THE DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY OF APHRIQVE.  
the first part of the world, with the situation of all the countries together, with the particular manners laws, and ceremonies, of divers people inhabiting in the same part. Translated out of French into english by William Prat of London, the first day of the new year, M. CCCCC.L.IIII.  
Reed it diligently, Mark it perfectly, Revolve it thoroughly, Bear it equally, Behold the auctors simplicity, And praise God almighty.   

❧ TO THE RIGHT Honourable lord Edward Courtney Earl of devonshire, his humble servant William Pratte wisheth him peace, grace, & mercy from our Lord jesus christ. Amen.  
FOr want of a costly and precious jewel, have here offered to you this base gift: The discriptyon of Aphrique (my good lord) though not so good as is willed, nor so excellent as is wished. Yet most humbly beseeching you to take it in good part. It is said the mind of gifts is best: For in the gifts of friends, the value of the things which be presented, be not to be considered, but the good will of the presenter. That worthy King Xerxes received thanfully of a certain stranger a handful of water, And christ also accepted the widows two farthings, and preferred them before other great and rich offerings: So I trust you will this my rude and homely present, and weigh in an equal peyre of balans my good will towards your lordship, for to my power I have done, and as far as my capacity would reach, as well in the translation as other ways, I have written, In magnis et voluisse sat est. In greater things which might pass my simple capacity it is sufficient for me to have willed, will otherwhiles especially in those things which might pass a man's power, doth merit commendations although his enterprise take no effect. To my purpose. Now saying that the end or extinct of my long wish is finished, I can not but highly laud God therefore, so joyful is your lordships prosperus success unto me, as the fortunate hour is of the traveling woman in the deliverance of her child, your long adversity was not so lamentable, but your prosperity is as joyful. truly as often as I perpend and weigh with myself the deepness of your adversities causeth me to wonder, considering how that you have been tossed in the waves of the sea, in storms, tempests, and in extreme perils, yea, amongst (if I might so say) devouring Lions, and yet to see how god hath preserved your good Lordship: what may I say. shall I ascribe it to dame Fortune, as the poites did in old time, and render up thanks to her? No certainly, I shall thank the mighty Lord above, the preserver of his elect. I do fully persuade with myself that god hath chosen you, and preserved you, to the end that you should be hereafter, (when it shall please our virtuous Queen to call you) a worthy counsellor, a preserver of the public weal, & a fortherer of her good & godly laws: for god hath endowed you with a most precious gift, and hath given you a great talon and well worthy. For that you daily augment and increase it. How can a man but wonder (though that the gifts of God be not to be marveled at) as often as he shall conceive with himself the course of your life togethers, with your education. I mean your long imprisonment, in such a desert place, where in a manner neither sivilitie, nor wisdom was to be learned, yet to behold your state and study how that you have applied your mind to good letters, as well to the Romans as to the french, Italion, and spanish besides all these I can not so easily express as conceive the number of other virtues and qualities▪ which rain in you, what condinge praise doth that child deserve, which with out a nurse doth feed himself with the sweet pap of learning? Even so how much is your Lordship worthy of laud, who without tutors but of and by your own industry and labour, have attained to this perfection of learning, what pregnant wit is this, it is easily deserved, how well you have followed the painters line, here may we se nulla preterit sine linea dies so have you let no day escape without drawing of a profitable line, as you have begun so proceed, and every day draw a line to the profit of your good lady and queen advancement of her honour, and the common weals, so in studying, with god you shall be retained, and of the people beloved. For if the late offenders had bestowed their wits and employed their knowledge to the service of their Queen and mystres, God would have prospered them, but saying they did contrary, he shortened not only their most nequitious and wicked purpose, but also punished some of them according to their deserts. Truly it was a goodly mirror and glass, for all nobles to look in, exhorting your Lordship to behold both their beginning and their ends. what was the destruction of the country of Caria, which once was such a plentiful country as ours hath been and will be again, now we have so virtuous a queen, and noble council, who studieth daily and travaileth hourly to bring in plenty, but only the liberty of a multitude? This unlawful liberty is called Anarchy, a mischief truly as evil as any tyranny, I would all men would have in remembrance this godly saying, Nosce te ipsum, Plato discrybeth this divine sentens to god Apollo, but truly I will describe it to all men, and would council them to lay the fear of God before their eyes, to remember their beginning, their birth present state, and end, So would I wish that your lordship would bear in memory, your former adversities with the goodness of God extended upon you, in delivering you out of the hands of all your enemies, have a respect to the poor, give attentive ear to their petitions, feed them which hunger, and give them to drink which thirst, and cherish your poor servants, for to what praise with god, love with the people, honour to the renome doth the noble man ateyne to? which in time of his authority and life preferreth and advanceth his poor servants, percontra in how much displeasure with God, hate with people, destruction of his honour, and into other infinite dangers doth he incur in whose service his poor servants do not flourish but decay. I cannot but lament so often as I call to memory the lamentations of divers of the late duke's servants the which (as they said) be utterly brought to ruin and extreme poverty by serving of him, whereas they trusted to have flourished, yea some of them cursing him, and wished that they had never seen his head. Alas alas what oversight was it, when that in his chief and fresh dignity he might have advanced them which took pains and spent their substans to do him honour. Truly either covetousness surmounted him, or else understanding failed him. We have one worthy bishop in this realm, which hath purchased himself perpetual honour and praise, as well for his convenient hospitality, as for preferring of his servants, whose doing be notable, a clear mirror for all the rest of nobles to behold, trusting your lordship will follow his steps, and lay his acts before your eyes as a glass to look in, so in doenge, I know god will (as he hath all ready) cause the people to love you, give you long life: with prosperous success and your fatal end honourable. I shall not need (my good Lord) to be tedious in rehearsing of many of these examples, for that I know your singular wisdom hath attained to a farther knowledge of them then I am able to declare or show, but to the intent that other may thereby be admonished, so by council may follow the steps which lead them to virtue and goodness. I have enterprised (honourable lord to translate into english Aphrique, Asie. and Europia, the iii parts of the world, and for asmuch as the hole volume is great, and having small time, and leisure granted to me, would be loath notwithstanding this first part should be hindered in the impression, thought it good not only to dedicate this to your Lordship, but also for the fruit I perceive in the hole work to th'end that the reader should savour the residue, have therefore both set forth the hole table & a prologue, trusting that he will covet the other two parts. And because I own to my lord of Derby for his many and manifold pleasures done for me, a great some, I pretend in one part of payment to present to him the description of asia, or Lacie the second part, being also greatly in danger to my good mistress Clarentius for her sundry travails for me, have appointed the last part of Europia to her mystreship. These two last with expedition I will endeavour myself to end In the mean season, I shall most humbly beseech your lordship to accept this in good worth and the faults therein, do impute to ignorans, partly for want of time, besides all this to consider my poor estate, long time absent absent from my studies, and the beginning of my enterprises, being the first that ever I translated out of the french tongue, and to my simple judgement (the obscurity of the sentences considered) neither is the translation out of latin, Italion, or Spanish, so difficile and hard, as the translation of french into english. To conclude in token of a Newyeres gift I do here exhibit unto your Lordship this description of Aphrique. A gift I grant not so great as is owed, nor so good as is wished, (as before I said) yet where office and love oweth much and will would pay all, though power draweth back not able to discharge either loves debt, or acquit all that will would, yet by the view of any reasonable judge the yield of th'one, and the bent of tother, ought with the creditor to supply the threes defect.  
The cause occurring like in me, be it lawful to use such a shift, not only to excuse my small ability exhibyting so small tribute of so much as is owed and willed, but also to grate at your Lordeshyps' hands, notwithstanding acceptation thereof as of a sufficient monument of loves debt, and token of wills wish, how so ever malyngne power shall temper the same in the vtteraune●. Thus I commend your lordship to God.   

