it was threescore Jaos about each Jao containing three Leagues all along the which there were many Mynes of Silver Copper Tin and Lead from whence great quantities thereof were continually drawn which the Merchants carryed away with Troops of Elephants and Rhinoceroses for to transport it into the Kingdoms of Sornau by us called Siam Passiloco Sarady Tangu Prom Calamniham and other Provinces that are very far within land and distant from these Coasts two or three months journey Further they told us that these Countries were divided into Kingdoms and Regions inhabited with people that were white tawny and others somewhat blacker and that in exchange of those commodities they returned Gold Diamonds and Rubies Having thereupon demanded of them whether those people had Arms they answered none but staves hardened in the fire and daggers with blades two spans long They also assured us that from hence one could not go thither by the River in less then half two months or two months and an half by reason of the impetuosity of the waters descending with a great and â—trong current the most part of the year and that one might return in eight or ten days at the most After these demands Antonio de Faria made them divers others wherein they also gave him good satisfaction and reported many other particulars unto him whereby it may be gathered that if the Country could be taken it would without so much labor and loss of blood be of greater profit and less charge then the Indiaes The Friday following we left this River of Tinacoreu and by our Pilots advice we went to find out Pullo Champeiloo which is an inhabited Island scituate in the entrance to the Bay of Cauchenchina in forty degrees and a third to the Northward Being come to it we cast anchor in an Haven where there was good and safe riding and there we remained three days accommodating our artillery in the best manner we could That done we set sail towards the Isle of Ainan hoping to meet with the Pyrat Coia Acem there whom we sought for and arriving at Pullo Capas which was the first land that we saw of it we sailed close to the shoar the better to discover the Ports and Rivers on that side and the entries into them Now because the Lorch wherein Antonio de Faria came from Paâ—ana leaked very much â—e commanded all his Soldiers to pass into another better Vessel which was immediately performed and arriving at a River that about evening we found towards the East he cast anchor a league out at Sea by reason his Junk was great and drew much water so that fearing the sands which he had often met withall in this Voyage he sent Christovano Bâ—rralho with fourteen Soldiers in the Lorch up the River to discover what fires those might be that he saw Being gone then about a league in the River he incountred a Fleet of forty very great Junks whereupon fearing leâ—t it was the Mandarims Army whereof we had heard much talk he kept aloof off from them and anchored close by the shoar now about midnight the tyde began to come in which Bâ—rralho no sooner perceived but he presently without noise weighed â—nchor and declining the Junks he went on to that part where he had seen the fires that by this time were almost all out there being not above two or three that gave any light and which served to guide him So continuing his course very discreetly he came to a place where he beheld a mighty company of great and small Ships to the number as he guessed of thousand Sails passing through the which very stilly he arrived at a Town of above ten thousand housholds enclosed with a strong wall of Brick with Towers and Bulwarks after our manner and with Curtains full of water Here five of the fourteen Soldiers that were in the Lorch went on shoar with two of those Chineseâ—es that were saved out of Similaus Junk who had left their wives as hostages with us for their return These having spent three hours in viewing and surveying the Town on the outside reimbarqued themselves without any notice taken of them at all and so went back very quietly as they came to the mouth of the River where they found a Junk riding at anchor that was come thither since their departure in the evening Being returned to Antonio de Faria they related unto him what they had seen particularly the great Army that lay up in the River as also the Junk which they had left ridâ—â—g at anchor at the entrance into it telling him that it might well be the Dog Coia Acem whom he sought for These news so rejoyced him that instantly he weighed anchor and set sail saying his mind gave him that it was undoubtedly he and if it proved so he assured us all that he was contented to lose his life in fighting with him for to be revenged of such a Rogue as had done him so much wrong Approaching within sight of the Junk he commanded the Lorch to pass unto the other side of her to the end they might board her both together at once and charged that not a Piece should be shot off for fear they should be heard of the Army that lay up in the River who might thereupon come to discover them As soon as we were come to the Junk she was presently invested by us and twenty of our Soldiers leaping in made themselves Masters of her without any resistance for the most of her men threw themselves into the Sea the rest that were more couragious valiantly made head against our people but Antonio de Faria presently getting in with twenty Soldiers more made an end of defeating them killing above thirty of theirs so as there remained none alive but those which voluntarily cast themselves into the Sea whom he caused to be drawn up to serve for the Navigation of his Vessels and for to learn who they were and from whence they came to which purpose he commanded four of them to be put to torture whereof two chose rather to dye so then to confeâ—â— any thing and as they were about to do the like to a little boy an old man his father that was layd on the deck cryed out with tears in his eyes for to give him the hearing before they did any hurt to the child Antonio de Faria made the Executioner stay and bade the old man say what he would provided he spake truth for otherwise he vowed that both he and the boy should be thrown alive into the Sea whereas on the contrary if he dealt truly he promised to set them both at liberty on shoar and restore unto him whatsoever he would take his oath did appertain unto him Whereunto the old Mahometan answered I accept of the promise which thou makest me and I very much thank thee for sparing the life of this child for as for mine as a thing unprofitable I make no reckoning of it and I
time since it was discovered being above two hundred years it never failed but rather more and more was found Having past about a league beyond those twelve Hoâ—ses up the River we came to a place inclosâ—d with three ranks of Iron grates where we beheld thirty Houses divined into five rows six in each row which were very long and compleat with great Towers full of Bells of cast mettle and much carved work as also guilt Pillars and the Frontispieces of fair hewed stone whereupon many Inventious were engraved At this place we went ashore by the Chifâ—us permission that carried us for that he had made a Vow to this Pagod which was called Bigay potim that is to say God of an hundred and ten thousand Gods Corchoo fungané ginaco ginaca which according to their report signifies strong and great above all others for one of the Errors wherewith these wretched people are blinded is that they beleeve every particular thing hath its God who hath created it and preserves its natural being but thâ—t this Bigay potim brought them all forth from under his arm-pitâ— and that from him as a father they derive their being by a filial union which they term Biâ—â— Porentasay And in the Kingdom of Pegu where I have often been I have seen one like unto this named by those of the country Ginocoginans the God of all greatness which Temple was in times past built by the Chineses when as they commanded in the Indiaes being according to their supputation from the year of our Lord Iesus Christ 1013. to the year 1072. by which account it appears that the Indiaes were under the Empire of China but onely fifty and nine years for the successor of him that conquered it called Exiragano voluntarily abandoned it in regard of the great expence of mony and bloud that the unprofitable keeping of it cost him In those thirty Houses whereof I formerly spake were a great number of Idols of guilt Wood and a like number of Tin Lâ—tten and Pourcelain being indeed so many as I should hardly be believed to declare them Now we had not past above five or six leagues from this place but we came to a great Town about a league in circuit quite destroyed and ruinated so that asking the Chineses what might be the cause thereof they told us that this Town was anciently called Cohilouza that is The flower of the field and had in former times been in very great prosperity and that about one hundred forty and two years before a certain stranger in the company of some Merchants of the Port of Tanaçarim in the Kingdom of Siam chanced to come thither being as it seems an holy man although the Bonzes said he was a Sorcerer by reason of the wonders he did having raised up five dead men and wrought many other Miracles whereat all men were exceedingly astonished and that having divers times disputed with the Priests he had so shamed and confounded them as fearing to deal any more with him they incensed the Inhabitants against him and perswâ—ded them to put him to death affirming that otherwise God would consume them with fire from Heaven whereupon all the Townsmen went unto the House of a poor Weaver where he lodged and killing the Weaver with his son and two sons in Law of his that would have defended him the Holy man came forth to them and reprehending them for this uproar he told them amongst other things That the God of the Law whereby they were to be saved was called Iesus Christ who came down from heaven to the earth for to become a man and that it was needful he should dye for men and that with the price of his precious bloud which he shed for sinners upn the Crosse God was satisfied in his justice and that giving him the charge of Heaven and Earth he had promised him that whosoever professed his Law with Faith and good works should be saved and have everlasting life and withall that the gods whom the Bonzes served and adored with sacrifices of bloud were false and Idols wherwith the Devil deceived them Here at the Churchmen entred into so great furie that they called unto the people saying Cursed be he that brings not wood and fire for to burn him which was presently put in execution by them and the fire beginning exceedingly to rage the Holy man said certain Prayers by vertue whereof the fire incontinently went out wherewith the people being amazed cryed out saying Doubtlesse the God of this man is most mighty and worthy to be adored throughout the whole World which one of the Bonzes hearing who was ring-leader of this mutiny and seeing the Town-men retire away in consideration of that they had beheld he threw a stone at the holy man saying They which do not as I do may the Serpent of the night ingulf them into hell fire At these words all the other Bonzes did the like so that he was presently knock'd down dead with the stones they flâ—ng at him whereupon they cast him into the river which most prodigiously staid its course from running down and so continued for the space of five days together that the body lay in it By means of this wonder many imbraced the law of that holy man whereof there are a great number yet remaining in that country Whilest the Chineses were relating thishistory unto us we arrived at a point of land where going to double Cape we descryed a little place environed with trees in the midst whereof was a great cross of stone very well made which we no sooner espied but transported with exceeding joy we fell on our knees before our Conductor humbly desiring him to give us leave to go on shoar but this Heathen dog refused us saying that they had a great way yet to the place where they were to lodge whereat we were mightily grieved Howbeit God of his mercy even miraculously so ordered it that being gone about a league further his wife fell in labour so as he was constrained to return to that place again it being a Village of thirty or forty houses hard by where the Cross stood Here we went on land and placed his wife in an house where some nine days after she died in Child-bed during which time we went to the Cross and prostrating our selves before it with tears in our eyes The people of the Village beholding us in this posture came to us and kneeling down also with their hands lift up to heaven they said Christo Iesu Iesu Christo Maria micauvidau late impont model which in our tongue signifies Iesus Christ Iesus Christ Mary always a Virgine conceived him a Virgine brought him forth and a Virgine still remained whereunto we weeping answered that they spake the very truth Then they asked us if we were Christians we told them we were which as soon as they understood they carried us home to their houses where they entertained us with great affection Now all these
