A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE whole world.  
WHEREIN ARE PARticularly described all the Monarchies, Empires, and kingdoms of the same: with their several titles and situations thereunto adjoining.  
AT LONDON Printed by T. judson, for john Browne, and are to be sold at the sign of the Bible in Fleetstreet. 1599   

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE WHOLE WORLD.  
THe globe of the earth, doth either show the sea, or land. The sea general is called by the name of the OCEAN, which coasteth all the world, and taketh his name in special, either of the place near which it cometh: as Oceanus Britannicus: Mare Germanicus: Sinus Persicus: Mare Atlanticum, of the hill Atlas in the West-part of Africa: or of the finder out: as Fretum Magelanicum: or of some other accident, as the Red sea, because the sand is red: Mare Mediterraneum: because it runneth between the lands of Europe, and Africa: Mare Icarium, because Icarus was drowned there, or the like. There be some few seas which have no intercourse with the OCEAN, as Mare mortuum near Palestina: Mare Caspium, siue Hircanum, not far from Armenia, and such a one is said to be in the North part of America.  
The straits or narrow seas are noted in the Latin, by the name of Fretum: as, Fretum Britanicum, the English narrow seas, Fretum Herculeum, the straights between Barbary and Spain, Fretum Magellanicum. etc.  
The earth is either islands, which are those that are wholly compassed by the sea, as Britannia, Sicilia, Corsica: or the continent which is called in the English, the firm land, in the Latin Continent.  
The old known firm land was contained only in Asia, Europe, and Africa, Europe is divided from Africa by the Mediterran sea, and from Asia by the river Tanais, whereby appeareth that the North-partes of Asia, and of Europe in old time were but little known, and discovered.  
Africa is divided from Europe by the Mediterran sea, from Asia by the river Nilus: and so Asia, by Tanais and Nilus, is severed from Europe and Africa.  

De Hispania.  
TO say nothing of England and Ireland, the most western country of Europe is Spain: which is bounded on the South with the Mediterran sea, on the West with the Atlantike, on the North with the Oceanus Cantabricus or the Spanish seas, on the East, with France, from which it is severed with certain mountains, called Montes Pyrenei, or the Pyrenei hills.  
In this country heretofore there were many kingdoms: as the kingdom of Portugal toward the West, the kingdom of Granada toward the South, the kingdom of Navarre and Arragon toward the East, and the kingdom of Castille in the middle of the land: but the whole dominion is now under the king of Spain.   

De Gallia.  
THe next country is France: which is bounded on the West with the Pyrenei hills: on the North with the English seas: on the East with Germany: on the Southeast with the Alpe-hilles: on the south-west with the Mediterran sea.  
This was in ancient time divided into three parts: Aquitania which is toward the West: Celtica toward the North, and West: and Belgica which is toward the North. Belgica is some times called Gallia inferior, and sometime Germania inferior: but we call it commonly by the name of the Low countries: the government where of at this day is not at all under France: but Gallia Celtica and Aquitania are under the French king.  
France hath many petty governments that do border upon it: as the Duke of Sauoie, the State of the Swissers, the Dukedom of Lorraine, the Burgundians or Walloons: against all which, the King is forted to keep his frontier towns.  
There is nothing more famous in this kingdom than the Salic law: whereby it is provided; that no woman. nor the heir of her, as in her right, shall enjoy the crown of France a but it goeth always to the heir male.  
The Swissers are a people called in old time Heluetij. who have no Noblemen or Gentlemen among them, but only the citizens of their towns: the yearly officers whereof, and their council, do govern their State.   

De Germania,  
THe next country unto France, on the eastside, is Germany, which is bounded on the West with France, and the Low countries: on the North with Denmark, and the Danish seas: on the East with Prussia, Polonia, and Hungary: on the Southeast with Istris, and Illyricum: on the South with the Alpe-hilles & with Italy.  
The governor general of this country is balled the Emperor of Germany; who is chosen by three spiritual princes, the Archbishop of Colen called Coloniensis; the Archbishop of Ments called Moguntinus; and the Archbishop of Triers called Trevereusis: and three temporal princes; the Duke of Saxony; the Marquis of Brandeburg; and the County Palantine of Rhine: which if they cannot agree, as to make a Mayor part in their election: then the king of Boheme hath also a voice: whereof it cometh to to be said, that there be seven Princes electors of the Empire.  
There is not that free liberty of choosing the Emperor out of any country, as was heretofore. But the election is tied, within one hundred years unto the house of Austria, and at this day of of them, the king of Bohemia is Emperor, who is called Rodulphus. 2.  
Bohemia is a kingdom in the middle of Germany, which is compassed round with a mighty wood, called Silva Hirciniae: The chief city thereof is called prague.  
In Germany all are at a kind of commandment of the Emperor: but most of the Princes (otherwise) take on them as absolute governors in their dominion. So that they have liberty of religion, they make laws, they raise soldiers, they stamp money with their own coin▪ as absolute princes. So doth the Duke of Saxony, the Archbishop, and the rest.  
There are also free States and cities; which have the same authority, as Argentine, Frankford, and other.   

De Italia.  
ON the Southside of the alps (and Germany lieth Italy, stretching itself out in length toward the South, and East. It hath on the Southside the Island Sicilia: on the East, that part of the Med. which is called Mare Adriaticum, or Mare superum; which severeth Italy from Graecia: on the West side, that part of the Med. which is called Mare Tyrrhenum, or Mare inferum: and by some Mare Ligusticum.  
This country for the figure thereof, is by some likened unto a long leaf of a tree: it hath in the middle of it which goeth all in length, a mighty mountain, named Mons Aperminus, which is likened to the Spina or ridge-bone of the back: out of this hill spring divers Rivers, which run on both sides of it, into the Adriatic, and Tyrrhene, or Tuscan seas.  
The North part of this Italy is that which in ancient time was called Gallia Comata, or Gallia Cisalpina, 
Gallia.  inhabited then by the Frenchmen. It is now called Longobardia, or Lombardie, wherein stand many rich governments: as the Dukedom of Milan, of Mantua, of Florence, and others. It is for the pleasantness thereof, in respect of the soil, air, waters, and great variety of wines, and fruits, likened now by some to Paradise, or the garden of God.  
In this Italy, which was heretofore one entire government in the flourishing estate of the Romans, are now many absolute States, and princedoms, by the great policy of the Bishop of Rome: who thought it the best way to make himself great, to weaken the Empire. So he hath not only driven the Emperor out of all Italy into Germany: but hath diminished his Majesty in both: by making so many petty governments, which hold themselves sovereign rulers, without relation to any other.  
As there are many States in Italy, so one of the chiefest are the Venicians called Resp. Venetorum, or the State of Venice: because they are not governed by any one: but by their Senate, & gentlemen, although they have a duke: with whose stamp their money is coined, and in whose name all their executions of justice are done. But this duke is every way limited by the State.  
This City of Venice standeth in an Aestuarium or shallow of earth in the North-part of the Adriatic sea, so safely, that it is held invincible. There is in it but one street of firm land: into the other the sea doth flow at every tide. They have been a great and rich State; not only possessing much in Italy, as Padua their University, and other things which now they do: but a great part of Illyricum and many rich islands in the Med. as Candie, called commonly Creta, Cyprus, Zacynthus, and other.  
The impoverishing of their state, hath partly been by the encroaching of the Turk: but especially By the decaying of that traffic which they had to Alexandria in Egypt for their spices, and other riches of Persia. Arabia, and the East Indies. Since the course of the Portugals, to those Eastern countries hath been by sea, by the backside of Africa.  
Here standeth the Citle of Florence, a renowned City of Lombardie, which is governed by a Duke, an absolute Prince. This Dukedom is in the family of the Medici's, from whom came Katherine de Medici's, the wife of Henry the 2. King of France lately so well known by the name of Queen mother.  
In this Lombardie standeth also the Dukedom of Milan, a most rich and pleasant thing, which sometime had been governed by a Duke of their own: but of late hath been possessed by the Spaniard, and sometime by the French, and is now in the government and possession of the king of Spain.  
A good part of Italy is under the Bishop of Rome, which commonly is called the land of the Church: where the Pope is a Prince absolute: not only spiritual, as elsewhere he claimeth: but also temporal: making laws, requiring tribute, raising soldiers, and executing justice as a Monarch.  
In the South part of Italy lieth the kingdom of Naples, which is a country very rich, and full of all kind of pleasure, abundant in Nobility; whereof cometh to be said that proverb: Naples for Nobility, Rome for religion, Milan for beauty, Florence for policy, and Venice for riches.  
This was heretofore ruled by a king 〈◊〉 ●●●●r own, till the time of joane Queen of Naples, who ●y deed of gift, did first grant that kingdom to the Kings of Arragon in Spain: and afterward by will (with a revocation of the former grant,) did bequeath it to the house of Anjoy in France. Since which time the kingdom of Naples hath sometimes been in the hand of the Spaniard, sometimes possessed by the French, and is now under the King of Spain: unto this is annexed also the Dukedom of Calabria.  
There be moreover in Italy many other Princedoms and States; as the Dukedom of Ferrara; the Dukedom of Mantua; the Dukedom of Urbine; the Dukedom of Parma, & Placentia: the State of Luca: the State of Genua, commonly called the Genoese, which are governed by their Senate: but have a Duke as they have at Venice. There be also some other, by which means, the glory and strength of Italy is decayed.   

De Dania, Suecia, & Noruegia.  
AS Italy lieth on the Southside of Germany, so Denmark lieth on the North, into the middle of which land the sea breaketh in by a place called the Sound. The Impost of which passage bringeth great riches, as an ordinary tribute to the King of Denmark: this is a kingdom, and ruled by an absolute governor.  
On the North and East side of Denmark lieth Suecia, commonly called Sweden or Swethen: which is also a kingdom of itself. Where the King professeth himself to be Rex Suecorum, Gothorum, & Vandalorum. Whereby we may know that the Goths and Vandals which in times past did waste Italy, and other Nations of Christendom, did come out of this country.  
On the Northside and West of Sweden lieth Noruegia or Norway, which is at this day under the government of the King of Denmark, although heretofore it hath been a free kingdom of itself.  
Within the Sound, on the East part of the sea, lieth Dantzicke: where are three towns of Hanse-men, confederates, and allies unto the King of Denmark.  
There is no great thing to be noted in these countries: but that from Denmark cometh much come to the supply of other parts of Christendom: and that from all these countries is brought great furniture for war, or for shipping. As masts, cables, steel, saddles, armour, gunpowder, & the like. And that in the seas adjoining to these parts, there are fishes of much more monstrous shape, than elsewhere are to be found: The people of these countries are by their profession, Lutherans for religion.   

