EMBLEMS OF RARITIES: OR CHOICE OBSERvations out of worthy Histories of many remarkable passages, and renowned actions of diverse Princes and several Nations. WITH Exquisite Variety, and special Collections of the natures of most sorts of Creatures: delightful and profitable to the MIND.  
Qui mores hominum multorum vidit, & Urbes.  Virgil. 
Collected by D. L.  
LONDON: Printed by N. Okes. 1636.   

TO THE Worshipful, and truly Generous Captains: Capt. NICHOLAS CRIPS. Capt. JAMES SLADE. AND Capt. SAMVEL CARLETON, all Happiness here, and hereafter.  
Noble Commanders,  
REligion, Wisdom, and Valour, are jewels and Ornaments to your heroic Profession of Arms: And I am glad that this Kingdom and others by one of you, and this honourable City by all of you, can justly maintain my asseveration to be free from flattery. It i● no small Honour that God an● this Kingdom hath laid upo● your shoulders, in making yo● so Eminent in Office, Worth and Wealth, myself having real experience of your Nobl● Dispositions and Virtuous Qualifications, have ma●● bold to discharge some part 〈◊〉 my Duty by a fair Present●●tion of these my labours to you● worthy protections: And I d●● not adventure upon this without some grounds and Reasons.  
First, as Virtue is always coaspicuous, so it is attractive as an Adamant. Secondly, I have a long time been amongst ●ur Armies abroad, and do truly honour the Professors of Arms, and have had expe●ience of both fortunes, both in Leaguers and in Garrisons: In which places (to the Ho●our of the Commanders be it) found loving and noble re●●ect. Thirdly, I stand in●●aged unto your Worships, in a ●leepe bond of Respect and Service, for your real expressions ●f kindness unto me. Fourth●y, I heartily desire that your Names may be known through 〈◊〉 the corners of this Land, to 〈◊〉 as excitements to others of virtuous undertake, being such Lights, it is fit they should shine round about.  
But not to presume too much, accept I pray your Worships, this Mite of my Service, my disability confined my Will, I desire to express more, but yet I cannot: when Time shall lend enablement, my heart shall not want readiness of expression of it to your Worships: Thus praying the Lord of Hosts to bless you the Captains of his Armies, at home & abroad with happiness, I humbly commend your Worships unto his protection, resting  
Your Worship's bounden Donald Lupton.   

To the Gentle Reader.  
THE outward Senses of men chiefly delight in varieties: the Eye takes pleasure in sundry and various objects, the Ear with several and changeable sounds: the Sense of smel●ing delights in sundry Odours: the Taste best relishes diversity of Cates, the Touch affecteth change and variety of matters. Herein indeed being lively Emblems, expressing the inward qualities of the minds of Men; for it is truly said, Natura hominum novitatis avida: The inward faculties of the Soul delighting almost as much in changing varieties, as in their beings: the memory retains in her closet, several, sundry, manifold, & almost innumerable passages: the judgement is not tied to one, but determines mani●old cases: the Affections Proteus like, mutable and variable in the choice of pleasures or profits: and the will itself is as desirous to have new matter to choose, or refuse, as any of the other Weighing therefore with myself, what contentment is afforded to the minds of men, by affording them variety of subjects to contemplate and peruse, I have with great labour, and no less faithfulness striven to my utmost, to give my loving Countrymen of this Nation, contentment in this point, presenting to them this Book, as full of variety of matter as of leaves, every leaf almost bringing to their eyes a new subject: which I hope will afford them as much pleasure and profit in the perusing, as they did myself in the collecting: passages there are in it, that are worthy to be reduced to memory; and with all diligence to be kept from the dark Cell and Grave of oblivion; and indeed I suppose it a supine negligence, and a careless respect to the honour of renowned History, to let ●hose worthy and admired passages to be drowned in one age, which are, and may be useful & pleasant to posterity for ever.  
— Quis nosset Homerum?  
Ilias aeternum, si latuisset Opus?  
It is certainly an injury to our predecessors to suffer their memories and labours to perish, who took such great pains and travails for the benefit of us, and succeeding generations: I have therefore in this book selected many, and those special observations, out of Authentic Authors, famous for their writings, and approved for truth in all ages, containing the acts of many Emperors and Princes, the Solemnisation of their birthdays, with the Triumphs and Pompes that were then used, as also their Funerals, the destrunction of many Cities, especially of Jerusalem: they contain also many Customs, Rites, Conditions, manners of many strange Nations, and describing the properties and natures of sundry Creatures, as Beasts, Birds, Fishes, and also of Metals, and Minerals, as Gold, Silver, Led, Quicksilver, Iron, and the like; as also remarkable things of the Sibyls, and their Prophecies, with the Orders of Knighthood, that are now the most famous through the world: the beginnings and invention of many Mysteries and Arts, as of Printing, and the invention of the great Bombards, and such like, which I doubt not but will yield satisfaction to all that are addicted to these kinds of studies. Now there will not want those that will be readier to accuse, then to encourage my labours in this kind, objecting that it seems to be needless to read them here, when as they can have them in the proper Authors: I answer, though some few may be so well stored with Language and Books, yet there be thousands that neither are furnished with Books, nor yet with the Languages the Authors writ in, and so are altogether deprived of this benefit. Howsoever, I have laboured, and I repent me not; for this Book will be beneficial to all that shall without prejudicated opinions read it, and herein they have the choicest flowers, picked and culled out of many Gardens for their benefit, and what more is, they may in less time, and little charges obtain their desires by this, which they cannot by many Books: For reading with a strict collection, (considering the difficulty of Translation) is known to all men of judgement to be difficult, tedious, and troublesome; yet I weigh none of these, so that my Labours may afford any profit to the perusers of them. The serenity of my Intent is a Bulwark sufficient to comfort me ●gainst the too too usual darts of a malign tongue, and if any ●hall cast aspersion upon it, I wish them to be wiser, and not ●o show their disease in public, ●ut (gentle Reader) I do wish ●●ee as much pleasure in the ●eading of this work, as I had 〈◊〉 compiling i●, and as for those ●ho dislike it, I think the fault 〈◊〉 not in the dish, but in their corrupted stomaches; so not fea●●ng their censures, but respect●y love, I leave:  
Thine in hearty friendship, D. L.   

The Table of all the Heads that are contained in this BOOK.  

OF the Temple of Ephesus. page 3  
A relation of Marcus Curius. p. 6  
Of the wars and manners of the Turks. 8  
How the Turks do believe, and how they worship God. 13  
The opinion of the Turks upon the world to come. 21  
Of the miseries that Jerusalem suffered, during the siege of Vespasianus and Titus. 24  
How Jerusalem was taken and fired. 25  
Of the fasting and meats of the Turks. 29  
Of the Circumcision of the Turks. 32  
What execution of justice the Turks have, what kind of marriages, what manner of apparel and living. 38  
Of the nature of Gold and Silver. 46  
Of spirits appearing in Mines. 49  
The signs of the destruction of Jerusalem. 50  
Of the description of Ireland. 56  
A brief description of England and Scotland. 57  
Of an I'll in Spain named Gades 60  
A description of Seneca, the Schoolmaster of Nero the Emperor. 61  
To diverse nations in ancient times were objected diverse vices and deformities. 63  
Sugar groweth in a part of Italy. 65  
A mountain always casting forth flames and smoke. 66  
The properties of the Eagle. 69  
A description of a Raven. 72  
Certain Rites and Laws of the old Romans. 74  
The lively & quick wit of Adrianus, the Emperor of Sardinia. 79  
The making of Sugar at Palerm● in Sicily. 80  
Of the mountain called Aetna in Sicily. 84  
The Election of the King of Goths. 87  
Fear and care hindereth man's growth. 88  
The rare Art and mystery of Printing found out amongst the Maguntines. 87  
The invention of great Guns. 92  
A notable History of a thing done at a town in Germany called Binguam. 96  
●f the Baths called Badenses in Germany. 98  
● description of a Herneshaw. 100  
● monster born nigh unto Worms in Germany in the year 1495. 102  
●ow scrupulous the Jews be to do any thing on their Sabbath day. 104  
●●e Famine of Jerusalem. 106  
● wild Bulls in Prussia. 111  
description of Iseland. 112  
●f the Country called Laponia. 118  
●escription of Whales. 119  
●ow a marvellous horrible Dragon was destroyed in Polonia. 120  
● strange History of a King devowred of Mice. 122  
●f the Treasure that was found in the Temple of Jerusalem, by the soldiers of Vespasian. 134  
Lycurgus Laws. 336  
The ceremonies of the burials of of the Kings of Lacedemonia. 144  
Laws of cruel Draco. 146  
Laws of Solon. 147  
Of Dame Flora. 151  
of the jet stone. 152  
Of the burials of the Turks, and of diverse observations and customs. 152  
How the Christians taken of the Turks in War, be handled and tormented, and how they are made free. 159  
With what burden and exactions the Christian Princes are charged and oppressed, being overcome of the Turks. 269  
The besieging of Samaria. 176  
Of King Tantalus. 179  
Of Artemisia the wife of Mausolus. 181  
●f Sardanapalus K. of Assyria. 183  
people called Amazons. 184  
●f Hearts in Cyprus. 187  
●f the Date-tree. 190  
●f the dead sea. 191  
●f a Sand transforming things into Glass. 193  
● Fish called a Purple. 193  
●he City of Babylon. 195  
●f the Phoenix. 197  
●escription of the Ram that Titus brought before the Walls of Jerusalem to destroy it. 199  
●f Mahomet the false Prophet of the Saracens, of his original, and perversity. 201  
The manner of the Assyrians. 217  
The manner of the Persians. 219  
Of the Panther and Tiger. 223  
Condition and nature of the Parthians 227  
People of Carmania. 230  
Property of sundry Nations. 232  
Several ways that the Romans put any offendor to death. 233  
Of the Tartarians. 239  
Sibyls prophesy of the destruction of Babel. 247  
Of the twelve Sibyls. 249  
Of the Country of India. 260  
Of the Brachmen. 268  
Of the Elephant. 272  
Garments used by the High-Priests of the Jews. 277  
Of the Dragons in India and Aethiopia. 279  
Of the Griffin in India. 283  
The notes and signs of a good Horse. 284  
Certain monstrous people in India. 287  
Of the Ants of India. 292  
Of Indian Apes. 293  
Of the Diamond-stone. 295  
The ten persecutions under the Roman Emperors. 297  
Of Calechut, the famous Mart in India. 300  
The end of the Jews answerable to their lives. 309  
The 7 wonders of the World. 311  
The six Ages of the World. 317  
Several bridges that are in Singui. 321  
Certain Illusions of Devils about Tangut. 322  
Of the Cockatrice. 324  
Of the Crocodile. 326  
The twelve Apostles with their Martyrdoms. 328  
The seven Wisemen of Greece. 335  
Young fowls hatched, & brought forth without their dams or females. 335  
Rites and ceremonies of the Egyptians. 337  
The Seven Saxon Kingdoms that England was once divided into. 342  
The four Monarchies of the world. 346  
How the Turneyments and Iust●● began first in Saxony. 350  
The eight Parliaments of France 35●  
Of the Ostrich. 360  
Of the Empire of Cathay. 36●  
The thirteen Cantons of Swisse● land. 36●  
The twelve Peers or Pairs 〈◊〉 France. 36●  
The 4 parts of the World. 37●  
The eight times that Rome hat● been taken. 37●  
Six Orders of Chivalry whic● continue at this day amongst Princes. 379  
Of the Cannibals. 394  
Of the Lyon. 399  
Of the people called the Nigrits and other Nations. 399  
Of Prefter john's Land. 405  
Of the Mice upon the Alps. 409  
Description of a Unicorn. 414  
The three several Crowns that the Emperors of Rome are crowned with. 416  
Septem-viri, or the seven Electors of the Emperor of Germany. 417  
The oath that the seven Electors take before the choosing of the Emperor. 419  
Of the birth of Alexander, and of the Macedonian feasts. 422  
several Trophies of worthy Captains. 424  
●he birth of Mahomet. 430  
●f the inauguration and anointing of the great Duke of Muscovia, with the ceremonies at their Coronation. 431  
The Nativity of Christ. 441  
strange ceremonies at the election of the Prince of Carinthia. 443  
The manner of the funeral pomp of the Grecians. 349  
The great pomp and solemnity at the inauguration of the Pope Rome. 4●●  
The funeral pomp of the Rom●● Emperors. 4●●  
Of the inauguration and coron●●●●on of the Kings of Persia. 4●●  
Manner and order of the Indian in celebrating the Nativity 〈◊〉 their Kings. 4●●  
Nativity of K. Cyrus and of 〈◊〉 Persian feasts, for joy thereof. 4●●  
The birth of Minerva. 4●●  
The sacred Anointing of 〈◊〉 Kings of Israel. 4●●  
Funeral pomps of the Aegy●●tians. 4●●  
Funeral pomps of the Thra●●●ans. 4●●  
Of the solemnity on the birth- 〈◊〉 of Prince Aratus by the Ach●●●jans with their Feasts and S●●crifices. 4●●  
Of the birth of Xerxes and of t●● solemn feast thereof. 4●●    

EMBLEMS OF RARITIES: OR, KQVISITE OBSERVATIONS DELIGHTFUL TO THE MIND.  
THE Great Creator hath so done his admirable Works, that they ought to be had 〈◊〉 Remembrance, saith that ●rthy Prophet David: I ther●●●e did confirm myself in 〈◊〉 one Resolution, to search 〈◊〉, and revive afresh with 〈◊〉 diligence, and faithfulness, many rare and exquisite acts of Ancient times, performed in the several parts of the World, to● many of which have, and do● almost lie buried in Oblivion and so intent the communication of the benefit of them, an● my labours to this Island, where in I received my first breath doing neither wrong to the sacred esteem of History, nor ye● burdened my own conscience with unjust undertake, 〈◊〉 carrying myself by the balla● of truth, and steering my labo●● by the rule of Equity; I profe●● no other thing, but a brief 〈◊〉 a true expression, and digesti●● of many special and remarkab●● passages, making the memori● of many of them, and the ben●●fit of my Countrymen, t●● whole scope and aim of this 〈◊〉 travail and labour.  
And because Method is the guide of studies, (for who undertakes any action of consequence without it, builds but without a Foundation, or travels in a Wood without a way) not perfectly knowing where he is, or how to get forth, that I may not be unjust or offensive to your memories, or to the worth of the subject, nor show my own disability to the world, I do intend to lay down the subjects I treat of distinctly, as I have gathered them, both for the Readers benefit, and contentment, and first:  

Of the Temple of Ephesus.  
IN the Country called jonia, there is the noble City of Ephesus, which was built in the 32 year of the reign of King David, by Androchus the ●on of Codr●● King of Athens. The Amazons did erect in it in the honour 〈◊〉 Diana a noble Temple, the like whereof was not then in all the world; and therefore it was accounted amongst the 7 wonders of the world: it was 215 years in making, and that of all A●ia, and set in a miry ground, for the avoiding of earthquakes; there were 127 pillars in it, made of their kings one by one, which were in height 60 foot; whereof 36 were carved with marvellous workmanship. The length of the whole Church was 425 feet, and the breadth 220.  
All that took this Church for Sanctuary, had great immunities and privileges: there were also so many gifts and monuments given to this Church from all Nations and Cities, that none in 〈…〉 world might be compare 〈…〉 wealth. St. Paul preached at Ephesus 3 years, and converted many to the faith. St. john also the Evangelist died in this City.  
But this sumptuous Temple was destroyed, and set on fire in the reign of Galienus the Emperor, by one Erostratus, who doing many notable feats in War, and otherwise, when he perceived that he got no reward nor renown thereby, to leave a continual remembrance of his flagitious and horrible act, did with great fires and monstrous flames consume this fair Church, and brought it to ashes, thinking thereby to be remembered in perpetuity: and yet he was deceived, for there were general Edicts and Proclamations made, that no man upon pain of death should presume once to put his name in any writing or Chronicle, to the intent that he might have been buried with everlasting oblivion.   

M. Curius.  
THere was in Rome about three hundred years before Christ's time, a strange and horrible gaping of the earth; even about the midst of the market place, with so vast 〈◊〉 depth and infinite hollowness that it might well have been compared to the gaping of hell mouth, the spectacle continuing thus for a time, made great terror amongst the people, a● the length the Soothsayers by their interpretations, persuaded that this horrible depth might be stopped, if the most precious things in the City were cast therein▪ Whereupon diverse of the Matrons of Rome, of their own free will cast in diverse goodly Jewels, but all was in vain. Wherefore M. Curius a Knight of Rome, coming of a noble house, being decked and adorned with his warlike furniture and ornaments, rid headlong into that horrible depth and hollowness of the earth, and so immediately it closed together again and was stopped. Some say that he demanded this one thing before he would grant to ride and and leap into that depth, that for a whole years' space it might be lawful for him, every night to lie with what woman he would choose, and that then of his own mind he cast himself suddenly down headlong into that den, and so the earth closed again.   

Of the wars and manners of the Turks.  
THe Turks have a marvellous celerity in doing, a constancy in dangers, and observation of the Empire. They will swim over very deep and dangerous waters, they pass over strange hills, and being commanded, they go through thick and thin headlong, having no regard of their lives, but of the Empire. Most apt and ready to suffer fasting and watching. There is no sedition amongst them, no tumult. They use horrible sounds and not out-cries in War: in their Tents in the nighttime, there is ●uch diligent silence, that they ●ad rather suffer their prisoners ●o escape, then to move any tumult.  
The Turks of all kind of people, are said at these days to 〈◊〉 most lawful fight, so that 〈◊〉 is no marvel why their Commonwealth continueth so long, ●nd increaseth so much, that ●●eir Nation is almost invincible, except they be destroyed ●y some plague or pestilence, ●r civil discord. The Souldi●rs have an honest kind of apparel: In their saddles and bri●els there is no curious superflu●y. No man goeth armed but 〈◊〉 the time of War: their weapon's are brought after them in burdens; they use no banners ●or standards, but in the tops of ●heir Javelins they have certain threads of diverse colours hanging, where one Captain known from another.  
They use the Drum at the Fluite to call and moo●● men to fight. They pray f●● their soldiers in every congr●●gation and solemn meeting but rather for such as have dye for their Country, calling the happy and blessed, that they d●●ed not at home in the lamenta●●●on of their Wives, and Childre● but abroad amongst their en●●mies weapons, and terrible noises. They write and describe the victories of their ancestor they sing and extol them bei●● written; for they think the soldier's minds to be mu●● encouraged by these meane● They do so abhor picture and engraved Images, that up●● such causes they call the Ch●●●stians Idolaters. They have 〈◊〉 Bells, nor yet do suffer the Christians abiding amongst ●hem to have Bells. They ne●er play for money, or any other ●●ing, but such as be found ●laying, be grievously slandered 〈◊〉 every man's mouth. No man ●f what state or degree so ever ●e be, desireth to sit on a bench, ●ut they lie down and sit on ●●e earth like Children, with a ●ery comely folding of their ●●rments under them.  
The table whereon they feed ●●r the most part, is prepared of ●n Ox hide, or an Heart's skin, ●ndressed and rough with hair ●●ill, having the roundness of ●oure or five hand breadthes. No man entereth into any house, Church, or other place where●n they must sit, unless his shoes be off; because it is accounted an unhonest, and undecent point, for any man to 〈◊〉 with his shoes on his feet, an● therefore they use a kind of sho●● that may easily be put on & 〈◊〉 The place were they sit, either at home or in the Churches, strewed & covered either wi●● tapestry clothes, or broad clot● or rushes, and sometimes for 〈◊〉 moisture and uncleanness 〈◊〉 the place, they have bodies a●● tables.  
The garments both of m●● and women, are large and lo●● enough, open in the form part. They have great car● emptying the Belly, and mak● Urine, that they turn not th● faces towards the South, whi●● way they are always wont look praying. They take so great heed, lest any 〈◊〉 should see their filthiness discharging nature. They ●●●taine from Wine, as their laws do command them; because ●t is a provoker of all uncleanness and vice, and yet may ●hey lawfully eat Grapes. They abstain also from swine's blood ●nd flesh, and from all flesh ●hat dyeth of the murrain. All other meats they do eat.   

How the Turks do believe, and how they worship God.  
THe Turks confess one God, which hath none like or equal to him, whose faithful Prophet they account Mahomet. Five times a day they pray with their faces turned into the South, and before they do this, they provide that they have a most perfect cleanness of body in every part: hands, arms, mouth, ears, nostrils, eye●● hairs, washing their feet mo●● decently, after carnal copula●●●on, and natural evacuation, e●●cept they have been sick, 〈◊〉 travailing abroad. If they wa●● water to do this, which is semidome seen, because in eve● City they have baths continu●ally flowing, than they wip●● and rub them otherwise.  
Every year they fast a whol● Month and a Week mo●● straightly, in the day time nei●ther eating nor drinking any●thing, nor yet having any con●junction with women, but after the Sunset, until the Sun-ri●sing the next day, they fill themselves with meat, and drink, and venerous pleasure: in the end o● this solemn Feast, they celebrate the Feast called the Pas●h● in remembrance of Abraham Ram, which appeared instead of his Son at the Sacrifice, and of a certain night wherein they suppose the Alco●an was given from Heaven.  
Their Priests do not much ●iffer from the Laity, nor their Churches from common house's. It is sufficient to know the ●ooke which is called Alcoran, ●nd such things as appertain to ●rayer and observance of the ●aw. They lack not their rea●ings, and studies of Arts and Sciences. They have no care ●f Churches, nor souls departed: they have no Sacraments, ●or observation of relics, ho●y vessels, nor Altars, but they are attended and diligent in looking to their Children, their Wives, and Family, to tillage of the ground, to merchandise, to hunting, and the like exercises, wherewith life is maintained. They be free from servitude and exactions, these Priests be honoured of every body, as men that know the Ceremonies of the Laws, have the government of Churches, and can instruct others. They have many Schools and places of exercise, wherein such politic Laws are taught, as have been made by their Princes for the administration of the Commonwealth, and defence of the Country, wherein they that profit, some of them are made Rulers in Ecclesiastical matters, and some be secular Magistrates, there be also in that sect many and diverse religious sorts, whereof some living in woods, and solitude, utterly refuse the company of men, some keeping hospitality in Cities, do relieve ●he poor strangers with hospitality, if they have not to refresh themselves withal; for they themselves also live of begging ●nd alms, many of them wand'ring about Cities, carry good ●nd always fresh water in certain bottles, of the which they ●ive to every one demanding ●or the same, freely and gladly, ●or the which dutiful goodwill ●nd work of mercy, if any thing ●e given, they take it, they co●et nothing; they make so great 〈◊〉 show and ostentation of Religion both in their deeds and saying, and also in their manners ●nd gesture, that they rather ●eeme Angels then men, such is ●●e deceit in men's eyes.  
The Turks cease from all la●our on the Friday, and keep 〈◊〉 with as much Religion and de●●otion as we do the Sunday. But the Jews do marvailously observe the Saturday. In every City there is one principal Church, wherein they meet together after noon every body, and after their prayers solemnly done, they have a Sermon. They have large and sumptuous Temples, which are called in their tongue Me●chit, where in they have no Images at all, but it is foun● written every where: There 〈◊〉 no God but one; and Mahomet hi● Prophet. One Creator, and the Prophet's equal. And also There is none so strong as God.  
There be in their Churche● a great number of burni●● lamps with oil. All th● Church is white, the pavement is laid with mats and other things, and above many clothe● of tapestry, and arras be handled. There is a great turret a●out the Church, on the top ●hereof, their Minister when ●●rvice time is, standeth, and ●utting his fingers in his ears, ●ith an high voice in his own ●ongue he repeateth these ●ords thrice: One true God. When this cry is heard, the ●obles and the meaner sort comes to the Temple, only ●ntent to devotion, and the Minister prayeth with them, and ●hat he ought to do four times between day and night by his office, and they which come ●o the Prayers, aught to wash ●heir hands, and feet, and secret parts. They must put off their shoes, and leave them before ●he Church gate, and thus, some enter barefoot into the Church, and some with very clean and fair shoes. The women sit together in a secret place fro● the men, so that the men 〈◊〉 neither see them nor hea● them, albeit they come not 〈◊〉 often to the Church. In the prayers they cruciate and afflic● their bodies marvellously wi●● continual agitations and vo●●●erations, so that often tim● they sown and faint in min● and strength. They think it a horrible thing and most wicke● that a Christian man should be present at their ceremonies an● Sacrifices; having this opinion that their Temples are conta●minate and defiled of unclean and unwashed men, their Minister getteth him into the P●●●pit, and there about two hour● he preacheth, and when 〈◊〉 sermon is done, two childre● ascend thither, which sing the●● prayers sweetly, after this thei● ●●ister beginneth with all the ●●ple to sing in a low voice, 〈◊〉 his body on every side; 〈◊〉 his words are nothing but 〈◊〉: There is but one God. They 〈◊〉 thursday also as a festival day, albeit the Friday is 〈◊〉 devoutly, and most religiously hollowed of them, be●●●se they have an opinion a●●ngst them, that Mahomet, 〈◊〉 borne upon the Friday.   

The Opinion of the Turks upon the World to come.  
●HE Turk's attribute so 〈◊〉 much to Mahomet and his 〈◊〉, that they assuredly 〈◊〉 everlasting happiness 〈◊〉 such as keep their Laws, 〈◊〉 is to say, a Paradise of plea●●●●, a Garden having most pleasant & sweet waters, set in a pu●● and temperate air, where●● they should have whatsoev●●● they would, as all kind 〈◊〉 dainty dishes for satiety, sil● and purple apparel, young an● beautiful maids at their own will and pleasure, with Go●● and Silver plate, and Ange●● serving and ministering un●● them like Butlers, bringing milk in golden plates, a●● red wine abundantly in Silv●● cups, Contrary wise to tho●● that break these Laws, the● threaten the danger of 〈◊〉 and everlasting destruction's This also they believe, th●● how great offences soever a man hath committed, if he will believe only in God a●● Mahomet, when he dyeth 〈◊〉 shall be safe and happy.  
Some of their Religion ha● ●is opinion, that the Law proveth nothing; but the Grace of ●od whereby a man must be sa●ed, which without merit or ●aw is sufficient to get salvation. There be some as it were ●ccessours of the Prophets and ●athers, alleging and affirming ●●e traditions of the Elders, ●hich teach, that men by merit ●ay be saved without the Law ●nd God's grace, so that they ●e earnest in prayers, in watch●●g and meditations. There be others again that affirm every ●an to be saved in the Law that ●s given of God, because those ●awes are equally good to those ●hat keep them, and one ought ●ot to be preferred before another. So you may see where Christ is not, how inconstant ●indes waver in diverse errors, ●he which thing also may appear amongst some Christian● as such as seek for salvation o● any other then of the Saviour only.   

Of the miseries that Jerusalem suffered during the siege thereof by Vespasianus and Titus.  
THe Roman Eagle displayed itself before the Town, with all other Engines and warlike instruments, Titus himself being then in person, to take view aswell of his own soldier's valour, as of the ground, about the City to entrench in, as also to try the courage of the Enemies: He set before it with his Army in the year of the world 4034, being after the Death of Christ 72: and when upon his first approaches he was repulsed by the Citizens, yet taking ●ourage, with the diligence of ●is old Soldiers, he had made a firm wall in three days space ●ound about the Town, of 39 Furlongs compass, besides 13 Forts, every one of them being almost 2 miles in compass, so ●hat in the space of one year ●nd less, this populous City by Fire, Sword, Sedition, and Famine, was stripped of 11 hundred thousand people: It hath ●eene taken, besieged, and burnt ●7 times, as you may read in the ●escription of Canaan.   

Jerusalem taken and fired.  
THis place so remarkable for strength and multitudes of people, supposed to be impregnable, was by the just hand ●f God, and the valour of the Romans, taken in the year of the World 4034, and after Christ 72, being the eighth of September, by Titus, after chosen Emperor: in which Action many fearful passages may be viewed, as the daily slaughters, rapines, and cruelties, but especially the burning of the whole City, the Temple, in which alone perished 60 thousand of the Jews, also the burning of the Council-house, in which were consumed all the Rolls and ancient Records of that Nation and not less than 30 thousand o● men, women, and children. But especially lamentable was the burning of the Temple, which in greatness, beauty, workmanship, costliness, and plenty of all delights, far exceeded all works that ever the World had, nay, it struck pity and remorse even in the heart of the Roman General who strived to hinder it, and desired to have ●eene it in its beauty, nay, he admired that part which he beheld before the fire had taken it, and confessed he never saw the like: And to add to the miseries of the jews, the Ray of the fire was not greater, nor more terrible to behold, than was the cry of the people of all ages slaughtered there, fearful to hear. But most remarkable is it, that upon the just revolution of such a prefixed time, upon the same day of the same Month, that the Chaldaeans spoiled it before, I say, upon the same day was this latter Temple, which Haggaeus rebuilded, utterly burnt down by the Romans, so just is God in sending deserved punishments upon a people in his due and determined time: to shut up this with this one Observation, that though it was not builded without the help of thousands of Labourers, and great expenses both of moneys and time, yet it was destroyed in a moment of time by one firebrand, cast out by the hand of one Soldier, (as some have related) whose name was Pisolus, of the fifth Roman Legion. No place nor person, though never so great or beautiful, can be privileged from punishment, if they be full of sin and impiety.   

Of the Fasting and meats of the Turks  
THe Turks are wont to fast one month and one week every year, but they do not always keep one prefixed time; for if this year they fast in january, the next year they will do it in February, the third in March, and so orderly of the rest, and when they do fast, they taste and eat nothing all the whole day, not so much as bread or water, but when stars appear, it is lawful for them to eat all things, saving things which are suffocate, and Swine's flesh.  
They have Vineyards, the fruit and commodity whereof they use diversely. The Christians make Wine, and the Turks do so prepare Honey and Raisins, that they appear always fresh, both in taste and sight; they have three manner of drinks, the first of Sugar or Hony mixed with water. The second of raisins sod in water, the stones cast away, and then Rose-water is added unto them, and a little of the best Hony. The third is made of Wine well sodden, and representeth a kind of honey both in taste and sight, this is tempered with water, and given to servants to drink. When they should eat any thing, they strew their floors and grounds with mats and other things, than they lay Carpets and Tapestry work or cushions, and some sit down upon the naked earth; their table is of some skin, (as I said before) it is drawn at large, and shut together again as a purse, they sit not down after our manner, nor yet as the people of old were wont to do, leaning on their elbows, but with their feet folded together in the forms of this letter X. like to the manner of butchers; & before they take any meat they have their prayers or thanksgiving. They eat greedily and hastily with great silence; but all their Wives keep themselves in secret. Those which are captive women never go abroad, nor can get licence, but with oath Turkish women, when they go to wash in Baths, or in any other place out of the City for recreation sake, into Gardens or Vineyards, but always keep home at their work, and it is not lawful for other women to be conversant with their captives.   

Of the Circumcision of the Turks.  
THe Turks use Circumcision not in the eight day after the manner of of the jews, but as soon as the child is past seven or eight years, and can speak the tongue well, the which thing is a mystery with them, for the words of confession which are required before Circumcision, and the child for this is not brought into the Temple, but is Circumcised at home in his parent's house. There be assembled at this notable feast all their friends, and commonly amongst the richer sort, they kill an Ox, and therein they include and put in a Sheep exenterate and ready dressed, in the which sheep there is a Hen, in the which Hen there is an egg, which are all roasted together for the solemnity of that day; then at supper time in their banquet the child which must be Circumcised is brought in, whose yard and privy member the Physician openeth, and apprehendeth the folded skin with a fine pair of pinsons, then to take all fear away from the child, he saith that he will make the Circumcision the next day, and whilst he useth those words, he suddenly cutteth the prepuce, which is the skin that covereth the head of the yard, laying a little salt on the wound. They do not give names to their children in the day of circumcision, but in the day of their nativity: after 3 day's space he that is circumcised, is led with great pomp unto the Bath, when he cometh home again, he is led throughout all the gests, which offer unto him their prepared gifts, some give silk garments, some silver cups, ohers present him money or Horses. If any Christian man of his own accord confessing Mahomet, will suffer himself to be Circumcised, which thing chanceth very often times, for the grievous exaction and burden of tribute, such one is led throughout all the Streets and Lanes of the City, with great honour and triumph of the people, for joy playing on the Drums, and to him many gifts are presented, and afterward he is made free from their payment and tribute. Yet the Turks compel no man to the denial of his religion, although they be commanded in ●he book of Alcoran, to expulse the adversaries and gainsayers: whereof it cometh to pass, that so many and diverse sects of people are found amongst the Turks, all which do reverence and honour God after their peculiar rites and customs. Their Priests do little differ from the Laity, and there is no great Learning to be required in them, it is enough if they can read the book of Alcoran, but those that can interpret the same Book according to the text, are esteemed as most cunning, because Mahomet gave his precepts not in the vulgar Turkish tongue, but in the arabical tongue; and they think it a wicked and unlawful thing to have them interpreted or set forth in the vulgar tongue: these Ministers have their stipend and reward o● the Prince for their pains, they have wives and apparel eve● as secular men: if the stipend b● not sufficient for the multitude and ●umber of their children then may they practise and use all manner of Arts, crafts, and Trades that other men do, but yet they are free from exactions and other impositions, and are greatly esteemed of the common sort. They have diverse livings solitary like unto Monks, which under the colour of Religion, inhabit the Woods and desert places, utterly renouncing men's company: and some of them have nothing of their own, but they go almost naked, saving that their privy parts be covered with Sheepskins: they travail and wander throughout Countries, ask alms as well of the Christians, as of the Turks. Some of them go seldom abroad, but continue in Temples, having in the corners of Churches little cottages, their heads uncovered, their feet without shoes, their bodies without garments, bearing about them nothing but one shirt: they fast many days, and pray that God would reveal unto them things to come, and the Prince of the Turks is wont to ask counsel of them whensoever he goeth about any Wars.   

