Maugy Maugy Heere is found plenty of golde Their money is made of Corrall Here is cloth of gold cloth of silke and Chamlets made Heere groweth spices Masties as bigge as Asses Plenty of Pearles and precious stones Heere they haue an ill custome Heere is moneâ— of golde Here is great plenty of Spices Heere is found greate plentye of gold A Riuer into the Seas Heere be many Horses bredde A Sazo of gold is worth eyght of siluer which is an ounce Heere is great plentâ— of golde The men of this countrey haue theyr teeth couered with gold Heere is a custome that the good man is much made of after hys wife is broughte a bed A Sazo of gold is an ounce and is worth fyue of Siâ—â—er A strange kind of Phisicke Vnicornes Great plenâ—â— of cloth of Gold and Silke Mangi Mangi Mangi The riuer Tnoguron the greatest riuer in the world Fiue thousanÌ„d vessels on this riuer Seauen thousand bridges of stone Plentie of Rewbarbe Fiue pounde of Ginger for sixe pence Quinsay The noblesâ— Citie of the worlde it is an hundred miles coÌ„passe Twelue thousand bridges of stone The manner how they do kil the Lions Good cheape Suger Faire men and women heere Blacke Henâ— and fatie without feathers A Riuer of seauen mile broad There be many Ships made This Citie hath the best Hauen in the world For one Shippe that commeth to Alâ—xanâ—ria there commeth in ther a hundreth Great custome is payd heere The Iland of Ciampagu is fifteene hundred miles from the mayne lande In this Iland is great plentâ— of golde The Kings Pallace is couered wyth cleane golde The windowes and pillers thereof is golde Great â—lenty of Precious stones Men hauing stones that were inchanted could not be slaine with weapons of iron but with clubbes The Citie taken by a prettie meanes In this Sea is .7448 Ilands whiche be verye frutefull and pleasant Heere groweth whyte Pepper This King had .325 children A very riche Iland of spices and golde in great plentye Heere is found plentie of golde Great trade for Pepper by reason of the quantity Melibar Plenty of Pepper and Ginger and Turbit A darke land The Introduction FOr that this treatise which I found in the secoÌ„d Booke towards the end that Maister Pogio FloreÌ„tine Secretary vnto Pope Eugenius the fourth wryteth of the varietie or chaunge of fortune it maketh muche vnto the confirmation and proofe of the things that Maister Marcus Paulus writeth in hâ—s Booke for that by the mouth of two or three as our Redeemer sayth there is proued the truth I thoughte good to translate it out of Eloquent Latine whiche hee did write it in and to communicate it into my rude Castilian and naturall tongue for that ioyntly suche twoo witnesses in thys present worke may make a full or almoste a sure proofe of some things for that it hath not bin seene in our Europa or that in any auntient writing appeareth it may be thoughte harde or difficile credence And the saide Pogio followeth in this manner in the ende of his seconde Booke IT séemeth not vnto me a thing straunge from reason if I decline from the stile that hitherto I haue vsed in this Booke declaring of the harde fortune making an ende counting the diuersities of thinges wherein the heartes of the Readers finde more taste and amiable gladnesse than in those that already I haue written Notwithstanding that also in the cause I will declare appeareth plainelye the force of Fortune in retourning a man vnto Italy oute of the extreame partes of the worlde of the Orient after that he had suffered and passed fiue and twentie yeres such greate fortunes aswell by sea as by lande The olde Authors do write many things of the Indians with the common fame of the whiche the certaine knowlege that since we haue hadde sheweth them to be rather fables than of truth as it appeareth by the referring of one Nicholas a Venetian that after he had trauailed the intrailes of the Indias he came vnto Eugenius the fourth Pope of that name who then was in Florence to reconcile himselfe and to haue pardon for that comming oute of India and neâ—re vnto Egipt towards the redde Sea hée was constrayned to renounce and forsake the faith for feare of death more of his wife and children than of hymselfe And for that I hearde by manye that he declared of manye singular things I desired muche to heare hym and not onelye to demaunde of him concerning the things whiche hée hadde séene in the presence of wise Barons and of greate authoritie but also to enforme my selfe wyth hym in myne owne house and to take a note of his relation for that there mighte remaine a remembraunce of it vnto those that hereafter shoulde come after mée And of a trueth hée tolde so certaynelye so wisely and so attentiuely all hys trauaile made amongest people of so farre Countries the vse manners and custome of the Indians the diuersitie of wilde beastes trées the lynages of Spices and in what place it groweth that it appeared well hée dydde not declare a fained tale but the trueth of that whiche hée hadde séene And as it séemeth this man went so farre as none of the olde tyme hadde béene for he passed the riuer Gangy and wente beyonde the Ilande Taprobana where we reade there came none excepte one Captaine of Alexanders fléete named Onesycrito and a Citizen of Rome that by fortune of teÌ„pest arriued in those parties in the time of Tiberius Cesar. This Nicholas Venetian being yong was as a Merchaunt in the Citie of Damasco in Syria and hauing learned the Arabian tongue he departed from the sayde Citie in the company of .600 Merchantes the whiche company they do call Carouana or Carauana trauailing with his merchaundize through the deserts of Arabia otherwise named Petrea and from thence thoroughe Chaldie he came vnto the greate riuer Euphrates Hée saide that at the going out of the Deserte hée sawe a meruailous thing that aboute midnighte being all at reste he heard a great noise and sound that they thoughte it hadde bin companies of Alarabes wild naked menne or robbers and that they were comming to doe them some hurte and all the whole company arose and were al ready with the feare and they sawe manye battels of horsemen whiche passed harde by their tents much like an hoste dooing vnto them no hurte at all and those that hadde vsed that way said it was certaine companies of fiends which did ouer run in that sorte the Deserts There standeth aboue Euphrates a noble Citie that the walles of it be of fouretéene thousande paces And this Citie was a parte of the olde Babilon and those of that Countrie name it by a newe name Baldachia and Euphrates runneth in the middes of it and they doe passe ouer a bridge that hath fourtéene arches of ech side where appeareth many remembraunces of the olde Babilon and manye edifications throwne downe It hath a strong and
the Seas adioyning there vnto that can say there is anye other Prouince or Ilande named India sauing that if anye woulde giue to vnderstand that going towarde the West he wente towardes the East and that although he came vnto the terrenall Paradise and that these Ilands shoulde lye in the greate Weast Occean Seas it appeareth playnely for that those that sayle thither steame their Shippe towards the Occident and his direct wind whiche he sayleth withall is out of the Orient or the East So it appeareth that they sayle not vnto the India but that they flye and depart from the India And thus it appeareth that he would say that the firste name that euer it hadde or was sette naming it Antillya seeming that by the corruption of the vulgar naming it Ante India as to say against India euen as Antechrist is contrary or against Christ or Antenorth againste the North. And thus it appeareth that it can not be named India but to vnderstande it as an antephrase cleane contrary as a Negro or a blacke Moore shoulde be named white Iohn or a Negresse or blacke woman to be named a Pearle or a Margarita that for finding gold in the Iland named Hâ—spaniola it should haue the name set Tharsia or Ophin or Sethin nor beléeue it standeth in Asia as some woulde saye although the thyng is so cléere that it séemeth a mockerie to proue it but reason dothe leade that wée shoulde gyue Mylke vnto Children and Infantes Saincte Austine declareth that the circumstance of the letter dothe illuminate the sentence And it appeareth in the thyrde Booke of