De Russia, siue Moscovia.  
ON the East side of Sweden beginneth the dominion of the Emperor of Russia (although Russia, or Moscovia itself doth lie some what more into the East) which is a great and mighty Monarchy, extending itself even from Lapland, and Finmarke, many a thousand mile in length unto the Caspian sea: so that it containeth in it a great part of Europe, and much of Asia also.  
The governor there calleth himself Emperor of Russia, great Duke of Mosconia, with many other titles of Princedoms, and Cities, whose dominion was very much enlarged by the Emperor not long since dead: whom in Russie they call I●an VasilIwich, in the Latin johannes Basilides: who reigning long, and being fortunate in war, did very much enlarge this mighty dominion.  
The people of this country are rude, and unlearned, very superstitious, a kind of Christians: but rather following the Greek Church. Their buildings is most of wood, even in their chief City of Moscow: insomuch, that the Tartars wholly in the north-east of them breaking oft into their countries, even unto the very City of Moscow, do set fire on their Cities, which by reason of their wooden buildings, are quickly destroyed.  
The passage by sea into this country (which was wont to be through the Sound, and so afterward by land) was first discovered by the English: who with great danger of the frozen seas, did first adventure to sail so far North, as to compass Lapland, Finmarke, Scrikfinia, and Biarmia: and so passing to the East by Nova Zimbla, half the way almost to Cathaio, have entered the river called Duina: by which they disperse themselves for merchandise both by water & land, into the most parts of the dominion of the Emperor.  
This Empire is at this day one of the greatest dominions in the world: both for compass of ground, and for multitude of men: saving that it lieth far North, and so yieldeth not pleasure or good traffic, with many other of the best nations.   

De Prusia, & Polonia.  
IN Europe, on the East and North corner of Germany lieth a country called Prussia, in Latin most time's Borussia, in English Pruthen, or Sprusa: of whom, little is famous, saving that they be governed by one, in a kind of order of religion, whom they call the grandmaster: and that they are a means to keep the Moscovite & the Turk from some other parts of Christendom.  
On the eastside of Germany, between Russia & Germany, lieth Polonia, or Poland, which is a kingdom differing from other of Europe: because the king there is chosen by election by some of the Princes near adjoining, as was lately Henry the third, King of France. These elections oftentimes do make great factions there; so that intaking parts, they grow often there into civil war.  
The king of Polonia is almost continually in war, either with the Moscovite, who lieth in the East and north-east of him; or with the Turk, who lieth on the South and Southeast; and sometimes also with the Princes of Germany; whereupon the Poles do commonly desire to choose warriors to their King.  
In this country are none but Christians; but so, that liberty of all religions is permitted, insomuch, that there be Papists, Colleges of jesuits, both of Lutherans, and calvinists opinions, Anabaptists, Artians, and divers others. This is that country, which in times past was called Sarmatia, the chief city whereof is named Cracovia.   

De Hungaria, & Austria.  
ON the Southside of Germany lieth Hungary, called in the Latin Pannonia; which have been heretofore divided into Pannonia superior, and Pannonia inferiore it is an absolute kingdom, and hath heretofore been rich and populous. The Christians that do live there, have among them divers sorts of religions, as in Poland. The kingdom hath been a great obstacle against the Tucks coming into Christendom: but especially in the time of johannes Huniades, who did mightily with many great victories repulse the Turk. Here standeth Buda, which was heretofore a great fortress of Christendom. But the glory of this kingdom is almost utterly decayed, by reason that the Turk, who partly by policle and partly by force, doth now possess the greatest part of it. So that the people are fled from thence, and the Christians which remain there are in miserable servitude: Notwithstanding, some part of Pannonia superior doth yet belong to Christendom.  
That corner of Germany which lieth nearest to Hungary is called Austria, which is an Archdukedome. Fron which house are come many of the Princes of Germany, and of other parts of Europe: so that the Crown imperial of Germany is now tied to some one of this house.  
In this country standeth Vienna that noble city, which is now the principal bulwark of all Christendom against the Turk: from whence Soliman was repelled by Ferdinandus King of Hungary, in the time of the Emperor Charles the fift. It was in this country, that Richard the first, king of England, in his return from the holy land, was taken prisoner by the Archduke of Austria, and so put to a grievous ransom. The Archduke that now is, by the King of Spain, is appointed in the place of the Duke of Parma, as governor of the low countries. Through both Austria and Hungary doth run the mighty river Danubius, as through Germany doth run the Rhine, whereon groweth Vinum Rhen●●um, commonly called Rhenish wine.   

De Graecia.  
ON the Southside of Hungary, and Southeast, lieth a country of Europe called in old time Dacia, which is large and wide, comprehending in it Transyluania, Valachia, Moldavia, and Servia. Of which little is famous, save that the men are warlike, and can hardly be brought to obedience, They have lately been under the King of Hungary. The river Danubius doth divide this Dacia from Mysia, commonly called Bulgaria, which lieth on the South from Danubius, and is severed from Graecia by the mountain Hamus.  
From Hamus towards the South lieth Graecia, bounded on the West by the Adriatic sea: on the East, by the Thracian s●●, and Mare Aegeum: on the South, by the main Mediteran sea. This contained in old time four special parts: Peloponnesus, Achaia Macedonia, and Epirus.  
Peloponnesus, which is now called Morea, is the South part of Graecia, being Paeninsula, or almost an Island: for that it is joined by a little strait called Isthmos, unto the rest of Gracia. Herein stood Sparta, and the ancient state of Lacedaemon. On the Isthmos or strait, stood the famous city of Corinth, which was in old time called the key of Greece.  
On the West side of Graecia, next to Peloponnesus, stood the kingdom of Macedonia: so famous under Philip for conquering all Graecia: and under Alexander, for vanquishing almost all the Eastern world: and for taking of the Monarchy from the Persians: and removing it to the Macedonians.  
On the northside of Macedonia being the Northwest from Graecia stood the little kingdom of Epirus: where reigned Scanderbag, which was in his time so great a scourge to the Turk.  
The rest of Graecia was called Achaia, having on the North and East part thereof Thracia, on the North Haemus the hill on the West Macedonia and Epirus, on the South Peloponnesus, on the East those seas which divide Asia the less from Graecia. In this part stood Thessalonica, to the which S. Paul wrote his Epistle; and Athens, and Thebes, and all the Cities of Boetia, and the Cities of the Achai, Argos, Elis, and many other.  
Macedonia is by the best Writers and by ancient description rather sound to stand on the northside of Achaia, near to the hill Hamus, and to Thracia, though some in ignorance have taught the contrary.  
In this country of Graecia were in ancient time many Kingdoms and States, as at this day there are in Italy: as the Macedonians, the kingdom of Epyrus, the State of Athens, the government of Sparta, the city of Thebes, and very many other places: in so much that almost every town had a peculiar government. But now it is all under one Monarchy.  
From Graecia, in old time, did almost all famous things come. These were they that made the war against Troy; that resisted Xerxes the mighty king of Persia; that had the famous Lawmakers; as Solon in Athens, and Lycurgus in Lacedaemon; that took away the Monarchy from the Persians; that brought forth the famous Captains, as Themistocles, Miltiades, Alexander, and many other that were the authors of civility unto the Western nations, and to some in the East; as Asia the less, that gave to Italy and to the Romans the first light of learning: because from them arose the first Poets, as Homer, Hesiodus, Sophocles, and diverse other; the great Philosophers, namely, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and all the Sects of the Academics, Stoics, Peripatetics, Epicureans, and almost all their scholars; the great Orators, Demosthenes, and Eschines, and in one word (the Mathematiks excepted, which came rather from the Chaldeans, and the Egyptians) the whole flower of Arts and good learning.  
On the North east part of Graecia standeth Thracia, which though heretofore it hath been distinguished, yet now it is accounted as the chief part of Greece. Hear on the edge of the sea-coast, very neete unto Asia, standeth the city called Byzantium: but since Constantinople; because Constantine the great did new build it, and made it an imperial city. This was the chief residence of the Emperor of Graecia, sometimes called new Rome, and the glory of the East; where the generell Council was once assembled: and one of the seas of the patriarchs: who was called the Patriarch of Constantinople. But by the great discord of the Christians, all Graecia, and this City is fallen into the hands of the Turk: who now maketh it his place of imperial abode. It was won in the time of Constantine the last Emperor: so that by Constantine it obtained his honour, and by Constantine it lost it. In this city lieth resident with the Turk an Ambassador or Agent for the Queen of England. The Christians that do live now in Gracia are in miserable servitude unto the Turk. They disagree in many things from the doctrine of the Church of Rome.   

De Mari Europam & Asiam interiacente.  
IT is said before, that on the North-part between Asia and Europe the river Tanais doth run as a bound of them both.  
This river runneth into a Lake called Maeotis palus, which bordereth on the confines of Scythia, or Tartary.  
This Maeotis doth disburden itself into a wide sea called Pontus Euxinus.  
At the mouth of this sea, is a very great strait, known by the name of Thracius Bosphorus, where the breadth of the sea is not above one mile, severing Asia and Europe. On the side of Europe standeth Constantinople: on the side of Asia, a City called Pera, which for the dearness, is by some reckoned a part of Constantinople.  
After this strait, the sea openeth itself more large toward the South: and is called by the name of Propontus. But than it gooweth again into another strait, which they writ to be in breadth about two miles. This is called Hellespontus, having on the one side Abydos in Asia, and on the other side Cestus, on the side of Europe.  
This is that place, where Xerxes the great King of Persia did make his bridge over the sea: so much renowned in ancient histories, which was not impossible, by reason of the narrowness: the foundation of his bridge being rested on ships. Here also may appear the reason of that story of Leander and Hero: which Leander, is reported for the love of her, to have oftentimes swam over the sea, till at last he was drowned.  
From this straight Southward, the sea groweth more wide, and is called afterwards by the name of Mare agenor, and so descendeth unto the full Mediterran.   

De Asia, & primo de Tartary.  
ON the northside of Asia, joining unto the dominion of the Emperor of Russia: is Tartary, in ancient time called Scythia: the bounds whereof did then extend themselves into a good part of Europe, and thereof was called Scythia Europhaea; but the greatest part of it lieth in Asia; A mighty large country, extending itself from the North to the uttermost sea. On the East, to the dominion of the great Cham, or Prince of Cathaio, on the South, down to the Mare Caspi●m.  
The Tartarians which now inhabit it, are men of great stature, rude of behaviour, no Christians, but Gentiles: neither do they acknowledge Mahomet. They have sew or no Cities among them: but after the manner of the old Seythians, do live in wildernesses: lying under their carts, and following their droaves of cattle, by the milk whereof they do nourish themselves. They sow no come at all, because they abide not long in any one place: but taking their direction from the North-pole-starre, they remove from one coast of their country unto an other.  
The country is populous: and the men are great warriors: sighting always on horseback with their bow and arrows, and a short sword. They have among them infinite store of horses: whereof they sell many unto the country's adjoining. Their ordinary food in their wars, is horseflesh, which they use to eat raw, being chased a little by hanging at their saddle.  
They have great wars with the countries adjoining: but especially with the Moscovite, and sometimes with the Turk. From hence came Tamberlano, who brought seven hundredth thousands of the Tartarians at once into the field: wherein he distressed and took prisoner, Bajazet the great Turk; whom he afterwards forced to feed as a dog under his table. They have now among them, many princes and governors, as those have one, whom they call the Crim Tartars: and those have another, which are the Tartars of Nagaia, and so divers other.  
The English have laboured to their great expenses, to find out the way by the North Seas of Tartary, to go into Cathaio and China. But by reason of the frozen seas, they have not yet prevailed. Although it be now reported, that the Flemings have discovered that passage: which is like to be to the great benefit of the Northeme parts of Christendom.   

