him that presented the same and the innocencie of them that were therein complained of he sent commanded the gouernor of Canton for to giue them good intertainment and not to permit any harme or hurt to be done vnto theÌ„ that he should send them vnto the city of Aucheo for that he would sée them for that it was tolde him that they seemed to be holy men and although that they had their apparell in tho same forme of the Austin friers whom he had séene yet their garments were of an other colour and more asper The chiefe captaine séeing that his intent fell not out well with the Iudges of China he commanded to bee proclaymed publicke in Machao that none should write vnto them nor coÌ„municate with them vpon paine of banishment and to pay two thousande ducats All this was not sufficient for to coole the mindes of some deuout persons of the religion of the glorious saint Francis but were rather incyted to offer their fauour helpe séeing they had néede thereof but in particular the bishop did helpe them alwaies with his almes and also an honorable priest called Andres Cotino who making small account of the proclamation did write vnto them diuerse times although secretly and sent their letters with almes and many exhortations to procéed forward with their holy zeale intent Besides this they sent vnto theÌ„ a spaniard called Pedro Quintero who had dwâ—lt there many yeares amongest the Portingals and hauing oportunitie they sent him many times with comfortable things and letters but not signed for if happily they should be met with all they might denie them to be theirs Now returning to our purpose the interpreter with desire to be payd of that which hee saide he had spent and laide out did bring the messenger that he promised them to go vnto Machao to carrie their letters vnto such religious men as they knewe in the which he craued their almes and helpe for to pay their interpreter and praying them for the loue of God to sende them likewise so much as should redéeme their challice who at this time knew not how it was solde and broken This messenger went with all diligence and secrecie and returned with the like brought with him that which they sent for other iunkets of great coÌ„tent the which came in very good season for that one of the sayde friers called frier Sebastian of S. Francis was very sick of a strong ague wherof in few daies after he died very wel with a strange desire to suffer martyrdome for Gods sake When this messenger came there was come thither the Aytao who is Iudge of the strangers and was without the citie vnto whom was coÌ„mited the examination of the Spaniards who after that he had concluded other matters coÌ„manded them to be brought afore him with great loue genâ—lenesse for so the viceroy of Aucheo had commanded him CHAP. VI. The Spaniards seing themselues in great necessitie hauing not to maintaine themselues they go into the streetes to aske almes the gouernor vnderstanding thereof coÌ„mandeth to giue them a stipend out of the kings treasure the interpreter goeth forwardes with his couetousnes deceit they be carried before the Iudges of the citie with whoÌ„ they do intreat of diuers matters they do aduise the the viceroy of al who coÌ„mandeth to send theÌ„ to Aucheo BEcause they would not sée themselues in the like danger with the interpreter as y t which was past they would not go any more to eate at his house but rather to giue an example vnto those of the citie they went foorth euery day by two and two to aske almes and although they were infidels yet they gaue them with great contentment and ioie because it was a rare thing in that kingdome to sée them begge in the stréetes by reason as hath béene tolde you that they haue no poore folk neither are they permitted if there be any to aske in y e streetes nor in their temples When that the Gouernor vnderstoode thereof and how that they did it for pure necessitie and had no other waies to maintaine themselues hee commanded to be giuen them euerie day a certaine stipend vpon the kinges cost the which was with so great abundance that mainteining the souldiers that came with them and all the rest yet had they to spare for that their stipende was giuen theÌ„ in money which was sixe Mayesses of siluer whereof they had to spare for that all thinges in that countrie is so good cheape as hath béen told you in many places Their interpreter séeing the good newes that was brought from Machao for the Spaniardes by a bill that a certayne deuout man had sent him in secret whereupon would be giuen vnto him all that was néedefull with protestation to pay all that should be giuen vnto them although it should amount vnto a great summe with the which hee wrote a letter vnto the Fryer Costodio of great comfort in strengthening him and all the rest to perseuer in their intent which God had put in their mindes for the saluation of those soules the Interpreter I say beganne to imagine that for to profite himselfe it was conuenient for to delate and detract the departure of the Spaniardes and did exact vpon them euery day in the buying of their victuals the halfe of the money that was giuen them So vpon a day he came verie much out of order and fayned that the Aytao had commanded that they should foorthwith depart out of the kingdome but yet notwithstanding he would present a petition in their name saying that for as much as time did not serue them to nauigate neither was their shippe in plight for to make their iourney that it would please them to get them a house whereas they might remaine thrée or foure monethes in the which time they might prouide them of all thinges necessarie for their voyage and possible it may so fall out that in this time they séeing their manner of liuing to bée good and to shew good examples they may let them to remaine in the countrie liberally and to learne the language and then beginne to preach and declare the right way vnto heauen All this he spake with great dissimulation for to profite himselfe for he knewe verie well that the Aytao had willed him to tell them that they could not remaine in that countrie with the pretence they had for that there was a lawe ordayned to the contrarie without expresse licence from the king the which will last of all be granted vnto the Spaniardes or Portingals for that there is a prophesie amongest theÌ„ spoken by the mouth of the diuell and estéemed amongest them for a very truth for that other thinges which he spake when that was spoken hath béene verified in the which he doth pronounce that a time shall come that they shall be subiect vnto a nation whose men shall haue great beardes and long noses and sharpe broade
The Historie of the great and mightie kingdome of China and the situation thereof Togither with the great riches huge Citties politike gouernement and rare inuentions in the same Translated out of Spanish by R. Parke LONDON Printed by I. Wolfe for Edward White and are to be sold at the little North doore of Paules at the signe of the Gun 1588 AA To the Right worshipfull and famous Gentleman M. Thomas Candish Esquire increase of honor and happie attemptes IT is now aboue fiue and thirty yeares passed right worshipfull since that young sacred and prudent Prince king Edward the sixt of happie memorie went about the discouerie of Cathaia and China partly of desire that the good young king had to enlarge the Christian faith and partlie to finde out some where in those regions ample vent of the cloth of England for the mischiefs that grew about that time neerer home aswel by contempt of our commodities as by the arrestes of his merchantes in the Empire Flanders France and Spaine foreseeing withall how beneficiall ample vent would rise to all degrees throughout his kingdome and specially to the infinite number of the poore sort distressed by lacke of worke And although by a voyage hereuppon taken in hande for this purpose by Sir Hugh Willobie and Richard Chauncellour a discouerie of the bay of Saint Nicolas in Russia fell out and a trade with the Muscouites and after another trade for a time with the Persians by way of the Caspian sea ensued yet the discouerie of the principall intended place followed not in his time nor yet since vntill you tooke your happie and renowmed voyage about the worlde in hande although sundrie attemptes at the great charges of diuers honorable and well