What execution of justice the Turks have, what kind of marriages, what manner of apparel and living.  
THe Turks do execute Justice most exquisitely, for he that is guilty of slaughter or bloodshed, is always punished with like vexation and torment. He that is taken with a woman in adultery, is stoned to death without mercy or tarrying. There is also a punishment appointed for those which are taken in Fornication: For whosoever is apprehended for it, he must suffer eight hundred lashes with a whip: a thief for the first and second time, is so many times scourged also, but if he be taken the third time, he loseth his hand, at the forth time his foot. He that ●oth any damage to any body, ●s compelled to make satisfaction according to the estimate of the loss.  
They admit no witnesses but very meet and allowable persons, and such as may be believed without any Oath. It is not lawful for any man that is full of age, to live out of matrimony, they may be married to 4 lawful Wives, and those whomsoever they will choose, except their Mother and Sisters, having no respect at all to the propinquity of blood: they may have as many illegitimate and unlawful Wives as they please and be able to keep: th● children both of lawful and unlawful wives, are equally heirs in their Father's goods, so that they observe this order, that 2 daughters shall but match and be equal with one son. They keep not two or more wives in on● House, or in one City, fo● fear of often contention and un●quieting, but in every City the● keep one: the husbands have thi● liberty to put them away thre● times, and to take them against thrice; those Wives which ar● put away, may, if it please them▪ continue and abide with suc● men as receive them. Th● women are very decent and honest in their apparel, they use on their heads a kind o● Linen like unto young damsels▪ and they have veils over the same, the folding whereof is so decent, that the top of it hangeth over the left or right side, wherewith if they go from home, or come into their husband's sight, they may quickly cover all their face saving the ●yes: the women may never ●e seen in the company of men, ●or to go to market, nor to buy ●r sell any thing; in the Church's they have their places separate from the men, so closely ●hat no man may peep into ●hem, nor by any means enter ●nto them, and yet it is not lawful for every woman to en●er in thither, but for noble ●ens wives, and never else but ●n Friday at 12 of the clock only, they use their Prayers, ●he which is a solemn time with them; the talking of man ●nd woman openly, is so rare, ●nd against common custom, ●hat if you should tarry a whole ●eare with them, you should scantly see it once. It is thought a monstrous thing that ● man should openly talk with a woman, or ride in the comp●ny of any. They that are marrried together, do never use an● wanton toys in the sight of o●thers, they never brawl no● chide, because the men do nerver omit their gravity toward Women nor Wives; their reve●rence towards their Husband● great Lords that cannot alway be with their wives, have Eun●●ches deputed to the custody o● them, which do so diligently observe, mark, and watch them, that it is impossible for awny other than their Husband's 〈◊〉 speak with them, or for the● to do amiss, and otherwise the well. They contract marriage without any oath, they take 〈◊〉 sums of money with the Wives, but are almost ensfor●ced to buy them, contrary 〈◊〉 the Romans fashion, where th● ●one in Law was wont to be ●ought, and not the son's Wife. The Wife hath no ornament nor decking upon her bo●y, but that she is driven to get ●f her Father. A cause of de●orce with them, is either bar●nesse, or intolerable manners, ●heir Judge is privy to these ●hings. The women use most ●●mple apparel, showing no ●inde of excess in the world, ●hey never come with open face ●nto the sight of their Husband's ●r other men. The Turks de●est our Hose and great Breeches, with their Cod pieces because they do too lively express and show the privy parts. Their heads be covered with Linen, having a top like un●o a turret, and cometh near ●o a Pyramidal form. They ●se bread not of the worst sort, both black and white bread, saving that they cast a certain kind of seed upon new bread, which bringeth a great pleasantness in eating. They have diverse artificious ways in preparing meats and variety of sauces, a solemn kind of meat with them, is a kind of pottage made with Rice, so thick, that it can hardly be divided with hands: From Fish they abstain marvellously, they use all kind of flesh, saving Swine's flesh. There be no common Taverns, nor Inns for guests and Strangers, nor common victualing-houses, but in the streets diverse kinds of meats are to be sold, and other things necessary for life. The townsmen cause their ●ields to be tilled by their servants, and they pay tith to thei● Emperor and Ruler. Craftsmen maintain them with their sciences; they that do love idleness, do perish with Famine, ●hey exercise merchandise most diligently, they pass and travail into Asia the less, Ara●ia, and Egypt, and they have ●heir peregrinations also to the Venetians. If they make water, ●hey wash their yard after it, if ●hey empty their bellies, they make all clean afterward. In like manner do the Women, whom their servants and bondmen do follow, bearing vessels full of water, the manservant following the master, and the maid the mistress. They have one kind of Judge, as well Christians as Turks: and this Judge is bound to minister equally right to every body.   

Of Gold and Silver.  
GOld through heat and fire is resolved, but not consumed or wasted. For of all kind of metals it loseth nothing of his magnitude and substance, but the more often and longer that it burneth with heat, or is altered with fire, the better, and more pure, and excellent it is made. And therefore hath it always been accounted the most precious kind of mettle: The weight of it neither is diminished, or eaten away by any sharp things, as Salt, Vinegar, Nitrum, and the juice of unripe Grapes: It is not deformed, nor made worse by rust, nor in handling of it, or hands do gather any filth or ●ncleannesse as in other kinds of metals; the which things may easily prove Gold far to surmount all other metals. ●t is more flexible and soft ●hen Silver, whereby it is less ●raile, and not so soon broken: being beaten with a Mallet, it may be driven so thin, and so much dilated, that of every denary of it may be made fifty, or more thin leaves or rays of Gold. It may be framed and wrought as small as thread, as it appeareth in Gold Wyre and Gold twist. And sometimes it is woven and wrought with Silk, Wool, and sometimes without. Of it many and goodly ornaments be made, and for many uses, as Rings, Bracelets, Chains, Crowns, Tablets, Jewels, and diverse kinds and fashions of Plates, and such like, yea (that which is scantly honest to be spoken) of Gold some have made vessels to receive the superfluous burden of the Belly, 
Heliogabalus had his Chamber-pot of Gold.  the which thing Heliogabalus the Emperor, being a Monster and spectacle of all beastliness, is reported of diverse authors to have used.  
Silver will melt and be resolved with fire, but if it remaineth any long time therein, it loseth some thing of his substance. Sharp things also have power to waste and eat it, and therefore it is not so precious as Gold: but yet it is of an harder substance then Gold. And that kind of Silver which is more flexible and soft, 
Silver.  is the better, because it is not so easy to be divided, and to be broken, it is less ponderous than Gold, and cannot so well be dilated. Gold of all other metals is the most weighty; then Silver, and the next Quicksilver, than Brass and Copper, then Led, and last of all Tin.   

Of spirits appearing in Mines.  
IT is not unknown to such as have been occupied in deep diggings of Mines, that a kind of spirits doth frequent and haunt in many Mines, whereof some do no harm nor damage to the labourers in Mines, but wander in the dungeons, and wherereas they do nothing indeed, yet they seem to exercise themselves in working, sometimes in razing and digging the Mine, sometimes in gathering together that which is digged up, and many times they seem to turn the instruments which draw up the mettle from the Mine, and diverse times a man would think they did urge and excite the labourers, and drive them to work. And this do they especially in such Quarries and Mines wherein much Silver is found, or else where some good hope is of finding it. There be some of these spirits very hurtful, as that which in the Mine at Anneberg, was so noisome, that it destroyed a dozen Labourers▪ wherefore the said Mine was utterly forsaken and left, notwithstanding the wealth of it.   

The Signs of the destruction of Jerusalem.  
SOme men cannot prevent destiny, though they foresee it▪ It happened in the year 4034, that Almighty God gave his ancient people the jews, signs & token's to beware of the destruction of their City, but they were a stiffnecked people.  
The first sign or prodigy was a blazen Comet, like unto a Sword, which they interpreted to be good for them.  
The second was, that a bright ●ight shined at midnight about ●he Altar and the Temple, which they that were ignorant, conceived to be convenient, because they were in darkness.  
The third prodigy was a Hei●er, that was brought for Victim or Sacrifice, being at a Festival or full Moon, and being ●t the Altar ready to be killed, ●rought forth a Lamb in the midst of the Temple, before ●he people's face.  
The fourth was, which is worth noting, that at midnight, when all the whole City was at rest, the East-end having a gate made all of massy Brass, and was usually to have twenty men to shut or close the Gates together, and then being locked and bolted, besides other Bars of Iron which went a cross, about the first hour of the Morning, or just after 12 of the Clock, the said Gate flew open of its own accord, which the Magistrates hearing of, went presently to see, and all of them with their greatest power could hardly shut them again: the vulgar interpreted it, and affirmed that God opene● unto them the Gate of his blessings.  
The fifth, Chariots and armed men seen in the Air, shooting as it were one against another with arrows and darts, all of them just over the City.  
The sixth was at the celebration of the full Moon, at the day called Pentecost, when the Priests all in their vestments, adorned for their wont Sacrifice, at first felt the ground to quiver or shake under them, and then a voice which said, Let us depart hence.  
The seventh, which is most wonderful, being one of their own Country men, but a devout man, and having a great desire to celebrate the Feast, which they call the Feast of Tabernacles, and being present among the assembly, on a sudden tried out a voice from the East, ● voice from the West, a voice from the four winds, a voice ●gainst the Temple & jerusalem: ●nd thus crying against all men & women, and all manner of people of what degree soever, continually cried thus night and day in the streets of Jerusalem: which some of the Nobility heard, disdaining any misfortune whatsoever, seized upon him by their command, and their servants holding him with Chains and cords, till other Magistrates that were then in office, did pronounce some punishment upon him, for his foretelling them of the destruction of their famous City and Temple, they stripped him, and beat him very sorely, yet he persevered in his crying: O jerusalem, woe, wo, unto thee, Albinus then being his Judge, which pronounced his former punishment, was in amazement at his words, which continually spoke, for that the stripes were laid and afflicted on him still; and thus they suffered him to cry for the space of 7 years, and almost 6 months (and none took it to heart) his voice neither waxing hoarse nor weary, till the time of the siege, still saying, woe, wo to this fair City: and at last presaging his own death, cried out, Woe to my own self: and as some report, a stone being conveyed from an engine, smote him on the forehead; but some relate that it was a dart flung from an envious hand, which had often heard him cry with tears, and say, O jerusalem, woe, wo. This Albinus, as it is reported, was one of the first that was taken prisoner, and after put to death by Titus, some six days after the east end of the Temple was fired.   

Of Ireland.  
THE earth in Ireland is so fruitful, and so good of pasture, that their cattle, except they be restrained sometimes from pasture in Summer, are like to be in danger through satiety.  

No venomous beast in Ireland.  There is no hurtful thing nor noisome beast: no Spider, no toad, nor such like, either breedeth there, or else being brought from other Countries thither, continueth or liveth there. The earth of this Country cast in powder upon any dangerous beast or venomous Serpent of any other Country, destroyeth and kill them.  
There be no Bees in this Country, the temperateness of the air is marvellous, the fertility and fruitfulness of the Country is notable: the people of the Country be void of hospitality, they are uncivil and cruel, and therefore not unapt for warlike affairs; they attribute great honour to Martial acts, and knightly prowess. The Sea betwixt Ireland and England, doth rage almost continually, so that there is no safe passage but at certain times.   

Of England and Scotland.  
IN England there be no wolus and it any be brought thither, they do not continue, and therefore their herds of cattle keep well together, without any great attendance of men. The Sheep have horns contrary to those of other countries.  
In Scotland there be certain Trees which bring forth a fruit folded and wrapped up in the leaves, 
Barnacles coming of a tree.  and that fruit when in convenient time it falleth into the water running by the tree, it reviveth and taketh life, and is transformed into a living fowl, which some call a Goose of the tree, or a Barnacle. This tree also groweth in the Isle of Pomenia, which is not far from Scotland, towards the North. The ancient Cosmographers, and especially Saxo the Grammarian, maketh mention of this tree likewise, and therefore it is not like to be any feigned or devised thing of late writers.  
Aeneas Silvius writeth of this tree in this manner. We heard say there was a tree in Scotland, which growing upon a bank, & by the water's side, bringeth forth fruit much like in form to Ducks, and the fruit of that tree when it is ripe, doth fall of itself, some upon the land, and some into the water, and those that fall upon the earth, do putrify and rot, but those th●t fall into the water, strait ways with life to swim out of the water, and to fly in the air with feathers and wings: of the which thing when we made more diligent search, being in Scotland with King JAMES, a wise, sad, and grave man, we learned to fly from wondering & making such things miracles as were common, and that this famous tree was not only to be found in Scotland, but also in the Isle called the Orchades.   

Of an Isle in Spain, named Gades.  
THere is a little Isle in Spain called Gades Erythraea, the the pastures whereof do feed cattle so well, that they cannot draw or sever any whey from milk, but they must needs pour water, when they will have their milk to cured. Their cattle also be like to dye at every thirty day's end, except they be let blood, and so lose some quantity of their blood. The grass whereon their sheep feed, is somewhat dry, but yet it increaseth a marvellous fatness both in their flesh, and also in their milk.   

Seneca the Schoolmaster of Nero the Emperor.  
SAint Hierom saith, that he was a man of most continent ●ife, and therefore he accounteth him in the number of holy men, but especially for the often letters that he wrote to Saint Paul, and Saint Paul to him. This Seneca being the Schoolmaster of Nero, was of great power and authority, he wished himself to be in the like degree with his Countrymen, that Paul had amongst ●he Christians. Among diverse of his excellent gifts and properties, he had so singular and notable a memory, 
A singular memory.  that he could rehearse two thousand men's names in the same order that they were told him, and also he was able to rehearse 2 hundreth Verses, being said of 2 hundred Scholars, from the first to the last most perfectly. It is written that Nero his cruel and cursed scholar, in recompense of his pains and teaching, put him to death two years before the martyrdom of Peter and Paul. When Seneca waxed old, Nero calling to remembrance the punishment of the rod, wherewith Seneca corrected him in his childhood, admonished and commanded him to choose what kind of death he would dye, whereby Seneca understanding the Emperor's will and pleasure, desired that he might be set in warm water, and that his veins might be cut and opened in it, 
An easy kind of death.  and so they were, and he bled until all his vital spirits issued out of his body, and thus he desired to finish his life, because he thought it an easy kind of death, to lose his life in cutting of his veins.   

To diverse Nations in ancient times were objected diverse vices and deformities.  
ENvy to the jews, disloyalty and unfaithfulness to the Persians, craftiness to the Egyptians: Deceitfulness to the Grecians: Cruelty to the Saracens: Levity and lightness to the Chaldeans: Variety and changeableness to the Africans: Gluttony to the French men: Vain glory to the Lombard's: Unmerciful severity of the Hungarians: The uncleanness and and filthiness of the S●evians: The foolishness of the Saxons: The hardiness of the Picts: the luxury of the Scots: the drunkenness and vinolency of the Spaniards: the anger of the Britain's: the rapacity and greediness of the Normans.  
And as those vices were noted in these kinds of Nations severally, so diverse virtues and honest properties were attributed to them severally: As Prudence to the Hebricians: Steadfastness to the Persians: Subtilty and wittiness to the Egyptians: Wisdom to the Grecians: Gravity to the Romans: Sagacity to the Chaldeans: Wit to the Assyrians: Strength and Fortitude to the Frenchmen: Faithfulness to the Scots: Subtle sophistry to the Spaniards: Hospitality to the Britain's: Mutual participation to the Normans.  
These properties were of an●●ent writers ascribed to diverse Nations in old time, the which ●ow in these our days seem to ●e much changed, and to have ●ad great alteration.   

Sugar groweth in a part of Italy.  
IN Calabria, which is a part of Italy, there groweth Sugar, which is a kind of Honey gathered out of great canes, or reeds. ●irst of all it is like unto a kind of narrow resolved into liquor which some call white gum, a ●hing easy to be separated and divided, and afterward this liquour being boiled and sodden ●fter the manner of Salt, is re●olved into a spume of froth, ●ntill at the length that which 〈◊〉 good, falleth to the bottom, and then the corruption and dregs may be clean taken away by the froth.   

A Mountain always casting forth flames and smoke.  
THe Mountain called Ves●vius Mons, being nigh unto the great water Sarnum, not far from Naples, sendeth forth continually flames of fire and smoke like unto Aetna in Sicily. This Hill in the Reign of TITUS the Emperor, being broken in the very top, did cast forth so great flames, that it set the Countries adjoining on fire. The Writers of Histories say, such abundance of ashes and hot imbers to have been thrown out of this Hill, that the fields round about have been filled with the said ashes, even to the tops of the trees.  
It is also found in ancient writings, that Pliny the second, being a very grave and wise man, in the Reign of Traianus the Emperor, was suffocate and destroyed with the flames and ashes of this Hill, when that for the desire he had to see and note the nature and motion of it, he presumed to go too near.  
This Mountain also burned with flames of fire, when T. Vespasian and F. Domitian were Consuls, and breaking out in the top, first it cast forth stones aloft, after that so great flames of fire followed, that through the fervent heat thereof two Towns were consumed with Fire: the smoke thereof was so thick, that it took away the light of the Sun, and in the day time made the darkness of the night, casting forth Pumice stones, and diverse other kind of black stones. Last of all, ashes sprang out so thick, and such a multitude, that the Country's hard by were covered therewith, as it were with Snow, and these ashes were driven by the force of the winds, partly into Africa, and partly into Egypt and Syria. The which outrageous burning, as the elder Pliny did contemplate and behold, the smoke did so obstruct and stop his windpipe, that in the restraint of respiration, he was suffocate and strangled.   

The properties of the Eagle.  
IN Italy there be many Eagles, this fowl is a rapacious, cruel, and a devourer of flesh, she is so much given to greediness, and to her prey, that she doth not only seek for preys in necessity of food, but also when she hath enough, she seeketh for superfluities: she doth greedily invade and set upon Hares, Hearts, Geese, and Cranes: the eyes of the Eagle be so sharp and quick of sight, that being in the very highest part of the Air, she can easily see what falleth on the land. Amongst all fowls only, the Eagle can move herself straight upward and downward, perpendicularly with her flying without any collateral declining. The Eagle is commended for his faithfulness towards other birds, when he hath gotten meat or feeding; for he doth familiarly communicate the same unto such Fowls as do accompany him, and when he hath no more to make distribution of, than he attacheth his guest, and dismembreth and devoureth him. All Fowl tremble when they see the Eagle, having as it were some understanding of his tyranny against them. He loveth his young with great affection, so that the Eagle putteth his own body in danger for them, bearing his young on his back, when he perceiveth them to be assaulted with Arrows. When he laboureth to drive the Hart headlong to ruin, he gathe●eth much dust as he flieth, ●nd sitting upon the Heart's ●ornes, he shaketh the dust ●●to his eyes, and with his ●ings beateth him about the ●outh, until he bringeth him to all down headlong.  
He hath great conflicts with the Dragon: and the Dragon most greedily coveteth ●he Eagles' Eggs, and for this ●ause they fight wheresoever ●hey mee●e. It is said that ●he Eagle of all kind of Fowls ●an keep the sharpness of his ●ight, and his eyes steadfast against the Sun beams, and ●hat he is never hurt by lightning.   

A Description of the Raven.  
THe Raven is a fowl give to rapacity and devo●●ring of flesh, great of body slow in flight, sharp in sight, and frequenteth much in Italy, in the Alps, in Spain and in Egypt And this is to be understood o● the great kind of Ravens. Th● skin of the Raven is prepare● and dressed artificially of th● white tawyers, with the feather remaining upon it, and that 〈◊〉 laid to a stomach not well 〈◊〉 sickly, 
Stomach digestion.  doth marvellously help● digestion. This Fowl do●● greatly above all other cov●● men's carcases, and by a singular wit and natural gift, it under●standeth of man's death, pres●●ging it few days before. With his sharp eyesight also it perceiveth a far off his most desired food. There be some that writeth marvellous things of this Fowl, that in the time of War, seven days before hand, it smelleth and perceiveth by scent, the place where the battle shall be, and common●y doth associate itself to that part which it perceiveth shall perish with the sword. And therefore in ancient times Princes had their Soothsayers, and beholders of birds, that did most diligently behold the eyes of the Ravens, and mark to what part they turned their eyes, and which side they did presage to perish in battle▪ S. Ambrose writeth, that a Raven conceiveth without the seed of the male, ●nd to have generation without conjunction of males & females, and that they live exceeding long, so that their age is full complete with an hundred years, and when they come to extreme old age, that then the upper part of their bills doth so over grow the lower part, so that it hindereth and restraineth it, that they cannot open their bills to take food, and therefore are compelled to dye by famine, for he doth not sharpen this bill against a stone, as the Eagle is wont to do.   

Certain Rites and Laws of the old Romans.  
Romulus made a Law that the wife should be equal fellow with her Husband, in money and other things, in holiness and sacrifices, and that she should live according to the manner of her Husband, and as he was Lord of the house, so should she be Lady of the family, that she should succeed her husband dying without issue, and that with her children she should have her equal portion. If the Wife were convict of Adultery, that then her husband & kinsfolk might punish her with what kind of death they would. It was not lawful for the women of Rome to drink wine, 
Wine forbidden to Women.  and this was observed many years, whereof was invented an instrument of dower, in the which the Husband promised the father of the wife, as often as she brought forth children, that he should give her as much wine to drink the first 8 days, as were decent and convenient, and also so long as she was sick, that she should have Wine by the council of the Physician, and that upon every solemn Festival day, she might lawfully recreate herself with one draught of Wine.  
Cato the Censor made a decree, that they which were of propinquity to the wife, might kiss her, whereby they might learn if she savoured of wine, and that seemed to be done by the example of Egnatius Metentinus, 
Kissing.  of whom it is said that he slew his wife with a club, because she drunk wine from the barrel, and that Romulus pardoned him of her death: and this grew to such a custom amongst them, that whensoever the husband returned home, he would kiss his wife & his daughters, marking by the odour and scent of their breath, if they had drunk wine or not. They were very severe against women surcharged with wine, because they did perceive that drunkenness was the original cause of corporal corruption. 
Sobriety.  Romulus' permitted and gave to the Parents all power over their children, that by their own judgement they might compel them to any kind of duty, whether they would restrain, beat, or keep them bound to rustical works, or sell them, or kill them: Numa made a law that prohibited any lamentations or mournings to be made, for a child if that he died within 3 years of age, but if he were past 3 years of age, that then he should be lamented as many months as he had lived years, and many other strange orders they had, the which be at large set forth by other authors.   

The lively and quick Wit of Adrianus the Emperor.  
ADrianus was the fifteenth Emperor of Rome, of whom it is said, that he would at one time both write and declare his mind, and hear others, and talk with his friends.   

Sardinia.  
IN the Country of Sardinia, there is a certain beast which they call Muflo, the like whereof is not in all Europe beside. It hath the skin and hairs like unto a Deer or Hart, horns like unto a Ram, not long but crooked and bending backward about the ears, in bigness he may be compared to a Buck, it feedeth upon grass only and herbs, and keepeth most about Mountains, very swift in running, and his flesh is good to be eaten.  
There be no Wolves in this Country, nor no hurtful kind of vermin, Fowl, or Beast, beside the Fox; which of all fourfooted beasts there, is most hurtful, being of like bigness to other Foxes in Italy. In Sardinia a Fox will kill a very strong Wether or Ram, a Goat and a Calf.  
Some write that in this Country there is no Serpent or any venomous thing, but pestilent air, which cometh through corrupt puddles and waters. Also there is found in this Country a certain herb like unto a Balm gentle, whereof if any man shall eat much, he shall perish, and dye laughing. Some say that there is a Fountain and Spring in Sardinia, whose waters do reprove thiefs and robbers after this sort. If a thief sweareth that he hath not committed the theft, and washeth his hands or eyes with the water of that Fountain, by and by he is made blind, and so he may be known; but if he hath not done the Felony, his eyes are made more bright and clearer than they were before: the notice of this famous Spring is grown out of memory in this our age.   

The making of Sugar at Palermo in Sicily.  
IN the fields about the City of Palermo, groweth great plenty of sweet Reeds, of whose juice being well boiled, Sugar is made. First, they dung well their Fields, being not much distant from the Sea, and then do they make Furrows and ranges somewhat high and eminent: Afterward in the Month of March they take the highest knots of the sweet Reeds, made bare and void of leaves and rinds, the which they do set and plant, that they pierce through the sides of the ranges with three or four, having double knots even at one dint, and so do they fill all the ranges of the field: the earth is watered in Summer, and is kept from rankness daily, about the Winter Solstice, only the roots left for another planting (for it lasteth the space of two years) the Reeds are broken and taken away, of whose ripe and sweet joints and knots divided and knit into small parts, by the same artificious means that oil is made, the juice that cometh thereof is purged and purified in one Cauldron of three which are set in a stew, and afterward is strained through a course cloth, than they take a part of the juice so strained, and put it in another Cauldron (for so they make it boil again) and out of this straight ways they pour it again into the third Cauldron, and they beat it, and stir it boiling, whereof a kind of Sugar somewhat black is drawn and made thereof, the same being sodden again three times more, and after that once again boiled, will be most fine and white Sugar. The other harvest which cometh of the roots of the Reeds, except the field be dunged in May month, will hardly come up to any profit. This kind of Reed is full of knots in the stalk, as our common Reeds be, but yet not so empty within as they are, for it is full of spungeous matter like unto a Bulrush, it hath a thin bark and is full of sweet juice, which is pressed out in this manner. They cut the body and stock of it into many small parts, and then put it in the press, and the juice that is pressed thereout, they pour into a very clean Cauldron, and set it up in earthen pots, and so when it is waxen cold, it is congealed into a very commendable Sugar.   

The mountain called Aetna in Sicily.  
Aetna is a marvellous hill for continual burning with flames of fire, because it is full of Brimstone matter. It hath been often times set on fire with terrible flames, as Munster maketh mention: the flames of it are in the night time horrible to be seen, because it shineth not as other fires do. In the day time it burneth obscurely much like to the flame of Brimstone, whereof the Hill hath great store. The ancient writers have uttered many strange things of this, and especially Strabo, who saith, that he was in the top of the hill, and there marked all things diligently. In the very top they affirm to be marvellous muta●●ons and changes, for sometime 〈◊〉 casteth forth great store of 〈◊〉, and sometimes great flames ●nd obscure smoke. And it is to ●e wondered at the heat of the 〈◊〉, because it cannot be tempered with any cold, nor could ●e dissolved through that heat. The higher part of the mountain is full of ashes, which in winter are covered with Snow: ●he very top of the hill is plain, ●nd is in compass about 20 furlongs. In the night time fire may plainly be seen in the ●ill top, and in the day time a certain obscure smoke riseth up: Many times continual thundering is heard, being a terror to ●he people, and black and burnt ashes are dispersed into diverse places, & the air is made noisome with a most terrible smoke. The Philosophers assign a reason hereof, because this Isle is in his inferior parts full of caverns and Brimstone, of Alum, fire and water, and such like, that are able to feed and nourish fire. And fire cannot be without some vent or respiracle, but it will lift up itself, and therefore many hot baths be found in Sicily.  
The air also entering into the pores and caverns of the earth, stirreth up a flame, which seeking for issue and eruption, vomiteth and casteth forth smoke and fire, and in many places searcheth for venting holes and respiracles. Sometimes in the inward parts of the earth, such i● the violence of the fire, that it expelleth and casteth forth with flames, burnt stones, and sand, and the heat which is included doth marvellously shake ●nd move every side of the pri●y holes and caverns.   

Election of a King.  
THere be, that writeth the Goths to have made this decree and caution: that none ●hould be chosen a King amongst them, except he were gross and fat of body. chose the Saracens would not choose any to be their King, except he were of a tall and lean body. The Carthaginians always in the election of their King, did attend only his virtue and magnanimity, and not his Nobility nor properness of body.   

Fear and care hindereth the growth.  
FOr to be void of fear and care, it is a great help to maintain the stature, it doth corroborate the strength, and confirmeth the sinews: For fear and unquietness of mind in youth, doth much enervate and weaken the strength of the body, and a sad and heavy spirit drieth the bones too much▪ so that such a body cannot take his just increase.   

The Rare Art and Mystery of Printing, first found out amongst the Maguntines.  
FIrst this noble Art to Print with Letters of Tin, Led, ●nd other mixed mettle, was in●ented and found out almost in ●ur age, not above 200 years ago: a divine and heavenly in●ention truly, and a thing memorable and worthy to be remembered, and no less worthy ●f great admiration: but truly it ●ould have been a great deal ●ore marvellous, 
Common things be not strange  if it had not chanced to be so common. It 〈◊〉 strange and scarcely credible 〈◊〉 be spoken, but yet more true ●●en truth itself, that one Prin●er may print so many Letters in ●ne day, that the swiftest Scrivener or Writer is not able to ●oe so much in two years. This is an Almain invention, which was at the beginning in ●reat admiration, and of no less ●cre and profit. The inventor ●nd first deviser of this, was john ●utenbergius, a man of worship, equal with a Knight, and at Magunce. The thing was first taken in hand with more boldness and confidence then hope▪ about 16 years before it began to be common in Italy. The first beginning was at Magunce, the Germans being the authors, with small and little principles and foundations, but shortly by the industry of man's wit, it grew to that perfection, that now in our time it hath. Truly it had gone ill with all good discipline in these latter days, (if it were now to have his beginning) seeing that all are given to their bellies almost, and to unsatiable covetousness, for now they will scantly take up very good books in the highways, which in times past they could scantly buy for great sums of money. And of a truth, before the invention of this Art, when they began to abject and neglect good Authors, all good Discipline might have perished with the Authors thereof, if this Art had not been found out in convenient and happy time. By this all kind of Learning hath increased, and the noble Acts of all Nations are manifest to all the world: In like manner the memory and remembrance of ancient antiquity is restored hereby, and the divine Wisdom of the Philosophers, and whatsoever hath lain hidden in few written Copies these many ages in a few places, is now by this set forth to all immortality.   

The Inventor of great Guns.  
THe great Guns came first in use in the year of our Lord 354, and the first author and inventor thereof was one Bertholdus Schwartus a Monk. Surely this man found out a marvellous work, and that so many sharp Wits could not find out before in so many hundred years: the which divine and necessary invention, many have thought, and judged it to be a devilish and most pernicious device: the Arguments on both sides be these: It is evident that for covetousness, malice, and want of charity, in the end of the world, the evil people cannot be kept down by Laws, nor that a man may safely travail without some danger of injurious people: for before the invention of Guns, the seditious tumults and factions of wicked and mischievous men, did spoil and destroy the labours of good men in many places, and no man was able to assault and batter the forts and holds of such rebels & robbers where they did enclose themselves, without the help of such Guns and great Ordnance: ●herefore they do not well that condemn the inventor of these Guns, without the which nei●her good could live in safeguard, nor yet Cities could be ●f any force, and keep their richeses, nor Merchants could ex●rcise their Merchandise and S●afick, who are indeed the spexhall parts of mighty and ●●eat Cities. Wherefore let the enemies of Bombards and great Guns, cease to contemn the gifts of God, except a man will imagine the gaping mouth of a Dog, and his teeth made for to bite, and so to be condemned; and the horns in a Bull, or an Ox, not to be the good work of the Creator.  
But no wise man will condemn these parts of nature given in the stead of weapons: let them reject the abuse as in an Ox and a mad Dog, it is better to lack both horns and teeth. For there is no kind of creature the which evil men will not abuse. Some detest this as a plain devilish devise, and that nothing could be more wickedly devise● under Heaven, because all flagiti●ous and wicked nations, as th● Turks & Tartarians, being the cō●mon plagues & scourges of the world, do occupy them for the destruction and consuming of good men: in this case no manhood, no fortitude, nor strength of body, no warlike policy, no weapons nor instruments, no strong holds, nor Towers of stone, can profit or do good. For these torments which shoot stones and Iron pieces, and great flames of fire, do waste, destroy, and overthrow all things, and bring them to nothing. One shot destroyeth an hundreth, or two hundreth men in an army, be they never so well harnessed. The●e be many kinds of Bombards and great Guns, which are to ●ee learned nominately of them ●hat for warlike have employed great pains in the use and ●nd experience of such things.   

A notable History of a thing done at a Town in Germany called Bingium.  
NIgh unto the town of Bingium, almost in the middle of the water of Rhine, is a certain Turret called the Tower of Mice, the name whereof was attributed to it upon this event. In the year of our Lord 914▪ when Otto the great had the Empire and rule, there was a certain Bishop of Magunce, named Hatto, who was the abbot of Fulde● before, in whose time there was great famine in that country: this Bishop when he perceived the poor to be oppressed with great famine, did congregate and gather together, a great number of the poor into one great Barn, and set the Barn on fire, and so burnt them: For he said that they did not differ from Mice, which consume and waste Corn, 
No human policy can with stand Gods just judgement.  being profitable for nothing: But God suffered not so great tyranny unrevenged, for he commanded the Mice by great flocks, and with a multitude to invade this Bishop without pity, and to afflict and vex him both day and night, and to devour him quick. But this Bishop flying into this Tower (that I spoke of before) for refuge, thinking himself to be safe in the midst of the water of Rhine, and free from all gnawing and biving of Mice, was much deceived, for all this profited him no●●ing, because the Mice came without number over the water ●hen, swimming & ready to execute the just judgement of God. The which thing the miserable Bishop perceiving, at the length yielded and gave up his life amongst the Mice. There be● some that write moreover o● him, that the Mice did gnaw and eat out and utterly extinguish his name from the walls and hangings. The like and mor● horrible history, you shall find in Polonia, where the King and the queen and their childre● were consumed of Mice.   

The Baths called Badenses in Germany.  
THe waters of the Baths Baden, have this property that feathers of Fowls bei●● boiled in this water, may 〈◊〉 clean taken away from t●● skin, and Swine's hairs fro● their skins, whether they be cast living into this Water, or chafed with it being dead. These waters have the property of Alum, Salt, and Brimstone: therefore they be good for such as have hard fetching of their breath, and stopping of the breast, which things rise of cold fluxes of the brain; they be medicinable for moist eyes, and hizzing and ringing of the ears, for trembling parts and astonished, for the cramp, and other diseases touching the sinews, which come of cold humidities: they be good for such as have a cold stomach, moist and ill of digestion, and those that suffer grief of the liver and spleen through cold. Also for such as are troubled with the dropsy, or have any griping in the guts, they help such as be troubled with the stone, and women barren and unfruitful, they take away the grief of the mother, and do repress the evils of the womb, and the inflation of the thighs, they heal scabs, wheals, and scars, and have a very good property in helping the gout. See the third book of Munster's Cosmography, for the nature, virtue, and wholesome properties of the Baths in Valesia.   

The Hernesewe.  
THE Hernesewe is a Fowl that liveth of the water, and yet she doth abhor rain and tempests, in so much that she seeketh to avoid them by flying on high. She hath her nest in very high trees, and showeth as it were a natural hatred against the gossehauk and other kind of Hauks, as the Hawk chose seeketh her destruction continually: when they fight above in the air, they labour both especially for this one thing, that the one might ascend and be above the other, if the Hawk getteth the upper place, he overthroweth and vanquisheth the Hernesewe with a marvellows earnest flight, but if the Hernesewe getteth above the Hawk, then with his dung he defileth the Hawk, and so destroyeth him, for his dung is a poison to the Hawk, and his feathers do putrify and rot after it.   