The prologue to the Reader.  
Having had opportunity and time granted me, have bestowed the hours of leisure in accumulating the fashions most worthy of memory together with the particular observations and laws of diverse people, in sort that the fathers of histories, hath most amply written of. As Herodote, Diodore. Sicilien, Berose, Strabo, Solin, Troge, Pompey, Ptolemy, Pline, Cornele Tacite, Dennis, Aphriqueni, Pompenemele, Caesar, joseph, and of the auctors in our age and time, as Vincent Aeneas Silutus, which sins had the name of pope Pie the second, Antony Sabellique, john Nanclere, Ambros Capelin, and Nicolas Perot, in their cornucopies, and many other excellent auctors. I have made a little abridgement or abstract, not in hope of any lucour or particular profit, but provoked to do this, only do require favour of the people: having had the true and free leisure, to employ togethers with the fruitful joy and delectation which I have noted in the whole work by me encerprised. And if thou wilt understand (O gentle reder) the histories, and be desirus of the knowledge of them which I have gathered together, aswell the new and fresh, as also the ancient examples both good and evil serving to this purpose, to the end that they may present unto the things virtuous and of honour as evil and vicious, thou mayst follow those things which lead to virtue, and require discretion to shun that which doth intend to reproach and filthiness, therein thou shalt see the magnificens and felicity of the mortal men now living, and also the poor and simple life of them which came first upon yearch, sins the creation of man until the flood of Noe. Again many other worlds after the said flood In somuch the humane creatures were disparced thorough the hole earth, and lived without doing any traffic or merchandise one with an other, or using of money currant from man to man, in sort that they could not exell one an other in good deeds. All things were equally divided amongst them, that they had neither more nor less than the heavens, the earth, together with the waters comen so that they were not covetous of any honour or riches, having that, contented themselves, to pace their life in plain field, uncovered, or under the shadow of some tree, or covering of an house, with one or many women and the whole lineage, without all fear and solicitude, only contenting themselves with the things, which the earth brought forth, with the milk of the beasts, and for their drink water sufficed. first for their apparel took the large leaves of trees but a little after, the world began to invent the ways to clothe them with the skins of beasts, one like unto the other. Man created was so little careful to be in surety, that he did not pass or desire to be looked up in walled Cities, or in for trese, made with strong rampers but wandered and strayed abroad like other beasts, and had no certain place to take his rest, but being in the field rested him. To whom when that the night approached, was in great tranquylytie without fear of thieves or robbers yet at the last being compelled to do the contrary by such like chances, by succession of time that the world might increase and multiply, which the enuey and diversity of their wiles was the cause of the variety, and change of the human inclinations, again without the industry and labour of man the fruits which came from the earth, was not sufficient to nourish them, that lived then, provoked them to exercise one with an other and by the above said Calamities they were so greatly wearied with travails that they followed the coures of wild beasts, wherefore the human creatures by little & little accompanying togethers, consulted, by a comen seecours and aid to expulse such evil courses and hurts, began to prepare and appoint to everyone of them certain portions of ground, upon the which they builded little houses, and made pertitions of their lands by certain limits, in so much that by little and little, they made dyches and walls, and at the last there was appointed a populaeir estate or common weal. In likewise they established certain laws and magistrates, by whom every man should be ruled. In so much at the last there was observed a great concord and peace amongst so great a multitude of people. Sins that time men invented to live not only by the fruits and nurture which the earth herself brought forth, and that the beasts or cattle gave, but also by their many and sundry industries and labours by them excogitated, and found out the manner to make the ships to ride upon the seas, some to serve for merchandise, other some to abide the countries. Also some invented the carts with horses to draw them, and after that they began to have course gold and silver, than was the apparel of men more sumptuous, their language adorned with eloquens, their frequentation more Seville, their diet more delicate, their building more larger and gorgeous, in fine the moral creatures in continuance of time, were altered and changed as well from their conditions, as from their barbarousness and cruelness, they became human, gentle, and gracious, that at the last they ruled themselves so discreetly that they themselves banished all their inhumanity, and uncivility as to kill one an other, to eat the flesh of men, and to occupy the company of the first they meet without discretion or regard of blood or kindred, with such like vices and imperfections. After they had tasted of this evil order, and attain to more reason by their travail, made the earth fruitful, the which before was hidden over as a wild forest, unhabited and most unprofitable for man. They removed away the great stones and stubbes of trees, made the fair waters & springs to be sought for, in the marsh places. This they did and all to make it plain, and to cause it lose his old and ancient form, whereas before it was hilly and rude. In so using the earth, at the last brought forth wines and other increase abundantly, the which before did yield them but a little quantity of wyldynges & crabs. Moreover by the infinite gardens & arbours, which they did set round about the fountains & springs, made the valleys fresh, and lest the high mountains, because of the woods and forests, and after knew how to order the ground to bring forth fruit. again their places where they inhabited at the first were little, but having dwelled there a time from small villages became great Cities. upon the high mountains they builded towns and strong castles, & in the valleys great temples and churches, to the end that the fountains might be more holsommer and delectable. they were richli made of fair cut marbelstone and they set trees all about to give them a pleasant shadow. And more from the said wells they caused waters by the pipes to descend and come into their Cities They made havens & creaks in the sea to harbour the ships. They also made many right places, into the which the ships might retire back without danger of winds and tempests At the end they had so appointed all things as well in the sea, as in the land, which if we do consider the state present and after what it was afore time, a man would take it to be a country above all other, then that which was first created, and would judge it more like the garden or paradise out of the which our forefathers Adam and Eve was drawn for the transgression of the heavenly commandment than other wise. Moreover the people invented many arts and sciences most witty (as letters and tables to write which after was had in use, they be oftentimes exempted from the condition of the mortals in leaving memory of them to their posterity which made participations of their inventions, and by this, me thinketh that the mortal men might be sooner called some earthly gods than men, had it not been for that malygne Satan, which hath by a most pestilent seed sown in the world, brought confusion: for he saying that the human creatures did increase, and that the condition of their life passed from good to better, being stirred up by an envy hath brought them into bondage, by reason of their sundry and many sins and enormities committed. And sins the true light appeared, there came in Idolaters which would have darkened the same. There engendered many sects amongst the people. To prove this true, we do see that at these presents, those of asia, Arm●●e, Arabia, pierce, Cyrie, asyre, Medie and in Aphrique Those of Egipte, of Numidie, Libie, Maritanie, and in Europia. those of Grece, Mis●e. Roman, and all other which be under the obedience of the Turk, do observe duly for the most part the laws of wicked mahoment, and his false doctrine, and mad, forsaking our saviour christ. The people of Scythie, of whom there is a great number, and be now called Tartariens or Tartars. do worshhyp most commonly the Idols of the Emperor Cham, some do worship the stars, not withstanding there be which attribute honour to the only God, and use the epistles and doctrine of saint Paul. The Indes which under priest john, do follow the true Christian religion, (Nevertheless) there is diversity between their doings and ours. At these presents, there be no nations which do observe the catholic faith but the english men, the germans, italians, spaniards, frenchmen, Scots, Iryshmen, the Danes, Livones Prusstens, men of Polland, of Hongery, and those in the Ilondes, those of the Rhodes, of Cecilie, of Corpse, of Sardayne, and some other regions. That cruel enemy of mankind, hath so stirred himself that by the diversity of religion and ceremonies, the other abovesaid nations had particularly chosen and meinteined to be the true ways to bring to eternal bliss and felicity, in reputing all other false and Eronious, every one after their own fashtions with all their endevoyr did set for them most ample manner their own religion, whereupon hath followed such hate, amongst men that they which have taken great journeys into far countries have not gone in save guard. In so much the men themselves have stopped, the passage to come to the perfect knowledge of divers nations, which doth make me judge that many there be that believe all that is written of our purpose to be but fables, for that they have not scant the knowledge of the people and nations which be nigh to them. I mean they know not their own neighbours, as those regions situated next to theirs and all is for not having travailed. We do see that the knowledge of these things hath been so agreeable and pleasant to many, that it hath redowned to their great honour glory and profit. As it is most certain, that many hath not refused to their end to attain to this knowledge left their native countries, their fathers, mothers, wife, children, and friends, not regarding (the which is more) their health and salut, to put themselves in infinite dangers, & contemning all things which move them from their enterprises. yea, and to their pain have taken upon them the long and dangerous viage by sea whereby (as I know) not only but this time present, but also in time paste, in a manner sins the world began, most commonly they have been in great credit, authority and reputation, and made governors of public weals, and grown to be counsellors, judges, & great capyteynes or chief of armour, and all by the experiens of many people, with manner of their usages and livings, and long viages in countries. Other hath attained to so great knowledge, that of the great number of their disciples were instructed divers bends of the Philosophers, like as of Socrates were called Socrateques, tother which were the disciple of Plato●, were nominated achademiques Those of Aristotel, Peripathetiques' Those of Antisthenes, Ciniques, those of Aristippus were called Cirenaiques, of Zenon, Stoiques, of Pythagoras, Pithagoriques'. And if we look a little nigher, we shall find that they which have given so much authority to the ancient layers, as to Minos, and Rhadamantus, to wards them of Crete. Orpheus, to them of Thrace, Draco, and Solon, to the Athiens. Lycurgus, to the Lacedemoniens, Moses to the jews and divers towards other nations, that every one of them might be instructed, and to institute certain religion and laws. If these men had kept their own countries this had not been, but because they consumed their age in other countries they were able to instruct, having afterward the same knowledge of the Caldes, Mages, Br●●●manes Gimnosophistes, & the priests of egypt which were all men of great knowledge, and of a most excellent natural wit, with whom they had frequented a certain space and time. we do also find that this knowledge hath greatly served the excellent personages and princes in the old time, as ●upiter of Crete, whom the poet writeth did meet the Circuit of the world five times. To his two children, as to Dionisos, otherwise called Bacchus, & to Hercules the strong, with his immitatour Thes●ns jason with all his bend. To Ulysses which invaded so much the dangers of the sea, and to Aeneas, of Troy, to Titus Darius, Xerxes, Alexander the great, Hannibal Metridatis, king of Pont, which could speak fifty languages, of the thirty Realms which was under him. The innumerable nobles of Rome, as to the two Scipions, to Marius Lentulus Pompeie the great, julius Cesar, Octavian august. To the Constantine's Charles, Otheons, Courades. Henryz Federiz, and that in their acts of wars, by the which they have purchased to themselves eternal glory and praise. saying then the knowledge of divers nations, is greatly to be delighted in and profitable, I shall desire thee (gentle reader) to put to thy good will, and read over the things contained in this book, for to this purpose the same be gathered together, to reduce the aswell to a perfection of knowledge both of the countries and the nature of each people, as if I should lead the by the hand from one place to an other from one region to an other, or to point the with my finger. I have manifested to me the manner of the living as well of the ancient, as of fresh memory, together with the situation of all countries, and how they were inhabited in old time, and be now present. And be not offended with me (gentle reader) for want of austerity. In that I have not holly satisfied thy appetite as peradventure thou desirest, I have done it rather to challenge unto myself rebuke and shame, than praise, yet I have written neither of the things passed, nor present, but they have been more than a thousand times spoken of, in the same terms, in hundredth of auctors, I would not thou shouldest think that I do attribute all this work or invention to my own doing, and to have it set forth for any newaltie, to satisfy some particular man. I shall heartily desire thee (gentle reader) understand of me, that I do entreat of many things worthy of knowledge, part came of myself, and part also of the treasure of my books, and as the good father of a family (to whom our saviour christ hath compared all men that profess the faith) to his household, so judge of me that these which I hear present, be ancient things, & come from strange auctors. I require the bear me good will, and take all things in good part, praying God to meinteyne the in prosperity, which I beseech him heartily to grant. Amen.  
Finis.   

¶ THE TRUE OPINIon of the divine writers touching the Original of man.. The first Chapter.  
AFter that the divine majesty of God had finished the creation of the heavens, and universal frame the which for his ornament and most comely composition, was called Mundus, together with all things contained in the circuit of the same at the fifth day of his creation. upon the sixth day the most noble creature called Man was made, for to be lord over the things above mentioned, Leaving to him the use and pleasures of them. Of all other creatures, he was only endued with celestial wisdom, and had the name of Adam given unto him, because he was made of a vain of red earth. A while after was given to him a company keeper, to the intent that solitariness should not annoy him. The woman which was made of his rib. They were set in the most delectable place of the world, being compassed with fair rivers, that place was replenished with young springs, trees, herbs, and flowers, wonderful pleasant and delectable to behold, and for that cause it was called paradise by a greek term. These two persons for a space led a most happy life, and without feeling of ill, for the earth of herself brought forth all fruits at desire. notwithstanding, for breaking the commandments of God, they were driven to forsake that place, after that the earth was accursed, whereby she brought nothing forth according to her former fertility. They were constrained to seek their living with sweat and labour, than reigned all kinds of sickness, feeling of cold and heat upon the human bodies, Cain was the first begotten child of them, and Abel was the second, and after them many more, and so increased the world and the earth was well inhabited. The more the number of men multiplied the more did they increase in vice, and their living did daily wax from ill to worse. In stead of good doing to their neighbours, they began to annoy and hurt one an other, and in stead of acknowledging of the creator, they had in contempt the goodness of God, from that time continued and increased the wickedness of men, in such sort that God therefore after he had found one just man which was called Noah, for whose cause he saved all his family for the restoring of mankind, sent the flood, which drowned the hole earth with all living things thereupon, except those which were saved in the holy ark made by the said Noah, 
〈…〉 called 〈◊〉 be●●●se it ●oken 〈◊〉 Chri●●… church  five months then after the beginning of the flood, the ark touched ground upon the mountains, of Armenia, and Noah went out with his, and increased mankind in short space after by the help of God, he enterprised to have all the parts of the earth inhabited, and for that occaon sent his children into diverse countries in the world, he sent his some Cain into Egypt with his dukes (as Berose reciteth) Esennius into Libie, & in Cerene Tritames: & all the rest of Aphrique, he sent japetus the elder, & Atalas. Into the Oriental Asie he sent Ganges, with some of the children of Gomer the Gallica, into the lucky Arabia, he sent Sabus the incense bearer, Ara●us was by him appointed chief of the desert Arabia, and Petretus capyteyne of Araby the stony, he caused the country from Damas' unto the borders of palestine to be inhabited by Canaan. Into Europia he sent Tuisco the giant to be king of Sarmatie, from the river of Panais unto the river of Rh●●, nyhg unto the same Tuisco, there did inhabit the children of Ister, and Mesa with his brethren, who had the country from the mount Adule unto Mesemberie, and the country of Ponticque _____ at that time Tyras, Achardius, and Emathius, held Italy, Gomer the French man, Samotes the Celtes, the which be the countries of the said Gaul, now called France, and jubal enjoyed the Celriberiens which is Spain. The sudden and short departure from his kindred (who had not yet learned neither the living ne manners of their parents) was the cause of all the diversity that sins followed. In so much that Cham (who did flee for the shame done to his father,) remained he, his wife, and children, in those parts of Arabia, & since called by his name Cain, who never gave to his posterity any precepts of religion, in so much that he travailed not to learn any. where upon it came to pass by succession of time, the one sent after the other out of one land to inhabit an other. After having occupied many countries in the world for this scattered lineage multiplied marvelously, finally they fell into most execrable errors, out of the which they cold not unwrap themselves, their language chanched, and it was not to be understand or intelligeble, the true worshipping and knowledging of God was out of remembrance. So men have lived after such a strange sort that one can not well deserve the living between the bests and them. They which do pass Egypt for the admiration they had of the celestial creatures, began to worship as gods the son, and the moan, calling the son Osiris, and the moon Isis. They attributed godliness to respiration, by the which all men do live, under the name of jupiter, to the element of fire, under the name of Vulcaine, to the air, under the name of Pallas, to the earth, under the name of Seres, and to divers other creatures, under▪ many other names. And they of Egypt do not only thus walk in darkness, but also in the countries possessed by them, which be descended from Cham, have been subiett to execrable bondage, and ignorance of the true religion. Moreover there was never country that the people were so fertile to bring forth children, nor better meryting the name of a mother for this respect, than this part of Arabia, which the said Cham with his occupied. such and so great a ruin was brought to man kind, the banyesh mente of that only parsonage, to the contrary, S●m, and japhet, with all their stock, who were instituted & appointed by their fathers in certain law, were contented with small possessions, and therefore they were not so largely dispersed thorough out the hole world as the other. Then it came to pass, that the love of the truth (that is to say the true holiness and adoration of the right God) did remain hid in one only nation, until the coming of Messiah.   