disposed persons and good worshipfull merchants and others haue beene made since the death of that good king in seeking a passage thither both by the North-east and by the Northwest But since it is so as wee vnderstande that your worshippe in your late voyage hath first of our nation in this age discouered the famous rich Ilandes of the Luzones or Philippinas lying neare vnto the coast of China and haue spent some time in taking good view of the same hauing brought home three boyes borne in Manilla the chiefe towne of the said Ilands besides two other young fellowes of good capacitie borne in the mightie Iland of Iapon which hereafter may serue as our interpretors in our first traficke thither and that also your selfe haue sailed along the coast of China not farre from the Continent and haue taken some knowledge of the present state of the same and in your course haue found out a notable ample vent of our clothes especially our kersies and are in preparing againe for the former voyage as hee that would constantly perseuer in so good an enterprise we are to thinke that the knowledge and first discouerie of the same in respect of our nation hath all this time beene by the Almightie to you onely reserued to your immortall glorie and to the manifest shew of his especiall fauour borne towards you in that besides your high and rare attempt of sailing about the whole globe of the earth in so short a time of two yeares and about two monethes you haue shewed your selfe to haue that rare and especiall care for your countrie by seeking out vent for our clothes that ought vpon due consideration to moue many thousands of English subiects to pray for you and to loue and honor your name and familie for euer For as you haue opened by your attempt the gate to the spoile of the great and late mightie vniuersall and infested enimie of this realme of al countries that profesâ—e true religion so haue you by your great care wrought a way to imploie the merchants of Englande in trade to increase our Nauie to benefite our Clothiers and your purpose falling out to your hoped effect to releeue more of the poorer sort then all the hospitals and almes houses can or may that haue beene built in this realme since the first inhabiting thereof And Sir if to this your late noble attempt it might please you by your incouragement and by the help of your purse to adde your present furtherance for the passage to be discouered by the northwest for proofe whereof there bee many infallible reasons and diuerse great experiences to â—e yeelded our course with our commodities to the rich Iland of Iapon to the mightie empire of China and to the Ilandes of the Philippinas for the vent that you haue found out should be by the halfe way shortened and you should double and manyfolde treble the credite of your fourmer late enterprise and make your fame to mount and your self to liue for euer in a much higher degree of glorie then otherwise it might be or that by any other mean you could possibly deuise In which action so highly importing the generall state of this lande I haue perfect experience that many worshipfull and wealthie marchants of this citie and other places would most willingly ioyne their purses with yours and to play the blabbe I may tell you they attende nothing with greater desire and expectation then that a motion hereof being made by some happie man your selfe and they might friendly and seriously ioyne together for the full accomplishing of this so long intended discouerie And to descende to â—ome particulars there is one speciall reason that giueth an edge vnto their desires proceeding from the late worthie attemptes of that excellent and skilful pilot M. Iohn Dauis made for the search of the aforesaid northwest passage these three late yeares hauing entred into the same foure hundred leagues further than was euer hitherto thoroughly knowen and returned with an exact description thereof to the reasonable contentment for the time of the aduenturers and chiefely of the worshipfull M. William Sanderson whose contributions thereunto although they haue beene verie great and extraordinarie yet for the certaine hope or rather assurance that he conceiueth vpon the report of the Captaine himselfe and all the rest of any skill employed in these voyages remayneth still constant and is readie to disburse as yet to the freshe setting on foote of this enterprise entermitted by occasion of our late troubles euen this yeare againe for the finall perfection of so profitable and honorable a discouerie a farre greater portion then in reason would be required of any other man of his abilitie And albeit sir that you haue taken in your late voyage besides the knowledge of the way to China the intelligence of the gouernement of the countrie and of the commodities of the territories and prouinces of the same and that at the full according to the time of your short abode in those partes yet neuerthelesse for that of late more ample vnderstanding hath beene in more length of time by woonderfull great endeuour taken by certaine learned Portingals and Spaniardes of great obseruation and not long agoe published
considered and in my opinion this is not the least that is contayned in this chapter which is such order as the king and his counsell hath giuen that the poore may not go a begging in the stréetes nor in the temples whereas they make orations vnto their Idols for the auoyding therof the king hath set downe an order vpon great and gréeuous penaltie to be executed vpon the saide poore if they do begge or craue in the stréetes and a greater penaltie vpon the citizens or townes men if they do giue vnto any such that beggeth but must incontinent go and complaine on them to the Iustice who is one that is called the Iustice of the poore ordayned to punish such as doo breake the lawe and is one of the principallest of the citie or towne and hath no other charge but only this And for that the townes be great and many and so full of people and an infinite nomber of villages whereas it cannot be chosen but there is many borne lame and other misfortunes so that he is not idle but alwaies occupied in giuing order to remedie the necessities of the poore without breaking of the lawe This Iudge the first day that hee doth enter into his office hee commaundeth that whatsoeuer children be borne a créeple in any part of his members or by sicknes be taken lame or by any other misfortune that incontinent their fathers or mothers doo giue the Iudge to vnderstande thereof that he may prouide for all things necessarie according vnto the ordinance and will of the king and his counsell the which is the man child or woman child being brought before him and seene the default or lacke that it hath if it be so that with the same it may exercise any occupation they giue and limit a time vnto the parents for to teach the child that occupation ordayned by the Iudge and it is such as with their lamenes they may vse without any impediment the which is accomplished without faile but if it so be that his lamenes is such that it is impossible to learne or exercise any occupation this Iudge of the poore doth commaund the father to sustaine and maintaine him in his owne house all the dayes of his life if that hee hath wherewithall if not or that hee is fatherlesse then the next rich kinsman must maintaine it if he hath none such then doth all his parents and kinsfolkes contribute and pay their partes or giue of such thinges as they haue in their houses But if it hath no parentes or they be so poore that they cannot contribute nor supply any part therof then doth the king maintaine them in verie ample manner of his owne costes in hospitalles verie sumptuous that he hath in euerie citie throughout his kingdome for the same effect and purpose in the same hospitalles are likewise maintayned all such néedie and olde men as haue spent all their youth in the wars and are not able to maintaine themselues so that to the one and the other is ministred all that is néedefull and necessarie and that with great diligence and care and for the better accomplishing of the same the Iudge doth put verie good order and dooth appoint one of the principallest of the citie or towne to be the administrator without whose licence There is not one within that hospitall that can goe foorth of the limittes for