Page 9 Books of the lives and sects of Mahomets successors Page 13 Benjamin Page 19 Biharen Page 30 Benmir Page 32 Babylon ibid. Bagded Page 32 33. Balsora ibid. Bacchat Page 35 Besoart stone Page 36 Barcas Page 40 Batinisar and her Carpets Page 44 Baticola Page 54 Bisnegar Page 72.74 A History of the King of Bisnegar Page 73 Bramins high Priests Page 75 Barrs of gold Page 94 Ball-play Page 99.155 Betell a tree Page 101 Birds of Paradise Page 115 Beasts trained up to hunt Page 166 A bloody battell Page 178 Birds of strange nature ibid. Belugara a town in Monopotapa Page 186 Butua a Province Page 198 Bagamidri a town in Ethiopia Page 218. Bagamidri called Imperial and why ibid. Bagamidri a kingdom ibid. Bagamadri how bounded ibid. Barua a town Page 241.227 Biguen a strong town Page 235 Bridges of straw Page 236 Baza a pleasant town Page 256 Beniermi a desert Page 271 Bazuelle a fair town Page 273 Natural Balsome and how it growes Page 275 Barua an Isle Page 321 Bracala a country Page 322 Baris an Ape very serviceable Page 325 Bread made of fish Page 333 Beseé espada a dangerous fish Page 336 A History of Bibical Page 338 Breezes winds Page 341 Bacaltos why so called a coast annoyed with fish Page 347 Bacaltos discovered by an English man Page 348 Strange beasts Page 380 Birds of prodigious greatness ib. A good bargain Page 380 Brasile described Page 395 Brasile a fruitful and for pleasure a miraculous country ibid. Strange beasts in Brasile Page 397 Brasile divided ibid. Brasile by whom discoverrd ibid. Brasilians their nature their weare and ornaments Page 397 Brasilians Religion Page 398 Brasilian ceremonies at marriage ibid. The Brasilian customes Page 399 The Brasilian way of traffick ibid. Brasilians man-eaters Page 400 Brasilians their arms and wars ibid. Brasilian usage of prisoners at war ibid. Brasilians kind to strangers Page 402 Brasilians given to divinations and superstitions ibid. C. CAire Page 2 Candia ibid. Chrysorrhas Page 4 Carauane Page 9 A cheat Page 12 Cassia Page 19 Cinamon ibid. A Cutler Page 5 Cassis deceived his brother Page 13 Carauanes from Aleppo Damas and the grand Cair ibid. Cassis his treachery Page 17 Chicali Page 19 Cosan or Cosara a River Page 20 Camaran an Island Page 23 Camara Page 25 Camelots Page 26 Caymans or Crocodils ibid. Ceyfadin Page 29 Cimites of Persia Page 31 A Marseillan Curtisan Page 35 Casbin Page 36 Cusa Page 39 Calander ibid. Caidsidibir Page 40 Cassandera ibid. Christianisme in the Indies Page 42 Cambaye a town Page 45 46. Children sold by Parents Page 47.85 Calicut Page 57 Cochins scituation Page 62 Cinamon Page 67 Circles of poysoned iron Page 75 Christian faith preached in the Indians and by whom Page 76 Ceremonies Page 89 Cruelty of the Javans Page 98 Chiamay a famous Lake Page 105 Castigay an Idoll Page 107 Chaubanoys disaster Page 108 Caipomo a River Page 112 Confession amongst Idolaters Page 124 Communions extravagant Page 129 Cannons in the Indies from all antiquity Page 132 Cock-fights Page 138 Ceremonies Page 143 Casubi a kingdom Page 154 Casubi a town Page 155 Cocos and the benefit Page 156 The Cape of Palmes Page 180 Cape of Natall Page 183 where Christianity first planted in Africa ibid. Crocodiles and how taken Page 185 Christians in Belugara Page 187 Courtesy of savages Page 195 Courtesy of the Prince of Belugara ibid. Suguelane a town and the entertainment of that town with their customes Page 197 The Court of Abissina under tents in the field Page 215 Combats of savage beasts Page 222 Couzan a kingdom Page 238 Ceremonies at matrimony ibid. Crown revenues of the grand Negus Page 243 Churches and Church-service in Ethiopia Page 244 Candace Queen Page 252 Caraman a town Page 254 A Church cut out of the natural Rock founded by Candaces Eunuke ibid. The Chair of Saint John Babtist ibid. The celebrated cataracts Page 261 Christians delivered from Infidels by miracle Page 272 Caire built upon the ruines of Babylon and Memphis Page 274 Crocodiles and their nature Page 277 Constantina a town in Morocca Page 298 Constantinople the scituation and founder Page 306 A stupendious rock of Christal Page 325 Canaries why so called Page 331 A Cave in a rock once a Church Page 332 Cuba the most fruitful Island of America Page 336 Crocodiles good meat Page 337 Canibals hunt men and why Page 339 Cruelty of the Spaniards Page 340 Coasts of Mexico Page 341 Canada or New-France by whom discovered Page 349 the King of Canada whence extracted Page 350 the Canadans nature religion laws habit and customes ibid. An example of covetousnesse Page 365 Cordileras vast extended mountaines of wonderful scituation Page 372 Cosca a Province ibid. Charcas a Province in Peru. Page 373 the Calandar of Peru. Page 388 Cruelty revenged Page 389 Chica a country Page 392 D. DAmas Page 5 A Deruis Page 6.39 Dan Caerea Page 7 Dalatia Page 22 Dehir ibid. Dalascia a town Page 25 A strange dispute Page 27 Derbent Page 35 Delicacies Page 38 Durmisar Page 39 Diu assaulted by the Turk Page 44 Delidecan Page 49 Dinari Page 50 Country dames Page 74 A declaring of war Page 75 Diamond mines Page 83 the Devill adored Page 99 Dead bodies eaten Page 104 How drugges are brought into Europe Page 133 Documents for Princes Page 136 The devil's dance Page 143 A dance in Armes Page 164 Deserts frightfull Page 174 Dumes a river Page 191 King Davids robe Page 254 Dangala a town Page 272 Delusion of a Mahometan Priest Page 274 Deserts of Caire and how travailed Page 279 a difference ingeniously reconciled Page 319 Domingo an Island Page 332 Inhabitants of Domingo their Nature Lawes Customes and Religion ibid. Discovery of the new World Page 346 The Devil Gods ape Page 361 Dancers on the rope in Mexico Page 365 a discovery Page 379 Diving men Page 386 F. A Fatall execution Page 6 Erithreos a King Page 23 Ecade Page 40 Ebony Page 56 Euate a precious wood Page 81 A