he false opinion of the Etheniques and Infidels, touching the Original of man. Chapi, two.  
THe Philosophers in time passed without any knowledge of the true god, of long time did speak of natural things. Some of them believed that the world was a thing not created, and incorruptyble, and that mankind was without taking beginning. The other again judged, that the world was created and subject to corruption, and that men were created by succession of time. To confirm this opinion they said, before any thing had his beginning, heaven and earth had one only form, and that the propriety of these two things was confuse that since these two elements separated one from the other whereupon such disposition and form of the world, that we perceive the air in continual agitation, and that of him, the part of the fire had gotten the highest place, because of his agility and lightness, and that by this reason, the son and the other stars, had kept their places and certain courses, in the high region, as for that which resteth being as of a moist quality moved but a little from the first place, because of his heaviness and weight, having a kind of moistness in him of the moistest part one would say that the sea had followed it, and that the heaviness disappointed of so great humydite shall return to slammy earth and soft, the which by little and little shall harden, by reason of the heat of the son. In such sort the abovesaid by the violence of the heat shall be swollen & risen, whereupon many humours under the holones of the ground, risen up, were gathered, and by little and little converted and turned to matters rotten, as we see hath happened in the marishes of Egypt. again the earth being cold and moist of her nature, is made hot in a little space by the vehement heat of the air, that a man would judge in a small time, that the heat had been mingled with moist things, which again shallbe form in a proper matter, and engendered to an efficacy, to the which was given moystues, shed by night and by the vygneur of the son had kept and nourished this matter generatyve until that by contynuaaunce of time, the abovesaid matters shallbe compelled to ascend up also, as if the time had been come, that the said hardness would have rendered that which it hath engendered, that may be open and broken by the vehemency of the some, and in a little space after, brought forth all kind of beasts, of the which, those which were perticipent of the great heat, were volatyfe or made to fly, and did win the highest region of the air. The other which had more of the weightiness or ponderousness of the earth were made to remain creeping, and some going upon the ground. The other which held themselves of the quality of water, were transformed into the element of the quality, and took the name Fish, and by this the earth partly because of the heat of the son, partly because of the winds, became more drier and warmer, so that the mighty beasts ceased engendering, but they which engendered by a mutual conjunction did bring forth other. They say after this sort, men were first created, who hath ever since sought their meat and living in the fields, & feed after a strange and wild sort, eating nothing but herbs, and the fruit of the trees, and did no labour, for what by occasion of the hurt that the wild beasts did them before, and for fear they should daily, they gathered themselves together for their comen utility and profit that they might succour one an other, and prepare places to dwell in. again for that the sound of their mouths were confuse, they estudied to frame their tongues to a certain speech, so that by little and little they gave every thing a name. And because they were divided into divers parts, and regions of the world, they formed diverse and diversity of language and consequently a farm in their letters. And by this the human creatures living in great poverty, and without understanding how to make reservation for their necessities, with that which God sent them, as the fruit which the earth brought forth, fortuned oftentimes that one (amongst the great number) died for hunger, and some for cold, whereupon men instructed by experience was driven and learned to prepare a buckler to defend them from these and such like inconuenientes, searched (as saith the Philosophers) caves to avoid the violence of the cold and reserved the fruit for their provision afterward they had knowledge of the propriety of fire, whae it was, together with all other necessaries. In a space after, they invented all things apt and meet for human life. To conclude necessity was the compeller to seek these inventions, at the last man had the art to use one an other in his place, that the hands, the words the excellency of the spirits, was helpers togethers, and served them. Thes be they which be persuaded that the original of man is, as above rehearsed, and have not referred it to the divine providence of God, doth hold opinion that the Ethiopiens were the first that were procreated amongst the mortals and had this opinion, for that the land of Ethiopie is the neighbour to the son, as before all other to feal the heat, how much as before they did, neither more nor less than all the rest of the earth, the said earth was slimy, than it should have been, that of this first temparature and moistness with the heat man shallbe engendered, who should rest in the place of his birth, rather than in any other, which he knoweth not. Now we will begin by this region, and after we have spoken a little of Aphtique, one of the three parts of the world (according to the same also is our book divided in three.) We will rehearse in the first place of the cytuation of the country of Ethiope, and manners of the nations which inhabit there, and after by order, we will set forth the description of all other regions and nations, as well as we can possible. And for that I would not seem altogether slowfull. I will some what more to enrich my book, entreat of more than the French author writeth of as well in this part following the division of the world in four: as also to enlarge the description of Ethiope, with a brief and general description of Aphrique, and many other anotations, according to the judgement of Pomponius Mela.   

A division of the world into four parts. Ca iii.  
AS touching the same matter, that thing which is called all, what soever thing it is, whereunto we have given the name of the world and of heaven. It is one thing and comprehendethe in one compass himself & all things. In his part is difference. From whence the son doth spring, it is named the Orient or East. And there as it falleth it is named the Occidente or the west. That way where his course doth lie, it is called the South And on the contrary part the North. And in the mids of the same is the earth on high, and is girded round about with the see. And the same divided from the east to the west into two parts the which are called Hemispherise hath fine distyncte portions or Zounds. Heat doth vex the meddle most and cold the extremes. The resydwe may be inhabited. They have like times of the year, but yet not at one time our Antichthones doth dwell in the one, and we in the other. The situation of that being unknown for the vehement heat of the plague, that is between: we must entreat upon this. And so this is extended from the east unto the west. And for because it lieth even so it is something longer than where it is brodest. It is all compassed about with the C●ccear, and receiveth of him four seas, one from the north and two from the south, and the fourth from the west. They shallbe declared in their places. This first bring very straight and passing not ten miles in breadth openeth the earth, and entrethe. And then is poured out long and wide and driveth a fore him mightily the see banks, giving him place. And then again they coming together very nigh, it is driven into such a straight that it is less than a mile over. And then spreadeth itself again, but thae is very moderately and then it goeth forth into a more narrow place than it was afore, where, when it is once received it is again very huge and great, and is joined unto the pool, but that is by a small month. And all this same both where as it cometh and where as it spreadeth is called with one name our see. The straight entre of it coming in, the latins, doth call Fretum. where as it spreadeth a broad, it receiveth divers names in divers places, whereas it first stratneth itself together it is called Helles Pontus. And then Propontus where as it spreadeth out, where it rynneth together again Eospherus of Thrace. And where again it powrethe out itself a broad it is called Pontus Euxinus. And there as it is committed to the pool it is called Cymi●…us Bospherus. The pool itself is called Meot●s. By this see and two noble ryvees called Tanais and Nilus the hole world is divided into three parts. The river Tanais coming from the north toward the south rynnethe all most in to the midst of the pool Meotis. and from the contrary part Nilus rynneth into the see. And all that land that is from the straight unto those floods on the one side we call Africa. And on the other side Europe, unto Nilus, Africa, unto Tanais Europe. And all that ever is beyond is called Asia.   