that licence is not granted vnto anie neyther doo they demaund it for that there they are prouided of all thinges necessarie so long as they doo liue as well for apparell as for victualles Besides all this the olde folkes and poore men within the hospitall doo bring vpp hennes chickens and hogges for their owne recreation and profit wherein they doo delight themselues The Iudge doth visite often times the administrator by him appointed Likewise the Iudge is visited by an other that commeth from the court by the appointment of the king and the counsell to the same effect and to visite all such hospitalles as bee in the prouinces limited in his commission and if they doo finde any that hath not executed his office in right and iustice then they doo displace them and punishe them verie rigorouslie by reason whereof all such officers haue great care of their charges and liue vprightly hauing before their eyes the straight account which they must giue and the cruell rewarde if to the contrarie The blinde folkes in this countrie are not accounted in the number of those that of necessitie are to bee maintayned by their kinsfolkes or by the king for they are constrayned to worke as to grind with a querne wheate or rice or to blowe smythes bellowes or such like occupations that they haue no néede of their sight And if it be a blind woman when the commeth vnto age she doth vse the office of women of loue of which sorâ—e there are a great number in publike places as shall bee declared in the Chapter for that purpose These haue women that doo tende vpon them and doo paint and trim them vp and they are such that with pure age did leaue that office So by this order in all this kingdome although it be great and the people infinite yet there is no poore that doo perish nor begge in the stréetes as was apparant vnto the austen and barefoote fryers and the rest that went with them into that countrie The third booke and historie of the great and mightie kingdome of China in the which is contayned many notable things woorthie to be considered of touching morall and pollitike matters CHAP. I. How manie kinges hath beene in this kingdome and their names IN the fourth Chapter of the first booke I did promise particularly to declare howe many kinges haue béene in this kingdome and their names Nowe to accomplish the same I will beginne and declare the succession of them from Vitey who was the first that did reduce the kingdome to one empire gouernment vnto him that dooth reigne at this daye remitting that which shall lacke vnto the Chapter aforesaide whereas shall be found the number of the kinges and how many yeares since the first beginning of this kingdome and the manner of the succession This Vitey was the first king of China as it appeareth by their histories where as they doo make particular mention But amongest other thinges that they do declare of the kinges person they do say that he was in height so much as seuen mesures which is accustomed in China and euerie measure is two thirdes of a Spanish vare which is by good account foure vares and two terses in length he was sixe palmes broade in the shoulders and was as valiant in his déedes as in bignesse of his bodie he had a Captaine called Lincheon who was not onely valiant but politike and of great wisedome by reason whereof with his valour and strength he did subiect vnto Vitey all the whole countrie that he doth nowe possesse and
wordes wherein they are verie ceremonious When one doth goe to visite an other he that is visited after the visitation done doth bring the other vnto the stréete doore This custome is vsed most amongest the common people being equall in degrée or differing little Likewise they vse one thing verie strange and neuer heard of amongest other nations that is if that one doo come out of the countrie to visite an other that is in the citie or towne although he be a nigh kinsman and long time acquainted if that knocking at the doore or in the stréete hee doo meete with him whome he dooth come to visite hee beeing not well apparelled although he speake vnto him yet will hee not make any aunswere nor any resemblance that euer he sawe or knewe him before but straightwayes returneth home to his house in all haâ—te possible and doth apparell him selfe with the best apparell that he hath and then he goeth foorth and receiueth his guest and friend dissembling as though he had not before méete nor séene him This Ceremonie amongest them is infalliblie kept for that it is amongest them an auncient tradition and founded vppon their religion They giue great intertainement vnto their guestes and make them straightwayes a beuer or collation with manie sortes of conserues and fruites and good wine and an other kinde of drinke that is generally vsed thorough out the whole kingdome and is made of diuerse physicall hearbes good to comfort the heart the which they warme when they drinke thereof These Ceremonies they vse when that one neighbour dooth visite an other But when that one of the Towne dooth meete with a stranger that hee dooth knowe and hath beene in the towne certaine dayes and he not séene him then hee of the towne dooth aske of the other if that hee hath eaten any thing if he aunswere no he dooth by and by without any delay carrie him to the next victualling house whereas hee dooth banket him deliciously for in euerie towne there is good opportunitie for the same by reason that in the market places and stréetes and in the suburbes there is great store of victualling houses that doo kéepe tabling verie ordeâ—ly and for little cost for there as we haue sayde all kinde of victualles are verie good cheape But if the stranger dooth aunswere that he hath eaten then dooth the Citizen or townesman carrie him to an other kinde of victtualing houses where are to be had all sortes of conserues and iunkettes fruites and marchpanes and there dooth hee make him a banket with great loue and good will Of the women as well strangers as towneborne or of what degrée soeuer they haue great respect but especially of the married women vnto whome if any man giue an ill or dishonest woorde he is accounted infamous and likewise if he doo not offer to them courtesie and giue them place or way when they passe the stréetes which is seeldome séene But when they doo passe they behaue themselues so discreetly that they giue no occasion that anye shoulde misuse them towardes strangers they vse verye great courtesie but especially the principallest as you shall perceiue in the relation of the seconde part of this historie where it shall be declared by experience CHAP. XX. Of the great closenesse that the women of this kingdome do liue in and with what condition they permit common women THe principall intent that this king his gouernors haue as is gathered by their lawes is to preserue their common weale from vices for the which he dooth set downe great penalties executeth the same without any remission and least any should offend they vse great vigilancie and do iudge that the libertie and dishonestie of the women is most preiudiciall thereunto is the occasion that their common wealth falleth to decay being neuer so well gouerned therefore they haue ordained many preseruatiues and remedies by their lawes customes to preuent the same which is the only occasion that although it is so long since this kingdome first began and againe being so great as you may vnderstande yet in this one point there is lesse inconuenience or preiudice than in any other countrey of lesse antiquitie and fewer people So that a dishonest woman is knowen by name although it be in a great citie the which is seldome séene and a rare thing And the best way they haue to preuent this is that all people that haue daughters are commaunded by expresse order that they shall bring them vp after they haue the vse of reason in their owne houses very close and not be seene but alwayes to doo something to auoide idlenesse for that it is the mother of all vices whereby it may take no rooâ—e in them This lawe dooth comprehende married women and is kept in such sort that the wiues of the viceroyes and gouernours do obserue it yea they say that the Quéenes themselues doo obserue it and that they are alwayes spinning golde silke or flaxe or doing some other exercise with their handes esteeming all idle persons woorthie to