the manner as it past I will say no more but that the Necoda of the Lorche which had brought us thither from Vzamguee amâ—zed at this so great barbarousness of ours seperated himself from us in such displeasure that he would not charge himself either with our messages or letters saying that he had rather the King should command his head to be cut off then to offend God in carâ—ying with him any thing whatsoever that belonged to us Thus different as we were in opinions and in very bad terms amongst our selves we lingered above nine dayes in this litâ—le Island during which time the three Juncks departed without vouchsafing to take us in so that we were constrained to remain in these solitudâ—s exposed to many great dangers out of which I did not think that ever we could have escaped if God had not been extraordinarily merciful unto us for having been there seventeen dayes in great misery and want it hapened that a Pyrat named Samipocheca arrived in this place who having been defeated went flying from the Fleet of Aytao of Chincheo that of eight and twenty Sayl which this Pyrat had had tâ—ken six and twenty of them from him so that he had with much ado escaped with those only two remaining wherein the most part of his men were hurt for which cause he was consâ—rained to stay there seven dayes to have them cured Now the present necessity inforcing us to take some course whatsoever it were we were glad to agree for to serve under him until such time as we might meet with some good opportunity to get unto Malaca Those twenty dayes ended wherein yet there was no manner of reconciliation between us but still continuing in discord we imbarqued our selves with this Pyrat namely three in the Junk where he himself was and five in the other whereof he had made a Nephew of his Captain Having left this Island with an intent to sail unto a Port called Lailoo some seven leagues from Chincheo we continued our voyage with a good wind all along the Coast of Lamau for the 〈◊〉 of nine dayes until that one moâ—ning when we were near to the river of salt which is about five leagues from Chabaquea it was our ill fortune to be assailed by a Pirate who with seven great Juncks fell to fighting with us from six in the morning till ten of the clock before noon in which conflict we were so entertained with shoâ— and pots full of arâ—â—ficâ—al fire that at last thâ—re were three Sâ—il burnt to wit two of the Pirats and one of ours which was the Junck wherein the five Portugals were whom we could by no means succour for that then most of our men were hurt But at length towards night being well refreshed by the afternoons gale it pleased our Lord that we escaped out of this Pirats hands In this ill equipage wherein we were we continued our course for three dayes together at the end whereof we were invironed by so great and impetuous a Tempest that the same night in which it seized us we lost the Coast and because the violence of the Storm would never suffer us after to recover it again we were forced to make with full Sail towards the Islands of the Lequios where the Pirate with whom we went was well known both to the King and those of the Country with this resolution we set our selves to â—ail through the Archipelage of these Islands where not withstanding we could not make land as well for that we wanted a Pilot to steer the vessel ours being slain in the last fight as also because the wind and tide was against us Amidst so mâ—ny crosses we beat up and down with labour enough from one â—homb to another for three and twenty dayes together at the end whereof it pleased God that we discovered land whereunto approaching to see if we could descry any appearance of a Port or good anchorage we perceived on the South-coast near to the Horizon of the Sea a great fire which perswaded us that there we might peradventure find some Borough where we might furnâ—sh our selves with fresh water whereof we had very great need So we went and rode just before the Island in seventy fathom and presently we beheld two Almedias come towards us from the Land with six men in them who being come close to the side of our Junck and having complemented with us according to their manner demanded of us from whence we câ—me whereunto having answered that we came from China with merchandise intending to trade in this place if we might be suffered one of the six replyed That the Nautaquim Lord of that Island called Tanixumaa would very willingly permit it upon payment of such customs as are usual in Iapan which is coâ—â—inued he this great Country that you see here before you At these news and many other things which they told us we were exceeding glad so that after they had shewed us the Port we weighed anchor and went and put our selves under the lee-shoar of a crâ—ek which was on the South-side and where stood a great Town named Miay-gimaa from whence there came instantly abord of us divers Paraoos with refreshments which we bought We had not been two hours in this Creek of Miaygimaa when as the Nautaquim Prince of this Island of Tanixumaa came directly to our Junck attended by divers Gentlemen and Merchants who had brought with them many Chests full of silver Ingots therewith to barter for our commodities so after ordinary complemenâ—s past on either side and that we had given our word for his easiest coming aboard of us he no sooner perceived us three Portugals but he demanded what people we were saying that by our beards and faces we could not be Chineses Hereunto the Pirate answerâ—d That we were of a Country called Malaca whither many years before we were come from another Lend named Portugal which was at the further end of the world At these words the Nautaquim remained much amazed and turning himself to his followers Let me not live said he unto them if these men here be not the Chenchicogis of whom it is written in our books that flying on the top of the waters they shall from thence subdue the inhabitants of the earth where God hath created the riches of the world wherefore it will be a good fortune for us if they come into our Country as good friends Thereupon having called a woman of Lequia whom he had brought to serve as an interpreter between him and the Chinese Captain of the Junck Ask the Necoda said he unto hâ—r where he met with these men and upon what occasion he hath brought them hither with him into our Country of Jappon The Captain thereunto replied That we were honest men and Merchants and that having found us at Lampacau where we had been cast away he had out of charity taken us in as he used to do unto all such as he met withall in the
away towards the Court crying along in the streets that the strangers Harquebuse had killed the Prince At these sad news the people flocked in all haste with weapons and great cries to the house where I was Now God knows whether I was not a little amazed when coming to awake I saw this tumult as also the young Prince lying along upon the floor by me weltring in his own blood without stirring either hand or foot All that I could do then was to imbrace him in my arms so besides my self as I knew not where I was In the mean time behold the King comes in a Chair carried upon four mens shoulders and so sad and pale as he seemed more dead then alive after him followed the Queen on foot leaning upon two Ladies with her two daughters and a many of women all weeping As soon as they were entred into the Chamber and beheld the young Prince extended on the ground as if he had been dead imbraced in my arms and both of us wallowing in blood they all concluded that I had killed him so that two of the Company drawing out their Scymitars would have slain me which the King perceiving Stay stay cried he let us know first how the matter goes for I fear it comes further off and that this fellow here hath been corrupted by some of those Traitors kinred whom I caused to be last executed Thereupon commanding the two young Gentlemen to be called which had accompanied the Prince his Son thither he questioned them very exactly Their answer was that my Harquebuse with the inchantments in it had killed him This deposition served but to incense the Assistants the more who in a rage addressing themselves to the King What need Sir have you to hear more cried they here is but too much let him be put to a cruel death Therewith they sent in all hast for the Iarabuca who was my Interpreter to them now for that upon the arrival of this disaster he was out of extream fear fled away they brought him straightly bound to the King but before they fell to examining of him they mightily threatned him in case he did not confess the truth whereunto he answered trembling and with tears in his eyes that he would reveal all that he knew In the mean time being on my knees with my hands bound a Bonzo that was President of their Justice having his arms bared up to his shoulders and a Poynard in his hand dipped in the blood of the young Prince said thus unto me I conjure thee thou Son of some Divel and culpable of the same crime for which they are damned that inhabit in the house of smoak where they lye buried in the obscure and deep pit of the Center of the earth that thou confess unto me with a voice so loud that every one may hear thee for what cause thou hast with these sorceries and inchantments killed this young innocent whom we hold for the hairs and principal ornament of our heads To this demand I knew not what to answer upon the suddain for that I was so far besides my self as if one had taken away my life I believe I should not have felt it which the President perceiving and beholding me with a terrible countenance Seest thou not continued he that if thou doest not answer to the questions I ask thee that thou mayst hold thy self for condemned to a death of blood of fire of water and of the blasts of the wind for thou shalt be dismembred into the air like the