The description of the Conntreye of Ethiope, and the ancient manners of the Ethiopiens. p Ca iiii  
EThiope is a region divided into two parts. Thone part is called asia. tother is Aphricke. The same which at this day is called the Indes toward the son rising, is environed with the read see, and with the see of Barbaria towards the North it is bording on the country of Libie and Egepte towards Occidente, and doth join to the forthest Lible of the part resting, the which is set on the side of Midy and joined to the other Ethiope, and was so called by a name Athiopes son of Vulcaive, which first reigned (as saith Pliny) of a Greek digestion Atho which signifieth burn and Oph which signifieth take heed, & that because of the approaching nigh to the soon. The country is continually hot, the same being under the region of the Midy. This country draweth towards the west, and the desert towards the East. Many sorts of people dwell there of divers figures, & kinds. Some do think that they were the first created of almortall creatures, and the true Inhabitoures of the earth. They know not what bondage meaneth. They have always been at liberty. It is said that religion and the ceremoneyes for their Gods were first by them invented. They have double usance of letters. The letters which be called holy, are for the priests of laws usage & to them only known, the other be for the common people. The figures of their letters were not such that of them might be likened two selables, but moor lyker to the ouward parts of men and creatures, and to be compared to some instruments that artificers occupy. Every one of the figures had three proper significations. As for example. The figure of Milan, by the which was signified celerity or quickness. By the figure of one Crocodile, was signified evil. By the figure of Locil was signified take heed and preservation, and so consequently of all other figures every one to his propriety signified sundry things They which presented the sign of Incense amongst the priests were holden most holy, and therefore they were axcepted with the king and worshipped of all the people as men endued with divinity, which was reputed to be sent by the divine providence. The king was bound to live according to the ordinance of their laws, and in all his affairs to be ruled as the fashion of the country, he could punish no malefactors nor rewarded good doers, but would send one of his officers to him which is ordained to be punished, giving him charge to signify to him death. As soon as he should cease speaking to the malefactor, incontinently after, he shall go into his house and kill him, with out remedy or other question to be axed. There is much honour attribtted by them to the king, for as often as they shall perceive him to be sick in any part of his body, or what cause so ever it may be, they of the court, will in good grey take the like decease in the saw part where the king is sick of, for they judge if to be health full for them, that if so be it, the king should lose either his leg or arm, that they might also be pertycypent, of the like calamity. Also they say that they which be servants with the king after they know that he is dead, do seek also their own deaths, and that is in witness or temonial of the true amity between their king and them. The same death saith they doth turn them to greeate honour.  
The most part of the people of that country do commonly go naked, because it is so hot, only they do cover their members with sheeps skins, and other some of them have coverings hanging from their hear (with the which they be interlaced) unto the middle of their bodies. They have no fruit nor grain, but of little Palms, and yet there is but a small quantity, some of the people live with herbs and little roots of trees together with flesh and milk.  
Meroe was the capital town, in that realm, and is an Ilonde in form of a triangle within the river of Nylo, and doth extend almost three thousand Stades It was inhabited at the beginning by shepherds given holly to the chase and by labours, who had in their possessions the minds of gold. Herodote doth recite that the Macrobiens (which be people in Ethiope) do more esteem tin and leather, than gold, in so much that the ambassadors which king Cambyses sent into that country, came home chained together like prisoners in great chains of gold, they have in that country great plenty of gold and Evene wood. They kill the elephants and eat them They have Lions, Leopards, Vnycornes, Dragons, the which by the number of knots, they make of their tails do kill the elephants. There is found in that country certain kind of stones, as the Hyacinth, and the Christop●rast. they do gather Pepper there Their bows belong and burnt at the end. The women of that country use to go a warfare themselves, all like to the men. And they have for the most part their lip pierced, or thrust thorough with a knife, and thorough the same passeth a ring of copper. Some of them do worship the son rising, other some the son going down, some use to cast the dead bodies into the rivers, other some do enclose them in vessels of earth and keep them a hole year in their houses and so do worship the dead bodies, & with great seremonie maketh offering of the first fruit gathered. Some writeth that they use of custom to choose him king which doth pass all other in the science of bringing up beasts, and strong of body. Their king had this prerogative of an old and ancient custom over the priests of the city of Memphis, that he might by his officer command which of them he would to kill themselves, and to appoint in their stead and place whom he please. They do believe that there is an everlasting God, and he which made all things and governeth the whole world. again they do believe there should be an other mortal, the which god (as they say they know not. They have their king in such reverence that they liken him to their God, for they say he hath merited more praise for a public cause, and worthier of honour then their God. This like hath been from the beginning also the estate of Ethiope. Such hath been their ceremonies and manner; of living. Never the less Marc Anthony Sabellique (out of whom we have taken the most part which we have and will rehearse) doth say that he did understand of the true and right men of the country that the king of Ethiope which we call pretian or priest john whom they call Gian, that is to say strong is of so great a parsonage and blood, that under him he hath threscoore and two other kings, and that is the chief of the Church in his kingdom be all governed by him. There be under him in his kingdom a great number of archbishops, and each of them again have at the least under their jurisdiction twenty bishops. They say more, that princes and noble bluds do eary the cross before them, when they go abroad. In like case, they carry a vessel made of gold filled with earth, and by that representation they be warned of the mortal condition by one of the said objections, and by the other of the passion of jesus Christ. The pryestes do marry wives, to the end they may increase, always provided when their first wives be dead it is forbidden them to take an other. Their Temples be of great highness and large, and far richer than ours, They have divers covents and orders of religion. As of saint Anthony saint domenick, saint Augustin and other Their apparel is not of one certain colour, but as the supprior would permit them to wear. They have a great devotion to our blessed and holy virgin mary, and to saint Thomas, which is called Didimus, They do surely think that their king which is called Gram is come of the seed of David: Of the which they esteem their generation to have of long time continued until these presents. The king is not black as other of the people of Ethiope be he is both of face and body white. The old king of the country is called Garama, he is not enclosed in a wall. They did build a great number of tents, and pavilions disposed by order, garnished with tapestry, & wrought with silk. The king of ancient custom doth never keep himself together in houses, and cloisters walled two hours, and why? They judge it to be a thing of imfamy & dishonesty. They observe this kind of doing for a law, at all times in wars they can find a mylion of men, fine hundredth elephants, and with them a great number of horses and camels, & again by occasion of a little troubles which chanced, there is all about the countries many bands of his soldiers, and they which do descend be marked with a cross the which is printed with an hot from, in what place so ever they come it shall appear upon them. They use in their wars javelynges. The highest degree of dignity is priesthood. The second degree is to be given to the sage men, which they call Balsamos and Panquez, they esteem greatly innocency, and for knowledge they put these two virtues in the first place of wisdom. The third degree of reputation is attributed to the state of the nobles, atter the which followeth those which be in the estate of a Prince. The judges saith their minds, when there is any question of the death of a man, and doth send their minds in writing to the governor of the town, which they call Lycomegia, which doth present the kings person. They have laws registered in writing, and do judge all things as to them shallbe thought good to be done with justice and equity. The man found in anultry and condemned for the same, shall pay for amends the fourth part of their goods. when that the woman is likewise found the correction is committed to them of the house, where she offended, and as they of the mansion shall think themselves dishonoured, so to punish her. The men and women do wear white apparel set with pearls, and traineth their clothes even to their feet and their sleeves be neither open before nor behind. They use all colours in their apparel except black, and that they wear not because it is a doleful token, the which they are accustomed to wear xl days after any of their friends die. At noble men's tables, they are served for their first mese with hard flesh, which they cut up properly, and do powder it with spices, and with good appetite eat the same. They do never apparel themselves in  cloth, their apparel is of linen & silk. They have diverse languages amongst them and do apply themselves to till the ground. All the nations of Libie which be on this side of Ethiopie to the Indes unto the Occident do follow the error of Mahomet, and do live in a manner like to Barbaries, which be now in egypt, and be called Maures, because of the frequentation of Maures, which grieved not this country of Libie so much as the Sarazens in the evil time that so great alteration and mutation chanced in this world and that the ancient laws and creances, was as well thorough all the country and nations changed as also their names There is a lake wherein the bodies which be washed withal doth shine like as they were anointed with oil. The same is feeble also and weak that the things which do fall or be cast into it, as the leaves which be nigh the said lake falling therein doth not swim upon the water, but is received inwardly, and so sink down. There be also marvelous birds with horns, and Tragopomones and Pagasi which have ears like Asses. But into the parts to wards the borders Southward, there is nothing notable. All that way is waste, for it is interrupt with wave hills, and rather like freshwater banks than sea banks.  
And from thence there is a great cooste and without inhabytance. And for a certain time it was doubted whether the sea was beyond or whether the earth was compassed about or whether Aphrique, being void of all fruit, did extend itself without end. But if it be so that Hamo of Carthago when he was sent by his country folks to search out the countries, ofter he had passed the mouths of the Ocean, and went a compass about a great part of Aphrique, he made report, that he did not lack sea. But that he wanted victual. A certain man called Eudoxus in the time of our grandfathers, when as he fled away from Lathyrus' King of Alexandria went forth by the Arabians bay (as Nepos affirmeth) and was carried thorough by those seas even unto Gades where there is certain things of that border known. For beyond those places which as we have said before be desert. There be dume people which useth signs for speech, other hath tongues without sound. some lack there tongues other some also have their lips craving together, saving that they have an hole under their nosttrelles, where they covet to drink, but when they have list to eat, they take the corn springing here and there, & be reported to receive one corn at once. These be admirable. yet not so admirable as notable. truly they be worthy of perpetual memory and praise as well for their living as also for the obedience to their prince. For how much is it to be accounted to us for dishonour being Christians, reasonable creatures, endued with celestial knowledge, and instructed in godly laws to show more disobedience to our magistrates than the Infidels to their governors. what rebuke do they meret and deserve, which know the word of God, and yet neither obey the Queen nor her godly procedings? Where as the Ethenekes not knowing the true God ne his laws, do notwithstanding live a purer life than they. Well I wish all men would have shame laid before their eyes as a glass to look in, that they might thereby be more ashamed to do evil, than the Infidels.   

