A TRUE RELATION WITHOUT ALL EXCEPTION, OF Strange and Admirable Accidents, which lately happened in the Kingdom of the great MOGUL, or MAGULL, who is the greatest Monarch of the East Indies.  
AS ALSO With a true Report of the Manners of the Country; of the Commodities there found, With the like of sundry other Countries and Lands, in the EAST INDIES.  
Written and certified by persons of good import, who were eye-witnesses of what is here reported.  
LONDON Printed by I. D. for Thomas Archer, and are to be sold at his Shop in Popes-head Palace. 1622.   

Late and admirable News, from the East Indies, and the Country of the great Mogul, testified by persons of great import, as shall appear.  
IN the year of our Lord 1618. and in the month of june, we arrived at the Cape of Good hope, where we found the people of the Country, albeit Heathen and Idolaters, yet very kind and friendly unto us, for some small quantity of Iron and old Copper, we had of them upon exchange Beefs and Mutton. This Cape (otherwise called the Cape of Bona Speransa) is very temperate, and agreeth well with the constitution of our people. Four or five hundred persons, sick of the scurvy, and other diseases of the Sea, they all recovered their health perfectly within a very few days.  
They have a very pleasant drink, which they call Toddye, like in taste to white Wine, which distelleth from the Pahneto trees. At our departure from this Cape we sailed two or three days in a Sea like in colour to whey, whose bottom could not sound.  
We came afterwards to the Country of the great Mogul, or as some call him Magull, his Lascar, which is his Train, which followeth and always goeth with him in his progresses, consisteth usually of 200000. people of all sorts. These lodge all in fair Tents, richly hanged, which being pitched according to the order of that Country, they make a very gorgeous and glorious show, as of a most beautiful and large City.  
This Mogul, hath a place called the Maoll, in which he keepeth a thousand women to serve his lustful desires.  
When he maketh his progress, his Concubines go with him in all sumptuous manner, carried upon Elephants in Castles, richly covered, or upon men's shoulders, in a frame made like the upper part of a Coach, but not so close covered. He hath under him 37. Provinces, and very many goodly Cities: the length of his Country is 2800 miles: the breadth 1900 miles.  
When he admitteth to his presence the Persian Ambassador, or the Ambassador of any other mighty King, when he giveth them either loving or kind speeches, or looks, than the Ambassadors in token of thankfulness, kiss the earth. But Sir Thomas Roe the King of Great britains Ambassador would not so much derogate from his place, to abase himself so demissively. Notwithstanding, he was always entertained with more and greater respects than any other Ambassador.  
This Mogul, doth every year weigh himself in a Balance made for the purpose; first, he weigheth himself with weights of Silver, next he weigheth himself with weights of Gold, and lastly, with jewels, and precious stones: his weight of silver, and gold, he giveth away liberally at his pleasure, after he is weighed, he mounteth into his Throne, and then he throweth amongst the standers by, a great quantity of Silver and Gold, made hollow, like to the form of Nutmegs, and such other Spices, which his Country doth afford. These ceremonies being ended, than he beginneth to Carouse and largely to drink with his Nobles, till they be all drunk. The Scales with which he is weighed, are all of massy Gold, richly beset with precious stones.  
No man hath any Land in this Magors Country but himself, he giveth pentions and taketh away pentions at his pleasure. No child inherits any thing which his Father had in possession, but at the pleasure of Magor: all Honour and Gentility dyeth with the person who had any, and returns back to the Mogul.  
He showeth himself in public and open manner to the people, at the least, three times in a day; first, at the Sunrising, to which he maketh low Reverence. Secondly, at noon, at which time he seethe Elephants fight, or some other pastimes provided for him. Thirdly, before the Sun set, but when the Sun is setting he descendeth from his Throne, and showeth as low obeisance as he did at the rising.  
