instruments So soon as any one falls to the ground none but would think the devil enters into him they change the tune and dance with more violence and fury without missing the least point of the cadence But what is most strange of all they say at the same time they see the the devils dance with them and that they easily know them by the agility of their motion for otherwise they are attired like the Priests They observe visibly that they must needs be Demons because only a certain number of Priests mounting the Scaffold when any of them fall you still see the same number dancing without diminution By reason whereof the beholders suffer strange distempers and their hair standing an end I remember that being present on a time for curiosity on the suddain I felt my self seized with a swimming in my head that so inflamed me I was almost suffocated not able to speak a word nor draw my breath and striving to cry out and call for help to my company that was not far off I could not possibly bring forth a word so as being all in a lavour with agony and distresse that held me a quarter of an houre in my heart I made my prayers to Almighty God by whose grace I was deliver'd having never known the like torment in my life-time for I felt I know not what pass betwixt my legges then leapt upon my shoulders the phantasm continually grasping me fast I was so dejected as nothing could be more but my companions reassured me the best they could and as soon as I was gotten away I went to tell it to Father Hipolita of Saint Francis order who assured me 't was a diabolical illusion to have destroyed me had not God with his grace secured me He counselled me to be thankful to Almighty God and come no more where such abominations were the curiosity whereof had cost me so dear for I was a glad man to see it end in a mockery but thenceforward I had a care how I came within their Temples and congregations to see their accursed Idolatries But to end the feast when the ceremonies and dances have lasted four dayes the Nobility makes a feast in some Palace of account where the principal of the city men and women are invited and come most richly apparelled and covered with jewels and rubies sometimes as bigge as a nut blazing like burning coales then after a sacrifice these Nobles command the Musick play some pleasant ayre and one of them takes a dame whom he likes best forth to dance not touching her hand nevertheless but holding by a handcherchief of silk and all the rest do the like till the ball be ended They dance round and 't is prety to see this humble dance artificiall for the many changes are in it This ended the musick changes to a very solemn base as 't were for repose with certain stanzoes sung in praise of their deceased Ancestors celebrating their valours with a thousand encomiums for the most part false Then they sit round discoursing still of the valour of these deceased and the women more tender of heart fall a weeping and amidst their lamentations all cry out they shall never be like their Fathers who did such and such high feats after having invited each other joyntly to complaints at last being tired they take a collation together and so the ceremony ends By what is said 't is plainly seen how strangely superstitious these people are and how serious an honour they bear their gods or demons to which their Priests cease not dayly to excite them more and more and omit not the least diminutive Ceremony for their honour or profit These Priests bear a wonderfull authority over them which as I said before is more remarkable in their wars than in any other thing For these Eastern Princes in raising war differ much from us insomuch as having a considerable war to be commenc'd with their neighbour Princes or others the Priests take upon them authority to arbitrate the matter having such priviledge as freely to remonstrate to their Prince his duty to the people whereupon two Bramins or Priests for both sides without passion confer together of their Princes complaint to find a means to accommodate the matter when they cannot effect it they draw a hundred of the prime horse and as many foot out oâ— their Armies ranked in battalia consisting many times of three or four hundred thousand men rarely ever making war but with equality the stronger still giving law to the weaker And though one Bramin find his party stronger by a hundred thousand he yet makes a conscience to use his advantage as much as may be to prevent combat and if of necessity it must be he uses a thousand protestations to his Prince to hinder it but not effecting it they order the two small parties to joyn giving their benediction to them and exhorting every one to do his best the Victor giving conditions to the other who is compelled to yield and so their wars are concluded for the most part To them who in this action shall have done any thing signall the Prince gives a favour which they keep as sacred though many times 't is but a scarf or silly taffeta ribbon with a certain character or figure in the middle that denotes he hath behav'd himself well in fight for his Princes cause which they wear on festivals in hats or palm bonnets and some there are who have divers of them respective to the occasions they served in For the example I touched upon in the predictions at the marriages of great ones and the fortune of their children 't is thus In the land of Transiane there was a Prince tributary to the King of Pegu and his near Kinsman who married a sister of the Prince Tazatay one of the greatest beauties in the Eastern parts The nuptials were kept with great joy and solemnity amongst other things the Divines were consulted of the successe of the marriage and 't was found that never two persons had loved and should love so well as these two the Prince and Princesse Alfonge and Abelara this hariolation doubled the joy and celebrity and in effect they lived a sweet and a happy life with intire affection and for their greater felicity they had two twin-sons who in their under-growth discovered something of great and lofty and appeared singularly hopefull for the future These Infants having attained their ten yeares age loved so cordially they could not live asunder and the ones desire still met with the others consent in all things but the Devil that enemy of concord inspires a curiosity into the minds of the Father and Mother to know their fates and to their grief were told the time should come when these two brothers that now loved so fondly should cut one anothers throats which much astonished the poor Princes and filled them with fearfull apprehensions The two Princes