The description of Egypt, and the manners of the Egyptians Cham v.  
EGypt is a country in Aphricque (which to the judgement of some) is nigh to Aphrique, and this country is so called by the name of a brother of Danaus which had the name Egyptus, & was before called Aeria This country as Pline saith in his fift book, is of the side of the Orient by the read see, and the region Palestine, towards the Occedente of the country of C●ent, to the residue of the country of Aphricque, The same doth extend from the Midy to Ethiope towards the side of Septentrion to the sea of egypt, There was sometime great Cities as Thebes, Abydos, Alexadria, Babylon, Memphis, and at this time ●aniete and Cairo or Alcir, the which is the residens of Sultan. In egypt (as saith Platon) there is no rain, and yet is the earth very fruitful, & all by reason of the river of Nile, which is divided in such sort and made in form of a triangle, for the which sign there is a word in Greek called Deltae, so that country is called Deltae by reason of the many and sundry floods which come every year from the river of Nile after the drougthe of the summer Some men judged that it was an Island, because of the circuit that the said Nile had made all about the country. The Egyptians, were the first inventures of xii Gods, and began to build Temples, Altars, Images, and engraved in stones figures of divers beasts. The things which be issued out from the Ethiopiens shall sufficiently declare the same to us, who hath been the inventures of these things (as Diodore Cilicien saith) Their wives of an old & ancient custom do use to occupy marchaun: vyse, to keep Hostyllerye and vyttylling houses & do also trafyke, whereupon the men do give themselves to make linen cloth and to carry farthels upon their heads, where the women do not carry but upon their shoulders, as our men do here in Inglande Moreover they use to make water against a wall like unto our men, & the men cowering down to the ground like as our women do here, all nessesaryes in the house the women do, and after that is done they go a broad a banqueting. Their custone is to assemble together with their Prelate. The men children be not compelled to keep their parents, but the daughters, many of them in time paste (when any of their friends died) were accustomed to pole their hear & let their beards grow long. The Egyptians to the contrary shave their beards, & let the hear of their head grow. They kned the dough there which they make bread with their feet, and worketh the earth with their hands. This hath been a particular fashion to all those which were dissended from them (as the Greeks writeth) to cyrcunsisse their members and prevites. The men be clothed with double apparel. The women do wear but one wydde at a time. They have two kinds of usages of letters. The one is for the Pristes The other is for the common people. notwithstanding they have both the same of the Ethiopiens. The priests for the space of three days be accustomed to have the vermyn & other fylthenes of their bodies taken away because they fear to do service with the fylthenes about them. They are accustomably appareled in linen They sow no Beans. It is defended by their laws, and why? because they esteem them unclean. They wash three times in the day with cold water, & ii, times in the night They will not eat the heads of their Bestes until such time as they be sacreficed. judging them to be cursed by execrations during the time of their sacrifices. They do sell the said heads to the Merchant strangers, and if they can find no man that will by them. They be cast into the river of Nile. All the sacrifices of Egypt. Be of Oxen which never before served. The Calves and Cows be not saccrefyced, for that the same Beasts are dew to be offered to Isis their God. They live by a kind of meat made of Wheat and Rye, and of drink made of bran, for in that country there is no wines. They eat also of a certain fish part hardened and dried in the son, and part reserved in sellers, which is moist. Some time they eat birds which be salted and made hard as a crust of bread. moreover the noble men in their bankeres do present wild Ducks, both mails & femayles. When they find a company gather at a supper, one amongst them taketh out of his ●uget an Image of death made of wood or painted cloth of half a yard long, they showeth it to every man at the table and saith. Eat and make good cheer, after that thou art dead thou shallbe like to this picture. If the younger do recontre or meet the elder, he giveth place to him, & turneth to him with reverence, and in thus doing they resemble the Lacedemoniens. When the younger doth over take the elder by the way showeth worship and layeth his hand on the knee. They have) as Haeste writeth) gowns of linen borders down to their knes, called Casiliers, & above the same they wear other whit garments, but no  cloth. Al they which in old time excel in knowledge, or had established laws for the common weal. as counsellors went first to the Egyptians to learn their knowledge and doctrine, in the which knowledge they passed all other as these report. Orpheus the Poet, Homer, museus Melampodes Dedalus, Lycurgus Lacedemonien and also Solon of Athenes Platon. Philosopher, Phithagoras the Samien & his scholar Samolxis, Eudoxus Mathematicien, Democritus, Inopides borne in the Island of Chios Moses the hebrew, and many other so that the priests of Egypt glorified that they found them in their books, Wherefore me think it is very necessary to speak more of their fachions, manners, & livings to th'end we might know that which they above named had taken of them and other nations. For so (as saith Ber●alde.) In the book that Apulie did write upon the golden Ass, that many of our fachions and doings was gathered out of the ceremonies of the Egyptians, as to wear germentes, the men of the church to wear a crown, to make altars, to go a procession, to sing music, to do adoration, to pray and many other things. The Kings of Eypte (as writeth Diodore Silicien in the second book) did not as our Princes in their time which held their wills for laws, and lived in evil order, but their converuation was to be noted in that they lived according to their ordinances. They have no bond men nor slaves borne, as they have in other countries. Noble men's children serve them in their houses, as well of Pristes', as also of others, they must be twenty years old and such was chosen as had knowledge, to th'end that the Prince moved, by the presence of his servants (whom were always next to his person) should not be fantesied and minded to make other acts, but of virtue, for the Kings do nothing of themselves worthy of reprehension, they have at all times to council them other that be wise also, there is certain hours appointed as well in the night as in the day, at the which time the King shall understand the affairs committed to him by their laws. At his uprising he shall receive all complaints exhibited unto him to the end he may know all that shall need to be done. Every thing is dispatched in time and in his place opposited by good conduxtion. After that is done, they wash their bodies in the presence of many noble & mighty parsons, putteth on a sumptuous rob, and makes sacrifice to their Gods. The custom of the greatest Prelate amongst all the priests is to lead nigh to the altar the beasts, and to praise their Gods with a loud voice the King next to him, and the people assisting. They also pray for the health and prosperity of their King, which hath done true justice to his subjects, and afterward resiting the virtue and excellency of their said Prince, as his devotion towards the Gods, humility to man, the keeping of his promise, justice, magninemitie, veretie, liberality, modistie and mercy to them in solitariness. And afterward do curse all malifactoures, and thereby dyschargethe their King of blame. Imputing his offences to his officers. When that these solempnites be finished, the Prelate doth exhort the King to departed according to the will of their Gods, & not to follow the people's advice of small practise, but to have respect to virtue and honour. After that the sacrifice made of a Bull is done, the Prelate doth rehearse out of holy books some acts of virtue made by their predecessors, to admonish their King to rule after the example of them, that is truly and justly. The ancient laws were not only made to meinteyne justice, but also for the government of every thing in all points, as to eat, drink, sleep, to banish and to accompany with women. Their meats were denty: most commonly they use to eat Veal. They have a certain measure when they drink wine, that they can not pass the stint, The which is to avoid Ebriety drounkennes and gluttony. insomuch their laws were so well instituted that it appeared they were not made & ordained by a lawyer, but by a most perfect Physician. And it was a marvelous thing to see the Egyptiens so particularly and duly observe their laws, and not their wills, but this is more worthy of marvel to say that they were not inclined to gather and accumelate goods, by a unjust manner or by any unreysonable covetousness. They do punish no man in indignation, so that their felicity was obtempered to the laws & esteem them which praise and glorify themselves to be subjects to many passions in following their own pleasures: in so much that we may see they know their own faults, that neither love, heae, nor covetousness could compel them to do things which they knew to be unlawful or previdiciall to those which govern them by prudence and council, besides they have respect lest they should displease them. The justice of the king to the people on the other side is such, that he hath the love of all them. that not only the priests, but also the hole people of Egypt have a great solicitude or more carefulness, and tenderness over the health of their king, than they have either of wife children or other particular Lord. And when such a just king doth departed. All in general doth deploore and lament, rent their clothes in pieces, shut the churches, and are discouraged to commence any public acts. By the space of lxxii days. two hundredth of them goeth about the streets in a strange apparel as well men as women ii times a day, and singeth after the manner and form of hymns, the virtues of their king departed. And they will not eat the flesh of any best baked, they abstain themselves from all delicate meats as well in drinking as also in eating. They use no baths, nor ointmentes, nor sleeps in beds, nor have not the company of their wives. So sorrowfully be they all as though their dear children were departed. And more over touching this, they be wont to make ready that which should serve for the sepulchre, and at the last day, they shut the body within a little Circle, before it is put in the sepulchre In the same place there shallbe read according to the old custom the Register of all that which the king had done in his life time, and it was permitted for every one to accuse him. At these funerals there are a great number of people some come with loud voice to praise his deservings and merits, other do blame his faults, and make a great noise and brute. And by this brute it hath many times happened that divers kings, have been plucked away from the honour of the sepulchre, and having this fear doth stir and provoke the kings of egypt to live well and justly, fearing least after their death they should incur into the displeasure of any of their subjects. And this is the state of the king of this country. Al Egypt is divided into divers governements, every one of them by a name, constituted a governor who hath the charge of all things. The revenues of the kings lands was divided in three parts. The first part to the priests of their law, to whom they give great honour, as well for the administration of their sacraments, as also for their knowledge, by the which other be taught, part of the revenues be employed upon such necessaries as serveth for the sacrifices, and their own livings. they can not suffer that the ministers of their gods shallbe poor, or that they should lack any thing to do sacrifice withal. These priests coming to the king professeth to him the things which be to come aswell by the science of Astrology, as also by the sort of their sacrifices. Moreover they do rehearse to their king books which be called holly. The acts and deeds of other kings, his predecessors by the same he know the better what is expedient for him. They be not in a small number as ye would say two in a company, they be frank and have the second place of authority next to the king. The second part of the revenues is to the king who doth bestow it for his necessaries as well upon marterial weapons for wars, as also the necessaries for his house, and show liberality towards the good and virtuous people. And by this his liberality the common people be not burdened to pay taxes and fines, as they do in other countries. The third part of the revenues belongeeh to the men of war, to the end they may have the greater desire to put themselves forth in all parts dangerous, for the defence of their country. Their policy consisteth in three manner of people, that is to say, labourers, herdsmen and practisers of science. The labourers do buy either of the priests King, or of men of war, certain ground in the field, and do continue in labouring all their life long upon the same. And thereof it cometh that they can better skill to labour and till the earth, than other nations. This industry and labour of theirs is given by nature from the father to the child, likewise the shepherd from the father to the child, do keep and nourish beasts and have no other vocation This art and science hath been greatly augmented by the artificers of Egypt, for that they meddle with no public matter, nor do exercise no other occupation, but that which they are called to, and appointed by their laws, or learned of their fathers. They do judge nothing rashly. In so much they say that these things which be conducted posytyvely and by maturity be of great commodity, and for the preservation of society and human life,  
They can find no better means to expulse or banish all naughtiness, then to punish mulefactours and evil doers, so shall all offenders be whipped. And they have such a respect that due justice be done, that neither for love friendship, nor money, the trespasses of the offender shall be forgiven, for they said, these remissions to be destruction of man. Wherefore in the greatest Cities as in Heliopole in Memphis, and Thebes there was elected and chosen good men, to whom the correction of all causes was committed who do little differ from those of Areopagites of Athenes or to the senate of the Lacedemoniens where there was of long time two judges constituted. They do apere always to the number of thirty. and they chose some of the most likest among them to be precedent. And again there is given to them an other superior by the Citizens. The king doth find all the necessaries as livings, but the superiors was commanded by the king to be more honourably served then the inferiors. He that is principal of them hath a chain of gold hang at his neck, whereunto is tied an Image well garnished with precious stones. This chain is called verity. In so much that precedent should signify to all men that he which was appointed to hear their causes, by the chain should present verity, and with truth to way all things. again their laws containing in viii books, brought amongst them. This was the custom, that the accuser should bring in written the causes of the accusation & to certify the judge in form and manner as it was done (Is the hurt done to an other was a question.) To the defendant there was given time to answer the plaintiffs objection, and to purge himself or avoid the fault, or else to deny all and be clear. Moreover they give audience to the accuser. Finally after that they have been hard two times before the judges They take deliberation, that done the judge turneth the Image towards the true and faithful party, and doth pronounce judgement Seeing now by chance we have fallen into this passage, and taken upon us this journey in the formal declarations, it would be most best to rehearse some old and ancient laws of the Egyptians, to the intent that we may know the one from the other, as those that be evil to shone, and the other that be good & profitable to follow. All Perjurers were corporally punished, and taken as men dispraising the religion of the gods, in so doing they had violated the faith to man, the which is no other thing than a true line of human society and fellowship, he that in the high way shall meet any man which hath been pursued by thieves or robbers, and being able, would not run to take them, was holden coulpable of the inconueniens and misfortune happened unto the man. And if so be it, he could not follow him. Yet was he bond to come before the justice and there to declare the cause, and to present himself as an accuser against the thief. The pain that was appointed to him that transgressed the law was: that he should endure a number of stripes with a rod, and not to eat nor drink for the space of three hole days. The false accuser is punished as a great transgresser. All the Egypciens were bound to bring their names in writing, and the state of the governor of their country he which in that place was found a liar, or got his living by an unlawful way, as usury▪ or such like, was put to death. The man which killeth an other, whether he be free or bound, was judged to die. for murderers or those which commit homicede, they be not curious to have the laws pass upon them The person dead, present death to the manslers, so by that the nobles of the country be in surety and out of fear. The father which kill the child is not put to death, but for the space of three days & three nights, he is continually nigh death, being accompanied with a certain number of seriantes. And their reason is, that though they commit this crime, yet ought not to be pupunished for they judge that the father taketh away again but the life which before he gave to his child, and it is sufficient for him to be afflicted by continual repentance and dolour he taketh for his evil dead, and by this means it seemeth to them that other fathers were admonished not to commit the like. They have a sharp punishment for the paradices and mans●eers. first they are with a sharp pointed tool thrust thorough, and afterward set upon a great heap of thorns, and there be bruised, for they esteem manslauter to be the greatest crime that a man can commit to put him to death which would live.  
If a women with child had done an offence and condemned to die, execution should not have been done until she had been delivered of child, for fear that the infant in her womb not trespassing should be punished with the trespasser. And for one fault two parsons to be punished. He that in the battle obeyethe not his Capyteyne is not put to death, but incurreth in a notable infamy to the dysstruction of his honour. They have such a regard to their honours, that they esteem the destruction of their name worse than death itself. The tongues of them be cut out which do reveal to their enemies the secrets of public matters. All clippers of money, Forgers of false Coin, Changers of weight and mark, gravers of any face scripture or writing, and counter featters of letters have their two Thumbs cut of, to th'end those parts of the body which had done the offence should bear the pain and punishment, & were suffered notwithstanding to live for others examples. They have also a grievous punishment. for the man which occupieth parforce the free women, that is. shall have his members cut of. By that one evil act (say they) he commyteth three crimes. first he hath defiled the woman. Secondly he hath committed force and violence. Thirdly he let increase of childer, or at the lest staynned the parentage and blood. He which is taken in adultery shall suffer great torments, and in the sight of the woman his nose shallbe cut of. by that means they will deprive him of part of his visage, the which lost, in continent loseth his beauty. We find in aucters that Bocchoris was the inventure of the laws observed among the Egyptians concerning worldly matters. This amongst alother was ordained the money lent without a bill or recognisence, the borrower without fraud to repay again to the Apprester for they hold this opinion. That the promise and faith is of great efficacy and virtue. They did defend that any unreasonable userars should be had in their country. Also they would that no man should have their bodies bound for any debt. Thinking it is sufficient to have their goods bound and not their bodies to be subject to no other things but to the prefermente of all public like matters. They themselves did find this to be repungnant against reason that the men of war which put themselves forth in infinitte dangers for the cause of the comen weal, to be carried to prison (as they were oft-times) by reason of such debts as they took up at usarye. The like to this law there was traunsported by Solon to the Athenes, and was called Sisatee, By the which they would not suffer that the body of a Citiziner should be kept in prison for money taken up at usury. Moreover the said laws the Ethiopiens observe, one particular law as concerning thieves by the which it was established that all they which had stolen any thing should bring the stolen before the high Priest, and to give him their names in writing. In likewise he which had the robbery done to, must come before the high Priest. and declare what he hath lost, the day and time when, and how the robbery was committed. so by that means the things lost be recovered. Always it was provided that the fourth part of the stolen goods the robber should have. To make this law there was certain lawyers that considered with themselves that it should be unpossible to drive out of the country all thieves, thought it therefore most expedient to find the ways that such gentle men as had lost their goods might be restored to them again: made this law that the fourth part should be to the thief, and the rest to the howner. The estate of marriage is not in the same uniform amongst the Egyptians as it was with them. For the priests could take but one wife in marriage, the other as many as they would or could maintain. They think the child is never Illigitemetly begotten. I suppose they be engendered of a woman slavesse. for that the man doth judge the child to be God, & the woman which bore him in her belly to serve for no other purpose but to nurse him that he may live. The hole charge the father is at with the child from his Infancy until he come to age, is not above twenty Drachimes which is ten pens english. The Priests do instruct the children with holy letters and good books. They also teach them their sciences as Geometry Arithimetique. They do not study to learn the feites of wars, neither exercise they morning, nor the art of music, they have this opinion. That mourning is pernetious for young Infants, & music unprofitable, as to purchase unto them great infamation. The manners to heal malydies and diseases is to observe a diet, or to provoke to vomit: for saying (as they do say) that all sicknesses cometh by the superfluitien of meats, they can find no better medicine to help the sick patiented, then to follow the above named rurle. The men of war do spend nothing to have Barbers or Physicians, for that at the sole and only charge of the common weal there be Physicians sound which do heal them when they be hurt. They have cer: ta'en kind of medycens left them in writing by their predycessors, which be registered in books called holy. If a man observing the manner of the medycens containing in their books, had not helped the sick patiented he was exempted by their law, and put in fault, but if he had appointed or other wise ministered other medicine, then in the said books were specified, and that the patient was not helped but died. The Physician was also condemned to die. This law was instituted by the lawyers, for they judged it a strange thing and unprofitable for the sick man to invent a new manner of physic, when he had been a long time visited with a disease, under the colour of a new experiens to hazard the life of the parson. The Egygtiens above all other nations, were subjects to Idolytrye, amongst other things they did not only worship the living beasts, but also the dead, as cats, dogs, & wolves, for they where not a shamed to be such great Idolyters, but glorified therein, and thought thereby to purchase to themselves and to their Gods great honour, They would go about the towns & cities with the Images of the said beasts, showing (as they went) what beasts they were and how they honoured them. When that the said beasts be departed, they wrap them in a linen sheet: That done, they bow themselves down and knock their breasts. They keep their beasts dentily, for they give them to eat wheat flower mixed with milk, this they have given to them ordinerlye, To the other beasts which eat nothing but hard flesh, was given birds & large money spent upon them. After they be dead, the people show themselves so sorrowful as though it were for the death of their own children. Many times they bestow upon the sumptuous burying of the said beasts more than their own substance draweth to.  
In so much when king Ptolomee Lagus reigned it chanced that there was an Ox in the city of Memphis, which died for age. 
A talent●… is .v. C.li ●arlynge Hebraitum talentun vulgarium is ii hundeth and pounds syxti mines is a hundrel drachmas a drachm is iii shillings iii pens.  The burienge of the said ox cost his keeper over and above the ordinary expenses which he had spent upon him all his life time the some of thirty talents of silver which he borrowed of the said king Ptolemy, These things should seem marvelous yet not so meruelus as credible to some men to behold the sumptuous burying of the dead beasts, which the Egyptians use. So often as these things chance, all the parents and friends of the dead goeth about the streets, their hear of their heads all bloody lamenting until such time as the body is under the ground. These misfortunes give them occasion neither to wash themselves, to eat delicate meats, or to drink pleasant drinks, nor to wear sumptuous apparel, They have three sorts of tombs. The first be gorgeous and costly. The second be not so coostely. The last be of a little value. The first doth cost a tallant of silver. The second twenty mines, the third a little or no certain somme, but at sometime more, and less. They which make the funerals have it by patremoni. That is after their father's death, the son make the sepulchres, and he writeth all the expenses and charges that it might cost. After that the price is made with him. The corpse is given him to bury for the price agreed of before. They which have the charge to open & embalm the body be called Saleurs, and be had in honour and reputation, for that the priests accompany them to the temple. The officers be round about the coffin and corpse, and one amongst them doth take all the entrails out of the belly, except that which belong to the reins of the back, the which once plucked forth be given to an other to wash in wine of Phenice together with other sweet odours. This done they do anoint the body first with ointment of cedar, and after with other precious ointments continually for the space of thirty. days, and to do cover it over with myrrh and sinamonde and other spices, to the intent the body might be kept long and to smell notwithstanding sweat After that they have thus ordered the body, it is delivered to the parents. A man looking upon it shall not well deserve whther it is a dead body or one a sleep for that all the parts, as the face, shoulders, hands, be hole. Before the burienge of the dead the parents shall declare to the judges, and to the friends of the dead the day of burying, saying that the body shall pass the sea. The judges to the number of xl being ready to accompany the corpse he which is appointed to keep the ship shall bring her to the shore to New Rig and apparel her. Moreover before the body is put into the tomb, it is permitted every one to accuse the dead if he had been found to have committed any evil. The judges give sentence that he shall be denied the sepulchre. If he had been falsely accused, the accuser should be grievously punished, but if no man could come and accuse him, the parent's end mourning, and begin to recite the praise of the dead without making mention of his genealogy (as the Greeks did) the Egiptiens take themselves one like to an other in blood and nobility. First they will rehearse how he hath passed his youth, led his life, and the good doctrine that he learned, and degresseth from that, repeating the notable acts done in his life time, and amongst all other do magnify his goodness towards the god's wisdom, other virtues and qualities Some children bury their parents in tombs. They which have no sepulchre be buried in the most strongest and thickest wall in their houses within the which they raise a monument. To them which occupied usury in their life time, was denied the sepulchre, and wear brought back again, from the temple to their own houses with out sepulchre appointed until that their predecessors with their riches chanced to them acquitted the debities of the dead, the same paid, he shall honourably be buried. Also they have this custom to deliver in gage to the creditoure the dead body of the debitoure. The man which had his kinsman denied the sepulchre, and will not redeem him shall run into great infamy and slander. In so much that if the son buy not out the fafather, he shall after his death also be denied of the honour of the sepulchre. Not withove just cause many people will marvel what they meant to ordain & make those laws for affairs of the living And also to be so curious to do that which might rebound to the honour of the dead. It is manifest to us the fervent zeal and love they bear to the life of man, which would have brought gladly the same (by such examples) clear and without spot. Truly the Greeks who by the fables of poets have passed in verity and truth, hath written of the favouring and cherishing of the good and tormenting of the evil. To cause men lead a verteus and sincere life, they thought they could not sufficient, nor travail to much. In likewise the Egyptians as well by fables as also by earnest and lawful attribution of praise exalted the good, and tormented the evil. And thereby they bring or rather compel men daily to do things profitable for the health and salvation of this life, that in so much we may see how each one according to their deserts, and to the quality of their crimes received that which they merited, and deserved, so that at the last they were ruled and became virtuous. Wherefore we can not but judge these laws to be good, which provoke men to a desire to attain wisdom and virtue, and to fly covetousness and that most abominable usuries. What do we christians mean to allow that for good, which the Infidels esteem for evil, and abhor it. What reproach is it for us to occupy so many kind of usuries to pill and to poll the poor, the usurer to sell a commodity for one hundreth pounds that scant is valued at twenty pounds. Alas alas I can not but lament to hear divers young gentlemen cry out upon these usurers, and also young merchant men which have mortgaged their lands and laid their merchandise in pawn. For if they miss but one day of payment, or that their money is not ready at the prescripted time, but come a day or ii after, they will not receive it but sue the rygur of the law, strait way extend they the statute of esstaple (as they call it) with a process served, then enter they upon the house, lands, goods and all, thrust out him, his wife, children and family, Yea so cruel be these usurers that albeit for three hundredth pounds of money lente, they have vii hunereth pounds with the interest for a year well paid them, either of the gentylmennes' lands, or poor young merchants goods yet they will not give one penny back again, so wretched be they, though they gain the half, and that there should remain a small somme or rest, and find not so much in the house, then shall the debitours body be committed to prison, there to abide until full satisfaction be made This have I seen practised within this xiiii. months, & who be they which have occupied these usuries. and showed this extremity, but such as htah professed most of all godliness, and yafned themselves holly. I speak this by no particular man, but as general grief moveth me. To all such corrupted conscience I say, not only say but also exhort them to fly this art, and practise a godlyer, and let them herein follow the council and walk the steps of the ethnics, for I can not but nominate them Infidels, yea more wicked than they which be not ashamed to do that which they utterly detest. And here I make an end of the description of Egypt, and the nature of the Egiptianr, and will proceed to treat of other people inhabiting in Aphrique.   