De Cathaio, & China.  
NExt beyond Tartary on the north-east part of Asia, lieth a great country called Kathaie, or Kathaia: the bounds whereof extend themselves on the North, and East, to the uttermost seas, and on the South to China. The people are not much learned, but more civil than the Tartars, and have good and ordinary traffic with the countries adjoining. This country hath in it many Kings, which are tributaries, and do owe obedience unto one, whom they call the great Cham or Cane of Kathaia: who is the chief governor of all the land: and esteemed for multitude of people, and largeness of Dominion, to be one of the great Princes of the world: but his name is the less famous: for that he lieth so far distant from the best nations: and the passage unto his country is so dangerous, either for the perils of the seas, or for the long space by land: his chief imperial City is called Cambalu.  
On the Southside of Kathaie, and East part of Asia next to the sea, lieth China. The people whereof, Osorius describeth by the name of Sine: and calleth their country Sinarunt regio. This is a fruitful country and yieldeth great store of rich commodities as almost any country in the world. It containeth in it very many several kingdoms, which are absolute Princes in their States. The chief city in this country is called Quinsay, and is described to be of incredible greatness, Such a city as were wont to be in anntient time in the East: as Babylon, Nilus, and other. This country was first discovered by the late navigation of the Portugals into the East Indies.  
The people of China are learned almost in all Arts, very skilful workmen in curious fine works of all sorts: so that no country yieldeth more precious merchandise than the workmanship of them.  
They are great soldiers, very politic and crafty, and in respect thereof, contemning the wits of other using a Proverb, that all Nations do see but with one eye: but that themselves have two.  
Petrus Mathaeus historiographer to the King of Spain for the Eastern Indies, doth report of them: that they have had from very ancient time among them: these two things, which we hold to be the miracles of Christendom, and but lately invented. The one is the use of guns for their wars, & the other is printing: which they use not as we do, writing from the left hand unto the right: or as the Hebrews, and Syrians; from the right hand unto the left: but downward directly: & so their lines at the top to begin again.   

De India orientali.  
ON the Southside of China, toward the Molucco islands, and the Indian sea, lieth the great country of India: extending itself from the Southeast part of the continent, by the space of many thousand mile's westward unto the river Indus, which is the greatest river in all that country, except Ganges, one of the greatest rivers in the world, which lieth in the East-part of the same Indies. This is that country, so famous in ancient time for the great riches thereof, for the multitude of people, for the conquest of Bacchus over it, for the passage thither of Alexander the great through all the length of Asia: for his adventuring to go into the South Ocean with so mighty a Navy, which few or none had ever attempted before him.  
This country had in ancient time, many absolute kingdoms and princes; as in the time of Alexander, Porus, Taxiles, and divers others. In it were many Philosophers, and men of great learning: whom they called Gymnesophistae, of whom was Calanus, who burned himself afore Alexander. The men of the South-parte of India are black, and therefore are called men of Ind. The cattle of all sorts that are bred there, are of incredible bigness, in respect of other countries: as their Elephants, Apes, Monkeys, and such like.  
The riches hereof hath been very great with abundance of gold: insomuch, that the Promontory, which is now called Malach●, was in times past named Aurea Chersonesus. The commodity of spice is exceeding great that cometh from thence. The Portugese's were the first, which by their long navigations beyond the Equinoctial, and the farthermost part of Africa, have of late years discovered these countries of India. As heretofore of the King of Portugal: so now of the King of Spain, who is reputed owner of them.  
The Portugese's did find divers small kingdoms at their first arrival in those parts, as the king of Calicut, from whence cometh our Calicut linen: the king of Cambaia, the king of Cananor, the king of Cochin, and v●ry many other; with whom, they first entering league for traffic, and having leave given to build Castles for their defence, they have since by policy, encroached into their hands a great part of the country which lieth near unto the sea-coast, and are mighty now, for the space of many thousand miles together. The king of Spain hath there a viceroy; whose residence, is commonly in the Imperial city called Goa. They do every year send home great store of rich commodities into Spain.  
The people of the country when the Portugese's came first thither, were for the most part Gentiles: believing no one God. But the Saracens, who reverence the Prophet Mahomet, from the bay, or gulfs of Persia, and Arabia, did traffic much thither: so that Mahomet was known among them. But in one town called Crangarior, they found divers Christians, diffenting in many things from the Church of Rome, and rather agreeing with the Protestants: which Christians had retained by success their religion, from the time of Thomas the Apostle: by whom it is recorded by the ancient Ecclesiastical history, part of India was converted   

De Persia.  
THere be divers countries between India and Persia: but they are not famous. Persia is a large country, which lieth far West from India, it hath on the North Assyria, and Media: on the West, Syria, and the Holyland: but next unto it Mesopotamie: on the South, the main Ocean, which entereth in notwithstanding, by a bay called Sinus Persicus.  
This is that country, which in ancient time was so renowned for the great riches and Empire thereof. These were they, who took from the Assyrians the Monarchies and did set up in their country, the second great Empire: which began under Cyrus: and continued unto Darius: who was overthrown by Alexander the great. In this Country reigned the great Kings: Cyrus, Canibises, Darius the son of Histaspes, the great Xerxes, Artaxerxes, and many other: which in profane writings are famous for their wars against the Scythians, Egyptians, and Grecians, and in the Scripture, for the delivery of the jews from Babylon by Cyrus; for building of the second Temple at jerusalem: and for many things which are mentioned of them in the Prophecy of Daniel.  
The people of this nation, although they were in former times very riotous, by reason of their great wealth: yet after that they lost their Monarchy by the Macedonians, they have grown great soldiers: and therefore as they ever did strongly defend themselves against the Romans: so in the time of Constantine, and the other Emperors: they were fearful neighbours to the Roman government. And of late time, they have strongly opposed then selves against the Turks, ever making their party good with them. They fight commonly on horseback & are governed as in times past, by a King: so now, by an absolute ruler and mighty Prince: whom they term the shaw, or Sophy of Persia. He hath many countries, and small Kings in Assyria, and Media, and the countries adjoining tributaries.  
The Persians are all at this day Sarazens in religion, believing on Mahomet: but as Papists and protestants do diffor in opinion concerning the same Christ so do the Turks and Persians about their Mahomet: the one pursuing the other as heretics with most deadly hatred. In so much, that there be in this respect almost continual wars between the Turks, and the Persians.   

De Parthia, & Media.  
ON the north-east, side of Persia, lieth that country, which in old time was called Paerthia, but now named Arach, of whose great wars with the Medians, or Armenians, or Romans, in Tacitus, and ancient histories are true. The country boundeth on Media by the West, which was in ancient time very full of people, whose fight as it is very much on horsbacke, so the manner of them continually was for to give an onset, and then to run their ways: but to return again like to the wild Irish, so that no man was sure when he had obtained any victory over them.  
These were the people that gave the great overthrow to that rich Marcus Crassus of Rome, who by reason his covetousness, intending more to his getting of gold, then to the guiding of his army, was slain himself, & many thousands of the Romanos. The Parthians with exprobration of his thirst after money, pouring molten gold into his mouth after he was dead. Against these, the great Lucullus fought many battles: but the Romans were never able to bring them quite in subjection.  
On the Westside of Parthia (the Mare Caspium being on the North. Armenia on the West, and Persia on the South) Here lieth that country which in times past was called Media, but now Shiruan, or Seruan: which is at this day governed by many inferior Kings and Princes which are tributaries, and do owe subjection to the Sophy of Persia. So that he is the sovereign Lord of all Media, as our English men have found: who passing through the dominion of the Emperor of Russia, have crossed the Mare Caspium, and merchandised with the inhabitants of this Media.  
This Nation in former time was very famous: for the Medes were they that removed the Empire from the Assyrians, unto them: which as in themselves it was nor great. So when by Cyrus it was loined by the Persians, it was very mighty, and called by the name of the Empire of the Medes and Persians. Here it was that Afryages reigned, the grandfather of Cyrus, and Darius of the Medes: the chief city of this kingdom, was called Ecbatana, as the chief city of Persia, is Babylon.   

De Armenia & Assyria.  
ON the West side of the Mare Caspium, and of Media, lieth a country called by a general name Armenia, which is by some distinctly divided into three parts: the North part whereof being but little, is called Georgia: the middle part Turcomania: and the third part, by the proper, name of Armenia: by which a man may see the reason of difference in divers writers. Some saying that the country whence the Turks first came, was Armenia: some say Turcomania: and some Georgia: the truth being, that out of one, or all these countries they be descended. These Turks are supposed to be the issue of them: whom Alexander the great did shut up within certain mountains near to the Mare Caspium.  
There is this one thing Memorable in Armenia: that after the great flood the Ark of Noah did rest itself on the mountains of Armenia: whereas josephus witnesseth, it is to be seen yet to this day. The hills whereon it rested are called by some Noah montes. The people of this Nation have retained among them the Christian faith, as it is thought, from the time of the Apostles: but at this day it is spotted with many absurdities.  
On the South part of Armenia bending toward the East, lieth the country of Assyria, which is bounded on the West with Mesopotamia. This country was that land, wherein the first Monarchy war settled, which began under Ninus, which the Scripture calleth Nimrod: living not long after Noah's flood. And it ended in Sardanapalus: continuing for the space of a thousand and three hundred years. The King of this country was Senacharib; of whom we read in the book of Kings: and here reigned Nabuchadnezzer, who took jerusalem, and led the jews away prisoners unto Babylon.  
In this country, is the swift river Tigris, near unto the which, was Paradise: upon this river stood the great city Niniveh, called by profane writers Ninus: which was almost of incredible bigness, and exceeding populous: but the nearness of the river, and marvelous fruitfulness of the soil, which Herodotus writeth: did return their corn sometimes two, sometimes three hundred fold, and did yield sufficiency for to maintain it. This city for a long time was the imperial feat of the Monarchy: but being destroyed, as God foretold it should be by the Chaldeans: the residence of the king, was afterwards removed unto Babylon, a great city in Chaldea, first built by Semiramis.   

De Chaldaea.  
Next unto Assyria, lieth Chaldaea: having on the East side Assyria, on the West Syria, or Palestina: on the North Armenia: on the South the desert of Arabia. This country is often called by the name of Mesopotamia, which name it hath, because it lieth in the middle of two great rivers, Tigris, and Euphrates: it is called also by the name of Babilonia, which word of itself properly taken, doth signify only that part of the country which standeth about Babylon.  
The chief city hereof was Babylon, the ruins whereof do remain to this day. It was a rich and most pleasant city for all kind of delight: and was the imperial city of the Assyrians: where Nabuchadnessar, and other their great kings did lie. It was to this city, that the children of Israel were carried captives: which thereof was called the captivity of Babylon. The kings of Persia did also keep their residence here: it was built upon the river Euphrates, some part of it standeth on the one side, and some on the other: having so the foundress, Semiramis, the wife of Ninus.  
It is supposed by Divines, that in this Mesopotamia, between the river Tigris & Euphrates, Paradise did stand: this was the country wherein Abraham the Patriarch was borne: unto the which the Romans could very hardly extend their dominion. For they had much to do to get any such government of any thing beyond the river Euphrates. From this people it is thought that the wise men came, which brought presents unto Christ, by the guiding of a star.  
For as in India and all the Eastern parts, so especially in this country, their Noble men and Priests, and very many people, do give themselves to all Arts of divination: Here were the great Soothsayers, Enchanters, and wise men, as they call them: here the first Astrologians, which are so descibed and derided in the Scripture: and against the inhabitants of Babylon and Chaldaea were the laws of the Romans made, against divining Mathematicians: who in Tully de Divinatione, & Cornelius Tacitus, as also in the laws of the Emperors, are ordinary called by the name of Chaldeans: and in deed from these, and from the egyptians, is supposed to have sprung the first knowledge of Astronomy.   