Pegu they called him the Bramaa of Tangu a great Tyrant and a Potent Prince who by force of Armes joyned many Kingdomes to his Empire as Pram Melintay Calani Bacam Mirandu Aua Martaban and others He afterwards was put to death by a Peguan Lord called Xemin of Zatan who made himself King but was defeated and slain by another called Xemindoo who likewise being made King was not long after defeated and put to death by Chaumigren of near aliance to Bramaa who became one of the most Powerfull Kings hath raigned in Pegu who brought totally under the Empire of the Kingdom of Syan with twelve great Kingdomes more They report that in the War of Syan he led into the field seventeen hundered thousand Combatants and seventeen thousand Elephants whereof nine thousand were for fight the rest for carriage To which the immense Armies brought heretofore by the Persian Kings against the Grecians may induce us to give credit the cause is that in all these Eastern Countreys the greater part of the people go to the wars and that there are not amongst them so many Ecclesiasticks Lawyers Clarks Book-men and idle Persons as are with us The King that raigned in Pegu in our time called the Brama was as I think the son of this Chaumigren afterwards hard enough dealt with by the Kings of Tangu Aracan and Syan as I said before But it is time to advance to the Provinces and Towns of high India subject or confining and neighbours to Pegu as Abdiare Vilep Canarane Cassubi Transiane Tasata Mandranella Tartary and others CHAP. XXXIII Of Abdiare and Vilep Towns of Pegu Fismans Apes Unicornes and other animalls Fotoque an Idol with three Heads PErsevering constantly in our trafick thorough the Towns and Provinces of this great Empire of Pegu and the Countreyes adjacent amongst others in the Town of Abdiare and Vilep a Kingdom in high India subject to the Peguan and having traded with certain Merchants whom we found open and reall treating with the Sensall or factor not by words but by fingers and joynts of the hand the practise of all the Indies to conceale the price of Merchandises We parted from Vilep with good company and within three houres came to the descent of a hill exceeding shady upon the hanging whereof was a pleasant fountain where the whole company stayed for refreshment but we had not been long there when there came about us an extraordinary number of Apes the greater part black as jet some small ones black and white very lepid one of them addressed himself to me as it had been to crave something of that I was eating and thinking to fright him away he was not scared at all as if he were accustomed to passengers I cast a piece of bread to him which he took very modestly and divided with his company and two young ones he had with him presently there came three more which seemed to crave their share I gave them something and they eat very quietly but on a sudden part of our company arose and took their Armes by reason of a heard of Fismans or wilde dogs they discovered making towards us which with one musket shot were all scared away in our sight they fed on grasse like sheep Proceeding on our way we met with abundance of other sorts of strange animalls as likewise of fruits some whereof of growth much to be admired some that bore rosin that smell like Mastick others a red berry wherewith they dye carnation which never fades but dayly becomes more lively Having thus travelled ten or twelve dayes through diversity of soyles meeting with many rivers animalls trees and other things unknown to us amongst others abundance of civit Cats whereof they have some domesticall which you may buy foure for one Pardai but they are stinking and their dung smells like Mans. At length we took to the River Jiame and in three dayes came to the Village called Tanza on the morrow to Canarane a faire Town rich and flourishing as any Town in India the Capitall of a Kingdom bearing the same name confining eastward on the Country of Tazatay south on Carpa and northward on Moantay another great Kingdom The Town is seated betwixt two great rivers Jiame and Pegu it is in circuit about foure leagues magnificently built in customes and conditions the people differ much from those of Pegu for they never go barefoot as the others do Princes and Noble Men weare rich buskins and sandalls set with gold The King of Canarane is Potent and Wealthy in Mines of gold and silver He hath also one of Emerald the finest in the east whence he drawes great profit This Prince was never known to diminish but augment his Treasure Likewise they have Mines of Turkesses When a King dies they interr all his Treasure with him and sweare his Successor not to meddle with it For the first year he and his Court are maintained at the Subjects charge and all the Nobility by obligation come to make their acknowledgment with rich presents and sue to be establisht in their Estates Offices Seniories for the King hath right to sell estates of all sorts then vacant and hereupon all his people high and low are tied with petition in hand and with presents to sue for their offices and vacancies which raises him in this year a marvellous treasure No one can wear shooes rings nor girdles of gold without the Kings license which brings him in a great gabel a share whereof belongs to the King of Pegu as soveraign who granted him the grace because the Countrey is colder than Pegu and I have heard it of Merchants that in the winter here rage certain in windes or Mounsons which come from the North so cold that travellers lose their toes the cold is so sharp and rigorous Their custom is if a Merchant will oblige himself he obliges likewise all his goods wife and children and failing at the day promised the Creditor may seize on all for slaves The usual money is called Canza and all the Peguan is currant there which the King stamps in gold or silver through the Indies called Jamis besides what every particular Prince coins of his own They have another sort of silver money called Pardain and Tazifo They make some likewise of tin mixt with copper which being no coyn royal is lawfull for any man to stamp as also another sort called Bise wherewith they may buy any thing one must be carefull in taking it or he may be deceived The King keeps abundance of slaves for his Elephants and stables In their structures they use ciment mixt with sugar as in Pegu which mixt with calcin'd shels becomes very firm the shels are dear and sold by measure They have many plantations of sugar the canes whereof they give their Elephants who love them exceedingly so as when they commit any fault they deprive them of that food and so easily chastize and instruct
