THE PREACHERS TRAVELS. Wherein is set down a true journal to the confines of the East INDIES, through the great Countries of Syria, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Media, Hyrcania and Parthia. With the Authors return by the way of Persia, Susiana, Assiria, Chaldaea, and ARABIA. Containing a full survey of the Knigdom of Persia: and in what terms the Persian stands with the Great Turk at this day: Also a true relation of Sir ANTHONY SHERLEY'S entertainment there: and the estate that his Brother, M. ROBERT SHIRLEY lived in after his departure for Christendom. With the description of a Port in the Persian gulf, commodious for our East Indian Merchants; and a brief rehearsal of some gross absudities in the Turkish ALCORAN.  
Penned by I. C. sometimes student in Magdalen College in OXFORD.  
LONDON Printed for Thomas Thorpe, and are to be sold by Walter Burr. 1611.   

TO THE VIRTUOUS AND Worthy Knight, Sir THOMAS HUNT, one of his majesties justices of the Peace and Quorum in the County of Surrey, I. C. wisheth all terrestrial and celestial happiness.  
SIR, when I consider that it is the common manner of all, that write any Books in this age, to Dedicate the same to one or other of great place, I bethought me to whom I might offer these my travels: and at last resolved with myself, none to be more fit, than your Worship; both in regard of your zeal to Religion, because you do give to divers Congregations in this land, Milk without silver, and bread without money, which not many other patrons do; as also for your love unto Scholars, who though in this unthankful age of ours, men wonder at us, V● pueri junonis avem; and we wonder again at them, because they do so little for us, yet myself, and many others now of some place in the Church never departed discontented from you. Many other respects as well public as private, do naturally bear this small discourse to the very point and centre of your Worship's only Patronage.  
Concerning the matter of this discourse, you shall find in the Preface: and concerning the manner, there is no great matter of learning or ingenious invention, only a simple relation of a simple truth; yet somewhat there is, which may happily concern the learned, and give some satisfaction to an indifferent Reader, when he understands, how two of the most mighty and most warlike Princes among the Barbarians, the great Turk and the Persian, are now in arms one against the other; stirred up thereunto by two of our Countrymen, Sir Anthony Shirley, and Master Robert Shirley his brother.  
A war not only like to be long and bloody, but also very commodious and of great opportunity to the Christian Commonweal: for that it doth g●aunt and give leisure to divers parts of Christendom to refresh themselves, and to increase their forces, much weakened, both by the Great Turk's wars; and most of all by their civil dissensions at home. For Cortug-ogli the Turkish Pirate, in his persuasive Oration to his great Mast. Solyman, The Magnificent, to besiege Rhodes, could say unto him, And now dread Sovereign, if it please you to vouchsafe but to look into the matter, you shall see that there is a divine occasion by the procurement of our great Prophet Mahomet, presented unto your most sacred Majesty, for that the Christians of the West are at discord and mortal war among themselves. And to say the truth, the discords and dissensions of Christian Princes have laid more Countries to the enrichment of the Great Turk, then ever his bow or Shield could have purchased. In the days of Mahomet the second, these polluted Saracens had gleaned out of Christendom like scattered ears of corn neglected by the owners, Two hundred Cities, twelve Kingdoms, and two Empires, and still as a canker running on, before the Persian took the field against them, they every year did fret and eat into Christendom.  
Finally, I might have added many worthy collections, as well out of sacred as profane writers, that have written of the most stately and magnificent Empire of the Medes and Persians in times past, and so have compared it, with the modern and present estate thereof; which hath scarce a shadow of the antic Government, wherewith it was then ruled and governed. But the matter would have proved too long, & made this volume too great: and therefore for those advertisements, I purpose to put them forth, when God shall make me strong and able. In the mean time, whatsoever is here penned, I leave it with your Worship, beseeching you to give it entertainment. And so I do most humbly take my leave, commending both yourself, your virtuous Lady, and your whole family to the best mercies of the Lord jesus.  
From mine House in Southwark, this 18. of October. Anno Dom. 1611. Your Worships to command in the Lord, JOHN CARTWRIGHT.   

Gentle Reader,  
IT was my purpose to have added to this journal, some observations touching our Northwest Passage; with many reasons to have proved the great probability thereof. But I am persuaded by some friends to make stay thereof, until the truth of the news: That it is already discovered, be thoroughly examined. In the mean time moderate thy opinion of our former proceedings. And though some malevolent tongues have especially shot out their venomous poison against me, upon what ground they cannot justly say, when they have been pressed thereto, y●t God is my witness that my Conscience is clear, either from wronging the Company that then was; or any ways from hindering the full proceeding of that Voyage, which I purpose shortly to make good unto the world. And for this small discourse, if it pass currant in thy judgement, I shall think my sel●e to have gained enough, in am of all the Travels, of all the dangers, & perils, that I have sustained in those places.   
THE PREACHERS TRAVELS. Wherein is set down a general description of the most principal Kingdoms, that have been, and are at this day in ASIA the great, viz. Syria, Mesopotamia, Armenia the great, Media, Hyrcania, Parthia, Persia, Susiana, Chaldaea, Assiria, and Arabia. TOGETHER WITH THE MOST memorable occurrences and expeditions, which the Princes of those parts have had each against the other.  

THE PREFACE.  
POMPEY the Great being put to flight in the battle at Pharsalia, by julius Caesar, was desirous to know of Cratippus the Philosopher, what should be the event of the wars between Caesar and himself, demanding of him, an sit Providentia? whether the purpose & decree of God were unchangeable without alteration? To whom Cratippus answered, not as a Philosopher, but as a true Divine, saying, Fatales esse Imperiorum periodos, the providence of God is most sure and certain; which Pompey found most true, in a small time after, when Caesar was created the first Emperor of the Roman Monarchy; and which also shall be verified (God willing) in the discourse of this journal: wherein is principally showed, how all human affairs, and the greatest Cities of renown have had their Periods in their greatest perfections; to which though they have ascended gradatim, yet they have forthwith fallen into a retrograde of declination, till they have been brought to the lowest degree which misery can allot: So true is that of Seneca. 

Nulla sors longa, dolour & voluptas  
invicem cedunt: brevior voluptas,  
Ima permut at brevis hora summis:  
Nemo confidat nimium secundis.  
Nemo desperet meliora lapsis.   

No chance is long, for grief and eke delight,  
By course give place, pleasure hath shorter flight,  
An hour but shor●, that presently doth end,  
Doth make the lowest things aloft ascend:  
Let none too much trust in a prosperous state.  
Let none despair, but hope for better f●te.   For in this small discourse we shall see how unavoidable destruction doth always attend on the succession of greatness, and advancement on the posterity of misery: as also the sacking of many Cities, the depopulating of the greatest Countries, the deposing of Princes, and high descended families of their lives, together with their Crowns and Kingdoms, and that in so short a time, as never the like was executed in the antic world. Two reasons have moved me to set down this journal: 
●he causes 〈◊〉 moved 〈◊〉 Author 〈◊〉 write this ●●urnall.  The one for that I have not yet seen any that hath made a full description of these parts, as they are at this day, which I hope shall be performed by myself, who spent much time in those Countries, being familiarly conversant (to help my knowledge herein) with many Sultanes, and principal Commanders in the Kingdom of Persia, as also divers janissaries, who served in the wars between the great Turk and the Persian. The other is for that I do verily persuade myself, that this discourse will breed much delight unto any indifferent Reader, when he shall understand how mighty the forces are of the Persian King, a capital enemy of the name of Christ, as also in what terms he standeth at this day with the great Turk, what Kingdoms he possesseth, what Provinces are subject unto him, his worship, his religion, his kind of government, their weapons, their manner of fight, their form of battle, the revenues and expenses of that Crown, and in a word whatsoever else is necessary to be known.  
Finally, you have here described the several Nations, Situations, Cities, Rivers, Mountains, and Provinces, which I have seen and passed by. It is not my purpose to write any thing of the islands in the Mediterranean-Sea, which we sailed by, and are so much renowned in old writers, viz. Maiorica, and Minorica, Corsica, Sicilia, Malta, Cephalonia, Zant, Candia, Rhodes, and Cyprus, howsoever many excellent things might be spoken of them; yet seeing they are so well known to most of our nation, I omit to write, binding myself to a true relation of what mine eyes have seen in more remote parts of the world, not respecting the judgement of the vulgars', but contenting myself with the conscience of truth, beside which (I protest) I purpose to write nothing.   

The beginning of the travel.  
ANd first I will begin at Alexandretta: Alexandretta now called Scanderone, is a road in the bottom of the Mediterranean-Sea, on the coast of Cilicia, where our Merchant's land their goods to be sent to Aleppo: within eight miles of this road is Tharsus, the chief City of Cilicia, and the Country of St. Paul: the place also where King Solomon sent for great store of gold, and other provision for the building of the Temple: whither the Prophet jonas also fled, when he should have gone to Nineuie. A little from this Town did Alexander the Great give the overthrow in person to Darius, in joining of their first battle together.  
Lying at an Anchor in the aforesaid road the space of two hours, our janissaries with a sufficient guard and horses for ourselves, were ready to conduct us up to Aleppo, and safeguard us as well a● they might, from the dangers and evils, which many times in the way doth befall passengers. In our passage up, no matter of importance happened: many false rumours of thieves were divulged by the Country people, to affright us; but we by the assistance of God arrived in safety at Aleppo, being some six miles before our approach to the City, encountered by many of our English Merchants, to give us the welcome on the Turkish shore. After mutual courtesies ended, they accompanied us into the City unto the Consul Palace; where having dismounted ourselves, we were well entertained by Mr. Richard Colethrust worthy Consul then to our worthy English nation. At whose charge and expenses, I abode two months and better: all which time I fell into consideration, not so much of the City, as of the Province, in which it standeth, offering hereby unto myself two things worthy observation.   

The description of SYRIA.  
FIrst the greatness of the Kingdom of Syria, which confronteth Eastward on Mesopotamia; southward on Arabia; Northward on Cylicia, and Asia the less; and Westward on tire and Sydon, and the bottom of the Mediterranean-Sea. The other the division of the said Kingdom, which divideth itself into five notable Provinces: viz. Palestina, Foenitia, Celestria, Syria, and Camogena. The last of which five is that part which runneth up to the River Euphrates, and to the confines of Armenia, in which standeth the great and wealthy City of Aleppo. This Kingdom of Syria hath divers Cities of importance, but my purpose is to speak but of those, which my journal leadeth me unto, and which my eyes have seen: viz. Tripoli, Hamath, Antioch, and Aleppo.  

The description of Tripoli.  
TRipolis is a Town which standeth under a part of Mount Lybanus, two English miles distant from a certain Port, which trendeth in the form of an half Moon, having on the one side thereof five blockhouses, or small Forts, wherein is very good Artillery, and ●ept by an hundred janissaries. This City is as great as Bristol, and walled about, the walls being of no great force. The chiefest strength is a Citadel, which standeth on the South side within the walls, and over-lookes the whole Town, and is strongly kept with two hundred janissaries, and good Artillery. Through the midst of this City passeth a River, wherewith they water their Gardens and Mulberry trees, in such sort that there grow on them abundance of silk worms, where with the Inhabitants makes great store of very white silk, which is the chiefest natural commodity in and about this place. Finally, this road of Tarapolos or Trapolos, commonly called Tripoli, was more frequented (before Scanderone was found out) with all sorts of Christian Merchants, as Venetians, Genovis, Florentines, Marsilians, Sicilians, Raguses, and English men, than any other Port of the great Turk's Dominions. Some say that the Scale is again translated from Scanderone thither, but how true it is, I leave to the Merchants to report. One inconvenience this Town is subject unto: for right before it toward the Sea is a bank of moving sand, which gathereth and increaseth with the Western winds in such sort, that according to an old prophesy amongst them, this bank is like to swallow up and overwhelm the Town: for every year it increaseth more and more, and eateth up many Gardens and Orchards, albeit they use all policy to diminish the same, and to make it firm ground.   

The description of Hamath.  
THree days journey from this Town in the midway to Aleppo standeth Hamath, a City of great Antiquity, and very famous in the Scripture: for it was delivered up into the hands of David by Toi, 
Numb. 13.22. 1. Chro. 1.16. 2. Sam. 8.9.  who was King of the same. It standeth on a very goodly plain, replenished abundantly with cornemand cotton-wool; but is much ruinated, and falleth more and more to decay, and at this day there is scarce one half of the wall standing, which hath been very fair and strong: but because it cost many men's lives to win it; the great Turk will not have it repaired, commanding these words to be set over the Castle gate, which standeth in the midst of the Town, in the Arabian tongue: Cursed be the Father and the Son, that shall lay their hands to the repairing of this place.   

The description of Antioch.  
NOt far from this Town is the famous City Antioch, which in ancient time was called Epidaphane, or Epiphane, and of the Hebrews Reblatha, sometime the Seat of the Syrian Kings, and afterwards the Metropolitical City of Syria, having under it an hundred and fifty Bishops: famous for many things, but amongst the rest, because it was the seat of the blessed Apostle St. Peter, and because it was the first place, where the professors of Christian religion took the name of Christians. This City lieth upon the River Orontes, in Scripture called Farfar, about twelve miles from the Sea, and was once strongly fortified both by nature on the one side by high broken Mountains, and on the other side by Art, being compassed about with a double wall, the uttermost whereof is of hard stone, of an huge bigness, and the other of brick with four hundred and sixty towers on the same, and an impregnable Castle at the East-end thereof, whereunto was joining a deep lake, coming out of the great River, which wa●ereth the Southside of the City.  
But in the year of Grace 1187. Saladin Sultan of Egypt, dealt so cunningly with the Patriarch, that by his means the Castle (otherwise almost impregnable) was for gold betrayed unto him. By means whereof Saladin in a short time, became Lord and Master of that famous City (which was hardly gained by the whole power of the Christians, after eleven months siege) and with it five and twenty Cities more, that depended of the fortune thereof, with all the Provinces belonging thereunto; and so now at this day the splendour and beauty thereof is altogether Eclipsed by the Turks, there resting and remaining in the midst of the ruinous walls a small village to be seen.  
Close by the walls of this ruinous Town runneth the River Orontes, 
The River Orontes.  which courseth through the large and spacious plain of Antioch, being numbered amongst the famous rivers of Syria, whose banks I have viewed, even from his springing head to his main channel, which is near to Selencia Pieria, now called Soldin. This river amongst the Turks and Arabians hath quite lost his ancient name: but because it runneth very swiftly in his course, and hath many turnings and windings, (so that those that swim in it are oftentimes drowned) as though the poor river had in that respect the nature of a murderer; therefore the Turks and the Moors do now give it a name, that expressly signifieth a murderer or traitor.   

The description of Aleppo.  
FRom this miserable town we spent a days journey and half to the rich and wealthy City of Aleppo, which in ancient time was called Heliopolis, and was that ancient Haram mentioned so often in Scripture. The Moors do call it Halip, which in our tongue signifieth milk, for the same Arabians do say, that it was so called for the abundance of milk, which in the time of the patriarchs was yielded by the herds and flocks of cattle, which fed in those champaigns. This City standeth in the Province of Camogena, which runneth up to Euphrates, and to the confines of Armenia, and is now become the third capital city of the Turkish Empire. And well it may be so accounted, since it is the greatest place of traffic for a dry town in all those parts: for hither resort jews, Tartarians, Persians, Armenians, Egyptians, Indians, & many sorts of Christians, all enjoying freedom of conscience, and bringing thither all kinds of rich merchandise: the trade and traffic of which place, because it is so well known to most of our nation, I omit to write of.  
The air of this City is much pleasing and delightful to a sound and healthful body, but very piercing and dangerous for such as have received any contagion at Scanderon; and therefore it is not good for any passenger to lie long at that road, but to hasten at his first arrival so soon as he can up farther into the Country. This City lieth upon the River Singa, 
The River Synga.  which as some report a Soldier of Grand Cairo drew from Euphrates, and hath a channel under ground, which produceth many fountains both public and private, yielding no small pleasure and contentment to the inhabitants. It containeth in circuit four hills, upon one of which is raised a goodly Castle, having a deep ditch entrenched round about, and a bridge ascending step by step, with four gates, before you can pass into the Castle itself, being guarded with a strong and sure garrison of four or five hundred janissaries, both to curb the rebellion of the City, and to keep it from foreign invasion. The walls of this City are about three English miles in compass, and the suburbs almost as much more: and round about for four miles' space are goodly Gardens, Orchards, and Vineyards, which bear abundance of delicate fruits, and of the best Wines, which are notwithstanding very dear, by reason of the quantity thereof, that there is sold and eaten. The number of people which resort to this City may easily be comprehended, sith between the City and the suburbs in the year of Grace 1555. there died of the plague more than an hundred and twenty thousand persons in three Months. No building of importance is here to be seen, 
Cain●s are storehouses for foreign Merchants.  save the Temples or Mosques, and Caines, all fabricated of hard quarry stone, arched and vaulted with cisterns full of water in the midst of the Courts. In a word this City is one of the most famous Marts of the East: the customs that are paid by our English nation, the French, the Venetians, the huge Caravans, which come from Balsara, Persia, Mecha, are exceeding great, and therefore may well obtain the third place of the Turkish Empire.  
Nevertheless it hath endured divers changes and sundry alterations, being in the year 1177. betrayed and taken from the Christians by Saladin Sultan of Damascus; but afterwards in the year 1260. it was again recovered by Haalon the Tartar, who having received the Christian faith was sent of purpose by Mango the great Cham of Tartary a Christian also, with a puissant army and a world of people to relieve the distressed Christians in Syria; and so Haalon with Hayton king of Armenia, scouring through the Countries of Persia, Asiria, and Mesopotamia, in the end entered into Syria, and in a few days took Aleppo, sacking and razing it down to the ground. But it continued not so long; for afterwards being repaired by the Christians, it was again taken by the Sultan's of Egypt, who possessed it many years, but in the year 1516. when Campson Ganrus reigned in Egypt, it was peaceably delivered up by Cayerbeius the Traitor, into the hands of Selimus the first, who favourably took the Citizens into his protection; and the more to win their hearts, granted unto them greater privileges than they had in former time enjoyed. And so ever since hath continued under the Turkish Government, having under the regiment thereof, five and twenty thousand Timarriots, that is to say, Pensioners, which are all horsemen, so called of Timaro, that is a stipend, which they have of the Grand Signior, viz. the possession of certain Villages and Towns, which they hold during their life, and for which they stand bound. For every threescore Ducats of yearly revenue, to maintain one horseman either with bow and arrows, or else with Target and Lance, and that as well in time of peace, as in time of war.  
Having rested in Aleppo two Months and better, Mr. john Mildenab and myself took our leave of the Consul and Merchants, with a full intent and purpose to travel unto the great City Lahor, in the great Mogors Country in the East Indies: lodging all that night on a thin Turkish Carpet in woods-caine, where the 
* A Caravan is a great many of Camels laden, not much unlike our carriers here in England.  Caravan was assembled, to the end that we might be with the foremost: for delay in such travel doth produce great and inevitable danger. From Aleppo we spent three days journey unto the banks of Euphrates, passing by many villages not worth the naming, and fertile plains, abounding with all sort of provision necessary for man's life. One of those Villages is a Village of note unto this day, called by the Country people Tedith, 
Tedith a Village of note, for the Great Synod holden there by the chiefest jews, for the reformation of the old Testament.  where the jews keep a monument in remembrance of the great Synagogue holden there in the year from the Creation 3498. For after the twelve Tribes were by Salmanazar King of the Assyrians led captive into a Country never inhabited by any before, a year and half journey; so as men in this age trouble their wits to know where they remain, in the East or West Indies, in Tartary or Moscovia, and new inhabitants in their place; I say, it so fell out that after the captivity of Babylon, an hundred and twenty men of the chiefest of the jews held a Synod at the aforesaid Village, of which Esdras was the Scribe, at which Synod (as the Rabbins affirm) were present, Nehemias', Mardocheus, Zorababel, joshua the high Priest, Daniel, Ananias, Azarias, Misael, Haggeus, Zacharias, and Malachiah, and placed the books of the old Testament in the same order as now they are, and changed the hebrew characters (the figure T excepted) into the Assyrian characters, which is the square form used at this day: and changed the Hebrew tongue into the Armenian tongue, but that was altered afterward, and the right Hebrew tongue restored.  
Near unto this Town is the Valley of Salt, 
The Valley of Salt. 2. Sam. 8.13.  memorable for that great overthrow which David gave the Aramits, when he slew of them in one battle eighteen thousand men. Here also Campson Gaurus the great Sultan of Egypt fought that deadly and mortal battle with Selimus the first, the great Turk; where he lost his life being trodden, without regard, to death, both by his own Soldiers and pursuing enemies, after he had with great Majesty governed the Kingdom of Egypt, judea, and Syria many years; and together with the loss of his life and overthrow of his army, he lost the great and populous Kingdom of Egypt, which he and his predecessors had gotten and kept by martial prowess above the space of three hundred years.  
Being arrived on the banks of Euphrates, we found it as broad as the Thames at Lambeth; but in some places it is narrower, in some broader, running with a very swift stream and current, almost as fast as the River of Trent. At this place doth this River begin to take his name, being here all gathered into one channel, whereas before it cometh down from the lake Chieldor-Giol in Armenia, in manifold arms and branches, and therefore is called by the Country people, by a name which signifieth a thousand heads. Here it is that Merchants use to pass down by Bark unto Babylon, thereby to avoid and shun the great charge and wearisomeness of travel through the desert of Arabia. Which passage they make sometimes in fifteen days, sometimes in twenty days, and sometimes in thirty days, answerable to the rising and falling of the River: and the best time to pass thither is either in April or October, when the River doth swell with abundance of r●ine. The Boats are flat bottomed, because the River is shallow in many places; so that when they travel in the Months of july, August, and September, they find the River at so low an ebb, that they are fain to carry with them a spare boat or two, to lighten their own, if they should chance to fall on the shoals. Every night after Sunset, they fasten these Boats to a stake, the Merchants lying aboard, and the Mariners upon the shore, as near as they can unto the same. In this passage down the River, you shall meet with divers troops of Arabians, who will barter their provision of diet (for they care not for money) as Hens, Kids, Lamb, Butter, and sour milk, for Glasses, Combs, Coral, Amber, Knives, Bread and Pomegranates, Pills, wherewith they use to tan their goats skins, in which they Churn withal. All of them, as well Women, Children, and Men are very good swimmers, who oftentimes will swim to the Bark side with vessels full of milk upon their heads. These people are very thievish, and therefore in your passage down good watch must be kept.  
But to return where we left, we were constrained by the deepness of the river to ferry over our whole Caravan, which consisted of a thousand persons, besides Camels, Horses, Mules, and Asses, by reason of which multitude we spent a whole day in transporting over the said Caravan. The gains of which transportation yielded the ferry-man a Shaughoe, which is five pence English upon a beast. It was the manner of the Egyptian Sultanes, not to account themselves worthy of the name of Sultanes, or great General, before they had encamped their army upon this side of the River and in this place, and there with solemn pomp had in the sight of the army, forced their horses into the River to drink; giving to understand by that ceremony, the greatness of their Empire, and that they were ready by force of arms to prove, that all those Countries were theirs, which lay along the River from the Mountain Taurus, unto the desert of Arabia.    

