The first Three 
 
 Enghsh bQfik^ 
 
 on America. 
 
 tlicliard Eden. 
 
Cornell University Library 
 E 141.A66 
 
 The first three English books on America 
 
 3 1924 020 424 234 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924020424234 
 
The first Three English books on America. 
 
 [? 151 i]-i555 A.D.. 
 
The first 
 
 Three English books 
 
 on 
 America. 
 
 P ^5^ '1—^555 A-D- 
 Being chiefly Translations, Compilations, &c., by 
 
 RICHARD EDEN, 
 
 From the Writings, Maps, &c., of 
 
 PIETRO MARTIRE, of Anghiera (1455-1526), 
 Apostolical Protonotary, and Councillor to the Etnperor Charles V .; 
 
 SEBASTIAN MUNSTER, the Cosmographer (1489-1552), 
 Professor of Hebrew, Sfc, at the University of Basle ; 
 
 SEBASTIAN CABOT, of Bristol (1474-1557), 
 
 Grand Pilot of England : 
 
 With Extracts, .&c., from the Works of other Spanish, 
 Italian, and German Writers of the Time. 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 EDWARD 4RBER, f.s.a 
 
 Fellow of King's College, London ; Hon. Member of the Virginia and Wisconsin Historical Societies ; 
 
 Examiner in English Language and Literature, Victoria University, Manchester; 
 
 Professor of English Language and Literature, 
 
 Sir Josiah Mason's College, Birmingham. 
 
 'Editor of English Reprints^ English Garner^ English Scholar's Library y 
 
 A Transcript <^ the Registers of the Company of Stationers of London^ 1554-1640; &c. 
 
 BIRMINGHAM: 
 I MONTAGUE ROAD. 
 22 June 1885. 
 
 i^All rights reserved.) 
 
To THE Reader. 
 
 Ach of the three Texts in this Volume is of 
 great rarity; the firft two are extraordinarily 
 fcarce. 
 
 The prefent impreffion of them was begun 
 fo far back as 1870, and was nearly finifhed by 
 1872 ; when it came to a ftand ftill through the 
 great preffure of other work on all concerned, 
 but more efpecially on myfelf 
 
 For then, there came to me the over- 
 powering vocation, for the fake of the Literature 
 of our Golden Age, of attempting (fmgle-handed 
 though it might be, and when every one elfe forfook it and fled) the printing of A 
 Tranfcript of the Regifiers of the Company of Stationers of London, 1554-1646 a.d. 
 Through the toil and anxiety of the years 1873 to 1877, that great piece of work 
 was religioufly and accurately accompliflied, in four Demy 4to volumes, containing in all 
 fome 2,%oo pp.: and thus the Bibliography of Sidney, Spenfer, Shakefpeare, Bacon, 
 Ben Jonfon, and their contemporaries, was fafely fecured from deflruction or oblivion, 
 to the end of time. 
 
 Other circumflances then intervened; fo that it was not till January 1885, on the 
 occafion of my firft vifit to Edinburgh (where the book was in hand), that I was able to 
 refume it. Once, however, the reproduction was again taken up, it was refolutely puflied 
 through to its completion. 
 
 This Volume cannot fail to intereft the cultivated reader. One is able therem 
 to look out on the New World as its Difcoverers and firft Explorers looked upon it. 
 Now-a-days, this Globe has but few geographical myfteries; and it is lofing its romance as 
 faft as it is lofing its wild beafts. In the following Texts, however, the Wonderment of j 
 its Difcovery in all its frefhnefs, is preferved, as in amber, for all time : and they alfo 
 contain notices of not a few barbaric civilizations which have long fince paffed away 
 from oft' the face of the earth. 
 
 B2 5 
 
VI 
 
 To the Reader. 
 
 But this book has alfo fome very fpecial points of intereft : 
 
 It is in many refpects, an Englifh Cyclopaedia of the geographical and fcientific 
 knowledge of its Age. 
 
 No one can read the portion of the Decades of Pietro Martire given herein, without 
 wifhing to know a great deal more about him. and his writings. 
 
 A large portion of what little we do know about Sebaftian Cabot, will be found in 
 the notices of him fcattered through this volume. 
 
 It may alfo be regarded as a fitting Literary Monument of one of the Private 
 Secretaries of Lord Burlegh, and a very worthy Englifhman, Richard Eden : of whom 
 fome account will be found at pp. xxxvii.-xlviii. ; and who was certainly one of the 
 principal Authors of the reign of Mary Tudor. 
 
 It is alfo clear, that from the third Text in this book (Eden's tranflation of the 
 Decades of Pietro Martire), which was publifhed in 1555, Francis Drake mull have 
 obtained all the knowledge that Englifh books could give him refpecting the Weft 
 Indies and the Spanifh Main, before he first went out there, under Captain John 
 Lovell, in 1565. 
 
 Laftly, William Shakefpeare read this third Text alfo, and created the character of 
 Caliban in the Tempejl out of the defcription of the Patagonian giants given at//. 251-2. 
 
 But for us Moderns, the chief intereft in thefe three Works may be, that they are 
 the very beginning of a mighty Literature. The future of Mankind lies with the Anglo- 
 Saxon race : and of all Englifh books relating to the American portion of that race, the 
 three reprinted in this volume are the very Jirjl. 
 
 The large initial letters are in the ftyle of the Spanifh defighs of the Bifcayan, Juan 
 de Yciar (b. 1523), as they are found in the two editions of his Orthographia practica, 
 Saragoffa, 1548 and 1550, 4to. Yciar, who evidently looked upon them as the gems of 
 his Work, calls them Letras de Compas para illuminadores. 
 
 In conclufion I desire moft gratefully to acknowledge and record the very kind and 
 cordial help rendered to me in the reproduction of this volume at Edinburgh, by the late 
 Mr William Burnefs and the late Mr John Stevenfon, with whom it was commenced: 
 and alfo by Mr James Skinner, of the firm of Meffrs Burnefs & Co., and Mr James 
 TurnbuU, of the firm of Meffrs TurnbuU & Spears, by whom it has been brought to a 
 succeffful conclufion. 
 
 EDWARD ARBER. 
 
 Sir Josiah Mason's College, 
 Birmingham. 
 
Contents. 
 
 To the Reader . . . , . 
 
 Contents 
 
 Preface ....... 
 
 The First English book on America. 
 
 This Text is the first English book containing the word America (Armenica). 
 
 11 0/ the newe landes and of ye people founde by the messengers of the kynge^ 
 
 of portyngale named Emanuel. 
 
 Of the. X. dyuers nacyons crystened. 
 
 Of pope John and his landes and of the costely keyes and wonders molodyes 
 
 that in that lande is. 
 
 [The voyage round Africa to India 
 Of the blacke Mores [of Guinea] 
 [Of the lande of AUago] 
 Arabia .... 
 
 Of greate Indyen 
 Of Gutchin [Cochin\ that Kyngedome 
 
 [Antwerp, ? 1511,] 4to. 
 
 / 
 
 Of the X, dyverce cristened nacions 
 The fyrst nacion \lhe Latins and Germans] 
 The seconde nacyon [The Greeks] 
 The thyrde nacyon [They of India under Pope fohn] . 
 
 The Life and Labours of Richard Eden 
 
 xxv!i-xxix.] 
 xxviii. 
 xxviii. 
 xxviii. 
 xxviii. 
 xxix. 
 
 xxx-xxxi. 
 
 XXX, 
 XXX. 
 XXX. 
 
 V.-Vl. 
 
 vii.-x. 
 xi.-xxii. 
 
 XXlll-XXXVl. 
 
 The fourth nacyon [The Jacobites ( ? Abyssinians) ] 
 
 The fyfth nacyon [The Nestorians] 
 
 The syxte nacyon [The Maronites] 
 
 The seuenth nacyon [The Armenians] 
 
 The eyght nacyon [ The Georgians] 
 
 The nynthe nacyon [The Syrians and Samaritans] 
 
 The tenthe nacyon [The Morabites] . 
 
 [An abridgement of the mediteval Legend of Presterjoh 
 Of the people named Pygnies . 
 
 XXX. 
 
 xxxi. 
 xxxi. 
 xxxi. 
 xxxL 
 xxxi. 
 xxxi. 
 
 n xxxii-xxxvi.] 
 xxxiii. 
 
 xxxvii-xlviii. 
 
 Richard Eden's Contributions to our Literature, during the reigns of Edward VL and Mary, 1553-1555, A.D. 
 
 The Second English book on , America. 
 
 ^ A treaty se of the newe India, with other new founde landes and I landes, * 
 aswell eastwarde as westwarde, as they are knowen and found in these oure dayes, 
 after the descripcion of Sebastian Munster in his boke of vniversall Cqsmographie : 
 wherein the diligent reader may see the good successe a,nd rewarde of noble and 
 honeste enterpryses, by the which not only wordly ryches are obtayned, btti also 
 God is glorified, and the Christian fayth enlarged. Translated out of Latin into 
 Englishe. By Rycharde Eden. [London. 1553.] 8vo. / 
 
 (Richard) Eden. [Dedication] To . . . the Duke of Northumberlande, hys Grace . 
 (Richard) Eden. To the Reader ...... 
 
 The Table ........... 
 
 Of the newe India, as it 
 
 [The description of the Navigations from Spain to the new 
 
 India, Eastward .... 
 Of the Diamande stone, called in Latin Adamas 
 Of the kingdoms and cities of Narsinga and Canonor 
 How the Elephantes in India are prepared to warre 
 Ot the beaste called Rhinoceros 
 Of Calicut, the most famous market towne of India 
 
 3-42 
 
 is knowen and found in these our dayes 
 
 Of the maners of the Indians in Calicut . 
 
 1 3] Of Pepper and other spices which growe in the region of Calicut 
 
 14 Of byrdes and beastes which are found in the region of 
 14 Calicut : and of the wyne of the merueylous tree . 
 
 15-16 Of the sundrye kindes of Spices, which are founde in Calicut, 
 
 16 and from whence they are brought thyther . . 
 
 16-17 Of the Hand of Zaylon, and of Cinomome found there 
 
 5-6 
 7-1 1 
 
 12 
 
 13-27 
 
 17-18 
 
 18 
 
 •9 
 
 20 
 20 
 
VIU 
 
 Contents. 
 
 Of the cytie of Tamasseri, and the maner of the cytezins there 
 
 Of the kingdoms and cities of Pego and Bangella 
 
 Of the greate and ryche Ilande of Sumatra, or Samotra, some 
 
 tyme called Taprobana .... 
 Of the Ilande of Bornei .... 
 
 Of the Hand of Giaua ..... 
 Of the Hand of laua ..... 
 Of the Hand of Madagascar .... 
 Of the Hand of Zanzibar .... 
 
 Of the two Handeg, in one of the which dwell onely men, and 
 
 in the other onely women .... 
 
 20-21 
 
 21 
 
 22 
 22 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 
 24 
 
 Of the greate Empyre of Cathay, being vnder the dominion of 
 the great Cham (whiche some call the great Can) Emper- 
 oure of Tartaria, in olde tyme called Scythia . . 24-25 
 
 Of certaine Prouinces and regions subiect vnder the dominion 
 
 of the greate Cham Emperour of Cd^ny . . 25-26 
 
 Of the Prouince oi Mangi, and merueylous cyties conteyned 
 
 in the same ...... 20 
 
 Of the region of Tangiit, and of the great desertes, and 
 voyces of deuylles heard in the same, and of the Sala- 
 mandra . . . . • ■ • 26-27 
 
 I 
 
 C Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, how, when, and by whom they were found, 28-42 
 
 [Of the new Islands and India found in the West Ocean sea, 
 
 from Spain Westward and South-west . . 28-31, 
 
 Of the two Ilandes lohanna and Hispana 
 Of the people called Canibales or Anthropophagi, which are 
 
 accustomed to eate mans fleshe .... 
 Of the maners of the inhabitantes of the Hand of Hispana and 
 
 of suche thynges as are found there 
 How Columbus, after he had found new Ilandes, returned 
 
 agayne to Spayne, where preparinge a newe nauie, he_. 
 
 toke his viage to ye Canibales . . . , . 
 
 How the Admirall passed manye Ilandes, and what thynges ; 
 
 chaunced to hym and his companie in that viage 
 How the Spaniardes abused the submission and frendeshippe 
 
 of the inhabitantes of the Ilandes . . - ... 
 
 How the Portugals sought new Ilandes in the East partes, 
 
 and how they came to Calicut . . . ' . 
 
 How Magellanus by & strayght or narrow arme of the sea, 
 
 sayled by the west into the East to dyUers Ilandes : where 
 
 also he was slayne . . 
 
 33-39] 
 28 
 
 29 
 
 29 
 
 29-30 
 
 30-31 
 
 31 
 
 32-33 
 
 33-34 
 
 (Richard) Eden. To al aduenturers, and suche as take in liande greate enterpryses 
 
 How the Spaniardes came to the Ilandes of Molucca, and of 
 
 the people with great hanging eares . . . , 34-SS 
 
 The thyrde nauigacion of Christophorus Columbus . . 35-3^ 
 
 Howe Petrus Alonsus soughte newe , Ilandes . . • ' 3^ 
 Howe Pinzonus, companion to the Admirall, sought newe 
 
 Ilandes . . . ^->. . " . . 36 
 Of the foure nauigacions of Americus Vfsputius to the newe 
 
 Ilandes ....... 37 
 
 TYiS iytsis v\3.%e oi Americits Vespuiius . . . 37-38 
 
 The seconde viage of Vesputius .... 38 
 
 The thyrde viage of Vesputius • • • ■ 39 
 
 The fourth viage of Vesputius ..... 39 
 
 How the king of Portugale subdued certayn places in India : 
 
 and of the ryche Cytie of Malacha ... 4c 
 Of the Hand of Medera, and the fortunate Ilandes, olherwyse 
 
 called the Ilandes of Canaria .... 40-41 
 Whether vnder the Equinoctial circle or burninge lyne (called 
 
 Tarrida zona) be habitable Regions ■ . . 41-42 
 
 42 
 
 J 
 
 The Third English book on America. 
 
 T&e Decades of the newe worlde or west India, conteynyng the nauigations\ 
 and conquestes of the Spanyardes, with the particular description of the moste 
 ryche aud lai'ge landes and Ilandes lately founde in the west Ocean perteynyng 
 to the inheritaunce of the kinges of Spayne. In the which the diligent reader 
 may^ not only consyder what commoditie may hereby chaunce to the hole christian 
 world in tyme to come, but also learne many secreates touchynge the lande, the sea, ) 
 and the starres, very necessarie to be knozven to al such as shal attempte any naui- 
 gations, or otherwise haue delite to beholde the strange and woonderfull woorkes 
 of God and nature. Wrytten in the Latine tounge by Peter Martyr of 
 Angleria, and translated into Englysshe by Rycharde Eden. 
 
 Londini, In sedibus Guilhelmi Powell. Anno. 1555. 
 
 / 
 
 43-398 
 
 The Table of the Contents of this Booke (besyde the Decades) 
 (Richard) Eden. Latin Epistle to King Philip and Queen Mary ..... 
 (Richard) Eden. To the Reader . 
 
 45 
 46-48 
 49-60 
 
 [Section I . 61-204.] 
 
 (Pietro) Martire's Epistle to the Emperor Charles V., 30 September 1516 
 
 O3-64 
 
Contettts. 
 
 IX 
 
 Book I. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 Book III. 
 
 Book IV. 
 
 Book V. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 Book III. 
 
 Book IV. 
 
 Book V. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 Book III. 
 
 Book IV. 
 
 Book V. 
 
 The First Decade (or Ten Books) 
 
 (For contents, see pp. 
 
 391-3) 
 
 (For contents, see pp. 
 
 393-4) 
 
 65-68 
 68-72 
 
 73-79 
 79.82 
 82-87 
 
 Book VI. . 
 Book VI r. 
 Book VIH. 
 Book IX. . 
 Book X. . 
 
 The Second Decade 
 
 106-111 
 111-114 
 114-118 
 1 18- 1 20 
 120-122 
 
 Book VI. . 
 Book VII. 
 Book VIII. 
 Book IX. , 
 BookX. . 
 
 The Third Decade 
 
 i37->42 
 
 Book VI. . 
 
 142-145 
 
 Book VII. 
 
 146-150 
 
 Book VIII 
 
 150-156 
 
 Book IX. 
 
 156-160 
 
 Book X. 
 
 (For contents, see pp. 395-7) 
 
 Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde 
 Pope Alexander VT. Bull dividing the New World between the Spaniards and the Portuguese, 
 4 May 1593 .... In Latin and English. 
 
 65-105 
 87-90 
 
 90-93 
 
 94-96 
 
 96-102 
 
 103-10S 
 
 106-136 
 122-125 
 126-129 
 129- 130 
 
 130-134 
 134-136 
 
 137-185 
 161-165 
 165-169 
 170-174 
 175-178 
 178-185 
 
 186-200 
 
 201-204 
 
 [Section II. . . . 205-242.] 
 
 (Richard) Eden. To the Reader ....••• 
 (Gonzalo) Fernandez de Oviedo y Vald^s. Epistle to the Emperor Charles V. , 
 
 The [Natural] Hystorie of the weste Indies 
 
 Of the ordinary nauygation from Spayne to the Weste 
 Indies ...... 
 
 Of twoo notable thynges as touchyng the West Indies : 
 And of the great rychesse brought from thense into 
 Spayne ...... 
 
 Of the mynes of golde, and the maner of woorkynge in 
 theym ...... 
 
 Of the maner of fyshynge for perles 
 
 Of the familiaritie which eerteyne of the Indians haue 
 with the deuyll, and howe they receaue answere of 
 hym of thynges to coome . . . • 
 
 Of the temperature of the regions vnder or neare to the 
 burnt lyne cauled Torrida zona or the Equinoctiall : 
 and of the dyuers seasons of the yeare 
 
 Of dyuers particular thynges, as woormes, serpentes, 
 beastes, foules, trees, etc. .... 
 
 or trees, fruites, and plantes .... 
 
 [Section III. 
 Of the Universal Carde and Newe Worlde 
 (Richard) Eden. A Discourse of the Vyage made by 
 
 the Spanyardes rounde abowte the Worlde . 
 Maximilian Transilvanius. Epistle to the Emperor 
 
 Charles V. . 
 
 211-213 
 213-215 
 
 215-216 
 
 217-218 
 
 219-225 
 225-227 
 
 245 
 246-247 
 247-248 
 
 Of Reedes or Canes ..... 
 
 Of venemous apples wherwith they poyson theyr arrowes 
 
 Of fysshes and of the maner of fysshynge . 
 
 Of th[e]increase and decrease, (that is) rysynge and 
 fauUynge of our Ocean sea and Southe sea caulled the 
 sea of Sur ...... 
 
 Of the strayght or narowe passage of thelandelyingebetwene 
 the North and South sea, by the whiche spyces may 
 much sooner and easlyer be brought from the Ilandes 
 of Molucca into Spayne by the West Ocean then by 
 that way wherby the Portugales sayle into East India 
 
 Of the maners and customes of the Indians of the firme 
 lande, and of theyr women .... 
 
 Of the chiefe Ilandes .SiV/a«20& and C«3a 
 
 Of the Ilande of Cuba and other .... 
 
 Of the lande of Bacoaleos cauled Terra Baccakarum, 
 situate on the North syde of the firme lande. 
 
 243-280.] 
 (Antonio) Pigafetta. A briefe Declaration of the Vyage 
 
 or Navigation made abowte the Worlde 
 Of the prices of Precious Stones and Spices 
 Cadamosto of the Dooues of the Ilande of Madera 
 Of the Ilande of saynt Thomas under the Equinoctiall line 
 
 207 
 
 208-209 
 
 210-242 
 
 227-229 
 
 229-230 
 
 230-233 
 
 233-234 
 
 234-236 
 
 237-238 
 
 239-241 
 
 241 
 
 242 
 
 249-262 
 
 263-269 
 
 270 
 
 270 
 
 rFrancisco) Lopez de G6mara. The Debate and Stryfe betwene the Spanyardes and Portugales 
 
 for the diuision of the Indies and the trade of Spices [at the Conference at Badajos, in 1524] 271-274 
 
 (Amerigo) Vespucci. I qj. ^j^^ p^j^ Antartike and the Starres about the same, &c. 
 (Andreas) de Corsali. j 
 
 [Section IV. . . • 28i-334-] 
 
 Of Moscouie and Cathay 
 
 (Galeazzo) Butrigarius 
 (Sebastian) Cabot 
 
 283 I (Sebastian) Munster. (Jacopo) Gastaldo. A briefe 
 283 I description of Moscouia .... 
 
 277-280 
 
 283-294 
 
 291-293 
 
Contents. 
 
 (Jacobus) Ziglerus. 
 
 Of the North Regions and of the moderate and conlinuall 
 
 heate in coulde regions aswell in the nyght as in the 
 
 day in the soommer season . 
 Schondia . , , , 
 
 Gronlande 
 Islande .... 
 
 Of the North Regions 
 
 Laponia . 
 
 Norwegia or Norway 
 295-298 Suecia or Svethlande 
 298-299 Bothnia 
 
 299 Gothia or Gothlande 
 
 300 Finland and Eningia 
 
 (Girolamo) Cardano. Of the difference of Regions, and causes of great cities 
 
 (Paolo) Giovio, Bishop of Nocera. The Historic ... of the Legation or Ambassade of th: 
 
 greate Basilius Prince of Moscouia to Pope Clement VII. of that name 
 (Sigismund) Liber. Other notable Things concerning Moscovia ....•• 
 
 More directly from Moscouia to Cathay . 
 322-324 Of the Tartars . . . • • 
 
 324-325 The nauigation by the frosen sea . 
 
 sent to the Kynges, Princes, and other 
 
 The description of the regions, people, and ryuers, lying 
 
 North and Easte from Moscouia 
 Of the famous ryuer of Tanais .... 
 
 Edward VI. The Copy of the Letters Missive 
 
 potentates inhabytynge the Northeast partes of the worlde towarde the myghtye 
 Empire of Cathaye. 1553 . . In Latin and English. 
 
 [Section V. 
 
 335-352.] 
 
 (Francisco) Lopez de G6mara. 
 (Sebastian) Cabot. 
 
 Other notable thynges as touchinge the Indies 
 
 Of the foreknowleage that the Poet Seneca had of the 
 
 fyndynge of this new Worlde and other Regions not 
 
 then knowen ...... 337 
 
 Of the great Ilande which Plato cauled Atlantica or 
 
 Atlantide ...... -337-338 
 
 Of the colour of the Indians .... 338 
 
 Why they were cauled Indians .... 339 
 
 The fyi-ste discouerynge of the Weste Indies . . 339 
 What maner of man Chrystopher Colon was : and howe 
 
 he Came fyrst to the knowleage of the Indies . 340 
 What labour and tra^uayle Colon tooke in attemptyng his 
 
 fyrst vyage to the Indies .... 340-342 
 
 Of newe Spayne cauled Nona Hispania, or Mexico . 342 
 
 OfPeru ....... 343 
 
 Of the great lyuer cauled Rio de la Plata (that is} the 
 
 ryuer of syluer ..... 343-344 
 
 (Richard) Eden. A demonstration of the roundnesse of the Earth .... 
 
 Diodorus, Sicttlus. What credit ought to bee gyuen to Wryters as touchynge the workes of nature 
 
 Of the hygher East India cauled India Tercera or Terciera 
 Of the landes of Laborador and Baccalaos, lyinge west and 
 
 northwest from Englande, and beicge parte of the 
 
 firme lande of the West Indies 
 The discouerynge of the lande of Floryda . . 
 
 An opinion that Europa, Africa, and Asia, are Ilandes : 
 
 and of certeyne nauigations abowt the same . 
 That the Spanyardes haue sayled to the Antipodes (that 
 
 is) suche as go fiete to fiete ageynst vs, and inhabite 
 
 the inferiour hemispherie or halfe globe of the earthe, 
 
 contrarie to th[e]oppinion of the owlde writers 
 Who fjnrst founde the needle of the compasse, and the vfe 
 
 therof . . 
 
 The Situacion and byggenes of the earth . 
 What degrees are ...... 
 
 295-306 
 
 301-303 
 303-304 
 30s 
 305 
 306 
 306 
 
 307 
 
 308-317 
 318-321 
 
 325-326 
 327-330 
 330-332 
 
 333-334 
 337-350 
 
 344 
 
 344-345 
 345-346 
 
 346-347 
 
 347-348 
 
 348-349 
 
 349 
 
 349-350 
 
 350 
 351 
 
 [Section VI. . . . 353-369-] 
 
 (Richard) Eden. TY^e ^reiace to The Booke of Metals , . . . . . 355 
 
 (Vannuccio) Biringuccio. Of the generation of Metalles, and their mynes ; with the maner of 
 
 fyndinge the same .......... 356-362 
 
 Of the myne of golde and the qualitie therof in particular 362-366 | Of the myne of siluer and the qualitie therof _ . 366-368 
 
 Diodorus, Siculus. The maner of workynge in golde mynes iii Egipt in owld tyme . . 369 
 
 [Section VII. . . . 371-390.] 
 
 (Richard) Eden. The Description of the two . Viages made owt of England into Guinea 
 (Richard) Eden. A breefe Description of Affrike ...... 
 
 The fyrst Vyage to Guinea ......... 
 
 The Second Vyage to Guinea ........ 
 
 Gemma Phrysius. The maner of fyndynge the Longitude of Regions by dyuers waycs . 
 
 373 
 
 374 
 
 375-378 
 
 379-388 
 
 389-390 
 
 A BRYEFE REHERSAL OF THE CONTENTES OF THE DECADES 
 (Richard) Eden. Th[e] Interpretours excuse ..... 
 
 Index .......... 
 
 391-398 
 
 398 
 
 399-408 
 
p m e 4f St c e. 
 
 TILL labouring in the diffusion of English Literature : we here, with heart-felt 
 pleasure, present the reader with reprints of three exceedingly rare, curious, 
 and costly Cosmographical Works; which are also the very earliest printed 
 documents in our language, relating to South, Central, and North America. 
 
 It rarely falls to the lot of man to be able to put one's hand on the very 
 earliest beginnings of a mighty literature. Yet it is not too much to say, that of 
 all the vast multitude of English books that have been, or ever will be, pro- 
 duced, either in, or relating to, what we call our New World ; the three Works 
 reprinted in this Volume are the very first and earliest. However mighty and 
 majestic, however subtle and eloquent, however deep and far-reaching, the 
 American-English literature may become; here are its first fruits ! Whatever 
 period of mental florescence and splendour may yet be in store for the English- 
 speaking races on that vast Continent; with these three Works begins the 
 printed English Story of their Action, their Mind, and their Progress. 
 
 Almost all nations light their lamp with fire borrowed from their predeces- 
 sors. They commence with translations ; progress to imitations ; and then, 
 often by distinctly marked steps, the Literature mounts up to the height to which 
 
 the united wit and genius of the nation (through all the 
 vicissitudes of earthly empire) can raise it. It rests not long 
 at the summit ; but first declines, and then decays. In its full 
 ripeness, it oftentimes lights up the mind of younger and suc- 
 ceeding races ; and so, at length, its life and vitality pass away. 
 Thus has the now blazing, now dim, torch of human knowledge 
 and mind-craft been handed down to us over the heads of 
 the nations, through all the successive Ages of Time. 
 
 Human literature is also, like human nature, in many essen- 
 tials evermore the same in all Ages. As is the life of a Man ; 
 so is the mind, that is, the higher life, which is the glory of a 
 Nation. Both alike pass through Inception, Growth, Flores- 
 cence, Decay, and Death : both alike but minister to the 
 purposes of a Power greater than they, until the cycle of His 
 plans shall be completed. Then cometh the end, when the 
 World shall crack at the fiat of the Almighty Trinity. 
 
 Instances of this Law of successive Literary Cycles 
 inter-ringing one with the other, readily suggest themselves. 
 Such was the Literature of Greece in its earlier relations to Egypt 
 and Phoenicia ; and in its later to Rome. Such also that of 
 the Renaissance in Italy, in respect to the Greek literature of 
 Byzantium ; and to rts subsequent influence (which, either as 
 to fulness or extent, has hardly yet been measured) on the 
 rawer nations of Spain, Germany, France, and England. 
 
 Such was that of Spain (which now we consider so dead), with 
 reference to the anterior civilisation and letters of the Moorish 
 kingdom there. Such undoubtedly has been, and will be the 
 literature of England ; now, it may be, in the early afternoon 
 of its glory. And such has been, and will be that of English- 
 America; now in the morning of its strength and power. 
 In the words of the great and wise Preacher, " To every 
 thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under 
 heaven." 
 
 Under any circumstances, therefore, the present Texts would 
 excite great interest; whatever might be the nature of their 
 contents. It is pleasant, however, to find that each of them has 
 for us modem readers, a distinct interest and a strong charm : 
 while all three do afibrd us a most vivid picture of those early 
 days of oceanic discovery ; of the terrible real dangers, and the 
 still more terrible imaginary ones, undergone and dared by the 
 many noble-hearted Portuguese and Spaniards for themselves 
 and for us ; when they wan, in their little cockboats, for the 
 succeeding Human Race, a truer knowledge of the Globe in 
 which, by the Divine Providence, it has been placed. 
 
 But the first impression — the most salient and significant 
 interest of this volume — is that it contains reprints of The 
 first Three English books on America, 
 
Xll 
 
 Preface. 
 
 II. 
 
 Ur next consideration respects their contem- 
 porary standpoint; their relation to the 
 story of the nation, for whom the three 
 Texts were printed: and especially to 
 supply Eden's omissions, as regards the 
 very early oceanic voyages of the English, 
 both East and West. 
 
 These publications are of great and perpetual interest, 
 inasmuch as they photograph for all time, the fragmentary and 
 imperfectly attained knowledge, and the vast and credulous 
 wonderment, prevailing in England in respect to far-distant 
 countries, during the reigns of Henry VIII. and his two im- 
 mediate successors. The Texts of this volume embrace, in fact, 
 all that the gentry and merchants of England could, down 
 to the year 1555, a.d., read in the tongue in which they were 
 born, of the wonderful discoveries, and still more marvellous 
 conquests, of the Portuguese and Spaniards in the two Indies. 
 
 Neither was this amount of printed information much added 
 to, in Eden's lifetime. His greatest literary feat — the Compila- 
 tion of 1555 — found no immediate imitators : so that it was left 
 to himself (after twenty years more, of great vicissitude, had 
 passed over his head) to undertake its repetition, in the form 
 of a Second and much revised Edition of this labour of 
 love ; in the preparation of which he died. This revised Com- 
 pilation finally appeared in 1577, "set in order, augmented, 
 and finished " by Richard Willes, under the fresh title of The 
 History of Trauayle in the West and East Indies, and other 
 countreys lying either way, dr'c. It was five years later (1582), 
 that R[ichard] H[akluyt] published his first Collection, under 
 the title of Diuers voyages, (s^c. 
 
 An enquiry into the printed naval literature of Queen 
 Elizabeth's reign, has also elicited the fact, that it was not 
 until about that same year (1577), that our Oceanic Literature 
 fairly began to constitute a distinct section of English books. 
 It soon, however, greatly increased in bulk, variety, and 
 interest ; until now, it has no compeer in any other language. 
 
 Eden is therefore, in very deed, the Pioneer of British 
 geographic research, the very First of our Naval Chroni- 
 clers, and the Herald and Forerunner of all our subsequent 
 discoveries and victories at sea. So that in English literary 
 history, Richard Eden stands in the same relation to Richard 
 Hakluyt, that Richard Hakluyt does to Samuel Purchas ; and 
 Samuel Purchas, to our present Hakluyt and Royal Geo- 
 graphical Societies. 
 
 This multifarious volume should be studied in conjunction 
 with the inland Chronicles of Halle, Grafton, Stow, and others; 
 together with the more modem histories of the Reformation 
 Age. These are chiefly, if not exclusively, occupied with home 
 and continental affairs ; and but rarely travel further abroad. 
 In this direction, this Work will help, in a very important 
 manner, to complete for us, the external history of England, 
 during the period 1511-1555, a.d. 
 
 2. It will soon, however, be seen that it does this rather by 
 way of narrating the deeds of other nations, and thereby teaching 
 and guiding our forefathers to do the like ; than by describing 
 
 the English navigations of its own time. Indeed, there are 
 only two English voyages described in it with any detail, and 
 those are rather late ones, viz., the voyages to Guinea in 1553 
 and 1554. Yet these accounts (the very earliest of their kind 
 ever printed in our language) were not, as it is quite evident 
 from page 388, included in the original conception and plan 
 of the Work : but were added, just as the book was being com- 
 pleted, by way of a postscript; the extra expense of which, was 
 borne by Master Toy, the London printer and publisher. 
 
 It is also to be especially noted, that this omission did not 
 arise because there were no English Voyages to relate ; but be-, 
 cause the custom of narrating them in print had not yet arisen 
 in our language. Sea-Histories had not, as yet, become an 
 section of our Literature. 
 
 Inasmuch, therefore, as so large a portion of this Volume is 
 occupied with the famous deeds of other nations, and particu- 
 larly of those of the Spaniards ; it may be well (as it is indeed 
 but just to our own race) to place in the forefront of them all, 
 a very slight account, by way of a rescue from oblivion, of the 
 sea-doings and sea-daring of our forefathers in the reigns of 
 Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Mary : — narrating the Oceanic 
 voyages with fuller detail than those to the Continent and the 
 Levant, as they were the more adventurous and difficult. 
 
 3. From the capture of Constantinople in 1454, till after the 
 battle of Lepanto in 1572 ; there was an almost ceaseless fight 
 between the Christians and the Turks along the eastern shores 
 of the Mediterranean Sea. The Knights of St. John of Jeru- 
 salem, after they had been driven from Rhodes in 1522, finally 
 settled at Malta in 1530 ; where by their heroic valour in the 
 frightful siege in 1565, they materially contributed, with the 
 great naval victory of Don John of Austria, to stem the flow 
 of Turkish invasion, which else threatened to swallow up all 
 Christian States. 
 
 Recollecting that the formidable, ruthless, and barbaric power 
 of the Turkish empire was at this time ever surging onward 
 and westward in those eastern seas; it will interest most of us to 
 know that there was a regular organised and direct commerce 
 by sea between England and the Levant so early as 1511, a.d.; 
 and for many years afterwards. For our knowledge of this we 
 are indebted to our great English Worthy and famous Cosmo- 
 grapher Richard Hakluyt, Preacher; sometime a Student of 
 Christ Church in Oxford : who, in the second edition of his great 
 work entitled The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and 
 Discoueries of the English Nation, &-c. &'c., London, 1599-1600 
 fol., has preserved for us the following important note on 
 
 The antiquitie of the trade with Englijhjhips into the Leuant. 
 
 N theyeeresofoure Lord, 1511, 1512, &c., till theyeere 1534. 
 diuers tall (liips of ZoKrf(p», namely, The Chrijlopher Campion, 
 wherein was Factor one Roger Whitcome; the Maty George, 
 wherein was Factor William Grejham; the great Mary 
 Grace, the Owner whereof, was William Gun/on, rnd the 
 mailer one lohn Hely; the TrinUie Fitz-williams, whereof was mafter 
 Laurence Arkey; the Matthew of London, whereof was mafter William 
 Capling, with certaine other ftiips ai Southampton and Brijiow, had an 
 ordinarie and vfuall trade to Sicilm, Candie, Chio, and fomewhiles to 
 Cyprus, as alfo to Tripolis and BariUti [Beyraut] in Syria. The com- 
 
Preface. 
 
 XI u 
 
 modities which they caried thither were fine Kerfies of diucrs colours, 
 courfe Kerfies, white Wefteme dozens, Cottons, certaine clothes called 
 Satutes, and otlieis called Cardinal-whites, and Calueflcins which were well 
 fold in SiciHe, &c. The commodities which they returned backe were 
 Silks, Chamlets, Rubarbe, Malmefies, Mulkadels and other wines, fweete 
 oyles, cotten wooU, Turkic carpets, Galles, Pepper, Cinamom, and fome 
 other fpices, &c. Befides, the naturall inhabitants of the forefayd places, 
 they had, eueu in those dayes, traffique with lewes, Turkes, and other 
 forreiners. Neither did our merchants onely eniploy their owne Englifli 
 (hipping before mentioned, but fundry ftrangers alfo : as namely, Candiots, 
 Ragufeans, Sicilians, Getunuzes, Venetian galliaffes, Spanish and Portiigate 
 (hips. All which particulars doe mofl euidently appeare out of certaine 
 auncient Ligier bookes li.e. Ledgers\ of the Rpght]. W[orfliipful]. Sir 
 William Locke Mercer of London, of Sir William Bmayer Alderman of 
 London, of mafter John Crejham, and of others; which I Richard Hakhiyt 
 haue diligently perufed and copied out.— fo/. \\.,Part I., p. 96, Ed. 1599. 
 
 4. Next in the order of time comes the mythical voyage of 
 15 1 7 of Sebastian Cabot and Sir Thomas Pert from England 
 towards Cathay ; the sole authority for which is Eden's state- 
 ment at page 6 of this Volume : in which, so far as we have 
 been able to inquire, we believe him to have been utterly 
 mistaken, and that the voyage had no existence ; and the more 
 especially because Sebastian Cabot was at that date in Spain, 
 where he remained until after the Conference of Badajos in 
 1524, which (as Gomara tells us at/. 272) he attended as an 
 expert on behalf of the Emperor Charles V. 
 
 5. Important and authentic as is that early Levant traffic ; 
 it was a very different thing from a voyage across the then but 
 half discovered Atlantic. As Pietro Martire vaunts, few or 
 none but Spaniards were licensed to go from Spain to the 
 New World. It is, therefore, very striking to find, ere Cortes 
 had consolidated his marvellous conquest of Mexico, or Pizarro- 
 had finally set forth to imitate him in Peru ; and while at home, 
 the great Cardinal was in serene prosperity and unruffled 
 power, our first printed New Testaments were being secretly 
 read in the principal English towns, and our nation's Reforma- 
 tion was just beginning to bud forth : it is indeed surprising to 
 trace one Englishman at least in the West Indies; to learn, of 
 a certainty, that one, if not two English expeditions had 
 reached the American coast ; and, most startling of all, to 
 know that one of these squadrons found in the harbour of 
 St John's, Newfoundland, not another royal fleet of discovery, 
 but a fleet of fourteen fishing-boats (and, if Spanish reports be 
 correct, thirty or forty more in the neighbourhood), that had 
 ventured (at a time when, to us, so little appears to have been 
 known of the north-eastern seaboard of America; and so much 
 to have been dreaded in a voyage thither) across the wide 
 Atlantic, simply for the sake of codfish. 
 
 6. Hakluyt gives the following account of Thomas Tyson 
 or Tison, the first Englishman known to have reached the 
 West Indies : — 
 
 A briefe note concerning an ancient trade of the Englijh Marchants to the 
 Canarie-ilands, gathered out of an olde ligier booke [ledger] of M. Nicolas 
 Thome the elder a worfhipfull marchant of the city ^/"Brifloll. 
 
 5T appeareth euidently out of a certaine note or letter of remem- 
 brance, in the cuftody of me Richard Hakluyt, written by M. 
 Nicolas Thome the elder a principall marchant of Briftoll, 
 to his friend and factour Thomas Midnall and his owne 
 feruant William Ballard at that time refident in J". Lucar 
 in Andelmia ; that in the yeere of our Lord 1526 (and by all circumstances 
 
 and probabilities long before) certaine Engliih marchants, and among the 
 reft himfelfe with one Thomas Sfacheford exercifed vfuall and ordinary 
 trade of marchandife vnto the Canarie Hands. For by the fayd letter 
 notice was giuen to Thomas Midnall and William Ballard aforefayd, that 
 a certaine ftiip called The Chrijtopher of Cadiz bound for the Weft Indies 
 had taken in certaine fardels of cloth both courfe and fine, broad and nar- 
 row of diuers forts and colours, fome arouas [arobas] of packthreed, fixe 
 cerons or bagges of fope, with other goods of M. Nicolas Thome, to be 
 deliuered at Santa Cruz, the chiefe towne in Tenerifa, one of the feuen 
 Canary-Hands. All which commodities the fayd Thomas and William were 
 authorized by the owner in the letter before mentioned to barter and fell 
 away at Santa Cruz. And in lieu of fuch mony as fhould arife of the fale 
 of thofe goods, they were appointed to retume backe into England good 
 ftore of "Orchell (which is a certaine kinde of moffe growing vpon high 
 rocks, in thofe dayes much vfed to die withall), fome quantity of fugar, and 
 certaine hundreds of kid-flcinnes. For the procuring of which and of 
 other commodities, at the beft and firft hand, the faid Thomas and William 
 were to make their abode at Santa Cruz, and \a remaine there as factours 
 for the abouefaid M[after] Nicolas Thome. 
 
 And here alfo I thought good to fignifie, that in the fayd letters mention 
 is made of one Thomas Tifon, an Englifh "man, who before the forefayd 
 yere 1526 had found the way to the Weft Indies, and was there refident, 
 vnto whom the fayd M[after] Nicolas Thome fent certaine armour and 
 other commodities fpecified in the letter aforefayd. — Principal Navigations^ 
 &'c. &'c. oj the English Nation, Vol. II., Part 11., p. 3, Ed. 1599. 
 
 Hakluyt, referring again to this note, hazards the following 
 surmise : — 
 
 This Thomas Tifon (fo farre as I can coniecture) may feeme to haue bene 
 fome fecret factour for M. Thome aud other Englifli marchants in thofe 
 remote partes, whereby it is probable that fome of our marchants had a 
 kind of trade to the Weft Indies, euen in thofe ancient times and before 
 alfo. — Idem, Vol. III., /. 500, Ed. 1600. 
 
 This conjecture is confirmed by the fact that Nicolas Thome, 
 at his death in 1527, owed this Thomas Tyson the sum of 
 £^12 : 5s. (probably on account of business). — See Letters and 
 Papers on the Reign of Henry VIII., Edited by the Rev. J. S. 
 Brewer, M.A., IV. (2), p. 1256. 
 
 7. Imbedded in Halle's Chronicle is the following note, 
 quite unconnected with anything going before or after, and to 
 which also he makes no subsequent allusion whatever : — 
 
 This fame moneth [May 1527, 19 Hen. VIII.], the kyng fent two ^jcs 
 ihippes, well manned and vitailed, hauing in theim diuers conning men, to 
 feke ftrange regions; and fo furth thei fet, out of the Thamis, the twentie 
 day of May, if thei fped well you fliall here a,t their retome. fol. 158, b. 
 
 This note Richard Grafton, who had printed Halle's Chro- 
 nicles in 1548, transferred (with but variations of spelling) to/. 
 1 149 of his own Chronicle, printed by Henry Denham in 1569. 
 
 Richard Hakluyt, in his Principal Navigations, Voyages, and 
 Discoveries, thus records his researches as to this expedition : — 
 
 1 ND whereas mafter Hall and mafter Grafton fay, that in thofe 
 (hips there were diuers cunning men, I haue made great 
 inquirieof fuchas, by their yeeres a.nd delight in nauigation, 
 might giue me any light to know who thofe cunning men 
 ftiould be, which were the directers in the aforefayd voyage. 
 And it hath bene told mee by Sir Martin Frobifher, and mafter Richard 
 Allen a Knight of the Sepulchre, that a Canon of S. Paul in London, 
 which was a great Mathematician, and a man indued with wealth, did much 
 aduance the action, and went therein himfelfe in perfon, but what his name 
 was, I can not leame of any. And further they told mee that one of the 
 ihips was called the Dominus vobiscum, which is a name likely to bee giuen 
 by a religious man of thofe dales, and that failing very farre Northweft- 
 ward, one of the ftiips was caft away as it entred into a dangerous gulphe, 
 about the great opening, betweene the North partes of New found land, 
 and the countrey lately called by her maieftie Meta Incognita \i.e. Labrador]. 
 
XIV 
 
 Preface. 
 
 Whereupon the other fliipfliaping her courfe towards Cape Brittor, and the 
 coaft of Norumbega [Hakluyt substitutes Arambec in his 1600 Edition], 
 and oftentimes putting their men on land to fearch the ftate of thofe 
 vnknowen regions, returned home about the beginning of October, of the 
 yeere aforefaid. And thus much (by reafon of the great negligence of the 
 writers of thofe times, who (hould haue vfed more care in prefeniing the 
 memories of the worthie actes of our nation) is all that hitherto I can leame, 
 or find out of this voiage.— /. 517, Ed. 1589; also, iii 129, Ed. 1600. 
 
 Of this enterprise, Purchas some thirtj--five years later has 
 preserved for us, at pp. 808-91 of the Third volume of his 
 Filgrimes, 1625, the following more authentic testimony: — 
 
 I EE will recreate you with a plaine Mariners Letter endorsed 
 in homely phrafe. To the Honourable Kings Grace oi Eng- 
 land, here (as I thinke) giuen you from the Originall. I 
 haue alfo another written to Cardinal Wolfey touching the 
 fame voyage in Latin, by Albertus de Prato ; for the 
 antiquitie rather then any remarkable raritie, worthy here to be mentioned.' 
 ^ I mentioned before Mafter T/Sflr??^ fathers finding out New-found Land, 
 with Mafter Eliot. Thefe animated King Henrie the eight to fet forth 
 two fljips for difcouerie, one of which periftied in the North parts of New- 
 found Land. The Mafter of the other, lohn Rut, writ this Letter to King 
 Henrie, in bad Englifk and worfe Writing. Ouer it was this fuperfcription. ' 
 Mafter Grubes two ftiips departed from Plymouth the 10. day 
 of lune, and arriued in the New-found-Land in a good Harbour, 
 called Cape de Bas, the 21. day of July : and after we had left the 
 fight of Selle [? Scilly], we had neuer fight of any Land, till we 
 had fight of Cape de Bas. 
 
 'leafing your Honorable Grace to hcare ofyourferuant lohn Rut, 
 ■with all his Company here, in good health, thanks be to God, 
 and your Graces fhip. The Mary of G[u]il[d]ford with all 
 her thanks be to God: And if it pleafe your 
 
 honorable Grace, we ranne in our courfe to the Northward, till 
 •we came into 53. degrees, and there we found many great Hands of Ice and 
 deepe water, we found no founding, and then we dur/i not goe no further to 
 the Northward for fea? e of more Ice, and then we caft about to the Southward, 
 and within foure dayes after we had one hundred and fixtie fathom, and then 
 wee came into 52. degrees, and fell with the mayne Land, and within ten 
 leagues of the mayne Land we met with a great Hand of Ice, and came hard 
 by her, for it wasjlanding in deepe water, andfo went in with Cape de Bas, 
 agood Harbor, and many small Hands, and a great frefh Riuer going vpfarre 
 into the mayne Land, and the mayne Land alhvilderneffe and mountaines and 
 woods, andno naturall ground but all moffe, and no inhabitation nor no people 
 in thefe parts: and in the woods we found footing ofdiuers great beq/ls, but we 
 faw none not in ten leagues. And pleafe your Grace, theSaxciion and wee kept 
 company all the way till within two dayes beforewee metwith all the Hands of 
 Ice. That was thefirfl day of luly at night, and there rofe a great and a mar- 
 uailous great ftorme, and much foule weather; I trufl in Almightie lefu to 
 heare good newes of her. And pleafe your Grace, we were confidering and a 
 writing of all our order, how we would wafh [? watcK\ vs, and what courfe 
 wee would draw, and when God doe fend fault weather, that with Cape de 
 Sper.^ [i.e. each fhip'\ fhould goe, and he that came fir/i fhould tarry the 
 , fpace of fixe weeks one for another, and watered at Cape de Bas ten dayes, 
 ordering of your Graces fhip, andfifhtng, andfo departed toward the South- 
 ward to feeke our fellow: the third day of Auguft we entered into a good 
 Hauen, called Saint lo)xa, and there we found eleuenfaile of 'Hormaxis, and 
 otte Brittaine, and two Portugall Barkes, and all a fifhing, and fo we are 
 readie to depart towaidCa.^^ de Bas," and that is twentie fiue leagues, as 
 
 1 The very high antiquity of these letters — which are the earliest ever known to have 
 been sent home by Englishmen from America — constitutes their great modem value. 
 
 2 The next two sentences are a jumble of error. It is clear from the text that the 
 expedition consisted of three ships : Master Gnibe's or Grub's two ships, one of which was 
 called the Sampson, the name of the other does not transpire (if it could be ascertained 
 to be the Dominus Vobiscum, the chain of testimony would be complete) : together with 
 the King's ship, the Mary of Guildford, commanded by John Uut. 
 
 » Purchas evidently intends us to understand that the endoiseraent is contemporary 
 with the letter. 
 
 ^ This is evidently a mistake through the hurry in wrili;ig. It should be Cape de Sper 
 [Cabo de Speia, " tite Cape of the Spear"}. For the two ships, after having stayed 
 
 J7iortly as we haue fifhed, andfo along the coafi till we may meete with our 
 fcllmv, andfo with all diligence that lyes in me towards parts to that Hands 
 that we are commanded by the grace of God, as we were commanded at our 
 departing. And thus lefu faue and keepe your honorable Grace, and all 
 your honourable Reuer., in the Hauen of Saint lohn, the third day of Auguft, 
 written in hafle. 1527- 
 
 By your feruant lohn Rut, to his vttennoft of his power. 
 
 I haue by me alfo Albert de Praia's * originall Letter, in Latin ftille, 
 almoft as harsh as the former Englifh, and bearing the fame date, and was 
 indorfed, Reuerend in Chriflo Patri Domino Domino Cardinali et Domino 
 Legato Anglite: and began, Reuerendiffime in Chriflo Pater falutem. 
 Reuerendiffime Pater, placeat Reuerendiffime paternitati vefircs fcire Deo 
 fattente pqfiquam exiuimus h Plemut gucefuit x. lunij &'c. (The fubftance 
 is the fame with the former, and therefore omitted. ) Datum apudle Baya 
 Saint lohan in Terris Nouis, die x. Augufli 1527. Reuer. Patr. veft. 
 humilis feruus, Albertus de Prato (the name written in the loweft comer of 
 the ftieet). 
 
 We are fortunately able to trace this expedition still further. 
 By " towards parts to that Hands that we are commanded," 
 John Rut meant the West Indies ; and we have accounts by 
 two Spanish historians of his arrival there, which will demand 
 of us some further attention. 
 
 Gonzales Fernandez de Oviedo y Valde's — b. at Madrid 1478, 
 d. at Valladolid 1557, and who resided for many years in the 
 West Indies — wrote, in addition to the Natural hystoria de las 
 Indias printed at Toledo on 15th February 1526, from which 
 Eden has translated large extracts at pp. 208-242 of this 
 Volume; another and his most important work, entitled La 
 historia general de las Indias, the printing of which was com- 
 pleted at Seville on 30th September 1535 (or about eight years 
 after Rut's expedition) ; every copy of which is attested with 
 Oviedo's written signature. It does not appear that Eden had 
 met with this important work, or he would have assuredly 
 have made the following extract from it. 
 
 On folio clxj. of this work, being the Thirteenth chapter of 
 the Nineteenth book, is the following passage, for the literal 
 translation of which we are much indebted to the courtesy 
 and kindness of the celebrated Spanish scholar, Don Pasgual 
 de Gayangos. 
 
 Before we come to the extract ; an error as to its date (which 
 misled Hakluyt, and may mislead others) must be noted for 
 avoidanccj, in the Third Volume of J. B. Ramusio's Navigationi 
 e Viaggi. Each Volume of this celebrated Collection was printed 
 in a different year by L. A. Giunti at Venice. Vol. I., of which 
 a First Edition had been printed in 1550, appeared corrected 
 and enlarged in March 1554. Of Vol. II., the Preface of which 
 is dated 7th July 1554, the earliest known is that of 1559; 
 while Vol. III., the Preface of which is dated 20th June 1553, 
 appears to have been first printed in 1556 ; that is to say, in 
 the year after Eden's Compilation was published in London. 
 
 Now, at p. 204 of this Third Volume, of 1556, occurs this 
 important typographical error. Oviedo in 1535 begins Elanno 
 
 ten days, 21-31 July 1527, at Cape de Bas, sailing southward, had reached St. John's 
 harbour on the 3d of August, and then purposed to go 75 miles more, evidently to the 
 southward, to Cape de Sper, the appointed rendezvous, where they hoped to meet the 
 Sampson. From the date of the priest's letter, however, it is evident that the two 
 English ships stayed a week longer at St. John's. These letters were probably sent to 
 England in one of the Norman or Breton fishing boats. 
 
 1 I have quite failed to find any notice of this Albertus de Prata Might that be a 
 latinised form of Albert Prat ! or was the bearer of the name a foreigner? I can trace 
 no such name in Le Neve's Fasti or Newcourt's Repertorium. It would be interestine 
 if he couH be identified with Hakluyt's mathematical Canon of St. Paul's. 
 
Preface. 
 
 XV 
 
 de M.d.xxviJ. annos, &'C.; which Ramusio in 1556 translates 
 Nel 1517 instead of Nel 1527. Hakluyt in 1 589, not suspect- 
 ing any falsification, thereupon adduces the following extract 
 in support of fabulous English voyage of 1517, hereafter 
 asserted by Eden at /. 6 : but the date being wrong, his 
 argument, of course, falls to pieces. 
 
 It would also seem that Oviedo was residing in the city of 
 Santo Domingo, when he wrote this portion of his history. 
 
 Chapter 13. Of certain foreign corsairs which passed to these parts and 
 Indies, and what has been the cause and origin of their bad thoughts. 
 
 jN the year Mdxxvii. an English corsair, under colour or pre- 
 tence that he was going to discover land, came with a large 
 ship to the Brazil on the coast of Tierra Firme, and from 
 thence crossed to this Island Hispanola, and arrived close to 
 the mouth of the harbour of this city [Santo Domingo]. He 
 sent his boat properly manned, and asked for permission to come into port, 
 saying that he came with merchandise and to barter [with the inhabitants]. 
 At the same moment the Governor, Francisco de Tapia, ordered a gun to 
 be fired against the said [English] ship, which was coming straight into 
 the harbour ; which being observed by the English, they went away, after 
 taking on board the said boat's crew. And, to tell the truth, the Governor 
 [Tapia] was wrong in what he did, for had the English vessel entered the 
 harbour, armed though she was, she could not have left without the con- 
 sent of this city and castle. 
 
 So that the English, seeing the reception that was made to them, sailed 
 in the direction of the Island of San Juan, and having entered the Bay of 
 San German, spoke to the inhabitants of that town, and asked for provi- 
 sions : uttering complaints against the people of this island [Hispaniola], 
 and saying that they had not come to annoy the people, but to traffic with 
 them, if they consented, for money or merchandise . Provisions were given 
 to them, and they gave pewter vessels and other goods in return. After 
 which the ship sailed for Europe ; but it is supposed that she never reached 
 her destination, for nothing more was heard of her. 
 
 Considering that Oviedo printed the above less than eight 
 years after the event, there can hardly be any mistake as to the 
 year being 1527. Yet in a later Spanish historian we find these 
 circumstances, in much fuller detail, narrated as occurring in 
 1519. So that of the three dates 1517, 1519, and 15273 the 
 last is the true one. 
 
 Antonio de Herrera Tordesillas, [^. 1 5 59 at Cuella de Segovia; 
 d. 29th March 1625 at Madrid], was born two years after the 
 death of Oviedo. The first four Decades of his Historia General 
 de los Hectios de los Castellanos en las Islas i tierra firme were 
 printed in 1601, the last four in i6i5;both at Madrid. • In the 
 second Decas, which was published seventy-four years after 
 Rut's voyage, we have an account of him and his doings, evi- 
 dently derived from a written deposition ; as Oviedo's had been 
 either from hearsay or from personal observation. It consists 
 of the narrative (for the translation of which I am indebted 
 to my friend, the late H. Pyne, Esq., Assistant Tithe 
 Commissioner) of Ginfes Navarro, master of a Spanish caravel, 
 who apparently piloted Rut's ship from Porto Rico by the 
 island of Mona to Santo Domingo, and then back again to 
 San Germano in the island of Porto Rico. 
 
 The Arrival of an English Ship in the Indies, and the State 
 OF Affairs in the Islands. 
 »FTER the departure of the ships which carried [? to Spain] 
 the gold pearls and ordinary merchandise ; a caravel of 
 Saint Domingo being in the island of San Juan [de Porto 
 Rico], loading with casava ; there arrived [at Porto Rico] a 
 ship of three masts, and of the burden of 150 tons. The 
 
 master of the caravel, [who] went out in his boat to this ship, supposing 
 it to be a Spanish vessel, discovered [coming towards him] a pinnace 
 containing twenty-five men armed with corslets and cross-bows, and having 
 two pieces of artillery, in its prow. 
 
 They said that they were Englishmen, and that their ship was from 
 England ; that, in company with another armed ship, they had sailed to 
 seek the country of the Great Khan, but that the ships had been separated 
 in a tempest : and that theirs, proceeding on its voyage, came to a frozen 
 sea, where they found large islands of ice ; that they had then altered their 
 course, and came to a hot sea [? the Gulf Stream], which seethed like water 
 in a caldron ; and in order that the caulking of the ship might not be 
 melted, they went in search of the Baccalaos, ^ where they found fifty' 
 Spanish, French, and Portuguese ships, and that they wishing to land there 
 in order to obtain an Indian interpreter, they [the Indians] killed the pilot, 
 who was a Fiedmontese. From thence, they had coasted as far as the 
 Rio de Chicora [the River of Chicora, i.e. River in Carolina], and had 
 crossed over from that river to the island of San Juan [de Porto Rico]. 
 
 Upon being asked. What they were searching for in those islands ? they 
 said that they were desirous of seeing them, for the purpose of giving an 
 account of them to the King of England, and to take a cargo from Brazil. 
 
 They invited the master of the caravel, who was called GinJs Navarro, 
 to come on board their ship, and to show them the course to Saint Dom- 
 ingo. He saw in the ship a quantity of wine, flour, and other provisions ; 
 as well as much cloth, linen, and other articles of merchandise. They 
 carried much artillery and a forge, and carpenters for ship-building, and an 
 oven for baking bread ; and there were [in the ship] threescore men. 
 
 Gines Navarro further stated that, if he could have read them, the 
 captain of the ship wished to show him the instructions which he brought 
 from the King of England ; that they had sent a company ashore at the 
 Island of Mona,' and that they had bartered some pewter in the Island of 
 San Juan. 
 
 This ship went to the port of Santo Domingo, and sent the bark ashore, 
 saying That they were desirous of trading ; and [it] tarried there two days. 
 The governor of the Castle, upon the arrival of the ship, sent to inform the 
 Magistrates [? the Royal Audience\ for the purpose of their giving him 
 orders what to do ; and as they returned no answer, he discharged a gun 
 at the ship, in consequence of which, she forthwith recalled the bark, and 
 by and by set sail. 
 
 The ship then returned to the back of the island of San Juan, and 
 tarried a short time there, trading with the inhabitants of the town of 
 Saint Germans ; and did not appear again. 
 
 The m^strates [of Saint Domingo] arrested the governor, saying that 
 he ought to have waited for their answer ; and sent information of this affair 
 to the King [of Spain], as well as of the bad condition of the fortress, so 
 that orders might be given for the fortification of it, and [that] there should 
 be directions [given] for the providing it with men, artillery, and military 
 stores. — Decades, ii.. Book v.. Chapter 3., Ed. 1601. 
 
 Thus from four perfectly distinct and independent sources, 
 comes to us the certainty of this English voyage across the 
 Atlantic in 1527; for a further discussion of which see that 
 masterpiece in its way, and rare book (in the Eastern 
 hemisphere at least), Mr. J. G. Kohl's History of the Discovery 
 of Maine, pubUshed by the Maine Historical Society at Port- 
 land, in 1869; and Mr. Biddle's Memoir of Sebastian Cabot, 
 London 1832. Both these writers think that the Piedmontese 
 pilot was the celebrated Verazzano. 
 
 It is interesting to know that John Rut got back safely to 
 England. For in Sept.-Dec. 1528, while still in the command 
 
 1 The Indian word for codfish, applied by S. Cabot to the land he first discovered, 
 and afterwards loosely and vaguely applied to the American coast from Labrador far to 
 the southward. Here it evidently includes Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and the north- 
 em seaboard States of the United States. 
 
 S This number may be an exaggeration. If it be correct, the English squadron must 
 have met thirty or forty other fishing-boats on the Newfoundland ' banks,' beside the 
 fourteen they saw in St. John's harbour 
 3 Mona is a small island in the track from Fort Rico to Santo Domingo. 
 
XVI 
 
 Preface. 
 
 of the Mary of Guildford, he was employed in freighting 
 home, on the King's behalf, wine from Bourdeaux. See Royal 
 M.S. 14. B. xxix., in the British Museum. 
 
 8. We have seen by the above that the King's ships left the 
 Thames on 20th May 1527. Whatever else may be doubtful, 
 that is certain: and therefore it is equally certain that the 
 • ' Book ' which Robert Thome, the Bristol merchant, wrote at 
 Seville in that year, and sent to Doctor Leigh, the King's 
 almoner, and the English ambassador in Spain, had nothing to 
 do with the fitting out of that London expedition. 
 
 This far-seeing discourse, with its preliminary exhortation to 
 the King, was first printed by Rpchard] H[akluyt] in his 
 Diuers Voyages, ofc. in 1582. Its only date is 1527, which 
 occurs twice ; each time after the author's signature — ' Robert 
 Thorne. 1527." As Hakluyt reproduced Thome's curious 
 ' Carde ' or map, it is quite evident that he had- before him, in 
 1582, the original and autographic book penned by the author ; 
 and therefore the date 1527 must be accepted by us without a 
 doubt. 
 
 Now it was the English custom at that time, to reckon the 
 year from the 25th March, the Feast of the Annunciation of 
 the Virgin. The ' Book ' was therefore written at the earliest 
 after the 25th March 1527. 
 
 The two following passages in it, taken together, would seem 
 to show that it was not written till the summer was far advanced, 
 probably while Rut's expedition was skirting the American coast. 
 
 In a flote of three Ihippes and a carauell that went from this citie, armed 
 by the merchauntes of it, which departed in Aprill lad paft, I and my 
 partner haue 1400. Ducates that we employed in the fayd fleete, principally 
 for that two Englifhmen friends of mine \_see p. xiii.] whiche are fomewhat 
 learned in Cofmographie, fhoulde go in the fame fliippes, to bring mee 
 certaine relation of the fituation of the countrey, and to bee experte in the 
 Nauigation of thofe feas, and there to haue informations of many other 
 things, and aduife that I defire to know efpecially. Seeing in thefe 
 quarters are fliips, and marriners of that countrey, and cardes Ifharts^ by 
 which they fayle, though much vnlike ours, that they ihould procure to 
 haue the faid cards, and leame howe they vnderftande them, and 
 efpecially to know what Nauigation they haue for thefe Ilandes North- 
 waides and Northeaftwarde. B. 4. 
 
 But if it pleafe God that into Englande I may come with your Lordlhip, 
 I will fliewe fome coniectures of reafon though againft the generall opinion 
 of Cofmographers, by which ftiaU appeare this that I fay not to lacke fome 
 fotmdation. And tyll that time I befeeche your Lordfhip let it bee put to 
 filence : and in the meane feafon, it may pleafe God to fende our two 
 Engliihmen, that are gone to the fpicerie, which may alfo bring more plaine 
 declaration of yat which in this cafe might be required. . . Z*. 3. 
 
 It would seem that Thome by ' April laft pafte ' means April 
 1527 ; for if he had intended April 1526, and wrote this 'Book' 
 in the seven days of 25-31 March, then by EngUsh custom 
 reckoned as the first days of 1527, he would assuredly have 
 said ' April laft. year.' It is also evident from the allusion that 
 a considerable time had elapsed since the two Englishmen had 
 left for the West Indies; and that, at the time of writing, Thome 
 was looking forward to their return. The earliest approximate 
 date that can therefore be assigned to its composition is the 
 summer of 1527. Dr. Leigh did not return to England till 
 January 1530. 
 
 We must therefore assign the occasion and preparation of 
 this English voyage of Oceanic discovery of 1527 to other 
 
 persons than Robert Thome. Such an important effort, as this 
 expedition most certainly was, could not have been suddenly 
 determined upon, and probably originated in the previous year. 
 Thome's ' Book ' is also interesting for another reference to 
 a very early English voyage across the Atlantic. 
 
 So that as afore is fayde, if betweene our Newe founde landes or Norway, 
 or Iflande the Seas towarde the north be Nauigable, wee ftionlde goe to 
 thefe Ilandes a ihorter way by more then 2000. leagues. And though wee 
 went not in the faide Ilandes, for that they are the Emperours or Kinges 
 of Portingale, wee ihoulde by the way, and comming once to the line Equi- 
 noctiall, finde landes no leffe riche in Golde and fpicerie, as all other landes 
 are vnder the faide line Equinoctiall : and alfo ftioulde, if wee may paffe 
 vnder the North, enioye the Nauigation of all Tartaric. 
 
 Which ftiould bee no leffe profitable to our commodities of clothe, then 
 thefe fpiceries to the Emperour, and King of Portugale. 
 
 But it is a generall opinion of all Cofmographers that paffing the feuenth 
 clyme, the fea is all ice, the colde fo much that none can fuffer it. And 
 hitherto they had all the like opinion that vnder the line Equinoctiall for 
 muche heate the lande was inhabitable. 
 
 Yet fmce by experience is proued no lande fo much habitable nor more 
 temperate. And to conclude, I thinke the fame Ihoulde bee founde vnder 
 the North, if it were experimented. For as all iudge. Nihil fit vacuum in 
 rerum natune, fo I iudge there is no lande inhabitable [i.e. uninhaiitaile], 
 nor Sea innauigable. If I fhould write the reafon that prefenteth this 
 vnto me, I flioulde be too prolixe, and it feemeth not requifite for this 
 prefent matter. God knoweth that though by it I flioulde haue no great 
 intereft, yet I haue had and ilill haue no little minde of this bufmeffe : So 
 that if I had facultie to my will, it flioulde bee ye firft thing that I woulde 
 vnderilande, euen to attempt, if our Seas Northwarde be nauigable to the 
 Pole or no. I reafon, that as fome fickeneffes are hereditarious, and come 
 from the father to the forme, fo this inclination or defire of this difcouerie 
 I inherited of my father, which with another merchant of Briftowe named 
 Hugh Eliot were the difcouerers of newe found lands, of the which there 
 is no doubt, as now plainly appeareth, if the marriners would then haue 
 been ruled and folowed their pilots mind, the lands of the Weft Indies, 
 from whence all the gold commeth, had beene ours. For all is one coafte, 
 as by the carde appeareth, and [as] is aforefaide. . . . Z>. 2. 
 
 A most excellent account, of the merchant family of the 
 Themes of Bristol will be found in English Merchants, 
 1869, written by my fellow-student at King's College, Mr. H. 
 R Fox Boirnie. 
 
 9. The next English Voyage on our record introduces us to 
 a very famous name. It is thus preserved to us by Hakluyt. 
 
 A Voyage to Brasill, made by the worshipfull M[aster] Wil- 
 liam Haukiks of Plimmouth, father to sir Iohn Haukins, 
 Knight, now living,^ in the yeere 1530. 
 
 Lde M. William Haukins oi Plimmouth, a man for his wifdome, 
 valure, experience, and ikill in fea caufes, much efteemed and 
 beloued of King Henry the eight, and being one of the prin- 
 cipall Sea Captaines in the West partes-in his time, not con- 
 tented with the fliort voyages commonly then made onely to 
 the knowen coaftes oi Europe, armed out a tall and goodly fliip of his owne 
 of the burthen of 250 tunnes, called the Pole [Paule, Ed. 1600] oi Plim- 
 mouth, wherewith hee made three long and famous voyages vnto the coaft; 
 oiBrafill, a thing in thofe dayes very rare, efpecially to our Nation. In 
 the courfe of which voyages he touched at the Riuer of Sejios vpon the 
 coaft of Guinea, where hee trafiqued with the Negroes, and tooke of them 
 Oliphants [Elephants, Ed. 1600] teeth, and other commodities which that 
 
 1 As this was printed in 1589, old William Hawkins lived to see the overthrow of the 
 Spanish Armada, and so is very properly mtroduced by the Rev. Canon Kingsley, with 
 his usual truthfulness in details, in his celebrated Elizabethan romance of Wwftt/o^i; i^o / 
 as a very old man, present at Plymouth with the Captains who were waitmg the arrival of 
 the great Spanish Fleet. 
 
Preface. 
 
 XV 11 
 
 place yeeWeth : and fo arriuing on the coaft of BrafU, vfed there fuch dif- 
 cretion, and behaued himfelf fo wifely with thofe fauage people, that he 
 grew into great familiaritie and friendfliip with them. Infomuch that in 
 his 2. voyage, one of the fauage kings of the countrey of Brafill, was con- 
 tented to take ihippe with him, and to bee tranfported hither into 
 England, whereunto M[a/ler] Haukins agreed, leaning behinde in the 
 Countrey as a pledge for his fafetie and returne againe, one Martin Cocke- 
 ram ai Plimmouth. This Brafilian king being arriued \i.e. in 1531], was 
 brought vp to London, and prefented to King Henry the 8. lying as tlien 
 at Whitehall: at the fight of whome, the King and all the Nobilitie did not 
 a little raarueile, and not without caufe : for in his cheekes were holes made 
 according to their fauage maner, and therein fmall bones were planted, 
 (landing an inche out from the faid holes, which in his owne Countrey was 
 reputed for a great brauerie. He had alfo another hole in his nether lippe, 
 wherein was fet a precious ftone about the bigneffe of a peafe. All his 
 apparell, behauiour, and gefture were very ftrange to the beholders. 
 
 Hauing remained here the fpace almoft of a whole yere, and the king 
 with his fight fully fatiffied, M\after\ Haukins according to his promife 
 and appointment, purpofed to conuey him againe into his Countrey : but it 
 fell out in the way. that, by change of ayre and alteration of diet, the faid 
 fauage king died at Sea, which was feared would turne to the loffe of the 
 life of Martin Cockeram his pledge. Neuertheleffe, the Sauages being fully 
 perfwaded of the honeft dealing of our men with their Prince, reflored 
 againe the faide pledge, without any harme to him, or any man of the com- 
 panie : which pledge of theirs they brought home againe into England, 
 with their Ihippe fraighted and fiimiflied with the commodities of the 
 Countrey. Which Marline Cockeram, by the vritneffe of Sir lohn Haukins, 
 being an officer in the towne of Plimmouth, was lining within thefe fewe 
 yeares.^^. 520, Ed. 1589. 
 
 10. Let us now look eastward. In 1592, (three years after 
 the appearance of the First edition of his Voyages, &c.), Hakluyt 
 became acquainted with a very old man, a I^ondoner named 
 John Williamson, then apparently the sole suivivor of our first 
 traffic in the Levant; which dying out, had been revived in 1580. 
 
 These early Levant voyages were veiy important; inasmuch 
 as they were the school in which some of the principal Agents 
 and Captains of the Moscovy Company, like Richard Gray and 
 Richard Chancellor, received their chief training. 
 
 A voyage made with the Jhippes called the Holy Croffe, and the Matthew 
 Gonfon, to the lies of Candia and Chio, about the yere 1534, according to 
 a relation made to Majler Richard Hackluit by John Williamfon, Cooper 
 and citizen of London, who lined in the yere 1592, and went as cooper in 
 the Mathew Gonfpn the next voyage after. 
 
 He ftiippes, called the Holy CroJJe and the Matthew Gonfon, 
 made a voyage to the Ilandes of Candia and Chio in Titrkie, 
 about the yeere 1 534. And in the Mathew went as Captaine 
 M[after] Richard Gonfon, fonne of old Mailer William 
 Gonfon, paymafter of the kings Nauie. In this firft voyage 
 \i.e. of the two described by Williamson] went William Holftocke (who after- 
 wards was ControuUer of her Maiefties \i.e. Queen Elizabeth's] Nauie, lately 
 deceafed) as page to M[after] Richard Gonfon aforefaid, which M[afler] 
 Oonfon died in Chio in this his firfl voyage. The fhip called the Holy 
 Croffe w^as a (hort fhippe, and of burden 160 tunnes. And hauing beene 
 a full yeere at the fea in performance of this voyage, with great danger (he 
 returned home, where, vpon her arriuall at Blackmail, in the riuer of Thames, 
 her wine and oyle caflce was found fo weake that they were not able to 
 hoyfe them out of the fhip, but were conftrained to draw them as they lay, 
 and put their wine and oyle into new veffels, and fo to vnlade the fhippe. 
 Their chiefe fraight was very excellent Mufcatels and red Malmefie, the like 
 whereof were feeldome feene before va. England. They brought home alfo 
 good quantitie of fweete oyles, cotton wooUes, Turkic Carpets, Galles, 
 Cynamon, and fome other fpices. The faide fhippe called the Holy Croffe 
 was fo fliaken in this voyage, and fo weakened, that fhe was layd vp in the 
 docke, and neuer made voyage after.— W. II., Part I., p. 98, Ed. 1599. 
 
 EUEN. 
 
 Another voyage to the lies ijfCandia and Chio made by the fhippe, the Mathew 
 Gonfon, about the yeere I535j according to the relation ^lohn Williamfon, 
 then Cooper in the fame fliip, made to M\afler'\ Richard Hackliut, in the 
 yeare 1592. 
 
 He good ihippe called the Mathew Gonfon, of burthen 300 
 tunnes, whereof was owner old M[after] William Gonfon, 
 pay-mafter of the Kings Nauie, made her voyage in the yere 
 1535. In this ftiip went as Captaine, Richard Gray, who long 
 after died in Rufjia. Mafler William Holftocke, afterward 
 ControuUer of the Queenes Nauie, went then as purfer in the fame voyage. 
 The Mafler was one John Picket, feruant to old M[after] William Gonfon, 
 lames Rumnie was Mafters mate. The mailer cooper was John William- 
 fon, citizen oi London, lining in the yeere 1592, and dwelling in So^\nt 
 Dunfions parish, in the Eaft. The M[after] Gunner was lohn Godfrey of 
 Brifloll. In this (hip were 6 gunners and 4 trumpetters, all which foure 
 trumpetters at our returne homewards went on land at Mefjina in the Hand 
 of Sicilia, as our (hip road there at anker, and gat them into the Gallies 
 that lay neere vnto vs, and in them went to Rome. The whole number of 
 our companie in this ihip were about 100. men, we were alfo furnithed with 
 a great bote, which was able to carry 10 tunnes of water, which at our 
 returne homewards we towed all the way from Chio vntil we came through 
 the ftraight of Gib[r]altar into the maine Ocean. We had alfo a great 
 long boat and a fkiff. We were out vpon this voyage eleuen months, yet 
 in aU this time there died of fickneffe but one man, whofe name was George 
 Forrefl, being feruant to our Carpenter called Thomas Plummer. — Idem. 
 
 The Island of Scio, the extreme point of the above two 
 voyages, had long been the property of a Genoese family, the 
 Justiana, under the sovereignty of the Senate of that city. 
 How the Turks first put it to tribute, and finally took posses- 
 sion of it in 1568, is thus narrated in two letters, written on 
 the 14th of February 1569 by an Englishman, Caspar Campion, 
 who had " traded in this coimtrey \i.e. the island and its vici- 
 nity] about this 30. yeres \i.e. 1539-1569], and haue beene 
 maried in the towne of Chio full 24. yeres \i.e. 1544-15 69]." 
 
 Ir, you (hall vnderiland that the Ifland of Chio in time paft 
 hath bene a Signiorie or lordfhip of it felfe, and did belong 
 to the Genowaies. There were 24. of them that gouemed 
 the ifland which were called Maunefes. But in continuance 
 of time the Turke waxed fo (Irong and mightie, that 
 they, confidering they were not able to keepe it, unleffe they (liould 
 become his tributaries, becaufe the Ifland had no corne, nor any kind of 
 vitailes to fufliaine themfelues, but onely that which mud of necelTitie come 
 out of the Turkes dominions, and the fayd ifland being inclofed with the 
 Turks round about, and but 12. miles from the Turks Continent, therefore 
 the faid Genowaies dSA compound and agree to be the Turkes tributaries, and 
 to pay him 14000. thousand ducates yeerely, Alwayes protiided that they fliould 
 keep their lawes both fpiritual and temporall, as they did when the Hand 
 was in their owne hands. Thus he granted them their priuiledge, which they 
 inioyed for many yeeres, fo that all (Irangers and alfo many Engli(h men 
 did trade thither of long continuance, and went and came in fafety. In this 
 meane time, the prince Pedro Doria ^being a Genouois) became a captaine 
 to ferue the Emperour with 30. or 40. gallies againft the Turke. And fmce 
 that time diuers other captaines belonging to Genoa haue beene in the 
 feruice of king Philip againfl the Turke. Moreouer, whenfoeuer the Turke 
 made out any army, he perceiued that no nation did him more hurt then 
 thofe Genouois, who were his tributaries. Likewife at the Turkes Cege of 
 Malta, before which place he lay a great while, with lofle of his men, and ' 
 alfo of his gallies, he found none fo troublefome vnto his force as one 
 luajiette Doria, a Genouois, and diuers others of the Hand of Chio, who 
 were his tributaries. At which fight, he tooke fuch difpleafure againft them 
 of Chio, that he fent certaine of his gallies to the Hand, for to feife vpon all 
 the goods of the 24. Maunefes, and to turne them with ,their wiues and 
 children out of the Hand ; but they would let none other depart, becaufe 
 the Hand fliould not be vnpeopled. So that now the Turke hath fent one 
 ofhis chiefe men to rule there.— ^a/J/«j/, Vol. 11., Parti., p. 114, Ed. 1599. 
 
XVI 11 
 
 Preface. 
 
 Another letter of Campion's, begins thus : 
 
 It may pleafe your worfhip to vnderftand, that as concerning 
 the voyage to CAio, what great profit would be gotten, both 
 for merchants and alfo for owners of fliippes (as it was well 
 knowen in thofe dayes when theMatikew Gonfon, the Trinitie 
 Fitzwilliams, and the Sauiour of Brijlcrw, with diners other 
 fhips, which traded thither yerely, and made their voyage in ten^ twelue 
 moneths, and the longeft in a yeere), M[after] Francis Lambert, M[afl;er] 
 lohn Brooke, and M[after] Drauer c£.n truely inform you hereof at large. 
 And by reafon that wee haue not traded into thofe parts thefe many yeeres 
 \i.e. previous to I569]i ?nd the Turke is growen mighty, whereby our ihips 
 doe not trade as they were woont . . . . — Hakluyt, Voyages, Vol. 
 II., Part I., p. Ii6, Ed. 1599. 
 
 Finally we may take leave on this occasion of the interesting- 
 subject of the early English trade in the Mediterranean, with 
 the following note of Hakluyt's. 
 
 ' His trade into the Leuant. . . . was very vfuall and much 
 frequented from the yeere of our Lord 15H till the yeere 
 1 534, and afterwards alfo, though not fo commonly, vntil the 
 yeere 1550, when the barke Aucher under the conduct of 
 M[after] Roger Bodenham made a profperous voyage into 
 Sicilia, Candio, Sio, and other places within the i,euant. Since which 
 time the forefaid trade (notwithftanding the grand Signiors ample priuilege 
 granted to M[afterJ Anthony lenkenfon 1553, and the ftrong and weighty 
 reafons of Gafpar Campion for that purpofe) was vtterly difcontinued, and 
 in maner quite forgotten, as if it had neuer bene, for the fpace of 20. yeares 
 or more \i.e. from the date of Jenkinson's privilege of 1553 until 1575 ; when 
 the preliminary steps which resulted in the formation of the Turkey Com- 
 pany, were taken]. Voyages, Vol. II., Part \.,p. 136, Ed. 1599. 
 
 11. We now come to the tragical English voyage to New- 
 foundland, in 1536 ; as narrated by Master Oliver Daubeny, a 
 London merchant, to Hakluyt's cousin and namesake, Richard 
 Hakluyt of the Inner Temple ; and by Master Thomas Butts 
 of Norfolk, to himself. It will ever be thought one of the 
 worthiest acts of our younger Hakluyt's worthy life, that, for the 
 simple assurance, with further details, of this voyage, he travelled 
 200 miles on horseback, probably into Norfolk and back. 
 
 The voyage of majler Hare and diners other Gentlemen, to Newfound land 
 and Cape Breton, in the yeere 1536- and in the 28. yeere of King Henry 
 the eight. 
 
 .Ne mailer Hore of London, a man of goodly ftature and of 
 great courage, and giuen to the ftudie of Cofmographie, in 
 the 28. yeere of King Henry the 8. and in the yeere of our 
 Lord 1536. encouraged 4iuers gentlemen and others, being 
 alTifted by the kings fauour and good countenance, to accom- 
 pany him in a voyage of difcouerie vpon the Northweft partes of America : 
 wherein his perfwafions tooke fuch effect, that within fhort fpace many 
 gentlemen of the innes of court, and of Chauncerie, and diuers other of good 
 worfhip defirous to fee theftrange things of the world, very willingly entered 
 into the action with him, fome of whofe names were as followeth : M[afler] 
 Wickes, a gentleman of the Weft countrey of fiue hundred markes \eqii- 
 va'ent to an income of £2^,00 of the present day^ by the yeere lining. Mailer 
 Tucke, a gentleman of Kent. Mailer Tuckfield. M[afler] Thomas Buts, 
 the fonne of Sir William Buts, Knight of Norfolke, which is yet aline, and 
 from whofe mouth I wrote moil of this relation. Mailer Hardie, Mailer 
 Biron, Mailer Carter, Mailer Wright, Mailer Railall Sarieant Railals 
 brother. Mailer Ridley, and diuers other, which ali were in the admirall 
 called the Trinitie, a ihip of feuen fcore tunnes, wherein M[after]. Hore him- 
 felfe was imbarked. In the other ihippe, whofe name was the Minion, 
 went a very learned and vertuous gentlemen, one mailer Armigil Wade, 
 father to the worihipfull mailer William Wade, now clerke of the priuie 
 counsell, Master Oiiuer Daubeney merchant of London, M[aiter] loy after- 
 ward gentleman of the kings chappell, with diuers other of good account. 
 The whole number that went in the two tall fhips aforefayd, to wit, the 
 
 Trinitie and the Minion, were about fix fcore perfons, whereof 30. were 
 gentlemen, which ail were muflered in warlike maner at Grauefend, and 
 after the receiuing of the facrament, they embarked themfelues at the end 
 of Aprill, 1536. 
 
 From the time of their fetting out from Grauefende, they were very long 
 at fea, to witte, aboue two moneths, and neuer touched any lande vntiU 
 they came to part of the Weft Jndtes about Cape Breton, fliaping their 
 courfe thence Northeailwards, vntill they came to the Ifland of Penguin, 
 which is very full of rockes and ftones, whereon they went and founde it 
 full of great foules white and gray, as bigge as geefe, and they fawe infinite 
 nombers of their egges. They draue a great noinber of the foules into their 
 boates vpon their failes, and tooke vp many of their egges, the foule they 
 flead and their ikinnes were like hony combes full of holes being flead off: 
 they dreffed and eate them, and found them to be very good and nourifhing 
 meate. They fawe alfo ftore of beares both blacke and white, of whome 
 they killed fome, and tooke them for no badde foode. 
 
 M[after] Oiiuer Dawbeney, which (as it is before mentioned) was in this 
 voyage, and in the Minion, tolde M\_a/ier'\ Richard Hakluyi of the middle 
 Temple thefe things following : to wit, That after their arriuall in Newfound 
 land, and hauing bene there certaine dayes at ancre, and not hauing yet 
 feene any of the naturall people of the Countrey, the fame Dawbeny walk- 
 ing one day on the hatches fpied a boate with Sauages of thofe partes, 
 rowing downe the bay towarde them, to gafe vpon the ftiippe and our people, 
 and taking viewe of their comming aloofe, hee called to fuch as were vnder 
 hatches, and willed them to come vp if they would fee the naturall people 
 of the Countrey, that they had fo long and fo much defired to fee : Where- 
 upon they came vp and tooke view of the Sauages rowing toward them and 
 their fhippe, and vpon the viewe they manned out a ihipboote to meete 
 them and to take them. But they fpying our fliipboote making towards 
 them, returned with maine force, and fled into an Ifland that laye vp in the 
 bay or riuer there, and our men purfued them into the Ifland, and the 
 Sauages fledde and efcaped: but our men founde a fire, and the fide of a 
 beare on a wodden fpit left at the fame by the Sauages that were fledde. 
 
 There in the fame place they founde a boot of leather gamiihed on the 
 vtter fide of the calfe in certain braue trailes, as it were of rawe filke, and 
 alfo founde a certaine great warme mitten : And thefe carried with them, 
 they returned to their fliippe, not finding the Sauages, nor feeing any thing 
 elfe befides the foyle, and the things growing in the fame, wliich chiefly 
 were ftore of fire and pine trees. 
 
 And further, the faid M. Dawbeny told him, that lying there they grewe 
 into great want of victuals, and that there they found fmall reliefe, more then 
 that they had from the neft of an Ofprey, that brought hourely to her yong 
 great plentie of diuers forts of fiihes. But fuch was the famine that increaled 
 amongft them from day to day, that they were forced to feeke to relieue 
 themfelues of rawe herbes and rootes that they fought on the maine : but 
 the famine increafing and the reliefe of herbes being to little purpofe to 
 fatiffie their infatiable hunger, in the fieldes and defertes here and there, the 
 fellowe killed his mate while hee ftouped to take vp a roote for his reliefe, 
 and cutting out pieces of his body whome hee had murthered, broyled the 
 fame on the coles, and greedily deuoured them. 
 
 By this meane the company decreafed, and the officers knewe not what 
 was become of them ; and it fortuned that one of the company driuen 
 with hunger to feeke abroade for reliefe, founde out in the fields the fauour 
 of broyled flefh, and fell out with one that hee would fuffer him and his 
 fellowes to fterue, enioying plentie as he thought : And this matter growing 
 to cruel fpeaches, he that had the broyled meate, burft out into thefe wordes, 
 If thou wouldeft needes knowe, the broyled meate that I had, was a piece 
 of fuch a mans buttocke. The report of this brought to the fhip, the 
 Captaine found what became of thofe that were miffing, and was perfwaded 
 that fome of them were neither deuoured with wilde beaftes, nor yet deflroyed 
 with the Sauages : And hereupon he flood vp and made a notable Oration, 
 containing, How much thefe dealings offended the Almightie, and vouched 
 the Scriptures from firft to laft what God had in cafes of diftreife done fo* 
 them that called vpon him, and told them that the power of the Almightie 
 was then no leife, then in al former time it had bene. And added, that if 
 it had not pleafed God to haue holpen them in that diftreife, that yet it had 
 been better to be puniflied in body, and to haue liued euerlaftingly, then 
 to haue relieued for a poore time their mortal bodies, and to bee con- 
 demned euerlastingly both body and foule to the vnquenchable fire of hel. 
 
P R E F A C F. 
 
 XIX 
 
 And thus hauing ended to that effect, he began to exhort to repentance, and 
 befought all the company to pray, that it might pleafe God to looke vpon 
 their miferable prefent ftate, and for his owne mercie to relieue the fame. 
 And fuch was the mercie of God, that the fame night there aftiued a 
 French fliippe in that port, well fumiflied with vittaile, and fuch was the 
 policie of the Englifli, that they become matters of the fame ; and changing 
 ttdpz and vitayling them, they fet faile to come into England. 
 
 In their ioumey they were fo farre Northwards, that they fawe mightie 
 Iflands of yce in the fummer feafon, on which were haukes and other 
 ioules to reft themfelues, being wearie of flying ouer farre from the 
 maine. They fawe alfo certaine great white foules with redde bils and 
 redde legs, fomewhat bigger then Herons, which they fuppofed to be ftorkes. 
 They arriued at S[aint1. lues in Comewall about the ende of October. 
 From thence they departed to a certaine Caftle belonging to sir loAn 
 Luttrel, Yihsxe M\a/ler\ TAomas Buis and M[q^er] Jiafiail and other gentle- 
 men of the voyage were very friendly intertained : after that they came to 
 the Earle of Bathe at Bathe, and thence to Brijloll, and fo to London. 
 M\ajier\ Buts was fo changed in the voyage with hunger and miferie, that 
 sir William his father and my Lady his mother k'newe him not to be their 
 fonne, vntill they found a certaine fecret marke which was a wart vpon one 
 of his knees, as he tolde me Richard Hakluyt of Oxfo'rde himfelfe, to whome 
 I rode 200. miles onely to leame the whole trueth of this voyage from his 
 owne mouth, as being the onely man now aliue \i.e. in or about 1589] that 
 was in this difcouerie. 
 
 Certaine moneths after, thofe Frenchmen came into England, and made 
 complaint to king Henry the 8 : the King caufmg the matter to be exa- 
 mined, and finding the great diflreffe of his fubiects, and the caufes of 
 the dealing fo with the French, was fo moued with pitie, that hee puniftied 
 not his fubiects, but of his owne purfe made ftiU and royal recompenfe vnto 
 the French. 
 
 In this diftreffe of famine, the Englifh fomewhat relieue their vitall 
 fpirits by drinking at the fprings the frefli water out of certaine wooden 
 cups, out of which they had drunke their Agua compofUa before. — Hakluyt, 
 Voyages, pp. Si7-S'9i ■£'^- '589- 
 
 12. These are all the oceanic voyages performed by the 
 English in the reign of Henry VIII. which we have been 
 able to trace. It was under Edward, that our sailors first began 
 to creep down the African coast The special significance of 
 these voyages lay in the then accredited proprietorship (through 
 the Papal Bull, reprinted at //. 201-204) of the Portugese to 
 the entire continent of Africa; and in the intentional and studied 
 ignorance of its coast line, in which the World was kept by thai 
 nation. Every P^nglish voyage to its west coast was therefore 
 at once an act of revolt against the Papacy, and a challenge to 
 the pretensions of Portugal. 
 
 The Levant trade was open to all who would dare to run 
 the gauntlet of the Turks. The Spaniards recognised the claim 
 of the English discovery, by the Cabots, of Baccalaos ; and had 
 not yet worked up northward to it. But the African sea coast, 
 so honourably and so patiently discovered, was (by all laws, 
 human and divine, hitherto accepted) the possession of its brave 
 discoverers. It was therefore a new impulse, that made our 
 Enghsh ships, passing the familiar Straits of Gibraltar on their 
 left hand, to go forward southward, first to Barbary, and then 
 to Guinea ; cost what it might. 
 
 Discoveries are made by successive steps, one after another ; 
 and the passage of English ships around the world and to the 
 Eastern seas was but the succession and development of these 
 first attempts to Marocco. All that we know of these Barbary 
 voyages is preserved to us by Hakluyt, who collected his 
 information forty to fifty years after the event, and has thus 
 transmitted it to us. 
 
 The First Voyage to Barbary in 1551, described by James 
 Alday, Servant to Sebastian Cabot. 
 
 The originall of the firft voyage for traffique into the kingdom of Marocco 
 in Barbaric, begun in the yeere 1551, with a tall ftiip called the Lion of 
 London, whereof went as captaine Mafter Thomas Windham, as appeareth 
 by this extract of a letter of lames Aldaie, to the worfhipfuU mafter Michael 
 Locke, which Aldaie profeffeth himfelfe to haue bene the firft inuenter of 
 this trade. 
 
 Orfhipfull Sir, hauing lately bene acquainted with your intent 
 to profecute the olde intermitted difcouerie for Catai, if 
 therein with my knowledge, trauell or induftrie I may doe 
 you feruice, I am readie to doe it, and therein to aduenture 
 my life to the vttermoft point. Trueth it is, that I haue bene 
 by fome men (not my friends) euill fpoken of at London, faying that 
 although I be a man of knowledge in the Arte of Nauigation and Cofmo- 
 graphie, and that I haue bene the inuenter of fome voyages that be now 
 growen to great effect ; yet fay they malicioufly and without iuft caufe, that I 
 haue not bene willing at any feafon to proceed in thofe voyages that I haue 
 taken in hand, taking example efpecially of two voyages. The one was 
 when I was mafter in the great Barke Aucher ^hich left Gravesend on 
 13M November 1550] for the I-euant, in which voyage I went not, but the 
 caufes they did not know of my let from the fame, nor of the other. But 
 firft the very trueth is, that I was from the fame voyage letted by the 
 Princes letters, which my Mafter Sebaflian Gabota had ubatiued for that 
 purpofe, to ray great griefe. 
 
 And as touching the fecond voyage which I inuented for the trade of 
 Barbaric, the lining God knoweth that I fay moft true, that when the great 
 fweate was [^The sweating sickness began in London on <)th yuly iSS'i '^'"^ 
 continued till the following September'\ (whereon the chiefe of thofe with 
 whom I ioyned in that voyage died, that is to fay. Sir lohn Lutterell, lohi' 
 Fletcher, Henry Oflrich and others), I my felfe was alfo taken with the 
 fame fweate in London, and after it, whe.her with euill diet in keeping, or 
 how I know not, I was caft into fuch an extreame feuer, as I was neither 
 able to ride nor goe ; and the ftiippe being at Portfmouth, Thomas Wind- 
 ham had her away from thence before I was able to ftand vpon my legges, 
 by whom I loft at that inftant fourefcore pound \—£?xX) of the present dayl. 
 Befides I was appointed by them that died (if they had lined) to haue had 
 the whole gouemment both of fliippe and goods, becaufe I was to them 
 the fole inuenter of that trade. 
 
 In the firft voyage to Barbary there were two Moores, being noble men, 
 whereof one was of the Kings blood, conueyed by the faid Mafter Thomas 
 Windham into their countrey out of Englandt 
 
 Yours humble at your commandement, James Alday. 
 
 The Second Voyage to Barbary in 1552, described by 
 Master James Thomas. 
 
 The fecond voyage to Barbary in the yeere 1552. Set foorth by the right 
 worihipful Sir lohn Yorke, Sir William Gerlflard, Sir Thomas Wroth, 
 Mafter Frances Lambert, Mafter Cole, and others. Written by the relation 
 of Mafter lames Thomas, then Page to Mafter Thomas Windham, chiefe 
 Captaine of this voyage. 
 
 He fliippes that went on this voyage were three, whereof two 
 were of the Riuer of Thames, That is to fay, the Lyon of 
 London, whereof Mafter Thomas Windham was Captaine 
 and part owner, of about an hundred and fiftic tunnes : The 
 other was the Buttolfe \BotolpK\ about fourefcore tunnes, and 
 a Portugall Carauel, bought of certaine Portugals in Newport in Wales, and 
 fraighted for this voyage, of fumme fixtie tunnes. The number of men in 
 the Fleete vere an hundred and twentie. The Mafter of the Lyon was 
 one lohn Kerry of Mynh^d\d in Somerfetftiire, his Mate was Dauid 
 Landman. The chiefe Captaine of this fmall Fleete was Mafter Thomas 
 Windham a Norfolke gentleman borne, but dwelling at Marfhfield-parke in 
 Somerfetftiire. 
 
 This !]f leete departed out of KinglsJ-rode ncere Brifloll about the begin- 
 ning of May 1552. being on a Monday in the morning \_Tht 2d and <jth of 
 
XX 
 
 Preface. 
 
 May 1 55?, were Mondays], and the Monday fortnight next enfuing in the 
 euening came to an ancker at their firft part in the roade Zafia or A/a/i on 
 the coaft of Barbaric, Handing in 32. degrees of latitude, and there put on 
 land part of our marchandife to be conueid by land to the citie ai Marocco: 
 which being done, and haue refrefhed our felues with victuals and water, 
 we went to the fecond port called Santa Cruz, where we difcharged the 
 reft of our goods, being good quantitie of linnen and woollen cloth, corall, 
 amber, let, and diners other things well accepted of the Moores. In which 
 road we found a French fliip, which not knowing whether it were warre or 
 peace between England and France, drewe her felfe as neere vnder the 
 towne wals as (he could poffible, craning aide of the towne for her defence, 
 if need were, which in deed feeing vs drawe neere, fhot at us a piece from 
 the wals, which came ouer the Lion our Admirall, between the maine 
 mafte and foremaft. Whereupon we comming to an anker, prefently came 
 a pinnes aboord vs to know what we were, who vnderftanding that we 
 had bene there the yere before {This confirms Alda^s statement], and came 
 with good leaue of their king in merchant wife, were fully fatifified, and 
 gaue vs good leaue to bring our goods peaceably on ftiore, where the Viceroy, 
 whofe name was Sibill Manache, within fhort time after came to vifite vs, 
 and vfed vs with all curtefie. By diuers occafions we fpent here very neere 
 three moneths before we could get in our lading, which was Sugar, Dates, 
 Almonds, and Malaffos or fugar Syrrope. And for all our being here in 
 the heate of the Sommer, yet none of our company periflied by fickneffe. 
 
 Our fliips being laden, wee drew into the Sea for a Weftenie wind for 
 England. But being at fea, a great leake fell vpon the Lion, fo that we 
 were driugn to Lancerota and Forteuentura, where, betweene the two 
 Hands, we came to a road, whence we put on land out of our fayd Ihip 70. 
 cheftes of Sugar vpon lancerota with fome dozen or fixteene of our com- 
 pany, where the inhabitants fuppofmg we had made a wrongfull prize of 
 our carauell, fuddenly came with force vpon our people, among whom I 
 my felfe was one, tooke vs prifoners, and fpoiled the fugars : which thing 
 being perceiued from our fliips, they manned out three boates, thinking to 
 refcue vs, and draue the Spaniards to flight, whereof they flewe eighteene, 
 and took their goueraour of the Hand prifoner, who was a very aged gentle- 
 
 man about 70 yeeres of age. But chafing the enemie fo farre for our 
 recouerie, as ponder and arrowes wanted, the Spaniardes perceiuing this, 
 returned, and in our mens retire \retrea(\ they flewe fix of them. Then a 
 Parle[y] grew, in the which it was agreed, that we the prifoners fhould be 
 by them reftored, and they receiue their old gouemour, giuing vs a tefti- 
 monie vnder his and their hands what damages wee had there receiued ; 
 the which damages were there reftored, and made good by the King of 
 Spaine his marchantes on our retume into England. 
 
 After we had fearched and mended our eake, being returned aboord, 
 we came vnder faile, and as wee were going to the fea on the one fide of 
 the Hand, the Cacafuego and other ftiips of the King of Portugals Armada 
 entered at the other, and came to anker in the road from whence we were 
 but newly departed, and fliot off' their great ordinance in our hearing. And 
 here by the way it is to bee vnderflood that the Portugals were much 
 offended with this our new trade into Barbaric, and both in our voiage the 
 yeere before, as alfo in this they gaue out in England by their marchants, 
 that if they tooke vs in thofe partes, they would vfe vs as their mortall 
 enemies, with great threats and menaces. But by God and good proui- 
 dence wee efcaped their handes. 
 
 From this Hand fliaping our courfe for England, we were feuen or eight 
 weekes before we could reach the coaft of England. The firft port wee 
 entered into was the hauen of Plimmouth, from whence within ftiort time 
 wee came into the Thames, and landed our merchandife at London, about 
 the ende of the moneth of October i^'^2. —Hakluyt, Voyages, Vol, II., 
 Purt II., //. 7-9, Ed. 1599. 
 
 13. All these English Voyages, therefore, had been planned 
 and carried out before either of the two following Works, trans- 
 lated &c. by Eden, had come from the press. As he has 
 given no account of them ; it has been all the more necessary 
 to say thus much here, in order to shew that in these very 
 early days of oceanic discovery, our forefathers were not 
 altogether idle. 
 
 III. 
 
 Unique, imperfect, copy of A new interlude 
 and a mery of the nature of the . iiij. elementes, 
 Ss'C., written in the reign of Henry VIII., and 
 probably printed [ ? by John Rastel] about 
 1519, is in the Garrick Collection of Plays, 
 in the British Museum (Press mark, C. 39, 
 b. 17). 
 This interlude contains [at C r.] the following reference 
 
 to the New World, in a dialogue between Mxperyence and 
 
 Studyous desire: — 
 
 Ex. C Syr this ys ynglande lyenge here 
 
 And this is skotlande yat loyneth him nere 
 
 Compassyd a boute euery where 
 
 With the occian see rownde 
 
 C And next from them westwardly 
 
 Here by hym selfe alone doth ly. 
 
 Irelande that holsome grounde 
 
 G Here than is the narowe seey 
 
 To Calyce and Boleyne the next wey 
 
 And flaunders in this parte 
 
 Here lyeth fraunce next hym ioynynge 
 
 And spayn southwarde from thens standynge 
 
 And portyngale in this quart 
 
 This contrey is called Italye 
 
 Beholde where Rome in ye myddes doth ly 
 
 And Naples here be yonde 
 
 And this lytell See that here is 
 
 Is callyd the Gulfe of Venys 
 
 And here venys doth stande 
 
 C As for almayne lyeth this way 
 
 Here lyeth denmarke and norway 
 
 And northwarde on this syde 
 
 There lyeth Iselonde when men do fyshe 
 
 But be yonde that so colde it is 
 
 No man may there abyde 
 
 C This See is called the great Occyan 
 
 So great it is that never man 
 
 Coude tell it sith the worlde began 
 
 Tyll nowe within this. xx. yere 
 
 Westwarde be founde new landes 
 
 That we neuer harde tell of before this 
 
 By wrytynge nor other meanys 
 
 Yet many nowe haue ben there 
 
 C And that contrey is so large of rome 
 
 Muche lenger than all cristendome 
 
 Without fable or gyle 
 
 For dyuers maryners haue it tryed 
 
 And sayled streyght by the coste syde 
 
 Aboue. V. thousand myle 
 
 C But what commodytes be within 
 
 No man can tell nor well Imagin 
 
 But yet not longe a go 
 
 Some men of this contrey went 
 
 By the kynges noble consent 
 
 It for to serche to that entent 
 
 And coude not be brought therto 
 
 C But they that were the ventere[r]s 
 
Preface. 
 
 XXI 
 
 Haue cause to curse their maryners 
 Fals of promys and dissemblers 
 That falsly them betrayed 
 Which wold take no paine to saile farther 
 Than their owne lyst and pleasure 
 Wherfore that vyage and dyuers other 
 Suche kaytySFes haue distroyed 
 C O what thynge a had be than 
 Yf that they that be englyshe men 
 Myght haue ben the furst of all 
 That there shulde haue take possessyon 
 And made fiirst buyldynge and habytacion 
 A memory perpetuall 
 And also what an honorable thynge 
 Bothe to the realme and to the kynge 
 To haue had his domynyon extendynge 
 There into so farre a grounde 
 Whiche the noble kynge of late memory 
 The most wyse prynce the. vij. He[n]rry 
 Causyd fiirst for to be founde 
 C And what a great meritoryouse dede 
 It were to haue the people instructed 
 •^To lyue more venuously 
 
 And to leme to knowe of men the maner 
 And also to knowe god theyr make/ 
 Whiche as yet lyue all be[a]stly 
 For they nother knowe god nor the deuell 
 Nor neuer harde tell of heuyn nor hell 
 Wrytynge nor other scripture 
 But yet in the stede of god almyght 
 The[y] honour the sone for his great lygg[h]t 
 For that doth them great pleasure 
 C Buyldynge nor house they haue non[e] at all 
 But wodes / cotes / and cauys small 
 ■ No merueyle though it be so 
 For they vse no maner of yron 
 Nother in to[o]le nor other wepon 
 That shulde helpe them therto 
 C Copper they haue which is founde 
 In dyuers places aboue the grounde 
 Yet they dyg not therfore 
 For as I sayd they haue non[e] yryn 
 Wherby they shuld in the yerth myne 
 To serche for any wore 
 C Great haboundaunce of woddes ther be 
 Moste parte vyr and pyne aple tre 
 Great ryches myght come therby 
 Both py[t]che and tarre and sope asshys 
 As they make in the eest landes 
 By brynnyng therof only 
 C Fyshe they haue so great plente 
 That in hauyns take and slayne they be 
 With stauys withouten fayle 
 
 Nowe frenchemen and other haue founden the trade 
 That yerely of fyshe there they lade 
 A boue an. C. [^huTidred] sayle 
 C But in the south parte of that contrey 
 The people there go nakyd alway 
 The lande is of so great hete 
 And in the north parte all the clothes 
 That they were / is but be[a]stes skynnea 
 They haue no nother fete {feaf] 
 But howe the people furst began 
 In that contrey or whens they cam 
 For clerkes it is a questyon[.] 
 Other thynges mo I haue in store 
 That I coude tel therof but now no more 
 ..^^Tyll a nother season 
 
 Stu. C Than at your pleasure shew some other thinge 
 Yt lyketh me so wel your commyninge 
 Ye can not talke a mys 
 
 Ex. C Than wyl I tome a gayne to my matter 
 Of Cosmogryfy where I was err \_ere'\ - 
 Beholde take hede to this 
 C Loo estwarde beyonde ye great occyan 
 Here entereth the see callyd mediterran 
 Of. ii. M. [two thousand'] myle of lengthe 
 The Soudans contrey lyetli here by 
 The great Turke on ye north syde doth ly 
 A man of merueylous strengthe 
 C This sayde north parte is callyd europa 
 And this south parte callyd affrica 
 This eest parte is callyd ynde " — >^ 
 But this newe landes founde lately 
 Ben callyd america by cause only 
 Americus dyd furst them fynde ^^ 
 C Loo Iherusalem lyeth in this contrey 
 And this be yonde is the red see 
 That moyses maketh of mencyon 
 This quarter is India minor 
 And this quarter India maior 
 The lande of prester lohn 
 C But northwarde this way as ye See. 
 Many other straunge regions ther be 
 And people that we not knowe 
 But estwarde on the see syde 
 A prynce there is that ruleth wyde 
 Called the Cane of catowe ^ 
 C And this is called the great eest see 
 Which goth all a longe this wey 
 Towardes the new landis agayne A 
 
 But whether that see go thyther dyrectly 
 Or if any wyldernes bytwene them do ly 
 No man knoweth for certeyne 
 But these newe landes by all cosmografye 
 Frome the cane of catous lande can not lye 
 Lytell paste a thousand myle 
 But from those new landes men may sayle playne 
 Estwarde and cum to englande againe 
 Where we began ere whyle 
 C Lo all this parte of the yerth which I 
 Haue here discryuyd openly 
 The north parte we do it call 
 But the south parte on the other syde 
 Ys as large as this full and as wyde 
 Whiche we knowe nothynge at all 
 C Nor whether ye most parte be lande or see 
 Nor whether the people that there be 
 Be be[a]3tyall or connynge 
 Nor whether they knowe good or no 
 Nor howe they beleue nor what they do 
 Of this we knowe nothynge ^ 
 
 The Voyage referred to, clearly took place in Henry VIII.'s 
 reign. It was probably the Bristol expedition sent out by N. 
 Thome's father and Hugh Eliot, which discovered Newfound- 
 land ; of which Thorne tells us, at/, xvi, " There is no doubt, 
 as now plainly appeareth, if the marriners would then haue 
 been ruled and folowed their pilots mind, the lands of the 
 West Indies, from whence all the gold commeth, had beene 
 ours." 
 
 1 Klian 0/ Catluiy. 
 
 C 2 
 
XXI 1 
 
 Preface. 
 
 IV. 
 
 HE special purpose of this Preface has now 
 been carried out. It has been to shew 
 what our forefathers actually accomplished, 
 ere Eden set about the following Trans- 
 lations, or during the time he was actually 
 engaged upon them : and so to supplement 
 the other accounts of Oceanic Discovery 
 contained in the volume. 
 
 We have, in conclusion, only space briefly to touch upon one 
 other point, and that is but a simple act of justice. 
 
 Most notable is Eden's position as a Man of Science in the 
 Tudor Age. He had the true modest scientific spirit; as 
 when he wrote in 1562, to Sir W. Cecil, "Syth only the 
 respecte of suche vertues as it hathe pleased you to thinke 
 commendable in me, hath moved your Honour not only in 
 maner to seeme careful! for me howe I maye hereafter with 
 quietnesse spende my tyme in studie (as is my most desire)," 
 f. xliii. ; and likewise when, in 1574, he thus dwelt at large 
 upon what he did not know, a list of disqualifications that 
 must not be pressed too literally, " For yf there be any thing in 
 me, wherein I maye by good reason please my selfe, it is 
 cheefely this, that I haue euer loued and honoured men of 
 
 singular vertue or qualitie, in what so euer laudable Art or 
 Science, euen of those whereof mee selfe have litle know- 
 ledge, as are Geometrie, Astronomic, Architecture, Musicke, 
 Payntyng, feates of Armes, inuentions of Ingens, and suche 
 lyke," p. xlvi. 
 
 But whatever may have been his knowledge or his ignorance, 
 actual or relative ; Eden had already grasped the Inductive 
 Method. His hfe overlapped that of Lord Bacon. May he 
 not be regarded as a near Herald and Forerunner of the 
 Father of Scientific Enquiry, when he uses such language as 
 this ; of which his whole life was but the fuller expression ? 
 
 "Experience, the teacher and mestres of all sciences, for 
 lacke of whose ayde (experience I meane) lyke as many greate 
 wittes haue fallen into great errours, so by her ayde, many 
 base and common wittes haue attayned to the knowledge and 
 practise of such wonderfuU effectes, as could hardely be 
 comprehended by the discourse of reason 
 
 " Nought els to say, but that experience to be most certayn 
 which is ioyned with reason or speculacion, and that reason to 
 be most sure which is confirmed with experience." p. 9. 
 
 And thus, from henceforth will the reputation of Richard 
 Eden continue to increase, both as a Scholar and a Scientist. 
 
[The First English book on America, 
 
 C M tfte netpe lunXft^ nntf at ge people 
 f0ttnlre Bg tfte mt&^mstv^ ^i tfie fegn 
 ge 0f portgnsale nametr (^munutt 
 
 i©£ pope ffiofttt mxXf ftisJ Xantre^ antr of 
 tfte coiStelg itege^ an» toonlrer^ moXo 
 trgeg tftat (n that Xanlre i^J 
 
XXV 
 
 [A Note on 
 Jan van Doesborch, 
 
 a printer at Antwerp, between 1 508-1 530 a.d. 
 
 j]Nything that concerns the printer of the 
 first Enghsh Work relating to America, 
 must henceforth be of increasing interest. 
 There does not appear to be in exist- 
 ence, any typographical history of Ant- 
 werp for the period during which the 
 first Text in this volume was produced. 
 The learned and most courteous 
 Librarian of the Royal Library at the Hague, Dr M. F. A. 
 G. Campbell, the author of the well-known Annales de la 
 Typographie nkrlandaise au XVe siede, La Haye, 1874-8, 
 8vo, thus writes, on the 21st April 1885. 
 
 How glad should I have been if I had been able to give you full 
 inrormation about Jan van Doesborch, the Antwerp printer in the first 
 half of the sixteenth century. But, alas, the History of Printing in 
 that century has been, without any sound reason, neglected to that 
 point that even sixteenth-century books are now-a-days more rare than 
 their predecessors of the fifteenth. If Jan van Doesborch had had only 
 one foot in the fifteenth century, I should have been able to give you 
 matter enough to compose his history : because I, and my predecessor 
 as Librarian of this Library (Mr Holtrop), have devoted the better part 
 of our lives to the study of the typography and typographers before the 
 year 1500. Now John of Doesborch did not print till after 1508, 
 because in that year, he entered the Guild of St Lucas at Antwerp, as 
 verlichtere, "miniature painter." 
 
 When such an authority as Dr Campbell writes thus, 
 the present Editor may be excused of his ignorance on this 
 subject. Nevertheless the following is offered as a mere 
 beginning of this study. 
 
 2. Doesburg is a Dutch town, about ten miles to the east 
 of Amheim. 
 
 Jan van Doesborch, Doesborcke, Doesburgh, or as he 
 styles himself in (/) the aw. tokens, lohan fro doesborch, may 
 have succeeded to the printing business of Roeland van der 
 Dorpe, at Antwerp. He was contemporary with our 
 Wynkyn de Worde and Richard Pynson : and occupies a 
 similar position in Antwerp typography, to that filled by 
 those two EngUsh printers at Westminster and London. 
 
 He seems to have printed in three different houses. His 
 earliest books were printed at the sign of Aen dijsere wage, 
 "the Iron balance." Those produced about 15 18, are 
 printed "besides the Camer porter His latest books, 
 finished about 1530, are at die Lombaerde veste, " the Lom- 
 bard fortress." 
 
 It is very remarkable that Doesborch should, at such an 
 early date, have printed the English books that he did; 
 
 especially such an important work as Arnold's Chronicle. 
 He was probably employed in this work by some 
 of the merchants of the English House at Antwerp. He 
 stands in the same relation to our Literature at this time, 
 that Hans Luft of Marburg did fifteen or twenty years later. 
 No books are so scarce as the early English books printed 
 by foreign printers on the Continent ; of which the following 
 Text is one of the earliest. 
 
 3. The first book attributed to this printer, by P. C. 
 van der Meersch, in his Recherches sur la vie et les travaux 
 des imprimeurs Beiges et Nierlandais ttablis d Vetranger, i. 
 131, Gand 1856, is — 
 
 (a) Die destructie van Troy en, "the destruction of Troy." Antwerp, 
 folio, no date. 
 
 The late eminent bookseller of Amsterdam, Mr Frederick 
 Muller, issued, in 1872, a Catalogue of Books, Maps, Flates 
 on America; and of a remarkable Collection of Early Voy- 
 ages, offered by him for sale. At p. 6, he states that he 
 acquired, in 187 1, at the sale of an insignificant library at 
 Antwerp, a volume containing four pieces, " all printed 
 there in the first ten years of the i6th century." 
 
 One of these was — 
 
 (i) Van der nieuwerwerelt oft landtseap nieuwelier ghenoden vaden 
 doorluch tigheu conn, van Portugael door den alderbeste pyloet ofte zeekert- 
 edr dwereit, " Of the new world or landscape, newly found for the 
 illustrious King of Portugal by the best pilot or mariner in the world." 
 This is a translation from the Italian (through the Latin) into Dutch, 
 of the Third Letter of Amerigo Vespucci. The colophon runs, 
 Cheprent Thantwerp'en aen Dyseren viaghe. Bi Jan van Doesborch, 
 " Printed at Antwerp, at the iron-balance, by Jan van Doesborch." 
 
 It consists of eight unnumbered leaves, [with] 6 woodcuts. The verso 
 of the last leaf is filled up by a wood engraving. On the recto of the* 
 first leaf [is the identical cornerwise engraving that is described here- 
 after at p. xxix., col. 2] ; on the verso of leaf i, Jonas thrown into the 
 mouth of the whale ; recto of leaf 3, four female aborigines [see p. 
 xxviii.]; verso of leaf 4, fighting Indians [see/S. xxix.]; verso of leaf 6, 
 repeated from the recto of leaf I ; and verso of the last leaf, repeated 
 from the recto of leaf 3. 
 
 Mr Muller states — 
 
 The book bears no date, but it is out of question, that it has been 
 printed in the period 1506-9, the time when all the separate editions of 
 Vespuccius were published. It is one of the first productions of the 
 famous printer, Jan van Doesborgh, at Antwerp ; whose publications 
 (principally romances of chivalry with woodcuts, curious popular books, 
 &c.) rank among the rarest of the Antwerp printers. Just the kind 
 of publications Siat makes it easy to understand that tliey have dis- 
 appeared, as it were, under the hands of the reading public. 
 
xxvi [^ Note on yan van Doesborch, a printer at Ant^mrp^ between 1508- 1530 a.d.] 
 
 Another text in this precious volume is thus described, at 
 /. 277, by Mr MuUer — 
 
 (c) Van de wonderlichede en cosielichen van Pape lans landendes, 
 " Of the wonders and precious things of Pope John's lands." 
 
 The remainder of the first page filled with four curious woodcuts, 
 representing i°, a wild man with a beast's head bearing a fish [see p. 
 XXXV.] ; 2°, an elephant [see/, xxxii.] ; 3°, a griffon with a man in his 
 paws [see /. xxxiv.] ; and 4", three men fighting against three birds 
 [see/, xxxiii.] 
 
 Recto of the last leaf, Cheprint Thantwerpen. Aen dijsere wage by 
 my Jan. van Doesborch. " Printed at Antwerp at the iron balance by 
 me, Jan van Doesborch." 
 
 Eleven different woodcuts in the text, four of them repeated from 
 the recto of leaf i. On the Sth leaf, a woodcut of the bird Phoenix in 
 flames [see p. xxxiv.] The verso of the last leaf filled with two wood 
 engravings, one representing the Virgin with the Child, the other the 
 printer's mark of Roeland van der Dorpe, used in 1497, &c. [a herald 
 with his attributes, holding a trumpet]. 
 
 It is therefore perfectly clear that the First English book 
 on America is mainly a translated compilation from these 
 two early Dutch tracts ; and that most of the woodcuts 
 of the English text had already appeared in its Dutch 
 originals. 
 
 We therefore place next — 
 
 (flf) Of the new landes, &>(, 
 
 Clearly, the latest date that can be assigned to this tract 
 is _ 15 1 1. _ Had it been written later, the information con- 
 tained in it would not have been so crude. See the pro- 
 gress of knowledge as shewn in the English Interlude of 
 15 1 9, quoted at p. xx. It would seem to have been 
 translated by a priest in the Low Countries, who had but an 
 imperfect acquaintance with English ; for he uses Aemh for 
 heavens ; drycant^che, for three-cornered, ferstvynmygnes, 
 ketters, &c. 
 
 The Catalogue of the Grenville Collection, in describing 
 the unique copy here reprinted (Press mark, G. 7106), 
 states — 
 
 I' From mentioning Emanuel, King of Portugal, and exclaiming 
 against Luther, the present tract may be about 1521 or 1522, when 
 Kng Emmanuel died, and Luther was burned in effigy." 
 
 There is not a word about Luther in the tract ; and it is 
 typographically evident from the above, that the tract can 
 hardly be later than 1511. 
 
 4. It is quite impossible, at present, to give a chrono- 
 logical list of books produced by Jan van Doesborch. A 
 few only can be cited. 
 
 («) [The compilation by R. Arnold, known as Arnold's Chronicle.\ 
 In this booke is conteyned the names of ye bayliffs of the cite of Lon- 
 don from the tyme of king richard the furst, and also th[e] artycles of 
 the Chartur and libarties of the same Cyte, &c. No date or place of 
 printing. British Museum (Press mark, 21, a. 10). 
 
 This is attributed to Doesborch's press, and was a very 
 large work to be undertaken by him, in what was probably 
 a foreign language to him. It contains the original text of 
 the poem of The Nut-brown Maid. 
 
 In the British Museum (Press mark, C. 25, e. 29) there is 
 an imperfect copy of a tract on the Fifteen tokens of the 
 Day of Doom. It wants the title page. The colophon is 
 as follows : — 
 
 (/) " A lytill treatyse that whiche is called thexv. tokens which been 
 ate translated out of frenshe in to Englishe. 
 
 * Emprinted by me lohan fro doesborch dwellinge at Anwerpe by 
 the Iron ballaunce, &c. 
 
 These six texts are probably among the earliest productions 
 of Doesborch's press. 
 
 5. We now come to the middle period of his life's work. 
 
 In the British Museum (Press mark, 1073, b. 32) there is 
 a Dutch life of the fabulous necromancer of the Middle 
 Ages, Virgilius. 
 
 i.S) Virgilius ^[ Van zijn leuen doot \ ende vauieii, &c. No date or 
 place of printing. 
 
 This tract is probably the original of the rare English 
 Virgilius among the Douce books at the Bodleian, which 
 has been reprinted by Mr Utterson, and also by Mr Thorns, 
 in his Early English Prose Romances, Vol. 2, Ed. 1858. 
 
 (h) The title runs thus : 
 
 The lyfe of Virgilius and of his deth and many marvayles that he dyd 
 in his lyfe tyme by whychcrafte and nygramancye thorowgh the helpe 
 of the devyls of hell. 
 
 The colophon is 
 
 Thus endethe the lyfe of Virgilius with many dyuers con- 
 saytes that he dyd. Emprynted in the cytie of Anwarpe By me 
 lohnn Doesborcke dwellynge at the earner porte. 
 
 Mr W. C. Hazlitt, in his Handbook of Popular Lite- 
 rature, efc.,p. 381, Ed. 1867, quotes the following title of a 
 Work apparently at present in an English private library. 
 
 (J.) Here begynneth a lytell story that was of a trewthe done in the 
 land of Gelders, of a mayde that was named Mary of Nemegen that was 
 the dyuils paramoure by the Space of vij yere longe. 
 
 Imprinted at Anwarpe by me lohn Duisbrowghe dwellynge besyde 
 the camer porte. 
 
 Dr Campbell states that in the Royal Library at the Hague, 
 is a copy of the following Work, printed by Doesborch. 
 
 (/) Den oostpronck onser Solicheyt. Printed at Antwerp on 31 May 
 1517. With woodcuts and printer's mark. 
 
 Also, a Work, sometimes erroneously attributed to Jan van Naeldwyck, 
 (k) Die alder excelUntsie Cronyke va Brabant 1518. With woodcuts 
 and printer's mark. 
 
 Of this work, there is a copy of an earlier edition printed 
 in October 1512 in the British Museum (Press mark, G. 405, 
 f.) This may also have been printed by Doesborch. 
 
 The next Work that we can quote is, for the time it was 
 produced, a wonderful book. It is a pictorial representa- 
 tion of all the birds, beasts, and fishes, real and imaginary, 
 of the time. It is in three Parts. 
 
 (/) Der diei-en palleys en die vgaderinge vanden beesten. The colo- 
 phon is Gheprent bi my Jan van doesborch Thantwerpen Int iaer ons 
 heeren M.ccccc. ende. xx. den vijfsten dock in Meye. [5 May 1520.] 
 
 Copies are in the British Museum, the Royal Library at 
 the Hague, and elsewhere. 
 
 Mr Hazlitt, Handbook, &c., p. 8, gives the following 
 account of Lawrence Andrewe's translation of this work. 
 
 (m) The noble lyfe and natures of man, of beestes, serpentys, fowles, 
 and fysshes, that be made known. r j > > 
 
 Andwarpe by John of Doesborowe, n.d. fol. 
 
 In the prologue, Andrewe, the translator, says, " In the name of oure 
 Saviour cnste lesu maker and redemour of al mankynd, I Laurens 
 andrewe of the towne of Calls haue translated for lohnes doesborrowe 
 book prenter m the cite of Andwarpe this present volume deuyded in 
 thre partes which was neuer before in no maternall langage prentyd till 
 
 6. One other Work will complete our present provisional 
 ust of this prmter's productions. 
 
 A"} ^f1 f7^f!"'i" '""""f"'/ Cronike. Of which the colophon runs, 
 Gheprent tot Antwa-pen op dte Lombaerde veste, bimijan van Doesborch 
 tnt taer ons heren M.ccccc.xxx, in luino. . 
 
 Copies of this work are in the British Museum, the Roval 
 Library at the Hague, and elsewhere. ' 
 
 7. This is all we have been able to learn, so far, of the 
 printer of the Fnst English book on America. Much 
 more, no doubt, remains to reward the researches of the 
 bibliographer.] ■ ^ "^ 
 
XXVI 1 
 
 C M the ntipe InnXft^ antr of ge ptopit 
 tmnXft 6a the me^sJenjserjS of tfte fegn 
 ae 0f p0rtanja;aU numtXf (Bmunmt 
 
 (©f tfte^ ](:♦ trgutr^ naca0nsJ crgsten^lr^ 
 
 i©f pope ffioftn anlr ftig XantreiS atnlr o£ 
 tftr co^teXg feegt^ anlr tooiilrerS moXo 
 irge^ that in that lanlre fe. 
 
 HjEre aforetymes in the yere of our Lorde god. M.CCCC.xcvi. [1496] and fo be/ we 
 with fhyppes of Luffeboene fayled oute of Portyngale thorough the commaunde- 
 ment of the Kynge Emanuel So haue we had our vyage/ For by fortune 
 ylandes ouer the great fee with great charge and dauhger fo haue we at the lafle 
 founde oon lordftiyp where we fayled well. ix. C. [900] mylee[s] by the coofle of 
 Selandes there we at ye lafle went a lande but that lande is not nowe knowen 
 for there haue no mailers wrj'ten therof nor it knowethe and it is named 
 Armenica/ there we fawe meny wonders of beetles and fowles yat we haue neuer 
 feen before/ the people of this lande haue no kynge nor lorde nor theyr god 
 But all thinges is comune/ this people goeth all naked But the men and women 
 haue on theyr heed/ necke/ Armes/ Knees/ and fete all with feders bounden for 
 there bewtynes and fayrenes. Thefe folke lyuen lyke belles without any refon- 
 ablenes and the wymen be alfo as comon. And the men hath conuerfacyon 
 with the wymen/ who that they ben or who they fyrfl mete/ is fhe his fyfter/ 
 his mother/ his daughter/ or any other kyndred. And the wymen be very 
 hoote and dypofed to lecherdnes. And they ete alfo on[e] a nother The man 
 etethe his wyfe his chyldeme/ as we alfo haue feen and they hange alfo the bodyes or perfons fleefhe in the fmoke/ as men 
 do with vs fwynes fleflie. And that lande is ryght full of folke/ for they lyue commonly, iii. C. [300] yere and more as with 
 fykeneffe they dye nat/ they take much fyfflie for they can gben vnder the water and fe[t]che fo the fyffties out of the water, 
 and they werre alfo on[e] vpon a nother/ for the olde men brynge the yonge men therto/ that they gather a great company therto 
 of towe partyes/ and come the o:2[e] ayene the other to the felde or bateyll/ and flee on[e] the other with great hepes. And nowe 
 holdeth the fylde/ they take the other pryfoners And they brynge them to deth and ete them/ and as the deed is eten then 
 fley they the reft And they been than eten alfo/ or otherwyfe lyue they longer tymes and many yeres more than other people for 
 they haue coftely fpyces and rotes/ where they them felfe recyuer with/ and hele them as they be feke. 
 
xxviii \ThefirJl Englijh book containing the word America {Armenicd), &c?[ 
 
 [(Here follows a woodcut of the Natives of) GENNEA] 
 
 Of the blacke Mores. 
 
 T the fyrile cam we in the lande of Canarien/ 
 whyche is, C. and. 1. [150] myles from Lyffe- 
 bone. And ther betwyn been. ij. ylandes. 
 In yat one is well made people and men 
 make there moche cheefe of great wylde 
 gootes. alfo is ther fiffhe and suykere good 
 cheep. That other yland is not enhabite 
 ther be lytell people therin/ and they be all a frayde and 
 wylde/ alfo ther ayeen lyeth the lande of Barbera/ and is from 
 them in to ye Gennea. CC.l. [250] myles. and that is the 
 blackes mores land, and ayen ye begynnyng of this lande is 
 oon aforemontayen and booth caput viride/ and thereby is ye 
 towne Bitfagitfch. v. C. [500] myles from Luffebonen there by 
 be many w[h]alefyflhes and flyinge fyfflies on the on fyde of 
 Bifagitfche. ij. C. and 1. [250] myles fayle men vnderyat fone 
 fo ferre/ that men the northe fayle fterre or poUumarticum/ or 
 the waghen called/ no more may be feen/ but pollum ante 
 articum or yat fowth layd (lerre fawe we fourth with[.] the 
 forfayde Morelande is M. iiij. C. [1400] myles great/ there 
 ye people goeth all naked with golden rynges on handes 
 and fete. 
 
 [(Here comes a woodcut of Natives^ IN • ALLAGO] 
 
 fHat lande of AUago is. v. C. [500] myles 
 greater And gothe ayenlle the begynnynge 
 of Arabien and there is that kyngdom 
 Saiale[.] in this lande AUago is the people 
 clothed as aboue is marked/ the[y] were 
 and here for there clothes (kynnes of wylde 
 belles. The men bere clokes made of barkes 
 of trees and ledder to kyuer theyr members with. And the 
 women kyuer theym with (kynnes of belles, and take vpon 
 there heddes for kerchers (kynnes of oxen or other belles[.] 
 alfo py[t]che the[y] theyr mennes forhed lyke as men pytche the 
 (hyppes/ and there dwell)mge is vnder the erthe. There is 
 many cowes. oxen/ great Ihepe and other fayre bedes. This 
 is on fayre and lully lande of good water and fwete herbes. 
 This people hathe a fw3^te hally fpeche. There is ho money 
 but of pou [? iron\ and that euery body take it for there wate 
 they bere wh3rte Haues there wepyns is lange pykes and (tones 
 ther they cade myghtly with. That Lande is fo full of fande 
 yat they mufle goo vpon brode trenchers that they falle not 
 and f)aike. After that cometh men into the lande of arabyen. 
 
 [(Here is another woodcut representing Natives) IN: ARABIA] 
 
 Arabia, 
 
 Omyng in Arabia fawe we ye people clothed 
 lyke as here is figured (lande. and out [ol] 
 this kyngdome hath be oon of the three holy 
 kyngys. Item ther bynde they ther oxe fon 
 with Arable gold about ther homes/ and 
 erys. And alfo goldyn rynges aboute th[e]yr 
 legges. And for gold take they of mar- 
 chaundes fylkyng kerchers and lynen clothe. Item ther after 
 fe we now. v. ylandes. the fyrd yland named Momfabith. 
 fixty myles from Safalen. is leeid ye towne Quiola that was 
 founde of the kynges folke of portyngal And they llewe 
 there moche people and robbed the towne. And there without 
 had there kynge edyfyed on cadell that is named feynt lacobis 
 cadell there in lyeth a. C. [100] bolde and hardy men that 
 lyeth and kepeth it 
 
 [Here is a striking woodcut representing, with great life and action, a. 
 spirited attaclc on the gate of some European town; which has evi- 
 dently been borrowed by John of Desborough from some other printed 
 book, chronicle, or other work, printed by himself or other printer.] 
 
 He[n] feuente myles from Quiola lyeth the 
 towne Bombaffa that they alfo byrned and 
 robbed that alfo there they gatte moche 
 goodes. From thens nowe. xxiiij. myle[s] 
 lyeth the great towne Meli[n]da and they 
 be frendes/ and there be many Iloueynes 
 and fell people out of Geneen From 
 Mehnda it is. iiij. fcore and. x. myles to on Perfia there gowe 
 they ouer the fee. For by the towne Megha into the ylande. 
 Auxendia There is alfo one that hath be of ye three holy 
 kynges of the eed. C. [100] myles into the Kyngdome of 
 Canenor and there begyn the fpyces to growe and from thens 
 fare they forthe in to the great lande of great Indyen. 
 
 C Of great Indyen. 
 
 [(Here follows a woodcut of the Inhabitants- of ) MAIOR: INDIA] 
 
 Hey gowe from Cananor, into great Indyen 
 there the people goo all naked but yat 
 the[y] kyuer there members with lynen 
 cloth and they be brounde blacke/ with 
 longe here and of tho women is not wryten 
 but on kaute the fee fawe men manye mer- 
 ueloufe people of manereren the women 
 i bere there chyldren and theyr houfeholde dufife. Here fynde 
 I men gynger/ peper/ comeyn/ and all manere of fpyces/ and 
 
\A Jhort defcription of Africa and India: writien after 1509 a.d.'J xxix 
 
 collely ilones for lytell moneye. There be alfo many maner 
 of frute fygges of good fauyour. vij. ynches longe and. iij. 
 ynches brode. There be bulfeldes and coyes but the coyes 
 fiepe they not/ there groweth good wyne/ muche honeye/ ryfe/ 
 coftely come whyte as wete mele/ Ther by llandeth the 
 towne of Banderana and it is. vij myles into Callienten 
 from thens is. xl. myles there men goo for all maner of 
 fpyces that men were wonte to caray and conuey ouer the 
 redde fee thorowgh Alexander but nowe is there one newe 
 way founden ouer the the fee[.] in Calacuten is many folke out 
 of feynt thomas lande yat alfo be cryflened/ and folke of other 
 landes and nacyons they goo ouer into that kyngdome Kyng- 
 r} che Gutfchyn as hereafter ftandes wryten. 
 
 C Of Gut f chin that Kyngedome. 
 
 [Here is a woodcut representing two Natives figiiting, see/, xxv.] 
 
 Nd than cam we in the kyngdome of Gut- 
 fchyn and ther hath the kynge of portyngale 
 do make. ij. Cafleyles from here was the thre 
 holy kynges. there groeth much peper and 
 the propereft ftapell therof That kyngdom 
 Colen is. xxiiij. myles from there/ and there 
 been many kryftened men/ we fynde alfo 
 great Olyfantes and many dyuers maner and wonders befles and 
 other thynges that men cannot wryghte all. gardeynes frutes is 
 there muche gretter than in our landes of Europa. That ylande 
 Melaqua is from thens. viij. C. [800] myles/ There alfo is 
 moche coftely fpyces. There is nowe. ij. ylandes the on is 
 Bandan and therin groweth the cloues. That other Tanagora 
 or Namaria and there groeth not no other wodde than whyte 
 and red fand^len wodde/ This is fortuned that for a bell of a 
 glaffe men may haue one handfuU of peerles. In Gutfchin 
 bere fome tymes there kynge but that do the people of his 
 courte and holde obedyance vnder theym one with a nother 
 They doo all there thynges all fleyghtly For as as they be 
 affembled in one gatherynge/ than cryeth the capitayne I will 
 fowe/ and as the fubiectes here theyr capitayne crye fowe than 
 take they parte of/ the fede and no man fayth the contrary and 
 letteth the other lye and that takethe the lorde with out any 
 body contrary faynge/ and fo do they in all merchaundyfe. 
 Forthe by that kyngdome Gutfliyn/ Colum/ Bandan/ and 
 Nagaria. xxx. [thirty] myles[.] in Arfmia there hath the kynge. 
 xij. kynges vnder hyni/ and there lyeth buryed feynt Thomas 
 apoiteU. 
 
 [Here is a woodcut of a tree apparently intended to represent a fig-tree. 
 It might do equally well for many other kinds of trees.] 
 
 N fome of thefe aforfayde wrytten landes ben 
 great and fayre frutes and they be greater 
 than in thefe our landes of Europa In Ifla 
 mandra be great hygh trees for the people of 
 yat contrey hewe great fteppes aboute to 
 clyme vp in to the tree to gather the frutes 
 that groweth there on for whan they be a 
 thruft. to take there of. In Arfmia is great brode fygge Trees 
 with great fygges well. vij. ynches longe and. iij. ynches brode 
 and the Fygge tre is fo brode of braunche and leues that. xl. 
 [forty] men may be hydde vnder the forefayd braunches and 
 leues for the hete of the fonne/ and there for to refle all to 
 gather at theyr one pleafure. 
 
 [Here are two woodcuts comerwise, one representing two Indians, the 
 other two men and a woman of Europe, see/, xxv.] 
 
 E haue in this vyage fayled aboute the forth 
 parte of the worlde for to reken from Luf- 
 fyngboren whiche is ferre equinoccyall fcher 
 linien. xxxix. [thirty-nine]grades and on halfe 
 fo haue we fayled ouer ye linie equinocciall. 
 1. [fifty] grades that maketh xc. [ninety] 
 grades therfore they of Luffbone is vnder yat 
 forfayde linie. xxxix. grade and one halfe in the hygh hed of the 
 hemels is the breyde of weftes/ fo is them of Luffbone to thefe 
 folke to fene the. 1. [fifty] grades is ouer the felfe lyne foth 
 cornerwyfe. v. grades in perpendiculer linia whiche linie as we 
 ftande ryght of yat poynt the hemls hange vpon our hed and 
 thefe folke iij theyr fydes or rybbes and woort fet in the maner 
 of on tryanghel or on drycantyche cornard. therfore it muflnedes 
 be yat the fowth landes be tempered with fwete erthe for the 
 northe wyndes can nat there blowe. 
 
 [Here, across the middle leaf of the tract, is an excellent representation Oi 
 the King of Cochin seated on a kind of tressel, carried by four men, sur- 
 rounded with armed attendants ; and with an umbrella borne by one 
 man, and not a canppy\bome by four men, as stated below in the text. 
 The woodcut extends ac^sii about two-thirds of the folio, in the margin 
 of which occurs the following note.] 
 
 Fter this maner of fourme is the Kynge of 
 Gutfchym borne with the noblefle of his 
 lande/ And before hym is borne many 
 inftrumentes of mufyke as trompettes and 
 other and. iiij. of the noblefte bereth the 
 canapie ouer his hed left that the foon 
 fluild burne hym/ and this kynge is beloued 
 of all his eftates and common people. 
 
XXX \TJiefirJl Englijh book containing the word America (Armenicd), &c?[ 
 
 [This fresh tract is headed by a woodcut representing angels bearing the pyx. ] 
 
 €l Of the. X. DYVERCE CRISTENED NACIONS. 
 
 T is to knowe that 
 ye people of cry fl- 
 indomisdeuided 
 and ben in. x. 
 Nacyons. That 
 is to vnder- 
 flandtheLatyne/ 
 Grekes/ Indien/ 
 lacobites/neflor- 
 ijnes/moronites/ 
 Armenes/ georg- 
 ianes/ Surianes/ 
 mororabes/wher- 
 ofyemoofldeyle 
 is kettersand kyl 
 of/ of the holy 
 Romes chyrche. 
 
 C The fyrjle nacyon. 
 
 [Two woodcuts, evidently taken from some Martyrology, come in here. 
 One represents an angel standing by the cross, the other a, female 
 saint with a sword sticking in her breast.] 
 
 prfle nacyon is the Latynes and they haue to 
 theyr lorde the Emperour of Almayne and 
 many Kynges/ as the kynge of caflyly an 
 of Aragon/ of portyngale/ of nauaryen/ and 
 thefe kynges is for fpaynnes nacyon. In 
 yat nacion of the frenche lande is one kynge 
 of Fraunce and many dukes and Erles. In 
 the nacion of Italian is the kynge of Cicylian/ the kynge of 
 Naples and many dukes and Erles and there is alfo many lord- 
 fhyppes as Veneyfe Florence feuen lenuen [? Sienna, Genoa\. 
 
 N the nacyon of Germanien is nowe many 
 kynges with out the emperoure/ as the Kynge 
 of Englande/ of Scotlande/ of Vngerien/ of 
 Bohemen/ofPolen/ofDenmarke/ of fweden/ 
 of North wegen/ of Dalmacyen/ and there is 
 many Dukes and Erles &c. In that ylande 
 of Sypers [? Cyprtis\ is the kjmge of Sypers/ 
 
 All thefe a fore wryten is vnder the obeyifaunce or [? of^ the 
 
 chyrche of Rome. 
 
 C The feconde nacyon. 
 
 He Grekes haue fpyrytually the Patriarcke of 
 Conflantynnoplen/ and manyArchebyffhops/ 
 byffliops/ and abbottes. And in ye tem- 
 peralte haue they one Emperour and many 
 dukes and erles/ and there is but fewe of 
 them that be cryllened/ For the Agarenen 
 and Turkes hath nowe the moofl parte of 
 Grekes/ and is not obedient to the chyrch of Rome. And they 
 haue a great erre for they faye that the holy ghofl cam not of 
 the fone but alone of the fader. And they fay alfo that there 
 is no purgatory/ that is all a yenfte our belefe. 
 
 C The thyrde ndcyon. 
 
 [Here follows a woodcut representing St. Thomas kneeling to our Saviour.] 
 
 Hey of Indyen hath one prynce and that is 
 pope lohn whofe myghtynes and rychedome 
 amounteth aboue all prynces of the world 
 for he hath vnder hym. Ixxij. [feuenty^two] 
 kynges and as pope lohn dayely rydeth he 
 bere a. fore hym one croffe of wode for to 
 thynke on at all tymes and remember vpon 
 the paffion of I[es]hu and to the batayle doth he bere. xij. 
 croffes of golde made and fet with precyoufe flones for his 
 baners/ in this lande is the body of feynt Thomas. 
 
 C The fourth nacyon. 
 
 Acobyten named alfo of on ketter lacob and 
 was be one dyffyple of the Patryarche of 
 Alexandryne/ and this helde the one great 
 land in Oryenten and Afyen and is named 
 that lande of Mambrone and it is by Egyp- 
 ten and gothe to Ethyopen and into Indien 
 to/ and hathe vnder hym well, xl, [forty] 
 kynges lychedom/ thefe be kytte and chryflened with a byrn- 
 ynge yren for they branne the token of the holy croffe in theyr 
 forehed/ vpon the brefle/ vpon the arme/ they confeffe them to 
 God alone and none prefl.es/ and they fay that in chriflo is alone 
 the godhed without the manhod/ and fome of them fpeketh 
 Caldefche fome Arabier/ fome other fpe[e]ches after theyr lang- 
 age of the lande/ and thefe been condemned of the holy 
 chyrche in that counfayll of Ceden. 
 
[0/ the ten divers chvijtian nations?[ 
 
 XXXI 
 
 C Thefyth nacyon. 
 
 Here be alfo Neftorijneri named of the ketter 
 Neftorinus that was one byflhope ' of the 
 byflhops of Conftantynenoplen and they 
 fett ij. perfones in chrifto that is the Godhed 
 and ye perfones/ and they forfake that 
 maria is the moder of god/ but they beleue 
 well of I[es]hu, and theyr wrytynge is in 
 caldenflher fpeche and they make the facrament in broune 
 brede and there be great multytude of theym and they dwell 
 in Tartarien and in great Indyen/ and theyr lande is as great 
 as a thoiifande of Italy/ and thefe ketters be condamned in that 
 thyrde counfayll of Ephefyn and is departed of the holy Romes 
 chyrche and abyde in theyr opynion. 
 
 C The fyxte nacyon. 
 
 Y the ketter Moren they be named Moroniten 
 they fay alone in chriflo is one vnderflande 
 and one wyll and thofe dwell by Lybien in 
 the lande of Phenicefl and there be great 
 multitude and they be bolde and hardey 
 men. and great warryars with the bowe/ 
 And they haue theyr byflhops clothed as 
 the Latynes with the biflhops myter on his hed/ and with the 
 croyfers flaffe and rynges/ Thefe hath ben fome tyme vnder 
 the obeyiflaunce of the chyrche of Rome whan Innocentius 
 was pope/ but afterwarde came they ayen in theyr opynion 
 and diere abyde in theyr opynyon. 
 
 C The feuenth nacyon. 
 
 pRmennyten is alfo named for that they dwell 
 in the lande of Armeneten nere vnto Anthi- 
 ochyen and there is whrythyn feruyce of the 
 maffes. and theyr other tydes is all in theyr 
 one comon fpeche fo that they all mey 
 vnderflande it what they fynge or rede/ and 
 they haue theyr hed or fader to whome they 
 do reuerence as we do the pope. And they fafte the lenton 
 with greatter deuocyon than we doo/ for they ete in the lenton 
 no fyflhe/ nor they drynke no wyne/ but they ete flefflie vpon 
 frydays. 
 
 [Here is a woodcut representing a squadron of English knights, with St. 
 George's flag, armed cap h pie, and galloping in battle. It has nothing 
 whatever to do with the text.] 
 
 C The eyght nacyon. 
 
 His nacyon is named Georgidni of feynt 
 George for they haue hym in theyr batelles 
 for theyr patrone/ and they dwell in the 
 lande of Oryenten/ and they be fayer/ lufty/ 
 and flronge pepyll/ and they be fore a drad 
 of the Medon perflen Afliryen there they 
 aboute dwelle And they haue theyr fcryp- 
 
 ture in ye Greekes fpeche and they haue theyr facramentes as 
 the Grekes/ and the clarkes haue rounde crownes/ and they 
 leke the holy graue to Iherufalem with open or fpred baners. 
 And they gyue the farafons no trybute for the farafons fereth 
 thofe folke very fore/ there women bere harneyfe lyke the 
 men and they haue alfo beardes as ye men and they bere 
 vpon theyr heddes and vpon bye cubettes hye hattes and 
 as the[y] wryte to the Sodan than gyueth he them that they 
 dyflyre. 
 
 C The Nynthe nacion. 
 
 Pe Surianen is named after theyr towne Surle 
 that is the grettefl in all Suryen or Aflyryen 
 theyr fcrypture arid feruyce of god in ye 
 Grekes fpeche but they fpeke farafons 
 fpeche and they holde the manere of ye 
 grekes/ and haue byfflioppes that in all 
 thynges be obedyent and they make theym 
 facrament' of browne brede and they haue the opynyon of the 
 Grekes ayen the Latynes there be fome cryftened that in the 
 holy lande is namyd Samerytanes that were conuerted in the 
 tyme that the apoftels preched but they vnderflande them not 
 well in the cryften beleue. 
 
 C The tenthe nacyon. 
 
 Ororaben fo called affter the laten for they holde 
 and vfe the maner of the cryften of Ar[a]bien/ 
 and of thefe were wonte to be manye people 
 in Afrijken and in Spaengnien but nowe is 
 there. lytell in the tellyng/ They haue in 
 theyr feruyce of god lateyne as we do/ And 
 they be vnder the obeyifaunce of the chyrche 
 of Rome. And the latynes prelates but in many thynges ben 
 they dyuerfe departed for alfo the day hath xxiiij. houres/ Alfo 
 many tymes hymnes and pfalmes and other orafouns haue they 
 and very longe/ And that that ye Latyns rede in the begyn- 
 nyng of theyr feruice that rede they in the mydle or in the 
 lafle ende. And that facrament of the auter breketh fome of 
 them in. vij. partes and fome in. x. partyes/ and thefe people 
 be very deuoute and they mareye but ones in theyr lyfe and as 
 the women hath lofte theyr fyrfl hufbond fo dothe they meddle 
 no more with no man/ but abyde fro thenfiburth in chaflyte. 
 
 Or. ij. caufes cometh the departynge of ye 
 cryften nacyons. The fyrfte caufe is that 
 men in olde tyme myght the cryften hatfe 
 only haue generall confilium/ Therfore 
 as the ketters ftode vp ayen the cryften 
 belefe fo was there no body turned nor 
 faught counfayll there ayen. The other 
 caufe was the ferfwynmyngnes of ye oppreft pope of ye fchole 
 of Rome that no meflengere nor lerned fliulde to the kryften 
 thow that were come "in feche lodyng/ for had they do that 
 they ftiulde haue be conuerted to the ryght belefe. Thorowilh 
 whiche lyght belefe brynge vs to the hygheft glorye the fader 
 the fone the holy ghofte thre perfones and one god. Amen. 
 
 ll 
 
 ^mm 
 
 \ 
 
xxxii. \TIie firjt EngliJIi book containing the word America (^Armenicd), &c.\ 
 
 [An Abridgment of the Medieval Legend of Prester John]. 
 
 [This third Tract has a very large initial letter I, containing what appears to be a representation of Prester John, and of a Roman Catholic monk or 
 
 pilgrim kneeling beneath him.] 
 
 
 
 ■i^i^^Bnl 
 
 
 EmCTH 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 ^^™ 
 
 Pope lohn by ye 
 grace of god the 
 mooile myghtyfle 
 kynge a boue all 
 kyngys of ye 
 worlde gyue fal- 
 uyte the Emperour 
 of Rome, and alfo 
 thekinge of France. 
 Oure wel be- 
 louyd frynde We 
 late you vnder- 
 flande and knowe 
 of our lande And 
 the maner of oure lyuinge and of our people beefles and fowles. 
 C And you faye that we beleue not in god and praye not 
 to hym as you do. So late we you vnderilande that we be- 
 leue in god the father, in god the fonne. and in god the holy 
 goofte. The whyche be vnpartyble and one very god. and is 
 all thynge myghty. 
 
 And alfo certefye yow with oure lettres fealed and doo you 
 knowelege of oure folke or people and of our lande. And yf 
 there be ony thynge yat we kan doo for you. fende vs worde 
 and we fhall it doo with good herte and wyll. And yf it pleafe 
 ony of you to come in oure lande we fhall gyue theym gold 
 and fyluer to th[e]yr necelfitie/ and make them great lordis. and 
 gyue to them alfo lande and good[s] to lyue on. and do to [t]hem 
 worfhyp and honor. For the goodnes that we haue herde fay 
 of you. And we do you knowledge that we haue the richefle 
 crowne of the worlde as of golde and syluer and of precyous 
 flones in great multitude And we haue alfo vnder vs mighty, 
 xlij. kingdomes and al good criften people, and we kepe alfo 
 the poure people with our almes alle that cometh be it flrenger 
 or of oure owne people thorough the loue of alnlyghty god 
 oure lorde Ihefu Crifle. 
 
 ^[ Item Oure lande is parted in. iiij. For the landes of 
 Indien/ there be two. and in that grettefl Indian is the body 
 of feynt Thomas. And this ianve Indien is partiner of ye coUe 
 
 of orient for it lyeth befyde a toure ye whych is caalled babel/ 
 and it id [? is\ not ferre fro Babilonyen. And alfo that other 
 parte of Indien is aboute Septentryon. and there is great 
 plenty of wyne/ bredde and all maner of vytayle. 
 
 C Item alfo in our lande be gryffons/ and it is a great byrde 
 and a myghty. for he wyll well cary in his nefle an oxe/ or an 
 horfe for his yonge byrdes to ete. Alfo in Saxen is a towne 
 whych is called Grounzwyk ther is one of the clawes yat which 
 is well as great as an horn of an oxe. 
 
 [Here comes, in the original, at the side of the page, a woodcut of an 
 elephant with a castle on its back.] 
 
 ([ In our lande be olyphantes/ dromedaries/ wylde oxes 
 the whyche haue. vij. homes, alfo Beeres and Lyons of dyuers 
 colours/ as ye redd/ grene/ blacke/ and whitte 
 
 4[ Item and also be wylde affes the whych haue longe eeres/ 
 and haue twoo fmale hornes. &c. 
 
 N our lande be alfo fowles ye whyche that 
 haue the mayftery of all birdes of the worlde/ 
 and haue a colour lyke ye fyer/ and his 
 wingis kyt ^cui\ lyke a rafour. and this byrdes 
 ben called Ilerion. and in alle the worlde is 
 no more than two. and they lyuen. iij. fkore 
 yere and thenne they laye eggis and fytte vpon theym. xl. 
 dayes and as fone as they haue yonges they flee awaye/ fader 
 and moder to the zee and ther they drowne theym felf. and 
 alle tho byrdes yat come ayenft them do them company to the 
 zee. and as fone as the[y] be drowned all the other byrdes 
 tourne ayen to the nefle there they yonge byrdes ben lefte/ 
 and gyue them mete and drinke to the tyme that the[y] can 
 flee and nurter them felfe. &c. 
 
 C Yet ben there other byrdes the whyche ben called 
 Tygris/ and they be fo llronge that they wyll bere or cary in 
 theyr nefle a man fytting vpon an horfe all armyd fro the hede 
 to ye fote. 
 
[TAe Mediixval Legend of Prejler yo/m.] 
 
 xxxui 
 
 [HerCi at the ade of the page, is the representation of a naked man with 
 one eye in his forehead, and bearing a club.] 
 
 tr Item In our lande is alfo a grete deferte or foreft. therin 
 dweleth people bothe men andwymmenthewhychehauenomore 
 than one eye afore, and behinde they haue. iij. or. iiij. eyen 
 
 t[ Yet is in oure lande an other maner of people the whiche 
 ete none other than rawe fleflie. and they care not yf it were 
 of man or woman or of beeflis and alfo the[y] care not of ther 
 owne deth. and as fone as there one of them dyeth the[y] ete 
 theym all rawe/ both there one [? own] fader or moeder. And 
 they faye yat mans fleyflie is good and natUT[a]ly to ete rawe/ 
 for they faye that they doe it for parte of penaunce for there 
 fynnes. And they be alfo curfed of god/ and they be called 
 Gog and Magog And of them be no more than one maner 
 of people of this worlde and they (hall be dyftributed or parted 
 thorough all the world whan Antechryft (hall come, and thefe 
 fame were the people or folke the whych they hadde put in 
 pryfone or in holde the great kynge Alexander of Macedonian. 
 But for all that he wente his way And of this people fhalbe 
 no iugement at the dredefuU day of dome lyke the prophete 
 fayeth. f[ Nefcio quis. dfc. 
 
 But neuertheles thonder and lytenynge fliall come fro heuen 
 and bourne theym all in po[w]der And whan that we haue 
 ony enerayes thanne gyue we theym lycence to put theym 
 downe and ete them that be ayenffe vs and then make we 
 them to toume ageyne into there owne lande. For if they 
 fliolde abyde longe with vs they Ihuld vndo vs all and ete vs 
 lyke as they do there owne propre folke. 
 
 [Here, also at the side, is the pictorial representation of the creature 
 described in the next paragraph.] 
 
 C And yet is there another manere of people/ the whyche 
 hath rownde fete lyke an horfe/ and alfo they haue. iiij. fliarpe 
 clawes behynde/ at there Heks. Wherewith they ftrongely 
 fyght that there is no manere thyng can ftonde ayenfte them/ 
 nether hamayfe/ yrone/ nor ftele they paffe all thorowth/ and 
 this people gyue vnto vs great trybute. and they be alfo with- 
 out dowte great labourers. 
 
 <[ Yet is there a nother fmale lande in a parte of that fame 
 foreft aforelayde/ and it is. xlij. [forty-two] dayes lourneyes longe. 
 And it is called Feminie the great And in that fame lande 
 there be thre Quenes without all other landes/ thowe that 
 holden there been of thefe quenes forcfayde And whan thefe 
 quenes fhall goo to felde/ then eche of them hath. iij. hondered. 
 M. [300,000] wymen and all in harneyfe/ with out all the 
 other women the whych that caray vytayle with carte horfe 
 and alfo with olyfauntes. And thefe women be very manly 
 in fytynge and hardy. C And in this fame lande may come 
 
 Edeit. 
 
 no men but. ix. dayes in the yere and no lenger/ and than 
 they haue conuerfacion and felyflhyp with the men and nomore 
 of the hole yere. For if the men there wolde abyde the 
 women Ihulde them flee all. 
 
 C And this fame lande is clofed all aboute with a water 
 called Cyphon comynge out of paradyfe And in this fame 
 lande may come no man without a great fliyp or a great barke. 
 
 C Of the people named Pygnies. 
 
 [Here is a woodcut representing the battle of the Pigmies and the storks;] 
 
 Nd yet is there a nother fmale lande and alfo 
 another Ryuer called Pyconye that is. x. 
 dayes iourneye longe/ and. yij. brode and 
 this people of this forfayde lande be not 
 great/ but they be lyke chyldren of. vij. 
 yere of age and they haue horfeys as great 
 as a great dogge and they be good cryflened folke and they 
 haue no warre ayenfte noman/ But they haue warre ayenfte 
 the fowles euery yere/ whan they ftiall haue in there frute and 
 come And than the kynge putteth on his harneyfe. and than 
 they fyght ayenfte the byrdes. And than there be flayn on 
 bothe partyes many on/ and alfo they be great labovurers/ and 
 \(-han the fylde is don than the byrdes flee a waye fro them. 
 
 [Here, at the side, is a circular woodcut of Sagittarius, evidently one 
 of the signs of the Zodiac taken from some illustrated almanac] 
 
 C Alfo in our lande been ye Sagittary. the whyche ben fro 
 the myddel vpward lyke men/ and fro ye myddell donwarde 
 ben they lyke the halfe neder parte of an horfe. and they bere 
 bowes and arowes. And the[y] fliute ftronger than ony other 
 nacyon of people. 
 