De Asia minori,  
ON the Northwest side of Mesopotamia lieth that country which is now called Nitolia: but in times past Asia minor, having on the northside Pontus Euxinus, on the West, the Hellespont, and on the South, the main Mare Mediterraneum. In the ancient writers, both of the Grecians, and of the Romans, this is oftentimes called by the single name of Asia, because it was best known unto them, and they were not so much acquainted with the farther places of Asia the great.  
This country in general, for the fruitfulness of the land standing in so temperate a Climate, and for the conveniency of the Sea every way, and so many good havens, hath been reputed always a very commodious and pleasurefull country. It is wholly at this day under the Turk. The mountain Taurus goeth along from the West, unto the East part of it.  
The greatness of it is such, that it hath comprehended many kingdoms and great provinces, beside cities of great fame. On the Southeast part thereof, near Palaestina, lieth Cilicia: the chief city thereof is Tarsus, the country of Saint Paul: the place whither Solomon sent for great store of his gold, and provision for the Temple, whither jonas also fled, when he should have gone to Ninive. In the straits of this Cilicia, near to the mountain Taurus, did Alexander give the great overthrow in person to Darius, in the joining of their first battle.  
Westward from Cilicia, lieth the province called Pamphilia: wherein standeth the city Saeleucia, built by Seleucus, one of the four great successors of Alexander the great.  
On the West of this Pamphilia, extending itself even to the sea, is Lydia, where reigned sometime Croesus, who was so renowned for his abundant riches. Herein standeth as a sea-town, Halicarnassus the country of Herodotus, and of Dionysius, who wrote the Roman History: which city was sometimes a kingdom, as in the time of Xerxes: to whose aid against the Grecians, did go Artimisia, the Queen of Halicarnasse, and here reigned Ada another Queen, in the time of Alexander the great.  
Upon the sea-coast, Northward from Lydia, standeth divers of those cities, unto the which, john in his Revellation did write his seven Epistles, as Smyrna, Pergamus, Sardis, and Ephesus: but other of them, as Laodicia, Philadelphia, Thiatira, do stand more in the inland.  
Sardis was a city of great pleasure and profit: which is that place, the winning whereof by the Greeks' did so displease one of the kings of Persia; that he caused it every day at dinner to be remembered unto him, that the Grecians had taken Sardis: and that he must not cease till he had recovered it again.  
Ephesus was one of the most famous cities of the world, the greatest glory whereof did arise by reason of the most magnificent Temple of Diana, which was at Ephesus: to the building whereof all Asia the less did very bountifully contribute.  
It is reported to have been two hundred years in building: and at seven several times, as otherwise, so especially by lightning, to have been set on fire: but the final destruction of it was by a base person named Herostratus: who of purpose set it on fire, to make himself famous.  
More Northward toward the Sea-coast lieth Phrygia, which was the country from whence the Goddess called Bona Dea, or Pessinuntia, and Cybile was brought to Rome. In this country lived Gordius, who knit that knot that Alexander cut: hoping thereby to obtain (as an oracle had foretold) the whole kingdom of Asia. In this country stood Troy, the siege whereof by the Grecians, is made so famous by the Poetry of Homer and of Virgil.  
Yet Northward from Phrygia lieth the Country of Bythinia, which was sometimes a kingdom where Prusias reigned, that had so much to do with the Romans. In this country standeth the city Nicaea, where the first general Council was held against Arrius the Heretic, by Constantine the great: thereof called the Nicene Council. Here standeth also Chalcedon, where the fourth general Council was held by the Emperor Martianus, against the heretic Nestorius.  
From Bythinia Eastward, on the northside of Asia the less, standeth the country of Paphlagonia, where was the city built by Pompey the great, called of his name Pompeiopolis. From thence Eastward, joining to Armenia, is the kingdom of Capadocia, which bordereth on Armenia: & Northward from thence, near to the sea called Pontus Euxinus, lieth the kingdom of Mithridates: which was called Pontus. This Mithridates had long wars with the Romans, whose subjects he caused to be slain all in one night throughout Asia the less. He was afterward overthrown by Pempey the great Roman. By him was invented that preservative against poison, which of his name is called Mithridate. There were also in Asia the less some other small countries, as Galatia, Lycia, Caria, and some other.   

De Syria, & Palaestina.  
SOuthward from Cilicia, and Asia the less, lieth Syria, called Palaestina, having on the East Mesopotamia, on the South Arabia, on the West Tire and Sidon, and the end of the Mediterran sea. The people of this Syria, were in times past called the Aramites. In their language is the translation of the new Testament, called the Syriac.  
In this country standeth Antioch, which was sometimes one of the famous patriarchs seas, and is a city of reckoning unto this day. Here also standeth now the City of Aleppo, which is a famous Mart town for the merchandising of the Persians, and other of the East, and for the Turks, and such countries as be adjoining. Here standeth also Tripoli.  
The South part of Syria, lying down toward Egypt and Arabia, was the place where the children of Israel did dwell; being a country but of small quantity, not in length two hundrens Italian miles: yet was so fruitful, flowing with milk and honey (as the scripture calleth it) that both it did maintain above thirty kings and their people, before the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt; and also was sufficient afterward to relieve the incredible number of the twelve tribes of Israel.  
It was noted of this country, that whereas by the goodness of the Climate wherein it stood, and the fertility of the soil (but especially by the blessing of God) it was the most fruitful land that was in the world: now our travailers by experience do find the country, in respect of the fruitfulness, to be changed; God cursing the land, together with the jews, the inhabitants of it. It is observed also for all the Eastern parts, that they are not so fertile as they have been in former ages. The earth as it were growing old, which is an argument of the dissolution to come by the day of judgement.  
Through this country doth run the river jordan, which hath heretofore been famous for the fruitfulness of the trees standing thereupon, and for the mildness of the air, so that (as josephus writeth) when snow hath lain in other places of the land, about the river it hath been so calm that men did go in single thin linen garments.  
In this country standeth the Lake called Lacus Asphaltites, because of a kind of slime, or Bitumen, which daily it doth cast up, being of force to join stones exceeding fast in building.  
This Lake is it, which is called Mare mortuum, a Sea, because it is salt and dead, for that no living thing is therein: the water whereof is so thick, that few things will sink therein: insomuch, that josephus saith, that an Ox having all his legs bound, will not sink in that water.  
The nature of this lake was turned into this quality, when God did destroy Sodom and Gomorra, and the cities adjoining with fire and brimstone from heaven: for Sodom and the other cities did stand near unto jordan, and to the Mare mortuum: for the destruction of whom, all that coast to this day is a witness: the earth smelling of brimstone, being desolate, and yielding no fruit saving apples, and such, which growing with a fair show to the eye like other fruit: assoon as they are touched, turn presently to ashes: as besides josephus, Solinus doth witness.  
The land of Palaestina had for inhabitants all the twelve tribes of Israel, which were under one kingdom, till the time of Rehoboam the son of Solomon. But than were they divided into two kingdoms: ten tribes being called Israel, and two being called juda, whose chief City was called jerusalem. Then the tribes after much Idolatry, were carried prisoners into Assyria, and the kingdom dissolved: other people being placed in their room in Samaria, and the country adjoining.  
The other two tribes were properly called the jews, & their land judaea, which continued long after in jerusalem, and thereabout, till the captivity of Babylon: where they lived for 70. years. They were afterward restored: but lived without glory till the coming of Christ. But since his time, for a curse upon them and their children, for putting Christ to death, they are scattered upon the face of the earth as runagates, without certain country, King, Priest, or Prophet.  
In their chief City jerusalem was the Temple of God, first most gloriously built by Solomon, and afterward destroyed by Nabuchadnezzer. By the commandment of Cyrus' King of Persia, was a second Temple built, much more base than the former: for besides the poverty, and smallness of it, there wanted five things which were in the former, as the jews write. First the Ark of the covenant: Secondly, the pot of Manna: Thirdly, the rod of Aron: Fourthly, the two tables of the law written by the finger of God: and fifthly, the fire for the sacrifice which came down from heaven. Herod the great, an Edomite stranger, having gotten the kingdom, contrary to the law of Moses, and knowing the people to be offended therewithal, to procure their favour, did build a third Temple, much more glorious than the second, which was that Temple wherein our Saviour Christ and his Apostles did teach.  
The City of jerusalem was twice taken, and utterly laid desolate: first by Nabuchadnezzer at the captivity of Babylon: and secondly after the death of Christ by Vespasian the Roman (who first began the siege) and by his son Titus, who was afterward Emperor of Rome: who brought such horrible desolation on that City, and the people thereof by sire, sword, and famine, that the like hath not been read in any history. He did afterward put thousands of them on some one day, to be devoured by the beasts, which was a cruel custom of the Roman magnificence.  
After this destruction, the land of judaea, and the ruins of jerusalem, were possessed by some of the people adjoining, till that about 600. years since, the Saracens did invade it: for the expelling of whom from thence, divers Frenchmen, and other Christians, under the leading of Godfrey of Bullen, did assemble themselves: thinking it a great shame, that the Holy land as they called it, the City of jerusalem, and the place of the sepulchre of Christ, should be in the hands of the Infidels.  
This Godfrey ruled in jerusalem by the name of a Duke: but his successors after him, for the space of six score years, called themselves Kings of jerusalem: about which time, Saladine who called himself King of Egypt, and Asia the less, did win it from the Christians: for the recovery whereof, Richard the first, King of England, together with the French King, and the King of Cicilia, did go in person with their armies to jerusalem: but although they won many things from the infidels, yet the end was, that the Saracens did retain the Holy land.  
The whole country and city of jerusalem, are now in the dominion of the Turk: who notwithstanding for a great tribute, doth suffer many Christians to abide there. There are therefore now two, or more monasteries, and religious houses where Friars do abide, and make a good commodity by showing of the sepulchre of Christ, and other monuments unto such Christian pilgrims, as do use superstitiously to go in pilgrimage to the Holy land. The King of Spain calleth himself at this day, King of jerusalem.   

