the Judge and pleading both our best for there are no Lawyers in Turkie every man speaking for himselfe the Bassaw with his Counsell upon sight of the keyes of their Cloakbags in my hands and my narration thereupon and not withstanding favouring the Factor immediatly determined that I should have the two parts of their moneys with all their Ierusalem relicts and Turkish clothes and the Venetian to have the former third part It is done and irrevocable upon which the Iewish Doctor and I with two Ianizaries came to mine adversaries house where I giving the Iew the keyes the Cloakbags were opened and the money being told it came iust to 1424 Chickeens of gold besides certain rings and tablets The Iew delivered me my part which came to 942 Chidkeens the rest went to the inconscionable Consul with the half of the rings tablets And packing up all the relicts moneys cloths and Cloakbags I hired a Mule and brought them along with me to the French Factors house Where when come Monsieur Beauclair and my fellow Pilgrimes were very glad that I had sped so wel none of us al knowing what was in the cloak-bags till they were viewed giving hearty thanks to the Consul and ten pieces of gold to the Iew and Ianizaries I sup'd and reposed till the morrow thanking God of my good fortune Yet was I exceeding sorrowfull for the losse of these gallant Gentlemen Religiously disposed and so affable that for familiarity and kindnesse they were the mirrours of noble minds and vertuous spectacles of humanity whose Deaths were to mee a Hell and whose lives had beene my Paradice on earth To whose memory and prayse I am not able to Congratulate the least Commendation their Heroicke dispositions deserved at my hands But what shall I say their time was come which mortality might sorrow but sorrow might not prevent Death whose power is deafe to all humane lamentations Neither will I relye so much upon my owne worthinesse as to thinke the benefit of the procrastination of my Life was by any merite of mine deserved but that God so much the more might show his incomprehensible goodnesse in delivering me from the violence of such unexpected accidents and to tye my soule to bee thankfull for his mercies For all the beginnings of man are derived from God whose ends are either perfited or disanulled by his determination and nothing wee possesse is properly our owne or gotten by our own power but given us onely through his goodnesse and munificence And all the spaces of earth which our feet tread over the Light we enioy and the excellent faculties we are indued withall or what we can do say or thinke is onely raised guided and distributed by Gods impenetrable Counsell Will and Providence which although the pride of our wicked nature doth not yeeld the true attribution thereunto yet the powerfull working of the counsell of God is such that in it selfe it proveth an eternall wisdome and confoundeth the foolishnesse of the World This incorporate World of Grand Cairo is the most admirable and greatest City seen upon the earth being thrice as large of bounds as Constantinople and likewise so populous but not so well builded being situate in a pleasant Plain and in the heart of Egypt kissing Nylus at some parts The City is divided in five Townes first and formost Cairo novo the new Caire which is the principall and chiefest place of all the other lying in midst of the rest having Walls and Ports the circuit whereof is twenty two miles containing all the chiefe Merchandise and Market places within it The second is Cairo Vecchio the old Caire called formerly Cairo de Babylonia or Babylon Aegyptiorum for there were two Babylons one in Assyria called now by the Turkes Bagdat and the other is this that joyneth with the new Caire It was also anciently called Memphis and was the furthest place Vlysses in his Travels visited so well memorized by Homer yet a Voyage of no such estimation as that Princely Poet accounted it for his Travels were not answerable to the fifteenth part of mine The third Towne is Medin joyning to the backside of the old Caire toward the Piramides The fourth is Boulake running a great length down along and neer the River side having three Market places of no small account The fift and last is the great Town of Caraffar bending Southward in the way of the Red Sea for many miles All which are but as Suburbs to the new Caire that of many small 's make up a Countrey rather then a City And yet all of them are contiguate one with an other either to the left or right hand or to them both with innumerable streets The length whereof in all from the lowest end of Boulak to the South-most part of Caraffar is by my deepe experience twenty eight English miles and fourteene in breadth for tryall whereof I trâ—ad it one day on foote from Sun to Sunne being guideâ— and guarded with a riding Ianizarie which for my bruised feet on the streets was one of the â—orest dayes iourney that ever I had in my life The principall gates of the new Caire are Babeh Mamstek looking toward the Wildernesse and the Red Sea Bebzauillah toward Nylus and Babell Eutuch toward the fields The streetes are narrow beeing all of them almost covered to save them from the parching heate with open vents for light and their buildings commonly are two stories high composed either of mudde or brick and platforme on the tops whereon usuall in the night they use to sleep to imbrace the fresh and cooling ayre Their Bazar or exchange beginneth at the gate of Mamsteck and endeth at a place called Babeso At the corners of chiefe streetes and market places there are divers horses standing ready sadled and bridled that for a small matter or according to the way a man may hire and ride where so he will either to negotiate or to view this spacious spred City and change as many horses as hee listeth having the Masters which owne them to convey them for lesse or longer way which is a great ease to weary passengers There is a great commerce here with exceeding many nations for by their concurring hither it is wonderfull peopled with infinite numbers for the Countrey aboundeth in Silkes Cornes Fruits Waxe Honey and the soveraigne Balsamo good for all sores besides many other Commodities of Cotten-wooll rich Stuffs of cloth of gold and silver and the best Sattins Damask Taffaties and Grograims that are made in the World are here The infinite populositie of which place and the extreame heat is the cause why the pest is evermore in the City in so much that at some certaine times ten thousand persons have died in one day Nay the Citie is reputed to be in good health if there die but one or two thousand in a day or three hundred thousand in a whole yeare I mean when the sore encroaching pestilence which
was more then ordinary rejoycing in an extraordinary sorrow of delights But now to leave the contemplation of attempts to come to the reall adventure After two voyages I made to the Orcadian and Zetlandian Isles in the stripling age of mine adolescency and there after surveighing all Germany Bohemia Helvetia and the Low Countries from end to end I visited Paris where I remaiâ—ed ten months Divers contestations have I had about the equality of London and Paris in quantity and quality But having a more serious subject in hand than this paralell I conclude thus the infinite shipping and commodious navigation of London besides their universall commerse is more of value than the better halfe of Paris compare you the quantity for there is the quality of the argument Paris I confesse is populous a masse of poore People for lacques and pages a nest of rogues a tumultuous place a noctuall denne of Theeves and a confused multitude where contrariwise London is adorned with many grave prudent and provident Senators civill well-taught and courteous people and absolutely the best governed City on the whole face of the earth as well by night as by day and nothing inferiour in quantity to it FRom Paris in the the yeare of God 1609. March 7 I set forward being brought three Leagues on my way with a number of my Country gallants young Aiton young Hutonhall and specially Monsieur Hay of Smith-field now Esquire of his Majesties body with divers other Gentlemen where when my kindest thankes had over-clouded their courtesies and farewell bid on both sides I bequeathed my proceedings to God my body to turmoyling paines my hand to the burthen and my feete to the hard bruising way And as unwilling to make relation of my passing through France the Savoyean Ligurian Alpes sith it is manifested unto many in this Iland both by sight and report I would shunne so farre as possible I can all prolixity of knowne and therefore unnecessary discourse Although I have a large reason having cross'd the Alpes at sixe severall parts onely in the one place I meane to comment upon Italy in generall Upon the 40. day after my departure from Paris I arrived at Rome of the which I will memorize some rarest things and so proceed This City of Rome now extant is not that old Rome which Romulus founded that tempered the morter with the blood of his brother Rhemus who disdainefully leaped over the new wals and was once the mistris of the Universe for her Triumphs and Antiquities but is now onely the Carkasse of the other of which she retaineth nothing but her ruines and the cause of them her sinnes Rome which Romulus first founded contained these two mountaines Capitolino and Palatino with the valley lying betweene both Hills having three Ports the first was called Trigonio because of the triangle it made neere to the foote of mount Palatin The second Pandonio because it was alwayes open and for the commodity of the passage it was called the free Port The third was called Carmentale of Carmenta the mother of Euander who dwelt there It was also named scelorata or wicked gate in regard of 300. Sabines put cruelly to death issuing thereat Now after the Monarchy of the Romanes had attained to the full height the Gothes a base and unknowne people displaying their banner against this glorious and imperiall City in the end razed and subverted their Pallaces equalizing the walles with the ground After the which detriment and overthrow the late subdued Romans recovering their ruinous habitation were inforced to withdraw the situation of the Towne a little more downe-ward in Campus Martius close by the bankes of Tibris and transported the stones of these ransacked buildings to re-edifie their new dwelling places Hic ubi nunc Roma est olim fuit ardua silva Tantaque res paucis pascua bobus erat Where Rome now stands was sometimes desart woods And soyle to feede some fewâ— found bestiall goods And yet Rome was once the famous City of Europe the mother and nurse of worthy Senators the miracle of Nations the Epitome of the world the Kingdome of Mars and the seven headed soveraigne of many Provinces The seven hills whereon she stood and now partly somewhere stands for they are all contained within the vast bounds of the old walls which as yet environeth the towne are these Palatino Capitolina Viminale Aventino Esquiline Coelio and Quiraneno Which certainly doe demonstrate the whoore of Babylon sitting on the Beast with seven Heads and cannot be understood but of Rome being builded on these seven Hills having a correspondence to seven Kings who reigned there and also acknowledging seven severall Rulers Kings Consuls Decemviri Tribunes Dictators Emperours and now Popes During the felicity of the Romans this City was never taken but by the Gauls which being recovered they made a Law that Priests being otherwise exempted should goe to Warre if ever the Gauls came againe with whom they fought not for dominion but for their owne preservation But since it became pontificall it hath beene made a prey to all Barbarous Nations and never was besieged by any that tooke it not The River Tyber which runneth through her bosome is not unlike to Iordan and Tagus yet not so bigge as either of them being all three of a troubled and muddy colour But it is exceeding outragious often menaceth to drowne the whole Mansions as grieving to grace the Walls of such a wicked and imperious a place who having lost her former preheminent glory and domination over the world would not alledge and ascribe a second prerogative over the soules of men the Heavens the Hells the Silver-coyned Purgatory the deposing and imposing of Kings the former was done by the undaunted courage of the invincible sword the latter by presumption Avarice insinuation and absurd lies I remember of a pretty observation of Saint Katharine of Siena who being stricken in devotion went to venerate Rome accompanyed with a goodly traine and having visited all the Monuments supposed Holy places and Religious relicks there for the space of five dayes At last she came to take view of the Popes Palace where having spent a whole day strictly remarking the gesture and carriage of the Popes servants She saw nothiâ—g but abhomination prophannation and irreligious living and worser than in Rome it selfe Whereupon suddenly the next day she departed for Siena being an hundreth miles distant pittifully bewayling her journey and the miserable livers she saw in Rome Protesting alwayes after for sixteene yeares time till her death that the Wind never came from the East blowing Westward to Siena but shee thought the filthinesse of the Popes Pallace and the beastlinesse of Rome ever stunke in her nose This River of Tyber especially made muster of his extravagant disgorgements at that time when Pope Clement the eighth was Crowned Duke of Ferrara auno 1589. and that same night hee returned to Rome Tyber waxed