Kings in the tenth Chapter and the second of Paralipomenon in the ninth Chapter do saye that the Seruantes of Salomon and of Diran doe fynde they broughte from Ophin and Sethin and Tharsis not onely golde but also Siluer and Timber called Thina and Elephantes téeth and Peacocks and Apes and Precious stones the whyche thyngs in infinite places of the very true Indians as well in Countreys farre within the lande as also in Countreys vppon the Sea syde and also in Ilandes wythout number that bée in the Oriente or East Seas shall be founde as by experience of the Merchantes traffiking into the East conforming to the holy Scripture and to all those that doe write as well Catholikes as Prophanes is manyfest And in the Ilande called Spaniola there can bée found no suche Timber nor all the other thyngs before named sauyng Golde the whiche as by this worke wyll appeare is founde in a greate number of places of the Orientall partes What is hée that in bringing gold from Antilla will proue it is from Ophin or Sethin or Tharsis from whence it was brought to Salomon First hée must prooue that it was neuer founde but in one place and that at thys daye it is not to bée had but in the same place only from whence it was broughte to Salomon the which is a manifest vntruth or false And also they that vnderstande that the storie of the holy scripture and the holy prophets when they do now name countries from whence those things be brought and farre Ilandes of Idolatours wheeeas the name of God was not hâ—ard did not speak but of Spaniola and of the other West parts he must proue there is no other Idolatours in the worlde but those whom he falsely calleth Indians nor other IlaÌ„ds but the Spaniola and the other West Ilandes and thys is of a truth all false for Grecia is Ilandes Scicilia a noble Ilande and Malta and Lipari Yzcla Serdenya Corsica Mallorca Minorca Ybisa Canarias England and others infinite in the foure partes of the world before now hath bin founde Of the whiche in the Orient or east is Taprobano which is the most noble Iland in the world and the Ile which is sayde to be so happie and fortunate that of neuer trée there falleth a leafe of in the whole yeare as also by thys Booke of Marcus Paulus is to be séene in the 106. Chapter of one Ilande that is in the Orientall seas .1500 myles in the which there is found gold in so great abundaunce that it is sayde the Kinges Pallace is couered or tyied wyth gold And furthermore it is sayd that the fame is that in those seas be seauen thousand four hundred fortie eight Ilandes in the whiche there is not founde one trée but that is swéete pleasaunt and fruiteful and of great profit wherby we may wel conclud that in many other Ilands there is gold to be found therfore it is not necessarie that the holye Scriptures shoulde be so vnderstanded by Antilla when it is sayde they went for gold to Tharsis Ophyn and Sechyn yea and although they wyll not beléeue the â—ther truthes they can not denye the saying of the holye Scripture in the Seconde Chapter of Genesis where it is sayde that the first riuer that goeth out of Paradise is â—hyson which doth compasse the whole countrey of Eiulath where golde doth growe and that the golde of that countrey is very good and pure nor it was not néedefull to haue thrée yeres from Ierusalem to Antilla as it is for the Ilands of the Indians whiche is more further off by a great deale and with much more difficultnesse to prouyde the precious stones and all other things they brought froÌ„ thence and also the wayes be more difficulte and strange by reason of contrarye windes and manye other incumbraunces And that this was not vnderstanded that the people a farre of are these Ilandes now founde it appeareth by Saint Paule in the fiftéenth Chapter to the Romaynes where is expounded the saying of Esay in the 52. Chapter wher it is sayde That those to whom it was not pronounced vnto shoulde sée and those that did not heare of him should vnderstande And this as a lyttle aboue is sayde is vnderstanded that from Ierusalem to the Iles of Grecia to the sea Illyrico which is the end of Grecia and the beginning of Italy by Slauonia or Dalmatia and Venice where before they had not hearde the name of Christ declared And bycause the holye ghost hath interpreted thys sentence by Saint Paul applying that prophecie with other like of his workes there remayneth no licence for other to apply it to Antilla But now let vs come to the summe of this reckning and say that if for the golde that is founde in Antilla wée should beléeue that it is Tharsis and Ophyn and Sethyn by the other things that be founde in Ophyn c and not in Antilla we must beléeue that it is not those nor those it And moreouer it appeareth that Asia and Tharsis Ophyn and Sethyn be in the East and Antilla the Spanyola in the west in place and condition much different FINIS ¶ Here foloweth a Table of the Chapters conteyned in this Booke THe Prologue of the Authour vpon this present Booke How Miser Marcus Paulus vsed himselfe in the Court of the great Cane Cap. 1. Of the meanes
of many spices that grow there ca. 108. Of the Iland Iocath and of the other two Ilands and of their coÌ„ditions cap. 109. Of the kingdome Malenir and of the Iland Pencera and of Iaua the lesse cap. 110. Of the kingdome of Baxina and of the Vnicornes and other beasts cap. 111. Of the kingdome Samara cap. 112. Of the kingdome Lambri and of the kingdome â—amphur and of things found there cap. 113. Of two Ilands and of their sluttish and beastly liuing cap. 114. Of the I le Saylan cap. 115. Of the prouince Moahar in the which there be fiue kingdomes cap. 116. Of the kingdomâ— Masuli where Adamants and many serpents be found cap. 117. Of the prouince Labe. cap. 118. Of the kingdome Orbay cap. 119. Of the prouince Châ—man and of the people and verye straungâ— beastes cap. 120. Of the kingdome of Hely and of the straunge beastes whyche are there found cap. 121. Of the kingdome Malibar of the things that be found there cap. 122. Of the kingdome Giesurath and of their euill customs cap. 123. Of the kingdome Thoma and of the kingdom Semebelech which is in India the greater cap. 124 A rehearsal of the things alreadie spoken of cap. 125. Of two Ilands one of men and the other women Christians and how there is much Amber cap. 126. Of the Iland called Escorsia which are Christians and of things that be found there cap. 127. Of the Iland Maydegastar where Elephants and other great nouelties are founde and a birde called Nichia which hath the quilles of his wings of twelue paces in length cap. 128. Of the Iland Tanguibar where there be men like Giants ca. 129 An Epiloge cap. 130. Of Abaxia cap. 131. Of the prouince Aden cap. 132. Of a very mighty king in the North part cap. 133. How the Armynes and other beastes are bought cap. 134. Of the prouince of Russia and of the things that be founde there cap. 135. FINIS TABVLAE The Prologue TO all Princes Lordes Knightes and all other persons that this my Booke shall sée heare or reade health prosperitie and pleasure In thys Booke I do mind to giue knowledge of strange and maruellous things of the world and specially of the partes of Armenia Persia India Tartaria and of many other prouinces and Countreys whiche shall be declared in this worke as they were séene by me Marcus Paulus of the noble Citie of Venice and that which I saw not I declare by report of those that were wise discrete and of good credite but that which I saw I declare as I saw it and that which I knew by others I declare as I heard it And for that this whole worke shall be faithfull and true my intente is not to write any thing but that which is very certaine I do giue you all to vnderstande that sithence the birth of our Sauioure and Lorde Iesus Christ there hathe bin no man Christian nor Heathen that hathe come to the knowledge and sight of so manye diuers maruellous and strange things as I haue séene and hearde whiche I will take in hande the laboure to write as I did sée and heare it For me thinke I shoulde do a great iniurie to the world in not manifesting or declaring the truth And for better information to them that shall reade or heare this worke I do giue you to vnderstand that I trauelled in the foresayd Prouinces and Countreys and did sée those things