De Arabia.  
NExt unto the Holy land, lieth the great country of Arabia, having on the North-parte Palestina, and Mesepotamia: on the East the gulf of Persia: on the South the main Ocean of India or Aethiopia: on the West, Egypt, and the great bay called Sinus Arabicus, or the red sea. This country is divided into three parts: the North part whereof, is called Arabia deserta; the South part, which is the greatest, is named Arabia Foelix, and in the middle between both, which for the abundance of Rocks and Stones, is called Arabia Petrea, or Petrosa. The desert of Arabia is that place, in which God after the delivery of the Israelites from Egypt, by passing through the red sea, did keep his people under Moses for forty years, because of their rebellion; feeding them in the mean time with Manna from heaven, & sometime with water miraculously drawn out of dry rocks: for the country hath very little water, almost no trees, and is utterly unfit for tillage or corn. There are no towns nor inhabitants in all this desert: in Arabia Petrosa are some, but not many.  
Arabia Foelix, for fruitfulness of the ground, and convenient standing every way toward the sea, is one of the best countries of the world: but the principal cause why it is called Foelix, is for that it yieldeth many things in abundance, which in other parts of the world are not to be had: as Frankincense, especially the most precious balms, myrrh, and many other, both fruits and spices, and it yieldeth withal, store of some precious stones.  
This is that country wherein Mahomet wes borne, who being of mean parentage, was brought up in his youth in the trade of merchandise; but afterward joining himself with thieves and robbers, his life was to rob such merchants as passed through Arabia; and to this purpose having gotten together many of his own countrymen, he had afterwards a whole legion or more out of the Roman soldiers: who being offended with Heraclius the Roman Emperor, for want of their pay, joined themselves to him: so that at length he had a great army, wherewith he spoiled the country adjoining.  
To maintain his credit & authority with his own men, he feigned that he had conference with the holy Ghost, at such time as he was troubled with the falling sickness, and accordingly, he ordained a new religion, consisting partly of jewish ceremonies, and partly of Christian doctrine, and some other things of his own invention, that he might inveigle both jews and Christians, and yet by his own fancy distinguish his followers from both. The book of his religion is called the Alcoran. The people which were his Sectaries (whereas in deed they came of Hagar the hand maid of Sara Abraham's wife: and therefore should of her be called Ismaelites, or Hagarens) because they would not seem to be come of a bond woman, and from him whom they suppose a bastard: they term themselves Sarazens, as coming from Sara, they are called by some writers Arabians in stead of Saracens, their name being drawn from their first country.  
In the country of Arabia standeth a city called Mecha, which is the place where Mahomet was buried, and in remembrance of him there is built a great Temple: unto the which, the Turks and Saracens do yearly go on pilgrimage, as some Christians do to the Holy land. For they account Mahomet to be the greatest Prophet that ever came into the world: saying that there were three great Prophets Moses, Christ, and Mahomet: and as the doctrine of Moses was bettered by Christ, so is the doctrine of Christ amended by Mahomet. In this respect, as we reckon the computation of our years from the incarnation of Christ, so the Saracens account theirs from the time of Mahomet. The Turks, whose fame began now about two hundred years since, have embraced the opinions and the religion of the Saracens, concerning Mahomet.  
On the Westside of Arabia, between that, and Egypt, lieth the gulf called of the country, Sinus Arabicus, by some Mare Erythreum, but commonly the red Sea: not of one Erythrus as some suppose; but because the sand and banks thereabout are in colour red. This is that sea, through the which, by Moses, the people of Israel were led, when they fled out of Egypt from Pharaoh: God causing by his power, the waters to stand on both sides of them, which they passed through as on dry land.  
This is that sea, through the which, the spices of the East Indies were in times past brought to Alexandria in Egypt. and from thence dispersed into Christendom by the Venetians: which spices and apothecary drugs are found to be far worse than before time they were, by reason of the great moisture which they take on the water, by the long navigation of the Portugese's, by the back part of Africa.  
This is that sea, through the which Solomon did send for his gold, and other precious merchandise unto the East Indies, and not to the West Indies, as some lately have disputed. Whereout the vanity of that opinion may appear, that America and the West Indies were known in the time of Solomon: for if he had sent thither, his course had been along the Med. and through the straits of Gibraltar, commonly called Fretum Herculeum, between Spain and Barbary. But the Scripture telleth, that the navy which Solomon sent forth, was built at Eseon Gabar: which there also is said to stand on the red sea: so his course might be Eastward or southward, not Westward.  
In the desert of Arabia is the Mount Horeb: which by some is supposed to be the same that is called the Mount Sina: where many think it was, that Abraham should have offered up his son Isaac: but it is certain, that it was the place, where God in the Wilderness, did give unto the people of Israel his law of the ten commandments, with thundering, lightning, and earthquake, in most fearful manner.   

De Africa, & Egypto.  
FRom Arabia, and Palastina, toward the West, lieth Africa; having on the northside, from the one end of it to the other, the Mediter. sea. The greatest part of which country, although it hath been guessed at by writers in former time, yet because of the great heat of it, lying for the most part under the Zona Torrida, and for the Wildernesses therein, it was in former times supposed by many, not to be much inhabited: but of certainty by all, very little discovered: till the Portugese's of late began their navigation on the backside of Africa, to the East Indies. So exact a description is not therefore to be looked for, as hath been of Asia, and Eurupa.  
joined to the Holy land by a little Isthmos is the country of Egypt, which is a land most fruitful, as any almost in the world, although in these days it doth not answer to the felicity of former time. This is it which in the time of joseph did relieve Canaan with corn, and the family of jacob, which did so multiply in the land of Egypt, that they were grown to an huge multitude, when God by Moses did deliver them from thence. This country did yield exceeding abundance of corn unto the city of Rome, whereupon Egypt, as well as Cicilia, was commonly called Horreum populi Romani.  
It is observed from all antiquity, that almost never any rain did fall in the land of Egypt: whereupon the raining, with thunder, & lightning, and fire running on the ground, was so much the more strange: when God plagued Pharaoh in the days of Moses. But the flowing of the river Nilus over all the country (their cities only and some few hills excepted) doth so water the earth, that it bringeth forth fruit abundantly. The flowing of which river yearly is one of the greatest miracles of the world, no man being able to yield a sufficient and assured reason thereof: although in Herodotus, and Diodorus Siculus, many probable causes and opinions are assigned thereof.  
It is noted of this river, if in ordinary places it do flow under the height of fifteen cubits, that for want of moisture, the year is not fruitful; and if it do flow above seventeen cubits, that there is like to be a dearth by reason of the abundance of the moisture, the water lying longer on the land then the inhabitants do desire.  
In Egypt hath learning been very ancient. But especially the knowledge of Astronomy and Mathematics: whereof before the time of Tully, their Priests would report, that they had the descent for 1500. years exactly recorded, with observation Astrological: which as it is a fable, unless they do reckon their years by the Moon (as some suppose they did every month, for a year) so it doth argue knowledge to have been among them very ancient: their Priests had among them a kind of writing, and of describing things by picture: which they did call their Hieroglyphica.  
This in times past was a kingdom, and by the Kings thereof were built those great Pyramids, which were held to be one of the seven wonders of the world, being mighty huge buildings, erected of exceeding height, for the magnificence of their founders. There is part of two or three of them remaining unto this day. In Egypt did stand the great City Memphis, which is at this day called Cairo, one of the most famous Cities of the East. Here did Alexander build that City, which unto this day is of his name called Alexandria, b'ing now the greatest City of merchandise in all Egypt: of which Ammiamus Marcellinus doth observe, that there is never any day, or almost hath ever been: but that once in that day, the Sun hath been seen to shine over Alexandria. This City was one of the four principal seas, and remaineth so at this time.  
This country was governed by a King, as long agone, as almost any in the world. Here reigned Amasis, who made those good laws spoken of by Herodotus, and Diodorus Siculus, in whose writings the ancient customs of the Egyptians are worthy to be read.  
After Alexander's time, Ptolomeus one of his captains had this kingdom, of whom all his successors were called Ptolemies, as before time all their Kings were called Pharaoh. They continued long friends, and in league with the people of Rome, till the time of julius Caesar: but afterward they were as subjects to the Romans', till the Empire did decay,  
When they had withdrawn themselves from the Roman government, they set up a Prince of their own: whom they termed the Sultan, or soldan of Egypt: of whom, about 400. years since, Saladine was one. But when the race of these was out, the Mamalukes (who were the guard of the Sultan, as the janissaries to the Turk) appointed a Prince at their pleasure, till that now about an 100 years agone, or less, the Turk possessed himself with sole government of the country: so that at this day, Egypt is wholly under the Turk.  
There be Christians that now live in Egypt, for their tribute unto the Turk, as they do now in Graecia.   

De Cyrene & Africa minori.  
ON the Westside of Egypt, lying along the Mediterran, is a country which is called in old time Cyrene: wherein did stand that Oracle which was so famous in the time of Alexander the great, called by the name of the Temple or Oracle of jupiter Hammon: whither, when Alexander did repair, as to ask counsel of himself and his success, the Priests being before taught what they should say, did flatteringly profess him to be the son of a God, and that he was to be adored: so that as the Oracle of Delphos, and some other were plain delusions of Satan, who did reign in that dark time of ignorance, so this of jupiter Hammon may be well supposed to be nothing else but a cozenage of the Priests.  
In this country and all near about where the Oracle stood, are very great wildernesses: where did appear to Alexander, for four days journey, neither Grass, Tree, Water, Man, Bird, nor Beast; but only a deep kind of sand: so that he was enforced to carry water with him for himself and his company, and all other provision on Camels backs. At this day this country hath lost his old name, and is reckoned as a part of Egypt, and lieth under the Turk.  
Westward from hence, along the Mediterran, lieth the country which in ancient time was called Afried minor: for as in Asia one part above another was by an excellency called Asia, or Asia the less: so this part of Africa was termed by the Romans' sometimes Africa simply, sometimes Afica the less. In this country did stand that place so famous, mentioned by Sallust: under the neme of Phileni Arae, which was the bound in that time, between Africa and Cyrene.  
On the Notth and East part hereof, in the sea near unto the shore, was that quicke-sand, which in times past did destroy so many ships: and was called Syrtis Magna: as also, on the North and West part was the other sand, called Syrtis parva. Some part of this country was heretofore under the Sultan of Egypt, whose dominion did extend itself so far to the West: & there it was divided from the kingdom of Tunis: but it is now wholly under the Turk, and is commonly reputed as a part of Barbary. For now by the general name, from the confines of Cyrene unto the West, as far as Hercules his pillars, all the whole space is called Barbary: though it contain in it divers kingdoms, as Tunis, Fessa, and Morocco.   