The description Of Penes or Puniciens and other people of Aphrique Capitalo vi  
THere be divers nations amongst the Penes or Puniciens. The Adrimachides do draw towards egypt, and hold the fashions of the Egyptians, saving only they wear their apparel after the manner of the Punitiens, their wives do wear a chain of copper, and never do cut their hear. They do bite the fles between their teeth when they find them about their bodies, and after they do cast them away. They present only amongst other people of that country their daughters, and promiseth them to be faithful to their king, and he only to deflower them, and to have his choice to take of them whom he shall please or fantasy. The Nasamoniens be other people very evil, the most part of them be robbers upon the sea, and when they see a ship a shore they tone upon her and robbeth her, In summer they leave their cattle all about the cooste, and do go to a certain place where there is great plenty of fair and good fruits, and gathereth them. The fruit which they gather before they be ripe they do leave in the son to dry. afterward put milk together and stampeth it, and then they do swallow it hole. They have each of them many wife's, and have company with them when their lust is come upon them at the first place they tome at openly, without having any shame to do it in the presence of other, Like unto them be the M●ssagetes which have an other manner more of doing, and is, in that they put their staves before them. The same also is the custom of the Nasamoniens, when that any of them take a wife. The espoused is bound to present himself to all them of the feast, and to be bound to them to grant for to do there pleasure, and he which hath company with her may give her a presence without danger, and do what he list with her. They use certain oaths. They amongst them which be just & of a holy life were had in this reputation, that after their death the men of the country did revoke or call again their names, by certain obedes, in swearing and touching the sepulchre did transport also, for to do their sort and guess upon the sepulchres of their ancestors, and after they had made their oration, they sleep upon the same, and do coniectoure upon that which might come of it, which in sleeping they dreamt first of The manner of promising which they have one to an other, is to present drink in token of their promise, and if it so fortune they have no drink, they take the powder of the earth, and lay it upon their tongue. There is an other kind of people in that country called Garamantes that country was traficked and and traded of other nations. They do use no weapons, they dare not defend themselves against other which strive against them, they do dwell beyonge the Nasomoniens towards the occident in part of the sea. To those people do end other which be called Macez which do cause their hear to be shorn upon the top of the head and let it grow in the mids. Their neighbours be Guydans, who in their wars they make continually against the Autrices, do instead of other armours, put on only the skins of certain beasts. The women in their apparel had divers borders of furs or skins. And for this reason as it is written for that of every man whom they have had company they took by a manner of a present, a vestment in such sort that she which is so appareled, was counted most horourable, as to beloved of many. The Machliens which be other people inhabiting in the country in Maraiz, be called Maraiz Tritonides. They do were their hear behind, and nothing before. The Auses contrawyse be other people inhabiting in the same region, and do wear their hear before. The maidens of that country do accustomably part themselves into bands or companies, and do fight one against an other with staves, and cast stones, and doth say that this fashion hath been by them observed in the honour of their goddess Minerva. Those which were wounded and constrained to leave the field were esteemed with them which remained and resisted unworthy of the honour of the maidens. contrariwise, she which shallbe counted most hardiest, at the end is appareled after the best sort they can all devise And moreover she is armed in armour according to the Greeks, & do wear a helmet, like unto the come of a cock, after the manner of the Corinthians. And after they have so dressed her, they set her in a cart and do accompany her all about the Mazais. The people last named have their wives comen amongst them, and do use the nature like to beasts. So soon as their wives have had a child, and nursed it a time until the said child have a little strength, the same amongst them is called the father. The mother must forsake to live with the said child. And ye shall understand that from iii months to three months, the man hath company with the woman, and then the mother shall deliver the child to one whom she shall please. The other people of the same region which be called Atlantes, because they inhabit towards the mount Atlas by Arom●es, that is without particular name They do detest the curse of the passing son, with infinite execrations, in that it is so hot that it burneth them and their region. They eat no kind of flesh, and have no resting place to sleep. The other people of Aphrique, which be called Pastoriciens live by flesh and milk, notwithstanding they eat no beef, no more than the Egyptians do eat pork: for there the women of the country of Cerene have a fear or horror to beat their kin. because they said beasts be offered to their god or Idol Isis, the which in egypt is honoured, and for his honour observe certain fasting days and holy days The women of Barcees which be other people of that country have a contrary observation, for they never eat bieffe nor pork. And so soon as their children be four or .v. years old, they do beat the veins of their heads, some of them do burn the veygnes of the temples, and that which is set burning upon their heads is of blood and will, set on fire upon their hear to the intent that the moistness and petuitie descending from the brain and other parts of the head may not hurt them, by this means they say their children are more healthful and their persons in better disposition. The manner of their sacrifice be these, that after they have cut the ear of a sheep, they present it in sign of thanks given for the first fruits they have every year. They do cast the said ear upon the covering of their house, that done, they do wry their sheeps necks. They do no other sacrifices but unto the son and moan. They bury the dead, as the Greeks, except the Nasamoniens, when they perceive that one amongst them is at the point of death, being in his bed, doth life him up, and maketh him to sit upright, for fear that he should yield up the ghost lying in his bed upon his back. their tabernacles be builded, and gorgigiously made, set upon great trees after such a sort, that they will turn with every wind. The Maxiens do wear their hear on the right side, and shave away all on the left, they do paint their bodies with red, and they say it cometh from the Trojans. The women of Zabiques be other people, ending to the Maxiens And they do conduct their husband carts whe● they go a warfare. The zigante● be other people of that nation. They have a great quantity of honey bees that the men by their industri knoweth well how to keep and nourish them, so that they multiply greatly in so much there is so great abundance that the people be fed only there with. The people be also painted red. All the nations of the country of Libie do live a very strange and wild life, The most part of the day time in the summer, they go under some shadow, so that there is no diversity between them and beasts, they make no provision for that they lack. And for their apparel they use goats skins. The most mightiest amongst them, have no cities subject under them but little towares all about the waters side. In the which they put all their necessaries, and that which they have gathered be laid in the said towers. Every year they do a kind of obediens to their subjects, and by that they show themselves to be friends to the good and parcecutoures of the rebellions, as thieves, and robbers of countries. Their weapons in war be proper, agreeable both for their manner and nature, for that they are light of body, and the country plain for the most part thereof, they use no sword nor daggers, nor no like weapons, yet they carry with them three darts, and a quantity of stones which they gather, and put into a leather buget. They be furnished with such weapons both for the assauting and retiring back that they do hurt greatly their enemies, by that so long exercise they make themselves parfet. They hold no faith to strangers. The Troglodytes (whom the Greeks call herdsmen or shepherds because they keep cattle) be people in Ethiope of this same region, which thorough out all countries appointed themselves a king. They have their women and children common, except the king which hath his wife and children a part. As soon as the queen his wife is come to see him The king with all magnificence doth present to her a number of cattle. As long as the winds of Ethesiens do last to the dog days. There doth fall in that country great plenty of rain. They are fed most commonly with the blood of beasts and milk mingled sodden together. And when that their pastures be barren because of the heat of the son, they do seek for the marishes. They have no wars one with an other, by reason whereof they live like lords. They do kill their old mottons and those which can not keep themselves from maledies and diseases. They do ascribe no certain name to none of their children. For they do think that the shape and the bulls be their fathers and mothers, & why? because from those beasts they have their daily noryture. The common people do use to drink the juice of a tree called Aubespine The rich men do cause to be pressed a certain kind of flower. The liquor whereof maketh drink for them, having in a manner the taste of worse new wine They lead their shape from one place to an other, for fear that the said shape should be weary to abide still in one country. The people's bodies be all naked saving their members. Which they cover with skins. They said Troglodytes. Whom they call Megavares, do wear always for their armour a coote of buff with hear and all undessed & amaze set with points of Iron, other do carry a bow, another half a pick. They do not pass to build Tombs and sepulchres, but instead of a tomb, they do bury the body of the dead with such like wood as we call splynt, or barks of trees, and the body is wrapped therein even from the top of the head, to the soole of the foot. afterward they set it in some high place, and covereth it with the stones they cast upon, and that done they do laugh at the dead. And after that they have covered with stones they put upon it a horn of a goat, and so leaveth him without taking any more compassion. They make battle one against an other not in anger or for ambition (as the Greeks were wont to do) but too gain the commodity of their pastures and fields. first in their wars they cast at one an other a great number of stones. And they use of a custom to shut one at an other, so that their followeth great bloodshed. These battles be never ended but by the most ancient women, the which be in great surety (for that no man of th'one part nor of the other will hurt them) they do go between two, and so do part them which be conflicted. They which 〈◊〉 from the desert, and run into that country for shadow, and do devour the little wild beasts, making such courses, sometime destroy many Ethiopiens at their coming out of the marishes, long time past that nation had been undone by the Lions, had not dame nature for scene it, and given them succours by her providence. At the first entering of the dog days, a great multitude of pampyllions, as cater pillars do flay into this councrey, being brought without any wind. The same swarm of little beasts do never hurt them which dwell in the marishes. whereupon as well for mourmuring as for bything, do constrain the Lions to depart. To this nation of Rirophagis is joined the Ilophagris and Spermatophages. The last named people live of the grains (as we call them) the accornes which fall from the trees in Summer. The rest of the time, they gather certain kind of herbs growing in their orchards whereof they live in time of hunger. But the Ilophagers with their wife's and children do go into the fills and do climb up into the trees, and breaketh the weakest branches they dwell so well that they may leap from one tree to an other like as the birds do, and upon the said trees they dwell without all dangers. And if it so fortune, that the branches should spread over the weight of their bodies, they hold them up with their hands: but if it had so chanced in holding up of thee said branches they fall upon the ground, yet they falling, had no harm, because of the agility and nimbilnes of their bodies, besides all this they live of the said trees, choosing out the tenderest bows and do nyble and gnaw the same as the little mouse eateth the chief, & they are certified with the bark●s of trees, These people be always naked, and have their wife's and children common. They fight one against an other, and all to get others b●e●e garnished trees & in their fights they do use no other weapons but of wode, they which be overcome, be as bond slaves to the vaunquyshers or over comers. They do oftentimes die for hunger, or that after they have once lost their sight (the which fortune to them in leaping from one tree to an other) and cannot see to gather that which they used to live by, than they die in continent after. The circuit of this nation is inhabited by other Ethiopiens which be called Cinectens. There is no difference between them and the other, for asmuch as they inhabit in the for rest country, they have few or no fountains. They are compelled to live upon the tres because there is so many wild beasts, & very early in the morning they go and seek the waters and the fountains, & do water the branches of the trees in the heat of the day, the wild Oxen, the Leopards, and other wild beasts, do run to the waters for to drink. And the said beasts do drink so much, that they become so heavy & puffed up that they can not well resist. Then the Ethiopiens defending from their trees very fiercely and swiftly do assault them, as well with bourning staves as also with darts and stones. In so much now and then they kill one amongst the great number. It chaunsethe sometime also that the said wild beasts have the upper hand and devour some of the men notwithstanding most commonly there doth come at the last, certain might and strength so that they take the said beasts & the rather by there art & industry And if it should happen that they kill not these beasts, but be driven to a excigency, than they do in such an extremity take again the skins of the said beasts, which they had eaten the flesh before, do pluck away the head, shoulders with the hear, casting it in water, and with little fire doth sith, afterwards it is destrybyted amongst them to eat, and are therewith sertyfied. They use their children to shoot at a but, and giveth them no meat till they it it, and thereby they become good archers, and expert in casting of stones. Thereis an other kind of people in that country dwelling nigh the desert, which be called Archridophages, and they be very low men and marvelous black. At the prime time the wind of zephyrus, & the wind of Libique do bring out of the desert a number of marvelous great Locusts, which have wings of a loathsome colour and figure. The Ethiopiens being accustomed & brought to this, made great aboundaunce of woods, leaves and such like in a long valley. The season of the year being come, that the said beasts above named were driven out of the desert by the same wind and that so great abundance, that a man would take them to be clouds which passed above the valley, again when that the people, according to their manner & custom, did put on fire the said abundance of wood covered with herbs in the valley the which they had before heaven & cut. The smoke that ascended up from the said fire into the air, was so hot, the locusts flying in the midst of the heat, fell down dead a little beyond the said valley. The quantity of them is so great that they largely feed and vyttell all the people: And having great store of salt in that country they do salt the said locusts and by that means they last long. And this kind of meat is plenty and for their apetit, that in all their life time they eat nothing else for they bring up no beasts or cattle in those countries, nor they have no fish, because they are far from the sea & fair rivers. They are very light, and run swiftly, yet they line no long time. They live but to the age of forty and no longer. Their ends be not so pitiful as uncredible, for when they are come to their full age, that is xl years expired. There engendereth in their bodies certain vermins like unto flees having little wings of divers colours, & so made that they would fear a man. These verminnes first eateth the belly, than the breast, and afterward by little and little consumeth all the body. They whithe be infected with this malady, shall at the first feel themselves moved with an iche, and by reason of to much scratching, there doth follow to the parson affliction a grudging of a new disease with allegement of the first in a manner. a little after that by such Emotion doth follow affluence of blood which cometh out of the body of the sick patiented, that there doth issue in spite of him an infinite multitude of the said vermentes. And thereby feeleth so great pain, that it disfygureth and dismembreth all his body. And after that it had stinted, a fresh doth issue such abundance, of the said blood and vermentes, that it is unpossible to help him, in so much either by the corrupt ear of the country, or beastly bringing up, they end their lyvea most miserable and peryously. The extremities of Aphrique towards the part of Midy, be in habited with a kind of people which the Greeks call Cynamines otherwise called be the barbarous wild. They do wear great beards, and do keep for their defence a number of dogs, for from the midst of summer to the midst of winter, there cometh into that country a multitude of Oxen from the country of Indes. And they know not from whence this plenty should come, except it be that the said beasts be constreaned to flay out of the said region, into this country, for fear of the hurt of other wild beasts, or by the iustynce of nature. Who hath engendered many other things unknown to man, most worthy of admiration, and for that the people be not able to resist so great a number of beasts coming upon them, be constrained always to have with them so great a number of dogs, by the help and course of the which dogs, there is taken many of the said beasts, after they have killed them, they ear continent one part, and for their provision salt the rest. They do eat also many other beasts which the dogs do weary & kill. Beyond the above said people towards the Midy, inhabiteth other people which they call Icthiophages, who although they have the faces of men, yet they differ nothing from beasts in their livings, these people dwell under the Troglodytes in the great sea Arabia they be very barbarous. At alltimes they be naked, their wives and children be common, and like brute beasts, they do not feal any volupe lupt or passion in themselves except it be after their bodies feal good or evil. These people be void of discretion, good manners, and honesty. They dwell in rivers and creaks of the sea along by the waters, and in the high countries, in the which places be found many deep caves and long valleys. Therbe divers narrow holes dangerous at the entering & evil at the coming out. In so much that which followeth, a man may judge the country by nature to be made after the fashion of the Icthiophages for they gathered great heaps of stones, & and laid them before the entering of all crooked places, and made more such inventions for the nets to take fish of the sea, because in the sea when the flood cometh it chanceth about nonetyde all the place nigh be compassed and closed about with waters, and they grow to such an infinite number that they cover all the country and bringeth a great quantity of fish, which do swim hither and thither to find their pasture, so in the end, at the returning again of the sea, the water do cast them up amongst the heaps of stones, and then the fish lie dry, and they be gathered by the people inhabiting in that country, which do run with their wife and children, and gather the said fishes for their provision. And when they dress the said fish to eat, they lay it upon the stones to wards the Midy, or nontyde, and burnethe it in the heat of the son and doth let it lie upon the one side a while, and turneth the other side when they think it is roasted enough they pluck out all the flesh, & put it in a hollow stone, which is like unto a mortar, then mixeth it with the grain of a gosebery tree, or much like to it, these mingled together so well, that it maketh goodly meat to eat, they set it in the son after they have put it together they make it like in propriety to a tile. This they use for all their meat with great abundance and joy, and serveth them instead of corn, when it chance that the find of the sea abide still and nothing deminyshe, by reason whereof they were forced to leave their comodytie of fishing, and that they abide hunger. Then they heap together the shells of the sea which be veri great and do break them with stones, and so feed of the flesh they find with in the said shells the which is in taste like to an oyster of the sea.  
again if this kind of living were taken from them by continual tempests and winds. They take the bones of the fishes by them gathered afore and gnaweth it like a dog the tender and fresh. And the hardest bone they break with stones. In so doing they differ nothing from beasts. This kind of victual they receive for their repast with great joy (as I rehearsed before) singing and making good cheer one with an other. And after that every one of them by the care they have to get children, do accompany with the first woman they meet, without having any solicitude all their life long, which cometh by reason of the afflu 〈…〉 which to them be 〈…〉 for the space of v. days to that manner of living, the sixth day they go together to find the wells to drink, by the way as they go, they cry both in one voice in such sort that a man would judge them rather to be the crying of a multytud of wild beasts then men's voices. As soon as they come to the fountains, they receive in such abundance of water, that they can not well return again, but rest themselves there and can eat no more, being afterward as men troubled or rather drunken. The next day following they return a fisshing, and in this sort passing their lives (being a very few of them sick) and that is for because they eat but one kind of meat, yet for all that they live not so long 〈…〉 of other nations, their 〈…〉 this cost to their lodging and by the pleasant shadows they are tempr●●●. 〈◊〉 must understand that the caves of that country, the which have their throats towards the Midy be as hot as a furnasse, because of the heat of the son, & consequently doth follow that they be never inhabited: wherefore almen of that country doth cover to dwell towards the Septentrion. Such was the manner and living of the two I●thiophages. There resteth yet to speak of the Amazons which (as they say) in time past was of one part of Aphrique in the country of ●●bie They were women of war and of good courage greatly differing from the women in our age and time. A certain time of their age they were accustomed to exercise the seat of war, and by that kept their virginity. After that they had passed their age, as abovesaid, they married husbands to increase children. They had the prehemines to govern all public matters, for the common weal was ruled by them, in such sort ruled the women, that their husbands had the charge of all the domestical affairs which we accustomably commit to our wives. And the wives to the contrary ruled as our men do hear, yea, so circumspect they were, that their husbands should not take in hand any public matter, that they would not suffer them once to speak in causes touching the common weal. So soon as they be in their bed, their children be given men to keep, and they to nurse them, which infants be brought up with wylke, and other meats agreeable for their age If a woman had been delivered of a man child he should have had either his right arm broken or been killed. But if she had brought forth a female or woman child, they would burn her breasts with an hot iron for to take away all that which might let her in the wars, and for that cause they were called with the Greeks amazons: That is to say, women without breasts. They did inhabit (as it is written) in an Island called Hespera, which was so named for that it approacheth nigh the Occident, and is within the lake Tritonide, nigh to the Ocean sea. That lake is so called by reason of the river Triton which passeth thorough the same, being cituated to Ethiope and to the me unt Atlas, which is one of the highest and widest in all that country.  
This Island is great, replenished with trees, and a abundance of fruit In that country is plenty of sheep, wherewith most of the people be refreshed and fed. Wheat is unknown to the inhabiters of that country, because there never grew none there.   