that I will declare the space of sixe and twentie yeares caused theÌ„ to be written to Mayster Vstacheo of Pisa the yeare of our Lorde God .1298 He and I then being prisoners in Ianua raigning in Constantinople the Emperoure Baldouino and in his time in the yeare of oure Lord .1250 Nicholas my father and Mapheo my vncle his brother Citizens of Venice went to Constantinople with their Merchandises And béeyng there a certayne tyme wyth councell of theyr friendes passed wyth such wares and iewels as they had boughte in the Countrey of the Souldan where they were a long time determining to goe forwarde and trauelling a long iourney came to a Citie of the Lorde of the Tartarians which is called Barcacan who was Lord of a greate parte of Tartaria â—urgaria and Asia And this Lord Barcacan tooke greate pleasure to sée my father Nicholas and my Vncle Mapheo and shewed them greate friendship and they presented to hym such iewels as they broughte with them from Câ—nstantinople who receyued them thankefully and gaue them giftes double the valew whiche they sent into dyuers partes to sell and they remayned in his Courte the space of one yeare in which tyme warres beganne betwéene the sayde Barcacan and Alan Lord of the Tartares of the East and there was betwéene them many great battayles and muche shedding of bloud but in the end the victorie fell to Alan And bycause of these warres my father and vncle coulde not returne the way they went but determined to go forwarde to the Eastward and so to haue returned to Constantinople and following their way came to a Citie in the East partes called Buccata whiche is within the precinct of the East Kingdome And departing from this Citie passed the Riuer which is called Tygris whiche is one of the foure that commeth out of Paradise terrenall and goyng seauentéene dayes iourneys through a Deserte not finding anyâ— Citie or Towne yet méeting with manye companyes of Tartares that went in the fields with their Cattel béeing past thys Desert they came to a great noble Citie called Bocora and the same name hadde that Prouince which the Kyng of that Countrey had and the Citie was called Barache and this is the greatest Citie in Persia. In thys Countrey were these two bréethren thrâ—e yeares And in this time came an Embassadoure from Hamil Lorde of the Easte whiche wente to the greate Alan Lorde of the Tartares that before was spoken of This Alan is otherwise called the greate Cane Thys Embassadoure maruelled muche to sée these two Bréethren béeyng Christians and tooke greate pleasure at them bycause they hadde neuer before that tyme séene any Christians and sayde to them Friends if you wyll followe or take my councell I will shewe you wayes or meanes whereby you shall gette greate riches and renowme Oure Lorde the King of the Tâ—rtares didde neuer sée anye Christians and hathe great desire to sée of them if you will goe with me I will bring you to his presence where you shall â—aue greate profite and friendshippe of hym They hearing thys determined to goe with hym and trauelling the space of one yeare towardes the East Southeast and after turning to the lefte hande towards the Northeast and after towardes the North in fine they came to the Citie of the great Cane in the whyche trauell they sawe manye straunge and â—aruellous things whyche shall be declared in thys Bâ—â—ke And these two bréethren béeyng presented to the great Cane were receyued by him very fauourably shewing
much discord that loke what the one would haue done the other did againe say it and through this meanes they toke neyther Citie nor Towne but only one and they killed all them that they founde therein for that they would not yéeld sauing eyght men whyche could not be killed with any iron for that eache of them had a precioâ—s stone enchanted in his righte arme betwéene the fleshe and the skynne and these stones did defend theÌ„ from death to be killed with yron and knowing of it these two Captaynes procured to kill these eyghte men with clubs of wodde and toke those stones for them selues and in that instant there arose suche a tempest of wind of Septentrion or North so terrible and doubting that their Shippes would breake they hoysed vp Sayle and went vnto another Iland tenne miles distant off froÌ„ this and the wind was so terrible that it opened many of their Ships and manye were forced to make backe towards their owne Countrey againe and about .30000 of them fledde by land of these they thought that they were all killed And as soone as it was caulme on the Sea the King of this Iland which had bin so spoyled wente with a great armie of Shippes vnto the other Ilande where as they were gone to haue taken them that were fledde and as soone as hée was on lande with his men the Tartares like wise and politike men retired backe by the Ilande and went vnto the Shyppes of this King whiche they had lefte without strength entred in hoysed vp the Sayles with the Auncientes and Flagges of that King whiche they left behinde in the Ilande and sayled vnto the first Iland where they were receyued and the gates opened thinking it had bin their owne king And in thys manner the Tartares tooke that Citie wherein the King had his habitation and ransacked it And as soone as the King of this Ilande knewe of it he caused many other Shippes to be prepared and with the men that hée had and many of her that hée tooke of new enuironed his proper Citie hauyng it beséeged seauen moneths And finallye the abouesayd Tartares hopyng for no succoure delyuered vp the Citie vnto the right King conditionally to let them go with their liues bagge and baggage Thys hapned in the yeare of our Lorde .1248 In this Ilande there bée Idols that some haue heads like Wolues some heads like Hogges some like Shéepe some like Dogs some haue one head and foure faces some thrée heads hauing one only necke and onely one right hande some haue onely one lefte hande some haue foure handes and some tenne and the Idoll that hath most handes is taken to be the most beautifull and to him that demaundeth of them wherefore they haue so many Idols they doe gyue no other reason sauing that so did their predecessors WheÌ„ the people of this Iland do take in battell any stranger if he doe not caunsome himselfe for money they kill him drinke his bloud and eate his flesh This Ilande is enuironed round about with the Occean sea The portes are frée for themselues The Marriners which vse that Sea say that there is in it .7448 Ilandes There is no trée there but he is of a swéete odoure frutefull and of greate profite In this Iland groweth the white Pepper From the Prouince of Mangi vnto the India and home is a yeares sayling the reason is for that there raygneth two stedfast windes the one in the winter and the other in the Sommer contrary the one vnto the other Of the Prouince named Ciabane and of that King who hath .325 sonnes and daughters of his owne There be many Elephants and much spices CHAP. 107. WHen you do go from Iaython whych is vnder the segniorie of the greate Cane towardes the Occidente and somewhat declining towarde the midday fiue dayes iourney you come vnto a Countrey named Cyaban wherein there is a Citie riche great and famous subiect vnto a King that he and his subiects speake the Persian tong And in the yeare of our Lord .1248 the greate Cane sente thither a great Baron named Sagato with a greate armie to conquere that Prouince and hée coulde do nothing but destroy muche of that Countrey and for that he should do no more hurt that King became tributarie vnto the greate Cane and euery yeare he sente him his tribute And I Marcus Paulus was in this countrey in the yeare of our Lord .1275 and I found this King very olde He had many wiues and amongst sonnes and daughters he had .325 Among his sonnes he hadde .25 of them that were very valiante men of armes In thys Countrey there be many Elephants and Lyons greate plenty and great Mountaynes of blacke Ebbante Of the great Iland named Iaua and of many Spices that grow there CHAP. 108. GOing from Ciaban sayling betwéene the midday and Solano or East and by South 1400. miles you come vnto a greaâ—e Ilande named Iaua whiche is in compasse thrée thousand miles In this Iland there be seauen crowned Kings frée paying no tribute at all In this