatness. The Sea towns are infected with Mahometisme; the Mediterran, are eclipsed in black Idolatry: Nature has given them laws, murder being punished by death, adultery with public shame, and theft with banishment. Fishing delights them more than tillage: Thetis is better accounted of then Ceres: yet I rather think, their ignorance in agriculture so disposes it. The people are generally strong, courageous, and proper; the male sort, from their infancy practising the rude postures of Mars, cover their naked bodies with long and massy Targets, their right hand brandishing a long neat pike or lance of Ebony, barbed with iron, kept as bright as silver, and which they know how to use and jaculate as excellently as any people in the Universe: they are black, at no time shading their bodies from the parching Sun, rather delight to rub and anoint all over with grease and tallow, proud to see their flesh shine, the stink never offending them: their hair is black, and long, and curled; the length is an especial ornament; a few leaves plaited about their waists, elsewhere naked; their ears are bored and wide enough; pinking and cutting the flesh, is here also in fashion: whiles the better sex seek prey abroad, the women (therein, like themselves) keep constant home and spin: bigamy is tolerated; they affect copulation very early, the youth scarce knowing 12. the maiden 10. years in the world the name Virginity. They are delighted with sports and novelties; hunting, hawking, fishing, (of which, the I'll affords variety) and dancing, in Maeanders winding, beating and clapping their breasts and hands, their feet spurning the yielding fands, forcing the spectators further of; during which, the women with savage harmony, modulate with hands and eyes, observing an exact measure, equal if not exceed the men in their more laborious tread. They know not letters, Arts are burdensome to idle savages, they complete that jeer of Sophocles, Nihil scire, nil jucundius: howbeit, necessity has taught them some parts of the rudiments of Arithmetic; the number 10. limits their invention, Isso, 1. Tone, 2. Tello, 3. Effad, 4. Fruto, 5. Woubla, 6. Sidda, 7. Fonlo, 8. Malo, 9 Nell, 10. The earth is rich in minerals and merquisate, Gold, Silver, (and as Edoard Lopezo) Iron and Copper: but, by hearing the cruelty and avarice of the Portugal, prohibit the use and digging it, contenting themselves rather with useful herbs and grain (of which they have great store) than by the Magic of gold and pearl to allure the hearts of greedy men; a vice, the Portugal is more branded with than any other Nation. Nec Babylonis opes, Lydae, nec pondera gazae, Indorumque dapes, Saerumque Arabumque potentes Divitias, mallim cum paupertate pudica Intemerata mori, quam famam impendere vitae. Not Croesus' wealth, nor Babel's vast command, India, Arabia nor of Saeres land Can speak me rich or happy; if with them I throw away my more price worthy fame. But, if you will buy any thing the I'll affords (I think the I'll itself) you must furnish you with agates, Helitropians, jasper, and (which they value more than all the Diamonds and pearls in India) with long red Cornelian beads, of which they are so proud, that the owner be it King or subject is oft dethroned, spoilt for it, one string able to put them all in a combustion: bracelets, copper chains, bells and babies are valuable also here, and for which, (or one bead of cornelion) you shall have in exchange, Sheep (big tailed like those in Syria and Persia) Beefs and Buffoles, big-boned, fat, and Camel-backt: Camels, Antilopes, red Deer, Leopards, Pards, Goats, Milk, Hens, Eggs, Wheat, Barley, Rice and Cuscus, with what fruit yond like; Oranges, Lemons, limes, Pomcitrons, Plantans, Sugercanes, Ginger, Toddy, Cocoes, etc. Nor are the Lyzards, Camelion and Salamanders to be lost in oblivion. The Chameleon (the hyeroglyphic of a dissembler) take thus from Alciat. She always gapes, she eats the slender Air, Changing her looks, she varies colours rare. Even so the Flatterer applauding feeds, Clawing his Prince's most opprobrious deeds. Semper hiat, semper tenuem qua vescitur Auram, Et mutat faciem, varios sumitque colores. Sic & adulator populari vescitur Aura, Et solum Mores imitatur principis atros. The Salamander, is in shape not much unlike; extreme cold by nature, from whence (like Ice) she can long time endure the fire, yea (if little) extinguish flames: The Salamander, endures fire without danger. Seu Salamandra potens Nullisque ob noxia flammis. commonly obscuring themselves in moist and umbragious places, seen against storms, their teeth and tongues are mortally venomous, the other parts eaten without hurt. If ere the Salamander hap to bite thee, Thy coffin and thy winding sheet invite thee. Si mordu t'a une Arissade, Pren's ton linceul é la flassade We have said enough: let my vale-dictum now be this; the Land mourns to see itself so trod upon by a people, strangers to God and virtue: concealing such useful treasures, and making unuseful so many ports, obscured fare beyond her meriting; seated so advantageously for traffic with all the world, both the Indies possible to be awed by her; and vicinating those golden countries of Mozambiq', Quiloa, Soffala, Mombassa, Magadoxa and other parts of Aegisimba; proffering also many petty Lands under her, as those of Cumrho, Primero, Mascarenas, Castle I'll, Moritius, Dygarrois, and England's Forest, environing and in a sort defending her upon occasions. Mozambique. Vndique dant saltus, multaque aspergine rorant Emerguntque itetum, redeuntque sub aequora rursus Inque chori ludunt speciem, lascivaque jactant Corpora; & acceptum patulis mare maribus efflant. On every side they leap and due their fyn, Advance from Sea and bathe again therein In sport, and measured dances, nimbly fling Themselves, whilst seas do from their nostril's spring. Six leagues North-East from the last land, we descried another Isle, full of Palmeto trees; the current here set us 20 leagues forward in 24 hours, the latitude of this Isle 16 degrees and a half, longitude 21 degrees and 28 min. thus shaped. Castle Island The 7 of September we descried land, it proved Meortey one of the Isles of Chumro, seated at the North end of Madagascar. It rises very high to the East as we sailed by it, mounts in a pyramid and views far into the Ocean. It's latitude is 12 degr. 56 min. South, and longitude 23 degr. 59 min. in this shape proffering itself unto my Table book. Meottys Ile These Isles, (called the Isles of Cumro) be 5: either because Chumro (or Cumr-yne the Welshman's Isle) is greater, than the rest, or that it was first discovered: named Cumro, Meottis, joanna, Mohelia & Gazidia: by others thus; St. john di Castro, Spirito Sancto, Sancto Christofero, Anguzezia, and Mayotto: each of them excellent for refreshing passengers, abounding with delicate fruit and such cattles as are had at easy prices: none of them are above a hundred miles about yet very populous and full of nature's blessings. Chumro is the highest and best land, but branded with the most subtle and bloody Savages: joanna has courteous people, and such as readily help strangers in necessity: It lately obeyed a Queen rectrix much commended for sagacity, but now submits to a King, who though tyrannical yet better so (as Tacitus protests) than be anarchical; to these Isles we sent our boats ashore (intending to ride at Mohelia) and returned with Oxen and Buffolls, Goats, and variety of Fruits, all which were very hearty welcomed. And though our Randezvous be now in sight, suffer me (whiles in memory) to tell you of a fish or 2 which in these seas were obvious. The Sea Tortoise is not much differing from those at land, her house or shell is only flatter; Sea Tortoise by overturning them they are easily taken, disabled then to sink or help themselves: some we took, for pastime more than food, they taste waterish and enforce fluxes; they superabound in eggs, in those we took every one having near 2000, pale and round, but never made hard though extremely boiled: some eat them and the flesh (or fish as you please to call it), but by the levitical law it was forbidden; and though our religion consists not in ceremonies (ending in the prototype, our Saviour) yet except famine or novelty so invite me, with such cates my craves not to be refreshed. The Mannatee is good meat, and from their using the shore have a fleshy taste, resembling in show and eating, Veal; Mannaty a strange fish. the intralls differing little from a Cow, and from whom in respect of its phisnomy, some new name her: her face is like a Buffolos, her eyes small and round, hard gums in stead of teeth: the stone generated in the head is most valuable, sovereign against choler adust, the stone colic and dissentery, so it be beat small, infused in wine and drunk fasting: the body of this fish is commonly 3 yards long and one broad, slow in swimming, wanting fins, in their place aided with 2 paps which are not only suckles but stilts to creep a shore upon such time she's grazes; where she's sleep long, sucking the cool Air, unable (contrary to other watery inhabitants) to be half an hour under water: are famoused (like Lizards) for their love to man, whose face they delight to look upon, and in weakness have refreshed them; tho most unhappy to our Captain Andrew Evans, who by striking one at the Moritius with his harping-iron, and leaping into the sea to make short work with his steletto, was so crushed, that he died shortly after, as I speak in our description of St. Helena, were we entombed him. The Carvel. The Carvell is a mere sea foam, every where floating upon the surface of the Ocean, of a globous form, like so many lines throwing abroad her strings, which she can spread at pleasure, angling for small fishes which she captivates at leisure: a sea spider she may be called, for when she sees her web too weak, she can blow an infectious breath, foaming death, or such a sting as if she had borrowed it from the Scorpion. We are now ready to cast Anchor, hopeful of fresh refreshment. September the eleventh, we road in five and twenty fathoms, the ensuing morn wafting nearer shore, dropping it again in seventeen fathoms, at the West side of Mohelia, a bow shot from a small scattered village of straw, unworthy a name, yet called Meriangwy, governed by a Sha-bander, Alicusary by name, a black big-boned knave, savage in show, but sly and crafty in courtesy and bartering. Mohelyaes pars Insulae. Mohelia elevates the Pole Antarctic twelve degrees, fifteen minutes; has longitude from the Meridian of the Cape of good Hope, four and twenty degrees, and variation of the Compass 16 degrees, 20 minutes; is about threescore miles in circuit: from Cumroh South East 14 leagues, and from joannae East and by South about 10: the Marittim places rising gently, the inland woody and mountainous; a little village here and there scattered; the houses are of reeds and straw, fitted to the heat of such a torrid climate. Moella some pronounce it, Molala others, and worst of all one Best (thinking the derivation would carry it) Mal-Ilha or bad Isle, an incongruity, that from his ill judgement, so sweet and useful a place should be defamed. From Madagascar it is removed about 50 leagues, from Quiloa in the Africa continent sixty; the Inhabitants are a mixture of Gentiles and Mahomitans: the Portugal has preached Christ, but have few Proselytes; some fragments of their language take thus in their own idiom. A King, Sultan; Bracelets, Arembo; a Hen, Coquo; an Ox, Gumbey; Coco-nuts, Sejavoye; Plantains, Figo; a Goat, Buzz; an Orange, Tudah; Lemon, Demon; Water, Mage; Paper, Cartassa; a Needle, Sinzano, etc. a mish-mash of Arabic and Portuguise. A Mohelian. The people are coal black, have great heads, big lips, are flat nosed, sharp chinned, huge limbed, affecting Adam's garb, a few Plantain leaves girding their wastes, vailing their modest parts; cut and pinked in several works, upon their duretto skins, face, arms, and thighs, striving to exceed each other for variety: The Meccan zealists have here a few poor built Mosques, straw and wood without, matted and neat within, admitting no entrance with shoes on; the other sort of men are doubtless magical: I thus imagine it; another Gentleman and I, one evening got us under a Tree to avoid the storm, at that time thundering and raining excessively. A Negro stood by all the while trembling, now and then lifting up his hands and eyes, muttering his black Art to some hobgoblin, and (when we least suspected it) skips out, and in a limphatic rapture drew a long knife which he brandished about his head 7 or 8 times, and after so many spells put it up again; he than kisses the humid earth 3 times and rises merrily: upon a sudden, the sky cleared and no more noise affrighted us. Two Kings of late commanded them, Phancomall and Synal-beg; the one a Native, th'other an Arabian; both made great by their wives, the only daughters of the late King Sultan Sheriph Booboocharee, and Queen Nannangalla, both of them alive in less than 20 years passed. The two Kings (envious of one another's greatness) live at defiance, and oft times the poor Savages pay dearly for either's ambition; the two sisters (whom Nature has united) burn in jealousy, and exasperate their Lords, so as ('tis thought) one of them will down the stream ere long, if the proverb say right; that Non bene cum focijs Regna Venusque manent. Love and Sceptres ill agree, To admit Society. Tobacco is of great account here; not strong (as our men love) but weak and leafy; sucked out of long canes called hubble-bubbles; sneezing-powder is not more frequent with the Irish, than chawing Arec, (by Arab and Indians called Tauffet and Suparee) is with these Savages: the Arecca (resembling the Nutmeg, the Tree the Toddy) is not used alone, they add to it Betele, which like the Jvie leaf involves the Arec and combured oyster-shells, a chalky substance, good in operative property, as colouring their white teeth to a pure crimson; it also sweetens the breath, kills worms, giddies the brain, dries rheums, helps Venus, and begets an appetite. If I err, blame the Interpreter I had there; I profess no Physic. The I'll enriched us with many good things; Buffolls, Goats, Turtles, Hens, huge Batts, Chameleons, Rice, Pease, Cuscus, Hony, Oysters, Bream, Cavalloes', and store of other fish; also with Toddy, Cocos, Plantains, Oranges, Lemons, limes, Pomcitrons; Ananas, Cucumbers, Tamarind, and Sugar canes; Mother of pearl and good pearl too if it were dived for; an I'll so verdant all the year (each day a gentle breeze and shower bedewing the earth, and lenifying the flaming Sun) attired in Flora's Summer livery, yea roabed with Nature's best Arras; so pleasant, so refreshed with silver purling streams, so shaded, as may parallel the proud Paradise of Alcinoe. Of fruits we will select but three, such as may merit our acceptance. The Plantain fruit. The Plantain (for taste and odour second to none in Mohelia) is a fruit so good and veiled with so broad a leaf that Goropius (if he be worht believing) persuades us, Adam offended in eating it, and with these leaves made his transgression manifest; and that also, which was brought Moses out of the Holy Land: by the Arabians it is called Musa-mawm, Pican by the Indians: they hang in great clusters, their shape is long and round, not unlike a Soffage; the rind peels off, the fruit is gold-yellow, relished like a Windsor Pear; good for urine, but bad for fluxes, cold crude stomaches, and dissenteries. The Coco (an excellent fruit) is covered with a thick rind; both together, Coco. equal in bigness to a Cabbage: the shell is like the skull of man, or rather a Death's head; eyes, nose and mouth, being easily discerned; intus vita! within, we find better than the outside promised; a quart of Ambrosia, coloured like new white Wine, but fare more aromatic tasted; the meat or kernel cleaves to the shell, and is not easily parted; above an inch thick, better relished than our Philberts, and enough to satiate the appetite of two reasonable men. It has other excellencies, The Tree (which is strait and lofty, not branching save at the very top, where it spreads in beautifying plumes, the Nuts like pendants or pearls adorning them) is good for timber, or Canoes, Masts, Anchors: the leaves for Tents or thatching; the rind for Sails, Mattresses, Cables and Linen; the shell for furniture; the meat for victualling: rare blessings! I will give thee them contracted in that excellent Poem of my Cousin Herbert, late Cambridge Orator. — The Indian Nut alone Is clothing, meat and trencher, drink and can, Boat, Cable, Saile, Mast, Needle, all in one. The Toddy Tree is not unlike the Date or Palmeto, Toddy. the Wine is got by piercing and putting a jar or Pitcher under, that the liquor may distil into it, at the very top it has a pith or marrow, which being boiled is like a Colli-flower, but the taking that part is as if another Tree should be eradicated, the soul therein consisting; these (as the Dates) thrive not nor fructify, except the flowering male and female be united. The Toddy is like Whey in colour, in taste and quality like Rhenish wine, at first draught uncouthly relished, but every draught tastes better and better, and will easily inebriate; a little makes men merry; too much makes them mad; extreme is mortal: in the morning 'tis laxative; in the eve costive; at midnight dangerous. Of this or the Coco, Herodotus and Pliny write thus: Ex quibus, panem, mell, vinum, acetum & vestitum conficiunt. To end, these are bought without much charges; thirty Oranges or Lemons for a sheet of paper: for two sheets ten Coco Nuts: an Ox for a rial of eight: a Goat for six pence. They have no Ships, nor Boats, save such as are hewed out of one stump or tree, capable to receive three Fishermen in fair weather; and if they sink, their swimming helps them: but though of no use with us, yet for rarity sake I give thee the shape better to be imagined. a Canoe The 15 of September we had farewell to Mohelia, by benefit of a fair gale that filled all our sails, ploughing up the yielding Ocean. The long billows made us dance apace, but without dread; the whistler with his iron Pipe encouraging the Mariners; who made so good use of this advantage, that in four days we found ourselves but four degrees from the Equinoctial; that night the 19 of September, White-Sea. the Sea was for 10 leagues as white as snow, not frothy or by agitation of wind, but in calmest weather (as many say) is here still the same, from whence caused is not now to be disputed. Next day we made the Sun our Zenith: in this Latitude opposing that rich part of Africa we call Soffala and Mombassa (in three degrees 50 min. South:) Magadoxa (in 3 degrees:) Zanzibar, Pata, and Brava, terminating one another, till with Bernagasso (the Port to the great Neguz or Priest john) the red Sea limits afric from Asia. Antarctic Stars. The three and twentieth day we once more sailed under the Aequator and again bad farewell to those late useful Antartique constellations: the Crosiers (four stars like a cross, of a second magnitude 17 degrees 30 min. from the Pole) Noah's Dove, Polophilax and others: the two Bears now rising in our Horizon again, and at eight degrees North, the wind grew weary of too much constancy, veering into E. N.E, so that the Monzoon affronted us, and we could lie no nearer than Southeast; at which time many of your company died, imputing the cause of their Calentures, Fluxes, Aches, Scurvy, Fevers, and the like, to the sulphurous heat there, stinking water, rotten meat, and wormeaten Biscuits (in the Torrid Zone, no man's care can better it, but in the temperate they all recover and become sweet and nourishing again) But rather I believe, their over-eating themselves at Mohelia, where they farcinated their crude stomaches with unsalted flesh, and gulped down too much Toddy, caused it; here our Admiral threw overboard five and thirty dead men: the Hopewell, eleven; the Star, five: every ship lost some, too many if God had pleased. But of most note were Harvey Keynell, an expert Master's Mate in the Star, Captain Goodall, all good, if skill in Navigation, humanity, courage, and piety may have it: at whose putting into the Sea (a spacious grave) a volley of one and twenty great Guns awaked the watery Citizens to safeguard such a Treasure, heaven itself at that instant weeping so abundantly, that I never saw a sadder rain and of less continuance. The Master of our ship was removed into the Vice Admiral, and Captain Malim out of the Hopewell into ours, who also died shortly after, a Seaman as wise and valiant as any other: most memorable in that never to be forgot policy he used in the Levant Seas after a brave fight to save his men and ship from fury of Algiers Pirates: for whom we may fitly apply that of the Prince of Poets. Facta Ducie vivunt, operosaque gloria rerum haec manet. — The Heroic deeds of all Brave men, are written in Fame's glorious roll. The wind added to our affliction: the boisterous waves breaking against our broad side, patiented in all those checks, close haled, cutting her way slowly, and almost forced upon Socotora, an I'll as we go into the Red-sea; where we will stay you a while, the Sea is so dangerous. Socotora or Succaba (Dioscorida, Socotora. of old I judge, called also Topazo from precious Topaz stones had here, as Pliny in his sixth book has it: by Turk's called Katukomar, by Persians Caebar, by the Spaniard Acebar and Aceur;) is in 13 degrees latitude North: a little Isle it is, yet for pleasant sight and choice of good things no way despicable; one part rising into wholesome hills, other parts falling into fruitful dales; all places garnished with spreading trees, sweet grass, fragrant flowers, and rich corn, Olives, Aloes, Sempervivum, Sanguis draconum, Coquos, Dates, Pistachoes, Oranges, Pomgranats, Pome-citrons, Melons, Sugar canes, Lemons; and of fish, fowl, and flesh no where penurious: the civet Cats also are here obtained. These and the people were of late made slaves by Emir-ben-said King (or Viceroy rather, the Turk commanding him) of Fartack, in which Aden is builded; but expulsed by d' Cugua anno 1507. who made the Snakee (the Prince) fly to Caeshem, and hisse at harmless distance: the Portugal freeing the miserable Christians, by whose help he raised a Castle, planted a Colony, but by Albuquerque was cashiered five years after, the Merchandise proving not equivolent to their charges. The Inhabitants are true black, the Sun twice every year darting his fiery rays perpendicular amongst them; by profession they are Christians; converted the third year after our Saviour's passion, by the Aethiopian Eunuch some say; some say by St. Thomas the Apostle of the Orient: their Churches are built in form of the Cross, like ours: kept sweet and neat, without seats and images: they have a Patriarch, whom they reverence; and other of the Clergy to whom they duly pay Tithes; their Feasts and Fasts like ours; the seniority are much regarded, humility commanded and commended; second Marriages are not allowed, except they had no children, use the cross in Baptism, the other Sacrament in both kinds, and being dead, lament not, but involve them in clean linen, and so bury them that they look towards Jerusalem. Aden (now, so near us) seems to invite a small relation; It has 12 degrees 35 min. North, var. West. 19 degrees: Madaena of old, Adana in Calistus, Adedi and Achanis in Eupolemus: opposed to Azana, in the Arabian shore, but snatched anno 1458. from the Arabs by the Turks, a ragged obscure sort of Locusts till then, then swarming and mounting towards Trepizond. The road or Bay is none of the safest, in the change flowing eight foot water; a S.E. and N.W. Moon makes a full sea there; from Bab-mandel 18 leagues; from Moha (old Beronice or Moco rather, a Town in Arabia Petrea after Ptol.) two and thirty. Aden is seated low, sulphuriously shaded by a high barren Mountain; whose brazen front scorching the miserable Town, yields a perfect character of Turkish baseness. It is a Peninsule, and a good way (to get breath) thrusts itself into the blushing Sea; big in circuit, but has not many houses, nor those curious; their outsides discovering a discontented slavery, the inside shows poverty and wretchedness. A Castle it has set near the sea, not to be entered but by a long narrow dissected path or trench; the Castle is very strong and lofty, strengthened by so many rampiers and bulwarks, stored with so many roaring Cannons, as if Mars dwelled there, or that it kept a Mammon of treasure, having in truth nothing but iron bullets, armour, and miserable raggamuffians to defend it: the red Sea (on whose banks 'tis seated) borrows not the name from colour, rather from sand, which on the shore and from the bottom has (when Apollo visits the Antipodes) a ruddy reflection: shall I tell you the several names it has; some say 'tis called red, from Erethreus son of Perseus and Andromida, a Prince (in the world's adolescency) much regarded, from whose name (as the Aegean and Icarian) the Sea was named; and by the Septuagint from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so translated: other some, from Edom (Idumea a part of the Desert Arabia, confining it) the Sea of Edom; the Hebrews call it Zuph or Sapho, or Mare Algosum, from Sea weeds or Sargassoes here abounding: Some Mare Elanixicum from Aelana a neighbouring Port and Town: and others the Gulf of Mecca and Arabia; fictitious Thevet calls it Zocoroph, Bohar Colzun the Arabs, Zahara some, and others Brachia: a Sea most memorable for the miraculous passage Almighty God gave Moses and the Israelites near the Sues, of old Arsinoe: and for Solomon's fleet at Ezion Geber (or Moha) thence setting out for the gold of Ophir. To return, when the portugals had got Socotora, and a hundred other places in India and Araby, Albuquerque their Goliath by much ado anno 1520 took Aden, boasting that he was then sole Emperor of India, Qua victa (saith Osorius) putabat Indiae Imperium fore sempiternum: Humanum est errare, or else Albuquerk might be blemished; for, in few years they not only lost this, but many other Forts of greater consequence in India. October 18 we had the wind pretty fair. Our observation that day being 17 degrees, our longitude 19 from Mohelia; the wind lessened, and weather grew flaming hot; no Stove or Sudatory exceeding it: it made us very faint, yet having passed through as bad, it seemed less torment to us. But Mahomet the Persian Merchant (whose father Hodgee Suare died in London the year before) could hold out no longer, a Fever drawing him through the path of death; Mahomet converted. a happy man, if (throwing away the rags of mammetry) he robed his soul with true faith in Christ; they say he called upon him, twice happy man, if unfaignedly: At his putting into the Sea, the Captain honoured his funeral with the sky rending clamour of four Culverin shot, leaving his carcase to the mercy of the Sea and Fish, a sure treasury till the resurrection. depiction of a flying fish The seventeenth of November, to our comfort we descried (terra ter ex optata) the coast of India; in fifteen degrees latitude, and 32 of longitude (the ill weather having driven us to Lee-ward many leagues) that very place where Goa (Barigaza of old) is seated; the bravest, best defended City in the Orient; the Magazeen, refuge, seat of Justice, of the insolent and gold-thirsty Portugal. The City is not visible to such as Navigate in the Ocean, being built three hours' journey within the land, in Tilsoare, an I'll of 30 mile's circuit, surrounded by a river streaming from the mighty mountain Bellaguate. Goa, is compassed with a strong and beautiful wall, proud in her aspiring Turrets, dreadful in many sorts of tormenting Cannons: her strength and beauty begun from the Decan Emperors, Zabaym and Idalcan, Goa. from whom anno 1509 Albuquerque conquered it, but agrandized from the Lusitanian; the great Buzzar (or Market) is in centre of the Town, richly built, pleasant and capacious. The other streets are (after the Indian mode) narrow and nasty; the buildings in general, are spacious and comely; dark within, tarrassed and suitable to the seasons: 'tis watered with a delicious stream, which (by benevolence of the air) refreshes the fields, forcing Flora to dismantle; the gardens be also filled with variety of sweet and eye-pleasing flowers: the whole I'll abounds with grass, corn, groves, cattles, fruits, and such sense ravishing delights a reasonable man can require: above 20 little Towns are seen in this 30 mile's compass. In Goa is nothing more observable than the fortifications, the Viceroy and Archbishops Palaces, and the Churches: Field pieces here are numbered above 300; the Palaces are strong, of good stone, furnished within with rich Arras and painting: the Churches of best rank are, that dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mother of God, (in which, is kept the bones and skull of Saint Thomas the Apostle, holy Relics brought 50 years ago from Meliapore by Emanuel Frias at command of john, successor to Emanuel, Kings of Portugal.) St. Paul's, St. Dominie, St. Katherine, St. Saviour, and others; in which, are pressed down the bones of restless Albuquerque, buried in the year 1516; of d' Acugnia, of Don Francisco, and that late canonised China St. Francis Shyvier the Navarrean Jesuit, who died anno 1552. 4 December, aged 55, and rubricated by Pope Gregory 15. 12 March 1622, when many more were Sainted. We hasted hence towards Swally, judging the worst past, the Indian shore all our way in view us, and the sea every where 20 leagues from land anchorable: But, sure all peace comes from above, and man's heart abounds with vanity; for upon a sudden, the element grew dreadful, the wind to roar, the sea sublime and wrathful, for three days space raging incessantly with such fury, that we verily believed a Tuffon or Herocane was begun, a Tempest of 30 days continuance, so terrible that houses and trees are like dust afore it, many great ships having been blown a shore and shattered; once in nine years it uses to thunder among them, presaged by birds, and beasts who three or four days before it bluster, cry out and run under ground for shelter, as if an overture of all the world were ensuing: But praised be God we were deceived, we missed a Tuffon, but not a second disadventure, this storm forcing a Mallabar Junck, a Pirate in view of us; our Ordnance could not reach them, though the longest Saker we had vomited the fire of defiance at them, whereby we were forced (in way of honour) to chase her with Barges manned with fifty Musquetiers: But, Vela damus, quamvis remige Navis eat. We made too much haste in boarding her, being entertained with such store of Fireworks and Granados, a volley of cruel shafts; in a word, we were opposed with so much desperate courage that after small hurt to them, we retreated with shame, the better half slain, hurt, and scalded, our ships all the while being made an unwilling Theatre of this Affront, the wind forbidding them to retaliate. The 22 of November the wind abated, and we found ground at forty fathoms, many Snakes swimming about our ships, which (with the waters changing colour) assured us we were near the shore (the last storm had puzzled us) and soon after we discerned land in 19 degrees 35 minutes latitude, and 29 in longitude, which by its towering height we knew to be Dabul, and then St. john de vacas, a Town subject to the Portugal, at the South end especially mounting in an ambitious pyramid of Nature's work, named Saint Valentin's peak, the land continuing high from thence to Gundavee, a hill six leagues short of Swalley road, a round hillock and bay of importance unto Mariners. St. John. The seven and twentieth day of November, we haled an Indian piscadoro aboard us, never was Antic better habited; he told us of many enemies, but we were fearless; after long toil tiding up with stream anchors, every sixth hour weighing and dropping, in short time we got to Choul, and then against Daman, a lovely town lorded by the portugals, and conspicuous to passengers; at the North end it has a Castle large, strong and daring; the material is good white chalky stone, flanked with Ordnance and mounted high to play at advantage; At the South end we perceived a fair Church, with white battlements a top, the houses of like stone, strong and beautiful, 3 other Temples affording joy and pleasure to the heart and eye. The nine and twentieth day we got near the bar at Swalley, and there cast Anchor, because we perceived 13 sail of great ships, and knew not whether they were friends or enemies: the last day of November we adventured over the Bar, 'twixt two boas, in 4 fathom water, a hundred paces asunder, set there to manifest the passage, either side without being very dangerous: the Ships at Anchor proved our friends, 6 English, and 7 , the most of them 1000 Tun: those of our Nation were good men of War. The Palsgrave, Exchange, the William, the Blessing, etc. each of which (to do them right) feasted our Lord Ambassadors with hearty welcome: we road in 5 fathom (others in 9) 'twixt the sholds and continent. The same day we came to an Anchor in Swalley road, Nogdi-Ally-beg the Persian Ambassador (Sir Robert Sherley's Antagonist) died; having desperately poisoned himself; for 4 days, eating only Ophium: the Mary (where he died) gave him eleven great Ordnance, whose thundering Echoes solemnised his carrying ashore: his son Ebrahim-chan got him conveyed to Surrat (10 miles thence) where they entombed him, not a stones cast from Tom Coryats' grave, known but by two poor stones, Tom. Coryats' grave. there resting till the resurrection. Doubtless, Nogdibeg had a guilty conscience, he had very basely misbehaved himself in England, and feared the extreme rigour of Abbas a just (but too severe) Master, at no time to be jested with in money matters or reputation; so as neither his past good service, alliance at Court, skill in arms, nor brave aspect, could animate his defence, assured of most horrid torture: Other men's sufferings upon less cause made his seem more unpardonable: in the year 1612. a Persian Ambassador at Constantinople (for assenting to such Articles 'twixt his Master and the Grand Signior, as seemed advantageous to him, but odious to the Persian Monarch) was upon his return, beheaded at Cazbyn by command of his enraged Master: the conditions were indeed dishonourable, That the Prince of Persia should arrogate no other Title but Bashaw of Tauris: that the Persian should pay tribute for Gheylan, yearly 400 bals of silk: that the Cadi of Tauris should be of the Turks Election, etc. which Abbas kicked back to Achmat with great indignation. Tamas-coolibeg also came into his mind, who died miserably (though once second in Persia) upon spleen ill grounded by the King; and of Turkish barbarism, not a few exemplaries. Ebrahim Bassa, Cycala, Sinon Bassa and Nassuf, each of them in their times sitting at the Stern, guiding as they listed the Turkish greatness, yet ere death called for them, they were called for, by precipitating ends, such as made the remembrance of their passed glory, relish the sourer & more deformed: and Nogdibeg, (as we heard the King protest) if he had not prevented it, should first have been hacked in pieces, and then in the open market place burnt with dogs turds, a perfume not fetched from Arabia, a stain indelible, branding with shame all his posterity. Return we to the road again. Swalley road is from the Aequator 20 degrees, and six and fifty min. North: Swally road. westerly variation 16. degrees and a half: longit. from Mohelia 28 degr. at a low ebb it resembles an I'll, beyond the sands Goga is easily discovered. The first of December, with some Pe-unes (or black footboys who can prattle some English) we road to Surat, our Chariot drawn by 2 Buffolls who by practice are nimble in their trot and well managed; we passed thorough Swalley Town, Batty (famous for good Toddy) Damkee, to Surat. Surat is the chief factory of the East India Merchants, the station of their Precedent; at that time one Master Wyld was in that office, a modest, understanding Gentleman, to whose kind respect I own acknowledgement, and in whose house (the English house) we had tidings of Sultan Curroon's Coronation at Agra, Anno 1627. whose history we will prosecute, after we have viewed the Town, which may well challenge a particular description. SURRAT, (perhaps so called by the Surae, whom Pliny places here,) is that old Muziris named by Ptol. if my judgement deceive me not: nor am I ignorant, Choul and Onor are imagined it by Molelius and Ramusius; a Town at this day great, famous, rich, & populous: nor air nor soil agree with strangers; the one inflamed by the torridnesse of the Zone, the other sandy and sulphureous; the Arctic Pole is here elevated one and twenty degrees, three min. subject in june to become Nadyr to the burning Sun, thence to September the clouds showering continually an insalubrious moisture, the wind and thunder so commixing, that no place in the world seems more unhealthy, all the other 8 months either parching or freezing. Surat is accounted the third best Town in the Gujurat Kingdom, Amadavad & Cambaya excelling her; from the first removed four from the other two good days journey, all now adding lustre to the Moguls rich replendent Diadem. Whether Gusurat comply with the Greekidiom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or from Gezurat in Arabic an Isle, I question not; a Province it is so useful to the Mogul, that his annual tribute out of this one shire amounts (as Merchants say) to 150 Tun of gold. Surat is at this day not very strong, neither in scite nor Ordnance; a 100 year ago Antonio Siverio a Portuguise with 200 men entered it, sacked and burnt it; a 1000 would now find it a hard enterprise. It was after that subjected to Ecbar Anno Dom. 1566. of the Hegira 946. by valour of Chan Azem, whose care defeated the confederacy of Mirza-chan, Hussan, Mirza Mahomet, Chan Goga and other conspirators. Surat is now in a quiet government, watered with a sweet river named Tappee (or Tindy) as broad as the Thames at Windsor which arising out of the Decan Mountains, glides thorough Brampore (220 miles distant thence) and in many Maeanders runs by Surat, and after 20 miles playing to and fro, a league from Swalley road wanders into the Indian Ocean. 'Tis circled with a mudwall, a Castle of stone is strongly built at the South-West side, the river washing it; planted with great Ordnance and other shot; awed by a Garrison, who make dainty to admit a stranger to see their fortifications or parapets; The West opens into the Buzzar thorough a fair gate of stone, where toll-gatherers are ever ready to search and exact sound tribute for the great Mogul their Master: the Medon is of no great beauty, nor do the shops give splendour; the crafty Banuyan desiring rather to be rich indeed then so accounted. The houses are indifferently beautiful; some are of carved wood, others of bricks dried in the Sun, the English and Dutch houses at the North end excelling the other for space and furniture; the Suburbs also have 3 posterns, pointing out 3 several ways; one to Variaw and to Cambaya; a second to Brampore; the third to Nansary ten course thence, whence the road is to Gundavee, to Balsac, and to Daman upon the Ocean. The Town affords no Monuments, no Mosques worth the taking notice of: the English garden without the Town has pretty walks, sweet flowers and a waterwork, but scarce commendable: Only adjoining Nancery gate, I saw a Tanck or Magazine of water, a brave work and worthy the noting: It is of good free stone, circling in above 100 sides and angles; eight and twenty els 'twixt every angle, in compass very near a thousand paces. It diminishes its largeness gradatim by 16 degrees or steps towards the bottom, of most use to receive a great quantity of rain water, to quench the flagrant thirst of the Sunne-burnt Indians: the river by this, seems somewhat unwholesome, if good neither for drink nor navigation, what serves it for, save to mundify the idolatrous Banuyan and superstitious Mahometans: the Bannyans are the greater number here, but the Moors command them: they have a native language of their own, but the Persian tongue is understood by most, and is most courtly. The Indian Mahometans, are a crafty, cowardly sort of people, (most of the great men being either Rashbootes or Persians) yet love to go armed all day with sword and buckler, bow, arrows, and daggers, as if they stood in danger of some enemies: their habit is a quilted coat of Calico, tied under the left arm, a small shash upon their head, large stockings and sometimes sandals: in an ordinary garb are thus resembled. A man and woman of Industant. The other sort of people are Merchants, Bramin's, Gentiles, and Persae. With whom in order I will tempt your patience; this first remembered, that when any Ships ride at Swalley (from September to March commonly) the Bannians all along the sea side pitch Booths or Tents and straw Houses in great numbers, where they sell Calicoes, Chena-satten, Purcellan ware, Scrutores or Cabinets of mother of Pearl, of Ebony, of Ivory, Agats, Turquoises, Heliotropes, Cornelians, Rice, Sugar, Plantans, Arack, etc. Also there is constantly many little boys or pe-unes, who are ready for 4 pice a day (2 pence of our money) to serve you, either to interpret, to run, go errands or the like: they will not eat nor drink with a Christian, nor out of the same leaf we drink our Toddy: the Bannyan and other Indian Females are seldom visible, their jealous husbands mew them up in darkness. Here are Elephants and Horses, but 'twixt Swalley and Surat Oxen do most labour. The most current Coins here and through India, are Pice, Mammoodees, Roopees and Dynaes; Moguls coignes. the Pice are heavy round pieces of brass, 30 of them make our shilling; the Mammoody and Roopee are good silver, round, thick, and (after the Saracenic sort who hate Images in Coin) covered with Arabic letters, naming the King and Mahomet; a Mammoody is our shilling, a Roopee two shillings and three pence, the Dina is gold worth thirty shillings; but Spanish Rials, Pistolets, and Persian Larrees, Abassees and English gold (each piece in Persia going for 26 shillings) go here also. And again, as I have been told by Merchants, a hundred thousand Roopees make one Leck, a hundred Lack make on Crou, ten Crou (or Carrors) one Areb: again, in silver 14 Roopees make a Mass, 1150 Mass make a hundred Tolls; ten Tolls of silver value one of gold: in brass, thirty Tacks or Pice make one Roopee in weights; the Batman is 82 pound English, but fifty five of their pounds, the Maund is as much; Howbeit, as in Persia, the Maund Shaw and Tabriz differ, and as our Troy and Haverdepois are not the same; so in all parts of the world where wealth and traffic is, are such distinguishments: in a word, the Bannyans (as crafty the proverb goes, as the devil) by a moderate outside and excess in superstition, make many well minded simple men lose themselves, when by a heedless stupid admiration of their sincere hypocrisy they entangle themselves by crediting their sugared words in way of trade or compliment, baits pleasingly swallowed when we contemplate their temperance. The Bannyans (or Vanyans) are tawny of complexion, fair spoken, crafty, and above measure superstitious; they let their hair grow long, their head is covered with a small wreath or shash for the most part white; their habit, a long coat or vest of white quilted calico of the Dalmatick sort; their shoes are variable in colour and fashion; some chequered and ingraled in elegant order, wrought to each man's ingenious fancy; with out latchets, sharp and turning up at the toe, thin soled, high heeled, surrounded with steel, fast and durable: The women are whiter than the men, yet want the sanguine mixture to adorn them, which they supply by Art, there being found the best vermilion: they wear their hair long and dishevelled; part obscured by a fine thin Lawn, by whose transparency it seems more lovely; their ears, noses, arms, and legs, are loaden with many voluntary rings and fetters of Brass, Gold and Ivory; their behaviour is silently modest, but full gorged with libidinous fantasies and distempers. Marriage is so honoured, that they contract at 7 commonly, and at 10 years old are often parents: but if an infant die ere he be married, the parents of him that died procure some virgin or other (to whom they give some Dynaes of Gold in lieu of jointure) to be his bedfellow one night, to avoid the reproachful proverb, he died unmarried. An Indian Merchant or Bannyan: Polygamy is odious among them, in which respect they cease not to vilify Mahomitans as people of an impure soul, and stuffed with turpitude; yea, in this they parallel the Antic Romans, who (as Tacitus, Marcellin, and Tertullian tell us) so hated Digamy (both in enjoying two wives at one time, and being twice married) as no Holocaust was ever offered, no holy fire looked unto by such, nor such as issued from such parents. Their Funerals are of the old stamp (recorded by Curtius) sacring the corpse to ashes in a holy fire, compounded of all sorts of costly woods and Aromatic spices: the wife also (in expectation to enjoy her husband 'mongst incomparable pleasures) invelops her dainty body with the merciless flames, for which kindness she obtains a living memory. Their Priests are called Bramyni or Brachmani; such as in old times from their quality, were named Gymno-sophi, as Porphirius the great Platonist in his 4. lib. de abstinen. ab esu carnium, dictates concerning them, and thus: If by descent he continued constant to his study and contemplation, he then attained great Estimation, and the title Brachman: if he sought this degree by election, he was seven years (says Bardesanes of Babylon) styled Calanus and Samanaeus, and then by that other Nomenclation; of all sorts of Philosophers these were held most excellent, and contemplative. Tertullian calls them gloriae animalia, Apollonius says, they were and were not earthly; their thoughts so transcendent, as if they were ravished by the sweetness of that harmony the rolling Orbs in an exact diapazan send forth in their forced Motion. Their imagination flew beyond nature, believing that this Fabric of the inferior world was created of nothing, and made spherical, yet subject to dissolution; that it had an efficient cause, it being unable to form itself, and that that cause is the commander of nature. Our birth to be no other, than a quick conception, perfected by death, which is the true Nativity of the soul, and entrance to immortality. A Tenent however oppugned by the Stoics, yet by these Bramyns from the Tradition of the Phoenix, observation of corn, and the like, was so maintained that from hence arose that magnanimity of Calanus the Bramyn, who to enjoy it burnt himself in sight of Alexander. But, how they have (by overture of their wits and country,) forgot these and broached new opinions, more fantastic and ridiculous. I shall glean a little out of that their mass of confusion, and dedicate it to your attended patience. Religion of the Bannyans. The Bannyan religion at this day, is of these Tenants. That the whole frame or body of the world had a beginning, created by a God of immense power, eternal and provident: that after he had made man, to associate him created woman to sympathize in similitude of body, and disposition. These be named Pourous and Parcouty, a couple so innocent, and contented, that they had no ill thoughts, but fed only upon herbs and fruits, not touching ought had blood or life in it. From this chaste couple sprung two couple of boys, the Embleams of the four complexions, Brammon, Cuttery, Shuddery, and Wise. Of different constitutions. Bramon melancholy, Cuttery choleric, Shudddery phlegmatic; and Wise sanguine: Each affecting his several calling. The first a Priest, the second a Warrior, the third a Merchant, the last a Peasant. Brammon the Priest (from whom the Brahman have their title, and not from Abraham and Keturah, as Postellus thinketh) was commanded (says their Shaster or book of laws) to travel East to find a wife; it being revealed to him, that God had form four women for him and his brethren, on whom to propagate; (for the reason they had no sisters to generate upon, was, because so pure and holy a race as they, should not descend from filthy Incest.) After long and tedious pilgrimage and much prayer, he espies his long looked for Virgin, clothed with naked innocence, her face yellow like gold, her hair and eyes black, of a complete stature, who without much courting he won and married: this Lady Savatree proved the mother of a holy generation. Cuttery was sent west to find his mate, his sword in's hand, habited after his nature, all the while fretting for want of resistance, and that his patience was so long trod upon: at length, he espies a fare off one coming towards him, equally inflamed with impatience; without much compliment, they forthwith assailed each other, with such fury, and so much bravery, that the first days fight the victory was not to be decided; next day, they renew their courage, giving and receiving wounds insensibly, till in conclusion Cuttery grappled, and seized Toddicastree by the tresses of her hair, but instead of subjecting her, is (by the fresh out breaking of her beauty) captivated; yet after submission and repentance for his rage against such an earthly Angel, she is reconciled, and from them the West swarmed with a generation of Radiaes' and Soldier. Shuddery the third son of Pourous and Parcouty, travel North in equal hope to find his Mistress; fare he went and many strange adventures passed thorough and saw, witness that rock of Diamonds he alight on, many of which (as any other Merchant would have done) he carried along with him, enamoured of their lustre and sparkling excellencies: till at last he also met Visagundah, whom he soon won, being of a tractable sweet nature and condition, (as be all the Bannyan daughters descended from her) and of her begot so many sons, that the North quickly became pregnant and inhabited. Now come we to Wyse (the simplest of Sir Pourous sons) a man of much plain honesty and comportment. Southward goes he, having strange intelligence that his female was thereabouts, whom (after he had passed seven Seas (the breadth and way is concealed in the Shaster) and built him a fair Mansion, whither jejunogundah (his future wife) came to admire so rare a structure; he saw her, & not knowing how to court her, is o'ercome with Love's passion; but long time is rejected and thought basely of, till (by divine providence) she is mollified and made to yield, upon condition, he should build many Pagods or Idols for God's worship, and adore pictures under green Trees and under Arbours, which to this day, his posterity observe ceremoniously. Thus from these two the South was filled with mechanic men, and such as practice tillage and husbandry. When these four young men had spent some years in those contrary quarters of the world, whither Fate had directed them. All four became equally mindful of their first home, desirous to visit their aged parents, not only to propagate there also, and furnish that Meditallium of the earth, but also to recount their memorable fortunes and adventures. After much circumstance and toil they arrived at the place from whence they came, each of them attended by a troop of their own younglins: 'tis in vain to decipher the joy and mutual embraces 'twixt them and their aged Parents, revived by this good hap from the benumbing Frost of old age; as also the reciprocal kindness and love amongst the 4 Travellers, a dull sense may easily comprehend, it was without all mixture of discontent or malady. Notwithstanding, to show, no summum bonum can be had in this life, in process of time (the issue of these four multiplying) the world began to lose her virgin purity and candour; discord, pride, and rapine mingling amongst them, whereby all brotherly love was laid aside, and no appearance now but of violence & voluptuousness: Bramon grows idle and careless in his devotion. Cuttery becomes insolent and aspiring, regarding neither the venerable advice & admonition of his Parents, nor the dignity of Bramon his elder brother. Shuddery also invents deceit, not regarding justice nor equity, but delights in cheating his other brethren. Wyse also grows unthrift in a good conscience, banishing his innate honesty to entertain riot: For which, his cruel brother Cuttery domineers and makes an Ass of him, imposing such taxes and burdens on that silly Countryman, that Wyse is now the object of cashiered riot, and the abject of his Lordly brother; who also picks a quarrel with Shuddery, and admits not of any reconciliation, till the poor Merchant had satisfied his Avarice with half his store; so that such hate and fear grew amongst 'em, that all their Designs are involved in a dark Chaos of confusion. But though deceit, riot, and tyranny sway a while, an allseeing Majesty sits above, who in his own time retaliates in the extremity of justice. And so it now happened: for upon a sudden, when they were most busied in their villainy and least dream of account, God roab's himself with clouds and flashes terror, whereat the seas multiply their noise, and swell so formidably, that they threaten an universal deluge and destruction: In the interim the amazed people are confounded with such horrible cracks of thunder, and such thick flashes of flame and lightning, that the entrailes of the earth seemed to gasp and quake with terror and fear: which done, in a moment the sea breaks over her bounds, and sweeps away in eternal darkness and silence all creatures on the earth, purging away that nasty smell of their late wickedness and pollution. But God who delights in Mercy, and grieves at any man's confusion, reputes him of his severity, and resolves again to furnish the earth with a new generation of men with more purity, mercy and perfection. To which end he descends, and upon a very high mountain called Meropurbateé commands Bremaw to rise up, who (though till than not created) obeyed and worshipped his Maker. In like sort at two other calls, came up Vistney and Kuddery, who performed equal obeisance. Bremaw (to avoid sloth) has power to create all other creatures. Vistney has order given to preserve them; and Ruddery has strength to massacre and be God's executioner by way of death, plague, famine, diseases, war, or the like. And according to this appointment, these three new created Lords perform and regard their particular affairs, to each of them a set period of time being allotted to live on earth. Bremaw at the end of the second Age in a fiery chariot was elevated. Vistney stays double his time and then departs, leaving the issue to Ruddery, (at the end of three times so long commorance) to destroy the world, and to translate the souls of good men into a garden of most ravishing delights and glory. But ere this were accomplished, It is fit to acquaint you that how Bremaw came to furnish the earth with more Inhabitants. The Shaster or their Cabalistical Thalmud tells us, that as Bremaw was ruminating how to act it, suddenly he fell into a trance, and upon recovery felt his body troubled beyond measure, purporting some immediate chance or alteration. Nor did his thoughts deceive him; for lo, forthwith his body begun to swell, yea so great anguish to afflict him, that in all points it resembled a woman's travail, and indeed it had Analogy, in that his bowels began to extend more and more and his dolour to increase, till (after much toil) the second swellings found vent, broke, and delivered their burden, two fair Twins, one of each sex whom he needed not to give suck unto, in that by like miracle they immediately grew up to a perfect stature, furnished with language, and many symptoms of education; Bremaw the Parent named them Manaw and Ceteroupa, whom after he had blessed, he sent East to the great mountain Mounder purvool, where straight way Mistress Ceteroupa brought forth three sons and so many daughters: The Boys she called, Priauretta, Outanapautha, and Soomeraut. The Girls Cammah, Sounerettaw, and Sumboo: The eldest son and daughter went West to a huge mountain Segund. The two seconds North, to Bipola: The two last of each sex to Suparr, where they so generated, that they quickly peopled each their quarter. Which done, God perceiving the hearts of men inclined to vice and all sorts of vileness, to give them directions how to live virtuously and avoid temptation, he left heaven a while and alighted on the high Mount Meropurbatee, whither he called Bremaw, to whom he spoke many things out of a dusky dark cloud or mist, now and than flashing some glimpses of his Majesty, acquainting him why he destroyed the first world, their sins provoking him, and how desirous he was, never to do so again: and to that end delivered Bremaw a Book (the Shaster by name) filled with excellent stories, divided into three Tracts, dedicated to the three great Casts or Tribes: the first containing Moral precepts: the second, the ceremonies of their Worship: the third, a division of them into three, with peculiar notes and instructions to each Cast or Tribe. Their Moral law (read and taught them by Bremaw out of the Shaster) has eight commandments. 1. Thou shalt not kill nor destroy any living creature, for thou and it are both my creatures. 2. Thou shalt not sin in any of thy five senses: thy eyes not beholding vanity: thy ears to be stopped in hearing evil: thy tongue not to utter any filthiness: thy hating wine, flesh, and all other vive things: thy hands abhorring things defiled. 3. Thou shalt duly perform the set times of devotion, praying, washing, elevating, prostrating, etc. 4. Thou shalt not lie nor dissemble. 5. Thou shalt not be hard hearted, but helpful to others. 6. Thou shalt not oppress nor tyrannize. 7. Thou shalt observe certain Festivals and fasting days: 8. Thou shalt not steal. These eight precepts are subdivided into four: each of the four old Casts retaining them. Bramon and Shuddery,. i.e. the Braminy and Bannyan are tied to most severe and strict observance in the decorum of their worship. Cuttery and Wyse. i.e. the Justice and Labourer agree in theirs. From whence the Priest and Merchants (appropriating the first and second to themselves) are more superstitious, than the two other Casts of Soldiers and Mechanics, who assume a great liberty in meats and wine. Notwithstanding, all of them believe the Metempsychosis of Pythagoras, whose conceits we will parallel by and by with these Bannyans. In this place drawing your judgement to a remembrance of what is already related: wherein, we may perceive the delusion Satan charms them with, whose custom it has ever been to erect to himself worship and Idolatry in some things (to make 'em more authentical) cohering with the Story of our Bible, and in imitation of the Jews: and that this Cabala or Shaster of the Bannyans is a depraved Story of the Bible, either obtained by some Jews, such time as Solomon traded to Ophir (near these parts) or from the father of lies, who peradventure did dictate it for his servants. For in the Shaster, speaking of the Creation of the world out of a Chaos, and forming of Pourous and Parcoutee successively: who is so blind that sees not the making of Adam and Eve: the other of the Creation (delivered by Moses) shadowed in't: the universal deluge and destruction of mankind pointing out that of Noah? By Bremaws receiving the Law from God (in a dark cloud and lightning) upon the high Mount Meropurbatee, 'tis doubtless from Moses his being on Mount Syna in Arabya, where was given the Decalogue for the Israelites instruction. And in Bremaws' departure from earth to heaven, is meant the translation of Elias. The Bannyans are commanded (as in most hot Countries in all other Pagan Religious is observed) to wash often. First, daubing their naked bodies with dirt and mud (the Embleam of sin) then, diving three times in the water, their faces to the East, shaking a few grains of Rice as a Thanksgiving to that element for purging them: A threefold ducking and tripartite thread is hung at three holes in a stone about the neck, the Rice fixed in their forehead each morn in an unguent of red paint, is a Symbol of Baptism: Their turning to the East, in memory of the judgement and creation, and to adore the Sun and Moon, in that they take them to be God's eyes, full of purity, heat and nurture. But this their attending the blushing Sun at his arising, the elevation of their hands, murmurs, plashing the water in Magic order, diving, writhing and acting other promiscuous foperies, hear them condemned by a neighbour of theirs job, job 31, 26.7, 8. that patiented Edomite. If I beheld the Sun when it shined, or the Moon walking in brightness, and my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: this also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge, for I should thereby have denied the God which is above. And by the Psalmist, Psal. 44 41. If we have forgotten the Name of our God, and holden up our hands to any strange god, shall not God (who knows the secrets of the heart) search it out? But above all, their horrid Idolatry to Pagods (or Images of deformed devils) is most observable: Placed in Chapels most commonly built under the Bannyan Trees (or that which Linschot called Arbor de Rays or tree of roots, Sir Wal. Ral. improperly Ficus Indicus) a tree of such repute amongst 'em, that they hold it impiety to abuse it, either in breaking a branch or otherwise, but contrarily adorn it with Streamers of silk and ribbons of all colours. The Pagods are of sundry sorts and resemblances, in such shape as Satan visibly appears unto them: ugly faced, long black hair, gogled eyes, wide mouth, a forked beard, horns and straddling, misshapen and horrible, after the old filthy form of Pan and Priapus. Under these holy Trees they sit and actuate their Idolatrous devotion: there they pay their Tithes and Offerings, there receive the sacred unction and sprinklings of sundry coloured powders: there they perform their ceremonies, which they denotate by the wooden sound of a little Bell: there they repeat their Orisons, make Processions, ring their Bells, sing and perform many mysteries; yea, so numerous grew their Idol Temples, that (till the Mussulmen mixed among them) each Village had its several Pagods, and many to this day are standing. The chief in Industan is at Variaw near Surrat, at Nigracut where the Dewry is seeled and paved with gold, yearly visited by 1000 Bannyans, who in way of devotion cut out part of their tongues as a holy sacrifice, and whereby to speak the Sibboleth better ever after: at Bannaras upon Ganges, at Ecbarpore, at jallamexa, Elabass, Sibah, and many other places. Other parts of their Religion consists in invocating holy men famoused for many virtues. In Wars (the Cutteries or Radieas only) call upon Bemohem: the rich upon Mycasser; the poor upon Sire: the labourers upon Gunner: the married, upon Hurmount, etc. Moreover, they effect Pilgrimages to rivers, especially Gonga (Ganges) more venerable than any other, in that they say Bremaw frequented it, and that it has (at Siba where it springs out of a rock) a head in form of a Cow their beloved Idol: wherein they Wash oft, and thereby suppose themselves purified from sin (and dirt:) and in requital enrich her womb with Gold and Jewels, hoping to thrive the better, especially when they die to have their mouths madefied with a drop of that water of the terrestrial Paradise. In Baptism, the Priest's children and Merchants (that is to say Brahmins and Bannyans) anoint with Oil, and cleanse by water. The other prophaner sort, the men of war and manufactures have only water, with the point of a pen opposed to their forehead, as wishing that God will write good things there, to which the company say Amen. Their Marriages (as I have said) are at seven years old, and if any die unmarried, they conclude him in limbo: so that oft times they marry them, when dead, afore they be buried: the Marriage ceremonies are not many nor frivolous; the Boy riding about the Town attended with all the little ones that can ride, robed with Jewels, Scarves, etc. one day. And the Maiden Bride the next with a like train of dainty virgins no less richly attired, the Bride and her Husband known from the rest by their Crowns and Coronets, celebrated by many Kettle Drums, Trumpets, Pageants, and the like; the Bride has no money Portion, they hold it contemptible: only some Jewels and Dinaes' of gold, such as they that day are attired with. I dare not say those Dinaes' are those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Marriage gifts mentioned by Homer 9 Ilyad, Suydas, etc. The Wedding is thus, a fire is interposed, intimating the purity and heat of their affections: a silken string circle's both their bodies as the Hyerogliphic or bond of Wedlock; then a linen cloth is put betwixt them, in token that till than they were unknown to one another in nakedness. This done, the Bramyn blesses them, prays that she may prove as gentle and fruitful as a Cow, the cloth is torn away, the string untied, and they are one another's ever after. Also they never marry out of their own Casts or Tribe: as Brahmins the daughters of Bramyns: Cutterys, the daughters of Cutterys: Shudderys Shudderys; and Wyses not only so, but also compeer in their own Trades: as Tailors, the daughters of Tailors: Barbers, Barber's daughters etc. In sickness they call upon Marrawn (an Epithet of God) expressing mercy. If they perceive he is going the way of all flesh, than they expand his hand, and moisten it with holy water, the water of Ganges: when he is dead they wash the carcase and carry it silently to the water side, where they utter two or three words to that element, then burn his body in sweet wood or spices, which as earth mixes with the corpse, and throwing the ashes into the River, they think they have given every Element his peculiar due, and so depart home well satisfied forthwith. The Priests present his son the roll of his deceased forefathers, and bid him fulfil the ceremonial law of deploring for ten days, neither using his wife, laughing, eating Opium nor Betele, putting on no clean nor oil on's head, but that day month for that year ever after make a feast, and pay a complemental visit to that River, that drunk his Father's ashes. Oft times the wife (to express her love) incenerates herself at that time her Husband's body was incendiated. They affect no second marriages, the Raieaes and Wyses excepted. Now the reason why they burn their dead, is either in imitation of those recorded by the Prophet Amos 6.10. or in way of pity and piety, lest the enemy should offer it villainy; or if buried, it would stink (an improper thing in a Bannyan) and so putrify the grass and make Kine unhealthy: beside, out of their carcases would issue worms, who would starve when the dead body was consumed, a sin unpardonable. The Braminy or Priests (to speak in common) are of 82 Casts or Tribes, the Vertaes' are of higher note and fewer: their habit is a girdle of an Antilops skin tied about their middle, a thong of the same hide from the neck to the left arm, and elsewhere naked; some of them wear a threefold thread from the right shoulder to the left arm as a badge of their profession and in memory of the 3 sons of the second creation. The Cutteries are more profane; men of war, shedders of blood, flesh-eaters, and libidinous; they are for the greater part called Rajas or Kings; have six and thirty Casts among themselves, from some of which none of them but is descended: of these, are the Tribes of Dodepuchaes, some Chawah, some Solenkees, some Vaggelaes', and some Paramours; of long times owners of Indostant, till Aladin, a patan, King of Delly, wrested Guzzarat from them, and since then, most is taken away by the issue of Tamerlange: at this day they call themselves Rashpootes (or sons of Kings) and live lawless to the Moors, the chief of which at this day are Rana Radgee Mardout, Radga Surmul-gee, Raia Berumshaw, Mahobet-chan, Radia Barmulgee, Radgea Ramnagar, Radgea jooh ', jessingh, Tzettersing, and Mansuigh, etc. The Shudderyes or Bannyans are Merchants, and (contrary to their name, which significs harmless) are the most crafty people throughout India. Full of phlegmatic fear and superstition: they are indeed very merciful, grieving to see other people so hardhearted to feed upon fish, flesh, Radish, and such things as have life or any resemblance. They will not kill a Louse, Flea, or Kakaroch, or the like for 1000 pound; but contrariwise buy their liberty of such Sailors as of necessity must crush them: yea, they have Hospitals for old, lame, sick, or starved creatures, birds, beasts, Cats, Rats, or the like, and have no worse men to oversee them than the Pushelans, the greatest and best respected sorts of Brammins of all Casts whatsoever: they are of Pythagora's doctrinating, not only in believing the Metempsychosis of the soul of each man into a beast: as for example, the soul of a drunkard and Epicure into a Swine, the lustful and incestuous into Goats and Dogs; the dissemblers into Apes, Crocodiles, and Foxes: the lazy into Bears, the wrathful into Tigers, the proud into Lions, the blood thirsty into Wolves, Ounces, Snakes; the perjured into Toads, and the like: but the souls of good men, abstemious, pitiful and courteous, into Kine, Buffalaes, Sheep, Storks, Doves, Turtles, etc. An opinion memorised by Ovid 15 Metamor. Heu quantum scelus est in viscere viscera condi, Congestoque Avidum pinguescere corpore corpus, Alteriusque animantem animantis vivere leto, Parcite (vaticinor) cognatas caedenefanda, Exturbare Animas, nec sanguine sanguis alatur. Flesh fed with flesh; oh what impiety, Thy greedy corpse with corpse to fat thereby, One living thing to live by others death: Oh spare! I warn you, to disturb the breath, Of kinsmen by fool-slaughter; for your blood, With others blood to feed is no ways good. The last Sect or Cast of Gentiles are the Wife's, a name albeit derived from Wise the youngest son of Pourous and Parcootee, yet in their tongue properly signifying a labouring man: these be of two sorts, the Wise and Coolee; the first agreeing with the Bannyan in abstinence, the other not forbearing to eat any manducable creature; the purer sort are subdivided into 36 Casts or Families. The conclusion is, that all these 4 Casts in time grew so impious and unthankful, that God commanded Ruddery to command a blast of wind to sweep away this wretched generation, which accordingly he did; that tempest raging so violently that the mountains and rocks were hurled to and fro like dust or tennis-balls, the seas out of their course, yea Ganges out of her holy channel, wherein all (save a few honest men and women left to replenish) perished; this was the second confusion. Soon after, God gave them a King, propagate from the seed of the Bramyns called Ducerat, who begat Ram, a King so famous for piety and high attempts, that to this day his name is exceedingly honoured, so that when they say Ram Rame, 'tis as if they should say, all good betid you. But to show the imbecility of man's nature, his weak condition and frailty: in process of time the world again grew abominable and treacherous: so that Ruddery commands the earth to open and swallow down quick those ungodly wretches; a few excepted, who the third time peopled the earth with humane inhabitants, and then (as Bremaw had formerly) Vistney the mediator of mercy ascended into heaven, leaving cruel Ruddery to over rule this age of Iron, at the end of which he also shall be rapt into paradise: these 4 ages they call Curtain, Duauper, Tetrajoo and Kolee. Touching the last judgement, they hold it shall be more dreadful than the other; the Moon to look blood red, the Sun to shed his light like purling brimstone, an universal flashing of fire, with loudest thundering; then a flammy redness will o'erspread the heavens, and the 4 Elements (of which the world consists) shall maintain a dreadful fight so long, so fiercely one against another, that at last all shall be revolved into a dark confusion: the souls of such as were good men, Ruddery will transport to heaven, the wicked perish; but the bodies of both rise no more, being too incredulous of the resurrection. Now albeit these people in a continued series of wilfulness and ignorance believe that their Shaster or Cabala was immediately from God, yet that it is wholly grounded upon tradition, and parched out of many Histories, jewish and Gentilism, I have already shown what is in imitation of the holy Scripture and from the rule and practise of other Nations: and we may add, that their burning the dead, is borrowed from the 6 of Amos 10. their marriage after death from Cerinthus and Marcyon, old heretics who used to baptise after death in case they were not pre-baptized; the thread tripartite hung about their neck is a mysterious denotation of the Trinity; rice and painting in their forehead is not only as a symbol of Baptism, but in imitation of the Star Rempham fixed in the brow of the Idol Moloch, or of jul. Caesar, who had one in his forehead as an emblem of immortality. And also, let us see in how many things they concur with the rules of Pythagoras (to this day famous among them). These Brahmins or Bannyans in their schools and other places affect silence: for 5 years are not suffered to speak in the Schools; understand one another by dumb signs in most things; adore toward the Sun; honour Angels; observe a Monday Sabbath; abstain from second marriages, (some from the first) affect white garments, loath coughing, spitting and the like, forbear swearing and blasphemy, shun pleasures, drink water, believe the transmigration of men's souls into beasts, offer inanimate sacrifices, deny the body's resurrection, hate to touch a pot or cup with their mouth, but rather pour the liquor in at a good distance, reverence Elders, eat nor drink with men of other religions, use washings much, touch no unclean thing and many other, in nothing differing with the pythagoreans, as may be gathered out of josephus, Suydas, Philo, Laertius and other writers. Having tired out your patience with this Sect; for variety sake, turn we to another sort of Gentiles in Surrat & Guzzurat the Persees, a people descended out of Persia, banished hither (to avoid Mahomitry & circumcision) upon the death of valiant jezdgird the Persian King, Anno Dom. 635. or thereabouts; whose life and doctrine (as it is gathered from the Daroo or Priests of this sect by Master Lord a worthy Minister, for some years resident in the Factory of Surat) I will epitomise, that we may move (after this repose) onward in our travails. Religion of the Persaes. Into India I say these Persees came, (such time as Omar the second Chaliph after Mabumet had subjected Persia) in 5 juncks from jasquez sailing to Surrat, where after some treaty with the Raieas and Bannyans they got entertainment and leave to exercise their own religion. A religion deduced from the reign of Gustaph King of Persia Anno Mundi 3500, and before our Saviour's Incarnation 500 years, written in their Zundavastaw (or law Book) in this manner. Such time as Gustasp (the 14 King of Persia from Kuyomarraz, by some, thought Naah) swayed the Imperial Sceptre of that famous Monarchy: It chanced that Espintaman and Dodoo two poor people, man and wife, Chynaes' by nation, lived long together in a good report, but without Fortune's blessings, in estate or children: howbeit, at Dodooes earnest request, a son was given her who in his conception promised (by some rare and fearful dreams the mother hatched) great matters, not only to the astonishment of his simple parents but amazement of the China King, who (out of jealousy and disposition to credit any report) sought to prevent all events by killing or poisoning him: but (to show a superior power sways us and never misses to accomplish its designs tho by man never so much oppugned) nothing could do him harm; for fearing his parent's ruin, and to ease the King of his fears, they all consent to give China a farewell, and seek a securer abode in a region more remote, and where they might more freely meditate. Fare they traveled, saw many rare things, passed over many great rivers on foot, for Zertoost (so was this young prophet named) turned them by a trick that he had into solid Ice, and after thawed them at his pleasure and many rare adventures found, (all which are to be left out, in that religion is the mark we shoot at) not staying long in any place till they arrived in Persia, where they rested and intended to settle: Zertoost (as all good men use to do) spent most of his time in meditation; and on a time especially, observing the disorder of men's living, sorrow overcame him, and a desire to reform them totally possessed him: but finding the place he was in not solitary enough or fit for revelations, away he goes, not resting till he came into a dark valley, surrounded and obscured by two lofty mountains, there he ingeminates his silent murmurs, with dejected eyes, erected hands, and knees bended, when lo, a glorious Angel, whose face was more coruscant than the Sun, salutes him thus, Hail, Zertoost, a man of God, what wouldst thou? he straight answers; The presence of God, to receive his will, to instruct my nation: his prayer is granted, his body purged; his eyes sealed; till being past the Element of fire and higher orbs, he is presented afore the supreme Majesty, arrayed with such refulgent glory, that (till he had Angels eyes put into his head) he could not gaze on such a dazzling excellency: there, he received his laws (no place but heaven will serve to fetch Philosophy, as Laertius writes of Socrates) uttered by the Almighty (whose words were encompassed with flames of fire:) such laws, such secrets, as some of them are not fit to be promulgated. Being upon his departure, he desires of God, that he might live so long as the world endured, that in that protract he might the easier make all people on the earth embrace his doctrine: God pities his simplicity and in a mirror shows him the alteration of times, the villainy of Lucifer, the misery of man, and many other rarities such as quite altered his first desires; so that, when he had worshipped, he takes his Zundavastaw or Book in is left hand, and some celestial Fire in is right, and by Bahaman Vmshauspan the foresaid Angel (who cloven the Air with his golden wings) is set down in that same valley where the spirit found him. Zertoost (by this time a man of great experience) arms himself against all disasters and temptations, and bidding his Hermitage farewell, travels homeward, to publish his law and joy his too long afflicted parents: Satan (who all this while looked asquint at Zertoosts determinations) intends to seduce him, and after a short excuse for his rude intrusion, protests himself his unfeigned friend, assuring him the Angel had deluded him; that God hated his novel endeavours; that if he had loved him, he had not so soon so willingly parted with him, that his denying him to live till the day of doom, argued God's neglect of him; that his travail to reclaim the world was in vain, men's minds so doted upon freedom and vanity; that his book was stuffed with lies, and in publishing it great shame and peril should betide him: that his fire, was a merciless Element, ridiculous and of small use in those hot regions. And in conclusion, if he would reject these and depend on him, he would furnish him with all delights, honours and pleasures possible, give him power to do strange things, whereby he should be worshipped for a God, which if he refused he was a fool and unworthy his charity. Zertoost soon saw that tempter was no better nor worse than Lucifer: he bade him avoid, and call to mind to his addition of terror, how by his ambitious impiety he had lost heaven, and how mere malice made him desirous to draw all other into like damnation: he also told him how that book he so scoffed at should condemn him, that fire torture him and all such black mouthed liars and detractors as himself; whereat the Fiend was horribly affrighted and left him: the devil is no sooner gone, but on goes Zertoost and at length arrived where he found his parents who (you doubt not of) received him gladly; to whom he imparted his passed fortunes and intended occasions. Dodoo his mother (that good old woman) imagines it a sin unpardonable, that so excellent a young prophet (as she thought her son) should be longer concealed from the world; yea grew so transported, that she thought all men wicked blockheads that could not find it out without her babbling it: but seeing them dull, to them she goes and without longer circumstance tells them the whole story of her son's conception, her dreams, his piety, his enthusiastics, revelations, visions, the excellency of his book, his authority to command all men to believe and obey his laws and ordinances. The people admire and blazon it, so that in short time Gustasp the Persian King had notice of it, who desiring to see the man and know the truth, sends for him, is so well satisfied and instructed, that he forthwith wavered in his own religion, judging Zertoosts better and more plausible; insomuch, as his own Priest became dejected, and invented all ways possible to reclaim him; and to effect it, bribes Zertoosts servants to convey under his bed the bones of dead men and dead dogs carcases, things most hateful to the Persians, possessing the King that this stranger was a banished man, a man of a most impure conversation, witness the stuffing of the bed he slept upon: the King is brought to view that nasty deceit, abominates him, and for his reward shuts him in a loathsome dungeon, but this misery of his endured not long; for the King, having a horse of great account deadly ill, proposes great rewards to any could recover him; many desired it, but none durst undertake it, fearing the penalty, till Zertoost heard it who administers a potion and recovers him: an act so acceptable to Gustasp that he receives the poor prophet into grace again, whereby he had the way to discover the King's priests knavery and to illustrate his own integrity; yea, a means whereby to publish his own doctrine, and by some miracles intermixed to have it credited. It chanced that the King (either stimulated by his Churchmen, or judging Zertoost able to do any thing) calls for him, professing his propensity to be of his religion, and which he and all his would entertain, upon condition Zertoost would grant him 4 things: the first, that he might never die; the second, that he might ascend heaven and come down again without hurt as often as he listed; the third, that he might know what God had done, did, and intended; the fourth, that his body might be invulnerable. Zertoost is somewhat thunderstruck with these demands: But perceiving it otherwise impossible to have his Dogmataes believed, he tells the King, that for one man to have all those properties was to make him a God, more than a man; that the King should choose any one for himself, and the other 3 things be given any other three men he pleased to nominate: 'tis accepted, and Gustasp makes the second his choice, that he might ascend and descend at pleasure; to know the secrets of heaven was granted the King's Churchman, the better thereby to govern; to live for ever, is conferred upon Pischiton (the King's eldest son) who they say lives yet upon Damoan's high mountain guarded by 30 immortal men, to forbid all others the entrance, lest by footing that holy ground they should also live for ever; and to be free in battle or otherwise from hurt or torment was granted to Espandiar the King's youngest son; after which the Zundavastaw is opened, the new broached doctrine read and generally accepted on. It has a tripartit division; the first treats of judicial Astrology, called Astoodeger, and is committed to the care of such as they call jesopps or Sages: The second speaks of natural Philosophy or Physic, and is studied by the Hackeams or Physicians: The last is a compound of religion, named (from the Inventor) Zertoost, and kept by the Daroos or Predicants: each of these three contain seven chapters: A little only of their religion. The Zertoost is also of three parts; pointing at 3 sorts of men; the Laymen, Clergy, and Archbishop; to every of them it directs an increase of commandments; to the first sort 5, to the second 11, to the third 13; the compendium of which we will only manifest. The Behedins or laymen's 5 precepts be these. 1. To cherish modesty and shame fastness: a virtue deterring all sorts of ugly vices and concupiscence, as pride, revenge, theft, adultery, drunkenness, and perfidy. The 2, to cherish fear. 3. To use premeditation in what they are to do; that if bad, reject it; if good, to act it. 4. Each days first object to be a memento of God's love to urge our gratitude. 5. To pray daily to the Sun, and nightly to the Moon, as the only 2 great lamps and witnesses, and most opposite to the devil who delights in darkness. The 11, given the Herboods, Daroos or Priests to practise, are these (the other also of the Behedin they observe). 1. To be constant in that form of worship set down precisely in the Zundevastaw. 2. Not to covet what belongs to any other man. 3. To abhor lies. 4. Not to be worldly minded. 5. To learn the Zundavastaw by rote. 6. To keep himself free from all manner of pollution. 7. To forgive all sorts of injuries. 8. To teach the Laity how to pray and convene in adoration. 9 To licence Matrimony. 10. To be frequent at Church. 11. Upon pain of fire eternal, to believe in no other law, neither to add nor to diminish it. 3. The Distoore or Pope (never but one at once) has 13, and as he percedes the rest in dignity, so is his life most strict and observable; he performs not only his own but the two former Tables also. 1. He must never so much as touch any profane thing or person, no not the Laymen or Daeroos of his own belief, without washing or purifying. 2. He must do every thing having relation to himself with his own hands, as planting, sowing, cooking, etc. 3. That he duly receive his tithe or the Tenth of what the Laity are possessers of. 4. That he avoid pomp and vainglory, but rather with his great income do acts of charity. 5. That his house so conjoin the Church, as he may be there oft and go and come without being much seen or taken notice of. 6. That his washings be more frequent than others, his food purer, and that he refrain his wife's company during her pollution. 7. That he not only be perfect in the Zertoost (a capite ad calcem) as is the Herbood, but also be of greatest knowledge in the other parts, as judicial and Natural Philosophy. 8. That his diet be very moderate. 9 That he fear none but God. 10. That he tell every man (how great soever) of his offences. 11. That he distinguish 'twixt good and counterfeit visions or fancies, and give right judgement. 12 That whensoever God reveals or communicates his goodness or glory to him in nightly visions, he admire his mercy and keep them secret. 13. That the Pyree or holy fires (that which Zertoost brought from heaven) be ever kindled, yea never extinguish, till fire destroy the world: And that he pray (to and) over it. This is the true contents of the Zundavast which holy Zertoost brought from heaven. Declare we now their Feasts, Fasts, Weddings and Burials. They are tolerated all sorts of meat; but (in obedience to the Mahomitan and Bannyan 'mongst whom they live) refrain Beef and Hog flesh: they seldom feed together, lest they might participate one another's impurity: each has his own cap; and if any of his own Cast chance to use it, he washes it three times, and forbears it a good while after: they observe six solemn Festivals annually; the first called Meduserum, kept the 15 of Fere or February; 2. Petusahan, on the 26 of Sheruar or April; 3. Yatrum, on the 26 of Mahar or May; 4. Medearum, on the 16 of Deh or August, 5. Homespetamadum, on the 30 of Spindamud or October; 6. Medusan, on the 11 of Adebese or December; all of them in memory of the Creation and monthly benefits. After each of these Feasts they eat but one small meal a day for five days after, and whensoe'er that lay men eat any flesh, they bring part to their Eggaree or Temple to pacify the Lord, in that for their sustenance the lives of those good creatures are annihilated. Now concerning the Fire they adore, 'tis in memory of that Zertoost brought from heaven, wherein they memorise the vestals, or rather in an apish imitation of the Jewish law (the devil as near as may be, desiring to counterfeit the Law of God) in the 6. of Levit. 13. where 'tis commanded that the fire (that came from heaven) should be ever burning upon the Altar and never go out. In Persia they had many Pyree of this vestal fire, most of which were destroyed by Heraclius the Roman Emperor in his Wars with Kozchoes (at that time Mahomet serving in his Army.) Some to this day are remaining, having the Idolatrous Fire from 1000 years unextinguished. In Indya also these banished Persee have their Eggarees or Temples, one of which is at Nuncery (not fare from Surratt) whose Fire has continued without fomenting this 200 years: where note that this their God-fire is not composed of common combustibles, as wood, straw, coals, slates, etc. nor blown by any bellowes, breath of man, wafting, or like profane things; No, 'tis compounded of sparks flying from a hot burning tempered steel, and kindled either by lightning from heaven, by an ignis fatuus, the beams from a burning glass, or such like; for, but such only is proper for that their Antisbeheraun or Idol fire. But if it chance the fire have need of cherishing, the Distoore and other Laymen (at 12 foot distance) surround the holy Deity and after some gestures, the Priests adds fuel and returning to the other people, altogether worship it, beseeching it, that they may not only give it due reverence, but also honour solemnly all other things that resemble it; as Sun, Moon, Starrs, and common fire, which also they so divinely estimate, that they hold it a most ungodly part to spit in it, throw water into it, or put it to any vile or unnecessary employment; but reverence wood and such things as it receives life and vigour from. The Baptism of these Heathen Idolaters is of this nature: so soon as it is borne, the Daroo is called upon, who delays not, but being instructed in the precise time of his Nativity, calculates his fortunes: the Daroo invents the name, the mother imposes it: this done, they all together haste to the Eggaree or Temple, where the Priest puts a little pure water into the barque of a holy tree the name is Holme, the place it grows in, Yezd, a City in Persia not fare from Spahawn, where at this day are many of this religion, who upon the mountain Albors, have a Pyree wherein is a Fire-god, which has never been extinguished (they say from Gustasps time, contempory with Abraham) a tree, Zertoost blessed and in this more memorable, that it never admits of any shadow: the water out of this holy rind is poured upon the Infant, and a prayer made that it may be cleansed from all impurity: at seven year's age it is confirmed by the Daroo, and made to say his prayers o'er the fire (but with a cloth fastened about his head, which covers his mouth and nostrils lest his sinful breath might taint the holy Fire,) drinks a little water, chaws a Pomegranate leaf, washes in a Tanck, his naked body with a fine Shuddero or linen reaching to his waist, ties a zone or girdle of Cushee or Camels hair about his loins, woven with Inkle of the Herboods making (which he wears ever after) and after a short prayer, that he may never prove an Apostate or profane wretch, but continue a Fire-worshipper; eating no man's meat, nor drinking no man's drink but his own; he is then blessed and held a Persee most warrantable. Their Marriages in brief are thus: distinguished into five orders. 1. Shaulan, or a marrying of two young children agreed on by each parents, but unknown to the children; the virtue being, that if either die they go to heaven. 2. Chockerson, a second marriage. 3. Codesherahasan, when the woman is her own chooser. 4. Ecksan, when a dead body (not being married before) is married. 5. Ceterson, when having no sons, he adopts his daughter's son, etc. the Coremony this: at midnight the Daroo or Priest enters the house, (they wed not in Churches) finds the two parties (to be married) upon a bed together; opposite to each other stands two Churchmen with Rice in their hands (the Emblem of fruitfulness:) then first, one laying his forefinger on the Bride's forehead, he asks if she be willing to take that man to be her Husband, who saying yea: the like rite and question is by the other Priest done to the man; the Bridegroom makes a promise to infeoff her in a certain number of Dynaes': she replies, she and all she has is his; the Priests than scatter the Rice upon their heads and pray, that they may multiply as Rice; the woman's parents give the Dowry, and eight days are spent in joviality and compliment. Their Funerals are these: They put the dead body into a winding sheet, all the way his kindred beat themselves but in great silence till they come within 50 or 100 paces of the burial place: where the Herbood or Priest meets them (observing ten foot distance) attired in a yellow scarf and a thin Turban: the Necesselars or bearers carry the corpse upon an iron Beer (wood is forbidden, in that it is sacred to the fire) to a little Shed or Furnace, where (so soon as some mystic Antiques are acted) they hoist it up to the top of a round stone building, twelve foot high and 80 in circuit: the entrance is only at the N. E. side, where through a small grate or hole they convey the carcase into a common Monument, the good men into one, the bad into another; 'tis flat above, wholly open, plastered with smooth white loam, hard and smooth like that of Paris; in the midst thereof is a hole descending to the bottom, made to let in the putrefaction issuing from the melted bodies, which are there-upon laid naked in two rows, exposed to the Sun's flaming rage, and merciless appetite of ravening Vultures, who commonly are fed by these carcases, tearing the raw flesh asunder, and deforming it in an ugly sort; so that the abominable stink of those unburied bodies (in some places 300) is so loathsome and strong, that (did not a desire to see strange sights allure a Traveller) they would prove worse seen than spoken of; Nor do the Persees delight that any stranger should go open to view them. The Burial place of the Persees in India. The History of the great Mogul. LEt us now into Industan, and by the best helps and inquiries we can make, wove the variable History of the great Moguls; their pedigree; their descent from Tartary: their several conquests and success in Indya; with other most remarkable occurrents happening there, these last 50 years: also the description of such Cities, Provinces, and Forts as either every or support that glorious Empire: the knowing which may peradventure (I doubt it not) find gracious acceptance amongst the more ingenuous, who know that man is the compendium of the world, and admirable in his Designs, which yet are crossed by the awful finger of God, when men intent that which thwarts his providence. Nor can you lend your ears to any nobler part of the Universe, which for spaciousness, abundance of fair Towns, numberless Inhabitants, infinite treasure, mines, food and all sorts of Merchandizes, exceeds all Kings and Potentates in the Mahometan world: his vast (but well compacted) Monarchy, extending East and West to the Bengalan Gulf and Indian Ocean. The South to the Decan and Mallabar; North and North West to the Maurenahar Tartar, and Persian: 2600 miles some ways, 5000 in cicuit: in which he has 38 large Provinces; rich and containing the rest are Gujurat (where we now are,) Malva, Pengab, Bengala, and part of Decanee, (Ariacae in Ptol.) together comprehending 30 large Cities, 3000 walled Towns, and such Castles as for Natural defences seem impregnable; his yearly revenue is ordinarily accounted 50 crow of roopees; each crow is a hundred leck, a leck is a hundred thousand roopees, a roopee is 2 s. 3 pence, sometimes 2 s. six pence. Howbeit, out of this prodigious rent, goes yearly many great payments: to his Lieutenants of Provinces, and umbraves of Towns and Forts; having also in continual pay three hundred thousand Horse, and 2000 Elephants, fed with Donna or Poulse boiled with Butter and unrefined Sugar; to these only, his fiscal or Treasurer yearly giving out above forty millions of crowns; his continual wars are no less chargeable. The pedigree of these Moguls is thus upon their own seals blazoned. 1. Aben-Emyr-Temir-Saheb-Queran (i.e. Tamberlane, great Prince of the four quarters of the world:) 2. Aben-Miram-Sha: 3. Aben Mirza Sultan Mohummed: 4. Aben Sultan Abusaid: 5. Aben mirza-Emir-sha: 6. Aben Baber-potshaugh: 7. Aben Homayon potshaw: 8, Aben Ecbar, called also Abdul fetta ghelaladyn Mahumed Achbar: 9 Shaw Selim or Aben Almozapher Nordin jangheer potshaugh Gazi: 10. Sultan Curroon or Shaw jehan, now called Sultan potshaugh Bedin Mohumet. They have a larger genealogy; from Cingis-chan a Prince of Tartary (whom some have feigned) son of Babur, son of Portan, of Philcan, of Phonama, of Bizanbeg, of Shaw-dub-chan, of Tomincan, of Bubacan, son of Buzamer all of them brave men as story warrants us. Cingis-chan (as Haithon and others say, his contemporaries) was at first by profession a Vulcan or Blacksmith, by condition a good honest simple man: but the influence of heaven new moulded him, in little time in stead of his hammer, putting into his hands the Globe and Sceptre: his ambitious thoughts begun from the frequent encouragements a man in white Armour (mounted upon a white phantasma) gave him, promising his help, and stimulating his courage, tells the vision to some chief hoards or cantons, who give credit to his destiny and make him their general; he shows quickly how his gross mettle was refined by a better fire, with a troop of Mogli (one of the 7 hoards) marching South subduing as fare as mount Belgian, part of Imaus, at this day called Nigrakott, and Copizat by the Indians; there the sea stopped his career, but he prostrates himself and 9 times over fumbles out his prayers: the effect follows; the hill clove asunder, the sea parts in two and yields them 9 foot safe passage: but being upon the continent he hammers out his way with rusty iron, doing such marvellous feats of Arms as to a good faith seems wonderful. I shall as briefly as may be trace his posterity to Tamberlane: for from his grandsonnes, we must borrow our main history. Cingis-chan King of the Southeast Tartar after some victories against the Ruff, and Tartarrs, died at Ketoa kotan, A.M. 1596. A. D 1228. Heg. 608. An. 1228. of the Hegira 608. having divided amongst his 4 sons what was his by birth or conquest. To Tusha-chan he gave the provinces royal of D'hast, Kapecha, Rhoz ' and Abulgharr; to Chagatay-cawn, Maurenahar, Aygor and Chorazan; to Ogg, part of Bactria and Caucasus; to Tuli-chan, his Jewels and Treasure. Tusha or Tuxichan died two years after his father; Kagathay died in the year 1242, both of them without issue; whereby, their Signories descended upon Ogg ', or Ogtay-chawn, who in all his affairs at home and abroad really proved himself the son of Cingis-chan; compelling all the Persian Monarchy as fare as Babylon to acknowledge him their sovereign, but in the year 1252 was conquered by death, followed the fate of his predecessors, commended his Monarchy to his infant son Gayuc-chan, and him to be ordered by the care and providence of Minchonna his wife, but in the third year, impartial death called him also away, and gave Manchu-cawn son to Tuli-cawn (youngest Tetrarch) advantage to claim the sovereignty of all, by right of surviving succession. This young Prince (by such an accident mounted to the Imperial greatness) perceives the eyes of all about him inflamed with envy, and threatening his expulsion, enraged by the villainy of some that whispered out his guilt in the last infant's death: so that (albeit he was armed with integrity and a just Title) he contracts for his defence with some confining potentates, and gave them the honour and command of several provinces of his Empire upon condition they would hold of him in chief, and be ready upon all occasions to defend him; To Rablay-cawn he gave Ketoachotan and the royal City Cambaleck: to Vlakuc-cawn (his brother,) Persia, Chusistan, and Cherman: and to Chun-cawn, Gaznehen: but ere he had occasion to try the malice and inconstancy of his men or chance of war, death summoned him away, Anno 1260 but not before he had nominated Vlacuk-cawn for Emperor; who proved of another spirit, his best delight being to dance in Armour to Bellona's Trump, and to defend his own in despite of all his adversaries by his own virtue, without secundary props or other allyances: he first quiets his domestic broils composing peace at home, then magnifies his excellencies in foreign parts, in circling and adding to the lustre of his dyadem, Babylon, a great part of Arabia, and in Syria, Aleppo and Damascus; all which, during his life he kept in subjection and loyalty, and ruled with much magnificence, to the year 1270. when, (by the extremity of his disease finding death at hand) he calls his 3 sons afore him, exhorts them to unity, divides his lands among them, dies, and at Meragah 15 farsangs from Tauris was solemnly buried. Habkay-cawn the eldest, had the provinces of Hyerac, Mozendram, and Korazan; (comprehending Medya, Parthya, Hyrcania, Bactria, and Sogdiana.) To Hya-Shawmet, Aro & Adarbayon (part of Armenia and Iberia comprising Salmas, Coy, Nazivan, Maraga and Merent, Cities of quality.) To Tawdon-cawn the Signories of Dyarbec and Rabaion (or Mesopotamia, part of Syria and what was made fruitful by Euphrates and Tigris.) And to his sons by another venture, Nicador-oglan and Targahe-cawn, he gave money portions. Habkay-cawn, that year died at Hamadan in Persia, and made protector to his son, Nycador-Oglan, A.M. 5245. A.D. 1275. A. Heg. 655. who so long and with such delight represented the young King, that by a devilish art and ambition he sent him to an untimely grave, and establishes himself by name of Hameth-cawn, but all his reign is so pursued by divine vengeance, that in the year 1275 he dies mad and is buried at Cashan: in his place, came the right heir (from banishment) Argon-cawn, who by the people is joyfully welcomed, and at his Coronation assumes the name Tangador-habkay zedda, son to Habkay-cawn. This man swayed the Sceptre 5 years with much tyranny, not only massacring Nycadors sons and alliances, but amongst the Innocent bathed his sword in blood, so that he became hateful to his own, and stimulated the Parthian to revenge, by whom in a battle he is overcome, and by Argon-chan upbraided with his cruelty, yea to compensate the like measure, is cruelly tormented, his belly ripped open, and his guts given to the dogs. To Tangador (the inveterate Enemy of all Christians) succeeds his brother Giviatoc-chan, who in the fourth year of his reign perished by Balduc-chan his Uncle, who also after five year's rule died issueless. Badu son of Targahe youngest son to Vlacuk-chan, by assent of all that Nation succeeding in the throne of greatness, whose affections he answered with so much respect, clemency, and care, that never any before him was more beloved and honoured: howbeit, when he openly professed himself to be a Christian, the people's regard drew back, and many treasons (fomented by Satan) were hatched against him, so that at last he was slain (or rather martyred) by Gazun-chan, Cousin to Tangador, who had small cause to brag of his treachery, or time to surfeit of his glory; for, by the permissive hand of God, in Cazbyn, when he lest suspected treason, he is wounded to death by his own houshold-servants Anno 1305, and of the Hegira 685, and lay long time unburied. His brother Aliaptu Abuzayd (or Mahumet been Argon) by many attempts and shows of valour purchased the restless Diadem: to whom, followed Hoharo-mirza, or Abusaid Bahador-chan anno 1337, who consumed his life in venerous exercises: so that for want of issue, the Kingdom became a Theatre of many troubles, no less than 30 at one time contending for the Sovereignty: whereby the distressed people were compelled to look for help from home: And none more safe to trust to, than the Lord of Samerchand, Tamberlayne, much famoused for his justice and victories, against the Sarmatique Tartar, Praecopense, and Chynaeses. Him they invocate by many presents of their love, and a letter filled with hideous complaints, describing their miseries, the confusion of their Kingdom, and insufferable pride of the thirty competitors. The Scythic Emperor promises his best aid, and with fifty thousand horse forthwith enters Persia, without doing any hurt, save against the Tyrants, all whom he persecuted with such fury, that in three months (by the industry of the Inhabitants) they are all taken and made to quaff their farewell in the bitter cup of tormenting Death: for which, the people urged Tamberlayne to accept the Diadem, and to establish it by all means possible in his posterity. But after seven and twenty years most honourable and successful government (in that time captivating the great Turk Bajazet, whom he brought away in an iron Cage, subduing all Asia; yea, in eight years conquering more Kingdoms and Provinces than the Romans did in eight hundred:) this Monarch of the Asiatic world is subjected by imperious Death, & entombed anno 1405, of the Heg. 785. at Anzar in Cathayo: leaving his sons and grand children to inherit his victories: joon-gwyr, Hameth-cheque, Myramsha, and Mirza-sharock, by some called Soutochio and Letrochio; of which, joon gwir died (three years before his father,) in Palestine, leaving two sons Mamet Sultan, and Pyr-Mahomet; which Pir Mahomet was by his Grandsire placed in Gaznehen and Industan, where he ruled till Pir Ally slew him villainously. Hameth Chec was slain in Laurestan, some say in his father's last combat with Bajazet. Myramsha, the third son, was slain in battle anno 1480 by Chara-Issuff the Turkoman in Aderbayon (but left issue Sultan Mahumed from whom the great Mogul is descended:) and Mirza-Sharoc the youngest of Tamerlans sons (surviving the other) held most parts of the Empire, till dying in the year 1447, he left Aberdayon (or part of Media) to Mirza joonsha son of Kara-Issuf the Turk new entered Persia. Whiles Miramsha's issue preserve the splendour and magnificence of the Tartarian Emperor. Myramsha (by some called Allan-Chan) left issue (as is said) Mahumet, called Aben Mirza Sultan Mahomet, who died anno 1453, leaving to his son Barchan (at his Coronation new named Mirza Sultan Abuzaed) many rich and spacious Provinces, as Badashon, Gaznehen, Cabul, Sistan, Kerman, Chorazan, and Khoemuz: all which were not sufficient by bribe not force to secure him against the incensed Persian, who having endured much affliction for trial of conquest, at last, joonsha with Acen Ally his son, grand son to Kara Issuff were beaten down, and Vsan Cassan (called also Acembeg) Lord of the White Sheep, governed. Under this Vsan Cassan (an Arminian) the people fall upon Sultan Abusaid, and in a pitched field vanquish him and eighty thousand men, himself slain, three hundred Elephants taken, and all his Countries ransacked: yet by reason of many discords amongst the Persians, they revived and set Abusaids son upon the Throne by name of Aben Mirza hameth cheque, whose four and twenty years were spent in sweet ease and plenty. At's death his Empire descends anno 1493 upon his brother's son Babur Mirza, named upon the addition of his greatness, Aben Babur Padshaw; entitled prince of Maurenahar, Balk and Samerchand; but, in the seventh year of his reign is expelled his Kingdom by practice and conspiracy of Sha-Mahumed (called also Sha' beg chan) who laid claim to the Crown, pretending he was son and true heir of Aben-Mirza-hameth-cheque late Emperor, being (as he said) by craft stolen from his Nurse, and conveyed amongst the Ouzbeag Tartars, whence (for some offence he had made) he fled with his lawless troops, enters Indya and attempts the conquest; where after he had tyrannised long time, A.M. 5502. A.D. 1532. A. Heg 912. was in the year 1532, of the Mahometan account 912, sore against his will, compelled to troth the knotty path of inevitable destiny, leaving no issue; so that the Crown descended by right of Inheritance upon the eldest son of Aben Babur, Homayon by name, who suffered no small affliction by the malice and envy of Mirza Kameron his younger brother, that confederated with Tzeerchan, and by long practise forced him into Persia, where he was royally entertained, and after three months stay sent with great and royal succours back again. This also is remarkable (the story of it is painted in Lohor palace) that king Badur thirsting after the conquest of Indya, disguises himself and thirty Noble men in his company in the habit of Calendars or Friars, as if they were upon a Rummery or pilgrimage. The better by this craft to espy their advantage: but being in Delly (the greatest City of the Potan King) could not so behave themselves but that Tzecander the King discovered them, who pardoned them upon condition they would swear never to attempt the conquest during either of their lives. But when both were dead, Homayon (Baburs son) entered & dispossessed Abram and Shec-Sha-Selym Secanders' sons) of the Diadem. Howbeit, Tzeerchan a brave Bengalan Prince, fights against this new come Tartar, & foils his Army near Ganges forcing him into Persia, where he married the King's sister, and with her and Byram chan, and two hundred horse and returns, is reseated in Delly, and acknowledged King. Homayon (son of Babur great-grand-son of Termir-Lan or Tamburlaine) being re-invested with the Imperial Title and Diadem of Indostan by means of Tamas the Persian King, and returned triumphant by the overthrow of Tzeer-chawn the intruding King of Patan, who anno dom. 1550. and of the Hegira or Mahomitan account 960. died disconsolate. Homayon, I say after he had committed his eldest son Abdul Fetta Gelaladin Mahomet (a while after surnamed Eckbar) to the trust and care of Beyranghano chawn, (a discreet and valiant man) being in Delly, having one evening chawed too much sense confounding Opium, hasting to his Orisons, upon the watchword from a high Tower, suddenly he slipped down forty steps or degrees, which so bruised him, that after three days torment he deceased, leaving Achbar his son inheritor to his Greatness and miseries. A.M. 5522. A.D. 1552. A. Hcy. 932 This happened in the year of our Lord God 1552. from which time, to this year out of our own and Belgic fragments congested by the Laet, I think it partly convenient with our other passages and observations of Indya to present these, which to the observant may prove acceptable. Ecbar, having by help of Beyrangano-Kawn, and Chawn-Channa his son, dispeld some clouds caused by Abdal-Chawn, was with solemnity crowned King or great Mogul in Delly; after which, he bent his whole endeavours to enlarge his Territories and make known, that he was verily the great grand son of victorious Teymerlan. In the first, taking full revenge of Hemow, who had formerly chased Turdichan, but three months after by mischance of war coming under command of Badur chawn, his head is cut off and elevated in Delly, and that Province for some time quieted: then, by Ally Cooclinchan he subdues Doab (by some called Sanbal a Province surrounded by jeminy and Ganges, fruitful and well peopled:) at that time Beyramgano-chan (otherwise called Byramchan the Persian) aging fast and tired with the fopperies of this world, having well discharged the trust reposed by his old Master, and finding Ecbar wary and valiant to regard the dignity of his Empire, obtains leave to spend the residue of his time at Mahomet's Sepulchre, in contemplation: but (in his Roomery in the way to Medina) at Pathang in Cambaya is wounded to death by an obscure slave of his, whose father he had formerly slain, so that by Abdal Radgee his son (not fourteen years old) and much sad company this great Captain is brought back to Agray, and there buried: Ecbar laments his death though thought an Agent, but nothing can recover him: he labours to forget it, and spends some time in building the Castle at Agra, formerly of mud, but by him pulled down & so altered, that it scarce admits comparison through all Asia: 'tis of durable stone, polished and so spacious that it comprehends three miles circular, is built upon the pleasant banks of Shemeny, circled with a strong stone wall, moated, and to be entered by many draw Bridges; has four brave gates, many bulwarks and counterscarps to defend it. Agray (from Surat East seven hundred and seventy miles) the Navel of Agra● the Moguls territories, and Empress of Indya, has 28 degr. 37 min. North latit. is watered by jeminy (jomanes in Pliny, and Hynamanes in Poliaenus his 8 lib. Semiramidis) which from Delly glides hither, and commixing with Ganges, flows into the Bengalan Sea. Agra was of old called Nagra, and ere that, Dionysia; whence some say 'twas founded by Bacchus: but I believe it not; partly, in that Fettipore till of late (no longer than fifty years ago) bore away the fame for beauty and grandeur, and in that Bacchus (says S. Augustine) was contemporary with Moses in the year from Adam 2515: rather from the river Agranis, which hence streams into Ganges, as Arrian lib. de Indicis has it. The shape is semilunary, like London: the streets long and narrow, and nasty; of seven mile's continuance: in part 'tis walled about, the ditch the remainder, which too oft smells infectiously. From Agra to Lahore (through a delicate shade of trees) are five hundred miles. To Brampore one thousand; to Asmeer two hundred; to Surat seven hundred and seventy. Radgee Rana the most potent and noble Prince of Indya, at this time lost his strong and stately Castle Chyttor, by treason of Zimet Padsha his substitute, not content therewith, till he had made many inroads into Gujurat in contempt of the Moguls forces. Echar is glad of the occasion, hasting with fifty thousand horse to be revenged. Some months he spent in besieging it, but so fruitlessly, that he attempts the conquest by stratagem, undermining the Fort, and to the admiration and terror of the besieged, blows it up with powder, causing such a breach as himself and twenty thousand men immediately entered pell-mell with such haste & fury, that Zimet the rebel perceiving treaty of no value, gathering in one his Family, consumed himself and them in flames, to prevent the tortures provided for him by Ecbar, and Mardout his enraged Master. In this sort this famous Fort is taken, which Aladin by twelve year's siege could do no hurt to. A victory so great and valuable, that Eckbar causes it be expressed in sculpture, and for a Trophy placed in Agra as a wonder. He had no time to surfeit of this victory, receiving letters from Rajea Bagwander Viceroy of Lahore, that Mirza Mamet Hagee his brother with thirty thousand horse out of Kabul, had attempted to prey upon Lahore: Ecbar delays no time, but with his Army presents himself so suddenly to the Enemy, that without any resistance or stay Mahomet flies away, leaving his men and camp to the rage of Ecbars' company. This occasion drew the King to view all advantageous places of defence, which he both bettered by his care, and gave them in charge to such he trusted. He also takes a survey of Pang-Ob, out of which he is called by letters from his mother in Agra, assuring him of the rebellion of Badur-kawn Ally-Kooli-Kawn and Zemaen, sent that spring against the Patanians, whom in Doab they put to flight, at Sambel also, and at Lachnoun got a greater victory, and three weeks after, at joonpore utterly defeated them, subduing to the Mogul all such Provinces as lie engird 'twixt Ganges and Tsatsa, conquests of so great note, that they grew efflated beyond measure, conceiting all Indostan under like hazard, and which they resolved to make trial of. But the reward and destiny due to Traitors overtakes them: for Ecbar by swift marches long before the Rebels expected him pitches on the East of jeminy (the river at Agra) which wounded the adverse part with such amazement, that forfeiting the memory of their passed victories, they begin a shameful flight; Ecbar greedily pursues them, beating down the silly men immeasurably, and after long pursuit, the heads are taken: Allyculi-cawn is trodden under foot by the enraged horses, and Badur-cawn (by Ecbars' command and in his sight) strangled: this done, Ganganna is sent to joonpore against Mirza Sulyman and the King retreats to Agra, where, he fancies a pilgrimage to Asmeer a hundred and thirty course or two hundred English miles distant thence, by invocation of Mandee a reverend Hodgee or disciple of Mahomet, by his favour to obtain some issue masculine; after much foot toil (at every miles end a fair stone being pitched to rest upon, as yet remaining) he gets thither, where bare foot very devoutly he entreats dead Mondee for children: this Prophet is entombed in a rich and stately monument, graced with 3 fair Courts, each paved with singular good stone, the Fabric (after the Persian mode) polished and pargetted in Mosaic order. Asmeer, is under 25 degr. 15 min. North lat. seated upon a high impregnable mount, the greater part of the City being below, Asmeer. fairly built, of small value in resistance, yet moated and walled about with solid stone; not much distant is Godah, once, the habitacle and seat of the valiant Rashboot: the country is champagne and very fruitfully, in many places affording the ruins of much antique magnificence, time and war made desolate and obscured: these, Ecbar coupled to the rest of his spacious Empire. Ecbar by this has made an end of his oblations, and in his return visits a holy Derwis, Siet Selym by name, who took it for so great a favour, that out of his delphic notions, he foretold the Mogul how ere long he should be father of three gallant men children; it proved so, in which regard, his first borne (from the Dervys) is called Selym; after, Shakstone Selym: the other two, Chan Morad or Amurath, and D'haen-sha or Danyell: a prophecy so grateful to Ecbar the Mogul, that there he consecrates a brave and magnific Mosque, walls the old town Tzickerin or Sycary, and from this holy occasion new names it Fettipore i.e. a place of pleasure; yea grew so affected to it, that he added a palace for himself and a Buzzar, Fettipore scarce out-beautified by any other in the Orient, and had made it the Metropolis had the river affected him, by whose unwholesomeness he forsook it, from whence ruin and neglect have moth-eaten her, at this day prostrate and become the object of danger and misery; 'tis from Agra eighteen miles English. Whiles things were in this sort digesting, news comes to King Ecbar (then in Fettipore) that a great rebellion was begun in Gujurat by Ebrahim Hossen, Mirza-cawn, Mahomet Hossen and joon-cawn, who had most audaciously foraged as fare as Baroch and were marching to Amadavad, hoping with his troops of Thiefs and Coolyes to make a prey of that Imperial City. Amadavad, undoubtedly seems to me, Amadavad. to be that City Amacastis in Ptol Amadavastis in Arrhian. Howbeit, some say it has denomination from King Hamet who in the year of Mahomet 375 made it large and beautiful: the pole Arctic is there elevated 23 degrees 18 minutes: 'tis at this present the Megapolis of Cambaya or Guzurat, watered by a sweet river and circled by a beautiful strong stone wall of six mile's compass, well and orderly advanced with many pretty Towers and a dozen Posterns: out of which few pass or repass without a Pass, fearing treason from Prince Badur, who in our times with a hundred thousand horse ransacked Cambaya thirty seven courses hence, and daily threatens this fair City. The streets are many, pretty large and comely; most shops redundant with Aromatic gums, perfumes and spices; silks, cotton, calicoes, and choice of Indian and China rarities, owned and sold by the abstemious, fair spoken, crafty Bannians, who here surpass for number the other Inhabitants: of most note is the Buzzar, rich and uniform; the Castle is strong, large, moated; and the receiving place of the Cambayan Governor: the houses in general are of Sunne-burnt bricks, low, large and tarrassed: adjoining, is seen the momument of a certain pedagogue, so dear beloved by Sha-Reer the King, that by a stately Mausoleum he strove to make him seem immortal: both building and pavement are of well polishtmarble. It has 3 Courts of great beauty and respect, one of them fastidious in four hundred porphirian pillars framed in Corinthiack architecture: conjoining, is a Tanck of refreshing water, compassed with cloisters adorned with spacious windows, most of which, give the observer a delicate horizon: at Sesques also (one hours riding thence) are seen the Dormitories of many Cambayan Potentates, lodged in a brave and princely Temple, much resorted to by the Idolatrous Vannyans: and two miles nearer the City, behold the gardens and palace of Chawn Chonna son to the great Byramchan the Persian; an Indian Ombrave, by whose valour of late years the last of the Cambayan Kings in that very place by loss of his life, gave conquest to this warrior, and dominion to Ecbar the Mogul his Master. But return we to Ecbar; who no sooner received intelligence of Hossens rebellion, but with incredible haste, winged with fury, he gets thither (each twenty four hours posting seventy, in seven days four hundred courses) and gives those rebels battle at Titan's first uprising, and with their noise and clamour so terrifies them, that after small resistance their whole Army is disordered, many slain, and by a fresh supply of twelve thousand Horse led by Chan Goga an expert soldier, after some skirmish they are chased, and in flight Ebrahim Hossen and Mirza-cawn slain, Mohomet Hossen taken prisoner and beheaded; and by this advantage not only Amadavar recovered and is fortified, but Surat also conquered and most of Guzurat made subject to Ecbars' diadem: this done, he returns Crowned with Triumph, and gins the Castle in Agray, built of such good stone, made so large and vast, that she may deserve the Title of princess of Asia: twelve years scarce finished it, though twelve hundred at some time were employed about it: he expended fifty thousand crow of Tacks▪ (a crow is a hundred lack, The Castle of Agra built. each lack a hundred thousand) thirty, sometime twenty tack make one roopee; a roopee is two shillings three pence, so that accounting but twenty tack to a roopee, the total he disbursed, amounts to two millions and five hundred thousand roopees: at Fettipore, at that time also he spent about the wall and palace a millions and five hundred thousand roopees, in all, four million: at Tzekander likewise, three course (or five miles from Agra as we go to Labour) the Mousoleum of the great Moguls, begun by Ecbar, augmented by jangheer his son, and yet scarce finished, having already consumed fourteen millions of roopees in that wonder of India. It would require an exact description, in little thus. The place is Scander, a place where the greatest of Kings made his ne plus. Ecbar the most magnific of Tamberlans race is here buried: 'tis a Mausoleum of four large squares, each about three hundred paces; the material is free stone, polished, at each Angle a small Tower of particoloured marble; ten foot higher is another terrace, on every side beautified with three Towers; the third gallery has two on each side; the fourth, one; the fifth, half; & a small square gallery mounting to a royal pyree; within, is the mummy of Ecbar bedded in a coffin of pure gold, the whole structure is built in midst a spacious and curious garden, surrounded with a wall of red stone, and in that a brave rail mounted by six stairs, which discovers a little garden, but exquisitely beautiful and odorifferous. Whiles these vast buildings were erecting, Ganganna prosecutes Mirza Sulyman, who (whether of grief or age is doubted) died suddenly, commending the success to Skander his son, in short time made away by rascal conspirators, in's place Douwett, Bazat-cawn son, a man both effeminate and hated, so that now occasion gave itself richly for Ecbar to link Bengala to his Crown Imperial: he apprehends it, and with a brave army of fifty thousand horse and six hundred Elephants marches against the Pathan and is past Ganges ere Sha-Douwet has notice of his coming, which when he is assured of, sends Radgee B'han with 20000 horse to encounter them: 'twixt Ziotsa and Moheb-Alli-poor they affront one another, and for three hours' skirmish gallantly, but Ecbar at length has the mastery and courageously pursues them to Pathan, where King Douwet had fortified. Ecbar by no means could commove them to battle, nor in 3 months siege enter the City, for Patan is both great and well fortified, yet in the fourth he forces it, giving it as a prey to his men, who used all sort of hostile violence, the unlucky King buried in drink, all that time senseless of any loss, till too late to repent it, is conveyed away in a boat, at three days end made headless, and sent to Ecbar, as a Simbol of their love and his vanity: the King having thus fortunately proceeded in Bengala, goes back to Fettipore, where whiles he oversees his buildings, is mindful to increase and bring to maturity his Empire which then was but in adolescency, and to that end by the valour and vigilancy of Rustan-cawn and Zadoc-cawn the strong Castle Rhantipore is taken from the Radgees who of many hundred years had lorded it; after which, the Castle Rota or Roughtaz in Berar in Bengala (some think Oreophanta of old) by a merry sleight or stratagem: this Castle for many ages has acknowledged the Radgee her Governor, her building both from Art and Nature excellent and impregnable: Rotas. 