seemed with the peoples industry to contend the one by propagating Creatures the other by admirable agriculture That for Commodities and pleasure it is little inferiour unto the Valley of Suda in Candy which maketh the inhabitants wondrous insolent for as mirth is made of pleasure and with pleasures all vices are baited even so there is not a more incorrigible creature then man in prosperity nor so modest nor reformed an one as he to whom fortune hath lent but a sparing and crooked favor which indeed I hold best of all for it is the forming of the mind not the tongue nor hand that can preferre us to true felicitie And would to God that these upon whom none but faire winds have ever blowne in the carreere of their supposed happinesse could but see for all their high and over-topping places their end and resting place since they are nought but the arrows of the Omnipotent arme that are yet flying not at theirs but his mark and no more owners of their own proposed ends then they are guiltie of their own beginnings surely they would cover their faces with another kinde of maske then they do and make their actions seeme more cleere then the force of policie can obumbrate their wicked devices Thyatira now called Tyria one also of the seven Churches is not from Smyrna above eighteen miles From this City having left my kinde English men and their stately Ship that carried 24 peeces of Ordnance I imbarked in a Turkish Carmosale that carried nothing but her loading being bound for Rhodes In our sayling along the Câ—ast of Ionia the first place of any note I saw was the ruinous Citie of Ephesus yet somewhat inhabited with Greeks Iews and a few Turkes but no ways answerable to its former glory and magnificence being rather a monument for memory then a continuing Towne of any excellency neverthelesse it is pleasantly adorned with Gardens faire Fields and green Woods of Olive trees which on the Sea doe yield a delectable prospect It was one of the seven Churches Revelat. 2. 1. This was one of the most renowned Cities in Asia the lesser but the fame thereof arose from the Temple of Diana which for the spaciousnesse furniture and magnificent workmanship was accounted one of the seven Worlds Wonders It was two hundred yeares in building being foure hundred twenty five foot long and two hundred broad It was seven severall times burnt whereof the most part was with Lightning and lastly the finall destruction of it came by a base fellow Erostratus who to purchase himselfe a name did set it on fire Timothy was Bishop of Ephesus to the people whereof Saint Paul directed one of his Epistles and finally it is famous for the buriall of Saint Iohn the Evangelist It was said of this place in the Acts of the Apostles that all Asia and the whole World did worship here Diana Tully reporteth De natura Deorum that Timaeus being demanded the reason why the Temple of Diana was set on fire that night when Alexander the Great was born gave this jest thereof that the Mistris of it was from home because she being the Goddesse of Midwives did that night wait upon Olympias the mother of Alexander the Great who was brought to bed in Macedonia Over against this Citie is the Isle Lango anciently called Coos wherein the great Hyppocrates was borne and Appelles the Painter most excellent It is both fertile and populous and of circuit above fourescore miles There is a kinde of Serpent said to be in it so friendly unto the inhabitants that when the men are sleeping under the shadow of trees they come crauling and will linke or claspe themselves about their necks and bodies without doing any harme neither when they awake are the beasts affraid And neere to Lango is the Isle Nixa of old Strangoli and by some called Dionisa and Naxus an Island both fruitfull and delightfull As we sailed by the west part of the Isle a Greekish passenger shewed mee the place where as he said Ariadne was deceived of Theseus which is not farre from the irriguate plaine of Darmille Continuing our Navigation I saw the little Isle Ephdosh where the Turks told me that all the Islanders were naturally good swimmers paying no more tribute to their great Lord the Turke save onely once in the yeare there are certaine men and women chosen by a Turkish Captaine who must swimme a whole league right out in the Sea and goe downe to the bottome of the waters to fetch thence some token they have got ground And if they shall happen to faile in this the Island will be reduced againe to pay him yearly rent This I saw with mine eyes whiles we being calmed there came a man and two women swimming to us more than a mile of way carrying with them drye above the water baskets of fruite to sell the which made me not a little to wonder For when they came to the ships side they would neither boord nor boat with us but lay leaning or as it were resting themselves on the Sea upon their one side and sold so their fruits keeping Complements and discourses with us above an houre Contenting them for their ware a fresh gale arising we set forward accoasting the little Isle of Samothracia This Isle of Samothracia was called of old Dardania and now by the Turks Samandracho a place of small note considering the quantity of the Isle the few number of Inhabitants their lives being answerable to their meanes ignorance and servitude two strong commanders of infirme weaklings and no lesse powerfull than they are debile in the debt of worthines which the yonglings of understanding and sucklings of far look'd to knowledge can never be able to escape although a true profession covereth many naturall imperfections and in it a hope for blessednesse which indeed more wish for then rightly understand it And upon the ninth day after our departure from Smyrna we arrived at the City of Rhodes so called of the Island wherein it standeth Rhodes lieth in the Carpaâ—hian Sea it was of old called Ithrea Telchino and Phiula Plinie saith it was called Rhodes because there were certain fields of Roses in it for Rhodos in the Greek tongue signifieth a Flowre Not far from the City and at the entry of the Haven I saw the relicts of that huge and admiredly erected Idoll named Colossus Rhodius or the mighty Image of the Sun which was made in honour thereof from the which Saint Paul termed the Inhabitants Colossians It was builded by the worthy Canete Lindo in the space of twelve yeares others have said of Callasses the Disciple of Lisippus taking the name Collossus of him and it was thought worthy to be one of the seven earthly Wonders and so it might justly have beene The quantity whereof as yet may amaze the minde of the beholder It was erected in the Image of a man being eighty Cubits high
Tarentines The second Plantation was by Evander and certaine other Arcadians who being banished from their native dwellings seated themselves here Thirdly by the Trojanes under the conduct of Aeneas who forsaking the delicious lives of the effeminate Affricans arrived here were kindly entertained by King Latinus whose daughter Lavinea Aeneas married So thus from the Trojans the Italians bragge of their discent and so likewise boast divers other nations to have discended from that Dardan stocke as glorying in such a famous pedigree The length of Italy is nine hundred Italian miles though some allot a thousand it is false for I have trod foure severall times from end to end of it on the soles of my feete even from Vallese the first Towne in Piemont discending mount Synais from La Croix South-ward which secludeth Savoy and to Capo Biancho in Calabria hemb'd in with the gulfe Tarento on the one side and the Faro of Messina on the other it being the furthest promontore of Italy So in a false description some blind Geographers through base ignorance make England longer then Scotland in their Mappes when Scotland by the best judgements and mine owne better experience is a hundred and twenty miles longer than England It is a deocular errour which I could wish to be reformed as in the conclusion of this worke I shall more credibly make cleere The breadth of Italy at the roote and beginning thereof bending along the Alpes from the Adriaticke coast to the riviera di Genoa or Ligurian shore is but 240. Italian miles growing narrower and narrower till it shut out it selfe in two hornes Calabria and Terra di Ottranto The breadth of which or either extendeth not above foureteene English miles from sea to sea the gulfe Tarento which is unnavigable in respect of infinite craggy shelfes deviding the two hornes On the North side of Terra di Otranto lyeth Apulta bordering with Mare superum a very fruitfull soile for cornes West-ward thence boundeth terra di lavoro or proprium regnum Napolitanum These foure territories make up the intire Kingdome of Naples The chiefe Cities of which are Naples Iapua and Salerno in terra di Lavoro In Calabria are Couzensa the chiefe seate of the President or Subvicegerent Rhegio Allauria and Montecilione In terra di Ottranto or Otranto the which Towne being taken by Mahomet the great Anno 1481. involved all Italy in such a feare that for a whole yeare and till the expulsion of the Turkes Rome was quite forsaken the next are Lucia and Brunducium beautified with a famous haven And in Apulia are Manferdo Arpino where Tully was borne Venusio whence Horace had his birth and Canno famous for the victory of Haniball against the Romans The Church-land beginnes beyond Rome eighty miles at Terracina being just opposite to Gayetta the West-most confine by the Marine of the Neapolitan Kingdome neare to Mount Circello and the utmost Marine limit Eastward of Campagna di Roma or the Churches patrimony imbracing both seas till it runne to Ponto Centino in Tuscana which divideth the precincts of Re di Coffine Aquacupadente the last frontiers of the great Duke and Popes land All which bounds to Terracina and in the way of Venice from Rome to Spaleto is denominated Campagna di Roma or Latium and thence it reacheth along North-west by the Venetian gulfe to the uttermost bounds of the Dutchy of Ferara being thirty miles from Venice Extending in length to three hundred fifty miles whose breadth is narrow and where it joyneth with both Seas it is but sixty miles The Church-land is divided in foure territories Compagna di Roma or old Latium Rome Viterbo Narni Tarni Viletri Montefiascone and Civitavecchia being the chiefe Cities Next the Country of Ombria or Ombrosa lying betweene Rome and Loretta the chiefe Cities are Spaleto from whence it is reckoned a Dutchy Perugia a Sacerdotall University Fulino and Asisi where great St. Frances with his invisible Stigmata was borne At the which Asisi I saw the place as they say where the Angell appeared to his mother telling her that shee should conceave and beare a Sonne should be the Champion of Iesus hard by they shewed me the Crib or stall where he was borne with many other foolish lyes both sinfull and abhominable every way representing his imaginary life like to the heavenly tract and resemblance of our blessed Saviour The third is Marca di Ancona by the sea side Ancona being principall the other Cities are Asculi Marcerata Tolentino Reginati Aguby and Parasiticall Loretta The fourth is Romania lying along toward Ferrara betweene the Sea and the Hills Appenine This Ecclesiasticke dowry of Romania is disjoyned from Marca di Ancona by the Duke of Vrbins lands which division by the sea side is thirty miles in length containing Pesaro Fanno and Sinigalia all Sea-port Townes the other of this Dutchy are Vrbino and Castel-durante The chiefe Towne in Romania is Ravenna which for antiquity will not bow her top to none in Italy Here the Popes Legate remaineth the other bee Rimini Fereola Bullogna and Ferrara and this much for the Popes foure Ecclesiasticke territories Tuscana or Aetruria lying South from the middle of this Church-land is 100. miles in length and as much in breadth I meane of that belonging to the great Duke Which hereditary boundes was but lately enlarged by Ferdinando Father to late Cosmus and brother to Mary of Medicis the French Queene Mother now living Who annexed thereunto the Reipublicks of Pisa and Siena The other sequestrate Tuscan jurisdiction is the little common-wealth of Luca The chiefe City is Florence whose streetes are divided by the River Arno the other of this principality are Pisa Siena Pistoia Empoli Ligorne and Arretzo From Tuscany to the West and North-west lyeth Lumbardy intituled the garden of the World which is now divided besides the Venetian territory of which I will speake in the owne place in foure principalities Milaine Mantua Parma and Modena The other Cities be Cremona Pavia Lodi Pleasance Rhegio Brisiles Palestra Navarro and Allessandria di Paglia This Province is mainely watered through the middle with stately Po in which Phaeton was drenched when hee came tumbling downe from Heaven The Rivers Ladishe Montanello Della Guarda and other forcible streames supporting the shoulders of it West from Lumbardy lyeth Piemont between it and Savoy The City whereof and wherein the Savoyan Duke hath his Residence is Torino situate on Po. The other Aste Verseilles and Cowie South from Piemont and Lumbardy lyeth the Riviera of Genoa along the Mediterrean Sea the territory of which is narrow but above one hundred miles in length All which is exceeding rocky and mountanous yet producing good store of Orenges Lemmons Figges and Ches-nuts whereon the Mountaineri onely live being either rosâ—ed or baked in bread the chiefe Cities of this Genewesen Liguria are Genoa and Savona Italy lying in forme of a legge is on