A monster borne nigh unto Worms in Germany, in the year 1495.  
A Woman was delivered of two female children, whole and perfect in bodies, but in the top of the Forehead they were joined, and grew together unseparably, so that they must needs behold one the other. They were compelled by force of this natural conjunction to go both together, to sleep and rise together, and when one went forward, the other went backward: their noses did almost touch together, their eyes did not look straight and forward, but only sideways, because a little above their eyes their foreheads cleaved, and did stick fast together; they lived until they were ten years of age, and then when the one of them died, and that was cut away from the other living, she that lived, died also within alittle after, of a wound that 〈◊〉 took in the head, by cutting away of her fellow, or rather by a corruption in the brain, which came of the stink of the wound and putrefaction.  
The occasion of this monster was thought to be this. Two women talked together, where of the one was with child, the third woman coming suddenly upon them, & unlooked for, thrust the heads of those two which were talking together, so that they dashed and touched each other, whereof the woman that had conceived already, being made afraid through strong imagination, gave, and printed the sign of the rushing of their heads in her two children.   

How scrupulous the jews be to do any thing on their Sabbath day.  
IT chanced that at Magdeburg in Germany, about the year of our Lord 1270, a certain jew upon the Saturday fell into a Jakes, out of the which he could by no means deliver himself: he cried therefore pitifully for the help of his fellows, at the length some of his companions came, and they with lamentable voices showed that it was their Sabbath day, and therefore not to be lawful for them to use or exercise the labour of the hands. Whereupon they exhorted him patiently to bear the thing until the next day, that it might be lawful for them to travail in the helping of him out. This matter at the last came unto the ears of the Bishop of that place, who was nothing favourable to the jews. The Bishop understanding that the stubborn jews for the scrupulous observation of their Sabbath day, would not help their brother out of the jakes, commanded upon pain of death, that they which did so curiously observe their own Sabbath day, should in like manner as religiously observe and keep with the like solemnity the next day after, being the Christians Sabbath day. This was an hard case; what should they now do? upon pain of death they must obey. In the mean time the miserable jew in the jakes was enforced to abide two days and two nights in great filth and stink, and danger of his life. The like History you shall find in Fabians Chronicle.   

The Famine of jerusalem.  
Such was the Famine that this famous City and her people did endure in the 72 year after Christ's time, that an infinite multitude perished within the walls through Famine; & so many perished for food, that they were not to be numbered: for in every place where any Corn, or other victuals was heard, they presently resorted thither, and by force of Arms assaulted their dearest kindred and friends, and fought with them, to take the food even from little infants, even like mad Dogs greedy of meat, and in that insatiate manner, that they gathered together such things to eat, as the most filthiest living creatures in the world would have loathed: They did eatte he hides of Horses boiled in a little water, to make the skin a little tender; their shoe soles they did eat, and their Belts and Girdles from their Loins they took, and likewise the skins that covered their Targets or Shields, did they mince and cut to satisfy their greedy stomaches: A little bottle of Hay was sold, weghing twelve pound, at four pieces of Silver: But great and fearful is it to relate, of one Mary dwelling beyond jordan, the daughter oh Eleazar, of the town or village of Vitezotia, and by interpretation the house of Hyssop, descended of noble and rich stock, flying with her Friends into jerusalem, for fear of the enemy Titus, who besieged the City: And in length of time she wanting her natural food, was compelled to do that which nature abhorred, and then through extreme want, took her son, whom she loved dearly, which lay smiling on the bed, & with tears in his eyes like Diamonds, glittering to see his Mother, which he no way could relieve, bewailing her hard fortune, said, My dear, but oh miserable child in this war, famine, and sedition, for which of these shall I reserve or keep thee? for if the Romans overcome us, thou than art a slave, yet famine will prevent bondage, or else sedition; worse than them both: She being then resolved, took a Falchion, and struck off her son's head, and said, Be thou food for me, which have formerly fed thee in my womb, therefore now thou shalt be meat for me: a terror unto the seditious, a tragical story to be related of by posterity, and that which is only yet unheard of amongst the calamities of the jews: And after these words she cleaved his body in twain, and did seethe or boil the one half of him, and did eat of it; the other part she reserved in obscurity. The soldiers smelling the sent of that execrable meat, came to her house, and threatened her with Death, unless she would relieve them as she had done herself, or show them the way or means how they might come by some victuals to satisfy their hunger, she presently & in a trembling manner, told them, she had kept a good portion thereof for them, and on a sudden uncovered the other part of her sons dead body which she had uneaten, at which sight they were strucken with amazement and horror: But the woman said, This is truly my son, and mine own act or doing; taste of it, for I myself have eaten sufficiently thereof: Be not more effeminate and childish than a woman, not more merciful than a mother: and if Religion or your Conscience cause you to refuse this my sacrifice, I have with a good appetite eaten of it already, and will eat the rest. Then the seditious soldiers departed from her, and bruited abroad in the City this heinous crime, and every man having before his eyes this execrable fact, trembled, as though himself had done the deed: and now all that were vexed with this scarcity and famine, hastened their own deaths, and cast lots daily who should be the next to be sacrificed, accounting himself most happy, that died before he felt this famine.   

Of wild Bulls in Prussia.  
THere be wild Bulls in the Woods of Prussia, like unto the common sort of Bulls, saving that they have shorter homes, and a long beard under the chin. They be cruel, and spare neither man nor beast, and when any snares, or deceit is prepared to take them, or they be wounded with arrows in the Woods, they labour most vehemently to revenge their wounds upon them that gave them, the which thing if they cannot do, rushing and stumbling on trees, they kill themselves. They be of such bigness, that 2 men may sit betwixt their horns.   

Of Iseland.  
IN this Country from the 10 of June, for a month space or more, they have no night at all, and about the tenth of December they have no day at all. The people live in Dens and hollow places in hills sides▪ with them Mountains and Hills are instead of Towns, and spring waters for delicate drinks.  
An happy Nation whose poor estate none doth envy, and so much the more that it hath received Christianity. The Merchants of England and Denmark, do not suffer them to be content with their own but, by ●eason of the great fishing there, ●hey repair thither oftentimes, ●nd with their Merchandise ●hey carry thither their vices and enormities.  
They have learned now of ●ate to brew with malt, and have ●eft the drinking of plain wa●er. They have also Gold, and Silver in admiration, as well as other Nations. The King of Denmark, that ruleth also Norway, maketh a ruler among them yearly, all things be common amongst them saving their wives: they esteem their young cattle as much as their children, & of the poorer sort you may sooner obtain their Child then their cattle. They honour their Bishop as a King, to whose will ●nd pleasure all the people hath great respect, whatsoever he determineth by Law, Scripture, or by custom of other Nations, that they do curiously observe: and yet now the King hath compelled them to take a ruler. They have so great store of fish in this Isle, that they make their sales of them in piles as high as houses: they live most commonly there by fish; for the great penury of wheat and corn, which is brought unto them from nations, that with great lucre and and gains, carry away fish for it.  
There is a notable Hill or Mountain called Hecla, not far from which he Mines of Brimstone, 
A strange hill.  the singlar Merchandise of that Country: For diverse Merchants load their ships with it: when this Hil doth rage, it thundereth terrible noises, i● easteth out stones, it belcheth out Brimstone, it covereth the earth so far round about with the ashes cast forth, that unto the twentieth stone it is habited: they that desire to contemplate the nature of so great flames, and therefore adventure more nigh unto the Hill, are suddenly swallowed and consumed with some inorable gulf or vorage, for there be many such blasts so covered and hidden with ashes, that none can sufficiently beware or take heed of them, and there cometh out such a fire from that Hill that consumeth Water; but stubble or straw it doth not burn. This place is thought of some to be the prison of ununclean souls: For the Ice being divided and broken into many parts, swimmeth about the Isle almost eight months, and being broken and bruised with rushing upon the banks, with the beat and noise of the cracking against the banks and rocks, giveth so horrible a sound, almost representing the miserable lamentation of humane voice and weeping, that it maketh the ●uder sort, the more simple and unwife, to believe that men's souls be tormented there in cold. The inhabitants use instead of bread (whereof they lack store) fish dried, made hard, and ground to meal: and yet out of diverse Country's Wheat is brought unto them, but not so much as may suffice. There be spirits commonly seen, showing themselves manifestly in doing such things as belong to men, but especially they appear in the forms of such as have been drowned or destroyed by some other violent chance, and thus do they appear commonly in the company of such men as have had familiar acquaintance with the departed, and do use them so in ●ll points, that they be taken many times for the living per●ons in deed, of such as be ignorant of their deaths, offering ●heir right hands for acquaintance: and this falsehood and erroneous sight cannot be perceived, before the spirit itself vanisheth out of sight, and consumeth away: being required of ●heir familiars to come home, ●nd to see their Friends again, with great sighs and weeping ●hey answer, That they must go ●o Hecla the Mountain, and so suddenly they vanish out of ●ight.   

Of the Country called Laponia.  
IN Laponia the people be of a mean stature, but they be of such agility of body, that being girded and prepared with a sheaf of arrows and Bow, they will suddenly pass through 〈◊〉 hoop or circle, whose Diameter is but half a yard.  
They be taught the Art of shooting from their childhood and a Boy there shall have no meat before he can touch his mark with his arrow. When the Sun goeth down after the Equinox in September, they have one continual night for three Months, almost all which time they have no other light, but as it were a twiter light, and when the Sun cometh to them before the Equinox in March, they celebrate that day as a festival day with much solemnity.   

Of Whales.  
THere be great Whales as big as Hills almost, nigh unto Iseland, which are sometimes openly seen, and those will drown and overthrow Ships, except they be made afeard with the sound of Trumpets and Drums, or except some round and empty vessels be cast unto them, wherewith they may play and sport them, because they are delighted in playing with such things. Sometimes many cast their anchors upon Whales backs, thinking them to be some Isles, and so become in great danger. Many in Iseland of the Bones and Ribs of such monstrous Whales, make posts and spars for the building of their houses.  
Munster saith this is a good remedy against such dangerous Whales, to take that which the Apothecaries call Castoreum and temper it with water, and cast it into the Sea, for by this as by a poison they are utterly driven and banished to the bottom of the Sea.   

How a marvellous horrible Dragon was destroyed in Polonia.  
IN Graccovia a City of Polonia, there was a marvellous horrible and huge Dragon, which consumed and devoured all things, and was the cause of great damages, for when he came out of his den under the mountain, he did rape and snatch all kind of cattle, and men wand'ring uncircumspectly, devouring them with his horrible jaws. Gracchus being very sad and lamenting this matter, commanded three several bodies to be cast unto him every day: for being contented with those, he would look for no more. The which thing although it was grievous, yet he persuaded, that three, either of sheep, or of some other cattle should be offered him every day, wherein Brimstone and some fiery powder, or device of flame, should be included, hidden, and mingled with wax, and pitch privily, for so that beast and Dragon being provoked with natural greediness, or with a rapacious famine and hunger devouring without respect or choice the offered prey, by little and little was weakened and extinguished.  
The like example is read in Daniel the Prophet.   

A strange History of a King devoured of Mice.  
THere was in Polonia a King named Pompilius, who was wont in all his execrations and and curses to say, I pray God the Mice may devour me. Truly with evil luck and forespeaking evil to himself and to his for the Mice devoured his son, who was also called Pompilius after his Father This son after the death of his father, being left in his childhood, his Uncles administered and governed the Kingdom, until he came to man's years, and was married, then suddenly as he was in the midst of his ●easts overcharged with Wine, being adorned with Coronates' and Garlands, daubed with his ointments, oppressed with luxury and surfeiting, a great number of Mice coming from the carcases of his uncles, did invade him, the which he and his wife ●he Queen did destroy: but they came forth so fast, and in such a multitude, assaulted and set upon this Tyrant in his banquets, and his Wife and his Children with most cruel gnawing, ●nd bitings, so that a great ●and of Soldiers and harnissed men could not drive them away, because man's help being defatigated and made weary; yet the Mice remained strong without any weariness both day and night. There was therefore devised and built burning and hot Furnaces and Ovens, and in the midst of them this Pompilius was placed with his wife and children, but the Mice came thither, also passing through flames of fire, not ceasing to gnaw and consume this Paricid. At the length was devised another means, by another element. This Pompilius a murderer of his own uncles, was conveyed in ships, with his children and his family into the midst of a deep water, and yet the Mice most earnestly without ceasing followed him, and did gnaw and bite both those that were carried away, and their ships, in so much that the water entering in at the holes gnawn by the Mice, did threaten and signify danger of drowning, and therefore the shipmen fearing suffocation in the water and drowning, brought the ship to the bank on the land, where another great of Mice meeting with the other, did more vehemently vex him then the first: these things being openly seen and known, they that a●ore were defenders of him and his children, perceiving this to be GOD'S punishment and revengeing fled away  
Now Pompilius being without all such as may comfort and help him, went into an high Tower in Crusnicza, where the Mice climbing up with most swift course, did consume and devour his two Sons, his wife, and the flagitious body of Pompilius. Behold and mark, there is no counsel or power can take place against God the Lord of all: little small vermin, weak and timorous mice did miserably destroy Pompilius, as Lice being a very little and small vermin, and of lesser force than mice, did bring to ruin and destruction Arnolphus the Emperor, eating and wasting his flesh, 
An Emperor eaten with l●ce.  his marrow and guts, so that the Physicians could do no good at all, the whole substance of the body being so eaten, that there was nothing but gristles, and only bones left.   

A Bear seeking for honey, was the cause of delivering a man out of an hollow tree.  
IN Muscovia there is found great store of Honey in hollow trees, and that which is old honey, is left and forsaken of the Bees, so that in the stocks of marvellous great Trees, the diligent searchers may find wonderful plenty of honeycombs. Demetrius sent as Ambassador to Rome, declared there before a company of learned men, that a year or two before he came out of the country to Rome, a poor Countryman being a Farmer in the next Village by him, searched the Woods and Trees for the gain and profit of honey, and espying at the length a very great hollow tree, climbed up into the top of it, and leapt down into the hollowness, so that he sunk, and did stick fast in a great heap of Honey, even to the breast and throat almost, and so remained fast in that sweet poison, that all hope of any deliverance was clean gone, when he had continued two days, and fed and maintained his life only by Honey, considering that with himself that he was now so restrained from the liberty and help of his hands and feet, that with them he could make no shift to get out, and if he should cry out with open mouth and full voice, that this could nothing prevail in such a solitude and v●st place of wood and trees, because it was not possible that the sound of his voice and cry, could go far out of the hollow tree, so that it might come to the ears of travellers and passers by: all these things when he had deliberated in his mind, now destitute of all help and consolation, he began utterly to despair: and yet by a marvellous and incredible chance he escaped, being delivered and drawn out by the benefit of a great Bear, when that by chance this Bear very desirous and searching for honey, most hastily scaled that tree, and let herself down into the hollowness thereof, with her hinder feet first downward, aftermans' fashion, about the Rains and Loins of the which beast, the man clasping and taking fast hold, moved and stirred the said Bear to leap out, and violently to enforce herself out of the Tree, being driven so to do for very sudden fear, and for the strange handling and holding about her, and also through the great outcries and noises that he made. And thus the Bear by violence delivered herself, and the man also from the hollow tree, and from great fear.   

Of Bears.  
IN the country of Muscovia there is great plenty of Bears, seeking & preying every where for Honey and Bees, not altogether for the filling of their Bellies, but also for the helping of their eyesight, for their eyes wax dim and ill oftentimes, for the which cause they do especially desire the Honeycombs, and that their mouths stung and wounded of Bees, might ease the heaviness of their heads in bleeding. The head in Bears is very weak, the which in Lions contrariwise is most strong. And therefore when necessity urgeth that they must needs tumble from some high rock, they tumble and role down with their head covered between their claws, and oftentimes by dousts and knocks in gravel and sand, they are almost exanimate and without life. They scale trees backward: they molest and vex Bulls, with their claws hanging about their mouths and Horns. A Bear bringeth forth her young according to Pliny, after thirty days past, and that commonly five. The young Bear at the first coming forth as it were a white piece of flesh, without form or shape, somewhat bigger than a mouse; it is without eyes or ears, only nails and claws do appear outward. But the she Bear never leaveth licking this rude and deformed young flesh, until by little and little, she bringeth it to some form and shape: when she goeth to the den that she hath closen for her, she cometh creeping with her belly upward, lest the place might be espied through her steps, and there she being with young, remaineth fourteen days without any motion, as Aristotle faith. But without mea●e she continueth 40 days, only being sustained with the licking of her left foot, then after this when she chance● upon any meat or food, she is filled beyond measure, and this satiety is helped by vomiting with eating of Ants, the young for fourteen days space day's space is oppressed with such heaviness or sleep, that they cannot be awaked or stirred up from their drowsy heaviness, neither with pricking, nor with wounding; and in this mean space of sleeping they wax fat marvellously. After 14 days space they awake from sleep, and begin to lick their former paws, and so live they for a time: and it is not manifest with what kind of meat they should live until the spring time, but then they begin to run abroad, and feed of the young springs and trees, and soft tender herbs, meet for their mouths. In this Country of Muscovia, there is great store of the best furs and skins, and that this is their chiefest merchandise in that Country.   

The treasure that was found in the Temple of Jerusalem by the Soldiers.  
THe Temple being consumed with fire, the Soldiers put all the jews that they found about it to death, and carried away all they could find, sparing neither old nor young, infant, or Priest, Magistrate or Senate whatsoever● And afterwards the Roman soldiers thrusting forwards one another, being greedy of gain, sought where to get into the Temple, where the fire was aslaked, entered the Treasure-house where the sacred money was kept, by which means a great part thereof was stolen away by the soldiers, and Sabinus by name, to all men's knowledge which stood by, carried away 400 Talents. The soldiers beholding the gates of the Temple, and of the Treasure-house to be of massy Gold, were confident that there was nothing else but Gold, and in great plenty, which they possessed without any denial, and bore, and carried away upon their shoulders an infinite treasure of money which we cannot value: and great was the loss and spoil of their Cups and Chalices, being all of Gold, which were broken and defaced, which the Priests did offer their coin to their Gods in, beside the Table which was of 2 Cubits high, and 4 Cubits in length, all of Gold; likewise the covering, and rich habits and vestments, and the two silver Trumpets which the Priests wore at the time of their Sacrifices, were all consumed by the fire; thus by their Enemy and their own incrudulity was their Temple burnt, their City defaced, and their treasure consumed, which was the glory and renown of the whole world.   

Lycurgus.  
Lycurgus' was a noble Philosopher of Sparta in Greece, who erected a civil estate of the City with his noble institutes and Laws, whereas before times of all the Grecians, the Lacedæmonians were worst nurtered. Lycurgus' taking the matter boldly in hand, did ●brogate all their Laws, insti●utes, and old rites of living, and ●id erect a great deal more ci●ill ordinances & more commendable. First, there were 28 Seg●iors elected, which should provide that the popular estate ●hould not grow out of frame altogether, and also that they which had the rule, should not ●oe about any tyranny. He ●ooke away utterly all use of Gold and Silver, and brought ●n money of Iron, and then was ●ll occasion of Felony taken away. The Iron whereof he made his money, being as red ●s fire, he put out in vinegar, ●hat it might be meet for nothing afterward through his softness. He cast out of the City all Arts as unprofitable or that purpose, and yet most part of Artificers, when the use of gold was taken away departed from thence of the● own accords, seeing that 〈◊〉 money was not in use amongst other Nations. Then that 〈◊〉 might the better take away 〈◊〉 luxury and rioting out of the City, he appointed commo● meetings at banquets and feasts that poor and rich indifferently might meet together 〈◊〉 their feasts, and feed all upon the same kind of banquet▪ Hereby there was inflame great anger of those that wer● wealthy and mighty, and they falling upon Lycurgus with gre●● force, caused him to lose one 〈◊〉 his eyes with the blow of a 〈◊〉 Wherefore a law was made that the Lacedæmonians should no more enter into their feasts with a staff. Every one gave yearly to this feast one b●●shell of flower, eight gallons of wine, five pound of cheese, five pound and a half of figs. Children did frequent this as a school, or exercise of all temperancy and civil discipline; ●here they did learn to accustom themselves in civil talks, and to use honest pastimes, and to jest and be merry without knavery. Their Virgins were exercised with running, wrestling, barriers comely moving, and gesture with quaiting, casting of the bowl, hammer, or such like; so that idleness and effeminate delicateness taken away, they waxed the stronger to tolerate and suffer the pain of Child-bearing. Children after they were seven years of age, had their exercises with their equals, and of necessity did learn letters; they were noted and shorn to the very skin, they went barefoot ●● 12 years of age, they might put on one coat after the Country fashion, they neither knew baths nor fomentations, they took their rest in beds made with reeds, they might go to the Feasts of their elders and betters, and there if they did steal any thing, and were taken with the theft, they were corrected with whips, not because it was unlawful to steal, but because they did it not privily enough with craft and subtlety. Lycurgus' removing all superstition, permitted the dead bodies to be buried in the City, and also to have their Monuments about the Temples.  
It was not lawful to engrave or write the name of the man or woman upon any Grave, but ●uch as died manfully in war. The time of lamentation for the ●ead was prescribed about 11 days. It was not lawful for Citizens to make peregrinations, 
Peregrinations.  for fear they should bring ●n strange manners into the City. But those which came from strange Countries thither, except they were profitable and meet for the Commonwealth, were excluded the City, lest that foreign nations might taste of the Lacedaemonian discipline.  
Lycurgus would not suffer young men to use one vesture all the whole year, nor any to be more deeked than another, nor to have more delicate banquets than others. He commanded all things to be bought not for money, but for exchange and recompense of wares. He commanded also Children toward 18 years of age, to be brought into the field, and not into the Marketplace, or Judgement-hall, that they might pass over the first years, not in luxury, but in all kind of labour and pains, they must not lay any thing under them for to sleep the easier: And their lives they were driven to pass without ease, and not to come into the City before they were men in deed.  
Maids he would have to be married without any dower, or rewards given by their Parents. That Wives might not be chosen for money sake, and that the Husbands should keep their Wives more straight, because they should receive nothing in Marriage with them. He would have the greatest honour and reverence to be given ●o old aged men, and not to rich ●nd noble men: he granted unto Kings the power of the wars, ●o Magistrates judgements and yearly succession, to the Senate the custody of the Laws: ●o the people the election of the Senate, or to create what officers they would. These Laws and new institutes because they seemed hard and straight, in comparison of their loose customs and Laws before used, he feigned Apollo of Delphos to be the author of them, and that he had them from thence. At the last, to give eternity and perpetuity to his Laws, he bound the whole City with an Oath, that they should change none of those things which he had enacted and prescribed, before that he did return again, saying, that he would go to the Oracle at Delphos, to ask counsel what might be changed or added to his Laws.  
He took his journey to the Isle of Crete, and there lived i● banishment. He commanded also dying, that his bones should be cast into the Sea, left that the Lacedæmonians if they were brought to Sparta, should think themselves absolved and discharged of their oath that they made, for the not changing of his Laws.   

The Ceremonies of the burials of the Kings of Lacedemonia.  
THE Kings of Sparta when they be dead, Knights and Pursuivants declare the death 〈◊〉 the Prince throughout all the whole Country, the women going round about the City, do beat and ring upon basons and pots. And when this chanceth, it is meet that out of every house, two which are free, the male one, the female the other, should make a show of lamentation and mourning, and for the not doing thereof great punishment is appointed, and the lamenting & crying out with miserable out-cries, say that the last King ever was the best: whatsoever King perisheth in war, when they have set forth his picture & ●mage, they bring it into a bed very fair and well made, and they consume ten days in the Funerals of him: and there is no meeting nor assembly of Magistrates, but continual weeping and lamentation; and in this ●hey agree with the Persians, ●hat when the King is dead, he that succeedeth, dischargeth from all debts, whosoever oweth any thing to the King or the Commonwealth. Among the Persians he that was created King, did remit to every City the tribute which was due.   

The Laws of Draco.  
ALL the Laws which Dra●● made, appointed death almost for a punishment to every offence. He made a Law tha● they which were convict of idleness and slothfulness, should lose their lives. In like manne● that they which stole herbs o● fruit out of other men's grounds that they should dye for it. Th●● same Law of parricides: whereupon Demades was wont to say that the Laws of Draco we●● written with blood and not wi●● 〈◊〉   

The Laws of Solon.  
SOLON made a Law, that those which were condemned of parricide, and of affected tyranny, should never be received into any office, and not only these he excluded from all kind of dignity, but such also as would follow neither part when any tumult or sedition were in the City, thinking it ●o be the part of an ill Citizen when he had provided well for his own safety, to have care or ●espect of common affairs: this also was a strange decree of his making, that such women as had husbands nothing meet for venerous acts, should take one whom they would choose, of ●heir husband's kinsfolks without danger. He forbade lamentation & mourning in another's funeral, and that the son should not give any help or refreshing to his Father, if so be that he caused him not to be brought up in some art necessary for the use of life, and that there should be no care betwixt the parents & them that were born bastards and in unlawful matrimony.  
For he that doth not keep himself chaste from the company of harlots, doth plainly declare that he hath no care of the procreation of children, but of libidinous pleasures, & doth deprive himself of his just reward. He would have a common adulterer taken in adultery to be slain scot free without any danger. Whosoever did violently misuse any maids or virgins, he would have them mulcted o● amerced with ten groats, the which was a great sum of money in his coin.  
Whosoever had brought a wolf by him overcome, should have five groats to be gathered of the communality, and if it were a she Wolf, he should have but one groat. It was a custom among the Athenians, to persecute that beast which was as well hurtful to their cattle as to their fields. He commanded that the children of those which perished in War, should be brought up and taught of the common charge, wherewith many being encouraged, did stoutly fight in battle: and whosoever lost his eyes in battle, should be kept of common charges. He made a law also, that he should not have the wardship of the child, to whom the inheritance might come after the death of the child. And that whosoever thrust out another man's eye, that he should lose both his for it.  
Another Law of his was, that no man should take away that which he laid not there, and if any did the contrary, it should be judged a capital offence. If the Prince were taken or found drunken, that he should dye for it. He permitted honey and wax to be carried into other Countries. He thought no man meet to be free of a City, but the crafts-man which came with his whole family to Athens, or else was banished from his own Country.   

Of Dame Flora.  
THe Lady which the Poets call Dame Flora, was a notable and common harlot, who when she had gotten great Riches by common ribaudry, made the people of Rome her heir, and left a certain sum of money, with the yearly use, whereof the day of her Nativity should be celebrated in the setting forth of goodly plays, the which thing because it seemed detestable to attribute a certain solemn dignity to a dishonest thing, they feigned and surmised her to be a Goddess, that had the rule and government of Flowers, and that it was meet she should be reconciled with Ceremonies, that through her help Fruits and trees might flourish and prosper.   

Of the jet stone.  
IN some part of England and Scotland, there is great store of the best jeat-stone. If any body drinketh the powder of this stone in water, if the same body be contaminate with libidinous acts, the same body out of hand shall be enforced to make urine, and shall have no ability to keep it back. But if a Virgin drinketh of it, there is no power to make urine follow.   

Of the Burials of the Turk, and of diverse observations and Customs.  
WHen any dyeth amongst the Turks, they wash his Carcase and cover it in very fair linen clothes. Afterward they carry the body out of the City into some place; for they think it an heinous thing to bury one in the Temple. Their monks go before the Hearse with Candles, the Priests follow singing until they come unto his Sepulchre or grave: if it be for a poor man that is dead, they gather money in every street for the labour and pains of the religious, and that they offer unto him. The friends of the dead cometh oftentimes to the grave weeping and bewailing, and they set the Sacrifice of their meats for the dead upon the monument; as bread, flesh, cheese, eggs, milk, and the feast is of nine days space after the manner of the Ethnics, and all this is eaten for the soul of the dead, of the poor, or else of the Fowls of the air, or Ants; for they say it is as acceptable unto God, to give and offer alms to bruit beasts and Fowls needing it, as unto men, when it is offered for the love of God.  
There be some that set Birds at liberty to fly, which were restrained and shut up, giving money according to to the value of the birds. Some cast bread to fish in the water for God's sake, saying, that they shall get of God a noble reward for such bounty and pity towards those that need it. The Turks have also three diverse manners of washing them, the first is a sprinkling of all the whole body with Water, and that this should not be in vain nor frustrate, they shave the hairs from every part of their body, saving only the beards in men, and the hairs upon women's heads. And yet they wash them very curiously and comb them often, therefore in the more famous Cities there be Baths which they use continually. Where there be no such, they have some secret place prepared to wash them in houses, that they may be well clarified with water before they go out of the house. They have another kind of washing nothing necessary, as when they ease nature of superfluities. For then in some secret place they wash their secret parts, there is none seen standing or upright when he delivereth nature of superfluous burdens. The third kind of washing is to purify the instruments of senses wherein they wash both hands and arms, even to the elbows, than their mouth, their nostrils, and all their face. Both men and women do make a scraping of filthy places every month twice or thrice, but especially when they frequent the Temples, otherwise they should be burnt as violaters & prophaners of a sacred place. They use such severity in war, that no soldier dare take away any thing unjustly, for if he doth, he shall be punished without mercy: as you shall read in this discourse of the 3 several deaths that the Romans and the jews punished their offenders withal.  
They have ordinary keepers and defenders of those things as be in soldiers ways, the which are bound to maintain the Orchards and Gardens, with their fruits, about high ways, so that they dare not take an apple or such like, without the licence of the owner. For if they did, they should suffer death for it.  
Of this writeth one Bartholomew Giurgevitus, that was captive thirteen years in Turkey, after this sort. When I was in the Turks army in his expedition against the Persians, I did see a certain Horseman headed, with his Horse and Servant also, because his Horse being loose entered into the fields of another man. None of the Princes or Dukes possesseth any Province or City, as rightful inheritance, nor they they cannot leave any such thing after their death to their children or successors, without the consent of the king & supreme governor. But if any Duke desireth to have any certain possessions, it is granted to him upon this condition, there is a certain note of the price, and of the rents, and revenues of those possessions. The Turk knoweth also how many soldiers may be kept with that yearly revenue, and so many soldiers he enjoineth him to keep, the which ought always to be in a readiness at every commandment, other- the Lord shall lose his head, if he did not answer his duty and office.   

How the Christians taken of the Turks in war be handled, and tormented, and how they are made free.  
THe Emperor of the Turks, when he maketh is expedition against the Christians, he hath always waiting upon him a company of Butchers, and sellers of Boys to abominable uses, who carry with them a great number of long chains, in hope of bondmen and captives, wherein they link and bind 50 or 60 easily by order. The same men do buy also of such as have booties or preys, as many as have not perished with sword, the which thing is permitted them upon this condition, if they give unto the Prince the tenth or tithe of their bondmen, prisoners, and captives. The other it is lawful for them to keep to their own use and merchandise, and there is no better nor more plenteous a Mart amongst them, then of bondmen.  
The Emperor doth so separate the old men and the youth of both kinds which cometh to him in the name of the tenth or tithes, that he selleth them of ripe age for the plough and husbandry: Young maids and young men he sendeth away to a certain place, to be instructed in certain Arts, that he might use them afterward more commodiously: and first they go about this to make them deny their Christian Faith, and then to have them circumcised, and when they are once entered into their Ceremonies, according to every man's disposition and wit, he is appointed either to study the Laws of their Nation, or else to practise feats of War, if more strength appeareth in the body, than in his wit: they are so instructed in the principles of warlike affairs, that for the weakness of their strength, first they use an easy Bow, afterward as their strength increaseth, and they have more exquisite knowledge, they have a more strong Bow, until they be meet for War. There is a Master which calleth severely upon daily exercise, as often as they swarve from the mark, so oftentimes are they whipped. Others are made meet & cunning to fight with staves. But they in whom there is a greater grace of beautiful form are so mangled, that no manliness appeareth in their bodies, they have been so abused with great danger of life, and if they do escape, they be meet for nothing else but for ministers of most flagitious voluptuousness: and when their beauty waxeth old, they are deputed into the office of eunuchs, to observe and keep Matrons, or else they are addicted to the custody of Horses or Mules, or to kitchen drudgery. Maiden's that are very comely and beautiful, are chosen to be their concubines, those of the meaner sort are given to Matrons to wait upon them, where they have such filthy fervices and functions, that they cannot be named with honesty, for they are compelled to follow them with a vessel of water when they go to discharge the belly, and those parts. Other be kept at maiden's work, as spinning and baking.  
When the Turks have gotten any young prisoners, they urge them with threatenings, promises, and flatter, that their new bondmen would be circumcised, and when any hath admitted that, he is used with a little more humanity, but all hope of returning again into his country is utterly taken away, and if he once goeth about it, he is in danger of burning.  
These because they are thought more steadfast, and less given to run away, they are preferred of their Lords to warlike affairs, their liberty is then due unto them, when they being unprofitable for years, be rather rejected of their Lords, than dismissed, or else where their Lord hath given them liberty in war for the danger of death that he hath escaped by them. Matrimony is permitted unto them, but their children are taken from them at the Lords will, the which causeth the wiser sort to abstain from marriages; they use other extremely, that refuse Circumcision. They have a very hard life, that have not learned any art or craft: for such are in great estimation, as are cunning craftsmen. Wherefore the Noblemen, the Priests, and the learned sort, which pass over their lives in quietness and idleness, whensoever they chance into their hands, they are thought most miserable of all, for the Merchant seller of them, cannot abide when he seeth no profit to come of them, nor any good sale to be made.  
These go with their feet and head uncovered, and for the most part with naked bodies through the snow, and upon the stones; both Winter and Summer they are enforced to travail, and there is no end of these miseries, before that either they die, or else they find a foolish Lord in the buying of ill merchandise. No man is so happy, of what condition soever he be, or of what age, beauty or art he be, that they will lay him, being sick in his journey, at any Inn or lodging-house: For first he is compelled to go with stripes, and if he cannot so do, he is set upon some young beast, and if he cannot sit, he is bound with his body flat, even like unto a pack or a burden, if he dyeth, they take away his clothes, and cast him into the next ditch or valley for Dogs and Ravens. They keep their captives not only in chains, but also with gyves upon their hands; as they lead them, the distance between them is about a yard, lest they should once spurn and hurt another, and this do they for fear their bondmen hurl stones at them. For where as every one that is a common Merchant and seller of men, leadeth a great number of bondmen, so that ten of them oftentimes have five hundred in chains, they fear the force of such a great multitude, if their hands should be at liberty to throw or cast any thing. In the nighttime they make their feet sure with chains and irons, and lay them upon their backs, open to the injury of the air: the women are used with more humanity, they that are able, do go upon their feet, and they that are less able, be carried upon young cattle, and those that are so weak, that they may not suffer the shaking of the horses, or asses, or such like, are carried in hampers and panniers, like unto Geese and Swans. The night is more heavy unto them, for then either they are shut up in strong holds, or else are compelled to suffer the filthy lust of those that have bought them, and great lamentation is heard both of young men and young women, suffering much violence, so that they spare not them of six or seven years of age in this misery, such is the cruelness of that filthy Nation, against nature in the rage of voluptuousness. When the day cometh, they are brought forth into the market as sheep and goats to be sold, when they that would buy them come, the price is made, if the captive pleaseth him, all his apparel is cast off, that he might be seen of his master that shall be: all his parts and members are viewed, touched, searched, and tried, if there be any fault in his joints or not, if he pleaseth not the buyer, he is rejected again to the seller; and this is as often done as any doth cheapen or go about to buy: If the buyer liketh the bondman; he is carried away to a most grievous servitude, as to be either ploughman or shepherd, that he might not remember the more grievous sciences. If any be taken with his wife and children, noble men will buy him gladly, and make him ruler of his villages, and him charge of his grounds, vineyards, and pastures, but his children must be bondmen, if they persevere and continue in Christian Faith: they have a determinate time to serve, the which being passed, they are made free, and yet their children except they be redeemed, continue in servitude and bondage at the will and pleasure of the Lord.   