 C And in our lande be alfo vnicornes and they been of the 
 manere with blacke and grene/ and thefe vnicornes flee many 
 Lyons, and the Lyon fleeth the vnicome with fubtylnes. 
 Whan the Vnicome hath put hym to reft at a tree/ and than 
 cometh the Lyoh and ronnyth aboute the tree and after hym 
 than ronnyth the vnycome and wolde fayne fley hym/ and than 
 he ronnyth hym felfe into the tree with his home fo harde that 
 he cannot pull it out a geyne. than commeth the Lyon and 
 hath the maftery vpon the vnicome. 
 
 C Item there is a nother parte of a foreft therin dwelleth 
 another maner of folke and this people ben. xx. Cubettes of 
 heythe. But they were in tyme pafte to be of the heyth of. 
 xl. Cubettes. And they haue nat the pore to come out of that 
 deferte or forefte and all is thorowe the myghte of almyghty 
 god. For if they fliolde come out by there ftrength and 
 hardyneffe the[y] wolde conquere all the worlde. 
 
xxxiv \The firjl Englijh book containing the word America {Armenica), &c^ 
 
 [Here, at the side, is a curious cut representmg the Phoenix burning.] 
 C Here begynnith of ye birde the whyche is called Fenix. 
 
 C In oure lande is alfo a byrde ye whyche is called Phenix 
 and is ye fayreft byrde of all ye world and there is nomore 
 than one in all ye cours of nature, and he lyueth C. [loo] yere. 
 and thenne flyeth he fo hyghe that the fonne fett the fyre in his 
 wynges/ and thenne cometh he don ayen to his neft. and there 
 he burneth to p[o]udre and of the afflies comyth a worme/and 
 within. C [loo] dayes after growyth there out another byrde 
 as fayre as euer that other was. 
 
 C Item Alfo in our lande is plenty of wyne bredde/ fleflie. 
 All that is neceflary for mannys body 
 
 ^[ Item In our lande maye come none venyn beefte on that 
 one fyde 
 
 C Item Betwene oure lande and the Turkes lande is a ryuer 
 ronnynge and is called Sydon it conmieth out of paradyfe of 
 the erthe/ and is full of precyous ftones. 
 
 f[ And alfo in oure lande ben ronnynge many fmale riuers 
 the whyche that come out of this forfayde riuer. and they alfo 
 ben fuUe of precyous ftones. As Yfmaraddus lafpis Saphyrus 
 Scobaffus Dyamant Topafius/ Carbonkel. Rubin, and yet more 
 other they whyche I not all can reherce. 
 
 C Alfo in oure lande groweth on herbe and is called Par- 
 manabel/ and that fame herbe is fo myghty euer foo who that 
 fame herbe beryth a boute hym he may coniure the deuyll of 
 helle and do hym faye what fo euer he wyl axe of hym and 
 therfore the deuyll dare not come in to our lande. 
 
 Item alfo in our lande growith pepper in foreftis full of 
 fiiakes and other venym beeftes. and whan it is rype than fende 
 we for our folke and they put that fyre ther in/ and than they 
 venym beeftys flee awaye. than we gadder it and caryed to 
 oure houfes and waffhed in two or. iij. waters/ and than we 
 drey it ayen/ and alfo it waxed black and good 
 
 %_ Item aboute this paflage is a fonteyne or a conduyte/ fo 
 who of this watere drinked. iij. tymes he (hall waxe yonge/ 
 and alfo yf a man haue had a fykenes. xxx. yere and drynked 
 of thys fame water he (hall therof be hole and fonde. And 
 alfo as a man therof drinked hym femeth that he had occu- 
 pyed the befte mete and drinke of the worlde. and this fame 
 fonteyne is full of the grace of the holy gooft. and who fo we 
 in this fame water waf(hed his body he (hall become yonge of. 
 XXX. yere. 
 
 And ye (hall knowe that I am haloweth in my moder wombe/ 
 and I am old. v.C.lxij. [562] yere. and I haue me weffhed. vi. 
 tymes in that fame water. 
 
 [Here, at the side, is a woodcut of a flying griffon carrying a man.] 
 
 C Item In our lande is alfo a zee very peruulyous/ and 
 there can we haue noo paCTage with noo maner of (hyppyng 
 and than do we vs cary there ouer with our gryfTons. 
 
 C Item at that one fyde of this zee ronnyth a fmale ryuere 
 and therin be many precyous ftones. and alfo ther growyth a. 
 certen herbe that is good to all maner of medycyne. 
 
 H Alfo ye (hall vnderftande that betwene vs and the lewes 
 ronnyth a great ryuer that is full of precyous ftones and it is 
 fo ftronge in here ronnyng yat noman ther ouer can paffe/ 
 excepte ye faterdaye/ and than parted (hehere and toke with 
 here all that (he fyndeth in here waye. And this fame lande 
 mofte we ftrongely kepe for oure ennemyes. an[d] vp thefe 
 coftes haue we. xlij. [42] ftronge caftels none ftronger in ye 
 world, and ben well kepte of people. To vndeftande. x. M. 
 [10,000] knyghtes on horfbacke. vi.M. [6000] CrofTe bowes. 
 XV. M. [15,000] longe bowes. and. xl. M. [40,000] othere men 
 on horfbacke well armed, ye whyche thefe Caftels haue in 
 kyping by caufe that the great kynge of Ifrahel fhall not ther- 
 pa(re with his people. For he is twyes as ftronge as I am. 
 And his lande is twyes as grete as all Cryftente and turkey. 
 For he hath in his kepynge the feconde parte of the worlde. 
 And the great kynge of Ifrahel hath vnder hym iij.C. [300] 
 kynges. iiij.M. [4000] princes, duces, erles. barons knyghtes/ 
 fquyers without nombre. and all thefe be fubgette to the great 
 kynge of Ifrahel. But yf he myght pa(re ouer this forfayde 
 r3nier with his people they (holde flee both cryften and turkes. 
 And ye (hall knowe that we all (aterdaye late paflfe. viij. C. or.. 
 M. [800 or a 1000] men for beye fuche manere good[s] or mar- 
 chaundyfe as they wyll haue. but we late them not come with 
 in ye wallis of thys caftels. for they bye it without ye walks 
 of thys fortreffes. and they paye ther marchaundyfes with 
 platis of fyluer or of gold for they haue none other money, 
 and whan they haue don ther befynes they toume home ayen 
 in theyr owne lande. and thefe forfayde caftels be fete to gyder 
 within a bowe (hotte. And ye fhall vnderftande that within a 
 myle of thefe caftels is a great Cite and a fayre and it is the 
 ftrongeft of all the worlde. the whyche cite is in our kepyng of 
 one of our kyngis. and he receyueth tribute of the great kyng 
 of Ifrahel. And alfo gyueth vs euery yere. ij. C. [200] horfes 
 laden with golde/ fyluer/ and precyous ftones. Except alle 
 charges and coftes that men doth in the cyte and in thyfe 
 forefayde caftels. And whan that we haue warre ayenft them/ 
 than flee we them alle and late noman alyue. and therfore 
 they wyll kepe no warre ayenfte vs. and the wymmen of the 
 lewes be very fayre none fayrer in erth nowe a dayes lyuinge. 
 And by this forfayde ryuer is a zee ther noman may paflTe/ but 
 
[The Mediceval Legend of Prejler yokn.] 
 
 XXXV 
 
 whan the wynde blowythe fro benethe flrongely than parted flie 
 here/ and thanne the[y] paffe with great haft, and than they 
 take with hym all maner of precious ftones. but they may 
 felle none therof [be]for[e] that wee haue taken therof our chofe. 
 
 C In a parte of our lande is an hylle there noman may 
 dwelle for hete of the fonne/ and there bee wormes many on 
 without fyre can not lyue. And by this fame hylle we kepe. 
 xl.M. [40,000] people that no thyngeells but make fyre/ and 
 whan this wormes feele the fyre than thei come oute of the 
 erthe and goo in too that fyre. and there they fpynne lyke the 
 wormes yat the fylke fpynneth And of that fame fpynnyng 
 we make our clot[h]ynge that we were on fefte dayes. and 
 whan they be foule/ than they be caft in to ye fyer and they 
 becom as fayre as euer they were afore 
 
 And ye fhaU vnderftande that faint Thomas doeth more 
 myracles/ than ony feynt in heuen For he comyth bod[i]ly 
 euery yere in his chirche and doth a fermon/ and alfo in a 
 palays there ye here after of hym fliall here. 
 
 [Here, at the side, is the representation of the creature described in the 
 next paragraph.] 
 
 £ And ye Ihall alfo knowe that there be dyuers of people 
 of fafon in our lande/ alfo there be people that haue the body 
 of a man and the hede lyke a dogge and they be good takers 
 of fyfftie. and they be good to vnderftande of theyre fpeeche. 
 and they wyll goo in to the zee a hole daye longe to the tyme 
 that they haue taken fuche as they wolde haue/ and than ye 
 [tAey] come ayen charged with fyfftie^ and here them in to ye 
 houfes for they haue there dwellinge places vnder erthe. and 
 thenne take we part of there fyfflies that vs befte lyketh. and 
 they do great harme among our bee thow yat be wylde. and 
 they fyghte alfo ayenfte our archers. &c. 
 
 ^[ In oure londe is alfo one manere of byrdes and laye ther 
 eggis in the zee. xxi. and ther out growen yonge byrdes. and 
 than the[y] flee away and we take fomtyme of theym for they 
 bee good for to ete whan they be yonge For yf theyr were 
 ony man that hathe loft his nature and ete of this fame byrde 
 he ftioU it gete ayen and becom as ftronge as euer he was 
 afore. 
 
 [Here is a woodcut of a tree dropping oil, guarded by a dragon, as described 
 in the next paragraph. 
 
 C Alfo in our lande is that fame tree/ ther yat holy crefteri- 
 dom or olye [? oy/e] out ronnith. and this tree is dreye/ and 
 ther is a great ferpent which yat tree hath in kepynge all the 
 hole yere nyght and daye but alone vp[on] feynt lohns daye 
 and night and than flepyth the ferpent or dragon, and than 
 goo we to the tree and take yat crifma. and of this feme is 
 nomore than iij. po[u]nd. and than tourne we ayen fecretely 
 
 with great drede and fere yat he vs not fee/ for ells he wyll 
 flee vs. and this fame tree is a dayes iourney fro ye paradys of 
 ye erthe. but whan this ferpent is a waked than maked he 
 great mone and forow. and this dragon hath. ix. hedes and. ij, 
 wynges. and is as great as twoo horfes. But for all yat it 
 foUoweth vs ftylle tyl we ben come to the zee ayen. and than 
 toumed it ayen. and thenne here we that crifma. to ye patriarch 
 of feynt thomas and he haloweth it/ and ther with they make 
 vs al cryften. and ye remenaunt fende we to ye patriarche of 
 Iherufalem. and he fende it forth to the Pope of rome. and he 
 puth therto olye tof lyfe [? oy/e of lyfe\ and than halowy th it/ 
 and then he fendeth all cryftente through 
 
 fl Alfo ye fhall vnderftande whan we fl:iall goo to warre than 
 doo we afore vs here with, xiiij. [14] kynges. xiiij. [14] cofers 
 with golde and fyluer really wroght with precious ftones. and 
 the other kynges come after vs with grete ftremers and baners 
 of fylke and fyndale very rychely wrought. Ye ftiall knowe 
 alfo that afore vs gone. xl. M [40,000] clerkis and alfo many 
 knyghtis. and men afote there be ij.C.M. [200,000] without 
 cariers and cariers that go with the olyphantes and cary our 
 barneys and vitales. 
 
 f[ Ye fliall vnderftande alfo as we goo to fylde than put we 
 oure lande in the kepyng of the Patriarche of feynt thomas. 
 And whan we pecefably ryde than do we here afore vs a crofle 
 of wodde in worihyp of oure lorde Ihefu Cryfte. Alfo in the 
 incomynge of euery cyte ftande. iij. crofles made of wodde/ for 
 to remembre ye paflion of oure lord Ihefu cryfte. And whan 
 we ryde pecefably than do we alfo here afor vs a bafyn full of 
 erthe to remembre yat we be come of erthe and that we fliall 
 waxe erth ayen. and we do alfo here for vs another bafyn full 
 of fyne gold to a token that we be the noblefte and myghtyeft 
 kyngis of all the worlde. 
 
 4[ There is alfo in our lande noman fo hardy that dare breke 
 his wedloke. but yf he dyde he fliolde be incontynent be 
 bumyd. For our lorde hym felfe hath ordeyned wedlok ther- 
 fore it fliold be kept by reafon yf that we louyd oure lorde 
 Ihefu Cryfte. For it is one of the facramentes of the holy 
 chyrche. 
 
 |[ Alfo there dare noman make a lye in oure lande. for of 
 he dyde he fliolde incontynent bee fleyn and we be feythful in 
 oure faying and doying. 
 
 C Alfo ye fliall vnderftand that we euery yere goo vyfite 
 the holy body of the prophete danyel in oure foreft/ and we 
 take with vs. x M. [10,000] clerkis and as many knyghtys. 
 and. CC. [200] caftels. made vpon Olyphantes fore to kepe vs 
 from ye dragons ye whyche haue. vij. hedes. the whych that 
 haue theyr dwellynge in that foreft. 
 
 C And there bee alfo in that fame place dates ye winter 
 and fomer hange on the trees fayr and grene. And ye forefte 
 is great a. C. and xxx. [130] dayes journey, and ye. ij. 
 
xxxvi \The firji Englijh book containing the word America {Armenica), &c^ 
 
 patriarches ben before vs at table for they haue the myght of the 
 pope of rome. And we haue twyes as many abbotes in oure 
 lande as there be dayes in the yere. [and] xv. more And euerich 
 one of them cometh ones in ye yere and faythe maffe vpon 
 faint Thomas auter. And I my felf feye alfo maffe in the grete 
 feflis of ye yere. and ther for I am called pope lohn. For I 
 [am] prifle after the outfhewyng of facrificie of the auters. and 
 kinge after outftiewing of luftice. C And I pope lohn was 
 halowid afore T was borne, for oure lorde fende his angell to my 
 fader and fayde to hym make a pallays the whyche fliall be of 
 the grace of god and a chamber of that paradyfe for your fonne 
 comynge For hi fliall be the gretteft kynge of the worlde. and 
 he ftialle a longe tyme lyue. So who that in this pallays 
 comyth he fliall haue no hongre or thryfte. and he fliall not 
 deye and as fone as my fader was a wakyd he was very mery/ 
 and incontynent he began to make thys pallays lyke ye fliall 
 here. At fyrft of ye incomynge of thys pallays is made of 
 criftall and the couerynge of it is of precious ftones and with 
 in realy wrought with fl.erres lyke yf it were ye heuen. and 
 that pauing is alfo of criftall and within this fame pallays 
 be none wyndowes. and within this fame pallays be. 
 xxiiij. [24] pyllers of fyne gold and of precyous ftones of all 
 maner fortes, and ther am I at great fefte dayes of the yere 
 and feynt Thomas prechyth in middell of this pallays to the 
 
 people. And whithin this fame pallays is a conduyte or a fon- 
 teyne is lyke wyne in drynkynge/ fo who thereof drincketh he 
 defyred none other mete nor drinke and noman can telle fro 
 whens it cometh or whyther it gothe. Alfo ther is another 
 great merueyll in this fame pallays whan we fliall goo to our 
 dyner/ fo is there no maner of mete made redy for vs/ nor 
 there is no manner of inftjumentes to make mete redy with 
 all. but there comith before vs all maner of delycious mete 
 that comyth there thoroughe the holy gooft. And it is 
 not wel poffyble to wrytte all maner of goodnes they [haue] 
 whiche yat be in oure lande. And ye fhall vnderftande that 
 we wntte nothinge to you but trewe is. For if we fliolde wry te 
 lyes to you/ god and feynt thomas fliolde punyfflie vs/ for we 
 fliolde lefe all our dignyte and oure worfliyp. 
 And we praye you that ye wyl writte vs ayen with the berer 
 of this lettre. and fende to vs ayen a good knyght of ye genera- 
 cyon of fraunce. 
 
 And we praye the kynge of Fraunce that he wyll vs recom- 
 maunde to the myghty kyng of Englande. and alfo to all other 
 kynges the whyche yat dwelle be yonde the zee thow that ben 
 cryftened and we praye god that he you wyl gyue the grace of 
 the holy gooft Amen. 
 
 Written in oure holy pallays in the byrth of my felfe. v. 
 [five] hondred. and feuen. 
 
 dEmpnntetl) bg nte Solin of Boesborotne: 
 
xxxvu 
 
 The 
 
 Life and Labours 
 
 of 
 
 Richard Eden. 
 
 Scholar, and Man of Science. 
 
 [?i52i]— 1576. 
 
 • Probable or approximate dates. 
 The best Life of our Author hitherto, is in Cooper's Athena CantabrigUnses, ii., 2, Ed. 1861. 
 
 1526. 
 1526. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 15C9. Apr. 22. f^cnvg VVki. comc» to X\jt lljvone. 
 
 1521. • The year of our Author's birth has not yet been ascer- 
 
 tained, but it cannot be much later than 1521. He 
 would therefore be of nearly the same age as Sir 
 William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, who was bom on 13th September 1520. 
 He stated in 1573 {see under that year) that ' he was of a respectable 
 femily in Hertfordshire ; where he, in that year, had a sister still living.' 
 1526 *-1534. * He is well educated as a boy. ' When I was a yonge 
 scoler, I haue read in the Poet Hesiodus'^p. xli, col. 2. 
 Pietro Martire of Anghiera dies. 
 The printing of the Sumario de la natural y general 
 istoria de las Indias, written by Gon9alo Fernandez de 
 Oviedo y Valdes, is finished at Toledo. 
 1530. Jan. 25. Sir Thomas Smith L*. 28th March 1514 at Saffron 
 Walden], being then B. A., is elected Fellow of Queen's 
 College, Cambridge. 
 
 The printing of the Third edition of Pietro Martire's 
 Latin Decades is finished at Basle. It is undoubtedly 
 the text from which Eden translated pp. 63-200 of 
 this present work. 
 
 Sir T. Smith is resident at Cambridge. 
 Vaunuccio Biringiiccio's Pyrotechnia is first printed ; 
 at Venice. 
 
 Eden studies at Cambridge for ten years {see under 
 1573). What he states there, he confirms elsewhere, see 
 /. 1. col. \, ' that the ryght w^orfliypfuU and of fingular 
 
 D 
 
 1533. Aug. 31. 
 
 1533-1539. 
 1540. 
 
 1535-1544, 
 
 leamynge in all fciences, Syr Thomas Smyth, in my tyme the floure of 
 the Vniuerfitie of Cambridge, and sometyme my tutor.' He does not, how- 
 ever, seem to have taken any degree, while up at the University. 
 1539-1541. Sir T. Smith is travelling abroad. 
 
 1542. A folio edition of Chaucer's works is published, re- 
 
 markable for being an early instance of joint enterprise 
 among English printers, 'each having his own name alone 
 as printer, in the colophon of so many copies as were his proper share.' — 
 Herbert's Typographical Antiquities, p. 557, Ed. 1785-90. The joint 
 partners in this edition were W. Bonhim, F. Petit, R. Kele, and R. Toy. 
 1842-1547. Sir T. Smith is again resident at Cambridge. It 
 
 was probably during this period, that he taught Eden : 
 who had, for his fellow pupils under Sir T. Smith, 
 Edward Vere, afterwards the Earl of Oxford and a. most exquisite poet ; 
 and John Ponet, afterwards Bishop of Winchester. 
 
 1544-1546. Eden comes to Court, and holds a position in the 
 
 Treasuiy, for about two years ; which is his first appoint- 
 ment in the Civil Service. 
 1545. Oct. The First edition of Thomas Geminus' important 
 
 ' Epitome of The Fabric of the Human Body, by A. 
 Vesalius,' is published in Latin in London, in folio size ; 
 illustrated with remarkable engravings, ' all drawen out, and graven 
 in braffe, and fo impriented by my own labour.' The dedication to 
 Henry VIII. is dated London, 4 Kal. Oct. [28th September] 1 545. 
 
 Geminus, in his next edition of 1553, states that King Henry very much 
 wished that this anatomical work should be widely published abroad : and 
 that he himself had subsequently heard that it had been ' notably well 
 
XXXVlll 
 
 The Life and Labours of Richard Eden. 
 
 accepted, and hath doen muche good in Italye, Fiaunce, Spaine, and 
 Germaine, and other foren parties.' 
 
 1547. Eden is destined to the office of the Distillery ; when 
 
 the King dies : see p. xlv. 
 
 1547. Jan. 28. lEUtoaili iajf. «ucccrt« to tl)c ffrotaun. 
 
 1547. The Lord Protector, however, gives the Distillery to 
 one, who held it down to, at least, so late as 1573. 
 
 1547.* Eden marries; and has by his wife twelve children in 
 
 the next fourteen years : who all apparently grow up to 
 manhood ; else the argument and appeal then used by 
 him in 1573, would seem to be faulty. 
 
 1548. Sept. Master William Cecil, aet. 28, is appointed Secretary 
 
 to the Lord Protector Somerset. 
 
 1549. Oct. 10. In the political revolution, occasioned by the advent 
 
 to power of the Earl of Warwick, afterwards the Duke 
 of Northumberland — to whom Eden, in 1553, dedicated 
 his Trcatyfe of the newe India — Master W. Cecil is 
 Nov. confined to his house (Oct. 10) ; and in November is 
 sent to the Tower ; from whence he is set free on the 2Sth 
 
 1550. Jan. 25. January following. 
 
 The First edition of Girolamo Cardano's work, De 
 Subtilitate, is printed at Nuremberg in folio. It was written in eight 
 months ; but under constant correction for three years before it appeared. 
 Eden thought very highly of it. 
 
 1550. May. The First edition, of the First Volume only, of Navi- 
 
 gationi e Viaggi [collected by J. B. Ramusio] is printed 
 at Venice. It was probably this First impression ; and 
 
 not the Second edition of the same Volume printed in March 1554, that 
 
 Eden made use of in his Compilation. 
 
 Sept. 5. Master W. Cecil is appointed one of the Secretaries 
 of State and a Privy Councillor. 
 
 1551. July 3. The sweating sickness, which had begun on isth 
 
 April at Shrewsbury, begins in London ; where 500 
 persons die in the first week. At this time, the first 
 
 English ship that ever went to Barbary, leaves Portsmouth ; under the 
 
 command of T. Windham (see p. xix). 
 
 Oct. 11. Sir W. Cecil is knighted. 
 
 1552. Spring. Eden writes thus, at p. 355, about the middle of 1555, 
 
 ' And wheras as concemynge the knowleage of metals, 
 I was once mynded to haue tranflated into Englyflie 
 the hoole worke of Pyrotechnia, wherof I fynyfflied. xxii. chapitures now 
 more then three yeares fence, and lefle the copie therof in the handes of 
 one of whome I coulde neuer get it ageyne (omyttynge to fpeake of other 
 ingratitudes) I was therby difcouraged to proceade any further in that 
 woorke.' From this, it is evident that, by this time, Eden was a good 
 Italian scholar. His translation of the first three chapters will be found at 
 
 //• 3S6-368- 
 
 1552. About this date, Eden was, I believe, acting as private 
 
 secretary to Sir W. Cecil. I have, however, lost the 
 
 reference to the authority for this. 
 
 1552. April 22. Sir W. Cecil is made Chancellor of the Order of the 
 
 Garter. 
 
 May 2 or 9. The second English voyage sets out for Barbary, 
 
 /. xix. 
 June 3. Girolamo Cardano, on his way from Italy, reaches 
 London ; and after a rest of three days, travels in 
 twenty -three days to Edinburgh: where he somewhat 
 successfiilly prescribes for Cardinal Beaton. After a 
 stay of seventy-five days there ; he leaves Edinburgh on 
 Sept. 12. 1 2th September, on his return towards Italy. 
 See further respecting this femous Italian magician or physician — this 
 considerable genius — this prolific author (he vvrote in all 222 treatises, large 
 and small) — this most impudent liar and profligate liver, in Professor 
 Morley's Life of Jerome Cardan, 1856. It is quite possible that Eden saw 
 Cardano — whose works, he quotes as of the highest authority — ^while he 
 was staying in LondotL 
 
 1552. July 20. Geminus, in the Dedication prefixed to the Second 
 edition of his "Epitome of Vesalius' Anatomy Si'c." 
 
 (with the explanations to the plates, greatly augmented and in English), 
 which is dated " At Windfore, the. xx. July 1552," (the engraved 
 title is, however, dated 1553) goes on to state, after what we have already 
 quoted above, under 1S4S. as follows : — 'And now of late by the informa- 
 cion of fundrye frendes and alfo of diuerfe furgepns, I haue ben borne 
 in hande, that the fame worke beeyng fet foorth in the Englifli tounge 
 might greatly auaile to ye knowledge of the vnlatined Surgeons, 
 and by meane of them, fliould bee muche more beneficiall, then in latin 
 it is to an infinite nombre of people in thys your Maiefties Royalme of 
 Englande. Wherefore myndyng to rendre vnto this Countrey, in which 
 by your graces proteccion and bounteous liberalitie I Hue, as muche 
 fruite as my poore induftiie and continuall trauaile may poffibly bee hable 
 to yelde, I haue earneftly applyed my felfe to make common and familiar 
 to all Englifhe people that which hath ben found profitable among fo 
 many foren nacions. Whereunto forafmuch as I am not my felfe fo 
 perfeict and experte in the Engliflie tonge that I dare warraunt or truft 
 myne owne dooynges, I haue vfed the fludious pcines of Nicholas Vdall 
 [the author of Roister Doister, our earliest known English comedy] and 
 certain other learned men whofe exercife in tranflaccions and pennyng iii 
 this tounge hath ben (as I vnderftande) not without feme fruite to the 
 common weale.' Eden edited the next edition in 1559. 
 
 1552. Dec. 2. The printing of the first edition of Francisco Lopez de 
 
 Gomira's Istoria de las. Indias y conquista de Mexico, is 
 finished at Saragossa. 
 
 1553. May 9. The date of the Ordinances &c. for the English fleet 
 
 going for the discovery of Cathay by the North-East ; 
 given by Sebastian Cabot, as ' Gouernour of the myfterie 
 and companie of the Marchants aduenturers for the difcouerie of Regions, 
 Dominions, Hands, and places vnknown ; ' who were not, however, incor- 
 porated by royal charter, until 6th February 1555 (i and 2 Philip and Mary). 
 For these Ordinances, see Hakluyt's Voyages, &'c., p. 259, ed. 1589. 
 1553. May 20. The first English fleet, consisting of the Bona Espe- 
 ranza, 120 tons. Captain Sir Hugh Willoughby, General 
 of the whole fleet ; the Edward Bonaventure, 160 tons. 
 Captain Richard Chancellor, Pilot Major, with Stephen Burrough (or as 
 Eden calls him at p. xli. col. 2, Steuen a Burrough), for Master ; and the 
 Bona Confidentia, 90 tons, Cornelius Deerfoorth, Master : leave RatclitT 
 on their voyage, and get as far as Deptford. 
 
 May 21. About 2 p.m. they leave Deptford. Then occurred 
 the scene thus vividly described to us by Clement 
 Adams : of which it is almost certain that Eden was 
 an eye-witness. 
 ' The greater fliippes were towed downe with boates, and oares, and 
 the mariners being all apparelled in watchet or flcie coloured clothe, 
 rowed a maine, arid made way with diligence. And being come neere to 
 Greentwich (where the Court then laye) prefently vpon the newes thereof 
 the Courtiers came running out, and the common people flockt together, 
 ftanding very thicke vpon the fhoare : the priuie Counfell, they lookt out 
 at the windowes of the Court, and the reft ranne vp to the toppes of the 
 towers : the fliippes hereupon difcharge the Ordinance, and (hoote off their 
 pieces after the maner of warre, and of the fea, infomuch that the tops of 
 the hilles founded therewith, the valleys, and the waters gaue an Eccho, 
 and the mariners they fliouted in fuch fort, that the flcie rang againe 
 with the noyfe thereof. One ftoode in the poope of the fliippe, and by 
 .this gefture biddes farewell to his friends in the beft manner he coulde. 
 Another walkes vpon the hatches, another climbes the flirow[d]es, another 
 ftandes vpon the maine yarde, and another in the toppe of the fliippe. 
 To bee fliort, it was a very triumphe (after a fort) in all lefpects to the 
 beholders. But (alas) the good King Edwarde (in refpect of whome 
 principally all this was prepared) hee only by reafon of his ficknefle was 
 abfent from this fliewe, and not long after the departure of thefe fliips, 
 the lamentable and moft forowfull accident of his death followed.'— 
 Hakluyt, Voyages, p. 282, Ed. 1589. 
 
 May This voyage seems to have aroused a general interest 
 
 in cosmography. People began to think of the great 
 
 unknown world outside and beyond England. Some 
 
 one printed a tract or single sheet, entitled Of the new found lands, which 
 
 Eden derides at/. 5. This publication stirred him up to a rapid trans- 
 
 lation of a part of the Fifth book of Muenster's colossal Cofmography. 
 
The Life and Labours of Richard Eden. 
 
 xxxtx 
 
 June.* Thus appeared Richard Eden's first literary work, 
 
 (see title at /. 3), printed by Edward Sutton. He 
 dedicates it to John Dudley, Duke of Northumber- 
 land, the then all-powerful Protector. The Dedication is important 
 in relation to the controverted life of Sebastian Cabot. It is to be noticed 
 that in it Eden boasts of having already read the Decades. To this month 
 and year is therefore also to be assigned the composition of his address 
 'To the Reader' at pp. "j-ll ; in which he so manfully strives to uproot 
 the general ignorance and timidity of his time. 
 
 1553. July 6. iffiarg's reign rommcncts. 
 
 1553. Aug. 12. The first English voyage to Guinea leaves Ports- 
 
 mouth, see p. 375. 
 Aug. 20. The printing of the second edition of Lopez de 
 
 Gomara's Historia is finished at Medina del Campo. 
 Aug. 22. John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland (to whom, 
 
 Eden had dedicated, within less than three months before, 
 
 his first work), is beheaded at the Tower ; with Sir T. 
 
 Gates, and Sir T. Palmer. 
 
 1554. Summer.* Richard Chancellor's ship, the Edward Bonaventure, 
 
 returns to England ; but is robbed on the way home, by 
 some Flemings. The crews of the other two ships. 
 Spring.* under Sir Hugh Willoughby, to the number of seventy 
 persons, are frozen to death ; while wintering at Arzina fiord, for ' want 
 of experience to have made caues or stoues.' It appears from a will 
 found in one of the ships, that Sir Hugh Willoughby and most of his 
 company, were alive in January 1554. 
 
 1554. July 25. Queen Mary is married to Philip, Prince of Spain, at 
 
 Winchester. 'Shortly after King Philip and Queene 
 
 Mary remooued from Winchester to Basing, [and] from 
 
 Aug. 5. thence to Windsor, where, on the fifth of August, the 
 
 King was stalled in the noble order of the garter, where he kept a great 
 
 feast, and at that time the Earle of Sussex was made knight of the garter.' 
 
 — Stow, p. 1057, Ed. 1600. 
 
 Aug. 17. ' The King and Queue remooued to Richmond, from 
 
 thence by water to Southwarke, accompanied with the 
 
 noble men and ladies, the King in one barge, the Queen 
 
 in another, and landed at the Bishop of Winchesters staires neere to S. 
 
 Maries Queries church, and so passed through that place and park into 
 
 SufiFolke place, where they rested that night.' — Stow, idem. 
 
 Aug. 18. 'And the next day, being the 18 of August, they rode 
 through Southwarke ouer the bridge, and so through 
 London, where they were with great prouision received of 
 the citizens, pageants in places accustomed, the crosse in Cheape new gilt, 
 &c., and passing through Paules churchyard, a man came sliding, as it were 
 flying upon a rope, from Paulessteeple down to the deans wall.' — Stow, idem. 
 As Eden tells us, at p. 46, intoxicated by the shows, the triumphs, and 
 universal acclamations that greeted the gorgeous royal procession through 
 the City, he was led first to debate within himself as to whether he could 
 by any original publication perpetuate to future Ages, not so much the 
 glorious reception, as its worthiness and significance : but thinking of 
 nothing sufficiently worthy, he was led to consider the marvellous 
 discoveries, conquests, and empire of the Spanairds ; all of which bade 
 fair to become (should the royal pair have issue) the, joint heritage of 
 England. Hence his great Compilation is distinctly the result of the 
 Marriage Procession of this day. 
 
 Within the following twelve months (working incessantly, and for 
 tiothing), Eden translated or wrote all that is reprinted in this volume, 
 between pp. 43 and 398. Inasmuch as the work was one of great bulk 
 ' (though, at the time, of national importance), several printers combined 
 together for its risk of its publication : while the printing of it was 
 wholly intrusted to William Powell. There are copies extant with the 
 colophons of Robert Toy, Richard Jugge, Edward Sutton, and also, as 
 Herbert states at p. 738, William Seres, and perhaps others. These are 
 the "parteners" to whom Eden refers at/. 330. — See 1542 above. 
 
 Leonhardus Gorecius, a Polish knight, writes a congratulatory Latin 
 Oration to the people and nobles of England on the royal marriage, which 
 was printed by William Powell, who was also, at the same time, busily 
 engaged on Eden's Compilation. Eden refers to this Oration at/. 47. 
 
 1554. Oct. 2. ' There came to the Tower in twenty carts made for the 
 show, accompanied with certain Spaniards of the King's 
 Guard, ninety-seven little chests, of a yard long and four 
 inches broad, of silver, which will make by estimation fifty thousand 
 pounde ' [equivalent to ;£'75o,ooo of the present day] : Harl. MS. 194 
 [which is a ' Pocket Diary of a resident in the Tower between July 1553 
 and October 1554'] reprinted by the Camden Society under the title of 
 The Chronicle of Queen Jane, 1 850. John Foxe, in his Actes and Monumentes, 
 'Ss'c., Ed. 1563, states that the silver was 'matted about with mats, and 
 mayled in little handles, about two feet long and almoft half a foot thick, and 
 in euery cart fixe of thofe bundles.' I presume this is what Eden refers 
 to at /. 56, as the 18,000 pounds ' weyght of fyluer which was coyned 
 to the Kynges vfe in the towre of London where neuer fo much hath 
 byn feene at once as fuche as haue byn owlde officers in the mynte doo 
 affirme.' It was brought there from Peru and Rio de la Plata, by the 
 celebrated Spanish historian Augustin de Zarate ; whose Historia del 
 descubrimiento y conquista del Peru was published at Antwerp in the 
 next year. 
 
 It was probably after the formation of this acquaintanceship with Zarate, 
 and while his great Collection, here reprinted, (itself an honour to the 
 Spanish nation) was in the press ; that by the favour of certain Spanish 
 nobles, Eden obtained a place in the English Treasury of the Prince of 
 Spain. 
 
 1554. Oct. 11. The second expedition to Guinea leaves the River 
 Thames, see/. 379. 
 Oct. 12. The third edition of Gomara's Historia is finished at 
 
 1554. Nov. 28. The Council of State announce by letter, at Dr. Ched- 
 sey's sermon at Paul's Cross, that the Queen is enceinte. 
 
 1554. Nov. 11. ) Parliament sits at Westminster. 
 
 1555. Jan. 16. ) Among other Acts passed by it, was the following 
 
 short one, r.ow known as I & 2 Philip and Mary, 
 u. 6 — entitled An Acte for renueng of three Eflatutes 
 made for the punifhement of Herefies : — "For th[e]exchuing and 
 avoiding of Errours and Herefies which of late haue ryfen growen 
 and much encreafed within this Realme, for that th[e]ordinaries 
 haue wanted aucthoritee to procede agaynfte thos that were infected 
 therwithe : Be it therfore ordeined and enacted by th[e]aucthorite 
 of this prefente Parliament, That the Statute made in the fifthe yere of 
 the Reigne of King Richarde the Seconde, concerning th[e]arTeftJng and 
 apprehencion of erronious and hereticall Preachers, And one other Statute 
 made in the feconde yere of the Reigne of King Henrye the Fourthe 
 concerning the repreffing of Herefies and punifhment of Heretikes, And 
 alfo one other Eftatute made in the feconde yere of the Reigne of King 
 Henrye the Fifthe, concerning the fuppreffion of Herefie and LoUardye, 
 and euery Article, Blanche and Sentence contained in the fame three 
 feuerall Actes and every of them, fliall from the xx* day of lanuarye next 
 coming [1555] be revived and be in full force ftrengthe and effecte to all 
 Intentes conftruccions and purpofes for ever." — Statutes of the Realm, 
 iv. 244, ed. 1819. 
 
 1555. Jan. 1. The date of John Elder's letter describing the mar- 
 
 riage of the King and Queen in the previous July ; which 
 letter was immediately printed. 
 Jan. 20. The burning of Protestants becomes lawful on and 
 
 after this day, by the above Act of Parliament. 
 Feb. 4. John Rogers, the first of the Marian martyrs, is burnt 
 
 at Smithfield. 
 Feb. 6. The Moscovy Company is incorporated by Royal 
 Charter: having for its Executive ; Sebastian Cabot, 
 Governor ; four Consuls ; and twenty-four Assistants. 
 Eden must have watched the proceedings of this Company with the deepest 
 interest. Indeed, it is probable that the entire section. Of Moscovie and 
 Cathay (which has nothing whatever to do with the title-page or original 
 plan of his Compilation ; at which he must have been working hard, all 
 through this winter) was suggested by the return of Richard Chancellor 
 and the subsequent Incorporation of this Company ; and put forth by him, 
 as a goodwill offering towards their success and information. 
 1555. Feb. 8. Laurence Saunders is burnt at Coventry ; and so the 
 legalized religious massacre goes on. 
 
xl 
 
 The Life and Labours of Richard Eden. 
 
 May 21. Is the latest actual date in Eden's Compilation, and 
 therefore in the three Works here reprinted. It will 
 be found towards the bottom of /. 382. On this day 
 the English ships, returning on their way home from 
 Guinea, were in 39° 30' N. At their rate of progress 
 they could hardly have reached England before the end 
 July.* of July. 
 
 Aug.* Therefore Section VII. of Eden's Compilation was 
 
 written and printed in August; and, at the earliest, 
 
 his newly printed Compilation and the printing of the 
 
 entire book could hardly have been finished before 
 
 Sept.* September. 
 
 Immediately after which ; Thomas Watson, Bishop of 
 
 Lincoln,— the fellow-student of Roger Ascham ; by 
 
 whom his Latin play of Absalom [? if the MS. is 
 
 now at Wilton House] is exceedingly praised in his Schoolmaster, 1570 
 
 — accuses Eden before Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, for heresy; of 
 
 which his newly printed Compilation would afford ample evidence. 
 
 • Oct. 24. Bishop Gardiner, however, dies ; and Eden somehow 
 escapes punishment, with simply the loss of his office : 
 and then seems, for the next three years to be living in 
 retirement ; his family steadily increasing all the while. 
 
 1556. Jan. 10. The printing of Martin Cortes' Breve compendia de la 
 
 sphera y de la arte de nauegar is finished at Seville. 
 Nov. 7. Richard Chancellor, in the wreck of his ship the Philip 
 and Mary in Pettislego Bay, Scotland, is drowned — while 
 endeavouring in a boat to save the Russian Ambas- 
 sador's life ; in accomplishing which, he loses his own. 
 
 1557. Feb. 27-28. Eden probably witnessed the splendid reception 
 
 by the Moscovy Company, of Osep Gregorevitch 
 Napea, the first Russian Ambassador, on his arrival 
 in London, for the prods verbal of which, see Hakluyt, Voyages, &'c., 
 p. 321, Ed. 1589. From the omission in this notarial document of all 
 allusion to Sebastian Cabot ; it is evident that he was but recently dead. 
 For Eden's account of his death — the only one extant — see p. xl vii. , col. 2. 
 It probably occurred about this date : for when Eden, about the Summer 
 of 1555, wrote the heading at/. 283, ' that woorthy owlde man Sebaftian 
 Cabote, yet liuynge in Englande,' was still 'Gouemour of the coompany 
 of the marchantes of Cathay.' 
 
 1558. Nov. 17. J£Ii(«ibetI) Buccfftia to tfjc ti)vone. 
 
 We now come to the two earliest printed notices of Eden. His reputa- 
 tion had travelled over the Continent to the English Protestant exiles 
 in Switzerland ; and two of them thus vaguely and incorrectly refer to his 
 literary labours, but g^ve him the wrong Christian name. 
 
 1558. Lawrence Humphrey (who died Dean of Winchester, 
 on I Feb; 1590), in his three books of Interpretatio 
 Hnguarum, the Dedication of which is dated, Basiliae, 
 
 Feb. 3, 1559, thus refers to our Editor-Author, at^. 520. ' Petrum quoque 
 Martyrem Argleriensem Joaimes Eden, Cosmographus et Alchumista uertit 
 De insulis nuper invent is.' 
 
 1558. Bp. Bale, at/. 1 10 of his Supplement (written in 1558), 
 to his Scriptorium illustrium, Sr-c the printing of which 
 was finished in Feb. 1559, is a little more explicit ; but 
 
 still follows Humphrey closely. "Johannes Eden, Cosmographus et 
 alchumista ut k quibusdam [i.e. L. Humphrey] narratur, ingeniosus ac 
 peritissimus, inter alia scripsit De nauigationibus Portugalensium, Lib. I. 
 [This is evidently Eden's first publication. Of the newe Indta.l Transtulit 
 Petrum Martyrem Angleriensem. De insulis nuper inuentis. Lib. i. [or 
 la.'&iet Ae Decades']. Aliaque fecit multa. Clariut anno Domini. 1556." 
 
 1559. Sept. The printingof the Third editionofGeminus'.iiKa/OTTy, 
 
 &'c., ' enlarged, amplified, and fo corrected and diligently 
 
 perufed, that it maye seeme a newe worke, and rather an 
 
 other than it was before,' is finished. Richard Eden is, this time, the English 
 
 reviser ; and the fresh Dedication to the new Queen is evidently written by 
 
 him for Geminus, as its smooth connected style abundantly demonstrates. 
 
 1561. Eden's next literary work seems to have been the 
 
 translation (and probably also, in part, the devising of 
 
 the numerous, and, for that time, difficult woodcuts of 
 
 xl 
 
 this work of Martin Cortes' Arte de Navigar, at the expense of certain 
 members of the Moscovy Company : towards which, Eden appears, at this 
 time, to have stood in the same relation as Hakluyt did, fifty years later, to 
 our East India Company. This work is remarkable not only for the num- 
 ber of the wood engravings (some of them moveable) of different mathe- 
 matical instruments ; but also for a small outline map of The Newe Worlde, 
 or more properly of the North Atlantic basin. This is probably the 
 earliest pHnUd map of America ever produced in England : and is 
 evidently copied from the original in Cortes' Compendia. 
 
 To this translation, Eden prefixed the following excellent Preface : 
 in respect to which, it is significant to notice that Sebastian Cabot's name 
 is omitted from the inscription. 
 
 To the ryght worjhypfull fyr VVyllyam Garrerd Knyght, and 
 Majter Thomas Lodge, Aldermen of the Citie of London, and 
 Gouernours of the honorable felawfhyp or focietie, afwell ofcerteine 
 of the Nobilitie, as of Marchauntes aduenturers,far the difcdiiery 
 ofLatuies, Territories, Ilandes, and Seignories vnknowen, and not 
 before their firfl aduenture or enterprife by Seas or Nauigations 
 commonly frequented : 
 
 And to the right worfhypfuU the Canfullcs, Ajffiflentes, and com- 
 minaltie of the fame focietie, Richarde Eden -wyffheth health and 
 profperitie. 
 
 Hat foeuer he was (ryght honorable and worfhypfuU) that 
 fyrfte beleued that the frame and coaptacion of the bodye 
 of man, with the fiinctions, offices, and duilies of the partes 
 and members of the fame, knytte together in a certen 
 vnitie to a common miniftration, dyd reprefent a lyuely 
 Image and fimilitude of a perfecte common wealth : I thynke that he was 
 a man of no vulgare iudgement or abiecte mynde, but rather of finguler 
 wyfdome and prudence in the contemplacion of Diuine and humane 
 thynges. For he fawe, that as in the fmall natiue feede of all growyng or 
 lyuing thinges, is conteyned the fourme that bryngeth them to theyr 
 perfection : fo in certeyne fmall and obfcure members of the common 
 wealth, confifleth no fmall increafe to the perfection of the whole. 
 He fawe lykewyfe that herein, as in the bodye of man reprefentyng 
 the partes and members of the worlde (as I haue fayde) are dyuers partes 
 of dyuers and fundrye actions and motions, greatly dyfferyng in fourme, 
 number, and quantitie, yet all the fame to be fo knytte together, and fo 
 to confent in one vniformitie to the common profyte of the whole, 
 that a greater Concorde and harmonye can not be imagined, then is 
 proportioned by the frendly vnitie of dyuers and contrarye. He fawe lyke- 
 "wyfe in the fame, fuch a mutuall compaffion of parte to parte, and member 
 to member, by one common fence exiftent in them all, that no one part or 
 member can feele eyther ioye or payne, but that in maner all the other 
 are parttakers therof more or leffe, yf they be lyuely members, and not 
 wythered or otherwyfe vnfenfate by reafon of dead flefhe, which onely 
 by cuttyng and burning ought to be deuyded from the founde and 
 whole. But as in man (whom Plato calleth the leffe world) the 
 vigour and agilitie of the immortall foule and mynde, neuer ceaffeth 
 from continuall mouyng, but is euer exercyfed in <excogitacions and inuen- 
 tions of great thinges (herein refemblyng God, whofe caracte it beareth) 
 by prouidence forefeing, and by intelligence vnderitandjmg and deuyfyng 
 what is to be done, and what to be efchewed, doth immediatly moue and 
 rayfe vp the faculties, powres, and members of the body to execute the 
 fame : Euen fo in the greater worlde, the prouidence of God, and vniuerf- 
 all counfayle and confent of men, hath elected and appoynted certen prin- 
 cipall men, to beare lyke rule and auctoritie in the bodye of the common 
 wealth, as hath the intellectiue foule in the members of onr bodye to moue 
 and commaunde the fame. To Princes therefore counfaylours, rulers, 
 gouernours and magiftrates, as to the mofl intellectiue and fenfitiue partes 
 of the focietie of men, hath God and nature geuen preeminence and gouern- 
 aunce of the common wealth, that by theyr prouidence, wyfdome, and ayde, 
 it may vniuerfally florylh, not onely by iufte adminiflration of good lavves, 
 with due correction of malefactours, but alfo by lyberall rewardyng of 
 fuche as haue well deferued : and efpecially by maintenaunce of fuche.artes 
 and fciences, as the common wealth can not well be without. And to 
 draw nearer to the applyinge of my fimilitude : I faye, that whatfoeuer 
 vertue, whatfoeuer arte, or the ingenious induflry of men hath to this day 
 inuented, all the fame is to be imputed to the beneuolence and liberalitie 
 
The Life and Labours of Richard Eden. 
 
 xli 
 
 of fuche as haue honourablye maintayned and freelye rewarded the trauay- 
 les, paynes, and charges of them that haue fpente theyr lyues, goodes, and 
 wyttes (as many haue done) in the inuentions of neceflarye and profytable 
 artes and fciences. For euen as holfome and temperate ayre with feafon- 
 able wether and fauorable influence of the heauens and pianettes, caufeth 
 fruitefulnes on the earth, and contrary wyfe, barenneffe by the contrary e : Euen 
 fo the fauour of Princes and Magiftrates noryOieth, augmenteth, and amp- 
 lyfyeth all artes and fciences by liberalitie, and extynguyfheth the fame 
 by miferable couetoufnes and parcimonie. And althoughe in fome men of 
 rare and noble nature, the defyre of honour and fame onely for vertues 
 fake, and ftudy toward theyr countrye and common wealth, hath moued 
 them in maner to theyr owne vndoyng through theyr greate loffe and 
 hynderaunce, to fette foorth and inuent diuers thynges for the commoditie 
 of the common wealth and other, rather then for theyr owne : yet vndoubt- 
 edly, who fo wel confidereth and indifferently wayeth that I haue fayde, 
 fhal fynde and fee by daylye experience, that in maner onely munificence, 
 liberalitie, and rewarde, or the hope thereof, geueth fpurres to them that 
 attempte great and vertuous enterprifes, as I coulde more largely proue by 
 fo many teftimonies of Hyftories, both holy and prophane, that the rehear- 
 fall therof flioulde be but tedious and not greatelye neceflarye for my 
 purpofe, efpecially wrytyng vnto your honoures and worfliyps, of whofe 
 muniflcence and liberalitie, I haue had great experience, bothe in my felfe 
 and others, who by your ayde and mainteynaunce haue attempted and per- 
 fourmed many goodly inuentions, viages, nauigations and difcoueries of 
 landes and Seas heretofore vnknowen. Wherein, what great charges you 
 haue fufteyned, and howe lyberall and conftant you haue ben in furtherynge 
 the fame, doth well declare that hyther to you are rather lofers than gayners 
 therby. The whiche thyng doubtelefle is the more to your commendation, 
 in that it maye hereby appeare that you haue attempted the fame rather 
 for knowledge and vertues fake, then for couetoufnes of gaynes : as is 
 furthermore well knowen by your fyrfte viages of difcouerye attempted to 
 Cathaye by the Northeaft feas, vpon certen lofle and detriment, for vncer- 
 teyne hope eyther of gaynes, or of any fuch way to be founde, otherwyfe 
 then by certen lykely coniectures : not much vnlyke to the Ihynyng flowres 
 of Marchafites, which outwardly appearyng in minerall mountaynes, are 
 fignes and token wherby is coniectured what metal is conteyned therein, 
 and whether the fame is to be folowed or not. And although it fometyme 
 fo chaunce that fuch fignes are fayleable, ftiewyng more in appearaunce 
 then they conteyne in fubftaunce : yet are not fuch fignes tokens, or ftiewes 
 to be contemned, but rather eameftly to be folowed, forafmuch as it hath 
 ben often proued and founde by experience, that by folowyng the fame, 
 haue ben founde great and riche mynes of metalles : as Georgius Agrkola 
 in his bookes De rebus metallicis, doth largely declare and proue by manye 
 examples. But to wryte at large what greate thynges haue proceaded of 
 fmall and obfcure begynninges, and in maner mere coniectures : it woulde 
 fo farre exceade the meafure of an Epifl;le or Preface, that it woulde rather 
 increafe to the iuft quantitie of a booke. For in maner all the late dif- 
 coueries both of the Spanyardes and Portugales, had theyr begynnyng of 
 fuch fmall coniectures, with vncerteyne hope (as it were preter fpem fub fpe) 
 vntyll God and good happe, by the confl;ant trauayle and valiaunt mynde 
 of fuch as fjrrft attempted the fame, gaue them to enioye that they hoped 
 for. But whatfoeuer they haue obteyned and do enioy, this may I boldly 
 fay in your behalf (right honorable and worihipfuU) that there hath not 
 lacked in you eyther the lyke or greater promptnefle of mynde, forwardnes 
 in attemptyng, magnificence in expences, and liberall in rewardes. For 
 befyde the great charges and lofles that you haue ben at otherwyfe, what 
 Ihould I fpeake of the great gyfles that you haue fente to the Emperour of 
 Ruflia? What of your laft chargeable vyage of difcouerye among the 
 innumerable Rockes, Ilandes, and moueable mountaynes of Ice in the 
 frofen fea, by innumerable landes and Ilandes vnknowen to the Antiques, 
 euen vnder and farre within and beyonde the circle Artike, where they 
 thought that no lyuynge creature coulde drawe breath or Hue for extreme 
 colde : wheras neuerthelefle the fame hath ben by you difcouered euen vnto 
 the myghtye ryuer of Ob, that falleth into the Scithian Ocean, or Oceanus 
 Hyperboreus, not farr from the mountaynes called Hyperbord, fo named 
 becaufe they are fituate almofl vnder the North pole, and thought therfore 
 to be inaccefifable. A vyage doubtlefle of fuch difficultie and in maner 
 impoflibilitie, that confyderyng the infinite daungiours therof (as I haue 
 learned by th[e]information of Steuen a Burrough, that was then the chiefe 
 
 Pilote of the fame vyage) it may feme impoflible that they flioulde euer 
 haue efcaped, excepte the myghtye hande of God, by the experte flcylful- 
 nefle of fo excellent a Pilot, had delyuered them from thofe daungers. 
 And although in dede (as religion byndeth vs) it is conuenient in all 
 thynges to geue all honour, glorye and thankes to God, yet are we not 
 thereby reftrayned to be thankfuU to fuch men, as by theyr arte, ingeniouf- 
 nes, trauayle, and diligence, haue deferued both iufte commendation and 
 large rewarde. And therfore referryng the rewarde to you (ryght honorable 
 and worfliypfuU, to whom it apperteyneth) yf I fliould not here geue hym 
 at the leaile fuche commendation, as in my iudgement he hath well deferued, 
 I myght feme both to defraude hym of his worthye defertes, and alfo to 
 forgette the frendfliyp and good wyll I beare hym, onely for his vertues 
 and excellencie in his profeflion. For certeynly when I confider how 
 indigent and deftitute this Realm is of excellent and expert Pilottes, I can 
 do no lefle of confcience, then in refpect of your owne commoditie, yea 
 rather for the commoditie of the Queenes Maieflie and the whole Realme, 
 to exhort you and put you in remembraunce (although I may herein feme 
 to put the fpurres to a runnyng horfe, as faith the Prouerbe) fo to regard 
 hym and efl:eme hym and his faythfull, true, and painefull feruice towarde 
 you, that he maye thereby be further encouraged, and not difcouraged, 
 eyther for lacke of maintenaunce, or other wyfe by the iniurious aflaultes 
 of fuch his enemies, as onely his vertues and excellencie haue moued to 
 beare hym difpleafure, as enuye doth euer folowe vertue, as faith the 
 Latine Prouerbe, Virtuti comes inuidia. And howe true a fentence this is, 
 is well verified by the faying of a certayne Philofopher (whofe name I do 
 not remember) who hearynge one vaynely reioyce that he had no enemies, 
 aunfwered that that was a token he hadde done lyttle good : Meanjmg 
 thereby (as dayly experience proueth) that yf he had excelled in any vertue, 
 he coulde not haue lacked fome enemies. And hauyng here touched to 
 fpeake of enuye, I remember that when I was a yonge fcoler, I haue read 
 in the Poet Hefwdus of two kyndes of enuye, whereof the one is called 
 Inuidia, and the other Aemulatio, which is more tollerable then the fyrfte, 
 for that it is ioyned with fome vertue, and enuyeth that anye flioulde excell 
 hym in any excellent qualitie that he profefleth. But forafmuch as this 
 enuy of emulation proceadeth of fome finguler vertue of them that are fo 
 maliced, they maye herein reioyce, that they fliall euer haue a hundreth 
 frendes for one enemie : yea and although they hadde none, yet is vertue 
 a rewarde to it felfe, and to be embrafed for it felfe onelye, as the Philo- 
 fophers affirme. What then fliall we fay to fuch, as forgettyng this rewarde 
 of vertue, do not onely [not] fauour, but rather hynder the preferment and 
 mayntenaunce of fuch experte men, more eftemyng certayne Fyfliermen 
 that go a trawlyng for fyflie in Catches or mongers, and dradgies for Oyfters 
 about the fandes, betwene the South furlande and Wynterton nefle, and the 
 fandes about Temmes mouth, then they do fuche excellent Pylotes as are 
 able without any Rutter or Garde of Nauigation, not onlye to attempte 
 longe and farre viages, but alfo to difcouer vnknowen landes and Ilandes, 
 as haue doone of late yeares many excellent men, to the great honour and 
 enrychyng of their Prynce and countrye. But as touching Steuen A Bur- 
 rough, the chiefe Pylote of your viagies of difcouery, it may hereby well 
 appeare yat he is neyther malicious nor enuious of his arte and fcience, in 
 that he defireth ye fame for the common profite to be commen to al men : 
 And for the fame intent was the fyril that moued certen worihypfull of your 
 company, as Syr William Garrerd, Maifl;er William Mericke, Maifter Blafe 
 Sanders, and Maifter Edwarde Caftlen, to haue this worke tranflated into 
 the Englifli tongue. Who of their own good nature fauouryng al vertuous 
 ftudies and the profeffours of the fame, did fone incline to his honeft requeft 
 herein : and therewith not only defired me, but alfo with liberall rewarde 
 enterteined me, to take in hande the tranflation. Whiche being nowe 
 finiflied as well as my poore leamyng may perfourme, I defyre your honours 
 and worftiyppes, to accepte in as good parte as I haue ment herein to 
 gratifie you, and doe fuche feruice as my abilitie may fuffice. Nowe ther- 
 fore this worke of the art of Nauigation, beyng publyflied in our vulgar 
 tongue, you may be afllired to haue more ftore of flcylful Pilotes. Pilotes 
 (I faie) not Pirottes, Rulers, not Rouers, but fuche as by their honeft 
 behauour and conditions ioyned with arte and experience, may doe you 
 honeft and true feruice : whiche is not to be looked for of fuche as beynge 
 deftitute as well of the feare of God as of all moral vertues, fuperbounde in 
 all notorious vyces, accoumpting defperatnefle for boldnefle, raflmeffe for 
 
 hardineffe, impudencie for ftoutuefle, and crueltie for manhod. What other 
 
 xli 
 
xlii 
 
 The Life and Labours of Richard Eden. 
 
 thjmg (I faye) is to bee looked for of fuche, then of fucbe trees fuch fruiteS, 
 Et mali corui malum ouum. But for as muche as thefe haue no place 
 appointed them in the bodie of our common wealth, whiche we haue here 
 before compared to the members of the bodie of man : therefore are they 
 no otherwyfe to be eftemed then as excrementes of the bodye, to whom 
 nature hath appointed no place in the fame, but laboureth continuallye to 
 caft them forth dyuers wayes, leafte by theyr filthyneffe they fhould infecte 
 the other members, euen as the pompe of the fliyppe if it be not auoyded, 
 is noyous to the fliippe and all that are therein. But the wyfe and honeft 
 Pylot, fyrft hauyng before his eyes the feare of God, and puttyng his chief 
 truft in hym, fliall fecondarely truft to his arte and fcience, without any 
 fuche vayne obferuations as the fuperflitious Horofcopers (Aftrologiers I 
 meane, and not Aftronomers) are accuftomed to vfe in the eleQtions of 
 houres, tymes, and dayes, by conftellations and afpectes of the Starres and 
 Planetes, as many fonde menne haue doone, thynkynge thereby to haue 
 efcaped fuche daungers, as they haue thereby the rather fallen into, throughe 
 contempte of arte and fcience by folyflie confidence in fupei-ftitious Aftro- 
 logie : which for the vanitie and vncertaintie thereof, the ryght worlhyp- 
 fuU and of fmgular leamynge in all fciences, Syr Thomas Smyth, in my 
 tyme the floure of the Vniuerfitie of Cambridge, and fomet3™e my Tutor, 
 was accuftomed to call Ingeniojiffimam artem mentiendi. (That is) the mofte 
 ingenious arte of lyinge. Omitting therefore the fuperflitious and phanta- 
 fticall obferuations of the iudicials of Aftrologie, it fhalbe better and more 
 neceffary for all Pylotes that defyre to excelle in theyr profeffion, to leame 
 and obferue the principles of thys booke, whereby they may haue fuche 
 knowledge of the.Sphere, as may inftructe them the makynge and vfe of 
 dyuers goodly Aftronomicall inftrumentes perteyninge to the arte of Naui- 
 gation, by knowledge of the mouynges of the Sunne and Moone in their 
 Spheres, and the other Planetes and fixte Starres : thereby to attayne to 
 the true knowledge of houres, tymes and tydeS, with the variation of the 
 Compaffe, and many other goodly naturall obferuations of weathers, 
 tempeftes, and calmes, by certain infaileable fygnes and tokens of the fame, 
 very neceffary to be obferued. And this by the true principles of Aflro- 
 nomie and not of Aftrologie. And this is the true Aftronomie wherof 
 the Diuine Philofopher Plato hathe wrytten fo diuine a fentence, that 
 I haue thoughte the fame here worthy to be alleaged, that by the auctho- 
 ritie of fo famous an aucthour, we maye knowe what is true Aftronomie, 
 with the vfe and commoditie therof. Therfore in his booke intituled 
 Timeus vel De Natura, thefe are his wordes. Rerum autem optimarum 
 cognitlonem, nobis oculi attulerunt. Nam Aisc quce de mundo difputarUur, 
 nunquam inucnta fuiffent, fi neque fydera, neque Sol, neque Ccelumfufpici 
 poluiffet. Co^ilio vera diet ac noctis, ab oculis orta, fecit vt dimenfione quadem, 
 menfium annorumque ambitus metiremur, tempus cognofceremus, ac vniuer/ce 
 natures ordincm fcrutaremur. Quibus ex rebus, philofophiam adepti fumus. 
 Tliat is to faye. Our eyes haue brought vnto vs the knowledge of mofte 
 excellent thinges. For what fo euer is difputed of the worlde, had neuer 
 bene inuented, yf neither the Starres, neither the Sunne, neither heauen, 
 coulde haue bene feene. For the knowledge of the daye and nyght, 
 takyng beginning at ye eyes, caufed vs as it were by certen limites and 
 boundes to meafure the circuites of monethes and yeares, wherby we came 
 to the knowledge of tymes and the order of vniuerfall nature. And hereby 
 alfo we obteyned the knowledge of Philofophie. &c. And thus by the 
 aucthoritie of Diuine Plato (whome for hys excellencie Cicero called Deum 
 Philofophorum (that is) the God of Philofophers) we maye vnderftande that 
 the true Aftronomie, is the perfecte knowledge of the miraculous mouinges 
 of ye Planetes, Starres, and heauens (and efpecially of the Sunne and 
 Moone) whereby is caufed the varietie of times and dyuerfitie of all natu- 
 rall thynges, by naturall caufes : as by the qualities of Elementes, as hoate, 
 colde, moyfte and drye, whyche are augmented or dymynylhed by the more 
 or leffe influence of thefe twoo Luminaries, as they comme nearer vnto vs 
 at fome t)rmes, or depart further from vs at other tymes, with diuers motions 
 in diuers climates whiche caufeth not onely varietie of tymes in fundry 
 climates, but alfo the varietie of diuers complexions, formes, and difpofi- 
 tions of all creatures vnder the face of heauen, none other accidentall con- 
 tyngent, voluntarie or violent caufe to the contrarie notwithfl:andinge. 
 And this is it that Plato meaneth by thofe wordes. Vt tempus cognofceremus 
 ac vniuerfa: natura ordincm, &'c. That is, to knowe the tymes and vniuer- 
 fall order of nature. And doubtleffe, who fo well confidereth the maruei- 
 lous effectes that are caufed, efpecially by the variable mouing of the Sunne 
 
 in the Zodiac, muft needes acknowledge it to be the chiefe inftrument and 
 meane that God vfeth in the generation, perfeniation, and alteration of all 
 creatures that are conteyned in the worlde of generation and corruption. 
 And for this confideration, certen of the auncient Philofophers called it the 
 foule of the worlde : Other the eye, ahd other alfo the heart of the worlde. 
 Plato alfo affirmeth that the foule of the woride is in the Sunne : And that 
 all other liuing thynges, receyue lyfe from hence. And hereof commeth 
 the fayinge of the Philofopher, Sol et homo generant hominem : (that is) the 
 Sunne and man, begette man. And therefore (as wryteth Marcilius 
 Ficinus) of all Idolaters they are moft toUerable that honour the Sunne for 
 God. The whiche although it bee not, yet vndoubtedlye are his effectes 
 fo greate and wonderfiiU in this inferiour worlde, that it may feme in maner 
 to be Gods Viceregent, Lieftenant and Viceroy in al the woorkes of nature, 
 excepte where and when it pleafeth hym in any thyng myraculouflye, 
 otherwyfe then by the common order and courfe of nature, to commaunde 
 the contrarie. 
 
 And yf it may not be tedious vnto you (ryght honorable and worfhypfull) 
 it (halbe a pleafure vnto me, for the better declaracion hereof, to make a 
 briefe difcourfe of the marueilous and ftraunge effectes that are caufed by 
 the Sunne : whiche perhappes fewe haue done, otherwyfe then difpearfedly 
 here and there, as occafion hath ferued. Fyrft therfore let vs confider whst 
 it hath done ouer the Equinoctiall line, and vnder both the poles at one 
 inftant, yet diuerfely and contrarely the one to the other. For fo hath the 
 infinite wyfedome of the greate God of nature, the fupreme Architecture of 
 the vniuerfall worlde, difpofed all thynges in fuch peifecte order, that to 
 them that are vnder the Equinoctiall, and haue theyr Horizon paflyng by 
 the two Poles, the daye is of xii. houres and the nyght as much, and theyr 
 yeare alfo is deuyded into. xii. monethes : But they that dwell iuft and 
 perpendiculerly vnder our pole, and that haue their Horizon paffyng ouer 
 the fayde line, haue the daye of fyxe monethes. That is to faye : begyn- 
 nyng from the tenth daye of Marche, when the Sunne commeth ouer the 
 fayde Horizon, whyle it returne to paffe vnder the fame at the tenth of 
 September. And contrarywyfe one nyght of fyxe monethes haue th[e] 
 inhabitauntes vnder the Pole Antartyke ; whofe yeare (that is to faye, all 
 the courfe that the Sunne maketh by the. xii. fignes of the Zodiac) is 
 accomplyflhed in one daye and one nyght. A thyng doubtleffe mofte 
 wonderful! and marueylous. I.ykewyfe, when we haue Sommer, they that 
 are vnder our Pole haue the daye of fyxe monethes, and they of the 
 oppofite or contrary Pole, haue theyr nyght of the fame length. Agayne, 
 when it is winter with vs, then vnder our Pole is the nyght of the fayde 
 fyxe monethes : and vnder the oppofite Pole, is the day of the fame length. 
 So that as it were courfe by courfe, when we haue the night, they haue 
 the day : And contrarywyfe, when we haue the day, they haue the night. 
 The which although it be fo longe and of fo great fpace of tyme, yet is it 
 not continuallye obfcured with darkeneffe. For the Sunne maketh his 
 courfe in fuch order, that th[e]inhabitauntes of that parte, lyue not durynge 
 that tyme altogether in darkeneffes, as Moles lyue vnder the grounde, but 
 as other creatures that lyue vpon the globe and face of the earth, they haue 
 fuche lyght as maye fuffice to fuftayne and mayntayne theyr lyfe. For the 
 bodye of the Sunne declineth no more eyther beneath the Equinoctiall line, 
 eyther aboue the fame line (which is the Horizon to both the Poles) than. 
 23. degrees : That is to faye, no lower or hygher then tlie Tropikes, whiche 
 are no more then 23. degrees or there about from the fayde Equinoctiall 
 that is theyr Horizon, as is aforefayde. And yet in thefe 23. degrees he 
 maketh not his courfe by the oppofite Diameter, but goeth continually 
 rounde about in circuite : fo that his beames reuerberatyng heauen, repre- 
 fente fuche a maner of lyght, as we haue in Sommer two houres before the 
 Sunne lyfe. And this example which we haue taken of the diuerfitie of 
 the Horizons of the Equinoctiall and vnder the two Poles, is to demonftrate 
 the marueylous effecte that the Sunne maketh departyng ffrom the. xii. 
 houres of the Equinoctiall (that is to fay, from Aries to Libra) and commyng 
 by lyttle and lyttle, illuminatyng the globe of the earth, and fo reduceyng the 
 yere of. xii. monethes, into one onely day and one nyght, as is fayde before. 
 Vnder the infinite varietie of the which courfe, fometyme with long dayes 
 and fometyme with fhorte, all the inhabitauntes of the worlde are fourmed 
 and difpofed of fuche complexion and ftrength of body, that euery of them 
 are proportionate to the Climate affigned vnto them, be it hotte or ccJde : 
 And may dwel and abyde there, as in theyr natural place and temperament! 
 not lamentyng or defyiyng to dwell elfwhere, fo grete a loue refteth in 
 
The Life and Labours of Richard Eden, 
 
 xliii 
 
 them to their natiue fituation. But not to departe from the vyage whiche 
 the Smine maketh in one whole yeare, as fometyme approchyng neare vnto 
 vs, and fometyme departyng from vs. I faye that at one felfe fame tyme 
 in dyuers partes vpon the rounde globe of the earth, it caufeth the Spryng, 
 Sommer, Autumne, and Wynter. And neuertheleffe at the fame inftant 
 and punct of time it maketh day and high noone in one place, and nyght and 
 mydnyght on the oppofite part. The which varietie although it appeare 
 incomprehenfible to the flendemeffe of our W7ttes, yet beholdynge the fame 
 with the eyes of vnderftandyng, and therwith confideryng the vneftimable 
 mouyng that the Sunne maketh continually, we Ihall fynde it to be true, 
 hauyng refpecte to the dyuers fituations of the earth, as it is continuallye 
 illuminate more' or leffe by the Sunne. And this varietie is made with fuch 
 a Harmonye and confonancie, and fuch a lawe perpetuall and immutable, 
 that yf any poynt or pricke therof ftioulde fayle, it is to be doubted leaft the 
 elementes fliould be confounded together, and returne to their fyrft Chaos. 
 And to haue fayde thus muche of the wonderfuU effectes of the courfe of 
 the Sunne, it maye fuffice for an example to proue howe neceflary a thyng 
 it is, not onlye for all Pilottes and Sea men to haue the knowledge hereof, 
 but alfo for all other such as fliall attempt great and farre viagies in vnknowen 
 landes and ftraunge countryes, as dyd of late mafter Jenkynfon a worthye 
 gentleman, fette foorth by you and mainteyned at your charges, more lyke 
 an Ambaffatoure fente from anye Prince or Emperour, then from a com- 
 panye of marchaunt men. Wherein, what commendation you haue defer- 
 ued, to the encreafe of your perpetual fame and honour, I referre it to that 
 I haue fayde before. And as touching mafter lenkynfon, what trauayles, 
 paynes, and daungers he hath fufteyned, and hardely efcaped, and what 
 diligence and arte he hath vfed in tlie fearching of ftraunge countryes, and 
 in the defcription of thofe his viages, it were but in vayne for me to wryte 
 much vnto you, vnto whom the fame is better knowen then to me. And 
 therfore to conclude, with rendring iuft commendations both vnto you 
 and him, I can fay no more, but as Plato wiyteth in his booke De Le^bus. 
 Decens ejl eos dues laudibus ornare, gut corporis velanimi viribus, res arduas 
 prectarafque gefserunt, et legUms libenter panterunt. That is to fay : It is 
 decent to commende thofe Citifens that by theyr induftry of bodye or 
 mynde, haue done greate affayres, and haue willingly obeyed good lawes. 
 And thus eftfones defyryng your Honours and Worihyppes to accept 
 in good parte whatfoeuer I haue faide of good wyll and affection 
 towarde you and your proceadynges, and with your fhielde 
 of luftice and auctoritie, to defende me agaynile the 
 aflaultes of fuch as are enemies to vertue, and cap- 
 tious of other mens doinges: Irefte at yourcom- 
 maimdement to the vttermoft of my powre, 
 to do you what feruice I maye. 
 
 1562. March 1. John Taisnier, Doctor of Laws \b. at Ath, in Brabant], 
 a writer in astrology and chiromancy, publishes at 
 Cologne a tract, De natura magnetis et ejtis effectibus. 
 
 Giaesse, in his Trisor, states that it is a gross plagiary from Pellegrine 
 
 de Maricourt's De Magnete, printed in August 1558. 
 
 1562. The Civil Wars in France begin by the unpremeditated 
 
 massacre of Hugenots at Vassy by the Duke of Guise. 
 
 1562. Eden's wife is apparently dead, and he himself 
 
 residing in the house of a friend ; when the following 
 
 Aug. 1. letter was written. It is manifestly addressed to Sir W. 
 
 Cecil, who was brother-in-law to Sir John Cheke. Both 
 
 the writer and the Secretary of State were now about forty-two years of age. 
 
 Apparently Eden was to receive ;£'20 [=;^lSO nov)^ as an earnest penny 
 
 for a translation of Pliny into English. 
 
 HE only fearcher of mens hartes the etemall god I take to 
 yrytneffe (right Honorable) that neuer the greefes of aduerie 
 fortune (wherof I haue had my parte),dyd fo muche proftrate 
 my mynde and pearce my harte with forowes, as the vnder- 
 ftonding of your honours fauour and goodneffe towarde me in 
 your lately emefttravaile in my behalfe (as I was informed by the Mafter of 
 Savie) hatiie reioifed me and revived my Difcouragied fpirites, heretofore no 
 leffe languyfflied for lacke of fuche a Patrone, then nowe encouragied by the 
 fauoure of fuche a Mcecenas, as I haue iuft caufe to name your honoure, fyth 
 only the refpecte of fuche vertues as it hathe pleafed you to thinke commend 
 able in me, hath moved your Honour not only in maner to feeme careful! for 
 
 me howe I maye hereafter with quietneffe fpende my tyme in ftudie (as is my 
 moft defire) but alfo to be more erneft in folowing the fame, then I might 
 without prefumption demaunde, and muche leffe without defertes dequire. 
 As touchinge the which matter (right Honorable) as it was no parte of my 
 diuife, but fuche as the Mafter of Savoy had then in hande as I fuppofe no 
 leffe to pleafure hym felfe and his frende then for xxli therof to be lotted 
 to me for an eameft penye to begynne the booke (as he faith), Even fo 
 am I right forie that for fo fmaule a matter, and not fo favorable a fute as 
 I wolde have wyffhed, not only your Honour hathe taken fuche paynes, 
 but that alfo fuche contention is ryfen therof betwene the Mafter of Sauoy 
 and Mafter Baptift of the privie chamber, that by reafon therof the pardon 
 being fteyed be your Honour, the younge gentleman his kynfman (as he 
 hathe informed me) is in Daungiour of his lyfe. But vnder your honours 
 fauour to fpeake playnelye as I thinke, I fuppofe that here Aliquid latet 
 quod non apparel, ffor as this fute for dyuers confyderations at the firft 
 dyd not greatly like me, yet perceauing his emeftueffe therin for the fafe- 
 garde of his kinfmans life and gratifying his frendes, I no leffe willing 
 therin to do hym pleafure alfo, was well contented to affent to his requeft, 
 and to ftande to his appoyntment, not fufpecting his frendefhippe, but 
 rather commending his wyfdome, fo to doo for his frende as therwith not 
 to forget hym felfe, quia nihil fapit quifibi nonfapit. But if at that tyme, 
 I might fo boldelye haue prefumed vppon your honours fauour, as by your 
 emeftneffe in my behalfe I nowe perceaue I might haue doonne, I wolde 
 haue moued your Honour of an honefter fute (for a leafe to be had at the 
 queenes handes) wherof I made hym priuie, and was longe fenfe fo mynded 
 to haue doonne, but that he Deterred me frome the fame, alleaging certen 
 cbmmiffionars to haue the Doinges therof, and that therfore no fuche thing 
 might be had at her Maiefties handes : Albeit, I haue fythens hard of 
 Dyvers that haue obteyned the like. Notwithftonding (as in ray former 
 letters I wrotte to your Honour) my meaning is, fo to move your Honour 
 hereof, as neyther to be an importunate futer ; or otherwyfe to thinke the 
 fame to be folowed, then fliall feeme good vnto your Honour, vnto whof[e] 
 will I fubmitte my felfe in all thinges : Only putting your Honour in re- 
 memberaunce of the commodious place and tyme that I nowe enioye for that 
 purpofe : for the contynuance wherof, I was a futer vnto your Honour for 
 your letters vnto the gentleman my frende in whofe house I yet remayne. 
 Who alfo being one that fauoureth learninge, and my greate frende, and no 
 leffe gladde to further fo good a purpofe, is well willing the rather to my 
 vfe, to departe frome a piece of his commoditie, in fuche forte as appeareth 
 by the byll herein inclofed. Wherof, further to aduertyfe your Honour if 
 you Ihall fo thinke it convenient, he will hym felfe repayre vnto your Honour 
 to giue you perfecte informacon of all thinges as touching the fame. 
 
 And wheras the Mafter of Savoye tolde me that your Honour fum- 
 what Doubted that the booke coulde not be tranflated into the Englyfflie 
 toonge, I affure you Honour that this I Dare faye without arrogancie, that 
 to tranflate the variable hiftorie of Plinie into our toonge, I wolde be 
 afhamed to borowe fo muche of the Latine as he Dotjie of the Greke, 
 althowgh the Latine toonge be accompted ryche, and the Englyffhe indigent 
 and barbarous, as it hathe byn in tyme paft, muche more then it nowe is, 
 before it was enriched and amplyfied by fundry bookes in manner of all 
 artes tranflated owt of Latine and other toonges into Englyfflie. And it 
 is not vnknowen vnto your Honour that the Latins receaving bothe the 
 fcience of philosophic and phifike of the Grekes, Do ftill for the moft parte 
 in all ther tranflaoions vfe the Greke names, in fo muche that for the 
 better vnderftondyng of them, one Otto Brumfelfms, a learned man, hathe 
 writen a large booke Intiteled OnomaJKcon medicina, where he hathe thefe 
 woordes. Res ip/as, atque artiumvocabula, /cite, appofite, defigtmtceque efferre, 
 atque ad Polycleti regulam (quodaiunt) exprimere, res ejl non minus difficilis 
 quam glorio/a. Quo, nuUumJiudii genus, maiori conjlat moleftia. Id quod 
 in caufa ejfe reor, quod hodie tarn pauci in ea palajlra fefe exerceant etc. 
 Agen, it is not vnknowen vnto your Honour that ons all toonges were 
 barbarous and needie, before the knowleage of thinges browght in plentie 
 of woordes and names. Wherby it maye well appeare that men in the 
 firft age of the worlde, had a ftiorte language, confiftinge of fewe woordes ; 
 which euer after increafed by the knowleage and inuention of thinges. 
 Exercife alfo maketh fuche woordes familier, which at the firft were 
 Difficulte to be vnderftode. ffor children at the firft (as faithe Ariftotle) 
 caule all men fathers. But fliortely after by exercife, caule them by there 
 names. And I haue learned by experience, that the maryners vfe manye 
 
xliv 
 
 The Life and Labours of Richard Eden, 
 
 Englyffhe woordes which were as vnknowen vnto me as the Chaldean 
 toonge before I was conuerfant with them. It maye therfore fuffice that 
 the woordes and termes of artes and fciences be knowen to the profeffours 
 therof, as partely by experience, and partely by the helpe of dictionaries 
 defcribing them. Per proprium, genus, et differentiam, as the logitians 
 teache, and as Georgius Agricola vleth to do iu the Germanye toonge : 
 which as well in that parte of philofophie as iu all other, was barbarous 
 and indigent before it was by longe experience browght to perfection. 
 But not to trouble your Honour any longer with this matter, one thinge 
 remayneth wherof I wolde gladlye haue certified your Honour at my laft 
 being at the courte at Grenewich, if I might haue had conuenient acceffe 
 vnto you. And this is. That perceauinge your Honour to take pleafure 
 in the wonderful woorkes of arte and nature (wherin doubtleffe fliyneth the 
 fparke of the diuine Spirite that god hathe gyuen you) I was then mynded 
 to ha[ue] delyuered vnto your Honour this philofophicall booke, whe[r]in 
 is defcribed (as appeareth in folio, ii.) fo excellent and precious an experi- 
 ment, wrought by arte to the fimilitude of the vniuerfall frame of the worlde 
 made by the omnipotent and greate God of nature, that I beleue the like 
 was ncuer doonne fynfe the creacion of the worlde. And maye therfore in 
 my iudgement, more woorthely be cauled Michrocofmos, then eyther man 
 or any other creature that euer was made of corporall fubftance. Angelas 
 Pclitianus in his epiftells, defcribeth an inftrument cauled Automaton made 
 in his tyrae in the citie of Fflorence, obferuing the exacte mouing oiPrimum 
 Mobile and Octaua Sphisra, with alfo the mouinges of the 7 planetes in there 
 fpheres, in all poyntes agreable to there mouing in the heauen. Of the 
 like inftrument alfo, our Roger Bacon wrotte longe before in his booke De 
 Mirabili potejlate artis et natura, where he writeth in this maner. Mains 
 omnium figurationum et rerum figuratarum ejl vt Ccekftia defcriberentur 
 fecundum fuas longitudines et latitudines in figura corforali, qua mouentur 
 corporaliter motu diurno. Et hac valeret Regnuin homini fapienti etc. The 
 which inftrumente doubtleffe, althowgh it be of a diuine inuention : yet 
 dothe this Michrocofmos fo far furmount it, as nature paffeth arte, and as 
 Motus anivialis paffeth Motas violentus, for as the other is moued only by 
 waight or wynde inclofed (as is feene in clockes and organs) fo is this 
 moued by the fame Spirite of life wherby not only the heauen, but alfo all 
 nature is moued : whofe mover is god hym felfe as faith S. Paule : Ipfus 
 ell in quo vivimus, mouemur, etfumus. P^s, alfo Ariftotle, Plato, and Philo, 
 in there bookes De Mundo, do affirme. And efpecially Marcus Manilms 
 in Aflronomicis ad Augujlum Cafarem, writing thus : 
 
 Hoc optis immenfi conjiructutn corpore Mundi, 
 Membraque natura diuerfa condita forma, 
 j^ris atque ignis. Term, pelagique iacentis. 
 Vis animce diuina regit : Sacroque meatu 
 Confpirat Deus, et tacita ratione gubernat, etc. 
 jEre libratum vacuo, quifufiinet orbcm. Item Lucanus 
 
 Totiuspars magnas louis. 
 And wheras the autoure that defcribeth this Michrocofmos affirmeth that 
 the Chaos therof. Is Materia Lapidis Philofophorum (which is alfo Chaos, vel 
 Ouum, vel prima Materia Mundi maioris) it feemeth to agre with that 
 Cornelius Agtippa hathe written in his feconde booke De Occulta philo- 
 fophia, in Scala Vnitatis, where he wryteth thus : Lapis philofophorum eft 
 vnttm fubiectum et inflrumentum omnium virtutum naturalium et tranf 
 naturalium etc. And that this greate and diuine fecreate of this Michro- 
 cofmos maye not feeme incredible vnto your Honour, I affure you that I 
 that am Minimus Philofophorum, dyd long fenfe (as I haue to wytneffe Mr 
 Thomas Whalley, th[e]elder foonne of Mr Richard Whalley) woorke a 
 fecreate practife fumwhat like vnto this, in maner as foloweth. I diffolued 
 two fubftances in two waters. Then I put the waters togyther in a glaffe, 
 fuffering them fo to remayne for a tyme. Then I ftilled of[f] the water 
 frome the maffe or Chaos lefte of them bothe. And put it on ageyn. And fo 
 dyd dyuers tymes. In fine, the maffe being diffolued in the water, I let it 
 reft all night in a coulde place. In the morning, I founde fwymming on 
 the water and in the myddeft therof, a little rounde Hand as brode as [a] 
 riall or fumwhat more, with at the leaft a hundreth fyluer trees abowt an 
 ynche high, fo perfectly formed with trunkes, ftalkes, and leaves, all of 
 moft pure and glyftering fyluer, that I fuppofe no lymne[r] or paynter is 
 able to conterfecte the like. Then (baking the glaffe, all fell in pieces into 
 the water, and fille[d] it with glyftering fparkes, as the firmament ihyneth 
 w[ith] ftarres in a cleare wynter nyght. Then putting the glaffe to a fofte 
 xliv 
 
 fyre vppon warme affhes, all turned agen into cleare water, which agen 
 being put iu a colde place all night, made an Hand with the like t ees as 
 before. What this wolde haue byn in fine, god knoweth, and not I. But 
 of this I am fure, that if the floure of learning of our tyme and fumtyme 
 Tutor and brother in lawe vnto your Honour Mr \i.e.. Sir John] Cheeke. 
 had feene any of thefe two fecreates, he wolde greatly haue reioyfed : As I 
 knowe the diuine fparke of knowleage that is in your Honour partely receaved 
 of hym, will move you to doo the like, fythe to a philofophicall and vertuous 
 man, there is nothing fo delectable as to beholde the infinite poure and 
 viryfdome of God in his creatures, in the which, his deitie is not only vifible, 
 but in maner palpable, as fum philofophers haue written. And as touching 
 thefe matters, I haue red a maruelous fentence in an olde written booke 
 where thefe woordes are written : Qui foteftfacere Mediant naturam, potefi 
 creare Mundos nouos. But to difcourfe of this oracle, or to interprete the 
 fame, it were to muche to moleft your Honour therewith : and an argument 
 muche meeter for a feconde Socrates then for me. And of thefe fecreates, 
 writeth Roger Bacon in his booke before alleaged, where he hathe thefe 
 woordes : Multafunt archana admiranda in operibus artis et natures: Qua 
 licet multam vtilitatem nan habeant (habent vero maxim\am'\ vt fapientibus 
 cognitum e/l) tamen fpectaculum ineffabile fapientics pnebent et poffunt 
 applicari ad probationem omnium occultorutn quibus vulgus inexpertum 
 contradicit, et indicat fieri per opera DceiTioniorum, etc. 
 
 And thus moft humbly defy ring your Honour to pardon my boldneffe in 
 writing vnto you, and according vnto your accuftomed ciemencie to accept 
 in good parte this my prefumptuous attempte which only the loue I beare 
 to your vertues hath moued me vnto, my truft is that thefe thinges ihall 
 not be all togyther vnpleafaunt vnto your Honour otherwyfe occupied in 
 greate aflfayres bothe in the courte and common wealthe, as was Plato with 
 King Dyonifms, Ariftotle with greate Alexander, and Cicero Senator- and 
 Conful of Rome. The eternall God and immortall mover of the greate 
 worlde and the leffe, preferue your Honour in healthe and profperitie. 
 
 Ffrome the ffolde byfyde Barnet. The firft of Auguft. 1562. 
 Moft bownde to your Honour. 
 
 RiCHARDE Eden. 
 
 Tita Dotnitiationi addictus, alios non gutero pcenates. 
 Sententia Hippocratis. — Jnfecretis et occultis,fecretus et occultus efio. 
 Endorsed — Primo Augufti. 1562. Richard Eden. 
 
 Lands. MS. loi, art. 5. 
 The advancement which Eden sought, came almost immediately after he 
 wrote this letter : but it is sad to know, that it ultimately ruined him both 
 in health and fortune, and brought him to a premature grave. 
 
 We must now introduce a celebrated historical personage, with whose 
 wanderings and trials Eden's life was for the next ten years indissolubly 
 identified ; and in the narration of which, we shall be telling the story of 
 our Author's life during the period he was on the Continent. In doing 
 which, we thankfully acknowledge our obligations to the Vie de yean de 
 Ferriires, Vidame de Chartres, Seigneur de Maligny, by a Member [Count 
 L. de Bastard] of the Historical and Natural Science Society of the 
 Yonne. 170 copies only of which, were printed at Auxerre iu 1858. 
 
 A Vidami was originally the principal lay officer of -a. bishop. In 
 France, however, only five bishops had such an officer, viz., those of 
 Rheims, Amiens, Mans, Laon, and Chartres ; together with certain 
 Abbeys. In process of time, however, it became a mere hereditary title ; 
 dependent for its renown on the person who held it and the wealth where- 
 of he was possessed. 
 
 Jean de Ferriires, disinherited by his father, Franjois de Ferriires, 
 in 1540; became Seigneur de Maligny in 1544; went to Rome in the 
 embassy of M. de Urfe in 1549 ; accompanied the then Vidame, Frangois 
 de Vendome, to the relief of the Siege of Metz in 1553 ; and went to 
 Piedmont in 1557. Fran9ois de Vendome having died on 22d December 
 1560: the Seigneur of Maligny then became Vidame of Chartres; and 
 thereby immensely rich, if he could have enjoyed his own in peace. But 
 not daring to administer to his vast estate in person, for fear of attracting 
 the attention of his enemies to it : his sister Beraude, by secret agreement 
 with him, presented herself as the sole heir to Fran9ois de Vendome. 
 
 On the breaking out of the Civil Wars, Conde sent the new Vidame 
 (whose riches gave him great influence among the Protestant party) over to 
 England, with the Seigneur de Saint Aubin, to induce Elizabeth to join 
 
The Life and Labours of Richard Eden. 
 
 xlv 
 
 in so holy and just a quarrel. Being joined by La Haye, they finally 
 arrived in England about isth August 1562 ; and after many secret con- 
 ferences, the Treaty of Hampton Court was signed by them, on 20th Sep- 
 tember following. Colt. MS. Cal. E. V. f. 113, is a copy of this Treaty 
 bearing the signature of the Vidame. 
 
 At this moment, Eden, who was an excellent linguist, entered the service 
 of the Vidame. Time pressed. 3000 men under Sir Adrian Poynings, and 
 with them the Vidame and Eden, left Portsmouth on 2d October, and 
 wore in Havre on the 4th : the majority of them to be killed, or die of 
 the plague by the 29th of July following, when Havre was surrendered to 
 the French. Such as survived brought with them to England, the plague 
 which they had there caught. 
 
 In the meantime, the Civil Wars had been stopped by the Edict of the 
 Pacification of Ambois on 19th March 1563. 
 
 All the goods of the Vidame were pronounced confiscated, under 
 pretence that he had brought the English into Havre. The French Court, 
 while in progress after the Pacification, reached Troyes on the 23d March 
 1564 ; when the Vidame [and Eden] joined on the 8th April the Prince de 
 Conde there, and received a simulated welcome from Charles IX. and 
 Catherine de Medecis. Leaving the Court at Vitiy on 27th April, he 
 rejoined Cond^, at Paris ; where he appears to have chiefly resided for 
 the next two or three years. 
 
 Eden states below, and at /. xl vii., that he had been in Germany, and, among 
 other places, at Strasburg. He probably accompanied the Vidame there. 
 
 A fresh rising of the Protestants occurred on 27th September 1567, when 
 they nearly captured by a coup de main the entire French Court Then 
 came the Battle of St. Denis on lOth November, and the Pacification of 
 Longjumeau on the 23d March 1568. 
 
 The Vidame and his newly married wife (Francoise Joubert, widow of 
 Ch. Chabot) and suite [including, it is presumed, Eden] arrived on the 
 Cornish coast, on 28th April 1569 ; and after some delay, were allowed to 
 come to London. The Vidame was received by the Queen, on i8th July, 
 at Greenwich. On the 23d September 1569, he was burnt in effigy, for 
 the second time within a year, on the Place de Grkie, at Paris, by an arr6t 
 of the French Parliament. 
 
 In consequence of the Peace of St. Germain ; the Vidame, after about a 
 year's stay in England, returned in October 1570, by Dieppe, to Paris : 
 where some of his servants being attacked in the street, he retires to Boubige, 
 in Poitou. In February 1572, he was at La Fert^, on private affairs. 
 
 Soon afterwards he returned to Paris ; where he found all the chiefs of 
 the Huguenot party lulled into a belief of perfect safety, through their trust 
 in the King's word. He, however, did not trust the Court, and would not 
 reside in the city, but in the Faubourg of St. Germain. When questioned for 
 the reason of this ; he replied ' that the air of the Faubourgs was better than 
 that of the City, and that of the fields better than that of the Faubourgs.' 
 
 Maurevert, the assassin of the Count de Mouy, attempted the assassination 
 of Admural Coligny ; but fails to kill him. Charles IX. had hardly left the 
 wounded Huguenot chief ; when the Vidame called on him, and let loose 
 his indignation at the dastard cowardice of the act. 
 
 On the next day, Saturday, 23d August, at a meeting of the Protestant 
 chiefs at Coligny's house, the Vidame urged that the Admiral should be 
 conveyed out of Paris ; and that the Protestants should quit the city : but 
 he was overruled. 
 
 That night, occurred the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, com- 
 mencing on the right bank of the Seine. The Vidame, his brother-in-law 
 Jean de la Fin, and ten others [including probably Eden], who were living 
 on the left bank of the river — warned by the firing — escaped for their lives, 
 riding first to La Ferti Hearing, however, that the Duke de Guise had 
 sent the Sieur de St. Leger to take them : they hurriedly lefl the Chateau, 
 and — after some wandering up and down the country — managed to reach 
 the coast ; where they found a ship, which carried them safely to England. 
 The Vidame arrived in London on 7th September 1573. 
 1573. Sept. The Vidame, in a very flowery letter, solicits of the 
 
 Queen, that Richard Eden, who had given him good 
 and faithful companionship for the space of ten years, 
 may be admitted one of. the poor knights of Windsor. He also refers to 
 his erudition, and the experience he had acquired in the secrets of Nature. 
 He further encloses the three following autographic memoranda ; by the 
 side of which, we have put an English translation .— 
 
 I. 
 
 Siplaceat suje Maieslaticoncedere 
 Richardo Eden proximam vocation- 
 em Militum illorum, qui Winsori 
 Milites Oratorij vocantur, k Rege 
 Henrico 8° fundati. 
 
 If It may please Her Majesty to 
 grant to Richard Eden the next 
 vacant place among the Knights, 
 who are called the Knights of the 
 Oratory of Windsor, founded by 
 King Henry VIII. 
 
 Richardus Eden nalione Anglus, 
 ex honesta familia natus in agro 
 Herfordensi, ubi adhuc sororem habet 
 viventem, suae Maiestati bene cogni- 
 tam, nempe uxorem equestris ordinis 
 viri lohannis Butleri de Lamer : A 
 pueritia educatus in bonis Uteris, 
 studuit in Achademia CantaTarigiensi 
 decem annis sub tutore doctissimo 
 viro, domino Thoma Smyth, nunc 
 Secretario suse Maiestati, qui de eius 
 eruditione et morum integritate satis 
 testari potest. 
 
 Deinde a serenissimo Rege Hen- 
 rico Octavo ab achademia vocatus, 
 ipsius Regis mandato, in y^rario 
 officium obtinuit, ubi usque ad 
 mortem Regis, hoc est duobas annis, 
 permansit ; qui etiam moriens illius 
 non immemor assignavit illi domus 
 distillatorii officium. Quod tamen 
 Rege mortuo Sumerseti Dux illi 
 concessit qui nunc fruitur. 
 
 Postea uxorem duxit, ex qua in 
 xiiij. annis xij. infantes generavit, ut 
 vel hac ratione videatur de patria 
 bene meritus. 
 
 Qui etiam tempore aliquot Rei- 
 publicEe utiles libros ex sermone 
 Latino Italico Hispanico traduxit, 
 qui typis impressi extant, ut Decades 
 de Novo Orbe, liber iusti voluminus, 
 vizt. 600 foliorum ; ac deinde librum 
 de Arte Navigandi a Martino Cor- 
 tesio in lingua Hisp anica ad Carolum 
 V. scriptum ; insuper ex Pyrotechnia 
 Italica multa de rebus metallicis, qu£e 
 antea in nostra lingua extitere. 
 
 Tempore vero Marise Reginse His- 
 panorum quorundamnobilium fauore, 
 denuo in Regis Philippi .iErarium 
 electus ; hereseos apud Wintoniense 
 Episcopum accusatus a Watsone Lin- 
 colinensi Episcopo, officio privatus 
 est. 
 
 Mortua vero uxore, illius fama ad 
 illustrissimi Domini Vidami aures 
 pervenit. Cum quo, quomodo his x. 
 annis et amplius in Germania et 
 Gallia vixerit in utraque fortuna, nee 
 mercenarius nee desertor, et semper 
 illi charissimus, ipsemet Domiuus 
 Vidamus pro sua humanitate, veri- 
 tate testimonium feret. A quo etiam 
 multis amplissimis muneribus dona- 
 tus, si tamen non ditatus nulla pro- 
 fecto illustrissimi Domini incuria vel 
 
 .Richard Eden, an Englishman, 
 born of a respectable family in Here- 
 fordshire, — where he still has a sister 
 living, well known to Her Majesty, 
 being the wife of a knight, John 
 Butler of Lamer, — ^was well educated 
 as a boy, studied at Cambridge for 
 ten years under that most learned 
 man. Sir Thomas Smyth, now Her 
 Majesty's Secretary [of State], who 
 can testify to his erudition and blame- 
 less character. 
 
 Afterwards, being summoned from 
 the University by the most serene 
 King Henry VIII., he held, by his 
 order, an office in the Treasury, 
 where he remained for two years 
 until the King's death ; who, when 
 dying, did not forget him, but as- 
 signed to him the office of the distil- 
 lery. After the King's death, the 
 Duke of Somerset granted the office 
 to the present holder. 
 
 Afterwards he married, and in 
 fourteen years begot twelve child- 
 ren, so that for this reason also he 
 seems to deserve well of his country. 
 
 At this time he translated from the 
 Latin, Italian, and Spanish several 
 books useful to the State, which are 
 still in print, as Decades de Novo Orbe, 
 a book of good size, viz. six hundred 
 folios ; axiAahookDe Arte Navigandi, 
 written by Martin Cortes to Charles 
 V. in Spanish ; and in addition many 
 portions of Pyrotechnia Italica con- 
 cerning metals ; which did not exist 
 before in our language. 
 
 In the time of Queen Mary, he 
 was again placed in, the Treasury 
 of King Phillip, through the favour 
 of certain Spanish nobles : but being 
 accused of heresy before [Gardiner] 
 the Bishop of Winchester by Watson, 
 Bishop of Lincoln ; he was deprived 
 of his office. 
 
 After the death of his wife, his 
 repute came to the ears of the most 
 illustrious Lord the Vidame. How 
 he lived [with him] for ten years 
 and more in Germany and France, 
 with varying fortune, neither a mer- 
 cenary nor a deserter, and always 
 most dear to him ; the Lord Vidame 
 himself will kindly bear witness. 
 From whom also he received many 
 large gifts. And assuredly it is not 
 through careleKsnecs or oblivion on 
 
xlvi 
 
 The Life and Labours of Richard Eden. 
 
 oblivio in causa fuit, sed sola volu- 
 bilis et nouercce fortuna culpa. 
 
 Nunc vero, senio affectus, et cor- 
 poris infirmitate, cogitur peregrinandi 
 finem facere ; nihil magis habens in 
 votis quam ut suje Maiestatis gratia 
 et favore, possit tandem in patria 
 honestis studiis et Reipublicse utili- 
 bus vitam finire. Nulla vero magna- 
 rum divitiarum, aut honoris amljitione 
 flagrans solam vitam tranquillam et 
 studiis commodam exoptat. 
 
 Deus optimus maximus suam CeeI- 
 situdinem semper seruet iucolumen. 
 
 the part of his illustrious Lord, but 
 only in consequence of changeful and 
 adverse fortune ; that he was not 
 enriched. 
 
 Now affected by age and bodily 
 infirmity, he is obliged to make an 
 end of wandering ; desiring nothing 
 more than, by Her Majesty's favour, 
 to end his life in his own country, 
 in honourable studies, and useful to 
 the State. He has no ambition 
 for great riches or honour ; but only 
 desires a quiet life, suitable for study. 
 
 May God ever preserve Her Ma- 
 jesty. 
 
 III. 
 
 Quandoquidemmaximaparshomi- 
 num non est semper melior pars, sed 
 reperiuntur quamplures Ardeliones 
 quibus nihil est magis gratum quam 
 ex quauis leuissima occasione bonos 
 viros calumniari. Ideoque ut agni a 
 luporum faucibus in tuto vivant, ne- 
 cessum erit ut leonis animalium regis, 
 hoc est, Regia autoritate tueantur. 
 
 Quis enim nunc in Anglia potest 
 Paracelsi admiranda medicamenta ex 
 metalUs et mineralibus componere 
 (quae cum Alchimia aliquo modo sym - 
 bolizantur) nisi statim ab ignaris et 
 calumniatoribus Alchimiae legibus 
 prohibitae infamiam et periculum in- 
 currat Cui malo obuiando Principis 
 diplomatas opus erit. Nee dubito 
 quin quum Brocardo multisque aliis 
 peregrinis libere permittitur exercere. 
 Idem mihi sequiori iuditio Principis 
 autoritate concedatur. 
 
 Since, indeed, the greater part of 
 mankind is not always the better 
 part, but many busybodies are found 
 who have no greater pleasure than 
 in calumniating good men on the 
 most trifling occasions ; therefore 
 that lambs may live safe from the 
 jaws of wolves, they must be pro- 
 tected by the lion, the king of beasts 
 — that is, protected by royal autho- 
 rity. 
 
 Who can at this present time, in 
 England, compound the admirable 
 medicaments of Paracelsus from 
 metals and minerals (which are sym- 
 bolized by an alchymical method), 
 without immediately incurring from 
 ignorant calumniators the infamy 
 and peril of practising alchmy, 
 which is prohibited by the laws. 
 To obviate this evil, a royal license 
 is needed. Neither do I doubt that 
 since it is permitted to Brocardus 
 and many other foreigners freely to 
 practise [the art] ; that the same will, 
 vdth more justice, be granted to nie 
 by the royal authority. — Stale Papers, 
 Dont, Eliz., Vol. 92, No. 32. 
 There were thirteen poor knights of Windsor, whose annual allowance 
 was paid by the Dean of Windsor. It consisted of ;^i8 : 5s. in money ; 
 a gown or coat of red cloth ; and a blue or purple cloth mantle with 
 the badge of St. George embroidered on the left sleeve. Eden's application 
 does not appear to have been successful. — See Tighe and Davis, Annals 
 of Windsor, i. 223. Ed. 1858. 
 
 1573. Sir W. Winter is knighted this year. — See Sylvanus 
 Morgan's Sphere of Gentry, Book 3,/. 14, Ed. 1661. 
 
 1574. "Win- Eden writes the following dedication to Sir W. Winter 
 tertide. of his translation of John Taisner's book De natura 
 
 magnetis, &=€., which he designed as a complement 
 to a new edition of his previous translation of Martin Cortes' Arte de 
 Navigar. Though written at this time, it did not appear in print for four 
 or five years afterwards, in consequence of the successive deaths of Eden, 
 Richard Jugge the printer, and his son John Jugge. 
 
 The most important allusion in it is the account of Sebastian Cabot's 
 death, the only one on record. 
 
 A very neceffarie and profitable Booke concerninge Nauigation, 
 compiled in Latin by loannes Tai/nieras, a publike profelTor in 
 Rome, Ferraria, and other Vniuerfities in Italic of the Mathema- 
 licalles, named a treatife Of continuall motions. Tranflated into 
 Englilhe, by Richarde Eden. 
 
 Imprinted at London by Richarde TiiTTe. 
 xlvi ^ 
 
 To the ryght woorfhipfull Syr Wylliam Wynter, Knyght, Maifler 
 of the Ordinaunce of the Queenes Maiefiies Shippes, and Sur- 
 ueyor of the fayd Shippes, Richarde Eden wyfheth health and 
 prosperitie. 
 
 T is nowe about twelue yeeres pafle (gentle Maifler Wynter) 
 fmce the curtefie and fauour which long before I founde at 
 your hande, mooued me no leffe for the good wyll that I 
 haue euer borne you and your vertues, to excogitate or 
 deuife fomethyng, within the compafTe of my poore abilitie, 
 thatmyght be a witneffe, and as it were afeale, to teflifie both that I haue 
 not forgotten your gentleneffe, and alfo how defyrous I am to pay the 
 debtes of frendefliyp which then I promifed you, and alfo attempted to 
 perfourme : But beyng at that tyme preuented, by meanes of my fodayne 
 departyng out of Englande, with my good Lorde the Vidame, with whom I 
 remayned for the fpace of ten yeeres, vntyll the calamities of that miferable 
 countrey, with loffe of goods, and danger of lyfe, hath dryuen me home 
 agayne into my natiue countrey : Where fyndyng my felfe at fome leyfure, 
 and defyrous to pafTe foorth parte of my tyme in fome honefl exercife, 
 which myght be profytable to many, domagable to none, and a meanes to 
 geat me newe freendes, the olde in my fo long abfence, in maner vtterly 
 wafled : I chaunced in the meane tyme, to meete with my olde acquayn- 
 tance and freend, Richard lugge. Printer to the Queenes Maieftie, who 
 had many yeeres before, printed the Booke of Marten Curtes, of the Art of 
 Nauigation, by me tranflated out of Spanyfhe tongue. Whereof, hauyng 
 with him fome conference, he declared that he woulde prynt that booke 
 agayne, yf I woulde take the paynes to deuife fome addition touchyng the 
 fame matter, that myght be ioyned thereto. At whiche tyme, hauyng with 
 me in the Latine tongue, thefe books here folo wyng printed, whiche I brought 
 with me out of Fraunce, I foone agreed to his honefl requefl, to tranflate 
 them into Englyflie : Whiche beyng accomplyfhed, this onely remayned, 
 accordyng to the common cuflome, to confecrate and dedicate the fame to 
 fome worthie perfonage, whofe fame, auc[t]horitie, and dignitie, myght 
 defende them from the euyll tongues of fuch as are more redie rather to 
 reprooue other mens dooynges, then to doo any good them felues. And 
 therfore (gentle Maifler Wynter) knowing your aucthoritie and fame in 
 well deferuyng, and honorable feruice vnto your Prince and Countrey, to 
 be fuche as all men thynke fo well of, and fo greatlye efleeme, to whom 
 (rather then to you) may I dedicate this booke of Nauigation ? In con- 
 fyderation v/hereof, and the hope that I haue in your approoued curtefie, 
 fauourably to accept this dedication, as procee[d]yng from one that defyreth 
 nothyng more then to doo you feruice, and remayne in your grace, I fhall 
 thynke my trauayle wel beflowed, and fufficiently recompenced, yf it fhall 
 pleafe you to accept the fame as thankfully, as I wyllyngly offer it vnto 
 you. 
 
 For yf there be any thjmg in me, wherein I maye by good reafon 
 pleafe my felfe, it is cheefely this, that I haue euer loued and honoured 
 men of finguler vertue or qualitie, in what fo euer laudable Art or Science, 
 euen of thofe whereof I race felfe haue litle knowledge, as are Geometric, 
 Aftronomie, Architecture, Muficke, Payntyng, feates of Armes, inuentions 
 of Ingens, and fuche lyke : Of the whiche, this our age maye feerae not 
 onely to contende with the Auncientes, but alfo in many goodly inuentions 
 of Art and wyt, farre to exceede them. For (not to fpeake agaynflall the 
 marueylous inuentions of our tyme) what of theirs is to be compared to the 
 Artes of Printyng, makyng of Gunnes, Fyre woorkes, of fundry kyndes of 
 artificial Fyres, of fuche marueylous force, that mountaynes of mofle harde 
 rockes and flones, are not able to refyfl their violence, but are by them 
 broken in peeces, and throwen into the ayre with fuche violence, that 
 neyther the fpirite of Demogorgon, or the thunderboltes of infernal '/>/«/<> 
 can doo the lyke. What flioulde I here fpeake of the woonderfuU inuen. 
 tions of Fartalio, in his booke De Arte maiori ? or of many other, whereof 
 VannuHus Beringocius wryteth in his booke, entituled, Pyrotechnia. As 
 touchyng which terrible inuentions, and the lyke, although fome men be of 
 opinion that they were inuented by the inftigation of the deuyll, for the 
 deftruction of mankynde : yet other weyghyng the matter more indifierently 
 thynke that the inuention of Gunnes hath ben the fauyng of many mens 
 lyues, becaufe before the vfe of them, men were not woont fo long tyme to 
 lye batteryng in the befiegyng of Townes or Fortrefl^es, but in fliort fpace 
 to come to hande ftrokes, and to foughten feeldes, to the great flaughter of 
 j;reat multitudes. And feeyng that nowe our enimies the Tuikes, and 
 
The Life and Labours of Richard Eden. 
 
 xlvii 
 
 other Infidels, haue the vfe of thefe deuylylhe inuentions (as they name 
 them) it may be thought requifite for vs, agaynft fuche deuylles to vfe alfo 
 the lyke deuylyflie inuentions, left refufyng the fame, and geuyng place to 
 enyl, we flioulde wyllyngly fuffer the kyngdome of the deuyll to triumphe 
 ouer vs, not otherwyfe able to refyft, and much leffe to ouercome fo puiffant 
 and horrible enimies (except befyde al hope) myght aryfe in our defence 
 fome newe Moyfes, or Elias, or the Prieftes of lericho, whiche onely with 
 the noyfe and founde of Homes or Trumpettes ouerthrewe the walles of 
 the towne. Neyther wyl the example of Dauid and Goliath, or of Samfon 
 and the Philiftines, feme our tume at this tyme, although I beleeue that 
 the arme of the Lorde is not weakened, yf there lacked not a Moyfes with 
 his rodde, and woorthie Afi^-ftentes, which myght helpe to holde vp his 
 weerye arme. 
 
 But to retume to fpeake of ingens, and ingenious inuentions, whiche 
 inuented and vfed to the glorie of God, and defence of his people, 
 againft the furie and tyi-annie of InSdelles, they may as woorthyly be 
 called the gyftes of God, as were the inuentions and Art of them that 
 buylded eyther the Temple of Hierufalem, or the Arke of God i And 
 Exod. XXXV. y^ '^ '' ''"^''^ wrytten of thofe Artificers,' that God gaue 
 Bezjdeel and them the fpirite of knowledge and cunnyng in fuche Artes. 
 " '^"^ And therefore I thynke it may alfo be fayde without offence, 
 
 that the knowledge of Archimedes, and other men in fuche commendable 
 inuentions, are the gyftes of God, for as muche as the gyftes of God are 
 free, and not bounde to any nation or perfon. 
 
 And yf it may be graunted that the fpirites of men, or the fpirite of 
 God in men, may be diuided (as was the fpirite of Moyfes to twelue other) 
 or otherwyfe that the fpirites of dead men may reuiue in other (after 
 the opinion and tranfanimation of Pythagoras) we may thynke that the 
 foule of Archimedes was reuiued in Bejfon, that excellent Geometer of 
 our tyme, whom I krfewe in Fraunce the Maifter of the engins to the 
 Freuche kyng, Charles the nienth, vnder whom that lamentable flaughter 
 at Paris was committed, in the whiche were flayne fo many noble men. 
 Whiche cruelrie the fayde Be/son abhorryng, fled hythei into England, 
 and here dyed, in the yeere. 1573. and left in witneffe of his excellencie 
 in that Art, a booke in prynt, conteynyng the fourmes or portractes of 
 fyxtie engins of marueylous ftrange and profytable deuice, for diuers 
 commodious and neceffary vfes. Of the whiche, for as muche as 
 three of them, that is to meane, the S4- 57- and 60. be engines cheefely 
 parteyning vnto Shyppes, it fliall not be from my purpofe here to make a 
 breefe rehearfal of them. 
 
 The. 54. therefore (as he wiyteth) is an engin not vnlyke vnto that 
 whiche in auncient t3raie Archimedes inuented for the Syracujians, where- 
 with a man with the ftrength of onely one hande, by helpe of the 
 inftrument called Trifpajlon (which in our tongue fome cal an endleffe 
 Seme), brought a Shyp of mameylous greatneffe from the lande into 
 the fea, in the fyght of kynge ffieron, and an infinite multitude, whiche 
 with all their force coulde not doo the fame. &c. Of the which alfo, our 
 countrey man, Roger Bacon, a great Philofopher (and no Nicromaneer, as 
 that ignorant age (laundered him) feemed to" haue had fome knowledge: 
 For in his booke of the mameylous power of Art and Nature, he maketh 
 . mention of an Inftrament (as farre as I remember) no bygger 
 
 ment reade, the then a mans hande, wherevrith one man myght drawe to 
 Cosmolabe of jiym the ftrength of three hundred men. And I well re- 
 member, that at my beyng in Fraunce, I hearde credible 
 reporte, that the Earle of Rocumdolfe, an Almaine, made an engin, where- 
 with the fayde kyng Charles when he was but. xvi. yeeres of age, lyfted 
 from the grounde a weyght, whiche the ftrongeft man in the courte was not 
 able to remooue. Almofte the lyke deuice we vfe in the bendyng of a 
 Croffebowe. Alfo at my being in Germanic in the citie of Strofburge, a 
 woorthy and learned Gentleman, Monfieur de Saleno, tolde me that in that 
 citie one had inuented an engin of iron, no bygger then a mans hande, 
 wherevnto faftenyng a rope, with a hooke of iron, and caftyng the hooke 
 vpon a wal, tree, or other place, where it myght take holde, he coulde with 
 that engin lyft hym felfe vp to the wal, or other place. But to retume to 
 the other two engines of Bejfon, parteynyng to our purpofe. Therefore 
 the. 60. fygure (as he there wryteth) is the inuention of an engin, fcarfely 
 credible, wherewith by ballance and eafie motion, beyond the order of 
 nature, a Shyp may be fo framed and gouemed, that in the calme fea it 
 (hall mooue forewarde, and in litle wynde haften the couife, and in too much 
 
 wynde temper and moderate the fame : A thyng woorth tl.e knowledge to 
 a kyng, as he fayeth. Of the thyrd engin, which is the. 57. fygure of his 
 booke, he wryteth thus. An Artifice not yet diuulgate or fet forth, whiche 
 placed in the pompe of a Shyp, whyther the water hath recourfe, and 
 mooued by the motion of the Shyp, with wheeles and weyghtes, dooth 
 exactly fhewe what fpace the Shyp hath gone. &c. By whiche defcrip- 
 tion, fome doo vnderftand that the knowledge of the longitude myght fo be 
 founde, a thyng doubtleffe greatly to be defyred, and hytherto not certaynely 
 knowen, although Sebaftian Cabot on his death bed told me that he had the 
 knowledge thereof by diuine reuelation, yet fo, that he myght not teache 
 any man. But I thinke that the good olde man, in that extreme age, fome- 
 what doted, and had not yet euen in the article of death, vtterly fhaken of 
 all worldlye vayne glorie. 
 
 As touchyng whiche knowledge of the longitude, to rehearfe the faying 
 of that excellent learned man, Johannes Fernelius, in his incomparable 
 booke De abditis reruin caufis, where in the Preface to King Henrie of 
 Fraunce, he writeth in this maner. We haue put our helpyng hande 
 to the Arte of Nauigation and Geographic : forby obferaation of the houres 
 of the Equinoctialles, we haue inuented howe, in what fo euer region or 
 place of the worlde a man fhalbe, he may knowe in what longitude it is : 
 which certaynly we haue not taken of the fountaynes of the ancientes, but 
 fyrile, of all other (as I thynke) haue drawen it of our ryuers, as our owne 
 inuention. &c. So that (faith he) whiche way fo euer you turae your eyes, 
 you may fe that the pofteritie hath not ryotoufly wafted the inheritance of 
 Artes and sciences, left them by their predeceffors, but haue greatly en- 
 creafed the fame, and inuented other : For certaynely, the multitude of 
 thinges incomprehenfible, is infinite, and fo therfore inuentions muft 
 needes alfo be infinite, and without ende. And therefore, as touchyng this 
 thing (fayth he) to fpeake freely what I thynke, they feeme to me to offende 
 as muche, whiche contende that the auncientes haue inuented and compre- 
 hended al thynges, as doo they whiche attribute not vnto them the fyrft 
 inuentions, fo depryuyng them of they r right poffeffion. For whereas nowe by 
 the benefite of almightie God (who hath geuen vs his Chrifte, and with hym 
 all good thynges) the lyght of tmeth fliyneth in our vnderftandyng by godly 
 infpiration, there is no iuft caufe why we Ihoulde in fuche thynges thinke vs 
 inferior to the auncientes. Of which Argument, who lyfteth may reade more 
 in the fayde Epiftle of Fernelius. 
 
 And for as much as I haue made mention of fuch inuentions, it flial not 
 be from the purpofe, to defcribe the goodly inftmment wherof . 
 Angelas Policianus in the fourth booke of Epiftles to Fran- ;„ motion agree- 
 ci/us Ca/a, wryteth in this manner, I hafie receyued your yng with the 
 Epiftle, wherein you Cgnifie vnto me, that you haue hearde heauen. 
 of the ftrange engine or inftrument Automaton inuented, and -^""o Domo. 
 made of late by one Laurence a Florentine : in the which is 
 exprelTed the courfe and motions of the Pianettes, conformable and 
 agreeyng with the motions of heauen : And that (for as muche as the 
 reporte thereof is hardly beleeued) you greatly defyre that I fhould wryte 
 vnto you, what certayne knowledge I haue of that thing, wherein I am 
 redie to obey your requeft. And although nowe it be long fince I fawe 
 it, yet as farre as I beare in memorie, I wyll breefely declare the fourme, 
 reafon, and vfe thereof. And yf the defcription of it flial feeme vnto 
 you fomewhat obfcure, you fhall not afcribe it altogeather to my declara- 
 tion, but partly to the fubtiltie and nouiltie of the thyng. It is in fourme 
 of a fquare pyller, fharpe towarde the top, in maner of a Pryamis, of 
 the height of almoft three cubites : ouer and aboue it, in maner of a 
 couer, is a flat or playne rounde plate of gylted copper, garnylhed 
 with fundry colours, on whofe other part is expreifed the whole courfe of 
 the Planets, and whofe dimention or meafure is fomewhat fliorter then a 
 cubite, and is within turned or moued with certayne litle denticle wheeles, 
 an immouable circle comprehendyUg the hygheft border or margent, and 
 diuided with the fpaces of xxiiii. houres within it, in the hygheft turnyng 
 mndel, the twelue fignes are difcemed by three degrees. Further, within are 
 feene eyght rundels, in maner all of one greatnefle. Of thefe, two obteyne the 
 myddle poynt, the one faftened in the other, fo that the loweft beyng fome- 
 what bygger, reprefenteth the Sunne, and the hygher the Moone. From the 
 Sunne a bearae commyng to the circle, ftieweth in it the houres : and in the 
 Zpdiacke, the monethes, dayes and number of degrees, and alfo the trae 
 and halfe motion of the Sunne. From the Moone alfo procedeth a pynne, 
 or wyre, whiche beneathe or downwarde in the border or margent of the 
 
 xlvii 
 
The Life and Labours of Richard Eden. 
 
 greateft rundell, flieweth the houres : and paffing by the center of the Epi- 
 cicle of the Moone, and extendyng to the Zodiacke, flioweth the halfe 
 motion of his Planet. Another alfo ryfyng from thence, and cuttyng the 
 border of the center of the Moone (that is of the Epicicle) flieweth her true 
 place, whereby are feene the flowneffe, fwyftneffe, al motions and courfes, 
 coniunctions alfo, and ful Moones. About thefe are fyxe other rundels : 
 of the whiche, one, whom they calle the head and tayle of the Dragon, 
 flieweth the Eclipfes both of the Sunne and Moone. The other are attri- 
 buted to the Planets : from euery of whiche, proceede two poyntes, aflign- 
 ing the motions (as we haue fayd) of the Moone : but they alfo goe back- 
 warde, whiche chaunceth not in the Moone, whofe Eclypfe is mooued 
 contrarywyfe. And thus the reafon of coniunctions, departynges, and lati- 
 tudes, is manifeft in all. There is alfo an other border lyke vnto a Zodi- 
 acke, cutting or diuidyng vpwarde or aboue, thofe fyxe litle rundels (whereof 
 we haue fpoken) being the rundels of the Pianettes : whereby appeareth 
 the degrees of the Eaft fignes, and the fpaces of the dayes (that is to fay) 
 at what houre the Sunne rifeth, by the whiche, euery of the Pianettes are 
 carried in their rundels or circles by courfe, in the day tyme to the Eaft, 
 and in the nyght to the Weft. Agayne contrarywyfe, the greateft rundel 
 of al, draweth with it al the Pianettes, in the nyght to the Eaft, and in the 
 day to the Weft, in the fpace of. 24. houres. Az which, to agree with the 
 motions of heauen, both reafon and experience doo confyrme. And ther- 
 forc ought ye not to marueyle, yf thefe thynges feeme incredible to many. 
 For (as fayth the wyfe Prouerbe) fayth is flowlye geuen to great thynges, 
 for euen we fcarfely beleeue our owne eyes, when we fee fuche thynges. 
 And therefore, whereas in tyme paft I read, tliat fuche a lyke inftrument 
 was made by Archimedes, iny faith yet fayled me to geue credite to fo great 
 an Aucthour, which thyng neuerthelefle this our Florentine hath perfourmed. 
 The worke doubtlefle beyng of fuch excellence, that all prayfe is inferior to 
 it, and can not therfore for the woorthynefle thereof be otherwyfe praifed, 
 . then to fay that it paffeth all prayfe. The Artificer him felfe alfo being a 
 man of fuch integritie of maners, that the funne is nothing inferior to the 
 excellencie of his wyt : in fo much that he may feeme a man fent from 
 heauen, where he learned the makyng of this heauen, by the example of the 
 other. Hytherto Policianus. Of the lyke inftrument, Roger Bacon alfo 
 maketh mention in his fayde booke, of the maruellous power of Art and 
 Nature, affyrmyng the fame to be woorth a kyngdome to a wyfe man. 
 
 But for as muche as the fubiect whiche I haue no we in hande, is cheefely 
 
 touchyng inuentions parteinyng to Shyppes, and the Art of Nauigation, I 
 
 thynke good to fpeake fomewhat of the inuention of a certayne Italian 
 
 wry ler, named Leonardo Fiorauanti, who in his booke, entitled 
 
 1.3. a. I . specchio de fcientla miiiter/ale, doeth greatly glory in the in- 
 uention of Shyppes, whiche can not peryflie eyther on the fea, or the lande, 
 affyrmyng that the lyke was neuer inuented fince the creation of the worlde. 
 But I feare me, left vayne glorie of difcourfyng in the Italian tongue, hath 
 caufed Mm more tlien needes, to commende his owne inuention, as for the 
 mofte parte is the maner of the Italian writers. Therfore 
 ofaShyp" °^ committing the iudgement hereof to men of greater experi- 
 which can not ence and knowledge in thefe thynges, I wyl onely tranflate 
 
 e wne j^j^ woordes, whereby in the booke before named, he 
 
 defcribeth the fayde Shyppe in this maner. Take beames of Fyre, or 
 Pyne tree, which of their owne nature can neuer goe downe, or fyncke, or 
 abyde vnder the water, and with thefe beames forme an engine (Machina, 
 yf I may fo call it) of the length of three fcore foote, and of the breadth of 
 twentie foote, and of the heyght of fyxe foote, laying the fyrfte ranke in 
 length, and the other trauerfe, or ouerthwarte, and the thyrde againe in 
 length, fafliionyng the fore parte lyke vnto other Shyppes, and in lyke 
 manner, bryngyng the poupe or hynder parte to good forme : then with 
 fuch irons as apparteyne, bynde it, and ftrengthen it in fuche maner that it 
 can not breake. And vpon this frame or fundation buylde your Shyppe, 
 of fuche fafliion as you thynke beft. &c. It were here too long to reheaife 
 with what proude woordes and oftentation he magnifieth this inuention. 
 But whether this frame or engine flioulde be bylden vpon the keele or 
 bottome of the Shyp, or otherwyfe, I commit it to them of better iudge- 
 ment, as I haue fayde. 
 
 But wheras it may for this tyme fuffife to haue wrytten thus muche 
 
 of thefe thynges, I wyll make an ende with onely a breefe rehearfal of 
 
 the inuention and encreafe of the Art of Nauigation. After that the Art 
 
 of Nauigation was founde, euery man began to chalenge vnto hym the 
 
 xlvUi 
 
 dominion of the fea, and there to dwel and kepe warre euen as on the land. 
 Minos (as wryteth Strabo) was the fyrft that ruled on the fea, whiche 
 neuerthelefle, other afcribe to Nepiunus, who fyrft founde the Art of Naui- 
 gation, and was therefore (as wryteth Diodorus) appoynted by Saturnus to 
 be Admiral of the fyrfte Nauie : and thereby the pofteritie afterwarde 
 afcribed to him the gouernaunce of the fea, and named him the God 
 thereof. After whom the Cretenfes euer were efteemed moft expert in the 
 Art of Nauigation. But (as wryteth Plinie) boates were fyrft inuented, 
 and with them was the fyrfte faylyng in the Ilandes of the redde fea, vnder 
 kyng Erythra, as alfo witnefleth Quintilian., faying. If none had proceeded 
 further then the inuentions of our predeceflTors, we had had nothyng in the 
 Poets aboue Andronicus, and nothing in hiftories aboue the Annates or 
 Cronicles of Byfflioppes, and had yet haue fayled in troughes or in boates. 
 Other haue afcribed this inuention to diuers other nations and perfons, as 
 to the Troians and Myfians in Hellefponto, and alfo that th? ancient Britanes 
 made boates of leather or hydes, and fayled with them in the Ocean fea. 
 Plinie wryteth, that Danaus was the fyrft that brought a Shyppe out of 
 Grece into Egypt. Some alfo geue the fime to Minerua. But moft ryght- 
 fuUy, the inuention both of the Shyp, and Art of Nauigation, is afcribed to 
 Noe, who (as wryteth Eu/ebus) was longe before Neptune or Danaus. 
 For doubtlefle (fayth he) the Arke of Noe was none other then a Shyp, and 
 the fyrfte and onely exemplar of the buyldyng of all otlier Shyppes or 
 veflelles of faylyng. Alfo the mofte ancient wryter Berofus the Chaldean 
 (as wryteth lo/ephus) calleth the Arke of Noe, a Shyp. The fame lofephus 
 alfo fayth, that the Nephues of Noe, departyng to inhabite diuers partes of 
 the worlde, vfed many Shyppes. &c. Long after Noe, the Tyrians were 
 counted moft expert in the Arte of Nauigation : and after them, diuers 
 other nations. For whereas no Art is fo perfect, but may receaue encreafe, 
 hereof doth it folowe, that this Art alfo hath been greatly augmented, and 
 brought to further perfection by witty inuentions of the poflreritie, euen 
 vnto our age : whereof, who fo lyfteth to know further more particulerly 
 who inuented all other partes and inftrumentes parteyning to al fortes of 
 Shyppes, and Art of Nauigation, may read ye thyrde booke of Polidor 
 Virgil, Cap. xv. De Inuentorib. Rer. and Bayfms, de re nauati. 
 
 Thus gentle Maifter Wynter, befeechyng your woorfliyp to take 
 
 in good part this teftimonie of my thankful! hart (fuche as it 
 
 is) I befeeche the immortall God to profper all your doo- 
 
 inges to his honor, and the benefite of your Countrey. 
 
 1576. The last work which it was permitted to Eden to 
 
 undertake, was an English translation from a Latin 
 version of Ludovico Barthema's Travets in the Eajl in 
 
 1503, which was posthumously printed by R. Willes, the next year. 
 
 He was also endeavouring to collect the Reports of the Agents of the 
 
 Moscovy Company, which form so important a part of Hakluy t's Collection ; 
 
 when death exchanged his earthly life of troubles and labours, for, we can 
 
 but think, the blessed peace of heavenly rest. 
 
 I am indebted to my friend the late Mr. C. Bridger, Hon. Mem. of the 
 Soc. of Ant. of Newcastle, for the following note : 
 
 1576. July 20. Letters of Administration were granted, in the Pre- 
 
 rogative Court of Canterbury, to the estate of Richard 
 
 Eden, of the parish of St Dunstan's in the East, (the same 
 
 parish in which Sir John Hawkins lived), in favour of Alban Eden, his son. 
 
 1577. Summer. R. WiUis published a second and altered edition of 
 
 the Third Work here reprinted, under the title of The 
 History of Trauayle in the West and East Indies, &'c. 
 1586. April. It would appear from T. A. D'Aubigne's Histoire Uni- 
 
 verselle, iii. book i. c. J,, p. 15, Ed. 1620, that the Vidame, 
 after many wanderings, was captured by one Captain 
 Carles : who (not crediting that a member of so good a 
 family was unable to pay his ransom) suffered this distinguished Nobleman, 
 whom the King of Navarre had called his Uncle, and who was now about 
 sixty-six years ; to die like a dog, while bound to the magazine at the bottom 
 of the hold of his galley. A prisoner so placed would be situated immedi- 
 ately below the planking of the passage which extended between the two 
 rows of galley slaves from the prow to the stern of the galley : and there- 
 fore, when the galley was in motion, would ceaselessly suffer from all the 
 noise of the sixty or eighty rowers ; from whom he would be separated, only 
 by the thickness of the planking above his head. 
 
Richard Eden's 
 
 Contributions to our Literature, 
 
 during the reigns of 
 
 Edward VI. and Mary. 
 
 I553-I555 A.D. 
 
[The Second English book on America.] 
 
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 C To THE RIGHT HYGHE AND MIGHTY PrINCE, 
 
 THE Duke of Northumberlande, 
 
 HYS GRACE. 
 
 Reade in auncient writers (moft noble prince) how 
 that mightie kyng and conquerour of the world, 
 Alexander the great, at fuch tyme as he beheld ye 
 tombe of fearfe Achilles, and therewith called to his, 
 remembraunce howe excellently the Poet Homere 
 had fet forth his heroical factes, which notwithftand- 
 ing he thoughte to be muche inferiour vnto his, he 
 fighed and fayde : Oh the moft fortunate, which hafte 
 founde fuche a trompe to magnifi thi doinges, mean- 
 ing hereby, that the fame of Achilles was no leffe 
 notable to hys pofteritie by homers writing, then 
 it was in hys lyfe tyme by hys owne marcial 
 affayres. Wherby we maye perceue fuch magna- 
 nimitie to haue ben in our predlceffours, men of 
 noble and ftout courage, yat they thought it not fufficiente in their life time to deferue prayfe 
 and honour, except the fame might alfo redounde to theyr pofteritie, yat they mighte therby 
 bee encouraged to do the like. Whyche thing truely hath ben ye caufe, yat in al ages 
 noble enterprifes haue ben commended, and fuch as haue attempted ye fame, haue 
 bene honoured. Wherfore if honeft commendacions be a iuft reward dew to noble 
 enterprifes, fo much do they robbe and fpoyle from ye dignitie therof, which in any 
 poynt diminiftie the fame : no leffe confoundinge the order of thinges, than he whiche 
 cloteth an ape in purple, and a king in fackecloth. This I fpeake ye rather, beecaufe 
 there chaunfed of late to come to my handes, a ftiiete of printed paper, (more worthy fo to 
 bee called then a boke) entytuled of the newe founde landes. The whyche tytle when I 
 readde, as one not vtterlye ignoraunt hereof, hauynge before in my tyme readde Decades, 
 and alfo the nauigations de nouo orbe, there feemed too me no leffe inequalitye betwene the 
 tytle and the booke, then if a man woulde profeffe to wryte of Englande, and 
 entreated onelye of Trumpington a vyllage wythin a myle of Cambrydge. Wherefore 
 partelye moued [by] the good affeccion, whyche I haue euer borne to the fcience of 
 Cofmographie, whyche entreately of the defcripcion of the worlde, whereof the liewe 
 founde landes are no fmal part, and much more by ye good wyll, whych of duetie I 
 beare to my natyue countrey and countreymen, which haue of late to their great praife 
 (whatfoeuer fuccede) attempted with new viages to ferche ye feas and newe found 
 landes, I thought it worthy my trauayle, to their better comfort, (as one not otherwife 
 able to further theyr enterprife) to tranflate this boke oute of latin into Engliflie. 
 The which, albeit it do not fo largely or particulerlye entreate of euery part, region or 
 commoditie of ye fayd new found landes, as the worthines of the thing might requyre : 
 yet fure I am that afwel they which fet forth or take vpon them this viage, as alfo 
 they which fhal hereafter attempt ye lyke, may in this fmal boke as in a little glaffe, 
 fee fome cleare light, not only how to learne by the example, dammage, good fucceffe, 
 
 Eden. 
 
 E2 
 
\DedicaHon to the Duke of Noytkumberland.] 
 
 and aduentures of other, how to behaue them felues and direct theyr viage to their 
 moft commoditie, but alfo if dew fucceffe herein fhoulde not chaunce according vnto 
 theyr hope and expectation (as oftentimes chanceth in great affaires,) yet not for one 
 foyle or fal, fo to be difmayd as with fhame and difhonor to leaue wyth loffe, but 
 rather to the death to perfift in a godly, honefle, and lawful purpofe, knowing that 
 whereas one death is dewe to nature, the fame is more honourably fpent in fuch 
 attemptes as may be to the glorye of God and commoditie of our countrey, then in 
 foft beddes at home, among the teares and weping of women. Which manlye 
 courage (like vnto that which hath ben feen and proued in your grace, afwell in forene 
 realmes, as alfo in this oure countrey) yf it had not been wanting in other in thefe 
 our dayes, at fuche time as our fouereigne Lord of noble memorie Kinge Henry the. 
 viij. about the fame yere of his raygne, furnifhed and fent forth certen fhippes vnder 
 the gouernaunce of Sebaftian Cabot yet lining, and one fyr Thomas Perte, whofe 
 faynt heart was the caufe that that viage toke none effect, yf (I fay) fuch manly 
 courage whereof we haue fpoken, had not at that tyme bene wanting, it myghte 
 happelye haue comen to paffe, that that riche treafurye called Perularia, (which is now 
 in Spayne in the citie of Ciuile, and fo named, for that in it is kepte the infinite ryches 
 brought thither from the newe found land of Peru,) myght longe fince haue bene in 
 the towre of London, to the kinges great honoure and welth of this his realme. 
 What riches the Emperoure hath gotten oute of all the newe founde landes, it 
 may wel appeare, wheras onlye in the Ilandes of Hifpana or Hifpaniola and Cuba 
 and other Ilandes there aboute, were gathered in two monethes twelue thoufand 
 poundes weyght of gold as youre' grace maye reade in this boke, in the defcripcion of 
 the Ilandes. Yet fpeake I here nothynge of perles, precious ftones, and fpices. 
 Neyther yet of the greate aboundaunce of golde, whiche is engendred almofl in al 
 regions neare vnto the jfEquinoSlial line. And whereas I am aduertifed yat youre 
 grace haue bene a greate fortherer of thys viage, (as you haue bene euer ftudious for 
 the commoditie of your countrey,) I thought my trauayl herein coulde no wayes be 
 more worthely beftowed, then to dedicate the fame vnto your grace : Moft humbly 
 defiringe youre honoure fo to accepte mine intente herein, as one whofe good will 
 hath not wanted to gratifie your grace with a better thing if mine abilitie were 
 greater. Thus Almighty God preferue your grace in health and honour long to 
 continue. 
 
 C Your graces poore o- 
 ratour Rychard Eden. 
 
C Rycharde Eden to the reader. 
 
 Hereas in this Booke (welbeloued Reader) thou mayeft 
 reade many llraunge thinges, and in maner incredible, except 
 the fame were proued mofl. certayn by dayly experience, and 
 approued auctoritie, (as fliall hereafter appeare) I thought it 
 good for thy better inftruction to make this Preface, wherby 
 thou mighteft more playnly and fenfibly comprehend the reafons 
 and caufes, yf not of al, yet of fome of the chiefefl thinges, 
 which are conteyned in the fame. Therfore wheras thou Ihalt 
 reade of the great abundaunce of gold, precious ftones and 
 fpices, which the Spaniardes and Portugales haue brought from 
 the South partes of the worlde, as from the newe founde landes 
 and Ilandes, the fodeyn flraungenes or greatnes of the thing 
 flial not fo much amafe thy wittes, and gender in thee 
 incrudelitie, yf thou confider the iaying of wyfe Salomon, who 
 affyrmeth yat there is no new thing vnder the Sunne, and that 
 the thing that hath been, cometh to pafTe again : which faying 
 doeth greatly confyrme the trueth, of fuch thinges as are fpoken 
 of in this Boke, wheras the fame perhappes to fome men might otherwyfe feme in maner incredible, 
 yf tlie lyke had not been fene in tyme pafle, and approued by auctoritie of molle holy fcripture, which 
 declaring the great wyfdom, ryches, and noble viages of King Salomon, fayth that God gaue him wifdom 
 and vnderilanding exceding muche, and a large heart, and that he prepared a nauie of fliippes, in the 
 porte of Azion Gaber, by the brinke of the redde fea, which fayled to Ophir, and brought from thence. 
 xxi. fcore hundreth (which is. xlii.M. [forty-two thousand]) weyght of golde. Agayne,' that the weyghte of 
 golde which was broughte to Salomon in one yere, was. vi. hundreth, thre fcore and. vi. talentes of gold, 
 wheras the Hebrue talente, called Talenie Habraicum J'anlhcarij, was of our fterling money 500. pounde, 
 and Talent Hcebraicum uulgare, was halfe fo much Lykewyfe yat filuer was nothing worth in the dayes of 
 Salomon, and yat he made filuer and gold in Hierufalem as plentious as ftones Agayn, that he ouerlayd 
 the houfe of the Lord with precious ftones beautifully, and the gold wherwith he couered it, was golde of 
 Paruaim. Alfo that the kinges nauie of (hippes went once in thre yere to Tharfis, and brought Gold, 
 Siluer, Apes, Peacockes, and Elephantes teeth. Which wordes furely feme fo to confirme fuch thinges as are 
 fpoken of in the nauigacions wherof this boke entreateth, that nothinge can make more for the truth of the 
 feme : and briefely to fpeake of the places whether Salomons fliippes fayled for Gold, as Tharfis and Ophir. 
 This ought to be confydered for a general rule, that neareft vnto the fouth partes of the world betwene the 
 two Tropikes vnder ye EquinoHial or burning lyne, where the funne is of greateft forfe, is the chiefeft place 
 where gold is engendred, although it be fometymes founde in colde regions as in Scotland, in Crayford 
 more, hkewyfe in Hungary, yet nether pure of it felf, nor in great quantitie : the reafon whereof is largely 
 declared in the Bookes of George Agric, and Albertus Magnus. And wheras it is written in ye Boke of 
 Kinges in the Actes of Salomon that he prepared his fliippes in Azion Gaber, beyng by the brinke of the 
 readde fea, and fayled from thence to Ophir for Golde, it is apparaunt, that (howfoeuer the names of thinges 
 haue altered and periflhed in tyme) he fayled from thence fouthwarde towarde the Equinoctial lyne, for 
 afmuche as there is none other paffage oute of the narowneffe of the readde fea, but onely into the mayne 
 South fea, by the which the Portugales euen at this daye make theyr viage to Calicut, Samotra, Madagafcar, 
 and fuch other Ilandes in the South eaft partes of the worlde, where Golde, Spyces, Apes, and Elephantes 
 are nowe founde in lyke manner. But as for Tharfis beynge a cytye of Cilicia in Afia the leffe and the 
 natiue countreye of S. Paule the Apoftle, and fituate muche more toward the North, then is ludea, and in 
 maner directlye ouer againfte ludea on the otherfyde of the fea called Mare Mediteraneum, and in the 
 fame clime, in the which ftandeth the Ilande of Sicilia, and the cytie of Ciuile in Spayne, it hardelye agreeth 
 with the principles of Philofophie and common experience, that golde fliould be there engendred in lyke 
 abundaunce as in Regions more towarde the fouth, much leflie Elephantes and Apes, which are no where 
 engendred farre from the ^quinollial lyne, or beyonde the two Tropikes, nor yet wil engendre yf they be 
 
 Nothine nevr 
 vnder the Sunn& 
 
 3- Reg, 4 
 3. Reg. g 
 
 3. Re. low 
 
 a. Par. x 
 
 I Par. 3. 
 
 Tharsis. 
 
 Golde Apes 
 
 Elephantes. 
 
 Salomons 
 
 shippes. 
 
 Ophir. 
 
 Where Gold is 
 engendred. 
 Scotland. 
 Hungary 
 
 3- Reg. 9 
 Azion Caher. 
 
 ITie Equinoctial 
 line. 
 
 Calicut. 
 
 Tharsis in 
 Cilicia. 
 
 Sicilia. 
 
 Ciuile in Spayne- 
 
8 
 
 [Epistle to the Reader.] 
 
 Spyces. 
 
 Pepper. 
 Orange tree. 
 
 East India. 
 
 Solomon boughte 
 golde of 
 marchauntes. 
 
 The south and 
 southeast 
 
 Mat. X2, 
 3 Reg. X 
 1. Par, 9 
 
 The quene of 
 Saba, the qutine 
 of the south. 
 
 s par. 9 
 
 3 Reg. x 
 
 Saba in Ethiopia 
 vnder Egipt. 
 
 Saba in Arabia. 
 
 Trie quene of 
 Saba came from 
 the Hand of 
 Merote. 
 
 From Rome to 
 England. 
 
 The viage of our 
 men to cathny 
 
 Norway, Lappia, 
 Finmarchia. 
 
 Globes and 
 mappes. 
 
 Ptolomeus. 
 
 America. 
 
 The strayghtes of 
 Magellanus. 
 The Ilandes of 
 Molucca. 
 Passage by the 
 north sea mto 
 the East. 
 
 Pius secundus. 
 lib. i. Capii. ii. 
 Note wel the 
 passage by ye 
 North sea. 
 Augustus 
 th[e]emperour 
 Cimbria. 
 Ciispia. 
 
 The warres of ye 
 Macedonians 
 
 broughte into tliofe partes of the world. The lyke is to be vnderflande of Popingiayes and fpyces, and 
 dyuers other beaftes, fruites, and trees, which are engendered in certayne climes of the worlde, and 
 wyll not profpere in other places : the reafon wherof were here to longe [to] declare. For lyke as pepper 
 wyll not growe in Spayne, no more wyll the Orange tree bringe foorth fniite in Englande. Wherefore, it 
 may feme by good reafon, that the Golde, Apes, and Elephantes teeth which were broughte from Tharfis (yf it 
 were Tharfis of Cilicia) were not engendered there, but rather brought thether by merchauntes from the fouth partes 
 of the world, out of Mauritania, Marmarica, Ethiopia, Libia, and Arabia, or otherwife by lande, from the Eafl 
 India, lyke as at this daye, the greate multitude of Spyces, Golde, Precious ftones, Sylke, and luerye, whyche is at 
 Calicut and Cambaia, growe not al in the regions there about, but are brought thether from dyuers other countreys, 
 as doeth more largely appeare in this Boke.i And that Salomons factours for exchaunge of other raardiaundyfe, 
 bought the fame in Tharfis, beyng brought thether from other countreyes, as it is written in the thyrde Boke 
 of the Kinges, that Salomon had great plentie of Gold of Marchauntes and Apothecaries. Sd that to 
 conclude, I would rather thinke (fauing reformacion of other better learned) that this Tharfis (and not 
 Tharfis of Cilicia,) from whence Salomon had fo great plentie of Gold and luerie, were rather fome other 
 countrey in the fouth partes of the world, then this Tharfis of Cilicia. For, not onely olde and newe 
 Hiflories, dayly experience, and the principles of natural Philofophie doe agree, yat the places mofl apte to 
 bring forth gold, fpices, and precious ftones, are the South and Southeaft partes of the world, but alfo cur 
 Sauiour Chrift approueth the fame, declaring that the Quene of the South (meaning the Quene of Saba) 
 came from the vtmofte partes of the worlde to heare the wyfdom of Salomon. And lyke as by the auctoritie 
 of thefe woordes it is playne from what partes of the world ftie came, the fame to a philofophical head is 
 apparent by fuche ryches and prefentes as ftie broughte with her. For albeit that in the Chronacles of 
 Salomon it is not written by expreifed wordes that (he came from the Southe, yet is it wrytten that fhe came 
 to Hiemfalem with a very great trayne, with camels laden with fpyces, fwete odours, and exceading much 
 gold and precious ftones, which defcripcion doeth well agree, both with the fituation of the cytie of Saba in 
 Ethiopia vnder Egipt : and alfo with the countrey of Saba, being in the middel of Arabia, inuironned about 
 with great rockes wherein is a great wood of Precious trees, fome of Cinomome and Caffia, and fome bring- 
 ing forth frankencenfe and myrre, as writeth Plinius lib. 12. and Theophrafius li. 9. de Hifl. Plant. Wherefore 
 the Quene of Saba myghte worthely be called the quene of the South, forafmuch as bothe Saba (or rather 
 Sabat) in Ethiopia, whiche lofephus thinketh to be the Hand of Meroe, now called Elf aba, beinge in the ryuer 
 oi Nilus, and that the quene came from thence, and alfo Saba in Arabia, are fituate farre Southwarde from 
 Hierufalem, euen in maner in the middeft of the lyne, called Tropicus Cancri, and the EquinoElial lyne, where 
 the Pole Artike is eleuate not pafTing. 13. degrees or thereabout (as in Meroce) where as the fame pole is eleuate 
 at Hierufalem. 32. degrees : whereby it may appeare yat the quene of Saba (whom Chrifte calleth the quene 
 of ye fouth,) came from the fouth partes about, xi. hundreth and. xl. miles from Hierufalem for the fame 
 diftaunce is from Saba in Meroe to Hierufalem, as betwene Rome and England. Biit as touching this 
 matter, it (hall fuffyfe to haue fayde thus muche. Nowe therefore to returne home from thefe farre countreys, 
 and to fpeake fomewhat of this viage which oure countreymenne, haue attempted to fayle into the Eafte 
 partes, by the coaftes of Norway, Lappia, and Finmarchia, and fo by the narrowe tracte of the Sea by the 
 coaftes of Grouelande, into the frofen fea, called Mare Congelatum, and fo forth to Cathay (yf any fuche 
 paffage may be found) whiche onely doubte doeth at this daye difcorage many faynte hearted men, fpeciallye 
 beecaufe in the mofte parte of Globes and Mappes they fee the continente or fyrme land, extended euen to 
 the North Pole without any fuch pa(rage. Which thing ought to moue no ma n greatly, fora fmuch as the 
 moft parte^ of Glnhe.s_arid_mappes are m adp a ftpr P tnlnmpiis Tahlp sj Who, albeit he was an excellent rnaiT 
 yetwSe there many thinges hyd from hjs knowledge, ,_as not fu(ficientelye~tryed_qrT^ched'at thole daies, as 
 manTfeftly appeareth in that he knew nothing jof America with the hole fyrme lande adherent thereunto" 
 whiai is nowe found to be the fourth parte of the earth. "Neyther yerknewte'any fllinge of the^pallage by 
 the'Wefte into the Eafte, by the ftrayghtes of Magellanus as you (hal reade in this Boke. Neytherofthe 
 Ilandes in the Wefte Ocean Sea, nor of the Ilandes of Molucca fituate in the mayne Eafte Indian Sea. And 
 as touchinge this palTage, albeit, it were not knowen in Ptolomeus dayes yet other auctors of later time who 
 perhappes haue hadde further experience of the thing (as good reafon is) doe wryte not onely that there is 
 a paflTage by the Northe Sea into the mayne Eafte Sea, but doe alfo further declare, howe certayne (hippes 
 haue fafely fayled throughe the fame, as Pius fecundus (otherwyfe called ^neas Siluius) an excellente 
 auctour defcrybeth in his Boke of Cofmographie, where he hath thefe wordes folowing. Of the North Ocean 
 Sea, whether it may be fayled aboute or not, the contencion is greater, yet is it apparaunte that the greatefte 
 parte thereof aboute Germanie, hath been fearched by the commaundemente of Auguftus thfelemperour euen 
 vnto the promontorie or landes ende of the people, called Cimbri. The feas alfo and coaftes of Cafpia were 
 fo fearched during the warres of the Macedonians vnder the dominion of Seleuciis and Anihioctis, that al 
 
\Epistle to the Reader.] 
 
 9 
 
 mod all the Noilh on euery fyde was fayled about. Plinie rehearfeth the teflimonie of Cornelius Nepos, who 
 wryteth that the King of Sueuia (or Swethelande) gaue to Metellus celer, proconfuU or leauetenaunte of 
 Fraunce, certayne Indians or menne of Inde, whiche faylinge out of India for marchaundyfe, were by 
 tempefl. drieuen into Germanic. We alfo reade in Otho, that vnder th[e]empyre of the Germaynes, there was 
 a Ihippe of Indians taken in the North fea of Germanie, and drieuen thether by contrary wynd from the 
 Eaft partes : which thing coulde by no meanes haue comen to paffe, yf (as many menne thinke) the North 
 fea were not nauigable by reafon of extreme cold and Ife. And thefe be the very wordes of Pius Secundus, 
 whereunto I adde, that thys, notwithftandinge, yf it fhould fo chaunce, that ether there can no fuch paf- 
 fage be found, or the fame fo daungerous, or otherwyfe that the very cutte thereof by which onely perhappes 
 any fhippes might paffe, could not be founde, yea, or to cade the worfle, yf they flioulde perilhe in this viage, yet 
 I woulde wiflie all men to be of fuch corage and conflancie in thefe affayres, as are valiaunt capitaynes 
 in the waires : who, yf by miffortune they take a foyle, doe rather ftudie how by fome other wayes to recouer 
 theyr honour and reputacion diminifl-ied by the fame, then with Ihame, loffe, and dilhonour, euer afterwarde 
 to geue place to theyr enemyes, or forfweare the warres. Wherefore, to conclude, yf no good can be done this 
 way, it were worthy the aduenture to attempt,- yf thp fame viage may bee broughte to paffe, another waye, as 
 by the ftxayght called Fretum trium fratrum, weflward and by North from England, whiche viage is fufficiently 
 knowen to fuche as, haue any ikyll in Geographic. As for other landes and Ilandes in the weft fea, where 
 the Eagle (yet not in euery place) hath fo fpled his winges, that other poore byrdes may not without offence 
 feke theyr praye within the compaffe of the fame, I wyll fpeake nothing hereof, bycaufe I wold be loth to lay 
 an egge, wherof other men might hatche a ferpent Wherfore to let this paffe, and to entre into another 
 matter. Vfirafmnr h a-; in thefe our dales hath chaunced fo great a fecret to be foun d, as the like hath, neuer 
 been Jyiowen or heard before, (what f oeuer G od meant to kepe thi s miftery hyd fo long) I though te it good 
 to fpeake fomwhat hereof: trufting yat the pleafaunt contemplacion of the thing it felfe, flial inaketj i e lengt h 
 oif 't his preface leffe tedTous", efpecially yf it_find ji^ reader whofe Rule delyteth lir prayfe -Gbd i n hiTw^es. 
 ^•Eetiiing therforelTthis, how tHe hole globe of the world (of the earth and wate r I meane) hath been fayled 
 aboute, by the W eft into the Eaft, as doth morgjargely appeare in this boke in the nauigacions oi Magellanus, 
 who from SpayneTfayfed Weft ward to the Bandes of Molucca being in IHe lESITTea, laxre beyond'TrttfftlTCift 
 • paHes "(yj^~'T."?f;a •" and" the portugales came to the fame Ilandes from Spayne fayling Eaftward "EyTlie 
 coaftes of Aphrica, Arabia, and the vttermoft India beyond the ryuer of Ganges where, in yat Indian fea the 
 fayd Ilandes of Molucca are fituate. A thing furely moft wonderful, and in maner incredible, but that the 
 lame is proued moft certayne by experience, the teacher and meftres of "all fciences, for lacke of whofe ayde 
 (experience I meane) lyke as many greate wittes haue fallen into great errours, fo by her ayde, many bafe 
 and common wittes haue attayned to the knowledge and practife of fuch wonderfuU effectes, as could hardely 
 be comprehended by the difcourfe of reafon. Which thing or other lyke, I fuppofe was the caufe why the 
 noble Philofopher Ariftoteles fayde : Quod nihil ejl in intelledu quod non fuit prius in fenfu, that is, that 
 nothinge is in vnderftandinge, but the fame was fyrft in fenfe, that is to faye subiect to ye fenfes. Yet would 
 I not that any raflie witte flioulde hereby take holde, as thoughe eyther Ariftotle or I, meant that fence 
 were more exceUent then reafon, but rather that reafon vfmg fenfe, taketh his principles and fyrft fedes of 
 thinges fenfyble, and afterwarde by his owne difcourfe and fearching of caufes, encreafeth the fame from a 
 feede to a tree, as from an acome to an oke. Nought els to fay, but that experience to be moft certayn 
 which is ioyned with reafon or fpeculacion, and that reafon to be moft fure which is confirmed with 
 experience, accordinge as the Phificians determen in theyr fcience, that neyther practyfe is fafe without 
 fpeculacion, nor fpeculacion without practyfe. Wherfore, whereas men of great knowledge and experience, 
 are to great affaires, theyi- attemptes haue for the mofte parte good fucceffe, as doeth mofte playnly appeare 
 in all hiftories : notwithftanding that fome ignoraunt men wyl alledge that certayn raflie aduentures haue 
 profpered well- which feyinge proueth no more then yf a man fliould fay, that twife or thnfe a man vnarmed 
 flew a man armed (as dyd fometyme the wyld Iriftimen at bullen) Ergo, it were better to fight vnarmed 
 then armed. And wheras I haue here fpoken of knowledge ioyned with experience, I meane by knowledge 
 yat which we commonly call learning, whether it be gotten out of bokes (which are the wntinges of wyfe 
 and expert men) or otherwyfe by conference and educacion with fuch as are lemed: meaning nought els by 
 learning but ye gathering of many mens wittes into one mans head, and the expenence of many yereE, 
 and many mens lyues, to the lyfe of one, whom we call a learned, wyfe, and expert man. The which 
 defvnicion and effect of learning, the noble and learned cortier Baltaffar Caftaghone (the auctour of the boke 
 called in the Italian tongue il cortegiono,) diligently confideringe, doeth greatlye blame and reproue the 
 frenflimen in that they thinke yat the knowledge of letters doeth hinder the affayres of warre, ye which 
 nerfwafion he proueth by many reafons and examples to be moft falfe. But as concemmge the matter 
 whereof this boke entreateth the greate Philofopher Albertus Magnus, onelye by learnmge, wythoute 
 
 Plinius. 
 
 ComelUts Nepos. 
 Sueuia, called also 
 Suecia nere vnto 
 Gothland and 
 norway. 
 
 A ship of Indians 
 driuen from the 
 East into the North 
 seas. 
 
 The viage to 
 Cathay 
 
 Westwarde and 
 by north. 
 
 The earth 
 compassed about 
 
 The viage of 
 Magellanjts. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Molucca. 
 
 Experience, y.e 
 teacher of al 
 sciences. 
 
 Sense and 
 vnderstandinge. 
 
 A sentence of 
 AristotelL 
 
 Experience ioined 
 with speculation 
 
 A perticuler 
 proueth no 
 vniuersall. 
 
 What is 
 knowledge and 
 learning 
 
 Baliassar 
 Castaglione. 
 A false 
 perswasion of ye 
 
 Frenshmen. 
 
 A Iberius Magiaa 
 
10 
 
 [Epistle to the Reader?^ 
 
 Temperat regions 
 vnder ye 
 Equijiociial line. 
 
 An error of S. 
 Augustine and 
 Lactantius. 
 A ntipodes. 
 Apianta. 
 
 Lactatttius. 
 
 The roundnes of 
 
 ye earth. 
 
 S. augustync 
 
 Aplanus. 
 
 The apostles, 
 Antipodesxhe 
 one againste 
 th[e]other. 
 
 The spinyardes 
 and the Indians 
 are Antipodes, 
 
 S. augustine of 
 the heresie of 
 Manickeus. 
 S..augU5tines 
 boke of retractcs. 
 
 Mountaynes, let 
 not ye roundnes 
 of the earth. 
 A giUle. 
 