Poetry and verse in measure with Meetre and called their Poets Harauee that is Inventors Their Temples were of stone magnificently built sumptuous for gold and silver The statue of the Sun was massy gold which a Spaniard took and gam'd away in a night whereupon one said by way of jeâ—r that he had plaid away the Sun before he was up Of precious stones they have none but Emeraulds and Torqueses the country yields neither Diamonds nor Rubies In their golden garden were all sorts of hearbs and plants trees flowers fruits animals of massy gold and silver to the life In short the Spaniard found there unspeakable wealth yet all was nothing in comparison of that the Natives concealed or cast into the Sea or Lakes which could never be recovered There were Monasteries of maids dedicated to the Sun bound to perpetual virginity and never beholding other person the superiours called them Mamacunes The last of these Incas was Atahualpa the 14 from Manco Capac Leon the 7. Inca called Viracocha was a great souldier and Conquerour who saw in a vision one of their Gods Viracocha a Phantasm with long Mustachoes and a long gown of the Spaniards fashion whom for this cause they call Viracocha the Indians having no beard and wearing short garments They say this Phantasme foretold the arrival of the Spaniards an unknown people who should take away their Estates and Religion Tapangui the tenth King atchieved great conquests and extended his Empire to Chisa above 1000. leagues and built the fortification of Cusco that seems rather rocks grafted together by enchantment than an edifice built by industry and strength of men for the vastnesse of the stones of 38. foot long and 18. broad when they had use neither of Iron Waggons Oxen Cranes nor Pullies but fetched all from remote parts by humane strength The 12. Inca Huaina Capat by the Spaniards called Guainaecauan that made the famous roads with the monumentall stones and Innes from Quito to Cusco for above 500. leagues the one by the Mountains the other along the Sea shore upon the plain works far surpassing all the Romans boast of for length art labour and cost besides the rich and prodigious chain of gold every link wrist thick made for a sort of dance never found by the Spaniards This King was capable of the true Religion for he would reason that the Sun could not be the Soveraign God but that there must be one more powerful that commanded his perpetual circulation because were the Sun his own master he would sometimes rest for his pleasure not for necessity whereas the Soveraign God ought to enjoy the most perfect tranquillity without perturbation which was not seen in the Sun King Huiana now in peace at his palace of Tamipampa in 1515. had intelligence of certain strangers not altogether unknown that coasted the shore of his Dominions First Nunez Balboa discovered it in 1513. afterwards Pizarra and his Company who first gained it in 1531. The news much disturbed the King calling to mind an ancient oracle amongst them how a forraign bearded people should conquer and destroy their Empire besides in 1512. they had divers presages that portended the same For which reason the King dying advised his Sons with the white men with beards that were to be their Masters and the Indians in excuse that they no better defended themselves against such a handfull of Spaniards say 't was not for want of courage but in obedience to the orders and premonitions of their Prince Huiana had by all his wives above 300. children yet but one legitimate called Hilascar by his wife who was his Sister and one other by his dear Concubine called Acabalipa to whom he left the kingdom of Quito and Huascat reigned soveraign at Cusco But Acabalipa to throw off his homage to his Brother invaded him with a bloudy war defeated him and took him and put to death all the Incas and Princes of the blood-Royal that he might reign sole King though according to the Sanctions of the State not capable his Mother being Daughter neither of Coya that is a Queen nor of Palla a Princess of the blood He gave death to above two hundred of his Brothers then to as many of his alliance as he could lay hands on as well men as women with cruell torments and extended his tyranny upon the very servants and officers royal with fire violations and other villanies In the Province of Canares alone he put to death sixty thousand men because they had held with his Brother and covered the land with carcases and horrible desolations In recompense this villain was justly punished by the Spaniards more wicked than himself and they afterwards by themselves not finding any that could exceed them again in villany In the year 1526. Francisco Pizarra and Diego Almagro being at Panarma having lived a long time in the Indies and assisted at the conquest of Vraba Cartagena and other places resolved upon the expedition and discovery of Peru where they met with ill-favoured entertainments at their first landing Then Pizarra going to Spain obtained the chief command in the designed conquest and with four of his Brothers Diego Almagro and others made their invasion in the year 1531. with most fortunate success Acabalipa they took who paid a ransom of gold and silver neverthelesse they gave him an ignominious death by the hands of the Hangman Thus was this mighty and opulent Empire conquered by a handfull of Spaniards divine providence in inscrutible councels making the avarice cruelty and other vices of these Victors instrumentall to bring these people to the knowledge of the true God Now is the time the Spaniards glut their avarice and cruelty perpetrate all insolencies and truculencies imaginable which have been so fully represented observed and exaggerated by their own histories and Authours I shall not need to paint them in any other colours but they all or the greatest part paid dear for it when by intestine discord envy and amutinies amongst themselves they butchered one another and so revenged the nefarious treatment of the poor Indians and those who overstood this self-destruction were justly executed by the command of Charles the fifth who commissioned certain Licenciados Vacca de Gastro and Gasca to pronounce severe justice upon these seditious Mutineers there the Pizarras Almagros and others all perished The fifth Viceroy established in Peru was Blasius Nuez 1544. Lima or the Town of Kings was founded at this time first by Pizarra in 1533. afterwards the residence of the Viceroys the seat of Parliament Inquisition University and the Metropolitan Church of the whole Countrey As to Chila that wide Countrey which the Incas could never subdue Almagro first discovered it then in 1540. oâ—e Valdiâ—ia entred and over-run it but he found such opposition of the Araucans a small people of this great Territory that he breathed his last there was slain and eaten and from that time for 50. years they