With what burden and exactions the Christian Princes are charged and oppressed being overcome of the Turks.  
WHen the Turk hath taken any Christian prince, he taketh all their goods, as well movable as unmoveable as a prey and booty, he putteth away nobility clean, especially of the King's stock: the clerks and Clergy he killeth not, he spoileth them of all wealth and dignity, and maketh them very mocking stocks in beggary. The Turks take also out of the Christian Churches all Bells, Organs, and other instruments of Music: and after they have profaned the Churches, they consecreate them to Mahomet. They leave poor and small Chapples to the Christians, where they may do their holy service, not openly but in silence, the which if they fall by any earthquake, or be ruinous by any sudden fire, it is not lawful to repair them again, 〈◊〉 through great sums of money given.  
They are forbidden to preach or teach the Gospel▪ and it is not lawful for any Christian man, to bear any rule in the Commonwealth, or to bear weapons, or use like vesture with the Turks. If any contumelious words be spoken of the Christians, or of Christ, he must suffer ●t, and hold his peace, but if the christian speaketh any thing unreverently of their religion, he ●hall be circumcised against his will, but if any whisper any ●hing against Mahomet, he shall ●e burnt: the Christians give ●he fourth part of all their fruit, ●nd commodity, both of the profit of their Fields and Cat●●ll, and also of the gains of ●heir Arts, and Crafts: there is ●nother charge also, where they ●ay for every one in their Family a ducat, and if the parents be not able to pay, they are compelled to sell their children to servile offices: other bound in chains, do beg from door to door, to get their Fees to discharge the exaction, and if they cannot by these means pay it, they must be content to suffer perpetual imprisonment. Those captives that go about to fly away, if they go into Europe, they have the easier flight, seeing that nothing can hinder their passage● but certain waters which are passed over easily: and this do● they most attempt in Harvest time, because than they 〈◊〉 hide them in the corn, and liv● thereby: In the nighttime the● take their flight, and in the da● time they hide themselves ● woods and puddles, or in th● corn, and had rather be 〈◊〉 of wolves, and other beast then to be sent again to their old masters. But they which into Asia take their flight, go first to Hellespont, betwixt Callipolis and the two towers which were of old called Seston and Abydon, but now they are named Bogazassar, the Castles of the Sea-mouth, and with them they carry both an axe and ropes to cut down wood, and to bind them together, whereof they make boats or little ships to pass over the Sea, carrying nothing but salt with them, and in the nighttime they convey themselves into the Ship in the water. If the Wind and the Ocean be mild and favourable unto them, they pass over in three or four Hours, but if the troublesome Sea be against them, either they perish in the violent water, or else be cast again to the Coast of Asia.  
When they are gotten over the Sea, th●y seek unto the mountains, and beholding the Pole, they take their journey towards the North. In their hunger they refresh themselves with salted herbs.  
If many run away together, in the night time they invade shepherds and slay them, and take away all such meat and drink as they find: but yet many times they themselves be slain of the shepherds, or else taken of them, and so delivered to their old masters, to all kind of servitude: and the greater number is consumed with dangers, for few escape free and safe, because they perish either by shipwreck, or by devouring of beasts, or by their enemy's weapons, or else by Famine, when as it chanceth, that they after their running away make any long abode in the Woods. Many kinds of punishments are prepared, devised, and appointed for Fugitives, and such as run away: For some being hanged by the feet, are most cruelly tormented with whips, and they that commit homicide or murder, have the soles of their feet cut with a sharp knife in many slices and cuttings, and after they are so cut, the wounds be rubbed and sprinkled with Salt: and some have a great iron collar with a gallows of Iron, which they must bear for a long time both days and nights.   

The besieging of Samaria.  
SAmaria was a goodly City, and abounded in all things whatsoever, in a great length & breadth: It was besieged by King Adad, in the year 3050 before Christ: at that time King joram fled into Samaria for succour, being over-matched by the Syrian Army, trusting and putting his confidence in the fortification and strength of the Walls thereof. But joram in length of time being destitute of convenient food, and all other necessaries, that an Ass' head was sold in SAMARIA for 80 pieces of Silver, 
Every piece 12 pence.  and a measure of Pigeons dung at five pieces of silver, 
7 pints.  which they used instead of Salt: the Famine increased so much, and the cruelty of the Enemy in detaining those that would have gone out, in policy to make the Famine the greater, and the sieged sooner to mutiny; which fell out too true. And it happened that a certain woman cried out to the KING, spying him upon the Walls of the City, saying, have mercy one me O my Sovereign: he increased with wrath, and supposing that she had asked him for some relief or sustenance, began to threaten her, and to tell her, that he had neither grange nor press whereby he might supply her necessity: The woman told the King that she had no need of meat, but that she came only to require justice, and to determine a debate betwixt her and another of her neighbours; the King gave her audience, and bade her speak: hereupon she said, that she had made a condition with another woman her friend, that sith the famine was so increased, that they should kill their Children; (for each one had a son) and in this sort should nourish one another every day: and I have strangled mine yesterday, and she hath eaten with me, and now this day denies me hers, and breaketh the accord betwixt us. Whereby may be seen the great extremity that this City was brought unto by War: But after the siege, Samaria was taken by Salmanasar King of the Assyrians, and made entrance into the City, and it was taken by force, in the 7 year of his Reign, and before Christ's birth 746.   

Of Tantalus.  
Tantalus' was a King of Phrygia exceeding covetous, whom the Poets feign to have bid the Gods to a banquet, and he being desirous to make a trial of their deity, when they appeared at his house in men's likeness, did slay his own son Pelops, and set him before them to be eaten as meat, giving the flesh another name unto them, who understanding his horrible act, did not only abstain from eating thereof, but also gathering the parts of the Child together, brought him to life again. For this offence jupiter cast him into Hell, and enjoined him this punishment: that he should continue in most clear water, and stand up in it even to his neither lip, and that most goodly Appletrees bearing most sweet and redolent fruit, should hang over him, and touch his mouth almost, the which things as soon as he should go about to taste of, they should fly from him, and so they did; that between the Apples and the water, he consumed with famine and thirst, and was tormented with great penury even in present plenty. Whereof a Proverb hath sprung, to call it Tantalus punishment, when as they which have goods enough, cannot use them.   

Of Artemista the wife of Mausolus.  
IN the City called Ha●icarnassus, Artemisia the Queen erected a sumptuous Tomb in the honour of her husband Mausolus, which was done with such a pomp and magnificency, that it was numbered as one of the seven Wonders of the world.  
This woman marvellously lamenting the death of her Husband, and inflamed with incredible desire and affection towards him, took his bones and ashes and mingled them together, and beat them to powder with sweet spices, and put it in water, and drunk it off, and many other strange signs of incredible love are said to have been in her: After this, for the perpetual remembrance of her husband, she caused to be made a sepulchre of marvellous workmanship in stone, which 〈◊〉 been famous, and much spoken of all men till our days, and this was in height 25 Cubits, and compassed with 36 goodly pillars. This vain comfort could not take away out of the Queen's breast, the conceived grief and sorrow of her Husband, but that shortly after she herself yielded her Soul and Life, as unmeete to tarry after he had ended his days.   

Sardanapalus.  
SArdanapalus was King of the Assyrians, whose Epitaph had these words in the Assyrian Tongue: SARDANAPALUS, the son of ANECENDARASSIS, erected in one day Anchiala and Tarsus, a goodly Cities, eat, drink and play.  
These words as Cicero saith, might have been written upon the Sepulchre of an Ox, and not of a King. He was a most effeminate man, given to all kind of luxury, and was not ashamed to spin amongst common harlots, and in women's vesture and attire, to excel all others in lasciviousness. Wherefore the Assyrians disdaining to obey, and subject themselves to such a feminine Prince, rebelled, and made war against him, who being overcome, went into his Palace, and there making a great fire, cast himself and all his riches into the fire, and so ended his life.   

The people called amazons.  
PEnthisilea, the Queen of the Amazons, which were women abhorring men, and practising all warlike affairs, did noble deeds of manly prowess at the destruction of Troy. Some say, that they had their beginning of the Scythians after this sort. Certain Scythians being driven from their Country with their wives, and remaining in the coasts of Cappadocia, using to rob and spoil the borderers, were destroyed at the length by conspiracy and deceit. The Wives that followed their Husbands; and seeing that they were left alone, took weapons and defended their borders, and also moved war against their neighbours, they had no mind at all to marry with their neighbours, calling it a servitude and not Matrimony: a singular example to all ages, they increased their Commonwealth without husbands, and that one might not seem more happy than another, they slew such husbands as remained at home.  
At the length when they had gotten peace by force of arms, they used the society of men in the Countries by them, lest their whole Nation should perish for lack of procreation, and if any man-children were borne, they destroyed them, and their young women and maids did not use spinning and carding, but hunting and handling their weapons, so that every Female Child's breast was seered and burnt away, lest they might be hindered thereby in shooting, whereof they took that name and were called Amazons. They conquered a great of Europe, and did occupy many Cities in Asia: they had two Queen, Marthesia and Lamped●, which dividing their Army into two parts, kept their battles with great wealth and strength, defending their borders stoutly. They did build Ephesus and Smyrna in Asia the less, and did inhabit the chief City in Cappadocia. Some say that in some places amongst them, they had Husbands, and that the women did bear all the rule and did all common business and that the men did keep charge at home like women, obeying the women in all things.   

Of Hearts in Cyprus.  
IN the Isle of Cyprus Hearts are commonly seen to swim in flocks over the Sea in a strait order, laying their heads upon the buttocks of those that go before, and thus they go by course. They see no land, but yet they swim in the savour of it; the males have horns, and of all kind of beasts every year at an accustomed time in the Spring they lose them: therefore that day that they lose them, they go into desert places and hide themselves, as things that have lost their weapons in eight months the females bring forth young, they exercise their young with running, and teach them to think upon flying away. They lead them to hard and unaccessible places, and show them how to scip and leap: but yet it is a simple beast, and astonished at the marveling at every thing, so that when a Horse or a St●●●e cometh near, they do not mark the man that is hunting at hand, or else if they perceive a man, they wonder at is bow and arrows. They bear signs of their age in their horns, and for every year they have the increase of a branch in their horns, until they be six years of age, and after that time the like doth spring up again. And after this their age cannot be discerned, but old age is known by their teeth. The horns do not fall away from such as are gelded, nor do not spring again if they be gone.  
The Hearts have a natural conflict with the Serpent, they search their caverns, and with the breath of their nostrils draw them out against their wills. 
Heart's horn against poison.  And therefore the savour of Heart's horn burnt, is good to drive away Serpents, and against their bitings a singular remedy is made of the ruin of the Hind slain in the Belly. The Hearts live along time, as an hundred years and more; the end of the Heart's tail hath poison in it, and therefore it is thrown a-away; powder scraped off the Heart's horn and drunk, killeth the worms in the stomach, it is good also against the Jaundice.   

Of the Date-tree.  
THere is no Country that bringeth forth more fruitful Date-trees than the H●lyland: there be Date-trees in Italy, but they are barren: About the Sea-coast of Spain there be fruitful trees, but it is an unpleasant Date: In Africa there is a sweet kind of Date, but it lasteth not: In the East part of the World they make Wines of them, and some use them as bread, and some give them as meat to their cattle. Here of be the dry Dates most plentiful in juice and meat, and of them Wines are made very hurtful for the head: and as there is plenty of them in the East, so are they a great deal better in jury, and especially in jerico. It groweth in a light and sandy ground, it is bushy altogether in the top, and hath not ●he Fruit as other trees amongst the leaves, but amongst his branches. The diligent searchers of Nature say, that there is both Male and Female, the Male hath flowers, the Female springeth without flowers, much like unto a thorn.   

Of the dead Sea.  
THe dead Sea which is nigh unto the water of jordan, is so called, because nothing can live in it; the Lake of itself is smoky, and the air causeth rustiness to Brass and Silver, and all bright things.  
This Lake receiveth not the body of any living thing. Bulls and Camels swim in it, and men that have no knowledge of swimming, if they go into 〈◊〉 unto the Navel, they are li●● up. There is no ship can sail● into it. If you put any living thing into it, it leapeth out. A candle burning will swim above, the light being put out, it will be drowned, the water of this Lake is always standing still, and is not stirred with the wind, it is marvellous dangerous, and hard coming to it for strangers, both for wild beasts and Serpents, and also for a barbarous Nation that keepeth there about, and troubleth the places thereby with often robberies.   

Of Sand transforming things into Glass.  
IN Sydon there is a water that hath Sand of easy alteration into Glass.  
This Sand whatsoever mettle it taketh, it changeth into into Glass, and that which is made Glass, if it be cast into the Sand, returns again to Sand. And this is a strange thing at Sydon.   

Of the Fish called a Purple.  
THere be that write, the Purple to have her colour by reason of the propinquity of the Sun▪ Wherefore in Africa they have as it were a violet colour, and at Tyrus a red colour. This Purple is a fish of the kind of a shellfish, whereof a juice is gathered most necessary for the dying of Garments. This fish hath this juice to colour and dye Garments, in the midst of her mouth and jaws: it is gotten and gathered in the spring time, for at other times she is bar●e●, & lacketh this juice. She loseth her life with the loss of this juice, for she liveth no longer than she hath any of this juice, and therefore it is good to ta●● them alive. She is a great devourer of little shellfish, out o● the which the liquor is taken wherewith silk is died Purple. She hath a long tongue a●● i● were the length of a finger, 〈◊〉 which she is always moving by her tongue she gotteth 〈◊〉 prey that she desireth●● In 〈◊〉 they discern true Purple 〈◊〉 counterfeit, by pouring oil upon silk, for if it leaveth any spots it is counterfeit, but if the silk garment hath no fault after the oil, is is good and allowable Purple.   

The City of Babylon.  
SEmyramis a Noble woman, and of great prowess, erected and built the pompous City of Babylon, the walls whereof were made of brick, sand, pitch, and plaster, of a marvellous length and grossness. The Walls were in compass three hundred and threescore furlongs, with many and great towers beautified. The breadth of the Wall was such, that six Carts might go together thereon. The height was thirty and two foot, the turrets in number were two hundred and fifty. The breadth and length thereof was equal with the Walls. She made a bridge also of five furlongs in length, with pillars in the depth by marvellous art of stone, iron, and lead, joined together.  
When Ninus her husband was dead, she took the administration of the Kingdom, and reigned 24 years. For although she had a Son called also Ninus; yet she considering his young years unmeet for to rule, feigned herself to be King Ninus son, the which was easily credited, for the great likeness of nature that was in them. This woman was of so noble courage, that she had a singular emulation to excel her husband in glory: of whom it needeth not now to speak any more, because diverse authors have so largely renowned and set forth her noble Acts.   

Of the Phoenix.  
THe Phoenix is a noble bird, and is but one in the World which is not much seen. Coruelius saith, that the Phoenix did fly into Egypt, when as Plaucius and Paupinius were Consuls.  
It is said that she is as big as an Eagle, having a glittering brightness like as Gold about her neck, in other parts Purple, an● Azured tail with Rose colours: her head with a plume and top of Feathers: Manilius saith, that no man hath seen her feeding. She liveth six hundred and threescore years: when she waxeth old, she maketh her nest of Cassia, and branches of a Frankinsence-tree, to fill it with odours, and so dyeth upon it: then of her bones and marrow, thereof there springeth first a little worm, which afterward is a young Phoenix. This Bird, as Pliny saith, is commonly in Arabia, where are found goodly Pearls, and of great estimation. 
Cleopatra.  Cleopatra gave for one Pearl that was brought out of this Country, 
Pearl.  two hundred and fifty thousand crowns. The goodness of Pearls is judged by the whiteness, greatness, roundness, plainness, orient brightness, and weight.   

The Description of the form of the Ram that Titus brought before the Walls of jerusalem.  
A Ram is a huge beam like the main Mast of a Ship, whose end is armed with a strong massy iron, made in the form of a Rams head, whereupon it taketh its name, because it butteth with his head: It hangeth on another beam with ropes, like the beam of a pair of balances: the beam it hangeth on, lying a cross, is held up with two props, which being drawn back by force of many men, and then jointly with all their forces shooved forwards, it striketh the wall with the head of iron: and there is no Wall nor Tower so strong, but though it abide the first stroke of the Engine, yet cannot it abide or hold out long.  
The General of the Romans thought good to use this Engine to take the City by force, and when they saw that none of the jews durst come upon the wall, they then applied the Ram unto them, which▪ so shook the Walls beyond thought, that the jews cried out, as though the City had been already taken: they to prevent the force of the Ramm● let down sacks of wool and chaff, to hinder the powerful beating of the Ram, for it was of that force and strength in the running, that is past belief▪ yet this policy and invention did help for a while, and did preserve the Wall whole and sound. For where this policy was not used to prevent the force of the Engine, it did overthrow and batter down the Walls suddenly and furiously: yet though it was of that force and strength in those times, it is now quite out of use, and almost of knowledge, but only for the name.   

Of Mahomet the false Prophet of the Saracens, of his original and perversity.  
MAhomet was the Prince of all impiety and superstition. Wherefore it is not to be marvelled, if he hath set the feeds of all evil, and such as will not be rooted out. Some say, that he was a Cyrenaic in Nation, some that he was an Arabian, others that he was a Persian. He was borne in the year of our Lord 597: A man of an obscure family, and of no great wealth, nor strength, nor manhood: some say that his father was a worshipper of devils▪ and that Ismaelita his mother▪ was not ignorant of the Laws of the Hebrews. Wherefore the Child being distracted and made doubtful, because whilst that his Father teached him one kind of religion, his Mother suggested another, so that he followed none of them throughly. And thus being trained up in two several manners, he received and kept none of them at his full age: but he being brought up amongst the good Christians, being of a subtle and crafty wit, invented and devised of both Laws a most pernicious and detestable sect for mankind. After the death of his parents he was taken of the Sarracens, which were accounted notable amongst the Arabians in theft and robberies, and was sold to a Merchant of the Ishmael kind. He being a crafty fellow, rapacious, dishonest, subject to all vice, a notable dissembler, and deceiver; was at the length made the ruler of their Merchandise and Wares. He did drive Camels throughout Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and other strange places, with the often travail in which places, he using the company aswell of the Jews as of the Christians, many times studied, and went about not to learn, but to deprave the old and new Testament, being taught diverse sects of his Parents: to this he added the gains that came by theft, and daily imagined how to deceive his Master. Wherefore being suspected of his Master, and hated of others, of an obscure Servant and slave, he became a notorious thief and robber. And being made more famous with his continual theft and robberies, he got daily a great number of companions of his unthrifty doings. These things were also a great help unto him, his strange and horrible countenance, his terrible voice, and his desperate ruffenly boldness, greatly to be feared. Thus coming by little and little in admiration of a barbarous Nation▪ he got unto him no small authority, so that that his Master being dead without Children, he married and took to wife his Mistress, being a widow of the Ishmael stock, and fifty years of age, having great wealth and riches, who also brought him up. This pestilent man being puffed up with his Wife's riches, applied his mind to all kind of detestable acts, through his corrupt and depraved wit, being of himself otherwise prompt and given to all kind of presumptuous boldness, his temerity and malapertness was also increased by the unconstancy and unfaithfulness of one Sergius a pestilent Monk, so that in a short space he came to such estimation amongst the Arabians, that he was called and believed to be the great messenger of God and the great Prophet, and this in every man's mouth. This Sergius being a Nestorian Arch-heretick banished from Constantinople, fled into Araby, and associating himself unto Mahomet's familiarity, an ill master and governor with a most filthy and abominable scholar was soon united together: He was a prater, and full of words, bold, rash, impudent, subtle, crafty, and in all things agreeing with Mahomet, who now was waxed mighty, and could help at a pinch; and whose name began to be famous, and so at the length the runagate found a filthy privy and dungeon of all wickedness. Whom his unhappy master taught Nestorians madness, and persuaded him to expulse and remove the Christians, and their Priests from Damascus, Syria, and Arabia, and so to corrupt the judaical law, and to deprave the Christian Faith: It cannot well be rehearsed, by how many crafty and subtle means this most unfaithful Apostata, and runagate hath deceived and seduced the people.  
Now Mahomet being taught all kind of ungraciousness of his detestable master, through intemperate living and continual drunkenness, 
Mahomet had the falling-evill.  fell at the length into the Falling-sickness, the which his wife could not well suffer for the often coming thereof. Wherefore the old dissembling knave, to deliver himself from that infamy, doth hide and cloak his disease: saying it to be the marvellous brightness of Gabriel, the Angel and Messenger of God, of whom he being put in that trance, did receive and learn most secret and strange things, and that he was not able to abide the presence of him with a manifest lie he affirmed it. O my dear and well-beloved wife he saith, marvel no● that this cometh to me, when I conceive the spirit of GOD himself, who suggesteth in me things to come, and to make me privy of many matters, he cometh often to me. The ●ame hereof was spread abroad immediately, and he was openly called the Prophet of God, the which opinion be increased with a new art and craft by the instruction of his Master Sergius. For he accustomed and taught a Dove to be fed, 
A Dove.  and fetch meat at his ears, the which Dove his most subtle and crafty master called the Holy Ghost. He preached openly, and made his brags ●ike a most lying villain, that his Dove did show unto him the most secret counsel of God; ●s often as the simple fowl did ●y unto his ears for nourishment. His Wife being now ●ead, left him her heir, and ●ll that she had, so that he increased in wealth and authority ●ayly, and began to make 〈◊〉 new Law by the help of ●is master Sergius, and certain jews that were his companions, borrowing some things ●f the Hebrews, and some things ●f the Christians discipline: He ●id write in a certain volume ●ll the Laws of his new sect, ●he which books name is Al●oran: that book not many ●eares ago hath come into Print: And that he might the more craftily deceive his people and Nation, given wholly to the belly and to sleep, he brought up and fed a certain Bull, which was used only to take food from the hands of Mahomet, he bound a book● betwixt his horns, and the simple people looking about▪ with an high voice he called the Bull out of a secret place, 
A Bull.  and when he with his babbling tongue had utred many things concerning his laws, suddenly the Bull started forth, and o●verthrowing many in his com●ming, he layeth down the Boo● in the hands of Mahomet, as 〈◊〉 had been a gift sent from Heaven. The which he receiving with much honour, did immediately interpret many things out of it to the people, and with his forged and subtle device, he named himself a Prince, and Serius a Prophet. For the Dove brought ● paper about her neck written with Golden letters, in this manner. Whosoever shall put ●he yoke on the Bull's neck, ●et him be King. Sergius brought ●he yoke and gave it to Ma●omet, who did easily put it on the Bull, and by and by ●ee was called King of the simple people, thinking these ●hings to be done by God's providence, and that he took the book no otherwise. In this book they are commanded to be circumcised, not for any Religion, but for mere superstition: or else as some say, that no filth should remain under the skin of the yard when they did wash and bathe them. There was also commanded abstinence of wine and flesh, 
Wine.  that he might the more easily cloak his disease, who felt himself oppressed with Wine of late, for Wine taken more excessively and intemperately in stopping the passages of the brain, that no respiration might be had, doth breed and nourish the falling sickness, and Swi●● flesh maketh gross humour● wherewith obstruction of the brain cometh quickly, and many other diseases springe●● thereof. The book of Alcor●● commandeth also the fasting of one month, wherein a ma● may eat all the night long, so that daily abstinence is recompensed with night 4urfeiting▪ Mahomet appointed also, because he would have his law disagred from Christians and Hebrews, that the Friday should be consecrated as Holiday, because he was made King upon that day, and also would not agree with any other ●ect. For the same cause do ●he Turks also turn them into ●he South at their prayers, against the manners of other Nations. He hath also granted ●o every man four wives of his twne kindred: but concubines & bondwomen bought, it is lawful for every man to have as many as he can keep, so that ●hey may forsake them, and make a devorce as often as they ●ist: and this was done, to draw ●he common sort and rude multitude unto him more easily. He ●aught also that the pleasures of ●he body did not hinder the hap●y life to come, and he promised to the observers of his law, a Paradise, and garden of all pleasures, wherein they should use their most desired joys, and all kind of pleasures, as Maidens most beautiful adorned, and the embracings of Angels, and all other kind of pleasures that any man would desire, with the which subtle craftiness; he led the people flexible of their own nature whither he would, because he promised all kind of libidinous pleasures.  
He reprehended the jews, for that they denied Christ to be borne of the Virgin, seeing that the Prophet through divine inspiration did prophesy the same. He reproved the Christians of foolishness, because they did believe JESUS to be borne of the Virgin, and to have suffered all contumely and punishment of the jews patiently: for as much as that body conceived by God's inspiration, was made unpassible, and also seeing that Christ did ascend into the Heavens, and judas was crucified in his place.  
The Turks admit only three Prophets, Mahomet their Lawgiver, Moses the Prophet of the Hebrews, and Christ whom they deny to be God. Mahomet made a cursed Law, that if any man should dispute against his mysteries, that he should suffer death for it: in the which Law he hath manifestly taught, that there is no sincere or good thing in Alcoran, the which he goeth about to defend by the sword only. Thus with Sergius he made his book full of wickedness, and corrupted the true Scriptures with counterfeit interpretations, and that he might be accounted the Prophet and conservatour of both   

The manner of the Assyrians.  
THe Assyrians feed upon Dates, whereof they make both Wine and Honey. They keep their hair long, and bind it up with hair laces and fillets. They anoint themselves with fine ointments before they go abroad.  
Of their Laws that they used, this one is memorable, that ●heir Maidens and Virgins being ripe for Men, were brought ●nto some open place, and there were set to be sold yearly for them that would marry ●ny Wives, and first of all the most beautiful were set to sale: ●hey which had not so comely beauty, that no man would buy ●hem, nor scantly take them freely, were bestowed in Matrimony with that sum of money which was gathered of selling the fair maids.  
They had no use of Physicians, but there was a Law among them, that if any did fall sick, h● should ask counsel of those that had been visited and troubled with the same sickness. Some say that their sick folks were carried abroad, and that by the Law, they which had been sick at any time, should visit such as were now sick, and teach them by what means and remedy especially they were delivered from their sickness. They had for their Priests, men of great knowledge in Astronomy, who could faithfully interpret dreams, and monstrous things, and these were not taught nor learned abroad, but the children took their discipline and learning, as inheritance from their parents. With long and ancient observation of the Stars; they did prognosticate to mortal men many things to come; they did attribute great strength to the Planets, but others especially to Saturn. They therefore told many things to Princes, as to Alexander his victory, which he had against Darius, and to diverse other in like manner.   

The manner of the Persians.  
THe Persians would not wash them in any river, nor never make Urine in the water, nor cast any Carcase therein, nor so much as spit in it, for they did most religiously reverend the Water. Their Kings they always created of one Family, and he that did not obey the King lost his head, and his arms, and was cast away unburied: they had many Wives for the increase of their stock, and many Concubines also, they gave great rewards to them that had gotten many Children in one year: the Children after the were borne, came not into their Father's sight for five years' space, but were kept amongst, Women: for this cause, if any died in the bringing up, that the Father should take no grief of the loss: their Marriages were solemnised about the tenth day of March. From five years of age, until they were twenty four, they learned to ride, to cast the Dart, to Shoot, and especially to speak well. They did practise to pass over brooks and waters, to suffer heat and cold. They continue in harness and in moist garments, they feed upon acorns and field-peares, after their exercise they had very hard bread, and water for their drink. Their beds and cups were adorned amongst the common sort with Gold and Silver. They never consulted of any great matters, but in the midst of their banquets, thinking that to be a more surer consultation, then that which was had of sober men. 
A drunken parliament  Familiars and such as were of acquaintance, when they meet, they kissed together: they which were of a base calling, did worship him that they met withal. They buried dead bodies in the ground, enclosing them in wax. They thought it an heinous offence to laugh or spit before the Prince. Some say, that they carried their dead bodies out of the City, and there laid them in the fields to be devoured of dogs, and Fowls of the air. They would not have the bones of dead bodies to be buried or reserved: and when any dead body was not immediately consumed of Dogs or wild beasts, they thought it an ill sign, and that he was a man of an unclean mind, and therefore not to be worthy to be in Hell, and his next Friends did marvellously lament him, as one that had no hope of happiness after this life, but if he were quickly devoured of beasts, they thought him happy.  
The Emperor of the Persians is at this day called Sophy, who with his noble acts getteth great empire and glory.   

Of the Panther and Tiger.  
THe Panther is a beast like unto a Lybard, he hath variety of colours, and is very fierce and wild, so that some call him a Dog-wolfe, and yet he is gentle enough if he be filled. He sleepeth three days, and after the third day he washeth himself, and cryeth out, and with a sweet sent that cometh from him, he gathereth all wild beasts together, which are led and moved with his favour: and he is friendly to all wild beasts saving the Dragon and the Serpent. The she Panther is said to be a beast differing from the male, because she is cruel, and full of spots. Some say that all beasts are marvellously delighted with the sent of them, but by their horrible looks, they are made afraid, and therefore hiding their heads, they take and catch other beasts alured with the pleasantness of them, as Goats and such like; which being taken with a fond desire of their pleasantness, cometh nearer and nearer, but the Libard leaping out of her Den, flieth upon them.  
In Caria and Lybia the Panthers be of a good length, and somewhat timorous, and not so full of agility in leaping, but they have so hard a skin, that you can hardly pierce it, the Female is more common to be found. The Tiger is a beast of a wonderful swiftness, it bringeth forth many young, the which many do steal away upon Horseback very swift: But when the Female seeth her young gone, (for the Males take no care of the young) she runneth headlong searching by smelling: the taker of her young hearing her coming near with raging, casteth down one of the young, the which she taketh away with her mouth, after that she returneth again with marvellous celerity, so that she getteth another, and so the third time, and until that he hath gotten into a ship, and then she seeing her fierceness frustate, rageth on the banks. Saint Austin saith, there was a Tiger made tame at Rome in a Den. Strabo saith, Magesthenes writeth, that in India amongst the people called Prasijs, the Tiger is of double bigness to the Lion, and of such strength, that one being led with four men, if he should catch a Mule with his hinder claw, he were able to draw the Mule unto him. Some say when she hath lost her young, she is deceived, and mocked in the way with a glass, set there by the stealer of her young: for she following with her smelling and swift running, and finding the glass thinking herself to have found her young, tarrieth so long in viewing the glass, that he which took her young, hath time enough to escape.   

The conditions and nature of the Parthians.  
THe Parthians have their armies commonly of the greater number of Servants and Bondmen, as every man is more wealthy, so doth he find a greater number o● horsemen to the King for his War. They have many Wives for the avoiding of lechery, and they punish no fault more grievously than adultery: Wherefore the Women may not come to the feasts of men, nor in their sight. They eat no other flesh than such as they get by hunting, they be always on horseback, they ride to their banquets, and to War, they do merchandise, they common together, they do all common and private affairs sitting on Horseback, their dead bodies are open preys for Fowls or Dogs, they have a special care of worshipping the Gods, they have fearful wits, seditious, prattling, and deceitful.  
Florus writeth, that the third battle that the Romans made against the Parthians, they sent a notable strong Army, whereof Marcus Crassus' Consul was Lieutenant, a man of wonderful avarice, and unsaturable cupidity of Gold, who warring unfortunately against the Parthians, lofing eleven Legions, as he was flying was taken and slain, his head and right hand was cut off, and brought to the King of the Parthians, where in contempt and mockery Gold was melted into his mouth, because he being so desirous of booties and preys, refused peace being entreated. Some say, the Parthians when they poured in the melted Gold into his mouth, said: Now drink Gold, thou that hast always thirsted for Gold, and as yet couldst never be filled with Gold. The which saying is also rehearsed of Tomyris the Queen of the Massagets in Scythia, 
Tomyris.  who warring with Cyrus, 
Cyrus.  the mighty King of the Persians, deprived him of life in the revenging of her son's death, whom he deceitfully killed being sent aforehand. Wherefore she being in a wonderful rage after the victory had against Cyrus, caused his head to be cut off, and put in a vessel full of blood, saying these words, thou hast sucked the blood of my Son and also thirsted after mine Cyrus, but I will fill thee with blood, drink now, and fill thyself therewith.   

Of the people of Carmania, and those which are called Icthiopagis.  
IN Carmania no man may have a wife, before he have brought the head of his enemy cut off to the King. The King cutteth the tongue thereof into small parts, and mingleth it with bread, and afterward giveth it to be eaten to him that brought it, and to his familiars, and he is accounted a notable fellow that bringeth many heads.  
The Icthiophagi be so called, because they eat fish most commonly, and so do their cattle, and they drink rainy and wellwater. They feed their fish with beasts flesh: They make their Houses of Whales bones and Oyster-shels, of their fish being dried they make bread, putting a little Wheat unto it, for they have small store of Wheat.  
It is read of this Nation, that many of them going naked all their lives, have their Wives and Children in common like unto beasts, that have no difference of honesty and dishonesty.   