At all these times, whosoever cometh unto him as a Suitor, useth no other means for his dispatch, but to hold up a paper in his hand, and he is heard immediately, and encountreth the best fortune which Suitors can desire, for either he presently obtaineth his Suit, or hath a present denial; there are no masters of Requests, nor any delatory references upon any petition.  
Magors people are governed by no other laws but what lie in his breast, and the breasts of his counsellors, yet there is no place where businesses are sooner dispatched, or where justice is more uprightly and unpartially ministered.  
Cursero, the eldest Son of Magor, being of an haughty and aspiring Spirit, practised to take from his Father both Crown and kingdom, but Magor not only took his son prisoner, but with him some 2000 of his chiefest followers, having taken his son, he placed him to see the execution of those two thousand he had taken. The manner of the execution being terrible, for they were put into the ground upon sharp stakes, and so left to dye. After this execution, Magor shut up and sealed his son's eyes, so that for three years he saw no light of Sun or Moon at all: seven years he kept him in close Prison, but at this time he hath a little more liberty. This Prince is of a different disposition from his Father, for he keepeth but one wife, and is a great favourer and protector of Christians; he is generally beloved of all men. Magor will not undertake, nor do any business of import, but as he shall be directed and counselled by his Astrologers, and Magicians, when they tell him the day and hour are fortunate than he adventureth upon any thing, he cannot endure to hear any talk or mention made of Death which is the most desperate and greatest folly which our age can or doth afford, nay what madness is it? not to hear talk, nor make provision for that which cannot be avoided. God hath pointed nothing more certain than Death, because we should ever consider of it; and nothing more uncertain, than the hour of Death; because every hour we should be provided for it. Magor being much delighted, with Astrologers, Magicians, and Witches, of which his Country is replenished, there came upon a time one of that Crew unto him, and presented unto him an Ape; telling Mogul, that the Ape could do strange and admirable Tricks: well quoth Magor we will make trial of your Ape's skill, and cunning, & thereupon commanded the Ape and her Master to be carried out of that room, into another that they might not see what was done, in their absence Magor took a Ring from his finger, & having always about him a great number of Boys, some 200. or thereabouts, which he keepeth for unnatural and beastly uses, he gave the Ring to one of the Boys and bade him hide it, than these Boys flocking together, the Ape and his Master were called for: now quoth Magor let your Ape try her skill, I have lost my Ring, let us see if she can find it; the Ape's Master commanded the Ape to fetch the Ring, the Ape went immedidately to the Boy which had the Ring and took it out of his bosom and brought it to Magor.  
Who wondering much at it, he caused the second time the Ape and her master to retire out of sight, and in their absence, he caused his Secretary to write in several papers, the Names of some twelve or fourteen, of the greatest Gods, and Prophets which either were heard or known to be worshipped, either in his Country or in any place of the World, which being written, they were mingled on an heap and laid upon a table, Then the Ape was called for, and commanded to take the Name of the greatest God & truest Prophet from amongst those papers, the Ape went presently to the Papers, and turning them up, from amongst them all, only took out the Name of jesus and delivered it to Magor, whereupon Magor and the rest of his Nobles, were much amazed: but upon secret conference amongst themselves, they resolved to make further trial: whereupon the Master and the Ape were commanded to go to a further room, and some persons commanded to watch them, that the suspicion, of all deceivable courses might be taken away, and cleared: the papers were written again with the same Names, and more were added, which being done; the Ape was called for the second time, and to make choice as formerly she had been directed, she presently went to the papers and made the same choice, which before she had done: which stroke Magor and his Nobles in a greater amaze then at the first: notwithstanding a third trial was made, but with the like & same success, whereupon a great Noble man humbly besought Magor that he might make the fourth trial, which was granted him, this great man was called Mattolet Chan, which in their Language signifieth (the beloved Lord) He caused the Names to be written the fourth time, and mingled together, and cast in a heap upon the Table, the Ape was called as formerly she had been, and commanded to make choice of the greatest God or Prophet, whose name was contained in those papers. The Ape went presently to the heap, and slightly and scornfully turned them over, but took up no paper but returned to her master. Magor and his Nobles wondered more at this then of what passed before, and asked the Ape's master, what might be the cause why the Ape would not bring any paper as before she had done, but turned them up in so scornful a manner, perhaps quoth the master, the name which the Ape looketh for, is not there amongst them; then the papers being examined, the name of jesus was missing, now quoth Magor, let the Ape show cunning to fetch that paper, wherein that name is written. The Ape receiving her command, made present haste to Mattolet Chan, and leapt upon him, and withal thrust her hand into his bosom, and drew out the name of jesus, which she brought hastily to Magor. This being so strange an accident, was wondered at of all the standers by, whereof some were jews, some Mahometans, some Christians, with others. This hath been averred to be true, by master Edward Terry, Preacher to Sir Thomas Roe, who heard it credibly reported, as aforesaid. And Sir Thomas Roe hath reported the same for truth to sundry right honourable parsonages. Master Terry the Preacher hath often seen the Ape.  