'tis seated upon a perpendicular hill, the ascent cut obliqne out of the firm rock for three mile's continuance, the rest round about, precipitious; the top is a plain of eight miles every way, the circuit twenty four, healthy, wealthy, and abounding in all good things necessary, as water, corn, fruits, wood, and sixteen villages included by the Castle wall, which gives the defence twofold wonderful; in a word, not any Fort or Castle in Asia (or it may be in the universe) is more delightful or of greater strength and safety. This, the great Mogul looks upon with a lustful eye, imeasurably thirsting after it, but knows neither by bribe nor valour how to compass it; policy must actuate, and though he comprehends no way, yet ceases not to torture his invention, till his bombast is spent and the enterprise undertaken by Mohebally-cawn a wise and daring Captain, who having leave, without acquainting Ecbar or any other with his fantasies, proceeds with four hundred young men, armed with cryzes, and his Seraglio in two hundred doolaes or cajuaes as if he were upon a journey into Bengala: and in this order passing on, when he came within view of the Castle, he shows a Rajea his concubines and bribes him to procure leave of the Lord above, that in regard of his haste he might with safety leave there his Seralio till his return, which he would take as a real favour and study to remunerate: the message is delivered, the Radgee (who loved women well) entertains the motion, and Ally-cawn imparting the secret to a prudent Eunuch, disroabs the women; and with their apparel clothes himself and the four hundred youths, commanding the women in masculine attire to continue the Journey to Orixa, the Eunuches, twelve in number, with bows and arrows guard the Selaglio and by the Radgees command are entered (but like Sinon's horse into wretched Troy:) for, Ally-cawn (giving the word) the Doolaes are dismounted, and out of which, the warlike Amazons. In the first place they kill the porters of the Castle gate, then with incredible speed and courage assail the astonished Inhabitants, whom they take prisoners, and in the end the Radgee himself, who (to prevent excuse) they send to Erebus: thus is this Castle won, which (but by stratagem) was not to be taken by all the hostile force of India. Ecbar hears it with incredible delight, and joys the more in his belief, when he views that mass of treasure sent him thence by Ally-cawn to confirm the conquest. After which the invincible Castle jeloore is by Gidney-cawn an Apostate Mahometan betrayed to the Mogul though to his own brother's confusion. jeloor taken. The fame thereof afflicts many Princes of the Rajeas, each of them labouring to conserve their own against this overspreading Tartar: some, courageously defy his greatness, of which rank is Roop Mathii, a Lady both fair and valiant; her face was fit to subdue Mars then any Javelin, yet she confides more in her lance than in her beauty; so that, cheering up her obedient troops, very bravely she spoils the Moguls dominions, but in the midst of her boast and hopes she is affronted by Adam-cawn, a hardhearted warrior, who with his regiment so furiously opposed her, that most of her Pattans were slain, and herself (though she might have lived) to prevent shame and inchastity, by poison gave over being: Masoffer-cawn also this year 1588., of the Hegira 968 conspires against Ecbar, in Guzurat: first he strangles Gotobdas Mamet-cawn the King's Viceroy in Amadabat and some Ombraves, & then seizes upon all the Forts & advantageous places for the bettering his villainous rebellion; but by Abdall Radgee (Beirangana-cawns son) is vanquished, and fearing to obtain pardon destroyed himself as did the late named Amazon. The report of whose death was no sooner bruited, but the fame also of Mirza Mahomet Hackim (brother to Ecbar) his death, occasions Ecbar to assure himself of Cabul, which during Hackims' life was impossible; but using with all kind respect his wives and children, yea giving Chabec-cawn, Hametbeg and Mamet Maxuen-cawn his best umbraves large wages and command in Mesulipatan, Orixa and other places; at the same time Zebbar-cawn (late Precedent of Kabul and ovated for his victory that year against Maxuen-cawn, Bama-cawn and other rebels in Bengala) is made Viceroy of that Province, and Radzia Thormiel called to Fettipore, such time as Radgee Ramgiend Lord of Bando (a Province adjoining to Agra, redundant only in sand and stones) by persuasion of Radgee Bhyrmiel presents himself to Ecbar at Fettipore, and enrolls his country as a member of the Moguls Seignory, by whose example many other petty Gentile Kings came and submitted unto Ecbar, and yearly (as a symbol of their love and acknowledgement of subjection) present him their daughters to be his concubines; to the Mogul a grateful tribute: and for their better satisfaction to court them in, at Praije (an 110 course from Agra, Chrysoborca in Pliny;) advances a triumphant palace upon a promontory, where jeminy empties herself into Ganges; the material is hard stone, framed & polished with great beauty, & calls it Elabasse; in nothing more observable, Elabass builded. than a deep dark cave, in which are preserved (as holy relics) diverse deformed Pagotha's, rediculously supposed Babba Adam, Mamma Evah, Seth, Enosh and Methuselah, whom they affirm were created and lived here; and to whom (from all parts of India) resort innumerable Bannyans for benediction: first purifying themselves in Ganges (reputed holy, and no doubt excellent, for we find that a pint of Ganges water weighs less by an ounce than any other water) and shaving off all hair as unclean excrements, and without them meritorious: the whole, is surrounded with a triple wall; the first, of quadrated red stones and highest; the inmost of white, retaining an Obeliske fifty cubits high, and as many under ground to make it durable; fixed there it may be by proud Alexander. In this (which many Potan Kings formerly in vain attempted by reason of the rivers) the King spent a myriad and two hundred thousand of roopees. Here also they show a holy Tree, which many Potan Kings have sought to eradicate and destroy, but never could prevail in it. near Elabasse also is worth our seeing the stately Tomb which jangheer built for his first wife (Raja Mamisenghs sister) who poisoned herself upon the report of her son Sultan Gushroes' rebellion. The Moguls affairs succeeding thus fortunately, no clouds, no tumults appearing, Ecbar broaches new Chimeras, and fancies the entire conquest of Purop, Patan, Chormandel, yea of all Bengala to the South; and to stretch his Empire North as fare as Tartary: to further which, he hears, that Abdul-cawn, son and heir to Skander-chan King of Maurenahar (part of Tartary) was coming to Fettipore to visit him; he prevents the most part of his journey, & meets him at Lahore; where, he was with much ceremony entertained, but after small stay departed home again. News being brought King Achbar that Mirsa Sharoph in Badaxan had been miserably abused by the Ouzbeg Tattars; the King resolves their punishment: but as more considerable, bends towards Orixa that he might at once lord it over Ganges. At Atteck he order his Army: to Radjea Byrmiel he gave one part, to jehan-cawn another, to himself the third: Byrmiel leads the Van ', and outstripping the Army falls furiously upon the Patanians, who by th' encouragement of Zel-Ally receive them with no less fury, but answer blow for blow, so long, so bravely, that Byrmiel is beaten down with most part of his inconsiderate Army; Ecbar by such as fled hears the tragedy, and inflamed with desire of conquest and revenge, hastens upon them, and with such order and force, that Zel-Ally and Turkoft are discomfited, fifteen thousand slain, and Bengala subjected: the conquest of Kandahor is next recorded, for hearing of a great variance 'twixt the two Princes Hussan and Rustan, (sons of Mirza Beyram the Kandahor Governor) and the Persian: he confederates with the two young men, and sends Chabeec-cawn with five thousand horse, who at midnight are let in by the two brethren, and the City made a vassal of Ecbars' greatness: but in short time Abas the Persian King reducted it from the Indian. Ecbars' Ambition grows endless, so he can overcome he cares not how, nor where he conquers: for, hearing of the old King of Maurenahars' death, he covets to become his successor. First, to espy their strength and win black hearted fauters to his intentions, he sends, Tzedder-cawn and Hackeem-cawn to work it, who under pretence of comforting Abdul-cawn play their parts, and at the years end return well doctrinated: the great Mogul reserves the practice for himself, but perceiving Cassimeer interposing and not under him, sends Ally Mirza in Embassy to justoff-cawn (a fearful King) that if he would with his son forthwith come to Lahore and do homage to him, he should re-accept his seniory and his best power at all times to defend him: if he would refer it to the chance of war, he would dethrone, and make him a perpetual slave, and his son a stranger. The Casmirian King, affrighted at it, goes instantly to Ecbar and confirms his vassalage; but jacob-cawn his son, not able any longer to dissemble, flies home, and is so followed by such as loved him, that he expels the Indians out of the City and is acknowledged King; but his Halcyon days are of small continuance; for Ecbar storms, and accilerates Ally Mirza and Cassem-cawn with thirty thousand horse to fetter him; they chase him; not daring upon equal terms to combat it, he flies to the high Mountains of Bimbery, but Cassem-cawn, directed by some natives, so hotly pursue, that they are Lords of those hills, whence jacob hasts to Sirhenakar, but there also they beleaguer him, whose strength in men nor walls were sufficient to repel the enemy, but in despite of both, is taken and manacled, yea, made to bend under the iron yoke of slavish bondage. Cassimer is part of that part of Asia, of old called Sogdian. The North Pole is there raised 41 deg. nine min. from Agra three hundred; from Surat, three thousand English miles distant: the Province in general is mountainous barren, cold and windy. Her Metropolis Shyrenaker is three miles in compass, watered by Behat, a river, which from Caucasus after many glomerating dances increases Indus: nothing more observable than a lake (eight leagues thence) fifteen miles about, in centre is a pretty Isle, bearing a fair and pleasant Palace, out of which is seen variety of sports, fishing, hawking, rowing, etc. This done, restless Ecbar (a while deferring the conquest of Bactria) aims at Tutta and all Indus; knowing how odious Mirza jehan by reason of his tyranny was to his inferiors, he sends Ganganna with twelve thousand men, and by Boat sailing down Ravee into Indus, ere long they arrive at Tatta, which for six months held out, but in the seventh the Tyrant yields it up, and is upon conditions entertained friendly, and by this all Sinned to Loore Bander upon the Ocean, acknowledge Ecbar King of the Moguls their head and Sovereign. Tutta or Tatta (till now, Tutta. commanded by the Rashboot) East from jeselmeer, & West from Buckor, is one of the most celebrated Marts of Indya: from Lahore thirty days journey, but by Indus in less attained. Upon the Ocean she has Lourebander, three easy days travel thence, observable in this, that such ships as ride at anchor there, are not so gnawed and spoiled with worms, as at Swalley, Chaul, Dabul, Daman, Goah, and other places. About this time Nezamshaw the old King of Decan, A.D. 1593. A.H. 973. paid Nature her utmost Tribute, and Melec Amber his son is stated in his royal Throne and dignity: Ecbar is sick till he attempt the conquest; to do which he resolves neither cost nor toil should hinder it; the enterprise more hopeful, for that a woman was rectrix of the Marches. Ganganna is chosen General, who with instructions and thirty thousand horse, from Lohore hasts to Brampore, where Radgee Alychan the Governor conjoins five thousand more, and after some month's preparation set forward towards Decan. Tziend Bieby, daughter to the last King, hears of the Moguls approach, and to resist them fortifies Amdanagar, obtaining also some Forces from the Kings of Visiapore and Golcunda, in all forty thousand horse, which she commends to her Martial Eunuch Godgee Shuhel, who stays for them upon the Confines, first combatting with Ally Chawn, Mirza Gassem, and half the Army; the Pagans enter pell-mell, without order, guided only by bravery & desire of conquest, on both sides were many slain: now one then the other part growing victorious; so long, so courageously, with such emulation and fury the battle continued, that when Apollo (weary of so much bloodshed) had hid his golden trammels in Thetys' bosom, they ceased not but by Cynthia's pale candour renewed the fight with such alacrity, that of many years never was battle fought bravelier, in eighteen hours' none knowing who were more victorious; till such time as Phoebus sparkling his flagrant beams again in that Horizon, Changanna falls in with his Regiment, so fresh, so violent, that after three hours' skirmish the Decans turn back, leaving their heroic Captain Godgee slain in the field. The Moguls follow the chase fifteen miles, but the Princess Baby charges them with fresh troops, causing them retreat to Brampore till a second season. Ecbar, the great Mogul has notice of their success, and to accilerate another trial, entreats Shakstone Morad his beloved son to levy fifteen thousand horse, and from Brampore with the other Forces to spoil or conquer those meridional Provinces: merrily the youthful Prince advances thitherward, but during his stay in Brampore grew so excessively venereous and drunken, that his radical vigour became spent, his lungs consumed, Sudden death of Prince Morad. and death the period of his consumption. His sudden farewell struck the Army with such amazement, that many umbraves (to avoid the suspicious fury of his Father) fled, nor caring to inhume the carcase: Ecbar hears it, swears they had poisoned him, and vows requital: his Chancellor (the Prince's Schoolmaster) Abdul Fazel is sent, and (finding the dead Prince his own consumer) assembles Ganganna, justoffchan, Tzadok-Mamet-Chan, Mirza Tzarok, and such umbraves as were at hand, affords them comfort, and revokes such as had fled, satisfies Ecbar whose was the fault, undertakes the Prince's charge (after he had sent his carcase to Delly there to be buried) and in small time subdues the Provinces of Chandys or Sanda, Berar, and many other wealthy places: by letters he acquaints the King, & desires him to forsake Lohore a while (having spent twelve Winters & Summers there) and come to Agra, hoping in small time to subject Decan. Gulcunda (by the Persians called Hydrahan) Visiapore and other parts of India to his Empire. Ecbar, A.D. 1595. A. Heg. 975 order his son Selym to chastise with fifteen thousand horse, Radjea Rana Mardout, successor to King Porus, and of all the Radgees most powerful and excellent, his rebellion excepted: Tzebber Chan follows him with five thousand horse, Sha-Cooligan Mharem with three thousand; Radgee Shagenat with three thousand; and other umbraves and Mancebdars with other Forces, which digested, the great Mogul, for Agray leaves Lahore the better to receive intelligences. Lahore. LAHORE, (a City both vast and famous) is competitor for the Title of Metropolis with Agray; but for circuit and bravery much more excellent: the pole Arctic is there advanced 32 degrees 15 minutes: the air for eight months pure and restorative; the streets graceful and paved; most are cleansed and refreshed by the river Ravee, which from the Cassmyrian or Caspiryan mountains streams most pleasantly to this City, and after a stately flux of three thousand English miles, deep enough for Juncks of threescore Tun, by Tutta flows into Indus, and with her near Diul at 23 degrees 15 minutes lodges in the Ocean. In Lahore are many things observable; Palaces, Mosques, Hummums or Sudatories, Tancks, Gardens, etc. The Castle is large, strong, uniform, pleasant, and bravely seated; of stone, white, hard, and polished; armed with twelve Posterns, three of which respect the Town, the rest the Country: within, a Palace sweet and lovely, entered by two gates and Courts; the last pointing out two ways; one, to the Kings Durbar and jarneo (where he daily shows himself unto his people) the other to the Devon-Kawn or great Hall (where every eve from eight to eleven he discourses with his umbraves:) On the wall are pictured sundry stories and pastimes. viz. jangheer (otherwise called Shakstone Selym) cross-legged upon a rich carpet, under a stately Throne or State, his sons Perwees on the right hand with Curroon and Tymoret, his brothers, D' han-Shaw, and Shakstone Morad; about him Emirza Sheriff, Can Asoms elder brother, of such wealth and pride, that having above a hundred Concubines, he clad them daily, and each night tearing them off, buried them in the ground where they rotten, Mirza Rustan (once King of Candahor,) Can Channa, Rajea Manisengh, Can Asam, Asaph Chan, and Radgee jugonath (at whose death, his wives, sister, Nephew, and seven other friends burnt themselves with him for compliment sake in the fire:) And on the left hand, Rajea Bousing fly-skarer, Rajea Randas' sword-bearer, Mocrib-Chan Parasite, Radjea Rodorow rebel, Radgees Ransingh, Mansingh, Bersingh, & Bossou, etc. In another Goozelchan (and near the former) is painted the Mogul, under a state cross-legged: upon the doors the Images of the Crucifix, & of the blessed virgin Mother. In another, the King's Progenitors, of whom, Babur, & thirty Nobles in the habit of Pilgrim Calendars, etc. The Province wherein Lahore is seated is called Pangab, or rather from the Persian word Panch-ob or five waters, watered with Ravee, Behat, Ob-Chan, Wihy, and Sinned or Sindar (increased by Paddar and Damiadee,) by Ptolemy and old Hydrographers, called Acesines, Cophys, Hidaspes, Zaradras, and Rhuadeb or Hispalis. In a word, no Province of Indya out-vyes it for pleasure, and riches, nor any part of the East for a continued shade of Ashy trees from hence to Agra five hundred mile's distance, whose spreading growth and verdure lenify the scorching flames of Titan's motion, each eight miles a fair and convenient Saray or Lodge built for Travellers to repose in: To our story: Ecbar, now at Agra, resolves in person to prosecute the wars in Decan. Anno 1597. of the Heg. 977, he sets out towards Brampore, but (contrary to his expectation) so soon as he had past the river Nerebede, he perceives Badursha, a courageous Radgee to fortify Hasser a strong Castle against him: the Mogul likes not to leave so violent an Enemy behind him, but resolves to take it by force or famine. Hasser, is three Castles in one, Hasser. Chotzan and Commerghar, the last, mounted high, and so defended by Nature as is made impregnable: to force it is impossible, therefore Ecbar resolves to famish them, and half a year to that end he sits afore it, which the Radgee within, seeing, reputes his folly, and upon request to have life and goods (granted him) resigns, and follows the Camp or Leskar which goes on joyfully, till such time as news is brought, how Sha-Selym and Tzebhaer-Cawn with the residue afore-named, going against Radgea Rana Mardout, in Assmeer, The Prince rebels. Tzebhaer dies (of poison some thought) which altars the Prince's progress, for he forthwith seizes upon Tzebhaers' treasure (amounting to a crow or ten lack of roopes) & therewith purchases the mercenary affection of so many soldiers, that, to Agra he returns resolved to thrust his Father out of his Throne and Empire. Ecbar, is so amated with this unlucky rebellion, that what with fear of his son's popularity, and what to leave Decan unconquered, his heart palpetates, he droops and becomes hateful to his own imaginations; till Abdul Gazel rouses him, and by infusing wholesome encouragement, not only revives, but exasperates his revenge to an immediate action: whereupon, turning his back of Amnadagar, with half his Army, (his son Shakstone D'haen, Abdul Fezel, Chanchanna, Badur-Shaw, and other umbraves prosecuting Decan) he speeds towards Agra, whither Shaw-Selym got before him in hope to ransack his treasury, but missing his aim, marches back by Rehen and Annewar, and at twelve days end came to El-Habasse, having already subjected Bahaer, Syaupore, Chalpy, Lacknoo, Mekpore, Chera, Gastanpore, Ghanoots, Chersam, Berage, and other Towns and Provinces: in all, putting Captains of his own choosing. The King, now at Agra is sensible of his son's conspiracy, and wishes all were well again; his letters first attempt it, discovering the shame and danger he was in, the curse of Mahomet, and deprivation of birthright, promising pardon, with such persuasions, of small force with Shaw-Selym, who doting upon his own exorbitancies, derides the Messenger, and ere long ore-runnes the Empire to Bengala, hoping (but in vain) the Viceroy there, Radgee Mansing would side with him. In this interim, his other son, Prince D'haen or D'haenyel with his umbraves and Army enter Decan, & come first to Gandetzin a Castle, in the scite favoured by Nature, and by Art of man made impregnable. Herein, the distressed Lady with all her Nobles and force had penned themselves, stored with victuals for two year's siege, and provided of all sorts of warlique instruments. Notwithstanding all which (the dice of War and Fate so ordering it) in the seventh month they forced it, depriving many of their lives, all of their wealth and liberty. Madam Bebey only, rather than suffer any indignity, chose to give herself (by poison) the period of misery. But her Magazein of gold and silver came to the Conqueror, who giving that in charge to Abdul Gazel and Chanchanna, the Castle he trusted to Godgee Byckmirz, and without opposal reconquering the Counties Berar and Gandes, receiving some acknowledgement from the faint-hearted Kings of Gulcunda and Visiapore, loaden with triumph and joy he returns to Brampore most victorious. Brampore. BRAMPORE, (or Barampur,) Baramatis in Ptolemy; or Bracman-pore as my notion prompts me; of old & at this day a Seminary of brahmins, jogues, Calans or Gimnosophs, whose Academy (about this place) is recorded by Porphyrius and Ptolemy; is in Arctic elevation twenty eight degr. three min. From Surat, East, two hundred and twenty miles: from Asmer four hundred and twenty: from Agray one thousand; the Province is, Chandish or Sanda, where watered by Tapee or Tind (the river Surat) it becomes fruitful and pleasant; elsewhere, barren, unwholesome, scorching, sandy and pernicious: the City is low and in an unhealthy plain: very spacious, but by Bannyans most inhabited: the streets are many and narrow; the houses not high and but meanly beautiful; the North East end it has a Castle (upon the flood) large and defensive; in the river, an artificial Elephant to skilfully shaped, that by the Bannyans 'tis adored, & by others admired: in times past, here resided the Decan Kings, but by the Mogul now beaten from it. Chan-Channa's gardens, and water devices called Loll-baut two courses thence, are worthy a Traveller's commendation. Ecbar is no sooner possessed how fortunately his son Danyel proceeds Southward, but Godgee jehan presents him a penitential letter from Shakstone Selim his rebellious son in the contrary quarter. After a little stay, he returns with the Moguls answer, wherein was his assured pardon, so he would dismiss his Army and ask forgiveness. His ungracious son, returns this deriding reply, that having an Army of seventy thousand horse and many brave men at arms, to most of which he had given moneys and command; upon condition he would ratify it, and in no sort imagine them rebels or conspirators, he was ready to obey; if not, he would take his own courses. Ecbar resends him a tart message; and Selim to demonstrate his neglect and boldness, posts to Elabasse, where he commands all sorts of Coin, of gold, silver, and brass to be stamped with his own name and motto; yea, to vex the old man more, affrights Anarkala his father's wife whom he surnamed Pomegranad, and sent him of his new stamped money; a crime so strange, so audaciously odious, that the enraged Father curses him, vows reward, and with speed acquaints his Chancellor Abdul Fazel with it, who first moderates his Master's passion, and then with all convenient haste (accompanied with three hundred horse) follows the post to do some service, but Shakstone Shelim, (having intelligence how all this passed) desirous to anticipate so sure an enemy, he writes to Radgee Bersingh (Lord of Sore) thorough whose country he needs must pass, promising him a gratuity and the command of five thousand horse so he would lay in wait for Abdul and send him his head: the Radgee promises his best performance, and with a thousand horse and three thousand foot, lurks near Gwaler, and such time poor Abdul Fazel (suspectless of any villainy) passes by, Radgee falls upon him, and notwithstanding the great advantage he had, for three hours the fight was hotly continued, but ore-pressing them with men and troops in the end, his company were most part slain, and Abdul himself (after twelve deep wounds) taken and beheaded; Selim receives it joyfully, but Ecbar, who loved him dear becomes so passionate and sorrowful, that for three days he concealed himself and would not a long time after be comforted: but (like waves) see another horror afflicting him, news of his other son, Shakstone Danyel, killed in the same City, of the same disease, Morad was formerly; hereat, he afflicts his decaying body immeasurably, cries and sighs, and vows upon Chanchanna, revenge for not better regarding him, who comes to purge himself, but for some time is not admitted to Ecbars' presence, till by mediation of others; and so returns to Decan, with an augmentation of power and dignity. But the sorrow he suffers in his rebellious son cools his courage and inflames his passion: some way he must tread to bring home or destroy him by persuasion or war; but fears both: his son is so hardened and safegarded, somewhat he must do; and therefore first (as a King) he rides against him with thirty thousand horse, but by his mother's death is recalled; whose body when he had most sumptuously interred in Delly in King Homayon her husband's Sepulchre, he resolves to proceed against Shakstone Selym, but his mind altars; he fears his son's singular courage and way in fight; and (as a Father) tries once more, what persuasion can operate; he dictates a pathetic letter mixed of love and anger, reproving, persuading, dissuading, promising pardon, and puts him in mind he was or should be at least his joy and comfort, he had no more sons nor grand children; Myrad Zedda (once the Prince's Tutor or Schoolmaster) carries it, who so forceably penetrates the yielding conceits and nature of Shakstone Selym, that, forthwith taking Perwees his little son along) he leaves Halabassa, passes Semena, and after two days more (the Wizard allowing the day fortunate) with all his Umbraves he arrives in Agray, and by Mortoza-Kawn is brought to Ecbars' presence, then in the Guzel-Chan; who blushing to eye him so, leads him into the Mahael (or private lodging) where (forgetting his promise) remembering the dances Selym had led him, into such a rage that rapt him, that, The Prince submits. after he had flashed terror into his heart, by the sparkling fury of his eyes, and thunder struck him, with a storm of mighty words, with his fist he struck him so hard so oft upon the mouth, that Selym throwing himself down, requests his Father at once to punish him, shows him his breast, the sword and hand ready to it. But Ecbar by this surfeiting of choler intends no such sacrifice, but commanding him to arise, derides him and terms him Ass and Fool, that commanding seventy thousand able men, would so doltishly forsake them to trust the sugared and deceitful promises of a reconciled Enemy. That said, he brings him forth again, and sends him back to prison, giving all the umbraves his associates like welcome, Radgee Batso excepted, who (wiser than the rest) escaped. By this imprisonment, Shakstone Selym contrary to his custom abstaines four & twenty hours from Opium, which next day Ecbar himself gave him; and the third day by intercession of his Ladies and Concubines, is freed and sent to his own home, where he behaved himself very orderly, in princely sort each day visiting Ecbar, till by some old men's malicious surmises, he is restrained again and the Mogul exasperated. But the folly of his unnatural and ill grounded rancour is not destinate against that object, the jealousy of his brain throwing it upon Mirza Gashaw (the Viceroy of Tutta's son) for speaking one word, by Ecbar ill taken and interpreted. No recantation will satisfy, his life must pay it, the King's Physician is commanded to prepare two Pills of like shape but contrary operation, Gashaw is trusted with them, and brings them Ecbar, The great Mogul poisons himself. who (imagining by a private mark he knew the right one) bids Gasha swallow one and himself the other. Gasha ignorant of any deceit by chance devours the best, and Ecbar is poisoned; too soon, too late the miserable Mogul perceives his mischance, reputes his choler, and (for shame concealing the cause) after fourteen days violent torment and trials to expel the poison, yields up his ghost; and having victoriously reigned five and twenty years, in the 73 year of his age is by all his Umbraves with all possible state and solemnity in Tzekander three course from Agra in a new begun Monument, buried: and Shakstone Selym (though a while resisted by Radgee Mansingh and Chan Asem, who in vain endeavoured to make his son Cushroo Mogul, Sha-Selym crowned great Mogul. nominated by Ecbar as they alleged) with such ceremony as was requisite is crowned by name of jangheer, King. In the year of our Lord God 1604. and of Mahomet 984. We are now to present you upon the Asiatic stage, various Scenes composed of a miscellany of subjects, excellent and remarkable. A.D. 1604. A.H. 984. jangheer (so now we call him) by mediation of Morteza Chan, Cooly Mametchan and others, receives Sultan Coshroe (or Gushrow) his late competitor (and son) into favour: and (to begin his greatness in the good will of his people) receives Cham Asem and Radgee into grace again. But Cushrooe (struck by his own guilt) suspects his pardon counterfeit, and entreats by letter Hussanbeg▪ (Viceroy of Cabul) his old friend, to meet him near Fettypore with some Forces, that by his love and care he might fly away, assured if he stayed long at Court, of death or blinding: by his Zantell the letter is speedily delivered him, who as readily obeys the disconsolate Prince with three thousand horse posting to Achbar-pore (from Agra four and twenty courses) whither the Prince (escaping in the twilight from Court) comes, followed by five hundred young Gallants, and altogether hasten towards Lahore. jangheer has immediate notice of his son's flight, and resenting how dangerous it might prove, charges Godgee Melec Allybeg, Captain of the Guard, with such force as was about him to pursue Cushroo and bring him back, for which he should want no acknowledgement. The Cutwall, with three hundred horse, rides after him, and Mortaza-Chan with fifteen hundred horse, all night posts after Godgee; yea after both, jangheer himself (persuaded to it by Mirza Vmbrave) with fifty Elephants and eight thousand men: so that the poor Prince was every way pursued, yet such was the haste Hassanbeg made afore them, that none of the three came near him by fifteen courses, (yea though all the way they spoiled the Villages, and made havoc of all they could pray upon) and in the ninth day attained Lahore; but intending to enter the Castle, are kept out by Ebrahim Chan the Governor (premonished of the Prince's flight) and which was worse, by Sayet Chan (three course from the City, and in his way to Bange the place of his government, making as if he would join with him, upon the river is imprisoned; but by bribe escaping returns to Hussan; and receiving there a guilded bait) brought by Zalaladen Hassen, that the King passing by all offences, had assigned him the Provinces of Cabul and Banasoed; with which seeming not contented, desires the addition of Zerhynd, all being but to dally and allure his stay till jangheer came to catch him. Yet, the Prince is not so simple, but that he discovers his Father's subtleties, so that after three weeks vain attempt to sack the Castle, he forsakes the City, and with twenty thousand horse moves back again, with a full determination to bid jangheer battle. It happened, that he pitched one night, where Mortosa-Kawn with six hundred horse (hearing of Gushrooes coming) was ambushed; without any parley, Mortosa falls upon him, but such was the premeditated care Hussan had of the place and fight, that in two hours' space their Enemies were shrewdly beaten, and Sha-Chelyal the Captain slain; so that had not Godgee Meleck with the King's standard entered, proclaiming with great out-cries that the great Mogul was at hand, the King's side had wholly perished: but of such terror was the King's approach (past Sultanpore) that Abdul Rajea the Prince's Ensign-bearer most basely threw it away and fled; and by his dastardly example all the Army, most of them being by the rustic time-serving people chaste and knocked down, and all the baggage seized on. The King in memory of this deliverance and victory erects there, at Tziekerry i.e. a place of hunting, a stately Castle, and new names the place (which I have formerly described) Fettipore, that is, a Paradise. Fettipore, if the water had been good, Fettipore. by this time had triumphed over all the Cities in Indya: 'tis walled about, and to the N.N.W. discovers a lake or fishpond five miles over. The N.E. has a fair Buzzar five hundred paces long, and well paved, built on all sides with pleasant Mansions: at one end is the Moguls house, and a Mohol most excellently framed: the other side is glorious in a Mosque ascended by thirty steps barred with a brave gate, in all so observable, that it is scarce equalled throughout Indya: the top is full of Piramyds, the court within six times bigger than the Royal Exchange in London, singularly paved with free stone, the Isles are large and paved, the columns of one stone high & beautiful, and affronting this gate is a most sumptuous Monument, covered with paint and Oyster pearl shells, proud in the Calendar there buried. The miserable Prince (accompanied with Hassenbeg, Abdul-Radgee, and Chan Badashaw) scarce looks behind him till they attain Lahore, where Radgee stays; but Sultan Gushroo with Badasha cross the Ravee, and labour to arrive with safety at Rantas a Castle inexpugnable: but bad fortune follows them; for, passing the river Tzenob, by the treacherous watermen they are brought into the power of Cassem-chawns sons (then besieging the Castle) who without delay & mercy speedily convey them to jangheer, by that time past Latir a flood seven days travel thence. The King overjoyed with this good hap, returns to Lahore, and by the way puts to death many umbraves the Prince's followers. The Prince was committed to the custody of Zemanaebeg (called after, Mahobet-chan, i. e. beloved Lord;) Hassenbeg, Bedasha, and Abdul Radgee are first publicly disgraced, and then imprisoned. Whether some Noblemen reputed jangheer tyrannical, or that they thought Gushroo had better title to the Empire, or that mere envy caused it, is uncertain; but one of these so wrought, that one night some prime men of quality watching the Prince, agreed upon a conspiracy to take away the Moguls life upon the high mountains as he passed to Cabul, and to place Gushroo in his room; the Traitors were Mirza Cherieff (brother of Assaph chan) Mirza Mouradyn his Cousin, Mirza Petulla, Mirza Shaffenbeg, Hollabeg, and Murdoph-chan. jangheer suspecting no treachery passes on, but by good fortune is so attended, that they could by no means effect their villainy. In the interim, Ethaman Doulet the Treasurer is accused by one of his slaves to have converted to his own use, and for th'encouragement of Traitors, 500000 roopees out of the Moguls Treasury; that, and the news of Cheer Affenchan (Ethaman Doulets son in law) his treacherous murder of Cotopdy Mametchan Goga (Lieutenant of Bengala near Radgee Mahal, (albeit Affenchann the Turk therefore was also slain by Gessadine and Kisswer-Chawn, brother and son to the Lieutenant, his Mother and Wife most basely abused) yet these reflected so much upon Doulet, that he is not only put from his place, but also his estate confiscated and himself in Dianet-Chans house, to his own great grief and the astonishment of all Industan, imprisoned. But greater was jangheers fear and choler, when by the open and resolute defiance of Godgee Vehes he is acquainted with the late named conspiracy, by men of power, such as he never injured, and as had relation to be near him in all occasions; he is much confounded at it, but by Myrza umbraves advice, throws off all abject fear, and without more dispute or delay commands them all to execution, only Ethaman Danlet at the request of his Keeper is pardoned (upon promise of 200000 roopees to the King and him for his life) but led back to prison most disgracefully. After which, he returns (from Cabul) unto Lahore, and in the way remembering the danger he had escaped, and that Gushroo his son was partly causer, he commands his son's eyes by juice of Aeck to be forsetted, but the poison is more merciful, leaving one eye a little illuminated. Chan Asem also (Gushroo's Father in law) is clad in loathsome rags and brought into the Guzelchan, where every Vmbrave is commanded to spit in his beard and face, is then fettered, manacled, and led to prison, where two full years he remained, till by mediation of his wives he is delivered. This year anno 1609 Currown and other of his friends prevailed with the King that (to make his way the easier to the Crown) his kinsmen Sha-selims' brothers sons might be Christened: which accordingly was done in Agra and not without solemnity. The Jesuits named them Philippo, Carlo, and Henrico: most men thought them undone, but God knows they were bettered. That year also they baptised another Grandson of Ecbars by name of Don Edoard. This year 1019. and of our account 1609. Mirza Ombrave became apoplectique, and made incapable of his office: T'zalam-chan also in Cotopdy's place is made Viceroy of Bengala, and commanded to send up as prisoners, Affen-chans family; which he did accordingly. In the way, the young Widow Meher-Metzia (Daulets daughter and sister to Asseph-chan) was affronted by a Wizard who told her many stories of her ensuing greatness, which after happened: for they were no sooner arrived at Agray (whither jangheer was also come) but are most kindly welcomed by Rockya Sultanna the mother Queen: and, one day being led into the Mahal with her little Girl, jangheer accidentally lifts up her veil, and discovers so rare and forceable a beauty, that thenceforward she is the sum of all he contemplates: he studies now how to advance Doulet her dejected Father, the better to ingratiate himself into the affection of his fair Goddess; he forgets his state, and privately each eve passes by boat to Ethaman Doulets house, and all night consumes himself and precious time in wanton looks and amorous dalliances: but to enjoy her everlastingly, at length commands Godzee Abdul Hossen to request Dawlets good will in his daughter, for he meant to marry her; Hossen admires it, and lays before him the indignity he offers so great a Majesty; but jangheer (now Cupid's slave) is deaf and blind; in choler bids him go, or stay eternally. He speeds away and uses small persuasions: for Ethaman Dawlet (by this miracle rapt from his discontented Orb) after some profession of his baseness, condescends: and Meher Metsya is forthwith espoused with all solemnity, her name changed into Noursha begem (or Normahal) i.e. light or glory of the Court, her Father is advanced above all other Umbraves, her brother Assaph-chan and most of her generation with th'addition of honours, wealth, or command exceedingly graced and established: and in this sunshine of happiness and content jangheer spends some years without regarding aught save Cupid's Currantoes. Anno 1610. of the Hegira 990. and the sixth year of his reign, A.M. 5580 A.D. 1610 A. Heg. 990 Sultan Sherryar the Prince (under tutorship of Mortesa-chan) is sent Viceroy to Guzurat. Chan-Iehan to Brampore; and Mahobet-chan with an Army against Radgee Rana, or Rabanna of Mandou, at that instant time rebellious: the Country also of Radjea Cottz (a branch of Bengala) was that year subjected under the Imperial Crown of Industan, by Tzalamchan a wary Captain: during which, Mahobet-chan (by that time in Ranaes' Provinces) goes on victoriously, and forces many Holds and Castles from those indomitable indians, but (by envy of some at Court) is called home in the best of his endeavours, and Abdulchan made General of his Company: this alteration did not much alter the estate of the Army, for he prosecutes Rana with no less haste and fury, in conclusion urging him to a set battle at Siss-meer, where he got the better, chase Radgee to Oudepore and Pormandell, killing many of his men, enriching themselves with abundance of spoil and Captives, and after much toil and some loss, sacked Syavend (Rana's strongest Castle) till then judged impregnable; wherein they had store of warlike provision, A.M. 5580. A.D. 1610. A. Heg. 990. and many valuable pagods or devils, which for above 1000 years had stood there superstitiously adored; these the Mahometans burned, and in place of them, reared a stupendious Mosque or Fabric of Idolatry. Abdul-Cawn so fortunatly ordered the war against Rana, that jangheer the great Mogul sends him thanks, and desires him to live a while in Gusarat, by all possible means not only to curb, but extirpate that rascal race of Coolyes and Bielsgrates that so unjustly and theevishly robbed the Caffilaes' and lived upon honest passengers: he fails not in that command, for with fifteen thousand horse he searches and pursues them in all places where he knew they lurked, and after many petty encounters took Eder their retreating place (70 course from Amadavad) yea fell upon them such time as they were all united, & put them to flight, slew half their company together with Lael-Cooly their General, whose head he sent to Amadabat, and commanded (as a memorial of his victory, and to the terror of all such Rebels) that it should be set upon a pinnacle. Cawn-Iehan (during these broils) waiting all occasions of conquest in Decan, by discord and envy of some Umbraves in the Army, finds his success worse and worse against Melec Amber. He knows no remedy without acquainting the Mogul, and entreating one of his sons to come thither, by whose greatness the Army might be better ordered. After some consideration, he sends Sultan Perwees and Radjea Ramdas who from Brampore sends Chan jehan, Radgee Ramdas, and Mansingh with an Army to Ballagate, where they send defiance to Melec, and ere long expect him: but jangheer fearing the forces of Decan speeds Chan Asem with four thousand men more, and removes his Lescar to Asmeer, a place convenient for hunting: Chan Asem is no sooner come to Brampore, but entreats Ganganna (Lieutenant of Khoor) to join with him, and so hastens towards Bellaguate, then in all 100000 men, 600 Elephants, and 12000 Camels, yea of such fame, grew this expedition, that ere they departed Cuncam they were 600000. With these huge Troops, Abdulchan penetrates into the heart of Decan: no resistance is made by men in field, Towns, or Citadels, so that in Beder, Aurdenagar, Gentfro and as fare as Kerchy (the seat Royal) they marched victoriously; burning, spoiling, and imprisoning; Villages, Temples, and Inhabitants not to be counted. The Decan King (struck with fear & astonished at their numbers) flies too and fro, nor resting any where, till he came to Daultabat, (ten miles from Kerky) a Castle reputed impregnable. Some small skirmishes and ambuscadoes fell upon the indians, but to small purpose, so that Melec Amber consults by some deceitful policy to do, what by force he dared not adventure at, (albeit Mamet Lary and Wackhyl Adel-chun were new come to aid him with above 20 thousand horse, and some expert infantry) he writes connterfeit letters, directed from some Radgees about jangheers Court, containing a private certainty of the Moguls death, and of Curroons' advancement; these he gives in charge to a crafty Bannyan, who circling as if he came from Agray, is imprisoned as a spy, his letters read, and with their lying contents so astonished, that without more consultation (giving credit to them) they divide the Army, quit all such places where they had placed Garrisons, and with confused haste speed home, each Captain to his own command and place of residence; Sultan Perwees to Brampore, Abdulchan to Surrat, and Chan Asem towards Agra, giving Amber easy re-admittance to all his Towns and Castles; which otherwise, without long war, much hazard and vast expense would hardly have been recovered. But so soon as jangheer had intelligence of that their levity, he rages, & is half mad with anger, threatening them all with punishment, and commanding Mahobet Chan to go Governor to Brampore: and such was the incredible haste and good luck he had and used, he subjects Berar, and devastates the Decan Empire unto Kerky returning triumphant and satiate for Melecks' treachery: by which, jangheer is partly pacified, but more, when (by Curroons' entreaty, having first by many battles and pursuits tired him) Rana Radjea presents himself, his son, and many gifts, amongst which an Elephant valued at 100000 roopees, submitting all he had, by jangheer to be disposed of, who embraces him with all affection, and offers his son his daughter, and returns him the government of Pormandel, Oodepore, and other places; but soon after, (whether for grief he had submitted, or some other cause) he died, and with much ceremony amongst his noble progenitors, is buried. Rana Radgea dies. jangheer, having consumed eighteen months in ease and pleasure at Mandou, departs, & comes to Amadavad, where he discharged Abdulchan, and ordains him Viceroy of Calpi and Khoor: and after 12 months pastime and luxury there, returns to Agray: Anno 994. and of our account 1614 That year, Chabeeg, Governor of Chandahar was displaced (by reason of his age) and Badar-chan there placed. Tzediat-chan also is sent to succeed Tzalam-chawn in Bengala, but at that time Ozman-chan a Patanian with a mighty Army besieging Daeck (the Metropolis:) he and Ethaman-chawn with fifteen thousand men give Ozman battle, which is bravely fought on both sides; but by reason of a mad Elephant, on which Ozman sat, Tzediat-chan is unhorsed and maimed, yea the Moguls Forces discomfited: but by strange chance, a wounded man seeing Osman pass by, transfixes him, and by that the Patanians give back and at length fly, the Moguls not only recovering Daeck, but piercing into the Gentiles Country, captivated his wife and children, foraging at pleasure, and making all his wealth (which was great, & sent to Agray) a joyful testimony of their valour. That year the Mogul journeyed to Lahore. Abdul-chawn, after seven week's trial arrives at Calpi where and of Koor he was to receive the government: he straightway executes his Commission, in small time quieting and destroying those swarms of rebellious Rashbotes till then there abounding; levelling their most defensive places with the ground; making sale of so many of the Inhabitants as paid the charges of the war, amounting to 200000 roopees and upwards. Chan Asem also about this time goes Ambassador from jangheer to Abbas the Persian. Chan-Asem goes Ambassador to Persia. Not any in man's memory went more richly furnished with Presents, or more bravely attended. He presented the King (then at Spahawn) twelve chests of choice linen, and two with Sashes woven with gold and silver, many daggers whose hafts were richly set with stones of value, esteemed at 70000 roopees. And for his own port and travel had an addition out of the Moguls Exchequer of sixty thousand roopees more, the better to represent the Majesty of so great an Emperor. Abbas entertains the Ambassador triumphantly, and wearies him with invitations, shows, sports, and pastimes: and at his departure makes five hundred Coselbashes, Aliculicawn, Rustan-beg and other Noblemen to attend him two days journey towards Candahar, recommending his well-wishes to the Mogul in a present of five hundred swift and excellent Coursers, twenty Mules of great assize and beauty, five hundred Asses, one hundred and fifty Dromidaries, (or rather Cooselbash Camels) eighteen chests or Sandoughs full of delicate carpets and bezoar's; 20 Camels load of Shyraz wine, and eight of conserved Dates, pistachoes, &c: all which were with much affection received by jangheer, who that year journeyed to participate the pleasures of Cassimere, having first transferred Mahobet-chan from Brampore to Kabul and Banges. KABUL by Ptolemy in his 6 Book and 18 chapter called Chabura (on the North confined by Caucasus, on the East with Cassmeer and Kakar) is now subject to the Mogul, but formerly to the Tartar and Persian: the name from the Siriaque signifies sterile, and agrees with the nature of the country, which is cold and windy; not over fruitful, save where the Nylob fattens her; a river (by Ptolemy called Choa) which hence arising, streams South into Indus, and is one of those five, which with her wander into the sea. The City Cabul, is from Lahore twelve good days journey, hilly and dangerous; the people most part Bannians; the houses are low and strong; in nothing more observable than the Serrays or common Inns, and two well fortified Castles; in one of which was Babur borne, and swayed; from whom in three descents jangheer is descended. Sultan Cushroo (upon his Father's remove to Cassmeer) is taken from the custody of Assaph cawn and given to Cawn-Iehan to look unto. Cheq'-Cassem is also made Lieutenant of Bengala in his brother Tzalam-cawns steed. Cherram-cawn (Tzalam-cawns son) hearing of his Uncle's coming (who ever hated him;) from Daeck travels towards Agra with all his Father's wealth to give up an account to the Mogul; but in the way, near Radgee-Mahal, Cassem-cawn meets him, takes violently away his best Elephants and some other things of value, which being by his Nephew to the full related, Cassem is immediately displaced, disgrased, and Ebrahim-cawn (Queen Normalls' cousin) estated in his place; meeting at Radgee-Com with Cassem-cawn (who with all his goods and people were packing away) Ebrahim demands restitution of the Elephants he took from Cheram-cawn, but Cassem is so enraged at these successive indignities, that after some foul words they fall to blows, and in the skirmish Cassem finding his party weakest, retires to his Haram, murders his miserable concubines, flies away, and leaves Ebrahym possessor of all his treasure; who by assent of some Umbraves, and most of the vulgar sort, is admitted Governor; after which he falls upon Moeckham (the rebel) defeats him and his braving forces, killing some and selling others, yea inriches himself with so much spoil, and arrogates so much glory, that jangheer (in token of thanks) sends him a horse, a battle-axe, and a dagger; and as an augmentation of honour from Ebrahym, changes his name into Pherooz-Iehan-cawn. The same season Martasa cawn was sent by the King to beseige Changra (a Castle so fenced by Art and Nature, as made many judge it invincible, and the rather, for contemning the best the Kings of Delly of many times could do against it,) notwithstanding all which, Martasa (after much danger of ambushments in that thick Wood, seventy miles broad, and trouble in passing his men over high and fearful rocks) lay eight months before it, and then in despite of their best defence entered it, and subjected it to the Mogul; though he lived not three months after to meditate his victory. Which, when jangheer heard, with a mixture of joy and sorrow, he leaves Cassemeer and removes to Lahore, where Sultan Cushrooe (the true idea of misery) is by persuasion of the Queen and Assaph-cawn taken from Cawn-Iehan, and put to Curroon to be his keeper. At that time, jangheer affected his son Curroon beyond measure, imagining no honour too much, no command too great for so brave a Prince, so hopeful a warrior; so that (little knowing what would follow) he gives him the charge of forty thousand horse, and attended by Godjea-Abdul-Hussan and other great Umbraves hastens him to the conquest of Decan: and to spoil the Kingdoms of Gulcunda and Visiapore, for omitting their annual Tribute of three pound weight of Diamonds. This year 1619 of Maho. 1029 Abdul-Azies-cawn succeeds Bador-cawn the Ouzbeg in his command of Candahar; Cawn-Iehan is made Lieutenant of Mult'an and Buchor; Sultan Perwees of Pathan: and Radgee Bertsingh Bondela, and Abdul-cawn, Governors of Kalpi, are commanded to raise some forces and follow Sultan Curroon into Decan. Sultan Currowne (by this time having levied his forces, A.D. 1619. A. Heg. 999 and made all ready for his enterprise upon Decan) first commands all men to entitle him Sha-Iehan, or King of Hearts; then, with his whole Army in goodly equipage, travels to Brampore the Rendezvous, and whither Abdul-cawn and Radgee Bertzingh (according to command) come and wait upon him, with Thedder-cawn his Cousin, and many other Rashpootes of quality. Curroon (for by that name we can best remember him) swelling beyond measure to see himself General of so brave an Army, dallies not, but with all speed gives order to Abdul cawn, Lala-Ragee Bertzingh, Abdul-Hassen, and many other Umbraves, to begin the War with Melec-Amber: and that he & the residue would follow them; Mirza Mackey and Shadour-cawn march to Gulcunda against Cotobel Melec; and Ma'met Tacky to Visiapore against Adel-cawn, either to receive by force or fair means the accustomed tribute due to the Dyadem of judustant. Abdul-cawn in the first place to effect his Commission, Bellagate. passes on without any let to Bellagate (a fastidious mountain 'twixt Cunca and Decan, and for aught I know, may be Hippocura in Ptolemy) Curroon bringing up the other part of the Army at fifteen mile's distance, to secure the Van on all occasions: the King of Decan at all advantages seeks to intercept them, opponing in many petty skirmishes; but Abdul-cawn (formerly acquainted with his rodomontadoes) passes on, burning and spoiling what they met withal; not resting till they came to Kerki (the King's best house) which they leveled with the ground, enriching themselves with store of prey and treasure, Kerki. reducing Berar and Chandys into subjection, and forcing composition from all the Country as far as Amnadagar, and Tribute from the Kings of Gulcunda and Visiapore; jangheer is over joyed with so much good Fortune; and (to relish it the better) solaces himself in his son Perwees Gardens beyond the river. Ethaman Dowlet (Queen Normals Father) died at that time; his great estate is by the King given to his daughter and Assaph-cawn, but his Office is conferred upon Godgee Abdul Hossen. Curroon also (who sat as Emperor in his own ambition) with a greedy eye respects the Diadem; but perceives his imprisoned Brother interposing in the way: but such is the violence and magic of pride and tyranny, that it runs on not caring how, though masked with never so much deformity: he feigns himself sick; (his disease is horrible) nothing can recover him save his eldest Brothers death; Ganganna is of his infernal council, who applauds his humour, and promises his recovery; he presently acquaints some Mancebdars in the exploit, of all which rascal troop Reza (or Rajea Bandor) a very villain, is quickest of apprehension and least scrupulous; Curroon (as if he knew nothing) is conveyed out of Brampore to better his health; whiles that incarnate Devil at an unseasonable hour in the night knocks at Goushroo's chamber, A.D. 1620. A. hag 1000 who (as awakened out of a fearful dream) starts up and demands his errant; the villain replies, he came from the Mogul his Father, with order for his delivery. The miserable Prince (affrighted with his Raven's voice, and suspecting treason) desires him to stay till the morn: the villain (without further parley, perceiving no entrance by entreaty) breaks open his door, grapples with the amazed Prince, gets him down and strangles him: that done, he lays him in his bed, locks the door, and trots away as if the Prince died of some imposthume, and he had done nothing. Curroon has quick news of his Brother's death, and inwardly rejoices; but ere Sun-rise, his afflicted wife (Cawn Azems daughter) goes to visit him; where finding him speechless, and (by his contused face) murdered; never did poor wretch shed more tears, or show more passion; by tearing her fair hair, deforming her sweet face so fiercely, so amazedly, that her Father and all his family hear her, and see it to their grief and admiration. But when they see the cause also, they wonder not, none of them forbearing to express their sorrow after several modes, without moderation. All Brampore rings of this Treason, suspects the author, and curses him; but Curroon, (clothed with deceit) comes thither, falls upon the corpse, and expresses so much sorrow, that many durst have sworn that he was innocent. After two days ceremony, they bury him, and Curroon writes his Father word of his brothers sudden death (concealing the occasion.) jangheer weeps, and afterwards grows mad with rage, suspecting some violence; but not knowing upon the sudden how to discover it, he feeds upon melancholy and discontent, writes back a letter of reproof and threats to Curroon and his Umbraves, swearing revenge when they least suspected it; commands the body to be digged up, and brought with solemn state to Elabasse, where he interres him in his Mother's monument; sends for Chan Asem and his afflicted daughter, comforts them, and takes them for his constant companions; to Sultan Bullochy or B'lochy his grandson (son to Prince Gushrooe) he intails the Imperial Crown, gives him the command of ten thousand horse, and by Chan Asem his Grandsire (of the blood royal of Tartary) to be educated. Curroon, by his Father's love to Sultan Bullochy, perceives himself disregarded, and thenceforth (not caring to please him) flies out into rebellion. And Abdulchan (winding his aims) without leave taking, forsakes the Army and packs to Kalpi to his government, but by the Mogul (who was still desirous to continue the Decan wars) is rebuked and made to return. Yet ere long he is revoked, for at that time Abbas King of Persia with 30000 men besieges Kandahor, pretending it a member of his Empire. The City was defended by Azief-chan, a Captain of great valour and honesty, who for sixteen days kept it in despite of the Persian, but perceiving his Company too weak if they entered, he writes to jangheer, desiring speedy assistance. jangheer is nearly touched with his distress, and promises him immediate succour; so that, posting to Lahore, he convocates his umbraves for advice and help, and first, commands Chan jehan (than Lieutenant of Multhan, adjoining Kandahar) with such force as he had in readiness to haste thither, the Enemy in the interim attempting day and night the entrance, whiles jangheer the great Mogul, ruminates whom to make his General; at last, by his own assent and choice of all his umbraves, he fixes upon Abdulchan, by that, by Curroons' leave again returned. This famous Captain readily accepts the charge, speeds to Lahore, and is embraced with such sudden joy by the Mogul, that he presently contracts his fair grand daughter (D'haen shaw's child) to Mirza-chawn, Abdul-chawns eldest son, and so with fifteen thousand choice Cavalry, and one hundred Elephants, (five thousand of which he himself brought with him) makes haste to give battle to the victorious Persian. But ere he could attain thither, jangheer (having notice that the Persians were too strong to be beaten, and had vowed the conquest) by letters commands Azief-chan to surrender it unto the Enemy, but he, doubting they were counterfeit, holds out, till by a Mine, a great part of the wall is blown up, and Abbas is entering; which when Azieph-chan saw, he mediates their yielding it up, upon condition they might departed safely with their baggage. Abbas (who only aimed at the City) condescends, has it given him, wherein he places Ally-Koli-cawn and returns to Spahawn, whiles Assuph and Abdulchan easily go back to Lahore, where with welcome, by jangheer they are entertained. CANDAHOR has Arctic elevation four and thirty degrees, Candahor. and longitude from the first Meridian 98 degrees. The Province (South) is reasonable fruitful, and redundant in all good things, yet by reason of so many Caravans passing, and repassing from Lahore to Persia, all sort of provision is very dear, and the passage (in regard of many rascal troops of Puttans, Agwans and Coolyes, which like the inhospitable Arabs prey upon all Caffilaes') chargeable and dangerous. The City is not very spacious, but strong; made defensive by many helps of nature and industry; to the South and East it is surrounded with an advantageous wall, to the West and North with high and precipitious mountains. The Suburbs also (though not well defended) are large, adding to the City, beauty and wealth; nothing wanting save good water, which there & all the way to Spahawn is brackish, and the earth for most part barren and uncomfortable. jangheer, by the crafty persuasion of Assaphchawn, sends him with peremptory command to the Castlekeeper of Agra, that without delay he should transfer the treasure thence to Lahore, where he than was (and resoled to be of long time) abiding. It was a message of much wonder to Ethamat-chan, considering the strength where it was kept, his own honesty, the danger of conveying so great a mass of gold and silver, a journey so long, so chargeable, and dangerous. These and many other persuasions he used to Assaph kawn, but in vain, had they been trebled. So that on the one side, haste, threats, and the Moguls command is urged; on the other, delay, dissuasions, and diverting jangheers meaning to another sense is objected on either part so violently, that from words, blows became their uncivil moderatours. But in that exercise Assaph-chan (for all his greatness) found himself weakest, finding the Eunuches Guard so strong, and Ethabarchan Provost of Agray to second him: so that, he craves their pardon, and after some toil, by many dissimulations at length wins them to his purpose. But, whiles the Eunuches are preparing for the journey, this deceitful man with all speed posts away a swift Zantell (or Footman) to his son in law Curroon (then upon the confines of Decan) advising his speed, and to ambush 'twixt Agra and Delly for his Father's Treasure. The Prince (composed of courage and ambition) receives the letter with much joy, Curroon prepares to rob his Father's Exchequer. and without any check of conscience or respect of loyalty, immediately commands all his umbraves out of such Provinces his Father had assigned him, even from Brampore to Surrat, and all Gambaya to Amadabat; the Governors of Surrat, Baroch, jaunbasser, Medapore, & of the marittim coast, Goga, Diul, Nagsary, Mangerelpore, and Onnepore; as also out of Mandow, Gandersee, Oudepore, Baraer, Amnadagar, etc. in a rebellion and enterprise so infamous and full of peril, desirous to engage all his Lieutenants, to bring them under like hatred, and in some sort to oblige their dependence upon his acts and fortunes: and so, with a brave and sturdy Army of 70000 horse, he sets on towards Mandoa, if he intended a contrary Progress: Mandow. Mandow (threescore courses from Brampore) is a Town both ancient and famous; seated on the side of a lofty precipitious hill, and ambitious in a Castle strong and stately, encompassed with a defensive wall of five miles (the whole had fifteen mile circuit) but the City later built, is of less assize yet fresher beauty, whether we behold the Temples, (in one of which are entombed four Kings) Palaces, or Fortresses; especially that Tower elevated one hundred and seventy steps, supported by massy pillars, and adorned with gates and windows very observable, and built by Chan jehan who in it is buried: This City was lately owned by the Kings of Delly, till such time as Homayon the Mogul rapt it from Sheck Shakstone Selym King of Delly, at his return from Persia, whither Selym had forced him. From Baroch 'tis distant 150 English miles. Curroon after two days rest in Taxapore hasts away with such velocity, that his Army (ignorant of his intent) thought he was mad, every day posting above forty miles, so that in thirteen days with all his troops he attained Fettipore from Brampore near 500 miles; yea ere Ethabarchan knew of his being in the Country: but as it fell out, he made more haste, than good speed; for, long he could not lurk with such a company, without the knowledge of Ethamat-cawn the careful Treasurer; who (as if all the Enemies in the world were approaching) unloads the Camels of their precious burdens, convaies it in again, fortifies the Castle, and sends quickly to jangheer of his sons traitorous intention, who is astonished above measure, and presently sends every way for assistance, to Sultan Perwees out of Pathan, to Chan-Iehan out of Multhan, and for Mahobet-chan out of Kabull; whiles Curroon (perceiving he was discovered) with his whole Army divided amongst several Captains, Ganganna, Rustanchan, Radgee Bickermanse, Mirza-Darab, Sayet-chan, Mahomet Tackjeck, Tsossally, etc. show themselves in front of Agray, making a bravado, as if the conquest were easy and no way doubled of. But the two Eunuches keep close in their defended Sconces, whiles Radgee Bickermanse at Curroons' entreaty, gins the churlish play, followed by Byrambeg, Rustanchan, Wazir-chan and Darab, whose onset though it was full of gallant force and fury, yet Ethabar-Chan, desirous to sacrifice his best endeavours to express his loyalty retaliates such entertainment, that after three hours' trial, having lost five hundred men, without any prevailing they retreat, well beaten and ashamed; so that (converting their power upon a more hopeful way) they draw back and fall a rifling the houses of such umbraves as were likely to have booty. Byrambeg gins with the house of Mirza Abdull, Chan Azems son, but finds such hot and unexpected welcome that he was forced out, not without amazement. Howbeit, Radgee Bickermanse entered with better fortune Assaph-chans (which in this tumult found no exception) out of which they drew twenty leck of roopees; Rustanchan out of Lascar-chans 16 leck, and Darab from Nouradyn Cooly's, ten; In all, about threescore leck of roopees, after which base theft, (as if they had done wonders) with great triumph they returned to Fettipore. Curroon, after three weeks stay about Fettipore; finding it impossible by force or subtlety to obtain the treasure, and no more prey in those parts, resolves to march back and give his Father battle, whom he heard (from Assaphchawn) was coming. To which end, after double allowance to each soldier, and protestations of his kind remembrances, he retreats towards Delly, in five days attaining Pherrybaud ten course from Delly, at such time as jangheer with his Army pitched three course from the Town, and seven from Curroons' trenches. Very early next morn, Curroon (longing to grasp the Diadem) commands Radgee Byckermanse to begin the fight with eight thousand horse, against whom, jangheer the great Mogul opposes Mahobet-chan, Abdul-Chan, Ethabar chan, Assaph-cawn, Godgee Abdel Hussan, Zadoc-chan, Immirza Mamet, Radgee Bertsingh, Tzeerchan, Seberdeest-chan, and other principal umbraves; by advice of Mahobet-chan dividing the whole Army into three. One part to himself and Radgee Bertsingh, a second to Sultan Sheryar his youngest son and Mahomet-chan, the third to Abdulchan and Zadoc-chawn: to all whom he used many persuasions to fight bravely and with discretion, as against exquisite warriors, most of which had been in many conflicts; yet such was the justice of the cause, & each man's particular interest, that he knew they needed no exasperating. Then to each Commander (as they were entering combat) he sent some small token of his zeal, as remembrances of his love and engagements upon his victory of great preferment: Zaber-deest-chan in the first place (carrying Abdulchan his Master's present) by mischance falls among five hundred light horse of Curroons and perishes. Bickermanse with his large troop of horse, charges Bertsingh and the Moguls quarter so furiously, that many parted with their lives to express their loyalty. Whiles Ganganna and Curroon enter pelmell against Mahobet-cawn, and Rustan-cawn with T'sossally upon Abdul-cawn, all which were Captains of such valour and experience, and the armies on either side so irritate for honour and benefit, that for three hours the battle continued with rage, each part fight so bravely, that no advantage could be discovered, till victory at last inclines to Curroon, when Radjea Byckermanse after a terrible slaughter of the Moguls squadron, in despite of his guard, enters sternly (died in blood) jangheers royal Tent, and arrested him as his prisoner, but he had scarcely meditated the greatness and excellency of his prize, when grim death directs the battle axe of a Mancebdar then in presence, Radjea Bickermanse slain, which fell so sore, so sure, that down he fell, with a curse breathing out his unwilling soul, and such terror into the hearts of his followers, that without any remembrance of their conquest, they all fled, and gave the Moguls part fresh advantage to reinforce the victory. Curroon amazedly perceives upon the sudden his overthrow, and by and by has the reason of it. He does all he can to alter their cowardice; he persuades, threats, opposes, and cries aloud that he was living, yea a hundred Captains as good as Byckermanse were in the Army: but in vain, for such was their preposterous fear and disorder, that he sees it impossible to revoke them: so that (vollying one a thousand curses, expressing all symptoms of rage and frenzy) he rides to and fro, not knowing whither he had better here put a period (by his death) to all future misfortune, or to fly and hope for better afterwards: at last, by Ganganna's advice he hasts away, but leaves his men and treasure to the mercy of his enemies, and after long and swift flight with few of his friends, attains the desolate and high Mountains of Mewat, in whose solitary rocks he ruminates his misery and the justice of God upon his high rebellion. Sultan Perwees with a glad heart meets his victorious Father at Balzol; after which the Seralios are freed, and the Castle gates opened, as fearless of any more opposal. And now, the old Mogul cheers up his late drooping spirits, and solaces himself with Noormal, the light of his eyes, and the best object of his devotion: his delight and jocundities gave a fair occasion to Assaph-cawn, and Ganganna, to mediate a reconciliation for Curroon; and which the old man also inclined to; so that; from Asmeer, letters of peace and pardon are dispatched unto the rebellious Prince; who reads them with no small joy, and prepares for his submission: with Ganganna, Abdul cawn, Darab cawn, Beyram beg, and other Umbraves of quality, he descends the Mountains of Mewat, and through Bassawer, Hambyer and Lael-sod (unable to forbear piltring all the way) at last he came to Azmeer, Curroon it pardoned, but rebels afresh. where he throws himself at's Father's feet, and upon his repentance and oath never more to fly out, is pardoned: but his submission (as by the sequel) appeared counterfeit, and upon this occasion. So soon as Rajea Bickermanse was slain, Curroon in his place made Abdul-cawn Governor of Gusurat, Amadavad and Cambaya. Abdul-cawn, though glad of so high preferment delays his journey; both in regard of his desire to see Curroon freed from his troubles, and to enjoy the command and gain he every day got in Curroons' depredations: and obtaining leave to stay a while, he sends his Eunuch Baffadur-cawn as his deputy to represent his person, and to prepare things the better against his coming. The Eunuch in good equipage travels thither-ward, and by the inhabitants of Amadabat is received with much state and ceremony; but, beholding himself mounted so high, encircled with such rays of Majesty, & roabed with so much honour, his former vassalage is forgotten, and his genius so transcendently efflated with pride and ambition, that he beholds his equals with disdain and anger, his inferiors with a squint and supercilious eye of scorn and tyranny: yet, such as knew his feathers were but borrowed, and that his glory was but the reflect of him he counterfeited, gave him occasion to understand himself, by affronts, neglect and undervaluing him; especially Nadab-Tsaffi-chan the Moguls Chancellor, who by entreaty and threats sought to reform him, but by such means more exasperated; so that after many base and contumelious usages, he is forced (to save his life) out of the City, but so enraged, that he vows requital: he hasts to Nazar-cawn Viceroy of Patan and Baban-cawn of Chapperbenniz, whom by his complaints (and affront offered as he pretended to the Mogul their Master) he inflames with fury; by this advantage also perceiving a way to defy Curroon their inveterate adversary: for hearing the Eunuch had not above five hundred horse, they presently prepare, and advance to Amadavad with a thousand horse and five Elephants, and (by leave of some that hated the Eunuch) enter the Cicy, and commit what villainy they please, force the Castle, and imprison Baffador-cawn the Eunuch, with his branded associates Mirza Madary, Motzab-cawn and Mamet-Hassen the Cambayan Podestate, whom they disgrace, and departed at pleasure, leaving the City satisfied, and the Country full of amazement. But ere long, Curroon has notice of it, and (finding it a plot to dishonour him) swells with rage, thunder's out his discontent, and strait way breaks out into rebellion. But Abdul-cawn scoffs at this accident, as unworthy Curroons' impatience and his trouble, their Antagonists being but three, one of them a pallid Lawyer; the other two, Merchants of small wealth or reputation. Yet knowing satisfaction would not be had without a combat, and that Saffi-cawn might not too long feed upon their misery, he convocates all his Umbraves, Amet-cawn, (Governor of Brodera) T'zalibeg, Rustan Bador, Mamet-hossen, Mercon-beg, Zerdzie-cawn, Matzael-cawn and others; to each of whom he relates the Prince's dishonour and his own grief, not that he feared such mean enemies, but that herein he saw the fire of more wrath and discord a kindling; which by the constancy and valour of these his friends he doubted not to extinguish. They hear him, understand, and profess their loyalty: yea unanimously with seven thousand choice horse make haste to chastise Saffi-chan & his associates: fourteen hundred thousand roopees are disbursed by Abdul-cawn, to increase his army with ten thousand infantry; so that now he makes sure to punish, yea to extirpate the very memory of his enemies: indeed, many swell themselves with empty conceits and fancies, and by a foolish admiration of their own power and bravery, judge all attempts, though charged with never so much danger, inferior to their worth and fortune; but the event oftentimes discovers their shallow imaginations, and makes them ridiculous. We see it so in this Abdul-cawn, a man of great power, credit, and experience; yet at this time so whirled, yea so efflated with pride and scorn, that (by too much security and contempt of those he was to grapple with) he prepares his own ruin. From Mandou with his Army, in five days he comes to Brodera, and hasts thence to Wasset, judging all Gujurat affrighted at his coming; but Saffi-cawn and his were nothing troubled at it; no, although Sultan-Bullochy and Cawn-Azem were then at Tseroy a good way distant, nor that he wanted (the nerves of war) money, and the people were (though his was the Moguls cause) neutral and indifferent; but rather, inspired with new courage and policy, throws off all apparition of fear, and (to add somewhat to his treasury and pay) forages such Towns as refused to contribute, forces the Exchequer, and spoils that rich and glorious throne or state, Sultan Curroon had lately set up in Amadavad, as an addition and monument of his glory; with this and his other helps he entertains an Army of twenty thousand horse, five hundred Musketeers, thirty Elephants for war; and (by Proclamation, that all his provision was in defence of jangheers prerogatives) above twenty Umbraves of quality, Mirza Cassen, Immirza Mockym, Radgea Callicawn, Radgee Doola, Commel-cawn, Gokeldas, Phereez-cawn, Tzedchan, Tzed jacob etc. associate him, to Kanckry, where he encamped, and thence to Assempore; where hearing of Abdul-cawns coming, he arose and came to Boubentalow, six course from Amadavad; where in a valiant posture, he attended the coming of his enemies. Abdul-cawn at Anamogery receives intelligence of their encamping; in scornful sort he tells the messenger he was coming, and upon his own company looks so merrily that they all condemned him of too much confidence, but (loath he should perceive any want of valour in them) they equal his haste, and courageously march to Nyriaed, and so to Momodabad, but six course from the Enemy: there, Abdul-cawn by assent of his other umbraves command Motzab-cawn to prison, and shackles him; (upon some intelligence passing 'twixt him and Saffin-cawn his enemy) and next day with his son Godgee Sultan upon an Elephant are sent to Mando to receive their trial. The ensuing morn he moves towards Kavise and there hearing how strong the Enemy was (his opinion somewhat altered) he travels to Baroch thinking to assail them in the rear, but in vain, for they discovered him; so that next day he resolved to encounter them in a main battle, and accordingly at that time divides his Army into three; one, to Amet-cawn and Tzalibeg; another to Tzardi-cawn, Maxatbeg and Mamet-Cooly; and the last to himself: and in this equipage, the whole Camp removed to Zietelpore and Phettibeg; where Nahar-cawn, his five sons, and two sons in law, Karamamet-cawn and Kamamet-cawn, with three thousand horse, begin the fight, and charge so hotly upon Abdul-cawns troops, that they made them retire and lose their ground of advantage; beside, they played so fiercely on them with their Muskets, that they disordered Abdul-cawns best cavalry, and by wounding their best Elephant, forced him to turn and execute his wrath upon his own company. Curroons' chief Captain sees the peril, and knows no way for prevention, save by a challenge to a single combat with Nahar-cawn that was so valiant. The old man is so full of heat and fury that he accepts it, and with his Lance careers so bravely, that Abdul-cawn smarts in the Arm; but the old man wounded in the head had perished, had not his sons then made proof of their utmost valour and obedience: howbeit by this expression; three of them well-nigh sacrificed their lives, not sorry if they had terminated in so happy an occasion; but Kamamet was slain, and the residue so discouraged, that but for Delawer-cawn (who reanimated them) they had fled and left Abdul victorious. Whiles these were bandying for glory in the field of Mars, Tzed-cawn and T'zed-Iacup give a brave charge upon Tzalibeg and Amet-cawn; where after mutual giving and receiving blows Tzalibeg descends first a degree of misery by being unhorsed by his adversaries Elephant, and by Tzed-cawn forced to a deadly dormitory. Amet-cawn (also adventring further than discretion warranted) is taken by Radjea Doola and beheaded: so is Tzalibeg, and both, sent to Saffinchan as a real trophy and testimonial of their victory. The death of these great men so afflicted the whole Army, (that throwing away all hopes of conquest) each man fled which way his fancy directed him, Tzaitsi-chan Governor of Brodera excepted, who thought it too great a blemish to his honour to turn tail, having five hundred horse and three Elephants as yet lusty and courageous; but what could his opppsition do? when Saffin-cawn in person with his victorious troops affronted him; to contend were madness, and therefore upon entreaty, yields, and has fair quarter gives him; but his example could work but little with Ma'met-Cooly his son, for he (imagining his Father had done cowardly) with forty horse and one Elephant flies to Abdul-cawn, who received little joy in such an untimely expression, being burdened with sorrow and disgrace, but bids him (do as he did) fly, to avoid the swift rage and pursuit of the Enemy. In the flight, Motsaib-cawn is brought back to Saffin-cawn, and Abdul-cawn (by unexpected onsets of the Coolies' and highway rogues, as also by intolerable tempests, amazed, beaten, and discouraged) hastens to Baroch; next day to Surrat; and after eight day's refreshment, and some fresh company, to Brampore; to attend Curroons' command, and make provision for reparation of his honour, never till then so notoriously blemished. BAROCH (where the pole septentrional is elevated twenty one degrees fifty five min.) is a City of good note in the Gusarat Province: Baroch. distant from Surrat (by Cosumbay and Periaw) four and thirty english miles, from Cambaya fifty four, from Amadavad a hundred twenty four, from Brampore two hundred and eleven or there about. It is seated in a beneficial soil, watered by Narvar (or Nardabah) a sweet and delightful river, which, from the Decan mountains commixing with the Tappee, flows through Brampore hither, and at Hansot (a Village eight course lower) separates, and makes a pretty Isle: and (a small hours travel thence) in two streams four miles asunder, incorporates with the briny Baroch is visible (by reason of her high standing) a good way distant; built upon the best advantages of Nature and Art: both, so excellently contending, as makes it at first view seem impregnable: she is well peopled, and with such as extract great wealth by land and water: the buildings are generally submiss and low, especially those below the mountain. In quondam times her royalties were more spacious, as soveranizing over many Towns of quality a great way removed: as Medapore seventy miles thence; Radgee-pore or Brodera eighty; jownbasser thirty, etc. each of which now enjoy peculiar Podestates: howbeit (as Merchants tell us) the Mogul has received hereout as annual tax or tribute, one Million two hundred and threescore thousand mammoodees (or shillings in our money:) 'twixt Baroch and Amadavad is entombed Polly-Medinae a Mohumitan Saint, excessively reputed of by the superstitious people; who in way of meritorious pilgrimage flock thither, loaden with chains or stones, and locking up their mouths from speaking vanity, by such penance to obtain children, health, wealth, or what they lust after. But to our story. A.D. 1622. A.H. 1002. jangheer, during these offenssive broils, resides at Fettipore, and hears of Abdul-cawns presumption and Curroons new rebellions; he sleeps unquietly, and can take no rest, till both of them receive due punishment: he calls Sultan Perwees his son, acquaints him with his affliction, gives him order to levy some forces, wherewith to persecute his traitorous Brother, and those outlawed Umbraves that attended him. Curroon rebels and is beaten. Perwees (entreating Mahobet-chan to accompany him) with 50000 horse, moves against Curroon: by the way, he imprisons Mirza-chan, Abdulchans son (but lately to jangheers grandchild married) and by order is sent manacled to Ethabarchan, in Agra castle to be confined: whiles Abdul Azief-chan (by Abdulchans' deceit brought to Curroons' party) escapes, submitts to the Mogul, and is pardoned. Curroon has notice of the approach of his enemies, so that from Azmeer he hasts to Mandow to augment his Army, with a settled determination to bid them battle. Perwees follows him, and pitches ten English miles from his brother's camp; and next morning drawing out his men assails him, who at the first shock (by mishap of Rustan chan and Berkendaschan) falls back and lets the enemy possess his trenches: in a word, Perwees has the day and Curroon flies to Brampore his old receptacle. Ganganna noting Curroons' sadness, makes it an advantage of his treachery; he persuades the Prince to send him to mediate a peace with Perwees, with an intent to deliver him into his hands (having precontracted with Beyrambeg and Darab-chawn, to seize him, who to that end had ambushed near the river Nardebah 20000 horse;) but Abdul chan dissuades Curroon, assuring him of Ganganna's villainy, Ganganna escapes, the conspiracy comes to light, and Beyrambeg with his associate is loaden with irons, placed on an Elephant and with some selected troops, leaves Brampore and flies into Decan, where by Melec Ambar (glad of such confusion) he is welcomed, and seated in Nassier-Throm, where he dictates patience; his Elephants and men are sent to Daultabat till he recalled them. Sultan Perwees and Mahobet-chan enter Brampore, and here whither Curroon was traveled. They give jangheer notice of their good fortune, and he celebrates it with no less joy, than as if he had triumphed over a dangerous enemy. But behold, this fair Sunshine of content is enveloped with an unexpected cloud of storm and danger. I'hen Thouz an Ouzbeg Tartar (of long time watching some fit occasion to forage the Moguls Territories, by Curroons' unquietness spies it,) with thirty thousand horse overruns Chabul, perpetrating all sorts of spoil and mischief. jangheer, exclaims and rages violently, but so soon as he had given vent to this his swelling passion, he sends post to Zaed-cawn (son to Mahobet-cawn) Viceroy of Bange, to retaliate him: this young Gallant delays not, but with twenty thousand horse interposes 'twixt the City and Tartarr, gives him so furious a charge, that Ihen Thouz is afraid to suffer it, by base flight leaving his honour, half his men, and store of wealth to Zaed-cawn, and by his jovial troops to be rifled: after which, they enter Tartary, and as fare as Gassany, burn, spoil, and make havoc of what they meet with, returning with great wealth and many Elephants to Kabul, where with all acclamations of joy they are welcomed, and by jangheer so accepted of, that he sends Zaed-cawn many thanks, and adds to his former troops 5000 as an augmentation of more honour and benefit. This cloud once overblown, the Horizon appears more glorious, and jangheer contemplates in what part to enjoy with his beloved Noor-mahall most pleasure. Cassimeer at length gets the pre-eminence: It abounds with variety of choice sports, but the progress was long and remote from most places whence in those active times he was to receive intelligences; howbeit, delight swayed him against all objections, giving Curroon (by that distance) so fair an advantage, that with all speed (sending his Umbraves word to follow him) he forsakes Decan, and through Gulcunda and Orixa, speeds into Bangala, yea with four thousand horse, and three hundred Elephants passes the solitary deserts and so suddenly presents his forces afore Dehaka, that Abrahim-cawn, governing that Province (blasted with amazement) flies away first to Bannaras, then to Meslipatan, and knows not where to rest securely: whiles Curroon smiles at it, & without stay or let, commands his treasure; with money and fair words so bewitching most of the Umbraves of that fruitful Country, that they immediately came to do him service with horse, money, & armoury. Overjoyed with such good hap, this daring Prince breaks into Purop, flashing (as to the other) such terror into the eyes and heart of Makolidischan the Governor, that without any show of manhood or policy he posts to Elabass to acquaint Rustan the Captain with his danger, by whom (in stead of thanks) he is sound rated, and for his cowardice imprisoned. Curroon hears of it: but so long as he continues prosperous, he regards no man's misery, but rather by such, increases his activity; passing his Army over Ganges, he aims at Kerry not doubting of the conquest; but by the way at Radgee Mahal is with such fury assaulted by Ebraim-chan (by this time reincouraged, and here ambuscadoed with six thousand horse) that little wanted of foiling him, had not Abdulchan (behind with best part of his Army) hastily brought up his troop, and by 3 hours' skirmish recovered him, after three thousand were slain of Curroons' party, and four thousand of Ebrahims, who also lost his life by his too great avarice amongst his men, and out of too much appetite to regain his honour so lately blemished. Curroone rubricates this in the Calendar of his greatest dangers and deliverances: it teaches him to travel with more care and vigilancy, but dissuades not from the prosecuting his unjust designs, spoiling & robbing all that wealthy Province, and entering as Conqueror Tanda and all Gouro, Banaras, Chatighan, and all such Towns in Orixa and Bengala as resisted him; preying upon their gold and jewels, acting many unchastities, and forcing their oaths and hostages to become his subjects: thence to Pathan, whither Radgee Vslem with five thousand horse and twenty thousand foot came to serve him. Perwees hears of Curroons' extravagancies, and intends to curb him: he commits Brampore to Rustanchan and Laskar-kawn; and with 50000 horse aims with long toil at Elebasse, and entering Lala Bersinghs territories, Lala meets him with 7000 horse, and gives him a Present of 3 leck of roopees. jangheer lest he should surfeit of delight, at Cassmeer entertains the news of his son Curroons' fresh outbreaking, as also of Ebrahims' death and sad discomfiture: but fearing his vagrant son might grow too potent (if too long suffered in his exorbitancies) he rouses himself, and forthwith commands Chan jehan out of Molthan and Buckarr to raise some Companies and to hasten into Gousurat, with the tribute of those Provinces to advance a brave Army, and join with Perwees against the Rebels: Chan-Iehan being come to Fettipore, he there loiters, and as long at Agra wraps himself in idleness, forgetful of the Moguls command, the Prince's need, and his own honour; yet, Rustan, Captain of Elabas, shows himself of better temper; for having imprisoned Mokolidaschan for his fear, he thenceforth labours to fortify his Castle with men, money, and provision: which when Curroon heard, he altars his intent, and draws his forces against Rantas (a strong defenced Castle) which by Syet Monbark is yielded upon small treaty: he also assaults Tzinner, which though a while well kept by Hastibeg, is in the end delivered: after this, Abdulchan forces jangheer-coolighan Captain of Bonarce to Elabas, and Wazer-Chan to joonpore and other Towns, whereout they drew abundance of treasure; and hearing of his brother's approach with Mahobet-chan (to forfeit prevention) he entreats Abdulchan, Radgee Rhiem, and Byramchan to try their fortune against Elabasse, by Rustanchan so strongly defended: they obey him, and with all haste besiege it, and next day assault it with utmost fury, but by Rustan are as bravely beat off and forced to retreat with shame and danger. In that action the seed of so much emulation and spleen kindled 'twixt Abdul and Radgee Rhiem as was not quenched in long time, and without both destructions. Sultan Perwees and Mahobet-chan hasten (if posssible) to be at Elabas ere the rebels rose from before it: they pass Backery and Municpore, but Abdulchan hies thence over Ganges and at Bonarce (or Banaras) join with Curroons' army. Ghan-Ganna imprisoned. Ganganna (bankrupt in credit with Curroon and Abdulchan,) had not been long in Perwees army, but by Mohobet-chans command, for some unworthy plots is imprisoned; which a servant of his (M'hia Fehiem by name) took so impatiently, that he consorts with 500 men and ambushes 'twixt their passage to Kalpin and Lala's country, by force attempting his Lord's delivery: his good will was much and good, but the success bad and bitter; for Mahobet-chan fearless of such a scarecrow, in small space slew him and his rash society. Ganganna thenceforth is more strictly looked to, his estate confiscated, his wife and son and family are upon Elephants sent slaves to Agra; whiles Perwees, Mahobet, and the Army arrive at Elabas; where by valiant and faithful Rustanchan they are welcomed and lodged in the castle with much pomp and joyful entertainment. Mahobet-chawn is impatient of stay till he could come to grapple with Curroones Army, who by that time had assembled a great company, alured by the magic of his gold and tempting language, to run a bold hazard with him to the gates of Death. near Thonec 15 miles from Banaras they pitch their camps in view of one another, either side resolved with the utmost of valour and policy to purchase victory. Ganges (that great, rich, and deified river, which say the Bannyans issues out of a rock at Siba form like a Cow's head) a whiles forbade them, restraining either's fury, save what volleyed from the roaring guns to either's prejudice. Beyrambeg began the play with 4000 horse and foraged towards Elabas but is by Mamet Shawma met upon Shawezi's banks where his men were discomfited, himself slain and his head severed. Mahobet-chan interprets this as a good Omen to the battle; inflamed with courage, he draws out his troops, but knows not how (without apparent peril) to pass his men over Ganges, till by a Native he is directed to a safe ford, where he got over luckily: he gives his company some encouragement, and delays not to affront Curroon to his face. Curroon willing rather to lose life than swallow such an indignity, order his camp and desires Radgee Rhiem with his Elephants to answer him; this courageous Captain most gladly undertakes it and gives Mahobet so hot a charge, yea with his warlike Elephants so disordered him, that had Abdulchan or Derra-chan seconded him (as was apppointed) Curroon had easily obtained a glorious victory; but they swelling with envy against this brave man, ever since their attempt of Elabas, not only betray his hopes by hover back, but are overjoyed when they behold Mahobet-chans company recovered, and Radgees Elephants wounded and madded with rage to execute their wrath upon their owners, Radgee Rhiem slain. and in the end Radgee (after as much proof of courage and skill as could be in man) slain, and his whole squadron confounded: in this miserable sort, perished one of the ablest men of India, and Abdulchan most basely guilty of his death: revenge pursues him; for finding it high time to give over looking on, and do something, he sees Perwees entering with Radgee Zissing, Radgee Ziand, Radgee Bertzing and their Army. Curroon also falls on, doing what lay in the power of man, the battle now pellmell enduring for five hours with a great deal of martial skill and bravery. Curroon is hurt in the arm. Perwees (though upon his Elephant) is by Derrhachan woùnded in the side, and but for the excellency of his mail had there died. In the end, the King's Army grew victorious by the unresistable fury Mahobet a fresh affords them, the rebels pusillanimously opposing that new torrent of destruction, gaze a while, and then remembering the injustice of their side grow pale with fear, so as in the end they turn tail and fly amain, resolving not in haste to undertake such an occasion. Curroon is not able to alter it, his old accursed fate pursues him; and therefore (striking the ground with his lance) he leaves the battle, escapes away, and with 4000 horse of such as loved him, he flies to the inexpugnable Castle of Rantas, yielded by Monbark, and wherein he had placed Radgee Gholam one of the murderers of Prince Gushrooe; leaving the residue of his Army to sip the bitter cup of death, the glory of a great and famous overthrow to his brother and Mahobet-chan, and the spoil of his camp to Radges-Bertsingh, who from out of it brought of gold, silver, precious gems, Elephants, Camels, horses, and slaves of both sex's great abundance. Sultan Curroon in his strong Castle and at such a distance, has time to ruminate upon his miseries, and with a discontented mind sees how insensibly he precipitates his hopes, at that instant fixed in the centre of affliction: and as an aggravation to his melancholy, hears of Mahobet-chans re-approach towards him. He thereupon disparks his Seralio, and flies thence to Potan with Assaph-chawns daughter only in his company (who had lately brought him a dainty girl) and by a Zantel or Post dispatches letters to Darab-chan (then in Bengala) to levy some forces and meet him at Radgee-Mahal, where he expected him. Mahobet-Chan, Prince Perwees, and captived Ganna pursue Curroon, scarce resting day or night till they came to Rantas, where hearing which way he took, they chase him to Patan, but there also they miss of him, having sure tidings of his flight to Radgee Mahal. At Patan they breathe awhile, and hearing of Darabs obsequiousness to Currown, they get his aged Father Ganganna by letters to dehort him, and to promise him requital so he would join with them: Darab (incensed by Mahobet-chans severity to his father, and supposing his persuasions forced and counterfeit) most unluckily denies, and goes on to levy men to support the rebellion. Prince Perwees proclaims him Traitor, and allots 4000 roopes to him would bring him to his camp alive or dead. The tyme-serving greedy Multitude (knowing Currown was fled) not only bring Darab-chan but his children and kinsman Morad, son to Shakstone Nabarkhan, all whose heads are struck off and sent to Perwees, and by Mahobet-chans command presented to Ganganna, by that a wretched Father, and thence (as a Trophy of their care and terror of others) unto Agra on poles to be elevated. The report of this untoward massacre is soon known to Curroone, so that he bids farewell to Mahal, and flies to Medenpoore, and thence to Odjea; but is quested after by Mahobet to Medenpoore, where, missing him, he stays for Prince Perwees, and sends Baker chan & 8000 horse in the pursuit after him. At this Oudee or Oujea (a city in Bengala & felicitated by Ganges) are many Antic Monuments, Oudee. especially memorable is the pretty old castle Ranichand built by a Bannyan Pagod of that name about 994500 years ago after their account, from which to this the Bannyans have repaired to offer here and to wash away their sins in Ganges, each of which is recorded by name by the laborious Bramyns who acquiantes this Pagod with their good progressions and charitable offerings. A.D. 1623. A.H. 1003 During these domestic broils, Melec Amber (perceiving the season advantageous to recover what he had lost,) advances with 50000 men, and so unexpectedly charges Laskar-chan, Mirza Mametsheir, and Ebrahim Hossen, that they had no warning for defence, but are compelled to give up their Forts and suffer the Decan to re-enter, what was his own by law of Nations; 15000 Indians were slain, and as many were expelld the country; the 3 Umbraves also are sent prisoners to Daultebad to attend the pleasure of their conqueror. Bacherchan having commission to persecute Curroon, procrastinates not, but in few weeks attains O' djea; where the Prince (though he had 5000 horse and 300 Elephants) dared not abide him battle, possessed with fear and so terrified with precedent dangers, that he flies into Gulcundah, Curroon flies into Gulcunda. contrary to Bacherchans' expectation who desired battle. The King of Gulcunda receives him with counterfeit welcome, and attends him (where he passes) with 12000 horse, pretending to safeguard him; but Curroon saw it was rather to secure his Diamond mines, (at that time open) too prevalent a bait for his needy Army. Melec Amber with less suspicion and more subtlety (hearty glad of his rebellion, thereby debelitating the Mogul, and securing his own Monarchy) sends an Ambassador to Curroon, well attended, with letters of much affection, and plenty of money and other necessaries; with an invitation into Decan, where at all assays he should command his service. Curroon rejoices in this sunshine of happiness, and accepts his motion: but after three months commorance in that country, weary of idleness, he projects the recovery of his old Eparchy of Brampore, and so without longer advice bids Amber farewell, and with ten thousand horse divided amongst Abdulchan, Mahumet Tackhieck and jacup-chan, shows himself before Brampore, but is forbid entrance by Radgee Rustan set there by Sultan Perwees; which so enrages Curroon, that after he had breathed out a thousand fruitless curses and threats, he assalts the walls with incredible haste and violence, but is also so churlishly compensated by valiant Rustan, that with great loss he retreats to Chan-channaes curious gardens there to ruminate: howbeit, Abdulchan is so transported with flame, that he mounts again and advances with his Standard; yet in the meridian of his hopes is dejected by valiant Rustang ' and forced to fill the ditch with carcases of his too forward followers. Mahomet Tackieck at twilight tries his destiny, and charges so furiously and so close, that in despite he mounts the wall, and is so bravely backed by his own regiment, that in small time he takes the principal citadel or fortress, and on many parts of the wall flourished his colours in sign of victory, and as a call to Abdulchan to to second him; but Abdul (poisoned with envy to see a Merchant's son possessor of so much glory,) forbears to succour him, so that this heroic Captain (too fare engaged) is assailed by Rustan Atset-chan and fresh troops so long, and with such eagerness, that all his company are cut in pieces, and Mahomet struck dangerously in his eye, yea (after as much proof of dexterity and valour as was possible) is taken and imprisoned. In this base sort (the second time) has Abdulchan forfeited Curroon the victory, yet keeps the knowledge in his own breast, and goes unpunished: whiles Sultan Perwees and Mahobet-chan continue their quest, and receiving notice of the siege of Brampore, they hast thither, with chan allen, Radjea Stertsing, and a great Army of Rashpoots; but Curroon (premonished) seeing no good likely to be done, arises and falls towards Bellaguate, in the way attempting vainly Hasser; but missing it, redelivers Rantas also into his enemy's hands, and once more visits Melec Amber at Rerki in Decan clothed in his old sad habit of misfortune. Hasser, (five courses from Brampore as you pass to Agray, the strongest, and in all advantages the best defended Castle through Chandis) is built upon the top of a most high and precipitious Mountain, walled by Nature, and capable to feed and lodge forty thousand horse: within, are springs of wholesome water, by virtue whereof the people are infinitely enriched; the earth also is excellently fruitful in herbs and corn and what else is requirable for defence or pleasure: upon all sides are mounted great Ordinance of brass, about six hundred, here placed by the last King of Gusurat: but one discommodity is commixed, making all the other delights relish unseasonably; Worms engendering in the legs and thighs of such as drink the water; but lately noted; and which only gave Ecbar conquest of this Castle, otherwise inexpugnable. jangheer the great Mogul rejoices at the several victories his son Perwees and Mahobet-cawn are crowned with: and to express how well he took it, observing the valour & loyalty of Ganna-zied-cawn, (lately made Viceroy of Kabul) calls him to Court, expresses his good will in variety of compliments, and more than so, adds five thousand horse to his command, and under seal makes him Governor of Bengala, of all the Provinces of Indostan most famous, rich, and populous: Bengala, is a Province in India, spacious, noble, and fruitful; peopled with Mahometans and Idolaters, addict to Mars and Merchandise: reasonable in shape and colour: well clothed, extremely lustful; jealous, crafty, and suspicious: the ground is redundant in good Towns, Castles, fruits, flowers, corn, etc. mellowed by Ganges, which in two great branches flows thorough her, and 200 miles asunder, at 23 degrees, commixes with the Ocean. Normal and Assaph-cawn cast a squint eye upon Ganna-zied-cawns, new glory, wishing fit occasion to eclipse it; and only for that he was son to Mahobet; no other reason caused it: they are no trewands in the school of mischief, and in the first place, to plot more mischievously, and affront Mahobet (whose miseries are now broaching) they get the old Mogul to command Mahobet without delay, to send Ganganna the Captain, unto Agra, Meza-Arebdestoa-cawn (one of Normals creatures) delivers the message, and Mahobet (loath to show any example of disobedience, though he knew langheer abused, and this a mere plot of his confusion) lets him go, who forth with gins to chatter and spit his utmost malice against Mahobet, exhibiting many false complaints, and incensing as much as possible the old Mogul against his innocent Champion: that he had most unjustly put to death his son and others of his kindred, out of malice; yea, after he had voluntarily left Curroon to serve in the King's Army. These accusations wrought somewhat in the credulous jealousy and weakness of the old Mogul; but more, when from the seeds of haste and distrust sown by Ganna in the heart of Perwee, by his letter he entreats his Father to call Mahobet, a detractor of his glory, and ambtious to engulf the Monarchy. This so confirms the Mogul, that without more dispute or memory of his former services, he believes Gangannas' reports no longer malicious, but presently condemns him of pride and ingratitude, gives his command to Cawn jehan, and commands him home to receive his deservings. Frau de perit virtus, Mahobet admires the villainy of Ganganna, and Noormall; and thinks (by the purity of his own conscience) it is impossible his Master should really believe such imputations; till remembering his dotage upon Normal and her inveterate spleen, he grants it; but resolves to take another course till time might delucidate his innocency; and therefore as his love and duty bound him, he goes to Prince Perwees to bid farewell; but when he perceived him so strangely altered, so coy and stately, it well-nigh struck him dead with sorrow and amazement (an excellent sympathy and union, till Ganganna dissolved it, having been till then betwixt 'em:) so that with a sad heart, and tormented eyes, he leaves the Camp, but carries along with him the hearts and courages of all the Army. From Brampore he goes; many guess, but none (no not himself) knows whither his fortune led him: at length by advice of his best friends (that assured him if he went to Court, he should at least be branded with the name of Traitor) he travels to his Castle of Rantampore, resolving to purge his honour by letter and proof to jangheer, and to safeguard himself from the spite of Normal and all his enemies. The discord of Peiwees, Mahobet, and Normal, sounds sweetly in Curroons' ears; hoping by the confusion of them all, to ground steadfastly his own ambitious practices: and perceiving his old Father so taken with phantasms and apparitions of love, he resolves to practise deceit, and in the Moguls weakness to fix the strength of his conspiracies: he presents him by Godgee jehan (a crafty man, and Tutor to his two sons) a letter neatly penned, but dictating nothing save hypocrisy and submission: he knew also the greedy appetite of his Father after gold and rarities, and therefore adds a pishcash of rare coignes, a hundred choice Elephants, and some portraits he borrowed from the Portugals. They are all well taken; his sons respected, and word is sent him from Assaph-cawn of hopes to re-ingraft him. In the mean time, Madoffer-cawn at Lahore receives the government or Provostship of Agra, from Cassem-cawns pride, who was placed there upon his marriage which Movissan-begem sister to the Queen, but is so impatiently digested by that ambitious woman, that she ceased not till she had got him reestablished. Six years past, viz. 1618. and of the Heg. 998. I told you, how jangheer at request of Assaph-cawn took his eldest son Gushroo from Anna-Rha-Radia & Chan jehan, delivering him to Curroon, who finding him a stumbling block to the Imperial Crown, by Radgee Bandor gets him removed: at that same time were committed to that Fratricide, Sha' Hossen and Ethymor (sons to D' haen Shaw his brother who died of drink at Brampore) whom because he saw towardly, and apt to revenge their Father's untimely death, he was desirous to send them in that bloody bath, to sudden destruction; but he durst not perpetrate such apparent butchery, perceaving all men's eyes and expectations after them, and the death of their Father and Uncle, not a little murmured at: so that he had no other way to prevent their power and anticipate their claim unto the Empire, but by getting them instructed in the faith of our blessed Saviour Christ, and to be baptised; by that trick out of the Koran, making them incapable of so great an earthly Monarchy, but heirs of a better; for, virtus locum habet inter astra. After this, he ever led them with him to keep them the strictlier, till such time as he was vanquished at Elabas by Rustan-cawn: for then Ethamore escapes to Perwees, and thence to Labour where his Uncle entertains him gladly, and marries him to B'har Bannoo Begem his daughter: and at Curroons' next flight from Brampore, Hussen also flies to Radgee Rustang, and thence to his brother, where he lived safely and more honoured. Mahobet-cawn at his Castle at Rantampore (practising to digest his affronts with patience) receives a peremptory command from jangheer (Normal I might say) to yield up his house to the Queen, A.M. 5595. A.D. 1625. A.H. 1005. who had given the keeping of it to Bacher-cawn his enemy, and that he should pack into Orixa to his son the Lieutenant there. The message is so tart and sent to one (than whom none more) impatient of injuries, that he returns his Master the Mogul this reply, he was ready (as a thousand times formerly) to spend his life and goods to do him service, but would never stoop to the lure of his inveterate enemies; he was ready to account the reason, but upon condition he might be free from the talons of his rammage foes, whom he saw ready to pray upon him: with this answer the Post returns, with news also, that Abdul-cawn (either weary of such vagaries, or that he saw the wind of Curroons' good fortune averse, or doubting his former envy might undo him) for some of these, Abdul cawn leaves Curroons' party. or all, flies from Curroon, and by Cown jehan at Brampore with Perwees is joyfully welcomed. jangheer wonders at Mahobet-cawns presumption, but Mahobet no less admires his ingratitude. But after much persuasion of his kindred & friends about him, he assumes fresh courage, and attended by five thousand voluntary Rashboots, issues from his Castle, and through Rassanwer journeys to Lahore, resolving to make his own defence to jangheer, then removing to Kabul, or die in doing it. The Queen and Assaph-cawn have notice of his intent, but fearing his force, and that (if he had any private discourse with jangheer) he would re-ingratiate himself, they make the Mogul set to his seal to what they had indicted, the command being that Mahobet should come in person, attended only with some few of his choice friends to clear his infamy: but he smells their craft, and in his place, sends his son in law to make his excuse, and to treat upon surer terms than if he had gone in person: with a willing heart this young Gallant undertakes it, and at his first entrance into the Lescar (without ever seeing the Mogul) he is made to dismount his Elephant by the Queen's order, is disrobed of his bravery, and clad in nasty rags; is after that most miserably chabucked, or beat upon the soles of his feet with canes or rattans, bareheaded (the greatest shame possible) set backward upon a carrion jade, with kettledrums led through the Army, and made a scoff to all that rascal multitude; overjoyed, they had this good occasion to manifest their hate upon the Idea of Mahobet-cawn and to delight the Empress. Mahobet-cawn is quickly certified of his son's disgrace, and that jangheer knew it not; he questions not who, the whole Country blaming normal and Ganganna for such barbarism: in it, he sees their hate and his own misery, if he had hearkened to their oaths for safety to come weakly accompanied: and now (more than ever, discovering the Queen's ambition to advance her son, and Assaph-cawn, Curroon, guarding themselves with a constant Army of thirty thousand horse, violently seizing the Moguls treasure, and in all affairs abusing his authority and greatness, with other indignities apparent to all the Empire) he incourages himself, not regarding the hateful epithet they branded him with in their Proclamation; his innocency to jangheer and zeal to Bullochy (next heir undoubted to the Crown) reanimating him; so that after he had sent his old Master the Mogul a short, but pithy Apology of his contempt, and portrayed the villainy they offered his son; he surveys his Army, giveth strict command to offer no violence to jangheer or his Tent, and with twenty thousand valiant Rashboots passes on to find out Normalls' Army and the Lescar, at that time consisting of above 50000 men: by accident part at that instant went by, led by Eradet-cawn; and the residue passed the river Phat, conducted by Godgee Abdul Hussan, in hope to find Mahobets' Army unprepared, but in vain; for that experienced warrior knew he should want no stratagems to destroy him, and therefore slept the Lion's sleep, with the eyes of prevention always open; and now finding the advantage his, giveth the word unto his Camp, and with an undaunted heart charges Eradet first, and circles his troops with such speed and order, that in less than two hours (ere Abdul Hussan got over all his men) he not only disordered, but slew above six thousand men, filling the residue with such fear, that each fled for his own safety; but unluckily; the flood without mercy swollowed most of them, both dangers equally so confounding them, that with ghastly looks and loud outcries, such as escaped made known the horror of their conflict; so that the other part of Normalls' Army stood still; till by Assaph-cawn, Abdul Hussen, and other Umbraves, they are cheered up, and prepare to encounter the rebels, who with Mahobet their General were come in front, and with victory in their foreheads (regarding neither their greatness nor multitude) rush courageously on their adversaries, for five hours giving and receiving blows, each side equally heated with rage, and inflamed with desire of conquest. The Queen's Army were fresh and excellently fitted, but by the overthrow of Eradet their companion not a little amazed; Mahobets men, though come from fare, yet of a more warlike constitution, and led by a second Mars, were hopeful of mighty gain and glory; so that in the end, Normalls' side gave back, well beaten, and unable any longer to abide the heavy strokes of their Iron adversaries; Assaph-cawn flies up and down like a distracted man; upbraiding, entreating, and using all means possible to reincourage them; but fear had slain them, the Rashboots swords had flashed too much terror amongst them to revive again; so that with a sad heart, upon his Arabian Courser he flies away, with Mirza Abontila his son, to a Castle not fare distant thence, but by accident are espied and chased by Mirsa Byrewer (Mahobets' third son) and are forced out, and shackled in silver fetters, are also brought to Attack and there kept, whiles Mahobet-cawn and his Army galloping in the Air of good fortune beat down the Queen's forces, at that time more willing to die than fight; so that without more let, they proclaim themselves Lords of India, and prey upon infinite riches of all sorts in the Lescar now scattered and triumphed over. The old Mogul (not scared with Belloma brazen noise and clangot) was found sleeping, yea lulled in Morpheus golden bed, till by Mahobet-cawn he is awaked and assured of his welfare; upon a stately Elephant they conveyed him to Attack, leaving slain behind him twelve thousand men, and many Umbraves of note, Mirza Cassem, Radgee Doola Abdul-Gallec, Abdul Samet, Mirchan, Godgee Shawarchan and others: and taken prisoners, jangheer, Queen Normall, Assaph-cawn, Mirza Abontila his son, Sultan Bullochy, Sultan Sheriar, Shakstone Ethimore, Shakstone Hossen, Eradet-cawn Mokendaschan, Mocrib-cawn, and Molena Mahomet; all which, to the amazement of the world, are led prisoners to Kabull to expect the pleasure of their conqueror. Now, is Mahobet-cawn elevated upon the majestic chariot of command and glory: yet resolves in no sort to derogate from the splendour of his Master, his only aim being to clear his honour from scandal, and to retaliate his enemies what in his friends he had formerly suffered. normal (now clouded with shame and misery) is brought forth, and by the monster multitude exclaimed on; so that by assent of Mahobet and many other Umbraves she is censured to be beheaded. Not till then did she perceive the thorny path she had too long walked in, nor meditated upon the mutability of Fortune, nor till then could she frame her ambitious heart to fear or servitude. But seeing no remedy, she arms herself with patience, and craves a farewell of her Lord, to whom after much ado she is admitted, where she prostrates herself clothed in so much sorrow & repentance, that jangheer melts into compassion, and entreats Mahobet for her freedom. The request seems grievous unto Mahobet, but loath in any thing to discontent him, or show disloyalty, he condescends, normal is pardoned and set at liberty, and becomes more enraged by this his lenity and compliment: the residue of the royal prisoners are used with all respect and nobleness; Eradet, and Molena Mahomet excepted, who by too much rigour are enraged and Molena died, Zadoc-cawn sped best, for before the fight (upon some occasion jarring with his brother Assph-cawn,) he fled to Mahobet, and is for his service made Viceroy of Lahore, and Cassem-cawn (by mediation of Moweza-begem his wife, sister to the Queen) restored to his government of Agray, and Madaffor-cawn displaced; so that now, Mahobet sways Indus'tan, till by vicissitude of time he decays, and all things are redacted to better order and existence. Curroon, is at this time in Decan lurking till he might espy some good advantage to recover his lost fame, and once more shake off the dishonourable Title of a Rebellious exile: but when news is brought him from Assaph-cawn, of the almost incredible change the Empire had, and with what a dismal veil it was then enveloped, his Father and Fatherinlaw being in such base subjection, Sultan Bulloch and Prince daniel's sons imprisoned, and his own two sons with Godghee jehan their governor brought also to Mahobet tyme-serving Madoffer-chan to abide his mercy. He disputes not what Mahobet meant, but what had happened; so that, exasperated with a thousand fancies, he gives Melec Amber many thanks, and with Radgee Rhyem's son and 12000 horse he passes (under leave) Rana's territories, and at last comes to Asmeer, intending suddenly to surprise Agra, and proclaim himself King: but his design by Radgees sudden death is prevented, half his company forsaking him; whereat, doubting some treachery in the Asmerians (into such hate his robbing and other disorders had brought him) and that Mahobet-chan had sent some force against him, and Sultan Perwees also had ambushed for him, he makes haste to Tatta, hoping upon conquest thereof to command the river Indus and Cambaya; at his encamping afore it, the Captain Xeriph-Melec sends him word, he had order to keep him out, and that if he attempted it, he should receive the entertainment of an enemy. He sends him word back again, he was son unto his King; Melec confesses it, and a rebel; Curroon regreets him, he came to defy Mahobet-chan and to bring deliverance to his father; Melec answers, rather by all their confusions to grasp the Dyadem. Curroon sees his fickle standing and deplores his folly, but by Derra-chan is encouraged; after which he assaults the City in great bravery, but is beat off; & next day returning with more rage, Melec forsakes the fort, issues upon them, kills Derra-chan and 300 men, and forces Curroon (to his old shift) to fly to Delly; but finding no welcome there, hasts with his chaffed troops to Baker ('twixt Lahore and the sea) to breathe a while. DELLY is the name of a City and Province of late belonging to the Potan Kings; but at this day is under the Imperial crown of Industant: the city now in being, is ancient, large and pretty beautiful; such appearing in that variety of antic Monuments and Tombs of above 20 Kings and great ones there inhumed; admired by Travellers, and adored by infinite troops of superstitious Indians. Not a little famous also in that Piramyd three miles distant (in old Delly, where lies buried King Homayon grandfather to jangheer) by frame and inscription speaking Alexander; at what time (as now) Delly was the Mausoleum of many Potentates: new Delly is walled about, but with small security; is watered by part of jeminy, over which we enter upon a twelfve arched bridge, which from a little spring in these mountains drills to Agra, and after a great increase (in many meanders) at prague flows into Ganges, and with her, runs in two mouths 200 miles asunder, into the Bengalan gulf at 22 degrees of North latitude. Melec Amber, so soon as Curroon was parted, (to get affection from Perwees also) gives liberty without treaty or ransom to Laskar-chan, Ebrehem-Hossen and Mirza Manout-sher, and with a convoy leaves them at Brampore. The same month Mahobet-chan received 26 leck of roopees from Channazeid-chan his son viceroy of Bengala, which he extracted as annual rent out of Pattana, Soughtar, Banaras, Sonargan, and Chatigan, rich and well peopled Cities upon Ganges; as also out of Sondiva (an isle 20 leagues from Catigan) than which is none more fruitful in India. jangheer also removing from Chabull to Lahore, by Nomalls' persuasion condescends to the slaughter of such Rashboots as Mahobet had mixed with his own guard; and after that to destroy Mahobet, ere he received any supply of men from his kinsmen Chan-Alem and Radgee-Rustang then coming towards him: and for her part, to second him and leave nothing undone or unattempted that might conduce to the execution of such great designs, she empties all her husband's coffers, and hyres men from all places to serve her; so that Ouripargan Viceroy of Bassowere brings her 5000 horse, Godgee-Tzera 3000, Madoffer-chan 12000, and of her own 19000 more: hoping also that Faedi-chan (fled from the battle of Atteck into the deserts of Thombel to Radgee Ghomanoo) would associate her: but he was so afraid of Mahobets fierce encounters, that he would no more of them; but went to Perwees at Brampore, to whom (by a commendatory letter from Rajea-Bertzingh) he is welcome. Mahobet-chan (ignorant of jangheers confederacy) has notice of the Queen's project and forces, and is not amated; but with a constant bravery goes on to fight with her. In the way (at his Master's request) he uses Assaph-chan and his son with more respect than formerly. Normall also hastens towards him, having sent her son Sheryar to Labour with 8000 horse to secure that Imperial city against Mahobet. In his passage, by great good hap he chances upon Sultan Bullochy and the two christened Princes, whom he rescued; and got so privately and with such haste into Lahore, that without resistance most of the Rashboots were cut off, and the castle manned with the Queen's Army. jangheer also, roused out of his long sleep plays his part; for being come to Rheed within 8 miles of normal and her Army, (and having at all times the freedom of hunting, hanking, and such like pastime, he makes it his advantage) escapes, and is joyfully welcomed by the Queen, who (crying out Mombarick) impales him in her arms, and cries for joy; then, giveth present order to march on to assail the Traitors. Mahobet-chan (like all other motions, when at highest, descend) quickly knows of jangheers flight, and is not so grieved at his being gone, as in the manner, intending never to withhold him longer than he fancied: yet the revolt of 5000 of his men did not a little trouble him: howbeit, perceiving his enemies were approaching, and that it was no fit time to dwell upon circumstances, he apparels himself in a rich and tried coat of mail, and with his shield and spear spurs up in view of the Moguls Lescar; where, by all signs he perceives the Moguls affection estranged; he sighs at it, and returns, orders his army, and after a short Oration goes on in front to begin the combat. Ere the Battle began, Balant-chan affronts him with a peremptory Message from the King, to this effect; that if he desired to be thought loyal, he should express it by releasing Assaph-chan and the other Umbraves whom he kept imprisoned; by whose mediation he might peradventure obtain pardon for such his high rebellion: Mahobet-chan knows it was Normalls' device, yet loath in any thing to distaste the King, sends him a protest of his zeal and loyalty, and that so soon as he came to the river Behed, his desires should be accomplished: so, he arises, and at the place presigned, calls for Assaph-chan and his son; shows him he had power to confound him, but his virtue swayed him to another end; which said, he not only pulls away his marks of servitude, but vests him with rich and princely robes, mounts him upon his best courser, girds him with a precious blade, and with a convoy of eight hundred horse presents him to Court, his farewell only pointing to remember him. jangheer receives him with tears of love, but normal with supercilious looks and words of disdain, upbraiding him with cowardice that durst not attend her time or depend upon her power to force him from a rebel she both scorned and hated. Assaph-chan laments her lunacy, but is afraid to contrary her; yet both in good will and private discourse at any time with the King, he speaks well of Mahobet and labours his reconciliation. The affairs of Industant subject to this variety, possesses all men's minds with astonishment. Whiles jangheer and his beloved Amazon with the Lescar pass on to Lahore to advise with Sheriar, and to reduce all Majesty (too long divellicated) to the proper station: But what pleasure can the contemplation of her reviving glory afford her, so long as Mahobet her mortal Enemy lives unpunished? she knows not why she is entitled sole Empress of best parts of Asia, Commandress of so much men and treasure, so long as Mahobet an obscure Rashboote dares eclipse her splendour, and travel too and fro unresisted, guarded with such applause and popularity: she ruminates a thousand several sorts of revenge, but by too much choice knows not which to fasten on: the surest and most honourable is by war, and thereupon calls Amet-chan, (Brahim-chans cousin) Zeffer-chan, Nouradin-Cooly, Anna Rha Radia, Emyrchan, Mircomyr, Immirza Rustan, and other Nobles, desiring them to hasten Mahobets' destruction, an employment wherein they should find a grateful remuneration. Each man promises his best endeavour, and with fifteen thousand horse go jointly on to attempt it: in the first place (hearing of some treasure his son Zaedchan had sent him out of Bengala) they ambush near Cheban-Chebaed (a Castle of strength) and break out upon the Rashboots that then were no more but eight hundred valiant men, who sold their money at a dear rate, two thousand of Normalls' men giving their lives for it and for her ambition; but by their multitude were at last defeated, and most of them slaughtered; leaving 26 lack or 2600000 rupees to their avarice, which was brought to Lahore, and there some part given for salary, the rest was coffered. Ganganna, (Chanchanna some men call him, by this time recovered) by bribery and great brags is made General of Normalls' Forces. Mahobet-chan is not troubled at it; but the revolt of his wild son Byrewer afflicts him sadly. This young Gallant had no sooner triumphed over Assaph-can, whom he delivered to his Father (as is spoken of) but with three thousand horse (his Father had made him Colonel of) he is entreated to assail Radgea Tzettersingh at Nornon his Enemy; but not regarding his Father's instruction, turns another way by Bengor to force his Father's Castle of Rantipore, but in vain, for Motzaibchan the Captain suspecting him, fools him with fair words, and breaks his forces; and Beyrewer flying thence, is by Ray Ruttang at Bondy taken and imprisoned. jangheer finding his thoughts free, and refreshed by many new delights his youthful Queen each day invented for his recreation, forgets the rebellion of Curroon, and his late adversity; yea, gives his lascivious mind full scope, and involves himself with the effeminate robes of sloth and wantonness: but in the plenitude of those his joys, the glory of his estate grows cloudy, and his motion whirls into a malignant Orb, by the disconsolate News he receives from Brampore of his beloved son's death. His eyes grow dim, his heart turns leady, and all conceits of pleasure relish unsavoury when the departure of Perwees objects itself, and those hopes and comforts he had in him, seem fantastical. Goushroo and Shakstone Daniel are dead; Perwees is now no more: Shakstone Ethimore and Hussen his grand children made Christians: Bullochy is a child: Sheriare a fool, and Curroon the very eyesore of his conceptions; a rebel, wild, proud, greedy, treacherous, and deceitful: himself was old, and at his death the Empire subject to innovation or domestic consumption: in these and such like dolorous cogitations jangheer spends the weary minutes of his life, till death ultima poena (as they call it) summons him in few months after to the resignation of his life and Empire: Whiles Maehobet Chawn chaws the afflicting news also of Prince Perwees his death. 