Of the property of sundry Nations.  
THe Tauroscites be contentious people, inhabiting the woods, doing sacrifice to the devil. Such enemies as they take, they cut off their heads, and set them upon an high pole in the tops of their houses. There be also in this part of Asia certain people, that have their women in common, and some so rude and beastly, that they eat man's flesh, obeying no Laws. There be others called Agrippaei, which are bald from their nativity, as well men as women. And another kind of people also called Issedones, with whom the use is, when any man's father dyeth, all his kinsfolks bring cattle, and kill ●hem, and cut and mingle the flesh of them with the flesh of the father of him that receiveth them to this banquet, and so they make a Feast with these sundry kinds of flesh together: they scour and make clean the head of him that is dead, and use it as an Image, offering sacrifice and ceremonies unto it yearly: this doth the son to the Father, and the Father to the Son.   

Of the several ways that the Romans put any offender to death.  
Several Nations have had several kinds of death for malefactors, the manner of the death usually being proportionable to the nature of the offence. The Romans chiefly in their Judicatures for capital offences punished these three ways: By strangling, beheading, or stoning: Amongst some Authors, and those not of mean esteem, it is said, that Pisol●● the Soldier, that set the Temple in Jerusalem on fire, being called to a council of War, was by Titus and other officers, adjudged for the same fact, to have that hand cut off, that threw the firebrand into the Temple: and presently to show how highly Titus was displeased at the heinousness of the fact, he made him exemplary to all the company for his disobedience, by strangling him to death upon a scaffold, erected for the same purpose, in the view of the whole Army, and stayed himself in person, to behold the full execution of the party. The second sort of death was, that they used to strike off the heads of such offenders as mutined, or committed any Rapes upon Virgins or Women, in the taking of a Town, contrary to express charge of Martial discipline, especially of the Romans; they being the strictest in this kind of any Nation whatsoever. It is said that CAIUS POSTHUMUS VEGELIUS a Cohort of a great esteem for his Valour, upon several occasions under the conduct of POMPEY the great, in the taking of a Fort, upon conditions deflowered a maid, and afterwards ravished the Mother, (so furious is lust if not kept under) was presently by the General called to account, and checked with this speech, that the Romans ought to punish vice in others, not commit it themselves, for which purpose he was there with his Army; because therefore (said he) thou hast had no care either of the honour of the Virgin, nor her Mother, nor thyself, nor yet of thy Country, I will have as little care of thy life, and so committed him, notwithstanding his office and experience 〈◊〉 valour, into the hands of the executioner, to have his Head cu●● off in the same place where he acted his villainy, which was speedily done to the satisfaction of some, and the example of all.  
The third kind of death was that of stoning, as some suppose, borrowed from the jews, and this they inflicted principally upon such as were robbers of Temples, or mockers either of ●heir Priests, or their Gods.  
Thus Lucius Publius, one that before this Fact, had deserved well of the Commonwealth, ●eing the Priests of Mars sacrificing in their Temple, laughed at their seeming foolish Ceremonies as needless, was attached, and presently committed to dye at a stake, by being fastened to it, and having stones cast at him in the open streets, with these words spoken by the principal executioner, So let all deriders of the Gods deservedly perish.  
They did exercise, and indeed invent a fourth kind of death, and that was the fastening of the party to a Cross made of wood, and thus the Saviour of the World, was the first that endured this punishment and shame under Tiberius, than Emperor of Rome, and Pontius Pilate being his Viceroy for jury, he was made to carry his own Cross, upon which he was to suffer, till being wearied with the weight of it, they compelled one Simon to carry to the place of Execution, upon which his hands and feet being nailed to it, he gave up the Ghost: and upon his suffering a soldier named Longinus, standing by thrust a spear into his side, from which issued water and blood: who upon the act was struck blind immediately: yet repenting of his Fact, had his eyes touched with the blood upon the spear, and received thereby his sight again, and so proved a famous member of God's Church, and was made Bishop of Cappadoria: Thus have I expressed to you in ●riefe the manner how the Romans punished any with death.   

Of the Tartarians.  
THe Tartarians are most deformed of all men, their bodies are but small, their eyes be gross and bolstering out, their faces be broad & without hair, saving that in their over lip and the chin they have thin and moisie hair, they be common-small in the middle, they shave their heads from one ear to another, by the top of the crown to the hinder part, keeping long hair like unto a woman, whereof they make two folds and windings, and bind them both behind the ears: and so be all other shaved that tarry amongst them. They be good Horsemen, and ill Footmen, and therefore none goeth afoot, but rides either on Horseback, or upon some Ox. They have a glory to hang good sounding Bells about their Horse's necks▪ When they drink, 
Drunkenness taken for a glory.  they pour it in until they be drunken, the which is a great praise amongst them. They have no bread, nor use any baking, nor table-clothes, nor towels, they use no handkirchifs, nor never wash their hands, body, nor apparel. They eat no potherbs nor pulse, but only the flesh of all kind of living things, as Cats, Dogs, Horse, and all kind of great Mice. They roast the bodies of such as they take in War, to show their cruelty, and desire of revenging: and where many meet together in the eating of them, they tear them with their teeth like Wolves, and drink the blood thereof, which they reserved afore in cups, otherwise they drink Cow's milk. One of them eateth the louse from another's head, saying, thus will we do to our Enemies. It is an heinous thing with them to suffer any drink to be lost, or any meat, and therefore they cast no bones to Dogs, before that the marrow be taken away, and many other things are reported of them, which Munster setteth forth more at large. In War they have swords of a yard in length, their Horsemen are very skilful in shooting, their Princes never enter into War, but standing a far off, they cry unto their own company, and exhort them, if they see any thing needful: they carry their wives and their children, because their Wives be attired like men, and also images of Men, on Horseback to their Wars, that they might seem a great number, and more terrible to their Enemies. They think no shame nor ignominy in flying if it be necessary and expedient so to do. If they get the victory they spare none, neither Women nor Children, nor old folks; they slay all saving craftsmen and artificers, whom they reserve to their uses. They are very incontinent, and therefore they take as many Wives as they will, and may sustain, and they except none, but the mother, the daughter, and sister, and yet they be much given to the Sodomitical sin.  
They do not make account of any Woman as of their Wife, nor yet think her worthy of dower, before that she hath brought forth a Child, and therefore they may refuse her which is barren, and take another: they which are taken in adultery, both Men and women are put to death by the Law. Every Wife hath her mansion, her own Family, and liveth very chastely.  
This Nation observeth many superstitions: No man maketh urine in his Mansion, but if he doth, he is slain without pity: if necessity compelleth him, than his tent and all things therein are purged with fire after a curious sort. When they choose and elect their Prince, they meet together in a fair field, and then they set him in a Golden throne and Chair, to whom the Kingdom is due, either by succession, or by election, and falling down before him, they cry all after this sort, with one consent and a loud voice: We beseech, we will and command, that thou bear rule over us. He answereth, If you will have this done of me, it is necessary that you be ready to do all that I shall command: when I call, to come, and whithersoever I send, to go, and to commit, and put the whole rule into our hands. When they have answered, we be ready: He saith again, Therefore my word shall be my sword, and all the people clap their hands with great rejoicing. Then the Noblemen take him from the regal seat, and make him to sit softly upon a cushion, or a cloth laid upon the ground, saying thus: Look up, and acknowledge God, and look downward to the cushion whereon thou sittest, if thou dost well govern and rule, thou shalt have all things according to thy desire: but if thou dost ill rule us, thou shalt be brought so low and so bare, that this small cushion whereon thou sittest, shall not be left thee, at the which saying they adjoin unto him his dearest and best beloved wife, and lifting them both up with the cushion, they salute him Emperor of all Tartarians, and her the Empress. Then to such as be present of other Nations, he commandeth gifts to be given out of hand. There is also all the treasure and jewels which the late deceased Emperor left, wherewith this new Emperor rewardeth every Nobleman, and that which remaineth, he commandeth to be kept to his own use. In his hands and power all things be, and no man dare say, this is mine, or his. No man ought to tarry in any part of the land, but where he is assigned. His Seal that he useth, hath these words engraved: God in Heaven, and Chuithuth Cham on the land, the strength of God and Emperor of men. He hath five great robust armies: Five Dukes, with whose aid he invadeth all that withstand him. He himself speaketh not to strange Ambassadors, nor they come at any time into his sight, except that they and their gifts be purged before hand of certain women deputed to that purpose. He giveth his answer by other mean persons, to whom, when and how long soever he speaketh, they ought to give care upon their knees bowed, and so attend, that they err not in any one word. It is not lawful for any man to change the Emperor's words, nor to go or do against his mind and sentence by any means.   

The Sibyls prophesy of the destruction of Babel.  
THE place where this Tower was built, is at this present day called Babylon, by reason of the confusion of tongues and languages that first began in that place: For Babel in the Original or Hebrew-tongue signifies Confusion: Of this Tower and of the diversity of Languages Sibylla hath made mention in these words: At such time as men used one kind of Language, they built a most stately rich Tower of that height, that they meant by the same to mount or ascend up to Heaven of their own pleasure: being at that time full of pride and ambition, and did not reverence the Divine power: but the Gods sent down fire and winds, and overwhelmed this high Tower, and made it level with the ground, and gave every one his distinct and several Language, from whence sprung the cause that their City was called Babylon: their King's name was Balthasar, who was taken prisoner, and the whole City overthrown, in the year of the year of the world 3425, and before Christ's time 539, by Cyrus' King of the Persians, whose Army consisted of 100000 fight men, and now remaineth under the command of the Sophy or Shagh of Persia.   

The 12 Sibyls.  
THe first was of Persia, called Samberta, or Persica, which among other prophecies said, the womb of the Virgin shall be the salvation of Gentiles.  
The second was of Libya, called Libyca: One of her prophecies was, The day shall come that men shall see the King of all living things, and a Virgin Lady of the world shall hold him in her lap.  
The third was Themis, surnamed Delphica, because she was borne and prophesied at Delphos: A Prophet shall be born of a Virgin.  
The fourth was Cumaea, born at Cimeria, a City of Campania in Italy, who prophesied, that God should be borne of a Virgin, and converse among sinners.  
The fifth was the famous Erithrea, borne at Babylon: who especially Prophesied a great part of our Christian Religion, in certain verses recited by Eusebius; the first letters of every which verses being put together, make the words, jesus, Christ, Son of God; Saviour, These verses are translated into Latin by Saint Austin. Lib. 18, and 23, de civitate dei: the substance whereof followeth. The Earth shall sweat sign of judgement: from Heaven shall come a King which shall reign for ever, that is to say, in humane flesh, to the end, that by his presence he judge the world, so the unfaithful as well as the faithful, shall see God with their eyes aloft among his Saints; and in the end of the world, the souls of men with their bodies shall appear; whom he shall judge, when the roundness of the Earth untilled, shall be full of clods of Earth and grass, men shall cast away their Idols, and all their precious jewels, the world shall be consumed with fire, he shall pierce the inferior parts, and break the gates of Hell; then to the flesh of Saints shall be given free and clear light, and the evil shall be burned with eternal fire: all secrets shall be opened, and every one shall know the secret of his negihbour, and God shall discover the Consciences and hearts of all men: then shall there be lamentation and gnashing of teeth, the Sun and Stars shall lose their light, the Firmament shall be dissolved, and the Moon shall be darkened, the Mountains shall be thrown down, and the Valleys shall be made equal with them; there shall be nothing in the world higher or lower than another, Mountains and Valleys shall be made plain, all things shall cease, the earth shall be dried unto powder and dust, the Fountains and Rivers shall be burned likewise: then shall a trumpet sound from Heaven in woeful and horrible manner, and the opening of the Earth shall discover confused and dark Hell, with the torments and pains of the miserable condemned, and here before the Judge shall come every King: A River of fire and brimstone shall fall from Heaven. Divers other things were prophesied by this Sibyl: and because they were obscure, and therefore not to be comprehended by the Gentiles before they come to pass, she said of herself these words: they shall think me a false and blind Prophetess, but when they shall see these things come to pass, they will remember me, and call me no more a false Prophetess, but a Prophetess of the Almighty God.  
The sixth was called Samia, borne in the I'll of Samos, which said: He being rich, shall be borne of a poor Maid; the creatures of the Earth shall adore him, and praise him for ever.  
The seventh was called Cumana, because she prophesied at Cumas, a town of Campania in Italy: she prophesied that he should come from Heaven, and reign here in poverty: he should rule in silence, and be borne of a Virgin. She is affirmed to have written Nine books of the Sibyls: they were all presented by an old woman to Tarqvinius Superbus, but he not willing to pay so great a sum of money as was damanded, denied them: whereupon the old woman burnt three of them, requiring as much money for the other six, as for all; which being denied, she also burned the other three, ask as much for the three remaining as for the rest, which Superbus amazed, gave, and the old trot vanished. These books contained manifest prophecies of the Kingdom of Christ, his Name, his Birth, and Death: they were burned by the Arch-traitor Stilico, so that those Prophecies which are now extant, are only such as are extracted out of others writings.  
The eight was called Hellespontica, borne at Marmisea, in the Territory of Troy. A woman shall descend of the jews, called Mary, and of her shall be borne the Son of God, named jesus, and that without carnal copulation: For she shall be a Virgin before and after his Birth, he shall be both God and Man, he shall fulfil the Laws of the jews, and shall add his own Law thereunto: and his kingdom shall remain forever.  
The ninth was of Prygia, and prophesied in the town of Ancire: one of her sayings were: The Highest shall come from Heaven, and shall confirm the counsel in Heaven, and a Virgin shall be showed in the valleys of the deserts.  
The tenth was Albunea, surnamed Tiburtina, because she was borne at Tiber, 15 miles from Rome. The invisible Word shall be borne of a Virgin: he shall converse among sinners, and shall of them be despised. Lactantius Firmianus rehearseth diverse of their prophecies; without making any particular mention of them: they are to be referred specially notwithstanding (as it should seem) unto Sibylla Samberta, who wrote 24 books in verse, chiefly entreating of the coming, miracles, and life of Christ, whereunto the sayings of all the other Sibyls are conformable.  
S. Austin likewise in the 23 Chapter of his 18 book D●●civitate dei, reciteth these Prophecies as followeth. Then he shall be taken by the wicked ●ands of the Infidels, and they ●hall give him buffets on his face with their sacrilegious hands, ●nd they shall spit upon him with their foul and accursed ●outhes. He shall turn unto ●hem his shoulders, suffering ●hem to be whipped; yea, he ●hall hold his peace without speaking ere a word, to the end ●at none shall know from ●henee his words proceed. ●ee shall also be crowned with ●hornes; they shall give him ●all to eat, and Vinegar to drink: Behold the feast that ●hey shall make him: in so much ●hat thou ignorant and blind people shalt not know thy God conversing among men: but ●hou shalt crown him with ●hornes, mingling for him gall ●nd vinegar: then the veil of ●he Temple shall rend, and at midday it shall be dark night for the space of three hours So the just shall dye the death, and this death or sleep shall continue three days: and when he shall have been in the bowels of the earth, he shall rise again, and return to life.  
Lactantius moreover, Lib. 4. Chap. 15. rehearseth these Prophecies of them. He shall raise the dead, the impotent and lame shall go, and run nimbly, the deaf shall hear, the blind shall see, the dumb shall speak free●ly. And a little before that, saith with five loaves and two fishes he shall nourish in the Desart● 5000 men, and the fragment thereof shall be sufficient to satisfy many more. Many other things were foretold by the●● Sibyls, as well of the ruins o● great States, as of Christ.  
The eleventh called Epyrotica: some hold her to be the same that Phrigia was, she came from Troas to Dodona, where she prophesied, and was as well as the other denominated from the place: but the most hold that she was divers from the other, and was called Phaënni, so writes johannes Tsetses: she prophesied that the pure word should come from a Virgin, how he should willingly come down from heaven, & seem poor to the world: yet should govern all things, whose rule & kingdom should never cease, & that he should be both God and Man, and that this his kingdom should principally reside in the souls of men, whom he would govern, and save to another life, thus Laelius Cleopassus, and others affirm.  
Colophonia Lampusia the twelfth, she came out of Greece, from Colophonia a City of Ioni●, she prophesied of the changes of Kingdoms, of Inundation, Earthquakes, and of Wars▪ she told that God was only to be adored, that he was angry at vice, and punished it; that he did delight in holy and upright men: she told also, that the whole World should be burnt, and wished men to adore that God while they lived here, which would punish them so severely hereafter for their contempt.   

Of India.  
IN the Country of India they have two Summers, their air is most gentle, and pleasant, and temperant, great fruitfulness of the soil, and plenty of waters, and therefore some ●●ve 130 years, especially the Musitanes.  
There be others whose lives ●re longer: there be marvellous ●reat beasts bred in that Country, and trees of such height, ●hat a man cannot shoot to the ●op of them, this cometh by ●he fertility of the soil, temperateness of the Air, and plenty of waters. Their reed's ●re of such bigness and length, ●hat the space betwixt every ●not, may bear three men, sometimes in a little River. ●here be store of Parrots: It brings forth Nard, Cinnamon, Pepper, Calamus Aromaticus, ●nd other spices, and also diverse Pearl and precious stones. Pliny saith, that in the Country of India, all things are bred of a greater magnitude then in any other Country, as men, beasts, and trees. The people have a bushy hair, and a special decking with precious stones, they are very diverse 〈◊〉 apparel, some wear woollen garments, and some linen, many go naked, and some cover their privy parts only: the colour of the body is commonly black, being in their Mother● womb such, through the disposition of their Parents, they be of a good tall stature, and strong.  
They bethrifty in living, and very continent from theft: they know no Letters, but do all things by memory, and for their simplicity and thriftiness all things have prosperous success, they drink no wine but in Sacrifice, they make drink of Rice and Barley, their meat 〈◊〉 commonly rice-pottage, they ●●ve no prerogative to their old ●ge, except they excel in wisdom. He that is reprehended ●s a false witness, hath the tops ●f his fingers cut off, he that depriveth any man of any mem●er, hath the law Talio, that is, ●o lose the like member, and al●o his hand is cut off. And if a●y man putteth out the eye, or ●utteth away the hand of an Artificer, he loseth his life for it. If any woman killeth a drunken King, she hath her reward to be conjoined with his successor: There be seven special orders amongst the Indians: the first is of Philosophers, which being few in number, were preferred before the rest in honour and dignity, they are free from all works, and neither serve any body, nor govern or rule, they take such things of private foll●● wherewith they do Sacrifice, and they have a care of the dead, and especially know what is done in Hell, and therefore many gifts and honours are bestowed upon them: they profit much to the life of the Indians, for they meet together in the beginning of the year, and foretell drought, rain, winds, diseases, and other things, the knowledge whereof is profitable: that Philosopher which foreshoweth any thing that is false, hath no other punishment, but to keep silence for ever. The second order is of Husbandmen, which exceeding the rest in multitude, being free from Wars and other work, do only bestow their time in tilling their ground, no enemy offereth any injury to them, because they are thought to be occupied about the common profit, they live in the fields with their Wives and Children, and come not into the City, they give tribute to the King, the fifth part of ●heir profit. The third order is Shepherds, which neither inhabit in Cities nor Towns, but have their tabernacles, and ●heir nets, and things for hun●ing, and these keep the Country from the danger of beasts and fowls. The fourth degree ●s of Artificers, whereof some maketh weapons, some other ●hings meet for the country: ●nd other profitable things, ●hese be free from tribute, and have their Corn from the Prince. The fifth order is of soldiers, exercised in warlike affairs, & they & all their horses & Elephants be maintained by the Prince. The sixth is of superintendents, who seeing all things that be done in India, make relation thereof to the King. In the seventh order, be those that have the rule of commo● counsels, being but a few 〈◊〉 number, and such as most excel in nobility and wisdom: for o● these some be chosen to the King's council, and to the admi●nistration of the Commonwealth, and to be judges 〈◊〉 doubtful cases, Dukes also an● Captains be chosen of them.  
Thus India being distributed into these parts, it is not lawful for any order to marry with th● men's wives of another order nor to change his trade of li●ving; nor for the Souldier● to play the ploughman, no● the Artificer to meddle in th● Philosopher's office. And because India is so great a Country, there be many Nati●ions discrepant in form and ●ongue, and manners, for some inhabiting about rivers & lakes, do eat raw fish, and others ●aw flesh, and when any falls sick, his friends kill him, saying, that if he should wither ●nd pine away with sickness, ●hat his flesh should be corrupt, ●nd although he denyeth him●elfe to be sick, yet they kill him, and make a banquet of him: ●o he that liveth in perfect health to his old age, is slain ●nd devoured in like manner. And therefore few of them ●ome to extreme old age. There be some of the Indians●hat ●hat never kill any living thing, nor plant, nor sow any thing, nor erect any Houses, but liveth only with herbs, amongst whom when any falleth sick, he goeth into a desert place, and there dyeth, no man taking care either of him dying, or being dead: they use natural conjunction together openly like unto brute beasts.   

Of the Bragmans'.  
THe people called Bragmans, lead a simple life, and are not led with any enticements; they desire no more than very Nature doth require: they have plenty of all things for life, the which their earth bringeth forth without tillage. Their tables be furnished with wholesome dishes, and therefore they neither know diversities of names in sickness, nor their kinds, but they have good health very long. One desireth no help of another, for they live in common, amongst those that are equal, there is no place for envy, seeing that none is superior; they have no judgements, because they do nothing worthy of correction: their only Law is not to do any thing against nature, which nourisheth labour▪ exerciseth no covetousness, and flieth from filthy idleness. This Nation hurteth itself in the Sun, it getteth moisture in the dew, it extinguisheth thirst with water. The ground is instead of beds, carefulness breaketh no sleep, nor pensiveness troubleth not the mind: their habitation is in digged Caves upon the Mountain's sides, they feel no rage of winds nor tempests, they think themselves better defended in a cave then in a house, from the injury of weather, because their cave hath two uses, one for a mansion place, another for a Sepulchre or grave when they die. They have no precious garments, but they cover their members with a thing like paper, rather for shamefastness then otherwise.  
The women be not trimmed as they please, but they are ignorant how to increase beauty more than Nature giveth: the man and the woman use natural conjunction, not for libidinous pleasures, but for love of procreation. No Parent followeth the Funerals of his child, they have no Sepulchers in Churches for the dead, but in vessels made of precious stones, they lay up the ashes of the dead.  
Their best remedy in Physic is abstinence and sparing, which doth not only cure their griefs, but also prevent those which might come▪ they have no common plays nor games▪ but when they assemble together, they read the Monuments of things done, wherein if they hear any thing to be laughed at, they weep, they are not delighted in old fables, but in the goodly disposition of natural things▪ they learn no Eloquence, but have a simple kind of speech, only commanding not to lie.   

Of the Elephant.  
THere be Elephants in India, which be very wild and fierce, but they are easily made tame after this manner, They compass some clean place with a deep ditch of four 〈◊〉 five Furlongs, they make the entry into it with a very strait bridge▪ then set they in thre● or four Female Elephan●●, which are tame, and they themselves lie privily watching in cottages: in the day time the wild Elephants come not, but in the night time they enter, the which place of the entry the Hunters shut and stop privily: after this they bring in of their strongest tame Elephants to fight with them, besides that, they do punish them with famine and lack of meat, and when they be weary with fight, they which are bold carterly fellows, privily getteth under the belly of the Elephant, and so suddenly stealeth under the belly of the wild Elephant, and by these means do chain and fetter them: and after this they move their tame Elephants to beat the wild until they fall to the ground, and when they are down, they bind their necks with the necks of the tame Elephants, with such thongs and bindings as Oxen be bound with, and this do they, that ●hey should not cast off such as sit them: Moreover, they cut their necks about with Raisings and Scissures, and lay ●he Chains thereon, that for pain they should give place to their chains, and go quietly, of such as are taken they chose out such as are unprofitable, either for old age, or young age, and the rest be led into the stables, and they▪ being bound both feet and necks in a pillar, to be tamed with hunger. After that they be refreshed with grass or green weeds, than they teach them to be obedient, some with words, some with singing, and some with drums be made gentle. The Elephant is the greatest amongst all beasts, and cometh nearest to humane sense, he ha●● some understanding (as Pli●● saith) of his country talk, an● especially a remembrance and obedience of such duties as he hath learned. If the Elephant by chance killeth any of the●● keepers in a rage, they hav● so great a desire of him afterward, that some for sorrow abstain from meat, and some do pine themselves to death. This beast is accustomed, when he is full of feeding, to go to sleep, and leaning to a tree he sleepeth, for he cannot bend his knees as other beasts do: the inhabitants perceiving the tree which is worn and made filthy with the Elephants leaning, cause the same tree to be cut hard by the ground, so that it may not fall without thrusting and enforcing, than they put away the signs of their own steps, and depart quickly before the Elephant cometh to sleep: the Elephant coming in the evening to his accustomed place of rest, and leaning to the ●●ee with all the weight of hi●●ody, falleth down straig●● way with the tree even to the earth, so he lieth with his belly upward all night, for he cannot lif● up himself, then cometh the inhabitants in the morning, and s●aieth the beast without danger.  
The Elephants have such 〈◊〉 kind of shamefastness, that the male never covereth the female but i● secret, and that when the male is five years old, and the female ten years of age, they bring forth as Mares do, and most commonly about the Spring. Many of them live almost two hundred years, they have great pleasure in good Waters, they be most impatient of cold, the two teeth which hang outward, are so big in the greater Elephants, that they are used oftentimes as Posts. And many other things be written of them, which I thought good to leave out for tediousness.   

Garments used by the high Priests of the jews.  
ALL Nations have ever had great respect and reverence towards their Priests; and such as sacrifice to their Gods, and thereupon have usually allotted them excellent Raiments, and decent Vestures: yet in this kind, the jews high Priests excelled all others, having indeed direction from heaven, even for the manner and matter of their Vestments, in the performance of their several services. Their upper Garment was of dainty fine Linen, that did decipher their purity of life: from their middle they were girded with a veil to the midst of the thigh, and under that a pure linen garment which went to the ground: above it a round garment of Violet-colour, all fringed at the skirts, which was hung full of Bells and Pomegranates all of Gold: upon his breast he wore a Garment of five colours, viz. of Gold, Purple, Scarlet, Silk, and Violet: he also had adornments on his Head, a Mitre of Silk crowned with Hyacinth, and upon it was a Crown of Gold, containing the four sacred letters of the name of God: He likewise had a Rochet which was very rich, and buttoned with two golden buttons, made in form like two Asps, set richly with great Sardonix-stones, bearing the names of the twelve Tribes engraven in them: then had he 12 precious stones hanging by them by three in a rank, in every one of which was one of the names of the twelve Tribes written: So that you may see that he was not only decently, but also richly apparelled, when he appeared before the congregation of Israel. I could have enlarged this point much more, but it is fully mentioned in sacred Writ, and also amongst many Authors.   

Of the Dragons in India, and Ethiopia.  
THe Dragon is the greatest of all Serpents, and hath sharp teeth set like a saw-fashion, he hath greater strength in his tail then in his teeth, and hath not so much poison as other Serpents have, if he windeth his tail about any he slayeth him, and the Elephant with all the bigness of his body is not safe from him, for the Dragon lurking about common paths where the Elephants use to go, doth wind and knot his tail about the Elephant's legs, and killeth him by suffocating. He is bred in India and Ethiopia. Pliny saith, in Ethiope there be Dragons of 20 foot in length, they are wont 14 or 15 together with their heads erected, to fly over the Sea, and great waters, for some better food: the Dragon's poison is only in his tongue and gall. Wherefore the Ethiopes cut away the tongue and eat the flesh. Pliny saith, that through the strength of poison his tongue is always lift up, and sometimes through the heat of poison he inflameth the air, so that he seemeth to breathe fire out of his mouth, and sometimes when he hisseth with his contagious blast, he infecteth the air, so that the Pestilence cometh thereof many times. He is sometimes in the waters, and lieth often in his Den, he sleepeth seldom, but watcheth almost continually; he devoureth beasts and Fowls, his eyesight is very sharp, so that in the Mountains he seeth his prey a far off oftentimes.  
Betwixt the Elephants and the Dragons there is continual war, for the Dragon claspeth about the Elephant with her tail, and the Elephant overthroweth the Dragon with her feet and snout, the Dragon with the folding of her tail, twisteth herself about the Elephant's legs, and so maketh him to fall.  
The Elephant seeing a Dragon under a tree, goeth about to break the tree to give the Dragon a blow, the Dragon leapeth upon the Elephant, and desirous to bite between the nostrils and to make him blind, sometimes the Dragon getteth behind him, biting and sucking his blood with the los●e of which blood, the Elephan●●eing ●eing weakened, after long 〈…〉 falleth upon the Dragon, and so dying slaieth 〈◊〉 own murderer the Dragon 〈◊〉 very desirous of the Elephant's blood, for the coldness of it, wherewith she desireth to be cooled. And many other strange Serpents are in India as Scorpions with wings, and such like, of whose natures I omit to write, because their forms be not known unto us.   

Of the Gryphin in India.  
SOme say there is in India a Gryphin, which is a kind of beast with four feet, having Wings, and as might in strength as a Lion, with crooked talants, black one the back, & in the forepart purple, his wings somewhat white, his bill and mouth like an Eagles, his eyes fiery, hard to be taken, except he be young; he maketh his nest in high Mountains, and fighteth with every kind of beast, saving the Lion and Elephant, he diggeth up Gold in desert places, and giveth a repulse to those that come near him, he maketh his nest of such Gold as he findeth, and some say, that it cannot be taken away, without a thousand or two thousand men, and that as well with danger as with gain. Thus much Aelianus writeth.   

The notes of a good Horse.  
THere be some that write, that an Horse should not be broken nor tamed before two years of age. But that he is to be rubbed and chafed with flattering, and gentle words, and that his stable should be laid with stone, and to use him by little and little to go on the stones, that his feet might be made strong. At the beginning let not him that shall sit him or break him, be too rough, nor weary him with running; let him prove him with turning gently on both sides, and not so much with spurs as with the stick he must touch him. The Horse should be of one colour, of a thick main, and standing up, of strong loins, of a short head, his neck must be erect and standing up, his ears small, according to the proportion of his head, abroad breast, a mean belly, short hips, a large tail, and somewhat curled, straight legs, equal knees, steadfast hooves and gross, not big nor small, that they be not worn: his legs must be well stuffed with bones, and not with flesh, the notes and signs of years in horses, are changed with their bodies.  
When a horse is two years and a half old, his middle teeth both above and beneath do fall, when he is three years old, he casteth those that are like unto Dogs teeth, and bringeth forth new: before six years of his age his upper double teeth do fall, at the sixth year he supplieth those that he wanteth, at the seventh year all are supplied equally, from that time he hath hollow teeth, and therefore it is hard to discern their ages: at the tenth year their temples begin to wax hollow, and the brows sometimes wax grey, and their teeth stick out. Mares have their full increase in five years, but Horses in six years. Xenophon teacheth these properties to be observed in an Horse.  
First, to know his age, then if he will take a bridle or not, after this if one may sit him, then if he will cast him that sitteth on him, and if he will fly or run away being let loose, or if he may be soon taken, or if he being smitten with a stick, will go th● swifter or not.   

Of certain monstrous people in India.  
MAny are found in India, both men, women, and beasts full of hair, and with leaves and moss on them, which cometh of the great heat that there is. Pliny saith, that the inhabitants of this Country be coloured with the Sun, and thereby come to certain blackness like unto the Ethiopes, not because they are outwardly so black through the adustion of the Sun, but naturally in their blood there is an inclination to blackness, the which the heat of the Sun doth seem to double.  
Our Ancestors have feigned many monsters in this Country, as people with Heads like unto dogs, armed only with nails, clothed with 〈◊〉 and skins, having no kind of man's speech, but only a kind of barking. There be some that live at the fountain of Ganges, which take no benefit by meat, but live only by the savour of wild Apples; and when they go far, they carry them for their maintenance, and live by the smell and savour of them. If they come into any filthy or stinking air, they must needs dye; and it said, that some of them were seen in the Tents and Army of Alexander.  
We read also, that there be certain people with one ●ye in India; and some to have so great ●ares, that they hang down even to their feet, and many to have but one foot, and that so great, that when they lie down on their backs, and would keep them from the Sun, the shadow of that only leg doth comfort them. It is read also, that there is a Nation which hath grey hairs in youth, the which in age wax black, and also men say, there is another kind of women which conceive at five years of age, but they live not above eight years: there be some that lack necks, and have eyes in their shoulders: there be wild men also with heads like unto Dogs, with a rough and hairy body, which make a terrible hissing, but these and such like are not to be credited, and taken for truth, except great reason can persuade that such may be, and experience can prove the same. It is also thought, that there is a certain people called Pygmeis, which be never in peace, but when the Cranes (with whom they have continual wars) fly into other countries. These Pygmeis are short men of stature, inhabiting in the extreme part of the mountains of India, where is a wholesome and good air, who exceed not twenty seven inches in stature. For Pygme is as much to say as a cubite. These Pygmeis' fight with Cranes, but they have the foil: the report goeth that they sit upon the backs of Rams or Goats, and have arrows for their weapons, and so in the Spring time with a great Army they come to the Sea, and there consume the Crane's eggs and young ones, and that this expedition is made in three months, for otherwise they were not able to resist the Cranes: their Cottages be made of clay, feathers, and eggshells. But of the nature of Cranes the authors write in this manner. When the Cranes take a flight, they consent together, and fly very high, for to mark and behold: they choose a captain and guide whom they follow; in the latter end of the company they have those that may cry, and may lead the whole flock with their voice, they have their watches every night by turn, which hold a stone in their feet, which falling from those that are weary for lack of sleep, argueth and reproveth their negligence by sound: the other sleep with their bills and heads under their wings standing upon each feet by course, the guide looketh forthwith his neck strait forward, and foreshoweth things to come. When they are mad tame they wax lascivious, and run, and fly in round compasses with shaking their wings.   

Of the Ants of India.  
MEgasthenes writeh of the Ants in India after this sort, there is an Hil of three thousand furlongs in compass in India, and many Gold mine's therein, the which are kept with Ants as big as Foxes, getting their living with a marvellous celerity in hunting, 
Ants as big as Foxes.  they dig and scrape the earth that bringeth forth Gold, and heapeth it up at the hole of their Dens; the which, Merchants do privily steal away, laying flesh for a bait to stay the Ants, if perhaps they should mark them. This is thought of many to be a fable, and therefore I leave it at large to judge of it as you think best.   