The description of MESOPOTAMIA.  
BEing over the aforesaid River, we arrived at by'r and entered into the famous Province of Mesopotamia; which North-wards bounds on a part of Armenia the Great, where the Altar of Hercules stood: southward on the desert of Arabia; Eastward on Assiria; and Westward on Armenia the less. The Hebrews were wont to call this Kingdom Aram Nearot, Syria amongst the Rivers, as the jews do at this day. The Greeks call it Mesopotamia, because it lieth between two great Rivers, which watered Paradise, Euphrates and Tigris. The Turks do call it Diarbech. This Province of itself is most fruitful, but by the Turkish wars much ruinated and wasted: nevertheless there are some Cities of great importance.  

The description of Bir.  
by'r called by Ptolomey, Barsina, is an ancient City, but very ruinous. It is very famous for the situation, being built on the side of an high craggy mountain, having the River Euphrates running close under the walls thereof, and a most delightful valley, yielding abundance of grain and other necessary provision. But because this town is not much esteemed by the Turks, but left open to the fury of every enemy, I will be sparing to speak thereof, and so pass to the rest.   

The description of Orpha.  
ABout two days journey from this unrespected town, we came to Orpha, a City of great account and estimation, which many suppose to have been the famous City Edessa, which Seleucus (the next King after Alexander the Great) built. For having conquered Asia and Syria, Functius reporteth that he began to build towns and Cities, as Antioch, Laodicea, Seleucia, Apamia, B●rouea, Pellum, and Edessa; and they are not deceived, because that as yet there remaineth certain monuments of Baldewine in Latin letters, who after his brother Godfrey was possessed of jerusalem, is reported to have taken Edessa, and there reigned. The air of this City is very healthful, the Country fruitful, only wood excepted, and therefore in steed thereof, they burn the dung of Camels and other beasts, dried in the Sun. This City is built foursquare; the West part standing on the side of a rocky mountain, and the East part trendeth into a spacious valley, replenished with vineyards, orchards, and gardens: the walls are very strong, furnished with great store of artillery, and contain in circuit three English miles: and for the gallantness of the site, it was once reckoned the Metropolitical seat of Mesopotamia, howsoever it is now translated to Caramida or Caraemit. There is in this City a fountain full of fishes, so used to hand, that they will receive any sustenance that shall be offered unto them: both jews, Armenians, and Turks reported unto us, that this fountain was jacobs-well, 
Gen. 29.13.27.  and that here he served his Uncle Laban twice seven years, for fair and beautiful Rachel.  
The gates of this City were much battered, 
The Scrivano at the walls of Orpha. 1603.  a little before our coming by Eliazgee the Scrivano, and the rebels his followers; The success whereof, so much tormented the haughty mind of Mahomet the Turkish Emperor, 
Mahomet much troubled with the Scrivano.  as that it would scarce suffer him to think of any thing else. For the rebel growing stronger and stronger (by reason of the great numbers which he alured with the sw●ete name of liberty, hope of prey, or the good entertainment by him given, daily more and more resorted unto his camp) had overrun a great part of the Turks Dominion in Asia the less, and in these parts, putting all to fire and sword, that stood in his way, ransacking also divers walled and fenced Cities by the way as he went: this City bearing a share in that misery: for being entered into the City, he drew the citizens to a composition of fifty thousand Chekens, and so departed. A rebellion not only dangerous to the great Turk, but also very commodious and of great opportunity to the Christian commonweal, and to the Persian himself, if at that time they had taken up arms together.  
Memorable also is this City, then called Carras, for the great battle which was fought before it between the Romans and the Parthians, when Marcus Crassus was General on the one side, 
Crassus and Surena joined battle together be●ore the walls of Orpha.  and Surena on the other side, who joining both their armies together, there was fought a most mortal and deadly battle. For there might a man have seen a miserable and lamentable sight of the overthrown Romans, which were so tortured and tormented with the Parthians arrows, that some showed unto their Captains their hands fast nailed to their Targets, some their feet shot through and nailed to the ground, some their bodies stuck full of forked arrows, and some wounded with spears and pikes, in such cruel manner, that the m●st part of t●● Gentlemen of Rome slew themselves: for Publius Crassus himself commanded one of his Gentlemen to kill him, whose h●ad after was cut off by the enemy, and s●nt to his Father for a present, the Father's fortune being no better than his Sons, for his head was cut off as his Sons was, and twenty thousand Romans of great account slain; besides a great number carried captives into Parthia. Plutarch affirmeth, that the Parthians so triumphed of this victory in their feasts and plays; that they made rhymes and jests of both Crassus' heads.  
At this City having paid our custom, which is a dolor on a sum of goods, our Caravan was licensed to depart: and at our ordinary hour which was three of the clock in the afternoon, we set forward towards the ancient City Amida, now called Caramida, or Caraemit, five days journey from Orpha, travailing sometimes over rough and craggy mountains, and sometimes through most delightful plains and valleys: amongst which there is one of note, environed about with a pale of mountains, in such wise that there is but one entry and passage.  

The policy of Aladeules to ●inne unto himself desperate Villains to execute his mischievous practices.  In the midst whereof we beheld the ruins of a great Fortress, built (as the Country people report) by Aladeules a mountain King, who much annoyed Selimus the first and his army, in his expedition against Ishmael the Persian King. This plain is very pleasant to the eye, by reason of the fair meadows and brooks, wherewith the same doth plentifully abound. In this place did Aladeules build divers houses of pleasures, causing the same to be inhabited with the fairest young men and women that could be found; so that, when he had surprised any young man, he brought him to this Fortress, and gave unto him a drink, which should cause him to sleep so sound, that he should so remain a long space, as though he had been dead. Then would he cause him to be carried into this valley amongst his beautiful women, and to be clothed in rich apparel, so that awaking out of his trance he should find himself another man, and as though he came into a new world. Forthwith he was entertained with all kinds of pleasures, which youth and lust could desire, and this continued so long as one whole day lasted. But at night after a certain banquet, the drink as before again was given him to make him sleep, his sumptuous attire pulled off, and his former garments put on, and so carried again into the Fortress from whence he came, a place far unlike to that which he had been in the day before.  
Hereupon the mountain King would infer, that the place where he had been in, was Paradise, and that it lay in his power to send him thither when he would; if therefore he had a desire to continue in such happiness for ever, it was granted unto him upon this condition, that he should take courage to adventure his life in such service, as he should command him. To which those desperate villains most willingly consented, as not esteeming any adventure dangerous, yea though it were with the loss of their own lives, so they might attain that vain Paradise, which Aladeules had promised unto them. Selim the great Turk had like to have lost his life, together with other Princes, too long to recite, by these desperate ruffians: But Selim in his return from Persia, both destroyed their King, and ruinated their Fortress, with all the houses of pleasure built in the aforesaid valley.   

The description of Caraemit.  
AT the end of five days travel from Orpha, we arrived at an ancient City, termed by iovius and others Amida, but now Caraemit, which is to say, the black City, either for the stone wherewith it is built, being like unto jet in colour, or for the fertility of the soil round about it, which is of a dusky colour. This City is seated upon a marvelous high Rock, and containeth in circuit very near six miles; and though it be sufficiently fortified by nature, yet is it environed with a double wall: the outmost is somewhat decayed, but the inmost is well repaired, being fenced with great store of artillery. It is governed by a Bassa, who commandeth over twelve Sanzacks, and thirty thousand Tymariots: and is now become the Metropolitical City of Mesopotamia. There were mustered from this City, when Amurat the third invaded Persia, in the year 1578. twelve thousand Soldiers, the Captain being well checked by General Mustapha for bringing so few. The Soldiers of this City for the most part are archers, not of any courage, but very effeminate, and accustomed to the use of the Scimatarre.  
During our abode at this place (which was fourteen days) we lodged in a very fair Cain built of free stone; for which lodging we paid to the Master of the Cain five Shaughes a piece: all which time nothing fell out worthy observation, 
A most cruel execution.  but the cruel execution of a petty malefactor, who having but pilfered away certain small wares, was mounted on a Camel, with his arms spread abroad, having two sockets-holes bored in his shoulder blades, into which were set two flaring torches, dropping continually on his skin to his greater torment, and in the end having carried him in this pitiful manner through the principal streets of the City, they brought him to the place of execution, and there ganched him on a great iron hook, suffering him so to hang till he died.  
Passing through the South-gate of this City, we paid to the Porter of the gate a Shaughee upon a beast, descending from the City into a most fertile and fruitful plain, where are many Gardens and Orchards, and places of great refreshment.  
Through this plain runneth the great River Euphrates, 
Euphrates.  with a very swift current; and is as broad here sometimes of the year as the Thames at London Bridge, but now was much dried up, by reason of the heat in Summer, making thereby many islands and demi-Ilands, where the Citizens of Caraemit during the Summer season do use to pitch their Tents, to enjoy the freshment of the air and river: but in the Winter it swelleth so abundantly over the said islands and banks, that neither man nor beast is able to pass over: to avoid which inconvenience, there is a mile distant from the city a stone bridge of twenty arches, made over the said River. This evening we pitched two miles from the City, and stayed all that night of purpose for some Merchants that were behind. Here we exchanged our Camels, and in stead of them took Mules, a creature far more fit to travail over craggy Rocks and Mountains than Camels: for now we were within a few days journey, to pass over the high Mountains of Armenia, called in Scripture the Mountains of Arraret: which travel with Camels is not only laborious, but very dangerous, if the ground should prove moist or slabby; for then being laden with great burdens, they cannot go onwards, neither are they able to pass with their huge burdens, through the straight passages which are in those Mountains.  
Two days journey from Caraemit, 
One of the heads out of which Tigris floweth.  we rested at the foot of a great rocky Mountain, being one of the heads out of which Tigris floweth, and runneth down with a swift current to Balsara, and so dischargeth itself in the Persian gulf. Strangely doth it issue out of three rocks admirably hanging, that a man as he passeth under them, would imagine them to be ready to fall on his head. And for the strangeness of the site, the Turks have builded three Bridges in the midst of those rocks, to pass from one unto another, thereby to behold nature's wisdom in framing them so wonderful. We went to view the same, but through the huge over falls, which came far off within those Mountains, and the steepness of the same, together with the hideous noise, and whistling murmuring, we found not so great contentment above, as we did beneath.  
The next day we spent over many high Mountains, on the top whereof grew great quantity of Gall-trees, 
Gall trees.  which are somewhat like our Oaks, but lesser and more crooked: on the best tree in this place a man shall not gather a pound of g●ll●s: at eu●ning we pitched again on the banks of Euphrates; 
Euphrates.  and in the morning passed the said River, but not by barge as before, which was likely to have bred no small annoyance to our whole Caravan; for through the swiftness of the stream and deepness of the channel, many beasts with their ladings had been carried away and drowned, if there had not been in ti●e a shallow Ford discovered, which had in such sort raised the depth of the channel, making as it were a shelf for our commodious passage: by help whereof there was not so much as one man or beast that perished.   

The description of the Curd●●s a most thievish people.  
WE were no sooner over, but forthwith we were encountered with a c●rtaine troop of people called the Curtsies, which some think to be a remnant of the ancient Parthians, who so much annoyed the Romans with their bows and arrows, as before is declared. This rude people are of a goodly stature, and well proportioned, and do never go abroad without their arms, as bows and arrows, Scimatarre and buckler, yea and at such time, when a man for age is ready to go down to his grave. They do adore and worship the Devil, 
The Curdies' worshippers of the Devil.  to the end he may not hurt them or their cattle, and very cruel are they to all sorts of Christians; in which regard, the Country which they inhabit, is at this day termed Terra Diaboli, the land of the Devil. They participate much of the nature of the Arabians, and are as infamous in their Ladrocinies and robberies as the Arabians themselves. They live under the commandment of the great Turk, but with much freedom and liberty; For Selimus the second having a great multitude of them in his army against the Persians, they did him little service, performing no more than what well pleased themselves. This thievish company did sundry times arrest our Caravan, affirming that their Prince had sent for a dolor on a sum of goods, without the payment whereof (being five several times demanded) we should not pass through their Country.  
One Village of note is there in this Country, 
Manuscu●e.  wholly inhabited by the Curdies, being five days journey from Caraemit, and three days journey from Bitclish, called by the Country people Manuscute. This Town is seated in a most fertile and fruitful valley between two mountains, abounding with pasture and cattle: and about a mile from it, is an Hospital dedicated to St. john the Baptist, which is much visited as well by Turks as Christians, who superstitiously affirm, that whosoever will bestow either a Sheep, Kid, or some piece of money to relieve the poor of that place, shall not only prosper in his journey, but obtain forgiveness of all his sins. To the Governor of this Village we paid for our custom a Shaughee on a sum of goods, and so were dismissed. The next day following we passed over many craggy and steep mountains, and at the last rested ourselves and wearied beasts on the bank of Euphrates, 
Eup●rate●●.  being the outmost bounds on this side of Mesopotamia, and so entered the day following on the borders of Armenia the Great, which is by some distinctly divided into three parts; the North part whereof being but little, is called Georgia: the middle part Turcomania: and the third part by the proper name of Armenia.    

The description of ARMENIA.  

The original of the Armenians.  ARmenia was founded by Armenius (one of the companions of jason, who won the golden Fleece at Colchos:) for after jason was dead, Armenius having gathered together a great multitude of people, and wandering up and down the Country, in the end he founded the Town of Armenia, near unto the mountains out of which the River Tigris springeth; constituting many good and wholesome laws, whereby from time to time, the Country of Armenia was governed by Kings of their own Nation, until such time as the house of the Ottamans subdued the same.  

The Turks first came out of Scythia, and seated themselves in Armenia.  It is now called Turcomania, and was the first seat of the Turks, after their first coming out of Scythia, who left their natural seats in that cold and bare Country, to seek themselves others in more pleasant and temperate Countries more Southerly, stirred up no doubt by the hand● of the Almighty, who being the Author of all Kingdoms upon earth, as well of those which he hath appointed as scourges wherewith to punish the world, as others more blessed. This people thus stirred up, and by the Caspian ports passing through the Georgian Country, then called Iberia, near unto the Caspian Sea; first ceased upon this part of Armenia, and that with so strong an hand, that it is by their posterity yet holden at this day, and of them called Turcomania; of all other, the most true progeny of the Turks. These Turcomanes of a long time under their divers leaders, in the manner of their living, most resembling their ancestors, did roam up and down with their families and heads of cattle, after the manner of the Scythian Nomads, their Country men, without certain places of abode; yet at great unity amongst themselves, as not having much to lose, or wherefore to strive. This people did not only notably defend this Country thus by them at the first possessed, but still encroached farther and farther, and gaining by other men's harms, became at length dreadful unto their neighbours, and of some fame also farther off. Whereunto the effeminate cowardice of those delicate people of Asia, with whom they had to do, gave no less furtherance than their own valour; being nevertheless an hardy rough people, though not much skilful, or trained up in the feats of war. But to leave these Turcomanes for a while, we will return where we left.  
This Country of Armenia hath for it utmost bounds northward, Colchos, Iberia, and Albania; all which are now called by the Tartars Comania. Colchos was that famous Province, so much spoken of by the Poets, for the fable of Medea and jason, and the golden Fleece: the inhabitants now are called Mengrellians, a Nation most barbarous and savage, selling their Sons and Daughters to the Turks for little or nothing. Iberia is now called Georgia, and Albania, Zuiria: Westward it confronts upon Euphrates and Armenia the less: Southward on Mesopotamia, with that which the Curdies inhabit: and Eastward on the River Araxis, which watereth the South part of Armenia, and almost divideth from Georgia.  

A d●scription of the people of Armenia, as they are at this day.  
AT our first entrance into this Country, we traveled through a goodly, large, and spacious plain, compassed about with a row of high mountains, where were many Villages, wholly inhabited by Armenians; a people very industrious in all kind of labour: their women very skilful and active in shooting, and managing any sort of weapon, like the fierce Amazons in antic time; and the women at this day, which inhabit the mountain Xatach in Persia. Their families are very great; for, both Sons, Nephews, and Nieces do dwell under one roof, having all their substance in common: and when the father dieth, the eldest Son doth govern the rest, all submitting themselves under his regiment. But when the eldest Son dieth, th● government doth not pass to his sons, but to the eldest brother. And if it chance to fall out, that all the brethren do die, than the government doth belong to the eldest Son of the eldest brother, and so from one to another. In their diet and clothing, they are all fed and clad alike, living in all peace and tranquillity, grounded on true love and honest simplicity.  

The Armenians are a populous nation.  To discourse how populous this nation is at this day, is needless, since they inhabit both in Armenia the greater, and Armenia the less; as also in Cilicia, Bithynia, Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia. Besides the principal Cities of the Turkish Empire be much appopulated with them, as Prussia, Angori, Trabisonda, Alexandria, Grand-Caire, Constantinople, Cassa, Aleppo, Orpha, Cara-●mit, Van, and julpha. Some of this nation affirmed unto us, that the chiefest cause of their great liberty in the Ottoman Kingdom is, for that certain of their Kings bore great affection and love unto Mahomet their lewd Prophet, in regard whereof Mahomet did recommend them as his kind friends to his successors, who ever since have permitted the poor Armenians to live amongst them. But the true reason is, for that they are very laborious in transporting merchandise from one City to another, by which means through the customs which are paid in every City, the coffers of the Grand signor are wonderfully enriched. Unto which doth well agree that scoffing taunt which Abbess now King of Persia did throw upon an Armenian, who being desirous to forsake his Christian faith, and to embrace the wicked and filthy superstition of the Persians, upon hope of reward and preferment, the King did not only rebuke his tepedity and coldness in his religion, but sent him away with this scornful reproof: That an Armenian now was good for nought, save as a Camel to transport merchandise from one city to another: implying that howsoever in antic times they had been warlike and courageous, yet now they were become Buffelloes and Pultrones, altogether unfit for martial affairs.  
This people have two patriarchs, 
The Armeni●●s governed by two patriarchs.  to whom they give the name of Universal: the one keepeth his seat in the City of Sister in Caramania, not far from Tharsus: the other in the Monastery of Ecmeazin, near unto the City Eruan in this Country. Under these two patriarchs are eighteen Monasteries full freight with Friars of their religion; and four and twenty Bishoprics. The maintenance allowed in times passed unto each of these two patriarchs was a Maidin on an house; each Patriarch having under him twenty thousand households: but now that large benevolence the great Turk hath ceased into his own hands, as if the tithe of the Church were fitter for his unsatiable desire; then for those poor, miserable, and despised Churchmen: and therefore now they are constrained to live on the alms of the people, going continually in visitation from one City to another, carrying their wives and whole family with them.  
The people of this nation have retained amongst them the Christian 
* The religion of ●he Armenians is spotted with many absurdities.  faith, as it is thought from the time of ●he Apostles: but at this day it is spotted with many absurdities. They hold with the Church of Rome in the use of the Cross, affirming it to be meritorious if they make the same with two fingers, as the Papists use; but idle and vain if with one finger as the jacobites. They adorn their Churches in every place with the sign of the Cross, but for other Images they have none, being professed enemies against the use of them. In keeping ancient relics they are very superstitious, and much devoted to the ●lessed Virgin Mary, to whom they direct their prayers. They imitate the Dioscorians in eating whit-meats on Saturday, which to do on Wednesday and Friday were a deadly sin: nevertheless they will not refrain from the eating of flesh on every Friday, between the feast of the Passeover and the Ascension. They abstain five Sabbaths in the year from eating flesh, in remembrance of that time, in which the Gentiles did sacrifice their children unto Idols. They celebrate the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary on the sixth of April, the Nativity of our blessed Saviour on the sixth of january, the Purification the fourth of February, and the Transfiguration the fourteenth of August. The ministration of their Liturgy or service, is performed in their native language, that all may understand: but in their service of the Mass for the dead, they are most idolatrous, using at the solemnizing thereof, to sacrifice a Lamb, which they first lead round about the Church, and after they have killed it and roasted it, they spread it on a fair white linen cloth, the Priest giving to each of the Congregation a part and portion thereof. For which cause they are called by some Sabbatists, and julianists, as too much addicted to the ceremonies of the jews, and devoted to the errors of julian. I have heard some Papists boast and brag much, that both Armenians, jacobites, and Greoians, are united to the Church of Rome, but I could never hear either Armenian or Grecian●uouch ●uouch any such matter. They are (unless some few families) so far from yielding obedience unto the Sea of Rome, that they assume all antiquity unto themselves, as having retained the Christian faith from the time of the Apostles. Many Jesuits and Priests have been sent from Rome to bring this oppressed nation under her government, but they have little prevailed; for neither will they yield obedience, nor be brought by any persuasion to forsake their ancient and inveterate errors, to become more erroneous with her.  
Having well refreshed our s●lues amongst these villages, we proceeded in our ordinary travel, but ere we had passed two miles, certain troops of Curdies encountered our Caravan, with a purpose and intent to have robbed the same, but finding themselves too weak to contend with so great company, they departed until the next day following, when again they met with us in a very narrow passage between two mountains, where they made a stay of our whole Caravan, exacting a Shaughee on every person, which to purchase our peace we willingly paid; and so arrived that evening at Bithlis an ancient City, but a City of much cruelty and oppression, where little justice and right is to be found to relieve distressed passengers.   