of a league distant for the most part full of vessels that yield great commerce The Inhabitants are partly Gentiles partly Mahometans but much civilized of complection between fair and brown of good statures and dispositions both Sexes The town is invironed with many good Barroughs that reach unto Decan some five leagues off the town is strongly wall'd and frequented by Jewes who drive a great trade and inhabited by all nations she is tributary to the King of Marsingue they are carried in littars by Cammels of horses they have very few we served our selves sometimes with oxen which they harnise and ride they eat bread made of Rice which is more savory then wheaten there grows no grain but the Country beares most excellent fruit their drink is wine of dates About 3. Musket shot from the town there is an Isle named Amadiva which hath a large haven on the continent side inhabited by Moores and abounding in pastures and cattle The inhabitants are the Portugaises mortal and irreconcilable enemies but their Island being small not above 8. leagues about they are not capable to trouble them The town is rich and is called Centacola subject to the King of Baticola there are some Jews amongst them that may easily be distinguisht by the complexion the Moores be tawny the Jews clearer women use waters and other washes that make them very beautiful and they are held the prettiest of all the East the fairest are Jews and they very chaste and strangers can only obtain to visit them in certain assemblies of fair girles but they go meanly clad contrary to the customes of all other towns they sing certain songs like K. Davids Psalms gracefully pronouncing their words and mingling instrumental musick with their vocal and thus they entertain their gallants They refuse no present is made them but if you offer none they are never a whit displeased The doores of those places of Assemblies are alwayes open there they keep their Synagogues every one professes his Religion at liberty in the middle of this Isle is a Lake called Vecharin which breeds good store of fish of severall sorts but causes the ayre to be a little unwholesome to those are not accustomed to the Clymate from thence fish is transported into diverse places for a sort of good lasting fish They have great store of poultry which they feed with grosse rice called Jeracoly Baticola hath lost much of her trade since the Portuguais took Goa for according to the Chafa's or the Clark of the Customes account the Revenew is half diminished which keeps the Princes far in the Continent for fear of being surprised by the Portugais who wage open warr with them exacting great ransomes for the liberty of the prisoners they take neverthelesse the Portugais trade much amongst them endeavouring to draw them to an alliance but they are not so soon driven out of their fears and jealousies those of Baticola say they formerly inhabited Sian in this Kingdome is the Town of Onor that furnishes all the Countrey with rice From Baticola we came to Cananor Mosiri a great Town unwalled under the subjection of a particular King where the Portugais have two Forts and is inhabited by many new Christians who observe the rules and precepts of our Religion stricter then the old ones the Portugais have built about their Fort many dwellings for Merchants and others which make up a Burrough called Cananon where they trade securely and when the Indians have a mind to trade with them they must have the Vice-Roy of Goa's Cartaco yet the Portuguais never kept so good intelligence with the Natives as to prevent many dissentions and disorders as is often seen in other places as at Pegu and Calicut which occasioned the ruine of the Castle and the death of many Christians which the Portugais have since sufficiently revenged for they are of a very cruell nature and revengefull for which reason they maintain a fleet well armed at sea to resist those of Portugall who wage a warr against the Indians not alwayes to their success It happened on a time to Don Alanso De Comera to pursue with two men of warr a Mahometan Frigate richly laden and bound from some part of the India's for Gaza a sea Town in Arabia There were many families with the goods they had gathered in many years abode there making homewards accidentally falling into the hands of this Portugais they hoised saile and thinking themselves too weak offered a composition to the value of two hundred duckats Don Alonso eager and covetous of the prey which he held himself sure of gave her a broad side with many great shots and boarded her she reduced to desperation put her self in a posture of defence and resolved to sell both life and liberty at a deare rate and the very women spared them not so their Alonso got nothing but blowes but lost an eye and many of his men and thus was forced to retreate and the Frigat by a favourable wind got away without any losse this shewes the damage presumption brings with it and that the Portugais are not unjustly accused of vanity and folly which often costs them deare and makes them hated by the Indians as it hapned to them at Calicut where the peoples rage was so raised against them that in an instant they demolished them a fair Castle not leaving one stone upon another and whoever could present the King with any of the ruines was rewarded which hath caused the spilling of much blood amongst them The King of Coulan hath often besieged their Forts but after long Warres they now enjoy a peace The King of Cananor is very potent and elected out of the Princes of the blood as at Ormus He can send 100000. men into the field armed with targets and swords they wear red bonnets turned up on one side and go almost naked the third part of them are Naires or Gentlemen very resolute and valiant they weare red hats and are not niggards of their lives in their Princes service The Portugais have a strong Castle on the side of the Town and another on the sea side both well provided with Amunition and Artillery and have done them good service having often been assaulted by the Naires very gallant Persons Many of them are since Baptized and grown so devout that if they hear the Ave Maria bell though they are in their Coaches or Litters they are set on ground and say certain prayers on both their knees At Cananor they have a quarry of a stone called Azazimit which is much esteemed amongst the Indians and hath many vertues it cures feavers stops fluxes and causes digestion and is a preservative against poyson they use it in their cures against the pox and it is very neere as Soveraigne as that famous Eastern wine that if a man be so rotten as to fall in peeces yet bathed therein for one month he will infallibly be cured This Countrey produces