Of Indian Apes.  
ABout the mountain called Emodij, there is a great wood full of great Apes, the which as the Macedonians did see standing as it were thick together upon the Hills, and having weapons like men of War; (for that kind of beast cometh as near to humane subtlety as Elephants do) they would have set upon them as enemies, had not the inhabitants of that Country been present, and showed to Alexander, that it was nothing else but an assembly of Apes, which contend to imitate such things as they see, and so that battle was turned to laughing. Apes are taken after this manner: they that hunt Apes, set dishes full of water in the sight of the Apes, and therewith they anoint and wash their eyes, and suddenly with as privy speed as they can, they take away the water, and set pots with birdlime, and such like stuff instead thereof: the Apes perceiving them anointing their eyes, being given to follow all things, come down immediately from the trees and thinking to do as the men did, they daub and anoint their eyes and mouths with birdlime, and so are they easy to be made a prey, and taken alive.  
They use also another trade to take them: they take buskins and put them on in the sight o● the Apes, and so depart, leaving others anointed inwardly with birdlime, and such like, and somewhat hairy, that the fraud might not appear, the which the Apes plucking upon their legs, are so snared and entangled with it, that they cannot escape the hands of the Hunters.  
There are in India also dogs of such courage, that two of them can master a Lyon.   

Of the Diamond-stone.  
THe Diamonds be found amongst the metals of India, Aethiope, Araby, Macedony, Cyprus, and many other places. The Indian Diamond shineth with a more Orientnesse than the others. There is one kind of this stone that is somewhat of an iron colour, and differeth not much from a crystal colour, for commonly it is somewhat white, but it is harder than Crystal; so that if it be laid upon the Smith's Anvil, and most vehemently beaten with a hammer, rather the anvil & the hammer will break asunder, then that will be divided in parts, and it doth not only resist the blows of iron, but also the heat of the fire, so that it will not melt, nor give place thereto. For if we may give credit to Pliny, it will never wax warm, and that because it cannot be more purer than it is, for it is never contaminate. But yet the strange hardness of this stone is made so soft with the warm blood of a Lion, or of a Goat, that it may be broken. In scalding Led it taketh such heat, that it may be dissolved: But this hardness is not in every Diamond: for that which is of Cyprus, or called Syderites, may be broken with a Mallet, and pierced through with another Diamond. The Diamond doth deprehend and detect poison, and maketh the working thereof frustrate, and therefore it is desired of Princes, and had in great price and estimation.   

The ten persecutions under the Roman Emperors.  
THe first began in the 13 year of the reign of Nero, in such sort, that the Christians were fain to hide themselves in caves of the earth.  
The second began in the 12 year of the Reign of Domitian, who caused St. john the Evangelist to be put in a vessel of burning oil, whereof he received no hurt.  
The third began in the tenth year of the reign of Tratan, which ceased afterwards by the pity and means of Pliny Second, Perfect of the Empire.  
The fourth began under Marcus Antonius, and Aurelius Commodus Empire.  
The fifth began at the commandment of the Emperor Severus.  
The sixth began at the indignation of Maximinus, who especially persecuted the Clergy▪  
The seventh began under the Emperor Docius, and continued cruelly.  
The eighth began under the Emperor Valerius, who though at the first he were a Christian, yet afterwards being corrupted by certain Heretics, he became a most cruel persecutor of Christ his Church.  
The ninth began under the Emperor Aurelianus.  
The tenth began by the commandment of the Emperor's Dioclesianus and Maximianus Herculeus: this persecution was far more cruel and general than any of the rest: insomuch that Dioclesianus in the orient, and Maximianus in the occident, destroyed all Churches, and tormented the Christians with all strange torments.   

Of the Calechut the famous Mart of India.  
THE compass of the City of Calechut is the space of Six Thousand buildings, which be not joined together as our houses be, but are separate a good space asunder: the length of the City is a thousand paces, their houses be very low; so that they are not above the height of a man on horseback from the ground, they be covered in the top with boughs and branches of trees commonly.  
Their King is addicted to the worshipping of devils: He doth not deny God to be the maker of Heaven and earth, and the first cause and Author of things: but he saith, that GOD appointed the office of judgement to an ill spirit, and to do right to mortal men, and this spirit they call Deumo. The King hath the picture of this devil in his Chapel, sitting with a Diadem on his head, like unto the Bishops of Rome, but his Diadem hath four horns about, and this picture gapeth with a wide mouth, showing four teeth: It hath a deformed nose, grim and terrible eyes, a threatening countenance, crooked fingers, with talons and feet much like unto a Cock: they that look upon this horrible monster, are suddenly afraid, it is so loathsome and terrible a thing to behold. About the Church are painted devils, and in every corner Satan is made of brass sitting, with such workmanship, that he seemeth to cast flames of fire for the consuming of souls miserably, and in his right hand the picture of the Devil, putteth a soul to his mouth, and with his left hand it reacheth another. Every morning their Priests do cleanse this Idol with Rose-water, and other sweet waters, and they perfume it with diverse sweet things, falling down and worshipping it. They put the blood of a Cock weekly in a Silver Vessel, filled with burning coals, and a great number of sweet perfumes, and taking ● Censar, they make it redolent with Frankincense, and have a little Silver bell ringing all the while. And the King eateth no meat before that 4 Priests have offered to the Devil somewhat of the King's dishes. The King at his dinner sitteth on the ground, without any cloth under him, and the Priests standeth round about him as he sitteth, never coming nearer him, then within four paces, marking the King's words most reverently: when he hath done eating, the Priests offer the relics of the King's meat to young Crows and Birds to be eaten, which Fowl is an heinous thing to kill, and therefore they fly every where in safety. When the King marrieth a Wife, he useth not to go to bed unto her, before that his new married wife hath been deflowered of the most worthy Priest. For this Whoredom, the KING giveth him as a reward five hundred Crowns.  
The Priests are in the first order of estimation with them, then Senators which bear a sword and a buckler, a bow and a javelin, when they go abroad. Thirdly they esteem Artificers. Fourthly fishers▪ Fiftly Merchants for Wine, and Pepper, and Acorns. Last of all such as sow and gather Rice. They have no great respect o● Apparel, but to cover their privy parts: they go barefoot and barehead. When the King is dead, if there be any Males alive, either children, brethren, or brother's children, they succeed not in the Kingdom, but the sister's son by their law must have the Sceptre: and if there be no such, than he succeedeth in the Crown, which is nearest of consanguinity, and this is for none other cause, but because their Priests have deflowered their Queen.  
When the King goeth forth into some strange country, or to Hunt, the Priests keep the Queen company at home, and nothing can be more acceptable to the King, then that they should be acquainted with the Queen in venerous acts, and therefore the King knoweth for a certainty, that those children which he hath by his Wife, cannot be accounted his children; but he taketh his sister's children as most near unto him in lawful consanguinity, and taketh them heirs to the Crown.  
The Merchants keep this order, such Wives as they have, they man change them in the colour of a better conjunction; and that one saith to the other, 
Change of wives,  seeing the you have been my best friend, let us change our wives, upon that condition that you may have mine, and I may have yours: then saith the other, say you so in earnest? ye saith he by Pollux. Then saith his fellow, let us go home to my house; whither when they are come, the one claimeth another's Wife, saying, come ●●ther Woman, and follow this man, because from hence forth he shall be thy Husband: then the Woman saith, do you spea● in earnest? to whom her first Husband saith, I do not mock; then the woman saith, gladly I will follow him: And this i● the way of changing thei● Wives. There be some Women in this country that may marry seven Husbands, and lie wi●● them every night by course, and where she is delivered of ● Child, she may choose t● which of her Husbands she wil● father her Child, so that the man may not refuse it by any means. Many other strange things is rehearsed of this Nation, the rehearsal whereof were very tedious here. There is much Pepper growing in this Country of Calechut, the stalk of Pepper is but weak, somewhat like to a Vine stalk, so that it cannot grow without a prop: it is not much unlike to Ivye, for it windeth and creepeth as that doth, and with a more deep clasping it windeth about the tree: this hath many branches three handful long. They gather it in October and November, being green as yet, and lay it on tiles in the Sun to be dried, where in three day's space it waxeth black, even as we have it.  
Ginger groweth in Calechut, but much is brought out of Cravonor thither. Cinnamon is in the Isle of Zaylon, fifty german miles beyond Calechut. Pepper groweth in the fields of Calechut, but great store is brought out of Crimucoll, 12 miles beyond Chalechut. Cloves are gathreed in a place called Meluza, a little from Calechut. Nutmegs groweth in Melaccha, which is a great way from Calechut. Mus● or Castoreum cometh from the Country of Pego, which is an hundred miles from Calechut. Pearl and Precious stones are found about the City of Ormus▪ and sent to Calechut, the general Mart of all the East parts. And many other spices, Silks, and strange things, are brought from these Countries into ours.   

The end of the jews answerable to their lives.  
Seldom hath it been known, but always a wicked life hath had a shameful end, and this without searching any further for examples, may evidently be seen in the Nation of the jews: their lives being odious towards God, proved as shameful to Men: they generally exercised inhumanity to strangers, despised the Prophets, and mocked their Priests: they were given to fearful oppression and usury: they did not honour their Magistrates, nor parents: they practised contentions, and seditions: they profaned the Sabbath of God: they were extremely unthankful, and as extremely disobedient to God, in a word, they left not any notorous sin unpractised, and for the prosecution of these lewd courses▪ it pleased Heaven's Justice to make them a shame, a curse, and an astonishment to all the world and themselves: for as they sold God's Word and his Sacrifices, so in Vespasians time they were publicly sold for slaves, to the number of thirty seven thousand persons at once: as they dealt with strangers, so to this day are they used by all strangers, as they cared not for their Priests, so are they now deprived both of Country, City, Temple, and Priests: As they used oppression, so are they now to this day oppressed, and misused by all Nations without pity or remorse, nay, even their own curses, which they wished might fall upon them, are indeed fallen justly ●pon them and theirs: What ●eed I be tedious, it is most manifest to all men, that they ●re as justly miserable and con●emned, as they were unjust in ●heir impieties, so that they who did refuse to be vessels ●or mercy, are deservedly made ●essels of Justice, that although GOD'S Will was not done ●y them, yet it is done upon ●hem.  Discite justitiam moniti, & non tomnite Divos.  

The seven Wonders of the World.  
THe first were the Walls of Babylon, built by Semiramis, of stone joined together with a strange kind of slimy and gluish mortar, which groweth in th● Mines of those Countries, an● especially in the Lake whe●● stood in time past Sodom an● Gomorrah, now called Asfalti●● These Walls according to t●● Town, were built in quadrangle and contained in circuit (as sai●● Pliny in the twenty sixth Chapter of his sixth book) 60 miles so that every square was si●teene mile long; they were 〈◊〉 foot high, and fifty foot thick and to build these Walls wer● hired by Semiramis, out of di●vers Countries for a long spac● 300000 men.  
The second was the Pillar o● the Sun, offered by the Gen●tiles unto jupiter. This Pilla● stood in the I'll of Rhodes, an● was made of Iron in the form of a man, of incredible greatness, in so much that a ma● might scarce fathom the great ●inger thereof. After it had stood 56 years, it fell down by reason of an earthquake, and so ●ay till the Island was won by ●he Sultan of Egypt; who carried so much mettle away, as ●oaded 900 Camels.  
The third, were the Pyramids of Egypt: among the which ●here is one especially noted, a●out the City of Memphis, now ●alled grand Cairo: this Piramid●overed ●overed about 40 acres of land, ●t the foot or foundation thereof, it was all built of Marble●tone, and in the building ●hereof were employed continually for the space of 20 years, ●600000 men; and for the sustenance of these workmen, was ●is burst in radish, and such other ●oots 1800 talents, which according to our reckoning, is the sum 1880000 crowns: this might seem incredible, were it not that it is affirmed by so many Authors of authority.  
The fourth was the Mausol, of Mausolus' King of Caria, and husband to Artemisia so called: this Woman for the great love she bore to her Spouse, burned his dead body, and drank the powder thereof, thinking no Sepulchre so worthy as her own body; and the rest of the powder she buried in this famous tomb, the stone whereof was of an excellent kind of marble, it was 411 feet in circuit, and 25 cubits high, & was environed about with 36 Pillars of stone, wonderfully well carved.  
The fifth was the Temple o● Diana, builded by the Amazons: it was 455 foot long, and 220 foot broad, and in it stood 127 marble pillars, each of them being 70 foot high: the work thereof was so wonderful curious, that it was 220 years a making.  
The sixth, was the Image of jupiter Olympius, in Achaia; all of Porphyre, an infinite number of little pieces joined together: this Image, besides the excellency of the work, is especially noted for the greatness thereof, and was the more famous, by reason of the game called Olympiades', there kept.  
The seventh, was the Tower Pharos, nigh unto Alexandria in Egypt; builded by Ptolomeus Philadelphus; King of Egypt, to direct the passengers which came to take haven thereabouts, by burning of pitch, or other like things in the top: this Tower was of a marvellous height, and singular workmanship; the building whereof cost according to our money 480000 crowns, Some Authors put for the seventh wonder, the Gardens and Orchards upon the Walls of Babylon. Others put the Obelisque of Semiramis; which differeth in nothing from a Pyramid, saving that it is all one stone: the Obelisque, Semiramis caused to be wrought, and taken out of the Mountains of Armenia: it was a hundred and fifty foot high, and every square was four and twenty foot broad at the bottom; so that it contained in circuit 96 foot.   

The six Ages of the World.  
IN the dividing of these Ages there is great contrariety of Opinions among Writers; for that some follow the computation of the 72 Interpreters, and some follow the Hebrews, and the common Text of the Bible. The first Age from the creation of the world till the universal Flood, endured according to the Hebrews, 1656 years, which agreeth with the saying of S. Hierom, Bede, Phil●, and the common text of the Bible. The 72 Interpreters, and Eusebius hold that it endured 2242 years, and Saint Austin is of opinion, that it endured 2272. Of this age few, or no things are recited worthy of memory: except the birth of the first man Adam, and the creation of all things.  
The second age from Noah's flood till the birth of Abraham, endured according to the 72 Interpreters, Eusebius, and the greatest part of writers 942, and according to the Hebrews, but 292 years: Saint Austin counteth 172 years. In this age was builded Babel, the Tower of confusion: the Empire of the Assyrians began, and the great City of Ninive was builded, which contained in circuit three days journey.  
The third age from Abraham to David, endured by the agreement of all Authors 941 years. During this age was the peregrination of Abraham: the beginning of the Amazons, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed: joseph was sold to the Egyptians: Moses passed the red Sea: job the just lived: jason conquered the golden Feece: the destruction of Troy: the Latins began to reign in Italy.  
The fourth age from the beginning of the reign of David, till the leading of the jews captive into Babylon, endured 485 years: During this age the Empire of Assyrians was translated to the Medes, the Olympiades' of the Grecians began: Carthage was builded by Dido, and Rome by Romulus: Byzance was also builded: the destruction of jerusalem by Nabuchadnezzar, and thereupon the calamity of the jews.  
The fifth age from the transmigration of Babylon to the coming of Christ, endured by the agreement of all, 589 years. During this age Cyrus began the Monarchy of the Persians: the 70 year of this age the Jews returned to their Country: Consuls began to rule in Rome: Xerxes invaded Greece with an Army of 1000000 men: Plato, Aristotle, and Demostenes flourished with many other worthy Philosophers: Alexander won the Monarchy of the World: the destruction of Carthage by the Romans: C●●sar usurped the Empire of Rome.  
The sixth age began at the birth of our Saviour Christ, which yet endureth, and shall endure to the end of the world.   

Of the bridges of Singui and Quinsai.  
THere be numbered in the City of Singui, about six thousand bridges of stone, having so large Arches, that ships may pass through without bending of the Mast. There is another City called Quinsay in Asia, which containeth in the circuit of it, above an hundred Italian miles, which make 25 Germane miles; it is thought to be the greatest and most notable City in the World. It hath 12 thousand bridges of stone, so high and large, that a ship may pass upright through them.   

Of certain illusions of Devils about Tangut.  
THere is seen and heard about the Deserts of Tangut in the day time, and more commonly in the night, diverse illusions of Devils: therefore travellers that way, aught to take good heed, that they ●ever not their companies, and lest any coming behind might hinder them, for otherwise they shall soon lose the fight of their companions, for the hills and mountains: there be heard the voices of Spirits and Devils, which going solitarily, will call other by their names, feigning and counterfeiting the voices of their companions, the which if they can by any means, do lead men out of the way to destruction: there be hard sometimes in the Air, the consents and harmony of musick-instruments: there be many worshippers of Idols, and they attribute much honour to the Devils, When their Wives have a son, they commend him to some Idol, and in the honour of it, that year the Father keepeth up a Ram, the which after the nativity of the Child, at the next feast of that Idol, he offereth with his son, and many other Ceremonies. When the Sacrifice is done, they bring the flesh which was offered to some secret place, and all his kinsfolks gathered together, do eat of that with great devotion, keeping the bones reverently in some vessel. In this Country is found a Serpent called Salamandra, 
Salamandra.  which liveth in the fire without any damage, those Serpents are used for the making of such cloth as may suffer the fire without any corruption or harm, or else when any spot cometh to any Garment made of the hairs of a Salamander, 
Garments that will not be consumed with fire.  it may be cast for an hour in the fire, and all the spots will be gone, no otherwise then if they had been very clean washed.   

Of the Cockatrice.  
THere is in Africa a kind of Serpent called a Cockatrice, which hath a white spot on his head, having the fashion of a Diadem. His head is very sharp, his mouth red, his eyes somewhat black in colour, as Pliny saith, with his hissing he driveth away all kind of Serpents. He destroyeth with his breath young trees and plants, consumeth herbs, breaketh stones, infecteth the air where he tarrieth, so that a bird cannot fly over that air or through it, without danger of death. Yet it is said, that the poison of a Weasel is his destruction. Aelianus saith, that he hath so sharp poison, that exceeding not in length a man's hand, yet he extinguisheth every great Serpent with his only breath. There is not a more hurtful or more pestilent beast upon the earth, for this lying in his den, may destroy a whole City by infection.   

Of the Crocodile.  
THe Crocodile is found commonly about the water of Nilus and Ganges in India, and waxeth of a little thing to a very great beast. For his eggs are much like unto Goose-egs, but the young which cometh of them, taketh increase to sixteen or eightee●● cubits in length: he liveth almost as long as a man, he lacketh a tongue, his body is ma●●vellously defended of nature for all his back is full of scales and wonderful hard, his 〈◊〉 is long, he hath many teeth on both sides of his mouth, whereof two do especially hang out, he doth not only devour man, but also other earthly beasts coming near to the water, he dismembreth them with his nails, which he hath sharper than any weapon. His biting is cruel and sharp, and he so rendeth with his teeth, that it can never be healed: there is great store of them about Nilus, because they are very fruitful of themselves, having young every year, and also they are seldom taken. It is a fearful beast, flying from those that persecute him, and persecuting those that fly from him. It is said, that when he goeth about to devour a man, that he beginneth to weep, whereof hath sprung this Proverb, The tears of a Crocodile: that is, when one doth weep with his eyes without compassion, and not with his heart and mind.  
Pliny saith, that this beast only in his biting doth move his upper jaw, he liveth in the day time upon the land, and in the night time in the water, his eyes be very dull in the water, and his sight is marvellous sharp out of the water. Some say, that he groweth and increaseth as long as he liveth.   

The Twelve Apostles with their Martyrdoms.  
IAmes the Son of Zebedee, called mayor, for that he was chosen to be an Apostle, was sent to convert Spain, from whence by reason of the obstinacy of the people, (for he converted in all but nine persons) he returned shortly again to preach in judea, where by the envy of a Jewis● Bishop called Abiathar, he was accused and beheaded by the consent of Herod Agrippa. His body was conveyed by his Disciples first to jerusalem, and from thence to Spain, where it yet remaineth in Compostella, a famous pilgrimage.  
james, the son of Alpheus, called minor, for that he was last chosen; he was the first Bishop of jerusalem, and that by the space of thirty years: and then as he was preaching in the Temple, he was thrown headlong down by the pharisees, and by them stoned to death. He was buried by the Temple.  
Simon, by Christ called Peter, through the indignation of Nero, because he had overcome Simon Magus, was crucified with his head downward, according as he desired.  
Saul, after his conversion called Paul, after he had endured and escaped many dangers and torments, as beating with rods, and put in the stocks by Philippus, stoned in Lystra, delivered to wild beasts in Ephesus, bound and beaten in jerusalem, and many others: lastly came to Rome, where by the commandment of Nero, he was beheaded, (because he was a Roman borne) the same day that Peter was crucified. Paul instead of john, because he ended not his life with Martyrdom.  
Philip, after he had preached through the whole Country of Scythia, and converted a great part thereof, in the space of twenty years, was at the last in the City of Hierapol●● (when he had there extirpe● the Heresy of the Hebeonites) fastened to the Cross, and so died.  
Bartholomew went to preach in India, and afterward came to Albania, a City of Armenia the greater, where he converted the King of that City, and destroyed the Idols. wherefore by the commandment o● Astiagus brother to the King Polemius, whom he had converted, he was flayed alive. His body was afterwards brought to Italy, and is, as some say, at Rome.  
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, went first to preach in Achaia, and afterward preached in Scythia: but lastly he was taken at Patras, a City of Achaia; by Egeas, Proconsul of that Province: who, because he had converted his Wife Maximilla, cast him in prison, where he was sore beaten, and lastly stretched out, and bound on a slop● cross, to augment his torment, and so died.  
Thomas preached the Gospel to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, Bragmans, and converted a great part of India▪ He was by the Infidels throw● into a burning Furnace, and came out unhurt. Finally, because he prayed God to destroy the Idol of the Sun, which the Infidels would have compelled him to worship, he wa● by them thrust through with spears and swords.  
Matthew, after he had preached much in judea, he went into Ethiopia, and there converted the greatest part of tha● country. Finally, having newly ended his prayers, and lifting up his hadst to Heave by the Al●ar, certain spies came behind him, and ran him through with their swords: which was ●one by the commandment of a King of those Country's.  
judas, called also Thaddeus, after the ascension of our Lord, was sent by Thomas to heal A●agar King of of Edissa: afterwards he preached in Pontus, ●nd Mesopotamia, and converted ●any cruel and barbarous people. Lastly, he came to Persia, there for confounding of their ●dols, he was suddenly run ●pon, and murdered by the Pa●●n Bishops of that Country. ●e is buried at Netre a City of Armenia.  
Simon, called Cha●aneus, bro●●er to Thaddeus, and james the ●●sse; after he had preached in ●●ypt, returned to jerusalem. whereof by the consent of the Apostles, he was made Bishop after the Martyrdom of his brother james. As touching his death and Martyrdom some say, that he suffered with his brother judas Thaddeus in Persia, others, that he was through t●● envy of Heretics, accused to 〈◊〉 a Christian before the Consul● Atticus, and therefore crucified as his Master was.  
Mathyas, after the ascension 〈◊〉 Christ, chosen by the Apostles to supply judas room, wa● borne at Bethlehem, and descended of the Tribe of juda: He preached altogether in Iud●● where lastly he was accused b● his enemies of perjury, or ra●ther blasphemy; and therefore he was condemned to be stone● to death by two men: duri●● which torment, one smote hi● with a hatchet, and so he suffered martyrdom.   

The Seven Wise men of Greece.  
BIas borne in the Haven-towne of Pri●ne, in the Country of jonia.  
Solon borne in the Island of Salamine: Chilo borne in Lacedemonia: Cleobulus borne at Lindus in the I'll of Rhodes: Pi●ta●us borne at Mitylene in the I'll of Lesbos: Thales borne at Mi●eto in Greece: Periander King of Corinth.   

Young fowls hatched, and brought forth without the dams and females.  
FOElix Vlmensis and Britenbachius write in their books of common peregrination and travail, that in Alexandria and and in Egypt, there be Ove●● made full of holes, wherein are laid three or four thousand eggs, some of Geese, some of Hens, some of Pigeons, some of Ducks, and that they are hidden and covered in dung, and that hot coals are set a far of about the dung, so that through the temperate heat of these things, the eggs by little and little wax warm in the dung, even as it were under the Hen▪ And at length the young are hatched and brought forth, so that they come by flocks out of the dung, and from thence are taken, and led abroad to be fed at liberty.   

The rites and manners of the Egyptians.  
THe Egyptians were almost the first in the World, whereof other Nations learned, and took their laws, wisdom, manner, and living: and we read that for learning sake, Homer, Dedalus, Solon, Plato, and many other went thither. Foralthough they were Gentiles, and not believing on God, yet they studied much for honesty and goodness: and with their honest conversation, did allure strangers and good men to come unto them, ●nd to learn that which they ●ould not find in other places. Their women in times ●ast did use Merchandise and ●ll things which appertained ●o Chapmen: the men did wove and spin within the house, and carry burdens on their heads, the which the women did use to bear on their shoulders: the men did make Urine sitting, but the woman did contrary: They did discharge their bellies at home, but their banquets they kept in high ways, they moulded bread with their feet, and stirred their clay with their hands. They did use to write after the Hebrew fashion, beginning their letters on the right hand.  
When any of them met together at Dinner or Supper, before they departed, there came in one that brought a picture of a dead man, upon a staff made o● Wood, of a Cubit length, 〈◊〉 somewhat more, and showeth it to every one of the guests▪ saying, behold, and look upo● this, drink, and be refreshed with pleasure, for such a one shalt thou be after thy death. Their laws were such, that perjured men lost their lives, as though they had been guilty of two offences: the one of violating piety towards God, the other of breaking faith and promise amongst men, which is the surest knot of humane society. If any traveller found any man beaten of thiefs, and would not help him if he could, he should be found culpable of death; if he were not able to help him, he was bound to detect the thiefs, and to follow the action against them: and he that did neglect to do this, was punished with certain stripes, and kept without meat for three days. If any Father killed his son, there was no punishment of death appointed, but for 3 days and nights, continually he was commanded to be about the dead body; for they thought it no just thing to take away life from him, that gave life to his children, but rather that he should be punished with continual pain and repentance of his fact, that others might fear to do the like. Parricides they caused to be burned upon an heap of thorns: and such as uttered any secrets to their enemies, they caused their tongues to be cut out: And they that did counterfeit or clip money, had both their hands cut off; so that with what part of the body the offence was made, with the same he should tolerate punishment. If any had violated a free woman, his natural parts were cut off, because in one fault he committed three heinous things, that is, an injury, corruption, and confusion of children. He that was taken in voluntary Adultery, had a thousand stripes with rods, and the woman was mangled upon the nose. The Priests could have but one Wife, but the laity as many as they could keep.  
The bringing up of their children was with small cost, for it came not unto the charge of twenty groats the whole Education of their full age: and and this is not to be marvelled at, because Egypt is a hot Country, and therefore they live naked without any kind of Garment; and they feed upon roots, the which, they eat sometimes raw, and sometimes roasted in Imbers. The Priests did teach their children especially Geometry, and Arithmetic. They did drive away sickness either with fasting or with vomit, the which they used every third day. Their opinion was, that all diseases came of superfluity of meats, and therefore that to be the best cure, which took away the matter and causes.   

The seven Saxon Kingdoms that England was once divided into.  
THe first was the Kingdom of Kent, which had his beginning of the Saxon Hengist, in the year of our Lord 476, and the fifth year of Vortiger King of Britain, his last reign, (for he had been deposed) the Kingdom continued 342 years, till that Egber● King of Westsaxons, vanquished Baldred last King thereof, and joined it to his own Kingdom.  
The second Kingdom was of Sussex, or Southsaxons, which began by the Saxon Ella, in the year of our Lord 482: and the second year of Aurelius Ambrose King of Britain. This Kingdom continued not above 112 years.  
The third Kingdom was of East-angles, or East-Englishmen, and contained Norfolk and Suffolk: it was first begun by the Saxon Vffa, about the year of our Lord 492: and the 11 year of Aurelius Ambrose King of Britain. This Kingdom continued 376 years; the last King whereof was Saint Edmond, martyred by the Danes.  
The fourth was the Kingdom of Westsaxons, containing the West-country of England, and had his beginning by the Saxon Cerdicus, the year of our Lord 522: and the fifth year of Arthur the great King of Britain, and endured from the first year of Cerdicus, to the last of Alured, the term of 378 years. The Kings of this Country subdued at length all the other six Kingdoms, which Egbert began, and Alured finished, making all the South part of this Island one Monarchy.  
The fifth was the Kingdom of Northumberland, containing the Countries betwixt the river of Humber and Scotland, had his beginning of the Saxon Id●, King of Brenicia; the year of our Lord 547: and the second or last year of the reign of Aurelius Canon, King of Britain. This Kingdom of Northumberland was at the first divided into two Kingdoms, the one was called the Brenicia, which bended towards the North, and the other Deyra (about) the Country of Durham: and this Kingdom continued somewhile under one King, sometime under two, the term of 409 years: first under the Saxons, and then under the Danes.  
The sixth Kingdom was of the East Saxons, or Essex, which began by the Saxon Sebert, the year of our Lord about 614, and continued from the beginning of the reign of Sebert, till the eighth year of Edward the elder, 293 years.  
The seventh Kingdom was of Mercia, containing Huntingtonshire, Hertfordshire, Glostershire, and others: and was the greatest of all the other, taking his beginning of the Saxon Penda, in the year of our Lord 626, after the coming of Hengist 126 years: during the reign of Cadwan King of Britain, and continued from Penda, till that Edward the Elder chased out the Danes, about 280 years. These 7 Kingdoms of the Saxons, beside that of Wales and Scotland, were all contained at once in this Island of Britain, and continued a long space.   

The four Monarchies.  
THe first Monarchy was of the Assyrians, founded by Ninus, about the year of the World 2220, augmented by the Queen Semiramis, and after it had endured the term of 1300 years, it was translated by Arbactus unto the Medes: and there having endured 350 years, it was lost by Astyages, and conquered by Cyrsu.  
The second Monarchy was of the Persians, founded by Cyrus, the year of the World 3425, which after it had endured 191 years, was lost by Darius, and subdued by Alexander the great.  
The third Monarchy was of the Grecians, founded by Alexander the great, in the year of the World 3634, and before Christ, 320 years; after whose death it was divided among the Prefects, which in his life-time he had appointed in diverse Countries: by which division Seleucus was King of Syria, Ptolomeus of Egypt, Antigonus of Asia, Cassander of Macedonia and Greece: all which Countries were after subdued by the Romans.  
The fourth Monarchy or Empire was of the Romans, founded by julius Caesar, in the year of the World 3914, after the building of Rome 706 years, and before Christ 47 years. This Monarchy flourished about the space of 470 years, till that after the death of Theodostus the great, it was divided by his two Sons into two Empires: Arcadius was Emperor of Constantinople, which Empire endured (though afterwards much diminished by the invasions of barbarous Nations) until the year of our Lord 1453, and then was quite lost by Constantine, and conquered by Mahomet second King of Turks. Honorius was Emperor of Rome, which Empire shortly after, in the year of our Lord five Hundred Seventy five, and about the ninth Month of the Reign of Augustus, was utterly ruinated and spoilt by Othacar King of Goths. And long after, in the year of our Lord Eight Hundred and one, it was restored by Charles the great, and by him united to the Crown of France; and by his successors translated into Germany, where it yet remaineth as a shadow only, or representation of the greatness and majesty of the ancient Roman Empire.   

How the Torneyments and justes began first in Saxony.  

The Torneyments were first invented in the time of Henry Auceps, the 2 Emperor of Germany in the year of our Lord 934.  HEnry Duke of Saxony, in the year of our Lord 931, being assaulted and encumbered much with Infidels, and Heathen Nations, made an assembly of a great multitude of the Nobility, to assist him in his Wars against the Saracens, wherein he had so good success, that triumphantly he had the victory over them.  
Thus after he had given the repulse to the Infidels, considering what a number of the Nobility he had, daily exercising themselves in Martial acts, thought it meet, that after the end of his long and great Wars, to recreate them with ●ome honest and pleasant exercise: He had compassion over ●hem, because some of them ●●habiting amongst Citizens, ●hould be occupied with civil business, and not in the exercise of noble and honourable pa●imes, meet for such personages as they were: and therefore ●e prescribed certain articles, according to the which they ●hould live, and if they did transgress them, that they should be punished in the open Tornia●ent: these articles were twelve ●n number.  
The first, whosoever of the Nobility, should say or do a●y thing against the Holy faith, ●●e should be restrained from the tournament, and if under ●he colour or excuse of the Nobleness of any of his ancestors, ●ny doth presume to enter the lists or the tournament, let him with shame be driven away.  
The second, whosoever coming of noble blood, doth attempt any thing against the royal Majesty of Caesar, let him be punished openly in the tournament, and of this article was the Author Conradus, a Prince of Palatine.  
The Duke of Franconia was the Author of the third, which is this: Whosoever coming of a noble house, betrayeth has Lord, or forsaketh him, or exciteth to fly away in an Army, without any necessary cause, or slayeth his innocent companions, let him have punishment in the open tournament.  
The Duke of Sueneland made the fourth after this sort: Whosoever coming of Noble Parentage, doth violate or defame by words or deeds, Virgins or Women, let him be openly corrected in the tournament.  
The fifth Article the Duke of Bavaria made in this manner. If any of the Nobility be apprehended or reproved, to have corrupted or falsefied the Seal, or to have violated his Oath, or hath been noted of infamy, let him as unworthy be kept from the tournament.  
The sixth is, if any Nobleman did either secretly or openly slay his wife or bedfellow, or had helped by his counsel or deed to the destroying of the Lord, the law of the tournament should take place against him.  
The seventh, if any did spoil and rob Churches, Chapels, Widows, or Wards, or kept by force that which was theirs, from them, whereas they were rather to be helped and mainta●●ned, that he should be duly corrected for it.  
The eighth, If any noble man were become an enemy to another, and did not maintain h●● cause by lawful order, or by martial law, but would 〈◊〉 his adversary by robberies, 〈◊〉 by destroying of his goods, especially his Wines and Corn, whereby the Commonwealth is endamaged, let him be tormented in the tournament.  
The ninth, If any did presume to make any alteration, or s●● any heavy burden upon others, otherwise then of ancient times were used, howsoever it were done, etc. that he should have his correction in open tournament.  
The tenth, If any were convict of Adultery, etc. in like ●anner let him be amended.  
The eleventh, Whatsoever Nobleman doth not live as a Nobleman should do, etc. in ●●ke manner let him be punished.  
The twelfth, He that will ●e at the tournament, not com●ing of noble parentage, or cannot prove his Nobility in ●ure descents, he may not ●nter into the exercise of the tournament.  
Thus in a brief sum you ●ay see the manner of the Tor●eyment in Saxony.   