 A Sentence of S. 
 augustines. 
 
 Commendacion of 
 s. augustin 
 
 Lacinutlus. 
 
 expeiyence, aflFyrmed that habitable or temperate Regions myghte be vnder the Equinoctial or buminge 
 lyne, as appeareth in hys Boke de Natura locorum, contrarye to the opinion of other wryters whyche were before 
 hys tyme, and yet is nowe proued by experience to bee mofle true, albeit not in all places vnder the fayde 
 lyne, the caufe whereof were here to longe to declare. And lyke as Albertus Magnus by knowledge of 
 I Aftronomye (wherein he excelled) came to the vnderflandinge hereof, euen fo that greate Gierke (but better 
 ' dyuyne then Phylofopher) Sayncte Auguftyne and alfo Lactantius, for lacke of lyke knowledge in that fcience, 
 fell into a chyldiftie erroure, denyinge that there is anye people, called Antipodes, of whom the greate 
 Aflronomer of our tyme, Apianus wryteth in thys maner. Antipodes are they, whyche walke wyth theyr fete 
 dyrectelye contrarye agaynfle cures, and haue the heauen dyrectelye ouer theyr heades as we haue. Yet haue 
 we nothinge common wyth them, but all thinges contrarye : for when the Sunne caufeth Sommer wyth vs, 
 then is it Myddewynter wyth them : and when it is day wyth vs, it is nyghte wyth them : And when the daye 
 is longefte wyth vs, then is the longefte nyghte wyth them, and the fhortefle daye. Whiche, Lactantius, a 
 manne otherwyfe well learned, in his thyrde Booke, Capittulo foure and twentye, childiffhelye erringe, wyth 
 hys lyghte and opinionate argumentes, denyeth that there is anye fuche, and mocketh the Aftronomers, 
 beecaufe they affyrme the earth to bee rounde, whiche neuertheleffe they proue wyth mofte certayne and 
 apparente demonftracions of Geometrye, and vnfayleable experymentes. Whome, Sayncte Auguftyne 
 folowing, in his fixtenth Booke. de Ciuitat. Dei. Capittu. ix. wryteth after thys forte. Suche as fable that 
 there is Antipodes, that is to faye, menne of the contrarye parte, where the funne ryfeth when it falleth to vs, 
 and to haue theyr feete agaynfle oures, we oughte by no reafon to beeleue. Thofe bee the woordes of 
 Sayncte Auguftyne. Nothwithftandinge (fayeth Apianus) putte thou no doubte Gentle Reader, that the 
 Apoftles of Chrifte were Antipodes the one to the other, and ftode feete to feete the one agaynfte the 
 other, when lames th[e]elder and brother to lohn the Euangelifte, the fonne of Zebedeus, was in Spayne in 
 Galitia, and Thomas the Apoftle in the hygher India, they were moofte certaynelye Antipodes, walking feete 
 to feete one agaynfte the other, almoft as directly as a diametrical lyne. For the Spanyardes are Antipodes 
 to the Indians, and the Indians in lyke maner to. the Spanyardes. Which thinge alfo the excellente and 
 aunciente Auctour Strabo confyrmeth to bee true, and likewife Plinius Nat. Hijl. lib. 2. Cap. 67. Dolateranus 
 alfo, and all other Cofmographers and Aftronomers. Hetherto Apianus : and to declare my opinion in fewe 
 woordes, I thinke it no greate marueyle that Saincte Auguftyne ftioulde fall into an erroure in the fcience 
 of Aftronomie in whiche he trauayled but as a ftraunger, forafmuche as he erred in many thinges in diuinitie 
 which was his chief profeffion : and was longe of the herefye of Manicheus beefore he was conuerted by 
 Saincte Ambrofe : and wrytte alfo at the lengthe a Booke of retractes, in whych he correcteth hys owne 
 errours. And I beleue playnely that, that excellent witte of hys, could not haue remayned in yat errour yf 
 he had been wel exercyfed in Aftronomy, or had knowen any fuche experyence as is fpoken of here beefore, 
 howe the Spanyardes by the Wefte and the Portugales by the Eafte compaffed aboute the earth, whiche 
 coulde neuer haue come to paffe yf the earthe were not rounde (Quantum ad maximas fui partes) as they call 
 it. For, as for hylles and Mountaynes, though they be neuer fo greate, yet in refpecte to the byggenes of the 
 earth, they doe no more lette the roundneffe hereof, then doe the lyttle knobbes of the berrye, which we call 
 a galle, lette the roundneffe of the fame. Wherefore I am certaynely perfwaded, that yf Sayncte Auguftyne 
 had continued hys ftudye in Aftronomye (as it hadde been pytye he ftioulde) or were alyue at thys daye, he 
 woulde alfo haue retracted this erroure. But yf here anye fuperfticious head (hall thinke it a heynous matter 
 in any poynte to contrary Sainct Auguftyne, lette hym hearken howe Auguftine h}'m felfe fayeth: that 
 he wyll neyther hys writynges or other mennes, of howe greate name or fame foeuer they be, otherwife 
 to be beleued then the fame ftiall, by reafon bee approued to be true : Neque quorumlibet difputaciones, <S-^. 
 And lyke as the greate Philofopher Ariftotel, when he wryte agaynfte hys mayfter Plato of the queftion 
 de Jdais, and agaynfte Socrates who by the oracle of Apollo was proued to be moft wyfe, and certayne 
 of hys frendes a(ked hym why he durfte be fo boulde, he aunfwered that Plato was hys frende and 
 fo was Socrates : but trueth hys frende more then they bothe, euen fo I thinke it no iniurye nor 
 contumelye to Saynct Auguftyne, yf the fame were fayde of hym alfo geuynge hym otherwyfe hys dewe 
 commendacions, as he was furelye an excellente man, of dyuyne witte, and knowledge, and fo trauayled in 
 fettynge foorth Chriftes true Relygion in thofe turmoylous dayes, in perpetual combatte, agaynfte learned 
 heretykes and Prynces of the worlde, that he is worthelye called a Doctour and Pyller of Chriftes Churche. 
 And as for Lactantius, the intente of whofe wrytinges was chiefelye to thys ende, to dyminiftie thfeleftimacion 
 of Philofophye, (as at thofe dayes it was neceffarie to doe amonge the Gentyles) and to aduaunce Goddes 
 woorde, (whyche they contemned for the fimplicitie of the fame,) albeit, he attempted as farre as hys leam- 
 inge woulde feme hym, to make all thynges in Philo[fo]phie vncertayne, yet are hys argumentes fo flender, 
 that vnleffe G O D by the fecrete working of hys fpyryte, hadde called the Gentyles to the true Faythe, I feare 
 me leafte fewe or none of them, (fpecyallye of the greate wyttes) woulde haue been conuerted by Lactantius 
 
\Episth to the Reader.] 
 
 II 
 
 Howe he dalyeth in denyinge the yearth to bee rounde, and that it is poflyble that it 
 myghte bee longe and rounde, (lyke an Egge,) or otherwyfe longe and holowe lyke a bote, (meanynge I 
 fuppofe that the Sea myghte bee conteyned in the holowneffe of the fame, wyth fuche other opinyons 
 grounded of no reafon, it were to longe to rehearfe. Yet, forafmuche as he was a learned manne, and 
 for the better latiiTyinge of fuche wyttes as are defyreous to know fome apperaunce of truth by naturall 
 reafon and demonftracions, lette vs admytte that the earth were rounde after anye of thofe faflhions whiche 
 he defcrybeth : yet can it not bee denyed, but that it is conteyned wythin the holoweneffe (yf I maye 
 fo call it) of the ayre, hauynge the heauen in euerye place dyrectelye ouer euery parte of the fame, as fayeth 
 the Poete and Philofopher Virgill, Cxlum undique furfum : Excepte perhappes Lactantius ftioulde thinke 
 that it honge by fome thynge, or were otherwyfe borne vppe wyth pyllers as the Poetes Fable, that the 
 Gyaunte Atlas beareth the worlde on hys flioulders, whereby they meane that a manne of valiente mynde 
 mufl ftoutelye beare the chaunces of the worlde. Of whyche hangeinge or bearynge of the earth, I reade 
 a better and more true fayinge in the holye Scripture, where it is written, Fo't omnia uerbo oris fui, that 
 is, that God fuftayneth and beareth all thinges with the woorde of hys mouth. 
 
 Holye lob alfo fayeth, that the LORD ilretcheth oute the Northe ouer the emptye, and hangeth the 
 earth vpon nothjmge : Meaninge by nothinge, the ayre, becaufe to oure fenfes it appeareth in maner as 
 nothynge : Or otherwyfe that it is not dependynge of anye other fubflaunce, but to bee fuflayned onelye by 
 the power of G O D who hath appoynted the Elementes theyr places and lymittes, and caufeth the heuye to 
 ftande fafte : as wytneffeth Moyfes in hys fonge, fayinge : By the wynde of thy noflrels the waters gathered 
 together, the flouddes ftoode ftyll as an heape, and the deepe water congeled togeather in the heart of the Sea. 
 Wherefore yf the heauen be rounde (whiche no manne can reafonably denye that euer fawe the Sunne and 
 fterres moue.) And yf the earth bee the center of the worlde dependinge as we haue fayde beefore, then 
 mufte it needes folowe, that they whiche inhabiting the Northwefle partes of the earth, haue the Pole Artike 
 eleuate thyrtye degrees, mufl needes bee Antipodes to them whiche inhabitinge the Southeafle partes of the 
 earth, haue the Pole Antartike eleuate in the fame degree, and fo the lyke to bee vnderfland of all other 
 eleuacions and degrees. And yf here anye wyll obiect, that eyther the earth or firme land is not fo large, or 
 fo farre extended, or other wyfe not inhabited althoughe it were fo large, or that the fea is greater then the 
 lande, to thys I aunfwere, that no man knoweth further hereof then is tryed and founde by experience, as 
 we haue fayde beefore. And albeit that the fea were larger then the firme lande, yet forafmuche as there are 
 Ilandes founde in all places of the mayne Sea, and in maner all inhabited, there is no reafon to the con- 
 trarye, but that the people of thofe Ilandes maye be Antipodes to fuch as dwel on the fyrme lande, on the 
 contrary parte, whether the earth bee round and longe, yea or fquare, (yf you wyll) notwythflandynge. But 
 wyth what certayne demonflracions the Aflronomers and Geometricians, proue the earth to bee rounde, and 
 the Sphericall or rounde forme to bee moofle perfecte, it were to longe to declare. I wyll therefore make 
 an ende of thys matter wyth the fayinge of Sayncte Paule in hys Oracion, to the menne of Athens. That 
 GOD made of one bloudde, all nacions of menne, to dwell vpon the hole face of the earth. 
 
 C I hadde entended here (well beeloued Reader) to haue fpoken fomewhat of fuche flraunge thynges 
 and Monflers, whereof mencion is made in thys Booke, to th[e]ende that fuche as by the narowne.s of theyr 
 vnderflandmge are not of capacitie to conceaue the caufes and natures of thynges, myghte partely haue been 
 fatiffyed wyth fome fenfyble reafons. But beynge at thys tyme otherwyfe hindered, it fhall fuffife al good 
 and honefl wittes, that whatfoeuer the Lorde hath pleafed, that hath he done in heauen and in earth, and in 
 the Sea, and in all depe places. 
 
 fl Ecclefiaflicus. Capit. i. 
 
 C The eye is not fatiffyed withfyght, and tJie eare.is not fy lied with hearinge. 
 
 Of the roundene* 
 of ye earth. 
 
 The earth hangeth 
 in ye aire 
 
 The fable of 
 Atlas. 
 
 The word of God 
 beareth vppe the 
 world. 
 
 Xob. z6. 
 
 The elementes. 
 
 Exo. XV. 
 
 The eleuation of 
 the pole. 
 
 The largenes of 
 theearui. 
 
 Ilandes 
 
 Astronomers and 
 Geometricians. 
 
 Act xvtj 
 
 Psa. 135 
 
12 
 
 C The Table. 
 
 C Of the Ilande of laua. [>. 23.] 
 
 Of the Ilande of Madagafcar. [/. 23.] 
 
 Of the Ilande of Zanzibar. [A 23.] 
 
 Of the two Ilandes in the which men and women dwell a funder. [/• 24.] 
 Of the mightie Empyre of Cathay, fubiect vnder the dominion of the great Cham or Cane, 
 
 Emperour of Tartaria. [A 24-1 
 
 Of certayn Prouinces fubiect vnder the dominion of the great Cham. \f. 25.] 
 
 Of the Prouince of Mangi. [/>. 26.] 
 
 Of the Region of Tangut D*- ^^O 
 
 Of the newe Ilandes, howe, when, and by whom they were founde. [/. 28.] 
 
 Of the two Ilandes lohanna and Hifpana. [/. 28.] 
 
 Of the Canibales, which eate mens fleflie. \j>. 29.] 
 
 . / Of the maners of the inhabitantes of Hifpana. [/. 29.] 
 ^ How Chriftophorus Columbus, after that he had founde the newe Ilandes, returned to Spayne : 
 
 and preparing a new nauie, failed agayn to ye Canibales. \p. 29.] 
 
 How Columbus the Admiral, paffed many Ilandes and what chaunced to hym and his in that viage. [/. 30.] 
 
 X— 7"^ Of the newe India, as it is founde and knowen in thefe oure dayes. \_p. 13.] 
 
 ^ Of the Adamant (lone, otherwife called the Diamant [/. 14.] 
 
 Of the Kingdoms and cities of Narfinga and Canonor \f. 14.] 
 
 Howe the Elephantes in India are prepared to the warres. \p. 15.] 
 
 Of the beafte called Rhinoceros. \f. 16.] 
 
 Of Calicut, the moile famous markette towne of India. [/. 16.] 
 
 Of the maners of the Indians in Calicut. \p. 17.] 
 
 Of Pepper and other fpyces which growe in the Region of Calicut. [/. 18.] 
 
 Of the byrdes and beafl.es which are found in the Region of CaUcut : and of the wyne of the tree. [/. 19.] 
 
 From whence all kyndes of fpyces are brought to the cytie of Calicut \p. 20.] 
 
 Of the Hand of zaylon, and of the cinomome tree. . [/>. 20.] 
 
 Of the cytie of Tarnafferi, and of the maners of the cytezyns. [/. 20.] 
 
 Of the excellent cytie and Kingdom of Pego. \j). 21.]" 
 
 Of the Ilande of Sumatra, or Taprobana. [^. 22.] 
 
 Of the Ilande of BomeL \p, 22.] 
 
 Of the Ilande of Giaua, \p, 23.] 
 
 Howe the Spanyardes abufed the fubmiffion and frendfliip of the inhabitauntes of the Ilandes. \f. 31.] 
 
 Howe^ihe Portugales foughte newe Ilandes in the Eafl; partes, and howe they came to Calicut [/. 32.] 
 Howe Magellanus by a fl.rayght or narow arme of the Sea, fayled by the Wefl.e into the Eafle 
 
 to dyuers Ilandes, where alfo he was flayne. Xp, 33.I 
 
 Howe the Spanyardes came to the Ilandes of Molucca, and of the people with great hanging eares. \f. 34.] 
 
 The third nauigacion of Chrift-ophorus Columbus. \p, 35."] 
 
 [How Petrus_Alonfus foughte newe Ilandes. p, 36.] 
 
 How Pinzonus companion to the Admiral, fought newe Ilandes. \p, 36.] 
 
 The foure nauigacions of Americus Vefputius to the newe Ilandes. [^. 37.] 
 
 The fyrile viage of Vefputius. r^. 3^1 
 
 The fecond viage of Vefputius. r^, ,81 
 
 The thyrde viage of Vefputius. r^. 3^1 
 
 The fourth viage of Vefputius. r^, 30 1 
 
 Howe the Kyng of Portugale fubdued certayne places in India, and of the ryche cytie of Malacha. [/>. 40.] 
 
 Of the Ilande of Medera, and the fortunate Ilandes, otherwyfe called the Ilandes of Canaria. \p. 40.] 
 [Whether vnder the Equinoctial circle or buminge lyne (called Torrida Zona) be habitable Regions. \/». 41.] 
 
 f[ Finis. 
 
13 
 
 f Of the newe India, 
 
 as it is knowen and found in thefe our dayes. 
 
 In the yeare of oure Lorde. M.D.LI 1 1. 
 
 After the defcripcion of Sebaftian Munfler in 
 
 his Booke of the vniuerfall Cofmographie. 
 
 Libr. V. De terris A sice Maioris. 
 
 And tranflated into Englifhe 
 
 by Richard Eden. 
 
 Here are two viages or nauigacions made oute of Europa into 
 India. The one foutheafl. from fpayne, by the coafl.es of 
 Aphrica and Ethiopia, euen vnto Arabia to the citie called 
 Aden. And from thence to the Ilande of Ormus, and from 
 Ormus to the citie of Cambaia, and from thence euen vnto the 
 citie of Calicut Cambaia is fituate nere vnto the floudde /«(/«j. 
 This citie is of great powre, riche, and abundaunt in al kyndes of 
 grayne and come. The foyle hereof bringeth forth fondry 
 kyndes of fwete oyntmentes, and cotten which groweth on certain 
 trees called Gofsampini, this cotton, is otherwyfe called Bombage 
 or fylke of the trees. The Kynge of Portugall fubdued this 
 cytie, and bylded hard by the fame a ftrong fortreffe: with 
 which thing the Turke beeing fore greued, commaunded a greate 
 nauie of (hippes with greate fumptuoufnes to bee fumiflied in 
 the goulfe called Sinus Arabicus : to the ende that he might 
 dryue the Portugalles out of India, and the better to accom- 
 pliflie this his purpofe, he appointed one Soliman a noble man of 
 warre (be3mg alfo the Captajoie of Alcayre,) to be the admiral general, or gouemour of his nauie, hauing in his 
 retenue. xx. thoufand fouldiers beefyde mariners and gonners, whiche were in numbre foure thoufand. This 
 nauie was appointed in the hauen Suezio, beeinge a port of the redde fea, in the yeare of Chrifl, 1538. And 
 arryued fyrfle at the citie Aden : where laying anker, the gouemour of the nauie fent letters to the king of 
 Aden, certifying him that he woulde take his viage into India, from thence to expell the King of Portugall. 
 The Kinge of Aden whiche was then tributarye to the King of Portugall,. receyued the Turkes letters thanke- 
 fiilly, oflfering him felfe and all that he might make, to fo mightie an Emperoure, defyringe the gouemoure to 
 come forth of the ftiip, and to beholde the cytie obedient and readye at his commaundemente, in the which alfo 
 accordinge vnto his dignitie and office, he fliould be worthely interteyned : but the gouemour agayne allured and 
 entyfed hym to come out of his citie, and fo by crafte circumuented him, that he toke him priefoner, and com- 
 maunded him to be hanged on the fayle yarde of the (hyp, and with hym foure other of the mlers of the citie of 
 Aden, afiyrming that he was commaunded of the Turke fo to handel them, becaufe the cytiezins .of Aden had 
 not only made a leage with the Portugales, but had alfo payde them tribute : whiche nacion the Turke playnely 
 entended to drieue out of India. And thus after the Kynges death, that mofl. riche and beautiful cytie, was euer 
 a praye to theues, fpoylers, and murtherers without refyllaunce. Then the gouemoure departing from thence, lefte 
 there behynde him a garrifon of two thoufand men of warre, and faylyng forwarde on hys viage, he came to the 
 citie called Dium, whiche the Portugales held : and his armie was greatly encreafed by the waye, as wel by land 
 as by fea, by reafon of the great confluence of the Turkes which on euery fide reforted to him, fo that in a fliort 
 fpace they rowled before them a bulwarke or countremure of earth, in maner as bigge as a mountayne, which 
 by little and litle they moued neare vnto the trenche or ditche of the cafl,ell, fo that they might fafely fl,and 
 Dehynde the bulwarke, (thus rayfing a mount,) they befieged the cafl.ell on euery fyde, and battered the walles 
 and towres thereof very fore : yet that notwithftanding, were at the length, enforfed to departe, not withoute 
 greate lofle and flaughter of theyr fouldiers : for this £>mm, is the ftrongeft citie that is vnder the dominion of 
 
 The — 
 ther is 
 South w^ste. 
 
 The citie of 
 Cambaia. 
 
 Calicut. 
 
 GossipiitfHy 
 Bombage or 
 cotton of the trees. 
 
 The turkes nauie 
 agaynste the 
 king of Portu^ale. 
 
 The cytie of Aden. 
 
 The kinge of 
 Aden is hanged. 
 
 The destruction 
 of the citie of 
 Aden. 
 
 The turke 
 besiegeth the 
 cytie of Dium. 
 
 The turke is 
 repulsed. 
 
14 
 
 ]pf the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c^ 
 
 Cambaia : but the cytie of Cambaia, is fituate in the goulfe called Guzerat, and is well inhabited, and in maner 
 moll excellent of all the cities of India, and is therefore called Cayrus, or Alcayr, or Babilon of India. It is 
 enuironned with a walle, and hath in it very fayre byldinges. Ye Soldan or chefe ruler hereof, is of Mahumets 
 fecte as are ye Turkes. Lacha groweth there more plentifully then in any other countre. The inhabitauntes, 
 for the moile parte goe naked, couering only theyr priuie partes : they bynd theyr heades about with a clothe 
 of purple color. The Soldan or prince of this citie, hath in a redines for the warres. xx. thoufand horfemen, 
 he hath alfo a mightye and magnifical court. When he waketh in ye morning there is heard a great noyfe of 
 cimbals, drumflades, timbrelles, fliames, pipes, flutes, trumpettes, and diuerfe other mufical inllrumentes, hereby 
 fignifying that the king lyueth and is in health and merye : in lyke maner doe they whyle he is at dyner. To 
 the kyngdom of Cambaia, is the Kingdom of loga nexte adioyning, which reacheth farre on euerye fide. In this 
 kingdom, by reafon of the greate heate of the fonne, the bodyes of men begin to waxe blacke and to be fcorched: 
 the people of thys countreye haue ringes hanging at their eares and colers aboute theyr neckes of fundry fortes, 
 al befet and fliyninge with precious Hones. The foyle hereof is not very fruitful, this region is rough with 
 mountaynes, the byldinge[s] are defpicable, and euyl to dwel in : there is beyonde this, another Kingdom 
 called Dechan : this cytie is very beautiful to behold, and fruitful in maner of al thinges : the king hereof vfeth 
 great pride, and folemnitie : his pompes and triumphes are in maner incredible, they that wayt vpon the kinge, 
 weare on the vpper partes of theyr flioes certayne fhyning precious ftones, as Piropi (whiche are a kind of 
 Rubies or Carbuncles) with Diamandes and fuch other. But what maner of lewelles they vfe in ye (lede of 
 coUers, eareringes, and ringes, you may well confyder, whereas they geue fuche honour to theyr fete. In this, 
 kingdom is £aid to be a mountayne, out of the which Diamandes are digged. 
 
 The excellencie 
 of the citie of 
 Cambaia, 
 
 Lacha is gumme 
 of a tree, and is 
 vsed in dying of 
 sUke. 
 
 The Kyngdom of 
 logo. 
 
 The Kyngdom of 
 Dechan, 
 
 The diamonde 
 fltone. 
 
 The stone 
 Siderites. 
 
 The hardnes of 
 the diamond. 
 
 How the diamand 
 is made softe. 
 
 The montayne of 
 diamantes. 
 
 C Of the Diamande Jione, called in Latine Adamas. 
 
 He Diamande is engendred in the mynes of India, Ethiopia, Arabia, Macedonia, and Cyprus, 
 and in the golde mynes of the fame countries. That of India excelleth all other in beautie 
 and clearenes : that which is of the coloure of yron, is called Sida-iies, it is often tymes found 
 in colour like vnto criflal, and though it be fometimes lyke thereto in whytnes, yet doth it 
 differ from criftall in hardnes, in fo much that if it be layd vpon an anuil and flrongly ftriken 
 with a hammer, the anuyl and hammer (hall foner be wounded and leape away, then the flone 
 periflied or diminiflied : it doth not onelye refufe the forfe of Iron, but alfo refifleth the power 
 of fyre, whofe heate is fo farre vnable to melte it, that it can not fo muche as heate it, if we geue credit 
 to Plinie, and is alfo rather made purer therby, then anye wayes defyled or corrupted: neuertheles, the 
 finguler and excellent hardnes of this Hone, is made fo fofte with ye hoate blood of a Goate or a Lyon, 
 that it may be broken : and if it be put with molten lead in hoate fomaces, it waxeth fo hoate that it wylbe 
 diffolued : yet are not all Diamandes of fuch hardneffe, for that of Cyprus, and alfo that of the coloure of 
 Iron called Sideriies, may be broken with hammers and perced with another Diamand: his vertue is to 
 bewray poifons, and to fruftrate th[e]opperacion therof, and beeing therefore greatly eilemed of Kinges and 
 Princes, it hath euer been of great price. The movmtaine of India out of the which the Diamandes are 
 digged, is compaffed with a walle on euery fyde, and kepte with a ftrong defence. 
 
 The dtie of 
 Narsinga, 
 
 The kinge of 
 Ifarsinga, 
 
 Of the kingdoms and cities of Narfinga and Canonor. 
 
 He King oi Narfinga, in riches and domiliion excelleth all other Kinges in thofe partes. The . 
 chiefe cytie where the King is refident, is in fituacion and fynenes, much lyke vnto the cytie 
 of Milayne, but that it llandeth in a place fomewhat declyning and leffe equalL This king 
 hath euer in a redines manye thoufandes of men of armes, as one that is euer at warre with 
 other countreys, borderers nere aboute him. He is geuen to mode vile Idolatrie, and 
 honoureth the deuyll, euen as doth the king of Calicut The maners and fafliions of the 
 inhabitantes, are after this forte. The gentlemen or fuch as are of greatefl reuenewes, vfe to 
 weare an inward cote or peticote, not very long: hauing theyr heades bounde aboute with lilies and rowles of 
 fundry coloures after the maner of the Turkes. The common people, couer onli their priuie parts and are 
 befyde all together naked. The Kynge weareth on his head a (lately cap made of the riche cloth oi Afta, 
 beyng two handfulles in lengtL When he goeth to ye warres, he weareth a vellure of ye filke called Goffampine, 
 which he couereth with a cloke adorned with plates of gold: ye hemme or edge of his cloke is befet with all 
 maner of ouches and lewelles. Hys horfe is iudged to be of fuch valure if you refpect ye price, as is one of 
 
\0f the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &ci\ 
 
 15 
 
 our cities. And this is by the meanes of ye innumerable multitude and fundrie kindes of precious flones, and 
 perles wherewith ye trappers, barbes, and other furnitures of his horfe are couered, with an incredible pompe and 
 glori. The foyle of Narfmga, beareth nether wheate nor grapes, and is in maner without al kinde of fniites, 
 except citrons and gourdes : the mhabitantes eate no bread, but ryce, fiflie and fleftie, and alfo walnuttes, which 
 that conntrey beareth, there begin fpyces to be found, as ginger, pepper, mirabolanes, Cardamome, Caffia, and 
 dyuers other kyndes of fpyces. 
 
 Cananu, is a very excellente cytie, fayre and beautifuU in all thinges, fauing that the Kinge thereof is an 
 Idolater. This citie hath a hauen whether the horfes of Perfia are brought, but theyr tribute or cuflome, is 
 excedinge great: the inhabitantes lyue with ryce, fleflhe, and fy(he as do they of Narfmga: in the warres they vfe 
 the fweorde, the round target, fpeares and bowes, and haue nowe alfo the vfe of gonnes, they are all naked 
 fauing their prieuie partes, and go beare headed, except when they goe to the warres, for then they couer theyr 
 heades with a redde hatte which thei folde double, and bind it fall with a lyft or bande. In the warres they 
 vfe neither horfe, mule, or affe, neither that kynde of camels which we commonly call dromedaries : but 
 vfe onely Elephantes. There is alfo in the kingdom of Narfmga another godly citie called Bifinagar : it is 
 compaffed aboute with a walle; and fituate on the fide of a hyll, beeyng. viij. myles in circuite hauinge alfo in it 
 a famous market place. The foyle is very fruitful, there are all delicate thinges to be found that may encreafe 
 the pleafures of this lyfe. There maye no where be found more pleafaunt feldes and woddes for hauking and 
 huntinge, a man woulde thinke it were a very Paradyfe of pleafure. The king of this citie is of great power, he 
 keepeth dayly many thoufandes of men at armes, vfinge Elephantes in the ftede of horfes. And hath euer foure 
 hundreth Elephantes prepared for the warres. 
 
 C How the Elephantes in India are prepared to warre. 
 
 He Elephant is a beaft. very docible and apte to be taught, and little inferiour from humaine 
 fenfe, excellinge all other beaftes in fortitude and ftrength. Therfore ye Indians, when they 
 prepare them to the warres, put great packfaddels vpon them, which they bind fall with two 
 chaines of Iron,comming vnder theyr belyes. Vpon the packfaddels, they haue on euery fide 
 a little houfe or towre, or cage (if you lift, fo to call it) made of wood. Thefe towres ar made 
 faft to the necke of the beafte with certayne fawed hordes of the thickenes of halfe a hande 
 breath. Euery towre receyueth thre men. And betwene both the towres, vpon the back of 
 the beaft fytteth an Indian, a man of that countrey which fpeaketh vnto the beafte. For this beafte hath 
 marueylous vnderftanding of the language of hys natyue countrey, and doth wonderfulli beare in memorie 
 benefytes fliewed vnto him. It is alfo mofte certayne that none other beaft draweth fo nere to the excellence 
 of humayne fenfe or reafon as doeth this beaft, as maye moft playnly appeare, yf we confidre, how he is geuen to 
 loue and glory, to a certeyn frendly gentlenes and honeft maners, ioyned with a marueylous difcrecion, to know 
 good from euil, more redy to recompence benefites then reuenge iniuries, which excellent properties are not to 
 be found in other brute beaftes. Therfore when the Elephantes go forward to ye warres, feuen armed men 
 are appoynted to be caried vpon one Elephant, bearing with them, bowes, iauelins, fweordes and targettes: 
 alfo the longe fiiout of the Elephant (which thei cal his hand) is armed with a fweorde of two cubites in length, 
 and in bredth and thickenes a handfuU, ftandinge righte fortli, tyed fafte to the fnowte of the beaft, and thus 
 beeing fumifhed, they precede to the battaile: and whereas occafion requyreth to go forward or backwarde, 
 the ruler of the beaft geueth him waminge, whofe voyce he vnderftandeth and obeyeth: ftryke hym, fayth the 
 ruler, forbeare hym, be fearfe agaynft thefe, abftayne from thefe, the beafte qbeyeth hym in all thinges, as 
 though he had humayn reafon, but yf it fo chaunce that being made afrayd with fire (which thinge they feare 
 aboue all other) they beginne to flye, they can by no meanes bee allured to ftoppe theyr courfe, or retoume 
 agayne, for the people of that nacion, can with many fubtyl deuifes as often as them lifteth, raife vp fires to make 
 thofe beaftes afrayde. There be fome men which thincke that Elephantes haue no ioyntes in theyr legges, 
 which opinion other affirme to be vntrue, for they haue ioyntes as haue other beaftes, but that they are very low 
 and almoft at their fete. The females are of greater fierceneffe then the males, and of much greater ftrength 
 to beare burdens: they are fometime taken with madnes, declaring the fame by theyr furious running. An 
 Elephant excedetii in greatnes thre wilde oxen called Bviali, and is much lyke of heare, and eyed lyke a fwine, 
 hauing a long fnout, hanging downward, with the which he putteth into his mouth whatfoeuer he eateth or 
 drinketh, for his mouth is vnder his throte, not muche vnlyke the mouth of a fwyne : his fnowte hath holes in it, 
 and is holowe within, with this they ouerthrow ye ftumpes of trees: and that of fuche bignes, that the forfe of. 
 xxiiij. men is not able to do the fame. The two great tulkes which they haue comming farre oute of theyr 
 
 The riche trapping 
 of the kinges 
 horse. 
 
 Spices of 
 
 Narsinga. 
 
 The cytie of 
 Cananor. 
 
 The vse of 
 Elephantes in the 
 warres. 
 The cytie 
 Bisinagar, 
 
 Hauking and 
 huntinge. 
 The kinge of 
 bisinagar. 
 
 The Elephantes 
 towre. 
 
 Elephantefe 
 vnderstandeth the 
 languag^e of theyr 
 countreL 
 
 Seuen armed 
 men vpon one 
 Elephant 
 
 The ruler 
 speaketh to the 
 blephant. 
 
 The Elephantes 
 ioyntes. 
 
 The bignes and 
 shape of the 
 El^haut 
 
i6 
 
 [0/ the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.] 
 
 The psunters erre 
 herein. 
 
 Vnderstande the 
 handebredth with 
 the thumbe 
 stretched forth. 
 The Elephantes 
 pase. 
 
 The Elephante is 
 vexed with flyes. 
 
 How the Elephant 
 kylleth flyes. 
 
 Enmitie betwene 
 the Elephant and 
 Rhittoceros, 
 
 The Rhinoceros 
 iL homes 
 
 The fight betwene 
 Rhinoceros and 
 the Elephant 
 
 Rhinoceros 
 naturally armed. 
 
 Rhinoceros sene 
 in Portugale. 
 
 Rhinoceros 
 oiiercometh the 
 Elephant. 
 
 Lowe and simple 
 houses. 
 
 mouth, or placed in the vpper iawe, hauinge on eueiye fyde lappes hanging downe of the bignes of two hand 
 brea[d]th. Theyr fete are round like vnto a flat trene diflie, hauing fyue toes like hoeues vndeuided, of the bignes 
 of great oyllerfhelles. Theyr tayles are lyke vnto the tayles of wilde oxen, thre handful in length, hauing but 
 few heares. The males are hygher then the females. They are of fundry bignes : fome are of. xiij. handfuUe? 
 hye, fome of xiiij. and fome. xvi. Their pafe in goyng, is fome what flowe and walowinge, by reafon whereof, 
 fome whiche ryde on them and haue not been accuftomed thereto, are prouoked to vomitte, euen as they were 
 toffed on the fea. Yet it is great plefure to ride on the yong Elephantes, for they goe as foftely as ambeling 
 moiles. When you attempt to geat vp, to ryde on them, they bow downe toward you, as though they would 
 eafe you with a fterope, that you may the eafelier geat vp, which neuertheles cannot wel be done without 
 helpe. They are all vnbrideled hauinge neither withe nor coUer aboute theyr neckes, but goe with theyr heades 
 al together lofe. And becaufe they are not couered with briflels or bigge heares, they haue not fo muche as in 
 theyr tayle anye helpe to dryue awaye flyes. For euen this greate beafte alfo (fayeth Plinie) is troubled with 
 this lyttle vermyne. Theyr flcinne is very rowghe, and full of chappes, and riftes, like the barke of a tree, being 
 fomwhat filthye and full of fwette, whiche by heate refolued into vapoure, by fauour draweth flyes vnto it : there- 
 fore when any flyes or other creping vermen are entered into the fayde riftes of theyr flcinnes, fodeynly bending 
 and drawing together their (kinne, they hold them faft and kyl them, and this is to them in the ftede of a tayle, 
 a mane, or rough and briileled heare. 
 
 C Of the beafle called Rhinoceros. 
 
 Hinoceros is comonly found in the fame countrey, where Elephantes are engendred, and 
 is borne an enemy to the Elephant (as laith Plinie) no lefle feking his deflruction then doth 
 the dragon : wherfore the Romaynes confidering the natures of thefe beafl.es, were wont to 
 put them together vpon the theater or flage, for a fpectacle, therby to declare the natures of 
 enemies. This Rhinoceros hath two homes, whereof the one is of notable bignes, growing 
 oute of his nofethrilles, and is of flatte forme, and as harde as Iron. The other groweth aboue 
 in his necke, and is but a little one, but wonderful flrong : when this beafl. attempteth to 
 inuade the Elephant, he fyleth and whetteth his home on a ftone and flryketh at the belly of the Elephant, 
 which place he knoweth to be mofl open to his ftripes, and eafyefl. to receaue hurt, becaufe of the foftenes thereof, 
 which he cutteth with his home as with a fweord. Some auctours write that Rhinoceros is vnequall in bignes to 
 the Elephante : but lultus Solinus faith, that he is as long as the Elephante, but hath fliorter legges :• when 
 Rhinoceros therfore and the Elephant iojoie together in fighte, they vfe theyr naturall weapons : the Rhinoceros 
 his home, and the Elephante his tulkes, wherewith he fo violentlye beateth and teareth the flcinne ol Rhinoceros 
 being as harde as home or fliell, and fcarcelye able to be pearfed with a dart, that he neuertheles enforfeth him 
 to fall downe. Rhinoceros agayne on the other partie fo woundeth the belye of the Elephante with the home of 
 hys nofethrilles, yf he doe not preuente hys flrokes, yat he fainteth with bleding. In the yere of Chrift. 15 13. 
 the firfl. day of Maye, was broughte oute of India to Emanuel the king of Portugale Rhinoceros alyue, of the 
 coloure of boxe, fomwhat variable and as it wer chekered, couered with ftielles lyke fcales, or rather lyke fliieldes. 
 This beafl. was in bignes equall to an Elephante, but had fliorter legges, and was armed on euery parte. He 
 had a ftronge and fliarpe home in his nofethrilles, the whiche (as I haue fayde) he fyleth, when he prepareth 
 him to fight. All this great hatered betwene thefe two beafl.es, is for ye befl. pafl.ures which one fl.riueth to take 
 from the other as fome wryters faye. In the yeare of Chrifte. 1515. King Emanuel fet forth a fpectacle in the 
 citie of Lifbona, in which was a combat betwene the Elephant and Rhinoceros. A fight doubtleflTe worthy great 
 admiracion. But in this fight, the Elephant had the ouerthrowe. 
 
 C 0/" Calicut, the mofl famous market towne of India. 
 
 He cytie of Calicut is in the continente or mayne lande. And the houfes therof adioyning to 
 the fea. It is not walled about, but conteyneth in circuite. vi. thoufand houfes, not adherent 
 together as the maner of bylding is with vs, but one being diftant from another, a further 
 fpace. It is extended in length a thoufand pafes. The houfes thereof, are but fimple and very 
 lowe, not paflinge the heygth of a manne on horfebacke from the grounde. In the ftede 
 of a roofe, they are couered with bowes of trees, harde and thicke couched together, the caufe 
 hereof is, that yf the earth there be in anye place digged fyue handfuU depth, the water 
 
\0f the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.] 
 
 17 
 
 fpringeth forth, by reafon wherof they can lay no depe foundacions for theyr houfes, fufficiente to beare anye 
 heauye roofe. The Kinge of thys citie is geuen to Idolatrie, and honoureth the deuyll himfelf. Yet he denieth 
 not but that there is a God which made heauen and earth. And the fame to be the chiefe auctour and fyrfte 
 caufe of all thinges. But fayth that he hath committed the rule and iudgemente of the world, to the deuil, to 
 whom he hath geuen power to rewarde men with good or bad according to their defertes. This deuil they cal 
 Deumo, but the mightie God and maker of the world, they cal lamerani. The king hath in his Chappell the 
 Image of this deuyl Deumi, fytting with a diademe or crowne on his head, much lyke vnto the myter which the 
 Romayne Biftioppes weare, faue that this deuils myter hath foure notable homes. He fytteth gapinge and hath 
 a greate wyde mouthe, with foure teeth and a deformed nofe, lowringe eyes, a grimme, terrible, and threatening 
 countenaunce, with hooked handes lyke flefliehookes, and feete not much vnlyke the feete of a cocke. Al fuch 
 as behold this horrible monfler, are fodeynly aflonied. For it is furely a thing mofl vyle to beholde, and no 
 leffe terrible. The chappel is on euery fyde ful of painted deuyls : and in euery comer thereof fytteth a deuyU 
 made of copper, and that fo workemanly handeled, that he feraeth like flaming fire, miferably confuming the 
 foules of men. This deuyl with his righte hande, putteth a foule to his mouth, and with his lefte hand, he 
 taketh another from a place beneth. Euery morning their Prieftes (called Bramini) waflie the Image of the 
 deuyll with rofe water, or fuch other fwete liquoure, and perfume hym with dyuerfe fwete fauours, kneling on 
 theyr knees and praying vnto him. Euerye feuenth day, thei take the bloud of a cocke and put it in a filuer 
 veffel, ful of buming coales : addinge thereunto innumerable odoriferous gummes and pouders to make a fwete 
 finoke or fumigacion. Then the Priefte taketh his fenfer with buming coles, putting therto frankencenfe, and 
 thus maketh his oblacion to Sathan, during which tyme of facrifice, a lyttle fyluer bell, is ronge continuallye. 
 The king fytteth not downe to his meate, vntyll foure of his chapleins haue offred parte of the fame meate to 
 the deuyl. And when the Kynge goeth to dyner, he fytteth on the grounde withoute eyther carpet or table 
 clotL And as he fytteth at diner, foure of the prieftes wayte vpon him ftanding : not approchinge nere vnto 
 hym by the diftaunce of foure pafes, geuing reuerent attendaunce vnto the kinges talke. When he hath dyned, 
 the Prieftes take the meate that is left, and geue it to the crowes to eate : which byrdes they haue in fuch 
 eftimacion, yat it is not lawful to hurt them. When the king Ihal marie a wife, he goeth not to bed with 
 her, vntil flie be defloured of ye high Prieft, whom the king for his paines rewardeth with. v. C. [five hundred] 
 pieces of golde. 
 
 C Of the maners of the Indians in Calicut. 
 
 Ext after the King, ye prieftes which ferae ye Idols, are had in chiefe reuerence. Nexte vnto 
 them, the Magiftrates, called Nerl, are no leffe eftemed then amonge vs Senatoures or Lordes 
 of the counfayl. When thefe goe abroade, they cary with them fwordes, targettes, bowes and 
 iauelins. Such as are counted of the thyrde order, are in like place with them, as are Arti- 
 ficers with vs. They of the fourth order, lyue by fifhinge. And to them of the fyfthe order, 
 perteyneth the gathering of pepper, wyne, and walnuttes. The bafeft .and pooreft fort, are 
 they which fowe and gather ryce, beyng contemned both of the prieftes and Senatours. The 
 Kinge, the Queue, and the inhabitantes of the cytie, haue almoft no apparel, couering onely theyr fylthy partes 
 with cotton of the tree called Goffampine, and not with filke : and are befide altogether naked. They goe 
 barefoted and bareheaded. When the King is dead, yf there remayne alyue any heyres, males, either children 
 or brethren, or brethers children, they fuccede not in the kingdome : for by cuftome of the countreye, the 
 fyfters fonnes are inheritours to ye crown : but yf there bee no fuche lyuinge, he fuccedeth in the kingdom 
 which is neareft of bloud to ye king, of whiche coftume, the reafon is (as they faye) becaufe the Prieftes defloure 
 the Quenes. When the King taketh any farre ioumey, or rydeth a hunting, the Prieftes wayte vpon the Queue 
 at home, and kepe her company: for nothinge can be more thankefuU to the kynge, then to haue the Quene 
 thus accuftomed in adulterye with the Prieftes, by whiche common proftitucion of the quene, he maye well iudge 
 that the chyldren bome of her, are not to be eftemed as his owne: and therfore affigneth the right of his inheri- 
 taunce to his. fyfters children, as to the nereft of his bloude, becaufe his brothers children (as is fayd before) may 
 not fuccede him in the kingdome by the cuftome of the countrey. The noble men and marchauntes vfe this 
 fafliion among themfelues. Such as haue wyues, do often tymes chaunge theyr wyues, one frende with an other 
 for th[e]encreafe of further frendftiip. At which exchaunging of wyues, one of them fpeaketh to another after this 
 manner. Forafmuch as you are my veri frend, let vs chaunge wyues : on fuch condicion, that I maye haue 
 yours and you myne. The other alketh him yf he fpeake in eamefte. He fweareth yea: let vs goe then (fayth 
 his felow) to my houfe: when they are come thether, the good man calleth forth his wife, faying vnto her: 
 
 Eden. ^ »7 
 
 « 
 
 The king; honoreth 
 the deuil. 
 
 The Image of the 
 
 deuilL 
 
 The bisshop of 
 
 Romes vicar at 
 
 Calient. 
 
 The deuil eateth 
 soules. 
 
 The deuiles 
 chaplins. 
 
 Sacrifice to the 
 deuyL 
 
 The chapleins 
 offer to the deuyl 
 
 The priestes wait 
 on the kyng. 
 
 Crowes had in 
 estimacion 
 The priestes 
 defloure ye 
 queene. 
 
 Priestes. 
 
 Magistrates. 
 
 Artificers. 
 Labourers. 
 
 The succession of 
 the kingdom. 
 
 As are ye priestes, 
 such is ye people. 
 The priestes kepe 
 the quene. 
 
 Exchaunginge 
 of wyues. 
 
i8 
 
 \0f the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c^ 
 
 Obedience in 
 eujrlL 
 
 One woman 
 maried to seuen 
 men. 
 
 The punishment 
 of murther. 
 
 Sinne redemed 
 for money. 
 
 Superstition. 
 
 Outeward 
 clenlynes. 
 
 Deuylishe 
 gestures. 
 
 Woman, come hether and folow this man : for he fliall from henceforth be thy hufband. She alketh him yf he 
 fpeake in eameft: he anfwereth, in good eamefL Then fayth the woman : I wil folowe him gladly. He taketh 
 her away with him, and in lyke maner fendeth his wyfe to his frende. And this is the cuftome which thei vfe 
 in chaunging of wyues. But the children remaine with theyr fyrfte father. Other of thefe Idolaters vfe dyuerfe 
 other cuftomes. For among fome of them, one woman is maried to feuen hufbandes, which lie with her by 
 courfe one after another. And when fliehathbroughte forth a child, flie fendeth it to whiche of her feuen huf- 
 bandes flie lift: who maye in no cafe refufe it When they eate, they lye along on the grounde, and haue theyr 
 meate in great diflhes, or treys of copper. In the ftede of fpones, they vfe leaues of trees. Their meate, is ryce, 
 fiftie, fpyces, and fruites of the common forte. Yf any man committe murther, and bee apprehended, he is 
 puniftied after this maner. 
 
 They haue a kynde of gallowes made, with a pofte of the lengthe of foure pafes : On the whyche, not farre 
 from the toppe, are faftened two ftaues with (harpe endes, ye one lying ouer the other after the maner of 
 a croffe : then the body of ye offender is thruft through vpon one of ye ftaues. And fo the miferable wretche 
 hangeth vntyll he haue geuen vppe the ghoft. But yf any man wound another, or beate hym with a ftaife, 
 he redemeth th[e]o£fence, payinge to the king a certayn of golde. When they pray, they go fyrft before the 
 ryfmg of the funne, to fome ryuer or ftandinge water, wherein they plunge themfelues, to th[e]intent to waflie them 
 cleane : And fo beeinge waftied, they touche nothing vntyll they haue at home at theyr houfes, poured forth 
 theyr prayers before theyr Idols. When they laye them felues down on the grounde, fecretely to praye, they 
 make certayne deuyliflie geftures lyke vnto madde men, ftaring with theyr eyes, and turning them inward 
 after a ftraunge forte, wyth no leffe deforminge their countenaunce, very monftrous to beholde. When the 
 king prepareth him to ye warres he hath in a readyneffe a hundreth thoufand fotemen. For of horfemen they 
 haue no vfe, but only of fuch as fyght on Elephantes. Al that are of the Kinges bande, have a filken 
 fyllet of fcarlet colour, tied about their heades. When thei go to the warres they vfe round fweordes, targets, 
 iauelinsjand bowes. 
 
 C Of Pepper and other f pices which growe in the region of Calicut. 
 
 Howe pepper 
 growetn 
 
 Fruitful ^ounde 
 without tillage 
 
 Ginger. 
 
 A rote for a Fede. 
 
 Fruytes vnknowen 
 to us. 
 
 Aloe. 
 
 Epper groweth in ye fuburbes of the citie of Calicut. There is fome alfo gathered within the 
 citie. The ftalke of pepper is veri weake: fo that it can not ftande vpryghte, without a ftake 
 or proppe to fuftein it, as haue ye yynes. It is not much vnlike vnto luie : and in like maner 
 crepeth and ftretcheth^orth it felf embrafmg and ouerfpreading fuch trees as grow nere vnto 
 it. This tree (or rather fhrubbe) is deuided into many braunches, of the lengthe of two or 
 thre hand bredth. The leaues are lyke the leaues of an Orenge tree: fauinge that thefe are 
 fomewhat grofler and fatter, with fmall vaynes running betwene on the contrarye fide. On 
 euety twigge ther hangeth fixe thicke clufters of beries, a hand breadth in length, and of the colour of wild 
 grapes. They are gathered in the monethes of October and Nouember : Inclininge yet to a grene colour, and fo 
 laying them on mattes or couerlettes, they fet them in the funne to be dried: where, within the fpace of 
 thre dayes, it waxeth black, euen as it is brought hether. They vfe neyther cutting nor digging, or other tillage, 
 but onely the fimple and pure fruitfulnes and encreafe of the earth. Plinie fayth that the trees of pepper are lyke 
 vnto oure iuniper trees. And that in his time, fome afiyrmed yat they were brought foorth only in the front of ye 
 mount Caucaftcs on the fouthfyde toward the fonne. But the Portugals, whiche in this our daies fayle into the 
 Eaft partes, haue found it otherwife. The region of Calicut, beareth alfo Ginger: which doubtles is a roote, and 
 is often tymes founde of the weighte of xii. vnces: but al are not of lyke bignes. This roote entreth no deper 
 into ye ground, then. iii. or. iiii. handbredth, like vnto the rede. When ginger is digged out of ye ground, they 
 leaue the knotte or ioynte of the roote, in the pytte out of which they digged the ginger : couering ye fame with 
 earth as a fede, agaynft the next yeare to encreafe and bring forth more ginger. It is found in playn ground of 
 a redde erth, as ar Mirabalanes. Ther groweth alfo diuers other frutes and fhrubbes vnknowen to vs, as laceri, 
 graccara, amba, Carocapel, Comolanga, and fuch other of which fome haue the tafte and fauoure of quinces, fome 
 of peaches, fome of damafke prunes, fome of melones, and fome of figges, etc. Aloe groweth alfo in that region : 
 and is a certayn gumme, gathered from a litle tree, which is faftened in the earth, onely with one roote after ye 
 maner of a ftafFe, pytched in the grounde. The bodie of the tree, is tender and redde, of ftrong lauour and 
 bitter taft. It fomtyme putteth forth droppes of gumme withoute anye cuttinge. And this of India, is muche 
 better then that which groweth in Itidea. 
 
\0f the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &ci\ 
 
 19 
 
 C Ofbyrdes and beajles which are found in the region <?/" Calicut : and 
 
 of the wyne of the merueylous tree. 
 
 Here is found in Calicut, diuers and fundry kyndes of foure footed beaftes and foules. As lions, 
 wilde boores, hartes, hyndes, wolues, kyne, wylde'oxenr^oafes; andElephantes-r -whydrneuer- 
 theles are not engendred there, but brought thether. There bee alfo grene popingiays, and 
 fome [of] white fethers of variable colours, lying like fcoutchins. Some alfo of purple coloure. 
 Of thefe there is fuch plentie, that they are fayne to appoint men to kepe them from the rice 
 which groweth there in the feldes. They are merueilous chatteringe and of fmall price, 
 There are alfo birdes called Sarau, fomwhat leffe then popingiayes, but make a much fweter 
 no)rfe. There are alfo manye other kyndes of byrdes vnlyke vnto oures : Of which, euerye morning and euening 
 is hearde fuche a harmonie and fo fwete a noyfe, that nothing can be more delectable : In fo little mouthes 
 confifleth in maner al muficke, and therfore the inhabitauntes lyue in greate pleafure, as though they were in an 
 earthly paradife, where floures are euer fpringing, and trees continue grene al the hole yeare. The heauen is 
 beneficiall vnto them, and the ayre moil temperate continually. So that thei are nether bytten with colde in 
 winter nor burnt with heate in fomer, but lyue as it were in continual fpringe tyme. The fame region bringeth 
 forth alfo Marmafets and Munkeys, whiche are great hinderaunce to ye men of the countrey : and fpecially to the 
 poore forte, beecaufe they cl)Tne the walnut trees, and fpylle the fweete liquoure of the fruyte thereof, of which 
 the Indians make moft pleafaunt wyne. For thefe Indians haue a tree moft. excellent aboue all other trees of 
 the world, which bringeth foorth dates lyke vnto the Palme tree. This tree ferueth them for firewood : and 
 beareth a kynde of walnuttes moil delicate to be eaten : Alfo a kind of cordes, fofte cloth, wine, oyle, and 
 fuger. But chiefly it bringeth foorth this excellent kynde of nuttes like vnto dates. From thefe they take awaye 
 the fyrfte lynde or barke and cafl it in the fire. The other fruite is not muche vnlyke Goffampine cotton, or fylke. 
 Of the floures they make cloth lyke filke : the flaxe whiche is lefte, they fpinne agayne, and make therof fmal 
 roopes or cordes. The laft. barke or rinde, conteineth the nutte, whofe thickenelfe is no more then the lyttle 
 fynger of a mans hande. Furthermore the fweete liquoure or wyne, is engendered with the nutte, fo that as the 
 nutte groweth, the liquoure alfo encreafeth : In fo much that when the nut is full growen, the lyquoure fyllethe 
 the inne warde partes of the fame. And thys liquoure or wyne, is mofl; cleare, not muche vnlyke vnto rofe- 
 water : Of which neuertheles is made a very fatte oile. They cut alfo the trunke or fl.ocke of the tree in ye 
 morning and euening : by whiche meanes they gather a moft excellent liquour, which they feeth on the fyre, 
 and make thereof fo merueylous a drinke, that if a man drinke thereof beyond meafure, he is drieuen into furie 
 and madnes. This liquour is vfed there in the ftode of wyne. But let vs nowe retume to the beaftes which are 
 found in Calicut. Serpentes growe there vnto fuch houdge greatneife, that they are in maner as bigge as fwyne. 
 They haue heades muche larger then bores heades. Thei are foure foted, foure cubites in length, engendered 
 and conuerlaunte in fennie and marriftie groundes. The men of that countrei laye that thefe beaftes are without 
 poyfon. There are alfo found other kyndes of ferpentes : of the whiche one kynde hath fo mortall venime, that 
 yf they drawe neuer fo lyttle blud, it caufeth prefent death. There are other ferpentes which in quantite 
 reprefent the ferpent called Afpis. Again, otherfome are much higher of whiche there are greate plentie. 
 The men of the countrey thinke yat they are fpirites fallen from heauen : and therfor? haue them in great 
 reuerence. Thei haue conceaued this opinion of them, becaufe that in maner with touching, they bringe 
 prefent deatL And this is the caufe whi there is fo great abundaunc[e] of ferpentes, that by the kinges 
 commaundement it is not lawful to hurt them : and therefore they wander fafelye where them lifteth, and 
 are eftemed of them as thinges that bring good fortune. For whereas the men of yat countrey, goe abroade 
 aboute anye bufines, thei take it for good luck to mete any of them by the waye. The popingiayes of India 
 are for the moft part, of grene colour befyde ye head, which is ether redde or yelowe like golde. They haue 
 a great and large toung, and are therfore of a louder voyce, and fpeake more plainly. They leame the 
 fyrft and fecond yeare fuch thinges as are taughte them. And beare them longer in memory. They drinke 
 wyne, and vfe theyr fete in the ftede of handes when they feede. 
 
 Papingiayes of 
 dyuers kyndes. 
 
 Sweete singinge 
 of birdes 
 
 Earthly paradise 
 Temperate ayre. 
 Continual spring. 
 Munkeys. 
 
 A tree of sundrye 
 commodities. 
 
 Silke of trees. 
 
 Ropes of trees. 
 Wyneof tree^ 
 
 Oyle of water 
 
 Serpents as bigge 
 as swine 
 
 Serpents without 
 poyson. 
 
 Serpentes counted 
 for heauenly 
 spirites. 
 
 Grene 
 poping[i]aies. 
 
 »9 
 
20 
 
 \0f the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c\ 
 
 Canonor. 
 Zaylon, 
 
 Corintucol. 
 
 Meluza. 
 Mohtcha. 
 
 Pego. 
 
 Ormus 
 
 Camhaia. 
 
 Arahiet* 
 
 Cfdua, 
 
 Samotor. 
 
 Darfiasseri. 
 
 Elephantes. 
 Precious stones. 
 Cinomome. 
 
 The Equinoctial 
 lyne 
 
 Weapons of redes 
 
 Narsinga. 
 
 The beast whiche 
 beareth the furre 
 called Sables. 
 
 Foules of 
 ineruelous bignes. 
 
 C Of the fundrye kindes of Spices, which are founde in Calicut, and from 
 
 whence they are brought thyther. 
 
 Inger groweth in Calicut, yet is there much broughte thether from the cytie of Canonor. 
 
 Cinamome commeth from the Ilande oiZayhn, whyche is fyftye leages beeyonde Calicut 
 Eaflwarde. 
 
 Pepper groweth in Calicut : but muche more is broughte thether from Corintucol, whiche 
 is. xij. leages beyonde Calicut. 
 
 Cloues are gathered in a place, called Meluza, certayn leages dillant from Calicut. 
 Nutmegges and Mace, growe in Molucha, beyng diftante from Calicut hundreth and thre 
 fcore leages, and fomewhat more. 
 
 Mufke and Caftoreum, is brought from the region of P^o, whiche is from Calicut, almofle hundreth 
 and fyftye leages. 
 
 Pearles of the biggeft. forte, are gathered neare vnto the Hand and cytie of Ormus, fituate in the goulfe 
 called Sinus Perficus: And are fente from thence to Calicut, as to the generall market towne of all the Eaft. partes. 
 Spikenarde, and Mirabalanes, are brought from Cambaia to Calicut. 
 ' Frankencenfe, and Myrre, come from Arabia. 
 Aloe, and Camphyre, are brought from Kyui, or Chiua. 1. [fifty] leages from Calicut. 
 Long pepper cometh from Samotor. Cardamome ye greater, is brought from Canonor. 
 Prefilium, or brafyll, cometh from Damafseri, otherwyfe called Tarmafferi, ahnoft. CC. [two hundred] 
 leages from Calicut. 
 
 C Of the Hand of ZdcyXon, and of Cinomome found there. 
 
 ^Aylon is a very large region, and bringeth foorth chefelye Elephantes in greate plentie. It hath 
 alfo Mountaynes of merueylous length : at the rootes wherof are found Rubines, Hiacinthes, 
 Saphyres, Topafes, and fuche other precious ftones. In this Hand groweth the Cinomome 
 tree, not much vnlyke ye bayetree, fpecially in the leaues. It bringeth forth graynes much lyke 
 vnto baye beries, but fomwhat leffe and whytiflie. That which we commonly call Cinomome, 
 is nothinge els but the barke or rynde of a tree, which is gathered after this maner. Euery 
 thyrde yeare they cut of the braunches of the trees, and take of the barke or lynde thereof, 
 which is our Cinomome. They cut not the body of the tree, but only the .branches. When it is firil gathered, 
 it is grene, and not perfectly fwete vntyll it be kept a moneth. This Hand is fituate vnder the Equinoctial line, 
 where is continuall fpringe all the yeare. The inhabitauntes weare clokes, with one arme oute vncouered, 
 and haue clothe made of Goffamfine cotton, or of filke. A rede is to them in the flede of fworde, rapyre, 
 and iauelyne. And are therefore feldome flayne in the warres. 
 
 C Of the cytie ^Tarnafseri, and the maner of the cytezins there. 
 
 He cytie of Tamafferi, is dillaunte from the Kingdome of Narfinga. xiiij. dayes fayling 
 Eftward, and hath a king of great puyfifaunce and maraeylous riche. The foyle of this citie 
 bringeth forth wheate, cotton of Gofsampine trees, and plentie of filke. The fieldes bringe 
 foorthe all kindes of fruites ; quinces aHb and oranges. It is repleniflied with manye and 
 fundrye kyndes of beaftes afwell wyld as tame, as kyne, Ihepe, gotes, fwyne, hartes, hyndes, 
 wolues and lyons. There are alfo feene thofe kyndes of cattes which beare the riche furres 
 called Zibellini, which we call Sables. In all the fieldes and woodes of this region are founde 
 many Peacockes, Faulcons, and mofl fayre Popingiayes of white colour intermingled with feuen variable coloures. 
 There is aUb maruelous plentye of hares and partryches. There are manye of other ftraunge kyndes of foules : 
 and fpecially fuch as lyue by praye, whiche are muche higher then Eagles : whofe vpper beakes are of fuche 
 bignes and hardnes, that handles for fweordes are made thereof Alfo the cockes and hennes of thys region are 
 
[0/ the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &ci\ 
 
 21 
 
 mudie hygher and bigger then ours. When the people of the countreye goe to theyr meate, they lye downe on 
 the grounde withoute carpet or cloth : Yet vfe they woodden veffelles, workemanlye made. Theyr drinke 
 is water myxte with fuger : but the poorer forte, drinke onelye water. Their beddes are made of Goilampine 
 cotton, wytii couerlettes alfo of cotton or fylke. They goe all in generall barefooted excepte the Prieftes. The 
 Kynge of this cytye, doeth not commytte his wife to the Prieftes to bee defloured, as doth the king of Calicut, 
 but to whyte men, as are the chriftians and Turkes. For this office is not committed to the Idoloters. But 
 after that the new maried quene hath been thus defloured the fyrft night, yf euer after flie doe diflionour 
 the Kyng her hufband, by violating the faith made to him, from thencefoorth neuer to knowe any other 
 man carnally, her punifhment is death incontinently. When the Kynges or the Prieftes dye, their bodies are 
 laid on a great fyre, and the aflies thereof referued in erthen pottes, putting thereto a porcion of falte petre, 
 and buryinge the fame in theyr owne houfes. While the bodies are burning, they caft into the fyre al 
 kyndes of fwete fauouring gummes, and fpices : as Aloe, Frankencenfe, Myrre, Storax, Coralle, fandalles, 
 and fuche other innumerable : In the meane tyme blowing trumpets and Ihawmes, after the maner of them which 
 amonge the gentiles were canonized into ye numbre of the goddes. And within xv. dayes after ye hufbandes 
 death, the wyfe caUeth to her all her kinffolkes, bidding them to a banket : and fo being decked with al her 
 iewels, ftie procedeth with them to the place where her hufbande was buried, where a graue is redye digged for 
 her, inclofed about with filken cloth, hauinge in it a fyre made of fweete wood. When the woman hath 
 thus feafted her kynfiblkes, ftre eateth much of the herbe called Betola, wherby ftie is driuen into a madnes. In 
 thys meane whyle, innumerable trumpetters (wearing fuch veftures as they vfe in the deuyls feruice) go as it were 
 on proceffion aboute the graue, while the woman runneth vp and down, daunfmg continually hke a frantike 
 bodie. And thus when the ceremonies are fyniftied, flie cafteth her felfe headlong into the fyre and graue : 
 and that with no lefle cherefulnes then yf ftie fliould be receaued into heauen. And vnlefle the woman ftiould 
 performe thys cuftome, ftie ftiould incurre moft vyle infamie, and be a mocking ftocke to all her nacion, as one 
 that loued not her huft)and. But the common people vfe not thys cuftome : but only the rulers and 
 princes. And therfore the king him felfe is often tymes prefente at thefe folemnities. 
 
 C Of the kingdoms and cities of Pego and Bangella. 
 
 [|Rom the cytie of Tarnafferi, to the cytie 61 Bmgalla, is. xi. dayes faylinge. This cytie hath a 
 kynge : and the countrey is very fruyteful with great plentie of wheat, fleflie, fuger, ginger, and 
 goffampine cotton : and hath therfore very rich marchantes. There yearely paifeth from this 
 citie fyftie ftiyppes frayghted wyth goflampine cotton, and filke clothes : which are caned from 
 thence to the Turkes, Syrians, Arabians, Perfians, Ethiopians, and Indians. Here are alfo 
 founde certayne Chriftian merchaunt men, which come out of'Th[e]empire of the great Cham 
 of Cathay : bringing with them Aloe, Caftoreum and the fwete gumme called Laferpitium, with 
 other fwete fauours. In this cytie, the men fpinne and carde and make clothe, and not the womenne. From 
 this cytie Eaftwarde, is another great citie called Pego, beyng fituate by a veiye fayre ryuer. The Kinge of 
 thys cytie, is an Idolater, and hathe innumerable menne of warre, both horfemenne and footemenne. The 
 foyle beareth wheate plentifliUye: and bringeth foorth in maner all kyndes of beaftes, and hath therfore great 
 abundaunce of fleftie, yet are there but fewe Elephants : But of other beaftes and foules, great plentie as is at 
 Calicut: and fpeciallye of popingiayes, whiche are of louder voice then in any other place. There is little 
 trafficque or marchaundife in this region, except iewels and precious ftones, and fpeciallye Rubies, called Pyrojii, 
 whiche are broughte thether from the cytie of Capelan. Thefe precious ftones fliyne fo brighte in the darke 
 nyghte, as thoughe it were the fonne beames. The countrey adioyning, bringeth forth Lacha, Sandalum, called 
 iaunders: Alfo brafile, goflampine cotton and fylke. From Fego to the cytie of Malaccha (whiche fome call 
 Melaqua) is eygh[t]e dayes faylinge: where on the other fyde is fene a great Hand called Sumatra, otherwife 
 Samotra, and was in time pafte called Taprobana. This Malaccha, hath a goodly and commodious hauen : by 
 reafon wherof, moe ftiippes arriue there then in any other place: bringinge with them fpyces and other 
 marchaundife in great abundance. The region is not generally fruytful, yet hath it wheat and fleftie: but 
 greate fcarcenefle of wood. The foules wander in the feldes as they doe in the region of Calicut. But the 
 popingiayes are here much fayrer. It bringeth foorth alfo fpices, faunders, tinne, elephantes, hories, ftiepe, 
 wilde oxen, pecokes, and fuch other kyndes of beaftes. It is not lawfuU there to bye and fell, except you bye 
 fpices and fylke. It is alfo there very daungerous to walke in the citie in the nighte feafon, beecaufe of the theft 
 and cruelnes of the inhabitantes, which kil one another like dogges. And therfore the marchaund ftraungers 
 lodge not out of their ftiippes. How the Portugales fubdued Malaccha, ftialbe faid hereafter m the defcnpcion 
 of the newe Ilandes. 
 
 F 2 « 
 
 Beddes of silke. 
 fiiestes. 
 
 The quene 
 defloured of white 
 
 Adulteri punished 
 with death 
 Howe the kinge 
 is buried. 
 
 Ministrels. 
 
 The quene dyeth 
 willingly. 
 
 The herbe 5f/i7i>. 
 
 What credulitie 
 maye doe in false 
 religion. 
 
 Honour dere 
 boughte. 
 
 The king and 
 citie ^i Bangella 
 
 Silke. 
 
 Christian men of 
 Cathay. 
 
 The citie of Pego. 
 
 Rubies shyningby 
 
 night 
 
 Lacha^ Lacca^ or 
 
 Lacta, is ye 
 
 gunune of a tree ^ 
 
 wherewith silke is 
 
 colored. 
 
 Malaccha. 
 
 Sumatra, 
 
 Taprohana, 
 
22 
 
 \0f the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c^ 
 
 The Hand of 
 
 Men of a hundreth 
 yeres of age. 
 
 Shelles of fishes 
 for bouses. 
 
 Great pearles. 
 Coyned golde and' 
 siluer for moneye. 
 
 Fishes of 
 monsdrous 
 
 Lacha. 
 
 Pepper solde by 
 
 measure. 
 
 Cathay. 
 
 The Iland of 
 banda. 
 
 The nutmeg tree. 
 
 Mace. 
 
 The Iland of 
 Monodu 
 
 Clones. 
 
 Charles Waine. 
 Pole Antarttke. 
 
 Idolotets. 
 
 Camphire. 
 
 C Of the greate and ryche Ilande ^Sumatra, or Samotra, sometyme 
 
 called Taprobana. 
 
 Ome thinke this Sumatra, to be that Iland which of the old writers is called Taprobana. It is 
 veiye great and riehe : and hath in it foure Kinges crowned with Diademes. They are 
 Idolaters: in religion, maner of lyuinge, and apparell, not muche vnlyke the Kinge of 
 Tamafseri. They exceade all other men in bigneffe of bodie. They haue greye or blewe 
 eyes, and are of cruell countenaunce, and terrible voyce. They are long lyued and lyue euen 
 vntyl an himdreth yeares of age. The fea in certaine chanels is of fuch heigth and depth, that 
 no anker may come to the bottome therof. The inhabitantes are great fyftiers on the fea, and 
 haue great pleafure to take the flielle fyflie, called the Tortoyfe of the fea: of whiche, fome are of fuche houdge 
 bignes, that the (helle of one of them may fufSfe to make a houfe well able to receaue a hole famelie. For 
 fome of them beare flielles of xv. cubites in length : and are therefore apt for that purpofe. The moll part of 
 this Ilande is burnte with heate, and hath in it many defolate places and wildemeffes. There are founde many 
 and greate Pearles. For theyr money, they vfe coyned golde, fyluer and tynne. The golden coyne, hath on 
 the one fyde a deuils head grauen, and on the other fyde a chariot which Elephantes draw. This region 
 bringeth foorth more plentie of Elephantes, of greater ftature, and a better broede, then are found in any other 
 place. In the fea about this Ilande, are often tymes fene the great monftrous fyfhes, and kynde of Whales, 
 called Balene, which bring many incommodities to the inhabitantes. They are of fuch monflrous bignes, that 
 when they approche to the Sea bankes, they feeme lyke vnto hylles : they haue rough backes full of fharpe 
 prickes. And except men walke very warely by the fea bankes, they are in daunger to be fodeynly fwalowed 
 vp of thefe monllers. Some of them haue fo greate and wyde mouthes, that they fometymes fwallowe whole 
 fliippes with the men. This countrey bringeth foorthe Lacha, Lacca, or Lacta, which fteyneth filke and cloth 
 in high redde or crimifon coloure. It is engendred in a tree, not much vnlyke vnto our walnut trees. Ther is 
 alfo great plenty of pepper, higher then is founde in other places. In their mother tonge pepper is called 
 Malaga. It is folde there by meafure, as wheat is with vs, and not by weight. There is fo great plentie hereof, 
 that there are yearely certayne Ihippes laden therwith to Cathay, where ye aire is colder. From Sumetra to 
 the Iland of Banda, which is but rude and barren, and of playne and lowe grounde, whofe inhabitantes are 
 barbarous, and little differinge from beafles, hauing lowe houfes, and no apparell but Ihertes, barefoted and 
 bareheaded, with long heare, of defpicable ftature, dulle witted, of no ftrength, and Idolaters. The foyle of 
 this coimtrey, bringeth forth nothing but nutmegges, and a few other fruites. The ftalke or bodi of ye nutmeg- 
 tree, is not much vnlike ye ftalke of a peache tree, bringing forth lyke braunches and leaues, but fomewhat 
 narower. Before thefe nutts be rype, ye mace crepeth on the tree, lyke a florifhing rofe. And when the nutte 
 waxeth r)rpe, the mace embrafeth it round about. And fo they gather both together in commune, at a tyme 
 appointed : for they vfe no diftribucion thereof, but he that gathereth moft, hath moft. This tree bringeth 
 forth his fruyte plentifully without any arte of hufbandrye or tyllage. They are gathered at fuch time as we 
 gather cheftnuttes. From this Iland within fixe dayes fayling, is the Iland of Monoch, in the which cloues are 
 founde, as alfo in other Ilandes, therto adioyninge. The tree whiche beareth cloues, hath his ftalke not much 
 vnlike vnto the boxe tree, with leaues lyke the Cinomome tree, but fomewhat rounder. And when the cloues 
 beginne to waxe rype, they beate the trees with redes, fpreding fyrft couerlettes or mattes vnder ye fame. The 
 grounde where thefe trees grow, is of ye colour of cleye or fand. This region is fituate fo low, that ye feuen 
 ftarres called Septentriones (being not farre from Vrfa maior, called charles wayne) can not there be fene, 
 becaufe ye fouth pole (called pole Antartike) appeareth aboue the earth. 
 
 C Of the Itande of Bornei. 
 
 He Iland of Bornei (which fome call Pome) is diftant from Monoch fiftie leages. The inhabi- 
 tantes are Idolaters, very quick witted, and of maner of lining not greatly to be difcommended. 
 Thei vfe not al one kynde of apparell. Some weare ftiertes of goffampine cotton, fome 
 beaftes ikinnes, and fome high cappes lyke myters, of redde colour. This Hand bringeth 
 forth yearely great plentie of Camphora, called camphyre, whiche they affirme to be the 
 gumme of a certayn tree. Of this Ilande I wil fpeake more hereafter in the nauigadons 
 toward the Eaft partes. 
 
[Cy the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c!\ 
 
 23 
 
 C Of the Hand of Giaua. 
 
 He Hand of Gyaua, is diftant from Bomd. v. dayes fayling towarde the fouth. This Hand is 
 fo great, yat it conteineth in it many kingdoms : ye inhabitantes ar geuen to idolatri. It 
 bringeth forth filke, which of it felfe groweth there plentifuUye in the wooddes. The precyous 
 ftone called Smaragdus (which is ye true Emerode) is found there more excellentj then in any 
 other place of the worlde. It hath abundaunce of golde and copper of the beft kynd. The 
 foyle beareth wheat and other come, with al kindes of fruites in great pleritie. When the 
 men of this countrie goe to the fea, theyr weapons are bowes, and arrowes of redes. They 
 vfe alfo to infect theyr arrowes with venime, and to blowe them oute of a trunke as we doe pellets of claye: 
 with the which yf they drawe neuer fo little bloud, prefente death foloweth immedia[t]lye. They haue alfo this A 
 cuftome, that when they fee theyr parentes by reafon of age to be vnprofitable, they bring them to the marketf/ 
 towne, and there fell them to the people called Anthropophagi, which eat mens fleflie, of whom they are incon|T 
 tinently flayne, and eaten. The fame doe they with the yonger forte alfo, yf they fall into any defperate difeafej I 
 
 C Of the Hand of I aua. 
 
 Here are two Ilandes of thys name, as laua the more and laua the leffe. The biggefl. 
 reacheth forth toward the South, and is fayd to haue in it many kingdoms. The 
 inhabitantes are Idolaters and haue a peculier language. In this Hand is greate plentie 
 of-pepper, Nuttemegges, Spikenarde, Galangale, and other Ipices. Mani marchauntes of 
 other countreies are wont to reforte thether, and geat great riches by ye fpices which 
 they caiie from thenfe. In this Hand alfo are people called Anthropophagi, which are 
 wont to eate mens fleflie. 
 
 C Of the Hand of Madagafcar. 
 
 His Hand is counted to be one of the greateft, and rychefte Ilandes of the worlde. The 
 inhabitantes are of Mahumets fecte as are the Turkes. It bringeth forth many Elephantes, 
 by reafon wherof there is greate plentie of luerye which is the Elephantes tothe. For it 
 is thought that there is no greater plentie of luerie, then in this Hand and in the Hand of 
 Cuzibet. They eate the fleflie of none other beaftes, but onely of Camels, becaufe the Ilande 
 is fuU thereof, and alfo that it is founde to be more holefome for the people of that 
 countrey then any other fleflie. There are alfo in this Hand many woddes that bringe 
 foorth redde fanders, for. the which many marchauntes refort thether. In the fea about this Hand, great 
 whales are taken, out of the which amber is gathered. There are lions, leopardes, hartes, hyndes, goates, and 
 many other beaftes and foules, by reafon whereof, they vfe muche haukinge and huntinge. 
 
 C Of the Hand of Zanzibar. 
 
 He Ilande of Zanzibar, hath a peculier Kinge and language. The inhabitantes are idolaters, 
 and are of grofle and fliorte fl:ature : but yf theyr heygth dydde aunfwere to theyr thickenefle 
 and breadth, they mighte feme to be giauntes. They are all blacke, and goe naked, 
 onely couering theyr pryuie partes. The heare of theyr heades, is merueylouflye corlde. 
 They haue greate mouthes, nofethrilles flyrtting vpwarde and wyde, with great eares 
 and cruell eyes. Theyr women are deformed by reafon of theyr greate eyes, greate mouthes, 
 and greate nofethrilles. They liue with milke, flefftie, ryce, and dates. They lacke wyne : 
 
 yet they make a pleafaunt drinke of ryce, fuger, and other fpices. Many marchauntes reforte, thether for yuerie 
 
 and Amber, for there is greate plentye of Elephantes and greate whales. 
 
 23 
 
 Silke groweth in 
 
 woodes. 
 
 The smaiagde or 
 
 emerode. 
 
 Go'.de and copper 
 
 Arrowes of redes. 
 
 Arrowes infected 
 with venime. 
 A strange 
 custome. 
 
 A niht o^ophagi. 
 
 Spyces. 
 
 Mahumetistes 
 
 Elephantes. 
 
 luerie 
 
 The Hand of 
 
 Cuzibet. 
 
 Camels fleshc 
 
 eaten. 
 
 Woddes of redde 
 
 Sanders. 
 
 Whales 
 
 Amber. 
 
 Lions, and 
 
 Leopardes. 
 
 Bigge men of 
 low statiure. 
 
 People deformed 
 
 Ryce and Dates. 
 Drinke of spicest* 
 Amber. 
 
24 
 
 \0f the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &ci\ 
 
 The Hand of men. 
 
 The Hand of 
 
 women. 
 
 Christians 
 
 Fishing. 
 
 The great Cham 
 of Tartari 
 
 Famous cities 
 vnder the greate 
 Cham. 
 
 Manye wyues. 
 What naturall 
 aflfection may doe 
 
 A strange 
 
 custome 
 
 The people of 
 Catluty. 
 
 IdoiOtours. 
 
 Money of paper 
 
 C Of the two Ilandes, in one of the which dwell onely men, and in the 
 
 other onely women. 
 
 jlN the mayne fea, there are two Ilandes, diftante the one from the other aboute. viiij. or. ix. 
 leages toward the fouth, fituate betwene the cytie of Aden and Calicut. In one of the which 
 dwel onely men without the company of women, and is called the Ilande of men. And in 
 the other dwell onely women, without men, and is called the Ilande of women. They 
 are Chriftiaus and contract matrimonie. The women neuer come to the Ilande of men, but 
 the men are accuilomed to vyfyte the women once in the yeare, and tarye with them 
 thre monethes continually, euery man with his owne wife in his owne houfe : after which time 
 they retume agayn to [t]her owne Ilande, where they remayne all the yere after. The women kepe the 
 men children with them vntyll they bee xv. yeares of age, and then fend them to theyr fathers. The 
 women haue nought els to do, but to take charge of their children, and to gather certayne fruites. But 
 the men labour and haue care how they may fynde theyr wyfe and chyldren. They are exercyfed in 
 fylhing, and fell fyflies both newe taken and olde dryed, to marchaunte (Iraungers, whereby they receaue 
 great commodities. 
 
 C Of the greate Empyre of Cathay, being vnder the dominion of the great 
 Cham (whiche fome call the great Can) Emperoure of Tartaria, in 
 
 olde tyme called Scythia. 
 
 He fuperiour or high India, whiche is nowe called Cathay, is a region excedinge large and 
 of greate power, whofe Emperour is ye great Cham of Tartaria, hauinge vnder him many 
 Prouinces, people and Princes, and innumerable Ilandes in the great Eaft fea, called 
 the greate Ocean. He hath vnder his dominion great and famous cities, as are thefe : 
 Cambalu, Qumquinafu, Mien, Cacaufu, Canglu, Tadinfu, Tingui, and dyuers other. Among 
 the people of this countrey, one man hath manye w)aies, whiche declare the)T loue to 
 their hufbandes after this fort. When the hufband is dead, euery one of his wiues 
 pleade their caufe before a iudge, to proue which of them was moft louing to her huiband and befte beloued oi 
 him : fo yat (he which by the fentence of the iudges is found to haue been moft faythful and diligente, decketh 
 her felfe mofte gorgioufly in all her fumptuous araye, and procedeth like a Virago floutly and cherefuUy to the 
 fire, where the corps of her hufbande was bumte, caftinge her felfe into the fame fyre, embrafmg and kiffing the 
 dead bodi of her hufband, vntyll flie alfo be confumed by the fyre, whiche flie reputeth for an honourable 
 fepulture : whereas his other W)mes are eftemed to lyue in fliame and infamie. They ioyne in mariage, neythei 
 in refpect of riches or nobilite, but onlye for loue and beautie : and rather for ye encreafe of pofleritie, then foi 
 pleafure. There is alfo another ftraunge cuftome among thefe Indians : and yat is, that whereas the 
 poorer fort are not able to geue any dowry with theyr doughters to mariage, they bringe them forth, euen in ye 
 floure of their age to ye market place, with trumpettes and fuch other inftrumentes as they vfe in the warres. 
 Where, the multitude be)mge called together, the maydes fyrfte of all, difcouere theyr backe partes, euen vp to 
 the flioulders, and afterward theyr forepartes in lyke maners. And vpon this declaring their pouertie and 
 nakednes, are maried to fuch as lyke them beft. This people of Cathay, are of the nacion of them 
 which in tyme paft were called Scythians, a kind of men (as faith Haithd) of fubtill wyt : affyrming that 
 onely they fee with two eies, and that all other men befyde them are blind of the one eye. The)T: quickenes oi 
 witte is great, but their boafting is more. The hole nacion is perfwaded that they greatly excel all other men 
 in fubteltie of wit and knowledge. The inhabitantes are whyte men, with fmall eyes, withoute beardeSj 
 and vtterly voyde of all godly knowledge. For fome of them pray to the funne, fome to the mone, 
 fome to Images, fome to an oxe, and fome to other monllers of theyr phantaflicall fuperflicion. They haue no 
 law written, and are of no faith. And albeit that in workemanfliip and artes they are marueylous wyttie, 
 yet haue they no knowledge of dyuine or godly thinges. It is a timorous kynde of men, and greatly fearinge 
 death. And are therefore in theyr warres, more politike then valient. In the warres, they vfe arrowes and 
 certayne other kyndes of weapons vnknowen to men of other countreis. The monie which they vfe, is made ol 
 a certayne paper, beeinge foure fquare, with ye Kinges ymage printed theron. Theyr houfliolde fluffe is 
 
\0f the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.] 
 
 25 
 
 of golde and fyluer and other metals. They haue greate fcarcenes of oyle. The great Emperour of Cathay, 
 keepeth his courte in the riche and mightie cytie called Cambalti, being the chefeft citie of all the Empyre, and 
 of fuch greatneffe that it conteyneth in circuite fixe leages. This citie is foure fquare, fo that euery quadrature 
 or fyde of the wall, hath in it thre principal portes or gates. Alfo in all the comers of the walks, are veri faire 
 palaces, in which the artillery or armure of the cytie is referued. The ftretes are made very ftreyght and right 
 forth : fo that from any one gate to the other beinge directly ouer againfl the fame, a man may fe plainly 
 through the cytie, hauing ye houfes on euery fyde lyke palaces, placed in goodly ordre, mofl. beautiful! to 
 behold. Without the cytie, there are twelue great fuburbes, adherent to the. xii. gates of ye cytie, whether the 
 marchauntes and ftraungers, haue their continual recourfe as to ye burfe or flrete. It can not be fpoken what 
 great abundaunce of marchaundife and riches is brought to [t]his citie : a man wold thinke that it were fufficient 
 to ferae all the worlde. Precious ftones, pearles, filke, and fpices of dyuers kindes are brought thether, 
 from India and Mangi, and other regions. There paffeth not a daye in the yeare in which there are not about a 
 thoufand waynes laden with filke which are brought to this citie by ftraunge marchauntes. What greate pompe, 
 glory, and fomiture of all thmges, is obferaed in the Emperours courte, it can not be fpoken. He hath 
 in his courte twelue thoufand horfemen, whiche haue the cuftodie of his body : and diftribute their 
 waytinge dayes after this order, yat whereas one of ye captaynes of this garifon with his thre thoufand fouldiers 
 hath wayted vpon the kinges perfonne, three dayes, another captayne in lyke order wyth as manye 
 menne fuccedeth in hys rowme for other three dayes, and lykewyfe an other after hym, executethe the 
 fame ofifyce. When the Emperoure maketh anye bankette, it cannot be faid what great pompe is 
 obferaed. He hath fytting at his lefte hand his chefeil quene whom he moft eftemeth : and at his 
 right hand hys fonnes, and fuche as are of the kinges bloud : but thei fyt fomwhat lower and further of. 
 The other noble men which wayte not, fytte in a place yet fomewhat lower. All fuch as in the court fyt 
 at meat, vfe none other drinking cuppes then of gold. The Princes whiche wayte on the Emperoure at 
 hys meate, haue all theyr mouthes couered with fyne filken clothes, leaft in any cafe they Ihould blow or 
 breath on the kinges meate or drinke. And when the Emperour lifteth vp his cup to drinke, al the muficions 
 and minftrels that ftand about him, playe on theyr inflramentes, while in the meane time all fuche as wayte on 
 hym, floupe downe and make lowe curtefie. How great honoure is exhibited to this Emperour, and howe many 
 precious and riche prefentes are ofired vnto him by his Princes, Dukes, Leauetenauntes and prefydentes 
 of prouinces, and ralers of cities, no man is able to expreffe, forafmuche as he hath vnder him in maner 
 innumerable Kingdomes, Prouinces, Nacions and Dominions, which are on euery fyde about Cathay, and 
 acknoweledge him to be theyr onelye Lorde and King, whom they honoure and reuerence as a great God 
 and mighti Mahumet In what pompe and triumphant magnificence he flieweth him felf when he goeth 
 to hauke or hunt, and how many tentes he pitcheth in the felde, which being fene afarre of, a man 
 would thinke to be a greate cytie, he that defyreth to knowe, let him reade Paulus Venetus, in the fecond 
 boke of hys nauigacions into India, where he fhal find thinges to maraeyl at. In Cathay they make a pleafaunt 
 drinke of lyce and certayne fpyces, which in drinking excelleth the fwetenes of wine. In many places they haue 
 great lacke of wood : In the ftede wherof, they digge out of the mountaynes a certayn kinde of blacke ftone 
 whiche burne in the fyre like coles, and continue fo long, that yf they be kyndled ouer night, they kepe 
 fyre vnto the morning. 
 
 C Of certaine Prouinces and regions fubiect vnder the dominion of the 
 greate Cham Emperour of Cathay. 
 
 Here paffeth through the kingdom of Catfiay, a certayne greate ryuer called Fulifaehnites, which 
 emptieth it felfe in the great Ocean Sea, by the whiche ryuer, fhyppes haue their paffage 
 into that lande. Ouer this ryuer is a very fayre bridge of marble, beyng in length three 
 hundreth pafes, and in breadth, eyghte pafes, with, xxiii. arches, and grauen Lions on eueiy 
 fyde, adourning the rayles or highefl margentes of the fame. From hence it is not farre to 
 the fayre and greate kingdom of Tainfu, in the which are many goodU vynes. For in the 
 kingdom of Cathay there groweth no wyne, but is brought thether from this region. In this 
 kingdome is greate vfe of marchaundyfe, and hath plentie of conning artificers, fo that al the armure which the 
 great Cham vfeth in his warres, is made there. Toward the region of Mangi, is fituate the ryuer Caromoram, 
 whiche for the greate breadth and depth, hath no bridge. In this region is greate abundaunce of Ginger, filke, 
 byrdes, and fpeciallye Phefantes. Somewhat beyonde this, is the great cytie of Quenquinafu, beynge the chief 
 cytie of the ikme kingdome. In this region are founde many mufKCcattes. This beaft in this countreye, is 
 
 Golde and Syluer. 
 
 The cytie of 
 Cambalu. 
 
 Marchandyse. 
 
 Precious stones 
 and spyces. 
 Note. 
 
 The king of 
 Cathay K& court 
 
 The Queue. 
 
 Golden plate. 
 Worldly glory. 
 
 A lining Idol. 
 
 Paulus Venetus. 
 
 Drinke of rice and 
 spyces. 
 
 Digged cole. 
 
 A greate bridge of 
 marble. 
 
 The kingdome of 
 Tainfu, 
 
 Connyng artificers 
 
 Ginger. 
 Quenquina/u. 
 
 The miiske catte. 
 
26 
 
 [0/ the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c^ 
 
 but lyttle and fayre, aboute the bigneffe of a meane catte, with groffe heare lyke a harte, hauinge blunte clawes 
 on his fete, with two longe teeth in the vpper iawe, and two in the nether iawe : and hath nere vnto the nauell 
 Sinet or muske. a bladder full of a certayne matter Uke vnto bloud, being of wonderful fragrant fauoure, and is the true 
 muflce. 
 
 C Of the Prouince ^Mangi, and merueylous cyties conteyned in the fame. 
 
 Marchandyse. 
 
 Salte. 
 
 Sylke. 
 
 Cloth of golde. 
 
 Ryce. 
 
 vL M [six 
 thousand] bridges 
 of stone. 
 
 The great citie of 
 
 Qrdnsau 
 
 xij. M. [twelve 
 
 thousand] bridges 
 
 of stone. 
 
 Artificers. 
 Marchauntes. 
 
 Common 
 banketinge houses. 
 
 A good prouysion 
 
 againste fyre. 
 
 Flesh of horses 
 
 eaten. 
 
 A prouision 
 
 against rebellion. 
 
 A nthropopkagi. 
 
 Hennes hauinge 
 heare in the stede 
 of fethers. 
 
 The way from 
 Persia to Cathay. 
 
 The cytie of Loi . 
 
 The iomey by j : 
 
 desertes. 
 
 Bitter waters. 
 
 He Prouince of Mangi, hath in it many notable and great cities, in the whiche is great exercyfe 
 of marchaundyfe: and fpecially in the citie of Coni^angui, is folde great plentie of fait In 
 the cytie of Panchi, there is great fale of filke. In the cytie of Sianfu, is made great plentie 
 of clothes of golde and filke. In the cytie Singui is a famous market, where great abundance 
 of marchaundife is brought by the ryuer. Nere vnto the citie of Caigui, groweth plentie of 
 blade and ryce, that it is caried from thence to the court of the greate Cham. In ye citie of 
 Singui, are numbred to be about fixe thoufande bridges of ftone, hauinge fo highe arches, that 
 greate Ihippes maye paffe vnder the fame without bowing down of the maft. There is another citie called 
 Quinfai, which is fo fayre and great, that there is thought to be no bigger in al the worlde. It contejmeth in' 
 circuite, a hundreth Italien miles, which make. xxv. leages. It hath twelue thoufande bridges of ftone, and thofe 
 fo highe that greate fhippes with the mafte ftanding vp right, maye paffe vnder. This cytie is fituate in a marifftie 
 ground, muche lyke vnto venes. Therfore if they ftiould lack bridges, they could not paffe ouer from the one 
 fyde of the ftreete to the other. It hath innumerable artificers and many marchauntes. The cytezins lyue 
 pleafantly, and fpecially the women, which are fayrer then in other partes of India. Toward the South fyde of 
 the cytye, there is a great lake or poole within ye walles of the cytie, whiche conteyneth in circuite about, viii. 
 leages, hauinge about the bankes therof many noble mens houfes, very fayre both without and within. In the 
 middefte of this lake, there are two litle Ilandes and in euery of them a goodly palace, in ye which are referued 
 al fuche omamentes and veffels as they vfe for theyr manages and folemne feaftes, for whereas any of the 
 cytezins entende to make any great banket, or feaft, they bring theyr geftes to one of thefe palaces, where they 
 are honorably enterteined. In the ftretes of ye citie, are certaine comon towres, into ye which, al fuch as 
 dwell neare therto, carie theyr goodes and ftuffe, yf it fo chaunce, yat fyre be in the citie. The inhabitantes 
 are Idoloters : and eate the flefhe of horfes and camels, and of other vnclene beaftes. The great Cham hath in 
 this cytie a myghtie garifon to the intente to auoyde rebellion, thefte and murther. For on euery bridge there 
 wayteth dayly and nightlye. x. watchmen for the fame purpofe : and becaufe the Prouince of Mangi is exceding 
 large, the great Cham hath deuyded it into nyne Kingdomes, affigninge vnto euery one a peculier Kynge : 
 whiche are al of greate powre, and yet fubiecte to the greate Cham. One of them dwelleth in the citie of 
 Quinfai. In thys Prouince of Mangi, is an other Kyngdomme, called Fugui, in whiche the people eate mannes 
 flefihe, fo that they dye not of any difeafe. They drinke the bloud and eate the fleflie of fuch as are flayne in 
 ye warres. There are hennes found in this region, which in the ftede of fethers, haue heare much lyke cattes 
 heare of blacke colour : And laye very goode egges. 
 
 C Of the region of Tangut, and of the great desertes, and voyces of deny lies 
 hearde in the same, and of the Salamandra. 
 
 jlRom the Kingdome of Perfia, there are two ioumeyes to the region of Cathay. For 
 either the fouth fide muft be obferued towarde India, or elles to paffe by the prouinces 
 of Carcham, Cotam, and Peim, Northeaftwarde to the citie of Lop, beynge the greateft 
 and moft notable cytie in all that region, lying betwene the Eaft and the North at the 
 entraunce at the great defert. In this cytie, al fuche marchauntes, as entende to paffe 
 the defertes, make preparacion for all thinges neceffarye for their youmeye : And reft in the 
 fame, vntill they are well prouided of ftrong affes and camels to caiye there vitayles. 
 And when in ye defert their vitayles begin to fayle them, they kyl their affes or leaue them there in the 
 wyldemes, becaufe they can no longer prouide them of pafture, vntyll they haue paffed ouer the deferte. 
 But they preferue theyr camelles, beecaufe they are fufteyned wyth leffe meate, and beare greater burthens. 
 In this deferte are often tymes founde bytter waters : but more often freflhe and fweete waters : fo that 
 in maner euerye daye for the fpace of thyrtye dayes, a man maye fynde freffhe water, but that in fo 
 lyttle quantitie that it doeth not fuffice al the marchauntes whiche paffe that waye together. That 
 
\0f the newe India, as it is fdnowen & found, &c.] 
 
 27 
 
 deferte is verye full of mountaynes. And when you are come to the lowe and playn ground, the refidue 
 of the ioumey is all together by the fandes : it is throughout baren and faluage, fo that it is not able to nouriflie 
 any beaftes for lacke of pallure. In this wildernes are often tymes heard and fene, as well by daye as by night, 
 fundrie illufions of euyl fpirites. And therefore fuche as trauayle throughe the fame, haue nede to take great 
 hede lead they diffeuer or depart farre in fundre, or leafte any linger behynde his companie, afwel for that he 
 may hereby lofe the fight of them by reafon of mountaynes or hilles, lyinge beetwene, as alfo becaufe 
 there are heard voyces of deuyls, calling them that wander alone, by theyr proper names, conterfeyting 
 the voyces of theyr companie that goeth beefore, by this meanes withdrawing them from the right waye, 
 and bringinge them to deilraccion. There is often tymes heard in the ayre, as it were a noyfe of muficall 
 inflrumentes : but more often like the founde of drumilades or timbrels. This great defert being paffed ouer, 
 they come to the cytie called Sachion, which is fituate in the enteraunce of the greate Prouince of Tangut, where 
 amonge certa3me Mahumetiftes, are found a fewe Chriftian men called Nejloriani of the fecte of Neflorius. 
 There are alfo manye Idoloters, hauinge theyr monafteries confecrated to dyuers Idols, to which they 
 ofiTre many facrifices and attribute greate honor to deuyls. And when a man hath a fonne borne, he 
 forthwith commendeth him to fome Idol, in whofe honoure he nourifheth a ramme al that yeare, which 
 after that his fonne be twelue monethes olde, at the nexte feafte of the fame IdoU, he and his fonne 
 offie with many ceremonies. When this oblacion is finiflied, thei bringe the facrificed fleflie to a place 
 appoynted, where al his kinfiblkes being gathered together, they eate that flefhe with great religion, and 
 kepe the bones reuerently in a certayn veffell : but in the funeralles of the dead they vfe thefe ceremonies and 
 fuperfticions. Al the neighbors of the dead, prouyde that the dead corps be burned : which cuftome all 
 the people of the Eaft partes do obferue. Yet fome of them kepe ye dead bodye by them certayne 
 dayes beefore they bume it : As fome, feuen daies : fome for the fpaCe of a moneth and fome fixe 
 monethes, preparing for the fame a clofe chefte, fo inuoluinge with cereclothe, and pouderinge with fpyces the 
 bodye therein inclofed, that no euyll fauoure maye paffe foorth. Thys done, they paynte the chefte very 
 curiouflye, and couer it with a precious clothe, placinge theyr dyninge table harde by the fame, where they 
 dyne continually as long as the dead bodie is thus referued at home. And in the dyner tyme for the 
 fpace of one hole houre, they fette wyne and meat vpon the chefte, fuppofing the foule of the dead bodye" 
 to be partaker of the feme. The Region of Tangut, is verye large, and conteyneth in it many priuate 
 Prouinces, as the Prouince of Camul, of Cinchital, and Suchur, wyth dyuerfe fayre Cyties, whiche are all 
 Subiecte and obeye to the great Cham of Cathay. Some of the inhabitantes beleue in Mahumet : fome 
 acknowledge Chrifte after the herefye of Neflorius. In the land of Chinchital, is a Mountayne oute of the whyche 
 is dygged the myne of ftele and AudanicL There is alfo founde the Serpente called Salamandra, which 
 lyueth in the fyre wythoute any hurte. Of the heare of this ferpent, is made a certayne cloth, which 
 being caft in the fyre whe^^t is foule, is thereby made cleane and very white if it remaine there for ye fpace of 
 an houre. Such other innumerable and marueilous thinges, writeth Paulus ueneius that he hath fene and 
 founde in his nauigacions into thefe partes : of whom alfo I haue gathered thus muche, lettinge pafle 
 manye other thinges whereof he fpeaketh more at large. 
 
 C Here endeth the defcripdon of the Nauigacions 
 
 from Spayne to the newe India Eaftward, 
 
 and foloweth 
 
 Of the newe Ilandes and India found in the Wejl Ocean fea, 
 
 from Spayne Wejlward and Southwejle. 
 
 Illusions of euyl 
 spirites 
 
 Voices of deuyls. 
 
 Straunge noises 
 in the ayre. 
 
 The citie of 
 
 Sachion. 
 
 Christians 
 
 of the heresie 
 
 of Nestorius. 
 
 Monasteries of 
 
 Idoloters. 
 
 A strange custome 
 
 Ceremonies m 
 funerals 
 
 A grosse and 
 vayne perswasion 
 
 The region of 
 Tangut. 
 
 Mahumetistes. 
 
 Stele. 
 Salamandra, 
 
 Paulus Venetits. 
 
28 
 
 tt Of the newe India, 
 
 and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, 
 
 how, when, and by whom they 
 were found. 
 
 ChrUtophonis 
 Columbus, 
 
 Great enterprises 
 have euer ben 
 counted 
 phantasticall. 
 
 The fyrst viage 
 of Christophorta 
 Columbus. 
 
 The Ilandes 
 called Gades. 
 The Ilandes of 
 CanarlUy 
 
 MJlophorus Columbus, a Gentleman of Italic, and borne in the 
 citie of Genua, when he had been longe conuerfaunt in the Kyng 
 of Spaynes courte, he applyed hys mynde to fearche vnknowen 
 partes of the worlde. And for his better furtheraunce herein, 
 made humble peticion to the kinge, to ayde him in this his 
 enterpryfe, which doubtleffe flioulde redownde to his great 
 honour, and no little commoditie to all the hole countreye of 
 Spayne, yf by his helpe and charges, he might fynde new regions. 
 But the Kinge and Quene laughed him to fcorne, faying : that 
 his ymaginacion was but vayne and phantaflicall. At the length, 
 eyght yeares beynge passed ouer, and Columbus ftyll perfillinge 
 in his purpofe and fute, the Kyng began to geue eare to his 
 talke, and after muche reafoninge and debating of the matter, 
 determined to trie the witte of the manne. And there vpon 
 commaunded a foyll and two brigantines to be furniflied with 
 all kynde. of ordinaunce and vitalyes : which being pre- 
 pared, the fyrft of September, in the yere of Chrift 1492, Columbus departed from the coafl.es of Spayne, and 
 wente forwarde in his viage longe defyred. And when he had paifed the Ilandes called Gades, he diuerted 
 toward the fortunate Ilandes called Infulm Fortunatm, which are now called Canarice, becaufe they are full of 
 dogges. They were in time pafl called Fortunate, for the excellente temperatenes of the ayre, andgreate 
 fruytefulnes. Columbus departinge from henfe, fayled towarde the Wefte, and a1*«the length founde certayne 
 Ilandes, of tlie whiche two were very greate, wherof the one he called Hifpana, and the other Johanna. 
 
 lohanna. 
 
 Hispana or 
 Hispamola. 
 
 Gold for earth 
 and glasse. 
 
 The king of the 
 Hand. 
 
 Bylding without 
 the vse of Iron. 
 
 C Of the two Ilandes lohanna and Hifpana. 
 
 j S Columbus came to the Ilande whiche he called lohanna, he hearde a merueylous fweete noyfe 
 of innumerable byrdes, and efpeciallye of Nightingales whiche wandred in the thicke wooddes 
 in the Moneth of Nouembre. He founde alfo moofte fayre Ryuers, fwete to drinke, and many 
 goodly hauens. And as he fayled by the coftes of the Ilande Southwefte warde, and coulde 
 fynd no ende, he thought it had been the mayne land, and therfore determyned to drawe 
 backe, being partly enforfed by roughnes of the fea: and thus returning fome what Eafl^ward, 
 he came to an Iland whiche heafterwarde calledZTj/^awa, where arriuing to the land, he and 
 his companye was fene of the Inhabitantes of the Iland, which fodeinly fled into the thicke woodes: whom the 
 Spanyardes purfewinge, toke a womanne whome they brought to theyr ftiippe, entreatinge her verye gehtillye, 
 fyUinge her with delicate meates and wyne, and clothing her in fayre apparel, and fo let her depart: for thei goe 
 naked, and are not vfed to delicates. And as this womanne returned to her companie, fome beyng moued by 
 the lyberahtie declared vnto her, came by greate multitudes to the fea bankes, bringinge golde with them which 
 they chaunged for earthen pottes, and drinkinge glafles. Thus a further frendfliip by this meanes contra6led 
 the Spanyardes begonne more diUgently to fearche theyr maner of lyuinge and maners, and fo vnderilode that 
 they had a king. And therefore entering further into the Iland, they were honorably receyued of the king. Thei 
 vewyde their houfes, and merueyled to fee them fo bylded without the vfe of Iron, which they are vtterly without: 
 in the ftede whereof they vfe a certeyn ftone, wherwith the cut and fawe theyr timbre. 
 
 £8 
 
[0/ the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c^ 
 
 29 
 
 C Of the people catted Canihales or Anthropophagi, which are accujlomed 
 
 to eate mans flejhe. 
 
 iHeras the people of the forenamed Ilandes, fled at the fight of our menne, the caufe thereof 
 was, that they fufpected them to haue been Canibals, that cruel and fearfe people which eate 
 mans fleflie, which nacion our men had oueipaffed, leauinge them on the fouthfyde. But 
 after they had knowledge of the contrary, they made greuous complaynt to our men, of the 
 beaftly and fearfe maners of thefe Canibales, which were no lefTe cruel agaynfl them, then 
 the Tyger or the Lyon agaynfte tame beafl.es. Declaring furthermore, yat when foeuer they 
 take any of them vnder the age of xiiij. yeares, they vfe. to gelde them, and francke them 
 vntyll they be very fat, as we are wont to doe with capons or hennes : and as for fuche as drawe towarde. xx. 
 yeare olde, to kyll them forthwith and pull out theyr guttes, and eate the fame freflie and newe, wyth other 
 extreme partes of the bodye, poudering the refidue with falte, or keping it in a certayne pickle as we do iegottes 
 or fimfages. Yet eate they not the women, but referue them to encreafe, as we doe hennes to lay egges. And 
 if thei taJie any old women, they kepe them for drudges. And therfore when the Canibales make incurfion, the 
 people of t]?efe Ilandes flye with all fpede. For albeit they vfe arrowes, yet are they not able to refyfte theyr 
 fearfenes. 
 
 C Of the maners of the inhabit antes of the Hand of Hifpana and of fuche 
 
 thynges as are found there. 
 
 He inhabitantes of this Ilande, vfe in ye ft.ede of bread, certayne rotes like vnto nauie rotes, 
 hauing the tafl. of foft and grene cheftnuttes. Gold with them is in eftimacion, for they hange 
 certayne peces therof at their eares : they go not out of ye limities of their own contrie, nor 
 exercife any marchandife with ftrangers : thei gather gold in ye landes of a certen riuer which 
 fpringeth out of veri high montaines They gather it with great labouje and melte it and 
 cafte it, fyrfle into maflTes or wedges, and afl;erwarde into brode plates. /.They haue no foure 
 
 foted beaftes, except connies : they haue ferpentes of monft.rous greatnes, but without hurte 
 
 or venime. They haue alfo wylde turtle doues and duckes, muche greater then ours, and^efe whyter then 
 fwannes, iauing yat they haue redde heades. Thei haue alfo many popingiayes: fome grene, fome yelowe, 
 and fom'e not muche vnlyke them of India, with redde circles about their neckes. This Hand bringeth forth 
 alfo Majlix, Aloe, and fuche other gummes: and efpeciaHy certayne redde graynes, which are fliarper 
 then pepper. 
 
 C How Columbus, after he had found new Ilandes, returned agayne to 
 Spayne, where preparinge a newe nauie, he toke his viage to 
 
 ye Canibales, 
 
 Olumbus, not a little ioyeful of the landes newly found, the fpiing tyme drawing nere, he 
 determined to retume to his countrey: leauing with the king of the Hand. 38. men which 
 fliould dUigently fearche the fituacion of the Ilande, the maners of the people, and the 
 natures of trees and fruites. But he, hoyfeninge vp his fayles, directed hys viage towarde 
 Spayne, bringing with him tenne menne of the fayd Ilande, to th[e]ende that they mighte 
 leame the Spaniflie tonge, which they might eafely doe, becaufe al the wordes of theyr 
 language may weU be written with our letters. Columbus, after thys his retume, and fortunate 
 fucceflein his fyrfle viage, was honorablye receyued of the Kynge and Quene, and greatlye magnified with 
 innumerable glorious tittles : wiUinge that he fliould no more thenceforth be called Columbus, but the Admira 
 of the great Ocean Sea: and prepared for him towarde his fecond viage. xvij. foiftes and. xij. bngantmes, wel 
 fumiflied with al kynd of artiUerye and plentie of vitayles, and in them twelue hundreth men wel appoynted: 
 
 \/ 
 
 Canibales 
 
 A nthropophttgi. 
 
 The fearsenes of 
 the Canibales. 
 
 ManS'fleshe ~ 
 poudered. 
 
 Rootes in ye 
 stede of bread 
 Gold in estimacioa 
 
 Howe golde is 
 
 gathred. 
 
 Serpents wythowt 
 venime. 
 
 Popingiayes. 
 
 Spices and 
 Gummes. 
 
 The Indian tong 
 
 Columbus, at hii 
 retume. is made 
 Admiral of the 
 Ocean sea. 
 
 The second viagf 
 of Columhtts 
 
30 
 
 \0f the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.] 
 
 Cadet. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Canaria, 
 
 The Iland of 
 Dominica, 
 
 Insula CrtKis, 
 Lisertes. 
 
 Houses of trees. 
 
 Young men stalled 
 to be made fatte. 
 
 Fine cokerye. 
 
 Canibales allured 
 wyth lyberalite. 
 
 Maiinina An 
 Iland of women 
 onelye. 
 
 The names of 
 sundrye Ilandes. 
 
 Arrowes infected 
 with venime. 
 
 Ar^hipelogus. 
 Buchema 
 
 Come alfo to fowe, and al kindes of feedes and plantes. For, excepte pine apple trees and date trees, there 
 growe none in thefe Ilandes that are knowen to vs. The Admirall toke alfo with him al fortes of Iron tooles 
 to th[e]intent to byld townes and fortreffes where his men might lye in fafegarde. Therfore the firft day of 
 September departing from the Ilandes called Gades, with a profperous wind he arryued at the Iland of Canaria 
 the fyrft daye of October: from whenfe directing his viage towarde the lefte hande, he fayled toward ye South, 
 and at ye length came to the Ilandes of the Canibals. And becaufe he came thether on the Sundaye called the 
 Dominical day, he called the Iland where he arryued, Dominica: which when he perceyued to be but laluage 
 and rude, he fayled on further : and in twentie dayes fayling, came to another Iland repleniflied with al kindes 
 of trees, from which came a marueylous fragrant fauour: By reafon whereof, fome being allured by the pleafant- 
 nes of the place, went aland, where they fawe no kynde of lyuinge beailes, fauinge lyfertes of wonderful houdge 
 greatnes. This Ilande he called Infula Crucis, whiche was alfo an Ilande of the Canibaks, as afterward they 
 proued in dede. For as they fayled about the Hand, they founde certayne lowe cotages made of trees, lyke 
 vnto llagies. For they fet trees vpright in order round about, faftening pofl.es in them croffe ouer, where vnto 
 the trees cleaue fafl.e, fo that by this meanes they cannot fall. They frame the roofes of thefe cotages, with 
 fliarpe toppes after the maner of rownde tentes. And laft. of al, they inclofe and couer thefe trees thus fet in 
 order, wyth the leaues of date trees, and certen other trees, to th[e]intent to make them .a flronger defence 
 agaynfl; wynd and wether. And within the cotage, they tye the poftes together with ropes of bombage cotton, 
 and a certayne longe roote. They haue couches made, one aboue another, the flowres whereof they flrawe 
 wyth heye and cotton. And as foone as they hadde fpied our men, they fled incontinente. And when oure 
 men came into theyr houfes, they found in theym certayne young men bound to pofl^es, and kept to be made 
 fatte, and lykewyfe many olde womenne whiche thefe Canibaks kepte to be their drudges. They founde there 
 alfo earthen veflelles of all fortes, in which they fodde mens fleflie with popingiayes, geefe, and duckes fleflie, al 
 together in one veffell. They rofted alfo mans fleflie vpon fpyttes, referuing the bones of the armes and legges, 
 whiche they vfe in the fl.ede of Iron, to piece and typpe theyr arrowes. For they are vtterlye ivithout Iron. 
 The[y] found alfo the head of a yong man, yet bleding and faft.ened to a pofte. But certayne womenne whiche 
 had fledde from the Canibales to oure menne, the Admiral commaunded to be gorgioufly decked after the 
 maner of our women, and with manye rewardes to be fent agayne to theyr owne companye. By meanes 
 whereof, the Canibales beynge allured by the lyberalitie and gyftes of our men, hoping that they alfo flioulde 
 be lykewyfe rewarded, came running toward our men : but when they drew fomwhat nere vnto them, they 
 fled immediatly into the nexte wooddes. And thus our men departing from thence, returned to the Ilande 
 of Hifpana. 
 
 C How the Admirall pajfed manye Ilandes, and what thynges chaunced 
 to hym and his companie in that mage. 
 
 S the Admirall departed from the Iland of the Canibaks, and went foreward on his viage, 
 he pafled by many Ilandes : among the whiche was one called Matinina, in whyche 
 dwell only women, after the maner of them, called Amazones, as he learned of the men 
 of the Ilandes which he brought with him into Spayne at his fyrft,e viage, and faued 
 them from the fearfenes of the Canibales. He paffed alfo innumerable other Ilandes of 
 which to fome he gaue names, as Mons Farratus, San£la Maria rotunda, San£la Martinus 
 Sanlla Maria antiqua, and Sanlla Criix. Into the which oure men entering to th[e]intent to 
 fetche freflie water, found foure Canibales, which had taken foure yonge women : who, as foone as thei 
 had fpied our men, wringed theyr handes, feming therby to defyre ayde of oure men : at whofe coming 
 to delyuer them, the men fled into the woodes and left the women. Shortly after, our men faw a bote coming on 
 the fea with. viij. men and as many women : with whom . oure men bickeringe loft, one of theyr companions 
 by reafon that thefe barbariens are accuftomed to infecte theyr arrowes with venime : yet oure men preuayled 
 and flewe parte of them, and broughte the refydue by forfe to the Admyrall. As they departed from 
 hence, they found many other Ilandes, but fuch as they could not come to for the iroughnes of the fea 
 and multitude of rockes. But fome of the fmalleft brigantines which drewe no great depth, went fomewhat 
 nearer, and noumbred aboue feuen and fortie Ilandes, and called the place Archipelagus. Sayling from hence 
 they found another Iland called Buchema, into the whiche ye Canibales make fundry incurfions by reafon 
 wherof the inhabitantes are at continual warre with them. Thus at the length, the Admiral with his hole nauie 
 ref imed to the Iland of Hifpana : but in an euyl tyme. For they which- he hadde lefte there for a 
 
]pf the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c?\ 
 
 31 
 
 garrifon, were all dead : as were alfo they whiche he toke with him from the fame Uande into Spayne to 
 vfe them for intrepretours. Of whiche feuen dyed by chamige of the ayre. One of them was permitted of the 
 Admirall to departe, when the nauie came neare to hys countrey. The refidue ftole awaye priuelye, and 
 fwamme to lande : but the Admirall doubting whether all his men were dead or no, whiche he lefte in 
 the Hand, commaunded certayne ordinaunce to be ftiot of, that by the noyfe thereof they myghte haue 
 warning to come forth, yf any laye lurkinge in corners : but none appeared, whofe fatall dayes had 
 fynifflied theyr lyfe. At the length, the kyng of the Ilande beyng therto enforfed, declared the hole 
 matter to the Admyrall as well as he coulde by interpretours : affyrming that there were in the Hand 
 other Kynges befyde him : and of greater power then he, which were fore offended that the Spaniardes 
 hadde fubdued the Ilandes : and in reuenge therof, came to the town where the Spaniardes lay, which 
 they ouercame and burnt, and flew al the men therin ; and that he alfo at the fame conflicte, taking part 
 with our men, was fore wounded with an arrow on the arme, for the better tiyall whereof he bore hys 
 arme in a towell, becaufe it was not yet hole of that wounde. But fliortelye after they had knowledge, 
 that the King fayned this tale : fo that he hardely efcaped the handes of the Admiral, who was determyned 
 wyth fome kynd of punifliment to haue examined him further. But he fufpecting the matter, fled into ye 
 inner partes of the Hand, declaring therby, that he was the deflruction of our men: whom, certayn of 
 our companie, purfuinge, founde manye marueylous thinges : and efpeciallye lyuers in whiche is founde muche 
 golde, and a mountayne, whofe fande is fparkeled with gold. In this place, the Admiral bylded a citie, which 
 he compafled about with a walle. And departing from hence, he fearched almofl all the Hand: in ye 
 inner partes wherof he bylded a towre, and named it S. Thomas towre, whiche he made to th[e]intent that 
 he might the more fafely fearche out the fecretes of fo plentifull a region, and efpecially the gold mines of the 
 fame : and thus leauinge a garrifon there, he departed, takinge with him three foyfles, wherwith he fayled to 
 feke newe Ilandes, and came firft. to the Ilande of Cuba, and from thence to lamaica, being greater then Sicilia, 
 very firu)rtfiill and wel inhabited. Which, when he had vewed, he departed from thence, and fayled about the 
 fea cofles where he fewe innumerable other fmall Ilandes, flandinge fo thicke, that the fhip was in maner 
 borne a lande : and was therfore enforfed to returne home, the fame way which he came. 
 
 € How the Spaniardes abufed the fubmijfton and frendejhippe of the 
 
 inhabitantes of the Ilandes. 
 
 N this meane tyme, the Spaniardes which the admiral had left in the Hand of Hifpana, 
 had euyll entreated the inhabitauntes : fo that for wante of vitayles and foode, they begonne 
 to famyne : imputinge the fault hereof vnto the Chriflian men, which had digged yp al the 
 rootes wherwith thei were accuflomed to make theyr bread. And whereas they yet per- 
 ceaued, that ye Chriflien men entended to continue there, thei fent an ambaffadour to the 
 admiral to defyre him to reflrayne the outragioufnes and craeltie of his men, at whofe handes 
 they fuflained fuch iniuries and violence, as they fcarcely loked for at the handes of mortal 
 enemies. Declaringe further, that vnder the pretence of feking for gold they committed innumerable wronges 
 and mifchieuous actes, fpoyling in maner all the hole region : and that for the auoyding of fuch enormities and 
 oppreffions, they hadde rather paye tribute, then to be thus dayly vexed with incurfions, and neuer to be at 
 quiete. Vpon this complaynte it was agreed, that they (houlde paye yearely tribute to the Chriflian king and 
 that they fhould applie them felues to gather and encreafe theyr rotes, whiche were to them in the flede 
 of flowre and wheat, and fo confumed that with great labour they coulde fcarcely fynde any in the wooddes. 
 They payde therefore for their tribute, euery thre monethes, certayn pound weyghtes of gold : but fuche as had 
 no gold, payde fpyces, and goffampine cotton. In the meane time the Spaniardes, who fhould haue been 
 occupied in digging for golde, gaue them felues to play, wantonnes and idlenes, contemning, and falling 
 into hatered with their gouemour, by which theyr licentioufnes, the people of the Hand beyng prouoked, became 
 •more difobedient and wyld, degeneratinge from al kind of honeflie and faithfulnes : yea ye fpaniardes alfo 
 became fo negligent in feking for gold, yat fometyme the charges exceaded the gaynes. Neuertheleffe in the 
 yere of Chrifl, 1501. they gathered within ye fpace of two monethes twelue thoufand poundes weyght of golde. 
 But the Admirall appoyntinge his brother Bartholomeus Columbus, to be gouemour of the Hand, he in the 
 yeare. 1495. determined to returne to Spayne, to certifye the kyng of al thefe matters. In which viage, 
 he manfullye defended him felf in battayl againfl the rebelles of certayne other Ilandes which had confpyred 
 agaynfl the Spanyardes. 
 
 Chaunge of ayre 
 is daungerous. 
 
 The king 
 dissembleth with 
 the AdmyralL 
 
 Goldefound in 
 riuers aiid 
 mountaines. 
 
 The Ilandes 
 of C»3« and 
 lamaica, 
 
 A multitude of 
 Ilandes 
 
 Thecnieltieofthe 
 Christian men 
 
 Crueltie of 
 couetousnes. 
 
 Bread of rote«. 
 
 The tribute of 
 the barbarians 
 
 Disobedience 
 foloweth Idlenes 
 
 Note. 
 
 Bartholomeus 
 Columbus, 
 
32 
 
 [Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.] 
 
 The bisbop of 
 rome deuideth ye 
 world, 
 
 Hesperides or 
 Caput ueride. 
 How the 
 Spanyardes and 
 ye PortuE^iles 
 deuided 3ie world 
 betwene them. 
 
 Gold and Pearles 
 
 The Equinoctial 
 
 lyne. 
 
 The ryuer of 
 
 Ganges. 
 
 Calicut. 
 
 Taprobana. 
 
 Samotra. 
 
 The great eyrie 
 
 of Malaccha. 
 
 The region of 
 
 Sinarum 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 
 Molucca. 
 
 Sayling into the 
 
 East by the west 
 
 The roundnes of 
 
 tiheerth. 
 
 The firme land 
 
 Spices 
 
 The viage from 
 the West vnto 
 the Easte. 
 
 America* 
 
 The firme land. 
 
 Regio 
 
 Baccalearutn 
 Terra Florida. 
 
 The king of 
 spayne sendeth 
 foorth shippes. 
 
 The viage of 
 
 Magellanus by 
 
 the west into ye 
 
 east. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 
 Molucca 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 cane^a. 
 
 Pronwiorium S. 
 
 Marie. 
 
 Canibales 
 
 The eleuacion of 
 the south pole. 46 
 degrees 
 
 The Region of 
 giauntes. 
 
 C How the Portugals fought new Ilandes in the Eaft partes, and how 
 
 they came to Calicut. 
 
 N this meane tyme that ye Spanyardes foughte newe and vnknowen landes in the Weft, 
 partes, the Portugales attempted to doe the fame in the Eafl:e partes. And leaft. one of 
 them fliould be a lette or hinderaunce to the other, they deuyded the world betwene them 
 by the aucthoritie of the Biftiop of Rome, Alexander the. vi. of that name. And that on 
 this condicion, that from the Ilandes called Hefperides (whiche are now called Caput ueride) 
 the one ftiould fayle Wefl.warde, and the other towarde the South pole, thus deuyding the 
 world betwene them in two equal partes. So that whatfoeuer vnknowen landes flioulde be 
 difcouered in the Eaft^e partes, the fame to be dewe to the Portugales : And all fuche as flioulde be founde in 
 the Wefl.e partes, to appertayne to the Spanyardes. Whereby it came to pafTe, that the Spaniardes, euer by the 
 South, fayled into the Wefl.e, where they founde a large mayne land, with Ilandes great and litle innumerable, 
 hauing in them great plentie of golde and pearles, and other great riches. But the Portugales, by the Southe, 
 and coftes of the Ilandes called Hefperides, and EquinoBial lyne, and Tropicus Capricorni, came into ye Eafl, 
 by the goulfe called Sinus Perficus, euen vnto the coftes of India, within the riuer of Ganges, whereas is now the 
 great market towne, and kingedom of Calicut. And from thence to the Hand of Taprobana, (now called Sumetra, 
 Zamara or Samotra) and fo forth to Aurea Cherfonefus, whereas is nowe the great cytie of Malaccha, beyng one 
 of ye moft. famous market townes of al ye Eaft partes. From MalaccM, they entered into a great goulfe, 
 by which they came to the region of Sinarum. Not farre from Malaccha, are the Ilandes called Molucae, 
 in which al kyndes of fpyces growe and are brought to the cytie of Malaccha. But the Spanyardes hauing 
 knowledge what greate coramoditie the Portugales had receyued by the Ilandes oi Molucca attem[p]ted to 
 proue yf they alfo might find the lame Ilandes in fayling fo farre Weftward that they mighte at the length by 
 Weft and fouthweft come into the Eaft, as by good reafon they prefuppofed the roundneife of the earth would 
 permitte, if they were not otherwyfe lette by the fyrme or mayne land lyinge in the waye and ftoppinge theyr 
 paffage, whereof as yet was no certeyntie knowen. And this dydde they to th[e]intent that by this meanes they 
 myghte more eafelye and wyth leffe charge bringe fpyces from thence into Spayne. Therefore, the maner of 
 this viage was, that they fliould fayle from the Wefte, vnder the loweft hemifpherye or halfe compafle of the 
 earth, and fo to come into the Eaft. A thinge furelye that myghte feeme verye harde to attempte, beecaufe it 
 was vncertaine whether that, moft prudente and beneficiall nature, (who worketh al thinges with moft 
 high prouidence) had not fo deuided and feperated the Eaft fi-om the Weft, partely by fea, and partely 
 by land, that there might by this way haue been no paffage into the Eaft. For it was not yet knowen, whether 
 that great region of America, (whiche they call the fyrme or mayne lande) dyd feperate the Wefte fea from the 
 Eaft : But it was founde that that fyrme lande extended from the Weft to the South. And that alfo towarde 
 the North partes were found two other regions, whereof the one is called Regio Baccalearum, and the other 
 Terra Florida : which, if they were adherent to the fayde fyrme land, there could be no paffage by the Wefte feas 
 into the Eaft India, forafmuch as ther was not yet founde any ftrayghte of the fea, wherby any enteraunce 
 mighte be open into the Eaft. In this meane while, the kyng of Spayne beynge elected Emperoure, prepared 
 a nauie of fyue ftiippes, ouer the whiche he appointed one Magellanus to be captayne, commaundinge him that 
 he fliould fayle towarde the coaftes of the fayd fyrme land, dyrectinge his viage by the fouth partes thereof, untyl 
 he had eyther found the ende of the fame, or elles fome ftreyghte wherby he mighte paffe to thofe odoriferous 
 Ilandes of Molucca, fo famoufly fpoken of for the great abundaunce of fwete fauours and fpices founde therein. 
 The fliippes therefore, beyng well fumiflhed with all thinges neceffarie, Magellanus departinge from Ciuile in 
 Spayne, the tenth day of Auguft, in the yeare of Chrift. 1519. came fyrft to ye Ilandes of Canaria, and 
 from thence to ye Ilandes called Hefperides: from whiche dyrectinge hys courfe betwene the Weft and 
 the Eaft toward the fayd fyrme land, in few dayes with profperous fayling, he difcouered a corner or poynt of 
 the iayd mayne land, called Promontorium S. Marice, where the people dwell, called Canibales, whiche are 
 accuftomed to eate mans fleflie. From hence he fayled on fouthwarde by the long tracte of this firme 
 land, which reacheth fo farre into ye fouth and extendeth fo many degrees beyond ye circle called Tropicus 
 Capricorni, yat the fouth pole (called pole Antartike) is there eleuated fortie and fyxe degrees. And 
 thus beyng brought mto the Eaft, they faw certayn Indians gatheringe fliel fyfhes by the fea bankes : 
 beyng men of very high ftature, clothed with beaftes flannes. To whom, whereas certayne of the Spaniardes 
 went aland, and fliewed them belles and paynted papers, they begon to daunce and leape aboute the 
 Spaniardes, with a rude and murmuring fonge. At the length there came three other, as thoughe they 
 
[0/ the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c\ 
 
 vere ambafladours, whiche by certayn fignes defyred ye Spaniardes to go with them further into the land, 
 making a countenaunce as though thei wold intertayn them wel, where vpon, ye captayne Magellanus fent with 
 them. vii. men well inftructed, to th[e]intent to fearche ye region and maners of the people. And thus 
 they went with them into ye defertes, wher they came to a low cotage couered with wylde beaft.es 
 flcinnes, hauing in it two manfions, in one of ye which were women and children and in the other only 
 men. They interteined their geft.es after a barbaros and beaftly maner, whiche neuertheles femed to 
 them princelike : for they killed a beaft, not much vnlike a wylde affe, whofe flefflie (but halfe rofted) they fet 
 before our men, without any other kind of meate or drinke. Here were our men of neceffitie conftrained 
 to lye al night vnder thefe ftcinnes, by reafon of the great abundaunce of fnowe and wynde. And when it was 
 day, our men were very eameft with them, and would in maner haue enforfed them to goe with them to 
 the ftiippe : which thing thei perceauing, couered them felues from the head to the foote with certayn horrible 
 beaftes flcinnes, and paynted theyr faces with fundrye colours. Thus taking their bowes and arrowes, and 
 bringing with them other of theyr companie, of much greater ftature and terrible afpect, then they were, they 
 fliewed them felues to oure men in araye, as thoughe they were ready to fight. But the Spanyardes, whiche 
 thoughte that the matter would haue comen to hand ftrokes, commaunded a piece of ordinaunce to be fliotte of 
 The which although it dyd no hurte, yet thefe hardy giauntes, which a little before femed to be as bold 
 as though they durft haue made warre againft lupiter, were by the noyfe thereof put in fuche feare, that 
 they foorthwith beganne to entreate for peace. Our men entended to haue brought fome of thefe Gyauntes 
 wyth them into Spayne for the ftraungenes of the thinge : but they all efcaped oute of theyr handes. 
 Magellantii therfore vnderilandinge that it were vnprofytable to tarie there any longer, and that alfo the fea was 
 very rough, and the wether ftormie and boyfte[r]ous, and that furthermore the firme lande extended further 
 toward the fouth, in fo muche, that the further they layled that waye, they fliould fynde it fo much ye colder, 
 he deferred hys proceding vnto [in?] the moneth of may, at whiche tyme, ye fliarpenes of winter, exceadeth with 
 them, when as with vs, fommer is begon. He found there greate plentie of wood. The fea alfo miniftred 
 vnto them great abundaunce of ftielfilhe, befyde other fyflies of fundrie kyndes. He found lykewyfe 
 many fpringes of freftie and holefome waters: and vfed huntinge and taking of foules. Only bread and 
 wyne, was lackinge in the ftiippe. The fouth pole was there eleuated fortie degrees. 
 
 C How Magellanus by a Jlrayght or narrow arme of the fea, fay led by the 
 weft into the Eafl to dyuers Ilandes: where alfo he was Jlayne. 
 
 He wynter now being paft, the. xxiiij. day of Auguft.e, Magellanus departed from the place 
 aforelayde, and ftyll folowed the tracte of the firme land toward the fouth, vntyl at the length, 
 the. xxvi. day of Nouember, he found in that firme land, certayn open places lyke vnto 
 ftrayghtes or narrow feas. Into the which entring with his nauie, he commaunded that 
 certayn fliippes Ihould fearche the goulfes on euerye fyde, yf anye way or paflage might be 
 found into the Eaft- At the length, they found a certayn depe ftraight, by the which they 
 were perfwaded yat there was enteraunce into fome other mayne fea, infomuch that Magel- 
 lanus attempted to fearche ye fame. This ftraight was found to be fomtime of ye bredth of thre Italian myles, 
 fometyme *" two, and fometime of tenne, and reached fomwhat toward the Weft. The altitude or eleuacion of 
 the fouth poic in this place, was founde to be. lii. degrees. They coulde fee no people ftering in the coftes of 
 this entraunce Therfore Magellanus feing thys lande to be rough and faluage, and vnpleafaunt to abide in, 
 by reafon of extreme cold, he thought it not wprthye the trauayle, to fpend any time in ferching the fame. 
 Therfore failing forward in his viage thus attempted by ye faid ftrayghte, (which is now called the ftrayght of 
 Magellanus) he was therby brought into another mayn fea, verye greate and large. The length of this ftrayght 
 or narrow fea, is eft.emed to be a hundreth fpaniftie miles. The land which he had on his right hande, he 
 doubted not to be mayne lande : and that on the left hand, he fuppofed to bee Ilandes. Magellanus fawe 
 lykewyfe the fyrme lande to be extended directly toward ye North: wherefore letting paffe that great lande, he 
 fayled by that greate and large fea betwene the Weft and the North: and that for this intente, that at the length 
 he might by the Weft come into the Eaft, and agayne vnder the burning lyne called Zona Torrida, beynge well 
 afliired that the Ilandes of Molucca (which he foughte) were m the Eafte, and not farre from the Equinodial lyne. 
 When they hadde thus fayled fortie dayes, and came now agayne vnder the line or circle called Tropicus Capri- 
 corni, they founde two lyttle Ilandes inhabyted, but very barren, and therfore called them infortunate Ilandes. 
 Departinge from thence they failed on for a great fpace, and found a certayne Ilande which ye inhabitantes called 
 
 Eden. _ 33 
 
 33 
 
 Cotaees couered 
 with beastes 
 slunnes. 
 
 Onager. 
 
 Abundaunce of 
 snowe and wynda 
 
 The Giauntes are 
 putte to flyght. 
 
 Extreme winter 
 in maye. 
 
 The south pole 
 eleuate.xl. degrees 
 
 The strayght of 
 Magellanus. 
 
 The altitude of 
 the south pole. lii, 
 degrees. 
 
 The main sea 
 
 beyond the 
 strayghtes. 
 
 The fyrme land. 
 
 The burning line 
 Torrida Zofia, 
 The Ilandes of 
 Molucca 
 Tropicus ^ 
 capricomi. 
 
34 
 
 \0f the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c?^ 
 
 The Hand of 
 Inuagana. 
 The Ilandes cf 
 Codes called 
 Cales Males. 
 Arckipeilagus. 
 AcaiaTU 
 Sclani. 
 
 Massana, 
 Stibuth. 
 
 Bread of the 
 
 trunke of trees. 
 
 Drinke of the 
 
 dropping of date 
 
 trees. 
 
 Golde and Ginger 
 
 Magellantts is 
 slayne. 
 
 The new 
 captaine Serramts 
 is betraied of his 
 bondman. 
 
 The king of 
 Subuth conspyretli 
 agaynst the 
 Spanyardes. 
 
 The captayne 
 Serranus is taken 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Gibeih and Port^ 
 SiloU. 
 
 Peace and Idlencs 
 
 Bread of Rice 
 
 Caniphire 
 
 Pearles as bigge 
 as turtle doues 
 egges. 
 
 A manielons big 
 shelfishe 
 
 Gilona. 
 Men with 
 hanging eares. 
 
 Inuagana, where ye eleuacion of the Northe pole, (called pole Artike)"was. xij. degrees: And the length from the 
 Ilandes called Gades, by the Wefte, was iudged to bee. c. Iviii. [one hundred and fifty-eight] degrees. Thus proceding, 
 they faw dyuers other Ilandes, and that fo manye, that they fuppofed they had been brought into a great fea lyke vnto 
 that called Archipelagus, where with fygnes and poyntinges (as the dumme are wont to fpeake with the dumme) 
 they aflced of thefe Indians, the names of the Ilandes, whereby they learned that thei were in Acatan, and not 
 farre from the Ilande called Selani, wel inhabited and replenifhed with abundaunce of al thinges neceflarie for 
 the commodities of this life. Sayling therfore toward the Ilande of Selani, thei were with a contrary wind 
 drieuen on the Hand of Maffana, from whenfe they came to the greate Hand of Subuth, where ye Spanyardes 
 were wel enterteyned of the Kinge of the Hand, who brought them into a certayn cotage, and fet before them 
 fuch delicates as he hadde. Theyr bread, was of the trunke of a certen tree, cut in pieces, and fried with oyle. 
 Theyr drinke was of the humoure or ioyfe which droppeth out of the braunches of the date trees, when they are 
 cutte. Theyr meate was fuche as they toke by foulinge, with fuch fruites as the contrei brought forth. This 
 Ilande was very riche of gold and ginger. In tliefe partes Magellantts made warre agaynfle the inhabi- 
 tauntes of certayne other Ilandes : In whiche conflicte, the fpaniardes hauing the ouerthrow Magellanus was 
 flayne with feuen of hys men. When the Spaniardes hadde thus loft, theyr captayne, they elected a new 
 gouemoure of theyr nauie, appointing one lohannes Serranus to that office. Magellanus_ had alfo a bondman 
 borne in the Ilandes of Molucca, whom he had bought in the citie of Malaaha. This bondman vnderftode the 
 Spanifhe tonge : and where as the capta)Ti Serranus could do nothing without him, who now lay ficke by 
 reafon of the woundes which he had receaued in the faid conflicte, fo that he was fajme to fpeake fharpely to 
 him and threaten to beate him or he could geat him out of the ftiyppe, he here vpon conceaued fo great hatered 
 and indignacion agaynfte the Spanyardes, that he wente immediately to the Kinge of Subuth, declaring the 
 couetoufnes of the Spaniardes to be vnfaciable, and yat thei wold ftiortely vfe crueltie againft him alfo, and 
 bring him into fubiection and feruitude. The barbarous king beleued his wordes, and therwith pryuelye with 
 the ayde of the other Ilandes, confpired againft. the Spanyardes, and toke or flew as many of them as came to 
 a banket whereunto they were bidden vnder pretence of frendfliip. Among the which alfo, Serranus the 
 Captaine was taken priefoner. But the refydue of the Spanyardes which remayned in the fhippes, beyng taught 
 and warned by the euyll chaunce which befell to theyr companions, and fearing greater deceytes and confpira- 
 cies, lyft vp their ankers and gaue wind to their fayles. In the meane tyme was Serranus brought bound to 
 the fea bankes, defiring his companions to delyuer or redeme him from that horrible captiuitie of hys enemies. 
 But the Spaniardes, albeit they toke it for a diflionour, to leaue or forfake the)Tr Captayne, yet fearing fraude or 
 further diffimulacion, they fayled afyde from that Hand, and came to the Ilandes of Gibeth and Pome. In this 
 mayne fea, were two great Ilandes, wherof the one was called Sibli, and the other Pome the lelTe, where our 
 men were wel entreated. The inhabitantes oiPorne honoure the funne and the mone: they keepe alfo a certayn 
 ciuile iuflice and frendly loue one to another. And aboue all thinges, defyre peace and ydlenes. Therfore 
 theii' chiefe fl,udie is, in no cafe to molefte their neyghboures or ftraungers, or to be iniurious to anye man. 
 They haue lytfle houfes, made of earth and wood, and couered partely with rubbiftie, and partly with ye bowes 
 of date trees. They take as manye wyues as they are able, to kepe. Theyr comon meat, is fuch as they take 
 by foulinge or fiffhinge. They make bread of ryce : and drinke, of the liquor whiche droppeth from the 
 braunches of date trees, cutte. Some vfe marchaundyfe in the Ilandes nere about them : fome applie them- 
 felues to huntinge and fyffliing, and fome to hufbandry. Theyr apparell, is of Goffampine cotton. They haue 
 greate abundaunce of camphyre, ginger and cinomome. 
 
 C How the Spaniardes came to the Ilandes of Molucca, and of the 
 people with great hanging eares. 
 
 He Spaniardes takinge thejrr leaue of the king of Pome, departed : dyrecting theyr viage 
 towarde the Ilandes of Molucca, whiche were fhewed vnto them by the fame King. They 
 came fyrft to the coftes of the Ilande called Solo, where are found Pearles as bygge as 
 turtle doues egges : but they are gathered in the depth of the fea. The inhabitantes 
 of this Ilande, at fuche tyme as the Spanyardes came thether, toke a flielfyflhe of fuche 
 houdge bignes yat the fleflie therof wayed. jdvij. pound weyght. Wherby it is apparaunt yat 
 great pearles fliould be found there forafmuch as pearles are the byrth of certayn flielfiflies. 
 From hence thei came to the Hand of Gilona, in which are certayn people hauing hanging eares of 
 fuch length, that they hang downe to theyr' ftioulders. Wherat as the Spaniardes marueyled, the men 
 
\0f the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.\ 
 
 35 
 
 of the Hand (olde them, that not farre from thence was another Hand in which were a kind of men, not onely 
 with- hanging eares, but alfo with eares of fuche breadth and length, that with one of them they myghte couer 
 theyr hole head. But the Spanyardes, who foughte for gold and fpyces, and not for monflers, fayled dyrectly to 
 the Ilandes oi Molucca, where they arryued, the eyghte rroneth after the death of their gouemour Magellanus. 
 Thefe Ilandes are fyue in noumbre, the names wherof are thefe Tharant, Muthil, Thedori, Mare, and Mathien. 
 Some of them are fytuate on thys fyde the EquinoSliall lyne, fome vnder it, and fome beyonde it. Some 
 beare cloues, fome Nutmegges, and fome Cinomome. They are not farre diftaunt the one from the other. 
 They are but little and narowe. The inhabitantes are very poore, becaufe ther is no encreafe of anye 
 other thinge fauing onely of fpyces. They lyue with bread and fyfhe, and fometime popingiayes. They 
 lurke in lowe cotages : And in fyne, all thinges with them are defpicable and vile, befide peace, idlenes, 
 and fpyces. In Tfiedori is great plentie of cloues, as alfo in Tarante and Mathien. The trees which bringe 
 forth cloues, growe not, but on rockes and broken cliffes, which fometime they grow fo thicke, that they 
 appeare lyke a lyttle woode or groue. This tree, bothe in leaues, biggenes, and heyght, is much lyke vnto the 
 baye tree. It beareth the fruite in ye toppes of euery braunche. The budde fpringeth out fyrfl, and then in 
 it the floure, not much vnlike the floure of an orange tree. The clone is fyrft redde : but after beyng fcorched 
 by the heate of the fonne, it is made blacke. The inhabitauntes deuide the groues of thefe trees betwene them, 
 as we doe the vynes. The Hand of Muthil, bringeth forth cinomome. This tree, is ful of fmall braunches and 
 baren, beft. lyking in a drye foyle, and is very like vnto the tree, that beareth the pomgranate. The barke of 
 this tree, by reafon of the great heate of the fonne, ryfmg from the braunches, or bodie of the fame, is gathered 
 and dried at the fonne, 'and is fo made perfecte cinomome. Neare vnto this, is another Hand, called 
 Beda, greater and larger, then anye of the Ilandes of Molucca. In this Hand groweth the Nutmegge, whofe tree 
 is bigge and highe, and much lyke vnto the walnutte tree, for as is the walnutte, fo is this fruite defended with 
 a double couering, as fyrfle with a grene huflce, vnder the whiche is a thinne flcinne or rlmme like a 
 nette, encompaffmg the fliell of the nutte : which (kinne we call the flowre of the nutmegge, but of the 
 Spanyardes, it is called mace, an excellent and holefome fpyce. The other couering, is the fliell of the nutte, 
 within the which is the fruite it felfe, which we call ye nutmegge. Ginger groweth here and there in all 
 the Ilandes of this Archipelagus, or mayne fea. Of the whiche, fome is fowen, and fome groweth of it 
 felfe. But that which is fowen, is the better. The herbe of this, is lyke vnto that which beareth faffrane 
 and hath hys roote, (which is Ginger,) much lyke vnto the fame. In this meane time came two other fliyppes 
 out of Spayne : whereof the one fayled directely to the poynte oi Aphrica, called Promontorium bonce f pel: And 
 the other by the greate mayne South fea, to the coafles of that continent or fyrme land whereof we haue fpoken 
 here beefore. It ftiallfuffyfe that we haue hetherto declared of the nauigacions whiche the Spanyardes attempted by 
 the Wefl.e to fayle into the Eafte, by the fl.rayghte of Magellanus, where the paflage by Sea is open into the Eafte, 
 by the continente or fyrme lande of the newe worlde, called America. Nowe therefore lette vs retoume to the 
 other Nauigacions of Columbus, otherwyfe called the Admyrall, who longe beefore was the fyrft fynder of 
 the newe Ilandes, and of the fayde mayne or fyrme land, and yet founde not that ftrayght or narow fea, by the 
 which Magellanus fayled from the Wefl into the Eaft, 
 
 C The thyrde nauigacion of Chriftophorus Columbus. 
 
 N the yeare of Chrift. 1498. Columbus the Admyral departed from Spayne with eyght foifles, 
 and arryued fyrft. at the Ilandes of Medera, where he deuyded hys nauie into two partes. 
 For. V. of thefe fliippes he directed to the Hand of Hijpana : and with the refidue, he failed 
 towarde the fouth, entendinge to paffe ouer the ^quinoRial line, and from thenfe to turne 
 towarde the Wefl.e, to fearche fuche landes as were hetherto vnknowen to the Chrift,ian men. 
 Coming therfore to Caput ueride,^ he failed to the burning line, called Torrida zona where he 
 found fo great heate, that he was in daunger of death : but retuminge his fliyppes towarde 
 the Weft, he found a more holefome ayre and (as God woulde) came at the length to a lande well inhabyted, 
 where there came agaynft him and his, a bote with, xxiiij. young men, armed with bowes, arrowes, and fliieldes, 
 couering only theyr priuie members with a clothe of Goffampine cotton, hauing alfo very longe heare. The 
 admirall, (as well as he could by fignes) allured them to communicacion. But they trufl.ed not our men, fearing 
 fome deceate. The Admirall perceauing that he could nought preuayle, by fignes and tokens, he determined 
 with Mufical inftrumentes to appeafe their wildneffe. As the minflrelles therefore blewe theyr fliaulmes, 
 the barbarous people drew neare, fufpecting that noyfe to bee a token of warre, whereupon they made ready 
 theyr bowes and arrowes. But the Spaniardes dAwinge nearer vnto them, caile certayne apparell into theyr 
 
 The spanyardes 
 arriue at the 
 Ilandes of 
 Molucca. 
 
 The tree that 
 beareth doues, 
 
 The cinomone 
 tree. 
 
 The nutmeg tree 
 
 Mace. 
 
 The nutmegge. 
 
 Ginger 
 
 PrOTnonioriutn 
 bona spei 
 
 Coittmbus the 
 admyral, first 
 finder of the new 
 Ilandes 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Medera 
 Hzspana or 
 Hispixnicut 
 
 Greate heate vndei 
 the burning lyne. 
 
 Signes and 
 poaiting 
 
36 
 
 [Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &ci\ 
 
 The faire region 
 
 of Parias. 
 
 Gold and Pearles 
 
 Fearse beastes. 
 Canibales 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 refuse to obey the 
 admiraL 
 
 Parias 
 Curtana, 
 Pearles for belles 
 and nedles 
 
 Peacockes. 
 Phesants. ' 
 
 The Region of 
 Canchietes 
 The region of 
 Ciniana 
 
 Pearles 
 
 Naked people. 
 Gold for belles. 
 
 A conflict betwene 
 the wild men and 
 the Spanyardes 
 The Region of 
 Payra. 
 Woodes of 
 Sanders. 
 The tree yat 
 beareth Cassia 
 
 A monsterous 
 beast 
 
 bote, willing by this token of frendfliippe to concile them, although all were in vayne. For they fled all awaye. 
 Wherefore the Admyrall departing from thence, came to a region called Farias, wel inhabited and fill of ciuile 
 people, declaring muche humanitie toward flraungers. They fhewed our men Pearles and Gold, and fuch other 
 riches, defyring them to come a land, where they gentelly entreated them. When our men alked them where 
 they had fuche plentie of golde : they (with home poynting was in the flede of fpeech) declared by fignes and 
 tokens, that thei had it in certayne mountaines, and that thei could not without great daunger refort thether, by 
 reafon of certaine feaxfe beafles in thofe partes, and alfo becaufe of the cruell people called Canibales, whiche 
 inhabite thofe mountaynes. But the Admiral, becaufe his wheate fayled, was enforfed to departe thence. 
 Dyrectinge therfore his viage toward ye North ealle, he came to the Hand of Hifpana, where he found 
 all thinges confounded and out of ordre. For the Spanyardes which were lefte in the Ilandes, refufed to obeye 
 the Admirall and his brother, mouinge greuous complayntes agaynile them before the King of Spaine, and at 
 the length fente them thether bound. 
 
 C Howe Petrus P^ovSms foughte newe Ilandes. 
 
 Fter that the Admyrall hadde incurred the indignacion of the Kynge, manye of his companions, 
 fuche as hadde been broughte vppe with him, and were experte Sea menne, decreede to 
 fearche other partes of the worlde yet vnknowen. Among which number was Petrus Ahnfus, 
 who with a fliippe wel fumifhed, fayled to Parias, and from thence to Curtana, where he 
 begon to exercyfe merchaundife with the inhabitantes, receauinge Pearles for belles and 
 nedles. Entring aKb into the land, he was honourably entertayned. In their woodes, he 
 faw innumerable Peacockes, nothinge vnlyke vnto cures, fauing that the males diifer litle 
 from the females. In this region are great plentie of Phefantes. Ahnfus departinge from henfe, failed to the 
 region of Canchietes, beynge fixe dayes fayling from Curtana, toward the Wefl. In this region is great abun- 
 daunce of golde, Popingiayes, Golfampine cotton, and mofte temperate ayre. From hence he fayled into 
 another fruiteful region, but inhabited with wilde menne, which could by no gentilnes be allured to frendfliippe. 
 Departinge therefore from thence, he came to the region of Ciniana, whereas pearles are found in great plentie: 
 but before he came there, he chaunced to come amonge the Canibales: agaynd whom, difchargeing a piece of 
 ordinaunce, he droue them eafely to flight. But Alonfus laden with pearles, returned home into Spayne. 
 
 C Howe Pinzonus, companion to the Admirall, fought newe Ilandes. 
 
 Incentius, otherwife called Pinzonus in the yeare of Chrifte. 1499. prepared foure brigantmes, 
 and failed fyrit to the Ilandes of Canaria, and from thence to Caput ueride. From whence 
 directinge his viage toward the fouth farre beyonde the EquinoBial lyne, he found men in a 
 certayne Hand, but fuch as he could by no meanes concyle vnto him. Therefore leauinge 
 them, he came to another lande, in whiche were innumerable naked people, diffimuling that 
 thei defired to ioyne frendftiip with the Spaniardes. And whereas one of our men cafl.e a 
 bell amonge them oute of the (hippe, they againe cafl to the Spanyardes a maffe or piece of 
 golde : which, one of oure companye fomewhat to bolde, attemptinge to take vp, they fodeynlye toke him and 
 caried him awaye with merueylous fwiftenes : but our men leauing their Ihippes, made haft to help their fellowe, 
 in fo muche that the matter came to handftrokes. This conflict was fo fliarpe, that our men hadde much a doe 
 to efcape wyth theyr lyues, by reafon of the fearfenes of the barbarians. Departing therefore from thence, they 
 fayled toward the Northeafte, and came to the region of Payra, and to the Ilandes neare aboute the fame in 
 the whiche are woodes of fanders wherewith the marchauntes lade theyr fhippes, and carie it into other coun- 
 treys. In this Region alfo growe the trees, whiche beare Cafsia fijlula of the befte kynd. There is alfo founde 
 a foure foted beaft of monftrous fliape, whofe former parte is lyke vnto a wolfe, fauing that the feete are lyke 
 vnto the fete of a man, with eares like an owle: Hauinge alfo beneath his comon belye, an other belye lyke 
 vnto a purfe or bagge, in which he kepeth his yonge whelpes fo longe, vntyll they be able fafely to wander 
 abrode alone, and to geat theyr meate withoute the helpe of theyr parents. The whelpes while they are veiy 
 yong, neuer come out of this bagge but when they fucke. This portentous beaft with her three whelpes, was 
 broughte to Ciuile in Spaine, and from thence to Granata. 
 
\Pf the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.] 
 
 37 
 
 C Of the foure nauigacions (/Americus Vefputius to the newe Ilandes. 
 
 Mericus Vefputius, beyng fent with Chrijlophorus Columbus, in the yeare of Chrifl. M.cccc.xcij. 
 at the commaundement of Ferdinando King of Caflile, to feke vnknowen landes, and wel 
 inftructed in fayHng on the fea, after a fewe yeares, fet forward foure viages of hys owne 
 proper charges. That is to witte, two vnder the fayd King Ferdinando, and two other vnder 
 Emanuel, king of Portugale, of the which he himfelfe wryteth after this maner. 
 
 C Thefyrjle mage ^Americus Vefputius. 
 
 N the yere of Chrift, M.ccccxcvij. the. xx. daye of Maye, we came with foure fliippes, to 
 the fortunate Ilandes, called Infulm fortunaUe, where the North pole hath his eleuacion. 
 xxvij. degrees, and. xl. minutes. And from dience withia the fpace of. xxvii. dayes, 
 we came to a land more Weflwarde then the fortunate Ilandes, where the North pole 
 was eleuate. xvi. degrees : where alfo we founde a nacion of naked people, of innumerable 
 multitude, whiche as fone as they fawe vs, fled to the next mountajme. From hence 
 within two dayes fayling, we came to a fafe port wher we founde manye men, which 
 with much adoe, we could fcarcely allure to communicacion, although we profered them belles, lokinge 
 glafles, criflallyne cuppes, and fuche other iewelles. But at the length perceauing our good wyll and 
 liberalitie towarde them, they came to vs by heapes, and ioyned frendfliyp with vs without all feare. They 
 goe all as naked as they came forth of their mothers wombe. They fuffre no heare on their bodie fauing 
 only on theyr head, in fo much that they pulo[f]ye heares of their browes. They are all fo perfectelye 
 exercyfed in fwimminge, that they can continue therein, for the fpace of two leages without any thinge to beare 
 them vp and, efpeciallye the women. Theyr weapons are bowes and arrowes. They arme theyr arrowes with 
 ye teeth of beaft.es and fyfties, bycaufe they lacke Iron and other metals. They kepe warre againft their 
 borderers whiche are of ft,raunge language. They fyght not for the enlargeing of theyr dominion, forafmuche 
 as they haue no Magiflrates : nor yet for th[e]increafe of riches, becaufe thei are conteate with their owne com- 
 modities : but onely to reuenge the death of Xhtyi prediceffours. At theyr meate, they vfe rude and barberous 
 faftiions, lying on the ground without any table clothe, or couerlet. They flepe in certayne greate nettes made 
 of Goflampine cotton and hanged a lofte in the ayre beetwene trees. Theyr bodies are verye fmothe and clene 
 by reafon of theyr often wafliinge. They are in other thinges fylthy and withoute fhame. Thei vfe no lawful 
 coniunction of manage, but euery one hath as many women as him lift.eth, and leaueth them agayn at his 
 pleafure The women are very fruiteful, and refufe no laboure al the whyle they are with childe. They 
 trauayle in maner withoute payne, fo that the nexte day they are cherefull and able to walke. Neyther 
 haue they theyr bellies wrimpeled, or loofe, and hanginge pappes, by reafon of bearinge manye children. Theyr 
 houfes and cabbens, are all in common. Theyr houfes are falhyoned lyke vnto belles : are made of greate trees 
 fattened together, couered wyth the leaues of date trees, and made very ftronge againft. wind and tempeftes. 
 They are alfo in fome places fo great, that in one of them fixe hundreth perfons may lodge. Thei vfe euery 
 feuenth or eyght yeare, to remoue and chaunge theyr dwelling places, becaufe that by theyr longe continuaunce 
 in one place, the ayre ftioulde bee infected. They vfe no kynd of marchaundife or bying and felling, beyng 
 content onely with that which nature hath lefte them. As for Golde, Pearles, precious ftones, iewelles, 
 and fuche other thinges, which we in Europa efteme as pleafures and delicates, they fette noughte by. They 
 haue no kynde of come. Theyr common fedinge, is a certayne roote whiche they drye and beate and make 
 floure or meale thero£ They eate no kynd of fleflie except mans fleftie : for they eate all fuche as they kyll in 
 theyr warres, or o[t]herwife take by chaunce When we had thus vewed the countreye, and confydered the 
 maners-of the people, we determyned to fayle further, downe by the landes fyde, and came after a few daies, to 
 a certayn hauen, where we fawe about twentie greate houfes, rayfed vppe muche after the fafliion of belles. 
 There came vnto vs a great multitude of men vnder pretenfe of frendefliip. Some fwimminge, and fome in 
 botes. Who, as fone as thei drew neare vnto vs, fodeynly bent theyr bowes againft vs, where we defended oure 
 felues manfully. In this bickeringe, we flewe of them about twentie, beefyde manye that were wounded : But 
 of our men, were onlye fyue hurte, whiche were all perfectelye healed. Thus departinge from this hauen, we 
 layled on, and came to another nacion, in conuerfacion and tongue vtterlye diifering from the fyrft. For 
 
 Edhh. G 2 3j 
 
 Ferdinando Icinge 
 of Castile. 
 
 Insula fartunata. 
 Naked menne. 
 
 Wylde men 
 allured with 
 gentlenes 
 
 People expert in 
 swimminge. 
 
 Cabens hanging 
 betweene trees. 
 
 Women in 
 commen. 
 
 Women very 
 stronge and 
 fruitful. 
 
 Houses made of 
 trees. 
 
 Houses of 
 maruelous bignes. 
 
 Rycbes and 
 superfluites 
 contemned 
 
 Bread of a certain 
 
 roote. 
 
 Mans flesh eaten 
 
 A conflict 
 
38 
 
 \0f the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c?[ 
 
 A gentle nacion 
 Parias. 
 
 Fruitesvniike 
 vnto oures. 
 
 Gold everywhere. 
 
 Canibaht. 
 
 An expedicion 
 agaynst ye 
 Cnnibales 
 
 The Equinoctial 
 line. 
 