feathers of dead fowl which the wind carries from one place to another separated from the body with which they were joyned whilest they lived This said he gave me a great kick with his fooâ— for to rowse up my spirits and cried out again Speak confess who they are that have corrupted thee What sum of mony have they given thee how are they called and where are they at this present At these words being somewhat come again to my self I answered him that God knew my innocence and that I took him for witness thereof But he not contented with what he had done began to menace me more then before and set before my eyes an infinite of torments and terrible things wherein a long time being spent it pleâ—sed God at length that the young Prince came to himself who no sooner saw the King his Father as also his Mother and Sisters dissolved into tears but that he desired them not to weep and that if he chanced to die they would attribute his death to none but himself who was the only cause thereof conjuring them moreover by the blood wherein they beheld him weltring to cause me to be unbound without all delay if they desired not to make him die anew The King much amazed with this language commanded the Manacles to be taken off which they had put upon me whereupon came in four Bonzoes to apply remedies unto him but when they saw in what manner he was wounded that his thumb hung in a sort but by the skin they were so troubled aâ— it as they knew not what to do which the poor Prince observing Away away said he send hence these divels and let others come that have more heart to judg of my hurt since it hath pleased God to send it me Therewith the four Bonzoes were sent away and other four came in their stead who likewise wanted the courage to dress him which the King perceiving was so much troubled as he knew not what to do howbeit he resolved at length to be advised therein by them that were about him who counselled him to send for a Bonzo called Teixâ—andono a man of great reputation amongst them and that lived then at the City of Facataa some seventy leagues from that place but the wounded Prince not able to brook these delayes I knâ—w not answered he what you mean by this counsel which you give my Father seeing me in the deplorable estate wherein I am for whereas I ought to have been drâ—st already you would have me stay for an old rotten man who cannot be here until one hath made a journy of an hundred and forty leagues both in going and coming so that it must be a month at least before he can arrive wherefore speak no more of it but if you desire to do me a pleasure free this Stranger a little from the fear you have put him in and clear the room of all this throng he that you believe hath hurt me will help me as he may for I had rather die under the hands of this poor wretch that hath wept so much for me then be touched by the Bonzo of Facaâ—aâ— who at the age he is of of ninety and two years can see no further then his nose CHAP. XLVI My curing the young Prince of Bungo with my return to Tanixuâ—â—a and imbarquing there for Liampoo and also that which hapened to us on land after the shipwrack we
Taeis it rose before the end of eight dayes to an hundred and threescore at which rate too the Merchants seemed to part with it very willingly Thus by the means of this unreasonable desire of gain nine Juncks which were then in the Port were in fifteen days ready to set Sail though to say the truth they were all in such disorder and so unprovided that some amongst them had no other Pilots then the Masters themselves who had but little understâ—anding in Navigation In this bad order they departed all in company together one Sunday morning notwithstanding that they had the wind the season the sea and all things else contrary not suffering themselves to be guided by reason or the consideration of the dangers which they are subject unto that commit themselves to this Element For they were so obstinate and so blinded as they would not represent any inconvenience to themselves and I my self was so infortunate that I went along with them in one of their Vessels In this manner they sailed all that same day as it were groping between the Islands and the firm Land but about midnight there arose in the dark so mighty a Storm accompanied with such horrible rain that suffering themselves to be carried at the mercy of the wind they ran upon the Sands of Gotom whereof the nine Juncks two only as it were by miracle were saved so that the other seven were lost out of which not so much as one man escaped This loss was thought to amount unto above three hundred thousand Crowns in commodities besides the greater which was of six hundred persons that left their lives there whereof there were an hundred and forty Portugals all rich men and of quality As for the other two Juncks in one of the which by good hap I was joyning in conâ—ort together they followed the course they had begun until such time as they arrived at the Island of the Lequios There we were beaten with so furious a North-east wind which inâ—reased by the conjunction of the new Moon that our vessels were seperated in such sort as we could never see one another again After dinner the wind turned to West North-west whereby the Sea was so moved and the waves rose with such fury as it was a most dreadful thing to behold whereupon our Captain named Gaspar Melo a very couragious Gentleman seeing the greatest part of the prow of the Junck to be half open and that there was niâ—e spans water in the bottom of her he resolved by the advice of all the Officers to cut down the two Masts whose weight was the cause of the opening of the Junck howbeit this could not be done with such care but that the main Mast in its â—all overwhelmed fourteen persons whereof five were Portugals which were all crushed in pieces a spectacle so lamentable to behold that it exceedingly grieved every mans heart Now forasmuch as the Storm increased more and more we were constrained to let our selves be carried at the mercy of the Sea even until Sun-set at which time the Junck made an end of splitting quite asunder whereupon our Captain and every one of us seeing the deplorable estate whereunto our sins had reduced us fell to preparing our selves for our last end Having in this sort past away half of the night about the first quarter of the watch we struck upon a Shelâ— where at the first blow the Junck broke all to pieces the event whereof was so lamentable that threescore and two men left their lives there some of which were drowned and the rest squeezed to death under the Keel of the Vessel There were but four and twenty of us besides some women that escaped from this miserable Shipwrack Now as soon as it was day we perceived by the sight of the Island of fire and of the Mountain of Taydacano that the Land where we were was the great Lequio whereupon wiâ—h tears in our eyes recommending our selves â—o God and marching up to the brest in water we swam over certain dâ—eper places and so went five dayes together in great pain not finding in all that time any thing to eat but the slime which the Sea cast up on the mud Howbeit aâ— length by the mercy of God we got to land where going into the woods we sustained our selves with a certain herb like unto Sorrel whereof there was great plenty along these Coasts which was all the nourishment that we had for three days space that we were there until at last we were espyed by a boy that was keeping of cattel who as soon as he had discovered us ran to the next Village which was some quarter of a league off for to give notice of it to the inhabitants there who presently thereupon with the sound of Drums and Cornets assembled all their Neighbours round about them so that within three or four hours they wâ—re a Company of about two hundred men whereof there were fourteen on horsback As soon as they descried us a far off they made dirâ—ctly towards us whereupon our Captain seeing the wretched estate whereunto we were reduced fell down upon his knees and began to encourage us with many good words desiâ—ing us to remember That nothing in the world could fall out without the Providence of God and therefore like good Christians we should assure our selves it was his pleasure that this should be the last hour of our lives so that we could not do better then to conform our selves to his holy will and with patience imbrace this pitiful end which came from his Almighty hand craving pardon from the bottoâ— of our hearts for all our sins past and that for himself he had such confidence in his mercy that we duly repenting us according as we were obliged by his holy Commandments he would not forget us in this our extremity Having made us this Exhortation and lifted up his hands to Heaven he cried out three times together with abundance of tears Lord have mercy upon us which words were reiterated by all the rest but with such sighs and groans of true Christians and so full of devotion and zeal that I may truly say the thing which then we feared least was that which naturally is most abhorr'd As we were in this grievous agony six horsmen came unto us and beholding us in a manner naked without arms on the ground upon ouâ— knees and two women lying as it were dead before us they were so moved with compassion that four of them turning back to the footmen which were coming on made them all to stay not suffering them to approach us Howbeit a little after they came to us again bringing with them six footmen which seemed to bâ— some of the Officers of Justice who by the commandment of the horsmen tied us three and three together and with some shew of pity bid us That we should not be afraid for that the King of the Lequios was a man greatly fearing God and
the Scales he passed on through all the other quarters where were Comedies dancing wrastling and excellent consorts of all kinds of musick till at length we arrived at Tinagoogoo but with much labor and pain because the throng was so great as one could hardly break through it This Temple had but one â—sle that was very long and spacious and full of great wax lights each of them having ten or eleven wieks in it set up all about in Silver Candlesticks there was also great store of perfumes of Aloes and Benjamin As for the Image of Tinagoogoo it was placed in the midst of the Temple upon a stately Tribunal in the form of an Altar environed with a number of Silver Candlesticks and a many of Children attired in purple which did nothing but cense it at the sound of Instruments of musick whereon the Priests played reasonable well Before this Idol danced to the tune of the said Instrument 〈◊〉 in Ladies which were wonderful fair and richly clad to whom the people presented their alms and offerings which the Priests received for them and thâ—n layd them before the Tribunal of the Idol with a great deal of ceremony and complement ever and anon prostrating themselves on the ground The Status of this Monster was seven and twenty spans high having the face of a Gyant the hair of a Negro wide distorted nostrils mighty great lips and a very sowre and ill-favored countenance He had in his hand an Hatchet in the form of a Coopers Addis but with a far longer handle With this Addis as the Priests made the people believe this Monster the night before killed the gluttonous Serpent of the House of Smoke for that he would have stoln away the ashes of those that sacrificed themselves There also we saw the Serpent amidst the place before the Tribunal in the form of an Adder more horrible to behold then the wit of man