story of an Elephant Page 117 The manner of their keeping Page 118 Exorcisms Page 150 Number of Elephants in Pegu. Page 135 Extent of Africa Page 178 The Empire of the Abissins Page 180 Extent of the Abissins country Page 212 Ethiopians descended from Chus the sonne of Cham the first Idolaters Euate a precious vessel that endures no poyson Page 216 An entertainment Page 255 Ermin a Judge with the Turks Election of the King Page 327 Encrease of corn admirable Page 339 Election of the King of Mexico Page 358 Earthquakes Page 375 Emerald enemy to inconstancy Page 386 F. FErragous Page 17 Frankincense Page 19 Forests Page 38 Prodigious food Page 46 The French pox in Indies Page 51 Fish charmed Page 72 A fortunate escape Page 96 Two Franciscans eaten Page 98 Strange funerals Page 104 Faithful trading Page 111 Fraternal amity Page 145 Faith of the Indians Page 154 French highly esteemed in the
amongst them feigning himself mad begged an almes of him and seeing he had a Cassock of good fine cloth maliciously threw abundance of vermine which he had in a basket upon his clothes and forced my companion to strip himself of Cassock Doublet and all to shake off the vermine the rest of the Jewes gave their seeming assistance correcting the pretended mad-man or cheat whilst he run away with coat and doublet which my fellow never after heard of but it made us merry in the rest of our journey At length having travelled five and forty dayes travail from Macharib without much rest but on Frydaies which is the Mahometans Sabbath we approached near Medinat al Nabi or the Prophets City and there stopt the Caravane every one pitching his tent 't was a delight to behold our company that seemed a numerous Army rank't in order round about a well in the midst of divers Date trees We arrived at Medina formerly Jesrab a Town of the desert Arabia where Mahomet died and was buried he was born at Jetrib or Meka in this town there are very good waters for which cause it is well peopled There my Camarade put a base cheat upon his brother telling him that if he would intrust him with certain commodities he would go trade with them at Ziden a Haven in the red sea near to Meka where were arrived some ships from the India's as he understood by some Abyssins he met in pilgrimage at Mount Sina the Renegado Murat believed him and bought six Camels at Medina and loaded them with several commodities which he committed to his brother Cassis and to account for them at his return but instead of going to the place he pretended to his brother he turned his course towards the happy Arabia Zibit Aden Ormus from thence through Persia to the East India's and to the Preste Johns countrey and to other places as you shall hear Some have said that either at Medina or Meka was Mahomets tombe all of iron suspended in the ayre with a loadstone but I have heard for certain that the false Prophet died at Medina and is there buried where to this day his tombe is frequently visited by Mahometan pilgrims from all parts of the world as the holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem is visited by Christians thither go the Caravanes from Aleppo Damas and the grand Cair and from other places there meet sometimes above forty or fifty thousand persons and as many Camels with some guards of souldiers This tombe is built of white marble with the tombs of Ebubeker Ali Omar and Ottman Califfs and Mahomets successors and every one a book lying by them of their lives and their Sect or opinion which are very discrepant there are also a great number of Lamps alwayes lighted we were desirous to be informed by Murats means whether the monument had ever been held up in the ayre we were answered by an Alfaquis or Turkish Priest that formerly Mahomets body had there reposed but that since the Angels had translated his body before God to assist him at his great Judgement and told us many other fopperies that occasioned Murat to ask why that tombe was built to which we received some frivolous answer the tombe is three steps or thereabouts in ground the steps are white marble and the Turks believe to this day that the Tombe hangs in the ayre and wonder very much when we tell them we have seen the contrary CHAP. V. How Mahomet composed his Alcoran his victories and of the rarities and ceremonies of Meka THe people of this Country were called Saracenes since Sarazins from a town called Saraco or rather from Elfarack which in their language signifies to live by robbery as all the inhabitants there have ever been great thieves and robbers as well as the chiefest part of the desert Arabians and Africanian Arabians are at present The Impostor-Prophet Mahomet was born amongst them at Itrarib or Jetrib a small village now called Meka or near unto it He derived his Pedegree from Ismael from his youth inventing his false law being a subtle crafty undertaking person he took advantage of the discontents of some Sarazins that were not paid their pay by the Grecian Emperour Heraclius his officers and made use of them to run over that Empire with such success from the beginning that he undertook greater things which the easier to compasse he gave them a newer Law compiled with a mixture of their old one making them believe 't was revealed and inspired into him from above but which in truth he had forged and composed himself by the help of some Christian Apostates among others of two Christians sword-cutlers and slaves then in Meka and very ignorant fellowes and thus fill'd his Alcoran full of fopperies and Impertinencies which he published by the sword and by force of of arms forced all persons he could to receive it Three principal means he made use of to establish his Sect First of all Sorceries impostures and deceits Secondly of a liberty of conscience sensuality and licentiousnesse Thirdly and lastly of the force of arms Medina was the first