Ilande there is great abundance of victuals and greate riches hauing very muche Pepper Cinamon Cloues and many other singular Spices in great quantitie The people do honour the Idols The great Cane could neuer make himselfe Lord of it Of the Iland named Iocath and of other two Ilands their conditions and properties CHAP. 109. SAyling seauentéene myles from Iaua betwéene the midday and Solano or East and by South you come vnto two Ilands the one is named Sondure and the other Condur And beyond these two Ilands almost two hundreth miles standeth the Countrey name Iocathe great and rich They speake the Persian tong and worship Idols They pay no kinde of tribute to any man for there is no man that can do them hurt There is found greate plentye of gold and a greate number of the small white shels of the Sea whyche is vsed in some places in stead of money as before it is rehearsed Also there be many Elephantes Vnto this Ilande there commeth very fewe Strangers for that it standeth out of the way Of the Kingdome named Malenir and of the Ilande named Pentera and of Iaua the lesse and of their customes CHAP 110. SAyling beyond Iocath fiue miles towardes the midday you come vnto the Iland named Penthera full of Mountaynes And in the middes of this Iland about forty miles there is but foure passes of water therefore the great Shippes do take off their Rudders and being paste these fiue miles towards the midday you come vnto a Realme named Malenir The Citie and the Iland is named Pepethan where there is plentie of Spices And going forwarde sayling by Solano or East and by South a hundred miles you come vnto the Ilande named Iaua the lesse which is in compasse two hundred miles In this Iland there is eyghte Kings euery one hauing his Kyngdome by himselfe They doe all
prouince that is in the world standing in the firme land being an excellent regigion There is in thys prouince Margarites verye fayre and great This prouince is diuided into fiue kingdomes wherevpon raigneth fiue brethren legitimate In the first beginning of this prouince standeth the firste kingdome gouerned by one of those fiue brethren named Sendarba and is entituled as king of Nor here is fine great pearles in great number This king hath the tenth of all the pearls whych are founde in his kingdome The fishermen do fish these pearles from the beginning of April vntill the middest of May in a gulfe of the Sea where there is greate plentie of them they are founde in the Oysters The men and women of this realme goe all naked sauing that they do weare a certaine cloth to couer theyr priuities Also the king goeth naked and to be knowen he weareth about his necke a lace full of precious stones whyche are in number a hundereth foure in the remembrance of a hundreth foure prayers that he vseth to say in the honour of his gods morning and euening and on his armes legges féete and téeth he weareth so manye precious Stones that tenne riche Cities be not able to paye for them This king hath fiue hundreth wiues and one of them he toke from his brother In this realme there be verye faire women of themselues also they do vse paynting sâ—tting more beautie vnto their faces and on their bodies Thys king haâ—h alwayes a greate companie with him to serue him when the king dyeth they burne his bodye and with him of their owne voluntarie willes all those that accompanied and serued him in his life time leape into the fire and burne themselues with him saying that they do go to beare their king companie in the other world and liue as they did here in this worlde Yerely this King buyeth tenne thousande horses of the countrey named Cormos at the price of fiue ounces of gold euery horse some more some lesse according vnto the goodnesse and beautie of the horse The merchaunts of Quinsay of Suffer and of Beden sell those horses vnto the merchauntes of this realme These horses lyue not in this prouince aboue one yeare by this meanes that king consumeth a greate part of his treasure in horses In this countrey they doe vse this custome that is when a man is condemned to dy he is begged of the Prince that he maye kill himselfe and when they haue obtayned the kings good will he killeth himselfe in the loue and honour of his Idols After thys wise hauing obtayned the kings grace and fauour the wife of this malefactour and kinred taketh him tying about his necke twelue kniues and in this manner he is carried by them vnto a place of iustice where he crieth as lowde as he may saying I doe kill my selfe in the honour and for the loue of suche an Idoll and with one of these kniues striketh himselfe and then with another vntyll such time as he falleth downe deade this done hys parents with great ioye and gladnesse burne the dead body thinking that he is happy In this countrey euerye man hath as many wiues as he is able to maintain wheÌ„ the husbande dyeth according vnto their custome his bodie is burnt and â—is wiues of their owne frée willes burne themselues with him and shée that leapeth firste into the fire the beholders take hir to be the best They are all Idolaturs and for the more part of them worship the Oxe saying he is a Sainct for that he laboureth and tilleth the grounde where the corne growth and so by no manner of meanes they will eate anye kinde of Oxe fleshe nor yet for all the golde in the world will they kill an Oxe and when any Oxe dyeth with his tallow they do rubbe al the insides of their houses These people descende of those that killed Saint Thomas the Apostle and none of them can enter into Sainct Thomas Churche whiche he edified in that countrey besides this if one will presume to enter into the Temple he falleth streight deade It hath bene proued oftentimes that some of them would enter perforce into the Church and it hath not bin possible for them doe it The king and those of this prouince eate alwayes vpon the ground and if it be demaunded of them by question why they doe so they doe aunsweare for that they doe come of the earth and to the earth they muste and they cannot doe so much honour vnto the Earth as is worthy In thys prouince there groweth nothing else but Rice these people go naked vnto the warres hauing no other weapon but speare and shield and they kill no wilde beastes at all for their eating but they cause some other that is not of their lawe to kill them All the men and women do wash themselues twice aday morning and euening for otherwise they dare neyther eate nor drinke and he that should not kepe this vse among them shoulde be reputed to bée and Hereticke and they do washe themselues in thys manner as we haue rehearsed they goe all naked and so they go vnto the riuer and â—ake of the water and powre it vpon their heads and then one doth helpe to washe another They are good men of warre and verye fewe of them drinke wine and those that doe drinke it are not taken to be as a witnesse nor yet those that go vnto the Sea saying that the Marriners are dronkards They are desperate men and estéeme lecherie to be no sinne This countrey is intollerable hote and the boyes go altogither naked It neuer rayneth in that Countrey sauing in Iune Iuly and August In this Region there be many Philosophers and many that vse Negromancie and verye manie of them that tell fortunes There be Hawkes as blacke as Rauens bigger than ours and good to kill the game Also there be Owles as bigge as Hennes that flye in the ayre all night Many of those men doe offer their children vnto those Idols that they haue most respect vnto and when they worship and feast those Idols they do cause to come before them all the yong men and maydes whiche are offered vnto them and they doe sing and daunce before the Idols and this done they do cause their meate to be broughte thither and they doe eate the flesh saying that the smell of the flesh filleth the Idols Of the Realme named Musuly vvhere there be found Adamants and many Serpents and of the manners of those in that Countrey CHAP. 117. MVsuly is a Region that standeth beyonde Moabar trauelling towards Septentrion which is the North .1000 miles The people of this Realme worship Idols And in the Mountaynes of this Countrey there be found fine Adamants And after they haue had muche rayne the men goe to séeke them in the streames that runne from the Mountaynes and so they do find the Adamants whiche are brought from the Mountaynes in Sommer when the dayes are