'Twixt whom (forgetting Gangannas' treachery) was most exact friendship and sympathy. He sees (in him) the privation of all his joys, the hopes he had in his suceession annihilated, and the ambition of normal and Assaph Cawn (suspected to have poisoned him) engendering to a monstrous height; so that bidding farewell to the world and all other society and employments, he contracts himself to privacy and solitude, Mahobet-cawn turns Eremite. feeding upon contemplation of what had passed, and the lubricity of terrestrial pleasures, vainglory, and other vanities: he forsakes his strong and delightful Castle Rantampore, and through Zialor comes to Radgee Zirmol, and under licence fixes at Zirmol where he anchorites. But Curroones air swells with Chymaeraes, now more than ever affecting the Empire, none but children interposing him: he knew his Father's affection was easily recovered, and Assaph Kawn his restless projector careful to state him in the chair of Majesty: so that, armed with confidence and accompanied with forty Elephants and fifteen hundred horsemen he leaves Baker, Chytor, Tutta; and through Tesel, Chobager, and Ecclisser, comes to Masser Thormet in Decan, where Melec receives him with all joy, and adds to his troops four thousand horse with promise of forty thousand more to assist him upon any good occasion. CHYTOR (in midway 'twixt Brampore and Adsmeer) is yet a City, justly claiming precedency for antiquity amongst all the Cities of Indya. It was formerly called Taxila, and that Metropolis whence King Porus issued against great Alexander; Ranna Radgee Mardoot lineally descended from him, of late years and (till by entreaty of Sultan Curroon Anno 1614 he came to Agra, and in slight sort did some obeisance) here soveraignizing and in Oodipore, The City is at this day but meanly beautiful, three miles in compass, not a third part of what was formerly. Time and war have furrowed her, not only disroabing her of her bravery in buildings where men inhabited, but in huge Temples of Idolatry, the ruins of above a hundred (once lofty in fastidious Turrets) to this day remaining, of stone; strong, good, white, and well polished, rare and observable; now inhabited by Storks, Owls, Bats, and like birds, of whom the superstitious people have no small esteem and veneration: the North pole is elevated in that place twenty five degrees. This Province is bounded by Cambaya on the South, by Chandys on the North; by Berar East, and on the West the Ocean: return we to our History. Ganganna, Gannaoa dies. self conceited by his late honour and employment against Mahobet-cawn (whom he verily thought had left the society of men for fear of him, resolves to ferret him, but) in the midst of his bravadoes and hopes is arrested by grim death, and his carcase conveyed to Delly, to be entombed amongst his great Ancestors. At that time, jacont-cawn an Umbrave of great wealth, honour and experience, commanding eight thousand horse to serve Curroon, by many affronts without cause put upon him by Mirzaladin Melecks' son, is inflamed with rage, and flies to Chan jehan General of Prince Perwee's Army at Brampore, who receives him with joy, and by his exaspiration, with four hundred Elephants and forty thousand horse make haste to Bellagate (the widow and child of Sultan Perwees being committed to the care of Lescarcawn,) where they use all extremities of war, spoiling, burning, and captiviting all they had a mind; to and by rare chance, Abdul cawn disgraced. intercepting some letters from Godgee Hessary, they discover Abdul-cawn (whom some call Abdulla-cawn) (the weathercock of those times) his intent, to turn from the King's party and retutue to Curroon: he is convicted, his estate confiscate, his honour reversed, himself manacled, called the darling of inconstancy, and upon an Elephant in disgraceful sort from the Army sent to Brampore, where by Lascar-cawn he is imprisoned. This done, they enter Decan with all speed, and pierce most fortunatly into the midst of Melecks' Kingdom, doing what they pleased without opposition; so that after six week's hostility, they return loaden with abundance of wealth, and overjoyed with their easy victory. But (when they thought themselves most sure) Melec presents himself in an advantageous place with eighty thousand men, encircling them on the one side, & the stupendious hills on the other, so that surrounded with amazement, and clad with black rags of discontent, they incamp; not daring to hazard the fight, or by stratagem break out to hazard their deliverance; but in that miserable sort are locked up, the Decan at on time offending them, till by famine finding no pleasure in their riches (where no meat on sure terms was to be purchased) they were constrained to parley and submit, assured only of their lives, stripped out of all their wealth and bravery, returning with more shame than they had honour formerly. jangheer the great Mogul, has advertisement of this variable success, but knows not how to alter it; nor cares he much, the death of Perwees so possesses him: yet, normal ceases not to pursue her revenge against Mahobet; and finding him so hard to be dealt withal, gins will Channa-zeid-cawn his valiant son, whom shear calls home and places Mocrib-cawn in his command, over five thousand horse and twelve thousand men; but he had small joy of his greatness, for in less than three weeks being there, by accident (sailing over Ganges) the boat is over-turned, he drowned, and Fedi-cawn is made Viceroy of Bengala and Malacca after him: during which jangheer being at Lahore, an Ambassador Ziet Borka by name, arrives with presents and commends from the King of Maurenahar (or Manauwer) accompanied with the only Oracle and wonder of his time Hodgee-Abdulradgee (brother to Chojea Callaun) admired by all, and resorted to by many sorts of Tartars from Bochar, Tuza, Balck, Samerchand, Gaznahen, and other parts, none of which came empty-handed, so that in small time this Monk was comparable in riches with most Potentates of Asia. He is brought into Lahore with incredible joy and admiration, all the Umbraves of the Court (Assaph-cawn excepted) attending him, and was no sooner lodged, but is presented from the Queen with a goblet of pure gold, massy and of curious work, with so many Jewels as out-valued a lac of roupees. These he accepts most cheerfully, and scorning to be behind in courtesy, returns her and her Lord, five hundred Dromidaries, swift and beautiful, a thousand horses of an excellent good shape and breed; some porcelaine and other China rarities: the Ambassador also presents the Mogul a double of such, 2000 horses, a thousand Dromidares, some sword blades, and other gifts of value, so great, that the report went, never any Ambassador came so richly furnished, was better entertained, or went away more satisfied: Never let any Ambassador think himself welcome to any Asiatic Prince, that brings nothing for a present, save compliment, for not any Native dare petition, either the Mogul, or any of his great ones, without a present. Yet is not normal suited with content, so long as Mahobet made frustrate her vows to have him ruined: her power seems small, her endeavours idle, seeing (as she thought) his ease was in contempt of her; so that her thoughts project, her dreams fancy several ways for his destruction: it gladded her in part to see his son Zeid-cawn out of employment, and at Court (by such as adored her) scorned and confronted, howbeit, by Assaphs mean jangheer affects him; yea Normall (had not the overflowing hate she bore his Father hindered her) had doubtless become amorous, and made him in Cupid's Court, jangheers competitor; but spite over sways her, and revenge predominates; she calls Amir●han, Nouradri Cooly, and Hemyr beg her minions, to whom she discovers her desires, and entreats their diligence: they obey, and promise their care and faithfulness, and with fifteen thousand horse advance to fight with him (whiles normal and the King journey to Cassimeer) his ne plus ultra: and Assaph-cawn (mindful of Mahobets' kindness to him, loath so brave a man should perish for the lust and malice of a woman, and especially by his advantage to draw him to Curroon) by a swift: and trusty messenger, sends him a gracious letter discovering his sister's wrath and resolution, and solicits young Rana Radgee to further him. The Queen's Army persecute poor Mahobet, who upon receipt of Assaph cawns letter, after some passion forsakes his cell in Zirmol, flies to Gessimeer, and thence to Radgee Rana who ever loved him. The Army has notice of his flight, they dare not enter Ranas country without leave, and therefore send post to Queen Normahall, who dictates a letter to Rana, mixed with entreaties and threats, makes jangheer sign it, and after long and swift running is delivered him; Radgee Ranna at first contemns her bravadoes, but upon better consideration promises his goodwill, but thus; he persuades Mahobet-cawn in no sort to think him either fearful or traitorous, that (if he pleased) he would do his best in his defence against all the power and rage of India, yet, so his judgement were of any force, (and to endear Assaphchawn,) he would persuade him (since his Enemies were so powerful and implacable) to hast unto Curroon, where he should not only be entirely welcomed, but agrandize his honour so suddenly, that his name would flash terror into the hearts of his most potent adversaries. Mahobet-chan, loath to trespass upon his patience, and by the circumstances of his speech, judging him fearful of that army, tells him he intended not to be any cause of loss or fear to him, or any other in the universe; and so mounts to be gone; but Rana will not him go, till he promise him a delivery of a packet he had entitled to Curroon. After long persuasion he accords, and with 500 Rashboots, and one thousand other men led by Wazir-chan he flies into Decan, where at Guyneer upon the limits of Nisamsha's kingdom he finds Curroon; but so afraid of his sudden coming, that he instantly armed his men for oppostion: yet when he saw the case otherwise, and had read his packet, after some amazement he embraces him with unspeakable joy, firmes a perpetual friendship and gives him command of that castle and his other forces. All India admire at this agreement, and normal (too late) reputes her folly. — The mind oft in remorse May wish the thing undone Rage did enforce. — Qui non mederabitur irae Infectum volet esse dolor quod suaserit et mens, jangheer also blames her incosiderate wrath, and grows so afflicted at it, that in a deep Melancholy he forsakes his pleasures at Cassimeer and removes towards Lahore; but upon the high Mountains of Bymberrie falls sick, and the three days end, after three and twenty year's reign, (to the astonishment of the Leskar, Normals endless sorrow, and grief of the whole Empire) he dies (suspected of poison) the twelft of October or Ardabehish, in the year of our account 1627. and of the Hegira 1007: jangheer dies. nominating upon his deathbed his grandsonne Bulloch (son of Sultan Gushroo, his eldest son) his successor: he also swears all the Umbraves to see him crowned: and that Curroon should have no portion nor favour save what he might merit by submission: and accordingly (conveying the old Moguls dead body to Lahore, where preparing for his funeral they carry it to Tzecander three course from Agray and entomb him in King Eckbars Monument) at Delly they crown Sultan Bullochy (aged thirteen years) their King, with all royal accustomed state and ceremony: and unanimously cry out aloud, Padshaw Salamant i. e. God save the King. Normall in jangheers end fears the beginning of a world of miseries in herself and progeny; but being of an active spirit and not easily distracted, she instantly conceives and swells with the ambition of that Empire: her pregnancy is bettered by her having the whole Treasure in her hands, also animated in that Bulloch was too young to nourish opposition, his Council careless, and Curroon a huge ways absent thence: so that taking occasion by the forehead, she arms herself with confidence and a pretended Title, and resolves to mount her son Sheriar to the supreme ascent of Majesty, or in the attempt to set all India on fire and consume herself as a sacrifice in so great an action. In this humour she hires 15000 horse, and sends in post haste to her son in jengapore to levy as many more; that done, she thinks to strangle her brother and Bullochy at that time coming towards her. But they assured of her bad meaning, leave Chotelen, & with 30000 horse post to Lahore to apprehend Sheryar whom they heard was baffled by Godgee Abdul-Hassen (once his stipendiary) and then encamped only with 4000 horse: but in the way (to prevent Normalls' speed after them) they block up the narrow passage upon the mountains through which her Army must needs pass; so that, ere the Queen could come to join with simple Cheryar; Assaph-chan, Eradet-chan and other Umbraves with the young Mogul in their company come to Lahore, where they find Sheryars' Army (by the expense of 90000 lac of roopees) trebled. They delay not, but with extremity of rage assail him and in two hours (by villainy of Amir-chan and Sheirgodgee his chief Captains, who betrayed him) get the victory; forcing him into the castle, which for two days kept safe, but in the third was by treason entered, his men slain, his treasure taken, and to make him incapable of future ambition has his eyes put out, Sultan Bullochy not suffering him to be killed. That done, they again proclaim Bulloch Emperor of Industant, and Lord of the Moguls; and send Eradet with 20000 horse against the Virago Queen; who (hearing how ill her son had sped and doubting treason in her Army,) lets fall the Majesty of her spirit, sighs at the perfidy of her brother, grieves she slew him not when she had him in her power, complains of her own wickedness in continuing so long enraged against Mahobet-chan, deplores her abusing his valiant son, and with a dejected eye, beholding the sudden eclipse of her glory, and the inconstancy of her Friends, she wraps all up in dismissing her guard, and disrobed of her bravery, submits to Bulloch's mercy; who comforts her, gives her his oath of safety, and during his reign affords her all respect and freedom. But long this good Prince enjoys not his sovereignty: for, Assaph-chan seeing all as he desired, speeds away a sure post with letters to Curroon, who made such haste, that in 14 days he run 2500 of our miles, to Daita, (8 course from Necanpore and from Brodera or Radjepore 120 to the East.) in Decan, there finding him overjoyed with such good news, and sending his excuse to Melec-Amber the Decan King, hasts on with Mahobet-chan, Zulpheckar-chan, and 7000 other rashboots, and mancibdars through Guzurat to Amadavad, where by Saffinchan he is welcomed: there he slept not long, for making Agra the object of his race, he bids farewell to Saffinchan, and with a greater troop (feeding them with great promises when he had the crown) in three week's travel comes to Agra, where he claims the Imperial Title, and is by his own favourites proclaimed King, by name of Pot Shaw-Iehan: then giving notice to his Father in law Azaph-chan how fare and with what success he had traveled, as also, that so long as Sultan Bulloch was living his own greatness was but counterfeit; Assaph-chan, fleshed in former homicides, and not caring how, so he could fix the Dyadem on Curroon at that time tottering, he makes Radgee Bandor of his counsel, who forthwith without examination of right or wrong posts to Lahore, and with Assaph-chans keys, enters the hummum or Bath where the innocent Princes were, and with a horrid speed and infernal cruelty strangles them all, to lead Curroon through such a bloody path unto the crown. In this miserable sort, A.M. 5598 A. D. 1628. A. H. 1008 died young Bulloch but three months Emperor of Industant or great Mogul; in that massacre accompanying him, Sultan Sheryar, Sha-Ethimore and Sha-Hossen (the baptised sons of Prince Daniel) two sons of Sultan Perwees, two sons of Sultan Morad or Amurath; all whose carcases were without any respect buried in a garden in Lahore near the entrails of jangheer: but their heads (as an assurance of their death) sent to Curroon, to glut his eyes (by so horrid a Spectacle) with infernal ambition. The murder of the royal blood of Industand being known to Chan-Iehan, Zied-chan-and other Umbraves, they are orechardged with amazement and fear: they see Assaph-chan guilty, but want power to question him, especially (by inquisition) hearing it was Curroons' commandment▪ they heap up a thousand maledictions on their heads and crave vengeance from above to recompense them. Curroon peceives the Empire storming at him, but his incantations quickly quiets them. And now after much toil (having through the Ocean of inconstancy arrived at the port of greatness and ease as he thought) he gives order for his solemn coronation: which accordingly by a general assembly of the great Umbraves, and Nobles of his Empire is performed; by second proclamation assuming the Name of Sultan-Sha-Bedyn-Mahumet. Then he order the affairs of his Monarchy, placing and displacing at his pleasure; the Seraglio of his father is shut up: normal and her three daughters are confined strictly; Assaph-chan is made second in the Empire; and next him Mahobet-chan; Abdulchan is released; Channa-ziedchan is made viceroy of Bengala again. Ambassadors from Persia, Arabia, Tartary, and Decan come and joy him in his greatness. Divers Radgees, as Radgee-kessing from Nagor, Chan-Azem from Azimeer, the puissant Radgees Mainsingh, Tzettersingh, and Ghessingh, from Fettipore with 50000 horse move with great and solemn state to Agray; whither after (six weeks) came Assaph-chan, Zadoch-chan, Eradet-chan, Rustanchan, Saffinchan and Mirgomley: to all whom he gave thanks for their several Favours, remitting and putting in oblivion all offences and insults during his rebellion. After which, he proclaims a jubilee celebrated by all men there, with all sports and delights possible! Thus has Curroon (through a sea of blood) attained the highest port and dignity of the eastern world, surrounded with delights, and guarded by a power (in his conceiving) unresistable; but these sins he makes nothing of, have apparently in these our times drawn down the heavy judgements of God almighty: both, in taking his beloved wife away the week of his inauguration, since when he has made his daughter (by that dead Lady) his wife; incest of so high a nature that that year his whole Empire was so wounded with God's arrows of plague, pestilence and Famine, this thousand years before never so terrible. 1634 1014 The sword also seems to threaten him, the Persians having snatched from him Kermaen and Candahar; the Tartar Kabull; Sheuph-Almuck endangers Tutta and Lourebander; Radgee joogh with his Coolyes trouble Brampore, and two counterfeit Bullochyes have sown the seed of an universal rebellion. The event of all is in the hands of God, who in Infidels hates sins of blood, incest and dissembling: we will close this story with a caveat from a heathen, but of more reason and temperance. — Quid? ille qui Mundum quatit Vibrans corusca fulmen Aetneum man Stator Deorum? credis hoc posse effeci Intor videntes omnia, ut lateas? What? that great jupiter the world that shakes When Aetna's thunderbolts in hands he takes? Thinkest thou from him who all the world doth see In lurking holes concealed close to be? To end all, at our being in his country he came within two days journey of Surrat; and in a ceremonial way, the English merchants ships thundered out his health by 200 great shot, which he most thankfully accepted of: 'tis high time now to renew our Travail. Diu. Adjoining this and in the Cambayan Territory, is Diu, or Dew: (in former times called Delta, (from a resemblance of that in Egypt) Patala, Patalena, and Hidespa, as Arrhian, Pliny and Strabo have it: seated at th'entrance into the gulf, in the latitude of 22 degrees 18 minutes North; from Ormus South, sixty leagues; and from Cape Comry two hundred: a stream or arm issuing from Indus so incompasses her, that she becomes a peninsule; the Haven before the Town is so land-lockt, so good for anchorage, that at Swalley, Chaul, Danda-Rajapuree, and other Havens is no better riding, either for the ground or Fort, that so well safeguards them. Nearchus (great Alexander's Admiral) from this place begun his Voyage and sailed to Ormus, where he repaired his weatherbeaten Navy. The Town itself is both large and hospitable; yet by reason of the Portugals pride and cruelty, Christians are less beloved here then in other places: 'twas of good Trade, affording Opium, Assa-foetida, Puchio, Cotton, Indigo, Mirabolans, Sugar, Arack, Agats, Cornelians, Diaspries, Calcedons, Hematists, Pearl, & Elephants teeth; but since Surat and Cambaya (her next neighbours) have drawn the English and Dutch thither, her Traffic and other allurements are contemned: what she best boasts of, is the Castle, built (after long fight and bloodshed) by Albuquerque the famous Portugal Anno 1515, of their account 895: by whose cost and care it was so advanced, that it compares at this day with any other Sea Town in the Orient. Nor could it ever have succeeded had not false protestations, bribes, threats, and other devices drawn belief into the Pagans, that their desire to have so many Castles and Marittim Forts, was only to defend themselves, in parts where they were altogether strangers: but it appeared afterwards, that avarice, rapine, Tyranny, and lust alured them, as Osorius their Bishop in vita Emanuelis 11 libro. fol 347. speaks concerning them, Etsi Lusitani imprimis arces cupiebant ad se defendendas; postea tamen visum est, speciem faederis & amicitae, dominationem quaeri & Tyrannidem agitari, etc. Which caused such turmoils, that in no other part of India they found so long, such strong resistance: partly by their own valour, but chief by help of Mirhocem, and his Mamalukes, Campson Gaurus the then great Sultan of Egypt sent thither to quell their insolences; Notwithstanding, by the ruin of that Sultan (not long after, by Selim the first, 1516.) the Portugals by little and little grew victorious; though to obtain it, Laurensius-Almeida (son to their Viceroy) the most excellent of all their Captains at that time perished. The river Indus is by Pliny called Sandus, Sinthus by Arrhian, and now called Sinde not fare distant hence, at 23 deg. 15 min. lat. some observe 24 deg. 40 min. and West var. 16 degrees 30 min. commixes in two ostiums (Thevet foolishly names seven) with the Ocean; after three thousand miles flux from the Casmirian (or as Mela in his third book the Paropamisian) mountains; in her descent receiving growth from many great and famous rivers, which from other hills derive their origin, mellow Indya, and at last incorporate with that famous flood from whose name the most noble part of the universe is named: the rivers are Behat, Ravee, Damiadee, Ob-chan, Wihy, etc. of old times, named Hidaspes, Acesinis, Cophis, Adris, Ob-itarmas, Coas, Suastes, Melzidas, Hirotas, Zaradas, Hispalis, etc. On the other side the gulf, Muskat. in Arabia the happy is seated Muscat (or Mascat) not fare from Cape Rozelgate (formerly called Ziagrum and Corodamum) and almost Nadyr to the crabbed Topick: I dare not conclude that this was that old Raamah (from Raama son of Chush son of Cham) by Ptolemy Rhaguma, and Rhegma celebred by Ezekiel 27.22. The Merchants of Sheba (a City in Arabia whence came the Queen (and not from Aethiopia, Chush being misinterpreted) to visit Solomon: and Raamah were thy Merchants (meaning Tyre) etc. howbeit 'tis certain, it has been much more populous, and famous then at this present; though now she gins (since Ormuz was lost) to revive her glory; being the best Port, Haven, and defence for Frigates, Juncks, and other Vessels of War and Trade belonging to the portugals: who first conquered it and the Isle Anno Dom. 1507. and after it other adjacent Towns; as Calajate, Curiate, Soar, Orfaza, and diverse places till then under the Ormousian Empire: at that time Zeifadin was King (in nonage) ruled by Atar a spiteful Eunuch; whose deceit was so apparent, as not only made this Town to blush in flames, but had well-nigh ruined his Master's Empire. Torus (the King brother) then commanded here, with Mamadee the King's son, undone by poison given him from Nordino the second Officer: after which, it was betrayed to the Turks by jack a Portugal; but after some cost, and toil recovered: yet next year (by bribery) the Tunks reentered; and wherein, Peribeg the Bassa plants a Colony, and goes homeward: but, ere he got thither hears of its revolt and the slaughter of his silly Garrison; the News so amazing him, that he goes to Mecha and turns religious: but by command of Solyman the great Turk is forced thence; and (for a reward of his fifty years good service) is beheaded, and his estate forfeited. It now obeys the portugals: the Town is seated in a Plain, yet armed or propped with two rising advantageous mountains; a ditch and parapet drawn from one hill to the other so environ her, that she seems inaccessible: the Castle is large and defensive, filled with men, and stored with great Ordnance: little else is worthy of our observation. The seventeenth of December we took ship in the William for Gombroon in Persia: the Exchange, the Hart, and other brave ships went along with us, and above three hundred slaves whom the Persians bought in India; Trop. Cancri. Persees, jentews (gentiles) Bannaras and others. The eighteenth day we crossed the Tropic, and next day elevated the North pole twenty four degrees odd minutes, the gulf in this place straitened, the shores of Carmania and Arabia in this form appearing to us. The Persian Gulf. Arabia (denominated from Arabus son of Apollo and Madam Babilonia) at this day is more obscured than in ancient times, such time as it was the seminary of famous men: worthily in those days called happy, Panchaya and Eudaemonia. No part bred better Physicians, Mathematicians, and Philosophers. Galen, Hipocrates, Avicen, Algazales, Albumazar, Abubeer, Alfarabius, Mahomet-ben-Isaac, been Abdilla, Siet jooh, been Cazem, been sid' Ally and others, here borne or educated: the Arabic so enchanted men that it is a common hyperbole amongst them, the Saints in Heaven and Paradise speak it. In it the holy Decalogue was given; in it was hatched the delusive Koran: if gums aromatic, succulent fruits, fragrant flowers and such like delicacies can captivate thee, say then, Arabia is the Phoenix of the East, with Danaeus the epitomè of delight, and with Saint Augustin that it is Paradise. 'Tis tripartite; Deserta, Petrosa; and Felix. Deserta is also called humilis, profunda and aspera; by Servius, Lucian and Aristides. Petrosa, Inferior by Strabo, Nabothaea by Ptolemy, and Barrha by Castoldus, Rathal Alhaga by them habitants, and by Zieglerus Bengacalla. Foelix varies also in nomenclation, by Pliny, Sabaea; and Mamotta by Solinus; Ajaman and Giaman by been Ally. In the first is Kedar oft named by the Psalmist. In the second, the mounts Horeb and Sinai, as also jathrip and Mecca places of account among the Sarracens. The Happy called now Mamotta, is unhappy in Medina Telnabi, but joyed in jobs birthplace, and Saba, by Ptolemy, Save; & now named Samiseashac, & many other Towns noteworthy. Adedi, Neopolis, Phocidis Abissa, Teredon, Areopolis, Zebitum, Acadra, jathrib, Alata, Mocha, Ezion-geber. Acyna, Munichiates, Ambe, and others converted at this day into other names; as Aden, Zieth, Zidim, jemina-bahrim, Huguer, Medina, Zarvall, Oran, Danchally, Muskat, Imbum, Zama, Moffa, Lazzach, Gubelcama, Balsora, Massad or Mosqued-Ally, Cuface, Damarchana, Barag, Eltarch and many more now under the Ajamites or Saracins; but in old times distinguished into these Provinces, the Sabaei (whence, Guilandinus says the Queen came to hear Solomoms wisdom, and the three Magis) the Panchaia, Alapeni, Moabiti and Caedari (bordering the desert) Aorzi, Nabathea (Nabaths birthplace, eldest son to Ishmael) Atramitae, Massabathae, Canclaei, Stabaei, etc. enough to disturb our memories. And I cannot but note, how that the Hebrew (Chaldy, Arabic and Siriack drilling from the Hebrew) Greek nor Latin, in their times epedimic, are now no where spoken, save by derivative: and that the heathen gods, jove, Saturn, Marz, Apollo, juno, Diana, Venus, and thirty thousand more, once idolatrized all the earth over, are now no where invocated: all oracles ceased at the passion of our Saviour. We will leave Arabia, and pass by without smelling or tasting her magic delicacies, and rest satisfied in a word or two of her present tongue, and how the months differ in several dialects. Arabic. English. Persian. Malle Salt Namack Sammach Fish Mohee Moihee Water Obb Narr Fire Attash Hattop Wood Yzom Degang Hens Moorgh Salad Oil Rogan-cherough Salmon Butter Rogan Bedda Eggs Tough-morgh San a Dish Shecky or paola Cobbeer Great Buzzurck Sackeer Little Cowcheck Annestre I buy it Man mechorre Vntan aphe have you Dare suma Beet a House Connah English. Greek. Hebrew. Arabic. Siriack. Aegyptick. Turkish. Aethiop. Persian. September Maimacterion Tizri or Ethanim Muharram Eylooll Toph Ramazan Turh Farwardin-maw October Puanepsion Bul or Marchisuan Sawphor Teshrin-owl Paophy Schewal Paap Ardabehish November Anthesterion Chysleu Rabbioul-owl ' Teshrin-auchor Achir Silhcade Hatur Chodad-maw December Poseideon Tebeth or Tevet Rabbioul-auchor Kanoon-owl Cojac Scilhydze Cohia Tyr-maw January Gamelion Sebeth or Sevet Yowmadul-owl ' Kanoon-auchor Tibhi Mucharren Tubah Mordad-maw February Elaphebolion Adar or Veadar Yowmadul-auchor Siubat Machir Sepher Amschyr Sharyr-maw March Moonuchion Nisan or Abib Radiab Adarr Phamenoth Rabuil-oul Parmahath Mihe-maw April Thargelion Jar or Zyn Sabaan Nisan Pharmuthy Rabuil-auchir Parmuda Aban-maw May Skirrophorion Syvan Ramulan Ejarr Pachon Gemaziel-oul Pashnes Adur-maw June Hecatombayon Tamuz Schowl Itaziran Paynhi Gemaziel-auchir Peuni Dei-maw July Matageitnion Abb Heidull-kaida Tamuz Epiphi Rbezib Epip Bahmen August Boedromion Elull Heidull-hazia Abb Mesorhi Saban Musrhi Asphendermaed Leave we Arabia and cross the Gulf, called the Babylonian sea by Plutarch in the life Lucullus, and Yowmachama by the Syrians: by some Mesendin; called also by the Persians Deriob Farsistan, and by Arabians Bohar el Naharim, by Turk's Elcatiph. But beware by Sir Robert Sherlyes' example of Cape Guader (Dendrobosa in old times) not fare from Goadell, in five and twenty degrees, and where the Compass varies 17 degrees 15 minutes. An infamous port and inhabited by a perfidious people. Under pretext of amity they alured Shirley and his Lady ashore A. 1613; where but for a Hodgee that understood their drift, & honestly revealed it, they had been murdered with Newport their Captain; and merely to play the thiefs with them. Come we then to jasques, (or rather jezdquis, jezquird son of Shapore King of Carmania dying here: Pliny seems to call it Cassandra) a Town upon the Gulf in five and twenty degrees, eight and fifty min. lat. in Carmania seated (Cherman now called, confined by Macron South, and North by Persia,) South from Ormus forty leagues. A place fortified by the Portugal, who built a strong castle here, planted it with seventeen cannon, o●… cannon pedro, two culverins, two demiculverins, four brass sakers, and a thousand muskets: unable altogether, to resist the English, who in despite of their utmost bravery (to revenge the death of Captain Shilling, slain the year before) took it the second of February 1622, but unwisely by our men given to the Persian, who now keep it; and by shooting of so many pieces as they see ships, give an Alarm to Ormus, and they to Gombroon, loath to be entrapped by too much confidence. In this channel we begun the Ormuzian strait; Ormus is as it were the umbelick of the gulf, flowing from Balsorack to cape Rozelgate; next morn we came in view of Kishmy a pettite castle not fare from jasques; Kishmy. where also they give warning how many ships, or friggats they see danceing upon the gulf; and next night of Larac, Larac. another small Isle upon the Arabian shore, four leagues from Ormus Island. ORMUS is at this day a miserable forlorn city and I'll; although but a dozen years ago the only brave place in all the Orient. Est solitudo magna megalopolis. If all the world were made into a ring Ormus the gem and grace thereof should bring. Si Tarrarum Orbis (quaqua patet) Annulus esset. Illius Ormusium gemma decusque foret. An Isle (though none more wretched) yet not unknown unto Antiquity by name of Organa and Geru as Varrerius has it; of Necrokin and Zamrhi to the Tattars; of Ormusia in josephus libr. I. de jud: of Harmozia in Arrian; of Armuzia in Pliny; of Armuza in Ptol. of Vorocta in Niger; of Ogyris in Thevet: and seems by Pliny, Curtius, and Rufus out of Dionysius, to be the burial place of that famous Prince Erethreus, from whose name the Redsea was denominate. Ogyris looks into the sea, from whence Carmania, and the place of residence Where princely Erethreus lived; whose fate This Tomb contains in mountains desolate. Ogyris inde salo premit caput, aspera rupes Carmanidis, qua se pelagi procul invehit undis, Regis Ereth rei tellus; hic nota sepulchro Tenditur, & nudis juga tantum canibus horret. Named Ormus by means of Shaw-Mahomet an Arabian Dinast, who An. Dom. 700 for more safety crossed over from Kostac in Mogestan (Margastana of old) to jasques; a place hateful to Mirza Bahadin the fourteenth King after him, that for most quiet removed An. D. 1312 of the Heg. 692 to this I'll and from that Harmuz (part of Maceta) twelve leagues from Kostack where his predecessors dwelled, so named it. From which time to this it was ever disturbed: first by joonsha the Persian King slain by Vsan Cassan, who for pearls broke through Lar and forced Melec Nazomadin into Arabia, and again recovered by Mirza-codbadin 5 years after, viz. An. 1488; but long slept not so, for An. 1507 Alfonsus Albuquerq the Portuguise (after much ado) subjected it to Emanuel his Master, suffering Zedfadin to enjoy the Title, and a pension of fifteen hundred crowns, but all command to himself, himself the facto King; and lastly by Emangoly-chan the Archduke of Shyraz, by help of the English it was taken An. 1622, and by them delapidat and depopulated. Let us view it as it was and is. The Altitude of the pole here, is 27 degrees: and though it be without the torrid zone, yet what by the sulphur of the earth, and obliqne reflex of the burning Sun, for four months (from May to September) no place in the world is more hot or scalding; it is the custom here to sleep in beds of rain water, which is not very cool neither, all day naked: the City had a fair Bazzar, many Churches, and Friaries, brave Magazines, stately houses, and as gallant a castle as any other in Orient; the castle is yet in good strength and repair; the rest, leveled with the ground; of which I cannot say, Nunc seges ubi Troja fuit, the soil being uncapable of corn or other grain: at that end against Dozar (and the great Bannyan tree in the continent) the City was built; where the sea is so narrow that a Cannon may easily spit over: the whole I'll exceeds not fifteen mile's compass: it is the most barren ground in the world, neither tree nor spring of good water could we find in it. It has salt, silver shining sand, and minerals of sulphur; has nothing else worth the looking on: And yet from the advantageous standing, the laborious Portugal made it the staple and glory of the world; secured indeed by many natural props, on all sides commanding Isles and towns to furnish her: Larac (Azgillia of old) Kishmy (by some called Quexome or Broict) Keys or Queys Isle, Angen, Andreve (or de los pasharos) Kargh, Baharem (Icara in Pliny) Dozaro, jasques, and Kostack in Margastan (now Mogestan) vicinating them. So as to the eye of man no place could be more offensive and defensive, garrisons of portugals ever lying in these Lands; and yet, when the God of Nature had decreed a ruin, it could not be withstood, but was in some regard miraculously effected, and at such a time as they lest suspected it. But to do her all the favour I can: let us remember such Princes as have honoured her: Sha-Mahomet is the first I find, who in the 80 year of the Heg: Of Christ 700, left his seat at Aman in Arabia, and sat down at Calciat upon the shore, but disliking it, removed to Costac in Mogestan (six and twenty leagues from jasques) and there built a city which he called Ormuz, and from whence part of Arabia took name; to him succeeded Soliman, to him Izachan, to who Mahobet 2, Shawran-shaw, (who bequeathed the crown to his Nephew) Emer-sha-bedin-Molong, whose daughter and heir married Seyfadin Aben-Ezer son to Ally-shaw Lord of Keys Island: the crown (they wanting issue) then came to Sha-Bedin Mahomet his cousin: to whom followed Rocnadin Mamut, Hamets' son, who dying An. Dom. 1278 left the rule to his Infant son, Seidfadin-Nocerat, who was slain by his brother Morad or Masad eleven years after, and he forced to fly into Kermaen by his brother's servant Mirabel Bahadin: Mirabel Bahadin Ayaz or Ben-Seyfin Ben-Cabadin is forced to fly, unable to resist the Turks Morad brought against him, so with many of his friends (such as hated the Tyrant) removed to Kishny, but not liking the place, riseth thence and sits down at this I'll Gerun (or wood) where he built, fortified (and from the others name) named it Ormuz; in the year 1312, of the Heg. 692 and to him a man of noble extraction, Emir-Azadin-gurdan-shaw; to him his son Mabare-zadin-babron-sha, a brave Prince, but fell by the axe of treachery, Mir-sha-Bedin-Issuff stroke him with; who also fell by the late Princes youngest brother, Mirza-Codbadin was he called, infortunately banished by his cousin Melec-Nozamedin, at whose death Cobadin returned and swayed the Ormousian Sceptre, and at his death left all to Paca-Turansha a victorious Prince yet by death An. 1488 conquered; to him Mozad-sha Bedin, to him Salger-sha, to him Shawez, and to him Safadin or Zedfadin 2, subdued by Albuquerq, An. 1507 and by him cruelly strangled: Nordino, Codjeature, and De lam-sha attempted the sovereignty, but Mahomet the right heir was crowned King; he dying, his son Seyd-Mahomet-sha was called King, who Anno 1622 was subdued by the English and Persians, and at this day lives a prisoner at Shyraz. The Persian now is sovereign. The particular Acts and passages in taking this famous City, is thus (for some men's better satisfaction) remembered. At command of Shaw Abbas the Persian Monarch, Emangoly-chawn (chief Lord and Governor of those Territories that conjoin the gulf of Persia) descends with nine thousand men, at such a time as he was confident to meet the English Fleet, resolved to further them in revenge of those many tyrannies they had endured by the braving Portugal: The Conditions betwixt them, under hand and seal were these: 1. The Castle of Ormus (in case it were won) with all the Ordnance and Ammunition to accrue to the English. 2. The Persians were to build another Castle in the I'll at their own cost, when and where they pleased. 3. The spoil to be equally divided. 4. The Christian prisoners to be disposed of by the English; the Pagans by the Persians. 5. The Persians to allow for half the charges of victuals, wages, shot, powder, etc. 6. And the English to be custom free in Bander-gum-broon for ever. The Captains of best note in the Pagan Army under the Duke of Shyraz, were Alliculybeg, Pollotbeg, Shakulibeg, Shareearee, Mahomet Sultan and Alybeg King of the Port: these with the rest of their Army encamped before Bander-gom-broon: and two days after viz. the twentieth of january 1622. with small difficulty became Masters of the Port. Upon which the Duke and the English Captains, Weddall, Blyth, and Woodcock agreed upon an immediate battery, and instantly played upon the Castle with a dozen pieces of Cannon for five hours, but gave them small hopes of sudden conquest: yet that neither pusillanimity nor doubt might be seen amongst them, the ninth of February the English transported three thousand Persians in two Frigates lately taken, and two hundred Persian Boats good for little other service: these, so soon as they were landed, having formerly made Sconces or Trenches for their men, and Bulwarks for the great Ordnance to play on, very furiously they made towards Ormus thinking to meet no great opposal; but the portugals though they let them land and pass quietly into the Town, with equal resolution stopped the current of their fury, at first encounter from their barracadoes defended with shot and pike, slaying above three hundred, and with their Ordnance beat them back with more haste and amazedness than their approach had courage: in this disorder a Flancker by mischance was blown up, but the war continued: little hurt accrueing to either party, till the 24 of February, on which day the English advanced towards the Castle, (under which was riding the Portugal Armado) and in despite of the Castle and best defence their Fleet could make, being then but five Gallyons and twenty Frigates, set fire on the Saint Pedro of one thousand five hundred Tun, and Admiral of their Armado: which mischance, the rest of the Spanish Fleet with no small sorrow apprehended, and finding no repair, to prevent more mischief and danger, cut the Cables, and in that flaming posture let her drive whither wind and tide commanded her: the English saw her too hot to meddle with, and knew she could enrich the adventurer with no other booty, but Bellona's furniture, so down she went towards Larack, in the way a rabble of Arabians and Persians boarded her, & like jackhalls with hunger starved fury and avarice tore her asunder: that rapine, being no less base and outrageous than the fire which two hours had assaulted her: March 17. 1627. the seaventeenth of March the Persians (to dispatch and show they were not idle) gave fire to a Mine stuffed with forty barrels of powder, which blew up a great part of the wall, through which breach the enraged portugals immediately sallied & maintained the fight above one hour against the amazed Persian, who had drawn out a main Battalion, but when the Trumpets sounded, Acha recovered sense and magnanimity, going on so courageously, that the most slow and hindmost discovered plainly a full scorn of death, and powerful desire of honourable execution: for nine hours this conflict continued with great fury, so that in fine the defendants were forced to retreat, advised to it as well by policy as need: for, the heated Persian supposing themselves victors, with great bravery begun to mount and enter the City in many quarters, at which the portugals were very joyful, throwing on them such and so many Granades and burning fire-balls, powder-pots, and scalding Lead, that the assailants in despite of their vows and bravadoes were forced to retreat, and could not prevent a thousand of their men from perishing: which misery, when Shaculibeg at full had viewed, courageously followed by two hundred men, he passed through the fury of those affrighting fires and took one of their Flankers, but could not hold above half an hour, they were so outrageously fried and tormented with showers of flames of Lead and Sulphur, and in descending were beaten off by fifty Haydalgoes, who for three hours affronted them, repelled them, and retired crowned with conquest. This entertainment so cooled their bravery, that for five days they did nothing but contemplate the valour and dexterity of their adversaries. But, the three and twentieth day assumed more hopes, when they beheld the fight betwixt the English and them; our Cannon from the shore, playing so hotly and battering their fortifications so sound, that at length making the ships their object (after a great mutilation of shrowds and masts) they sunk the Vice & rear Admiral of Ru-Fryero's Fleet: by that, utterly losing their late hopes and ostentation of marine command and excellency. March 28 necessity humble them (plague, famine, and fluxes raging in the City) so as five days after, two well-bred Gentlemen, well attended, with great gravity mounted in a fair equipage to the Enemy's Camp; they were usherd in by some Coozelbashes of Shaculybegs Regiment, and after small compliment, begun to treat of peace, and that there might be a cessation of Arms, which favour if the Duke would grant, they were ready to acknowledge it, and for retribution to present him two hundred thousand Tomayns in hand, with good assurance of an annual tribute of 140000 rials, (which as afterwards they confessed was spoken in hypocrisy) the Captain dismisses them, and appoints next day for answer, acquaints the General, who (wanting money) accepts their motion of peace, so they would depose five hundred thousand (amounting with us almost to two millions of pounds) and pay yearly to the King of Persia hundred thousand: the portugals returned him an answer, they were in no such distress, to buy any favour so dishonourably, and that greediness so overwhelmed them, they assured, a fift part of that proportion should never buy their ablest benefits. After that, they mediated a reconciliation 'twixt the English and them, putting them in mind, how they were Christians, and by many reciprocal favours of old (when john of Gant invaded them) and later times by allyances, prevalent enough to beget good will in noble spirits. If they had injured them, they were now sorry, and ready to satisfy in any punishment of pain or purse, their Kings were at that instant good friends, and how could such hostility be defended or answered by law of Nations or Religion. These and the like were sent them, but whether the behaviour of the Fidalgo displeased our Sea men, or that they understood them not, or saw themselves so fare engaged, that with reputation they could not desist, or that it was uttered with a feigned humility, or the like, I know not; the Messenger departed not well satisfied. And two days after, saw apparently signs of confusion and revenge: a hideous noise of hellish thunder amazing them, caused by the English their blowing up two several Ours, which gave open prospect into the City; but the hearts of the assailants durst not travel with their sight, all their senses the last time were so confounded and disabled: so that very poorly they only became spectators, and gave new courage to the dying Portugal: all of them half dead, with fluxes, thirst, (the three pits in the City exhausted) famine or pestilence. The fourteenth day, a ship full of Moors from Kishmee, arrived at Ormus to help the portugals; perceiving themselves intercepted, they returned back, thinking to land at some better quarter: the Persian General, swore they should receive no damage by his Army, to which when they foolishly gave belief to, fourscore of their heads were forthwith struck off, and the rest inchained. The Ormuzians languishing thus long under so many sorts of afflictions, every hour hoped for delivery from Ru-Friero, but he failed them. The seventeenth day another breach was made by giving fire to sixty barrels of powder, through which the Moors entered in huge swarms, but were beat back by eighteen Gentlemen without the Bulwark; howbeit, next day they reentered and possessed it. The eighteenth of April, two famished renegadoes stole thence into the Camp of their Adversaries, and being brought before the Duke, confessed the willingness of their departure, told him their expectation of supplies, together with their present miseries; assuring him, they could not endure long, death raging more furiously within the City, than the greatest forces they could oppose them with. At that report, the reanimated Persian again beseiges her, intending the next breach to enter pellmell amongst them: which when the Portugal saw, and no safety any way appearing; the three and twentieth day (knowing no faith in the Mahomitans) they yielded the Castle, and their treasure unto the English; only craving of them that they might receive their lives, and be conveyed safely to Muskat in Arabia: the English assent, and very nobly transported three thousand of them, and intended like favour to the rest; but the envious Persian suddenly intercepted above three hundred Arabs half Christians, and Portugals: whom without parley or any sign of pity, contrary to their oath and honour, they beheaded; and sent their heads to Gombroon for a Trophae, and as an assured signal of their conquest and blameworthy fury. After this, by unanime assent, the Magazines of armour, victuals and treasure were sealed up with the signets of both Nations: the interim was employed in massacring of more than half dead men, violating women, polluting Temples, and defacing very brave and gallant houses; during which, an unworthy English man (contrary to the order) breaks into a forbidden Monastery stuffed with riches, and in his return is descried by the rattling of his burdensome sacrilege; at which the Persians fly to the Duke, and by consent break asunder every thing was valuable, (the English all that time dreaming of no such accident) bus when it was known, much discourse intervened on both sides, but the Pagans accounted words but air, and seeing their designs accomplished, made the fury and anger of the English mere provocatives of scorn and laughter: the Enlish had no more than twenty thousand pounds paid them for their service. The brass Ordnance in the Castle and Rampires were divided, some say they were three hundred, others as many more: Howbeit, our men say there were only fifty three great brass pieces mounted, four brass cannon, six brass demi-canon, sixteen cannon pedroes of brass, and one of iron, 9 culverin of brass, two demiculverin of brass, three of iron, ten brass bases, seven brass bastels, some basilisks of 22 foot long, and ninety two brass pieces unmounted; which I the rather name, in that the portugals brag they had small defence, and few Ordnance; with either of which if they had been furnished, Ormus had never been triumphed over. Those belonging to the Persian were transported to other Citadels, to Gombroon, Larr, Shyraz, Hispahan, and Babylon. The King of Ormus, Seid Mahumet shaw, was made prisoner to the Persian, and at this day is at Shyraz under an allowance of five marks a day; his other pension (during his prosperity paid him by the portugals) amounted yearly to a hundred and forty thousand rials. The Town at this day is wholly ruinous, the Castle excepted, which aspect keeps her former beauty, strength, and greatness, and is owned by the Persian. As for the common Mariners, they found enough to throw away; by that little they got, showing their luxury, nothing but Alea, vina, Venus, in the ascendant of their devotion. Captain Woodcock's luck was best and worst; by rare chance he lighted upon a Frigate that was stealing away, laden with Pearls and inestimable treasure, above a Million of royals for his part only; but what joy had he in that fading pelf? pure clay is gold, who then so mad to make the earth his Idol? Whether poor (too rich) Woodcock minded more his tempting Mammon than the stearage of his ship, who can tell? but many felt by sad experience that the Whale his ship sunk close by Swally bar, the name neither of bird nor fish availing against the arrow of death, the merciless elements yielding them no comfort: such catastrophes have ambition and too much greediness. For, but for too much pride (the Portugal upon all occasions braving the English) Ormus had stood; and but for too much avarice, who knows but the Whale might have swum still in the Ocean of security. Proeda faeras acies cinxit discordibus armis, Hinc cruor, hinc caedes, mors propiorque venit. Praeda vago jussit geminare pericula ponto, Bellica cum dubiis rostra dedit ratibus. Pray guirts fierce Armies oft with ireful swords. Hence blood, hence slaughter, hasty death affords. Prey doubles danger in th'inconstant deep, Whiles warlike beaks danger-fraught ships do keep. FINIS LIBRI PRIMI. THE SECOND BOOK. THE tenth of january, Sir Robert Shirley at our Ambassador's request, entered Gumbrown to acquaint the Sultan with his arrival, and to demand such entertainment and necessaries as befitted his excellency and Travail to the Persian Court, though no less distant than the Caspian sea. It did not relish right to the covetous Sultan; but upon sight of his Phirman or letter of Command, he dissembled his humour, protesting he was transported with joy that so happy an occasion was happened, as well to express himself an obedient slave to Shaw-Abbas, as that the Town should be honoured by so noble a stranger; sorry only he was so ill fitted to show his humanity, his Lordships so sudden landing preventing the pomp he aimed him. Sir Robert Shirley returned his compliment and forthwith invited my Lord Ambassador ashore, who as readily accepted it. At his issuing from the ship, Captain Browne (whom I name to honour him) thundered out his farewell by a hundred great Shot, whose Echoes not only made Gombroon to tremble, but seemed to rend the higher regions with their bellow. Wrapped in smoke and flame, we landed safely, though Neptune made us dance upon his liquid billows and with his salt breath seasoned the Epicinia or intended Triumphs. At his landing the Cannons from the Castle and Citadel vomited out their fiery choler, ten times roaring out their wrathful clamours, to our delight and terror of the Pagans, who of all noises most hate artificial Thunder. The Sultan and Shawbander handed him out of his Barge, and mounted him upon a stately Arabian Courser; the stirrups were of pure gold, the saddle (a Morocco sort) was most richly embroidered with silver. All his followers had also such as pleased them. In this equipage, attended by his own gentlemen, some sea Captains, the English Agent Master Burt and two hundred Coozell-bashawes, we moved slowly towards the Sultan's Palace, all the way passing through a rank, or file of Archers and Musquetiers on either side doubled, and being alighted, usherd him into his Apollo; where upon rich carpets was placed a neat and costly Banquet, store of Shyraz Wine, and choice Viols from the ships; all which, with his protestations of welcome, (Hoshomody Suffowardy still dropping out of his mouth) gave us undoubted knowledge that either he was a grand hypocrite, or extremely fearful a complaint should be made to the great Duke of Shyraz against him of his past neglect; all which we gave a favourable interpretation unto: let us now into and about the town, to see if aught will present itself a welcome object. GUMBROWN (or Gomroon as some pronounce it) is by most Persians' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 called Bander or the Port Town: seated upon the gulf, in the Carmanian desert (part whereof is now called Larr) or in Kermoen as the Persians call it; albeit my fancy prompts me, that it is rather in Chusistan, Shushan being so small a way removed from it. Some (but I commend them not) writ it Gamrou, others Gomrow, and othersome Cummeroon. The Arctic pole mounts here to seven and twenty degrees and nine minutes. A Town it is of no Antiquity, rising daily out of the ruins of late glorious (now most wretched) Ormus, an hour's journey thence. I was told, that it had not twelve houses twelfve years ago; at this day increased to a thousand: but how can I credit it, since one Newberry our countryman entitles it a Town at his being here, which was in the year 1581. Yet old it cannot be, since all agree the Portugals first founded it; after Ormous doubtless, and where the Castle was begun but in Anno 1513 by Albuquerq ' the Portugal. Gumbroon is from Ormus nine english miles: it also views Arabia about sixteen leagues west, for there the Gulf is narrowest. It was forced from the Portugal in the year 1612 by Ally-Reec the Shyrazian, and is now completely governed by the Persian. It is in compass about two miles, the earth is sandy, without gardens, springs, or grass: from March to October so hot, as the Natives fly away to Larr and other Towns where Date trees shadow them against the ever burning Sun, and ground or sand that scalds like hottest embers: a great Mountain (reckoned twenty miles distant, but by its height seems not eight) anticipates the cool Northwind, which to other parts breaths sweetly and refreshes them. The houses are of Sunne-dried bricks, thick & solid; within, are without much furniture; without simple to look upon. The windows are large and trellised, made to open when any Favonius murmurs among them. The tops are tarrassed, made both to walk & sleep upon, so Carpets be spread to soften them. In the Summer season when few ships ride here, they sleep in troughs or beds filled with water. The Buzzar is very ordinary: 'tis covered atop to keep out the searching beams of the scorching Sun; where under is sold Wine, Arack, Sherbet, Thlummery, and many other things to the eye and belly necessary. The entrance into the Sultan's house, is at the East side of the Market place. His, the Shabanders, English, and Dutch (distinguished by their Flags or Ensigns, displayed by Aeolus atop their houses) are all are worth the entering in or my noting: of best note, are two Castles, at the North and South ends of the Town, spacious and defensive; adorned with good Battlements and Platforms to play their useless Cannons on. Fourscore brass Pieces are planted here, and are part of those they got from Ormus Anno 1622; two hundred more being sent up to Larr, Spahawn and Babylon) of small terror, if no better Gunners exercise them. Whiles ships ride here, Gumbroon is a garrison four hundred horse and foot attend their General; but dare not fight against the Son, all summer billeting where they can find food and shelter. In winter you may find here, Merchants of sundry Nations; English, Ducth, Persians, Indians, Arabs, Armenians, Turks, jews, and others. The most common commodities here, are belly food; Wine, Rack, Sherbet, Rosewater, Sugar, Almonds, Dates, Pomgranats, Figs, Currants, Oranges, Lemons, Pomecitrons, Mirabolans, Apples, Pears, Quinces, and Flowers, in great variety. As also, Goats, Hens, eggs (two year old,) Ryce, etc. most of which are sold by the crafty, fair spoken Bannyans, who swarm through all parts of Asia. They will readily trade or prattle with Christian, Turk, jew, or Gentile, but have no good fellowship, for they hate to eat or drink with any save of their own casts and religion; rice, plaintains, and some fruits they eat, drink water or sherbet (which is fair water, rose-water, sugar and juice of Lemons put together): but for flesh, eggs, or such roots, as radish and the like, resembling blood or wine, not one bit would they eat, though you would give the poorest knave amongst them, a thousand pound; they are troubled with Pythagoras dreams, doubting thereby they might eat up the souls of their friends or parents; which transmigration of souls Tibullus elegantly thus detects to his Mistress. Quin etiam mea tunc Tumulus cum texerit ossa Seu matura dies sato properat mihi mortem Longa manet seu vita, tamen mutata figura, Seu me fingit equum rigidos percurrere campos Doctum, seu cardi pecoris sing loria Taurus, Sive ego per liquidum volucris vehar aëra pennis. In quemcunque hominem me longa receperit aetas, Inceptis de te subtexam carmina chartis. When (furthermore) the grave my bones shall hide, Or ripened days to swift foot death shall glide, Or lengthened life remains, in shape exchangde Making me horse, well managed to range The fields, or Bull the glory of the heard Or through the liquid Air I fly a Bird. Into what man soe'er long time me makes, These works begun of thee, fresh verses taketh. Some Sudatories (called here Hummums,) some Mosques, some Synagogues and Sanhedrins are here; but those so obscure, that the eye can scarce direct us to them. Most remarkable is the great Banayan Tree, a league East from the Town, and opposite to Ormus Castle: a Tree (or rather twenty Trees, the boughs rooting and springing up a whole acre together rounded within and shaded in form of a Theatre, two hundred and nine paces about as I measured and wherein, or under, may ambush very secretly three hundred horse: some call it the arched Fig tree, some Arbour de Rays, (a tree of Roots) others de Goa: named by us the Bannyan Tree, from their adorning and adoring it with ribbons and streamers of varicoloured Taffeta, a goodly Deity! such a one as Pliny observed long since in his Travayles amongst 'em. Haec fuere Numinûm Templa, priscoque ritu, etiam nunc simplicia rura Deo praecellentem Arborem dicant. Here under also, they have a temple, supported on one side by the body of the tree, unseen to such as are without the branches; in which (for I adventured in) are three of the most deformed Pagods or Idols imaginable; invocated by the Bannyan in memorial of Cuttery, shuddery, and Wyse, their three deified predecessors; kept by an old doting Braminy, who for above threescore years in this irreligious place has most wickedly sacrificed his soul to Belzebub; for many years he had all the Pagods offerings, part being the virginity of the Brides (at ten years commonly) which since he cannot actuate, he is not ashamed (as I was told) to contract with Travellers, who in an infernal disguise reap the unripe and unholy Holocausts. A Persian Man & Woman near the Gulf. To concomitate those carrion women, take notice of those troops of Jackalls, which here more than any other where rally themselves, not only each night committing burglary in the Town, but commonly they tear the dead out of their graves, and with a vulture appetite devour their carcases; all the while ululating and in offensive noises barking and echoing out their sacrilege. We made good sport to hunt them with dogs and swords, but they are too many to be banished, too unruly to be conquered. I take them for those the Romans called Crocutae, the Greeks Alopecidae, or Lyciscae (Multum latrante Lycisca) and are either an unnatural mixture of a Bitch and Fox, or dogs from Europe; by diversity of air and soil varying in specie from what they were formerly; observed in other things; the Indian Ounces, what be they but extract from Cats of Europe? Spanish dogs, in new Spain, in the second litter do they not become Wolves? good Melons being also transplanted into a base and barren ground, turn quickly to ordinary Cucumbers. Fourteen days are past since we entered Gombroon; the place has no such Magic to persuade us to inhabit here. Our end is travel, why stay we then? sure, we were stayed three days by the Sultan's superstition, who upon casting the Dice, if the chance proved right, would let us go; if wrong, nigro carbone notatus. The four and twentieth day the Die was right, and we were mounted; our little Carravan consisted of twelve horse and 29 Camels: the English Agent and other of our own, and some Dutch Merchants attended our Ambassador a league out of the Town; where, the Sultan met us, who (well pleased with the Piscash or Present our Ambassador had given him) paid us all a hundred Sallams and Tesselams: that is, God speed you well, God keep you. And lifting up his eyes to heaven, his hands to his breast, and bending almost unto his stirrup, once more bad farewell & so returned. His men & he all the way back played at Giochi di Canni, darting at one another very dexterously. We heard the King was solacing at the Caspian Sea, whither now we are travelling. Till then let us keep an Ephemerideses or day-journey. The first night (from Gumbroon) we road to Bandally, sixteen English miles (and most part along the gulf) or to compute it in the Persian tongue, five farsangs and a half; a farsang (Pliny calls it a parasang which contains thirty stades or four Italian miles) is three of ours, or a Dutch league; in names only different. At Band Ally we found a neat Carravans-raw or Inn, the Turks call them Imareths, the Indians Sarrays; built by men's charity, to give all civil passengers a resting place gratis; to keep them from the injury of thiefs, beasts, weather, &c: for, through all Asia we find no other receptories, nor provision save what we carry along, and Kitchen utensils to dress it in; also we have our water usually in Tancks or Storehouses, some made long, some round, paved below; above, arched and plastered; filled by the beneficial raynes (springs are rarely found) which albeit the clouds seldom here distil their happy moisture, they sometimes break, and then in churlish sort diffude to some purpose; for, falling in Cattaracts they quickly fill their gaping Jars and Cesterns. Next night we got to Gacheen, five farsangs further; the third night to Cowrestan, seven; next, to Tanghy-Dolon (i e. a narrow way) praiseworthy in her Lodge or Carravans-raw, but especially in the sweet Crystallin water we found there. It issues from a mighty mountain three mile's East thence, and in an Aquaduct sports wantonly to this Tanck, whose over plum is received (by another Pipe laid in an artificial way cut marvellously through the bottom of an adjoining rocky hill) into a large Pond; which, richly mellowes all the Valley (resembling Tempe) and Town called Dolon, surrounded with studpendious hills on every side, so perpendicular, as with few men may be made impregnable; a solitary place it is, but exceeding pleasant; when from the hill tops we dazzle our sights in view of that sandy, stony, sterile Desert. That day's journey was four farsangs. Our next day's travel was to Whormoot, eleven farsangs (thirty three miles) where we found a black pavilion; in it three old Arabians; who, out of their Alcoran ingeminated a doleful requiem to their Brother's carcase, over which they sat; their looks were clouded with pathetic sadness; their cheeks bedewed with briny tears, intending (after the Jewish mode, Septem ad luctum) to solemnise his farewell seven days, singing, sighing, weeping. — In tears we find content, For, grief would break our hearts without a vent. Est quaedam flere voluptas, Expletur lachrimis, egeriturque Dolour! Nigh Whormoot are Duzgun, Laztan-De, and other Towns, where is got the best Assafaetida through all the Orient: the tree is like our brier in height, the leaves resemble Fig leaves, the root the Radish: the virtue had need be much, it stinks so odiously. But, though the savour be so base, the sapor is so excellent, that no meat, no sauce, no vessel pleases the Guzurats' , save what relishes of it. Next night we got to Our-mangell, five: and next day to Larr; two miles short of which old City, the Cawzy, Calantar and other of the prime Citizens welcomed us with wine and other adjuncts of compliment. We had not road half a mile further, when, lo an antic Persian out of a Poetic rapture, clamored out a song of welcome: the Epilog was resounded upon kettle Drums, Timbrels, and Barbarrous Jingle-jangling instruments; a homely Venus attired like a Bacchanell, attended by many other morisdancers, begun to caper and frisk their best lavoltoes; every limb strove to exceed each other, the Bells, brass Cymbals, kettle music and whistels, storming such a Phrygick discord, that to consort we might squeak'out. Their rustic pipes did jar, with notes that horrid are. Barbaraque horribili stridebat tibia cantu. For Bacchus then seemed alive again: glass bottles emptied of wine clashing one against another, the roaring of 200 Mules and Asses, and continual shooting and whooping of above two thousand Plebeians all the way, so amazed us; that we thought, never any civil strangers were bombasted with such a Triumph; the noise that Vulcan and all his Cyclops make, were not comparable to these Mymallonians. But his quoque finem, we got with much ado to our lodging, infinitely wearied; for my own part, I was somewhat deaf three days after. LARR, is a City and Province in Persia; on the North limited with Parc or Pharsistan; on the East with Carmoan or Carmania; has the Persian gulf to the South; and to the West, Chusistan or Susiana; a region a thousand miles in circuit: barren and flaming hot, full of sand, stones, a few Date trees, Mines, and sulphur. The City Lar is in the navel of Larestan, and raises the North pole seven and twenty degrees and forty minutes; some have more, twenty eight degrees and thirty minutes, in longitude from the cape Meridian ninty degrees: a very old City it is; if called Laodicaea by Antiochus, as Pinetus thinks, (in Phrygia and Coelosyria were Towns of the same name in Ptolemy) Procopolis by another Greek; Corrha after that, and now Lar (or Laar as some pronounce it) a name given her four hundred years ago by Laarge-beg, son of Phiroe, and grandsonne to Pilaes', after whom ruled Gorgion Melec (of whom their Cabala feigns wonders) to whom followed eighteen Kings, of whom Ebrahim-cawn was last, subjected (Anno hegirae 985. of ours 1605) by a stratagem Emangoli-cawn Duke of Shyraz overthrew him by, to satiate the hungry ambition of Abbas his Master, and (which is rare considering the great poverty of his Country) for the Kings part loaded away with treasure seven hundred Camels. The captived King Ebrahim had his life and a noble pension promised him, he enjoyed them but awhile, an unexpected sword of death betraying his hopes, without which the Dyadem sat not right upon the head of Shaw-Abbas the sovereign, Nine days we stayed in Larr; a shame it were, if in so long time we had noted nothing. Lar is from Gumbroon seven small days riding; from Shyraz fourteen, from Babylon twenty: a very poor Town it is, as being parched with the scalding Sun, defaced by rage of war, and thrown down by many fearful Earthquakes. Anno Domini 1400, it shook terribly, and made five hundred houses prostrate to its Tyranny. Anno 1593. of their account 973. she boasted of five thousand houses; but see how vain: is the pride of man: that very year, the earth swelled with such a dreadful tympany, that in venting itself, it made all Larr to quake; and in fine, would not be suppressed, but by the weight of three thousand houses turned topsi-turvie, quashing to death three thousand men in their destruction. The old Castle also on the East side of the Town (it owes its foundation to Georgian Melec) though built atop a solid rock, groaned in a like affrighting downfall: and to me it seemed strange, a City so strongly, so surely founded, should be so subject to such unnatural commotions. Wither it be (as Democritus dreamt) from the gaping Sun-torne earth quaffing in too greedily too much water, and (like a glutted drunkard) overcharging her caverns, vomits it up in a forcible and discontented motion; or whether (as Aristotle teaches) from vapours engendered in the bowels of the earth, and loath to be imprisoned in a wrong orb, rends its passage by a viperous horrid motion: or whether from subterranean fires, the air inflamed upon sulphur, or such exuberances of nature, I dare not conclude, but leave such theories to those that study Meteors. Let us therefore see what Larr now is. Larr, the Metropolis of this Province, is not walled about; in that, Art is needless, the lofty rocks on East and North so naturally defend her: beside, a brave Castle at the North quarter (mounted upon an imperious hill) not only threatens an enemy, but awes the Town in a frownig posture: the ascent is narrow and steep: the Castle of good stone: the walls are furnished with useful battlements: whereon are mounted twelve brass cannon pedroes, and two basilisks (the spoils of Ormus:) within the Castle wall are raised a hundred houses, stored with men, most part soldatts, who have there a gallant Armoury able to furnish with Lance, Bow, and Gun, three thousand men: it is a fort without, of a stately frame: within, is no less commendable: the Buzzar is also a gallant fabric; the material is good chalky stone; long, strong, and beautiful: a quadrant I cannot call it, the sides are so unequal: 'tis covered atop, arched, and (in piazza sort) a kind of Burse; wherein each shop shows ware of several qualities: the Alley from North to South, is 170 of my paces; from East to West, a hundred and sixty; the oval in centre is about a hundred and ninty: a building (to speak of the Asiaticks) in some hundreds of miles, scarce to be apparelled. near this Buzzar are coined the Larrees, a famous sort of money, shaped like a long Date stone, the King's name stamped upon pure silver, in our money valuing ten pence. The Mosques here be not many; one especial Mosque (or Deer) it has, round (either shadowing out Eternity, or from a pattern of the Alcaba the holy Temple in Mecca, whose shape they say Abraham had from heaven) in some part varnished with Arabic letters, and painted knots, garnished in other parts with Mosaic fancies: 'tis low, and without glass windows, wooden trellizes (excellently cut after their invention) supplying them: the entrance is through a brazen gate, near which is hung a Mirror whether to admire their tallow faces in, or internal deformities, I know not: some lamps it also has, for use and ornament: some Prophet's rest their bones here, take one for all. Emeer-Ally-zedday-ameer, a long-namd-long-boned (if his grave be right) long since rotten Prophet; the older Prophet, the fresher profit; zeal and charity oft times worship antiquity: but how can I credit them that he was a Mahometan; they say (if that will not please, they swear) he died a thousand five hundred years ago, six hundred years before Mahomet, and yet a Mussulman: their faith admits no questions nor answers, or if it did, we will not trouble it: For I see variety of good fruit close by, to which I have a better appetite; here are the fairest Dates (Dactills in Latin from their finger like shape) Oranges, Lemons, & Pomcitrons you find in Persia; if those will not please, you buy here at easy rates, Goats, Hens, Rice, Rach, and Aquavitae: but for their water (we dressed our meat with it, the people drink it) they call it Ob-baroon which in the language of Persia signifies rain-water: but with fare more reason I may call it Aquamortis; death seeming to bubble in it. A base qualified water it is; whether that their Tancks or Magazines are ill made, or nastily kept, and by that the water is corrupted; or whether the rain of itself is insalubrious and loathsome I cannot tell; but both it may be makes it so bad as it is; so unsapory, so ill to the gust, as worse water for taste, and especially for property can scarce be relished: as little of it came in my belly as could be borrowed from extremity of thirst; and I suppose I had good reason to forbear it: for, it causes Catarrhs, breeds sore eyes, ulcerates the guts, and which is more terrible than the raest, it engenders small long worms in the legs of such as use to drink it; and, which sort of vermin is not more loathsome to look upon, than painful to the itching disease of them that breed 'em; by no potion, no unguent, to be remedied: they have no other way to destroy them, save by rolling them about a pin or peg, not unlike the triple of a Theorbo; the most danger being this, that if in the screwing the worm chance to break, it makes them very doleful Music, for it endangers the leg, apt to gangreen and (but by lancing) hardly curable. The water is the natural cause of this strange malady: and seems to me to bring the venom from the region where 'tis generated; for, commonly the clouds here at Larr are undigested (as in the Tornadoes I have formerly spoken of) and unagitated by the wind; Nor do the clouds distil their rain in drops as is usual in colder regions, but in whole and violent eruptions; dangerous both in the fall, and no less hurtful in the using. The Inhabitants are most part naked and merit as naked a relation: they are a mixture of Jews and Mahomitans: both of them, a swarthy deformed generation: for generally in this City they are blear-eyd, rotten toothed, and mangy legged: the violent heat and poisonous waters causes it: the habit of the greater part of them is only a wreath of calico tied about their heads; their mid-parts are circled with a Zone of vari-colored plad, and have Sandals upon their feet, elsewhere being naked: some indeed have sashes of silk and gold, tulipanted about their heads; they robe themselves in coats or Cabays of Satin, and especially enrich their fingers with rings of silver set with Turqueises or Cornelians, and in which they affect to have engraven their own name, or some selected posy out of the Alcoran: upon their thumb they commonly wear a ring of horn which makes the arrows go off strong and easily: their crooked swords also afford them no small delight, the blades being exceeding good, the hilts no less valuable; for they are of gold: In this City should be a river and that not a small one, if our Geographick Maps were true; but they err egregiously, for here not only is no river, but also none else is to be found in a hundred mile's travel, go which way you will: for both by enquiring of many Persians & our own experience in further travel, I could neither hear of nor see any nearer us than Tabb, famous in her separating Susiana from Carmania; and from Larr, westward about 5 small days journey hence: or that other of Cyre, over which we road 'twixt Shyraz and old Persepolis: some small brooks we road over; but rivers no man must dare to call them, since none of them in breadth or depth exceed 3 foot. West of Larr is jaarown, twenty farsangs (or threescorce English miles) thence: it is a Town consisting of a thousand Jewish families: some make it their road to Shyraz, but the way is extreme stony and mountainous, bad for horsemen, worse for ill-shod Camels. These Jews (or Jehuds as the Persians call them) are a remnant of those four Tribes, Salmanassar son to Tyglath Pilezer the Assyrian King forced from Samaria Anno Mundi 3220. placing them in Hala, Hara and Ghabor (by the river Gozan) Cities of the Medes: the Town (I do but imagine so) is named from jaarim a memorable Town in Canaan: they have some Synagogues, but no high Priests; the Mosaical Law they have wonderfully corrupted: they are to this day a hard-hearted subtle people; very cowardly, rich, but odious to all other religions: most remarkable, is a precious liquor or Mummy growing here, Mumnaky-koobas they call it, a liquor which none dare take, for all is carefully looked to for the King. It distils (in June only) from the top of those stupendious Mountains, every year about five ounces: a moist redolent gum it is, sovereign against all sorts of poison; and (if we may believe them) a Catholicon for all wounds and most diseases: when other Princes send this King presents of gold, pearl, or other costly devices; he sends them back, a little of this Balsam, as a full remuneration. These Mountains are famosed in story; After Alexander had preyed and sacrificed in Susa (betrayed by Abulites a time-serving Satrapa) he led his wanton Army towards Persepolis; his nearest passage was over these hills of jaarown (in those days called Pilae Persidis and Susaidae) where to his amazement, he was so beaten by Ariobarzanes a Martialist and his small company, that (contrary to the pace and honour of the world's Monarch) he was constrained to retreat apace, and shamefully to avoid that thundering storm of stones and arrows. The eleventh of February we left Larr, Codges-Obdruzy the Governor furnished us (to Shyraz) with Mules, very poor ones; the Asses they returned upon: no matter. Mules are Emblems of sobriety; our Harbinger (or Mammandore in Persian) was an honest Cozelbash, and would be sure, (hopeful of some reward, and because his part lay therein) at every place where we made our Manzeel or rest, to provide us good lodging, and such meat as the country would afford us: by virtue of his authority domineering over the wretched Rustics more than pleased us; he would proffer them a little money for what he liked; if they refused to take it, he took it then by force, and Alla Soldado paid them in big words and bastinadoes: in miserable slavery the peasants live; a soldiers life is here the most honourable and safest. The first night we pitched our Tents not far from Larr, but were stopped next day by an immoderate flood of rain, that made the earth so slippery, as our Camels glib-hoofes could not foot it; the rain falls seldom here, but when it comes, they both feel and hear it: some times it raises such a Deluge as sweeps men and houses away; six years ago (in this place) a Caravan of two thousand Camels perished by the fury of it. The foureteenth day we road to Deachow (or Techoo) which signifies a Town under a hill; where we see many pretty Tombs, not any without his grave-stone and an Arabic memorial. The Alcoran commands that none be buried in Cities, for fear the noisome Carcases infect the living, but in a Gemitery nigh the most public highway; that by viewing the Sepulchers of the dead (the Romans did the like, the Egyptians had them in their banqueting houses) they might contemplate their mortality. A mile from this Town we viewed threescore black Pavilions; black without; within full of female beauties: the Persians call them Vloches; the Arabs, Kabilai; the Turq'stans and Armenians, Taiphae; the Tartars, Hoards; the Ancients, Nomades; of whom the Poet thus: Nulla domus, plaustris habitant, migrare per Arva Mos, atque errantes circumvectare Penates. Their Carts their houses are, their sole delight To wander with their house-Gods day and night. I cannot choose but wander a little if I keep such company. Virtue, the Trophy of a refined ambition, is purchased by embracing the excellent and wholesome Notions of an humble soul, of a well-tempered spirit, whose heavenly radiance respects no other object with delight save virtue, from which pure stream flows Moderation, to whose excellency (next to spiritual sacrifice) we may safely devote our best endeavours. So apt to every immodest Act, is man's corrupt disposition, that to enjoy sensuality he conceits virtue (though never so gorgeously arrayed) foul and deformed: till moderation force him to a strict account, and discover how much he erred, in preferring intemperance before the transcendent qualities of a virtuous life: and from whence, when we contemplate the contented life and poverty of these Vloches, needs must we condemn ourselves of loathsome riot. For, how free from unseasonable care, pale Envy, affrighting Tumult, and nasty surfeit do these enjoy themselves; happy Conquerors! how mutually do they accord, how joyfully satiate Nature, in what is requirable. Hear Lucan praising them. — O prodiga rerûm Luxuries! nunquam parvo contenta paratu. Discite quam parvo liceat producere vitam Et quantum Natura petat?— Non Auto Mirrhaque bibunt, sed gurgite puro Vita redit; satis est populis fluviusque Ceresque. Base luxury! wherein so much is spent. Learn with how little, Nature is content. In Gold and Myrrh, these drink not, but are best In health, when bread and water is their feast. To return; so soon as Phoebus had run thrice fifteen degrees in our Hemisphere, we mounted our melancholy Mules, and made our next Manzeel at Berry. Nothing was observable in the way, save a huge thick wall, of great length and height, cut by infinite toil out of the solid rock, to safeguard the Larians from the Shyrazians, Larr in that place terminating. Berry is a small Village; it promises much at distance, but when there, deludes the expectation: yet is it famous through the Persian Territories, both from the prerogatives an ancient learned Syet endued it with, confirmed by all succeeding Princes; and from an Arabic School, distinguished into classes, of the civil Law, Astrology, Physic, and such as leads to Mecca: commendable in their Pythagorean silence, learning to discourse by winks, nods, and such dumb notions; for babbling is in all Arabic Schools wondrously hated: they also observe two rules especially, obedience, and moving the body too & fro in reading: adjoining this School, is a Deer or Mosquit, a venerable place, chief by being a Dormitory to their greatest Doctor Emawm-zeddey-a meer-a maddy-Ally, a Prophet's son, and allied to holy Ally; in this grave enjoying (say they) eight hundred years rest; a great antiquity. His Tomb is raised four foot from the pavement, is eight foot long, covered with a white fine linen cloth; the Tombstones are carved and painted with knots and poesies of Arabic; near him are fixed two Lances to memorise his quondam profession, and some Ensigns not of ordinary invention: Upon his Coffin lie a set of goodly Beads, to help his devout memory, and which to this day retain their Master's virtue of working miracles. Atop the Chapel is a globe (or steel mirror) pendant, wherein these Linx-eyed people view the deformity of their sins. They also shown us a square stone pierced and hung near the wall, a rare stone, a relic most notorious! the Prophet used to burden the backs of impenitent sinners with it, telling them their impiety made it seem heavy, a weight so ponderous as made them take the right path to be quit of it. A little pot comes next to our description, holding a sovereign unguent made eight hundred years since, oft used, and never exhausted: and is not only good to help sore eyes, but a Panacea against all diseases; to crown all, his book (no Alfurcan of devotion) is laid upon his carcase; any body is suffered to see it a far off, but to touch it is counted a presumption, the impure breath of man peradventure infecting it: in storms and crosses they find remedy with only naming it: the Church is neatly matted, a Mosque of so much holiness, that none must enter with boots or shoes on: such as want issues (I mean not in their legs) health, wealth, friends, or the like, upon their offering shall have satisfaction. The Oracle (the Priest) never cheats them. Sed non ego credulus illis: and with that I bid Berry farewell. Next night we got to Bannarow. The last Town feasted us with Traditions, this with good cheer, music, three kettle drums, and six dumb Muskets. The ruins of an ancient Castle (demolished lately by the Persian) shows its ribs, through which the cool air blows, seldom failing from the top of that stupendious Mountain: one side of the Castle wall is anatomised to the Town, the other to the stony Desert. Next night we lay in Goyeme, bragging in a thousand rotten houses. After we had reposed an hour, a Hocuspocus affronted us, and performed rare tricks of Activity. I remember some of them. He trod upon two slicing hooked Semiters with his bare feet, than laid his naked back upon them, suffering a heavy Anvil to be laid on his belly, and two men to hammer out four horse-shoes on it very forceably. That trick ended, he thrust his arms and thighs thorough with many Arrows and Lances; then, by mere strength of his blockhead he lift up a yard from the ground a great stone, weighing six hundred pound, and (as if he had done nothing) knit his hair to an old Goat's head, and with a scornful pull tore it asunder, at that crying out Allough-whoddaw i.e. God help him; the standers by with a loud yell, applauded him: we gave him particular thanks, and told him he was a pretty fellow. But what was he? to speak of Marius (one of the thirty Tyrants) who with one of his fingers could overthrow a loaded Wain: or of Polydamas, who with one hand would hold a wild Bull by his hinder leg, and in despite of his best force stop him, as Cael. Rhod. and Treb. Pollio have it. But in remembering these, I had almost forgot to tell you, that in Goyeom, is fairly entombed one Melec Mahomet, famous for fomenting the authority of his Master Mahomet, when the Saracens begun to canvasse it. Next night we lost one another by a careless associating, and had a miserable lodging in that vast and barren wilderness: affording no grass, no trees, no water, but stones and sand in great abundance, Ostriches, Storks, and Pelican's her sole Inhabitants. I believe the earth has worn Flora's livery; but, by the parching rage of War, or continued heat of the flaming Sun becomes thus miserably desert, or rather from the just wrath of Almighty God, who (as King David sings) makes a fruitful land barren, for the ungodliness of them that dwell therein. Next day we quested in search of our Carravan, and with much trouble recovered it: that night also pitching in the Desert, were welcomed by such a sudden storm of rain, thunder, and lightning, as made our cheer more wretched, imprisoning us also in our Tents. Next day, we had the weather comfortable, the sight of a few Date and Mastic tree, refreshing us; confuting Coriats' conceit, that Mastic is found no where but in Syo. By the way we took notice of an od-devised Tomb (it inhumed a harmless Shepherd) hung to and fro with threads tripartite (it may be, shadowing out the Trinity) each thread beautified with particoloured wool, at each end a Puppet to protect it, some Cypresses were added to condecorate and to revive the old Idol ceremony. — Stant manibus Arae Caetuleis maestae vittis, atraque Cupresso. — Altars their ghosts to please Trimmed with blue fillets and sad Cypresses. The next (the two and twenty of February) by the way we had some sport in dislodging a wild Boar, but neither shot nor dogs reaching him we made Cut-bobbo our manzeil; Mohack our next (in which are buried Mahomet, Hodge, Izmael, and Ally, four great Mussulmannish Doctors, entombed here 400 years ago, resorted to with no small reverence.) Next day to Coughton, to Vnghea next, thence to Moyechaw, next day to Pully-pot-shaw (leaving Bobbaw-hodgee on our left hand) next night pitching a farsangh short of Shiraz; where we expected a ceremonious entrance: but seeing none came out to meet us, our Ambassador (who was ever jealous of his honour) sent his Mammandar to the Governor, (the great Duke was hawking fifty miles thence, of purpose absent,) to demand fresh horses and a befitting welcome. The Daraguad in person came to dissemble, first excusing his Lord the Duke, who would go near to kill him for not acquainting him with this excellent Advantage to manifest his integrity unto our Nation, in comparison of whom all other in the world were odious. In a word (perceiving our haste) he humby beseeched his Lordship to practice but three days patience, till the great Duke might honour his entrance, and display his radiance; a favour of a double reflex, in that it would infinitely content their Governor, and accumulate an incomparable splendour and triumph to his entrance, closing his hypocrisy with an if not, he was then pressed to usher his Lordship to his lodging. The Ambassador easily descried him to be a Sinon, sent merely to betray his credulity: so as perceiving no remedy, the twilight helping his silent passage (Apollo had already drenched his fiery trammels in madam Thetis lap, Cynthia also looked pale, as displeased with so much knavery) we joggd leisurely on upon our Portugal Trumpeters, who (so soon as they wound the smoke and air of this excellent City,) spared the Persians a labour in their brass pans, oboes and such Phrygick Music, sometimes braying out, at other times echoing to one another in their Mymallonian Cornets, as if some Orgies to Liber Pater had been solemnising: in so much as many ran out of doors, others fired their flambeauxes to know the cause and glut their wonder. After long circling we arrived at Shock-Ally-Begs Palace (the Duke's substitute) where our Lord was wearied with a prolix Apology, and then made to taste a Banquet of dainties. After which they convoyd us to Ally-chan, a neat house at the East end of the City, belonging to the King, encompassed with as brave Gardens and as spacious as most in Asia. And now the vexation is past, why do we make it an indignity, as if Nocturnal entries had not equal lustre with the day; the Artificial light we had (for aught you know) might eclipse the splendour of the starry firmament. Holofernes chose the night to make a triumphant entrance into Damas. Proud Antiochus took the same time into Jerusalem, Augustulus into Rome, and haughty Sapores, into this very City. Let us now trifle no longer, but view the City. SHERAZZ (so they pronounce it) the pleasantest of Asiatic Cities, is removed from the Aequator nine and twenty degrees, forty minutes, and in longitude 88 degrees. By Ben jonas (500 years ago) called Syaphaz, by Corn. de judaeis Sitas and Sivas, by Osorius Xiraz, by Raleigh Sirrah, by Stephanus Cyrecbatha, by Coelius Ciropolis, a frivolous conceit, since all old Topographers place it and the river Cyrus in Hyrcania in the latitude of thirty nine degrees and a half: and of longitude eighty three degrees, five and forty minutes. And of that name is one in Media as Ptol. in Sogdiana one near jaxartes as Quintus Curtius, in India one, as Aelianus, a river also so called in Armenia as Pliny notes, but none, in Persia a Ciropolis. This name Sheraz (as I conjecture) is a derivative from Sheer (milk in the Persian language) or Sherab a grape, no part of the orient showing better or richer wine; from like reason, that Aleppo takes name from Halip milk, (and not from Alepius Lieutenant to julian as some dream of) many other Towns in Persia denominating themselves from what they are abundant in, as Whormoote (a Town of Dates.) Deachow (a hilly Town) De-gardow (a walnut Town,) Baze-bakow, Periscow, Cutbobbaw etc. or from Syrases the incolae of old, as Poliaenus has it in his 8 lib. de Semiramide. Or if greek Synonymaes would carry it, I might borrow the name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 catena; or more properly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per aestum. But affectation is discommendable. For albeit she be raised from the ruins of Persepolis, that does not stygmatize her with an upstart name, two thousand years being past since it was burned. I may therefore reject the people's Chronicle, alluding her first founder to be jamshed fift King of Persia, after whom ruled Chedorlaomer, not long from Noah. Boterus may be taxed also, quando Syras erat Syras, tunc Cayrus erat ejus pagus, an Adage never used by the inhabitants. Ancient no doubt she is, her name in history confirming it, Rocnaduddaule (Son of Sha-Hussan Son of Abbaz Viez Lord of Bagdet, Kermoen, Laristan and Shyraz (so 'tis then named) being here buried Anno Dom. 980. of the Hegira 360. And questionless she has been much greater than at this present. Vlughbeg (a learned Geographer and Nephew to Tamberlang) gives her in his time fifteen mile's compass, Contarenus fifteen, and eighty thousand houses. Barbarus eightscore years ago, gives her twenty; Teishera after him, six and thirty mile's circuit; Skikard upon Tarich a like vast circumference: john of Persia in his time numbered her Inhabitants eighty thousand, Ben-Ally thee hundred thousand: we may not gainsay their reports, because no inquiry can disprove them; let us therefore rest contented in her present description, which I shall present you (God willing) without error. Shiraz is distant from Ormus, one hundred and eight farsangs or three hundred and four and twenty miles English. From Larr one hundred eighty six miles, from Babylon three hundred, from Spahawn two hundred two and twenty, from the Caspian sea six hundred, from Cazbyn four hundred and eighty six, from Periscow four hundred and forty, from Candahor three hundred and sixty, from Yezd two hundred and ninteeen, from Faza sixty miles English. The Ancient dwellers hereabouts are named Artiatae, Tapiri, Cartii, and Orebatii. Masked in Pare, Fure, Fares, and Farsistan. Shyraz, at this day is the second City for magnificence in the Monarchy of Persia; watered by Bindamyr (or Bradamyr) a sweet river that draws her descent from the Tapirian Mountains, and after two hundred miles circling in many wanton meanders, commixing with Choaspes (now Tab) and Vlay, with them not fare from Valdac (old Shushan) lose themselves in the Gulf and promiscuously thence into the vast Indian Ocean. It shows some walls built by Vsan Cassan, but seems to scorn a limited bondage. It stretches from Southeast to Northwest, three miles; and not much less the other way; the compass nine miles or there about: is pleasantly seated in the Northwest end of a spacious plain, twenty miles long, and six broad; circumvolved with stupendious hills, under one of which this Town is placed. Defended by Nature, enriched by trade, by Art made lovely; the Vineyards, Gardens, Cypresses, Sudatories, and Temples, ravish the eye and smell, in every part sweet and delightful. Here Art magic was first hatched. Here Nimrod (after Babells' confusion) lived and was buried. Here Cyrus (the most excellent of heathen Princes) was borne, and (all but his head) entombed. Here the great Macedonian glutted his Ambition and Bacchisme. Here the first Sibylla sung our Saviour's incarnation. Hence the Magis are thought to have set forth towards Bethleem, and here a series of two hundred Kings have swayed their Sceptres. The houses here are of Sun-burnt-bricks, hard and durable: not very lofty; flat and tarrassed above, Balconies and the windows curiously and largely trellized: within, spread with rich carpets; little other furniture other where is noted. Sultan Shock-Allybegs house (where the first night we were banqueted) is inferior to few; his dining room was high and round and spacious. The arched roof and side walls embossed with gold, and wrought into Imagery; so shadowed, that it was hard to judge whether embossed, inscult, or painted. The windows were of painted glass, the floor spread with curious Carpets. None are without their gardens, forests rather of high Chenaers and Cypresses. Fifteen Mosques profess their bravery, round (after the holy Alkaba in Mecca) tiled without, and pargetted with azure stones resembling Turquoises; lined within, with pure black polished Marble; the tops dignified by many double guilded crescents or spires which gallantly reverberate Apollo's yellow flames in a rich and delightful splendour. Two are especially noteworthy in their Antic steeples and Mosaic curiosity. The one is square, fifty foot high in the body, leaded in some part, covered with gold and blue; the walls varnished and wrought with knots and poesies, vast and unfurnished (or unfinished) within; above, spiring in two columns or pillars of wood round, cut and garnished with great bravery, very near as high as Paul's in London. The (other) rather resembling a royal Carvans-raw) is quadrangular; the superficies of Arabic invention, embossed with gold, flagged with porphyre, painted with azure, garnished in many odd mazes, and made resplendent at some solemnities by a thousand Lamps and Torches. The other Mosques are not so excellent, nor yet so base as not to invite the busy eye, regarding novelties. What they want in Architecture, they supply in relics, venerably accounted of for intombing the rotten carcases of some Alcorannish Doctors, whose hypocrisy have got such repute with those superstitious Idiots, that their Priests are fat, their Tombs enriched by superfluity of Zeal, no cost, no pains thought enough to manifest the integrity of (impious) devotion. Some sepulchres are framed of Marble, pure and shining. Others of wood, cut into Antique carving, others express the painter's Art, and others the Sculpters skill in brass, in plate and costly mettle. Where Art is defective, Nature (out of the treasures of darkness) has dignified them. In one place, Shaw-meer-Ally-Hamzy a prophetic Mahomitan rests his bones, seven hundred years since ferried by Charon into Acheron for doting upon his deceitful Koran. Threescore paces long I found the Mosque he is buried in, and in breadth just so many. In another, sleeps Sandant-Emyr-amahow contemporary with Mahomet, and equally holy; with many more, who are like to sleep till the Trumpet raise them. Upon many of these Mosques the Storks have pyld their nests. A bird (as of the Egyptians, so) of these people, divinely estemated. The famous Stork which buildeth in the Air Fosters her naked young with tender care▪ And by that love, their duty doth engage When need requires to help her feeble Age. Nor fail her hopes; for when she cannot stir, The pious brood both feed and carry her. Aerio insignis pietate Ciconia nido Investes pullos pignora grata fovet. Taliaque expectat sibi mutua munera reddi Auxilio hoc quoties matter egebat anus. Nec pia spem soboles fallit; nam fessa parentum Corpora, fert humeris, praestat & ore cibos, The gardens here are many, and those both large and beautiful. Many of them (as I paced) are eight hundred paces long, and four hundred broad: Hony-shaw (the Kings) challendges superiority o'er all the rest, being square and every way two thousand paces. All of them be safeguarded with walls, fourteen foot high, four foot thick, and of exceeding good work: they rather resemble groves or wildernesses than gardens; but by that name (the Persian word is Bawt) are called; abounding in lofty pyramidal Cypresses, broad-spreading Chenawrs, tough Elm, straight Ash, knotty Pines, fragrant mastics, Kingly Oaks, sweet Mittles, useful Maple; and in fruit trees also, as Grapes, Pomegranates, Pomecitrons, Oranges, Lemons, Pistachoes, Apples, Pears, Peaches, Chestnuts, Cherries, Quinces, Walnuts, Apricocks, Plums, Almonds, Figgs, few Dates, and Melons of both sorts, and Flowers rare to the eye, sweet to the smell, and useful in physic: the earth is dry and green, the air salubrious and healthy, and such as may make good Tibullus his Fancies of Elysium. Hic choreae cantusque vigent passimque vagantes Dulce sonant tenui gut●ere carmen aves. Fert casiam non culta seges, totosque per agros Floret odoratis terra benigna rosis. Here songs and dances have esteem, and small Sweet-chirping birds with music comfort all. Th'uncultured ground sweet shrubs doth freely bring, Sense-sweetning roses without Art do spring. I confine my commendations to a league, the residue being sterile, mountainous and unable to make Alexander an Epicure, (the wine excepted, which is famoused all o'er the orient). Nothing so much troubles her as want of water, yet some it has, and might have more, were the Citizen's somewhat more industrious; a gallant river (Cirus of old) for two were so named) streaming sweetly not fifteen miles thence, in the way to old Persepolis. At the Nowrouz or spring, the Gardens are opened for all to walk in. The women for fourteen days have liberty to walk, and when lose (like birds infranschisd) lose themselves in a labyrinth of wanton sports. The men also, some riding, some sitting, some walking, are all in one tune, for drinking, singing, playing, till the bottles prove empty, songs spent, and strings break, or that Morpheus lay his Caduceus over them. In all my life I never saw people more jocund, and less quarrelsome. Hic noctem ludo ducunt, & pocula laeti Confundunt cerebris, somno vinoque sepultis. They revel all the night, and drink the round, Till wine and sleep their giddy brains confound. Somewhat of Emangoly-cawn, the great Duke and his Banquet. This brave man is a Georgian by descent, a Muslulman by profession, a for preferment: is one of those four Tetrarches, that under Abbas rule the Empire: his Territories reach every way well-nigh six hundred miles, and afford him the Titles of Arck-Duke of Shyraz, Sultan of Larr and jaarown, Lord of Ormus, Maqueroon, Kermoen, Chusistan, Sigestan and Farsistan, Prince of the gulf of Persia, and Isles there; the great Beglerbeg, commander of twelve Sultan's, fifty thousand horse, slave to Shaw-Abbas, protector of Musselmen, flower of courtesy, second in glory, Nutmeg of comfort, and Rose of delight. He is of a miraculous descent for nobleness (as honour goes in these parts) his father and grandfather being Dukes afore him; and which is no less admirable, is privileged from degradation by oath from Abbas: upon this occasion: Aliculican his father was victorious in many pitched battles against Turk and Tartar, adding no small lustre to Mahomet Codobandaes' Diadem: most memorably, when (by command of Amurath) the saucy Bassa of Rhyvan with fifteen hundred muskets breathed defiance against Morad the Chielfall governor in Armenia, for daring to side with Ishmael in that famous overthrow they gave the insolent Turks, Anno 1514 in the Calderan plains. Morad thus suddenly assaulted, sends a timorous excuse, which rather enrages the Bassa, implacable till Morad had glutted his greedy appetite with burnished gold, two thousand pound commanding him thence to Nassivan (old Artaxata) by that time hungry again. Alicolichan (Shaw Mahomet's Lieutenant in Georgia) rates Morad, & vows to make the Turk to eat cold Iron, meat the Bassa cared not for, but by Ally-culicans fierce charge with a gallant troop of six thousand horse, made him return his bribe, and fly as if the Devil had been in his guts, without more prating over Anti Taurus (called Mezis' Taur) scarce thinking himself safe in any place, whiles the valiant Georgian extracted a triple sum from Morad for his levity, returning a triumphant victor to the Court, recompensed with the Sheraz Dukedom and his son after him, who has proved no less fortunate in Shakstone Abbess his field-services, having quieted Georgia, subdued Larr, part of Arabia, Diarbec, & Ormus. All which it seems is now forgotten, the young Sha-Soffy first cutting off his son's head the young Beglerbeg, and when the great Duke was singing to himself, Tutum me copia fecit. Anno 1632, had such another trick served him, his greatness pressing him to destruction. But though he be dead, his banquet and respect to us must not be forgotten, Ingrato homine terra pejus nil create; says Ausonius. At our being here, he had absented himself of purpose: and albeit Sir Robert Shirley took the pains to ride to him, and tell him his error, he answered; It was no dishonour for any man (his Master excepted) to stay his leisure: but if our Lord Ambassador had had his guard and other furniture, we had gone away without his Licence. After six days attendance his Greatness was pleased to visit Sheraz, followed by two thousand horse, & most unmannerly took his ease two days after, without any respect or note taking of the Ambassador. At length, he sent a gentleman to bid him come and visit him, returning with this answer, he was weary having come a great journey, and that his business was to see his Master, he knew not him. The Duke storms to be so slighted, but durst not affront him, (knowing the King had commanded his whole Kingdom to honour and bid him hearty welcome) so after some pause, sent word he meant next day to visit him; but failed in his promise, his son the Beglerbeg (eighteen year old) being sent to excuse him. Next day, our Ambassador sent word by Shoc-Ally-beg to the Duke's son, his visit should be retaliated. Emangoly-cawn is angry no more respect was had of him, wondering what kind of people we were, since his own in a sort adored him. But see how subtly they entrapped him; for he was no sooner alighted at the Duke's Palace, but by Shoc-Ally-beg is welcomed, and by him ushered (our Lord knew not whither) into a long gallery, rich in beauties, plate, carpets, and other furniture, where (like a Statue) the Duke himself at the very end sat cross-legged, not moving one jot till the Ambassador was at him; when (as if he had been affrighted) he skipped up, and bade him welcome; vouchsafeing also (upon knowledge that we were gentlemen) to embrace us, and provide us a banquet. So after two hours' merriment departed, invited to return next day to a more solemn welcome. Next day being come, we were ushered by a Sultan thorw two great courts into a rich and stately banqueting house, a large open room, supported with twenty richly guilded pillars, the roof embossed with flaming gold, the ground spread with rich carpets of silk and gold, a state at one end of crimson satin, thick embroidered with pearls and gold, under which he was to enthrone himself; one side most excellently depicted his Ormus Trophies; no cost, no Art left out to do it to the life; their encamping upon the shore, their assaults, scaladoes, and entrance; the massacre of the Ormousians, some beheaded, some cheyned, some their heads serving for girdles: as also the English ships and sea skirmishes, without whose help it never had been gained, and the like so well painted. Velutsi, revera pugnent feriant vitentque Moventes, Arma V●ri.— — As seemed indeed Men armed to fight, ward, strike, till each man bleed. And when the green and crimson scenes of silk were drawn, from this Apollo, we looked into a great square court, which at this occasion was round beset with the prime men of the City: and into another court, where I think I told five hundred plebeians, invited to illustrate the Duke's magnificence. Before the proud Duke meant to display his radiance: my Lord Ambassador was seated on the left side of the state (you may note if you please, that all Asia over, the left hand as the sword hand, is most honourable) upon the other side sat the discontented Prince of Tartary; at my Lords left hand was seated the Beglerbeg, and next him the captive King of Ormus. Next to the Tartar Prince sat Threbis-cawn a disconsolate Prince of Georgia, a brave warrior, a constant Christian: opposite to the state Sir Robert seated himself: and with us were placed the two Princes of Ormus, and some Sultan's. The rest of the great banqueting room was filled with men of especial note, Sultan's; rich Merchants, and Cooselbashaes': young Ganimeds' arrayed in cloth of gold, went up and down with flagons of pure gold to pour out wine to such as noded for it: upon the carpets were spread fine coloured pintado Table , forty else long; broad thin pancakes six one upon another served for trenchers, near which were scattered wooden spoons, whose handles were almost a yard long; the spoon itself so thick, so wide, as required a right spacious mouth for entertainment: The feast gins: it was compounded of a hundred sorts of pelo and candid dried meats; as also of Dates, Pears, and Peaches curiously conserved, such I took best notice of (I mean as pleased me best) were jaacks, Myrabolans, Duroyens, Pistachoes, Almonds, Apricocks, Quinces, Cherries, and the rest I leave to the confectioner to inquire after. It seems we are so infatuated with our banquet and wine, that the Duke is not taken notice of, pray pardon: he is not yet come, that when our bellies are full, our eyes may have the better leisure to survey his greatness. The feast being ended, the vulgar multitude strove to rend the sky with Yough Ally-Whoddaw-Bashat, i.e. Ally and God be thanked: the Echo was as a watchword to the ambitious Duke that he might enter: his way was made by thirty gallant young gentlemen vested in crimson satin; their Tulipants were of silk and silver wreathed about with chains of gold, of Pearl, of Rubies, Turquoises, and Emeralds: all of them were girded with rich swords and embroidered scabards; they had Hawks upon their fists, each hood valuing a hundred pound. To these succeeded their Lord, the Archduke of Sheraz: his coat was of blue satin richly embroidered with silver, upon which he wore a Vest or Robe of great length, so glorious to the eye, so thick powdered with Oriental glittering Gems, as made the ground of it invisible, the price invaluable: his Turban was of pure fine silk and gold, be studded wi●h pearl and Carbuncles; his scabbard was set all over with Rubies, Pearls, and Emeralds; his Sandals resembled the bespangled Firmament. To this Idol, all the people of his religion sacrificed a hundred Sizaedaes', and Tessalems', bowing and knocking their coxcombs against the ground: Sir Robert Shirley also sizaedaed very formally, and in a cup of pure gold drunk his Grace's health, and then put it in his pocket; paying him home with this compliment; That after so mean a person as himself had breathed in it, it was impiety to offer it him: the Duke accepts it as good coin, and perceiving our Ambassador very sad, darted him a smile, drunk his Master's health, bade him and his hearty welcome, and so went in again: our Lord Ambassador also scarce well pleased at the Duke's proud carriage, dissembled it; and after reciprocal Sallams or bend (none but a few Coselbashaws attending him to his horse) departed: Well may this grand Duke buy his renown at those high rates, his rents being bruited so great, so wonderful: he has (say Merchants) four hundred thousand Tomans a year (a Toman is five marks sterling) but out of this he pays wages yearly to fifty thousand horsemen: his plate and jewels is valued at three hundred thousand pounds, some say three Millions, and is pretty well descried by that Newyears gift he sent the King (upon Meloembeg the fiscals prompting) three years since: viz: fifty great flagons of pure gold, seventy two of refined silver: in Larrees four hundred sixty five thousand floryns: the whole, loading three hundred and fifty cozel-bash Camels, a valuable present: and for which the King (as a Symbol of his gratitude) remunerates the Duke with fifty gallant Arabian Coursers, six change of rich garments, a sword, and (of more value than the rest) the assurance of his health and dignity. This Duke here and in other Seralios (or Harams, as the Persians term them) has above three hundred Concubines; mammetry commending it: there is no other way in these Pagan countries to distinguish one man's greatness from another, save by exceeding in their females: he hunts elsewhere, other sports serving as a provocation to base venery: nor do they refrain more manly exercises; chase the Lion, hunting the Tiger, dislodging the Boar, unkennelling the jackall, and the like; at which solemn sports he besets whole countries with above twenty thousand men, who serve to rouse all kind of savage game, and when the whole heard are in battled upon some spacious Mountain, impales it with a huge Toil of wire and cord staked with wood (six hundred Camels load) and so either dart them from without the rail, or venture in, and (by drawing a cross line) single what beast they please to fight with. Two days after the great feast, the Duke with a gallant train of thirty Sultan's and Cooselbashaws came galloping to Ally-cawn, (so is the house named we lodged at;) and albeit he endeavoured to assault us with a sudden visit, yet such was the excellent foresight and vivacity of our Ambassador, attending all occasions of advantage; that at his alighting, he found a choice shade for his recreation, chambers neatly furnished, from his Balcony looking into a most fragrant & pleasant garden, where the Paphyan cipresses, & other rare trees in their apparel, repelled the guilded rays of wanton Phaeton: here the facetious Duke encamped and all his company; resolved to encounter the utmost fury of his own strong wine, and our English chemic waters: three hours the fight continued hot, charging one another with equal valour; many stout bottles and flagons were emptied and buried, but by strange stratagem revived afresh, thundering so fierce a storm in the Duke's brains, that he sell back and had undone himself, had not my Lord Ambassador by great chance upheld and horsed him: the rest perceiving their General so strangely vanquished, sound a retreat, and study how to untwist their brains from out that magic labyrinth: Mr. Stodart of Caernarvan, a bold Britton, and Mr. Emery played Bóotes: Next day the Duke made his excuse, and returned his thanks in a Present of twelve brave horses, with bridles and saddles suiting them; by which it seems all of them were pleased and the Ambassador (who without such an entertainment had never pleased them, though infinitely contrary to his temper) was crowned with th' applause of a noble, discreet, liberal, and well fashioned Gentleman. After many other ceremonies of welcome (in which time, piscashes and gifts were not left out) we had leave to set on towards the Court; I call it leave, the Duke was so unwilling to part with us: we were bravely mounted, furnished with fresh Camels and Asinegoes, able to endure the brunt of travel. Six and twenty days we consumed in Sheraz, forced to so long commorance by the merry Duke; and on Lady day in Lent, departed thence for Spahawn the Persian Metropolis. But I cannot ride fare, till I celebrate my vale-dictum in this Charistery. Why should our wits dispute where Eden stood? If in the Earth, or Air, or if the Flood Did spoil the Surface; thus we fell from thence! And too much knowledge lost the residence. Yet if that place remain: for us to guess By outward attributes of happiness, Why should thy Plains (Shyrazz) give place to those Where fruitful Nile and Ganges overflows? Thy curious prospect, lodges, soil, the rich Variety of pleasures that bewitch Each gazing eye, would make the looker on Think Paradise had no destruction, Or else replanted there. The swelling grape In dangling clusters tempts another rape To taste the relish, as the Apple did, And some would touch thy fruit although forbidden. Thy Towers, Baths, Gardens, Temples, make thee seem Like Memphis, Troy, Thebes, or jerusalem. Thy Natives (Natures Models) to compose Inferior Beauty by the looks of those. Farewell sweet place; for as from thee I went, My thoughts did run on Adam's banishment. But ere we go further, suffer me to trouble you with such Monarches as have ruled Persia, I will only give you later Kings, such as had their seat royal in Sheraz, begun 700 years ago, and but lately ended: The first, is Abuzvez Deilamshaw (injuriously supposed a fisherman, from his use of Navigation, as was Tamberlan a shepherd from the Tartarrs vagrancy:) this (Deylamshaw surnamed Boia (or Moheia rather, from fish a calumny) had three sons; Ally, Hushan, Achmet. Ally sirnmed Abenhassen had no issue: his father and he were both buried in Sheraz An. Dom. 940, hag. 320. Hussan by death of his elder brother, was Lord of Parc, Hery, Hierac, and Corasan; Acmet had Kerman and Macron. To Hussan succeeded a stranger Zedday-Mohee by name, brought in by Mustapha the Babylonian Calyph; to whom succeeded Eyna-duddaule that had no issue. So Rocnadaul (Hussans son) got possession of his father's seignories, and died Anno Domini 980. hag. 360. dividing first his crown lands amongst his three sons; Sherfadaule, Shamsdaules, and Bahao-daules. The eldest had Shyraztan, Larestan and Kerman: the second, Hierac and Diarbec: the youngest had Gerioom and Taburstan, Sherfadaule died issueless Anno Dom. 990. hag. 370. the second brother inherited; but the envy of traitors gave him small joy, for he was buried not long after his Coronation; whereby the signory came to Bahao-daules the youngest son of King Rocknadaule. Bahaodaule governed twelve years very successfully, and at's death commanded his eldest son Sultandaule to succeed him: this Prince was trained up in field exercises from his cradle, and by his valour much enlarged his Empire, yet could not defend himself from Hocem Masharafdaule his restless brother, till by agreement the Kingdom was divided: to Sultandaule, Farsistan, and Aywaz: to Hocen, Hyerakeyn. At that time Gelal●daul their brother was invested with the Caliph-ship of Bagdat Anno Domini 1021. hag. 401. and Sultan-daul at last dies, and is Anno Domini 1025. buried in Shyraz with great solemnity. Abdul-cawn his son ruled after him: but perceives the Crown to totter, yea, to fall off by the unnatural practices of Syarfuddaul (called also Abul-favar) his traitorous Uncle; forced thereby to fly to Gelaladaul his other Uncle the late made Kaliph, who is glad of this occasion, having long looked with a squint eye of ambition upon his Nephew's Diadem: but dissembing it, with a brave Army he descends from Bagdat, and with ease dethrones Abul-favar, but mounts himself into the throne to Abdul-cawns amazement, who to save his life flies into Arabia: whiles Mahomet Gaznehy from Hindostant falls upon Ayrac and Shervan, but is repelled most shamefully into Sablestan, Parc at that instant being miserably trod underfoot by the Turquemen and Deylamen: ere long Abul-favor gets so highly into the Calyphs favour that he is confirmed in his former title, but in the way death cut off his claim, leaving Abdul-cawn the banished Prince his right, who upon this fair advantage returns, and is joyfully welcomed: but surfeiting of too much joy, he lived not long after it; for, commending his body to the earth, he gave the royalty to Aben-melec-Rahim his son, who died Anno Domini 1054. hag. 434. without issue, and in whom (after a race of fifteen Kings) took end the Moheyan pedigree. To him succeeded Abumansor, who pretended himself true son of Gelaladaul the Caliph: he took to wife Danta daughter of Toshalbeg, and died (after five years greatness) in Kermoen, and lies buried at Hurkawn not fare from jasquis: he had five sons by that Lady, Abumansorphulad-sotun, Chozroe-pheruz, Abu-becr, Abuzeddai, and Aboally-kay-kozrao. Abumansor enlarged Shyraz, and did his best to make it strong and beautiful; but whiles he busied his fancy at home, he looks not abroad, such time his ambitious brother Cosroe-pheruz gripes him, and takes unjust possession of his Territories: but revenge pursues him, for being invited to Bagdat to see his sick grandsire Toshalbeg; for his cruelty to his brother, he is put into a loathsome prison, where famine and stench made an end of him. But this could not terrify Abuzedday the fourth brother from intruding into Abumansors right: albeit, his injured brother had escaped and gathered a resolute Army, who so stoutly stood his friends that Zedday is slain and his associates banished. It seems Abumansor was borne to an iron destiny, unable at his second return, to safeguard himself from Fazele his Lieutenant, that unawares detrudes him into a deadly prison, adorning his rascal brows with his Master's Diadem: Aboally will none of that, he takes a happy advantage, and pulls it from Fazels brows and crowns him with one (better becoming Traitors) of flaming iron. Aboally after he had soveranized seven years, is arrested by grim death Anno Domini 1100. hag. 480. and for want of issue the Sceptre falls to Mahummed Abutalip Togrulbeg, son of Michael, son of Salgucius, son of Didacus', a Turqueman. In the Salgucian family it continued till Mahummed Abul-casen died Anno Domini 1220. hag. 600. without any issue. A race of Tattarrs followed: led by Cingis-cawn Lord of Ketoa-kotan, Maurenahar, and Gaznehen. (Almostansor-bila-Mansor then sitting Caliph of Mecca and Bagdat.) To Cingis-cawn (who died Anno Domini 1228. hag. 608.) followed Tuki-cawn, and Chagatay-cawn; from Chagatay-cawn descended Tamberlan, whose issue now rule Hindustant. After the Tartars, the Turks a fresh planted here, led by Chara-Mohummed An. Dom. 1415. Heg. 795. a Karakula guspan or black sheep as they call themselves, banished Anno Dom. 1470. Heg. 850. by Acen-beg (called also Vsancassan) an Armenian Christian, whose grandson Alvan was the last white sheep, or Acorlu-guspan shorn mortally by Izmael-Sophy his ambitious kinsman An. 1504 Heg. 884. This Izmael was great Grandfather to Abbas now Persian King, of the Ben-Ally or Sophian Genealogy. Let us now (what pace you please) to Persepolis, not much out of the road: but were it a thousand times further, it merits our pains to view it; being indeed the only bravo Antique-Monument (not in Persia alone) but through all the Orient. PERSEPOLIS, (first called Elamis from Elam son of Sem son of Noah) was built (enlarged rather) by Sosarmus a Median Dynast, third from Arbaces that put a period (by death of Sardanapalus) to the Assyrian Monarchy, begun by Belus (Nymrod and jupiter) and in a glorious succession of one and forty Emperors commanding the world, till Arbaces subjected Babylon. By Cambyses (son to Cyrus the magnificent) it was most beautified, and from him to Darius Codomanus continued Empress of Asia two hundred & thirty years in a line of thirteen Monarches, till Alexander by conquest of all Asia made prostrate also this glorious City, betrayed by Teredates, and demolished by vehement persuasion of Thais an Athenian harlot, who (in revenge of Xerxe's expedition into Greece) never gave over exasperating the giddy Macedonian, till she saw it flaming; an act so unworthy Alexander as he sought to quench it with his tears. A City so excellent, that Quintus Curtius and Diodorus Siculus entitle it the richest and most lovely City under the Sun. A high and stately Tower it had, circled with a triple Wall: sixteen cubits high the first, adorned with battlements; the second was two and thirty; the third of threescore cubits high, of delicate polished Marble, entered by many gates of burnished brass. To the East rose amiably a hill of four Acres, in which (in stately Mausoleums) were entombed the Monarches of the world. Many rare and admirable buildings it had, amongst which, the glorious Temple of Diana (mother to that at Ephesus) by josephus' report was at that time the most exquisite for Art & material in the world. The stones were of richest Marble and Porphire, the roof of refined gold. A bait Antiochus the avaricious Atheist long had nibbled at, but could not swallow it, as he had done Jerusalem's, whence sacrilegiously he ravished ten ton of gold. The Palace royal here, was cut out of the marble rock, above two miles about; the roof and casements were of Gold, Silver, Amber, & Ivory. The State within, was of gold and oriental glittering gems, in one room an artificial Vine (presented by Pythius) the stalk pure gold, the clusters of pearls and carbuncles; his bolster was valued at five thousand Talents of gold, his footstool worth three thousand; such, as (after the unruly Greeks had pillaged three days) gave the Macedonian Victor for his part, 120000 Talents, or 72 millions of crowns, a mass of gold: yet very possible, if it be true old Histories report (Herodotus is one) how that at that time, the Monarches of Persia (besides the Tribute of other Kingdoms) had yearly out of Indya three hundred and threescore Talents of gold. Easily then might the Greek load away (as story says) three thousand Mules, with two and thirty millions and 750000 pounds in coin, though in that adolescency of the world, one would wonder so much treasure was found. But we may believe it, since sacred writ tells us that in Solomon's reign, in Jerusalem gold and silver was as common as stones. Also Xenophon, that when Cyrus descended into Asia the less, he brought back no less than 125 millions of pounds. But why stand we gaping at these prodigious sums. Pauper enim non est, cui rerum suppetit usus. These sparkling Diamonds, what are they but Mammon's eyes; this Chaos of gold, but refined clay. What Magic then to make Idolaters. For my part (by God's help) I intent rather to admire the Anatomy of this glorious ruin, which Don Garzia de Silua Figuroa (Ambassador Anno 1619 to Abbess from Philip the third) calls it the only Monument of the world, without Imposture; yea fare exceeding (says he) all other miracles in the world, we can either hear or see at this day. Miserable in my poor description. The ribs or ruins of Persepolis are at this day called Chilmanor or Chehelmanor (i.e. forty Towers) in the idiom of Persia: and might more properly have said Hashtot-Manor, or eighty Towers, for so many are easily told two yards out of the ground; and if from so many pillars as are perfect and lofty, then may they say Nouzda-Manor or nineteen Towers, at this day no more standing, one excepted at the East below, above a bow shot thence. The whole Basis is cu● by incredible toil, out of the solid marble rock, twice the compass of Wyndsor Castle, ascended by fourscore and fifteen easy stairs, dissected from the durable black Marble, so broad that a dozen horse may go abreast: the perpendicular is two and twenty Geometric feet, and where the stairs are not, the rock is precipitious. near the highest step, is the entrance into the Palace; the breadth is visible, in despite of flame and weather: on one side the gate stands a monstrous great Elephant, on the other a Rhinoceros; the distance is about twenty foot, the portraicts are out of the shining Marble, ten yards high either of them, fixed and perpetual: a few paces thence, are of like work, bulk and matter two gallant Towers, and (to finish the Porter's Lodge) near them is an other ruin, a Pegasus an invention of the Sculptor to illustrate his Art: and being past this portal, the Apollo opens, a fair even ground, deplorable in many ruins, a hundred white Marble pillars, whole and broken dignifying this once most excellent structure. Upon many of these white Marble pillars the Storks have builded them their nests, where the rage of wind and weather is more offensive to them than any dread they have of the people who inhabit near them: in all unseasonable stormy or cold weather they forsake the Region and fly where the Sun can comfort them: the Persians have many superstitious stories concerning 'em, and suppose them (as elsewhere I have noted) the Emblems of piety and gratitude. The Pillars which are at this day standing, (but seem to groan under the tyranny of Time) are 'twixt fifteen & twenty cubits high, & rise beautifully in forty squares or concave parallels; every square has three full inches; whereby the circuit may be gathered: most excellent is the matter, most elegant the work, and no less commendable, the order and shape how they are placed: in posture, in show, to this day admirable; but when they stood in lustre and perfection, were elsewhere scarce imitable. From the ordinary standing, we easily enjoyed a most delightful prospect: but in the summity or advantage a brave Horizon of thirty miles unlimited Plains every way gave itself to this Imperial Palace, as seeming to submit itself in a happy lowliness. Ruins of Persaepolis. In part of this great room (not fare from the portal) in a mirror of polished marble, we noted above a dozen lines of strange characters, very fair and apparent to the eye, but so mystical, so oddly framed, as no Hieroglyphic, no other deep conceit can be more difficultly fancied, more adverse to the intellect. These consisting of Figures, obelisk, triangular, and pyramidal, yet in such Symmetry and order as cannot well be called barbarous. Some resemblance, I thought some words had of the Antic Greek, shadowing out Ahashuerus Theos. And though it have small concordance with the Hebrew, Greek, or Latin letter, yet questionless to the Inventor it was well known; and peradventure may conceal some excellent matter, though to this day wrapped up in the dim leaves of envious obscurity. Adjoining this, is another square room, from angle to angle ninety paces, in circuit three hundred and threescore paces: beautified with eight doors, four of them are six paces broad; the other four, three a piece: all eight severally composed of seven great polished Marbles fixed one upon another; each of those stones are four yards logn, five quarters high, most excellently engraven with Images of Lions, Gryffins', Tigers, and Bulls: and in other places (for the walls are durable) Battles, Hecatombs, Triumphs, Olympic games, and the like, in very rare Sculpture and proportion. Above each door is engraven the Idea of a Majestic Monarch; his robe is long, a Tiara or Mithra on his head, his hair very long and curled; in one hand he holds a Globe, in the other his Sceptre, a garb and session never used by Persian Princes. The silly inhabitants (who made no account of it till of late) name him, jamshet, and Aaron, & Samson, and Solomon, a wonder they leave out Rustan their Hercules, and as easy for invention. A third chamber conjoins the last we spoke of, this (if they lie not that told us so) was a Gynecie or Nursery; it has four unequal angles, two sides are sixty; the other two, seventy of my largest paces. From that we issued into a fourth room, two sides are twenty, the other two, thirty paces. The walls are very eminent in this chamber, of black shining Marble, in many places so bright and jetty, as we could easily view our reflex, no steel mirror comparing with it. In most parts the walls are cut into Gygantive Images, illustrated with Gold, to this day permanent. Somewhat further, over heaps of stones of valewable portraitures, we mount towards the most lofty part of this Palace, where we saw the resemblances of a devout King, adoring his three Dietyes, the Sun, the Fire, a Serpent, all which are cut upon the perpendicular Mountain. The other side of this high hill is a precipice, down which is no descending. But whether this Fabric was jonick, Doric, or Corinthiack, in the perfection, I cannot determine, the ruins forbidden a positive judgement. But such at this day it is, that a ready Lymmer in three months space can hardly (to do it well) depict out all her excellencies. Pity it is, it is not done, the barbarous people every day defacing it and cleaving it asunder for gravestones and benches to sit upon. Five mile's West from Chehelmanor is also a gallant Monument, a Giant cut into a monstruous proportion, whom the illiterate Persians say was Rustan, and from him called Nocta-Rustan. I rather judge it the Image of great Alexander, who had a desire, that after ages might think him more than a man, and his men more than Monsters, as appeared in his conceit to make many Armours, big enough for three men, and scatter them in India that the people might not dare to rebel, lest those Poliphems came to lash them. near Chilmanor is Mardash (corruptly by the Spaniard called Margatean) a Town of two hundred houses, the people so superstitious that such houses as we came in they perfumed and aired (some were happily fired) for that we were not Mussulmen. From this place to Sheraz are ten farsangs; interposed by some craggy hills and a pleasant river (Rhogomana of old) over which is a bridge, the best till then we saw in Persia. This river is by Quintus Curtius lib. 5. and Strabo lib. 15. named Araxis (Cho-Araxes is a fit name) streaming (says he) twenty furlongs from Persepolis. Another of that name, so often mentioned by Ptol. Mela, Plutarch, and Lucan, is in Armenia, and indeed divides it from Medya, at this day called Arash) and very famous. After two days stay in view of old Persepolis, the eight and twentieth day we took horse, and that night rid four and twenty miles to a Town called Moy own; in midway 'twixt which two Towns, we noted a high impregnable mount, at whose top, stood desperately a Castle so fortified by Nature and industry, as may be thought impregnable. A late rebellious Sultan (weary of slavery) maned it against his Prince victorious Abbess, who (to terrify others by his example) came in person to chastise him. But such was the precipitious height where the Castle stood, and the narrow entrance so bravely defended, that in six months siege he could see no sign of victory. Loath he is to leave it so, and what stratagem to take, cannot imagine. A great reward he promises to any would effect it. Valour is invalidable. Art Magic perpetrates it. An old wizard covetous of so much money promises the Devil's best, and accordingly, by his infernal spells so possessed with threats and phantasmaes the wretched Sultan, that upon the witch's assurance of pardon he descends, the block rewards him. But Abbas acknowledges the Enchanter had merited his price and grudgingly gave it him. The foolish man so dotes upon his gold, that he sees not danger. The King reputes the loss of it, and knows no way to recover it but by sending him to Satan without his head, the reason of his Justice was for his Sorcery. A quality at other times he commended deeply, but now abhorred it: a pretty policy. To return. Moyown, is delightfully seated; enriched with sweet water, excellent Wine, much wood, and Nature's Carpets. It properly belongs to the highly reverenced Prophet Izmael, whose tomb Emoom-Izmael is here seen, by liberality of many Kings, and great men not a little honoured: towards its maintenance (and the Priests) the Town gives yearly twelve thousand mawnd-shaw of Rice, and four thousand of Barley. Next night we lodged (slept I cannot say) in O-jone, a village of thirty Families, all of them Prophets or Prophet's children. We ever found least profit, where Prophets dwelled, no wine nor grapes allowed to grow amongst them; not that wine is bad, but out of a Tradition they have, that it is the blood of those Giants that warred against the Gods. Next day we road over most craggy, steep, and terrible high hills, and at night made Tartang our Manzeil; a small Town, only famous in a high Sepulchre, clothed with violet coloured velvet, under which is buried a great Uncle of the Kings. Next night to Assepose, notable only in an old mud Castle, sometimes a garrison; in and about which, are forty thousand Georgians and Sarcasshes, by profession Christians; by quality, Captives; a people much honouring Saint George the Cappadocian Bishop their converter. They differ from Mahomitans (not in habit, but) in their grey eyes and long white hair (Albani ab albo crine) after the mode of Antic Gallants, recorded by Pliny and Lucian, tissued with fillets of gold or silver. If any of these turn Mahomitan, they are preferred beyond vulgar merit. Poor souls, hearing that we were Christians, they flocked about us, yea wept to see us. Not much distant hence, is Thymar, memorable if Byzar err not, in a brave and Ancient Monument, by some Hebrew characters supposed the burial place of Bathsheba, Mother of King Solomon: 'tis called Musqued-Zulzimen, i.e. Solomon's Chapel; a place if truly so, worthy the seeing. Next night we lay in Whoomgesh, next in Cuzcuzat, next day to Bazeba-chow, and next to Degardow, eight leagues from which place, (and nearer Tezdycaus) we road over a steep Mountain of black shining Marble, (and where are Quarries of Serpentine and Porphyre, if the earth were looked into) the descent was so percipicious, that but by ragged steps and those not a little dangerous, was no riding down: howbeit down we got, and that night road to Gumbazellello (famous in a Carvans-raw and the best wheat bread in Persia;) next night to Yezdecawz a Town built in the bottom of a valley, sunk down in mid a great plain, whereby it is scarce to be found, did not a Castle point it out, raised by Yezdgyrd a Persian King above the Town, and where is a very stately Carravans-raw, the best from thence to Bander on the Gulf of Persia. Next day (through De-Moxalbeg) we got to Amnobaut (by some called Boyall) a village of thirty families, all of them a postat Georgians, enclosed, to exclude their shame, by a high, strong, round wall raised with battlements, resembling a Castle; commanded by Daut (or David) Chawn (brother to the Duke of Sheraz) an Apostate, for which he was made an Eparch, and honoured with three silly temporary Tittles, bought with loss of an eternal Crown of happiness: he has here a pretty Carvan-sraw and Summer houses for his own delight, wherein are five neat rooms curiously painted in Imagery and embossed with gold; his Gardens are also sweet and prettily contrived into grotts, mazes, vollieres, and the like, equal to that of Aladeul ' at Caramit for his Assassinates; but nasty and deformed if compared with Paradise: from Amnobaut we road next day to Commeshaw, a Town boasting in a thousand houses and much Antiquity. It may be either that same Town which Pliny called Parodana, or that Ore-batys in Ptolemy: Sir Robert Shirley was once her Governor, under that wicked parricide Constandel chawn; but it seems they bore small love to either of their memories, neither vouchsafing to bid us welcome (as most Towns did we hitherto passed through, although I have omitted to speak their ceremonies) nor a lodging, a base respect to so noble a passenger. At this place Persia is limited, and where Ayrac (or Parthya) takes her beginning: Chiraef, Gardon-achow, Nowbengan, Kazeron, Pherushabad, Estacher, Nabandioem, are reckoned Towns in Farsistan, I have but named them. But that you may the better go along with us; and especially in that the latest Maps of Persia are so erroneous, both in rivers, the situation of places, and their true names (for to say truly, none of them have five right names;) I have therefore inserted this of the Persian Empire; in which, neither the position of Places are false, nor names of Towns fictitious or borrowed: map of Persian empire THE PERSIAN Empire Next day we got to Moyeor; agrandized by a thousand families; but none of their houses compare with their dove-houses for neat and curious outsides: they have some excuse for it; some of them are descended (not from Columba Noae but) from those holy Pigeons, who fed at Mahomet's ear and advanced his reputation not a little, persuading the simple people they brought him news from some (bad) Angels, concerning their happiness. Next night we were usherd to Spawhawnet by a servant of Meloyembegs the Kings fiscal who entreated the Ambassadors to repose a day or two there, till Spahawn had fitted itself for a solemn entertainment: where whiles we repose we may remember, that most of those Manzeils we have passed from Chehelmanor to his place, are 'twixt twenty and thirty miles asunder. The whole distance is somewhat above two hundred miles, as I computed them. The tenth of April we set out from Spahawnet a village six mile's South from Spahawn: when we had gone a farsang (three miles,) we were stayed by the way to taste a banquet in a spacious garden of the Kings, whither the English Agent and such other Christian Merchants as were in Spahawn came out to attend our Lord Ambassador: a mile nearer the City, the Visier, the Sultan of Spahawn, Meloyembeg and Hodge-nazar the Armenian Prince with four thousand horse and innumerable foot, came to bid us a happy entrance: the fields two miles from the town were replenished with vulgar men, women and childen; the Bannyans like caterpillars swarmed about us; all together, in a volley of thundering acclamations cried out Hoshomody, Suffowardy, the better sort Hoshgaldom i.e. welcome, hearty welcome: forty kettle Drums, Fifes, Tabrets' Timbrels, dancing wenches, Hocus Pocusses, and other Antics past my numbering ennobled the ceremony: the bridge was full of women on both sides, many of them in fair deportment unmasqued their faces. The first place we alighted at was the Conna-potshaugh, the King's Palace, placed at the West side of the Medan or great Market: there the Noble men kneeled down, and tessalemd, three times kissing the King's threshold, and as many times knocking their heads against the ground in an awful obeisance: Sir Robert Shirley sizedaed also and contented them; a Coselbash ended the ceremony in a panegyrics to this purpose: That the Fame and excellency of Shaw-Abbas was so great as had attracted a great Prince and other Gentlemen from the extremest Angle of the world, to see whether fame had been partial in his magnificence: no wonder, since his radiant beams spread themselves over all the Universe: that done, some bottles of good Wine were lavished out, after which with a continued clamour of the plebeians, we were conducted to a brave house of the Kings, at the Southeast end of the City, through which, a deep broad water had its course into the Sindery. The fourth day after our being in Spahawn, the English Agent banqueted our Lord Ambassador, and shown us a rich and hearty welcome: to agrandize it, at night a Tanck of water was beset with lighted Tapers, artificially uniting the two contrary Elements; squibs also and other fireworks, that made all the City gaze and gape with wonder. Next day Hodge-nazar was visited at his house in jelphea; a Christian he professes himself, but (I must be bold to tell him) his house is furnished with such beastly pictures, as no way relish of honest or Christian invention: amongst our other cates, we had a roasted pig, a meat to Jew and Persian infinitely offensive: the Wine flagons and Bowls here, were of purest gold. I desire to speak a little of these Armenians, that the rest of our Travails may be woven with more ease and fewer mixtures. These Armenians are called also jelphelyns from the City they dwell in here, named from their Metropole near Ararat. In habit they differ not from the Persians, but live in equal freedom: they profess Christ, and account Saint George their Patron, from whom some think Georgia takes name, and not from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Husbandmen; they and the Georgians are habited alike: this is their greatest difference, that the Georgians excel in war, the Armenians in merchandise: this Image may well represent them both. A Georgian man and woman. They both are honoured by the memory of twenty thousand Martyrs in the last persecution, Sapores tyrannising then o'er Persia: the Country derives her name from Armenus a Thessalian (jasons' kinsman)▪ It is divided into major & minor: the greater is confined by Tartary to the North, by Media and Assyria to the South: the West and East with the Euxin and Caspian seas: It includes Colchis, Albania, Georgia, Iberia, etc. obscured in other barbarous names, as Zuria, Goweria, Mengrellia, Turq'mania, Cara-culia. Gurgee, Haloen, and Sarlochya (from Gog and Magog,) and to which place, the ten Tribes were brought by Salmanasser the Assyrian. They have two Patriarches or Protomists; one at jerusalem; the other at Syna in Arabia; sometimes they reside at Sister near Tharsus or at Ecmeazin near Rhivan, or Ervan in Shervan. Antioch their old Sea they dare not challenge. They have the three first general Counsels in great honour, study the Latin tongue, (rare in Asia); they have twelve titular Bishops, three hundred some say; poor, but no way despicable. They have the old and new Testaments in their mother tongue; the Litany also, part of which, is every Lord's day read and expounded in the Churches: they administer the Lords Supper in both kinds, Bread and Wine; and deny a real presence; they allow but our two Sacraments: Baptism they celebrate after the Eutichyan sort, as jacobus (father of the jacobites) and johannes Philipponus Anno Dom. 550 mis-taught them: the proselit gentiles or Mohumedans in the forehead with a burning cross, others they baptise with two fingers, and sign the Infant with the cross, as glorying in that hyerogliphick the Jews and Mussulmen esteem so ignominiously of: are also great lovers of Tradition: they pray not for the dead, imagining that till the general day of doom they are without joy or torture. Five Sabbaths in every year they abstain from flesh, fish, cheese, and butter; in memory of those five Ages, wherein their barbarous forefathers used to immolate their children unto the old red Dragon: all wednesdays and fridays also in the year except from Easter to Ascention they fast precisely: and no other Christians are such strict Lent-observers: for they refrain their wives that time; and from flesh, fish, milk, eggs, butter; those forty days feeding only upon oil, bread, honey, water, dates, cucumbers, melons, herbs, and the like. At other times they eat hog's flesh. Before the three great Festivals, they fast twelve days: they marry betimes at nine or twelve years: the Laity are permitted to wed twice the Ecclesiastiques but once: trigamy to all is hateful. The Presbitry are much honoured. Images in their Churches they detest, but at home have pictures of Venus and Priapus. The cross they regard, but worship not, believe not purgatory▪ their Temples are but meanly beautiful. Obedience and respect to the better and elder sort is much practised. They punish theft and adultery severely. In some things they are but refined Idolaters: as in some burials, they lead about the Church an unspotted Lamb with much solemnity; they then sacrifice, divide and give each there a bit to eat; as a Simbol, or superstitious bond, obliging one another in love and charity: to me it seems they derive this custom from that of the Hebrews, who used to divide a calf, as Moses records in 15. Gen. 9 and as jeremy notes in the 34 Ch. 18.19. verses. On good Friday they represent the passion and burial of our Saviour: during which, they weep and ingeminate their ejaculations. On Easter they intimate the resurrection by a representative body, using all that morning the old salute of joy; He is risen indeed: an Angelical note they call it. That day they celebrate with great Feasts, the Mahomitans nor jews not daring to mingle among them; The King allows them that privilege. They fast upon the Nativity of our Saviour. The jesuits labour to knit them into Rome; but in vain: they stand much upon their Antiquity, and name two hundred grave and learned Bishops since their conversion, many of which were noble Martyrs or witnesses: the report of an envious Doeg that they had submitted to Rome, agnising the Pope their head, made Abbas storm and not to be pacified, till a thousand of them were made headless: upon which the rest implore help and revenge from the Turk, raising a bloody scene of ensuing Troubles. Some say that Lodovic Grangier a jesuite lately crossed the black sea into Mengrellia, where Threbis-chawn entreated him gently and by his charity they are much purged from superstition: which if so, I wonder that his name is of no more fame amongst them. I fear I have made too large a parenthesis. Let us therefore to Spahawn again, the Metropolis of the Persian Monarchy; yea the greatest and best built City throughout the Orient. Et quô te carmine dicam. Must Babells' lofty Towers submit to thee Tauris, Persepolis and Nynivee? Shushan, Arsacia, and Nabarca, fall Before thy seat and power Provincial? Had that ambitious Nymrod thought on this, Cambyses or the proud Semiramis, With all those princely Rulers which did sway The Eastern Sceptres, when thou didst obey: It would have quelled their pride and let them know, All humane Actions have both ebb and flow. The greatest Monarches cannot conquer Fate, Time doth by turns advance and subjugate. Now royal Abbess rules, Spahawn must rise. (Where Kings affect, there most men cast their eyes, There flock the people:) 'tis his power not thine Which hath eclipsed their light, to make thee shine. Then use thy Fortune so, that none from thence May wish thy fall, or grudge thy eminence. SPAWHAWN, (at this day the Persian Metropolis) is in Arctic elevation 32 degrees 39 minutes; in longitude 86 degrees 30 minutes: differing from Don Garcias account, whose height exceeded not 31 degrees 30 minutes. In whose description if I seem prolix, impute it to my desire to give thee every thing useful and observable. And in the first place, in regard some suppose her (like Agra) a startup Town, we will trace her in her variations as fare as my poor reading will well afford it us. That it was Echatan (as Niger thinks) is ridiculous to imagine: two thousand three hundred year ago it was called Dura; but whether in that Dura the haughty Assyrian erected his golden Colosse, I find it not. Hecatompylos is the next name it had; recorded by Apollodorus, Polybius, Ptolemy, and Pliny, lib. 6. c. 8. so denominated from her hundred gates; whereby we may imagine her in those days great and stately; and though in Alexander's conquest Curtius' name her not, it seems she then varied into that Greekish nomenclation: and of this name we have a story, that Demetrius Nycanor (Sotors son) thirsting after Syria and Jerusalem, was (upon his treacherous kill Antiochus, Alexander's son, to make the conquest easier) affronted by Tryphon Lieutenant of Syria, and forced to fly to Arbaces the Persian King for succour, who being acquainted with his unnatural ambition, not only denied him the law of hospitality, but sent him prisoner to Hecatompylon, where he was fettered; till upon submission and promise of more obedience he was released, and by Arbaces reseated in his own Dominions. After that, Nymzamaena, or half the world: (an Hyperbole borrowed from Rome, Epitomen Vniversi:) by Ben jonas who was here Anno Hegirae 540. of our Lord 1160) Ashbahan or Acspachan; by Mandevil our countryman (three hundred & forty years ago) Saphaon; and at this day is called Spawhawn (or as they Sibboleth, Sphawhawn) and by most writers differently spelled, Spaha, Spachen, Acbaban, Aspachan, Izpaan, Spahan, and Hispahan, the errors springing from diversity of Idioms. From whence the name Spawhawn derives itself, is not known unto the Natives (I asked it them) how then shall we get intelligence? 