be hated and contemned so that the children being brought vp in this manner seeing the good example of their mothers is the occasion that this vertuous exercise worthie to be imitated is conuerted vnto a dayly and perpetuall custome in such sort that they thinke it a perpetuall torment to commaunde them to be idle These ordinarie and voluntarie exercises haue the women of this kingdome in such sort that it is newes and a strange thing to meete a woman in the streetes of any citie or towne neither at the windowes which is a signe that they liue honest If it so fall out that of force they must go abroad as to the buriall of parents and kinsfolkes or to visite any one being sicke or vpon any like occasion then are they carried in littâ—r chaires where they are seene of none as we told you before but other superfluous visitations or méetings of gossips are not there vsed Albeit tendering the conseruation of this honest crewe and to eschewe greater euils in the common wealth they permit common women as a necessarie thing yet they do allowe them in such sort that their euill example may not be hurtfull vnto the honest state of theÌ„ which liue chast And therfore they do build for them houses out of the cities and townes in the suburbes giuing them straight commandement there to remaine in the said houses not to sâ—raggle go abroad at all And whilest they liue there they are prohibited vppon paine of death to enter into the gates of the Citie or any part thereof Such women as doo vse this facultie are nothing estéemed amongst them for they are for the most part of the basest sort as strangers slaues or such as haue béene bought of their mothers being yoonge which is a kinde of perpetuall bondage yea a great crueltie which is vsed amongst them there and yet suffered amongst them You shall vnderstande that
will do all that he will commande them according vnto the custome of the countrie otherwise they could not be permitted to intreat of such things wherefore they came thither from farre countries and with so great trauell CHAP. XVIII The Spaniards haue a louing and fauorable audience of the gouernor of Chincheo to whom they do giue the letters they brought from the Ilands Philippinas WHen that the Insuanto vnderstood that the spaniards woulde enter with the reuerence accustomed and in such order as was declared vnto them hee straightwaies commanded that they should come into the hall whereas he was which was a thing to be séene as well for the bignes as for the riches that was in it the which I do let passe because I would not be tedious The spaniards were carried foorth out of that hall whereas they were first and after that they had passed the court whereas they came in they entred into another hall as bigge as the first whereas were many souldiers with their weapons in their hands in verie good order and richly apparelled and next vnto them were many tipstaues and sergeants with different ensignes or badges all apparelled with long robes of silke garded and embroidered with gold and euery one of them had a helme on his heade some of siluer and other some of tynne guilt ouer which was a gallant thing to sée all had long haire and dyed yealow which hong downe behinde their eares vpon their backes they were placed in very good order and made a lane that the Spaniards might passe thorough then they came into a gallerie which was ioyning vnto the chamber where the gouernor was and there they heard such a noise of instruments of diuerse sorts which indured a good while and was of so great melodie that it séemed vnto them that they neuer before heard the like which caused vnto them great admiration to see so great maiestie amongst Gentiles When the musicke was ended they entered into the hall aforesaid and had not gone many steps when as they met with the counsailer that met with them in the stréete aforesaid and with him other two of his companions all on foote and bare headed before the gouernor their ensignes of maiestie left off which is generally vsed in all the kingdome the inferior to make anie shewe when that hee is before his superior Then they made signes vnto them for to knéele downe for that the Insuanto was nigh at hande in a rich tower vnder a canapie of great riches and did represent so great maiestie as the king himselfe he did entertaine them with tokens of great loue and humanitie and tolde them by their interpreter that they were verie well welcome and that he did greatly reioyce to sée them with many other words of great fauour This gouernor was a man of goodly person well fauored and of a merrie countenance more then any that they had séene in all that countrie He caused to be put vpon the shoulders of the fathers and of the souldiers â—hat were with him euery one of them two péeces of silke which was crossed about them like skarfes and likewise to either of them a branch of siluer the like curtesie he did vnto the captaine Omoncon and vnto Sinsay and commanded to giue vnto all their seruants euery one of them a mantle of cotton painted This ceremonie is vsed in that kingdome vnto al captaines and other men that haue done some valiant exploit as we haue tolde you before This being doone the fathers did giue vnto him the letters which they carryed from the gouernor and generall of the fielde and a note of the present that was sent him crauing pardon for that it was so smal but time and oportunitie would not serue as then to sende vnto him a thing of greater price and valor certifying him that if the friendship which they pretended did go forwards come to be established that then all things should be amended and amplified He answered vnto their profers with words of great fauor and made signes vnto them to arise and to go and take their rests there whereas they were lodged the which they did and sounde all thinges in verie good order and well furnished as well of beddes as of all other neâ—essaries which was done by the commandement of the gouernour Before they departed out of the pallace the captaine of the guard did carrie them vnto his lodging which was within the court and there he made them a banquet with conserues and fruits in abundance the which being doone hee and other Gentlemen of the pallace did beare them companie vntill they came to their lodgings which they greatly desired for that they were wery of their iourney also with the trouble of the great presse of people that pressed on theÌ„ in the stréets and otherwise for to sée them the which captaine of the guard did appoint a company of souldiers for to gard theÌ„ both night and day the which was done more for maiesty then for necessitie or securitie of their persons They had a steward appointed to prouide them and all their company of all thinges necessarie and that in abundance and not to take of them any thing which was giuen by particular commandement by the gouernour CHAP. XIX The Spaniards are visited by the principals of Chincheo the gouernor did send for Pedro de Sarmiento and Myguel de loarcha and giueth them particular audience and doth wel informe himselfe of all things touching Limahon the rouer THe next day following which was sunday the twelfth of Iuly many of the Gentlemen of the cittie did go vnto the Spaniards to visite them vsing many ceremonies according to their custome with fauorable words promising to performe it in déeds when as néede did so require and such as could not go themselues did send their seruants bidding them welcome and to knowe of their good healthes and howe they did like of their citties and country The Spaniards did make answere and gratified them all as well those that came in person as the other that sent their seruants in the which visitation they spent all the whole day hauing great admyration to sée the good behauior nurture and gallant demeanure of those Gentlemen and the great discreation they had in the demanding of anie thing they would knowe as also in their answers made to our requests The next day the Insuanto sent a commandement wherein he willed the two fathers to remaine in their lodgings and take their case but the two souldiers Pedro Sarmiento and Miguel de Loarcha should come and speake with him and that they should bring with them their interpreter for that hée had one there with him who was a Chino and vnderstood the language of the Philippinas but so badly that they coulde not by his interpretation talke of any matter of importance So when they came thither they were brought whereas hee was but with lesse ceremony then on the first day