can imagine and done so to the life as all that looked on it trembled for fear It was layd all along with the head cut off being eight fathom long and the neck of it as thick as a Bushel so lively represented that though we knew it to be an artificial thing yet could we not chuse but be afraid of it In the mean time all the assistants ran thronging about it some pricking it with the points of their Halberds and some with their Daggers every one with railing speeches cursing and calling it Proud presumptuous accursed infernal Mannor Pool of Damnation envious of Gods goodness hunger-starved Dragon in the midst of the night and many other names which they delivered in such extraordinary terms and so fitted to the effects of this Serpent as we could not but admire them That done they put into Basins which stood at the foot of the Idols Tribunal a world of alms of Gold Silver Jewels pieces of Silk fine Callicoes Mony and hundred other things in very great abundance After we had seen all these things we continued following the Embassador who went to see the Grots of the Hermits or Penitents which were at the utmost end of the Wood all cut out of the hard Rock and in such order as one would have thought that Nature rather then the hand of man had labored in it There were an hundred forty and two of them in some of the which remained divers men whom they held for Saints and that did very great and austere pennance They in the first Grots wore long Robes like the Bonzes of Iapan and followed the Law of an Idol that had sometimes been a man called Situmpor michay who during his life enjoyned those of his Sect to lead their lives in great austerity assuring them that the only and true way to gain Heaven was to subdue the flesh and that the more they labored to afflict themselves the more liberally God would grant them all they could demand of him They which accompanyed us thither told us that they seldom eat any thing buâ— herbs boyled a few Beans of Aricot rosted and wilde fruit which were provided for them by other Priests who as the Purveyors of a Cloister took care to furnish these Penitenâ—s with such things as were confortmable to the Law whereof they made profession After these we saw in a Grot others of a Sect of one of their Saints or rather of a Devil named Angâ—macur these lived in deep holes made in the midst of the Rock according to the Rule of their wretched order eating nothing but Flies Ants Scorpions and Spiders with the juyce of a certain Herb growing in abundance thereabout much like to sorrel These spent their time in meditating day and night with their eyes lifted up to Heaven and their hands closed one within another for a testimony that they desired nothing of this world and in that manner dyed like beasts but they are accounted greater Saints then all the rest and as such after they are dead they burn them in fires whereinto they cast great quantities of most precious perfumes the Funeral pomp being celebrated with great state and very rich offerings they have sumptuous Temples erected unto them thereby to draw the living to do as they had done for to obtain this vain glory which is all the recompence that the world gives them for their excessive pennance We likewise saw others of a Sect alâ—ogether diabolical invented by a certain Gileu Mitray These have sundry orders of pennance and are not much different in their Opinions from the Abissins of Ethiopia Now that their abstinence may be the more agreeable to their Idol some of them eat nothing but filthy thick â—pitings and snot with Grashoppers and Hens dung others clots of blood drawn from other men with bitter fruits and herbs brought to them from the wood by reason whereof they live but a short time and have so bad a look and colour as they fright those that behold them I will pass by them of the Sect of Godomem who spend their whole life in crying day and night on those mountains Godomem Godomem and desist not from it until they fall down stark dead to the ground for want of breath Neither will I speak of them which they call Taxilacons who dye more brutishly then the rest for they shut themselves up in certain Grots made of purposefor it that are very little and close stopped on all 〈◊〉 and then burning green â—histles and thorns in them they choke themselves with the smoke thereof Whereby one may see how by such rude and different ways of living these miserable creatures render themselves the Devils Martyrs who in reward thereof gives them everlasting Hell-fire and verily it is a pititiful thing to behold the great pains which these wretches take to lose themselves and the little that we do to be saved CHAP. LVII What we saw in the continuing of our voyage until we arrived at the City of Timplan AFter we had seen all these things with wonder enough
rigorous justice of the Lord above This said they withdrew as if they would shew that by this action they had left the body of the deceased exempt from the power of the divell which besieged it before In the place of these same came in six and twenty of their principall Talagrepos being fourscore years old and upwards apparrelled in robes of violet coloured damask and carrying silver censors in their hands before whom for the greater gracing of them marched twelve gentlemen Ushers with Maces of the same metall as soon as these Priests had censed the hearse four severall times with many ceremonies they all prostrated themselves with their faces on the ground and then one of them began to say as if he had spoken to the dead man If the clouds of heaven were able to tell our grief unto the beasts of the fielâ— they would forsake their pasture for to help us to wail thy death and the great extremity whereunto we are reduced or els they would beseech thee Lord to imbarque us with thee into this deadly house where thou seest not us because we are not worthy of so great a favour but that all this people may be comforted in thee before the tomb shall hide thy body from us shew us Lord by figures of earth the peaceable joy and sweet contentment of thy repose that we may be all awaked out of the heavy sleep wherein the obscurities of the flesh doth wrap us and that we miserable wretches may be incited to imitate thee and follow thy steps for to behold thee in the joyfull house of the Sun at the last gasp of our lives To these words the people having made a very dreadfull cry answered incontinently The Lord grant us this grace Then the twelve gentlemen Ushers that carried the Maces going on afore to make way thorough the press though with much ado because the people would not withdraw there came forth of an house on the right side of the Scaffold four and twenty little boys richly apparelled with chains of gold and pretious stones about their necks who playing after their manner on divers instruments of musick and falling down on their knees in two ranks before the hearse they continued playing on their instruments to the tune whereof there were only two of them that sung whereunto five others answered from time to time in such a dolefull manner as made all the assistants shed abundance of tears yea some of them were so sensible of it as they could not forbear plucking of their hair and knocking their heads against the steps of the Throne where the hearse stood During this and many other ceremonies there performed six young gentlemen Grepos sacrificed themselves by drinking out of a golden cup a certain yellow liquor so venemous that before they had made an end of their draught they fell down stark dead on the ground this action of theirs brought these Martyrs of the divell into the number of their Saints so as they were envied by every one for it and presently their bodies were carried with a solemn procession to be burnt in a great fire that was made of Sanders Aloes and Benjamin where they were quickly reduced unto ashes The next morning the Scaffold was disgarnished of all the richest pieces about it and the hearse but the cloths of estate the hangings and banners as also many other moveables of great worth were not stirred and so with divers ceremonies fearfull cries and lamentations and a strange noyse of severall sorts of instruments they set fire on the Scaffold and all that was upon it anoynting it often with odoriferous liquors and confections of great price Thus was the body consumed to ashes in a very short time but whilst it was burning the King and all the Grandees of his Court which were then present cast in by way of alms many pieces of gold preâ—ious stones jewels and chains of pearl of exceeding great value all which so ill imployed were instantly consumed by the fire together with the body and bones of that wretched dead man so as we were certainly informed afterward that this funerall pomp cost above an hundred thousand duckets besides the garments which the King and the Grandees of the country gave to thirty thousand Priests that vvere assisting at it wherein was imployed an incredible quantity of stuffes of severall sorts witnesse the Portugals who mightily profited by so lucky an occasion because they sold at what price they would such as they brought from Bâ—ngala for which they were paid in lingots of gold and silver CHAP. LXI The election of the new Roolim of Mounay the grand Talagrepo of these Gentiles of the Kingdome of Pegu. THe next day between seven and eight in the morning which was the time when the ashes of the deceased began to be cold the King and all the great Lords of the Court came unto the place where the body had been burnt marching all in order after the manner of a stately procession and assisted by all the Grepos amongst whom there were an hundred and thirty with silver censors and fourteen with miters of gold on their heads they were apparrelled in long robes of yellow sattin as for all the rest to the number of ten thousand they were cloathed with taffeta of the same colour and with a kind of surpliss of fine linnen which was not done without a very great charge by reason of the number of them Being arrived at the place where the Roolim had been burnt after some ceremonies performed as is usuall with them according to the time and sence that every one had of it a Talagrepo of the Bramaa Nation and Uncle to the King as Brother to his Father whom the people held for the ablest of them all having been chosen to preach that day went up into the Pulpit for that effect The beginning of his Sermon was an Elegy touching the defunct whose life he commended with many speeches that made for his purpose wherein he grew so earnest and hot as turning himself to the King with tears in his eys and lifting up his voice somewhat louder to the end he might hear him the better he said unto him If the Kings in these times wherein we live do consider how little a time they have to live and with what rigour of justice they shall be chastised by the Almighty hand of the most high God for the crimes of their tyrannicall lives possibly it would be better for them to feed in the open fields like bruit beasts then to be so absolute in their will and to use it with so little reason even as to be cruel to the good and slack in punishing the wicked whom by their soveraign power they have put into greatnesse and authority and truly they are much to be lamented whose good fortune hath raised them up to an estate so dangerous as is that of Kings at this day by reason of the insolence and liberty wherein they continually