town he reduced and there was proclaimed King by his Captains and Officers Ebubeker Ali Omar Ottman and the others that succeeded him were called Califfs afterwards he sent them to conquer Asia and Africa and in few years they reduced both those parts wholly to their obedience setting up their law which hath there continued ever since for they and their successors have founded the greatest Empires in the world and so continue at this day as the Turk the Persian the great Mogull the Tartar the Jerez and Moracko and infinite more Kings in Africa and Asia the East India's and the adjacent Isles from this cursed Doctrine are sprouted forth many diverse Sects We left Medina and came to Meka another town of the desert Arabia in the two and twentieth degree and by reason of the impurity of the ayr there is scarce any more then these two townes in the whole country it is two dayes journey from Medina pretty large of the quantity of Roan or twice as big as Marseils 't is surrounded with great and steep hills which serves her for defence and makes the accesse difficult there are abundance of Merchants and very rich having upon the 23. of May yearly a famous Fair which they call their Jubile To facilitate the passage from the plain there are four avenues cut through the Mountain easie to be maintained near unto the Town is the Hill called Jubara where 't is believed Abraham would have sacrificed his Son Isaac and in a certain place there the Marabouts immolate at this time there the pilgrims offer sheep and distribute the flesh and offalls to the poor who are very numerous and give them water to drink they devour those entrails half raw impatient to stay the dressing of them they make holes in the
and have been dismembred by the Kings of Tangu and Aracan who had in my time the possession of the white Elephant that bred so much contention in Siam This kingdom in my days contained many others viz. two Empires containing 26. crowned States Southward Pegu confines upon Martaban and Siam Eastward upon Brama Cambay and Cochin China Northward upon Ava Tazatay Aracan Westward upon Bengale and the gulf The Town of Pegu is very large and square 5. gates at every square or side encompassed with a deep work or trench full of Water-Crocodils and other dangerous Serpents The walls are built of wood with Watch-towers of rich work and gilt repaired every tenth year The houses are stately edifice At new Pegu the King keeps his Court the streets are exactly streight and large about the heart of the town you discover almost all the streets which is a gallant curiosity old Pegu is built after the same model and there the Merchants inhabit In new Pegu the streets are set with Palm-trees and Cocos loaden with fruit the new was framed and built by the line near a forest of Palmes towards the North in a large field in the trenches filled with water by the river that washes that coast there are certain baths accommodated purposely and very safe from Crocodils otherwise swimming were very dangerous The Town is as bigge as Fez whereof there is the old and new as Pegu. The King of Pegu is so potent that he never goes to war without a million and a half of men well armed with Arquebuses and other Guns they are the best Gunners in the world but not many of them and their Guns are far better then ours being made of better iron better temper'd and better wrought They have a 100000. good souldiers they live of little and for need upon leaves and roots and are gallant and resolute men His guard consists of 30000. horse either Turk or Persian and to have them plenty at a pinch there is an edict or law that what Merchant soever brings 20. horses to be sold shall have the rest of his commodities free which make them furnisht from all parts of the Indies Persia and Soltania in Arabia where are the best of the world the souldiers exercise themselves much at marks and often the King gives rewards to the best marks-men He may have 5000. Elephants and many other beasts Merchants follow the Armies upon bulls and oxen The country is rich in Mynes of Gold and Silver Rubies Saphyrs Garnets and other stones These daily augment the Kings treasures his Magazines may passe for the treasure of the East In one Court of his Pallace at new Pegu there is such store that 't is little esteemed not one man to guard it nor the dores kept shut There stands the figure or statue of a proper tall man all of beaten gold a crown upon his head of the same enriched with rubies of inestimable value and round it four statues more of youths all of gold which seem to be Idols yet they say they were made for delight In another Court is represented a Gyant sitting of silver with a Crown of the same but far richer set with Jewels in â—ther Courts stand statues made of Ganze a mixture of many mettals whereof their Byzes are made a sort of coyn but not royal The Crowns of these latter are richer then the others with rubies and Saphyrs the biggest I ever saw The Peguans go all cloathed alike in Cottons linnens and silks the best and all are barefoot ever whether walking or riding the country abounds in Sugars which they make great and many uses of they cover their houses with it and mingle it with ciment Their buildings are costly carved and wrought sparing neither Gold nor Azure When the King or any Noble-man builds a Pallace he provides himself with the purest gold to guild it For there as in many other places of the Indies Gold is not coyned but is merchandize at Tahaba or old Pegu are many refyners and gold and silver beaters they work it into leaves as we do for the ease and benefit of the Gilders without committing much waste for they gild as I have said the very walls and towers and their houses after the Persian fashion New Pegu is almost all so built and nothing spared to make up a sumptuous splendid structure they cover them with tortoise