The great Mogul, and generally all the Indians of his Country are given over to fleshly pleasures: they may, and do keep as many wives and concubines as they will, or are able to maintain. What misery do these Indians endure, to have so many women about them, when as there be many English men are grievously vexed to have the company but of one. But perhaps the Indian women are of a fare milder temper than the English, as hereafter shall be showed. The Indians are more jealous of their women and wives, than either Spaniards, or Italians. The Father will not trust his son, after he cometh to twelve years of Age, except he be gelded. The Indian women in their houses are commonly covered, and if any woman go abroad uncovered, she is reputed a Whore.  
Magors subjects are tall, and of comely personage, but of a tawny colour, but they are faint hearted; Magor will usually say, that one Portugal will beat three of his subjects, and one English man will beat three Portingalls. In this Country there are many several Sects, some called Banians, who will kill nothing that hath life, no not so much as snakes. They have Hospitals to keep and cure lame Horses, lame Dogs, lame Birds, or any lame Creature, and when they be cured, they are set at liberty. The manner of that Country is to burn the bodies of the dead, and the wives willingly burn with their husbands. But of late the women begin to break that custom.  
The Indians under Magor, worship evil favoured ugly Idols, which they call, Pagods: their Priests are called joggis, or Brahmins; their Church they call Muskitts; they go on Pilgrimage to several places; Some to Mecha in Arabia; Some to the Head of the River janges, wherein they throw silver and gold, according to their abilities, and after wash themselves in the River, and then they think they are pure and clean from all sin.  
These people have many feasts, and many fasts, which they keep with sundry idle Ceremonies, some of them mourn in blue, others as japaners, mourn in white. They are skilful in Physic, especially, in Simples.  
The learning which they have, which is but small, is in the Mathematics, and in Natural Philosophy; they have small store of Books, because there is no Printing amongst them; all their Books are Manuscripts.  
Their vulgar speech is called Industan. The speech at Magors Court, is usually the Persian Language. Their learned tongue is the Arabian; the common people are very apt to imitate any thing which they see to be done by Strangers.  