down a pane of the wall and besides those pieces of battery there were above three hundred Falcons that shot incessantly with an intention only to kill those that were in the streets as indeed they made a great havock which was the cause that seeing themselves so ill-intreated and their people slain in that manner they resolved like valiant men as they were to sell their lives as dearly as they could so that one morning having sallied forth by the same breach of the wall which the Canon had made they gave so valiantly upon those of the Camp that in lesse then an hour they almost routed the Bramaas whole Army Now because it began to be day the Savadis thought it fit to re-enter into the Town leaving eight thousand of their enemies dead on the place After this they repaired the breach in a very little time by the means of a rampire of earth which they made up with bavins and other materialls that was strong enough to resist the Canon Hereupon the Chaumigrem seeing the bad successe he had had resolved to make war both upon the places neer about as also upon the frontiers that were furthest off from the Town for which purpose he sent Diosaâ—ay high Treasurer of the Kingdome whose Slaves we Portugals were Colonel of five thousand men to spoil a certain Borough called Valentay which furnished the besieged Town with provisions but this voyage was so infortunate unto him that before his arrivall at the designed place his forces were by two thousand Savadis whom he incountred by the way all cut in pieces in lesse then half an hour not one escaping with life that fell into the enemies hands Neverthelesse it pleased our Lord that amidst this defeat we saved our selves by the favour of the night and without knowing whither we went we took the way of a very craggy mountain where we marched in exceeding great pain three daies and an half at the end whereof we entred into certain Moorish Plains where we could meet with no path or way nor having other company then Tygers Serpents and other savage beasts which put us into a mighty fear But as our God whom incessantly we invoked with tears in our eys is the true guide of travellers he out of his infinite mercy permitted that at length we perceived one evening a certain fire towards the East so that continuing our course towards that place where we saw this light we found our selves the next morning neer to a great Lake where there were some Cottages which in all likelyhood were inhabited by very poor people howbeit not daring to discover our selves as yet we hid us all that day in certain hanging precipices that were very boggy and full of Horsleâ—ches which made us all gore blood As soon as it was night we fell to marching again untill the next morning whenas we arrived neer to a great river all alongst the which we continued going for five daies together At last with much pain we got to another Lake that was far greater then the former upon the bank whereof was a little Temple in the form of an Hermitage and there we found an old Hermite who gave us the best entertainment that possibly he could This old man permitted us to repose our selves two daies with him during which time we demanded many things of him that made for our purpose whereunto he alwaies answered according to the truth and told us that we were still within the Territories of the King of Savady that this Lake was called Oregâ—antâ—r that is to say the opening of the night and the Hermitage the God of succour Whereupon being desirous to know of him the signification of this abuse he laid his hand on an horse of brasse that stood for the Idoll upon the Altar and said that he often read in a book which intreated of the foundation of the Kingdome that some two hundred thirty and seven years before this Lake being a great Town called Oâ—umhaleu a King that was named Avaâ— had taken it in war that in acknowledgement of this victory his Priests by whom he was wholly governed counselled him to sacrifice unto Quiay Guaâ—or the God of war all the young male children which had been made captives and in case he did not so they would when they became men regain the Kingdome from him The King apprehending the event of this threatning caused all these children being fourscore and five thousand in number to be brought all into one place and so upon a day that was kept very solemn amongst them he made them to be put most inhumanely to the edge of the sword with an intent to have them burned the next morning in Sacrifice but the night following there came a great earthquake and such lightning and fire fell from heaven upon the Town as within lesse then half an hour it was quite demolished and all that was in it reduced to nothing so that by this just judgement of God the King together with all his were strucken dead not so much as one escaping and besides them thirty thousand Priests in like manner who ever since during all the New Moons are heard to cry and roar so dreadfully that all the inhabitants thereabouts were ready to go besides themselves with fear by reason whereof the Country was utterly depopulated no other habitation remaining therein save only fourscore and five Hermitages which were erected in memory of the fourscore and five thousand children whom the King had caused to be butchered through the evill counsell of his Priests CHAP. LXIIII. A continuation of the successe which we had in this voyage with my departure from Goa to Zunda and what passed during my abode there WE past two daies in this Hermitage where as I declared before we were very well entertained by the Hermite the third day after betimes in the morning we took our leave of him and departed from thence not a little afflicted with that which we had heard and so all the same day and the night following we continued on our way along by the river the next morning we arrived at a place where were a great many of sugar canes of which we took some for that we had nothing els to nourish us withall In this manner we marched still along by this river which we kept for a guide of our voyage because we judged that how long soever it were yet would it at last ingulfe it self in the Sea where we hoped that our Lord would raise us up some remedy for our miseries The day ensuing we arrived at a village called Pommiseray where we hid our selves in a very thick wood from being descried by passengers and two hours within night we continued our design in following the current of this river being resolved to take our death in good part if it should please God to send it us for to put an end to so many sufferings as we had undergone day and night and without lying
Fortress because of the fear they were in of the Turkish Army which was every hour expected in the Indiaes by reason of the death of Sultan Bandur King of Cambaya whom the said Governor had put to death the Summer before In regard this affair was of great importance it was the cause that all the Captains assembled together to deliberate thereupon At length to meet with the present necessity they concluded that three of those five ships appertaining to the King should go to Diu conformable to the contents of the said Mandate and that the other two which belonged to particular Merchants should pursue their course to Goa The Kings three ships sailing to Diu and the other two Merchants towards Goa it pleased God to conduct them safe thither Now as soon as the Kings three ships came to the mouth of the River of the Port of Diu which fell on the fifth of September the same year 1538. Antonio de Silvâ—ra the Brother of Louys Silvera Earl of Sortelha who was Captain there at that time gave them all the testimony that possibly he could of the joy he took at this their arrival For proof whereof he bestowed liberally on every one keeping a set table for above seven hundred persons which they brought along with them besides his secret rewards and extraordinary gifts whereby he supplyed the necessities they had suffered during their Voyage Whereupon the Soldiers considering how this Captain entreated them very royally that he payed them before-hand distributed their pay and munition unto them with his own hands caused the sick to be carefully tended and shewed himself most ready to assist every one it so wrought upon them that of their own accord they offered to stay there for to serve him being no way constrained thereunto as they use to be in those Countries in all the Fortresses which expect a siege This done as soon as the three ships had sold the Merchandise they had brought they set sail for Goa carrying none with them but the Officers of the Vessels and some Seaâ—men to conduct them where they abode till such time as the Governor had given them dispatches for to go to Cochin where being arrived they took in their lading and returnâ—d all five safe into Portugal Seventeen days after we were arrived at the Fortress of Diu where at that time two Foists were ready prepared to go to the Streight of Mecqua for to discover and find out the design of the Turkish Army whose coming was greatly feared in the Indiaes because one of those Foists was commanded by a Captain that was a great friend of mine who gave me good hope of the Voyage he was bound for I imbarqued my self with him Relying then on the promises which the Captain made me that by his favor and means I should quickly be rich the only thing in the world that I most desired and suffering my self to be deceived by my hopes I imagined that I was already Master of great wealth never considering how vain and uncertain the promises of men are and that I could not reap much benefit by the Voyage I was going to undertake by reason it was dangerous and unseasonable for Navigation in that Country Now being departed from Diu we sailed in a time full of storms because it was about the end of Winter which seemed to begin anew so impetuous were the winds and so great was the rain Nevertheless how violent soever the Tempest was and dark the weather we letted not to discover the Isles of Curia Muria and Avedalcuria at the sight whereof we thought our selves quite lost and without hope of life Whereupon to decline the danger we turned the prow of our Vessel to the South-east knowing no other mean then that to avoyd shipwrack But by good fortune for us it pleased God that we let fall an anchor at the point of the Island of Socotora there we presently anchored a league below the place where Don Francisco d' Almeyda caused a Fortress to be built in the year 1507. when he came from Portugal as the first Victory that ever was in the Indiaes In the said place we took in fresh water and some provision of Victuals that we bought of the Christians of the Country which are the descendants of those whom the Apostle S. Thomas converted in those parts Being refreshed thus we parted from thence with a purpose to enter the Straight so that after we had sailed nine days with a favorable wind we found our selves right against Mazua There about Sun set we descryed a sail at Sea whereunto we gave so hard chace that before the first watch of the night we came up close to her and then to satisfie the desire we had for to learn something of the Captain by gentleness touching the Turkish Army we demanded of him whether it was parted from Sues or whether he had not met with it in any place and that we might be the better informed we spake aloud to all those that were in the ship But in stead of answer without speaking a word and in contempt of us they gave us a dozen pieces of Ordnance whereof five were small and the other seven field Pieces together with good store of Musquet shot And withall in a kind of jollity and as it were beleeving that we were already theirs they made all the ayr about resound again with their confused cries After this to brave and terrifie us the more they flourished a many flags and streamers up and down and from the top of their poop they brandished a number of naked Scymitars commanding us with great threatening to come aboard and yield our selves unto them At the first view of so many Rhodomontades and bravings we were in some doubt and amaze which caused the Captains of our Foists to call the Soldiers to Councel for to know what they should do and the conclusion was to continue shooting at them till the next morning that so by day-light they might be the better fought withall and invested it being agreed upon of all sides that they were not to be let go unpunished for their presumption Which accordingly was performed and all the rest of the night we gave them chace plying them with our Ordnance So morning come their ship being shot through and through in many places and cruelly battered all over they rendred themselves into our hands In the incounter there were threescore and four of their men killed and of fourscore that remained the most part seeing themselves reduced to extremity cast themselves into the Sea choosing rather there to be drowned then to be burnt in their ship with the artificial fires that we had hurled into her so that of all the fourscore there escaped but five very sore hurt whereof one was the Captain This same by force of torture whereunto he was exposed by the Command of our two Captains confessed that he came from Iudaa and that the Turkish Army was already departed