wife children and all his allies to death to the great content of the people for the hatred he bore to this unfortunate Fratricide Then they imagined an ancient Prophecy which they kept amongst them was accomplished That the Lamb should kill both the Wolfe and his wife She was called Gildada and was drowned But the King of Dafila incensed with the death of his daughter and Son-in-law brought a most cruell warre upon the new King Nahi wherein fell numbers on both sides In the mean while amongst the Princes who had scap'd the truculent hands of their brothers one there was who strayed far off and got into the kingdome of Deli where contenting himself to live meanly as an unknown private person he purchased a small possession for his livelihood and betook himself to labour where taking a wife she brought him a son they called Alfondi who at seven or eight years of age gave the world great hopes of his person for the excellent parts which began to bud in him and which made him amiable to all men in so much that addicting himselfe to the words as yeares encreased his vigour he did wonders in the slaying of Lions Beares Tigars and other furious beasts and in all his actions appeared nothing but what was great and noble insomuch as hearing spoken on day how strenuous a war there raged betwixt Tahachi his unknown great Uncle and the King of Dafila he was transported with emulation to be a Party and being furnished with a good horse and Arms with the society of a Troop of brave young men he hasted to those parts where in the service of Tahachi he soon gave proofe of his Courage and abilities in warr but amongst others on one signall occasion which presented it selfe where with a small party of Souldiers he defeated the much more numerous Enemy and the King of Dafila admiring his Valour endeavoured under-hand to win him to his side by offering a Daughter of his in Marriage with a Province which he had taken from Tahachi To which Afondi seeming to give eare dexterously made use of the opportunity to seize upon the Towne of Amazen a most considerable place which exceedingly pleased Tahachi and heightned his affection to him feeling I know not what secret motion in his soul which pushed him on to this Dearnesse without any apprehension that he was his Nephew but Good blood as they say cannot dissemble At length Alfondi assisted with his Uncles Forces did such Atcheivements and Exploits that within six Months he delivered the Empire Zanzibar from the oppression of the Enemy which obliged Tahachi for recompense to give him one of his Daughters in Marriage without any deeper knowledg of him then his Heroick Actions and Noble Aspect forall the Orientall and Meridionall Princes regard more the Mind and Physiognomy of a Man then they do the extraction or Nobility of Blood Alfondi raised to so high a degree reflects upon his father the honest labourer whom he omitted not to send for who being arrived and having declared who he was begat an unparalleld joy in Tabochi and his whole kingdome every one shedding teares for his discovery rendring praise to God and his just providence for reducing things to so unhoped for a point and after so many years reposing the inheritance on him to whom of right it appertained For this Prince was immediately acknowledged by all even Tahachi himselfe who voluntarily released the Empire which he surrendred into the hands of his Daughter his Son-in-law and Nephew Alfondi who with the consent of the good man his Father to the general joy of all was received and crowned King and governed with so much equity and justice that he gained the hearts and suffrage of his people who adored him as a God nor failed he in rendring to his Father and Uncle while they lived a due honour and respect This Prince had reigned forty seven yeares when he arrived in the countrey Before I conclude my discourse of Tahachi and his condition I shall not omit another story which testifies the singular justice he dispenses with indifferency to all his subjects He had constituted in the Province of Quame one Abdalami a person of high quality his confident a gallant Cavalier and one who had done most signal services in the war with the King of Dafila but being inclined to avarice and hord up wealth he played the Tyrant and sacked the country to satiate his own humour and the desires of some women he gave entertainment to When Tahachi was informed thereof he was much displeased for 't was his rule to maintain equal justice peace and freedome amongst his subjects Notwithstanding he concealed his resentments for a while giving way to his proceedings as well for his great services as for that he had bestowed on him a kinswoman to wife called Abiasinda by whom he had children He admonished him often by letter to bear himselfe more temperately but perceiving his small regard by the constant intrusion of complaints that came to him he sent expresse command that he should repaire immediately to Court to give account of his actions upon pain of death and being proclaimed rebell and guilty of his treason Abdalami understanding his own wealth and power slighted this summons and fortified himself in the holds of his Government Whereupon the King caused his wife and children to be apprehended and brought prisoners to his city royall This Princesse with her best art excused her husband beseeching his Majesties mercy towards him for his former services adding withall that these complaints were but a calumny raised by the malice of his enemies The King covering his resentments mildely answered her that she should only procure her husband to come to Court but she fearing to bring his person in danger thought best only to advise him to send a certain Casket of rings and all sorts of rich jewels for a present to the Queen and by that means work his peace This he did and she having presented it the Queen shewed them to the King who wondred at so great a treasure where amongst others were five hundred pearles each being a Miticale or Crown and half in weight besides many other jewels of value sufficient to buy a kingdome 'T was much affliction to the Prince to see such treasures gotten at the price of his peoples blood and then he commanded the Princesse his kinswoman to bring her husband to Court by a day appointed or he would make feel the weight of his displeasure Poor Abdalami was amazed at the news and fearing not without cause the Kings incensement failed not to come accordingly and without calling on his wife and children went strait to the Palace where having sounded the Trumpet according to the custome as I observed before he unclothed himself and sitting on the ground stark naked only a linnen cloth before his concealed parts he attended in this manner the mercy of the King whereof notice being brought to his Lady