'tis a thing for certainty impossible, yet will I venture a conjecture that it is either that old Town Spada, where Eunuches were first gelded, or from a compound of Aspa (a horse) and Chawna (a house, or stable, or the like) Spawhawn per Apheresin & Syncopen euphonically contracted; the rather conjectured, in that the Hypodrome (the body of the great Mydan) was an old famous place, for view of horses: if that content not. I must ingeniously confess, I think this City was never named Hecatompylon: such a one I know there was famoused in many Authors: but by observing the position 37 degrees 50 minutes in Ptolemy, I take Coomes or Cazbyn to be the relict of it: the rather, in that Ptolemy, Pliny, and Strabo in their Geography, place Aspa in Parthia, in 36 deg.; a name from whence Aspahawn may credibly have been deduced: beside, the lat. is more agreeable: or peradventure from Aspadana which they place in 33 deg. Spawhawns latitude. First, speak we what she has been for grandeur in older times, and with that we will couple our present observation. If I exceed, excuse it, prestat de Carthagine tacere, quam pauca dicere. A. D. 645. of the Heg. 25, by command of Omar then Calyph of Mecca, Siet-ben-Abivakez with a few troops of victorious Saracens attempts to pluck violently from Yezdgirds head the then tottering Diadem of Persia, & at the third pull (having twice overthrown him) effected it, the glorious command of that Monarchy then eclipsing: which done, this Ben Abivakez sacks his two best Towns Elmedin in Chaldea (built Anno Domini 520, by Kozrao, son to Kobödes, and yet the Alcoran says it sprung out of hell) and Spahawn in Parthia. Also we may memorise her from Tangrolipix (a Turqueman, and Lord of the Zelzuccian Family, of whom the Ottomans) who in the year 1030. of the Hegira 410. (Edward the Confessor ruling England, Gruffyth ap lewelyn Wales,) was entreated by Mahomet then Prince of Persia to aid him against Pysastris an encroaching Babylonian, which Tangrolipix did and prospered in. After that, he helped him against the invading Indian, and in recompense of his good services, the Turk desires leave to pass Araxis to visit his countrymen, betwixt the two seas the Hyrcan and Euxine; and by jealous Mahomet denied and so enraged, that lurking awhile in the Carmanian Desert, the Persian gulf was at his pleasure. But (vexing to be so confined) marches against the King, and at Shyraz beats his twenty thousand darstardly soldiers; and after that, opposes 60000, then also victorious; whereby Mahomet fled, & with two much haste to get into Spahawn, fell from's horse, and broke his neck, the Turks then subjecting Parthya. Rached-bila also, son of Almoster-sha was slain by Mazud, Anno 1130. of the Heg. 510 and buried in Spahawn: which few for many, shall speak her antiquity in the name she is now triumphant in. Speak we now of the magnificence: we have told you how the story of ben-Abivakez a thousand years ago, calls her a great City, but gives us no better description, Ben-Ionas (who says he saw it four hundred seventy six years ago) affords her twelve mile's compass, rich, and populous. Mandevel, A.D. 1300 (which is above 300 years since) says that in his time she was a noble City. A. D. 1474, joseph Barbarus was here (Vsan Cassan reigning) and he describes Spahawn to be a great and famous City, peopled with 1500000 souls, the Town and Suburbs ten miles in compass. Rabbi Benjamin and Contarenus the Venetian Ambass. 80 year ago, relate that then she had 20 Italian miles in circuit, and Lemius the Portuguise sent by Albuquerq to Sha-Ismael, An. Dom. 1513. reports her glorious. I shall now more largely, and truly acquaint you with her present standing. Spawhawn, Metropolis of the Persian Monarchy, is seated in the Parthian Territory now called Ayrack, & as Umbelic to that spacious body at this day awed by the Persian Sceptre: from the Persian gulf removed a hundred seventy nine farsangs, (of English miles five hundred thirty seven,) from the Caspian sea a hundred and twenty farsangs (three hundred and sixty miles;) from Shyraz two hundred twenty two miles, from Babylon four hundred and fifty, from Candahor eight hundred and seventy, from Cazbyn 270. In compass at this day nine English miles, Circuit. including seventy thousand houses, and of souls above two hundred thousand, composed (besides Natives) of English, Dutch, Portuguiz', Pole, Muscovit, Indian, Arabian, Armenian, Georgian, Turk, Jew, and others, drawn thither by the magnetic power of gain and novelty: many things here are memorable; which for order sake I will present you thus divided. The Mydan, Mosques, Hummums, Gates, Palaces, Gardens, Monuments, and jelphey the City adjoining. Let me lead you into the Mydan, into the which ere I can bring you, River. we pass over a well-built Bridge of stone, supported by five and thirty pillars, through which the Syndery (or Zindaren) from the Acroceraunian Mountains streams gently; spreading in rainy seasons here well-nigh so broad as the Thames at London, but nothing so navigable; in Summer her Channels being discovered. The Mydan or great Market, is without doubt the most spacious, Mydan. pleasant, and Aromatic Market in the Universe; a thousand paces from North to South, the other way above two hundred, resembling our Exchange, or the place Royal in Paris, but six times larger: the building is of Brick, well made, and in delightful manner fabricated; the whole Mydan jointly continued: the inside is full of shops, each shop full of ware, arched above (and in a Cupolo) atop tarraswise framed, and with plaster (like that of Paris) cemented. This Mydan being the noblest part, is so placed in the heart of this triumphant City. The King's Palace (or Chonna-Potshaugh) conjoins the West side of the Mydan, possessing a large quantity backwards, but juts not to the street further than the other buildings, nor to the street side gives any magnific front or state, her best bravery being in the trim, pargetted and painted with blue and gold, in mosaic or antic sort, interlaced with posies of Arabic, either savouring of ostentation (they deify their Kings) or for instruction from the Alcoran; within, the rooms are arched, enlightened by curious trellizes, the roof embossed above with red, white, blue, and gold, the sides with sports and painted Images; the ground spread with rich and curious carpets of silk and gold, without other furniture. Tarrassed above, garnished with a Pharoe over-topping many Mosques, and excellent for view and breathing. The wilderness behind, is filled with eyrie Citizens, privileged from hurt or affrights, and for which they return their thankful notes in a more swift melodious consort, than if they were in the exactest vollyere in the Universe. The North I'll in the Medan, shows eight or nine spacious arched rooms, hung with Lamps and latin Candlesticks, which being lighted, gives a curious splendour. Thither the Potshaw and others go to see pastimes of tumbling, dancing girls, and painted Catamites, that damned sin being tolerated by the Alcoran. The furthest end North is appropriate for Mynts; the first day silver, gold the second, next day brass. Not fare thence are victualling shops, wherein, to feed the helpful belly, after the busy eye and painful feet are satiated. Afore the King's door, and within the Hippodrome, lie unmounted one and thirty Demicannons of brass, and twelve iron Culverins, brought hither (by some late overthrow they gave the Portugal or Turk) from Ormus or Babylon. Opposite to this Palace is a fair Mosque, but that at the South end (of all others) most excellent; the outside stone, not formed to the Cross (the hyerogliphic of our salvation) as ours be; but round, either from the Talmud, figuring out Eternity, or from the Alcaba in Mecca, the shape whereof was revealed to Abraham from heaven, patterned from that, Adam (says their Alcoran) reared in Paradise: within 'tis distinguished into Isles, the walls lined 15 geometric foot high from the sole with white well polished Marble; without pews or seats: in centre is a stately Tanck; and at the portal another, octanguler, filled with crystal streams which is first forced to glide round the inside the Medan through a stone channel six foot deep, and six in breadth, which after a pleasant drilling murmur, flows into this Tanck (or watery Magazeen) whence it is sucked out by subterranean passages into many private houses and gardens. Within the Medan the shops be uniform, the trades are no where severed, but united. Some be of Mercers, of Lapidaries some, and most of them of gums, drugs, and spices; so sweet, so delicate, as not till then, could I see the Poet sung well. We sucked the Aromatic air of Persia. Auras madentes Persicorum Aromatum. Take the outside of this brave Fabric thus presented. Hippo dromos The Mydan or great Merkitt in Spahawne. A. is a Mosque South. B. is an arched way to the North. C. is the king's house. D. is a Mosque East. Mosques. The other Mosques (called here Dear ' and Zunae) are orbicular for shape; for sight, low and indifferently pleasant: the materials are Sunburnt Bricks, varnished, and beautified with painted posies; few are without their Tancks (or cesterns of holy water) wherein all Musselmen wash their hands, arms, eyes, (having formerly bathed their face, ears, breast, feet,) as an operative work to purge sin, and confer devotion: their other Church ceremonies I will contract in the latter end of this book, under Title of their religion. Hummums. The Hummums or Sudatories in this City are many and very beautiful; quadrated some, but most be globous. The stone is white, polished and durable: the windows are large without, crossed, and to the inner side, made narrow; the glass is thick, anneald and darkening; the top or covering, round; and tiled with a counterfeit Turquoise, perfect blue, and very fresh and lasting: The inside of these hot houses are divided into many cells or concamerations, some for delight, others for sweeting in, all for use; of pure stone all, all paved with jetty Marble: men use them commonly in the mornings, women towards night; the price is small, but so generally used as makes the gain abundant; 'tis the Catholicon against all diseases, colds, Catarrhs, phlegm, aches, agues, Luesvenerea etc. the women's being there, is known by a linen cloth displayed at the door, set there (as a warning piece) by the jealous Eunuches. The City is oval, each house delighted by large Cypress gardens: Walls. the wall is of no force against the confounding vomit of the flaming Cannon; it is of use against horse, and shock of Lances; some parapets and bulwarks it has, of more imitation than use; the Persian magnanimity ever choosing to dye rather than be enclosed or seiged. It has a dozen Portresses, of which, four are shut up. Gouldest, Chaly, Mergh, and Cherbaugh, made th'entrance of a royal garden. The eight are these, Hazena-bawt (opening towards Shyraz and the gulf) De-cridest (to Babylon and Ardaveil.) Tockzy (to Cashan, Casbyn and Tabryz.) Kerroen (to Yezd and Cawrestan) Lamboen (to Hamadan.) Sheydack Madayan (opens to Candahor and Indya.) Yowbara and Dalwaet. Palaces. The Palaces are few, the King's house in the Medan; that where we were lodged, belonging to the King, but made ready for our Lord Ambassador: Conna Meloyembeg, Tamas-coolibeg and Haram Beguna are all I saw, worth remembering: the first, is low, painted without, guilt within, well watered and enclosed with fragrant gardens. The last, a Seralio, famous for precious treasure and as valuable beauties, of which (being dangerous to inquire or view) we will speak in silence; the Castle is very large, well walled and deeply moated: armed with some brazen pieces, but better defended by a troop of lean faced, beardless, memberlesse Eunuches, who like so many angry Sagittaries guard their Ladies. The battlements are pleasant to look on, but no doubt the Horyzontall plain which is easily discovered from thirty rising Turrets there, yields most pleasure. Gardens. The gardens challenge our attention; than which for grandeur and fragor, no City in Asia outvies her. It encloses so many, that at some distance from the City, you would judge it a Forest; so sweet, you would call it Paradise: all whose excellencies we will join in one at the South-West end of Spawhawn, Nazerjareeb by name, a garden famoused deservedly over all this Monarchy. If you go from the Medan, you pass by Cherbaugh, through an even delicate street two miles long at the least, most part of the way walled on both sides, bestrewed with Moholls or Summer houses, but more remarkable in that abundance of green, broad, spreading, Chenore trees, yielding shade, and incomparable order and beauty; the garden (or rather fruit Forrest) of Nazerjareeb is circled with a stately wall about three miles in compass, entered by three gates strong and elegantly shaped. From North to South it gave me a thausand paces, from East to West seven hundred, from one end to the other easily discovered, by reason a fair open Ally (like that in Fountain b'leau) runs along in parellell, distinguished into nine Ascents, each surmounting other a large foot, each distance smooth and even. In centre, is a spacious Tanck, made into twelve equal sides, each side or square is five foot, filled, and round set with pipes of lead which (after the Italic sort) spouts out the liquid element in variety of conceits and postures; that sort of pastime continuing thence to the North gate, where is raised a pile of pleasure, anticly garnished without; within, divided into four or six chambers; the lower, is set out with Tancks of rich white Marble, and fumes out a cool breeze, by quaffing up so much chrystaline water as makes it bubble thither by a constrained motion, cut by incredible toil thorough the Coronian Mountain. The higher rooms are garnished with variety of landscapes, and represents their way of sporting, hawking, fishing, riding, shooting, wrestling, courting, and other fancies; the roof or ceiling is enriched with beaten gold, embossed with azure. But, what seemed to me most excellent, was the view we enjoyed from her Terraces, which afforded us a dainty prospect of most part of the City; which, (save at Rustans Tomb, upon a hill two miles thence) elsewhere cannot be obtained. This garden is replenished with trees of all sorts; for medicine, for shade, for fruit: all so green, so sweet, so pleasant, as may well be termed a compendium of sense-ravishing delights, or King Abbas his Paradise. Monuments should come now to our description: Monuments but I found few to feed my eyes upon. Rustans Tomb must be one (two miles from Spahawn) behind the Garden we last spoke of: a Tomb scarce discerned by shape, but by the gower's Cabala preserved from Oblivion. To see it, we foot it to the very top of an Imperious Mount, where is only a hollow Cave, whether cut by Art or Nature scarce discernible. His grave is here, his Image, at a place near Shyraz (from his gigantive shape engraven of old in a black-marble precipitious mountain) Noctae or Nogdi Rustan, a brave Cavalier such time as Artaxerxes (Queen hester's husband) wore that Diadem. A.D. 3500. but envy (the heir of perdition) so burnt in the wrathful heart of his unnatural brother Shawgad, that when Rustan was hot in chase, he fell into a dreadful pit, covered with boughs as if it had hatched no danger, but in prosecuting his hate was also slain by a Dart Rustan fling up to retaliate him. Such was the end of valiant Rustan, of whom the gower's (the old Persians) fable more than we of Bellyanis or Ogero the Dane. Near which, and nearer the City is Darius (or rather Xerxes) mount: a rising hillock, and whence, Xerxes viewed the innumerable Army he had in that large Plain, weeping, upon a meditation that in so few years none should be living; a Notion true, and sooner than he predicted; for what by Themistocles ashore, and Leonidas at sea, at Salamys and Thermopilae, his huge Army melted away, and quickly became numerous. Not fare thence, ride we to the Acroceraunian hills (I mean not those of Epire known to Ptolemy) hard and lofty. Through which, bold daring Abbess is forcing passage, though he effect it not under twenty years, and by th'incessant toil of 40000 (sometimes 200000) men, to invite a sweet river to Spahawn, that runs contentedly to itself fifty miles thence, and is by this I believe effected: which when it is, may well compare with that old wonder, intended by vainglorious Nero 'twixt Ostia and Avernus, now called Licola. Within Spahawn I found none, save that Column or Pillar of heads of men and beasts, erected as a Trophy of the King's oath, and as a Monument of the people's levity. At the base 'tis twenty foot round and threescore high or , for (to my shame I confess it) I forgot to measure it. The occasion this, of erecting it. Anno 1500. Heg. 880. such time as Tamas shaw ruled Persia, and Guinza added to the lustre of that Diadem: this City (surfeiting with luxury, for Vbi uber, ibi tuber, says Apuleius) refused not only to contribute reasonably to the King's occasions (at that time troubled with Turk and Tattar) but most audatiously with stood his desired entrance; a rebellion so insufferable as made him swear a revenge scarce to be paralleled. With fury he assaults, in rage enters, firing a great part and in all hostile severity pillaging each house; and to conclude, regarding neither the outcries of old men, weak women, nor innocent children, in two days be made headless 300000 of those late Spahawnians, and (from Tamberlan's rigid example at Damascus) erects a Trophy (this pillar) of their heads, as a memorial of their baseness: En, quò discordia cives perduxit miseros. Another follows. The Pillar of Heads: in Spa●●awne. jelphey is the last part we proposed concerning this great City: the scite resembles Pera to Constantinople, or Southwark to London, the river Syndery interposing. 'tis called a Suburb as be Gower-abaut, Abbas-ebaut, Chanzabaut, Azenabaut, and Cheigh-Saban. Though indeed they are peopled with men of one religion, admitting very little mixture. jelphy is governed by a peculiar Podestate an Armenian Prince, Hodge Nazar by name, indeed a Christian Merchant: he and his enjoy freedom of conscience, but for money matters are at the disposition of the avaricious King. In jelphea (named from another of that name in Armenia (old Ariaramnes I believe, mentioned by Tortelius) the people are numbered ten thousand, in Azenabaut four thousand families. jelphè is by some writ Golfa and Chiulfa, but I think I have better hit our Dialect. The Jelphelyns are habited like the Persians, but differ in face; most of these and the Georgians having brighter hair, and more modest eyes than the Mahomitans. They are generally Merchants, and to say truly, but Factors for the King, who exacts an account at their death, and inherits their posessions. They profess Christianity taught them erroneously by jacobus the Syrian Monothelite. They have two Protomists, one here in jelphey, th'other resides sometimes at Sib near Tharsus, othertimes at Ecmeasin not fare from Rivan or Ervan. Their religion I have already spoken of. An Old Inhabitant of Persia. We entered Spahawn the tenth of April, and on May day departed thence for the Court, then at Asharaff in Mozendram about four hundred English miles distant North. Our first night's journey was to Reegue (or Reig) an hours riding from Spahawne. Thenceforward we made (by reason of the intolerable heat) pale Cynthia and Arcturus our night guides, all day refreshing in the Carravans-raws, good resting places if gnats forbidden it not. From Reigue we travelled to Sardahan sixteen English miles, & next nght we made Whomg our Manzeil being seven and twenty miles from Sardahan. Next night to Towgebawt a house and garden of the Kings, for beauty add sweetness comparable to any other in Parthya; the more observable, being seated in a barren cursed sandy soil, champagne, and terrible to inhabit in. But The blushing Rose grows here! the Violet And Parthian Myrtle in choice order set! Hic rosa purpureo crescit rubicunda colore Et Viole omne genus hic est, & Parthyca mirtus? for five hundred paces it every way gives a series of all sorts of Persian fruits and flowers, Pomegranates, Peaches, Apricocks, Plums, Apples, Pears, Cherries, Chestnuts, Damask, red and white Roses, and other flowers innumerable, fructified by a crystal rivulet, intermixed with many delicate natural and artificial Grottoes, Labyrinths, Meanders, and Volliers, with Sudatories or Hummums of good stone, paved with choice white Marble; the Mohull or Summer Lodge bragging of a dozen chambers, delicate in view, rich in gold imbosments, and proud in th'Architect, all safeguarded from sand and stealth, by a defensive wall that hinders (save in one rising hillock in midst of the six descents) the affrighting sight of the circumvolving Wilderness. Who calls himself a Traveller, must not imagine pleasure his Object, 'tis pain and misery must entertain him oftenest. Otherwise, I could have lulled myself in this last Paradise: but on we must and try the difference. From Tawgebagh we got next night to Bawt six farsangs or 18 miles distant, nothing memorable, save an old Castle in the way, which, by Cynthia's paleness, we could hardly discover. From Bawt we got by break of day to Obigarmy, both of them houses of the Kings, who has at every twelve miles end a several Lodge betwixt Spawhawn and the Caspian Sea like these, and wherein our Ambassador had the honour to repose. And now we are passed the danger; let me tell it you. Most part of the last night we crossed a miserable inhospitable sandy Desert, ten long miles broad, in length a hundred: where we beheld mountains of lose sand, accumulated by the winds fury in such heaps as upon any great wind the tract is lost, and passengers (too oft) involved and stifled by that impetuous merciless Tyrant, yea Camels, Horses, Mules, or other beasts, though strong, swift and steady, perish without mercy: Albeit the King (to do as much as may be for prevention) has raised at every 3 miles end a Castle, but by the unstable foundation, is in March & September in despite of their best props yearly piecemeal torn asunder, without any remains of their late standing. This our last night's travel was thirty miles. Next night we road one and twenty miles to Suffedaw, an old rotten weatherbeaten Inn or Carravans-raw, and placed in part of an unsociable Desert. Our next night's lodging was at Syacow ten farsangs (or parassangs as Pliny calls them) thirty miles English, notable in her Carravans-raw, built from the ground of good free stone, white and polished, and was the first building of that material I saw in eight hundred miles riding; a word of our last night's journey. The most part of the night we road upon a causey broad enough for ten horse abreast, built by incredible labour and expense over a most dreadful Desert, eeven and affording a plain Horizon of boggy lose ground, covered a top, a yards depth with pure salt, as white as snow; a miserable passage, for if either the wind force the salt abroad like dust, or that by any accident Horse or Camel mistake the way, the quaggy bog upholds them not, but suffers them to sink past all recovery; a passage more feared, from some forlorn hopes that pillage passengers; God be blessed, we escaped this, but not another, little less formidable; for we had no sooner passed the salt Desert, but of necessity we must climb over and about hills, so high and glomerating, as if Olympus had been cut out into Dedalian labyrinths. From Syacow we road next night 22 miles, most part was over other salt vast Deserts wherein thousands have perished, and would yet, did not a like large deep grounded causey secure the passage: And here we pitched our Tents, old god Terminus in this place limiting Parthya from further branching North, from whose high tops look we back and memorise her that was once Mistress of Asya, and formidable to the Roman Emperors. In the Scythick tongue she means a stranger, (as justin in his twelfth book) given by the rude Tartar, as to us the name Welch, by the barbarous Saxon. The Parthian Diadem was once garnished with two and twenty Kingdoms, encircling most part of Asya. From which lustre she fell; but after long eclipse, by virtue of the Sophyan stem, has recovered a great part of her former bravery. 'tis now called Hyerac, surnamed Agemy, to distinguish it from that including Babylon. Her old Shires were Rhagaea, Apamea, Tapira, Choama, Araciana, Semina, and Mizia; her mountains, Orontes, Abicoronii, Mardoranii, and Parchoatri; not eight hundred miles in circuit, hilly and barren, yet breeding men both wise and valiant. Next night (Diana running cheerfully through her Zodiac) we road eighteen long miles to Gezz a pretty Lodge belonging to the King: the greater part of this night's journey was through the bottoms of transected Taurus, whose stupendious forehead wets itself in the eyrie middle region: the fretum or lane is about forty yards broad, even below, and bestrewed with pebbles; either side is walled with an amazing hill, higher than to reach up at twice shooting, and for eight miles so continues, agreeing with the relation Pliny and Solinus make of it: a prodigious passage, whether by Art or Nature questionable: I allude it unto Nature (God's handmaid.) But if it be the same which Pliny calls Caspiae portae; Bertius, Caspiarum Claustra; Strabo, and Ptolemy, Pilae Caspiae, Mediae vel Zagriae; and Zarzaeae by Dio. Siculus; I then grant Semyramys (who did what she could to eternize her name) effected it, and from her was called Pilae Semyramidae, as Niger has it. Howbeit, the Persians appropriate it to Mortys-Ally; who with his slicing Shamsheer for the ease of his people made it; a sword after their Cabala a hundred cubits long; and wherewith at one blow he beheaded ten (or as some say, a hundred) thousand Christians: of no credit, in that Pliny (ere Mortis-Ally was horn) thus writes of it, Ruptura est Montis longitudine octo mill: pass: angustissima, etc. But though they ratify their story of Ally with an oath, from me they get no other belief concerning it than this. Hanc fabulam longi temporis mendacia finxit. Of more certainty is this, a Persian in our company told me. That a dozen years ago, a valiant thief with five hundred horse and three hundred Muskets defended this narrow road against all passengers; none passing nor repassing without Tribute. The King of Larry-Ioon, and other mountaineers frowned at his sauciness, and threatened his banishment; but such storms made good music to his ears: Abbas grows choleric to be so bearded by an ordinary fellow, and scorns to honour his overthrow by an Army: for knowing he had many Cavalleers about him, he doubted not by their courages to fetter him: he moves it and proposes a reward: but they had heard the thief was of incomparable fortitude and dexterity; so as by long silence Abbas finds their fear, and grows pale at it: yet ere he could give his rage a vent, a bold Armenian under-takes it: the King embraces him, and breathes fresh courage into the hardy Christian, who excellently mounted, singles out the gladded thief, that doubted not to master so fair a beast with small opposal. It was his custom to give good play; usually commanding his company to look on, if one or less than five entered the straight; such high confidence had he in his valour and dexterity; in short space they met, but parley in Mars his language; the Armenian (in all points fitted for a stern encounter) followed his blows with such skill and fury, that after long fight and much bloodshed on either party, upon close he made death a passage: a victory so irksome to his men (whose lives depended on his safety) that like robbed Bears they fell upon the victor Armenian, who had doubtless there expired, had not an Ambush of many brave Cooselbashaes broke out and relieved him; by whose sudden assault the wretched thiefs were quickly sacrificed unto their Master. The Christian returns to Court crowned with a glorious Laurel. Abbas adds to his lustre and gives him a brave command, so insupportable to the weak soul of this too-strong Champion, that to content the King and ground his standing, he renyes his profession, though an Ocean of tears shed by his beloved countrymen sought to waste him from the Alcoran. But see the end of such Apostasy. Albeit the King had cause to hug him in his bosom, so excellent and fortunate proved he against the Tartarrs; yet jealousy (rather divine vengeance) so stung old Abbess that without any trial or acquainting any man with his reason, he commands Lollabeg to cut his head off, such time as he was singing a lullaby to his good fortune. Our next night's manzeil was at Halvary (eighteen miles from Gezz) a well built Town it is, and pleasantly seated, the earth being mellowed by a sweet rivulet, that purls from the tops of Taurus, from whose virtue the ground is richly apparelled in green, and requites the painful husbandman with a happy acknoledgement of Olives, Walnuts, Rice, Wheat, and Wood in great abundance: bidding a sad farewell to that healthy Village, the next night we road 20 miles to Periscow i.e. a broken Mountain: a Town sometimes honoured with the King's residence; not that the beauty of his house (but ordinary) allures him, choice hawking, Pheasants and other game more delighting him here than any other part of Parthia. The Pole is here elevated six and thirty degrees: the Town is refreshed with chrystallin water, sweet and advantageous to the earth and her inhabitants: 'tis built upon the brow of a high (well woodded) divided hill, whose top has been crowned with a vast Castle, but now by age or war (the canckerwormes of all temporaries) is moth-eaten, her ribs only appear, expressing desolation and famine. One Mahummed commands the Town, and keeps the sword and scale, but is I fear dame Astrea's corrupted servant: no marvel if in a discontented humour she has left the earth, in Persia (especially in Periscow) Justice is so oddly balanced. At our entrance into this Town, (to extort a bribe from the Ambassador) he hanged one Persian, cut off another's nose, and mutilated a third man, to show his authority more than otherwise; their fault was, for stealing a trifle of two shillings value from a footman serving the English Agent: another was ready to be trust up, but a message was sent to my Lord Ambassador, that if he pleased to beg his life it should be granted him: my Lord Ambassador very gladly ransomed him with somewhat more than a mere compliment. Complaint was also made against a farmer for thrashing a whore against her will; Monsieur Radamanth bids geld him, and to hang his stones at her ears as two pendants, the gulf of Persia afforded none so precious: the poor wrench humbly beseeched him to spare his useful parts, so did his astonished wife, so as after much mediation of friends and thirty pounds fine, upon promise to grind in his own mill ever after, all is hushed, and each part satisfied. But each man cried out, a severe Censor is this Daraguod. I read that the barbarous Gauls had such a custom, si furaverit quod valet 40 denar. aut moechabitur, vel castretur etc. But here many times they have such tricks to encompass money. Well may they therefore clamour out. Gold forfeits faith, perverts the poor man's right. Gold makes the Law a slave, where shame wants sight. Auro pulsa fides, auro vaenalia jura, Aurum lex sequitur, mox sine lege pudor. After two days repose in Periscow, we jogd on; the Court then being little more than a hundred miles from us. Our first night's journey from Periscow, was to Gheer, four and twenty long miles, and tedious: some part was over terrible hills, other part through whistling dales; in both which we were so weatherbeaten with a raging storm of wind and hail bred in Tartary, and forced over the Caspian sea (which from hence if the season had permitted we might have seen) that it not only taken away our sight and hearing, but threatened our brains; for in despite of our best skill and closing one with another, it separated us; insomuch as we had hardly recovered our companies, had not the melodious noise of the braying Mules, and jingling of the Camels bells revoked, yea untwisted us out of these Caspian or Zagrian straits; through which, when neither Sun, nor Moon, nor Star befriends, whosoever hereafter travel, let them (if they would prevent precipitious falls) borrow Theseus his thread, or be content to wander in endless labyrinths. From Gheer we road next night four and twenty miles, to a small Village whose name I have infortunatly lost: the Frogs (the Bulbulls or Philomel's of this marish place) it may be were the causers of it, assembled in such troops, and chirping such loathsome tunes, that we wished jupiter had been to give them another King: for The prutling Frogg (thinking his language good) Croaks fruitfully in his beloved mud. Garrula limosis rana. coaxat aquis. To Aliavarr, one and twenty miles from the Town of Frogs we road next night: a very sweet and pleasant place in water, wood, and store of Pheasants; a bird in these Hyrcanian Towns, and near the river Phasis in Mengrellya (Cholcos of old) originally breeding: jason and his Argonauts first made them known to Greece, when hence he forced their Sheep, bearing fleeces of gold, or gold-meriting fleeces. Next night we got to Necaw, five and twenty miles from Alliavar, observable in the King's house, and that the common Mansions and Churches here, differ not in shape from ours of the poorer sort in England. Next night we got into Asharaff; a City upon the Mare Caspium. The Emperor of Persia was here, and had long expected the Ambassador; unwilling to remove hence, till he came, that he might see the extent of his Empire, and lest we should report in Europe that there was no grass (nor grace) in Persia. The Sultan of the Town and fifty Coselbashaes' brought us into Asharaff, and ushered us to our lodging; I may say us, for the ceremony befitted not so great a person as an Ambassador. ASHARAFF (or Ahasuraff, I dare not say from Ahasuerus) is 2 long miles from the Caspian Sea. It is seated low, and many salt Marshes circumvolve her; is but meanly watered; no other but a small spring trickling from the Taurisian Mountains drills in two branches thorough it, the broader of which is not five yards over. The ground is reasonable fat, but incultivated: the greater part of her Inhabitants ploughing in campo martio. I judge two thousand Families live in this Town, and no doubt increases daily, the King having but of late affected this place, his Palace but newly finished, and Farrabant the Hyrcan Metropolis but five mile's West removed hence, where the seat Royal has been kept for many Ages. Abassebaut also, two miles hence, surpasses for a curious Summer house, excels all his other houses for a delicate view, Imagery, Hummum, Water-works, and a Forest stored with game of all sorts: it I say, attracts the King, who (where ever he stays long) makes great Cities of small Villages. The Buzzar here is but ordinary; the Mosques are not to be admired, the King's Palace is vast, and notable only in her Gardens: the building itself is confusedly divided into three or four Mohols or banqueting houses, great and gorgeously painted; which, were they united might better delight the eye, and cause the Architect to be commended. I will speak more of it at the Ambassadors audience. The pole Arctic is here elevated eight and thirty degrees, seventeen minutes; it is due North from Spahawn, as we observed in our starlight travel, (for the days are raging hot, and not to be travelled in or jested with) Arcturus was ever just before us: from Ormus to this place are a thousand English miles: from Spahawn, three hundred and fifty, or ; as reckoned. The Ambassador has Audience. But before I give you a survey of Hyrcania, let me present an essay of my Lord Ambassador's audience and entertainment. After four days rest, the King (or Emperor, Potshaw they call him) was pleased, without long warning to assign him his day of audience. It was the five and twentieth of May, our Sabbath, and the fag-end of their Ramazen or Lent; advantageous to the Potshaugh, for it spared him the charge of a royal Banquet. My Lord Ambassador had Sir Sobert Shirley in his company, and seven or eight other English Gentlemen, his followers: good reason it was some Sultan or other should have convoyed and showed him the way; (the Court being a quarter of a mile distant from our house) but it seems they wanted breeding, or, that some other mystery was in it: for, no other than a footman from Mahomet-Ally-beg proffered a compliment, every way so course that the Ambassador had no patience to digest it, save by equal contempt to inculcate in the Persian mode, and send him thankless back again. To the Court at length we got, no noise, no admirers, saw we there neither; by which we presumed, the Town knew not of our going thither, which I wonder at, since Abbess of all sorts of honours counted to have strangers at his Court, the highest. At our alighting, an ordinary Officer bade us Hoshgaldom and ushered us into a little Court du guard, that stood in the centre of a spacious Court: in it was no other furniture save a few Persian Carpets spread about a pretty white marble Tanck or Pond filled with water: here we all stayed, and for two hours' space junketted upon Pelo and wine, nothing so good in taste as the material they were served in, the flagons, cups, dishes, plates and covers, being of pure beaten gold; thence, we were led by many Sultan's, thorough a spacious and fragrant Garden which was curious to the eye, and delicate to the smell; to another Summer house, rich in gold imbosments and painting; but fare more excellent in a free and royal prospect; for from the Terraces we viewed the Caspian Sea one way, and another way the tops of Taurus. The ground chambers were large, quadrangular, arched and richly guilded above and on't her sides; below, spread with most valuable Carpets of silk and gold: in centre were Tancks full of crystallin water (an element of no mean account in these torrid habitations;) round about the Tancks were placed (pomparum fercula) Goblets, Flagons, Cisterns, and other Standards of pure massy gold, some of which were filled with Perfumes, other some with Rosewater, with Wine some, and others with choicest flowers: and after we had rested so long as we might at full feed our hungry eyes with that food of ostentation, we were brought thence into another square large upper Chamber, where the roof was form into an Artificial Element, many golden Planets attracting the wand'ring eye to help their motion. The ground was covered with richer Carpets than the other were, the Tanck was larger, the materia more rich in jaspar, and porphyr; the silver purling stream was forced up into another Region, yet seemed to bubble wantonly here as in her proper centre: this sea of rich stone, so deep and so capatious seemed an Ocean rather, where the spoils of shipwrecks were conjured out to please the appetite of Midas or god Mammon: so much gold, in vessels, for use and ostentation, being set for us to look upon, that some Merchants there, adjudged it worth twenty millions of pounds sterlin: another watery Magazeen there was, circled with a wall of gold and richest jemms: no flagons, cups, nor other there, but what were very thick and covered with Rubies, Diamonds, Pearls, Emeralds, Turquoises, jacinths, etc. The Chamber was gallery wise, the ceiling garnished with Poetic fancies, gold, and choicest colours; all which seemed to strive whether Art or Nature should be to a judicious eye more valuable: one john a Dutchman, who had long served the King celebrated his skill, to the astonishment of the Persians and his own advantage: the ground in this room also was overlaid with such Carpets as befitted the Monarch of Persia: round all the room were placed Mirzaes', Chawns, Sultan's, and Beglerbegs, above threescore; who like so many inanimate Statues sat cross-legged; and joined their bumms to the ground, their backs to the wall, their eyes to a constant object; not daring to speak one to another, sneeze, cough, spit, or the like, it being held in the Potshaws' presence a sin of too great presumption; In breach of any them fearing his spleen, who (as Caesar told Metellus) could by the fulgur of his eye dart them dead, sooner than speak the word to have them killed: the Ganymede Boys in vests of gold, rich bespangled Turbans and choice sandals, their curled hairs dangling about their shoulders, rolling eyes, and vermilion cheeks, with Flagons of most glorious mettle, went up and down, and proffered the delight of Bacchus to such would relish it. At the upper end (and surmounting the rest, so much as two or three white silken shags would elevate) sat the Potshaw or Emperor of Persia, Abbas; more beloved at home, more famous abroad, more formidable to his Enemies, than any of his predecessors. His Grandeur was this, (circled with such a world of wealth) to himself that day in a plain red calico coat quilted with cotton: as if he should have said, we might see his dignity consisted in his parts and prudence, not (furtivis coloribus) to steal respect by borrowed colours or rich embroideries: cross-legged he sat: his Shash or Turban was white and bungie; his waist was girded with a thong of leather, the scabbard of his sword was red, the hilt of gold, the blade form like a hemicicle, and doubtless well tempered: the Courtiers (Regis ad exemplum) were but ordinarily attired. My Lord Ambassador by his Interpreter (or Callimachee as the Persians name it) quickly acquainted Shaw Abbas why he had undertaken so great a journey; to congratulate his good success against the common enemy of Christendom, the Turk; to agrandize the traffic of raw silk, and other Persian staple merchandizes; to see Sir Robert Shirley purge his honour from those scandalous imputations Nogdi-Ally-beg his late Ambassador had blemished him with; and, that perpetual amity might be continued 'twixt the two famous Monarches of Great Britain and Persia. The Potshaugh rose up; and in the Turkish Tongue gave him a gracious answer. To the first, that the Turks were a base people compared with the generous minds and virtue of the Persians; in fifteen battles he had given them ample proof of their magnanimity, and that no people in the world were to him so odious and offensive. He wished unity amongst all Christian Princes, the Ottomans grounding their conquests merely from their discord: which if otherwise, they would readily retreat to Tartary. Concerning Trade, the King of Great Britain, should if he so pleased have yearly ten thousand bales of silk delivered him at Ormus every january, and for payment would accept of so many thousand Clothes as would equal in value his raw silks; which as he knew the silk was a fare greater quantity than he could use in his own Dominions, so were the clothes to him; but he would hazard the venting them by his Merchants, to serve the Tartars, Arabs, Georgians, and Muscovians. And by this, neither we nor he should have any need to traffic or correspond with Turkey. It would infinitely redound to his honour and content; for hereby he should disappoint the grand Signior of his yearly customs which he is forced to pay, when his caravans go to Aleppo or other parts of Turkey to deliver the silk, to the Venetian, Genoan, French, or other European Merchants; and an unexpressable torment and vexation to his heart and soul it must needs be, to see the whole band of janizaryes maintained merely out of those his customs. What was this? but to cherish thorns to prick his eyes, or to make the swords of his inveterate Enemies sharp and fitted for his destruction. Concerning Shirley he had been long of his acquaintance and done more for him, than any of his native subjects; that if Nogdibeg had laid aspersions unjustly on him, he should have decent satisfaction. It argued indeed Nogdibeg was guilty of some heinous crime, in that he rather choose to kill himself, than stand to his purgation from so impartial a Justice: in some sort he presaged my rigour, for if he had come, by my head (an oath of no small force) I had cut him in as many pieces as there are days in a year, and burned them in the open market with stinking dogs turds. But touching a perpetual league of true friendship, with the Monarch of Great Britain your Master, I embrace it most hearty and wish them accursed that go about to eclipse it. And you are truly welcome (speaking to my Lord Ambassador) that have done me that honour, none of my famous Predecessors ever had before me: for as you are the first Ambassador ever came hither out of your Nation, so I account your Master the first of the worshippers of jesus, and of you in a higher respect than any other Ambassadors: which said, Abbas sat down again. And whereas all Mahomitans sizeda, or knock their heads against the ground and kiss his foot or garment; most friendly he pulled our Ambassador down, seated him close to his side, smiling to see he could not sit (after the Asiatic sort) cross-legged: and calling for a bowl of Wine, drunk his Master's health, at which the Ambassador uncoverd his head; and to compliment beyond all expectation, the Potshaugh pulled of his Turban; by discovering his bald head symbolising his Affection: and after an hour's merriment departed. But by what means the current of the King's good will became diverted afterwards I cannot divine. I could afterwards perceive that Mahomitan Princes are terrible crafty or mysteriously politicious: for from that day till we got Cazbyn, neither was our Ambassador feasted at Court, neither saw he the King, nor did any other Sultan invite, or come to visit him: we partly found the cause, Mahomet-Allybeg was by bribery made our enemy; a Persian lately advanced from a base beginning, and for his neat faculty in diving into all men's doings, acquainting the Potshaw who grumble, who are contented; by such his parasitick facetiousness has engrossed his favour from all others, insomuch as all things pass through this impure conveyance; for whom he loves the King honours, such as he hates the King crushes all to pieces. So that to have his good opinion, each great man outvies others by gifts and such links of corrupt esteem, insomuch that his Annual come in, are bruited sevenscore thousand pounds sterling. And well may be, since Myter-beg (the overseer of the King's Harams or Seralios) has a hundred thousand pound yearly, if it be true, some here assured me. Sors nostra humilior! poor Tamer-begs house at the North end of the Town imprisoned us twelve long days and nights, (so long the Court stayed, after we got thither;) where the Sun darted his outrageous beams so full upon us, that no part of the burning Zone could broil more than did Asharaffe at that present: but the Sun did not more torment us all the day time, than those innumerable swarms of Gnats, Musketoes, and such like excrements, stung and pestered us each night; they biting us, we thrashing them like mad folks. Notwithstanding, some better use I desire to make of this time, than in spider-catching: and in the first place commemorate we the King's justice, (Tyranny I may rather call it) for which, he is famoused above all other Mahomitan Emperors: that by view of others miseries, ours may appear but real flea-bite. A poor distressed wretch, upon some business bestowed a long and tedious pilgrimage from Cabull in India to this miserable place; where ere he knew how the success would be, rested his weary limbs upon a field carpet, choosing to refresh himself rather upon the cool grass than be tormented by the merciless vermin within the Town: but poor man he fell á malo in pejus, for snorting in a climacterick hour, the same time the King set forth to hunt and many Nobles after him, his pampered jade wound and startled at him, the King examines not the cause but sent an eternal Arrow of sleep into the poor man's heart, jesting as (Iphicrates did when he slew his sleepy Centinel) I did the man no wrong, I found him sleeping, and asleep I left him: a comfortless compliment: poor wretch! happy only in this, Aeneae magni dextra cecidit! the Courtiers also (as the Negroes in Manicongo do, who when their Captain receives a hurt by war or accident, sympathise by voluntary maiming themselves in the like part) to applaud his justice, made him their common mark; killing him a hundred times over, if so many lives could have been forfeited: but how highly soever they extol their King, I prefer those ancient pagans before him, who out of Nature's poetry could sing, Nulla unquam de morte hominis cunctatio longa est. A Soldats wife (or concubine if you please to call her) having fed too high, in a lustful bravado petitioned the King for help, her good man proving too weak to conquer her: a dangerous impudence! the King finds it to reflect upon himself, (old at that time, and Master of four thousand Concubines) he promises her a present satisfaction: he calls his Physicians, and when Phlebotomy was held too mean a remedy, they give an Assinego an ophiat lustful potion, which enrages the beast, who by a forced connexion, basely glutted her; but in the end banished her life also. A needy soldier, draws up a catalogue of his good services and closes it in want, humbly entreating favour and some stipend from his god of war for such and such good services. In bello non bis peccatur: for, for his sauciness he is almost drubd (with many terrible bastinadoes on the soles of his feet) to death; and (imitating Pyso the cruel Judge in Seneca, lib. 1. c. 16.) examines who it was that writ it: the Clerk apologises, the King quarrels at his scurvy writing; and that he should never write worse, makes his hand to be cut off; giving the poor wretch just cause to ingeminate: Oh! quam vellem nescirem literas. Two needy knaves were brought into the Divan, and condemned for stealing: many grievous tants the Potshaw levelled at them, assuring them they deserved death for daring to come so near his Court, so lousy and so ragged: they confess they therefore stole, to wrap themselves in better clothing. Abbas is not satisfied with any reason: he commands two new vests be brought and to apparel them; but winding sheets had been more proper; for the executioner forthwith dragged them away, and upon two sticks most cruelly staked them upon their fundaments. Such, and such other was his inhuman pastime during our stay at the Caspian sea, enough on such a subject; by the foot of Hercules the whole body is discerned: for if I should sum up his variety of tortures; his men, men-eating hags of hell; his cannibal hounds, his Capigi and their death twanging bowstrings, his ripping men's guts and the like; what could be the effect but an odious remembrance: and such is the hardheartedness of Mahomitans, a wicked people for cruel inventions: the tender mercies of the wicked are cruelties: a good man is merciful to his beast; but nor beast nor men, are here commiserated. And, albeit nothing be more commendable in Princes than Justice, (for it is that that makes them gods) yet clemency is no less honourable. Tully a heathen could affirm it, in his oration to Caesar for the life of Lygarius: Thy clemency (O Caesar) is most excellent, yea more honourable than thy other virtues: Fortune hath made thee great, Nature advanced thee higher in thy inclination unto mercy. Nor can they well be separated. A Prince (exalted above others in dignity and Title) is tied to an impartial way, neither hating nor fearing any, but rewarding and punishing as cause requireth; without which, contempt or confusion followeth. But to these of Abbas I cannot give the glorious Attribute of Justice: since, if the punishment exceed the fault, it than degenerates into cruelty: a vice, odious to God, (the Father and fountain of mercy:) to men, by imitating their deformities; conceiting any Act, though never so unnatural (if moulded after such a pattern) good and commendable. And heathen Potentates swerving from the rule of divine Justice, pamper the corrupt habit and disposition of their minds, out of a monstrous appetite and opinion that they are above all law, and may every way inebriate their lust, by sportful tyranny: such were the inhuman games in the Roman Amphytheators: such was the barbarism, Xerxes (as Xenophon notes) practised on Masistes his brother, & other Satrapa's; such in Dejoces (father to Phraortes) who utterly exterminated the Persian generosity: such in most Mahumedans at this day governing: I cannot choose but add the miserable Tragedy of his son, the memory whereof is recent through most of Asia. Abbas, by diverse Paramours had diverse children; many of which he educated with great cost, care, and experience. Of most hope, fame, and virtue; where Ishmael, Sophy-mirza, Codobanda-Sultan, and Emangoly; four brave young Princes; the two first, begot on Gordina daughter of Simon-cawn; the later two, of Martha daughter of Scander-mirza: both Georgians, both Christians: the first Lady was brought thence by Kurchiki-cawn; the other by Shaw-Tamas-Coolibeg; both Persians, both favourites: all of them so dear to Abbas, that it seemed he then had got the Elixir of earthly happiness: his wives were so incomparably beautiful; his favourites so exactly faithful; his sons so lively the characters of his person, policy and courage: reciprocally joying the aged King, and overjoying the warlike Persians. But it is commonly observed that as the most excellent things fade, perish, and altar soon: so this admirable candour and perfection in these youthful Princes quickly vanished, Saturn acting it. Ishmael (when by reason of his innate delight in Arms and many quick signs of magnanimity, the Asiatic world gazed and admired him) in a black infernal cloud of poison went down to an untimely grave at nineteen, in the Meridian of his splendour. Soffy-mirza, dogged by a like adverse destiny, though elevated at first for revealing a conspiracy, was in the end, at equal years thrown down and crushed to death, after the dumb Capigi had got a hateful victory, mere jealousy in the King commanding it. Emanguly, ere his popular applause could hatch his ruin, upon conference with a witch that he saw (by the Almuten of his nativity) short life attended him, grows fearful of his Sires inconstancy, and in a deep disconsolate melancholy evaporates his sad spirits, leaving the expectation of hazard and sovereignty to Codobanda Sultan, surnamed Soffee, who (made wise by his brother's miseries) so exquisitely behaved himself, in duty to his King, in a pleasing distance to the people; that Abbas dotes, the people celebrate, and an good Fortune seems to dandle him, Affability, bounty, loyalty, courage, and experience in Arms, at home, abroad, the Persian Monarchy, Turk, Arab, Mogul, and Tartar, admiring, fearing, and commending him in several Eulogies and acclamations: his own, left nothing unsaid or uninvented that might honour him; his enemies without giving their thoughts the lie, could not but idolise him: who for all that, (not like our common spirits, efflated by every vulgar breath, upon every act, deify themselves, and conceit all great additions of honour under their merits) stood immovable, sorry he grew so popular; modestly chiding them for flattery, condemned himself of hypocrisy by suffering his victories to be so guilded, since what he had or did was but a reflex of his Father's virtue, which he doubted might suffer an eclipse by his accumulations. Oh! how execrable is this marrow fretting scab of jealousy and envy? it converts that reason which only makes us Men, without any regard of justice, into brutishness; yea to exceed in cruelty the most unreasonable, most violent creatures! Is not Abbas a King, a Father? does clemency belong to any attribute so properly? Is not Soffee-Sultan-mirza a Prince, his son? on whom can he more justly confer his love? in whom should virtue rather dwell? where can there be a better centre? poor Prince! the path he treads to add lustre to his Father's Diadem, to do his Country good, to be accounted commendable; betrays his steps, and entices him to an affrighting precipice: the more he labours to delight his Father, it serves as fuel to an unjust jealousy; the more he dignifies his country's honour, the more applause the people crown him with; and Abbas fears his popularity: yea so fare cherishes dishonourable thoughts, so much degenerates from paternal piety, that without all pity or regard of justice (which makes Kings more beautiful and glorious than when circled with a Tyrant's sparkling Diadem) he ruminates his speedy destruction. During these his cabinet machinations, the harmless Prince brandishes his steel in proud Arabia, but after many conquests, himself becomes captivated. An Arabian Princess of good report, great beauty (in such bodies usually are impaled the fairest souls) and other excellent endowments fettered him: but by his bravery and worth quickly redeemed himself and vanquished her. Such magic has love, such magnetic power is in virtue. By this Lady he had (in few years) two children, Soffy and Fatyma: no less loved by their Sire, than beloved, doted on by the Grandsire Abbas; a strange affection, to distinguish so unnaturally; to separate where nature had so strongly joined, to hate the graft, and have the fruit endeared to him. But that his hate might flow more currently and less suspected, he looks one way and shoots another; seeks to enrage by abusing him he loved most dearly, Magar an Arab, the Prince's Tutor, a sober, faithful, and valiant servant. Abbas calls for him, and in leiu of applause or rewarding him for his sons noble education, he lends him a stern frown, accuses him of pride, and charges him that he had bewitched the Prince with base ambition. Magar sees not the venom prepared for him; and therefore in an humble, but confident excuse, seeks to quiet him; but the better he apologuized in his own behalf, and the clearer he made the Mirzaes' loyalty appear, the more he exasperates the King, the higher his rage inflamed: so that first he amazes him with a volley of rigorous defamations, and in that maze gives the sign, a dreadful sign: for forthwith the Capigies break out and strangle him. An unparaleld barbarism! an act so unbeseeming that famous King, as amongst the common sort to this day it is not credited: but, Fame's brazen shrill-mouthed Trump sounds it abroad, and ere long the Prince (then in action against the Tartar) has notice of his Sires injustice: he leaves the Camp, and after many signals of sorrow, beseeches the King he may know the reason of it: who flashes him this thundering reason, for thy rebellion; he calls heaven to witness his integrity and obedience, but Abbess provokes him further, to entrap and have some colour to satisfy the world in his destruction. The Prince madded with heat and passion, imagines he saw Magar a strangling; and in that ecstasy unsheaths his sword, vowing to rescue him: the King sorrows not at his distraction, but at this advantage (upon some fair terms disarming him) calls him into another room, and (pretending he was not very well) goes out, commanding seven big-boned villainies, deaf and dumb, through a trap door to issue upon him, armed with bloody minds and deadly bowstrings: their habit and weapons bewray their cruelty, they needed no other interpreters: the Prince admires the cause, and if oratory or other submissive signs of entreaty could have gotten remorse or delay from these hellhounds, but till he knew the ground of this unnatural project, he had afforded it: but, assured they were inexorable, with an incomparable rage and suddenness he flies upon them, now one, than another receiving such horrid blows, that (ere they could fasten on him, or ensnare him with their ghastly twanging bowstrings) he sent three of them to the Devil; and long time defended himself, offending those bloodhounds with admirable courage and dexterity, insomuch that had he mastered any weapon, he had doubtless saved himself; but wanting it, his breath failed, and longer his valour could not nourish him, for, facile est vincere non repugnantem: so that at last they fastened their noozes on him, who now was as a dead man; for all which, the villains had triumphed in his further tortures, had not the King prevented it, commanding them to opinion him, and (before he could recover his senses) to draw a flaming steel afore his eyes, and so to blind him; forbidding him the sight of what he loved ever after; wife, babes, friends, soldiers, or Magars carcase: And by this impiety, Asia lost her fairest jewel, Persia her Crown of honour, and Mars his darling. The loss of so brave a Prince is quickly rumoured: All Persia mourns, and in many threnodies sing his farewell: his Army swells with passion, but seeing no remedy, by a forced silence murmur their imprecations: the Prince, when he perceived his undoing (the eye of reason lent him such a sight) falls frantic; he curses his birth, his fame, his loyalty, his cruel parent; and by many contumatious threats, vows his destruction: but vana sine viribus ira; he finds his revenge impossible; but at that conceit roars hidiously, and is not to be comforted, till Suliman-mirza, Curchiki-cawn and other his kinsmen and quondam favourites, flocked about him, and by their miserable examples dictated patience; for none there but in some measure had swollen big with the King's infusion in their times, and by like jealousy were crushed down, mutilated, and damned to perpetual imprisonment. In those discontented times, Abbas kept his Orb, moving like another Saturn: now he imagines his Crown fixed closely to his head, his seat steady, every way free from storms and other accidental causes that might disturb his quiet: he swum hourly in an ocean of delight, and relished it: but nothing so much enchanted him, as young Fatyma; no other Siren was melodious in song, or delicate in feature, save pretty Fatyma; if any stood in fear, he is pacified by Fatyma; Court and Kingdom admired his love, but joyed at it; for by this Lady they found a way to expel his rage, and how to pleasure him; the prisoners also by this Fatyma got some livelihood; for want of which, they were oft times well-nigh famished; none (but she) daring to mediate: and thus by this good infant gained they what formerly they pined for, food and comfort. But what joy finds the blinded Prince, since he cannot participate: revenge delights him more, that word as music pleases the infernal fancy of this melancholy Mirza, not caring how detestable, so Abbas suffered. The Devil inspires new rage, and blows the coals of (more than cruel) assassination: for albeit he loved Fatima, yet hearing how his Father doted on her, that begets his hate, yea hatches the innocents confusion. Oh! in him behold the savage and transcendent cruelty of cursed man: revenge had plunged him headlong into a whirlpool of unnatural barbarism; insomuch, as when the pious child came (in an unlucky hour) to bring him comfort, and by all symptoms of duty to expatiate her obedience; the wretch grasps her, & in a lymphatic fury whirls her neck about, unable to untwist herself from his strong and wrathful hands, miserable Fatima expiring by her hellish Father: and in her, the joy of parents, delight of Abbas, candour of Persia, and comfort of the distressed, vanishing. The amazed Princess his wife cries out his sight deceived him, that it was Fatyma, little dreaming that he therefore martyred her, because Fatyma. And, as if that had not been enough, (to prevent the King of a successor) hearing young Soffees voice, dolorously crying out for Fatima, winged with rage he gropes for him, but by the Princess' interposing, the boy escaped, or else had lost (what he now victoriously enjoys) the Monarchy of Persia. When Abbas heard her Tragedy, he grows so outrageously passionate, that many feared he would become his own executioner. But, when he had drenched his sorrow in a sea of salt tears, he moderates his spleen, and revives upon hopes of punishment, and vows to retaliate him in the height of cruelty: but, receives so terrible a reply from the distracted Prince, who had returned a million of dismal curses, that he is stupefied with amazement: And to end the Catastrophe, after he had tired out two days with much impatience, the third, he put a period to his loathed life, by quaffing up a cup of deadly poison: the King showing needless mercy in his solemn burial. The sad Princess mewed herself up from sight of man; but since her sons coming to the Crown, whether he have made her sociable or no I know not: Abbas died just at our departure. Let us now to another subject, and in a brief description survey the pleasures of Hyrcania, which we have partly relished, and are now enclosed in. HYRCANIA (whether denominated from her fruitfulness in Goats, or from Harcoon in the Scythic tongue importing solitariness, or from Hadora as Montanus called her, I dare not determine;) is now called Mozendram (a derivative I think from Mandagarsis in Ptolemy) and Kabonkara: by some (whose fancies I approve not of) this Province is called Karizath, Corca, Girgia, Caspia, Steana, Casson, and Diurgument, relatives merely, of invention; the North is limited by the Caspian sea, the East with Sagathy or Bactria, the South with Mount Taurus, the West with Medya and Armenia. Hyrcania is most part (a great part we traveled) woody and champaign; watered with many sweet and spacious (but not navigable) rivers; such be Araxis, (descending says Ptolemy from Sacapen or Saducen) Cyrus, Obsel, Connack, Mazaeras, Bundama, Hydero, (from the Deserts of Lop) Aragus, (falsely said to descend from the Molossians) and others, which from the Taurisian Mountains stream violently, and after they have mellowed the humyd earth in many divided branches, wander into the Mare Caspium: at this day it abounds with many sorts of beasts, birds, fruits, fish, and villages: Sheep, Buffoloes, Camels, Asses, Goats, Horses, Cowes, Antilopes, red and fallow Deer; with Silkwormes also, and Pheasants, Partridge, Quail, Woodcock, Pelican, Heron, Pouts, Thrush, Hens, Philomel's; and in fruits of most sorts; with fishes also, as Trout, Pike, Carp, Sturgeon, Conger, Lamprey, Tuneys, Gudgeon, Thornback, Cockles, Oysters, Mussells, Crabs, Limpits, Dogfish, and Cackrell; most of these the Caspian sea afforded us: and (which we will sequestere from others) with Lions, Wolves, Wild-catts, Boars, Scorpions, and Tigers, supposed to nurse the people, as sung the Poet Them with their duggs the Hyrcan Tigers fed. Hyrcanaeque admorunt ubera Tigers, Gnatts, Flies, and Snakes (to our sad remembrances) in insufficient numbers. Towns of old were, Talebrota, Sarramanna, Adrapsa, Sorba, Asmurna, Tapen, Carta, and Mauzoca; lost by protract of consuming time, or from new names as new Inhabitants have succeeded here; at this day are these, Farrabaut, Asharaff, Periscow, Omoall, Barfrushdea Chacoporo, Caban, Baezd, Darabgier, Gengee, Shamaky, Erez, Bachu, Byldith, and Derbent; flourishing with people, famoused by trade, and admired in her plenty. The Hyrcanians are but lately civilised, no longer than since Shaw-Abbas in despite of their resistance came amongst them: but how may we credit the Persians (for 'twas they that told it us) in that at this day, they excel the Persians, for husbandry, trade in raw silks, and other employments; such as has made them rich, and famous; yea happy, till the Persian Soldiers intermingled & sucked their honey from them: The Hyrcan language is understood by every Persian. Their habit resembles the Irish troozes: upon their heads they wear Pyramidal caps of cloth lined with delicate sheep's wool: the vulgar Hyrcanian take thus represented. An Hyrcanyan. They are generally affable, merry, curious in rarities, and nothing jealous aftet the manner of other Mahomitans: we must not believe the merry reports the Persians told us of their virgin courtesies: of old, they thought to have forbade the valiant Greek desired entrance, by twisting one tree to another, (as did our Abbot of St. Albon against the Normans) but he that had diffected Gordions' knot (though mystical,) with equal policy subjugated these Hyrcanians. Upon Whitson-monday we left Asharaff; the King at that same time journeyed into Medya to Casbyn: our Travels were different, he went by Periscow, but sent us by Larry-Ioon, that we might have the better view of those his richest Provinces: this night we lay in Farrabaut, a City five miles distant from Asharaff, late spoken of. FARRABAUT (or rather Farrag-baut, from King Farrag-zed (baut is garden, Said is son,) successor to Shezyr son of jezan Zeddah, and predecessor to Tezdgird the Hyrcanian King slain by the Romans in the year of our Lord God 595. five and twenty years before the hegira or banishment of Mahomet) is not unlikely to be that old Amarusa noted by Ptolemy: and the same City per paranomasiam (if opinion delude me not) which Vlughbeg and Teixera call Strabatt and Estrabaut. The situation of Farabatt is low, in a marish and insalubrious plain; whereby it sucks in the salt fumes and cold foams the Caspian sea (a little mile, North) evomerates. 'tis watered by a fresh stream, forty paces broad; which arising in mount Taurus, bubbles down, and at this Town incorporates with the briny Caspian: in place of solid walls, it is engird with liquid moats or trenches, planted with willows and other trees, which give both shade and ornament: the houses differ from the common mode of Persia; they be without Terraces or flat tops, and resemble ours in England rather, in shape, in windows, and in tyling; the whole Town brags of three thousand families; of most Note, are the two Buzzarrs, equally spacious, neat and beautiful; many choice and fragrant Gardens also condecorate her, which together make a combined beauty though seeming separate: but, more notable than the rest, is a sumptuous Palace of the Emperors; at the North side of the City, whose balconies view, whose Gardens extend to the Mare Caspium. It has two large Courts (comparable to Fountain bleaus) either of which express an elaborat Art in the skilful gardener; paild they are in many shapes, the ground is forced into pretty knots, the spreading Elms, Chenores', and Sicamores surrounding and commixing so pleasantly, so artificially, that from each chamber the prospect is amiable, the eye and smell contending who should surfeit soon of variety. The house is low; but each chamber, high & capacious; rich in work, commendable in uniformity; we could not enter with our shoes on (a common Assiatick trick at meals & hours of devotion; the Romans also used it, as Terence in his Heautont: Accurrunt servi soleas detrahunt, etc.) some are square, some gallery-wise, but all are arched: three were especially rich and lovely; whose sides were set with Mirrors or Looking-glasses; and whose tops or ceiling, were gloriously embossed with flaming gold; the casements were of large square Muscovian glass, cemented with gold; the ground was overspread with crimson velvet, some stuffed with Down; others with matteresses of azure coloured velvet; covered with Calzoa of bodkin or cloth of beaten gold: and in Winter the Potshaugh sleeps either in sheets of costly Sables, or of delicate shagg or sheep wool of Corasan: in those galleries of Mirrors the King has sundry representations of venereous gambols, his Concubines studying by amorous postures to illure his favour, to glut his fancy: the other chambers are richly furnished, the walls varnished & painted in oil, but by an uncivil pencil, the genius of some goatish Apelles; such Lavaltoes of the Persian jupiter are there, such immodest postures of men and women, nay of Paederastyes, as makes the modest eye swell with shame, the curious smell wind nothing from those artificial flowers, save loathsome invention. Let us go cent the Caspian air, and taste the unruly waves, compared with the quiet houses, sweet and wholesome. The first object are those prams or ships, wherein the Moscovite sails down Volga (70 mouthed Volga, issuing from the Hyperborean and Rhyphaean hills) and from Astracan (in six and forty degrees) cross over the Caspian sea, and at this Port or Demir-cape (in 40 degrees 20 minutes) ride at anchor, till they have loaded away raw silks, exchanged for Sables, usually in March, in july returning; with a good wind they cross the sea in 8 days, though by adverse storms Sir Anthony Shirley was fourscore: these vessels (resembling our old Corraghs, recorded by Caesar and Lucan) are without ordinance, the Sea is free of Pirates: they are sowed with hemp and cord (made of the husk of Cocoes,) and have little iron work; the Mariners are as meanly furnist with skill or use of Compass. Here also we saw many Canoes, of one piece of wood hewed out of some grown Oak (Hyrcania has store, yet little used) capable to receive eight men in fair weather without much danger. map of the Caspian Sea and its environs Four days we spent in easy journeys upon this remote shore; the first night we got to Chacoporo, a big Town; twelve long miles West from Farrabat, and upon which, the sea oftentimes beats outrageously: a river, a stones cast over refreshes her, but (if they told us the truth) is not always potable; for one month every year it tastes brackish. Next night we got to Barfrush de, a great Town; well peopled, enriched with silkwormes, wood, and excellent water; and therefore they may the better forbear wine; for the law here forbids the use of it, under a grievous penalty. This place is from Chacoporo 12 miles, many of the men here delight in Archery, and have long been famoused in that manly exercise. — the Yew Into Ithyrean Bows is made to bow. Ithyreos' taxi curvantur in arcus. Hyrcania is a continued Forest, and of all the trees I saw, none exceeded the Mulberries, for numberless numbers, none more notable for use; ten, yea thirty miles spreading in them: the berries if white, refreshed our bellies, the colour our eyes, the leaves our observation. In every Village and Cottage we might behold sheds filled with industrious people, and enriching silkworms, seeming the seminary of that valuable Fly, so accounted of through all the world, so advantageous to the Persian Emperor; who from hence (besides those many rich Carpets of silk and gold, silk, silk and silver yearly woven for their own uses) extracts an annual quantity of raw silk, seven thousand six hundred Batmen (or bales I think) exported through Turkey into Europe, to his great benefit. The silkworm (as in quality, so in diversity of shape) varies from other worms: her first generation arising from a small round black sperm (like Gunpowder or Musturd-seed) which by moderate heat increases to an inch, assuming (at first) the shape of a palmer worm, from which resemblance in six months she two times changes: her common food are leaves and boughs of trees; but of all other, the white Mulberry most delights her, strewed daily all over their sheds, kept sweet, and warm, and cleanly. Having satiated their useful appetites, they forthwith become enemy to idleness, surcease their creeping, and with their excretiated virtue intwine themselves, in some sort making their lawn both winding-sheet and Sepulchre. The silk cooperates with such colours as be laid afore them, white, yellow, green, and sandy. And albeit they be involved, yet are they visible to the eye, such is the transparency of their excrement. Their exterior part, is a pale gold commixed with lemon, rough and hairy. The interior more hard and form ovated, the better to inhume th'included Fly. Whose task being ended, the silken cod or balls are straightway spread afore Apollo's corruscant rays, by whose radiant candour the distressed worm is broiled to death; not unlike a glorious miser faelicitating his death, so it be in contemplation of his rich idolatry. And by this expansion the silk becomes much finer and purer, than if she were suffered from her own notion to issue forth and break her habitacle: After this the silk cod are thrown into a large caldron, filled with water, and made meanly hot; then, with a penetrated cane the people stir them about, at once drawing the slimy silk from as many as his instrument can lay hold upon, or convene in advantage; lastly with a wheel they are turned round; it attracts the silk, and leaves (nothing worth the getting) indivellicated. But that they afford honey, yield wax, build nests, and are a sort of spider, Aristotle, and Pliny may conjecture so, but experience derides their supposition. By this time we are got to Omoall a City as well known as any other in Mozendram. OMOALL, (of old, Zarama I imagine) is thought to be that Naborca or Naborea, where the Oracle of dreams was so much famoused. It is built under the North side of the imperious Mountain Taurus; of such Grandeur, that three thousand Families inhabit in her, of several countries and languages, Armenians, Georgeans, Hyrcans, Persians, Jews, Curdies, and Muscovians, who make a Babel of seven tongues amongst them. The place is fruitful, and blessed in present prosperity and antic greatness, the ruins completing the report of her being once Metropolis; the houses at this day are not builded in the meanest fashion, glorying above the rest, in an old but strong and stately Castle, second to none about her; which, besides the well composed Architecture (affording no small pleasure to the eye) is observable in a deep trench filled with water, of good defence against the pilfering and rodomantadoes of the adjoining Taurisians: commendable also in some sweet gardens useful and delectable: within the Town and near the Castle, is a famous Mosque, honoured by four hundred and four and forty Princes and Prophets of that Kingdom entombed there, whose Sepulchers raise admiration in the beholders; that especially of Mere Agowmadeen is famous, to whose shrine are daily offered serious devotion. As I entered, I found twenty reverend and well apparelled Arabians in a round, close by the Prince's Dormitory, with each an Arabic Alcoran before him; out of which, with great modesty and good music they chanted a doleful requiem to his ghost; in which they were so serious, that notwithstanding I came suddenly amongst them, and in such a habit as others admired, they sung on and in a Doric sweetness continued till they had finished that their Threnody; which ended, they arose and bade me hearty welcome, readily pointing out the rarities of their Temple. Thence, I went to the river side (over which upon a Bridge we road the night before) hoping to shade myself (from outrageous Phaeton) under some Poplars there abounding; but quickly left the place again: for 7 or eight beauteous (but not bashful) Damosels (like so many Dorids) sprung suddenly out from the water, to admire my , never regarding they were naked; some my hat, my hair others, othersome thought my spurs an antic. I wondered no less at their immodesty, and left them with a frown, dictating their base carriage and my impatience. And till by inquiry I saw it came from a greedy novelty, I thought them Layesians: but it seemed I erred; for when the men (such time as Phoebus mounts in his meridian) go to sleep, the women then enjoy the river and cool their heat, in both kinds too much abounding there. Their habit is only a smock of transparent lawn, wrought at hands, neck, and skirt, with an imbroydery of silk and gold; the men are clothed like the other Hyrcanians. From Omoall we traveled to Larry-Iohn or joon; (I cannot tell if that jonaca in Ptolemy) thirty miles thence; at which place the Kingdom of Hyrcania takes end and Mount Taurus, or Taur-achow beginning. Taurus (says Dion. Alexan.) Totius Orbis terrarum maximus, sic dictus quod instar Tauri elato capite incedit, etc. But Eustathius thus, Veteres omnia grandia & robusta Tauros vocavere, etc. Our journey lay sometimes through inhospitable straits, other times over most stupendious hills; the breadth from one side to another about fifty English miles, from Omoall to Damoan; the length fifteen hundred: towering in a hedge of hills from Armenia to the furthest part of Indya: and after two days painful climbing got so high, that we might see the middle region under us, and we involved in i'll exhalations. Taurus, Mons omnium maximus, says Aristotle; yet the sublime height did not disaminate us, as did the danger of descending, the path was so uneven and craggy; yea, the rocks so unskilfully cut out for a passage; that great heed must be taken in the treading or a terrible precipice into a bottomless lake endangers us; in one hill for three miles together the way was carved (by some unskilful workman) in the mid-part of a most horrible aspiring perpendicular Mountain, the lane in some places a yard, in some but half a yard in breadth, so as if by accident two horsemen meet, I could not see how both could have safe passage, nor is it higher than one's head if mounted; a wretched passage! for whiles I was sometimes looking at the wonderful height above us, and anon casting my sight downwards into that dark Abyss, a rock bending ill-favoredly into the narrow way struck me such a blow, as for a great while I was astonished, and happily delivered from a downfall; a rock, demanding an uncivell tribute from all careless passengers. At length we got safe out of that formidable path of death into the broad and lofty Mountains, from whence the lying Greeks' beheld Prometheus (son of japeth by Asia his wife and brother to Atlas) cheyned to these rocks, his heart gnawed by a Vulture, for daring (though Pallas helped him up) to steal celestial flames from Apollo's Chariot wheels, to inspire life into his Images. The mythology is this, from these high Mountains Prometheus first studied and observed the firmamental motion, the acronical rising and setting of the Stars and other bodies celestial, the causes of Meteors, eclipses, and other hidden rarities of nature. Hence Pyrrha's stones are fabled, Saturn's reign, The birds of Taurus, Promeths' thievish vein. Hinc lapides Pyrrhae jactos, Saturnia regna, Caucasiasque refert volucres, furtumque Promethei. Hence also let us view (from this highest Terrace of the world) North East, and fix our dim sight upon Corason. Corazon I take for that, old writers entitled Coraxi in Pliny, Corziana in Procopius; Corasphy in Ptolemy; Chorasmia in Athaeneus, vicinating the Seres (part of Sogdiana the one, of Aria the other) famous in silk and delicate wool, by Lucan memorised. Quid Nemora Aethyopum molli canentia lana, Velleraque ut foliis despectant tenua Seres. What aethiop's woods made white with tenderest wool, Or Seres leaves, which scorns soft fleece to pull. Tzetza thus in their commendations. Seres atque Tochares (the first seat of the Turks or Turqu'stans) gentes prope judiam, texturas pulcherrimas texentes omnium, & quae praeciosiores antiquis temporibus Iberes occidentales (now Georgia) & Coraxi (now Corazon) similiter texturas pulcherrimas lana operianur, etc. Nunc autem abuteus ut multi, dixeram illud ex Thebis, ex Sericis non ignarus ut alli, etc. Whereby it seems though silk in the Latin is from the Seres, yet they had it from the Iberians, and they from Egypt; so likewise now Hyrcania is most excellent. Sydonius Apollinarius also thus: Assyrius gemmas Ser vellera, thura, Sabaeus. Assur yields gems, wool Seres, Saby fumes. Corazon (included 'twixt 36 and 40 degrees) is divided into three large Provinces. Hery, Farghan, and Tocharistan, (i.e. Aria, Paropamisa, Tocharia) all at this day adding lustre to the Persian Diadem. Of Hery and Farghan I have elsewhere spoken. Tocharistan or Turquestan is a member of the Ouzbeg-Tartar in 40 degrees, adjoining Gaznehen and S'marcand. Towns of note there, are Tuz (in 38 degrees, the birthplace of Nazarradyn the great Mathematician, & Commentator upon Euclyde) Nishapore, Sarkas, Gelack, etc. extending from this part of Taurus to the river Nycaphtac, of old called Oxus, the Terminus to the ambitious Persians; subdivided into many Toparchies, the Camae, Camaecae, Alizonii, Basilei, Vrgi, etc. buried at this day in oblivion, or wrapped up in other Nomenclations. Maurenahar, part of Sogdiana has the river jehun on the South, (Gihen or Gychon) and Korazon with Gaznehen to the South East; and to the West the Mare Caspium; it is a part of Tartary, spacious, populous, but barren, mountainous; the people affecting rape and idleness. Some make it a part of Turquestan (a remnant of those, Alexander shut up) and from whom are sprung those Caterpillars of the world, the Turks, the offspring of Hagar, and though to us but lately known, yet to old Geographors the name Torc was familiar, repeated by Rabbi Benjamin-ben jonas in his Itinerary, who notes that the captive Jews brought hither by Salmanasser, associated with the Torqs near Nyshabur, by Ptolemy Nisibi, by others the mountains of Nisebon; Hayton also commemorates them and Vlughbeghius. Towns of account are, Buchar and Seonargant, (Maracanda in Arrhyan, Samrachatan in Chalcondiles, Paracanda in Strabo, Sarmagana in Ptolemy.) (Bokar and Samarchand) the birth places of Avicen (called Honain-Ali-ben-sein) borne Anno Heg. 370, a famous scholar, in ninety books of Physics, Chemics, and Philosophy helping others: and of Tamerlan borne Anno Heg. 760. Balk, Thalan, Arzan, Kaz, Sychamest, etc. inhabited by a Scythic people then and now removing too and fro in Tents; a warlike race, but illiterate and blockish; great Idolators, carving the Devil in many ugly postures; very ceremonious, abstaing from bread, drink, wine, but to raw flesh of horse and man, had a terrible appetite. An Ouz-beg man. And if we were to give every hill and Province their old nomenclations from Armenia to Indya, it would savour of presumption and prolixity; the quest is so obscure, so shipwrecked in the gulf of dim oblivion, Heniochus (in Mengrellia) Gordiaei, or Ghibel-Noae in Haiton (in Iberia,) Niphates, Moschici (from Mesech, and whence of Moscovite,) Pariaedri, Coraxici, and Baris (in Armenia:) and those rabble of incertain Incolae: the Massagets, Taburaei, Suaebi, Bomaraei, Alinorsi, Cadusii, Comari, Sagazini, Caerasini, Pratitae, Paredoni, Cythaeni, Marucaei, Harmatatrophi, Mandradani, Sariphi, Turquemanni, Bochari, Gaznehi, and other Provinces, all of them comprised in these four Ararat, Caucasus, Taurus, and Imaus, at this day new-named Arar, Adozar, Taur, and Kopizath. Nam hoc scito probe neque te lateat, Abasgi & Alani, & Sacae & Dacae, Rhos atque Soromatae, & qui proprie Scythae, Et quicunque finitima gens flatibus Boreae, Communiter denominantur Scythae, Scytharum nomine. But more useful to our intellect, is the long time famoused Mountain Albors, near this place; infamous in the Pyreme or Temple of Idolatrous Fire, which has never gone out for fifty Ages. Strabo in his fifteen and Procopius in his second book of the wars and jars in Persia remember it: Ben-Ionas also, a vagabond Jew records it. Within the Fane (round and low) is an Altar elevated five steps from the ground: afore this Altar is a Trench or ditch, wherein the Fyre-god is placed; a fire not as is other elemental fire, fed by cumbustibles; but of that, Prometheus stole from Don-Phoebus Cartwheels, or which Zertoost their Lawgiver stole from heaven, (a cabala of equal truth, and choose you which likes you best) and is, no doubt in imitation of the Jewish fire which Moses commanded should never be extinguished or profaned, 6 Levit. 13, the Devil ever frameing his worship (to make it better accounted of) after the best pattern. In this Tophet, they commonly immolated their little children, and sometimes men of more years than discretion, thinking by this voluntary to purchase an (iron) crown, of (hellish) martyrdom. After he had vowed himself to be a sacrifice, his friends in great troops, and with no less joy flocked about him; clapping him on the shoulders with this greeting. Hail, blessed man! When? when wilt thou burn thy impure carcase, to have it purged & made glorious in Paradise? he appoints a day, and they prepare towards the ceremony: the time being come, they assemble at his gate; & he issues crowned with garlands; they mount him upon a Mule, (for after he has vowed, he must no more honour the profane earth with his footsteps) the jesop anoints him with a hallowed oil, and after many loving farewells, he incinerates in flame to ashes. Ere his children departed, or music cease roaring, the Priest having consulted with the Devil, tells them their duty; bids them sanctify themselves, and provide a costly banquet against such a day, when their father's ghost means to visit them: they leap for joy, and think each hour a day till the time accomplishes. At last old Satan comes, that subtle liar, and in their father's shape or phantasm, enters amongst them, and at some distance deludes their eyes, and readily satisfies their curiosities; they inquire how Paradise contents him; he replies, by prospect it is a garden of such delights as are ineffable, but as yet cannot possess it. They ask why? he tells them, because his will is unperformed; they ask who he left it with, the Priest produces it: the tenor is of one note, his goods must be divided into three, the Altar one, the Priests another, his children a third: without which spell the ghost affrights them ever after. The gower's in many parts of Persia are of this religion; the Persees also in Indya. Upon these Mountains they fable, that Pischyton (Guztasps eldest son, who in jacobs' days governed Persia) lives here and thirty immoral Chyrons, who by a grant of Zertoost (the fire-bringer) are to abide here till Doomsday, and if any steal in by chance, they likewise may become immortal. No doubt, but Abbas attempted it. Here also, upon Quequits high hill are some relics of the furious Gyantesse Lamasaque, and of Arneost her husband, a Giant of monstrous shape and proportion: I have forgotten how many score of cubits he was high, but armed he was (if you will believe the Persians) with two horns as big as the tusks of an Elephant; his eyes were terrible big, his tail like to a Cows, but in fight as powerful as was that club of Hercules: This great thief and his wife were both slain by Saint Ham-sha Honcoir such another soldier as was Saint Romayn at Rohan. But leaving these ignes fatui, let me draw your eyes to our ensuing journeys: After many laborious steps we got to a Village called Ryna, twelve miles short of Damoan; where we beheld a Castle, so built upon the best advantages of Art and Nature, that it seems impregnable: above, it wants no ground fitted for ease and war, sweet gardens filled with fruits and flowers, made happy in a rivulet of pure water springing there, and thence delightfully streaming in many obliqne meanders into the bottom. In this place, five and twenty year ago, lived one Meleck Bahaman, Late conquest of Mount-Taurus. who like a second Pluto commanded many hills and dales in Gelack and Taurus; a King, albeit confined to the middle region, most commonly forced with great cost and care to uphold his dignity against Tartar and Persian his great cost and quarrelsome neighbours: yet such was his good fortune, policy, valour, and mutual love 'twixt him and his subjects, that though often invaded, he stood secure, yea, lived to hear the ruin of many, his late enemies; his only aim tending to preserve what his predecessors had justly made him heir unto, and that his grey hairs might go in peace to an eternal dormitory. Thus thought Bahaman, and added his endeavours to complete his thoughts. But Abbas the ambitious Persian, returning from the conquest of Mozendram (forcing Shalley-mirza son of King Abdalla-cawn to become his pensioner) looks up upon Taurus which seemed to threaten his undaunted heart, and vows to be no longer bearded by that mountainous King, taking his Motto out of Tacitus, id aequius quod validius; charging him also that from his lofty dwelling he peered into his two Kingdoms Medya and Mozendram, by that advantage ransacking his Towns, robbing his Caravans, illuring his worms, anticipating his progress to the Caspian Sea, and diverting many rivers into other sources; which springing upon Taurus, streamed gallantly into Hyrcania & Shervan, without whose felicitating, those Provinces became barren and barbarous. Meleck Bahaman readily answers Abbas, and finds his drift, comparing him to that fable of the Wolf who drinking at the springhead, quarrelled with the silly Lamb for troubling his draught by quenching his flagrant thirst at the stream below. Whiles Abbess in an impatient delay resolves to try the chance of war, appointing Methiculibeg with an army of Coosel-bashawes to perfect his designs, and not to descend thence without victory. It could not be so secretly intended, but aged Bahaman has intelligence of his immediate purposes. At first it troubled him, in that his grey hairs were more propense to ease than tumult. Yet, lest his subjects from his example might be discouraged, he throws away his dull thoughts, and as a common father provides for safety, in arms and victuals furnishing his large Citadel for many year's siege, yea, omitting nothing that might entitle him a careful and expert Soldier. In each defensive place he plants a Garrison, and makes every part naked and comfortless where the Enemy might march, that in nothing he might be advantageous to the Persian. That done, he mews himself, his Queen, two sons, and ten thousand able men in his defended Castle, not fearing any thing they could attempt against him. The Persian general with thirty thousand men mount upwards and at their first ascent, find the way so tedious, made more dangerous by many dismal showers of Darts and stones thundering on them, that they grumbled at such stratagems, and would needs tumble down again, till Methiculibeg by many promises of reward, and exposing his own head in the front of danger drew them up, and after some petty skirmishes, encamped himself before this Castle; where he was told, the King and victory was included. When they had long viewed this inaccessible fortress, they half dispaired of subduing it. Such was the height of that Castle, and such the perpendicular ascent, two excellent defences Art and Nature had enriched it with. Some Attempts he made, invalidable; to shoot their Arrows at it, was one with aiming at the Moon. Small shot they had and many Lances, but of small force to batter rocks; so that after many tedious bravadoes (wherein the Persian had stones for payment) the General, finding force not valuable, turns Matchiavillian. He summons them above to parley with him; which granted, he assaults them with many protestations of truce and friendship. And that he might the better shadow truth, presents the aged King with choice Tulipants, Shamsheers, Pearls, and other guilded baits, mean enough to angle for a Kingdom, entreating him to descend and taste a banquet: solemnly swearing by Mortus Ally, the head of Shaw Abbas, by Paradise, by eight transparent Orbs, and other panym attestations, that he should have royal quarter, come and go as pleased him; no other reason inducing his invitation, than a hearty good will he bore him, and hopes of agreement upon parley. The peaceful King, unused to deceit and wars rotten stratagems, swallows the tempting hook, and is credulous they had no perfidy. His wife and sons dissuade, adding fresh examples of their hypocrisy. But neither those nor the tears his men shed to beg his stay, vowing their constancy to the last man, could divert his destiny: but down he goes and finds the Crocodile below ready to embrace him with tears of joy: but after a short banquet, giveth him a iron bed; regarding neither vow, honour, nor engagement. Bahaman too late reputes his dotage. The Pagan General thinks all his own now, and therefore sends his son a message of entreaty upon a Spears point, that if they wished their father's safety, an end of war, truce with Abbas, and new Grandeur to their fortunes, they should come down; all which by obstinacy would be forfeited and denied them, yea prove a basis of perpetual trouble, and a common monumental shame unto posterity. Nature, enriches man with reason; Time, with knowledge and experience. Hence, the two gallant youths, regardless of the rodomantadoes of the fastidious Pagan, commix discretion and policy, throw down this choking answer, They would believe he was an honest man and condescend to any reason, so the King might have his liberty to come up again; otherwise he might count them Idiots, the villainy and perjury to their father being so fresh amongst them: from equal reason, they might demand the Castle and Crown, as them by whom those things subsisted; other satisfaction they would not give so vile a miscreant, this excepted, That the King of Persia's ill-grounded ambition would never prosper; that though of long time he had politely avoided the Epithet of a Tyrant, this would rub afresh his former injustice, yea anatomize him so clearly, that all Asya would account him odious: that all the world might tax him of dishonourable avarice, who commanding over many fruitful Provinces, could not rest contented, without subjugating a Nation never wronging him; a King whose Antecessors had for more ages governed Larry-Iohn, than Izmaels' posterity had done Persia; a Country so cold and barren, that of more than Title he could not any way better himself: an unholy ostentation. Sua retinere privatae Domus, de alienis certare regia laus est, says Tacitus; private men do well to think their own enough, great ones think all too little for their ambition. Abbas must not be circumscribed, the General remembers it. So that retorting him this lawless title, Ius mihi objectas, accincto gladio? without more plea; invites them, from their consolidated cloud, to view their Father's head off: they resolutely bid him do as pleased him, and to call to mind, murder is inexpiable in their Alcoran. Methiculibeg has torn his fox's skin with overstreching it, seeing this device prove air, & knows no way now to blow them up, himself is so finely undermined. But giving his rage a vent, in heat of fury he again assaulted them, they retaliate his hate with such dexterity that many Coosel-bashes expired their last, and so many others were bruised, that they begun a common mutiny, protesting to return whiles possible, upbraiding the General, that he knew not how to use a victory, that Bahaman was theirs, Mount Taurus theirs, and doubted not, but they would do homage if the Shaw would so honour him, that with more credit and gain they could oppose the Turk or Indian. The General is plunged into a deadly Dylemma. If he could infuse patience and make them stay, he knew not how to mount the Castle; if he returned without full conquest, he knew his head should off; Ferrat-cawn, Oliverdi-cawn, Kurchichy-cawn, and other brave Captains for like faults, being that year beheaded. He machinates at length another trial; he releases Bahaman, upon his knees beseeches pardon: vowing he used this seeming discourtesy, but to try his excellent temper; that his leave to go back was granted him, either to go or stay as pleased him; that Abbess his Master had sent for him, and that he should departed more joyfully, could he but be so happy to see his sons, whom for valour and policy he admired above all mortal creatures, that if any Articles and Truce might reciprocally be signed to, oh! what content it would afford, and fetter him in a thousand slavish engagements. Bahaman, is overjoyed at this Siren, never did music to his dull ears sound more melodiously; some Magic spell sure had infatuated him; he believes the Persian, and gives a Sardonick smile to think how blessed he was in this atonement: he dictates a pathetic letter, and is permitted to show his joy at a distance to his sons. A nefarious messenger delivers it and bewitches the well-nigh distracted Princes with such piscashes and presents of worth, that accepting them, and joying at the easy Articles, they consult and (fearing to irritate so Potent a neighbour to further mischief, the Queen also provoking them down, contrary to the soldiers who presaged by many submissive diswasions their ruin) down they go, relying on the perfidy of the General; who sounds for joy, and carries them to their endeared Father, 'twixt whom was showed love and obedience in the height of both; the General presents them a solemn banquet, but death attended them. For when these three were blessing their good destiny, smiling in a mutual consent of love, the General gives the sign, and at one instant three Coosel-bashes standing by, with their slicing Semiters whipped off their heads, all three at one moment made immortal; and ere this villainy was spread abroad, by virtue of their seals, they made the men above descend and yield the Castle, some receiving mercy, some destruction. By that detested policy yoking in slavery, this late thought indomitable Nation; such was the miserable end of Meleq' Bahaman and two hopeful Princes, forgetful of wars subtleties: and how Aladeule their neighbour King of Anti-Taurus for playing fast and lose with Selim first Emperor of Turqs, by equal credulity gave a like issue to his life and Kingdom. Opposite to this Castle is erected the Sepulchre of Bahamans' beloved Queen, in the highway as we passed: 'tis of four equilateralls, elevated eight yards high; the material is of stone, well squared and plastered with white, very apparent and comely. A long mile from this Sepulchre and higher up into the Air, is the high peak of Damoan (by Strabo in his 11. lib. called jasonia,) whose top (shaped like a Pyramid) surmounts all the other parts of Taurus; up which defatigating hill we crambled with no small difficulty, and from whence we could discover the Caspian Sea, eightscore long miles distant thence; 'tis above composed of sulphur, which causes it to sparkle each night like Aetna; a pleasant object to the eye, but is so offensive to the smell, that it requires a nosegay of Garlic in the ascending; hence, most part of Persia and Chaldaea has their brimstone: the reason why we road up was out of curiosity, to see the baths so generally resorted to, so excellently famous. Three are encircled with strong stonewalls and two are open. The first are for those of quality, the other in common: and hither in August, people flock apace from remote parts, decrepit and diseased in mighty multitudes. How are we tossed by Fortune? when we keep At Sea, we see the wonders of the deep, And tremble at the danger, where we dive Under the hideous waves. When we arrive On land, we think us happy; But ere long We must to work again and climb the strong And craggy Mountains reaching up to Heaven, Each downcast look is death, each way uneven Daunts our thick-panting hearts; lest if we miss One step, we headlong fall the precipisse. The top (like fierce Vesuvim) Sulphur spits; The midway wholesome Baths, which cute all fits Of agues, aches, palsy, and the stone, All epileptic fumes; as if alone Nature had chose this place, to plant in these The Art of Galen and Hypocrates. Now, whether this hill take denomination from Damoan, five farsangs thence, or the Town from it I cannot argue; but from the signification a Second plantation, the Jews have a Cabala that Noah's Ark rested here; Noah's Ark. not only from the super-eminency of the hill, but Vines and Zone fitting a seminary better than any part of the Armenian mountains. Besides, this hill where Taurus rises up higher than elsewhere, is part of Paropamisa, & where Becanus places the Ark, denying that Ararat is in Armenia, though Hayton to make it be believed, calls it Aremnoen. But how improbable so ere that be, this seems more congruous, that at this Town of Damoan and mountains about it, the Idolatrous Tribes removed by Salmanasser, were here seated; those especially of Dan, Zebulon, Assur, and Nepthaly; the other of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasses, by Tiglath Pillesar about Lar, jaarown, and other parts of Chusistan. For albeit Ptolemy makes Gozana (in his 6. lib. 18. chap.) a branch of Oxus, in above 40 degrees: and at Hara, and Hala, and Ghabor Cities of Medya, near the river Gozan sacred story says they were placed by the Assyrian; it cannot be that Gozan mixes with Oxus, since no part of Medya is within three hundred miles of it. Gozan then is in Medya; and seeing that Araxis waters Armenia from Ararat, and runs into the West side of the Caspian sea; this river here of a great breadth streaming from Taurus both into Medya and Hyrcania (cut in many small rivulets by the people to draw her many ways) must needs be Gozan, and the Jews inhabiting here for many ages confirm my conjecture, saying also that they were brought hither captives, and here have rested during many overtures and changes of the Persian Monarchy. East of Damoans high peak is a Town called Nova, in it a hundred families. A young man (son to Hodge-Suare the Persian Merchant that died in London, Anno Domini 1625, and brother to Mahomet, whom we buried at sea) hearing of our passing by, accompanied with all his loving kindred, came to invite us to his home; he was apparelled in a long robe of cloth of gold, his head was wreathed with a huge Shash or Tulipant of silk and gold, he bestowed a banquet and hearty welcome, with an invitation of longer time: but after mutual thanks and ceremony, we returned a long farewell, and thence hastened towards Damoan: where, as we descended a steep hill, we passed by a large black Tent, stuffed with above thirty antic women, & as many men; I thought they had been solemnising their Taurilia and Boalia, but it proved a wedding; the bride was of ten years, the groom of thirty; she a Venus, he a Vulcan: many bridemaids came out to admire at us, we stayed awhile no less wondering at them: their faces, hands, and feet were painted in diverse forms of birds, beasts, castles, and flowers, resembling our predecessors in Britain in Caesar's time; their legs were chained with voluntary fetters of brass and silver, which in their Morisco Pastoral made them appear more excellent in that sport than any description of the Arcadian Sheepheardesses; we gave them a a small offering and so left them, that night making Damoan our Manzeil or Lodging. Damoan, (whether the relict of Ghabor or Halah is incertain; but by the Jews (in these parts called jehuds) their long captivity and abode here, seems to be one of them) is a Town well known unto the Persians; some writ it Damawan, but erroneously. The North Pole is elevated at this place, six and thirty degrees, twenty minutes; longitude 88 It is included by the skirt of Taurus, in the Kaboncharion Province (part of Ghelack) and the limit of Medya, North; a Town pretty well watered, a branch of Gozan refreshes her: peopled most part with Jews, who in this place are two hundred Families: The Buzzar is built aloft, and scarce worth the climbing to, except it be to buy wine and fruit, which is had here in plenty and at easy prices. Two days we stayed in Domoan to recreate our wearied bodies; on the thirteenth of June we departed thence, and that day road to Bomaheem, five and twenty miles from Damoan. And now we are in Medya, a word of her; it takes name either from Medeus son to jason and Medea, th'infortunate daughter of King Aeta; or from Madai third son of japhet son of Noah: on the North it has mount Taurus; has Parthia South; confined by Bactria to the East; West by Armenia and Assyria. Media was anciently divided into two (as Trogus, Adephius, Strabo, and others witness,) Atropatia, (Tropataena in Ptolemy, Atropataena in Pliny, from Atropatus one of Alexander's men) and Azarka or Sheervan i. e. milky Plain. At this day 'tis subdivided into Gheylan (Gheylae in Ptolemy, Caddufia in Pliny) Deylan, Vaaz-pracan, and Thezican, those are Atropatia; in which we might include part of Armenia. Sheirvan has Aderbayon, Harran, Sultavia, and Tabriztan. A rich and puissant Country it was in the world's Infancy; but whether by the consuming hand of war or God's justice, in revenge of so many holy Christians Chozroë massacred, I cannot say; this I can, that it is a barren and miserable soil, compared with the Phoenix of Isles great Britain, who in herself exceeds the best compacted pleasures of these Asiatic Provinces. It has been fruitful you may say, if Pope Pius the second had good information out of Strabo. lib. 11. an Hippobotos or horse pasture here nourishing fifty thousand breeders; but little grass is to be found at this day over most part of the Persian Monarchy; as you may see, if you please to journey thither. But in stead of them, as many Camels abound here in sandy Deserts, and crop the boughs of trees or shrubs such as they meet with: a beast, albeit generally known, yet may have a small memorial. The Dromodarie and it are of one descent, but according to the Country they breed in: in Bactria (where of old were reckoned a thousand Cities) and Persia they have but one gib or bunch, the Arabian is doubled. The males in one month every year burn with too much heat, and grow foaming frantic towards copulation, yet in that distraction cannot be brought to commit incest, nor will they go any whither without their consort: the females are not so choleric; they couple backward, go great ten months, commonly have but one young one at one birth, which they suckle two years apart from company, not losing their milk till a second conception: They live threescore years, labour much, feed little; refrain drink three days, but then quench their thirst immeasurably: their milk is cordial, their flesh rank and lean, yet in Asia preferred before Beef, Veal, Pork, in that Mahomet's Koran or Ozmon's Parady, licentiats it. This Kingdom was first conquered by Semeramies; some say by her simple husband Nynus, Anno mundi 1900. Ninus was son of Belus (deified by names of Bel, Baal, and jupiter Babylonicus;) son of Nymrod (called Mars by some, by others Saturn) sixth son of Cush, Cham's eldest son, the cursed brat of Noah: or thus, Noah had Cham, father of Cush (begot some say in the Ark) father of Nymrod who begat Baladan, father to Berodac predecessor to Nabuchadnezar, father of Evel-Merodach, father of Belshazzer, who (as Daniel foretell) was the last of that Assyrian pedigree, Darius Medus supplanting him, Anno M. 3426. by some called Cyaxares secundus, whose daughter and heir was married to Cyrus the Fortunate, who by slaughter of Astyages became sole Monarch of Persia. Since when, it has groaned under twenty changes, but we will not speak them here; for by this time we are housed in Tyroan. TYROAN, by her continued greatness and Antiquity seems to be that Rhazunda, mentioned by Strabo and Ptolemy. It is seated in the midst of a fair large Plain; which albeit it be environed with hills of stupendious height in most parts at good distance, yet some ways it affords a delicate Horizon. The air here is fresh and sweet in the morning and towards Sunset, but in the Sun's perpendicular glances, we found it hot and raging: the houses are of white bricks, hardened in the Sun; above three thousand houses are numbered in Tyroan; of which, the Dukes & Buzzar are the fairest and most observable; yet neither so excellent as to beget wonder: the Market is divided, some part thereof is open and some arched: a sweet rivulet plays wantonly in two streams through the Town, fertilitating the Groves and Gardens, who for such a favour return a thankful Tribute to the Gardener: adjoining the City, the King has a spacious Garden, succinct with a great Towering wall of mud, as much in circuit as is the City: The house wherein we lodged overtopped all the other, and from whose highest Terrace (early one morn) I took a dainty prospect both of Town and Country; every house top was spread with Carpets, whereon each night slept the Master of the house and his Seralio; some (I easily perceived) had three, some six women about them, wrapped in linen; the curiosity (or rashness rather) might have cost me dearly, the penalty being no less than to shoot an Arrow into his brains that dares to do it. The Caravans lodge here, exceeds the Mosque; the men in this Town are proud, the women lovely, both are curious in novelties; but the jealousy of the men confines the temper of the weaker sexes; yet by that little they adventured at, we might see, Vetitis rebus gliscit voluntas. One Zenal-chan is the Sultan of this City, a man of no worth in our opinion: he had been Ambassador from Shaw-Abbas to Rodulph the second, Germane Emperor; but his late employment, his favour with Abbas, his wealth, his vexation for Nogdibeg his Cousin; made him so proud, so discourteous, that albeit the Ambassador sent to visit him, he returned no thanks, he took no notice of his being there. The pole Arctic is elevated in Tyroan, thirty five degrees, forty minutes: fourscore in longitude. From Tyroan we road to a Village called Charah, a base inhospitable place; it afforded us no sustenance, but torment, so much as the scalding sands and frying Sun could operate, as in too great measure we had experience of: From hence to Taurys is two days riding. The Carravans-raw is thus shaped. Carravan-raw TAURYS, the late Median Metropolis takes name from that prodigious mountain Taurus, under which 'tis builded. The Turk and Perseus call it Taberyz; in the world's adolescency 'twas known by other names; of Achmetha as I read in Ezra; after that, of Echatana spoken of in the Apocrypha; of Amatha also as Cortestan; and Cordina, others have called her; by analogy some have placed her in Syria, from a City Egbatan, converted into Epiphania, by Antiochus. The premier founder of this noble City is Arphaxad as we find in judiths' History: Anno Domini 3290. some say Dejoces, predicessor to