to be two thousand in number besides those that were killed which because they could not be so suddenly buried were thrown into the current of the River Hereupon the two Kings continued quiet for four days after at the end whereof one morning when nothing was less thought of there appeared in the midst of the River on Penaticans side a Fleet of fourscore and six Sails with a great noise of musick and acclamations of joy At first this object much amazed the Bataes because they knew not what it was howbeit the night before their scouts had taken five fishermen who put to torture confessed that this was the Army which the Tyrant had sent some two months before to Tevassery in regard he had War with the Sornau King of Siam and it was said that this Army was composed of five thousand Lussons and Sornes all choyce men having to their General a Turk named Hametecam Nephew to the Bassa of Cairo Whereupon the King of Batas making use of these fishermens confession resolved to retire himself in any sort whatsoever well considering that the time would not permit him to make an hours stay as well because his Enemies Forces were far greater then his as for that every minute they expected succors from Pedir and Pazen whence as it was reported for certain there were twelve ships full of strangers coming No sooner was the King fortified in this resolution but the night ensuing he departed very sad and ill contented for the bad suâ—cess of his enterprize wherein he had lost above three thousand and five hundred men not comprising the wounded which were more in number nor those that were burnt with the fire of the Mynâ— Five days after his departure he arrived at Panaiu where he dismissed all his Forces both his own subjects and strangers That done he imbarqued himself in a small Lanchara and went up the River without any other company then two or three of his Favorites With this small retinue he betook himself to a place called Pachissaru where he shuâ— himself up for fourteen days by way of pennance in a Pagod of an Idol named Giâ—nasserâ—d which signifies the God of Sadness At his return to Panaiu he sent for me and the Mahometan that brought Pedro de Faria's Merchandise The first thing that he did was to enquire particularly of him whether he made a good sale of it adding withall that if any thing were still owing to him he would command it to be presently satisfied Hereunto the Mahometan and I answered that through his Highness favor all our business had received a very good dispatch and that we were well payd for that we had sold in regard whereof the Captain of Malaca would not fail to acknowledg that courtesie by sending him succor for to be revenged on his Enemy the Tyrant of Achem whom he would inforce to restore all the places which he had unjustly usurped upon him The King hearing me speak in this manner stood a while musing with himself and then in answer to my speech Aâ— Portugal said he since thou constrainest me to tell thee freely what I think beleeve me not hereafter to be so ignorant as that thou mayst be able to perswade me or that I can be capable to imagine that he which in thirty years space could not revenge himself is of power to succor me at this present in so short a time or if yet thou thinkest I deceive my self tell me I pre thee now whence comes it that thy King and his Governors could not hinder this cruel King of Achem from gaining from you the Fort of Pazem and the Galley which went to the Moluâ—quaes as also three Ships in Queda and the Gallion of Malaca at such time as Garcia was Captain there besides the four Foists that were taken since at Salengor with the two Ships that came from Bengalâ— or Lopâ— Chanocâ— 's Iounk and Ship as likewise many other Vessels which I cannot now remember 〈◊〉 the which as I have been assured this Inhumane hâ—th put to death above a thousand Portugals and gotten an extream rich boâ—ty Wherefore if this Tyrant should happen to come once more against me how canst thou have me rely upon their word which have been so often overcome I must of necessity then continue as I am with three of my children murdered and the greatest part of my Kingdom destroyed seeing you your selves are not much more assured in your Fortress of Malaca I must needs confess that this answer made with so much resentment rendred me so ashamed knowing he spake nothing but truth that I durst not talk to him afterwards of any succor nor for our honor reiterate the promises which I had formerly made him CHAP. VIII What past between the King of Batas and me until such time as I imbarqued for Malaca my Arrival in the Kingdom of Queda and my return from thence to Malaca THe Mahometan and I returning to our lodging departed not in four days after employing that time in shipping an hundred Bars of Tin and thirty of Benjamin which were still on Land Then being fully satisfied by our Merchants and ready to go I went to wait upon the King at his Passeiran which was a great place before the Palace where those of the Country kept their most solemn Fairs There I gave him to understand that now we had nothing more to do but to depart if it would please his Majesty to permit us The entertainment that he gave me then was very gracious and for answer he said to me I am very glad for that Hermon Xabandar who was chief General of the Wars assured me yesterday that your Captains commodities were well sold but it may be that that which he told me was not so and that he delivered not the truth for to please me and to accommodate himself to the desire he knew I had to have it so wherefore continued he I pre-thee declare unto me freely whether he dealt truly with me and whether the Mahometan that brought them be fully satisfied for I would not that to my dishonor those of Malaca should have cause to complain of the Merchants of Panaiu saying that they are not men of their word and that there is not a King there who can constrain them to pay their debts and I swear to thee by the faith of Pagan that this affront would be no less insupportable to my condition then if I should chance to make peace with that Tyrant and perjured Enemy of mine the King of Achem. Whereunto having replyed that we had dispatched all our affairs and that there was nothing due to us in his Country Verily said he I am very well pleased to hear that it is so wherefore since thou hast nothing else to do here I hold it requisite that without any further delay thou shouldst go for the â—â—me is now fit to set sail and to avoyd the great heats that ordinarily are endured in passing the Gulph which is
already delivered he had spent so much time and yet could never till then hear any news of him in all the Ports and places where he had been The next morning we arrived at the Port of Lailoo where Quiay Panian had much kinred and many friends so that he wanted no credit in that place wherefore he intreated the Mandarin who is the Captain of the Town to permit us to buy for our mony such things as we stood in need of which he instantly granted as well for fear lest some displeasure might be done him as for the sum of a thousand duckets presented unto him by Antonio de Faria wherewith he rested very well satisfied Hereupon some of our Company went ashore who with all diligence bought whatsoever we wanted as Saltpeter and Sulphur to make powder Lead Bullets Victual Cordage Oyl Pitch Rosin Ockam Timber Planks Arms Darts Staves hardened in the fire Masts Sails Sail-yards Targets Flints Pullies and Anchors that done we took in fresh water and furnished our Vessels with Mariners Now although that this place contained not above three or four hundred houses yet was there both there and in the villages adjoyning such a quantity of the aforesaid things that in truth it were hard to express it for China iâ— excellent in this that it may vaunt to be the Country in the world most abounding in all things that may be desired Besides for that Antonio de Faria was exceeding liberal in regard he spent out of the general booty before the partitions were made he payd for all that he bought at the price the sellers would set by means whereof he had more brought him by far then he had use for so that within thirteen days he went out of this Port wonderfully well accommodated with two other new great Junks which he had exchanged for two little ones that he had and two Lanteaas with Oars as also an hundred and sixty Mariners both for rowing and for governing the sails After all these preparations were made and we ready to weigh anchor a general muster was taken of all that were in our Army which in number was found to be five hundred persons as well for fight as for the service and navigation of our Vessels amongst whom were fourscore and fifteen Portugals young and resolute the rest were Boys and Mariners and men of the other Coast which Quiay Panian kept in pay and were well practised in Sea-fight as they that had been five years Pyrats Moreover we had an hundred and sixty Harquebuses forty pieces of brass Ordnance whereof twenty were field-pieces that carryed stone-bullets threescore quintals of powder namely fifty four for the great Ordnance and six for the Harquebuses besides what the Harquebusiers had already delivered to them nine hundred pots of artificial fire whereof four hundred were of powder and five hundred of unsâ—aked Lime after the Chinese manner a great number of stones Arrows Half-pikes four thousand small Javelings store of Hatchets to serve at boarding six Boats full of Flints wherewith the Sailers fought twelve Cramp-irons with their hooks fastned to great Iron chains for to grapple Vessels together and many sorts of fire-works which an Engineer of the Levant made for us With all this equipage we departed from this Port of Lailâ—â— and within three days after it pleased God that we arrived at the fishing place where Coia Acem took the Portugals Junk There as soon as it was night Antonio de Faria sent spies into the River