shell which they place and joyn very neatly There is a certain place where Coaches Litters Trunks Boxes Saddles Harness for Elephants and horses are only made covered with gold and silver I saw there a saddle and furniture for an Elephant bought at a very high rate for their King What is most remarkable of their buldings is that those that live of their own rents or estates are contented with the meanest and poorest houses they are convenient but like country houses and thatch'd with straw and only able to preserve them from the injuries of the weather The Merchants and other tradesmen and shop-keepers who have something to lose out of their shops or warehouses they live in strong houses well built of stone brick close shut with strong gates and locks and call those houses Godons Throughout all the Towns of Pegu there are the Taregha or persons sworn to see good measure and weight made of commodities to the Merchants they have charge of and if a bad bargain be made the fault is laid on them with discredit and reproaches which they escape sometimes very narrowly so you take much pleasure to trade with them they are so faithful and sincere and a most excellent order is observed both in buying and selling and whatever is either bought or sold is put in a lump into the Sensals who gives notice of the number and sets a price upon them and sets a rate of what they ought freely to get over and above all charges whatever if the price be liked the mony is payed and the Sensal keeps an exact account for they are able chosen men There is no danger of any deceit besides they do all to the advantage of those that refer themselves unto them and in case the price doth not please buyer and seller they have the whole day to confirm or avoyd it although 't is to the Sensals discredit and infamy CHAP. XXVII Of the Kingdome of Pegu of a bloody war for a white Elephant of Crocodiles and the nature of Elephants THe Empire of Pegu is provided with all things necessary and commodious to life and vyes with others as rich and good as her self as Cochinchine Siam Tangu Marsin Jangoma Bengale Ava Aragan and others It is cut through in many places by that great river called by the higher Indies Amoucherat and the natives the river of Pegu or Caipumo or Martaban that runs by several branches through the level and fertilizes the soyle This River abounds in Fish and Crocodiles which they
company being composed of persons of divers interests according to their affaires there arose some dispute but at last 't was determined we should go by Gayuelle whither we had seven long dayes journey to avoyd the danger of robbers who are very infestuous to those parts as also the Tigars whereof there is store throughout all Ethiopia and so at length gaine Zuama or Bagamidri where we left our vessels and part of our goods Then we travailed along the river through diverse wild and disinhabited places being ever ready upon our guard for robbers that might way-lay us to ransack what we had and so crossing Areal and Chaussabir two Provinces we met with Heardsmen of exceeding bignesse who kept tame goats which furnished us with milk and cheese and venison as much as we would have for a small quantity of salt in exchange being of opinion we had given them something of high price Not long after we beheld Gazuelle and other small Townes where the greater part are Christians though they hold something of Judaism as I said before As we thought to go take our dinner at Moradar about a league from Almina a stormy wind under a cloak of thick black clouds pursued us at the heels which made us keep near our boats that if the rain should surprize us we might have shelter at hand At the instant two men and a Priest in a gray habit accosted us the Priest with his hat in his hand saluted us in Italian saying he was of Cagliari in Sardaignia and that 't was his desire to return for his Countrey whence he came into Ethiopia with a Roman Bishop who passed to the other world at Magadeli and understanding of some Italians that were travailing through Ethiopia for Egypt he had sought us out to be admitted into our company intending to take ship at Alexandria and steer the course for Italy and so for Rome The two men that were with him gave us high commendations of him assuring us he would pay well for his passage for that the Bishop had left him threescore Doublons for his voyage We made little answer but at the same time two Noblemen overtaking us in Palanquins or Littars born by slaves on their shoulders this Priest made to them and asked an alms and one of them gave him a piece of silver then presently returned to us and as familiarly as we had been acquainted all dayes of our life told us by asking one could loose nothing but the deniall At length we came to Moradar where we stayed our boats as we had often done since the losse of Monsieur de la Courbs man in hope to find the body for he had rich things about him Being at our Inne we smelt a strong sent and found 't was some musk cats this Priest carried with him which he would have trucked with us for other commodities but we were loth to be troubled with such unwholsome things There they brought us to table a dish of raw flesh well seasoned with salt and spices which was of delicate taste and an excellent meat After dinner we observed certain people looking stedfastly in a bright shining bason and asking the reason they told us they were looking to see a troop of Devils that were going to a battail that was presently to be fought We replyed if it might be without danger we should be very glad to participate with them and would content them with a piece of money which they accepted of and the Sieur de la Courb gave them what we promised Hereupon one of them cast a kind of grease upon a chafing dish of burning coals which flamed and went out again and there arose a thick smoak