that valiant Phraortes, who flourished in the year of the world 3300, the sixth Dynast of Medya after Arbaces, who begun it from Adam 3146. It was agrandized (not built, as Pliny dreamt of) by Seluchus, 300 years after; who at that time begun to build Seleucya 200 pharsangs thence, to eclipse the pride of mighty Babylon. Such time as she was called Ecbaton, she was fare greater than at this present. It was fifteen Italian miles about (says Strabo.) The walls were strong and stately, seventy cubits high and fifty broad, beautified with many lofty Turrets and battlements: within, were numbered many great and excellent Palaces; that which Daniel built (the Mausoleum afterwards of the Median Kings) was most magnificent, and which remained undemolisht in josephus his time, and some while after: That, built by Darius was no less memorable: most part whereof was of Cedar wood, the roof studded and plaited with burnished gold; of both which nothing now remains save memory and ashes. I can hardly say memory, since it is become a question whether Tauryz be old Ecbatan; and whether it be in Media or no. If to be under Baronta, (Diodorus, Polybius, and Ptolemy call it Orontes,) if to be in 36 degrees 50 minutes, if to have the ruins of Tobyas his grave, if to be the burial place of Kings, if to be the Metropolis time out of mind, if to be the City from jerusalem N. E. four hundred forsangs can make it Ecbatan; or if the authority of Ananias, Petrus de la valle, Leunclavius, Teixera, and of Ortelius will serve, let it then be Ecbatan and in Medya. Ptolomy's conceit of Tabryz (mistaken in the Tau, a Gamma printed erroneously for it) to be in Assyria, by Cedrenus in Armenia, by Chalcondyles in Persia, by Niger in Pers-Armenia, or by Paulus Venetus in Parthya; what were these conjectures but from the Monarchique Arch-Titles, as Assyrian, Armenian, or Parthian as they swayed then; and chief from the mistake, how Armenia is divided; part of Armenia major extending South of Araxis into Atropatia, a part of Medya; and from whence the name Pers-Armeniae is compounded: for by Abulfeda, Vlughbeg, and others, the latitude of Taurys complies with Ecbatan. At this day Tabryz is great, and well peopled: traded to from fare, albeit it keeps a Garrison. It is compassed with a mud wall, five miles about: the houses are flat a top: their material Sunne-dried Bricks: the Buzzar large, the Gardens lovely: that to the Southeast planted by King Tamas was famous, but the Turks horses have lately grazed there. It wants water in the greatest measure, yet of that is not wholly destitute. What it lacks in that, fire and flame supplies it; the Sun, wars rage, and civil broils having more than sufficiently parched her. To pass by the mutations of the Empire, the Turks first passage six hundred years since, Tamberlayns rage and the like, remember we those two deadly factions the Envicaydarlai and Namidlai for three hundred years persecuting one another with implacable wrath, drawing into their quarrel nine other Provinces, who grew so hateful amongst themselves, that not only this City but Medya & Armenia were thereby half depopulated: the Gibelyns nor Roses outmatched them. They made an easy entrance to any invader. Selym the grand Signieur first espies it, and to become an eyesore to Tamas son of Izmael their inveterate Adversary, sends a Bashaw who ransacked it Anno Dom. 1514. Heg. 894. without much resistance. And Anno 1530. Solyman seconded it with so much fury, that it flamed many days, the insatiate Turk's pillaging without mercy, and turning topsie-turvie all they met with, and into a Chaos those elaborat walks and gardens Shaw-Tahmas so much gloried in. It revived again, and again is made prostrate to Ebrahim Bassa's luxury, sent by Solyman at the villainous instigation of Vlemus a Persian Traitor, and brother in law to the King. At which time Anno 1534. Heg. 914. the greedy Turks new ransacked it. But Anno Dom. 1585. Heg. 965. it groaned under most affliction, when Ozman the wrathful Bassa and slave to Amurat the third, subdued it, and perpetrated all sorts of hostile cruelty: till thirty years after, by that incomparable Pagan Prince Emyr-hamze-myrza elder brother to Shaw Abbas it was regained, rebuilt and fortified against the future insolence of those Barbarians. Taurys is distant from Cazbyn seven days easy journey; from the Mare Caspium as many; from Araz six; from Derbent eight, from Spahawn seventeen, from Shyraz thirty, from Ormus fifty, and from Babylon thirty. Next night we made our Manzeill at Sangurrabaut, a Town consisting of an hundred Cottages. In this place we buried a civil Gentleman, Mr. Welflit our comrade, under a broad spreading Chenoar tree, and fixed a brazen scroll over him, which spoke his Name and Nation. Mors tua non careat fletu; linquamus amicis Maerorem ut celebrent funera cum lachrymis. We have deplored thy death: th'ensuing year's Thy kin shall pay thee Tribute with their tears. Next night we slept in the open fields under a bespangled Canopy the Firmament; and next in Shaw-De, i.e. the King's Town, his Purgatory rather; if a conspiracy of lose & scalding sand, the burning Sun, and filthy Cottages can make one: the houses there, differ nothing in shape nor closeness from Ovens; the people all day bake themselves in them; a people so discourteous, that our misery nothing afflicted them; from that hateful Town we hasted, and next night got into Casbyn. CAZBYN, (or Kazvyn after the lisp of Persia) is that same City known to the ancient Topographers by name of Arsacia, from Arsaces' the valiant Persian Anno Mundi 3720. from whom the ensuing Kings were styled Arsacidae; two hundred and fifty years before the th'incarnation of our Saviour Christ: and is accounted the first that made Medya an Empire, in despite of proud Seleuchus son to the great Monarch of Syria, Antiochus surnamed Theos. By command of Nycanor it was afterwards called Europus, and lost that name too when it bended under the next conquest. It is likely this was that Rages (a City in Medya as appears in Tobit) whither the Angel went from Ecbatan to receive the ten Talents (of our money two thousand pounds) Tobias was to have from Gabael son to Gabrias his kinsman. I am not ignorant, that some imagine Edissa in Mesopotamia to be it; but that is most unlikely, for than what business had they from Ninivy to go to Ecbatan (in the way no doubt, or not fare deviat to Rages) a contrary way leading to Edissa 'twixt Tigris and Euphrates: beside, it is said in the Apocrypha, that Rages was in Medya, Edissa is not; and no part of Medya is nearer than a thousand miles from the holy City, but Edissa not five hundred. Whence the word Cazbyn is fetched I could not learn; I suppose from Cowz-van i.e. a vale of barley; as Sheirvan a plain of milk, etc. or from King Cazvan as they call Acembeg the Armenian; or that it is the relict of Casbira, an old City in Strabo placed here: for if I should deduce it from Chazbi as the 70 Interpreters translate it in Gen. 38.5. it would relish of too much antiquity. The signification of Exile is unknown by interpretation or occasion to the inhabitants, except the broacher of that conceit had recourse to the idiom of the old Parthians. The North pole is in this famous City elevated 36 deg. and 15 min. long. 85 degrees 30 minutes: by King Tamas (son of Ishmael) made the Metrolis of this Monarchy, the better to affront the intruding Ottomans; the Kingdom it stands in, is Medya; the Province Sheirvan, that part called Deylan: from Tabryz a hundred and eighty miles; from Hamadan (the sepulture of Queen Ester & Mordecay) a hundred & ten; from Sultany (the residence of six Sultan's) ninety; from Ardavyl (the Seignory of the Abasians) eighty; from Gheylan seventy; from Farabaut two hundred; from Samarchand five hundred; from Ormus eight hundred; from Babylon five hundred; from jerusalem a thousand; from Spahawn two hundred and seventy; from Shyraz four hundred and ninety; from Kandahar five hundred and fifty miles English, or thereupon. It is at this day for multitude of buildings and inhabitants the chief in Medya, and equal for other grandeur to any other City in the Persian Empire, Spawhawn excepted. It is seated in a fair even plain, no hill of note in thirty mile's compass overlooking her; a champagne yielding grain and grapes, but little wood saw I growing any where. It has a small stream flowing from Abonda (Baronta of old) which gives the thirsty drink; and mellowes the gardens: from whence by its refreshment and the people's industry, they have abundance of fruits and roots and in varieties. I think the reason why we saw no great rivers in any place, is from their forcing it into many sluices, to bring it by subterranian passages, to such Towns as have none but by derivative, in so much, that if Indus, Euphrates, and Ganges were amongst them (I mean where the Country is most peopled) doubtless they would make them kiss the sea in five hundred ostiums or branches. Such fruits as I remember, were Grapes, Oranges, limes, Lemons, Pomcytrons, Musk and water Melons, Plums, Cherries, Peaches, Apricocks, Figgs, Gooseberries, Pears, Apples, Pistachoes, filberts, Hasel-Nuts, walnuts, Almonds, and excellent Pomegranates, Dates, but such as came from Laristan. Casbyn is circled with a complemental wall, of no force in any adversity; the compass is about 7 miles; the families are twenty thousand, people about two hundred thousand, nourished by the Air, and a few roots and rice, such diet as best complies with such torrid regions. The Buzzars here are large and pleasant, but inferior to some about her. The Mydan is uniform and beautiful, the King's Palace and Haram are nigh the great Market, low, of raw-bricks, varnished after the notion of Paynim painting, in blue, red, and yellow tinctures, commixed with Arabiq knots & letters, azure & gold; the windows are spacious, trellized and neatly carved; within, of usual splendour; near his gate, is a great Tanck or Magazyn of water made at the common charge at our being here. The Hummums (or sweeting places) are many, resplendent in the azure pargeting and tyling wherewith they are ceruleated; the vulgar buildings content the inhabitants, but to a busy eye yield small wonder or amazement: the gardens are best to view and smell to, but compared with those in Spahawn and Shyraz, prove but ordinary and less fruitful. The Mosq's, or superstitious houses, are not two thirds so many as john of Persia computed long ago, above six hundred. Nor those so fastidious in Pyramidal aspire, nor curious in Architecture, nor inside glory as in many lesser Towns obeying Mahomet. I cannot enlarge her praises, save that in Spring and Autumn I believe it may be a temperate and enticing climate: but Summer and Winter are extreme in contraries; Apollo frying them with his obliqne flaming glances, and Hiems no less benumbing them with his icicles. Here we met the Potshaw again, who got into Casbyn two days afore us. At which time, forty Camels entered loaden with Tobacco out of Indya, the owners and drivers being ignorant that any such prohibition had gone out, to forbid the using it; (the King sometimes commanding and restraining three or four times every year, to show his Monarchic power, and as the humour taketh him,) an ill spirit directed them, for Mamet-Ally-beg the pernicious Favourite (wanting his piscash it seems, exasperates Abbas, and he forthwith pays the men unwelcome wages; commanding an Officer to crop off their ears, and to benose them; offering to his angry Justice, the forty Camels burden of Tutoon or Tobacco, by making a great deep hole the pipe, which being inflamed, in a black vapour gave the Citizens gratis two whole days and nights infernal incense. Let me give you somewhat to memorise Casbyn, wherein have been acted many Tragic scenes, in their times very terrible. Mahomet the purblind King of Persia and Sire to Shaw-Abbas, of himself was peaceable and merciful; but could rest never the quieter for such a temper. Morad the third, and son to Selym that arch-Atheist, and Emperor of Turq's (who called himself God of the Earth, and commander of the whole World) squinted still upon the Eastern Monarches, and found none a greater eyesore and rub to his conquests than Mahomet and Persia: many attempts he made to subject it, but of no force, the happy influence of destiny so safeguarded it, Nature itself laboured to oppugn that rebel of Nature. But let us first look back to see what storms were raised, what incantations engendered, ere he could make the tottering Dyadem sit close; Tamas-Shaw (son to Ismael-Sophy the Jews reputed Messiah, till by the just hand of God, they found him crueler than Tytus) by a Georgian Lady (they are the rarest in the Orient) had twelve sons, Mahomet, Ishmael, Aydar-cawn, Solyman, Emangoly, Mamut-Ally, Mustapha, Ally-cawn, Amet-cawn, Ebrahym, Hamze, and Izma-cawn; the daughters are seldom reckoned, yet one of them a Virago, Periaconconna by name played her part, and rather than do as other women, spin or be imprisoned, she chose to practise Arms, and to revive the infamy, yea in every thing to imitate Semiramis. King Tamas was scarce dead (hastened some think before his time) when Aider his third son took advantage of his brethren's absence: Mahomet he jeered at, as unworthy the crown by reason of his imperfection; he could not see to fight, to discern, to govern. Ishmael was abroad upon some employment, and therefore Periaconconna encouraging, he grasped the Sceptre and impald his brows with his Father's Diadem, his brother's right, his own confusion: for he had not swayed full four days, when Sahamel-cawn (his insinuating Uncle) most audatiously struck off the crown, and (to add presumption) made the loss of his head satisfy his too hasty ambition. Zenall-cawn his friend grumbles at it, but had not power to question him. Periaconconna finding her engagement passed to Aider, shows herself a right woman in her constancy: for without any revenge of Aiders death or sorrowing to his grave, she transfers her love to Ishmael, who by her foot-post has notice of his brother's ill-end and favour of the Sultan's towards him. Ambition lends him wings, so that he quickly arrives at Casbyn, and by men of note is joyfully welcomed, by the monster multitude saluted King. His conscience accuses him of intrusion, but checks him not to make such a construction as Law and Nature required from him: he resolves to rule, and to cut off such rubs as made the way unsafe to mount upon: his brothers had no title to it, (I mean, none but Mahomet) yet the name affrights him: 8 innocent Princes were slain to quench his infernal inflammation, regarding neither grace, his Father's soul, the perfume of that name, the name of Tyrant, justice, nor the people's mutability, who by that cruelty begun to hate him, and to wish the right heir in his lawful royalties. Mahomet also gins to stir, if not for the crown, at least to free himself from his brother's bloodthirstiness; but he no sooner practised to be active, when the people ground their loyalty and affection on him, and in great troops flock about him, vowing to have him King in Casbyn, or in the attemp to sacrifice themselves. Whiles Ishmael grows odious to God and Man: for, seeing the vulgar sort and others fall away, in a high contempt of them, and to ruin all, he confederates with the Turq, intending to betray the honour of his crown, and to shade himself under their greatness; yea to vex his own, and to ingratiate the Turks the more, apostatises, proclaiming the error of the Persian reformation, crying out that Ally was no body, compared to Mahomet's three successors, and the like frantic impostures; which how subtly so ere he cloaked, his tricks deceived him; for one night (a dismal night to him) his sister weathercock and four enraged Sultan's, Chalyle, Emyr, Mohummed, and Curchy-cawn entered his bedchamber in women's apparel, where Ishmael thinking to cool his lascivious appetite, was by those Amazons strangled in a cord of silk, foaming out his infected spirit, unable to resist the fury of those conspirators, and disheartened when he saw his sister one of them. Casbyn was clouded with shame and amazement, but clears up when Mahomet enters circled with the refulgent Diadem. Periaconconna dreams not of an account: but Mahomet, acquainted with her turbulent and variable nature, commands Salmasmirza to arrest her with the axe of death, which accordingly he executes, and sends her Gorgon's head, the hair dishevelling upon a spear's point as a symbol of his obedience unto the King: her complices upon the terror of this, posting for their lives into Georgia, some unto Babylon. Ecce, patrem Nati perimunt, Natosque parents Matuaque armati coëunt in vulnera fratres. Thus, children slay their Sires, parents their brood, Armed brethren brethrens wound in deadly feud. Amurath the Grand-seignior hairs by Vstrefbeg (an Armenian Traitor) of Izmaels' catastrophe; in whose revenge (he so coloured it, to make Mahomet neglected) he forages the Persian Territores, ordering Mustapha the Bashaw with a hundred thousand men to perpetrate their utmost rage, which he greedily obeys, till Sultan Tokomac the Persian General affronts him face to face, and examines him with such fury in the Calderan plains (famous for many memorable conflicts) that Mustapha is forced thence in despite of his bravadoes, a shamed that 20000 could not only bandy but beat down his Army, consisting of five times his number. Six and thirty thousand Turks there breathed their last, and eight thousand Persians, Anno Domini 1578. Heg. 958, of whose heads the bragging Turk made a Bulwark, thinking it would be a scarecrow to the Persian; who retaliated them in a more terrible measure that year, by the valour of Arez-beg and Emanculy-cawn; thirty thousand other Turks parting with their heads (as they passed the Conac in Hyrcania) to erect a higher Trophy to their victory; praying Mustapha and his Master to come no more unsent for, lest they gave them such another harsh welcome: wondering they had so soon forgot, the famous overthrow King Tamas gave Solyman and Ebrahim-bassa, three and forty years since, by a handful of Cooselbashaes (and the assistance of a divine hand) scattering as wind does clouds, three hundred and fourscore thousand men. Mustapha gives his reply in a grim look, wishing he could do more than he was able. But Mahomet is not yet secure, for the Tattars (allied to the Turk) in revenge upon Mosendram, violate and commit all kinds of rage and turpitude, hoping when they had joined with Osman-bassa (left by Mustapha) to overrun all Medya without opposal: but they reckoned without their host, for Arez beg with ten thousand gallant Persians surprise the Tattars with such haste and dexterity, that they routed a great part of the Army, and had returned crowned with a most happy conquest, had not Abdel-chery the General used a stratagem, who with some selected companies entering upon the backs of the half tired Persians, by great clamours made them believe Osman was come; and by that, turned the fortune of the day, eclipsed by that interposition, and made to die there in an honourable conquest, the chief Captain Arezbeg, unhorsed, imprisoned, and at Sumachy most basely hanged, to give the terrified Tattars fresh encouragement. Sumachy or Shamaky (as some call it) has North latitude 39 degrees: a frontier Town it is, Medya, Armenia, and Hyrcania, parting there; it was founded by Shamuc-Zeddaule An. Dom. 990. Heg. 370. and from whom peradventure it was named. It has four thousand families, the houses are low & little graceful; seated in a pleasant plain or valley, to the Notth and West, allowing a delightful prospect. Anno Domini 1566. Heg. 946. her last Native King Obdolow-cawn died, and his son Syrvan-Shaw was forced to enrol himself a Tributary to Shaw-Abbas. In this Town is a Tower of heads raised by the insolent Turqs, such as is in Spahawn, and which the old knave Mustapha made be erected. But to return. Mahomet Codobanda has quick news of the shameful death Arez-beg had suffered: He sorrows for the loss of so brave a man, is sick of revenge, and entreats his courageous son Emyr-Hamzè-Mirza, (the wonder of his time) to recompense that villainy; who most cheerfully with twelve thousand men hasts out of Casbyn, and in nineteen days presents his men in the face of Abdulchery and his Tattars, flashing such pannique fear amongst them, that after two hours' fight he routs his Army, and with much shame and loss forces them away to seek more shelter: that done, he enters Erez, and massacres the Turkish Garrisons: Caytas the Bassa he made to imitate Arezbeg in the grizely play of Death; he recovered also two hundred pieces of Artillery, those very same, his Grandsire Tamas had lost to the grand Signieur, Solyman: he stays not there, but hearing where the Tartars had re-incampt, with his speedy Army he reencounters them, & cut most of them in pieces, whereby the birds of the air might more easily prey upon their carcases. Abdulchery (by fortune of war) was unhorsed by the gallant Prince, and sent captive to Eres where the Begun or Queen mother lay: during which, Osman and his Turks enter Sumachy without resistance, but the Persian Prince hasts thither, and with such fury, that amazed Osman takes th'advantage of the night, and stole away, leaving Sumachy to the Prince's mercy; who for her perfidy made a fire of her houses, and seemed to quench it with blood of the Inhabitants. Returning back to Erez, he forces his Mother and he youthful Tartar to follow him to Casbyn, where he was received with Epiciniaes' and songs of joy and triumph. Osman in the interim skulks in Derbent, whither we will take the pains to follow him. DERBENT is a strong and famous Port Town upon the Caspian sea, viewing from her lofty Terraces the Armenian and Hyrcan Territories, Ararat and the sea: known to our predecessors by many names, as Alexandria (from the great Macedonian, who built many Towns, and gave them his name,) Morcosa, Demyrcapi, and now Derbent; memorable in her best passage from Armenia major, Medya, etc. into Mosendram, Gheylan, Shervan, Tartary, etc. it is removed one hundred and twenty miles from Sumachy, from Bildih 180. it elevates the North Pole one and forty degrees, fifteen minutes; and admits three mile's compass and better: is circled with a strong, high and useful stone wall: the houses, Hummums, and Churches are but meanly beautiful; such rage, the Prince Emir-Hamze showed here Anno 1568. Heg. 948. such time as he unkenneld with smoke and flame Osman Bassa and his Turkish varlets; and made the Inhabitants feel the temper of his biting sword, the houses the fire of his wrath, an object of his justice, of their levity and rebellion. In Derbent, the strong Castle Kastow is most observable, pleasant and every way advantageous: that wall also which runs thence to Tephlys in Georgia, built by Alexander the great (upon like occasion Offa drew his ditch to terminate the valiant Britain's) called also Caucasiae vel Iberiae portae, is one of the wonders of Asia; but at this day moth-eaten by iron toothed Time and wars inconsiderate fury: return again. Abdulchery and the Queen-mother by this are so linked in Cupyds chains, that the Tattar finds himself double fettered: but after much parley and fight they took truce and grew so counited, that the Sultan's in Casbyn took notice of it; but neither regarding her Majesty nor his youth, forgetting also that the King intended to make him his son in law (no dishonour, being the great Cams' brother) all these neglected, they broke in, at such an unlucky time as they were acting some inchastity; a sight so odious to the jealous Sultan's, that they first made him an Eunuch, and after that slew them both; concluding so, Anno Heg. 958. the end and triumphs of the Praecopensian Tartar. After some stay in Cazbeen, our Ambassador to swiften his dispatch, visited the Lodestar of Persia, the grand Favourite Mahomet Ally-beg; who entertained him with a lofty look, and wished him to trust his secrets to his Cabinet, wherein the mysteries of the whole state was locked, the King showing himself unwilling to be further troubled. The Ambassador might in any other place than Persia have returned him the Lie; but perceiving no remedy, and desiring to haste home, imparted so much as he saw necessary. Touching Sir Robert Shirley, he was to expect no other satisfaction; his enemy was dead, and at the Caspian sea the King had sufficiently honoured him: but to speak truly, the Potshaugh had then no affection to him, when by reason of his age he was disabled to do him further service; adding (but out of an Enemy's mouth) that all his Ambassies and messages to the Princes of Christendom were frivolous and counterfeit: But when our Ambassador objected, he was in person there to justify his authority, that he had the King's Letter of credence to testify, signed and stamped by the Shaugh himself; and that it had been a ridiculous presumption in Shirley to have dared to contest with Abbess to his face, if he had been an Impostor; the Favourite had not wherewith to answer, save that so our Ambassador pleased to lend him that Phirman Sir Robert Shirley had brought in his defence, he would return it him next day, with his Master's speech concerning it. A vexation it must needs be to my Lord Ambassador, to treat in this uncivil sort by a malicious proxy: necessity forced it. Three days passed, ere Mahomet-Ally-beg would vouchsafe to return the Letter, or give that satisfaction he had promised; at length he came and told the Ambassador that the King had looked upon it, had denied it to be his, and in a great rage had burnt it; wishing Sir Robert Shirley would departed his Kingdom, because (old, and as he thought) troublesome. It was in vain to challenge the pragmatique Pagan in point of honour, nor knew he any recourse by justice to ease himself. We all were verily persuaded, he never showed it to the King, nor had any way enquired of him concerning it. The truth is, he had been bribed, but by whom, is unnecessary to speak of, it may be we did but conjecture it; yet no doubt, Abbas was hereby too much defamed; his justice, and discretion, and courage would have proceeded otherwise: beside, his protestation against Nogdibeg (as we have noted) and Ebrahym Chan his son, not daring to show himself in Court, till Synall Chan mediated his peace, (not that he, but his Father had offended) made it as apparent as the Sun, that there was juggling: the truth is, Sir Robert Sherley's old age and disability to serve the Persian, made them sleight and cashier his pension; even then when he most expected thanks and other acknowledgements. But, such is the weak nature of man, especially when they trust too much upon worldly Princes or any arm of flesh, that God is angry: for thereby we rely too strongly upon secondary helps, and contemn in some sort, God's gracious providence: hence came those discontents, nay that arrow of Death that arrested him; the 13 of July (and in less than a fortnight after our entering Casbyn) he gave this miserable & fickle world an ultimum vale in his great clymacterick: and (wanting a fit place of burial) we entombed him under the threshold of his own house in this City, without much ceremony. He was brother to two active Gentlemen Sir Anthony and Sir Thomas Sherley's: a family not needing hyperboles. He was the greatest traveller in his time, and no man had eaten more salt than he, none had more relished the mutabilities of Fortune. He had a heart as free as any man: his patience was more Philosophical than his Intellect, having small acquaintance with the Muses: many Cities he saw, many hills climbed over, and tasted of many several waters; yet Athens, Parnassus, Hippocrene were strangers to him, his Notion prompted him to other employments: he had tasted of sundry Prince's favours: by Rodulph the second he was created a Palatine of the Empire; and by Pope Paul. 3. an Earl of the sacred Palace of Lateran; from whom he had power to legitimate the Indians; and from the Persian Monarch had enriched himself by many meriting services: but obtained lest (as Scipio, Caesar, Bellisarius, etc.) when he best deserved, and most expected it. Rank me with those that honour him: and in that he wants the guilded trophies and hyeroglyphicks of honour to illustrate his wretched Sepulchre (his virtue can outbrave those bubbles of vanity, Facta ducis vivunt: and till some will do it better) accept this Vltima amoris expressio, from him, who so long travelled with him, that so much honoured him. After land-sweats, and many a storm by Sea, This hillock aged Sherley's rest must be. He well had viewed Arms, men, and fashions strange In diverse Lands. Desire so makes us range. But turning course, whilst th' Persian Tyrant he With well dispatched charge, hoped glad would be; See Fortune's scorn! under this Door he lies, Who living, had no place to rest his eyes. With what sad thoughts, man's mind long hopes do twine, Learn by another's loss, but not by thine. Post exant latos terraeque marisque laboree, Parvula Sherleyum nunc tenet urna senem. Arma, viros, habitus, diversas nomine gentes Contemplans, placuit sic novitatis Amor. Deinde retro relegens cursum mandata Tyranno Vndique Persarum, dum placitura refert. Ludibrium fati! tegitur sub limine tecti, Viventi nullus cui modo limes erat. Quam deplorandis spes long as inchoat ausis Mens hominum; exemplo sed sine disce tuo. Nor can it seem impertinent, if I add somewhat to the deserving Memory of his Wife, that thrice worthy and undaunted Lady, Teresia; to this day constant to our company. The Country she first drew breath in, is Cyrcashia, that which Pomp. Mela called Sargacia; upon Palus Maeotis (adjoining Georgia) & 'twixt the black and Caspian seas. Her birth was Christian; her degree Noble: by accident she was mewed in the Haram of Persia, (10000 more he never sees:) was of no kin to the King, but by his benevolence bestowed on this man she so long lived with, she so much cherished. At what time her beloved Lord lay dead, and she half dead through a long dissentery, to comfort her (after the fashion of Persia) one john a Dutch man, a Jew, a Painter; regarding neither her sex, her faith, her melancholy; complots with Mamet-Ally-beg to undo her, by pretending a deep engagement her husband was in to one Crole a Flemmin, & (knowing he was dead) bade her ask him if it were not true; if he denied it, it should be forfeited. She might have paid them by like Sophistry, that if he would affirm it, she would pay it them. But, they haste to the Cawsee or Justice to attach her goods, and a faithful honest Gentleman of our company has quick notice of it, Mr. Robert Hedges by name, who hastens to her house and persuades her to make quick conveyance: at which, the amazed Lady tears the Satin quilt she lay upon, and with her feeble hands shows that pathetic virtue a stronger could not well have bettered; and taking thence a Cabinet, some Jewels and rich Gems, entreats that worthy Gentleman to safeguard them, till the danger was gone: he readily obeys, and is no sooner out of doors, when john the Boor enters with supercilious looks, attended by some Pagan Sergeants, who (without much talk to her, or pity to her distress) rifled about, broke-ope her Chests, and carried away what was valuable or vendible; some rich Vests, costly Tarbants, and a Dagger of great price; but finding no Jewels (such they had seen him wear, and the Oestrich Feather also, which they had worried in their Ostrich appetite) they grew madded with shame, and made her Horses, Camels, and Asses bear them company, not caring if the Lady starved. The Gentleman, so soon as the sky was clear, returned, and besides his words of comfort, gladded her heart in delivering her her Jewels again, of double value by that conquest: without which good hap, I am persuaded her other fortune reached not to fifty pound: a small revenue for so brave a Lady; and especially useful is money in those uncharitable Regions, where women are made slaves to libidinous Pagans: but God provided better for her, and (beyond our expectation) has placed her in Rome, where I hear she now most happily enjoys herself. Like discontents, long conflict with flames of Adversity, and fourteen days consuming of a deadly flux (it may be eating too much fruit, or sucking in too much chill air on Taurus caused it) brought that religious Gentleman Sir Dodmore Cotton the Ambassador, in the vigour of his age, to an immortal home: the 23 of July (14 days after Sir Sobert Shirley) he bade us Adieu; our duty commanding us to see him buried in the best sort we could. A dormitory we obtained in Cazbyn amongst the Armenian graves, who also with their Priests assisted the holy ceremony: his horse (which was led before) had a black velvet Saddle on his back: his Coffin we covered with a crimson satin quilt (black they account not of) lined with purple Taffeta; upon the horse were laid, his Bible, Sword, and Hat: Mr. Hedges, Mr. Stodoart, Mr. Emmery, Mr. Molam, Dick th'Interpreter, and such others of his followers as were healthy, attended the Corpse; & Doctor Goch a reverend Gentleman, buried him: where he rests peaceably till the resurrection: And, although his singular virtue and memory cannot perish (evehit ad Aethera virtus) yet I wish with all my heart, he had a Monument; some more eminent memorial. He was I assure you, vivum omnis virtutis exemplar; and I wish I could better express my love, than by decking his hearse with this impolish Epicaedium. Lo! Noble Cotton far from home hath found A resting place in the Assyrian ground. His country's Love, his Duty to his King So far, a willing heart from home did bring. Harden thy tenderness; no danger fear: The way to heaven alike is every where. En! procul a patriis situs est Cottonius oris, Anglus in Assyria contmulatus humo. prestitit haec Patriae, jussisque potentibus almi Principis, obsequiis officiosus amor. Excute mollitiem, quicunque pericula lentus Causaris, Coelo par fit ubique via. We have small joy to stay here any longer: three Ambassadors we have buried: and though the Potshaugh seem to pity us (for as an assurance of his kind respect, he sent each of us, two long coats or vests of cloth of gold) yet, he may call himself a miserable man that hangs his welfare upon the smiles of Persia. We are ready to be gone, but cannot go till Mahomet-Ally-beg blow us away; and we danced long attendance ere he would give us a Phirman for our safe travel, and that Letter we desired from the Persian King to our most gracious Sovereign. At length we got it, wrapped up in a piece of cloth of gold, fastened with a silken string, and sealed with a stamp of Arabic letters, after the mode of Asia. Our Phirman or Passport of safety, sealed with a stamp of letters in Ink, take thus interpreted. THe high and mighty Star, whose Head is covered with the Sun; whose Motion is comparable to the highest Firmament; whose Imperial Majesty is come from Asharaph, and hath dispatched the Lord Ambassador of the English King, etc. The Command of the great King is this; That his Followers be conducted from our Palace of Casbyn to Saway, and by the Daraguod of Saway to the City of Coomes, and by the Sultan of Coomes to the City of Cashan, etc. Through all my Territories, fail not my command. I also command them a safe and peaceable travel. From Casbyn POTSHAW ABBAS. August. An. Dom. 1628. Asfendermed-maw. Hegira. 1008. So, after thirty days stay in Cazbyn, about the midst of July we departed. But ere we go fare, let us bid farewell to Mahomet-Ally-beg our small friend; and according to his worth let others know him. His birthplace is Parthia (from Parah to fructify,) his Almuten was calculated, the aspects found happy; If from a Costermonger to be next the King may be called happy: and in him the matchavillyan motto was approved, a dram of good fortune is better than a pound of virtue. In that happy minute of all minutes, Abbess by accident cast his eye upon him; a magic infusion it had it seems, for from the Apple-basket, he is robed in gold, and quickly made the Magnet of Persia; his yearly revenue at our being there, I heard by many men estimated a hundred and forty thousand pounds sterlin: and well may be, not any Mirza, Cawn, Sultan, nor Beglerbeg that depended upon the Potshaughs smiles, but in an awful compliment, made him their Anchor by some annual piscash, bribe, or other: his presence was very comely, and taking; of a sweet countenance, made amiable by many complemental smiles: he is of a big full body; large eyes and nose; and huge moustaches: was at this time aged forty, a third part of which he had been Fortune's minion. But no sooner was old Abbess by bold death struck from the helm of Persia; and young Soffy his Grand-sonne made the royal Stear-man, but his supercilious glances grew humbled, yea, his dazzling splendour (eclipsed in the setting of his Master) becomes quickly darkened: his late pride and avarice heaped all men's contempt upon him, in so much as none now but dares to brand him with becoming Epithets; yea, his estate so vast that it threatened to press him to eternal confusion. Of all others, the Shyrazian Dynast darted him frowns of death; but (non semper feriet, quodcunque minabitur arcus) a black mist of unexpected destruction fuming from young Soffees brows (of the right pedigree) sends poor Emangoly to an untimely grave, and the Beglerbeg his gallant son to bear him company: neither to be descended of loyal and Princely Sires; to have Abbess his oath of safety; to be Protector of Persia during the nonage of the Infant King; to have famoused the crown by many heroic services; nor to be Emangoly-cawn, could repel the deadly shaft of jealousy: but in the Meridian of his course and glory, in the extreme of his hopes, and when so long a farewell was least thought on; he and his are hewed down; prophesied of by that Satyric Poet. Ad generum Cereris sine caede & vulnere pauci discendunt Tyranni, his great pride, his infamous cruelty at Ormus and Arabia, crying out for justice against him. Whiles Mahomet-Ally-beg shakes off his rags of discontent, and a fresh ingratiates himself; at this day moving in a sphere of content and purest mettle. A word of Shaugh-Abbas also. Abbas the Persian Emperor, was of low stature, (a Giant in policy) his aspect quick, his eyes small and flaming, and without any palpebrae or hair over them: he had a low forehead; a high and hawked nose; a sharp chin; and after the mode of Persia, beardless; his moustaches were exceeding long, and thick, and turned downwards. He was born in the year of Mahomet 938, King of Hery 50 years, Emperor of Persia &c 43; died aged 70; in the year of our account 1628., of their Aera 1008, in Cazbeen. His heart, his bowels, his carcase, were parted and buried in Ally-Mosched (near Cufa,) in Cazbyn, in Ardaveel, at Coomes some say, few know the certainty. Abbas King of Persia The Eastern Monarches at this day continue the custom of their ancient predecessors; who from time to time delighted more in Epithets of virtue, than in any Titles of Kingdoms or Provinces. They accounted it an effeminate vainglory to stuff their letters, or when they sent their Ambassadors abroad to foreign Potentates to gild their greatness by accumulation of Names: and in which respect, the Germane Emperor got little in that late Letter he sent to Abbas, the beginning of which was so filled with Titles and members of his Empire, that after he had heard half a dozen of them read, he had no patience to stay the reading of the rest, but departed in anger; as finding those no way material to his business. Instead of them, these Persian Kings, and other great ones of Asia, exceed (with no less prolixity) in adorning their Letters and dispatches with hyperboles of their resemblance to the Sun; their affinity to the Stars: and with the sweetest and rarest of fruits, flowers, gems, etc. As also of wise, famous, sweet, victorious, merciful, just, beautiful, courageous, etc. Howbeit, the Titles of the Persian Monarch may be these: 1 Pharsy, 2 Arac, 3 Shervan, 4 Sablestan, 5 Candahor, 6 Tocharistan, 7 Erey, 8 Zagathai, 9 Mozendram, 10 Turquestan, 11 Syr●ian, 12 Phargan, 13 Thalecan, 14 Maurenahar, 15 Kalsistan, 16 Sigistan, 17 Maqueron, 18 Istigiaz, 19 Kyrman, 20 Laristan, 21 Syndè, 22 Armussa, 23 Larr, 24 jaziry, 25 Chusistan, 26 Ajaman, 27 Diarbeck, 28 Gorgè 29 Armeny, 30 Karkash, 31 Vaspracan, 32 Aramnoh, 33 Adozar, 34 ●owrachow, 35 jarvall, 36 Deriob-korasan, 37 Deriob-Farsee, 38 Phrat, 39 Diglan, 40 Arass, 41 Syndè. ABBAS Emperor or Potshaw of 1 Persia, 2 Parthia, 3 Media, 4 Bactria, 5 Ortispana, 6 Chorasan, 7 and Harya; King over the Ouzbeg 8 Tattar, 9 Hyrcania, 10 Draconia, 11 Evergeta, 12 Parmenia, 13 Hydaspia, 14 Sogdiana, 15 Paropamisa, 16 Drangiana, 17 Aracbosia, 18 Mergiana, 19 Carmania, 20 Gedrosia, & as far as the stately river 21 Indus. Sultan of 22 Ormus, 23 Chorra, 24 Arabia, 25 Susiana, 26 Chaldaea, 27 Mesopotamia, 28 Georgia, 29 Armenia, 30 Iberia, 31 Mengrellia. Mirza or Prince of the Imperious Mountains of 32 Ararat, 33 Taurus, 34 Caucasus, and 35 Periardo. Commander of all creatures from the 36 Caspian Sea, to the 37 Gulf of Persia: Lord of the four rivers of Paradise, 38 Euphrates, 39 Tigris, 40 Araxis and 41 Indus: Of true descent from King Mortis-Ally: Governor of all Sultan's, Emperor of Mussulmen; Bud of honour, Mirror of virtue, Rose of delight, etc. And although to the modest reader a great deal of Ostentation may appear in these blustering Titles and Epithets, yet will they seem as nothing if we parallel them with the Kings of old, and at this day in other places. That of Cyrus may be excused; recorded by Ezra. An Mun.. 3419. The Lord God of Heaven, hath given me all the Kingdoms of the earth. Domitian (like Pharaoh, proudly scoffing, who is the Lord?) in all his proclamations begun thus: I am your Lord God Domitian, (the God of Flies:) Caligula wrote himself, Deus oped. max. & jupiter Latialis. If he could have satisfied his Atheism with the title of an earthly God or of jove, Menander and Tzetza had defended him, saying from Homer, Rex est viva Dei imago in terris, & Reges omnes olim vocarûnt joves'. Sapores son to Misdates the Persian Monarch, Anno Domini 315, began his letter to godly Constantius the Emperor in this sort (as is in lib. 17. Marcellini) I Sapores, King of Kings, equal to the Stars, and brother to the Sun and Moon. Cozrhoes also (Ormisdaes' son) in the year of grace 620 (the first of the Mahomitan account) scorning those of Deus terrhenus, or of homo a Deo secundus, blows himself up in this swelling proem to Moritius the unhappy Emperor: I Chozroe! great King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Ruler of Nations, Prince of peace, salvation of men; among gods, a man good and ever; among men, a God most glorious: the great Conqueror, arising with the Sun, giving lustre to the night, a Hero in descent: from which affected pride, the idolatrous slaves begun to worship him, and to clamour out Tu es nostra salus, & in te credimus: and hence the Poet to illustrate his Bees sings thus of them. Preterea Regem non sic Aegyptus & ingens Lydia, nec populi Parthorum, aut Medus Hydaspes Observant, etc. Egypt nor Lydia do their Kings obey Nor Medes nor Parthians half so much as they. From their Examples other Pagans in these our times arrogate no less supereminency in Titles. Solyman T'saccus (that wrathful Turq', thus entitled his wormsmeat) King of Kings (of slaves he should say) Lord of Lords, most huge Emperor of Const. and Trepiz. Ruler of Europe, Afriq, and Asia: Commander of the Ocean (of a few rotten boats he meant) Conqueror of Assyria, Arabia, etc. And Amurat his Grandson thus, God of the Earth, Captain of the Universe, most sacred Angel, Mohumets' beloved, etc. At length the homebred China cries roast-meat but th'other day sending his silly Ambassador to Abbas with a witty Epistle, thus directed, To his slave, the Sophy of Persia, th'undaunted Emperor of the whole world (a well read man) sends greeting: Neither the Ambassadors brags that his Master had six hundred great Cities, two thousand walled Towns, a thousand impregnable Castles, sixty millions of slaves, and a hundred and twenty thousand millions of crowns yearly revenue, could make his King admired, or privilege himself from dirty welcome, the haughty Persian spurning him back again, to assure his Master they neither believed him to be The beauty of the whole Earth, nor (as he also writes himself) heir apparent to the glorious Sun. His next neighbour and he are at odds for Title, the Tattar I mean (vulgarly the great Cham) a Cam indeed in his mistaken genealogy: for forgetting that his great Grandsire Cingis Cham was a blacksmith, he proclaims himself Sun to the highest God, & quintessence of the purest spirit: & thence is engendered that frantic custom of his, every day after dinner to have his Herald by sound of Trumpet, echo out to all other Kings and Potentates of the World, that he has dined, and they have leave to go to dinner: a notable favour if they have not dined before him: what think you of the Peguan Monarch, of him of Mattacala, and Manicongo, that nourish so good a conceit of their radiant beauty and Majesty, that Ambassadors and others are commanded (when they have business) to creep like worms, and to hide their faces, and grovel on the ground, lest their eyes be forfeited in daring to gaze on so much lustre: or of that brave Monomotaphan, that seldom goes abroad or shows himself, in compassion to his people, lest they should be struck blind in eyeing him, a curtain reverberats the beams that issue from his face of glory; they are permitted to use their ears to admire his champs when he eat, and the gulps when he drinks, but they pay sound for it, at every gulp and cough the coughs sometimes you think of purpose) they shout for joy and by continued clamours not only revive Stentor but make the whole City ring again. Alas good Prester-Iohn (the Neguz they call him) ostentation tickles thee; hast thou never read Saint Cypian ad Quir. In nullo gloriandum est, nam nostrum nihil est: for want of such helps thou deckest thy Mitre with fifteen provincial Titles, and that thou art the head of the Church; the favourite of God, the pillar of Faith; issued from Solomon, David Indah, and Abraham; Zion's prop, extract from the Virgin's hand, son of Saint Peter and Saint Paul by the spirit, of Nahu by the flesh; in these more vagrant, than thy other restless motions: and in vain dost thou seclude thyself from view of man by a thin lawn, since in thy welling impostumes thy Portrait is discovered; a Canker spreading North after the other way, to that other kind of Christian, by name Inanowich a tyrannic Muscovite, whose Coronation Anno Domini 1584. was celebrated with wonderful magnificence, besides his furs loading himself two and thirty bubbles ostentation. Welfare Aurelius, Saladyn, and Tamberlane, Heroes as great, as victorious, and as terrible to the world as any of these monsters we have named; who all their lives detested flattery, blushed at their praises, and thought themselves unworthy any fastidous Epithets, at their burials causing their wynding-sheet to be displayed as an Epitomè of all they merited; and this a high and oft proclaimed, Pulvis & Vmbra sumus, fumus, fuimus, etc. We left Cazbyn at ten at night, thereby avoiding Sols too much warmth; and at his first discovery from the Antipodes, got into Perissophoon; a small Town, but memorable in the sweet cool water we had there to quench our thirst with; an Element more useful than fire, in Sunburnt Asia. Our next Manzeil was at Asaph, at Begun our next, observable in a royal Carvans-raw or Hospital of charity, erected at the cost and care of Tahamas late King of Persia: and did the water (too brackish and unhealthy there) but correspond with other delights, it might better merit commendation. To Saway we got next night, a Town both great and fruitful; but that it is the ruin of old Tygranocerta (as Bonacciolus guesses at) I shall never credit: that it was Messabatha, or Artacana I more easily believe it. The Pole is here raised 35 degrees, 7 minutes; a City I may call it: It pleasantly upon a rising hill gives ground to twelve hundred houses, a sweet rivulet from Baronta refreshing it; from which and the people's industry, the thankful earth retributes a Tribute in variety of choice fruits, and grain, as Wheat, Rice, Barley, Figs, Pomegranates, Olives, and Honey; the seven, the promised land in the 8 Deut. 8. is commended for: but whether it be the relict of Vologocerta built by Vologeses the Parthian I know not; I am sure of this, no place I ever came in more delighted me for Aerial music: of all the Choir the Nightingale twenty together (here called Bulbulls) claiming the pre-eminence. And after so much melancholy, with Ovid let me chirp for company. Scribere me voces avium Phylomela coëgit, Quae cantu cuncta sexuperat volucres. Duleis amica veni! noctis solatia praestans, Inter aves eteanim nulla tibi similis, Tu phylomela potes vocûm discrimina mille, Mille potis vatios ipsa reserit modos. Nam quamvis aliae volucres modulamina tentent, Nulla potest modulis aequidare tuis. Insuper est avium spatiis garrire diurnis, Tu cantare simul nocte dieque potes. I must salute the curious Phylomel, Which all the birds in singing doth excel. Come pretty friend! my solace in the night, In all the Grove I find no such delight. A Thousand warbling Notes thy throat displays, Which thy sweet music chants as many ways. The vulgar birds may strive to equal thee, Yet never can attain like harmony. Their mirth doth last no longer than the day, But thine doth chase the silent night away. Our next night's travel was over large plains, elevated in many parts by artificial mounts, cut into many trenches; showing many famous ruins of passed wars. Notable no doubt in many gallant skirmishes and most memorable in Luoullus his captivating Methridates that learned King of Pontus; but what that grand Epicure fortunatly got, Marc' Crassus' the most covetous and richest Roman lost, after his impidus sacrilege at jerusalem, ravishing thence the holy relics, and so much treasure as out-valued six Tun of gold, puffed up with so much wealth, and his victories amongst the Jews, resolves with his fifty thousand men to forage Persia, but Herodes (son of Mithridate the third) courageously opposes him, cuts his Army in pieces, takes his baggage, and the avaricious Consul by Spurnia the General is made his prisoner; and to glut his thirst (divine vengeance so ordering) as Tomyris did to Cyrus, the Parth ' served Crassus so; forcing him to quaff, health to death, in pouring down his throat molten gold, and by which Triumph the Romans power was exterminate in Parthia 53 years before the birth of Christ, yet, long the Romans sorrowed not, for Mark Antony five years after by his General, affronted them with better success: the Parthians fight nor flight at that time helped them, their Prince Pacorus by death disminating them: affrighted in greater measure, when Phraortes (Mezentis, some name the parricide) deposed the valiant Orodes from crown and life, treason (the Devil's virtue) perpetrating that, the Romans could not do by generous conflict. Antony attempts revenge and conquest; but adverse luck made him thrive in neither. Augustus (in whose reign our blessed Saviour became flesh, and janus' Temple Was opened) did by treaty what his predecessors could not do by force; prevailing with Phraortes to veil bonnet to the Romans sparkling Dyadem. But 230 years after, one Artaxerxes a native Persian, and royally descended, shakes off that loathed servitude, not only outbraving the Roman, but by a three days fight and victory over Artabanus, revived the Persian title and name, Parthia for above 500 years formerly monarchizing. Alexander Severus (from julius Caesar the 24 Emperor) succeeded Heliogahalus or Bassianus the lustful, and receives a pragmatic letter from the new King to redeliver what anciently adorned the crown of Persia. It repugned the Roman Majesty, and thereupon marches to give an account, but in careless passing over Euphrates, is so suddenly charged by Artaxerxes, that he is routed shamefully; his bad luck not ending there, for Maximinus the Thracian bereft him of his Empire, the Germane villains of his life; his virtuous mother Mammaea (Origens' proselyte) associating in his death, as she had in glory formerly. Licinius Valerianus surnamed Colobus; undertaken to rule the Empire; and took upon him to overrule the rising Persian: but his big words, nor great Army could not do what a Supreme Judge had decreed otherwise; for Sapores with an undaunted company denies him entrance, and in the trial the Romans were miserably defeated, and which was worse, Valerian himself is imprisoned, and to his dying day (to the astonishment of all proud Tyrants) made a footstool for Sapores to tread upon, whensoever he mounted: the Justice of Almighty God herein was singularly manifest, by compensating the cruel Emperor in this odious servitude, for his intolerable pride and rigour against the innocent Christians, many thousands of whom he martyred, amongst whom Saint Laurence cruelly broiled upon a gridiron. But we have wandered too fare in reviving the memory of Parthia: by this we are entered Coomes▪ where we refreshed our scorched and wearied bodies three days: In which time we could not choose but gather something. COOMES, (in the latitude of 34 degrees 40 minutes) is a City of good note, in Parthia; placed in the midway 'twixt those two royal Cities, Cazbyn and Spawhawn. It is situate in an ample and fair sandy plain, and yields every way an exact horizon. Coomes, gives place to no other Town in Persia for antiquity; the ruins appearing at this day, gain some belief in the inhabitants, whose common saying is, it was once comparable to Babylon. She has varied into many several names: the first I meet with is Gauna, it may be that which some call Guriana; erroneously if so, since Guriana has 37 degrees; and Coomes not 35. Arbacta after that (from Arbaces, who in the year after Adam 3146 tore asunder the Assyrian Dyadem, by overture of that monster Sardanapalus the thirty sixth Monarch of the world from Ninus) but by Diodore and Ptolemy, Coama: And by her latitude and antiquity, seems to me to have been Hecatompylon, rather than Spawhawn, whose old name was Aspa, and from which she never wholly varied; and at this day (the latitude somewhat differing) changing no less in the ill pronunciation of diverse men; Coim some call it, Kom and Kome others: the people there name it Koom. A pleasant, fruitful, and salubrious place it is, I can assure you: shaken with no great winds, clouded with no moist fogs, nor so much parched by flaming Sol, but can find cool refrigerating breezes breathing favourably each morn and evening to refresh it. In the Sun's ambition it has excellent houses to lenify his beams, and umbrellaes in their orchards to shade and taste their delicious fruits in, in this City infinity abounding, (owing their mellowing to a sweet rivulet, that streams in a silver current from the Coronian or Acro-cerawnian hills,) and grapes also, good and in plenty; excellent Pomegranates, Melons of both kinds, Pomcytrons, Apricocks, Plums, Peaches, Pears, Pistachoes, Almonds, Apples, Quinces, Cherries, Figs, walnuts, small-Nuts, Berries, and the best Wheat-bread in Persia, Gumbazellello excepted: the Peach or Malae Persica is had here; a fruit and leaf so much resembling man's heart and tongue, that the Aegyptick Priests dedicated it unto their greatest Goddess Isis as the truest Hyerogliphick or symbol of unfeigned affection. Coomes has two thousand houses, most of them of more than common structure; well-built, well-formed, well furnished; the streets are spacious, the Buzzar beautiful, the Mosque is famous; made venerable, and richly adorned by enshrining the rotten carcase of once amiable Fatyma, Mortis-Ally's wife, and sole heir to Mahomet the Prophet of all Moorish Mussulmen. The Temple is round, of epirotiq' form; the Tomb is raised three yards high, and covered with velvit; the ascent is by three or four steps of refined silver. Such time as Tamberlang the victorious Tattar (so I may well style him; since in eight years he conquered more than the warlike Romans could in eight hundred) returned loaden with spoil and majestic triumph, having hammered the brazen face of the Turkish bravery An. Dom. 1397, Heg. 777, this poor Coomes parched (among many others) in the insufferable heat of his incensed fury; not from any eye of rage or envy he darted at him, but from that simple affront Hoharo-mirza (called also B'heder-cawn) spurred on by jealousy, put upon the triumphant Tattar; a compliment so much mistaken, that loss both of life and Crown were thereby forfeited, making many men & Towns concomitate his misery; this place especially (which but for the Ardaveilyan Syet requesting mercy, and for Fatyma's Sepulchre) had been levelled with the lowly earth, ploughed up and salted: but in the sable weed she now is apparelled, she may sigh with melancholy Statius. — Death is the common friend to all: for what ere yet begun shall end. Quicquid habet Ortus finem timet, ibimus omnes Ibimus.— From Coomes we road to Zenzen; and thence to Cashan, a gallant City; from Coomes six and thirty miles: the way was easy and plain, but somewhat sandy. CASHAN, (where the Arctic elevation is 34 degrees, 7 minutes: longit. 86 deg.) is the second Town in Parthya for all sorts of praises; Spawhawn is her Metropolis, whence she is distant North, sixty English miles; and from Cazbyn South two hundred and ten, or . Whence the name derives itself, the illiterate Cashanians could not tell; we must therefore search the dim leaves of Time oblitterated by oblivion. I know not whether it be that old Ambrodax in many old Authors famoused; the position not name makes me guess it. I once thought it was Ctesiphon, the best seat of the Arsacidaes; but I now perceive Ptolemy states that Town 'twixt Seleucia and Babylon: more probably it may be that Tigranocerta recorded by Straho in his Chorography, than that Saway is it, after Bonacciolus. The name Cashan I imagine is borrowed either from Cushan, in the Syriack signifying heat or blackness: or from Cassan-Mirza son to Hocen son of Ally: or from Shaw-Cashan (son to Axan begot by Tangrolipix Anno Heg. 582 of our account 1202,) subjected by the great Cham: or (which best pleases me) from Vsan-Cashan the Armenian (Acen or Cassan-beg some call him) who in the year of our Lord 1470, of Mahomet's hegira or flight from Mecca 850, vanquished Malaoncres (called Abdulla also) the last of Tamerlangs Progeny ruling Persia. Cashan at this day, is a great and lovely City; well seated, well built, well peopled: overtopped by no hill, unseasoned by no marshes, watered by no great stream; which augments the heat, chief when Sol resides in Cancer: which rages there in no less violence is Scorpio; not that in the Zodiac; but real stinging Scorpions, which in great numbers engender here. It is a little Serpent (a finger long) but of great terror in the sting, inflaming such they prick with their envenomed Arrow so highly that some die, none avoid madness a whole day; and as it was said of another una eademque manus fert vulnus opemque: so to such as are stung by Scorpions is no such remedy as by the oil of Scorpions to be cured. The Serpent's head joined to the wounded part, Fitly is said to heal th'infected smart. Like Telaphus cured by Achilles' dart. Quae nocuit serpens, fertur caput illius apt Vulneribus jungi, sanat quae sauciat ipsa. Larissaea curatus Telaphus hasta. And from hence grows that much used Persian adage and curse, May a Scorpion of Cashan sting thee. But which is more remarkable, they say it, we found it true (some of them creeping into our rugs as we slept) they never hurt a stranger. Cashan is not less than York or Norwich, above four thousand families are accounted in her: the houses are fairly built, the streets be large and comely; the Mosqus and Hummums are curiously painted and ceruleated, with a feigned Turquoise: the Buzzar is spacious and uniform; furnished with Silks, Damasks, rich Carpets, Satins, and cloth of gold; no part of the Persian Monarchy shows better, or more variety, nor a people more exactly industrious. The gardens, and fruits, and corn, are by the eleborat Tymariots made to fructify, and being cultivated retribute a gainful acknowledgement. The Carravans-raw in this City is an inimitable (if not so, an unparaleld) Arch Fabric, by many degrees preceding all Carravans-raws in Persia; for this is able to lodge the Court of the greatest Potentate in Asia: but built by Abbas for Travellers to repose in gratis, to show the world he joyed in some act of charity: the whole building is grounded with Marble, six foot high; the residue is brick are fied in the Sun, varnished and coloured with knots and fancies of Arabic characters, in azure, red, and white, in oil, after the common mode of Persia. It is a perfect quadrant; each angle is from one another two hundred paces, the whole eight hundred: in the umbelique or mid-part of this spacious Court is a quadrangular Tanck or Pond filled (by an Aquaduct) with chrystallin water: this royal Inn, is also circumvolved with such fragrant and spacious gardens as rather exceed than want to display the founder's magnificence: more, I have not to denotate, save that many several conjectures, by many several learned men and Antiquaries, have passed, whence the Magis or wise men came, that presented our blessed Saviour with their offerings, and were without doubt the first fruits, and called of the Gentiles: and albeit called Magi (or deeply read in Nature) yet no question, they were illuminated and waited the accomplishment of that Prophecy of Balaam, in 24 Num, 17. There shall come a Star out of jacob and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab and destroy the children of Seth. The Magis of Persia. They gathered, I say, more from this of their Prophet than any of their own Astrologick observations. That they were Gentiles is apparent; that they came from the East undeniable: but from what City or Province, very disputable; though not very necessary. The word Magus is most proper to Persia; Persia is East from Bethlehem. And many are of opinion they came from hence or Shushan, where then flourished a famous Academy. The people here have such a Tradition, that hence went those three wise men or Kings, which some say were entombed in Cullen: but few are of this opinion: Some say they came from Saba or Sheba in Sabea or Arabia, from Aethiopia, South; deceived in Cush, aethiop's, but first in Araby. From Babylon some think they came; from Shushan some suppose; from Ormus some guess, as likely as it was Paradise: from Ceyloon, from Tabropan, from any place, no matter where; since the sacred penmen have been silent in it. But if you please to trust a Friar, Friar Odoric of Friuli by name, Cashan was it. Yet I tie not my belief to such impertinencies. Let me rather busy my brains in quest of what a Magus was, since Simon Magus made the name odious and Magical; and under which Title many Witches, Sorcerers, Enchanters, Hydro and Pyro-mantiques, and other Diaboliques have cloaked their trumperies and ungodliness. The name Magi therefore was a peculiar Epithet in Persia, in old times given to such as were learned: such as in other Languages and Nations are called Idiots, Philosophers, Gymnosophists, Brachmen, Chaldaeans, Druids, and Bardhs; all of them excellently studious in Nature's best parts and virtues. Magus (says Suidas) is a derivative from Magusaeus, a relative to Magog son of japheth, son of Noah. Peucerus lib. de divinit. thus Praeerant Magis religioni Persicae, ut in populo Dei Levitae, studiisque verae Philo-sophiae erant dediti; nec quisquam rex Persarum poterat esse, qui non antea Magorum disciplinam scientiamque percepisset etc. Common custom (says St. Hierom) conceits Magicians to be Enchanters, but falsely, for (says Peter Martyr also) by the name Magi, were understand wise and honest men: by which restomonialls we see they were no way to be scandalised, nor such as now adays Impostors term themselves. They were also thus called, from their laborious scrutinies & contemplations into hidden causes: for by experience in Astronomy they not only bettered the theory but practic part, by observing the motion of the heavens, & influence of the stars; from whence they divined notable events in Nature, earthquakes, inundations, eclipses, heat, mutations, etc. and also bettered their agriculture, and alternated the earth's unaptness to frucifie: whereby also by a meditation of the wonderful order, Symmetry, and providence by which each creature was made and governed, they came to magnify the Creator, the God of Nature. And from their diving into the occult causes of Nature, were called Magical, though no other than a connexion of agents and patients in Nature, respecting one another; by learned men made to produce such effects as to such as are ignorant of their causes seem strange and wonderful, Of such hair Mantuan. A Persian Mage he called is Who knows Herbs, Stars and Deities. All three learned in Persepolus. Ille penes Persas Magus est, qui sydera novit, Qui sciat herbarum vires, cultusque Deorum. Persepolis facit ista Magos, prudentia triplex. Leaving these, and Cashan: on the 23 of August, we made Bizdebode our Manzeil, 18 miles off. Thence we road to Natane or Ta'en, where Darius Anno M. 3635. breath his last by the treacherous hands of Bessus the perfidious Bactrian. The Lodge here as ashamed of such a memory, seems to hide itself 'twixt two lofty hills, from the eye of heaven: but from whose tops we might discern large valleys thick sown with Villages, and watered in many circum-gyrings. Thirty miles our last night's travel was; and next night we got to Reig, more than that it was one and twenty miles from Natan, not worth the memorizing: unless you will accept its distance from Spahawn, nine English miles or three farsangs. And from Casbyn 260 or thereupon. And where I will give over a Diary, desiring no longer to defraud thy patience. For to Corranda, Deacow, Miscarroon, Corryn, Laccary, Corbet, Nazareils, Sabber-cawn, to Buldat thou comest to Bagdat; 130 farsangs distant. Others from Spawhawn go thus, to Golpichan forty forsangs, to Tossarchan forty, to Mando fifty, Hemmomezter and Baroe, to Babylon fourteen more, in all 144 leagues, a way more easy but of greater distance. Of which City, as it was and is, few lines may be remembered. BABYLON, in Caldaea (or Keldan as now named) hath its denomination from that memorable confusion of Languages God Almighty ordained to check the insolent pride of Nymrod and his confederates, intending to raise up such a pile as should secure them from a second deluge, affrighted by that first Cataclysme 130 years before, and from Adam's creation 1788. 2180 years before the incarnation of our Saviour; and admirable it is to consider what multitudes of men were in the world in sevenscore years, increasing from eight persons, those that issued from the Ark upon Ararat in Armenia. This building was hastened by five hundred thousand men, in few years raising it from its basis (which was nine miles about) to above five thousand paces into the sky (whence Ovid fabled his Giants wars) Affectasseferunt regnum Coeleste Gyant●s, Altaque congestos struxisse ad sydera Montes. The heavens looked pale with wonder to be behold, With what attempts and rage Giants bold Sought to affront the gods, by raising high Mount upon mount, to inhabit in the sky. intending no doubt to peep into heaven. But he that sits above, and accounts the best of man's power and policy but mere weakness and folly, not only distracted their design, but severed them into seventy Companies, sending them seventy ways to better employments: from one tongue, the Hebrew (Goropius dreamt it was Dutch) ordaining seventy other Languages. But though the Tower of Babel stood for ever unfinished (albeit Alexander the great by some month's labour in vain of 100000 men (made to desist by strange diseases and affrights) thought to have finished it) the City notwithstanding swelled to a prodigious greatness: and though Arphaxad (son of Sem son of Noah) begun to inhabit in this vale of Shynaear, yet Nimrod (son of Cush, or jupiter Belus son of Cam, or jupiter Hamon the accursed son of Noah) wrested it from his other kindred, yea behaved himself so proudly amongst his brethren, that to gratify his memory they deified him by name of Sudormyn, by the Romans converted into Saturn. Nimrod lived six and fifty years after the beginning of Babel; he at last gave way to Death, and was buried I know not where, some say at this place, some say at Persepolis. Idolatry was soon hatched in the world; Nimrods' successors strove to make their hellish progenitors earthly gods: for after Ninus his son had erected many Temples to put his Grandsire's Images in, he attracted infinite people to inhabit there; by whose labours he not only agrandized this City, but by their helps grew to tyrannize in the world, and to augment his Empire; whence, he is accounted the first that encroached on others rights to satiate his ambition: and as he is named the first Emperor of the earth, so none died so miserably; for his wife Semiramys detruded him into prison: where she made him die a hateful death, such as became a monster. The Virago Queen sat confidently at the helm, and steered through an Ocean of storms and miraculous passages; till burning in flames of lust, in stead of embraces, hersonne Nynias (thought Amraphel and Mars) to revenge his Father's death, slew her: but by that murder became mad; and in that frenzy marched against King Cancasus (japhets' great grandson) and subdued him: howbeit he himself was so served by Abraham, such time as he rescued his Nephew Lot, captivated by Arioch, Tydal, and Chedorlaomer. Semiramis to eternize her memory fought many brave Combats, and returned oft times victorious; she subjected many Kings, subjugated many Provinces, built many famous Castles, Cities and Gardens; the ruins of some of them are in Medya, to this hour remaining. We will confine her into Babylon: where she erected two inimitable Palaces; one, was at the East end, th'other, at the West; the first extended thirty, the other sixty furlongs; both were immured with walls of stupendious height and architecture; but excelling those, she built another in the heart or centre of Babylon, which she dedicated to Cush or jupiter Belus; the shape whereof was of four equilateralls or sides; from every angle were one thousand, in all four thousand paces: 'twas circled with a thick and towering wall; entered by four gates of polished brass: in midst, was elevated a strong and stately Tower, upon which, eight other Towers rose one upon another, fare above the middle region: whence (from a continued serenity of the sky) the Priests or Caldaean Astrologers precisely marked the planetary motions (and if possible, to hear their rolling harmony;) for being above the clouds, they delighted to regard the exact light and magnitude of the Stars; their heliacal, acronical, matutine, and vespertine motions, rising and falling; Apollo's progress, the constellations; aspects, influences, and the like: and at the top of all, a Turret enriched with three great golden Images or Statuas, representing jupiter, Ops, and juno, i. e. her father in law, her husband Ninnie, and herself; continuing there in divine esteem for many ages; and whereto (says Herodatus) in way of sacrifice, was yearly consumed a hundred thousand Talents in franc-incense: till Cyrus An. Mun. 3432. by draining Euphrates into other channels, entered this Epitomè of the world and ransacked her bravery. But I have not spoken all. Semiramis also circled this gallant City with a wall, which in after ages was called a wonder; some say Nabuchadonozar made it, but an ancient Poet sings otherwise. Semiramis built Persian Babylon. Persarum statuit Babylona Semiramis Vrbem. The circuit of which Wall was (after Solynus) threescore miles English, or as he reckons it, four hundred and eighty furlongs. Diodorus Siculus computes three hundred and sixty five, each day in the year challenging a furlong. Quintus Curtius numbers three hundred fifty and eight, differing in his Arithmetic but seven furlongs. The compass I admire at, but am amazed at the height and spissitude; two hundred cubits high it was, and fifty cubits thick; so thick and spacious, that at the top six Chariots might take the air, driving together abrest, not one before another. Nynus and Semiramis begun it bravely, yet Nabuchadnezzer and Nytocris his wife (daughter of Aliattes) beautified it, in a stupid admiration crying out, Is not this great Babel that I have built? a boast so much offending the sacred Majesty of God, that he rend the Kingdom from that proud Assyrian, and made him a companion for beasts and birds, to the astonishment of all such Atheists. Cyrus' by one battle at Borsippa, prostrated it and wreathed his Persian brow with that Monarchic Dyadem, Anno Mundi 3432, seventeen years after the captivity of judah and Israel by Nabuzaradan his Lieutenant; five hundred and fifty two years before the birth of our Saviour: after which, it was often vassaled. Seventy nine years after, Anno Mundi 3511 Artaxerxes Longimanus ruling Persia, the Prophet Ezdras went hence to rebuild the Temple at jerusalem, and thirteen years after that was seconded by Nehemiah from Shushan. The victorious Macedonian conquered it, Anno Mun. 3633, at which time (as Aristotle reports) one part of the City knew not in three days after, that the enemy had entered it: a vast bigness, but easily credited, if Pausanias in Assyr. say true: Babylon, omnium quas unquam Sol aspexit Vrbium maxima etc. either (to parallel it with jerusalem destroyed by Vespasian) in their solemn sacrifices, in which times the people multiplied; or rather to fulfil that prophecy, 51 jeremiah 31, One Post shall run to meet another to show the King of Babylon, that his City is taken at one end. But these mutations did not so eclipse her, as Selechus Nicanor did by envy and policy, Anno Mundi 3645 building a City in the conflux of Tigris into Euphrates, where Coach first stood and then Alexandria, new naming it Seleucya 50 miles thence; 300 stades says Marcellien; and to add lustre to his own by the decay of the other, illured from Babylon six hundred thousand souls, in small time making that late triumphant Empress of Towns sit naked and disconsolate; the reward of her incomparable pride and tyranny. jeremiahs' prophecy in the 50, 51, then being accomplished. The violence done to me and mine be upon Babylon. Behold I am against thee O thou most proud, etc. The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken: her high gates shall be burnt with fire; she shall become a heap, a dwelling place for Dragons! and it shall be said, how is Babylon become an astonishment, a hissing and a desolation among all Nations. Alexander when he took it, enriched his coffers with two hundred thousand Talents of gold, betrayed by Bagophanes the Eunuch: and here (Terrarum fatale malum & sydus iniquum gentibus, as a Critic calls him) Alexander, the world's great victor disrobed himself out of his life (by quaffing too much Ox blood to Hercules, his emulated Progenitor) Anno Mundi 3647, 337, before the Incarnation: at the age of 32, having troubled the world 12 years and 8 months: his death foretold him by a Calanus or Bracman. Thus much concerning Babylon: not that Al-Cayro in Egypt (near old Memphis, in the same place where Latopolis stood) built by Cambyses the Persian, and new named El-cayro by Gehoar, Lieutenant to El-Cayn the Kalyph: as I find in the first and eight books of Leo's History of Africa: by the Hebrews called Mezraim, by the Caldees Alcabyr, Myzir by the Arabs, and Massarr by all Armenians. BAGDAT, (raised out of old Babells' ruins;) is in 36 deg. 20 min. North: in 82 of longitude: built in that part of Meso-potamia the Persians call Yrakein; the Turks, Diarbec; the Arabs, jazirey; the Armenians, Meridin. It receives the name Bagdat, I suppose, from Bag-Deh, i. e. a Lordly City; or from Bawt-dat, i. e. a Princely garden: some say from Bugiafer the Babylonian Kalyph, who disbursed two millions of gold to re-edify it, after that cruel devastation made there by Almerick King of jewry. But long she enjoyed not this glory, for Chyta a Tartar Prince gives order to Alako his brother to divest her; who accordingly sacked it with a barbarous rage and greediness, & cruelly tortured the then Lord or Chalyph Mustaed-zem: but in the year of our Lord 762. Heg. 142. Almansor or Abviapher the Calyph pitied her dilapidations, and taking a precise time, when by a good influence of the heavens it might in future times be fortunate, he begun to rear her up again, and builded the Mosq' in that place where one Bagdet an Eremit had made his hermitage, and from whom it may be 'twas so called: Almansor gave it another name, Medina-Isalem, i. e. the City of peace; or as Ben-Casen thinks, Deer-Assla, i. e. the Church of peace. An ill spirit it seems haunted it: for after she begun to breath anew, and to adorn her head with Majesty, another cold Northern blast benumbed her; Tangrolipix or Sadoc Lord of the Zelzuccian family and father of the Ottemen, takes it in despite of the Arab and Persian An. Dom. 1031, Heg. 411, and forced her to bow under the yoke of miserable bondage. Howbeit, once more an Arabian Chalyph re-comforts her, Negmeddin-Fidall-ally by name, son to Emyr-Elmummyn: after whom Addaë-daul And Siet Saife-Daddaul did their best to enlarge her: and to them (according to Acmad-Abu-beker) followed Almostacer-bilah son to Almoctadi-bila Anno Dom. 1100. Heg. 480. all which several Calyphs were rich, and liberal, such as spared neither cost nor pain to redintigrate her bulk and memory. Ismael-Sophy conquered it from Bajazeth: but Solyman regained it from Sha-Tahamas: from him the Persian King Mahomet (son to Tamas) wrested it Anno Domini 1566. Heg. 946. by a neat stratagem, he entered unsuspected in disguise of a Merchant, fifteen hundred other Noble warriors in like habit driving into Bagdat a Carravan of three thousand Camels; but upon the watchword, throwing off their gowns, they brandished their glittering blades in the eyes of the astonished garrison. The Persians kept it till the year of our Lord 1605. Heg. 985. when it reverted to Turkish thraldom; but Abbess could not suffer it, for An. Dom. 1625. Heg. 1005. most bravely he beat the Turqs thence, and the Tartars from Van in Armenia: and to this day holds both, though ten times the enraged Turqs have attempted to recover it. Let us now into the Town. Bagdat, at this day scarce equals Bristol in bulk or beauty: the circuit may be three miles and better, including fifteen thousand families. It is watered by Tigris called Diglat and Dyguilah, somewhat broader than the Thames, but not so navigable nor gentle: In all this City is nothing worthy the present observation, save the Bridge, the Mosque, the Sultan's Palace, the Coho house, the Buzzar, and the Gardens. The bridge resembles that at Rohan in Normandyl; it has a plain & easy passage over 30 long boats, concatenated and made to separate at pleasure. The Mosque is builded in the West side; large, round, and very pleasantly raised of white freestone, brought from Mosul (old Ninivy.) The Sultan's house adjoins the great market; it is large but low: and near it are some brass pieces the Turks left there against their will: a little Chapel also, Panch-Ally by name, is noteworthy; memorable in the impression of five fingers, Mortis Ally by a trick that he had made in the solid stone there. The Coho house is a house of good fellowship; in the evening many Mussulmen assemble to sip a sort of Stygian liquor; a black, thick, bitter potion, brewed out of Bunchie or Bunnu berries; more reputed of, in that it increases Venus, and purges melancholy: but most of all, from a tradition they have that Mahomet sipped no other sort of drink, save this which was first invented and brewed by Gabryel: in the Coho house they also inebriate their brains with Aracc and Tobacco. The Buzzar in Bagdat is square, and comely. The Gardens are sweet and lovely; all put together, show no more artificial strength, wealth nor bravery than do many neighbouring and late upstart Towns about her. Twelve miles lower is seen a gross confused Mount; by some thought the rubbish of Nimrods' Tower: slimy bricks and mortar may be digged out of it. I rather imagine it the ruin of that monstrous Temple, which was erected by Semiramis in honour of Bell or jupiter Belus, Grandfather to Nynus. At some distance it Is better perceived than when nearer hand; the insensible rising all the way; it may be occasions it: what more or more properly can I apply, than in our own tongue, what an old Poet warbled in his idiom. Miramur periisse homines? monumenta fatescunt, Interitus saxis nominibus- que venit. Why wonder we that People die? since Monuments decay. Yea, flinty Stones, with men's great Names, Death's tyrannies obey. To see old Shushan is neither unworthy our labour, nor out of our way. SHUSHAN, is every where famoused. It was one of the three royal Palaces, the Medyan Monarches so much gloried in; Babylon, Shushan, and Ecbatan: built by Darius' son of Histaspis Anno Mundi 3444. as Pliny has it in his 6 lib. c. 28. Some say Laomedan built it, such time as Thola judged Israel. Others make Cyrus' Lord of Pisogard (from Pison a branch of Hiddekel or Tigris) to be the Architect, in memory of his good success obtained in that very place against Astyages the Median Emperor. It is spoken of in the 1. ch. of Hester: That there, Ahashuerus An. Mun. 3500. feasted his Lieutenants over a hundred twenty and seven Provinces, a hundred and eighty days with great cost and triumph. Nehemiah and Daniel also remember it to be in Elam, Persia: and notwithstanding the many mutations and miseries it had from many avaricious Tyrants, yet was it able to smile upon Alexander, when he extracted thence to pay his Soldats and fill his bags with fifty thousand Talents in Bullion, and nine Millions in coined Gold: and well may be, since Cassiodore in his 7. lib. 15. Epist: reports for truth, that Memnon (son to Tithon, and reckoned by some, first founder) so gloried in his work that he cemented the stones with gold; which made Aristagoras cry out to his men of war, that if they could but master it, each poor knave there might then compare with jove for riches and bravery. Some wrangle about the name Shushan, and its signification. Athenaeus interprets it from her plenty in Lillies; but whence he fetched it I cannot tell; the Arabic nor Persian have no such meaning: as well I may say from Suzan or Shuzan in the Persic tongue a needle or a glasse-bottle. But such Synonimaes may not carry it. I rather believe it is derived from Chus (Noah's grand-sonne) Susiana from him called Chusiana, and at this day not much discrepant in the name they call it by, Chusistan. More probable, in that Chus, Cams' son planted a Colony here, ere he journeyed into Arabia and Aethiopia, (a mistake, made the Septuagints imagine Nile one of those four, streaming from Paradise) his sons also hereabouts inhabiting. Nymrod in Chaldaea. Seba in Arabia. Havilah in Indya. Raamah in Carmania etc. Let us dow into Shushan. At this day 'tis called Valdac, not fare from the Gulf: watered by Chozes or Choaspes; which arising from the Jaaroonian Mountains streams hither very pleasantly in many meanders circum-giring, and not far from Balsorac (Doridatis of old) participates with the brackish Gulf of Persia, where also Euphrates (called Phrat and Almacher) from Libanus some say, from Mount Abas in Armenia say others: and Tigris (now called Diglat and Hiddechel) from Taurus (or Pariedrus rather) embowel themselves. A river of such account which the Persian Emperors, that no water but Choaspes, no bread but from Assos' in Phrygia, no wine but the Chalyhonian in Syria, no salt but what they had from Memphis in Egypt could please their palates. Daniel calls it Vlai, Pliny, Eulaeus; an anti-stream glides to Persepolis. Shushan was in compass 120 stades or furlongs; so Strabo. Policletus numbers 200, above twenty miles English. The wall about it quadrangular. In building, walls, houses, Temples, and the like, resembling Babylon. From whence Ecbatan & it had aequidistancie five hundred short miles. Valdac had some form and beauty, till Moses surnamed Askar (Omars kinsman) Anno Dom. 641. Heg. 21, depopulated it. It has now a resemblance of Moful or Niniveh; nothing but ruins covering her. Of which and other such once noble Cities I may say with King David, Psalm. 46 Come and behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in all the earth! And that we are so near the old local place of Paradise, let me glance a little into it. PARADISE, or the terrestrial Garden of Eden (Hogea-del-Holan the Indians name it) (Gan-Eden the Hebrewes call it) wherein God placed Adam, is much controverted; and where it was, as much doubted of: some making it an Allegory, others a local place. Strange it is to confider the variety. Some say it was in the middle Region of the air, whence they will draw the four great streams that water Paradise. Some place it in the mountains of the Moon (in Aethiop whence Nilus springs,) othersome in the circle of the Moon, some others under the circle, and that thence the four rivers flow gliding under many large deep Seas, and so into Paradise. Some think the 4 rivers signify 4 cardinal virtues; the word Paradise, a metaphor of delight; man's fall, the banishment; the torryd Zone, the fiery sword; and such other fanatic fancies as made the brainsick Hermians and Seleucians swear there never was a Paradise: whose phantasmaes I value not, in that the more judicious affirm there was, varying merely in the place. Some (and those well read) imagine it was ten miles about, the Province Mesopotamia, the precise place Eden, to this retaining both name and memory. St. Augustine judges it was in the happy Arabia. Amongst the Tartars dreams Goropius (in Holland he might have said.) Under the N. pole thinks Postellus. In Syria, Beroaldus. Upon the banks of Tigris says Xenophon. Every where, before Adam sinned thinks Ortelius. Some say it comprehended Meso-potamia, Armenia, Mount Taurus, encircling Shynaar; holding afterwards Selencia and Babylon. Others carry it further as that it included Nilus and Gangas, a too great limit for a Garden, six thousand miles distant; Nile arising from Zair in Africa, empties itself into the midland Sea; Ganges from Imaus in Scythia, into the Gangetick Sine or Bengalan Ocean. The Inhabitants in Ceyloon say Paradise was there, and show Adam's footsteps, Eves tears, etc. Some say Egypt, Syria, and judaea: that the tree of knowledge grew on Mount Calvary, the second Adam suffering in the same place the first Adam had offended. Some dream it is in a mountain above the sky, where none are but Enoch and Elias. We can ascend no higher, without troubling our understandings. The best is this, That Nile nor Ganges had no being there: the Septuagints mistake arising from their suppostion that Pison was Ganges, and Gihen, Nile. Mesopotamia no doubt was East from Arabia, where Moses (the Prince and first that ever wrote History) completed his Pentateuch. And as questionless, the Garden of Eden was watered with Euphrates and Tigris: who in their several fluxes, one from Libanus, th'other from Ararat or Taurus, part themselves into four branches; Pison one (streaming to Pisogard in Persia;) Gibon th'other (commixing with Choaspes) both run into the Gulf, at Balsora, For whereas 'tis said, Pison compasses the land of Hevilah, we must not imagine it that Havilah in Indya, whither Havilah son of joctan son of Eber son of Sem traveled: but that in Susiana or Chusiana, where Havilah son of Chus, son of Cham, son of Noah planted his Colony; before he descended into Aethiopia or Africa. Or if that will not content, we may distend it, to make Mount Taurus a wall unto it East, and North: and that Euphrates, Tigris, Araxes (or Gozan if you please) and Indus watered it, a sufficient extendure, and in the adolescency of the world fruitful and delicious. The Author's sickness. I cannot choose a better place to seat your patience, than here, to make myself your object. After the death of some noble Gentlemen, my course came next, though not to die, yet to put my feet into the grave. Whether I had got cold on Taurus (by sucking in the refrigerating air, denudating my heating body) or that I played the Epicure too largely on delicate fruits, or that diversity of Meridian's, or so long quaffing variety of waters, I know not: some or all of these (by God's divine appointment) overcame me, and forced me into such a violent diffentery, that in twelve days I had a thousand bloody stools, and for forty days longer time was o'ercharged with such cruelty, that (some can witness) I dare say, never poor man was more enfeebled! I wanted not the help of the King's best Physicians, they did me little good: I took what they prescribed (dry Rice, Pomgranad pills, Barberries', Sloes in broth, and a hundred other things) and gave them what so ere they craved: so that it was hard to judge whether my spirits or gold decayed faster. In this excreame misery I was forced to travel 300 miles, hanging upon a Camel. Morod that great Aesculapius seeing I would rather die than part with any more money (for when it was gone, I knew not where to borrow, Merchants were strangers to me, and I had above sixteen thousand miles home, to go round Africa) he limited my life to but five days existence: but he that sits on high and accounts all humane knowledge, mere folly; in four & twenty hours after, miraculously proved this famous Oraculizer a complete liar. I had then attending me an Armenian called Magar and a Hecate of Tartary, to whom I daily gave for salary eight peace: many Succubies she implored (fore against my will) but finding they had no power to bewitch me; whether to accilerate Morods' sentence, or whether to possess my linen and apparel (of which I had good plenty) I know not, but she resolved to poison me. For, knowing wine was strictly forbidden me, she presents me in an Agony of thirst, a Viol full of old strong intoxicating wine, which relished curiously, and I poured down without wit or measure: but (as it had been so much ophium) it quickly banished my vital senses, and put me for four and twenty hours into a deadly trance, and in that time (had not a friend resisted) I had been buried. But by God's great mercy, this desperate Potion recovered me. For after I had disgorged abundantly, I fell into a sound sleep (not having done so a month formerly, the people admiring such a recovery) so that by benefit of that little rest and binding quality of the wine, I grew every day better and stronger: but my desperate Doctress (whiles my other servant wept over me) like an old Hag, opened my Trunks and robbed me of all my linen and some moneys. I would not pursue her, for than she had died for it. I will therefore say with David 71 Psal. O! what troubles and adversities hast thou shown me? and yet didst thou turn and refresh me, yea and broughtest me from the deeps of the earth again! Observations concerning the Persian Empire. HItherto we have been practical: let me now draw your eyes to theorize in general the several properties and fashions of this great Empire; whose Monarches have from the Infancy of Time either swayed the Sceptre of the world, or adorned their brows with a Dyadem of braver lustre than any other Kings of Asia: and first speak we by what several Nomenclations Persia has been called; than which, no other Kingdom in the Universe has been more variable. In Nymrod's days (that Monster of the world) 'twas called Chusa, Several names of Pesia. from Chus son of Cham son of Noah, who removed his Colony thence into Arabia, and after into Aethyopia or afric. In Chedorlaomars reign (contemporary with Abraham) it was named Elam, from Elam son of Sem son of Noah; and brother (if profane Authors say true) to (Madai or) Atlas Maurus sons of japhet son of Noah. From him the people were called Elamitae and Elamae, names much used amongst the Ancients. The next it varied to, is Persia, whether from Perseus joves' son by Danae daughter to Acrisius, or from analogy with the Chaldee tongue, implying a horses hoof, a hooked nose, or a division, I will not argue. But the Greeks not content with any of them, entitled it Panchaya and Cephoenne; in memory of their Countryman Cepheus (after King of part of Aethiope) brother of Cadmus, Agenor's famous children. This same Cepheus was father of Andromeda, wife to Perseus, parents of Perses the renowned Archer, living in the world before the building of Rome twelve hundred and seventy years. Gog and Magog some have also named her, and Magusaea too, but from whence arising needs no interpreter. Such time as Achemaenes son to Aegeus King of Athens ruled, it got an Achemaenian denomination, as Lucan, Herodotus, Suidas, Cedrenus, and others have it: after which race it was new named Arsaca, from Arsaces' the Heroic Parthian not long after the Incarnation, Artea after that, by the Inhabitants importing a noble Country, and from whence many brave Princes assumed names, as Artaxerxes, Artabanus, Artaphernes, Artaspes, etc. The Tartars in their overrunning a great part of Asia named it Chorsoria, as Solynus notes; The Arabians Anno Dom. 598 (such time as Mahomet grew notorious) called it Saracaenia, in memory of their descent and doctrine. Azaemia some call it: by the Turks (in envy to Siet Gunet and his decadence from the Alcorannish Doctors) Etnizaria and Agamia: since when, they have added those of Chuba, Shaw-Izmaelia, Saic-Aideria, Curasaeniae, and some such, as (proceeding from particular malice) are unworthy our taking notice of, or to be inserted in the roll of memory. Let me now give you the effigies of her present standing; which if I fail to portray exactly; I will willingly incur some blame, so you will copy it in a better posture. The derivative and several names of Persia I have already drawn: the Provinces at this day obeying that famous Diadem, and how called I shall first essay; her bulk next; and then her fashions. Thus ranked: Persia, Parthia, Medya, Hyrcania, Bactria, Sogdiana, Evergeta, Aria, Drangiana, Margiana, Paropamisa, Carmania, Gedrosia, Susiana, Arabia, Caldaea, Meso-potamia, Armenia, Iberia, and Mengrellia, twenty noble Kingdoms of old, (at this day under the stroke of the Persian Sceptre) are thus new named, Purse, Provinces of Persia how now named. Arac, Shervan, Mozendram, Sablestan, Maurenahar, Sirgian, Hery, Sigistan, Stigias, Kalsistan, Carmawn, Laristan, Chusistan, jaziry, Keldhan, or Ajaman; Darbeq, Arminy, Carkash, and Vaspracan. The whole Empire is terminated on East, West, North, and South; with India, Arabia, the Caspian, and Persian Seas. From Candahor (equi-distant with Oxus in Bactria) to Babylon, East and West, it stretches four hundred and forty farsangs, Extent of the Empire. or of English, a thousand three hundred and twenty miles, in seventy days usually traveled: and from Giulphall (or jelphy near Van in Georgia) to Cape Gwader in 25 degrees, the furthest part of Gedrosia or Macron on Indus, North and South, four hundred ninety and six farsangs, or a thousand four hundred eighty and eight English miles; in eighty days commonly journeyed: from which we may compute, the circuit is not less than four thousand miles. The North and East is most part fruitful in grass, in corn, in fruit; the South and West (except where rivulets are) sandy, mountainous, sterile, and inhospitable: the vehement heat scorches the earth and makes it barren; and from whence, the soil yields no exhalations, the mother of clouds, and consequently wants rain to madifie: but in stead of it, God has blessed them with frequent breeses. But how miserable so ere it seems to others, The King's revenue. the Persian King makes many happy harvests; filling every year his insatiate coffers with above three hundred and fifty seven thousand Tomans (a Toman is five marks sterlin,) in our money, 1190000 pound sterlin: a great revenue, the more to be admired at, since he extracts it from raw silk, customs and cotton; not thinking any way mean or dishonourable that brings in money. So thought Abbas; and thence derived that unkinkly trade of sending into the market, his daily presents of fruits and flowers (for without some piscash was no saluting him,) a kind of thirst, His domestic policy. he not only boasted of (I imagine as Ageslaus did of his polt-foot) but seemed to complain of the too great nicety of other Kings. And no doubt, if all the Potentates of the earth were inquired after, none would parallel this late old Monach of Persia for startagems in good husbandry, (for so, to respect the man, we had best call it.) He could finely dart his wonder upon such & such a Town by report or letter confessing his amazement at sight of some great Elephant, or Tower of gold he heard they had acted: they dare not reason against it, they know the meaning; and in pure gold get such a present; if rich and heavy, then 'tis dainty work, though never so disordered: if otherwise, than no way praised. Ninety walled Towns are under his command (the Villages are above forty thousand) none of which escape his policy; for though they practise nothing less than goldsmith's work and imagery, yet he salutes them with a false report, desiring to see experimentally, whether fame had not been a niggard in their elevation: they embrace the compliment, and return him in pure gold the Icon of an Elephant, Camel, or Dromedary: some a Pegasus, a Cistern or Bath some send to gain his love, and some a Babel; or representation of such a great City as they know will take him, by comparison: considering which, I less admire that vast treasure of Mammonisme, commonly taken out for ostentation at the receipt of Ambassadors or Travellers of note; such as in Mosendram our eyes were glutted with. In war, no Asiatic Prince was master of more Art or sure experience; at home, his Genius travailied with no fewer fancies, none without its certain end to agrandise his treasury. A Merchant I may also call him, having many thousand factors, frugal and skilful under him, all which he sends through the wide universe with each his stock of money, or silk, or carpets to make money of: some of them return in three, in five some, none exceeds seven years to give their account, to the King's infinite advantage: if they have loitered, or accidentally lost, and return mean profits, they had as good behanged, he is so incredulous and wrathful: but when they come home multiplied, and with increase, & to his liking, he rewards them with large thanks, a woman from his Haram, a horse, a sword, a Tulipant; but after a small repose packs them abroad again, re-assuring them of his good affection, and that after such a voyage they shall end their motion in a happy rest, (but seldom does it, till death or diseases force him to it) that they and theirs shall enjoy such necessary sums as conduce to make them fortunate; but in event find that old proverb too too true, Pollicitis, dives quilibete esse potest. Again, from Indostan, Tartary, and Araby, every year move towards Persia, many Caravans furnished with rich and rare commodities: as China ware, satins, silks, stones, rich Tulipants, etc. of whose approach he has quick notice: concerning which, either he gives a private command that none shall dare to traffic with them, by that forcing them to his own prices; or affronts them upon entering his Dominions with a false alarm, as that the passage further is long and hard, and dagerous, or that the late dearth makes the country incapabde to entertain them; by such heathen Mathematics so startling them, that rather than move back to such hazards, or go on to encounter such, or to incur his hatred; they oft times condescend to any mart, sometimes receiving money for their goods, or by exchange, for what the Persian Emperor can best spare; to his own, and others, dispersing those new merchandizes at stretched rates, yea at the height of ignoble avarice; and having coin or bullion (to prevent its pilgrimage into other regions) he moulds it into plate of huge assize or the like, too heavy to go fare, work very poor, in value rich and ponderous. Besides, by that law of Persia, he makes himself heir to all that die, puts the young ones to some way of life, war, or merchandise; none daring to call his title into question: he also expects annual presents from all men of quality; take notice of one man's offering a year or two before our being in Persia: the Duke of Sherazz was he that sent it: four hundred sixty and five thousand florins coined; forty and nine goblets of good gold; seventy two refined silver, and so much of other valuable rarities, as in all, burdened three hundred Camels: a gallant present, a sure medicine to expel his melancholy. But this might all be tolerated, were Astraea any where adored: but contrarily, abhorred bribery and corruption in Justice, renders so brave a Prince too much distempered. Quid faciant leges ubi sola pecunia regnat? Aut ubi paupertas vincere nulla potest? Where money overrules, what good do laws? Or where the poor is crushed without a cause? For albeit 'tis said that the laws of the Medes and Persians never alter, yet doubtless in so many changes as have happened there, their laws may be corrupted or altered: At this day they have little written law; somewhat the law of Nature has dictated: they have no Terms, few Lawyers, no demurs in Justice: Lex Talionis is much used: and commonly upon complaint, (how difficil so ere the cause be) the sword decides it before Sunset. The vulgars' habit and disposition next attend us. The Persians are generally big-limbed, strong, straight, and proper; the Zone makes them Olive-coloured; the wine, cheerful; opium, venereous. The people ascribed. The women paint; the men love Arms; all love Poëtry: the grape inflames their passion, the law allays it, example bridles it: they love not rule, the King is jupiter in tenris, & by a panbasilay & forced will equals the Duke and Peasant in his command (differing them otherways) the name Colloom or slave being equally proper and hereditary; and in awlesse bravery he values them as Agesilaus did Lisander, and from this tenet of dammed Matchiavell drawn from Phatinus. A Tyrant's power decays when he respects justice or honesty; for he suspects His lawless lust produces best effects. Sceptrorum vis tota perit, si pendere justa Incipit, evertitque arces respectus honesti; Libertas scelerum est, quae regna invisa tuetur. troublesome to one, formidable to the other, to neither convenient, to none honourable. No part of their body is allowed hair, the upper lip excepted, which grows very long and thick, they turn it downward; the oil Dowae, but thrice applied annihilates that excrement ever after. The meaner sort reserve a lock in mid their head, of double use, Mahomet by that, distinguishing them from other sectaries; and by help of it the easier to attain Paradise: we hear it, they surely believe it. Their Habit Their eyes are black, their foreheads high, their noses hooked; about their heads they wreath great rolls of calico, of silk and gold, higher, more beautiful, and not so bungie as the Turkish Turbans; they call them Sashes, in past times (especially those worn by Kings) Cydarims or Tyaraes', with us called Mithers, a little fash or gold fringe hangs down behind, the Arab taught it them, and serves to distinguish of what quality. The King turns the contrary side of his Shash forwards, in no other garb differing from others: in Triumphs and great days I have seen them circle their Tulipants with ropes of great orient pearls, with chains of Rubies, Turquoises and other Stones. The Asiaticks wear no bands, they are the attire of peace (not dwelling there,) their habit or outside garment is usually of calico, stitched with Silk, quilted with Cotten; the better sort have them of particoloured silks, of Satin some, of rich gold, and filver chamlets others, and some of bod-kin and richest cloth of gold, figured: variety in work and colours pleases them beyond measure, and serve as Emblems of joys in Paradise: black is not known among them, they call it dismal, a type of hell, and unlunluckinesse. Their sleeves are strait and long (to from their enemies the Turq' who have them wide and short;) the vest or coat reaches down to their calves, & bears round; their waists are girt with towels of silk and gold above eight yards long, those and the Sashes discover (as they transcend and descend in value) the dignity of those that wear them. The Dukes have them woven with gold, the Merchants and Coselbashes of silver, of silk and wool, men of inferior quality: next their skin, they wear smocks of cotton, demi-shirts in length, for colour resembling Scotch plad or Barber's aprons; their breeches are like the Irish trooze, hose and stockings sowed together: the stocking falls not always into their shoes, from the ankle down giving to the eye two inches naked: their shoes are of good leather and well sowed, but have no latchets; and are of what colour you can fanfie: they are commonly sharp at the toe, and turn upwards; the heels are high and small, and shod with iron, or nails ingrailed. And this I noted, they do not so much wed themselves to these iron hemi-cycles for thrift or ease, or lasting; (they seldom journey far, or go swiftly) as to tread in a venerable path of antiquity. A custom actuated by their forefathers, and yet observed; either in symbolising with their great Mahomet, whose ambitious Arms was a Crescent, Diana; his Motto, Cresco: or else borrowed from the Cygales of the Athenians, or from the Romans who wore Crescents (or half Moons) upon their shoes as an Ensign of honour, by Marshal and Pancirollus termed Lunati calscei; Lunat anusquam pellis: and by Statius in his Boscages, primaque patritia clausit vestigia Luna, etc. Over all, the Persians (especially such as travel) throw short Calzoa or coats of cloth (without sleeves) furred with fables, foxes, mushwhormaws, squirrills, or of sheep, not a little estimated; and can (in hottest seasons) endure to wear short wide stockings of English cloth, whose heels are covered with leather, and serve sometimes for boots to ride in; howbeit, they want not boots; wide, well sowed, ill cut, but prevalent in showers. Gloves are of no esteem amongst them; nor rings of gold; of silver they have many: not that gold is less valuable (in other things most used) but because Mahomet forsooth had his of silver; left to Ozman as a legacy, and charmed with many singular properties: none have their rings of iron, except slaves, and those of base sort; a mettle they account and call a proper symbol of unnatural slavery. They paint their hands into a red or tawny colour, which both cools the liver, and in war makes them (they say) victorious: their nails are particoloured, white and vermilion; and why so I cannot say, unless in imitation of King Cyrus; who in augmentation of honour, commanded his Heroes to tincture their nails and faces with vermilion, serving both to distinguish them from the vulgar sort, and (as did our warlike Britain's) in fight to show more terrible. Their rings are sometimes set with agates and letters of Arabic containing either some spell, their names, or else some fragment of the Alcoran: not one amongst a thousand warriors knows the benefit or use of letters; the Mullayes and Clergy engross that Art, who when they writ do it kneeling; either that that posture is easier, or that what they dictate in that sort, is supposed holy: nor use they goose-quills, but reeds or canes of great assize and thickness; in that they imitate the Ancients: their paper is very glossie and varie-coloured, well pressed; and the rarer in that their materials are not rags or skins, but cotton wool, course, and requiring much toil to perfect it. Arms. They seldom go without their swords (shamsheers they call them) formed like a Crescent, of pure mettle, broad, and sharper than any razor; nor do they value them, unless at one blow they can cut in two an Afinego; the hilts are without ward, of gold, of steel, of wood; the scabbards are well made, of Camels hide, on solemn days covered with velvit embroidered with gold and stones of price: they seldom ride abroad without bow and arrow; the quiver and case wrought and cut ingeniously; the bow is short, and (not unlike a cross bow) bended; and albeit some think incomparable in mischief to a gun, yet the time has been they have got with that (as we in France) in many parts of Asia most memorable battles; as when Crassus lost his life, Valerian and others, occasioning those dirgees of the Roman Poets, Terga coversi metuenda Parthi: and Ovid thus, Gens fuit & terris & equis & tuta sagittis, etc. at this day of no credit in archery, unless they can in a full career cleave an Orange hanging in a string athwart the Hippo-drome, and (when past the mark) with another ready arrow as surely hit the rest, turning (in his short stirrips and Morocco saddle) backwards. A Persian Woman Coat Armour of Persia. Many other things give themselves noteworthy. In Arms and Armouries, fix therefore your next observation. The Persian Arms of old and at this day are somewhat doubtful. Zonara's in his first book and nineteenth Chapter out of an ancient Monument observeth, that the Persians bore in old times, Luna, an Eagle crowned of the Sun, displayed Saturn; continued for many descents their royal Ensign, till Cyrus made (as in the Empire, in Escheucheon also) an alteration. Xenophon shall guide you to the view of it. Erat Cyro signum aurea Aquila in longa hasta suspensa, & nunc etiam id insigne Persarum Regibus manet, etc. borne till Crassus perished by them, at that time a sagittary being blazoned in their Royal Standard; alluding to their excellent skill in riding, and hope of good fortune; from whence also that coin of Dariques came (fifteen shillings of our money) a round piece of gold, Darius the common name being stamped on one side, a sagittary (his coat Armour) on the other side, memorised by Plutark in the life of Agesilaus, complaining that his ambitious design of Asia's conquest was prevented by thirty thousand Sagittaries or Archers; meaning a bribe of so many pieces of gold, which were given to betray his enterprise. But when Mahomet had ensnared their souls, and yoked their necks under Saracenic bondage, the other were rejected as impertinent to this new conquest, advancing as a Symbol of more excellency and mystery in their banner, Mercury, a Crescent Luna with this impreza Totum dum impleat orbem: alluding (both in body and soul) to an universal command; but how unfitly and meanly borrowed by the French may easily appear to such as go to Fountain-b'leau, where this heathen device is in every hall iterated. But Mahomet's prediction failed him, when that memorable Saint of Ardaveil, Gunet, both obliterated many fundamental texts of the Alcoran, and invented a new Ensign in honour of his successor, viz. Venus, a Lion couchant Sol, the Sun orient in his face, of the same: minted also in their brass medals (and as a tie of amity) accepted of by the great Mogul, and some other Princes in Indya. The Cawns, Beglerbegs, Sultan's, Agaes, Soldagars', and Coosel-bashes indeed bear no Arms; not that they are entitled slaves, but from their ignorance in pedigrees and heraldry: and in regard no honour there is hereditary: but this I can say truly; they are of very humane and noble natures, civil, merciful, and liberal; yea differ in their ingenuity and love to any Gentleman (that is a stranger) as much from the Turks and their brazen barbarism, as gold is in comparison from iron: for the Persians distinguish degrees amongst themselves, and of other Nations honour high birth and quality in any man, yea and give him respect agreeable to his meriting, without any inquiry of his religion. Let us go a little further. In old times they were Idolaters, such as the gower's be now, The old Persians. the Persees a sect in Indya, the Pegovans, etc. but by converse with Greeks and Romans abolished their celestial worship, and (as Strabo relates) received Demonomanie, continued till Mahomet. The transparent Firmament they called jupiter, the primum mobile of other gods, him they feared: but, Apollo (the Son, or Mithra as they termed him) they doted on, and dedicated to him many gallant Temples, attiring him with many Epithets of honour, health and gentleness: a good opinion then, and not yet canceled; as yet memorizing his image in the stamp and coat Armour of their Emperors. The Moon no doubt had due respect and adoration amongst them, supposing her espoused to Apollo. Venus had equal reverence: the Earth also, the Water, Air, and Fire, wanted not the names of Deities, especially the Fire and Water. Zertoost their Lawgiver (in imitation of Moses) charged them to keep a perpetual fire, not to be fed with common cumbustibles, nor to be kindled or inflamed with profane Air, but such as came from the beams of that glorious eye of heaven the Sun, lightning, flints, or the like. The water also by no means was to be corrupted with dead carcases, dirt, urine, rags, or what shown sordiditie or nastiness. They loved images but indifferently; usually actuating their holy rites, in groves, in mounts, and conspicuous places. Their marriages were commonly celebrated in the spring, such time as Phoebus makes the Aequinoctium; the Bridegroom the first day juncketting on nothing save apples and Camels marrow, a diet proper for that day's festival. Polygamy they liked of, the King giving the example, and honouring them with most applause and gratuities who proved Fathers of most children. They seldom saw their Infants till past four years old, from which age to twenty, they learned to ride, shoot, jaculate, and to speak the truth; as also, to far meanly, lodge hard, to watch, to till the earth, and to be content with small things. The old men went plain; the young men's habit was rich, but in nothing so notable as when their arms and legs were fettered with voluntary links and chains of burnished gold, whose fulgor they adored from its conformity with the Sun: in war their attire was steely or mailed work, curiously concatenated, their breastplates skald, their Targets of Ox hides, large and round, their cap (or helmet) was a Tiara of linen multiplicated; their Arms were darts, bows, swords, and axes; all which in admirable equipage and order, through long practice they could manage gallantly. Their meals (the great men's tables I invite you to) were splendid in rich furniture & dishes of gold; but in meats, very ordinary, and sparing, Bacchus their countryman taught them the Art of drunkenness (Noah some imagine him, of whom a modern writer says boldly. Omnia vero Bacchanalia eorumque ritus a Noae ebrietate originem habent, etc. followed greedily by these epedemic drunkards, delighted in with no small redundancy; insomuch that (like the Duchess at this day) no matter of moment past currant and with applause save what relished of Bacchisme; yea, their frequent consultations and private bargains (we too much ape them) were rarely ratified, unless negotiated, and consolidated in froth and drunkenness: Their compliments were hearty and not various; to equals, affording embraces; to superiors, bowing the head and knee, to this hour continued without much alteration: the rest I offer not, this in my conceit sufficing to parallel the modern customs, and to set them off with better lustre. Of the Persians at this day. The religion of the Persians at this day, I have fitted by itself without commixture. Speak we of other observations. They are very superstitious, it may be noted from our adverse fortunes as we traveled; for when we stood at their mercy to provide us Mules, Camels, and Horses, how hasty soever we appeared, they took no notice of it, nor cared to set us forward, Their superstition. except, by throwing the dice such a chance happened as they thought fortunate; a ceremony deduced from the Romans who had their albi & atri dies. In every mischance also, or in sickness they use sorcery, prescribing charms, cross characters, letters, antics, or the like, taken most commonly out of their Alcoran. Nicromantic studies are much applauded, as profound, and transcending vulgar capacities, many in those parts make a notable living of it: and few Siets there but can exorcise. Force. In battle they have few tricks or stratagems, yet prosper in an honest bravery. There are many several ranks and degrees amongst them: four, most remarkable; Chawns, Coozel-bashes, Agaes, and Cheliby or Coridschey. The Timarrs or Turqmars are more despicable. In a common muster the Persian King can easily advance (as appears by roll, and pension,) three hundred thousand horse, and seventy thousand good musquetoons, Such forces he can march withal, but seldom exceeds 50000. enough to live together in such barren Countries: Forces. to particularise (as some have partly) the Sultan's and their Command may better prove it. Mirza Fetta has under his Regiment fifty sub-Bashaes of note, each of them commanding three hundred men. His horse troops are thus raised, Emangoly Chan of Shyraz has under his charge 30000 horse. Daved Chawn his brother; Kaza-can Lord of Sumachy, Assur-chawn Lord of Myreyvan, Zedder Lord of the Kaddyes and Gusseroft, Magar Sultan of Tabryz, each command 12000 horse. Soffy-chan Sultan of Bagdat, Akmet Kawn Lord of Miscarroon, Gusseraph-chawn Sultan of Koom, Zenal-cawn Lord of Tyroan, each his charge of 15000 horse. Isaac-beg 24000. Ethaman the Vizier 17000. Soffy Koolican 16000 Gosserat-chan Governor of Arabestan, Perker-cawn Lord of Gorgestan, Hussan-chawn Lord of Ery, Manwezir-can and Sinall-chawn Lord of Sigestan 10000 each of them. Mahomet Governor of Genge 8000. Ham-sha-cawn of Dara 7000. Aliculi of Periscow 4000 Morad of Asharaffe 6000. Badur-can the Darragod 6000, and Dargagoly son to Gange Ally-can Sultan of Candahor 4000: three hundred and twenty thousand horse or thereabout: wonderful, when I consider the miserable pastures and want of other provant to encourage their horses with, making chopped straw and a little barley serve the turn; but by that thin diet find them less apt to diseases and more courageous. In peace, they are not always idle; solacing their active bodies in sundry sorts of warlike exercises. They cannot dance, except as Pyrrhus taught the Epyrots. They love to hunt and chase the Stagg, the Antilope, Gazal, Exercises. Tiger, Boar, Goat, Hare, Fox, Jackall, Wolf, and the like, abounding there. In which pastimes they have singular skill, courage and dexterity; in Bow, Dart, Scemiter, Gun, and Javelin. Their Harquebuz is longer than ours, but thinner and not so good for service. They can use that very well, but detest the trouble of the Cannon, and such field pieces as require carriage. They have good Greyhounds not unlike the Irish, apt to encounter any Lyon. They have Spaniels also but not so good as their Hawks may challenge. They have many excellent Eyeries of Eagles, Lannars, Goshawkes', and Hobbies: their best Falcons are out of Russia and other Scythick Provinces; they fly them at choice game; commonly at Hares, Jackalls, Partridge, Pheasant, Herne, Pelican, Poot, Ostrich, etc. Their Lures, Jesses, Varvills, & Hoods, are richly set with stones of great price & lustre. The vulgar sort delight in Morris dancing, wrestling, assaulting, bandying, Ram and ; wherein they spend much time: but value not their money to see Boys dance, or Lavoltoes upon the rope, wherein they are very excellent. Their Physicians are great admirers of Nature, Physicians. and dote so much thereupon, that they make that ofttimes the first causer which indeed is but instrumental or secundary: moral men they are, and humane in language and garb, both which beget esteem and honour from all that know them: and did not avarice (a vice predominating there, and by occasion of sickness in me full dearly exemplified) and Magic studies too far sway them, I could value them above the rest; however as they are, they pass for a generation useful and exquisite. They have degrees transcending one another in Title, as their skill and Seniority merits. The Doctors are named Haekeems (it may be radically from the Hebrew word Hachajim, that is, a life-preserver) Mulaii in the Arabic. Mountebanks or Impostors are nicknamed Shitan-Tabib, i.e. the Devil's Chirurgeon. They are Masters of much knowledge and ignore not the Mathematics. Many Arabic Writers have flourished in those parts, most of whose Books they read and practise by, namely Galen, Averroys, Hypocrates, Alfarabius, Avycenna, Ben-Isaack, Abu-Ally, Mahummed-Abdilla, Ben-Eladib, Abu-becr, Rhazis', Algazzallys ', and Albumazar. In Geography Abul-foeda and Alphraganus, from whom they better their discourse, and by such Lectures become admirable. Nor want they the knowledge of herbs, drugs, and gums, the Mydan in Spahawn abounding in singular variety, and than which, no place in the world can more aptly be termed a Panacaea, a Catholicon, of herbs, of drugs; a Magazein 'gainst all diseases: having also no less choice of delicious fruits, rare gums and aromatic odours. This I observed, that to such of us as had fluxes they gave Sloes, Ryce, Cynomon, Pomgranad, Barbery's; to purge melancholy, Alloës', Senna, Rhuparb; for phlegm Turbith; for colds & sweatings, oils of Beaver, of Leopards, of Jackalls, herba maris, our Lady's Rose, etc. Which I note to show you they have some skill and resembling European prescriptions. Howbeit, sweeting in Sudatories is the Epidemic Physic there, most used, of least charge and very useful; insomuch that some Cities have above threescore hummums or baths: some say three hundred. Phlebotomy is but little used; not that it is bad, not perhaps because Galen and the other old Naturalists never used it. They desire rather to tread in an antic path of ignorance, then by any new invention or wholesome study to wrong the judgements of their predecessors: because forsooth Eventus varios res nova semper habet. And hence it is (as I imagine) that they continue their maimed calculations, out of a blind conceit that antiquity commanded them; for they compute their years only by the Moon, Lame calculations. not by that course and motion of the Sun; affirming, that the firmament or eighth heaven finishes its revolution in two and thirty years; which is false: his diurnal motion from East to West completing itself in four and twenty hours; his other from West to East, but one degree in a hundred years; such is the violence of the first mover. Notwithstanding, it may be they mean the heaven of Saturn adjoining it, (whose revolution comes near their time) finishing its journey from West to East in 30 years. And thus, their Lunary account is subject to no small error, reckoning from the Autumnal Aequinox 12 Moons, the number of days in a whole year 353. Our Solar computation exceeding theirs twelve days at least, every year; whereby it comes to pass, that 30 of our years make 31 of theirs; whence, the difference arises 'twixt us and them in their Aera or Hegyrath, and doubtless by protract, will cause much more confusion. Such as practise manufactures, are meanly reputed of; but they live ofttimes very plentifully and more securely from the jealous eye of the King than do many great ones, Inferior sort of Persians. who oft deceive their thoughts that they are happier. Of all others the Peasants are most miserable; they can call nothing their own, such is the rapine and pride of the great Begs of the Country; nay, every petrie Coselbash dares domineer over them. Yet upon too much abuse the Causee will yield them favourable justice. Generally, the Persians are facetious, harmless in discourse, not very inquisitive of exotique alterations, seldom transgressing this demand, Disposition. if such and such a Country have good wine, fair women, swift horses, and sharp weapons: choosing rather to fatten themselves by a contented Notion, than by curious inquisition to perplex their other recreations. Few of them know how to read, Bellona training them up in iron dances; but honour such as have it: the Churchmen, Clerks, and Santos, attracting them. Some skill they have in Music; the Doric and Phrygick, a soft and lofty sort of Consort. But above all, Poetry lulls them, that Genius seeming properly to delight itself amongst them. Mimographers I needs must call them, their common Ballads resounding out the acts of Mars and his Mistress, to which two Saints they vow their life and best devotion: Elgazzuly, Ibnul Farid, and Elfargani first taught it them: and how lame so ere the verses are, their graceful chanting and quavering (after the French air) gives it to the ear, sound and harmonious. And, albeit the men affect not to dance themselves, yet dancing is much esteemed there: the Ganimeds' and Layesians (wanton Boys and Girls) foot it most admirably and in order: I may call them Mymallonian dances; the bells, brass armolets, silver fetters, and the like recording Bacchus. They are in this practice so elaborate, that each limb and member seems to emulate, yea, to contend who may express the most taking motion; their hands, eyes, bums, gesticulating severally, swimming round, & comforming themselves to a Dorique stillness, the Ganimeds' with incanting voices & extorted bodies simpathizing; nothing but poesy, mirth, wine, & admiration condominating. But were this all, 'twere more excusable; for (though each has his several Seralio) these whores seldom go without their wages: and in a higher degree of perfect baseness, these Paederasts (by Hellish permission and the Alcurran) affect those painted, antic robed Youths or Catamites in a Sodomitic way (not till then completing the Roman proverb Persicos odi Puer apparatus;) a vice so detestable, so damnable, so unnatural as forces hell to show its ugliness before its season. Hear St. Chrysostom: Cogitato, quam grave illud sit peccatum, ut quod ipsam Gehennam etiam ante tempus apparere coegerat! The honest women never show their faces, eclipsing (by a large white sheet, the note of innocence and chasteness, which wholly veils them) those Beauties which no doubt are not without splendour. No man daring to praise another's wife; such is their ireful jealousy, and such praise commonly dishonours them. A word of their circumcision, wedding and burials: Circumcision is so necessary, that without it none can call himself a Mussulman. Circumcision. Both men and women use it; the men for Paradise, the women for honour's sake, or Ben-sidi-Ally lies who so paraphrases of it: from nine to fifteen the Females may; the Males at Izmaels' age (whom they imagine was Abraham's best beloved) are enjoined it; ere twelve hoping he may be able to speak his Profession. A fee is to be paid amid the ceremony, for want of which, the poorer sort are seldom cut, as thought unfit to go to Mahumet. The ceremony differs, Circumcision. as is the difference of their degree, acted either at home or in the Mosques: if son to a Mirza, Chawn, Sultan, or Chelaby, it has more pomp than ordinary; his kindred and friends in bravery and great troops assembling at the parent's house; as a symbol of their joy presenting him with many gifts of sundry prices, and after small stay mount the Boy upon a rich trapped Courser, himself gallantly vested, holding in's right hand a sword, in's left his bridle: two Slaves go on either side, one holding a Lance, th'other a Flambeaux; neither without their Allegories: music is not wanting, it goes before, the Father next, and as they are in blood the other follow in a just dependence; the rest promiscuously, without order: the Hodgy attends them at th' entrance into their Mosque, helps him to alight and hallows him. To work they straightway go: one holds his knee; a second, disroabs him; a third, holds his hands; others by some trivial conceit strive to win his thoughts, to extenuate his ensuing torment. The Priest (having muttered his orisons) dilates the praepuce and in a trice (with his silver scissors) circumcises him, applieth a healing powder of salt, Date-stones, and cotton-wool; the standers by to joy his initiation into mammetry throw down their Munera Natalitia, and salute him by that canonic name of Mussulman. If the ceremony be at home, they then provide a solemn banquet; ere which be done, the Boy enters well attended, is unclothed afore them all and circumcised; and in commemoration of such a benefit (imitating Abraham when Isaac was weaned) continue a feast three days together; at the end whereof, the child is led about in state, bathed and purged from all sorts of sins; has a Turban of white silk put on his head, and all the way as he returns is saluted with acclamations. But such an apostate rascal as to swill in luxury the more, or to robe himselve with some title or advancement (forgetting that for a base and momentany applause or pleasure they disrobe their soul of everlasting happiness, such as runs parallel with the lines of Eternity) are brought before the Caddi, who upon his assent leads him into the Mosq' and without much stir is cut and marked for a Mahomitan (or child of perdition;) which done, that devil incarnate to witness his rebellion, spurns with his accursed feet the Cross, the hyerogliphick of our salvation: which in the primitive and purest age was of such honour amongst the Christians, as not only they used it in baptism, but upon their foreheads to despite the Jews and Heathens, and to glory in that thing the more, they so branded them with as a calumny. I hate superstition in my heart, but that so holy an example should be derided is miserable and to be pitied. To return; the Renegado in token of more defiance spits thrice at it (making him believe, Christ never suffered, but judas did) and then is to exult in this Battalogue La la, La-illah, Hyllulla, Allough, aybyr, Mahumed resul-Allough: God is first, and next him is Mahumet; he than elates his finger as denying a Trinity, and three Mussulmen dart three staves three times towards heaven, which ere any touch the ground he is new-named, then led slowly upon an Ass about the City, that every one there may note him for a Denizin, a Believer and Proselyte to Mahumet. But (praised be God) I never heard of any European Christian who of late times renyed his Faith in Persia. Their weddings have not much variety to dwell upon; observe therefore that Poligamie is tolerable; Mahomet to excuse his own infirmity, Marriages. and borrowing it from the Romans, honours such most as have most wives, and beget most children: to furnish the Emperor with soldiers for defence, Paradise with Saints, and to resound the meritorious praises of great Mahomet: the Deruisse an order of begging Friar excepted, who from a transcendent conceit of their own purity, abhor matrimony, but suppose Sodomy and Nature's blackest villainies no sin, or sins pardonable; producing Mahomet their prototype or example, who both by precept and custom warranted it: but I have tied your chaste ears too long to so impure a subject. Such therefore as dare wed (they need not fear in Asia, the women in those parts never predominate) they provide a sum of money and buy her goodwill, her parents being no further charged than to bathe and purify her. They marry more from report than knowledge, the friends of either party commonly commending, persuading, and effecting it. The day appointed being come, the Bride is vailed with a fine lawn of calico, her arms and hands are only naked: they mount her bravely, and a great troop of friends and kin accompany her to Church, in the midway being met with an equal number of friends, all together agrandizing the ceremony; after a joint assent of him and her, they alight and enter the Mosque, where the Mulay takes the protest of their good liking; she demanding three things (as did the Jewish women of old,) bed-right, food, and clothing: their Fathers also speak themselves contented; the Priest circle's them with a sacred cord, conjoins their hands, takes a reciprocal oath, and calls Mahomet to witness: the Caddy enrolls their names, the hour, day, month, and year of their nuptials, and with an Eugè dismisses them. The first day vapours away in Tobacco, feasts, and other ordinary festivals, the men and women being severed: at night, the Bride enters a stove, and is sound washed and perfumed, that her degree may the better appear, and her person be more accepted of: next night they bathe together, and seven days after; in which time if he discover her to be no Virgin, she is returned to her parents with no small dishonour; otherwise is kept till death part them. The Alcoran allows incestuous marriages, pretending that thereby true love is better contracted, and longer conserved in families: in case also the man be weary of her, or that she is barren, he acquaints the Mulay with his distemper, who eases him upon his giving her a dowry; after which, it may be he will require her again, and if she agree, are secondly married; yea, five, six, seven times rejecting and revoking, as hate or lust can stimulate: by that disorder, love vanishing, jealousy budding, rage advancing, clamours roaring; and by which, many times the Fathers neither know their own Children, nor they their parents. Their Burials revive some ceremonies of old; used amongst Jews and Gentiles: At his farewell to the world, the next of kin closes his eyes, Burials. as did joseph in the 46 of Genesis: and Telemachus in Ovid, Ille meos oculos comprimat, ille tuos: they then wash him with clean water (as was Tabytha, Acts 9) and carry him to his grave with admirable silence, a gesture well-becoming Funerals; they lodge the Carcase where none lay formerly: supposing it a vile part to disturb the dead, whom in the grave they think sensible of torment: they place his head towards Medina and (after the old mode, septem ad Luctum, septem ad convivium) for seven days, his next of kin watches to keep the evil Angel from his Tomb; during which, he incessantly warbles out his Elegiac Threnodies, as the last expression of love he can show him. Other burials. Others are thus buried: In the first place, go those of his own blood and family, next them his slaves and other domestic varlets naked to their waist, the rest in troozes: who to express their zeal the better, burn and scratch their arms and breasts, cutting their flesh, and printing circles, (a trick borrowed from the rebellious Jews, and prohibited by Moses. Levit. 