she with her children disrobed in like manner went to the Palace gate and there seated themselves on the ground by him with each a great stone on their head The Queen espying them from her window in this deplorable condition moved with compassion shewed them to the King who gave order they should be bidden to revest themselves go back to their lodgings and there attend his further pleasure so they did trembling with expectation of the consequence Many advised Abdalami to make escape and his wife her self was of that opinion but he would not be perswaded his services raising him a confidence of the Kings clemency Now moreover to compleat his calamity when the King began to relent the suits and supplications which came on all sides in his behalf one of the principal persons in the Court called Isman charges him with a new crime complaining to the King that he had seduced debauched a daughter of his for which he craves justice which suspended the Kings clemency resolving to examine the truth of the matter which proved in fine to be but a meer supposall For it was most true that Abdalami being a Prince of an amiable form and beauty and of high esteem for his valour this Lords daughter had so impetuous a Love-passion for him that she fell sick to death and Abdalamies Lady visiting her as a friend observed she fell on weeping as oft as she beheld her whereupon one day she importuned to know the reason conjuring her to speak freely if she had in any thing offended her protesting she was ready to make her as ample satisfaction as she could desire The poor Lady confounded with shame was sometime before she could form her answer but at length love taking place of Virgin-modesty she ingenuously confessed the eause of her distemper with such abundance of tears sighs and supplications of pardon for the affront she offered her that the other was moved to such tendernesse she promised her notwithanding one so near and dear to her as a husband was aimed at neverthelesse in pity of her violent passion which deserved some pardon she would contribute what was possible to her reliefe hereupon the young Lady told her how she had presented by her bond-maid a chain of pearl and rubies to her husband with request that he would wear them for her sake which he accepted as well for the value of the thing as for that the slave was a gay and pretty girle to whom he gave a pair of pendants of Fauser diamonds of an Olive figure but for the Mistresse he returned her a bare meagar thanks without further acknowledgement which the slave notwithstanding dissembled making her Mistresse believe he had a strong affection for her and for love of her wore her favour and so this slave treated her with these fictions in hope to give some remission to the violence of her passion and t was she who first embarked her in these amorous follies The Lady was amazed at these passages and remembred the chain because her husband had given it to her self without acquainting her where he had it Now being desirous to invert some cure for her malady though a most perfect reciprocal affection animated both her husband and self notwithstanding compassion forced her inclinations to offer her a nights concubitation with her husband which so reviv'd this Damsells heart that immediately she arose from her bed and in few dayes was perfectly recover'd To compasse this without her husbands discovery she consulted both with the daughter and the Lady her Mother who was likewise of the Party so as returning home she told her husband she found some unusuall distemper in the state of health and entreated him he would forbear her enjoyments for some nights which expir'd Abdalami passionate for her commpany she to heighten his flame shewed some unwillingness till pressing her with importunity she consented for the ensuing night upon condition that for that night he should not speak a word to her Being thus agreed she gives the Lady notice to be ready at the houre appointed so being conveyed into the wives roome she conceived with child without the husbands knowledge of the juggle Meanwhile time making the Father perceive the growth of his daughter and understanding by her acknowledgment whose act it was fired with rage accompanied with his Allies and Relations without delay he repaires to the King with a violent complaint of this injury as I said before Hereupon Tahachi enters into a deep consideration of these two Persons whereof the one was his Kinsman and of high deserts for his services the other was Lord of the Province of Essen between Dafila and Ganfilira below Barnagasso heretofore tributary to the great Negus but being not inclined to be a Christian himself nor be subject to a Christian King had put himself voluntarily under the dominion of Tahachi an Infidel In conclusion the King resolved to have the matter examined and to pronounce Justice as the cause merited And hereupon notice was given to Abdalami of the accusation wherein being conscious of his own innocence he was much satisfied that the Kings anger lay on that side and conferring with his Lady told her he admired the impudence of that Lord to accuse him of a a thing he was so ignorant of and much more at the insolency of his daughter that laid two bastards to his charge The Lady smiled as who should say it may be true whereupon as he was about to make oaths and protestations to the contrary she acknowledged and related the whole to him and how the businesse was brought to passe by her invention whereat he was strangely amazed admiring his Ladies goodnesse that was so charitable to her own injury In this conjuncture the King gave licence to Lord Isman to take revenge of Abdalami in what sort he could under his assured grace so he now layes wait for all occasions to effect it and to surprise him on the water as he went to take the Ayre for the town of Zanzibar or Zanguebar is compleatly encircled with water which runs both within and without and almost every inhabitant hath his Almady or flat boat wherein they recreate upon the Lake But Abdalami whether advertised or suspecting it stood upon his constant guard so as passing one day upon the water before the windowes of the Palace-royall that the King might have the prospect if any one attacked him Isman comes up with his boats to assault his enemy who was not unprovided then there succeeded a fierce combat between them where Abdalami did miracles in his own defence so effectually that he put the adverse barks to flight to the extraordinary delight of the King In the mean while Princesse Abasinda waits upon the Queen and recounts to her the plain truth of the mystery which being told the King he sent to Isman to let him know that if the case were found such as he apprehended he would lay the head of