then they perfumed the bason and oyled it with a sort of oyl and in an instant a formidable darknesse involved us and we saw passing in the air as it were great swarms of knats not being able to discern directly what likenesse they were of we desired the Magician he would stay them and ask these Demons or hags whither they went with such celerity then renewing the fumigations and muttering I know not what incantations betwixt the teeth we saw as 't were swarms of Ants which removing on his command in imagination we saw the form of a body covered with linnen without being able to distinguish more but this Phantasme drawing near us such horrour seized us that for my part the hair of my head so started up that it threw my cap on the ground and strait a most loathsom stink as 't were of carrion filled the room this thing gabbled something which the Magician understood and told us he learnt by these demons there was a battaile at hand to be fought by the king of Barma and thither they were travelling to receive the souls of the slaughtered that they had crossed a Sea of darknesse and horrour and the confines of a land where the Sun never shone nor Creature lived and things of the like kind which this man related At last all vanished leaving a scene of such lovely trees that from thence-forward we were bewitched with no such unlucky ambition to see Diabolicall delusions But to our businesse after many daies travaile we arrived at Bagamidri where we learnt the rest of our Company who would not come along with us stayed for us at Zambera or Zambre a gentile Town upon the lake of Zuame We were thirteen dayes travelling this shore where we found many villages or hamlets but few good dwellings from Zets to Casera which are the best Towns 't is three dayes journey and from Abiari which is the Bishoprick of St. Abiblicano three more and to Cafata four we had extraordinary rains all this way which neverthelesse hindered not our journey We made five dayes from Cafate to Girat and two to Gisara in the Province of Ambian from thence in six dayes we reached to Samodera a very neat Town betwixt two Rivers and in two and a half to Cosiana where we found the Princesse of Bilibranos with eight Almadies in whose Company we reached in three dayes to Cabestane in two more to Cabesera and in a day and a halfe to Ambadara or Ambadora From thence we went to Albias or Albian a small Town but full stocked with people here we lodged at a Dragoyan merchants house who was married there and he let us want for nothing At this Town in the River were abundance of tame ducks and a number of displumed geese as likewise most part of the ducks were the rest frizeled which caused a laughter amongst us to see these poor birds so ill apparelled which some of the Town observing and amongst them some of the Consuls or Magistrates themselves called the Abiari they told us when these should come to our table they would bring us a double pleasure both in eating and sleeping and at last we understood 't was usual to pull their fowle alive to stuffe their beds with the feathers making little cases
Senior Bashaws and such have magnificent Palaces painted with gold and azure after the Persian Her Founder Constantine the Great dismantled Rome and all the Province of the Empire to adorn this his new City which in imitation of ancient Rome he seated on seven hills afterwards Justinian erected the magnificent Church of our Saviour or S. Sophia of circular Modell by which pattern the Sarasins built their Temple or Mosque at Meca though there be much difference betwixt them that at Meca being only brick building supported with abundance of Pillars Constantinople hath within nothing graceful but the Princes Seraglioes the Mosques Hospitalls and the Bashaws Palaces built by the art and industry of their slaves as heretofore at Rome likewise these Bashaws for the greatest part are Renegado-Christians or Christians children of more elegancy then the naturall Turk the most avaricious people of the world who without mony afford not the least civility imaginable Constantinople is scituate on a Promotory environed on all sides except the West with the Sea with a Gulph or Channell on the North and Port Pera or Galata secured with a chain as Malta is Pera is as 't were a Suburbs beguirt with Walls raised in Anastasius the Emperours time who fortified it Within the circumference there are four good Ports besides this On the Land side 't is double wall'd with good ditches equall'd slankard and rampar'd no work of the Turks notwithstanding but the ancient Christians who possessed it and since repaired by them 'T is of triangular form one point towards the West the other two declining with falls and windings towards the sea on the South side From some houses in Pera one may take a view of the scite and precinct of it and perceive how it opens it self into three Angles the one towards the Port of the Islands a second to the River Port and the third points upon the Grand Siniors Seraglio which takes up the side of the hill that embosoms the Gulph towards Pera the height whereof is a shelter to the vessels that ride on that side and here the Sultans and Sultanesses Gardens are The Seraglio is of a noble and delightfull Fabrick for it hath both land and sea for prospect which from the Mount surveyes the champain There are long ridings adjacent enclosed with high walls and beautifyed with columns of discolour'd marble and tall trees ranked in walkes Within the Seraglio is the Temple of S. Sophia since the demolishment of a number of goodly Churches made their Mosque having left none for the Greek Christian service but those of S. Peter S. Thomas S. Theodoret Saint Luke S. Lazarus Saint John and S. Sebastian now in the Patriarcks hands where Christians celebrate with permission The Turks practice a Religion in Part and countenance meerly