The description of Bithlis.  
THis City standeth in a pleasant valley, by which runneth a little River, falling out of the mountains Anti-Taurus, it was once a Town in the confines of the Persian Kingdom, bordering upon Mesopotamia, and had a Castle kept with a garrison of Persian Soldiers, before such time as Solyman the Magnificent did conquer these Countries, 
The great battle fought between two great Bassas & Delymenthes a valiant Nobleman of Persi●●  which was in the year 1535. In which year there was a memorable battle fought between the two great Bassas of Cairo and Syria, conducted by Vlemas the Persian Traitor; and Delymenthes a right Nobleman of Persia. The two Bassas and Vlemas were commanded by Solyman (in his return from the spoil of Tauris) to follow him with eighteen thousand good Soldiers in the rearward of his army, to receive and repress the sudden assaults of the Persians, if need should require. But Delymenthes with five thousand Persian Soldiers pursued the Turks, and overtook them in the aforesaid valley; and being furthered in this venturous designment, both by the darkness of the night, and the abundance of rain which fell at the same instant, as if it had been wished for, on a sudden go● within the Turks camp: where the Persian Soldiers, as Wolves amongst Sheep, did such speedy execution amongst the sleepy Turks, that the two great Bassas and Vlemas had much ado to get to horse, and save themselves by flight. And such was the fury of the Persians, and the greatness of the sudden fear increased by the darkness of the night, that the Turks not knowing which way to turn themselves, or what to do, were slain by thousands, some sleeping, some half waking, some making themselves ready to fight, and to fly, few of all that great army escaped the sword of the Persians. There was three great Sanzaecks slain, one taken, and the other fled, eight hundred jamzaries seeing themselves forsaken of their Captains, laid down their arquebusiers, and other weapons, and yielded themselves upon Delymenthes his word. It might then well have been said of the Turks, which the Poet speaks of the night, wherein Troy was ●ack●: 
Quis cladem illius noctis qui funere fando  
Explicet?—  The slaughter of that night was such, as that it is of the Turks until this day accounted amongst their greatest losses; and the victory so welcome to the Persians, that in memorial thereof they still keep that day (which was the thirteenth of October) as one of their solemn holidays.  
In Bithlis we stayed two days; and at our departure paid unto the Governor of the said City a Doll●r on a sum of goods, and so set forwards towards the great City Van, three days journey farther. In which travel we had a very wearisome and painful journey, over high mountains and craggy rocks, the way being exceeding narrow, that a beast could hardly pass with his burden, without much heaving and tumultuous shouldering. The which narrow passages the Turks told us, was by the commandment of Amurat the third, the great Turk, cut through by the main industry of labourers, for his army to pass, like that incredible work, which Hannibal with vinegar wrought upon the Alps. In this place our travel was very dangerous, by reason of a brackish lake or little Sea, called the lake Arctamar, which was under the Rock, over which we passed, and we enforced to ride shoaling on the side of the said Rock, that had not our Mules been sure of footing, both the● and we had perished with an insupportable downfall i●●hat Sea. Two miles from this shore in the aforesaid lake are two islands called the Ecmenicke islands, 
The Ecmenick islands.  inhabited only by Armenians, and some Georgians, which two islands do bring forth and yield such store of cattle and plenty of rice, wheat, and batly, that as the Island of Scycilia was called in time● past Horreum. P. Romani, so these islands are at this day the gatners and store houses for all the Country round abou●.  
Being arrived at Van, our Caravan rested in the suburbs of the said City, not daring to presume to enter the City, by reason that the Bassae was gone to fetch in a rebel, that was risen up in those parts; in whose absence the City, under the sub-Bassae, was no better governed than it should be. On the West side of this City lieth a pleasant and delightful plain, wherein the janissaries twice a week do exercise themselves after their manner in the seats of war. On the North side runneth the lake Arctamar, 
The ●ake Actamar call●● in ancient ti●● Martiana.  called in antic time the Moor or Marish, Martiana, or Margiana, or Mantiana. Strabo affirmeth that it is matchable in greatness with the lake M●otidis, in the Kingdom of Sermatia, so much spoken of by the Poets. Out of this lake is caught yearly an innumerable quantity of fish like our Herring, which being dried in the Sun, they disperse and sell them over all the Country thereabout.   

The description of Van.  
THis City is double walled with hard quarry stone, and is the strongest Town in all these parts, being fortified with great store of brass Ordnance, and a strong Castle mounted on an high Rock, to command and defend the City. 
Solyman after ten days siege took the City Van.  It was once under the government of the Persian, but Solyman the Magnificent in the year 1549. with a puissant army did besiege the same, which after ten days siege was yielded unto him by the Persian Governor, upon condition, that the Persian Soldiers there in garrison, might with life and liberty depart with their weapons, as Soldiers: which was by Solyman granted, and so the City was surrendered up into his hands from the Persian King, who never since could get the same into his possessions. It is governed now by a Bassae, who hath under him twelve thousand Timariot.  
At this City we stayed five days, paying a dolor on a sum of goods, and passed from thence to a Turkish Village called Gnusher, the houses standing in two several places, the one row fit for the Winter, and the other for the Summer season: Here we began the ascent of the high mountains of Arraret, and about noontide we beheld Bruz; the very crest of the Periardi mountains, now called Cheilder Monte, the hills of Periardo. These mountains so called, are very famous by the rising of many notable great rivers, which do so fructiferate the country thereabouts, that the barbarous people call it Leprus, which is to say fruitful, viz. First, the River Araxis, which running out of a certain Marish, with many arms doth wonderfully enrich that champain and dry Country.  
This River springeth out of the hill Taurus in this part, 
The River Araxis springeth out of the hill Taurus.  where Periardo is situate, on the side of the hill Abo, and so runneth by East even to the confines of Seruan, and windeth itself towards the West, and by North, where it is joined with the River Cirus, and then passeth to Artaxata now called Nassivan, a City of the Armenians, right against Reivan another City, and so watereth Armenia, and coursing along the plain of Araxis, dischargeth itself into the Caspian Sea, on the one side by South leaving Armenia, and on the other side by North leaving the Country Seruania; whose chief City is Eris. This River is deep and large; but yet at this present, it containeth not those marvels, that Herodotus reporteth of it; as also it is very hard to understand, that which Q. Curtius writeth touching the course thereof; and that which Natales Comes hath left written of it in his History.  
The River Cirus likewise springeth out of Taurus, 
The River Cirus.  and so descending into the champaigns and plains of Georgia, charging itself, and being greatly increased with other Rivers, it is joined with Araxis, and so maketh his issue also into the Caspian Sea. This River the inhabitants of the Country at this day call by the name of Ser, in their own language, but the Turks call it Chiur.  
Out of these mountains also springeth the River Canac, 
The River Canac.  which maketh (as it were almost) an Island, a little on this side the City Eres, and afterwards unite itself in the Channel with Araxis, and so runneth into the Caspian Sea.  
Two other mountains are of great note in this place; 
The mounta●● Anti-Taurus.  the one is Anti-Taurus, now called Mons Niger, the black mountain, which runneth up into Media; and the other Gordaeus, the tops of which mountains are covered continually with white and hoary snows. 
The mountain Gordaeus.  The mountain Gordaeus is environed with many other petty mountains called the Gordaean mountains; on the tops whereof (as we passed) we found many ruins and huge foundations, of which nodre son can be rendered, 
joseph. Ant●quitat. lib. 1. cap. 5.  but that which josephus gives, saying: that they which escaped the flood were so astonished and amazed, that they durst not descend into the plains and low countries, but kept on the tops of those mountains and there builded. And some observe that this Country was first peopled after the flood, for being high land it first appeared. 
Fruitful propagation a●ter the flood.  The Tradition of the Hebrews is, now in this place after the flood, the men accompanying with their wives, every woman brought forth at once a male and a female, and so did their children; for God and Nature never failed to the necessity, which belonged to the wealth and increase of the universal world, no more then in this old age of the world, in the time of the infinite multitude, and increase of people, wherein God doth miraculously keep them (as the Sea from overflowing the land) that they do not so abound as that one cannot live by another.  
The Turks call the mountain Gordaeus Augri-daugh, the Armenians Messis-Saur: it is so high, that it overtops all the mountains thereabout. There issueth out of the foot of this hill a thousand little springs, whereof some do feed the River Tigris, and some other Rivers, and it hath about it three hundred villages inhabited by Armenians and Georgians; as also an ancient Monastery dedicated to St. Gregory, very large and spacious, able to receive Shaugh Tamas the great King of Persia, and most of his army, who for the austere and strict life that he saw in those religious men, made him to spare it, and to change his determination, having a full purpose before to have destroyed it. About this Monastery groweth great plenty of grain, the grain being twice as big as ours, as also Roses and rhubarb, 
rhubarb.  which because they have not the skill to dry it, that simple is of no esteem or value.   

The Ark of Noah rested on the top of the Gordaean Mountains.  
ON the top of this Mountain did the Ark of Noah rest, as both jews, Turks, and Armenians affirmed. Berosus who registered the affairs and acts of the Chaldaeans, 
Berosu●.  setteth down divers things both concerning Noah and the resting of the Ark in this place. Concerning Noah he writeth, that (the flood ceasing) Noah with his family descending out of the Ark from Mount Gordaeus▪ (called by Manasseus Damascenus, 
Manasseus Damasce●.  Baris, and by other Araxis) into the plain adjoining full of dead karcasses, which they call Marry Adam, that is, of dead men, wrote in a stone (for a monument) what was done. The inhabitants to this day, especially the Armenians, do call this place where Noah descended, Aprobaterion, that is, descent, or Egressorium Noah, The going out of Noah. He further setteth down how that the eldest of all, father Noah did in the same place first teach his children theology and holy Writs, 
Noah wrote books.  and afterwards human wisdom, committing to writing many secrets of natural things, which the Armenians and Scythians, did commit only to the Priests, to whom only it was lawful, both to read, to teach, and to look into those writings, rites, and ceremonies left by Noah.  
And as for the resting of the Ark, he setteth down divers occurrences of the flood on this manner. Some (saith he) affirm that a certain part of the Ark is yet in Armenia, near to the mountain of the Gordaeans, and that some men have brought from thence, some part of the pitch wherewith it was caulked, which the people of that place were wont to use as a sovereign preservative against enchantments. So Hierome the Egyptian (who wrote the Antiquities of the Phoenitians) do make mention of the same matter; 
Hierome the Egyptian.  and also Nanesius with divers others. 
Nicholas Damascene.  Nicholas Damascene speaketh thus: above the region of the Minaeans, there is a great mountain in Armenia called Baris, in which mountain it is reported that divers people retired themselves for safety during the time of the deluge, and there escaped; and that a certain man (meaning Noah) arrived in an Ark on the highest top of the said mountain, and that certain planks and timbers of the bottom of that Vessel was kept there a long while after. To verify which, some Friars of St. Gregory's Monastery told us, that even at this day some part of the Ark is yet to be seen on the top of this mountain, if ●ny could ascend thither; but the way (as they say) is kept by Angels, so that whosoever shall presume to go up (as once a Brother of that Monastery did) shall be brought down in the night season, from the place which he had gained by his travail in the day time before. But to leave this fable to the first inventor, it sufficeth us that here amongst these mountains the Ark rested, since the Scriptures tell us, that none were saved, but Noah and his Wife, with his three Sons, and their three Wives, even eight persons in the whole, in the Ark; and that the said Ark after the waters had prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days rested in the seventh month, in the seventeenth day of the month upon the Mountains of Arraret, which is expounded by all Writers to be in Armenia.  
From the foot of this mountain, w●e spent a days journey farther towards Chiulfall, which day we traveled through very many narrow lanes in those mountains, and very deep valleys, 
The River Araxis.  wherein the River Araxis with most outrageous turnings and windings, and his many rushing donwfalls amongst the Rocks, doth even bedease a man's ears, and with his most violent roaming in and out, doth drown and overwhelm, whosoever by miserable chance falleth down headlong from the top of those narrow passages, which are upon the mountains. And upon the crests of the said mountains, on the side of the said narrow passages, there grow most hideous Woods and antic Forests, full of Beech's: Trees like Poplars carrying mast fit for Hogs, and Pine-trees; where the horror of darkness, and silence which is oftentimes interrupted, only by the whistling winds, or by the cry of some wild beasts, do make the poor passengers most terribly afraid.   

The description of Chiulfal.  
AT length our Caravan ferried over the foresaid River, and so we arrived at Chiulfal, a town situate in the frontiers between the Armenians and the atropatian's, and yet within Armenia, inhabited by Christians, partly Armenians, partly Georgians: a people rather given to the traffic of Silks, and other sorts of wares, whereby it waxeth rich and full of money, then instructed in weapons and matters of war. This town consisteth of two thousand houses and ten thousand souls, being built at the foot of a great rocky mountain in so barren a soil, that they are constrained to fetch most of their provision, only wine excepted, from the City Nassivan, half a days journey off, which some think to be Artaxata, in the confines of Media and Armenia. 
The Chiulfallines great drinkers of wine, but no quarrelers in drink.  The buildings of Chiulfal are very fair, all of hard quarry stone: and the inhabitants very courteous and affable, great drinkers of wine, but no brawlers in that drunken humour, and when they are most in drink, they power out their prayers, especially to the Virgin Mary, as the absolute commander of her Son JESUS CHRIST, and to other Saints as Intercessors. It is subject and tributary to the Sceptre of Persia, and chose both by nature and affection great enemies to the Turk. 
Chiulfal much endangered in the last war between th● Turk and th● Persian.  This Town was much endangered in the wars betwixt Amurat the great Turk, and Mahomet Codibanda the Persian King, ready to be swallowed up of both. One while the Bassae of Reivan, on the great Turk's behalf, made an inroad upon them with a thousand and five hundred arquebusiers, whom they were fain to pacify with a very bountiful present, excusing themselves, that if they had been backward in bringing unto him their voluntary tributes, it was done for fear, lest they should have fallen into the displeasure of Mahomet Codibanda their King: who no doubt if he● should have understood any such matter, would have been ready to destroy their Country, and deprive them of their liberty and lives. The Bassae was no sooner departed with this answer and their present; but forth with Aliculi-cham was sent by the Persian King with three thousand Soldiers, and with this direction, that if the country were subdued by the Turks, he should fight against it: and if it had voluntarily yielded itself unto them, he should not only recover it, but also burn it, and bring away all the chief men of the Country for prisoners and slaves. To avoid which danger, these poor Chiulfalini were glad to present the Persian Prince with greater and more liberal gifts, than they did their enemy Bassae. Thus these miserable people in the midst of arms and squadrons of the enemy, were constrained, what with presents, and what with lies, notably to preserve their liberties, and their lives in safety.  

The mortal battle sought between Selimus the first, Emperor of the Turks, and ●ismael the Sofie of Persia.  Within a days journey and half of this Town is the Chalderan plains; memorable for the battle fought there, on the seventh day of August in the year 1514. between the two great Emperors Ishmael King of Persia, and Selimus the first. Emperor of the Turks. In which battle Selimus lost above thirty thousand men, amongst whom was Cassan-Bassae his great Lieutenant in Europe, seven Sanzacks, with the two Malcozzian brethren, who labouring the one to rescue the other, were both together stain. Besides his common footmen, of whom he made least reckoning, he lost most part of his Illirian, Macedonian, servian, E●irot, Thessalonian, and Thracian horsemen, the undoubted flower and strength of his army, which were in that mortal battle almost all slain and grievously wounded. And certainly had it not been for the Turks great Artillery, Ishmael with his thirty thousand horsemen, had overthrown Selimus with his three hundred thousand Turks. But Selimus reserving all his great Ordnance, at his last refuge, caused it to be discharged: by violence whereof such slaughter was made, as well of his own men, as of his enemies, mingled together, what for dust, what for smoke, and thundering of the Artillery, having on both sides almost lost the use of sight and hearing; and ●●eir horses being so terrified with the thundering report of the great Ordnance, that they were not now to be managed, the battle was broken off, and the victory yet doubtful. In the end Hismael had the worst, and was put to flight by reason that the Persian horses had never been used to the noise and thundering of the artillery, which they could not abide to hear. The Turkish stories to express the terror of this day, number it amongst their dismal days, terming it the only day of doom. The manner of this battle is painted in the Counsel chamber at Venice, and is reported that Selimus the great Turk caused it so to be done, and sent it to the Senate there. At Chiulfal we stayed eight days, and passed again the River Araxis, leaving the noble Kingdom of Armenia, ●alled now Turcomania, because of the Turcomanes a people that came out of Scythia (as before we noted) who live as shepherds in their tents, but the native people give themselves to husbandry, and other manual sciences, as working of Carpets and fine Chamlets. We were no sooner over but we entered into Media; which by some is divided into Media Atropatia, and Media the Great.    

The description of MEDIA ATROPATIA.  

The Kingdom of Siruan.  MEdiae Atropatia is called by the Hebrews Madian, but now it is termed S●ruan or Seruania: The bounds of this Kingdom Northwards are the Albanians, and a little beyond them some wandering and vagabond Tartar's called Pericorschi, between Caucasus and the River Volga, whereupon it may be, that the Tartarians are comprehended under the name of Volcenses: Eastward the lake (as Polycletes term it) or rather (as other call it) the Sea of Corazan, viz. the Caspian Sea: Southward on Armenia, and more towards the South, 
Atropatia exceeding fruitful.  and South-cast Media the great: The whole country is very fruitful, and watered with the River Araxi● and Cirus, and other Rivers that are famous even in antic Writers.  
divers Cities are there in this Kingdom, but my purpose is to speak only of those, which we saw in these parts. viz. Sumachia, Derbent, Sechi, Eres, and Aras.  

Sumachia.  Sumachia is the Metropolitical City of Sir●an; and lieth between Derbent and Eres; where the Kings of Siruan used to keep their great and sumptuous Courts, chiefly inhabited by Armenians and Georgians. In this City our English Merchants did traffic much, and had an house given them by Obdowlocan in the year 1566. (as reverend Mr. Hackluit doth relate) who then reigned there under the Persian King. In this City we saw the ruins of a most cruel and barbarous spectacle, 
A most barbarous spectacle in Sumachia.  that is to say, a turret erected with free stone and flints, in the midst of which flints were placed the heads of all the Nobility and Gentry of that Country: which fell out on this occasion. This Country of Siruan in time past was of great renown, having many Cities, Towns, and Castles in it; the Kings thereof being of great power, able to wage war with the Kings of Persia, but through their diversity in religion, the Persian made a conquest of them, razing down to the ground their Cities, Towns, and Castles, that they should not rebel, and also putting to death their Nobility and Gentry, and for the greater terror of the people placed their heads in the foresaid Turrer.  
About a mile distant from this Town is the ruins of an old Castle, once esteemed to be one of the strongest Castles in the world, and was besieged by Alexander the Great a long time before he could win it. And a little further off, was a Nunnery most sumptuously builded, wherein was buried (as they told us) the body of Ameleke Canna the King's Daughter, who slew herself with a knife, for that her Father would have forced her (she professing chastity) to have married with a Prince of Tartary: upon which occasion the Virgins of this Country do resort thither once a year to lament her death. This City is distant from the Caspian Sea with Camels seven days journey; and from Derbent six days journey; It was in the year 1578. yielded up unto Mustaffa the General of the Turkish army, without resistance, who presently did surprise the City, entreating all the inhabitants in friendly manner, without doing or suffering any outrage to be done upon them; but for this their infidelity in voluntary yielding themselves to follow the religion of the Turks, when as they were not induced thereunto by any necessity; Emir-Hamze eldest Son to Mahomet Codibanda King of Persia, 
The Persian Prince punisheth the inhabitants of Sumachia with divers kinds o● tortures and death's.  coming with his army into Seruan, did with great cruelty punish the miserable and infortunate commons of this City, making their houses even with the ground, destroying both the old and new walls thereof, and bringing the whole land to nought, that sometimes was so desired a ●eceit of the Turks▪  

Derbent builded by Alexander th● Great.  Six days journey from this City, lieth Derbent; This city hath sundry names given unto it by writers: Sometimes it is called Derbent, because it is in figure narrow and long: and sometimes Demir-Capi, because there were the yron-gates, that were sometimes the entrance into Scythia: and sometimes Alessandria; because it was first erected by Alexander the Great, when he warred against the Medes and Persians; 
The great wall which Alexander built between Derbent and Testis.  at which time also he made a wall of a wonderful height and thickness, which extended itself from this City, to a City in Armenia, called Testis, belonging to the Georgians. And though it be now razed and decayed, yet the foundation remaineth: and it was made to this purpose, that the inhabitants of that Country, newly conquered by Alexander, should not lightly fly, nor their enemies easily invade them. This City is seated upon an high hill, and builded all of free stone much after our buildings, being very high and thick: nevertheless it never grew great nor famous, and even in these days, there is no reckoning made of it: and the reason is because of the situation, serving for passage only out of Tartary into Persia, and out of Persia into Tartary, receiving those that travel too and fro, not as Merchants and men of Commerce, but as passengers and travelers; and to speak in a word, it is seated in a very necessary place as the case standeth, by reason that it is in the ports of the Caspian Sea, but not profitable unto itself: much like as it is in the passages of the Alps, where though the Frenchmen, Swissers, Dutchmen, and Italians, continually do pass by them; yet was there never found a mean City; much less any City of state and importance.  