De Mauritania Caesariensi.  
Apart of that country, which by a general name is called at this day Barbary, hath in old time been called Mauritania, which was divided into two parts: the East part whereof next to Africa minor, was called by the Romans' Mauritania Caesariensis, as the other was called Mauritania Tingitana. In Mauritania Caesariensis was the country of Numidia, the people whereof were used in the wars of the Carthaginians as light-horse men, and for nimble services very active.  
In the East-parte of this country standing in the Sea, was that amous City of Carthage, supposed to be built by Dido, who came from Tyrus. This City was it which for the space of some hundredth years contended with Rome for the Empire of the world. In the Roman histories are recorded three great wars which the people of Rome had with the City of Carthage.  
In the first of the three, their contention was for the Isles of Cicilia, Corsica, and Sardinia: when the victory fell to the Romans', and the Carthaginians were glad to redeem their peace with the leaving of those islands. The second war was begun by Hannibal, who broke the league, and after he had taken some part of Spain from the Romans', and sacked Saguntum, a city of their friends, came first over the Pyrenie hills to France, then over the Alps to Italy, where he overthrew the Romans' in three great battles: and much endangered their state: he continued in Italy with his army sixteen years: till Scipio attempting on Carthage, forced Hannibal to return to rescue his own country. There was Hannibal overthrown, and his City put to a great pension by Scipio: who for his victory there, was named Africanus.  
In the third war, because the people of Cartharge still broke their league, their City was razed to the very ground, by the earnest and continual sure of Cato the elder, fearing evermore so dangerous a neighbour, though Scipio Nasica counseled to the contrary: fearing lest if the dread of that enemy were taken away, the Romans would grow either to idleness, or to civil dissension, which after they did. It is reported of Cato, that he never spoke his judgement of any thing in the Senate, but his conclusion was thus: Thus I think for this matter, and withal, that Carthage is to be razed down. And Scipio Nasica would reply in his conclusion: Thus I think of this matter, and withal, that Carthage is not to be razed down.  
In this country towards the West not far from Carthage stood Utica, whereof the younger Cato was termed Cato Vticensis, because he killed himself there, in the civil wars between Pompey and Caesar: because he would not come within the hands of his enemy Caesar. Not far from thence Westward standeth Hippon, which was the City where S. Austen was Bishop. This whole country at this day is called the kingdom of Tunis, the king whereof is a kind of stipendary unto the great Turk. The people that inhabit there are generally Sarazens, and do profess Mahomet's religion.   

De Mauritania Tingitana.  
THe other part of Barbary that lieth along the Mediterran. farthest into the west was called in old time Manritania Tingitana. The people of which country were those which almost in all old histories were called by the name of Mauri. Those of the other Mauritania being rather termed Namidae.  
Into the Northwest part hereof did Hercules come, and there did set up one of his pillars, which answereth to the other in Spain, at the straits of Gibraltar in times past called Fretum Herculeum. On the South part hereof lay the kingdom of Bocchus, which in the time of Marius had so much to do with the Romans. In the Westpart of this Mauritania, standeth the hill called Atlas minor; and on the South part is the great hill called Atlas' mayor, whereof the main Ocean which lieth between Mauritania and America, is called Mare Atlanticum. This hill is so high, that unto those who stood on the bottom of it, it seemed to touch heaven with his top: whereupon grew that fable of the Poets, that Atlas was a giant, who held up heaven with his shoulders.  
This country hath been long inhabited by the Saracens, who from thence, finding it to be but a short passage into Spain, did go over now seven hundred years agone: and possessed there the kingdom of Granado on the Southside of Spain: till they were thence expelled by Ferdinandus and Elizabeth, or Isabella, King and Queen of Castille.  
In this country since that time, have the Spaniards taken some cities and holds: and so also have the Portugese's: which by the divers event of victory, have often been lost and won by them.  
Here it was that the Emperou: Charles the fift had diverse of his great wars against the Moors, as well as in the kingdom of Timis. For the assistance of one, who claimed to be King of a part of this Country, did Sebastian the king of Portugal go with all his power into Africa, in the year 1578. where unadvisedly bearing himself, he was slain together with two other, dying that day, who claimed to be Kings: so that there it was, that the battle was sought: whereof it is said, that three kings died in one day: which battle was the ruin of the kingdom of Portugal: and the cause of the uniting of a to the Crown of Spain. Astrolegers did suppose, that the blaging Star which appeared the year before did signify that ill event.  
This whole country doth contain in it, beside, some imperial government, two absolute kingdoms: the one the kingdom of Eezza, or Fes, which lieth on the North-part toward the Mediter. and Spain: the other is the kingdom of Morocco, which lieth from about the hill Atlas minor, to the South and West part of Mauritania. These are both Saracens, as be also their people: holding true league with the Turk; and with some other Christian Princes, a league only for trefique or Merchandise.   

De reliquis Africae regionbius. maritimis.  
FRom beyond the hills Atlas' mayor, unto the South of Africa is nothing almost in antiquity worthy the reading, and those things which are written for the most part are fables. In the new Writers there are some few things to be observed As first, that all the people in general to the South, lying within the Zona torrida, are not only blackish like the Moors; but are exceedingly black. And therefore as in old time, by an excellency, some of them were called Nigrita; so that to this day they are named Negroes, as than whom no men are blacker.  
Secondly, that the inhabitants of all these parts which border or the sea coast, even unto Caput bonae spei, have been Gentiles, adoring Images and foolish shapes for their gods; neither hearing of Christ, nor believing on Mahomet, till such time as Portugese's coming in among them, have professed Christ for themselves; but have won few of the people to embrace their religion. Thirdly, that the Portugese's passing along Africa unto the East Indies, have fettled themselves in many places of those countries, building Castles and towns for their own safety, and to keep the people in subjection to their great commodity.  
One of the first countries famous beyond Morocco, is Guinea, which we call Guinea: within the compass whereof lieth the cape called Cape Verde: and the other, the Cape of the three points, and the town and Castle named Sierra Liona, at which places commonly all travailers do touch that do pass that way for fresh water, and other shippe-provision. Our English men have found traffic into the parts of this country: where their greatest commodity as gold, and Elephants teeth: of both which there is very good store.  
Beyond that toward the South, not far from the equinoctial line, lieth the kingdom of Congo, commonly called Manicongo: Where the Portugese's at their first arrival, finding the people to be heathens without God, did induce them to a profession of jesus Christ: and to be baptised in great abundance: allowing of the principles of religion: until such time as the Priests did teach them to lead their lives according unto their profession: which the most part of them in no case enduring, they returned back again unto their Gentilism.  
Beyond Manicongo, so far to the South as almost ten degrees beyond the tropic of Capricorn, lieth the lands end: which is a promontory, now called by the name of Caput bone spei: which Vascus Gama the Portugal did discover, and so called it: because he had there good hope that the land did turn to the North: and that following the course thereof, he might be brought to Arabia, and Persia: but especially to Calicut in India. Which course, when himself and other of his countrymen after him did follow: they found on the coast up toward Arabia, the kingdom of Mozambique, Melinde, Magadaxa, and other: whose people were all Gentiles, and now are in league with the Portugese's: who have built diverse holds for their safety: of which Countries and manners of the people, he that listeth to read, may find much in the histories of Osorius, and Petrus Maffeus. But there is no matter of any great importance.   

De Abissina, & imperio Presbyteri johannis.  
IN the inland of Africa lieth a very large Country, extending itself on the East, to some part of the red sea; on the South, to the kingdom of Melinde, and a great way farther; on the North, unto Egypt; on the West unto Manicorgo: the people whereof are called Abissini, and itself, the dominion of him, whom we commonly call in English Prester john: but in Latin some term him, Preciosus johannes, because of his riches; but in the most part Presbyter johannes: writing of him, that as he is a prince absolute, so he hath also a Priestlike, or patriarchal function & jurisdiction among them. This is a very mighty prince, and reputed to be one of the greatest Emperors of the world.  
What was known of this country in former time was known under the name of Aethiopia: but the voyages of the Portugese's in these late days have best described it. The people therefore are Christians: as is also their prince: but differing in many things from the West Church: and in no sort acknowledging any supreme prerogative of the Bishop of Rome. It is thought that they have retained christianity, even from the time of our Saviour, being supposed to be converted by the Chamberlain of Candace the Queen of Aethiopia: who was instructed concerning Christ, by Philip the evang. in the Acts of the Apostes. Euseb. in his Ecclesiastical story doth make mention of this. But they do to this day retain Circumcision: whereof the reason may be, that the Eunuch their converter not having any further conference with the Apostle, nor any else for him, did receive the ceremonies of the Church unperfectly, retaining Circumcision: which among the jews was not abolished, when he had conference with Philip.  
Within the dominion of Prester john are the mountains commonly called Lune montes, where is the first wellspring and arising of the river Nilus: which river running violently along this country, and sometimes hastily increasing by the melting of much snow from the mountains, would overrun and drown a great part of Egypt: but that it is slaked by many ponds, dams, & sluices, which are within the dominion of Prester john. And in respect hereof, for the maintenance of these, the Princes of Egypt have paid unto the governor of Abyssines a great tribute time out of mind: which of late the great Turk supposing to be a custom needless, did deny: till the people of the Abyssines by commandment of their Prince, did break down their dams, and drowning Egypt, did enforce the Turk to continue his pay, and to give much money for the new making of them very earnestly, to his great charge, desiring a peace.  
There be other Countries in Africa, as Agisimbae, Libiae interior, Nubia, and other of whom nothing is famous. But this may be said of Africa in general, that it bringeth forth store of all sorts of wild beasts, as Elephants, Lions, Panthers, Tigers, and the like: yea, according to the Proverb, Africa sempor aliquid apportet novi. Oftentimes new and strange shapes of beasts are brought forth there. The reason whereof is, that the country being hot and full of wildernesses which have in them little water, the beasts of all sorts are enforced to meet at those few warring places that be, where oftentimes contrary kinds have conjunction the one with the other: so that there ariseth new kinds or species, which taketh part of both. Such a one is the Leopard begotten of the Lion, and the beast called Dardus, somewhat resembling either of them. And thus fat of Africa.   

De Insulis septentrionalibus.  
THe islands that do lie in the North, are in number almost infinite the chief of them only shall be briefly touched. Very far to the North, in the same climate almost with Sweden that is under the very circle arctic, lieth Ireland, called in old time Thule, which was then supposed to be the farthest part of the world Northward, and and therefore is called by Virgil, Vltima Thule: the country is cold, the people barbarous, and it yieldeth little commodity saving Hankes: in some part of the year there is no night at all. Southward from thence lieth Frizeland, called in Latin Frizelandia, whereas the Frizeland joining to Germany, is in Latin called Frizia. On the coast of Germany, one of the seventeen provinces is called Zealand, which containeth in it divers Islands, in whom little is famous, saving that in one of them is Vlishing, or Firshing, a town of war: and at Middleburg, in an other, a place of good mart. The States of the Lowe-countries do hold this province united against the King of Spain. These islands have been much troubled of late with inundation of waters.  
The Island that lieth most West of any fanie, is Ireland, which had in it heretofore many kings of their own; but the whole land is now annexed unto the crown of England: The people naturally rude and superstitious; the country good and fruitful: but that for want of tillage in divers piece, they suffer it to grow into bogs, and deserts. That is true of this country (which Solmus writeth of some other) that serpents and adders do not breed here; and in the Irish timber, of certain experience, no spider's web is ever found.  
The most renowned Island in the world is Albion, or Britannia; which hath heretofore contained in it many several kingdoms; but especially in the time of the Saxons. It hath now in it the two kingdoms of England and Scotland: wherein are four several languages: that is, the English, which the civil Scots do barbarously speak; the Welsh tongue, which is the language of the old Britain's; the Cornish, which is the proper speech of Cornwall; and the Irish, which is spoken by those Scots which live on the West part of Scotland near unto Ireland. The commodities of England, and pleasures are well known unto us, and many of them may be expressed in this verse:  Anglia, Mons, Pons, Fons, Ecclesia, foemina, lana. 
This country, which in old time was inhabited by the Britain's, was entered upon by the Romans', first under julius Caesar, and was long by them kept in subjection but it was an error in them, when they wrote that England would breed nor keep no Wolf. It was afterward overrun, and possessed by the Saxons: of whom, 7. kings at once did reign here. After that the Danes out of Denmark did invade it, and much molest it. And lastly, under the leading of their Duke William, the Normans did conquer it, and established that government, which to this day doth continue. And from whom, as from the Conqueror our ordinary computation is derived. The Scots were in times past a most barbarous people, of whom Saint Jerome reporteth: that he saw some of them in his time in France to feed on man's flesh. They were never wholly conquered by the Romans'.  
There be very many little Islands adjoining unto the great Island Brittany. As at the very North-point of Scotland the Orchades, which are in number above 30. The chief whereof, is named Orkney: where the people are barbarous,  
On the Westside of Scotland towards Ireland, lie the Islands called Hebreides: where inhabit the people ordinarily termed the Redshankeses. Not far from thence, is the isle Mona, commonly called The I'll of man.. The peculiar jurisdiction of the Earls of Derby, with homage notwithstanding reserved unto the crown of England.  
On the North-part of Wales, is the Island of Anglesey: which is reputed a distinct shire towards France side: on the South part of England, is the isle of Wight: in Latin called Vectis: which is a good hold in the narrow seas against the French. More near France, are the Isles of Garnesey, and jernesey, where they speak French, and are under the crown of England. There be also many other, but of small account.   