 Canibalet 
 
 Fyue hundreth 
 pearles foronebell 
 Wine of the iuyse 
 of frutes 
 
 An Hand wythout 
 fresh water. 
 
 Broad leaucs. 
 
 The land of 
 Giauntes. 
 
 Pearles 
 
 A hundreth and 
 XXX. pearles in one 
 shelnshe. 
 
 CaUdum 
 
 comming oute of our fhippe, we were very frendly entreated of them, where we continued for the fpace of nyne 
 dayes. i This region is verye fayre, and fruitefull, hauinge manye pleafauntwoodes, which continue grene all the 
 yeare longe. They haue fruites innumerable, vtterlye vnlyke vnto oures. The Region is fituate dyrectelye vnder 
 the lyne, called Tropicus Calieri. The inhabitantes them felues, call it Parias. Saylinge farre beyond this 
 Region, and ouerpaflinge manye countreyes and nacions, fyndinge Gold euery where, (but in no great 
 quantitie) we came to another nacion full of gentleneffe and humanitie, where we refled. xxxvij. dayes. Thefe 
 people made greuous complaynte vnto vs, that there was not farre from them, a certayne fearfe and cruel! 
 nacion, whiche vexed them fore, and made incuriion into theyr countreye at a certayne tyme of the yeare, 
 kyllinge them and violentlye carying them awaye, to th[e]intent to eate them, in fo muche that they were not 
 able to defend them felues againfle theyr fearfeneffe. Whiche thinge when they hadde fo lamentablye declared 
 vnto vs, and we hadde made them promyfe that we woulde reuenge theyr fo manye iniuries, they io)med vnto 
 oure company feuen of theyr men. Thus we wente forward : and after feuen dayes, came to an Ilande, called 
 Ity: where thefe fearfe people dwelte. Who, as fone as they hadde efpyed vs, came armed agaynfle vs. 
 We ioyned with them in battaile, which contynued for the fpace of twoo houres. At the length we 
 droue them to flyghte, and flewe and wounded a greate numbre of them, and toke. xxv. captiues. But of our 
 men was onely one flayne, and. xxi. wounded, and fliortely after reflored to health. We gaue to thofe feuen 
 men which went with vs, thre menne of oure prifouners and foure women, whom with greate reioyfmge 
 they caried with them into theyr countreye : and we retuminge home toward Spaine, with many captiues came 
 fyrfle to a porte of Spayne called Calicium, where we folde oure priefoners, and were ioyefullye receaued : In 
 the yeare of Chrift, M.ccccxcix. the. xv. daye of Octobre. 
 
 C The feconde viage ^Vefputius. 
 
 N the moneth of May folowing Vefputius attempted another viage and came by Ilandes of 
 Canaria, euen vnto the buininge lyne, called Torrida zona, and founde a lande beeyonde the 
 Equino6lial iine, toward the South, where the South pole is eleuate fyue degrees. And wheras 
 he coulde fynde no apte enteraunce into the land, and fayled vp and down alonge by the 
 fame, he efpyed a bote in which was aboute twentie men : who, as fone as they faw the Span- 
 yardes, lepte into the Sea and efcaped all, excepte two, which they toke. In theyr bote which 
 they forfoke, were founde foure young men which they had by force taken oute of another 
 countrey, hauinge theyr priuie members newelye cutte of. Thefe, Vefputius toke into his fliippes and learned by 
 theyr fignes and tokens, that they hadde been taken of the Canibales, and fliould fliortly haue been eaten. But 
 departinge from thefe coftes, and faylinge on forward, they came tO a commodious hauen, where they founde 
 muche people, with whom they ioyned frendfliyp, and fell to chaungeinge of ware, receauinge for one bell, fyue 
 hundreth Pearles. In this lande they drinke a certayne kynde of wyne, made of the iuyfe of fruites and fedes, 
 being lyke whyte and redde fydar. Departinge from hence, and faylinge yet further, they founde a certajTie 
 Ilande in which was a beaflly kind of people, and fimple, yet very gentle. In this Ilande is no freflie water : 
 but they gather the dew which in the night feafon falleth vpon certayne leaues muche lyke vnto the eare of an 
 Affe. They lyue for the mofle parte, by fea fiflie. They haue no cotages or houfes : but haue certayne broade 
 leaues, wherewith they defende them felues from the heate of the Sunne, but not from fliowres : but it is verye 
 lykely, that it rayneth but lyttle in that Hand. Vefputius wyth his companye departinge from hence, lay led 
 vnto another Ilande : into the whiche when he hadde entered, he founde certayne cotages, and in them two old 
 women, and three young wenches, whiche were of fo greate llature, that they marueyled thereat. And whereas 
 our menne ftryued with them to bringe them to the fliyppe, to th[e]intente to haue caryed them into Spayne, 
 they efpyed cominge toward them fyxe and thyrtie men, yet of muche greater llature then were the women, 
 bearing with them bowes, arrowes, and great flakes lyke vnto clubbes : at the fyghte of whome, oure menne 
 beinge afrayd, made hafle to theyr fliyppes. But thefe Gyauntes folowinge them euen to the Seafyde, bended 
 theyr arrowes towardes the Spanyardes, vntyll they difcharged two pieces of ordinaunces, wyth the horryble 
 founde whereof, they were immediatly drieuen to flight Oure menne therefore departinge from thence, called 
 that Ilande, the Ilande of Giauntes. And came to another nacion, which frendlye entreated them, and ofiered 
 them many Pearles : in fo muche that they boughte. xix. markes weyghte of pearles, for a fmal price. They 
 gaue vs alfo certayne fhelfyflies, of the whiche fome conteyned in them a hundreth and thyrtie Pearles, 
 and fome fewer. Departinge from thence they came to the Ilande oi Antiglia, which Columbus had difcouered 
 a few yeares before. Leauinge this, they fayled directely to Calicium, a porte of Spayne, where they were 
 honourablye receaued. 
 38 
 
\Pfthe newe Inc/ia, and llandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.] 
 
 39 
 
 C The thyrde viage of Vefputius. 
 
 Efputitis beyng called from Callile to ferue Emanuel the King of Portugale, in the yeare 
 of Chrifle. M. ccccc. ij. the tenth daye of May, departed from the hauen of lifbume, and 
 fayled downe by the coaft.es of the fea Atlantike, vntil he came vnder the Equinoilial lyne. 
 And the. xvij. daye of Augufte, they arryued at a certayne lande where they found a kind of 
 beaftly people. This land is fituate toward the South, fyue degrees beyonde the Equiiio£lial 
 lyne. A gieate multitude of the inhabitantes wer gathered together, and as wel as they coulde 
 by fignes and poyntinges, defired oure men to come alande and to fee theyr countrey. There 
 were two in the Ihippe, which toke vpon them to vewe the lande, and leame what fpyces and other commodities 
 might be had therein. They were appOynted to returne within the fpace of fiue daies at the vttermoft.. But 
 when eyght dayes were now paft.e, they whiche remayned in the fhippes, heard yet nothing of the}^ returne : 
 wheras in the meane time great multitudes of other people of the fame lande reforted to the Sea fyde, but could 
 by no meanes be allured to communicacion. Yet at the length they broughte certayne women, which ftiewed 
 them felues familier towarde the Spaniardes : Wherupon they fent forth a young man, beyng very ft,rong and 
 quicke, at whom as the women wondered, and ftode gafmge on him and feling his apparell : there came fodeynly 
 a woman downe from a mountayne, bringing with her fecretely a great ftake, with which ftie gaue him fuch a 
 ftroke behynde, that he fell dead on the earth. The other womenne foorthwith toke him by. the legges, and 
 drewe him to the mountayne, whyle in the mean tyme the men of the countreye came foorth with bowes and 
 arrowes, and fliot at oure men. But the Spaniardes difchargeing foure pieces of ordinaunce agaynfl them, 
 droue them to flighte. The women alfo which had flayne the yong man, cut him in pieces euen in the fight of 
 the Spaniardes, (hewinge them the pieces, and rofting them at agreate fyre. The men alfo made certayn tokens, 
 wherby they declared that not paft. viii. daies before, they had in lyke maner ferued other chriftian men. 
 Wherfore ye Spaniardes hauinge thus fuftayned fo greuous iniuries vnreuenged, departed with euyl wil : fayling 
 therfore further toward ye fouth, they found a nacion of great multitude, and of much genteler condicions, with 
 whom thei remained, viij. dayes, bartering and changeing ware with them. Sayling on yet farther, they went 
 beyond ye line called Tropicus Capricomi, yi'he.Tt the fouth pole is eleuate. 32. degrees: and wheras in thofe 
 parts thei found no great riches, they failed yet further fouthward vntill ye pole was eleuate. lij. degrees : where 
 thei came into fuch a tempefte, that they were enforfed to gather vppe theyr fayles, and to rowe only with the 
 mafte, directinge theyr viage toward the coft.es of Ethiopia, from whence they retiuned againe to Lifbume 
 in Portugale. 
 
 C The fourth viage of Vefputius. 
 
 His nauigation was attempted in the yeare of Chrift. M. ccccc. iij. but was not brought to the 
 ende hoped for, by reafon of a miffortune which chaunced in the goulfe of the fea Atlantike. 
 Vefputius entended in this viage to layle to the Ilande of Melcha, beyng in the Eaft, in 
 which is fayde to be great lyches, and the ftacion of reftinge place of all fliippes comming 
 from the goulfe Gangeticus, and from the Indian Sea. This Melcha, is fituate more toward 
 the Weft, and Calicut more enclininge towarde the fouth. Vefpiitius came fyril to ye grene 
 llandes, called Infulce uerides: and fayled from them to Serraliona, beyiige in the Southe 
 partes of Ethiopia: from whence faylinge on yet further, he fawe in the middeft of the fea an Hand, high and 
 merueylous: where alfo the M[asfter]. Pilate of this nauie, loft his fliippe by running vpon a rocke: but all the 
 mariners efcaped. This fliippe was of thre hundreth tunne, and had in it al the power of the nauie. When 
 Vefputius had entered into the Hand, he found it rude and vnhabited: yet was it full of byrdes: but had no 
 beaftes except Lifertes with forked tayles, and Serpentes. Thus makinge prouifion for neceflaries, he was 
 enforced to returne to portugale, failing of his purpofe. 
 
 The sea Atlantike. 
 
 Three of the 
 Spanyardes slayne 
 and eaten. 
 
 Fearse and cniele 
 women. 
 
 A ciuile people. 
 
 The south pole 
 eleuate. lij.degrees. 
 
 Lishurne. 
 
 The Hand of 
 tnelcka. 
 
 Calient 
 hisulte ue fides 
 
 A shippe wracke. 
 
 Lisertes and 
 Serpents 
 
40 
 
 [Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c] 
 
 The Portu|;ales 
 bitd fortes in the 
 Easte partes. 
 
 A iphonstts 
 
 A urea 
 chersonesus. 
 The great and 
 ryche cytle of 
 Malacha 
 Saracens. 
 Malacha besieged 
 The king fighteth 
 on an elephant. 
 
 Plenty of copper. 
 
 ,Marchaunts. 
 Spyces. 
 
 The cytie of Goa. 
 
 The Ambassadors 
 make a league 
 ^tiy^ Alpiumstts 
 
 The west Ilandes 
 Cuba. 
 
 Iticatana. 
 
 Cozumel or 
 Saticta Crux. 
 HisPana. 
 Suger presses. 
 
 The wood called 
 Gaaiacum. 
 
 Medera oi 
 Madera, 
 
 Sawe milles. 
 Fayre tree 
 
 C How the king of Portugale fuhdued cert ay n places in India : 
 and of the ryche Cytie of Malacha. 
 
 Orafmuche as therefore in the yeares folowinge, there were more often nauigacions made from 
 the Weft by the fouth into the Eaft, and the Portugales had now founde a fafe paflage by 
 ye fea, they thought it expedient for theyr better fafetie, to make certaine fortifications and 
 places of refuge in the Eafte. The which theyr intent the better to accompliflie, King 
 Emanuel appoynted one Alphonfus an experte man on the fea, to be captayne of this viage. 
 Who, defyring to reuenge the loffes and iniuries which the Portugales had before fuftained, 
 fayled directly to Aurea Cherfonefus, now called Malacha, a merueylous great and riche 
 citie, whofe king is an infydel of the fecte of the Moores : for euen thus farre was the fecte of Mahumet extended. 
 Alphonfus therfore at his coming thether, befieged the cytie, and made warre agaynft the Saracens whiche helde 
 the fame. In this conflict a greate noumber of theyr enemies beynge flayne, the Portugales entred into the 
 citie by forfe and kept the fame, permitting free Kbertie to theyr fouldiers to fpoyle, kyll, and burne. The 
 king himfelfe, fyghting vpon an Elephante, and beyng fore wounded, fledde with the refydue of his companye. 
 A greate numbre of the Moores were fTaine with the lofle of a fewe Portugales: manye were taken, and great 
 fpoyle caried awaye, in the whiche were feuen Elephantes, and all kyndes of ordinaunces perteyning to the 
 warres, made of copper, to the noumbre of two thoufande pieces. The cytye beinge thus taken and facked, 
 and the enemyes drieuen to flyghte, Alphonfus the Capitayne the better to prouyde for the fauegarde of the 
 Chriftians, buylded a ftrong forte at the mouth or entraunce of the riuer which runneth through ye citie. At 
 this time, that iu to witte, in the yeare of Chrift. M. ccccc. xij. there were in Malacha many ftfaungers and mar- 
 chauntes of dyuerfe nacions, whereby the cytie was repleniflied with great ryches and abundaunce of fpyces. 
 They of theyr owne mocion, defyred to make a leage with Alphonfus, and were of him gently receaued: So 
 that for theyr better fafetie, he permitted them to dwell in the houfes neare about the forte. And by this 
 meanes, this markette towne was reedified and broughte to muche better flate than euer it was before. Thefe 
 thinges thus happely atchiued, and al thinges m Malacha fet in good order, ^^/4(7«/iw leauing in the forte a 
 garrifon of. vi. hundreth valiante fouldiours, returned into India, where he befieged the chiefe caftell of the 
 cytie of Goa, which (he) a fewe yeares' beefore, hadde with no fmal daunger of our men, and great flaughter of 
 their enemies, fubdued vnder the dominion of Emanuel kynge of Portugale, and was now poffeffed of the mores, 
 he manfully recouered agayne, and enforfed them to render vp the fame. Alfo the ambaffadours of the Kinge 
 of Narfmga, the Kinge of Cambaia, and the King of Grofapha with the legates of dyuers other kinges and 
 Princes, oifered them felues to be at a leage wyth Alphonfus, and thereupon broughte theyr prefentes vnto hym. 
 No lelTe power and dominion obtayned the king of Spayne in the Ilandes of the Wefle partes: In fo- muche 
 that at his commaundement, were buylded fixe townes in the Ilande of Cuba. Lykewyfe in the Ilande of 
 lucatana, was buylded a greate cytie wyth fayre houfes. The Ilande of Cozumella, the Spanyardes called 
 Sancta Crux, beecaufe they came fyrile thether in Maye, on the daye of the Inuencion of the Croffe. In the 
 Ilande oi Hifpana or Hifpaniola, were erected. 28. fuger prefles, to preffe ye fugre whiche groweth plentifully 
 in certaine canes or redes of the fame countrey. From hence alfo is brought the wood of Guaiacum, other- 
 wyfe called, Lignum Sanctum, wherewith dyuerfe difeafes are healed by the order of the newe dyete. 
 
 C Of the Hand of Medera, and the fortunate Ilandes, otherwyfe 
 called the Ilandes of Canaria. 
 
 Etwene Spaine and the Ilandes of Canaria, is the Ilande of Medera, which the Spaniardes in 
 our time founde vnhabited and faluage. But perceauinge that the foyle thereof, was very 
 fhiitefull, they burnt the woodes, and made the ground apt to bringe foorth come, and 
 buylded many houfes, and fo tilled the fame, that at this day is no where founde a more 
 fruiteful lande. It hath in it many fpringes of frefflie water and goodly ryuers, vpon the 
 winch are bylded manye fewe mylles, wherewith manye fayre trees, lyke vnto Ceder and 
 Cypreffe trees, are fawed and cut in funder, whereof are made moft fayre tables, coberdes, 
 cofers. and chayres, and fuch other curious workes made of wood. Thefe trees are of redde colour, and fwete 
 
\0f the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.] 
 
 41 
 
 feuour, the bodies and braunches whereof are broughte into Spayne in great plentie. The Kynge of Portugale 
 thought it goode to plante in this Hand, that kynde of redes in which fuger groweth : wherein he was not 
 deceaued in his opinion : For they growe there mode fruitefuUy, and beare fuger which excelleth the fugre of 
 Candye or Sicilia. There were alfo vynes broughte out of Candye and planted in this Ilande, where they 
 profper fo wel, that for ye moile parte they bring forth more grapes then leaues, and thofe very great. In this 
 Hand is alfo great plentie of Partriches, wyld doues, and Peacockes, wild bores, and diuers kindes of other 
 beafl.es, which onely poffefTed the Hand before men dyd inhabite the fame. Alfo the Ilandes called Infulce 
 fortunatce, (whiche are now called Canaria, for the multitude of dogges which are in them) are feyd to be no 
 leffe fruytefulL Thefe Ilandes are tenne in noumbre, of the which feuen are inhabited, and thre remaine 
 defolate. They which are inhabited, are called by thefe names: Fralla laucea. Magna fors, Grancanaria, 
 Teneriffa, Ginera, Palma, and Ferrum. At Columbus firft comming thether, the inhabitantes went naked, 
 without fliame, religion, or knowledge of God. But in fucceffe of time, foure of the greateft. Ilandes embrafed 
 the Chrillian faith : They haue eche of them a priuate language. Teneriffa and Grancanaria, are bigger then 
 the other. Teneriffa may be fene afarre of, to the diflaunce of fiftie leages, in a fayre and clere daye. The 
 reafon whereof is, that in the middefl of the Hand, ryfeth a marueylous great and ftxong rock, which is thought 
 to be. XV. leages high, and cafteth foorth continuallye greate flames of fyre and pieces of brimftone, as doth the 
 mount Etna in the Hand of Sicilia. The people of thefe Ilandes, lyiie with barlye bread, fleflhe, and mylke. 
 They haue alfo greate plentie of Goates, wylde Afles, and Fygges. They lacke wyne and wheate. 
 
 C Whether wider the ./Equinodtial circle or buminge lyne 
 {called Torrida zona) be habitable Regions. 
 
 lus fecundus (otherwife called Eneas Siluius^ of this queftion, wryteth in this maner. 
 It hath been muche doubted whether habitable regions maye be founde vnder the Equi- 
 noBial lyne. Eratojlhenes is of th[e]oppinion, that the ayre is there veiye temperate. So 
 thinketh Polybius alfo, affirming that the earth is there verye highe, and watered with 
 many fliowers. Pofsidonius fuppofed that there is no Mountaynes vnder the EquinoBial. 
 Some thoughte that the EquinoHial lyne was extended beyond the earth ouer the mayne 
 Ocean fea : whiche thinge the Poete Homere femeth to infinuate, where he faineth 
 that the horfes which drawe the chariote of [the] funne, drinke of the Ocean fea, and the funne it felfe to take 
 his norifliement of the lame. Whiche fentence Macrobius alfo foloweth. Neither was Albertus Ma^us farre 
 from this opinion, who fuppofeth yat the funne draweth vp fo much moyfture vnder the EquinoSlial circle, as 
 engendreth the cloudes vnder the poles, where by reafon of th[e]excedinge coldnefle, ayre is continualli turned 
 into water. But Ptolomeus thinketh the earth to bee extended beyonde the Equinoilial, whereas he placeth a 
 part of the Hand of Taprobana, vnder the Equino£lial, and alfo many nacions of the Ethiopians. Many 
 haue thought that th[e]earthly Paradyfe was fette vnder that lyne : which opinion is contrary to th[e]auctoritie of 
 the holy fcripture which witnefleth the two famous fluddes Ti^is and Euphrates to fpringe oute of Paradife : 
 whiche neuerthelefle we know from the North partes to fal into the goulfe called Sinus PerficHS : but as 
 conceminge the heate vnder the EquinoHial lyne, the nearenefle of the funne, or the directe beames of the fame, 
 are no fufficiente caufes why vnder that line fliould be no habitable regions, if we confider how thofe places are 
 otherwyfe fliadowed, and tempered with the moyftenes and dewes of the nightes, which are all the yeare 
 throughe of equal length with the dayes. Yet wyl no man denye, but that vnder the Equinofiial throughoute 
 all the buminge lyne there are raanye wildemefles and defolate places, lacking water, and incommodious for the 
 lyfe of man : Albeit euen in Ethiopia, people dwell neare to the ryuers and woodes. Plinie alfo fayth that one 
 Dalion, and Ariftocleon, and Bion, and Bafdides, went Southward beyonde Merom whiche is almofte vnder the 
 Equinoilial. And that Simonides who writte the defcripcion of Ethiopia, dwelte fyue yeres in Merox : whiche 
 Ilande, (beeynge in the fymie lande and compafled aboute wyth the Ryuer of Nilus) he affyrmed to bee fituate. 
 97a. thoufande pafes beeyonde Syenes of Egypte, as the fearchers of Nero declared. But at Sienes the 
 Aftronomers appoynte the fommer conueriion of the funne : and that there the buminge lyne beginneth, being 
 diftaunte from the JEquinoaial foure and twentie degrees, that is twelue thoufande furlonges. Wherby we maye 
 perceaue that Meroa is fituate fome what beeyonde the myddeft betwene the Equinodlial and Sienes. 
 Ptolomeus alfo defcrybeth the Region oi Agifimba to bee inhabited beeyonde the EquinoHial. Lykewyfe the 
 Mountaynes of the Mone, called Montes Luna, out of the which, the fennes or marifes of the riuer Nilus haue 
 their fpring and originall. He addeth hereunto that there are certayne Ethiopians called Anthropophagi, 
 
 Suger 
 Vynes 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Canaria. 
 
 Christians 
 
 A mount of 
 buminge 
 brimstone. 
 Fygges. 
 
 i,itr. >'. Cafit. v. 
 
 Eraihosthetus. 
 
 Polibius. 
 
 Possidonius. 
 
 The Equinoctial 
 
 line 
 
 The poet Homere 
 
 Macrobius. 
 Albertus Magnus. 
 
 Ptolomeus. 
 Taprohana 
 Ethiopes 
 
 Tigris and 
 Euphrates. 
 Sinus Persicus. 
 The nearenes of 
 the sunne. 
 
 Temperatenes 
 vnder the 
 Equinoctial. 
 
 Torrida zona. 
 
 Ethiopa. 
 Plinie. 
 
 The Hand of 
 
 Syenes in Egipte. 
 The conuersion 
 of the sunne. 
 Of the furlonges 
 of Italie viii. doe 
 make one Italien 
 myle> conteyning 
 a . m. [thousand] 
 
 Agisintha. 
 Montes Luntt. 
 Paluttdes NiU. 
 Ethiopes 
 
4-2 
 
 [Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c?[ 
 
 A nihrqPophagL 
 Habitable regions 
 how farre 
 extended. 
 CUma, 
 
 that is, fuch as eate mans fleflie, which inhabite regions beyond the EquinoBial about the fpace of, xvL 
 degrees. And thus the inhabitacion of men is found to be extended, x. hundreth thoufand pafes beyonde the 
 EquinoBial lyne. Whiche fpace conteyneth no leffe then two clymes of earth. And a clyme is a porcion 
 of the worlde betwene South and North, wherein is variacion in length of the daye, the fpace of halfe an 
 houre. 
 
 C Finis. 
 
 G 
 
 Thus endeth the fyfth boke of Sebafiian Munfler, 
 of the landes of Afia the greater, and of the 
 newe founde landes, and Ilandes. 
 
 1553- 
 
 €1 Imprinted at London, in Lom- 
 
 barde Strete, By Edward 
 
 Sution. 
 
 C To at aduenturers, andfuche as take in hande greate enterpryfes. 
 
 Who hath not of fowrenes felte the bitter tafl, 
 Is not worthy of fwetenes to take his repafl.' 
 To cracke the nutte, he muft take the payne, 
 The which would eate the camell fayne. 
 Who that of bees feareth the ftinge, 
 Shal neuer by hony liaue great wonninge. 
 As the fwete Rofe bringeth forth the thome, 
 So is man truely to ioye and pajme borne. 
 The b)T:de vpon hope byldeth her nefte, 
 Where oftentymes flie hath but euyll refle, 
 Yet is fhe not therby •drieuen to fuche feare, 
 But yat (he performeth the fame the nexte yeare. 
 Much cafling of periles doth noble corage fwage 
 Yet do not I commende rafhenes or outrage. 
 What foles do fable, take thou no hede at all, 
 For what they know not, they cal phantaftical. 
 Nought venter nought haue, is a faying of old. 
 Better it is to blow the cole, then to fyt a cold. 
 Fortes fortuna adiuiiat, the Latin prouerbe faith, 
 But fayleth to fuch as faynt and lacke fayth. 
 God giueth al thinges, but not ye bul by ye home 
 The plowman by trauaile encreafeth his come. 
 As fortune fauereththoumayft. be riche or poore, 
 As Crefus or Jrtis that beggeth at the dore. 
 
 C Omnis iaHafit alca. 
 
43 
 
 [The Third English book on America.] 
 
 i ^ ^ »t 
 
 wmmm 
 
 THE DECADES 
 
 t)oeft3!i«]ifft, 
 
 ICoittcynsns tlK nautflatf ons anu conqncQ^s 
 
 ofti)e^p$inpacD(d,tt)ftlj tDepactidnlai; dcs 
 
 fcn'ptiot^of t|!e ntoac tpcibe an& lacse lanDcs 
 
 aitOBUlanOts lately fonnbeitt ttjc Uita£Eiccatt 
 
 pempnsns to tfje in^entanitcc oF t^t ftinses 
 
 of ;&p3Fn(« 3in tDe toijici) tljeuiUsetir itaticc 
 
 map not onip cottc^titr tof)ac cammoJbUiemai? 
 
 Decc&p cijannce to tbe Ijole cDuaian too;!ti ttt 
 
 r^me to come, &ut airo teacnc man? recreates 
 
 tonclfpitse tlje lantWitlje Teajanii tlje aarees, 
 
 %ttii necclTavie to be itnoUie to alUcly as fl^al 
 
 jittcmpte anpnaufsationsjOj otljectoift 
 
 |)auc Deltte to beljoloe t^e ai'ange 
 
 atii) maotiOecf itU U>oo}&cs o£ 
 
 , j5oOantinatHt:c» 
 
 IVt^ttcit iix tlje Satine toti^se by idctte 
 
 ^act?; oE^uslecia, ant> ti-attfi 
 
 Iate&inta£ns(p{njc&p 
 
 ispfijactiejSDm* 
 
 Iitjc^ibus Gnilhelt^t PoWeU> 
 ANNO. lyjy, 
 
 ^5 
 
 
 ffifS 
 
C The table of the contentes of this booke. 
 
 45 
 
 Befyde the Decades {the table ofwhofe contentes yow may reade in the ende of the booke [see pp. 391-397.]) are conteyned 
 
 furthermore in this boooke thefe thynges foUowynge. 
 
 \J C Of the landes and Ilandes lately founde. . . Folio. 149. [/. 186.] 
 I The popes buUe and donation . . . 167. and. 171. [/>. 201.] 
 ^^The hyftorie of the Wefte Indies, wrytten by Gonzalus 
 
 Ferdinandus. 174. [/. 208.] 
 
 The ordinarie nauigation from Spayne to the Wefte Indies. 1 75. [/. 210.] 
 
 Of two notable thynges as touchynge the Weft Indies: 
 and of the greate ryches brought from thenfe into Spaine. 176. \p. 21 1.] 
 Of the golde mines and maner of woorkynge in them. . 177. [j*. 211.] 
 The maner of fyfftiynge for pearles 180. [}>. 213.] 
 
 -The familiaritie that the Indians haue with the deuyl. . 181. [p. 215.] 
 Of temperate and habitable regions vnder the Equinoc- 
 
 tiall line. &c . . _ 184. [A 217.] 
 
 Of dyuers particular thynges, as woormes, ferpentes, 
 
 beaftes, foules. &c. ....... 185. [p. 218.] 
 
 Oftrees,fruites,andplantes,&c.l94,[/.22S.] [Of ReedesorCanes.i96./.227.J 
 Of the venemous apples wherwith the Canibales inueneme 
 theyrarrowes.i99.[^.229.] Of fyffties&theyrmanerof fyfihynge. 201. [^.230.] 
 Of the ryfynge and faulynge of owre Ocean fea and the 
 
 fouth fea called the fea of Sur. 204. [p. 233.] 
 
 Of the ftreight of lande beinge betwene the north and 
 
 fouth fea. 205. [/. 234.] 
 
 Howe thynges of one kynde, dyifer by the nature of the 
 
 place: and of the beaftes cauled Tygers. . . . 206. [/>. 235.] 
 
 Of the maners and cuftomes of the Indians of the firme 
 
 lande and of theyr women 208. [p. 237.] 
 
 Of the Ilandes Hifpaniola and Cuba 210. [p. 239.] 
 
 Of the Ilande of Cuba and other 213. [^ 241.] 
 
 Of the lande of Baccallaos. . . ... . . 213. [/. 242.] 
 
 Other notable thynges gathered owt of dyuers autours : 
 
 and of the vniueiiall carde and newe worlde. . . 214. [/. 245.] 
 
 A difcourfe of the maruelous vyage made by the Span- 
 
 yardes rounde about the worlde. . . . . . 215. [/. 246.] 
 
 The order of the ftarres abowt the pole Antartike. . 222. [/. 253.] 
 The prices of precious ftones and fpices with their weightes 
 and meafures as they are foulde bothe of the Moores and 
 
 Gentyles 233. [p. 263.] 
 
 OftheweightesofPortugaleandIndia,andhowethey agree. 239. [^ 269.] 
 Of the dooues of the Ilande of Madera. . . . 239. [p. 270.] 
 
 Of the Ilande of faynt Thomas vnder the Equinoctial line, 240. [p. 270.] 
 
 ' The debate and flrife betwene the Spanyardes and Portu- 
 gales for the diuifion of the Indies and the trade of fpyces. 240. {p. 271.] 
 Of the pole Antartike and the ftarres about the tsaae: 
 and of the qualitie of the regions and difpofition of the 
 elementes abowt the Equinoctiall line : Alfo of certeyne 
 recreates touchynge the arte of faylynge. . . . 245. [p. 277.] 
 A difcourfe of dyuers vyages and wayes by the which 
 fpices, precious ftones, and golde were brought in owlde 
 tyme from India into Europe and other partes of the worlde. 
 Alfo of the yyage to Cathay and Eafte India by the northe 
 fea : And of the viages of Sebaftian Cabot. . . . 249. [p. 283. 
 Of the vyages to Mofcouia and Cathay. . . . 249. [/. 283. 
 
 A breefe defcripHon of Mofcouia. 259. [p. 291.' 
 
 The defcription of the north regions : and how they are 
 habitable, contrary to th[e]opinion of the owlde wryters. 264. [p. 295.] 
 Scondia. 267. [/. 298.] Gronlande. 268. [p. 299.] Iflande. 269. [p. 300.] 
 Laponia. 270. [A 301.] Norway. 273. Ip. 303.] 
 
 Suetia or Suethlande. 275. [p. 305.] Gothia or Gothlande. 276. [p. 306.] 
 Finlande and Eningia. 276. [p. 306.] Bothnia. 275. [/. 305.] 
 
 The dyfference of regions and caufes of great cities, . 277. [p. 307.] 
 
 278. [/. 
 289. 1>. 
 
 310. 
 
 3"- 
 312. 
 
 317. 
 318, 
 319- 
 
 [p- 
 
 The hyftorie of Paulus louius of the ambaffade of great 
 
 Bafilius Prince of Mofcouia to pope Clement the feuenth. 
 
 Other notable thynges as concemynge Mofcouia, gathered 
 
 owt of the bookes of Sigifmundus Liberus. . 
 
 The defcription of the regions and people lyinge North 
 
 and Eafte from Mofcouia to the ryuer Petzora and the pro- 
 
 uince of lugaria and the rjmer Obi. &c. ... 294. [p. 
 
 Of the famous ryuer of Tanais 297. [p. 
 
 More directly from Mofcouia to Cathay. . . . 298. [p. 
 
 Of the Tartars. 299. [;S. 327.] The nauigation by the frofen fea. 303. [p. 
 
 The letters miffiue which kynge Edwarde the. vi. fent to the 
 
 kynges, princes, and other potentates inhabitynge the north 
 
 eaft partes of the worlde towardetheEmpire of Cathay. 306. and. 308. [/, 
 
 The letters of the prince of Moicouia fente to kynge 
 
 Edwarde. 319. [TAese are not included in the work.] 
 
 Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies : and of 
 
 the foreknowleage that the poet Seneca had of the fynd- 
 
 ynge of the newe worlde and other regions not then kno wen. 
 
 Of the greatellandewhiche Plato cauled Atlantica or Atlan- 
 
 tide. 310. Ip. 337.] Of the coloure of the Indians. 
 
 Why they were cauled Indians 
 
 The fyrft difcouerynge of the Weft Indies. 
 
 What maner of man Chriftopher Colon was, and howe he 
 
 came fyrft to the knowleage of the Indies. . . . 313. [^- 340.] 
 
 What laboure and trauaile he tooke in attemptynge his 
 
 firfte vyage to the Indies. . . ■ . . . . 313. [/. 
 
 Of newe Spaine cauled Noua Hifpania or Mexico. . 31 S- [p- 
 
 OfPeru.316. 0.343.] OfthegreatryuercauledRiodelaPlata. 3i6.[^. 
 
 Of the hygher or fuperior India cauled India Tercera 
 
 or Terciera. 
 
 Ageyne of the landes of Laborador and Baccalaos. 
 The difcouerynge of the lande of Florida. 
 An opinion that Europe, Africa, and Afia, are Ilandes ; 
 and of certeyne Nauigations abowt the fame. 
 That the Spanyardes haue fayled to the Antipodes whiche 
 inhabite the vndermoft halfe of the baule of the earth, con- 
 trary to th[e]opinions of the owlde wryters. . 
 Who fyrft founde thenedleofthecompafleand the vfe there- 
 of. 322. [p. 348.] The fituation and byggeneffe of the earth. 323, 
 
 What degrees are. 324, 
 
 A demonftration of the roundeneffe of the earth. . . 324. 
 What credit owght to be gyuen to wryters as touchynge 
 
 the woorkes of nature 
 
 The preface to the booke of metals 
 
 Of the generation of metalles and theyr mines, with the 
 
 maner of fyndjmge the fame. ..... 327. [/. 
 
 Of the mine of golde and the qualitie therof. , . 334. [p. 
 
 Of the myne of fyluer 340. \^. 
 
 The maner of woorkynge in the golde mines of Egypte 
 
 in oulde tyme 342. [p. 369.] 
 
 The difcription of the two vyages made owt of Englande 
 
 to Guinea in Afrike 343. [p. 373.] 
 
 A briefe defcription of Afrike. ..... 344. [p. 374.] 
 
 The fyrfte vyage to Guinea 345. [p. 375.] 
 
 The feconde vy^e to guynea 350. [p. 379.] 
 
 The maner of fyndynge the Longitude of regions by 
 
 dyueis wayes. 
 
 A newe maner of fyndynge the Longitudes of regions, 
 
 [A 
 [A 
 
 308.] 
 318J 
 
 322- 
 324- 
 325- 
 33°-] 
 
 333-] 
 
 337-] 
 
 338.] 
 339-] 
 339-] 
 
 340.] 
 342.] 
 343-] 
 
 344-] 
 344-] 
 345- ] 
 
 [p- 
 
 \p. 
 IP- 
 
 325- \J>- 
 326. \f. 
 
 389-] 
 . . _ _ _ - _ 390.] 
 
 A briefe rehearfall of the contentes of the bookes of the Decades,&c. \p. 391.] 
 
 360. 
 361. 
 
 [/• 
 
 320. |>. 346.] 
 
 321. [/. 347.] 
 
 349] 
 349-] 
 3SO.] 
 
 3SI] 
 35SJ 
 
 356.] 
 362.] 
 366.] 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 C The intevpretacion of certeyne woordes. 
 
 C Continente (that is) the firme lande not inclofed 
 
 with water, or no Ilande. 
 A Carattel or Caruel, a kynde of ihyppes. 
 Hemifpherium, the halfe globe of the earth and 
 
 water. 
 Pe/us, a ducate and a halfe. 
 
 Equinoctial, the line that diuideth the heauen and 
 the earthe in the myddeft betwene the two poles, 
 in the which when the fonne commeth, the days 
 and nyghtes are of equal length 
 
 Clime, is a portion of the worlde betwene north 
 and fouth. 
 
 The Indian language. 
 
 Paralleles, are lines whereby the fonne paffynge 
 
 caufeth variation of tyme. 
 Gaiti Mammoni, Monkeys, 
 Schoenus, is a fpace of. xl. furlongis. 
 Werji, is an Italian [? Ruffian] imla 
 Colonic, an habitacion. 
 
 Machana, a fworde. Quines, preftes. 
 
 Areitos, fonges or balades, Chiuy, a man, 
 
 Tina, the moone, Ira, a womaa 
 
 Tonatico, the foonne. Boa, a houfe. 
 
 C Note that the Ilande of Hifpaniola, is nowe cauled San Domingo by reafon of the chiefe city fo named, 
 
 cauled lancti lohannis, or Burichena, is otherwyfe cauled BoriqueiL 
 
 C Canoa, a boate or barke. 
 Cadqui, kynges or gouemours, 
 Zemes an Idole, 
 Tuyra, the deuyll. 
 
 Cauni, golde. 
 Mayani, nothynge, &c 
 
 Alfo faynte lohns Ilande 
 
46 
 
 tt POTENTISSIMO AC SERENISSIMO 
 
 PHILIPPO, AC SERENISSIMO POTENTISSIMOQVE MARIO, 
 
 Dei gratia Regi ac Reginse, Anglias, Franciae, Neapolis, lerufalem, et 
 
 Hibernise : Fidei defenforibus, Principibus Hifpaniarum et Siciliae, 
 
 Archiducibus Auftriae, Ducibus Mediolani, Burgundiae, et 
 
 Brabantiae, comitibus Hafpurgi, Flandriae, et Tirolis, 
 
 Richardus Edenus perpetuam optat foelicitatem. 
 
 VM IN PRIMO VESTRO ingreffu in hanc cele- 
 berimam Londini vrbem (illuftrifsimi Principes) 
 cernerem quanto omnium applaufu, populi con- 
 curfu, ac ciuium frequentia, quanto infuper 
 fpectaculorum nitore, nobilium virorum fplendore, 
 equoaim multitudine, tubarum clangore, caeterifque 
 magnificis pompis ac triumphis, pro dignitate 
 veftra accepti eftis dum omnes quod fui eft officij 
 facere fatagebant, vbi in tanta hominum turba vix 
 vnus reperiatur qui non aliquid agendo aduentum 
 veftrum gratulabatur, coepi et ego quoque aliorum 
 exemplo (propius prefertimad me accedentibus Cel- 
 fitudinibus veftris) tanto animi ardore ad aliquid 
 agendum accendi ne folus in tanta hominum corona 
 otiofus viderer, quod vix me continebam quin in aliquam extemporariam orationem 
 temere erupuiffem, nifi et praefentiae veftrae maieftas, et mea me obfcuritas a tam audaci 
 facinore deterruiffent. Verum, cum poftea penitius de hac re mecum cogitaffem, con- 
 fyderaffemque quam haec omnia alioqui per fe laude digna, veftris tamen meritis ac 
 regise dignitatis eminentise comparata, plebeia ac ludicra videantur, coepi denuo cum 
 animo meo reputare qua in re ita cum immortali rerum memoria foelicifsimum veftrum 
 aduentum gratularer, vt inde nominis veftri fama et fplendor, non vilis fpeftaculorum 
 temporarijs oftentis, fed rerum geftarum gloria, ad pofteros perpetuo emanaret. Excutio 
 ftatim diuitias meas. Perfcrutor li quid ex penu meo depromere poffum quod me ad 
 aliquid agendum veftris heroicis virtutibus dignum excitet. Sed cum penes me nihil tale 
 reperio, agnofco nuditatem meam, atque ad vos confugio. Patrum, auorum, proauorum, 
 atque atauorum vitas et fa6la recolo. Syluam rerum geftarum video, totque precla- 
 rifsimorum principum propagines, vt merito ab ipfls heroibus, Saturno videlicet, loue, ac 
 Hercule, caeterifque theanthropis, originem duxiffe videantur. Quod cum ita fit, non 
 aliunde profedlo quam ex hac fylua materies mihi petenda erit quo in menttbus 
 hominum et aeterna rerum memoria, perpetua fpedlacula rerum a vobis et progenitoribus 
 veftris praeclare geftarum, in mundi theatro ab omnibus cum fumma nominis veftri fama 
 ac veneratione cernantur. Cum itaque inter caetera a maioribus veftris praeclare gefta, 
 nihil fit admirabilius aut maiori laude dignum, quam quod incredibili fiducia et plus quam 
 Herculeis laboribus fuperato Oceano, foelicifsimo tandem euentu, Indiae Occidentalis 
 
The Epijtle. 
 
 47 
 
 ditifsimas Insulas atque Continentis ampHfsimas regiones, mortalium primi inuenerunt, 
 in quibus infinitas incolarum myriades ad fidem Chrifti conuerterunt (quo nihil auguftius 
 aut Chriftianis principibus magis dignum excogitari poteft) vifus fum mihi quod non alia 
 in re magis poffem foelicitati veftrse merito gratulari, quam fi noftris quoque hominibus 
 quibus hsec hadlenus nihil aut parum cognita funt, innotefcere faciam, vt perfpeftis 
 illorum fimul et veftrorum amplifsimis imperijs non fine diuina prouidentia (vt credere 
 par eft) ad ipfos vfque Antipodes et PLVS VLTRA terminatis, omnes boni, ipfa rerum 
 magnitudine in admirationem du6li, vos ament et venerentur : Malis vero et improbis, 
 OS obftruatur fi quam in maledicendo voluptatem capiunt. Haec dum cogito, venit mihi 
 in mentem quod olim adolefcens perlegi Decades de Nouo Orbe a Petro Martyre ab 
 Angleria, illuftrifsimi Ferdinandi regis Catholici, ac tui (Serenifsime rex) proaui oratore, 
 Latine confcriptas, atque facrae Csefariae maieftati patri tuo dedicatas. Tanti itaque 
 autoris fide et eruditione motus, eum prse caeteris in noftram linguam traducendum fufcepi, 
 quod non folum vt hiftoricus res Indicas cum fumma fide fcriptis mandauit, fed etiam vt 
 philofophus (quod in caeteris fcriptoribus defyderatur) naturalium rerum occultas caufas 
 reddit, ac admirabilium naturae operum (quibus haec veftra India plena eft) rationes 
 inueftigat. Atque vt huius Indiae pofterior flatus cognofcatur, quantufque thefaurus auri, 
 gemmarum, aromatum, aliarumque ditifsimarum mercium ac annul cenfus inde quotannis 
 in Hifpaniam aduehitur, adiunxi doftifsimi viri Gonzali Ferdinandi Ouiedi libellum 
 quem ille Indicae hiftoriae generalis Summarij titulo infcripfit, eiufdemque illuftrifsimi 
 Caroli Imperatoris patris tui nomini confecrauit : Caeteraque plurima ex recentioribus 
 fcriptoribus excerpfi, quae mihi in tam immenfa rerum memorabilium bibliotheca, praecipue 
 adnotanda videbantur. Quae, quanta et qualia funt, quantifque parafangis, omnium 
 heroum ac Argonautarum res geftas toto terrarum orbe tantopere celebratas fuperent, 
 haec mea fequens praefacio vulgari fermone ad huius hiftoriae lectores populumque 
 Anglicum confcripta, fatis prolixa oratione indicabit, adeo vt idem hie repetere fuperua- 
 caneum fit, minimeque neceffarium, quandoquidem Anglica lingua tibi Serenifsima 
 Regina vernacula eft, idemque illuftrifsimo Regi quod tibi fcriptum aut diflum exiftimen, 
 non folum quod diuino vinculo vnum fitis in came vna, fed etiam quod eadem animi 
 lenitate, humanitate, afiabilitate, caeterifque virtutibus, non minus animi moribus quam 
 carnis vinculo vnum fitis. Sed neque hie opus eft vt ego Latino fermone veftras 
 virtutes, animi moderationem, clemeijtiam, religionem, pietatem, educationem, caftitatem 
 foelicitatem, fortunas, opes, munificentiam, vidlorias, imperia, ftemmata, caeteraque huiuf- 
 modi multa enumerem, cum praefertim vir nobilis et doctus Leonhardus Goretius Polonus 
 de his omnibus deque foelicifsimo veftro matrimonio, orationae fatis fufa traftauit, in qua 
 nihil pretermifit quod ad Celfitudinis veftrae et progenitorum veftrorum gloriam virtute 
 partam, pertineat. Caeterum cum regiae veftrae virtutes nominifque fplendor ac regnorum 
 amplitude alias per vniuerfa Chriftiani orbis imperia fatis nota fint, nifi forte ibi minime 
 vbi maxime nota effe deberent, nempe in hoc Angliae regno, ideo opere praecium et rem 
 omnibus bonis gratam, quodque mei eft officij erga Celfitudines veftras me fa<?lurum 
 exiftimaui, fi haec noftris (vt dixi) hominibus, noftraque lingua ob oculos contemplanda 
 propofuero. Quod quam foeliciter aut dextre a me factum fit, aliorum efto iudicium 
 Quam vero fidelitur, fyncere, ac animo in Maieftatis veftras propenfo hoc idem aggreffus 
 fum, teftis eft mihi confcientia mea in confpectu illius qui hominum corda et renes 
 fcrutatur. Macte igitur virtutis iftius animi veftri eftote Serenifsimi Principes, atque Diuino 
 auxilio freti, pergite ea qua ccepiftis fiducia, huius deploratae ac collapfae reipublicae noftrae 
 ftatum, priftino decori reftituere, id quod omnes a vobis expe6lant atque efflagitant, 
 
The Epijlle. 
 
 pollicentes infuper vobis in eo negotio fuam operam in nullo defuturam. Ne terreat vos 
 quorundam canum latratus qui bonis omnibus oblatrant, et tunc definent latrare cum 
 defment viuere. Vulgatifsimum femper fuit improbos homines viris probis vel propter 
 inuidiam vel propter difsimilitudinem, folere latrare. Et tamen ille probus femper habitus 
 eft, quem peruerfi maxime improbauerint. Non eft igitur curandum quid de nobis 
 homunculi, fed quid viri boni loquantur. Cogitate (Serenifsimi Principes) quod mag- 
 nanimitate ac maiorum infignijs, aquilis et leonibus fimiles eftis. Aquilae natura 
 eft, alta petere, et aduerfus folis radios in altum volare. Leonis proprium eft parcere 
 fubieftis et debellare fuperbos. Generofus equus per plateas incedens, canes vt 
 animalcula imbella prseterit non perturbatus, Virtus non exercita (inquit Seneca ad 
 Neronem) paruam laudem meretur. Non admodum magnificum fuerit mediocrem 
 fortunam probe adminiftrare : Sed tanta rerum omnium licentia non abuti, hoc vero 
 admirabile eft : Multo autem admirabilius in iuuenili ac lubrica aetate cui accedat aetas 
 magiftra : hijs praefertim qui contumelia lacefcuntur, quae alioqui homines vel placidifsi- 
 mos folet de gradu dejicere. Sed (vt fupra dixi) non eft hie mei propofiti (Serenifsimi 
 Principes) veftras laudes pro meritis decantare, aut exprimere quo modo in fummo rerum 
 faftigio vos humiles praebuiftis, de quare fufius in praefacione ad lectores tradlaui. lam 
 itaque vt huic epiftolae dedicatoriae finem imponam, rogo Serenifsimas Maieflates veftras 
 vt has meas lucubrationes in hijs autoribus vertendis, (quas veftro nomini confecraui) ea 
 humanitate ac fauore fufcipiatis, quibus omnes beneuolo animo ad vos accedentes, facile 
 admittitis ac neminem rejicitis. Quem admodum enim qui pomarium aut vineam 
 plantauit ac maturos inde fructus coUegit, illi merito primitias foluit a quo prima femina 
 primafque arborum infitiones habuit, ita et ego qui a maiorum veftrorum rebus geftis 
 primis fumptis feminibus, hos qualefcumque frudlus aedidi, videor profedlo mihi, debito 
 veftro honore vos defraudaffe, nifi eofdem veftro nomini ac numini obtuliffem. 
 Deus. Opt. Max. Celfitudines veftras perpetuo feruat incolumes, 
 faxitque vt fcecunda fobolis propagine, fummaque pace 
 PC tranquillitate, huius regni habenas ad Diuini 
 nominis gloriam, diu gubernetis. 
 
 FINIS, 
 
49 
 
 Rycharde Eden to the reader. 
 
 Jle mode famous oratoure and learned Phylofopher Marcus Tullius 
 eicero, wryteth, that in all confultations as touchynge owre 
 behauoure and order of lyuynge amonge men, it behoueth 
 vs euer to beare in mynde howe farre the dignitie of mans 
 nature, excelleth the condition of brute beafl.es. For they, 
 beinge ruled altogether by fence, delyte in nothynge but beaftely 
 appetites, whereunto they runne headlonge as to theyr onely 
 felicitie. But the mynde of man, beinge of more noble nature, 
 is nuryfflied with knowleage, and taketh pleafure in diuifynge 
 or excogitatynge fume honefl thynge, whereby it not onely 
 leaueth amonge men a memorie of his immortall nature, but alfo 
 engendereth the lyke affection in other that delyte to fee and 
 heare fuch thinges as are commendable in theyr prediceffours. 
 And this furely thynke I to bee the caufe that eyther the famous 
 factes of woorthy men, or ingenious inuentions of experte arti- 
 ficers, haue not onely nobilitate the autours and diuifers of the 
 fame, or fuch to whom they haue byn dedicate, but alfo that parte 
 of theyr commendations haue redounded to all fuche as haue fpente theyr tyme and taken peynes in 
 illuflratynge and fettynge furthe theyr doynges. For who (hulde at this daye haue knowen Maufolus 
 the kynge of Caria, with, his wyfe Artemifia, or thefe famous artificers, Scopa, Bryaces, Timotheus, 
 Leochares, or Pythls, if the wonderfuU and fumptuous woorke of the fepulcher whiche Artemifia made for kynge 
 Maufolus her hufband (beinge of fuch woorkemanfhyppe that it was accompted for one of the marueyls of the 
 worlde) had not geuen vnto all thefe immortall fame, whereas neuertheleffe it coulde not defende it felfe ageynll 
 th[e]iniurie of tyrae confumjmge all thynges. There reraayneth at this daye no token of the laborious Tabernacle 
 whiche Moifes buylded, or of the renoumed and marueilous Temple that was buylded in Hierufalem by Salomon 
 and renewed by Efdras. Yet fliall the name of the excellente artificers Ooliab and Befelchel, and Hyram the 
 kynge of Tyrus, lyue for euer in the memory of men. Furthermore alfo, Salomon hym felfe, although he were 
 many other wayes famous, yet gaue he a greate parte of his glory to that princely buyldynge. But certeynely 
 the mofl. trewe and permanent glory, procedeth of fuch monumentes as brynge fume great and notable commoditie 
 and profite to the lyfe of men, rather then of the hugious heapes of flones of the tyramides of iEg3^t, wherin is 
 nought els to fee but the fonde and barbarous oiftentation of fuperfluous riches : Or of the Mazes cauled Labyrinthi, 
 or of horryble great Images cauled Coloffi, of knottes inexplicable, of brafen caudrons of monflrous byggeneffe, 
 of hauens with echo feuen tymes reboundynge, and dyuers fuche other portentous inuentions, the which as they 
 do delite vs in confiderynge the mamelous arte and witte of fuche artificers as diuifed and made the fame, fo 
 are they otherwyfe vnprofitable: And brynge rather a fame to theyr inuentoures, tlien trewe gloiye. terillus was 
 famous by diuifynge his brafen bulk : yet fo, that it had byn better for hym to haue byn obfcure and vnknowen. 
 They haue therefore deferued more trewe commendation whiche m buyldynge of cities, townes, fortreffes, bridges, 
 cundites, hauens, fhyppes, and fuche other, haue fo ioyned magnificence with profecte, that botlie may remaine 
 for an eternal teflimonie of abfolute glory, whofe perfection extendeth to the gratifyinge of vniuerfal mankind as 
 farre as mans mortalitie wyll permit. The whiche thinge whyle I confider, and caule to memorie howe Cicero 
 defineth trewe glory to bee a fame of many and greate defertes eyther towarde owre citizens, owre countrey, or 
 towarde all man kynde, and the fame to bee of fuCh exCellencie that the owlde poetes for fuftie effecte fayned it 
 to bee the fweete Ambrofia and NeCtaf wherwith the goddes aJe fedde, and that of fuch force that who fo may 
 drynke therof, fhal alfo become a god, (that is to fay imniortall and happy) mee thynke verely that (yf man maye 
 be a god to men as holy fcriptuf e fpeaketh of MoifeS and other) the kynges of Spayne of late dayes (if I may 
 fpeake it without offence of other) may fo much the more for theyr iuft. defertes and good fortune be compared 
 to thofe goddes made of men (whom the antiquitie cauled Heroes and for theyr manyfolde benefites to man 
 kynde honoured theym with diuine honoure) as theyr famous factes fo farre excell al other, as I dare not fpeake 
 to fuch as haue not yet harde or redde of the fame, leafl the greatneffe therof fliulde at the firft brunte fo muche 
 aflonyflie the reader that he myght geue the leffe credite to the autoure of this booke, who neuertheleffe hath 
 mode faythfuUy wrytten this hyfl.orye of fuche thynges wherof he hath feene a greate parte him felfe (as being by 
 
 H 49 
 
 Commendation 
 
 of noble factes. 
 
 Mausolus. 
 Cunnynge 
 artificers. 
 
 The Tabernacle 
 of Moises. 
 
 The Temple of 
 
 Salomon. 
 
 Hyram. 
 
 Trewe glory. 
 
 Great and 
 sumptuous work& 
 
 Fame difTereth 
 from true glory. 
 
 Absolute glory. 
 
 What is true 
 glory. 
 
 The kynges of 
 
 Spayne. 
 
 Heroes. 
 
 The certentic of 
 this hystory 
 
50 
 
 The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 The house of the 
 contractes of 
 India. 
 
 The counsayl for 
 the Indies 
 The heroicall 
 factes of the 
 Spanyardes. 
 
 Great Alexander. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 warres in the 
 Indies. 
 
 The benefites thai 
 the Indians haue 
 receaued by the 
 Spanyardes. 
 
 Lybertie. 
 The Canibales, 
 
 Feareful idlenessc 
 
 IsaL 65. 
 
 The warres of 
 Moises. 
 
 The Indians 
 subdued to the 
 fayth. 
 Isai. 42. 
 
 The contemplation 
 of gods workes. 
 
 The Christian 
 Empire enlarged 
 
 The conuersion of 
 the gentyles. 
 
 Leuiathan. 
 
 the mode catholyke and puiffaunt kynge Ferdinando appoynted a commiffionarie in th[e]affayres of India) and 
 
 gathered the refidewe partly by information and partly out of the wrytinges of fuch as haue byn (as Vyrgyll 
 
 wryteth of Eneas, Et quorum pars magna fui) that is, doers and parte of fuch thynges as are conteyned in the 
 
 hyftorie: as GouemourSj Lieuetenauntes, Capitaynes, Admirals, and Pylottes, who by theyr paineful trauayles 
 
 and prowes, haue not onely fubdued thefe landes and feas, but haue alfo with lyke diliger ce commytted th[e]order 
 
 therof to wrytinge : And not this onely, but for the better tryall of the trewth herein, haue and yet doo in maner 
 
 dayly fende from thenfe into Spayne fuch monumentes as are mofl certeyne teftimonies of theyr doynge, as yow 
 
 may reade in dyuers places in this boke. This newe worlde is nowe fo much frequented, the Ocean nowe fo 
 
 well knowen, and the commodities fo greate, that the kynge erected a houfe in the citie of Siuile (cauled the 
 
 hojlfe of the contractes of India) perteynynge onely to th[e]affayres of the Ocean, to the which al fuch reforte for 
 
 neceffaries as attempte anye vyage to this newe worlde, and lykewyfe at theyr returne make theyr accompte to 
 
 the counfayle for the Indies for the golde and fuche other thynges as they biynge from thenfe. It is therefore 
 
 apparent that the heroical factes of the Spaniardes of thefe days, deferue fo greate prayfe that th[e]autour of this 
 
 booke (beinge no Spanyarde) doth woorthely extoUe theyr doynge aboue the famous actes of Hercules and 
 
 Safeimus and fuch other which for theyr glorious and vertuous enterpryfes were accoumpted as goddes amonge 
 
 men. And furely if great Alexander and the Romans which haue rather obteyned then deferaed immortall fame 
 
 amonge men for theyr bhiddye victories onely for theyr owne glory and amplifyinge theyr empire obteyned by 
 
 flawghter of innocentes and kepte by violence, haue byn magnified for Xh&yx doinges, howe much more then flial 
 
 we thynke thefe men woorthy iuft commendations which in theyr mercyfull warres ageynfl thefe naked people 
 
 haue fo vfed them felues towarde them in exchaungynge of benefites for victorie, that greater commoditie hath 
 
 therof enfewed to the vanquifftied then the victourers. They haue taken nothynge from them but fuch as they 
 
 them felues were wel wyllynge to departe with, and accoumpted as fuperfluities, as golde, perles, precious flones 
 
 and fuch other : for the which they recompenfed theym with fuche thynges as they muche more eflemed. But 
 
 fum wyll fay, they poifeffe and inhabyte theyr regions and vfe theym as bondemen and tributaries, where before 
 
 they were frea They inhabite theyr regions indeede : Yet fo, that by theyr diligence and better manurynge the 
 
 fame, they maye nowe better fufteyne both, then one before. Theyr bondage is fuche as is much rather to be 
 
 defired then theyr former libertie which was to the cruell Canibales rather a horrible licencioufneife then a 
 
 libertie, "and to the innocent fo terrible a bondage, that in the myddeft. of theyr ferefull idleneffe, they were euer 
 
 in daunger to be a pray to thofe manhuntynge woolues. But nowe thanked be God, by the manhodde and 
 
 pollicie of the Spanyardes, this deuelyffhe generation is fo confumed, partely by the flaughter of fuche as coulde 
 
 by no meanes be brought to ciuilitie, and partly by referuynge fuch as were ouercome in the warres, and con- 
 
 uertynge them to a better mynde, that the prophecie may herein bee fulfylled that the woolfe and the lambe 
 
 (hall feede together, and the wylde fieldes with the vale of Achor, fhalbe the folde of the heard of gods people. 
 
 Moifes as the minifter of the lawe of wrath and bondage geuen in fyer and tempefles, was commaunded in his warres 
 
 to faue neyther man, woman, nor chylde, and yet brought no commoditie to the nations whom he ouercame and 
 
 pofleffed theyr landes. But the Spaniardes as the myniflers of grace and libertie, browght vnto thefe newe gentyles 
 
 the victorie of Chryfl.es death wherby they beinge fubdued with the worldely fworde, are nowe made free from the 
 
 bondage of Sathans tyrannie, by the myghty poure of this triumphante victourer, whom (as fayth the prophet) god 
 
 hath ordeyned to be a lyght to the gentyles, to open the eyes of the blynde, and to delyuer the bounde owt of 
 
 piyfon and captiuitie. What other men do phantafie herein, I can not tell: but fuer I am, that lyke as the flowe 
 
 and brutyflhe wyttes, for the fclenderneffe of theyr capacitie and effeminate hartes, do neuer or feldome lyfte vp 
 
 theyr myndes to the contemplation of goddes workes and maiefl.ie of nature, but lyke brute beaftes lookynge 
 
 euer downewarde, thynke the worlde to be in maner no bygger then theyr owne dungehylles or cagies, 
 
 lyttle paflynge whether the Chryftian fayth do fpreade through the worlde, or bee dryuen to one comer ; 
 
 Euen fo al good wyttes and honefl. natures (I double not) wyl not onely reioyce to fee the kyngedome 
 
 of God to bee fo farre enlarged vppon the face of the earthe, to the confufion of the deuyll and the 
 
 Turkyflhe Antichryfl,e, but alfo do the vttermoft. of theyr poure to further the fame. For furely, as 
 
 Gonfalus Ouiedus wryteth to the Emperours maieflie in his hyftorie of the Wefte Indies, that he thynketh 
 
 hym no trewe Spanyarde whiche reioyceth not in the good fortune of theyr kynges by whofe ayde and 
 
 godly zeale this myghtie portion of the worlde hath byn added to the flocke of Chryftes congregation, 
 
 Euen fo do I thinke them no trewe Chryftian men that do not reioyce with the Angels of heauen for the 
 
 deliuerie of thefe owre brootheme, owre flefftie, and owre bones, from the handes of owre commune enemie the 
 
 oulde ferpente who hath fo longe had them in hys poffeffion, vntyll the fulneife of the gentyles be accomplyflhed 
 
 accordynge to the time prefinite by hym, who vnto the yeare after his incarnation. M. CCCC. Ixxxxii. hath 
 
 fuffered the greate ferpente of the fea Leuiathan, to haue fuche dominion in the Ocean and to caft.e fuch 
 
 myftes in the eyes of men, that fence the creation of the worlde vntyll the yeare before named, there 
 
 hath byn no paflage from owr knowen partes of the world to thefe newe landes, whereas nowe the fame 
 
The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 5^ 
 
 are mofle certeynely knowen to be not paft. xxx. day as faylynge from Spayne. Neyther yet had the 
 church of Europe any knowleage of the myghtie Chryflian Empire of Preciofus lohannes, otherwyfe cauled 
 Prefbyter lohannes, Emperour of many Chryflian nations in Ethiope, vntyll the yeare of Chryfte. 
 M.CCCC. xxxiii. as largely appeareth in the nauigations of the Portugales, and efpecially in the booke of 
 Damianus a Goes, wrytten to the byflhop of Rome, Paule the thyrde of that name, of the fayth and 
 religion of the Ediiopians which they haue hadde fence the tyme of the Apoflles. A thynge certes mod 
 woonderfull, and fuche, that yf the fame were not hydde hetherto by gods vnfercheable prouidence, I can 
 not but thynke much negligence or ignorance in owr forefathers and prediceffours vntyll the dayes of the 
 ryght noble, prudent, and Catholike kynge of Aragon Don Ferdinando grandfather to Th[e]emperours 
 maieftie by his eldeft dowghter, and to the queenes hyghneffe by his feconde dowghter the moll vertuous 
 lady queene Catherine her graces moother : A prince doubteleffe of fuche nobilitie, prowes, magnificence, 
 and all other vertues commendable in a prince, that who fo (hall indifferentely way all his doinges and 
 good fucceffe in all his affayres, comparinge the fame to tli[e]enterpryfes and doinges atch)Tied by fuche 
 famous princes in whome the Greekes and Romans haue fo greately gloryed, maye with one eye perceaue 
 not onely howe farre his noble factes do furmount theyrs, but alfo wel confyder what noble braunches 
 of iflhewe were lyke to fprynge owt of fo woorthy a flocke. And fuerly if fence the begynning of the 
 worlde, the fauour of god toward men hath byn knowen by fuch benefites and bleifynges as he hath 
 geuen to men, it feemeth to me that in maiier (onely Chryfte excepted) there neuer lyued man to whom 
 god hath geuen greater benefites and fhewed more fauoure. Great doubtleffe was the fauour and mercie 
 that god fliewed vnto Noe, by whom he faued the remanent of mankynde beinge but fewe in number. 
 But much greater was the grace which he fliewed to kynge Ferdinando vnder whom and by whofe meanes 
 he faued not onely the bodies but alfo the foules of innumerable millions of men inhabytynge a great 
 part of the worlde heretofore vnknowen and drowned in the deluge of erroure. What fliulde I here 
 fpeake of Abraham the father of fayth whofe promyfes were great, and he cauled the frende of god : Dyd 
 he or his pofteritie fee Iliaell increafe to fuch multitudes and nations as kyng Ferdinandos pofteritie may 
 fee th[e]increafe of this fpirituall Uracil vnto whome as a feconde Abraham he was the father of fayth? 
 Moifes was fo great in the fyght of god that he difclofed vnto hym his fecreate name, and miraculoufly 
 caufed a comer of the fea to open at his prayer. But howe greater a myracle was it that he opened 
 vnto the nauie of Don Ferdinando the greate Ocean thowght before that tyme to bee without ende, 
 'where neuerthelefle he and his pofteritie the kynges of Spayne haue nowe planted, a newe Ifraell muche 
 greater then that whiche Moifes ledde throughe the red fea. It were here fuperfluous to fpeake of Dauid 
 whom Godde founde a man accordynge to his hartes defyre : and yet maye it be doubted whether his 
 plages and fcourges were greater then his benefites? His fonne Salomon for al his inconftant and 
 wauerynge wyfedome and his great ryches obteyned by his nauigations to Ophir, yet was there at this 
 tyme no knowleage of Antipodes, neyther dydde any of his Ihyppes layle abowt the hole worlde, perce 
 the Ocean, and trauerfe the Equinoctial line to th[e]inferiour hemifpherie or halfe globe of the earthe and fea 
 as dyd the famous fliyppe Victoria fent furth by Th[e]emperours maieftie. A thyng doubdefle fo ftrange 
 and mameylous that as the lyke was neuer done before, fo is it perhaps neuer lyke to be done ageyne : 
 fo farre haue the nauigations of the Spanyardes excelled the vyage of lafon and the Argonauta to the 
 region of Colchos, or all that euer were before. And although in the booke of kynges and Paralipomenon it 
 bee hyperboiically wrytten that in the dayes of Salomon golde and fyluer were in Hierulalem in maner 
 as plentiful as ftones, and that his feruantes brought from Ophir foure hundreth and fiftie talentes of gold, yet 
 do we not reade that any of his ftiyppes were fo laden with golde that they foonke, as dyd a fliyppe of 
 kynge Ferdinandos as yow maye reade in the laft booke of the fyrfte Decade. Neyther was the dominion of 
 Salomon extended firom the ryuer of Euphrates to the lande of the Philiftians and th[e]extreme confines 
 of Egypte to be compared with the large Empire .whiche the kynges .of Spayne haue in the weft Indies : 
 Nor his ryches of golde to be thought much in refpect of that which hath byn browght from thenfe into 
 Spayne as (hall playnely appere to al fuche as wyll feeke to knowe the truth hereof. But to let pafle to 
 fpeake any further of the myracles which god hath wrought by the handes of this noble prince in this 
 newe world among thefe newe gentyles. Is it not well knowen to all the world what a defence and 
 brafen wall he hath byn to all Chryftendome in that he hath quite diyuen out of Spayne the Moores 
 or Sarafens and lewes which fo many hundreth yeares poffeffed a greate parte of Spayne to no fmaule 
 daungioure of the hole Chriftian Empire, and yet coulde neuer before bee cleane vanquyfflied vntyll 
 the dayes of this noble and Catholyke prince fo named for his warres ageynfte the infidelles, whom God 
 rayfed for a Capitayne of his people as an other Gedion vnder whofe banner they myght ouercome theyr 
 enemies and pourge his vineyarde from fuche wycked weedes. The which thynge doubteleffe may feeme 
 fo much the greater and more difficulte, forafmuch as in the myddeft of the chiefe heate of his chargeable 
 
 Prester lohn 
 the Christian 
 Emperour of 
 Ethiope. 
 
 Don Ferdinando 
 kynge of Aragon. 
 
 The fauour of god 
 knowen by his 
 benefites. 
 
 Noe. 
 
 What god hath 
 wrought by kynge 
 Ferdinando. 
 
 Abraham. 
 Spirituall IsiaelL 
 
 Moifes. 
 
 Bauid. 
 
 Salomon. 
 
 Ophir. 
 
 Antipodes. 
 The nauigation ■ 
 rounde about the 
 worlde. 
 
 The dominion 
 of Salomon. 
 Faral, 9. 
 
 The Indies. 
 
 The warres of 
 kynge Ferdinando 
 ageynst the 
 Sarasens. 
 
 51 
 
52 
 
 The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 The cohqueste of 
 the Indies 
 
 Th£ bonqueste 
 of Nilples. 
 
 wanes ageynfte the Moores of Granada, he euen then and at the fame tyme fente furth fliyppes for the 
 conqueftynge of the Indies, as thowgh he and the nation of the Spanyardes had byn appoynted by god 
 eyther to fubdue the enemies of the fayth or to bringe theym to Chrifles rehgion. The felfe fame kynge 
 Ferdinando alfo abowte the yeare of Chiyft. 1503. fente a nauie of ftiyppes into Italy, where they vanquyflhed, 
 chafed, and flewe the Frenchemen, and recouered the kyngedome of Naples with all the dominions belongynge 
 thereunto. By which noble victory, his fucceffion and pofteritie as the[e]mperours maieflie and nowe his fonne 
 the kynge owre mailer and foueraigne lorde haue euer fence enioyed th[e]inheritaunce of the fame as of 
 antiquitie by iuft. and ryght tytle dewe to them and theyr predicefTours. And as it is the nature of god 
 not only to fliewe his loue and fauour to fuch as haue pleafed hym, but alfo to poure furth the plentie 
 of his grace vppon theyr fucceffion from generation to generation, fo hath he with lyke fehcitie profpered 
 the reigne of Th[e]emperours maieflie who by his wifdome and prowes hath not onely pollitikly gouemed, 
 but alfo augmented and inlarged fuch dominions as fel to hym by difcente of inheritaunce. What fliuld I 
 fpeake of his waires and conqueftes in India, in Aphrike, in Italic, in Fraunce, in Germanic, and in Flaunders : 
 all the which to be declared accordyngely wolde rather require hole volumes then fewe fheetes of paper. Yet 
 hath one in fewe woordes effectually expreffed his dominions and conquefles in thefe verfes folowynge. 
 
 The Emperours 
 maiesiic. 
 
 Gen. 17. 
 
 The kinges 
 maiestie 
 
 Apostrophe to 
 Englande. 
 
 Isai. 1 
 
 Impiger expauit rapidas iranfireper vndas 
 
 Oceani Alcides : continuitque gradum. 
 Maximus at Ccefar, PLVS VLTRA tendere curfiim 
 
 Aufus, et ignoiis eft dare iura loch. 
 Et domita aurifera nunc viSlor gente reuerfus, 
 
 Cmtera fuh fceptro ponat vt ipfe fuo. 
 Nam pater omnipotens vtfamam terminet ajlrit 
 
 lufsit, et imperium fineat Oceano. 
 
 41 An other alfo breefely hath declared the fame in thefe verfes. 
 
 Confortem Imperij voluit quia luppiter oriis, 
 AJlra Deo cedunt, Carole terra tibi. 
 
 And certes who fo well confJdereth the progenie of kynges that in fo fhorte a time haue linially defcended from 
 
 Don Ferdinando, and howe many kyngedomes they pofTeffe, may fee that God hath fulfylled in hym alfo th^ 
 
 promifes and bleffynges of Abraham, as to make hym the father of many nations, and his feede to growe great 
 
 vpon the earth : Alfo that many kynges fhulde come furth of his loynes, and to make a perpetuall league and 
 
 conuenaunt with hym and his pofleritie to bee theyr god for euer. And here to omytte to fpeake of other : Was 
 
 there euer better hope or more likenes then now, that thefe bleffynges and promyfes of god fhulde continewe in 
 
 this princely progenie, fyth the vertues and fehcitie of them al doo fo fliyne and floriffhe in owr noble and gratious 
 
 prince kynge Phylyppe, to whom euen in his youth his father (occupied in the warres of Italye and Aphrike) 
 
 commytted the hole gouemaunce of the kyngedomes of Spayne and the Indies. Of his behauour in Englande, 
 
 his enemies (which canker, vertue neuer lacked) They I fay (if any fuch yet remaine) haue greatefl caufe to 
 
 reporte well : ye fo well, that yf his natural! clemencie were not greater then was theyr vnnaturall indignation 
 
 they knowe them felues what myght haue folowed. The properties of fooles and wyfe men are declared in 
 
 thefe owld verfes. 
 
 Quid Jlulti proprium 1 Non poffe et velle nocere. 
 
 Quid fapientis opus : Non velle et poffe nocere. 
 
 That is to fay : What is the propertie of a foole ? To wyl to doo hurte and can not. What is the woorke of a 
 wyfe man ? Not to wyll to hurte though he may. But whether he hath lacked poure or wyll, it is knowen to 
 barbers and blere eyde men. Who lamented theyr folly more then he ? Who more humbly admytted theyr 
 futes and fupplications ? Ye who obteyned theyr pardon but he ? Beynge a Lion he behaued hym felfe as a 
 lambe, and flrooke not his enemie hauynge the fwoorde in his hande. Stoope Englande floope, and leame to 
 knowe thy lorde and mafler, as horfes and other brute beafles are taught to doo. Be not indocible lyke Tygers 
 and dragons, and fuch other monflers noyous to man kynde. God by the mouth of Ifaias the prophet reproueth 
 the Ifiraelites that they knewe not fo well thc)T dewtie towarde hym as dyd the brute beafles the mangiers of 
 theyr maflers. The oxe and the affe (fayth he) knoweth the mangier of theyr mafler, but Ifraell knoweth not 
 me. For fhame let vs not be woorfe then oxen and affes, and lyke vnto horfes and mules in whom is no vnder- 
 flandynge. But O vnthankefuU Englande and voyde of honefl fhame ? Who hath geuen the the face of a hoore 
 and toonge of a ferpent withowt fhame to fpeake venemous woordes in fecreates ageynfl the annoynted of god. 
 O paynted hoore that hafl Chryfle in thy mouth and the deuyl in thy harte. Ha:the not the pocke of thy 
 licentioufneffe brufle furth in maner to thyne owne deflruction. Howe longe wylt thou nuiyffhe in thy ^oofome 
 
The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 53 
 
 that ferpente whofe nature is to deuoure her moother? Take a vomyte in tyme leall thy difeafe become 
 vncurable. What neede I rehearfe vnto the thy manyfolde infirmities and deformities whiche thou arte faulen 
 into by thyne owne owtragioulheffe ? If the greefes of them bee to thee vnfenfible by reafon of thy feebleneffe 
 and longe fickenes, take vnto the that glafle wherin thou gloryeil with the lewe and thynkefl that thou feed al 
 thynges and canft. iudge all myfteries : Looke I fay in that pure glafle and beholde thy owne deformities, which 
 thou canlle not or wylte not feele. J feare greatly that if thou looke therein diligently and looke euen throughe 
 thy felfe, thou wylte abhorre thy felfe to fee howe many monfters lye hid in the vnder the fhape of man. There 
 is euen nowe great talke of the in the mouthes of all men that thou hafl of late yeares brought furthe many 
 monflers and flraunge byrthes, wherof dyuers men make dyuers interpretacions more monftrous then the 
 monflers theim felues. But ihall I breefely and fimply declare vnto thee the fignification of thy monflers ? Fyrft 
 then confyder that they are monflers of mankynde and not of other beafles. Secundarily marke well that in 
 them al, the headde is perfect, fo that the monflrofitie groweth owt of the body, although not owt of the hole 
 body but certeyne partes therof. But not to go to farre. Confyder ageyne that diforder of the partes is a 
 deformitie to the hole. One hath well interpreted that fuch monftrous byrthes fignifie the monftrous and 
 deformed myndes of the people myflhapened with phantaftical opinions, diflblute lyuynge, licentious talke, and 
 fuch other vicious behauoures which monfljoufly deforme the myndes of men in the fyght of god who by fuche 
 fignes dooth certifie vs in what fimilitude we appere before hym, and thereby gyueth vs admonition to amende 
 before the day of his wrath and vengeance. ^Vhat deformed beafles are more monftrous then lyinge, rebellion, 
 ftrife, contention, priuie malice, flaunderynge, mutterynge, confpiraces, and fuch other deuilyffhe imaginations. 
 But O Englande whyle tyme is gyuen thee, circumcife thy harte. Put to onely thy good wyll, and thou mayfle 
 fjmde grace and fauoure to recouer thyne aunciente bewtie whiche hath fo longe been defaced. Thou hafle 
 nowe a kynge and queene that defyre thee to remember thy dewtie, and holde theyr armes abrode to embrafe 
 thee yf thou wylt drawe nere vnto them. They are fory to occupie the whyppe yf thou mighteft otherwyfe bee 
 brought to obedience. But yf thou take pWfure to perfift in frowarde floobbemefle, knowe thou that they are 
 Lions whelpes and conquerours of monflers whereof thou hafl had fuche experience, that proudely truflynge in 
 thyne owne flrengthe, and attemptynge lyke an other Nemroth to buylde a newe towre of confufion, the 
 woorkes of thy giantes were miraculoufly ouerthrowne by a woman who deliuered thee from that captiuitie, 
 whereby thou oughtefle to knowe the daungiour thou waft in, and bee thankefull to thy deliuerer. Beware 
 therefore leafte whyle thou contemne the peaceable princes that god hath fent the, thou bee lyke vnto Ifopes 
 frogges to whom for theyr vnquietnefle, lupiter fent a hearon to picke them in the hedes. Confider what bene- 
 fites thou mayfl receaue at theyr handes if thou doo thy dewtie towarde them. Confyder ageyne that as they 
 are able, fo may thy gentelnefle make them wyllynge to recompenfe the fame. Stoppe thyne eares from vayne 
 fables as from the inchauntynge Mermaydes. For as manye fpeake of Robbyn Hoode and of his bowe that 
 neuer fliot therin, fo doo fooles prate of fuch thynges as they knowe not. But O god ? what phantafies are 
 nowe in the heades of men ? Howe redy they are to inuent lyes and tales ? and of howe fmaul fparkes they 
 kyndle great flames ? Summe are fo curious to fynde faute in other, that for lacke of iuft matter woorthy reproche 
 in them whom they defyre to depraue, they fpeake euyll of theyr parentes and kynred of whom they knowe as lyttle. 
 And not fo fatiffyed they difpife and with lyinge difprayfe thejT hole nation and countrey. Ye fum take fuch 
 pleafure herein, that if they can fynde noughte els to difprayfe, they wyll fynde faute in fuche as they fauour 
 not, bycaufe they weare not theyr apparell as they doo, or perhappes are not fo effeminate as they, or eate not 
 as they eate, or fight not as they fyght, fo parciall is the iudgement of fooles in theyr owne rudeneffe, thynkyng 
 them felues the better for difprayfynge of other. Spayne is a beggerly countrey fayth one : Th[e]emperour is 
 but poore layth an other : He is deade feyth an other : The Indies haue rebelled fayth an other, and eyther 
 there commeth no more golde from thenfe, or there is no more founde nowe : with fuche other falfe and licentious 
 talke diuifed by vnquiet braines in whofe heades the hammers of fedition feafe not to forge ingens of iniquitie. 
 If I (hulde here anfwere to all thefe querels particularly and as the woorthyneffe of the thynge requireth, I 
 myght fynde matter fufficient to make a volume of iufle quantitie and perhappes be tedious to fumme. Yet not 
 to pafle ouer fo great a matter vntouched, and partely to floppe the mouthes of fuche impudente ly6rs, I haue 
 thought good to fpeake fumwhat hereof. Fyrfl therfore to fpeake of Spayne, and by the teflimonie of oulde 
 autours to declare the commodities therof: Plinie a graue and faythful autour, in the laft boke and lafl chapiture of 
 his natural hiftory greatly commendynge Italy aboue al other contreys, giueth the fecond prayfe vnto Spaine, 
 afwel for al fuch thynges as in maner the heuen can geue and the earth brynge furth for the commoditie of this 
 lyfe as alfo for the excellente wittes of men and Ciuile gouemaunce. Alfo Diodorus Siculus in the fixt booke of 
 his Bibliotheca fpeakynge of Spayne (cauled of the Greekes Iberia), writeth that when in the mountaines named 
 Pyrinei th[e]inhabitantes bumte vp the wooddes, there ranne owt of the mountaynes as it were dyuers flreames of 
 pure fyluer molten by the heate of the fyre. But the eflimation and price of fyluer beinge at thofe dayes to 
 them vnknowen, the Phenician marchauntes bought the fame of them for thynges of fmaule value: And caryinge 
 
 Edhk. Ha 53 
 
 Monstrous 
 byrthes. 
 
 The signiBcadons 
 of monstrus 
 byrthes. 
 
 The deformity 
 of monstrous 
 myndes. 
 
 The kyng and 
 Queene. 
 
 How curious 
 summe are to 
 fynde faute in 
 other. 
 
 Lyes Imagined. 
 
 Commendations 
 of Spain 
 
 Ryche syluer 
 mynes in Spayn& 
 
54 
 
 The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 The Romans 
 inriched by the 
 syluer of Spayne. 
 
 The 
 Carthaginensis 
 inrichea by the 
 syluer of Spain. 
 
 The commodities 
 of Spain 
 
 The sygne of 
 the steeple* 
 
 Englande 
 impouerisshed, 
 Spayne inriched. 
 
 Siluer mines 
 founde of late 
 in Spayne. 
 
 Syluer brought 
 frame Peru mto 
 Englande. 
 
 Th[e]emperours 
 rcuenues from 
 tile Indies. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 the Southe sea. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Maluca. 
 
 it into Grecia, Afia, and other countreys, got great rycheffe therby. For the defyre of gaynes (fayth he) fo greatly 
 
 moued the marchauntes, that when more fyluer remayned then myght lade theyr fliyppes, they tooke the leade 
 
 frome theyr ankers, and put fyluer in the place therof. The Phenices by thefe gaynes beinge made very ryche, 
 
 dyd affigne many colonies both in Sicilie and the Ilandes there abowt, and alfo in Libya, Sardinia, and Iberia. 
 
 But after many yeares when the Iberians (that is the Spaniardes) knewe the price of fyluer, and applyed them 
 
 felues to the feekynge of metals and founde great plentie of fyluer, they obteyned greate ryches therby forafmuch 
 
 as in maner al that earth of the mountaynes is fo replenyflhed with fyluer that it is a marueylous thynge to con- 
 
 fyder the nature of the region and the continual laboure of the woorkemen in thofe mynes. Lykewyfe when 
 
 afterwarde the Romans fubdued the Iberians, the Italians which for the defyre of gaynes fearched thofe metals, 
 
 gotte great rycheffe by the fame. For they deputed to that laboure a multitude of bowghte feruauntes, whiche 
 
 fearchynge the vaynes of metals in dyuers places, and percyng the earth dyuers wayes for the fpace of many 
 
 furlonges, browght furthe great plentie of golde and fyluer. But the rycheffe of thefe-mynes was fyrfl founde at 
 
 fuch tyme as the Carthaginenfes (the enemies of the Romane Empire) had the Iberians in fubiection : which 
 
 was the caufe that theyr poure afterwarde increafed. For, with monye hyringe the beft. and mode experte 
 
 fouldiers, they kepte greuous warres ageynfl. theyr enemies. And not vfynge the ayde eyther of theyr owne 
 
 fouldiers or theyr affociates, they were a terrour to the Romanes, Sicilians, and Libyans, whom they browght 
 
 into great daungiour by reafon they paffed them al in abundaunce of golde and fyluer. With better fortune 
 
 therefore, and greater hope of gayne are ryche metals fought in Spayne, the goodneffe of whofe foyle yeldeth 
 
 cloddes of earth conteynynge much golde and fyluer. And thefe be the very wordes of Diodorus Siculus, which 
 
 the later wryters doo alfo confirme. For lulius Solinus in his Polyhiflor, compareth Spayne to the beft. contreys 
 
 in plentie of grayne, vyttayles, oyle, fyluer, golde, and Iron. Likewyfe Strabo, Statius, and Claudius, do no leffe 
 
 commende it It were to longe here to fpeake of the greate plentie of fine wooUes lyttle inferiour vnto owrs: 
 
 alfo abundaunce of fugar, vines, pomegranates, limondes, and orangies in fuch plentie that they fuffice not only 
 
 Spajme, but alfo in maner all Europe : whereas the apples and crabbes of Englande are fcarfely able to ferue it felfe. 
 
 And althowghe here fumme wyll obiecte, that they lacke come, woodde, and certeyne other thynges, yet are theyr 
 
 commodities fo greate otherwyfe, that al fuch thynges are browght them owt of other countreys for theyr wares : 
 
 and that in fuch plentie, that they are there better chepe then euer they were in Englande fence the figne of the 
 
 fleeple the poore mans Inne was pulled downe in all places. Summe for lacke of other matter, fynde greate 
 
 faute that in trauaylynge in Spayne, men fhalbe ferued with halfe a henne, and go to the cookes for theyr meate 
 
 and to the taueme for theyr drynke. And what then I praye yow? What inconuenience enfeweth hereof? Is it 
 
 not better fo to doo then to pay thryfe for one thinge as is the maner to doo in fumme of owre Innes and in 
 
 tauemes where all that eate rofle meate are beaten with the fpitte, as where they that of late in Barthelmewe 
 
 fayre payde fortie penfe for a pygge, where the good man of the houfe was not a Ihamed to make his vaunte that 
 
 he had made foure ftiyllynges of a pygge, and had in one day taken foure pounde for pygges. But if I fhuld 
 
 here particularly and at large declare howe Englande is in fewe yeares decayed and impoueryflhed, and howe 
 
 on the contrary parte Spayne is inryched, I (hulde perhappes difpleafe more in defcrybyng the myferie of the 
 
 one, then pleafe other in expreffynge the floryflhynge llate of the other, which by all reafon is lyke dayly to 
 
 iricreafe, afwell for the great rycheffe that are yearely browght thyther from the Indies, as alfo for the ryche fyluer 
 
 mynes that are founde of late in Spayne in the countrey of Afl,uria as I was credably informed by the woorthy 
 
 and lemed gentelman Auguflinus de Ceratta, Contador (that is) the auditour of the kynges myntes who had 
 
 longe before b)Ti furueyoure 6f the golde mynes of Peru, and browght from thenfe and from Rio de Plata, xiii. 
 
 thoufand pounde weyght of fyluer which was coyned to the kinges vfe in the towre of London where neuer fo 
 
 much hath byn feene at once as fuche as haue byn owlde officers in the mynte doo affirme. What fhulde I 
 
 heare fpeake of the golde which th[e]emperours maiefl.ie receaueth frome all the Indies, whereas onely in the two 
 
 meltynge ftioppes of the gold mines of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, is molten yearely three hundreth thoufande 
 
 pounde weyght of. viii. vnces to the pound, wherof the fyfte parte is dewe vnto hym, whiche amounteth to three 
 
 fcore thoufande weyght yearely. Yet doo I not 'here fpeake of the golde mines of the other Ilandes and the 
 
 firme lande reachynge. viii. thoufande myles from the north to the fouth: Neyther of the ryche Ilandes of the 
 
 fouth fea cauled Mare del Sur, where the kynge of one lytde Ilande named Tacarequi, Margaritea, or de las 
 
 Perlas, lying in the goulfe of Saynt Michael, payeth yearely for his tribute a hundreth pounde weight of perles: 
 
 Neyther yet of the fyfte parte of other thynges, as precious Agones, brafile, goffampine cotton, fpices, and dyuers 
 
 other thynges, wheras alfo the ryche Ilandes cauled the Maluchas perteyne to the inheritaunce of Cafl,ile, 
 
 althowgh the kynge of Portugale enioy them for certeyne yeares by compofition. But the Indies haue rebelled 
 
 (fay they) and there commeth no more golde from thenfe. But what if fumme of them haue rebelled ? dooth it 
 
 therby folowe that there commeth no more gold from the other that lyue vnder obedience ? But if thou wylte fay 
 
 that they haue al rebelled at once, thou muft proue that thou fayefl. eyther by hyftorie or wytneffe of fuch as 
 
 know the truth herof, as I (hauing made dihgent fearche for the fame) am able to proue the contrarie, and that 
 
The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 55 
 
 fuche talke is onely imagined by bufie headdes. Ageyne : what if they haue rebelled in fumme prouinces ? 
 dooth it folowe that they maye not ageyne be browght vnder fubiection as were oftentymes the prouinces of the 
 Romanes and as were in owre dayes dyuers countreys of Englande whiche haue byn fore afflicted with that 
 plage. But whether the fandes of the ryuers and the mountaynes of the Indies bee fo emptied with golde that 
 no more can be founde there, I thinke it here fuperfluous to anfwere to this obiection, forafmuch as it is here- 
 after confuted in the booke of metals where yow fhall fynde by experience that metals growe and increafe, and 
 that after certeyne yeares. fuche owlde caues of the mynes as haue byn dygged, are ageyne replenyfflied with vre : 
 Alfo that the fprynges of fuche mountaynes turnynge theyr courfe and breakynge furth in other places, brynge 
 with them greate plentie of fuch golden fande as is founde in the ryuers into the which they faule. What 
 impudencie is it therfore with woordes of reproche to caule hym poore whofe poure is fo greate, his treafure fo 
 infinite, and his doinges fo chargeable, that I beleeue that when fo euer it pleafe almyghtie God to caule hym 
 frome this lyfe to the greate domage of all Chryflendome, it Ihalbe harde to fynde an other that fliall in all poyntes 
 bee fo well able to fupplye that roome and maynteyne th[e]imperiall dignitie. Let al honefl natures therfore leame 
 to fpeake well of princes accordynge to the fentence De Principibus nil nifi bonum, forafmuch as they, are the 
 minifters of god who hath theyr hartes in his hande and ruleth the fame as feemeth befte vnto hym. For there 
 is no poure neyther good nor badde, but of god : and he that refyfteth or fpeaketh euyll of the poure, refifteth 
 and fpeaketh euyll of god. Thou (halt not fpeake euyll of the prince or rule.r of thy people faith faint Paule. 
 
 But wheras nowe by the poure of Neptunus (I wot nere with what wynde) I haue byn diyuen thus farre 
 from my nauigations, I haue thought good to tume my fayles and to folowe the ordinarie courfe which I beganne, 
 "^nd by th[e]exemple of this woorthy capitayne kynge Ferdinando, encourage al other to theyr poure to attempte 
 the lyke vyages : As touchynge the which in fewe woordes to declare my opynyon, if any man fhulde aflce me 
 what I thynke thefe thinges wyll growe to in tyme, I wyll anfwere as dooth the autoure of this booke, 
 that when I confyder howe farre owre poileritie fhall fee the Chriftian religion enlarged, I am not able 
 with tounge or penne to expreffe what I conceaue hereof in my mynd. Yet one thyng I fee which enforceth 
 me to fpeake and lament, that the haruefl. is fo great and the workemen fo few. The Spanyardes haue (hewed a 
 good exemple to all Chryftian nations to folowe. But as god is great and woonderfuU in all his woorkes, 
 fo befyde the portion of lande perteynyng to the Spanyardes (beinge eyght tymes bygger then Italye as 
 yowe maye reade in the lafte booke of the feconde Decade) and befide that which perteineth to the Portugales, 
 there yet remayneth an other portion of that mayne lande reachynge towarde the northeaft, thought to be 
 as large as the other, and not yet knowen but only by the fea coaftes, neyther inhabyted by any Chriftian men : 
 whereas neuertheleffe (as wryteth Gemma Phrifius) in this lande there are many fayre and frutefuU regions, 
 hygh mountaynes, and fayre ryuers, with abundaunce of golde and dyuers kyndes of beaftes. Alfo cities 
 and towres fo wel buylded and people of fuch ciuilitie, that this parte of the worlde feemeth lyttle inferiour 
 to owre Europe, if th[e]inhabitauntes had receaued owre religion. They are wyttie people and refufe not 
 barterynge with ftraungers. Thefe regions are cauled Terra Florida and Regio Baccalearum or Bacchallaos 
 of the which yow may reade fumwhat in this booke in the vyage of the woorthy owlde man yet lyuing 
 Sebaftiane Cabote, in the. vi. booke of the thyrde Decade. But Cabote touched only in the north comer 
 and moft barbarous parte hereof, from whenfe he was repulfed with Ife in the moneth of luly. Neuertheleffe, 
 the weft and fouth partes of thefe regions haue fence byn better fearched by other, and founde to bee 
 as we haue fayde before. The chiefe citie in the fouthweft partes of thefe regions, is cauled Temixtetan, 
 or Mexico in maner vnder the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri, and ftrongely defended by the nature of 
 the place. For it ftandeth in a very great lake hauynge abowt it innumerable bridges, and buyldynges 
 to be compared to the woorkes of Dedalus. Th[e]inhabitauntes alfo can wryte and reade. Summe wryters 
 connecte this lande to the firme lande of Afia : But the truth hereof is not yet knowen. And althoughe 
 the Spanyandes haue certeyne colonies in that part of this lande that is nowe cauled Noua Hifpania, yet are 
 the people for the mofte parte Idolatours. Howe much therfore is it to be lamented, and howe greatly 
 dooth it founde to the reproche of all Chriftendome, and efpecially to fuch as dwell nereft to thefe landes 
 (as we doo) beinge muche nearer vnto the fame then are the Spanyardes (as within, xxv. dayes faylinge 
 and leffe) howe muche I faye (hall this founde vnto owre reproche and inexcufable flothfulneffe and 
 negligence bothe before god and the worlde, that fo large dominions of fuch tractable people and pure 
 gentiles, not beinge hytherto corrupted with any other falfe religion (and therefore the eafyer to bee allured 
 to embrafe owres) are nowe knowen vnto vs, and that we haue no refpecte neyther for goddes caufe nor 
 for owre owne commoditie to attempte fumme vyages into thefe coaftes, to doo for owr partes as the 
 Spaniardes haue doone for theyrs, and not euer lyke (heepe to haunte one trade, and to doo nothynge 
 woorthy memorie amonge men or thankes before god, who maye herein woorthely accufe vs for the 
 flackeneffe of owre dewtie towarde hym. Saynt Paule the doctoure of the gentiles (to whofe Apoftelfliippe 
 alfo thefe newe gentiles doo perteine) was of fuch zeale toward the lewes whom god had reiected, that 
 
 55 
 
 The nauigations 
 of the Spanyarde& 
 
 Itali is. I020 myles 
 in lengthe and. 
 X26. in breadthe. 
 
 The lande cauled 
 Terra florida, and 
 regio baccalearum. 
 
 Looke the last 
 booke, thirde 
 decade. 
 This region is 
 now cauled Noua 
 Hispania. Sum 
 thinke that this 
 citie is Quinsai of 
 Marcus Paulus. 
 Looke the last 
 booke of the 3. 
 decade^ and the 
 beginning of the 
 booke of the 
 landes lately 
 found. 
 
 The gpdlye zeale 
 of. S. Paule. 
 
56 
 
 The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 Isai. 66. 
 
 Gregorie the First 
 
 Th[e]office of 
 by&hoppes. 
 
 England 
 converted to the 
 faith of Christ. 
 
 This vnifride was 
 afterwarde 
 named Boneface. 
 
 Whether any may 
 bee compelled to . 
 the faythe. 
 
 The tyme of 
 miracles. 
 
 Miracles of late 
 dayes. 
 
 Howe Israelt 
 possessed the 
 lande of 
 promesse. 
 
 Esdra. 2. 
 
 he wyflhed hym. felfe to bee accurfed of god for theyr fakes. He went from Damafcus to Arabie, preached 
 
 the gofpell in Grecia, came prifoner to Rome, was fcourged and ftoned, and fuffered thryfe fhypwracke, 
 
 what then thinke yow .he wold do if he were now aliue ? Is it to be thought that he wolde not aduenture. 
 
 XXV. dayes faylynge to come to fuch a marte of foules in fuch redineffe to bee eafely obteyned ? I beleue 
 
 verely that neyther death, nor the deuyll, nor Leuiathan, nor the worlde, fliulde let hym but that he wolde geue 
 
 th[e]onfet ageynfl them all in hope of victorie by hym by whom he fayth he can doo all thynges. He was not 
 
 negligent in his office nor ignorant of his rewarde, but trufted to the promeffe of him that fayde by the 
 
 mouth of the prophet Ifai : Of them that ftialbe faued, I wyl fende fum to the gentyles in the fea, into 
 
 Aphrike and Libia, Italie, and Grecia, and into the Ilandes a farre of, to them that haue not harde of me, 
 
 and haue not feene my glorie. The like zeale that Paule had, and proceadynge of the fame fpirite, hath 
 
 euer fence Chryfles tyme, moued not only the Apoflles, but alfo many other famous and godly men (as 
 
 fuperuifours of his teflamente) ^ to fende owte preachers into dyuers partes of the worlde to fliewe furth the 
 
 gladde tydynge of the gofpell. By this zeale dyd Gregorye byffhoppe of Rome and fyrfle of that name, 
 
 when he fawe Englyffhe mens chyldren in Rome and afked what nation they were, when anfwere was 
 
 made hym in the laten tounge that they were Angli, (that is, Englyffhe men) he fayd (alludyng to the 
 
 fimilitude of the worde) that they myght wel be cauled. Angeli, that is. Angels : Meanyng therby that 
 
 lyke as god had done his part in geuyng them bodies of natural bewtie and comelyneffe, fo it apperteyned 
 
 to his office beinge the cheefe pafloure of goddes flocke, to prouyde that theyr foules might be made 
 
 woorthy to inhabite fuch bodies and the hole nation confecrated vnto god -by baptifme. For he fayde 
 
 furthermore : It is meete that vnto thefe alfo, the gofpell of life bee preached : And hereuppon immediatly 
 
 fent preachers into Englande whereby the hole nation was in fhorte tyme conuerted to Chrifles faith, 
 
 although fum had receaued the gofpell long before euen from Chryfles tyme by the preachyng of lofeph 
 
 of Arimathia who afked the body of Chryfle of Pilote, and buryed it reuerently. I wolde to god tha;t 
 
 there were now many mo fuch Gregories in the worlde : And that there might lyke zeale and gentelneffe 
 
 bee founde in vs Englyffhe men towarde other nations, as we haue founde in other towarde vs. Owre 
 
 predicefToures were not vtterlye vnmyndefull of thefe benefites, but applyed them felues lykewife to fpreade 
 
 the gofpell in other nations. For Vadianus in his booke JDe tribus lerrce partibus, wryteth, that more then 
 
 feuen hundrethe yeares after the death of Chryfle, one Vnefride an Englyffhe man and byfflioppe of Mogunce, 
 
 (nowe cauled Menfe) was the fyrfle that tawght the fayth of Chryfle amonge the Germaynes, at fuch tyme 
 
 as the Frankes and Almaynes had pafTed ouer the ryuers of Rhene and Danubius, and by puttynge the 
 
 garryfons of the Romans to flight, had pofTefTed a great parte of theyr mofl notable prouinces. For albeit 
 
 that thefe rude and barbarous nations then accuflomed onely to warre and robberie did hardly admitte 
 
 that holfome doctrine at the beginning. Yet by the poUicie and wifedome of the Frankes, it came fo to 
 
 paffe that in maner through owt all Germanie, greate increafe of the Chriflian religion folowed there mofle 
 
 ample victories, as the lyke fucceffe is alfo feene in thefe barbarous nations fubdued by the Spanyardes. 
 
 Whereby it is apparent, that although fum holde opinion that none owght to bee compelled to the faythe, 
 
 yet we fee by experience that withowt difputjmge of opinions (lefle the pacientes fhulde dye before the 
 
 phifitians agree of the remedie) thefe entreprifes haue taken good effect to the great glory of god who cauleth 
 
 men vnto hym by dyuers meanes and at dyuers ages of the declinynge worlde, otherwyfe nowe then in 
 
 the tyme of Chryfle and his Apoflles when the poure of miracles was giuen vnto men to confirme the 
 
 newe fayth which had yet preuaiied no where in the worlde. Albeit, I beleue verely, that if we wolde take 
 
 the matter in hande accordyngly, god wolde not forget to ayde vs with miracles if it fhuld fo be requifite, 
 
 as yowe may reade in this booke howe he wrought miracles by the fayth of a fimple mariner euen in 
 
 th[e]infancie of faythe. And fuerlye, lyke as there is no caufe why we fliulde anye thynge double of goddes 
 
 goodneffe in this behalfe if the faut be not in owre felues. Euen fo, if we wolde fpfle fette owre handes 
 
 to the plowe, we ought to hope that he wolde giue encreafe and woorke with vs as he hath doone with 
 
 other, by whofe profperous fucceffe we may plainely fee that it was his wyll that fuche thynges fliulde 
 
 go forwarde. For euen Ifiraell to whom promeffe was made by fignes and miracles that they fhulde pofTeffe the 
 
 lande to th[e]inheritaunce wherof, the fea opened it felfe to giue them free paffage, yet were they commaunded by 
 
 the poure of the fwoorde to make way, with greate loffe and flaughter of men and by force of armes to obteyne 
 
 the lande promyfed to theyr fathers, whiche neuertheleffe fewe of them polfeffed that firfl fought for the fame, 
 
 but lefte theyr carkefes in the wilderneffe. Is it not alfo written of the luwes which repayred the walles 
 
 of the citie of Hierufalem after theyr captiuitie in Babilon, that Nehemias theyr capitaine fet the people in 
 
 order with fwoordes, fpeares, and bowes to defende the woorkemen ? And that alfo euen the Princes of luda 
 
 wrought vppon the walles and caried burdens ? lykewyfe that they wrought with one hande and held theyr 
 
 fwoordes in the other ? And if it were lawful for Ifraell accordynge to the flefthe, to vfe all meanes and 
 
 pollicies to buylde vp the walles of earthly Hierufalem, howe miiche more then ought the fpirituall Ifraelites to 
 
 S6 
 
The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 57 
 
 vfe all poflible meanes to buylde vp the walles and temples of fpirituall Hierufalem, whofe fundation is Chrifle, 
 wyllynge all the nations of the worlde to be buylded vppon the fame. It is the propertie of a wyfe buylder to 
 vfe fuch tooles as the woorke requireth. And not at all tymes or in all woorkes to vfe one toole. For that 
 that feraeth in fofte tymber, wyll not ferue in knottie pieces, nor yet for ftones. Th[e]expert phifitian vfeth 
 vehement remedies for defperate difeafes : And cunninge furgians vfe bumynge and cuttynge if the cafe fo 
 require, as in cuttynge of the fynger to faue the hande, or in cuttyng of the hand to faue the hole body. Ye it 
 hath fumtjnnes fo chaunfed that wheras men haue entended hurt, there hath good proceaded therof in fine: As 
 he that wolde haue flaine Prometheus, wounded his wenne with his fwoorde, whereby he was healed of that 
 difeafe. So is god able to tume euyll into good, and to make thynges that are not, as thynges that are. Euen 
 fo although fumme wyll obiecte that the defyre of golde was the chiefe caufe that moued the Spanyardes and 
 Portugales to fearche the newe founde landes, trewly albeit we (hulde admitte it to bee the chiefe caufe, yet dooth 
 it not folowe that it was the only caufe, forafmuch as nothyng letteth but that a man may bee a warrier or a 
 marchaunte, and alfo a Chriftian. Therefore what fo euer owre chiefe intente bee, eyther to obteyne worldely 
 fame or rycheffe, (althoughe the zeale to encreafe Chriflian religion ought chiefly to moue vs) I wolde to god we 
 wolde fyril attempte the matter: And then I doubte not but that it wolde fo comme to paffe with vs as it dyd 
 with them who of longe time after the beginning of the worlde before menne were accuftomed to eate fleffhe, 
 thought it firil fufficient fo to vfe them felues amonge beafl.es that they were not hurte of them: but fliortly after, 
 vfed them for theyr commoditie : Then begunne to weare theyr fliinnes : And in fine, fell to eatynge of theyr 
 fleflhe, and to vfe certeine partes of them for remedies ageinft. difeafes. Euen fo may thefe barbarians by the 
 only conuerfation with the Chriftians, (although they were enforced therto) be brought to fuch familiaritie with 
 ciuilitie and vertue, that not onely we maye take greate commoditie thereby, but they may alfo herewith imbibe 
 trewe religion as a thing accidental although neyther they nor we fliulde feeke the fame. For lyke as they that 
 goo much in the foonne, are coloured therewith although they go not for that purpofe, So may the conuerfation 
 of the Chriftians with the gentyles induce theym to owre religion, where there is no greater caufe of contrarye 
 to refyfle as is in the luwes and Turkes who are akedy drowned in theyr confirmed erroure. But thefe Ample 
 gentiles lyuinge only after the lawe of nature, may well bee lykened to a fmoothe and bare table vnpainted, or 
 a white paper vnwritten, vpon the which yow may at the f)nrft paynte or wryte what yow lyfte, as yow can not 
 vppon tables alredy paynted, vnlefle yow rafe or blot owt the fyrfte formes. They may alfo th[e]eflyer bee allured to 
 the Chriftian fayth, for that it is more agreable to the lawe of nature then eyther the cerimonious lawe of Moifes, 
 or portentous fables of Mahometes Alcharon. If we were therfore as defyrous to enlarge the fayth of Chryfte 
 as to feeke worldly gooddes, why do we deferre to aduenture that wherin we may doo bothe. We mufte not 
 nowe looke for a newe Paule or doctoure of the gentiles to bee conuerted by heauenly reuelations : Or for a 
 newe Moifes to leade men through the fea: Or for an Angel to cary men in the ayer from one place to an other 
 as Habacucke the prophete was caryed by the heare of his heade from ludea to Babilon : Or as Phylippe 
 th[e]appoftle was caiyed by the fpirite from Gaza to Azotus : but mufte (as layth the prophete Ifaias) euery man 
 exhorte his neyghboure, and bid his broother be of good chere : That the mafon and carpenter may buylde 
 togyther, and fay to the glewe or cemente, it is good and fafte byndynge. AVhat negligence and flackenefle hath 
 hytherto byn in Chriftian men in this kynde of buyldynge of goddes lyuely temple, the greate clerke Erafmus 
 hath declared in his booke intiteled Ecclefliaftes, whofe woordes for the woorthynefle of the autoure, I haue here 
 thowght good to rehearfe as they are wrytten by hym in the laten tounge in the fyrfte booke of the fayde woorke. 
 He wryteth therfore as foloweth. 
 
 Aiidimus quotidianas queremonias deplorantium collapfam Chrijlianam religionem, eamque ditionem qua quondam 
 complexa ejl vniuerfum terrarum- orbem, in has anguftias effe contradlam. Hoc igitur quibus ex animodolet, eos decet 
 ardentibus afsiduifqtce votis flagitare a Chrijlo vt operartos dignetur mittere in meffemfuam, aut (vt melius dicam) 
 feminatores mittere in fegetem fuam. Deum immortalem, qtcantum in orbe patet agrorum in quibus aut non dum 
 iallum ejl femen Euangelicum, aut ita iallum e/l, vt plus fit zizaniarum quam triiici. Orbis minima p^rs ejl 
 Europa: Omnium florentifsima pars eft Greecia et Afia minor in quam magna fucceffu primum a ludcea demigrauit 
 Euangelium. At hcec fere tota, nonne tenetur a Mahumetanis et ijs qui Chrifti nomen habent inuifuml lam in 
 Afia maiore qute latifsime patet, quid obfecro noftrum e/l? quum ipfa Pakftina vnde prima effluxit lux Euangelica, 
 feruiat Allophylisl In Aphrica vera quid noftrum efti Nee dubitandum eft quin in tanta vaftitate regionum fint 
 populi rudes etfimplices qui facile poffent ad Chriftum alici,fi mitterentur qui facer ent bonam femetitem. Quid quod 
 quotidie rtgiones hadenus incognitce reperiitntur, ferunturque fupereffe quo nullus adh uc noftratium peruenit. Omitto 
 nunc infinitam ludceorum vim nobis admixtam: omitto plurimos qui titulo Chrifti tegunt Ethnicos: omitto tantas 
 fchifmaticorum et hcereticarum phalanges. QuarUus in his effet prouentus Chrifto, ft gnaui ac fideles mitterentur 
 operarij qui iaciant femen bonum, qui reuellant zizaniam, qui plantent plantulas bonas, malas exterpent, qui extruant 
 domum Dei, demoliantur ftruduras non innitentes petrce Chrifto, denique qui metant maturam fcgetemi fed Chrifto 
 
 57 
 
 The buylding 
 of spirituall 
 Hierusalem. 
 
 The conuersion of 
 the gentiles. 
 
 The christian 
 faythe. 
 
 Isal 4$. 
 
 Augusiia 
 
 CkrisHaiuB 
 
 ditiottis. 
 
58 
 
 The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 Presteian 
 Aetluopia rex. 
 
 Pilapii. 
 
 Franctscam 
 
 SerapfUcu 
 
 DotKifucani 
 
 CkerubicL 
 
 LingtttB 
 
 impericia, 
 
 Miracula. 
 
 Damianus a Goes 
 
 To the christian 
 princes. 
 
 Thesheepe of 
 Europe. 
 
 The doctoure 
 of diuinitie 
 
 An admonition 
 to riche men. 
 
 The marchant 
 
 me tant nonfibi, ei animus Domino colligant, nan opes fibi. Nuper Aethiopice rex quern vulgus appellat Frejieian, 
 per oratorem fuum fubmifii fe fedi Romanes, nan nihil expojiulans cum pontifice quod ea gens quum a fide Chrifii 
 nonfit aliena, tarn diu fuerit a tocius orbis paftore negleila. Quidam viri boni, et propaganda religionis Jludiofi, 
 queruntur Pilapios Scythice feptenirionalis populum mirefimplicem acrudem, a nefdo quibus principibus Chrifiianis 
 teneri ditione, fed ita duro premi iugo humano, vt eis non imponatur fuaue iugum Chrifii, atque itafpoliari bonis 
 externis, vt non ditentur opibus euangelicis. Pukherrimum, Deoque gratifsimum erat dare potius quam accipere ijs 
 quosfiudemus Chrifio lucrifacere, acfic eos in ditionem nofiram recipere vt gaudeant fe fubie^los effe principibus fub 
 quorum imperio commodius degant quam ante degebant. Nouimus dcurare befiias feras et horribiles, vel ad volup- 
 tatem, vel ad vfum vulgarem: et non nouimus manfuefacere homines vt feruiant Chrifio i Monarches alunt qui 
 doceant elephantos ad faltandum, qui doment leones ad lufum, qui doment lynces et leopardos ad venatum: et 
 monarcha ecclefice non inuenit qtw homines alliciat ad amabile Chrifii feruicium ? Scio vix vllam reperiri beluam 
 domitu difficiliorem quam efi Ittdmus obfiinatus, et obduratus hcereticus : quanquam nullum efi animal tam immite 
 quod non cicuretur beneficentia etftiauitate. E repertis regionibus euehitur aurum et gemmce: Sed triumpho dignius 
 erat illuc inuehere Chrifiianam fapientiam auro preciofiorem, ac niargarituvi euangeiicum quod omnibus diuenditis 
 bencB comparatur. Dominus itibetfuis rogare dominum mefsis vt exirudat operarios quod mefsis effet ampla, operarij 
 pauci. Non mums opus efi nunc rogare deum vt in tam late patentes agros ejiciat operarios, Sed excufant omnes, 
 alius aliud. Atqui Christiana ditio tot habet myriadas Francifcanorum in quibus probabile efi quamplurimos 
 effe qui vere flagrant igni feraphico : nee pauciores funt myriades Dominicanorum, et in his confentaneum efi 
 permultos effe Cherubici fpiritus. Ex his cohortibus eligantur viri, viundo vere mortui, Chrifio viui, qui fyncere 
 apud barbaras gentes doceant verbum Dei. Excufatur linguce imperitia. Atqui principes ob humanas legationes 
 inueniunt qui varias linguas perdifcant : Et Themifiocles Athenienfes vno anno fie didicit fermonem Afiaticum 
 vt abfque interprete mm rege loqui poffet: An idem non fiudebimus in tam fublimi negocio ? Inter barbaras 
 et ignotas nationes Apostoli inuenerunt viSlum et amiilum : et Deus pollicitus efi nihil defuturum qucerenti- 
 bus regnum Dei. Nee miracula quidem dcfutura funt fi res pofiulet, modo ad fit fyncera fides cum feraphica 
 charitate, &'c. 
 
 Furthermore Damianus a Goes, wryteth in his booke De deploratione Lappiance gentis, that he was the 
 fyrll that moued Erafmus to fpeake fumwhat hereof: And that he (Erafmus I meane) was determined to 
 write a iufl volume of this matter yf he had not byn preuented by death. Albeit (fayth Damianus) in 
 his booke entiteled Ecclefiailes, he dyd not keepe filence of fo wicked an vngodlyneffe, whiche furely is 
 fuche, that it may in maner make all Chriftian men (and efpeciallye fuch vnto whom god hath gyuen 
 poure and knowleage) giltie of fo heyghnous a crime, that he may take vengeance of them in the day of 
 iudgement before the iufle iudge Chryfl. Nowe therfore (fayth he) let the Chriftian Monarches take heede 
 what accoumpte they ftiall make before the tribunal of Chryfte at the lafte daye, when neyther fauoure, 
 nor pardon, or flatterie can take place to bee any excufe for the loffe of fo manye foules. And thefe be 
 the very woordes of the woorfliipful and lemed man Damianus a Goes, wrytten to the byfflioppe of Rome 
 Paule the thyrde of that name, whom he further chargeth to looke diligently hereunto, as a thynge mofte 
 chiefely perteynynge to the office of Chriftian prelates. Mee thynke verely that the ftieepe of Europe 
 ftiulde by this tyme be fo well fedde, that they ftiulde by good reafon be fo ftronge and mightie in Chriftes 
 religion (excepte they be infected with the dyfeafe which the phificians caule Cachexia, beinge an euyl 
 difpofition of the body whereby the more they are fed the worfe they lyke) that many ftieppardes myght 
 well bee fpared to bee fent to other ftieepe which ought to be of the fame foulde. For this purpofe the 
 doctoure of diuinitie when he commenfeth, hath his fcapular caft ouer his headde in token that he hathe 
 forfaken the worlde for Chriftes fake : And his bootes on his legges in token that he ftiall euer bee in a 
 redinefle to go forwarde in preachynge the gofpell, as I doubte not there bee many in Englande wolde 
 gladly doo euen amonge thefe newe gentyles if they were therto mainteyned by the ayde of the fecular 
 pouue as in this cafe it ftialbe requifite for the furniture of neceffaries hereunto apperteynynge, I muft 
 nowe therfore appele vnto yow, yow riche men and rulers of the worlde, to whom god hath giuen gooddes 
 as thynges neyther good nor badde of them felues, but onely as they are vfed wel or euil. If yowe vfe 
 them well, they are the gyftes of god wherwith yow may doo many thynges acceptable both to god and men. 
 And if yow vfe them otherwyfe, yowe poffeffe not them, but they poffefle yow, and theyr canker and rufte 
 (as faythe the Apoftle) ftialbe a teftimonie ageinft yow in the day of the great audit. Thinke not therfore 
 that this thynge perteyneth not vnto yowe, if yowe perteyne vnto Chrifte and looke to haue any parte 
 with hym. Confyder with yowre felues if it were onely to get worldely ryches, howe redye and greedy 
 yowe wolde bee to venture a greate deale to get a thyrde part, withowt caftynge of any perell by lande or 
 by fea, as the wyttie poet Horafe hath in fewe wordes defcrybed the marchauntes defyre and aduenture' 
 to obteyne rycheffe. 
 s8 
 
The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 59 
 
 Impiger extretnos curril mercatcr ad Indos, 
 Fer mare pauperiem fugims, per faxa, per ignes. 
 
 The which verfes are thus much to fay in effecte. 
 
 The marchaunt in hope greate rycheffe to fynde, 
 By fyer and by water paffeth to Inde, 
 By the bumte line or Equinoctiall, 
 To flye from pouertie and hafarde all. 
 
 As the poet hath in thefe verfes, by the marchaunt declared the defyre that couetous men haue to 
 obteyne flippery riches, the lyke affection to obteyne worldly fame and honour, maye we fee in valiant 
 and noble capitaynes in the warres where they contende to put them felues forwarde to the mofte daungerous 
 aduenture as to haue the forewarde of the battayle : a token furely of much nobilitie and manly corage. 
 But oh immortall god ? Is it not to bee lamented that men can be fo vaUent, (lowte, and in maner defperate in 
 tlieyr owne priuate nnatters, perteynyng onely to theyr bodies, and yet fo coulde, negligent, and fearefuU 
 in goddes i-aufe and thynges touchynge the health of theyr foules ? If there were neyther deuyll nor lawe 
 to accufe men before god in this cafe, fliall not theyr owne confciences bee a lawe of condemnation ageynfle 
 theym in that they liaue not fliewed that loue to mankynde, which the very lawe of nature moueth brute 
 beaftes to ftiewe one to an other in theyr generations? But what hope is there (excepte god wolde in 
 maner by myracle conuerte the hartes of fuch men) what hope is there I fay, that they wyll depart with 
 any of theyr gooddes, muche leife aduenture theyr bodies, to the furtheraunce of Chrifles religion in thefe 
 regions beinge fo farre from them, wheras many (hewe lyttle loue, charitie, or liberalitie (if not rather crueltie, 
 tyrannic, and oppreffion) to theyr poore neighbours and brootheme dwelling euen at home at theyr owne 
 elbowes. But as this couetoufneffe is to bee reproued, fo is the Uberalitie of fuch to be commended as haue 
 byn at greate coafte and charges in fettynge tbrwarde fuche viages : wherein not onely the marchauntes 
 of London, but alfo diuers noble men and gentelmen afwell of the counfayle as other, which bothe with 
 theyr money and furtheraunce otherwyfe haue fumyfflied and fent furth certeyne (hyppes for the difcouerynge 
 of fuche landes and regions as were heretofore vnknowen, haue herein deferued immortall fame, for as 
 much as in fuch attemptes and daungerous vyages, they haue fliewed no fmaule liberalitie vppon vncerteyne 
 hope of gayne : wherein they haue deferued fo much the greater prayfe as theyr intent feemed to bee rather 
 to further honeft enterprifes then for refpecte of vantage. And here certeynely in the mention of thefe 
 viages I myght feeme vngratefuU if I fliulde omitte to giue dewe commendations to the two chiefe capitaynes 
 of the fame as the woorthy knyght fyr Hugh Wylloby and the excellent pilotte Rycharde Chaunceler who 
 haue therein aduentured theyr lyues for the commoditie of theyr countrey : Men doubtlefle woorthye for theyr 
 noble attemptes to bee made knightes of the Ocean or otherwyfe preferred if euer god fende them home 
 ageyne although they fayle of theyr purpofe. For as fuche haue obteyned abfolute glory that haue browght 
 great thynges to paffe, fo haue they deferued immortall fame which haue only attempted the fame : forafmuch 
 as fortune (who fumtymes fauoureth the v'nworthyefl) is not in the pom:e of man. Xerfes obteyned glorie 
 in makynge a bridge ouer the fea Hellefpontus ioynynge Europe to Afia, and Darius ouer Bofphorus when 
 he paffed with his armye towarde the Scythians. No leffe fame and commendation (although not lyke 
 glory) deferued Demetrius, Cefar, Calligula, and Seleucus Nicanor,_ whiche attempted to cutte in fundre 
 certeyne places cauled Ift.hmi, (beinge narrowe portions of lande fo diuidynge twoo feas, that there is no 
 paflage from the one to the other) and yet neuer finifflied that they tooke in hande, beinge hyndered 
 eyther by deathe, warres, or other chaunces. The auncient Romans and Greekes gaue fuch glorye vnto 
 them that had eyther well deferued of the common welthe, or otherwyfe attempted fuch great enterprifes 
 as might bee jirofitable for mankynde, that after theyr death they caufed Images of golde, fyluer, brafle, 
 luery, and marble to bee made to theyr lykeneffe, and the fame to be placed in theyr folemne haules, 
 palaices, or. temples, with certeyne verfes made to the commendation of them whom the Images reprefented. 
 And this no leffe to prouoke and encorage other forwarde natures to th[e]emulation of their vertues, then 
 alfo to geue them the due honoure of theyr iufl. defertes. And furely if euer fence the begynnynge of the 
 worlde any enterpryfe haue deferued greate prayfe as a thynge atchyued by men of heroicall vertue, 
 doubtlefle there was neuer any more woorthy commendation and admiration then is that whiche owre 
 nation haue attempted by the north feas to difcouer the mightie and riche empire of Cathay, by which 
 vyage not only golde, fyluer, precious fl;ohes, and fpices, may be browght hether by a fafer and fliorter 
 way, but alfo much greater matters may hereof enfewe in tyme if it fliall pleafe God to gyue vnto Chriftian 
 men fuch paflage into thofe regions, whereby fuch familiaritie may further growe betwene the Chrifl,ian princes 
 
 59 
 
 The defiyre of 
 wordely fame. 
 
 Men are slothfVill 
 in goddes cause. 
 
 Vyages from 
 Englande. 
 
 Syr Hugh 
 Wylloby and 
 Rycharde 
 Chaunceler. 
 
 Glory and fame. 
 
 The rewarde of 
 noble enterprises. 
 
 The vyage to 
 Cathay by the - 
 north seas. 
 
6o 
 
 The Preface to the Reader. 
 
 Societie betwene 
 the Tartars and 
 the Christians 
 The Turke. 
 The Sophie. 
 Tambulanes. 
 Baiasetes. 
 
 of Europe and the greate emperoure of Cathay, that (as wryteth Haytho De focietate Chrijlianorum el 
 Tariarorum) there can nothynge be imagined more effectuali for the confufion of the Turke if the great 
 Cham of Cathay and the Sophie of Perfia on the one fyde, and the ;Chri(lian Princes on the other fyde, 
 (hulde with one confent inuade his dominions, as dyd Tamburlanes Th[e]emperoure of the Tartars who abowte 
 the yeare of Chrifle. M. CCC. Ixxxxviii. toke prifoner Baiafetes Ottomanus Th[e]emperoure of the Turkes and 
 flewe. XX. thoufande of his men in one battayle befyde many other great victories, as yowe may further 
 reade in this booke in the hyflorie of Paulus louius. And to haue fayde thus muche in maner of a preface it 
 may fuffice. 
 
 60 
 
6i 
 
 [The Third English book on America, 
 
 Which is also 
 
 The First English Collection of Voyages, Traffics, & Discoveries. 
 
 Cite liecalre^ at the mh>t ix^t^vTOt ox toe^t Knlria, ttt. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 Pietro Martire. 
 
 The First Decade, 
 
 Of the Ocean. 
 
 First printed in 1511. 
 
 The Second Decade, . Of the supposed Continent. 
 
 The Third Decade, 
 
 \T^he discovery of the Pacific by 
 Vasco JSJunez de Balboa, on the 
 2^th September 1513- The 
 voyages of Pedro Arias, and 
 Sebastian Cabot^ 
 
 The Second and Third Decades were first printed in 1516. 
 
 Of the new found islands (i.e. Yucatan and Mexico.) 
 
 First printed in IS21O 
 
The epistle of Peter Martyr. 
 
 63 
 
 [This eloquent Dedication first appeared in the Second and enlarged Edition of the Decades, tlie printing of which was finished at 
 Alcala on 9th November 1516. , Nearly the whole of the following First Decas (pp. 65-105) had, however, been previously 
 printed in 151 1, and was for the most part written even earlier than that year.] 
 
 i[ To THE MOSTE NOBLE PrINCE AND CaTHOLIKE KYNGE, ChARLES, 
 
 Peter Martyr of Angleria wysheth 
 perpetuall felicitie. 
 
 e diuine prouidence, frome the tyme that he fyrfte 
 created the worlde, hatha referued vnto this day the 
 knowleage of the great and large Ocean fea: In the 
 which tyme he hath opened the fame, chiefely vnto 
 yowe (mofte mightie Prince) by the good fortune 
 and happie fucceffe of yowr grandfather by yowr 
 mothers fyde. The fame prouidence (I knowe not 
 by what deftenie) hath brought me owt of my natiue 
 countrey of Milane, and owt of the citie of Rome 
 (where I continued almoft. x, yeares) into Spaine, 
 that I myght particularlye collecte, thefe marueylous 
 and newe thynges, which fhoulde otherwyfe per- 
 happes haue line drowned in the whirlepoole of 
 obliuion : forasmuch as the Spanyardes (men 
 wo©rthy [of] greate commendation) had onely care to the generall inuentions of thefe 
 thynges. Notwithftandinge, I doo not chalenge vnto me only, the thankes of the trauaile 
 beftowed herein, wheras the chiefe rewarde therof is due to Afcanius vicounte Cardinal, 
 who perceauynge that I was wyllyng to departe owt of the citie to be prefent at the warres 
 of Granatum, diffuaded me from my purpofe. But feing that I was fully refolued to 
 departe, exhorted and required me to wryte vnto hym fuch newes as were famous in Spayne 
 and woorthy to be noted. I tooke therfore my iorney into Spaine chiefely for the defyre I 
 had to fee th[e]expedition whiche was prepared ageynfl the enemies of the fayth : 
 forafmvche as in Italye, by reafon of the diffention among the Princes, I coulde fynde 
 nothynge wherewith I myght feede my wytte, beinge a younge man defyrous of knowleage 
 and experience of thynges. I was therefore prefente at the warres : from whenfe I writte 
 to Cardinal Afcanius, and by fundry epiftels certifyed hym of fuch thynges as I thought 
 mofte woorthye to be put in memorie. But when I perceaued that his fortune was turned 
 from a natural moother to a fteppedarne, I ceafed from wrytynge. Yet after I fawe, that 
 by th[e]ouerthrowe of the enemies of owre faythe, Spayne was pourged of the Moores as 
 of an euyll weede plucked vp by the rootes, Leafte I fhulde beftowe my flippery yeares 
 in vnprofitable Idleneffe I Was mynded to returne to Italie. But the fmguler benignitie 
 of bothe the Catholyke Kynge and queene nowe departed, and theyr large promifes 
 towarde me vppon my returne from my legacie of Babilon, deteyned me frome my 
 purpofe. Yet dooth it not repent me that I drewe backe my foote : Afwel for that I 
 fee in no other place of the worlde at this time the lyke woorthy thinges to bee done : 
 As alfo that in maner throwgh owt all Italy, by reafon of the difcorde of the Chriftian 
 
 The largenes of 
 the Ocean 
 vnknowen to this 
 day. 
 
 Cardinal Ascamus. 
 
 The warres of 
 Granatum ageynst 
 the Moores. 
 
 The autour wai 
 sent ambassadour 
 to the Soltane of 
 Alcayr in Egypte. 
 
 Italy disquieted 
 with warres. 
 
64 
 
 The epistle of Peter Martyr. 
 
 The sequeles of 
 warre. 
 
 Kynge Frederike. 
 
 Leo the tentth, 
 byshoppe of Rome. 
 
 Spayne subdued 
 fix>m the Moores. 
 
 The kyn[g]dome of 
 
 Naples. - 
 
 Note, frome the 
 begynnyng of the 
 worlde. 
 
 The temperatness 
 of the Equinoctial 
 vnknowen to the 
 owlde wryters. 
 
 Continente or firme 
 lande as bygge as 
 thre Europes 
 
 Ryches are the 
 instrumentes of 
 conquestes. 
 
 Princes, I perceaued all thynges to runne headelonge into ruine, the countreys to be 
 deftroyed and made fatte with human bludde : The cities facked, virgines and matrones 
 with theyr gooddes and poffeffions caried away as captiues and miferable innocentes 
 without offence to be flayne vnarmed within theyr owne houfes. Of the which 
 calamities, I dyd not onely heare the lamentable owtcryes, but dyd alfo feele the fame. 
 For euen the bludde of mine owne kinffolkes and frendes, was not free from that crueltie. 
 As I was therfore mufynge with my felfe of thefe thynges, the Cardinal of Arragonie, 
 after that he had feene the two fyrfte bookes of my Decades wrytten to Afcanius, 
 required me in the name of kynge Frederike his vncle, to put foorth the other eyght 
 epiflell bookes. In the meane tyme alfo, while I was voyde of all care as touchynge the 
 matters of the Ocean, the Apoftolicall meffengers of the byffhoppe of Rome Leo the 
 tenth, (by whofe holfome counfayle and autoritie we trufte the calamities of Italy fhalbe 
 fynyffhed) rayfed me as it were frome fleape, and encoraged me to proceade as I had 
 begunne. To his, holyneffe I writte two Decades compryfed in fhort bokes after the 
 maner of epiftels, and added them to the fyrft, which was printed withowt myne aduife, 
 as fhall further appeare by the preface folowynge. 
 
 But nowe I returne to yow (moft noble Prince) from whom I haue fumwhat 
 
 digreffed. Therfore wheras yowr graundefathers by your moothers fyde, haue fubdued 
 
 all Spayne vnder yowr dominion except onely one corner of the fame, and haue alfo lefte 
 
 yowe the kyngedome of Naples with the frutefull Ilandes of owr feas, it is fuerly a greate 
 
 thynge and woorthy to be noted in owre cronacles. But not oifendynge the reuerence due 
 
 to owre prediceffors, what fo euer frome the begynnynge of the worlde hath byn doone 
 
 or wrytten to this day, to my iudgement feemeth but little, if wee confyder what newe 
 
 landes and countreys, what newe feas, what fundry nations and tounges,. what golde 
 
 mynes, what treafuries of perles they haue lefte vnto yowre hyghneffe, befyde other 
 
 reuenues. The whiche, what they are and howe greate, thefe three Decades fhall declare. 
 
 Come therfore mofte noble Prince elected of God, and enioy that hyghe eftate of 
 
 thynges not yet vnderftode to men. We offer 'vnto yowe the Equinoctiall line hetherto 
 
 vnknowen and burnte by the furious heate of the foonne and vnhabitable after the opinion 
 
 of the owlde wryters a fewe excepted : But nowe founde to bee mofl repleniffhed with 
 
 people, faire, frutefull, and mofte fortunate, with athowfande Ilandes crowned with golde 
 
 and bewtifull perles, befyde that greate portion of earth fuppofed to bee parte of the firme 
 
 lande, excedynge in quantitie three Europes. Come therfore and embrafe this newe worlde, 
 
 and fuffer vs no longer to confume in defyre of yowr prefence. From henfe, 
 
 from henfe I faye (moft noble younge Prince) fhall inflrumentes 
 
 be prepared for yow, whereby al the worlde fhalbe 
 
 vnder yowr obeyfaunce. 
 
 And thus I byd yowr maieftie farewell : To whofe tafte if I fhal 
 
 perceaue the fruites of this my tyllage to be delectable, I wyll 
 
 hereafter doo my endeuoure that yowe maye receaue the 
 
 fame more abundauntly. From Madrid. The 
 
 day before the Calendes of October, 
 
 In the yeare of. Chryfte. 
 
 M. D. XVI. 
 
 #fiNfi 
 
65 
 
 C THE FIRSTE BOOKE OF THE DECADES 
 
 OF THE OCEAN, WRITTEN BY PETER MARTYR OF 
 
 Angleria, Milenoes, counfiler to the kyng of Spayne and 
 
 Protonotarie Apoflolicall, To Afcanius 
 
 S^horcia, vicount Cardinall. etc, 
 
 HE REVERENDE AND thanckefuU antiquite was accuftomed 
 to efteme thofe men as goddes, by whofe induflrie and mag- 
 nanimitie fuche Landes and Regions were difcouered, as were 
 vnknowen to theyr prediceffoures. But vnto vs hauynge onely 
 one god whom we honour in triplicitie of perfon, this refteth, 
 that albeit we do not woorfhip that kind of men with diuine 
 honoure, yet do we reuerence them, and woorthely maraell 
 at theyr noble actes and enterprifes. Vnto kynges and princes 
 we gyue due obeyfaunce, by whofe gouemaunce and further- 
 aunce they haue bin ayded, to perfurme theyr attemptes. We 
 commende bothe, and for theyr iufl defertes worthely extoll 
 - them. Wherfbre, as concernyng the Ilandes of the weft Ocean, 
 lately difcouered, and of the auctours of the fame, (whiche 
 thynge you defyre by your letters to knowe) I wyll begynne at 
 the fyrft auctoure therof, lefte I be iniurious to any man. Take 
 it therfore as foloweth. 
 
 ^ Chri/lqphorus Cohnus (other wife called Columbus) A gen- 
 tilman of Italy, borne in the citie of Genua, perfwaded Fernando and Elyzabeth, .catholike prynces, that he 
 doubted not to fynde certayne Ilandes of India, nere vnto owre Occean fea, if they wolde fumyffhe hym with 
 ftiyppes and other thynges apperteynynge. Afifyrminge that therby not onely the Chriftian religion myght be 
 enlarged, but Spayne alfo enryched by the great plentie of golde, pearles, precious ftones, and fpices, whiche 
 might be founde there. At the lengthe three fliyppes were appoynted hym at the kinges charges : of the which 
 one was a great caracte with deckes: and the other twoo were light marchaunte fliyppes without deckes, whiche 
 the Spaniardes call Carauelas. Thus he departed from the coftes of Spaine about the calendes of September, 
 in the yere of Chrift 1492. and fet forward on his viage, being accompanied with. CC.xx. [two hundred and twenty] 
 Spanyardes. The fortunate Ilandes (as manye thinke them to be, whiche the Spaniardes call Canarim, found but 
 of late dayes) are diftaunte from the Ilandes of Gades, a thoufande and twoo hundreth myles, accordyng to theyr 
 accompte : for they fay they are diftant three hundreth leaques : wheras fuch as are expert fea men, affyrme that 
 euery leaque conteyneth foure myles, after the)h: fupputations. Thefe Ilandes were called fortunate, for the tem- 
 perate ayre whiche is in them. For neyther the coldenefle of wynter is fliarpe vnto them, nor the heate of fommer 
 intoUerable. Yet fome men are of opinion, that thofe were in olde tyme called the fortunate Ilandes, whiche 
 the Portugales call Capo Verde. Colonus therfore fayled fyrfle to the Ilandes of Canaria, to the intente there 
 to refreflie his ftiyppes with freflie water and fuell, before he committed him felfe to thys fo laborious a vyage. 
 And bycaufe I haue here made mention of the Ilandes of Canarim: It fliall not be muche from my purpofe to 
 declare howe of vnknowen they became knowen, and of faluage and wilde, better manured. For by the longe 
 courfe of manye yeres, they were forgotten, and remayned as vnknowen. 
 
 Thefe feuen Ilandes (therfore) called the Canaries, were founde by chaunce by a frenche man, called 
 Betanchor, by the permiflion of queene Katharine, protectrixe of kyng lohn her fon, while he was yet in his 
 nonage, about the yere of Chrifte. M.CCCC.V. This Betanchor inuaded twoo of thefe Ilandes called Lance- 
 loius and Fortifuentura, whiche he inhabited and brought to better culture. He beinge deade, his fon and 
 heire folde bothe the fayde Ilandes to certayne Spaniardes. 
 
 After this, Fernandus Peraria and his wyfe, inuaded Ferrea and Gomera. The other three were fubdued 
 in our tyme. Grancanaria, by Petrus de Vera, citezen of the noble citie of Xericium, and Michaell of Moxica. 
 
 Eden. I 6S 
 
 The reward r.f 
 vertue 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 the weste Ocean. 
 
 Christophoius 
 Colonus. 
 
 India. 
 
 The fyrst viage 
 of Colonus. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 
 Canarie. 
 
 Gades or 
 
 Cals mals. 
 
 A leaque, what it 
 
 conteyneth hy sea. 
 
 The fortunate 
 
 Ilandes. 
 
 Cabouerde. 
 
 Theseuen Ilandes 
 of Canarie. 
 Betanchor A 
 frenche man 
 subdued the 
 ilandes of Canarie 
 Lancelotus. 
 Fortisuentura. 
 Ferrea. 
 Gomera. 
 Grancanaria- 
 
66 
 
 The fyrji Decade. 
 
 Palma. 
 TenerifcD. 
 Alphonsus Luga 
 
 Colonus men rebel 
 against hym. 
 
 Faire wordes and 
 promises. 
 
 Hispaniola. 
 lohanna. 
 
 Nightingales 
 
 syngein 
 
 Nouemben 
 
 The Ilande of 
 Ophir. 
 
 The ilandes of 
 Antilia. 
 
 A shypwrack 
 
 The people of 
 the ilande. 
 Naked people. 
 
 Expert swimmers. 
 Gold for erth and 
 glasse. 
 Many kinges 
 
 Relygious and 
 humame people. 
 
 Canoas- 
 
 Monoryla. \ 
 
 They haue no 
 Iren. 
 
 Canibales or 
 Caribes 
 Anthropophagi 
 
 The crueltie of 
 the Canibales. 
 
 Palma and Tenerifm, by Alphonfm Lugo, at the kynges charges. Gotnera and Ferrea were eafely fubdued-s But the 
 matter wente harde with Alphonfus Lugo. For that naked and wylde nation, fyghtinge onely with flones and clubbes, 
 droue his armie to flighte at the fyrfte aflaulte, and flewe about foure hundreth of his men. But at the length he 
 ouercame them. And thus all the Ilandes of Canaria were added to the dominion of Spayne. From thefe 
 Ilandes Colonus directynge his viage towarde the wefte, folowinge the fallinge of the fonne, but declining fomi7iiat 
 towarde the left hande, feyled on forwarde. xxxiii. dayes continually, hauynge onely the fruition of the heauen 
 and the water. Then the Spanyardes whiche were accompanied with hym, beganne fyrfte to murmure fecretely 
 among them felues: and fliortly after with wordes of reproche fpake euyll of Colonus theyr gouemoure, and con- 
 fulted with them felues, eyther to rydde hym out of the waye, orelles to caft hym into the fea : Ragyng that they 
 were deceyued of a ftraunger, an outlandiftie man, a Ligurian, a Genues, and brought into fuche daungerous places, 
 that they myght neuer returne ageyne. And after, xxx. days were pafte, they furioufely cryed out againfte him, and 
 threatned him that he fliulde paffe no further. But he euer with ientyll wordes and large promyfes, appeafed 
 theyr furie, and prolonged day after day, fome tyme defyring them to beare with hym yet a whyle, and fome 
 time putting them in remembrance that if they ftiulde attempte any thinge agaynft him, or other wife difobey 
 hym, it wolde be reputed for treafon. Thus after a fewe dayes, with cherefuU hartes they efpied the lande longe 
 looked for. In this fyrft.nauigation, he difcouered. vi. Ilandes, wherof twoo were exceding great : Of whiche, 
 the one he called Hifpaniola, and the other Idhanna. But at that tyme he knewe not perfectely that lohanna 
 (other wyfe called Cuba,) was an Ilande. As they coafted alonge by the fliore of certayne of thefe Ilandes, they 
 harde nyghtingales fynge in the thycke woodes in the month of Nouember. They found alfo great riuers 
 of freflie water, and naturall hauens, of capacitie to harborowe greate nauies of ftiippes. Saylinge by the coaftes 
 of lohanna, from the northe poynte to the weft, he rode lyttell leffe then eyght hundreth miles (for they call it a 
 hundreth and foure fcore leaques) fuppofyng that it had byn the continent or fyrme land, bicaufe he coulde 
 nother fynd the landes ende, nor any token of the ende, as farre as he coulde iudge with his eye : wherfore 
 he determined to returne backe agayne, beyng therto partly enforced by the roughneffe of the fea. For the fea 
 banckes of the Ilande of lohanna, by fondiye wyndinges and turnynges, bende them felues fo muche towarde 
 the Northe, that the northnortheafte wynde roughely toffed the Ihyppes by reafon of the wynter. Tumynge 
 therfore the ftemmes of his ihyppes towarde the Eafte, he affyrmed that he had founde the Ilande of Ophir, 
 whyther Salomons fliyppes fayled for golde. But the defcription of the Cofmographers well confidered, it 
 feemeth that bothe thefe, and the other Ilandes adioynyng, are the Ilandes of Antilia. This Ilande he called 
 Hifpaniola : on whofe northe fyde as he approched nere to the lande, the keele or bottome of the biggefte 
 veffell ranne vpon a blynde rocke couered with water, and clone in funder. But the playneneffe of the 
 rocke was a helpe to them that they were not drowned. Makynge hafte therfore with the other two ftiips 
 to helpe them, they brought awaye al the men without hurte. Here comming fyrft a land, they fawe certayne 
 men of the Ilande : who perceauynge an vnknowen nation comminge towarde them, flocked together and ranne 
 al into the thycke wooddes, as it hadde byn hares courced with grehoundes. Owre men purfuing them, tooke 
 onely one woman, whom they brought to the fliyppes : where fyllinge her with meate and wyne, and 
 apparelinge her, they let her departe to her company. Shortly after a greate multitude of them came runnynge 
 to the ftiore to beholde this newe nation, whom they thought to haue difcended from heauen. They caft them 
 felues by heapes into the fea, and came fwimminge to the fliyppes, bryngyng golde with them, which they 
 chaunged with owre men for erthen pottes, drinking glafles, poyntes, pynnes, hawkes belles, lokinge glafles, 
 and fuche other trifles. Thus growing to further familiaritie, owre men were honorably enterteyned of the 
 kynge of that parte of the Ilande, whofe name was Guaccanarillus : for it hath many kynges, as when 
 Eneas arriued in Italy, he founde Latium diuided into many kyitgedomes and prouinces, as Latium, Mezeutium, 
 Tumum, and Tarchontem, which were feperated with narow boundes, as fliall more largely appere hereafter. 
 At the euen tyde about the faulyng of the fonne, when owre men went to praier, and kneled on their 
 knees after the maner of the Chriftians, they dyd the lyke alfo. And after what maner fo euer they fawe them 
 praye to the crofle, they folowed them in all poyntes as well as they coulde. They fliewed much humanitie 
 towardes owre men : and helped them with theyr lighters or fmall boates (whiche they call Canoas) to vnlade 
 theyr broken fliyppe : And that with fuche celeritie and cherefulneffe, that no frende for frende, or kynfeman for 
 kynfeman, in fuche cafe moued with pitie, coulde do more. Theyr boates are made only of one tree, 
 made holow with a certain fliarpe ftone (for they haue no yron.) And are very longe and narowe. Many afiirme 
 that they haue fene fome of them with fortie ores. The wylde and myfcheuous people called Canibales or 
 Caribes, whiche were accuftomed to eate mannes flefftie (and called of the olde writers. Anthropophagi) moleft them 
 excedyngly, inuadynge theyr countrey, takynge them captiue, kyllyng and eatyng them. As owre men feyled 
 to the Ilandes of thefe meke and humayne people, they lefte the Ilandes of the Canibales, in maner in 
 the middeft of theyr viage tow^de the fouth. They complayned that theyr Ilandes were no lefle vexed with 
 the incurfions of thefe manhuntyng Canibales when they go forth a rouynge to feeke theyr praye : then are 
 
 \ 
 
The fyrji Decade. 
 
 67 
 
 other tame beaft.es, of Lyons and Tigers. Such chyldren as they take, they geld to make them fat as we 
 doo cocke chikyns and younge hogges, and eate them when they are wel fedde : of fuche as they eate, they fyrft 
 eate the intralles and extreme partes, as handes, feete, armes, necke, and heade. The other mofte fleflhy partes, 
 they ponder for ftore, as we do peftelles of porke and gammondes of bakon. Yet do they abfteyne from 
 eatynge of women and counte it vyle. Therfore fuche younge women as they take, they keepe for increace, as 
 we doo hennes to leye egges. The olde women, they make theyr drudges. They of the liandes (which 
 we may nowe caul owres) bothe the men and the women when they perceaue the Canibales coming, haue none 
 other ftiyfle but onely to flie: for althoughe they vfe very fliarpe arrowes made of reedes, yet are they of fmall 
 force to reprelTe the furie of the Canibales: for euen they them felues confeffe, that tenne of the Canibah 
 are able to buercome a hundreth of them if they encountre with them. Theyr meate is a certeyne roote which 
 they cal^g"": muche lyke a nauew roote in fourme and greatneffe: but of fweete tafte, muche lyke a 
 greene cheftnutte. They haue alfo an other kynde of rootes, whiche they call lucca, wherof they make 
 breade in lyke maner. They vfe Ages more often rofted or fodden, then to make breade therof. But 
 they neuer eate lucca, excepte it be firfte fliced and preffed, (for it is ful of lycoure) and then baked or 
 fodden. But this is to be marueled at, that the iuyce of this roote is a poyfon as flrong as Aconiium, fo 
 that if it be dronke it caufeth prefent death, and yet the breade made of the maffe therof, is of good tafte 
 and hoKome, as all they haue proued. They make alfo an other kynde of breade of a certayne pulfe, called 
 Panicum, muche lyke vnto wheate, wherof is great plentie in the dukedome of Mylane, Spayne, and Granatum. 
 But that of this countrey is longer by a fpanne, fomewhat fliarpe towarde the ende, and as bygge as a mannes 
 arme in the brawne: The graynes wherof are fette in a maraelous order, and are in fourme fomwhat 
 lyke a peafe. While they be foure and vnripe, they are 'white : but when they are ripe they be very blacke. 
 When they are broken, they be whyter then fnowe. This kynde of grayne, they call Maizium. Golde is 
 of fome eftimation among them: for fome of them hange certain fmall pieces therof at theyr eares and 
 nofethrilles. A lyttell beyonde this place, our men wente a lande for freflhe water, where they chaunced vpon 
 a Ryuer whofe lande was myxed with muche golde. They founde there no kindes of foure foted beaftes excepte 
 three kyndes of lyttell conyes. Thefe Ilandes alfo nouriftie ferpentes: but fuch as are without hurt. Lykewife 
 wylde geefe, turtle doues, and duckes, much greater then ours, and as whyte as fwannes, with heades of purple 
 coloure. Alfo Popiniaies, of the whiche fome are greene, fome yelowe, and fome lyke them of India, 
 with yelowe rynges about theyr neckes, as Plinie defcribeth them. Of thefe they broughte fortie with 
 them, of mofte liuely and delectable coloures, hauyng thejT fethers entermengled with greene, yelowe, 
 and purple, whiche varietie, deliteth the fenfe not a litle. Thus muche thought I good to fpeake of Popingiaies, 
 (ryghte noble Prynce) fpecially to this intente, that albeit the opinion of Chriftophorus Colonus (who affirmeth 
 thefe Ilandes to be parte of India) dothe not in all poyntes agree with the iudgement of auncient wryters 
 as touchynge the bigneffe of the Sphere and compaffe of the Globe as concemynge the nauigable portion 
 of the lame beynge vnder vs, yet the Popingiaies and many other thynges brought from thence, doo 
 declare that thefe Ilandes fauoure fomwhat oi India, eyther beynge nere vnto it, or elles of the fame nature: 
 forafinuche as Ariftotle alfo, about the ende of his booke De Ccelo et Mundo, and likewife Seneca, with diuerfe 
 other authours not ignorant in Cofmography, do affirme that India is no longe tracte by fea, diftante 
 from Spayne by the wefte Ocean, for the foyle of thefe Ilandes, bryngeth forthe Maftix, Aloes, and fundrye 
 other fweete gummes and fpyces as doth India, Cotton alfo of the goflampine tree, as in India in the 
 countrey of the people called Seres. 
 
 C The languages of all the nations of thefe Ilandes, maye well be written with our Latine letters. For 
 they cal heauen Turei. A houfe, £oa. Golde, Cauni. A good man, Taino. Nothing, Mayani. All other 
 wordes of theyr language, they pronounce as playnely as we doo the Latine tongue. In thefe Ilandes they 
 founde no trees knowen vnto them, but pyne app[l]e trees, and date trees : And thofe of maruelous heyght and 
 exceding harde, by reafon of the greate moyftneife and fatneffe of the grounde, with continufiU and temperate 
 heate of the fonne, whiche endureth fo all the hole yere. They playnely affyrme the Ilande oi Hifpaniola to 
 be the moft fruiteful lande that the heauen compaffeth aboute, as fliall more largely appere hereafter in the 
 particular defcription of the iame, whiche we intende to fette foorthe when we ftiall be better inftructed. 
 
 Thus makynge a leage of frendfliyppe with the kynge, and leauynge with hym. xxxviii. men to fearche the 
 Ilande, he departed to "Spayne takynge with hym. x. of the inhabitauntes to leme the Spanilhe tongue, to the 
 intent to vfe them afterwarde for interpretours. Colonus therfore at his retume, was honorably receaued of the 
 kyng and queene: who caufed him to fytte in theyr prefence, whiche is a token of great loue and honoure 
 amonge the Spaniardes. He was alfo made Admirall of the Ocean : and his brother goue[r]noure of the Hand. 
 
 Towarde the fecond viage, he was furniftied with, x[v]ii. fliippes : wherof three were great caractes of a 
 thoufand tunne: xii. were of that forte, whiche the Spaniardes call Carauelas: without deckes: and twoo other 
 of the lame forte fomewhat bygger, and more apte to beare deckes, by reafon of the gretneffe of theyr maftes. 
 
 «7 
 
 Ages. 
 
 Rootes in the 
 steede of meate. 
 lucca. 
 l^reade of rootes. 
 
 An herbe of a 
 straunge nature. 
 
 Maizium. 
 
 Golde in 
 estimation. 
 
 Golde in the 
 sandcsof ryuets. 
 Serpentes without 
 venime. 
 Turtle doues 
 Duckes. 
 Popingiayes. 
 PlinL 
 
 These Ilandes are 
 parte of India. 
 The Indians are 
 Antipodes to the 
 spaniardes. 
 
 Aristotle. 
 Seneca. 
 India not far 
 from Spaine 
 
 4 
 
 Mastix. 
 Aloe. 
 
 Gossampyne 
 cotton or bombasa 
 Seres. 
 
 The language of 
 these Indians- 
 Trees and frutes 
 vnknowen to vs. 
 Fat and moyste 
 grounde. 
 Heate continual! 
 and temperate. 
 The fruitfulnes of 
 hispaniola 
 
 The secondc viaye 
 of Colonus. 
 
68 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 He had alfo a thoufand and two hundreth armed footemen well appoynted: Amonge whiche were many 
 artificers, as fmythes, carpenters, myners, and fuche other: Certayne horfemen alfo, wel armed: Likewife 
 mares, fhiepe, heyghfers, and fuch other of bothe kindes for incrafe. Lykewife all kynde of pulfe or grayne 
 and come, as wheate, barlye, rye, beanes and peafe, and fuche other, as well for food as to fowe: Befyde 
 vynes, plantes and feedes, of fuche trees, fruites, and herbes, as thofe countreyes lacke. And (not to be for- 
 gotten) fundry kindes of artillery and iron tooles, as bowes, arrowes, croffebowes, bylles, hargabufes, brode 
 fwoordes, large targettes, pikes, mattockes, flioouelles, hammers, nayles, fawes, axes, and fuche other. Thus 
 beynge fumiftied accordyngely, they fet forwarde from the Ilandes of Gades, (nowe called Cals^ the. vii. day 
 before the calendes of October, in the yere of Chrifte. 1493. and arriued at the Ilandes of Canarie, at the 
 calendes of October. Of thefe Ilandes, the lafte is called Ferrea, in whiche there is no other water that maye 
 be drunke, but onely that is gathered of the dewe whiche continually diflilleth from one onely tree growynge 
 on the higheft. backe of the Ilande, and falleth into a rounde trenche made with mannes hande. We were 
 infourmed of thefe thynges within fewe dayes after his departure. What flial fuccede, we wyl certifie yowe 
 hereafter. Thus fare ye well, from the courte, at the Ides of Nouember. 1493. 
 
 Corae and sedes 
 to sowe. 
 
 Tooles and 
 artillery. 
 
 Water droppyng 
 from a tree 
 
 continually. 
 
 i[ The seconde booke of the fyrste Decade 
 to Afcanius Phorcia, vicounte Cardinally etc. 
 
 Mutliymna CampL 
 Castclla Vetus. 
 
 Gades 
 
 The Hand of 
 Ferre:^. 
 
 Hands of the 
 Canibales. 
 
 The Iland of 
 
 Dominica. 
 
 viil hundreth and 
 
 XX. leaques in. xxL 
 
 d.iyes. 
 
 Lysertes, 
 
 The Hande of 
 Galanta. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Guadalupea. 
 
 Vilages of XX or. 
 XXX. nouses 
 The building of 
 theyr houses. 
 
 Owe repete (ryghte honorable Prynce) that yowe are defirous to knowe what newes we haue in 
 Spayne from the newe worlde : and that thofe thynges haue greatly dely ted you which I wrote 
 vnto yowre highneife of the fyrfle nauigation. Yowe ftial now therefore receaue what hath fuc- 
 ceded. Methymna Catnpi, is a famous towne in high Spayne in the refpecte frome yowe, and is 
 in that parte of Spayne whiche is called Caftella Vetus: beynge diftante from Gades about, xl. 
 myles. Here the courte remayned, when aboute the. ix. of the kalendes of Aprell in this yere 
 of nynetie and foure, there were poftes fente to the kynge and queene, certifyinge them that 
 there were. xii. fhippes come from the newe Ilandes and arryued at Gades. But the gouernoure of the fliyppes 
 fente worde to the kynge and queue that he had none other matter to certifie 'them of by the poftes, but onely 
 that the Admiral with fine Ihippes and. iiii. fcore and tenne men remayned ftyll in Hifpaniola, to fearche the fecretes 
 of the Ilande. And that as touching other matters, he hym felfe wolde fliortly make relation in theyr prefence, by 
 worde of mouthe. Therfore the daye before the nones of Aprel, he came to the courte him felfe. What I learned 
 of him and other faythefull and credible men whiche came with hym from the Admirall, I wyl reherfe vnto yowe 
 in fuch order as they declared the fame to me when I demaunded them. Take it therfore as foloweth. The 
 thyrde daye of the Ides of October, departynge from Ferrea, the lafte of the Ilandes of Canarim, and from the 
 coftes of Spayne with a nauie of. xvii. fliippes, they fayled. xxi. dayes before they came to any Ilande : inclyning 
 of purpofe more towarde the lefte hand then at the fyrft viage, folowyng the northnortheaft wynde: and arriued 
 fyrft at the Ilandes of the Canibales, or Caribes of which, onely the fame was knowen to our men. Amonge 
 thefe, they chaunfed fyrfte vpon one, fo befet with trees, that they coulde not fe fo muche as an elle fpace 
 of bare earthe or ftony grounde. This they called Dominica, bicaufe they found it on the funday. They taried 
 here no tyme, bycaufe they fawe it to be deferte. In the fpace of thefe. xxi. dayes, they thynke that they fayled 
 viii. hundreth and. xx. leaques, the Northenortheaft wynde was fo full with them, and fo frefftiely folowed the 
 fteme of theyr fhyppes. After they hadde fayled a lyttell further, they efpied dyuerfe Ilandes replenyflhed 
 with fundrye kyndes of trees, from the whiche came fragrant fauours of fpyces and fweete gummes. Here they 
 fawe neyther man nor beafte, except certayne lifartes of huge bigneffe, as they reported whiche went alande to 
 viewe the countrey. This Iland they cauled Galana, or Galanta. From the cape or poynt of this Iland, 
 efpying a mountayne a farre of, they fayled thyther. Aboute. xxx. myles from this mountayne, they fawe a 
 ryuer difcending whiche feemed to be a token of fome great and large fludde. This is the fyrile lande whiche 
 they founde inhabited from the Ilandes of Canaria, and is an Ilande of the Canibales, as they lemed by the' 
 interpretours whiche they tooke with them from Hifpaniola into Spayne at theyr fyrfte viage. Serchynge the 
 Ilande, they founde innumerable villages of. xx. houfes or. xxx. at the moofte, fette rounde abowte in order 
 makynge the ftreete in coompaffe lyke a markette place. And forafmuch as I haue made mention of theyr 
 houfes, it fhal not be greately from my purpofe to defcribe in what maner they are buylded. They are made 
 rounde lyke belles or rounde pauylions. Theyr frame is rayfed of excedynge hyghe trees, fette clofe together 
 and faft rampaired in the grounde, fo ftandyng a flope and bending inward that the toppes of the trees ioyne 
 
 68 
 
Thefyrjl Decade. 
 