but yet they found him with the like maiestie as before He asked of them how the fathers did and they themselues and if they were refreshed of the trauell in the iourney and howe they did like of the countrie and other thinges which did demonstrate great affâ—bilitie Being by them satisfied of his demands he requested them to declare vnto him the whole circumstance of the comming of Limahon the rouer vnto the Ilands and how the Spaniards dealt with him that although hee had béene informed paâ—ticularly in all thinges by the Captaine Omoncon and Sinsay yet he was in a ielousie that they tolde him not the trâ—eth Hée was nothing deceiued in that hee suspected for after that our souldiers had made a true relation of the comming of the rouer vnto Manilla and of all the rest as you haue heard in the discourse thereof in this booke he found that they differed very much the one from the other for that they did attribute it wholly vnto themselues to get honour and benefite but the Insuanto like a wise man straightwayes vnderstood their pretence But when that he perceiued that Limahon was neither dead nor prisoner but onely besieged he offered vnto them that if they would returne againe vnto Pagansinan vpon him whereas he was hée would giue vnto them fiue hundred ships of warre with people sufâ—â—cient to serue both by sea and lande and more if they would request They answered him that all such cost and labour were but in vaine for that the generall of the fielde who hath him in siege with the people and ships that he hath are sufficient to ende that enterprise and to send him hither aliue or deade and that long before that their fleete should come thither And besides this their Ilands were poore of victuals and could not sustaine so great an armie many dayes Being satisfied with these reasons hee gaue place that the interpreter which they brought should come in where as they were for hee remained at the doore without for that he would be fully certified to auoid the suspitious doubt he had before he come in presence yet he did help them very much So when their interpreter was come in the Spaniards séeing good occasion and oportunitie for to declare that which passed the day before betwixt them and the fathers touching the speaking vnto him on their knées and séeing as it seemed vnto theÌ„ that he was at that time in a good mind for to heare them they did vtter vnto him all the whole contention after that they had declared many reasons of great consideration to giue them to vnderstand that it was not conuenient to do it but especially to religious men who were there as principals ouer the rest vnto whom the king of Spaine their lord himselfe doth stand on foote when as they do intreat of any matter although it be but of small importance for that they are priests and ministers of God whom he doth worship and reuerence The Insuanto with a merry countenance did answere them that vnto that time he vnderstood no more of them then in that he was informed by the captaine Omoncon and did not acknowledge them to be any other but Castillas without knowinâ— wherefore they came nor from whom for lacke of the lettâ—â—â— sent from their gouernor and generall of the fielde the first time that he spake with them neither had he any knowledge of the custome of their countrie yet notwithstanding that which hath passed heere without any exception of person if they would take it in good part in that which is to come shall be amended and from that day forwards at al times whensoeuer it were their pleasure to come of themselues or at such time as they were sent for for to talke with him as they doo vse in Castilla or Spaine vnto such of their dignitie and vocation the which he granted with a very good will aâ—though hee not grant vnto any that preheminence no not vnto a vizroy except he were an ambassador sent from some king With this resolution and with many other good wordes they tooke their leaue of him and went ioyfull and content vnto their lodgings wheras they sound the friers wearie with entertaining of such as did visite them and with great desire to sée them to knowe wherefore the Insuanto did send for them with whome they had béene so long time But after that that they vnderstoode the effect of the whole and how that the gouernor did permit that they should talke with him after their owne fashion they were maruellously glad thereof and had a very good hope to conclude their pretence wherefore they went and praised God for the good successe of that which they pretended CHAP. XX. The gouernor doth banquet the Spaniards and afterwards make all thinges in a redinesse for to go vnto Aucheo whereas the vizroy tarieth their comming THe next day following the gouernor called a Gentleman of his house vnto him and commanded him to go and visite the Spaniards and to informe himselfe of them if that that they lacked any thing as well in their victuals as in their lodgings and to know if they did require any thing particular to themselues to aduise him therof and he would furnish them forthwith for the loue that hee bare vnto them for their good contractation and for the great seruice that they had done vnto the king in the businesse of Limahon And also that he should in his name inuite them for the next day folowing to dine with him in his house This Gentleman went vnto them and accomplished his message and the Spaniards answered kissing his hande for the great care hée had of them saying that they were furnished in all thinges aboundantly as in trueth they were and how they were maruellously well lodged chéered and lacked nothing and that the great care hee had of them was agréeable vnto the hope they had of his good presence and gentlenesse accepting the inuiting for the next day the which was giuen them and accomplished in this forme following The next day when they went vnto the pallace which was at dinner time they were caried into a hall that was below in the second court whereas were many chaires of veluet tables that were painted with their frontals before they had no table clothes on them for that they doo not vse any in that countrie as hath beene told you in the first part of this historie neither is it néedfull for their maner of feeding In the first chaires they caused the Friers to sit downe euery one at a table by himselfe and each of them other sixe tables placed in order compassing â—ounde like a circle then were the Spanish souldiers set in the same manner and each of them had fiue tables and next vnto them the captaine of the guard bâ—longing vnto the gouernor and two other Captaines and euerie one of them had three tables For that it is the custome of that
thing very much vsed in that countrie the Spaniards went vnto the Insuanto who was there with great company and maiestie hee entertained them very friendly and with chéerefull words making an outward shew that hee bare them great loue and that their departure was vnto him a great griefe Then hee requested them to giue him a remembrance of such thinges as was necessarie and néedfull for their prouision for the sea for that hee woulde giue order for the prouiding of the same the which he did and was with so great aboundance that they had for the voyage and remained a great deale to spare Hee then commaunded to bee brought thither cates to eat and drinke and gaue it them with his owne hands as well the one as the other hee himselfe did eate and drinke with them which is the greatest fauour that can be shewed amongst them The banquet being ended he commaunded them in his presence to go abord their shippes because that was a luckie day and also to accomplish that which the vizroy had commaunded which was that they should not depart from thence vntil they had first séene them imbarked The Spaniards obeyed the commandement and tooke their leaue of the Insuanto with great curtesie and reuerence and with outward shewes that they remained indebted for the great curtesie and good will that they had receiued and therewith they departed to the waters side towards the boat which was tarrying for them As they passed by the religious men that before we spake of they saw a great table set and vppon it