they were no sooner at the fountain but they perceived two hundred Savages making towards them and had they not by the perswasions of some cast up a bulwark the successe had proved worse with them The musquetteers playing on them the Sauages with terrour began to run having lost four or five of their men whereupon ours thought they had been freed of them but were amazed when they perceived them rallyed and advancing from another side came on with such fury that had it not been for good conduct ours had had the worst of it for our Musqueteers were so amazed they knew not how to give fire and for all ours could do they left seven or eight of our men behind them for with main strength they bore down our Barricado but by Gods assistance ours repulsed them so vigorously that some of theirs remained on the place and we were relieved very seasonably They had a resolution to fetch off their fellowes but seeing they could not retreated and left us in peace one that we preserved alive was quite amazed and made us good laughing with his mows and monkey faces He was stark naked round visaged and flat-nosed like a dog We asked in whom he believed he answered in Toquilla and Toupan that is the Sun and the thunder He was instructed in the Faith and afterwards baptized These people know not what tillage is and eat no bread but of a root they call Taquen whereof they make meal in Brasile they call it Caouin they dry it and grind it and boyling it with water make drink of it 't is in taste like sowr milk The root in the mouth is more sharp than unripe chesnuts They have a tree called Sarboul growing naturally in the woods bears fruit all the year 't is firm as a Meloun and looks like those golden apples which in Spain they call Berengenas A kind of flower they also make of fish as they do in Brasile drying it against the Sun 't is sharp and grates the throat of those that are not used to it Beasts they have abundance of all kinds which they call Pascous that is sheep They are great Fishers their boats of that straw they call Tortora and have likewise some of timber all of a piece like Canoes At their nuptials they use some Ceremonies their Priests put on them a kind of open shoes the Spaniard calls Aspargates the Indians Otrya They shooe them both with these shooes then change them and afterwards restore them to their Chaouris While a maid she is free to her pleasurc but married she is lyable to death if she transgresse They are neither avaricious nor ambitious saying as the earth was sufficient to feed their Fathers so 't wil them and 't is a folly to waste our shortned life with care the meanest is as good as the best amongst them The Spaniards who live in the Town of St. Domingo use them very harshly for which cause they call them Salbini that is Tyrants Abundance become Christians and the rest are most zealous adorers of the Sun and Thunder and offer a kind of Sacrifice to them CHAP. III. A violent Tempest The Isle of Cuba and Hispaniola The customes of the Inhabitants and their Kings FRom Domingo about 336. miles lies Nauasse in 17. degrees a very small but a good Island and neighbouring to it another called Jamaica in length 150. miles in breadth 40. These Islands are lyable to a wind the Indians call Vracans or Foracans most violent and dangerous to Saylors who do what is possible to avoid it and when they discover it rising rather then be surpriz'd at sea they lie in harbour two or three months together Betwixt these two Islands were we overtaken with one of these stormes which assaulted us with such fury as if all the Infernals had been broke loose for it bore away sailes and yards tore the cordage with other most prodigious effects it rose all in an instant and before we could think of it cast away a vessel of our Company laden with Souldiers going to relieve Truxillo infested by the English We saved divers of them by a bridge of planks cast into the Sea and fastened to the Ship with a strong cable The first time we saved twenty six men and a woman whose coats had kept her floating on the water But the second time we cast it forth when there were more upon it close by the Ship side the cable broke and all these poor people so near recovery perished and we had not strength to make another we were so num'd and strark with the cold this wind brings along with it so as 't was lamentable to behold these poor people perish for want of help and no assistance could be had from the other vessel being in the evening so driven from us that we could hear no more of it All the night we heard the sad cryes of people calling for help which we knew not how to give them and when day came we saw nothing either of ship or person Some of them died as soon as they got aboard our ship Amongst the rest they had a Capuchin Father worthy of record for his constancy and resolution who in the very sea exhorted them and called upon them to dye well and recommend themselves into the hands of God heard their confessions and gave them absolution and at last died amongst them encouraging and giving consolations to the very last This tempest consists not of a single wind but of all the four together which so incumber a vessel that it cannot stir neither forward nor backward The day brought us some comfort but we were still persecuted with the tempest and waves that flew upon us with such violence that at every blow we thought we should have perished as I believe we had had we not resolved to cast all over-board Then without further dispute or more words seven or eight of us taking a draught of wine a little to reinvigourate us in our extreme feeblenesse we betooke to cast our fraught over-board Cloth Tapestry Camlets Moccadoes Corrall Hunney Wines c. with such celerity that in an houre we cast more over-board then was laded in a day and t was happy we did so for immediately we perceiv'd the Vessell to be more lusty and I and my partners had the happinesse to see the goods we laded to beare our charges cast into the sea in the first place which as little troubled us as if they had been none of ours being satisfy'd with the fruition of our lives after all we were constrain'd to cut down the maine Mast one of the sayles was unfurl'd which made a strange noise and exceedingly annoy'd the Vessell wherefore the Captain commanded the saylers to go up and furle it but at that time he was ill heard and worse obey'd thereupon one who was more obedient and resolute then the rest undertook it as he mounted they called to him to encourage him but by that