19.28. and in Deut. 14.1.) so effectually that the blood trickles out in many places. Next them are ranked fifty young Gallants, whose shoulders are made to bear some texts taken out of the Alcoran; mixing with them selected Eulogies which they sing and ingeminate. Next these, follow a hundred or two hundred men of note, each holding the cord that draws the Corpse or Hearse: on every side throng the multitude; some bearing in their hands Laurel or Cypress boughs, others Coronets of flowers, fruits, or what best befits the season: some semi-naked horsemen play along, and oft times to demonstrate their love, spare not to wound themselves: and in the last place go the Preficae or women hired to weep, to howl, to tear their periwigs, to smell to onions (hinc illae Lacrymae) and to do such impostures as did the antic Romans noted in Livy; and Jew's as jeremy speaks, 9.17. In this Decorum they march slowly, and with great silence: but at his Dormitory ululate Lala-Hillulla, there unclothing, and mundifying the carcase, his sins thereby also vanishing: they anoint him with odours and precious unguents, and so wrapped in fine linen they bury him in the earth, and place his head towards Arabia; his face looking up to heaven (I note it in regard they put the other sex, their faces downwards,) his arms spread, as prepared to embrace Mahomet: above him, they fix two stones, at's head and feet; which in Arabiq ' characters engraved and coloured, denotates his name, quality, religion, and time of burial: there they leave him, but give not over twice every day to come and sing his Requiem, beseeching Mahomet to secure him against his bad Angels, of whom they nourish this opinion. That so soon as any Mussulman is inhumed, forthwith Muengar and Quarequar two ugly, Legend of bad Angels. huge, black, and furious Devils do assail him; the one being armed with an iron club, th'other with a hook of flaming brass: in that terrible sort they view the Carcase, and in as imperious sort command him to lift up his head, to fall prostrate upon his knees, and beg his soul, till then departed: the dead body revives and entertains his soul again, and fail not both together to account their life, and how they have professed Don Mahomet: If it appear his life was morally good, the two Devils terribly affrighted fly away and give way to two good Angels (apparelled in pure white silk) to comfort him; to the day of doom not budging from him, nor seeming weary nor unwilling to protect him. But in case his life proved bad or repugnant to Mahometry; then without all pity or respect, the black-faced Caco-Daemon with the iron club hits him so pat, so fiercely on the head, as by its fury and force thumps him ten yards deep into the ground: but there he sleeps not long; for immediately the other spiteful hellhound with the flaming hook pulls him up again: in that horrid sort tormenting that miserable Mahomitan, till Mahomet calls a general Parliament; where, in one place of his Alcoran he promises to save them all, but in another (forgetting his promise it seems) appoints them all to pass over a narrow Bridge (he calls it the Bridge of judgement) each man carrying his sins in a bag behind him; but in passing over, such as have heavy loads, the bridge breaks, and they all fall into hell; such as have less weight, into purgatory, etc. as I shall disport you with in his Alcoram. The Persians at this day, when ere they receive a mandat or other letter from the King or wherein his name is used, Reverence to their King. give it no small reverence; they bow their bodies at the receiving it, kiss it in diverse places, & then open it: Such is their transcendent opinion of his Majesty, that they repute no less of him, than of old times they did of their Elemental Gods; they swear usually by his name, Sha-ambashy or Serry-shaw i.e. by the King's head, and is of no less force to beget belief than if they ratified a truth by Serry-Mortis-Ally, i.e. Mortis Allis head, a Prophet than whom they think none greater: or by putting a finger to their eye, and saying chash, the King sees; then (though the story be never so paradoxical) if you please, you may believe them: yea, in most conceits they parallel Abbess with Mahomet; in every prayer desiring his content and increase of life, though by the loss of theirs it were augmented: By loss of ours, the Gods increase your life. De nostris annis tibi Iupiter augeat annos▪ acknowledging their happiness from him, and entitling (not without much pride too) their lives, wives, and estates, by him wholly to be disposed of: they imagine he knows their thoughts; and when in his presence, never speak, cough, spit, or look upon him, lest the fulgor of his aspect might peradventure prove no less formidable than the Trisulk of jupiter: they register (now, as of old) his acts and apophthegms, in Cedar Tablets, gummed with Cynabre, and seldom write his name but in characters of gold, upon paper of excellent gloss and fineness, varied into azure, vermilion, yellow, and other colours; in a word reputing him the true reptesentator of Ally and his glory, whose perfections they compare to Amber, Nutmegs, Roses, Flowers, and Odours; Animate Dei Imago in terris, and (with Homer) The best beloved son of jove. We were yet abroad; now let me entertain you in their houses, the cost what ere it be, you shall be welcome to; if it agree not with your appetite I cannot help it, the country will afford no better: first satiate your eyes, and note their furniture, and remember that brave man who by Alcides foot found out his monstrous big dimension. A pan, a platter, Diet, and a carpet is the epitomè of all their domestic utensils: their diet is soon dreft, soon eaten, soon digested, and soon described: their table is the solid ground, covered with some sort of carpet, over which they spread pintado ; afore each man they lay five or six thin cakes of wheat, or pancakes: every one his spoon also, very memorable wooden spoons; their handles being well-nigh a yard long, the spoon itself so vast, as my mouth could seldom master it, though I gaped extremely to welcome it: they seldom go beyond Pelo, but in that dish express they think a witty invention, setting before you forty dishes, called by forty names as Pelo, Chelo, Kishmy-pelo, etc. albeit indeed it differ but thus; all are of rice, mutton, and hens boiled together; some have butter, some have none; some have fruit, some have none; some have turmerack & saffron, some have none; some have onions and garlic, some have none; some have almonds and raisins, some have none; and so ad infinitum: making us also believe they make us gallant cheer and great variety, though the ingredients be one, differing only in colour or compliment; some coming to the Table as black as a coal, some as white as a curd; others (that you may know their Cooks are witty) be yellow, green, blue, red, or as they fancy: and wots you forsooth why Rice is so generally eaten & so valuable? not that it exceeds wheat or other grain in goodness, fineness, roundness or the like; but from a most reverend tradition delivered by their grand Annalist jacob-ben-siet-ally, a right Cabalist. And this it is? On a time, Legend of Rice. Mahomet being earnest in his prayers was accidentally conveyed into Paradise, where being very earnest in beholding its rare varieties, at length he cast his eyes upon the glorious Throne of the Almighty; and (perceiving the Lord to turn about) fearing he should be severely whipped for such presumption, blushes for shame, and sweats with terror; but loath to have it seen, wipes off his brow the precious sweat with his first finger, and threw it out of Paradise: it was not lost, for, forthwith dividing itself into six drops, all of them became miraculous creatures: the first drop became a fragrant Rose (therefore is rose-water so much used there, and in honour of the Rose an Annual feast solemnised:) the second, a grain of Rice, (a holy grain:) the other four, four famous Doctors, who (having Pallas for their sister) helped Mahomet to compile his holy Alcoran. You have not tasted all yet; salads, a chars, and hard eggs, particoloured; and therefore hard, that their stomach be not too soon emptied: the mutton there is sweet, but fat only in the tail, the weight commonly ponderizing above twenty pounds, sometimes the Carcase: Camel, Goat, and Pheasant are also manducable; the country yields, the Law allows it: contrary to Beef, Veal, Swines-flesh, Hare, & Buffols, prohibited by Mahomet, either to colloque with Jews, or that his own detested them. Camels flesh they sell commonly in the Buzzars roasted upon scuets or cut in mammocks and carbonadode, three or four spits valuing two pence. Bad pastery men they are, they put a lamb whole into a kind of oven, and take it out as black as a coal; they say (I dare not second it) it tastes curiously; it may be so, but I fear scarce well: well it may be to a famished martialist, not so in banquets. The poor are not so voluptuous: they content themselves with dry rice, herbs, roots, fruit, lentils, and a meat resembling thlummery: Dates also preserved in syrup commixed with buttermilk, is precious food and physical. But, to memorise their Cheese and Butter will make your mouths water at it; I ironize: in good earnest the cheese is the worst any ever tasted of, both that it wants Art and materials: 'tis dry, and blue, and hard; ill to the eye, bad to the taste, naught for digestion; of an unsaporie taste, rough, and in a month shows no moisture: the worst is towards the Gulf; the best in Mozendram; neither of them praise worthy. Will you taste their butter? first, Butter. inquire how they make it: I enquired of some there, they say they sometimes take what is generated in the Guspans (or sheep's tails) it saves them churning: others, boil the cream sound in a raw skinned leather-bag, full of hairs and unsalted: this sort will keep fresh (sweet I say not) six months, in that point commendable; but when we drew our knives thorough it, a thousand sluts hairs were then discovered, therein abominable; yet they commend it, we no way condescended: their liquor may perhaps better delight you; 'tis fair water, sugar, rose-water, Drink. and juice of Lemons mixed, called Sherbets or Zerbet, wholesome and potable: they drink wine (coloured like a pale Claret,) Arac or Aquavitae, Tobacco, (sucked through water (that it inebriate not) by long canes or pipes issuing from a round vessel,) and above all the rest, Coho or Copha: by Turk and Arab called Caphe and Cahua: a drink imitating that in the Stygian lake, black, thick, and better; destrained from Bunchy, Bunnu, or Bay berries; wholesome they say, if hot, for it expels melancholy, purges choler, begets mirth, and an excellent concoction; but not so much regarded for those good properties, as from a Romance that it was invented & brewed by Gabriel (what Gab. we despute not of) to restore the decayed radical moisture of kind hearted Mahomet; who (as he speaks himself to his inimitable glory) never drunk it, but immediately by virtue thereof made it a matter of nothing to unhorsed forty men, and in Venus' Camp (with more than a Herculean fortitude) to bring under forty women. Opium (the juice of Poppy) is of epidemic use there also, good if taken moderately; bad, nay mortal if beyond measure; they chaw it much, it helps catarrhs, cowardice, and the epilepsy; strengthens Venus, and which is admirable, the Foot-posts by continual chawing it, run sleeping day and night in a constant dream or giddiness, seeing, but not knowing whom they meet, though well acquainted, and miss not their intended places; by a strange efficacy expulsing the tedious thoughts of travel, and rarely deceiving the poor body of its seasonable rest and lodging. I have deviated, this was discourse at dinner, not yet ended. Meals. They commonly eat in earth or porceline, not valuing silver (the King by such an Article of of their Faith, the neatlier attracting it to his own Table;) they have another reason (very ridiculous,) that Mahomet at his stealing into hell discovered the Devils at dinner, and served in silver; earthen ware was holier, and therefore better for all kind of Mussulmen. In feeding they use not knives, nor count they it lucky to employ but one finger or two; three or four is enjoined them from tradition. Nor do they cut their bread but break or rend it: equally fictitious; the story lying thus; that Ozman in his parody assures them, The Devil (Shitan they call him) ever diets so: a palinody they might sing, knew they how Ozman borrowed it from the Jews, who ever used to break their bread; and from Xenophon, in his description of the Persians: but they own all to miracle, deriding History. At meals they are the merriest men that may be: no people in the world have better stomaches, drink more, or more affect voracity: yet are harmlessly merry; a mixture of meat, and drink, and mirth, excellently becoming them: Qui canit arte canit, qui bibit arte bibat: and then are jovial in a high degree, Compliment when women (Courtesans I mean, custom anticipates the honest sort) accompany them. They admire their breeding (to us they seemed barbarous;) especially when in an exact compliment, out of squalid wantonness they would overcharge their wide mouths with pelo or other meat, and by an affected laughter take occasion to exonerate their chaps, and throw the overplus into the dish again whence first they had it; and as a symbol of entire good will (sir reverence) offer you, to eat what they had chewed formerly: to make an end, having soaked their hussinees or water bags, the wine bottles are then emptied; they sit long and drink sound, Drink. condemning that precept in the Alcoran as an idle toy, a lie invented by Osman That it is Giant's blood, yea, of those we call Theomachis, or who fought against the Gods; the Turks forbear to drink it from that prohibition: the Persians laugh them to scorn, and by this have brought them to a favourable opinion of grapes and wine. But the Persians in this are commendable; they never quarrel in their cups, yet such usually irritates: nor compel they any to sit longer than he please (arising without any excuse,) nor drink they one unto another; a prejudicated conceit 'tis in any man to think all brains alike in such more than beastly exercises; a base custom, too much abused in this Age of corruption; forgetting that Minos an old Heathen strictly forbade it the Cretans, as Plato warrants in his Dialogues. But these, compared with those of old are without resemblance. These are homely, those full of excess and bravery. Dyon and Ctesias assure us that in old times the Persian Monarches made many feasts, Feasts. & usually invited fifteen thousand men; in every entertainment expending four hundred Talents, amounting in our money to two hundred and forty thousand crowns: at private feasts when forty or fifty were received and no more (as Ephipius Olynthius records,) each supper stood him in a hundred Mynaes of gold, each mina or dina, in our money valuing six and twenty shillings and eight pence: pretty in that juvenility of time (for we say plures opes nunc sunt, &c) yet credible when we consider the vast revenue of the Persian Empire in those days extracting Tribute from many Nations; For, what accrued out of those twenty Provinces, was not less than forty thousand and five hundred Attic or Euboick Talents, Crown revenue. in our sums forty hundred thousand crowns or there about: therefore might they easily lavish out such prodigious expenses. Out of Indya also they yearly received three hundred and threescore Talents of gold. The crown revenue at this day is little less, (albeit the jurisdiction royal be not half so spacious) and amounts to mighty sums: Tahamas Anno Dom. 1560 received eight millions of crowns, gathered from fifty Sultan's who farmed his incomes; besides an annual present or tribute of 20000 crowns Leventhibeg a Georgian Prince, never failed to send him: and 12000 horse the Curdyes 'twixt the two Seas also eased him of payment: and Abbas at this day from silk, tribute, and exactions, receives yearly above nine millions: fourteen millions and 280000 florins some say, 357000 Tomans in Persian money, in ours 1190000 pound sterlin: And though the ground (by a continued flaming of the Sun) be barren in grass, trees, or the like, yet it hinders not that her womb is rich and uberous: for besides her store of rarest marble, the earth from her concave bosom, ofttimes discovers many rich minerals and stones of lustre, Jacynths, Jasper, Minerals. Chrysolites, Onyx, Turquoises, Serpentine, and Granats: the Pezars' and Pearls (than which no part of the whole world has better) also no less valuable. Of old, the Persian hills have been famoused for Ours of gold. Plautus in Sticho remembers it, The Persian hills he may deserve to hold Which (if the proverb lie not) are of gold. Mereat Persarum montes, qui esse aurei perhibentur, etc. and Varro alluding to their tempting excellencies, thus; The Persian mountains nor the Lydian state Our minds from care or zeal can separate. Non demunt animis curas ac religiones Persarum montes, non divitis atria Croesi. But whether they have any now or no I know not. Thus having done with this of old; record we the coins at this day used: Coins. the Abbassee is in our money sixteen pence; Larree ten pence; Mamoodee eight pence; Shahee four pence; Saddee two pence; Bistee two pence; double Cozbeg one penny; single Cozbeg one half penny; Sluices are ten to a Cozbeg: the gold coins are Sultanyes, Duraes', &c. but few seen; all but the Cozbegs and Sluices being pure silver, the other brass, and currant all o'er his Monarchy. I have elsewhere described the buildings in Persia: a word of their beds and other customs, Their beds are generally, Cotts of two foot height, Beds. or four posts strengthened with girthweb; a shagg or yopangee atop; of double use, serving as an Umbrella abroad, at home a Coverlet: in Summer their Slaves attend about them; some to waft and to beget cool air, others to scare away the Gnats and such like buzzing vermin. The men account it no small shame to urine standing, but call such dogs rather than Mussulmen; we believe them: they mundify their genitors after it, and to that end have Slaves every where attending them with Ewers of silver to cleanse pollution: they hate to see men walk: such they think mad; a madder thing to see them ride though not a stones-cast journey. Their horses are of the Arabian breed, bodied like Jennets, Horses. but fare more swift and courageous: they kerb their fiery mettle with sharp cutting bits, a ring of iron also helping them; their bridles are long and studded with gold: of such mettle are their pummells and stirrups; their saddles are usually of velvet; high & close, like the Morocco sort: the trees are curiously painted: those they borrow from the Tartar, are hard, and small, and close; sure, but not so easy. They are generally fat and in good liking, albeit their fare be mean and slender; a little bag filled with barley and chopped straw hung about their heads, is both livery and manger; they strictly tie them to a proportion, more or less breeding death or diseases. The Mules are no less valuable; of better service where the passage is sandy, desert or mountainous. Men use Horses and Asses to ride upon; women never, but upon Camels; every Camel loaded with two Cages (or Cajuaes as they call them) holds two women; of wood, covered with scarlet commonly, low, and not suffering them to stand upright, but less grievous in that for most part all sorts sit, & cannot endure long standing: when any man's Haram travels, they are guarded with leane-faced Eunuches without weapons to offend women, but armed with bows & swords to defend them against any bold or curious opposer: upon sight of any of them, all travellers fly out of the way, albeit they be the best men in Persia; to make good the custom, and to prevent such mischief as jealousy draws too oft along with it, enflaming there as quickly as in any other part of Asia: where we will finish our domestic view; and turn our eyes upon other objects: their Language first; next, their Religion; and (as a farewell) end all in a compendium of her Emperors. I will offer you their Alphabet, writ in their own Character: to which if I add somewhat of their present Language, it may both show thee the affinity it has with the Saxon in many words (for from the Sacae a people near Mount Taurus they borrow both Name and Descent;) and peradventure benefit the future Traveller. Aleph. bea. ten. sea. Icam. hea. chea. taul. zaul. rea. zoea. zean. sheen. saut. zaud. ctea. zcea. me. kine. phea. caufe. cough. Lom. meam. nuen. wow. Loomealephloy. yea. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cumque superba foret Babilon spolianda trop●oets. English. Persian GOD Whoddaw the Sun Afta the Moon Maw a Star Nacosh the Sky Kabowdas a Cloud Sephyte the Earth Zameen Emperor Potshaw King Shaw Queen or Empress Beggoon Prince Mirza Duke Cawn marquis Beglerbeg Earl Sultan Lord Beg Lady Conna Lords son Beg-Zedday Gentleman Awgaw Merchant Soldager Soldier Cowzel-bash Lord Ambassador Elchee-beg Precedent Visyer Judge Cauzee or Caddi Justice Darraguod Chancellor Mordaer Constable Calentar Purveyor Mammandar a Christian Franghee a Moorish believer Mussulman a Jew jehewd an Armenian Armenee Persian Farsee Indian Mogul Georgian Gorgee Sarcashan Carcash Turk Tork A Church Dear a High Priest Mustaed-dini an Archbishop Kalyph a Priest Mulai a holy man Hodgee a begging Friar Abdall a Saint Mere a Prophet Emoom a Prophet's son Syet & Emoomzedda a holy Father Padre a Father Bobbaw a Mother Mamma & Madre a Brother Brother a Sister Qhvaar a Son Zedda a Daughter Daughter a Boy Oglan & Pissar a Girl Daughter a Maiden Whotoon a Cousin Choul a Friend Memam a Slave Colloom a Servant Marda a Footman Shooter a Groom Mitar-bashe a Cook Ashpash a Butler Suffrage a Barber Syrtrash a Physician Hackeam a Doctress Dayah a Mountebank Shytan-Tabyb a Scribe Vikeel an Interpreter Callamaehé a speech or long. Zavoan a Mechanic Oastad a Man Adam a Woman Zanthia the Head Serry Hair Mow Eyes Chasin Eyebrows Browz Nose Bynny Ears Goush Cheeks Row Moustaches Sibyl Lips Labernele Teeth Dandoon Chin Chynoser Arm Bozow Breast Sinow Hand Dast Finger Angusht Belly Shykam Yard Kery Stones Sekym Matrix Cus Thighs Roam Knees Zoanow Foot Poe Wine Sherap Water Obb Fire Attash Wind Bawd The Sea Deriob a Ship Kishtee a Boat Kishtee-cowcheck Fish Mohee a Sheep Guspan a Goat Booz Roast Meat Cobbob Rice Brindg Boiled Rice Pelo Wood Yzom Apples Sib Pomegranates Narr Musk-Melons Corpoos Water-Melons Hendoon Myrabolans Allilha Dates Wchormaw Almonds Bodoom Raisins Kishmish Walnuts Gardow Sugar Sucker Small Nuts Pistachoes' Syrup of Dates Dooshab Pleasant Liquor Sherbet Bezoar Pezar a Rose Gull Grapes Angwor Figs Anger Orange Norenge Lemmons Lemoon Carroway seed Giznees Annyseed Zera Nutmeg Goose Cloves Mekut Mace Basbas Cinnamon Dolcheen Spice Filfill Ginger Gingerfill Pepper Pepperfill Ophium Triack or Therias' Rhubarb Rhubarr Onions Peose spikenard Sembul-tib Manna Sheer-quest Sena Machyi Poppy Pustie one Year Yeck Sol one Month Yeck-Maw a Day Rowse to day Amrowse Yesterday Diggrowse to morrow Subbaw two days hence Past-subbaw Night Shave or Shab Soon Zood Much Pishaar More Diggar Good Cowbass Bad Baddass Naught Cowb-nees Great Buzzurck Little Coucheck Small Kam Less Andack Writ Binwees Sing Bowhoon Bread Noon Butter Rogan Cheese Paneer Milk Sheer Sower Milk Moss Vinegar Sirca Rose-water Gule-ob Honey Dowshabb Salt Namack Water Obb Rainwater Ob-baroon Salt-water Ob-namack Hot Garmas' Cold Sermawas a Book Catobb a Chest San dough a Carpet Collee a League Farsang half a League Nym-Farsangas a resting place Manzeil a common Inn Carravans-raw a Nursery Haram a House Coney a place joy Straw Io Barley Cow Wheat Gandowm Money Zarr White Sevittas' Red Sourck Iron Pholot a Knife Cord a Sword Shamshere a Gun Tophangh a Glass Shusha Ink Moora kabbas Silk Abrushumas Lace Chytoon Buttons Dougma a Fur Fust a Dagger Hangier Spur Mahamis Boots Chagma a Window Pangera a Door Darr a Table Taghtah a Chair Cursee a Cup Paola a Candle Shame a Candlestiks Shamdom a Bed Mafrush a Pillow Nazbolish a Quill Callam a Garden Baugh or Bawt a Town De the Devil Shitan Hell jehendam Rogue Haramzedday Slave Colloom Whore Cobba Cuckold Ghyddee Fool Do anna Villain Haram zedda old Whore Moder-Cobba the King's Evil Boagma Dog Segg Cat Chat Mule Astor a Goat Buz Cow Go an Ass Owlock an Elephant Behad a Nightengall Bulbul Camel Shouter Mule-man Astor-dor Camell-man Sheuter-dor Horsekeeper Myter a Horse Asp a Saddle Zeen a Saddle-cloth Zeen-push a Shoe Cosh a Nail Cheat Shepherd Vloch Bird Quoy Beef Goust de go Hen Morgh Hens-Egges Tough-morgh Boiled Poactas Half boiled Nym-poact Paper Coggesh & Cartas Thread Respun All boiled Hamma-poact Kitchen Mawdbaugh Old Chonnay New Novas I Thou He Man San O Nothing Hech a highway Raw a Tree Drake a Turquoises Pheruzay a Passport Phyrman a Cap or Turban Mandeel a Coat Cabay a Key Cleet a Ring Hanguster a Tower Manor a Needle Suzan a Looking-glass Dina a Whip Chabuck a Towel Dezmal a Gift Piscash a Platter Langaree a Plate Nalbachee a Colour Raugh a Misbeleever Caffar a Privy Adam Coney a Close stool Ob-Conney a Cradle Cajua a Glass bottle Shuzan a riding Coat Bolla-push a hill Achow a Hothouse Hummum a Sweet heart jonanam Strength Zoor Full Pooras Strait Tanghea Weak Sanghe nees In health Choggea Sick Na-choggea Dead Mordass Gone Raftas Here Ingee Above Bolla & hollanda Below Poin Angry janghea Hungry O jam Soap Saboon Broken Shekestas Laden Barkonnas Lost Gumshottas Found Paydcun Tobacco Tombacoo & Tutoon A Tobacco pipe Calliown & lula Stop Bast Wash Bushur The Market Buzzar the great Market Mydan You lie Drugmaguee You say true Rosmaguee Very right Dreustas near, fare off Nazeecas, duras Bring it higher Bear ingee What say you Chechesas Go, call him Bro, Awascun He is a sleep Cobbedat He is abroad Swarshudat He is not within Coney neese He is beheaded Shaw cusht He eats & drinks Mough whorat Come quickly Zood beaw Go quickly Zood burro Know you, yes, Medanny, baly Where is he Quo jaas Who, my father I, pader man I know not I madannam Can I tell you I cunnam Not fare off Durneeses What say you Chemigwe I drink to you Esco-sumaw I thank you Bizmilla with all my heart All humderalla Much good do it Awpheat Give me Biddy Do you love me you Dooz me daree Take away Verdure You trifle Bazi-mecunné Fill full Pour-kunn Boil the meat Goust-buppose Stay a while Andac wiest Even so Hamshé Beat him Bosom It is day Rows-hast It is night Shab-hast It is dark Tareekas Say thou Gufta I have forgot Man Varamashcardam Bravely done Barra colla Brave game Tamas-shaw English. Persian. A good morrow or God bless you Sir, Sallam-alleekam The like I wish you Sir, Alleekam-sallam Whether do you go? Quo ja merué? Not fare Dure neese How do you to day? Chaldery Amrooz? Well I praise God Choggee Shoocoro-Whoddaw Good, I am very glad thereof, Koobas, Whoddaw bashat Where have you been? Quo ja boodee? Now I am your servant Hali man Merda sumaw Welcome, Sir, hearty welcome. Hoshmodee, Agaw, Suffowardee Tell me, how you do? healthy Gufta, chehaldery? choggee Where is your house? at Babylon Quo jaas chonna sumaw? Bagdat Have you a Wife? Zanthia daree? Yea truly, fifteen Sir, baly, pounsdata beg How old are you? twenty four. Chan solemnising daree? charbeest How are you called? Che nom Daree sumaw? My name is called Teredoro, Noma mannas Teredore Is this the way to Tauris? E'en raw haste Tabyris? Yea, but how many leagues thither? baly, o chan Farsangas untraf? I suppose, 'tis twenty, Man medonam, be'st Is the way good or bad? Raw koob o baddas? Is there good Wine? Vnjee koob sherabbas? Yea, in the high way. baly, raw haste Whose Garden is that? E'en baugh mally chee? 'tis the great Kings, Mally-Pot-shawhas Know you Cazbeen? Cazbeen medanny? I do Sir, have you seen it? Man bali beg, sumaw dedee? Why not, I know all Persia, Cheree-na, hamma Farsee dedam, Come hither good Boy, Ingee bear koob Pissar Give me some Wine, soon Sherap bedee, zood Fill me but one cup Pourcun yeck paola Then saddle my Horse Asp zeen pushee I thank you Sir Whoddaw-negaturat It grows dark, I'll sleep Tarreekas, man mechobed Give me some water, slave Ob be dye, colloom Here Sir, take it Ingee Agaw, hast bedee Much good do it you brother Awpheat bashat-broder What business have you? Che Corr daree sumaw? Little, but stay a little Coocheck, andae wist I have some occasions Man corr daram Tell me where is the King? Gufta? Potshaw quo jaas? I believe in Hyrcania, Man medonam Mozendram God bless you, Wheddaw bashat. Persian. English. Turkish. Yeck One Beer Do, or Dew Two Ekee See Three Eweh Char Four Dewrt Panch Five Beash Shesh Six Altee Haste Seven Yedté Hasht Eight Seckez No Nine Dockoz Dah Ten One Yauzda Eleven One-beet Dozda Twelve One-ekhe Sezda Thirteen One-ewch Charda, or Chaharda Fourteen One-dewrt Pounzda Fifteen One-beash Shoonzda Sixteen One-alté Hawda Seventeen One-yedté Hashda Eighteen One-seckez Nouzda Nineteen One-dockoz Be'st Twenty Ygarmy Yec-beest Twenty one Ygarmy beer Dota-beest Twenty two Ygarmy eckee Se-beest Twenty three Ygarmy ewch. Charbeest Twenty four Ygarmy dewrt Sounce-beest Twenty five Ygarmy beash See Thirty Chehel Forty Pangoh Fifty Phast Sixty Haftat Seventy Hashtat Eighty Navat Ninety Satt One hundred Da hazatt, or hazar One thousand The Religion of the Persians. THE Persian Religion at this day varies not from the Turks in any particle of the Alcoran; and yet they account one the other Heretics, and are no less zealous and divided in their profession, than we and the Papalins: a division begun Anno Domini 1400, by a Syet of Ardoveil (a City in Media;) the better to advance the Sophyan Title to the Crown, derived from Mortis Ally their famous predecessor, cousin and son in law to Mahumet: which Ally, albeit he had just right to sit as Kalyph at Mecca next to Mahomet, yet in his despite, three other men stepped up before him; and during their lives kept him in slavery, and withstood him. These three, Abuboker, Omer, & Ozman, are by the Turks most venerably accounted of; but by the Persians (as appears by their cursing them in a prayer made by Syet Gunet) as impostors, dogs, and heretics; whereby is sown such mortal hatred betwixt these two potent Monarches that (to Europa's good) they abominate each other with implacable hatred. MAHOMET, (son of Abdar a Pagan, and Emma a Jew) was borne at jathreb (or Itrarip, jezrab in Postellus, now Medina) in Arabia, the year from the Creation 4544, of Christ our blessed Lord and Saviour 574: justinian at that time commanding the Roman Empire, and Cozrhoes (father to Hormizda) the Persians. His parents being mean and poor, he was forced to serve an apprenticeship, and with much patience served Zayed-ben-Hartah a rich and famous Merchant; who dying, left his servant so good a legacy, that Mahomet was thought worthy any woman in Mecca: but by reason of those incessant broils commenced by Cozrhoe and inflamed by the Romans, Traffic decayed, and most men danced to the shrill brazen sound of Bellona's music; Mahomet amongst the rest serving for pay first with Heraclius, and then the Persian; not caring much who was victor, so he was on the safest side, by both their confusion to plot some way or other to advance himself, both in a terrhen dignity and as a Deity: nor did he err in his prediction; for what by his great estate and good fortune in the wars, he soon threw off the quality of a common man, and got a company; yea at length an Army of so many Tattars and Arabians, that he dared to assault the enfeebled Christians, and became victor; yea, by stratagem (mingling with the credulous and gladded Persians) upon a watchword cut asunder and confounded the Persian Army. Which done, he blushed not to extol himself to all his troops, deciphering the misery of Persia and horror of Roman bondage; acquainting them also with the great discord 'mongst Christians; of that inhuman villainy perpetrated upon Mauritius by Phocas (than Emperor) his detested servant, and of Pope Boniface's usurpation of the title of Universal Bishop; contrary to the good will of all the World, and what Pope Gregory the great had lately branded john the Constantinopolitan Patriack with, as the Antichrist; in that sixty six good Bishops of Rome from Linus (seven years after the passion) to that Pope then teaching, never desired it. That he himself was ordained from the beginning of the world to eclipse the pride of that Pope, to instruct the world in a better and more plausible way than either Moses did the Jews, or Christ the Christians; that he was the Comforter promised (yet says that he came to give his Law by the sword and not by miracles) and to advance the Arabians name and dignity above all other Kingdoms in the Universe. The amazed Savages admire his boldness, and (though some thought basely of him) most part hoping he could effect his promises, give credit to him and attend his revelations. But ere he could finish his new moulded work, the enraged Persian suddenly steals among them and in memory of their late kindness, retaliates them so fiercely, that Mahomet (to save his life) posts away, leaving the rest to the merciless fury of the Persian. Mahomet with a sad heart arrives safely in Mecca (Mocura and Munychiates in old writers, the Arabian Metropolis:) but when he calls to mind his miserable estate, by this last defeat being cheated of his moneys and men, yea such men as he had prepared to help forwards his ambition, he consumes in the meditation, and by his faintheartedness and constant vexing had doubtless made Death his executioner, had not Satan physic him. Some safer way he intends to take, than in Mars his rugged fields, so full of cost and bloodshed. And therefore in the first place, to solace his unquiet spirits & enrich himself, he lays siege to Chodaige or Aediga a woman of great wealth and worship, by some thought Queen of Corasan; whom after a few amorous assaults he won, and of her begot three sons and four daughters, named Ebrahim, Tajeb, and Taher (all three dying young) Fatyma and Zaynab (both married to Mortis Ally;) Om-Kalthom and Rachya, wives to old Abuboker. Mahomet's stomach grew weak, and one sort of meat begun to loathe him, Chodaige was stolen, and others fancied him: he therefore purposed in his Law (then in hatching) to allow all sorts of carnal liberty: and to encourage them by his example, solemnly (as Ben Casen a writer of his belief says) espoused Aysce the beloved child of his son in law Abubocher: a child (though Mahomet's wife) I well may call her, at that time not exceeding six years old; yet so pliable to the delights of her wanton husband, that he calls her his best beloved, and dictates a whole chapter to her praises; so that for her affection to him, her courtesy to others, her witty conceits, her skill in history and language, she is entitled Mother of the Faithful; and (contrary to his tenet in his Alcoran) in whose grave (hoping there also to embrace her) Mahomet desired to be buried, as was by old Abubocher afterwards performed His third wife was Miriam (or Mamrya) of whom he begot Ebrahim Cassen, who at the age of six months, by the arrow of grim death was directed the inevitable way of his brethren. Zaynab (the repudiate of Ben-Hartah Mahomet's master) was Mahomet's fourth and last wife (concubines he had above a hundred, but in any Author I find not named) a Lady of singular perfection, and so credulous of his feigned visions (and that his epilepsy was caused by an Angel's glory, oft conferring with him) that by all Mahomitans she is also named a second Mother of Mussulmen or true believers. These his bosom friends, and other his bed fellows, together which taught birds to feed at his ear, and beasts by practice directed, blazoned his holiness, and put all Arabia into a confused wonder: and having by the Devil's prompting, and the help of Sergius an Italian (a nest of uncleanness, a Monk, a Sabellian, a discontented wretch for missing worldly preferment at Byzanth,) and of john of Antioch (an infamous Nestorian) finished his Alcoran in the year of our blessed Lord God 620. and of Mahomet's age 46. which so transported him, that to Mecca he goes, intending to divulge it, and where he hoped to have it easily credited; but therein his prediction failed him, for so soon as they perceived his ground of innovation (formerly acquainted with his birth, breeding, and subtlety they banish him, and but for his wife's kindred had crushed him and his Cockatrice egg, but then in hatching. Mahomet (involud with more perplexity now than ever) is at his wit's end, once resolving to burn his book and fall to trading: but Sergius moderates, telling him, a design of so great consequence must needs be attended with persecution and many other circumstances. The half dead Prophet revives upon this encouragement, and quickly apprehends this affliction propitious to his memory; so that to jathreb he goes, and for two years secludes himself from much company; till having finished his plot, and commanding the account of all his sectaries to begin from his late flight out of Mecca, he again adventures, and by bribery, magic, and other means attracted many followers, and in seven years after is received in Mecca: from this accursed root branching out so many sects as in short time infected and shaded all the Orient, in an eclipse of fearful darkness. Mahomet (whose name Arabically signifies Deceit, and many times Conveniunt rebus nomina saepe fuis; affording also the number 666 the mark of Antichrist,) having accomplished his desires, and run his race, is summoned to appear before the Lord of all flesh, the God Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Judge of all men's actions; where (no doubt) he received a just judgement for his impiety. This was in his great clymacteric 63, of the Hegira 17, and of our Saviour 637, ordaining Ally to succeed him, and his Carcase to be placed in Aisces grave in jathrip which per Antonomasiam he new named Medina Talnabi; it or Mecca, in my opinion, being that Munichyates in Ptolemy; but I rather think Mecca it, because I read that Medina (or jathrep) was built Anno Domini 364. by Aadhuddaule then King of Babylon: and by Osman allegorically called El-haramain, and by others De-A'salem i.e. a holy place or Town of mercy, none daring in the garb or language of a soldier tread East, West, North, or South, nigher than six one way, twelve, eighteen, and twenty four miles the other; upon pain of death and eternal displeasure. Speak we now a little of his fabulous Alcoran, or Sunna, i.e. the Book of truth, or a Legend for the faithful: stuffed with obsceneness, lies, miracles, visions, moral and natural Philosophy; such trash as may powerfully provoke the silliest student to a height of laughter. The proem this; That it was sent from God by Gabryel the holy Angel to Mortis Ally; but he mistaking the man, gave it to Mahomet; whom when God saw replenished with equal virtue, the Angel was not blamed, but the gift confirmed and made irrevocable. The Alcoran. To begin then; The Alcoran or Bible (by them called Kurrawn and Alesalem i.e. the law of peace, or Alcacan i.e. Judgement, as it was digested by Ozman fifteen years after the death of Mahomet) is in volume twice so big as the Psalms of David; divided into a hundred and fourteen Azoaraes' or Chapters, put by Ozman into a poor kind of rythme, unpleasant to the ear, unless well ordered: It is not a continued tract of devotion or direction, but of his own life, the Art of war, the use of peace, Rhetoric, Numbers, the Zodiac, the Earth, and a mishmash out of Applis (or Aristotle) grossly and confusedly handled. His mother instructed him in the Jewish Rites or Talmud: and Sergius in the Gospel: whereby, in the seventy one Azoara of Nohha, and in the tenth of junys, he records the History of Noah and jonas; and in other chapters, of Enoch, Abraham, joseph, Moses, Elias, and David; whose songs called Zebur-Dahood or the Psalms of David, and the Teurat Moissah or pentateuch of Moses, he extols most vehemently. The Ingil also (or Gospel of Saint Luke) he sets out at large in the fourth Azoara of Anneza, and in the fifth of Almeyda, naming Christ, the Messiah, Rooth-noor Alloh, and Hazret, i.e. Messiah, the Spirit or word and light of God, holy Jesus: not omitting his bodily ascension into heaven in sight of his twelve Apostles, seventy Disciples, and five hundred men. Yet denies him be to the son of God, but that the Virgin conceived by smelling to a Rose presented her by Gabriel; and that he was borne out of her breasts. Also that he was not crucified, but judas or some other wicked thief; Christ being separated from them by a cloud that covered him and came from heaven. And thence it is, the Cross is so ridiculous amongst them; they say also that he was the most holy, chaste, and powerful Saint that ever conversed on earth: and that (in the second Azoara of Albacara in the Alcoran) Moses and Christ shall save the Jews and Christians at the day of Doom: and yet in the next chapter of Amram (forgetting what he had said) protests that no soul shall ever be saved but by his Alcoran, he being sent into the world to moderate the strictness of the Gospel, as Christ did the severity of the Law ceremonial; varying also from what in the twelfth Assuratto he commands, that they should be held in equal repute with the Alcoran; running thus: The holy and merciful God, first sentt he ceremonial Law, and then the Gospel to direct all men in the right path, and lastly the Alcoran, a faithful Book, and for your instruction. No man therefore that is truly religious, dare to undervalue the old Law and: Gospel, but to practice it no less than what is commanded in the Alcoran. From whence it is, that they reverence the holy Sepulchre, visit Saints Tombs, and honour the memory of our Saviour; abhorring the Jews of all creatures. Saint john Baptist also he speaks modestly of, and of the blessed Virgin with singular reverence: saying in the nineteenth Azoara to this purpose, Hail Marry, thou art blessed, yea in purity and holiness excelling all other women; the meditation of God's laws was ever in thy heart, therefore he hath selected thee, refined thee, and made thee his happiest dwelling; thou art full of knowledge and mercy; free from pollution, hatred or ambition: yea, thou the Virgin Mother of the great Prophet Jesus, art only of womankind most lovely and perfect in the sight of the Almighty, etc. Which I name, not that his Book is any way more valuable, (the end considered, which was his plot for Apostasy) but that the Devil and Sergius who helped him, could not blaspheme, nor be suffered to derogate from their Majesty; and to whom we say in the words of our Saviour to the Demoniac, hold thy peace; and ex ore tuo laus sordet. The residue of the Book consists of Heresiarchyes against our blessed Saviour; with Arrius it denies the Divinity; with Sabellius the Trinity; with Macedonius the holy Ghost proceeding; with Manicheus the death of Christ; and such like errors as to them and Satan seemed plausible. In the 32 Azoara, he commands that no man be so impious to question any particle of his Law, nor to dispute about it; and yet in another chapter confesses that 'tis full of lies. 1 Commandment; There is one, and but one great God, and Mahomet is his Prophet. Sung every fourth hour both by the Muyezins & Talismanni from the steeple tops of every Mosque in a clear note, Llala ylala, Mohummed resullula; and the Persians by Syet Gunets' direction to the honour of their Prophet, Llala ylala Mortus Ally vel-hillulla. 2 Common. 'Tis neither good nor just that any Mussulman live unmarried; lest the professors of the Alcoran (or Mahomet) be thereby diminished. Whence it arises that Polygamy is tolerated; yea, that such are thought the most honourable and brave men who superabound in wives and concubines. The chaste Prophet Mahomet in the Azoara of Bacara boasts much of his own delight and singularity therein; and that he had strength at most times to satiate the lust of forty women. In that chapter of Attahrim he also confesses that he oft had violated his faith and troth; but, it grieved him not, in that he had received pardon from God; and had to witness it, his good friends Rachel and Gabryel, two holy Angels. But who sees not, that in this precept of his (like a polite Machiavillian) he had respect to the natural disposition of the Arabians, pleased with freedom and voluptuousness, rather than to any virtue: not caring how, so by any magic he could yoke them to obedience, and affectation of his Alcoran. 3 Common. It behoves all Mussulmen to be charitable; and to hate contention. From this command, issues most good to Travellers; for whereas Inns are not to be had in heathen countries, stately buildings (called Imarets in Turkey; Carravans-raws in Persia; Serrays in Indya) are purposedly built and open for all comers, never questioning their Country, business, nor religion; the rooms are sweet and well kept, the stables be convenient; and not any is to pay aught, in that 'twas founded from the charity of some Mahomitans; who have been known to spend in one of those common receptories fifteen thousand pound sterling: such are in Shyraz, Cashan, etc. they also erect Hospitals for lame men and diseased: yea, for aged, starved, or hurt birds, beasts, and such like creatures. 4 Conaman. It behoves all Mussulmen to invocate their Prophet, every day five times at least, with sobriety: and to attend his coming patiently. Which, they carefully accomplish; and with such regard that when the Muyezin is heard to cry aloud from the Mosque they fall to prayer, though then busied in profane talk, drinking, drabbing, or the like. And in praying, to help their memory use Beads, stop their ears, and shut their eyes, lest any thing might divert them in their zealous Orisons; which they actuate in a quiet and silent murmur, bending, prostrating, and kissing the ground or some relic of holy earth brought from Medina, the Haram or Alcaba, two holy Chapels in Mecca, erected (says the Alcoran) by Abraham from the true Idea of that which Adam built in Paradise; albeit some hold that he stayed there not above a day, & carried by Angels into heaven at the general Deluge: in every El-fata or prayer sizedaing or kissing the earth at each Epithet or name of God and Mahomet: and after they have battologuized Ilalay-lala, they iterate another to this effect following. In the name of the good and holy God. Praised be the Sovereign of all worlds, the only merciful God of Doom ': thee we serve, thee we call upon: show us the best way; that, which thou hast revealed to Mahumet; but not that whereby thou punishest the Ungodly. This also, as I have noted amongst them, being a mere Tautology of the names of God and Ma●met. Bizmillah! raugh mawn, a raugh-heam Allhundill Alley: Etto byatto, almo barakatto, assulwatto, Attayo batto; Leyla, heessalem, Aleyka, I, jaanna, nebeen rough meet Wallough heeweeber-catto. Essalamalena, Wallah Ebadulla, hesolaheem Eshaddo. Awla-El aha, El-Allaho, Eshaddai, Mahummed resull-Allogh. L'alla, Essalamalena Ebadulla Solaheem. Essalamaleekam Essalamaleeka. Allyhomma Sul-hillulla. Allaw Mohummed done Wallaw, Wassaleem-chamma Salleata, Alhumderalley, Whoddaw, & said by all Mahomitans in Arabia, Persia, Indya, java, etc. And though this be the most usual, yet they are not without other set forms of prayer, compiled by Osman in his Parody, (for, in the 17 Azoara Mahomet confesses that he could neither read nor write) and by that famous Almotannabby, who fell in his learned conceits to make his Name more venerable than Mahomet. Their Elfataes are either for the safety of their Kings, a happy issue, the welfare of their Country, thanks that they are Mussulmen, Bosarmen, or true believers, and the like: five times in four and twenty hours praying (or rather balbutiating) orderly. The hours are, daybreak, noon, three in the afternoon, sunset, and at midnight: recorded by these titles. Ashaera, Magreb, Adelesher, Kalamath, and Irketh; Arabically thus, Dahour, Lashour, Mogrub, Sallit & Sabaha L'hair. The first hour, is acted by four Tessalems' or prostrations and two prayers; 2. by ten times kissing the earth and five Elfataes; 3. hour requires eight grovelings, and four ejaculations; 4. has five Sizedaes' and three orations; and the last hour for a farewell has fifteen tesselems and eight repetitions: after that hour to day break 'tis held an ungodly thing to invocate. The Persians since their reformation, think it enough to pray thrice in four and twenty hours; at sob, dor, & magareb Arabic words, and which signify morning, noonee, and night. On the Gynmaa or Sabbath (by the Persians called Y'owma and D'siuma, by Turk's Zuma-g'iuny, Dumaad by the vulgar Arabs) they assemble in the Mosques (without seats and bells;) each first washing, then kneeling with his face to Medina, not speaking one to another, spitting nor coughing: 'scapes unpardonable. 5. Command. See thou observe yearly a Month Lent, a Byram, etc. The Lent or Ramdam (called also Ramadan, Ramazan, and Ramulan) gins commonly at the Sun's entrance into Aries, Libra other times, no time certain; and is an imitation of our Lent, or rather the forty days Moses was in Horeb, and by some said in memory of Mahomet's forty days hiding himself in the Desert, flying from the rage of Mecca's Inhabitants, and that in that month he divulged the Alcoran: but most likely (as in the 47 Azora of himself, and 25, in which he treats of the excellency of the Alfurcan) from his blasphemous lie that he was so long in the sixth heaven called Alahal, where this Anthropomorphite says he had the honour to shake hands with the Almighty (which he says were 70 times colder than Ice;) and that being upon th'earth, to make the people credit him, he commanded the Moon to descend; half of which he put into his own sleeve, and the other half served as a zone or girdle to Mortis Ally: and to their like amazement, after so rare a compliment pieced it, and placed it in the same Orb whence first he drew it. During this Ramdam, all the day long they abstain from all sorts of viands or refection, he being counted the veriest heretic in the world dare riot it. But, Don Phoebus is no sooner enveloped with his dark mantle the earth's interposition, and Dame Cynthia arrayed with brightness in their Hemisphere, than they gormundize and let lose the reines of their unbridled appetite, Epicurising in all kinds of delights to be invented, or pleasures possible: Prosper's saying, That to fast from sin, is the best fast; is here ridiculous. So soon as the nine and twentieth day is passed (for though the Alcoran command forty, yet by those of the late reformation, it was limited to one Moon) they begin the Byram (as we do Easter) and continue their merriment and sports till the third day be ended; the two days after the Byram, are commonly called Chutsi-baaram, & Char-bahram (or Byram.) The last hour of the last festival many vow a zealous pilgrimage to their Prophet's Sepulchre (not magnetically attracted, nor entombed in an iron coffin as some report, but laid under a fair marble, polished and ingraved with Arabic sentences out of the Elesalem.) But in the way, wallow in all kind of swinish turpitude, villainy, and loathsomeness; yet no where persecuted, being palliated with a Pilgrim's coat and hypocritique sanctity. The Buccarie they solemnize in November or Chodad-maw (by Turk's Silcade, by Arabs Rabiel owl) in commemoration of the Ram sacrificed by Abraham such time as Izmael (they say) should have been killed. Many other Festivals they celebrate. The Oud Hussan, Nowrouz, Imamy, Caddyer-Ally, jedt-ousant, Auwpatsian; the Sophyan, the Roses, Daffodils, etc. The Oud-Hussan is from Hocem or Hussan (soon of Ally) slain with eleven of his sons by Mavi the Chalyph, Lord of Damascus, and Nephew to Ozman. A Festival begun by Syet Gunet, followed by Aydar, and commanded by Sha-Izmael, as a Triumph against the Ben-Humyans, who though they thought to have extirpt Ally's root, yet by divine providence St. Azmully branched secretly, Anno Hegirae 90. and from him this Siet of Ardoveil, reviver of the Sophian dignity. For the Syet not only slighted the Turkish opinion of Mahomet's three successors Abubocher and the rest, but cursed all such as honour them; yea, and four other great Hodgees or Doctors of the Alcoran, contemporary friends and helpers of Mahomet; those four (if I be not deceived) whom Mahomet (in a fear for his presumption beholding God in Paradise) wiped from the sweat of his brow, and by divine miracle metamorphized into four learned men, thus named, Achmet Sembelim, Abu-hamet, Melec-zeddah, and Sheck Vaffaim: a tenet so offensive and exasperating to the Turks, that of late the Muphtis condemning an innocent Persian, swore a great oath, he thought it a better act and a more meritorious sacrifice to kill one Persian, than seventy Christians. But to our Story. All agree that Hussan was slain treacherously by Choose a slave to Mnavi. Mavi was an Actor, they therefore punish him yearly (though rotten 1000 years since.) First, framing a deformed Image, his face blacked, his nose pierced with a Dart, and clad in straw: which done, they hurry it through the streets in a hurly-burly of thousands of people, who when they have dragged it enough within the City, hale it to some rising hill without, where to all men's view they elevate this (supposed living) Caitiff. The Caddy bawls out a pathetic Oration to this purpose, That after much search, Ally had directed them where to apprehend this Traitor, unworthy the least pity or procrastination: this being that same villain who slew Hussan and his sons (Ceresin only escaping:) that every good man is bound in conscience to curse him, yea to help to torment him in the vilest manner possible. In show of joy and assent they unanimously sing Epicinia (a song of victory and cry aloud, Yough Ally, yea strive to rend the clouds with their ceaseless clamours. At a set time they cease roaring, and fire is given to a train of Gunpowder which sets diverse squibs a fire, and at length dissipates and blows up the detested Syrian, by a hideous noise making the air echo at his smoky Funeral. Hussans ghost now sleeps quietly; each Persian commends one another's zeal; haste home, & spend that night in merriment. The Nowrouz is in imitation of our New-year's day; but they begin (after the old manner) in March, such time as Phoebus in his equal shine to either Pole, makes the Aequinoctium. A festival of jovialitie, for one prayer preying upon variety of wanton pleasures; the Talismanni piping now to Bacchus, Ceres, and Madam Venus. For, I have observed, that in many parts for 11 months in the year we could see very few women, and those veiled; but impossible in the streets or gardens to converse with any without danger: yet these twelve days of the Nowrouz all places were full of them, yea their naked faces openly discovered; frisking in amorous postures, and drawing the eye by a forced Magic. Gifts also and reciprocal presents are retorted up & down; with garments of silk & gold, horses, fruits, and piscashes of other sorts; nothing but riding the great horse, drinking, , fortune-telling, singing, courting, and the like observed to the last minute of that Festival. The Imamy has some dependence on the Buckaree. This a Camel, that a Ram; that for Ishmael, this for Mahomet. In November, the Meccan Protomist sends a sanctified Camel by an adopted son (sometimes natural) who is welcomed to Spahawn by many thousand Mussulmen, who show th'extreme of joy for so holy a Present. After they have tried & tired their voices, the Hodgee from an exalted place acquaints them with the cause of his long journey, persuades them to a thankful remembrance, and blesses them. The zealous multitude without any respect of men or danger, throng about the Beast, who is no sooner in the field where Death arrests him, but that they fall upon him, and pluck off his hairs with an admirable dexterity, keeping them as sanctimonious relics, praevalent against sudden death (though many die in the assault, and thousands return maimed) hunger, thirst, poverty, and the like. After which, the tormented Camel is by the Hodgee again signed for a sacrifice. The Darroguode, first transfixes his Javelin. The Visier beheads him, and gives it the King. The carcase is torn piecemeal by the foolhardy multitude; so greedy to obtain this charm of long life and plenty, that immortality and the place where meat and drink is needless, oft praecipitates them. The Caddier Ally is for Ally's victory over the three old caitiffs of Mecca by death (not Ally) conquered; and his joy in heaven: which after some threnodies many prayers are muttered, songs chanted, and alms bestowed: the King being at most charge, the greatest honour reflecting him. The jedt Ousant is from a Cabala, that Housant was lost in a terrible great wilderness, where thirst killed him. Nine days they wander up and down (shaving all that while neither head, nor beard, nor seeming joyful) incessantly crying out Hussan Hussan in a melancholy note, so long so fiercely, that many can neither howl longer, nor for a month's space recover their voices. The tenth day they find an imaginary Hussan, that Nunquemque satis quaesitus Adonis, whom they echo forth in Stentorian clamours, till they bring him to his grave; where they let him sleep quietly till the next year's zeal fetch him out (Semper enim perdunt semper & inveniunt) and force him again to concomitate their merry devotion. The Auwptpatsion (or Owdt-baptsion) is from Mahomet's baptism by cursed Sergius: and seems to deride our customs, to make their circumcision lovelier. A rascal troop of circumcised Mahomitans assemble, and (after the Darroguod has put a period to his rustic Oration) promiscuously besprinkle one another's faces, than soil their flesh with dirt and filth, the great ones many times to please the King acting among them; Lastly, they cleanse themselves with purer water, supposing all contaminated deformity washed off, and their bodies wholesomer. The Sophian, is a solemnity of fasting, feasting, and praying for the prosperity of their King, of the Sophian pedigree. The feast of Roses and Daffodils is begun by a Procession of holy men, at the first budding of those sweet flowers, and for thirty days is celebrated with all manner of sports, and recreations to be imagined; continued from the great feasts of the old famous Monarches of Persia; tents in abundance, men, women, boys, & girls, with Arms, music, songs, dances, and such as may revive the Olympic memories. 6 Com. Reverence thy Parents. Which how ill they perform, many Tragic stories daily inform us of. 7 Com. Cursed be the slayer. This is so well practised in Persia, that what by rigour of the Laws, and what from this, one may travel in any place at any time without all danger; and although, they be generally Martialists and affect much wine, yet I never saw any quarrel nor strife amongst them. 8 Com. Do so to Others, as thou wouldst Others should do to thee. From whence they are humane and courteous; but bribery is lately crept amongst them, and deceit too, too easily discerned. The Alcorar is a miscellany of other prodigious things. It tracts in the 33, that Dagial or Shytan, i. e. the Devil, shall be saved by Mahomet: & in the 72 Azoara, that all Elgehenni or infernal ghosts shall after I know not how many years be freed. The other Azoaraes' of his Kurrawn are of Arithmetic, fights, dangers, truth, falsehood, tyranny, war, peace, prophecy, etc. The 85 Azoara treats of the Zodiac; the 90 of the Sun; the 91, 92, 93, of the Moon, of night, of morn; the 113, of the Firmament; but is Philosophy of such coarseness that I may well say, Discum potius quam Philosophum: for how can it well be otherwise, since in his 17 Azoara, he confesses that he could neither read nor write; but that all his learning was supernatural. In one chapter he is bold to say, that Solomon was a great Magician, and that he learned it from Marot and Arot, two great black Devils: with more reason we may say, that Mahomet was skilled in that infernal wisdom, if half of those miracles be true he records of himself; one is this: In a great assembly of Arabian Pagans, he pointed at the Moon with his thumb and long finger; it seems it knew his mind, for the Moon immediately clove asunder, and in two pieces fell upon the hill of Mecca, on which he at that time stood: Mahomet with a piece of his linsey-wolsey coat patched it and made it whole again; and after it had also (say the Persians) circumvolved Mortis Ally in way of embrace or compliment, it re-ascended, and from that day became the badge or coat armour of all Bosarmen. In another, he assures his Proselytes, that Mecca, Medina, and jerusalem be holy Cities, built by Adam in Paradise, but framed in heaven: & thence it is, that jerusalem is by Turks as well as Christians, honoured: four Cities sprung out of hell at the birth of Mahomet (at which, time all Idols fell, and Lucifer was thrown into hell, so deep into that abyss, as he was some years ere he could get up again) the names of those devilish Towns are (as pleases Mahomet to say) Elmedin in Caldea, Antioch in Syria, Vastat in Egypt, and Ehberam in Armenia: Places, it seems which had refused him and his learned Doctrine. But lend your ears a while and listen to the most serious subject of his Alcoran. In the 47 Azoara, he records hi● pilgrimage into the highest heavens; where he saw rare things, and thence brought a certain description of the several Spheres, Heavens, Hells, and Paradises: as also of Angels, and Saints; of judgement, the resurrection, joy and pain, etc. of which I will afford you a compendium for Mussulmen to believe, for us to laugh at. One eve (as Mahomet was sporting privately in's chamber at Mecca, with Aysce his young wife) Gabryel (Seraphyel the Persians call him, the same that fostered Mahomet and Ally three years, and was peradventure such a Malus Genius as haunted Brutus) in a flash of fire entered their bedchamber, and saluted Mahomet with this message: Hail thou beloved man! I come to fetch thee: the God whom thou so zealously worshippest, desires to see thee at his own station. Mahomet rejoices, and going to mount upon the Angel's wings (of which he had seventy p●ire) is hindered: he asks which way he should take towards heaven, the Angel shows him a huge Ass, Albarack by name, and bids him mount upon him; which Mahomet essaying could not do, till he had prayed for him. From Mecca he posted (in the twinkling of an eye, for Barack at four steps had done it) to Jerusalem: there, the Angel dismounted him, and took him into his own protection. In few minutes Mahomet ascended heaven, and was let in by Gabryel the Porter there. From one heaven to another is a travel of five hundred years; howbeit, The Heaven Mahomet glanced through the seven in a moment. In all which Orbs he saw many strange things; but first take notice what mettle the Orbs are made of. The first is of refined silver, and wherein all the glittering stars are fixed with chains of burnished brass: in this heaven he saw a Cock so great that standing upon the Moon, his coxcomb reached into the imperial heaven, many millions of miles altitude: every time that this Cock crowed, all other Chanticlears upon earth, re-ecchoed him. The second heaven is of gold, such gold as has been seven times tried in the fire. The third is of pearl; in this heaven he saw innumerable troops of Saints and Angels; each of them saluted him by his name, and he prayed for them. Amongst the rest he took notice of Adam, Enoch, Abraham, Samuel, David, Solomon, etc. all whom he knew by revelation; and of which, some he taxed, others he commended as occasion served him. The fourth heaven, is of Smaragd, and where he saw infinite companies of other Angels who made a mighty noise and incessantly praised God: and well they might make a noise, for (says Mahomet) every Angel there, was a thousand times bigger than the globe of the earth; and each had ten thousand heads; every head, threescore and ten thousand tongues; and every tongue praised God in seven hundred thousand several languages: amongst them, he noted one especially, Phatyr, or the Angel of Mercy; a creature of that vast frame that every step he trod was twelve times more than the distance is 'twixt both the Poles. Mahomet inquired of him why he wept so fiercely; the Angel replied, that it was out of his compassion to see the deplorable estate and vanity of man. This is that same Angel that has the Holy Quill or pen in keeping; a pen of orient Pearl; so long, that an excellent Arabian Courser in five hundred years continual galloping, can hardly reach to the further end of it: with this pen, God registers all things past, present, and to come; the Ink he writes with, is pure Light; the Character so mysterious, that none but he and Seraphael can understand it. All the hundred and four holy Books are written by this Quill; viz. those ten which Adam received; Seth had fifty; Edris (or Enoch) thirty; and Abraham had the rest: it also writ Moses his Law, David's Psalms; Christ's Gospel, and Mahomet's Alcoran. The fifth heaven was of Diamonds: where he saw a mighty Angel, and of all others the wisest: he had as many heads and tongues and voices as any two others had in the inferior Orb; and had the keeping of that Book, wherein all men in the world have their names written: he did nothing but turn over the leaves and blot out one name or another, for by that (as by the arrow of death) they died suddenly. The sixth was of Turquoisse; the Seventh of Alahal; (some interpret it fire; others, pure light or breath congealed.) All these circumvove one another like Pearls or Onyous; but herein is the miracle, they be translucent and yet of metals: a rare Philosophy! above all, is the heaven of heavens, full of light and silence: immense, and within which, all other bodies are comprised, but it incomprehended: there Mahomet saw the throne of God, rich beyond expression: very great also, for it was supported by seven Angels, each of them so wonderfully great, that a Falcon if he were to fly a thousand years incessant flight, could scarce go so far, as is the distance of one eye from another: about the Throne hung fourteen candles, everlastingly burning: the length of every of those candles (as Mahomet measured) was from one end to another as much space as a good horse can ride in five hundred years: there he saw the Almighty, who bade him welcome, and laid his hand upon Mahomet's face: his hands (says this blasphemous deluder) were a thousand times colder than Ice: for all which, Mahomet in shame of his own baseness, blushed for shame, and sweat with fear; but with his long finger he swept away the sweat from his brow, and threw it into Paradise: rare sweat! Each drop (he notes them to be six) turned into some rare thing or other: one drop into a Rose, another into a grain of Rice; the other four into four learned men, Ac'met, Sembelin, Abuhamed, Melec-zed, and Seh-vaffin; After he had sufficiently instructed himself in many mysteries, and was assured of God's favour, he descended with his Alcoran: but how he got it entertained, how notoriously it has blasted the earth and poisoned most parts and Isles of Asia and afric; Angels. it requires another place, to have it spoken: here only let us note the mad conceits he fancies of Angels, the last judgement, Paradise, hell, etc. Angels are either good or bad; both are subject to death: the good, because they consist of flame, an Element; to sin, because Lucifer an Angel, by ambition was expulsed Paradise. The bad Angels are imprisoned in Dogs, Swine, Toads, Wolves, Bears, Tigers, &. After the day of Doom they shall be tormented in hell some millions of years; but must in the end by virtue of Mahomet's law be delivered. Day of Doom. The great and general Judgement is as certain as the day of Death, and will happen suddenly, such time as all the world is wrapped in a careless security: the Angels know not the time, till Mahomet point it out by a great and fearful Duel 'twixt death and him, whom in the end he makes to fly away; but by that combat becomes so enraged, that he destroys all living creatures in the world suddenly; for new arming himself in flaming brass, in each quarter of the world he sounds his dreadful Trumpet, whose affrighting clangor not only makes men, beasts, fishies, birds, and like creatures die, but the Angels also give over living; and lastly, Adriel himself, whom God commanded to follow the rest in the inevitable path, by wrapping his iron wings about him, and strangling himself with such a dreadful noise, as is scarce imaginable. After this ensues a terrible and universal Earthquake, followed by a violent shower of purling brimstone, which must devour all grass, trees, and vegetable Creatures; yea the Palaces of the proudest Tyrants: and turn topsi-turvie, the earth, water, and other elements into a confused lump. Forty days it must rest in a disordered Chaos; in which time, Almighty God shall grasp it in his fist, and (beholding it) say to this effect. Where are now the haughty Princes, the cruel Tyrants, lascivious wantoness, and greedy earthworms of the earth? which said; he will for forty days and night's space incessantly rain down a gentle shower of mercy, and by a gracious breath reduce the world into a most glorious estate: after that, he will call up Seraphyel, and bid him take his Trumpet in his hand: the Trumpet is of purest gold, and above five hundred years travel from one end to another: at the first sound will ensue a revivification of Angels and Men: at the second, the Angels reassume their glorious robes, and men their naked flesh again. judgement. Michael the Archangel (perceiving the Tribunal raised upon a high mount in jehosaphats' vale) he approaches with his mighty balance, and poises every man their good and bad deeds in either cale: such whose good deeds out balance their evil actions, are put upon the right hand, the other on the left: after that, they are loaden with their sins packed up in a satchel and hung about their necks; in this sort they pass (upon a narrow and weak Bridge) over Hell; such as have few sins get oversafely; those that be heavy laden break the Bridge and fall into hell: at the otherside stands Mahomet in the shape of a Ram, and in his deep and monstrous fleece lodges all his Sectaries, whom after long travel he brings to some gap or other he finds in Paradise; and skiping in, disburthens himself, and shakes them out; at that instant assuming new forms, more lovely, more strong, and every way more excellent; with eyes as big as the whole earth, and with eyebrows bigger and more beautiful than the Rainbow. Let the Alcoran tell you what Hell is, and what is Paradise. Hell is in the Umbelic or navel of the world; circled with a huge thick wall of attractive Adamant: Hell. 'tis entered by 7 gates of flaming brass; divided into many several cells or dungeons: some are more loathsome and fuller of torment than others be; and lodge such souls as have more highly sinned: some caves be so deep that in a thousand years, a millstone cannot find the bottom of it; in whose descent are sharp swords and pikes placed purposely to cut and torture the souls that move there: some places be abyss or without any bottom; so full of oil and brimstone that it is ever flaming, and so terrible, that the Devils howl, and screech, and rage there beyond measure: other prisons be full of Toads, Serpents, and all noisome and horrid creatures imaginable: the damned eat nothing there save the forbidden fruit; which being in their guts inflames like sulphur, and makes them roar for anger. Some rivers be full of Crocodiles: others so cold as makes them gnash & chatter: howbeit, these pains of hell must not abide for ever, for after each soul has suffered so many thousand of years as the sins amount unto they have committed, Mahomet will deliver them (and the Devils also;) first changing their affrighting shapes into shapes more tolerable, & then bringing them to Alcanzar, (a stream flowing out of Paradise) they must cool their extreme heat, and wash away their black-scorcht mummies, and into a moist flesh, whiter than the driven snow, and thenceforth sing Lala hillullaes unto Mahomet. Paradise. Paradise is a place of as much delight, as Mahomet's carnal rapture was able to imagine: he is incertain of the local place (it seems he forgot to ask Gabryell) but supposes it shall be upon the earth after the day of Doom is past, and all deformity removed: (till then the souls and bodies of men sleep in their graves, but sensible of joy and torment.) Paradise (says the Alcoran) is so many miles about as there be moats or atoms in the Sun: It is enclosed with a wall of ninety times refined gold; ten thousand miles high, and in thickness about three thousand: It has also seven gates to enter in at (seven is a mystery;) of Carbuncle or purest Ruby is the first gate; the other six be of Pearl, of Emerald, of Turquoyse, of Hyacinth, of Smaraged, and of Amarist; somewhat reflecting upon the spheres. It is divided into seven spacious Gardens, and those are subdivided into seventy times seven several places of delight; each of them filled with Inhabitants, Music, Wines, and all sensual pleasures possible: all have cool refreshing rivulets of Crystal, and trilling over pebbles of sweetest Amber: curious Summer-houses it also has, shaded with trees, ever fruitful and verdant: in centre of that pleasant fancy, is a tree (a high and spreading tree) higher than all the mountains of the world, were they heaped one upon another; and so broad that all Paradise is shaded by it; the trunk or bowl of this rare plant is of Diamond; the leaves be of Ophyrian gold; the boughs of jet: each leaf is wrought into an antic shape, very delightful; and most admirable in this; on one side is growing in letters of light, the name of God; on the other side the name of Mahomet. Four streams gush out of it, in several quarters; they be of purest water, of milk, of coho, of honey; and empty themselves into Alchansar, whence this mixture of Nepenthé flows into other parts of Paradise: there are also Aromatic flowers, such as ravish both eye and smell; birds also or aery Choristers; the meanest of which as far excel our Nightingalls, as they the Ravens: the air is a compound of sense-ravishing odours: the Mahometans (Christians, Jews, nor Gentiles, have not such glory) are ever young and lustful, a hundred times bigger and more frolic than ere was Mahomet: The women are severed from the men; not that they are kept from them (for Gabriel never away to let them in) but that by such restraint they may become more transcendently delightful the women have such visages as Aisce had (Mahomet's best beloved;) their hairs be threads of gold, their eyes of Diamonds as big as the Moon: their lips of cherries, their teeth of pearl, their toagues of rubies: their cheeks of coral, their noses of Jasper, their foreheads of saphire: round-faced, sweet, amorous, and merciful: In this Paradise there is a Table of Diamond, seven hundred thousand days journey long; along which, are chairs of gold and pearl to feast upon. The he creatures are of Mahomet's favour, such as he had when Gabryell mounted him into heaven: none but are fare brighter than the Sun, with such eyes, eyebrows and ears as are not fit for a repetition. To end; Gabryel the porter of Paradise has seventy thousand keys which pertain to his office; every key is seven thousand miles long; by which you may imagine the doors are no pigmy once: in a word, had not Mahomet Confessed he had writ three parts of four, false lies in this his Legend; we would have concluded him, Notorious. To smile at his conceits is pleasure, to confute them, a labour needless (though Melancthon has done it:) for we may say and that very truly, Perfidiam eorum recitasse; superasse est. Such are the gross fanatic Dogmataes of the Alcoran, credited by most Asiatic Inhabitants, deluded by the Devil and his disciples above 70 in several specie and nomenclation: some of which, with heed I have observed; and here (as the cover of their book) will shut all up in mustering them; but in an Alphabetique way, lest I affront their Seniorities. Abdalli, Alambeli, Alfaqui Alfurcani, Anefij, Asaphij, Bedvini, Benefiani, Bosarmani, Buani. Caddi, Cadaleschi, Calyphi, Calsi, Choggi, Cobtini, Cumerati. Dephtardarij, Deruissi, Dervislari, Duanni. Emeri, Emawen-zeddi. Fylolli. Gularchi Hodgei, Huguiemali. Imami. Kalenderi. Leshari. Malahedi, Melichi, Mendee, Morabiti, Morrabouri, Mudreessi, Mufti, Mulai, Mulevei, Muezini, Mustadini, Mutevelij, Muzulmanni. Naappi. Ozmanni. Papassi. Ramdani. Santoni, Seriphi, Shahi, Sophini, Sunni, Syetti. Talismanni, Tecknai, Torlaceni, Terlaqui. Zaidi, etc. Their rules are many and masked under a serious (hypocritique) sanctity. The Muphtis is chief in case of error or division: which, if he fail in, the Meccan Protomist censures and sways it. The Caddi, Cadaleshi, and Mustaedini, are next in ecclesiastic dignity. The Hodgeis, Emeri, and Mulai, are Doctors and expositors. The rest are mendicants, and eat their bread in idleness. The Fylalli converse most in the Alcoran. The Deruissi are wand'ring Wolves in sheep's clothing. The Talismanni regard the hours of prayer, by turning the 4 houred glass. The Muyezini cry from the tops of Mosques, battologuizing Llala Hyllula. The Calenderi, Abdalli, and Dervislari be notorious Paederasts, and dangerous to meet in solitary ways. The Terlaqui and Cobtini pandarize. The Leshari and Papassi, are fortune-tellers & stargazers. The Sunni, Naappi, & Tecknai, vow perpetual silence, and assassinate. The Sietti and Imami, oft pull out their eyes having seen Medina. Other of these, pull out their tongues, that whensoe'er they talk they may be credited. The Huquiemali sing bawdy songs: some for penance go ever naked, and other some in ashes. The Dooanni are natural fools or madman, but thought divinely inspired. Some as the Mendeae afflict their bodies by thirst; lashing & wounding themselves; and in charity without pay, carry burdens or do any labour. Some protest against flesh, fish, wine & rose-water. Some live Eremites never conversing with men: and some built houses to safeguard birds, & beasts, feed them and have music to prevent their melancholy. Othersome build Hospitals, Inns, Sudatories, Mosques, and like good houses. Some are Poetasters, or Mimographers. Othersome have seeds and charms to make women fruitful. Some also scorch their skins in the Sun. But others of more pity and piety oil their naked bodies, and to allure the poor Flies to pasture, roast themselves in the burning Sun. These and many other miserable paths they tread, all leading into Acheron. To close; This (more crasftie than learned) Lawgiver, perceiving his Divinity and Philosophy not sure enough to abide opposition or trial, strengthens it by this stratagem. He commands that none upon pain of torture and damnation, be so bold to question a syllable of his Alcoran, Suspectaest Lex (says Tertullian) quae se probari non audet. From whence, few except they be Ecclesiastiques, trouble themselves to read or study it, hoping by a reverend ignorance and the Collier's Faith to be saved. But by your favour Sir! each of us (whom God hath blessed and honoured with the grace and name of Christian) may answer you out of Martial. Decipies alios verbis, vultuque benigno; Sed mihi jam notus, Dissimulator eris. Others with words and pleasing looks thou may'st deceive; but me Thou shalt not so, I know thee a rank Hypocrite to be. The Persians have (since Gunet reformed the Alcoran) contracted it into a lesser volome. Schisms in ehe Alcoran. They vilify Ozmans' labours, and censure him of extreme arrogance. The Persians also abominate the four great Doctors, who dropped out of Paradise from the sweat of Mahomet's brow, whom also Gunet execrates: these are indeed the main differences 'twixt Turk and Persian. But let none think that Syetts was the first Schism amongst them: for Ozman being dead, Ibnul adds more Commentaries to enfeeble Ozmans': and after him, one Ibnu Abel-hasen of Balsora An. H. 88 a notable subtle man; for by his austere life and eloquence, he not only nullified the Melchian credit, but Ibnul also in comparison of him was counted sottish: At his death they Sainted him: but trusting to tradition (for they could never prevail with Hassen eternize himself by writing) his Disciples differ in many doctrines; so fare, that blows made a party of times in case of difference: not could they agree in any point, till Elharu-Ibnu-esed of Babylon did his best in many comments to reconcile them, and make canonical Elhesin's Paragraphs. It seemed calm a while, but ere long a thunderclap was heard from Mecca's Territories; anathematising Elharu-Esed, persecuting him and all his fautors: and finally, by Meleck-sha's command, not only burnt his papers, but banished him from converse of all Mussullmen. King Cazel is persuaded Elharu was an honest man, & at that time being favourite to his Uncle the great Melec-sha (a Turk and late Victor over Babylon) makes use of his power, desiring some favour for the late excommunicated men. Melec storms a while, but Nydam Emull another Courtier of note, seconds Cazel, and prevails to have the Anefian Sect called home again. Elgazzuli a nimble Mercury undertakes it, and by miraculous conceits agrees them, and fills up the late made breach; so as now, Mahomet shines gloriously without any show of eclipse; but an alteration quickly followed: for Saint Azmulli from the Caspian shore defies all such as thought well of Mahomet's three intruding successors. This seemed a terrible Apostasy, but whiles all Asia were looking thitherwards, a crack of no less amazement falls West, where Almotannabbi (aiming to be all or nothing) exalts his own worth, piety and learning above Mahomet's. This seemed intolerable, and his ambitious ends quickly determined; for they put him to a miserable death. After this the Clergy & Laity became inebriate with Bacchus and Venery: it was thought a foolish thing to affect learning or honesty. Lascivious Poems was adjudged the only delight, and Mahomet's Paradise seemed then in being. This wickedness of theirs is inveighed against by Essebraver Disseraverd a Bactrian, whose severe Satyrs so stung them that they grew melancholy; till Ibnull Pharyd sweetened all by his amorous and exact Poesy, defended & enlarged by Elfargany a witty Epicure who retorts an Apology, applauded by most, but by some exploded as a busy Cabalist. A Chaos seemed then to cover them, till Elifarni a grave Historian took upon him to rectify these crooked postures. Of 72 Sects reducing all to two, the Leshari, and Imami. The first, Eulogically extolling Mahomet; received in Thrace, Egypt, Palestyne, and Syria. The other, Ally: received all over the Persian Monarchy. After all, Syet Gunet displays his Ensign, whose divisions if we should here rehearse or moderate, would prove tedious to you, and to me no less offensive. Non nostrum inter nos tantas componere lights. Let us therefore pause a while, and make use of Thesaeus his thread, to untwist us out of these sense-confounding Labyrinths. The several Kings and Conquests of Persia compendiously remembered. TO offer you a History of the several changes and wars of this great Empire, might peradventure in another place prove acceptable; especially, of the acts and conquests of these late Kings of the Sophyan or Ben-Allyes pedigree: for to go higher were but to glean from Xenophon, Curtius, Siculus, Metasthenes, Agathyas, Eusebius, Cedrenus, Diaconus, Procopius, Trebellius, and others. Whereas the wars of the late Kings are, to say truth, so meanly & obscurely handled, that the reporters have too prodigally detracted from the high courage of the men, and the excellency of their fortunes. Here I am confined, lest by commixing even an Epitomque of their several victories and contingencies, this Book which I desire should travel merely upon Geography, might grow voluminous. On the other side, to omit them altogether may as justly tax me of neglect. I will therefore but name them, and reconcile some men's mistakes in misnaming these antique Kings of Persia. Cyrus is the first we can deduce a true succession from. For albeit they had Kings formerly, of which Chederlaomer was one, as we read in Gen. and it may be the same whom the Persian Histories call Cheyomaraz father of Siamech, to whom succeeded Owchange, jamshet, Zoak, Fraydhun, Manucher, Nawder, Afraciab (Achemenes some think) Bazab, Kaycohad, Salemon, Chozrao, & Lorazpes; yet the succession from him is most incertain and doubtless of no grandeur, in that the Assyrian Monarchy (begun by Nymrod son of Chush, son of Cham, son of Noah) eclipsed it, and under whose command it lay for above 1300 years, if Berosus be not counterfeited: and from Belochus (who deposed Sardanapal the last Assyrian Emperor of Nymrod's race) and Arbaces (the first founder of the Median, Monarchy, a confederate with Belochus) to Cyrus (who advanced the Persians to a Monarkique greatness, by subduing Astyages his Grandsire, transferred the Empire to the Persian, as formerly the Medes had the Assyrian) 260 years. This change happened in the year, from Adam 3400: after the building of Rome 287: after the first Olympiad 50: and before the incarnation of our Saviour 567, etc. Persia made a Monarchy by Cyrus. Of Cyrus many memorable matters might be offered: but I dare not enter the Labyrinth lest I wander so fare, that I may chance to lose myself and your patience: this only be remembered, that this is that Cyrus of whom the Prophet Esay foretell some hundred years ere he was born; of him also Nabuchadnezzar prophesied, beginning thus, Ast ubi Medorum jus regni Mulus habebit, etc. That a Mule should overrun Lydia (fulfilled in Croesus) and subvert the Caldean Monarchy: the word Mulus had relation to his mixture of blood; his mother beinga Mede, his Sire a Persian. He married Cassandana, and by her had Cambyses, that reigned after him. Cyrus' after he had ruled thirty years, and in that time had added to his Empire, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Syria, Capadocia, Phrygia, Armenia, etc. hoped also to subject Scythia, but near the river Oxus was slain by Tomyris the Queen of those parts of Zagathaya: but (upon ransom) his body was delivered and conveyed to Pasagard where Alexander found his Tomb, but not that wealth he thought it had contained. Cambyses ruled the Persian Monarchy but nine years; of whose reign is little to be said save that he subdued Egypt: after which he grew so luxurious and tyrannous, that all men hated him: his death was imputed to divine Justice, for, at Memphis he committed sacrilege in the Temple of Apys or Anubys, and broke the neck of that apish god set there by the idolatrous Egyptians: but at Damascus fell accidentally upon his own weapon, and died by it. At his death seven Noble men or Magis of Persia severally contended for the Diadem (for smerdis the upstart King was discovered by wanting his ears to be an impostor;) of which, Darius surnamed Histaspes (who by the cunning of his Groom made his horse neigh next morn before the rest) mounted the Throne: and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or delivery of the Kingdom from the Magis, from that time to Alexander's coming, was annually celebrated. Darius' governed happily 35 years: the last only was infortunate, by that overthrow he received at Marathon by Miltiades the noble Athenian. This is he who so much favoured the Jews and jerusalem: his death was caused by loss of that battle at Marathon, and that by it he wanted Anthina's fair daughter. This Darius Histasp I imagine to be the same Gustasp who first by imposture (as elsewhere I have remembered) made his people fire worshippers. To Darius succeeded his son Xerxes, by the Persians called Ardxer: an infortunate Prince; for howbeit he was in his time the greatest Emperor in the world, and had a worls of men and wealth to obey his humours: yet what by too much confidence in them, and contempt of other Princes, he reaped the greatest dishonour that ever befell any Prince of Persia: for, albeit, he entered Greece with an army of 1800000 men, yet could he not prevent an overthrow given him at the straits of Thermophilae by Leonidas the Spartan General, who had not four thousand men: and by Themistocles the Admiral near to Salamys, was equally opposed, and his whole Army confounded. Afrer 20 years rule he died, and left Arta-xerxes his son his inheritor. This Artaxerxes (i.e. a victorious conqueror) is in Persian story called Ard-xer-Bohaman; and by Arabian writers, Tama-xerxicas: this is he that married Atossa or Hester the Jew, in which book he is named Ahasuerus: at the end of forty four years happy government he died, and Art-axerxes surnamed Muenon in his place was crowned King: (some insert Darius Nothus before him.) Artaxerxes (son of Artaxerxes and Parisatys daughter of Cyrus) ruled Persia forty and two years, and at the age of eighty was buried at Persepolis, Artaxerxes Ochus his son succeeded him: who also when he had governed cruelly twenty and six years, was hastened (but by an untimely death) after his Father; Arses (or Arsamus his son) investing himself with the Persian robes of rule and majesty. Of Arses, little can be said save that he died by the hands of the Eunuch Bagoas his Father's murderer, after his Coronation four year: and in his place (by means of Bagoas) Darius Codomanus, (by Persians called Darab-kowcheck i.e. little Darius) was saluted King: him Alexander the victorious Greek o'erthrew, in three great battles, at Arbela, Amanus, and Granicus: the last, concluded his life and six years reign, Anno Mundi 3640, Persia subjected by the Greeks. of the Olympiad 112, of Rome 420, and before the Nativity 333 years or thereabouts. Alexander (worthily surnamed Great) two years after died at Babylon, (foretold by a Calan or Indian Gymnosophist) in the three and thirty of his age, of his rule twelve years; his heart was transferred to Alexandria, his corpse interred at Babylon. Alexander's Legacy, bequeathing the succession (not to his own issue or kin, but) to the Worthiest, made Pyrrha's bones revive again; discord, and pride, and envy, emulating every of his great Captains, who by this common Motto, Virtus mihi Numen, & Ensis quern gero, challenged the Empire, and ceased not to lay claim, till death and wars fury cut them off; Seleuchus Callynicus son to Antiochus Theos by survivership (after long storms) seeming to steer in that unruly Ocean: during whose life and fifty years after, the Greeks awed Persia, Recovered by Arbaces a Parthian, till such time as Arbaces an heroyck Parthian broke that yaok of slavery asunder, and for three and twenty years did what was possible to revive the more than half dead Persians. To Arbaces succeeded Methridates, who ruled twenty years, after whom, Pampasius twelve, Pharnaces eight, Methridatus Medus Thirteen; to whom followed Phraortes, (called by the Perses Pharug-zed) Artabanus, (called Ard-Bahaman) Methridates 3, and then Herodes, slain by Phraortes his cruel son. At this time Crassus the rich and famous Roman was slain and twenty thousand Romans at Carrhas' by the Parthians; a foul blemish to the Romans; till soon after Ventidius (Mark Anthony's Lieutenant) purged it by a new victory, in which Pacorus the King's son was by that valiant Roman slain: and the Empire acknowledged Augustus Caesar over them; who deposed the Parricide, and made another Phraortes King in his room. At this time was echoed the golden song Pacem te poscimus omnes: a time most fit to entertain the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus our Saviour, who as then became flesh, and dwelled amongst the sons of sinful men. To Phraortes 2, succeeds these several Dynasts of Pathia; Orodes, or Daridaeus, Vonones, Tereditates (the last of the Arsacidaes) slain treacherously by Artabanus; to whom these; Bardanis, Goterys, Vonones 2, Vologeses, Artabnus 2, Pacorus, Chozroes, Phamaspates, Vologeses 2, Velogeses 3, and lastly Artabanus, vanquished by Caracalla, by Macrinus slain: Howbeit in him the hopes of Persia slept not, but rather joyed at the farewell of that strange race; Redacted by the Persian. for upon that advantage (the Empire seeming distracted 'twixt two several affections) one Artaxerxes (Chobad before, but to speed the better he assumes this pleasing name) steps forth, and with a Majestic grace modestly chides his Countrymen for their sloth and faintheartedness; and that now or never the occasion was offered of reviving their name and redacting the Persian Empire to her former freedom and lustre: the people admire the man, and by his name doubt not that bee was a true Persian; so as with an voanim assent they crown his temples with the Dyadem, and resolve under him to dye or to dispel that cloud of bondage which the Parthian had so long wrapped them in. For three days the fight continued 'twixt those two neighbour, the stake was freedom and Monarchy: at length the Persian has the victory, and Artabanus the Parthian King by his death pat this late triumphant Empire into bondage. After that he vanquished the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus; but in the 15 year of his reign is himself by imparriall death vanquished. An. Dom. 243 Sapores his son begun to reign. And here Teixera may be taxed, who assures us that Artaxerxes late named (or as they call him, Ardkhyrbabba-cawn, i.e. Father and Lord to men of war,) reigned contemporary with Caesar Augustus. This same Sapores is by the Persians called Shaw-Pot; by Teixera, Scbabur; by Schicard, Xahur-Xabulketaph or Dbul Aktaf: a Prince sufficiently courageous, but basely cruel. He overranne Syria, Cilicia, Mesopotamia, Capadocia, Armenia, etc. but returned with many curses for his cruelty, and had next year been retaliated by Gordianus the Roman, had not this Emperor died by the hands of Philippus a rebel, that slew him at Ctesiphon. But which efflated Sapores above the rest was the rare overthrow he gave two years after to Licinius Vilerianus surnamed Colobus, Roman Emperor; who after he had inhumanly triumphed ovet St. Laurence, & thousands of other Christians whom he made Martyrs or witnesses; in an open field Sapores vanquished him (betrayed some say by Macrinus his Lieutenant) and to his dying day made that proud Roman his footstool to mount upon: verifying the old said Saw, Superbos sequitur ultor a tergo Deus. After he had tyrannised twenty years he died Anno Domini 273, and before the Hegira or Mussulmanish account 347. To Sapores followed Ormisda (Cherman-sha, say the Persians) who at the end of thirteen months died, and Vararanes for three years (till death prevented) succeeded him; to him Narses, (Tesdgird say the Persians:) who after sixteen years rule died also, and left to inherit, his son Vararanes 2 (cognominated Seganese,) by Persians called Baharan; who in the first quarter followed. the common fate, Narses a stranger succeeding him. This Narses made bitteer war with the Armenians and Mesopotamians, at which Galerius stormed; but his being the Roman Emperor could not daunt Narses, nor privilage him from being beaten; yet in the second conflict is victor: and Narses for grief and shame burns himself; after he had eight years ruled Persia. Misdates' his son reighned seven year after his father's death: to whom followed Sapores an Antichristian: for the Romans did not rage more furiously against the Christians in the lesser Asia, than did this Tyrant in the great: he was a posthumus, and the crown set upon his mother's belly, even before his birth acknowledging him their sovereign: he was the Romans inplacable enemy; by no threats, no bribes, no reasons to be pacified: he fired Nisibis, not valuing that Bacchus was there borne and suckled: after which, in his own Dominions he martyred (as Ecclesiastic writers report) from the year 337, to 347, above thirty thousand Christian: for in those days, those eastern parts were most part Christians: the names of many of those noble Martyrs you have in Sozimen: he also affronted (but with bad success) Constantius the Roman Emperor, who died of grief so soon as he heard what cruelties Sapor had perpetrated upon the citizens of Singara, Bizabda, Aminda, Bombyca, etc. Mopsicrive a Town under mount Taurus in humming him. No better luck had that malicious Apostate julian, who when he had done his worst against the Christians, endeavoured the subversion of Persia; but most strangely he is pierced with a Persian dart in the night and expires with a tandem vicisti Galileë, and in his place jovanian with the joyful cry of all his Camp, Omnes sumus Christiani, was saluted Emperor of the Romans. He could do but little good against the Persians, and therefore returns towards Constaninople, but in the way is arrested by grim death, after he had been but eight months, Emperor. Sapores about that time also sighed out his affrighted ghost, at the age and reign of seventy one. Anno Mundi 4350 Anno Domini 380. and Artaxerxes his brother ruled after him; who died in the 11 year of his reign. Sapores followed him, after five. Varanes surnamed Cermizat him, after 10 years: and to him succeeded Yezdgyrd a constant friend unto the Romans; and (as Socrates Scolast. reports) a Christian: converted by Maruthas Bishop of Mesopotamia, sent into Persia to that end by Pope Innocent and Theodosius the Emperor. The Persian Stories say he apostatised; who can tell the truth of it: this is certain, that in the 20 year of his reign Anno Dom. 426 he died; and that Varanes 4 (or Baharan) inherited his royalties. By all Writers this Prince is taxed for his perfidy, lust, and cruelty, especially against the Christians. In their defence Theodorus junior sends Artaburus with a gallant Annie. Vararanaes' diffiding in his own, requests aid from Alamandurus a Saracen: whose Armies when they met, were so many, that they covered the earth for many miles with their innumerable numbers. At Babylon both meet: but ere the battle begun, such a pannique fear struck the Pagans that they fled amazedly: by land some perished, but Euphrates without any pity ingulpht 100000 of those miscreants, and by that loss he Persian King is heartbroken, after he had tyrannised 20 years; and another Vararan 5 of that name placed in his stead: he took truce with Martianus the Emperor, and after 17 years left both life and crown: Perozes succeeded him, called Pheruz by the Persians; a Prince more rash than valiant: in the 20 year of his reign, the wars of Scythia made an end of him. Valens (or Belax and jalas) was then chosen King; he ruled 4 years; to him Cabades, (called also Chobad and Canades) dethroned by Lambases in the 11 year of his greatness: which Lambases (or Blazes) was also deposed by the Nobles of Persia in the 4 year, for that he had set forth an Edict, that all women should be used in common: and Canades is reestablished, but at last through his too much courtesy to his vile brother is made blind, and the other mounts the Throne again. At this time great wars commenced 'twixt the Roman and Persians; the Persian storming that at their persuasion Zatus (sonneto Gurgenus King of the Lazarrs, a part of Colchos or Mengrellya) had received Baptism at Constantinople, justyn the Emperor witnessing for him at the Font. After that this Persian Tyrant had full gorged himself with the slaughter of many thousands of the Lazarrs and Armenians, Death summons him to an unwilling account, after 30 years tumultuous reign: and Cozrhoe his son (they call him Chezir) is solemnly crowned the Persian King. About this time the Roman Monarchy in the West took end. Chozrhoe of all the Tyrants of Persia was most wicked and desperate: he first concluded peace for 110 years with justinian the Roman Emperor; but quickly broke it, and to the utmost of his power enraged them: 'twould be endless to speak his restless motion, his barbarism, his hypocrisy. In mere malice he put to death his brother Balax and Aspebides his aged Uncle; the people murmur at him, and to be even with them, he commands them to follow him into Syria, where he engages their valour and at Palmyria is beaten sound; but so exasperated that he ransacks Barrhosa, Antioch, Selucia, Apamea, and other parts; in Phoenicia also he gluts his mischief: there he forced Euphemia a Christian Lady, and of her begot Hormisda who succeeded him: he also there compelled the chaste Nymnhs of Daphné to offer incense to him, as to a Deity: and for their kindness ravished them. He consumed the great and stately Temple dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel: and accounted it no sacrilege to rob other Churches: he besieged Sergiropolis, but is forced thence dishonourably: he attempts the spoil of jerusalem, but hearing that Bellisarius (in his time the most rich and wretchedly poor of men) was approaching, he renews his league with the Romans: but purposes not long to keep it; for next year he forages Armenia, and Phoenicia. Anno Dom. 556, justyn the Roman Emperor enters Mengrellia, and by death of Nachorages the Persian General got a happy victory: Cozrhoë next year assauts Edissa, but fruitlessely; for at Sagarthon, that year the Christians vanquished him: An. Domini 574, he commands Artabanus (or Adaarmanes) with a great Army to enter the lesser Asia: accordingly they spoil Syria, and unpeople Antioch: in Iberia also and Armenia they entered with no less voracity. At this time Armenia received the Christian Faith; and the Romans have complaints sent them of Cezrhoes his cruelty. justin sends Tiberius (elected Caesar) to quiet him. His Army was great, and consisted of many Nations, French, Italians, Peonians, Illirians, Misians, Massagets, Isauriaus, etc. towards Armenia he marches to meet with Cosrhoé: Cesarïa (the Cappadocian Metropolis) he soon mastered and after long toil comes in view of the Enemy. The Persians were strong and lusty. The signal of battle was no sooner given, but each man in a wrathful posture hastened to vent their fury. Cosrhoe by a sigh presages his overthrow, but doubts it more when when Cursé a Scythian that led the right wing of the battle, entered with rare courage into the body of the Pagan Army, and mastered all the Persian-baggages: but the loss of that fight did not so much grieve him, as that his Fire-god was fall'n into the hands of his scoffing Enemies. Many night stratagems he invented to recover it, but all to no purpose: so that seeing it past recovery, it broke his heart at Ctesiphon, after he had reigned 48 years: leaving this report behind him, that to the Christians he was cruel; to the Greeks perfidious; to the Persians lustful and tyrannical. In his place, his son Hormisda (Ormous by the Persians he is called) was crowned Monarch of Persia: Anno Dom. 580, of the world 4550 His eight year's rule was troublesome: For in his 3 year, Mauritius (son in law and Lieutenant to Tiberius and also Emperor afterwards) hammered the face of Persia; he ranged where he pleased and did what listed him; albeit to prevent it Tama, Cosrhoé, Adaarman Alamandure, and Theodorique did what they could to hinder him. Anno Dom. 589 Philippicus with some Roman Legions entered Persia, especially to comfort the poor Christians who were threatened by the Magicians to be slain all of them that year by miracle. Cardarigas the Persian General supposes they were forced thither by a fate uncontroleable: but the event proved such as in stead of the Christians above 30000 Persians were slain by the great valour, the great Captains Philippcus, Heraclius, and Vitylian manifested amongst the superstitious, who depended upon some supernatural helps so long that Nature no whit defended them. Barames a noble Persian by hap escaped, but not a second disadventure; for Hormisda grew so madded at his late overthrow, that he forces Barames to wear women's apparel, and with a Distaff in's hand to disport the insulting multitude: but this jeer cost him dearly, for Barames flies into such parts as loved him, and inceases Byndois a potent Persian against the King, by whose confederacy they raise so great an Army, and pass to Shyraz so privately, that ere many knew of their approach they enter the City and imprison the King; yea that same day crown his son Chozroes' King: the barbarous Traitors executed their wrath upon the Queen & her children, whom most cruelly they sawed asunder: at which Hormisda expresses all the simtoms of an enraged man: his son cannot comfort him, because his beloved wife was irrevocable. Cosrhoes in passion commands some villains to temper him, whose cruelty proved such as drubd the wretched King to death: an act so infernally devilish, that all Persia cursed him. Upon their mutterings he grows tyrannical, but Barames that had mounted him, which the same hand thinks to pull him down: the King acquainted which his intent, commands this and that man to raise some force to punish him, but into such hate was he grown, that none would obey him; whereby, to save his life he flies with Cesarca his wife to Byzanth, (his Parents dreadful ghosts every where haunting him:) But by the, Christian Emperor Mauritius and his Empress is with his Queen and little ones courteously welcomed. After he had reposed a while, the Emperor assisted him with an Army commanded by Narses and Commentiolus to reinvest him in his Empire: into Hyeropolis and Martiropolis they easily entered: at Daraz the Rebel Barames affronted him with an Army of Scythique-Persians: but such was the courage of the Christians that Barames was vanquished. Cosrhoes returns the Christian his thanks in tears of joy: and knowing nothing would better please them than his conformity, he presented them with a rich Cross, of great value in gems and gold; and returns that other (which Theodora wife to justinian had devoted) brought from Antioch by Chosroé the elder, and dedicates another made at's own charge, circumscribed with an hypocritick Motto thus beginning, Hanc Crucem ego Chosroes Rex Regum, etc. misi, etc. Quoniam ope Sancti Sergii Martiris honorabilis contra Baramum iniquissimum adepti sumus, votum fecimus, etc. Nos auream Crucem lapill● distinctam ad ejus Templum missuros, etc. una cum Cruce quam Instinian Imp. ad Templum ejus misit, & quam Cosrhoes Rex Regum, etc. filius Cabadi nostri proavi, etc. advehit, etc. ad Aedem Sancti Sirgii mittendum curavimus, etc. as you may find at large memorised by Baronius. A Dish of gold also he dedicated with this inscription, Ego Cosroes Rex Regum, etc. haec in Disco inscribenda curavimus, non ut spectentur ab hominibus etc. Nay, he went further in his hypocrisy: he gave out to endear the Christians (his own hated him) that he affected to be a Christian: but how politic so ere he was, his Queen Cesarca found him a dissembler. She (good Lady) to espouse Christ, fled to Constantinople, and there received baptism most joyfully: Cosrhoes followed her with 60000 men, and when he saw she was not to be recovered without he would become a Christian, he also was baptised and all such as followed him; to the amazement of the Asiatic world: as P. Diaconus has it in his 4 lib. 16 ch. In Victor also and in john Abbot of Biclar, as is extant in his Epistle in these words, In his ergo temporibus quibus Deus omnipotens prostrato veternosae heresis veneno, pacem suae restituit Ecclesiae, Imp. Persarum Christi fidem suscipiens, etc. But of speak of his Apostasy, his cruelty against the Christians, and other barbarismes he afterwards perpetrated, would rather require a volume than to be confined to so small a narration as I intent to all of them. For so soon as he heard of the massacre of Mauritius, his wife and children, by Phocas a Captain in his Army; and of the arrogance of Boniface the Romish Bishop, who at that time assumed the title of universal Bishop, he rejects Lilius the Roman Ambass. & Apostatises; yea vows to sacrifice himself in Mauritius his quarrel, or be revenged on that villainous Phocas: and thenceforward he revives his Pagan titles; in all his letters and proclamations beginning thus, Cosrhoes King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Ruler of princes, Salvation of men, etc. By such his blasphemy he hoped to assure his own he was once more a Pagan. Anno Dom. 603 with an Army of 100000 men he entered Syria; there, in Palestine and Phenicia doing all the mischief imaginable. All the lesser Asia parched in his inflamed fury: he harried the poor Christians as fare as Chalcedon: takes Capessa and Edyssa. Anno Dom. 612 he hears of the untimely deaths of Narses and Phocas his enemies, beheaded by Heraclius the Emperor. That year also he sacked Apamea, Cesaria, Cappadocia, etc. but at Antioch is overjoyed with a victory he obtained against the Christians: This encouraged him to overrun Palestyne, jerusalem also, where he derided Zacharius the Patriarch and transferred the Cross thence to Shyraz in Persia: he subdued Egypt also, Alexandria, and Lybia; and made the blacked faced Aethiopians admire his frenzy. The Roman Empire had reason to be affrighted, when they felt his wrath in Anatolia, chief in Ancyra the Galatian Metropolis. 'Tis reported that in that out-breaking he slew 300000 Christians; agrandized by the Jews who followed him, and paid ready money for many Christians, whom without mercy they slaughtered. Heraclius sent 70 Roman Gentlemen to mediate Peace; Saes the Persian General threatens them as spies, and barbarously beat them back again. Heraclius is so impatient at that high indignity, as with a good number of men he fought with Saes and gets the victory: Saes for his payment is by Cosrhoes command flayed alive, and Sarbaeras made General. Heraclius Winterd in the Pontic Regions, Sarbaras with a monstrous Army passes through Cilicia, and one Moonshine night assailed the Romans whom he thought to have found unprepared: but by that haste lost 50000 of his men, and gave a brave encouragement to the Christians. Cosrhoe next year sent Sarnabassa to try his fortunes. Heraclius requires a truce, but Cosrhoes vows revenge, and never to rest vexing the Christians. And to that end sends Sathyn into Trepizond, but at Azotus, Heraeclius affronted him, and had the victory. At Gazacot, Cozrhoes dares the Roman Emperor with an Army of 50000 Persians: never was battle better fought nor more doubtfully; but at length the Persians fly away, yea Cosrhoes upon a swift Arabian Courser posts to Theobatman, hoping there if any where to find safety. But such was the general hate he had plunged himself into, that he distrusts that Santuarie. Heraclius resolves to ferret him, but Cosrhoes hearing of his approach, thinks it more safe to fly away than look for help from that helpless Deity. Heraclius when he had throughly searched that idolatrous place and could not find him, is sorry; but rejoices again that his Deastri were there to execute his wrath on. The people, some he slew, the rest he banished: the Flamens he sacrificed to their Idol, the Pyree he incinerated, and made other common fire be commixed with that they boasted they had from heaven, and together made it consume the whole City into ashes: at Gazacot also he did the like where was another Pyree infinitely resorted to by those Idolaters. An abomination taught them by Zertoost in King Gustasps time, and seems to me either that which Moses forbade the Israelites, that they should not let their seed (or children) pass through the fire to Moloch (which some think was a brazen hollow heated Statue) or as the Sepharuites practised, of whom 'tis said, that they burned their children in the fire to Adrammeleck and Anammelec, the Gods of Sephervaim, as is in Levit. 18.21. and in the 2 Kings 17.17. and 31. and concerning which Idolatry we read in Lucian, Strabo lib. 15. Procopius lib. 2. de bello Persico, Agathias lib. 2, etc. Amongst other things which Heraclius found there in that Temple dedicated to the Sun, was one Deaster or image of Cosrhoes, which the people worshipped: the frame was round, resembling heaven; his head was wreathed with the Sun; the rays spread themselves to the umbelique or navel of the image: on one side was the Sun again depicted, on th'other the Moon and Stars, his brother and sisters; and under his feet, the Angels with Crowns and Sceptres, attending him: bat albeit the work was rare and the material of refined gold; yet did the good Emperor throw, it into the fire to incorporate it with his Deity. Cosrhoes by this had gathered a fresh Army out of Hyrcarnia, and bids Shae-Rablecca to forage Albania: but they stood so excellently upon their defence that Rablacca returns till Sarbaras with new forces forced him back; and much hurt questionless had they done had not Heraclius speedily entered and rooted them both in one day, yet neither knowing it. Mahomet the Prophet was in Heracliu's Army till now: and about this time gins the Hegyra or flight of that false Prophet from Mecca, whose people threatened to kill him for his innovation and doctrine. Anna Dom. 622 and of the Emperor's reign 13, Sarbaras past his Army over Euphrates of purpose to try the fortune of war with Heraclius: who so soon as he knew his intent gave him reason to repent his arrogance: the good Emperor himself discharging his duty so excellently & with such excellent courage, that Sarbaras upon view of it cried out thus to Cosma his Companion, O Cosmal seest thou with what courage the Emperor fights? certainly he alone is able to vanquish all our multitudes. That Winter the Emperor marched to Sebastia, and crossing the river Halys made Paphlagonia his rendezvous. But Cosrhoe swells with passion, and combines with Lucifer, that by diabolical Witchcraft he might vex the miserable Christians, against whom he raged with all sorts of cruelty: and ere he gave a farewell to this world, once more ventures a battle with the Romans: 150000 men he musters up, and divides them in three; to Sayen one part, to Serbaras another, to himself the rest: imagining by some or all of these to do wonders. Sayen with his 50000 went against the Emperor. Sarbaras with his 50000 marched to Constantinople: and Cosrhoe stays upon the frontiers. Heraclius divides his also into three; the one to hasten into Thrace, the other to bestow a Camisado upon Sayns Quarter, the last he led himself into the Lazic Territories: to which place the Gazarrs (a sort of Turk) came to serve him: Theodore in small time raised Sayns Army, his Chrysolocae; assisted by hail from heaven, so direfully thundering on them, that all men there, saw that God fought for them. Sayen was a slain in that battle; but in stead of a decent burial, the Persian Tyrant arrayed his carcase in rags, presumed him with dogs turds, and slashed his sencesse trunk into a thousand pieces. That year the Gazarrs (to gratify Heraclius) under conduct of Ziebit broke through the Caspian straits, and did the Persians much mischief, and to the Roman Army expressed no small affection. Anno Dom. 626 Sarbaras with infinite troops entered Thrace, pillged Chalcedon, a town built by jason and Argias, much traded to, in view of Bysanth and upon the Bospherus. After that, they laid siege to Constantinople; and for ten days, incessantly laboured to enter it: but such was the excellent courage of the Christians, such her natural defence, that the Persians could not prevail; but upon notice that Heraclius was approaching, they raised their siege & retreated shamefully. Anno 628. the Roman Emperor entered Armenia, and in a long fought battle obtained a marvelous great victory. After which, he demolished Ctesiphon, and pursued Cosrhoe: who when he heard that Sarbaras had sped but ill in Thrace, and had re-delivered Caloedon to the Christians, inflamed with passion he sends a villain an Assassinate to murder him: but by strange hap the Emperor's son had notice of it and acquaints the General; who by this ingratitude of Cosrhoe begun to raise a dangerous rebellion. Cosrhoes when he saw things succeeded thus infortunatly, in anguish of soul breathed out his spirit: a Fever first, and then a Flux so taking him, that after he had reigned 50 years, upon his deathbed he nominated, as King his son Mardesae begot of Syra his Queen; who ere he could set the Crown on's head, was slain by Syroes his brother, yea before his father's face: an act so horryd that Cosrhoe bitterly curses him; but Syroes (the most bloody viper that ever lived) heaps greater sins upon his head, by commanding some villains to shoot him to death: at that instant his loathed soul called to mind his like cruelty to Hormisda his father, and acknowledged that God was just to his retaliation. So soon as Heraclius heard of Cosrhoes death, he imagines all his quarrels ended: that year therefore he travelled to the holy City, and presented Zacharyas the then Patriarch with the Cross of Christ, found by Saint Helena (a Brittanish Lady) 3 May 326. and ravished thence by Cosrhoes as I lately remembered. His triumphant entering thither was the 17 of September 628: the same year that Boniface published to the world his Catholic Supremacy; and in which, Mahomet divulged his Alcoran. Syroes (by Teixerae called Chobad-Xirvihé, in the Tarich or Annal of Time, Scyrviah) in the sixth year of his reign was slain by Sarbaras. Sarbaras is by the Persians called Shawryr; by Shicard, Shiribar: in the third month of his reign he slew Ardohyr been Xirviah, right heir to the Crown: eight months after that, is himself slain by joen-sha or Shyn-Shaw, Lord of part of Taurus. The successors to this man are uncertainly delivered. The Roman Authors from him to the conquest of Mahomet reckon three Kings of Persia. The Arabs 6. The Persians 5. The Tarich 4. Teishera 7. The Armenians 11. How can I therefore reconcile them? The most plausible is this. That joon-sha at the end of three months was banished by Tuwan or Turan Doct natural daughter to Cosrhoe. She had as bad a fate; at the end of sixteen months she was poisoned and died, much lamented: to her followed to jazan-zeddahs, by the Tarich called jan-ku-kar-connah; by Elmacyn, Gaescan-zedda; who ruled nine months: to him succeeded Azurmy Doct (Cosrhoes youngest daughter) who after sixteen months died; and left Shezir (or Kezir) to succeed her: who also at the end of six weeks was slain by Phorog-Zeddah (or Shyriar as some call him) who after like time, died of poison; and Yesdgyrd followed, who was forthwith made away by Bornarym, and he by Hormisdas; the last of those 12 vanishing Turrets, Cosrhoe saw in a perplexed vision one night after he had been admiring Aristotle. The Period of Pesia's command was now accomplished. Such time as Hormisda after five year's rule (ten some say; others six;) was slain by Omar the 2 Calyph after Mahomet: at which time viz. Anno 640: and of the world 4610. and from the year of the Hegira 20. by whose fall, Persia conquered by Arabians. Persia after so long glory sets in an Ecliptic cloud, and is fettered and forced under the iron yoke of Saracenic bondage. Mahomet (whose life and acts I have already spoken of) was borne in Arabia petrea, Anno Dem. 574. in the year 620 was banished Mecca: and in the year 637. May 3 and at the age of 63 died, and was buried in Medina (Munichiates formerly) now called Talnabi. i.e. the City of God's Prophet. From him to Abbas I intent to run over cursarily: and to reject all circumstances. To Mahomet succeeded Ebubokar, Abdalla Eubochar some name him. In the great Clymactick year he also died; suspected to be poisoned: he sat as King of Persia and Caliph, but two years. Omar succeeded him. He is called Howmar and Homer, and was son to Kattab-Faruques, a wealthy Merchant. Ally the Persian and son in law to Mahomet, was by this restless Kalyph not a little persecuted in his quarrel: he sacked Bashra an Arabian City, walled by Muslyn; and as an overflowing turrent, rushed as fare as Gabata, monstrously tyrannising in Syria and Egypt; after that he ruins Palestine and Iberia, and as an unlucky comet blazes in Assyria, where he full gorged his fury. At Bagdat he intends to meditate, but commands Mavi to sack Damascus, and encourages other his grand Captains to do their best to propagate the Alcoran in all Nations. Rustan beg with 15000 horse enters Cusistan, but at the siege of Escair-Mecron is slain: and in the Armaie Moses surnamed Ashar governed. This wild Arab forced the City, and made Ahawaz, Sabur, Arckan, Cownrestan, jaarown, and Laar become Mahomitans, and to enrol themselves Omars Tributaries. Habu Obed-ben-Masudh also with 13000 horse subjected Irack, walled Rastack, and of a poor Town made it a brave City, but new-named it Kufa or Kalufa ôphrat, since then the place of Coronation for the Kings of Persia: 'tis 40 miles from Babylon, and conjoins Mosqued-Ally the burial place of Mortis-Ally St. King, and Prophet to the Persians. Habu-Obed next year subdued Wasit upon Dig lat; a Town agrandized by Abdal Melq' Anno Dom. 705. Heg. 85. Elsheer he also attempted; but in the trial lost 5000 men, Obed was slain and the Saracens rooted. Omar reanimates his men, and persuades them that the Elsherians overcame them by Art Magic: which also he knew how to practise. They hope the best and return to El-sheyr, under the conduct of Siet-Bep Abi-Vaker, who had such luck through Omars skill, that Elsbeyr was forced to feel his tortures. At Elcadisia (a frontier Town) he slew 25000 Persians, and at Galula, Spahawn, and Yezd, at several times made Yezdgirdfly; who had no comfort left him, when he beheld how fortunatly Omar himself subjected Cusistan, Parc, Carman, and Iraack; and in Maqueroon, jaaroon, Aedgan, Deacow, Lar, Shyraz, and Moyoon, had made all men there swear themselves true Mussulmen. Yesdgird dyes, and Hormisda labours to repel the Saracens; but in vain: an Decree hastened this long slavery and change of Persia. 15000 men with himself he sacrificed as a farewell endeavour to his Country. Omar also six months after this battle was slain treacherously by a varlet; and in the Alcaba in Mecca near to Ebubocar buried. Ozman (in despite of Ally) succeeded him. Omar sat Kalyph twelve years; this man ten, and four months in the pontificacy. By Hucba his field Martial he subdued diverse parts of Africa, viz. Mumydia, Mauritania, Lybia, and as far as Carthage. Mavi, Sultan of Damascus, also Syria, Egypt, and in a 1000 Gallyfoists transferred such a swarm of Saracens into Cyprus, that upon their entry they seemed enough to cover it: there they sacked Constantia (or Ceraunia, a City built by Cyrus) and thence fell upon the Rhodes, where they perpetrated all possible villainy: & amongst other spoils they dimolisht that Colossus which was built by Chares of Lyndus, scholar to Lysippus in 12 years. It was 80 cubits high, the thomb as big as a large man, the legs stood on either side the river, so wide and spacious, that thereunder might sail a large vessel: in the one hand it held a javelin, which it raised to the East: on its breast was a mirror, wherein those that dwelled far within the I'll might descry Ships sailing at a great distance. This wonder of the world, and which cost 300 Talents, Mavi sold to Emisisa a Jew for 200 pounds' sterlin: who with the brass of it loaded away 930 Camels. In that I'll he also defaced 100 other Colossuses and of costly Monuments 73000. During this, Heraclius died, Anno Domini 640, after 30 years rule, and in's place Heracl; Constantinus succeeded, who in the 7 month of his Empire was poisoned by Martina his step-Dome, and Heraclionas her soon advanced: but were forthwith both of them exiled by the people, their noses and tongues cut out; and Constans saluted Emperor in his place. Osman by this time had finished his Paraphrase upon the Alcoran, and digested it into 7 small books, subdivided into 114 chapters. It happened that by some chance or other he lost a Ring of gold which Mahomet left him, and which was to descend to every succeeding Calyph; no pains, no magic could recover it: he conceals the loss, and made one of silver, emboweling a Motto or Symbol, to this purpose; O Pertinaces, O Poenitentes: from which pattern, all Mahomitans to this day wear their Rings of silver. Osman's mind fancies new conquests, and under a pretext of charity; to teach those purblind Nations the lesson how to attain Paradise. India in those days was rich and well peopled: to any would undertake the employment he gives a thousand benediction. Abdall-ben-Emyr accepts the hazards, & with 30000 horse hasts thitherward; but by new commands from Osman who had considered how long a business 'twould be to subdue India, he directs his course towards Tartary. Aria he easily subjugated, Corasan, Maurenahar, Gasuehen; and took the Cities of Nizabur, Thalecan, and Tocharistan; yea all Dilemon to Balk, and as fare as jehun and Ardoc would give leave; rivers beyond Oxus. But Osman how victorious so ere he was abroad, died miserably at home of poison; which he sucked voluntarily, rather than be slain by the enraged multitude: in the 88 year of his age, of his Calyphship 5 years & 8 months, Anno Domini 655. Heg. 35. and in his place long-lurking Ally is saluted King and Calyph: whose reign was full of misery; for Mavi storms at Osmans' fall, and with 100000 men enters Arabia to depose Ally, but in th'encounter lost 10000 men; howbeit at the second trial Ally lost the day, his life, his Empire. Of the Egyptians were slain 15000: of Saracens 20000: and by which victory Mavi or Mnavias' was resaluted King. Mortis-Ally died aged 63, and was buried near to Cufe upon Euphrates; at Mosqued or Massad-Ally, Karb-Ally, some have miscalled it. Mortis-Ally left a Ring, with which the Persian Kings wed their Kingdom: it's Motto is (say the Molai) Cord Sincero Deum veneror: by the Persians he is sometimes called Emir-el memunni, i.e. Prince of the faithful. By Fatyma (Mahomet's sole child) he had Ocen (or Hocem) who after few month's rule died poisoned, An. Dom. 666. Heg. 46. and was buried at Mosquit-Ally; his Symbol (as says the juchasus) was Solus Deus potens. Mavi soon after Hocens death slew 11 of his children, the 12 escaped Musa Cherisim or Mahomet Mahodin by name, from whom the Kings of Persia at this day say they are descended. Mavi Lord of the Ben humian family, when he stated himself in the Empire; sent Susindus his kinsman with huge forces against the Grecians: accordingly Suzindus' beseiges' Siracuse, & after that Byzanth: but by Constantine the Roman Emperor is lastly slain and 30000 other rascal Saracens; that same year the Plague raged so terribly in the Mahomitan Empire that the like was never formerly: amongst the rest Mavi expired, aged 77, in his reign of Egypt etc. 24, his Symbol this (as is reported) Ignosce Precor. To Mavi followed in the Empire of Persia and as Kalyph, Yhezid or jezed: memorable in his vein of Poetry: he it was that put the Alcoran into that bald rythme, as it is now extant; his venery and riot exasperated Mutar-Mavia-ben-Abdella, so as at the age of 40 he died, having ruled 3 years. Mutar is quickly dethroned by Abdall-ben-Iezid a Ben-humian: some are of opinion that Ocen and his 11 sons were slain by this Calyph. Marvan (after he had sat 9 months) dispossesses him, and he by Abdalla again; But both by Aben or Abdalmelec were both, both of life and Kingdom bereft. Didacus' dethroned Melec; Oyledore, Didacus'; and Solyman by help of justinan the Emperor slew Oyledore: Melec returns from banishment and expulses Sulyman, and most exactly tortured Mutarrs murderers: the Christians were the worse for this re-establisliment; for he foraged Syria, Armenia, Thrace; and in the 15 of his Empire died, ordaining Vbyt (called also Vlitus and Evelyd-Miralminus) in his stead; this Calyph died of grief, that his Armies he bade sent into Spain were rebelled. Zulzimyn succeeded him; and him, Omar-ben-Abdemazed, deposed by Yezid son to Melec the late Calyph. Ebrahim succeeded him, a Prince foolhardy and infortunate. After his death the Empire was divided 'twixt Gezid and Walel; who with all the forces they could make invaded Europe: thinking it a happy death in striviog to increase their new Religion. Into Spain went Walids Army led by Abdiramo: Gezids' part, led by Sha-Rablan entered France; the first had better fortune than the second: they took Granada and so rooted themselves that till Ferdinand of late expulsed them, they there inhabited. Those that entered France; (albeit they were encouraged by Endo Duke of Aquitaine, who hated Charles Martell mortally) were resisted by Martell and 30000 French Gallants (Endo the West Goth upon better consideration siding with the Christians) so as after long fight, near Turin a in Peidmont the Saracens were beaten; and of their numberless company 300000 slain, July 22. 