 69 
 
 together and beare one agaynfle an other, hauynge alfo within the houfe, certayne (Ironge and Ihorte props or 
 poftes whiche fufteyne the trees from fallynge. They couer them with the leaues of date trees and other trees 
 ftrongly compact and hardened, wherewith they make them clofe from wynde and wether. At the fliort poftes 
 or proppes within the houfe, they tie ropes of the cotton of goffampine trees, or other ropes made of certayne 
 long and toughe rotes much lyke vnto the Ihrubbe called Spartum, wherof in olde tyme they vfed to make 
 bondes for vynes and cabuls and ropes for (hyppes. Thefe they tye ouerthwarte the houfe from pofte to pofte. 
 On thefe they ley as it were certayne mattreffes made of the cotton of the goffampine trees, whiche growe 
 plentifully in thefe Ilandes. This cotton the Spaniardes call Algodon, and the Italians Bonibafine. And thus 
 they fleepe in hangynge beddes. At the enteraunce of one of theyr houfes, they fawe two Images of woodde 
 lyke vnto ferpentes, whiche they thoughte had byn fuch idoles as they honour., But they lemed afterwarde that 
 they were fette there onely for coomlyneffe. For they knowe none other god then the Sunne and Moone, 
 althoughe they make certaine Images of goflampine cotton to the fimilitude of fuch phantafies as they fay 
 appere to them in the nyghte. Our men found in theyr houfes, all kyndes of erthen veffels, not muche vnlyke 
 vnto oures. They founde alfo in thej^ kichens, mannes flefflie, duckes flefflie, and goofe flefflie, al in one pot : 
 and other on the fpittes redye to be layde to the fire. Entrynge into theyr inner lodgynges, they founde 
 faggottes of the bones of mennes armes and legges, which they referue to make heades for theyr arrowes, 
 bycaufe they lacke iron. The other bones they cafte awaye when they haue eaten the flefflie. They founde 
 Ukewife the heade of a yonge man fattened to a pofte and yet bledinge. They haue in fome villages, one great 
 haule or pallaice, aboute the whiche theyr common houfes are placed. To this they refort, as often as they 
 come together to playe. When they perceaued the commynge of our men, they fledde, in theyr houfes they 
 founde alfo about, xxx. chyldren and women captiues which were referaed to be eaten, but our men took'e them 
 awaye to vfe them for interpretoures. Searchyng more diligently th[e]ynner partes of the Ilande, they founde. 
 vii. other ryuers, bygger then this whiche we fpake of before, runnyng throughe the Ilande, with fruitefull and 
 pleafante banckes, delectable to beholde. This Ilande, they called Guadalupea, for the fimilitude that it hath 
 to the mounte Gttadalupus in Spayne, where the Image of the virgin MARIE is religioufly honored. But the 
 inhabitauntes caul it Carucueria, or Queraquiera. It is the chiefe habitation of the Canibales. They brought 
 from this Hand. vii. Popingayes, bygger then phefantes, muche differynge fi:om other in coloure : hauynge theyr 
 backes, breftes, and beaUes of purple coloure, and theyr wynges of other variable coloures. In al thefe Ilandes 
 is no leffe plentie of popingiayes then with vs of fparrowes or ftarUnges. As we brynge vp capons and hennes 
 to fi-ancke or make them fatte, fo do they thefe bigger kyndes of popyngaies for the fame purpofe. After that 
 they hadde thus fearched the Ilande and dryuen thefe Canibales to flyghte, (whiche ranne awaye at theyr fyrft 
 approche as fone as they had efpied them) they cauled theyr company together. And as foone as they had 
 broken the Canibals boates or lyghters (whiche they call Canoas) they lowfed theyr ankers the daye before the 
 Ides of Nouember, and departed from Guadalupea. Colonus the admirall, for the defyre he hadde to fe his 
 companions, whiche at his fyrft vyage he lefte the yere before in Hifpaniola to fearche the countrey, lette paffe 
 many Ilandes bothe on his righte hande and lefte hande, and fayled directly thyther. By the waye, there 
 appeared from the Northe. A great Ilande which the captiues that were taken in Hifpaniola, cauled Madanino, 
 or Matinino : Affirmynge it to be inhabited only with women : To whom the Canibales haue accefle at certen 
 tymes of the yeare, as in owlde tyme the Thracians had to the Amazones in the Ilande of Lefbos. The men 
 children, they fende to theyr fathers. But the women theye kepe with them felues. They haue greate and 
 ftronge caues or dennes in the ground, to the which they flye for fafegarde if any men reforte vnto them at any 
 other tyme then is appoynted. And there defende them felues with bowes and arrowes, agenft the violence of 
 fuche as attempte to enuade them. They coulde not at this tyme approche to this Ilande, by reafon of the 
 Northenortheaft wynde which blewe foo vehemently from the fame, wheras they nowe folowed the Eaftefouth- 
 eafte. After they departed fi:ome Madanino, and fayjed by the fpace of. xl. myles, they pafled not farre frome 
 an other Ilande which the captyues fayde to bee verye peopulous, and replenyflied with all thynges neceflarie 
 for the life of man. This they cauled Mons Serratus, bycaufe it was ful of mountaynes. The captyues 
 further declared that the Canibales, are wonte at fome tyme to goo frome theyr owne coaftes aboue a 
 thoufande myle to hunte for men. The daye folowynge, they fawe an other Ilande the whiche, bycaufe it was 
 rownde, they cauled Sancta Maria Botunda. The nexte daye, theye founde an other, which they cauled S. 
 Martini. Which they lette pafTe alfo bycaufe they had no leafure to tarye. Lykewyfe the thirde daye they 
 efpyed an other, whofe niametral iyAe. extendynge frome the Eafte to the wefte, they iudged to bee a hundreth 
 and fyftie myle. Theye afErme all thefe Ilandes to be maruelous fayre and frutefull. This lafte, they cauled 
 Sanda Maria Antiqua. Saylyng yet forwarde, and leauynge many other Ilandes, after they had fayled aboute fortie 
 myle, they chaunced vpon an other muche bygger then any of the refte, which th[e]inhabitan[t]s caule Ay Ay, but 
 they named it Infula crucis. Heare they caft anker to fetche frefflie water. The Admiral alfo commaunded. 
 XXX. men to go a lande out of his owne fhyp, and to fearch the Ilande Here they founde fowre dogges on the 
 
 I 2 69 
 
 Gossampine 
 cotton. 
 
 Bombase. 
 Hanginge beddes. 
 
 Images. 
 
 Fyne cookery 
 
 Arrowe heds of 
 bones. 
 
 The mount 
 Guadalupus. 
 
 Carucueria. 
 
 Popyngayes 
 bygger then 
 phesauntes 
 
 The Canibales 
 dryuen to ilyght 
 
 Matinino an 
 Ilande of women. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Mons Serratus. 
 
 Huntinge for men 
 
 Sancta Maria 
 Rotunda. 
 Sanctus Martinus. 
 
 Sancta Maria 
 Antiqua. 
 
 Insula crucis 
 An Ilande of the 
 Canibals. 
 
70 
 
 Thefyrji Decade. 
 
 The Canibales are 
 expert archers. 
 Arrowes infected 
 with veneme. 
 
 A conflict with the 
 
 Canibales. „ 
 
 7 
 
 The iiercenes 
 and terrible 
 countenaunce of 
 the Canibales. 
 
 MethymAa Campi 
 
 Innumerable 
 ilandes. 
 
 The mynes of 
 Metales and 
 predous stones. 
 
 The sea cauled 
 Archipelagus^ 
 Insula. S. 
 lohannes or 
 Buchena 
 
 Death for deathe 
 
 The mountaynes 
 are coulder then 
 the playnes. 
 
 From Dominica 
 to Hispaniola fyue 
 himdreth leagues 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 lefte in the Hand 
 are slayne. 
 Kynge 
 
 Guaccanarillus 
 rebelleth. 
 
 Two images of 
 goulde. 
 
 Libertie and 
 idlenes. 
 
 A happy kind of I 
 lyfe. 
 
 ftiore. The Inhabitants are Canibales, and maruelous experte in ftiutinge, as well women as men : And vfe to 
 infecte theyr arrowes with poyfon : when they had taiyed there two dayes, they fawe a farre of, a Canoa, in the 
 whiche were eight men and as manye women hauynge with them bowes and arrowes. They fearfly affayled 
 owre men withoute all feare, and hurte fum of them with theyr venemous arrowes. Amonge thefe there was a 
 certen woman to whome the other gaue reuerence and obeyde as though ftie were theyr queene. Her fonne 
 wayted vppon her, beinge a younge man, flrongly made, of terrible and frownynge countenaunce and a lyons 
 face. Owre men leafle they fliolde take the more hurte by beinge wounded a farre of, thowght it belle to ioyne 
 with them. Therfore with all fpede fettinge forewarde with their ores the brigantine in whiche they were fette 
 alande, they ouertumed their Canoa with a great violence, which beinge ouerwhelmed, they notwithllondinge, 
 as well the women as the men fwymininge, caile theyr dartes at owre men, thicke and threefowlde. At the 
 lengthe, gatherynge them felues together vpon a rocke couered with the water, they fowght manfully vntyll they 
 were ouercome and taken, one being flayne, and the queenes fonne fore wounded. When they were browght 
 into the Admirals fliippe, they dyd no more put of their fiemes and cruell countenances, then do the Lyons of 
 Libia when theye perceaue them felues to be bownde in chaynes. There is no man able to behowlde them, 
 but he Ihall feele his bowelles grate with a certen horroure, nature hath endewed them with foo terrible 
 menacynge, and cruell afpecte. This coniecture I make of my felfe and other which often tymes wente with me 
 to fee them at Methymna Campi. But nowe to retume to the viage. Proceadinge thus further and further, 
 more then fiue hundrethe myles, firfte towardes the Wellefouthewefte, then towarde the Southwell, and at the 
 lengthe towarde the Wefle northe wefte, they entered into a mayne large fea hauinge in it innumerable 
 Ilandes, maruelouflye differinge one frome an other, for fum of them were verye frutefuU and full of herbes and 
 trees. Other fum, very diye, barren, and rowgh with high rockye mountaynes of Hone, wherof fum were 
 of bright blewe or afurine coloure, and other glyfteringe white : wherfore they fuppofed them by good reafon to 
 bee the mynes of metalles and precious flones. But the rowghnes of the fea, and multitude of Ilandes 
 ftandinge fo thicke togyther, hindered them foo, that they cowlde cafte no anker leafte the bigger veffelles 
 fhulde runne vppon the rockes. Therefore they deferred the fearchinge of thefe Ilandes vntyl an other tyme 
 They were fo manye and floode fo thicke, that they coulde not number them. Yet the fmauler veffelles which 
 drewe no greate depthe, entered emonge them and numbered fortie and fyxe Ilandes. But the bigger veffelles, 
 kepte aloofe in the mayne fea for feare of the rockes. They caule the fea where this multitude of Ilandes are 
 fituate, Archipelagus. Frome this tracte proceadinge forrewarde, in the mydde waye there lyeth an Hand which 
 th[e]iiihabitantes caule Burichena, or Bucfiena. But they named it Infula S. lohannis. D)ruers of theym 
 whome we had delyuered frome the Canibales, feyde that they were borne in this Ilande : affirminge it to be 
 very peopulous and frutefuU, hauinge alfo manye fayre wooddes and hauens. There is deadly hatred and 
 continual battayle betwene them and the Canibales. They haue no boates to paffe from their owne coaft.es to 
 the Canibales. But if it bee their chaunce to ouercome them, when they make incurfion into theyr countreye 
 to feke their praye (as it fumtyme happeneth, the fortune of warre beinge vncerteyne) they ferae them 
 with like faufe, requitinge deathe for deathe. For one of theym mangeleth an other in pieces, and rofte them 
 and eate them euen before their eyes. They taryed not in this Ilande. Yet in the wefte angle therof, a fewe 
 of them went a lande for frefflie water, and fownd a greate and high howfe after the maner of their buylding, 
 hauinge. xii. other of their vulgare cotages placed abowte the fame : but were all lefte defolate, whether it were 
 that they reforted to the mountaynes by refon of the heate which was that tyme of the yeare, and to retume to 
 the playne when the ayre waxeth cowlder, or els for feare of the Canibales which make incurfion into the Ilande 
 at certen feafons. In all this Ilande is only one kinge. The fouth fyde hereof extendeth abowte two hundrethe 
 myles. Shortlye after, they came to the Ilande oi Hifpaniola, beinge diftante frome the firfte Ilande of the 
 Canibales, fyue hundrethe leaques. Here they fownde all thynges out of order, and theyr felowes flayne which 
 they lefte here at their fyrfte vyage. In the beginninge of Hifpaniola, (hauinge in it many regions and 
 kyngedomes as we haue fayde) is the region of Xamana whofe kinge is named Guaccanarillus. This 
 Guaccanarillus ioyned frendeftiippe with owre men at the fyrfte viage, and made a league with them: But 
 in the abfence of the Admirall, he rebelled, and was the caufe of owre mens deftruction, althowgh he diffimuled 
 the fame, and pretended firendlhip at the Admirales retume. As owre men fayled on yet a litle further, they 
 efpied a longe Canoa with many ores, in which was the brother of Guaccanarillus with only one man waytinge on 
 hym. He browght with hym two Images of goulde, which he gaue the Admirall in the name of his brother. 
 And towlde a tale in his language as conceminge the deathe of owre men, as they proued afterwarde, but at 
 this tyme had no regarde to his communication for lacke of mterpretours, which were eyther all deade or 
 efcaped or ftoulne awaye when they drewe nere the Ilandes. But of the. x. [ten.] vii. [seuen] dyed by change of 
 ayre and dyet The inhabitantes of thefe Ilandes haue byn euer foo vfed to liue at libertie, in playe and paftyme, 
 that they can hardely away with the yoke of feraitude which they attempte to fliake of by all meanes they maye. 
 And furely if they had receaued owre religion, I wolde thinke their life mofte happye of all men, if they might 
 1° 
 
The fyrji Decade. 
 
 71 
 
 I 
 
 therwith enioye their aunciente libertie. A fewe thinges contente them, hauinge no delite in fuche fuperfluites, 
 for the which in other places men take infinite paynes and commit manie vnlawfull actes, and yet are neuer 
 fatiffied, wheras many haue to muche, and none inowgh. But emonge thefe fimple fowles, a fewe clothes feme 
 the naked: weightes and meafures are not needefull to fuch as can not (kyll of crafte and deceyte and haue not 
 the vfe of peftiferous monye, the feede of innumerable myfcheues. So that if we (hall not be aftiamed to 
 confeffe the truthe, they feeme to lyue in that goulden worlde of the whiche owlde wryters fpeake fo much: 
 wherin men lyued fimplye and innocentlye without inforcement of lawes, without quarrellinge ludges and 
 libelles, contente onely to fatiffie nature, without further vexation for knowelege of thinges to come. Yet thefe 
 naked people alfo are tormented with ambition for the defyre they haue to enlarge their dominions : by reafon 
 wherof they kepe warre and dellroy one an other: from the which plage I fuppofe the golden world was not 
 free. JFor euen then alfo. Cede, non cedam, that is, gyue place, and I wyll not giue place, had entred emonge 
 men. But nowe to returne to the matter from which we haue digreffed. The admiral defyrous to knowe 
 further of the death of his men, fent for Guaccanarillus to come to him to his fhip, diffimulinge that he knew 
 any thinge of the matter. After that he came aboord fliyp, laluting the Admiral and his company gyuing alfo 
 certen golde to the Capetaynes and ofiycers, turned him to the women captiues which not longe before our 
 men had deliuered from the Canibales. And emeftly beholding one of them whome owre men cauled Catharyne, he 
 fpake gentelly vnto her. And thus when he had feene and marueyled at the horfes and fuche other thinges as 
 were in the fliyppe, vnknowen to them, and had with a good grace and merelye afked leaue of the Admirall, he 
 departed. Yet fum there were which counfeyled the Admirall to kepe hym llyll : that if they might by any 
 meanes proue that he was confentinge to the deathe of owre men, he might bee punifhed accordinglie. But 
 the Admirall confidering that it was yet no tyme to incenfe th[e]inhabitantes myndes to wrathe, dyfmyffed 
 hjon. The next daye folowing, the kinges brother refortyng to the fliyppes, eyther in his owne name or in his 
 brothers, feduced the women. For on the next nyght about mydnight, this Katherine afwell to recouer her 
 owne libertie as alfo her felowes, being fubomed therto eyther by the kinge or his brothers promifes attempted 
 a much more difficulte and daungerous aduenture then dyd Cloelia of Rome, which beinge in hoftage with other 
 maydes to the kynge Porcena, deceaued her kepers, and rode ouer the lyuer Tiber, with the other virgins 
 which were pledges with her. For wheras they fwamme ouer the ryuer on horfebacke. This Kathaiyne with 
 feuen other women, truft5mge onlye to the ftrengthe of the}^: owne armes, fwamme aboue three longe myles : 
 and that alfo, at fuche tyme as the fea was fumwhat rowghe. For euen foo farre of frome the fliore, lay the 
 fliippes at rode, as nigh as they could coniecture But owre men folowinge them with the fhippeboates, by the fame 
 light feene on the fliore wherby the women were ledde, tooke three of them : fuppofmge that Katharyne with 
 the other foure, went- to Guaccanarillus. For in the fpringe of the mominge, certen meffengers beinge fente to 
 hym by the Admirall, had intelligence that he was fledde with all his familie and ftuffe, and the women alfo. 
 which thinge miniflxed further fufpection that he was confentinge to the death of owre men. Wherfore the 
 Admirall fente forthe an armye of three hundrethe men, ouer the which he appoynted one Melchior to be 
 capitayne, wylling him to make diligent fearche to fynde owte Guaccanarillus. Melchior therfore with the 
 finaulefte veffels enteringe into the countreye by the ryuers and fcouringe the fliores, chaunced into certen 
 croked goulfes defended with, v lyttle and fliepe hilles, fuppofinge that it had bjm the mouth of fum greate 
 ryuer. He founde here alfo a veiye commodious and fafe hauen, and therefore named it Partus Regalis. 
 They iaye that the enteraunce of this is fo crooked and bendinge, that after the fliippes are once within the 
 lame, whether they turne them to the lefte hand, or to the ryght, they can not perceaue where they came in 
 vntyll they returne to the mouth of the ryuer : Although it be there fo brode that three of the byggefte veifels 
 may layle together on a froont. The fliarpe and high hilles on the one fyde and on the other, fo brake the 
 wynde, that they were vncerten howe to rule theyr fayles. In the myddle gulfe of the ryuer, there is a 
 promontorie or point of the lande with a pleafaunte groue full of Popingayes and other byrdes which breede 
 therein and finge verye fweetlye. They perceaued alfo that two ryuers of no fmaule largenes fell into the hauen. 
 Whyle they thus fearched the lande betwene bothe, Melchior efpied a high houfe a farre of, where fuppofmge 
 that Guaccanarillus had lyne hyd, he made towarde it. And as he was goynge, there mette hym a man with a 
 frownynge countenaunce and a grymme looke, with a hundreth men folowynge hym, armed with bowes and 
 arrowes, and long and fliarpe ftaues like iauelynnes, made harde at the endes with fyre. Who approchyng 
 towardes owre men, fpake owte alowde with a terryble voyce, fayenge that they were Taini, (that is) noble men, 
 and not Canibales. But when owre men had gyuen them fignes of peace, they lefte bothe theyr weapons and 
 fiercenes. Thus geuynge eche of them certen haukes belles, they tooke it for fo greate a rewarde, that they 
 defyred to enter bondes of nere frendefliyppe with vs, and feared not immediatly to fubmitte them felues vnder 
 owre power, and reforted to our fliyps with theyr prefentes. They that meafured the houfe (beinge made in 
 rounde forme) fownde it to be from fyde to fyde. xxxii. greate paces, compafed abowte with. xxx. other vulgare 
 houfes, hauinge in them many beames crofle ouer, and couered with reedes of fundry colours, wrethed and as it 
 
 Superfluite. 
 
 Many haue to 
 much and none 
 inough. 
 
 The goulden 
 worlde 
 
 Naked men 
 troubled with 
 ambicion. 
 
 Gyue place. 
 
 The Admiral 
 sendeth for the 
 kynge. 
 
 No horses in 
 the Ilandes 
 
 A tyme for all 
 thynges. 
 
 A desperate 
 aduenture of a 
 
 Cloelia of Rome. 
 
 Guaccanarillus 
 is sought. 
 Melchior. 
 
 Popingayes and 
 byrdes. 
 
 Taini. 
 
 Haukes belles. 
 A large hous 
 
72 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 Reedes of 
 sundry colours. 
 
 Cacci[c]us. 
 
 Hoiedus and 
 Gorualanus. 
 
 Golde in ryuei^ 
 faulinge from 
 mountaynes. 
 
 The maner of 
 gatheiing golde. 
 Graynes of golde. 
 
 A masse of rude 
 golde weighinge. 
 IX ounces. 
 
 Caunaboa, kynge 
 of the house of 
 gold 
 
 Holsome water 
 and plentie of 
 fysshe. 
 
 The day and nyght 
 of equal lengtu 
 in December. 
 Byrdes breed in 
 December 
 The eleuation 
 of the pole 
 The starres are 
 cauled gardens 
 of the pole. \Q 
 
 The Equinoctial 
 lyne. 
 
 J 
 
 A chapel and 
 preestes. 
 
 Marchaunts 
 Siropliemcians. 
 The Cynamome 
 tree. 
 
 Xiloaloes or 
 lignum Aloes. 
 
 were weaued with maruelous art When owre men aflced fum of them where they myght fynde Guaccanarillus. 
 
 They aunfwered that that Region was none of his. But theyr kynges beynge there prefente. Yet they fayde 
 
 they fuppofed that Guaccanarillus was gone from the playne to the mountaynes. Makynge therfore a brotherly 
 
 league with this Cacdcus, (that is' to faye a kynge) they retoumed to the Admyrall to make relation what they 
 
 hadde feene and harde : whervppon he fent forth dyuers other Centurians with their hundrethes to fearche the 
 
 countrey yet further. Emonge the which were Hoiedus and Gorualanus, noble younge gentlemen and of great 
 
 courage. And as they went towarde the mountaines to feeke Guaccanarillus, dyuidinge the mountaynes betwene 
 
 them, one of them fownde on the one fyde therof foure ryuers faulynge frome the fame mountaynes : and the 
 
 other founde. iii. on the other iyde. In the iandes of all thefe ryuers is fownd great plentye of goulde, which 
 
 th[e]inhabitantes of the fame Ilande which were with vs, gathered in this maner. Making holes in the fande 
 
 with theyr handes, a Cubette deape, and takynge vp fande with their lefte handes from the botome of the fame, 
 
 they picked out graynes of goulde with their ryght handes withowte any more arte or cunnynge. And fo 
 
 deliuered it to owre men : who affirme that many of them thus gathered, were as bygge as tares or fytchis. 
 
 And I my felfe fawe a maffe of rude goulde, (that is to fay, fuch as was neuer molten) lyke vnto fuche Hones as 
 
 are founde in the bottomes of ryuers, weighinge nyne ownces, which Hoieda him fehe fownde. Beinge contented 
 
 with thefe fignes, they returned to the Admirall to certifie him hereof. For the Admirall had commaunded 
 
 vnder payne of punyfhement that they Ihuld meddle no further then their commiffion : which was only to 
 
 fearche the places with their fignes. For the fame went that there was a certayne kynge of the mountaynes 
 
 from whenfe thofe r)aiers had their faule, whom they caule Cacicus Caunaboa that is, the lord of the houfe of 
 
 golde. For they caule a houfe Boa, goulde, Cauni : and a kynge or Lorde, Cacicus, as we haue fayde before. 
 
 They affirme that there can noo where be found better fyflhe, nor of more pleafant tail, or more holfome then in 
 
 thefe ryuers : aKo the waters of the fame to be moil holfom to drynke. Melchior hym felfe towld me, that in the 
 
 moneth of December, the days and nyghtes bee of equal length among the Canibales. But the fphere or circles 
 
 of the heauen, agreeth not thervnto. Albeit that in the fame moneth, fume byrdes make their nelles, and fume 
 
 haue alredy hatched their egges by reafon of the heate beinge rather continuall then extreme. He towlde me 
 
 alfo when I queflioned with hym as concemynge the eleuation of the pole from the horizontal lyne, that 
 
 al the fterres cauled Plajirum or charles wayne, are hydde vnder the Northe pole to the Canibales. And 
 
 furely there returned none from thenfe at this viage, to whome there is more credit to be gyuen, then 
 
 to this man. But if he had byn Ikilfull in Aftronomye, he fliulde haue fayde that the day was almolle 
 
 equall with the night. For in no place towarde the ftay of the fonne (cauled Soljlicium) can the night 
 
 be equall with the day. And as for them, they neuer came vnder the Equinoctiall, for afmuch as they 
 
 had euer the northe pole theyr guyde, and euer eleuate in fight aboue the Horizontal. Thus haue I 
 
 briefely Written vnto yowre honoure, as muche as I thought fufficiente at this tyme. And fliall fhortly hereafter 
 
 (by Gods fauoure) wryte vnto you more largely of fuche matters as flialbe dayly better knowen. For the 
 
 admirall hym felfe (whome I vfe famylyerly as my verye frende) hathe promyfed me by his letters, that he wyl 
 
 gyue me knowlege of al fuch thynges as Ihall chaunce. He hath nowe chofen a flronge place where he may 
 
 buyld a Citie nere vnto a comodious hauen. And hath ahedy buylded many houfes and a chapell in the 
 
 whiche (as in a newe worlde heretofore voyde of all religion) god is dayly ferued with. xiii. preefles accordinge 
 
 to the maner of owre churches. When the tyme nowe approched when he promyfed to fende to the kynge and 
 
 queene, and hauynge profperous wynde for that purpofe, fent backe the. xii. Carauelles wherof we made mencion 
 
 before it was no finaul hynderance and greefe, vnto h)rm : Efpecially confyderynge the death of his men whom 
 
 he lefte in the Ilande at the fyrft vyage, wherby we are yet ignorant of many places and other fecretes wherof 
 
 we might otherwyfe haue had further knowleage. But as tyme fliall reueale them ageyne, fo wyll I aduertyfe 
 
 yowe of the lame. And that you may the better knowe by conference had with the Apothecaries and marchaunt 
 
 ftrangers Sirophmicians, what thefe Regions beare, and howe hotte theyr ground is, I haue fent you all kyndes 
 
 of graynes, with the barke and inner partes of that tree whiche they fuppofe to bee the Cinamome tree. And 
 
 yf it be your pleafure to tafte eyther of the graynes, or of the fmaule feedes the which you flioulde perceaue to 
 
 haue fawlen from thefe graynes, or of the wodde it felfe, touch them firfle foftely mouinge them to your lyppes. 
 
 For although they bee not hurtefull, yet for theyr exceffe of heate, they are fliarpe and byte the tongue, yf they 
 
 remayne any whyle theron. But if the tongue be blyfl.ered by taftynge of them, the feme is taken away by 
 
 diynkynge of water. Of the come alfo wherof they make theyr breade, this brynger fliall del)aier fume graynes 
 
 to your Lordeftiyppe bothe whyte and blacke : And therwith alfo, a Trunke of the tree of Aloes The which if 
 
 you cutte in peeces, you fliall feele a fweete lauoure to proceade from the fame. Thus fare you hartely 
 
 wel. From the courte of Methimna Campi. The thyrde day before the Calendes of May, Anno. Domini 
 
 M. CCCC. XCIIII. 
 
 f» 
 
The fyrji Decade. 
 
 13 
 
 C The thyrde boke of the fyrst Decade, 
 to Lodouike Cardinall of Aragonye and Neuie to the kynge. 
 
 Owe defyxe that folyflie Fhaeton fliulde ageine rule the Chariotes of the Sunne: And contende 
 to drawe fweete lycoures out of the harde flynte, wheras you requyre me to dyffcribe vnto 
 you the newe worlde, fownde in the wefle by the good fortune and gouemaunce of the 
 Catholike Princes Ferdinandus and HeUfabeth, your Vncle and Aunte : fliewyng me alfo 
 the letters of kynge Frederike your vncle, wrytten to me in the fame behalfe. " But fythe 
 you haue layde this burden on my backe, in whofe power it is to commaunde me to take 
 vppon me more then I am wel able. Ye bothe (hal receaue this precious ftone, rudely 
 clofed in leade after my maner of workemanfliyppe. Wherfore when you fliall perceaue the lemed forte frend- 
 elye: The malicious, enuioufly: And the backebyters, furioufly, to bende theyr fclaunderous dartes ageynfl. 
 owre fayre Nimphes of the Ocean, you fliall freely protefl.e in howe fliort tyme, and in the myddefle of what 
 troubles and calamities, you haue enforced me to wryte of the fame. Thus fare you well frome Granata the 
 ninthe day before the Calendes of May. 
 
 f[ We haue declared in the boke here before, howe the Admirall paffed by the coaftes of the Canibales to 
 the Ilande of Hifpaniola with his whole nauie. But nowe we entende further to fliewe what he fownde as 
 concernynge the nature of this Ilande, after that he had better fearched the feacreates of the fame: Likewyfe 
 of the Ilande of Cuba nere vnto it which he yet fuppofed to bee the firme lande. Hifpaniola therfore 
 (which he affirmeth to bee Ophir, wherof we reade in the thyrde boke of the kynges) is of latitude, fyue fouthe 
 degrees: hauynge the northe pole eleuate on the northe fyde. xxvii. degrees: And on the Southe fyde (as they 
 feye) xxii. degrees. It reacheth in length from the Eafte to the Welle, feuen hundrethe and foure fcore myles. 
 It is diftant from the Ilandes of Gades (cauled Cales) xlix. degrees, and more as fum faye. The forme of the 
 Ilande, refembleth the leafe of a chefnutte tree. Vppon a high hyll on the North fyde of the Ilande, he 
 buylded a citie, bycaufe this place was moll apte for that purpofe by reafon of a myne of Hones which was 
 nere vnto the fame, feruynge well bothe to buylde with, and alfo to make lyme. At the bottome of this hyll, 
 is there a great playne of three fcore myles in lengthe : and in bredth fumwhere. xii. fumwhere. xx. myles where 
 it is brodell, and. vi. myles where it is narowell Through this playne runne dyuers fayre ryuers of holfome 
 waters. But the greatell of them which is nauigable, fauleth into the hauen of the citie for the fpace of halfe a 
 furlonge. Howe fertile and fruitfiill this valley is, you flial vnderlland by thefe thynges which folowe. On the 
 fliore of this ryuer, they haue lymyted and enclofed certeyne grounde to make gardeynes and orchiardes, in the 
 which al kyndes of bygger herbes, as rad3rlhe, letufe, colewortes, borage, and fuch other, waxe rype Avithin. xvi. 
 dayes after the feede is fowen. Lykewyfe Melones, Gourdes, Cucumers, and fuche other, within the fpace of. 
 xxxvi dayes. Thefe garden herbes, they haue freflhe and greene all the whole yeare. Alfo the rootes of the 
 canes or reedes, of the lycour wherof, fuger is made, growe a cubette high within the fpace of xv. dayes : but 
 the lycoure is not yet hardened. The lyke they affirme of plantes or Ihrouddes of younge vines : And that 
 they haue the fecond yeare gathered ripe and fweete grapes of the fame. But by reafon of to muche rankenes, 
 they beare but fewe clullers. Furthermore, a man of the countrey fowed a lyttle wheat about the Calendes of 
 February, and brought with hym to the citie a handefull of the rype eares of the fame the thyrde day t)efore 
 the calendes of Aprell: which was that yeare the vigile of the Refurrection of owre Lorde. Alfo, al kyndes of 
 pulfe, as beanes, peafon, fytches, tares, and fuche other, are rype twyfe in the yeare, as all they which come 
 from thenfe, afiirme with one voyce: Yet that the grounde is not vniuerfally apte to beare wheate. In the 
 meane tyme whyle thefe thynges were doinge, the Admirall fent owte a companye of. xxx. men to fearche the 
 Region of Cipanga, otherwyfe cauled Cibana This Region is full of mountaynes and rockes : And the myddle 
 backe of the hole Ilande in the whiche is greate plentie of goulde. When they that went to fearche the Region, 
 were returned they reported maruelous thynges as touchinge the great ryches of this Region. Frome thefe 
 mountaynes, defcende foure greate ryuers, which by the maruelous induHrye of nature, deuided the hole Ilande 
 into foure partes, in maner equall, ouerfpreadinge and wateringe the hole Ilande with their branches. Of thefe 
 foure ryuers, the one reacheth towarde the Ealle. This the inhabitantes caule lunna : An other, towarde the 
 Welle, and is cauled Attibunicus. The thirde towarde the Northe, named lachem: the laHe reacheth into the 
 Southe, and is cauled Ndiba. The daye before the Ides of Marche, the Admiral him felfe with al his horfe 
 men and foiure hundreth footemen, marched directly towarde the South fyde of the goulden Region. Thus 
 paffinge ouer the ryuer, the plaine and the mountayne' which enuironed the other fyde of the playne, he 
 chaunced vpon an other vale the which a ryuer muche bygger then the fyrlle, and many other meane ryuers 
 
 The fable of 
 Phaeton. 
 
 Kyn^e 
 
 Ferdinandus and 
 queene Helizabeth 
 
 Nereides. 
 He meaneth 
 the Ilandes. 
 
 Kispaniola. 
 
 11 
 
 Ophir whether 
 Salomons ships 
 sayled for golde. 
 
 Isabella. 
 
 A playne of 
 threescore mylei 
 of lengths. 
 
 A token of 
 maruelous 
 fruitfulnes. 
 
 Herbes grene al 
 the hole yeare. 
 Sugar reeds 
 plantes and vines. 
 
 Come and grayne 
 rype twise a yeare 
 
 The Region of 
 Cipanga or 
 Cibana. 
 Golde. 
 
 Foure greate 
 ryuers. 
 
 The golden 
 region of Cibana. 
 
The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 les and 
 luntaynes 
 
 le vale of 
 oana. 
 
 )lde for haukes 
 12 
 
 laynes and 
 pple stones of 
 Ide. 
 
 ley passe not 
 r golde, in that 
 is golde onely 
 Lt etc. 
 
 ones of golde as 
 '% as the heade 
 a chylde. 
 
 lyces. 
 
 ylde vines of 
 
 easaunte taste. 
 
 -uitful 
 3untaynes 
 
 aide in the 
 ndes of ryuers 
 ulinge from the 
 auntaynes. 
 ibertie and 
 ielnes. 
 
 le mountaynes 
 e coulde. 
 
 le Ilande of 
 iba. 
 
 ast any other 
 ince, &c 
 
 iscencion 
 tweene the 
 >rtugale5 and 
 taniardes. 
 
 le Ilandes of 
 tbouerde or 
 Lsperides 
 
 13 
 
 le Portugales 
 
 runne throwgh. When he had alfo conueighed his armye ouer the ryuer and paffed the feconde vale whiche 
 was in no part inferiour to the firfle, he made away through the thirde mountayne, where was no paffage before, 
 and defcended into an other vale which was nowe the beginninge of Cibana. Through this alfo runne many 
 fluddes, and ryuers, out of eueiy hyll, and in the fandes of theym all, is fownde great plentie of goulde. And 
 when he had nowe entered three fcore and twelue myles into the goulden region from the citie he entended 
 to buylde a fortreffe vppon the toppe of a hyll, (landing by the fliore of a certeyne great ryuer, that he might 
 the better and more fafelye fearche the fecreates of the inner partes of the Region. This he cauled the fortreffe 
 of faynte Thomas. The which in the meane tyme whyle he was buyldynge, th[e]inhabitantes beinge defirous 
 of haukes belles and other of owre thinges, reforted dayly thyther. To whom the Admirall declared, that 
 if they wolde brynge goulde, they fliulde haue what fo euer they wolde a(ke. Forthwith turnynge theyr 
 backes and runnynge to the ftiore of the next lyuer, they returned in a fliort tyme, biynginge with them 
 their handes full of goulde. Amongell al other, there came a owld man bringynge with him two pybble flones 
 of goulde weighinge an vnce, defyrynge them to gyue him a bell for the fame who when he fawe oure men 
 maruell at the byggenes therof, he made fignes that they were but fmaule and of no value in refpecte of fume 
 that he had feene. And takynge in his hande foure ftones the leaft. wherof was as bygge as a walnut, and the 
 byggeft as bygge as an orange, he fayde that there was fownde peeces of goulde foo bygge in his countrey, 
 beynge but halfe a dayes ioumey from thenfe, and that they had no regarde to the gatheringe therof. Wherby 
 we perceaue that they paffe not muche for goulde in afmuch as it is goulde only, but fo farre eileeme it, as the 
 hande of the artificer hathe fafhioned it in any coomely fourme. For who doth greatly eileeme rowgh marble 
 or vnwrought luerye. But if they be wrought with the cunninge hande of Phidias or Praxiteles, and fliaped to 
 the fimilitude of the fayre nimphes or fayeres of the fea (cauled Nereiades) or the fayres of the wods, (cauled 
 Hamadriades) they flial neuer lacke byers. Befyde this owld man, there came alfo dyuers other, brynginge with 
 them pypple ftones of gold weighing, x. or. xii. drammes : And feared not to confeiTe, that in the place where they 
 gathered that golde, there were found fumtyme ftones of gold as bygge as the heade of a chyld When he had 
 taryed heare a fewe dayes, he fent one Luxanus, a noble younge gentylman with a fewe armed men to fearche 
 all the partes of this Region. Who at his retiune, reported that th[e]inhabitantes ftiewed him greater thinges 
 then we haue fpoken of here before. But he dyd openly declare nothynge therof : which they thought was 
 doone by the Admirales commaundement. They haue wooddes full of certeyne fpyces : but not fuche as we 
 commonly vfe. Thefe they gather euen as they do golde : that is as much as wyl ferue for theyr purpofe, euery 
 man for hym felfe, to exchange the fame with the inhabitantes of other countreys adioyninge to them, for fuch 
 thinges as they lacke, as dyfflies, pottes, ftooles, and fuche other neceffaries. As Luxanus returned to the 
 Admiral, (which was about the Ides of Marche) he fownde in the wooddes, certeyne wylde vines, rype and of 
 pleafaunt tafte. But th[e]inhabitantes paffe not on them. This Region though it bee full of ftones and rockes 
 (and is therfore cauled Cibana, whiche is as muche to laye as a ftone) yet it is well replenyfhed with trees and 
 paftures. Ye they inftantly affirme, that if the graffe of thefe mountaynes bee cutte, it groweth ageyne within 
 the fpace of foure dayes, higher then wheate. And for as muche as many fhowers of rayne doo faule in this 
 Region, whereof the ryuers and fluddes haue their increafe, in euery of the which, golde is fownde myxte with 
 fande in all places, they iudge that the golde is dryuen from the mountajmes, by the vehement courfe of the 
 ftreames which faule from the fame, and runne into the ryuers. The people of this Region are gyuen to 
 Idelnes and playe. For fuche as inhabyte the mountaynes, fyt quakynge for coulde in the wynter feafon, and 
 had rather foo wander vppe and downe Idelly, then take the peines to make them apparell, wheras they haue 
 wooddes full of goffampine cotton. But fuch as dwel in the vales or plaines feele no coulde in wynter. When 
 the Admirall had thus fearched the beginninge of the region of Cibana, he repayred to Ifdbella (for fo he named 
 the citie) where, leauinge the gouemance of the Ilande with his deputies, he prepared hym felfe to fearch further 
 the lymettes of the Ilande of Cuba or Johanna, which he yet doubted to bee the firme lande, and diftant from 
 Hifpaniola, onely three fcore and ten myles. This dyd he with more fpeedy expedicion, caulyng to remem- 
 braunce the kinges commaundement, who wylled hym fyrft with all celeritie to ouer runne the coaftes of the 
 newe Ilandes, leafte any other prince fhulde in the meane tyme attempte to inuade the fame. For the Kynge 
 of Portugale affirmed that it perteyned only to hym to difcouer thefe vnknowen landes. But the byfhop of 
 Rome Alexander the. vi. to auoyd the caufe of this difcention, graunted to the Kynge of Spayne by th[e]auc- 
 toritie of his leaden bulles, that no other prince fhulde bee fo boulde as to make any viages to any of thofe 
 vnknowen regions, lyenge without the precinct of a directe lyne drawen from the North to the Southe a 
 hundreth leaques weftwarde without the paralelles of the Ilandes cauled Capud Viride, or Cabouerde, which we 
 thynke to bee thofe that in owlde tyme were cauled ffefperides. Thefe perteyfte to the kynge of Portugale. 
 And frome thefe, his pylottes whiche doo yearely fearche newe coaftes and regions, directe their courfe to the 
 Eafte, faylynge euer towarde the lefte hande by the backe of Aphrike and the feas of the Ethiopians : Neyther 
 to this day had the Portugales at any tyme fayled Southwarde, or Weftewarde from the Ilandes of Cabouerde. 
 
The fyrji Decade. 
 
 75 
 
 Preparyng therfore three fliippes, he made hafle towarde the Ilande of Johanna or Cuba whyther he came in 
 ftiorte fpace, and named the poynt therof where he fyrft arryued, Alpha and O : that is, the fyrile and the laile : 
 for he fuppofed that there had byn th[e]end of owre Eafle bycaufe the fonne fauleth there : And of the wefle, 
 bycaufe it ryfeth there. For it is apparente, that weflwarde, it is the beginninge of India beyonde the ryuer of 
 Ganges : And Eaftewarde, the furtheft ende of the fame : which thinge is not contrary to reafon forafmuche as 
 the Cofmographers haue lefte the lymites of India beyonde Ganges vndetermyned : where as alfo fume were of 
 opinion that India was not farre from the coafl.es of Spaine as we haue fayde before. Within the profpecte of 
 the begyimynge of Citba, he founde a commodious hauen in the extreme angle of the Ilande of Hifpaniola. 
 For in this part, the Hand receaueth a greate goulfe. This hauen, he named faynt Nycolas porte, beinge 
 fcarfely. xx. leaques from Cuba. As he departed from henfe and fayled weflwarde by the fouth fyde of Cuba, 
 the fiirther that he went, fo muche the more the fea feemed to bee extended in breadth and to bende towarde 
 the fouth. On the fouth fyde of Cuba, he fownde an Ilande which th[e]inhabitantes caule lamaica. This he 
 affirmeth to bee longer and broder then the Hand of Sicilie : hauyng in it only one mountayne, which on euery 
 parte begynninge from the fea, ryfeth by little and little into the myddefl. of the Ilande : And that foo playnely 
 without rowghnes, that fuche as goo vp to the toppe of the fame, can fcarfely perceaue that they afcende. This 
 Ilande he affirmed to bee very fruitfuU and full of people as well in th[e]inner partes of the feme as by the fliore : 
 And that th[e]inhabitantes are of quicker wytte then in the other Ilandes, and more experte artificers and 
 warrelyke men. For in many places where he woulde haue arryued, they came armed ageynft him and 
 forbodde him with threatening wordes. But beinge ouercome, they made a league of frendefliip with hym. 
 Thus departynge from lamaica, he fayled towarde the Wefte with a profperous wynde for the fpace of threefcore 
 and tenne dayes : thinkinge that he had pafled fo farre by the compaffe of the earth being vndemeth vs, that he 
 had byn nere vnto Aurea Cherfonefus (nowe cauled Malaccha,) in owre Eafle India beyonde the beginninge of 
 Ferfides. For he playnely beleued that he had lefte onely two of the twelue howres of the fonne, which were 
 vnknowen to vs, for the owlde wryters haue lefte halfe the courfe of the fonne vntouched, where as they haue but 
 onely difcufled that fuperficiall parte of the earth which lyeth betwene the Ilandes of Gades and the ryuer of Ganges : 
 or at the vttermofte, to Aurea Cherfonefus. In this nauigation, he chaunced on many furious feas, running with 
 a faule as it had byn the fl.reames of fluddes : Alfo many whorlepooles, and flielfes, with many other daungers, 
 and ftreyghtes by reafon of the multytude of Ilandes, which ley on euery fyde. But not regardinge all thefe perelles, 
 he determyned to proceade vntyl he had certaine knowledge whether Cuba were an Ilande or firme lande. Thus 
 he layled forward coaftinge euer by the fhore towarde the wefte for the fpace of CC. xxii. [two hundred and 
 twenty-two] leaques, that is, abowte a thoufande and three hundreth myles): And gaue names to feuen hundreth 
 Ilandes by the waye : Leauynge alfo on the lefte hande (as he feared not to reporte) three thoufande here and 
 there. But let vs nowe retume to fuche thinges as he fownde worthy to be noted in this nauigation. Saylinge 
 therfore by the fyde of Cuba, and fearchinge the nature of the places, he efpied not farre from Alpha and O, a 
 large hauen of capacitie to harborowe manye fhippes : whofe enteraunce is bendinge, beinge inclofed on bothe 
 fydes with capes or poyntes which receaue the water. This hauen is large within, and of exceadinge depthe. 
 Saylinge by the fliore of this porte, he iawe not farre frome the fame, two cotages couered with reedes, and in 
 many places fyer kyndeled. Here he fente certeyne armed men owte of the fliippes to the cotages : where they 
 fownde nother man nor woman, but roftemeate enowgh. For they fownde certeyne fpyttes of woodde lyenge 
 at the fyre, hauinge fyflie on theym abowt a hundreth pownde weight, and two ferpentes of. viii. foote longe a 
 piece, wherat marueylinge, and lokynge abowt if they coulde efpye any of th[e]inhabitantes, and that none 
 appeared in fyght (for they fledde all to the mountaynes at the comminge of owre men) they fell to theyr meate, 
 and eate the fyflie taken with other mens trauayle : But they abfteyned from the ferpentes, which they affirme to 
 differ nothinge from Crocodiles of Egypt, but onely in byggenes. For (as Fiinie fayth) Crocodiles haue fumetymes 
 byn fownde of. xviii. cubettes long. But of thefe the byggeft were but of. viii. fote. Thus beinge well refreflhed, 
 they entered into the next woodde where they fownde many of the fame kynde of ferpentes hangynge vppon 
 bowghes of trees : of the which, fume had theyr mouthes tyed with ftrynges, and fume theyr teethe taken owte. 
 And as they fearched the places nere vnto the hauen, they fawe abowte. Ixx. men in the toppe of a hyghe rocke, 
 whiche fledde as foone as they had efpied owre men. Who by fignes and tokens of peace, caulinge them ageyne, 
 there was one which came nere them and ftoode on the toppe of a rocke, feemynge as thowgh he were yet 
 ferefulL But the Admiral fent one Didacus to hym, a man of the fame countrey, whom he had at his fyrfte 
 vyage taken in the Ilande of Guanahaini, beinge nere vnto Cuba : wyllinge hym to come nere and not to bee 
 afrayde. When he harde Didacus fpeke to him in his owne tonge he came bowldly to hym : and Ihortly after 
 reforted to his company, perfuadinge them to come without all feare. After this meflage was doone, there 
 defcended frome the rockes to the fliippes, abowt three fcore and ten of th[e]inhabitantes, proferinge frende- 
 fliippe and gentelnes to owre men : whiche the Admirall accepted thankefuUy, and gaue them dyuers rewardes : 
 And that the rather, for that he had intelligence by Didacus th[e]enterpretoure, that they were the kynges 
 
 Alpha and O 
 
 The ende of the 
 Easte and west 
 
 Note. 
 
 India not far 
 from Spayne. 
 
 Saynt Nycolas 
 porte. 
 
 The Iland of 
 lamaica. 
 
 lamaica. 
 
 Quicke wytted 
 people. 
 
 The compaseinge 
 of the earth. 
 
 Aurea 
 Chersonesus, or 
 Malaccha. 
 A secreate of 
 Astronomie. 
 
 The ryuer of 
 Ganges. 
 
 Daunzerous 
 streightes by 
 reason of many 
 Ilandes. 
 
 The Admiral gaue 
 names to seuen 
 hundrethe Ilandes. 
 Thre thousand 
 Ilandes. 
 
 A large hauen 
 
 Rested fysshe and 
 serpents of. viii. 
 foote longe. 
 
 14 
 
 Crocodiles of 
 Egypte. 
 
 Didacus 
 th[e]interpretour. 
 
 The Ityngei 
 fysshers. 
 
 75 
 
76 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 icrpentes 
 steemed for 
 elicate meat 
 )phiophagi. 
 
 Jlossomes and 
 ruites bothe at 
 ine tyme. 
 
 frees which 
 >eare gourds 
 
 K multitude of 
 [landes. 
 
 tlotte water. 
 
 A. straunge kynde 
 of fysshynge. 
 A. huntynge 
 fysshe. 
 
 A.bundance of 
 tortoyses. 
 
 15 
 
 Fyssher men. 
 
 The fysshe 
 Guaicanum* 
 
 Humaine people. 
 
 A. mountaine 
 fruitefuU and well 
 bhahited. 
 
 Dogges of strange 
 ihape and dumme. 
 Duckes. 
 Elearons. 
 Streishtes. 
 
 fyflhers, fent of theyr lorde to take fyfflie ageynfl a folemne feafte which he prepared for an other kynge. And 
 wheras the Admirales men had eaten the fyfflie whiche they lefte at the fyre, they were the gladder therof, 
 bycaufe they had lefte the ferpentes. For there is nothinge amonge theyr deUcate dyfflies, that they efleeme fo 
 muche as thefe ferpentes : In foo muche that it is no more lawfuU for the common people to eate of them, then 
 peacockes or phefantes amonge vs. As for the fyflhes, they doubted not to take as many more the fame nyght. 
 Beynge aflced why they fyrft rolled the fyfihe which they entended to beare to their kynge. They anfwered, that 
 they might bee the freflher and vncorrupted. Thus ioyninge handes for a token of further frendefliip, euery 
 man reforted to his owne. The Admirall.went forwarde as he had appoynted, folowing the faulinge of the 
 fonne from the beginnmge of Cuba cauled Alpha and 0. The fliores or fea bankes euen vnto this hauen, albeit 
 they be ful of trees, yet are they rowgh with mountains. Of thefe trees, fume were ful of bloffoomes and 
 flowres, and other laden with fruites. Beyonde the hauen the lande is more fertile and peopulous, whofe inhabi- 
 tantes are more gentyll and more defyrous of owre thinges, For as fone as they had efpied owre fliippes, they 
 flocked all to the Ihore, brynginge with them fuche breade as they are accuftomed to eate, and gourdes full of 
 water, offeringe theym vnto owre men, and further defyringe them to coome alande. In all thefe Ilandes is a 
 certeyne kynde of trees as bygge as elmes, whiche beare gourdes in the ileade of fruites. Thefe they vfe only 
 for drinkynge pottes, and to fetche water in, but not for meate, for the inner fubftance of them, is fowrer then 
 gaule, and the barke as harde as any (helle. At the Ides of Maye, the watche men lokinge owte of the toppe 
 callell of the fhyppe towarde the Southe, fawe a multitude of Ilandes ftandinge thicke together, beynge all well 
 repleniflied with trees, grafle, and herbes, and wel inhabyted. In the fliore of the continent, he chaimced into 
 a nauigable ryuer whofe water was foo hotte, that no man myght endure to abyde his hande therein any tyme. 
 The day folowinge, efpying a farre off a Canoa of fylher men of th[e]inliabitantes, fearinge leaft they ftiulde flye 
 at the fyght of owre men, he commaunded certeyne to affayle them pryuily with the ftiyppe boates. But they 
 fearinge nothinge, taryed the comminge of owre men. Nowe flial you heare a newe kind of fyfliinge. Lyke 
 as we with greyhoundes doo hunte hares, in the playne fieldes. So doo they as it were with a huntyng fyflhe, 
 take other fyffties. This fyflhe was of Ihape or fourme vnknowen vnto vs : but the body therof, not muche 
 vnlyke a greate yele : hauinge on the hynder parte of the heade, a very towgh flcynne, lyke vnto a greate bagge 
 or purfe. This fyflhe is tyed by the fyde of the boate with a corde lette downe foo farre into the water, that the 
 fyfflie maye lye clofe hyd by the keele or bottome of the feme, for (hee may in no cafe abyde the fight of the 
 ayer. Thus when they efpie any greate fyfflie, or tortoyfe (wherof there is great abundance bygger then great 
 targettes) they let the corde at lengthe. But when flie feeleth her felfe loofed, fliee enuadeth the fyflhe or 
 tortoyfe as fwiftly as an arrowe. And where flie hath once fafl^ened her howld fliee cafl.eth the purfe of flcynne 
 wherof we fpake before: And by drawyng the fame togyther, fo grafpeleth her pray, that no mans ftrength is 
 fufiicient to vnloofe the fame, excepte by lyttle and lyttle drawinge the lyne, fliee bee lyfted fumwhat aboue the 
 brymme of the water. For then, as fone as flie feeth the brightnes of the ayer, fliee lettethe goo her howlde. 
 The praye therfore, beinge nowe drawen nere to the brymme of the water, there leapeth foodenly owte of the 
 boate into the fea foo manye fyffliers, as maye fuffice to holde fafle the praye, vntyll the refle of the coompany 
 haue taken it into the boate. Which thinge doone, they loofe fo muche of the cord, that the hunting fyflhe, 
 may agejme retume to her place within the water: where by an other corde, they let downe to her a piece of 
 the praye, as we vfe to rewarde greyhoundes after they haue kylled theyr game. This fyfflie, they caule 
 Guaicanum, But owre men caule it Reuerfum. They gaue owre men foure tortoyfes taken by this meanes : 
 And thofe of fuch byggenes that they almoft.e fylled theyr fyfthinge boate. For thefe fyfflies are eft.eemed 
 amonge them for delicate meate. Owre men recompenfed them ageyne with other rewardes, and foo lette them 
 departe. Beinge alked of the coompaffe of that lande, they aunfwered that it had no ende wellewarde. Moft. 
 inftantly defyringe the Admirall to coome alande: or in his name to fende one with them to falute their 
 Cazicus, (that is) their kinge : Affirmynge that he wolde gyue owre men many prefentes, yf they wolde goo to 
 hym. But the Admiral, leafte he fliulde bee hyndered of the vyage which he had begunne, refufed to goo with 
 them. Then they defyred to knowe his name, and towld owre men lykewyfe the name of theyr kyng. Thus 
 fayling on yet further euer toward the Weft, within fewe dayes he came nere v»to a certeyne exceding high 
 mountayne, wel inhabyted by reafon of the great fertilitie of the lame. Th[e]inhabitauntes of this mountayne, 
 browght to owre Ihippe, breade, goffampine cotton, cunnies, and fundry kyndes of wyldfowle : demaundynge 
 relygioufly of th[e]interpretoures, if this nation defcended not from heauen. The kynge of this people, and 
 dyuers other fage men that ftoode by hym, informed hym that that lande was no Ilande. Shortly after, 
 enteringe into one of the Ilandes beinge on the lefte hande of this lande, they fownde no body therin : for they 
 fledde al at the commyng of owre men. Yet fownde they there fowre dogges of maruelous deformed fliape, 
 and fuche as coulde not barke. This kynd of dogges, they eate as we do goates. Here is great plentie of geefe, 
 duckes, and hearons. Betwene thefe Ilandes and the continente, he entered into foo narowe ftreyghtes, that 
 he coulde fcarfely tume backe the fliippes : And thefe alfo fo ftialowe, that the keele of the fliyps fumtyme rafed 
 76 
 
The fyrji Decade. 
 
 77 
 
 on the &ndes The water of thefe ftreyghtes, for the fpace of fortie myles, was white and thycke lyke vnto 
 mylke, and as thowgh mele had byn fparkeled throwgh owte al that fea. And when they had at the lengthe 
 efcaped thefe ftrayghtes, and were nowe coome into a mayne and large fea, and had fayled theron for the fpace 
 of foure fcore myles, they efpyed an other excedinge hygh mountayne, whyther the Admirall reforted to ftore 
 his ftiyppes with frefflie water and fuel. Heare amonge certeyne wooddes of date trees, and pyneable trees of 
 excedyng height he fownd two natiue fprynges of frefflie water. In the meane tyme whyle the woodde was 
 cuttynge and the barrelles fyllyng, one of owre archers went into the wood Jo hunt: where he efpyed a certeyne 
 man with a whyte vefture, foo lyke a fryer of th[e]order of faynt Marye oiMercedis, that at the fyrfte fight he 
 fuppofed it had byri the Admiralles preefl,e which he browght with hym, beyng a man of the fame order. But 
 two other folowed hym immediatlye owte of the fame wooddes, fliortly after, he fawe a farre of a hole coompany 
 of men clothed in apparel, beinge abowte. xxx. in nomber. Then turning his backe and cryinge owte to his 
 felowes, he made hafle to the flijrppes with all that he myght dryue. Thefe apparelled men, made fignes and 
 tokens to hym to tary and not to bee afrayde. But that notwithHandinge, he ceafed not to flye. The Admirall 
 beinge aduertifed hereof, and not a lyttle reioyfynge that he had fownde a ciuile people, incontinently fent 
 forth armed men, with commaundement, that yf neede fliould foo requyre, they fliulde enter fortie myles into 
 the Ilande, vntyl they myght fynde eyther thofe apparelled men, or other inhabitantes of that countrey. When 
 they hadde pafled ouer the woodde, they came into a greate playne full of graffe and herbes, in which appeared 
 no token of any pathe way. Here attemptinge to goo throwgh the graife and herbes, they were foo entangled 
 and bewrapte therin, that they were fcarfely able to pafTe a myle, the graife beinge there lyttle lower then owre 
 rype come. Beinge therfore weryed, they were enforced to returne ageyne, fyndyng no pathe way. The day 
 folowing he fent foorth. xxv. armed men an other way: Commaunding them to make diligent fearche and 
 inquifition what maner of people inhabited the land. Who departinge, when they had fownde not farre from 
 the fea fyde certeyne fteppes of wylde beaft.es, of the which they fufpected fum to bee of Lyons feete being 
 ftriken with feare, returned backe ageyne. As they came they fownde a woodde in the which were many 
 natiue vines here and there crepinge abowte highe trees, with many other trees bearinge aromaticall fruites and 
 fpyces. Of thefe vines they browght with them into Spaine many clufters of grapes very ponderous and full of 
 lycoure. But of the other fruites, they browght none bycaufe they putrified by the waye in the ftiippe, and were 
 cafl.e into the fea. They feye alfo that in the laundes or medowes of thofe wooddes, they lawe flockes of greate. 
 cranes twyfe as bygge as owres. As he went forward and turned his fayles towarde certeyne other mountaines, 
 he eQ)ied two cotages on the fliore, in the whiche he fawe onely one man : who beinge browght to the fliyppe, 
 fignified with heade, fyngers, and by al other fignes, that he coulde deuife that the lande which lay beyonde 
 thofe mounta3mes, was very ftill of people. And as the Admirall drewe nere the fliore of the fame, there mette 
 hym certeyne Canoas hauinge in them many people of the countrey, who made fignes and tokens of peace and 
 frendefliyp. But here Didacus th[e]interpretour whiche vnderiloode the language of th[e]inhabitantes of the 
 beginning of Cuba, vnderftode not them one whytte, wherby they confydred that in fundry prouinces of Cuba, 
 were fundry languages He had alfo intelligence, that in the inlande of this Region, was a kynge of greate 
 power, and accuftomed to weare apparell. He fayth that all the tracte of this fliore, was drowned with water 
 and full of mudde, befette with many trees, after the maner of owre maryflhes, yet whereas in this place they 
 wente alande for frefflie water, they fownde many of the fliel fyfflies in the whiche pearles are gathered. But 
 that coulde not caufe the Admirall to tracte the tyme there, entendinge at this viage, only to proue howe many 
 landes and feas he coulde difcouer accordinge to the kynges commaundement. As they yet proceded forwarde, 
 they iawe here and there al the waye alonge by the fliore, a great fmoke ryfmge, vntyll they came to an other 
 mountayne foure fcore myles diftant There was no rocke or hyll that coulde be feene, but the fame was all 
 of a fmoke. But whether thefe fyers were made by th[e]inhabitantes for their neceflary bufynes, or as we are 
 wont to fette beacons on fyre when we fufpecte th[e]approche of owre enemies, thereby to gyue waminge to 
 theyr neyghbours to bee in a redines, and gather togyther if perhappes owre men fliulde attempte any thinge 
 ageynft them, or otherwyfe as feemethe moft lykely, to'caule them togyther as to a wonder to behould owre 
 fliippes, they knewe yet no certentie. In this tracte, the fliores bended fumetyme towarde the Southe, and 
 fumetyme towarde the Wefte and weftefouthweft : And the fea was euery where entangeled with Ilandes : by 
 reafon whereof, the keeles of the fliippes often tymes rafed the fandes for flialownes of the water: So that the 
 fliyppes beinge very fore brufed and appayred, the fayles, cables, and other tackelinges, in maner rotten, and 
 the vytayles, (efpecially the byflcette breade) corrupted by takynge water at the riftes euyll clofed, the Admirall 
 was enforced to tume backe ageyne. This lafte poynte where he touched of Cuba (not yet beinge knowen to 
 be an Ilande) he cauled Euangelijia. Thus turning his fayles toward other Ilandes lyinge not farre from the 
 fuppofed continente, he chaunced into a mayne fea where was fuche a multitude of greate tortoyfes, that 
 fumtyme they flayed the fliyppes. Not longe after, he entered into a gulfe of whyte water, lyke vnto that 
 wherof we fpake before. At the length fearing the flielfes of the Hands, he returned to the fliore of Cuba by 
 
 Whyte and thicke 
 water. 
 
 Wooddes of date 
 trees. 
 
 Men appareled 
 like white fryers. 
 
 16 
 
 Grasse almost as 
 hyghe as come. 
 
 Steppes of wyld 
 bea^tes feete. 
 
 Natiue vines 
 
 Trees bearinge 
 spaces and sweete 
 fruites. 
 Greate Cranes. 
 
 Dyuers languages 
 in tbe Ilande of 
 Cuba. 
 
 Pearles in 
 
 sbelfysshes. 
 
 The sea entangeled 
 with Ilandes 
 
 Euangelista. 
 
 A multitude of 
 great tortoyses 
 
'8 
 
 The fyrjt Decade. 
 
 goufe of whyte 
 
 Iter 
 
 umaine people. 
 
 ock doues of 
 Dre pleasaunt 
 St then 
 rtriches. 
 
 17 
 
 lie humanitie of 
 reuerende owlde 
 )uemour. 
 
 n oration of the 
 iked gouemour. 
 
 heyr opinion of 
 le soul of man. 
 
 lesyre of golde 
 )unde that 
 hich religion 
 )ulde not fyndb. 
 'irttts post 
 umfnos. Qi'c. 
 
 he Hand as 
 3mmon as the 
 mne and water. 
 
 lie eolden 
 'orlde. 
 
 rouision without 
 imple diete 
 
 18 
 
 he Hand of 
 imaica. 
 
 [ispaniola. 
 
 'he Canibales. 
 
 the iame way which he came. Here a multitude of th[e]inhabitantes, as well women as men, reforted to hym 
 with cheerefuU countenaunce and without feare: bringynge with them popingayes, breade, water, and cunnyes: 
 But efpecially flocke doues much bygger then owres : which he affirmeth, in fauour and tafte, to bee muche 
 more pleafaunt then owre partryches. Wherfore where as in eatinge of them he perceaued a certeyne fauoure 
 of fpyce to proceade from them, he commaunded the croppe to bee opened of fuche as were newely kylled, and 
 fownde the fame full of fweete fpyces, whiche he argued to bee the caufe of theyr ftrange talle. For it ftandeth 
 with good reafon, that the flefflie of beaftes, ftiulde drawe the nature and qualitie of theyr accuftomed nuiyfliemente. 
 As the Admirall harde maffe on the fhore, there came towarde hym a certeyne gouemonre, a man of four fcore 
 yeares of age, and of great grauitie, althowgh he were naked fauinge his pryuie partes. He had a great trayne of 
 menne waytinge on hym. All the whyle the preefte was at maffe, he (hewed hym felfe verye humble and gaue 
 reuerente attendaunce with graue and demure countenaunce. When the maffe was ended, he prefented to the 
 Admirall, a bafkette of the fruites of his countrey, delyueringe the fame with his owne handes. When the 
 Admirall had gentelly interteyned hym, defyringe leaue to fpeake, he made an oration in the prefence of 
 Didacus th[e]interpretoure, in this effecte. I haue byn aduertifed (mofle mighty prince) that you haue of late 
 with greate power fubdued many landes and Regions hytherto vnknowen to you : and haue browght no little 
 feare vppon all the people and inhabitantes of the fame. The which your good fortune, you (hal beare with 
 lefTe infolencie, if you remember that the foules of men haue two ioumeyes after they are departed from this 
 bodye. The one fowle and darke, prepared for fuche as are iniurious and cruell to mankynde : The other 
 pleafaunt and delectable, ordeyned for them which in theyr lyfe tyme, loued peace and quietnes. If therefore 
 you acknowleage your felfe to bee mortall, and confyder that euery man fhall receaue condigne rewarde or 
 punyfhement for fuch thinges as he hath done in this life, you wyl wrongefully hurte no man. When he had 
 fayde thefe wordes and other lyke, which were declared to the Admirall by th[e]interpretoure, he marueylinge 
 at the iudgemente of the naked owlde man, anfwered, that he was gladde to heare his opinion as touchinge the 
 fundiy ioumeys and rewardes of fowles departed from theyr bodyes : Suppofmge that nother he, or any other 
 of th[e]inhabitantes of thofe Regions, had had any knowleage thereof. Declaringe further that the chiefe caufe 
 of his comminge thyther was to inflructe them in fuch godly knowleage and trewe religion : And that he was 
 fente into thofe countreys by the Chriflian kynge of Spayne (his lorde and maifler) for the fame purpofe : And 
 fpeciaUy to fubdue and puniffhe the Canibales and fuch other mifcheuous people : And to defende innocentes 
 ageynfl the violence of fuch euyl doers wyllynge hym and all other fuch as embrafed vertue, in no cafe to bee 
 afirayde : But rather to open his mynde vnto him, if eyther he, or any other fuche quiete men as he was, hadde 
 fufleyned any wronge of thejr neyghbours : and that he wold fee the fame reuenged. Thefe comfortable 
 wordes of the Admirall foo pleafed the owlde man, that notwithflandyng his extreeme age, he woulde gladly 
 haue gone with the Admiral as he had doone in deede, if his wyfe and chyldren had not hyndered hym of his 
 purpofe. But he marueyled not a lyttle, that the Admirall was vnder the dominion of an other: And muche more, 
 when th[e]interpretour towlde hym of the gloiye, magnificence, pompes, greate powre, and fumymentes of 
 warre of owre kynges, and of the multitudes of cities and townes which were vnder theyr dominions. 
 Intendyng therfore to haue gonne with the Admirall, his wyfe and children fell proflrate at his feete, with teares 
 defyrynge hym not to forfake them and leaue them defolate. At whofe pytifuU requefles, the worthy owlde man 
 beinge moued, remayned at home to the comfort of his people and famylie, fatiffyenge rather them then hym 
 felfe. For not yet ceafmge to woonder, and of heauy countenaunce bycaufe he myght not departe, he demaunded 
 ' oftentymes if that lande were not heauen, which browght foorth fuche a kynde of men. For it is certeyne, that 
 amonge them, the lande is as common as the fonne and water : And that Myne and Thyne (the feedes of all 
 myfcheefe) haue no place with them. They are contente Avith foo lyttle, that in foo large a countrey, they haue 
 rather fuperfluitie then fcarfenes. Soo that (as wee haue fayde before) they feeme to lyue in the goulden worlde 
 without toyle, lyuinge in open gardens, not intrenched with dykes, dyuyded with hedges, or defended with 
 waules. They deale trewely one with another, without lawes, without bookes, and without ludges. They take 
 hym for an euyll and myfcheuous man, which taketh pleafure in doinge hurte to other. And albeit that they 
 delyte not in fuperfluities, yet make they prouifion for th[e]increafe of fuche rootes, wherof they make theyr 
 breade, as Maizium, lucca, and Ages, contented with fuche fimple dyet, wherby health is preferued and 
 dyfeafes auoyded. The Admirall therfore departinge from thenfe, and myndinge to retume ageyne fhortly after 
 chaunced to coome ageyne to the Ilande of Jamaica beinge on the fowthe fyde therof : and coafled all alonge 
 by the fhore of the fame, from the Wefle to the Eafle. From whofe lafl comer on the Eafl fyde, when he fawe 
 towarde the North on his lefte hand, certeyn high mountains he knewe at the length that it was the fowthe fyde 
 of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, which he had not yet paffed by. Wherfore at the Calendes of September, enter- 
 inge into the hauen of the fame Ilande, cauled faynt Nycolas hauen, he repayred his fhippes to thFelintent that 
 he myght ageyne wafl and fpoyle the Handes of the Canibales, and bume all theyr Canoas, that thofe raueninge 
 wolues myght no longer perfecute and deuoure the innocent fheepe. But he was at this tyme hyndered of his 
 
 t8 
 
The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 79 
 
 purpofe by reafon of a dyfeafe which he had gotten with to muche watcliinge. Thus beinge feeble and weake, 
 he was ledde of the maryners to the citie of Ifdbella, where, with his two brytheme which were there, and other 
 his familiers, he recouered his health in fliorte fpace. Yet coulde he not at this tyme aflayle the Canibales, by 
 reafon of fedicion that was lyfen of late amonge the Spanyardes which he had lefte in Hifpaniola, wherof we 
 wyll fpeake more heareafter. Thus fare ye wel. 
 
 C The fourth booke of the fyrst decade 
 to Lodouike Cardinall of Aragonie. 
 
 Olonus the Admirall of the Ocean, returning (as he fuppofed) from the continent or firme 
 lande of Eaft India, had aduertifement that his brother JBoilus and one Peter Margarita, an 
 owld familier of the kinges, and a noble man, with diuers other of thofe to whom he had 
 left the gouemement of the Hand, were of corrupted mynde ageynft him, departed into Spayne. 
 Wherfore as wel to purge him of fuch crimes as they ftiuld ley to his charge, as alfo to make 
 a fupply of other men in the place of them which were returned, and efpecially to prouyde 
 for vitailes, as wheat, wyne, oyle, and fuch other which the Spanyardes are accuftomed to 
 eate, bycaufe they coulde not yet well agree with fuch meates as they fownde in the Ilandes, d'etermined fliortly 
 to take his vyage into Spayne. But what he dyd before his departure, I wyll brefely rehearfe. 
 
 The kynges of the Ilandes which had hytherto lyued quietly and content with theyr lyttle whiche they 
 thowght abundante, wheras they nowe perceaued that owre men began to fallen foote within theyr Regions and 
 to beare rule amonge them, tooke the matter fo greuoufly, that they thowght nothynge elles but by what meanes 
 they myght vtterly deftroy them, and for euer abolyfflie the memory of theyr name. For that kynde of men 
 (the Spanyardes I meane which folowed the Admirall in that nauigation,) was for the moft. parte vnruly, 
 regardynge nothinge but Idlenes, playe, and libertie: And wolde by no meanes abfteyne from iniuries: 
 Rauyihynge the women of the Ilandes before the faces of their hufbandes, fathers, and brethrene : By which 
 theyr abhomynable myfdemaynour, they difquieted the myndes of all th[e]inhabitantes : In fo much that where fo 
 euer they fownde any of owre men vnprepared, they flewe them with fuche fyercenes and gladnes, as thowgh 
 they had offered facryfyce to God. Intendynge therefore to pacific their troubled myndes, and to punyflie them 
 that flew his men before he departed from thenfe, he fent for the kynge of that vale, which in the booke before, 
 we defcrybed to bee at the foote of the mountaynes of the Region of Cibaua. This kynges name was Guarionexius : 
 who, the more llreyghtly to concyle vnto hym the frendefliyppe of the Admirall, gaue hys fyller to wyfe to 
 Didacus, a man from his chyldes age browght vp with the Admiral, whom he vfed for his interpretoure in the 
 prouinces of Cuba. After this, he fent for Caunaboa, cauled the lorde of the howfe of goulde : that is, of the 
 mountaynes of Cibaua. For this Caunaboa, he fente one capitayne Hoieda, whom the ditionaries of Caunaboa 
 had enforced to keepe his howlde byfiegeinge for the fpace of. xxx. dayes, the fortreffe of faynte Thomas, in the 
 which Hoieda with his fyftie fouldiers, ftoode at theyr defence, vntyll the comminge of the Admirall. Whyle 
 Hoieda remayned with Caunaboa, many ambaffadours of the kynges of dyuers Regions were fent to Caunaboa, 
 perfuadinge hym in no condicion to permitte tlie Chriftians to inhabite the Ilande, except he had rather feme then 
 rule. On the other ^axtt,' Hoieda aduertifed Caunaboa to goo to the Admirall, and to make a league of frendefliip 
 with hym. But the ambaffadours on the contrary part, threatened hym, that yf he wolde foo doo, the other kynges 
 wolde inuade his Region. But Hoieda aunfwered theym ageyne, that wheras they confpired to maynteyne their 
 libertie, they fliuld by that meanes be browght to feruitude and deilruction if they entended to refift. or keepe 
 warre agemft the Cluiftians. Thus Caunaboa on the one fyde and the other, beinge troubeled as it were a 
 rocke in the fea, beaten with contrary fluddes, and much more vexed with the ftormes of his gyltie confcience 
 for that he had priuilie flaine. xx. of owre men vnder pretence of peace feared to coome to the Admirall. But 
 at the length, hauing excogitated this deceyte, to haue flayne the Admirall and his coompany vnder the colour 
 of frendfliippe if oportunitie wold foo haue ferude, he repayred to the Admiral with his hole familie and many 
 other wayting on hym, armed after theyr maner. Beinge demaunded why he browght foo greate a rout of men 
 with hym, he aunfwered that it was not decente for foo great a prince as he was, to goo foorth of his howfe 
 without fuche a bande of men. But the thinge chaunced much otherwyfe then he looked for. For he fell into 
 the fnares which he had prepared for other. For wheras by the way he began to repente hym that he came 
 foorthe of his howfe, Hoieda with many fayre wordes and promyfes, browght hym to the Admirall : At whofe 
 commaundement, he was immediatly taken and put in prifon : So that the fowles of owre men were not longe 
 
 Sickenesof to 
 much watchinge. 
 
 Easte India. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 rebelle in the 
 Admirals absence. 
 
 The kynges of the 
 Ilande rebell. 
 
 The Spaniardes 
 misbehauotir. 
 
 Guarionexius the 
 kynge of the 
 great vale 
 Didacus the 
 interpretour 
 Caunaboa, the 
 kynge of the 
 house of golde. 
 
 Capitayne Hoieda 
 
 19 
 
 Kynge Caunaboa, 
 had slain the 
 Spanyardes. 
 
 Caunaboa 
 cons^ireth the 
 Admiralles death. 
 
 Fayre words 
 make fooles fayue^ 
 
8o 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 Famine in the 
 llande of 
 hispaniola. 
 
 The hunger of 
 golde causeth 
 great famine. 
 
 The towre of 
 conception. 
 
 A masse of gold 
 weighinge. xx. 
 ounces. 
 
 from their bodies vnreuenged. Thus Cauncioa with all his familie beinge taken, the Admirall was determined 
 to runne ouer the llande. But he was certified that there was fuch famine amonge th[e]inhabitantes, that there 
 was alredye fyftie thoufande menne deade therof : And that they dyed yet dayly as it were rotton ftieepe : The 
 caufe wherof was wel knowen to bee theyr owne obllinacie and frowardnes. For where as they fawe that owre 
 men entended to choofe them a dwelling place in the llande, fuppofinge that they myght haue driuen them from 
 thence if the vytailes of the llande flioulde fayle, they determyned with them felues, not only to leaue fowing and 
 plantyng, but alfo to dellroy and plucke vp by the rootes euery man in his owne region, that whiche they had 
 alredye fowen of both kyndes of breade wherof we made mencion in the fyrft booke. But efpecially amonge 
 the mountaynes of Cibaua, otherwyfe cauled Cipanga, for as muche as they hadde knoweleage that the golde 
 which abundeth in that Region, was the cheefe caufe that deteyned owre men in the llande. In the meane tyme, 
 he fent foorth a Capitayne with a bande of men to fearche the fowthe fyde of the llande. Who at his retume, 
 reported that throwghe out all the Regions that he trauayled, there was fuche fcarfenes of breade, that for the 
 fpace of. xvi. dayes he eate nowght elles but the rootes of herbes, and of younge date trees, or the fruites of 
 other wylde trees. But Guarionexius, the kynge of the vale lyinge beneth the mountaynes of Cibaua, whofe 
 kjmgedoome was not foo wafled as the other, gaue owre menne certeyne vytayles. 
 
 Within a fewe dayes after, bothe that the ioumeys myght bee the fliorter, and alfo that owre men myght haue 
 more lafe places of refuge, if the inhabitantes fliuld hereafter rebell in lyke maner, he buylded an other fort[r]effe 
 (whiche he cauled the towre of Conception) betwene the citie of Ifabella and faint Thomas fortreffe, in the 
 marches of the kyngdome of this Guarionexius within the precincte of Cibaua vpon the fyde of a hyll, hauynge 
 a fayre ryuer of holfome water runnynge hard by the fame. Thus when the inhabitantes fawe newe buyldynges 
 to bee dayly erected, and owre fliippes lying in the hauen rotten and halfe broken, they beganne to defpayre of 
 any hope of libertie, and wandered vp and downe with heuie chere. From the towre of Conception, fearchynge 
 diligently the inner partes of the mountaynes of Cibaua, there was a certeine kyng whiche gaue them a maffe 
 of rude golde, as bygge as a mans fyft, weighing, xx. vnces. This golde was not fownde in the banke of that 
 ryuer, but in a heape of drye earthe : and was lyke vnto the ftone cauled Tofus, whiche is foone refolued into 
 fande. This maffe of golde, I my felfe lawe in Caftile, in the famous citie of Methymna Campi, where the 
 courte lay all that wynter. I fawe alfo a great piece of pure Elellrum : of the whiche belles and apothecaries 
 morters, and many fuche other veffels and inllrumentes maye bee made, as were in owlde tyme of copper of the 
 citie of Corinthus, This piece of EleBrum, was of fuch weight, that I was not onely with both my handes 
 vnable to lifte it from the grownde, but alfo not of ftrengthe to remoue it eyther one waye or an other. They 
 affyrmed that it wayde more then three hundreth pownde weight, after, viii. vnces to the pownde. It was 
 fownde in the howfe of a certen piynce, and lefte hym by his predeceffours. And albeit that in the dayes of 
 th[e]inhabitantes yet liuynge, Eldlrum was no where digged, yet knewe they where the myne therof was : but 
 owre men with muche adoo, coulde hardely caufe them to fliewe them the place, they bore them fuche priuie 
 hatred. Yet at the length, they browght theym to the myne, beyng nowe ruinate and ftopped with Hones and 
 rubbiflhe. It is muche eafier to dygge then is the iren myne : and myght bee reftored agein, if myners and 
 other woorkemen flcylfull therin, were appoynted therto. Not farre from the towre of Conception, in the fame 
 mountaynes, is fownd great plentie of Amber: and owte of certen rockes of the fame diflilleth a fubllance of 
 the yelowe coloure whiche the paynters vfe. Not farre from thefe mountaynes are many greate wooddes, in the 
 which are none other trees then brafile, whiche the Italians caule Verzino. But here perhappes (right noble 
 piynce) yowe wolde aike what flioulde be the caufe, that where as the Spanyardes haue brought owte of thefe 
 Ilandes certen fliyppes laden with brafile, fumwhat of goffampine cotton, a quantitie of amber, a lyttel golde, and fum 
 fpices, why they haue not broughte fuche plentie of golde and fuche other ryche marchaundies as the fruitfulneffe 
 of thefe regions feeme to promiffe. To this I anfwere, that when Colonus the admirall was lykewife demaunded 
 the caufe hereof, he made anfwere that the Spanyardes whiche he tooke with him into thefe regions, were gyuen 
 rather to flepe, pley, and ydleneffe, then to laboure: And were more ftudious of fedition and newes, then 
 defyrous of peace and quietneffe: Alfo that beynge gyuen to lycencioufnes, they rebelled and forfooke hym, 
 fyndynge matter of falfe accufations agaynll hym, bycaufe he went aboute to repreffe theyr owtragioufenes. By 
 reafon wherof he was not yet able to breake the power of the inhabytantes, and freely to poffeffe the full 
 dominion of the llande. And thefe hynderaunces to be the caufe that hitherto the gaynes haue fcarfely 
 counteruayled the charges. Albeit, euen this yere whyle I wryte thefe thynges at yowre requefte, they gathered 
 in twoo moonethes the fumme of a thoufande and twoo hundreth poundes weight of golde. But bycaufe we 
 intende to fpeake more largely of thefe thynges in theyr place, we wyll nowe retoume from whenfe we haue 
 digreffed. When the inhabitantes perceaued that they could by no meanes fliake the yoke from their neckes, they 
 made humble fupplication to the Admirall that they myght llande to theyr tribute, and apply them felUes to reincreafe 
 the fruites of theyr countrey, beinge nowe almofte wafted. He graunted them theyr requefte: and appoynted 
 fuch order that euery Region ftiulde paye their tribute, with the commodities of theyr countreys, accordinge to 
 
 Tofus. 
 
 Electrum is a 
 metall naturally 
 roixt of one portion 
 of golde and an 
 other of siluer 
 beinge of propertie 
 to bevn:ay poyson, 
 and was _ 20 
 therfore in 
 owlde tyme in ^ 
 greater estimation 
 then golde. 
 
 The myne of 
 Electrum. 
 
 An other kynde of 
 amber is taJcen out 
 of greate whale 
 fishes 
 
 Orpement or oker. 
 Wooddes of 
 brasile trees. 
 
 Causes of 
 hinderance. 
 Licenciusnes of 
 to much libertie 
 
 And this only 
 ^thered and not 
 digged out of the 
 bo£ of the mine 
 
 The people make 
 supplication to 
 stond to their 
 tribute 
 
 So 
 
The fyrji Decade. 
 
 8i 
 
 theyr portion, and at fuche tyme as they were agreed vppon. But the violent famine dyd frullrate all thefe 
 
 appoyntmentes. For all the trauayles of theyr bodyes, were fcarfely able to fuffice to fynde them meate in the 
 
 wooddes, whereby to fuileyne theyr lyues, beinge of long tyme contented with rootes and the fruites of wylde 
 
 trees. Yet manye of the kynges with theyr people, euen in this extreme neceffitie, browght parte of theyr 
 
 tribute: Mofte humbly defyringe the Admirall to haue compaffion of theyr calamities, and to beare with them 
 
 yet a whyle, \ntyll the Hand were reftored to the owlde Hate. Promyfmge farther, that that which was nowe 
 
 wantinge, fhulde then bee dowble recompenfed. But fewe of the inhabitantes of the mountaynes of Cibaua, 
 
 kepte theyr promyfe, bycaufe they were forer oppreffed with famine then any of the other. They faye, that the 
 
 inhabitantes of thefe mountaynes, differ no lefTe in maners and language from them which dwel in the playnes, 
 
 then amonge vs, the rufticalles of the countrey from gentylmen of the courte : wheras notwithftandinge, they lyue 
 
 bothe as it were vnder one portion of heuen, and in many thinges, much after one faflhion, as in nakednes, and 
 
 rude fimplicitie. But nowe lette vs returne to Caunaboa, the kynge of the howfe of golde, beinge ia captiuitie. 
 
 When he perceaued him felfe to be cafte in pryfon, fretinge and gratinge his teethe as it had bin a lyon oi Libia, and 
 
 dayely and nightlye deuifmge with hym felfe howe he myght bee delyuered, beganne to perfuade the Admirall, that 
 
 for as muche as he had nowe taken vnto his dominion the Region of Cipanga or Cibaua (wherof he was king) it 
 
 fliulde bee expedient to fende thyther a ganyfon of Chriftian men, to defende the fame from the incurfions of his 
 
 owld enemyes and borderers. For he fayde, that it was fignyfied vnto hym, that the countreye was wafted and fpoyled 
 
 with fuche incurfions. By this crafty deuife, he thought to haue browght to paffe, that his brother whiche was in 
 
 that regyon, and the other his kynfefolkes and frendes with their adherentes, ftioulde haue taken, eyther by 
 
 fleyghte or force, as many of owre men, as myght haue redeemed hym. But the Admyrall vnderftandynge his 
 
 crafty meanynge, fente Hoieda with fuche a coompany of men, as might vanquifhe the Cibauians, if they ftiulde 
 
 moue warre ageynfte them. Owre men had fcarfely entered into the Region, but the brother of Caunaboa 
 
 came agenfte them with an armie of fyue thoufande naked menne, armed after theyr maner with clubbes, 
 
 arrowes typte with bones, and fpeares made harde at the endes with fyre. He ftole vpon owre men beyng in 
 
 one of theyr howfes: and encamped rownde about the fame on euery fyde. This Cibauian, as a man not 
 
 ignorant in the difcipl)me of warre, abowte the diftance of a furlonge from the houfe, diuided his armye into 
 
 fyue batayles, appoyntinge to euery of them a circuite by equal diuifion : And placed the froont of his owne 
 
 batayle, directlye ageynfL owre men. When he had thus fet his batayles in good array, he gaue certeyne 
 
 fignes that the hole army fliulde marche forwarde in order with equal paces, and with a larome frefflily aflayle 
 
 theyr enemies, in fuch fort that none might efcape. But owre men iudginge it better to encounter with one of 
 
 the batayles, then to abyde the brunt of the hole army, gaue onfet on the mayne batayle aranged in the playne, 
 
 bycaufe that place was moft commodious for the horfemen. When the horfemen therfore hadde gyuen the 
 
 charge, they ouerthrewe them with the breftes of theyr horfes, and flewe as many as abode th[e]ende of the 
 
 fyght. The refidue beinge ftryken with feare, difparcled, and fledde to the mountaynes and rockes: from 
 
 whenfe they made a pytifull houlynge to owre men, defyringe them to fpare them: proteftinge that they wolde 
 
 neuer more rebelle, but doo what fo euer they woulde commaunde them, if they wolde fuffer theim to lyue in 
 
 theyr owne countrey. Thus the brother of Caunaboa beinge taken, the Admirall licenced the people to reforte 
 
 euery man to his owne. Thefe thinges thus fortunately atchiued this Region was pacified. Amonge thofe 
 
 mountaynes, the vale which Caunaboa inhabited, is cauled Magona, and is excedynge fruitful!: hauinge in it 
 
 many goodly fpringes : and ryuers, in the fande wherof, is fownde great plentie of golde. The fame yeare in 
 
 the mooneth of lune, they faye there rofe fuche a boyft[r]ous tempefte of wynde from the fowtheafte, as hath not 
 
 lyghtly ben harde of: The violence hereof was fuch that it plucked vppe by the roots what fo euer greate trees 
 
 were within the reache of the force therof. When this whirle wynde came to the hauen of the citie, it beate 
 
 downe to the bottome of the fea, three fhippes which lay at anker, and broke the cables in fundre : and that 
 
 (which is the greater maruail) without any ftorme or rowghnes of the fea, onely tumyhge them three or foure 
 
 tymes abowte. The inhabitantes alfo affirme, that the fame yeare, the fea extended it felfe further in to the 
 
 lande, and rofe higher then euer it dyd before by the memory of man, by the fpace of a cubet. The people 
 
 therfore, muttered amonge them felues, that owre nation hadde trowbled the elementes, and caufed fuch 
 
 portentous fignes. Thefe tempeftes of the ayer (which the Grecians caule Tiphones, that is, whyrle wyndes) 
 
 they caule, Furacanes: which they fay, doo often tymes chaunce in this Ilande: But that neyther they nor 
 
 theyr great grandfathers euer fewe fuche violent and furious Furacanes, that plucked vppe greate trees by the 
 
 rootes: Neyther yet fuche furges and vehement motions on the fea, that foo wafted the lande. As in deede it 
 
 may appeare, for as muche as, where fo euer the fea bankes are nere to any plaine there are in maner euery 
 
 where, floriftiing medowes reachinge euen vnto the fliore. But nowe let vs returne to Caunaboa. As kynge 
 
 Caunaboa therefore and his brother flioulde haue binne browght into Spayne, they dyed by the waye for verye 
 
 penfyuenes and anguyflie of mynde. The Admiral, whofe fliippes were drowned in the forfayde tempefte, 
 
 perceauinge him felfe to bee nowe enclofed, commaunded foorthwith two other fliippes (which the Spaniardes 
 
 EOEN. '^ 
 
 Famine. 
 
 The nature of the 
 Region disposeth 
 the maner of the 
 people. 
 
 Kynge Caunaboa 
 in captiuitie. 
 
 The persuasion 
 of Caunaboa. 
 
 21 
 
 Caunaboa his 
 brother rebelleth. 
 
 A conflict betwenc 
 The Cibauians and 
 the Spanyardes. 
 
 The Cibauians 
 haue the 
 ouerthrowe. 
 
 8i 
 
 A great tempest 
 in the monem 
 of lune. 
 
 Three ships 
 drowned lyinge 
 atanlcer 
 
 Whyrle wyndes 
 Furacanes. 
 
 The death of 
 kynge Caunaboa 
 and nis brother. 
 
o^ 
 
 I rw jyrjt j^Kouua. 
 
 The golde mynes 
 of Salomon. 
 
 Golde in the 
 superficiall partes 
 of the earth. 
 
 The Admiral 
 taketh his viage 
 CO spaine 
 
 The golden towre. 
 
 Lacke of vytayles. 
 
 caule Carauelas) to bee made. For he had with hym, all maner of artificers perteyninge therunto. Whyle thefe 
 thinges were dooinge, he fent foorth JBartholomeus Colonus his brother, beinge leauetenaunt of the Ilande, 
 with an army of men to fearche the golde mynes beinge dyftant three fcore leaques from the citie of Ifabella, 
 which were fownde by the conducte of certeyne people of the Ilande, beefore-the mynes of Cipanga or Cibatia 
 were knowen. In thefe mynes, they fownde certeyne deepe pittes which had byn digged in owlde tyme, owte 
 of thefe pyttes, the Admirall (who affirmeth this Ilande of Hifpaniola to bee Ophir, as we haue fayde before) 
 fuppofeth that Salomon the kynge of Hierufalem had his greate ryches of golde wherof we reede in the owlde 
 teftamente : And that his Ihippes fayled to this Ophir by the goulfe of Perfia cauled Sinus Perficus. But 
 whether it bee foo or not, it lyeth not in me to iudge, but in my opinion it is farre of As the myners dygged 
 the fuperficiall or vppermoft parte of the earthe of the mynes, duiynge for the fpace of vi. miles, aad in dyuers 
 places fyfted the fame on the drye lande, they fownde fuch plentie of golde, that eueiy hyred labourer could 
 eafely fynde euery day, the weyght of three drammes. Thefe mynes beinge thus fearched and fownde, the 
 Lieuetenaunte certifyed the Admirall hereof by his letters. The which when he had receaued the. v. daye of the 
 Ides of Marche. Anno. 1495. ^^ entered into his newe Ihippes, and tooke his viage directly to Spayne to aduertife 
 the kynge of all his affayres, leauinge the hole regiment of the Hand with his brother the Lieuetenaunte, 
 
 CL The fyfte booke of the fyrst decade, 
 to Lodouike Cardinall of Kx2%om&. 
 
 Fter the Admyralles departyng into Spain his Brother the Lieuetenaunte, buylded a fort[r]effe 
 in the golde mynes, as he had commaunded hym. This he cauled the golden towre, 
 bycaufe the labourers fownde golde in the earth and ftone wherof they made the waules of 
 the fortreffe. He confumed three monethes in makynge the inftrumentes wherwith the 
 golde fliulde bee gathered, waflied, tryed, and molten. Yet was he at this tyme by reafon 
 of wante of vitayles, enforced to leaue all thjmges imperfecte, and to goo feeke for meate. 
 Thus as he with a bande of armed men, had entered three fcore myles further within the 
 lande, the people of the countrey here and there refortynge to hym, gaue hym a certen portion of theyr breade 
 in exchange for other of owre thynges. But he coulde not long tary here, bicaufe they lacked meate in the 
 fortreffe, whyther he hailed with fuch as he had now gotten. Leauyng therfore in the fortreffe a garryfon of 
 tenne men, with that portion of the Ilande breade whiche yet remayned, leauynge alfo with them a hownde 
 to take thofe kyndes of lyttle beafl.es which they caule Vfias, not muche vnlyke owre conyes, he returned to 
 the fortreffe of Conception. This alfo, was the moonthe wherin the kynge Guarionexius, and affo 
 Manicauiexius, bortherer vnto hym, fhulde haue brought in theyr tributes. Remaynynge there the hole 
 moonthe of lune, he exacted the hole tribute of thefe twoo kinges, and vytayles neceflary for hym 
 and fuche as he brought with hym, whiche were abowt foure hundreth in number. Shortely after, abowte 
 the calendes of lulye, there came three Caraueles from Spa3me, bringynge with them fundry kyndes of 
 vitayles, as wheate, oyle, wjme, bacon, and marckelmas beafe : whiche were dyuyded to euery man accord- 
 ynge as neede required. Sum alfo was left in the cariage for lacke of good lookyng too. At the arryuall 
 of thefe ftiyppes, the lieuetenaunte receaued commaundment from the kynge and the Admyrall his brother, that 
 he with his men fliulde remoue theyr habitation to the fowthe fyde of the Ilande, bycaufe it was nerer to the 
 golde mynes : Alfo that he flioulde make dilygent fearche for thofe kynges whiche had flayne the Chriftian men, 
 and to fende them with theyr confederates, bownd into Spayne. At the nexte vyage therfore, he fent three 
 himdreth captiues with three Kinges : And when he had dihgently fearched the coaftes of the fouth fyde, he 
 tranfported his habitation, and buylded a fortreffe there, vpon the toppe of a hyll, neere vnto a fure hauen. 
 
 This fortreffe, he cauled faynt Dominikes towre. Into this hauen, runneth a ryuer of holfome water, replenyflied 
 with fundrye kyndes of good fyfflies. They afiyrme this ryuer to haue many benefytes of nature. For, where 
 fo euer it runneth all thynges are excedynge pleafaunte and fruitfuU: hauynge' on euery fyde, groues of date 
 trees, and dyuers other of the Ilande frutes fo plentyfully, that as they fayled alonge by the fliore, often tymes 
 the branches therof laden with flowres and fruites, hunge foo ouer theyr heades, that they mi^jiite plucke them 
 with theyr handes. Alfo that the frutefulnes of this grownde, is eyther equall with the loyle of Ifabella, or 
 better. In Ifabella, he lefte only certeyne ficke men and fliippe wrightes, whom he had appointed to make 
 certeyne carauels The refidue of his men, he conueighed to the fowth, to faint Dominickes towre. After he 
 had buylded this fortreffe, leauinge therin a ganyfon of. xx. men, he with the remanent of his fouldiers, prepared 
 
 Himtinge 
 hoiindes. 
 
 Kynge 
 Manicautexius. 
 
 Vytayles browght 
 firom Spayne. 
 
 Saynt Dominikes 
 towre. 
 
 Groues of 
 date trees. 
 
 Isabella. 
 
 23 
 
The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 83 
 
 them felues to feaxche the mner partes of the Wefle fyde of the Ilande, hytherto knowen onely by name. 
 Therfore abowte. xxx. leaques, (that is) foure fcore and tenne myles from the fortreffe, he chaunced on the 
 ryuer Naiba, whiche we fayde to defcende from the mountaynes of Cibaua, ryght towarde the fowth, by the 
 myddeil of the Hand. When he had ouerpaffed this ryuer with a coompanye of armed men diuided into. xxv. 
 decurions, that is, tenne in a company with theyr capitaynes, he fent two decurions to the regions of thofe 
 kinges in whofe landes were the great woods of brafile trees. Inclyninge towarde the lefte hande, they fownde 
 the woodes, entered into them, and felled the hygh and precious trees, which were to that day, vntouched. 
 Eche of the decurions fyUed certeyne of the Ilande howfes with the trunkes of brafile, there to be referued 
 vntyll the fliyppes came which fliulde cary them awayl But the Lieuetenaunt directinge his iourney towarde 
 the ryght hande, not farre from the bankes of the ryuer of Naiba, fownde a certeyne kynge whofe name was 
 Beuchius Anacauchoa, encamped ageynft th[e]inhabitantes of the prouince of Naiba, to fubdue them vnder his 
 dominion, as he had doone manye other kynges of the Ilande, bortherers vnto hym : The palaice of this great 
 kynge, is cauled Xaragua : and is fituate towarde the Wefte ende of the Ilande, diflante from the ryuer of 
 Naiba. xxx. leaques. All the prynces -which dwell betwene the Wefte ende and his palaice, are ditionaries 
 vnto hym. All that Region from Naiba, to the furthefte marches of the wefte, is vtterly withowte golde, 
 althowgh it bee full of mountaynes. When the kynge had efpied owre men, layinge a parte his weapons, and 
 gyuinge fignes of peace, he fpake gentelly to them, (incerteyne whether it were of humanitie or feare) and 
 demaunded of them what they woolde haue. The Lieuetenaunte aunfwered: That he fliulde paye tribute to 
 the Admirall his brother, in the name of the Chriftian kynge of Spayne. To whom he fayde : Howe can yowe 
 requyre that of me, whereas neuer a Region vnder my dominion bringeth foorth golde. For he had harde, 
 that there was a ftrange nation entered into the Ilande, whiche made greate fearche for golde. But he fuppofed 
 that they defyred none other thynge. The leauetenaunt anfwered ageyne : God forbydde that we fliulde enioyne 
 any man to pay fuch tribute as he myght not eafely forbeare, or fuch as were not engendered or growinge in the 
 Region : But we vnderftand that your Regions brynge foorth great plentie of Goffampine cotton, and hempe, 
 with fuche other, whereof we defyre yowe to gyue vs parte. When he harde thefe woordes, he promyfed with 
 diereftill countenaunce, to gyue hym as muche of thefe thynges as he wolde requyre. Thus difmiflinge his 
 army, and fendynge meffengers beefore, he hym felfe accoompanyed the Leauetenaunte and browght hym to 
 his palaice, beinge dyftante (as we haue feyde). xxx. leaques. In al this tracte, they paifed throwgh the luris- 
 diction of other princes beinge vnder his dominion : Of the whiche, fume gaue them hempe, of no lefle goodnes 
 to make tackelinges for ftiippes then owre woodde. Other fume, browght breade, and fum goffampyne cotton : 
 And foo euery of them payde tribute with fuche commodities as theyr countreys browght foorth. At the lengthe 
 they came to the kinges manfion place of Xaragua. Before they entered into the palaice, a greate multitude 
 of the kynges feruauntes and fubiectes reforted to the courte, honorably (after their maner) to receaue theyr 
 kyng Beuchitis Anacauchoa, with the ftrangers which he browght with hym to fe the magnificence of his courte. 
 But nowe fhall yowe heare howe they were interteyned. Amonge other tryumphes and fyghtes, two are 
 efpecially to bee noted. Fyrfte there mette them a company of xxx. women, beinge al the kynges wyues and 
 concubines, bearinge in theyr handes branches of date trees, fmginge and daunfmge: They were all naked, 
 fauynge that theyr pryuie partes were couered with breeches of goifampine cotton. But the virgins, hauynge 
 theyr heare hangynge downe abowte their fliulders, tyed abowte the foreheade with a fyllet, were vtterly naked. 
 They aflSrme that theyr faces, breftes, pappes, handes, and other partes of theyr bodyes, were excedynge fmoothe, 
 and well proportioned: but fumwhat inclyning to a louely brown. They fuppofed that they had feene thofe 
 moft beawtyfuU Dryades, or the natyue nymphes or fayres of the fontaynes wherof the antiquites fpeake fo 
 muche. The branches of date trees which they bore in theyr right handes when they daunced, they delyuered 
 to the Leauetenaunt with lowe curtefy and fmylynge countenaunce. Thus enteringe into the kynges howfe, 
 they fownde a delycate fupper prepared for them after theyr maner. When they were well refreftied with 
 meate, the nyght drawinge on, they were browght by the kynges officers, euery man to his lodginge, accordyng 
 to his degree, in certeyne of theyr howfes abowte the palaice, where they refted them in hangynge beddes 
 after the maner of the countrey, wherof we haue fpoken more largely in an other place. 
 
 <[ The daye folowyng they browght owre men to their common haule, into the whiche they coome together 
 as often as they make any notable games or triumphes, as we haue faid before. Here, after many daunfynges, 
 fynginges, maflcmges, runnynges, wreftlynges, and other tryinge of maftryes, foodenly there appered in a large 
 plaine nere vnto the haule. ii. greate armies of men of warre, whiche the kynge for-his paftyme had caufed to bee 
 prepared, as the Spaniardes vfe the playe with reedes whiche they caule luga de Canias. As the armies drewe 
 neere together, they aflkyled the one the other as fierfely, as if mortal ennemies with theyr baners fpleade, fliulde 
 fight for theyr goodes, theyr landes, theyr lyues, their libertie, theyr countrey, theyr wyues and theyr chyldren. Soo 
 that within the momente of an howre, foure men were flayne, and many wounded. The battayle alfo ftioulde haue 
 contynued longer, if the kynge had not at the requeft of owre men, caufed them to ceafe. The thyrde day, the 
 
 83 
 
 The ryuer of 
 Naiba 
 
 Wooddes of 
 brasile trees. 
 
 Kinge Beuchius 
 Anacauchoa. 
 
 The palaice 
 of xaragua. 
 
 Mountaynes 
 without gold 
 
 Tribute. 
 
 The woolfe 
 entreateth the 
 sheepe. 
 
 Hempe and 
 gossampine cottoa 
 
 Howe the 
 Lieuetenant was 
 receaued at the 
 kynges palaice. 
 
 The kynges wyues. 
 
 Well fauered 
 women. 
 
 Dryades. 
 24 
 
 A delicate supper. 
 Hanginge beddes. 
 A common haule. 
 
 Apretie pastyme. 
 
 Foure men slaine 
 in sport 
 
84 
 
 The fyrjt Decade. 
 
 Prouision for 
 dueased men 
 
 The castels or 
 towres of 
 hispaniola. 
 
 The golden 
 mountaynes 
 of Cibaua. 
 
 Bonauum 
 Tribute. * 
 
 The kynges 
 rebelle. 
 
 Guarionexius 
 capitainepf 
 the conspiracie. 
 
 An army of xv. 
 
 thousande 
 
 Barbarians. 
 
 25 
 
 The kynges are 
 taken prisoners. 
 
 Kyn^e 
 Gnanonexius 
 is pardoned. 
 
 Lacke of vytayle; 
 
 Beuchius 
 Anacauchoa, the 
 kynge of Xaragua, 
 
 Lieuetenant confelynge the kynge to fowe more plentie of goflampine vppon the bankes nere vnto the waters 
 fyde, that they myghte the better paye theyr tribute priuately accordynge to the multitude of theyr howfes, he 
 repayred to Ifabella to vyfite the ficke men whiche he had lefte there, and alfo to fee howe his woorkes wente for- 
 warde. In the tyme of his abfence. xxx. of his men were confumed with diuerfe difeafes. Wherfore beinge fore 
 trowbled in his mynde, and in maner at his wyttes ende what he were befl. to doo, for as muche as he wanted al 
 thynges neceifarie as well to reftore them to healthe whiche were yet acrafed, as alfo vitayles to mayntaine the 
 hole multitude, where as there was yet no fliippe coome from Spaine, as at the length he determyned to fende 
 abrode the ficke men here and there to lundiye Regions of the Ilande, and to the caftelles which they had 
 erected in the fame. For directly from the citie of Ifabella to faynt Dominikes towre, that is, from the north to 
 the fouth, throwgh the Hand, they had buylded thus many caftelles. Fyrfte. xxxvi. myles diftante from Ifabella, 
 they buylded the caftell of Sperantia, from Sperantia. xxv. myles, was the caftell of faynte Catharine, from faynte 
 Catharines, xx. myles, was faynt lames towre. Other, xx. miles from faynte lames towre, was a ftronger 
 fortreffe then any of the other, which they cauled the towre of Conception: which he made the ftronger bicaufe it 
 was fituate at the rootes of the golden mountaynes of Cibaua, in the greate and large playne foo fruitefuU and 
 well inhabited as we haue before defcribed. He buylded alfo an other in the mydde waye betwene the towre 
 of Conception and faynt Dominikes towre. The which alfo was ftronger then the towre of Conception, bycaufe 
 it was within the lymittes of a great kynge, hauinge vnder his dominion fine thowfande men : whofe chiefe Citie 
 and heade of the Realme, beynge cauled Bonauum, he wylled that the caftell fliulde alfo bee cauled after the 
 fame name. Therfore leauynge the ficke men in thefe caftels and other of the Ilande howfes nere vnto the fame, 
 he hym felfe repayred to faynte Dominikes, exactinge tributes of all the kynges whiche were in his waye. When 
 he had taryed there a fewe dayes, there was a rumor fpredde, that all the kynges abowte the borders of the 
 towre of Conception, had confpyred with^defperate myndes to rebell agenfte the Spaniardes. When the 
 Lieuetenaunte was certified hereof, he tooke his iorneye towarde them immediately, not beyng difcoraged eyther 
 by the lengthe of the waye, or feeblenefle of his fouldyers, beynge in maner forweried with trauayle. As he 
 drewe nere vnto them, he had aduertifement that kjTige Guarionexius was chofen by the other prynces to bee 
 the Capitayne of this rebellion : And that he was enforfed therto halfe vnwilling, beynge feduced by tlieyr 
 perfwafions and prouocations. The whiche is more lykely to be trewe, for that he had before had experience of 
 the power and policie of owre men. They came together at a daye appoynted, accoompanied with. xv. 
 thoufande men, armed after their maner, once agen to proue the fortune of warre. Here the Lieuetenaunte 
 confultynge with the Capitayne of the fortrefle and the other fouldiers of whom he had the conducte, determyned 
 to fette vpon them vnwares in their owne howfes before they coulde prepare theyr army. He fent foorthe 
 therfore to euery kynge, a Centurian, that is, a capitaine of a hundreth, which were commaunded vppon a fudden 
 to inuade theyr howfes in the night, and to take them fleepinge, beefore the people (beinge fcattered here and 
 there) might aflemble togy then Thus fecreatly enteringe into their vylages, not fortified with waules, trenches, or 
 bulwarkes, they broke in vppon them, tooke them, bounde them, and led away euery man his prifoner according 
 as they were commaunded. The Lieuetenaunt hym felfe with his hundreth men, affayled kynge Guarionexius 
 as the woorthier perfonage, whom he tooke pryfoner as dyd the other capitaynes theyr kynges, and at the fame 
 howre appoynted. Foureteene of theym were browght the fame nyght to the towi^e of Conception. Shortlye after, 
 when he had put to death two of the kynges which were the chiefe autours of this newe reuolte, and had fubomed 
 Guarionexius and the other k)Tiges to attempte the fame : leaft the people for forowe of theyr kynges ftiulde 
 neglecte or forfake their countrey, whiche thinge myght haue byn greate incommoditie to owre men, who by 
 th[e]increafe of theyr feedes and fruites were oftentymes ayded, he freely pardoned and difmifled Guarionexius 
 and the other kynges. The people in the meane tyme flocked togyther abowte the towre, to the nomber 
 of fyue thowfande withowte weapons, with pytiful houling for the delyueraunce of theyr kynges: The ayer 
 thundered, and the earth trembeled throwgh the vehemencie of theyr owtcry The Lieuetenaunt warned 
 Guarionexius and the other kynges, with threatenynges, with rewardes, and with promyfes, neuer hereafter to 
 attempte any fuche thynge. Then Guarionexius made an oration to the people of the great power of owre men 
 of theyr clemencie towarde offenders, and liberalitie to fuche as remayne faithful!: defyringe them to quiet theyr 
 myndes : and from henfefoorth nother in deede nor thowght to interpryfe any thynge ageynft the Chriftians, but 
 to obeye and feme them, excepte they wolde dayly brynge them felues into further calamyties. Whe^ the 
 oration was fynyfhed, they tooke hym vp and fet hym on theyr fliulders, and foo caryed hym home to his owne 
 palaice. And by this meanes, this Region was pacified for a whyle. But owre men, with heauy countenaunce, 
 wandered vppe and downe, as defolate in a ftrange countrey, lackinge vytailes, and worne owte of apparell 
 whereas, xv. moonethes were nowe pafled fence the Admirals departure : duringe which tyme, they coulde heare 
 nothynge owte of Spayne. The Leauetenaunt comforted them all that he coulde with fayre wordes and promyfes. 
 In the meane tyme, Beuchius Anacauchoa, the kynge of the Wefte partes of the Region oi Xaragua (of whom 
 we fpake before) fente meflengers to the Lieuetenaunt to fignifye vnto hym, that he hadde in a redynes the 
 84 
 
Thefyrji Decade. 
 
 85 
 
 goflampine cotton and fuche other thinges as he wylled hym to prepare for the paymente of his trybute. 
 Whervppon the Lieuetenaunt tooke his iorney thyther, and was honorably receaued of the kynge and his fyfler, 
 fumtyme the wyfe of Caunaboa the kynge of Cibaua, bearing no leffe rule in the gouernaunce of her brothers 
 kyngedome, then he hym felfe. For they affirme her to bee a wyfe woman, of good maners, and pleafaunt in 
 company. Shee emeftly perfuaded her brother by th[e]example of her hufbande, to loue and obeye the 
 Chriftians. This woman was cauled Anacama. He fownde in the palaice of Beuchius Anacauchoa. xxxii. 
 kynges whiche hadde browght theyr tributes with them, and abode his comminge. They browght with them 
 alfo befyde theyr trybute aiTigned them, further to demerite the fauour of owre men, great plentie of vytayles : 
 as bothe kyndes of breade, cunnyes, and fyfflies, alredy dryed bycaufe they fhulde not putrifie : Serpentes alfo 
 of that kynd which wee fayd to bee efteemed amonge them as mofl delicate meate, and lyke vnto Crocodiles 
 feuing in byggenes. Thefe ferpentes they caule luannas, which owre men learned fumewhat to late to haue byn 
 engendred in the Ilande. For vnto that day, none of them durfte aduenture to tafle of them by reafon 
 of theyr horrible deformitie and lothefumnes. Yet the Lieuetenaunt beinge entyfed by the pleafantnes 
 of the kynges fyfter, determined to tafle of the ferpentes. But when he felte the flefhe therof to bee fo 
 deUcate tp his tonge, he fel too, amayne without al feare. The which thinge his coompanyons perceauinge, 
 were not behynde h)rm in greedines: In foo muche that they hadde nowe none other tilke then of the 
 fweetenes of thefe ferpentes: which theyaffyrme to bee of more pleafaunte tafte, then eyther owre phefauntes 
 or pertriches. But they lofe theyr tafte, excepte they bee prepared after a certeyne faffliion : as doo peacockes 
 and phefauntes except they bee interlarded beefore they bee rofted. They prepare them therefore after this 
 maner. Fyrft takynge owte theyr bowels euen from the throte to the thyghes, they walhe and rubbe theyr 
 bodies very cleane bothe within and withowte. Then rouling them togyther on a cyrcle, inuolued after the 
 maner of a flepynge fliake, they thrufte them into a potte of no bygger capacitie then to houlde them only. 
 This doone, puttinge a Ijrttle water vnto them with a portion of the Ilande pepper, they feethe them with a 
 foft fyer of fweete woodde, and fuche as maketh no greate fmoke. Of the fat of them beinge thus fodde, is made 
 an excedinge pleafaunte brothe or potage. They fay alfo, that there is no meate to bee compared to the egges 
 of thefe ferpentes, which they vfe to feethe by them felues. They are good to bee eaten as fone as they are 
 fodde : And may alfo bee referued many dayes after. But hauinge fayde thus muche of theyr intertaynement 
 and daintie fare, let vs nowe fpeake of other matters. When the Lieuetenaunt had fylled one of the Ilande 
 howfes with the goifampine cotton which he hadde receaued for trybute, the kynges promyfed furthermore to 
 gyue hym as muche of theyr breade, as he wolde demaunde. He gaue them hartie thankes and gentely 
 accepted theyr freendly profer. In the meane time whyle this breade was gatheringe in fundiy Regions to bee 
 browght to the palaice of Beuchius Anacauchoa kynge of Xaragua, he fent meifengers to Ifabella for one of the 
 two carauelles which were lately made there : intendinge to fende the fame thyther ageyne laden with breade. 
 The maiyners gladde of thefe tydynges, feyled abowte the Ilande, and in fliort fpace browght the fliippe to the 
 coaftes oi Xaragua. The fyfter of 'kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, XhaX wyfe and pleafaunt woman Anacaona, (the 
 wyfe fumtyme of Caunaboa the kynge of the golden howfe of the mountaynes of Cibaua, whose hufbande dyed in 
 the way when he fliulde haue byn caryed into Spayne,) when ftiee harde faye that owre ftiyppe was arryued on 
 the ftiore of her natiue countrey, perfuaded the kynge her brother that they bothe myght goo togyther to fee it. 
 For the place where the fliyppe lay, was not pafte. vi. myles diftante from Xaragua. They refted all night, in 
 the mydde way, in a certeyne vyllage in the which was the treafurye or iewell howfe of Anacaona. Her 
 treafure was nother goulde, fyluer, or precious ftones, but only thynges neceflary to bee vfed, as cheyars, 
 ftooles, fettels, dyfflies, potingers, pottes, pannes, bafons, treyes, and fuche other howftiolde ftuffe and inftru- 
 mentes, workemanly made of a certeyne blacke and harde fliyninge woodde which that excellent lerned phifition 
 lohn baptifte Elifius, afHrmeth to bee hebene. What fo euer portion of wytte nature hath gyuen to the inhabi- 
 tantes of thefe Ilandes, the fame doth moft appeare in thefe kynde of woorkes, in whiche they ftiewe great arte 
 and cunnyng. But thofe which this woman had, were made in the Hand of Gua^abba, fituate in the mouth of 
 the wefte fyde of Hifpaniola. In thefe they graue the lyuely Images of fuch phantafies as they fuppofe they 
 fee walke by night which the Antiquitie cauled Lemures. Alfo the Images of men, ferpents, beaftes, and what 
 foo euer other thyng they haue once feene. What wolde yowe thinke (moft noble Prynce) that they coulde 
 doo, if they had the vfe of Iren and fteele ? For they onely fyrfte make thefe fofte in the fyre, and afterwarde 
 make them holowe and carue them with a certeyne ftone which they fynde in the ryuers. Of ftooles and 
 chayers, fliee gaue the Lieuetenaunt. xiiii. And of veffelles perteynynge to the table and kychen, fliee gaue hym 
 three fcore, fum of wood and fume of earthe. Alfo of goffampjne cotton ready fpunne foure great bottomes of 
 excedinge weight. The day folowing when they came to the fea fyde, where was an other vylage of the kynges, 
 the Lieuetenaunt commaunded the ihyppe boat to bee browght to the ftiore. The kyng alfo had prepared two 
 canoas, paynted after theyr maner : one for hym felfe and certeyne of his gentelmen : an other for his fyfter 
 Anacaona and her waytinge women. But Anacaona defyred to bee caried in the ftiyppe boate with the 
 
 K 2 85 
 
 Queene Anacaon.i, 
 the wife of kynge 
 Caunaboa. 
 
 xxxii. kynges. 
 
 Serpentes eaten. 
 
 26 
 
 The dressing of 
 serpentes to be 
 eaten. 
 
 Serpentes 
 egges eaten 
 
 Gossampine 
 cotton. 
 
 Queene Anacaona 
 
 The treasurie of 
 Queene Anacaona 
 
 Hebene woode. 
 
 The Ilande of 
 Guaiiabba 
 
 Conninge artificers 
 
 A stone in the 
 steede of Iren 
 
86 
 
 Thefyrji Decade. 
 
 Gunnes. 
 
 27 
 
 Musical 
 instrumentes. 
 Ignorance causeth 
 admiration. 
 
 Roldanus 
 
 Xeminus. 
 
 The intemperancie 
 
 and malice of a 
 
 seruile witte 
 
 aduaunced. 
 
 Ciguaians. 
 
 Maiobanexiiis, the 
 great kynge of 
 the mountaynes 
 
 The inhabytantes 
 of the mountaynes. 
 
 Guarionexius 
 rebelleth ageyne. 
 
 Roldanus 
 Xeminus rebelleth. 
 
 28 
 
 Licendousnes 
 inlibertie 
 
 Hercules pyllets. 
 
 Aviolente 
 
 persasion. 
 
 Lieuetenaunte. When they nowe approched nere vnto the fliyppe, certeyne great pieces of ordinaunce were 
 difcharged of purpofe. The fea was fylled with thunder, and the ayer with fmooke. They trembled and 
 quaked for feare, fuppofmge that the frame of the world had byn in danger of fauling. But when they fawe 
 the Lieuetenaunte lawgh, and looke cherefuUy on them, they cauled ageyne theyr fpirites. And when 
 they yet drewe nerer to the fliippe, and harde the noyfe of the fluites, (halmes, and drummes, they 
 were wonderfully aftonyed at the fweete harmony therof. Enterynge into the fhyppe and beholdinge the fore- 
 fhippe and the (leme, the toppe caflel, the mafte, the hatches, the cabens, the keele, and the tackelinges, the 
 brother fixinge his eyes on the fyfter, and the fyfler on the brother, they were bothe as it were dumme and 
 amafed, and wyfte not what to faye for too muche wonderynge. Whyle beholdinge thefe thinges they wandered 
 vp and downe the fliippe, the Lieuetenaunt commaunded the ankers to bee loofed, and the failes to be hoyfed 
 vp. Then were they further afl,onyflied, when th^ fawe foo greate a mole, to moue as it were by it felfe, 
 without ores and without the force of man. For there arofe from the earth fuche a wynde as a man wolde haue 
 wyflied for of purpofe. Yet furthermore, when they perceaued the fliyppe to moue fumtyme forwarde and 
 fumtyme backewarde : fumtyme towarde the ryght hande and fumtyme towarde the lefte, and that with one 
 wynde and in maner at one inllante, they were at theyr wyttes ende for to muche admiracion. Thefe thynges 
 fyniflied and the fliyppes beinge laden with breade and fuche other rewardes, they beinge alfo recompenfed 
 with other of owre thynges, he difmiffed not onely the kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, and his fyfl:er, but lykewife 
 all theyr feruauntes and women replenyflied with ioye and woonderinge. After this, he Jiym felfe tooke his 
 iomey by foote with his fouldiers to the citie of Ifabella : where he was aduertifed that one Roldanus Ximenus, 
 a nawghty felowe, (whom before beinge his feruante, he had preferred to bee capitayne of the mypers and 
 labourers, and after made hym a ludge in caufes of controuerfie) had vfed hym felfe owtragioufly and was 
 malycioufly mynded ageinfl. hym, and further, the caufe of muche mifchiefe in his abfence. For kynge 
 Guarionexius (who a whyle before was pardoned of his former rebellion, and perfuaded the people to obeye the 
 Spanyardes) was by his nawghty vfage, and fuche other as were confethered with hym, fo accenfed to reuenge 
 the iniuries which they fufteyned at his handes, bjrfyde the abhominable actes which they folowynge onely the 
 lawe of nature, abhorred to admytte, that he with his famelie, famylyers, and ditionaries, of defperate mynde 
 fledde to the mountaynes beinge diftant from Ifabella onely tenne leaques Wefl.warde, towarde the north fyde 
 of the fea. Thefe mountaynes, and alfo the inhabitantes of the fame they caule by one name Ciguaios. The 
 greate kyng of al the kynges and regions of thefe mountayne[s], is cauled Maiobanexius: and his courte or 
 palaice is named Capronus. The mountaynes are rowgh, hygh, and fuche as no man can paiTe to the toppes 
 therof. They are alfo bend)rage : and haue theyr comers reachinge downe to the fea, Betwene bothe the 
 comers of the mountaynes, is there a greate playne, by the which many riuers faule from the mountajmes into 
 the fea. The people are verye fierfe and warlyke men, hauing theyr original of the Canybales. For when they 
 defcende from the mountaynes to the playnes to keepe warre with theyr bortherers, they eate all fuche as they 
 kyll. GtMrionexius therfore, flyinge to this kyng of thefe mountaynes, gaue hym many prefentes of fuche 
 thynges as are wantinge in his countrey : therwith declaringe howe vylely, vylaynoufly, and violently, he had 
 byn vfed of owre men: with whom he could nothinge preuayle nother by fayre meanes, nor by foule: nother 
 by humilytie nor by fl,outnes. And that to bee the caufe of his refortinge to hym at that tyme: mofl.e humbly 
 defyring hym to bee his defence age3Tift. th[e]oppreflions of fuche myfcheuous people. Maiobanexius here 
 vppon, made hym promefTe to ayde and helpe hym ageynfl. the Chriflians al that he myght. The Lieuetenaunt 
 therfore made hafl, to the fortreffe of Conception : whyther as foone as he was coome, he fent for Roldanus 
 Xeminus, who with fuche as folowed hym, lay in certeyne of the Ilande vylages, twelue miles diftant from the 
 fortres. At his comminge, the Leauetenaunt aflied hym what al thefe fturres and tumultes ment He anfwered 
 without abafliement: Yowre brother the Admirall hath to do therwith, andfliall anfwere for the fame before the 
 kynge. For we perceaue that the kynge hath foo put hym in trufte, that he hath hadde no regarde to vs. 
 Here we peryflie for hunger whyle we folowe yowe : and are diyuen to feeke owre vnhappy foode in the defertes. 
 Yowre brother alfo, afligned me affiftant with yowe in goueminge the Ilande. Wherfore fyth yowe haue no 
 more refpecte vnto vs, we are determyned noo longer to bee vnder yowre obedience. When Roldanus had 
 fpoken thefe wordes and fuche other, the Lieuetenaunte wolde haue layde handes on hym : but he efcaped 
 his fyngers, and fledde to the wefte partes of the Region of Xaragua, hauinge with hym a trayne of 
 threefcore and tenne men whiche were of his confetheracie. Here this fylthy fynke of rebels thus confpired, 
 played their vages and lyued with loofe brydels in al kyndes of myfchefe, robbynge the people, fpoylinge the 
 countrey, and rauyfliinge bothe wyues and virgines. Whyle thefe thynges were doing in the Ilande, the Admirall 
 hadde eyght fliyppes appoynted hym by the kinge: Of the whiche he fent two laden with \'itayles, from Cales or 
 Cades of Hercules pyllers, directly to the Lieuetenaunt his brother. Thefe fliyppes by chaunce arryued fyrft on 
 that fyde of the Ilande where Rolandus Xeminus ranged with his coompanyons. Rolandus in ftiorte tyme hadde 
 feduced them: promyfinge them in the fteade of mattockes, wenches pappes: for laboure, pleafure: for hunger, 
 
 86 
 
The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 87 
 
 abundance : and for wearynes and watchinge, fleepe and quietnes. Guarionexius in the meane tyme, affemblynge 
 a power of his freendes and confetherates, came oftentymes downe into the playne, and flewe as many of the 
 Chriflian men, as he coulde meete conuenientlye, and alfo of the Ilande menrie whiche were theyr freendes : 
 waftynge theyr grounde, deftroyinge theyr feedes, and fpoylinge theyr vylages. But Roldanus and his adherentes, 
 albeit they had knowleage that the Admiral wolde fliortly coome, yet feared they nothynge bycaufe they had feduced 
 the newe menne whiche came in the fyrfte Ihippes. Whyle the Lieuetenaunt was thus toffed in the middefl. of 
 thefe ftormes, in the meane tyme his brother the Admyrall fet forwarde from the coaft.es of Spayne: But not 
 directly to Hiffaniola : For he turned more towarde the fouthe. In the which vyage, what he dyd, what coaftes 
 bothe of the lande and fea he coompafed, and what newe regions he difcouered, wee wyl fyrft declare. For to 
 what ende and conclufion the fayde tumultes and feditions came, wee wyll expreffe in th[e]ende of the booke 
 folowynge. Thus fare ye well 
 
 C The syxte booke of the fyrste decade, 
 to Lodouike Cardinall of Av2igomt. 
 
 Olonus the Admyral, the thyrde day of the Calendes of lune, in the yeare of Chrifl.e. 1498. 
 hoyfed vp his feyles in the hauen of the towne Barramedabas, not farre diftante from Cales : 
 and fet forwarde on his vyage with eyght (hippes laden with vytayles and other neceflaries. 
 He diuerted from his accuftomed rafe which was by the Ilandes of Canarie, by reafon of 
 certeyne frenchemen pirates and rouers on the fea, whiche laye in the lyght way to meete 
 with hym. In the way from Cales to the Ilandes of Canarie, abowte foure fcore and ten 
 myles towarde the lefte hande, is the Ilande of Madera, more fouthwarde then the citie of 
 Ciuile by foure degrees. For the pole artyke is eleuate to Ciuik; -xxilwI degrees: But to this Hand (as the 
 mariners laye) only xxxii. He layled therfore fyrfte to Madera. And fendinge from thenfe directly to 
 Hifpaniola, the refydue of the Ihippes laden with vytayles and other neceflaries, he hym felfe with one fliyppe 
 with deckes, and two marchaunt carauelles coafted towarde the fouthe to coome to the Equinoctial lyne, and 
 fo furth to folowe the tracte of the fame towarde the Weft, to th[e]intent to fearche the natures of fuche places 
 as he coulde fynde vnder or nere vnto the fame, leauinge Hifpaniola on the north fyde on his lyght hande. In 
 the myddle of his rafe, lye. xiii. Ilandes of the Portugales, whiche were in owlde tyme cauled Hefperides : And 
 are now cauled Caput Viride, or Cabouerde. Thefe are fituate in the fea, ryght ouer ageynft the inner partes of 
 Ethiope, Weftwarde two dayes fayUnge. One of thefe the Portugales caule Bonauijla. With the fnayles, or rather 
 tortoyfes of this Ilande, many leprous men are healed and clenfed of theyr leprofitie. Departing fodainly from henfe 
 by reafon of the contagioufiies of the ayre, he layled. CCCCLXXX. [four hundred and eighty] myles towarde the 
 Wefte fouthweftj which is the myddeft betwene the wefte and the fouthe. There was he fo vexed with maladies and 
 heate (for it was the moneth of lune) that his fliyppes were ahnofte fette on fyre. The hoopes of his barrels cracked 
 and brake, and the frefftie water ranne owte. The men alfo complayned that they were not able to abyde that 
 extremitie of heate. Here the northe pole was eleuate only. v. degrees from the Horizontall. For the fpace of 
 viiL dayes in the which he fufifered thefe extremites, only the fyrft day was fayre: but all the other, clowdy and 
 rayny: yet neuerthelefle feruent hotte. Wherefore it oftentymes repented hym not a little that euer he tooke 
 that way. Beinge tofled in thefe dangiours and vexations eyght contynuall dayes, at the lengthe an Eaftfoutheafte 
 wynde arofe, and gaue a profperous blafte to his layles. Which wynde folowinge directly towarde the wefte, he 
 fownde the ftarres ouer that paralelle, placed in other order, and an other kynde of ayer, as the Admirall hym felfe 
 towlde me. And they al affirme, that within three dayes faylinge, they fownde mofte temperate and pleafaunte 
 ayre. The Admirall alfo affirmeth, that from the cHme of the great heate and vnholfome ayer, he euer afcended 
 by the backe of the fea, as it were by a hygh mountayne towarde heauen. Yet in all ±is tyme, coulde he not 
 once fee any lande. But at the length, the day before the Calendes of luly, the watcheman lookynge foorth of 
 the toppecaftell of the greatefl, fliyppe, cryed owte alowde for ioy that he efpyed three excedynge hyghe 
 mountaynes: Exhortinge his felowes to bee of good cheere, and put away all penfiuenes. For they were very 
 heauy and forowfuU, as well for the greefe which they fufteyned by reafon of th[e]intollerable heate, as alfo that 
 their freflie water fayled them, which ranne owte at the ryftes of the barels, caufed by extreme heate as we haue 
 fayde. Thus beinge wel conforted, they drewe to the lande. Yet at theyr fyrft approche, they coulde not arryue by 
 reafon of the (halownes of the fea nere the ftiore. Yet lookyng owte of theyr fliyppes, they might wel perceaue 
 that the Region was inhabyted and well cultured. For they fawe very fayre gardens, and pleafaunte medowes : 
 
 87 
 
 The furie of 
 guarionexius 
 
 The thyrde vyage 
 of Cclonus the 
 AdmiralL 
 
 Frenche men 
 pyrats. 
 
 The ILind of 
 
 Madera. 
 
 The Admiral 
 [s]a^leth to the 
 Equinoctiail. 
 
 xiiL Ilandes of 
 Hesperides, now 
 cauled Cabouerde. 
 
 Healynge of the 
 leper. 
 
 Contagious ayre 
 andextreemeheate 
 
 The pole eleuate. 
 V degrees. 
 
 29 
 
 The starres placed 
 in other oroer. 
 
 A sea rysyng lyke 
 a mountayne. 
 
 Heate causeth the 
 barrels to breke. 
 
88 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 Swete sauours 
 proceadynge 
 frome the lande. 
 
 ThellandofPuta. 
 
 People of feood]Iy 
 corporature and 
 longe heare nere 
 the EquinoctialL 
 
 The higher the 
 coulder. 
 
 DifFerence 
 betwene people of 
 one clime. 
 Ethiopia. 
 
 Note the cause of 
 difference. 
 
 Musical 
 instrumentes. 
 
 30 
 
 The violent course 
 of the water from 
 the Easte to the 
 Weste. 
 
 The goulfecauled 
 Os Draconis. 
 A conflict betwene 
 the ffeshe water 
 and the salte. 
 
 A sea of fresh 
 water. 
 
 Marmasets and 
 monkeys. 
 
 frome the trees and herbes wherof, when the momynge dewes beganne to ryfe, there proceaded manye fweete 
 fauoures. Twentie myles diftant from henfe, they chaunced into a hauen, verye apte to harborowe (hippes, but 
 it had no ryuer runninge into it. Saylinge on yet fumwhat further, he fownde at the lengthe a commodious 
 hauen wherin he might repayre his fhippes and make prouifion of freflhe water and fuell. Arenalis cauleth 
 this lande Puta. They fownd no houfes nere vnto the hauen : but innumerable fteppes of certein wilde beaftes 
 feete, of the which tiiey fownde one deade much lyke a goate. The day folowynge, they fawe a Canoa 
 commynge a farre of, hauinge in it. xxiiii. younge men of godly corporature and high llature, al armed with 
 targets, bowes and arowes The heare of theyr heds, was longe and plaine, and cutte on the forheade much 
 after the maner of the Spanyardes. Theyr priuie partes were couered with fiUettes of goflampyne cotton, of 
 fundry coloures enterlaced : And were befyde al ouer naked. Here the Admirall confideringe with hym felfe 
 the corporature of this people and nature of the lande, he beleaued the fame to bee foo much the nerer heauen 
 then other Regions of the fame paralelle, and further remoued from the groffe vapours of the vales and maryfflies, 
 howe muche the hyghefte toppes of the byggefl mountaynes are diflante from the deepe vales. For he erneflly 
 affirmeth, that in all that nauigation, he neuer wente owte of the paralelles of Ethiope : So greate difference is 
 there betwene the nature of th[e]inhabitantes and of the foyles of dyuers Regions all vnder one clyme or 
 paralelle: as is to fee betwene the people and regions being in the firme lande of Ethiope, and theym of the 
 Ilandes vnder the fame clime, hauinge the pole ftarre eleuate in the fame degree. For the Ethiopians are all 
 blacke, hauinge theyr heare curld more lyke wulle then heare. But thefe people of the Hand of Puta (beinge 
 as I haue fayde vnder the clyme of Ethiope) are whyte, with longe heare, and of yelowe colour. Wherfore it is 
 apparente, the caufe of this foo greate difference, to bee rather by the difpofition of the earthe, then conftitucion 
 of heauen. For wee knowe, that fnowe fauleth on the mountaynes of the Equinoctiall or bumte lyne, and the 
 fame to endure there continually : We knowe lykewyfe that th[e]inhabitantes of the Regions farre diflante frome 
 that lyne towarde the northe, are molefled with greate heate. 
 
 ^[ The Admiral that he myght allure the younge men to him with gentelnes, fhewed them lokynge glaffes, 
 fayre and bright vefTelles of copper, haukes belles, and fuche other thynges vnknowen to them. But the more 
 they were cauled, fo much the more they fufpected crafte and deceate, and fledde backewarde. Yet dyd they 
 with greate admiracion beholde owre men and theyr thynges, but flyll hauinge their ores in theyr handes redy 
 to flye. When the Admirall fawe that he coulde by no meanes allure them by gyftes, he thought to proue what 
 he coulde do with muficall inflrumentes : and therefore commaunded that they which were in the greatefl fhippe, 
 fhulde play on theyr drummes and fhalmes. But the younge men fuppofinge this to bee a token of battayle, 
 lefte theyr ores, and in the twyn[k]lynge of an eye hadde put theyr arrowes in theyr bowes and theyr targettes 
 on theyr armes : And thus directinge theyr arrowes towarde owre men, floode in expectacion to knowe what 
 this noyfe myght meane. Owre men lykewife preparinge theyr bowes and arrowes, approched toward them by 
 lyttle and lyttle. But they departinge from the Admirals fhippe, and truflinge to the dexteritie of theyr ores 
 came foo neare one of the leffe fhippes, that one of theym plucked the cloke from the gouernour of that fhippe, 
 and as wel as they coulde by fignes, requyred hym to coome alande, promyfinge feyth that they wolde common 
 with hym of peace. But when they fawe hym goo to the Admirals fhippe whether he went to afke leaue that 
 he might common with them, fufpectinge heareby fume further deceate, they lept immediatly into the Canoa, 
 and fledde as fwyft as the wynde. So that to conclude, they coulde by no meanes be allured to familiaritie. 
 Wherfore the Admirall thowght it not conuenient to beflowe any longe tyme there, at this vyage. No greate 
 fpace frome this Ilande, euer towarde the wefle, the Admirall faith he fownde fo owteragious a faule of water, 
 runninge with fuch a violence from the Eafle to the Wefle, that it was nothynge inferioure to a myghty flreame 
 faulynge from hyghe mountaynes. He alfo confeffed, that fmce the fyrfl daye that euer he knewe what the fea 
 mente, he was neuer in fuche feare. Proceadinge yet fumwhat further in this daungerous vyage, he fownde 
 certeyne goulfes of. viii. myles, as it had byn the[e]nteraunce of fume greate hauen, into the which, the fayde 
 violent flreames dyd faule. Thefe goulfes or flreyghtes, he cauled Os Draconis, that is, the dragons mouth. 
 And the Hand directly ouer ageynfle the fame, he named Margarita. Owte of thefe flreyghtes, iffhewed no 
 leffe force of freflhe water : whiche encounteringe with the faulte, dyd flryue to paffe foorth : Soo that betwene 
 bothe the waters, was no fmaule conflict. But enteringe into the goulfe, at the lengthe he fownde the water 
 therof very freffhe and good to drynke. The Admyrall hym felfe, and they which were his companions in this 
 vyage, beinge men of good credit, and perceauinge my diligence in fearchinge for thefe matters, towlde me yet 
 of a greater thynge. That is, that for the fpace of. xxvi. leaques, amountynge to a hundreth and foure myles, he 
 fayled euer by frefhe water : In fo muche, that the further he proceaded, efpecially towarde the wefl., he affirm- 
 eth the water to bee the freffher. After this, he came to a highe mountayne, inhabited onely with moonkeys or 
 marmafits on that part towarde the Eafl. For that fyde was rowgh with rockye and flony mountains : And ther- 
 fore not inhabyted with men. Yet they that went alande to fearche the countrey, fownde nere vnto the fea, 
 many fayre fieldes well tylled and fowen : But noo people, nor yet houfes or cotages. Parhappes they were 
 
 33 
 
The fyrji Decade. 
 
 89 
 
 gone further into the countrey to fowe theyr come and applye theyr hufbandry, as wee often fee owre hulbande 
 men to leaue theyr ftations and vylages for the fame purpofe. In the wefte fyde of that mountayne, they 
 efpyed a large playne, whither they made hafte, and call anker in the brode ryuer. As foone as the inhabi- 
 tantes had knowleage that a ftrange nation was arryued in theyr coaft.es, they came flockinge withowte all feare 
 to fee owre men. We vnderflode by theyr fygnes and poyntynges, that this Region was cauled Paria : and 
 that it was very large : ' In fo muche that the further it reacheth towarde the wefte, to be fo muche the better 
 inhabited and replenifhed with people. The Admiral therfore, takynge into his fliyppe foure of the men of 
 that lande, fearched the wefte partes of the fame. By the temperatenes of the ayer, the pleafauntnes of the 
 grownde, and the multytude of people which they faw dayly more and more as they fayled, they coniectured 
 that thefe thynges portended fum great matter; As in deede their opinion fayled them not, as we wyll 
 further declare in his place. The foonne not yet ryfen, but beginninge euen now to ryfe, beinge one day allured 
 by the pleafauntnes of the place and fweete feuours which breathed from the land to the fliippes, they went 
 alande. Here they fownde a greater multytude of people then in any other place. As owre men approched 
 towarde them, there came certeine meffengers iirom their Cacici, that is, the kynges of the countrey, to defyre 
 the Admirall in the name of theyr princes to coome to theyr palayces withowte feare, and that they and al 
 theyrs fliulde bee at his commaundement. When the Admirall had thanked them and made his excufe for 
 that tyme, there came innumerable people with theyr boates to the fliippes : hauyng for the moll parte cheynes 
 abowte theyr neckes, garlandes on theyr heades, and brafelettes on theyr armes of pearles of India : And that 
 fo commonlye, that owre women in playes and tryumphes haue not greater plentie of ftones of glaffe and cryftall 
 in theyr garlandes, crownes, gerdels, and fuche other tyreraentes. Beinge aflced where they gathered them, 
 they poynted to the next fliore by the fea bankes. They fignified alfo by certeyne fcorneful gieftures which 
 they made with theyr mouthes and handes, that they nothyng efteemed perles. Taking alfo baflcettes in theyr 
 handes, they made fignes that the fame might bee fylled with them in fliorte fpace. But bycaufe the corne 
 wherwith his ftiyppes were laden to bee caryed into Hifpaniola, had taken hurt by reafon of the falte water, he 
 determined to deferre this marte to a more conuenient tyme. Yet he feht to lande two of the fliippe boates 
 laden with men, to th[e]intent to fetch fum garlandes of perles for exchange of our thynges, and alfo fumwhat 
 to fearche the nature of the Region and difpofition of the people. They enterteyned owr men gentelly: and 
 came flockynge to them by heapes, as it hadde byn to beholde fume ft,raunge monfters. Fyrfte there came to 
 meete owre men, two men of grauitie, whome the multitude folowed. One of thefe was well in age, and the 
 other but younge. They thinke it was the father with his foonne whiche fliulde fuccede hym. When the one 
 had ialuted and embrafed the other, they browght owre men into a certeyne rownde howfe, nere vnto the 
 whiche, was a greate courte. Hether were browght many chayers and ftooles made of a certeyne blacke woodde, 
 and very coonningely wrowght After that owre men, and theyr Princes were fette, theyr wayting men came in 
 laden, fume with fundiy deUcate dyfflies, and fume with wyne. But theyr meate, was only fruites: and thofe 
 of dyuers kyndes and vtterly vnknowen to vs. Theyr wyne was both whyte and redde : not made of grapes, 
 but of the lycour of dyuers fruites, and very pleafaunte in diynkynge. After this banquette made in the owlde 
 mans howfe, the younge man browght them to his tabernacle or mancion place, where was a greate coompany 
 bothe of men and women, but they ftoode deceauered the one from the other. They are whyte, euen as owre 
 men are, fauynge fuche as are much conuerfent in the fonne. They are alfo very gentyll, and full of humanitie 
 towarde ftrangiers. They coouer theyr piyuie partes with goflampine cotton wrowght with fundry coloures : 
 and are befyde all naked. There was fewe or none, that had not eyther a coUer, a cheyne, or a brafelette of 
 golde and pearles, and many had all. Beinge aflied where they had that golde, they poynted to certeyne 
 mountaynes, feemynge with theyr countenaunce to difliiade owre men from goinge thyther. For puttinge theyr 
 amies in theyr mouthes, and grynninge as thowgh they bytte the fame, ft.ylle poyntinge to the mountaynes, they 
 feemed to infmuate that men were eaten there: But whether they mente by the Canibales, or wylde beaftes 
 owre men cowlde not well perceaue. They tooke it excedinge greeuouflye, that they coulde nother vnderftande 
 owre men, nor owre men them. When they which were fente to lande, were returned to the fliippes abowte 
 three of the clocke at after noone the feme daye, bringinge with them certeyne garlandes and collers of pearles, 
 they loofed theyr ankers to departe, myndinge to coome ageyne fliortly, when all thynges were fette in good 
 order in Hifpaniola. But he was preuented by an other, which defeated hym of the rewarde of his trauayle. 
 He was alfo hyndered at this tyme by reafon of the ftialownes of the fea and violent courfe of the water, which 
 with continual tofling, broofed the greateft. fliip as often as any great gale of wynde arofe. To auoyde the 
 daungiours of fuche flialowe places, and flielfes, he euer fent one of the fmauleft. carauelles before, to try the 
 way with foundinge: and the byggeft fliyppes folowed behynde. The Regions beinge in the large prouince of 
 Paria for the fpace of. CCXXX. [two hundred and thirty] myles, are cauled of th[e]inhabitantes, Cumana, and 
 Manacapana: from thefe regions diftant three fcore leaques, is there an other Region cauled Curiana. When 
 he had thus pafled ouer this long tract of fea, fuppofing ftyll that it had byn an Ilande, and doutinge that he 
 
 6y 
 
 The fayre and 
 lar^e region of 
 paria. 
 
 Temperate ayer 
 and frutful 
 grounde. 
 
 Swete sauours 
 proceadynee 
 frome the lande. 
 
 Humayne people. 
 
 Cheynes and 
 garlandes of gold 
 and perles 
 
 31 
 
 Baskettes ful of 
 pearles, I knowe 
 who had bags ful. 
 
 Howe the 
 Admirals men 
 were enterteyned. 
 
 Cheyers and 
 stoles of hebene. 
 
 Fruites and wyne. 
 
 Wyne of the 
 lycour of fruites. 
 
 Whyte men nere 
 the Equinoctial 
 
 ]\^ounta^nes are 
 the matrices ol' 
 golde. 
 
 Canibales 
 
 Shalownes of the 
 sea. 
 
 The vse of 
 careuelles or 
 brigantines. 
 
 Cumana and 
 Manacapana 
 regions of the 
 prouince of Parix 
 Curiana. 
 
90 
 
 The fyrji Decade. 
 
 A ryuer of 
 maruelous depth 
 and bredth. 
 
 A sea of weedes. 
 
 Lentiscus. 
 
 Mastix. 
 
 32 
 
 The eleuation of 
 the pole at Paria. 
 
 Note a secreate 
 as concerning the 
 pole staxre. 
 
 An experience 
 
 A maruelous 
 secreate. 
 
 That the earth is 
 not perfectly 
 rownde. 
 
 Paradise is in the 
 
 mountaynes of 
 
 paria. 
 
 Looke the ninth 
 
 booke seconde 
 
 decade. 
 
 Paria is part of 
 the firme Jande of 
 iiicUa 
 
 Tyme reuealeth al 
 things 
 
 Paria more 
 southewarde then 
 hispaniola 
 
 The si}anyardes 
 rebell in the 
 Admirals absence 
 
 might paffe by the Wefte to the Northe directlye to Hifpaniola, he chaunced into a ryuer of. xxx. cubettes 
 depthe, and of fuch breadth as hath not lyghtly byn harde of. For he affirmeth it to bee. xxviii. leaques. A 
 lyttle further toward the Wefte, yet fumwhat more fowthwarde as the bending of the fliore requyred, he entered 
 into a fea full of herbes or weedes. The feede of the herbes whiche fwymme on the water, are muche lyke the 
 berryes of the tree cauled Lentifcus, which beareth the fweete gumme cauled Majlix. They grewe foo thicke, 
 that they fumetyme in maner ftayed the ftiippes. The Admirall reported, that here there is not one daye 
 thorowghe owte all the yeare muche longer or fliorter then an other: And that the Northe pole is here eleaute 
 onely fyue degrees as at Paria, in whofe tracte all thefe coafles lye. Hee alfo declared certeyne thynges as 
 concerninge the variete of the northe pole : The which becaufe they feeme contrarye to th[e]oppinions of all the 
 Aftronomers, I wyll touche them but with a drye foote as fayth the prouerbe. But it is wel knowen (mofte 
 noble prince) that the ftarre which we caule the pole ftarre, or northe ftarre, (cauled of the Italians Tramontana) 
 is not the very poynte of the pole Artyke vppon the whiche the axes or extremities of heauens are turned abowte. 
 The which thynge may well be proued, if when the llarres fyrft appeare, yowe beeholde the pole ftarre throwgh 
 any narowe hole. For foo, applyinge yowre inftrument therto in the morninge fumwhat before the day 
 fpringe haue blemyflied theyr lyght, yf then yowe looke throwgh the lame hole, yowe ftiall perceaue it to bee 
 moued from the place where yowe fawe it fyrft. But howe it commeth to paffe, that at the beginnynge of the euenyng 
 ;wilight, it is eleuate in that Region only fyue degrees in the moneth of lune, and in the inominge twylight to 
 aee eleuate. xv. degrees by the fame quaadrante, I doo not vnderftande. Nor yet doo the reafons which he 
 Dringeth, in any pojoit fatyffye me. For he fayth, that he hereby coniectured, that the earth is not perfectlye 
 rownde : But that when it was created, there was a certeyne heape reyfed theron, much hygher then the other 
 
 V partes of the fame. So that (as he faith) it is not rownde after the forme of an apple or a bal (as other thynke) 
 but rather lyke a peare as it hangeth on the tree : And that Paria is the Region which poffeffeth the fuper- 
 eminente or hygheft parte thereof nerefte vnto heauen. In foo muche that he erneftly contendeth, the earthly 
 Paradyfe to bee fituate in the toppes of thofe three hylles, which wee fayde beefore, that the watche man fawe 
 owte of the toppe caftell of the fliippe: And that the outragious ftreames of the freflie waters whiche foo 
 violentlye iffhewe owte of the fayde goulfes and ftryue foo with the falte water, faule headlonge from the toppes 
 of the fayde mountaynes. But of this matter, it fliall fuffice to haue fayde thus muche. Lette vs nowe therfore 
 retume to the hiftorye from which we haue dygreffed. When he perceaued hym felfe to bee thus inwrapped in 
 foo greate a goulfe beyonde his expectacion, foo that he had now no hope to fynde any paflage towarde the 
 northe whereby he myght layle directly to Hifpaniola, he was enforfed to turne backe the fame way by the 
 which he came, and directed his viage to Hifpafiiola by the northe of that lande lyinge towarde the Eafte. 
 They which afterwarde fearched this lande more curiouflye, wyll it to bee parte of the continente or firme lande 
 of India, and not of Cuba as the Admiral fuppofed. For there are many which affirme that they haue fayled 
 rownd abowt Cuba. But whether it bee fo or not, or whether enuyinge the good fortune of this man, they feeke 
 occafions of querelinge ageynfte hym, I can not iudge : But tyme (hall fpeake, which in tyme appoynted, 
 reuealeth both truth and falfehod. But whether Paria be Continent or not, the Admirall dothe not muche 
 contende. But he fuppofeth it to bee Continente. He alfo affirmeth that Paria is more fouthewarde then 
 Hifpaniola, by eyght hundreth fourefcore and two myles. At the length he came to Hifpaniola (to fee his 
 fouldiers which he left with his brethren) the thyrde day of the calendes of September; In the yeare 1498. 
 But (as often tymes chaunceth in humayne thynges,) amonge his foo many profperous, pleafaunte, and luckye 
 affayres, fortune mengeled fume feedes of wormewoodde, and corrupted his pure come with the maUcious 
 weedes of coccle. 
 
 The seventh booke of the fyrst decade, 
 to the fame Lodouike Cardinall. etc. 
 
 Hen the Admirall was nowe coome to the Ilande of Hifpaniola, he fownde all thynges 
 confounded and owte of order. For Roldanus (of whom wee fpake beefore) refufed in his 
 abfence to obey his brother, truftinge to the multitude of fuch as were confethered with him. 
 And not onely behaued hym felfe proudely ageynft the Admiralles brother and Lieuetenaunt 
 fumtyme his maifter, but alfo fente letters to his reproche to the kynge of Spayne, therin 
 accufinge bothe the brethren, leying heynous matters to theyr charges. But the Admirall 
 ageyne, fent meffengers to the kynge, which myght informe hym of theyr rebellion: Inftantly 
 defyringe his grace, to fende hym a newe fupplye of men, wherby he myght fuppreffe theyr licentioufiies and 
 
The fyrjt Decade. 
 
 91 
 
 punyfhe them for theyr mifcheuous actes. They accufed the Admirall and his brother to bee vniuft. men, cruel 
 enemies and (headers of the Spanyflie bludde : declarynge that vppon euery lyght occafion, they wolde racke 
 them, hange them, and heade them: And that they tooke pleafure therin. And that they departed from them 
 as from cruell tyrantes and wylde beaftes reioyfinge in bludde, alfo the kynges enemyes. AfFyrminge lykewyfe 
 that they well perceaued theyr intente to bee none other then to vfurpe Th[e]empire of the Ilandes : whiche 
 thynge (they fayde) they fufpected by a thoufand coniectures. And efpecially in that they wolde permitte none 
 to reforte to the golde mynes, but only fuche as were theyr familiers. The Admirall on the contrary parte, 
 when he defyred ayde of the kynge to infringe theyr infolencie, auouched that al thofe his accufers, which bad 
 deuifed fuche lyes ageynfte hym, were nowghtye felowes, abhominable knaues and vylaynes, theues and baudes, 
 ruffians aduouterers and rauifhers of women, faulfe periured vagabundes, and fuche as had byn eyther conuict in 
 pryfons, or fledde for feare of Judgment: foo efcaping punyfliement, but not leauinge vice wherin they llyll 
 contynued and browght the fame with, them to the Ilande, lyuinge there in lyke maner as before, in thefte, 
 lechery, and all kyndes of myfcheefe: And foo gyuen to Idlenes and fleepe, that wheras they were browght 
 thyther for myners, labourers, and fcullyans, they wolde not nowe goo one furlonge from theyr houfes except 
 they were borne on mens backes, lyke vnto them whiche in owlde tyme were cauled Ediles Curules. For, to 
 this office, they put the miferable Ilande men, whom they handeled mofle cruelly. For leafle theyr handes 
 fhulde difcontinewe firom fheadinge of bludde, and the better to trye theyr ftrength and manhod, they vfed nowe 
 and then for theyr paflyme to fliyue amonge them felues and proue who coulde moft cleanely with his fwoorde 
 at one ftroke ftryke of the heade of an innocente. Soo that he which coulde with moile agilitie make the 
 heade of one of thofe poore wretches to flye quyte and cleane from the body to the grounde at one flroke, he 
 was the beft man and counted moile honorable. Thefe thynges and many fuche other, the one of them layde 
 to the others charge beefore the kynge. Whyle thefe thynges were doinge, the Admirall fente his brother the 
 lieuetenaunt with an army of foure fcore and tenne footemen, and a fewe horfemen, (with three thoufand e of 
 the Ilande men which were mortall enemies to the Ciguauians) to meete the people of Ciguaua, *ith Kynge 
 Guarionexius theyr graunde capitayne, who had doone muche myfcheefe to owre men and fuche as fauoured 
 the3rm. Therefore when the Lieuetenaunt had conducted his army to the bankes of a certeyne greate ryuer 
 ruimynge by the playne which we fayd before to lye betwene the comers of the mountaynes of Ciguaua and 
 the fea, he fownde two fcoutes of his enemyes lurkinge in certeyne bufflies : wherof the one, caflynge hym felfe 
 head longe into the fea, efcaped: and by the mouthe of the ryuer fwamme ouer to his coompanyons. The other 
 beinge taken, declared that in the woodde on the other fide the ryuer, there lay in campe fyxe thoufande 
 Cyguauians redy, vnwares to affayle owre men paffynge bye. Wherfore the Lieuetenaunte fyndyng a fhalowe 
 place where he myght palTe ouer, he with his hole army entered into the lyuer. The which thyng when the 
 Ciguauians had efpyed, they came runnynge owte of the wooddes with a terrible crye and mofle horrible afpect, 
 much lyke vnto the people cauled Agathyrfi of whom the poete virgile fpeaketh. For they were all paynted 
 and fpotted with fundry coloures, and efpeciall with blacke and redde whiche they make of certeyne fruites 
 nooryfhed for the fame purpofe in theyr gardens, with the ioyce wherof they paynt them felues from the for- 
 heade, euen to the knees : hauing theyr heare (whiche by arte they make longe and blacke if nature deny it 
 them) wrethed and rowled after a thoufande faffhions. A man wold thinke them to bee deuylles incarnate newly 
 broke owte of hell, they are foo lyke vnto heUioundes. As owre men waded ouer the ryuer, they fhotte at 
 them and hurled dartes foo thicke, that it almofle tooke the lyght of the fonne from owre men. In fo much 
 that if they had not borne of the force therof with theyr targettes, the matter hadde gonne wronge with them. 
 Yet at the length, many beinge wounded, they paffed ouer the ryuer, which thynge when the enemies fawe, they 
 fledde : whome owre men perfuinge, flewe fume in the chafe : but not many, by reafon of theyr fwyftenes of 
 foote. Thus beinge in the wooddes, they fhotte at owre men more fafely. For they being accuflomed to the 
 wooddes and naked without any lette, paffed throwgh the buffhes and fhrubbes as it had byn wylde bores or 
 hartes; wheras owre men were hyndered by reafon of theyr apparell, targettes, longe iauelens, and ignorance of 
 the place. Wherfore, when he had refled there all that nyght in vayne, and the daye folowynge fawe none 
 fleringe in the wooddes, he went (by the councel and conducte of the other Ilande men which were in his 
 armye) immediatly from thenfe, to the montaynes in the which king Maiobanexius had his cheefe manfion 
 place in the vylage cauled Capronum, by the which name alfo, the kynges palaice was cauled, beinge in the 
 fame vylage. Thus marchinge forwarde with his army, abowte twelue myle of, he encamped in the vylage of 
 an other kynge, which th[e]inhabitantes had forfaken for feare of owre men. Yet makynge dyligent fearch, 
 they fownde two, by whom they had knowleage that there was tenne kynges with Maiobanexius in his palaice 
 of Capronum, with an army of eight thoufand Ciguauians. At the Lieuetenantes fyrfl approche, he durfl not 
 gyue them battayle vntyll he had fumwhat better fearched the Region : Yet did he in the meane tyme fkyrmyffhe 
 with them twyfe. The nexte nyght abowte mydnyght, he fent furth fcoutes, and with them guydes of the Ilande 
 men which knewe the countrey. Whom the Ciguauians efpyenge from the mountaynes, prepared them felues 
 
 33 
 
 The Spanyardeii 
 accuse the 
 Admirall. 
 