The eight Parliaments of France.  
THE chief and generalle● Justice of the Realm 〈◊〉 France, is continually kept 〈◊〉 eight Cities, wherein are Pala●ces made expressly for the pu●●pose: and this general kind o● Justice is divided into eig●● parts, according to the eig●● Cities, and every of them a●● called Parliaments, which diffe● very little from our Tearm●● but whereas these are but fou● times in a year, those are con●tinually kept, each of them halving instead of our Lord Chan●celour a chief Precedent.  
The first and chiefest of these Parliaments is that of Pari● called the Court of the Peered of France: and to the equity ●nd judgement of this Parliament, many foreign Kings and princes have submitted themselves in matters of greatest importance, as to the most veneable and chiefest Senate of Justice in the world. Such were ●●e Emperor Frederick the se●●●nd, called Barberossa, King 〈◊〉 both Scycils, when he submitted himself to the judgement 〈◊〉 this Court of Parliament, as ruching all the controversies 〈◊〉 his Empire and Kingdoms, ●hich he had against Pope In●●cent the Fourth: Philip Prince 〈◊〉 Tarente, and the Duke of burgundy, who submitted themselves to this Parliament, for ●●e controversy betwixt them ●●on the expenses of the recovery of the Empire of Constan●●nople. The Duke of Lorraine●bject ●bject to the Empire, and the Lord Guy of Chastillon, who submitted themselves to the judgement of this Court, as concerning the limitation of their lands and possessions: the Dauphin of Vienna, and the Earl of Sav●y submitted themselves to the judgement of this Parliament, concerning the suit betwixt them, for the homage of the Marquisat of Saluces. Moreover, without the consent of this Parliament, it hath not been seen that the Kings of France have done, or passed any matter of importance touching the state of the Realm, so much is it respected both within the Realm, and abroad. This Court of Parliament was first ordained by Philip the fair, King of France.  
The second Parliament is at Bourdeaux, for the Countries of Guienne, Gascoine, Zaintonge, Perigort, part of Poictou, and others; and was first ordained by Charles the seventh.  
The third Parliament is at Roven, for the Dukedom of Normandy, first made exchequer by Philip the fair, and afterwards continual Parliament by Lewes the twelfth.  
The fourth Parliament is at Tholouze, first ordained for certain times in the year by Philip the fair, and afterwards made continually by Charles the seventh, for the Country of Langue●oc.  
The fifth Parliament is at Grenoble, for the Country of Dauphin, instituted by Lewes the eleventh.  
The sixth Parliament is at Dijon for the Dukedom of Burgundy: it was likewise ordained by the said Lewes the eleventh.  
The seventh Parliament is at Aix, for the Earldom of Provence, appointed by Lewes the 12.  
The eight Parliament is at Renes in Britain, ordained by Henry the second. Of all these Parliaments Paris Parliament is the chief; and certain cases are reserved to be judged only at the Parliament of Paris.   

Of the Oystridge.  
THE Oystridge is found especially in Africa, his head is covered with small hairs, his his eyes be gross and black, his neck is long, his bill is short and sharp, his feet hath as it were a by partite hoof. Pliny saith, that he exceedeth the height of a man on horseback, and that his Wings help him little. But with his Nails which are like Hoofs, he taketh stones, and throweth against those which persecute him: He doth digest whatsoever he devoureth, be it never hard. He is of a marvellous foolishness, for if he hath once hidden his head under a bush, he thinketh himself safe and not to be seen. It is said to be a simple and forgetful thing, and that as soon as it hath brought forth eggs, it forgetteth them, until the young cometh forth, which is thought to be easily done, because they leave the eggs in the warm sand, so that the young may soon be hatched, the which the males do feed and cherish when they are brought forth.  
When he seeth that he cannot avoid taking, he casteth stones against his followers, and many times hurteth them. His Nest is commonly found in the Sand, well made with Bulwarks and Banks, to keep away rain from the young.   

Of the Empire of Cathay.  
THE Empire of Cathay is ruled by the great Cham. With this Nation one man may have many Wives, and when the Husband dyeth, every wife pleadeth her own cause before the Judges, and showeth her merits, so that which of them soever is adjudged to have been the most officious and dearest wife to her husband, she in her best apparel and all her Jewels, as though she had gotten the victory of the other, goeth willingly and merrily unto the heap of Wood, where her husband shall be burnt, and lying down by his carcase and embracing it, the fire is kindled, and so she is burnt with her husband: the other of his wives after this, live in great shame and obloquy. They match not together for Wealth or Nobility, but for excellency of beauty, and procreation sake. The people of Cathay have this opinion, that they think no other Nation to see with both eyes, but themselves; they are persuaded also, that they excel all other in subtlety of Arts and Sciences. It is a white kind of people, without beards, of small eyes, and lacking true piety and due obeisance to God: for some of them worship the Sun, some the Moon, others certain Images of metals, and other some an Ox, so that they be full of monstrous superstition. The Emperor keepeth his Court at his City called Cambalu, which is the noblest Mart in that part of the World: for there is almost never a day throughout the year, but that a thousand Cartloads of Silk almost are changed, and brought there amongst Merchants. The Emperor keepeth in his Court twelve thousand Horsemen to keep his body. Their order of watching is thus: One Captain with three thousand guardeth the King within the Palace for 3 days, and so doth another other 3 days following, and thus they keep their courses. When the Emperor sitteth down to meat, he hath his principal and greatest Queen on his left hand, and his children which be of royal blood, on his right hand, in a lower place. No Man that fits down in this Hall, drinketh, or is served in any other vessel but of Gold: the Princes and Noblemen that serve the King at his meat, cover their mouths with most fine silk clothes, lest they should breathe upon the King's meat or drink, and when the Emperor taketh the pot to drink, all the Musicians begin to make great melody, and the other ministers bend their knees.   

The thirteen Cantons of Switzerland.  
THe inhabitants of Helvetia or Switzerland, after they had emancipated themselves from the yoke of the Empire, and expelled the Nobility of the imperial faction, began to make Leagues and Confederacies one town with another, to fortify themselves by that means against foreign invasions, if any happened. And in process of time, within little more than an hundred years, are increased to the number of 13, which they call Cantons, by which the whole Country of Swiss is governed and defended. And here (according to their antiquity) I place them the first that confederated together, and gave example to the rest, were Vri, Swits, Vndervard, Villages; and these three by little and little, have drawn to their Faction all the rest that follow, Lucerne, Zurich, Cities; Glaris, Zug, Villages: Berne, Fribourg, Soulleurre, Baste, Schaffouse, Cities: Appensel, Village, whereof 7 profess the Romish Religion, viz. Vri, Swits, Vndervard, Zug, Lucerne, Fribourg, and Soulleurre, the rest are Zwinglians: which diversity of Religion hath caused dissension, and mortal Wars of late years among them, although they be all sworn together to defend their Liberty against Strangers.   

The twelve Peers, or Pairs of France.  
IN the Realm of France, to be a Peer is the greatest dignity under the King, for that in many things they have almost equal Authority with Kings, for Peer in the French tongue signifieth equal. But because it may be too prolix a matter to speak of their Prerogatives, it shall suffice to number them, and each of their offices at the sacring or coronation of a new King. These ancient Peers are twelve in number, whereof six are of the Clergy, and six are Laymen: the six of the Clergy with their Offices at the Coronation, are the Archbishop and Duke of Reins, which hath his accustomed charge to oynt and consecrate the King: the Bishop and Duke of Lacon, whose office is to bring the holy Ampoule, or divine water, wherewith the King is anointed; the Bishop and Duke of Langres, whose office is to bring the Sceptre, and the hand of Justice; the Bishop and Earl of Beauvais, bringeth the King's cloak, the Bishop and Earl of chaalon's, bringeth the King's Ring; the Bishop and Earl of Noyon, bringeth the King's Girdle. The six temporal Peers with their offices at the Coronation, are the Duke of Burgundy, Deane or chief of the rest, whose office is to bring the King's crown●: the Duke of Guienne bringeth the first square Banner: the Duke of Normandy bringeth the second square Banner: the Earl of Tholouse bringeth the King's spurs: the Earl of Champain bingeth the Kingly Banner, or the Standert of War: and the Earl of Flaunders bringeth the King's sword. And although the five first temporal Peeredomes be united to the Crown, and the sixth be subject to another Prince, yet at the King's coronation, there are other Noble men appointed to supply their room and offices. These be the twelve ancient Peers, although since their creation others have been made, which though they have like authority to judge in the Court of Parliament, yet they want offices at the King's Coronation, and bear not that majesty that the other Peers do, for that they are not of so great antiquity.   

The four parts of the World.  
EVropa so called from Europa, daughter of Agenor King of Lybia; and of the Phoenicians brought hither (as Poets feign) by jupiter, in the shape of a Bull: but as Historians write, by a Cretan Captain named Taurus, is separated from Asia, as is hereafter shown; and from afric by the Mediterranean sea. It is in length 2800, and in breadth 1200 miles.  
Asia so called from the daughter of Oceanus and The●is, Wife to japetus, and Mother to Prometheus; or as some say, of Asia the son of Manae, King of Lydia; is separated from Europe by the river Tanais, now called Duina, by the Sea called in time past Palus Meotides, now Mare de Zabache: and by Pontus Euxinus: now Mare maiorica; and by part of the Mediterranean Sea: a●d from Africa by the River of Nile, the Red Sea, and the Egyptian Isthmus▪ It stretcheth in length 5200 miles, and in breadth 4560 miles.  
Africa, which some say, is so called of one Affer, of the line of Abraham, is separated from Europe by the Mediterranean Sea, and from Asia by the Red Sea, and the River of Nile. Africa is in length 4155, and in breadth 1920 miles.  
America or West India, so called of Americus Vespusius, but first found out by Christopher Columbus of Genua, the year of our Lord 1492: It is like an Island round about environed with the great Ocean: but the length and breadth no man knoweth. Africa is greater than Europa, Asia then Africa, and America bigger than all.   

The eight times that Rome hath been taken.  
Room was first taken by the Gauls, under the conduct of their Captain Brennus, the year of the Foundation of the City about 365, and the year of the world 4835, and the year before Christ 364. This Brennus is by the Britain and English Chronicles reported to be a Britain, and brother to Belinus, King of Britain; but neither the Chronicles of Rome, nor of Gaul, do speak of any such matter.  
Rome was secondly taken by Alaricke, King of Goths, after he had held his siege to it the space of two years, which befell the year of the Foundation of the City 1164, the year of our Lord 412, and the 25 year of the Empire of Honorius. It is written in the Chronicles of Constantinople, and in other places, that as Alaricke (being a Christian) marched with his Host towards Rome, a certain Monk, of holy life and great authority, came unto him, who having audience, admonished and counselled him to break off that evil purpose, and to remember that he was a Christian, and that for God's sake he would moderate his wrath, and that he should not take pleasure in the shedding of Christian blood, sith that Rome had not in any respect offended him: Unto whom Alaricke answered, Thou must understand man of God, that it proceedeth not of mine own will, that I go against Rome: but contrarily I assure thee, that every day there cometh unto me a man, which constraineth and importuneth me thereunto, saying unto me, Hasten thee, go against Rome, destroy it utterly, and make it desolate. At which words the religious man being astonished, durst not reply, and so the King followed his enterprise.  
Rome was thirdly taken by Gensericke, King of Vandals, the year of the Foundation of the City 1208, the year of Christ 456, who sacked and burned in it many places, which befell in the Empire of Marcian.  
Rome was fourthly taken by Totila King of Goths, who because he could not obtain peace of the Emperor 〈◊〉, commanded the Citizens to avoid the City, and afterwards burned, sacked, and destroyed almost all the City, Walls, and the Capitol, and made it altogether desolate, in so much, that never since it could be repaired according to the first form, although a while after, Bellisarius peopled and repaired a great part thereof▪ and calling again the old inhabitants, fortified and strengthened much the Walls. This desolation happened the year after the foundation the City 1300● after Christ 548, and the 21 year of the Empire of justinian.  
Rome was five taken by the same Totila King of Goths; after that Bellisarius had repeopled and repaired it.  
〈◊〉 Rome was mixtly taken by 〈…〉 and Saracens, followers of Mahomet his Law, which in great multitude came into Italy, and in the year of our Lord 333, fitting in Rome, Gregory the fourth, and governing the Empire Lewes the first, besieged, took, and sacked Rome, profaning the temple of Saint Peter: which done, they returned to their ships, charged with prey and prisoners.  
Rome was seventhly taken by Henry the fourth of that name, Emperor of Germany, sitting in Rome Gregory the seventh: this time Rome was most cruelly destroyed, by reason that both the armies of the Pope and the Emperor skirmished, and fought long within, the City, and the Capitol, which had been before destroyed, was now again repaired, which befell the year of our Lord 1082: Authors write, that Rome was never so much endamaged at any time, as at this, by reason of the lamentable destruction that was done by the Normans on the Pope's side, and Germans for the Emperor.  
Rome was last taken by Char●s the last Duke of Bourbon: who being slain as he scaled the walls at the first assault, and by that chance the Soldiers being in liberty, and without a Head, pitifully destroyed the City, and committed all kind of enormities, and barbarous cruelties, saving that they burned not the Churches, although they spoiled and robbed them to the uttermost: For a great part of the army were Germans, and most of the Germans Lutheran. This adversity happened ●o Rome the year of our Saviour 1527, sitting at Rome Clement the Seventh, and governing the Empire Charles the fifth.   

Six Orders of Chivalry, which continue at this day among Princes.  
THe first and ancientest of these Orders of Chivalry or Knighthood, is the Order of the Garter, instituted the year of our Lord 1348 in Bourdeaux, chief City of the Dukedom of Guyne in France, by Edward 3, King of England, and then possessor of that Dukedom: which Order he consecrated, and dedicated to Saint George: though the motive of the institution thereof, proceeded of the loss of a Garter, which he supposed to have been the Countess of Salisburies': but I refer the Reader to the Chronicle. And it happened in this manner: As one day he was entertaining her with pleasant talk, a Garter chanced to unloose and fall down, the King endeavouring to take it up, wittingly caused such a jest, as moved the Noblemen to laughter: the Countess there at blushing, and blaming that more than seemly familiarity of the King, for that he had caused such a jest among the Assistants, said sharply to him, and the rest, Honi soit qui mal y pense: which Englished, is, Evil to him that evil thinketh. And the King in recompense of his rashness, said forthwith, that before it were long, those Noble men which had made a jest and laughing at the Garter fallen down, should esteem themselves much honoured to wear it for a mark of Honour and Chivalry, and thereupon ordained the said order, and dedicated it to Saint George, and made thereof 26 Knights, and ordained that they should wear their Cloaks of Violet-colour Velvet; their hoods of red Velvet, lined with white Damask▪ their Bases of red Velvet, and under the left knee a blue Garter, buckled with Gold, garnished with precious stones, and about it wrought ●hese words of the Countess of Salisbury; HONI SOIT QVI MALY PENSE, ●nd a colour of Gold, full of red and white Roses, with an Image of S. George hanging thereon: and about these Roses are written those words which are in the Garter. There are of this Order 26 Knights, of which the Kings of England are Sovereign's: and it is so much desired for the excellency, that ● Emperor's, 22 foreign Kings, 20 foreign Dukes, and diverse Noblemen of other Countries have been fellows of it. Abou● their neck they wear a blue Ribbond, at the end of which hangeth the Image of Saint George, upon whose day the Installation of the new Knights is commonly celebrated, being the three and twentieth of April.  
And although it was first ordained at Bourdeaux, yet the said King Edward the 3, would that the siege and place of the solemnising thereof should be at the Church of Windsor, here in England; where at the same 〈◊〉 he founded Canons, or a canonry, for the better prosperity of the Knights of the Order.  
The second order in antiquity, is the Order of the Annunciation, instituted Anno Dom. ●356, by Amede the sixth of that ●ame; Duke of Savoy, and surnamed, the green Knight. The Knights of this Order, wear a great collar of Gold, made winding with three laces, which are called of Love, wherein are interlaced these words, FERT, FERT, FERT, every let●er importing his Latin word, thus, F, fortitudo, E, ejus, R, Rhodum, T; tenuit: that is, His Force hath conquered Rhodes: and at this Collar hangeth an Image of our Lady, and of an Angel saluting her; and for that occasion is called the Order of the Annunciation. The colla● is of 15 links, to show the 15 mysteries of the Virgin, each linke● being inter-woven one with the other, in form of a true Lover's knot. The number is fourteens Knights, the solemnity is held annually on our Lady-day, in the Castle of Saint Peter in Tu●rin. This Earl ordained this Order in memory of Ami●● the great Duke of Savoy, which succoured the Knights of Saint john, when they conquered the I'll of Rhodes upon the Turks, in the year of our Lord 1310.  
The third in antiquity is the Order of the golden Fleece, founded upon the Fable of the golden Fleece, that jason with the other Argonauts went to seek in the I'll of Colchos, which is to say, that he went to the Mine of Gold; or in Analogy to Gideons' Fleece, as some will, and ordained by Philip the second, surnamed the good Duke of Burgundy, in the year 1430: the complete number of which Order were at first 25 Knights, and raised afterwards by the said Philip to 31. Charles the fifth raised them to 51: and now there be as many as the King of Spain will invest with ●t. They wear a Collar of Gold, interlaced with an Iron, seeming to strike fire out of a Flint, the word ex ferro flam●am, and at the end hangs the Fleece, or Toison d'or: Their Clo●ks and Hoods are of Scar●et, guarded with Embroidery ●●ke flames of fire. Philip appointed for the celebrating of ●hat Order St. Andrews day, be●●g the 30 of November. But the Emperor Charles the fifth, (heir of the house of Burgundy, and chief of that Order) changed their apparel, and ordained that their Cloaks should be of Crimson Velvet, and thei● Hoods of Violet colour Velvet, and that underneath they should wear a Cassock of cloth o● Silver.  
The fourth in antiquity is the Order of St. Michael the Archangel, instituted by Lewes the TWO of France, the first day o● August, in the year 14●9: an● ordained that of that Order there should be 36 Knights which afterward were augmen●ted to 300, Gentlemen 〈◊〉 name and of Arms without ●●●proach, of whom he himselve was chief and Sovereign, an● after him his successors King of France. And the brother's companions of this Order were bound, at the receiving thereof, to forsake and leave all other Orders, if any they had, either of a Prince or any company, only excepting Emperors, Kings, and Dukes, which beside this Order, might wear that Order whereof they were chief, with the agreement and consent of the King and brotherhood of the said order: and in like manner the said King of France might wear beside his own, the Order of other Emperors, Kings, and Dukes. And for the connoissance of this Order, and the Knights thereof, he gave ●o every of them a Collar of Gold, wrought with Cockle shells, interlacing one another with a double pointing Ribbon of Silk, with golden Tags, ●he word, Immensi Arenor Oceani. which King Francis the first, because his name was Francis, changed into a white Friars of Franciscans Girdle, made of a twisted cord; and hangeth on that Choler a tablet of St. Michael upon a Rock, conquering the Devil. Of the institution of this order, is made a book, containing 98 Articles, wherein are set down the things whereunto the Knights of this Order are subject.  
The fifth Order is that of the Holy Ghost, instituted by Henry the 3 King of France, on New-year's day, in the year 1579 it was called by the name of the Holy Ghost, because this Henry was on a Whitsonday chosen King of Poland. Of this also is written a Book, containing the Article whereunto the Knight's thereo● are bound. Among the which I have principally noted one, that is, to defend and sustain the Clergy: for the King doth give to every of them the rent of certain Abbeys, religious Houses, or other spiritual lands, whereof they shall allow a certain stipend, to the entertaining of a certain number of religious persons in every religious house under him; and for that benefit are sworn at the entering into the said Order, always to defend the Spirituality, and maintain the Clergy in their privileges; but how they keep their Oath, it is well seen in every place of their spiritual possessions: and thereof myself have oftentimes had oeular experience: for travailing in that Country, and passing oftentimes by goodly religious horses, I have sometimes for recre●ation (having well tried the courteous demeanour, that commonly Religious men use towards strangers that come to view their houses) entered into sundry of them: where I have diverse times been sufficiently informed by the religious, how the King had given the rents and possessions of their houses to the Knights of his Order, with the conditions already rehearsed, which Knights allow them such bare exhibition, that by reason it is not sufficient to entertain the fourth part o● the number by them appointed, almost all of them a● constrained either to forsake their houses, and beg, o● else there to starve: through which occasion, many go●● religious houses are of late fallen in decay for want of reparation, trimming up, and inhabiting, and will do more and more without a redress. And this have I learned in diverse Religious houses beside the common murmuring of the Clergy: and so we may see, how these Knights, called of the Holy Ghost, for to defend and maintain the spirituality, do under pretence thereof, rob, and prodigally waste the spiritual possessions: so that it may seem only to be a policy (under the correction of better judgement) put in the King's head, to diminish spiritual livings (which in that Country are wonderful great) and satisfy his prodigal mind, in rewarding by that means his flatterers; because through his exceeding lavishness, he is scarce able otherwise to reward them. The Bishop of Rome considering what dismembering of Church-lands, and decay of God's service cometh through this Order in the Realm of France, will not grant the confirmation thereof, although the King hath been instant for the same: but notwithstanding the Pope's misliking thereof, the Order is maintained, though to the great weakening of the Religion in that Country: Yea, at the last celebration thereof, which was on New-year's day even, 1581., I saw three Bishops were admitted into that Order. The Collar is of Flowers de lys, and flames of Gold, with a Cross, and a Dove on it pendant, representing the Holy Ghost, wrought in Orange-tauny Velvet, garnished about with silver beams, which the Knights of that Order wear upon their Cloaks, before their heart. Their robe is a black Velvet Mantle, powdered with Lilies and flames of Gold and Silver. None are admitted to this Order, who cannot prove their Nobility by 3 descents at least.  
The sixth Order is of the Bath, brought first into England 1●99 by Henry the Fourth: They are created at the Coronation of Kings and Queens, and the installation of the Princes of Wales: Their duty is to defend true Religion, Widows, Maids, Orphans, and to maintain the King's rights.   

Of the Cannibals.  
THe Cannibals are wild people, feeding upon man's flesh, which is a very sweet kind of flesh. If they get or find any children within the age of 14 years, they feed them, and cram them as we do Capons, but those which are beyond 14 years of age, they kill them out of hand, devouring their hot guts immediately and the other parts of their bodies they salt, and lay up as we do powdered flesh: they eaten women, but keep them onel● for the bearing of children, 〈◊〉 we do Hens for eggs.  
If any for age is past child bearing, she doth all drudge●ry like unto a bondwoman they have no houses, but the erect many trees together, and so combine them in the top that it serveth for lodging. Their beds be made of Silk and Hey, they have no Iron, but they use bones instead of Iron, they dress their meat in earthen pots, mingling the flesh of Parats, Geese, Ducks, and man's flesh together. They are now come to more civility than they had in times past.   

Of the Lyon.  
Lions live in many Countries, in Africa they have a cruel and terrible look, and thin hairs. Pliny thinketh that his especial valiancy is, when his maine covereth his neck and shoulders. In Africa for the scarcity of waters, many wild beasts meet together at some one puddle, where males and females of diverse kinds use natural conjunction whereof cometh monstrous young. Aristotle saith, that the she Lion hath at her first generation five young, and that every year-after, she bringeth forth less by one, until she wax barren, and that her young are without shape or fashion, about the bigness of a Weasel. Herodo●us and Gellius thinketh the contrary, that she bringeth forth one every year. Democritus saith, this beast only, is bred and brought forth with open eyes, and that he is given to little sleep, as it may appear, because his tail is often wagging as he sleepeth. The Male Lion maketh urine like unto a Dog, which is strong in savour. The Lion's drink seldom, they feed every other day, after satiety they be without meat for 3 days, they devour such things as they can wholly: they live long. The Lion only of all fierce and cruel beasts, showeth clemency towards the humble: for he spareth the prostrate, and when he rageth he useth his violence rather against Men than Women. He never uttereth his Force against infants and children but being driven with great Famine thereto. His tail is a note of his mind and stomach, (as the ears be in a horse) for if his tail stirreth not, he is gentle and peaceable, the which is a rare thing, for he is most commonly angry. He keepeth his desire of revenging long, against any that hatve hurt him, being wounded, he doth note and mark him that gave the wound, and in a great multitude will invade him. His bones are sound, and not hollow, whereof some write, that out of his bones fire may be stricken as out of stones, and therefore sometimes he is so raging with anger, and in such a burning heat, that he dyeth presently.  
He is never exasperate or moved, but either by famine or hurt. This one thing is to be noted in so cruel a beast, that wheels runned about, and empty Carts, and the combs and singing of Cocks doth make him afraid, but especially he is afraid of fire.   

Of the people called the Nigrites and others.  
THere is a kind of people nigh unto the confines of the west Arabians, called Azanagi, whose colour is betwixt black and ash-colour: they live with Barley and Dates, and Camels milk, and because they are near unto the Nigrits, they feed sometimes upon diverse kind of pulse: they be no great feeders, for the scarcity of victuals maketh them to suffer and tolerate much famine. The Portugals use merchandise with them in these our days. They cover their heads with a linen roller, whereof one part hangeth down by the Forehead, so that they cover all their mouth therewith. For they are almost as much ashamed to show their mouths as their privy parts, and therefore they keep their mouths close, never opening them, except it be to take meat, and that because they would not let any filthy air and vapour to slip out thereby. They do greatly esteem fat and corpulent women, and such as have large and fair breasts and dugs. Within this Country the travail of six days journey will bring a man to a place called Tagaza, from whence is brought much plenty of Salt, the which is carried away upon Camels backs into diverse places, and especially to the Kingdom called Melli. The people called Mellitae be somewhat beyond the Equinoctial, and have most fervent heats, and therefore at certain times in the year their blood is infected, so that if they had no remedy by Salt, they could not live by any means: their Salt is divided into such lumps, that one salt stone is enough to be borne upon one man's shoulders. But when they come to the Country called Melli, they load one Camel with two salt stones, as for the poorer sort, that are not able to have Camels, they carry their Salt upon their shoulders, and some upon their heads, and that in such a company, that they seem almost in multitude like unto an army of men.  
This Salt they bring unto a great water, where every one dischargeth his burden of Salt upon the Land, and make great Hills thereof, leaving a certain sign for the true knowledge of every man's heap, this done they depart: and then cometh the Nigrits, who will not be known, nor yet talk with any other kind of people, they come near with their ships▪ and where they see and perceive the heaps of Salt, they lay great store of Gold neigh unto every heap of Salt, even as they think it convenient for the Merchandise, and agreeable to equity for the exchange, and then they depart, leaving the Gold and Salt together. The Nigrits which went a far off return again, and every one looketh upon his own heap▪ and if the Gold that was left by it, pleaseth him, and seemeth sufficient for the exchange, than he taketh the said Gold away▪ leaving the Salt behind him and not minding to return again. If the heap of Gold doth not seem unto them sufficient for the exchange of the heap of Salt, than they leave both still, and depart again in some secret place, minding to come again within a little after. But those Nigrits which cannot abide to be known, come again to the said place, and take away such heaps of Salt, as they see the Gold to be taken from; or else they add a little more Gold to the heap that was left before, or otherwise they carry away their Gold, leaving the Salt still, if the bargain please not them. And thus do they use their Merchandise, so that the one seeth not the other, and that by an old custom. It is a great labour with these Nigrits to carry their salt upon their shoulders, because they lack all manner of beasts meet for that carriage almost, the which cometh through the unfruitfulness of the earth: for they have very little store of Grass, and that which they have is pestilent also; and therefore they daily drink water, wherein a little salt hath been resolved, and this is their greatest remedy and most especial medicine. They never have rain but in August, September, and October. But these men that come after this sort, and exchange Gold for Salt, without any talk of bargain or sale, are thought to be marvellous black, having their lower lip hanging down to the breast somewhat red, and within excoriate and chapped, so that blood cometh out, but the upper lip is small like unto ours▪ and for this cause all their teeth may be seen, which are a great deal bigger than ours: their lips are also thought to putrify many times for the heat of their Country, for the remedy whereof they use the benefit of salt.   

Of Prester john's land.  
THE rule and dominion of Prester John is large, and of great compass, this Country excelleth in Riches, in Gold, Silver, and precious Stones. Some say, that the Aethiops living under Prestor john, are very good Christians, and that fourteen Kings do homage and obeisance to the Emperor Prester john, whereof some be tributary also to him. The great almoner of Prester john promiseth himself to fight for the Holy-land. It is written, that Thomas the Apostle was buried in the Kingdom of Aethiope. There be beasts also in this Country, that have seven Horns in their Foreheads. There be white Camels and white Bears, and Horses with two horns: It is also said, that there be Birds or Fowls in this Country, which with their talons and nails, will carry away an Ox or an Horse to feed their young.  
In some part of this Country it is thought that there be men with horns, and such as have but one eye before them, and two behind them; and some people that feed upon man's flesh, and devour their own parents, and slay, and eat those that are aged. And another kind of people that hath Feet like un●o horse-feetes, and very round. Their Women dwell severally, and have three Kingdoms. The ●hree Queens of Amazons set ●orth, and make preparations to Wars with 300000 soldiers of women.  
The Pygmies in Africa be good Christians. The King of the Pygmies war against the fowls which destroy fruit, and his people driveth them away with their voices.  
It is said also, that there be certain Monsters, which above the loins are seen form like unto men, and beneath the loins unto horses. The Aethiopians have an artificious way to take Lions and Unicorns. There have been seen in times past, Giants of three score and ten cubits in compass: and now in these days it is said, that many great Giants be there seen o● thirty and five cubits in height. The bird which is called a Ph●●nix, and liveth three hundred years and more, is said, to be set on fire, and burnt through the heat of the Sun, and that of her ashes, there springeth another young one. There is great store of Pepper gathered in the woods, which are full of Serpents and Scorpions. And men having heads like unto dogger, are said to be very cunning in fishing. Other people there are which have their faces in their breasts, they be strong and swift runners, and great searchers of Gold and Silver. Many other such trifles & incredible things the jews do fable upon the land of Prester john, which are so far beyond all credit and likelihood of truth, that I thought it better to omit them, then to occupy the reader in idle spending the time about them.   

Of the Mice of the Alps.  
THere is a kind of Mice about the Alps almost as most as big as Coneys, and not much unlike unto Coneys, saving that their ears are shorter, and their tails be long, almost 8 inches in length, their foreteeths be long and sharp, ●nd if they be provoked they ●ite cruelly, their thighs be ●hort, and very hairy under the ●elly; they have feet somewhat ●●ke unto bears, with long claws, wherewith they dig and under●ine, and make very deep caverns and holes: they will eat ●f bread, flesh, fish, apples, or ●ard eggs, and when any such thing is offered unto them, they take it with their former claws, and sitting on their buttocks after the manner of Apes they feed and eat. They be delighted much with white meats, as Milk, Cheese, and butter, and if they get any bread dipped in milk, they eat it up every bit, and making a noise with their chaps like unto Swine, when they feed upon sauce. When they play together they bark and jar like unto whelps. They be much give● to sleep, and when they are waking,, they be always given either to play, or to do something, as to gnaw with the●● teeth, or to scrape with the●● claws; or else they carry 〈◊〉 their mouths something fro● place to place, especially su●● soft and tender things, as may good for their nests, as Hay, Straw, Linen, and such like, and they fill their jaws so full therewith, that they be not able to receive any more. If the cloth which they carry be of greater proportion than their mouths can hold, than they drag it behind them on the ground. Some of them have grey hairs, and some have red. When they live thus wild upon great hills and mountains, and are minded to go seek their prey and food, one of them standeth in an high place, to warn them that be abroad seeking their preys, if any fear or enemy be at hand, and if he perceiveth any body coming, than he barketh, at whose noise, all the other catch as much hay as they can, and come running away, and this is strange which they use.  
Sometimes one and sometimes another lieth down upon his back, and as much Hay as may be laid upon his Breast and Belly, he claspeth and keepeth fast with his feet, and then another of his fellows getteth him by the tail, and draweth him with his prey into his nest, and this provision they make for their nests to sleep the better in Winter. When they see a man or beast pass by the mountains, they bark and jar, and strait ways all the other take that for a warning to run to their nests. About Autumn's they hide themselves in their nests; the which they make so close, that no Air nor Water may scare them: they lie hidden, and sleep all the whole winter, yea, six or seven months' without any meat, rowlin● themselves round like unto a Hedgehog; the inhabitants observe and mark the place of their nests, and dig the earth, until they come unto them, where they find them so oppressed with deep sleep that they carry them and their nests to their houses, and there do they not wake from sleep, if it be Winter, except they be heat by some great fire, or warm beams of the Sun. There be commonly found in one nest, 7, 9, or 13. Where any of them be kept tame at home, and be restrained from scraping & under-mining the earth, there ●hey heap up and carry to their nests every rag, or piece of garment which they get, and there●n they wrap themselves up and ●leepe all the Winter. Their ●lesh is much desired of women great with Child, and of those that have pain and griping in the guts, and of such as desire to be provoked to sleep. And many that have been troubled with the colic, anointing their bellies with the fat and grease of this Mouse, have found great ease.   

Of the Unicorn.  
SOme say the Unicorn is like unto a Coalt of two years and a half old: In his forehead there groweth an horn which is black, in the length of two or three cubits: his colour is tawny like a Weasel, his hea● like an Hart, his neck not long his main very thine, hanging only upon the one side, h● shanks be small and thin, th● hooves of his former feet be d●●vided like an Ox, and almost representing a Goat's foot. Of his hinder feet his outward part is hairy and rough. The King of Ethiope hath some store of these beasts, this beast is not commonly taken alive.  
Some travellers have examined these Countries of the Unicorn, but never saw any; only there is a beast which very much resembleth him, and most think it only to be a beast which is commonly called a Rynocheros, which hath been seen.   

The three several Crowns of the Emperors of Rome.  
THe first Crown is of Silver, when he is crowned at Aquisgrane, for the Realm of Germany, and is kept at Aix the Chapel. The second Crown is of Iron, when he is crowned at Milan, for the Realm of Lombardy, and is kept at Modene, a little town not far from Milan. And the third is of Gold, when he is crowned at Saint Peter in Rome, for the Empire of Rome, where it commonly remains, being kept with 3 several keys, by the 3 several Arch-Bishops, and the keys one of Iron, one of Silver, and the other of Gold.   