De Insulis in Mari Mediterraneum.  
THere be many Islands in the Mediterran, renowned in the old writers: but the chief of them only shall be touched. From the pillars of Hercules going Eastward, are two islands not far from Spain: which in times past were called Insulae Baleares, for that the people oft then did use, both for their delight and armour, Slings which they continually almost carried about them. And whereunto, as Pliny writeth: they did train up their children from their yo●●●●st years. Not giving them any meat, till they had from some Post or Beam cast it down with a sling. Of these were those Funditories, or Sling-casters, which the Carthaginians, and Spaniards did use in their wars against the Romans. The lesser of these which lieth most West, was called in old time Minorica: and at this day Minorica. The bigger which lieth more East, was called Maiorica: and now Maiorica. They are both under the dominion of the King of Spain.  
More Eastward in the sea called Mare Inferum, or Tyrrhenum, lieth the Island of Corsica over against Genua, and direct Southward from thence, lieth the great Island Sardinia: Forth quiet possessing of which two, the wars were oftentimes revived between the old Carthaginians and the Romans. For these two islands lie in the middle very fitly. For both these are also at this day under the King of Spain. And were the same which lately the Cardinal of Lourain would persuade the old king of Navarre in France, that if he would leave his religion, and become a Papist, the Spanish king should yield him either Sardinia, or at the lost Corsica, in recompense of Pampilona, and the rest of the kingdom of Navarre, which the Spaniards by force did detain from him.  
Farther yet to the East, at the very point of the South-part of Italy, lieth the great Island of Sicilia, which some have supposed to have been heretofore a part of the continent: but by an earthquake and inundation of water, to have been rend off, and so made an Ileland. The figure of this Country, is Triquetra, or triangle threesquare.  
There was also great contention for the Country between the Carthaginians and the Romans: but the Romans obtained it, and had from thence exceeding store of corn yearly: whereupon, Cicilie was called Horreum P. Romani. Here stood the goodly city called Siracusa, which was destroyed and sacked by Marcellus the Roman.  
This was in times past a kingdom, where the two tyrants, the elder and the younger Dionysius did reign: where Hiero also, that great friend to the Romans did remain. It was afterward made a province, and governed by a Praetor, or Deputy of the Romans: whereof, Verres was one so inveighed against by Tully. It grew afterwards to be a kingdom again: insomuch, that Tancredus was King of Cicilia, who went to the taking of jerusalem with Richard the second, king of England. Here was likewise Phalaris the tyrant so famous, king of Agrigentum.  
This Country is now also under the King of Spain: who among other titles, calleth himself king of both the Sicilies, reckoning this Island for one, and that part of Italy for another, which is now called Calabria: and was in the Roman histories named Maegna Graecia. There is nothing more renowned in all Cicilia, either with the new or old writers, than the mountain Aetna: which being on the outside often covered with snow, yet by a sulphury, or brimstonie water, doth continually burn within: yea, so that whereas it was supposed in the ages last before us, that the matter being consumed, the fire had ceased: twice in our age it hath broke forth again, to the intolerable loss of all the Country adjoining: the ashes thereof, destroying towns and fruits which were within the compass of many miles about.  
This is that place whither Empedocles threw himself, that he might be reputed a God. This is it whereof Virgil doth make his tract called Aenea, which the Poets did report to be the shop of Vulcan: where the Cyclops did frame the thunderbolts for jupiter: and to conclude, this is it which some of our gross Papists have not feared to imagine to be the place of Purgatory.  
Not far South from Cicilie, lieth the little Island called in old time Melite, whence those dogs come, which were so much desired under the name of Canes Melitenses. This is the country where S. Paul was cast up, after his shipwreck in his journey to Rome: where the Viper hanged on his hand, and did not hurt him.  
This Country is now called Malta, and is one of the places most renowned in the world, for the repelling of the Turks: when Soliman the Emperor of them, did send against it a most mighty army. It was then defended by those, who are called the knights of Malta: which by sea, do great spoil to the galleys of the Turk that pass that way.  
Near unto Graecia and Peloponnesus: on the Westside toward Italy, is the isle Corcyra, now termed Corfue: and not far South from that, is Cephalonia, and from thence South is Zant: called by Virgil Nemorisa Zazinthus: all which islands have been heretofore under the Venetians: but are now under the Turk.  
In Zazinthus, our English merchants have an house of abode for their traffic. Southeast from Morea, lieth the great Island Creta, where Minos sometime did reign, so famous for his severity. This country was then called Hecatompolis, as having in it an hundred towns and cities.  
The Turks have won this also long since from the Venetians: it is now called Candie, from whence cometh our ordinary sugar of Candie. Between Creta and Peloponnesus lieth Cythera, where was the fine Temple of Venus: who thereof by the Poets, is called Cytherea.  
The Islands are many, which do lie in the sea called Mare Aegeum, from the bottom of Greece, unto the top of the Hellispont: as all the Cycladeses, Euboea, the great Island Samos, and Chios, so Scyro, where Achilles was borne, and was king of that country. There was also Lesbos, & Lemnos, Metilene, and Ithaca, where Ulysses was king, and Andros, whether Themistocles was sent by the Athenians for tribute: of which places, something may be read in the old history of the Greeks': divers of these did strive that Homer was borne in them: but of certainty, many of those kings which Homer saith, came with Agamemnon to the siege of Troy: were kings but of these small islands.  
Eastward from thence, not far from some part of Anatolia, or Asia the less, is the Island Rhodus: the friendship of the inhabitants whereof, was in ancient time very much desired by the Princes that had to do that way. So that Alexander first, and the Romans' afterwards did embrace their league.  
Here was that huge and mighty image of the Sun, which was Cholossus Rhodius,  
This country was long defended by those, who were called the Knights of the Rhodes, against the power of the Turk; and it was a great bulwark, to defend Christendom: till that in the year one thousand five hundred twenty and two: Soliman the great Turk did win it from the Christians by force. From thence Southward, is the isle of Carpathus: but in the farther end of the East part of the Mediterranean is Cyprus, which about 300. years since was a kingdom, & did afford great aid to the Christians, that went to conquer the Holy land: but it is now under the Turk. The chief City thereof is Famagusta, which is an archbishops sea: for Christians for their tribute do yet live there. In this country in old time was Venus much honoured, and thereof it was called Cypria, as also Paphia: because she had a Temple in a City there called Paphos.  
Near unto Syria stood the Island Tirus, against the pride whereof, the Prophets do so much speak. This was a rich city for merchandise and navigation in old time, and is the place from whence Dido and the builders of Carthage did come.  
The destruction of it is most famous by Alexander the great. Of the rest of the small Islands, we do say nothing.   

De insulis in Mare Indigo.  
THe Islands are very many that do lie in the seas adjoining to the East Indies: but the most famous among them shall be touched. Among the old writers, as especially appeareth by Solinis, was well known that which was then called Taprobana, which lieth under the Equinoctial line. It was in that time a Maonarchy, where the Kings reigned, not by succession, but by election: and if any of them did grow intolerable, he was deposed, and enforced to die, with withdrawing from him all things necessary. This is now called Sumatra, and hath in it divers Kings.  
Not far from thence lie Eastward the two Islands called java maior, and java minor: which were also known to the old writers, they have also in them divers Kings, as in general may be noted, that all the East part, either in the continent, or in the Island, have very many small Kings and kingdoms. From thence yet more East, lieth a great number of Isles, which are now called the Moluccas, which are places as rich for their quantity as any in the world. From these it is, that the Spaniards have yearly so great quantity of all kinds of spice: neither is there any place of all the East Indies that do more richly furnish home their caractes then do these Moluccas.  
Some of these Islands, the Spaniards have got into their own possession: with the Kings of some other they have league: and a third sort utterly detest them. More Northward over against China, lieth a great Island called japona or japan: the people whereof, are much of the same nature with the men of China. This country was first discovered by the jesuits, who in a blind zeal have travailed unto the farthest parts of the world, to win men to their religion; this Island is thought to be very rich. The rest that be either near unto Asia, or unto Africa, because there is little written of them we pass over.   

De Insulis in Mari Atlantico.  
THere be many islands which lie Westward from Africa, and from Europe, as those which are called the Gorgades, that lie in the same climate with Guinea, which are four in number: but not inhabited by men: but they are full of Goats. Northward from thence in the same climate with the South-parte of Morocco, lie those which are called Canariae, or the fortunate Islands, which are seven in number, being most fruitful and very pleasant: and therefore called by that name. This is famous in them that it hath pleased all Cosmographers to make their Meridiane to be the first point where they do begin to reckon the computation of their longitude, and unto them after three hundred and threescore degrees, to return again. From these Islands it is that those strong and pleasant sacks which are called Canari wines are brought, and from thence are fetched those which they call Canary Birds: these Islands are under the Crown of Spain.  
More Northward from thence, lie these Islands which are called Azotes insulae, being six or seven in number: of which Tercera is one of the chief: of whom, the rest by some are called the Terceraes, which are far inferior in fruitfulness unto the Canaries, these were first under the Crown of Portugal: and one of them was the last which was kept out from the King of Spain by the Prior don Antonio: who now calleth himself King of Portugal: but the Spaniard at the last took this Tercera from him, and doth possess all these Islands tagether with the rest of the dominion, which did belong to the Portugal.   