thrée parts of the world beforesaid to whiche it may be moste properly iudged to be and lyeth nearest vnto Ethiopia MOreouer you muste note that Ethiopia is a common name to manye Prouinces and Countries inhabited with blacke people called Negros And to begin with the moste Weaste partes the firste is 〈◊〉 that is to saye from Cabâ— Verde or the gréene Cape and following the coâ—st of the Sea to the mouth or streite of the Redde Sea. Al those prouinces be called Ethiopians and of these Ethiopians from Ginney vnto Casâ— Mansa that is to saye the Kings pallace they be of the sect of Mahomet circumcised the most parte of them And the chiefest and most principall of these people be the Iolofos and Mandingos and be moste parte vnder the gouernement of a King called Mandimansa for Mansa is as muche to saye as Senior or Lord and Mandy Mandinga so by this his title he is Lord Mandinga This King is blacke and his abiding is in the prouince of Sertano four hundred leagues within the land in a Citie compassed about with a wall called Iaga which is riche of golde and siluer and of all suche merchaundize as is occupied in Adem and in Meca and from thence forwarde the Ethiopians be Idolators to the cape called Buona Esperanca and there turneth againe to the sect of Mahomet Beyonde these prouinces following vp into the land of Sartanâ— bée greate and highe mountaines or hilles called mountaines of the Moone the toppes of them be alwayes couered with Snow at the foote of theÌ„ springeth the riuer Nilus and this Countrie is called Ethiopia beside Egâ—pt and in Arabia it is called Abas and the inhabitants â—â—hâ—ssmâ—s and be Christians and doe vse to be marked with an yron in the face they be not baptized with fire as some doe saye but as we are but they be Heretikes Iacobites and Hebeyonites They do holde on the olde lawe with the newe and be circumcised and doe kéepe the Sabaoth daye and doe eate no Poâ—ke and some of them doe take manye wiues and be also baptized and doe saye that their King came and descended of King Salomon and of the Quéene Saba and this King hathe continuall warres with the Moores There is another Ethiopia called Asiatica interior which the Arabians call Zenium and these doe extende from the sayd hilles of the Moone and of Nilus to the borders of Barbarie And the saying is that among all Riuers onelie Nilus entereth into two Seas that is to saye one braunche into the East Sea and another braunche into the West Sea. All these Ethiopians bée Moores and theyr laboure and occupation is digging of golde out of the grounde where they doe fynde great plentie There is also another Ethiopia called Tragodytica and thys dothe reache or extende from the foresayde Ethiopia to the streyte or mouth of the redde Sea and these bée somewhat whyter and the King and people bée Moores and came out of Arabia foelix for the Arabians came ouer the streyte of the redde Sea and gotte that Countrey of the Iacobites by force and at this daye there is robbing and stealing among them secretely for the King of the Iacobites is of so greate power that the Souldan of Babilon doth giue him tribute Arabia THat whiche wée doe call Arabia the Arabians doe call Arab and is called Gesyrdelaab That whyche is betwéene the redde Sea and Sinus Perficus is called the Iland of Arabia and thys is called Arabia Foelix by reason of the Incense that groweth there There bée other two Arabias besyde thys the one of them extendyng from the Mount Sinay to the dead Sea where the Children of Israell wente fortye yeares and thys is called Arabia petrea takyng that name of a Citie that is there The other dothe extende betwéene Syria and Euphrates towardes the Citie of Lepâ— and thys they doe call Arabia desan which is as muche to say as of Siria and our Latines doe call it Arabia deserta And wheras the vulgar people and men for the most part do thinke that Antilla or those Ilandes lately found out by commaundemente of the Catholike King Don Fernando and Lady Isabell Quéene be in the Indias they be deceyued therein to call it by the name of the Indias And for bycause that in Spaniola or newe Spayne they do find gold some doe not let to say it is Tharsis and Ophin and Sethin from whence in the time of Salomon they brought gold to Hierusalem And thus augmenting erroures vpon erroures let not to saye that the Prophetes when they sayde that the name of oure Lorde God should be pronounced to people that haue not hearde of it and in places and Countreys very farre off and aparted which is sayd to be vnderstanded by those that be called Indians and by these Ilandes and furthermore doe not let to say to this day that it is to be vnderstanded by the places mentioned in the holy Scripture and the Catholike doctors and that this secret God hath kept hidden all this time and by finding out these Ilands did reueale it I séeing how they are deceyued in their vayne inuentions and greate simplicitie for zeale and good will of the truth and to kill this canker that it créepe no more nor ingender greater erroures will giue light to this errour answering to the said muttering talkers according as to euery of them doth require And first you shall vnderstande that this name India according to all Cosmographers as well Christians as Infidels of old time and of later yeares the name dothe come of a Riuer named Hynde or Hyndo that going towards the East is the beginning of the Indias whiche bée thrée in number that is to say the first is called the lower or nether India the seconde is called the middle India and the third is called the high or vpper India The first or lower India is renamed Caysar and these do extend towards the East from the Riuer India vnto a Porte or Hauen on the Sea side of great traffike and trade called Cambaya And the King of this India and also the most part of the people be Moores and the rest Idolaters The second or middle India is surnamed Mynbar and dothe reache to the borders of Colchico and this hath very faire Hauens and Portes of greate traffike where they doe lade Pepper Ginger and other Spices and Drugges The Portes or Hauens be called Colocud Coulen Hely Fatenâ—r Colnugur and héere be many Christians Heretikes Nestorians and many Indians although towards the North they be Idolaters The thirde India whiche is the hygh India is surnamed Mahabar and dothe extend vnto Cauch whiche is the Riuer Gange Héere groweth plentye of Sinamon and Pearle The King and people of thys Countrey worship the Oxe Besides these thrée Indias whiche lye towardes the rising of the Sunne there can not be found neyther Author nor Man that hathe trauelled the firme land neyther
that the two brethren and M. Paulus found to returne to Venice Cap. 2. How they sayled to Iaua Cap. 3. How the saide Nâ—cholas and Mapheo and Marcus Paulus returned to Venice after that they had seen many things Cap. 4. Of Armenia the lesser and many things that be ther made Cap. 5. Of the Turchomanos in Armenia the lesse Cap. 6. Of Armenia the greater and of the Arcke of Noe. Cap. 7. Of Georgiania Cap. 8. Of the parties of Armenia which lye towardes the South and of the kingdome Mosul Cap. 9. Of Baldach and of many things that be there Cap. 10. Of the Citie Totis Cap. 11. Of a great miracle which happened in Mosul Cap. 12. Of Persia and of the countries of the Magos and of other good things Cap. 13. Of eight kingdomes of Persia and of things that be founde there Cap. 14. Of the Citie Iasor Cap. 15. Of the Citie of Cormoe Cap. 16. Of the Citie of Crerina and of the death of the olde man of the Mountaine Cap. 17. Of that which is founde in the same countrey Cap. 18. Of the Citie of Baldach and of many other things Cap. 19. Of the manner of the same countrey Cap. 20. Of the Citie of Hechasem Cap. 21. â—f the manners of the same land Cap. 22. Of the prouince of Bâ—llasia and of their things Cap. 23. Of the prouince Abassia whereof the people be blacke Cap. 24. Of the prouince Chassimuru and of many things Cap. 25. Of the saide prouince Cap. 26. Of the prouince named Vochanu Cap. 27. Of the nouelties of this countrey Cap. 28. Of the desert Bosor and of many nouelties Cap. 29. Of the prouince Caschar Cap. 30. Of Sumartha and of a miracle