of the reformed Order 〈◊〉 S. Francis for begetting fifteene young Noble Nunnes â—ith child and all within one yeare he being also their â—â—ther Confessor Whereat I sprung forward through 〈◊〉 throng and my friend followed me and came just to 〈◊〉 pillar as the halfe of his body and right arme fell flatâ—â—gs in the fire the Frier was forty sixe yeares old and had bin Confessor of thâ—t 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 yeares Most of thâ—se young Nunnes were Senators daughters and two of them were onely come in to learne vertue and yet fell in the midst of vice These fifteene with Child were all recald 〈…〉 their fathers Pallaces the Lady Prioresse and the rest of her 〈◊〉 crew were banished for ever from the precincts of Venice The Monastery was razed to the ground their Rents were allowed to be bestowed upon poore families and distressed age and their Church 〈◊〉 bee converted to an Hospitall Most part of all which M. 〈◊〉 and I saw before ever we either eate dranke or â—ooke our lodging in Venice And I cannot forget how after all this wee being in hungred and also 〈◊〉 tumbled in by chance All 〈…〉 the greatest 〈◊〉 in all Venice neere to which the Friars bones were 〈◊〉 burning And calling for a Chamber wee were nobly and richly served After dinner they laid up our budgets and our burthens and abroad went we to see the 〈◊〉 Night come wee sup'd and sup'd alone the 〈…〉 I begun to remarke the grandeur of the Inne and 〈◊〉 was time that we were gone I demanded our 〈◊〉 what was to pay hee answered Vn sâ—udo all 〈◊〉 par 〈◊〉 ripasto a Crowne the dyet for each of us being ten Iuleâ—s or five shillings 〈◊〉 Mr. Arthur looked uppon me and I laugh'd 〈…〉 a word our dinner 〈…〉 foure Crownes whereat my companion being discontented â—ad the Divell be in the Friars ballocks for wee had paid soundly for his Leachery many like deaths 〈…〉 causes and worser have I seene in all my three 〈◊〉 if time could permit me to 〈◊〉 them But from this thou mayst play the learned Geometrician till 〈◊〉 findest more and opportunity give thee occasion Cingitur urbs Venetum pelago ditissima nummis This Towne most rich to dare the Maine is shut In Neptunes bosome and sea-streeted cuâ— Venice is a Garden of riches and wordly pleasures the chiefe flowre of Common-weales and the perfect mirrâ—ur of civill and politicke Governement This sequestrat City is situate in the bosome of Neptune and divided from the world with a part of his maine body which invironeth the Iland The Common-weâ—lth of Venice containeth Marcha del Trevisa which lyeth in Lombardy containing these Cities Trevisa Padua Vincenza Verona Briscâ—a the second City for bignesse and beauty in all Lombardy Berâ—â—mo Chizza and Rovigno Friuli formerly called Foâ—â—m Iulij lyeth in the straight betweene the East end of the â—lpes and the sea Adriaticke in length fifty in breadth forty miles It hath beene often subject to the vicissitude of â—ortune The chiefe towne is Treista in the bottome of 〈◊〉 gulfe and Palma lately built by the Venetians 158â— â—eing the most impregnable and best fortified towne in â—â—aly Furili was a Dukedome founded by the Lombards 〈◊〉 the beginning of the Venetian Common-wealth Afterâ—ard Luitprandus one of the Dukes envying the encrease of the dominion of Venice made war against them which ended in the losse of his owne country The rest bee Istria a part of Dalmatia the Ilands of Candy Corfue Zante â—ephalonia Serigo Tino Valdi Campare Lesina and oâ—her of lesser note The Venetians howsoever of old they have bin great â—arriers they are now more desirous to keepe then inâ—arge their Dominions and that by presents and money rather than by the sword of true valour so that whatsoever they loose by battell it is observed they recover againe by treaties The Venetians are said to have discended of the Hennets in Asia lesser who assisting the Trojans and Troy being lost their King Pterilimene slaine they fled away with Antenor and ariving in this part of Italy seated themselves till the report of the Hunnes designe against Italy made them avoyding the storme before it fell to draw into these Ilands and Marishes where now it standeth It was first founded and begun Anno. 411. March 25. being distant from the maine land five miles and defended against the fury of the sea by the banke extending to fifty miles in length through which in eight places there is passage broken for small boates but no way for vessels of any burthen save at Malamucco and the Castle of Lio Yea and so dangerous that there is neither out-going nor in-comming without a Pylot which maketh the City unconquerable This City is seven miles in compasse and from so base an abject beginning it is growne as it were to bee the chiefe bulwarke of Europe The Duke of this Adriaticke Queene espouseth the sea every Ascension day by casting a golden ring into it Which stuâ—titious ceremony by Pope Alexander the third was granted when hee fled to Venice for succour being persecuted by Fredericke Barbarossa And the Venetians vanquishing Otho the Emperours sonne restored the Pope and for a reward was honoured with this espousall The length of the Territory of Venice in Lombardy lying along the foote and South side of the Alpes amounteth to sixe score five miles the breadth whereof in the planâ—re is narrow but stripeth larger among the hills and lakes and very populous The applauding Italian saith that Europe is the head of the World Italy the face of Europe and Venice the eye of Italy and indeed it is the strongest and most active part of that powerfull body Whereby it would appeare that in the last subversion of the latter Monarchy the Romane Genius made a Pythagoricall transmigration into Venicâ— whose peace hath procured the plenty and whose Warres the peace of Christendome The Lawes of this City permit not the younger sonnes of the best Gentry to marry least the number increasing should deminish the dignity yet neverthelesse they permit them unlawfull pleasures and for their sakes allow publicke stewes The Iewes here and in Rome weare red and yellow hats for notice sake to distinguish them from others which necessary custome would to God were enjoyned to all the Papists here in England so should we easily discerne them from the true Christians And finally to discourse upon the provision of their magnificent Arsenall Artillery Munition and Armor the devision of streetes with channels the innumerable bridges of stone and timber their accustomable kind of living apparrell curtesies and conventions and finally the glory of Gallants Galâ—eries Gallies Galleasses and Galliouns were a thing impossible for me briefly to relate Wherefore since the situation thereof and the decorements of their beautifull Palaces are so well knowne and their generall Customes by the better sort I desist concluding thus this incomparable mansion is the onely Paragon of all Cities in
thou a Paris swore for to enjoy Mourne may the ghosts of sometimes stately Troy And curse the day thou saw the Phrygian coast Thy lecherous lust did Priams pride destroy And many thousands for thy sake were lost Was 't nature fortune fancy beauty birth That cross'd thee so to be a crosse on earth Some of thy Sexe baptiz'd with thy curst name Crown'd with thy fate are partners in thy shame Helens are snakes which breed their lovers paine The maps of malice murther and disdaine Helens are gulfes whence streams of blood doe flow Rapine deceit treason and overthrow Helens are whores whiles in a Virgin Maske They sucke from Pluto sterne Proserpines taske Curst be thou Hell for hellish Helens sakes Still crost and curst be they that trust such snakes Here in Argos I had the ground to be a pillow and the world-wide-fields to be a Chamber the whirling windy skies to be a roofe to my Winter blasted lodging and the humid vapours of cold Nocturna to accompany the unwished for bed of my repose What shall I say then the solid and sad man is not troubled with the floods and ebbs of Fortune the ill-imployed power of greatnesse nor the fluctuary motions of the humorous multitude or at least if he be sensible of his owne or their irregularities or confusions yet his thoughts are not written in his face his countenance is not significant nor his miseries further seene than in his owne private suffering whereas the face and disposition of the feeble one ever resembleth his last thoughts and upon every touch or taste of that which is displeasant and followes not the streames of his appetite his countenance deformeth it selfe and like the Moone is in as many changes as his fortune but the noble resolution must follow Aeneas advice in all his adventures Per varius casus per tot discrimina rerum Tendimus in latium c. By divers wayes and dangers great we mind To viâ—â—t Latium and Latinus kind In all this Country of Greece I could finde nothing to answer the famous relations given by ancient Authors of the excellency of that land but the name onely the barbarousnesse of Turkes and Time having defaced all the Monuments of Antiquity No shew of honour no habitation of men in an honest fashion nor possessours of the Countrey in a Principality But rather prisoners shut up in prison or addicted slaves to cruell and tyrannicall Masters So deformed is the state of that once worthy Realm and so miserable is the burthen of that afflicted people which and the appearance of that permanency grieved my heart to behold the sinister working of blind Fortune which alwayes plungeth the most renowned Champions and their memory in the profoundest pit of all extremities and oblivion Let the Ghosts of that Theban Epaminondas that Mirmidonian Phillip and these Epirean worthies Pyrhus and Scanderberg be witnesses hereto but especially that Macedonian Alexander whose fortunes ever followed him rather than fled him till his last dissolution wherein I may say his Greatnesse rose like to a mighty and huge Oak being clad with the exuvialls and Trophies of enemies fenced with an Army of boughes garnished with a coat of Barke as hard as steele dispised the force and power of the windes as being onely able to dally with the leaves and not to weaken the root But the Northerne winde that strong Champion of the airy Region secretly lurking in the vault of some hollow Cloud doth first murmure at the aspiring Oak and then striketh his Crest with some great strength and lastly with the deepest breath of his Lungs doth blow up the roote Even so was it with Alexander who from a stripling came to be a Cedar and from the sorrow of no more worlds was soone cut off from the world he was into For destiny is no mans drudge and death is every mans Conquerour matching the Scepter with the Spade and the Crowned Prince with the praiselesse Peasant And in a word there was never any to whom Fortune did sooner approach nor never any from whom shee did more suddenly flye than from Alexander leaving him a cleare mirrour of the worlds inconstancy Now as concerning the government of Greece termed by the Turkes Rum Ili that is the Roman Countrey It is ruled by a Beglerbeg or Bassa this word Beglerbeg imports Lord of Lords in regard of the Sanzacks or Subbassaes under them who also are