Sechi.  About four days journey from Sumachia, is Sechi, which also at the same time as Sumachia offered themselves to Mustapha, as vassals and subjects to the Turks, who all were gladly entertained of him, and some of the chief of them appareled in silk and gold, and honoured with great magnificence, and in the end had all protection promised unto them. Here also standeth the City Eres,, 
ever's made Mamodaean silks.  most fruitfully watered with the river Araxis and Cyrus, and hath yielded in times past great store of those fine white silks, commonly termed by the merchants Mamodaean silks, whereof at this day, there is not to be found, no not a very small quantity, by reason of the monstrous ruins and overthrows, that hath happened in these countries, partly by the Armies of the great Turk, and partly by the Army of the Persians, which still hath succeeded one another, in their cruel incursions, and bloody invasions. For after the people of Sechi and Eres had yielded themselves voluntarily without any resistance unto Mustaffa great Amurats' General; Emir-Hamze the Persian Prince came upon them with his army, as upon rebels to inflict deserved punishment. In effecting of which his purpose he spared neither sex, nor age, nor any condition, but though the persons were unequal, yet was the punishment equal to all, carrying away with him the two hundred pieces of artillery, that were left in the sort by Mustapha, and presently sent them to Casbin to his father.  
There is also in this Kingdom another City that bordereth upon the Georgians called Arasse, 
Arasse the most chief and opulent City in the trade of Merchandise that is in all Seruavia.  being the most chief and opulent City in the trade of Merchandise, partly by the abundant growth of silk, there nourished, partly by other good & necessary commodities, there growing and there brought, as rough and smooth galls, Cotten wool, Allome; besides all kinds of spices and drugs, and Diamonds, and Rubies, and other stones brought out of the East-Indies. But the principal commodity is raw silk of all sorts; so that from hence hath been and is carried yearly five hundred, and sometimes a thousand mules laden of silk to Aleppo in Syria. From this town we spent six days travel to Tauris, passing over the river Araxis, leaving Media Atropatia, and entering into Media the great.   

The description of MEDIA the Great.  
THis country hath for it bounds, westward Armenia the great and Assiria: Southward Persia: Eastward Hyrcania and Parthia: and Northwards the Caspian Sea. The land is high and spacious, most part mountainous, full of hills, woods, rocks, and ruins, specially towards the North parts, but Southwards it aboundeth with silks, fruits, wild beasts and falcons. It received the name from Medus, 
The original of the Medes.  jasons son, who being an earnest follower of his father's virtues, in honour of his mother Medea, after the death of his father jason, builded the City Medea, and established the kingdom of the Medes, calling it after his own name, which in continuance of time, grew to that estate, that all the East was in subjection to the Empire thereof.  
I omit to write any thing of Astyages, who reigned in this country; or of his dream, how he saw springing out of his daughter's belly a vine, whose branches should overshadow all Asia, meaning Cyrus that was borne of her; or how Cyrus was brought up of an herdsman, and miraculously preserved from death; and lastly how Cyrus was banished into Persia, and after being come to man's estate, overcame Astyages his Grandfather, removing the Empire from the Medes to the Persians, being all matters of antiquity, and not so pertinent to our journal.  

S●●chatana.  The chief City of this country is Tauris, which in times past was called Ecbatana, as Ortelius and Minado do witness, howsoever P. jonius very unjustly would have it Terua, and Nigro the Italian Tigranoama. 
●uffinus de Medioru● ori●ne.  It was first founded by Deiocis the first king of Media, who no sooner gave out his edict for the building thereof, but forthwith the inhabitants with one consent did make it the chief City above the rest; and so ever since it hath remained one of the chiefest seats both of the Median and Persian kings.  
Memorable also is this City for the resiance once of the Prophet Daniel, 
The Castle which Daniel the Prophet builded.  who near unto the same builded a most magnificent and sumptuous Castle, which many years remained a marvelous monument; the beauty whereof was so lively and perfect, that continuance of time did little deface it, being very fresh and flourishing in the time of josephus. In this Castle were all the kings of Media, 
josephus Anti. lib. 10.11.  Persia, and Parthia for many years together entombed. But now time hath worn it out, it faring with buildings as with men's bodies, they wax old, and are enfeebled by years, and lose their beauty: nevertheless Ecbatana now called Tauris remains in great glory unto this day.  

The description of Tauris.  
IT is seated at the foot of the hill Orontes eight days journey or there about from the Caspian Sea, and is subject to winds and full of snow; yet of a very wholesome air, abounding with all things necessary for the sustentation of man: wonderful r●ch, as well by the perpetual concourse of merchandizes, that are brought thither from the countries of the East, to be conveyed into Syria, and into the countries of Europe; as also of those that come thither out of the Western parts, to be distributed over all the East. It is very populous, so that it feedeth almost two hundred thousand persons: but now open to the fury of every army without strength of walls, and without bulwarks, saving a Castle built of late by the Turks. The buildings are of burnt clay, and rather low then high. On the South side of this City, is a most beautiful and flourishing garden, large and spacious, replenished with sundry kinds of trees, and sweet smelling plants, and a thousand fountains and brooks, derived from a pretty river, which with his pleasant stream denides the garden from the City: and is of so great beauty, that for the delicacy thereof, it is by the country inhabitants called Sechis-Genet, that is to say, the eight Paradises: and was in times past the standing house of the Persian Kings, whilst they kept their residence in this City, and after they withdrew their seat from thence, by reason of the Turkish wars, to Casbin, became the habitation and place of abode for the Persian governors.  

Tauris yieldeth to Selimus the first. 1514.  Sundry mutations even of late years hath this City endured both by the great Turk and the Persian. For in the year 1514. it was yielded to Selimus the Turkish Tyrant, who contrary to his promise exacted a great mass of money from the Citizens, and carried away with him three thousand families, the best artificers in that City, especially such as were skilful in making of armour and weapons, only to enrich and appopulate the great City Cons●antinople.  

Sacked by So●yman. 1535.  Afterwards in the year 1535. it was again spoiled by Solyman the Turkish Emperor, who gave the whole City for a prey unto his soldiers, who left neither house nor corner thereof unransacked, abusing the miserable Citizens with all manner of insolency: every common soldier without controlment, fitting himself with whatsoever best pleased his greedy desire or filthy lust: beside the most stately and royal Palace of King Tamas, together with the most sumptuous and rich houses of the Nobility were by the great Turk's commandment all razed down to the ground, and the greatest part of the best Citizens, and beautiful personages of all sort and condition were carried away captives.  

miserably ●o●led by Os●an Visier. 1583.  And in the year 1585. it was miserably spoiled by Osmun visier unto Amurat the third, who commanded his soldiers to do the worst that possibly they could or might do to it. Here a man had need of a very learned & eloquent pen, to set forth the fierce and cruel execution of the Turkish soldiers. For in truth who is able either by writing, or by speech, sufficiently and lively to lay open the treachery, the covetousness, the wrath, the cruelty, the impiety, the wickedness of these triumphing Turks? 
The misery of the Taurisians.  And on the other side, who can express the crying of infants, the groanings of the wounded, the tears of parents, the prayers of old men, the ●eares, the griefs, and to be short, the misery of the Taurisians. There was nothing but slaughter, pillings, ravishing, spoiling and murdering: virgins deflowered, men children defiled with unspeakable and horrible Sodomitry, younglings snatched out of their mother's arms, houses laid even with the ground and burnt: riches and money carried away, and to be brief all things wasted and ruinated. Neither were those outrages committed once only, but the second followed worse than the first, and the third upon that worse than the second: so that it was a misery almost inexplicable to behold that City, which was once so populous and so rich, sometimes the Court and Palace of the Crown, and the honour of the Persian Empire, now subject to the fury and cruelty of the Turk plunged in calamity, and utterly destroyed. This is the uncertain state of the world, sometimes up, and sometimes down, sometimes conquerors, and within a while after conquered.  
For this City groaned not full four and twenty years under the Turkish slavery, 
Tauris won by the Persian King in the year. 1603.  but Abas now King of Persia reposing no less confidence in his own good fortune, than the valour of his soldiers marched in the year 1603 with his army directly to the City of Tauris, and that with such expedition, that he was come before it, before any such thing was feared, much less provided for: stirred up hereunto, partly by the great Turk troubles at home, and his wars with the Christians in Hungary, as also with the disposition of the Taurisians, whose minds were then so alienated from the Turkish governor; that upon the approach of Abas, they were all ready to forsake him. Nevertheless the King was constrained to besiege the City, being then kept with a strong garrison of Turkish soldiers. In which siege he for battery used the help of the Canon, an engine of long time by the Persian scorned, as not beseeming valiant men, until that by their own harms taught; they are content to use it, being with the same, as also with skilful canoneers furnished by the Portugals from Ormuz. So that after six weeks siege this City was surrendered up into the Persians hands to the great rejoicing of all Persia, together with the whole country of Seruan, except a fort or two which still stands out.  
At this City we paid a dolour on a sum of goods, and five Shaughes to the keeper of the Cain wherein we lodged, and set forward to the wealthy City of Casbin distant from Tauris ten days journey; passing the three first days over many rough and craggy mountains, full of a thousand difficulties, which were the more increased by wonderful great snows that were fallen, by means whereof many passengers, horses, and mules (if our guide had not been good) had perished in one common destruction. Every night we had great flakes of lightning, and huge thunderclaps with great store of rain & snows which did much annoy our whole Caravan. We had no sooner left those hard passages, but we were forthwith encountered by a gallant troop of Persian horsemen, who lay up and down the borders by the king's commandment, to murder all Turkish merchants that should pass that way: upon revenge of the death of a Persian merchant, who being richly arrived at Van, (a little before our coming) was injuriously deprived both of his goods and life. Hereupon the governor of this troop, demanded of our Caravan-bassa (who was a Chiulphalin) to deliver up into his hands, all the Turkey merchants, that were in our company; to which request he durst not condescend, affirming that there was none but jews and Christians under his conduct; and withal bestowed on him a bountiful present of two hundred and fifty dollars, which was levied amongst us.  
By this time we came to the full borders, 
Our first entry into the Persian kingdom.  and outmost bounds then of the great Turk's dominion, so far as the Ottoman Empire on this side doth extend; and so entered into the territories of the Persian King: both which are divided by the high mountain Duz●m, and by a pretty river that runneth at the foot thereof. This night we rested at a Persian village called Darnah, much ruinated, but seated in a very delightful place, both for springs of water, ●nd plenty of all things. For here we bought four hens for five pence, a kid for ten pence, and thirty eggs for two pence.  
From Darnah we spent three days further to Soltania, a very ancient City, traveling by many Persian villages, and finding every man at his labour, and neighbour with neighbour going from one town to another, 
Great quiet in Persia.  which bred much contentment, and made us wonder at the great peace & tranquillity, which the commons of Persia live in above the commons of Turkey. The ruins of many fair Christian Churches we beheld, but not without pity, built all with great arches and high towers, lavorated with gold and other rich paintings to the beautifying of the same. And verily I take them to be those Churches, which Cosro● King of Persia destroyed, who being in a battle discomfited, fought between him and Heraclius the emperor, reaked his teen and malice on the Christian Churches throughout his dominions.   

The description of Soltania.  
AT Soltania we safely arrived. This City is called by Ptolemy, Heraclea; but by others Tigranocerta, because of the wonderful ruin of the huge buildings; and was in times past one of the royal seats of the Persian Kings, but it was much ruinated by the Scythian Tamerlane, when with a world of people he overran these countries: it retaineth now no show of the ancient majesty, but only in the Churches by him spared. This desolate town is on every side environed with huge mountains, whose tops are to be seen a far off, always covered with deep snows, called in ancient time Nyphates, Caspius, Coathras & Zagras, taking their beginning no doubt of Cancasus the father of mountains; which joining one to another, some one way, some another, do divide most large and wide countries.  
Before this town lieth a very great and spacious plain, memorable for that dreadful & horrible tempest which fell on Solyman the Turkish Emperor and his whole army in the year 1534. 
A most horrible and terrible tempest.  For whilst he lay encamped in these plain fields with his Army, there fell down such an horrible and cruel tempest from the mountains, as the like whereof the Persians had never seen before at that time of the year, being in the beginning of September; and that with abundance of rain, which froze so eagerly as it fell, that it seemed the depth of Winter had even then of a sudden been come in: for such was the rage of the blustering winds, striving with themselves, as if it had been for victory, that they swept the snow from the top of those high mountains, and cast it down into the plains in such abundance, that the Turks lay as men buried alive in the deep snow, most part of their tents being overthrown & beaten down to the ground, with the violence of the tempest and weight of the snow, wherein a wonderful number of sick soldiers and others of the base sort which followed the camp perished, and many other were so benumbed, some their hands, some their feet, that they lost the use of them for ever: most part of their beasts which they used for carriage, but specially their camels were frozen to death. Neither was there any remedy to be found for so great mischiefs, by reason of the hellish darkness of that tempestuous night, most of their fires being put out, by the extremity of the storm: which did not a little terrify the superstitious Turks, as a thing accounted of them ominous. Many of the Turks vainly thought, that this horrible tempest was brought upon them by the charms and enchantments of the Persian Magicians; whereas it was undoubtedly by the hand of God, which bringeth the proud devices of Princes to nought.   

The description of Casbin.  
FRom Soltania we spent four days travel to Casbin, passing by many villages, where we paid a Shaughee a piece to the Beg or governor of the village, not as a custom, but as a free gratuity, and so entered into the territories of Casbin, a City very wealthy, by reason of the King's Palace, & the great concourse of merchants which resort thither. It was in ancient time called Arsacia as in Strabo; but now termed Casbin, which in the Persian language signifieth chastisement, or a place of punishment, because the kings were wont to banish or confine such persons, as for their offences and misdemeanours had deserved such chastisement. This City is seated in a goodly fertile plain of three or four days journey in length, furnished with two thousand villages, to serve the necessary uses thereof: but evil builded, & for the most part all of bricks not hardened with fire, but only dried in the Sun; as are most parts of the buildings of all Persia.  
It is now one of the seats of the Persian King's Empire, which was translated by King Tamas, (this king's Grandfather) from Tauris, who built one goodly Seraglio for himself, and another for his women, and hath been ever since continued by his successors, though the king that now reigneth, make most of his abode in Hispaan fourteen days journey farther towards the East.  
There are three places in the City most of note: viz. the King's Palace, the Bassars, and the At-Maidan. The gate of the king's Palace is built with stone of divers colours, and very curiously ennameled with gold: on the ceiling within, is carved the wars of the Persian Kings, and the sundry battles sought by them against the Turks and Tartars; the pavements of the rooms beneath, and chambers above are spread with most fine carpets, woven and tessuted with silk and gold, all ensigns and monuments of the Persian greatness.  

Bassars are certain streets of traffic.  There is likewise in this City sundry Bassars, where, in some you may buy Shasses and Tulipants, and Indian cloth of wonderful fineness: in others silks of all sorts, as Velvets, Damasks, cloth of Gold and Silver: in others infinite furs, as Sables and Martin out of Muscovia, and Agiam furs brought from Corassan. In a word every speech hath a several science or trade, wherein is sold whatsoever is fit and necessary for the use of man.  
The At-Maidan, is the high speech or chief market place in this City; and is foursquare, containing in a circuit very near a mile; and serves as a Burse for all sorts of Merchants to meet on, and also for all others to sell whatsoever commodities they possess, so that in one place is selling of horses, mules and camels; in another place carpets, garments, and felts of all sorts, and in another all kind of fruits, as Muske-mellons, Anguries, Pomegranates, Pistaches, Adam's apples, Dates, Grapes, and Raisins dried in the Sun. In this place do sit daily twelve Sheraffes, that is, men to buy & sell Pearl, Diamonds, and other precious stones, and to exchange gold & silver, to turn Spanish collars to great advantage into Persian coin; and to change the great pieces of the Persian coin, as Abbasses, Larines, and such like into certain brass moneys for the poor. They will also lend upon any pawn, & that with as great interest as our devilish Brokers and Scriveners take in London.  
Finally the strength of this City consisteth not in walls and bulwarks, but in the soldiers that are continually maintained in and about this City; for out of Casbin, and the villages belonging unto the same, are maintained twenty thousand soldiers on horseback, howsoever in this king's father's time were levied but twelve thousand. 
Ardovil the first place that received the Persian superstition.   
Two places near to this City are very remarkable; the one is the City Ardovil; the other Giland. Ardovil is a City four days journey from Casbin, and two from Soltania. A City of great importance, where Alexander the great did keep his Court, when he invaded Persia. It is a town much esteemed and regarded, by reason of the sepulchres of the kings of Persia, which for the most part lie there entombed: and so is grown a place of their superstitious devotion; as also because it was the first place which received the Persian sect, wherein Gi●●● the first Author thereof did reside and reign; A sect or superstition very commodious to the Christian Commonwealth, because it hath bred great contentions and war among the Mahumetane nations, which before were so united together by Mahomet's device, that they seemed to be more than friends and in league one with another.  
The Author of this novelty was as we said before, 
The Author 〈◊〉 the Persian superstition.  one Giuni, a man well descended among the Persians, who contemning all worldly honour, r●ches, & pleasure, as mere vanities & trifles, led such an austere kind of life with such continency & contempt of the world, as that the vulgar people began to have the man in singular admiration for the opinion they had conceiu●d of his upright life & rare virtues. The fame of thi● new Prophet (as so he was accounted) was grown so great in the Persian kingdom, that the people without number resorted out of all parts of Persia unto the City Ardovil to see the man. And he the more to seduce the people, 
The Turks and Persians differ not about the interpretation of their law, but about the true successor of their great Prophet Mahomet.  being by nature inconstant and superstitious, began to persuade them, that the three first successors of Mahomet, were unjust and unlawful usurpers of that dignity, and that just Aly, Mahomet's son in law, only aught to be named the lawful successor: that he alone ought to be called upon in their prayers for help, and that all honours should be given to him, and taken from Abubacher, Omar, and Ottoman, as from persons that were undoubtedly damned. Finally he taught them only to receive the writings of Aly as of others most authentical, to reject Abuchacher, Omar, and Ottoman, with their writings as most wicked & accursed; whom the Turks had ever, and yet do honour & worship as the true successors of their Prophet Mahomet, and his sincere interpreters, together with the aforesaid Aly, 
●he new prai●r of the Permians.  whom the Persians do only acknowledge: and therefore in their prayers do commonly say, Cursed be Abubachar, Omar, and Ottoman, and God be favourable to Aly, and well pleased with him. Which their difference about the true successor of their Prophet, in whom was no ●ruth, hath been, and yet is, one of the greatest causes of the mortal wars between the Turks and the Persians: and not the divers interpretation of their law (as many have written) which among the Tu●ks and Persians is all one.  
This superstition was first broached (as we said) by Giuni, afterwards maintained by Sederdin, after him by Giuni the second, then by Haider Erdebil; afterwards by Hysmael the great Sophy it increased wonderfully, that Persia seemed to envy the glory of Cyrus and Darius. After the death of Hysmael it was maintained by King Tamas his son, who reigned with less felicity, being much damnified by Solyman the Turkish Emperor: After Tamas succeeded Aidere the second, who reigned but certain days and hours; and then followed Hismael the brother of Aidere, who troubled all the Cities of his kingdom with manifold hurly-burlies: after him Mahomet surnamed Codibanda this king's father, more unfortunate than all the rest: and lastly the king that now is, who by his valour hath so largely dilated the confines of his kingdom, that it seemeth he hath (as it were) founded it anew.    

The description of HYRCANIA.  
THe other place near to Casbin remarkable is the country of Gilan, in the Province of Hyrcania very famous in antic time. Sundry names are given unto it by the Barbarians; some call it Girgia or Corca, from a certain City which stood in the same: others Strava from a part of this kingdom: others Messandra, as Minado●: Mercator calls it Diargument: and in ancient time Hyrcania, so much spoken of by the Poets for the huge woods, and fierce Tigers that abound there. Westward this kingdom bounds upon Media: Eastward on Margiana: Southward on Parthia, and the Coronian mountains: and Northward on the Caspian Sea. The North part of this kingdom is full of thick woods & shadowy groans wherein grow divers sorts of trees, but specially Cedar's, Beeches, and Oaks, a fit harbour and shelter for Tigers▪ Panthe●s, and Pardies, which wild beasts make the passage in those places very dangerous: but near to the Sea side it is full of pasture, and very delightful by reason of the manifold sweet springs which issue out of the mountain near adjoining. Many principal Cities are there in this country, as Bestan, Massandran, Pangiazer, Bachu and Gheilan Cities of such state and condition, as deserve to have a Governor of the same dignity, that the Bassa is with the Turks.  

Bachu.  Concerning Bachu, it is a very ancient haven-towne, very commodious for ships to harbour in, as also profitable to vent commodities, by reason that Ardovil, Tauris, Eres, Sumachia, 
Oil springeth out of the ground.  and Derbent lie not many days from thence. near unto this town is a very strange and wonderful fountain under ground, out of which there springeth and issueth a marvelous quantity of black Oil, which serveth all the parts of Persia to burn in their houses; and they usually carry it all over the country, upon Kine and Asses, whereof you shall oftentimes meet three or four hundred in company.  