Cap. 31. Of the prouince Cartham Cap. 32. Of the prouince Chota and of their customes Cap. 33. Of the prouince Poyn Cap. 34. Of the prouince Ciâ—rtham being in the great Turkey Ca. 35. Of a great desert and of the Citie named Iob. Cap. 36. Of the prouince named Tanguith and of the Citie Sanguethia Cap. 37. Of the prouince named Chamul and of their noughtie customes Cap. 38. Of the prouince Hinguitalas and of the Salamandra that is found there Cap. 39. Of the citie which is called Campion and of manye beastlye customes that they vse Cap. 40. Of the citie called Eâ—cinâ— and of many noble things of Tartaria Cap. 41. Of the beginning of the seigniorie of the Tartarians and of many things Cap. 42. Of the customes ordinances honouring of the gret Cane and how he goeth vnto the warre Cap. 43 Of the playne of Berga and of the customes of the people there Cap. 44. Of the great Sea which is called Occean Cap. 45. Of the kingdome Erguil and of many other kingdomes of the muske which is there found and many nouelties Ca. 46 Of the citie Callacia and of many things that be made there Cap. 47 â–ª Of the prouince called Taâ—guith which is subiect to Prester Iohn and of the stone Lagulus whiche is founde there and of Goâ—h and Magot cap. 48. Of the Citie Sindatoy in Cataya where there is founde siluer Cap. 49 â–ª Of the Citie Gianorum cap. 50. Of the Citie Liander cap. 51. Of the sacrifice and other manners of the liuing of the greate Cane cap. 52. Of a victorie that the great Cane gote cap. 53. Of the great things belonging to the great Cane cap. 54. Of the great citie named Cambalu and of all the faire and maruellous things that bee in the seigniorie of the greate Cane cap. 55. Of the manner that the great Cane vseth in hunting cap. 56. Of the manner of their hauking cap. 57. Of the manner that the greate Cane vseth in riding through his countries and being in the fielde in pauillions cap. 58. Of the money that is vsed in that land cap. 59. Of the order and gouernement which the greate Cane vseth in his dominions cap. 60. Of the same order cap. 61. Of the sayde Citie Cambalu cap. 62. Of many maruellous things which are found in that countrey cap. 63. Of the Citie Gâ—igu and of many maruellous things cap. 64. Of the way leading to the prouince of the Magos cap. 65. Of the Citie of Tarasu cap. 66. Of the Citie named Paymphu cap. 67. Of a king named Bor. cap. 68. Of the Citie called Caciomphur cap. 69. Of the Citie Gengomphu cap. 70. Of the prouince of Chinchy cap. 71. Of the prouince and Citie callâ—d Cinilith Mangi and of manye other things that be there founde cap. 72. Of the prouince and Citie called Sindariffa cap. 73. Of the prouince Chelethi cap. 74. Of the prouince Thebeth cap. 75. Of the prouince Mangi cap. 76. Of the prouince Chandu cap. 77. Of another prouince cap. 78. Of the prouince Caraya cap. 79. Of the prouince Ioci and of their beastly customes cap. 80. Of the prouince Cheriaâ— and of many Serpentes that be there cap. 81. Of the prouince Cingui of the Citie called Canchasu ca. 82 Of the prouince Machay where there be found Vnicornes Elephants and many other nouelties cap. 83. Of the prouince called Cingui and of the Citie named Canchasu cap. 84. Of the Citie named Cianglu cap. 85. Of the Citie Candrafra and of the Citie Singuimat cap. 86. Of the riuer Coromoran and of the Citie Coygangui and of another Citie called Cayni cap. 87. Of the noble prouince of Mangi cap. 88. Of the Citie Coygangui cap. 89. Of the Citie Pangay of another which is called Cayni ca. 90. Of the Citie called Thingui cap. 91. Of the Citie Nangni which hath seauen and twentie Cities vnder it and of an othâ—r named Saymphu which hath vnder it twelue Cities cap. 92. How this prouince was made subiect to the great Cane cap. 93. Of the Citie called Cingus and of many other things cap. 94. Of the Citie called Ciangui cap. 95. Of the Citie Pingranphu and of other things which be in that countrey cap. 96. Of the Citie Singui and of a bridge of Marble stone vnder the whiche Citie be eighteene great Cities and of Rubarbe and other spices that grow there cap. 97. Of the Citie Gynusay which in compasse 100. myles cap. 98. Of the Citie Gansu cap. 99. Of the diuision which the great Cane made of the prouince of Mangi cap. 100. Of the rents which the great Cane hath of the prouince of Gynâ—say cap. 101. Of the Ciâ—ie Thampinguy cap. 102. Of the Citie Cinanguari and of the crueltie of the men that dwel there and of other things cap. 103. Of the Citie Frigui and of many other things cap. 104. Of the Citie which they call Iaython and of many other things cap. 105. Of the Isle which they cal Ciampagu and the maruellous things which be founde there and how the great Cane would haue conquered it cap. 106. Of the prouince called Ciabam and of the Lord that hath 325. sonnes and daughters and there bee manye Elephants and much spice cap. 107. Of the I le called Iaua
spannes in compasse and fiftéene in length At two iourneys ende strandeth the Citie named Greguy verye noble and greate hauing aboundance of all things néedeful The people are Idolatours and vnder the greate Cane And going from this Citie thrée dayes iourney towarde Solano you shall finde many Cities and townes and many Lyons The people do kill them in this manner the man doth put of his hosen and apparell and putteth on a wéede of Canuas carriyng a certaine thing pitched vpon his shoulders and carrieth a sharpe knife in his handes with a pointe and in this manner he goeth vnto the Lions denne and as the Lion séeth him come he maketh towards him and the man when he is neare casteth vnto him the pitched thyng whyche hée hath vpon his shoulders The Lyon taketh it in hys mouthe thinking that he hath the manne and then the man doth wounde him with the sharpe poynted knife and as soone as the Lyon féeleth hymselfe hurt he runneth away and as soone as the colde entereth into the wounde he dyeth In this maner they do kill many Lyons in that countrey whych is of the prouince of Mangi Of the Citie named Cinaugnary and of many other noble Cities and of the cruelty of the people that inhabit there and of other things CHAP. 101. TRauelling forward foure dayes iourney you come vnto a citie named Cinaugnary a great and a famous Citie standing vppon a Mountayne which parteth a riuer into two partes and trauelling foure dayes iourney forwarde you come vnto a Citie named Signy whiche is vnder the segniorie of Quinsay And after you enter into the Realme of Fuguy and trauelling forward sixe dayes iourney towardes Solano or East and by South through mountaynes and valleys you shall finde many Cities and Townes hauing plenty of all victuals and singular for Hunting and Hawking and plenty of spices and suger so plenty that you may buy forty pound of Suger for a Venice groate There groweth a certayne swéete fruite like vnto Saffron and they vse it instead of Saffron The people of this Countrey eate mans flesh so that he dye not of naturall death When the people of this Countrey go vnto the warres they doe make certayne signes in their forheads to be the better knowen and they go all on foote except their Lorde who rideth on Horsebacke They are very cruell people and vse the speare and sword They do eate the fleshe of those men that they kill and drinke their bloud In the middes of these sixe dayes iourney standeth the Citie named Belimpha whiche hath foure bridges of marble with very fayre pillers of marble Euery bridge of these is a mile in length nine paces in breadth Vnto this Citie there commeth great plenty of Spices Also there is in thys Citie very faire men and more fayre women and there be blacke Hennes and fatte without feathers and verye perfect to eate In this countrey there be Lions and other wilde perillous beasts so that they trauel in this cuntrey in great feare At these sixe dayes iourneys ende standeth the Citie named Vguca where there is made great plentye of suger which is all carried vnto the great Canes court Of the Citie named Friguy and of manie other maruellous things which be there CHAP. 104. PAssing out of the Citie of Vgucu and trauelling fiftéene miles you come vnto the Citie named Friguy which is the head of the Realme of Tonca which is one of the nyne Kingdomes of Mangi Through the middest of this Citie