termed Lords which is a Barbarous pride in an ambitious stile This Beglerbeg of Greece retaineth his residence at Sophia the Metropole of Bulgaria formerly Dacia and is the most greatest Commaunder of all other Bassaes in the Turkish provinces of Europe All other Beglerbegs are changed every third yeare or continued according to the Imperiall pleasure neither may they returne from their station during this time But this Bassa of Greece keepeth his government for his life-time and remaineth most at Court He reserveth under his command forty thousand Timariots or Horse-men led under the conduct of twenty two Sanzacks or Judges deputies of Jurisdictions to wit two in Albania at the Townes Iscodera and Ancolina two in Achaia at Delvina and Albassan three in Tbessalia at Priasim Salonica and Trichola two in Sparta at Misietra and Paleopatra three in Macedonia at Carmona Selistria and Giastandila one in Moldavia at Acheranma in Bulgaria one at Sophia in Thracia one at Viazza in Epyre one at Ducagina in Aetolia one at Ioanina in Peloponesus one at Peterasso the rest are Vsopia Nycopolis Corinth and Bandera towards the Blacke sea and to the North-ward of Danubio at his kissing the Euxine Waves Thus much for the Begelbergship of Greece and the Provinces thereunto adjoyning Departing from Argos upon the seventh day we arrived at Athens Athens is still inhabited standing in the East part of Pelopennesus neare to the frontiers of Macedon or Thessaly by the Sea side It was first called Cecropia of one Cecrops the first King thereof who first founded it Anno Mundi 2409. It was after mightily enlarged by Theseus and well provided with good lawes by Solon and lastly Athens of Minerva In whose honour for a long time were celebrate solemne playes called Panathanaia Athens is now termed Salenos and waâ— once the shrill sounding Trumpet of Mars yeelding more valiant Captaines and Commandars than any City in the World Rome excepted It was a custome here that when any man was growne too wealthy or potent he was banished thence for ten yeares This exile was intituled Ostracisme because his name who was abandoned was written in an Oyster shell Great combustions and mutinies have happened betweene Lacedemon and Athens at last it was sacked by Lysander and her Virgin body prostituted to the lust of 30. insulting Tyrants not long after whose expulsion it was utterly subdued by the Macedonians And in a word Athens being stained with intestine blood-sheds and grievously discontented with the death of her Children her babes were brought
by our Apothecaries the rest of this Isle shall be touched in the owne place And neere to Lango lyeth the Isle Giara now Stopodia it is begirded with Rocks and desertuous unto which the Romans were wont to send in banishment such as deserved death In generall of these Isles Cyclades because they are so neere one to another and each one in sight of another there are many Cursares and Turkish Galleots that still afflict these Ilanders Insomuch that the Inhabitants are constrained to keepe watch day and night upon the tops of the most commodious Mountaines to discover these Pirats which they easily discerne from other vessels both because of their Sayles and Oares And whensoever discovered according to the number of cursary Boates they make as many fires which giveth warning to all the Ports to be on guard And if the Sea voyagers in passing see no signe on these Isles of fire or smoake then they perfectly know these Laborinthing Seas are free from pestilent Raveners As we left the Isle Venico on our left hand and entred in the gulfe betwene Sio and Eolida the firme land is called Aeolida there fell downe a deadly storme at the Grecoe Levante or at the North-east which split our Mast carrying sayles and all over-boord whereupon every man looked as it were with the stamp of death in his pale visage The tempest continuing our Boate not being able to keep the Seas we were constrained to seeke into a creeke betwixt two Rocks for safety of our lives where when we entred there was no likely-hood of reliefe for we had shelfie shore and giving ground to the Anchors they came both home The sorrowfull Master seeing nothing but shipwrack tooke the Helme in hand directing his course to rush upon the face of a low Rock whereupon the sea most fearefully broke it As we touched the Mariners contending who should first leape out some fell over-board and those that got land were pulled backe by the reciprocating waves Neither in all this time durst I once move for they had formerly sworne if I pressed to escape before the rest were first forth they would throw me headlong into the sea So being two wayes in danger of death I patiently offered up my prayers to God At our first encounter with the Rocks our fore-decks and Boates gallery being broke and a great Lake made the recoâ—â—ing waves brought us back from the Shelves a great way which the poore Master perceiving and that there were seven men drowned and eleven persons alive cryed with a loud voyce Be of good courage take up oares and row hastily it may be before the Barke sinke we shall 〈◊〉 to yonder Cave which then appeared to our sight Every man working for his owne deliverance as it pleased God we got the same with good fortune for no sooner were we disbarked and I also left the last man but the Boat immediatly sunke There was nothing saved but my Coffino which I kept alwayes in my armes partly that it might have brought my dead body to some creeke where being found might have beene by the Greekes buryed and partly I held it fast also that saying my life I might save it too it was made of Reeds and would not easily sink notwithstanding of my papers and linnen I carried into it for the which safetie of my things the Greekes were in admiration In this Cave which was 30 paces long within the mountaine wee abode three dayes without either meat or drink upon the fourth day at morne the tempest ceasing there came Fisher-boates to reâ—â—eve us who found the ten Greekes almost famished for lacke of food but I in that hunger-starving feare fed upon the expectation of my doubtfull reliefe True it is a miserable thing it is for man to grow an example to others in matters of affliction yet it is necessary that some men should be so For it pleased God having shewn a sensible disposition of favour upon mee in humbling me to the very pit of extremities taught me also by such an unexpected deliverance both to put my confidence in his eternall goodnesse and to know the frailty of my own selfe and my ambition which drave mee often to such disasters The dead men being found on shoare we buried them and I learned at that instant time there were seventeene boats cast away on the Coast of this Island and never a man saved in this place the Greeks set up a stone Crosse in the memoriall of such a wofull mischance and mourned heavily fasting and praying I rejoycing and thanking God for my safety leaving them sorrowing for their friends and goods tooke journey through the Iland to Sio for so is the City called being thirty miles distant in my way I past by an old Castle standing on a little hill named Garbos now Helias where as I was informed by two Greeks in my company the Sepulcher of Homer was yet extant for this Sio is one of the seven Iles and Towns that contended for his birth Septem urbes certant de stirpe insignis Homeri These Cities seven I undername did strive Who first brought Homer to the world alive Smyrna Rhodos Colophon Salamis Chios Argos Athenae The which I willing to see I entreated my associats to accompany me thither where when we came we descended by 16 degrees into a darke Cell and passing that we entred in another foure squared room in which I saw an ancient Tombe whereon were ingraven Greek letters which we could not understand for their antiquity but whether it was his Tombe or not I doe not know but this they related and yet very likely to have been his Sepulcher This Isle of Sio is divided into two parts to wit Appanomera signifying the higher or upper parts of it The other Catomerea that is the levell or lower parts of the Isle it was first called Ethalia it aboundeth so in Oranges and Lemmons that they fill Barrels and Pipes with the juice thereof and carry them to Constantinople which the Turkes use at their meate as wee doe the Verges And also called Pythiosa next Cios Acts 20. 15. And by Methrodorus Chio of Chione but at this day Sio Not long ago it was under the Genoveses but now governed by the Turkes it is of circuite an hundred miles and famous for the medicinable Masticke that groweth there on Trees I saw many pleasant Gardens in it which yield in great plenty Oranges Lemmons Apples Peares Prunes Figges Olives Apricocks Dates Adams Apples excellent Herbs faire Flowres sweet Honey with store of Cypre and Mulbery-trees and exceeding good Silk is made here At last I arrived at the Citie of Sio where I was lodged and kindly used with an old man of the Genovesen race for the space of eight dayes I found here three Monasteries of the order of Rome one of the Jesuits another of Saint Francis and the third of the Dominican Friers being all come from Genoa and because the greatest
part of the Citie is of that stock and of the Papall See these Cloysters have a braver life for good cheere fat Wines and delicate Leachery than any sort of Friers can elsewhere finde in the World The women of the Citie Sio are the most beautifull Dames or rather Angelicall creatures of all the Greeks upon the face of the earth and greatly given to Venery If Venus foe saw Sio's fair-fac'd Dames His stomack cold would burn in lust-spread flames They are for the most part exceeding proud and sumptuous in apparell and commonly go even Artificers wives in gownes of Sattin and Taffety yea in Cloth of Silver and Gold and are adorned with precious Stones and Jemms and Jewels about their neckes and hands with Rings Chains Bracelets Their Husbands are their Pandors and when they see any stranger arrive they will presently demand of him if hee would have a Mistris and so they make whoores of their owne wives and are contented for a little gaine to weare hornes such are the base mindes of ignominious Cuckolds If a stranger be desirous to stay all night with any of them their price is a Chicken of Gold nine Shillings English ouâ— of which this companion receiveth his supper and for his paines a belly full of sinfull content This City of Sio hath a large and strong Fortresse which was built by the Genoveses and now detained by a Garison of Turkes containing a thousand fire-houses within it some whereof are Greeks some Genoveses some Turks and Moores The Citie it selfe is unwalled yet a populous and spacious place spred along by the Sea-side having a goodly harbour for Galleys and Ships The chiefe inhabitants there are descended of the Genoveses and professe the superstition of Rome The people where of were once Lords of the Aegean Sea maintaining a Navy of eighty Ships In the end they became successively subiect to the Romane and Greek Princes till Andronico Paleologus gave them and their I le to the Iustinianes a Noble Family of the Genoveses from whom it was taken by Solyman the Magnificent on Easter day 1566 being the same yeare that our late gracious and once Soveraigne Lord King Iames of blessed memory was borne This Citadal or Fortresse of Sio standeth full between the Sea and the Harbour was invaded be 800 Florentines sent hither by the great Duke Ferdinando brother to Queene Mother of France and our owne Queene Maries Uncle Anno 1600 August 7. The manner was thus The Genovesen seed had sold the Fort unto the Duke of Florence whereupon hee sent his Galleyes and these Gallants thither Where when arrived in the night scaled the wals slue the watches and unhappily ramforced all the Cannon and then entring the Fort put all the Turkes to the sword and among them too many Christians The Galleyes all this time being doubtfull how it went durst not enter the harbour but a storme falling downe they bore up to an Isolet for ancorage in the Aeolid gulfe and three miles distant The next morning the Turkish Bashaw the City and all the Islanders were in armes The Florentines being dismissed of their â—alleys grew discouraged and trying the Canon which they had spoyled at their first scallet it would not be Meane while the Bashaw entred in parley with them and promised faithfully to send them safe to the Galleys if they would render Upon the third day they yeelded and as they issued forth along the draw-bridge and the Bashaw set in a Tent to receive them as they came in one by one he caused strike off all their heads And done there was a Pinacle reared upon the walles of the Fort with their bare sculs which stand to this day But by your leave Ferdinando