 The Admirales 
 
 answere. 
 
 y 
 
 Insolencie 3.nd 
 idelnes of llbertie. 
 
 These had the 
 custodies of the 
 temples. 
 
 A cruel and 
 deuelyshe 
 
 pastyme. 
 
 Kynge 
 Guarionexius is 
 capitaine of. vL 
 thousand 
 Ciguauians. 
 
 Ptcii Agathyrsi. 
 
 Naked men 
 
 painted with the 
 
 idyce of certen 
 
 fruites. 
 
 Heare made long 
 
 and black by arte. 
 
 The vse of 
 
 targettes. 
 
 The Ciguauians 
 
 are dryuen to 
 
 flyght 
 
 34 
 
 Kynge 
 Maiobanexius. 
 
 An arniy of viii. 
 
 thousand 
 
 Ciguauians. 
 
92 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 A Larome. 
 
 The Ciguauians 
 put to%ght 
 agelne 
 
 The Lieuetenaunt 
 his Embassage 
 to kynge 
 Maiobanexius. 
 
 Kyn^e 
 Guanonexius. 
 
 Maiobanexius his 
 
 answere. 
 
 Natural hatred 
 of vyce. 
 
 The 
 Lieueteuauntes 
 gentelnes toward 
 maiobanexius 
 
 35 
 
 A rare faythfulnes 
 in a barbarous 
 kynge. 
 
 The 
 Lieuetenauntes 
 messengers are 
 slayne. 
 
 Al the kirges are 
 dryuen to flyght. 
 
 to the battayle with a terrible crye or alarome after their maner: but yet durft not coome owte of the wooddes, 
 fuppofing that the Lieuetenaunt with his mayne army had byn euen at hande. The day folowynge, when he 
 brought his army to the place where they encamped, leaping owt of the wooddes, they twyfe attempted the 
 fortune of warre, fiercely affayling owre men with a mayne force, and woundinge manye before they coulde 
 coouer them with theyr targettes. Yet owre men put them to flyght, flewe many, and tooke many. The 
 refydewe fledde to the wooddes, where they kept them ilyll as in their molle fafe houlde. Of them which were 
 taken, he fent one, and wyth hym an other of the Ilande men which was of his parte to Maiobanexius with 
 commaundement in this effect. The Lieuetenaunt brought not hether his army (O Maiobanexius) to kepe 
 warre eyther ageynfl yowe or yowre people : For he greately defyreth yowre frendefliippe. But his entent is, 
 that Guarionexius who hath perfuaded yowe to bee his ayde ageynfte hym to the greate deftruction of yowre 
 people and vndoynge of yowre countrey, may haue dewe correction afwell for his difobedience towarde him, as 
 alfo for rayfmg tumultes amonge the people. Wherfore, he requyreth yowe and exorteth yowe, to delyuer 
 Guarionexius into his handes. The which thynge yf yowe fhall performe, the Admirall his brother wyll not 
 only gladly admitte yowe to his frendefliyppe, but alfo enlarge and defende yowre dominion. And if herein 
 yowe refufe to accomplyfflie his requefle, it wyll folowe, that yowe fhall fhortelye repent yowe therof. For 
 yowre kyngedome fhall be wafted with fwoorde and fyer, and yowe fhall abyde the fortune of warre wherof 
 yowe haue had experience with fauour, as you fhall further know here after to yowre payne, yf with ftobernes 
 yowe prouoke hym to fhewe the vttermofte of his poure. When the meffenger had thus doone his errante, 
 Maiobanexius anfwered, that Guarionexius was a good man, indued with many vertues as all men knewe : And 
 therfore he thought hym worthy his ayde: efpecially in as muche as he fledde to hym for fuccoure, and that he 
 had made him fuch promefTe, whom alfo he had proued to bee his faithfuU frende. Ageyne, that they were 
 nawghty men, violent and cruell, defyringe other mens gooddes, and fuche as fpared not to fheede innocentes 
 bludde : In fyne, that he wolde not haue to doo with fuche myfcheuous men, nor yet enter into frendefhippe 
 with thena. When thefe thynges came to the Lieuetenauntes eare, he cbmmaunded the vylage to be bumte 
 where he hym felfe encamped, with many other vylages there abowte. And when he drewe nere to the place 
 where Maiobanexius lay, he fent meflengers to him ageyne, to common the matter with hym, and to wyll hym, 
 to fende fume one of his mofte feythful frendes to entreate with hym of peace. Where vppon the kynge fent 
 vnto hym one of his cheefe gentelmen, and with hym two other to wayte on hym. When he came to the 
 Lieuetenauntes prefence, he frendly requyred hym to perfuade his lord and mafter in his name, and emeftly 
 to admonyffhe hym, not to fuffer his floryfhinge kyngedome to bee fpoyled, or hym felfe to abyde the hafarde 
 of warre for Guarionexius fake : And fiurther to exhorte hym to delyuer hym, excepte *he wolde procure the 
 deftruction bothe of hym felfe, his people, and his countrey. When the meffenger was returned, Maiobanexius 
 affembled the people, declaring vnto them what was doone, bilt they cried owte on hym to delyuer Guarionexius: 
 And beganne to curfe the daye that euer they had receaued hym, thus to difturbe theyr quietnes. Maiobanexius 
 anfwered them, that Guarionexius was a good man, and had well deferued of him, giuinge hym many princely 
 prefentes : And had alfo tawght both his wyfe and hym to fynge and daunce, whiche thynge he dyd not lyttle 
 efteeme. And was therfore fully refolued in no cafe to forfake hym, or ageynfte all humanitie to betraye his 
 frende whiche fledde to hym for fuccoure : but rather to abyde al extremities with him, then to minifter occafion 
 of obloquye to flaunderes to reporte that he had betrayed his gefte whom he tooke into his houfe with warran- 
 ties. Thus difmiffmge the people fighinge and with forowfiill hartes, he cauled Guarionexius before hym, 
 promyfinge hym ageyne, that he wolde bee partaker of his fortune whyle lyfe lafted. In fo muche that he 
 thowght it not befte to fende any further woorde to the Lieuetenaunt : but appoynted hym Whome before he 
 fent to hym, to keepe the way with a garryfon of men, to th[e]intent that if any melTengers fhuld'e be fent from 
 the Lieuetenaunt, to fleye them by the way, and admitte none to communication or further entretie of peace. 
 In the meane tyme, the Lieuetenaunt fent twoo, wherof the one was a captiue Ciguauian, and the other an 
 Ilande man of them which were frendes to owre men : They were bothe taken and flayne. The Lieuetenaunt 
 folowed them onely with ten footemen and foure horfemen. Fyndinge his meflengers deade in the waye, he 
 was further prouoked to wrathe, and determyned more extremely to deale with Maiobanexius. And therefore 
 wente forwarde incontinently with his hole army to his cheefe palaice of Capronum where he yet laye in campe. 
 At his approche, all the kynges fledde, euery man his way, and forfooke theyr capitayne Maiobanexius: who 
 alfo with all his famelye, fledde to the rowgh mountaynes. Sum of the Ciguauians, fowght for Guarionexius to 
 fley hym, for that he was the caufe of all thefe troubles. But his feete faued his lyfe. For he fledde in tyme 
 to the mountaynes where he lurked in maner alone amonge the defolate rockes. 
 
 Whereas nowe the Lieuetenauntes fouldiers were forweryed with longe warre, with watchinge, laboure, 
 and hunger, (for it was nowe three moonethes fence the wanes beganne) many defyred leaue to departe to 
 the towre of Conception, where they had graneges and exercifed tyllage. He gaue them theyr paffeportes 
 with alowance of vytayles, foo ■ that only thyrtie remayned with hym. Thefe three moonethes warre, they 
 
The fyrjt Decade. 
 
 93 
 
 contynued very paynefull and myferablye : Soo that duryng al that tyme, they had none other meate but only 
 Cazibi: that is, fuche rootes whereof they make theyr breade, and that but fyldome to theyr fyll: Alfo Vfias, 
 that is, lyttle beafl.es lyke Conyes, if by chaunce now and then, they tooke fume with theyr houndes. Their 
 drinke was none other then water, fuch as they fownde, fumtyme fweete, and fumtyme muddy faueringe of the 
 maryfflies. Emonge thefe delicates, that lyttle fleepe that they had, was euer for the mofl.e parte abrode vnder 
 the firmamente: And that not without watchemen, and in contynual remoouinge as the nature of warre 
 requyreth. With thefe fewe therfore, the Lieuetenaunt determined to fearche the mountaynes, dennes, and 
 caues, if he coulde in any place fynde the ft.eppes of Maiohanexius or Guarionexius. In the meane tyme certeyne 
 of his menne (whom hunger enforced to goo a huntinge to proue if they coulde take any conies) chaunced 
 vppon twoo of Maiobanexim familyers, whiche were fent to certeyne vylages of his, to make prouifion of breade. 
 Thefe he enforced to declare where theyr lord lay hydde. And vfed the fame alfo for guides to bringe owre 
 men to the place. Twelue of owre men tooke this enterpryfe in hand, painting them felues after the maner of 
 the Ciguauians. Soo that by this ftratageme or policie, they came fodenly vppon Maiohanexius, and tooke 
 hym prifoner with his W3^e, children, and familie, and conueighed them to the towre of Conception to the 
 Lieuetenaunt Within a fewe dayes after, hunger compelled Guarionexius to coome owte of the dennes : 
 whome, certeine of the people fearinge the Lieuetenaunt, bewrayde to owre hunters. The Lieuetenaunt beinge 
 certified hereof, fent furthe a bande of foote men, commaunding them to lye in ambuflie vntyll fuche tyme as 
 Guarionexius wente from the playnes to the mountaynes, and then foodenly to intrappe hym. They went as 
 they were commaunded, tooke hym, and browght hym awaye with them. And by this meanes were 
 aU the Regions nere abowte, pacified and quyeted. A certeyne noble woman of nere kynred to 
 Maiobanexitis, and wyfe to an other kynge whofe dominion was yet vntouched, folowed hym in al thefe 
 aduerfities. They affirme this woman to bee the fayrefl, and mofl,e bewetifuU that euer nature browght foorthe 
 in the Ilande. Whom, when the k)mge her hufbande who looued her mofte ardently (as her bewetie deferued) 
 harde faye that fliee was taken prifoner he wandered vppe and downe the defertes lyke a man owte of his 
 wytte, not knowinge what to doo or laye. But at the lengthe, he came to the Lieuetenaunte, promyfinge mofte 
 faythfuUy that he wold fubmitte hym felfe and all that he coulde make, vnder his poure, foo that he wolde 
 reftore Yiyra his wyfe. The Lieuetenant accepted the condition and reftored him his wife, with certeyne other 
 rulers and gentelmen which he had taken prifoners before : Charginge them, and b)Tidinge them with an othe, 
 to bee euer redye at his commaundement. Shortly after, this kynge, of his owne free motion, came ageyne to 
 the Lieuetenaunt, bringyng with hym fyue thoufande men without weapons, fauynge onely fuche inftnimentes 
 as they vfe in tyllage of theyr grownde. He brought with hym alfo, feedes to fowe : wherwith at his owne 
 charge, he caufed fuche plentie of tiieyr come and fmites to growe in fundry places of the large vale whereof 
 wee fpake before, that (hortely after, were feene manye fayre and fruitefuU fieldes that came therof And for 
 his gentelnes beinge rewarded of the Lieuetenaunte with certeyne of owre thynges, he departed ioyfuUy. When 
 the report hereof came to the Ciguauians, it mooued the myndes of the kynges to hope of clemencie. Where 
 vppon they came togyther to the Lieuetenaunt with humble fubmiflion and faythful promeffe euer after to bee 
 vnder his obedience : defyring hym to reftore vnto them theyr kynge, with his famylie. At theyr requefte, the 
 kynges wyfe and his houfeholde was fette at Libertie, but he kepte ftyll as a prifoner. Thefe thynges dyd the 
 Lieuetenaunt in the Ilande, not yet knowinge what his aduerfaries and accufers had layde to his charge before 
 the kynge of Spayne : who beinge difquyeted with theyr querelinges and accufacions, and efpecially for that by 
 reafon of theyr difcention, of foo greate abundaunce of golde and other thynges, there was as yet but lyttle 
 browght into Spayne, appointed a newe gouemour which ftiuld fee a redreffe in thefe thinges : And eyther to 
 punyfhe fuche as were fautie, or elles to fende them to hym. What was fownde ageynfte the Admirall and his 
 brother, or ageynft his aduerfaries whiche accufed hym, I doo not wel knowe. But this I am fure of, that both 
 the brethrene are taken, browght, and caft in prifon, with their goodes confifcate. But as foone as the kynge 
 vnderftoode that they were browght bounde to Cales, he fent meflengers in pofte, with commaundemente that 
 they (hulde bee loofed and coome freely to his prefence : wherby he declared that he tooke theyr troubles 
 greeuouflye. It is alfo fayde, that the newe gouemoure fent letters to the kynge, wrytten with the Admiralles 
 hande in ftraunge and vnknowen fypheringes, to his brother the Lieuetenaunt beinge abfente, wyllynge hym to 
 bee in a redynes with a poiure of armed men to coome and ayde hym if the Gouemoure ftiulde profer hym any 
 violence. Wherof the gouemour hauinge knowleage (as he faythe) beinge alfo aduertifed that the Leauetenaunt 
 was gonne to his brother before the men which he had prepared were in a redines, apprehended them bothe 
 vnwares, before the multitude came togyther. What wyl folowe, tyme, the mofte trewe and pmdent ludge, wyll 
 declare. Thus fare ye well. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 are peinful in the 
 
 A desperate _ 
 aduenture with 
 XXX. men 
 
 A polic[i]e. 
 Kynge 
 
 Maiohanexius 
 is taken. 
 
 Guarionexius is 
 taken. 
 
 36 
 
 A Bewtifull 
 
 A kynge sendeth 
 the lieuetenaunt 
 fyue thousand men 
 to tyll the grownde. 
 
 I'he kynges submit 
 tliemselues to the 
 Lieuetenaunt 
 
 A newe gouemour 
 of the ilande. 
 
 An vnwoorthy 
 rewarde for soo 
 greate paynes. 
 
94 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 The Ocean sea 
 
 heretofore 
 
 vnknowen. 
 
 Shipmasters vnder 
 the Admiral. 
 
 The fiftf. portion 
 dewe to the kynge. 
 
 37 
 
 The natiigation of 
 Petrus Alphonsus. 
 Paria. 
 
 Citmana. 
 
 Manacapana. 
 
 Curiafteu 
 
 Perles for tryfels. 
 
 Great plentic of 
 penrk& 
 Humayne people. 
 
 Shel fyshes in 
 which perles are 
 engendred. 
 Beastes and 
 foules. 
 
 Hunters and 
 
 archers. 
 
 Theyr maner of 
 bargening 
 
 The vse of pynnes. 
 
 Haukes bels in 
 great estimation. 
 
 Roringe of wyld 
 
 beastes 
 
 C The eyghth booke of the fyrste Decade, 
 
 to Cardinall Lodouike. 
 
 He greate, ryche, and plentiful! Ocean fea, heretofore vnknowen, and nowe fownde by Chrijio- 
 phorus Colonus the Admyrall, by th[e]autoritie and furtherance of the Catholyke kynge, I 
 haue prefented vnto yowre honoure (ryght noble Prince) lyke a golden cheyne vnwoorkmanly 
 wrought. But yowe ftiall nowe receaue a precious iewell to bee appendaunt therto. Therfore 
 emonge fuche as were pylottes or gpuemoures vnder the Admyrall, and had dylygently 
 marked the courfes and difierences of the wyndes, many had licences graunted them of the 
 kynge to feeke further of theyr owne charges, vppon condicion to pay hym faithfully his 
 portion, which is the fyft parte. But bycaufe emonge all other, one Petrus Alphonfus (cauled Nignus by his 
 fumame) layled towarde the Southe with more profperous fortune then any of the other, I thinke it befl firft. to 
 fpeake fumwhat of his vyage. He therfore, with only one fhippe, well furnyflied at his owne charges, after that 
 he had his paffeporte with commaundement in no cafe to cafte anker pafte fyftie leaques dillante from any 
 place where the Admyrall hadde touched, fayled fyrile to Paria where the Admyrall fownde bothe the men and 
 women foo laden with cheynes, garlandes, and brafelettes of pearles, as wee haue fayde before. Coaflynge 
 therfore alonge by the fame fliore accordinge to the kynges commaundement, (yet leauinge behynde hym the 
 Regions of Cumana and Manacapand) he came to the Region which th[e]inhabitantes thereof, caule Curiana : 
 where he fownd a hauen (as he faythe) muche lyke the porte of Gades or Cales. In to the which enteringe, he 
 fawe a farre of certeyne howfes on the fhore, and perceaued when he drewe nere, that it was a vylage of onely 
 eyght howfes. Proceadynge yet further for the fpace of three myles, he efpyed an other vylage well replenyflied 
 with people, where there met hym fyftie naked men on a coompany hauinge with them a certeyne ruler, who 
 defyred Alphonfus to coome to theyr coaftes. He browght with h)rm at this tyme, many haukes belles, pynnes, 
 nedels, brafelettes, cheynes, garlandes, and rynges with counterfet flones and glaffes, and fuch other tryfelles, 
 the which within the momente of an houre, he hadde exchaunged for. xv. vnces of theyr pearles which they 
 wore abowte theyr neckes and armes. Then they yet more erneftly defyred him to fayle to theyr coaftes : 
 Promyfynge hym that he (hulde there haue as many pearles as he wolde defyre. He conde[f Jcended to their 
 requefte: And the daye folowynge, came to the place where they appoynted hym: Lyinge there at anker, a 
 great multytude of people reforted to hym, inftantely requyringe hym to coome alande. But when he confydered 
 the innumerable multytude of people which was there affembled, and that he had only, xxxiii. men in his coom- 
 pany, he durfte not commyt hym felfe to theyr handes, but gaue them to vnderftand by fignes and tokens that 
 they ftiulde coome to the fliyppe with theyr canoas. For theyr boates (which the men of the Hand caule 
 Canoas) are made only of one hole peece of woodde as in the Handes : yet more rude, and not foo artificially 
 as theyrs are. Thefe they caule Gallitas: They fwarmed therefore to the Ihyp as fafte as they myght, brynginge 
 with them great plentie of pearles (which they caule Tenoras) exchaunginge the fame for owre marchaundies. 
 He fownde this people to bee of gentyl nature, Cmple and irmocente, beinge conuerfant with them in theyr 
 houfes, for the fpace of. xx. dayes. Theyr houfes are made of woodde, coouered with the leaues of date trees. 
 Theyr meate for the mofte parte, is the ftielfyflhes in the whiche pearles are engendred, wherof theyr fea coaftes 
 are ful. They haue alfo greate plentie of wylde beaftes, as hartes, wylde bores, and coonys lyke vnto hares, 
 both in colour and byggenes. Stocke doues alfo, and turtle doues. Lykewyfe geefe and duckes which they 
 nooryfhe in theyr houfes as wee doo. Peacockes flye abowte in maner in euerye woodde and groue: but they 
 are not diftinct with fundry coloures as ours are : for the cockes are lyke vnto the hennes. Thefe people of 
 Curiana, are craftie hunters and exceding cunning archers, foo that they wyll not lyghtly myffe any beaft or 
 byrde that they flioote at. Owre men confumed certeyne dayes here very plefauntely. Durynge which tyme, 
 who foo euer brought them a peacocke, had for the fame, foure pynnes. He that brought a pheafaunt had 
 twoo: And for a ftocke doue or turtle done, one: And for a goofe, a fmaul lookyng glaife or a lyttle ftone of 
 glaffe. Thus they bought and foulde with proferynge and byddynge, denyinge and refufmge as it had byn in 
 a greate market. When pynnes were profered them, they alked what they fliulde doo with them, beinge naked. 
 But owre men latiffied them with a craftie anfwere, declaring by tokens that they were very neceflary to picke 
 theyr teeth and to pul thomes owte of theyr flefftie. But aboue al thynges haukes belles were moil efteemed 
 amonge them, for theyr founde and faire coloure : And wolde therfore gyue much for one of them. Owre men 
 lodginge in theyr houfes, harde in the nyght feafon horryble noyfes and rorynges of wylde beaftes in the 
 wooddes which are full of exceadinge greate and hygh trees of fundry kyndes. But the beaftes of thefe 
 
The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 95 
 
 wooddes, are not noyfome to men. For the people of the countrey goo dayly a hunting, naked, with theyr 
 bowes and arrowes : Yet hath it not byn harde of, that any man hath byn flayne of any wylde beafte. As many 
 hartes or wylde bores as owre men woolde defjTe them to brynge, they woolde kyll in the wooddes with their 
 bowes and arrowes, and not fayle to brynge theim. They lacke kyne, gbates, and flieepe. Theyr breade is 
 made of rootes, as is theyrs of the Ilandes. This nation, hath blacke heare, groffe and fumwhat curlde, yet 
 longe alfo. They keepe theyr teeth very whyte : And for that purpofe vfe to cary a certeine herbe betwene 
 theyr lyppes for the moft parte of the day, and to waflhe theyr mouthes when they caft it away. The women 
 doo all theyr bufynes at home in theyr howfes, and haue j.lfo the cure of tyllage of the grounde. But the men 
 apply them felues to the wanes and huntynge, to playe, fmgynge and daunfmg. They haue fundiy kyndes of 
 water pottes, iugges, and drinckinge cuppes made of earthe in other places abowt theym and brought thether 
 for exchaunge of other thynges: For they vfe fayres and markettes for the fame purpofe: and are gretly 
 defyrous of fuch thynges, as are not brought forth or made in theyr countrey, as nature hath gyuen a difpofition 
 to al men to defyre and bee delyted with newe and ftrange thynges. Many of them, had hangynge at theyr 
 pearles, the Images of certeine beafl.es and birdes very artificioufly made of golde, but not pure. Thefe alfo 
 are brought them from other places for exchange of other thynges. The golde wherof they are made, is natiue, 
 and of much lyke finenes to that wherof the florenes are coyned. The men of this countrey, inclofe theyr 
 priuie members in a gourde, cutte after the faihion of a coddepiece : or els, coouer the fame with the flielle of 
 a tortoyfe, tyed abowte theyr loynes with laces of goflampine cotton. In other places of that tract, they thrufl. 
 the fynew within the flieethe therof, and bynde the Ikinne faft with a ftringe. The greate wylde beafl.es wherof 
 wee fpake before, and many other thynges whiche are not founde in any of the Ilandes, teftifie that this region 
 is part of the continent or firme land. But the chiefeft coniecture wherby they argue the fame, is, that by the 
 coaftes of that lande, from Paria towarde the wefte, they fayled aboute three thoufande myles, fyndynge no 
 figne or token of any ende. Thefe people of Curiana (whiche fum caule Curtana) beinge demaunded where 
 they hadde fuche plentie of golde, fignified that it was brought them from a Region cauled Canchieia or Cauchieta, 
 being diftant from them fyxe foonnes, that is, fyxe dayes ioumey weftwarde : And that theyr Images of goulde, 
 were made in the fame Region. Where vppon owre men directed theyr vyage thyther immediatly: and 
 arryued there at the calendes of Nouember, in the yeare of Chrift a thoufande and fyue hundreth. The people 
 of the countrey reforted to them withoute feare, bryngynge with them of the golde which we layde to bee natyue 
 in that Region. This people had aUb coUers of pearles abowte theyr neckes, whiche were brought them frorae 
 Curiana for exchange of theyr marchandies. None of them wolde exchaunge any of thofe thinges which they 
 had owte of other countreys : as nother the Curians golde, nor the Canchietans pearles. Yet amonge the 
 Canchietans, they fownde but little gold redy gathered. They toke with them from thenfe, certen very fayre 
 marmafets or munkeys, and many popingayes of fundry coloures. In the monethe of Nouember, the ayer was 
 there moft temperate, and nothyng coulde. The guardens of the north pole, were owte of fyght to bothe thefe 
 people, they are foo nere to the Equinoctiall. Of the degrees of the pole, they can gyue none other accoumpte. 
 Thefe people, are wel difpofed men, of honeft condicions, and nothinge fufpicious. For all moft all the nyght 
 longe, they reforted to the ftiippe with theyr boates, and went aboorde fliip withowte feare, as dyd the Curians. 
 They caule pearles, Corixas. They are fumwhat ielyous. For, when any ftraungers coome emonge them, 
 they euer place theyr women behynd them. In this Region of Canchieta, the goflampine trees growe of them 
 felues commonly in many places, as doo with vs elmes, wyllowes, and falowes. And therfore they vfe to make 
 breeches of cotton, wherwith they coouer theyr pryuie partes in many other Regions there aboute. When 
 fhey had yet fayled on forwarde by the fame coaftes, there came foorth ageynfte them abowte twoo thoufande 
 men, armed afl:er theyr maner, forbydding them to coome aland. Thefe people were foo rude and faluage, 
 that owre men coulde by no meanes allure them to familiaritie. Owre men therfore, contented only with their 
 pearles, returned backe the fame way they came : where they remayned with the Curians continually for the 
 fpace of twentie dayes, and fylled theyr bellyes wel with good meate. And here it feemeth to me, not farre 
 from my purpofe, to declare what chaunced vnto theim in theyr retume, when they came nowe within the 
 fyght of the coafte of Paria. They happened therefore in the way, at Os Draconis and the goulfes of Paria, 
 (wherof wee fpake before) to meete with a nauie of xviii. Canoas of Canibales which went a rouyng to hunt 
 for men. Who as foone as they had efpyed owr men, aflailed theyr ftiippe fiercely and without feare enclofed 
 the fame, difturbing owre men on euery fyde with theyr arrowes. But owre men fo feared them with theyr 
 gunnes, that they fledde immediatly, whom owre menne folowinge with the fliippe boate, tooke one of theyr 
 Canoas, and in it, only one Canibal (for the other had efcaped) and with hym, anr other man bownde: Who, 
 with teares runninge downe his cheekes, and with giefture of his handes, eyes, and heade, fignified that fyxe of 
 his coompanyons had byn cruelly cutte in pieces and eaten of that myfcheuous nation : and that he fliulde 
 haue byn lykewyfe handeled the day folowynge. Wherfore they gaue hym poure ouer the Canyball, to doo 
 with hym what he wolde. Then with the Canibales owne clubbe, he layde on hym al that he might dryue with 
 
 Hartes and wyld 
 bores. 
 
 38 
 
 Blacke and curlde 
 
 heare. 
 
 White teethe. 
 
 Earthen vessels. 
 
 Conninge 
 artificers. 
 
 Base golde. 
 
 A strange maner 
 of coueringe theyi 
 priuities. 
 
 Tokens of the 
 continent or firme 
 lande. 
 
 The golden 
 Region of 
 Canchieta. 
 
 Temperate ayer 
 in Nouember. 
 
 The Equinoctial 
 
 lyne. 
 
 Humane people 
 
 Gossampine trees. 
 Chorl^he people 
 
 Alphonsus 
 retumeth to Paria. 
 
 Canibales in the 
 goulfes of Paria. 
 
 39 
 
 Death for death. 
 
96 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 hande and foote, grinninge and fretinge as it had byn a wylde bore : Thinkynge that he had not yet fufficiently 
 reuenged the death of his companyons, when he had beaten owte his braynes and guttes. ^Vhen he was 
 demaunded after what forte the Canibales were woont to inuade other contreys, he anfwered that they euer 
 vfed to carye with them in theyr Canoas, a greate multitude of clubbes : The whiche, where foo euer they 
 lande, they pitche in the grownde, and encampe them felues within the coompaffe of the fame, to lye the more 
 fafely in the nyght feafon. In Curiana, they fownde the head of a capitaine of the Canibales, nailed ouer the 
 doore of a certeyne gouemoure, for a token of victorie, as it hadde byn the ftanderde or helmette taken from 
 the enemye in battayle. In thefe coaftes of Paria, is a Region cauled Haraia, in the whiche, greate 
 plentie of falte Js gathered after a ftrange forte. For the fea beinge there tolled with the poure of the 
 wyndes, dryueth the falte waters into a large playne by the fea fyde: where: afterward when the fea 
 waxeth caulme, and the foonne begynnethe to fliyne, the water is congeled into mofle pure and whyte falte, 
 wherewith innumerable Ihyppes might bee laden, if men doo reforte thether for the lame beefore there faule 
 any rayne. For the rayne meltethe it, and caufeth it to fynke into the fande, and foo by the pores of the earthe, 
 to retume to the place from whenfe it was dryuen. Other fay, that the playne is not fylled from the fea, but 
 of certeine fpringes whofe water is more fliarpe and lalt then the water of the fea. Th[e]inhabitantes doo 
 greatlye elleeme this bay of falte. Which they vfe, not only for theyr owne commoditie, but alfo woorkinge 
 the lame into a fquare forme lyke vnto brickes, they fell it to ftrangers for exchaurige of other thynges whiche 
 they lacke. In this Region, they flretche and drye the deade bodies of theyr kinges and noble men, layinge 
 the fame vpon a certeyne frame of woodde much lyke vnto a hurdle or grediren, with a gentell fyre vnder the 
 fame, thus by lyttle and lyttle confuminge the fleflhe and keepinge the fkynne hole with the bones inclofed 
 therein. Thefe dryed carcafes, they haue in greate reuerence, and honour them for the)T houfeholde and 
 famylier goddes. They fay that in this place they fawe a man, and in an other place a woman, thus dryed and 
 referued. When they departed from Curiana, the. viii. day of the Ides of February to retume to Spayne, they 
 • had three fcore and. xvi. poundes weight (after, viii. vnces to the pownde) of perles, which they bought for 
 exchange of owre thynges, amountinge to the value of fyue Ihyllinges. Departinge therfore, they confumed 
 three fcore dayes in theyr ioumey (althowgh it were fliorter then frome Hifpaniold) by reafon of the contynuall 
 courfe of the fea into the welle, whiche dyd not only greately ftey the fhippe, but alfo fumtymes diyue it backe. 
 But at the length they came home foo laden with perles, that they were with euery maryner, in maner as com- 
 mon as chaffe. But the mailer of the fliyppe, Petrus Alphonfus, beinge accufed of his coompanyons that he 
 had llowlen a great multitude of precious perles, and defrauded the kynge of his portion which was the fyueth 
 parte, was taken of Fernando de Vega, a man of greate leminge and experience and gouemour of Galleda, 
 where they arryued, and was there kepte in piyfon a longe tyme. But he llyll denyethe that euer he deteyned 
 anye parte of the perles. Many of thefe perles were as bygge as hafell nuttes, and oriente, (as we caule it) that 
 is, lyke vnto them of the Eafte partes. Yet not of foo greate price, by reafon that the holes therof are not foo 
 perfecte. When I my felfe was prefente with the ryght honorable duke of Methyna, and was bidden to dyner 
 with hym, in the citie of Ciuile, they browght to hym aboue a hundreth and twentie vnces of perles to be 
 foulde : which furely did greatly delyte me with their fayrenes and brightnes. Sum faye, that Alphonfus hadde 
 not thefe perles in Curiana being dillante from Os Draconis more then a hundreth and twentie leaques, but 
 that he had them in the Regions of Cumana and Manacapana, nere vnto Os Draconis and the Ilande of 
 Margarita. For they deny that there is any perles fownde in Curiana. But fithe the matter is yet in con- 
 trouerfie, we wyll paffe to other matters. Thus muche yowe haue whereby yowe maye coniecture what 
 commoditie in tyme to coome may bee looked for from thefe newe landes of the well Ocean, whereas at the 
 fyrile difcoueringe, they fliewe fuch tokens of greate ryches. Thus fare ye well. 
 
 Howe the 
 canibales fortifie 
 theyr campe 
 
 Haraia. 
 
 Salte engendred 
 of the water of 
 the sea. 
 
 Spryngesofsalt 
 water. 
 
 The bodies of 
 princes dryed and 
 reserued 
 
 Threescore and 
 xvL poundes 
 weight of perles 
 for. r. shillynges. 
 The course of the 
 sea toward the 
 weste. 
 
 Perles as common 
 as chaffe 
 Petrus Alphonsus 
 in prison. 
 
 Orient perles as 
 bygge as hasel 
 nuttes. 
 
 40 
 
 Curiafta 
 Os Draconis. 
 Cumana. 
 Manacapana. 
 The Hand of 
 M.irgarita. 
 
 €1 The. IX. BOOKE of the fyrst Decade 
 to Cardynall Lodouike. 
 
 The nauigation >f 
 Vincendus and 
 Aries Finzonus 
 
 Licence and 
 passeporte. 
 
 96 
 
 Incentiagnes Pinzonus, and alfo Aries Pinzonus, his neuie, by his brothers fyde, which accom- 
 panyed the Admiral Colonus in his fyrfte vyage, and were by him appoynted to bee mailers 
 of twoo of the fmaule fliippes which the Spaniardes caule Carauelas, beinge mooucd by the 
 greate ryches and amplytude of the new landes, fumylhed of theyr owne charges, foure 
 carauels in the hauen of theyr owne countrey which the Spanyardes caule Palos, bortheringe 
 on the welle Ocean. Hauynge therfore the kynges licence and paffeporte to departe, they 
 loofed from the hauen, abowte the Calendes of December, in the yeare 1499. This hauen 
 
The fyrji Decade. 
 
 97 
 
 of Palos is three fcore and twelue myles diilant from Gades, commonly cauled Cales : and three fcore and foure 
 myles from Ciuile. All th[e]inhabitantes of this towne, not one excepted, are greately gyuen to fearchinge of 
 the fea, and continually exercyfed in fayling. They alfo directed theyr vyage fyrfl to the Ilandes of Canarie by 
 the Ilandes of Hefperides, nowe cauled Cahouerde, which fum caule Gorgodes Meducias. Saylinge therfore 
 directly towarde the fouthe frome that Hand of the Hefperides which the Portugales (being poffeffers of the 
 fame) caule SanlK lacobi, and departinge frome thenfe at the Ides of lanuaiy, they folowed the fouthwefl. wynde, 
 bemge in the myddeft betwene the fouth and the wefle. When they fuppofed that they had fayled aboute three 
 hundrethe leaques by the fame wynde, they fay that they lofte the fyght of the Northe flarre : and were fliortelye 
 after, tolled with excedinge tempefles bothe of wynde and fea, and vexed with intoUerable heate. Yet fayled 
 they on further (not without greate daunger) for the fpace of twoo hundrethe and fortie leaques, folowing yet 
 the fame wynde by the loft. pole. Wherfore, whether habitable Regions bee vnder the Equinoctiall lyne or not, 
 let thefe men and the owlde wryters, afwel Philofophers as poetes and cofmographers difcuffe. For thefe men, 
 affirme it to bee habitable, and marueloufly repleniftied with people : and they, that it is vnhabitable by reafon 
 of the foone beames dependinge perpendicularly or directlye ouer the fame. Yet were there many of the oulde 
 wryters, whiche attempted to proue it habitable. Thefe maryners beinge demaunded, if they fawe the fouth 
 pole, they anfwered that they knewe no ftarre there lyke vnto this pole, that myght be decerned aboute the 
 poynte. But that they fawe an other order of ftarres, and a certeyne thicke myft. ryfynge from the horizontall 
 lyne, which greatly hyndered theyr fyght They contende alfo, that there is a great heape or ryfynge in the 
 myddeft of the earth, which taketh away the fyght of the fouthe pole, vntyll they haue vtterly paffed ouer the 
 fame. But they verely beleue that they fawe other images of ftarres, muche differinge from the fituation of the 
 ftarres of owre hemifpherie or halfe circle of heauen. Howe foo euer the matter bee, as they informe vs, wee 
 certifie yowe. At the lengthe, the feuenth day of the calendes of Februarye, they efpied lande a farre of And 
 feinge the water of the fea to bee troubelous, foundinge with theyr plummet, they founde it to bee. xvi. fathames 
 deepe. Goinge a lande, and tarienge there for the fpace of twoo dayes, they departed bycaufe they faw no 
 people fteringe, althowghe they fownde certeyne lleppes of men by the fea fyde. Thus grauinge on the trees 
 and the ft.ones nere vnto the fliore, the kynges name and theyrs, and the tyme of theyr comming thether, they 
 departed. Not farre from this ftation, folowynge the fyers on the lande by nyght, they founde a nation lyinge 
 vnder the open fyrmamente after the maner of warre. Owre men thought it not befte to trowble them vntyll 
 the mominge. Therefore, at the ryfinge of the foone, fortie of owre men well armed, wente toward them ; 
 ageynfl, whom came furth. xxxii. of them, with bowes, flinges and dartes, euen redy to the feyght. The other 
 coompanye folowed them, armed after the fame maner. Owr men affirme that they were of hygher ftature then 
 eyther the Almaynes or Pannonians. They behelde owre men with frownynge and threatenynge countenaunce. 
 But owre men thought it not good to faule-to bickeringe with them, vncerteyne whether it were for feare, or 
 bycaufe they wolde not drjrue them to flight. Wherfore they went aboute to allure them by faire meanes and 
 rewardes. But they refufed all kynde of gentelnes, and ftoode euer in a redines to feight, declaringe the fame 
 by fignes and tokens. Thus owr men reforted to theyr ftiippes, and they to the place from whence they came, 
 without any further bufynes. The fame nyght abowte mydnyght, they fledde, and left the place voyde where 
 they lay in campe. Owre men fuppofe them to bee a vagabunde and wanderinge nacion lyke vnto the 
 Scythians, withowte houfes or certeyne dweUinge places, lyuinge onely with the fruites of the earth, hauing 
 theyr wyues and chyldren folowinge them. Such as meafured their footefteppes in the fande, affirme with 
 greate othes, that one of theyr feete is almoft as longe as twoo feete of owre men of the meane forte. Saylinge 
 on yet further, they founde an other ryuer, but not of deapth fufficient to beare the carauels. They fent 
 theifore the foure fliippe boates to lande, ful of armed men to fearch the countrey. They efpyed vppon a 
 hyghe hyll nere vnto the fea fyde, a greate multitude of people, to whom owre coompany fent furthe one man 
 with certeyne of owre thynges to allure them to exchaunge. And when he had caft a haukes bell towarde 
 them, they caft doAvne a wedge of golde a cubette longe. The which as he ft.ouped to take vppe, they foodenly 
 inclofed hym, and caryed hym awaye. But he was ftiortly after refcued by his coompanyons, to fum of their 
 paynes: for they flewe eyght of owre men, and wounded many a farre of, with theyr arrowes, and dartes made 
 of wood hardened at the endes with fyre. After this, they encoompafed owre ftiippe boates within the ryuer, 
 and came raflhelye within the reache of owre men, layinge houlde on the boates fydes, where they were thruft 
 throwgh and hewen in peeces as it had byn fheepe, by reafon they were naked. Yet wolde they not for al 
 this, gyue ouer: but tooke from owre men one of their boates, hauing noo men in it. For the gouemour 
 therof being flayne with an arrowe, the other fledde and efcaped. And thus they lefte this fierce and warlyke 
 people, faylinge towarde the northwefte alonge by the fame coaftes, with forowfuU hartes for the death of theyr 
 coompanyons. When they had fayled abowte. xl. leaques, they chaunced into a fea of fuche frefflie water, 
 that they fylled theyr barelles and hogges heades thervvith. Searching the caufe hereof, they vnderstoodethat a 
 vehement courfe of ryuers difcended with great violence from the toppes of certeyne greate hylles. They fay 
 
 Ciiles. Ciuile. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Canarie 
 
 Cabouerde. 
 
 S. James Ilande. 
 
 The North pole 
 owte of syght 
 
 Habitable Regions 
 vnder the 
 Equinoctial lyne. 
 
 An other order of 
 
 starres 
 
 A thycke mist 
 
 A rysinge in the 
 
 myddest of the 
 
 earth. 
 
 41 
 
 People of hygh 
 stature. 
 
 A vagabunde 
 kynde of men 
 
 Giantes. 
 
 Desperate 
 boufdenes. 
 
 A sea of freshe 
 water. 
 
 Eden. 
 
98 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 Many fruitefull 
 Ilandes. 
 Humane people. 
 
 Mariatamball. 
 
 Camomonis. 
 Paricora. 
 
 Regions of Paria. 
 Golde and perles. 
 Os Draconis. 
 Cumana. 
 Manacapafuu 
 Curiana 
 The hole earth 
 largely taken, 
 mayeoee cawed 
 an Ilande. 
 
 Maragnonus 
 
 aryuer 
 
 of exceadinge 
 
 breadth and full 
 
 of Hands looke 
 
 decade ii. Uber. ix. 
 
 42 
 
 Boriostomea, and 
 Spiriostomea, 
 mouthes of the 
 ryuer of Danubius. 
 
 The commodities 
 of the Regions 
 and Ilandes about 
 Faria. 
 Brasile. 
 
 Mani fruitful 
 Ilandes lefte 
 desolate. 
 Canibales. 
 
 Trees of Cassia 
 fistula. 
 
 Trees of maruelous 
 byggenes. 
 A monstrous 
 beaste. 
 
 Alteracion of ayer 
 and change of 
 meate 
 
 Cathay in India 
 beyonde the 
 ryuer of Ganges 
 A shipwrake 
 by tempest 
 
 alfo that there lyeth within the fea, many fortunate and fruitfull Ilandes, and well inhabyted: And that th[e]in- 
 habitantes of this tracte are men of meeke nature and fuche as doo not refufe ftrangers : Yet lyttle profytable 
 to them, bycaufe they had noo marchandyes for their purpofe, as golde or precyous ftones. For lacke wherof, 
 they brought frome thenfe thyrtie captiues to fell for flaues. Th[e]inhabitantes caule this Region Mariatambal. 
 The Region of the eafle parte of that ryuer, is cauled Camomonis: And that of the weile parte, Paricora: in 
 the mid lande wherof, th[e]inhabitantes fignified that there is greate plentie of golde. For, folowynge this 
 ryuer directly toward the Northe (as the bendynge of the ftiore requyred) they recouered ageyne the fyght of 
 the north pole. All the coalle of this tracte, perteyneth to Paria, the which (as we fayd before) was fyrft 
 founde by Colonus hym felfe, and hath in maner in euery place, greate abundaunce of pearles. They faye that 
 thefe coafl.es are adioynynge vnto, and all one with Os Draconis, and alfo bortherynge vppon the Regions of 
 Cutnana, Manacapana, Curiana, Cauchida, and Ctcchibacfwa. Wherfore they thought it to bee parte of the 
 firme lande of India beyonde the ryuer of Ganges. For the greate and large coompaffe therof, dothe not 
 permit that it fliulde bee an Ilande. Albeit, the hole earth vncouered with water, largely taken, may bee 
 cauled an Ilande. From the poynte of that land where they loft the fight of the north pole, faylynge by a 
 continuall tracke abowte three hundreth leaques towarde the wefte fyde of Paria, they fay that almofte in the 
 mydde way, they chaunced into a ryuer cauled Maragnonum, which they afRrme to bee of fuch excedinge 
 breadth, that it rayght feeme incredible, if the antiquitie dyd not make mention of the lyke. Beinge 
 demaunded of me if it were not falte water where it diuided the lande, they anfwered, that the water therof 
 was very freflhe and fweete: And that the further it ranne, to bee foo muche the frefflier: Alfo full of Ilandes 
 and holfome fyflie. They dare auouche the breadth therof, to bee more then thirtie leagues. Yet if wee well 
 weighe and confyder the largenes and wydenes of Boriojlomea and Spiriojlomea, the mouthes of the famous 
 ryuer of IJler (nowe cauled Danubius) and howe farre they violate or corrupte the falte water with their freftienes, 
 wee fliall ceafe to marueile, althowgh this other ryuer bee greater. For, who can diminyfflie the poure of 
 nature, but that it may make this bigger then the other, and an other bygger then this. And I fuppofe this to 
 bee the ryuer wherof Colonus the Admirall made mention in the difcription of his vyage in thefe coaftes. But 
 wee fliall hereafter haue further knowleage hereof. Let vs nowe therfore retume to the commodities of thefe 
 Regions. They fownde in many Ilandes abowte Paria, great wooddes of brafile trees : And brought awaye 
 with them, three thoufande poundes weight thereof. They fay that the brafile of Hifpaniola, is muche better 
 then this, to dye clothe with a more fayre and durable colour. From henfe, folowynge the wynde (whiche the 
 Spanyardes caule Norduejl, and the Italians Grmco) they paffed by many Ilandes very fruitefull, yet lefte 
 defolate and wafted by reafon of the crueltie of the Canibales. For they went alande in many places, and 
 fownde the mines of many deftroyed howfes. Yet in fum places, they founde men, but thofe exceadinge 
 fearefiiU, flyinge to the mountaynes, rockes, and wooddes at the fight of euery ftraunger or ftiippe, and wan- 
 deringe without houfes or certeyne abydinge places, for feare of the Caniballes layinge wayte and huntinge after 
 them. Here they founde thofe great trees which of them felues in dyuers places bringe furth the fruite or fpice 
 whiche the Apothecaries caule Caffia fijlula: And that of noo lefle goodnes then that which the phifitians 
 minifter to fuch as bee difeafed with the ague. But it was not ripe at theyr beinge there. They affirme that 
 there are trees of fuche byggenes, that. xvi. men ioyninge handes togyther and ftandinge in coompaffe, can 
 fcarfely embrafe fum of them. Emonge thefe trees is fownde that monftrous beafte with a fnowte lyke a foxe, 
 a tayle lyke a marmafette, eares lyke a batte, handes lyke a man, and feete lyke an ape, bearing her whelpes 
 abowte with her in an owtwarde bellye much lyke vnto a greate bagge or purfe. The deade carkas of this 
 beaft, you fawe with me, and turned it ouer and ouer with yowre owne handes, marueylynge at that newe belly 
 and wonderful! prouifion of nature. They lay it is knowen by experience, that fliee neuer letteth her whelpes 
 goo owte of that purfe, except it bee eyther to play, or to fucke,- vntyl fuche tyme that they bee able to gette 
 theyr l3aiing by them felues. They tooke this beafte with her whelpes : But the whelpes dyed fliortely after in 
 the fliyppes. Yet the damme lined certeyne moonethes : But at the length, not beinge able to abyde foo greate 
 alteration of ayer, and chaunge of nieate, fliee dyed alfo in the way. But of this beafte, wee haue fayde enowgh. 
 Let vs now therfore retume to the autoures of thefe thynges. Thefe twoo Pinzoni, the vncle and the neuie, 
 fufteyned manye great trowbles and horrible tempeftes and perilles in this nauigation. For when they had nowe 
 fayled by the coaftes of Paria abowte. vi. hundreth leaques, and (as they fuppofed) beyonde the citie of Cathay 
 and the coaftes of Eafte India beyonde the ryuer of Ganges, there rofe foodenly foo fierce a tempefte in the 
 mooneth of luly, that, of the foure carauels which they had with them, twoo were drowned euen beefcre theyr 
 eyes : and the thyrde lyenge at anker, with lyke foodennes caiyed owte of theyr fyght throwgh the violence of 
 the tempefte : The fourth alfo lyinge at anker, was foo ftiaken and broofed, that al the feames therof were almoft 
 loofed. Yet came they to lande owt of this kfte fliyppe, but vtterlye defpayrynge of the fliyppe. Wheifore 
 confultynge with them felues what was beft to bee doone in foo extreeme a cafe, and how to prouide them a 
 fafe dwellinge place in thofe Regions beinge owt of al hope how to departe from thenfe, they determined 
 98 
 
The fyrji Decade. 
 
 99 
 
 to fley all the inhabitantes of the contrey nere abowte them, lealle they with the other (hulde confpire togyther 
 to kyl them, but theyr fortune was better. For the carauell which the tempefte had caryed away, was coome 
 to them ageyne. This had in it. xviii. men : And the other that remayned, was faued aijd repayred. With 
 thefe two therfore, they tooke theyr vyage directly to Spaine And thus beinge toffed with tempeftes and vexed 
 with adueriities, they returned to theyr natiue contrey of Palos, to theyr wyues and children, the day before 
 the Calendes of October, with the loffe of many of theyr dere frendes and neighbours. They browght with 
 them Cinamome and gynger: but not very good, bycaufe they were not there fully feafoned with the heate of 
 the foone before they brought them from thenfe. They browght alfo, certeyne precious ftones, whiche Baptijla 
 Elyfius, that excellent philofopher and yowre lordefliippes phifitian, affirmeth to bee trewe Topafes. After 
 thefe mens retume, other of theyr neighbours beinge moued thereto by a certeyne emulation, to proue yf theyr 
 fortune wolde bee anye better, lyke men of good corage, beinge nothing difcomforted by the harde fortune of 
 theyr neighboures, knowinge that it often tymes chaunceth that that which is one mans vndoinge is an other 
 mans makynge, attempted a newe vyage towarde the fowthe by the coafl.es of Paria, folowynge the fteppes of 
 Colomis the Admiral, who had fyrft, difcouered the fame. They alfo browght with them greate plentie of Caffia 
 fijiula: And fownde that precious medicine cauled of the Spanyardes, AnimcR album, whofe perfume is of moil 
 excellent effect to heale the reumes, murres, and heauines of the heade. As touchinge this vyage, as yet I 
 knowe noo other newes that I thought worthy to certifie yowe of Wherfore. I wyl nowe make an ende of this 
 booke, bycaufe yow put me fo often in rememberance of your departure. jYet to accomplyflhe the Decade, I 
 wyll declare fumwhat of the fuperilitions of Hifpaniola. Yowe (hall nowe therfore vnderiland the illufions 
 wherwith the people of the Ilande haue byn feduced after the errours of the owlde gentilitie, and wandered in 
 the ignorance and blyndenes of humane nature corrupted by the difobedience of owr fyrft. parentes, which hath 
 remayned in all nations vpon the face of the earth, except where it hath pleafed god by the lyght of his fpirite 
 by his woorde, to poure vppon his electe the grace of renouation, by the lyght wherof the naturall darkenes 
 receaueth fume clearenes as in a glaffe, vntyll imperfection flialbe abolyflied. Owre men therefore, were longe 
 in the Ilande of Hifpaniola, before they knewe that the people thereof honorede any other thynge then the 
 lyghtes of heauen, or had any other Religion. But when theye had byne nowe longe conuerfante with them, 
 and by vnderilandyng their language, drewe to a further famiJiaritie, they had knowleage that they vfed dyuers 
 rytes and fuperfl.itions. I haue therfore gathered thefe fewe thynges folowynge, owte of a booke wrytten by 
 one Ramonus an heremyte, whom Colonus had lefte with certeyne kynges of the Ilande to inftruct them in the 
 Chriftian fayth. And bycaufe in maner their hole religion is none other thing then Idolatry, I wyll begynne 
 at theyr Idoles. It is therfore apparente by the Images which they honour openly and commonly, that there 
 appere vnto them in the nyghte feafons certeyne phantafies and illufions of euyll fpirites, feducinge them into 
 many fonde and folylhe errours. For they make certeyne Images of goifampine cotton foulded or wrethed 
 after theyr maner, arid harde ft.opped within. Thefe Images they make fytting, much lyke vnto the pictures of 
 fprites and deuelles which owr paynters are accuftomed to paint vppon waules. But forafmuch as I my felfe 
 fent yowe foure of thefe Images, yowe may better prefently fignifie vnto the kynge yowre vncle, what maner of 
 thynges they are, and howe lyke vnto paynted deuelles, then I can expreffe the fame by wrytynge. Thefe 
 Images, th[e]inhabitantes caule Zemes: wherof the leafte, made to the lykenes of younge deuels, they bind to 
 theyr forheades when they goo to the warres ageynft. their enemies: And for that purpofe haue they thofe 
 ftrynges hangynge at them which yowe fee. Of thefe, they beleue to obteyne rayne if rayne be lackyng, and 
 lykewyfe fayre wether. For they thinke that thefe Zemes are the mediatours and meifengers of the greate god, 
 whom they acknowleage to be only one, etemall, withowte ende, omnipotent and inuifible. Thus euery kynge 
 hath his particuler Zemes which he honoureth. They caule the etemall god, by thefe twoo names, locauna, 
 and Guamaonocon, as theyr prediceffours tawght them. Affirminge that he hath a father cauled by thefe fyue 
 names: that is, Attabeira, Mamona, Guacarapita, Liella, Guimazoa. Nowe fliall yowe heare what they 
 fable on the earth as touchinge the originall of man. There is in the Ilande a Region cauled Caunana, 
 wher they fayne that mankynde came fyrft owte of twoo caues of a mountayne: and that the byggeft 
 forte of men, came fiirth of the mouth of the byggefl. caue, and the leaft forte owte of the leafte 
 caue. The rocke in the which thefe caues are, they caule Cauta. The greateft denne, they name 
 Cazibaxagua, and the leffe Amaiauna. They fay, that before it was lawful for men to come foorth of 
 the caue, the mouth of the caue was kepte and watched nyghtly by a man whofe name was Machochael This 
 Machochael, departinge fumwhat farre from the caue to th[e]intente to fee what thynges were abrode, was 
 foodenly taken of the foonne (whofe fight he was forbydden) and was turned into a ftone. They fayne the lyke 
 of dyuers other, that whereas they went foorthe in the nyghte feafon a fyffliynge, fo farre from the caue that they 
 coulde not retume before the lyfynge of the foone (the which it was not lawful for them to behold) they were 
 tranfformed into myrobalane trees, which of them felues growe plentifully in the Ilande. They faye further- 
 more, that a certeyne ruler cauled Vagoniona, fent one furth of the caue to goo a fyffliynge, who by lyke chaunce 
 
 I 
 
 Extreme remedie 
 in a desperat 
 case 
 
 43 
 
 Cinamome and 
 
 gynger 
 
 Topases. 
 
 Men of noble 
 corage. 
 
 A nother vyage 
 Anima album. 
 
 The superstitions 
 of hispaniola. 
 The errours of the 
 owlde gentilitie. 
 
 The grace of 
 
 renouation. 
 
 Ramonus an 
 heremyte. 
 Idolatry and 
 Idoles. 
 
 Illusions of euyl 
 spirites. 
 Images of 
 gossampine cotton 
 
 Zemes. 
 Younge deuyls. 
 
 Mediatours. 
 
 Only one god 
 
 etemall. 
 
 The names of god. 
 
 The father of god. 
 
 The originall of 
 man kynde 
 
 Fables much lyke 
 Guide his 
 transformations 
 
 44 
 
 The original of 
 Mirobalane trees- 
 
100 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 The nightingale. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Mathinino. 
 
 Children turned 
 into frogges. 
 
 A speciall grace. 
 
 Holy reliques 
 
 Women are 
 slippery cattayle. 
 Al wisedome goeth 
 not by age. 
 
 Here nedeth sum 
 
 tropologicall 
 
 interpretour. 
 
 Myrmidones 
 
 Preachers for the 
 deuyl. 
 
 A vengeable 
 greate gourd. 
 
 The originall of 
 the sea. 
 
 45 
 
 The originall of 
 llandes. 
 
 A holy caue. 
 
 Images. 
 
 The originall of 
 the soone and 
 moone. 
 
 Fylgramage. 
 
 Walkynge sprytes. 
 Incubt. 
 
 A remedye 
 ageynst walkyng 
 sprites. 
 
 was turned into a nyghtyngale bycaufe the foonne was ryfen beefore he came ageyne to the caue : And that 
 yearelye abowte the fame tyme that he was turned into a byrde, he dothe in the nyght with a moomynge fonge 
 bewayle his myffortmie, and caule for the helpe of his maifler Vagoniona. And this they thynke to bee the 
 caufe why that byrde fmgeth in the night feafon. But Vagoniona, beinge fore troubled in his mynd for the 
 loffe of his familier frende whom he loued foo intierly, leauinge the men in the caue, brought foorth onely the 
 women with theyr fuckynge chyldren, leauinge the women in one of the llandes of that tracte, cauled Mathinino, 
 and caryed the chyldren awaye with hym : which poore wretches oppreffed with famine, fainted and remained 
 on the banke of a certeine rjmer where they were turned into frogges, and cryed toa, toa, that is, mama, mama, 
 as chyldren are wont to crye for the mothers pappe. And hereof they fay it commeth that frogges vfe to cry fo 
 pytifiilly in the fprynge tyme of the yeare : And that men were fcattered abrode in the caues of Hifpaniola 
 withowte the companye of women. They fay alfo, that whereas Vagoniona hym felfe, was accuftomed to 
 wander in dyuers places, and yet by a fpeciall grace, neuer tranfformed, defcended to a certeyne ixyxQ woman 
 whom he fawe in the bottome of the fea, and receaued of her certeyne pibple Hones of marble (whiche they 
 caule Cibas) and alfo certeine yelowe and bright plates of laton, whiche they caule Guaninos. Thefe thynges 
 to this day are had in greate eflimation amonge the kynges, as goodly iewels and moft. holy reliques. Thefe 
 men whiche we fayde before were lefte in the caues withowte women, went furth in the nyght (as they fay) to 
 wafflie them felues in a ponde of raine water and fawe a farre of by the way a greate multitude of certeine 
 beaftes in fliape fumwhat lyke vnto women, creping as thicke as antes aboute the mjnrobalane trees : And that 
 as they attempted to take thefe beaftes, they flypped owte of their handes as they had byn yeles. Where vppon 
 they confulted, and determyned by th[e]aduice of the elders, that al fuche fliulde bee fowght foorthe amonge 
 them, as were fcabbyd and leprous, to th[e]intente that with theyr rowghe and harde handes, they rayght th[e]- 
 efelyer take holde of them. Thefe men, they caule Caracaracoles : And fente them foorthe a huntinge to take 
 thefe beaftes. But of many which they tooke, they coulde keepe but only foure : The whiche as they wolde 
 haue vfed for women, they fownde that they lacked womans priuities. Wherefore caulinge th[e]elders ageyne to 
 counfayle, to confult what were befte to bee done in this cafe, theyr aduice was that the byrde which wee caule 
 the Pye, fliuld bee admitted with his byll to open a place for that purpofe, whyle in the meane tyme thefe men 
 cauled Caracaracoles, fliulde hould faft the womens thighes abrode with theyr rowgh handes. Full wyfely ther- 
 fore was the pye put to this office, and opened the womens priuities, and hereof the women of the Ilande haue 
 theyr original and offpringe. But nowe doo I ceafe to marueyle that the owlde Grekes dyd fable and wryte fo 
 manye bookes of the people cauled Myrmidones, which they fayned to bee engendred of antes or piffemeres. 
 Thefe and fuche lyke, the fageft and wyfeft of the people, preache continually to the fimple forte, and reherfe 
 the fame as mofte holy oracles. But it is yet more chyldyfflie that they fable as touchinge th[e]originall of the 
 fea. For they faye that there was once in the Ilande, a man of greate power, whofe name was laia : whofe only 
 foonne being dead, he buiyed hym within a greate gourde. This laia, greuouflye takyng the death of his 
 foonne, after a fewe moonthes, came ageyne to the gourde : The which when he had opened, there iflhewed 
 foorth many great whales and other monfters of the fea : where vppon he declared to fuche as dwelt abowte 
 hym, that the fea was enclofed in that gourde. By which report, foure brethren (borne of one woman 
 who dyed in her trauail) beinge moued, came to the gourde in hope to haue many fyfflies. The whiche 
 when they had taken in theyr handes, and efpied laia comming, (who oftentymes reforted to the gourd 
 to vifet the boones of his foonne) fearing leaft he fliulde fufpecte them of thefte and facrileage, fodaynely let 
 the gourde faule owte of theyr handes: which beinge broken in the faule the fea furthwith brake owte at the 
 ryftes therof, and fo fylled the vales, and ouerflowed the playnes, that only the mountaynes were vncouered 
 whiche nowe conteyne the llandes which are feene in thofe coaftes. And this is the oppinion of theyr yrvi^ 
 men as concemynge th[e]originall of the fea. But nowe (moft noble prince) you fliall heare a more pleafaunt 
 fable. There is a certeyne caue cauled louanaboina, in the territorye of a certeyne kynge whofe name is 
 Machinnech. This caue they honour more reUgioufly then dyd the Grekes in tyme pafte, Corinth, Cyrrha, or 
 Nyfa: And haue adourned it with pictures of a thoufand faflhions. In th[e]enterance of this caue they haue 
 twoo grauen Zemes, wherof the one is cauled Binthaitel, and the other Marobu. Beinge demaunded why they 
 had this caue in foo greate reuerence, they anfwered emeftly, bycaufe the Soonne and the Moone came fyrft 
 owt of the fame to gyue lyght to the worlde. They haue religious concourfe to thefe caues, as wee are 
 accuftomed to goo on Pylgramage to Rome or Vaticane, Compoftele, or Hierufalem, and moft holye and heade 
 places of owre Religion. They are alfo fubiect to an other kynde of fuperftition. For they thinke that deade 
 folkes walke in the nyght, and eate of the fruite cauled Giianndba, vnknowen vnto vs, and fumwhat lyke vnto a 
 quynfe. Affirmynge alfo that they are conuerfant with lyumg people, euen in theyr beddes, and to deceaue 
 women in takynge vpon them the ftiape of men, fliewynge them felues as thowgh they wolde haue to doo with 
 them : But when the matter commeth to actual deede, foodenly to vanyfflie away. If any doo fufpecte that a 
 deade body lyeth by hym when he feeleth anye ftraunge thynge in the bedde, they fay hee flialbe owt of dout 
 
The fyrjt Decade. 
 
 lOI 
 
 by feelynge of the belly therof: affirmyftg that the fpirites of deade men may take vppon them al the members 
 of mans body, fauinge only the nauell. If therfore by lacke of the nauell he doo perceaue that a deade body 
 lyeth by.hym, the feelynge is immediatly refolued. They beleue verely, that in the nyght, and often tymes in 
 theyr iourneys, and efpecially in common and hygh wayes, deade men doo meete with the lyuyrige. Ageynfte 
 whotaie, if any man bee ftdute and owte of feare, the phantafye vanyflheth incontinentely. But yf anye feare, 
 the phantafy or vyfion doth foo affaute hym and ftryke hym with further feare, that manye are thereby aftonyffhed 
 and haue the lymmes of theyr bodyes taken. Th[e]inhabytantes beinge demaunded of whom they had thofe 
 vayne fuperfticions, they' anfwered that they were lefte them of theyr forefathers as by difcent of inheritance : 
 And that they haue had the fame (before the memory of man) compofed in certeine rymes and fonges, which 
 it was lawful for none to leme but onely the kynges foonnes, who commytted the fame to memorye, bycaufe 
 they hadde neuer any knoweleage of letters. Thefe they fynge beefore the people on certeyne folemne and 
 feftiuall dayes, as mofl religious ceremonies: whyle in the meane tyme they play on a certeyne inflrumente 
 made of one hole peece of woodde fumwhat holowe lyke a tymbrell. Their preefl.es and diuines (whom they 
 caule Boitios) infl.ructe them in thefe fuperilitions. Thefe preeftes, are alfo phifitians, diuifinge a thoufande 
 craftes and fubtylties howe to deceaue the fimple people which haue them in greate reuerence. For they 
 perfuade them that the Zemes vfe to fpeak with theym familierlye, aind tel them of thynges to come. And if any 
 haue bin ficke and are recouered, they make them beleue that they obteyned theyr healthe of the Zemes. Thefe 
 BoiHi, bynde them felues to muche faftinge and owtewarde clenlynes and pourgeinges : Efpecially when they 
 take vppon them the cure of any Prince. For then they drynke the ponder of a certeyne herbe, by whofe 
 qualitie they are dryuen into a fiirye : At whiche tyme (as they fay) they leme many thynges by reuelation of 
 the Themes. Then, puttinge fecreatly in theyr mouthes, eyther a fl.one, or a bone, or a piece of flefhe, they 
 coomme to the ficke perfon, commaundinge al to departe owte of that place, excepte one or twoo, whom it fhall 
 pleafe the ficke man to appoynt. This doone, they goo about hym three or foure tymes, greatly deforminge 
 theyr faces, lyppes, and nofethrils with fundry fylthy gieftures : blowynge, breathinge, and fuckyng the forheade, 
 temples, and necke of the pacient, wherby (they faye) they drawe the euyll ayer from hym, and fucke the difeafe 
 owt of his veynes. Then rubbinge hym about the (houlders, thyghes, and legges, and dtawynge downe theyr 
 handes clofe by his feete, holdinge them yet faft.e togyther, they runne to the dore beinge. open, where they 
 vnclofe and (hake theyr handes, affirminge that they haue dryuen away the difeafe, and that the pacient ftiall 
 fliortely bee perfectly reft.ored to health. After this, commynge behynde hym, he conueygheth the piece of 
 flefhe owte of his owne mouth like a iuggeler, and ftieweth it to the ficke manj fayinge, behoulde what you haue 
 eaten to muche ; you fhall nowe bee hole, bycaufe I haue taken this from you. But if he intende yet further to 
 deceaue the pacient, he perfuadeth hym that his Zemes is angry, eyther bycaufe he hath not buylded hym a chapell, 
 or not honored hym religioufly, or not dedicated vnto him a groue or garden. And if it foo chaunce that the 
 ficke perfon dye, his kinlfolkes by wytchecrafte enforce the deade to confefTe whether he dyed by naturall deftenye, 
 or by the neglygence of the Boitius, in that he had not fafled as he fhulde haue doone, or not myniftred a 
 conuenient medicine for the difeafe. Soo that yf this phifitian bee founde fautie, they take reuenge of hym. Of 
 the flones or bones which thefe Boitii carye in theyr mouthes, yf the women can coome by them, they keepe 
 them religioufly beleauinge them to bee greatly efFectuall to helpe women whiche trauayle with chylde : And 
 therfore honoure them as they doo theyr Zemes. For dyuers of th[e]inhabitantes, honour Zemes of dyuers 
 faffhions. Sume make theim of woodde, as they were admonyflied by certeyne vifions apperinge vnto them in 
 the wooddes. Others, whiche haue receaued anfwere of them amonge the rockes, make them of ftone and 
 marble. Sum they make of rootes to the fimilitude of fuche as appeare to them when they are gathering the 
 rootes cauled Ages, wherof they make theyr breade, as we haue fayde before. Thefe Zemes, they beleue to fend 
 plentie and fiiitefulnes of thofe rootes, as the antiquitie beleued fuche fayries or fpirites as they cauled Dryades, 
 Hamadryades, Satyros, Panes, and Nereides, to haue the cure and prouidence of the fea, wooddes, and fprynges 
 and fountayhes, affigninge to eueiy thynge, theyr pecuher goddes. Euen foo doo th[e]inhabitantes of this 
 Ilande attribute a Zemes to euery thynge, fuppofinge the fame to gyue eare to theyr inuoc^tions. Wherfore, as; 
 often as the kynges afke counfaile of their Zemes as concerning their warres, increafe of fruites or fcarihes, or 
 health and fickenes, they enter into the houfe dedicate to theyr Zemes, where, fnuffinge vp into theyr nofethryls 
 the pouder of the herbe cauled Cohobba (wherwith the Boitii are dryuen into a furye) they fay that immediatly 
 they fee the houfes tume topfy turuye, and men to walke with theyr heeles vpwarde : of fuche force is this 
 pouder vtterly to take away all fenfe. As foone as this maddenes ceafeth, he embrafeth his knees with his armes, 
 holdynge downe his heade. And when he hath remayned thus a whyle aftonyffhed, he lyfteth vp his heade as 
 one that came newe owt of fleepe : And thus loking vp towarde heauen, Fyrft he fumbeleth certeyne confounded 
 woordes with hjon felfe. Then certeyne of the nobilitie or chiefe gentelmen that are about him (for none of the 
 common people are admytted to thefe myfteries) with lowde voyces gyue tokens of reioyfing that he is returned 
 to them from the fpeache of the Zemes, demaundynge of hym what he hathe feene. Then hee openinge his 
 
 Phantasies 
 proceadynge of 
 feare. 
 
 Al is not good that 
 is owlde 
 
 Syngynge and 
 pfayinge 
 
 Preestes and 
 diuines. 
 Phisitians. 
 Ignorance is 
 noryshed with 
 superstition. 
 
 Fastynge and 
 outward clenlynes. 
 
 A pouder of 
 maruelous effecte. 
 
 luggelynge. 
 
 A strange maner 
 of curing 
 
 46 
 
 Angery gods 
 
 They make the 
 deade to speake. 
 
 Difiers Idols pf 
 sundry shape'. 
 
 Fayries or spirites 
 of the gentyles. 
 
 Peculier goddes. 
 
 Theyaske 
 consaile of Idols 
 
 The pouder of the 
 herbe Cohobba. 
 
 I 
 
 'Secreate misteries. 
 
 L 3 
 
I02 
 
 The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 Keuelations. 
 
 The spirite of 
 Apollo. 
 The Sibilles 
 
 X hsLue harde the 
 Ivke of other in 
 
 ^unglande. 
 
 Hungery and 
 lecherous gods. 
 
 Children with two 
 
 crownes 
 
 47 
 
 Wanderinge 
 Images. 
 
 Mediatours. 
 
 A woman zemes 
 of great poure. 
 
 Fyue dayes 
 fastinge. 
 
 A maruelous 
 illusion of the 
 dcuyll. 
 The deuyll 
 sumtyme telleth 
 truth. 
 
 The Idols 
 abolyshed. 
 
 mouthe, doateth that the Zemes fpake to hym duiyng the tyme of his traunce : declaring that he had reuelations 
 eyther conceminge victoiye or dellruction: famyne or plentie: health or fyckenes, or what foo euer happeneth 
 fyrft, on his toonge. Nowe (mofte noble Prince) what neede you hereafter to marueyle of the fpirite of Apollo 
 foo ftiakynge his Sibylles with extreme furie? Yowe had thowght that the fuperftitious antiquitie hadde 
 peiyfhed. But nowe wheras I haue declared thus much of the Zemes in generall, I thowght it not good to lette 
 paffe what is fayde of them in particuler. They faye therefore, that a certeyne kynge cauled Guamaretus, had 
 a Zemes whofe name was Corochotum : who (they fay) was often tymes woonte to defcende from the hyghefte 
 place of the houfe where Guamarettis kepte hym fafte bounde. They affirme, that the caufe of this his 
 breakynge of his bandes and departure, was eyther to hyde hym felfe, or to goo feeke for meate, or els for the 
 acte of generation : And that fumtymes beinge offended, that the kynge Guamaretus had byn negligent and 
 flacke in honouringe hym, he was woont to lye hyd for certeyne dayes. They lay alfo that in the kynges vylage 
 there are fumtyme chyldren borne hauing twoo crownes which they fuppofe to bee the children of Corochotum 
 the Zemes. They fayne lykewyfe, that Guamaretus beinge ouercome of his enemies in the battayle, and his 
 vylage Tvith the palaice confumed with fyer, Corochotus brake his bandes and was afterwarde founde a furlonge of, 
 faie and withowte hurte. He hath alfo an other ^mes cauled Epileguanita, made of woodde, in Ihape lyke a foure 
 footed beafte : who alfo is fayde, often tymes to haue gonne from the place where he is honoured, into the wooddes. 
 As foone as they perceaue him to bee gonne, a great multitude of them gather togyther to feeke hym with deuoute 
 prayers : And when they haue fownde hym, brynge hym home religioufly on theyr fliulders to the chapell dedicated 
 vnto hym. But they coomplayne that fence the commynge of the Chriftian men into the Ilande, he fledde for all 
 togyther, and coulde neuer fence bee founde, wherby they diuined the dellruction of theyr countrey. They honoured 
 an other Zemes in the lykenes of a woman, on whom wayted twoo other lyke men, as they were minillers to 
 her. One of thefe, executed th[e]office of a mediatour to the other Zemes which are vnder the power and 
 commaundement of this woman, to rayfe wyndes, cloudes, and rayne. The other is alfo at her commaunde- 
 mente a meffenger to the other Zemes whiche are ioyned with her in gouemaunce, to gather togyther the waters 
 whiche faule from the hygh hylles to the valleys, that beinge loofed, they may with force burll owte into greate 
 fluddes and ouerflowe the countrey if the people doo not gyue due honoure to her Image. There remayneth 
 yet one thynge woorthy to bee noted, wherwith we wyll make an ende of this booke. It is a thynge well 
 knowen, and yet freflhe in memory amonge the inhabitantes of the Ilande, that there was fumetyme twoo 
 kynges (of the which one was the father of Guarionexius of whom we made mention before) which were woont 
 to ablleyne fyue dayes togyther continually from meate and drinke, to knowe fumwhat of ^eyr Zemes of thynges 
 to coome : And that for this fallynge beinge acceptable to theyr Zemes, they receaued anfwere of them, that 
 within fewe yeares, there Ihuld coome to the Ilande a nation of men couered with apparell, which Ihulde 
 dellroye al the cuflomes and cerymonyes of the Iland, and eyther lley all theyr chyldren, or brynge. them into 
 feruitude. The common fort of the people, vnderlloode this oracle to bee mente of the Canibales. And 
 therefore when they had any knowleage of theyr commyng, they euer fledde, and were fully determyned neuer 
 more [to] aduenture the battayle with them. But when they fawe that the Spanyardes had entered into the 
 Ilande, confultinge amonge them felues of the matter, they concluded that this was the nation which was ment 
 by th[e]oracle. Wherin, theyr opinion deceaued them not. For they are nowe all fubiecte to the Chrillians, 
 all fuche beinge flayne as lloobemely refilled. Nor yet remayneth there anye memory of theyr Zemes: for 
 they are al brought into Spayne, that we myght bee certified of theyr illufions of euyl fpirites and Idoles, the 
 which yowe yowre felfe (moll noble Prince) haue feene and felte when I was prefente with yowe. I let pafle 
 many thynges bycaufe yow put me in remembrance that to morowe yowe take yowre iomey towarde yowre 
 countrey, to brynge home the queene yowre aunte, whom yowe accoompanyed hether at the commaundemente 
 of kynge Frederyke yowre vncle. Wherfore I byd yowe farewel for this tyme, defyrynge yowe to remember 
 yowre Martyr, whome yowe haue compelled in the name of the kynge yowre vncle, to gather thefe fewe 
 thynges owte of a large feelde of hylloryes. 
 
The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 103 
 
 C The tenth and laste booke of the fyrst decade, 
 
 as a conclMjion of the former bookes : 
 
 IVrytten to Inacus lopez Mendocius, countie <7/"Tendilla, and viceroy e o/^Granata. 
 
 T the fyrft begynnynge and newe attempte, when Colmus had taken vppon hym th[e]enter- 
 pryfe to fearch the Ocean fea, I was erneftly moued and requyred by the letters of certeyne 
 of my frendes and noble men of Rome to wryte fuche thynges as flioulde happen. For they 
 whyfpered with greate admiracion, that where as there were many newe landes founde, and 
 nations which lined naked and after the lawe of nature, they coulde here noo certentie 
 therof, beinge greately defyrous of the fame. In this meane tyme had fortune ouerthrowne 
 Afcanius (his brother Lodouike beinge call owt of Mylayne by the frenchmen) whofe 
 autoritie wold not fuffer me to bee idle, but euer to haue my pen in hande. To hym I wryte the twoo fyrft. 
 bookes of this decade, befyde many other of my hyd commentaries whiche yowe (hall fee flxortely. Fortune 
 dyd noo leffe withdrawe my mynde frome wrytynge, then difturbe Afcanius from power. As he was toffed with 
 contrary ftormes and ceafed to perfuade me, euen foo flacked my fementnes to enquyre any further, vntyl the 
 yeare of Chrifte. 1500. When the court remayned at Granata where yowe are viceroye: At which time 
 Lodouike the Cardinall of Aragonie, neuie to kynge Frederike by his brothers fyde (beinge at Granata with 
 the queene Parthmopea the fyfter of owre catholike kynge) browght me kynge Frederikes letters, wherby he 
 exhorted me to fynyflie the other bookes whiche folowed the twoo epyllell bookes, which I wryte to Afcanius. 
 For they both acknowleaged that they hadde the copie of all that I wryte to cardinall Afcanius. And albeit 
 that euen then I was ficke (as yowe knowe) yet tooke I the burden vppon me, and applyed my felfe to wrytynge. 
 I haue therfore chofen thefe fewe thynges, owte of a greate heape of fuche as feemed to me moft woorthy to 
 bee noted amonge the large wrytynges of the autoures and fearchers of the fame. Wherfore, forafmuch as yowe 
 haue endeuoured to wrelle owt of my handes the hole exemple of al my woorkes, to adde the fame to the 
 innumerable volumes of yowre librarie, I thowght it good nowe to make a breefe reherfall of thofe thynges 
 which were done from that yeare of a thowfande and fyue hundreth, euen vnto this yeare which is the tenth 
 from that. For I entende to wryte more largelye of thefe thynges hereafter, if god graunte me lyfe. I hadde 
 wrytten a hole booke by it felfe of the fuperftitions of the people of the Ilande, fuppofmge therwith to haue 
 accomplyflied the hole Decade confiftynge of tenne bookes. But I haue added this to the tenthe as a per- 
 pendiculer lyne, and as it were a backe guyde or rerewarde to the other: So that yowe may knytte the fyrft 
 tenthe, to the nynthe, and impute this to occupie the place of the tenthe to fyll vp the Decade. This order 
 haue I appoynted, left I ftiulde bee compelled often times to wryte ouer the hole woorke, or fende yowe the 
 fame defaced with blottes and interlynynge. But nowe let vs coome to owre purpofe. The fliippe mafters . 
 and maryners ranne ouer many coaftes durynge thefe tenne yeares : But euer folowed fuche as were fyrfte 
 fownde by Colonus. For rafinge continually alonge by the tracte of Paria, which they beleue to bee parte of 
 the firme lande or continent of eafte India, fume of theym chaunced vppon certeyne newe landes towarde the 
 eafte, and fume towarde the wefte, in which they fownde bothe goulde and frankenfence. For they browght 
 from thenfe many iewels and ouches of golde, and greate plentie of frankenfence, whiche they had of the 
 people of thofe countreys, partely for exchange of fume of owre thynges, and partely by force, ouercommynge 
 them by warre. Yet in fume places, althowgh they bee naked, they ouercame owre men, and flewe hole 
 armyes. For they are excedinge fierce, and vfe venemous arrowes, and longe ftaues lyke iauelens, made harde 
 at the ende with fyer. They fownde many beaftes, both creepinge and foure footed, muche differinge from 
 owres, variable and of fundrye fliapes innumerable: yet not hurtfuU, excepte Lyons, Tygers, and Crocodiles. 
 This I meane in fimdry Regions of that greate lande of Paria: but not in the Ilandes: Noo not foo much as 
 one. For all the beaftes of the Ilandes, are meeke and withowte hurte, except men which (as wee haue fayde) 
 are in many Ilandes deuourers of mans fleflhe. There are alfo dyuers kyndes of foules. And in many places 
 battes of fuch bygnes, that they are equall with turtle doues. Thefe battes, haue often tymes affauted men in 
 the nyght in theyr fleepe, and foo bytten them with theyr venemous teethe, that they haue byn therby almofte 
 diyuen to madnes, in foo much that they haue byn compelled to flye from fuch places, as from rauenous harpies. 
 In an other place, where certeyne of them flepte m the nyght feafon on the fandes by the fea fyde, a monfter 
 commynge owte of the fea, came vppon one of them fecreatly and caryed hym away by the myddefte owte of 
 the fight of his felowes to whome he cryed in vayne for helpe vntyll the beafte lepte into the fea with her praye. 
 
 103 
 
 The Lawe of 
 nature. 
 
 Milayne in the 
 hands of the 
 frenchmen 
 
 48 
 
 Epistel books 
 
 The historye 
 folowing, 
 conteyneth the 
 actes of ten yeare 
 
 Paria, part of the 
 firme land of East 
 India 
 
 Golde and 
 frankensence. 
 
 The fiercenes of 
 the naked people. 
 Innumerably 
 beastes vnlylce 
 vnto owres. 
 
 Nothing hurtfull 
 in the Ilandes, 
 
 Battes as bygge 
 as turtle doues. 
 
 A inap deUQUred 
 of a monster of 
 the sea 
 
104 
 
 The fyrji Decade. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 profer them selues 
 to subdue the 
 newe landes. 
 
 Note the largenes 
 of the newe landes. 
 
 Commendacion of 
 the Spaniardes. 
 
 Antipodes. 
 
 49 
 
 Theautours 
 excusse. 
 
 Hispaniola^ 
 
 The nature of the 
 place, altereth 
 the formes and 
 qualities of 
 thynges. 
 Wheate. 
 Herbes. 
 Catayle. 
 Hogges. 
 
 Plentie of beasCes 
 and foule. 
 
 Cuba, is an 
 Ilande. 
 
 The description 
 of Cuba. 
 
 The Iland of 
 Burichema or 
 S. lohannis. 
 
 Golde mynes 
 
 The order of 
 woorkynge in the 
 golde mynes. 
 The kynges 
 brynge ifieyr 
 subiectes 
 to woorke in 
 the golde mynes. 
 
 TyllagB. 
 
 50 
 
 They abhorre 
 
 laboure 
 
 They are docible. 
 
 The kynges 
 chyldnn. . 
 
 It was the kynges pleafure that they ftiulde remayne in thefe landes, and buylde townes and fortreffes. Where 
 vnto they were foo wel wyllynge, that dyuers profered them felues to take vppon them ^he fubduing of the 
 lande, makyng great fute to the kynge that they might bee appointed therto. The coafte of this tracte is 
 exceadynge greate and large: and the Regions and landes therof extende maruelous farre: Soo that they 
 affirme the continent of thefe Regions with the Ilandes abowte the fame, to bee thryfe as bygge as al Europe, 
 befyde thofe landes that the Portugales haue fownde fouthwarde, whiche are alfo exceadynge large. Therfore 
 doubtleffe Spayne hathe defamed greate prayfe in thefe pwre dayes, in that it hath made knowen vnto us- foo 
 many thowfandes xii Antipodes which leye hyd before and vnknowen to owre forefathers ■. And' hath thereby 
 mynyflred fo large matter to wryte of, to fuche lerned wyttes as are defyrous to fette furthe knowleage to the 
 commoditie of men : to whom I opened a way when I gathered thefe thynges rudely to gyther as yowe fee : 
 The which, neuertheleffe I truft yowe wyll take in good parte, afwell for that I can not adoume my rudenes 
 with better veflure, as alfo that I neuer tooke penne in hande to wryte lyke an hiftoriographer, but only by 
 epiilels fcribeled in hafle, to fatiffie theym, from whofe commaundementes I myght not drawe backe my foote. 
 But now I haue digreffed enowghe. Let vs nowe therefore returne to Hifpaniola. Owre men haue founde by 
 experience, that the breade of the Iland is of fmaule ftrength to fuch as haue byn vfed to owr breade made of 
 wheate : And that theyr fl,ren[g]thes were much decayed by vfynge of the fame. Wherfore the king hath of late 
 commaunded that wheate fliulde bee fowen there in diuers places and at fundry tymes of the yeare. It groweth 
 into holowe reedes, with fewe eares, but thofe verye bygge and frutefuU. They fynde the lyke foftenes or delicatenes 
 to bee in herbes, which growe there to the height of come. Neat or cattail, becoome of bygger ftature and 
 exceadynge fat, but theyr flefflie is more vnfauery, and theyr bones (as they fay) eyther withowte marye, or the 
 fame to bee verye wateryflhe. But of hogges and fwyne, they affirme the contrarye, that they are more holfoome 
 and of better tafte, by reafon of certeyne wylde frutes whiche they eate, beinge of muche better nooryfliement 
 then maile. There is almofl none other kynd of fleffhe commonly foulde in the market. The multitude of hogges, 
 are excedingly encreafed, and becoome wylde as foone as they are owte of the fwyneheardes keepynge. They 
 haue fuche plentie of beaftes and foules, that they fhall heareafter haue noo neede, to haue any brought from 
 other places. Th[e]increafe of all beaftes, growe bygger then the broode they came of, by reafon of the rankenes 
 of the pafture, althowgh theyr feadynge bee only of graffe, withowte eyther barley or other grayne. But wee 
 haue fayde enowgh oiHifpaniola. They haue nowe fownde that Ctiba, (which qf longe tyme they thowght to 
 haue byn firme lande for the greate length therof) is an Ilande. Yet is it noo marueU that th[e]inhabitantes them 
 felues towlde owre men when they fearched the length therof, that it was withowte ende. For this nacion being 
 naked and contente with a lyttle, and with the limittes of theyr owne contrey, is not greatly curyous to know 
 what theyr neyghbours doo, or the largenes of theyr dominion. Nor yet knewe they if there were any other 
 thinge vnder heauen, befyde that whiche they walked on with theyr feete. Cuba, is frome the Eaile into the 
 Wefte, muche longer then Hifpaniola: And in breadthe from the Northe to the Southe, much leffe then they 
 fuppofed at the fyrft : for it is very narowe in refpecte to the length : And is for the mofte parte, very frutefuU 
 and pleafaunt, Eaftwarde not farre from Hifpaniola, there lyethe an Ilande, leffe then Hifpaniola more then by 
 the halfe, which owre men cauled Sanili lohannis, beinge in maner fquare. . In this they founde excedynge lyche 
 golde mynes. But beinge nowe occupied in the golde mynes of Hifpaniola, they haue not yet fent labourers into 
 that Iland. But the plentie and reuenewe of golde of al other Regions, gyue place to Hifpaniola, where they 
 gyue theim felues in maner to none other thynge then to gather golde, of which woorke this order is appoynted. 
 To euery fuch wyttie and fkylfull man as is put in trufte to bee a furuoier or ouerfeer of thefe woorkes, there is 
 affigned one or more kynges of the Ilande with theyr fubiectes. Thefe kynges accordyng to theyr leagiie, coome 
 with theyr people at certeyne tymes of the yeare, and reforte euery of them to the golde myne to the which he is 
 affigned: where they haue all maner of dygginge or myninge tooles deliuered them: And euery kynge with his 
 men, haue a certeyne rewarde alowed them for theyr labour. For when they departe from, the mynes to fowynge 
 of come, and other tyllage (whemnto they are addict at certeyne other tymes, leafte theyr foode fhulde fayle 
 them) they receaue for theyr laboure, one a ierken, or a dublet, an other a ftierte, an- other a cloke or a cappe. 
 For they nowe take pleafure in thefe thynges, and goo no more naked as they were wont too doo. And thus 
 they vfe the helpe and laboure of the inhabitantes both for the tyllage of theyr ground, and in theyr gold mines 
 as thowghe they were theyr feraauntes or bondemen. They beare this yoke of feruitude with an eiiylLwyll:, but 
 yet they beare it. They caule thefe hyred labourers, Anaborias. Yet the kynge doth not fufier that they fhulde 
 bee vfed as bondemen : And onely at his pleafure they are fette at libertie or appoyntfed to woorke. At fuche 
 tyme as they are cauled together of theyr kynges to woorke (as fouldiers or pioners are affembled of theyr 
 centurians) many of them ftele away to the mountaynes and wooddes, where they lye lurkynge, beinge content 
 for that tyme to lyue with wyld fmtes, rather then to take the paynes to laboure. They are docible and ,apte to 
 leme, and haue nowe vtterly forgotten theyr owlde fuperfticions. They beleue giodlyj and beare wel in memory 
 fuche thynges as they haue leraed of owre faith. Theyr kynges children are brought vp with the chiefeftr of owre 
 
 104 
 
The fyrjl Decade. 
 
 105 
 
 men, and are inftructed in letters and good maners. When they are growen to mans age, they fende them home 
 
 to theyr countreys to bee exemple to other, and efpecially to goueme the people if theyr fathers bee dead that 
 
 they maye the better fet foorthe the Chriftian Religion, and keepe theyr fubiectes in loue and obedience. By 
 
 r6afon whereof, they coome nowe by fayre meanes and gentell perfuafions to the mynes which lye in twoo 
 
 Regions of tne Ilande aboute thirtie myles diftante frome the citie Qi Dominica: wherof the one is cauled SanSli 
 
 Chrijloph&ri: > And the other being diftante aboute foure fcore and tenne myles, is cauled Cibaua, not farre from 
 
 the rheefe "hauen cauled Partus Regalis. ' Thefe regions are very large : In the which in many places here and 
 
 there, are fownd fumtyme euen in the vpper cruft of the earth and fumtyme amonge the ftones, certeyne rounde 
 
 pieces or plates of gold'e, fumtyme of fmaule quaatitie, and in fum places of great weyght : In fo muche that there 
 
 hath byn found rounde pieces of three hundreth pounde weyght, and one of three thoufande, three hundreth 
 
 and tenne pounde weyght : The whiche (as yowe harde) was fente hole to the kynge in that fhyppe in the which 
 
 the gouemour Boadilla was comming home into Spayne, the fhyppe with all the men beinge drowned by the 
 
 way, by reafon it was ouer laden with the weight of golde and multytude of men. Albeit, there were moo then 
 
 a thowefande perfons whiche fawe and handeled the piece of golde. And wheras here I fpeake of a pounde, 
 
 I doo not meane the common pounde, but the fumme of the ducate of golde, with the coyne cauled Trims, 
 
 which is the thyfde parte of a pounde, whiche they caule Pefus. The fum of the weyght hereof, the Spanyardes 
 
 caule Cajlellanum Aureum. AI the golde that is dygged in the mountaynes of Cibaua and Porte Regale, is 
 
 caiyed to the towre of Conception, where flioppes with al thynges apperteyninge are redy fumyflhed to fyne it, 
 
 melte it, and cafte it into wedges. That doone, they take the kynges portion therof, whiche is the fyfte parte, 
 
 and foo reftore to euery man his owne whiche he gotte with his labour. But the golde whiche is fownde in 
 
 faynt Chriftophers myne and the Region there aboute, is caryed to the flioppes whiche are in the vylage cauled 
 
 Boriauentura. In thefe twoo flioppes, is molten yerely, aboue three hundreth thoufand pounde weight of golde. 
 
 If any man bee knowen deceatefuUy to keepe backe any portion of golde, whereof he hathe not made the kynges 
 
 officers pryuie, he forfiteth the fame for a fyne. There chaunce amonge them often tymes many contentions 
 
 and controuerfies, the whiche onlefle the magiftrates of the Ilande doo fynyfftie, the cafe is remoued by appellation 
 
 to the hyghe counfayle of the courte, from whofe fentence it is not lawfull to appele in all the dominions of 
 
 Caftyle. But lette vs nowe retume to the newe landes frome whenfe we haue digreffed. They are innumerable, 
 
 dyuers, and exceadynge fortunate. Wherfore the Spanyardes in thefe owre dayes, and theyr noble enterpryfes, 
 
 doo not gyue place eyther to the factes of Saturnus, or Hercules, or any other of the ancient princes of famous 
 
 memorie which were canonized amonge the goddes cauled Heroes for theyr fearchinge of newe landes and 
 
 regions, and bringinge the fame to better culture and ciuilitie. Oh God : howe large and farre flial owre 
 
 pofteritie fee the Chriftian Religion extended? Howe large a campe haue they nowe to wander in, whiche by 
 
 the trewe nobilitie that is in theym, or mooued by vertue, wyll attempte eyther to deferue lyke prayfe amonge 
 
 men, or reputacion of well doinge before god. AVhat I conceaue in my mynde of thefe thynges, I am not able 
 
 to exprefle with penne or tonge. I wyll nowe therfore foo make an ende of this perpendiculer conclufion of the 
 
 hole Decade, as myndinge hereafter to fearche and gather euery thynge particulerlye, that I maye at further 
 
 leafure wtyte the fame more at large. For Colonus the Admiral with foure fhyppes, and a hundreth threefcore 
 
 and tenne men appoynted by the kynge, difcouered in the yeare of Chrifte. 1502. the lande ouer ageynfte the 
 
 wefte comer of Cuba, diflant from the fame aboute a hundreth and thirtie leaques: In the myddeft of which 
 
 tracte, lyeth an Ilande cauled Guanaffa. From henfe he directed his vyage backewarde towarde the Eafte 
 
 by the fhore of that coaft, fuppofmge that he fhulde haue founde the coaftes of Faria: but it chaunced 
 
 otherwyfe. It is fayd alfo that Vincentius Agnes (of whom we haue fpoken before) and one Johannes Diaz 
 
 (with dyuers other of whofe vyages I haue as yet no certeyne knOwleage) haue ouer runne thofe coaftes. 
 
 But if God graunt me life, I truft to know the truthe hereof and to aduertife yowe of the fame. Thus fare 
 
 ye well 
 
 C The feconde Decade foloweth. 
 
 The two chiefe 
 golde mynes of 
 hispaniola- 
 
 Golde founde in 
 the vpper part of 
 the earth. 
 
 Apiece of golde 
 
 weighinge three 
 
 thousande three 
 
 hundreth and ten 
 
 pounds. 
 
 A coastly ship 
 
 wrake. 
 
 Pesus. 
 
 The fynynge and 
 distribution of 
 golde. 
 
 Three hundreth 
 
 thousand weyght 
 of gold molten 
 yerely in 
 hispaniola. 
 
 Controuerses 
 
 The newe landes. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 noble enterpryses. 
 are not inferiour 
 to the actes of 
 Hercules or 
 Saturnus. etc. 
 Enlarging of the 
 Christian Religion. 
 The originall of 
 trewe nobilitie. 
 
 51 
 
 The Ilande of 
 
 Guanassa 
 
 The vyage of 
 Johannes Diaz. 
 
 105 
 
io6 
 
 West Antipodes. 
 
 J 
 
 The increase of 
 the Christian 
 congregation. 
 
 ChristopJiortts 
 
 Colonus. 
 
 Of landes distante 
 
 from the ^ 
 
 Equlnoctiall from 
 
 fyue degrees to 
 
 ten. 
 
 The death of 
 
 Colonus. 
 
 A generall lycence. 
 
 The nanigation of 
 Alphonsus Fogeda. 
 
 52 
 
 Partus 
 Carthaginis, 
 
 The Region of 
 Caramairi. 
 People of goodly 
 
 stature 
 
 Apples whiche 
 tume into 
 woonnes. 
 
 CTHE FYRST BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE, 
 TO LEO BYSSHOP OF ROME, THE TENTHE OF THAT NAME, 
 Of the fuppofed Continent or firme lande. 
 
 ENSE the tyme that GaUatiusButrigarius of Bononie,and Johannes 
 Curfius of Florence (mode holye father) came to the catholyke 
 kynge of Spayne, the one, of yowre holynes ambafage, and 
 th[e]other for th[e]affaires of his common welth, I was euer for 
 the mofte parte in theyr coompanie, and for theyr vertues and 
 wyfedoome, had theym in greate reuerence. And wheras they 
 were greatly gyuen to ftudye, and continuall reuoluinge of 
 dyuers autours, they chaunced vppon certeyne bookes negli- 
 gently let flyppe owte of my handes, entreatinge of the large 
 landes and Regions hetherto lyinge hyd, and almofl weft 
 Antipodes, fownde of late by the Spanyardes. Yet beinge 
 allured and delited with the newenes and ftrangenes of the 
 matter althowgh rudely adoumed, they commended the fame : 
 Therwith erneftely defyringe me in theyr owne names, and 
 requyring me in the name of yowr holynes, to adde here 
 vnto all fuche thynges as were fownde after that tyme, and to gyue 
 them a copie thereof to fende to yowre holynes, that.yowe myght 
 therby vnderftande, bothe howe greate commoditie is chaunced 
 to the progenye of mankynde, as alfo increafe of the militante congregation in thefe owre dayes, by the fortunate 
 enterpryfes of the kynges of Spayne. For lyke as rafed or vnpaynted tables, are apte to receaue what 
 formes foo euer are fyrfl drawen theron by the hande of the paynter, euen foo thefe naked and fimple 
 people, doo foone receaue the cuftomes of owre Religion, and by conuerfation with owre men, (hake of 
 theyr fierce and natiue barbarou&es. I haue thowght it good therfore to fatiffie the requeft of thefe 
 wyfe men, efpecially vfinge th[e]autoritie of yowre name, wherunto not to haue obeyed, I fliulde 
 efteeme my felfe to haue commytted a heynous offence. Wherefore I wyl nowe brefely reherfe in order, what 
 hyd coaftes the Spanyardes ouerranne, who were the autours therof, where they refted, what further hope they 
 browght, and fynallye what great thynges thofe tractes of landes doo promeffe in tyme to coome. In the 
 declaration of my decade of the Ocean, which is nowe printed and difperfed throwghowte Chriftendome 
 vnwares to me, I defcribed howe Chrijiofhorus Colonus fownde thofe Ilandes wherof we haue fpoken, and that 
 turnynge from thenfe towarde the lefte hande fouthwarde, he chaunced into greate regions of landes, and lafge 
 feas, diftant from the Equinoctial lyne, onely from fyue degrees to tenne: where he founde brode ryuers and 
 exceadinge hygh mountaynes couered with fiiowe and harde by the fea bankes, where were many commodious 
 and quyet hauens. But Colonus being now departed owte of this lyfe, the kynge beganne to take care, howe 
 thofe landes myght be inhabited with Chriftian men to th[e]increafe of owre fayth: Where vppon he gaue 
 licence by his letters patentes to al fuch as wolde take the matter in hand, and efpecially to twoo, wherof Diego 
 Nicuefa was one, and the other was Alphonfui Fogeda. Wherfore about the Ides of December, Alphonfus 
 departinge fyril with three hundreth fouldiers from the Hande of Hifpaniola (in the which wee fayde the Span- 
 yardes had builded a citie, and planted theyr habitacion) and faylynge in maner full fouthe, he came to one of 
 the hauens founde before whiche Colonus named Portus Carihaginis, bothe bycaufe of the Hande ftandynge 
 ageynfte the courfe of the llreame, and alfo that by reafon of the largenes of the place and bendynge fydes, it 
 is muche lyke to the hauen of Spaine eauled Carthago. Th[e]inhabitantes caule the Hande Codego, as the 
 Spanyardes caule the Hande of theyr hauen, Scombria. This Region is eauled of the inhabitantes Caramairi: 
 In the which they afSrme bothe the men and women to bee of goodly flature, but naked. The men haue 
 theyr heare cutte rownde by theyr eares, but the women were it longe. Bothe the men and women are very 
 good archers. Owre men fownde certen trees in this prouince, which bore greate plentie of fweete apples, but 
 hiutefiil, for they tume into wormes when they are eaten. Efpecially the fliadowe of the tree, is contagious, 
 196 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 ioj 
 
 for fudie as fleepe vnder it any tyme, haue theyr headdes fwolne and lofe theyr fight. But if they fleepe but a 
 whyle, theyr fyght commeth ageyne after a fewe dayes. This porta is dyilant foure hundreth fyftie and fyxe 
 myles from that parte of Hifpaniola which the Spanyardes caule Beata, in the which alfo they fumyfflie them 
 felues when they prepare anye vyage to feeke other newe landes. When Fogeda had entered into the hauen, 
 he inuaded, flewe, and fpoyled the people, whome he founde naked and fcattered. For they were gyuen hym 
 for a praye, by the kynges letters patentes bycaufe they hadde bin before tyme cruel ageynft the Ghriflians, and 
 coulde neuer bee allured to permytte them quietly to coome within theyr dominions. Here they founde gold, 
 but in no greate quantitie, nor yet that pure. They make of it, certeyne brefl plates and brooches, which they 
 weare for coomelynes. But Fogeda not content with thefe fpoyles, vfinge certeyne captiues whiche he had 
 taken before, for guydes, entered into a vyllage twelue myles diftante frome the fea fyde further into the lande, 
 into the whiche they were fledde whom he fyril inuaded. Here he founde a naked people, but apte to warre. 
 For they were armed with targettes, fhieldes, longe fwoordes made of wood, and bowes with arrowes typte with 
 bone, or hardened with fyer. As foone as they had efpyed owre men, they with their gelles whom they had 
 receaued, affayled them with defperate myndes, beinge therto more emeftly prouoked, beholding the calamitie 
 of thefe whiche fledde vnto theym, by the violence doone to theyr women and chyldren, in the fpoyle and 
 flawghter. In this conflicte owre men had the ouerthrowe : In the which, one Johannes de Lacoffa (beinge in 
 autoritie nexte vnto Fogeda the capitayne, and alfo the fyrfle that gathered golde in the fandes of Vrdbd) was 
 flayne with fyftie fouldiers. For thefe people infecte theyr arrowes with the deadly poyfon of a certeyne herbe. 
 The other with theyr capitayne Fogeda beinge difcomfited, fledde to the fliyppes. Whyle they remayned thus 
 in the hauen of Carthago forowfull and penfjrue for the lolTe of their companions, the other capitayne Diego 
 Ntmefa, (whom they lefte in Hifpaniola, prepaiyng hym felfe towarde the vyage in the hauen Beata) came to 
 theim with fyue fliippes and feuen hundrethe foure fcore and fyfteene menne. For the greater number of 
 fouldyers, folowed Nicuefa, both bycaufe free libertie was gyuen them to choofe which of the capytaynes them 
 lyfl, and alfo that by reafon of his age, he was of greater autoritie : But efpecially bycaufe the rumoure was that 
 Beragua beinge by the kynges commiflion appoynted to Nicuefa, was rycher in golde then Vrdba afligned to 
 Alphonfus Fogeda. Therfore, at the airyuall of Nicuefa, they confulted what was befl.e to bee doone : And 
 determ)med fyrile to reuenge the deathe of their felowes. Where vppon, fettynge theyr battayle in arraye, they 
 marched in the nyght towarde them whiche flewe Coffa with his coompanyons. Thus flealynge on them 
 vnwares in the laft watche of the nyght, and encoompafinge the vyllage where they laye, confiftynge of a 
 hundreth howfes and more, hauynge alfo in it thryfe as many of thejr neyghbours as of them felues, they fet 
 it on fyer, with diligent watche that none myght efcape. And thus in fliorte tyme they browght theym and 
 theyr howfes to ailhes, and made them pay the raunfome of bludde with bludde. For of a greate multitude of 
 men and women, they fpared onely fyxe chyldren, al other being deflroyed with fyer or fword except fewe 
 which efcaped priuilye. They lemed by the referued chyldren, that Coffa and his felowes were cutte in 
 pieces and eaten of diem that flewe them. By reafon wherof, they fuppofe that thefe people of Caramairi 
 tooke theyr originall of the Caribes otherwyfe cauled Canibales. Here they founde fume golde amonge the 
 aflhes. For the hunger of golde, dyd noo lefle encorage owr men to aduenture thefe perels and labours 
 then dyd the poffeffynge of the landes. Thefe thynges thus fynyfflied, and the death of Coffa and his felowes 
 reuenged, they returned to the hauen. After this, Fogeda whiche came fyrft, fyrfl, lykewyfe departinge with his 
 army to feeke Vraba, commytted to his gouemaunce, fayled by an Ilande cauled Fortis, lyinge in the mydwaye 
 betwene Vraia and the hauen of Carthago. In to the which defcendinge, he fownde it to bee an Ilande of the 
 Canybales, biynginge with hym frome thenfe two men and feuen women : for the refidue efcaped. Here he 
 fownde in the cotages of them that fledde, a hundrethe foure fcore and tenne drammes of golde, cafl.e and 
 wrought in dyuers formes. Saylynge forwarde from henfe, he came to the Eafle coalles of Vraba, whiche 
 th[e]inhabitantes caule Caribana, from whenfe the Caribes or Canibales of the Ilandes are feyde to haue theyr 
 name and originalL Here he beganne to buylde a fortrefle, and a vyllage nere vnto the fame, therein intendynge 
 to place theyr fyrfl. habitacion. Shortly after, beinge inftructed by certeyne captyues that there was aboute 
 twelue myles further within the lande, a certeyne vyllage cauled Jtrufi, hauinge in it a ryche golde myne, he 
 determyned to deft.roye the vylage. To the which when he came, he fownde th[e]inhabitantes redye to defende 
 theyr ryght: And that foo floutly, that encounteryng with them, he was repulfed with fliame and domage. For 
 thefe people alfo, vfe bowes and venemous arrowes. Within a fewe dayes after, beinge enforfed for lacke of 
 vytayles to inuade an other vyllage, he hym felfe was fl.ryken in the thyghe with an arrowe. Sume of his felowes 
 fay, that he was thus wounded of one of th[e]inhabytantes whofe wyfe he had ledde awaye captiue before. 
 They fay alfo that he had firfl. frendly comoned wth Fogeda for redemynge of his wyfe, and had appoynted a 
 day to brynge a portion of golde for her raunfome : And that he came at the daye afligned, not laden with golde, 
 but armed with bowes and arrowes, with eyght other confetherate with hym, whiche fiad bin before partetakers 
 of the iniuries doone to them firft at the hauen of Carthago, and afterward at the bumyng of the vyllage. In 
 
 A tree whose 
 shadowe is 
 hurtful!. 
 
 Fogeda his 
 autoritie confirmed 
 by the kynges 
 letters patents. 
 
 Warlyke people. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 haue the 
 ouerthrowe. 
 
 Arrowes infected 
 with poyson. 
 
 The naui^^ation of 
 Diego Nicuesa. 
 
 The regions of 
 Vraba and 
 Beragua. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 reuenge the 
 death of theyr 
 companyons. 
 
 A greate 
 slawghter. 
 
 Canibales. 
 
 The hunger of 
 golde. 
 
 53 
 
 The Ilande Fortis 
 
 Wrought gold 
 
 Carihatia. 
 
 Pl gold myne. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 are repulsed. 
 
 Fogeda is 
 wounded. 
 
 Ransome, 
 
io8 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 Fogeda consumeth 
 by force of the 
 [venemc] 
 
 Beragua and 
 Vraba. 
 
 Nicuesa. 
 
 The goulfe Coiba. 
 Dyuers languages. 
 
 Bergantynes or 
 brigantynes. 
 
 Bamardino de 
 Calauera. 
 
 Ancisus. 
 
 54 
 
 Fogeda retumeth 
 to nispaniola. 
 
 Famyne 
 
 A brigantine 
 drowned with the 
 stroke of a fyshe< 
 
 The Ilande Fortis. 
 
 Ancisus. 
 
 The Region of 
 
 Cuchibacoa. 
 
 Boiumgaiti. 
 
 Mountaynes 
 couered with 
 snowe. 
 
 Serra Neuat<u 
 Os Draconis. 
 
 reuenge wherof they had defperatly confecrated them felues to death. But the matter beinge knowen, the 
 captayne of this confpiracie was flayne of Fogeda his coompanyons, and his wyfe deteyned in captiuitie. Fogeda 
 alfo throwgh the malicioufnes of the veneme, confumed and was diyed vp by lyttle and lyttle. Whyle thefe 
 thynges chaunced thus, they efpyed Nicuefa the other capitayne to whom Ba'Ogua the region of the wefte fyde 
 of Vrdba, was affigned to inhabite. He gaue wynde to his fayles to take his vyage towarde Beragua, the day 
 after that Fogeda departed owte of the hauen of Carthago. He with his army which he browght with hym, 
 coafted euer alonge by the fliore vntyll he came to the goulfe Coiba, whofe kynges name is Careta. Here he 
 founde theyr language to bee in maner nothynge lyke vnto that oiHifpaniola or of the hauen of Carthago: 
 wherby he perceaued that in this tracte there are many languages differinge from theyr owne bortherers. Nicuefa 
 departinge frome Coiba, wente to the prouince or Lieuetenaunt(hippe of Fogeda his companion. Within a fewe 
 dayes after he hym felfe enteringe into one of thofe marchaunt ftiippes whiche the Spanyardes caule Carauelas, 
 commaunded that the bygger veffels, fliulde folowe farre behynde. He tooke with hym twoo fmaule fliyppes 
 commenly cauled bergantines or biygantynes. I haue thowght it good in all the difcourfe of thefe bookes, to 
 vfe the common names of thinges, bicaufe I had rather bee playne then curious : efpecially forafmuche as there 
 doo dayly aryfe manye newe thynges vnknowen to the antiquitie, wherof they haue lefte noo trewe names. 
 After the departure of Nicuefa, there came a fliyppe from Hifpaniola to Fogeda, the capitayne wherof, was one 
 Bamardino de Calauera, who had ftoulne the fame from Hifpaniola with three fcore men, withowte leaue or 
 aduice of the Admirall and the other gouemours. With the vytayles whiche this fliippe browght they refrefflied 
 theym felues and fumewhat recouered theyr flrengthes muche weakened for lacke of meate, Fogeda his 
 companyons whyfpered and muttered ageynfle hym daylye more and more, that he fedde them furthe with 
 vayne hope. For he had towlde them that he left Ancifus in Hifpaniola (whom he chofe by the kynges 
 commifTion to bee a ludge in caufes, bycaufe he was lerned in the lawe) to coome fliortly after him with a ftiippe 
 laden with vytayles : And that he marueyled that he was not coome many dayes fenfe. And herein he faid 
 nothinge but trewth. For when he departed, he lefte Ancifus halfe redy to folowe hym. But his 
 felowes fuppofmge that all that he fayde of Ancifus had byn fayned, fume of them determyned 
 priuiUe to fteale away the twoo brigantynes frome Fogeda, and to retume to . Hifpaniola. But Fogeda 
 hauing knowleage hereof, preuented theyr diuife. For leauynge the cuftodie of the fortreffe with a 
 certeyne noble gentelman cauled Francifco Pizarro, he hym felfe thus wounded, with a fewe other in his 
 companie, entered into the fliyppe wherof we fpake before, and fayled directly to Hifpaniola, both to heale the 
 wound of his thygh if any remedy myght bee found, and alfo to knowe what was the caufe of Ancifus taryinge : 
 Leaning hope with his felowes (which were nowe browght from three hundreth to three fcore, partly by famyne 
 and partly by warre) that he wolde retume within the fpace of xv. dayes : prefcribyng alfo a condition to 
 Pizarro and his companions, that it fliulde not bee imputed to them for treafon to departe from thenfe if he 
 came not age)me at the day appoynted with vytayles and a newe fupply of men. Thefe. xv. dayes beinge nowe 
 pafte, whereas they coulde yet heare nothynge of Fogeda, and were dayly more and more oppreifed with fliarpe 
 hunger, they entered into the twoo brigantynes which were lefte, and departed from that land. And as they 
 were nowe fayljmge on the mayne fea towarde Hifpaniola, a tempefle foodeynly aryfynge, fwalowed one of the 
 brygantynes with all that were therein. Sum of theyr felowes affirme that they playnely fawe a fyflie of houge 
 greatenes fwymmyng abowte the brygantyne (for thofe feas brynge furthe greate monfters) and that with a 
 ftroke of her tayle, flie broke the rudder of the fliyppe in peeces : which faylynge, the brigantine beinge dryuen 
 abowt by force of the tempeft., was drowned not farre from the Ilande cauled Fortis, lyinge betwene the coaftes 
 of the hauen Carthago and Vraia. As they of the other brygantyne wolde haue landed in the Ilande, they 
 were dryuen backe with the bowes and arrowes of the fierce barbarians. Proceadynge therfore on theyr vyage, 
 they mette by chaunce with Ancifus betweene the hauen of Carthago, and the Region of Cuchibacoa in the 
 mouthe of the ryuer whiche the Spanyardes cauled Boium gatti, that is, the houfe of the catte, bycaufe 
 they fawe a catte firft in that place : and Boium, in the toonge of Hifpaniola, is a houfe. Ancifus came wyth 
 a fhyppe laden with all thynges neceCTarye, bothe for meate and drynke, and apparell, biyngynge alfo 
 with hym an other brigantine. This is he for whofe comming the capitayne Fogeda looked for foo longe. 
 He loofed anker from Hifpaniola in the Ides of September: And the fourth day after his departure, he efpyed 
 certeyne hyghe mountaynes, the whiche for the abundance of fhowe which lyeth continually in the toppes therof, 
 the Spanyardes cauled Serra Neuata, when Colo7Uis the fyrfl fynder of thofe Regions pafTed by the fame. The 
 fyfte daye, he fayled by Os Draconis. They whiche were in the brygantyne, towlde Ancifus that Fogeda 
 was returned to Hifpaniola. But Ancifus fuppofmg that they had fayned that tale, commaunded them by 
 th[e]authoritie of his commifTion to tume backe ageyne. The brigantiners obeyed and folowed hym : yet made 
 they humble fute vnto hym that he woolde graunte them that with his fauour they myght eyther goo ageyne to 
 Hifpaniola, or that he hym felfe woolde brynge theim to Nicuefa: And that they woolde for his gentelnes 
 declared towarde them in this behalfe, rewarde hym with twoo thoufande drammes of golde. For they were 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 109 
 
 ryche in golde, but poore in breade. But Andftts affented to neyther of theyr requelles: affirmynge that he 
 myght by no meanes goo anye other way then to Vraba the prouince afligned to Fogeda. Where vppon, by 
 theyr conduct, he tooke his vyage directly toward Vraba. But nowe let it not feme tedious to yowre holynes 
 to heare of one thyng worthy to bee remembred, which chaunced to this Lieuetenaunt Andfus as he came 
 thether. For he alfo caft anker in the coaftes of the region of Caramairi whiche wee fayde to bee famous by 
 reafon of the hauen of Carthago : and of the goodly ftature, ftrength, and beawty of both men and women beinge 
 in the fame. Here he fent certeyne to goo alande on the (hore, both to fetche freffhe water, and alfo to 
 repaire the fliippe boate which was fore broofed. In this meane tyme a greate multitude of the people of the 
 countrey armed after theyr maner, came aboute owre men as they were occupied abowte theyr bufynes, and 
 ftoode in a redynes to feight, for the fpace of three dayes contynually : durynge whiche tyme, neyther durfl they 
 fet vppon owre men, nor owre men aflayle them. Thus bothe parties keepynge theyr arraye, ftoode ftyl three 
 hole dayes the one gafynge on the other. Yet all this tyme owre men applyed theyr woorke, placinge the 
 fliippewrightes in the myddefte of theyr armye. As they ftoode thus amafed, twoo of owre coompanye wente 
 to fyU theyr water pottes at the mouthe of the ryuer nere vnto them both, where foodenly there came furthe 
 ageynfte them a capitayne of the barbarians with ten armed men which inclofed them, and with terrible 
 countenaunce bent theyr arrowes ageynfte them, but fliotte theym not of. One of owre men fledde : but the 
 other remayned, caulynge his felowe ageyne and rebukynge hym for his fearefulnes. Then he fpake to the 
 barbarians in their owne language which he had lemed beinge conuerfant with the captiues that were caiyed 
 from thenfe longe before. They marueylynge to here a ftraunger fpeake in their natiue tonge, put of theyr 
 fiercenes and fell to frendly communication, demaundinge who were the capitaynes of that coompanie whiche 
 were arryued in theyr lande. He anfwered that they were ftrangers paffyng by: And that he marueyled why 
 they wold attempte to diyue them from theyr coaftes and difturbe theyr fliyppes : arguinge theim of foUye and 
 crueltie, and further threatinge their ruine and deftruction, except they woold vfe them felues more frendely 
 towarde them. For hee aduertifed them that there wolde ftiortly coome into theyr lande armed men, in nomber 
 lyke to the fandes of the fea: And that to theyr vtter deftruction, not only if they refyfted them not, but alfo 
 excepte they receaued them and enterte)Tied them honorably. In the meane t)mie Aticifus was enformed that 
 his men were deteyned. Wherefore fufpectinge fume deceate, he browght furth al his target men for feare of 
 theyr venemous arrowes : And fettinge them in battell arraye, he marched forwarde towarde them which fteyed his 
 men. But he which communed with the barbarians, gjoiinge him a figne with his hande to precede noo further, 
 he fteyed. And cauling to hym the other, he knewe that all was fafe. For the barbarians profered him peace, 
 bycaufe they were not they whom they fufpected them to haue byn : meanynge by Fogeda and Nicuefa, who had 
 fpoyled the vyllage ftandinge there by the fea fyde, and caiyed away many captiues, and alfo bumte an other 
 vyllage further within the lande. And therefore (as they fayde) the caufe of theyr comminge thether, was to 
 reuenge thofe iniuries, if by any meanes they coulde. Yet that they woolde not exercyfe theyr weapons ageynfte 
 the innocente. For they fayde it was vngodly to feyght ageynft any, not beinge prouoked. Layinge a parte 
 therefore theyr bowes and arrowes, they enterteyned owre men gentelly, and gaue them great plentie of falted 
 fyfflie and breade of theyr contrey : And fylled thejr veifels with fyder made of theyr contrey frutes and feedes, 
 not inferiour to wyne in goodnes. Thus Andfus hauinge entered into frendftiyp and made a league of peace with 
 th[e]inhabitantes of Caramairi whiche were before fore prouoked by other capitaynes, he lanched from that 
 lande, and directed his courfe to Vraba by the Ilande Fortis, hauinge in his ftiippe a hundreth and fyftie frefftie 
 men whiche were fubftitute in the place of fuche as were deade. Alfo twelue mares, and manye fwine, and other 
 beaftes both males and females for increafe. Lykewyfe, fyftie pieces of ordinaunce, with a greate multytude of 
 targettes, fwoordes, iauelyns, and fuche other weapons for the warres. But all this with euyl fpeede and in an 
 euyll houre. For as they were euen nowe enteringe into the hauen, the gouemour of the fliippe which fatte at 
 the helme, ftroke the fliyppe vppon the fandes, where it was foo faft enclofed, and beaten with the wanes of the 
 fea, that it opened in the myddefte, and al loft that was therin. A thynge furely miferable to beholde. For 
 of all the vytayles that they had, they faued onely twelue barels of meale, with a fewe chiefes, and a ly ttle byfket 
 breade. For al the beaftes were drowned : And they them felues fcaped hardly and halfe naked by helpe of the 
 brigantine and ftiip boate, caryeng with them only a fewe weapons. Thus they fell from one calamitie into an 
 other, beinge nowe more carefuU fo rtheyr lyues then for golde. Yet beinge browght alyue and in health to that 
 land which they foo greatly defyred, they coulde doo noo leiTe then to prouide for the fufteynynge of theyr bodyes, 
 bycaufe they coulde not lyue onely by ayer. And wheras theyr owne fayled, they muft needes lyue by other 
 mens. Yet amonge thefe foo many aduerfities, one good chaunce oifered it felfe vnto them. For they founde, 
 not farre from the fea fyde, a groue of date trees, amonge the which, and alfo amonge the reke or weedes of the 
 marylhes, they efpyed a multitude of wylde bores, with whofe fleflie they fed them felues wel certeine dayes. 
 Thefe they fey to bee leffe then owres: And with foo ftiorte tayles, that they thought they had byn cutte of. 
 They dyifer alfo from owres in theyr feete: for theyr hynder feete are hole vndiuided, and alfo withowte any 
 
 Riche in gold and 
 pore in breade. 
 
 The Region of 
 Caramairi 
 
 Feare on both 
 partes. 
 
 Ship wryghtes. 
 
 55 
 
 The vse of 
 targettes agenst 
 venemous arrowes 
 
 The barbarians 
 haue respect to 
 iustice 
 
 Salted iishe. 
 
 Wyne of fruites 
 and seedes. 
 
 Vraba. 
 
 Artillerie. 
 
 Ancisus ship 
 wracke. 
 
 Meale, cheeses, 
 and bysket. 
 
 A groue of date 
 trees. 
 
 Wylde bores. 
 
no 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 56 
 
 Apples of a 
 strange kynd 
 
 Ceders of Libane. 
 
 Sorbes are cauled 
 in french Cormier 
 they grow not in 
 Englande. 
 The frute cauled 
 zizipha or luiuba 
 
 Canibales. 
 
 Men of desperat 
 boldnes. 
 
 The gouUe of 
 Vraba. 
 
 The great ryuer 
 of Darien, fauleth 
 into the goulfe of 
 Vraba. 
 
 Prayer and vowes. 
 
 The souldiers 
 make an othe. 
 
 The barbarians 
 are dryuen to 
 flight. 
 
 57 
 
 Chestnuttes. 
 
 The ryuer of _ ^ 
 Darien, but viii. 
 degrees from the 
 EquinoctiaL 
 
 Golde founde in a 
 thicket of reedes. 
 
 houfe. But they affirme that they haue proued by experience theyr fleflhe to bee of better tafte and more 
 holfoome then owres. Durynge this tyme, they fedde alfo of dates and the rotes of younge date trees, which 
 they eate likewyfe in Ciuile and Granata where they caule them Palmitos, of the leaues wherof they make 
 biefomes in Rome. Sumetymes alfo, they eate of the appels of that Region, whiche haue the tafte of prunes, 
 and haue alfo ftones in them, and are but lyttle and of redde coloure. I fuppofe them to bee of that kynde 
 wherof I eate in the citie oi Alexandria in Egypt in the moneth of Aprell: The trees wherof, the lewes that 
 dwel there, beinge lemed in the lawe of Moyfes, affirme to bee the Ceders of Libane, which beare owlde fruites 
 and newe all the yeare as dothe the orange tree. Thefe apples are good to bee eaten, and haue a certeyne 
 fweetnes myxte with a gentell fliarpnes, as haue the frutes cauled Sorbes. Th[e]inhabitantes plant thefe trees 
 in theyr orchyardes and garedens, and nooryftie theym with greate diligence as wee doo cheries, peaches, and 
 quynfes. This tree in leaues, heyght, and trunke, is verye lyke vnto the tree that beareth the frute cauled 
 Zizipha, which the Apothecaries caule luiuba. But wheras now the wylde bores beganne to faile them, they 
 were ageyne enforced to confulte and prouyde for the tyme to coome. Where vppon with theyr hole army, they 
 entered further into the land. The Canibales of this prouince, are mofte experte archers. Ancifus had in his 
 coompany, a hundreth men. They mette by the way with only three men of th[e]inhabitantes, naked, and armed 
 with bowes and venemous arrowes, who without al feare, aflayled owr men fiercely, wounded manye, and flewe 
 manye : And when they had emptied theyr quyuers, fledde as fwyftely as the w)mde : For (as we haue fayde) 
 they are excedynge fwyfte of foote by reafon of theyr loofe goinge frome theyr chyldes age They affirme that 
 they lette flyppe no arrowe owte of theyr bowes in vayne. Owre men therfore returned the fame waye that they 
 came, much more infortunate then they were before and confulted amonge them felues to leaue that lande: 
 efpecyally becaufe th[e]inhabitantes had ouerthrowne the fortreffe which Fogeda buylded, and had burnte 
 thirtie houfes of the vyllage, as soone as Pizarrus and his company lefte of Fogeda, had forfaken the 
 lande. By this occafion therefore, beinge dryuen to feeke further, they had intelligence that the wefte 
 fyde of that goulfe of Vraba, was more frutefuU and better to inhabite. Wherfore, they fent the one halfe of 
 theyr men thither with the brigantine, and lefte the other nere to the fea fyde on the eafte part. This goulfe, 
 is. xxiiii. myles in bredth : And howe muche the further it entereth into the firme lande, it is foo muche the 
 narower. Into the goulfe of Vraba, there faule many ryuers : but one (as they fay) more fortunate then the 
 ryuer of Nilus in Egypte. This ryuer is cauled Darien, vppon the bankes whereof, beinge verye frutefull of 
 trees and graffe, they entended to playnte their newe colonic or habitacion. But th[e]inhabitantes maruelynge 
 at the brygantine beinge bygger then theyr canoas, and fpecially at the fayles therof, fyrft fente away theyr 
 chyldren and weakefte forte of theyr people with theyr baggage and houfliolde ftuffe, and affembled all fuche 
 togyther bothe men and women, as were meete for the warres : Thus beinge armed with weapons and defperate 
 myndes, they ftoode in a redynes to feight, and taryed the comminge of OAvre men vppon a lyttle hyl, as it were 
 to take th[e]aduantage of the grounde. Owre men iudged them to bee aboute fyue hundreth in nomber. Then 
 Ancifus the capitayne of owre men, and Lieuetenaunt in the fteede of Fogeda, fettinge his men in order of 
 battayle array, and with his hole coompany kneelinge on his knees, they al made humble prayers to god for 
 the victorie, and a vowe to the Image of the bleffed virgin whiche is honoured in Ciuile, by the name of Sanila 
 Maria Antiqua, promyfmge to fende her manye golden gyftes and a ftraunger of that contrey : alfo to name 
 the vyllage Sancta Maria Antiqua after her name : lykewyfe to erecte a temple cauled by the fame name : or 
 at the leafte to dedicate the king of that prouince his palaice to that vfe, if it fhulde pleafe her to affifte them 
 in this daungerous enterpiyfe. This doone, al the fouldiers tooke an othe, that noo man fliulde tume his backe 
 to his enemies. Then the capytayne commaundinge them to bee in a redines with theyr targets and iauelens 
 and the trumpyter to blowe the battayle, they fiercely aflayled theyr enemyes with a larome. But the naked 
 barbarians, not longe able to abyde the force of owre men, were putte to flyght, with theyr kynge and capitayne 
 Cemaccus. Owre men entered into the vyllage, where they fownde plentie of meate fuche as the people of the 
 contrey vfe, fufficiente to afliiage theyr prefent hunger, as breade made of rootes, with certeine fruites vnlyke 
 vnto owres, whiche they referue for ftore as wee doo cheftnuttes. Of thefe people, the men are vtterly naked : 
 but the women from the nauell downewarde, are couered with a fyne clothe made of goflampine cotton. This 
 Region is vtterly withowte any fliarpenes of wynter. For the mouthe of this ryuer of Darien, is onlye eyght 
 degrees diflante from the Equinodiall lyne : So that the commone forte of owre men, fcarfely perceaue anye 
 difference in lengthe betwene the day and nyght all the hole yeare. But bycaufe they are ignorant in aftrono- 
 mie, they can perceaue noo fmaule difference. Therfore wee neede not much paffe if the degree do differ fum 
 what from theyr -opinion, for afmuche as the difference can not bee greate. The day after that they anyued at 
 the lande, they fayled alonge by thfe ryuer, where they founde a greate thicket of reedes continuinge for the 
 fpace of a myle in length fuppofing (as it chaunced in deede) that the bortherers there aboute which had fledde 
 had eyther lyne lurkynge there, or els to haue hyd theyr ftuffe amonge thofe reedes: Where vppon, armynge 
 them felues with theyr targettes, for feare of the people lyinge in ambuffhe, they fearched the thicket dilygently, 
 
The feconde Decade, 
 
 III 
 
 and founde it withowte men, but replenyfhed with houfeholde ftuffe and golde. They fownde alfo a great 
 multitude of flieetes, made of the fylke or cotton of the goffampine tree. Lykewyfe dyuers kyndes of veffels 
 and tooles made of woodde, and many of earth: Alfo many brefte plates of gold and ouches wrought after theyr 
 maner, to the fum of a hundreth and twoo pounde weight. For they alfo take pleafure in the bewtie of gold, 
 and worke it very artificially, although it bee not the price of thynges amonge them as with vs. They haue it 
 owte of other Regions for exchaunge of fuch thynges as theyr contrey bringeth furthe. For fuche Regions as 
 haue plentie of breade and goflampine, lacke golde: And fuche as brynge furth golde, are for the mofl parte 
 rowght with montaynes and rockes, and therfore baren. And thus they exercife marchandies withowte the vfe 
 of money. Reioyfing therfore with double gladdenes, afwell in that they fawe greate lykenes of golde, as alfo 
 that fortune hadde offered them foo fayre and frutefuU a contrey, they fent for theyr felowes whom they hadde 
 lefte before in the eafte fyde of the goulfe of Vraba. Yet fume faye that the ayer is there vnholfome, bycaufe 
 that parte of the Region lyethe in a lowe valley enuironed with mountaynes and maryffhes. 
 
 €1 The seconde booke of the seconde decade, 
 Of the fuppofed continente. 
 
 Haue defcribed to yowre hol)Ties where Fogeda with his coompany (to whome the large 
 tractes of Vraba was affigned to inhabite) intended to faften there foote; Lette vs nowe 
 therfore leaue them of Vraba for a whyle, and retume ageyne to Nicuefa to whom the gouer- 
 naunce and Lieuetenauntefliippe of the mofle large prouince of Beragua (beinge the wefte 
 fyde of the goulfe of Vraia) was appoynted; We haue declared howe Nicuefa departinge 
 with one carauell and twoo brigantines frome Vraba the iurifdiction of his frende and com- 
 panyon Fogeda, directed his courfe weflwarde to Beragua, leauinge the bygger fliippes 
 fumewhat behynde hym, to folowe hym a farre of. But he tooke this diuife in an euyll howre. For he bothe 
 lofte his felowes in the nyght, and went pafl. the mouth of the ryuer of Beragua, which he chiefely fowght. One 
 Lupus Olanus a Cantabrian, and gouemoure of one of the greate (hippes, had the conducte of one of the 
 brigantines. He commynge behynde, lemed of th[e]inhabitantes which was the waye Eaflewarde to the goulfe 
 of Beragua ouer paffed and lefte behynde of Nicuefa. Olanus therfore directinge his courfe towarde the Ealle, 
 mette with the other brigantine which had alfo wandered owte of the way by reafon of the darkenes of the 
 nyght The gouemour of this brigantine, was one Petrus de Vtnbria. Thus bothe beinge gladde of theyr 
 meetinge, they confulted what was beft to bee doone, and which way they coulde coniecture their gouemour 
 had taken his vyage. After deliberation, they iudged that Nicuefa could no more lacke fum to put him in 
 rememberaunce of Beragua, then they them felues were myndful therof, hopynge alfo to fynde hym there. 
 They fayled therefore towarde Beragua : where they founde within, xvi. myles dyftant, a ryuer which Colonus 
 named Lagartos, bycaufe it nooryfliethe greate lyfardes whiche in the Spanyffhe toonge are cauled Lagartos. 
 Thefe lyfertes are hurtful! bothe to man and beafte, and in (hape muche lyke vnto the Crocodiles of the ryuer 
 of Nilus in Egypte. In this ryuer, they founde theyr companyons and felowes of theyr erroure lyinge at anker 
 with the greate fliippes which folowed behynde by the gouemours commaundement. Here the hole affembl[i]e 
 beinge carefuU and difquieted by reafon of the gouemours erroure, after confultacion, by th[e]aduife of the 
 capitaynes of the brigantines, who had rafed nere vnto the coailes of Beragua, they fayled directly thether. 
 Beragua, in the language of th[e]inhabitantes of the fame prouince, is as much to faye, as the golden ryuer. 
 The region it felfe is alfo cauled by the fame name, takynge name of the ryuer. In the mouth of this ryuer, the 
 greateft veflels call anker, and conueighed al theyr vytailes and other neceifaries to lande with theyr fliippe 
 boates: and elected Lupus Olanus to bee theyr gouemour in the fleede q{ Nicuefa whom they had loft.e. By 
 th[e]aduice therfore of Olanus and the other vnder capitaynes, that all hope of departure myght bee taken from 
 the fouldiers which they had nowe browght thether, and to make them the more wyllinge to inhabite that land, 
 they vtterly forfooke and cafl.e of thofe fliyppes beinge nowe rotten for age, and fuffered them to bee fliaken 
 and broofed of the furges of the fea. Yet of theyr foundefl.e plankes, with other newe, made of the trees of that 
 Region (which they fay to be excedinge bygge and hygh) they framed a newe carauel fliortly after, whiche they 
 myght vfe to feme for theyr neceflitie. But Beragua was founde by the vnfortunate deftenie of Petrus de Vmbria. 
 For he, beinge a man of prompt wytte and apt forwardenes to attempte thynges (in whiche fumetyme fortune 
 wyll beare a ftroke notwithflandinge owre prouidence) tooke vpon hym th[e]aduenture to fearche the fliore to 
 thfelintent to find a waye for his felowes where they myght belle coome alande. For this purpofe, he chofe 
 
 Sheetes of 
 gossampine. 
 
 Breste plates of 
 golde. 
 
 The golden 
 Regions, are for 
 the mosCe parte 
 baren. 
 
 Fogeda, the 
 Lieuetenaunt of 
 Vraba. 
 
 Nicuesa the . 
 Lieuetenaunt of 
 Beragua. 
 
 Nicuesa loste his 
 felowes in the 
 night. 
 
 Lupus Olaiius 
 
 Peirtts de vmhria 
 
 The capitaynes 
 consulte where to 
 find theyr lost 
 gouemour. 
 
 The ryuer 
 Lagartos. 
 
 58 
 
 The golden ryuer 
 of Beragua. 
 
 The enterprise 
 and death of 
 Fetrus de Vmbria. 
 
112 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 The daungerous 
 place of Scilla in 
 the sea of Cicilie. 
 
 Swymminge 
 
 The fyssher boate 
 of Nicuesa his 
 carauele. 
 
 The miserable 
 case of Nicuesa. 
 
 59 
 
 The Region of 
 Gratia Dei or 
 Cerabaro. 
 The ryuer of 
 Sancti Matthei. 
 
 The rigorousnes 
 of Nicuesa. 
 
 hym twelue maryners, and wente aboorde the ftiippe boate whiche ferued the greatefle fliyppes. The flowinge 
 of the fea, raged and rored there, with a horrible whurlinge as wee reede of the daungerous place of Scylla in the 
 fea of SciciUe, by reafon of the houge and ragged rockes reachyng into the fea, from which the waues rebounding 
 with violence, make a greate noyfe and rowghnes on the water, whiche rowghnes or reflowinge, the Spanyardes 
 caule Refacca. In thefe daungers wretched Vmbria wrefteled a while. But in fliorte fpace, a waue of the fea 
 almofte as bygge as a mountayne, reboundinge from the rockes, ouerwhelmed the boate and deuoured the fame 
 with the men, euen in the fight of theyr felowes : So that of them all, onely one efcaped by reafon he was 
 experte in fwymmynge. For gettinge holde of the corner of a rocke, and fufteynynge the rage of the fea vntyll 
 the nexte daye when it wexed caulme, and the fliore was drye by the faule of the water, he efcaped and reforted 
 to his coompanye. But Vmbria with the other eleuen, were vtterlye cade away. The refydue of the coompany, 
 durll not commite them felues to the Ihippe boates, but went alande with theyr brigantines. Where remaynynge 
 a fewe dayes, and faylinge alonge by the ryuer, they founde certeyne vyllages of th[e]inhabitantes, which they 
 caule Mumu. Here they beganne to build a fortreffe, and to fowe feedes after the maner of theyr countrey, in 
 a certeyne vale of frutefuU grownde, bicaufe in other places the region is baren. As thefe thynges were thus 
 dooinge in Beragua, one of their coompanye ftandynge vppon the toppe of a hyghe rocke of efpeciall, and 
 lyftynge his eyes towarde the Welle, beganne to crye, Lynnyn fayles, lynnyn fayles. And the nerer it drewe 
 towarde hym, he perceaued it to bee a fhyppe boate comminge with a lyttle fayle. Yet receaued they it with 
 muche reioyfmge : for it was the fyflher boate of Nkuefa his carauele, and of capacitie to carye onely fyue men, 
 and had nowe but three in it, which had floulne it from Nkuefa bycaufe he refufed to gyue credit to theira that 
 he had pafled Beragua, and lefte it behynde hym Eaftwarde. For they feinge Nicuefa and his felowes to 
 confume dayely by famynne, thowght they woolde proue fortune with that boate, if their chaunce myght bee to 
 fynde Beragua, as in deede it was. Debatinge therefore with theyr felowes, of thefe matters, they declared 
 howe Nicuefa erred and lofle the carauele by tempefl, and that he was nowe wanderinge amonge the maryffhes 
 of vnknowen coaft.es, full of myferie and in extreeme penurie of all thynges, hauinge nowe lyued for the fpace 
 of three fcore and tenne dayes, only with herbes and rootes, and fyldoome with frutes of the countrey, contented 
 to drinke water, and yet that often tymes faylynge, bycaufe he was inftant to trauayle weftwarde by foote, fuppofmg 
 by that meanes to come to Beragua. Colonus the f)Tfte fynder of this mayne lande, had coafled alonge by this tracte, 
 and named it Gratia Dei: but the inhabitantes caule it Cerabaro. Throwghe this Region, there runneth a ryuer 
 which owre men named Sandi Matthei, diftante from the wefl.e fyde of Beragua aboute a hundrethe and thirtie 
 myles. Here I lette paffe the name of this ryuer, and of manye other places by the names which th[e]inhabitantes 
 vfe, bycaufe owre men are ignorant thereof. Thus Lupus Olanus the conductor of one of the ftiippes of Nicuefa, 
 and nowe alfo vice Leauetenaunt in his fl.eede, after that he hadde receaued this information of the maryners, 
 fente thether- a brigantine vnder thejT guydynge, thefe maryners therfore, which came in the fjffftier boate, 
 founde Nicuefa, and browght hym to the place where Olanus laye, whome at his commynge he cafte in pryfon, 
 and accufed hym of treafon bycaufe he vfurped th[e]autoritie of the Lieuetenauntftiippe, and that for the defyre 
 he had to beare rule and bee in autoritie, he tooke no care of his errours : alfo that he behaued hym felfe 
 negligently : demaundinge further more of hym, what was the caufe of his foo longe delay. Lykewyfe he fpake 
 to al the vnder officers fliarplye and with a troubled mynde : And within fewe dayes after commaunded them 
 to truffe vp theyr packes, and make them redye to departe. They def3Ted hym to quyet hym felfe, and to 
 forbeare them a while vntyl they had reaped the come that they had fowne, which wolde fliortly bee type. For 
 all kynd of corne waxeth rype there euery fourth moonethe after it is fowne. But he vtterly denyed to taiye 
 any whytte: but that he woolde foorthwith departe from that vnfortunate lande: And plucked vp by the rootes 
 al that euer was browght into the goulfe of Beragua, and commaunded them to directe theyr courfe towarde 
 the Eafte. After they had fayled aboute the fpace of xvi. myles, a certeyne younge man whofe name was 
 Gregorie, a Genues borne, and of a chylde browght vp with Colonus, cauled to rememberance that there was a 
 hauen not farre frome thenfe : And to proue his layinge trewe, he gaue his felowes thefe tokens : that is, that 
 they fliulde fynde vppon the ftiore, an anker of a lofte fliyppe halfe couered with fande : And vnder a tree nexte 
 vnto the hauen, a fprynge of cleere water. They came to the lande: founde the anker and the fprynge, and 
 commended the wytte and memorye of the younge man, that he only amonge many of the maryne[r]s whiche 
 had fearched thofe coaftes with Colonus, bore the thynge foo well in mynde. This hauen, Colonus cauled 
 Portus Bellus. Wheras in this vyage for lacke of vytayles they were fumetymes enforced to goo alande, they 
 were euel entreated of the inhabitantes. By reafon wherof, theyr ftrengthes were foo wekened with hunger, 
 that they were not able to keepe warre ageynft naked men, or fcarfely to beare theyr hames on their backes. 
 And therfore owre men lofte twentie of theyr coompanie, which were flayne with venemous arrowes. They 
 confulted to leaue the one halfe of theyr felowes in the hauen oi Portus Bellus: And the other parte Nicuefa 
 tooke with hym towarde the Eafte : where abowte twentie and eyght myles from Portus Bellus, he intended to 
 buylde a fortrefle harde by the fea fyde vppon the poynte or cape which in tyme pafte Colonus named Marmor. 
 
 Corne waxeth 
 rype euery fourth 
 month 
 
 The commendation 
 of a younge man 
 browght vp with 
 Colonus. 
 
 Poritis Belbis. 
 
 Weakenes of 
 hunger. 
 
 Cap^ Marmor. 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 113 
 
 But they were foo feeble by reafon of longe hunger, that theyr ftrength ferued them not to fufleyne fuche 
 laboure. Yet he erected a lyttle towre able to refyft the fyrft afiaute of the inhabitantes. This towre he 
 cauled Nomen Dei. From the tyme that he left Beragua, what in the iomey amonge the fandie playnes, then 
 alfo for hunger whyle he buylded the towre, of the fewe which remayned a lyue, he lofte twoo hundreth. And 
 thus by lyttle and lyttle, the multitude of feuen hundreth foure fcore and fyue men, was nowe browght to 
 fcarfely one hundreth. Whyle Nicuefa lyued with thefe few miferable men, there arofe a contention amonge 
 them of Vraba, as concerninge the Lieuetenantfliippe. For one Vafchus Nunnez, by the iudgemente of all 
 men, truftynge more to his ftrengthe then wytte, ftoured vp certeyne lyght felowes ageynft. Ancifus, fayinge that 
 Ancifus had not the kynges letters patentes for that office : And that it was not fufficient that he was autorifed 
 by Fogeda, And therfore forbodde that he fliulde execute the office of the Lieuetenauntefliippe : And wylled 
 theym to chufe certeyne of theyr owne coompanye, by whofe counfayle and authoritie they myght bee 
 gouemed. 
 
 Thus beinge diuided into factions by reafon that Fogeda, their capitayne came not ageyne, whom they 
 fuppofed to bee nowe deade of his venemous wounde, they contended whether it were befle to fubllitute Nicuefa 
 in his place. The wyfefte forte fuche as were famylier with Nicuefa, and coulde not beare th[e]infolencie of 
 Vafchus Nunnez, thowght it good that Nicuefa fliuld bee fowght owt throwgh owt all thofe coaftes. For they 
 had knoweledge that he departed from Beragua bycaufe of the barennes of the grounde: And that by 
 th[e]exemple of Ancifus, and fuche other as had made fliippewracke, it were poffible that he might wander in 
 fume fecreate place : And that they coulde not be quiete in theire myndes vntyll they knewe the certentie, 
 whether he with his felowes were alyue or deade. But Vafchus Nunnez, fearinge leafte at the commyng of 
 Nicuefa he fliulde not bee had in autoritie emonge his felowes, fayde they were mad men to thinke that Nicuefa 
 lyued: And althowgh he were alyue, yet that they hadde noo neade of his helpe. For he auouched that there 
 was none of his felowes, that were not as meete to rule as Nicuefa. While they were thus reafonynge too and 
 froo, one Rodericus Colmenaris arryued in thofe coaftes with two greate ftiippes hauinge in theym three fcore 
 freflhe men, with greate plentie of vitailes and apparel. Of the navigation of this Colmenaris, I intende to fpeake 
 fumewhat more. He therfore departed from the hauen of Hifpaniola cauled Beata (where they prepare and 
 fumyflhe theym felues whiche make any viage into thefe landes) aboute the Ides of October in the yeare. 
 1510: And landed the. ix. of Nouember in a Region in the large prouince oiParia founde by Colonus betwene 
 the hauen Carthago and the Region of Cuchibachoa. In this viage what by the rowghnes of the fea and fiercenes 
 of the barbarians, he fufifered many incommodities. For when his frefflie water fayled, he fayled to the mouthe 
 of a certeyne riuer which th[e]inhabitantes caule Gaira, beinge apte to receaue fliippes. This ryuer had his 
 courfe from the toppe of an exceadinge hyghe mountayne couered with fiiowe, hygher then the which, all the 
 coompanyons of this capitayne Rodericus, faye that they neuer fawe. And that by good reafon, yf it were 
 couered wyth fnowe in that Region which is not paft ten degrees diftante from the Equinoctial lyne. As they 
 beganne to drawe water owt of their fliippeboate, a certeyne Kynge made towarde theym appareled with veftures 
 of goflampine cotton, hauinge twentie noble men in his coompanye appareled alfo : Whyche thinge feemed 
 ftraunge to owre men, and not feene before in thofe parties. The Kinges apparell, hunge loofe from his 
 flioulders to his elbowes : And from the gerdle downewarde, it was muche like a womans kertle, reachinge euen 
 to his heeles. As he drewe neere towarde owre men, he feemed frendly to admonyfflie theym to take none of 
 the water of that ryuer, affirminge it to bee vnholfome for men: And ftiewed theym that not farre from thenfe, 
 there was a ryuer of good water. They came to the ryuer. And endeuouringe to coome nere the ftiore, they 
 were dryuen backe by tempefte. Alfo the burbulinge of the fande, declared the fea to bee but ftialowe there. 
 They were therefore enforced to retume to the fyrfte ryuer where they myght fafely cafte anker. This Kinge 
 layde wayte for owre men. For as they were fyllinge theire barrelles, he fet on theym with abowt feuen 
 hundreth men (as owre men iudged) armed after theire maner, althowgh they were naked. For only the 
 kynge and his noble men were appareled. They tooke away the fliippeboate, and brooke it in nianer to chips ; 
 foo fiercely aflaylynge owre menne with theyr venemous arrowes, that they flewe of them fortie and feuen beefore 
 they coulde couer them felues with theyr targettes. For that poyfon is of fuch force, that albeit the woundes 
 were not great, yet they dyed therof immediatly. For they yet knewe noo remedie ageynfte this kynde of poyfon, 
 as they after lemed of th[e]inhabitantes of Hifpaniola. For this Ilande bringeth foorth an herbe which 
 quencheth and mortifieth the violent poyfon of the herbe wherewith theyr arrowes are infected, foo that it bee 
 miniftred in tyme. Yet of owre coompany whiche went for water, feuen efcaped that confficte, and hyd them 
 felues in a hoUowe tree, lurkynge there vntyll nyght. Yet efcaped they not the handes of theyr enemyes. For 
 the fliippe departed from thenfe in the nyght feafon and lefte them there, fuppofmge that they had byn flayne. 
 Thus by manye fuche perels and daungers (which I lyghtly ouerpaffe bicaufe I wyl not bee tedious to yowre 
 holynes) he arryued at the length at the hauen of Vraba, and caft anker at the eafte fyde therof, from whenfe not 
 longe before, owre men departed to the weft fyde by reafon of the barennes of that foyle. When he had 
 
 Eden. M "3 
 
 Nomen Dei. 
 Nicuesa his meu 
 consumed 
 
 Contencion 
 about the 
 lieuetenauntship 
 of Vraba. 
 Vaschus Nunnez 
 moueth sedition. 
 
 Ancisus 
 
 lieuetenaunt for 
 Fogeda. 
 
 60 
 
 Nicuesa. 
 
 Roderictts 
 Colmenaris. 
 The nauigation 
 of Rodericus 
 Colmenaris. 
 
 CucMbacoa. 
 
 The ryuer Gaira. 
 
 An excedlng hy,^h 
 mountayne 
 couered with 
 snowe. 
 
 Appareled men. 
 
 Seuen and forty 
 
 Spanyardes are 
 
 slaine with 
 
 venemous arrowes. 
 
 lerua. 
 
 A remedy agenste 
 
 venemous arrows 
 
 Seuen men left 
 behynde. 
 
 The hauen of 
 Vraba. 
 
114 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 61 
 
 The goulfe of 
 
 Vraba. 
 
 Dariena. 
 
 Famen. 
 
 What became of 
 the contencion of 
 Vraba 
 
 contynued a whyle in the hauen, and fawe noo man flourynge, marueylinge at the filence of the places 
 (for he fuppofed there to haue fownde his felowes) he coulde not coniecture what this ftiulde meane: 
 and there vppon beganne to fufpecte that eyther they were deade, or that they had chaunged the place 
 of theyr habitacion. To knowe the certentie hereof, he commaunded all the greate ordinaunce and other fmaule 
 gunnes which he had in his fliippes, to bee charged : And fyers to bee made in the nyght vppon the toppes of 
 the rockes. Thus the fyers beinge kyndeled, he commaunded all the gunnes to bee fliotte of at one inftante : 
 by the horrible noyfe whereof, the goulfe of Vraba was fliaken, althowghe it were, xxiiii. myles diflante : for foo 
 brode is the goulfe. This noyfe was harde of theyr felowes in Dariena : And they aunfwered them ageyne 
 with mutual fyers. Wherfore, by the folowynge of thefe fyers, Colmenaris browght his fliippes to the Weft fyde. 
 Here thofe wretched and miferable men of Dariena which nowe thorowgh famen and feeblenes helde theyr wery 
 fowles in theyr teethe redy to departe from theyr bodies by reafon of the calamities which beefell vnto them 
 after Ancifus fliippewracke, lyftinge vp theyr handes to heauen, with the teares runnynge downe theyr cheekes 
 bothe for ioye and forowe, embrafed Rodericus and his felowes with fuch kynde of reioyfmge as their prefente 
 neceffitie feemed to requyre. For whereas they were before his comminge, withowte vytayles and almofte naked, 
 he brought them abundance of meate, drynke, and apparell. It reftethe nowe (mofte holy father) to declare 
 what came of the diffention amonge them of Vraiia, as concemynge the gouemaunce after the loffe of theyr 
 capitaynes. 
 
 C The thyrde booke of the seconde Decade 
 Of the fuppofed continent. 
 
 Beragita, 
 
 Nicuesa is sought 
 foorth 
 
 Nicuesa is founde 
 in a miserable 
 
 Insolencie of to 
 much felicitie. 
 
 62 
 
 Nicuesa fauleth 
 from one miserie 
 into an other. 
 
 j|Ll the chiefe officers in Beragua, and fuch as were moft politike in counfayle, determyned that 
 Nicuefa fliulde bee fowght owte if by any meanes he coulde bee founde. Where vppon they 
 tooke from Ancifus the gouemoure refufinge the commynge of Nicuefa, a brygantyne whiche 
 he made of his owne charges: And agreed, ageynft bothe the wyll of Andfus, and the mafter 
 of fence Vafchus Nunnez, that Niaiefa fliulde bee fowght foorthe to take away the ftryfe as 
 touchinge the gouemement They elected therfore Colmenaris (pi whom we fpake before) 
 to take this matter in hande: wyllynge hym to make' diUgent fearch for Nicuefa in thofe 
 coaftes where they fuppofed he erred. For they harde that he had forfaken Beragua, the region of an vnfrute- 
 full grounde. They gaue hym therfore commaundement to brynge Nicuefa with hym, and further to declare 
 vnto hym that he fliulde doo ryght good feruice to coome thether, in takyng away th[e]occafion of theyr 
 feditions. Colmenaris tooke the thynge vppon hym the more gladly bycaufe Nicuefa was his very frende : 
 Suppofmge that his commynge with vytayles fliulde bee noo lefle thankefuU to Nicuefa and his coompanie, 
 then it was to them of Vraba. Fumylfliynge therefore one of his owne fliippes whiche he browght with hym 
 and alfo the brigantyne taken frome Ancifus, he frayghted the lame with part of the vytayles and other 
 neceflaries which he browght with hym before from Hifpaniola to Vraba. Thus courfynge alonge by all the 
 coafles and goulfes nere there abowte, at the length at the poynte called Marmor, he founde Nicuefa, of all 
 lyuynge men moft infortunate, in maner dryed vppe with extreeme hunger, fylthye and horrible to beholde, 
 with onely three fcore men in his company, lefte alyue of feuen hundreth. They al feemed to hym foo 
 miferable, that he noo lefle lamented theyr cafe, then yf he had founde them deade. But Colmenaris conforted 
 his frende Nicuefa : and embrafinge hym with teares and cherefuU woordes, relyued his fpirites, and fiirther 
 encoraged hym with greate hope of better fortune : declarynge alfo that his commynge was looked for and 
 greatelye defyred of al the good men of Vraba, for that they hoped that by his autoritie, theyr difcorde and 
 contention fhulde bee fynyiflied. Nicuefa thanked his frende Colmenaris after fuch forte as his calamitie 
 requyred. Thus they tooke fhyppe to gyther, and feyled directly to Vraia. But fo variable and vnconflant 
 is the nature of man, that he foone groweth owte of vfe, becommeth infolente and vnmyndful of benefites after 
 to much felicitie. For Nicuefa, after thus many teares and weepynges, after dyuers bewaylinges of his infortu- 
 nate defteny, after fo many thankes geuynge, ye after that he had faulen downe to the grounde and kyfTed the 
 feete of Colmenaris his fauioure, he beganne to quarel with hym before he came yet at Vraia, reprouinge hym 
 and them all for th[e]alteracion of the flate of thynges in Vraba, and for the gatheringe of golde : Affirming 
 that none of them owght to haue layde hande of any golde with owte the aduice of hym or oi Fogeda his coom- 
 panion. When thefe layinges and fuche lyke, came to the eares of theym of Vraba, they foo floured vp the 
 myndes of Ancifus Lieuetenaunte for Fogeda, and alfo of Vafchus Nunnez, of the contrary parte, ageinfte Nicuefa, 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 "5 
 
 that fliortely after his arryuall with his three fcore men, they commaunded hym with threatenynge to departe 
 from thenfe. But this pleafed not the better fort. Yet fearynge lead tumult fliulde bee amonge the people 
 whom Vafchus Nunnez had ftered to factions, the bed parte was fayne to giue place to the greatell. This 
 wretched man therfore Nicuefa thus drowned in miferies, was thrulle into the brigantyne whiche he hym felfe 
 browght: and with hym only feuentene men, of his three fcore which reraayned alyue. He tooke fliyppe in 
 the Calendes of Marche in the yeare. 1511- intendynge to goo to Hifpaniola to coomplayne of the raffhenes of 
 Vafchus Nunnez, and of the violence doone to hym by Ancifus. But he entered into the brigantine in an 
 vnfortunate houre; for he was neuer feene after. They fuppofe that the brigantine was drowned with all the 
 men therin. And thus vnhappie Nicuefa faulynge headlonge owte of one miferye into an other, ended his lyfe 
 more myferablye then he lyued. Nicuefa beinge thus vylely reiected, and al theyr vytayles confumed which 
 Colmenaris browght them, faulynge in maner madde for hunger, they were enforced lyke raueninge woolues 
 feakynge theyr praye, to inuade fuche as dwelte abowte theyr confynes. Vafchus Nunnez therefore, theyr newe 
 capitayne of theyr owne election, affembling togyther a hundreth and thirtie men, and fettinge them in order of 
 battell after his fwoordeplayers faflhion, puffed vppe with pryde, placed his fouldiers as pleafed hym in the 
 forwarde and rereward, and fume as pertifens abowt his owne perfon. Thus affociatinge with hym Colmenaris, 
 he wente to fpoyle the kynges which were bortherers there abowte, and came fyrft, to a Region abowte that 
 coafte, cauled Coiba, (wher of we made mencion before) imperioufly and with cruel countenaunce commaund- 
 inge the kynge of the region whofe name was Careta, (of whome they were neuer troubled as often as they 
 paffed by his dominions) to gyue them vytayles. But Careta denyeid that he coulde gyue them any at that 
 tyme : alleagyng that he had oftentymes ayded the Chriftians as they paffed by thofe coafl.es : by reafon wherof 
 his flore was nowe confumed : Alfo that by the meanes of the contynuall warre which he kepte euer from his 
 chyldes age with a kyng whofe name is Foticha, bortheringe vppon his dominion, he and his famelie were in 
 greate fcarfenes of all thynges. But Vafchus woolde admytte none of thefe excufes : And thervppon tooke 
 Careta prifoner, fpoyled his vyllage, and browght hym bownd with his twoo wyues and chyldren and all his 
 famelie to Dariena. With this kynge Careta, they founde three of the felowes of ISTicuefa, the whiche when 
 Nicuefa paffed by thofe coaftes to feeke Beragua, fearynge punyfftiement for theyr euyll defertes fl.Oule away 
 from the fliyppes lyinge at anker: And when the nauie departed, commytted them felues to the mercie of 
 Careta, who enterteyned them very frendely. They had nowe bynne there, xviii. moonethes, and were there- 
 fore as vtterly naked as the people of the contrey. Duringe this tyme, the meate of th[e]inhabitantes feemed 
 vnto them delicate difflies and princely fare : efpecially bycaufe they enioyed the fame withowte any fl;ryfe for 
 myne and thyne, which twoo thynges moue and enforce men to fuch harde fliyftes and miferies, that in lyuing 
 they feeme not to lyue. Yet defyred they to retume to theyr owlde cares, of fuche force is education and 
 natural effection towarde them widi whom we haue byn browght vp. The vytayles whiche Vafchus browght 
 frome the vyllage of Careta to his felowes lefte in Dariena, was rather fumewhat to affuage theyr prefent hunger, 
 then vtterly to take away theyr neceffitie. But as touchinge Ancifus beinge Lieuetenaunt for Fogeda, whether 
 it were before thefe thynges or after, I knowe not. But this I am fure of, that after the reiectinge of Nicuefa, 
 many occafions were fought agenfl. Ancifus by Vafcus and his factionaries. Howe foo euer it was, Ancifus was 
 taken, and cafl; in pryfon, and his goodes confifcate. The caufe hereof was, (as Vafchus alleaged) that Ancifus 
 hadde his commiffion of the Lieuetenauntfliippe, of Fogeda onely whome they fayde to bee nowe deade, 
 and not of the kynge. Sayinge that he woolde not obey any man that was not put in oflSice by the 
 kyng hym felfe by his letters patentes. Yet at the requeft of the grauefle forte, he was fumwhat pacified, 
 and delt more gentelly with hym, hauinge fum compaffion of his calamities. And thervppon commaunded 
 hym to bee loofed. Ancifus beinge at libertie, tooke fliyppe to departe from thenfe to Hifpaniola. But beefore 
 he had hoyfed vppe his layle, all the wyfeft forte reforted to hym, humbly defyringe hym to retume ageyne : 
 promyfynge that they wolde doo theyr diligence, that Vafchus beinge reconciled, he myght bee refl.ored to his 
 full autoritie of the Lieuetenauntfliippe. But Ancifus refufed to confent to theyr requefl. and foo departed. 
 Yet fume there were that murmured that god and his angels fliewed this reuenge vpon Ancifus, bycaufe Nicuefa 
 was reiected throwgh his counfayle. Howe foo euer it bee, the fearchers of the newe landes, faule headlonge 
 into mine by theyr owne foUye, confuminge them felues with ciuile difcorde, not weighinge foo greate a matter, 
 nor employinge theyr befl.e endeuoure aboute the fame as the woorthynes of the thynge requyreth. In this 
 meane tyme, they determyned all with one agreemente, to fende meffengers into Hifpaniola to the younge 
 Admirall and viceroy, fonne and heyre to Chriflophorus Colonus the fynder of thefe landes, and to the other 
 gouemoures of the Ilande (from whom the newe landes receaue theyr ayde and lawes) to fignifie vnto them 
 what fl.ate they ftoode in, and in what neceffitie they lyued : alfo what they had founde, a,nd in what hope they 
 were of greater thinges if they were fumyflied with plentie of vytayles and other neceffaries. For this purpofe 
 they elected at the affignement of Vafcus, one Valdiuia, beinge one of his faction, and inftructed by hym ageinft. 
 Ancifus. And to bee affifl.ant with hym, they appoynted one Zamudius a Cantabrian : So that commaundc- 
 
 The greatest part 
 ouercommeth the 
 best 
 
 The death of 
 
 Nicuesa. 
 