runneth a Riuer of seauen miles in breadth And in this Citie there be made manye Ships and is laden greate plentie of Spices and diuers other Merchandizes that is gathered néere to that Riuer and Precious stones whiche be broughte out of India maior This Citie standeth very néere vnto the Occean Seas and hath abundance of all kind of victuals or any thyng else néedefull Of the Citie named Iaython and of many other things CHAP. 105. GOing from Quinsay and passing the sayd Riuer trauelling fyue dayes iourney towardes Solano or East and by South you find many Cities and Townes hauing abundance of all victuals And at the ende of these fyue dayes iourney standeth a great and a faire City named Iaython whiche hath a good Hauen and thither come many Shippes from the Indyes with many Merchandises and this is one of the best Hauens that is in the world and there commeth Shippes vnto it in such quantitie that for one Shippe that commeth vnto Alexandria there commeth .100 vnto it The great Cane hathe great custome for Merchandises in and out of that Hauen for the Ship that commeth thither payeth tenne in the hundred for custome and of Precious stones and spices and of any other kind of fine wares they pay thirtie in the hundred and of Pepper .44 of the hundred so that the Merchants in freight tribute and customes pay the one halfe of their goodes In this Countrey and Citie there is great abundance of victuals Of the Ilande named Ciampagu and of things which be found there and how the great Cane would conquer it CHAP. 106. I Will passe from hence vnto the Countreys of India where I Marcus Paulus dwelte a â—ong time and although the things which I will declare séeme not to be beléeued of them that shall heare it but haue it in a certaynetie and of a truth for that I sawe it all with mine owne eyes And now I will beginne of the Iland named Ciampagu whiche standeth in the high Sea towardes the Orient and it is separated from the mayne land .1500 miles The people of this Countrey are fayre and of good maners although they be all Idolaters There is in thys Iland a King franke and frée for he payeth no tribute at all to any Prince The people of this Countrey speake the Persian tong And there is found in this Iland great plenty of golde and they neuer haue it forthe vnto anye place out of the Ilande for that there commeth thyther fewe Shyppes and little Merchandise The Kyng of thys Ilande hathe a maruellous fayre and great Pallace all couered with golde in pasâ—e of the thicknesse of a péece of two Ryals of plate And the windowes and pillers of this Pallace bée all of golde Also there is greate plenty of precious stones And the great Cane knowing of the greate fame and riches of this Iland determined to conquere it and caused to be made great prouision of munition and vittayles and a greate number of Shippes and in them he put many Horsemen and footemen and sent them vnder the gouernance of two of his Captaynes the one was named Abatan and the other Vonsaucin and these two went with this great armie from the Hauen of Iaython and of Glunsay and they went vnto the Iland Ciampagu where they went alande and hauing done great hurt in Mountaynes and valleys there entred suche enuie and hatred betwéene these two Captaynes and so
speake the Persian tong and honour Idols They haue scant of victuals From this Ilande you can not sée the North Starre little nor muche Beyonde it standeth the Realme of Ferlech The people are Moores They do honor Martin Piniolo which is Mahomet There dwell others in the Mountaynes that haue no kind of law They doe liue as beastes honouring the first thing that they do sée in the morning as their god They doe eate all kinde of dead fleshe and the flâ—sh of man caring not howe nor yet after what sorte it dyeth Of the realme named Bassina and of the Vnicornes and other wilde beastes CHAP. 111. GOing from Ferlech you come vnto the realme of Bassyna wher the people are without law liuing as beastes being subiect at their will vnder the gret Cane although they do giue him no tribute sauing that at sometimes when it pleaseth them they do sende vnto him some straÌ„ge thing In this realme there be Apes of diuerse sorts and Vnicornes little lesse than Elephants hauing a head like vnto a swyne and alwayes hanging it downward to the grounde and standeth with a good will in Cieno or miery puddel They haue but one horne in their forehead wherby only they are called Vnicornes theyr horne is large and blacke their tong is rough and full of prickles long and thicke The Apes of this country are small hauing a face like vnto a childe and those in that countrey do flaye them so that they looke like vnto a naked childe They séeth it and dresse it with swéete spices so that they haue no euil ayre nor strong sent and so sodden they doe sende them aboute in the worlde to sell saying they be sodden children In this countrey there be haukes as blacke as Rauens very strong and good to hauke with Of the realme named Samara and of many straunge things that are founde in the sayd countrey CHAP. 112. GOing from the Realme of Baxina you â—nter into the realme of Samara beyng â—n this same Iland where I Marcus â—aulus was fiue moneths by fortune of weather and for feare of the euill peopâ—e of that countrey for the most parte â—here liueth vppon mans fleshe From hence you sée not the North starre nor yet the other stars that rule the principal winde the people there are rustical and worshippe Idols there is singular good fish they haue no wine but they get it in this wise They haue manye trees like vnto the paulme trée they breake the braunches and from them commeth water as it commeth from the vyne This licour is white and redde like vnto Wine béeing very perfect to drinke there is great plentie of it Another realme there is in this Iland which is named Deragoya the people are rusticall and worship Idols They haue no king and speake the Persian speach In this Iland there groweth great plentie of the Indian nuts They haue this custome in this Iland that when any falleth sicke his kinsfolke demaunde of them if the patient shall liue or dy Then these maisters make Diuellish inchauntments if they say that he shall escape they let him lye and if they say that he shall dye they sende for the Butchers whiche stoppe his breath till he dye and when he is deade they séeth the bodie â–ª and the parents eate the flesh and kepe his bones in a chest Thys they do saying if the wormes had eaten the fleshe they should die for hunger and the soule of the deade bodie shoulde iuffer greate penurie in the other world They do hide this chest with the bones in a caue of the mountaines so that it maye not be founde All the straungers that they doe finde they kil and eate them if they be not ransomed for money as soone as they take them Of the Kingdome named Lambry and of the straunge things there founde and of the realme Samphur and of the things founde there CHAP. 113. LAmbry is another realme in this Ilande where there is great plentie of spices The people are Idolaters In this realme there be men that haue feathers about their priuities great and bigge and of the length of a goose quill The fift realme of this Iland Iaua is named Samphur where there is found the best Camphore that is in the world and it is solde for the waight of gold here they do vse the Wine of trées In this prouince there is a kinde of great trée and it hath a very thinne ryne and vnder the ryne it is full of singular meale and of thys meale they do make perfect meats of the which I Marcus paulus did eat many times Of tvvo Ilandes and of the euill liuing and beastlynesse of the people CHAP. 114. GOing from Lambry sayling 140. myles towardes the North you come vnto two Ilands the one is named Necumea and the other Nangania The people of Necumea liue like beastes the men and women go naked couering no part of their secrets they do vse carnallye like beasts or dogs in the stréets or wheresoeuer they doe finde without any shame at all hauing no difference nor regard the father vnto the daughter nor the sonne vnto the mother more than vnto another woman but euery one doth as he lusteth or may Here there be mountaines of Sandolos or SauÌ„ders and of nuts of India and of Gardamonia and many other spyces Nangama is the