in person the yeare following was more than revenged of such a cruell and faithlesse proceeding He over mastered a Turkisâ— town and castle put two thousand Turks to the sword sparing neither old nor yong and recoyling infinite richesse and spoyles of the towne he brought home their heads with him to Ligorne and set them up there for a mercilesse monument After some certain dayes attendance â—embarked in a Carmoesal bound for Nigropont which was forth of my way to Constantinople but because I would gladly have seen Macedonia and Thessaly I followed that determination In our way we touched at Mytelene an Island of old called Isa next Lesbos And lastly Mytelene of Milet the sonne of Phoebus Pythacus one of the seven Sages of Greece the most valiant Antimenides and his brother Alceus the Lyricall Poet Theophrastus the Peripatetick Philosopher Arion the learned Harper and the she Poet Sapho were born in it This Isle of Lesbos or Mytelene containeth in compasse one hundred forty six miles the East parts are levell and fruitfull the West and South parts mountainous and barren The chief Cities are Mytelene and Methimnos it was long under subjection of the Roman and Greeke Emperours till Calo Ioannes Anno 1355 gave it in dowry with his sister to Catalusio a Nobleman of Genova whose posâ—erity enjoyed it till Mahomet surnamed the Greeke did seize on it 1462. These Isles Sporades are scattered in the Aegean Sea like as the Isles Orcades are in the North Seas of Scotland but different in climate and fertilitie for these South Easterne Isles in Summer are extream hot producing generally Nigroponti excepted but a few Wines Fruits and Cornes scarce sufficient to sustain the Islanders But â—hese North Westerne Islands in Sommer are neither hot nor cold having a most wholsome and temperate ayre and do yield abundance of Corne even more then to suffice the inhabitants which is yeerly transported to the firme land and sold They have also good store of Cattell and good cheape and the best fishing that the whole Ocean yieldeth is upon the Coasts of Orknay and Zetland In all these separated parts of the Earth which of themselves of old made up a little Kingdome you shall alwayes finde strong March-Ale surpassing fine Aqua-vitae abundance of Geese Hennes Pigeons Partridges Moore-fowle Mutton Beefe and Termigants with an infinite number of Conies which you may kill with a Crosse-bow or Harquebuse every morning forth of your Chamber window according to your pleasure in that pastime which I have both practised my selfe and seen practised by others for they multiply so exceedingly that they dig even under the foundations of dwelling houses Such is the will of God to bestow upon severall places particular blessings whereby he demonstrateth to man the plentiful store-house of his gracious providence so many manner of wayes upon earth distributed all glory be to his incomprehensible goodnesse therefore I have seldome seene in all my travels more toward and tractable people I mean their Gentlemen and better house-keepers then be these Orcadians and Zetlanders whereof in the prime of my adolescencie by two Voyages amongst these Northern Isles I had the full proofe and experience And now certainly it is a signe
so that who so have occasion to passe that Mountain are there lodged and furnished of all necessary provision of food by these sequestrate or solitary livers whose simple and harmlesse lives may be termed to be the very Emblemes of Piety and Devotion knowing nothing but to serve God and to live soberly in their carriage The chifest Cities of Thrace are Constantinople Abdera where Democritus was borne who spent his life in laughing Sestos Gallipoli Trajanople Galata and Adrianoplis which was taken by Bajazet Anno 1362. As wee sayled betweene Thracia and Bithinia a learned Grecian brought up in Padua that was in my company shewed â—ee Colchis whence Iason with the assistance of the Argonautes and the aid of Medeas skill did fetch the golden Fleece This Sea Hellespont tooke the name of Helle daughter to Athamas King of Thebes who was here drowned and of the Countrey Pontus ioyning to the same Sea wherein are these three Countries Armenia minor Colchis and Cappadocia After wee had fetcht up the famous City of Chalcedon in Bethinia on our right hand I beheld on our left hand the prospect of that little World the great City of Constantinople which indeed yieldeth such an outward splendour to the amazed beholder of goodly Churches stately Towers gallant Steeples and other such things whereof now the world make so great accompt that the whole earth cannot equall it Beholding these delectable objects we entred in the channell of Bosphorus which divideth Perah from Constantinople And arriving at Tapanau where all the munition of the great Turke lyeth I adressed my selfe to a Greeke lodging to refresh my selfe till morning But by your leave I had a hard welcome in my landing for bidding farewell to the Turkes who had kindly used me three dayes in our passage from the Castles the Master of the boate saying adio Christiano There were foure French Runnagates standing on the Cay who hearing these words fell desperatly upon me blaspheming the Name of Jesus and throwing me to the ground beate me most cruelly And if it had not beene for my friendly Turkes who leaped out of their boat and relieved mee I had doubtlesse there perished The other Infidels standing by said to mee behold what a Saviour thou hast when these that were Christians now turned Mahometans cannot abide nor regard the Name of thy God having left them with many a shrewd blow they had left mee I entred a Greek lodging where I was kindly received and much eased of my blows because they caused to oint them with divers Oiles and refreshed mee also with their best enttrtainment gratis because I had suffered so much for Christs sake and would receive no recompence againe The day following I went to salute and doe my duty to the right Worshipfull Sir Thomas Glover then Lord Ambassadour for our late Gracious Sovereigne King Iames of blessed Memory who most generously and courteously entertained mee three moneths in his house to whose kindnesses I was infinitely obliged as hereafter in my following Discourse of the fourth part of this History shall be more particularly avouched for certainly I never met with a more compleat Gentleman in all my Travels nor one in whom true worth did more illustrate vertue The fourth Part. NOw sing I of Byzantium Bosphors tides 'Twixt Europe and the lesser Asia glides Their Hyppodrome adorn'd with triumphs past And blackish Sea the Jadileck more fast The Galata where Christian Merchants stay And five Ambassadours for commerce aye The Turkish customeâ— and their manners rude And of their discent from the Scythian blood Their harsh Religion and their sense of Hell And Paradice their laws I shall you tell Then last of Mahomet their God on earth His end his life his parentage and birth COnstantinople is the Metropolitan of Thracia so called of Constantine the Emperour who first enlarged the same It was called of old Bizantium but now by the Turkes Stambolda which signifieth in their language a large City It was also called Ethuse by the Greeks Stymbolis This City according to ancient Authors was first founded by the Lacedemonians who were conducted from Lacedemon by one Pansanias about the year of the World 3294 which after their consultation with Apollo where they should settle their abode dwelling place they came to Bythinia and builded a Citie which was called Chalcedon But the commodity of fishing falling out contrary to their expectation in respect that the fishes were afraid of the white banks of the City the Captain Pausanias left that place and builded Byzantium in Thracia which first was by him intitled Ligos By Pliny Iustine and Strabo it was sirnamed Vrbs Illustrissima because it is repleat with al the blessings earth can give to man yea and in the most fertile soil of Europe Zonoras reporteth that the Athenians in an ambitious and insatiable desire of Sovereignty wonne it from the Lacedemonians They thus being vanquished suborned Severus the Roman Emperour to besiege the same But the Citie Byzantium being strongly fortified with walls the Romans could not take it in untill extream famine constrained them to yield after three yeares siege and Severus to satisfie his cruelty put all to the sword that were within and razed the wals giving it in possession to the neighbouring Perinthians This Citie thus remained in calamitie till Constantine resigning the Citie of Rome and a great part of Italy to the Popish inheritance of the Roman Bishops re-edified the same and translated his Imperiall Seat in the East and reduced all the Empire of Greece to a unite tranquilitie with immortall reputation which the Parthians and Persians had so miserably disquieted But these disorders at length reformed by the severe administration of Justice for the which and other worthy respects the said Constantine sonne of Saint Helen and Emperour of Rome which afterward the Pope usurped was sirnamed the Great He first in his plantation called this Citie new Rome but when he beheld the flourishing and multiplying of all things in it and because of the commodious situation thereof he called it Constantinopolis after his owne name This Emperour lived there many prosperous years in most happy estate likewise many of his Successours did untill such time that Mahomet the second of that name and Emperour of the Turks living in a discontented humour to behold the great and glorious Dominions of Christians especially this famous Citie that so flourished in his eies by momentall circumstances collected his cruell intentions to the full height of ambition whereby hee might abolish the very name of Christianity and also puft up with a presumptuous desire to enlarge his Empire went with a marvellous power both by Sea and Land unto this magnificent Mansion The issue whereof was such that after divers batteries and assaults the irreligious Infidels broke downe the walls and entred the City which breach was about forty paces long as by the new colour being built up again is easily knowne
seed planted by Gods owne hand and watered with the blood of so many holy Saints Nam sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae est grew so great a tree that the branches thereof were dispersed through every City and Province of the whole World Before my arrivall in Aleppo the Caravan of Babylon was from thence departed which bred no small griefe in my brest The Venetian Consul to whom I was highly recommended by the aforesaid Merchants having had some insight of my intended Voyage informed me that the Caravan stayed at Beershake on Euphrates for some conceived report they had of Arabs that lay for them in the Desarts and willed 〈◊〉 to hire a Ianizary â—and three Souldiers to over-high them whose counsell I received but was meerly frustrated of my designes True it was they stayed but were gone three dayes before my comming to that unhappy place The distance from whence over land to Babylon or Bagdat being but six small or short days journey the losse whereof and the damnable deceit of my Ianizary made my Muse to expresse what my sorrowfull prose cannot perform The doubts and drifts of the voluble mind That here and there do flee turn judgement blind Did over-whelme my heart in grim despaire Whilst hope and reason fled stay'd tim'nous care And yet the grounds were just my treacherous guide Did nought but crosse me greed led him aside Still this still that I would all I surmise Is shrewdly stopt At last my scopes devise To make a Boat to bear me down alone With Drudges two to ground-chang'd Babylon That could not be the charges was too great And eke the stream did nought but dangers threat My conduct still deceiv'd me made it square Another Caravan O! would come there From Aleppo or Damascus till in end Most of my moneys did his knavery spend Thus was I tost long five weeks and four days With strugling doubts O strange were these delays At last a Chelfain came a Christian kind Who by my grief soon understood my mind And told me flat the Janizaries drift Was to extort me with a lingring shift Come come said he the Sanzack here is just Let us complain for now complain you must He with me went and for a Trenchman serv'd And told the Ruler how my Conduct swerv'd He 's call'd and soon convinc'd and with command Forc'd to transport me back to Syria's land I 'me there arriv'd and eft-soons made me bound For the Venetian Consul there to sound My great abuses by this Villain done Which soon were heard and eke repayr'd as soon The Bassaw was upright and for times sake He did me more then conscience will'd me take My plaint preferd he was in Prison