A general description of Aphrique. Capi. seven.  
afric is ended on the east part with Nilus and on the other parts with the sea. And truly it is shorter than Europa, for it is stretched contrary to no part of Asia, & not to the sea banks of all Europia and it is more long than brood & there as it butteth upon the flood it is most broad, and as it proceedeth from thence even so rising up with hills specially in the midst it goeth on crooked into the west, and sharpeneth itself easily, and therefore by the way is made by little and little narrower, and there as his end is it is most narrow. For so much as is inhabited it is very fruitful, but for as much as the most parts of it be unoccupied, & either covered with barren lands, or else desert with the drought of heaven and of the countries, or else be vexed with many and mischievous kinds of wild beasts, it is more waste then replenished with people The see where with it is girded on the north side we do call Libicum. And on the south Ethiopicum and on the west Atlant●●um. And on the part that lieth upon libicum next drovince unto Nilus is that which we do call Cirenas, and after that is it to whom is given a name by the vocable of the hole region that is to say Aphrique, The other parts the Numides and the Murrians doth hold, but the Murrians are set out unto the see Atlantium beyond them be Nigrite, and Pharusii. unto the Ethiopes for they do possess the residue of it and the hole side that is towards the south even unto the borders of A●●a. And above those regions which are weshed with the Libicum see by Libies' Aegiptii and Lencothiopes and a nation very frequent and manifold called Setuli. after whom the region is vacant and unhabitable continually for a great space. And then the first on the Est as we do hear say are Garamantes and after them Augila, and beyond them Proglodita, and last of all upon the west Atlantes. And within if ye like to give credance are such as be scant worthy to be called men, but rather half beasts. Aegipanes and Blemie: and Sa●pha●antes and Sat●ri, wand'ring without houses and mansions everywhere & hath lands rather than inhabiteth them we have manifest to you all things at large, aswell the nature and manners of the people of Aphrique, as also the situation of their nations and countries. And hear we will end the description of this first part of the world, giving the reader my travail, aspecting and looking for the fortunate sparks of acceptation. And for mine enterprise notwithstanding my labour I crave his good word.   
Finis  