726. as Beda and others at that time living testify: the two Calyphs died of rage when they heard of their misfortunes: Marvan was placed in their stead: in whose time Hyblin his General purposed to invade Tartary with 100000 men; but in the way was assailed by Sophy-Salyn, Saint Azmully's son, of descent from Ally; and Lamnoit the Arakosian, and in that conflict was Hiblyn slain. Marvan vows revenge, and with 300000 Saracens he affronts Salyn near Spahawn, but is vanquished and 100000 of his men slain; Marvan from Babylon fled to Mecca, and thence into Egypt, but thither also Salyn pursues him; and by his death gave an end to his inveterate enemies the Ben-Humians, begun by Mavi, by Marvan finished. The family of Mortis-Ally or Ben-Abbas in this man begun again to rule the Sceptre of Persia: An. Dom. 750. Heg. 130. Abuballa a while opposed Saint Azmulli, but in vain, Asmulli at Cufe was made King and Chalyph of Persia. This man revived Mutar's tenants to the honour of Ally and disgrace of the three successors of Mahomet: again revived by Siet Gunet of Ardaveil, as hereafter may be spoken of. Saint Azmulli being dead, his son Salyn is saluted King. In three years he also died, & Abu-becr (called Bugiaser & Almansor) followed him in his royalties. An. 758. Heg. 138 he repaired Bagdat. Mahadi-Abibala succeeded him, by some called Negmedden-Phidul Ally; to whom, Moses or Eladimirza, father of that Amarumlus the French men prate so much of. In his time viz. 798 Charlemaigne flourished, and this our Isle altered its name from Britain to England. 'Twixt this Amarumlus (or Aaron King of Persia) and the Christian Emperor Charles was great friendship: Ambassadors and Presents were sent from either of them: of which, read Aeginardus his Secretary, This Aaron is thought to have died a Christian. In his time many frantic Scholars in the sight of thousands of men, threatened to fly, but in the trial from one rock to another died miserably. Aaron after 23 years died, and Mahomet his son reigned after him five years: Abdalla after him; who when he had raged against the Christians, and troubled the Lands in the mediterran Seas, died: and was succeeded by Mulla-Cawn, who also vexed the Christians, disturbed Italy, and dared Rome: but he also suddenly vanished and was succeeded by these Kalyphs, Waceck, Almoto, Montacer, Abbas, Mustead zem, (in whose time happened the greatest Earthquake ever felt in Asia) Almotez, Moctadi-Bila, Anno 875. Heg. 355, Almet-Hamed, Mutazed, Moctifi-Byla, Moctader, Elhaker, Ratsha, Razi-bila, Muctacsi, Moriah, Tayaha, Kaderkamet, and Mahomet-El-takert i. e. God's servant; in whom ended the Chalyphs of the Arabic or Persian Pedigree. For then An. 1030 Heg. 410 came in the Turquemen led by Tangrolipix, first called into Persia by Mahomet the then Sultan to assist him against the Babylonians: but (after he had freed him from that danger) desires leave to go into Armenia to visit his kindred lately seated there, and is denied: an unkindness of such force that Mahomet ere he could appease the enraged Turk, was forced to divest both life and Kingdom. In him the family of Saint Asmully eclipsed, till Sha-Ismael dispeld the interposing cloud, and resuscitated the glory of his Ancestry. The Boyiaean Kings who begun Anno Heg, 319, and ended Anno Heg, 480. In the juchasin they are chronicled and at Shyras I have already spoken concerning them. The successor of Tangrolipix was Ottoman son of Ertrogul the Oguzian, who in the year 1300 Heg. 680. laid the foundation of the Turkish Empire in Europe and Asia: The Turks and Tartars conquer Persia. the Salghucian (of the same extraction) commanded Persia: agrandized by Togrulbeg, son of Michael, son of Salghucius, son of Didacus' a Turq'man. Togrulbeg, (some say) was slain by treason: his successor was Pharug-zed, Masuds son; slain by Olo-ben-Aesolan Prince of Gasnehen: to him followed Ebram-ben-Masud, whose son Masud married the daughter of Melec-sha, King of Turq'stan. Masud from Coresan entered Persia with a great Army, and near to Tabryz slew Almostarshed-bila-Caliph, and in another fight Rashed-byla his son at Hispahawn. To Masud in Gasnehen succeeded Sha-Aesolan, slain by Babaron-sha his brother, Ar. Heg. 499; to whom followed his son Cosrhao; who after he had foraged India died A.H. 540: and in him took end, the Sabutaque family. In those times as Kaliphs' of Babylon and part of Persia, were Ghaladuddaul, whose seventh successor Mustaed-zem was slain by Cingis Chan An. Heg 580; Almostansor bila Mansor in his place governed Caldea and Persia. Of those Tartars I have formerly spoken. Descend we therefore to the year of our Lord 1415 Heg. 795. such time as Chara-Mahumed the Turk reentered Persia. He ruled three years and left Kara-Issuph to succeed him; who also after three years died at Casbyn, and left six sons. viz. Pir-buda-cawn, Scander-mirza, joon sha', Sha-Mahomet, Abuzedda, and Mirsa-Absall; all which died untimely by envy and one another's emulation. Of those seven; joon-shi was last; and he also slain with Acen-Ally his son by Acembeg: at that time the family of the Guspan Caraculu or blacksheep ended, and the Guspan Acorlu or white-sheep took beginning. The first were Turks; the last, Armenians. The Armenians subdue i●. Acem beg (otherwise called Vsan-Cassan) conquered Persia An. Dom. 1470. Heg. 850. he subjected Hyrac, Trakeyn, Aderbayon, Kaboncara Mosendram, Carman, and Cusistan: and after eight years command died at Kazbyn in Shervan, & was solemnly buried. He left behind him seven sons; Ogorlu, Sultan-Kalyl, jacob-mirza, josias, Yssuf, Maczud, and Zenal-beg. O gorlu was poisoned: Kalyl was slain by Maczud-beg: josias and Synall were slain in the Turquish wars. jacob was murdered by a Whore at Tauriz: and Yssuf died of an Impostume. The seven sons of Vsan Cassan being all dead, the Empire descended upon Baisangor, jacobs' son: he was deposed by Rustan-beg son to Muczud-beg. Next year Baisangor returned with many of his Armenian friends, but in the way died. Rustan that year was dethroned by Hagmet beg son of Ogorlu; and he by Kacem-beg and Hayb-Sultan, two powerful rebels; who also by Alvan-beg were slain, and in Spahawn all of them buried. Alvan-beg, Baisangor's brother after he had ruled Persia five years. An. Heg. 878, was vanquished by Ishmael his Aunt's son: and two years after, Morad was slain at Spahawn. In him ended the race of white sheep, who under Acembeg had conquered Persia. In Ishmael revived Saint Azmully and Mortis-Ally's glory; whose successors at this day rule Persia. I will very briefly touch some passages of their Reign, that I may hasten to our other Travels. Ishmael surnamed Sophy was invested Monarch of Persia An. Dom. 1500, Heg. 880. He drew his pedigree from Mortis-Ally King of Persia, Anno Dom. 750 Heg. 130. In a descent of 35 Princes, some of them are thus named. Abi-Taleb (or Abutalip) had Mortis-Ally, Father of Mahomet Mahadyn, from whom Mutar, Saint Asmully, and Salyn descend: to them, these; Shec-Sophy Eddin-Isaack surnamed (from his learning and piety) Cutb'b el-eulya, to whom in order are these, Shec Moses, or Mizra-Sedryddin, Shec-Ally-Shec-Ebrahym, Siet-Gunet, Shec (or Siet) Aydar, and Shaw-Ismae: Whose Title to the Crown was this. Shec-Sofy such time as Tamberlane returned from his Turquish Conquests, this Shec was of that holiness and fame that that great Monarch vouchsafed not only to visit him at Ardaveel, but also to express his best affections. He made no other use of the Tartars favour save to beg the lives of many thousands of miserable Persians, whom by Hoharo-Mirsa's folly, Tamberlane had marked out for death. That act added infinitely to the Santo's credit. Tamberlane died Anno 1437. Heg. 787, and is buried at Anzar in Cathaya. The Persian Saint lived but three years after him: of whom I may say, as Horace did of another. Crescit occulto velut Arbor aevo Fama Sophyi.— Syet Gunet his son, by the excellent report his Sire had honoured him with, not only inheriting his father's repute, but so popularly beloved, that he suddenly hatches the ambitious thoughts how to dispossess joon-sha of the Empire. He attempts it diverse ways, but finds none so sure as by making a Schism in their Religion: he therefore dictates a new Currawn, wherein he vilified & accursed the three successors to Mahomet, and magnified Mortis Ally: adding this, That he was lineally from him descended. joon-sha espies his drift and seeks to kill him: But he (doubting no less) avoids it; and flies into Armenia, where Vsan Cassan entertained him with all respect possible, and to make it more apparent bestows his daughter, Martha (Kadaijon Katun the (Persians call her upon Despyna daughter, to Calo-Ioannes Emperor of Trepisond) upon Aydar his son: on whom he begot two sons, Ally-Sha surnamed Sulyman, and Sha-Ismael. Ally was slain in the Cradle by Prince jacup their Uncle, Vsan Cassans son. But Ishmael found mercy from Rustan Amansor sent to murder him: and who lived to revenge his fathers and brother's death upon him. Aydar in the Annals of Persia is said to have subjected Trebizonal, & to have him sat as Emperor 8 months; conquered afterwards by Mahomet first Turquish Emperor. Upon Vsan Cassan's conquest of Persia, he also recovered his Barony of Ardaveel: but (by the treachery of jacup) at his besieging Tabriz, was slain by Pharuc-Issur the than Viceroy of Sultany and Tabriztan. I have told you that Ishmael in revenge of his Father's murder, and to make good his claim from Ally, in two battles (wherein he vanquished Alvan and Morod Kings of Persia) made himself Monarch of that Empire. For upon his flight into Arzenion he was so welcomed, that in memory of his Grandfires kindness to them (when he begged their lives of Tamberlane) they all rose in his defence: namely those great Tribes, the Auxarchiars, Romlu, Sufiah, Estayalu, Kayridac, Versabli, Shamlu, Zulcaderlu, etc. by whose help he slew Pharuc Issup, conquered Shervan, at Tabryz beat Alvan, and in himself established the Empire. In memory of which, and the other he gave Morod that year near Shyraz, he instituted an order of Coosel-basha's; in them both memorizing his descent from Mahadyn 12 son of Ocen of Ally, and Mamalucks who then flourished. Bajazet the Turk squints at Ismaels' greatness, having formerly in his appetite devoured Persia. But such was Isamel's high courage & virtue, that he not only resisted the utmost fury of Bajazeth, but also made the Tartars and Indians tremble at his fortune. The Persians honoured him, the Armenians loved him, but the Jews deified and assured him he was the Messiah they so long waited for: but Ismaels' severity towards them upon that blasphemy, made them quickly recant, and rather think him a second Vespasian. Ere I go further, let me speak a word of his surname Sophy. Ishmael at his Coronation proclaimed himself King of Persia name of Pot-Shaw-Ismael-Sophy. Whence that word Sophy was borrowed, is much controverted. Whether it be from the Armenian idiom, signifying wool, of which the Sashes are made that ennobled his new order. Whether the name was from Sophy his Grandsire, or from the Greek word Sophos imposed upon Aydar at his conquest of Trepizond by the Greeks there, I know not. Since then many have called the Kings of Persia, Sophy's: but I see no proper reason for it; since Ismaels' son, grand great grand sons Kings of Persia never continued that name, till this that now reigns, whose name indeed is Soffee, but casual. Ishmael the second of his reign, subjected Shervan and Gheylan; Parc, Hyerac and Cusistan; Kerman, Macron, and as fare as jasques. Coomes Coomes was commonly his Winter rendezvous. The fourth year by Elyas-beg he purposed to infest the Tartars: but Elias through neglect was vanquished in the way by Ocebeg-Geholy Lord of Chalat-Pherusky, who at Ismaels' approach fortifies his Castle, but is forced out by flux and famine; he and fifty of his best men slain, and the rest pardoned. Which done, he hasts back to Yezd, hearing that Mahomet had besieged it: he quickly raised the siege and burned Mahomet. And after he had compounded some differences 'twixt himself and Morod-sha, brother to Alvan; Anno Dom. 1507. Heg. 887, he journeyed to Shyraz where he was solemnly crowned: but next day put to death 30000 men, such as were either guilty of his Father's death, or had taken part with Morod against him. That year he hastened into Mosendram and repulsed the Tartarrs, albeit he had not above 20000 horse, and Vlu-chan and his were above 300000. And to retaliate them he billeted his men that Winter in Taron; but so soon as the weather permitted he entered Tuzz, intending to spoil Samarchand. But hearing of Sultan Ocens death, and that Shac-beg-chawn an Ouz-beg, had usurped the Crown of Corasan; in the behalf of their injured Princes Ocens sons, he entered Corasan; and in a long fought battle 'twixt him and the Rhumestans', slew Sha-beg-cawn, 30000 Tattars, and made Acen-Ally be crowned King; upon condition that at his death it should hold of the Persian Dyadem. That Summer he passed Oxus, and slew Chamsylba the Maurenahar King, sacked the strong Castle Ael-kama, depopulated Dargan, Farghwan, Azfaker, and many other strong holds in T'sogd, Kennough, Gaznehen, Maurenaher, Rhumestan, Turq'stan, fare beyond Balk the Ouz-beghian Metropolis: and returning, he sacked Tuzz, Sakalkand, Sikamest, etc. sufficiently retaliating what his own Nation had formerly suffered from the Blacksheep of that vargant Country: and when he had fully glutted himself amongst the Tartarrs, came joyfully back to Coomes, where he was received with all symptoms of joy possible to be expressed. Next summer he went into D'arbeg against the Turks, who so soon as they had heard of Ismaels' doings in Tartary entered Bagdat and expressed their utmost villainy there; calling them Raffadins or Schismatics, and cutting off the noses and thumbs of many hundred Persians. In their revenge Ishmael affronts them with 50000 horse, and in despite of what Carigy and Ally-Bashaw could do, upon the banks of Tigris he gave the Turks an overthow; and that year seconds it by another he gave the Beglerbeg of Anatolia: whereat Bajazeth storms, but Ishmael to exasperate him took a Swine into his Court, and names it Bajazeth, madding the Grand-Senior and his Ambassador; but joying the Persians; to see the excellent courage of their Emperor. At this time also, Tekelles, a favourite to Ismaels' father Aydar, to propagate the Reformation leads 20000 men into Trepisond; whither the Armenians flocked in such abundance, that that Syet entered Turquy with 200000 men, as fare as Iconium in Lycaonia; where he vanquished Mahomet and Orcan the 2 youthful Nephews of Bajazeth: Carogozes the Bassa of Asia also he triumphed over; sacked Cutay, and in the plains of Ancira put to flight Ally-Bassa and his innumerable company; yea had Ishmael taken the advantage to have backed him, he had proved another Tamburlaine: but wanting his countenance and other necessaries, jonuses Bassa near to Anti-Taurus conquered him: and which was no less miserable; that famous Captain doing some violence to a Carravan he met with by the way, is at this entering Casbyn apprehended, and by Ismaels' command burned. Anno Domini 1511. Heg. 891. Ishmael recovered Bagdat, Barrhyeck-beg the Sultan betraying it and opening a postern wherethrough the Persians entered, Mahomet Bassa being forced to fly to save his life. That year he entertained Lemius (the Portugal Agent) at Cashan; who was led into the Army by Mirza Abucaca the field Martial: the which Lemius reported to Albuquerq, that Ishmael had 350000 Paviilions pitched there, and in the field 130000 men. That year Bajazeth was poisoned by a Jew, and in his Place Selym his younger son, made Emperor of Turquy. That year, Morad son to Sultan Ac'mat, Bajazeths' eldest son, fled to Ishmael for safety; and Aladyn his brother, to Campson Gaurus Sultan of Egypt: where both were welcomed. Selym prepares to fetch them thence: but Ishmael irritates his vexation; and incourages Morad with 10000 horse (promising to second him by Vstref-oglan with 20000 more) to forage Turquy: accordingly Morad past through Armenia the less, and in Cappadocia showed himself an adversary. Chendemus with great forces opposes him: who upon notice of his Uncle's approach, fell back to Vstref, and both of them to Anti-Taurus, where Aladules quietly suffered him to pass the Mountains into Armenia; whither they knew erelong the Grand-Senior would hunt after them. Selym commands his whole forces to follow him into Persia: Chendemus for dissuading him slain; but Ebrahim Bass' advice after long march into Armenia, he got; where in the Calderan plains was fought 'twixt the Turk and Persian a most memorable battle: Ishmael with 30000 Persians for 16 hours maintaining the fight with Selimus and 300000 Turks; and where (if the Turquish Artillery bade not disordered and affrighted the Persian horse) the Persian had gloriously triumphed: but as it was, for one Persian 10 Turks were slain; and neither of them obtained conquest: the horror of it such, that the Turkish Annals call that day's fight, The day of Doom. Anno Domini 1515. Heg. 895, Selym returned with new forces into Armenia, but by the way strangled Aladeules be Mountainous King: Ishmael leaves Synal-beg to pursue his conquest of Mosendram, and with 30000 horse, attended Selym at Tabriz: but Selym diverts his first thoughts, and at an unexpected hour enters Egypt, and by the slaughter of the Sultan Campson (betrayed by Cajerbeg Sultan of Aleppo) conquered it and gave end to that order of Mamalucks which from Sultan Saladyne who lived Anno Heg. 896. had continued with much fame and excellency: Tomambeyus sought to have restored it, but Selym made his life the price of it. Anno Domini 1514. Hegaria 894. Sha-Tamas was born, who succeeded Ishmael in the Empire; in 5 years after, he had also Hel-cawn, Som-Mirza, and Bacram-cawn: some call them, Elias, Sormiza, and Barhon-cawn. An. Dom. 1520. Salym the Turkish Emperor died, and was succeeded by Solyman. Anno Domini 1525. Heg. 965. Ishmael also died; in the 40 of his age, and his reign, 20 years. Ismael's four 'zounds did what they could to ruin the Empire, by one another's ruin: Hel-cawn especially: who to effect it, syded with the Turkish Emperor. Vlembeg also (who had married their sister) laboured it. But albeit Solyman did his best by his own forces and by their treasons, yet such was his ill luck, that (excepting Babylon and Tabryz) they got nothing but sad experience: for Tamas upon notice of the Turkish entry, leaves Kazien Bassa and Corasan (which he then had besieged) and hasts to Cashyn: the Turks so soon as they had rifled Tabryz, retreat; but are so assailed in the rear by Delementhes, still as they marched, that they could not prevent the loss of 40 Cannon, 3 Sansacks, 800 Janissaries, and of Asaps or common men above 20000: a victory so plausible. that to this day upon the 3 and 10 of Ardabehish or October, 'tis with many signals of joy solemnised: 4 years after, as Morod had done to Ishmael, so Bajazet Soliman's son fled to Tamas; to save his life, willing to part with his hopes of a Monarchy: his rebellions and injuries to his father and brother had been many and notable; so as Hassan Bassa comes to Casbyn, and upon assuring Tamas that Bajazeth came purposely to kill him, that infortunate Prince was by that old villain strangled, and his 4 sons also; Homer, Morad, Selimus, and Mahomet. Solyman next year enters Persia with 150000 men. Tamas affrighted with their great ordnance, hyres 5000 portugals from Ormus and Indya, who brought 20 Cannon along with them, and by whose helps the Turks were vanquished. That year Tamas eatf ed the Ouz begs country and returned victorious: and next into Cabul; whence he thought to have gone to Lahore; but upon news that Mustapha (Soliman's eldest son and brother to Bajazeth, lately at Casbyn strangled) was fled from his Father to him from succour, he returns and welcomes him, willing any way to agrandize discord amongst the Ottomans. Solyman in person with 80000 men follows him, in every place he came that loved the Persian, perpetrating all sort of savage cruelty. At Erez, Tamas fought with Solyman, but with worse success than formerly near Bagdat: for 1000 Persians were slain, and 20000 Turks; but by their numbers the Persians were forced to leave the field; which when Mustapha saw, fled to his Father and beseeches (for Roxalana his Mother's sake) pardon: but it would not be; his Father forthwith made him to be strangled. Anno Domini 1576. Heg. 956. King Tamas died at Cazbyn, aged 68; having reigned 50 years; and left his eldest son Mahomet to succeed him: he had in all, 12 sons and 3 daughters; Maomet, Ishmael, Aydar, Sulyman, Emangoly, Morad, Mustapha, Ally, Hamed, Ebrahim, Hamzé, and Izma cawn. Ishmael during his stay at Cohac complots with Periaconconna and Sahamal-can; by whose help he strangled Aydar, and beheaded 8 other of his brethren: hopeful also to meet with Mahomet: who being fled to Georgia finds such friends that ere long he returned with 12000 horse, Curds and Georgians, by whose service, and the valour of Leventhybeg, he arrives at Spahawn; where he had news of Ismaels' death, slain in his bed by Periaconconna and 4 Sultan's, who entered habited like women, An. Dom. 1577. The same year that Ishmael was thus slain, Peria-Concanna was also made away by Salmas-Mirza, at the command of Mahomet. Mahomet (called Codobanda by the Turks) had many sons: Ishmael, Mustapha, Mir-can, Guynet, Sophy, etc. Ishmael was famished to death Caykahe Castle near Tabriz, by means of Massombeg the favourite: the rest of his sons died untimely. He had also 3 sons begot of joon-conna Princess of Heri and Corassan: Emyr-Hamzé mirza, Sultan Aydar, and Abbas. Emyr-hamze-mirza, was the most famous, active, and, beloved Prince that ever to this day lived in Persia. When he commanded, they thought nothing impossible: the Turks, the Indian, the Arab, and Tartar feared him; with 40000 horse he vanquished 200000 Turks near Van, and cleared Armenia of those Locusts. After that, with 30000 Persians and Ouzbeghians he overthrew them at Erez, and obtained a most glorious victory. Two years after, Anno Domini 1580. Heg. 960 at Bagdat he beat the Turks; at that time of Persians being slain 10000, but of Turks 70000. Next year, he opposed the Tartar near to Sumachy and slew 20000 of their men: and that same month of the Turks led by Mustapha Bassa 100000: but with loss of above 40000 of his own men. An. Dom 1584. Heg. 964. near Van again, he slew above 20000 Turks: and with his own hands slew the Sultan of Caramit, the General; the Bassa of Trebizond, and 5 Sanzacks'. At Sancazan the ensuing spring, he also beat Osman the Bassa (who died to think of it) and slew above 23000 other Turks. At Tephlis he vanquished Sycala the famous Bassa, and slew 30000 of his Turks; the Prince losing 9000 Persians: but by that victory regained Tabriz, Babylon, and all other such places as King Tamas had Anno Domini 1537. Heg. 917, lost to Solyman. Next year he took Derbent from the Turk, and near to Tephlys with 20000 horse, scattered and slew 80000 Turks: so dismal to Amurath, that rather than see his face Mustapha by voluntary poison at the age of 78 gave up the ghost, and Acmat the renowned Ennuch resolved to beg rather than to see Persia again. But Sinon Bassa was so puffed up with his late conquests (at Cyprus, Malta, and, Egypt) that he threatens his payment; and to that end with 100000 men he entered Georgia, sacked Tephlys, and in Shervan did many mischiefs: but plague and famine puisuing him, the Prince of Persia ere the Tartar could join with Sinon bade him battle at Carse in the Turq'men confines and beat him, but two days after lost 5000 men more, and was forced back to Trepizond: But at length, what enemies abroad could not effect, at home his brother Abbas perpetrated by poison: insomuch as in the vigour of his age, and hopes of further conquest, this gallant Prince goes down not aged 30; and of such force with purblind Mahomet, that in few days after he expired: An. Dom. 1585. Heg. 965. after 8 years reign, and at Ardaveel by his father was some part buried. Abbas had much ado to quiet the distemper of the Persians, such hate they bore him for his cruelty. At Casbyn he found most welcome: they had considered the other two were irrevocable, & that it concerned them to have some expert man to defend them from the Turk, who almost every day from Tabriz affronted them. Spahawn indeed paid dearly for her rebellion. The first year of his reign Amurath the Turkish Emperor sent his Ambassador to Abbas, to command him (If he desired peace) to send him his son Ishmael as a hostage: the Ambassador had better have stayed at home, for albeit he escaped with his life, yet he was miserably bastinadoed. Enraged by that message he besieged Tabriz, and easily forced the Turks thence, as also out of Van and all Armenia: two years after he beat them out of Balsorac and Bagdat; yea made Dyarbec and jaziry too hot for them. By Curchiki-can he subdued Gheylan; by Tamas-coolibeg, Mozendram; by Ferrat-chan, Candahar; and by Lollabeg and Emangloy-cawn, Larr, Cusistan, Carman, Macron, and part of jazirey or Arabia: yea to this last overthrow at Babylon, he gave successively to Mahomet 3, Acmat, Osman, Mustapha, and Amurath, all of them Grand Signors, above 20 other several overthrows; most of which the Turks conceal, and thence it is that we have them not recorded in our Turkish Histories. About this time, Abbas became enraged against the Georgians: and upon this occasion. Scander, lake King of Georgia (a Country confining palus Meotis, 'twixt the Euxin and Caspian seas) by a Sarcashi●n Lady had 3 hopeful sons; Scander-cawn, Thre-beg, and Constandell: all born christians; but for preferment the two last named became Bosarmen or circumcised. Thre-beg served the Turk; Constandell, the Persian. Constandell was naturally deforned, but of such an active spirit, that his bodily imperfections were not noted: yet his hateful ambition rendered him more than monstrous. It happened that Abbess vowed some revenge upon the Turk; and to that end gave order to Ally-cawn to trouble them. Constandell perceives the occasion right to attempt his hellish resolutions, and therefore after long suit got to be joined in Commission with the Persian General. Through Georgia they go: where Costandell under a pretext of Duty visits his sad Parents, who (upon his protest that his Apostasy was counterfeit) joyfully welcomed him: but forgetting that, and all other ties of Nature, next night at a solemn banquet caused them to be murdered: and till the Georgians saluted him by the name of King, perpetrated all sorts of villainies possible. But how secure soe'er he stood in his own fancy, the dreadful Justice of an impartial God retaliated him: the rest of his life proving to this hellish Assassinate infinitely miserable; for first, near Sumachan, Cycala's son the Turkish General, wounded him in the arm, and by that forfeited the victory to the Persian. That same night he was also assaulted in his tent by his enraged Countrymen; who in his place, (for at the first alarm he escaped) cut a Catamite in pieces, his accursed bedfellow: and albeit he so fare exasperated the Persian to revenge, that he brought the whole Army into Georgia, resolving there to act unparelleled tragedies; yet was he overreached in his stratagems: for upon parley with the Queen (his late brother's wife) he was shot to death, at a private signal given by that Amazon to some Musqueteers, ambushed of purpose 'twixt both the Armies. A just punishment for such a viper. For can there be a punishment more fit Than he should die, that first invented it. — Nec enim lex justior ulla est Quam necis artisicis, arte petire sua, But Abbas (glad of all advantages to spoil and conquer) takes the affront as done in his despite, in that Constandell was his subject and a Mahometan; and therefore studies their destruction: but such good reasons Ally-cawn gave him to the contrary, that he altars his first intents, and seeks by conferring his best love upon young Temerisk their Infant King to oblige their affection: and accordingly returned him into Georgia royally attended, yea made him be crowned King in Georgia, with all ceremony requirable. But long these Halcyon days endured not; for the Grand Seniors Ambassador at Spahawn laboured by all ways how to separate this their Union; & by deceit effected it: First wispering in Temerisks ears that Abbas hated him; and then made Abbas believe that Temerisk was an undoubted creature of the Grand Seniors: so that (upon Temerisks denial to come to Abbas) he enters Georgia with 30000 horse, where Lollabeg, at his Master's command, made fire and sword equally tyrannical. Temerisk was forced to the Turk, from whom he got such forces, that he reentered Georgia, and slew the Persique Garrisons, yea foraged beyond Tephlys into Medya: which so enraged Abbess that from Mosendram he issued with a greater Army than formerly, and in Georgia made a more terrible execution: firing their Churches, houses, and Mulberry-trees; destroying their silkwormes, and massacring young and old, without mercy. But so soon as Abbas was gone, Temerisk re-possessed his desolate Country; and by a stratagem of Morad-cawns, in some sort requited the Persian: for Morad like another Zopyrus, deforms his face, flies to Cazbyn, and is welcomed: pretends that Temerisk had so mutilated him; and that he resolved to betray him to the Persian. Abhas believes him, and sends 12 famous Dukes and an Army along with him: but being upon the Georgian Confines, and knowing that the Persians were fearless of danger, he issues at midnight from his own quarter upon them with 500 voluntary Georgians (whom he had appointed should accidentally proffer their services) with such hideous clamours, that 11 of those Dukes and 700 men were slain; the rest so terribly affrighted, that they rather chose to dye any other death than hazard any more adventures amongst those Christians. Since which, Abbas (by meditation of his Coselbashaws, who are most of them Georgians) has firmed a sure friendship with the Georgians. If I should but memorise his several victories against the Tartar, Georgian, Mogul, and Arabian; It would be enough to make a Book voluminous. But I promised to wove no circumstances: for if that could have been accepted of, I had here also spoke his journey and wars of Armenia; and his tragic acts against his own children: which in regard I have elsewhere glanced at, I have here pretermitted purposely; this only be remembered; That Sha-Abbas died Anno Domini 1628. Heg. 1008. aged 70, having ruled the Persian Empire 43 years; and was buried, part at Cazbyn, part at Ardaveel, in the Chapel where are entombed his famous and warlike Progenitors: And albeit in the infancy of his reign he had been Tyrannical, yet such was the Majesty of his aspect, his courage, policy, wisdom, & good fortune in all his wars, that never any Prince before him was better beloved, and every way by all Symptoms of Duty and respect, more honoured. His Care to administer Justice; his Zeal to Strangers, whom he ever much regarded, and gave all safety and privileges to; it being his usual phrase, that Strangers added especially to the lustre of his Court, more than any Domestiq' magnificence; his Labour to increase Commerce with other Nations; his Encouragement to Soldiers; his Indulgence to Merchants of his own Nation; and in a word, his great Knowledge in History and Philosophy, not only made him to be adored by his own, but admired at by Travellers; especially when with him they compared other Emperors and Princes of Asia, who suck with delight their native ignorance: and thence it was that Abbess went to his grave, with such general lamentation as made it known that he was their Father, Protector, and Emperor. In his place was Sha-Soffy (Abbas his Grand-sonne) saluted King; whose fathers death and his brothers I have elsewhere remembered. Of Sha-Soffy I will say little, save that since his being King (albeit very young) he has vanquished the Turks 4 times: albeit twice the Grand-Seignior was in person to fight with him. Many of his Nobles he has beheaded: but in these things argues his just descent from Ally: and is as likely as any that reigned before him, to advance the Monarchy of Persia; and every way to make it rich, and famous. To conclude Persia and this second Book, give me leave to do it in this Epidicticon. The Epidicticon. Why do the windings of inconstant state Molest us Weaklings? since the selfsame Fate Turns Kings and Kingdoms with an equal doom: Whiles Slaves, too oft, possess their Master's room. So pricking Thistles choke our fairest corn, And hopeful Oaks the hugging Ivies' scorn: Men are but Men, and be they strong or wise, All their Designs subject to hazard lies. Millions of helps cannot support that Crown, Which Sin erects; Fate justly pulls it down. Witness fair PERSIA, large and rich of ground, (The fit Nurse of war:) In it was found (Even in those golden times which Poets vant) Victorius Cyrus; who yet did supplant His Father. Oh, that men would learn to see What life were best, not what doth please the eye! But out, alas! when they have drunk of blood, That bitter potion's sweet: yea even a flood Of lives food cannot their hot thirst allay, Till Tomyris that blood with blood repay. So happed to Cyrus, whom th'insulting Queen Upbraid with bloodshed; Vengeance is too keen: For in a bowl of gore, dead drowned lies His crowned Temples and insatiate eyes: That King aspired, and for his itching vein, 200000 Subjects there lay slain: Thus fairs it still with thee, proud Persia, Whose various Native beauties freely may A strangers love entice. Thy breath is sweet, Thy Face well made, a Nursery of delight; Thy breasts not dry of milk, thy arms are strong, Thy belly fruitful; legs both clean and long; Thy veins are large; blood pure; quick spirits hast: But for thy back, Oh stay! there lies the waist. To this fair Symmetry of outward parts, The giver great (to engage by great deserts) Infused hath, into thy children's wit, Wisdom and courage best to manage it. Nor wast thou Barbarous, or Indisciplined; For had thy Ear unto its good inclined, Thy Country prophetess foretell thou how Hell and its wrath by Christ to disavow. Since which, thy Sages, Kings or more than Kings (If I mistake thee not!) their Offerings Unto my Infant God humbly present. O Faith exceeding almost Faith's extent! But now this Light of lights on Earth did shine, See how thy Virtue's retrograde decline: Holy Thaddaeus, (whom Saint Thomas sent To cure thy King) thy Flamens did present With hellish torments: and with like foul hands Simon the Cananyt's good news withstands. In after times thy Cozrhoe (Persia) made A pond of Christian blood: Nor here thou stayed But (in dislike of christ,) th'Arabian Thief Thou choose to be thy unlearned Judge and Chief. Hence, hence, proceed those gross Impieties, Which swallowed, greedily delight thine Eyes! Bloodshed and lust, the foulest out of kind, Which, my chaste Muse is feared to name: the rind Thou only keeps of zealous awe: the heart, Is foul defiled: for so thou learnd'st the Art Of lust and pride from thy cursed Mahomet, Whose thoughts unbounded all on Thrones was set. Nor did his Successors as Prophets live, But one another murdered; All did grieve At Neighbours Diadems. The God of Peace For those thy sins, thy power will sure decrease. And thou that oft hast felt a foreign power; Once more mayst feel a Scithyc race so sour; That all the World shall know, how greatest Kings Are thrall to change, as well as weaker things. FINIS LIBRI SECUNDI. THE THIRD BOOK. LEt's now abroad again: and see what Observations we can make in the Land's circumjacing Oriental Indya: than which, the world has none richer, pleasanter, or every way more excellent. To encompass it, we must to Sea again; for, without such helps there is but little travelling. Apr. 13. We took ship at Swalley: when, being three or four leagues off at Sea, the wind came fair and made the liquid billows swell so advantageously, that next day we lost sight of many pretty marittim Towns, at this day owned by the Portugal: namely Gundavee, Daman, St. john de Vacas, Chowl, Dabul, etc. most of them subjected by Don Albuquerq ' about the year after th'incarnation of our Saviour 1512; Dabul (Dunga of old) excepted, which yielded to the mercy of Simon Andradius Governor of Choul; from whom 'twas rapt by the Decanee, but by that made a Basis of greater calamity. For, Almeyda some few years after by stratagem recovered and burnt it to the ground: but by command of the Goan Viceroy 'twas repaired, repopulated, and stood victorious; till Captain Hall (if I mistake not the man's name) about nine years ago forced it; and made th'insulting Portugal know, how their bravadoes, to the English were no way formidable. The South point of DABUL has Arctic Elevation 17 deg. 35 minutes; Dabul. variation West, 15 degrees 34 minutes. It once obeyed the Monarch of Decan; but at this day the Lusitanian. 'Tis seated at the foot of a high, but pleasant mountain; whence, distils a sweet rivulet, beyond measure useful in those torryd Climates: the Road gives reasonable good Anchorage. The Town itself is beautiful to such as view it at distance: the houses are low & thick, and tarrased at the top; serving both to lenify the scorching flames of wanton Phaeton, and to resist the quick and subtle rage of Hyem's icyles: an old Castle and a few Temples or Monasteries are all she boasts of, the Buzzar or Forum is but ordinary, the streets narrow are: nor is her mart now notable; Surat and Cambya to the North; Goa and Calicuth to the South so much eclipsing her; that she condoles with other her disconsolate neighbours, and acknowledges a secret destiny & change in Towns as well as other temporaries. CHOUL (in Ptolmyes' days called Comane, if Castaldus guess right) is subject to like variety: it is removed from the Equinoctial 18 degrees 30 minute's North: and was ravished from the Imperial Dyadem of Decan (or Decanory) by Almeyda that ambitious Portugal in the year of our redemption 1507, and in which (to perpetuate his Conquest) he erected a gallant Fort or Bulwark, & planted it with Cannon: a Castle also no less fortified; so terrible to the indians, as they have forborn to make them roar, doubting the very clamour may undo them. The Inhabitants are a few melancholy but lustful portugals, and some peaceful crafty Bannyans: it affords naught else to be spoken on in this place. The Expedition bearing up to speak with us, both ships fell foul (to speak in Neptune's language) or thwart one another's houlses; by which mischance her bole-sprit gave our mizzen shrouds a churlish kiss; but by a happy gale parted without farther inconvenience. After five days sail we were Nadyr to the Sun, at that instant in our Verticé or Zenyth; his declination then being just fifteen degrees; and we close by the I'll incyrcling Goa, a gallant City, the Metropole and seat of the Spanish Viceroy and Archbishop, the City I have formerly described: haste we therefore to other places. The wind was favourable a while; but ere long becalmed, whereby the air inflamed, and Sea gave a fiery reflection; to sweat and live like Salamanders was no novel thing with us to suffer bravely all mutations; Coelum non animum, was a verified Motto, and served in general to comfort us. The three and twentieth of April we got to Mangalore a City obeying the Mallabar, in whose road we found thirty or forty Frigads of Mallabar men of war, who durst not insult upon their numbers, but choose rather to avoid, and accordingly all together hoist sail towards Goa; one only miscarrying, suffering a while the jonas her Barge to domineer, but after variable strife by rowing and augmenting canvasse got away, with some short in her side, and many wounded. That same night we came to an anchor in Mount Elly or Delyns bay, a Town and Port acknowledging vassalage to the Mallabar: we road in nine fathoms, not above three nearer the shore. Gladly we would have landed, but durst not be too prodigal of our belief; they seemed willing, we knew them treacherous; but seeing we had discovered their villainy, they ventured aboard our ships, they knew us merciful: they filled their Canoes with Coco's, Mangoes, Jacks, green Pepper, Caravance or Indian Pease, Buffalls, Flesh, Hens, Eggs, and other things, sold us not at very easy prices; but (what principally vexed us) also made us pay for every tun of water a Ryall or four shillings four pence: and though they hand plenty of it, yet grudged exceedingly to show us any courtesy in that common element, in fringing by that their barbarism, the law of Nature and Nations; one of their own religion (but more moral) shall accuse them. Ovid, that sweet Roman Poet I mean, who to that end brings in his Goddess vindicating Natures right, and blaming the Rustics for their immanity. Why are these waters stopped? whose use is free; The Sun and Air dispersed to all we see Why not those Brooks? I crave community. Quid prohibetis Aquas? usus communis aquarum est; Nec Solem proprium Natura, nec Aëra fecit Nec tenues Vndas; in publica munera veni. And that we have such variety of choice fruits, suffer a little entertainment; the banquet is seasonable in these parallels: but first perfume the place with Calambuco wood (a lignum vitae,) and to imitate the Egyptians, place we a deaths-head, as an object of mortality. The Bannyans in these parts are as superstitious as any other where, and arrogate as much vainglorious ceremony in their Funerals: transcending in cost and curiosity as the Carcase differed erewhile from others in Estate and Quality: the richer sort have redolent gums, or aromatic odours of Arabia incendiated or put to flames, wherein the dead body is laid, involved in linen pure white, sweet, and delicate; or in Taffetas of transparent fineness: of all sorts of wood they affect that called Aquila, and the older kind named Calamba; or Calambuca; trees, rare, sweet, and precious; of admirable height and evenness, found commonly in the lofty Mountain of Chaemoys in Cochyn-chyna; and which, these people sell at excessive rates; both in regard the Bannians delight to have it in their Obsequies, as that the Japonians so much value it. They imagine no pillow wholesomer, no thing more efficacious for health, than that to sleep upon. They extremely hate such as have down or what their heads may sink into; both, for that it heats the blood, and pertubs the fancy: you now may view your fruits afore you. I will select the rarest, and first present a short description: here are fair and juicy Lemons, Pappaes'; Cocoes, Bananas, or Plaintains, sweet and delicious: the Oranges may tempt a taste, Oranges. they are succulent and dainty, of so curious a relish as affects the eater beyond measure, and offer the rind no less pleasant than the juice, both which seem to have dulcity & acrimony mixed together. The Bannana's is no less dainty: the tree mounts not high, but spreads in a most graceful posture: the fruit is long, not unlike a Sossage in shape, in taste most excellent: Plantans they ripen though you crop them immaturely; and from a dark-greene, mellow into a flaming yellow: the rind peeles off very easily; the fruit put into your mouth, dissolves and yields a most incomparable relish; the Windsor or Pome-crittien are to it fare inferior. The Jack or Giack grows upon a higher tree, uneasy to be ascended: jiack. the Jack for show and quantity resembles a Pompion; without; 'tis a gold yellow, commixed with veins; within, is soft and tender; full of golden coloured cloves, each full of kernels, not unlike a great French Bean, somewhat more globous: all of them comprise aboue or stone not manducable, except being boiled the Buffols eat it: the fruit is somewhat unpleasant at first gust, the heat and rareness causes it: 'tis glutinous and clammy in the mouth, but of double benefit in the stomach, being restorative, and good for the back; but of singular use against that French disease, they brought from the hot wars at Naples; whither the lustful Spaniard brought it, with his Idol-gold from ravished Indya. Ananas. The Ananas is not inferior to the Jack in bulk, in roundness; yet is the plant or parent it sponge from no way equal: it arises from no seed nor sowing, but from a root like to an Artichoak: at maturity they show themselves, and affect not above two foot height, the better and with less labour to enrich the gatherer: without, 'tis armed with a moystlesse rind, hard and skalee; within, is wholesome and pleasant: and though a little seem to satiate the appetite, yet experience teaches us the stomach covets it, Duroyen. and admits an easy digestion. The Duroyen somewhat resembles the Jack: the shape is round, the outside bravery no way parellells the intrinsique virtue: at first opening it gives a smell not unlike a rotten Onion, to many seeming odious and offensive: the meat is whitish, divided into a dozen cells or partitions, filled with stones as big as Cheznuts, white and cordial: in Malacca, and java they abound, & are worth the enquiring after: a fruit, nutritive and dainty; yea, without an hyperbole may well be called, Arecca. an Epitomè of all the best and rarest fruits throughout the Orient. Arec and Betele also is here much used. The Arecca tree aspires in height like to a Cedar, but rather simulates the Palmëto. It is a fuzzy concave substance, decorated at the very top with plumes, wherein the fruit hangs in clusters: 'tis shaped like a Walnut and of like bigness; white within, not easily penetrated; has no taste, smell, nor sapor: they never eat it alone, but wrap it in a leaf of Betel, and chaw it in many several morsels: some (as I have noted amongst the Mohelyans) add to it a kind of Lyme of Oyster-shells; all which together, cures the colic, removes melancholy, kills worms, helps Venus, purges the maw, and prevents hunger. Mount Ely. Cananore 'Tis praise to observe a mean; by moving much, Religious Faith oft gets doubtful touch. Observare modum laus est; nimiumq, movendos in dubium trahitur religiosa Fides. Of Mallabar. I Account so fare Mallabar, as is included 'twixt Cape Comry and twelve degrees North, near about Batticala; four hundred miles in length, in breadth no where above a hundred; yet so populous, that the Samoryn or King of Calicut is at any time able to affront the Narsingan, Decan, or Gulcundan Kings (his borderers) with 200000 men: his Country is green and full of all delights, cattles, corn, fruit, cotton, silkwormes, and other merchandizes; store of strong Towns, safe Harbours (not inferior to those at Goa, Choul, Dabul, Swally, or at Danda-ragea-poree) as Coulam, Cochyn, Calycut, Mangalore, etc. and to say truth the Ocean itself 40 leagues into the Sea, all along the Indian shore is anchorable. But before we go any further, I hold it the best way to direct your eyes in finding out such exotique places of East Indya and the adjacent Isles as I intent to speak of, in two Maps; either of which are limited by Ganges: that thereby our Travel may be the less difficult to your inquiry. And first of India intra Gangem. map of India Mallabar is subdivided into many Toparchyes, all obeying the Samoreen, a naked Negro, but as proud as Lucifer; swarthy and tyrannical: the Nayroes are his Lords; a sort of Mamaluck; they live by the sweat of other men's brows, lust wholly masters them; they go no whither but are as well armed as if friends & enemies had no difference. Maffaeus, improperly imagines them a kind of Braminy, to no sort of people more unlike; the Bramyns being men of peace; the Nayro, ever quarrelling: their arms are clad with Armolets of silver, or Ivory; they walk no whither without sword and target; and have such a superstitious conceit of their own merit and temper above other men, that wheresoever they meet a vulgar fellow, they clamour Nayro, vibrate and clash their sword and shield together, and so pass without opposal; but that no poor man dare look them in the face or come within fifty paces of them, Thevet, Vertoman, and M. P. Venetus have so reported I know; but either the customs have altered, or I must call the one a deceitful Monk, and the other two too credulous Travellers. The extent of Mallabar I have given you. The people generally are big limbed, strong, coal black, and wear their hair (more like wool than hair) long, and curled; about their heads they wreathe a small but curious sort of linen wrought with gold and silk: their waist is circled with a piece of calico, which makes them modest; from the thigh downward, and from their middle upwards, are surely naked. The vulgar sort wear about their waist a particoloured Plad (like Barber's Aprons) and pink their skin in many places. The women (such as credit Mahomet) veil themselves like other indians: such as affect gentilism covet nakednessce: their greatest ornament and pride is in their ears and noses; they suppose them most brave, most courtly, who can tear or dilacerate their ears widest (which they effect by many ponderous babbles they hang there,) and ring their snouts with silver, brass, or Ivory: their arms and legs also are chained richly. The Ethnique marriages want not superstition: where God is not known, the devil invelopes and trains them up in mystique darkness: one same ceremony is observed by King and Peasant. Whoever marries, he enjoys not the first night's embraces with his Bride; a venerable custom transfers all maidenheads unto the Braminy, who (to show their obedience to the law) accept the motion and first season her; it betides happiness ever after: they suppose the ground richer, the crop excellenter, which receives such holy seed; and promises such future Harvests of contentedness: no marvel then, to see a Priest enter where he pleases, discourse when and where he will, the good man joying at their privacy; since they are in apparition terrhene Idols: But, which is more than marvellous, the King not knowing whether his children be of his begetting; to make sure work, confers the Empire on his sister's issue; assured it seems that she is of his blood, and they of his by consequence: a very simple Sophistry, grounded upon custom more than reason. The men, what they want in Sciences, supply by a surpassing courage and policy; the Portugals at their first entrenching on their shore, thought them silly, because unlearned; easy to be overcome, because covered with an indefensive nakedness: but both conceits deceived them: they found (by sad experience) Nature had instructed them in their own defence, and that no Cannon nor iron is so violently dangerous as revenge precipitated, exasperated by contempt and where fury rageth: howbeit, by long wars, they are grown expert and orderly: yea know how to play with Cannons, have as great store of Harquebusses, and are as well acquainted with the force of powder, as we or any other Nation: in all fights, they also use bow and arrow, darts and targets, granads and variety of fireworks; of which they have such store, that they proffered us as much and of what sorts we would, so we returned them money. Their Country abounds with minerals and stones of lustre: no part is without abundance of fruits and provision: generally (especially by the Sea) 'tis woody and mountainous. We will ashore at Calicut the Metropolis. CALICUT (ten leagues from that place we took our prize) is thought to be that Town Ptolemy calls Canthapis, a City in 23 deg. an error broached by Niger and Bertius. It was above a thousand years ago called Callicaris: was then known, but now is famous; and had been of more trade and excellence, had she prospered against the continual bravadoes of the Portugal: who when they failed to conquer her, (did with her as Seleuchus did with Babylon) transferred their trade to other Towns, and diverted her Merchants to other places; whereby in small time it became half desolate. It declines from the Aequator towards the North-Pole, eleven degrees: and from its standing in the burning Zone must needs be hot, if not sulphureous: the earth is but meanly fruitful in grass, Apollo eats it up; but, her gardens by industry and help of some brooks are green, spacious, and redundant in variety of choice fruits. The City itself is large, but of no beauty: the houses are low, and thick, and dark: the harbour is a pretty way distant from the Town, and but indifferent to anchor in: it shows two great Forts, built Anno 1515 by the Portuguese; unfortified and in a sort razed by the Mallabar; the Samoreen or Emperor in this place usually abiding: a Prince of great power and awe: black as the devil, and as treacherous: is also of his religion, and makes him heir to all his offerings. Many deformed Pagatho's are here worsshipped: they say they adore not the Idols, but the Deumos they represent, and who sometimes enter and Oraculize: the Chapel where the grand Caco-Deumo sits is uncovered, and about three yards high; the wooden entrance is engraven with infernal shapes: within, their beloved Priapus is imperiously enthronized upon a brazen Mount: they advance his head with a resplendent Dyadem, from whence issue four great Rams horns, denotating some especial mystery: his eyes squint, his mouth opens like a Portcullis, and from thence branch four monstrous tusks; his nose is flat; his beard like the Sun's rays, of an affrighting aspect; his hands are like the claws of a Vulture; his thighs and legs, strong and hairy; his feet and tail resemble a Monkeys: which put together, renders the devil wickedly deformed, and the idolaters beyond all measure gross Demonomists: Other Temples have other Pagods; ugly, all: yet all differ in invention: some of them are painted or smeered black; others red: some bright; others devouring souls; hell fictitiously tormenting white ones: These Gods of theirs are of the old stamp: they seem to threaten and to take notice of men's offerings: but what They cannot do, their Baalyms effectuate. Each morn, the Priest (a Jogue) perfumes and washes them: it seems the Devil ever pollutes and leaves a base smell behind him: he departs not without a benediction; humbly he prostrates his corpse and has it granted him. Every new Moon they solemnly sacrifice a live Cock as a Symbol of lust and courage; in themselves predominating; the Priest is pontifically attired in pure fine Lawn, armed with a sharp long silver knife, his arms and legs garnished after the Morisco mode with bells, round silver plates and other jangling trifles: after he has bravely sacrificed the yielding Cock, he fills his hands with Ryce, goes retrograde, not daring to look on any other object save his Idol; till being come near an Acherontique lake, he than turns, there embowells his offering, advancing his hands some set times above his head, and so returns crowned with applause and blessed in other men's opinions. The Samoryn eats not till it be first offered, and so acknowledges his food sent him from the Deumo, i. e. by the devil's permission: what he leaves, is not for the poor; the Crows expect it: good reason too, They think them the Devils serviteurs. The people to this day retain some commendable customs amongst 'em: they commonly exchange their Wives one for another's, nor seem the women angry at it; Polygamy is sufferable: but in this they differ from other libidinous Lawgivers; as the men have many wives, so one woman may here have many husbands: the issue is bequeathed as she nominates. COWLAM is a Town and Province (called Sopatpa in Arrhyan) in 9 degrees North, and included in the Travanzorian Kingdom. Once it obeyed the Narsingan Monarch; once the Mallabar; at this day, neither. 200 years ago, the Town was rich, and great, and populous; traded to by many indians, augmented by the Samoryn, and able to number a hundred thousand inhabitants: of such value was the situation for trade, security for anchorage, and fidelity of the Coolamites. But now, whither her glass is run, the period of her excellence outrun; or that Calicut first, and then Goa have attracted her custom and resort, I cannot say; this I may: at this day she is vailed with a sable habit, desolate and disconsolate; she contemplates the mutability of Times, and other's disasters; and then comparing them with her own, sees they conclude in a like Centre. And albeit I have in many places memorised the Bannyans; here also I may name them, where they swarm in multitudes, and suck in the sweetness of gain, by an immeasurrble thirst and industry; but (Sic vos non vobis) it is ravished from them by Drones, the lawless Moors and Gentiles, who Lord it over them. Alas! the Bannyan is no swaggerer, no roister: he hates domineering and fight, yea will suffer himself to be fleeced by any man, rather than shed blood by any unhappy contention: they love no tumult, no innovation; but wish that all men were of their mind; that is to say, courteous in behaviour, temperate in passion, moderate in apparel, abstemious in diet; humble, merciful, and so innocent, as not to undo the silliest vermin: doubting that if they should destroy any living thing, thereby they might dispossess their parents or dear friends of a peaceful Mansion; but by eating such, may peradventure devour the souls of such as once were dearest to them. Ovid's conceit is partly for them. — inque ferinas Possumus ire domos, Pecudumque in corpora condi, Corpora quae possunt animas habuisse Parentûm Aut Fratrûm, aut autaliquo junctorûm faedere nobis Aut hominûm certe! Let's home, and in bruit Beasts our bodies hide, Where happily our Parents may abide, Our Brothers, or some by Alliance tide. One man or other sure! And in as many places are Christians, or relics of that holy profession: for no doubt the Apostles propagated the glad tidings of salvation to all Nations; prophesied by the Prophet David, Psalm 19 Their sound is gone into all lands, and their words into the ends of the world: Mantuan also celebrates it in these verses. Sicutaquis, quondam Noë sua misit in orbem Pignora sedatis, ut Gens humana per omnes Debita caelituum Patri daret orgy a terras: Sic sua cum vellet Deus alta in regna reverti, Discipulos quosdam transmisit ad ultima mundi Littora; docturos Gentes quo Numina ritu Sint oranda, quibus Coelum placabile sacris: As when the Flood o'erspread, old careful No His sons dispersed throughout the world, to show The Law of God, and sacred rites to pay: So when our Saviour would no longer stay On earth, a mission of his Scholars he To th'utmost bounds of th'earth with Charter free Doth make to instruct the world both how to pray, And to appease God's wrath with sacred Lay. In both Asia's the Gospel was throughly preached: but now the subtlety of Satan, and that carnal law of Mahomet have infected these soul-sick Nations: for all which, Christ has his flock there, which though at this time scattered, yet in due time shall be gathered, and made one blessed company. In Persia are many thousand Christians; in India a no less multitude; compared indeed to other Idolaters, but a handful: yet that does not discourage them: 'tis better go to heaven alone, than to hell with an innumerable multitude: Arnobius of old times could say Nationibus cunctis nos sumus Christiani. In many marittim Towns of India, that name is honoured. In Meliapore, Narsinga, Coolan, Gucurran, Curigan, Bipur, Tanor, Battacala, Onor, Cranganor, Goa, and other places are Christians: yea, in many Indian Isles some are numbered: among Mahomitans they have freedom of conscience from that Azoara in the Alcoran, That none are to be dissuaded from the religion they sucked from their cradle: amongst paynims, from that rule of Nature; Use others, as thou wouldst others should use thee. The Christians in these parts differ in some things from us and the Papacy; yet retain many principles of the Orthodox and Catholic doctrine: Let's enter their Temples. Their Churches are low and but poorly furnished; their vassalage will reach no further: whether from their subjection, or that (so the Temples of their bodies be replenished with virtue) the excellency of buildings confer not holiness, I know not: neat they are, and sweetly kept; matted, without seats, and instead of Images have some select and useful texts of holy Writ obviously writ or painted. They assemble and haste to Church each Lord's day with great alacrity: at their entering they shut their eyes and contemplate the holiness of the place, the exercise they come about, and their own unworthiness: as they kneel, they look towards the Altar or Table, near which the Bishop or Priest is seated, whom they salute with a low and humble reverence; who returns his blessing by the up-lifting of his hands and eyes: at a set hour they begin prayers, above two hours seldom continuing: first they have a short general confession, which they follow the Priest in, and assent in an unanim Amen: then follows an Exposition of some part or text of holy Scripture: during which, their attention, dejected looks, and silence is admirable: they sing an hymn, and at parting out of Church, resalute the Minister; who ceases not (till all be gone out) to elate his hands and bless them. When they are come home they read a chapter in either Testament, both which they suppose they have incorrupt after the Originals, and translated for them by Saint Thomas the Apostle and patron of the Orient: they have it also in the Chaldy; but none save the Clergy understand it: every first Sunday in the Month, the Priest reads a Sermon out of an old Homily, writ (as they say) by the Apostle or some of his Disciples: they Baptism commonly at the 40 day, if the Parents do no sooner desire it, they first sign the Infant on the forehead with the Cross, and then wash it all over with water: the Sacrament of the Lords holy Supper they administer in both kinds; the Communicants receive it (reverently) kneeling: they observe two days strict preparation, during which they eat no flesh, revel not, accompany with no women: in the Church they confess their sins and demerits with great reluctancy: They marry as we do: the Clergy marry but once; the Laity but twice; widows if they marry before the year be expired (after which their husbands died) are ill reported of, and hazard their jointure: none (save for adultery) have licence to part till death sever them. In sickness the Priest is sent for to comfort them, and to give the Eucharist, if it be hearty desired: that done, they take farewell of their wife, and children, and all others; and so rid themselves of carnal distractions; which too oft hinder the desired meditation, of the misery of worldlings; and by a holy contemplation of the ineffable joys of heaven, strive to mitigate the pangs of their disease, yea the grim aspect of approaching Death; and the survivers rather joy than mourn as they solemnize his funeral: they first wash, then wrap the Corpse in clean linen; & a few selected friends concomitate it to the grave, wherein they place it looking (not East, but) West towards jerusalem: five days after that they visit his Family. They feast and fast as we: their Lent or abstinence from flesh and the like, gins each spring, and is strictly observed forty days, without banquet or bravery: their year is Soli-genian: our three chief festivals they celebrate, in July they commemorate the martyrdom of Saint Thomas: they have many Patriarches or Protomists, the chief resides at a house built upon a high mountain, nine miles from Cranganor. Since the portugals traded Indya they have shaved their heads: the Layicks pay Decimae or Tithes willingly: they affect justice, truth, peace, humility, obedience, etc. and acknowledge Saint Thomas (some the Eunuch of Arabia, converted by Philip) their Tutelary Saint, and Patron. They believe no Purgatory. May 7, we had 8 degrees: and ere Sunset darted our eyes upon that high mountain commonly called Brin john i. e. the Mount of john; and revives the British Antiquity. Next day we had 7 degrees 30 minutes; variation 14 degrees: than which, that famous Promontory of East-India extends no further towards the Aequator. Next day we sailed by the Maldyvaes, Isles memorised by Pyrard de Laval who lived there, and reports that the King there styles himself Emperor of thirteen Provinces and 12000 Lands; most and least any King in the world is owner of. near these are other Isles, Candu, Nicubar, and Sumbrero by name; in the view of Zeyloon, and Sumatra: to which place and many other I must guide your patience. of Zeyloon. ZEyloon (or Ceylon,) one of those five Isles Ptolemy calls Barussae, was not innominate to the Ancients. By Ptolemy, called Panigarensis; & since him (in Arab. Author's) Sisuara, Tenarisis, and Nanigeris. At this day Zeyloon by us; Chingall, by the inhabitants: an I'll, spacious, rich, and famous: severed from the Asiatic continent by a small sea, not forty Leagues over. It is limited from 8 to 11 deg. of latit. North; the length is about 70 leagues; breadth 40, and circuit 250 or thereabouts: an I'll famous in some old conjectures, as that Paradise was here; & that K. Solomon had hence his obrize gold or gold of Ophir; but I believe neither, in regard most writers fix the ruins of the one in Mesopotamia; and the other rather in Pegu, java, & those wealthy places. The most memorable is this, That Meleck (or Melchior) Pyramal, King of this Island is thought one of those wisemen (premonished by that prophecy of Balaam the Edomite in Num. 24. 17.) that brought (as to a King, a Priest, a Prophet,) Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, unto our blessed Saviour; foretold also by the Persian Sibyl, and by a new made Star guided by the finger of God, miraculously directed: and who at his return made known the mystery of God's Incarnation, for man's redemption; & by his laborious teaching made many Proselytes; some to this day by tradition memorising him, and retaining somewhat of Christian knowledge, though the greatest part be Apostats; and drunk with abominable demonomy and superstition. But whether Melchyor returned (upon Saint Thomas his arrival) and with the other two came into Europe, and whether those three buried in Cullen be fictitious or no; it is not pertinent to a Traveller's curiosity to insist upon. But this is obvious in History, That Candaces Noble Eunuch, baptised by Philip, left her service to preach Christ; whom very fruitfully he made known to many parts of Araby and sundry Isles; as Socotora, this, and Tabrobane, or Sumatra; as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre, in the days of the great and godly Constantine witnesseth. The honour of the first Christian European discovery, we own to Laurentius son of the brave Almeyda the Portugal General, about the year 1500: not altering the name from what the Natives named it. Which though Hayton (300 years ago) and Barrius (by many sophisticated Notions borrowed from the brains of Corsalus and Varryer) will have to be Tabroban; we will grant it so, when by Epedemick assent, he can prove Peru to be Ophir. To speak of the Time present. The I'll is overrun with stinking weeds of cursed Heythenisme. Here, grow those heaps of Errors, which we see Of all uncleanness and Idolatry. Hic, errorum cumulus, hic omnis spurcitia Hic, infoelix populus gaudet Idolatria. Scarce any Village or Mount without its inanimate Pagod; which being diverse in shape, are therefore diversified, in that they relish the diverse palates of diverse men. Witness that infamous Apis Hanimant, or Apes-tooth-god, so highly, so generally resorted to by millions of Indians, till Constantine the late Goan Viceroy landed 500 men, spoiled Columbo, and took away that simple Idol, and in his zeal burned it, refusing 300000 Ducats which the Zeylonians proffered to redeem that their helpless Pagod. Unwisely refused; in that a crafty Bannyan produced such another, protesting it the same, was believed by the Jogues the Priests, thereby exceedingly enriching himself, and joying not a little these credulous Zelonyans. They have many other Cacodaemons horrible and ugly. The more deformed the more exact Ideas of Devils, & the more venerable. A notable one is that (not fare from Mattacala) conspicuous in its standing, an Idol of great bulk and Antiquity; Of which, the Singales and Jogues Cronography. That, many years ago, one johna their King nourished a ridiculous and impious conceit of this Diabolo, as a foolish and senseless Idol. But lo, the Jogues by the Devil's craft so wrought that upon a solemn day, as johna entered, he beheld the Pagod to breath out fire and fury, his eyes coloured with rage, and the Scimitar in his hand wrathfully bend against him; the amazed King cries out for help, accuses his infidelity, confesses it a perfect Devil, and having well satisfied for his error, is reconciled, and ever after a zealous Idolater. The place where this grand Pagotha stands, is enveloped with a cloud of Arms, and as sedulously guarded. Good reason too. The Time shall come; when sea, when land, when all The heavens vast moving regions, burning shall Consume, and to their ancient Chaos fall. Esse quoque in Fatis reminiscitur affore tempus Quo mare, quo Tellus, correptaque regia coeli Ardeat. Et Mundi moles operosa labourer. Verily believing, that so soon as this tottering Idol falls, the final ruin and overture of the whole world by fire or other ways shall immediately come after. Upon Columbo's high peak (a place dearly bought by the covetous Portugal) is also showed and seen (and credited) the vestigiating or footsteps of old Adam, here (believe them if you can) borne and buried Here also for a little money and much pains you may see a Lake of sale water (and because salt, upon so high a hill) said to be no other water, but the very tears which Eve shed a hundred years together for the murder of righteous Abel. A Cabala, how strange soever it seem to me and you, yet Friar Oderic of Friuli (Anno 1300, a contemporary and fellow Traveller and Figmentor with our Sir john) not only believes it, but persuades us to a like credulity. A word now of the soil. It abounds with sundry sorts of aromatic spices; but in most plenty with Cinnamon; and thence, by Ptolemy and Strabo is called Cinnamomifera regio. Cinnamon. Cinnamon, is a precious bark. The Tr●… is straigbt and low, the branches no way ruinous but growing in a com●…posture. It resembles the Olive tree in height, with which it co-operat●s towards perfection. The leaves are not unlike the Bay and Orange. The blossoms, are exactly white, fragrant, & beautiful. The fruit is globous, hard, and (by reason of Apollo's constant kisses) darkly coloured. It is apparelld with a thick rind or bark, which, in Summer (when it may best discover its virgin nakedness) 'tis disrobed of, and by the churlish Peasant cut in many small pieces, arefied by th'embracing Son, and so gathered. I might here also present you many other rarities this noble I'll abounds with. Oranges, Dates, Coquos, Ananas, Plantans, and Mastic, which Tom Coriat will not believe grows any where save in Syo. Elephants, Buffolos, Cowes, Sheep, Hogs, etc. Smaragd, Rubies, Ambergrice, and the like: But I rather desire to please thee by naming them. And with this, that all put together seemed so magical and dazzling in the eyes of the avaricious Lusitanian, that Almeyda in despite of her united Heptarchy landed here Anno Dom. 1506, fortified and forced for Emannuel his King a pretty Tribute, an Annual tax of 250000 pound weight of their best Cinnamon, which Sousa begun to load away the third year after. But the King (more rich than crafty) to show how little he regarded the loss of so much useless barks of Trees, and (I know no other reason) to set a better edge upon the monstrous appetite of the lean faced Portugal, invites them to see him walk upon a Tarrass, arrayed in an embroidered coat thick powdered with gold, Smaragds, Pearl and Diamond all together darting out rays of a most wonderful delight and lustre: to which (albeit Phoebus did his best to increase the splendour,) yet (as if that wanted glory) 500 Flambeauxes were put is flames to make this miserable Prince seem able to strike men dead with his dazzling glory. But it rather was as Balm to the heart, and as a Corpo Santo to the devouring admirers. For forthwith, Silveira built a brave and well-defended Castle there, (under promise to aid them against the Mallabar) but it was rather to be his Jewel keeper; for in small time they so pursued the feeble King, that they became Ravishers of what he had; and by a forced nakedness, learned him a future better way of politic bravery. From Zeloom let us hoist sail for some eminent Ports and marittim parts of Indya, Lorded by many black but daring Pagans: the Mogul (of whom in the first part we have treated) who has swallowed up, and encircled within his own Diadem many great and noble Kingdoms: the rest, being the Decan, Samoreen, (or Mallabar) Narsingan, Pegu, Syam, and others; of whom we will briefly glance at. As of the chiefest Isles, vicinating this we last landed at. As Sumatra, the javae, Borneo, Celebes, Moluccoes', Bandae, Amboyna, Phillippinae, etc. And first, of the coast of Chormandel. Of Chormandel. THe coast of Chormandel (Catigardamna in Ptolemy) stretches from Cape Comryn under 7 degr. minute's odd North, as fare as the great and famous gulf of Bengala, receiving both the heads of holy Ganges; the Ocean bellowing upon these well known Towns of Trade, Negapatan, Meliapore (both, famous for intombing S. Bartholomew and S. Thomas,) Polycat, Armagun, Narsinga, Mestipatan, Bipilipatan, and other places; where of old the Assacani (whence the Assassinates) are placed by Strabo, and Narsinga I take to be Magoza. NEGAPATAN (i.e. a Town upon the river Negay) has 12 deg. latitude North, odd minutes; hot and unwholesome, both in regard the wind and raines are for the better part of the year, high and unseasonable. The Town has good water, and Fruits well relished, cooling and nutritive; notwithstanding, the people are much vexed with Fevers, Fluxes, and other Diseases. The people be blackish, blockish, and unapt for study or exercise: Heat (which here predominates) debelitates their appetite, and invites them to too much ease (the Mother of luxury;) a small, thin, but very fine Shuddery or veil of Lawn is drawn afore their secret parts; their head also has a small wreath, the rest is exposed to view and weather. They want no gold, stones of value, nor such things as the Merchant covets; but they prise them as we do Trifles. Any religion is tolerable: so that some praise Mahomet, some a Dog, others a Crocodile, and some love senseless Pagods. The Banyan wives here have more freedom to burn themselves to ashes at the Funeral of their husbands, than where the Moors have command; so that in this Coast the custom is usual. Their Marriages require the first place. They are various, the most Novel being, that a Priest, a Cow, and the two Lovers go together to the water side; where the Bramyn mutters a prayer of small matter to some purpose; which finished, in order and Symmetry they link hands, and have the Cow's tail commixed as a holy testimony; on all together the Bramin pours his hallowed Oil, and forces the beast into the river, whereinto she goes willingly, yea so fare till they be to the middle in water; nor returns she, nor do they disunite, till Neptune fright her: but being on shore, they untie, holding that conjunction sacred and powerful ever after. Their Epithalamy is sung, let's hear their Funerals! when Death has cut in two their Union; she conceits herself a loathed carcase to live after him: she robes her tender body with a transparent Lawn; her arms, legs, and thighs, are fettered with wanton chains of love; her ears, nose, and fingers, adorned with Pearls and precious stones; one hand holds choice of flowers; th'other a Ball; Embleams of immortal Paradise. She goes attended with a mighty company; some for love, most for Novelty. The Priest all the way describes the rare joys she is going to; she grants a modest smile, trips on, and upon sight of the flame, seems transported beyond measure; she sees the carcase of her Husband laid upon a pile of precious wood, and when the fire gins to embrace him, like a mad Lover she bids Farwell to her Parents, children, and friends, and willingly incorporates herself with fire; which quickly makes them one, and nothing; nothing extant save fame, flame, and ashes. Of which the Poet, thus of old. Et c●rtamen habent lethi, quae viva s●quatur conjugium; pudor est non licuisse mori. Ardent victrices, & praebent pectora flammae; imponuntque suis ora perusta viris. They strive to die, and who best speed can make; They blush, grim Death so slowly to o'ertake. The Conquerors burn, their breasts yield to the fire, And to their husbands their lips aspire. Some refuse to burn, but are forced to shave and live as Monsters: a punishment justly given, they were grown so audiciously wanton, that upon any distaste the liver of their abused husbands could but satisfy their lustful boldness acted by venom, till by Parliament this course was taken to avoid the danger. Gross Idolatry. Such is the miserable vassalage the old red Dragon cheyns this wretched people in; who are so fare from commiserating their own woe, that they invent many tragic tricks of devotion to destroy themselves, and to agrandize their idolatry. They have a massy copper guilded Pagod, mounted upon a triumphant Chariot moved by eight mighty wheels over-laid with pure gold; the Ascent is spacious and easy by many steps, on which are placed (upon a solemn day) the Priests and many sober girls (who to enrich the Devil (poor knave) prostitute their bodies to the libidinous flame of wicked men: Oh ignis infernalis luxuria! fond zeal of such besotted Parents, to destinate their pretty children from a miserable infancy to the old age of hellish devotion: the procession follows, (not unlike the Thensa used by the superstitious Romans or that by idolatry of the Danes reported by Ditmarus and Dado their writers.) happy is that man, rich and poor, great and base; can fasten a hand to draw the Chariot: yea they account them happiest, who out of a frantic zeal, temetariously throw their naked bodies in the way; that by the ponderousness of the Devil and his Chariot, their wretched bodies may be crushed in pieces, by that thought Martyrs, not knowing that their mortal silly souls fly into the fry of an endless flame: yea more (infandum) such is the stupid folly of these men that they persuade their fanatique daughters to become base strumpets to please their fancy and enrich their Pagods, insomuch, as it is a great wonder to see so many girls at such immaturity, so impudently delighted with filthy men. Quid juvat durum proverare Fatum? Omnis haec vaga turba libet ad manes Faci●tque inertivela Cocyto. What helps it thus to haste your destiny? In such post-haste since all this wretched fry Shall with full sail to hell through Cocyt fly. From Negapatan go we for Meliapore. MELIAPORE, is a Town on the Coast of Kormandel, elevating the Arctic Pole 13 degr. 20 min. both old and famous; first called Calamina, then, Melange, Meliapore after that, and now S. Thomas, by reason that in this place he suffered martyrdom. The Town is at this day small and poor; under Moorish command; and yields little for Trade, save Cotton ware and such Commodities; howbeit, is exalted in her memory. This was the last place where the Apostle preached, after he had converted Persia, Hyrcania, Bactria, Sogdiana, and many parts of Indya, yea and many Proselytes were here, who embraced his soul saving doctrine, and those not of the basest sort; for Sygamus himself (Emperor of this Coast) was baptised, and (by his example) other of the Nobles. Howbeit, the Devil so wrought (by God's permission) that some apost atizd and enraged the multitude, so that in a common fury they both suffered, the one was shot to death, the other brained, and both crowned with glorious martyrdom, thirty years after our Saviour's passion. And, however Abdias Babylonicus (who writ that after their deaths they appeared and preached again their former doctrine,) may seem doubtful, this is certain that in Memory of their cruel ingatitude, the divine justice hath marked their posterities, (as some Jews say the Tribe of Benjamin are to this day, who of all others were most fierce against our Saviour of the Tribe of David and judah) so these have one leg as big again in the calf as is the other. Notwithstanding the people's rage, the two noble Martyrs had each his sepulchre, and to this day was a receptory of many native and other holy Christians; till about fifty years since, their skulls and bones were brought a way and (as holy relics) at this day kept in the Virgin's church in joa) by command of john 3 of Portugal, who sent Emanuel Frias (guided by Alphonsus Sousae) to that purpose. Many strange reports I could give ye out of Spanish reporters, But I am not enjoined to believe them. What is very observable and with warrant, I may. That in the year of our Lord God 883 (as Malmsbury, Glor. Wigorn. and others justify) Syghelmus a devout Bishop of Shirborne in Dorsetshyre encoraged by Alfred a holy English King traveled to this place in pilgrimage with Alms and Offerings; yea and returned home in nine years with great joy, rarities and experience, bought by incredible patience, cost and danger, after which the place was very famous. I read also, that in the year of our Lord 1277, Myrangee an Atheist conquered Narsinga and beyond this City, a man full of rapine and other impiety; yea so basely opinionated of this relic and Tradition that havihg one year abundance of rice and other grain, and room enough to hoard it in, in a contemning way and bravery no place would please him to put it save the holy Chapel, where prayers were incessantly made by many religious Christians. They entreat him to refrain, by all submissive means, but it spurs him on to a greater height of profaneness, yea is infinitely glad it vexes them, by this supposing himself to be thought a God (a Devil rather) and to be worshipped. But see God's power and favour in it; that night, in an affrighting dream or vision he sees the old Apostle approaching him in wrathful and discontented way threatening to punish him for his ungodliness, and with an Iron whip proffers to lash the relenting King, who suddenly is a waked and as soon beseeching the Christians to pray for him, helping himself to purge the house of God and satisfying for his sacrilege. A Miracle not a little joying the sad minded Christians. Polycat in 14 deg. Armagun Caleture, Tarnassery and Petipoly are in our way hence to Narsinga and Meslipotan; but by reason they are but lately become factoryes of English Merchants, and differ in custom's colour, and other things, little from Narsinga: we will pass thence to other descriptions. Of Narsinga. NARSlNGA, is a Noble part of India where some would have Chormandell to terminate, but I like it not. Narsinga is famous all over Asia: confined by Mallabar, Gulcunda, Bengala (Baracura of old,) and the Ocean. The King so rich, that he despises his Neighbours: so powerful in Men, Arms, and Ammunition; that he values neither Mogul, Decan, Samoryn, nor Peguan. His Kingdoms are defended by loyal slaves, and many natural advantages; full of all things requisite, for use, and pleasure: as fair Towns, strong Forts, pleasant fields, and choicest Minerals; abounding in rivers, hills, dales, corn, cattles, fruit, etc. so that with good cause he is reputed as absolute a Monarch as any other in India. The Bannyans swarm like Locusts here; the Bramyns are no where more reputed of: the Temples indeed in their structures boast of no great bravery, but are proud within; retaining many rich and massy Idols, shaped and commanded by the Devil for his service and their devotion. BISNAGAR (Modura of old, Arcati says Castaldus) is the second City in Narsinga for grandeur and bravery; being circled with a wall of four mile's compass, and as well fortified: well built, and no less wealthy. Some Churches it has, remarkable for shape & ornament; but in their gentilism base and immodest, yea unworthy the relation. The Port or Haven is good to anchor in: the City well frequented by European ships and junks from Malacca, Pegu, Cambogia, Cochyu-Chyna, China, japan, Phyllippinae, the Moluccae, Borneo, java, Sumatra, Zeiloon, and many parts of India, Arabia, Persia, and like places. When any Traveller comes to his Court, he shall have fitting entertainment: and is many times invited by the King, the better to show his fine , which to show ourselves thankful we will report to other nations; being thick set with stones and gems of infinite value and wonderful lustre; which when he is roabed with (for the resemblance they have with the Son, which they worship) he is adored: his Court is full of Majesty, his guard being a thousand pensioners: he affects polygamy, and therefore writes himself husband of a thousand women; many of them having him all his life in such esteem, that at his Death they make his flaming Grave their consuming Sepulchre. MESULIPATAN, commonly pronounced by contraction Mestipatan, is subject to the Gulcundan King, and removed from the Equinoctial 16 degr. and a half, North; seated in the skirt of the Bengalan Ocean. The whole province admits a mixture of several Idolatries; in most parts the Saracius and Bannyans being the greatest number. Mahomet was blasted among them by a Colony of Persians conducted hither in the 28 year of the Aegyra and of our account 648 by Abdall Ben Hemyr a man of no small reckoning with Ozman the then Calyph of Babylon & Mecca, since when their offspring have here inhabited. The town itself cannot be famosed either for bulk, beauty, or pleasure. 50 years ago by a raging mortality and Famine being well nigh depopulated. The streets are few, and narrow; the houses low and unfurnished; the fields and gardens parched by flaming Phaeton, which here rages from March to july; from thence to November the wind and rain as incessantly disturbing them: so as of twelve months, they have but four from November to March salubrious and moderate: howbeit by reason of the English residence here, of late trafficking for calicoes, rice, and the like, it gins to flourish, and is not to be doubted unless the unquiet and deceitful humour of the people distaste the English and force their removal to adjacent places as Armagun and Polycat, where they may sit down with more ease, less charge and choicer merchandizes. Hence remove your chaste eyes and ears to an unchaste Town, though Casta by name; a Town infamous in cursed demonomy and wantonness. The Mosques have Idols in them, showing art in sculpture very commendable, but hateful in the stink of their devotion. The common shapes of Pagods here resemble beastly Priapus and Pan (as is described by Servius in Aegloc 2 Virgil) having great eyes, flat nose, wide mouth, four great horns, a long beard shaped like beams or radiance of he Sun, claws for hands, and crooked legged, all over deformed. Nil sine Numine is old. Here we see Nil nisi Numen. The Devil pleasing them in variety and not caring how nor in what shape it be, so he be served. Some imagines a cow above all creatures worth his adoration. Others regard the Sun, Moon, Stars, as heavenly souls and helpers: and other some the refreshing streams, shading trees, and the like; whereby I may fitly parallel them with what Tacitus speaks of the Celtes our neighbours. Multa simulacra, multum peregrinae superstitionis vestigim ibi videre liceat. They have many solemn Festivals. In some of them they fasten sick or needy-men (made stupid by too much zeal) to a hook or engine, which being hoist to elevate him with the Pagod, the blood trickling from his wounded shoulders (excessit medicina modum) is preserved by the Priest; & at his descent (as a meritorious sacrifice) dashed against a Tree: and after he has (in most submissive sort) entreated the devil to accept his offering, returns filled with joy and applause and hopes to thrive the better ever after. They Offer in the night, first making the streets bright as day by a multitude of lights, then stuffing their hands and bags with rice, they glomerate and wind in dances; in every corner (where a puppit-god sits) throwing rice and fruits; but being once out of the magic ring, haste away; not daring to look back lest the Devil should tear them for this their gratitude. They use not common burials; in that the Carcaffe is placed in a deep cave, long and narrow; or betwixt two walls built so of purpose; and wherein the foolish widow immures herself; never after speaking to any, but expecting death by the arrow of Famine, of all other the most formidable and insufferable. Their Habits are best part nakedness, the zone excuses clothing. They delight in fishing, and to sport upon the water, in boats or curricurries thus shaped. A Curricurre or boat Of Malacca. MALACCA (Terra aurifera in josephus:) elevates the Arctic Pole 5 degr. from the Aequator. Was known of old by the name of Aurea Chersonesus, and if my aim deceive me not, the same, Ptolemy in his 7 lib. 2. c. calls Facola, and more likely to be part of Ophir, (from such abundance of Gold as hence, in Pegu, Syam, Borneo and Sumatra is and has ever been ravished, and in that, Ophir and Hobab with Havilah their brother, sons of joctan here inhabited) rather than Hispaniola supposed Ophir by Columbus and Stephanus; Soffala by Ortelius. Gambra by Artius Montanus; Ormus by Danaeus; or those moon conceits of Peru by bold faced Goropius; or that Spanish brag of Pineda who threatens those that will not believe Cadiz was it: for I see this place admits the conjecture better both from the Port of Ezion-geber in the red Sea, whence by Arabia's shore and the Indian they might without help of the Adamant or Pole Star facilitate their voyage; and that this place has of old been denominate the Land of gold. This old verse of Tzetza points at it. Insula est Indica quam (Poetae) Auraeam vocant. Alii vero peninsulam dicunt, sed non Insulam. Hebraei autem Ophyr Lingua sua vocant. Habet enim Metalla Auri & Lapides omnifarios. Excellenter magis vero Prasinum lapidem. The golden Indian Isle (by Poets sung) A peninsule some name it, and no Isle. The Hebrews call it Ophir in their tongue. All sorts of stones and mines of gold ere while Are found there with the choicest Prasine stone. And Malacca is a Chersonesse or Peninsula; which makes it agree the better with this description of Ophir. The City Malacca is under 5 (some observe 4) degrees North, and obeys the Monarchy of Syam, ever since Abdalla the honest King thereof was An. 1508. most inconsiderately beheaded by the Portugal; and that upon Sequeyra's complaint Albuquerk sacked it, obtaining an incredible mass of treasure; 3000 pieces of great Ordnance, and so much minted coin, that the King of Portugall's part (being but a fift) came to 250000 rials of 8: a conquest so forceable, that (notwithstanding the Castle and Garrison left there by the Lusitanian) the Syam King at his own leisure prostrated it. The City is above 3 miles long, but very narrow; built in a hemicycle, upon the banks of a pleasant river, as broad as is the Thames, but not so potable: a rivulet of sweeter water glides gently thorough the Town, over which is raised a Bridge, strong though meanly beautiful: the walls circling her are reasonable strong; but invalidable against the fiery vomits of the Cannon: the buildings are generally low and base, and lined with poor furniture, though they want no gold to buy it with; but being dark and close, 'tis the less useful: the most observable are her Fanes, Cypresses, and Gardens; the streets and fields show many delightful Arbours and choice fruits; amongst which the Duroyen (as valewable with them as Ours of Gold and Silver, abounding here,) Corn, Sugar, and some other rarities: the people are naturally hospitable; affected with music, songs, and strangers: howbeit, impatient and fierce, if exasperated; jealous, if occasioned, deceitful if too much credited: their language is epedemic, and serves no less in these parts, than with us the Latin; in other parts, the Arabic: leave we Synca-pura, and pass to Patania, an easy dyaes journey thence. Of Patania. PATANIA, (Perimula of old, at this day a well-known City in the Bengalan or Argaric gulf, and extra Gangem) elevates the Pole Arctic, about 7 degrees; and is situate in midst of those two famous Ports, Malacca and Syam. The government is Monarchical; the Kings derive themselves from a Gentile King of Delly; who when he had subdued Patania, left his son Gingee his Prorex here; and from whom the late Queen and this Prince are truly branched. The Mogul oft threatens to dethrone him; yey he sits close and keeps his own; especially safeguarded by interposing Ganges, and some small but useful I'lets where he advantageously fortifies. The Town is strong, and best defended by 12 pieces of great brass Ordnance; one of them (a Basilisco) is twenty six foot long, well proportioned in boar and squaring. Some Temples of Idolatry Patania shows, furnished with wooden gods for politheisme; but more noteworthy in some antic Monuments of former Kings. The people are black, and go with the most part of their bodies naked: they take great delight in eating of beetle and Opium, and love Areck (or strong liquor) exceedingly: they usually eat in plates of gold. They frequently speak three Languages, the Malay, Siam, and that of China: Their writing differs, one which is the Malay, from the right hand to the left, as the Hebrews; another, which is the Syam, from the left to the right, as we; a third, which is the China, right down and bending no way: all three very usual and affected by the industrious. They are part Moores, and part Gentiles: the one so worship God; as the other do Pagods or Idols. They are hospitable to such strangers as from desire of novely or gain, reside amongst them: neither do they inquire of what Country they be, what their Business, nor Religion. The men of note transcend in courtesy; for at any man's arrival, they blush not to proffer their Daughters or Nieces to be their bedfellows; yea to concomitate them at bed and board during his stay; the price for such a favour not equalling so high a compliment: but that, were it less; too much in my opinion for such Panders and base prostitutes. At the end of the prefixed time the woman returns home well pleased; so far from shame or loss, that they rather account her honoured; and fit for preferment: But 'tis dangerous to be wanton elsewhere; jealousy on either side inflaming into rage, which seldom dies without one or another's destruction: I cannot but cry out upon them, and adjudge them in the civil sorrow of one of their Religion, but more temperance; who could sigh out, at sight of such absurdities, Oh miserum! cui peccare liceat. Adultery they punish rigidly; Fornication is more tolerable. The young women are carelessly frolic, and fearelesly merry; the married, melancholy and strictly observed: idleness and heat provokes them to inchastity. The men are also effeminate; yea wallow in all kind of turpitude and sensuality: their females are often in their sight; the grape commoves them to wickedness; they delight their gust and with choicest wines, waters, Rack, Ryce, and fruits, both succulent and restorative; and which make Venus predominate: but by this their intemperance they abreviate their days; few exceeding sixty years: an old age, if you contemplate their lust (Death's best harbinger,) and the Zone they sweat in; bad, both; both, intemperate. Of Siam. SIAM, (called Sobanna formerly; a City and Kingdom so denominated; declining North from the Equinoctial 14 deg.) is famous for power, wealth, and many sorts of excellencies: a great part of Pegu, Braama, and Cambogia are tributary to him; Patania also, jamohay, Odjea, and many other Territories watered by Ganges acknowledge him: his power is great, usually warring with 1000 Elephants and, 200000 men. The Zone is hot, the men black, and in such torrid places, little clothing is required: a Cambolin of pure lawn of a sad colour, trebled on and about their naked shoulders: some tie a leather skin about their neck; and (as a badge of devotion) gird their middles with a leathern thong, and hold a Sumbrero or Umbrella in their hands to lenify the flaming Sun; but wear no Sandals, that the scorching sands may so mortify, that the Tallapois, may be thought a wonder. They are transcendent Idolaters, carving Gods to worship, after the shapes of Pan, Priapus, and other goatish fancies, yea and in postures not to be remembered: they have Groves and Altars also, whereon they offer flesh, fruits, flowers; and many times when the Tallapoi tells them the Devil is melancholy, they warble out harmonious music, and do what they can to make him merry: others (so son as Aurora shows her golden Trammell) run to their Pagods with a basket of Rice to be his breakfast, hoping there by to prosper that day the happier. The Tallapois preach every Monday in the Market, and assemble their auditory by a copper Bason. But though they seem Fryer-mendicants by profession, yet what by awe (for the very infernal spirits obey their in cantations) and what by policy (for they contemplate humility externally much) the people have them in singular estimation: Nor is it diminished, but agrandized exceedingly by their prediction of future events, and marvelous knowledge in things past and present; by Magic and Moral observation, resolving, dissuading, applauding, directing, and pleasing all that come unto them (as to Oracles) from such enthusiastic Notions as Satan prompts them with, in a word, being. Of Gods, Interpreters, of Phoebus' lays, The three legged charming Stool, the Claryan Bays, Planets, Birds, Language, and all old assays. — Interpres Diuûm; Qui Numina Phoebi Qui tripodas Clarii lauros, quisydera sentis, Et Volncrûm Linguas & praepetis omnia pennae, They have been (in foregoing times) wicked Sodomites, a sin so hateful to nature itself, that it abhors it; and to deter these catamits, a late Queen rectrix commanded that all male children should have a Bell of gold (in it an Adder's tongue dried) put though the prepuce, which in small time not only became not contemptible, but in way of ornament and for music sake few now are without three or four; so that when they have a mind to marry, he has his choice of what maid he likes, but beds her not, till the Midwife present a sleepy ophiated potion, during which, the Bell is loosed from the flesh, and fastened to the foreskin, which hinders not but titulates; the unguent is applied; and the cure is perfected. But to see a Virgin here, at virgin's years, is as a black Swan, in regard, in green years they give the too forward maids a virulent drink; whose virtue (vice rather) is by a strange efficacy to distend their muliebria so capaciously that Bells and rope ring too too easily: and which is worst (dull memory compels us write it) the women here are not ashamed (the better to allure men from sodomitry) to go naked to the middle, where with a fine transparent cobweb-lawn they are so covered, that by a base device 'tis made to open as they go; so that any impure air gives all to men's immodest views, denudating those parts, which every modest eye most scorns; each honest thought most hates to see and think upon. The Boys paint themselves with a celestial colour from top to toe, and as an augmentation of beauty, cut, gash, and pink their naked skins; which in mine (contrarying their) opinion, rather breeds horror than affectation in any Traveller; the men affect perfumes, and practice compliment. The soil is but indifferent for grass, or natures Tapisrtry, but in rich stones, as Diamonds, Chrysolites, Onyx stones Magnets, Bezarrs lignum Aloes, Benjamin, Cotton; and Ours of Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, and the like, most uberous; and made more by Silverplentifull brought from man japan, and victuals and commodities from other parts, and bought here cheaper than in any other places: but most memorable in the Cabriz or bloodstone he generated; the marvelous virtue being such (as Osorius tells us) That such time, the Portuguizes warred against the bold Sumatrans, they descried a Junck or Ship at Sea; they made to it, and were resisted boarding it, by Nahodabeg Captain their inveterate adversary: but after long and cruel fight they entered among the naked indians, slew such as resisted them, and amongst them Nahodabeg; who (to their amazement) bled not, albeit they had hacked him in forty places; they thought it magical, till (having taken from his Arm a bracelet of gold, wherein set the Cabriz stone) they found the reason, for that was no sooner removed, but that his blood issued abundantly from each wound he had about him: doubtless it is a most precious stone, and had it power to expel death also, it were more than admirable. Of Pegu. PEGU, is also a renowned Kingdom of the Oriental Indya (Lestarum regio, in old writers) confined by Syam, Ganges, and the Ocean; a Monarchy of fare greater extent and power fifty years ago, till the Syamite plucked forceably from her Dyadem many brave and wealthy Signories: howbeit she is yet commandress of many Lands, Monym, Barongo, Nogomello, Duradura, Cocos, etc. Pegu (by Castaldus supposed that old City Triglipton in Ptolemy) has Arctic elevation 16 degrees 40 minutes: a City walled with good stone, beautified with many Turrets and parapets: and to issue out and enter in, shows four fair Gates, and twelve posterns, prettily built; and made more safe, by that deep Moat or Trench (filled with Crocodiles) that circumvolves her: the streets are not many, but large and broad they are and seldom crooking: afore every door (the houses are all low) grows a pleasant tree, whose fruit and wholesome shade makes them double useful. It is divided into two, the new Town and the old; the old is most great and best inhabited. The Varellaes (or Temples) and Sudatories are observable; each Varella farcinated with ugly (but guilded) Idols: that at Dogonnee is not a little memorable; for structure and ornament outbraving any other in the Orient: the wilderness about it and antic superstition might challenge a copious description; which I forbear, having other things to denotate. This Kingdom is full of all earthly delights, & blessings of Nature; Gold, Silver, Led, & Iron; also Smaragds, Topaz, Rubies, Saphires, Garnats, Emeralds, Espinells, and Cats-eyes; as also Ryce, Caravances, long Pepper, Sugar, Benoyn, Musk, Gum-lack, Cotton, Calicoes, and what else a reasonable man can lust after: But all these if they were centuplied, are not able to make them truly happy, wanting the true pearl, that which the godly Merchant bought, though to obtain it he sold all his frail wealth and possessions: for, albeit the holy Apostle Saint Thomas brought them blessed tidings of salvation; yet they quickly lost the true light, delighting to this day in obscure and loathed sins, the Kyacks filled with base Idolatry: insomuch that father Bomferrus (an old Franciscan) after four tedious years labour to reduce them to some knowledge of the Church of Rome, came home, desiring rather (as did S. Anthony) to preach among pigs, than such a swinish generation. The truth is, they believe they know not what; and Quaenam est ista simplicitas? neseire quod credas says Hierom against the Luciferians: yet some what (if all be true he tells us) we gather from his observation: that they believe the world (consisting of Heaven, Sea, and Earth,) had four Creations; and for impiety was four times destroyed: by Fire; by Wind, by Water, and by Earthquakes: each Age or World governed by a several tutelarie Numen or God; miserable only in this, that he was transitory, and not omnipotent, nor immortal: they reckon that the last destruction of the world & death of their last God was thirty thousand years ago; and that in Plato's great year all shall once more suffer a chaos. They imagine a great Lord omniscient, omnipotent, and immortal, lives and rules in Heaven; but they do not worship him, in that Satan tells them, he desires it not: they believe a revivification of the body after death, and co-union with the soul; and (Bomferrus believes it) confess a threefold receptacle of souls departed, Nashac, Nishac, and Schua; Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory: by which that holy Friar convinces us of more ignorance than these Pagans: but we believe it never the sooner, since the Devil is their instructor, yea who dictates their profession. Their habit is thin and fine; it differs little from that they have in Industant, and Syam: but in this they ; they wear no beards; they die their teeth black, in that Dog's teeth are white; whom they hate to imitate: they also cut and pluck their flesh to become braver than other Nations I have told you the best of Pegu; the worst is also memorable: In less than a hundred years ago, the Peguan Monarch was fare more powerful and formidable than at this present: his Dyadem then sparkled with a gallent lustre; twelve wealthy Kingdoms at that time acknowledged Pegu their Sovereign: Some of those Provinces are well known to us, as Syam, Auva, Kavelan, Barmaw, jangomer, Tangram, Cablan, Lawran, Meliotalk, etc. out of which, he yearly extracted as tribute-money two Millions of crowns; and had a Million of men to serve him at all occasions; but this hardly could content him, for by a two losty conceit of his Monachick greatness; he grew efflated, and to contemn others as too base to fix his eyes upon; Tyranny succeeded his pride, and decadence or destruction of his Empire: Tyranny, for the Auvan King when he found no privilege by being Uncle to the Emperor of Pegu, nor that he was his loyal subject; he swells with rage, and breaks asunder his silver yoke of hated servitude: howeit, ere he could ripen his designs, the Peguan has notice, and so suddenly arrests him, that in amazement he acknowleges his fault, and begs his mercy: but the Peguan King forthwith beheads him, and (to terrify others by his example) makes no difference 'twixt nocent and innocent; his wife, his children, and forty other whom he most respected concomitating the miserable Auvan King in that sad Tragedy. It was terrible Justice no doubt, but rather exasperated others to new rebellions; the most incensed and greatest in power was the Siam King, who seeing his own incertain standing, (any occasion breeding jealousy, and the least jealousy bringing death from his conqueror) he suddenly breaks out, and with all the forces he could make by money or promises (ere the Peguan was returned from Auva) in short time enters Pegu, and apparently made known his high rebellion: the Peguan threatens terrible things, and to effect them opposes the Siamite with an Army of nine hundred thousand fight men; but that world of men could not contrary the decree of a more powerful King; for such was the confused haste he made, precipitated by fury, such the hate, his cruelty had defamed him with, and such the affright his uncles Malus Genius (as Caesar's did Brutus) every where opposed him with, that in three hours fight his monstrous multitude turn rail and willingly yield themselves a prey to the enraged axe of war, choosing rather to die, than any way to increase the Paguan's pride; so as the Siamite triumphs, & the Peguan hastens back to raise more men to try a second fortune: The Siamite (not willing to engage himself too far) returns; the Peguan is almost there as soon as he, all the way burning and destroying all he met with: the Siam King arms himself with the Fox's skin; he refused to fight, not that he feared, but that he knew an easier way whereby: to assure his conquest; the Pegu darts many fiery defiances, calls him rebel, coward, and what not; not dreaming of his stratagems: for ere he could leave his trenches the swift and mighty river Suhan (Mean some call it) swelled desperately, broke o'er her banks, and flashed so violent into the Peguan army, that for want of boats and others helps, above seven hundred thousand perished, the rest were as bad as dead; fear and famine so overwhelmed them; this river every year (like Nilus) overflows, and supplies their want of rain; so mellowing the earth as it compares with Egypt for plenty, and with any other part of Indya for rarities: the next year the King of Pegu seconded his fight, but was compensated with no better fortune, we may say with worse; in that his son in this trial by too much valour lost his life, and of 500000 not a third got safe back to Martavan. And which was worse than that, by these perpetual brawls of war, his coffers were emptied; his Cities impoverished by want of trade; and his Kingdom in a sort depopulated by loss of so many men: these proved not motives of pity to the other late subjected Territories, but provocatives rather to unsetter themselves (as Siam) had done from unnatural thraldom; so that the King of Bramaw, the viceroy of Tangu, and of Rachan (a Province 'twixt Pegu and Bengala) confederate; and whiles the King of Pegu was hatching more prodigies at Martavan, they steal into Pegu with a resolute Army, destroying such as the late famine had spared, but though they found few people, and less food, yet got they riches incredible; out of Pegu the City as much treasure as loaded 2000 Camels; and as a period of that design not only made the wretched King crownlesse, but crowned their conquest with his life, his wife, and three sons sorrowfully accompaying him: Arrakan and the other two disagreeing about the spoil, were beaten home by the Bramaan King; he enjyed it but a while, the Siamite entering so furiously, that he also packed home and left Syam the victory; who since then, upon a marriage 'twixt one of the royal family of Pegu and his daugther, has quit his claim; and gives way to have both City and Kingdom brought to such trade and beauty as it had formerly. But to facilitate our travels, and to point you out the way the easier, accept an adjoining Map, to that in fol. 300: This describing India extra Gangem. map of east Asia From Pegu to Bengala are 90 leagues: the second Town of note is Martavan under 15 degrees; and which I guess was that Triglipton, note by Ptolemy, rather than Pegu as thinks Castaldus, I might tell you of the vanity of this wealthy Monarch; either when he shows himself in his royal paradrome or in his loading himself with glittering gems; his head, ears, arms, hands, legs, and feet, resembling a bespangled firmament; such as may amaze a good sense, yea dazzle a good eye, and force some men to judge him infinitely rich; but I behold him otherwise, and think him poor and miserable: Or of his deifying his Elephants, because milk white, and of greater bulk than usual; I suppose him worth our description, not that he is unknown in England, but for other things in him; than his shape, more observable. Elephant. The Elephant is for growth and understanding chiefest, of unreasonable Animals, so as he has been a subject of many learned writers, Aristotle, Plutark Pliny, Strabo, Annian &c. They go two, sometimes three years with young, and have extreme torment in their labour; their teat is 'twixt their fore legs, which the young one easily finds and sucks with eagerness. When they attain three years, they feed upon Dates, Meal, Milk, Whey, Fruits, Suger-canes, and Honey: they grow till fifteen, in that time mounting to four and twenty foot, yet lie down, dance and prove very active. In hot weather or when lust inflames them, the males grow mad, and past jesting with, their testicles being in their forehead. Umbragious shades, caves, and rivers please them. Swine, Serpents, and Mice displease them; cockcrowing does not so afflict him, as with his Proboscis to encounter the Rhynoceros affects him. The Persians call him the Symbol of Fidelity; Egyptians, the hierogliphic of justice; Indians of piety; Siamyts of memory; Arabs of magnanimity; Sumatrans, the Embleam of providence; Pliny in 8. lib. Nat. Hist. gathers them; Intellectus illi sermonis patrii, imperiorumque, obedientia officiorumque didicere memoria, amoris & gloriae voluptas, imo vera religio quoque Syderûm, Solisque ac Lunae veneratio etc. Musk Cat. The Musk Cat here also convenes and may merit a ca'tagraph: she exceeds the Castor for bigness; her head is little, eyes clear, a long muzzle, her teeth sharp, and offensive: her hair is particoloured, harsh, and bristly; yellow above, and whiter downwards: her profound pocket is near the genitory, excerpt sometimes with a spoon or stick; but when out of servitude, of her own accord parts with it, and by its fragor is oft found by the careless passenger. Having refreshed enough upon the main, hoist we sail for the most noble Isles of the Orient, and vicinating the Cities lately spoken of. Of Sumatra. SUMATRA, is that famous I'll, by Aristotle lib. de mundo, and others of old, called Taprobane; Symunda in 7. lib. Piol. and now by the inhabitors, Salyce or Salutra; and (provided japan be not an Isle) may truly be reputed the third great I'll in all the Universe: six hundred (some say nine hundred) miles long, and in breadth two hundred and forty; traded to by Solomon, but unknown to Alexander, though Megasthenes thinks Onesecritus his servant sailed thus far. One jambulus an errant Greek is said to have been here, 200 years afore Christ's nativity (if D. Sic. say true,) and may be the first discoverer: of a Christian, Alvero Telezzo is the first, who An. 1506 to find out gold, sailed whether Aeolus guided: since when, who people of the world have knowledge of it: 'Tis Nadyr to the Equinoctial: and now a place, where many petty Kings advance their Sceptres. The most glorious Dyadem incircles the ecliptic brow of that Tyrant of Acheen. All of them rich in gold and fruits and stones, but miserable in their mammetry and superstiion; most of them so ingulpht in the abyss of paganism, that they dare adore Cat, Rat, Dog, Devil, or what can be moulded after the representation of an elementary Creature: both Sex go most part naked; both are courageous, and apt in Bellona's dances. The soil is good where rivers fructify, barren where gold is veined. Many Towns of value are mediterranean; of which, Manancabo (full of gold) is not least memorable. But of best note here are Ports and Villages marittimat; such as be Achecu (by them called Ashey) Peder, Pacem, Daya, Tico, Priaman, Tykoa (east of jambee,) Baruzee, Cattatinga, Arundell, Daru, and (though last, first in gold and value) Passaman. The rivers flow with fish, and might prove more delightful for the Net and Angle, did not those hateful Crocodyles (here more than in Nilus) frustrate both. This noisome creature is one of the greatest wonders we meet with, Crocodile. in that from so small a beginning as an Egg (not much bigger than that of a Turkey) they increase to 8 or 10 yards in length. Their bodies are not longer than their tails, which is of like use with them, the Proboscis is to the Elephant: their mouths are very wide, at one gulf able to swallow horse or man; their teeth are ingrailed; they have no tongue: nor can they move their upper jawbone: their bellies are penetrable: backs hardly to be pierced; the brumal quarter they fast from food: but the rest of the year devour all sort of prey, with much voracity and greediness. No less notable is the Females burden: sixty days pass ere she lay her eggs, and which be commonly sixty numbered: sixty days she conceals them: and when she sits, sixty days consume in hatching: and to agree in one, sixty years is usually the Age of this detested beast, fish, or Serpent: by Seamen improperly called Alligator, corrupted from Allergardoes, a mixture of Spanish and Alman language: the name Crocodile is taken a croceo colere, or per Antiphrasin quòd crocum timeat. It is the most obnoxious of all sea monsters, and rightly becomes the Dissemblers epithet, In quibus est astutia Hyaenae, piet as Crocodili; the Egyptians of impudence: awed by none save the Ichnenmon, who steals into his belly and gnaws his guts whiles he opens his chaps to let the little Trochil pick his teeth, which give it feeding. Hence, sail we by many small Isles, as Marrah and Lampon in the straits of Sundry, so named by Ptolo. and from a point and Town in the next great Island. Of Polygundy also we might speak, but love not to land there, paenitisse juvabit, such bad luck by malevolent Venus or ill diet had our late plantation, whereby the Monopoly died with them; out of their graves only springing a new deterring name, of Kill abundance. But cast we Anchor an osier ground, and fix our wand'ring eyes upon a more delighted object, java, an I'll both great, wealthy, and famous; Insula jabadiae, Niger ghesses it. Of Java major. JAVA the greater, is an I'll nigh the Bengalan Sea, declining seven (some observe nine) degr. 40 minutes towards the Antarctic Pole from the Equinoctial; and in the 120 degrees of longitude. From East to West it stretches one hundred and fifty leagues, or of english miles four hundred and fifty; from North to South ninety leagues, or two hundred and seventy miles: the midland is for the most part mountainous and ill peopled; the marittim low, and populous: the first is windy, but conducing to health; the latter marish, and insalubrious. It is full of small villages, and inhabitants: the sea coast (by reason of trade for pepper) has Towns well built, most wealthy, and best defended: upon the North side, and to the N.E. especially, are Bantam, Palamban, jackatra (new named Batavia by the Dutch; but formerly Sunda-Calapa by the Inhabitants,) japarra, Tuban, jortan, Greecy, Chyringin, Serebaya etc. Bantam is under Antarctic declination or latitude, 6 degr. 20 minutes, and of westerly variation 3 degrees: the biggest City in the Island; owned by the Natives, built well nigh two miles long, distinguished into a Buzzar; the Pengrans Palace, a few streets, and at the furthest end the Cheneses live together in low built dwellings. Of itself it affords nothing save rice, pepper, and cotton will: though indeed, pepper for the greatest part is brought hither by the crafty but infinitely industrious Chyney men, who each january anchor here, and unload their juncks or Prawes from jamby, Borneo, Malacca, and diversother places; making Bantam their Magazine or Beehive, out of which they furnish the English & other merchants. These Chynese are men of peace, voluptuous, venereous, costly in their sports, great gamesters, and in trading over subtle for young Christian merchants: ofttimes they are so wedded to dicing, that after they have lost their whole estate, wife and Children are staked and parted with; yet in little time by gleaning here and there, he will be able to redeem them; if not, at the day, they are sold in the market. The lavan Kings are five, (Viceroys I might better call them;) four of them are subordinate to the Mattaran's command, who is able to bring unto the field 200000 desperate slaves, black, but valiant: they have small order or policy in war; yet dare attempt any thing, they are so forward. The climate burns so fiercely, that little apparel pleases them; most, go most part naked: they use lances, darts, arrows, and shields; but their sole bravery is in their crizes; a weapon, commonly two foot long, broad, waved, sharp edged, and small pointed; but (against the laws of Nature, and honour) basely poisoned: the hilt or handle is usually of wood or horn, (some have them of gold, silver, and Ivory) cut into the crooked shape or figure of a deformed Pagod; yet were they a thousand times more ugly, these savages would dare to adore them; especially, in that they ask the Idol on their crest pardon, after they have perpetrated homicide or such like villainy; a trick used by Lewes the eleventh to the Crucifix in's hat, to his eternal infamy. But these ●avans are drunk in their demonomy; they the more earnestly embrace it, by how much their poisoned natures abhor honesty. They trade in murders, adultery, thests, rapine, deceit, and all kinds of knaveries: Magic also, and Astrology delights them: a study their Priests are execellent in, and in which Satan instructs them; the better to oblige their gratitude, and to worship him as the Apollo of knowledge; which we inculcate, and abominate, yea say with Isaiah, Is there any God besides the Lord (jehovah)? yea, there is no God, we know not any: Isa. 44. he maketh the diviners mad, he turneth the wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish. Let us not learn the way of the heathen, jer. 10. they are altogether brutish and foolish; his molten Image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them: they are vanity, and in the day of account they shall perish. But in the Lord shall all true believers be justified and shall glory. These people know better how to swim than navigate; yet are not ignorant in sea affairs, nor want they vessels to do mischief in. Their chief delight is hunting Tigers, Ounces, and such beasts as give chase and resistance; They know Mahomet in some parts of the I'll, who as an infectious air is sucked by many people of remote Lands. Friendly they are to English men and delight to serve them, especially since the Dutch forced jacatra from them, betwixt whom is such mortal variance that fifteen rials (is given by either) as a reward for each prisoner dead or alive, either people can take nor is there ever hope of true Amity with Barbarians. The Oran-kays or best sort of people here, are lazy, sociable, but not to be too much trusted: they suppose themselves descended from China; in a junck 700 years ago forced hither by Tuffon or tempest. They are proud, and wear their hair pretty long, and about their crispes wreathe a valuable Shash or Tulipant; go naked to to the waist, where they gird them with a particoloured plad or mantle, falling no longer than the knees; and are impatient if any offer to touch their heads. The ordinary food had here (not at easy rates) is rice, wheat, pinange, betele, ophium, goats, eggs, hens, coquos, plaintains, jacks, and rack-a-pee so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; which drunk immoderately, accilerates Death; but temperately, exhilirates the heart, cures fluxes, kill worms and helps digestion. To conclude. Whence this great and noble I'll is called java, I confess my ignorance. I dare not say from javan (japhets' son) grandson of Noah; in that most agree, he planted Greece. But by reason his own brother Tharsis peopled these parts, why might he not from his brother's name (to eternize his memory) borrow the denomination. Nothing else save Pepper presents itself in this I'll, worthy our nothing: Pepper is sown, Pepper. and in the growth supported by poles or canes, about which it entwines and duplicates with many embraces, till by maturity it gets the shape and strength of a bushy, round, and pleasant tree. The pepper hangs four inches in length, and one about, in many clusters; each yielding fifty or sixty corns, full, round and fragrant; the smooth is best accounted of. The Cotton (more common in Persia and Guzurat) is no less memorable and useful. The tree is slender, straight, a yard high, and like a briar; Cotter. at the top it expands into many several branches; each, charged with many balls or cod containing the Bombast or Cotton: the shape is round, and equal in bigness to a Walnut: at maturity the cod opens, & discloses her treasure; but being cropped, is put in an entire heap, and with flails or such like useful (though churlish) instruments is forced out; and by the enriched owner cheerfully gathered. The Malayan Tongue sounds well, and may prove harmony to the ingenious observer; in these parts no less musical & epedemic, than is (with us, and others) the Latin, Arabic, and Sclavonian. English. Malay. A King Rutgee a Nobleman Orankay a Lord Kay a Priest Cadda a Merchant Phetor an Interpreter jorbissa a Man Oran a Woman Tadon Paran-poan & a Child Buda a Boy Catsion a Youth Monda a Father Babba a Mother Mamma a Brother Addal-Ally a Sister Adda-paparas an Uncle Niana a Friend Marty-lowty a Stranger Oranleya a Chirurgeon Goething an Iron-Smith Goada An Elephant Catgha an Ox Cambi. Alomba a Goat Carbow a Sheep Domba a Dog Hangbé a Bird Borron a Hen Ayam a Duck Bebeé a Musk-Cat Catto-Dalgalia a Sow Sabi. Sieleng a Fish Ican a Waterpot Laud a Herb Oberbedil. Lancuos a Musk-Nut Palla a Ship Capel. junck a Boat Praw. Paca-sura a Coat Nasse a Needle Naroen a Custom Negry a Rope Tali a Stone Batu a Ring Chinsim a Wimble Alforees a Shoe upon a Sword Ita. Padang a Dagger Cryze a Knife Pieson a Javelin Tomba a Shield Salvack a Gun Bedyl. Pitsil a barrel of a Gun Sombo-bedyl a lookingglass Sarmi a Glass Lora a Lamp Pulita a warm thing Penas a Cap or Turban Caya a marriage maker Coemodo a Command T'suyka a Year Tauwa a Day Aris a Book Nimoda. Kitab a Bed Bantell a good Day Tabea a Royal of 8 Serpi a Christian Vrangby All Samoanga The Head Capell. Coat Hair Ramboyet Ears Talinga Eyes Martic Eye-broowes Alys Nose Irotdon Neck Goulon Lips Lambider Tongue Ilat Teeth Auton Beard Tianga Back Balacca Shoulder Baon Arm Backeyen Hand Tangan Finger jary-laree Belly Penot Blood Darno Privy part Perot T●igh Backy Legg Gula Foot Bhackhyé Toe Ghoumo Fire Api Air Baya Water Eyer Earth Zam the Sea Chay Gold Maz. Cabo Silver Peca. Salorca Brass Temba Copper Tambagle Led Tyma Iron Negle Money Sarfi Scarlet Facca lata-miera Death Mattu Merchandise Bayick Dimana Melancholy Chinta Silk Sabuck Paper Cartas Quills Cazamp Ink Mangsi a Book Khytab. Nymoda Wine Aracca Vinegar T'suka Strong Water Pinangha Bread Sagu Boiled Ryce Braas Fruit Tacat Drink Larnick Sugar Gula Salt Garram, Matary Oil Nuagia Flesh Lalyer Fish Ivack Crabs Horrae Plates Pienig Pepper Lada. Sihang Ginger Alia Mace Bengo Cloves Chocho, Sianck Cynomon Cajumayns Aloes Garro Tamarind Assa Ryce Braas. Parce Nuts Calappen. Palla Sweet Gums Daringo Sweet Spices Dingyn Plantaines Gardang Cocos Calapa Mustard Sajani Eggs Teloor Woe Saya Better Parma Great Bazaer Sweet Manies Heavy Brat Strong Cras Needles Calvenetten Baggs Corni Hard Wax Caju-lacca Friendship Pondarra I Manyr Thou Pakanera He Itowen We Dep Ye Pachaneras They Itowe She Dya Sunday jon-maheet to Day Mari Yesterday Bulmari the other Day Bulmari-dula Early Pagi Night Malam to Morrow Ysouck What say you Abba-catta Is he not here? Beef? What's done? Bigimana? Well done Soosa Where is it? Manauten Bring it back Combali? Now Bacabaren How much? Barappe itu? Give place Lalan Require it Minta Regard Nanthy Let pass Ganga Near hand Gila We will go Maree Leave it jangemast I have Ada It is found Botonvum It is Dalan I will bring it Addadizano I see Green I thank you Terimacaché I understand not Tan or tyedae-taw I care Tage I have not Tyeda-da I desire not Tyeda-maw I am sick Bite-secata To eat Macan To remember Engat To stretch out Dusta To beat one another Baccalayo To ashame Malon To choose Damare To pay Chiny To give Bering To buy Bilby To live jagava To poison Ampo To observe Doduer To be silent Dyem To gain Menang To destroy Ilan To cover the head Kocodang To arise Passai To burn Baccar To kill Benue To spin Tuedda To sell jouwall To do Bretcon To swear Sempa To help Touloug To us Quia-bota To let blood Bewaeng-darner To question Betangia To know Kyunall To dye Bantaren Take it Ambell Not good Tiedae-Bayck Sloth Checo Give thanks Tarima. Casse Farewell Tingal One Satu Two Dua Three Tiga Four Enpat Five Lyma Six Nam Seven Toufiou Eight De lappan Nine Sambalan Ten Sapola Eleven Sabalas Twelve Dua-balas Thirteen Tiga balas Fourteen Enpat-balas Fifteen Lyma balas Sixteen Nam-balas Seventeen Toufiou-balas Eighteen De lappan-balas Nineteen Sambalam-balas Twenty Dua-pola Twenty one Dua-pola-satu Twenty two Dua pola-dua Twenty three Dua pola-tiga Twenty four Dua pola-enpat Twenty five Dua pola-lyma We must yet to sea, and think us not a little happy, that we land so safely 〈◊〉 the Celebes, not out of our way, to our intended places. Our course from java hither, is North-East; from Bantam two hundred leagues or