De America siue Orb novo.  
ALthough some dispute out of Plato, and the old writers that there was not only a guess, but a kind of knowledge in ancient time, that besides Europia, Asia, and Africa: there was another large country lying to the West, yet he that shall advisedly use the conjectures made thereupon, may see that there is nothing of sufficiency to enforce any such knowledge; but that all antiquity was utterly ignorant of the new found countries toward the West: whereunto this one argument most forcible may give credit: that at the first arriving of the Spaniards there, they found in those parts nothing showing traffic or knowledge of any other Nation: but the people naked, uncivil, some of them devourers of man's flesh, ignorant of shipping, without all kind of learning, having no remembrance of history or writing among them, never having heard of any such religion as in other places of the world is known: but being utterly ignorant of Scripture, or Christ, or Moses, or any God: neither having among them any token of cross, Church, Temple, or devotion, agreeing with other Nations.  
God therefore remembering the prophecy of his son, that the Gospel of the kingdom should before the day of judgement be preached in all coasts and quarters of the world: and in his mercy intending to free the people, or at the least some few of them from the bondage of Satan: who did detain them in blockish ignorance, and from their Idolatrous service, unto certain vile spirits, whom they called their Zemes, and most obsequiously did adore them: and raised up the spirit of a man worthy of perpetual memory: one Christophorus Columbus, borne at Genua in Italy, to set his mind to the discovery of a new world, Who finding by that compass of the old known world, that there must needs be a much more mighty space, which the sun by his daily motion did compass about, then that which was already known and discovered: and conceiving that this huge quantity, might as well by land as sea, could never satisfy himself, till that he might attempt to make proof of the verity thereof.  
Being therefore himself a private man, and of more virtue than ability. After his reasons and demonstrations laid down: whereby he might induce men, that it was no vain thing which he went about. He went unto many of the Princes of Christendom: and among other, unto Henry the seventh, than King of England: desiring to be furnished with shipping and men fit for such a navigation. But these men refusing him: parley, because they gave no credit unto his new narration: and partly, lest they should be derided by their neighbour Princes, if by this Genua stranger they should be cozened: but especially, for that they were unwilling to sustain the charges of shipping. At last he betaketh himself unto the court of Ferdinandus and Elizabeth King and Queen of Castille: where also at the first, he sound but cold entertainment: yet persisting in his purpose without weariness, and with great importunity: it pleased God to move the mind of Elizabeth the Queen, to deal with her husband to furnish him forth two ships for the discovery only, and not for conquest. Whereupon, Columbus in the year 1492. accompanied with his brother Bartholomeus Columbus, and many Spaniards: sailed far to the West, for the space of three score days and more, with the great indignation and often mutinies of his company: fearing that by reason of their long distance from home, they should never return again. In so much, that the general, after many persuasions of them to go forward, was at length enforced to crave but three days: wherein, if they saw not land, he promised to return; and God did so bless him, to the end that this voyage might not prove in vain, that in that space, one of his company did espy fire: which was a certain arguments that they were near to the land, as it sell out in deed. The first land whereunto they came was an Island, called by the inhabitants Haity. But in remembrance of Spain from whence he came: he termed it Hispaniola, and finding it to be a country full of pleasure, and having in it abundance of gold and pearl, he proceeded farther, and discovered another big I'll which is called Cuba, of the which being very glad, with great treasure, he returned into Spain, bringing joyful news of his happy success.  
The Spaniards who by nature are a people proud, have since the death of Columbus, laboured to obscure his fame, envying that an Italian or stranger should be reported to be the first discoverer of those parts, and therefore have in their writings since given forth: that there was a Spaniard which had first been there, and that Columbus meeting with his cards and descriptions, did but pursue his enterprise, and assume the glory to himself. But this fable of theirs doth savour of the same spirit, wherewithal many of them in his life time did reproach him, that it was no matter of importance to find out these countries: but that if he had not done it, many other might, and would: which being spoken to Columbus at a solemn dinner, he called for an egg, and willed all the guests one after another to set it up on end, which when they could not do, he gently bruising the one end of it, did make it flat, and so set it up: by imitation whereof, each of the other did the same: whereby he mildly did reproach their envy toward him, and showed how easy it was to do that which a man had seen done before him. To go forward therefore, Columbus being returned to Castille, after his welcome to the Princes, was made great Admiral of Spain, and with a new fleet of more ships, was sent to search farther, which he accordingly did, and quickly found the main land, not far off from the Tropic of Cancer, which part of the country, in honour of Spain, he called Hispania nova, and in respect whereof at this day the King of Spain doth entitle himself Hispaniaram Rex. They found the people both of the main land and Islands very exceeding in number: naked without clothes or armour: sowing no corn, but making their bread of a kind of root which they call Maies. Men most ignorant of all kind of learning: admiring the Christians as if they had been sent down from heaven, and thinking them to be immortal: wondering at their Ships, and the tackeling thereof: for they had no ships of their own: but big troughs which they call their Canoaes: being made hollow of the body of one Tree, with the sharp bones of fishes: for iron, or such like instruments they have none.  
The Spaniards did here find the people to be most simple, without fraud, giving them kind entertainment according to their best manner, exchanging for knives, glasses, and such like toys, great abundance of gold and pearl.  
The desire whereof, caused the Spaniards to seek farther into the countries: but the tyranny and covetousness of the Spariards was such, in taking from them their goods, in deflowering their wives and daughters: but especially, in forcing them to labour in their gold mines without measure, as if they had been beasts: that the people detesting them, and the name of Christians for their sakes, did some of them kill themselves, and the mothers destroyed their children in their bellies, that they might not be borne to serve so hateful a Nation: and some of them did in war conspire against them: so that by slaughter and otherwise, the people of the country are almost all wasted now within an hundred years, being before many millions: those which remain are as slaves, and the Spaniards almost only do inhabit those parts.  
By reason that the country is exceeding rich and fruitful, the Spaniards with great desire did spread themselves toward the North, where they found more resistance: although nothing in comparison of warriors: but the greatest of their labour was, for to conquer the kingdom of Mexico: which Mexico, is a City very great and populous, as almost any in the world, standing in the midst of a great marish or fen. The conqueror of this, was Ferdinandus Cortesius, so much renowned in Spain unto this day.  
In the sea coasts of all this Nova Hispania the Kings of Spain have built many towns, and Castles, and therein have erected diverse furnaces and forges, for the trying and sinning of their gold.   

De partibus Americae versus Septentrionem.  
THe rumour of the discovery of these parts being blown over Christendom: and the great quantity of the land, together with the fruitfulness thereof, being reported abroad, some other Nation did enterprise to set foot therein: as namely the Frenchmen, who sent certain ships unto a part of this counttie, lying North from Hispania nova, some few degrees without the Tropic of Cancer: into which when they had arrived because of the continual greenness of the ground, and trees, as if it had been a perpetual spring, they called it Florida; where after some few of them had for a time settled themselves, the Spaniards took notice of it, and being unwilling to endure any such neighbours, they came suddenly on them, and most cruelly slew them all, without taking any ransom, yet the Spaniards for want of men are not able to inhabit that countries, but leave it to the old people.  
The Englishmen also desirous by navigation to add something unto their own country, as before time they had travailed toward the farthest North part of America, so lately finding that part which lieth between Florida, and Nova Francia, was not inhabited by any Christians, and was a land very fruitful and fit to plant in, they sent thither two several times, two several companies, as Colonies to inhabit that part, which in remembrance of the virginity of their Queen, they named Virginia. But this voyage being enterprised on the charge of private men: and not thoroughly being followed by the State: the possession of this Virginia is now discontinued, and the country at this present left to the old inhabitants.  
Northward from thence on the sea-coast, lieth Norombega, which is the South-parte of that which the Frenchmen did without disturbance of any Christian for a time possess.  
For the Frenchmen did discover a large part of America, on toward the circle Arctic, and did build there some towns, and named it of their own country, Nova Francia.  
The Enlishmen about the year 1570. did adventure far, for to open the North parts of America, and sailed as far as the very circle Arctic, hoping for to have found a passage by the North to the Moluccoes, and to China, which hitherto, neither by the North of Asia, nor by the North of America, could be effected by them, by reason of the very great cold and ice in that climate. The rest of the inland being an huge space of earth, hath not hitherto by any Christian to any purpose been discovered: but by those near the sea-coasts it may be gathered, that they all which do there inhabit: are men rude and uncivil, without knowledge of God. Yet on the Northwest part of America, some of our Englishmen going through the straights of Magellan, and passing toward the North by Hispania nova, have touched on a Country where they found good entertainment: the King thereof yielding himself to the subjection of the Queen of England: whereupon they termed it Nova Albion.   

De Peru & Brasilia.  
WHen the Portugese's had first begun their navigation by Africa unto the East Indies; some of them intending to have held their course Eastward unto Caput bone spei, were driven so far Westward by tempest, that they landed in a large and great country, which by a general name, is called Brasilia: where they began to enter traffic, and with Towns and Castles to plant themselves, before that the Spaniards had discovered Peru, which is the South part of America. So that at this day, whatsoever the King of Spain hath in Brasilia, it is in right of the crown of Portugal. The country is large, having in it many people and several kingdoms which are not all possessed by the Portugeses: but so, that other Christians, as namely the Frenchmen, being driven out of their country for religion, have set footing there: though afterwards again they have abandoned it.  
The inhabitants hereof, are men also utterly unlearned, but men more ingenious than the common sort of the Americans: goodly of body, and strait of proportion, going always naked, reasonable good warriors after their country fashion; using to fat such enemies as they take in the wars, that afterwards they may devour them, which they do with great pleasure. For divers of the people of these quarters, as the Caribles and the Cannibals are all eaters of man's flesh, In this country groweth abundance of that wood, which since is brought into Europe for to die red colours, and is of the place whence it cometh, called Brazil-wood, the trees whereof are exceeding great.  
After that the Spaniards had for a time possessed Hispania nova, for the desire of gold and pearl, some of them traveled towards the South. And as by water they found that sea Westward from Peru (which is always very calm, and is by them called the South-sea, as the other wherein Cuba standeth, is termed the North-sea) so by land, they found that huge & mighty country which is named Peru: wherein the people are for the most part very barbarous, and without God, men of great stature; yea, some of them far higher than the ordinary sort of men in France, using to shoot strongly with bows made of fish bones, and most cruel people to their enemies. Among these, the Spaniards partly by force, but especially by perfidious treason, did get infinite sums of gold and pearl: wherein being alured, and hoping for more (by reason that a great part hereof lieth under the Zona Torrida) They have hear and there scatteringly upon the sea-coastes, set up some Towns and Castles; but are not able to possess almost any thing of the land: neither have they as yet discovered the inward parts thereof. Some of these Spaniards desirous for to see how far this land of Peru did go towards the South, traveled down till at length they found the lands end, and a little strait or narrow sea: which did run from the main Ocean towards Africa into the South sea. One magelanus was he that found this strait, and (although it be dangerous) passed thorough it: so that of his name, it is called Fretum Magelanicum, or Magelanes straights. And this is the way whereby, as the Spaniards do pass to the backside of Peru, and Hispania noza, so, whosoever will compass the whole world (as some of our English have done) He must of necessity, for any thing that is yet known, pass thorough this narrow strait.  
Magellanus did find on the other side towards the Pole, the main continent: which also the Portugese's in their voyages to the East Indies have sometimes been driven unto: whereof nothing is discovered, but that in one place they did see abundance of Parats, and greater than ordinary: whereof they did call it Psittacorum regio.  
This is thought to be a mighty huge country, containing in compass all the degrees of longitude, in the continent thereof, and is supposed to go unto the South pole: By reason that no sea is yet found to break in, or break through the same.  
There be also described by some of our late writers, certain great Lands towards the North-pole. And our Englishmen in their Navigations have touched Gronland: but the nature of them, and whether they be such, and so many as is reported, is not certainly known.  
FINIS.