without regard to law either divine or humane relying for their faith upon others without further indagation and conditionally that their Prophet were not mistaken Their principal care is the manage of their affaires to be esteemed wise and enjoy the pleasures of the world They esteem Christians far short of them yet notwithstanding they allow Christ to be born of a Virgin that he was a great Prophet and the Breath of the mighty God There have risen amongst them some Sectaries who held him a greater Prophet then Mahomet but some being so bold as to publish it were dragg'd by the heels had their brains beaten out and were made food for dogs The prohibition to dispute of their law they observe exactly for manifesting the impertinence and absurdity of it and for the diverse interpretations of their Alcaron which would intangle them in a thousand confusions They place their Paradise intirely in sensual pleasure as in gustfull and delicate meat and drink in fair women and the like and doubt not salvation if they abstain from wine and swines flesh Their Talismansat and Cadileschers their Doctors preach them this wholesome doctrine telling them the Paradise promised to Christians where there is neither meat nor drink is for poor and wretched creatures in theirs they make good cheer so carnal and below spirit are these people The Priests must be a little learned in the course of the Sun and Moon for the knowledge of their Feasts and New-Moons they go daily upon the steeple of their Mosque and proclaim the hours of prayer to God and their Prophet They have Religious of several orders some like men in desperation counterfeiting the ideot others dissembling simplicity others that most frantickly torment themselves to death women who ring themselves with wire as we do Mares but of this I have said sufficiently in my Treatise of Persia The Mufti is their Grand Patriarck who decides all differences in Religion and disputes amongst the Priests and the Grand Sinior himself cannot wave his sentence who owes him such respect that he rises from his seat to receive him when he makes a visit to him and seats him by him The determination of civill and criminal causes is committed to the Soubassi or Gadilescher Basha Armin or Arcair This Mufti as of the line of Mahomet weares a green Turbith the Emir wears it also not for holinesse but for authority These Emir are egregious Hypocrites as are the Deruis who wear the Cimeterre and under colour of executing divine Justice commit a thousand murders in the country There are others who go in troops and coming to a Village beg almes upon their knees which Turks give them liberally and they eat it in the place neverthesse having done for all this charity all they can meet alone they omit not to pillage and murther During my stay at Constantinople there died Basha Zabahim a person of worthy repute according to his law Being departed his death was notified to all the people who came in a multitude and wept for him and according to custome he was interred without the town Persons of such quality at their decease ever bequeath to pious uses as to the foundation of an Hospitall or Mosque or the like officers clad in duskish course rugs give notice to the people to pray for the soule of this pious Lord His nearest kindred covered with fine white linnen from head to foot go to the house and attend at the gate no man entring in but the Master Such as are more remote are only vail'd over the face with a fine cloth which hangs down to the girdle They are known by their wailings and lamentations which they duplicate when they come together Then come forth all the Domesticks in gray Ash-coloured cloth next come twelve horses with clothes of the like drawing on the ground the leaders clothed with the same These horses seem to weep and by intermissions to sigh and sobbe which they are brought to by rubbing their nostrils with a certain drugge while the people thinking them to weep really accompany them with tears and lamentations Then follow four in gray with four banners trailing on the ground then
habitable and all the Inhabitants forced to retire into the adjacent Isles ever since this place remained desert yet there are great store of birds and beasts sometimes the Maldivians have landed there by chance but have been forced immediately to retreate the evill spirits do so perplex them they raise great tempests on that sea Being at Pegu I heard a Magitian had promised the King to bring him some birds and the Treasures of Abdena out of the Country but the Demons did so perturb him he could not effect his promise for as he was taking footing in the Isle and beginning his conjurations he had writ upon a leafe and put into the hands of one of his boldest disciples they were by the illusions of the devill so suddenly terrified that the miserable disciple fell dead upon the place and the Master Magician was so horridly beaten and dragged by the devills to the ship side that his companions had onely time to reembarke him and hoist sayles for Pegu. All the rest were strangely tormented and beaten except the Masters Mate and the Seamen that were wiser for knowing the condition of the place they would not put foot on land which afterwards they were very glad of Thus was the Magitian soundly beaten and 't was almost past his skill to recover himselfe but more of him another time CHAP. XXI Of the Kingdom of Bisnegar or Narsingue of the King his Bramins or Priests of Melia-par where they say reposes the body of St. Thomas the Apostle with a strange History of a Beare UPon the Coast of Coromandell in the East of Malabar are the Kingdomes of Bisnegar Orixa Mandao and others Besnaga or Marsingue hath a King formerly the most puissant of the India's amongst the Gentills and was esteemed their Emperour and gave his Lawes from Gemora to Orixa and Bengale to Goa Onoe and