thereabouts. Of the Celebes. CELEBES, by some is called Makasser I'll, from her best City so called: a place for quantity and quality no way despicable; stretching from the Equator 6 degrees South: oval formed, two hundred miles long at lest; well peopled, but with bad people; no place engendering greater Demonomists, well agreeing with the old name Ptol. gave them Anthropophagorum regio. Mahomet is not unknown among them, but by him, a malo in pejus: for though he teach them, there is one and but one God; yet seeing jesus Christ is unknown there, what does this their knowledge, but make them more capable of torment, than if they had been far more barbarous. From Macasser to Cambyna W. N. W. are four and twenty leagues; to Nossaseres eighty. The I'll is fruitful, though under the most frying part of the burning Zone. The Son yields them day and heat enough; but Night, their complexion: the habit they wear, differs not from their grandfather adam's, a few fig or plaintan leaves tied about their middles, being elsewhere naked: the better sort (to from the vulgar) are tulipanted, and shirt their coal-black skins with a pure white cloth, which does not lenify the scorching son, but serves for complemental difference. The women are Gods creatures, but have adulterated his holy stamp, by not only deforming their face and body, but by that vile lubricity, their souls are spotted with. Impudence goes here unmasked: It is no novelty for them to open the sack they go in, and entice a stranger to concomitate; her honesty was lost before, but now she ferries two to Barathrum: if his body (by that voyage) leak not to death, the Tobacco she proffers him will operate it; for such is their damned Art in horrid venom, that these Sirens can sing safety to themselves, and by the same pipe and weed smoak him to death; a trick they will be perfect in, though the Devil own them for it. Pythagoras made the wantoness of Crotona modest and the men moderate: lamb qui corrigat, alter erit. And which is no less infernal; the men use long canes or trunks (called Sempitans) out of which they can (& use it) blow a little pricking quill, which if it draw the lest drop of blood from any part of the body, it makes him (though the strongest man living) die immediately; some venoms operate in an hour, others in a moment; the veins and body (by the virulency of that poison) corrupting and rotting presently, to any man's terror and amazement, and fear to live where such abominations predominate. You cannot choose but think this a hell upon earth, though at our first approach upon sight of so goodly an Island, we thought it better than Elysium: but remembering Impia sub dulci melle venena latent: we will away for better places; the Moluccoes' I mean, Ptolemy calls them Syndae, than which, no part of the Universe gives more delight and variety of refreshments. But by the way cast our eyes upon many small Isles and (as we sail due East) upon Baly in 8 degr. 30. min. and on Tymo 10 degr. South 20 min. easterly from the last: both of them more rich in stones and spices than some greater Isles about them: leave we also Conio and Serran unspoken of; not that they are unworthy, but because we hast to the Moluccae, in view now, and where we mean to rest a while. Of the Molucco Jles. THey are numbered five. Molucco. Gillolo. Ternate. Tidore. and Machan (where Magellan after his long voyage Anno 1520 lost his life by treachery of these barbarians.) The English were the first that ever traded to these Isles of any Christians: and most of them have acknowledged our King their Sovereign: but by the Duchess it seems our men are now thrust out, as if all India were theirs by title from the Creation. Of these Gillolo is greatest; but in Cloves, Mace, Nutmegs, Ginger, Pepper, Oil, Aloes, and Honey, all of them alike plentiful. All or most of these, have the Equinoctial for their Zenyth, and by those diurnal showers, and breezes which fail them not, and Apollo's commorance, the the fruits ripen sooner, the earth smells more aromatical, and the Air seems more nutritive than in other places. Let us rest a little upon some fruit descriptions. Cloves. The Clove tree differs in proportion according to the place it receives vigour in: some being comparable to the Bay, others to Box or such like trees of humble stature; 'tis, most part of the year green and pleasant, having leaves long and small, distending into many branches: It blossmes early, and becomes exceeding inconstant in complexion; from a virgin white palliating other colours: in the morn a pale green, in the meridian a distempered red, & sleeps in blackness. The Cloves manifest themselves at the utmost end of all the branches in great plenty; and in their growing evaporate such sense ravishing odours, as if a compendium of Nature's sweetest gums and delicacies were extracted and here vunited: they are thrice yearly pruined, and gratefully retort a triple vintage: and though but perfected in 3 years, yet must be counted an advantage; for Physicians tell us, they are hot and dry in the third degree, corroborate the stomach, and benefit concoction. Nutmeg. The Nutmegg (or great Nut) like those trees most famous for their exellencies, is not very lofty in its height, scarce so proper as the Cherry; by some, resembled to the Peach, with which it varies in form of leaf and grain, affecting more assize and compass. The Nut is clothed with a defensive husk like those of base quality, but at full ripeness disroabs itself, and discovers her naked purity the Mace, which chastely entwines (with a vermilliion blush or colour) her endeared fruit and sister, both of them breathing out most pleasing smells and perfumes: the Mace in few days (like choicest beauties) by Apollo's wanton flames becomes tawny and unlike her former bravery: yet in that dissent, best pleases the rustic gatherer. near the Molucco's, and nearer the Antartique, we see many other Isles, noble in esteem, and rich in quality: but, for that more than barbarous baseness our miserable Countrymen suffered by the Dutch, we have no pleasure to stand upon any thing save recital; such are Amboyna, (placed 'twixt Banda and Molucso:) Banda, (in 4, degrees 30 minutes, and (from Amboyna 24 leagues:) Puloway, (from Banda 3 leagues:) Puloreen, (from Puloway W.N.W.) Lantore, (the greatest of the Isles of Banda:) Batan: Labatacka, Nero, Ticobassa, Cumber, Salame, and others: all of them, especially Puloway and Puloreen, seeming continued wildernesses of Nutmegs and Clove-trees, Pepper, Vines, and Olives. These two last named commerced first with our Merchants, and contracted a perpetual Amity and Fealty to our King; but in despite of them and us, the uncivil Dutch (whom for their braving humours here, pride, hate, and bloody execution of our innocent men at Amboyna and other places in India, I cannot name with patience) have banished our Merchants, and entitle themselves Lords of most of Banda Lands, caring neither what right the Tarnatensian nor Banda Kings have over them. From these, steer we another course, to Borneo a great and wealthy Island. We are soon in sight of it, the gale is so prosperous. Of Borneo. BORNEO, or insula bonae fortunoe in Ptol. is Nadyr to the Aequator; and resembles an oval shield; the major part inclining North: Antarctic elevation not mounting above 3 degrees; Arctic, to 7 and odd minutes: & owes her first discovery (by any Christian European) to one the Bren, who in the year of our blessed Lord 1523. anchored here. It groans at this day, (for the most part) under Spanish bondage; who in any place where gold or other treasure is to be had, cease not till they can master it; valuing neither soul nor body of any Inhabitant, (save for their lust) with the least weight of that too much soule-confounding creature. But let us consider! Nulla Coelum reparabile gaza. It has many Villages and people; but the one are poor in their material; the other more wretched in their infernal Religion, and late taught Idolatry: both, no way valewable; did not those mines of Gold and Diamonds, and some other merchandises; as, Bezarrs, Musk, Amber, Lignum Aloes, Sanguis Draconûm, Wax, Rice, and Rattans or Canes make her most magnetical. Her marittim Towns and Ports exceed not for number, but Peu & bon. Socodania, (in 1 deg. 35 minutes South, from Bantam N. E. 160 leagues) and Bemermassin; Little, but good, if such thou interpret. Safety and Satiety. We are landed in so good a place, that we will rest our wearied feet awhile, and entertain your curiosity with a few viands; friends (though simple food) to infeobled Nature. Bezoar, Lignum Aloes, Musk, Civit, Benjamin, and Amber. Bezoar, or (as the Persians call it) Pezar, is of two sorts; generated in Persia and both the Indieses: the American is worse than be these of Asia and the Orient. The shape also is various; some resembling a plum, some a Date-stone, others like Eggs of Doves, some like Cheznuts, and Goats kidneys; all agree in this, they are blunt ended: they are no less inconstant and diverse in colour; some being red, pale-greene some, othersome of a dark yellow, and some sky-coloured: the last are best, these consisting of many scales (like Unions and Onions) circumvolving one the other, and in which. Nature has expressed fare more excellency, than Arts best ingenuity or perfection: for, each inferior scale (not unlike the glorious Orbs inverted) yields fresher beauty, and more celestial splendour than the former: each scale diminishing & being of more virtue, as the Bezoar is in tenuity or crassitude. Many are counterfeit. They try them thus, either by piercing them with hot bodkins; or after they have weighed them, to steep them in cold water four hours; and if it crack not, 'tis not feigned: to know it good, they then, wipe it, and balance it again; observing, if it weigh never so little above the first weight, 'tis base and despicable. Note also, that Borneo Bezoar's are not half so valewable as Persia's. Lignum Aloes, from diversity of Countries, in their Nomenclations. The Javans and Malayans name it, Garroo: Indians and Portuguizes, D' Aquillha, the Chinae, and Cochinchinae, Calamba: framed of large round sticks, of a cloody grain, commixed with ashy veins; no less pleasant to the eye, than to the hand ponderous: the relish or taste proves bitter, in its language telling you, It would be burned; for, hot coals of Fire no sooner touch it, but it incendiates, and (to the honour of its own Funeral solemnity) expires and breathes out an odor so aromatic and comforable, that no other is used by the Indians, Malayans, Siamites, Peguans; Cambogians, and Borneans, when they incinerate the Carcases of their most honoured Parents. Musk, is either yellow, brown, or black: the first is best, last is basest: the choicest yellow shows a deep Amber complexion (not unlike Spikenard) clothed with a reasonable moist skin, sweeting out some bristly hairs, without stones, lead, or like adulterate mixtures; of so strong a smell as seems offensive; but tasted, penetrates a strong brain by its fragor: sweet spices dead it; and put in the mouth, if it suddenly dissolve, or in the hand if it be long a melting; those trials discover it for bad and imperfect. Civit, is diversified in colour also: deep yellow (I have been told) is best, the worst is white, gerasie and sophisticat: how be it, the new is pale, and soon after groweth yellowish. Benjamin, by the Malayans called Menyan; by other Indians Benyan: is either pure clear white, or yellow, streaked or coloured; the gum issues from a tree high, small, and furnished with fruitless branches; the leaves are not unlike the Olive: Pegu and Siam yields the best; Arabia very good; that from Sumatra, Priaman and Barrouse, course, and had: better liked of at java, than in England. Amber, is of so many forms; grey, brown, white, black: grey is best; black is worst; the other two are indifferent. The best sort of grey is pure, interlaced with ashy veins, not subject to sink; and got (as Merchants inform us) in Soffala, Magadoxa, Mombassa, Mosambique, Madagascar Mohelia, Melinde, other parts of Africa: found there at incertain hazards, had at home at easy charge and less danger: for Gems, I will sum up all in naming their proper places; and though I borrow the report from Merchants, I never thought any many Notes or Language less honourable; so thereby they may in a decent way prove to the reader advantageous. We have Coral, Amber, Emerald, Chalcedon, Pearl, Onyx, Sardonix, Sardis, Bezoar, Hematist, and Turquoises from Arabia. Indostan, and Persia: Pearls, Berills, Saphires, and Adamants from Zeyloon: Jasper, Cornelion, Agat, Heliotrope, Jacinth, and Chrysolite from Mallabar, Narsinga, and Cochin-chyna. Diamonds from Borneo, and Gulkundah: Gold, Silver, Rubies, Sapphire, Granats, Topaz, Emerald, Smargd, Espinells, Cats-eyes, and Porcellan, from Pegu, Siam, Bengala, Sumatra, japan, and China: enough to make a poor man rich, and rich men miserable. Let us now to Sea again, and by a N. N. E. course in few hour's view Mindanao, an Isle (as big as Cicely) branching from 6, to above 9 degrees North. North of it, and neighbouring, are the Phillippinae, so named from King Philip 2, by Lopez, de Legaspi who first discovered and planted there Anno Domini 1565. Isles for the greatest part nameless and numberless; all of them wounded by avaricious men, and branded under Spanish servitude: of these, the best and greatest in Luconia, under 14 degrees North latitude; from whence in a direct azumoth West, is Cambogia a rich part of the Asiatic Continent. North of Luconiae, are Shyma and Shycoca known (by costly neighbourhood) to China and japan, as is Corea also; a long narrow peninsule, famous in the scite, but infamous in her Pagan inhabitants; said to be more subtle, cruel, and indomitable than be the Chynese. Of Japan. JAPAN, unless Mercators' fancy be true that it was Aurea Chersonesus, was questionless unknown to old Geographers: howbeit, the Name Chryse is given it by Niger; Zipangri, by M. P. Venetus: who would rather feign a name, than that so great, so noble an I'll should be so long innominate. The premier discovery we give to Motus, Peshotus, and Zeymorus, banished Portugals; who in the year 1542. were cast upon this I'll by storm and accident. Whether it be an I'll or no, is disputable: such as make it one, give it in length 600, in breadth, 190 miles English: for my part, I hold it questionable. The most Southerly part is removed from the line 32 deg. the best Towns and Ports of strength and trade are Meacco, Ozacca, Tenze, Fyrando, Fuccate (or Falcate) Sacay, Cratez, Tenkeday, Oringaw, Vosuquis, Machma, etc. Of these, Meacco (a mediterran City) is called the Metroplis, Surunga next, and next it Ozacca, honoured with the Court sometimes till of late viz. 1615. a rebellious fire subverted and incinerated not it only, but many other Towns in that wealthy Province. Meacco is as big as Florence, but not so beautiful: proud in a sweet and spacious river, in many low, but comely houses; and memorable in abundance of stately Temples or Fotiquees full of guilded Mannad'as or Idols; to which (above all other Nations) the Japonians are most addicted; the Jesuits industries & seminaries there producing small growth; instead of a happy harvest reaping scorn and catholic apostasre: Neither their grave aspect, nor subtte sophistry; neither their many miracles there, nor their collegiat bravery, having that force to make them thought other than feditious, vainglorious, and avaricious: such is the reward of Hypocrisy; in show seeming desirous to do others good, in truth aiming at their universality, gain, and hope of Conquest. The government is Monarchical: above threescore petty Kings do homage, and prostrate their massy Coronets to be encircled, and to illustrate the Imperial Diadem; from whose frown, a punishment and affliction worse than common death usually is darted: such is his power, his awe; such their vassalage, their opinion of their Governors. The Country is most part mountainous; but full of floods, trees, corn, grass, and minerals: every way presents Villages, swarming with heathen Inhabitants: the North and East parts of japan are less peopled than the South and West; and those much more savage and barbarous; cruel, treacherous, idle, lascivious, and awed by no Law, nor any way industrious. The old Roman way of execution is here usually suffered; they fasten malefactors to Crosses with four nails; whether in hate to the Jesuits, or of Antique custom I am not certain; but sure it is, the punishment is full of torture and ignominious: the Civil Japonians are vallant, courteous, complemental, and great affectors of novelties; but beyond measure jealous, crafty, and revengeful, if injured; yea devilish, if exasperated. They would, but cannot deny themselves descended out of China, banished upon a heedless rebellion six hundred years ago; in memory of which, they hate one another mortally, no quarter being given to either Nation at any time, nor cease the Islanders to rob and piratize the Chynese at all advantages; at home also in their prayers abhominating them, and in all compliments and ceremonies varying from one another to expatiate their wrath and unnatural distempers. In any slight suspect or accusation, the very children are so jealous of their reputations, that in case you lose a trifle and say to one of them; sirrah I believe you have stolen it? without any pause the boy will immediately cut off a joint from one finger or another; and say Sir, if you say true, I wish my finger may never heal again: murder, theft, treason, and adultery, are punished with death; either crucified, or beheaded with a Cuttan; an Indian sword which slices easily. Towns of note and strength are Ozacca (80 leagues from Bungo) a Port Town of good note, and near the Sea; strong and beautiful: in nothing more famous nor observable than in the royal Castle, varnished, tiled, and burnished over with flaming gold; rich and majestical: formed of the best shape, of excellent stone; the walls, every where twenty foot thick, finely framed, well polished, curiously cemented, pleasant, and durable: circled with deep trenches full of water; and for entrance and defence shows above a dozen iron Gatest, and drawing Bridges. It has formerly succoured many Kings, and secured them from the pursuit and heat of Rebels; in this as memorable, 'twas of late years made the prison of Goja-zamma Prince of Tanzey and eldest Son of Tiquazamma the late victorious Emperor; whose Father Faxiba-zamma subjected all the petty Princes of japan; and made them by oath and pledge agnise him and his their Sovereigns: Coja-zamma upon his Father's sudden death was as suddenly seized upon by Ogosho-zamma one of the three Protectors, and by him compelled to betroath his daughter; and for portion was if thrust, and for ever damned to this hateful Prison. Against Ozacca, on the other side the river is seated Sucay a Town well traded to by Christians: Edoo is well walled and peopled: 15 leagues thence is Oringoo a Town affording good refreshment and excellent harbouring or anchorage. Fyrando (300 leagues thence, to coast thither,) is a Chersonesse and elevates the Arctic Pole 33 degrees, 30 minutes: var. East 2 degrees 50 minutes: where and at Fuccate the English had a residence or factory. Fucate or Fulcate is pretty sweet Town, well watered, and owns a strong and defensive Castle or Fortress: a Forest of lofty Pines and spreading Sycomores for three mile's space environs it; with other Groves of force against the scorching Sun; delightful to the eye, yea more grateful than any other object: but (which renders them ingrate and basely idolatrous) under those green trees, and in many small but richly tiled Temples or Fotiques, they adore Pan and Priapus, yea Satan himself in his ugliest resemblances: for where the Country is most inhabited and garnished with most variety of trees, grass, corn, etc. (as, 'twixt Edoo and Suringa) there are erected most Fotiques, there the people are most idolatrous. In Meacco are 70 Temples, wherein they number 3333 Chamaetirae or little guilded Devils, to which they give divine respect: they call them Mannadaes': But more notable than the rest is that in Meacco; not unlike the Rhodyan Colossus, huge & wonderful. This was built by Tyco-zamma, and without much pain and cost was not finished: 'tis of Oricalke or guilded Copper; its posture is fitting in a Chair 70 foot high, and 80 broad: his head is capable to support fifteen men, who may stand together without pressing: his thumb is forty inches about; and his other limbs proportionable. This is the grand Pagotha: the other are Dii minores, or of less adoration. No less notable is the Monument adjoining, in a Cloister within the principal Fotique of Meacco, where are gallantly interred (but to their ignominy) the ears & noses of 3000 Coreans, a base, thievish people, vicinating & infesting the Japonians. At Dabys is another Mannada no less infamous and resorted to: this Devil (or Molech) is of concave copper, vast, thick, and double guilded: its height is four and twenty foot, and would be more but that they have formed it kneeling, his buttocks resting upon his legs after the usual mode of the Eastern Pagans: his arms are safe stretched to the utmost; and at solemn times is inflamed within, and sacrificed unto by offering him a child, which in's embraces is fried to death in an infernal torture. But of more note is another at Tenchedy East thence, where Satan visibly plays th'Impostor. The Fotique is of rare structure, and daily served by a multitude of hellish Priests or Bonzees; not admitted to attend there, except they be young, well shaped, and as strong in venery as was Hercules, Every new Moon they solemnly betrothe unto the Devil a Damsel, whose Parents account the ceremony happy and honourable: if any be more fair or singular than another, she is selected, by the lustful Priests devoted, and brought into the Temple, and placed right against the Mamada or Idol: the room is first made glorious with Lamps of burnished gold, and a preparation by incendiating Lignum vitae, or other gums and perfumes, such as be curious and costly: by and by the Lamps extinguish by miracle, and in a gross darkness the Prince of darkness approaches and abuses her; so she imagines, and the rather credited, in that the Devil leaves behind him certain scales like those of fishes, an argument of no phantasma: but, by this hellish conjunction they swell not, unless the Bonzee second it: Satan is no sooner gone, but she is saluted by the Bonzees, who ravish her with songs and pleasant music; which ended, she acquaints them with her fortune, and resolves them in such questions, as she by their instruction propounded to the Devil, and he had satisfied her in: she issues with applause, and ever after is reputed holy and honourable: many other things I could present you from tradition, but I avoid (as much as may be) to insert incertainties: from hence therefore fail we West and land in China, where though the travail be difficult, yet suffer me to glean a little, though it but express my industry and care to offer you the truest Novelties. Of China. CHINA, is the most Easterly part of Asia. A Kingdom, both great and wealthy: famous also, but scarce discovered. Their jealousy and discourtesy to strangers (they suffer any to enter, none to return,) chief causes it. It is subject to many several names: scarce any two strange people accord in one Nomenclation: and no wonder, since amongst themselves they affect variety: the King's new naming the whole Kingdom at their Coronation, as they fancy it. Ptolemy long ago called it Sinarum Regio: other Geographers, Seres: the Moors in Industant, call it Cathayo: the Arabians, T'synin: the Syamites, Cyn: the Malayans, Tabenzo: the Japonites, Thou, and T'syn: the Tattarrs, Ham: Alhacen, Tangis: Paulus Venetus, Mangi: the Inhabitants (if Perera, Riccius, and Trigautius say true) Tamen; and themselves Tamegines. But how various soe'er that be; this is not uncertain: that it is a very spacious Monarchy: for it extends from 17 deg. to 43, of North Latitude: and to the South, Cantam; to the North, Pequin; two royal Cities, seem to terminate it. But thus confined: On the East, it has the Sea of japan (Corea is part of China, no Isle, but to the North conjoined with the Continent:) On the West, the Deserts of Industant; On the North, the Tattars: On the South, the Phillipinae Isles; and the South West adjoineth to Cochyn-China, and Pegu, with part of Siam. All agree that it is square; and that from any one side to another is 1500 English miles: the circuit above 4000 the Country is generally champaign, & fruitful; full of sweet and navigable rivers; and which are no less inhabited than the Villages and Cities be: of which, China has no fewer than 600 Cities; 2000 walled Towns; 4000 unwalled; 1000 Castles; and of Villages scarce to be numbered: and many they had need to be, since they give lodging to above threescore millions of men and boys, besides women; which be not enrolled. The whole Empire is divided into fifteen great Provinces: governed by so many Quon-fu and Lausia; who have their Tutans, and Chyans, or Deputies under them. Each of those Provinces has a Metropolis: full of people; fairly built; and very spacious. But every way more excellent than the rest, are these four, Paquin by some called Pasquin: Nanquin or Nanton: Cantam or Canton: and Quinsay, by them called Ham-ceu: of which four, at this day Paquin is chief or Imperial. PAQVIN elevates the North Pole 41 degr. 15 minutes; and by late Geographers is accounted that same City which some call Cambalu watered by Polisanga; and China then must be Cathaya: yea (if Pantoja, and Di Canti say true) the China Monarch is that same great Cam, which M. P. Venetus and Mandevile afore him have famoused. The City Pequin is questionless the most spacious, and best peopled in Asia, if not in the world: since it has 30 Dutch leagues (ninety English miles) circumference: it includes many stately buildings; and Mausoleas; 24000 are numbered of the Mandarins Sepulchers; the meanest of which, is not without beauty: and a no less number of little guilded Chappells, beside 3800 Temples devoted to Idolatry. It has as many Gates & Posterns as be days in a year: sixscore Buzzars or Market-places: above a thousand Bridges of stone: and such water as is every where potable. This City is not above a hundred miles from that marvellous wall, which Crisnagol their King (Zaintzon the 117 King some say) built 1000 years ago, to keep out the invading Tartarr: a wall 1200 miles long; six fathoms high; twelve yards thick; and such as was seven and twenty years erecting, by a continued labour of 750000 men. NANQVIN (the second City for grandeur and bravery, till of late,) was the China Metropolis. It elevates the Arctic Pole 32 degr. and is distant from the Sea 8 leagues or there about. The City is 12 leagues about; circled with three strong walls and ditches: the King's Palace is glorious and vast; the other buildings many (for 200000 are reckoned) but meanly beautiful: the Temples are above a thousand: the streets fair; the people industrious: from Paquin removed East, six hundred miles English: most part of the way is navigable. CANTAM is at the South end of China, in 17 deg. a Town both rich and spacious: our Ships came almost in view of it: from it to Paquin is two months' travel. QVINZAY or Ham-ceu borders Cochin-China: of old, the greatest, at this day the most admirable for variety of antic rarities in the Orient. These be the most noted, but many other great and populous Cities this great Empire containeth: generally of one shape and alike governed: None be without their Meani or Temples filled with Deastri or Idols. The Country is generally champaign and fruitful; the husbandman's care and pains make it to fructify and repay its thanks in various tribute: each Province there is well watered: and few of those rivers but abound in fish, which the Chyneses not only banquet on, but on Frogs, Snakes, Rats, Dogs, Hogs, and such food as many other Nations abominate: they fish with Cormorants. The people are Olive coloured; more black or white as they vary from the Equinoctial: they wear their hair very long, and filleted; their eyes are commonly black; their noses little; their eyes small; their beards deformedly thin; and nails often times as long as their fingers, serving as a mark to distinguish the Gentry by. The better sort are habited in silk and a sleight sort of satin; the meaner, in black cloth made of cotton: their coats or vests are long and quilted; made to tie under the left arm after the usual garb of Asia; their sleeves are also very long, and at the wrist very straight: their shoes are many times of such stuff as be their coats; and soled with cloth or calicoes: some have them richly embroidered. The greatest variety amongst them is in their head attire: some knit their hair in cawles of silk, of horsehayre some, and some with fillets of gold or silver: others wear high caps or felts made of fine twigs, round, and commixed with silk of diverse colours; and othersome an antic sort of hat, high crowned, round, one half without brim, and tawny coloured. The women are commonly modest, and differ not in apparel; in that a like veil of white linen wholly covers them; showing nothing but their polt-feets, which from their infancy are straitened; so as to make them alla mode, many of them are maimed. They tolerate Polligamy, and Sodomy; yea, what else their lustful idle natures can dictate to please their effeminacies. They are generally crafty, proud, lazy, jealous, complemental, and voluptuous. Music, Poetry, Painting, and Stage-plays delight them exceedingly: they care not what they spend in luxury and fireworks: they eat in porcelain; and have their diet in many but small dishes; their meat minced, and which they take up with two sticks of bone or Ivory; but some have their nails so long as may excuse them; for to touch their mouths or meat with fingers is held absurd and impious: their drink is commonly hot, and by its taste and colour seems to be such a Coho potion as they drink in Persia; they drink oft and little. The Louthya's are served on the knee, and much regarded; they all sit upon stools and eat on Tables. And albeit no Nation in the world is more idle and gluttonous; yet are no beggars to be found there; if he be young and beg, the whip rewards him; if old or lame, or blind, the Hospital relieves him. Murder they punish with death; theft and adultery commonly with the strappado: their Justice is severe and impartial; their prisons, strong; their executions, beheading; or starving them. The Mandarins are honoured; the Chyam's reverenced; the King adored: no Subject nor Ambassador ever sees or speaks with him, (save his children and Eunuches) except by petition. They suffer Ambassadors (or others) to enter China so they bring presents of value; otherwise they suspect them as spies and no way honour them. The Chynaes are curious in novelties: and love to see strange Arts; which they also delightfully practise: few of them but has skill in some thing; either in tillage, making China dishes or porcelain, to paint, sing, or play well: the Mathematics they affect, & the civil Laws: they use not letters but Characters, or Hieroglyphics, of which they have above 40000: they writ neither to the right hand nor to the left, as the Latin and Hebrews did; but right down and simmetrically: they writ with pencils made of horse hair, such as they also paint with: their language is most part of monosyllables: they be generally Poets and Musicians: affected with Rhetoric and Divination. The Scholars and Merchants in this republic are much more honoured than the Soldiers be: and some reason they have for it, They are so cowardly, lazy, and tyrannical. No people in the world more honour their King than do the Chynaes': they suppose him too glorious for them to look upon; they obey his will in every thing; they fill his Exchequer yearly with above a hundred millions of crowns; they call him The undaunted Emperor, and great Lord of the whole World; Son of the Sun; and beauty of the whole Earth. No people whatsoever, express more filial respect unto their Parents than the Chynese do: they obey them at all times, and every where: they do nothing to displease them: they marry not without their assent: their children's Names are at their disposing: they honour them, be they never so mean; relieve them, be they never so poor; at their death, express all symptoms possible of their loyalty and duty: and seldom mourn less (in white linen, as did the Jews) then two or three years; the longer they mourn, they think they the better express affection. They arrogate all sorts of excellencies whether in Art or Science, as peculiar to their Nation: they think their Speech the most sweet and rhetorical of any in the world: what other people have, they judge deducted and borrowed from their transcendent Notions. They say they are the most ancient and immixed people in the Universe; and borrow nothing of any other Nation. They say they first invented Letters (or Characters,) Guns, Painting, Tillage, and Navigation: yet in none of these (for all their brags) can they parallel us of Europe. For their antiquity, I deny not but they may have continued their plantation and without much mixture (admirable if so, for the Tartarrs and Siamits have oft overrun them) since the first seminary, begun by Sem in those parts: yet may others in that point compare with them; I might nominate the Bryttains: for I regard not their Lies and Histories of such Kings as reigned, or such Conquests as the Chynese obtained (long before the birth of Time) a hundred thousand years ago; unless we qualify it by the example of the Arcadians, whose year had but ninety days; of the Massagers, who had fifteen years, or of the Egyptians who had twelve years in one of ours; following the course of the Moon, and not the revolution of the Sun, nor regarding the Dies intercalares: an error, most of the Oriental Ethniques are plunged in. Their letters are not so succinct as ours: their Hieroglyphics come short of the Egyptians. Their Guns are not so serviceable: they have them not above a span long; so that they rather resemble Pistols than Guns: nor are their boar nor squaring so good as ours; so strong, so near, so mathematical. Their painting is of good colours; but their designing fare short of our invention: they draw the postures filthily, and shadow meanly; which doubtless in painting makes the perfection. Their husbandry is without Art or Reason: the grain is good, the soil rich, the Zone moderate; and yet their corn is neither so various, so good, nor so certain, as be our Harvests. Their Navigation is lame: they build many ships; but without beauty, or service: nor have they much skill in sailing, their Logarithms and Mathematic instruments to take the height of the Sun by failing them: their Compass also is defective; for they have but eight or twelve points at most to distinguish by: nor is the Magnet (till of late) acquainted with them: for all which, they say they see with two eyes; we with one; and that all other people be more than purblind in sottish ignorance. They delight excessively in all sorts of games, and voluptuousness: they can play at chess, irish, passage, in and in, hazard; and not only play great games, but when they have lost, care not though they stake their wives and children; whom if they lose, they part with till they can advance so much money as they were staked for. They are very hospitable one to another, and have so sure a faith of the Resurrection that they sometimes lend money to be repaid them in the world to come. Inter-iudes', Masqs, Fireworks, and such devices wonderfully take them: nor value they what money they expend in such sport, so their expectation be not deluded. Their houses are meanly built, and as badly furnished. Their Meani or Temples have no such grandeur, nor beauty, as in a Country so peaceful, so rich, and amongst a people so studious, so superstitious, might be challenged: but though their outsides be but ordinary, yet be they many times lined with excellent good Marble, Prophyre and Serpentine. They celebrate their Natalitia or Birth-days with great solemnity: for fifteen days they rejoice and play; and each night gormundise upon choice fruits, wines, and cates, with no small voracity. The New year, which they begin in March, is no less illustrated: at that time every man rears up his Pageant, and beautifies his door with paper Arches, and Images, and all the night long makes them visible by store of Lantherns. Their Weddings have equal Ceremony: greater or lesser after the quality of the Deceased. When any China dies, they wash him every where, perfume him next, and then apparel him: they put his best on, and hate to let his head be naked: that done, they seat him in his chair, and make him sit as if he were not dead but living. At a set time his wife enters the room; she first does him respect, kisses him, and takes her farewell by expressing so much love and sorrow as is possible: at her departure she takes her lodging, and her children next enter; where they kneel and kiss his hands, yea sympathize, and strive to outvie each other in their ejaculations, and such outward notions of sorrow and piety as is imaginable; beating their breasts, and pouring out tears in abundance: next to them his kindred do their parts, and then his friends and other acquaintance: the third day they coffin him, in most precious wood; cover it with a costly cloth, and over it place his Image: for fifteen days the corpse rest so; each day having a Table spread with dainty meats, but nightly the Priests eat it and burn Incense, & offer an expiatory Sacrifice: when they carry it to the grave (which is neither within any Town nor City) they have women that do accompany it, purposely hired to howl, to tear their hair, and to move others to compassion: sometimes upon his coffin they place diverse pictures of dead men, whom they entreat to show him the best way to Paradise: that done, his wife and children for some days seclude themselves from sight of men: and when they go abroad, go dolorously habited: they put course sackcloth next their skin; have their made long and plain; and for three years scarce laugh, or seem to joy in any thing: but contrariwise endeavour to the utmost of their power to agrandise their Duty by a continued lamentation, abstinence from public feasts, and pastimes: yea in all their letters, instead of their Names subscribe themselves Such a once disobedient and unworthy Child, etc. But for all this, the Devil has too great a sovereignty over them: most of their Colleges and Temples expressing by one or other invention, their infernal wisdom, and familiarity with that old Magician; to whom they devote many enthusiastic boys, who with their long spread hair, prostrate themselves afore the Mannada or Idol; and suddenly as if some Hag had terrified them, start up and vibrate their swords, kept there of purpose: whiles the Idolaters with dejected looks note their antic postures, and cease not to warble out a soft Doriq' sort of music, not departing till the vaticinating youths pronounce somewhat, pointing at his Worship and their Obedience. But we have sailed too far. 'tis high time to look homewards. Yet not till we have bid farewell to Asia: into which when others adventure, let this Motto be remembered. Man's heart commands as many ways as Stars find resting places: Who travels must disguise himself each way with janus' faces. Pectoribus mores tot sunt, quot in Orb figurae: Qui sapit, innumeris moribus aptus erit. How delightful & how magical the excellencies & riches of the Orient are, yet Ovid's Nescio qua natale Solum, etc. was my song and blessed me in my successful wishes: so that upon the seventh of June (after long sail, some storms, and much patience,) we again described land: it bore N.N.W. from us, but at Titan's first blush the ensuing morning, we were assured it was Digarroys, a small I'll, about fifty miles about, and in 20 degrees South latitude: there we anchored not, we knew Moritius was but 90 leagues distant thence; the course W.N.W. a more hospitable place, and where we expected better welcome and refreshment. Digarroys (as Seamen tell us) was first discovered by the Portuguese: but except some Welshman had the honour of naming it, I know not whence called Dygarroys, for Digarrad in the British dialect fitly complies with it, a I'll so Desolate: desolate I mean in humane Inhabitants; other things 'tis Uberous in, as Wood, (choice and store) Tortoises, Dodos, and other Fowl rare & serviceable. To our view, it gave itself not very high at 6 league. distance: and this remember, that at the South-West-end are Syrteses or shoalds long and very dangerous. By benefit of constant winds, in few hours we arrived at the Mauritius, a place no way despicable; but rather such as in the Travelling over, deservedly chalendges my pains, your patience. The Bay of Mauritius in the Northwest side of the I'll. Of the Mauritius. MAURITIUS (an I'll situate within the burning Zone, not fare from the Tropic of Capricorn) has twenty degrees, five minutes Antarcick latitude; longitude from the Meridian of Cape Comoryn, twenty degrees and as many minutes; variation, four and twenty degrees and nineteen minutes: In what part of the World, questionable; participating both with America, in respect of that vast South Ocean; as bending towards the Asiatic Seas, washing India, java, and other Isles; and with Africa also, if you rank her with that Empress of Isles, Madagascar, which seems to shadow her, and from whose Eastern banks she is removed above a hundred leagues or three hundred English miles: But, however doubtful to which three it appertains; of this I nothing doubt; that, for variety of God's temporal blessings no part of the Universe obscures it. I will not satisfy you by report of others, but by being an eyewitness in part, and partly expert in the rest, I may without much hyperbolising, affirm the whole scarce to be parelleld. It was first discovered by the Portugal; whose industrious arm and ingenious fancy (ere America was discoucred by Columbus) brought strange things to pass, and gave Names to many places formerly innominate. Amongst others, the name Do-Cerne unto this; improperly, if they allude to that which Pliny names in his 6 lib. cap. 31, for that Cerné of his is placed near the Gulf of Persia; some be also of this name amongst the Azores and other places. After that, it varied into other denominats, as Roderigo; Cygnaea; and now, by the Hollanders, Mauritius: but whither, borrowed from Grave Maurice, or in memory of a Ship so named, that by age or accident laid her bones here, I determine not; for, by equal authority and less presumption I may confer the Nomenclatlon upon some adventurous Cambryan (the relics of whose most ancient speech and dialect is yet living in many of these remote and secret quarters of the world,) the word MaurYuisus or bigger Island; fitly so named, if compared with those other lesser Isles, Dygarrois, England's Forest, Dozimo, St. Apollonia, &c: and by a more euphoniacall concision now Maurisius. But grant it be so called by the Hollanders, yet it follows not that they have more right to it than the English; for they themselves know that the English landed there a dozen years, before them: and no question had new-named it, but that they knew the Portugal had done it before them. This also remembered, that in the year 1505, when Franciscus Almeyda, of all the portugals the most excellent in conquest and discovery, subjected many marittim parts of Aegi-symba or South- Afrique, in Quiloa, Mombazza, Melindé, Mozambyc, &c He reports that there and in some Isles (I suppose this one,) where he erected Forts and Castles of defence, he found Crosses and other symbols of Christianity: whereby (as Osorius in his 4. lib.) he was sure Christ had been served there, and therefore would not esteem himself of any of those parts, The first Christian discoverer. Mauritius is an Isle abounding with all good things requisite for man's use, and requireable for the Zone 'tis placed in: the land (especially where it respects the Sea) is high and mountainous: the shape somewhat round; the circuit not much above a hundred English miles: the greatest extent is from the North East to South-West: every where sweet & flourishing. It procreates a healthy air; the blooming fragrant trees both lenify the scalding heat such time as Don-Phoebus wantonizes with the Goat; and fan the gentle Breezes wasted from the Noto-Zephirus, such time as Sol resides in Cancer. And here I should set a full point to her commendations, did that ignorant opinion of our homebred Seniors discourage me, affirming positively that the Torrid Zone was un-inhabitable: a conceit sometime predominating; but now that mist of error is dispelled, the veil removed, and experience advanced: we see it yearly, and plainly, that no place 'twixt the two Poles is more habitable, more young, more excellent. I grant; the Zone is twice every year subject to the Sun's extremest Candour, that the air inflames, and that clouds do not there so usually as elsewhere in colder Regions generate: but, two Winters they also have, they want not clouds; (for, the benevolent heaven daily diffudes a gentle shower, whereby the earth's siccity is mollified and made most uberous,) the air also is lenified by a constant breeze or favonius which breathes sweetly every day towards Sunset, and so refrigerates, that no distemperature is perceived, no not when Apollo dimits his perpendicular rays and divests himself in his most ardent splendour: yea, when the Dogstar rages, the people in this Zone find the air salubrious: the ground also in most places is enriched with delicious sleepe-charming streams, which by their infusion not only fructify the solid earth, but also by a harmonious progress afford an unresistable magic to ease and meditation: the infinite store of lofty and spreading trees, all the year condecorated with such verdant beauty and fragrancy; their boughs never unapparrelled from their Summer livery; the ground ever spread with Nature's choicest tapestry; the sap never exiled into the melancholy earth by Winter's frigidity; yea, the mirthful Sun (the provoker and reviver of decayed Nature) is ever pleased to reinforce a continued vigour and activity; so as an Epitome of all delight and plenty seem contracted here, and to display itself in her exact content, health, and bravery, Such as some have fabled of Elysium. Hic, radiunt flores, et prati viva voluptas herba Ingenio varista suo, fulgentibus illic Surgunt structa thoris: hic, mollis panditur Sollicitum curis non abruptura soporem. Turba salutantum laras tibi perstrepit aedes. Hic avium cantus, labentis murmura rivi. Here, radiant flowers, the Meadows vive delight Vary their Nature, rising to the sight In shining Beds: here, spreads the tender Grass Not breaking careless sleep o'th' dainty Lass. The attendant Troops make thy large House resound, But here Birds chirp, Streams murmur on the ground. And as that body is best compounded which partakes indifferently of all the Elements; for either to want or superabound, begets defect: so, to be blessed in all, this place (humane society excepted) is abortive in none. For, water is here in plenty; nor is its goodness and sweetness excelled by plenty; but, as it gently drills itself from the stupendious rocks; so it trickles along the pleasant valleys, as it were besotted at the delightful murmur it liveth in: in some places it spreads into Meanders, till (too secure in its own mildness) it commixes, and is ingulpht by that vast and briny Ocean. It also abounds in diverse sorts of Trees: some, good for timber; others for food; all for use. I cannot tell you the half of them, I want names to speak, and Art to describe them by. There, is store of Box (as they first appear, so I remember them) whose growth and greenness affords profit and delight: here is also great store of Ebony, of all sorts; black, red, white, and yellow: the tree is high, small and strait, the outside is covered with bark; the inside lined with Ebony: black is the best, and good for maay noble uses; for frames of pictures, Mathematique instruments, Chess ' and playing tables, bowls, etc. so rich, so valuable, that few years pass but either Dutch or French Ships came to this I'll of purpose to load away with nothing else but Ebony: than which, no wood is better; than which, no Isle in the world has more, more sorts, or less chargeable: and if Virgil's conceit may carry it, we may conclude this Isle a member of East India. — Sola India nigrum sert Ebenum.— — No where but in India Black Ebon wood doth grow men say. And as in most things it is plentiful (Non tellus eadem parit omnia,) so no one thing in plenty exceeds the wood, which is so thick, that in most parts I could hardly beget passages. The Palmeto is a remarkable Tree and most beneficial to Travellers: 'tis like the Coco or Date in growth, save that her boughs are large and rounder: the Palmeto is long, and strait, and round, and soft; without leaf, bough, or branch, save at the very top; and those are few, and green, and sedgy: under the branch appear certain codded seeds: both trees (male and female) blossom, but the she is only fruitful; and not so neither, unless a flowering branch of the male tree be yearly innoculated or incorporated, that by a commixture of seed the female may fructify; no miracle in Nature: the leaves serve for many uses; we made them cover our Tents, to shade us from the Sun and the serenes which fall nightly, and are dangerous: at the top of the Palmeto tree is a soft pith, in which consists the soul or vergetative virtue, for being cut out the tree dies; the pith is in bigness like a small Cabbage, in taste like a Nut, but boiled eats like a Colli-flory. Of more value is the Palmeto wine; it is must or sweet, pleasant and nourishing; in colour and taste not unlike new Muskadine. It is intoxicating, but cold in the digestion; it purges and helps obstructions, kills worms, and let stand two days in the Sun, becomes good vinegar. The wine is thus gathered: we pierce or cut small holes in three or four trees that grow together; the sap or liquor effudes presently, and all the holes or vessels are quickly filled: impatience forbids to bring wooden barrycoes thither, our bellies were prepared to receive it; by help of a Cane or Quill we suck and suck again, from one tree to another, two or three trees in less than an hour repletiating the greediest appetites, though they bowze their bellies full. The shape of which and Coco, after my rude way I thus present thee: Their excellencies I cannot more elegantly express, than Silvester has already celebrated. A Coco-tree A Batt A Tropic bird A Palmeto-tree The Indian I'les most admirable be In those rare fruits called Coquo's commonly: The which alone fare richer wonder yields Than all our Groves, Meads, Orchards, Gardens, Fields! What, wouldst thou Drink? the wounded leaves drop wine. Lackest thou fine Linen? dress the tender rind, Dress it like flax, spin it, then wove it well: It shall thy Cambric and thy Lawn excel. Longest thou for Butter? bite the poulpy part. For, never better came to any Mart. Dost need good Oil? then bolt it too and fro, And passing oil it soon becometh so. Or Vinegar? to whet thine appetite. Why, sun it well and it will sharply bite. Or, wants thou Sugar? steep the same a stound, And sweeter Sugar is not to be found. 'tis what you will, or will be what you would: Should Midas touch it, sure it would be gold. And God (all good) to crown our life with Bays, The earth with plenty, and his name with preys, Had done enough if he had made no more But this one plant, so full of choicest store. Save that the world (where one thing breeds satiety) Can not be fair, without so great variety. For indeed, such is the life and pleasure of this Ambrosia, that (I often noted it) we were no sooner parted from these trees (no not three yard's space) but diverse birds, as Parrots, Kites, Thrushes, etc. and Lizards (here abounding, and not a little curious in their shape and colours) would speed to suck the distilling Nectar. Divers other Trees here are, various in their shape and nature: one, out of curiosity I bitten and tasted of, but for half an hour it so malignantly wronged my mouth and lips, as if Vitriol had been imbrued with Sulphur: it procreates nothing that is green or good, destitute of shade and beauty, wholly naked, without leaf or flower; the bowl or body is soft and penetrable, such as a Musket bullet can make way through though the Tree be of five yard's circuit; the softness of it invited my knife to carve my name in, and which, it as easily performed, as with a stick you can write in sand; I have no name for it. Nor for another very frequent there, but by its likeness the same which the barbarous Africans at Sierra-leon call O'gou, with which they invenome their Darts and Shafts: the Tree is not high nor bungie; the branches spread to a great length, and bear many Cod (not unlike the Indian Beans) armed with many sharp prickles: by such a defence one would think the fruit or kernel valuable, but it deceived us; the fruit (or kernel hid within those Cod) is round, scarce so big as a Doves egg; the shell, and colour very like a Bezoar stone; hard to crack, but cracked it may be; within, it has a Nut, tasted like an acorn, the quality (if not the same) little better than poison. Many other rare Trees there are; some, like unto Pines; like Ashes, some; some, Box; some like to Cypresses. The fruits are also variable, some like Pineapples, like Artichokes some, others like Plums, and Nuts, and Berries: whose several names or virtues, my small skill in that Theory apprehends not. This I took notice of, that what the Birds eat not, the Tortoises do eat; and what the Tortoises refuse to eat, the Hogs devour: so, as by one or other, all is tasted of. Again, as this noble I'll is prodigal in her water and wood, so she corresponds in what else a fruitful Parent labours in: not only boasting in that variety, but in feathered creatures also; yea, in the rareness of that variety: I will but name some of them; you shall lick them to perfection. The Dodo comes first to our description: here, and in Dygarrois (and no where else, that ever I could see or hear of) is generated the Dodo (a Portugese name it is, and has reference to her simpleness,) a Bird which for shape and rareness might be called a Phoenix (were't in Arabia:) her body is round and extreme fat, her slow pace begets that corpulency; few of them weigh less than fifty pound: better to the eye than stomach: greasy appetites may perhaps commend them, but to the indifferently curious, nourishment, but prove offensive. Let's take her picture: her visage darts forth melancholy, as sensible of Nature's injury in framing so great and massy a body to be directed by such small and complemental wings, as are unable to hoist her from the ground, serving only to prove her a Bird; which otherwise might be doubted of: her head is variously dressed, the one half hooded with downy blackish feathers; the other, perfectly naked; of a whitish hue, as if a transparent Lawn had covered it: her bill is very howked and bends downwards, the thrill or breathing place is in the midst of it; from which part to the end, the colour is a light green mixed with a pale yellow; her eyes be round and small, and bright as Diamonds; her clothing is of finest Down, such as you see in Goslins: her train is (like a China beard) of three or four short feathers; her legs thick, and black, and strong; her talons or pounces sharp, her stomach fiery hot, so as stones and iron are easily digested in it; in that and shape, not a little resembling the Africa Oestriches: but so much, as for their more certain difference I dare to give thee (with two others) her representation. A Catato A Hen A Dodo Here are also sundry other fowl, yea birds of highest quality; as Goshawkes', Hobbies, Lannars; and also Reer-mices or Bats as large as Goshawkes', Passe-flemingoes, Geese, Powts, Swallows, Kites, Blackbirds, Sparrows, Robbins, Herons, white and beautiful; in their flesh good, in their feathers more valewable: Cacatoes, a bird somewhat like a Parrot, but may seem to borrow his name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, he is so fierce, so ravenous, and so indomitable, Bitters, Hens, and many other; which I forbear to name to avoid impatience: But I must give the Parrots a peculiar salutation, they made me so admire their feathers, and are so catholickly beloved and pointed at; Such are their curious liveries, and such their language, not unaptly thence called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a good Epithiton. Psittacus, humanas depromit voce loquetas Atque suo Domino 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 valeque sonat. The Parrot, humane language knows right well, And to his Lord, says Save you, and Farewell. Here are also as great variety of fish, as in any other part of the world, I think: such as we took and tasted of I noted. The Man-atee or Cow-fish was best and rarest; for taste and shape equally can appose both feeder and beholder. They use both elements; those very fins which steer them in the Sea, serve as stilts on shore to creep along, and to support them; their paps also in their land travels do befriend them: and though a fish, yet differ little from Veal in taste, save that it is somewhat waterish; the ribs and entralls resemble a Cows, so do their face, and thence have their denomination: for doubtless the land has not that creature which the watery citizens resemble not. This fish is of a great length, and swims but slowly; they affect should waters, and to be near the shore to graze on; Andrew Evans our honest Captain, struck one of them with a Trident or Fis-gigg, and (here in this Bay) leapt upon her, wounding her above fifty times with his steletto, but ere he got the victory, she crushed him by encircling him with her tail, enraged by sharp pangs of death, so that his conquest was dearly bought; for though at that present he spat blood without feeling other torture, yet so mortal was his bruise, that he bade this world farewell, within three weeks after; as in my description of Saint Helena is remembered. The head of this fish is like an Elephant (save that the proboscis is wanting:) but to a Cow most liken her: her eyes are very small; her bulk, about three yards long; and in breadth half so much: 'tis famoused for a gentle fish; yea in their love to the visage of a man, are ranked with Dolphins: most certain and most valewable is the stone consolidated in their heads: for, being pounded, put in wine, & drunk fasting, it is (as are the brains of Sharks, some call them Tuberons') most sovereign against the stone and colic: questionless of more prize than his other six great teeth, which yet to him are fare more useful. Give me leave to name what fish we took, 'twill ease my memory: Dolphins, Bonetates, Albicores, Cavalloes', Whale, Porpice, Grampasse, (or Sus-marinus,) Mullet, Bream, Tench, Trout, Soles, Flounder, Tortoises, Eels, Pikes, Sharks, Crabs, Lobsters, Oysters, Crayfish, Cuttlefish, Rock-fish, Limpits, and a speckled Toad-fish or poison fish, as the Seamen from experience named it: This came first to net and was eaten too greedily by the heedless Sailors; an error which cost some their lives, others their senses; a dear rate, a bad reckoning: It is not unlike a Tench, but fare more black, meazled, and deformedly painted. Other strange made Fishes we had there, who met with some strange stomaches, who in a dangerous curiosity would needs taste them: some of them had the shape of Hedgehogs, of Cats some: some were bungy, others bristly and trianguler; such as Gorraeus calls Lepus marinus, of which and the rest this caveat may be inserted. The poisonous Sea-fish drink, learn to beware: Whom the deep Channels of the Seas prepare. Her Scales have bane, her Oils like purging are. Disce venenatos Leporis cognoscere potus Pestiferi, mediis peperit quem fluctibus aequor Virosi Squammas et purgaménta marini piscis olei. The Torpaedo or Cramp-fish came also to our hands, but were amazed (not knowing that fish but by its quality) when a sudden trembling seized on us; a device it has to beget liberty; by evaporating a cold breath to stupefy such as either touch, or hold a thing that touches it: hear Oppian. Along her stretched guts two branches rise With fraud (not strength) endued; they patronise The Fish: whom who so wounds, his joints decay His blood conjeales, his limbs move not, they say His powers dissolve, he shakes, and falls away. At duo se tollunt distenta per Ilia rami, Qui fraudem pro robore habent, Piscemque tuentur Quos si quis tractat, perdit per membra vigorem Sanguine concreto, rigidos nec commovet attus, Solvuntur subitò contracto in corpore vires. Moreover, this I'll affords us Goats, Hogs, Beefs, and land Tortoises: so great, as suffer two men with ease to sit upon them; so strong, as they can carry them: yea (in Portugal reports,) fifteen men have altogether stood on one of them: Sailors affect to eat them; but are better meat for Hogs, in my opinion: they make pretty sport, but are odious food; and so are their Rats, Bats, and Monkeys: most of which useful and unuseful creatures were first brought hither (men say) by the Portugal to refresh them in their return from India, but at this day dare neither anchor there (searing the Eaglish and Dutch,) nor own their firstlings. The Birds, had here at no charge and little labour, are Hens, Bats, Herns, etc. The Hens flock together twenty and forty in a company; if you catch one, take all: the surest way is to show them a red cloth; that colour exasperates their spleen, they show it by flying outrageously at it; and when we struck down one, the residue budgd not one jot till all were vanquished: they eat like parched Pigs if you roast them. The Herons also through a long continued security (ignorant of the deceits of men, and unused to the villainy of powder) are as easily gotten: we have come in shot of six, and when we had killed one, the other took not wing but suffered us to shoot and take them all, one after another; neither knowing nor valuing danger, but quicken destruction to themselves by a strange condoling their late dead associates. All sorts of fish are easily taken. The Bats are innumerable, and admirable in their bigness: Some of them are not less than Goshaukes: Seamen case them like Rabbits, but (if my stomach deceive me not) worse meat cannot be tasted of: a fierce ill-favoured carrion it is, ever squeaking, and in most hideous and offensive noises calling one another: they hang in swarms upon the boughs of trees, by claws fixed at the extreme part of their wings; their monkey faces turned downwards. Tectaque cum silvis celebrant, lucemque perosae Nocte volant, seroque tenent a vespere Nomen. Houses and Woods they haunt, hate Day, and game In Night time, and from twi light have their Name. Their shapes which I have formerly put upon the Coquos, best speaks 'em. A day afore we parted thence, we took a Fish, an Eagle-fish I imagined it: the eyes were five quarters asunder: from one fin end to another, were above four yards: its mouth and teeth resembled a Portcullis; a long small tail it had: a creature (take it altogether) rather made to wonder at, than to juncket on. depiction of fish The I'll has many good places to anchor in: two are well known; the one, at the North-West side, which bears the form of a Hemicicle, and elevates the Pole Antartique, 19 degrees, and 30 minutes: the other, at the Southeast is directly opposite, and in 20 degrees, 15 minutes; in longitude from Cape Comryn the utmost promontory of India, 20 degrees, 20 minutes: and from the Lizard the extremest part of England, 99 both Bays seem land-lockt, the ground is oazy, the depth in 5, 10, 15, or 20 fathoms, as the Seaman best affects: No where dangerous. The Soil itself; is stony and troublesome towards the shore; howbeit the inland parts are fat, and pleasant, full of shadowing trees, and drilling rivulets, reciprocally benevolent, equally delightful to the eye and taste: some few places excepted; which either storming at the aspiring height of some adjacent Mountains, or efflated in their own noise, descend so violently that they become Cataracts in their violent and precipitious fluxes: but, though the ear be angry at it, the other senses derive much happiness; for hereby the earth is mellowed and made fruitful, which otherwise would be too full of stones and sand; yet such is the richness of it, as rather commands us wonder at, than describe it. Amber-grease is often found flooting about this Island: how generated, whether in the Whale, or froth of Seas, or other wise, is yet doubted of. Coral, white and pleasant to look upon, grows here in abundace: but how that stinking weed Tobacco came thither I know not: whether by Art or Nature questionable. To conclude, this pleasantest of Asiatick Iles is un-inhabited, unless you please to entitle Beasts and Birds Inhabitants: those live here without dread of Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Fox, Dog, or such offensive creatures; and have it upon this condition, to pay a graceful tithe or Tribute to such ships as famine or foul weather direct to ride here: a fit place for Sir Thomas Moor to have seated his Utopia in. But his conceits were forged: this merits the best of people. If I have stood too long in her description, excuse it in the surpassing delight I took in it, such as without Circe's spells had a magic force To wish we dwelled there. But home we must; the wind blew fair, the Sea was calm and all our company fully refreshed. So, aboard we went, and in three hours sail lost sight of that Elysium; wishing such an Optic glass as every where would show it us: but our strong imaginations represent it. The fift day we descried land; it bore South-West from us: by its height, shape, and position, we knew 'twas that our Captains called England's Forest: next day we attained it. The name was Anno 1613. imposed by Captain Castleton Commander of the Pearl (a ship I mean:) some say the errant Potugall first saw it, and by Signior Mascarenas from his own name was denominated: yet othersome go further and call it Pulo-puar, an Indian name, but by whom or when, darkly writ in the mystic Character of Oblivion. The I'll has above fifty English miles circuit: the South Pole is elevated in that place, 20 degrees, and 55 minutes, South from the Aequator: in longitude from Mauritius 1 degree and a half: (but distant thence, seven and thirty Dutch leagues:) and variation of the Compass 23 degrees: an I'll exceeding lofty, made fying her aspiring forehead within the middle Region: every where green, and ever flourishing; pleasantly apparelled in various liveries; especially in store of trees, branching gallantly, and mounting to a rare sublimity. It had no Creature in it, save birds; till our Captain landed some Hogs and Goats of both kinds, that by a happy multiplication and increase the future Passenger might be relieved and bless the Planter. It wants not water, sweet and plentiful: the fresh streams are Magazeins of watery Citizens, such as sport themselves in that liquid Element: 'twere prolixity to name half of them; the Eels are notable; many there be, and most weigh thirty pounds; not odious in their corpulency, for to the taste they render themselves sweet, moist, and excellent: the birds are many, rare, but most of them such as are spoken of in the Mauritius. We must to Sea again, but not without a grateful farewell to those healthy and well-placed Lands, prepossessed with a felicitated memorial, yea enriched with so great choice, such plenty of victuals, that the vast and churlish Ocean became less distasteful to us; contemplating the jocune exercises and pleasures we were so late possessors of. In few days (by benefit of propitious winds) we launched fare into the Mare del Zur, the Antarctic constellations more visibly discovering themselves, and to approach our Zenyth. But, long those happy Favonii continued not: the wind veered into other (our contrary) quarters; the Sky o'erspread with black and lowering clouds, the Sea roared and laboured in many dreadful tumours, threatening spite, and no small danger: for seven whole days and nights the Tempest raged, and forced us all that while to lie by the Lee (to speak Sea language) no sail but the mizzen daring to oppose, the rest made prostrate to a senseless fury: howbeit, the old song Venit post multos una serena Dies revived us, by a continued patience begetting freedom and victory. For many hundred miles we had nothing bat Sea and Air to feast our sights with: somewhat bettered by many shoals of fish every where concomitating us, now and then by too much greediness proffering themselves to the deceitful bait of the cunning Mariner. In this vacancy, I may remember; Aristotle 2 lib. Meteor is of opinion, that no great blasts of wind blow from the South; meaning, that the burning Zone is without much rain, and clouds, such as conduce to exhalation and vapours: or, that before they can exceed the Tropics, and enter the temperate Zone, the Sun's vehement and continued heat and rays dispel, annihilate, and make them unforceable. Doubtless he retracted; for who sees not, that Phoebus in his attractive power (so, the matter be alike) equally cooperates towards a generation of wind and rain in his progress unto either Tropic. Experience, the Mistress of Knowledge taught it us; we found it so: for from the South many gusts and storms assailed us. Ovid in his 4 lib. de Ponto is of Aristotle's opinion (to be granted in our Hemisphere.) Hic oritur Boreas Oraeque, domesticus huic est, et sumit vires à propiore loco. At Notus adverso tepidus qui spirat ab Axe est procul, et rarus, languidiorque venit. Rough Boreas our Domestic, ruleth here, And takes his vigour from a place more near. But the mild South, from adverse Quarter sent, Comes fare, blows gently, and more impotent. After threescore and ten days further sail, we came in view of Saint Helena, (so long were we with fair winds 'twixt that I'll and the Mauritius;) a very little Isle and strangely founded. The spacious Ocean bellowes on every side so fretfully, as it might fear an inundation, had not the extraordinary height, but chief a Supreme providence (which hath set the Sea its bounds) safeguarded it. It has no neighbour Iles, neither great nor small; but seems equally removed from those two famous Ports Rio Grandi and Cape Negro; the one in Brazelia, th'other in Congo: in America the first; in afric the last: both, in one elevation, and in the same parallel with Saint Helena: from that in America, distant above 400 leagues; from this in afric 300. But let us a shore, and search what she aboundeth in. Of Helena. SAINT HELENA is an I'll, & was in-nominate till john de Nova gave it one, in the year after th'incarnation of our Saviour Christ 1502: and so named, for that he discovered it (in this return from India to Lisbon) the third of May; a day consecrated to the memory of Helena the Empress: She that first found the Cross, she that was the most religious of Ladies in her time, she that was mother to the first Christian Emperor, great Constantine: both of them glorious to the world; Britain's both; both bright Gems of this our Nation. St. Helena is removed South from the Aequator sixteen degrees: has longitude from the utmost promontory of South afric, two and twenty degrees: the needle varies there, five degrees and thirteen minutes From the lands end of England is distant 1500 leagues, or 4500 English miles: From the Cape of Good hope 580 leagues, or 1740 miles. From Madagascar 1000 leagues, or 3000 miles. From Surat 2200 leagues, or 6600 miles. And from Bantam in java 2300 leagues, or 6900 miles, or thereabouts. The I'll has this front in that Bay which takes name from the Chapel, nigh which we anchored. St Helena. The I'll is hard to be ascended; not that the passage is craggy, but precipitious: the Sailor's Proverb of it is, A man may choose whither he will break his heart going up, or his neck in coming down; a merry jest, but let them choose it. Once up, no place yields a more delightful object. It is even and plain above, swelling no where to a deformed rising; clothed with sweet grass, long and curious; every where it gives a large prospect and horizon into the Ocean. The Springs above are sweet, but below are brackish; the reason is, they participate (in their drilling descent) of the salt hills, through which it cuts a passage; salt both by their own composition, and the salt breath the Sea perpetually evaporates. There are but two rivulets in that I'll: the one bubbles down into the Chapel, th'other into the Lemon Valleys. They take their names from a Lemon tree whence it arises, and an old Chapel built at the very bottom by the Spaniard Anno 1571, and delapidated by the Dutch; a place once intended for God's glory, but by malice of rude man made ruinous and a profane nest of unclean avarice. The ruins of a little Town demolished lately show themselves, and serve to testify a like Fate makes men and Villages dye, Death and destruction makes both mortal and miserable. Some say the Spanish King subverted it, in that it became an unlawful Magazein of Seaman's Traffic, turning and returning out of both the Indieses: thereby losing his tribute in too apparent measure. It is but lately made sociable: the world is but beginning there; no Monuments, no Antique rarities are there found. You see all, if you look upon the shattered ribs of an old weather beaten Carrique, and some broken pieces of great Ordnance left there against the Owners good liking, and serve now in stead of Anchors. The I'll is desolate of reasonable Inhabitants: Hogs and Goats dwell there: they agree well-favouredly, and multiply in mighty numbers; happy in their ease and safety, till ships arrive there to banish hunger: we got also other good refreshment; Pheasants, Powts, Quailes, Hens, Partridge; and (which were as acceptable) diverse sorts of grass & roots, wood-sorrel, three-leav'd-grasse, Basil, Parsly, Mints, spinach, Fennel, Annys, Radish, Mustardseed, Tobacco, and some others, which by a willing hand, directed by an ingenious eye, may soon be gathered: brought hither, and here sown by Fernandus Lupius an honest Portugal, in the year of our Lord 1509. whose Countrymen at this day dare hardly land there to oversee their Seminary, or own their labours; lest the English or Hollander in the churlish language of a Cannon question them. Anno 1588. Candish our Countryman landed here in his circum-navigating the earth: I name him in this respect; he reports, he found here store of Lemons, Oranges, Pomegranates, Pomcitrons, Figgs, Dates etc. but now are none of these fruits growing there that I could see or hear of, a Lemon tree excepted; to conclude, here we buried in the old Chapel our honest Captain Andrew Evans: his death's wound (as I have told you) was given him by a fish at the Mauritius. Saint Helena was a pleasant place, but bad for us to stay too long in: after six days commorance, we paid our reckoning in a hearty Farewell, and by benefit of a happy gale cut swiftly the yielding billows in a Northwest course; whereby, on the sixteenth of October we made ourselves Nadyr to the Sun, at that time in his Progress towards the Antartique Tropic: our latitude was 13 deg. and 13 min: the third day after that we got sight of Ascension I'll, named so by john de Nova in the year 1502: 'tis removed South from the Equinoctial Circle seven degrees, 40 minutes: in circuit it is 30 English miles; from St. Helen's Isle removed seven hundred and twenty: little in it save wood and water, observable. On the seven and twentieth day we crossed under the Aequator; whence, to nine degrees North latitude we were pestered with continual Tornathes; a variable weather, composed of loud blasts, stinking showers, and terrible thunders. The eleventh of November we were parallel to Cape de Verd, and with the GORGADES, Isles famoused by ancient Poets, who say, that the three Gorgon's, Medusa, Stenia, and Euryale, the daughters of of King Phorcys Neptune's son here lived, and by the transcendent excellency of their beauties (their yellow hairs curling like Snakes, and deshevelling about their naked shoulders) turned the beholders into a stupid admiration, and by Perseus his report of that their faculty gave Poets some ground whereon to build their fiction. Leaving those, we steered Westward, and past by many parts of the New found world (as some men call it) Guiana, Florida, Virginia, Nova Anglia, (parts of Norumbega) and the gulf of Mexico: where I have seated myself a while, and will defraud the Reader of some patience, by travelling to find out the first Discoverer: a Question not a little controverted. Madoc ap Owen Gwyneth discovered America above three hundred years before COLUMBUS. ALbeit I have formerly in a line or two vindicated the honour of our Country, lost in the greater part by protract of malicious time, and wane of well-willers to defend it; I desire to speak more largely here, and give you the ground of my conjecture, That Madoc (son of Owyn Gwyneth) discovered the Western world now called America, three hundred and odd years before Columbus: not to detract from that man's worth, but that the truth may prevail, and the memory of our Heroic Countryman revive; having gasped too long in hateful ignorance and oblivion: for, if analogy of language and authority of good Authors may be credited, it may peradventure be accepted of, yea amongst Critics gain entertainment. In the first place it may be asked whence Madock's resolution came. I answer. From an innate desire to travel, and to avoid domestic broils he put that in action which some old prophetic sayings gave him light and encouraged him in. 'Tis very like he had read Plato (for what part of the world has ever more affected learning than the Britians) who in his Dialogue 'twixt Tymeus and Cricius, discourses of a great vast I'll, West from the Atlantic Ocean, and named ATLAS: as big as Asia and Africa put together. Some Humination he had also out of Aristotle and Theophrastus their Books of Rarities writ two thousand years ago, relating how some Merchants passing thorough the Straits of Gibraltar, were by tempest driven whither wind and Sea compelled them, so fare West that they finally descried land, but un inhabited: It may be 'twas some of the Azores: but what ere it was, it proved a Magnet of encouragement to illure future Ages to discover Westward, and doubtless was a prime cause of finding out the Western Continent. Hanno also is supposed to have landed there. Questionlessed he adventured fare (far in regard they had no Compass to return by) into the Atlantic Seas; but which way he sailed is disputable: West, some say: some say, Southward. Pomponius meal and Lampridus affirm the land was South from Carthage he discovered; if South, than no part of the West-Indies: the Canary Iles perhaps, the Atlantiades, the Gorgades, Ascention, or Saint Helen's; who though they carry not the Epithet of Great, yet the Novelty considered, and the Distance, the word great may be affected. Some (but I believe them not) carry him to Madagascar: if that, he discovered a great I'll indeed; But then sure he would have found out the Red Sea (not comparable to the dangers he had past, in doubling Cape Tormentoso) and made his journey home, less dangerous. Virgil the best of Latin Poets, from some varicinating Notion seems to point at it, in the 6. lib. Aenead. where he prophecies vast extent of Caesar's Dominions. — jacet extra sydera Tellus Extra Anni Solisque vias, ubi coeliser Atlas Axem humero torquet, Stellis ardentibus aptum. — A Land beyond the Stars dothly, And the Sun's way; Atlas that bears the Sky The fire fit Star-fraught Pole doth wheel thereby. Which though Servius understand of the Sunne-burnt Aethiops; others otherwise interpret it inconsiderate Laudinus is one of them; who cannot be persuaded that any part of Aethiopia exceeds the Tropics: an idle conceit; and which in fol. 15. I have refuted: but see his reason for it, the word extra he moderates to pene extra, a witty comment. But Donatus parodically takes pro Die, and Annum pro Nocte; the Sun for Day, the Year for Night; which granted, Virgil has neither prophecy nor wonder. The truth is (as Lod. de la Cerda notes) the Poet means thus, Augustus Caesar should conquer beyond Mount Atlas, a famous part of Africa (Morocco now, of old Mauritania) not included within the burning Zone, out of which Apollo never wanders, Extra sydera, nimirum Zodiaci; whence we gather that Virgil meant not of America. But in a more perfect way, Seneca (Nero's Master) foretelleth the discovery (he conceals the place) in his Medaean Tragedy. — The Time will one day be (Guided by providence) whom you shall see The liquid Ocean to enlarge her bounds And pay the Earth a tribute of more grounds In a inplest measure; for the Sea gods than Shall show new worlds and rarities to men. Yea; by his leave, who all great acts commands See Thule less North by fare, than other lands. — Venient Annis Secula seris, quibus Oceanus Vinculd rerum laxet & ingens Pateat Tellus, Typhisque novos Detegrat orbs, nec sit terris Vltima Thulè. Madoc from these lights discerned it: And lest any may think the man to whon we erect a Trophy of so great honour, an obscure or illiterate man, not worth a memory; let's in a line or two speak his descent and quality, and then the particulars of his vovage. He was brother to Prince David, sons of that famous Owen Gwynedd Prince of Wales, who for above thirty years governed wisely, with great courage and good fortune: his Father was Gruffith ap Conan that did homage for some lands in England, to William the Conqueror at S. David's: and descended lineally from King Rodri Mawr (or Roderic the great) glorious in many, conflicts and victories against the savage Saxon; in those four great battles especially, at Berthem, Bangelu, Monegid, and Anglesea, in the year from Adam 4820: from the nativity of our Blessed Saviour 846. such time as Burchred King of Mercia, Athelwolfe King of the West-Saysses, Meiric and other valiant Princes by sad trial found him fortunate: which suffice to illustrate Madock's quality, every way exceeding honourable. It follows why they put to Sea upon discovery. The Annals of those times (to this day happily preserved) tell us, That so soon as Owen Gwynedd (or Venedotia) was dead; the custom of Gavelkind (which has confounded Wales) became a Subject of implacable hate amongst his sons, jorwerth (or Edward, surnamed Dwryndwn, from his broken nose) Howel and David; whose peculiar, ambition banished all general kinds of love due amongst friends and brethren. jorwerth, albeit he was eldest, was held incapable of the Crown in respect of his lameness and other deformities: Howel also was thought unworthy by reason his Mother was an Irish Lady, with which Nation they had then some difference: David had least right by law of Nature and Nations, being youngest; howbeit, by his comely personage, his skill in Arms, but principally by marrying Emma Plantagenet, sister to King Henry the second, he got the Sceptre into his hands, and swayed it as best liked him: yet the Crown tottered upon his head, till in a victory against his brethren wherein Hoell was slain, he fitted it better and fastened it. But a supreme power and Justice would not establish it against right and reason, for so soon as lewelyn (jorwerths' son and right heir) was capable to grasp it, he drew many of David's men to his party (such is the vulgars' levity) promising them great matters; and aided by Howell ap Meredith and Conan ap Owen his active kinsmen, David unwillingly descends from his Princely Seat, and lewelyn is seated Anno Domini 1194; not without much bloodshed and distraction of the wisest. Madoc ap owen Gwyneth perceives the Normans ready to swallow them (for nothing more destroys a Nation than division:) and that his advice nor propositions of peace were hearkened to, but rather by such good offices made himself the object of their fury; he thenceforth studies his own preservation, but sees no part of his native home-glance any happiness, but every where horror and destruction: his genius therefore prompts him to adventures, yea to haste aboard: in some remote place or other to establish his present state and future happiness; no show of fear, no improbability in reason, no peradventures any whit disaminating his well-tempered spirit, to Sea therefore he meant to go and prepares speedily: for at that instant he saw that Prophetic song penned by Ambrose Teleyssen a noble Bardh fulfilled; writ in the year 490, such time as Aurelius Ambrose, brother to Vther-pen-Dragon arrived here (from Armorica) to revenge them upon the uncivil Saxons: the Bardh vaticinating that when they fell to Idolatry, to discord, or to admit strange people among them, that then the British glory should be Eclipsed. Eu Nar a folant Eu hjaith a gadwant Eu tir a gothlant and gwyllt Wallia In Latin this Vsque laudabunt Dominum createm Vsque servabunt idioma linguae Arvaque amittunt sua cuncta praeter Wallica rura Whiles Cambrya's issue serve the Lord their maker, Whiles with no other Language are partaker, Whiles so, with glory they their own shall keep, Whiles other Nations in oblivion sleep. Teleyssen at the same time and in the same song joined this other invective, reproving the pride and avarice of the Clergy, who to despite the Welsh had given out that Austen the Monk, sent hither by Pope Gregory the great, was their first Converter; ignorant it seems, or rather wilfully malicious, that our Countrymen had embraced Christ (long before Austen's time) by the preaching of joseph of Arimathea and Simon Zelotes; and thence came that religious boast, that they excelled all the world for three things, having the first Christian King, Emperor, and Monastery in the world; Lucius, Constantine, and Bangor. The Song is this. Gwae'r offeiriad bid Nis angreifftia gwyd ac ny phregetha Gwae ny cheidw eygail Ac effyn Vigail ac ny's areilia Gwae ny theidw ey ddevaid Rhae bleidhie, Rhufeniaid ar●i'ffon g'nwppa Woe be to that Priest Yborn That will not cleanly weed his corn, and preach his charge among. Woe be to that Shepherd I say That will not watch his fold always as to him doth belong. Woe be to him that doth not keep From Romish Wolves his silly sheep with staff and weapon strong. Madoc the rather confirmed his intentions for travel, when he saw such distraction at home, such apostasy in all callings; also his life every day in danger: all things therefore being fitted, he put to Sea without bidding his kindred farewell, lest too much love or hate might have withdrawn him. The year he set forth in, was from Adam 5140. from Christ 1170. the wind and sea seemed to favour him (Omens of good fortune:) so as, after some patience and weeks sail due West, he descried land, a land where he found store of good victuals, sweet water, fresh air, gold, (and which was best) where they were a good whiles healthful: such, as overwhelmed him with joy, but moderated when he considered how Almighty God was alike powerful and gracious in all places: his exile now turned into comfort. In lieu of ingeminating his own misery, he joys himself, and sees his brother's most unhappy Princes; who so eagerly emulated one another's greatness: a Territory causing it, which compared which this, God had directed him to, was but as a handful of earth, and which he had had possession of without opposition or bloodshed. Here Madoc planted (in Florida or Canada, some part of Mexico) raised some fortifications for defence, left a hundred and twenty men (I follow the old Copy, in this Story) and directly by God's providence (the best compass) and benefit of the Pole star after long sail arrived safely at home; where, he recounted his marvelous successful voyage, the fruitfulness of the soil, the simplicity of the Savages, the great wealth abounding there, and facility of Conquest: a discourse that filled them with joy and admiration; and whereby he drew many willing minds to return with him. In ten good Barks, loaded with all necessary provisions they advanced back, and most fortunately re-attained the same place they hoped for. Great rejoicing was among them at that their happiness, but no less sorrow followed: for, being come to the Plantation, they found few of those they left there, living: caused by too much eating, the indisposition or Novelty of that air arid climate, (which though never so excellent, yet causes sickness and alteration in new Inhabitants) by some treachery of the Barbarians. Madoc digested it with a Christian fortitude and patience, and forthwith bettered the Colony, by help of Eneon and Edwall his brother's Contriving every thing with so good order, that they were secure from any Enemy, and had all things conducing to ease, plenty, and contentedness: they threw away the too indulgent thoughts of their Native homes, by this reason, that if they died there, they were in the same distance from heaven, and had as easy a journey thither: what most afflicted them was the breach of promise, many of their friends had made but not performed. The cause was not in them, but in the overture of that state turned topsie-turvie by the Britain Princes, and totally by the indiscretion of that unhappy Prince Lluellyn ap Gryffith, (lately married to Eleoner, daughter of Monteford the bold Earl of Leicester and Eleoner daughter of King john) which Gruffyth was slain Anno 1282 at Buelht by Franckton an Englishman in an unmanly fashion. So that Madoc and his Company returned no more, nor did the Welsh sail thither afterward, whereby one of another in small time were in some sort forgotten and never remembered. But although Madoc and his Cambrian crew are dead and their memory moth-eaten; yet the footsteps and relics of their former living there are to be traced; and such, as deserve to be revived clearly: the language they left there, the religion they taught the Savages, manifested it; otherwise how come those many British words (not much altered from the dialect) amongst the Mexicans? whence had they the use of Beads, of Crucifixes, of Relics & c? all which the Spaniards (as we tcad in Lopez de Gomera and others) confess they found amongst the Cannibals, and those of Acusano, and Culhuacan at their first landing in America. Yea, some tradition and reports amongst the Mexicans, that (about the time that Madoc was there) a strange people came thither in Corraughs or Ships, who taught them some knowledge of God, and by whose examples they became more civil and industrious: testified by Columbus, Franciscus Lopez, Coztezo, Postellus and other Castilians of quality; that of Fernando Cortes, (Anno Domini 1519 Ambassador and General for Ferdinand and Isabella) is also remarkable. In some discourse betwixt him and Mutezuma (second son of Antzol, and Father of Quabutimoc last King of Mexico,) the Ambassador observing the Indians to have many ceremonies the Spaniards used, demanded of the King who first instructed them, who answered Cortes; That many years ago a strange Nation landed there, a civil people, and from examples of piety they received them; but how they were called, or whence they came he could not satisfy him. Another time, in an Oration of thanks which Mutezuma returned them for some favours, he thus told them. One chief cause of my especial affection to your Nation is this, I have many times heard my Father say, he heard his Grandsire seriously affirm (out of a continued tradition) That not many Descents above him, his Progenitors came thither as strangers by accident, in company of a Noble man, who abode there a while and then departed, but left many of his people behind him; and that upon his return, most of those he left, died: and that from him or some of them they thought they themselves descended. A speech agreeing with our Narration: and that this people were Welsh rather than Spaniards, or others, the Records of this voyage writ by many Bardhs and Genealogists confirm it; memorised also by those learned Poet's Cynwric open Grono and Guten Owen (who lived in Edward the fourth's time) and by Sir Meredith ap Reese a valiant and learned man, living in the year 1477. and of Madoc in this Eulogy. Madoc wif ' mwydic wed; jawngenau Owen was Gwynedd Ni funnum dyr, fyenaid oedd Nada Mawr, and y'm oroedd. Madoc ap Owen was I called; Strong, tall, and comely, not enthralled With home bred pleasure, but to Fame, Through Land and Seas I sought the same. Made more orthodoxal by Welsh names given there to birds, rivers, rocks, beasts, etc. as Gw'rando (with us and them,) signifying to give ear unto or hearken: Pengwyn, referred by them to a bird that has a white head, and to rocks of that resemblance: the Isles, Chorrhoeso: the Cape of Britain: Gwyndowr, white-water: bara, bread: Mam, Mother: Tate, Father: dower, water: pride, time: Bu or Buch, a Cow: Clugar, a Heathcock: Llynog, a Foxwy, an egg: Calaf, a quill: Trwyn, a nose: Nef, heaven: and others, Welsh words, and of the same signification: whereby, in my conceit, none save detracting Opinionatists', can justly oppose such modest testimonies and proofs of what I wish were generally allowed of. Nor is it a fantasy of yesterday, many worthy men of late and ancient times have revived it: such are Cynwrie ap Grono, Meredith ap Rhyce, Guten Owen, Lloyd, powel, Pris, Hackluit, Bronghton, Purchas, Davys, etc. Enough to satisfy the well-willers of truth; too much foe Zollists and such as delight in opposition. This, no doubt had it been so deservedly known and catholicly beeeved as it merited; then had not Christopher Columbus (a man in truth, honourable and idustrious) Americus Vespusius, Magellan, nor others carried along with them all the honour in so great an enterprise: Nor had Prince Madoc been defrauded of his memory, nor our Kings of their just right and Title to the West Indieses (a secret fate as it were miraculously renewing their claim by Columbus his proffering the discovery and wealth of those Countries to our King H. 7.) nor then had his Holiness, nor his Catholic Majesty had that plea nor immediate Interest grounded upon the Genoans discovery, as many Jesuits and State-politiques have so vehemently, so late disputed for. Fare be it from me or any honest man to detract Columbus, or to derogate from his deserved glory: It may be his discovery was (as Madocks was) merely from his own skill, genius, and magnanimity, without knowledge of Madocks' former being there, or of encouragement from old conjectures: his greatest reason I know, was that so much of the 360 degrees could scarce be Ocean & that he might as well discover Westward as the portugals had done East to the other Indies. But this I would withal have also granted; That this his voyage was after the other (of our Countryman) three hundred and two & twenty years; and that the Spaniards have not so much right to those Countries (I mean of America) as our King has; so long as they arrogate their claim from a premier discovery. Columbus was borne at Gugureo (at Nervi some say) not far from Genoa: a man of a modest nature, studious, and well read in the Mathematics: and of that, chief in Navigation: His first encouragement of going West upon discovery, grew (as say the Spaniards) from his perusing an Ephemerideses writ by a Spanish Mariner, who had been forced into the West Indies by tempest, and died at Columbus his house upon his arrival: this is a Spanish lie, invented merely to derogate from his worth, and that an Italian should not master so much glory. Whither Columbus had any illumination from old Poets, or that he had seen or heard of Madocks' journey Westward, who knows: for, what Nation formerly knew not the acts of Englishmen better than themselves: otherwise, Polidore Virgil that crafty Monck had not andertooke to illustrate (to his and our shame) the English chronology, nor Verstegan (alias Rowley) dared to make us all teutonics; from both which we suck to many egregious falsehoods. Columbus armed with much confidence, sends his brother to our King Henry the seventh, the wisest in his time and most noble, if too much avarice had not swayed him: whose ill hap it was to slight the Messenger and his Message, from his incredulous heart and the poverty of Columbus, who in his passage had been imprisoned by Rescalls, and nakedly (after much entreaty) delivered. Upon the King's refusal, he desired the French King to Patronise it, but he (hearing that King Henry had refused) derided him; who had been for ever discouraged, had not Ferdinand the Spanish King (after long suit) accepted of the motion, and trusted him with two hundred men in two small Ships, at the earnest snit of john Perez de Marchena, at that time Rector of the Monastery of Rabida, a great Maecenas to industrious men: with which, after threescore dayessaile, much impatience, and no less stir to quiet the discontented Spaniards, Columbus descried land, that part called Guanahami, but by Colon new named Saint Salvador, a part of Mexico, (very near where Madoc had first landed;) a discovery no less joying them, than as if thereby they had got the Conquest and Empire of all the world: a Prize so worthy, that from that year 1492 to this, they have brought home no less gold and silver, than all Europe enjoyed formerly. Columbus died in the year 1506, in his fourth return out of the Indieses. But of his sorrows afterwards, and of the Spaniards ingratitude to him; their pride to all the world, and cruelty to the miserable indians; thou may'st satisfy thyself at large in their own and other Histories. An. Dam. 1497 Americus Vespucius a Spaniard (before his Voyage into the Orient) adventures South; where with small toil or study he found land enough (but part of the Continent formerly discovered) to glut his ambition: howbeit, as if Colon had done nothing in respect of him, conceiting his endeavours more transcendently meretorious, he dares to call the whole Continent (reaching almost from one Pole to another) from his own name, America: injuriously assumed, and unwisely followed by other Nations; who if they had given every man his due, had more reason to have called it Madocya, Nova Brittania, Colonia, or Columba (for to Noah's Dove he may be likened:) but we see, by Epidemic assent the supercisious Spaniard has got the honour of it: yea, thrives better than did Bathillus the Poetastors, who thought to have defranded Virgil of his elaborate Poem; and some there be (yet those not envious) that wish his reward agreeable: for, they are Furtivi colores (Americus) you are clothed with. Magellan sails more Southerly than Vespucius, in the year 1519 thorough that Fretum or Strait, with good reason called Magellane. A hundred Others have since that laboured in the like harvest, and reaped several Epithets of honour, memorizing (and not unworthily) their Names in fresh discoveries of Ports, hills, rivers, rocks, etc. Only he that most of all deserved it, is diserted, left out, Madoc, who sleeps in rest, more happy in his lasting quiet than the bubble of vainglory. Howbeit, such as love his memory cannot pass by such living monuments of his deservings (of which number I am one) in the Indieses, without some small Essay of their affections: But I am neither able nor worthy to speak in such a subject: and therefore wish a better Author, who in a better method may revive him clearelier. In magnis, voluisse sat est. Let's homewards now, for we have too fare wandered; tired in a double Travel; of scorching and intemperate Zones, and of too great presumption in your patience. views of the Azores S.E. Pyco E S E. Fayall E by N Gratiosa Flores E S E St George Loa: dist Redituque sou singula gaeudent. FINIS. AN ALPHABETICAL, TABLE: WHEREIN THE NAMES of Men are distinguished by a different CHARACTER. A Abbess, King of Persia, takes Candabor, fol. 81. his rigour at Spahawn 160. Courtesy to the English Ambass. 171. His severe justice 171 & 172 His cruelty to his son, from 173 to 176. be conquers Larry-Ioon 187. & Sheervan 200. His letter in favour of some English Gentlemen 205, described 206. depected 207. his Titles 208. paralleled with other Monarches 209. his Revenue 225, 242. domestic policy, &c 242, 24 K. Abdalla slain by the Portugal 315 Abdul cawn an Indian Vmbrave enters Decan 76. expulsed by stratagem ib is made Viceroy of Kalpa and Khoor 77 destroys the Coolyes ib. serves Sultan Currown in the wars of Decan 79. passes Bellagate ib. his son married to the great Moguls grandchild 81. made General against the Persians ib. and Governor of Goujurat 84. his Eumuch baffled 85. himself vanquesht by Saffy cawn 87. his son imprisoned 88, he takes joonpore 90. dissension 'twixt him and Radjè Rhyem ib. he is beaten from Elabasa ib. and at Brampore 93 forsakes Currowne 96. is disgraced 103 restored to grace again 107 Abdulcheries Tragickend 202 Abdul-Fazel slains 71 Abubocr succeeds Maomet at Mecca 280. his young daughter marries Maomet, and he Maomets' daughter 252. dyes poisoned 280. Accursed by the late Persian reformation 269 Abulghar 55 Acheen in Sumatra 298.323 Aden 31.110 Ad'smer 60, 61 Aderbayan 56, 57, 192 Aelcama 286 Aequator 9 Aethiopia 15 Agamiaes 224 Agra 59 the Castle built ib. and 62 described 60.153 Ahasuerus 167, 271 Ahawaz 280 Aladules K. of Anti-Taurus slain 288 Alborrs 186 Albuquerq 108, 121, 114 Alcabam Mecca 135, 280 Alcanzar 266 Alexander the great 129, 181, 201, 216, 218, 220, 271 Alexandria 271 Aliavar 167 Amadavad 61, 62, 77 Amazons 11 Ambass of Persia poisons himself 35 Ambass of England lands in Persia 120 Ambass. of the great Mogul 104 Ambass. to the Persian 77 Ambass. of Chynainto Persia 209 Ambass. England dies 204 Amber 332 Amboyna 321 Aminda 273 Amnadagar 67 69 79, 82 Amrobant 148 Amurath the grand Seignier invades Persia 200, is forced thence ib. Anamogery 86 Ancira 277 Angels 264 Angola 910 Amewar 69 Annanas 298 Antipodes 6 Anti-Taurus 137.287 Auzar 57 Anzigui 11 Arabia 110.270 Arabic 111 Aragus flu. 117.180 Ararat 151.185 Araxis 147.177.180.222 Arbaces 270.196.224 Archan 280 Ardaveil 285.292 Arecca 298 Argaric Gulf 315 Aria 281 Armagun 311.313 Armenia whence named 151, how divided 152. their religion ib. when converted 274 Aro 56 Arundell 323 Artaxerxes 271.272.273 Arzan 184 Arzenion 285 Asaph 210 Ascension Ile 355 Asharaff 167.177 Assempore 86 Astyages 270.271 Assepose 148 Astracan 179.180 Attack 98.100 Atlantiq ' Ocean 2 Atlantiades 8.15 Atlas 2.4 Atlas Maurus 223 Atropa●●a 192 Augustus Caesar 271 Avicennaes' birthplace 184 Aurdenagar 76 Author's sickness 222 Aurea Chersonesus 314 333 Auva 319.320 Aydar 286 Aygar 55 Azemia 224 Azfacher 286 Azores Isles 463 B BAb-mandel 31 Babur great Mogul 69 Babylon 216.224.271.273 Bacteria 192 Bacu 177 Badashan 58.65 Badur's Pilgrimage 58 Baezd 177 Bagdat 218. whence named 219.280.283 Balaam the Edemite 306 Balk 58.184.281.286 Balforac 110.113.290. Banda 331 Band-Ally 124 Bander- Gumbrown 121 Banges 73.78 Bannians described 38. their religion from 41 to 47. opinion of the soul 122.46.303.304 Bannian tree 122 Bannaras upon Ganges 89.90 Bannarow 131 Bannasoed 73 Bantam 324 Barag. 111 Barfrush-de 177.181 Barnagasso 30 Baroch 61.82.87.88 Barango 318 Baronta 210 Baruze 323.332 Bashra 280 Bassoweer 84.100 Battacala 299 Baetan 331 Batts 347 Baut 163 Baze-bacow 133.148 Bebey a Lady beats the Mogul 67. poisoned 70 Bedar 70 Behar 76 Bebat fl: 69 Begun 66 69 Belgian Mount 210 Bellaguate 55 Bellizarius 76.79.94 Belochus 274 Belshazzar 270 Bemermassin 193 Bengala 331 Benjamin 63.89.90, 94 99.312 Benomotapa 332 Berar 68 subjected 9 Berry 77.79.82.103 130 Berodach Baladan King of Assur 193 Beyramghano-cawn slain 59 Bezarr 331 E'ildith 177 Bimberry high mountains in Indostant 66.74 Bindamir fl. 134 Binny and Guinea 8 Bipilipatan 309 Biscay 2 Bisnagor 312 Bizabda 273 Bizanth 275.178 Bizdebode 215 Bobbaw-hodgee 132 Bochar 184 Bombyca 273 Bonavista 8 Bonay 101 Booby 11 Borneo 312.314.324.331 Bowbentalow 86 Boyall 148 Brachmen antiquity 40 Brama 316.319.320 Brampore 60.67.70.93.82 Brin-Iohn 299.305 Brodera 86.87.88.107 Buccary 90 Buckor 79 90 Buldat 215 Bullochy eldest son to Prince Curseroo imprisoned 98. relieved 100 crowned Emperor of Insdustant 105. murdered at Lahore 107 Bandama fl: 177 C CAlajate 109 Calamba wood 297 Calderan plains 137.287 Caleture 311 Callamina 310 Calicut 299. described 302 Calpi 69 Campbaleck 56 Cambalu 337 Cambaya 59.61.82.103.108. Cambogiae 312.316.333 Cambyna 329 Cambyses 270 Chameleon 23 Campson Gaurus 109 Canaria 3.4 Cananore 299 Candaces Eunuch 306 Candahor 81. besieged 134. 224.290. Candu 306 Cangra taken 78 Canoe 29 Cantam 336 Can Assem goes Ambass. from India to Persia 77. bravely entertained ib. Capessa 276 Cape Comory 108.299.308 Cape of good Hope 12. to 19 Cape de Agvilbas' 19 Cape falso 19.14 Cape Roma 21 Caepe Rozelgate 109.113 Cape Verd 8 Cape Palmas 8 Carraculia 152 Carcash 224 Caravans raw depicted 194 Cashan 213 Caspian Sea 180 Caspia 177 Caspian straits 165 Cassimeer conquered 65. described 66.89.78.90 Casson 177 Casta 313 Castle Island 25 Cathaya 337 Cattatingae 323 Caucasus 55.66.185. Cazbyn 196 Celebes 329 Cesarca Queen of Persia baptiezed 276 Chacoporo 177.181 Chandis 68.103 Chara 194 Chatighan 90 Chedorlaomar 217.233.269 Cherry 69 Chersam 69 Chesel fl: 180 Chilmanor 144.146 Chiulpha 137 China 312.306. pride of their Kings 209.299 Chiraef 143 Chirigin 324 Choul 34.67, 108.295.296.299. Christians in Socotorae 31 in Persia 152 in India 304 Chrysoborca 65 Chytor 60.102 Constandel-cawns villainy 290.291 Cingis-cawn his birth and fortunes 55.56 Cinnamon 308 Civit 332 Cloves 330 Co-Araxes 147 Coat-armour of Persia 230 Cuaspes fl. 222 Cocos 29.318 Colchis 152.167 Columbo 307 Columbus 361 Column of headsin Spahawn 161 Commeshaw 148 Coome described 212, that it was Hecatompylon, rather than Spahawn. ibid. Conny I'll 12 Congo 352 Conio 330 Corasan 55, 58, 183, 184, 281. Carca fl. 177 Connack 177 Cormandell 65, 308, 312, 345 Corranda 215 Corbet and Corryn ibid. Corea 333 Coriats' error 132. his grave 35 Corvo 364 Costack 113 Cosumbay 87 Cotton 325 Coughton 132 Cawrestan 125.280 Cowlam 299.303 Cozrhoe King of Persia 192. his Titles 208 Cozrhoes a Tyrant of Persia breaks faith with the Christians 274. ravishes a Christian Lady, and the Nymphs of Daphne ib, spoils Armenia ib. is vanquished by the Christians 275. Cozrhoes King of Persia, a parricide flies to Bizanth 275. is reseated by means of the Chr. Emp. 276. he and his Court are baptised ib. he apostatises ib. takes the Cross from jerusalem 277 is beaten by the Rom. Emp. who burns his Idols ib. his 3 Armies are confounded 278. he dies desperately 279 Crassus vanquished by the Parthians 211 Cranganor 299 Crater 333 Crocodile 323 Ctesiphon 275.279 Cuface 111 Cumber 331 Cuncam 56.290 Curiate 111 Curroon (youngest son to Shakstone- Selim late great Mogul) to make his Nephew's incapable of the Crown makes them be christened 75. he changes his name 79. is made General against the Decans ib. subjects Berar and Chandis 79. rec. Tribute from the King of Galcunda ib. his ambitious desigues 80. rebels 81. endeavours to rob his Father's Exchequer, but is frustrated ib. fights with his father's Army at Delly ib. is vanquished by Mahobet-cawn 83. flies to Mew at 84. by Assaph. cawns' means is pardoned, but rebels again ib. is beat by his brother Sultan Perwees at Mando, and flies into Decan 88 be forages Bengala, Purop, and beyond Ganges 89. escapes a great danger 90. he takes Rantas and Tzinner ib. is wounded and his army put to flight 91. flies to Potan 92. to Gulcunda 93. to Decan ib. besieges Brampore 93 flies into Decan 94. hearing that his father was imprisoned he marches to Asmeer and is banished Agra 99 expulsed Tutta ib. again flies into Decan 102. receives joyfully Mahobet-cawn 105. under whose conduct he speeds to Agray and challenges the Crown 106 by foul murder obtains it and altars his Name to Sultan-Sha- Bedin Maomet, etc. ib. Ambass. salute him ib. plague, famine, and rebellion pursue him 108. his coronation celebrated by the English at Surat. 108 Curricurre depicted 314 Curseroon or Gushroo son to the great Mogul aims at the Crown 72. is pardoned but flies away ib. is beaten 73. flies to Labour ib. taken and imprisoned 74. his miseries 73. looked to by Assaph-cawn and cawn- lehan 78. murdered 80. much lamented ib. Cuscuzar 148 Cusistan 56.290 Cut-bobbau 132.133 Cyrapolis Cyrus' King of Persia 134.270 Cyrus' fl: 177.180 D DAbul 34.67.295.299 Dabys 335 Daeck 77 Damky 35 Damarcana 111 Damiadee fl. 69 D●moan 183. described 192 D●mon 34 67.295 Danda-Radjeporee 108.299 Darghan 286 Darius Medus 193 Darius Nothus & Codomanus 271 Daultabat 76. 88 93 Dayta 106 Deacow 129.133 Decan 55, 67, 68.70, 299 Decans vanquished by the Mogul 67. beaten again 76. they recover their losses 93. and beat the Moguls Lescar 103 Debaca 89 Degardoo 133, 148 Delly 58, 60, 68, 99 Delphius 24 Demyr Cape 179 De-Moxalbeg 148 Derbent 177, 196, described 201 Deylan 192 D'hast 55 Dia and Daru 323 Diarbec 56, 208, 224, 287, 290 Digarroys 23, 341, 343 Dilemon 281 Dilementhes 288 Diu 108 Diul 82 Doab 59 Dodo's 347 Dover 2 Drake 8 Duradura 318 Duroyen 298 Duzgun 125 E EAst India 34 Ecbarr, crowned great Mogul 59 conquers Doab ib. goes on a Rummery or Pilgrimage to Asmeer 61. Subjects Bengala, Kantam-pore, and Patan 63. diverse Kings do him homage 65. he conquers Casmeer 66. and Hassarr 69. pardons the insolence of his son Shakstone- Selym 70. afflicted with the death of his two sons Amurath and Dhaen-sha 67 71. buries his mother 71. beats his rebellious son 72. unhappily poisoned ib. Ecclissar 102 Ecmeazin 152 Edissa 276 Ehberam in Armenia 262 Elabass built 65.89. besieged 90. Elam 223 Elcandifia 280 Elephant 322 Elmedin in Caldea 262 Elsheer sack by Ben Abivakez 280 Eltarch 111 Emangoly-cawn Archduke of Shyraz triumphs over Ormus 115. and Lar 126. his Titles 136. Acts 137 pride ib. he feasts the English Ambassador 139. his revenue ib. visits the Ambass. 140. is beheaded 206 Emir-Hamze-Mirza, son to King Maomet Codabanda, vanquishes both Turks and Tartars 201. enters Casbyn in triumph ib. his valour and many victories 289 is poisoned 290 English Ambassador lands in Persia 120. entertained by the Sultan of Gumbroon 121. feasted at Shyraz 138. gallantly welcomed at Spahawn 150. he visits the Prince of Armenia 151, has his audience at the Caspian Sea 168. injured by Maomet Ally-begg 202. discontented ib. at Cazbyn dies, and is solemnly buried 204 England's Forest 343.351 Eneon & Edwall sons of Owen Gwyned, sail with Madoc their brother into Mexico 356 Erez 177 289 Earls of Cumberland 5, 364 Of Pembroke 364 Of Essex ibid. Escar-Mecron 280 Estacher 148 Etamon Dowlet accused by his slave, and disgraced 74 by his daughters high advancement he is pardoned: restored 75. and buried 80 Etnizaria 224 Euphrates fl. 56.217.218.221.222.278.282 F FAlcata 333.335 Farghan 184.286 Farrabaut 177.178 Fatima's Sepulchre 212 Fayall 363 Faza 134 Fettipore 60.62.73.90 Ferro 3 Firando 333 Fitz-Herbert 16 Florida 355 Flores 364 Flying fishes 32 Flemish Isles 363 Forte-Ventura 5 French K. Charles the great sends Ambassadors into Persia 283 Frons Africa 8 Funerals of the Canarians. 4 Of the Anzigui 11 Of the Soldaniaes' 17 Of the Bannians 45 Of the Persees 53 Of the gower's 162 Of the Persians 237 Of the Indians 309 Of the Kormandelians 313 Of the japans 335 Of the Chynese 339 G GAcheen 125 Gambra, not Ophir 314 Gandetzin in Decan 70 Ganganna an Indian Vmbraw sides with Sultan Curroon 84. his deceit deceives him 88 is imprisoned 90. he and his family are put in chains and sent to Agra 91. sorrows the death of his children 92. exasperates the great Mogul against Mahobet-cawn 95. is made General of the Queen's Army 101. dyes and is buried 103 Ganges fl: 59.60.99.222.229.309.316 Gardon-Achow 148 Gassany in Tartary 89 Gazacot 277 Gaznehen 56, 57, 58, 281, 184, 284, 286 Gentfro. 76 Georgian man and woman 151 Georgian Tragedy contracted 290 by stratagem revenge themselves upon the Persians 291 Ghabor 129 Ghanotts and Ghastanpore 69 Gheer 167 Ghelac 184.192 Ghezz 165 Ghezzimeer 104 Ghillolo 330 Ghylan 192.286.290 Giach a fruit 297 Goa 33.67.299.303 Goga 82 Gomera 3 Gorgades 355 Goujurat 61.90 Gouro 90 gower's in Parthia 162.186 Goyeome 131 Gozan 129 Gratiosa 363 Greecy 324 Guadez 224 Guiana 355 Gulcuzda 67.68.70.79.89.93.299.312 Gulf of Arabia 31 Of Bengala 309 Of Argarica 315 Of Persia 110 Gumbazalello 148, 212 Gumbrown in Persia 120, 121 Gundavee 34, 295 Gunet of descent from Mortis Ally 284, by Tamberlains' respect to him, dares broach his roformation 268, be marries the K. of Armeniaes' daughter 285, conquers Tripizond, and is murdered ibid. Gurgee 152 H HAbyn fl. 180 Haloen 152 Halvary 166 Hamadan 56, 197 Hambyer 84 Hanimant, the Apes-tooth-god, burned 307 Hansot 87 Harran 192 Hassar taken 69, 94 Heaven and Hell in the Alcoran 263, 265 Hecatompylon, not Spahawn but Coomes 154, 212 Hegira 253 Hemoometzar 215 Heraclius the Rom. Emp. prosecutes the wars of Persia 276, he vanquishes Cosrhoes and burns his Idols 277, his great courage 278. reduces the holy Cross to jerusalem 279, dies, and is succeeded by Constantine 281 Herbert's Mount 14 Hery 184 Hesperidae 8 Hiblin slain 283 Hiero 3 Hieropolis 276 Hispaniola, not Ophir 314 History of the Moguls 54 Of the Persians 269 Hodge-Nazar the Armenian Prince 150 Homayon the great Mogul his sudden death 59 Hony-shaw 136 Hormisda King of Persia rages against the Christians, who beat his army 275 disgraces Baramis his General, but loses by it, ib. in a vision a sees 12 Turrets, and in them the overture of Persia 279 Hydero fl: 177 Hyerac 56.286 Hyrcania whence named 177. habit of the inhabitants 178 I IAarown 129.280 jackatra 324.325 jackalls 14.124 jacup, Vsan Cassans son, envies his brother in laws good fortune 285. gets him murdered and his children 285 one of them miraculously is saved, who kills jacup in his father's revenge ib. jamahoy 316 jambee 323.324 jambulus 323 jamshet 146 jangheer rebels against his father Ecbar 69. is pardoned 70 breaks out again 71. and is again pardoned ib. crowned great Mogul ib. in danger of conspirators 74. suffers his grandsonnes to be baptised at Agra 75. marries fair Noor-mahal ib. curses his son Perwees for losing the conquest of Decan 77. sends Mahobet-cawn thither, and an Ambass: to Abbas K. of Persia ib. laments the death of his eldest son Curseroo 80. comforts his sad widow, and entails the Crown upon Bullochy his son ib. loses Candahor 81. rejoices at his victory over his youngest son Curroon 84. captivated by Mahobet-cawn 98. escapes 100 much troubled at his son Perwees his death 102. receives a famous Tartar Ambass: 104 dyes 105. and is royally buried ib. jangomar 319 japan 312.333 japarra 324 jasques 113.114 jathryb 110 java 312.324.325 jazirey 290 Idolatry of the Africans 9.17 Of the Angolases 10 Of the Madagascars 22 Of the Mohelians 28 Of the Banuyans 40 Of the Indians 88 Of the Persees. 48.52 Of the Mallubarrs 302 Of the gower's 162.186 Of the Persians 251 Of the Cormandelians 309.310 Of the Zoylonians 306 Of the Siamites 317 Of the japonians 333 Of the Narsingans 313 Of the javans 325 Of the Chynese 341 jehun fl: 180 jeloor 64 jelphi 150.151.161 jengapore 106 jemina-bahrim 110 jemini fl. 59.60.61.71 jerusalem 211.270.274.277.279 Ilment fl: 180 Imaus 185 Imbum 110 Indus fl: 66.109.222.224 joanna 25 joonbasser 82.88 joonpore 60.61.90 jortan 324 Irack 280.224 judgement in the Alcoran 265 jupiter Babylonicus 193 jupiter Belus 217 julian the Apostats death in Persia 273 Izmael-Sophy his birth and pedigree 284. revenges his father's death 285 flies into Arzenion ib. returns and is crowned Persian King 286. mortally hates Turks and jews 286. vexes the Tartars ib. chases the Turks 287. recovers Bagdat ib. dies 289. and is succeeded by Tahamas his son ib, K KAblai-cawn 56 Kablan 319 Kaboncara 177 Kabul 58.78.83 Kalpi and Khoor 77.79.90 Kalsistan 224 Kanchri 86 Kandahor 66.224.290 Kapper bemizz 85 Karizath 177 Katighan 90.99 Kavilan 319 Kavise 86 Kazz 184 Kazeron 148 Keldhan 224 Kennaugh 286 Kerman 56.286.290 Kerchy 76.77.94 Kerry 86 Kholeat-pherusky 286 Ketoa-Kotan 55.56 Khoemus 58 King james & King Charles Mounts 16 Kings of Industant 55 Of Ormus 115 Of Lar 126 Of Shyraz 141 Of Persia 269 Kishmy Castle 113.114 Korasan 56.184.281 Kostac in Moghestan 113.114 Kufe, why so named 280. the burial place of Mortis-Ally ib. and where the Persian Kings are crowned ib. and 282 L LAbatacca 331 Lackary 215 Lacknoon 60.69 Lael-Cooly slain 76 Lael-Sod 84 Lahore 68 La Gomera 3 Lampon 323 Lancerota 3 Lantore 331 Language of the Savages at the Cape of Good Hope 18 Of the Mohelians 27 Of the Arabians 111 Of the Persians 245 Of the Malayans 326 Lafoy Palma 3 Larr 126.127.128.129.280.290 Larack 113.114.115 Larry-Ioon 165.178.183 Latyr fl. 74 Lawran 319 Lazarrs 274 Laztan-de 125 Leventhibeg Tribute 242 Lignum Aloes 332 Loore-Bander 108 Lopez, Gonzaloo 8 Luconia 333 M MAcassar 329 Machan 330 Machma 333 Macron 113.224.286 Madagascar 20, 21, 22, 23 Madaera 3 Madoc ap Owen Gwineth discovers America 355 Magadoxa 23.30.332 Magellan 362 Magis 134 213 Mahobet-cawn is made keeper to Prince Gushroo eldest son to the Mogul 74. fights with Ranna Radgee 75. is called home ib. goes General into Decan 77. returns with victory, and is made Governor of Brampore ib. of Cabul and Banges 78. he defeats Sultan Curroons' Army at Delly 83. and at Mando 88 he relieves Elabass and imprisons can. Canna 90. vanquishes Currown 91. pursues him to Patan 92. in discontent leaves the Army & goes to Rantampore 95 grieved by normal the Empress 96 his son in law is basely abused by normal ib. the Lescar 97. takes the Mogul and Normahal prisoners 98. affrights Currown 99 receives great sums from his son, out of Bengalae ib. sorrows the death of Prince Perwees 102. is persecuted by the Empress 104. flies to Ranna Radjee ib. is persuaded to serve Currown 105. who receives him joyfully ib. he marches with Currown to Agra 107 and at his Coronation is advanced ib. Mahomet-Ally-begs justice at Cazbyn 198. his discourse touching Sir Robert Shirley 22. his barbarism to the Lady 204. his original 206. his great estate and power ibid. Mahomet Codobanda King of Persia in danger to have been slain 289. flies into Georgia ib. returns 199. is crowned King ib. commands his sister to be beheaded 200. the miserable end of his children 289 Mahomet his birth & breeding 251. serves Heraclius the Rom. Emp. ib. and 278. compiles his Alcoran 252. marries diverse women ib. is expulsed Mecca 253. dyes, and at Medina is buried ib. his law 254. his Sectar as 267 Malacca 298.312.314.315.324 Maldivae 306 Mallabar 299 300 Mallabars drowned 299 Malva 55 Manancabo 323 Mandoa 77 82.86 Mandow 82.215 Mangolore 296.299 Mangerelpore 82 Manicongo 9.209 Mannatee 26 Map of Madagascar 21 Of the Persian Empire 149 Of Hyrcania 180 Of India intra Gangem 300 Of India extra Gangem 321 Of the Manritius 342 Maqueron 280.290 Mardash 147 Marrah 323 Martavan 320.322 Martiropolis 276 Mascarenas 351 Mattacala 307 Mattaran 324 Maurenahor 55.58.184.224.281.286 Maurenahar King slain 286 Mauritius 342 Mavi Lord of Damascus persecutes Ally 281. over-runnes Egypt and the Rhodes 281. beaten by Ally sends Susindus against the Christians 282. massacres 11. of Ally's grandsons, and dies of the plague ib. Mayo 8 Mazaeras fl: 177.180.69 Meacco 333.335 Mecca 110.253.259.262.267.280 Mecpore 69 Media 192 Medapore 82.88.92 Medina Talnabi 110.253.262.267.280 Melec- Amber crowned K. of Decan 67. he fights with the Moguls Army ib. expels them by craft 76. by force 93. receives Curroon ib. gives his men liberty 99 Melec- Bahamans' Tragic end 187 Meliapore 309.310 Meliotalck 319 Mengrellia 153.274 Meragah 56 Merent 56 Mesopotamia 222.270 Mesulipatan 89.311.312 Methridates 271 Mewat 84 Meyottey 25 Mexico 359 Midan in Spahawn 157 Mindano 333 Miscarroon 215 Mocrib-cawn drowned 103 Moguls pedigree 55. Empire 54. coin 38. revenue ib. Moffa 118 Mohack 132 Moghestan 113 Mohelia 26 Molthan 90 Moluccoes' 312.330.331 Mombassa 30.332 Momodabat 86 Monomotapa 9 Months how severally named 112 Montingue 299 Monym 318 Mouzoon 9 Mortis-Ally marries Fatyma 212. is by Mahomet nominated Calyph 251. put by by Abubocr 280. persecuted by Omar ib. saluted K. 281. slain by Mavi ib. buried 282. his Emblem ib. Siet Gunet revives him 268. the Kings of Persia at this day from him descended 265 Mosquet-Ally 111 Mosquet-Zulzimen 148 Mount Taurus 183.185 Mount Taurus conquered 187 Moyechaw 132 Moyeore 149 Moyeown 147 Mozambique 23.24.332 Mozendram 56.177.224.290 Municpore 90 Multhan 90 Muscat 109 Musk-cat 322 Musk 332 N NAbandycen 148 Nabuchadnezzar 193.217 Nagor 107 Naysarie 82 Nahodabegs rare bracelet 318 Nancery 52 Nantam 336 Narsinga 299.309.311.312 Narsinga-patan 309 Narvar fl: 87 Nassor Thormet 88.102 Natave 215 Nayro 301 Nazareil 215 Nazivan 56 Necanpore 106 Negapatan 309 Nekaw 167 Nerebede fl: 69 Nero-roade 331 Nicubar 306 Nogomallo 318 Normahalls first husband slain 74. secondly married to the greas Mogul 75. her hate to Mahobet-cawns son 94. to Mahobet-cawn ib. imprisoned by Mahobet 98, released ib. fights with Mahobet-cawn 99, scolds at Assaph-cawn 101, intercepts Mahobets' treasure ib. labours to disgrace his son 103, affrighted at Mahobets' journey to Currowne 105, sorrows her husband's death ib. labours to make her son King 106, vanquished by Sultan Bullochy, and pordonod ib. her son slain 107, she and her daughter imprisoned by Sultan Currown ibid. Nossaseres 329 Nova 191 Nowbengan 148 Nutmegs 33 Nycaphtac 184 Nilus' fl. 4, 222 Nimrod 134, 193, 216, 269, 270 Nynus 193, 217 Nyriaed 86 Nyshapore 184 Nyzabur 281 O OB-crawn fl. 69 Obsell fl. 177, 180 Obygarmy 164 Ocem 285 Ocen-beg Gelohy slain 286 Odjea 92, 361 Ogg 55 Ogorlu 283 Ogtai-cawn 56 O-jone 147 Olympus 4 Omoall 177, 182 Omar or Homer succeeds Abubocr at Mecca 280, he persecutes Ally, and is slain by treason ib. is accursed by the late Persian reformation 269 Onnepore 82 Onor 299 Ophir 306, 314 Orders of Mahomitans 267 Orcan 287 Oranges 297 Orfaza 109 Oringaw 333 Orixae 64, 65, 89, 90, 96 Ormus how called 113, when first planted 114, her Kings 115, ruined by the English and Persians 116, 118 Osacca 333 Osman succeeds Homer at Meccae 280, subdues diverse parts of afric 281, regulates the Alcoran, and is poisoned ib. accursed by the Persians 289 Osman Bassa vanquished 289 Oudepore 75, 77, 82 Ourmanghel 125 Oxus fl. 180, 184, 270, 286 Ouzbeg Tartar 65, 89, 184, 286 P PAcem 323 Paddar fl. 69 Palamban 324 Pantado birds 19 Paquin 336, 337 Paradise, the several conjectures about it 221, where placed 222, what the Persians think of it 266 Parthia 149, 164 Pasagard 270 Patania 315 Patan 65 Pathan 63, 90, 99 Pathang 59, 63, 79, 82 Pedyr 323 Pegu 312, 314, 316, 318, 322 Pengab 55, 69 Pengran of Bantam 324 Penguin 13 Pepper 325 Periaconconna Princess of Persia, her masculine spirit 198, makes Aydar her younger brother King 199, by her eldest brothers command she is slain 199 Periaw 87 Periscow 166, 177 Perissophoon 210 Persees in India 48, their Idolatry 49 Persia, her several names 223, subjected by the Assyrians and Medes 270, by the Greeks 271, recovers freedom 272, conquered by the Arabians 280, by the Turks and Tartars 284, and by the Armenians ib. gets her liberty again 285, and at this day is victorious 290 Persians depicted 123, 162, 207, 229. described 226, their habit 227 Arms 228, coat-Armour 230, superstition and forces 233, exercises ib. Mathematics 234, disposition 235, circumcision 236, marriages 237, burials 238, reverence to their Kings 208, 239, Diet ib. 242, revenue of the Crown ib. minerals 243, language 245, Religion 251, Monarches 269, Idolatry of old 277 Persepolis described 143, ruins depicted 145, 272. Persian Ambass. poisons himself 35 Persian Court 169 Peru, not Ophir 314 Perwees son to the great Mogul, has victory over his brother Currowns army 83. and at Mando chases him 88 arrives at Elabasse 90. relieves Brampore 93. fights with Currown 91. wounded, but victorious ibid. falls out with Mahobet-cawn 95. dyes at Brampore 102. lamented by Mahobet and jangheer ibid. Pesepoly 311 Phasis fl. 167 Pheruzabat 148 Phillippinae Iles 312, 333 Piramall 306 Pilae Caspianae vel Semeramidis 167 Persides vel Susianae 129 Cancasiae vel Iberiae 201 Plantains 28 Policat 311.313 Poligundy 323 Polisanga fl. 337 Porto Santo 3 Pourmandell 75.77 prague 65.96 Prester john 30.209. Priaman 323.332 Primero 23, 24 Puloveen and Pulway 331 Pully-Potshaw 132 Purop 65.89 Pyco 363 Pyree of the Persians 52.186. burnt by Heraclius 277.278 Pyson 222 Q QVabutimo 360 Quiloa 23 Quinzay 336, 337 Queen of Persia baptised 276 Queen Nannangalla 28 R RAbayon 56 Racan or Arrachan 320 Radgeè Cottz 74 Radgee Mahal 74.89.92. Radjee Rana Mardout loses Chyttor 60, submits to jangheer 77. dyes grieved ibid. Radjeè Ranna 102 Radjepore 88.106.107 Rantas 90.74.92 Rantipore 63.96.101.102 Rassanweer 96 Rastack 280 Ravee fl. 67, 69.73 Rea-Sea 31 Rehen 69 Reigue 163.215 Religion of the Socotorans 31 Of the Armenians 152 Of the Christians in India 304.305 Rha fl. 180 Rhazunda 193 Rhyadago fl. 180 Rhogomana 147 Rhos' 55 Rhumestan 286 Rhyphaean hills 20 Rhyvan 152 Rotas 63 64 Ruc 20 Ru-Friero 117 Rustan 146. his Tomb 159 S SAbber-cawn 215 Sabuz 280 Sablestan 224 Saint Azmulli 268.283 Saint George 148.151 Saint Helena 353 Saint john de Vacas 34.295 Saint Maria 363 Saint Michael ibid. Saint Thoma 31.205.310.318 Sacalkand 286 Sal 8 Salamo 331 Sally 2 Salamander 23 Salmanassar K. of Assur 129.152.184 Salt and sandy Deserts 164 Samarcand 58.184 Samoreen 302.308 Sanball 59.60 Sancazan 289 Sangurrabaut 196 Sapores triumphs over the Roman Emp. 272. rages against the Christians 273 Sarracens conquer Persia 280. and Spain 282. in France 200000 are slain ib. Sarcash 184 Sardahan 163 Sardanapalus 270 Sarlochia 152 Savages at the Cape of good Hope described 17.18.19 Saughtar 99 Saway 210 Saxons issued from Persia 244 Scorpions 213 Scythes depicted 185.270 Seleuchus 271 Semiramies 165.193.217.220 Seonargant 99 Serebaya 324 Sergiropolis 274 Serran 320 Sharck 7 Shawmet 56 Sha-Saffee in danger to be slain by his Father 176. crowned K. of Persia 292 Shervan 192.197 200.224.286.290 Shicoca and Shima 333 Shushan 220 Shyraz 133 Siam 314.316.319. Siavend 75 Sianpere 69 Sierra-Leon 8 Siet Ghunet 269.285 Sigamus slain 311 Sigestan 224 Sighelmus an English Bishop goes Pilgrim to Saint Thomas his Tomb in India, and returns safely 311 Sincapura 315 Sinde fl. 69 Sindery fl. 155 Singara 273 Sir Dodmore Cottons death 204 Sir Robert Shirley dies 113.120.148.202.203 Sirhenakar 66 Siss'meer 75 Soar 109 Socodania 331 Socotora 30.306 Soffala 23.30.332. not Ophir 314 Sogdian 66.184 Soldania bay in Aethyopia 13 Solomon 144..146.148.306.323 Sondiva 99 Sore 71 Sophy whence derived 286 Spahawn described from 153 to 163. its antiquity 154. greatness 155. circuit ib. Marketplace 157. walls 158. pleasures 159. Aquaduct 160. misfortunes 170. Suburbs 162.283 Spahawnet 150 Spoots of rain 9 Stork 135 Straits of Sunder 323 Stygias 224 Suffedow 164 Suhan fl. 320 Sultania 192 Sultan Sheriar made Viceroy of Goujuraet 75. heerescues his Nephews 100 at Lahore expect normal 101. baffled there 106. is made blind ibid. and slain 107 Sumacan 291 Sumachy 177.200 Sumatra 312.314.322 Sumbrero 306 Sunda-Calapa 324 Surat 35.36.60 Suznuga 333 Swally road 35.295.299 Syacow 164 Sybella Persica 134 Sycamest 184.286 Sys 152 T TAbb fl. 128.134 Taproban 306.322 Tabriz 194.289.290 Tabriztan 192 Tahamas Shaw K. of Persia, his ' twelve sons 198 Tallapoy 316 Tama-Cozrhoe 275 Tamas, King of Persia bis birth 288. he repels the Turks and Tartarrs out of Persia ib. dies 289. and is succeeded by Maomet ibid. Tamberlains' Conquests and burial 57 his modesty 59.210.212 Tanda 90 Tanghe-Dolon 125 Tanghu 320 Tangram 319 Tangrolipix aids the Persian 283. subjects that Country 155.213.284 Tappee fl. 70.87 Tarnasseri 311 Tartangh 147 Tattarrs pride 209. Prince slain represented 201.185 Tauris 194 Taurus 183 Tawgebaus 163 Temerisk K. of Georgia his Troubles 291 Tenchedai 333 Teneriffa 3.4 Tenze 333 Tephlis 201.289.290 Tercera 363 Teresia Lady Sherley's adversity and courage in Media 203.204 Ternate and Tidore 330.331 Tesel 102 Thalan 184 Thalican 281 Theobatman 277 Thermopilae 271 Thezican 192 Thonec 91 Thymar 148 Tico 323 Ticoa 323 Ticobassa 331 Tidore 330 Tiglath Pilezar 191.129 Tigranocerta 210 Timore 330 Tiroan 193 Tochares 184.281.286 Tocharistan ibid. Toady 29 Togrulbeg 284 Toman 225 Tom Coriat 308. his grave 35 Tornathos 7 Torpedo 349 Tortoises 25 Travanzor 303 Triglipton 318.322 Tropic of Cancer 5.110 Tropic Of Capricorn 11 T'satsa 60 T'seray 86 T'sogd 286 T'senob 74 T'sinner 90 Tuban 324 Turq's son strangled at Casbyn 288 Turq'stan 184.281.286 Tutta 67.99.102 Tuttan-Cory 299 Tuzz 286 Tigris fl. 56.219.222 T'zecandor 62.72 T'zicary 61.73 V VAaspracan 162.224 Vaeldac 134.220 Valerian the Roman Emperor used by the Persian King 〈…〉 Van 2●… Vararanes 2●… 273 Vastat in Egypt 62 Versably 285 Vespusius 362 Visiapore 67.68.70.79 Vlacuck-cawn 56 Vlai fl. 134.221 Vlembegs treason against the Persian 288 Vloches 130 Vnghee 132 Vlogheses 272 Vologocerta 210 Vosuquis 333 Vsan Cassan the Armenian King conquers Persia 284. his daughter married to a Persian Saint 285 Vshent in Britain 364 Vstref-Oglan 287 Waceek 283 W WAfitt upon Diglatt fl. 86.280 Welsh 2.13.25.341.360.363 White-Sea 30 Whomg' 163 Whoomghesh 148 Whormoot 125.133 Wight 2 Wehee fl. 69.109 Wives that burn themselves at their husband's Funerals 309.310 Wine affected by the Persians 242 X XAbur-Xabulchetaph 272 Xenophon 173 Xerxes invades Grecia 270. is overthrown at Salamys and Thermopilae 271.181 IN YEzd 53 Yezde-Kawz 148 Yezd-ghyrd 113.148.272.273.279 Yhezyd 282 Yowmachama 113 Yssuff 284 Z ●…oc-cawn 63 Zaed-can, Maobet-can's son is made General against the Tartars 89. Viceroy of Kabul and Bengala 94. his men slain treacherously 101. deposed from his government, and derided by normal 104. who falls in love with him ib. restored to favour 107 Zagathay 270 Zagrian Straits 167 Zanitzon 337 Zama 110 Zamaen 60.74 Zanzibar 30 Zarama 182 Zatus King of the Lazarrs 274 Zayre lacus 222 Zel-Ally 66 Zenal-cawn's discourtesy 193 Zenyth 5.296 Zenzen 213 Zerhind 73 Zertooft 48.162.186.270 Zeyloon 306.312 Ziagrum 108 Zialor 102 Zidim 110 Zieth 110 Ziet Borka 104 Zioberis fl. 180 Zoack 269 Zopirus 291 Zulcaderlu 285 Zulzimyn 282 Zipangri 333 Zyrmol 102.104 FINIS.