a whole Oxe with his throte cut and hard by the same a Hogge and a Goate other thinges to bee eaten the which they had ordained for to make sacrifice which they do vse in the like affaires They being imbarked in the boate they were carried aborde the Admirall which was the shippe appointed for them to go in then presently they beganne to stirre the shippe from one place vnto another with certain boates and cables which they had there readie for the same purpose The shippe did not so soone begin to moue but the religious men a shore did beginne their sacrifice the which did indure vntill night ending their feastes and triumphes in putting forth of the cittie and vppon their gates many cressets and lights The souldiers shot off all their hargabushes and the ships that were in the port shot off all their artilerie and on the shore a great noise of droms and bels all the which being ended and done the Spaniards went a shore againe vnto their lodging but first the Insuanto was departed vnto his owne house with all the company that hee brought with him The next day the sayd Insuanto did inuite them vnto a banket which was as famous as any which had bene made them vnto that time He was at the banquet himselfe and the Captaine generall of all that prouince There was aboundance of meates and many pretie deuises to passe away the time which made the banquet to indure more then foure houres the which being done there was brought forth the present which the Insuanto did sende vnto the gouernor of Manilla in returne of that which was sent to him The present was fourtéene pieces of silke for the gouernor of Manilla and tenne péeces for the generall of the field hee also commanded to be giuen vnto the Friers each of them foure péeces and vnto the souldiers each of them two péeces and vnto their seruants and slaues certaine painted mantels and there with he tooke his leaue of them very friendly and gaue vnto them letters the which hee had wrote vnto the gouernor vnto the general of the field answere vnto those the which they had wrote vnto him said that all things necessarie for their departure was in a redinesse with victuals for ten monethes put a bord their ships so that when as winde and wether did serue they might depart Also that if in their voyage it should so fall out that any of the Chinos that went in their shippes shoulde do vnto them any euill either abrâ—de or at the Ilands that the gouernor therof should punish them at his pleasure and how that the vizroy will thinke well thereof in conclusion he saide vnto them that hee hoped to sée them there againe verie shortly and to returne againe with Limahon and then hee woulde supplie the wantes which nowe they lacked The Spaniards did kisse his hands and said that they had receiued in curtesie more then they deserued that in all thinges there did abound and not lacke that they remained greatly indetted vnto him for their friendship and would giue their king notice thereof that whensoeuer occasion shoulde bee offered to repay them with the like and therewith the Insuanto departed to his owne house leauing in the companie of the Spaniards fiue captaines those which should go with them in their company to sea and also Omoncon and Sinsay who were that day in the banquet with the habite and ensigne of Loytias for that the day before it was giuen vnto them by the Insuanto Upon Wednesday which was the fourtéenth of September the wind came faire wherewith they hoised vp their sailes and went to sea at their departure there was at the waters side the Insuanto and the Iustice of Chincheo to sée them saile the which Insuanto had conceiued so great loue and friendship of the Castillas that when he saw them depart he shedde great aboundance of teares as was affirmed by diuers Chinos that saw it to which the Spaniards gaue credite vnto for that they knew him to be a maruellous louing person and humaine of a good condition and of a gallant personage and did excéede all other that they had séene in all the time of their being in that prouince CHAP. XXX The Spaniardes departe from the port of Tansuso towards the Ilandes Philippinas and euery day they doo harbor themselues in Ilands by the way declaring what they saw in them BEing departed out of the port as aforsaide the Spaniards deuided themselues into two shippes to wit the two Friers and Michael de Loarcha Omoncon and thrée other captaines in one shippp And Peter Sarmiento Nicholas de Quenca and Iohn de Triana Sinsay and all their souldiers in another ship with eight other ships of warre which went with them for their safegard they sailed forwards directing their course towards a small Iland that was not farre off with determination there to take water for their ships for that it had in it many riuers of very swéete water Within a smal space they ariued there and it had a very faire and sure port wherein might ride in securitie a great Nauy of ships All Thursday they were there recreating and sporting themselues for that it was a pleasant Ilande and full of fresh riuers Uppon Friday being the sixtéenth of September the day being somwhat speÌ„t they made saile and tooke port foure leagues from
full two hundred leagues which may bee made with reasonable wether in tenne dayes at the most CHAP. XXXII The captaines Chinos ariued with the Spaniardes at the citie of Manilla the Gouernor and those of the citie doo receiue them with great ioy and triumphes and after they had remained there certaine dayes they returned vnto the firme land being instructed and satisfied of many things touching our holy catholike faith with great desire to receiue the same AFter that it was knowen vnto the Gouernor of the citie of Manilla and vnto the generall of the fielde as also vnto the rest of the captaines and souldiers of the ariuall of the Spaniardes whom they with great care desired to heare of as well for the particular loue they deare vnto them as also for to vnderstand and heare the newes from that mightie kingdome of China to be declared by witnesses of so great faith and credite They altogether went foorth to receiue them with great ioye and pleasure and likewise all such captaynes and souldiers as came in their companie They were straightwaies conueighed vnto their lodginges to rest themselues of their long iourney which they had by sea for it was requisite and néedefull for the which afterwardes there was great feastes and bankets which was made by the Gouernor the generall of the field and other particular persons vnto the Chinos in recompence of that which was done vnto the Spaniards in their countrie All which feastes did giue them little content when as they did remember the flying and escape of the Rouer but in especiall Omoncon and Sinsay who continually euery moment did call vpon the generall of their fleete to make haste to shorten the time that they might depart from the firme land where giuing notice vnto the Gouernor of Chincheo of the estate of Limahon he might giue order that before he had reedified and repayred himselfe they might take him which is a thing most desired in all that kingdome The generall was verie glad and reioyced of their good intertainement and answered vnto Omoncon Sinsay saying that by reason of the great storme and foule weather past their ships had great néede of reparation and likewise the marriners to ease themselues the which being done he would with all his heart depart The generall of the fielde was verie sorrowfull and much gréeued for that the Rouer Limahon was so escaped and the more when he vnderstoode that he was suspected that hee did consent vnto his departure for which occasion if that the Captaynes had not béene verie much wearied with the long siege and euill weather which happened in that time without all doubt he would haue followed him and neuer to haue left him till he had taken or slaine him Although they were fully perswaded that Limahon was so terrified with the great perill and danger in the which he was and againe with so small number of people that rather hee would desire to put himselfe in securitie then to offende or doo any harme neyther to put himselfe in any place whereas hee might receiue damage of any of them to whom hee had doone so open wrong who were so much desirous to be reuenged who for to preuent all that might happen as after we vnderstoode hauing made