 Famen enforseth 
 them to faule to 
 spoylynge. 
 
 Vaschus vsurpeth 
 
 th[e]autoritieoftha 
 
 Lieuetenantshippe. 
 
 Careta, kinge of 
 Coiba. 
 
 Kynge Careta is 
 taken and spoyled. 
 
 Hunger is the best 
 
 sauce. 
 
 Myne and thine 
 
 theseedesof al 
 
 mischefe. 
 
 Andsus, 
 lieuetenaunt for 
 Fogeda is cast in 
 prison. 
 
 Andsus talcet 
 his vyage to 
 hispaniola. 
 
 63 
 
 The reueng[e] of 
 God. 
 
 The 
 inconueniences of 
 discorde. 
 
 The Sonne and 
 heyre of Colonus, 
 is Admirall and 
 viceroy of 
 hispaniola. 
 
 Val4imf. 
 
ii6 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 Zamudius and 
 Ancisus, take their 
 vyage to Spayne. 
 
 Kinge Poncha. 
 
 Swoordes of 
 woodde. 
 
 Kynge Careta 
 con^ireth with 
 the Spanyardes 
 agenst kynge 
 Poncha. 
 
 Wrought gold 
 
 The region of 
 Como^a, distant 
 frome Dariena. 
 XXX, leaques. 
 
 Kynge Comogrus. 
 
 ITie kynges 
 palaice. 
 
 64 
 
 Wyne and syder 
 
 Blacke wine. 
 
 The bodyes of 
 deade kynges 
 religiously 
 honoured. 
 
 Penates. 
 
 The carcases of 
 men dryed 
 
 The kynges Sonne 
 a yonge man of 
 excellent wytte. 
 
 Foure thousande 
 vnces of wrought 
 golde. 
 
 ment was gyuen to Valdiuia to returne from Hifpaniola with vytayles: And Zamudius was appoynted to take 
 his vyage into Spayne to the kynge. They tooke Ihippe togyther with Atidfus, hauinge in mynde to certifie the 
 kynge howe thynges were handeled there, muche otherwyfe then Zamudius information. I my felfe fpake with 
 both Ancifus and Zamudius at their commynge to the courte. Whyle they were occupied aboute thefe matters, 
 thofe wretched men of Dariena loofed Careta the kynge of Coiba vppon condicion that he ftiulde ayde theym in 
 theyr warres ageynfl, his enemy and theyrs, kynge Poncha bortheringe vpon his dominions. Careta made a league 
 with them, promyfmge that as they paffed by his kyngedome, he woolde gyue them all thynges neceffarie, and 
 meete them with an armie of men, to goo forwarde with them to the battaile agenft Poncha. Theyr weapons 
 are nother bowes nor venemed arrowes, as we fayde th[e]inhabitantes to haue which dwel eaftwarde beyonde 
 the goulfe. They feight therefore at hande, with longe fwordes (which they caule Macanas) made of wood 
 bycaufe they haue noo Iren. They vfe alfo longe ftaues lyke iauelens hardened at the endes with fyer, or typte with 
 bone. Alfo certeyne flynges and dartes. Thus after the league made with Careta, bothe he and owre men had 
 certeyne dayes appoynted them to tyll theyr grounde and fowe theyr feedes. This doone, by the ayde of 
 Careta and by his conduction, they marched towarde the palaice of Poncha, who fledde at theyr commynge. 
 They fpoyled his vyllage and mytigated theyr hunger with fuch vytayles as they founde there. Yet coulde they 
 not helpe their felowes therwith by reafon of the farre diftance of the place, althowghe they had greate plentie. 
 For the vyllage oi Poncha, was more then a hundreth myles diflant from Dariena: wheras was alfo none other 
 remedy but that the fame fliulde haue byn caryed on mens backes to the fea fyde beinge farre of, where they 
 left theyr fliyppes in the which they came to the vyllage of Careta. Here they founde certeyne powndes 
 weyght of gold, grauen and wrought -into fundrye ouches. After the facking of this vyllage they reforted 
 toward the (hips intendyng to leaue the kinges of the inland vntouched at this tyme, and to inuade onely them 
 which dwelt by the fea coafl.es. Not farre from Coiba, in the fame tracte, there is a Region named Comogra, 
 and the Kinge thereof, cauled Comogrus after the fame name. To this Kinge they came fyrft next after the 
 fubvertion ol Poncha: And founde his palaice fituate in a frutefull playne of twelue leaques in bredthe, at the 
 rootes of the further fyde of the nexte mountaynes. Como^us had in his courte a certeyne noble man of nere 
 confanguinitie to Kynge Careta, whiche had fledde to Como^us by reafon of certeyne diflention whiche was 
 betwene Careta and hym. Thefe noble men, they caule lura. This lura therfore of Coiba, mette owre men 
 by the way, and conciled Comogrus to them, bycaufe he was well knowen to- owr men from the time that 
 Nicuefa pafled fyrft by thofe coaftes. Owre men therefore went quietlye to the palaice of Comogrus beinge 
 diftante from Dariena thirtie leaques by a plaine waye abowte the mountaynes, This Kynge Comogrus, had 
 feuen fonnes, younge men of comelye forme and ftature, whiche he had by fundry wyues. His palaice was 
 framed of poftes or proppes made of trees fattened togeyther after a ftraunge forte, and of foo ftronge bylding, 
 that it is of no leffe ftrength then waules of ftone. They which meafured the length of the floure thereof, 
 founde it to bee a hundreth and fyftie pafes, and in breadthe, foure fcore foote : beinge roofed and paued with 
 maruelous arte. They founde his ftore houfe, fumyfflied with abundance of dehcate vitailes after the maner of 
 theyr countrey : And his wyne celler repleniflied with great veflelles of earth and alfo of woodde fylled with 
 theyr kynde of wyne and fyder. For they haue noo grapes. But lyke as they make theyr breade of thofe 
 three kyndes of rootes cauled lucca, agis, and Maizium, (whereof we fpake in the fyrfte decade) Soo make they 
 theyr wyne of the frutes of date trees, and fyder of other frutes and feedes, as doo the Almaynes, Flemynges, 
 Englyflhe men, and owre Spanyardes whych inhabite the mountaynes, as the Vafcons and Afturians : likewife 
 in the mountaynes of the Alpes, the Noricians, Sueuians, and Heluetians, make certeyne drynkes of barley, wheat, 
 hoppes, and apples. They fay alfo that with Comogrus, they droonk wynes of fundry taftes, both whyte and 
 blacke. But nowe yow fliall heare of a thynge more monftrous too behoulde. Enterynge therfor into the 
 inner partes of the palaice, they were browght into a chamber hanged aboute with the carkefes of men, tyed 
 with ropes of goffampine cotton. Beinge demaunded what they ment by that fuperftition, they anfwered that 
 thofe were the carkefes of the father, graundefather, and great graundfather with the other aunceftours of theyr 
 Kyng Comogrus. Declaringe that they had the fame in greate reuerence, and that they tooke it for a godly 
 thynge to honoure them religioufly: And therfore appareled euery of the fame fumptuouflye with golde and 
 precious ftones accordynge vnto theyr eftate. After this forte dyd the antiquitie honoure theyr Penates, whyche 
 they thowght had the gouemaunce of their lyues. Howe they drye thefe carkefes vppon certeine inftrumentes 
 riiade of wood, like vnto hurdels, with a fofte fyer vnder the fame, fo that onely the flcynne remayneth to houlde 
 the bones together, we haue defcribed in the former decade. Of Comogrus his feuen fonnes, the eldeft had an 
 excellente naturall wytte. He therfore thowght it good to flatter and pleafe thys wandrynge kynde of men 
 (owr men I meane) lyuynge onely by (hiftes and fpoyle, leaft beinge ofiended and feekynge occafions ageynfte 
 hym and his famihe, they fliuld handle hym as they dyd other whiche fowght noo meanes howe to gratifie theym. 
 Wherefore, he gaue Vafchus and Colmenaris foure thoufande oimces of golde artificially wrought, and alfo fyftie 
 flaues whyche he had taken in the warres. For fuche, eyther they fell for exchaunce of other thinges, or 
 
 I [6 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 "7 
 
 otherwife vfe them as theym lyfteth : For they haue not the vfe of money. This golde with as muche more 
 which they had in an other place, owre men wayed in the porche of Comogrus his palaice to feparate the fyfte 
 parte thereof, whiche portion is due to the Kynges efcheker. For it is decreed that the fyft parte of both golde, 
 perles, and precious ftones, ftiulde be afligned to the Kinges treafourers: And the refydue, to bee diuided 
 emoonge theym felues by compofition. Here as brabblynge and contention arofe emonge owr men abowt the 
 diuidinge of gold, this eldefle foonne of Kynge Comogrus beinge prefente, whome we prayfed for his wyfedome, 
 commynge fume what wyth an angery countenaunce towarde hym whiche helde the balences, he ftrooke theym 
 wyth his fyfte, and fcatered all the golde that was therein, abowte the porche, fliarpely rebukynge theym with 
 woordes in this efifecte. What is the matter yowe Chriftian men, that yow foo greatly efteme foo litle a portion 
 of golde more then yowr owne quietnes, whiche neuertheleffe yow entend to deface from thefe fayre ouches 
 and to melte the fame into a rude maffe. If yowre hunger of goulde bee foo infatiable that onely for the defyre 
 yowe haue therto, yowe difquiete foo many nations, and yow yowre felues" alfo fufteyne foo many calamit[i]es and 
 incommodities, lyuing like baniftied men owte of yowre owne countrey, I wyll fliewe yowe a Region floweinge 
 with goulde, where yowe may fatiffie yowr raueninge appetites. But yowe mufte attempte the thynge 
 with a greater poure: For it ftandeth yow in hande by force of armes to ouercome kynges of greate 
 puiflaunce, and rigorous defenders of theyr dominions. For befyde other, the greate kinge Tumanama 
 will coome foorthe ageynfte yowe, whofe kengdome is mofte ryche with golde, and diftante from henfe 
 onely fyx foonnes: that is, fyx dayes: for they number the dayes by the fonne. Furthermore, or euer 
 yowe canne coome thether, yow muft paffe ouer the mountaynes inhabited of the cruell Canybales 
 a fierce kynde of men, deuourers of mans fleflhe, lyuing withowte lawes, wanderinge, and withowte empire. 
 For they alfo, beinge defyrous of golde, haue fubdewed them vnder theyr dominion whiche before inhabited 
 the golde mynes of the mountaynes, and vfe them lyke bondemen, vf3mg their laboure in dygginge and work- 
 ynge the)T: golde in plates and fundry Images lyke vnto thefe whiche yowe fee here. For we doo no more 
 efteeme rude golde vnwrought, then we doo cloddes of earthe, before it bee formed by the hande of the worke- 
 man to the fimilitude eyther of fume veffell neceflarie for owre vfe, or fume ouche bewetifull to be wome. 
 Thefe thynges doo wee receaue of theim for exchaunge of other of owre thynges, as of prifoners taken in warre, 
 whiche they bye to eate, or for flieetes and other thynges perteynynge to the fumyture of houfeholde, fuche as 
 they lacke which inhabite the mountaynes: And efpecially for vitayles wherof they ftande in greate neede by 
 reafon of the barrennes of the mountaynes. This iomey therfore, muft bee made open by force of men. And 
 when yowe are paflinge ouer thefe mounta)mes (poyntinge with his fynger towarde the fouthe mountaynes) yowe 
 flial fee an other fea, where they fayle wifli Ihyppes as bygge as yowres (meanynge the caraueles) vfmge both 
 fayles and ores as yowe doo, althowghe the men bee naked as wee are. All the waye that the water runnethe 
 frome the mountaynes, and all that fyde lyinge towarde the Southe, bryngeth foorth golde abundantly. As he 
 layde thefe woordes, he poynted to the veffeUes in whiche they vfe to feme theyr meate, aflSrmynge that kynge 
 Tumanama, and all the other kynges beyonde the mountaynes, had fuche and al their other houfeholde ftuffe of 
 golde : And that there was noo leffe plentie of golde amonge thofe people of the Southe, then of Iren with 
 vs. For he knewe by relation of owre men, wherof owre fwoordes and other weapons were made. Owre 
 capitaynes marueylyng at the oration of the naked younge man (for they had for interpretours thofe three men 
 whiche had byn before a yere and a halfe conuerfant in the court of kynge Caretd) pondered in theyr myndes, 
 and emeftly confidered his iayinges. Soo that his rafflienes in fcatteringe the golde owte of the balances, they 
 turned to myrth and vrbanitie, commendynge his dooinge and fayinge therin. Then they aflced hym frendely, 
 vppon what certeyne knoweleage he fpake thofe thynges: Or what he thowght befte herein to bee doone yf 
 they ftiulde brynge a greater fupplye of men. To this, younge Comogrus, ftayinge a whyle with hym felfe as it 
 were an oratour preparinge him felfe to fpeake of fume graue matter, and difpofynge his bodye to a giefture 
 meete to perfuade, fpake thus in his mother tonge. Gyue eare vnto me o yowe Chryftians. Albeit that the 
 gredie hunger of golde hathe not yet vexed vs naked men, yet doo we deftroy one an other by reafon of ambi- 
 tion and defyre to rule. Hereof fpringeth mortall hatred amonge vs, and hereof commethe owre deftruction. 
 Owre prediceffours kepte warres, and foo dyd Comogrus my father with princes beinge bortherers abowte hym. 
 In the which warres, as wee haue ouercoome, fo haue wee byn ouercoome, as dothe appere by the number of 
 bondemen amonge vs, which we tooke by the ouerthrowe of owre enemyes, of the whiche I haue gyuen yowe 
 fiftie. Lykewyfe at an other tyme, owre aduerfaries hauinge th[e]upper hande agenfte vs, ledde away manye 
 of vs captiue; For fuche is the chaunce of warre. Alfo, amonge owre familiers (wherof a great number haue 
 byn captiues with them) beholde here is one whiche of longe tyme ledde a paynefuU lyfe in bondage vnder the 
 yoke of that kynge beyonde the mountaynes, in whofe kyngdome is fuche abundance of golde. Of hym, and 
 fuche other innumerable, and lykewyfe by the refort of free men on theyr fyde comminge to vs, and ageyne of 
 owre men refortinge to theim by iafe conduct, thefe thynges haue byn euer as well knowen vnto vs, as owre 
 owne poffeffions. But that yowe maye bee the better aiTured hereof, and bee owte of all fufpeetion that yowe 
 
 117 
 
 The distribution 
 of golde. 
 
 Young Comogrus 
 his oration. 
 
 The hunger of 
 golde. 
 
 A region flowinge 
 wyth golde. 
 
 Kynge 
 Tumanama. 
 
 Cani bales. 
 
 65 
 
 The golde mynes 
 of the moimtaynes. 
 
 Vnwrought golde 
 not estemed. 
 
 Exchaunge. 
 
 Abundance of 
 golde. 
 
 Householde stuffe 
 of gold 
 
 Naked people 
 tormented with 
 ambition. 
 
 A vehement 
 persuasion. 
 
 M 2 
 
ii8 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 ftial not bee deceaued, make me the guyde of this viage, byndynge me fall and keepyng me in fafe cuftodie to 
 bee hanged on the next tree, yf yowe fynde my fayinges in any point vntrewe. Folowe my counfayle therfore, 
 and fend for a thoufande Chriftian men apte for the warres, by whofe power we may with alfo the men of 
 waire of Comogrus my father armed after owre maner, inuade the dominions of owre enemyes : where, bothe 
 yowe may bee fatiffyed with golde, and we for owre conductinge and aydynge yowe in this enterpryfe, fliall 
 thynke owre felues abundantly rewarded, in that yowe fliall heipe to delyuer vs from the iniuries and perpetuall 
 66 feare of owre enemies. After thefe woordes, this prudente younge Comogrus helde his peace. And owre men 
 A token of hunger, moucd with greate hope and hunger of golde, beganne ageine to fwalowe downe theyr fpettle. 
 
 C The fovrth booke of the seconde Decade, 
 Of the fuppofed Continent. 
 
 Kynge Comogrus 
 is oaptised with 
 his famely. 
 
 Valdiuia retumeth 
 from hispaniola. 
 
 Horrible thunder 
 and tightnynge in 
 the monetn of 
 Nouember. 
 
 Bread of Maizius 
 and hobba 
 
 Digestion 
 strengthened by 
 OAVlwarde colde. 
 
 Hunger. 
 
 A newe supply of 
 a thousande 
 souldyers. 
 
 MarcJia, 
 
 Pesus. 
 
 A thousande and 
 fyue hundreth 
 pounds weyght 
 of wrought gold 
 
 67 
 
 jjFter that they had taryed here a fewe dayes and baptifed Comogrus with all his famelie, and 
 named hym by the name of Charles after the kynge of Spayne, they returned to theyr 
 felowes in Dariena leauinge with hym the hope of tlie thoufande fouldyers, which his fonne 
 requyred to paffe ouer thofe mountaynes towarde the South fea. Thus enteringe into the 
 vyllage which they had chofen to inhabite, they had knowleage that Valdiuia was returned, 
 within fyxe moonethes after his departure : but with noo great plentie of vytayles, bycaufe 
 he browght but a fmaule fliippe : yet with hope that fliortely after, there fliulde bee fent 
 them abundance of vytayles with a newe fupply of men. For younge Colonus, the Admiral and viceroy of 
 Hifpaniola, and the other gouemours of the Ilande, acknawleaged that hetherto they had noo refpecte to theym 
 of Dariena, bycaufe they fuppofed that Ancifus the Lieuetenant had fafely anyued there with his fliippe laden 
 with vatayles : wyllynge them from henfefoorth to bee of good cheere, and that they fliulde lacke nothynge 
 hereafter: But that at this prefent tyme, they had noo bygger fliippe wherby they myght fende them greater 
 plentie of neceflaries by Valdiuia. The vytayles therfore which he browght, ferued rather fumwhat to rnytigate 
 theyr prefent neceflitie, then to fatiffye theyr lacke. Wherfore within a fewe dayes after Valdiuia his returne, 
 they fel ageine into lyke fparfnes : efpecially for afmuch as a great ftorme and tempeft whiche came from the 
 hyghe mountaynes with horrible thunder and lyghtnynge in the mooneth of Nouember, browght with it fuche 
 a fludde, that it partely caryed away and partly drowned all the come and feedes whiche they had fowne in the 
 moonethe of September in a frutefuU grounde before they went to kyng Comogrus. The feedes which they" of 
 Hifpaniola caule Maizium, and they of Vraba caule Hobba: Wherof they make theyr breade, which alfo wee 
 fayde to bee rype thryfe eueiy yeare, bycaufe thofe Regions are not bytten with the fliarpnes of wynter by 
 reafon of theyr nerenes to the Equinoctial lyne. It is alfo agreable to the principles of naturall philofophie, 
 that this breade made of Maizius or Hobba, (hulde bee more holfome for th[e]inhabitantes of thofe contreys 
 then breade made of wheate, by reafon that it is of eafyer digefl.ion. For wheras coulde is wantinge, the 
 naturall heate is not dryuen frome the owtewarde partes into the inwarde partes and precordials, whereby 
 digefl.ion is much ftrengthened. Beinge therfore thus frufl.rate of the increafe of theyr feedes, and the kynges 
 nere abowte them fpoyled of both vytayles and golde, they were enforced to feeke theyr meate further of: And 
 therwith to fignifie to the gouemours oi Hifpaniola with what great neceflitie they were opprefled: And what 
 they had lemed of Comogrus as concemynge the Regions towarde the Southe: wyllynge them in confideration 
 therof to aduertyfe the kynge to fende them a thoufande fouldiers, by whofe helpe they myght by force make 
 waye throwghe the mountaynes diuidynge the fea on bothe fydes, if they coulde not brynge the fame to pafiTe 
 quyetly. The feme Valdiuia was alfo fent on this meflage, caryinge with hym to the kynges treafourers (hauinge 
 theyr office of recepte in Hifpaniola) three hundreth poundes weyght of golde after eyght ounces to the pounde 
 for the fyfte portion dewe to the kynges efcheker. This pounde of. viii. vnces, the Spanyardes caule Marcha, 
 whiche in weyght amounteth to fyftie pieces of golde cauled Caftellani. But the Caftilians, caule a pound 
 Pefum. We conclude therfore, that the fume hereof, was. xv. thoufande of thofe peeces of golde cauled 
 Caflellani. And thus is it apparente by this accompte, that they receaued of the barbarous kynges, a thoufande 
 and fyue hundreth poundes of eyght ounces to the pounde. All the whiche they founde redy wrought in fundry 
 kyndes of ouches, as cheynes, brafelets, tablets, and plates, bothe to hange before theyr breftes, and alfo at 
 theyr eares, and nofethryls. Valdiuia therefore tooke fhyppinge in the fame carauell in the whiche he came 
 laft^, and returned alfo beefore the thyrde day of the Ides of lanuary, in the yeare of Chrift M. D. XI. What 
 chaunced to hym in this vyage, we wyll declare in place conuenient. But let vs nowe retume to them which 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 119 
 
 remayned in Vraba. After the difmiffinge of Valdiuia, beinge pricked forwarde with owtragious hunger, they 
 determined to fearche the inner partes of that goulfe in fundry places. The extreme angle or poynt of the 
 fame goulfe is diftant from the enterance therof, aboute foure fcore myles. This angle or comer, the Span- 
 yardes caule Culata. Vafchus hym felfe came to this poynte with a hundreth men, coaflynge alonge by the 
 goulfe with one brygantine and certeyne of the boates of thofe regions, which the Vrabians caule Vru, lyke 
 vnto them whiche th[e]inhabitantes of Hifpaniola caule Camas. From this poynt, there fauleth a, ryuer from 
 the Eafl into the goulfe, ten tymes bygger then the ryuer of Dariena which alfo fauleth into the fame. Saylyng 
 alonge by the ryuer about the fpace of thirtie myles (for they caule it nyne leaques) and fumwhat inclynynge 
 towarde the ryght hande fouthwarde, they founde certeyne vyllages of th[e]inhabitantes, the Kynge whereof, 
 was cauled Dabaiba. Owre men alfo were certifyed before, that Cemacchus the kynge of Darima whom they 
 put to flyght in the battayle, fledde to this Dabaiba. But at the commynge of owre men, Dabaiba alfo fledde. 
 It is thowght that he was admonyfflied by Cemacchus, that he fhulde not abyde the brunte of owre men. He 
 folowed his counfayle : forfooke his vyllages, and lefte all thynges defolate. Yet owre men founde heapes of 
 bowes and arrowes : Alfo much houfehold ftuffe and many fyflhyng boates. But thofe marylhe groundes were 
 neyther apte for fowinge of feedes or planting of trees. By reafon wherof, they founde there fewe fuche thynges 
 as they defyred: that is, plentie of vytayles. For th[e]inhabitantes of this Region, haue noo breade but fuch as 
 they get in other contreys nere abowte them by exchaunge for theyr fyfflie, only to feme theyr owne neceffitie. 
 Yet founde they in the houfes of them that fledde, golde wrought and grauen, amountynge to the fume of feuen 
 thoufande of thofe pieces whiche we fayde to bee cauled Cajidlani : Alfo certeyne canoas : of the which they 
 brought away twoo with them, and great plentie of theyr houlholde ftuffe, with certeyne bundels of bowes and 
 arrowes. They faye, that from the maryfflies of that ryuer, there coome certeyne battes in the nyght feafon, as 
 bygge as turtle dooues, inuadyng men and bytinge them with a deadly wounde, as fume of them teftifie whiche 
 haue byn bytten of the fame. I my felfe communing with Ancifus the Lteuetenant whom they reiected, and 
 amonge other thynges a(kynge him of the venemous bytinge of thefe battes, he toulde me that he hym felfe was 
 bytten by one of them on the heele, his foote lyinge vncouered in the nyght by reafon of the heate in fommer 
 feafon : But that it hurt hym noo more, then yf he hadde byn bytten by any other beafte not venemous. Other 
 faye, that the bytynge of fume of them is venemous : Yet that the fame is healed incontinently, if it be. waffhed 
 with water of the fea. Ancifus toulde me alfo, that the venemous woimdes niade by the Canibales arrowes 
 infected with poyfon, are healed by waflhynge with water of the fea, and alfo by cauterifing with hotte Irens : 
 And that he had experience thereof in the region of Caribana, where many of his men were fo wounded. 
 They departed therfore, from the poynte of the goulfe of Vraba, not well contented bycaufe they were not laden 
 with vitailes. In this their retume, there arofe foo greate a tempeft in that wyde goulfe, that they were enforced 
 to cafte into the fea, all the houfeholde ftuffe whiche they tooke from the poore wretches whiche lyued onely by 
 fiflhinge. The fea alfo fwalowed vpp the two boates that they tooke from theym, wherewyth the men were 
 likewife drowned. The fame tyme that Vafchus Nunnez attempted to fearche the poynte of the goulfe towarde 
 the fouthe, euen then by agremente, dyd Rodericus Colmmaris take his viage towarde the mountaynes by the 
 eafte, with thre fcor[e] men, by the ryuer of the other goulfe. Aboute fortie miles diftante from the mouthe of 
 the ryuer, (for they caule it twelue leaques) he founde certeyne vilages fituate vppon the bankes of the ryuer, 
 whofe Chiui, (that is,) kinge, they caule Turui. With this kinge dyd Colmmaris yet remayne when Vafchus 
 after his retume to Dariena, fayling by the feme ryuer, came to hym. Here refreffhinge theyr hole coompany 
 with the vitailes of this Turui, they departed from thenfe togyther. Other fortie myles from henfe, the ryuer 
 encoompafeth an Hand inhabited with fyffher men. In this, bycaufe they fawe greate plentie of the trees which 
 beare Caffia fiflula, they named the TSiaACannafiflula. They found in it, threefcore villages of tenne cotages 
 apiece. On the right fyde of the Hand there ranneth an other ryuer, whofe chanell is of depth fufficiente to 
 beare brigantines. This ryuer they cauled Riuum Nigrum : from the mouthe wherof about, xv. myles diftante 
 they founde a towne of fyue hundreth houfes feuered: whofe ChM, (that is,) kinge, was cauled Abenamachei. 
 They all forfooke theyr houfes as foone as they harde of owre mennes commyng. But when they fawe that 
 owre men purfued them, they turned ageyne and ranne vppon them with defperate mindes, as men driuen from 
 their owne poITeflions. Theyr wepons, are fwordes of wod, and long ftaues like iauelens, hardened at the ende 
 with fyer: But they vfe neyther bowes nor arrowes: nor any other of th[e]inhabitantes of the wefte fyde of the 
 goulfe. The pore naked wretches were eafely dryuen to flight with owre weapons. As owre men folowed theym 
 in the chafe, they tooke the kinge Abenamachei and certeine of his noble men. A common fouldier of owres 
 whom the kynge had wounded, coomminge to hym when he was taken, cutte of his arme at one ftroke with his 
 fwoorde. But this was doone vnwares to the capitaynes. The number of the Chriftian men which were here, 
 was aboute a hundrethe and fiftie: the one halfe whereof, the capytaynes lefte here,-and they with the refydue, 
 rowed vpp the ryuer ageyne with twelue of the boates of thofe Regions, whiche they caul. Vru, as they of 
 Hifpaniola caule them Canoas, as we haue fayde. From the ryuer of Riuus Niger and the Hand of Cannafiflula, 
 
 119 
 
 The goulfe of 
 Vraba. 
 
 Culaia. 
 
 Vaschus searcheth 
 
 the goulfe of 
 
 Vraba. 
 
 A manielous great 
 
 ryuer, faulyng 
 
 into the goulfe of 
 
 Vraba. 
 
 Kynge Dabaiba 
 and Chemacchus, 
 are dryuen to 
 flyght. 
 
 Marysshe grounde^ 
 
 Wrought gold 
 wheyghynge 
 vii. thousand 
 Castellanes. 
 
 Battes as bygge a 
 turtle doues. 
 
 Ancisus bytten 
 of a batte 
 
 Remedies ageynst 
 venemous arrows 
 
 A tempest. 
 
 Colmenaris taketh 
 his vyage towarde 
 the months 
 
 Kynge Turui. 
 
 The Hand Qf 
 Cannaiistulft. 
 
 68 
 
 The ryuer of 
 Riuus Niger. 
 A towne of V. 
 hundreth houses. 
 
 Th[e]inhabitantes 
 of the west syde 
 of the goulfe. 
 
 Kynge 
 Abenamacheij is 
 taken and his 
 arme cut of. 
 
120 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 Many other 
 ryuers fauUng 
 into Riuus hfiger. 
 
 Kyn? abiboba 
 dwelTethe in a 
 
 tree. 
 
 Abundance of 
 moyster and heat 
 is cause of 
 byggenes. 
 
 The rysynge of 
 the Ocean sea. 
 
 Trees of maniclous 
 height 
 
 Plinie. 
 
 FrutefuU grounde. 
 
 Cellers in the 
 grounde. 
 
 Abibeiba^ the 
 kynge of the tree, ' 
 yeldethe to 
 Vaschus. 
 
 69 
 
 Gold no more 
 estemed then 
 stones. 
 
 Cambales. 
 
 Kyng Abraiba 
 
 for the fpace of threefcore and ten myles, leaning both on the right hande and on the lefte many riuers faulinge 
 into it bigger then it felfe, they entred into one by the conductynge of one of the naked inhabitantes, beinge 
 appoynted a guyde for that purpofe. Vppon the banke of this ryuer next vnto the mouthe of the fame, there 
 was a kynge cauled Abibeiba : who, bycaufe the Region was full of maryfflies, had his palaice buylded in the 
 toppe of a highe tree, a newe kynde of byldynge and feldome feene. But that lande beareth trees of fuche 
 exceding heig[h]th, that emonge theyr branches, a man may frame large houfes : As wee reede the like in diuers 
 autoures howe in many Regions where the ocean fea ryfethe and ouerflowethe the lande, the people were 
 accuftomed to flye to the high trees, and after the faule of the water, to take the fyflhe lefte on the lande. This 
 maner of buyldinge, is to laye beames croffe ouer the branches of the trees, fafte bownde togyther, and there 
 vppon to rayfe theyr frame, flrongly made ageynfte wynde and wether. Owre men fuppofe that they buylde 
 theyr houfes in trees, by reafon of the greate fluddes and ouerflowinge of ryuers whiche often tymes chaunce in 
 thofe Regions. Thefe trees are of fuche heighth, that the llrength of no manes arme is able to hurle a (lone to 
 the houfes buylded therein. And therfore doo I gyue the better credit to Plinie and other autours whiche wrytte 
 that the trees in fume places in India are foo high by reafon of the frutefulnes of the grounde, abundance of 
 water, and heate of the Region, that noo man is able to fliute ouer theym with an arrowe. And by iudgemente 
 of all men, it is thowght that there is noo frutfuUer ground vnder the foonne, then this is whereof wee nowe 
 entreate. Owr men meafuringe manye of thefe trees, founde theym to bee of fuche biggnes, that feuen men, 
 ye fumetymes eight, holdinge hande in hande with theyr armes flreached furthe, were fcarfely able too fathame 
 them aboute. Yet haue they theyr cellers in the grounde, well replenyffhed with fuch wynes wherof wee haue 
 fpoken beefore. For albeit that the vehemencie of the wynde, is not of poure to cafle downe thofe houfes, or 
 to breeke the branches of the trees, yet are they toffed therewith, and fwaye fumwhat from fyde to fyde, by 
 reafon wherof, the wyne fliulde bee muche troubeled with moouinge. All other neceflayre thinges, they haue 
 with theym in the trees. When the kynge or any other of the noble men, dyne or fuppe in thefe trees, theyr 
 wynes are browght theym from the celleres by the}^: feruantes, whyche by meanes of exercife, are accuftomed 
 with noo leiTe celeritie to runne vppe and downe the fteares adherente to the tree, then doo owre waytynge 
 boyes vppon the playne grounde, fetche vs what wee caule for from the cobbarde byfyde owr dyninge table. 
 Owre men therfore, came to the tree of kinge Abibeiba, and by th[e]interpretoures cauled hym foorthe to 
 communication, gyuinge hym fignes of peace, and there vppon willinge hym to coomme downe. But he denyed 
 that he woolde coomme owte of his houfe ; Defyringe them to fuffer hym to lyue after his faffhion. But owre 
 men fell from fayre woordes to threateninge, that excepte he wolde defcende with all his famelie, they wolde 
 eyther-ouerthrowe the tree, or elles fet it on fyer. When he had denied them ageyne, they fell to hewinge the 
 tree with theyr axes. Abibeiba feeinge the chippes faule from the tree on euery fyde, chaunged his purpofe, and 
 came downe with only two of his foones. Thus after they had entreated of peace, they communed of gatheringe 
 of golde. Abibeiba anfwered that he had noo golde, and that he neuer had any neede therof, nor yet regarded 
 it any more then ftones. But when they were inftante vppon hym, he fayde vnto them. If yowe foo greatly 
 defyre golde, I will feeke for fume in the nexte mountaynes, and bringe it vnto yowe. For it is plentifully 
 engendred in thofe mountaynes. Then he appointed a day when he wold bringe this golde. But Abibeiba 
 came neyther at the day, nor after the daye appoynted. They departed therfore from thenfe well refreffhed with 
 his vitailes and wyne, but not with goulde as they hoped. Yet were they enformed the like by Abibeiba and his 
 ditionaries as conceminge the golde mynes and the Canibales, as they harde before of kinge Comogrus. 
 Saylinge yet further aboute thirtie myles, they chaunced vppon certeyne cotages of the Canibales : But vtterly 
 voyde with owte men or ftuffe. For when they had knowleage that owre men wandered in the prouinces nere 
 aboute theym they reforted to the mountaynes, caryinge al theyr goodes and ftuffe wyth them. 
 
 C The fyfte booke of the seconde Decade 
 Of the fuppofed continent. 
 
 N the meane tyme whyle thefe thynges were doone alonge by the fliores or bankes of the 
 ryuer, a certeyne Decurian, that is a capytayne ouer tenne, of the coompanye of thofe which 
 Vafcus and Colmenaris had lefte for a garryfon in Rim Nigra in the dominion of kynge 
 Abinamachei, whether it were that he was compelled throwgh hunger, or that his fataule dayes 
 was nowe coome, he attempted with his fouldiers to fearche the countreys nere there about 
 and entered into the vyllage of a king cauled Abraiba. This capitaynes name was Raia: 
 whom Abraiba flewe, with twoo of his felowes : but the refydue fledde. Within a fewe dayes 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 121 
 
 after, Abraiba hauinge compaffion of the calamitie of his kynfeman and neyghbour Abenamachdus being diyuen 
 from his owne poffeffions (whofe arme alfo we fayd before that one of the fouldiers cut of at the riuer oi Rim 
 Nigra and nowe remaynynge with Abraiba to whome he fledde by ftelth after he was taken, went to Abibeiba 
 th[e]inhabitour of the tree, who had nowe lykewyfe forfaken his contrey for feare of owre men, and wandered 
 in the defolate mountaynes and wooddes. When he had therfore founde him, he fpake to him in this eifecte. 
 What thynge is this Oh vnfortunate Abibeiba : or what nation is this that foo tormenteth vs that wee can not 
 enioye owre quyet lybertie? Howe longe, howe longe I fay (hall wee fuffer theyr crueltie? were it not much 
 better for vs to die, then to abide fuch iniuries and oppreffions as yow, as Abinamacheitis owre kynfeman, as 
 Cemacchus, as Careia, as Poncka, as I and other princes of owr order doo fufteyne ? Canne any thinge bee more 
 intollerable then to fee owre wyues, owre chyldren, and owre fubiectes, to bee ledde awaye captiues, and owre 
 goodes to be fpoyled euen before owre faces. 
 
 I take the goddes to wytnes, that I fpeake not foo much for myne owne part as I doo for yowe whofe cafe 
 I lament. For albeit they haue not yet touched me, neuertheleife, by the example of other, I owght to thynke 
 that my dellruction is not farre of. Let vs therfore (yf wee bee men) trye owre ftrengthe and proue owre 
 fortune ageynft them whiche haue delte thus cruelly with Abenamacheius, and dryuen hym owte of his contrey. . 
 Let vs fet on them with all owre poure, and vtterly deflroy them And yf wee can not fleye them al, yet ihall 
 wee make them afrayde eyther to affayle vs ageyne, or at the leaft dimynyfflie theyr poure. For what foo euer 
 (hall befaule, nothynge can chaunce woorfe vnto vs then that which we now fufifer. When Abibeiba harde thefe 
 wordes and fuch other like, he conde[f]cended to doo in al thinges as Abraiba wolde requyre: Where vppon 
 they appoynted a day to brynge theyr confpiracie to paffe. But the thynge chaunced not accordynge to their 
 defyre. For of thofe whiche wee layde to haue paCfed to the Canibales, there returned by chaunce to Riuus 
 Niger the nyght before the day appoynted to woorke theyr feate, thirtie men to the ayde of theym whiche were 
 lefte there yf anye fedition (hulde ryfe as they fufpected. Therfore at the daunyng of the day, the confetherate 
 kynges with fyue hundreth of theyr ditionaries armed after theyr maner, befeaged the vyllage with a terrible 
 alarome, knowynge nothynge of the newe menne which came thether the fame nyght. Here owre target men 
 came foorth ageynfl them, and fyrft aifayled them a farre of with theyr arrowes, then with theyr pykes, and lafle 
 with theyr fwoordes : But the naked feely fowles, perceauinge a greater number of theyr aduerfaries then they 
 looked for, were foone diyuen to flyght, and flayne for the moil parte lyke fcateiynge (heepe. The kynges 
 efcaped, they flewe manye, and tooke many captiues whiche they fente to Dariena where they vfe them for 
 labourers to tyll and fowe they grounde. Thefe thynges thus happely atchyued, and that prouince quyeted, 
 they returned by the lyuer to Dariena, leauinge theyr thyrtie men for a garryfon vnder the gouernance of one 
 Furatado a capitayne. This Furatado therfore, fente from Riuo Nigra where he was appoynted gouemoure, 
 twentie of his felowes and one woman, with, xxiiii. captiues to Vafchus and his company, in one of the byggeil 
 Canoas di that prouince. As they rowed downe by the ryuer, there came foorth foodenly ouerthwarte the 
 ryuer ageynft them, foure greate Canoas, which ouerthrew theyr boate and flewe as many of them as they coulde 
 coome by, bycaufe they were vnprepared fufpecting noo fuch thinge. Owre men were all drowned a;nd flayne 
 excepte twoo, which hyd them felues amonge certeyne fagottes that fwamme on the water, in the whiche they 
 laye lurkynge, and foo efcaped to theyr felowes in Dariena : who by them beinge aduertyfed hereof, beganne 
 to cafte theyr wyttes what this thyng might meane : beinge no leffe felicitate for them felues, then meditatynge 
 in what daunger theyr felowes had byn in Riuo Nigra, excepte by good fortune, thofe thirtie newe men which 
 were fente to them, had coome to the vyllage the nyght before the confpiracie fliulde haue byn wrought. Con- 
 fultinge therefore what was beft to bee doone herein, at the lengthe with dylygent fearchynge they had 
 intelUgence that fyue kynges, that is to wytte, Abibeiba the inhabitoure of the tree, and Cemacckus dryuen from 
 his vyllage whiche owre menne nowe polTelTed, Abraiba alfo and Abenamacheius, kynfemen, with Dabaiba the 
 king of the fy(her men inhabytinge the comer of the goulfe whiche we cauled Culata, were all affembled to 
 confpire the Chriftian mens deftruction at a day afligned. Which thynge had furely coome to paffe, if it had 
 not byn otherwyfe hyndered by gods prouidence. It is therfore afcrybed to a myracle: And trewly not 
 vnwoorthely if wee weye howe chaunce detected and bewrayed the counfayle of thefe kynges. And bycaufe it 
 is worthy to bee harde, I wyll declare it in fewe woordes. Vafchus Nunnez therfore, who rather by poure then 
 by election, vfurped the gouemaunce in Dariena, beinge a mafter of fence, and rather a raffhe royfter then 
 politike capitayne (althowgh fortune fumtyme fauoureth fooles) amonge many women which in dyuers of thefe 
 regions he had taken captyue, had one whiche in fauoure and bewtie excelled all other. To this woman her 
 owne brother often tymes reforted, who was alfo dryuen owte of his contrey with kynge Cemacchus, with whom 
 he was very familier and one of his chiefe gentelmen. Amonge other communication which he had with his 
 fyfter whom he loued entierly, he vttered thefe woordes. My deare and welbeloued fyfter, gyue eare to my 
 fayinges, and keepe mofte fecreatelye that whiche I wyll declare vnto yowe, yf yowe defyre yowre owne wealth 
 and myne, and the nrofperitie of owre contrey and fcynfefolkes. The infolencie and crueltie of thefe menne 
 
 Abraiba causeth 
 the kynges to 
 rebell. 
 
 Men good 
 enowgh yf they 
 had iren 
 
 The kynges are 
 are dryuen to 
 flyght 
 
 70 
 
 Captyues. 
 
 A garyson of xxx. 
 men. 
 
 xviiL Spanyaides 
 
 slayne and 
 drowned 
 
 The kinges which 
 conspired the 
 death of the 
 Christians. 
 
 A strange chaunce 
 Vaschus. 
 
 Women can keepe 
 no counsayle. 
 
122 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 An army of C 
 [hundred] canoas 
 and fyue. M. 
 [thousand] men. 
 Tryumphe before 
 ^ctory 
 
 Afifecdon 
 comipteth trew 
 iudgement. 
 
 71 
 
 The conspiracie 
 of the kynges is 
 detected. 
 
 Kyng Cemacchus, 
 conspyreth the 
 deth of Vaschus. 
 
 whiche haue dryuen vs owte of owre poffeffions, is foo intollerable, that the princes of the lande are determyned 
 noo longer to fufteyne theyr oppreffions. 
 
 By the conductinge therfore of fyue kinges (which he named in order) they haue prepared a hundreth 
 greate Canoas, with fyue thoufende men of warre by lande and by fea, with vitailes alfo in the village of Tichiri, 
 fufficient to raaintayne fuch an army. Declaringe further, that the kinges by agremente, had diuided emonge 
 theym the goodes and headdes of owre men: And therfore admonyftied her, at the daye appoynted by fume 
 occafion to conueigh her felfe owte of the way, lefte fhee fliuld bee flayne in the confufion of the bataile. For 
 the fouldier victourer, is not woonte to fpare any that commethe in his rafe. And thus ihewinge his fyfter the 
 daye afligned to the flawghter, he departed. But the younge woman (for it is the fwoord that women feare and 
 obferue more then the grauitie of Cato^ whether it were for the loue or feare that Ihee had to Vafchus, for- 
 gettmge her parentes, her kynffolkes, her countrey and all her frendes, ye and all the kinges into whofe throtes 
 Vafchus, had thrufte his fwoorde fliee opened all the matter vnto hym, and conceled none of thofe thinges 
 whiche her vndifcrete broother had declared to her. When Vafchus therfore had hard the matter, he caufed 
 Fuluia, (for foo had they named her) to fende for her brother, who came to her immediady, was taken, and 
 enforced to tell the hole circumftances of the matter. Where vppon, he playnely confeffed that kinge Cemacchus 
 hys lorde and mailer, fente thofe foure canoas to the deftruction of owre men, and that thefe newe confpiracies 
 were attempted by his confaile. Likewife that Cemacchus fowght the deftruction of Vaschus hym felfe when he 
 fent hym fortie men vnder pretence of frendlhippe to tyll and fowe his grownd after the maner of the contrey, 
 gyuinge them in commaundement to fleye Vafchus at Harris, whyther he reforted to comforte his laboures as 
 the maner is of all good hufbandes. Yet durfte they at noo tyme execute theyr lordes commaundemente vppon 
 hym, bycaufe Vafchus came neuer emonge them afoote or vnarmed, but was accuftomed to ryde to theym in 
 harnes with a iauelen in his hande and a fwoorde by his fyde. Wherfore Cemacchus beinge fruftrate of his 
 particuler confaile, tooke this lafte thing in hande to his owne deftruction and his neighbours. For the 
 confpiiacie beinge detected, Vafchus cauled threefcore and tenne fouldiers, commaundinge them to folowe him, 
 but declared nothing vnto them whether hee wente or what hee entended to do. He wente forwarde therfore 
 fyrfte towarde Cemacchus which ley from h)Tn, onely tenne myles. But he had knowleage that he was fledde to 
 Ddbaiba the kinge of the marifties of Culata. Yet fearchinge his village, he founde a noble man a ruler vnder 
 hym and alfo his kinffeman, whome he tooke prifoner with many other of his familiers and frendes both men 
 and women. The fame houre that he fette forwarde to feeke for Cemaahus, Rodericus Colmenaris rowed vp the 
 ryuer with foure of theyr byggefte Canoas and threefcore men by the conduction of the maydes brother who 
 browght hym to the village of Tichiri, in the which we fayd all their vitailes to rema)me whiche were prepared 
 for theyr armye. Colmenaris therfore, facked the village, and pofleffed all their vitayles and wjme of fundry 
 colours : likewife tooke the gouernoure thereof prifoner, and hanged hym on the tree in whiche he dwelte hym 
 felfe, commaundinge hym too bee fliotte throwgh with arrowes in the fight of th[e]inhabitantes, and with hym 
 foure other rulers to bee hanged on iebbettes to the exemple of other rebelles. This punyfftimente thus 
 executed vppon the confpiratours, ftrooke the hartes of all th[e]inhabitantes of the prouince wyth fuche feare, 
 that there is not nowe a man that dare ftoore his finger ageynft the wrathe of owre men. They lyue nowe 
 therefore quietly: And the other kinges by theyr exemple doo the gladlyer Hue in fubiection, with leffe offence 
 bearinge the yoke whyche they can by noo meanes ftiake of. 
 
 Vaschus purseweth 
 the kynges with 
 three score and 
 
 Colmenaris 
 sacketh the _ 
 vyllage of Tichiri. 
 
 Fyue rulers 
 hanged and shot 
 throwgh with 
 
 The syxte booke of the seconde decade 
 Of the fuppofed continente. 
 
 The golde>i 
 regions on the 
 south side the 
 mountaynes. 
 
 The death of 
 Valdiuia and 
 Zamudius. 
 
 Hefe thynges, thus fynyfftied, affemblinge all their company togither they determined with one 
 confente, that a meffynger fliulde foorth with bee fente to Hifpaniola (from whenfe they haue 
 their lawes and ayde) to declare the hole order of all thefe afiayres, fyrfte to the admirall and 
 gouernoure of the Hande, and afterwarde to the Kinge of Spayne, and to perfuade hym to 
 fende thofe thoufand men which younge Comogrtts faid to bee expediente to pafle ouer the 
 mountaynes lying betwene them and the golden regions towarde the Southe. Vafchus him 
 felfe dyd greatly afifecte this embafage: But neyther woolde the refydewe of his felowes 
 electe hym therto, nor his factionaries fuifer hym to departe : Afwell for that therby they thought they fliulde 
 bee left defolate, as alfo that they murmured that if Vafchus fliulde once goo firom theym, he wolde neuer retume 
 to fuche turraoyles and calamities, by th[e]example of Valdiuia and Zamudius, who had byn now abfente fence 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 123 
 
 the mooneth of January, in foo muche that they thowght they woolde neuer coomme ageine. But the matter 
 was otherwife then they tooke it, as I wyl fliewe in his place. For they were periflhed. At the lengeth after 
 many fcrutinies, they elected one lohn Qukedus, a graue man well in yeares, and treafourer of the kings efcheker 
 in thofe prouinces. They had conceaued a good opinion of this Quicedus that all thynges fhulde bee well 
 browght to paffe by his meanes, afwell for his wyfdome, as alfo that they were in good hop[e] of his returne, bycaufe 
 he had brought his wiffe with hym to thofe regions, whome he lefte with his felowes for a pledge of his comminge 
 ageyne. When they had thus elected Quicedus, they were ageyne of diuers opinions whome they might ioyne 
 with hym for affiflance : Affirminge that it were a daungerous thinge to committe foo weightye a matter to one 
 mans handes. Not that they miftrufted Quicedtts, but bycaufe the life of man is frayle, and the chaunge of the 
 ayer perelous, efpecially to theym hauynge nowe of longe tyme byn accuftomed to the temperature nere vnto 
 the Equinoctiali, if they fliulde bee compelled to returne to the North with alteration of ayer and dyet. They 
 thowght it therfore good to appoynt a companion to Quicedus, that if by chance the one fliuld fayl the other 
 might remayne: And that if they both efcaped, the king fliuld gyue the better credit to the relation of both: 
 After longe confultation therfore, they chofe Rodericus Colmenarisa. man of good experience, of whom we haue 
 often tymes made mencion. For from his youth, he had trauayled ouer al Europe by land and by fea, and was 
 prefent at the doinges of all thynges in Italy ageynft. the Frenchemen : Of whofe returne alfo, they had noo 
 finaule hope bycaufe he had many fermes and hadde tylled and fowne much grounde in Dariena, by th[e]in- 
 creafe wherof he might get much gold by fellyng the fame to his felows. He lefte therfore the charge of al his 
 afifayres in Dariena, with his partener Alphonfus Nunnez, a ludge of the lawe, who alfo was lyke to haue byn 
 chofen procuratoiu:e of this vyage before Coltnenaris if one had not put theim m remembraunce that he had a 
 wyfe at Matritis: fearyng leaft beinge ouercoome with her teares, he woolde no more returne. Colmenaris 
 therefore, a free man and at hbertie being affociate affiftant with Quicedus they tooke ftiyppyng togyther in a 
 brigantine, the fourth day of the Calendes of N«uember, in the yeare of Chrift. 15 12. In this vyage, beinge 
 toffed with fundry tempeftes, they were by the violence of the wynde, caft vppon the Wefle coaftes of that large 
 Ilande whiche in the fyrfte Decade we cauled Cuba, fuppofed to haue byn fyrme lande. They were fore 
 oppreffed with hunger. For it was nowe three moonethes fence they departed from theyr felowes. By reafon 
 whereof, they were enforced to take lande to proue what ayde they coulde gette amonge the inhabitantes. 
 Theyr chaunce therefore, was to arryue in that part of the Ilande, where Valdiuia was dryuen alande by tempeft. 
 But oh yowe wretched men of Darienat Taiy for Valdiuia whom yowe fent to prouide to helpe yowre 
 neceffities ? Prouyde for yowre felues rather and truft not to them whofe fortune yowe knowe not. For when 
 he arryued in Cuba, th[e]inhabitantes Hewe him with al his felowes, and lefte the carauell wherin they were 
 caried, tome in pieces and halfe couered with fande on the fliore : where Quicedus and Colmenaris fyndyng the 
 ftagmentes therof, bewayled their felowes myffortune. But they founde none of theyr carkefes : fuppofinge 
 that they were eyther drowned, or deuoured of the Canibals. which oftentymes make incurfions into that Ilande 
 to hunte for men. But at the length, by twoo of the Ilande men which they had taken, they had knowleage of 
 Valdiuia his deftruction: And that th[e]inhabitantes the more greedely attempted the fame, for that they had 
 harde by the bablynge of one of his felowes that he had great plentie of gold. For they alfo take pleafure in 
 the bewtie of gold, which they forme artificially into fundry ouches. Thus owre men ftryken with penfyuenes 
 for the cruell deftenie of theyr felowes, and in vayne feekynge reuenge for theyr iniuries, determyned to forfake 
 that vnfortunate lande, departynge from thofe couetous naked barbarians with more forowe and neceflitie then 
 they were in before. Or euer they had pafled the South fyde of Cuba, they fel into a thoufande myffortunes : 
 and had intellygence that Fogeda arryued thereaboute, leadynge a myferable lyfe, toffed and turmoyled with 
 tempeftes and vexed with a thoufand perplexities: Soo that departing from thenfe almoft alone, his felowes 
 beinge for the moft parte all confumed with maladies and famyn, he came with much difficultie to Hifpaniola, 
 where he dyed by force of the poyfon of his venemous wound which he had receaued in Vraba as we haue faid 
 before. But Ancifus elected Lieuetenaunt, fayled by all thofe coaftes with much better fortune. For as he 
 hym felfe toulde me, he founde profperous wyndes in thofe parties, and was well enterteyned of th[e]inhabi- 
 tantes of Cuba. But this fpecially in the dominion of a certeyne kynge whofe name was Commendator. 
 For wheras he defyred of the Chriftian men whiche paffed by, to bee baptifed, demaundynge the 
 name of the gouemour of the Ilande next vnto Htfpaniola, beinge a noble man and a knyght of 
 th[e]order of Calatraua of which order al are cauled Commendatores, this kynges defyre was to bee named 
 after hym. Kynge Commendator therfore, frendely receaued Ancifus, and gaue hym greate abundance 
 of al thynges neceffarie. But what Ancifus lemed of theyr religion durynge the tyme of his remaynynge 
 there, I haue thowght good to aduertyfe yowre holynes. Yowe fliall therefore vnderftande, that certeyne 
 of owre men faylinge by the coaftes of Cuba, lefte with kynge Commendator a certeyne poore maryner 
 beinge difeafed. Who in fliorte fpace recoueringe his health, and hauynge nowe fumwhat lemed theyr language, 
 beganne to growe into great eftimation with the kynge and his fubiectes, in foo muche that he was oftentymes 
 
 "3 
 
 Tohannes 
 Quicedus is sent 
 to Spain 
 
 72 
 
 Chaunge of the 
 ayer is daungerous. 
 
 Rodericus 
 Colmenaris^ 
 assistant with 
 Quicedus. 
 
 A wyfe is a 
 hynderance 
 
 CiAa. 
 
 Three moonethes 
 from Dariena to 
 Cuba, by reason 
 of tempests 
 
 The death of 
 Valdiuia. 
 
 Hurt of lauyshenes 
 of the tonge. 
 
 The calamitie and 
 death of Fogeda. 
 
 Maladies and 
 famen. 
 
 The prosperous 
 vyage of Ancisus. 
 
 A kyng of Cuba 
 baptised by the 
 name of 
 Commendator. 
 
 Ancistts 
 
 73 
 
 A maruelous 
 historic howe God 
 wrought miracles 
 by the simple fayth 
 of a maryner. 
 
124 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 Be not rashe in 
 
 iudgement 
 
 Zentes. 
 
 A chapel bmlded 
 to the picture of 
 the virgin Mary 
 
 God_ respecteth 
 the infancie of 
 faithe for zeles 
 sake 
 
 One Religion 
 turned into an 
 other, holdeth styl 
 many thinges of 
 thefyrst. 
 
 A strange fantasie. 
 
 The effect of 
 godly zeale. 
 
 A miracle in the 
 tyme of the 
 battayle 
 
 The virgin Mary, 
 is present at the 
 battayle. 
 
 74 
 
 A maruelus 
 experience of 
 fayth 
 
 Muche lyke vnto 
 this, is redde iii. 
 Ueg. rviii 
 
 the kynges Lieuetenaunt in his warres ageynft other princes his bortherers. This mans fortune was foo good, 
 that all thynges profpered well that he tooke in hande. And albeit that he were not lemed, yet was he a 
 vertuous and well meanynge man accordynge to his knowleage, and dyd religioufly honoure the bleffed virgin, 
 beaiynge euer about with hym her picture fayre paynted vpon paper and fowd in his apparell nere vnto his brefte : 
 Signifyinge vnto the kyng, that this holynes was the caufe of al his victories : perfuadynge hym to doo the lyke, 
 and to call away all his Zemes which were none other then the fymilitudes of euyll fpirites, mofte cruell enemyes 
 and deuourers of owre fowles: And to take vnto hym the holy virgin and moother of god to bee his patroneffe 
 if he defyred all his aifayres afwell in warre as in peace to fucceed profperoufly. Alfo that the bleffed virgyn 
 woolde at noo tyme fayle hym, but bee euer redy to helpe him and his, if they woolde with deuoute hartes caule 
 vppon her name. The maryner had foone perfuaded the naked nation: And there vppon gaue the kynge (who 
 demaunded the fame) his pycture of the virgin, to whom he buylded and dedicate a chapell and an altare, euer 
 after contemnynge and reiectynge his Zemes. Of thefe Zemes made of goffampine cotton to the fimilitudes of 
 fprytes walkynge in the nyght which they oftentymes fee, and fpeake with them familierly, wee haue fpoken 
 fufficiently in the nynth booke of the fyrile Decade. Furthermore, accordynge to the inflitution of this maryner, 
 when the foonne draweth towarde the faule, this kynge Commendator with all his famely bothe men and women, 
 reforte daylye to the fayde chapell of the virgin Marie, where kneelyng on theyr knees and reuerently bowyng 
 downe theyr heades, holdynge theyr handes ioyned togyther, they falute th[e]image of the virgin with thefe 
 woordes : Aue Maria, Aue Maria. For fewe of them can rehearfe any more woordes of this prayer. At 
 Ancifus his beinge there, they tooke hym and his felowes by the handes, and ledde them to this chapell with 
 reioyfinge, fayinge that they woolde fliewe theym maruelous thynges. When they were entered, they poynted 
 with thejT: fyngers to the Image of the virgin al to befet and hanged abowte with ouches and iewels and many 
 earthen pottes, fyUed fum with fundry meates, and fume with water, rownde aboute all the tabernacle. For 
 thefe thynges they offer to the image in the fteede of facrifice, accordyng to theyr owlde fuperfticion towarde 
 theyr Zemes. Beinge demaunded why they dyd thus, they anfwered, leafte the image fliulde lacke meate if 
 perhaps it ftiuld be a hungerd. For they mofl, certenly beleue that images may hunger, and that they doo eate 
 and drynke. But what ayde and helpe they confeffe that they haue had of the godly poure of this image, that 
 is of the bleffed virgin, it is a thynge woorthy to be harde, and moft affuredly to bee taken for a truthe. For 
 by the report of owre men, there is fuch feruent godly loue and zeale in thefe fimple men toward the holy virgin, 
 that to them beinge in the daungers of warre ageynft theyr enemies, they doo in maner (yf I may foo terme it) 
 compel her to defcende from heauen to helpe them in theyr neceffities : For fuch is the goodnes of god, that 
 he hath lefte vnto men in maner a pryce wherby wee may piu-chafe hym with his holy angels and fayntes, that 
 is to wytte, bumyng loue, charitie and zeale. Howe therfore can the bleffed virgin at any time be abfent from 
 them which cal for her helpe with pure faith and feruent loue? Commendator him felfe, with al his noble men 
 and gentelmen, doo teftifie with one voyce, that in a fought battayle in the which this maryner was capitayne, 
 bearyng with hym this picture of the virgin Marie, the Zemes of theyr enemies turned their backes and trembeled 
 in the prefence of the virgins Image and in the fyght of them all. For euery of them biynge theyr Zemes to the 
 battayle, hopynge by theyr helpe to obteyne the victorie. Ye they fay further, that duryng the tyme of the 
 battayle, they fawe not only an Image, but a liuely woman clothed in fayre and whyte apparel, ayd)Tige them 
 ageinft theyr enemies: whiche thjmge alfo the enemyes them felues acknowleaged, confeffynge that on the 
 contrarye parte fhee appeared to them, fhakynge a fepter in her hande with threatenynge countenaunce, whiche 
 caufed thejrr hartes to fliake and faynt for feare. But after that this maryner departed from them, beinge taken 
 into a ftiyppe of certeyne Chriftians paffynge by thofe coaftes, Commendator declared that he with all his 
 fubiectes, continually obfemed his inftitucions : In foo muche that beinge at contention with another prince, 
 which of theyr Zemes were mofte holy and of greatefte poure, the matter grewe to fuche extremitie that they 
 tryed it with hande ftrokes : And that in all thefe attemptes, the bleffed virgin neuer fayled hym, but was euer 
 prefente in the brunte of tlie battayle, and gaue hym eafye victorie with a fmaule poure of men, ageynft a mayne 
 armye of his enemies. Beinge demaunded with what woordes they cryed vppon the virgin Mary when Ihey 
 affayled theyr enemies, they anfwered that they had lemed noo other woordes of the mariners doctrine, but 
 SanSla Maria adiuua nos, San£la Maria adiuua nos: That is, holy Mary helpe vs, holy Marye helpe vs: And 
 this alfo in the Spanyflhe tonge. For he had lefte thefe woordes in the mouthes of all men. Whyle they 
 murthered and deftroyed them felues thus on bothe fydes, they fell to entreatie of peace and agreed to trye the 
 matter, not hande to hande by combatte of certeyne chofen for bothe parties as the maner was amonge the 
 Romaynes and dyuers other nations in the owlde tyme, or by any flyght or policie, but that twoo younge men 
 ftiulde bee chofen, for eche partie one, with theyr handes bounde faft behynde them in the playne fielde, bothe 
 parties beinge fwome to acknowleage that Zemes to bee the better, which fyrft loofed the bandes of the younge 
 man whiche ftoode bounde for the tiyall of his religion. Thus diuidinge them felues, and placeinge the 
 fayde younge men before them in the fyght of them al, with theyr handes faft bounde by theyr enemyes, the 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 125 
 
 contrary parte cauled fyrft on theyr Zemes (that is, the deuyll to whofe fimilitude theyr Images are made) who 
 immediatly appered in his lykenes aboute the younge man that floode bounde in the defence of Sathans 
 kyngedome. 
 
 But as foone as Commendator with his coompanye cryed SanSla Maria adiuica nos, Sandla Maria adiutia 
 nos, forthwith there appeared a fayre virgin clothed in whyte, at whofe prefence the deuell vanquiffhed immediatly. 
 But the virgin hauinge a longe rod in her hande, and putting the fame on the bandes of the younge man that 
 ftoode for Commendator, his handes were loofed immediatly in the fyght of them all, and his bandes founde 
 about the handes of hym that ftoode for the other partie, in fomuch that they them felues fownde hym dowble 
 bounde. But for all this, were not the enemies fatiffyed: querelinge that this thynge was doone by fum flyght 
 or diuife of man, and not by the poure of the better Zemes. And there vppon requyred for th[e]aduoydynge 
 of all fufpection, that there myght bee eyght graue and fage men appoynted, for eche fyde foure, whiche fliulde 
 bynde the men in the fyght of theim all, and alfo gyue iudgemente whether the thynge were doone withowte 
 crafte or gyle. Oh pure fimplicitie and conftant fayth : Oh golden and bleffed confidence. Commendator and 
 his familiers, doubted not to graunte theyr enemies theyr requefte with lyke faythe wherwith the difeafed woman 
 obteyned healthe of the fluxe of her bludde, and wherby Peter feared not to walke on the fea at the fyght of 
 his mafter Chrifte. Thefe younge men therfore were bounde in the prefence of thefe eight graue men, and 
 were placed within theyr lyftes in the fyght of bothe parties. Thus vppon a figne gyuen, when they cauled 
 vppon theyr Zemes, there appered in the fyght of them all, a deuyll with a longe tayle, a wyde mouthe, greate 
 teeth, and homes, refemblyng the fimilitude of the Image which the kyng being enemye to Commendator, 
 honoured for his Zemes. As this deuyl attempted to loofe the bandes of his cUente, the bleffed virgin was 
 immediatly prefente as before at the caule of Commendator and his fubiectes, and with her rodde loofed the 
 bandes of her fuppliant, which were ageyne lykewyfe founde faft tyed aboute the handes of hym that ftoode for 
 the contrarye parte. The enemies therefore of Commendator, beinge ftryken with greate feare and amafed by 
 reafon of this greate miracle, confeffed that the Zemes of the virgin was better then their Zemes. For the better 
 profe wherof, thefe pagans beinge bortherers to Commendator, which had euer before byn at continuall warre 
 and enmitie with hym, when they had knowleage that Ancifus was arryued in thofe coaftes, they fente ambafa- 
 doures vnto hym, to defyre hym to fend them preeftes of whom they might bee baptifed : Where vppon he fent 
 them twoo wlrich hee had with hym there at that prefent. They baptifed in one day a hundreth and thirtie of 
 th[e]inhabitantes, fumtyme enemyes to Commendator, but now his frendes and ioyned with him in aliance. All 
 fuche as came to bee baptifed, gaue the preeftes of theyr owne liberalitie, eyther a cocke or a henne. But no 
 capons: for they can not yet (kyl how to carue theyr cocke chykens to make them capons. Alfo certeyne 
 felted fyfflies, and newe fyne cakes made of theyr breade: likewife certeyne foules franked and made fatte. 
 When tiie preeftes reforted to the ftiippes, fyxe of thefe newe baptyfed men accoompanied theym laden with 
 vitailes, wherwith they ledde a ioyfull Eafter. For on the Sunday two dayes before faynte Lazarus day, they 
 departed from Dariena, and touched at that tyme, onely to the cape or angle of Cuba nere vnto the Eafte fyde 
 of Hifpaniola. At the requefte of Commendator, Ancifus lefte with hym one of his coompanie, to th[e]intente 
 too teache hym and his fubiectes wyth other his bortherers, the falutacion of the angell whiche we caule the Aue 
 Maria. For they thinke them felues to be foo much the more beloued of the bleffed virgin, as they can 
 reherfe the more woordes of that prayer. Thus Ancifus takinge his leaue of kynge Commendator, directed his 
 courfe to Hifpaniola, from whiche he was not fatrre. Shortely after, he tooke his viage to Spayne, and came to 
 Valladoleto to the kynge, to whom he made greuous complaint of the infolencie of Vafchus Nunnez, in fo muche 
 that by his procuremente, the Kynge gaue fentence ageynfte hym. Thus muche haue I thowght good (mofte 
 holy father) wherof to aduertyfe yowr holynes as concemyng the religion of thefe nations, not only as I haue 
 byn inftructed of Ancifus (wyth whom I was dayly conuerfante in the court and vfed hym familiarlye) but alfo 
 as I was enformed of dyuers other men of greate autoritie, to th[e]intente that yowre excellencie may vnder- 
 ftande howe docible tiiis kynde of men is, and wyth what facilitie they may bee allured to embrafe owr 
 religion. But this can not bee doone foodenlye. Yet we haue greate caufe to hope that in fliorte tyme they 
 wilbe all drawen by litle and litle to the euangelicall lawe of Chrifte, to the great encreafe of his flocke. But 
 let vs nowe retume to the meffengers or procuratours as concemiynge the affayres of Dariena. 
 
 The deuil _ 
 appeareth in his 
 lykenes 
 
 An other miracle. 
 
 Math. 14. 
 
 The deuyl 
 appereth agein. 
 
 The virgin Mary 
 ouerCommeth the 
 deuylL 
 
 Iniidels conuerted , 
 by miracle, and 
 baptised. 
 
 75 
 
 The preestes 
 rewarde. 
 
 Aue Maria. 
 
 Ancisus vyage to 
 Spain 
 
 Ancisus 
 complayneth of 
 Vaschus. 
 
 The haruest is 
 great, but the 
 labourers are fewe. 
 
126 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 C The seventh booke of the seconde decade 
 Of the fuppofed continente. 
 
 From Dariena to 
 Hispaniola viii. 
 c^yeS saylyng. 
 
 The procuratours 
 of Dariena, are 
 honorably 
 rcceaued at the 
 courte. 
 
 Their complexion 
 is altered 
 
 Of whom the 
 autour had 
 information 
 
 76 
 
 The greats master 
 of the kynges ships 
 
 Petrus arias is 
 elected gouemour 
 of Dariena. 
 
 Th[e] oracion of 
 the byshop. of 
 Bulges in the 
 defence of Petrus 
 
 The wanes of 
 Aphrica. 
 
 HRom Dariena to Hifpaniola is eyghte dayes failinge and fumtymes leffe with a profperous 
 wynde. Yet Quicedus and Colmenaris the procuratours of Dariena, by reafon of tempelles 
 and contrary wyndes, could fcarfely faile it in a hundrethe dayes. When they had 
 taryed a fewe dayes in Hifpaniola, and had declared the caufe of the comminge to the 
 admirall and the other gouemours, they tooke fhippinge in two marchante (hippes beinge 
 redye fumylilhed, which were alfo accuftomed to faile too and froo betwene Spayne and the 
 Ilande of Hifpaniola. They departed from Dariena (as we fayde before) the fourthe day 
 of the calendes of nouember in the yeare of Chrifl. 151 2, and came not to the courte before the calendes of 
 May in the yeare folowinge beinge the yeare of Chrifle. 1513. At th[e])T commynge to the courte, lohannes 
 Fonfeca (to whom at the begynnynge the charge of thefe affayres was committed, whom alfo for hys faithful 
 feruice towarde the kinge, yowre holynes created generall commiifarie in the warres ageynfte the moores) 
 receaued them honorably, as men comminge from the newe world, from naked nations, and landes vnknowen 
 to other menne. 
 
 C By the prefermente therefore of the byffliope of Surges, Quicedus and Colmenaris were brought before 
 the king, and declared theyr legacie in his prefence. Suche newes and prefentes as they brought, were 
 delectable to the kinge and his noble men, for the newnes and ftraungnes therof. They alfo fuiomed with me 
 often t3rmes. Theyr countenaunces doo declare the intemperatenes of the ayer and region of Dariena. For 
 they are yelowe lyke vnto them that haue the yelowe gaundies : And alfo fwolne. But they afciybe the caufe 
 hereof, to the hunger which they fufteyned in tyme paft. I haue byn aduertifed of th[e]affayres of this newe 
 woorlde, not onely by thefe procuratours of Dariena, and Ancifus, and Zamudius, but alfo by conference with 
 Baccia the lawier, who ranne ouer a greate parte of thofe coafl.es. Likewyfe by relation of Vincentiics Annez 
 the patrone of the fliippes, and Alfonfus Nignus, both being men of greate experience and wel trauayled in 
 thofe parties, befide many other, of whom wee haue made mention in other places. For there came neuer any 
 from thenfe to the court, but tooke greate pleafure to certifie mee of al thynges eyther by woorde of mouth or by 
 wrytynge. Of many thynges therfore which I lemed of them, I haue gathered fuche as to my Judgement feeme 
 mofi.e worthy to fatiffie them that take delyte in hyfl.ories. But let vs nowe declare what folowed after the 
 comminge of the procuratours of Dariena. Therfore, before theyr anyuall there was a rumoure fpreade in the 
 courte, that the chiefe gouemoures and Lieuetenauntes Nicuefa und Fogeda, alfo lohannes De la Coffa (a man of 
 fuch reputacion that by the kinges letters patentes he was named the greate mafler of the kynges fliyppes) were 
 all perylhed by mifchaunce: And that thofe fewe which yet remayned alyue in Dariena, were at contencion and 
 difcorde amonge them felues: So that they neyther endeuoured theyr diligence to allure thofe fimple nations to 
 owre faythe, nor yet had regarde to fearche the natures of thofe Regions. In confideration wherof, the kynge 
 was determyned to fende a newe capitayne thyther whiche fliulde reftore and fet all thynges in good order and 
 put them owte of autoritie whiche hadde vfurped th[e]empire of thofe prouinces withowte the kynges fpeciall 
 commaundement To this office, was one Petrus Arias affigned, a man of greate prowes and a citifen oiSegouia. 
 But when the procuratours of Dariena had publifhed in the courte howe greate a matter it was, and of what 
 moment, many laboured ernefl.ly to the kyng, to take the office owte of his handes. But the byflhop of Surges 
 beinge the kinges chiefe chaplayne, and one of the commiffioners appoynted by hym in thefe matters, beinge 
 aduertifed hereof, came immediatly to the kynge, and fpake to hym in this effect May it pleafe yowre hyghnes 
 to vnderiland (mofte catholyke Prince) that wheras Petrus Arias a man of valiente corage and greate feruice 
 hath offered hym felfe to aduenture his lyfe in yowre maiefties affayres, vnder vncerteyue hope of gayne and 
 moft.e certeyne perels, yet that notwithftandynge fum other haue ambicioufly maliced his felicitie and preferment 
 labouringe for th[e]office whereto he is elected : It maye pleafe yowre grace herein foo to fhewe hym yowr fauour 
 and permit hym to enioye his fayde office, as yowre maieftie doo knowe hym to bee a woorthy and meete man 
 for the fame, hauyng in tyme pafte had greate experience of his proweffe and valiantneffe, afwell in behauinge 
 hym felfe as orderinge his fouldiers, as yowr hyghnes may the better confyder if it fhal pleafe yowe to caule to 
 remembrance his doinges in the warres of Aphrica, where he Ihewed hym felfe bothe a wyfe Capitayne, and 
 vaUent fouldier. As conceminge his maners and vfages other wayes, they are not vnknowen to yowre maieftie 
 vnder whofe wynge he hath of a chylde byn browght vp in the courte, and euer founde faythfull towarde yowre 
 hyghneffe. Wherfore, to declare my opinion vnder yowre graces fauour (whom it hath pleafed to appoynt me a 
 136 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 127 
 
 commiffioner in thefe affayres) I think it were vngodly that he fliuld bee put from his office at the fute of any 
 other, efpecially beinge thereto moued by ambition and couetoufnes : who perchaunce woold proue them felues 
 to be the fame men in the office if they fliuld obteyne it, as they nowe fliewe them felues in the ambitious 
 defirynge of the fame. When the byfflioppe hade fayde thefe woordes, the kynge confirmed the election of 
 Petrus Arias in more ample maner then before: wyllynge the byflioppe to appoynt hym a thoufande and twoo 
 hundreth fouldiers at his charges, makynge hym a warrante to th[e]officers of his efcheker to delyuer hym 
 money in preile for the fame purpofe. Petrus Arias therfore beinge thus put in office and authoryfed by the 
 kynges letters patentes vnder his brode feale, chofe a greate number of his fouldiers in the court, and foo departed 
 frome Valladoleto aboute the calendes of October in the yeare 1513: And feyled fyrft to Ciuile beinge a verye 
 ryche citie and well replenyflied with people : where by the kinges magillrates he was fiirnyflied with men and 
 vytayles and other neceffaries perteynynge to foo greate a matter. For the king hath in this citie erected a 
 houfe feruinge only for th[e]afiayres of the Ocean, to the which al they that goo or coome from the newe landes 
 and Ilandes, reibrte to gyue accomptes afwell what they cary thyther as what they brynge from thenfe, that the 
 kynge may bee truly anfwered of his cuftome of the fyfte part bothe of golde and other thynges as weehaue 
 fayde before. This houfe, they caule the houfe of the Contractes of Indi. Petrus Arias founde in Ciuile 
 aboue twoo thouland younge men which made great fute to goo with hym: lykewyfe noo fmall number of 
 couetous owlde men: of the whiche, many offered them felues to goo with him of theyr owne charges withowt 
 the kynges flipende. But lefte the fliippes fhulde bee peflered with to great a multitude, or leaft vytayles fliulde 
 fayle them, the libertie of free paffage was reftraynt. It was alfo decreed that noo Uranger might paffe withowt 
 the kynges licence. Wherfore I doo not a lyttle maruaile at Aloifius Cadamujlus a Venetian and wryter of the 
 Portugales vyages, that he was not a fliamed to wryte thus of the Spanyardes nauigations: we went: we fawe: 
 we dyd. Wheras he neuer went, nor any Venetian fawe. But he lloule certeyne annotacions owte of the three 
 firfl, bookes of my fyrft Decade wrytten to Cardinal Afcanius and Ardmboldus, fuppofinge that I woolde neuer 
 haue publyfflied the fame. It myght alfo happen that he came by the copie therof at the hande of fum 
 ambafadoure of Venice. For I haue graunted the copie to many of them, and was not daungerous to forbyd 
 them to communicate the fame to other. Howe fo euer it bee, this honefte man Ahifius Cadamujlus feared 
 not to chalenge vnto hym the fmte of an other mans laboure. Of the inuentions of the Portugales (which furely 
 are woonderfuU) whether he haue wrytten that whiche he hath feene (as he layth) or lykewife bereaued other 
 men of the iufte commendations of theyr trauayles, I wyll not iudge, but am content to let hym lyue after his 
 maner. Emonge the company of thefe fouldiers, there were none embarked but fuche as were licenced by the 
 kynge, except a fewe Itahans, Genues, who by frendfliippe and fute were admitted for the Admirals fake 
 younge Colonus, fonne and heyre to Chrijlophorus Colonus the fyrft fynder of thofe landes. Petrus Arias 
 therfore tooke fluppyng in the lyuer Betis (nowe cauled Guadalqueuir) runnyng by the citie of Ciuile, aboute the 
 beginnynge of the yeare of Chrifte. 1514. But he loofed anker in an euyll houre. For fuche a tempefte fotowed 
 fliortly after his departure, that it rent in pieces two of his fliippes, and foo toffed the other that they were 
 enforced to heaue ouer boorde parte of theyr vj^yles to lyghten them. All fuch as efcaped, fayled backe 
 ageyne to the coaftes of Spayne : where, beinge newely furnyftied and refreflied, by the kynges officers, they 
 went forwarde on theyr viage. The mafter pylot of the gouemoures ftiyppe, was Johannes Vefputius a Florentine, 
 the neuie of Americus Vefputius, who left hym as it were by difcente of inheritance, th[e]experience of the 
 mariners facultie, and knowleage of the fea, carde and compaffe. But wee were aduertifed of late by certeyne 
 which came from Hifpaniola, that they had paffed the Ocean with more profperous wynde. For this marchaunt 
 fliyppe commynge from Hifpaniola founde them landinge at certeyne Ilandes nere there aboute. But in the 
 meane tyme whyle my importunate caulers on, Galeaceus Butrigarius and Johannes Curfius, men ftudious by al 
 meanes to gratifie yowre holynes, ceafed not to put me in rememberance that they had one in a redines to depart 
 into Italy, and taryed ondy to cary with hym vnto yowre holynes thefe my fayre Nereides althowgh rudely decked, 
 leafte I ffiulde beftow muche tyme in vayne, I haue let paffe many thynges, and wyll reherfe onely fuch as feeme 
 in my iudgement mofte woorthye memory, althowgh fumwhat difordered as occafion hath ferued. So it is 
 therfore that this Petrus Arias hath a wyfe named Helifaheth a Boadilla, beinge niefe by the broothers fyde to 
 the marques of Boadilla, which rendered the citie of Segouia to Fernando and Helifabeth princes of Spayne at 
 fuch tyme as the Portugales inuaded the kingdome of Caftile : by reafon wherof they were encoraged fyrfte 
 to refyfte, and then with open warre to affayle and expulfe the Portugales for the greate trefure which kynge 
 Henry brother to queene Helifabeth hadde gathered togyther there. This marqueffe whyle ffiee lyued, dyd euer 
 ftiewe a manly and ftoute mynde, bothe in peace and warre, fo that by her counfayle manye noble thynges were 
 browght to good effecte in Caftile: vnto this noble woman, the wyfe oi Petrus Arias was niefe by her brothers 
 fyde. Shee folowyng the magnanimitie of her aunt, perceauinge her hufbande nowe fumyfliyng hym feUe to 
 depart to the vnknowen coaftes of the newe woorlde, and thofe large tractes of lande and fea, fpake thefe wordes 
 vnto hym. My mofte deare and welbeloued hufbande, we owght not nowe to forget that from owre younge 
 
 "7 
 
 Petrus Arias 
 Lieuetenante of 
 Dariena. 
 
 Petrus Arius hath 
 a thousand and 
 twoo hundreth 
 men appoynted at 
 the kynges 
 charges. 
 
 A house in Ciuile 
 appointed to the 
 affayres of India. 
 
 Perularia. 
 
 77 
 
 Many profer 
 them selues to go 
 of theyr owne 
 charges. 
 Aloisius 
 Cadamustns is 
 reproued. 
 
 The Portugales 
 inuentions. 
 
 The naui^ation of 
 Petrus Anas. 
 
 A shipwracke 
 
 Awericus 
 VespuHtts^ 
 
 A notable exemple 
 of a v?.lient woman. 
 
 Kynge Henry. 
 
 The wyfeof 
 Petrus Arias 
 
128 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 yeares we haue byn ioyned togyther with the yoke of holy matrimonie to th[e]intente that wee ftiulde foo lyue 
 togy ther and not a funder durynge tKe tyme of owre naturall lyfe. Wherefore for my parte to declare my aflfection 
 herein, yowe fliall vnderftande, that whyther fo euer yowre fatal deftenye fliall dryue yowe, eyther by the furious 
 waues of the greate Ocean, or by the manyfoulde and horrible daungers of the lande, I wyll furely beare yowe 
 78 coompany. There can no perell chaunce to me fo terrible, nor any kynde of death fo cruell, that flial not bee 
 much eafyer for me to abyde, then to liue fo farre feperate from yowe. It were muche better for me to dye, and 
 eyther to bee cafl. into the fea to bee deuoured of the fyflhes, or on the lande to the Canibales, then with 
 continuall mournynge and bewaylinge, to lyue in deathe and dye lyuinge, whyle I confume in lookyng rather 
 for my hufbandes letters then for hym felfe. This is my full determinacion, not rafliely nor prefentely excogitate, 
 nor conceaued by the lyght phantafie of womans brayne, but with longe deliberation and good aduifement. 
 Nowe therfore choofe to whether of thefe twoo yowe wyll affente : Eyther to thrufte yowre fwoorde in my throte, 
 or to graunte me my requefte. As for the chyldren which god hath giuen vs as pledges of owr infeperable loue, 
 (for they had foure fonnes and as many dowghters) fhal not ftay me a moment. Let vs leaue vnto them fuche 
 gooddes and poffeffions as haue byn left vs by owre parentes and frendes wherby they may lyue amonge the 
 woorihipful of theyr order. For other thynges I take no care. When this noble matrone of manly vertue had 
 fynifflied thefe woordes, her hufbande feinge the conftant mynde of his wyfe, and her in a redynes to doo 
 accordynge to her woordes, had no hart to denye her louinge peticion: but embrafmge her in his armes, com- 
 mended her interite and confented to her requefte. Shee folowed hym therfore as dyd Ipficratea her MUhridates 
 with her heare hangeinge loofe aboute her ftiulders. For fliee loueth her hufbande as dyd Halkarnaffea of Caria, 
 hers beinge deade, and as dyd Artemifia her Maufolus: We haue alfo had aduertifement fence their departure 
 that fhe (being browght vp as it were amonge foft fethers) hath with no leffe ftoute corage fufteyned the roringes 
 and rages of the Ocean, then dyd eyther her hufband or any of the maryners brought vp euen amonge the 
 fourges of the fea. But to haue fayde thus much hereof, this flial fuffice. Let vs nowe fpeake of other thynges 
 no leffe woorthy memorie. Therfore, whereas in the fyrfte Decade we haue made mencion of Vincmtius Annez 
 Pinzonus, ye fhal vnderftande that he accoompanyed Chrijhphoms Colonus the Admirall in his fyrft vyage, and 
 afterwarde made an other vyage of his owne charges with onely one fliyppe. Agejoie, the fyrfte yeare after the 
 departinge of the Capitaynes Nicuefa and Fogeda, he ran ouer thofe coaftes of Hiffaniola, and fearched all the 
 fouthe fyde of Cuba from the Eafte to the wefte, and fayled rownde about that Ilande which to that day for the 
 greate length thereof, was thowght to haue bin part of the continent or firme land, althowgh fume other fay 
 that they dyd the lyke. Vincentius Annez therfore, knowyng nowe by experience that Cuba was an Ilande, fayled 
 on further, and found other landes weftward from Cuba, but fuch as the Admirall had fyrft touched. Wherfore, 
 beinge in maner encompafed with this newe lande, tuminge his courfe towarde the lefte hande, and rafmg the 
 coaftes of that lande by the Eaft, ouerpaffmge alfo the mouthes of the goulfes of Beragua, Vraha, and Cuchi- 
 bachoa, he arryued at the Region which in the fyrft Decade we cauled Faria and Os Draconis: And entered 
 into the greate goulfe of frefftie water, which Colonus difcouered, beinge repleniflied with great abundance of 
 fyfftie, and famous by reafon of the multitude of Ilandes lyinge in the fame, beinge diftant Eaftwarde from Curiana 
 aboute a hundreth and thirtie myles, in the which tract are the Regions of Cumana and Manacapana, whiche 
 alfo in the fyxte booke of the fyrft Decade we fayde to bee Regions of the large prouince of Faria, where many 
 aflfirme to bee the gretefte plentie of the befte pearles, and not in Curiana. The kinges of thefe regions (whom 
 they caul Chiacones, as they of Hifpaniola caule theym Cacici) beinge certified of the comminge of owre men, 
 fente certeyne fpyes to enquire what newe nation was arryued in theyr coaftes, what they browght, and what 
 they woolde haue : and in the meane tyme fumyfftied a number of the)T: Camas (whiche they caule Chichos) 
 with men armed after their maner. For they were not a lytle aftonifftied to beholde owre Ihippes with the fayles 
 fpreade, wheras they vfe no fayles, nor can vfe but fmaule ons if they woolde, by reafon of the narownes of theyr 
 canoas. Swarmynge therfore aboute the fhippe with theyr canoas (which we may well caule Monoxyla, bycaufe 
 they are made of one hole tree,) they feared not to fliute at owr men beinge yet within their ftiips and keepinge 
 the)Tn felues vnder the hatches as fafely as yf they had byn defended with ftone waules. But when owre men 
 had ftiotte of certeyne pieces of ordinance ageynft theym they were foo difcomfited with the noyfe and flawghter 
 therof that they droue them felues to flight. Beinge thus difparcled, owr men chafed them with the fliippe bote, 
 tooke many, and flewe many. When the kynges harde the noyfe of the gunnes, and were certyfied of the loffe 
 of their men, they fent arabafadours to Vincentius Agnes to entreate of peace, fearinge the fpoyle of theyr goodes 
 and defljuction of theyr people, if owre men ihulde coomme alande in theyr wrathe and furye. They defyred 
 peace therfore, as could bee coniectured by their fignes and po)mtinges. For owre men vnderftoode not one 
 woorde of theyr language. And for the better proofe that they defu-ed peace, they prefented owre men with three 
 thoufand of thofe weights of gold that theSpanyardes caule CaJlellanumAureum, which they commonly caule Fefum. 
 Alfo a greate barell of woodde full of mofte excellente mafculine frankenfence, weighing about two thoufande 
 and fyxe hundreth poundes weight after eight ounces to the pounde : Whereby they knewe that that lande 
 
 The thyrde 
 nauigation of 
 Vincentius 
 Pinzonus. 
 
 Cuba, 
 
 Beragtta. 
 
 Vraia. 
 
 Cuchibacoa. 
 
 Paria. ' 
 
 Os Draconis 
 
 Curiana. 
 
 Cumana. 
 
 Manacapana. 
 
 Plentie of Pearles. 
 
 Monoxyla. 
 
 The Barbarians 
 
 assayle owre men 
 
 beinge in theyr 
 
 shyppes. 
 
 The vsc of gunnes. 
 
 79 
 
 Great abundance 
 of gold and 
 frankensence. 
 Olibanwn, 
 
 laS 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 129 
 
 browght furthe greate plentie of frankenfence. For there is noo entercourfe of marchaundies betwene th[e]inhabi- 
 tantes of Paria and the fabeans beinge foo farre diftante,wheras alfo the[y] of Paria knowe nothynge withowte 
 theyr owne coaftes. With the golde and frankenfence whiche the[y] prefented to owre men, they gaue theni alfo a 
 greate multitude of theyr peacockes, bothe cockes and hennes, deade and alyue, afwell to fatiffie theyr prefent 
 neceffitie, as alfo to cary with theym into Spayne for encreafe. Lykewyfe certeyne carpettes, coouerlettes, table 
 clothes and hanginges made of goflampine filke fynelye wrought after a ftraunge diuife with plefante and variable 
 colours, hauing golden belles and fuche other fpangles and pendauntes as the Italians caule Sonaglios, and the 
 Spanyardes Cafcaueles, hanging at the purfles therof. They gaue theym furthermore fpeakinge popingiais of 
 fundry colours as many as they woolde aflce. For in Paria, there is no leffe plentie of popingiais, then with vs 
 of dooues or fparous. Th[e]inhabitantes of thefe Regions both men and women are appareled with vellures made 
 of goflampine cotton, the men to the knees, and the women too the calfe of the legge. The faffliion of theyr 
 apparell, is fymple and playne muche like vnto the Turkes. But the mens, is double and quilted like that 
 whiche the Turkes vfe in the warres. The princes oi Paria, are rulers but for one yeare : But their autoritie is noo 
 lefle emonge the people both in peace and warre, ihen is th[e]autoritie of other kynges in thofe Regions. 
 Theyr villages are buylded in coompafle, along by the bankes of all that greate goulfe. Fyue of theyr princes 
 came to owre men wyth theyr prefentes, whofe names I thowght worthy to bee put in this hiflorie in remembe- 
 rance of foo notable a thinge Chiaconus Chiauaccha, (that is the prince of Chiattaccha, for they caule princes or 
 kinges Chiaconos) Chiaconus Pintiguanus, Chiaconus Chamailaba, Chiaconus Polomus, and Chiaconus Potto. The 
 goulfe beinge fyrfte founde of the admirall Colonus, they caule, Baia Natiuitatis, bycaufe he entered into the 
 feme in the day of the natiuitie of Chrifte: But at that tyme he only pafled by it withowte anye further fearching, 
 and Baia in the Spanyffhe tong, fignifieth a goulfe. When Vincentius had thus made a league with thefe Princes, 
 folowinge his appoynted courfe, he founde many regions towarde the Eaft, defolate by reafon of diuers fluddes 
 and ouerflowynges of waters : alfo many ftandynge pooles in dyuers places, and thofe of excedynge largenes. 
 He ceafed not to folowe this tracte vntyll he came to the poynte or cape of that mofle longe lande. This 
 poynte femethe as though it woolde inuade the monte Atlas in Aphrica. For it profpectethe towarde that parte of 
 Aphrike, whiche the portugales caule Caput Bona Sperantim. The poyntes or capes of the mount Atlas, are 
 rough and faluage nere vnto the fea. The cape of Bona Speranza, gatherethe thirtie and foure degrees of the 
 Southe pole, cauled the pole antartike : But that poynte, onely feuen degrees. I fuppofe this lande to bee that, 
 whiche I fynde in owlde wryters of Cofmographie to bee cauled the greate Hand Atlantike, withowt any further 
 declaiinge eyther of the fytuation, or of the nature therof. 
 
 €1 The eight booke of the seconde decade 
 Of the fuppofed continente. 
 
 I Hen lohan the king of portugale lyued which was prediceflbure to hym that nowe reigneth, 
 there arofe a great contention betwene the Caflilians and Portugales as concerninge the 
 dominion of thefe newe founde landes. The Portugales, bycaufe they were the firfte that durft 
 attempte to fearche the Ocean fea fence the memorie of man, affirmed that all the nauigations 
 of the Ocean, owght to perteyne to theym onely. The Callilians argued on the contrarie 
 parte, that what fo euer god by the minillration of nature hath created on the earth, was at 
 the begynnynge common emong men: And that it is therfore lawfuU to euery man to poflefe 
 fuche landes as are voyd of Chriftian inhabitours. Whyle the matter was thus vncerteynly debated, bothe 
 parties agreed that the controuerfie fhulde bee decerned by the byffliope of Rome, and plighted faithe to flande 
 to his arbitrimente. The kyngedome of Callile was at that tyme gouemed by that great Queene Helifabeth with 
 her hufbande : for the roialme of Callile was her dowerye. Shee alfo and the kynge of Portugale, were cofyn 
 germaynes of two fyfters : by reafon wherof the diflention was more eafely pacified. By th[e]aflent therfore of 
 both parties, Alexander the byfftiop [of] Rome, the. vi. of that name, by th[e]autoritie of his leaden bull, drewe a 
 right line from the North to the South a hundreth leaques weflwarde withowte the paralelles of thofe Ilandes 
 whiche are cauled Caput Viride or Cabouerde, Within the compafe of this lyne (althowgh foomme denye it) 
 faulethe the poynte of this lande wherof we haue fpoken, which they caule Caput San£li Auguflini, otherwyfe 
 cauled Promontorium Sanlli Augujlini, that is, faynt Auguftines cape or poynte. And therfore it is not lawful 
 for the Caflilians to fallen foote in the beginnynge of that lande. Vincentius Annez therfore, departed from 
 thenfe, beinge aduertifed of th[e]inhabitantes, that on the other fyde of the hyghe mountaynes towarde the 
 
 Eden. N 129 
 
 Sabeaj is a contrey 
 in Arabic, which 
 bringeth forth 
 frankensence 
 Paria. 
 
 Peacockes which 
 wee caule Turkye 
 cockes. - 
 Carpets and 
 couerlettes fynely 
 wrought. 
 
 Popyngayes. 
 
 Th[e]apparell of 
 the inhabitants 
 of paria 
 
 Rulers for one 
 yeare. 
 
 The greate goulfe 
 of Paria. 
 
 Baia Xatiuitatis 
 the gret goulfe of 
 Pana. 
 
 Vincentius maketh 
 a league with v. 
 princes, of Paria. 
 
 Mount Atlas in 
 aphrike. 
 
 The great Hand 
 atlantike 
 
 Contention 
 betwene the 
 Castilians and 
 Portugales for the> 
 newe landes 
 
 80 
 
 The bysshop of 
 Rome diuideth 
 the land 
 
 Cabouerde loke 
 decade i. lib. iii 
 
130 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 The golden region 
 of Ciamba. 
 
 The Hand of S. 
 lohannes 
 
 Fyue byshoppes 
 of the IIaiid[5] 
 made by the 
 bysshop of Rome. 
 
 The Canibales of 
 the Hand of 
 Sancta Cnuc 
 
 81 
 
 Beragua and 
 Vraba. 
 
 The ryuers of 
 Vraba. 
 
 South, lyinge before his eyes, there was a Region cauled Ciamba, which browght foorth greate plentie of golde. 
 Of certeyne captiues whiche he tooke in the goulfe of Paria (which certenly perteyneth to the dominion of 
 Caflile) he browght fume with hym to Hifpaniola, and lefte them with the younge Admirall to lerne owre 
 language. But he hym felfe, repayred to the courte to make erneft fute to the kynge that by his fauoure, he 
 myght bee gouernour of the Iland of SanUi lohannis (otherwyfe cauled Burichena, beinge diftante from 
 Hifpaniola onely. xxv. leagues) bycaufe he was the fyrft fynder of golde in that Ilande. Before Vincentius 
 made fute for this office, one Don Chriflopher a Portugale, the foone of the countie of Camigna, was gouernoure 
 of the Ilande : whom the Canibales of the other Ilandes flewe, with all the Chriflian men that were in the fame, 
 excepte the byfliop and his familiers, which fledde and fliyfted for them felues, forfakynge the church and all 
 the ornamentes thereof. For yowre holynes hath confecrated f3nie byflhoppes in thefe Ilandes at the requeft 
 of the moil catholyke kynge. In Sanho Dominico being the chiefe citie of Hifpaniola, Garfia de Padilla, a 
 reguler fiyer of the order of faynt Fraunces, is byffhop. In the towne of Conception, doctor Petrus Xuarez of 
 Deza : And in the Ilande of laynte lohn or Burichena, Alfonfus Manfus a licenciate, beinge bothe obferuantes 
 of th[e]inflitucion of faynt Peter. The fourth, is fryer Bamarde of Mefa, a man of noble parentage, borne in 
 Toledo, a preacher, and byffhop of the Ilande of Cuba. The fyfte is Johannes Cabedus, a fryer preacher, whom 
 yowre holynes annoynted mynifter of Chrifl, to teache the Chriflian faithe amonge the inhabitantes of Dariena. 
 The Canibales fhall fhortely repent them, and the bludde of owre men fhalbe reuenged : And that the fooner, 
 bycaufe that fhortly after they had committed this abhominable flaughter of owre men, they came ageyne from 
 theyr owne Ilande of Sanila Crux (otherwyfe cauled Ay Ay) to the Ilande of Sanlli lohannis. and flewe a kynge 
 whiche was a frende to owre men, and eate hym and all his famely, vtterly fubuertinge his vyllage, vppon this 
 occafion that violatinge the lawe of hollage, he had flayne feuen Canibales whiche were lefte with hym by 
 compofition to make certeyne canoas, bicaufe the Iland of SanEli lohannis beareth greater trees and apter for 
 that purpofe, then doth the Ilande of San£li Crux the chiefe habitacion of the Canibales. Thefe Canibales yet 
 remaynynge in the Ilande, certeine of owre men fayling from Hifpaniola, chaunced vppon them. The thynge 
 being vnderflode by th[e]interpretoures, owre men quarelynge with theym and caulynge them to accompte for 
 that mifcheuous deede, they immediady directed theyr bowes and venemous arrowes ageynft them, and with 
 cruell countenaunces threatened them to bee quyet, leafl it fhulde repent them of theyr commyng thyther. 
 Owre men fearynge theyr venemous arrowes (for they were not prepared to fyght) gaue them fignes of peace. 
 Being demaunded why they deflroyed the vyllage, and where the kynge was with his famelye, they anfwered 
 that they rafed the vyllage and cutte the kynge with his famelie in peeces and eate them in the reuenge of theyr 
 feuen workemen : And that they had made faggottes of theyr bones to cary theim to the wyues and chyldren of 
 theyr flayne woorkemen, in wytnefTe that the bodyes of theyr huibandes and parentes lay not vnreuenged : and 
 therewith fhewed the faggottes of bones to owre men : who beinge aflonyfhed at theyr fiercenes and crueltie, 
 were enforced to difTimble the matter and houlde theyr peace, quarelynge noo further with them at that tyme. 
 Thefe and fuche other thynges doo dayly chaunce, the which I doo let palTe leafl I fliulde ofFende the eares of 
 yowr holynes with fuche bluddy narrations. Thus haue wee fufEciently digreffed from the regions of Beragua 
 and Vraba beinge the chiefefte foundations of owre purpofe. Wee wyll nowe therefore entreate fumewhat of 
 the largenes and depthe of the ryuers of Vraba: Alfo declare bothe what they and the landes whiche they 
 runne through doo brynge foorth : lykewife of the greatnes of the lande from the Eafle to the Wefl, and of the 
 bredth therof from the Southe to the North, and what theyr opinion and hope is of thynges yet vnknowen in 
 the fame. Wee wyll therfore beginne at the newe names wherwith the Spanyardes haue named thefe prouinces 
 fence they were vnder the dominions of the Chriflians. 
 
 C The nynth booke of the seconde Decade, 
 Of the fuppofed Continent. 
 
 Beraeuat cauled 
 Cast^la aurifera, 
 and Vraba, 
 Andaliuia noua. 
 Sum caule Peru, 
 Noua Castilia. 
 Beragua and 
 Vraba, regions of 
 Faria. 
 
 The frutefulnes 
 of Vraba 
 
 Era^ua therfore, they cauled Caflella Aurea, that is golden Callile: And Vraba they named 
 Andaluzia Noua, that is, newe Andalulia. And lyke as of many Ilandes which they fubdued, 
 they choofe Hifpaniola for the chiefe place of theyr habitacion, foo in the large tract of Paria, 
 they appoynted theyr colonic or bydyng place in the twoo regions Vraba and Beragua, that 
 all fuche as attempte any vyages in thofe coaftes, may reforte to them as to fafe portes to bee 
 refreshed when they are wery or dryuen to neceffitie. All owre feedes, and plantes, do nowe 
 marueloufly encreafe in Vraba. Lykewyfe blades, fettes, flippes, graffes, fuger canes, and 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 131 
 
 fuche other as are brought from other places to thofe regions, as alfo beafles and foules as we haue fayde before. 
 O maruelous fruteflihies. Twentie dayes after the feede is fowne, they gather rype cucumers, and fuch lyke, 
 But colwortes, beetes, Letufe, Borage are lype within the fpace of ten dayes. Gourdes, melones, and pom- 
 pones, within the fpace of xxviii. dayes. Dariena hathe many natiue trees and frutes of dyuers kyndes with 
 fundry taftes, and holfome for the vfe of men : of the which I haue thowght it good to defcrybe certeyne of the 
 bell. They nooryflhe a tree which they caule Guaiana, that beareth a frute much refemblynge the kynde of 
 citrons which are commonly cauled limones, of talle fumwhat ftiarpe myxt with fwetenes. They haue alfo 
 abundance of nuttes of pynetrees, and great plentie of date trees, whiche beare frutes bygger then the dates 
 that are knowen to vs : but they are not apte to bee eaten for thejT to much fowemes. Wylde and baren date 
 trees, growe of them felues in fundry places, the branches wherof they vfe for biefommes, and eate alfo the 
 buddes of the fame. Guarauana, being higher and bygger then the orange tree, bringeth furth a great frute 
 as bygge as pome citrons. 
 
 Ther is an other tree much lyke to a chellnut tree whofe frute is lyke to the bygger fort of fygs, beinge 
 holfome and of plefant tafte. Mameis, is an other tree that bringeth foorthe frute as bygge as an orange, in 
 tafte nothynge inferioure to the belle kyndes of melones. Guananala, beareth a ffute leife then any of the 
 other, but of fweete fauoure lyke fpice, and of delectable talle. Horns, is an other tree whofe frute bothe in 
 fliape and tafte, is much lyke to prunes, but fumwhat bygger. They are furely perfuaded that this is the 
 Myrobalane tree. Thefe growe foo abundantely in Hiffaniola, that the hogges are fedde with the frute therof 
 as with mafte amonge vs. The hogges lyke this kynde of feadynge foo well, that when thefe frutes wax rype, 
 the fwyneherdes can by no meanes keepe them owte of the wooddes of thefe trees : by reafon wherof, a greate 
 multytude of them are becoome wylde. They alfo afiirme, that in Hifpaniola, fwynes flefftie is of much better 
 tafte and more holfome then mutton. For it is not to bee doubted, but that dyuers kyndes of meates do 
 engender fundry taftes and qualities in fuche as are noryflied therwith. The mofte puiffaunte prince Ferdi- 
 nandus, declared that he had eaten of an other frute browght from thofe landes, beinge full of fcales with keyes 
 much lyke a pine apple in forme and coloure, but in tendernes equal to melopepones, and in tafte excedyng all 
 garden frutes. For it is noo tre, but an herbe much lyke vnto an archichoke, or Acantho. The kynge hym 
 felfe, gaue the cheefeft commendation to this. I haue eaten none of thefe frutes. For of a great number 
 which they browght from thenfe, only one remayned vncorrupted, the other being putrified by reafon of the 
 longe vyage. All fuche as haue eaten of theym newely gathered in theyr natyue foyle, doo mameloufly com- 
 mende theyr fwetenes and pleafaunt tafte. They dygge alfo owte of the ground certeyne rootes growynge of 
 theim felues, whiche they caule Batatas, much lyke vnto the nauie rootes of Mylayne, or the greate puffes or 
 muflieroms of the earth. Howe foo euer they bee dreffed, eyther fryed or fodde, they gyue place to noo fuch 
 kynde of meate in pleafant tendernes. The ikyn is fumwhat towgher then eyther of nauies or mufflieroms, and 
 of earthy coloure: But the inner meate therof, is verye whyte. Thefe are nooiyfftied in gardens, as we fayde 
 oi lucca in the fyrfte Decade. They are alfo eaten rawe, and haue the tafte of rawe cheftnuttes, but are 
 fumwhat fweeter. Wee haue fpoken fufficiently of trees, herbes, and frutes. We wyll nowe therefore entreate 
 of thynges fencitiue. The laundes and defolate paftures of thefe regions, are inhabited and deuoured of wild 
 and terrible beaftes, as Lions, Tygers, and fuch other monfters as we nowe knowe, and haue byn defciybed of 
 owlde autoures in tyme paft. But there is efpecially one beaft engendered here, in which nature hath 
 endeuoured to fhewe her cunnyng. This beafte is as bygge as an oxe, armed with a longe fnoute lyke an 
 Elephant, and yet no Elephant. Of the colour of an oxe and yet noo oxe. With the houfe of a horfe, and 
 yet noo horfe. With eares alfo much lyke vnto an Elephant, but not foo open nor foo much hangyng downe: 
 yet much wyder then the eares of any other beafte. Of the beaft which beareth her whelpes about with her in 
 her feconde belly as in a purfe (beinge knowen to none of the owlde wryters) I haue fpoken in the fyrft Decade 
 which I doubte not to haue coome to the handes of yowre holynes. Let vs nowe therfore declare what refteth 
 of the fluddes and ryuers of Vraba. The ryuer of Dariena fauleth into the goulfe of Vraba with a narowe 
 Chanel, fcarfly able to beare the canoas or lyghters of that prouince, and runneth by the vyllage where they 
 chofe theyr dwellynge place. But the ryuer in the comer of the goulfe which we fayde that Vafchus paffed by, 
 they found to bee. xxiiii. furlonges in bredth (which they caule a league) and of exceadynge depthe, as of twoo 
 hundreth cubettes, faulynge into the goulfe by dyuers mouthes. They fay that this ryuer fauleth into the goulfe 
 of Vraba, lyke as the ryuer Ifter (otherwyfe cauled Danubius, and Danowe) fauleth into the fea Pontike, and 
 Nilus into the fea of Egypte : wherfore they named it Grandis, that is great : whiche alfo they afRrme to noorylhe 
 many and great Crocodyles, as the owld wryters teftifie oi Nilus, and efpecially as I haue lerned by experience, 
 hauinge fayled vp and downe the ryuer oi Nilus when I was fent ambafadoure to the Soldane of Alcayr at the 
 commaundement of the mofte catholyke Kynge. What I may therfore gather owte of the wiytynges of fo many 
 lemed autours as concerninge the ryuer of NUus, I knowe not. For they fay that nature hath gyuen two 
 riuers of that name to water the lande, whether they wyll them to fprynge owte of the mountaynes of the moone 
 
 The frutefulnes of 
 Dariena. 
 
 Dyuers holsomy 
 frutes of trees. 
 
 Gitat'anaf 
 
 Pine trees. 
 Date trees. 
 
 Guarauana 
 
 Mameis, 
 
 Guananala. 
 
 Houos^ 
 
 Mirolalani. 
 Hogges fed with 
 miroDalanes 
 Swynes flesshe of 
 better tast and 
 more holsum then 
 mutton. 
 
 82 
 
 Frutes putrifyed 
 on the sea. 
 
 Lions and Tygers. 
 A straunge beast. 
 
 The rjruers of 
 
 Vraba. 
 
 The ryuer of 
 
 Darien fauleth 
 
 into the goulfe of 
 
 Vraba. 
 
 A league is xxiiii. 
 furlonges 
 
 DanubitiS, 
 
 Grandis or Rio 
 grandis. 
 A crocodile Is 
 much lyke an 
 ente, but of 
 excedyng bignes. 
 The autoure of 
 this booke was in 
 Egipt 
 
132 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 The riuer Nilus 
 in Egypte 
 Monies Luna. 
 
 The Portugales 
 nauigacions. 
 
 The ryuer Senega, 
 another channelT 
 of the ryuer of 
 Nilus. 
 Crocodiles. 
 The thyrde and 
 fourth Nilus. 
 Delagat tos. 
 
 83 
 
 The ryuers 
 springe owt of the 
 mountaynes. 
 
 Crocodiles 
 engendred on 
 other ryuers 
 besyde Nilus in 
 Egypte. 
 Byrdes and foules. 
 
 Popingayes. 
 
 A philosophical 
 discourse as 
 cuncerning 
 th[e]original of 
 springes and 
 ryuers. 
 
 The breadth of 
 the lande at 
 Vraba, from the 
 North Ocean to 
 the South sea. 
 
 A ryuer of 
 maruelous 
 byggenes loke the 
 first decade the 
 ix. boke. 
 
 The great ryuer 
 Maiagnonus. liber. 
 iv. decade, i. 
 MariatambaL 
 Camamonts, 
 Paricora. 
 
 Faradice. 
 Loke. vl, boke 
 fyrst decade. 
 
 Theses. 
 
 The land enclosed 
 with two seas. 
 
 or the foonne, or owte of the toppes of the rowgh mountaines of Ethiopia: AfBrming one of the fame to faule 
 
 into the goulfe of Egypte toward the Northe, and the other into the South Ocean fea. What fliall wee faye in 
 
 this place? Of that Nilus in Egypte, there is noo doubte. The Portugales alfo whiche fayle by the coaftes of 
 
 the Ethiopians cauled Nigritm, and by the kyngedome of Melinda paffinge vnder the Equinoctiall lyne, amonge 
 
 theyr maruelous inuentions haue founde an other towarde the South, and erneftly affirme the fame to bee alfo 
 
 deriued from the mountaynes of the moone : And that it is an other chanell of Nilus, bycaufe it bryngeth foorth 
 
 Crocodyles, whereas it hathe not byn reade before tyme that any other ryuer nooryffhed Crocodyles fauinge 
 
 onely Nilus. This ryuer, the Portugales caule Senega. It runneth throwgh the Region of the Nigritas, beinge 
 
 very frutefuU towarde the north fliore- but on the fouthe fyde fandie and rowghe. Crocodiles are alfo engendred 
 
 herein. What ftiall wee then fay of this thyrde: ye I may wel fay the fourth. For I fuppofe them alfo to bee 
 
 Crocodiles which Colonus with his coompany founde armed with fcales as harde as flielles in the ryuer cauled 
 
 Delagartos wherof wee haue made mention before. Shall wee fay that thefe ryuers alfo oi Darien and Vraba, 
 
 haue theyr originall frome the mountaynes of the moone, wheras they fprynge owte of the nexte mountaynes, 
 
 and can by noo meanes haue the fame originall with Nilus in Egypte, or that in Nigrita, or els that in the 
 
 kyngedome of Melinda, from whenfe foo euer they are deryued. Whereas thefe other (as we haue fayde) fpringe 
 
 owt of the next mountaines whiche deuyde an other fouthe fea with noo greate dillaunce from the North Ocean. 
 
 Wherfore it appeareth by experience of fuch as haue trauayled the worlde in owre time, that other waters befyde 
 
 the ryuer of Nilus in Egypte, maye lykewyfe brynge foorth Crocodiles. In the maryfflies alfo and fennes of the 
 
 Regions of Dariena, are founde greate plentie of Phefauntes and peacockes, (but not of variable coloures) with 
 
 many other kyndes of byrdes and foules vnlyke vnto owres, as well apte to bee eaten, as alfo to delite the eares 
 
 of menne with pleafaunt noyfe. But owre Spanyardes, bycaufe they are ignorant in foulynge, take but fewe. 
 
 Alfo innumerable popingayes of fundry kindes are found chattering in the groues of thofe fenny places. Of 
 
 thefe there are fume equall to Capons in byggenes, and fume as lyttle as fparowes. But of the diuerfitie of 
 
 popingayes, we haue fpoken fufficientely in the fyrft Decade. For in the rafe of this large lande, Colonus hym 
 
 felfe browght and fent to the courte a greate number of euery kynde, the which it was lawfuU for all the people 
 
 to beholde, and are yet dayly browght in lyke maner. There remayneth yet one thynge mofte woorthy to bee 
 
 put in hyllorye : The which I had rather to haue chaunced into the handes of Cicero or Liuie, then into myne. 
 
 For the thynge is foo marueylous in my eftimation, that I fynde my wytte more entangeled in the defcription 
 
 hereof, then is fayde of the henne when fliee feeth her younge chekyn inwrapped in towe or flaxe. The breadth 
 
 of that lande from the North Ocean to the fouth fea is only fyxe dayes ioumey by relation of th[e]inhabitantes. 
 
 The multitude therfore and greatnes of the ryuers on the one fide and on the other fyde the narowenes of the 
 
 lande, brynge me into fuche doubte howe it can coome to paffe, that in foo little a fpace of three dayes ioumey, 
 
 meafurynge from the hygh toppes of thofe mountaynes, I doo not vnderflande howe foo many and foo great lyuers, 
 
 may haue recourfe into this north fea. For it is to bee thought that as many doo flowe towarde th[e]inhabitantes 
 
 of the fouthe. Thefe ryuers of Vraba are but fmaule, in comparifon of many other in thofe coaftes. For the 
 
 Spanyardes fay, that in the tyme of Colonus, they founde and paffed by an other ryuer after this, whofe goulfe 
 
 faulynge into the fea, they aliirme to bee lyttle leffe then a hundreth myles in the fyrfte coaftes of Paria, as wee 
 
 haue fayde elfewhere. For they faye that it fauleth from the toppes of hyghe mountaynes with foo fwyfte and 
 
 furious a courfe, that by the violence and greatnes therof, it dryueth backe the fea althowgh it bee rowghe and 
 
 enforced with a contrary wynde. They all affirme lykewyfe, that in all the large tracte therof, they felt noo 
 
 fower or falte water, but that all the water was freffhe, fweete, and apte to bee dronke. Th[e]inhabitantes caule 
 
 this ryuer Maragnonum: And the regions adiacent to the fame, Mariatanibal, Camamorus, and Paricora. 
 
 Befyde thofe ryuers whiche I haue named before, as Darien, Grandis, Dabaiba, Beragua, SanEK Mathei, Boius 
 
 gatti, Delagartos, and Gaira, they which of late haue fearched thofe coaftes, haue founde many other. 
 
 Deliberatinge therefore with my felfe, from whenfe thefe mountaynes beinge foo narowe and nere vnto the fea on 
 
 bothe fydes, haue fuch great holowe caues or dennes of fuche capacitie, and from whenfe they are fylled to caft 
 
 foorth fuch abundance of water, hereof alfo afkynge them the opmions of the inhabitantes, they affirme them to 
 
 bee of dyuers iudgementes herein : Alleagynge fyrft the greatnes of the mountaynes to bee the caufe, whiche 
 
 they fay to bee very hygh, which thynge alfo Colonus the firft fynder therof affirmeth to bee trewe : Adding there 
 
 vnto that the Paradife of pleafure is in the toppes of thofe mountames whiche appeare firom the goulfe of Paria 
 
 and Os Draconis, as he is fully perfuaded. They agree therfore that there is greate caues within thefe 
 
 mountaynes : but it refteth to confyder from whenfe they are fylled. If therefore all the ryuers of freffhe waters 
 
 by th[e]oppinion of manye, do foo flowe owte of the fea as dryuen and compelled throwghe the paffages or pores 
 
 of the earth by the ponderous weyght of the fea it felfe, as wee fee them breake furth of the fprynges and directe 
 
 their courfe to the fea ageyne, then the thynge is leffe to bee marueyled at here then in other places. For wee 
 
 haue not redde that in any other place twoo fuch feas haue enuironed any lande with foo narowe lymittes. 
 
 For it hath on the right fyde, the great Ocean where the fonne goeth downe on the lefte hande: And an other 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 on the other fyde where the fonne ryfeth, nothynge inferioure to the fyrft in greatenes, for they fuppofe it to bee 
 myxte and ioyned as all one with the fea of Eaft India. 
 
 This lande therefore being burdened with fo great a weight on the one fyde and on the other (yf this 
 opinion bee of anye value) is enforced to fwalowe vp fuch deuoured waters, and ageyne to caft foorth the fame 
 in open fpringes and ftreames. But if wee Ihall denye that the earth draweth humours of the fea, and agree 
 that all fountaynes or fpiynges are engendered of the conuerfion or tumynge of ayer into water diftilling within 
 the holowe places of the montaynes (as the moft part thinke) we wyll gyue place rather to th[e]autoritie of 
 them whiche ftycke to thofe reafons, then that owre fenfe is fatiffyed of the full truth therof. Yet doo I not 
 repugne that in fume caues of mountaynes, water is turned into ayer. For I my felfe haue feene, howe in the 
 caues of manye mountaynes in Spayne, in maner Ihowers of rayne doo faule continually: And. that 'he water 
 gathered by this meanes, doth fend furth certeyne ryuers by the fydes of the mountaynes, wherwith al fuche 
 trees as are planted on the ftiepe or foote of the mountaynes, as vines, Oliue trees, and fuche other, are watered. 
 And this efpecially in one place : As the ryght honorable Lodouike the Cardinall of Aragonie mofte obfequious 
 to yowre holynes, and twoo other byflioppes of Italy, wherof the one is Siluius Pandontis, and the other an 
 Archebyflhop (whofe name and tytle I doo not remember) can beare me wytnes. For when wee were togyther 
 at Granata, lately del)Tiered from the dominion of the Moores, and walked for owre paftyme to certeine 
 pleafaunte hyUes (by the whiche there ranne a fayre ryuer) Whyle Cardinall Lodouike occupied hym felfe in 
 fliutynge at byrdes whiche were in the buflies nere vnto the ryuer, I and the other twoo byffliops determined to 
 clime the mountaynes to fearche ±[e]oiiginall and fpringe of the ryuer: for wee were not farre from the toppes 
 thereof. Folowynge therefore the courfe of the ryuer, wee founde a greate caue in which was a continuall faule 
 of water as it had byn a flioure of rayne : the water wherof, faulyng into a trenche made with mans hand, 
 encreafeth to a ryuer, and runneth downe by the fydes of the mountaynes. The lyke is alfo feene in this 
 famous towne of Valladokto (where we nowe fuiome) in a certeyne greene clofe, not paft a furlonge diftant from 
 the waules of the towne. I graunte therfore that in certeyne places by conuerfion of the ayrie dewe into water 
 within the caues of fuche mountaynes, many fprynges and ryuers are engendred. But I fuppofe that nature was 
 not follicitate to brynge furthe fuche greate fluds by this fo fmaule induiliy. Twoo reafons therfore, do found 
 belle to my iudgement: whereof the one is, the often faule of rayne: The other, the continuall autumne or 
 fprynge tyme which is in thofe regions beinge foo nere vnto the Equinoctial that the common people can 
 perceaue no difference betwene the length of the day and the night throwgh owt al the yeare whereas thefe two 
 feafons are more apte to engender abundance of rayne then eyther extreme wynter or feruent fummer An 
 other reafon in efiect much lyke vnto the fyrft, is this : If the fea bee full of pores, and that by the pores therof 
 beinge opened by the Southe windes, wee flial confent that vapours are lyfted vp wherof the watery cloudes are 
 engendred, this lande muft needes bee moyfted with moo ftioures then anye other, yf it bee as narowe as they 
 laye, and enuironed with twoo mayne feas collaterally beatinge on the fame. Howe fo euer it be : I can not 
 but gyue credit to the report of fuch worthy men as haue recourfe to thofe regions : And can noo leffe then 
 declare the fame albeit it may feeme incredible to fume ignorant perfons not knowynge the poure of nature to 
 whome Plinie was perfuaded that nothynge was impoffible. Wee haue therfore thought it good to make this 
 difcourfe by the way of argument, leaft on the one fyde, men of good lemyng and iudgement, and on the other 
 fyde, fuche as are ftudious to fynde occafions of quarelynge in other mens wrytynges, fliulde iudge vs to bee fo 
 vndefcreete lyghtly to gyue creditte to euery tale not beinge confonant to reafon. But of the force and greate 
 violence of thofe freflhe waters, which repulfmge the fea make fo greate a goulfe (as wee haue fayde) I thinke the 
 caufe therof to bee the greate multitude of fluddes and ryuers, whiche beinge gathered togither, make fo great a 
 poole : and not one ryuer as they fuppofe. And for as muche as the mountaynes are excedynge hyghe and 
 ftiepe, I thinke the violence of the faule of the waters to be of fuch force, that this conflicte betwene the waters, 
 is caufed by th[e]impulfion of the poole that the falte water can not enter into the goulfe^ But here perhappes 
 fume wyll maraeyle at me why I ftiulde marueyle foo muche hereat, fpeakynge vnto me fcornefuUy after this maner. 
 Why dothe he foo marueyle at the greate ryuers of thefe Regions ? Hathe not Italye his Eridanus, named the 
 kynge of ryuers of the owlde wryters ? Haue not other regions alfo the lyke ? as wee reede of Tanais, Ganges, 
 and Danubius, which are fayde foo to ouercoome the fea, that freflie water may be drawne fortie myles within 
 the fame. Thefe menne I woolde fatiffie with this anfwere. The famous ryuer of Fadus, in Italye (whiche 
 they nowe caule Fo, and was of the Greekes cauled Eridanus) hath the greate mountaynes cauled Alpes 
 diuidinge Fraunce, Germanie, and Pannonie from Italye, lyinge at the backe therof as it were bulwarges full 
 of moyfture : And with a longe tracte receauinge Ttcinum with innumerable other great ryuers, fauleth into the 
 fea A(hiatike. The lyke is alfo to bee vnderftode of the other. But thefe ryuers (as owre men were enformed 
 by the kynges) faul into the Ocean fea with larger and fuller chanels nere hand. And fume there are which 
 affirme this lande to bee very large in other places althowgh it bee but narowe here. There commeth alfo to 
 my remembrance an other caufe: the whiche althowgh it bee of no greate force, yet doo I entende to wryte it. 
 
 N 2 133 
 
 84 
 
 Conu[e]rsion of 
 ayer into water in 
 the caues of 
 mountaynes. 
 
 Showers of rayne 
 in the caues of 
 montaynes 
 
 The often fal of 
 
 rayne and 
 
 continuall sprynge 
 
 time. 
 
 The Equinoctiall. 
 
 The pores of the 
 sea and the SoUth 
 wynd. 
 
 Nothinge 
 impossible to the 
 poure of na[t]ure. 
 
 The cause of the 
 greatnes and force 
 of the goulfe. 
 
 Hygh and stiepc 
 hylles 
 
 85 
 
 The fludde 
 
 Eridanus. 
 
 Tanais. 
 
 Ganges, 
 
 Danuhius. 
 
 Padus, 
 
 Alpes, 
 
 Ticinum. 
 
 The sea Adriatike, 
 sume caule the 
 goulfe of Venes 
 
 An other reason 
 
134 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 Theryuer 
 Alpheus. 
 
 Aretkusa 
 
 Longe caues in 
 the mountaynes. 
 
 The length and 
 forme of the Hand 
 Cap. S. Augttsti. 
 Eyght tymes 
 bygger then Italy 
 besyde that part 
 whiche the 
 portugales 
 possesse. Italy 
 IS in length a 
 thousand and two 
 hundreth myles, 
 and in breadth 
 foure hundreth 
 and ten. 
 
 Cardes of the sea. 
 
 The carde of 
 Americus 
 
 Vesputius. 
 
 The carde of 
 Colonus. 
 
 The carde of 
 lohannes de la 
 Cossa. 
 
 86 
 
 The carde of 
 Andreas moralis. 
 
 The maner of 
 measuring the 
 cardes. 
 
 Loke decade i. 
 liber. iiL 
 The Hand of 
 Cabouerde. 
 
 Maragnonum. 
 Os Draconis 
 
 A league. 
 CucMbacoa. 
 
 CaramairL 
 
 Carthago. 
 
 The Hand Fortis. 
 
 Vraba, 
 
 Beragua* 
 
 Perhappes therfore the length of the lande reachyng far from the Eafte to the wefte, if it bee narowe, may bee 
 a helpe hereunto. For as wee reade that the ryuer Alpheus paiTethe through the holowe places vnder the fea 
 from the citie of Elis in Peloponefo, and breaketh foorth at the fountayne or fprynge Arethufa in the Iland of 
 Sicilia, fo is it poffible that thefe mountaynes may haue fuche longe caues perteynynge vnto theim, that they 
 may be the receptacles of the water paffmg through the landes beinge farre diftante: And that the fame waters 
 commynge by foo longe a tracte, may in the way bee greately encreafed by the conueriion of ayer into water, 
 as wee haue fayde. Thus muche haue I fpoken freely, permittinge bothe to them whiche doo frendely 
 enterprete other mens doinges, and alfo to the malicious fcorners, to take the thynge euen as them lyfleth. 
 For hetherto I can make no further declaration hereof. But when the truth ftialbe better knowen, I wyl do my 
 diligence to commit the fame to wryting. Nowe therefore, forafmuche as we haue fpoken thus muche of the 
 breadth of this land, we entend to defcribe the length and forme of the fame. 
 
 C The tenth booke of the seconde Decade, 
 Of the fuppofed Continent. 
 
 Hat lande reacheth foorth into the fea euen as doth Italy, althowgh not like the legge of a man 
 as it doth. But I nowe compare a Pigmean or a dwarfe to a giant. For that part therof 
 which the Spaniardes haue ouer runne from the fayde Eafte poynt which reacheth towarde 
 the fea Atlantike (the ende not beinge yet founde towarde the Wefte) is more then eyght 
 tymes longer then Italye. And by what reafon I am moued to fey eyght tymes, yowre 
 holynes fhall vnderftande. From the tyme therefore that I fyrfte determined to obeye their 
 requeftes who wylled me fyrfte in yowre name to wryte thefe thynges in the laten tonge, I 
 dyd my endeuoure that all thinges myght coome foorth with dewe tryall and experience. Wherupon I repayred 
 to the byftioppe oi Surges beinge the chiefe refuge of this nauigation. As wee were therfore fecretly togyther in 
 one chamber, we had many inftrumentes perteynynge to thefe affayres as globes and manye of thofe mappes 
 which are commonly cauled the ftiipmans cardes, or cardes of the fea. Of the which, one was drawen by the 
 Portugales, wherunto Americus Vefputius is fayde to haue put to his hande, beinge a man mofte experte in this 
 facultie and a Florentyne borne : who alfo vnder the ftipende of the Portugales, hadde fayled towarde the fouth 
 pole many degrees beyond the Equinoctiall. In this carde we founde the fyrft front of this land to bee brooder 
 then the kynges of Vraba had perfuaded owre men of theyr mountaynes. To an other, Colonus the Admiral 
 whyle he yet lyued and fearched thofe places had gyuen the beginnynge with his owne handes: Wherunto 
 Bartholomeus Colonus his brother and Lieuetenaunt had addid his iudgement, for he alfo, had fayled aboute 
 thofe coaftes. Of the Spanyardes lykewyfe, as many as thought them felues to haue any knbwleage what 
 pertejmed to meafure the lande and the fea, drewe certeyne cardes in parchement as concemyng thefe nauiga- 
 tions. Of all other, they moft efteeme them which lohannes de la Coffa the coompanion of Fogeda (whom wee 
 layde to bee flayne of the people of Caramairi in the hauen Carthago,) and an other expert pylot cauled 
 Andreas Moralis, had fet foortL And this afwell for the greate experience which they bothe hadde (to whom 
 thefe trades were as wel knowen as the chambers of theyr owne houfes) as alfo that they were thought to bee 
 cunninger in that parte of Cofmographie which teacheth the defcription and meafuringe of the fea. Conferringe 
 therefore all thefe cardes togyther, in euery of the whiche was drawen a lyne expreffinge, not the myles, but 
 leagues after the maner of the Spanyardes, we tooke owre compafes and beganne to meafiure the fea coaftes 
 after this order. From that poynt or fronte which we fayde to bee included within the lyne perteynynge to the 
 Portugales iurifdiction, beinge drawen by the paralelles of the Ilandes of Cabouerde, but a hundreth leagues 
 further towarde the wefte (which they haue nowe alfo fearched on euery fyde) we founde three hundreth leagues 
 to the enterance of the lyuer Maragnonum: And from thenfe to Os Draconis, feuen hundreth leagues: but 
 fumwhat leffe in the defcription of fume : For they doo not agree in al poyntes exquifitely. The Spanyardes 
 wyll that a league conteyne foure myles by fea and but three by lande. From Os Draconis, to the cape or 
 poynt of Cuchibacoa, which beinge paffed, there is a goulfe on the lefte hande, we meafured three hundrethe 
 leagues in one carde, and much thereabout in an other. From this poynt of Cuchibacoa, to the region of 
 Caramairi in which is the hauen Carthago (which fum caule Carthagena) we found about a hundreth and 
 feuentie leagues. From Caramairi to the Ilande Fortis, fiftie leagues. From thenfe to the goulfes of Vraba 
 amonge the which is the vyllage cauled SanSla Maria Antiqua where the Spanyardes haye apoynted theyr 
 habitacion, only, xxxiii. leagues. From the lyuer of Vraba in the prouince oi Dariena to the ryuer oi Beragua 
 
The feconde Decade. 
 
 135 
 
 where Nicuefa hadde intended to haue faftened his foote if god hadde not otherwyfe decreed, we meafured a 
 hundreth and thirtie leagues. Frome Beragua to that ryuer whiche wee fayde of Colonus to bee cauled Sanili 
 Matthd, in the which alfo Nicuefa loofinge his carauell, wandered in greate calamities, we founde in owre cardes, 
 onely a hundreth and fortie leagues : Yet many other which of late tyme haue coome from thefe partes, haue 
 defcrybed many moo leagues in this tracte from the ryuer of SanSli Matthei: In which alfo, they place dyuers 
 ryuers, as Ahurema with the Ilande cauled Scutum Cateba lyinge before it, whofe kynges name is Fades combujla. 
 Lykewife an other ryuer cauled Zobraba: after that, Vrida: and then Duraba in the which gold is founde. 
 Furthermore, many goodly hauens, as Cerdbaro and Hiebra, foo cauled of th[e]inhabitantes. And thus if yowre 
 holynes wyll conferre thefe numbers togyther, yowe (hall fynde in this accompte, a thoufand fine hundreth 
 twentie and fyue leagues, whiche amounte to fyue thoufande and feuen hundreth myles from the poynt of San^i 
 Matthei, which they caule Sinum ferditorum : that is, the goulfe of the lofle men. But we may not leaue here. 
 For after this, one A/lur Ouetenfes, otherwyfe named Johannes Bias de Solis, borne in Nebriffa (which bringeth 
 foorth many lemed men) faylinge frome this ryuer towarde the wefte, ouer ranne manye coaftes and leagues : 
 But the myddelle of that fliore, bendethe towarde the North : And it is therfore directly placed in order with 
 the other. Yet may we gather by a diameter or ryght lyne, about three hundreth leagues. Hereby maye yowe 
 gather what is the length of this lande. But of the breadth, perhappes wee (hall hereafter haue further knovv- 
 leage. Let vs nowe fpeake fumwhat of the varietie of the degrees of the eleuation of the pole llarres. This 
 lande therfore, althowgh it reache foorth from the Eaft into the Wefle, yet is it crooked and hathe the poynt 
 bendynge fo toward the fouth, that it lofeth the fight of the North pole, and is extended beyonde the Equi- 
 noctial lyne feuen degrees towarde the South pole. But the poynt herof, perteyneth to the iurifdiction of the 
 Portugales as we haue feyde. Leauinge this poynt and faylinge toward Paria the north llarre is feene ageyne, 
 and is fo much the more lyfted vp, in howe much the region enclyneth more towarde the Wefle. The Span- 
 yardes therfore, haue dyuers degrees of eleuations, vntyl they come to Dariena beinge their chiefe flation and 
 dwellynge place in thofe landes. For they haue forfaken Beragua, where they found the North pole eleuate. 
 viii. degrees But from henfe the lande doth foo muche bende towarde the North, that it is there in maner 
 equall with the degrees of the flrayghtes of Hercules pyllers : efpecially yf wee meafure certeyne landes founde 
 by them towarde the Northe fyde of Hifpaniola. Emonge the which, there is an Ilande, about three hundreth 
 and. XXV. leagues from Hifpaniola, as they fay whiche haue fearched the fame, named Boiuca or Agnaneo, in the 
 which is a continual fprynge of runnynge water of fuch maruelous vertue, that the water therof beinge dronk, 
 perhappes with fume dyete, maketh owld men younge ageyne. And here mull I make proteflacion to yowre 
 holynes, not to thynke this to bee fayde lyghtly or rafhely. For they haue foo fpredde this rumour for a truth 
 throwghowt all the courte, that not onely all the people, but alfo many of them whom wifedome or fortune hath 
 diuided from the common fort, thinke it to be true. But if yowe flial a(ke my opinion herein, I wyl anfwere 
 that I wyll not attribute fo greate poure to nature : but that god hath noo leffe referued this prerogatiue to hym 
 felfe, then to fearche the hartes of men, or to gyue fubftance to priuation, (that is) beinge to noo beinge : 
 Excepte we fhall beleue the fable of Colchis of Efon renouate, to bee as trewe as the wiytinges of Sibylla 
 Erythrea. Albeit perhappes the fcoles of phifitians and naturall philofophers wyll not muche flycke to affirme 
 that by th[e]ufe of certeyne fecreate medecines and dyete, the accidentes of age (as they caule them) may be 
 longe hydden and deferred, which they wyll to bee vnderftoode, by the renouacion of age. And to haue fayde 
 thus much of the length and breadthe of thefe Regions, and of the rowghe and hugious mountaynes with theyr 
 watery caues, alfo of the dyuers degrees of that lande, I thinke it fufficient. But I thowght it not good to let 
 paffe what chaunced to thefe miferable men amonge theyr generall calamities. I remember that when I was a 
 chylde, mee thowght my bowelles grated and that my fpirites were maruelouflye troubeled for verye pitie, when 
 I readde in the poet Yirgyl howe Achemenides was lefte of Vlyffes ypon the fea bankes amonge the giantes cauled 
 Cyclopes where for the fpace of many dayes from the departinge of Vlyffes vntyll the commynge of Eneas he 
 eate none other meate but only berryes and hawes. But owre vnfortunate Spanyardes whiche folowed Nicuefa 
 to inhabite Beragua, woolde haue eftemed hawes and beriyes for greate delicatesi What fliulde I heare fpeake 
 of the heade of an affe bowght for a greate price, and of fuch other extremities as men haue fuffered in townes 
 befeaged ? After that Nicuefa hadde determyned to leaue Beragua for the barrennes of the foyle, he attempted 
 to fearche Portum Bellum, and then the coaftes of the poynt cauled Marmor, if he myght there fynde a place 
 more fortunate to inhabite. In this meane tyme, fo greuous famen oppreffed his fouldiers, that they neyther 
 abfteyned from eatinge of mangie dogges which they had with them afwell for theyr defence as for huntynge 
 (for in the warre ageynft the naked people, dogges ftoode them in greate fteade) nor yet fumtymes from the 
 flayne inhabitantes. For they founde not there any frutefuU trees or plentie of foules as in Dariena, but a 
 barren grounde and not meete to bee inhabited. Here certeyne of the fouldiers made a bargein with one of 
 theyr felowes for the price of a leane dogge, who alfo was almofte deade for hunger: They gaue the owner of 
 the dogge many of thofe pieces of golde which they caule Pefos or golden Caftellans. Thus agreinge of the 
 
 R. Saxcii 
 MatOicL 
 
 R. Aburenta 
 
 Sctitltm Caieba 
 
 R. Zohroha, 
 
 Vrida. 
 
 Duraha. 
 
 Ceraharo. 
 
 Hiebra. 
 
 Note. 
 
 R. d. los. perdidos 
 
 The nauigation of 
 lohannes Dias. 
 
 The eleuation of 
 the pole. 
 
 The iurisdiction 
 of the Portugales. 
 Faria, 
 
 Dariena. 
 
 Hercules pyllers. 
 
 87 
 
 The Ilande 
 Boiuca or 
 Agnaneo. 
 A water of 
 maruelous vertue. 
 
 The renouation 
 of age. 
 
 The accidentes of 
 age may bee 
 hydden. 
 
 Achemenides. 
 Vlysses. 
 Eneas, 
 Extreme hunger. 
 
 This was at the 
 siege of 
 hierusalem. 
 
 Partus Bellus 
 Marmor. 
 
 Mangy dogs eaten. 
 
 A mangy dog 
 dere sold. 
 
136 
 
 The feconde Decade. 
 
 Broth of a mangy 
 dogs skynne. 
 
 Toades eaten 
 
 A deade man 
 eaten. 
 
 price, they fleid the dogge to bee eaten, and cafte his mangie fkynne with the bones of the heade hangynge 
 therto, amonge the buflies. The day folowynge, a certeyne footeman of theyr company, chaunced to fynde the 
 (kynne beinge nowe full of maggottes and ftynkynge. He brought it home with hym, fodde it, and eate it. 
 Many reforted to hym with theyr dyfflies for the brothe of the fodde Ikynne, proferinge hym for euerye 
 dyflhefuU a piece of golde. An other founde twoo toades and fodde them which a ficke man bought of hym 
 for twoo fyne Ihertes curioufly wrought of lynen intermyxt with golde. Certeyn other wanderinge abowte to 
 feeke for vytayles, founde in a patheway in the myddeft of a fyelde, a deade man of th[e]inhabitantes whiche 
 had byn flayne of his owne coompanye and was nowe rotten and ftynkynge. They drewe hym a fyde, 
 difmemberde hym fecreatly, rofted hym and eate hym, therewith affwagynge theyr hunger as yf they had byn 
 fedde with pheafauntes. One alfo, which departinge from his companions in the nyght feafon, went a fyfhyng 
 amonge the reedes of the maryffties, lyued only with flyme or mudde for the fpace of certeyne dayes, vntyll at 
 the lengthe creepinge and almofte deade, he founde the way to his felowes. And thus thefe miferable men of 
 Beragua vexed with thefe and fuche other a[f]flictions, were browgh[t]e from the number of feuen hundreth 
 threfcore and ten fouldiers, fcarfely to fortie, beinge nowe alfo added to the coompany of them in Dariena. 
 Fewe were flayne of th[e]inhabitantes. But the refydewe confumed by famen, breathed owt theyr wery 
 fowles, openynge a waye to the newe landes for fuch as flial coome after them, appeafinge the fury of the 
 barbarous nations, with the price of theyr bludde. Confyderinge therfore after thefe ftormes, with what eafe 
 other men fhall oueminne and inhabite thefe landes, in refpecte to the calamities that thefe men haue fuffered, 
 they ftiall feeme to goo to bryde feaftes where all thynges are redy prepared ageynft their commynge. But 
 where Petrus Arias arryued with the kynges iiauie and newe fupply of men, to this houre I knowe no 
 certentie. AVhat fliall chaunce herafter I wyll make diligente inquifition if I fliall vnderftande this to bee 
 acceptable to yowre holynes. Thus I byd yowe hartely farewell : from the courte of the moofte Catholyke 
 kynge, the daye beefore the nones of December, in the yeare of Chrifte, M. D. XIIII. 
 
 88 
 
 Note. 
 
 Petrus Arias 
 whom the 
 Spanyardes caule 
 Pediarias. 
 
137 
 
 C THE FYRST BOOKE OF THE THYRDE DECADE, 
 TO THE BYSSHOPPE OF ROME LEO THE TENTH. 
 
 Was determyned (mofle holye father) to haue clofed vp the gates 
 to this newe worlde, fuppofinge that I had wandered farre 
 enowgh in the coafl.es therof, while in the meane time newe 
 letters were brought me frome thenfe, which caufed me ageyne 
 to take my penne in hande. For I receaued letters not only 
 from certeyne of myne acquaintaunce there, but alfo frome 
 Vafchus Nunnez whome we feyde by the confidence of his 
 owne poure with his confetherates, to haue vfurped the gouer- 
 naunce of Dariena after the reiecting of Nicuefa and And/us, 
 Lieuetenantes. By his letter wrytten after his warlyke maner, 
 wee vnderiland that he hath paffed ouer the mountaynes, diuid- 
 yng the Ocean knowen to vs, from the other mayne fea on the 
 fouth fyde of this lande hetherto vnknowen. His epiftell is 
 greater then that cauled Capreenfis de Sdano. But wee haue 
 gathered out of that and other, onely suche thynges as we thowght 
 mofte woorthy to bee noted. . Vafchus foo behaued hym felfe 
 in thefe affayres, that he dyd not onely pacific the kynges 
 difpleafure conceaued age3mfl hym, but alfo made hym fo fauorable and gracious good lorde towarde hym, that 
 he rewarded him and his coompanions with many honorable gyftes and priuileges for theyx attemptes. Wherfore 
 I defyre yowre holynes to inclyne yowre attentiue eares, and to confyder with a ioyfuU mynde what they haue 
 browght to paffe in thefe great enterpryfes. For this valiante nation (the Spanyardes I meane) haue not onely 
 with greate paynes and innumerable dangers fubdued to the Chrift,ian empire, infinite hundredes and legions, 
 but alfo myriades of men. Vafchus Nunnez therfore, whether it were that he was impacient of Idlenes (for a 
 valiente mynde can not reft in one place or bee vnoccupyed) or leafte any other fliulde preuent hym in foo great 
 a matter (fufpecting the newe gouemour Pdrus Arias) or being moued by both thefe caufes, and efpecially for that 
 the kynge had taken difpleafure with hym for fuch thynges as he had doone before, toke th[e]aduenture vppon 
 hym with a fewe men to biynge that to paffe which the fonne of kynge Comogrus thought could hardly haue 
 byn doone with the ayde of a thoufande men, vihet:oi Fefrus Arias was appoynted capitayne for the feme purpofe. 
 Affemblynge therfore certeyne of the owlde fouldiers oi Dariena, and many of thofe whiche came lately from 
 Hifpaniola, allured by the fame of greater plentie of golde, he gathered an armye of a hundreth fourefcore and 
 tenne men. Thus beinge fumyflhed and redie to take his vyage by fea, whyle the wynde ferued hym, he 
 departed frome Dariena with one brygantine and tenne of theyr boates whiche they caule Canoas as wee haue 
 feyde. Fyrft. therfore arryuynge in the dominion of Careta kynge of Coiba and frende to the Chriftians, and 
 leauynge his fliyppe and boates there, he made his deuout prayers to almyghtie god, and theradth went forwarde 
 on his ioumey by lande toward the mountaynes. Here he fyrft entered into the region of kynge Poncha, who 
 fledde at his commyng as he had doone before. But Vafchus fent meffengers to hym by the conduct of 
 certeyne of Careta his men, promyfinge hym frendfliip and defence ageynft his enemies, with many other 
 benefites. Poncha thus entyfed with the fayre fpeache and frendely profers bothe of owre men and of the 
 Caretans, came to owr men gladly and wyllyngely makynge a league of frendfhippe with them. Vafchus 
 enterteyned hym very frendely, and perfuaded him neuer therafter to ftande in feare. Thus they ioyned handes, 
 embrafed, and gaue greate gyftes the one to the other to knytte vp the knotte of continuall amitie. Poncha 
 gaue Vafchus a hundreth and ten poundes weyght of golde, of that pounde which the Spanyardes caule Pefum. 
 He had no greater plentie of golde at this tyme, by reafon he was fpoyled the yeare before as we haue fayde. 
 Vafchus to recorapence one benefyte with an other, gaue hym certeyne of owre thynges, as counterfet lynges, 
 Chriftal ftones, copper cheynes and brafelettes, haukes belles, lokynge glaffes, and fuche other fyne ftuffe. 
 Thefe thynges they fet much by and greately efteeme. For fuche thynges as are ftraunge, are euery where 
 counted precious. He gaue alfo to Poncha certeyne axes to fell trees : which he accepted as a princely gyfte. 
 
 Vaschus Nunnez, 
 
 fouemor of 
 >ariena. 
 
 The newe south 
 Ocean. 
 
 Commendation of 
 the Spanyardes. 
 
 A valient mynd 
 can not bee ydl^. 
 
 A desperate 
 aduenture 
 
 Vaschus his viage 
 toward the golden 
 mountaynes. 
 
 Careta kynge of 
 Coiba 
 
 Kyng Poncha 
 
 89 
 
 A hundreth and x. 
 poundes weyght 
 of golde. 
 
 Strange thinges 
 are counted 
 precious. 
 
138 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Lacke of Iren 
 
 A stone in the 
 steede of Iren. 
 
 Superfluities 
 
 hynJer libertle. 
 
 Carpenters. 
 Brydges. 
 
 The region of 
 Quarequa. 
 
 Ktnge Quarequa 
 is dryuen to 
 flyght 
 
 Hat^busies. 
 Crossebowes 
 
 vL C [six hundred] 
 Barbarians are 
 slaine 
 Vnnatural lechery. 
 
 90 
 
 The vse of dogges 
 in the warre 
 agenst the naked 
 Barbarians. 
 
 Naturaul hatred 
 of vnnatural sinne. 
 
 Palatini. 
 I wolde all men 
 were of this 
 opinion. 
 
 The haruest is 
 great and the 
 woorkemen but 
 fewe. 
 
 Warrelyke people. 
 
 The hygher the 
 coulder. 
 
 bycaufe they lacke Iren and all other metals except golde: by reafon wherof they are enforced with greate 
 laboure to cut theyr trees to buylde theyr houfes, and efpecially to make theyr boates holowe withowte infl.ru-- 
 mentes of Iren, with certeyne ftiarpe ftones whiche they fynde in , the ryuers. Thus Vafchus leauynge all 
 thynges in fafetie behynde hym, marched forwarde with his armye towarde the mountaynes, by the conducte of 
 certeyne guydes and labourers which Poncha had gyuen hym, as well to leade hym the way, as alfo to cary his 
 baggages and open the ftraightes through the defolate places and craggy rockes full of the dennes of wylde 
 beaftes. For there is feldoome entercourfe or byinge and fellynge betwene thefe naked people, bycaufe they 
 ft.and in neede of fewe thynges and haue not the vfe of money. But yf at any tyme they exercife any bartering 
 they doo it but nere hande, exchangynge golde for houfliolde fluffe with theyr confines whiche fumewhat efteeme 
 the fame for omamente when it is wrought. Other fuperfluities they vtterly contenine, as hynderances of theyr 
 fweete libertie, forafmuch as they are gyuen only to play and Idelnes. And for this caufe, the high wayes 
 which lye betwene theyr regions are not much worne with many iomeys. Yet haue theyr fcoutes certeyne 
 priuie markes whereby they knowe the waye the one to inuade the others dominions, and fpoyle and infefl.e 
 them felues on bothe fydes with mutual incurfions priuilie in the nyght feafon. By the helpe therfore of theyr 
 guydes and labourers, with owre carpenters, he pafled ouer the horrible mountaynes and many greate ryuers 
 lyinge in the way, ouer the which he made brydges eyther with pyles or trunkes of trees. And here doo I let 
 paffe manye thynges whiche they fuffered for lacke of neceflaries, beinge alfo in maner ouercome with extreme 
 laboure, leafl.e I fliulde bee tedious in reheriinge thynges of fmaule value. But I haue thought it good not to 
 omitte fuche doinges as he had with the kynges by the waye. Therefore or euer he came to the toppes of the 
 hygh mountaynes, he entered into a Region cauled Quarequa, and mette with the kynge thereof cauled by the 
 fame name, with a greate bande of men armed after theyr maner, as with bowes and arrowes, longe and brode 
 two handed fwordes made of wodde, longe fl,aues hardened at the endes with fyer, dartes alfo and flynges. He 
 came proudely and cruelly ageynfl. owre men, and fent meffengers to them to byd theym ft,ande and procede 
 no further: demaundynge whyther they went and what they hadde to doo there. Herewith he came foorth 
 and fhewed hym felfe beinge appareled with al his nobilitie : but the other were all naked. Then approchinge 
 towarde owre men, he thretened them with a lions countenance to depart from thenfe except they woolde bee 
 flayne euery mothers fonne. When owre men denyed that they woolde goo backe, he affayled them fiercely. 
 But the battayle was fone fynyfflied. For as foone as they harde the noyfe of the hargabufies, they beleued 
 that owre menne caryed thunder and lyghtenynge about with them. Many alfo beinge fla)me and fore 
 wounded with quarels of croffebowes, they turned their backes and fledde. Owre men folowynge them in the 
 chafe, hewed them in piefes as the butchers doo fleffhe in the fliamwelles, from one an arme, from an other a 
 legge, from hym a buttocke, from an other a fliulder, and from fume the necke from the bodye at one 
 ftroke. Thus, fyxe hundreth of them with theyr kynge, were flayne lyke brute beaftes. Vafchus founde the 
 houfe of this kynge infected with moft abhominable and vnnaturall lechery. For he founde the kynges brother 
 and many other younge men in womens apparell, fmoth and effeminately decked, which by the report of fuch 
 as dwelte abowte hym, he abufed with prepofterous venus. Of thefe abowte the number of fortie, he com- 
 maunded to bee gyuen for a pray to his dogges. For (as we haue fayd) the Spaniardes vfe [t]he helpe of 
 dogges in their warres ageynfl. the naked people whom they inuade as fiercely and rauenyngely as yf they were 
 wylde boares or hartes. In foo muche that owre Spanyardes haue founde theyr dogges noo lefle faythful to them 
 in all daungiours and enterpiyfes, then dyd the Colophonians or Caflabalenfes which inftituted hole armies of 
 dogges foo made to feme in the warres, that beinge accuftomed to place them in the fore froonte of the 
 battayles, they neuer flirunke or gaue backe. When the people had harde of the feuere punyffliement which 
 owr men had executed vppon that fylthy kynde of men, they reforted to theim as it had byn to Hercules for 
 refiige, by violence bryngyng with them al fuch as they knewe to bee infected with that peftilence, fpettynge 
 in theyr faces and ciyinge owte to owre men to take reuenge of them and rydde them owte of the worlde fi'om 
 amonge men as contagious beaftes. This ftinkynge abhomination hadde not yet entered amonge the people, 
 but was exercifed onely by the noble men and gentelmen. But the people lyftinge vp theyr handes and eyes 
 toward heauen, gaue tokens that god was greuoufly offended with fuch vyle deedes. Affirmynge this to bee the 
 caufe of theyr foo many thunderinges, lyghtnynge, and tempeftes wherwith they are foo often troubeled : And 
 of the ouerflowinge of waters which drowne theyr fets and frutes, whereof famenne and dyuers difeafes infue, 
 as they fimplye and faythfully beleue, althowgh they knowe none other god then the foonne, whom onely they 
 honoure, thinkynge that it dooth bothe gyue and take awaye as it is pleafed or offended. Yet are they very 
 docible, and eafye to bee allured to owre cuftomes and religion, if they had any teachers. In theyr language 
 there is nothynge vnpleaiaunte to the eare or harde to bee pronounced, but that all theyr woordes may bee 
 wiytten with latin letters as wee fayde of th[e]inhabitantes of Hifpaniola. It is a warlyke nation, and hath byn 
 euer hetherto moleftous to theyr bortherers. But the region is not fortunate with frutful ground or plentie of 
 gold. Yet is it full of greate barren mountaynes beinge fumewhat colde by reafon of theyr heyght. And 
 138 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 139 
 
 therfore the noble men and gentelmen are apparelled. But the common people lyue content onely with the 
 benefytes of nature. There is a region not pad two dayes ioumey diflant from Quarequa, in which they founde 
 only blacke Moores : and thofe excedynge fierce and cruell. They fuppofe that in tyme pafte certeyne blacke. 
 mores fayled thether owt of Aethiopia to robbe : and that by fhippewracke or fume other chaunce, they were 
 dryuen to thofe mountaynes. Th[e]inhabitantes of Quarequa lyue in continuall warre and debate with thefe 
 blacke men. Here Vafchus leauinge in Quarequa many of his fouldiers (which by reafon they were not yet 
 accuftomed to fuch trauayles and hunger, fell into dyuers difeafes) tooke with hym certeyne guydes of the 
 Quarequatans to conduct hym to the toppes of the mountaynes. From the palaice of kynge Poncha, to the 
 profpect of the other fouth fea, is only fyxe dayes iomey: the which neuertheleffe by reafon of many hynder- 
 ances and chaunces, and efpecially for lacke of vytayles, he coulde accomplyflie in noo leffe then. xxv. dayes. 
 But at the length, the feuenth daye of the calendes of October, he behelde with woonderinge eyes the toppes 
 of the hygh mountaynes (hewed vnto hym by the guydes of Quarequa, from the whiche he myght fee the other 
 fea foo longe looked for, and neuer feene before of any man commynge owte of owre worlde. Approchinge 
 therefore to the toppes of the mountaynes, he commaunded his armye to (ley, and went him felfe alone to the 
 toppe, as it were to take the fyrd po(re(rion therof. Where, faulynge prodrate vppon the grounde, and rayfmge 
 hym felfe ageyne vpon his knees as is the maner of the Chriftians to pray, lyftynge vppe his eyes and handes 
 towarde heauen, and directinge his face towlarde the newe founde fouth fea, he poored foorth his humble and 
 deuout prayers before almyghtie God as a fpirituall facrifice with thankes gyuing, that it had pleafed his diuine 
 maieftie to referue vnto that day the victorie and praife of fo greate a thynge vnto hym, beinge a man but of 
 finaule witte and knowleage, of lyttle experience and bafe parentage. When he had thus made his prayers after 
 his warlike maner he beckened with his hande to his coompanions to coome to hym, (hewynge them the greate 
 mayne lea heretofore vnknowen to th[e]inhabitantes of Europe, Aphrike, and Afia. Here ageyne he fell to 
 his prayers as before : defyringe almyghtie God and the bleifed virgin to fauour his beginninges, and to gyue 
 hym good fucceffe to fubdue thofe landes to the glorie of his holy name and encreafe of his trewe religion. All 
 his coompanions dyd lykewyfe, and prayfed god with loude voyces for ioye. Then Vafchus, with no lefTe manlye 
 corage then Hanniball of Carthage (hewed his fouldiers Italye and the promontories of the Alpes, exhorted his 
 men to lyft vp their hartes, and to behoulde the lande euen nowe vnder theyr feete, and the fea before theyr 
 eyes, whiche (hulde bee vnto them a full and iuft rewarde of theyr great laboures and trauayles nowe ouerpafled. 
 When he had fayde thefe woordes, he commaunded them to raife certeine heapes of (tones in the (leede of alters 
 for a token of poffielTion. Then defcendynge from the toppes of the mountaynes, leaft fuch as might come after 
 hym (hulde argue hym of lyinge or faKhod, he wrote the kynge of Caftelles name here and there on the barkes 
 of the trees bothe on the ryght hande and on the lefte: and rayfed heapes of (lones all the way that he went, 
 vntyll he came to the region of the nexte kynge towarde the fouth whofe name was Chiapes. This kynge came 
 foorthe ageynde hym with a greate multitude of men : threateninge and forbyddynge him not onely to paiTe 
 through his dominions, but alfo to goo no further. Herevppon, Vafchus fet his battayle in array, and exhorted 
 his men (beinge nowe but fewe) fiercely to aflayle theyr enemies, and to efteeme theym noo better then dogges 
 meate as they (hulde bee (hortly. Placeinge therfore the hargabufiers and madies in the forefroonte, they faluted 
 kynge Chiapes and his men with fuch a larome, that when they hard the noyfe of the gunnes, fawe the flames of 
 fyer, and fmelte the fauour of brymdone (for the wynde blewe towarde them) they droue them felues to flyght 
 with fuche feare leade thunderboultes and lyghtnynges folowed theim, that manye fell downe to the grounde: 
 whom owre men purfuinge, fyrd keepinge theyr order, and after breakyng theyr array, (lewe but fewe and tooke 
 many captiue. For they determined to vfe no extremitie, but to pacifie thofe Regions as quietlye as they myght. 
 Enteringe therfore into the palaice of kynge Chiapes, Vafchus commaunded many of the captiues to bee loofed : 
 wyllynge them to fearch owte theyr kynge, and to exhorte hym to coome thyther : And that in foo doinge, he 
 woolde bee his (irende and profer hym peace, befyde many other benefites. But if he refufed to coome, it (hulde 
 tume to the dedruction of hym and his, and vtter fubuerfion of his contrey. And that they myght the more 
 alTuredly do this meflage to Chiapes he fent with them certeyne of the guydes whiche came with hym from 
 Quarequa. 
 