part of it as likewise the Country of Hari The Spaniards say that Licenciado Ayllon going from Hispaniola run along all these coasts and amongst others visited Chicora They feed here on the roots of Jucca Casabe and Potataes They have variety of Idolatries and Idols with a thousand ceremonies superstitions and feasts Their great God they call Mateozunga the lesser Quexuga and fancy a Mahometan Paradise of all sorts of pleasures musick dancing feminine embraces c. They believe the rotundity of the earth and that 't is in the middle of the Universe and that by consequence there are Antipodes Their Priests abuse them with a thousand prodigies and impostures widows if their husbands died naturally marry not again but if by Justice or other violence they may No man hath more than one wife except the King who may have two They compose their year of 12. moons all their commerce is in exchange They have excellent remedies for all diseases by means of their patriot herbs wherein they have good knowledge amongst others they have one called Guachi against choler The Spaniard Ayllon recounted many other particulars of Chicora that 't was of great extent and contained many Provinces CHAP. VI. Of Canada or new France CAnada or new France was discovered and frequented by the Brittains and Normans in the yeare 1504 and before that also since again by Verrazâ—n who took possession of the Coast and Continent for King Francis the first which hath continued from time to time to this day The Countrey hath not any Mines of gold as they know of but white Corall it yeilds called Esurqui and some Jasper and cassidone stones with abundance of Beavers wherein consists their traffick They have discovered a tree called Aneda or Zuaboya much like our nut-tree the decoction whereof is a soveraine and present remedy for a disease common in this Country which infects them like a plague from head to foot with a violent contraction of the sinews stinking breath and mouth running with purtefication as at Scurbut and at last seizes on the vitall spirits and with extreme torments finishes their lives but Providence hath furnished them with this remedy Aneda as Carter in his Voyages observes All these Countreys of Bacaleos Caneda Hochelaga are comprised under the name of New-found-Lands or new France frequented these many yeares by the French for fishing of Cods For in the exact description I refer myselfe to Histories and published Relations only I will repeat what severall who have travailed it have told me Canada extends it selfe by a point south-west within the Countrey of Goulmaran coming up to the River Diquero where there is a spacious Town of the same name otherwise called Sougoubal where the King keepes his Court towards the sea it joynes with Baraleol and the New-found-Lands the Natives of extraordinary stature favoured like them of new Mexico heavy like a gilt Morian they are of a cruell nature warring upon their neighbours and there are of them that eat Mans flesh they inhabit up as farr as the great river Hochelaga and use boats made of the barke of a tree at the getting of this barke they use particular ceremonies and prayers to their Idols to protect them in warr in which they are assisted with Virgins dedicated to the Gods as our Religious Some amongst them are of more humanity and assasibility addicting themselves only to fishing which they will willingly do for strangers The King derives himselfe from the first stock which peopled world after the deluge whereof they have some light They bear great reverence to the Sun for the light and benefit they receive They feed on bread made of fish and the like as in Florida live in common and diverse families under a roof Men have several wives whom they marry with little ceremony and leave them when they please Their King they call the great Sagamos or Sahagama that is the great King whom they carry upon a Sindela of cotton mixt with feathers very curious and artificiall women wait at his table nor will he trust men with any thing of his diet as he passes by all bow with great respect none is capable of succession but the eldest Son all the other Children are subjects for which cause the other wives rather choose abortion then to live to see it After the Kings decease they live perpetual widows and in signe of mourning immediately put on the Singaye make incisions in their face then laying gum on a fire hold over their faces that smoak may colour the scarifications with this gum and oyle of date-stones the meaner sort make their face black and orange-tawny their hair hangs loose about their shoulders having nothing about their head but the Singaye which they wear as the Moors do their hair appearing both under and over it This is made of feathers of a bird they call Tanaps the Americans esteem this bird ominous when they meet it The vulgar women wear other plumes with cotton but they neither marry the second time The men wear apparel of Deer-skins usefully contrived one arm uncovered and so they wear their garment like a scarf their breeches like the Egyptians but not so long The Countrey is exceeding cold and lyable to earth-quakes for which they sacrifice to their Idols whereof they have one in figure half a man and half a serpent which they call Andouagni and adorn him in a rich habit and their Country diamonds which are not so good as others They have mines but none very good fruits of many sorts and amongst others a tree called Coltan which yeilds an excellent liquor that they make drink of their King drinking nothing else Vines grow there in abundance naturally without labour exceedingly loaded with grapes but they have not the skill to make wine of them except they have been lately shewed they have pumpions and gourds which they eat roasted oyle out of Date-stones very sweet and soveraign in diseases One tree there is which takes away any feaver in few hours They are great hunters and wear engines like raquets on their feet whereby they go the lighter on the snow in pursuit of their chace Of late years the English have changed the appellations the French gave these Countries of New France and Canada to New England New Scotland and New Brittanny above before called Labrador and Estotiland Goulmaran is the name of a river and a country where the savages chief food is fish of which they have abundance and drying it in the sun make flower which they eat without other baking they eat the flesh of their enemies they house in caverns or cabbins of straw without either apparel or houshold-stuffe more then Gourds which the soyle produces in abundance great store of cattle which fatten themselves without further care they live in common and admit no strangers to inhabit amongst them Their mortal enemies are the Siniga neighbouring Mountaneers covered at halfes with beast skins and these nations as professed enemies eat