laid And all my gold to give me back was made Which he had falsly tane where for his pains He had the losse and I receiv'd the gains For doubling his wrongs done to crosse him more I got my vantage from his craft before And for his ten weeks fees no more he had Than â—e that 's owner of a ditch-faln jade Thus leaving him I with the Consul bode Full forty days ere I went thence abroad In the eleven days journey I had betweene Aleppo and Beershack through a part of Syria the breadth of Mesopotamia and Chelfaine a Province of the same joyning with Tygris and Euphrates and returning the same way again I found nothing worthy of remarking save the fertility of the soile which indeed in Mesopotamia yieldeth two crops of wheat in the year and for a Bushell sowing in divers places they recoyle a hundred again The Country it selfe is overclad with infinite Villages having no eminent Town of any note or consequence except the City of Caraâ—â—men the seâ—t of a Beglerbeg who commandeth under him 14 Sanzacks and 26000 Timariots The people here are for the most part believers in Christ but alas too silly untoward and ignorant Christians And yet though without learning or great understanding therein they are wonderfull zealous in their profession and great sufferers for it also This barbarous Towne of Beershacke being situate on Euphratess standeth in the Chelâ—aines Country and is supposed to have been Padan-aram where Laban dwelt and where Iacob kept Labans sheep though some interpret all Mesopotamia then to have beene called Padan-aram from whence North-east and not far hence are the demolished fragments of Nineveh on Tygris whose very ruines are now come to ruine The decays whereof being much semblable to that sacked Lacedemon in Sparta or to the stony heaps of Iericho the detriments of Thebes the relicts of Tyrus or to the finall overthrow of desolate Troy This Country of Chelfaine is the place most agreeable with Scripture where the earthly Paradice was once set though now impossible to be found out Mesopotamia is seldome watered with raine but by the nature of the soile is marvellous fruitfull It is bordered with Caldea on the East Euphrates on the South Syria on the North and Arabia Petrea on the West This Aleppo is a City in Syria the name of which hath been so oft changed by Turks that the true antiquitie of it can hardly be known It is both large and populous and furnished with all sorts of Merchandize especially of Indigo and Spices that are brought over land from Goa and other places in India which draweth a concurrance of all Nations to it Here I remember of a notable obedience done to the Great Turke by the Great Bassaw of Aleppo who was also an Emeere or hereditary Prince to wit the yeere before my comming hither hee had revolted against his Emperour and fighting the Bassaws of Damascus and Carahemen overcame them The yeare following and in my being there the Grand Signior sent from Constantinople a Showse and two Ianizaries in Ambassage to him where when they came to Aleppo the Bassaw was in his owne Countrey at Mesopotamia The Messengers make haste after him but in their journey they met him comming back to Aleppo accompanied with his two sonnes and sixe hundred Horsmen Upon the high way they delivered their message where hee stood still and heard them The proffer of Achmâ—t was that if hee would acknowledge his Rebellion and for that Treason committed send him his Head his eldest Son should both inherit his possessions and Bassawship of Aleppo otherwise he would come with great forces in all expedition and in his proper person he would utterly raze him and all his from the face of the earth At which expression the Bassaw knowing that hee was not able to resist the invincible Army of his Master and his owne presence hee dismounted from his Horse and went to counsell with his sonnes and neerest friends where hee and they concluded it was best for him to die being an old man to save his Race undestroyed and to keepe his son in his authoritie and inheritance This done the Bassaw went to prayer and taking his leave of them all sate down upon his knees
hundreds of them after this manner lie ranked like durty Swine in a beastly stie or lothsome Jades in a filthy stable Upon the ninth day leaving Cotafa behinde us on the Mountains we entred in a pleasant Plain of three leagues of length adorned with many Villages Gardens and Rivers and arriving at Damascus wee were all lodged some in Chambers wanting beds and others without on hard stones in a great Cane called Heramnen where we stayed three dayes Having all which time given us twice a day provision for our selves and provender for our beasts gratis being allowed by the Grand Signior to all kind of strangers whatsoever that come to Damascus with any Caravan being a singular comfort and advantage to weary and extorted Travellers Damasâ—us is the capitall Citie of Syria called by the Turks Shamma and is situated on a fair Plain and beautified with many Rivers on each side especially Paraphar and Abderah excellent Orchards and all other naturall objects of elegancie That for situation Artizans all manner of commodities and varietie of fruits in all the Asiaticall Provinces it is not paralleled By Turkes it is called the Garden of Turkie or rather their earthly Paradice because of a fenced Garden there where a Garrison of Turks lve continually keeping that Tree Mouflee whereon they alleage the forbidden Apple grew wherewith the Serpent deceived Eve and shee Adam and from whence the great Turke is also styled keeper of the terrestrial Paradice Some hold this Citie was built by Eleazer the servant of Abraham and other say it is the place where Caine slew Abel where indeed it is most likely to be so for hard by Damascus I saw a pillar of Brasse erected there for a commemoration of that unnaturall murther of Cain executed upon his innocent brother But howsoever I perswade thee it is a pleasant and gallant Citie well walled and fortified with a strong Castle wherein the Bassaw remaineth the most part of the streets are covered so that the Citizens are preserved in Summer from the heat and in the Winter from the raine The like commoditie but not after that forme hath Padua in Lombardy Their Bazar or Market place is also covered so are commonly all the Bazars or Bezestans in Turky The best Carobiers Adams Apples and Grenadiers that grow on the earth is here neare unto the Bazar there is a Moskie called Gemmah wherein my Guide shewed me the Sepulcher of Ananias and the Fountaine where he baptized Paul In another street I saw the house of Ananias which is but a hallow Cellar under the ground and where the Disciples let Paul down through the wall in a basket In the street where they â—ell their Viano my Interpreter shewed me a great Gate of fine mettall which he said was one of the doores of the Temple of Salomon and was transported thence by the Tartarians who conquered Ierusalem about three hundred and eighty yeares agoe who for the heavy weight thereof were enforced to leave it here being indeed a relicke of wonderfull bignesse And I saw also such aboundance of Rose-water here in barrels to be sold as Beere or Wine is rife with us This Paradisiat Shamma is the mother City and most beautifull place of all Asia resembling every way the tectures of her Houses excepted being platforme that matchlesse patterne and mirrour of beauty the City of Antwerpe The onely best Shables or short crooked Swords that be in the World are made here and so are all other their weapons as halfe Pikes Bowes and Arrows and Baluckoes of Steele that Horsmen carry in their hands their shafts being three foot long their heads great and round and sharply guttered wherewith they used to braine or knock down their Enemies in the field The Beglerbeg or Bassa of Damascus is the greatest of commandement of all other Bassaes in Asia Having under his authority as hee is under his Emperour twenty two Sanzacks and they conducting under all the aforesaid three forty thousand Timariots or Horsmen besides two thousand Ianizaries which are the Guard of the Bassa and Garrison of the City His Beglerbegship extendeth over the greater halfe of Syria a part of the two Arabiaes Foelix and Petrea Phoenicia Galilee Samaria Palestina Iudea Ierusalem Idumea and all the Northern parts of Arabia Deseriuosa even to the Frontiers of Aegypt The means of the preservation of so great a State is only by an induced confidence upon the power and force of those Timariots who as well have their pay and locall grounds of compensation in time of tranquility as warres to defend these Countries from the incursions of the wilde Arabs which evermore annoy the Turkes and also Strangers and cannot possibly be brought to a quiet and well formed manner of living but are continuall spoilers of these parts of the Turkes Dominions That mischiefe daily increaseth rather then any way diminisheth They taking example from the beastly Turkes adde by these patterns more wickednesse to the badnesse of their owne dispositions So that every one of these Savages according to his power dealeth with all men uncivilly and cruelly even like a wildernesse full of wilde beasts living all upon rapine and robbery wanting all sense of humanity more then a shew of appearance Whereby being combind to gether doe tyrannize over all even from the red Sea to Babylon Thus they in that violent humour invading also these of Affrick hath caused Grand Cayro to be furnished with thirty thousand Timariots which defend the frontiers of Aegypt and Gozan Leaving all the Turkes at Damascus save onely oâ—r Ianizaries and Souldiers within the space of two houres after our departure from thence travelling in the way to Ierusalem the whole Armenians fell downe on the ground kissing it and making many sincere demonstrations of unwonted devotion At the which I being amazed stood gazing asking my Trench man what news who replied saying it was the place where S. Paul was converted which they had and all Christians should have in great regard The place was covered with an old Chappell and More like some relict of exstirp'd decay Than for a monument reard for the way To blaze on Pauls conversion yet it 's true The worke was done even by the Christian Iew Or Iacobine a circumcised kind Who beare to frankes a most respective mind Three dayes were we betwixt Damascus and the East part of Galilee which is the beginning of Canaan two of which three we encountred with marishes and quagmires being a great hinderance to us This barren and marish Countrie is a part of Arabia Petrea comming in with a point between Galilee and Syria running along even to the South-west skirt of Libanus which indeed in that place farre more than Iordan divideth the true Syria from Canaan this Petrean Countrey it selfe devalling even downe to the limits of Iacobs bridge cutteth away the denomination of Syria from this parcell of ground till you come Eastward to the more laborious Plains Through this