other Ilande it is fayre and great The people therof are Idolaters they liue beastly and eate mens flesh they are very cruel they` haue heades lyke great Mastie dogges and the men and women haue téeth like dogs In this Ilande there is great plentie of spices Of the Iland Saylan and many noble things which be founde there CHAP. 115. AFter that you go from Nangana you go towarde the Occident and declynyng against Arbyno about ten hundred myles you come vnto the Iland of Saylan whiche is the beste and the greatest Iland in the world being in compasse thirtie thousand myles In this Iland there is a very rich king the people are Idolatours and they goe all naked in this Ilande sauing that they do weare a linnen cloth before their secretes There is great plentie of Rice and of cattel and of the Wyne of trées In this Iland are founde the best Rubies that bée in the worlde and they be founde in no other place than here And here there be founde manye precious stones as Topases Amatistes and of diuerse other kindes Thys king hath the fairest Rubie in the world the length of a spanne and is as thicke as ones arme as redde as fire glistering without any blemmish The men of this countrey are wonderfull leacherous and they are worth nothing for the warres Of the prouince named Moabar vvherin there be fiue kingdomes and of the noble things that be founde there CHAP. 116. PAssing from thys sayde place and trauelling towardes the Occident fortie myles you come vnto a greate prouince namâ—d Moabar in the great India This is the greatest and the best
haue séene India bothe the greate and the lesse Tartaria wyth other prouinces Ilands which are so many that the age of one man yea peraduenture of ij men would not suffice to them all And now I will declare vnto you of India the great Of Abashya CHAP. 131. IN India the greate there is a greate prouince named Abashia whych is to say the middle India for it standeth betwéene India the greate and India the lesse The king of the prouince is a Christian and the Christians that be vnder hym carrye two tokens made with a burning yron from the forheade vnto the pointe of their nose The great King dwelleth in the middest of the prouince the Moores dwel towardes the prouince of Cadamy The holye Apostle Saint Thomas did conuerte muche people vnto the Christian faith in this prouince and afterwards went from thence vnto the prouince of Moaber where he was martyred In this prouince there be many valiant knights and meÌ„ of armes and they do euer make war against the Souldan of Aden The people of thys countrey liue vpon fleshe milke and Rice and of no other thing There they vse muche vsurie and in this prouince there be many Cities and townes Of the prouince of Adem or Ades and of the things found there CHAP. 132. THe prouince of Adem hathe a King and he is named the Sowdan of Adâ—m There be in this prouince many Cities and Townes and the people are Moores and haue greate strife with the Christians There be in this prouince Ports and Hauens whither many shippes come with merchaundize and the moste of this prouince liue vppon Rice for that they haue little fleshe and lesse milke This country is very dry and without fruite and there groweth no grasse and therefore the beastes of this prouince liue vppon drie fishe salte and rawe which they doe eate in steade of strawe and barley Of a mightie King of the Orient parties CHAP. 133. NOwe I haue tolde you of India the greate India the lesse and of middle India and nowe I haue remayning to tell you of the Countries whiche are towards Septentrion or the North where there raygneth a King of the imperiall house of the greate Cane These people do worshippe the same Idoll that the Tartarians doe worshippe whiche they name Nazigay This prouince hathe plaines and mountaines There groweth no kinde of sustenaunce neiâ—her corne nor Rice and the people liue onelye vppon fleshe and milke of Mares and no man maketh warre againste them nor they againste no manne Here bée manye Camelles and other beastes but they are deade Vppon the Seigniorie of this Kyng there is a Countrey so strong that no manne maye enter into it nor yet beaste being bigge by reason of the straites lakes and fountaynes whyche bée there and for that alwayes there is suche feruent colde that it is alwayes frozen and vnto them there can come no shipping This Countrey is in compasse twelue dayes iorney Hovve Armines are boughte and of other beastes CHAP. 134. I Will declare vnto you howe in these twelue dayes iourney they doe buy the wilde beasts for to haue theyr skinnes In euerye place of these twelue dayes iourney there is plentie of habitations and there be masties or dogges little lesse than Asses These masties doe drawe after them a certaine thing made of Woodde whiche is called Slioiala whiche is a sleade as the Oxen or Horses doe drawe a Carte sauing it hathe no whéeles as oure Cartes haue and these Slyoialas or sleddes are as bigge as twoo menne maye be in it that is to saye the Mayster of the maysties or carte and the Merchaunt that goeth to buy the skinnes And these masties cease not drawing excepte it be in some myry place they sette foure or sixe masties to drawe as among vs wée doe sette Oxen or Horses when they do come to their iourneys end the Merchaunt hyreth an other carter with his slead and masties for that the firste coulde not endure so muche labor and so he maketh his twelue dayes iourney till he come to the mountains where the Armins and skinnes are sold where they buy them and afterwaâ—des they retourne as they came At the ende of this Countrey there standeth a Kingdome whiche is named the Barkland for it is there euer darke as wee call the Twylight for the Sunne shyneth not there and is not séene The people of this Countrey haue no King but liue as beastes without lawe In this Countrie the men and women are well made of their bodies although they be somewhat yellowe of coloure The Tartarians that border vppon them doe spoyle them very muche and when the Tartarians doe goe to robbe in that darke valley they ride vppon mares that haue horse or mare coltes following them for they doubte to come oute that wayes that they were in by reason of the darknesse and wooddes and when they come neare vnto the place where they meane to robbe they doe tye their horse or mare coltes vnto the trées and ride vppon the mare and doe their feate and as they haue done it they lette their mares goe whither they liste and the mares goe straighte vnto their horse or mare coltes where they lefte them tyed vnto the trées Those in that Countrie wyth certaine deuises doe take many Armines and diuers other wilde beasts and take the skinnes and dresse them make merchaundize This obscure and darke Counâ—rey ioyneth one parte with Ronselande Of Rouseland and of other thinges whiche be founde there CHAP. 135. ROuselande is a greate Prouince towardes Trasmontana whiche is the North. The people of Russia are Christians according to the vse of the Gréekes Touching the things â—f the holy Church they are verye simple Rouseland is a strong Countrey and hathe very strong passages There be very fayre menne and women and vnto no man they giue tribute sauing vnto the King of Tartarie of the Occident There is made greate merchaundize of noble furres for apparell In Rouseland there be founde many mines of siluer also there is such feruent colde that the people can scarce liue This prouince reacheth vnto the Occean Seas towardes the Septentrion in which Seas there be many Ilandes wherein bréedeth many Gerfaulcons and singular Hawkes FINIS Nâ—lus The redde Sea. Souldan Arabia Felix Alepo Erronious iudgements of the voyages of Salomon Three Indias the first is the lower India The second or middle India Lading of Spices The third India called the higher India An Oxe worshipped 1298 1250 1272. Marco Polo was sent as Embassador from the great Cane Maâ—co Polo was in the great Canes Court seaueÌ„teene yeares Marco Polo and his Father Vncle had leaue to depart and went without Embassadors Foureteene great Ships with foure Mastes in a Shippe and sixe hundred men in eueâ—y Shippe and vittayled for two yeares Within three Monethes sayling they arriued at Iaua The returne of the two breethreÌ„ and Marco Polo to Venice in Anno. 1295. They take great