Gheilan.  Gheilan and the rest stand likewise altogether in traffic: Gheilan being but four easy days travel from Casbin; and very near unto the Caspian Sea. 
The Caspian Sea.  A Sea that is very commodious and profitable; being in length two hundred leagues, and in breadth an hundred and fifty, without any issue to other Sea: to the East part of this Sea joineth the great desert country of the Tartars: to the West part, the country of the Circassians, the mountain Caucasus: to the North the river V●lga, which hath seventy mouths or falls into the same: and to the South part joineth the countries of Media and Parthia. This Sea is fresh water in many places, and in other places, as salt as the main Ocean. It hath many goodly rivers falling into it, as the great river Volga, called by the Tartars Edell, which runs at the least two thousand miles in length: as also out of Syberia, Yaic and Yem, and out of the Periardian mountains Araxi●, Cirus, Canac, and divers others too long to write of. And though so many goodly rivers do discharge themselves into it, yet it emptieth not itself, except it be under ground into the black Sea by Constantinople.  

A trade might be planted by ●he Muscouian merchants ●erchants.  Now by the commodious site of the Sea, a very profitable trade might be planted, being but seven days sailing from Astracan to Gheilan: the gains of which passage is as I have credibly heard say both of Persians and Armenians fifty in the hundred, even in mere Buttanosses. To further which commerce and trade Abas the Persian king hath divers times of late sent sundry Ambassadors to the grand Duke of Moscovia; among other things, requesting of him, 
The barks which must pass the Caspian sea must n●t draw five foot water, because in divers places it is very should.  that merchants might have a safe convoy, to transport their goods down the river Volga into the Caspian Sea, and so to Gheilan; which he promised most faithfully to perform, so fa●re as his power would extend. I know the voyage will be chargeable, yet the benefit will quite the charge, were the passage safe and secure down the river, and had we barks of our building but of fifty or three score tuns, which might by reason of the great store of timber in those parts be easily builded.  
The commodities to be found at Gheilan & Casbin are silks of all sorts of colours, 
The commodities of Persia  both raw & wrought, and that in such quantity, that a merchant may b●stow thirty or forty thousand pounds yearly, as also all manner spices & drugs, pearls diamonds, and rubies, likewise carpets of divers sorts, with divers other rich merchandizes, the prices of which I think not meet to set down, because of their rising & falling as the market goes. 
The commodities to be carried from England into Persia.  In exchange of which commodities, we are to carry thither tin & copper and brassel; as also ca●sies for the common people, broad cloth for the merchants, & better sort of people, black clothes for women's garments; good chamlets & velvets died in grain, with purple colours and fine reds; cloth of gold and tissue, velvets, embroidered with gold; fine holland cloth for the king and Sultanes, dags and pistols, complete harnesses, targets of steel, shirts of male, stonebowes, brushes and such like.  
The only colours of cloth which are to be sent, 
The colours of cloth to be sent into Persia.  are scarlets, violets in grain; fine reds, blacks, brown blewes, London russets, taunies, Lion colours, fair lively greene's, & the like. I am persuaded that any honest factor residing in Casbin may vent a thousand clothes yearly, whereof the Venetians have good experience. But to leave this noble country of Hyrcania, we will again come to Casbin a principal City in Media, where we stayed fifteen days.  
From Casbin we set forwards to the great and populous City of Hispaan, lodging every night either in a Persian village, or in a fair Cain built of stone, where we found all kind of provision necessary for ourselves and beasts travailing six or seven in a company: company sufficient, by reason of the great peace and tranquillity, which the Persians live in above the Turks; and so having spent six days, we arrived at Come a very ancient City.  

The City Come once twice as big as Constantinople.  This City is called by Ptolemy, Guriana, and was so great in times past, that the inhabitants affirmed unto us, that when it was in it first flourishing estate, it was twice as big as Constantinople; but it was much ruinated by Tamerlane, and ever since hath lain in the dust without repair, Cassan carrying away the trade of merchandise from her, which was once the Mistress and Lady thereof. It is well seated for water and all other necessaries, having a spacious river running by it, with a stone bridge over the same: the which we no sooner passed, but we entered into the bounds of Parthia; a kingdom once famous, but now so mingled with Persia, that the very name of Parthia is quite extinguished among them.   

The description of PARTHIA.  
THis Province in antic writers is much renowned: Nigro doth call it Corassan, and would have the metropolitical City to be Charras, under which he would comprehend the Zagathean Tartars, but herein he is much deceived, for Corassan and the Zagathean Tartars is very nigh two months travel from Hispaan, which is the chief and principal City of Parthia as shall be showed in due time and place. Mercator and Minadoi do call it Arach: and Alphonsus Hadrianus, jex. The bounds of this Province Eastward is on Aria: Southward on the great desert of Caramania: Westward on Media: and Northward on Hyrcania. The North part is very woody, and compassed about with huge mountains; ●uery plain is enclosed with a several pale of high hills belonging to ●●e same: though the climate here be subject to much heat, yet doth the country produce all sorts of delicate fruits (only Olives excepted) being watered with many pretty rivers which flow from the mountains.  
The native people were at the first a most base, 
The Parthians were at the first a most servile and base people.  vile, and obscure people, driven out of the cold countries of Scythia at that time, when the Assyrians and Medes flourished, and they continued so a long time after, when the Persians gained the monarchy from the Medes, yea and after Alexander had conquered Persia, they were so rude and barbarous, that no Macedonian Prince would take upon him to be king of Parthia. But in process of time they became very valiant, and great soldiers: for after they served in the wars one while under Eumenes, another while under Antigonus, and after under Sel●ucius Nicanor, and then under Antiochus, commanders of great account, they grew so famous by their service, that finding themselves strong enough, they made head against Antiochus, and revolted from him, making choice of a king among themselves, who in short time brought such renown to the Parthians, as that they enlarged their confines, and augmented their territories in such m●nner, that Parthia (once despised and contemned of the M●cedonians) within the reign of eight kings became sole Lady & commandress over all the countries from the mountain Caucasus to th● river Emphrates: subdoing Persia, Media, and Assiria, sacking and d●spoyling the great and wealthy City of Babylon, in so much that their fame spread unto Rome, a City that could never abide any kingdom or country to flourish but itself. These were they that gave the great overthrow to rich Crassus of Rome, who minding more his gold, than the guiding of his army, was slain himself and many thousand Romans, the Parthians with exprobration of his thirst after money powered molten gold into his mouth after he was dead. Against these great Lucullus fought many battles, and the Romans were never able to bring them quite into subjection, until Augustus Caesar reigned.  
I omit for brevity sake to write anything of Arsaces', the first king of Parthia, whom the Persians loved so alive, that they honoured him being dead, surnaming always after him the kings of Parthia, Arsaces, with no less honour and glory, than the Caesars of Rome, the Pharhoes and Ptolomees of Egypt: or of Herodes the ninth king of Parthia, who so much prevailed against the Romans or of Phraherts their tenth and last king, who unnaturally killed his aged father, and put thirty of his brethren to death, and that the Parthians might have no man left to to be nominated king after him, commanded his own son to be put to death likewise: or lastly how Augustus Caesar by his clemency, & justice drew this bloody tyrant to submit himself and his kingdom unto the Roman Monarchy, ending that without war, which others could not do with wars, commanding more with a word, than Antonius who sought it with blows, or Crassus that sought it with his death. But leaving these matters of antiquity, we return where we left.  

The description of Cassan.  
AFter two days travel from Com, we arrived at Cassan a principal City in Parthia; very famous and rich howsoever Ortelius, and others make no mention of it. This City is seated in a goodly plain, and because it hath no mountains near it, but within a days journey the heat is very fastidious, as great almost as it is in Ormuz: the spring and harvest is sooner in this climate, then in any other p●●ts of the Persian dominions. It wanteth neither fountains, springs, nor gardens, but aboundeth with all necessaries whatsoever: consisting altogether in merchandise, and the best trade of all the land is there, being greatly frequented with all sorts of merchants, especially out of India. The people are very industrious and curious in all sciences, but specially in weaving girdles, and sashes, in making Velvets, Satins, Damasks, very good Ozmuzenes, and Persian carpets of a wonderful fineness; in a word it is the very magazine and warehouse of all the Persian Cities for these stuffs,  
Here may you buy all manner of drugs and spices, and Turkasses with store of Pearl, Diamonds, and Rubies; as also all sorts of silks as well wrought as raw. I am persuaded that in one year there is more silk brought into Cassan, then is of broad cloth brought into the City of London. 
Civil and good government.  This City is much to be commended for the civil and good government, which is there used. An idle person is not permitted to live among them: the child that is but six year old is set to labour: no ill ●ule, disorder, or riot is there suffered. F●r they have a law among them, (resembling the Egyptian law which Diodorus mentioneth) whereby every person is compelled to give his name to the Magistrates, therewith declaring what kind of life he liketh, how he liveth, and what art he exerciseth. And if any do tell untruly is either well beaten on the feet, or employed in public slau●ry. 
The Persian law against idleness.  The greatest annoyance that this City is infested withal, is the abundance & multitude of black Scorpions, of an exceeding greatness, which many times do much harm, if a special care be not had of them. At this City Master john Mildenall and myself parted company; he traveling to Labour in the E●st Indies; and myself setting forwards to the great City of Hispaan, three days travel distant from Cassan.   

The description of Hispaan.  
THis City as some affirm was built by Arsaces the first King of Parthia, being then called Dara. But whether so or no, is not much material. Sure it is, that in times past it was called Ecatompolis, the City of a hundred gates: and well it may keep that name still since the huge walls of the same contain in circuit an easy days journey on horse back, and is become the greatest City in all the Persian dominions: which is so much the more magnified and made populous; by reason of the king's re●iance therein. For there is the supreme place of justice; all matters of importance have recourse to this place; all Ambassadors of Princes, and Agents of Cities, make their repair thither; and such as aspire and thirst after offices and preferments run thither amain with emulation and disdain at others: and in a word thither are brought the revenues that appertain to the crown, and there are they disposed out again. By all which means this City hath wonderfully increased and appopulated itself within these five and twenty years.  
Very strong is this City by situation, compassed about with a very great wall, and watered with deep channels of running springs, conveyed into it, from a part of the Coronian mountains, which are as a wall inaccessible about it. 
〈◊〉 sort of 〈◊〉.  On the North side is erected a strong Fort or Castle, being compassed about with a wall of a thousand and seven hundred yards, and in the midst thereof is built a tower or rather a strong keep, sundry chambers and lodgings therein, but stored with little Ordnance. On the West side of this City standeth two Seraglios, 
〈◊〉 kings 〈◊〉.  the one for the King, the other for his women; Palaces of great state and magnificence, far exceeding all other proud buildings of this City: the walls glister with red marble and pargeting of divers colours, yea all the Palace is paved with checher and tesseled work, and on the same is spread carpets wrought with silk and Gold: the windows ●f Alabaster, white marble, and much other spotted marble; the posts and wickets of massy ivory chequered with glistering black ebony, so curiously wrought in winding knots, as may easier stay, t●en satisfy the eyes of the wondering beholder.  
near unto this Palace, 
The king's garden.  is a garden very spacious and large, all flourishing a●d b●a●ti●ull, replenished with a thousand sundry kinds of grafts, ●rees, and sweet smelling plants, among whi●h the ●illy, the Hyacinth, the Gillyflower, the Rose, the Violet, the flower-gentle, and a thousand other odoriferous flowers do ye●ld a most pleasant and delightful sighed to all beholders. There are a thousand fountains, and a thousand brooks; among them all, as the father of them all, a pretty river, which with his mild course and delightsome noise doth divide the garden from the King's Palace; neither is this garden so straightly looked unto, but that both the king's soldiers and Citizens, may and do at their pleasures oftentimes on horse back repair thither to recreate themselves in the shadows and walks of those greene's.  
And as a guard for the gate of this sumptuous Palace, 
The guard of the king's Palace.  the king keepeth certain orders of soldiers: whereof the most noble and the greatest in number are called Churchi, which are as it were the king's Pensioners, being eight thousand in number, all of them divided under several Captains: which Captains do yield obedience to the general Captain called Churchi-Bassa, a man always of great authority. Next unto this order is another called Esahul, to the number of a thousand, distinguished also under particular Captains, and the chief Captain is called Esahul-Bassa. All these are maintained by certain towns and villages, which are feudatories to the crown of Persia; and they receive at certain times of the king's armour, horses, apparel, and tents, every one as he is in place and degree: with this strong garrison is the King daily attended upon, and maintaineth the Majesty of his Court, especially when he rideth in progress.  

The order of the Persian dignities in Hispaan.  And for the government of this City, there is beside the King and the Prince twelve Sultanes, but three especially are appointed by the King, for the general government of the whole Empire, having their several distinct charges. 
The Sultanes.  One hath the care of all martial affairs throughout the kingdom: and the other two receive all the revenues, keeping a just account thereof, which two we may call Treasurers. 
The Treasurers. The great Chancellors.  Next unto these are the Mordari two great Chancellors, whose office is to write all orders, commandments, and letters concerning the government of the kingdom: one of them keepeth the Seal, and the other the Pen. Besides these there are two Caddi, 
The Caddi or Judges.  that is two judges, who make answer and give sentence only in matters of controversy and civil quarrels; but as touching criminal causes, they have no further authority, then to frame examinations of witnesses, and to make declaration thereof, which they call the Sygil, and this Sygil they deliver up into the hands of the Sultan, that is either governor of the City, or else of the Empire, and he causeth execution to be done according to custom. And look as Hispaan is governed, so other Cities have the self same Magistrates, all being at the king's disposition and appointment.  

The 〈…〉  Concerning the Church government, there is in this City, first the chief of the law whom they call the Mustaed-dini, a wicked and profane Priest: and in the other subject Cities are certain peculiar heads, obedient to this chief Priest, who are not chosen and displaced at his pleasure, as the popish Bishops are by the Pope, but by the king himself, who is not only a King, but a Priest, as Mahomet and Aly were. But to avoid trouble, the King granteth that favour, and putteth over that burden from himself unto others, to whose judgement, he also referreth himself, whensoever any consultation is touching their law or profane superstition. 
The Calif●s.  Under this great Priest are caliphs, and these do daily execute service in the Mosques or Temples. The chief of these caliphs is he that putteth the horn upon the King's head, when he is first enthronized. A ceremony once performed in Cafe near Babylon, but since Solyman the Turkish Emperor won Assiria from the Persian, it hath been sometimes performed in Casbin, and sometimes in Hispaan. 
The nature of the Persians.   
Finally the inhabitants of this City do much resemble the ancient Parthians in divers things, but specially in their continual riding. They ride on horseback for the most part, on horseback they fight with the enemy they execute all affairs as w●l public as private on horseback, they go from place to place on horseback, they buy and sell, and on horseback they confer & talk with one another; and the difference between the Gentleman and the slave is, that the slave never rideth, nor the Gentleman never goeth on foot.  
Besides the nature of this people is arrogant, seditious, deceitful, and very unquiet, but that the fierceness of their nature is much restrained by the king's severe government.  
To sensuality they are much inclined, 
The Persians giu●n to sensuality.  having three sorts of women, as they term them, viz. honest women, half honest women and courtesans; and yet they chastise no offence with like extremity as adultery, and that as well in the half honest woman, as in the honest.  
Last of all they are full of crafty stratagems, and are breakers of their promise (a vice that is very inbred in all Barbarians. 
The Persians very inconstant. ) Not content with any man's government long: and lovers of novelties. For testimony whereof we may avouch those ancient poisonings & wicked treacheries which were plotted not only by subjects against their sovereigns, 
The impiety of the sons of Artaxerxes the Persian king.  but also by children against their natural parents, for the name of father were in so small estimation with those fifty sons of Artaxerxes, that with one consent, they all conspired to murder him. The which monstrous impiety ever since hath been practised in this nation, sometimes the father with the children sometimes the children with the father, and sometimes the children with one another. For instance whereof we may take Abas that now reigneth, who being governor of Heri whilst his father reigned, did not only conspire to have his eldest brother Emir-Hamze, the hopefullest Prince that ever was in Persia, to be betrayed into the hands of the Turkish general in the year 1586, but also by force of money and gifts, persuaded one of his own eunuchs to kill him; 
The Persian Prince slain by one of his own Eunuches.  who was no sooner corrupted, put his treason in practice, and upon a sudden in the night time, as he slept on his pallet, struck him through his body with a lance: and so the most resplendent and bright shining Lamp that ever was in Persia, was utterly extinguished. And not content with this impiety towards his brother, did shortly after condescend, (as the full report goeth) to have his aged father Mahomet surnamed Codibanda poisoned without either regard of his fatherly majesty, 
The impiety of Abas King of Persia.  or reverence to age, or natural piety, that so he might ascend into the kingdom. Infinite also are the calamities, which he hath brought (since he came to the crown) on the houses of the ancient Persian Nobility.  
Notwithstanding howsoever by the shedding of much blood he was saluted King, upon the death of his father, yet hath he so carried the matter, that now he is exceedingly beloved and honoured of his subjects, in so much that when they will confirm any thing by solemn oaths they will swear by the head of Abas the king, and when they wish well to any man, they usually say, King Abas grant thee they desire.  

The description of the Persian king.  This Prince is very absolute both in perfection of his body, and his mind, (but that he is in religion a professed Mahumatine) excellently composed in the one, and honourably disposed in the other. Of an indifferent stature, neither to high, nor to low. His countenance very stern, his eyes fierce and piercing, his colour swa●ffy, his mustachees on his upper lip long, with his beard cut close to his chin, expressing his martial disposition, and exorable nature, that at the first a man would think to have nothing in him, but mischief and cruelty. And yet he is of nature courteous, and affable, easy to be seen and spoken withal: his manner is to dine openly in the company of his greatest courtiers, delighting much in hawking and hunting accompanied with his nobility, and the Ambassadors of foreign Princes. He will oftentimes run, leap, and prove masteries with his chief courtiers, being himself a most excellent horseman and cunning archer.  
Usually every morning he visiteth his stables of great horses, 
The Persian horses very good.  and according to an old custom of the Persian kings, the soldiers of his court (before mentioned) do receive horses at his hands, as he is in place and degree. And these their horses are of singular virtue, equal with those of the old time, which (as Strabo writeth) were accustomed to be fed and brought up in Armeniae for the king's use. They are wonderful swift in course, fierce in battle, long breathed and very docible: when they are unsaddled, thy are gentle and mild, but when they are armed, they are warlike, hardy, and manageable, even at the pleasure of the rider. And I have seen of them sold for a thousand, and sometimes a thousand and six hundred ducats a piece.  
After he hath viewed his horses, 
The weapons of the Persian soldiers.  he passeth into his Armoury, certain buildings near unto his Palace, where are made very strong Curiasses, or Corselets, headpieces & targets, most of them able to keep out the shot of an arquebusier, and much more to daunt the force of a dart. here also the king furnisheth his soldiers, not only with Curiasses, headpieces, and targets; but with bows and arrows, pouldrones, and gauntlets, and with lances made of good ash, armed at both ends; with Scimatars & shirts of mail, most finely & sound tempered, wherewith both themselves and their horses are defended in time of war.  