to themselves wee care not for as they erre in this so doe they erre in all following meerly the Traditions of men they run galloping post to Hell The Patriarch being informed by the laughing Caravan of these news asked me in disdain thinking it had been an Article of my beliefe if I saw that House or believed that the Chappell of Loretta was such a thing to whom I constantly answered I did not believe it affirming it was onely but a Devillish invention to deceive the blind-folded people and to fill the Coffers of the Roman priests Now thou bottomlesse Gulfe of papistry here I forsake thee no Winter-blasting Furies of Satans subtile storms can make shipwrack of my Faith on the stony shelves of they deceitfull deeps Thus and after this manner too are all the illusions of their imaginary and false miracles first invented partly by monasteriall pouerty then confirmed by provincial bribery and lastly they are faith-sold for consistoricall lucre In the time of our staying here the Emeere or Lord of the Towne sent six women conducted by 12 of his servants to an Armenian Prince that was a Pilgrime in our company to be used by him and others whom so he would elect to be his fellow labourers Which indeed he did kindly accept and invited me to that feast but I gave him the refusall little regarding such a frivolous commodity He and fome of the chiefe Pilgrimes entertayned them for the space of three houres and sent them backe giving to their Conductors fifteene Piasters in a reward Truly if I would rehearse the impudency of these whoors and the brutishnesse of the Armenians as it is most ignominious to the actors so no doubt it would be very loathsome to the Reader Such is the villanie of these Orientall slaues under the Turkes that not onely by conversing with them learne some of their damnable Hethnick customes but also going beyond them in beastly sensualnesse become worse then bruite beasts This maketh me remember a worthy saying of that Heathenish Roman Emperour Marcus Aurelius who in consideration of fleshly lusts said that although he were sure that the gods would not punish him for the offence yet he would forbeare it in regard of the filthinesse of the fact it selfe Indeede of a Pagan a noble and vertuous resolution when such base and beastly Christians these wretched Armenians committed with these Infidelish harlots a twofold kind of voluptuous abhomination which my conscience commands me to conceale least I frequent this Northen World with that which their nature never knew nor their knowledge have heard hearing of the like but God in his iust judgements that same night threatned both to have punished the doers and the whole company for their sakes For wee having resolved to travell all that night and because the way was rocky and hard to be knowne and perillous for Arabs we hired a Christian guide named Ioab and agreed with him to take us to Lidda which was two dayes journey But before we advanced to our passage Ioab had sent a privie messenger before us to warne about three hundred Arabs who had their abode on the South side of Mount Carmell to meete him at such a place as he had appointed giving them to know wee were rich and well provided with Chickens and Sultans of Gold and Piasters of silver and that he should render us into their hands for such a recompence and consideration as their savage judgement should thinke fit according to the spoyles and booties they should obtaine together with the miserable murder and losse of our lives This being done and unknown to us we marched along travelling faster then our ordinary pace some on horse and some on foot for my pilgrimage was ever pedestriall which our guide suspecting that by our celerity wee should goe beyond the place appointed for his treacherous plot began to crosse us grievously leading us up and downe amongst pools and holes whither he listed where many of our Camels Asses were lost and could not be recovered because wee all began to suspect and feare which was the cause that the owners durst not stay to relieve their perished beasts In the end the Captaine and Ianizaries intreated him earnestly to bring us in the right way but the more they requested the more obdurate was his heart replying he was mistaken and could not finde it till day light upon the which words the company was stayed and in the mean-while there came a Turke one of our Sâ—uldiers unto the Captain saying hee saw the Guide before our departure from Nazareth send a Moore before him for what respect hee knew not being long at private conference Whereupon they straight bound him with ropes on a horse back threatning him with death to cause him confesse the truth In the midst of this tumult I having got sight of the North-starre which seem'd exceeding low to me considered thereby that the Villaine had led us more to the Southward then to the Westward which was our way to Jerusalem Whereupon I intreated the Caravan to turne our faces Northward otherwise we should be cut off and that suddenly for although said I it may peradventure be that we are three or foure miles short of the place intended for our massacre yet they missing us will like ravening Wolves hunt here and there wherefore if wee incline to the North God willing wee shall prevent their bloody designes To the which advice being duely pondered they yielded and so I became their Guide in that darke night till morning for none of them knew that Starre neither the nature of it At last this desperate wretch considering that either by our vanquishing or the enemies victory hee could not escape sith his Treason was revealed began to beg pardon of the Caravan saying that if he could have any surety of his life he would sufficiently informe us how to eschew these iminent dangers for we were all in extream perill of our lives and not so much courage not comfort left us as the very smallest hope of any relief The Captain being distracted with feare replied hee would and thereupon swore a solemne oath so did the Ianizaries sweare by the head of Mahomet for the like effect Which being done he was untied and confessed that if we had continued in our way he led us we had been all put to the edge of the Sword and falling downe on his knees cried oft with teares mercy mercy mercy All that night we went with that Starre and against morning wee were in the Westerne confines of Phoenicia and at the beginning of Palestine close by the Marine and within halfe a mile of Tyrus This sometimes renowned City of Tyrus called now by the Moores Sur was famous for her Purples and Collonies dispersed over all the World by her Citizens and once a Kingdome of great antiquity and long continuance The most worthiest of her Kings were Hiram in strict bond of Confederaie with Salomon
Walls which were built by Sultan Selim So that thereby the difference of the situation is not so great though a part thereof be removed but a man may boldly affirme that the most part of this City is builded on that place where the first Ierusalem was as may truly appeare and is made manifest by these Mountains mentioned in the Scriptures whereupon Ierusalem is both situate and environed about who reserve their names to this day and are still seene and knowne by the same as Mount Syon Mount Calvary Mount Moriah and Mount Olivet The forme of the situation of Ierusalem is now like to a Hart or Triangle the one point whereof looketh East extending downward almost to the Valley of Iehosaphat which divideth Ierusalem and Mount Olivet The second head or point bendeth out South-west upon Syon bordering neere to the Valley of Gehinnon The third corner lieth on Mount Moriah toward the North and by West having its prospect to the buriall place of the Kings of Israel The Walles are high and strongly builded with Saxo quadrato which adorne Ierusalem more then any thing within it the Holy Grave excepted It is of circuit about three miles and a halfe of our measure As touching the former glory of this City I will not meddle withall nor yet describe sith the Scriptures so amply manifest the same concerning the lamentable destruction of it I refer that to the famous Historiographer Iosephus who largely discourâ—eth of many hundred thousands famished and put to the Sword within this multipotent City by Vespasian and Titus his sonne being the messengers of Gods just judgements which by his computation did amount beyond the number of eleven hundred thousands But it is to be understood they were all at one time in Ierusalem but came up by turns and times from the circumjacent Countries about by thousands and as they were cut off so their numbers were aye renewed againe as necessity required This City hath oft bin conquered by enemies First by Nabuchodanezzar the Assirian King Secondly by the Greekes and Alexander the Great and also marvellously afflicted by Antiochus Thirdly it was taken in by Pompeius Fourthly destroyed by Vespatian and Titus Fiftly it was re-edified by Adrian the Emperour and wonne againe by Gosdroes the Persian King Sixtly it was overcome by Homor Califf the successour of Mahomet Seventhly by the great Souldan of Aegypt and by Godfrey du Bulloine a Christian Prince Eightly by Saladine the Caliph of Aegypt and Damascus Anno 1187. who reserved successively the Signiory thereof for a long time And lastly it was surprized by Sultan Selim or Solyman the Emperour of the Turkes Anno 1517. joyning the Holy Land together with Aegypt to his Empire who fortified the same being by Infidels detained to this day and by likely-hood shall keep it to the consummation of the world unlesse God of his mercy deale otherwise then the hopes of mans weake judgement can expect Whence truely I may say that when fortune would change friendship she dis-leagueth conditionall amity with the senslesse litargy of foule ingratitude This City is now governed by a Sanzack or Subbassaw being placed there by the Bassaw of Damaseus whose Deputy hee is the other being chiefe Ruler under the Grand Signior over all the Holy Land and the halfe of Syria There is a strong Garrison kept alwayes in Ierusalem to withstand the Arabish invasions consisting of eight hundred Souldiers Turkes and Moores who are vigilant in the night and circumspect in the day time so that none can enter the Towne without their knowledge nor yet goe forth without their triall This is a memorable note and worthy of observation that at that time when the Cities of Ierusalem and Antiochia were recovered from the Pagans by the meanes of Godfrey of Bolloigne the Pope of Rome that then was was called Vrbanus the Patriarch of Ierusalem Heraclius and the Roman Emperour Fredericke And at the same time and long thereafter when Ierusalem was re-inthralled and seized upon by Saladine the Popes name was Vrbanus the Patriarch of Ierusalem Heraclius and the Roman Emperour Fredericke After Herod the Idumean sonne to Antipater in whose time Christ was born Archelaus Agrippa Herod who imprisoned Peter and Iames and was eaten of vermine in whose time Christ suffered and Agrippaminor before whom Paul pleaded the last King of the Iews had raigned being strange Kings in the last Kings time Ierusalem was overthrowne and the Kingdome made a Province of the Roman Empire Anno 37. After which desolation the Iews were over all the World dispersed but afterward in a zealous consideration were banished from the most part of the Christian Kingdomes out of France they were rejected by Philip the Faire Anno 1307. out of Spain by Ferdinand the Catholicke 1492. out of Portugale by Emanuell 1497. out of England by Edward the fifth 1290. out of Naples and Sycilia by Charles the fifth 1539. Yet they are found in great numbers in divers parts of Germany Poland and in some Cities of Italy as Venice and her Territories Florence and the jurisdiction thereof the principalities of Parma Mantua Modena Vrbino and their extending limits and finally Rome besides her Ecclesiasticall papacie wherein there are no lesse than twenty thousand of them They are also innumerable over all the Turkish Dominions who so misregard and hate them for the crucifying of Christ that they use to say in detestation of any thing I would I might die a Iew neither will they permit a Iew to turn Turk unlesse hee first be baptized And yet live where they will the most part of them are the wealthiest people in the world having subtile and sublime spirits Now for the severall Kings and Rulers of Iudah and Israel beginning at Moses the Judges of the Iews were 16 of whom Samuel was the last at which time the people desired to have a King like unto other Nations The Kings of the Iews were three Saul David and Salomon And the Kings of Iudah were twenty Zedechias being last in whose time Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Ierusalem Of the Kings of Israel there were seventeene of whom Oseas was the last in whose time the Israelites were carried captives into Assyria by King Salmanasser The Dukes or Governours of Iewry were fifteene of which Ioannes Hircanius was the last Governour of Iudea which descended from the stock of David During the government of which Captains after the Babylonian captivity the Jewish Kingdome was plagued on both sides by the Kings of Aegypt and Syria who slaughtered their people ransacked their Cities made havock of their goods and compelled them to eat forbidden flesh and sacrifice to Idols To reforme which enormities Matathias and his five sonnes valiantly resisted and overcame the impetuous fury of Antiochus Epiphanes and his Syrians Whereupon the Iews chose Iudas sirnamed Machabeus for their Captaine one of the Worlds nine Worthies who thought not of the line of David was yet of the