for to lâ—â—rn whereabout he was who took a Paroo with six Fishermen in her that gave us to understand how this Pyrat was some two leagues from thence in a River called Tinlau and that he was accommodating the Junk he had taken from the Portugals for to go in her with two others that he had unto Siam where he was born and that he was to depart within two days Upon this news Antonio de Faria called some of his company to councel where it was concluded that first of all the places and forces of our Enemy was to be visited and seen because in a matter of so much hazard it was not safe to run as it were blindfold unto it but to advise on it well beforehand and that upon the certainty of that which should be known such resolution might afterwards be taken as should seem good to all Then drawing the fishermen out of the Paroo he put some of Quiay Panians Mariners into her and sending her away only with two of those fishermen keeping the rest as hostages he committed the charge of her to a valiant Soldier named Vincentio Morosa attired after the Chinese fashion for fear of discovery who arriving at the place where the Enemy rode made shew of fishing as others did and by that means espyed all that he came for whereupon reâ—urâ—ing he gave an account of what he had seen and assured us that the Enemies were so weak â—s upon â—oarding of them they might easily be taken Antonio de Faria caused the most experienced men of his company to be assembled to advise thereon and that in Quiay Panians Junk to honor him the more as also to maintain his friendship which he much esteemed At this meeting it was resolved that as soon as it was night they should go and anchor at the mouth of the River where the Enemy lay for to set upon him the next morning before day This agreed unto by all Antonio de Fâ—ria set down what order and course should be held at the entring into the River and how the Enemy should be assaulted Then dividing his men he placed thirty Portugals in Quiay Panians Junk such as he pleased to choose because he would be sure to give him no distaste Likewise he disposed six Portugals into each of the Lantâ—â—as and into Christovano Borralho's Junk twenty the rest of the Portugals being three and thirty he retained with himself besides slaves and divers Christians all valiant and trusty men Thus accommodated and ordered for the execution of his enterprize he set sail towards the River of Tinlau where he arrived about Sun-set and there keeping good watch he past the night till three of the clock in the morning at which time he made to the Enemy who rode some half a league up in the River It pleased God that the Sea was calm and the wind so favorable as our Fleet sailing up the River arrived in less then an hour close to the Enemy unperceived of any But because they were Thieves and feared the people of the Country in regard of the great mischiefs and robberies which they dayly committed they stood so upon their guard and kept so good watch that as soon as they discerned us in all haste they rung an alarum with a Bell the sound whereof caused such a rumor and disorder as well amongst them that were ashore as those aboard that one could hardly hear one another by reason of the great noise they made
the good I have done you for Gods sake To conclude all the vessels where these things are exposed to sale are seldom less in number then two hundred besides thousands of others which sell such like wares in a far greater quantity We saw likewise many Barcasses full of men and women that played upon divers sorts of instruments and for mony gave them musick that desired it There were other vessels laden with horns which the Priests sold therewith to make feasts in Heaven for they say that those were the horns of several beasts which were offered in sacrifice to the Idols out of devotion and for the performance of vows that men had made in divers kind of misfortunes and sicknesses wherein they had at others times been And that as the flesh of those beasts had been given here below for the honour of God to the poor so the souls of them for whom those horns were offered do in the other world eat the souls of of those beasts to whom those horns belonged and thereunto invite the souls of their friends as men use to invite others here on earth Other vessels we saw covered with blacks and full of tombs torches and great wax lights as also women in them that for money would be hired to weep and lament for the dead others there were called Pitaleus that in great barques kept divers kinds of wild beasts to be shewed for mony most dreadful to behold as Serpents huge Adders monstrous Lizards Tygers and many others such like we saw in like sort a great number of Stationers which sold all manner of books that could be desired as well concerning the creation of the world whereof they tell a thousand lies as touching the States Kingdoms Islands and Provinces of the world together with the Laws and Customs of Nations but especially of the Kings of China their number brave acts and of all things else that happened in each of their reigns Moreover we saw a great many of the light swift Foysts wherein were men very well armed who cried out with a loud voice that if any one had received an affront whereof he desired to be avenged let him come unto them and they would cause satisfaction to be made him In other vessels there were old women that served for midwives and that would bring women speedily and easily a bed as also a many of Nurses ready to be entertained for to give children suck There were barques likewise very well adornâ—d and set â—orth that had in them divers reverend old men and grave matrons whose profession was to make marriages and to comfort widows or such as had lost their children or suffered any other misfortune In others there were a number of young men and maids that lacked Masters and Mistresses which offered themselves to any that would hire them There were other vessels that had in them such as undertook to tell fortunes and to help folks to things lost In a word not to dwell any longer upon every particular that was to be seen in this moving Town for then I should never have done it shall suffice me to say that nothing can be desired on land which was not to be had in their vessels and that in greater abundance then I have delivered wherefore I will passe from it to shew you that one of the principal causes why this Monarchy of China that contains two and thirty Kingdoms is so mighty rich and of so great commerce is because it is exceedingly replenished with rivers and a world of Chanals that have been anciently made by the Kings great Lords and people thereof for to render all the Country navigable and so communicate their labours with one another The narrowest of these Chanals have bridges of hewed stone over them that are very high long and broad whereof some are of one stone eighty ninety nay an hundred spans long and fifteen or twenty broad which doubtlesse is very marvellous for it is almost impossible to comprehend by what means so huge a masse of stone could be drawn out of the Quarry without breaking and how it should be transported to the place where it was to be set All the ways and passages from Cities Towns and Villages have very large causeys made of fair stone at the ends whereof are costly pillars and arches upon which are inscriptions with letters of gold containing the pray sers of them that erected them moreover there are handsome seats placed all along for poor passengers to rest themselves on There are likewise innumerable Aqueducks and fountains every where whose water is most wholesom and excellent to drink And in divers parts there are certain Wenches of love that out of charity prostitute themselves to travellers which have no mony and although amongst us this is held for a great abuse and abomination yet with them it is accounted a work of mercy so that many on their death-beds do by their testaments bequeath great revenues for the maintenance of this wickedness as a thing very meritorious for the salvation of their souls moreover many others have left lands for the erecting and maintaining of houses in deserts and unhabited places where great fires are kept all the night to guide such as have strayed out of their way as also water for men to drink and seats to repose them in and that there may be no default herein there are divers persons entertained with very good means to see these things carefully continued according to the institution of him that founded them for the health of his soul. By these marvels which are found in the particular Towns of this Empire may be concluded what the greatness thereof might be were they joyned all together but for the better satisfaction of the Reader I dare boldly say if my testimony may be worthy of credit that in one and twenty years space during which time with a world of misfortune labour and pain I traversed the greatest part of Asia as may appear by this my discourse I had seen in some countrys a wonderfull abundance of several sorts of victuals and provisions which we have not in our Europe yet without speaking what each of them might have in particular I do not think there is in all Europe so much as there is in China alone And the same may be said of all the rest wherewith Heaven hath favoured this clymate as well for the temperature of the air as for that which concerns the policy and riches the magnificence and greatness of their estate Now that which gives the greatest luster unto it is their exact observation of justice for there is so well ruled a Government in this Country as it may justly be envied of all others in the world And to speak the truth such as want this particular have no gloss be they otherways never so great commendable Verily so often as I represent unto my self those great things which I have seen in this China I am on the one