¶ A particular table containing all the chapters in the first book of the description of the country of Aphrique,  
FIrst The opinion of the divines, touching the original of man.  
The false opinion of the Infidels.  
The division of the world into iiii, parts.  
The d●scription of the country of Aphrique.  
The description of the country of Egypt.  
Of penes and other people inhabiting in Aphrique.  
A general description of Aphrique.   

¶ A particular table of all the notable passages in this present book, of the description of Aphrique, Capi. i.  
IMprimus the creation of heaven & earth.  
The creation of man.  
The couping of man and wife.  
The touching of the ark upon the mountains of Armenia.  
Cain the first begotten.  
Abel the second.  
Noyes ark holy.  
The disparsing of mankind abroad in the world.  
How Noye sent his children to inhabit the parts of the earth.   

Capitulo ii  
The worshihping of the son and moon as gods.  
The false persuasion of the philosophers for the creation of man.  
How some philosophers believed that man is incorruptible, some corruptible, and without taking beginning.   

Capitulo iii  
The devition from the west is called hemispheriss, and hath .v. distinct zones.  
The straight entering is called fretum.  
The spreading abroad is called hells pontus.   

Capitulo four  
There be in Ethiope many collored people.  
How the Ethiopiens take themselves first procrreated of the mortals.  
What the figures signifieth of Milan, Crocodile and locil  
Their kings live after their laws made.  
How the king signifieth death to the malefactors.  
The due honour that the Ethiopiens do attribute to their king, and how they wish thyr kings disease to themselves as often as he shallbe sick.  
The people be all naked.  
The people live with herbs and roots.  
Meroe is the capital town in that tountrey.  
Macrobiens be people in Ethiope which do esteem rather leather and tin than gold.  
How king Cambyses ambassadors, came chained like prisoners in chains of gold from that country  
There groweth precious stones.  
Aubespine is a gosebery tree.  
How the people worship as gods the son and moan.  
He is chosen king that can skill best to keep beasts.  
These people believe that there is an everlasting God. And again say they there should be another mortal.  
The Pretian or Pressed john is king and of a great blood, and hath three score and two kings under him.  
They have the epistles of saint Paul and certain religious houses.  
Presthod is the chief and highest degree of dignity.  
The sharp punishment for advultrers'.  
There is divers kind of language amongst them.  
The people of Libie follow the error of mahomet.  
A lake which they are washed in shine like to oil.  
marvelous birds as Tragopomones, and Pagasi.   

Capitulo .v.  
There be dumb people beyond the Arabians hay.  
Thebes and Abido, Babylon, and other great Cities in Egypt.  
A river called Nile.  
How the women void their urine against a wall.  
The usages of the Egyptians in their letters.  
The Egyptians be great Idolaters.  
The reverenes of the younger to the elder.  
The kings of Egypt hold not their wills for laws.  
The solitudenes and carefulness of the kings of Egypt, to have prudent counsellors about them.  
The due justice of the kings of Egypt  
The attentivenes of the kings to the petitions of the poor, and how they will hear the poors causes themselves.  
How the people of Egypt pray for the preservation of their king.  
Laws made to avoid Ebriety & pronkenes.  
The obediens of the Egyptians towards the magistrates.  
The lamentation of the people for the death of a just king.  
The distribution of the revenues of the kings lands.  
How every man liveth according to their vocation.  
The punishment appointed for malefactors  
They which be chosen rulers be prudent and Wy●e.  
A chain of gold signifying verity.  
The sentence of the judge pronounced.  
The punishment appointed for perjurers  
The grievous punishment appointed for the paradise and manslayer.  
The pain for clippers of money.  
The laws made for ravishers of the free woman.  
Abstinens is the best diet & medicine for man.  
The estate of marriage.  
The expense the parents is at with the child is xx d●achemes, that is ten s  
The punishment appointed for the physician if the sick patient should die.  
The feeding of their sacrificial beasts is wonderful.  
The sepulchre is denied the usurer.  
How the Egyptians abhor usury.   

Capitulo. vi.  
Adrimachides be people in aphrique amongst the puniciens.  
Nasemoniens robbers on the sea.  
These people be unnatural and like beasts.  
Mesagetes put their staves before them.  
How he which was just hath been in reputation.  
The form of promising one an other.  
Garamatea other people in Aphrique.  
Macez clippeth away the hear in the top of the head,  
Autruces their wives have divers bordera of furs, and why they wear such borders.  
Machliens be people in Aphrique.  
Auses be other people and wear all their hear before  
How the maids fight in the honour of their Goddess Minerva.  
Atlantes be people amongst the Punitiens, these people have no particular names.  
Pastoriciens be people that live by flesh & milk.  
How the women of Cerene fear to hurt the cattle which should be offered to their Idol Isis.  
How the women of Barcees eat no beef nor pork, and also how they burn the veins of the temples of their children.  
A strange manner of sacrifice they do.  
How these people will not suffer a person to lie dying upon his back.  
Their churches be made to turn like to a vane to and fro with every wind,  
The zigantes be people of that nation & have great store of honey bees.  
In their wars each one carry iii darts and ssones.  
Troclodites be people in Aphrique, their wives and children be common,  
They have never wars.  
Megavares be people which have wars, & their wars be never ended but by the ancient women,  
These people desire rather to die than to live Rizophages be people that have great store of Pampilions in their country.  
Ilophagris and Spermatophages be people in Aphrique.  
How these people make them houses, upon trees.  
After what sort these people die for hunger.  
Cineciens be people in Ethiope.  
How the Ethiopiens kill the Lions, Leparda and other wild beasts.  
Their provision in time of hunger.  
How their children eat no meat until they shoot and hit a but.  
Acridophages be low men and black  
There be great store of locusts brought in by certain winds.  
The witty practise they exercise to destroy these locusts.  
¶ A wonderful thing to behold how they end their lives.  
How they live but until the age of xl. years  
what vermins engender in their bellies  
Cinamines barbarous people, they have always a company of dogs with them to defend the wild beasts from them,  
Icthiohhages be people little differing from beasts.  
How the fish be cast up upon the rocks &  
Their provision in time of hunger.  
How the men and women cry like beasts,  
They can endure and abide hunger by nature  
They never drink.  
How these people will suffer stripes very delectable to read.  
All the caves towards the Midy be hot.  
amazons were women of war, and take upon them to meddle in public affairs   
Finis.   


¶ A table of the description of Asye, and Europie, the other two parts of the world, with the particular nations.  
Of asia the second part of the world.  
Of Panchaye.  
Of Asyrie  
Of judee.  
Of Medie.  
Of Parthye.  
Of pierce. ¶ ¶  
Of Indes.  
Of Scithie.  
Of Vartarie.  
Of Turquie  
Of Christendone ¶ ¶   

Eropia.  
Of ●rice  
Of Lacye.  
Of Laconie or Lacedemonie.  
Of Crete.  
Of Tharrace.  
Ru●● or Ruthenie  
Of Lithuanie.  
Of Livonie.  
Of Polo●ne.  
Of Hungry.  
Of Boesme.  
Of Allmanye.  
Of saxone  
Of westualie  
Of franconie.  
Of ●uenie.  
Of Bavier.  
Of Italy.  
Of Ligurie.  
Of the Coscane.  
Of Galatie.  
Of France  
Of Spain.  
Of Portyngale.  
Of Engl●●de, scotland, and Ireland,  
Of the ule of Taprobane.   
Finis,   

¶ Imprinted at London in Fleetstreet at the sign of the George next to saint Dunston's Church by William Powel