Baticola and many other places were under his Dominion but at this time he is much weakned yet he esteemes himself very potent and assumes very superbous and high Titles as God of the great Provinces King of Kings and Lord of the whole Universe 'T is reported that in an expedition against Italca he Mustered seven hundered thousand of Infantry forty thousand Cavalry horse-armed and seven hundered Elephants Bisnegar is the name of the Kingdom and cheife Town Negapatan her Haven the Towne of Bisnegar is faire and large lying in the 17. degree 10. dayes journey from Narsingue and eight from Goa we came for trade and to put off our commodities that paid 4. per cent viz. those that came from the West as cloaths scarlets paper saffron all sorts of Iron and Lary ware except horse-bits that pay but two per cent in the India's Horses are very small here as in Swethland but very high prized the Persian horses are the dearest because they are the biggest and strongest The Prince of Bisnegar is stiled Benganera or Vente cupati which signifies great King and most magnificent in his State potent in Elephants and Horses which he maintaines with the Gabells of the Countrey and the easier to procure horse to strengthen himself against his enemies the toles are abated Some few years before we came to this Town of Bisnegar it was assaulted and sack't by four Kings of the Mores all very potent and united to ruine this Prince These Kings were Idalcan Nisamulaco Cotamulaco and a Brother-in-law of his called Sultan Jordas Prince of the Kingdom of Viridi or Var Their hatred was that this King of Bisnegar was an Idolater and they Mahometans Two Moorish Captains were corrupted to betray their Masters and the day the battle was fought they turned about and proved the destruction of the Town that was that day sack't and taken by the confederate Kings and the King thereof put to flight into another strong Town called Panigont or Panicota where there stood a strong Castle surrounded with a great River and deep trenches ten dayes journey off Bisnegar The enemies pursued him thither and gave him a second battle where this Prince met with better successe and defeated them and had utterly dispersed them without the auxiliaries lent them by the King of Transiane a mortall enemy of this Prince There he took prisoner one of the perfidious Captains made him an example causing him to be nailed on a Crosse and to be shot to death with arrows having rallied a puissant Army to recover his Town of Besnegar he boldly resolved to fall upon Transiane and to seize of Timeragi's Countrey who had given his enemies their greatest assistance there he made great spoyle sacking and burning all before him before Timeragi could resist him He destroyed 22. Towns being advanced unto Gondariane Capitall of that Kingdom he put all to fire and sword and burnt Timeragi's sumptuous pallace his wife and children before Timeragi could stop his cruelties passing thorough Lazaray leaving all places desolate where ever he past untill he returned to Panigoni having spent but three months in this expedition He returned not soon enough to recover Bisnegar for his enemies had strongly fortified it and every one had their post assigned them Dealcan on Panigont side the others at other places the mean time these four Kings enjoyed this Countrey which they plundered and to strengthen themselves against the Inhabitants most affectionate and faithfull to their Prince they commanded all Merchants and other persons of estate in that Isle to bring in horse and Elephants promising payment They were brought in in great numbers but when they had possession of them they turned back the right owners without any satisfaction which was no small losse to them The Town of Bisnegar otherwise called Chandegry is eight leagues about and is so populous and powerfull that she finds her Prince a hundred thousand horse Narsingue the Capitall of the Country is of the compass of Florence stately built but their covering takes much from their beauty being not permitted to use tyle which otherwise they have great store of This Town is partly scituate upon a hill pretty eminent 3. leagues round There is a most sumptuous pallace covered with tyle where symmetry and uniformity is exactly observed the Town is bounded on one side with the Sea the other side with a great River the Town is well peopled and thatched with a course straw reed or rush The King maintaines a numerous Militia that makes him formidable to all the East No man can inhabit there without expresse leave from the King and no person is admitted that appears not an honest and candid person Merchants strangers and passengers have commodious habitations allotted them paying the ordinary duties They live quietly for justice is impartially dispensed and the lawes are so well observed that none breaks them for fear of punishment The Citizens are obliged by oath to serve the king when ere he commands upon pain of life or amputation
of hands and feet to keep his army more full he entertains the fairest women in the world most gallantly dressed and are onely courted by the great ones and the gallantest persons many strange Lords and Princes flock hither to fight under Mars and Venus but they are not admitted to the Ladies untill they have shewed some Trophies of their valour in some gallant exploit for the Princes service then they are courted by the Ladies honoured and respected by the King who by frequent presents and obligations hurry them on to greater actions Some of them abstain from women to keep their strength and vigour boasting to feed upon Lions Bears and Tigars and drink the bloud of the cruellest and wildest beasts such is their Gallantry and thus they decline effeminacy They use themselves to very violent exercises to war wrastling hunting feeding on strengthning foods onely They anoint their