The king's exercises in the A●-maidan.  By this time having spent most of the forenoon, he returneth again into his palace, and there remains till three of the clock in the afternoon, at which time he makes his entry into the A●-Maidan, which is the great market place or high street of Hispaan: round about this place are erected certain high scaffolds, where the multitude do sit to behold the warlike exercises performed by the King and his courtiers, as their running and leaping, their shooting with bows and arrows, at a mark both above and beneath, their playing at tennis, all which they perform on horseback with divers mo● too long to write of. In this place also is to be seen several times in the year, the pleasant sight of fireworks, of banquets, of musics, of wrestlings, and of whatsoever triumphs else is there to be showed, for the declaration of the joy of this people.  
Besides, the King very often in this place, in the presence of the Princes and Peers of the Realm, will give judgement in divers causes: much like unto the ancient kings of France, who used ordinarily to hear the complaints of their subjects; but of late years the more the pity, they have committed this business unto the consciences of subordinate officers, hearing by other men's ears, and seeing by other men's eyes, well nigh concerning all their affairs: which course the Persian King holdeth neither good nor comfortable for the people, nor yet by any means to further justice. And certainly, where such carelessness doth enter into the majesty of kings, the estate of the Realm cannot choose but be weakened, & the majesty royal embased, so that in the end (it might be showed) the people have not refused to rise against the person of the king, & sometimes to murder him.  
To be brief in the execution of justice he is very severe, a● well to the greatest as to the meanest, not sparing (as might be showed) to hang up his chief Cuddi or judges, when he shall perceive how that upon bribes & favour they delay the suits of his subjects, 
The Persian king's correction of judges. Herodotus.  against the cle●re & manifest truth: imitating herein Cambyses who commanded Sisamnes●kin ●kin for giving an unjust sentence, to be flayed off, and covered the judgement seat therewith, appointing also his son to judge in his place, to the end that by sight thereof, all other judges might be warned, to be just and upright. And I have seen him many times alight from his horse, only to do justice to a poor body. Besides he punisheth theft & manslaughter so severely, that in an age a man shall not hear either of the one or of the other; which kind of severity were very needful for some parts of Christendom, I will not say for England though we have faulted therein) but for France especially; 
See Les ombres des defuncts sieurs de Villemer & de Fontaines. pag. 46.  where within ten years six thousand gentlemen have been slain, as it appears by the king's pardons. So that since king Abas came unto the crown, full twenty years & upwards, the Persian Empire hath flourished in sacred and redoubted laws, the people demeaning themselves after the best manner they can, abundance of collections coming plentifully in, the rents of his chamber were increased more than ever they were in his Grandfather Tamas his time, arms, arts, and sciences do wonderfully prosper, and are very highly esteemed.  
To this great Monarch, 
Sir Anthony Sherley's arrival in Persia.  came Sir Anthony Shirley Knight, with six and twenty followers, all gallantly mounted and richly furnished; whose entertainment was so great, that the Persians did admire, that the king should vouchsafe such high favour to a mere stranger without desert or trial of his worth. Of whose bounty, the world may judge, since within three days after his first arrival, the king sent him forty horses, furnished with saddles, and very rich trappings; four of them fit for the proper use of any Prince, twelve Camels for carriage, together with six Mules, four and twenty carpets, most of them rich and fair, three tents or pavilions, with all other necessaries of house, and lastly six men laden with silver.  
Sundry times Sir Anthony had audience of the king, wherein he declared first with what perfidious dealing, 
Sir Anthony Sherley's speech unto the King.  and with what greediness and pride the Turkish Emperors have always set upon the Christians, and that being discharged of the war with them, he would of all likelihood set upon the Persians, having the self same quarrel unto the Persians, that he hath unto the Christians: viz. an ardent and insatiable desire of sovereignty: a sufficient motive for the greedy Turk to repute every king, the richer that he is, the more his enemy. After that he set forth to the full the prowess of the Christians, the wonderful preparation, that they could make both at Sea and land, persuading the king with all his power to invade the Turk, then altogether busied in the wars of Hungary, and to recover again such parts of his kingdom as his predecessors had lost. Wars he said were more happily managed abroad then at home: that since his majesty alone is able to withstand the Turks whole force and power, he needed not now to doubt of the most prosperous success, the Christian Princes (by his means) joining with him.  
He told the King further, that he was much unmindful of his former losses and wrongs, if he thought he joined an assured peace, which he should find to be nothing else but a deferring of one war unto more cruel times: and that the Turk if he should overrun Hungary, would forthwith turn his victorious arms upon him and his kingdom: the end of one war (as he said) was but the beginning of another; and that the Turkish Empire could never stay in one state; and it were good that his highness should observe not the Turks words but his deeds; and how the Ottoman Emperors according to the opportunity of the time, have used by turns, sometimes force, sometimes fraud, as best served their purposes.  
He wished also the king, that at length this his deceit might manifest itself unto the world; and though in former times, there were sometimes wanting will, and sometimes occasion to unite their forces, yet now he hoped that by an employment from his Majesty to the Christian Princes, that they would combine themselves for their common good against the common enemy; and that it concerned no less his Highness, than the Christians to have the power of the great Turk abated: & this taking up of arms should be for the good of his Majesty, howsoever the war should fall out, if well, he should then recover what his predecessors before had lost, with much more that was the Turks: If otherwise yet by voluntary entering into arms to countenance himself, and to give the Great Turk occasion to think that he feared him not, which was (as he said) the only way to preserve the common safety.  
Many such speeches passed from Sir Anthony, but most of the chief counsellors were obstinately bend against it at the first; 
Sir Anthony Shirley sent b● the Persian King to eight several Princes.  howbeit the King being stil● animated by his forcible persuasions, and his General, Oliver-chan a Georgian Christian furthering the business in the end with the rest of his Council consented thereto; and so Sir Anthony within three months after his first arrival, was dispatched to these several Princes: viz. to Queen Elizabeth of famous memory; to King james our dread Sovereign; to the French King, to the Emperor, the Pope, the King of Spain, the Senate of Venice, and the Duke of Florence, with Letters of credence, and very rich and bountiful presents; to conclude a general peace among themselves, and between the Persian and our Christian world.  
The chief things that the Persian requested of the Christians was; 
The deman● of the Persian King.  that they would send him by the way of Syria, men skilful in the casting of great Ordinance, an Engine once hated of the Persians, who held it a sin and shame to exercise so cruel a weapon against mankind: yet now knowing by woeful experience, of what moment it is in a set battle, the King did specially require such men as were skilful therein, having matter enough within his Dominions whereof to cast them: that they with an army by land, 〈…〉 Turk promising in the mean time himself to fill Asia the less with his army, and that if they would be in the field three months, he would be six months: & if the Christian Princes would bring an hundred thousand fight men into the field, he would bring two hundred thausand, and so they should give unto themselves a fair occasion to recover both by land & sea, all such places as they had before lost, either in Hungaria, or upon coast of Peloponesus and Grecia.  

Master Robert ●herley left as ● pledge for Sir Anthonies●eturne ●eturne out of Christiandom.  But how well Sir Anthony behaved himself in so weighty a negotiation, I leave to the world to judge of: sure I am that for his fidelity therein, he left his brother Master ●obert Shirley a worthy gentleman as a pledge for his return out of Christendom, accompanied with five English men, viz. honest Captain powel, john Ward, john Parrot who afterwards died in Lahor, being in Master Mildenals company; one Brooks who is gone for the East Indies; and an English gunner, whose name I do not well remember, who was slain by an Italian in the way to Corassan. All these at the first were very kindly entreated by the King, and received large allowance; but after two years were fully expired, and no news of that great and important Embassy; and the King perceived that Mahomet the great Turk began now to have him in jealousy, and that the whole war was like to lie upon his own neck, without any help from the Christians, he began to frown on the English, notwithstanding Master Shirley through his good desert, soon gained the King's gracious favour again. And as evident signs thereof obtained of the King freedom of conscience for all Christians throughout his Dominions: allowing also his house, to be the only harbour and receipt for all poor Christians that travail into those parts. And farther, the King to manifest his love, gave him out of his Seraglion in Marriage, a Cirassian Lady of great esteem and regard. But that he should have a child in Persia, and that the King (a professed enemy to the Name of our blessed Saviour) should be the Godfather; this certainly is more fit for a Stage, for the common people to wonder at, then for any man's private studies.  
Notwithstanding, if we do rightly consider on the one side, the great power & preparation, that the Persian is able to make against the great Turk: and on the other side the miserable captivity of many thousands of poor Christians that are subject unto the Turkish tyranny, we cannot deny but that both the Embasseys of Sir Anthony Shirley, & also of M. Robert his brother are of great importance, & that a combination of so great forces together would soon have delivered many poor Christians of their miseries, the world of it ignominy, & mankind of that monster of Turkish tyranny, that hath too long reigned & laid the earth desolate.  
As for the first, 
The great power that the Persian king is able to make against the Turk.  the strength of the Persian consisteth now in three kinds of soldiers: the first are the soldiers of his court, to the number of nine thousand, as we said before. The second kind are such, who by custom and duty are bound to serve him in his wars, & these be his ancient gentlemen of h●s country, who hold land● & possessions descended unto them from their ancestors, or holden by the gift of the king; these are sent for in time of wars, & are of duty bound to perform such like service, as the gentry of Italy, France, & Spain do unto their Sovereigns: these do amount (since Abas came to the crown) very nigh to forty thousand, most of them come well armed, the rest content themselves with headpieces & jacks, and use for their weapons either horsemen staves or bows, which they can most cunningly handle, discharging their arrows also, very near unto that they aim at, either forward or backward. The third sort are such as are sent unto him from the Princes and neighbours his confederates: and these are commonly sent from the Princes of Iberia, Albania, and the countries bordering upon Media and Armenia: who being half Christians, bear a mortal hatred against the Turk.  
Besides the King hath under his dominions, 
The country's subject to Persia.  these great & famous countries, Seruania, otherwise called Atropatia, & some part of Georgia, these countries since the yielding up of Tauris, have voluntarily yielded up themselves under his protection; Besides Media the great, Gheilan or Gely, Massandran or Hyrcania: Parthia, Aria, Cand●har, Heri, Corass●n, Farsi, or Persia with the Caramanian desert, as also the Kingdom of Lar, which frontiers on Ormuz: Provinces so great and large, that in ancient times were able with their multitudes to cover the face of the earth, and to drink the ●i●●ers dry. And to make himself more strong, within the bowels of his kingdom, he hath subdued the Turcoman nation, that were rebellious in his father's time; as also he hath ruinated the houses of most of his ancient nobility; as of late Amet-chan Lord of Gheilan, Rust●n M●r●ze the King of Candahar, Emir-Miran the ●ord of jest, and Ebrain-chan the governor of Lar, who would never in his father's time Mahomet-Codibanda send in their aid against the cruel enemy's ●f their common liberty, but impeach and molest their sovereign, as much as they could, leaving many times the poor King to escape with his life. But now the King hath drawn all the aforementioned provinces into his own possession; and is able to carry all his force clear without interruption, which at the least may be two hundred thousand strong and better.  

The Pers●●●s bette● soldiers than t●e Turks.  And for his soldiers they are for the most par● very valorous and noble, which b●ing compared with the Turkish people (who fo● the most par● are very rascal, of vile race) are by good right very highly to be esteemed. For the naked Turkish horseman is not to be compared with the Persian m●n at a●mes; who comes into the field armed with a strong Cuiras, a sure head piece, and a good target: whereas the Turkish Europeian horsemen, altogether naked, use only a square or crooked buckler, wherewith they do scarcely cover themselves: and the Asian horsemen, bucklers ma●e of soft reeds, wound round, and covered with some kind of silk. Again, the Persian horseman, weareth his poudrons and gauntlets, and beareth a staff of good Ash, armed at both ends, fight with them as occasion serveth at the staff, after the manner of the Numid●ans, and with doubling and redoubling their often thrust from on high, do easily wound or kill the unarmed Turks with their horses: whereas the Turkish horseman, after the manner of the Grecians do couch their staves in their rest, and so that the first course most commonly break the same, being made of light and brittle fire, and so presently come to their scima●ars or horseman mace, being in all other things far inferior to the Persian man at arms. And for the Turkish archers on horseback, they are in no respect to be compared with the Persians, who are well mounted and surely a●med, using both greater and stronger bows, and shoot more deadly arrows, making small account of the Turks. So that all things well considered, the Persian is now able to deal in field with the great Turk, having both numbers of soldiers, good store of shot, and other warlike furniture, as also (which is the chiefest stay of a state) obedience of his subjects. And verily when Persia was at the weakest, had not the Turkish Emperors Selimus, Solyman, and Amurat, been alured either by treason, rebellion, or intestine discords, they would never have taken that war in hand. And so much of the Persians forces.  
And as for the miserable thraldom that the poor Christians do endure under the Turkish tyranny, 
The miserable thraldom of the Christians under the Turkish tyranny.  we (thanks be given unto God) in these Northern parts of the world may behold with safety, but not without pity, when we rightly consider, how that the people among whom our Saviour himself conversed, at what time his beautiful steps honoured this world, with those Churches in Grecia, which his Apostles so industriously planted▪ so carefully visited, so tenderly cherished, instructed, and confirmed by so many peculiar Epistles, and for whom they sent up so many servant prayers, are now become a cage of unclean birds: filthy spirits do possess them. The Turk with his Curaam, and Mahomet with his Alcoran, are Lords of these places. So that now the Grecians have lost their liberty, (which their ancestors had many times before, to their immortal praise, worthily defended against the greatest monarchs of the world) and are now so degenerate, by the means of the Turkish oppression, that in all Grecia is hardly to be found any small remembrance of the ancient glory thereof: Insomuch that whereas they were wont to account all other Nations barbarous in comparison of themselves, they are now become no less barbarous than those rude nations whom they before scorned.  
Infinite are the miseries, which they from time to time have endured under the Turkish tyrants; and so great hath been the fury of that barbarous Nation, that no tongue is able to express, or pen describe. For what tongue is able to express the miseries that the poor greeks endured, when the imperial City of Constantinople was taken and spoiled by Mahomet the great in the year 1453. when the cruel tyrant could not content himself with the spoil and riches of that fair City; 
The Gecian Nobility put to death in the presence of the great Turk, whilst he sat feasting with his Bassas.  but caused also, as he sat feasting with his Bassas and great commanders most of the chief Christian Captains, both men and women (of whom many were of the Emperor's line and race) to be in his presence put to death: deeming his feast much more stately and magnificent, by such effusion of Christian blood.  

The miseries of the constantinopolitans.  There might a man have seen the poor Christian captives driven up and down, by the merciless soldiers, as if they had been droves of cattle or flocks of sheep. It would have pitied any strong heart, to have seen the noble Gentlewomen and great Ladies, with ●heir beautiful children, who flowed in all worldly wealth and pleasure, to become the poor & miserable bondslaves of most base and contemptible rascals, who were so far 〈◊〉 showing them any pity, as that they delig●ted in nothing more than to heap more & more misery upon them, making no more reckoning of them then of dogs. There might the Parents see the woeful misery of their beloved children, & the children of the parents, the husband might see the shameful abuse of his wife, & the wife of her husband, & generally one friend of another: yea such was their malice to the Christian faith, that they converted the temple of Sophia, built for God to be honoured in, into a stable for their horses, making it a place for the execution of their abominable & unspeakable filthiness: yea the image of the crucifix they also took down, & put a Turks cap upon the head thereof, & so set it up & shot at it with their arrows, & afterwards in great derision carried it about in their camp, as it had been in procession, with drum's playing before it, railing & spitting at it, & calling it the God of the Christians, which I note not so much done in contempt of the images, as in despite of Christ & the Christian religion. Neither have they committed these outrages & monstrous cruelties in Grecia alone, but in other parts of Christendom also: as Italy hath sundry times tasted of their cruel incursions & bloody invasions. 
The countries which (besides Grecia) that groan under the Turkish slavery.  Besides Servia Bulgaria, Transiluania, Moldavia, & Valachia do groan under the yoke of Trukish tyranny: what should I write of Hungaria that royal kingdom, since in the reign of one Turkish Emperor (I mean Solyman the magnificent) the number of those which were slain, and carried ●nto miserable captivity were well-nigh two hundred thousand Hungarians. So spoiled & harried in this kingdom by the Turks that it may welbreed an astonishment not only to the neighbour countries adjoining, but to others further remote. So that to wind up all in a word, there i● now to be seen in these Christian countries, which the great Turk possesseth, nothing but triumphs over Christ, & scorners of his religion: insolences and violences against the professors: extortions and oppressions upon their goods: rapines and murderings upon the very souls of their children, a case to be wailed with tears of blood by all Christian hearts that know it: hearing the only anchor & stay of th●ir souls (our blessed Saviour) daily derided & blasphemed by the pride of the Turks. Indeed it were a small thing, if the Turks extortions were only on their goods & labours, or if the bodies and lives of those poor Christians, were only wasted and worn out in his works and slaveries, it might be suffered, for goods are transitory, and death the end of all worldly miseries.  

A tribute of souls paid yearly by the Christians to Mahomet that lying Prophet  But to be forced (as those poor countries are) to pay a tribute also of souls to wicked Mahomet, to have their dearest children both sons and daughters snatched out of their parents bosoms▪ to be brought up in his impious abominations, & to be employed (after they are so brought up) in murdering their fathers and mothers that begat them; and in rooting out that faith wherein they were borne and baptised, and which only were able to bring their souls into happiness. This surely is a calamity insupportable, and which crieth out unto God in the heavens for relief.  
I will say no more touching this matter, but even wish with the humble petition of a mind pierced with grief, to the just judge of the world, Redeemer of mankind, and Saviour of his people, to cast down his pitiful eyes upon those nations; to behold on the one side his triumphing fierce enemies persecuting without measure; on the other his poor servants trodden down, and persecuted without help, hope, or comfort; to dissolve the pride and power of the one, to comfort the astonished and wasting weakness of the other, with some hope of succour and final delivery: To inspire the hearts of Christian Princes (their neighbours) compounding or laying side their endless and fruitless contentions, to revenge their quarrel against their unjust oppressors. For certainly if mean Princes have encumbered the course of the great Turk's conquest; what would not the united Christian forces do? if we might but once see the glorious beams of that bright shining day appear?  
Which union the 
The king o●●ersia or late ●eare hath ●●nt five several Embasla●●urs into ●hristendome  Persian king hath often and instantly sought of the Christian Princes, and that within these few years. For first (as we said before) he sent Sir Anthony Shirley a man very wise and valiant, if he had not been too prodigal. After him in the year of grace 1605. he sent three other several Ambassadors one after another: viz. Zincl Chan Beg, Methi Cult Beg, and Ius Bassi Hassan Beg. The two first came directly to the Emperor at Prage, and the other was sent unto the French King, whose Embassy was for the common good also, though it wanted the wished success. And to show the great desire that the Persian still hath, to have the pride of the great Turk abated, he hath since employed Master Robert Shirley as his Ambassador to the same purpose.  
Never did Christendom miss times of more advantage, to have prevailed much against the Turk, not only to have holden their own (which they do not in Hungary) but to have recovered some good part of their losses before received also. And indeed true it is that the time then well served for both, by reason that the great Turk was and is still troubled with wars both against his own rebels, and the Persian King in Asia; most part of his forces being turned that way. 
The Persians promise unto the Emperor.  But what availeth opportunity without unity▪ For howsoever the Persian king did instantly request of the Emperor to join with him in all friendship and brotherly love, and to continue his wars against the great T●rke their common enemy: and also promised that for his part he would never lay down arms until that enemy were brought to nought and destroyed, so that the Christian Princes would on the other side likewise impugn him: 
The Emperors promise t● the Persian king.  and though the Emperor for his part did promise to continue his wars, and to raise greater forces, and also by letters to exhort and incite the greatest Christian Princes & Potentates to extend also their power against the common enemy; yet could he not effect it, neither perform any part of his promise to the Persian King.  
For the next year following (seeing the Hungarians revolted from him, and taking part with the Turks and the Turks with them, and finding himself not able with his own power to hold the field against them, 
The reasons why the Emperor leaves the Persian king in field to himself, and concludes a pe●ce wit the great Turk.  much less to maintain a defensive war, and his friends & allies, his wont and greatest stays, then at his greatest need to fail him) was glad to leave the Persian in the field to his own strength, and to conclude a reasonable peace with Achmet the great Turk that now reigneth; being no way able without the great aid of other Christian Princes, to withstand the huge and dreadful power of th● Ottoman Emperor Which (be it spoken without ominous presage) is to be feared, will too truly appear and manifest itself, whensoever the wars of the great Turk, and his troubles in the East with the Persian be ended, he shall then again turn his victorious & insulting forces, this way towards the West.  
I conclude then, that those distressed parts of Christendom which are subject to the Turkish fury, 
Some parts of Ch●istendome greatly in indebted to the Sherlies.  cannot but be much beholding, both to Sir Anthony Shirley, as also his brother M. Robert Shirley for this twenty years' peace which is concluded between the Emperor & the great Turk. They being (I dare be bold to say under God) the only means that stirred up the Persian king to take up arms against the great Turk, and to draw by degrees the whole war upon his own neck, thereby to free and give a time of breathing to the champions of jesus Christ to refresh themselves, and increase their forces. A peace not only well pleasing to the Emperor, but to the Turk also, who no sooner heard from the the Bassa of Buda, that it was concluded, but forth with conceived so great●oy, that with a number of janissaries and others, he went from his Palace in Constantinople in great magnificence to the Church, to give thanks therefore unto his Prophet Mahomet, spending the next day in great sport & pleasure, purposing from thenceforth to turn all his force & power for the subduing of the Persian king. But to leave these two great monarchs, the only enemies to the name of Christ in field each against the other, I come now to my return from those parts.    

The return of the Author by the way of Persia, Susiana, Chaldaea, Assiria, and Arabia.  
Having took my leave of Master Robert Shirley, and the rest of my countrymen, I left them to the mercy of the king (whose bounty and goodness by their return hath plentifully showed itself) and betook myself to the protection of the Almighty, to bring me in safety again into my own country: being in my return, accompanied with one signor Belchior Dios d' Croce, an Armenian, Portugal or Portugal Armenian; and one Christopher a Greek, who were sent with letters from the governor of Goa, to the king of Spain, but lost afterwards their lives and letters by shipwreck in the Venetian golf.  
From Hispaan we spent ten days travel to Sirrah by persuasion of some Persian merchants that were bound for Aleppo with us, traveling through the very heart of Persia itself, paying now and then a shaughee a piece to certain villages in the way, no matter of importance worth the relating till we come to the City itself.  