readie his barkes and boates which he ordayned in his fort and put in them victualles for their iourney he departed with his small number of people vnto an Ilande farreâ—off and vnknowen there whereas he vnderstoode that none would goe to séeke him and there hee remayned a time whereas he fell sicke of a melancholicke infirmitie which grewe by an imagination that hee had to remember in what state he was at that time and howe he had séene himselfe at other times feared throughout al the kingdome of China which was an imagination sufficient for to bring him to his ende his companions were dispersed abroad so that we neuer heard more of them Now returning to our purpose after that the China Captaines had recreated them selues with the feastes and sportes that was made vnto them and taken recreation many dayes and tarryed hoping that the weather would proue fayrer to prepare themselues to depart In the same time they did intreat of many thinges in particular touching Christian religion whereof with great care they did informe themselues of our religious men and tolde them some secret things that were vnknowen vnto them of their countrie for that they were strangers So when as time and weather did serue they did take their leaue with many signes and tokens of griefe for to depart and leaue the conuersation of so good companions and did promise vnto them to procure all that was possible that the friendshippe begunne betwixt them and the Chinos should continue and perseuer for that it was a thing that did content them all Their generall himselfe did take this particular charge vnto himselfe with a determinate purpose for to declare in effect to the Gouernour of Aucheo whose priuate seruant he was the good meaning of the Castillos and what principall people they were and the ceremonies they vsed with the which hee was marueilously in loue Likewise hee would giue him to vnderstande of the flying of the Rouer Limahon how and in what manner and order it was and how that the generall of the field and the other captaines were in no fault thereof This he would do in respect that if it should so fall out that Omoncon and Sinsay for their owne credite should declare any thing against the Spaniardes that was not true that they might not be beléeued Besides all this he tolde the Gouernour certaine thinges in secret how they might with great ease purchase the friendship they pretended And amongest them all one was that hee should make a supplication vnto the catholike king in requesting him to write a letter vnto their king and sende him Embassador and such as shoulde giue vnto them the light of the Catholike and Christian faith with the which diligence â—here was no doubt that not onely the friendshippe betwixt the kinges and their subiectes shoulde bee established but also the king and all his kingdome would receiue the Catholike faith for that there are manye ceremonies vsed amongest them which doo much resemble those of our Christian religion and againe in their liuing morally they doo obserue in manie thinges the tenne commandementes of Gods lawe of the which in particular he did informe himselfe so that the greatest difficultie was in the entring in of the preaching of the holy gospell and beeing by this meanes ouer come in a short time all the whole kingdome would turne Christians And considering that in their worshipping as they doo worship all thinges in the seconde essence with great facilitie they would change their adoration and giue it vnto the first as most worthie and vnto whom it is their duties The generall did adde more thereunto and saide that he was so much affâ—ctioned
possible they do procure the same the which is not followed for lacke of ministers as aforesaid and is no smal griefe vnto them that Christianly doo put themselues to consider how the diuel our aduersary doth carry vnto his infernal mansion those soules which séeme to bee well disposed for to inioy the benefite of God and his eternal goodnesse all the which is for lacke of ministers and not for any other default God remedie the same for his mercies sake The said father Ignacio whom as I haue said I do follow in many things of this Itinerario did tell me that as he passed by this kingdome for to go vnto Spaine he saw the deuotion of the people thereof and the great desire they had to bee Christians and how that the people were ready and bent for to receiue the holy Gospell very humble and of good vnderstanding Hee would haue tarried for to baptise them and would haue done it onely for charity and compassion séeing with what deuotion they did demand the same and the great number of soules that were condemned but hee was constrained by force to go vnto Malaca and againe it séemed vnto him that amongst so many people his smal force might do little good and that it were better for him to go vnto Spaine and to procure more companions to helpe him as he did and returned with them and with many other rewards of Pope Gregory the thirtéenth receiued and he also receiued great fauours of the king of Spaine and with great hope that his maiestie will giue his particular aide for to go thorow with this enterprise which will not be of small effect I do beléeue of a truth that in small time all that kingdome shall bee subiect vnto the Catholike saith of Rome and to be the gate whereby to enter the lawe of the Gospel into the mightie kingdome of China for that this of Cochinchina is vpon the same firme land and their language and customes are almost in one manner They are verie white people of this kingdome and are apparelled like vnto those of China their women are verie honest and shamefast and their apparell is very curius and gallant The men weare their haire dispersed and doo combe and trim it with too much care In all the countrie almost all of them are apparelled in silke for that they haue there verie much and excellent good the countrie is verie holesome and full of old folkes and children which is a sufficient proofe for the goodnesse thereof They say that they neuer had amongst them neither pestilence nor hunger which is the like as we haue said of the kingdome of China Let him that can do it in such sort that so great and infinite a number of soules that at this day are vnder the tyranny of the diuell may see them in the Christian libertie and in the other life inioy their creator CHAP. XXI In this chapter is declared of such kingdomes as are adioyning vnto that of Cochinchina and of some notable thinges in them with the rites and customes of the inhabitants NIgh vnto this kingdome of Cochinchina there is another called Champa that although it be poore of gold and siluer yet is it very rich of drugges and gallant wood and great stoare of prouision This kingdome is very great and full of people they somewhat whiter then those of Cochinchina they are as nigh as willing to become Christians as their neighbors but for the performance thereof they doo lacke that which the other doo They haue the same lawes and ceremonies as well the one as the other and are all Idolaters and doo worship the second causes in the same order as the Chinos do vnto whom likewise they do make one manner of acknowledging From this Iland you may go with ease vnto Malaca leauing on the right hand a kingdome which is called Camboia the which is great very full of people and all of them affectioned to go to sea and nauigation by reason whereof they haue an infinite number of vessels It is a very fertill country with great stoare of prouision there are Elephants in great number Abadas which is a kind of beast so big as two great buls and hath vppon his snowt a little horne At this day there is one of them at Madrid the which was brought out of the Indians to his maiesty and many do go to sée it for a strange thing and neuer the like séene in Europe whose skinne is so hard according vnto the report that no man although he be of great force and strength can passe it with a thrust Some haue saide that it is an Unicorne but I take it for the contrarie and they are of my opinion almost all those that haue béene in those partes and haue séene the true Unicorne In this kingdome there is a religious man of the order of S. Dominicke called frier Siluester whome God did carrie into those parts for to remedy the soules that are therein hee dooth imploy himselfe to learne their