Streamers waving upon the Battlements The first Salutation between the besiegers and the besieged was with arrows darts stones and pots of wild-fire which continued about half an hour then the Tartars presently filled the ditch with bavins and earth and so reared up their ladders against the wall that now by reason of the filling up of the ditch was not very high The first that mounted up was Iorge Mendez accompanied with two of ours who as men resolved had set up their rest either to die there or to render their valour remarkable by some memorable act as in effect it pleased our Lord that their resolution had a good success for they not only entred fiâ—st but also planted the first colours upon the wall whereat the Mitaquer and all that were with him were so amazed as they said one to another Doubtless if these people did besiege Pequin as we do the Chineses which defend that City would sooner lose their honour then we shall make them to do it with all the forces we have in the mean time all the Tartars that were at the foot of the ladders followed the three Portugals and carried themselvâ—s so valiantly what with the example of a Captain that had shewed them the way as out of their own natural disposition almost as resolute as those of Iapan that in a very shâ—rt space above 5000 of them were got upon the walls from whence with great violence they made the Chineses to retire whereupon so furious and bloody a fight ensued between either party that in less then half an hour the business was fully decided and the Castle taken with the death of two thousand Chineses and Mogores that were in it there being not above sixscore of the Tartars slain That done the gates being opened the Mitaquer with great acclamations of joy entred and causing the Chineses colours to be taken down and his own to be advanced in their places he with a new ceremony of rejoycing at the sound of many instruments of war after the the manner of the Tartars gave rewards to the wounded and made divers of the most valiant of his followers Knights by putting bracelets of gold about their right arms and then about noon he with the chief Commanders of his Army for the greater triumph dined in the Castle where he also bestowed bracelets of gold upon Iorge Mendez and the other Portugals whom he made to sit down at table with him After the cloth was taken away he went out of the Castle with all his company and then causing all the walls of it to be dismantelled â—e razed the place quite to the ground setting on fire all that remained with a number of ceremonies which was performed with great cries and acclamations to the sound of diveâ—s instruments of war Moreover he commanded the ruines of this Castle to be sprinkled with the blood of his enemies and the heads of all of them that lay dead there to be cut off as for his own souldiers that were slain he caused them to be triumphantly buried and such as were hurt to be carefully looked unto this done he retired with a huge train and in great pomp to his tent having Iorge Mendez close by him on horsback As for the other eight of us together with many brave Noblemen and Captains we followed him on foot Being arrived at his tent which was richly hung he sent Iorge Mendez a thousand Taeis for a reward and to us but an hundred a piece whereat some of us that thought themselves to be better qualified were very much discontented for that he was more respected then they by whose means as well as his the enterprise had been so happily atchieved though by the good success thereof we had all obtained honour and liberty CHAP. XXXIX The Mitaquer departs from the Castle of Nixiamcoo and goes to the King of Tartary his Camp before Pequin with that which we saw till we arrived there and the Mitaquers presenting us unto the King THe next day the Mitaquer having nothing more to do where he was resolved to take his way towards the City of Pequin before which the King lay as I have delivered before To this effect having put his Army into battel aray he departed from thâ—nce at eight of the clock in the morning and marching leasurely to the sound of his warlike instruments he made his first station about noon upon the bank of a river whose scituation was very pleasant being all about invironed with a world of fruit trees and a many goodly houses but wholly deserted and bereaved of all things which the Barbarians might any way have made booty of Having past the greatest heat of the day there he arose and marched on until about an hour in the night that he took up his lodging at a prety good Town called Lantimay which likewise we found deserted for all this whole Country was quite dispeopled for fear of the Barbarians who spared no kind of person but wheresoever they came put all to fire and sword as the next day they did by this place and many other along this river which they burnt down to the ground and that which yet was more lamentable they set on fire and clean consumed to ashes a great large plain being above six leagues about and full of corn ready to be reaped This cruelty executed the Army began again to move composed as it was of some threescore and five thousand horse for as touching the rest they were all slain as well at the taking of Quinçay as in that of the Castle of Nixiamcoo and went on to a mountain named Pommitay where they remained that night The next morning dislodging from thence they marched on somewhat faster then before that they might arrive by day at the City of Pequin which was distant about seven leagues from that mountain At three of the clock in the afternoon we came to the river of Palamxitan where a Tartar Captain accompanied with an hundred horse came to receive us having waited there two days for that purpose The first thing that he did was the delivering of a letter from the King to our General who received it with a great deal of ceremony From this river to the Kings quarter which might be some two leagues the Army marched without order as being unable to do otherwise partly as well in regard of the great concourse of people wherewith the ways were full incoming to see the Generals arrival as for the great train which the Lords brought along with them that over-spread all the fields In this order or rather disorder we arrived at the Castle of Lautir which was the first Fort of nine that the Camp had for the retreat of the Spies there we found a young Prince whom the Tartar had sent thither to accompany the General who alighting from his horse took his Scymitar from his side and on his knees offered it unto him after he had kissed the ground five times
that other succors came to joyn with them as indeed the report went that fourscore thousand all Mons by Nation and led by the King of Avaa were on their way thither With this resolution the Tyrant of Bramaa set forth towards Meleytay with an Army of three hundred thousand men namely two hundred thousand by Land alongst the Rivers side whereof the Chaumigrem his Foster-brother was Commander in chief and the other hundred thousand under his own conduct being all choyce men and imbarqued in two thousand Seroos Being come within sight of Meleytay the Avaas desiring to shew that the resolution wherewith they were come thither was of far more power with them then any fear they could have and that also their Enemies might not receive any benefit by their Fleet which lay on the River and do them an affront besides by taking of it they set all theâ—â— Vessels on fire and burnt them every one Then without any dread of that which the flesh doth naturally most fear they got all into the field and ranged themselves into four Battalions in three of which whereof each one made ten thousand men were the thirty thousand Mons and in the the other that were somewhat bigger were all the Mariners of the four hundred Vessels they had burnt These same they placed in the Vaunt-guard with an intention that they should weary the Enemies with whom they made a cruel fight which lasted about half an hour wherein all these Mariners were cut in pieces presently after them the thirty thousand Mons close compacted together in three Battalions presented themselves and with wonderful violence set upon their Enemies between whom and them followed so extraordinary and cruel a battel as not longer to insist upon it nor to recount in particular how things past which also I cannot well do it shall suffice me to say that of the thirty thousand Mons eight hundred only escaped out of it who being routed made their retreat into the Fortress of Meleytay but that which was most memorable herein was that of the King of Bramaas two hundred thousand men an hundred and fifteen thousand lay dead in field and all the rest for the most part were wounded In the mean time the Tyrant which came along on the River in the two thousand Seroos arrived at the place of Battel where beholding the strange massacre which the Mons had made of his people he became so enraged at it that dis-imbarquing his Forces he instantly layd siege unto the Fortress with a purpose as he said to take all those eight hundred that were in it alive This siege continued seven whole days together during the which those without gave five assaults to it and the besieged defended themselves always very valiantly howbeit seeing that the last hour of their life was come and that they could no longer hold that place for their King as they had hoped they might by reason of the fresh Forces which the King of Bramaa had landed like couragious men as they were they resolved to dye in the field as their companions had done and valiantly revenge their deaths with that of their Enemies whereunto they were the more willingly carryed because they perceived well that if they continued still in the place they should never make use of their valor as they desired to do for that the Tyrants Ordnance would by little and little consume them This resolution taken they under the favor of a very dark and rainy night sallyed forth and first of all fell upon the two first Courts of guard that were on the Lands side cutting all in pieces that they met withall Then following their design they passed on like desperate men and whether they did it either to shew that they regarded not death which threatened them or for the desire they had to gain honor so it was that they behaved themselves so couragiously and pressed the Tyrant so neer as they forced him to leap into the River and swim for his life in so much that all the Camp was in disorder and broken through in I know not how many places with the death of above twelve thousand men amongst whom were fifteen hundred Bramaas two thousand strangers of divers Nations and all the rest Pegu's This â—ight last not above half an hour in which time the eight hundred Mons were all slain there being not so much as one of them that would yield upon any composition whatsoever Hereupon the Tyrant of Bramaa seeing the fight ended and all things quiet went and reassembled his Forces together and so entered into the Fortress of Meleytay where he presently commanded the Xemims head to be cut off saying that he was the sole cause of that disaster and that he who had been a Traytor to his King could not be faithful unto him behold the recompence which this Tyrant made him for delivering up the City of Prom unto him howsoever it justly belonged unto him for a punishment of his perfidiousness that carryed him to betray his King and his own Country into the power of his Enemies After this they fell to dressing of the hurt men which were in very great number We pâ—st all this night with much apprehension always keeping good watch and the next morning as soon as it was day the first thing that we did was to rid away the dead bodies which were in so great number all over the Camp that the ground was quite covered with them After this we took a view of those that were killed as well on the one as the other party and we found that on the Bramaas side there were an hundred and fourscore thousand and on the Prince of Avaas forty and two thousand wherein were comprized the thirty thousand Mons. That done after the Tyrant had fortified the City of Prom as also the Fort of Meleytay and made two other Forts upon the bank of the River in such places as he judged to be most important for the safety of that Kingdom he went up the River of Queitor in a thousand rowing Serâ—os wherein were imbarqued seventy thousand men In this Voyage his intention was to go in his own person for to observe the Kingdom of Avaa and to see the City himself the better to consider the strength of it and thereby judg what Forces he should bring for to take it So he proceeded still on for the space of eight and twenty days and during that time passed by many goodly places which within the Kingdom of Chaleu and Iacuçalaon were upon the bank of the River At length he arrived at the City of Avaa the thirteenth of October the same year a thousand five hundred forty and five Being come to the Port he remained there thirteen days and that while burned between two and three thousand Vessels that he found there Moreover he set fire on many Villages thereabout which cost him not so little but that he lost in all these degasts eight thousand of