The description of Persia.  
THis country (in which Sirrah standeth) is now called the Kingdom of Farsi, but in ancient time the Kingdom of Persia; a kingdom of itself very large and pacious; confining Northwards on Media & Parthia, Eastward on the great desert of Caramania, Westward on Susiana, which Strabo maketh a part of Persia, and lieth between Babylon and Persia, as shall be declared hereafter, and Southward on Ormuz and the Persian golf, containing also the great kingdom of Lar, whence the best Bezoar stones are brought.  
Very famous is this country: for that it was the first place, where Elam the eldest son of Sem dwelled, whereby the people of this nation were a long time called Elamites, as appeareth by the prophecy of Daniel, 
No more but five kings in Persia.  who nameth it Elam: as also because it was the seat of those five great Persian kings mentioned in the Scriptures, viz. Darius Medus, Cyrus, Ah●shuerosh, Darius Longimanus alias Artaxerxes, and Artaxerxes the third, which was that Darius whom Alexander the great overcame. 
Darius Medus.  For Darius Medus his acts and deeds were of so small esteem and regard, that they are not worth the writing. But concerning Cyrus his son in law, 
Cyrus.  many excellent things are spoken of him: for no king conquered so many kingdoms as he did. Besides he was in grace and favour with God: for by daniel's instructions he was brought to confess and acknowledge the God of Israel. Of him did Esay prophesy an hundred years before his birth: 
Esay. 44.28.  and his diligence was so great in aiding the jews af●er their captivity unto jerusalem, 
2. Chro. 36.22. 1. Esdras. 1.2. Esdras. 2. joseph. Anti. 11. ca 1.  that he suffered them quietly to return with wealth and treasure, and commanded all his Princes of Syria, and subjects to favour and to help them, publishing a decree for the building up of their temple unto God. Notwithstanding this happy and fortunate Prince was slain by Tomyris Queen of the Massogets in Scythia, who not contenting herself with the death of her enemy, commanded also his head to be smitten oft, and thrown into a bowl of man's blood, with this exprobration of his cruelty in killing her son: Tu quidem meum uluentis & in pugna victricis filium perdidisti dolo captum, 
Herodo●us.  at ego te cruore satura●n: Go now, and glut thyself with the blood of men, which in thy life time wouldst never be satisfied with blood.  
Next unto him reigned Ahashuerosh, 
Ahashuerosh.  whom our writers call Xerxes, the Chaldeans Artaxerxes the first (husband to Queen Hester) whose dominion did extend itself from India unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty Provinces. The goodness of this king was fully proved, at what time the Church was miserably afflicted by proud Haman, and hindered by cruel Cambyses against the decree of Cyrus: for he gave full liberty and licence unto the jews to build the Temple at jerusalem. Nevertheless towards his latter days, he was very unfortunate in his wars, being twice overcome both at sea and land; by which unfortunate success, he that erst while was termed the Terror of all Nations, became in so general contempt of all his subjects, 
justin. lib. 3.  that both himself and his sons were slain by Artabanus the traitor.  
Next unto him succeeded Darius Longimanus. 
Darius' Longimanus.  This Prince was no way behind his predecessors in piety and devotion towards God: for he would not by any means change their institutions concerning religious worship, but with great beneficence favoured the jews. For in the second year of his reign the Temple at jerusalem was finished: and in the seventh year Esdra● with a number in his company returned.  
The last King was Artaxerxes the third, 
Darius.  whom they called by the name of Darius a Prince of great industry, and nobleness of spirit: yet at last was vanquished by Alexander the great, and slain by one of his own kinsmen, ending his life together with the Persian Empire.  
So that now by the computation of the reign of these kings which was one hundred forty and seven years, 
The Iewe● confuted. Daniel. 9.25.  we may easily confute that malicious tergiversation and erroneous exposition of the jews, of the prophecy of Daniel, touching the threescore and nine weeks to the coming of the Messiah. The jews affirm that the same prophecy doth not belong to our Saviour Christ, but that it ended the day wherein the Temple was overthrown by Titus: and do interpret Christ (whom Daniel prophesied should be slain after threescore and nine weeks) to be Agrippa the last of the Herodians (surmising peevishly that the Messiah liveth in the world invisibly) colouring their gross errors therein by the false and lying Histories of some Greeks and ●atines, 
The jews surmise that the Messiah liveth in the world invisibly.  who attribute two hundred years and above to the Empire of the Persian kings: whereby some have been driven to reckon the beginning of those weeks after the time of Cyrus, that they may end at the death of our Saviour Christ.  
Which false Histories to make up those years, name more Persian kings then ever were; 
Herodo. lib. 7.  as Cambyses to succeed his father Cyrus; whereas he was but left by his father King in Persia, in his expedition into Scythia, according to the Persian custom mentioned by Herodotus, which was that if the king went out of the country with an army, he must appoint another king to abide in the country during his absence. And so were Cambyses and Darius Histaspis kings of Persia. And whereas some Persian kings had two or three names, as Darius, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes, they make so many kings; whereas the Scriptures set down but the five before named, 
As the captivity grew at three times. So the return was at three times.  who reigned (as we said) but one hundred forty and seven years. Whereupon it falleth out, that whether you begin to account the threescore and nine weeks from the first year of Cyrus, who then determined the jews reduction; and as the captivity grew at three times, so the return from the captivity was at three times.  
For first in the second year of Cyrus, Zorababell with well-nigh fifty thousand jews returned, and then laid the foundation of the Temple; which was finished the second year of Darius Longimanus: And many jews remaining in Babylon, who for the love of their possessions and children, having purchased of the kings of Persia a form of a commonwealth, elected to themselves a Prince of the line of David, (whom Origen calleth a Patriarch) calling him Aechmalatarcham, which signifieth the head of the outlaws. And in the seventh year of Darius Longimanns, Esdras with a number in his company returned. And lastly in the twentieth year of the same Darius, Nehemiah with his company departed.  
So that it falleth out, that whether you begin to account the threescore and nine weeks from the first year of Cyrus, who then determined the jews reduction; or from the second year of Darius (as others will) for that he confirmed, and put the same in execution: or from the twentieth year of his reign, for that he then made a new edict in favour of Nehemiah, and sent him intò jewrie. (And not only the tribes of juda, Levi, and Benjamin, to the number of thirty thousand, but some of the other tribes to the number of ten thousand returned also into jewrie by the Edict of those kings.) Every way those threescore and nine weeks did end either in the reign of Augustus or Herode, under whom Christ was borne, or in the year of Tiberius under whom he suffered.  
He that would read more of the ancient estate of Persia, either concerning the Royal Majesty thereof, or the Religion, Laws, Manners, and Customs of the same, or the Military Discipline whilst she held the world in awe, let him read Barnabas Brissonius, who hath written three books, De Regio Persarum Principatu. In the mean time, we come to describe that which we have seen; returning where we left to Sirrah ancient Persepolis.   

The description of Sieras ancient Persepolis.  

The river Bindamir.  THis City is situated on the banks of Bindamir, a great and famous river, which courseth through Persia, and the kingdom of Lar, and so emptieth itself into the Persian golf, and was once the Metropolitical seat of all the kingdom, until of late years, Hispaan hath gained that privilege from her. Notwithstanding it is large & spacious containing very near ten miles in circuit, and lieth just in the road way which leads from Hispaan to Ormuz. Pliny did call it caput Persiciregui, for so it was during the Monarchy, the head City of the Persian kingdom, which continued famous many years together, being stuffed with the spoils of the whole world: for Alexander when he took it, found in the treasury forty thousand talents of gold, every talon being six hundred crowns by Budaeus his computation. 
Alexander at the request of a strumpet fi●eth Pe●sepolis.  And the same t●me at the request of a drunken strumpet he set this gallant City on fire, himself being the first precedent in that woeful misery, which in short time was quite burnt down to the ground as Diodorus Siculus relateth. Which unhappy mischance Quintus Curtius on this manner bewaileth: Huno exitum habuit Regiatotius Orientis, unde tot gentes ante i●ra petebant patria tot regum, unicus quondam G●aecia terror. etc. Such a miserable end befell to the recall City of all the Ea●●, whence so many Nations did derive their laws and customs; which was the seat of so many kings, and in times past the only terour of Greece.  
So that in and about this town are to be seen the ruins of many ancient monuments: as two great gates, tha● are distant one from the other the space of twelve miles, which shows the circuit of this City, as it was in the time of the Monarchy, to be both large and spacious. On the South side we viewed the ruins of a goodly Palace, ●●ilded as they say by King Cyrus, a Palla●● 〈◊〉 magnified by Aelianus in his first book de animalibus. cap. 59 And on the North side the ruins of an old Castle, which seems was girt about with a threefold wall: ●he first wall being four and twenty foot high, adorned and beautified with many Turret's and spires: the second was like unto the first, but twice as high; ●nd the third was four square, being four score and ten foot high. All fabricated of free stone. On each side were twelve gates of Brass, with brazen pales set before them very curiously wrought, all which did show the magnificence of the founder. On the East side of this ruinous Castle, some four ac●es of ground distant, is a mountain, on which was erected a goodly Chapel, in which most of the Persian kings in antic time were entombed. And though this City hath endured sundry mutations and changes, yet is it not to be esteemed one of the least Cities in Persia: for out of it in short time is levied twenty thousand horsemen well armed. Besides it is one of the greatest and most famous Cities of the East, 
Excellent armour made in Syras.  both for traffic of merchandise; as also for most excellent armour and furniture, which the armourers with wonderful cunning do make of iron and steel, and the 〈◊〉 of certain herbs, of much more notable temp●r and beauty, then are those which are made with us in Europe; not only Headpieces, Curiaffes, and complete armours, but whole comparisons for horses, curiously made of thin plates of iron and steel.  
Now by the situation of this town on the ri●er Bindamir, 
Batan a commodious por● town in the Persian golf for the East Indian company.  a very profitable trade for the East Indian company might be at Batan, an haven town in the Persian Gol●e, which trende●h in the form of an half Moon, having a little pretty Island, as a most commodious shelter, in the mouth of the same, whereby a sh●p of five hundred ●unnes and better may ride at pleasure. Very desirous is the Persian King that our shipping should come thither, or to any other port in his dominions; promising oftentimes times (as may be justified very probably) that it should be lawful for us to build and fortify, 
The river jesdri ninneth close by Batan.  and to enjoy all privileges in as ample manner as his own subjects; and that if the Portugals in Ormuz should offer violence to our shipping, that then he would become their professed enemy: whose league of friendship (I am assured) they dare not in that Island break, standing so many ways beholding to the Persian King as they do. Besides where we planted in Batan, the King would quickly cut off the greatest trade of Merchandise either of raw silk or Indigo from Tauris to Constantinople, and turn it unto that harbour. There we should have a speedy vent for our broad cloth, Carsies, Tin, and Led, and have in barter for the same whatsoever either the kingdom of Persia or India doth afford. So that in mine opinion to have Batan for a resting and refreshing harbour after our tedious sailing through the great Ocean, were far better than Bantam in java, or Aden, or any other port in Arabia Felix; places altogether of wrong and oppression, where little justice is to be found being so far from Constantinople: Whereas Batan standeth in such a Country as is full of peace and tranquillity, having a most just and upright Prince (the only true stay of traffic) Lord of the same, whose only care and endeavour is to maintain and uphold the trade of Merchandise. But to leave these things to the Merchants, we come now to the Kingdom of Assiria.    

The description of ASSIRIA.  
FRom Sirrah, having spent eight days travel and better, we entered into the Province of Susiana, now called Cu●estan, but in old time Assiria. The bounds of this Country, Northwards is on the South part of Armenia, Eastward on a part of Persia: Westward on Mesopotamia: and Southward on a part of the Persian golf, which part is 〈◊〉 of fens and marish bogs, without either port or haven. The climate in that part is exceeding hot, and very much infested with bituminous matter, which both spoils the growth of trees, and corrupt the waters, whereby it comes to pass, that the people are not long lived. And howsoever this country was that land, wherein the first Monarchy was settled, so that many excellent things might be spoken of it; yet since, it hath endured so many mutations and changes by the outrage of armies, that it hath lost her ancient name, I will be sparing to write thereof, lest I should write many things rather fabulous then true, and therefore, laying aside the danger of lying, I will pass unto those towns and ruins which I have seen.  

The description of Susa.  
traveling two days farther from the entrance into this Kingdom, 
Herodot. lib. 5.  we rested at Valdac, once the the great City Susa, but now very ruinous. It was first built by Tythonus and his son Memnon, but enlarged by Darius the son of Histaspis.  
In the building whereof Memnon was so exceeding prodigal, that as Cassiodorus writeth, he joined the stones together with gold. It was once one of the regal Cities of the Kings of Persia; 
Cassiod. lib. 7. ●ariar. ●pist. 15.  and was so rich that Aristag●ras did in this manner cheer up the hearts of his soldiers, when they came to besiege it. Hanc vos urbem, si animose ceperitis, iam cum jove de divitijs, licet certetis, If you can win this City courageous soldiers, you may strive with jupiter himself for riches: which Alexander had good experience of, when he found fifty thousand talents in wedges of gold, besides silver, and great store of coin. Behold (saith Q. Curtius) that in an hour, which many kings had heaped together for posterity, falleth now into the hands of a stranger. In a word such was the beauty and delectableness thereof for situation, that they called it Susa, which then in the Persian tongue signifieth a Lily, but now it is called Valdac, 
The river Ch●aspes.  of the poverty of the place.  
Close by this ruinous town swimmeth the famous River Choaspes, which after many turnings and windings through the country of Susiana dischargeth itself in the Persian golf. The water of this river is very delicate to the taste; so that it is no marvel, though the Persian and Parthian kings in times past would by their good wills drink of no other water. For which purpose they had vessels of gold and silver, to carry the same after them, whensoever they either did ride in progress, or go to the wars. Xerxes (as Varr● relateth) being on a time exceeding thirsty, caused proclamation to be made throughout his camp, that if any soldier had any water of Choaspes left he should be well rewarded. And it so fell out, that a small quantity was found, which though it was exceeding muddy by reason of carriage, yet that mighty Prince drank freely of it. Of such account was ●his river in ancient time.  
Having passed over this river, 
The description of Nineuie.  we set forward towards Mosul, a very ancient town in this country, six days journey from Valdas; and so pitched on the banks of the river Tigris. 
The magnificent building of Nineuie by Ninus.  Here in these plains of Assiria, and on the banks of Tigris, and in the region of Eden, was Nineuie built by Nimrod, but finished by Ninus. It is agreed by all profane writers, and confirmed by the Scriptures, that this city exceeded all other cities in circuit, and answerable magnificence. For it seems by the ruinous foundation (which I thoroughly viewed) that it was built with four sides, but not equal or square; for the two longer sides had each of them (as we geffe) an hundredth and fifty furlongs; the two shorter sides, ninety furlongs, which amounteth to four hundred and eighty furlongs of ground, which makes threescore miles, accounting eight furlongs to an Italian mile. The walls whereof were an hundredth foot upright, and had such a breadth, as three Chariots might pass on the rampire in front: these walls were garnished with a thousand and five hundr●th towers, which gave exceeding beauty to the rest, and a strength no less admirable for the nature of those times. 
Ninus reigned in Nineu●e.  Here it was that Ninus reigned, who after he had mastered Bactria, and subjecteth unto his Empire all those regions between it and the Mediterranean sea, and Hellespont (Asia the less excepted) & finished the work of Nin●uie, he left the world i● the year thereof 2019. after he had reigned two and fifty years. After him succeeded Semiramis his wife, 
The rich and sumptuous tomb of Ninus.  a Lady of great prowess and virtue, who in this city buried him so honourably and in such a sumptuous tomb, that it was the only pattern which Artemesia the Queen of Caria made for her husband Mausolus, and accounted for the rareness thereof, one of the seven wonders of the world. Upon the Pillars whereof was set this Epitaph. 
His Epitaph.  Mihi pat●r Belus jupiter, Auus Saturnus Babilonicus, proaws Chus Saturnus aethiop's, Abaws Saturnus Aegiptus, Ataws Coelus Phoenix Ogyges, repeating the pedigree of Ninus to be the son of Belus, the son of Nimrod, the son of Chus, the son of Cham, and the son of Noah.  

Sardanapolus the last king of the Assyrians.  Now as the Monarchy of the Assyrians began by Ninus, which lasted for the space of a thousand and two hundred years, and some add forty years more: so it ended in Sardanapalus, that beastly Epicure, who finding his forces too weak to fight against the power of Arbaces and Belochus his two Lieutenant's, the one in Media, and the other in Babylon, retired out of the field to his palace in Niniveh, and there caused an huge fire to be made, 
Sardanapalus destroyeth himself.  into which he cast himself and all his riches; herein only playing the man. Such was the effeminate wantonness of this King, that he consumed whole days in the nursery among his concubines, sparing no time from incontinent exercises. As appears by the Epitaph, which living, he commanded to be written on his tomb: 

His Epitaph.  Ede, Bibe, Lude.  
Eat, Drink, Play.  Which Epitaph, Aristotle chancing to find, stayed, and read the first part thereof, and smiling, said: A man would think, this writing fitter to be fixed to the grave of an ox, then written upon the tomb of a Prince And having perused the three verses, concluded, That Sardanapalus enjoyed that being dead, which living he never had, but so long as he was in feeding his paunch. Intimating, that all pleasures which are not reduced to necessity and honesty, are very reproachful  

San●he●ib slain by h●s 2. sons. 2. Reg. 19 37. Herodotus lib. 2.  Here also reigned and died Saneherib, who at his return from the besieging of jerusalem was slain by his two sons, Adramelech & Sharezar, as he was in the temple worshipping Nisro●h his god. Herodotus relates, that after his death, an image was set up v●to him with this inscription; Learn by me to fear God; for a memorial of God's judgement against him.  
Finally, that this city was far greater than Babylon, being the Lady of the East, the Queen of Nations, and the riches of the world, having more people within her walls, then are now in some one kingdom: but now it is destroyed (as God foretold it should be by the Chaldaeans) being nothing else, than a sepulture of herself, a little town of small trade, where the Patriarch of the Nestorians keeps his seat, at the devotion of the Turks. Sundry times had we conference with this Patriarch: and among many other speeches which passed from him, he wished us that before we departed, to see the Island of Eden, but twelve miles up the river, which he affirmed was undoubtedly a part of Paradise.   

The description of the Island of Eden.  
THis Island lies in the heart of the river Tigris, and is (as we could guess) in circuit ten English miles, and was sometimes walled round about with a wall of strong defence, as appears by the ruinous foundation of brick which there remaineth. And howsoever the beautiful land of Eden is now forgotten in these part●, with those flourishing countries of Mesopotamia, Assyria, Babylonia, and Chald●a, being all swallowed up into mere Barbarism, yet this Island still retains the name of the I'll of Eden  
Now whither this Island were the very Eden of Paradise, is not probable: but certain it is, that, that garden of Pleasure, which God chose out to set Adam into, was seated in the lower part of the Region of Eden, 
The Description of the Region of Eden.  afterward called Aram flwiorum, or Mesopotamia: a country which Southwards stretcheth itself over the great river Euphrates, toward Shinar nie Babylon: and Northwards containeth that continent of Mesopotamia, Assyria, and Armenia, which is watered with Tigris, between mount Taurus and Seleucia.  
That there was such a Paradise as the garden of Eden, 
That Paradise was vpo● the earth, is without all dispute.  upon earth, is without all dispute, because the Scriptures tell us of it: And the Lord God planted a Garden, Eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had made. gen. 2.8. And it is said of Cain, that he dwelled in the land of Noa towards the East side of Eden. gen. 4.16. The Prophets likewise do often make mention of the land of Eden and the inhabitants thereof, As in Esay 37.12. where after Gozan, and Haran, and Reseph, the Prophet speaketh also of the children of Eden which were at Telasser. And the Prophet Ezechiel in the. 27. chap. and 23. vers. bewailing the desolation of Tyrus, showeth what Merchants resorted thither, and among many other nations, he reckoneth the merchants of Eden. Now as they make mention of the land of Eden, so also of the garden itself. How is this land waist, which was like the garden of Eden. Ezech. 36.35. And in the Prophet joel. 2.3. the land is as the garden of Eden before him. By which places of scripture it is evident that the garden of Eden, was a certain place upon the earth, which God chose out (above all other places of the world) to set Adam into after he had created him.  

Paradise planted in the country of Eden near Babilonia  And that the very Eden of Paradise was in this country is plain by the relation of Moses, who saith that it was eastward in Eden, that is, it lying eastward (as this country doth) from Indaea. For so it is said, that the Lord God planted a garden Eastward in Eden, which quarter of the world is to be understood, eastward, in respect of Iud●a. Besides this country standeth in the most excellent temper of all other, to wit five and thirty degrees from the Equinoctial line, and five and fifty from the North-pole: in which climate the best wines, the most delicate fruits, the sweetest oil, and the purest grain of all sorts, are this day found in great abundance.  

The rivers which watered Paradise.  Again the very rivers, which course through this country, do make good, that the very Eden of Paradise, was here planted: For Moses describeth, that a river went out of Eden to water this garden, and from thence divided itself into four● branches: and we find by experience, that Tigris and Euphrates, running through this country of Eden do join in one, and afterward taking several ways a part, do water both the land of Chus, and Havilah, as Moses relateth: the true seats of Chus and his sons, being then in the valley of Shinar, in which Nimrod built Babel, and not in Ethyopia as some would have it. And as for the land of Havilah, that country joined to Persia eastward, where Hismael and his Sons dwelled: for they dwelled from Havilah unto Shur, that is towards Egypt, as thou goest to Assiria. Gen. 25.18. And therefore they that make the river Pison to be Ganges, 
The e●our of those disproved, which make P●son to be Nilus.  do contrary both Scripture, experience, and reason. For how can the river Ganges, which runneth through the great Mogors country in the East-Indies, be a branch of those rivers which watered Eden, since the river Tigers (though it rise in the same quarter of the world) is distant from Ganges, above four thousand miles? And as for them that would have, the river Gihen to be Nilus, do dream of an impossibility; because the river Nilus is farther distant from Tigris and Euphrates, than Ganges is: being begotten in the mountains of the Moon in Ethyopia, almost as farr●e off as the cape of good hope (which our East-Indian ships do double) and falleth into the Mediterranean-Sea; whereas Euphrates springeth (as we have said) out of the Mountains of Armenia, and falleth into the golf of Persia: the one rising South which is Nilus, and running North; the other rising North, which is Euphrates, and coursing South, threescore & three degrees one from the other. 
Strange fertility and happiness in the region of Eden.  Finally this country aboundeth with all kind of fertility and happiness though not in that exquisite manner, as before the fall of Adam, because it was accursed in special, like as all the earth in general, yet thus much I find written of it; Strabo maketh mention of the Southpart of Armenia, which is the North border of Eden, or a part thereof; to be a region which aboundeth with most pleasant fruits and delightful trees, always green and flourishing, witnessing thereby a perpetual spring, not found elsewhere, but the Indies only. And Q. Curtius writeth on this manner: As you travel on the left hand of Arabia (famous for plenty of sweet odours) there lieth a champain country placed between the two rivers Tigris and Euphrates, and is so fruitful and fat a soil, that they are said to drive there cat-tail from the pasture, lest they should perish by Satiety. And true it is that the ungy, or hay, which groweth in these parts, is of so strong an operative power to fatten, that they are constrained (before they give it their cat-tail) to flake and cool the heats thereof with water.  
Herodotus speaketh as an eye-witness, that the place where Euphrates runneth out into Tigris, not far from the place where Ninus is seated, is a Region, of all other● most excellent, which bringeth forth corn so abundantly, that the ordinary fields in his time did return the seed sown in them two hundredth fold: the better places three hundredth, that is thr●e hundredth bushels for one, 
palm-trees in gre●t abundance.  or at the least three hundredth grains for one corn. And there is nothing that better proveth the excellency of this soil, than the abundant growing of Palm-trees, in these places, without the care & labour of man. The most of which trees do bear fruit, out of which the inhabitants make both meat, & wine, & honey, and whatsoever else the life of man begetteth at nature. Pliny affirmeth, that such is the fertility of the ground, that they are constrained twice, to mow down their cornfields, 
Pliny. nat. ●i. stor. lib. 18. c. 17.  & a thi●d time to eat them up with sheep: adding this singularity to the soil, that the second year, the very stubble (or rather falling down of the seed again) yieldeth them a harvest of corn without any farther labour.  
So that by these few collections we may gather, that they are far besides the truth, which have sought Paradise, either beyond our known world, or in the middle region of the air; or near the Moon; or as far as the South-line; or the North-pole, being mere vanities imagined in men's fancies. Cardinal Bellarmin● in his controversies is likewise much troubled, to find out the place where Paradise should be, 
Bella●m. lib. de Grat. primi hominis.  whether it be in the earth or in the air; yea some are so mad, that they do peremptorily set down, that the earthly Paradise, after Adam was banished thence for his sin, was by God lifted up into the air: but this (as His Majesty learnedly showeth in his Praemonition to all Christi●n Monarches, free Princes and states) is like one of the dreams of the Turkish Alcoran, s●eing no such miracle is mentioned in the scriptures, having no ground but from the curious fancies of some boiling brains, who cannot be content sapere ad sobrietatem. We conclude then, that the garden of Eden was created by God, in this habitable world, and that in the lower part of the region of Eden, called by the jews Aram Flwiorum, Aram amongst the ●iuers: and by the greeks M●s●potamia, containing a part of Shinar & Armenia, and retaining the name of Eden, in some part unto this day, as before is declared.  
From the Island of Eden we returned to Mosu●, and stayed there eight days & so went down the river Tigris to Bagdat or New Babylon, being carried not on boat, as down the river Euphrates, but upon certain Zatarres or rafts, borne upon goats skins blown full of wind like bladders. Which rafts they sell at Bagdat for fire, 
The strange coursing o● the river Tigris.  & carry their skins again home upon Asses by land, to make other voyages down the said river. This river is very famous because it watered Paradise, whose coursing is very strange: for some part of it, issuing out of the Mountains Nifates, passeth through the lake Topiti in Armenia, (a lake which hath Nitrum in it, the property whereof is to rend and tear a man's apparel) with such swiftness, that it mingles not itself with the water of the said lake, and thereupon it is called Tigris, which in the languag of the Medes signifieth an arrow. Near to the uttermost corner of this lake, it falleth into a great deep & runneth for a great space under ground, and then riseth again near to Colonitis, and from thence courseth towards Opis and the ruins of Ninevy, and so to 〈…〉 Persian gulf.   