naturall language and to preach the holy gospell in the same tongue and hath them likewise prepared that if he had any companions for to help hym they should obtayne much fruite for the heauens he hath sent and requested for some vnto the India of Portingall but they would neuer send him anie peraduenture by some sinister information by men which the diuell doth marke as instruments for to stay and let the saluation of those soules for euer to remayne in his tirannicall power This fryer did write a letter vnto Malaca vnto fryer Martin Ignacio and vnto oâ—her religious men intirely requesting them for the loue of God to giue such order that hee might be holpen with some religious men of what order soeuer with certification that therein they shall doe great seruice vnto God and put remedie in those soules whome he dare not baptise for feare that after lacking the euangelical refreshing to water and cherish them they returne to bring forth that euill fruit of Idolatrie This petition did not take effect according to his desire for y t there was not to serue his turne nor any that was vnoccupied They vnderstood of him that brought this letter that the king of that kingdome had in great veneration the sayd father Siluestro in so ample manner as was the patriarck Ioseph in Egipt hee had in all that kingdome the seconde place and euery time that the king would speak with him he gaue him a chaire and gaue him great priuiledges and licence for to preach the holy gospell throughout all the kingdome without any contradiction and for to edifie the churches and all other thinges whatsoeuer he thought necessarie this king himselfe helping thereunto by giuing of great gifts and charitie He said also that in al y e kingdome there were erected many crosses and were had in great reuerence And for y e confirmation of the truth hereof the
aforesaid frier Ignacio did sée in Malaca a present y t the king of this kingdome of Camboia did send vnto another friend of his and amongst many things contained therin of great riches curiositie there were two crosses very great and wel made of a gallant wood very swéete and all garnished very richly with siluer and gold with their titles enamiled Nigh vnto this kingdome is that of Sian in the hight of fourtéene degrées from the pole Artike and thrée hundred leagues from Machao wheras the Portugals do go to trade It is the mother of all Idolatrie and the place from whence hath procéeded many sectes vnto Iapon China and Pegu. It is a flourishing countrie and well replenished of all such things as be requisite for to merite the name to be good There be in it maniâ— Elephants and Abadas and other beasts that are nourished in that countrie besides this it is very rich of mettals and gallant swéete woode The people of this kingdome for the most part are faint-hearted or cowards for which occasion although they are infinite in number yet are they subiect vnto the king of Pegu who ouercame them long time since in a battell as afterwards shall be declared and they doo pay him ordinarily great and heauy tributes They would be conuerted very easâ—ly vnto the faith of Iesu Christ and would leaue their Idols if they had any to preach vnto them yea would subiect themselues vnto any king or Lord that woulde fauour them and not vnto this whom now they do obey for that hee dooth intreate them tyrannously They haue amongst them many religious men after their fashion who doo liue in common and leade an asper and sharp life for the which they are had of al the rest in great veneration The penance which they do is wonderfull strange as you may iudge by some things that I will declare here amongst a great number that be tolde of them there are none of them that can marrie neither speake to any woman if by chance he do they arewithout remissioÌ„ punished by death They go alwayes barefoote very poorely apparelled do eate nothing but rice gréene herbes and this they do aske for charitie euery day going from doore to doore with their wallet at their backes alwayes with their eyes looking on the ground w t such modesty honesty that it is to be wondred at they doo not craue their charity neither take it with their hands nor do any other thing but cal or knocke stand still till such time as they giue them their answer or put some thing into their wallets It is told them for a truth that many times for penance they do put themselues starke naked in the heate of the sunne which is there very great for that y e country is in twenty sixe degrees of the Equinoctiall whereas they are much troubled there with gnats whereof there is an infinite number and is a thing that if they did passe it for Gods sake it is a kinde of martyrdome of great desert God for his mercy lighten them with his grace that this which they do smally vnto the profite of their soules may bee the occasion that after they are baptised they may deserue for the same many degrées of glory Likewise in secreat they doo great penance and doo rise vp at midnight to praie vnto their Idols and they do it in quiers as is vsed amongst vs Christians It is not permitted them any rentes nor any other kinde of contractation and if they bée séene to deale in any they are detested and hated as an heretike is amongst vs. For this kind of asper liuing the which they do according vnto the report for the loue of the heauen and that with great zeale they are respected of the common people for saints and for such they do reuerence them and do commit them vnto their praiers when they are in any trouble or infirmity These and many other things mo be declared of them in like order which may serue for to confound vs that confessing we do not obserue kéepe hauing for the same our sure reward not of humain interest but that which God hath prepared for the good in heaueÌ„ The law of the Gospell in this kingdome would bring foorth much fruite for that the people are charitable and louers of vertue and of them that haue it This experience had the father Ignacio and his companions in China at such time as they were prisoners where there were in a city certain ambassadors from the king of Syan who were bound to the court and there they vnderstood that the Spaniards were sentenced to death for entring into that country without licence they went to visite them when they saw them with their asper habites and very poore did resemble very much the habit of their religious men they had so great affection vnto them that ouer and aboue they sent theÌ„ good charity the which was two bags of rice much fish fruits they did offer to theÌ„ al the mony they would desire to ransome them in al that the Iudges would demand â—or them in recompeÌ„ce of this good wil they shewed vnto y e Spaniards they did verifie that aforesaide that they are great louers of vertue CHAP. XXII Of many other kingdomes that are in this new world and of their names and properties but in espiciall of that famous Cittie of Malaca NIgh vnto this kingdome of Syan there are two kingdomes togither the one of them is called Lugor and the other Patane they belong both vnto one king who is a Moore and of the linage Malaya yet notwithstanding the people of these kingdomes are Gentiles and doâ— vnderstande in them to haue great good will to become Christians if they had anie to preach vnto them the Gospell The lande is very rich of golde Pepper and of drugges but the people faint hearted and cowards and for little for which occasion they are more giuen vnto thinges of contentment and pleasure then vnto wars or brawlings At the ende of this kingdome is the straite of Malaca in the which there are two small kingdomes the one of them is called Paon and the other Ior the people of the first are the most traiterous that are in all the whole worlde as the Portugals haue many times experimented and those of the second kingdome sometimes they are in peace and sometimes in warre with the said Portugals They will haue peace when they do sée themselues in necessity of the same but war ordinarily These two kingdomes are halfe Moores by reason whereof it séemeth that with an euil wil they wil be reduced vnto the law of the gospel if that by the help of God they be not mollified of their hearts This straight of Malaca is vnder the Equinoctiall line and is accounted from the kingdome of Cochinchina vnto it 376. leagues this is an euill straight