bodies with certain unxious commixtions or oyles to harden their skin They seldome fight in battle-ray their High-Priests or Bramins lead on their Armies who dare not stir if the Bramins are not in the head of them and when two Parties or Armies cannot agree several persons are called out to decide the quarrell and when they have fought sufficiently a retreat is sounded and judgement is given of the victory sometimes they are commanded to fall on again Those Bramins are wise and well-composed persons they never permit their Kings to engage their whole Armies at the great expense of their Subjects bloud and therefore few pitched battles are fought between those Indian Kings at least the Idolaters for the Mahometans they are otherwise governed When this King intends war to any neighbouring Prince or Stranger he marches forth of his capitall Town accompanied with all his Nobility in battle-ray with all his horse and foot and Elephants in good order as if he were ready to march Then the King mounted on a stately courser marches towards the Country he declares war unto and le ts fly an arrow immediately many persons ride their circuits with flaming torches in their hands to give notice of the day they are to attend their King at the capitall Town and the field Marshals keep the passages and let none passe but who are fit for war if war be carried far off their houses are commanded to be burnt that the whole families may go to war they onely uncover their houses for their houshold-stuffe and goods are preserved in a publick place built for that purpose The people thus disposed follow their Prince with resolution and most freely expose themselves to all danger They load their Elephants and Horses with iron and steel hoops three fingers broad keen as rasors which they use in fight they dart them with so strange and dextrous a strength and fleetnesse that an arrow shot from a good arm flyes not swifter with these instruments they make large wounds most of them mortall and incurable poysoning the instruments besides these Armes they carry swords and bucklers of severall fashions javelines bowes and crosse-bowes and some fire-pikes they go so furiously to fight little regarding their lives to serve their Prince Paleacate is another noble Town and haven in Bisnegar upon the gulf Bengale The Inhabitants are Gentiles and profess the same law as at Malabar and Calicut never eating beef they war perpetually with Ternassari onely for Religion sake and are friends with Calicut so are most of the Town upon the same gulf as Aremogan Bigara Caricola Putifama and other fair harbours belonging to the King of Bisnegar The inhabitants of Paleacate are courteous and civil yet you must be cautious of them they wear neither breeches nor drawers but a loose long cassock and cloak over it of silk or some fine stuf with a cap of the same and pumps very neatly made and go bare-leg'd their cassocks reach to their ankles The women wear Turkish coats loose silk stockings and buskins richly faced this town hath great commerce and hither are brought from Pegu and other places all their rich commodities and jewels Between Paleacate and Narsingue is a great vale overgrown with stately trees like Sicamores yielding a continuall moysture like unto those in the Isle of Fer in the Canaries this vale is continually covered with clouds and very deep it resembles a perpetuall night the Sun never appearing the roads are hard to hit this vale is a good mile in length and discovering the great and adjacent plains you are in another world there runs a little River out of the vale one end of the plain is planted with Sugar-canes there are three Sugar works that furnish the Inhabitants with work all the year long They have not the art to refine it but make it up in powder with these canes they feed their cattle as horses bufflers and swine which makes their flesh very sweet delicious and Doctors prescribe swines flesh to sick persons and indeed it is sweeter and wholsomer than mutton because of the clean feeding Near Paleacate stands Meliapur or St. Thomas a pretty fair Town where the Portuguese have a Fort here 't is said St. Thomas the Apostle preached and is interred for the province of Parthia falling to his lot he came into the Indies and to Coulan others say he was first at Socotora towards the Arabick gulf from thence to Granganor then to Coulan where being persecuted by the King of that place he came to Coromandell and to this Town of Meliapur where he suffered martyrdom Many are of opinion he came into Pegu and to China for there are many monuments of Christianism all over the Indies yet 't is likelier that the Indies were since converted by one Panthenus a Grecian Philosopher about the year 200. and rather since by Aedesius and Frumentius who planted there the Christian faith the latter whereof was the first Bishop in the time of S. Athanasius as hereafter we shall say more at large since this they sent into Armenia for sit instructers and the Patriark sent them some itinerant ones and have continued thus ever since The Armenians had the holy Bible in the Chaldean tongue however 't is generally believed St. Thomas was buried here where he was martyred by the Bracmanes and the King of Sagamo others say he dyed in the Town of Calamine and was buried at Meliapur which are one and the same Town and indeed to this day the memory and name of him is much esteemed and reverenced by the Natives by the Gentiles and Moors themselves Many other places of these Indies pretend to have the shrine of this glorious Saint from thence 't is said he was translated to Edesse and from thence into Europe to Otoa There are many more Churches dedicated to St. Thomas five leagues from Cochin there is a fair one but abused by the Gentiles who have got it by force and the Christians revenues many miracles are wrought at the shrine of