The description of New Babylon, now called Bagdat.  
BY this river the city Bagdat is very abundantly furnished with all kind of provision both of corn, flesh, fowl, fish, and venison of all sorts; besides great store of fruit, but especially of dates, and that very cheap. This city by some is called new Babylon, and may well be, because it did rise out of the ruins of old Babylon, not far distant, being nothing so great, nor so fair: for it contains in circuit but three English miles; and is built but of brick dried in the sun: their houses also being flat roofed and low. They have no rain for eight months together, nor almost any cloud in the sky night nor day. Their winter is in November, December, january and February, which months are nevertheless as warm as our summer in England. In a word, this town was once a place of great trade and profit, by reason of the huge Caravans, which were wont to come from Persia and Balsara: but since the portugals, Englishmen, and Hollanders, have by their traffic into the East-Indies, cut off almost all the trade of Merchandise into the gulfs of Arabia and Persia, both Grand Cairo in Egypt, and Bagdat in Assyria, are not now of that benefit, as they have been, either to the merchant, or great Turk; his tributes both in Egypt, and his customs in this place being much hindered thereby.  

Bagdat the seat of the Caliph for six hundredth years.  Memorable not withstanding is this town; for that it was the only place, where for the space of six hundredth years, the Mahumetane Caliphs were resident and kept their sumptuous court; until the Tartarus Prince and the King of Armenia (as before is declared) did besiege it, 
Bagdat won by the Tartar Prince and King of Armenia.  and in the end took it, with the Caliph also, together with an inestimable mass of treasure. Which treasure when the two Princes saw, they demanded of the Caliph, why he would not with the same levy and wage soldiers for his own defence. Whereunto he answered, that unto that time, he thought, his own subjects had been sufficient enough to have resisted any foreign enemy: which they understanding, immediately caused all that treasure to be carried into the castle, and the covetous wretch set in the midst of the same, forbidding that any man should give him either meat or drink, where he miserably died through famine, 
Bagdat yielded unto the Turks.  in the midst of his riches.  
After it continued under the Tartar and Persian government, until it was taken by Solyman the Turkish Emperor, from Tamas the Persian king, who (after it was yielded unto him) according to an old superstitious manner, received at the hands of a poor Caliph, 
A Caliph is a man reverenced of all Mahometan Princes, and hath an old privilege in the choice & confirmation of the Assyrian kings and Su●ans of Egyp●  the ensigns and ornaments of the kings of Assyria▪ so this city, with the great countries of Assyria and Mesopotamia, sometimes famous kingdoms of themselves, and lately part of the Persian kingdom, fell into the hands of the great Turk, in the year 1534, and so have continued ever since Provinces of the Turkish Empire. It was reported unto Rodulphus the Emperor for a certain truth, that the king of Persia had won this city & these countries again from the Turk, in the year 1604 but that news was not true; for in April last 1611, it was then under the Turkish government.  
Within two days travel of Bagdat, 
At Case the body of Aly entombed.  lieth Cafe a little village, where the bodies of Aly, whom the Persians honour, and his two sons Hassan and Ossain lie entombed: by whose sepulchres, it is in great credit, and is every vere visited by the Persians in all respects, after the same sort, that the Turks do visit the sepulchres of the three first successors Abuchacher, Ottoman, and Omar: yea the very Kings of Persia used to be crowned and gi●t with the sword in this place, where the Caliph was wont to keep his residence as being the man that represented Aly, and occupied the chief room of their filthy & abominable priesthood.  
Having stayed 20. days at Bagdat, we put ourselves into the company of a Chiaus, who was bound from the Bassa of Bagdat for Constantinople, being in number sixeteen persons and no more, to travel through a great part of Chaldaea, and the defart of Arabia. So soon as we were out of this city, we passed over the swift river Tigris, on a great bridge made with boats, chained together with two mighty chains of Iron: and so entered into a part of Bagdat, on this side of the river, like London and Southwark, where we stayed four days.   

The description of Chaldaea.  
THis part of new Babylon standeth in Chaldaea, which hath on the East, Assyria: on the West, Syria and Palestina: on the North, Armenia: and on the South the desert of Arabia. It is called by some, by the name of Mesopotamia, because it lieth in the middle of the two great rivers Euphrates and Tigris. This country is famous for many things: and among the rest, for that it was the country wherein Abraham was borne. 
The country wherein Abra●am was born  For Eupolemon in his book of the jews, relateth, that about the tenth generation from the ●loud, Abraham was borne in Camerine, a town of Babylonia, otherwise called Vr, or Chaldeopole: where he invented Astronomy, and was in such favour with God, that by his commandment, he removed into Phoenicia, and there taught the course of the Moon, of the Sun, and of the Planets, to the great liking of the king of that country: all which (saith the same Author) he had received by tradition from Enoch, whom the Greeks call Atlas, unto whom the Angel had taught many things. Besides, here were the great Soothsayers, Enchanters, and Wisemen, as they call them: the first Astrologians, which are so described and derided in the Scripture: and indeed from this country and Egypt is supposed to have sprung ●e first knowledge of Astronomy.  
Two places of great antiquity did we thoroughly view in the country: 
The tower of Babel.  the one was the ruins of the old tower of Babel, (as the inhabitants hold unto this day) bu●lt by Nymrod, the nephew of Cham, Noah's son: a man very valiant and courageous, yet very profane and irreligious; insomuch, that he persuaded the nations about him, that all their prosperity and happy fortune came not from God, 
The persuasion of Nimrod.  but from their own prowess and industry: giving them farther to understand, that if God should send any more floods, he would on their behalf and his predecessors take revenge on him, by building a tower so high, that the waters should not dare to touch the top thereof. Hereupon they began to build, and continued building (as ●lycas saith) forty years together, raising the work to such an height, that it was beyond all expectation. But God seeing their madness, did not punish them with a general extermination, (because as yet they had made no use of those fearful examples which perished in the Flood) but made them mutinous one against another, by changing their language, whereby they could not understand one another. Of which overthrow Sibylla thus prophesied: At such time as men used one kind of language, they builded a most high tower, as if they would have mounted up into heaven: but the Gods sent down winds and overthrew the tower, giving every one his distinct and several language,  
So that the Division of Languages was not a devise of man, 
The division of languages no human device, but a punishment of God vp● on mankind.  (as some wicked spirits that call that story into question, would have it) but a punishment cast by God upon mankind. For it was a common opinion (by the verdict of Abidenus) that men being bred of the earth, and trusting in their own strength, would needs, in despite of the Gods, go rear a to●er up to the Sun, in the same place, where Babylon now is: and farther addeth, That at that time began the diversitïe of Languages, whereupon the Hebrews called that place Babel▪ And now at this day that which remaineth, is called, the remnant of the tower of Babel: there standing as much, as is a quarter of a mile in compass, and as high as the stonework of Paul's steeple in London. It was built of burnt brick cemented and joined with bituminous mortar, to the end, that it should not receive any cleft in the same. The bricks are three quarters of a yard in length, and a quarter in thickness, and between every course of bricks, there lieth a course of mat● made of Canes and palm-tree leaves, so fresh, as if they had been laid within one year.  

The description of old Ba●ylon.  The other place remarkable is, the ruins of old Babylon, because it was the first city, which was built after the Flood. For after Nimrod had drawn the people together, he did not only make laws, but began to build the great city Babylon, his son Belus amplifying it, and at last Semiramis, the wife of Ninus, finished it in great glory & show, as Herodotus and Solinus relate. 
herod. lib. 1.  This city was built upon the river Euphrates, as we found by experience, spending two days journey and better, o● the ruins thereof. It was so great that it contained in compass four hundred and fourscore furlongs, the walls were fifty cubits in breadth, 
●rist. Pol. li. 3.  and two hundred cubits high. Aristotle reports, that it was so huge and great, that when part thereof was taken by the enemy, the other part heard not of it in three days together: and the Inhabitants were so many in number, that they durst give battle unto Cyrus, the greatest Monarch for power that ever was in Persia.  
Amongst other stately buildings was the temple of Bel, erected by Semiramis in the middle of this city, 
〈◊〉 of Belus 〈◊〉 by Semi●ais.  environed with a double wall, carried foursquare of great height and beauty, having on each square certain brazen gates curiously engraven. In the vault of the square, she raised a tower of a furlong high, which is half a quarter of a mile: and upon it again (taking a Basis of a less circuit) she set a second tower; and so eight in all, one above another: Upon the top whereof the Chaldaeans Priests made their observation of the stars, because the tower overtopped the ordinary clouds. Some do think, that the ruins of Nimrods' tower, is but the foundation of this temple of Bel, & that therefore many travelers have been deceived, who suppose that they have seen a part of that tower which Nimrod builded. But who can tell whether it be the one or the other? It may be that confused Chaos which we saw, was the ruins of both, the Temple of Bel being founded on that of Nimrod. In a word their were burnt in t●is Temple an hundredth thousand talents of Frankincense in a year as Herodotus relateth. This Temple did Nabuchadnezar adorn and beautify with the spoils of jerusalem, and of the Temple of Solomon: all which vessels & ornaments Cyrus' re-delivered. And Xerxes after him evened this Temple with the soil; which Alexander is said to have repaired, by the persuasion of the Chaldeans. I deny not that it might have been in his mind so to do, but he enjoyed but a few years after the taking of Babylon, and therefore could not perform any such work.  
But to return where we left. 
The captivity confirmed b● the Heathen  To this city were the jews carried captives, and so thereof it was called the captivity of Babylon. A captivity so well known to heathen writers, that they make mention of it. For they expressly affirm, that in the time of joachim King of juda, jeremy the Prophet was sent unto them from God, to foretell them of extreme calamity, because they worshipped an Idol called Baal; whereupon (as they relate) joachim commanded jeremy to be burnt alive. But jeremy tells them, that the King of Assiria should put them to sore labour, & make them to dig a channel, to sail, out of the river Euphrates, into the river Tigris: whereupon Nabuchadnezar did set forward with a mighty army spoiling Samaria, winning jerusalem, and leading away King joachim prisoner. Yea they do set down the very time of the captivity: viz. that it should last three score years and ten: and that Nabuchadnezar at his return to Babylon, was stricken with madness, and did cry out for a certain time, night and day to his subjects the Babylonians, that so great a mischief would shortly fall upon them, that all the power of the Gods should not stay it. For (quoth he) an half ass of Persia shall come & make you thralls: foreshowing that Cyrus should be the man, which should both build again the Temple of jerusalem, and subdue Babylon. So that now we may justly ask; what is become of this proud city, which once held the world in awe? Where are her conduits, the rareness of her baths, the hugeness of her towers, the greatness of her Temples, the beauty of her princely palaces, & a number of other monuments of her king's vanities? Alas! time hath worn them out: and we may say.  
Miramur perijsse homines? monumenta fatiscunt:  
interitus Saxis nominibusque venit.  
Why wonder we that men do die?  
Since monuments decay,  
And towers fall, and founders names,  
Do perish clean away.  
For first she was subdued by the Medes, then by the Persians; after by the Grecians, then by the Saracens; then by the Tartars, after that by the Persians again: & now by the Turks. So God doth appoint, and God doth disappoint states and commonwealths, according to the decree of his Eternal will, sin being the only cause of his anger, his anger the cause of all calamities and subversion of Kingdoms, according to that of Syrach; Regnum a gente in gentem transferetur propter i●iustitiam. Because of unrighteous dealing and wrongs, and riches gotten by deceit, 
〈◊〉, 10.  the Kingdom is translated from one people to another.   

The description of Arabia.  
FRom the ruins of old Babylon we set forwards to Aleppo; traveling, for the most part, through the Desert Arabia. This country of Arabia hath on the North Palestina, and Mesopotamia: on the East the golf of Persia: on the South the main Ocean of India; on the West Egypt & the red-sea. It is divided into three parts: the North-part whereof, is the desert Arabia: the Southpart is called Arabia Foelix: and the middle between both, is Arabia Petrosa. It is not my purpose to write any thing either of Arabia Foelix, or Arab●a Petrosa, because they lie not in the compass of my travel: only it shall not be amiss to insert a word or two, of Mahomet and his superstition, who was borne in this country, and hath seduced the greatest part of the world with his abominable religion.  
Concerning Mahomet, 
The opinion of them of Mecha touching Mahome● their Prophet  the people of Mecha (where he lieth entombed) do altogether condemn him both for his robberies and murders. And himself in his Alcoran confesseth himself to be a sinner, an idolater, an adulterer, and inclined to women above measure, and that in such uncivil terms, a I am ashamed to repeat.  
And concerning his Alcoran, wherein he hath inserted the precepts of his invention, 
The Turkish religion a mere s●igne invention.  there is no truth in it. For first upon pain of death, it may not be disputed upon, whereas the truth loves trial, so that though the Arabians, Turks, and Persians will not spare to say, and that vauntingly, that the doctrine of Mahomet, is divine & conformable both to the old & new Testament, yet as good as they make it, you may not examine it or call it into question; as if a man should say, behold you are paid in good money; but you must not weigh it, neither look upon it by daylight. 2 Besides his Alcoran is pestered with a number of fables and falsities, as nine hundredth untruths; 
It is full of li●● and fables.  whereof two are most gross, that Abraham was the son of Lazarus: and Marry the sister of Aaron. 3. Again it pointeth out at things sensible and corporal, and not to things internal and spiritual: for Mahomet most blasphemously reporteth in his progress up to the throne of God, that he felt the hand of God threescore and ten times colder, than any ye: that he saw an Angel that had a thousand heads, a diamond table of a thousand miles in length, and a Cock of a wonderful bigness, which is kept until the day of doom, that then by the shrillness of his crowing the dead may be raised: and further he setteth it down that the devil is circumcised, with this leasing also, that the stars, are very candles hung out every night from the firmament. 
Th● promises are mere carnal pleasures.  4. And for his promises to all such as call upon him faithfully, are mere carnal and earthly, such as I am ashamed to name, being fit for none but Heliogabalus, and Sardanapalus. 5. His precepts are indulgent to perjury, giving leave to have as many wives as a man will, to couple themselves not only with one of the same sex, but with bruit beasts also: to spoil one another's goods, and none to be accused under four witnesses. 
Mahomet wrought no miracles, but propagated his doctrine with fire and sword.  6. For his miracles he wrought none at all, but he confesseth that God sent Moses with miracles, and Christ his forerunner with miracles, but for himself he was to come with fire and sword to force men, to obey his law, whereas the truth doth draw men of their own accords: ridiculous also is that which he writeth of himself, how when he was a child, an Angel was sent from God to open his heart, and to take out that lump of blood, which is the cause of sin, 
The effects of ●he Turkish religion.  as though the cause thereof were not spiritual. 7. The effect of his doctrine is perjury, as that they need not to keep any oath made with a Christian, who is an Infidel: and also murder, as the eldest brother, so soon as he cometh to wear the crown, to strangle all the rest. For instance whereof, Mahome● the third (this King's father that now swayeth the Sceptre at Constantinople) did not only murder his brethren, but to rid himself of the fear of all competitors (the greatest torment of the mighty) at the very same time caused ten of his father's wives and concubines, such as by whom any issue were to be feared, to be all drowned in the sea.  
And is it not now a wonder, that the people of the Turks and Persians, being both warlike and politic, magnificent and stately, and to say in a word, the very hammer of the world, as it was said of Babylon, should be thus led away with these vild enchantments of their wicked Prophet Mahomet. I will say no more, but since the darkness of Turkey and Persia is so great, that it may be felt, and that it is a wonder in our eyes, to see such mists in those places, then let us in this land rejoice, that are not only endued with nature as they are, but with a special inspiration from above beside: having the celestial doctrine of the everlasting Son of God, to guide us unto true happiness. For certainly the time will come, when both the great Turk and his Bassas, and the Persian with his Chans, shall bitterly rue the time, and wish, with the loss of both their eyes, that they had but heard and seen, as much as we have done.  
Let this then persuade my loving Countrymen, that either shall hereafter serve in the wars of Hongary against the Turk▪ or trade in those places, utterly to detest the Turkish Religion, as the only way that treads to death and destruction. 
Lud. Vives 〈◊〉 1. de ve●itate Fidei.  We may conclude with Ludovicus Vives, who compareth Heathenism and Mahometism, to glass: Touch not glass, for though it be bright, yet is it brittle, it cannot endure the hammer: and Christianisme to gold, do you melt it, or do you rub it, or do you beat it, it shineth still more orient.  
But to return where we left, having spent three days and better, from the ruins of old Babylon, we came unto a town called Ait, inhabited only with Arabians, but very ruinous. 
The mouth c. Hell.  near unto which town is a valley of pitch very marvelous to behold, and a thing almost incredible, wherein are many springs throwing out abundantly a kind of black substance, like unto tar and pitch, which serveth all the countries thereabouts to make staunch their barks and boats; every one of which springs maketh a noise like a Smith's forge, in puffing and blowing out the matter, which never ceaseth night nor day, and the noise is heard a mile off, swallowing up all weighty things that come upon it. The Moors call it, the mouth of hell.  
here we entered on the Desert of Arabia, wherein it pleased God, after the delivery of his people out of Egypt's furnace, to exercise them, for their rebellion, under the conduct of Moses for forty years together; feeding them from heaven with Manna; and giving them drink miraculously out of the dry rocks. Three days spent we on this Desert, 
Anna a town in Arabia.  and so arrived at Anna, a town of three miles in length, but very narrow, inhabited altogether with Curdies, a most thievish people. Here we stayed two days, and could not be suffered to pass without a present to the governor of this town, which came to a ducat a piece. Close by this town runneth the river Euphrates, with a very swift current, which doth marvelously fructiferate the country round about, whereby we provided ourselves of all necessaries fit for travail through the rest of the Desert.  
F●om this town we proceeded, and every second night, through the good discretion of our guide, we pitched on the bank of the river Euphrates, which much refreshed ourselves and wearied beasts, beholding every day, great droves of wild beasts, as wild Asses all white, Gasells, Wolves, Leopards, Foxes, and Hares. And now to wind up all, in passing from Babylon to Aleppo, they ordinarily with Camels spend forty days, traveling through this sorry & barren Desert▪ lying unmanured because of the scarcity of moisture. Nevertheless great is the mutual commerce and trade, through these sandy and barren places, and that by the labour of Camels, which carry wondrous burdens, as a thousand weight a piece, 
The Cam●ll a commodious beast.  and that for forty days and upwards. They drink in these sterile and sandy places, but once every fifth day, and if extremity enforce, they will endure the want of water ten or twelve days. When their burdens are off, a few thistles, thorns, or leaves of trees, and a little round ball of paste made of barley meal will suffice them. There is no living creature less chargeable, and more laborious than the Camel, how beit we used not their service, by reason of the speed which the Chiaus made for Constantinople, so that the travel with the Caravan is forty days about; we passed in eighteen days in much security, and so in great safety by the mercy of God I arrived again in Aleppo.  
FINIS.    

ERRATA.  
PAg. 6. l. 26. read corn and p. 10. l. 32. read Mildenal. p. 25. l. 26. r. Maidin on an house. p. 25. l. 31. r. then for. pa. 28. l. 26. r. funera. p. 30. l. 26. r. Ararat. p. 37. l. 5. r. as. p. 38. li. 21. r. was. p. 50. l. 22. r. street. l. 25. r. street. p. 63. l. 35. r. was. p. 65. l. 5. r. inexorable. p. 68 l. 25. d. one. p. 73. l. 8. r. fir p. 75. li. 24. r. is this. p. 84. l. 1. r. Sirrah. l. 2. d city. p. 85. l. 14. r. antic.