Septem-Viri, or the seven Electors of the Emperor of Germany.  
THe election of the Emperors of Germany is in this sort, the seven Prince's Electors, called septem Viri, meet early, about six of the clock in Romaneo, there they consult until nine, from thence they go in solemn order into St. bartholmew's: whereof there be 3 Ecclesiastical, and 4 Temporal; the 3 Ecclesiastical, that is to say, the Archbishop of Mentzes, called the Arch-chancellor of high Germany, being the first, next the Archbishop of Collen, called the Arch-chancellour of Italy: and then follows the Archbishop of Tryers, called the Arch-chancellor of France, all in their state be-fitting so great a Majesty: Then the four temporal, that is to say, the marquis of Brandenburg, great Chamberlain of the Empire, with a massy key of Gold: then the Duke of Saxony Lord high Marshal, beareth the Sword before the Emperor● then the Count Palatine of Rhine Carver to the Emperor; and likewise Arch-sewer in carrying the Plate to the table: then the King of Bohemia. Taster, or else Cupbearer to the Emperor for the triumph: These are the only Electors of the Emperor and after some other Ceremonies; they descend from their seats, and there before the audience take a solemn oath, one after another, in these words following.  
I Do swear upon this Evangelist before me, that with all my faith which I owe unto God, my diligence and care which I owe unto the Empire, without former reward, or future hope of greater Honour, that I will choose with all Faith and truth a just and a fit man for the Kingdom of ROME, as much as in me lieth.  
After this oath is ministered unto the 7 Prince's Electors severally one after another, they return to their seats: where they sing most solemnly with Organs, Shawms, and other Music, 〈◊〉 Creator.  
Then they withdraw themselves into the Council house half an hour, (the door being locked) they call the Peers of Germany unto their Council house, as messengers unto the Emperor, to signify their Election, and to desire the Emperor, in name of the Electors of his good will herein, and if his Majesty would vouch safe to come to the Church of St. bartholmew's at Frankford, a place as Westminster is in England. or St. Dennis in France.  
If the Emperor come he is received by the Archbishop of Mentzes the Duke of Bavaria, and the rest of the Electors at the Church door according to their custom, and there with solemnity they bring him into the Council house in his Imperial robe, and his Diadem on his head to accept of this Election: and from thence they come forth into the Church: the Emperor unto his Imperial seat: the new elected King lead between the aforesaid 4 Bishops unto the Altar, according to the wont rites of their Elections, they set the King, and there he is crowned King by the Electors.  
Te Deum etc. is sung, than the Trumpets, Bells, Guns, and all kind of sounding is there, and after all this is done, they lead the King unto his Royal seat, provided in the midst of the Church, and there proclaim him KING of the Romans, and heir of Augustus. Thus shortly have I laid down the manner of the Election of the Emperors of Germany.   

Of the birth of Alexander, and of the Macedonian Feasts.  
THe Macedonians likewise upon the birthday of the great Alexander, by the decree and commandment, first of Philip, Alexander's Father, who during his life kept solemnly a most royal Feast for 3 several days. The first and the greatest Feast was for his son Alexander's birth: The second cause was, for that his Lieutenant General Parmeni● had gotten a noble triumphant victory over the Acaians. The third cause was, for that his horses and Chariots won the Garlands at the games of Olympia: this happened all in one day, on which day Alexander the great was borne. The same very day the great Temple of Diana was burnt by Herostratus, to become thereby famous, at what time the Priests of Diana cried out, Magnum Asiae malum nasci. This Feast Triplicia was long time after Alexander, observed by the Macedonians, and yearly solemnised in memory of Alexander's Nativity, with great triumph and pomp, upon the day of his birth, called Laeta & fortunata Macedonum dies: on which day the Macedonians used to wear the picture of Alexander about their necks in Jewels, and on their fingers in Rings.  
This day they used sacrifice, and celebrated plays & diverse kinds of games. Argiraspides▪ alexander's chief soldiers, celebrated the Feast of Alexander's nativity as long as they lived, & disdained to serve under King Antigonu●, or any other King after Alexander died: Even so H●motimi, chief soldiers under Cyrus, refused to serve under Cambyses: and so of Achilles Myrmidons: and of Pyrrhus Dolopes. I may speak of others who refused (after renowned & valiant Kings) to serve wicked Princes, and cruel Tyrants.   

The several Trophies of worthy Captains.  
BEfore Rome had grown to any greatness, the first Kings triumphed on foot into the City, as Romulus, who, though he triumphed over King Achron, whom he slew in a combat challenged, yet he carried upon his shoulders the rich spoils of the same King, being set in order upon a young green Oak, as trophies of triumphs. So did Cor. Cossus, who slew (fight in field hand to hand) Tolumnius, General of the Tuscans; and so did Marcellus, who likewise slew Britomarus, King of the old Gauls, before they were called Frenchmen: this honour happened to none of the Romans beside, for Rome yet was scant heard of: but afterwards their triumphs grew unto such a pomp, that some were carried in triumphant Chariots, drawn with huge Elephants, as Pompey the great in his triumphs over Africa: some were carried with their triumphant Chariots drawn with tamed Lions, others drawn with tamed Hearts, as Aurelianus: others drawn with great Tigers, as Heliogabalus: others drawn with monstrous Mares, Hermaphrodites, and others, drawn with huge large dogs: so that the Romans far excelled all Kingdoms in their triumphs; especially in their last Dictator's and and Consuls before their Emperor's time: for Pompey the great, in his three triumphs over Africa, Asia, and Europe, carried Captives 339 King's Children, Princes, Peers, and Noble men as prisoners, to stand pledges in Rome: among this number, he brought Aristobulus, King of judea, and Lygranes, King of Armenia, five sons and two daughters of King Mythrydates.  
Others brought in their triumphs, the Images and Statues of the Kings which were slain, or otherwise died before they could be taken Captives, as Lucullus brought the stratue or picture of Mithidates, set out and painted very lively in Ensigns.  
Scipio carried in his triumph at Carthage, the Image of Asdrubal, Hanibals Brother.  
So Augustus brought the Image of Cleopatra to Rome in his triumph, after she slew herself, to bear company with her friend Marcus Antonius.  
Others brought in their triumphs Kings alive, as julius Caesar brought King juba and his son, with all their treasures of Mauritania in great triumphs and pomp into Rome.  
Marius' brought in his triumph jugurth with all spoils and wealth of Numidia, with all the solemnity that could be.  
Paulus Emilius triumphed over Perseus, King of Macedonia, and his children, whom he conquered, and brought captives and prisoners into Rome.  
Others brought in their triumphs, with all pomp and solemnity, crowned with Laurel and Olive garlands, the forms, likenesses, and pictures of Mountains, Hills, Woods, Cities, Towns, Rivers, situated in those regions whom they conquered.  
Lu. Cornelius Scipio after he had put Antiochus the great to flight, he carried in his triumph into Rome, the likeness and form of 130 Cities and towns which he conquered in Asia, and therefore was surnamed Asiaticus.  
Lu. Silla in like manner carried all the Cities of Greece, set ●ut very lively on large Ensigns, and painted bravely on ●anners and flags.  
So did Marcellus carry the picture of the City Siracusa in his triumph, set out on long Tables.  
So did Caesar carry the likeness and form of the River Nilus, and the River of Rhyne●n ●n long tables painted, with the pictures of Scipio and Cato: So ●hat nothing escaped the Romans in their triumphs, for the greatness of the Empire grew daily such.   

Of the birth of Mahomet.  
THe nativity of Mahomet, which was upon Friday, is unto this day among the Turks solemnly celebrated with diverse ceremonies and sacrifices in remembrance of his birth, every Friday through the year, but especially upon Good Friday, in contempt of our Saviour Christ, the Turks have such a royal Feast, that the charges of that one days feast far surmounteth all the other 51 Feasts.  
The Arabians honour the nativity of their Mahomet so much, that they begin the year, and make their computation of time from the birthday of Mahomet by the name of this word Hegyra, as the Spaniards were wo●● of long time after they were subdued by the Romans, to number their years from Augustus Caesar's Reign, by these 4 letters, A, oer, a: which is, Annus ●rat Augusti. These Infidels and Pagans observe a memorial for the nativities of their Kings and Princes throughout the whole world.  
In Persia the birth of Cyrus upon the 16 day of the Month Lois.  
In Macedonia the nativity of Alexander the great, upon the Ides of February.  
And in Rome the nativity of Romulus, upon the 21 day of September.  
In like sort the nativity of julius Caesar, upon the fourth of the Ides of july.  
The nativity of Nerva upon the 4 Calend of December.  
The Nativity of Adrian upon the 6 Calend of November.  
Of Antonius pius upon the first of April.  
Of Gordianus upon the 13 of january.  
Of Constantine the great, upon the 4 Calend of Febru●ary.  
And so of Traiane, Vespasian, and others, whose Nativities were with great honour observed, and with great dignity of triumphs, feasts, sacrifices, games, and plays, with all pomp and glory in remembrance of good King's nativities, solemnised: For Beata resp●●● cui princeps Philosophus.  
All the Kingdoms of the World in their feast Nataliti●, in memory of the most happy state of a good King, used all kind of strange inventions to magnify their Kings: the Egyptians in their Pyramids and Obelisks: the Grecians in their triumphant Arches, and Pillars: the Persians with feasts and banquets, solemnised the Nativities of their Kings, and the Romans excelled with sundry pomps of triumphs, to set forth ●he dignities of their Kings, Dictator's, and Consuls. Others ●n the sacred Wood Aricin●m, do sacrifice to Diana with ●heir pomp of Peplon, & c Beside such magnificent and triumphant Games and Plays to set ●orth the dignities of the feast Natalitia, in memory of good prince's nativities. As at A●ens Magna Panathenaea, first ●stituted by Ericthonius, to ho●our Minerva every fifth year. ●n like manner as the games ●f Olympia, was by Hercules, celebrated to honour jupiter or Isthmia, was by Thaeseus made to honour Neptune: So in Rome the great Plays and Games, called Ludi triumphal●● Ludi Natalitij were only to● that effect invented, to magnify good Princes, and to record their worthiness with Feasts, Triumphs and Plays, in memory of their nativities. For 〈◊〉 this feast of Natalitia, the common people assembled together with sweet flowers, green herbs: some made them booths with Oken boughed and some tents, covered wit● with long Reeds, with grea● banquets, and much mirth, 〈◊〉 honour the nativityes of King● The Roman shepherd's dres● upon that day their sheepe-●●● with green rushes, sweet flowers, with branches and bough● they, their Wives and Families with nosegays and garlands, with Bagpipes and fiddles celebrated their feast Natalitia at the birth of any King, Dictator, or Consul of Rome.  
In other places they celebrated the games Saturnalia in December: their games Sigillaria in january: the Games Lupercalia in February. But in Athens their Bacchanalia is solemnised in November: where the Ministers and Priests of Bacchus and Diana, by the names of Mimallones, Sileni, M●nades Bacchaes, Satyrae, etc. all crowned with Ivey Garlands, and with Ivey spears in their hands, singing the song of Dithirambos, dancing Enoplia with the pomp of Peplon to honour Bacchus: then how ought we to celebrate the Natalitia and inauguration of our England's joy, the establisher of our peace, King james of blessed memory, and also his sacred Majesty who is the greatness of great BRITAIN, and the unparallelled pattern to all Kingdoms, of Piety and Religion, of whom it may be truly said, 
With Graces three, with Muses nine,  
With Sibyls twelve can he  
With three the fourth, with nine the tenth  
With twelve the thirteenth be.    

Of the inauguration and anointing of the great Duke of Muscovia, with the ceremonies at their Coronation.  
AT the Coronation of the great Duke of Muscovia, 〈◊〉 the States of Muscovia, whic● they call Camesi, assemble together at Saint Michael, their chief Temple, the day appointed for the Coronation: the City is so strawed with flowers and sweet odours, and set forth with boughs, that their triumph is great, feasting according to the custom of the Muscovites. The great men meet the Duke, or the Emperor, and ●ring him into the Temple: who ●t his coming into the Temple, an old fatherly man meeteth him, having on a long garment down to the ground, Bombycina veste. This embraced the Emperor most courteously, for ●ee was the Metropolitan of Muscovia, or the chief Priest, which they call Princeps sacro●um, whose authority and command in that Country is very great.  
In the midst of the Temple was made a Theatre with seats to fit on, and with stairs to pass to every place of the Theatre, being set forth with most sumptuous shows: the feat of the Emperors was made most royal; and with great magnificence, sitting in Scamno, with a rich purple cap on his head, beset with Gold and precious stones: a precious garment wrought with Gold, and laced close at his breast, called Bombycina vestis, his hands so be set with Jewels, that only the Emperor's hands and his head were to be wondered at.  
Now the Emperor being in his Palace, the States and the great men in their feats, the chief Priest, or the Metropoli●tan turneth his face, and looketh upon the Emperor, saying My most loving Son, and great Duke of Muscovia, now the Gods have placed thee in the highest Tower of Fortune, and in the great state of Dignity, not to harm or hurt thy people, but to help and to guide them: not to devour them, but to relieve them; ministering Laws and justice to every man alike, laying before thine eyes, the noble Examples of the best Emperors: thy Father brought much calamity, and wrought many dangers to this Empire.  
Wilt thou defend thy Country with justice, and with arms, make much of good men, and subdue the wicked. If thou do this, we thy Citizens here will pray unto the regal Gods of supernal and infernal power to bless thee with much felicity, that in thee we may see our Country flourish.  
This being done, the people make great joy▪ and triumph form the highest to the lowest: and therewithal much money is thrown among the vulgar people.  
I could not read of any crown, nor of any other monuments among the Muscovites, for it seemed by the tyranny of the Emperors, that they use very few godly ceremonies.  
I should have set down, at the coming of the great Duke through the street, the people's throng was such, that many were with naked swords to make way for the Emperor to pass by, who commanded by all rigour and extremity to keep the people off.   

The Nativity of our Saviviour Christ.  
THe Nativity of our Saviour Christ seemed so simple, his life so poor, and his death so ●gnominous, that he was a stumbling block to the jews, and a laughing stock to the Gentiles: they so thought, for that he was borne in Bethlem a little village in judea, & that he lived, and was conversant among simple people, without pomp and glory, and that he died the death of the cross with reproach and shame, supposing him to be a Carpenter's son, but they were deceived; his birth was most glorious, the appearing of the Star proved it, ●he descending of Angels singing Gloria in excelsis, did manifest it, the coming of Magis from the East, did confirm it: his life was most Imperial, commanding Water into Wine, the blind to see, the lame to go, the sick to health, and the dead to rise. His death was most triumphant: with the song of Hosanna he vanquished Devils, subdued Hell, and conquered the world, and said, Consummatum est. Therefore his nativity is to be solemnised of all Christians, his life to be worshipped, and death to be glorified with Al●elujah, Hosanna, and Gloria in excelsis, songs triumphant, and fit for Jesus Christ our Saviour.   

Of the ancient and strange ceremonies at the Election of the Prince of Carinthia.  
CArinthia, is a Province where the Sclavonians speech is spoken, where manners and customs are most strange, and the like Ceremonies not read of. When any new elected Prince entereth into his government, he is brought into a fair large valley, where was wont to be an ancient City, where some monuments are left as relics, so that time wear out the name of it. In a wide fair meadow hard by, a marble stone is erected, upon the which stone a Rustical fellow standeth, which by succession of blood that place and office by heritage doth possess. There he hath hard by him a deformed lean Mare, and an old lean Ox, and the Rustical Country people in heaps about him.  
On the farther side of the meadow is the new Prince with his Barons and States about him, with great pomp, very richly attired, all in Purple, having the Prince's Ensigns and his Arms, and 12 Banners carried solemnly before him, the Prince being apparelled like a poor simple country man, in old broken garments, his cap bare, and his shoes worn, with a country staff in his hand, seeming rather more like a shepherd then a Prince: who coming nigh to the Clown that standeth upon the stone, he cryeth out in the Sclavonian tongue, and asketh, who is this that is coming here so proud, the Barons and the States answer, he is a Prince of the Country: then the Country man from the Marble stone demands again,  
Is this man a right and just Judge? Doth he seek the benefit and wealth of this Country? Is ●he of honest and virtuous condition? Is he a sound Christian in religion? Will he defend the true faith? And is he worthy of this honour?  
To whom all the States and Barons answer, he is, and shall be. Again he saith, I ask you by what law and right should I be removed from this seat? The County of Goritia answereth: for money this place is bought: then this Ox, and this Mare shall be thine, and all the Garments which the last Prince did put off, & thy hou●e shall be free without any tribute. Then the countryman descendeth, and meeteth the Prince, and striketh him a little on the cheek, saying, I command thee to be a good just Prince: then he taketh his Mare and his Ox, and giveth the place to the Prince, who straight standeth upon the Marblestone, taking a naked Sword into his hand: first, he doth flourish it one way, than he doth flourish it another way, promising thereby equal Justice to the people: there they bring water in a Countrey-mans cap to drink, to signify unto the Prince, that he should abstain from wine. After these ceremonies, the Prince cometh down from the Marblestone, and is brought to the Temple called, Our Lady's Chapel, which was the seat (sometime) of a Bishop: then from thence, after some sacrifice which was to be used, all things done and performed, the Prince putteth off the rustical garments that he put on before, to perform the custom and ceremonies of the Country, and weareth his princely wont attire: and after he had feasted with his Barons and his Nobility, he returned to the meadow again, where the Marblestone was, and sitteth there on his Tribunal seat, to hear causes pleaded, and to give judgement according to Justice: this is the manner and strange custom of the election of any Prince in Carinthia.  
So strange were the customs and manners in old time, aswell at the election and coronation of Princes, as also in their ceremonies and Sceptres.  
For the first Kings of the world used for their Sceptres, long gilded spears.  
The old Kings of Rome used a crooked staff, called Lituus.  
Tarquiniu● Priscus the 5 King of Rome, had his Sceptre of Ivory.  
The Kings of India had their Sceptres of Ebony.  
The Lydians carried before their King's great Axes.  
The Kings of Sicily used a silver staff for their Sceptre.  
The Babylonians used diverse kinds of Sceptres, with sundry figures, as of Lions, Eagles, etc.   

The manner of the funeral pomp of the Grecians.  
IN other parts of Greece they used more solemn mournful ceremonies at the Funeral of their Kings and Princes: ●hey took down their Bulwarks and Fortresses of Wars, ●hey untile their Temples, they subvert their Altars, they reject ●nd depose their Idols: they put ●ut their fire, and the men shave ●oth their heads and beards, and ●hey clip their horses, and left ●othing undone that seemed mournful: Then all the Priests, magistrates, young Gentlemen, ●nd children, carried Trophies ●nd Monuments of the dead ●ing, with his Ensigns and ●rmes crowned with Garlands, ●●cording to the custom of ●reece. The Noblemen carried diverse great Cups or Bowls: some full of Wine, others full of Milk, and some full of Blood, all in white Garments▪ others carried Hony and Cakes, which should be sprinkled, and cast upon the funeral fire: at what time, they sung Hymns, Odes, and songs, called Ialem●● in the praise of the dead Prince: and lastly when the King is solemnly thus burned, the Prince's and great men of his blood, should carry his Ashes in Golden pots, crowned over with all kind of sweet flowers, which should be a memory or Trophy of the dea● King.  
The Grecians had also these customs at the funeral of thei● dear friends, as Parents, Brethren, Sisters: both the Men and Women should have thei● long hair, and offer it upon the Hearse of the dead: So Achilles solemnised the funeral of his dear friend Patroclus, cutting the fore locks of his hair, to set it among many other of Patroclus friends upon his Hearse or Tomb.  
Euripides funeral was of Ar●b●laus King of Macedonia so honoured, that he lamented Euripides death with mourning apparel, and with a sha●en head and beard, according to the use and custom of the Macedonians.   

The great pomp and solemnity at the inauguration of the Pope of Rome.  
THe Pope of Rome at his inauguration, excelled all other Princes in solemnity and pomp, for after that the Pope is new elected by the whole College of Cardinals; he cometh from his Palace of Saint Angelo, with great glory and honour towards Saint Peter's Church: First the Officers, as Stewards, Controllers, Treasurers, and chief Rulers, apparelled all in long Scarlet-gownes. Secondly, the Knights of Rome: Thirdly, the Barons, Counts, and Marquesses: Then the Abbats: then followed the Bishops, after the Bishops, the Archbishops in their long Pontifical garments, with silver Mitres, richly beset with stones. After came 3 degrees of Cardinals, Deacon-Cardinals, Priest-Cardinals, and Bishop-Cardinals. The Pope with passing pomp is carried upon men's shoulders in Cellagestatoria, with his triple Crown on his head, full of precious stones, and with a most sumptuous and precious robe, wrought over very artificially with Gold, and set with diverse stones, and so carried in pomp to St. Peter's Church upon King's Ambassadors shoulders.  
After some prayers and sacrifice done, he is again upon men's shoulders carried from St. Peter's into Saint Andrews Chapel, where after many rites and ceremonies finished, which were provided for his inauguration, he is taken up again into his golden chair from St. Andrew's Chapel, where Andrew the Apostles head is presented: thence he is carried to the Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul: thence carried from place to place by the Legates and Ambassadors of all the Kings of Christendom, then being in Rome, representing the states of Kings and Emperors.  
Oh superbum animal: for between golden and silver Crosses, the Mitres of Bishops, and Cardinals Hats, shining as stars with diverse kinds of precious stones, with Jewels: the Pope's triumphant carriage under such● regal Canopy, with his triple Crown, his rich and Pontifical garments, blessing the people, passed far the pomp o● great Xerxes in his voyage into Greece: or the triumphs of great Pompey over all Africa and Asia at Rome: Hos ludos & iocos diceres, prout rabbiss Papa: with such peals of Guns, ringing of Bells, sounding Trumpets, with such clamours and noise of other brazen Instruments, that it far surmounted the besieging of Carthage, or the assaulting of Numantia.  
In like triumph and pomp he is again carried into his Palace of St. Angelo, blessing the people from place to place, and in every place as he is carried: the people again crying out, wishing him the felicity of Augustus, and the love of Traian, using several solemn Ceremonies, with the greatest pomp that can be invented.  
His Dinner that day exceeded Ca Caesar, who in his triumph over Africa, prepared 22000 ables most royally furnished: and his banquets after dinner far excelled the banquets of Lacius Lucullus, or Marcus Antonius. His Mirth and Music passed the feast Hyacinthia.   

The funeral pomp of the Roman Emperors.  
THe pomp and solemn state of the Funerals of the Roman Emperors were such, as being set forth, the solemnity of the dead Emperor were such, as the Senators, Dictator's, Consuls, and chief magistrates of Rome, being in their appointed funeral garments, attending to carry the Coffin, with one before the Hearse, playing upon a Shawm or a Flute with a mournful funeral Song called Nania, which in like manner, the Grecians used at the funeral of their Kings, the song which they called jalemos.  
Then the Patricians and Senators carried before the dead Emperor, his Statues and Images: and after that, the Statues and Images of his predecessors, to set forth the dignity of his stock, as Ca Caesar did the funeral of his Aunt, Mother to Marius, whose Statues Caesar caused to be carried before the Coffin, with all the Sergeants carrying their Axes and rods, with all the Ensigns, Crowns, rich spoils, and Trophies, which Marius had gotten in his victories.  
In like manner Tiberius Caesar, the third Emperor of Rome, caused at the funeral of his Father Drusus, that the statue of Aeneas, and all the statues of the Kings of Alba, until Romulus' time, the 17 after Aeneas, and the statue of Romulus, and of the whole family of Gens julia, from Romulus' time to julius Caesar, lineally.  
The like pomp was before Sylla, and others, by the Patricians and Senators. Yet Marcus Aemilius, Lepidus, Pomponius Atticus, with some others, commanded that they should not be brought into the Field of Mars with any solemnity of jupiters' coat, of triumphant garments, Purple robes, and such other pomp: But specially if any died in the field, the rare sight of the solemnity excelled: the General and chief Captains, and every Officer with his band, trailing their Pikes after them on the ground, with the points of their Swords downward, their Ensigns folded together, their horses sheard and clipped, their dumb Music, with all the rueful sights that might be invented, etc.   

Of the order of the inauguration and Coronation of the Kings of Persia.  
IN Persia after great King Cyrus' death, for so were the Kings of Persia called, Great Kings, his successors used Cyrus' orders, with the like ceremonies as was solemnised at the inaugurations of King Cyrus: for then there was no anointing of any King in the whole World, but of the Kings of Israel: other Nations used such ceremonies as their Countries observed in their electing of Kings.  
In some countries they made choice of the most likely est men in sight, as among the Ethopians.  
Among the Medes, he that excelled in comeliness, and talnes of person, and strength of body, should be elected King.  
In Lybia, he that was most swift in running should be King.  
In Persia, than a Kingdom under the Medes until Cyrus' time, whose greatness grew such, as he became the only Monarch, by whom all the East Kingdoms were subdued: his Successors, the great Kings of Persia, were with these ceremonies made Kings. They should sit in Cyrus' Chair, they should put on those garments that Cyrus first ware, which were kept as monuments and relics for the Kings of Persia. The new King sitting so in Cyrus' Chair, three of the greatest Peers in Persia, brought unto him three dishes, in the one was five dry figs: In the second a little Turpentine: the third Milk. These Ceremonies being finished, after that the new King had eaten of the dry figs, and had tasted of the Turpentine, and drank of the Milk, he rose from Cyrus' Chair, and was thence brought unto the next Hill: for the Persians had no Temples, nor altars there. After supplications done, they sacrificed unto the Sun, whose Temple (say they) is the whole World: thence the King is brought to Persepolis, where the new King again putteth on the twelve sundry robes of Cyrus, one after another, by several ceremonies to be done, while they do sacrifice unto the whole host of Heaven, the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars, whom the Persians cal● in one name jupiter. Magis there having Tiara on their heads, and crowned with Myrtle, sang their sacred songs Theogonia, while the new King is putting on of these twelve Robes.  
After this, the King went to Cyrus' chair, and read the laws of Persia: For as the old Kings of Rome were only by the divination of the Augurers made Kings, and instructed in their Kingdoms: so the Kings of Persia were by their Magis instructed in their sacrifice, and taught in their Religion; without whom neither was it lawful for the Romans to do sacrifice, without their Augurer stood by, or for the Persians, without their Magis being in place.   

The manner and order of the Indians in celebrating the nativity of their Kings.  
THe Indians so honoured the birthday of their King, at what time the days began to lengthen, that the King with all his Nobles went to the River Ganges to wash and bathe themselves, where they offered in sacrifice to the Sun a number of black Bulls, for that colour among the Indians is most esteemed.  
After sacrifice done to the Sun, the King held a Feast, which the Romans called Hilaria, which was wont to be celebrated upon the ● Calend of April, at what time the Roman Matrons, and the young women of Rome crowned with Myrtle; bathed themselves before they sacrificed unto Venus.  
This very time the young men of Athens kept festival days, with mirth and pastime, to honour the Moon for the like cause, as the Indians had for the Sun. This feast Hilaria had all public and solemn Plays, with all kind of triumphs, for joy that the Sun began to turn his face, and to lentghen their days, tanquam patriae solatium & initium laetitiae.   

Of the Nativity of King Cyrus, and of the Persian feasts or joy thereof.  
THE great King Cyrus (for so the Persians named their Kings after Cyrus' time) upon the very day that he was borne, he had victory over the Scythians and Saracens, he so honoured and magnified that day, that Cyrus commanded that they should be called the great Kings, and appointed that it should be solemnised yearly with a regal noble feast, called Sacaea, after the name of that Nation conquered: in the which feast was celebrated diverse strange kinds of ceremonies: as the Masters to attend upon the Servants, the Mistresses upon their maids, imitating the orders and manners in the feast Saturnalia, wherein also were Bacchanalia used, in the which feast were men, women, and children, which disguised themselves like Fauns, with Javelins wreathed about with Ivy in their hands, and with Ivy crownes on their heads, dancing, and skipping, after Psalters and Howboyes, singing sacred songs unto Bacchus, called Orgya and Dithyrambos: this feast Cyrus commanded to be yearly solemnised in Babylon, upon the sixteenth day of the month Joys, on the which day, Cyrus (as some suppose) was borne; which day among the old Persians was highly honoured, for of all the feasts and sacrifices of all solemn great days, the days of their King's nativities were most in honour esteemed. This was the only and greatest feast of the Persians, for the rich men would celebrate the feast of their King's birth, with sacrificing of whole Camels, Horses, Oxen, and Asses, sparing no cost in this feast: the poorer sort strained themselves with all charges to set forth the feast of their King's nativities: at what time the Magistrates used to sing the song Magophonia at their feast, and the song Theogonia at their sacrifice. For this feast Sacaea was called among the Thessalians Piloria, in Crete called Hermea, in some place called Penagria, in another place called Saturnalia; but in all places used and celebrated with great solemnities at the nativity of Kings and Princes.   

Of the funeral pomp of the Egyptians.  
THE Kings of Egypt were most sumptuously reserved in this order: their bodies were opened, and were in such sort used, as the Egyptians use, with Myrrh, Aloes, Honey, Salt, Wax, and many other sweet odours, being seared up, and anointed with all precious oils, and so they reserved the bodies of their Kings in high buildings made for the purpose, far from the ground, as in their Pyramids and Labyrinth before spoken. The Funeral was so lamented, that all Egypt mourned in this sort: the men would clap dung and dirt upon thei● heads, beat their bodies, stri●● their breasts, knocking their heads to every post, howling and crying for their King: their women bare-breasted, besmeared with all kind of filth; running up and down in furious manner, fasting and mourning 72 days from wine or any other meat, saving bread, & the water of Nilus.   

Of the funeral pomp of the Thracians.  
THe Thracians Funeral is full of mirth and melody, for when they bring their Friends to the Grave, they use to sing Thracian Songs, with all sweet music; only this ceremony they reserved, when any man that was of great calling, died, his Wife must be brought the same day to the grave of her husband in her richest ornament and best apparel, accompanied with her Parents, and next in blood, with great solemnity, which after sacrifice done upon the Grave of her husband, she must make sacrifice of herself: The Priest must bring her to the Altar, where she is sacrificed with a veil over her face, and after oblations & prayers done, she is slain upon her husband's Grave for sacrifice.   

Of the sacred anointing of the Kings of Israel.  
THe anointing of the first King of Israel, was by Samuel the Prophet, who was commanded to anoint Saul, the first King of the world that was anointed: he poured oil upon his head, he kissed him, and said, the Lord hath anointed thee King over his inheritance: and the people shouted, and said, God save the King: at this time began first the use of oil in anointing of Kings; after this manner were Saul and David anointed Kings of Israel, and after David, his son Solomon.  
The order and ceremonies, were to ride upon the King's beast, and to sit upon the King's throne, where the Prophet (being called the Seer) poured the oil upon his head, to signify the gift of the Holy Ghost: Then the Prophet kissed the King upon the cheek, and turned his face to the people, and said, God save the King: then they sounded the trumpets, and brought him to his Dinner with all mirth and music. Thus were Saul and David anointed by Samuel, and after them Solomon anointed King.   

Of the solemnity on the birthday of Prince Aratus by the Achaians, with feasts and sacrifice.  
IN like manner the Achaian● solemnised the nativity of Aratus with a royal feast and sacrifice, yearly upon the Grave of Aratus, which was called Aratium: The Priests were girded about with a purple cloth, the Senate in white robes, with Garlands of flowers on their heads: the magistrates and chief officers of all Achaia, with great pomp crowned with Laurel and Myrtle, with hymns and songs made a solemn procession round about Aratium upon the birthday of Aratus: such was his love among the Grecians, that he was chosen seventeen times General of the Achaians.  
The Trophies and triumphs that were invented to honour the nativities of Kings and Princes were such, that some builded Cities, as Alexandria, to honour Alexander: Caesarea, to honour Caesar, and Antiochiae, to magnify the name of Antiochus the great. Yea, such were the dignities and honours of Princes, that the Senators and Patricians of Rome, by common consent of all the Magistrates, changed the name of the Month Quintilis, to be called july, to honour the name of julius Caesar, and the Month Sextilis to be called August, in memory of the birthday of Augustus, which to this day stands.  
Yet Domitianus the Emperor, though he had commanded by a decree, that the Month October, should be called Domitianus, after his own name, in remembrance of his Nativity: And Germanicus, Father to Caligula, commanded the Month September to be called Germanicus, to hold his birthday, yet took no effect: Such is the continuance and long memory of a good Prince, and such is the decay and short remembrance of a wicked Prince.   

The birth of Minerva.  
IN like manner upon the calends of March, the feast of Minerva was celebrated in Mount Celio, at Rome, where the plays called Quinquatriae were sumptuously solemnised, continuing five days: at what time they presented Minerva with presents and rewards: On the which day, the young knights and lusty youths of Rome, entered in Arms on horseback, and on foot, into Martius' field, to honour Minerva's nativity with feats of Arms.  
This feast was in Athens solemnised by the name of Panathenaea, their Poets, Orators, and Musicians contended for victories on the day of Pallas birth, as they did in the games called Scoenici: The prize and reward of the Victor, was to wear a long precious garment called Palladium, wrought over with gold, and to wear a crown of Laurel, and to sit in the chair of Pallas.   

Of the birth of Xerxes, and of the solemn Feast thereof.  
THe great Xerxes' King of Persia, upon the very day that he succeeded his Father Darius Hisdaspis as King, he yearly most solemnly used to celebrate such a princely noble Feast in memory of that day, which the Persians so honoured, tanquam Imperij natalem, as he would command all the Nobles of Persia to come in the greatest pomp they could, and he himself in his most sumptuous Persian Robes, with his Diadem upon his head, solemnised the Feast with all pomp and glory. Upon the which day Xerxes was called of all the Peers, Nobles, and all his people Ti●●n. This day was so celebrated among the Persians in remembrance of Xerxes first day to his Kingdom. So the Siracusans honoured Ti●olion for his great victories, in memory whereof they yearly upon the day of his Birth decreed, that plays & games of music, with running, wrestling, throwing of darts, swimming, running of horses, with other exercises of the body, should be celebrated.  
In like sort the Parthians observed that day, that Arsaces' their King had subdued Seleucus with all kind of joys, mirth and triumphs that the Parthians could invent: they magnified that day with all games and plays, and kept a great solemn Feast in remembrance of their liberty and deliverance from their bondage and thraldom under Seleucus by Arsaces. If therefore they honoured that day, Tanquam initium libertatis with songs Theogonia, shall we not Canere Paean, who have so long enjoyed peace and quietness of liberty by the happy reign of our most gracious Sovereign, of whose nativity and happy government we may sing with joy,  

Blessed is that land whom God lends such a King  
Who Peace, Religion, Piety doth bring,  
And who doth strive these blessings to uphold  
To lead his subjects unto Heaven's fold:  
We all are bound to pray for his long life,  
Which keeps this Island free from fear & strife    
FINIS.