thus they vary in the fleering conceit of sa sa sa sa sa far beyond the incâ—nstancie of all female inconstancies But to conclude this Epitome of France three things I wish Way-faring man to prevent there First the eating of Victuals and drinking of Wine without price making lest when hee hath done for the stridour of his teeth his charges be redoubled Next to choose his Lodging if it fall out in any way-standing Tavern far from palludiat Ditches lest the vehemency of chirking Frogs vexe the wished for Repose of his fatigated body and cast him in a vigilant perplexity And lastly unlesse early he would arise I never wish him to lye neere the fore-streetes of a Towne because of the disturbant clamours of the Peasant samboies or nayle woodden shoes whose noyse like an aequivox resembleth the clashing armour of Armies or the clangour of the Vlyssen-tumbling Horse to fatall Troy But now to my purpose leaving Paris behinde mee I arrived at Pau in Bearne This Province is a principality of it selfe anciently annexed to the Kingdom of Navarre lying between the higher Gascony of Guyan and the Pyrhenei Mountaines of Baske bordering with the North parts of Navarre Both of which belongeth to the French King except a little of Baske toward the Columbian Alpes and that the Spaniard commandeth Pau is the Justice seate of Bearne having a goodly Castle situate on an artificiall Rock and in this place was that Martiall Henry du Burbone la Quatriesme borne then King of Navarre Here be the finest Gardens in Christendome the Gardens of Pretolino 5 miles from Florence only excepted Yet for faire Arbors spacious over-siling walkes and incorporate Trees interchanging growths it surpasseth Pretolino but the other for the variety of fructiferous Trees rare and admirable ponds artificiall fountaines Diana and her Allablaster Nymphly-portrayed traine the counter-banding force of Aguadotti and the exquisite banqueting roome contrived among sounding unseen waters in forme of Gargantus body it much excelleth Pau. Hence I discended the River of Orthes to Baion and crossing the River Behobia which divideth France and Spaine I entred in Biscai Iune 29 1620. This is a Mountainous and invincible Countrey of which Victonia is the chiefe City being a barren and almost unprofitable Soile the speciall commodities whereof are Sheepe Wooll as soft as silk Goats and excellent good Iron cornes they have none or little at all neither wine but what is brought from Navarre in Pelagoes or swineskins carried on Mulets backs Leaving Biscai I entred Navarre and came to Pampelona its Metropolitan City Heere I founde the poorest Viceroy nomen sinere with the least meanes to maintaine him that ever the World affoorded such a stile Navarre is but a little Kingdome amounting in length with the South Pendicles of the high Perhenese to twenty three leagues that is between Porto di St. Ioanne in Baske and Grono upon the River Hebro dividing the old Castilia and Navarre In breadth it extendeth to seventeene Leagues that is between Varen in Biscai and Terrafranâ— in Arragon The soyle is indifferent fertile of Corns and Wines From thence I set Eastward to Syragusa the capitall Seat of Arragon Arragon hath Navarre to the West South Valents Kingdome East and South-East Catalogna and on the North the Alpes Pyrhenese It is an ancient and famous Kingdome under whose Jurisdiction were both the perty Kingdome of Valentia and Barselona And not long ago traduced to the Castilian King by marriage For although Castilia hath the language they have the lineall dissent of the Romans the inhabitants whereof being instinctively endued with all humane affabilities From thence returning from the old Castilia or Kingdome of Burgos in the way to St. Iago of Compostella in Galitia It was my fortune as St. Domingo to enter the Towne Church accompanied with two French Puppies mindfull to shew mee a miraculous matter Where when come I espied over my head opposit to the great altar two milke white Henns enraveled in an iron Cage on the inner side of the Porches Promontore And demanding why they were kept Or what they signified Certaine Spaniards replyed come along with us and you shall see the Storie and being brought to the Choro it was drawne thereon as followeth The father and the sonne two Burboneons of France going in Pilgrimage to St. Iames it was their lot to lodg here in an Inne Where supper ended and reckoning payed the Host perceiving their denariat charge hee entred their Chamber when they were a sleepe and in bed conveyiâ—g his owne purse in the young mans Budget On the morrow early the two innocent Pilgrims Footing the hard brusing way were quickly over hied by the Justice where the Host making search for his purse found it in the Sonnes bagge Whereupon instantly and in the same place hee was hanged and left hanging there seasing on their money by a sententiall forfeiture The sorrowfull Father notwithstanding continued his pilgrimage to Compostella where when come and devotion made our Lady of mount Serata appeared to him saying Thy Prayers are heard and thy groanes have pearced my heart arise and returne to Saint Domingo for thy Sonne liveth And hee accordingly returned found it so and the Sonne-hanged Monster after 30 dayes absence spoke thus from the Gallowes Father go to our Host and shew him I live then speedily returne By which direction the old man entred the Towne and finding the Host at Table in breaking up of two roasted Pullets told him and said My sonne liveth come and see To which the smiling Host replyed he is as surely alive on the Gallows as these two pullets be alive in the dish At which protestation the two fire-scorched fowles leapt out suddenly alive with heads wings feathers and feete and cakling took flight thrice about the Table The which amazing sight made the astonished Host to confesse his guiltines and the other relieved from the rope he was hung up in his place allotting his house for an Hospitality to Pilgrimes for ever There are still two Henns reserved here in memory of this miracle and are changed as they grow fat for the Priests chops being freely given to the place And I dare swearing say these Priests eate fatter Henns than Don Philippo himselfe they being fed by the peoples devotion at their enterance to the morning and evening sacrifices and are tearmed holy Henns Infinite paper could I blot with relating the like absurdities and miraculous lies of the Roman Church but leaving them till a fitter occasion I proceed From thence traversing a great part of the higher Asturia I entred in Galitia and found the Country so barren the people so poore and victuals so scarce that this impoitunate inforcement withdrew me from S. Iacques to Portugale Where I found little better or lesser reliefe their soyles being absolute sterile desartuous and mountainous Portugale was formerly called Lusitania and Hispania ulteriora It is in length 320 miles large 68
the World Mine aforesaid Consort and I having spent ten dayes in viewing and reviewing this City and circumâ—acent Isles and my purpose reaching for Greece and Asia as hee was to recrosse the snowy Alpes my muse remembreth our sad departure Now friendly Arthur leâ—t me courts the maine Of pleasant Lombardy by Trent againe Beares through the Alpes in his 〈◊〉 wayes And past Bavaria where Danubâ—o strayes He fell on Rhyne and downe these curlings came Then ship'd for Albion neere to Roâ—terdame And coasting Isâ—s view'd that royall court Where once Appollo did in glory sport Fraught with Ambrosian Necâ—ar crown'd his dayes Oâ— Pindus tops to have Mecenas praise This light obumbrat Arthur courts the North And serv'd a noble Earle of ancient worth Full eighteene yeares till death that darts our woe First smote his Lord and then his Countesse so Now they are fled and he is left alone Till heavens provide his hopes some happy one Which if to his desert such fortune came A Princely service might his merit clayme Where wishing both his fate and worth to be I 'le Venice leave and visite Lombardy In the time of my staying here I went forth to Lombardy and visited the famous Cities of Padua Verona and Ferrarâ— The commendation of which is celebrated in these verses Extollit Paduam juris studiam medicinae Verona humanae dâ—t singula commoda vitae 〈◊〉 loculos ferrarea â—errea 〈◊〉 In Pâ—dua I stayed three moneths learning the Italian tongue and found there a Country Gentlemen of mine Doctor Iohn Wedâ—erburne a learned Mathematician 〈◊〉 now dwelling in Moravia who taught mee well in the Language and in all other respects exceeding friendly to me Padua is the most melancholy City in Europe the cause onely arising of the narrow passage of the open streetes and of the long Galleries and darke-ranges of pillars that goe alwhere on every hand of you through the whole streetes of the Towne The Schollers here in the night commit many 〈◊〉 against their privat adversaries and too often executed upon the stranger and innocent and all with 〈…〉 for beastly Sodomy it is as rife heere as in Rome Naples Florence 〈…〉 The Second Part. NOw step I o're the gulfe to th' Istrian shâ—are Dalmatia Slavonia Ilyria more Valona Albana Epyre in Greece And Morea fat where Iason hurt his fleece The Adriaticke and Ionean Iles And Lesinaes great monster Athens styles With Lacedemon sackt and Sparta rent From ancient worth Arcadia poore and shent Our gulfe Lepanto the Aetolian hight And all these coasts till Candy come in sight AFter my returne from Padâ—a to Venice 24. dayeâ— attendance devasted there for passage â— imbarked in a Carâ—â—esalo being bound to Zara Novo in Dalmatia scarcely had we lost the sight of Venice but we incountred with a deadly storme at Serocâ—e Lenante The Master had no compasse to direct his course neither was he expert in Navigation because they use commonly either on the South or North sides of the Gulfe to hoise up sayles at night and againe breake of day they have full sight of land taking their directions from the topped hillâ— of the maine continent The tempest increasing and the winds contrary we were constrained to seeke up for the Port of Parenzo in Istria Istria was called Giapidia according to Pliny Cato affirmeth it was called Istria of one Isirâ— but by the moderne Writers L'ultima Regione di Italia By 〈◊〉 it is said to bee of length 100. miles and forty large but by mine experience onely 80. long and 20. large Istria hath on the South Friuli and the Sea on the West Stria on the North Carniola on the East the Gulfe Carnarâ— or Quevâ—ro It is thought the Istrians were first a people of Colchis in Natolia who by King Aetâ—s being sent to persue Iason and the Argonaâ—ts who had stolne the golden Fleece and his daughter Medea either because of the long journey or feare of the Kings anger durst not returne and so remained in this Country where they enjoyed a long freedom til by many incursions of piracy still molesting the Venetians they lost many of their Townes Anno 938. afterward the whole Country made tributary by Duke Henry Gondolo about the yeare 1200. That part which bordereth with the Sea belongeth to the Venetians but the rest within land holds of the Emperour and the Arch Duke of Austria The Country it selfe aboundeth in Cornes wines and all kinds of fruites necessary for humane life Neere to this Haven wherein wee lay expecting roome windes I saw the ruines of old Iustinopoli so called of Iustinian the Emperour who builded it upon an Iland of eight miles length and three acres broad and to passe betwixt the City and the firme land there was seven bridges made It was anciently strong but now altogether decayed the principall Cities in Istria at this day are these Parenzo Humagâ— Pola Rouigo The windes favouring us we weighed Anchors and sayled by the Iles Brioni so much esteemed for the fine stones they produce called Istriennes which serve to beautifie the Venetian Palaces About mid-day I saw Mount di Caldaro on the foote of which the ancient City of Pola is situated having a harbour wherein small ships may lye True it is this Port is not much frequenâ—ed in respect of a contagious Lake neere to it which inâ—â—cteth the Ayre with a filthy exhalation I saw hard by this place the ruines of the Castle di Oriando the Arke Iriumphant and the reliques of a great Amphitheatre This Pola was called by Pliny Iulia pietas and it standeth in the South-east part of Istria Continuing our course we â—assed the perillous gulfe of Carnaro This gulfe or bay of Carnaro runneth in North and by 〈◊〉 50. miles within land at the narrow entry whereof it hath a part of Istria on the West and Dalmatia on the East The Venetians use to keepe alwaies certaine Gallies at the mouth of this bay on the Dalmatian side to intercept the cursary of the Scoks In the bottome of this Carnarian gulfe are placed Senna Gradisca and Novagard the chiefe Cities of Croatia the people which inhabit these Townes and the adjoyning Country are called Scoks a kind of Dalmatians being of a robust nature couragious and desperate Their weapons are broad two handed swords long Skenes carrying Targets at their girdles and long Gunnes in their hands they are marvellous swift on foote and daily annoy by land their neighbouring Turkes with inrodes fetching away great spoyles and booties of Cornes Cattell and Horses and by Sea with Frigots and Brigantines did ever and often vexe the Venetian commerce in their owne domesticke waters the great losses which from these incursive people the Venetians had from time to time received and the other dammages they inflicted upon the Turkes in their Trafficking with Venice for whom the Venetians are bound by former Articles of peace to keepe harmelesse within their owne