I cannot let pass a strange and wonderful report which fell out in Magors Court, and hath been by Sir Thomas Roe reported confidently for Truth. There was a Rasa, (so great Princes are called,) who was an absolute Atheist, who would always scornfully, and disdainfully speak and dispute against the Deity, not enduring either himself, or any other, where he might oppose to acknowledge any Godhead. This great Prince sporting himself among his Concubines, one of them who was most favoured of the Prince, and might be most bold with him, when he was flouting, and jesting against the Deity, plucked from his breast an hair, and withal a drop of blood followed, which was not regarded at all at the first; This very place within very few days began to fester, and by degrees grew to that extremity, that the pain was intolerable, and withal proving to be a Gangrene; having used all the means, which Physic, or Surgery might afford him, it proved irrecoverable. This Rasa seeing his estate, and that he had no hope of life, but a dreadful expectation of imminent death, sent to Mogul to take his leave of him, Magor sent diverse of his Nobles unto him, to comfort him, with all the best offers and speeches which any subject might desire from so mighty a Monarch. Which when the Nobles had delivered unto him, he made answer in this manner; My Lord Magor, is a great Monarch to command upon earth, but there is a more omnipotent Monarch, which hath absolute command and power in Heaven and Earth. You all know, I was an opposer, an enemy, a contemner of all Deity, and against that omnipotent Majesty of Heaven. He hath now showed and manifested his power and justice upon me, who now lie in torment, every minute of an hour expecting to die. What I would not acknowledge in my life, I am constrained to acknowledge and confess upon my death, for we which live at random, and speak at large in our lives, when death worketh nature's dissolution, we are then compelled to change our former opinions, and to acknowledge our former errors. I was an Atheist, by my own experience I dare and can assure you, what is one of the greatest causes of Atheism; wicked lives do wish, there were no God to punish their offences after this life, and therefore do flatter themselves in their life; they frame to themselves all the reasons they can device, to persuade themselves there is no God. But my Lords, there is no Atheist which dare at the hour of his death maintain and defend that Doctrine of Atheism, which he did in life, for nature itself doth constrain them to a terrible recantation at the hour of death, as you may now behold a grievous example in me: what would not I give? what would not I do? my Lords if I might have longer time of life to acknowledge & confess freely and plainly that God head, which formerly I have with scorn and malice so wickedly denied: who would have imagined that I being a Soldier should not rather have died upon some honourable wound, given by sword or lance; then so shamefully to die upon the plucking of one hair from my breast, this kind of death, as it is most shameful to me, so it doth more manifest, and illustrate the Divine power to be most Omnipotent and miraculous. My Lords, my vital powers do fail me, I can speak no more, only this for a farewell, which I pray you deliver also to my great Sovereign Magor, do you all fly and take heed of Atheism, seek out with all the care and diligence you can, thou knowledge of the only true and Omnipotent God, dare not live those wicked lives, nor maintain those horrible opinions whilst you are in health, which as you see most manifestly in me are so terrible and horrible at this hour of my death; having ended these words, this mighty Prince died.  
From Magors Country we sailed towards other Lands, and arrived at an Island called Zeloon, which Island yields Cinnamon, and other spices in great abundance, it yields also Pearls, Rubies, Saphires, Garnets', and sundry other precious stones.  
From Zeloon we arrived at an Island called Sammatra, which yields Pepper, Gold, Benjamin, Camphire, with sundry other Rich Commodities, afterwards we sailed to Patanie, an Island governed by a Maiden Queen.  
From this we arrived at japan, which is one of the greatest and goodliest Lands of the World, having great store of Gold Mines, and of Silver, they have Silver, of three sorts all unstamped, they have small plate, which goeth in the market for buying of victuales: they have other pieces of plate unstamped, more finer Silver, and that goeth in the Country, to buy all other commodities; they have a third sort of plate, finer silver than any Spanish money, and this is carried away by Strangers.  
This Country is Governed by an Emperor, who hath under him 62. Kings, the Revenues of this Emperor are infinite, a great part raised by Rice, the People of this Country are proud and haughty, very warlike, yet exceeding obedient to their Emperor, and the Kings, to whom they are Subjects. They are very kind to Strangers: justice, in this country is severe without partiality; Thiefs are not imprisoned but presently executed, If a murder be committed, and the murderer escape, he who apprehendeth him, hath 300. pounds given him upon the delivery of the murderer; so that few or none of the murderers escape present execution: In this Country a man may walk without danger all hours of the night, so he do not missebehave himself. If any controversy arise betwixt party and party, it is forthwith decided, their Laws are Leges talionis, Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth, Hand for Hand, and Life for life, they worship and pray all to a Saint, called Ameda, whom they esteem to be a Mediator betwixt God and them; when a Soldier dieth, they are persuaded he goeth presently to Ottango Fatechman the God of War.  
FINIS.