 Thus Chiapes beinge perfuaded afwel by the Quareqans who coulde coniecture to what ende the matter 
 woolde coome by th[e]experience whiche they had feene in them felues and theyr kynge, as alfo by the reafons 
 of his owne men to whome Vafchus 'haA&s. made foo frendely promyfes in his behalfe, came foorthe of the caues 
 in the whiche he lurked, and fubmytted hym felfe to Vafchus, who accepted hym frendelye. They ioyned 
 handes, embrafed the one the other, made a perpetuall league of frendefhippe, and gaue greate rewardes on bothe 
 fydes. Chiapes gaue Vafchus foure hundreth poundes weyght of wrought goulde of thofe poundes whiche they 
 caule Pefos: And Vafchus recompenfed hym ageyne with certeyne of owre thynges. Thus beinge made 
 freendes, they remayned togyther a fewe dayes vntyll Vafchus fouldiers were coome which he lefte behynde hym 
 in Quarequa. Then caulinge vnto hym the guydes and labourers which came with hym from thenfe he 
 
 A region of black 
 moores 
 
 Diseases of change 
 of ayer and dyet. 
 
 The south sea. 
 
 Vaschus is coome 
 to thesyght of the 
 newe south sea. 
 
 Prayer. 
 
 God rayseth the 
 poore from the 
 dungehyl 
 
 91 
 
 Hanniball of 
 Carthage. 
 
 Vaschus taketh 
 possession of the 
 
 mountaynes 
 
 Kynge Chiapes. 
 A. battayle. 
 
 Chiapes is dryuen 
 to flyght. 
 
 Vaschus sendeth 
 for king Chhipes. 
 
 Chiajies 
 submitteth 
 hymselfe to 
 Vaschus. 
 
 iiii. C [four 
 hundred] pounds 
 weyght oiwroughl 
 
 gold 
 
 139 
 
140 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Vaschus addicteth 
 the newe land 
 and sea, to the 
 dominion of 
 Castile. 
 
 Kynge Coquera 
 is dryuen to flyght. 
 Vaschus vseth 
 both gentelnes 
 and rigour. 
 
 92 
 
 vi. C. [six 
 hundred] and 
 I [fifty] poundes 
 weyght of wrought 
 gold 
 
 A goulfe of 
 threescore myles. 
 
 Saynt Michaels 
 goulfe 
 
 rewarded them liberallye and difmiffed tlieym with thankes. Shortly after, by the conduct of Chiapes hym felfe, 
 and certeyne of his men, departinge from the toppes of the mountaynes, he came in the fpace of foure dayes to 
 the bankes of the newe fea : where affemblynge al his men togyther Tvith the kynges fcribes and notaries, they 
 addicted al that maine fea with all the landes adiacent there vnto to the dominion and Empire of Caftile. Here 
 he left part of his fouldiers with Chiapes that he myght th[e]efelier fearche thofe coafl.es. And takyng with hym 
 nyne of theyr lyghters made of one hole tree (which they caule Culchas as th[e]inhabitantes of Hifpaniola caul 
 them Canoas) and alfo a bande of fourefcore men with certeine of Chiapes men, he paffed ouer a greate ryuer and 
 came to the region of a certeyne kynge whofe name was Coquera. He attempted to refyfte owre men as dyd 
 the other, and with lyke fucceffe : for he was ouercoome and put to flyght. But Vafchus who entended to 
 Wynne hym with gentelnes, fente certeyne Chiapeans to him to declare the greate poure of owre menne : howe 
 inuincible they were : howe mercifuU to fuch as fubmifthem felues, alfo cruell and feuere to fuch as obftinatly 
 withftande them. Promyfmge hym furthermore, that by the frendfliippe of owre men, he myght bee well aiTured 
 by th[e]exemple of other, not onely to lyue in peace and quietness hym felfe, but alfo to bee reuenged of 
 th[e]iniuries of his enemies. Wylling hym in conclufion foo to weigh the matter, that if he refufed this gentelnes 
 profered vnto hym by foo greate a victourer, he fliulde or it were longe, leme by feelynge to repent him to late 
 of that perel which he myght haue auoyded by hearing. Coquera with thefe woordes and exemples, fliaken 
 with great feare, came gladly with the meflengers, bryngyng with him fyxe hundreth and. 1. [fifty] Frfos of wrought 
 gold, which he gaue vnto owre men. Vafchus rewarded hym lykewife as we fayd before oiFoncha. Coquera beinge 
 thus pacified, they returned to the palaice of Chiapes. Where, vifitinge theyr companions, and reftynge there a 
 whyle, Vafchus determyned to fearch the nexte greate goulfe, the which, from the furtheft reachynge therof into 
 the lande of theyr countreys, from the enteraunce of the mayne fea, they faye to bee threefcore myles. This 
 they named faynt Michaels goulfe, which they fay to bee full of inhabited Ilandes and hugious rockes. Enteringe 
 therefore into the n)me boates or Culchas wherwith he paffed ouer the ryuer before, hauinge alfo with hym the 
 fame coompanye of fourefcore hole men, he wente forwarde on his purpofe, although he were greatly diffuaded 
 by Chiapes, who emeflly defyred hym not to attempt that vyage at that tyme, afiirming the goulfe to be foo 
 tempeftious and . ftormy three raoonethes in the yeare, that the fea was there by noo meanes nauigable : And 
 that he had feene many Culchas deuoured of whirlepoles euen beefore his eyes. But inuincible Vafchus, 
 impaciente of idlenes, and voyde of all feare in goddes caufe, aunfwered that god and his holy fayntes 
 woolde profper his enterpryfes in this cafe, forafmuche as the matter touched God and the defence of the 
 Chrifl.ian religion, for the maynetenaunce wherof it fliulde bee neceffarie to haue great abundance of ryches and 
 treafure as the fynewes of war ageynfle the enemies of the faythe. Thus vfinge alfo th[e]office both of an 
 oratoure and preacher, and hauinge perfuaded his coompanyons, he lanched from the lande. But Chiapes, leaft 
 Vafchus fliulde any thynge doubt of his faythfulnes towarde hym, profered himfelfe to goo with hym whither foo 
 euer he went: And wolde by noo meanes affent that Vafchus fliulde depart from his palaice, but that he woolde 
 biynge hym on the waye and take part of his fortune. Therfore as foone as they were nowe entered into the 
 maine fea, fuch fourges and conflictes of water arofe ageynft. them that they were at theyr wyttes endes whither 
 to tume them or where to refl.e. Thus beinge toffed and amafed with feare, the one loked on the other with 
 pale and vncherefuU countenaunces. But efpecially Chiapes and his coompany, who had before tyme with theyr 
 eyes feene th[e]experience of thofe ieoperdies, were greatly difcomforted. Yet (as god woolde) they efcaped all, 
 and landed at the nexte Ilande : Where makynge fafl.e theyr boates, they refted there that nyght. Here the 
 water foo encreafed, that it almofl ouerflowed the Hand. They fay alfo that that fouth fea doth foo in maner 
 boyle and fwelle, that when it is at the hygheft it doth couer many greate rockes, which at the faule therof, are 
 feene farre aboue the water. But on the contrary parte, all fuche as inhabite the North fea, affirme with one 
 voyce, that hit fcarfely rifeth at any tyme a cubet aboue the bankes as they alfo confefle which inhabite the 
 Ilande of Hifpaniola and other Ilandes fituate in the fame. The Ilande therfore beinge nowe diye by the faule 
 of the water, they reforted to the)T: boates which they founde all ouerwhelmed and fiiU of fande, and fume fore 
 brufed, with great ryftes, and almofl. loft by reafon theyr cables were broken. Such as were brufed, they tyed 
 faft with theyr gyrdels, with flippes of the barkes of trees, and with tough and longe ftalkes of certein herbes of 
 the fea, flopping the ryftes or chynkes with graffe accordynge to the prefente neceffitie. Thus were they enforced 
 to retume backe ageyne lyke vnto men that came frome fhippewracke, beinge almoft confumed with hunger, 
 bycaufe theyr vytayles were vtterly deftroyed by tempefte. Th[e]inhabitantes declared that there is harde all 
 the yeare horrible rorynge of the fea amonge thofe Ilandes as often as it lyfethe or fauleth. But this moft 
 efpecially in thofe three monethes in the which it is mofte boyft[r]ious as Chiapes towlde Vafchus before: 
 Meanynge (as they coulde coniecture by his woordes) October, Nouember, and December: for he fignified the 
 prefent moone and the twoo moones folowynge, countynge the moonethes by the moones, whereas it was nowe 
 October. Here therefore refreffliynge hym felfe and his fouldiers a whyle, and paffynge by one vnprofitable 
 kynge, he came to an other whofe name was Tumaccus, after the name of the region, beinge fituate on that fyde 
 
 The manly corage 
 and godly zeale 
 of Vaschus 
 
 Ryches are the 
 synewes of warre 
 The faythfulnes of 
 kynge Chiapes. 
 
 A tempest on the 
 sea. 
 
 The increasing of 
 the South sea. 
 
 The Northe 
 Ocean. 
 
 Hard shyft la 
 necessitie. 
 
 The Region 
 Tumacca. 
 
 93 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 141 
 
 of the goulfe. This Tumaccus came foorth ageynfte owre men as dyd the other, and with lyke fortune. For 
 he was ouercoome, dryuen to flyght, and many of his men flayne. He hym felfe was alfo fore wounded, but 
 yet efcaped. Vafchus fent certeyne meffengers of the Chiapeans to hyin to retume, and not to bee afrayde. 
 But he could be nothyng moued nether by promyffes nor threateninges. Yet when the meffengers were inilant, 
 and ceaffed not to threaten death to him and his famely, with the vtter defolation of his kyngedome if he 
 perfilled in that obftinacie, at the length, he fent his foonne with them : whom Vafchus honorably enterteyninge, 
 apparelinge hym gorgioufly and gyuing hyni many gyftes, fent hym to his father, wyllynge hym to perfuade 
 hym of the puiflaunce, munificence, liberalitie, humanitie, and clemencie of owre men. Tumaccus beinge 
 mooued by this gentelnes declared toward his fonne, came with him the thyrde day, bryngynge nothynge with 
 hym at that tyme. But after that he knewe that owre men defyred goulde and pearles, he fent for fyxe 
 hundreth and. xiiii. Pefos of golde, and two hundreth and fortie of the biggefl. and fayreft perles befyde a great 
 number of the fmaulefl. forte. Owre men marueyled at the byggenes and fayrenes of thefe perles although they 
 were not perfectely whjrte bycaufe they take theym not owte of the fea mufculs excepte they fyrll roll them, 
 that they may th[e]efelyer open them felfe, and alfo that the fyffhe maye haue the better tafle, whiche they 
 efteeme for a delicate and princely dyflhe, and fet more thereby then by the perles them felues. Of thefe 
 thynges I was enformed of one Arbolantius beinge one of Vafchus coompanions whom he fent to the kyng 
 with manye perles and certeyne of thofe fea mufculs. But when Tumaccus fawe that owre men foo greatly 
 regarded the bewtie of the perles, he commaunded certeyne of his men to prepare them felues to goo a 
 fyflhynge for perles. Who departinge, came ageyne within foure dayes, bringynge with them twelue pounde 
 weight of orient perles after eight ounces to the pounde. Thus reioyfmge on bothe parties, they embrafed and 
 made a league of continuall firendefliippe. Tumaccus thought him felfe happie that he had prefented owre men 
 with fuch thankeful gyftes and was admitted to theyr frendfliippe : and owre men thinkynge them felues happie 
 and bleffed that they had founde fuche tokens of great ryches, fwalowed downe theyr fpettle for thyrfte. At 
 all thefe doinges, kynge Chiapes was prefent as a wytnes and coompanion. He alfo reioyfed not a lyttle, afwell 
 that by his conductinge he fawe that owre men (hulde be fatiffied of theyr defyre, as alfo that by this meanes 
 he had declared to the next kynge his bortherer and enemie, what frendes he had of owre men, by whofe ayde 
 he myght lyue in quyetnes and bee reuenged of his aduerfarie if neede (hulde foo requyre. For (as wee haue 
 feyde) thefe naked kynges infefte theim felues with greuous warres onely for ambition and defyre to rule. 
 Vafchus bofteth in his epiftell, that he lemed certeyne maruelous fecreates of Tumaccus hym felfe as concemynge 
 the greate ryches of this lande : wherof (as he fayth) he woold vtter nothyng at this prefente, for afmuche as 
 Tumaccus toulde it him in his eare. But he was enformed of bothe the kynges, that there is an Ilande in that 
 goulfe, greater then any of the other, hauing in it but onely one kynge, and hym of foo great poure, that at 
 fuche tymes of the yeare as the fea is caulme, he inuadethe theyr dominions with a greate nauie of Culchas, 
 fpoyling and caryinge a way for a praye, all that he meeteth. This Hand is diftant from thefe coaftes, onely 
 twentie myles: Soo that the promontories or poyntes therof rechyng into the fea, may bee feene from the hylles 
 of this Continent. In the fea nere about this Ilande, fea mufculs are engendred of fuch quantitie, that many 
 of them are as brode as buckelers. In thefe are perles founde (beinge the hartes of thofe fliell fyflhes) often 
 tymes as bygge as beanes, fumtymes bygger then olyues and fuch as fumptuous Cleopatra myght haue defyred. 
 Althoughe this Ilande bee foo nere to the fhore of this firme lande, yet is the begynnyng therof in the mayne 
 fea without the mouth of the goulfe. Vafchus beinge ioyfuU and mery with this rych communication, fantafmge 
 nowe in maner nothing but princes treafures, beganne to fpeake fierce and cruell woordes ageynft the tyranne 
 of that Ilande, meanyng hereby too woonne the myndes of the other kynges, and bynde them to hym with a 
 nearer bonde of frendefliip. Yet therfore raylynge further on hym with fpytefull and opprobrious woordes, he 
 fwore great othes that he woolde furthwith inuade the Ilande, fpoylynge, deftroyinge, bumynge, drownynge, 
 and hangynge, fparinge neyther fwoorde nor fyre, vntyll he hadde reuenged theyr iniuries: And therwith 
 commaunded his Culchas to bee in a redynes. But the twoo kynges Chiapes and Tumaccus, exhorted hym 
 frendly to deferre this enterprife vntyll a more quiete feafon, bycaufe that fea was not nauigable withowte 
 greate daunger, bemge nowe the begynnynge of Nouember. Wherin the kynges feemed to faye trewe. For 
 as Vafchus hym felfe wryteth, great roryng of the fea was harde amonge the Ilandes of the goulfe by reafon of 
 the raginge and conflicte of the water. Great ryuers alfo defcending from the toppes of the mountaynes the 
 fame time of the yeare, and ouerflowyng theyr bankes, dryuyng downe with theyr vyolence greate rockes and 
 trees, make a marueylous noyfe. Lykewife the furie of the South and Northeaft wyndes, affociate with thunder 
 and lyghtnynge at the fame feafon, dyd greatly molefte them. Whyle the wether was fayre they were vexed 
 in the night with could: and in the day time, the heate of the fonne troubled them: wherof it is noo maruaile, 
 forafmuche as they were neare vnto the Equinoctiall lyne, although they make noo mention of the eleuation of 
 the pole. For in fuch regions, in the nyght, the mone and other coulde pianettes: but in the daye, the foone 
 and other hotte pianettes, doo chiefely exercife theyr influence: Althowghe the antiqiiitie were of an other 
 
 Kynge Tumaccus 
 is driuen to flyght 
 
 Golde and perles. 
 
 Musculo of the sea. 
 
 Fysshyng for 
 perles. 
 
 xii pounde weyght 
 of perles. 
 
 The thyrst of 
 golde. 
 
 Ambition amonge 
 naked men. 
 
 This Ilande is 
 cauled Mar^ritea 
 Diues, or Dites. 
 A kynge of greate 
 
 poure. 
 
 Bigge perles. 
 
 Cleopatraj queene 
 of Egypt resolued 
 a pearle in vineget 
 and drunke it, 
 price. V. thousande 
 pounde of owr 
 mony. 
 
 The fiercenes of 
 Vaschus. 
 
 94 
 
 Great ryue« 
 
 faul3rng from 
 mountaynes. 
 
 Thunder and 
 lyghtnynge in 
 Nouember. 
 
 Colde in the nyght 
 
 nerethe 
 
 Equinoctial. 
 
142 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Habitable regions 
 vnder the 
 Equinoctiall lyne. 
 
 The natiuitations 
 [? nauigations] of 
 the Pordngales 
 towarde the southe 
 pole. 
 
 Antipodes. 
 He meaneth S. 
 Augustine and 
 Lactantius. 
 
 The starres aboute 
 the southe pole. 
 
 Lactea via. 
 
 A simylltude 
 
 declarjmge 
 
 Antipodes. 
 
 The maner of 
 fysshynge for 
 perles. 
 
 Thre kindes of 
 perles. 
 
 95 
 
 Dyuers questions 
 as concemynge 
 perles 
 
 Petrus arias 
 
 Wanton and 
 superfluous 
 pleasures. 
 Cleopatra. 
 
 Asopus. 
 
 opinion, fuppofinge the Equinoctiall circle to bee vnhabitable and defolate by reafon of the heate of the foonne 
 hauinge his courfe perpendiculerly or directly ouer the fame : except a fewe of the contrary opinion, whofe 
 affertions the Portugales haue at thefe dayes by experience proued to bee trewe. For they faile yearely to 
 th[e]inhabitantes of the fouth pole, being in maner Antipodes to the people cauled Hyperborei vnder the North 
 pole, and exercife marchaundies with them. And here haue I named Antipodes, forafmuch as I am not 
 ignorant that there hath byn men of Angular witte and great lemyng, which haue denyedthat there is Antipodes: 
 that is, fuch as walke feete to feete. But it is mofl certeyne, that it is not gyuen to anye one man to knowe all 
 thynges. For euen they alfo were men: whofe propertie is to erre and bee deceaued in many thynges. 
 Neuertheleffe, the Portugales of owre tyme haue fayled to the fyue and fyftie degree of the fouth pole: Where, 
 coompafinge abowte the poynt thereof, they myght fee throughowte al the heauen about the fame, certeyne 
 ftiynynge whyte cloudes here and there amonge the ftarres, lyke vnto theym whiche are feene in the tracte of 
 heauen cauled La6lea via, that is, the mylke whyte waye. They fay, there is noo notable flarre neare about 
 that pole lyke vnto this of owres which the common people thynke to bee the pole it felfe (cauled of the 
 Italians Tramontana, and of the Spanyardes Nortes) but that the fame fauleth benethe the Ocean. When the 
 fonne defcendeth from the myddefte of the exUtree of the woorlde frome vs, it lyfethe to them, as a payre of 
 balances whofe weyght inclynynge from the equall poyfe in the myddeft towarde eyther of the fydes, caufeth 
 the one ende to ryfe as much as the other fauleth. When therefore it is autumne with vs, it is fprynge tyme 
 with them : And fumm-er with vs when it is wynter with them. But it fuffifeth to haue fayde thus much of 
 llrange matters. Let vs now therfore retume to the hiflorie and to owre men. 
 
 €[ The seconde booke of the thyrde Decade. 
 
 Afchus by th[e]aduice of kynge Chiapes and Tumaccus, determyned to deferre his vyage to the 
 fayde Ilande vntyll the nexte fprynge or fummer, at which tyme Chiapes offered hym felfe to 
 accoompany owre men and ayde them therin all that he myght. In this meane tyme Vafchus 
 had knowleage that thefe kynges had nettes and fyffliynge places in certeyne ftations of that 
 fea nere vnto the ftiore, where they were accuftomed to fyftie for fea mufculs in the which 
 perles are engendred: And that for this purpofe they had certeyne dyuers or fyffliers 
 exercifed frome theyr youthe in fwymmynge vnder the water. But they doo this onely at 
 certeyne tymes when the fea is calme, that they may th[e]efelyer coome to the place where thefe fliell fyfties 
 are woonte to lye. For the bygger that they are, foo much ly they the deaper and nerer to the bottome. But 
 the lefler, as it were dowghters to the other, are nerer the bryme of the water. Lykewyfe the leafte of all, as it 
 were their niefes, are yet nearer to the fuperficiall parte therof Too them of the byggefle forte whiche lye 
 lowefte, the fyffliers defcende the depthe of three mens heyght, and fumtyme foure. But to the doughters or niefes 
 as their fucceflion, they defcend onelye to the mydde thygh. Sumtymes alfo, after that the fea hathe byn 
 difquyeted with vehemente tempefl,es, they fynde a greate multytude of thefe fyfflies on the fandes, beyng diyuen 
 to the ftiore by the vyolence of the water. The perles of thefe whiche are founde on the fande, are but lytle. 
 The fiflhe it felfe, is more pleafaunte in eatynge then are owre oyfl^ers as owre men report. But perhappes 
 hunger the fweete faufe of all meates, caufed owre men foo too thynke. Whether perles bee the hartes of fea 
 mufculs (as Arifl,otell fuppofed) or the byrthe or fpaune of there intrals (as Plinye thought) Or whether they 
 cleaue contynually to the rockes, or wander by coompanies in the fea.by the guydinge of th[e]eldefl.e : Whether 
 euerye fyflhe brynge foorthe one perle or more, at one byrthe or at dyuers: Alfo whether theye bee fyled frome 
 the rockes wherunto theye cleaue, or maye bee eafylye pulled awaye, or otherwyfe faule of by them felues when 
 theye are coomme to there full grouth : Lykewyfe whether perles bee harde within the ftielle or fofte, owre men 
 haue as yet noo certayne expeiyence. But I truft.e or it bee longe, too knowe the truth hereof. For owre men 
 are euen nowe in hande with the matter. Alfo, as foone as I ftiall bee aduertyfed of the anyuall di Petrus Arias 
 the capytayne of owre men, I wyll defyre hym by my letters to make diligent fearche for thefe thynges, and 
 certifye me therof in all poyntes. I knowe that he wyll not bee flacke or omytte any thynge herein. For he is 
 my verye frende : and one that taketh greate pleafure in confyderynge the woorkes of nature. And furelye it 
 feemeth vnto me vndecente, that wee ftioulde with fylence ouerflyppe fo greate a thynge whiche afwell in the 
 owlde tyme as in owre dayes, hathe, and yet doothe, drawe bothe men and women to emmoderate defyre of 
 fuperfluous pleafure. Spayne therefore ftialbe able hereafter with perles to fatiffie the gredye appetite of fuche 
 as in wanton pleafures are lyke vnto Cleopatra and Afopus So that frome henfforth we flial neyther enuye nor 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 143 
 
 reuerence the nyfe frutefulnes of Stoidum, or Taprohana, or the redde fea. But lette vs nowe returne to owre 
 purpofe. Vafchus therfore determined with the fyflhers of Chiapes to proue what myght bee doone in his fyfhe 
 pooles or ftations of fea mufcules. Chiapes to fliewe hym felfe obediente to Vafchus his requefle, although the 
 fea were boyft[r]yous, coommaunded thirtye of his fyflhers to prepare them felfes and to reforte to the fyffliinge 
 places. Vafchus fente onelye fyxe of his men with them to beeholde them frome the fea bankes, but not to 
 coommitte them felues to the daunger of the fea. The fyflhynge place was diflante frome the palayce of Chiapes 
 aboute tenne myles. They durile not aduenture to dyue to the bcttome by reafon of the furye of the fea. Yet 
 of the mufcules whiche lye hygheft, and of fuche as were dryuen to the fliore by the vyolence of the water, theye 
 broughte fyxe greate farthels in the fpace of a fewe dayes. The perles of thefe were but lyttle, aboute the bygnes 
 of finaule fytches: yet verye fayre and bewtyfuU, by reafon theye were taken newely owte of the fyfflie, beinge 
 yet rawe. And that they ftiulde not bee reproued of lyinge as conceminge the bignes of thefe fea mufculs, they 
 fente many of them into Spayne to the kynge with the perles, the fyffhe beynge taken owte. Wee thinke verily 
 that there maye in noo place bygger bee founde. Thefe flielle fyffhes therfore beynge thus founde here in foo 
 manye places in that fea, and gold in maner in euery houfe, doo argue the ryche treafurye of nature too bee hyd 
 in thofe coaftes, forafmuche as fuche greate ryches haue byn founde as it were in the lytle fynger of a giantes 
 hande. What then maye wee thynke of the hole hande of the gyante (for hetherto theye haue onely bynne in 
 hande with the confynes of Vrabd) when theye fliall haue thorowly fearched all the coaftes and fecreates of the 
 inner partes of all that large lande. But Vafchtis contented with thefe fygnes and ioyfuU of his good fucceffe in 
 thefe enterprifes, determined by an other waye to returne to his felowes in Dariena, where alfo, they haue golde 
 mynes aboute tenne myles from the village. He gaue therfore kyng Chiapes leaue to depart, and to folowe 
 hym noo further: Confailyng hym to continue faythfuU to the chriftian kynge his lorde and maifter. Thus 
 embralinge the one the other, and iojminge handes, Chiapes departed, with teares declaring the good mynde 
 which he bore to owre men. Vafchus leaning his ficke men with Chiapes, went forward on his ioumey with the 
 refydue, hauinge alfo with him for guydes three of Chiapes maiyners. He conueyghed his armye ouer a greate 
 ryuer into the dominion of a certeine kynge cauled Teaocha : who beinge aduertifed of the coommyng of owre 
 men, of whofe famous actes he had harde muche before, was verye gladde therof and enterteyned them 
 honorably: So that for a token of his frendely affection towarde them, he gaue Vafchus twentie poundes weyght 
 of wrought golde after eyght ounces to the pounde: Alfo twoo hundreth bigge perles: but not fayre, by reafon 
 they were taken owt of the mufculs after they had byn fodden. After they had ioyned handes, Vafchus 
 recompenfed hym with certeyne of owre thynges. Lykewife rewardynge his guydes the feruantes of Chiapes, he 
 difmiffed them with commendations to theyr lord. Kyng Teaocha at the departure of owr men from his palaice, 
 dyd not onely appoint them guydes to conduct them in the way, but alfo gaue them certeyne flaues in the 
 fteede of beaftes to cary theyr vytayles, bycaufe they Ihulde pafle throwgh many defertes, baren and rowgh 
 mountaynes and terrible wooddes full of tygers and Lions. He fent alfo one of his fonnes with thefe flaues, 
 ladynge them with falted and diyed fyflie, and breade of thofe regions, made of the rootes of Maizium and lucca. 
 He alfo commaunded his fonne not to depart from owr men vntyl he were licenced by Vafchus. By theyr 
 conductinge therfore, Vafchus came to the dominion of an other kyng whofe name was Pacra, a cruell tyranne, 
 fearefuU to the other kynges his bortherers, and of greater poure then any of them This tyran, whether it 
 were that his giltie confcience for his mifcheuous actes, put him in feare that owre menne woolde reuenge the 
 fame, or that he thought hym felfe inferior to refift them, fled at theyr commynge. Vafchus wiyteth that in thefe 
 regions in the mooneth of Nouember he was fore afilicted with greate heate and intoUerable thirft, by reafon 
 that fyde of the mountaynes hath lyttle water: In foo muche that they were in daunger to haue periflhed but 
 that certeyne of th[e]inhabitants fliewed them of a fprynge which was in the fecreate place of a woodde, whither 
 Vafchus with all fpeade fent twoo quycke and ftronge younge men of his coompanions with theyr gourdes and 
 fuche water vefleUes as Teaocha his men browghte with them. Of th[e]inhabitantes, there durft none depart 
 from there coompany bycaufe the wylde beaftes doo foone inuade naked men. For in thofe mountaynes, and 
 efpecially in the wooddes neare vnto the fpringe, they faye that they are fumtymes taken owte of there houfes in 
 the nyght, excepte they take good heede that the doores bee well fparde. It fliall not bee frome my purpofe 
 here to declare a particular chaunce before I enter any further in this matter. Theye faye therfore that the 
 lafte yeare the regyon of Dariena was noo leffe infefted and trowbeled with a fierfe tyger, then was Calidonia in 
 tyme pafte with a wylde bore, and Nemea with a horrible lyon. For they affyrme that for the fpace of fyxe hole 
 moonethes there pafled not one nyghte withowte fumme hurte doone : foo that it kylled nyghtlye eyther a 
 bullocke, a mare, a dogge, or a hogge, fumtimes euen in the highe wayes of the village. For owre men haue 
 nowe- greate heardes of cattayle in thofe regions. They fay alfo that when this tyger had whelpes, noo man 
 myght fafelye goo furthe of his doores, bycaufe fliee fpared not men if fliee mette fyrfte with them. But at the 
 lengeth, neceflitye enforced them to inuente a policye howe they myght bee reuenged of fuche bludflied. 
 Searchynge therfore dilygently her footefteppes, and folowynge the pathe wherbye ftiee was accuftomed in the 
 
 Stoidum. 
 Taprobana. 
 
 The fysshing place 
 of king Chiapes. 
 
 Golde in maner in 
 euery house. 
 The ryche 
 treasurye of 
 nature. 
 
 The golde mynes 
 of Dariena. 
 
 96 
 
 Kynge Teaocha 
 enterteyneth 
 Vaschus frendelye. 
 Twentye pounde 
 weight of wroughte 
 golde. 
 
 Desertes full of 
 wylde beastes. 
 
 Dryed fysshe 
 
 Kynge Pacra 
 a tyranne. 
 
 Greate heate In 
 the monethe of 
 Nouember. 
 
 Hurte by wylde 
 beastes. 
 
 A tyger, 
 Calydonia is a 
 foreste in 
 
 Scotlande. 
 Nemea is a wodde 
 in Greece. 
 
 Tigers whelpes. 
 
 Thus the Eglptians 
 take Crocodiles. 
 
144 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 The dogge tyger 
 
 taken. 
 
 The rorynge of 
 
 the tyger. 
 
 Tigers flesh eaten. 
 
 97 
 
 The bitche tyger. 
 Tigers whelpes. 
 
 A straunge thynge. 
 
 Kynge Pacra- 
 
 Naturall hatred 
 of vyce. 
 
 Foure kinges 
 deuoured of 
 
 The vse of dogges 
 in warre ageinst 
 naked men. 
 
 The Canybales are 
 experte archers. 
 
 Swoordes of 
 woodde. 
 
 Fiftie pounde 
 wcyght of golde. 
 
 98 
 
 nyght feafon to wander owte of her denne to feeke her praye, theye made a greate trenflie or pytte in her walke, 
 coueringe the fame with hurdels whervppon they cafle parte of the earthe and difperfed the refydue. The 
 dogge tyger chaunfed fyrfle into this pitfaul, and fel vppon the poyntes of fliarpe flakes and fuche other ingens 
 as were of purpofe fyxed in the bottome of the trenflie. Beynge thus wounded, he rored foo terrybly, that it 
 grated the bowels of fuche as harde hym, and the wooddes and montaynes neare aboute, rebounded the noyfe 
 of the horryble ciye. When they perceaued that he was layde fafl.e, they reforted to the trenflie and flewe hym 
 with fl.ones, dartes, and pykes. With his teethe and clawes, he broke the dartes into a thoufande chyppes- 
 Beynge yet deade, he was fearefiill to all fuche as behelde hym: what then thinke you he woolde haue doone 
 beynge alyue and loofe. One Johannes Ledifma of Ciuile, a nere frynde to Vafchus and one of his coompanyons 
 of his trauayles, toulde me that he hym felfe dyd eate of the fleflie of that tiger: and that it was nothinge inferyor 
 to biefe in goodnes. Beynge demaunded howe they knewe hit to bee a tyger forafmuche as none of them had euer 
 feene a tyger, they anfwered that they knewe hit by the fpottes, fiercenes, agilitye, and fuche other markes and 
 token wherby the anciente writers haue defcribed the tiger. For fum of them, had before tyme feene other 
 fpotted wilde bealles, as lybardes and panthers. The dogge tiger beynge thus kylled, theye folowynge the 
 trafe of his fteppes towarde the mountaines, came to the denne where the bytche remayned with her twoo 
 younge fuckynge whelpes. But fliee was not in the denne at there coommynge. Theye fyrile caryed awaye 
 the whelpes with them. But afterwarde feaiynge leafle they fliulde dye bycaufe theye were very younge, 
 entendynge when they were bygger to fende them into Spayne, they put cheynes of yren aboute there neckes, 
 and caryed them aga5aie to there denne : whither retumynge within a fewe dayes after, they founde the denne 
 emptye and the cheynes not remoued firome there place. Theye fuppofe that the damme in her furye tore 
 them in pyeces and caiyed them awaye, lefle anye fliulde haue the fruition of them. For theye playnely 
 affirme that it was not poflible that they fliulde bee loofed frome the chaynes alyue. The flcynne of the deade 
 tyger fl.uffed with diye herbes and flrawe, they fente to Hifpaniola to the admyrall and other of the chiefe 
 rulers frome whome the newe landes receyue there lawes and fuccoure. It fliall at this tyme fuffyce to haue 
 written thus much of the tygers, as I haue lemed by the reporte of them whiche bothe fufl.eyned domage by 
 there rauenynge, and alfo handeled the flcynne of that whiche was flayne. Let vs nowe therfore retume to 
 kynge Pacra frome whome wee haue digrefled. When Vafchus had entred into the houfes forfaken of Pacra, 
 he fente meflengiers to reconcyle hym as he had doone the other kinges. At the firfl. he refufed to coomme. 
 But after threatenynges, he came with three other kynges in his coompanye. Vafchus writethe that he neuer 
 fawe a more monfl^rous and deformed creature : And that nature hath onely gyuen hym humane fliape, and 
 otherwyfe to bee worfe then a brute beafte, with maners accordynge to the linyamentes of his bodye. He 
 abufed with mofl.e abhominable lechery the doughters of foure kynges his bortherers frome whome hee had 
 taken them by vyolence. Of the fylthye behauoure oi Pacra, of his crueltye and iniuryes doone by hym, many 
 of the other kynges made greuous coomplayntes to Vafchus as vnto a hygh ludge and iufte reuenger: Moft.e 
 humblye befechyng hym to fee fuche thynges punyfflied, forafmuche as theye tooke hym for a man fente of god 
 for that purpofe. Herevppon Vafchtcs afwell to wynne their good wylles, as alfo too fliewe an exemple of 
 terroure to fuche as vfed lyke fafOhions, coommaunded that this monfl,rous beafle with the other three kynges 
 whiche were fubiecte to hj^m and of lyke conditions, fliulde bee geuen for a praye to his feyghtinge dogges, and 
 their tome carkefes to bee burned. Of thefe dogges whiche theye vfe in the warres, theye tell maruelous thynges. 
 For theye faye that theye runne vppon th[e]inhabitantes armed after there maner, with noo lefle fiercenes then 
 if theye were hartes or wylde bores, if the Spaniardes doo but onely poynte towarde them with their fyngers : 
 In foo muche that oftentymes they haue had no neede too dryue their enemyes too flyght with fwoordes or 
 arrowes : But haue doone the fame onely with dogges placed in the forefronte of their battayle, and lettynge 
 them flyppe with their watche woorde and priuye token. Wheruppon the barbaryans ftryken with feare by 
 reafon of the cruell countenaunces of the mafties, with their defperate bouldenes and vnaccufl,omed houlynge 
 and barkynge, haue difparcled at the fyrfl.e onfette and broke their arraye. Yet it chaunfeth otherwyfe when 
 theye haue anye conflicte agaynfl. the Canibales and the people of Caramairi. For thefe are fyerfer, and more 
 warrelyke men: Alfo fo experte arche[r]s, that theye can mofte certenlye dyrect their venemous arrowes againil 
 the dogges with fuche celeritye as if theye were thunderboltes : By reafon wherof, they fumtymes kyl many of them. 
 Th[e]inhabytantes of thefe montaynes, doo not keepe warre with bowes and arrowes : But vfe onelye Machanis, 
 diat is certayne longe and broude fwordes made of woodde : Alfo flynges, longe pykes and dartes hardened at the 
 endes with fyere. Whyle kynge Pacra yet lyued, noo man coulde knowe of hym neyther by fayre meanes nor 
 by foule, where he had the golde whiche was founde in his houfe. For owre men founde in his iewel houfe fyftye 
 poundes weyght of golde. Beynge therfore demaunded where he had it, he anfwered that they whiche gathered 
 the fame in thofe montaynes in his fathers dayes, were all deade : And that fenfe he was a chylde, he neuer 
 efteemed golde more then fl.oones. More then this, theye coulde not gette of hym. By this feuere punyfliment 
 executed vppon Pacra, Vafchus concyled vnto hym the myndes of all the other kynges of that prouynce. And 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 145 
 
 by this meanes it came too paffe, that when he fente for the fycke men whiche he lefte behynde hym with kynge 
 Chiapes, an other kynge whiche was in the mydde waye (whofe name was Bononiama) enterteyned them 
 gentellye, and gaue them. xx. pounde weyght of pure wrought golde, befyde great plentye of vyttayles. And 
 not this onely, but alfo accoompanyed them hym felfe vntyll he had brought them fafely frome his palaice into 
 the domynyon oiPacra : Where takynge eche of them by the ryghte handes, he ddyuered them to Vafchus hym 
 felfe, as a faythefuU pledge commytted too his charge, and therewith fpake to Vafchus in this effecte. Moofle 
 myghtye and valyaunte vyctourer, beholde I here delyuer vnto yowe, yowre coompanions in fuche plight as I 
 receaued them : wiflhynge that I had byn afwell able to gyue them healthe, as they were hertely welcoome to 
 fuche pore enterteynement as I was able to fliewe them. For the fauoure and gentelneffe whiche I haue founde 
 bothe in yowe and them, he (hall rewarde yowe whiche fendeth thunderynge and lyghtelyng to the deftruction 
 of myfcheuous men, and of his clemencye giueth vnto good men plentie of lucca and Maizium in dewe feafon. 
 As he fpake thefe woordes, he lyfled vppe his handes and eyes towarde the foonne whome they honoure for god. 
 Then he fpake further to Vafchus, fayinge : In that yowe haue deftroyed and .flaine owre vyolent and proude 
 enemies, yowe haue browght peace and quyetnelTe to vs and owre famelyes, and bounde vs for euer to loue and 
 obeye yowe. Yowe haue foo ouercoome and tamed wylde monfters, that wee thynke yowe to bee fente from 
 heauen for the punyfliement of euyll men and defence of innocentes, that vnder the protection of yowre myghtye 
 fwooide, wee maye hereafter leade owre lyues withowte feare, and with more quietneffe gyue thankes to the- 
 giuer of all good thinges for his mercie fliewed vnto vs in this behalfe. When th[e]interpretoure had toulde 
 Vafchus that kyng Bononiama had fayde thefe woordes, and fuche lyke, Vafchus rendered hym lyke thankes for 
 his humanitye declared towarde owre men, and rewarded hym as he had doone other in whome he founde lyke 
 gentilneffe. Vafchus wryteth that he lerned manye thynges of this kynge as concemynge the greate rycheffe of 
 thefe regions : But that he woolde at this prefent fpeake nothynge therof : And reherfethe the fame as th3mges 
 lyke to haue good fucceffe. What this implicate Hiperbok, or aduauncement meaneth, I doo not well 
 vnderilande. But he playnely feemeth hereby to promyffe many greate thynges. And furely it is to be thought 
 that accordynge to his hope, great riches maye bee looked for. For they came in maner into none of 
 th[e]inhabytauntes houfes, but that they found in them, eyther brefteplates or curettes of golde, or elles golden 
 ouches, iewels, or garlandes to weare aboute there heades, neckes, or armes. I coniecture therfore thus by a 
 fjnnilitude of owre houfes : If amonge vs any man of great poure were moued with the defyre to haue great plentye 
 of Iron, and woolde enter into Italye with a mayne force as dyd the Gothes in tyme pafle, what abundaunce of 
 Iron flioulde he haue in their houfes : where as he fliulde fynde in one place a friyngpan, in an other a chauldron, 
 here a tryuet, and there a fpytte, and thefe in maner in euery pore mannes houfe, with fuche other innumerable : 
 Whereby any man maye coniecture that Iren is plentifully engendred in fuche regions where they haue foo 
 greate vfe therof. Owre men alfo perceaued that th[e]inhabytantes of thefe regions do no more efteeme golde 
 then we do Iren : nor yet foo muche after they fawe to what vfe Iren ferued vs. Thus muche haue I thoughte 
 good to write too. yowre holynefle of fuche thynges as I haue gathered owte of the letters of Vafchus Nunnez, 
 and learned by woorde of mouthe of fuch as were his companyons in thefe afFayres. As wee receyue them, fo 
 wee gyue them vnto yowe. Tyme which reueleth all fecretes, fliall hereafter mynyfler larger argument of 
 wrytynge. Theye coulde at this tfcas. doo no greate thynge in fearchynge the golde mynes, forafmuche as of a 
 hundreth fourefcore and tenne men whiche Vafchus broughte with hym from Dariena, there remayned onely 
 threefcore and ten, or at the moll fourefcore, whofe ayde he nowe vfed in thefe daungerous aduentures, leauynge 
 euer the crafed men behynd hym in the kynges houfes all the waye that he went. But they moofle efpecially fell 
 into fundrye difeafes, whiche came lately from Hifpaniola. For they were not able to abyde fuche calamities 
 as to lyue onely contented with the breade of thofe regions, and wylde herbes without falte, drinkinge none 
 other then ryuer water, and that oftentimes eyther lackinge or vnwholfome, where as before their flomakes had 
 byn vfed to good meates. But the owlde fouldiours of Dariena, were hardened to abyde all forowes, and 
 exceadynge tollerable of labour, heate, hunger, and watchynge : In fo muche that merilye they make their boofte 
 that they haue obferued a longer and fliarper lent then euer yowre holineffe inioyned. For they laye that for the 
 fpace of foure hole yeares, they eate none other then herbes and frutes, excepte nowe and then perhappes fyflie, 
 and veiye feldoome fleflie : yea, and that fumtime for lacke of al thefe, they haue not abhorred from mangye 
 dogges and fylthy toades as wee haue iayde before. The owlde fouldiers of Dariena, I caule thofe whiche 
 fyrfle folowed the capytaynes Nicuefa and Fogeda to inhabyte the lande, of the whiche nowe fewe were lyuynge. 
 But lette vs nowe omytte thefe thynges, and retoume to Vafchus the victourer of the montaynes. 
 
 Kynge 
 Uononiama, frende 
 to the christians. 
 Wroughte golde. 
 
 The oration of 
 kynge Bononiama 
 
 The sparkeof the 
 lawe of nature, is 
 the lawe written 
 in the hartes of 
 
 Hiperhole. 
 
 Great plenty of 
 golde. 
 
 A symilitude for 
 the profe of 
 plentye of golde. 
 
 Iren more 
 estemed then 
 golde. 
 
 99 
 
 Chaunge of dyet 
 is daungerous. 
 
 Owlde souldiers. 
 A longe lent. 
 
146 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Comogrtts. 
 
 Two poore kynges. 
 
 Desertes. 
 
 Kynge Buchebuea 
 suomytteth him 
 selfe 
 
 Vessels of golde. 
 
 Kynge Chiorisus 
 sendeth Vaschus 
 XXX. dysshes of 
 pure golde. 
 
 100 
 
 Axes of Iren more 
 estemed then any 
 gold 
 
 Superfluous and 
 
 efTemynate 
 
 plesures 
 
 An exemple of the 
 lyfe of owre fyrst 
 p.irentes. 
 
 €1 The thyrde booke of the thyrde Decade. 
 
 [Hen Yafchus had remained thirtye dayes in the palayce of kynge Pacra, concilynge vnto hym 
 the myndes of th[e]inhabitantes and prouidinge thynges neceffarye for his coompanions, he 
 departed frome thenfe by the conducte of certayne of kynge Teaocha his men, and came too 
 the banke of the ryuer Comogrus, wherof the region and king therof, are named by the fame 
 name. He founde the fydes of thefe montaynes fo rude and baren, that there was nothinge 
 apte to bee eaten, but wilde rootes and certayne vnpleafante frutes of trees. Two kynges 
 beinge neare of bludde, inhabyted this infortunate region, whiche Vafchus ouerpaffed with al 
 fpeede for feare of hunger. One of thefe poore kinges was named Cotochus, and the other Ciuriza. He tooke them 
 bothe with hym to guyde hym in the waye, and difmyffed Teaocha his men with vytayles and rewardes. Thus 
 for the fpace of three dayes, he wandered throughe many deferte wooddes, craggye mountaynes, and muddy 
 maryflhes full of fuche quamyres that men are oftentymes fwalowed vp in them if they looke not the more warelye 
 to their fiete. Alfo through places not frequented with reforte of men, and fuche as nature had not yet opened 
 to their vfe, forafmuche as th[e]inhabitantes haue feldoome entercourfe betwene them, but onely by fundrye 
 incurtions, \the one to fpoyle and deflroye the other : Beynge otherwife contented to lyue onely after the lawe of 
 nature, withowte worldly toyle for fuperfluous pleafures. Thus enteringe at the lengthe into the territorye of 
 another kynge whofe name was Buchebuea, they founde all thynges voyde and in filence: For the kynge and his 
 fubiectes, were all fledde to the wooddes. When Vafchus fente meffengers to fetche hym, he dyd not onely at 
 the fyrfle fubmytte hym felfe, but alfo promyffe his ayde with all that he myghte make : Proteftynge furthermore, 
 that he fledde not for feare that owre men woolde doo hym any iniurie, but that he hyd hym felfe for verye fliame 
 and griefe of mynde, for that he was not able to receyue them honorablye accordynge vnto their dignitye, bycaufe 
 his ftore of vitayles was confumed. Yet in a token of obedience and frendefhyppe, he fent owre men many 
 veffelles of golde, defyring them to accepte them as the gifte of a frind whofe good will wanted not in greater 
 thynges if his abilytye were greater. By whiche woordes the poore man feemed to infmuate that he had byn 
 robbed and otherwife cruelly handled of his bortherers. By reafon wherof, owre men were enforced to departe 
 from thenfe more hungerly then theye came. As theye wente forwarde therfore, they efpyed certeine naked 
 men coomminge downe from a hylle towarde them. Vafchus coommaunded his armye to llaye, and fente his 
 interpretours to them to knowe what they wold haue. Then one of them to whom the other feemed to gyue 
 reuerence, fpake in this efl'ect. Owre lorde and kinge Chiorifus, greeteth yowe well : Wyllynge vs to declare 
 that he hath harde of yowre puiflaunce and vertue wherby yowe haue fubdued euell men and reuenged 
 the wronges doone to innocentes. For the whiche yowre noble factes and iuftyce, as he doothe honour 
 yowre fame, foo woolde he thinke him felfe mode happye if he myght receiue yowe into his palaice. 
 But, forafmuche as his fortune hath byn fo euell (as he imputeth it) that beynge owte of yowre waye, yowe 
 haue ouerpaffed hym, he hath fent yowe this golde in token of his good wyll and fryndfliyppe towarde 
 yowe. And with thefe woordes he deliuered to Vafchus thirty diffhes of pure golde. Addynge here- 
 unto, that when fo euer it Ihulde pleafe him to take the paynes to coomme to their kynge, he fliulde receyue 
 greater gyftes. He declared ftirther, that a kynge whyche was their bortherer and mortall enemye, was very 
 ryche in golde : And that in fubduynge of hym they fliulde bothe obteine greate rycheffe, and alfo delyuer them 
 from daylye vexations : whiche thinge myght eafilye be doone by their helpe bycaufe they knewe the countrey. 
 Vafchus put them in good coomforte, and gaue them for rewarde certayne Iren axes whiche they more 
 efl.eemed then greate heapes of golde. For they haue lyttell neede of golde, hauynge not th[e]ufe of peftiferous 
 money. But he that maye get but one axe or hatchet, thynketh hym felfe rycher then euer was Craffus. For 
 euen thefe naked men doo perceyue that an axe is neceffarye for a thoufande vfes : And confeffe that golde is 
 defyred onely for certayne vaine and effeminate pleafures, as a thyng whiche the lyfe of man maye lacke with- 
 owte any inconuenience. For owre glutteny and fuperfluous fumptuouineffe hath not yet corrupted them: By 
 reafon wherof they take it for noo (hame to lacke cobardes of plate, where as the pride and wantonnes of owre 
 tyme dooeth in maner impute it to vs for ignominye to bee withowte that, wherof by nature we haue no neede. 
 But their contentation with the benefytes of nature doothe playnly declare that men may leade a free and happy 
 life withowt tables, table clothes, carpettes, napkyns, and towels, with fuche other innumerable wherof they 
 haue no vfe, excepte perhappes the kynges furniflie their tables with a fewe golden veffels. But the common 
 people dryue awaye hunger with a pyece of their breade in the one hande, and a piece of broylde fyflie or 
 
 146 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 147 
 
 fumme kynde of fruite in the other hande. For they eate flefhe but feldome. When their fingers are imbrued 
 with any ounctuous meates, they wype them eyther on the foules of their feete, or on their thyghes, ye and 
 fumtymes on the Ikynnes of their priuye members in the fteede of a nappekynne. And for this caufe doo they 
 often tymes waflie them felues in the ryuers. Owre men therfore wente forwarde laden with golde, but fore 
 afflicted with hunger. Thus they came at the length to the dominion of kynge Pocchorrqfa who fledde at their 
 coommynge. Here for the fpace of thirtye dayes they fylled their emptye beUies with breade of the rootes of 
 Maizium. In the meane tyme Vafchus fente for Pocchorrofa : who beynge allured with promiffes and fayre 
 woordes, came and fubmytted hym felfe brynginge with hym for a prefent. xv. poundes weighte of wrought 
 golde, and a fewe flaues. Vafchus rewarded hym as he had doone other before. When he was mynded to 
 depart, he was aduertifed that he fliulde paffe through the dominion of a certayne kynge whofe name was 
 Tumanama. This is hee whome the foonne of kynge Comogrus declared to bee of foo great poure and fearefuU 
 to all his bortherers, and with whom many of Comogrus familyers had byn captyue. But owre men nowe per- 
 ceiued that they meafured his poure by their owne. For their kiiiges are but gnattes compared to elephantes, 
 in refpecte to the poure and poUicye of owre men. Owre men were alfo enformed by fuche as dwelte neare 
 aboute Tumanama, that his region was not beyonde the montaynes as they fuppofed : Nor yet fo ryche in golde 
 as younge Comogrus had declared. Yet confulted they of his fubduyng : whiche they lioughte they myght 
 th[e]eaflyer brynge to paffe bycaufe Pocchorrofa was his mortall enemye, who mofte gladly promyfed them his 
 aduice and ayde herein. Vafchus therfore, leauynge his fycke men in the vyllage of Pocchorrofa, tooke with 
 hym threfcore of his mofte valiante fouldiers, and declared vnto them howe kynge Tumanama had oftentymes 
 fpoken proude and threatnyng woordes ageynfte them: Lykewife that it nowe floode them in hande of 
 neceffitye to paffe through his dominion : And that he thought is befte to fette vppon hym vnwares. The fouldiers 
 confented to his aduice, and exhorted him to gyue th[e]aduenture, promifmge that they woolde folowe hym 
 whether fo euer he wente. They determined therfore to go two dayes iomey in one daye, that Tumanama not 
 knowynge of their fooden commyng, myght haue no leafure to affemble an armye. The thynge came to paffe 
 euen as they had deu)rfed. For in the fyrfte watche of the nyght, owre men with the Pocchorroftans, inuaded 
 the vyllage and palaice of Tumanama, where they tooke hym prifoner fufpectynge nothinge leffe. He had with 
 hym two younge men whiche he abufed vnnaturally: Alfo fourfcore women which he had taken vyolently from 
 dyuers kynges. Lykewife a greate number of his gentelmen and fubiectes were taken ftragelynge in other 
 vyllages neare aboute his palaice. For their houfes are not adherent togither as owres bee, bycaufe they are 
 oftentimes troubeled with vehement whirlewyndes by reafon of the fudden chaunges and motions of the ayre 
 caufed by the influence of the planetes in the equalitie of the daye and nyght beynge there in maner bothe of 
 one lengthe throughowte all the yeare, forafinuche as they are neare vnto the Equinoctiall lyne as we haue fayde 
 before. Their houfes are made of trees, couered and after their maner thetched with the ftalkes of certayne 
 towghe herbes. To the palayce of Tumanama, was onely one houfe adherent, and that euen as bygge as the 
 palayce it felfe. Ej^her of thefe houfes were in length a hundreth and twentie pafes, and in bredth fyftie pafes 
 as owre men meafured them. In thefe two houfes the kynge was accuftomed to mufter his men as often as he 
 prepared an armye. When Tumanama therfore, was thus taken captyue with all his Sardanapanicall famelye, 
 the Pocchorroftans bragged and threatened hym beynge nowe bounde, that he fhulde ftiortly bee hanged. The 
 other kynges alfo his bortherers, reioyfed at his myffortune. Wherby owre men perceaued that Tumanama was 
 no leffe troublefome to his neighbours, then was Pacra to the kinges of the fouthe fyde of the montaynes. 
 Vafchus alfo the better to pleafe them, threatned hym greuoufly: But in deede entended no euell toward him. 
 He fpake therfore ftiarpely vnto hym with thefe woordes : Thou ftialte nowe fuffer punyfhment thou cruell 
 tyranne, for thy pryde and abhominations. Thou fhalte knowe of what poure the chriftians are whom thou hafte 
 foo contemned and threate[ne]d to drawe by the heare of their heades to the nexte ryuer and there to drowne them 
 as thou hafte often tymes made thy vaunte emonge thy naked flaues. But thou thy felfe flialte fyrfte feele that 
 whiche thou hafte prepared for other: And herewith commaunded hym to bee taken vppe. Neuertheleffe 
 gyuynge a priuye tooken of pardon to them whiche layde handes on him. Thus vnhappye Tumanama, fearynge 
 and beleuynge that Vafchus had mente in emefte as he commaunded, fell proftrate at his feete and with teares 
 defyred pardon : Proteftynge that he neuer fpake any fuche woordes. But that perhappes his noble men in 
 their droonkenneffe had fo abufed their toonges whiche he coulde not rule. For their wynes although they bee 
 not made of grapes yet are they of force to make men droonken. He declared furthermore that the other 
 kynges his bortherers had of malice furmyfed fuche lyes of hym enuyinge his fortune bycaufe he was of greater 
 poure then they. Mofte humbly defyringe Vafchus that as he tooke hym to bee a iufte vyctourer, foo to gyue 
 no credytte vnto their vniufte and malycious complaintes. Addynge herevnto that if it woolde pleafe hym to 
 pardon hym not hauinge offended, he woolde bringe him great plentie of gold. Thus layinge his ryght hande 
 on his breaft, he fwore by the fonne, that he euer loued and feared the chryftians fence he fyrfte harde of their 
 fame and vyctor}'es: Efpecialiy when he harde faye that they had Machanas, that is, fwoordes fliarper then 
 
 M7 
 
 Plentye of gold 
 and scarcenesse 
 of meate. 
 
 King Pocchorrosa 
 submytteth 
 hymselfe. 
 XV. pounde 
 weyghte of 
 wroughte golde. 
 
 Kyng Tumanama 
 looke decad. ii. 
 lib. iiii. 
 
 A good poUcye. 
 
 101 
 
 Kynee Tumanama 
 is taxen prisoner. 
 
 The cause of 
 vehement^ wyndes 
 nere the 
 Equinoctial. 
 
 Kynge Tumanama 
 his palaice. 
 
 Vaschus his 
 woordes to kynge 
 Tumanama. 
 
 Oderuni gfuem 
 metuuni. 
 
 Kyng Tumanama 
 his woordeSi 
 
148 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Tumanama is 
 
 pardoned. 
 
 XXX. pounde 
 weyghte of 
 wroughte golde. 
 Ix. poundes 
 weyght of golde. 
 
 102 
 
 They abhorre 
 labour. 
 
 The coloure of the 
 golden earthe and 
 a tryall of the 
 same. 
 
 thearfe, and fuch as cutte in pieces ai thynges that coomme in their waye. Then directynge his eyes towarde 
 Vafchus who had his fwoorde in his hand, he fpake thus. Who (excepte he were owte of his wytte) dare lyfte 
 vppe his hande ageynfte this fwoorde of yowres wherwith yowe are able with one flrooke to cleaue a man from 
 the heade to the nauelL Lette no man therfore perfwade yowe (o mofte myghtye victourer) that euer fuche 
 woordes proceded owte of my mouthe. As Tumanama with trembeling fpake thefe woordes, therwith fwalow- 
 ynge downe the knot of deathe, Vafchus feemed by his teares to bee moued to compaffion : And fpeakyng to 
 hym with chearefuU countenance commaunded hym to bee loofed. This doone, he fente immediatly to his 
 palaice for. xxx. poundes weyght of pure gold artifycially wrought into fundry ouches whiche his wyues 
 and concubynes vfed to weare. Alfo the thyrde daye folowynge, his noble men and gentylmen fent 
 threfcore poundes weight of golde for their fyne and raunfumme. Tumanama beyng demaunded wher 
 they had that gold, anfwered that it was not gathered in his dominions But that it was brought his 
 aunceftours from the ryuer Comogrus toward the fouthe. But the Pocchorrofians and other his enemies, feyd 
 that he lyed: Affirmynge that his kingdome was lyche in golde. Tumanama on the contrary part, inflantly 
 protefted that he neuer knewe any golde myne in all his dominions. Yet denyed not but that there hath 
 fumtimes byn found certaine fmaule graines of golde, to the gatherynge wherof, he neuer had any regarde, 
 bycaufe they coulde not gette it without great and longe labour. Whyle thefe thynges were dooinge, the fycke 
 men whiche Vafchus had lefte in the village of Pocchorrofa, came to hym the. viii. day of the Calendes of 
 January in the yeare of Chrifte. M. D. XIII. brmgyng with them certayne labourers from the kynges of the 
 fouthe with fundrye inflrumentes to dygge the grounde and gather golde. Thus pafTynge ouer the day of the 
 natiuitye of Chrifl. without bodely labour, vppon fainte Steuens daye he brought certejTie myners to the fyde of 
 a hyll not farre dyflante from the palaice of Tumanama, where (as he faith) he perceaued by the coloure of the 
 earth that it was lykely to brynge furthe golde. When they had dygged a pytte not paft a hand breadth and a 
 halfe, and fyfted the earthe therof, they founde certayne fmaule graynes of golde no bygger then lintell feedes, 
 amountynge to the weyght of twelue graynes as they prouyd with their balances of affaye before a notarie and 
 wytneffe that the better credytte myghte bee gyuen therto. Wherby they argued that the rycheneffe of that lande 
 was agreable to the report of the bortherers, although Vafchus coulde by noo meanes caufe Tlimanama to 
 confeffe the fame. They fuppofe that he nothynge efleemed fo fmaule a portion. But other faye that he 
 denyed his countrey to bee frutefuU of golde, leafle.by reafon therof the defyre of golde, myght intyfe owre men 
 to inhabyte his kyngdome, as in deede the feely kynge was a prophet in foo thinkynge. For they chofe that 
 and the region of Pocchorrofa to inhabyte, and determyned to buylde townes in them bothe, if it fliulde fo pleafe 
 the kynge of Caflyle : Afwell that they myght bee baytinge places and vytailynge houfes for fuche as fliulde 
 iorney towarde the fouthe, as alfo that both the regions were frutfull and of good grounde to beare frutes and 
 trees. Intendynge nowe therfore to departe from thenfe, he tried the earth by chaunce in an other place, where 
 the colour of the grounde with certayne fliyninge (lones, feemed to bee a tooken of golde. Where cauiynge a 
 fmaule pitte to bee dygged lyttell beneath th[e]upper crufte of the earthe, he founde fo muche golde as weyghed 
 that pyece of golde whiche the Spaniardes caule Cafldlanum aureum, and is commonly cauled Pefus, but not in 
 one grayne. Reioyfynge at thefe tookens in hope of great riches, he badde Tumanama to be of good coomforte, 
 promyfynge hym that he woolde bee his frende and defender, foo that he troubeled not any of the kynges whiche 
 were frendes to the Chriftians. He alfo perfwaded hym to gather plentye of golde. Summe faye that he ledde 
 awaye all Tumanama his women, and fpoyled him leafl^e he fliuld rebell. Yet he delyuered his foonne to 
 Vafchus to bee broughte vppe with owre men, to learne their language and relygyon, that he myght therafter the 
 better vfe his helpe afwell in all thynges that he fliulde haue to doo with owre men, as alfo more polytykely rule, 
 and obtayne the loue of his owne fubiectes. Vafchus at this tyme fell into a vehement feuer by reafon of exceffe 
 of labour, immoderate watchyng, and hunger: In fomuche that departynge from thenfe, he was fayne too bee 
 borne uppon mennes backes in fliietes of goffampyne cotton. Lykewyfe alfo many of his fouldiers whiche were 
 foo weake that they coulde nother go nor flonde. To this purpofe they vfed the helpe of th[e]inhabytantes, who 
 fliewed them felues in al thynges wyllynge and obedyente. Alfo fumme of them whiche were fumwhat feeble 
 and not able to trauayle, although not greuoufly fycke, were ledde by the armes vntyll they came to the 
 domynion of kynge Commogrus a greate frende to the Chriftyans, of whom wee haue largely made mention 
 before. At Vafchus commynge thether, he founde that the owlde kynge was deade, and his foonne 
 (whome we fo prayfed for his wifedome) to raygne in his fl.eade: And that he was baptifed by the 
 name of Charles. The palayce of this Comogrus, is fituate at the foote of a fl.iepe hyll well cultured. 
 Hauynge towarde the fouthe a playne of twelue leages in breadth and veary frutefull. This playne, they 
 caule Zauana. Beyonde this, are the great and hyghe montaynes whiche deuyde the two feas wherof we 
 haue fpoken before. Owte of the ftyepe hylles, fpryngeth the ryuer Comogrus, whiche runneth throwghe 
 the fayde playne to the hyghe montaynes, receauynge into his chanell by their valleys, all the other 
 ryuers, and fo fauleth into the fouth fea. It is diftante from Dariena, aboute threfcore and tenne leages 
 
 Tokens of great 
 plentie of golde. 
 
 Va.sclius fauleth 
 hiickc. 
 
 Feeblenes of 
 hunger and , 
 \\'atchinge. 
 
 Kyiig- Comogrus 
 frendely to the 
 Chrisrians. 
 
 The large and 
 fruteful plain of 
 Zauana. 
 
 The ryuer 
 Comogrus. 
 
 103 
 
 148 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 149 
 
 towatde the wefte. As owre men therfore came to thefe parties, kynge Comogrus (otherwyfe cauled Charles by 
 his chriftian name) mette them ioyfuUy and entertayned them honorably, gyuynge them their fyll of pleafaunte 
 meates and drynkes. He gaue alfo to Vafchus, twenty pounde weyght of wrought golde. Vafchus recom- 
 penfed him with thinges which he efleemed muche more : As axes and fundry kyndes of carpenters tooles. 
 Alfo a fouldiours cloke, and a faire flierte wrought with needle woorke By thefe gyftes, Comogrus thought hym 
 felfe to bee halfe a god amonge his bortherers. Vafchus at his departynge from henfe, erneflly charged 
 Comogrus and the other kynges to remayne faithfuU and obedient to the chriftian king of Caftile, if they defyred 
 to lyue in peace and quietneife : And that they ftiulde hereafter more diligently applye them felues to the 
 gatheringe of golde to bee fente to the great chriftian Tiba (that is) kyng. Declaryng further, that by this 
 meanes they fliuld bothe gette them and their pofterity a patrone and defender ageinft their enemyes, and alfo 
 obta)me great abundaunce of owre thinges. Thefe affayres thus happely achiued, he wente forwarde on his 
 vyage to the palaice of kyng Poncha, where he founde foure younge men whiche were come from Dariena to 
 certify h)rm that there were certayne ihyppes coomme from Hifpaniola laden wyth vyttayles and other 
 neceflaries. Wherfore takyng with him twentie of his mofte lufty fouldiers, he made hafte to Dariena with 
 longe iomeys : leauinge the refydue behynd him to folow at their leafure. He writeth that he came to Dariena 
 the. xiiiL Cal. of Fe. An. 1314. The date of his letter is: From Dariena, the. iiii. day of march. He writeth 
 in the fame letter, that he had many fore conflictes, and that he was yet neyther wounded, or lofte any of his 
 men in the battaile. And therfore in al his large letter, there is not one leafe without thankes geuynge to 
 ahnyghty god for his del3ruery and preferaation from fo many imminent perels. He attempted no enterprife or 
 tooke in hande any viage withowt th[e]inuocation of god and his holy faintes. Thus was Vafchus Balboa of a 
 vyolente Goliath, toumed into Helifeus: And from Anteus too Hercules the conquerour of monfters. Beynge 
 therefore thus toumed from a rafftie royfter to a polytyke and difcreate capitayne, he was iudged woorthy to 
 bee aduaunced to greate honoure. By reafon whereof, he was bothe receaued into the kynges fauour, and there- 
 vppon created the generall or Lieuetenaunt of the kynges army in thofe Regions. Thus much haue I gathered 
 bothe by the letters of certeyne my faythefuU frendes beinge in Dariena, and alfo by woorde of mouth of fuche 
 as came lately frome thenfe. If yowre holynes defyre to knowe what I thynke herein, Suerly as by fuche 
 thynges as I haue feene, I beleue thefe thynges to bee trewe, euen fo th[e]order and agrdnge of Vafchus, and 
 his coompanions warrelyke letters, feeme to confirme the fame. The Spanyarde therfore fhall not neede 
 hereafter with vndermynynge the earth with intoUerable laboure to breake the bones of owre mother, and enter 
 many myles into her bowels, and with innumerable daungers cut in funder hole mountaynes to make a waye to 
 the courte of infemall Pluto, to brynge from thenfe wycked golde the feede of innumerable mifcheues, withowte 
 the whiche notwithftandynge we may nowe fcarfely leade a happy lyfe fithe iniquitie hath fo preuayled and 
 made vs flaues to that wherof we are lords by nature : The Spanyarde (I fay) fliall not neede with fuch 
 trauayles and difficultie to dygge farre into the earth for gold, but ftial fynde it plentifully in maner in the vpper 
 cruft of the earth, or in the landes of ryuers dryed vppe by the heate of fommer, onely waffliynge the earth 
 foftely frome the fame : And fliall -with lyke facilite gather plentie of pearles. Certenly the reuerent antiquitie 
 (by al the Cofinographers aflent) obteyned not foo greate a benefyte of nature, nor yet afpired to the knowleage 
 hereof, bycaufe there came neuer man before owte of owre knowen worlde to thefe vnknowen nations : At the 
 leafte, with a poure of men, by force of armes, in maner of conqueft: wheras otherwyfe nothyng can be gotten here, 
 forafinuch as thefe nations are for the moft part feuere defenders of theyr patrimonies, and cruell to ftraungers, in 
 no condition admittinge them otherwyfe then by conqueft : effpecially the fierce Canibales or Caribes. For thefe 
 wylye hunters of men, gyue them felues to none other kynde of exercyfe but onely to manhuntynge and tyllage after 
 their maner. At the commynge therfore of owre men into theyr regions, they loke as fuerly to haue them faule into 
 their fiiares as if they were hartes or wylde bores: and with no leffe confydence licke their lippes fecrea,tely in 
 hope of their praye. If they gette the vpper hande, they eate them greedely : If they myftrufte them felues to bee 
 the weaker parte, they trufte to theyr feete, and flye fwyfter then the wynde. Ageyne, yf the matter bee tryed 
 on the water, afwell the women as men can dyue and fwymme, as though they had byn euer brought vp and 
 fedde in the water. It is noo maruayle therefore yf the large tracte of thefe regions haue byn hytherto 
 vnknowen. But nowe fithe it hath pleafed God to difcouer the fame in owre tyme, it fliall becoome vs to ftiewe 
 owre naturall loue to mankynde and dewtie to God, to endeuoure owre felues to brynge them to ciuilitie and 
 trewe religion, to th[e]increafe of Chriftes flocke, to the confufion of Infidels and the Deuyll theyr father who 
 delytethe in owre deftruction as he hathe doone frome the begynnynge. By the good fucceffe of thefe fyrft frutes, 
 owre hope is, that the Chriftian religion fliall ftreache foorth her armes very farre. Which thyng fliulde the 
 fooner coome to pafle yf all menne to theyr poure (efpecially Chriftian Princes to whom it chiefely perteyneth) 
 wolde put theyr handes to the plowe of the lordes vineyarde. The harueft fuerly is greate, but the woorkemen 
 are but fewe. As we haue fayde at the begynnynge, yowre holynes fliall heteafter nooryflie many myriades of 
 broodes of chekins vnder yowre wynges. But let vs nowe returne to fpeake of Beragua beinge the wefte fyde 
 
 o 2 149 
 
 XX. pounde weyeht 
 of wrought gold 
 
 Vasclius retumeth 
 to Dariena. 
 
 The good fortime 
 of Vaschus. 
 
 Vaschus was 
 turned from 
 Goliath to Eliseus. 
 
 O flaterynge 
 fortune, look his 
 death in the booke 
 of the Ilande[s] 
 lately founde. 
 
 The earthe is owre 
 general mother. 
 
 The courte of 
 infemall Pluto. 
 
 There is a better 
 waye then this. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 conquestes. 
 
 Manhunters 
 
 104 
 
 The fiersenesse of 
 the Canibales. 
 
 Owre duty to god, 
 and naturall loue 
 to mankynde. 
 
 Th[e]offyce of 
 Chrystian prynces 
 The haruest is 
 great, etc. 
 
 Beragtia, 
 
I50 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Nicuesa, 
 
 The fourth 
 nauigation of 
 Colonus the 
 AdmiralL 
 
 From Sp^e to 
 Hispaniola a 
 thousande and two 
 hundreth leagues 
 
 The florysshing 
 Ilande of 
 
 Simple people. 
 
 A greate 
 marchaunt. 
 
 105 
 
 The regyon of 
 Quiiiquetana or 
 Ciamba. 
 
 Gentle people. 
 
 The regyons of 
 Taia and Maia. 
 
 Seuen kyndes of 
 date trees. 
 
 Wylde vines. 
 
 of Vrdba, and fyril founde by Colontis the Admirall, then vnfortunately gouerned by Diego Nicuefa, and nowe 
 lefte in maner defolate : with the other large regions of thofe prouinces brought from theyr wylde and beallly 
 ludenes to ciuilitie and trewe religion. 
 
 C The fovrth booke of the thyrde Decade. 
 
 Was determyned (mode holy father) to haue preceded no further herein, but that one fierye 
 fparke yet remaynynge in my mynde, woolde not fuffer me to ceafe. Wheras I haue therfore 
 declared howe Beragua was fyrfle fownde by Colonus, my thincke I fliulde commytte a 
 heynous cryme if I ftiuld defraude the man of the due commendations of his trauayles, of his 
 cares and troubles, and fynally of the daungeours and perels, whiche he fufteyned in that 
 nauigation. Therfore in the yeare of Chrifte. 1502. in the. vi. daye of the Ides of Maye, he 
 hoyfed vppe his fayles and departed from the Ilandes of Gades with. iiii. fhyppes of fyftie or. 
 iii. fcore tunne a piece, with a hundreth threfcore and tenne men, and came with profperous wynde to the 
 Ilandes of Canaria within fiue daies folowinge, from thenfe ariyuinge the. xvi. day at the Ilande of Dominica 
 beinge the chiefe habitation of the Canibales, he fayled from Dominica to Hifpaniola in fyue other daies. Thus 
 within the fpace of the. xxvi. daies, with profperous wynde and by the fwyfte faule of the Ocean from the Eafte 
 to the well, he fayled from Spaine to Hifpaniola : Which courfe is counted of the mariners to bee no leffe then 
 a thoufande and twoo hundrethe leaques. He taryed but a whyle in Hifpaniola, whether it were wyllingly, or 
 that he were fo admonifflied of the viceroye. Directing therfore his vyage from thenfe towarde the wefte, 
 leauyng the Ilandes of Cuba and Jamaica on his ryght hande towarde the northe, he wryteth that he chaunfed 
 vppon an Ilande more fouthewarde then Jamaica, whiche th[e]inhabitantes caule Guanaffa, fo floiyfftiinge and 
 fnitefull that it myghte feeme an earthlye Paradyfe. Coaftynge alonge by the fliores of this Ilande, he mette 
 two of the Canoas or boates of thofe prouinces, whiche were drawne with two naked flaues ageynll the flreame. 
 In thefe boates, was caryed a ruler of the Ilande with his wyfe and chyldren, all naked. The flaues feeyiige 
 owre men a lande, made fignes to them with proude countenaunce in their maiflers name, to Ilande owte of the 
 waye, and threatned them if they woolde not gyue place. Their fympelnes is fuche that they nother feared the 
 multitude or poure of owre men, or the greatnes and flraungenes of owre fliippes. They thought that owre men 
 woolde haue honoured their maifter with like reuerence as they did. Owre men had intelligence at the length 
 that this ruler was a greate marchaunte whiche came to the marte from other coafl.es of the Ilande. For they 
 exceryfe byinge and fellynge by exchaunge with their confinies. He had alfo with him good ftoore of fuche ware 
 as they ftande in neede of or take pleafure in : as laton belles, rafers, knyues, and hatchettes made of a certeyne 
 fliarpe yelowe biyght ftone, with handles of a ftronge kynd of woodde. Alfo many other neceffary inflrumentes 
 with kychen ftuffe and veflelles for all neceffary vfes. Lykewife flieetes of goflampine cotton wrought of fundrye 
 colours. Owre men tooke hym pryfoner with all his famely. But Colonus commaunded hym to bee lofed fliortely 
 after, and the greateft parte of his goodes to bee reftored to wynne his fryndefliippe. Beinge here inftructed of 
 a lande lyinge further towarde the fouthe, he tooke his vyage thether. Therfore lytle more then tenne myles 
 diftant from henfe, he founde a large lande whiche th[e]inhabitantes cauled Quiriquetana: But he named it 
 Ciamba. When he wente a lande and commaunded his chaplaine to faye maffe on the fea bankes, a great 
 confluence' of the naked inhabitantes flocked thither fymplye and without feare, bringynge with them plenty of 
 meate and freflie water, marueylynge at owre men as they had byn fumme ftraunge miracle. When they had 
 prefented their giftes, they went fumwhat backewarde and made lowe curtefy after their maner bowinge their 
 heades and bodyes reuerently. He recompenfed their gentylnes rewardinge them with other of owre thynges, 
 as counters, braflettes and garlandes of glafle and counterfecte ftoones, lookyng glafles, nedelles, and pynnes, 
 with fuche other traflie, whiche feemed vnto them precious marchaundies. In this great tracte there are two 
 regions wherof the one is cauled Taia and the other Maia. He writeth that all that lande is very fayre and 
 holfome by reafon of the excellent temperatnefle of the ayer: And that it is inferiour to no lande in fnitefull 
 ground beinge partely full of montaines, and partely large playnes: Alfo replenyflied with many goodly trees, 
 holfome herbes, and frutes, continuynge greene and floiyfliynge all the hole yeare. It beareth alfo verye many 
 holy trees and pyne aple trees. Alfo. vii. kyndes of date trees wherof fumme are fnitefull and fumme baren. 
 It bringeth furth lykewyfe of it felfe Pelgoras and wilde vynes laden with grapes euen in the wooddes emonge 
 other trees. He faythe fiirthermore that there is fuche abundaunce of other plealaunte and profitable frutes 
 that they pafle not of vynes. Of one of thofe kyndes of date trees, they make certeyne longe and brode 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 151 
 
 fwoordes and dartes. Thefe regyons beare alfo goffampyne trees here and there commonly in the wooddes. 
 Lykewife Mirobalanes of fundry kyndes, as thofe which the phifitians caule Emblicos and Chebulos, Maizium alfo. 
 lucca, Ages, and Battatas, lyke vnto thofe whiche we haue fayde before to bee founde in other regions in thefe 
 coalles. The fame nooryflheth alfo lyons, Tygers, Hartes, Roes, Goates, and dyuers other beaftes. Lykewyfe 
 fundry kyndes of byrdes and foules; Emonge the whiche they keepe onely them to franke and feede, whiche 
 are in colour, bygnes, and tafle, muche lyke vnto owre pehennes. He faith that th[e]inhabitantes are of high 
 and goodly ftature, well lymmed and proportioned both men and women : Couerynge their priuye partes with 
 fyne breeches of goffampine cotton wrought with dyuers colours. And that they may feeme the more cumlye 
 and bewtifuU (as they take it) they paynte their bodyes redde and blacke with the iuce of certeyne apples whiche 
 they plante in their gardens for the fame purpofe. Summe of them paynte their hole bodies : fumme but parte : 
 and other fumme drawe the portitures, of herbes, floures, and knottes, euery one as feemeth befte to his owne 
 phantafye. Their language differeth vtterlye from theirs of the Ilandes nere aboute them. From thefe regions, 
 the waters of the fea ranne with as full courfe towarde the wefte, as if it had byn the faule of a fwyfte riuer. 
 Neuertheleffe he determined to fearche the Eafte partes of this lande, reuoluynge in his mynde that the regions 
 of Paria and Os Draconis with other coaftes founde before toward the Eafte, fliulde bee neare theraboute as in 
 deede they were. Departyng therfore from the large region of Quiriquetana the. xiii. daye of the calendes of 
 September, when he had failed thirtie leaques, he founde a ryuer, without the mouth wherof he drewe frefhe 
 water in the fea. Where alfo the flioore was fo cleane withowte rockes, that he founde grounde euery 
 where, where he myght aptely eafte anker. He writeth that the fwifle courfe of the Ocean was fo 
 vehement and contrarye, that in the fpace of fortye dayes he coulde fcarcelye layle threfcore and tenne 
 leaques, and that with mudhe difiycultie with many fetches and coompafjmges, fyndyng him felfe to bee 
 fumtimes repulfed and dryuen farre backe by the vyolente courfe of the fea when he woolde haue taken lande 
 towarde the euenynge, leafte perhappes wanderynge in vnknowen coaftes in the darckeneffe of the nyght, he 
 myghte bee in daunger of Ihypwracke: He writeth that in the fpace of eyght leaques, he found three great and 
 fayre rjruers vppon the banckes wherof, there grewe reedes bygger then a mannes thygh. In thefe rjoiers was alfo 
 greate plentye of fyfhe and great tortoyfes: Lykewife in many places,. multitudes of Crocodiles lyinge in the fande, 
 and yanyng to take the heate of the foonne : Befyde dyuers other kyndes of beaftes whervnto he gaue no names. 
 He fayth alfo that the foyle of that lande is very diuers and variable : beyng fumwhere ftonye and full of rough 
 and craggie promontories or po)mtes reachynge into the fea. And in other places as frutfull as maye bee. 
 They haue alfo diuers kynges and rulers. In fumme places they caule a k3Tige Cacicus: in Other places they 
 caule hym Qtiebi, and fumwhere Tiba. Suche as haue behaued them felues valiantly in the warres ageynfte 
 their enemies, and haue their faces full of fcarres, they caule Cupras, and honour them as the antiquitie dyd the 
 goddes whiche they cauled Heroes, fuppofed to bee the foules of fuche men as in their lyfe tyme excelled in vertue 
 and noble actes. The common people, they caule Chiui: and a man, they caule Homem. When they faye in 
 their language, take man, they fay Hopfa home. After this, he came to an other ryuer apte to beare great 
 fliypppes : Before the mouthe wherof, leye foure fmaule Ilandes full of florifftiing and frutfull trees. Thefe 
 Ilandes he named Quatuor tempora. From henfe faylynge towarde the Eafte for the fpace of. xiii. leaques ftyll 
 ageinfte the vyolent courfe of the water, he founde twelue other fmaule Ilandes. In the whiche bycaufe he 
 founde a newe kynde of frutes muche like vnto owre lemondes, he cauled them Limonares. Wanderynge yet 
 further the fame waye for the fpace of xii. leaques, he founde a great hauen enteiyng into the land after the 
 maner of a goulfe the fpace of three leaques, and in maner as brode, into the whiche fell a great ryuer. Here 
 was Nicuefa lofte afterwarde when he foughte Beragua : By reafon wherof they cauled it Rio de las perdidos: that 
 is, the lyuer of the lofte men. Thus Colonus the Admirall yet further contynuynge his courfe ageynfte the furye 
 of the fea, founde manye hyghe montaynes and horrible valleys, with dyuers lyuers and hauens, from all the 
 whiche (as he fay the) proceaded fweete fauers greatly recreatynge and comfortynge nature. In fo muche that 
 in all this longe tracte there was not one of his men defeafed vntyll he came to a region whiche th[e]inhabitantes 
 caule Quicuri, in the whiche is the hauen cauled Cariai, named Mirobalanus by the admyrall bycaufe the 
 Mirobalane trees are natiue in the region therabout. In this hauen of Cariai, there came about two hundreth 
 of th[e]inhabitantes to the fea fyde with euerye of them three or foure dartes in their handes : Yet of condition 
 gentell enoughe, and not refufyng ftraungers. Their commyng was for none other purpofe then to knowe what 
 this newe nation mente, or what they broughte with them. When owre men had gyuen them fygnes of peace, 
 they came fwymmynge to the fliyppes and defyred to barter with them by exchaunge. The admyrall to allure 
 them to frendfliippe, gaue them many of owre thinges: But they refufed them, fufpectynge fumme difceate 
 thereby bycaufe he woolde not receyue theirs They wroughte all by fygnes : for one vnderftoode not a woorde 
 of the others language. Suche gyftes as were fente them, they lefte on the fliore and woolde take no part 
 therof. They are of fuche ciuilitye and humanytie, that they efteeme it more honorable to gyue then to take. 
 They fente owre men two younge women beinge vyrgines, of commendable fauour ^and goodly ftature, 
 
 Mirobalaiies 
 Byrdes and foules. 
 
 People of goodly 
 
 stature 
 
 They paynt theyr 
 bodyes 
 
 The swyfte course 
 of the sea from the 
 East to the West 
 
 Paria. 
 
 Fresshe water in 
 the sea. 
 
 Fetches and 
 compasinges 
 
 106 
 
 Faire ryuers. 
 Great reedes 
 Great tortoyses. 
 
 Dyuers languages. 
 
 Heroes. 
 
 Qttaiuor temPora. 
 
 Twelue Ilandes 
 named Limonares 
 
 Rio de los 
 perdidos. 
 
 The re|:ion of 
 Quicun. 
 The hauen 
 of Cariai or 
 Mirobalanus 
 
 Ciuile and 
 humane people 
 
152 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 107 
 
 [Trees grow by 
 the sea] syde. 
 
 Trees growynge 
 in the sea after a 
 strauiige sort. 
 
 Plinie. 
 
 A straunge kynde 
 of moonkeys. 
 
 A moonkeye 
 feyghteth with 
 
 A conflict betwene 
 a monkey and a 
 wylde bore. 
 
 The bodyes of 
 kynges dryed and 
 reserued 
 
 Ceraharo. 
 
 Aburema, 
 
 Cheynes of golde. 
 
 Flentie of golde. 
 
 Fine villages rych 
 in gold. 
 
 Czownes of beasts 
 claws 
 
 108 
 
 fygnifyinge vnto them that they myghte take them awaye with them if it were their pleafure. Thefe women 
 after the maner of their countrey, were couered from their ancles fumwhat aboue their priuye partes with a 
 certeyne clothe made of goffampine cotton. But the men are al naked. The women vfe to cutte their heare: 
 But the men lette it growe on the hynder partes of their heades, and cutte it on the fore parte. Their longe 
 heare, they binde vppe with fyllettes, and winde it in fundry rowles as owre maydes are accuftomed to 
 do. The virgins which were fente to the Admirall he decked in fayre apparell, and gaue them many 
 gyftes, and fente theym home ageyne. But lykewife all thefe rewardes and apparel they left vppon the (hore 
 bycaufe owre men had refufed their gyftes. Yet tooke he two men away with him (and thofe very wyllyngly) 
 that by lemyng the Spanyflie tonge, he might afterwarde vfe them for interpretours. He confidered that 
 the tractes of thefe coalles were not greately troubeled with vehement motions or ouerflowynges of the fea, 
 forafmuche as trees growe in the fea not farre frome the (hore, euen as they doo vppon the bankes of ryuers. 
 The which thynge alfo other doo affirme whiche haue latelyer fearched thof i coafles, declaring that the fea 
 rifeth and fauleth but lyttle there aboute. He feyth furthermore, that in the profpecte of this lande, there are 
 trees engendred euen in the fea, which after that they are growen to any height, bende downe the toppes of 
 theyr branches into the grounde : which embrafing them caufeth other branches to fprynge owt of the fame, and 
 take roote in the earth, bringynge foorth trees in theyr kynde fuccefTiuely as dyd the fyrft roote from whenfe 
 they had theyr originall, as do alfo the fettes of vines when onely bothe the endes therof are put into the 
 grounde. Plinie in the twelfth booke of his natural hiftorie maketh mention of fuche trees, defcribynge them 
 to bee on the lande, but not in the fea. The Admirall wryteth alfo that the lyke bealles are engendered in 
 the coalles of Cariai, as in other prouinces of thefe regions, and fuch as we haue fpoken of before. Yet that 
 there is one founde here in nature much differinge from the other. This beafte is of the byggenes of a greate 
 moonkeye, but with a tayle muche longer and bygger. It lyueth in the wooddes, and remoueth from tree to 
 tree in this maner. Hangynge by the tayle vppon the braunche of a tree, and gatheryng flrength by fwayinge 
 her bodye twyfe or thryfe too and fro, flie cafteth her felfe from branche to branche and fo from tree to tree as 
 though flie flewe. An archer of owres hurt one of them. Who perceauinge her felfe to be wounded, leapte 
 downe from the tree, and fiercely fet on hym which gaue her the wounde, in fo muche that he was fayne to 
 defende hym felfe with his fwoorde. And thus by chaunce cuttyng of one of her armes, he tooke her, and with 
 muche a doo brought her to the Ihips where within a whyle, fhee waxed tame. Whyle fliee was thus kepte 
 and bownde with cheynes, certeyne other of owr hunters hadde chafed a wylde bore owt of the maryfhes nere 
 vnto the fea fyde. For hunger and defyre of fleflie, caufed them to take double pleafure in huntynge. In 
 this meane tyme other which remayned in the fhippes, goinge a lande to recreate them felues, tooke this 
 moonkey with them. AVho, as foone as fhee had efpied the bore, fet vp her bryflels and made towarde her. 
 The bore lykewyfe fliooke his briflels and whette his teethe. The moonkey furioufly inuaded the bore, wrap- 
 P5Tige her tayle about his body, and with her arme referued of her victourer, helde hym fo fafl. aboute the 
 throte, that he was fuffocate. Thefe people of Cariai, vfe to drye the deade bodyes of theyr princes vppon 
 hurdels, and fo referue them inuohied in the leaues of trees. As he went forwarde about twentie leagues from 
 Cariai, he founde a goulfe of fuch largenes that it conteyned. xii. leagues in compaffe. In the mouth of this 
 goulfe were foure lyttle Ilandes fo nere togyther, that they made a fafe hauen to enter into the goulfe. This 
 goulfe is the hauen which we fayde before to be cauled Cerabaro of th[e]inhabitantes. But they haue nowe 
 lerned that only the lande of the one fyde therof, lyinge on the ryght hande at the enterynge of the goulfe, is 
 cauled by that name. But that on the lefte fyde, is cauled Aburema. He faythe that all this goulfe is fill of 
 fruteful Ilandes wel replenyfflied with goodly trees : And the grounde of the fea to bee verye cleane withowt 
 rockes, and commodious to cafl anker: Lykewjrfe the fea of the goulfe to haue greate abundance of fyflhe: and 
 the lande of both the fydes to bee inferior to none in fratfulnes. At his fyrft arryuynge, he efpyed two of 
 th[e]inhabitantes hauynge cheynes about theyr neckes, made of ouches (which they caule Guanines,) of bafe 
 golde artificially wrought in the formes of Eagles, and lions, with dyuers other beaftes and foules. Of the two 
 Cariaians whiche he brought with hym from Cariai, he was enformed that the regions of Cerabaro and Aburema 
 were rych in golde: And that the people of Cariai haue all theyr golde frome thenfe for exchaunge of 
 other of theyr thynges. They towlde hym alfo, that in the feme regions there are fyue vyllages not 
 farre fi-om the fea fyde, whofe inhabitantes apply them felues onely to the gathering of gold The names 
 of thefe vyllages are thefe: Chirara, Puren, Chitaza, lureche, Atamea. All the men of the prouince of 
 Cerabaro, go naked, and are paynted with dyuers coloures. They take great pleafure in wearynge gar 
 landes of floures, and crownes made of the clawes of Lions and Tygers. The women couer onely theyr 
 priuie partes with a fyllet of goflampine cotton. Departinge fi:om henfe and coaftynge ftyll by the fame fliore 
 for the fpace of. xviii. leagues, he came to another ryuer, where he efpyed aboute three hundreth naked men in 
 a company. When they fewe the ftiippes drawe neare the lande, they cryed owt aloude, with cruell 
 countenaunces ihakynge theyr woodden fwoordes and hurlynge dartes, takynge alfo water in theyr mouthes and 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 153 
 
 fpoutyng the feme ageynft our men : wherby they feemed to infmuate that they woolde receaue no condition of 
 peace or haue owght to doo with them. Here he commaunded certeyne pieces of ordinaunce to be ftiot of 
 toward them: Yet fo to ouerihute them, that none myght be hurt therby. For he euer determyned to deale 
 quietly and peaceably with thefe newe nations. At the noyfe therfore of the gunnes and fyght of the fyer, they 
 fell downe to the grounde, and defyred peace. Thus enteringe into further frendfliippe, they exchaunged theyr 
 cheynes and ouches of golde for glaffes and haukes belles and fuch other marchandies. They vfe drurames or 
 tymbrels made of the fhelles of certeyne fea fyfflies, wherewith they encorage theym felues in the warres. In 
 this tract are thefe feuen ryuers, Acateba, Quareba, ^Zobroba, Aiaguitin, Vrida, Durriba, Beragua, in all the 
 whiche, golde is founde. They defende them felues ageynfle rayne and heate with certeyne great leaues of trees 
 in the fteade of clokes. Departinge from henfe, he fearched the coafl.es oiEbetere and Embigar, into the which 
 faule the goodly ryuers oi Zohoran and Cubigar: And here ceafeth the plentie and frutefulnes of golde, in the 
 tracte of fiftie leagues or there about. From henfe onely three leagues dift.ant, is the rocke whiche in the 
 vnfortunate difcourfe of Nicuefa we fayde was cauled of owre men Pignonem. But of th[e]inhabitantes the 
 Region is cauled Vibba. In this tracte alfo aboute fyxe leagues frome thenfe, is the hauen which Colonus cauled 
 Portiis Bellas (wherof we haue fpokenbefore) in the region whiche th[e]inhabitantes caule Xaguaguara. This 
 region is very peopulous : but they go all naked. The kyng is pay^ted with blacke colours, but all the people 
 with redde. The kynge and feuen of his noble men, had euery of them a lyttle plate of golde hangynge at theyr 
 nofethrilles downe vnto theyr lyppes. And this they take for a cumly omamente. The menne inclofe theyr 
 priuie members in a fliell : And the women couer theyrs with a fyllet of goffampine cotton tyed about the)T 
 loynes. In theyr gardens they nooryffhe a frute muche lyke the nutte of a pine tree : the whiche (as we haue 
 layde in an otheF place) groweth on a flirubbe muche lyke vnto an archichoke : But the frute is muche fofter, 
 and meate for a kynge. Alfo certeyne trees whiche beare gourdes, wherof we haue fpoken before. This tree, 
 they caule Hibtiero. In thefe coaftes they mette fumtymes with Crocodiles lyinge on the fandes, the whiche 
 when they fled, or tooke the water, they lefte a very fweete fauour behynde them fweeter then muflce or Cajloreum. 
 When I was fente ambafladour for the catholike king of Callile to the Soltane of Babilon or Alcayer in Egipte, 
 th[e]inhabitantes nere vnto the ryuer of Nilus toulde me the like of their female Crocodiles. Affyxmyng 
 furthermore that the fatte or fewette of them is equall in fweetnes with the pleafaunte gummes of Arabic. But 
 the Admirall was nowe at the length enforced of neceffytie to departe from henfe, afwell for that he was no longer 
 able to abyde the contrarye and vyolente courfe of the water, as alfo that his Ihyppes were daily more and more 
 putrified and eaten throwgh with certeyne wormes whiche are engendred of the warmenes of the water in all 
 thofe tiactes nere vnto the Equinoctial line. The Venetians caule thefe woormes Biff as. The fame are alfo 
 engendred in two hauens of the citie of Alexandria in Egipt, and deftroye the fliyppes if they lye longe at 
 anker. They are a cubet in length, and fumwhat more : not paflyng the quantitie of a fynger in bygnefle. 
 The Spanyflie mariner cauleth this peftilence Broma. Colonus therfore whom before the great monfters of the 
 fea coulde not feare, nowe fearyng this Broma, beynge alfo foore vexed with the contrary faule of the fea, directed 
 his courfe with the Ocean towarde the weft, and came firil to the ryuer Hiebra, diftant onely two leaques from 
 the ryuer of Beragua, bycaufe that was commodious to harborowe great fliippes. This region is named after the 
 riuer, and is called Beragua the lefle : Bycaufe bothe the ryuers are in the dominion of the kyng which inhabiteth 
 the region of Beragua. But what chaunfed vnto hym in this vyage on the ryghte hande and on the lefte, lette 
 vs nowe declare. Whyle therfore Colonus the Admirall remayned yet in the ryuer Hiebra, he fent Bertholomeus 
 Colonus his brother and Lieuetenaunte of Hifpaniola, with the fliyppe boates and threfcore and. viii. 
 men to the ryuer of Beragua, where the king of the region beinge naked and painted after the maner of the 
 countrey, came towarde them with a great multitude of men waytynge on hym, but all vnarmed and without 
 weapons, gyuinge alfo fygnes of peace. When he approched nerer, and entered communication with owre men, 
 certeyne of his gentelmen nearefte aboute his perfon, rememberinge the maieftie of a king, and that it ftoode 
 not with his honour to bargen ftondynge, tooke a greate ftoone owte of the ryuer, waflhynge and rubbynge it 
 veaiy decently, and fo put it vnder hym with humble reuerence. The kyng thus fyttyng, feemed with fygnes 
 and tokens to infinuate that it ftiuld be lawful for owre men to fearche and viewe al the ryuers within his 
 dominion. Wherfore, the vi. day of the Ides of February, leaning his boates with certeyne of his coompany, 
 he wente by lande a foote from the bankes of Beragua vntyl he came to the ryuer oi Duraba, whiche he 
 affirmeth to be richer in gold then eyther Hiebra or Beragua. For gold is engendred in al the riuers of that 
 land. In fo muche that emonge the rootes of the trees growynge by the bankes of the ryuers, and amonge the 
 ftones left of the water, and alfo where fo euer they dygged a hole or pyt in the grounde not pafte the deapthe 
 of a handful! and a halfe, they founde the earthe taken owte therof, myxte with golde : Where vppon he deter- 
 myned to faften his foote there and to inhabyte. Whiche thynge the people of the countrey perceauynge and 
 fmellynge what inconuenyence and myfchiefe myght thereof enfewe to their countrey if they fliulde permitte 
 ftraungers to plante their habitation there, aflembled a great army, and with horrible owte crye aflayled owre 
 
 SpytefuU people. 
 
 Guns make peace. 
 
 Seuen golden 
 ryuers 
 
 Note, where the 
 plentie of golde 
 endeth 
 
 Pignotiem, 
 
 Vihba. 
 
 Porius Bellus. 
 
 Paynted people. 
 
 A strange syght 
 
 A shel in the 
 steede of a 
 codpiece. 
 
 Crocodiles of 
 sweete sauour. 
 Alcayr or Babilon 
 in Egipt 
 
 Shippes eaten 
 with wormes. 
 
 Alexandria in 
 Egypte. 
 
 Broma. 
 
 Hiebra. 
 
 Beragua. 
 
 109 
 
 How the king of 
 Beragua 
 enterteyned the 
 lyeuetenaunte. 
 
 Their reuerence to 
 the kynge. 
 
 Golde in the ryuer 
 Duraba. 
 
 Great plenty of 
 golde. 
 
154 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Slynges and 
 dartes. 
 
 Liberty more 
 
 esteemed then 
 ryches. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 are dryuen to 
 flight 
 
 The Ilande of 
 lamaica. 
 
 A myserable case. 
 
 110 
 
 Necessytie hath 
 no lawe howe 
 farre lyfe is to bee 
 esteemed. 
 
 A daungerous 
 enterpryse. 
 
 Sancius 
 Dominicus, 
 
 Landes found by 
 Colonus. 
 
 Temperate regioni 
 and holsome aier 
 
 Ceraharo, 
 Hiebra. 
 Beragua. 
 Experte myners. 
 
 A godly nature in 
 golde. 
 
 Golden haruest 
 
 men (who had nowe begoonne to buylde houfes) foo defperately that they were fcarcely able to abyde the 
 fyrile brante. Thefe naked barbarians at their fyrft approche, vfed onely flynges and dartes : But when they 
 came nearer to hande (Irookes, they foughte with their woodden fwoordes whiche they caule Machanas, as wee 
 haue layd before. A man woolde not thinke what great mahce and wrath was kyndeled in their hartes ageinft 
 owre men : And with what defpetate myndes they fought for the defenfe of their lybertie whiche they more 
 efteeme then lyfe or rycheffe. For they were nowe fo voyde of all feare, and contemnynge deathe, that they 
 neyther feared longe bowes or croffebowes, nor yet (whiche is moolle to be marueyled) were any thynge 
 difcouraged at the terryble noyfe of the gunnes ihotte of from the ftiyppes. They retyred once. But fliortly 
 after encreafynge their noumber, they returned more fiercely then at the fyrfle. They woolde haue byn 
 contented to haue receyued owre men frendly as ftraungers, but not as inhabitours. The more inftante that 
 owre men were to remaine, fo muche the greater multitude of bortherers flocked togyther dayly, difturbyng them 
 both nyght and daye fumtymes on the one fyde and fumtymes on the other. The fliyps lying at anker neare 
 vnto the fliore, warded them on the backe halfe. But at the length they were fayne to forfake this lande, and 
 retourne backe the fame way by the which they came. Thus with much diffyculty and danger, they came to 
 the Hand of lamaica lyenge on the fouth fyde of Hifpaniola and Cuba, with their fhyppes as full of holes as 
 fieues, and fo eaten with woormes, as though they had byn bored through with wimbles. The water entered 
 fo faile at the ryftes and holes, that if they had not with the paynefull labour of their handes empted the fame 
 as falle, they were lyke to haue peryflhed. Where as yet by this meanes they arryued at lamaica, althoughe 
 in maner halfe deade. But their calamitie ceafed not here. For as fafl. as their fliyppes leaked, their ftrengthe 
 dimyniffhed fo that they were no longer able to keepe theym from fynkynge. By reafon wherof, faulynge into 
 the handes of the barbarians, and inclofed withowte hope of departure, they led their lyues for the fpace of 
 tenne monthes emong the naked people more myferably then euer dyd Achemenides emonge the gyantes cauled 
 Ciclopes: rather lyuing then beinge eyther contented or fatiffied with the ftrange meates of that Ilande : and 
 that onely at fuch tymes as pleafed the barbarians to giue them part of theirs. The deadly enmity and malice 
 whiche thefe barbarous kinges beare one ageinft' an other, made greatly with owre men. For at fuche tymes 
 as they attempted warre ageinft their bortherers they woold fumtymes gyue owre men parte of theyr breade to 
 ayde them. But howe myferable and wretched a thyng it is to lyue onely with breade gotten by beggynge, 
 yowre holyneffe maye eafylye coniecture : Efpecially where all other accuftomed foode is lackynge, as wyne, 
 oyle, fleflhe, butter, chiefe, and milke, wherwith the ftomakes of owr people of Europe haue euer byn noorifihed 
 euen from their cradelles. Therfore as neceffyty is fubiecte to no lawe, fo doothe it enforce men to attempte 
 defperate aduentures. And thofe the foner, which by a certeyne nobylytie of nature do no further efteeme 
 lyfe then it is ioyned with fumme felicity. Bertholomeus Colonus therfore, intendynge rather to proue what god 
 woolde do with hym and his companyons in thefe extremities, then any longer to abide the fame, commaunded 
 Diegus Metidez his fteward with two guydes of that Ilande whome he had hyred with promyffes of great rewardes 
 at their retourne, to enter into one of their canoas and take their viage to Hifpaniola. Beynge thus toffed on 
 the fea two and fro from rocke too rocke by reafon of the fliorteneffe and narownes of the canoa, they arryued 
 at the length at the lafte corner of Hifpaniola, beynge diftante from lamaica fortie leagues. Here his guydes 
 departynge from hym, returned ageine to Colonus for the rewardes which he had promyfed them. But Diegus 
 Mendez wente on forward a foote vntyll he came to the citie cauled SanSlus Dominicus beynge the chiefe and 
 heade citye of the Ilande. The ofiycers and rulers of Hifpaniola, beinge enformed of the matter, appoynted 
 hym two fhjrppes wherwith he retoumed to his maifter and coompanions. As he founde them, foo came they 
 to Hifpaniola, verye feeble and in maner naked. What chaunced of them afterwarde, I knowe not as yet. 
 Lette vs nowe therfore leaue thefe particulers, and fpeake fumwhat more of generals. In al thofe tractes whiche 
 we fayde here before to haue bynne found by Colonus the AdmyraU, bothe he hym felfe writeth, and all his 
 coompanyons of that vyage confeffe, that the trees, herbes, and frates, are floiyfliing and greene all the hole 
 yeare, and the ayer fo temperate and holefome, that of all his coompanye there neuer fell one man fycke, nor 
 yet were vexed eyther with extreme coulde or heate for the fpace of fyftie leagues from the great hauen of 
 Cerabaro to the ryuers of Hiebra and Beragua. Th[e]inhabitantes of Cerabaro, and the nations whiche are 
 betwyxte that and the fayde ryuers, applye not them felues to the gatherynge of golde but onely at certeyne 
 tymes of the yeare : And are very experte and cunnyng herein, as are owre myners of fyluer and Iren. They 
 knowe by longe experience in what places golde is moofte abundantly engendred : as by the colour of the 
 water of the ryuers, and fuche as faule from the montaynes: And alfo by the colour of the earthe and ftones. 
 They beleue a certeyne godly nature to be in golde, forafmuche as they neuer gather it excepte they vfe 
 certeyne relygious expiations or pourgynge, as to abfteyn from women, and all kyndes of plefures and delycate 
 meates and drinkes, during all the tyme that their golden harueft laftethe. They fuppofe that men do naturally 
 lyue and dye as other beaftes do, and therfore honour none other thynge as god. Yet doo they praye to the 
 foonne, and honour it when it lyfeth. But lette vs nowe fpeake of the montaines and fituation of thefe landes 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 155 
 
 From all the fea bankes of thefe regyons, exceding great and hyghe mountaynes are feene towarde the Southe, 
 yet reachynge by a continuall tracte from the Eafte into the wefle. By reafon wherof I fuppofe that the two 
 greate feas (wherof I haue fpoken larg[e]ly before) are deuided with thefe montaynes as it were with bulwarkes, 
 leafte they (houlde ioyne and repugne, as Italye deuideth the fea cauled Tirrhenum, from the fea Adriatyke, 
 which is nowe commonly cauled the goulfe of Venes. 
 
 For whiche waye foo euer they fayled from the poynt cauled Promontorium, S. Augujlini (whiche perteyneth 
 to the Portugales and profpecteth ageynfte the fea Atlantike) euen vnto Vraba and the hauen Cerdbaro, and to 
 the furtheft landes found hytherto weftwarde, they had euer greate mountaynes in fyghte both nere hande and 
 farre of, in all that longe rafe. Thefe mountaynes were in fume place, fmooth, pleafaunt and frutfuU, full of 
 goodly trees and herbes : And fumwhere, hygh, rowgh, ful of rockes, and baren, as chaunfeth in the famus 
 mountaynes of Taurtcs in Afia, and alfo in dyuers coafl.es of our mountaynes of Apennini, and fuche other of 
 lyke byggeneffe. The rydgies alfo of thefe mountaynes are diuided with goodly and fayre valleis. That part 
 of the mountaynes which includeth the lymettes of Beragua, is thought to be hygher then the clowdes, in fo 
 much that (as they faye) the tops of them can feldome bee feene for the multitude of thicke clowdes which are 
 beneath the fame. Colonus the Admirall the fyrft.e fynder of thefe regions, affirmeth that the toppes of the 
 montaynes of Berc^ua are more then fiftie myles in heyghth. He fayth furthermore that in the fame region 
 at the rotes of the montaynes the way is open to the fouth fea, and compareth it as it were betwene Venice and 
 Genua, or lanua as the Genues wyll haue it cauled, whiche fable that theyr citie was buylded of lanus. He 
 affirmeth alfo that this lande reacheth foorth towarde the fouth: And that from henfe it taketh the begynnynge 
 of breadth, lyke as from the Alpes owte of the narowe thygh of Italy, we fee the large and mayne landes of 
 Fraunce, Germanye, and Pannonye, to the Sarmatians and Scythyans, euen vnto the mountaynes and rockes of 
 JRiphea and the frozen fea, and embrafe therwith as with a continuall bonde, all T[h]rada, and Grecia, with all that 
 is included within liie promontorie or poynt of Malm and Hellefpontus fouthwarde, and the fea Euxinm and the 
 maiyflhes of Mceotis in Scythia northwarde. The Admirall fuppofethe, that on the lefte hande in faylynge 
 towarde the wefl.e, this lande is ioyned to India beyonde the ryuer of Ganges: And that on the ryght hande 
 towarde the North, it bee extended to the frofen fea, beyonde the Hyperboreans and the North pole : So that 
 both the feas (that is to meane that fouth fea which we fayde to bee founde by Vafchm, and owre Ocean) 
 fliulde ioyne and meete in the comers of that lande: And that the waters of thefe feas doo not onely inclofe 
 and compaffe the fame withowt diuifion as Europe is inclofed with the feas of Hellefponius and Tanais, with the 
 frofen Ocean and owre fea of Tyrrhenum with the Spanyfftie feas. But in my opinion, the vehement courfe of 
 the Ocean toward the wefle, doth fignifie and lette that the feyde two feas ftiulde not fo ioyne togither: But 
 lather that that land is adherent to the firme landes towarde the Northe, as we haue fayde before. It fliall 
 fuffice to haue fayde thus muche of the length hereof. Let vs nowe therfore fpeake fumwhat of the breadth of 
 the fame. We haue made mention before howe tlie fouth fea is diuided by narowe lymittes from owre Ocean, as 
 it was proued by th[e]experience of Vafchus Nunnez and his coompanions which fyrft made open the way 
 thyther. But as dyuerfly as the mountaynes of owre Alpes in Europe are fumwhere narowe and in fume place 
 brode, euen fo by the lyke prouidence of nature, this lande in fume parte reacheth farre in breadth, and is in 
 other places coarcted with narowe limettes from fea to fea, with valleys alfo in fume places, wherby men maye 
 pafle from the one fyde to the other. Where we haue defcrybed the regions of Vraba and Beragua to bee fituate, 
 thefe feas are diuided by fmaule diftaunce. Yet owght we to thynke the region which the great ryuer of 
 Maragnonus runneth through, to bee very large if we fliall graunt Maragnonum to bee a ryuer and no fea, as the 
 freflie waters of the fame owght to perfuade vs. For in fuche narowe caues of the earth, there can bee no 
 fwalowing goulfes of fuch bygnefle as to receaue or nooryflie fo great abundance of water. The lyke is alfo to 
 bee fuppofed of the great ryuer of Dabaiba which we fayde to bee from the comer of the goulfe of Vraba in 
 fume place of fortie fathomes depth, and fumwhere fiftie : Alfo three myles in breadth, and fo to faule, into the 
 fea. We muft needes graunt that the earth is brode there, by the whiche the ryuer pafleth from the hyghe 
 mountaynes oi Dabaiba from the Eafte and not from the weft. They fay that this ryuer confifteth and taketh 
 his encreafe of foure other ryuers faulynge firom the mountaynes oi Dabaiba. Owre men caule this ryuer 
 Flumen. S. lohannis. They fay alfo that from henfe it fauleth into the goulfe of Vraba by feuen mouthes as 
 doothe the ryuer of Nilus into the fea of Egypte. Lykewyfe that in the fame region of Vraba there are in fume 
 places narowe flreyghtes not paffynge fyftene leaques : and the fame to bee faluage and withowt any paflage by 
 reafon of dyuers maryffties and defolate wayes, which the Latines caule Zaw^j: But the Spanyardes accordynge 
 to their varietie, caule them Tremedales, Trampales, Cenegales, Sumideros, and Zahondaderos. But before we 
 pafle any further, it fliall not bee greatly from owr purpofe to declare from whenfe thefe mountaynes of Dabaiba 
 haue theyr name accordynge vnto th[e]antiquities of th[e]inhabitantes. They faye therefore that Dabaiba was 
 a woman of greate magnanimitie and wyfedome emonge theyr prediceflburs in owlde tyme : whom in her lyfe, 
 all th[e]inhabitantes of thofe prouinces did greatly reuerence, and beinge deade gaue her diuine honour and 
 
 Hyghe and greate 
 mountaynes. 
 
 Tyrrhennum is 
 
 nowe cauled 
 
 Tuscane 
 
 Cap.S .Augttsimi. 
 
 Vraba, 
 
 Ceraiaro. 
 
 Frutful 
 
 mountaynes. 
 
 Apennini are 
 
 mountaynes 
 
 which diuide 
 
 Italy into. iL 
 
 partes 
 
 Beragua 
 
 The mountaynes 
 
 of Beragua higher 
 
 then the cloudes. 
 
 Montaynes of 
 
 fiftie miles heyght 
 
 m 
 
 lanus otherwyse 
 cauled Taphet, the 
 son of Noe. 
 
 Italy is lyke vnto 
 a legge in the 
 sea, and the 
 mountaynes of the 
 alpes, are in the 
 thyghe thereof 
 
 Colonus his 
 opinion of the 
 
 Continent 
 By this coniecture, 
 the way shuld be 
 open to Cathay by 
 the hiperboreans 
 
 Looke the 
 nauigation of 
 Cabote. deca[de]. 
 iii. lib. vi. 
 
 The breadth of 
 the lande 
 
 The regions of 
 Vraba and 
 Beragu^ 
 
 The greate riuer 
 Maragnonus. 
 
 The ^eate riuer 
 Dabaiba, or sanely 
 lohannis. 
 
 The ryers haue 
 theyr increase 
 from the sprynges 
 of the montaynes. 
 
 The ryuer of Nilu! 
 in Egypte. 
 
 Marisshes and 
 desolate wayes. 
 A supei^titious 
 opinion of 
 th[e]originall of 
 montaines of 
 Dabaiba. 
 
 155 
 
156 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 112 
 
 Dragons and 
 crocodiles in the 
 marishes 
 
 Thehauen 
 Ceiabara 
 
 Twentie golden 
 
 ryuers. 
 
 Precious stones. 
 
 A precious 
 diemonde of 
 excedynge bygnes. 
 
 Topases. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 contemne 
 effeminate plesures 
 
 Sweete sauours. 
 
 A similitude 
 prouing great 
 plende of golde 
 and precious 
 stones. 
 
 The hauen of 
 Sancta Martha. 
 Cariau 
 
 The heroical 
 factes of the 
 Spaniardes. 
 
 113 
 
 named the region after her name, beleuynge that fliee fendeth thunder and lyghtnynge to deftroy the frutes of 
 the earth yf fhee bee angered, and to fend plentie if fliee bee well pleafed. This fuperflition hathe byn 
 perfuaded them by a craftie kynde of men vnder pretenfe of religion to th[e]intent that they might enioye fuche 
 gyfles and offeringes as were brought to the place where fliee was honoured. This is fufficient for this purpofe. 
 They faye furthermore that the maryflhes of the narowe lande wherof we haue fpoken, brynge foorth great 
 plentie of Crocodiles, dragons, battes, and gnattes beinge very hurtfull. Therefore when fo euer they take any 
 iorney towarde the fouthe, they go owte of the way towarde the mountaynes, and efchewe the regions neare vnto 
 thofe perelous fennes or maryflies. Sume thinke that there is a valley lyinge that way that the ryuer runneth 
 which owre men caule Rio de los perdidos, that is, the ryuer of the loft men (fo named by the miffortune whiche 
 there befell to Nicuefa and his coompany) and not far diftant from the hauen Cerdbaro whiche diuideth thofe 
 mountaynes towarde the fouth. But let vs nowe fyniftie this booke with a fewe other thynges woorthy to bee 
 noted. They fay therefore that on the ryght hande and lefte hande frome Dariena, there are twentie ryuers in 
 all the whiche, greate plentie of golde is founde. Being demaunded what was the caufe why they brought no 
 greater abundance of golde from thenfe, they anfwered that they lacked myners : And that the men which they 
 tooke with them from Spayne thyther, were not accuftomed to laboure, but for the mofte parte brought vp 
 in the warres. This lande feemeth alfo to promefle many precious ftones. For befyde thofe which I fayde 
 to bee founde neare vnto Cariai and Sanlia Martha, one Andreas Moralis a pylot (who had trauayled 
 thofe coaftes with Johannes de la Coffa whyle he yet lyued) had a precious diamonde which he bought of a 
 naked younge man in the region of Cumana in the prouince of Paria. This ftone was as longe as two 
 ioyntes of a mans middell fynger, and as bygge as the fyrft ioynte of the thumme : beinge alfo paynted on euery 
 fyde, confiftynge of eyght fquares perfectly formed by nature. They fay that with this they made fcarres in 
 anuilles and hammers, and brake the teethe of fyles, the ftone remaynyng vnperyfflied. The younge 
 man of Cumana, wore this ftone aboute his necke emonge other ouches, and foulde it to Andreas Moralis 
 for fyue of our counterfect ftones made of glaife of dyuers colours wherwith the ignorant younge man was greatly 
 delyted. They founde alfo certejme topafes on the ftiore. But th[e]eftimation of golde was fo farre entered 
 into the heades of owre men, that they had no regarde to ftones. Alfo the moftpart of the Spanyardes, do 
 lawgh them to fcome which vfe to weare many, ftones : fpecially fuch as are common : ludginge it to bee an 
 effeminate thynge, and more meete for women then men. The noble men onely when they celebrate folemne 
 manages, or fet forth any triumphes, weare cheynes of gold byfet with precious ftones, and vfe fayre apparell of 
 fylke embrothered with golde intermixt with pearles and precious ftones: And not at other tymes. They 
 thynke it no leffe efifeminate for men to finell of the fweete fauours of Arable : And iudge hym to bee infected 
 with fum kynde of fylthy lechery, in whom they fmell the fauour of muflce or Cajloreum. But lyke as by one 
 apple taken from a tree, we may perceyue the tree to bee frutfuU, and by one fyflie taken in a ryuer, we may 
 knowe that fyflie is ingendered in the fame, euen fo, by a lyttel gold, and by one ftone, we owght to confyder 
 that this lande bringeth forthe great plentie of golde and precious ftones. What they haue found in the porte 
 of SanBa Martha in the region of Cariai when the hole nauye pafTed therby vnder the gouemaunce of Petrus 
 Arias and his coompany with certeine other of the kynges offycers, I haue fuffyciently declared in his place. 
 To be fliorte therefore, all thynges do fo floryfflie, growe, encreafe, and profper, that the lafte are euer better 
 then the fyrfte. And furely to declare my opinion herin, what fo euer hath heretofore byn difcouered by the 
 famous trauayles of Saturnus and Hercules, with fuch other whom the antiquitie for their heroical factes honoured 
 as goddes, feemeth but lyttell and obfcure if it be compared to the Spanyardes victorious laboures. Thus I byd 
 yowre holynes fare well, defyringe yowe to certifye me howe yowe lyke thefe fyrfte frutes of the Ocean, that 
 beyng encoraged with yowre exhortations, I maye the gladlyer and with leife tedioufneffe write fuche Ihynges as 
 flial chaunce herafter. 
 
 The fyft booke of the thirde decade, 
 
 L fuche lyuynge creatures as vnder the cercle of the moone bringe forthe any thynge, are 
 accuftomed by th[e]inftincte of nature as foone as they are delyuered of their byrthe, eyther 
 to clofe vppe the matrice, or at the leafte to bee quyete for a fpace. But owre moofte frute- 
 full Ocean and newe woorlde, engendereth and bringeth furthe dayly newe byrthes wherby 
 men of great wytte, and efpecially fuche as are ftudyous of newe and meruelous thinges, may 
 haue fumwhat at hand wherwith to feede their myndes. If yowre holyneffe do aflce to what 
 purpofe is al this, ye flial vnderftand, that I had fcarcely fynyfftied the hiftoiye of fuche thynges 
 as chaunfed to Vafchus Nunnez and his coompanye in their vyage to the fouthe fea, when foodenly there came 
 156 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 157 
 
 newe letters from Pdrus Arias the newe gouemour whom the kyng had appoynted the yeare before with an 
 army of men and a nauye of fliippes to fayle to thefe newe landes. He fygnifyeth by his letters, that he with 
 his nauye and coompany, arryued all fafelye. Furthermore, Johannes Cabedus (whome yowre holynes at the 
 requefte of the mofte catholyke kynge had created byffhoppe of that prouynce of Dariena) and three other of 
 the chiefe offycers ioined in commiffion to be his affyftance, as Alfonfus de Ponte, Diegus Marques, and Johannes 
 de Tauira, confyrmed the fame letters and fubfcribed them with their names. The nauygation th6rfore of 
 Petrus Arias, was in this maner. The daye before the Ides of Apryll, in the yeare of Chrifte. 1514. he hoyfed 
 vppe his fayles in the towne of faincte Lwar de Barrameda, fytuate in the mouthe of the ryuer Bcetis, whiche 
 the Spaniardes nowe caule Guadalchebir. The feuen Ilandes of Canaria are about foure hundreth myles diflant 
 from the place where this riuer fauleth into the fea. Summe thinke that thefe are the Ilandes which the owlde 
 writers did caule the fortunate Ilandes. But other thynke the contrary. The name of thefe Ilandes, are thefe. 
 The two whiche appere fyrfte in fyght, are named JLanzelota and Fortifuentura. On the backehalfe of thefe, 
 lyeth Magna Canaria or Grancanaria. Beyonde that is Tenerife: and Gomcra fumwhat towarde the northe 
 frome that Palma and Ferrea, lye behynde as it were a bulwarke to all the other. Petrus Arias therfore, arriued 
 at Gomera the eyghte daye after his departure, with a nauye of. xvii. "fliippes and a. M. [thousand] and fyue 
 hundreth men, althoughe there were onely a thoufand and two hundreth affygned hym by the kynges letters. 
 It is fayde furthermore that he lefte behynd hym more then two thoufande verye penfyue and fyghynge that 
 they alfo myght not be receaued, proferynge them felues to go at their owne charges. He taried. xvi. dayes in 
 Gomera to th[e]intente to make prouyfyon of fuell and frefhe water: But chiefely to repayre his fliyppes beynge 
 fore brofed with tempeftes, and efpecially the gouemours Ihippe whiche had lofte the rudder. For thefe 
 Ilandes are a commodious reftynge place for all fuche as intende to attempte any nauygations in that mayne 
 fea. Departynge from henfe in the nones of Maye, he fawe no more lande vntyll the thirde daye of lune, 
 at the whiche he arriued at Dominica an Ilande of the Canibales, being diflant from .Gomera aboute eyght 
 hundreth leaques. Here he remayned foure dayes, makinge newe prouifion of freflie water and fuell, durynge 
 whiche tyme he fawe no man nor yet any fteppes of men : But founde plentie of fea crabbes and greate lyfartes- 
 From henfe he fayled by the Ilandes of Matinina (otherwyfe cauled Madanino) Guadalupea, and Galanta 
 (otherwyfe cauled Galana) of all whiche, we haue fpoken in the fyrfte decade. He paffed alfo throughe 
 the fea of herbes or weedes, continu3mg a long tracte. Yet nother he, nor Colonus the Admyrall (who 
 fyrfte founde thefe Ilandes and fayled through this fea of weedes) haue declared anye reafon howe 
 thefe weedes flioulde coome. Summe thynke the fea too be verye muddye there, and that thefe weedes 
 are engendered in the bottome therof, and fo beynge loofed, to afcende to the vppermoofte parte of the 
 water, as wee fee oftentymes chaunce in certe)me ftondynge pooles, and fumtymes alfo in greate ryuers. 
 Other fuppofe that they are not engendered there, but to bee beaten from certeyne rockes by the 
 vyolence of the water in tempeftes. And thus they leaue the matter in dowte: Neyther haue they yet 
 any certeyne experyence whether they ftycke fafte and gyue place to the fliyppes, or wander loofe vppon 
 the water. But it is to bee thought that they are engendered there. For otherwyfe they fliulde bee dryuen 
 togyther on heapes by th[e]ympulfyon of the fliyppes euen as a beafome gathereth the fwepynges of a houfe, and 
 fliulde alfo lette the courfe of the fliyppes. The fourth day after that he departed frome Dominica, the hyghe 
 mountaynes couered with fnowe (wherof we haue fpoken in the feconde decade) appered vnto hym. They faye 
 that there the feas runne as fwyftely towarde the wefte, as it were a ryuer faulyng from the toppes of hyghe 
 montaynes : Although they fayled not directly toward the weft, but incUned fumwhat to the fouth. From thefe 
 montaynes fauleth the ryuer of Gaira, famous by the flaughter of owre men at fuch tyme as Rodericus 
 Colmenares paffed by thofe coaftes as we haue feyde before. Lykewyfe many other fayre ryuers haue their 
 originall from the fame montaynes. This prouynce (in the whiche is, alfo the regyon of Caramairt) hath in it 
 two notable hauens, of the which owre men named the one Carthago or Carthagena, and the other SanSla 
 Martha, the region wherof, th[e]inhabitantes caule Saturma. The porte of SanHa Martha, is nearer to the 
 montaines couered with fliowe cauled Montes Niuales: for it is at the rootes of the fame montaines. But the 
 hauen of Carthago, is more weftewarde aboute fyftie leaques. He writeth marueylous thynges of the hauen of 
 SanHa Martha, whiche they alfo confirme that came lately from thenfe: Of the which younge Vefputius is one 
 to whom Americus VefptOius his vncle (being a Florentine borne) left the exact knowlege of the mariners 
 facultie, as it were by inheritance after his death for he was a very expert maifter in the knowledge of his 
 carde, his compaffe, and the eleuation of the pole ftarre with all that perteineth therto. This younge Vefputius 
 was affygned by the kyng to bee one of the maifters of the gouemours fliyppe, bicaufe he was cunnmge in 
 iudgyng the degrees of the eleuation of the pole ftarre by the quadrante. For the charge of gouemynge the 
 rudder, was chiefely coommytted to one Johannes Serranus a Spaniarde, who had oftentymes ouer runne thofe 
 coaftes. Vefputius is my verye familyar frende, aud a wyttie younge man in whofe coompany I take great 
 pleafure, and tkerefore vfe hym oftentymes for my gefte. He hath alfo made many vyages into thefe coaflTes, and 
 
 The bysshop of 
 Dariena. 
 
 The nauigation of 
 Petrus Anas. 
 
 S^nt Lucar. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Canarie. 
 
 Prouision of 
 fresshe water and 
 fuell. 
 
 The Iland of 
 DoDiinica. 
 
 Guadalupea, 
 otherwyse cauled 
 Carucueiia, or 
 Queraquiera. 
 
 The sea of herbes. 
 
 114 
 
 These mountaynes 
 are cauled Montes 
 Niuales or Serra 
 Neuata, decade ii. 
 liber. L and ii. 
 The swyfte course 
 of the sea towarde 
 the west 
 The ryuer Gaira. 
 Carantairi. 
 Carthago. 
 Saturma. 
 
 Mountaynes 
 couered with 
 
 snowe. 
 
 Americus 
 Vesputins. 
 
158 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 The stoutres of 
 the BarlKirians. 
 
 The Canibales 
 feyght in the 
 w~ater. 
 
 The vsc of gunnes. 
 
 The eeneracion of 
 thunder and 
 lyghtnynge. 
 
 Meteora, 
 
 Venemous arrowes 
 
 115 
 
 Plcntie of fysshe. 
 
 Cunnynge 
 
 fysshers. 
 
 Theyr householde 
 stuffe. 
 
 TapMstry. 
 
 A straunge 
 phantasy. 
 
 This is he whom 
 Caidanus praiseth. 
 
 Precious stones 
 The Smarngdc is 
 the trew emerode 
 Another kind of 
 amber is founde 
 in whales. 
 Gold and brasile. 
 
 Marchasites are 
 flowers of metals, 
 by the colours 
 wherof, the kyndes 
 of metals are 
 knowen. 
 
 These locustes 
 bume the come 
 with toching and 
 deuoure the 
 residewe the;^ are 
 in India of. ill. 
 foote length. 
 
 diligently noted fuche thinges as he hath feene. Petrus Arias therfore writeth, and he confyrmeth the fame, 
 that th[e]mhabitantes of thefe regyons tooke their originall of the Caribes or Canibales, as appeared by the 
 defperate fiercenes and crueltie which they oftentymes (hewed to owre men when they paffed by their coaftes. 
 Suche ftoutenes and fortitude of mynde is naturallye engendered in thefe naked Barbarians, that they feared not 
 to affayle owre hole nauy and to forbyd them to coome a land. They feyght with venemous arrowes as we haue 
 fayde before. Perceauynge that owre men contempned their threatnynges, they ranne furioufly into the fea, 
 euen vppe to the breaftes, nothynge fearinge eyther the bygnes or multitude of owre Ihyppes, but ceafed not 
 continually beinge thus in the water, to caft dartes and fhute their venemous arrowes as thicke as hayle : In fo 
 muche that owre men had bynne in gieat daunger if they had not byn defended by the cages or pauifles 
 of the ihyppes and their targettes. Yet were two of them wounded whiche died fliortely after. But this 
 conflycte continued fo fliarpe, that at the length owre men were enforced to (hute of their byggeft pieces of 
 ordinaunce with haylefliotte : At the flaughter and terrible noyfe wherof the barbarians beynge fore difcomfited 
 and (haken with feare, thynkynge the fame to be thunder and lyghtnynge, toumed their backes and fledde 
 amayne. They greately feare thunder bycaufe thefe regions are oftentymes vexed with thunder and lyghtnynge 
 by reafon of the hyghe montaynes and nearenefle of the fame to the region of the ayer wherin fuch fierie 
 tempeft.es are engendered which the philofophers caule Meteora. And all be it that owre men had nowe dryuen 
 their enemyes to flyght, and fawe them difparcled and owte of order, yet dowted they and were of dyuers 
 opinions whether they fliulde purfue them or not On the one partie, (hame pricked them forwarde, and on the 
 other fyde feare caufed them to cafl.e many perelles, efpecially confyderynge the venemous arrowes whiche thefe 
 barbarians canne direct fo certeynely. To departe from theym with a drye foote (as faithe the prouerbe) with fo 
 great a nauye and fuche an armye, they reputed it as a thynge greately foundynge to their reproche and diflionour. 
 At the length therfore ftiame ouercommyng feare, they pmfued them and came to land with their fliippeboates. The 
 gouemoure of the nauie, and alfo Vefputius doo wryte, that the hauen is no leffe then three leagues in compaffe, 
 beinge alfo fafe withowt rockes, and the water therof & clere, that a man may fee pybble Hones in the bottome 
 twentie cubettes deape. They faye lykew)rfe that there fauleth twoo fayre ryuers of frefftie water intp the 
 hauen : but the fame to bee meeter to beare the canoas of thefe prouinces then anye bygger veffels. It is a 
 delectable thjoige to heare what they tel of the plentie and varietie, and alfo of the pleafaunt tafl of the fyflhes 
 afwel of thefe riuers as of the fea there about. By reafon wherof they founde here many fyflher boates and 
 nettes woonderfuUy wrought of the ftalkes of certeyne herbes or weedes dryed and tawed and wrethed with 
 cordes of fpunne goffampine cotton. For the people of Caramairi, Gaira, and Saturma, are very cunnynge in 
 fyflhynge, and vfe to fell fyflhe to theyr bortherers for exchaunge of fuche thynges as they lacke. When owre men 
 had thus chafed the Barbaryans from the fea coafles, and hadde nowe entered into theyr houfes, they affayled 
 them with newe ikyrmuflies, efpecially when they fawe them faule to fackynge and fpoylyng, and theyr wyues 
 and chyldren taken captiue. Theyr houfeholde fluife was made of great reedes which growe on the fea bankes 
 and the ftalkes of certeyne herbes beaten and afterward made harde. The floures therof were ftrewed with 
 herbes of fundry coloures; And the waules 'hanged with a kynde of tap[e]ftry artificially made of goffampine 
 cotton, and wrought with pictures of Lions, Tygers, and Eagles. The doores of the)rr houfes and chambers 
 were full of dyners kyndes of ftielles hangynge loofe by fmaule cordes, that beinge fliaken by the wynde they 
 myght make a certeyne rattelynge and alfo a whyftelynge noyfe by gatherynge the wynde in theyr holowe 
 places. For herein they haue greate delyte, and impute this for a goodly ornamente. Dyuers haue fhewed me 
 many woonderfuU thynges of thefe regions : Efpecially one Gonzalus Fernandus Ouiedus beinge one of the 
 maieftrates appointed in that office which the Spanyardes caule Veedor, who hath alfo hetherto entered further 
 into the lande then any other. He affirmeth that he chaunced vppon the fragmente of a faphire bygger then 
 the egge of a goofe. And that in certeyne hylles where he trauayled with thirtie men, he founde many of the 
 precious ftones cauled Smaragdes, calcidones, and lafpers, befyde great pieces of amber of the montaines. He 
 alfo with dyuers other do affirme that in the houfes of fume of the Canibales of thefe regions, they founde the 
 lyke precious ftones fet in golde and inclofed in the tap[e]ftry or arras (if it may foo bee cauled) wherewith they 
 hange theyr houfes. The fame lande bryngeth foorth alfo many wooddes of brafije trees and great plentie of 
 golde : In fo much that in maner in al places they founde on the fea bankes and on the ftioores, certeyne 
 marchafites in token of golde: Fernandus Ouiedus declareth furthermore that in a certeyne region cauled Zenu, 
 lyinge foure fcore and tenne myles from Dariena Eaftwarde, they exercyfe a ftraunge kynde of marchaundies. 
 For in the houfes of the inhabitantes, they founde greate cheftes and baflcets made of the twigges and leaues of 
 certeyne trees apte for that purpofe, beinge all full of greffehoppers, grylles, crabbes, or crefyffhes ; fnayles alfo, 
 and locuftes whiche deftrowe the fieldes of come, all well dryed and falted. Beinge demaunded why they 
 referued fuch a multitude of thefe beaftes, they anfwered that they kepte them to bee foulde to theyr bortherers 
 which dwell further within the lande : And that for the exchange of thefe precious byrdes and falted fyflhes, 
 they receaued of them certeyne ftrange thynges wherin partely they take pleafure, and partly vfe tliem for 
 153 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 159 
 
 theyr neceffary affayers. Thefe people dwel not togyther, but fcattered here and there. Th[e]inhabitantes of 
 Caramairi, feeme to dwel in an earthly Paradife, theyr region is fo fayre and frutefuU, withowt owtragious heate 
 or iharpe coulde, with lyttle difference of the length of day and nyght throwghowt all the yeare. After that 
 owre men had thus dryuen the barbarians to flyght, they entered into a valley of two leagues in breadth and 
 three in length, extendynge to certeyne frutful mountaynes ful of graffe, herbes, and frees, at the rootes wherof, 
 lye twoo other valleys towarde the ryght hande and the left, throwgh eyther of the which runneth a fayre ryuer, 
 whereof the ryuer of Gaira is one, but vnto the other they haue yet gyuen noo name. In thefe valleys they 
 tounde manye fayre gardeyiis and pleafeunte fyeldes watered with trenflies diftrybuted in marueylous order, 
 with no leffe arte then owre Infubrians and Hetrurians vfe to water theyr fyeldes. Theyr common meate, 
 is Ages, lucca, Maizium, Battata, with fuche other rootes and frutcs' of trees, and alfo fuche fyflhe as they vfe in 
 the Ilandes and other regions of thefe prouinces. They eate mans flefhe but feldome, bycaufe they meete not 
 oftentymes with flrangiers, except they goo foorth of theyr owne dominions with a mayne armye of purpofe to 
 hunt for men, when theyr rauenynge appetite pricketh them forwarde. For they abfleyne from them felues, and 
 eate none but fuche as they take in the warres or otherwyfe by chaunce. But fuerly it is a miferable thynge to 
 heare howe many myriades of men thefe fylthy and vnnaturall deuourers of mans fleffhe haue confumed, and 
 lefte thoulandes of mofte fayre and frutfull Ilandes and regions defolate withowte menne : By reafon wherof 
 owre men founde fo many Ilandes whiche for theyr fayrenes and frutefulneffe myght feeme to bee certeyne earthly 
 Paiadyfes, and yet were vtterly voyde of men. Hereby yowre holyneife may confider howe pernitious a kynde 
 of men this is. We haue fayde before that the Ilande named Sanili lohannis (which th[e]inhabitantes caule 
 Burichmd) is nexte to Hifpaniola. It is fayde that onely the Canibales which dwell in the other Ilandes nere 
 about this, as in the Ilande cauled Hayhay or Sancta Cruets, and in Guadalupea (otherwife cauled Queraqueiera, 
 or Carucuierd) haue in owre tyme vyolentely taken owte of the fayde Ilande of Sanili lohannis, more then fyue 
 thoufande men to bee eaten. But let it fuffice thus much to haue wandered by thefe monflrous bludfuckers. 
 We wyll nowe therfore fpeake fumewhat of the rootes whereof they make theyr breade, forafmuch as the fame 
 (hall hereafter bee foode to Chriftian men in fteede of breade made of wheate, and in the fteade of radyfflie with 
 fuch other rootes as they haue byn accuflomed to eate in Europe. We haue oftentjones fayde before that lucca 
 is a roote whereof the befle and mode delicate breade is made bothe in the firme lande of thefe regions, and 
 alfo in the Ilandes. But howe it is tylled or hufbanded, howe it groweth, and of howe dyuers kyndes it is, I 
 haue not yet declared. Therefore, when they intende to plante this lucca, they make a hole in the earth knee 
 deape, and rayfe a heape of the earth taken owte of the fame, fafhionynge it lyke a fquare bedde of nyne foote 
 breadth on euerye fyde, fettynge twelue trunkes of thefe rootes (beinge about a foote and a halfe longe a piece) 
 in euery of the fayd beddes conteynynge three rootes of a fyde, fo layde a flope, that the endes of them ioyne 
 in maner togyther in the center or myddeft of the bedde within the grounde. Owt of the ioyntes of the rootes 
 and fpaces betwene the fame, fprynge the toppes and blades of newe rootes, which by lyttle and lyttle encrea- 
 fynge, growe to the byggenes and length of a mans arme in the brawne, and oftentymes as bygge as the thygh : 
 So that by the tyme of thc>T full rypenes, in maner all the earthe of the heape, is conuerted into rootes. But 
 they lay that thefe rootes are not rype in leffe tyme then a yeare and a halfe : And that the longer they are 
 fuffered to growe euen vntyll twoo yeares complete, they are fo muche the better and more perfecte to make 
 breade therof. When they are taken foorthe of the earth, they fcrape them and flyfe them with certeyne fliarpe 
 ftones feruynge for the fame purpofe : And thus layinge them betwene two great Hones, or puttynge them in a 
 facke made of the llalkes of certeyne towgh herbes and fmaule reedes, they preffe them (as we do cheefe or 
 crabbes to drawe owte the iufe thereof) and fo let them drye a daye before they eate them. The iufe or 
 lyquoure, they caft. away : for (as we haue fayde) it is deadly poyfon in the Ilandes. Yet is the iufe of fuche as 
 growe in the firme lande, holfome it it bee fodde, as is the whey of owre mylke. They faye that there are manye 
 kyndes of this lucca, wherof fome are more pleafaunte and delycate then the other, and are therefore referued 
 as it were to make fine manchet for the kynges owne tables. But the gentelmen eate of the meaner forte, and 
 the common people of the bafeft. The fyneft they caule Cazabbi, which they make rounde lyke cakes in 
 certeyne preffes before they feeth it or bake it. They faye furthermore that there are lykewyfe dyuers kyndes 
 oi iihs rootes oi Ages axid. Battata. But they vfe thefe rather as frutes and dyflhes of feruice, then to make 
 breade therof, as we vfe rapes, radyflhes, muflheroms, nauies, perfeneppes, and fuch lyke. In this cafe, they 
 moofte efpecially efteeme the befl. kynde of Battatas, which in pleafant tafl. and tendernes farre exceadeth owre 
 mufheromes. It ftial fuffice to haue fayde thus muche of rootes. We wyll nowe fpeake therfore of an other 
 kynde of theyr breade. We declared before that they haue a kynde of grayne or pulfe muche lyke vnto 
 Panicum,?ont with fumwhat bygger graines, which they beate into meale vppon certeyne greate hollowe ftones 
 with the labour of their handes when they lacke lucca : And of this is made the more vulgar or common breade. 
 It is fowen thrife a yeare, fo that the frutfulneffe of the grounde may beare it by reafon of the equalitie of the 
 tyme, whereof wee haue fpoken fuffycientl^ before. In thefe regyons they founde alfo the graine of Mahium, 
 
 The fayre region 
 of Caramairi 
 
 Fruteful 
 montaynes. 
 
 Gardens. 
 Insubres are 
 nowe cauled 
 LumbardeS; and 
 hetrusci, Tuscans 
 
 116 
 
 Many countreys 
 lefte desolate by 
 the fiercenes of 
 the Canibales. 
 
 One myriade is 
 
 ten thousande. 
 
 A miserable 
 heorynge. 
 
 Breade of rootes. 
 
 llie maner of 
 plantinge the 
 I'oote lucca. 
 
 Earth turned into 
 rootes. 
 
 How breade is 
 
 made of rootes. 
 
 A straunge 
 thynge. 
 
 Cazabbi. 
 
 .Ages and Battata 
 
 Panicum is a 
 grayne sumewhal 
 lyke mil The 
 Italians caule u 
 Mellca. 
 
 117 
 
i6o 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 He meanethe the 
 equall length of 
 dajr and night 
 which is 
 
 continually vnder 
 the Equinoctial 
 lyne. 
 
 MaiziuiJi 
 Karth of dyuers 
 colours. 
 
 Golde in ryuers. 
 
 Hartes and bores. 
 Foules. 
 
 Holsome ayer 
 
 Gossampine 
 
 cotton. 
 
 Fethers. 
 
 Bowes and 
 arrowes. 
 Deade bodies 
 reserued 
 
 Ouches of laton. 
 Gonzalus Ouiedus, 
 sayth that they 
 gilt manielously 
 with the iuse of a 
 certeyne herbe. 
 Whyte marWe. 
 
 The great ryuer 
 Maragnonus. 
 This ioyneth with 
 the myrfity ryuer 
 cauled Flumen 
 Amazonum, found 
 of late. 
 
 Clokes of fethers. 
 
 118 
 
 The swyfte course 
 of the water. 
 
 xl. leaques in one 
 nyght. ■ 
 
 and fundry kyndes of frutes of trees diligentely planted and well hufbanded. The waye betwene the regyons 
 of Caramairi and Saturma, is fayre, brode, and ryghte foorthe. They founde here alfo fundrye kyndes of 
 waterpottes made of earthe of dyuers colours, in the whiche they bothe fetche and keepe freflie water. Lyke- 
 wife fundry kindes of iugges, godderdes, drynkyng cuppes, pottes, pannes, dyflhes, and platters artifycially 
 made. When the gouemour had gyuen commaundement by proclamation, that th[e]inhabitantes fliulde eyther 
 obey the Chriftian kyngq and embrafe owre relygion, or elles to depart owte of their countrey, they anfwered 
 with venemous arrowes. In this fkyrmyfhe, owre men tooke fumme of theym: whereof clothynge the mode 
 parte in faire apparell, they fente them ageyne to their owne coompany : But leadyng the refydue to the fhyppes 
 to th[e]intent to fhewe them the poure and magnyfycence of the chriftians that they myght declare the fame to 
 their coompanions, therby to w)Tine their fauour, they appareled them lykewyfe and fente them after their 
 felowes. Theye affynne that in all the ryuers of thefe coaftes, theye fawe great argumentes and tokens of golde. 
 They founde here and there in their houfes good ftore of hartes flefflie and bores fleflie wherwith they fedde 
 them felues dilycately. They alfo, haue greate plentie of fundry kyndes of byrdes and foules, wherof they 
 brynge vppe many in their houfes, fumme for neceffarye foode, and other for daynty dyflhes as we do hennes 
 and partriches. Owre men hereby coniecture that the ayer of thefe regions is veary holfome, for as muche as 
 fleapynge all nyghte vnder the fyrmament on the bankes of the ryuers, none of them were at any tyme offended 
 with reumes or heade ache by reafon of any noyfome humoure or vapoure proceadynge from the earthe, ayer, 
 or water. Owre men furthermore, founde there many great bothomes of goflampyne cotton ready fpunne, and 
 fardelles of dyuers kyndes of fethers wherof they make them felues creftes and plumes after the maner of owre 
 men of armes : alfo certeine clokes whiche they efleeme as mofte cumly ornamentes. They founde lykewyfe 
 an innumerable multitude of bowes and arrowes. Th[e]inhabitantes alfo of thefe regions, in fumme places vfe 
 to bume the carkefes of their prynces when theye are deade, and to referue their bones buryed with fpyces in 
 certe3me hylles. In other places," they onely drye the)Tn and imbaume them with fpyces and fweete gummes, 
 and foo referue them in fepulchers in their owne houfes. Sumwhere alfo, they drye them, fpyce them, adoume 
 them with precyous iewells and ouches, and fo reuerently place them in certeyne tabernacles made for the 
 fame purpofe in their owne palayces. When owre men had many of their tabellets, braflettes, collers, and fuche 
 other ouches (whiche they caule Guanines) they founde them rather to bee made of laton then of golde : 
 wherby they fuppofe that they haue vfed to exchaunge their ware with fumme craftie flraungers whiche broughte 
 them thofe counterfect ouches to defraude them of their golde. For euen owre menne perceaued not the 
 deceate vntyll they came to the meltynge. Furthermore, certayne of owre buylders wanderynge a lyttell way 
 from the fea coafles, chaunced to fynde certayne pyeces of white marble. Wherby they thynke that in tyme 
 pafte fumme ftraungers haue coome too thofe landes, whiche haue dygged marble owte of the mountaines, and 
 lefte thofe fragmentes on the plaine. There owre men learned that the ryuer Maragnonus defcendeth frome 
 the montaynes couered with fnowe cauled Monies Niuales or Serra Neuata: And the fame to bee encreafed by 
 many other ryuers whiche faule into it throughowte all the lowe and wate[r]lye regions by the whiche it runneth 
 with fo longe a tracte from the fayde montaynes into the fea: And this to bee the caufe of the greatnefle therof 
 Thefe thynges beyng thus brought to pafle, the gouemour commaunded the trumpitour to blowe a retraite; 
 Whervppon they whiche were fente to lande (beynge fyue hundreth in noumber) makynge a great fhoute for 
 ioye of their victory, fette them felues in order of battayle, and fo keping their array, returned to the fliippes 
 laden with fpoyle of thofe prouinces, and ftiynynge in fouldiers clokes of fethers, with faire plumes and creftes 
 of variable colours. In this meane tyme hauynge repaired their fhyppes and furnyffhed the fame with all 
 neceffaries, they loofed anker the. xvi. daye of the Calendes of luly, directynge their courfe to the hauen of 
 Carihagena, in the whiche viage they deftroyed and wafted certayne Ilandes of the Canibales lyinge in the waye, 
 accordynge as they were commaunded by the kynge. But the fwifte courfe of the water deceaued bothe 
 lohannfs Serranus the chiefe Pilot of the gouemours fhyppe, and all the other, althoughe they made their bofte 
 that thty perfectely knewe the nature therof For they afTyrnie that in one night they were caned forty leaques 
 beyonde their eftimation. 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 i6i 
 
 The syxte booke of the thirde Decade. 
 
 Ere mufte we fumwhat digreffe from cofmography, and make a philofophicall difcours to 
 fearche the fecreate caufes of nature. For wheras they al affyrme with one confent, that the 
 fea runneth there from the Eafte to the weile as fwyftly as it were a ryuer faulinge from hyghe 
 mountaynes, I thoughte it not good to lette fo great a matter flyppe vntouched. The whiche 
 while I confyder, I am drawen into no fmaule ambyguitie and doute, whether thofe waters 
 haue their courfe whiche flowe with fo contynuall a tracte in circuite from the Eafle, as 
 thowghe they fledde to the weft neuer to retoume, and yet neyther the wefte therby any 
 whitte the more fylled, nor the Eafte emptied. If we ftiall faye that they faule to their centre (as is the nature of 
 heuye thynges) and afligne the Equinoctiall lyne to be the centre (as fun^me affyrme) what centre ihall we 
 appointe to bee able to receaue fo great aboundaunce of water? Or what circumference ftial be founde weate? 
 They whiche haue fearched thofe coaftes, haue yet founde no lykely reafou to be trewe. Manye thynke that 
 there fliulde bee certeyne large ftraightes or enterances in the comer of that greate lande whiche we defcribed 
 to bee eyght tymes bygger then Italye, and the comer therof to be full of goulfes, wherby they fuppofe that 
 fumme ftrayghtes ftiulde paffe through the fame lyinge on the wefte fyde of the Ilande of Cuba : And that the 
 fayde ftraightes fhuld fwalowe vp thofe waters, and fo conuey the fame into the wefte and from thenfe ageyn 
 into owre Eafte Ocean, or north feas as fumme thynke. Other wyll, that the goulfe of that great lande bee 
 clofed vppe: and the lande to reach farre towarde the northe on the backe fyde of Cuba: fo that it embrace 
 the northe landes whiche the frofen fea encompafeth vnder the northe pole : And that all the lande of thofe 
 coaftes, flioulde ioyne togyther as one firme lande : Wherby they coniecture that thofe waters ftiulde bee turned 
 aboute by the obiecte or refyftaunce of that lande fo bendynge towarde the north, as we fee the waters toumed 
 aboute in the crooked bankes of certeyne ryuers. But this agreeth not in all poyntes. For they alfo whiche 
 haue fearched the frozen fea, and fayled from thenfe into the wefte, do lykewyfe affyrme that thofe northe feas 
 flowe cont3Tiually towarde the wefte, although nothing fo fwiftely. Thefe northe feas haue byn fearched by one 
 Sebaftian Cabot a Venetian borne, whom beinge yet but in maner an infante, his parentes caryed with them 
 into Englande hauyng occafion to reforte thether for trade of marchandies, as is the maner of the Venetians too 
 leaue no parte of the worlde vnfearched to obteyne richeffe. He therfore furnifftied two ftiippes in England at 
 his owne charges : And fjrrft with three hundreth men, directed his courfe fo farre toward the northe pole, that 
 euen in the mooneth of luly he founde monftrous heapes of Ife fwimming on the fea, and in maner continuall 
 day lyght. Yet fawe he the lande in that tracte, free from Ife, whiche had byn molten by heate of the funne. 
 Thus feyng fuche heapes of Ife before hym he was enforced to tourne his fayles and folowe the wefte, fo 
 coaftynge ftyll by the fliore, that he was thereby broughte fo farre into the fouthe by reafon of the lande bendynge 
 fo muche fouthward that it was there almofte equall in latitude with the fea cauled Fretum Hercukum, hauynge 
 the north pole eleuate in maner in the fame degree. He fayled lykewife in this tracte fo farre towarde the wefte, 
 that he had the Ilande of Cuba [on] his lefte hande in maner in the fame degree of longitude. As he traueyled by 
 the coaftes of this greate lande (whiche he r\3xa.z&BaccaUaos) he fayth that he found the hke courfe of the waters 
 toward the weft, but the fame to ranne more foftely and gentelly then the fwifte waters whiche the Spanyardes 
 found in their nauigations foutheward. 
 
 Wherefore, it is not onely more lyke to bee trewe, but ought alfo of neceffitie to bee concluded, that 
 betwene both the landes hetherto vnknowen, there fliulde bee certeyne great open places wherby the waters 
 ftiulde thus continually paffe from the Eaft into the wefte : which waters I fuppofe to bee dryuen about the 
 globe of the earth by the vnceffaunt mouynge and impulfion of the heauens : and not to bee fwalowed vp and 
 caft owt ageyne by the breathynge of Demogorgon as fume haue imagined bycaufe they fee the feas by increafe 
 and decreafe, to flowe and reflowe. Sebaftian Cabot him felfe, named thofe landes Baccallaos, bycaufe that in 
 the feas therabout he founde fo great multitudes of certeyne bigge fyffties much lyke vnto tunies (which th[e]in- 
 habitantes caule Baccallaos) that they fumtymes ftayed his fliippes. He founde alfo the people of thofe regions 
 couered with beaftes flcynnes: Yet not without th[e]ufe of reafon. 
 
 He faythe alfo that there is greate plentie of beares in thofe regions, whiche vfe to eate fyfftie. For 
 plungeinge theym felues into the water where they perceue a multitude of thefe fyffties to lye, they faften theyr 
 clawes in theyr fcales, and fo drawe them to lande and eate them. So that (as he faith) the beares beinge thus 
 fatifiied with fyfftie, are not noyfom to men. He declareth further, that in many places of thefe regions, he 
 
 Edew. P i6i 
 
 Sundiy opinions 
 why the sea 
 runneth with so 
 swyft course from 
 the East into the 
 west. 
 
 Th[e]equinoctiall 
 lyne. 
 
 Why all waters 
 moue towarde 
 the southe or 
 Equinoctial, reade 
 Cardanus de 
 submit, liber, ii, 
 de Elementis. 
 Strayghtes. 
 
 As by the strayght 
 of Magellanus. 
 
 The north landes. 
 
 The frosen sea. 
 
 Sebastian. Cabot. 
 
 The Venetians. 
 
 The viage of 
 Sebastian Cabot 
 from Englande to 
 the frosen sea. 
 Frost in the 
 moneth of luly. 
 
 Fretum 
 Herculeum, 
 diuideth Spayne 
 and the Moores 
 and is nowe cauled 
 the strayghtes 
 of Marrok. 
 Baccallaos^ 
 or Terra 
 Baccalleanim. 
 
 119 
 
 The mouyng of 
 heuen causeth the 
 sea to moue. 
 DemogorgoD is 
 thespmteofthe 
 earth. 
 
 People couered 
 
 with beastes skins 
 
 irowe beares take 
 and eate fysshes 
 of the sea. 
 
1 62 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Perhappes this 
 
 laton IS copper 
 
 which holdeth 
 
 gold. For laton 
 
 hath no myiie, and 
 
 is an artificiall 
 
 metal and not 
 
 naturaL 
 
 Cabot cauled owt 
 
 of Englande into 
 
 Spayne. 
 
 The Second viage 
 
 of Cabot. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 the Canybales. 
 
 The Ilande Fortis. 
 
 Salte 
 
 A straunge thynge. 
 
 How Petrus Arias 
 with the kynges 
 nauy arriued at 
 Danena. 
 
 Howe Vaschus 
 receaued the new 
 gouemour. 
 
 Whye these 
 regions are cauled 
 prouynces. 
 
 120 
 
 Barrelles of meale. 
 
 Habitable regions 
 vnder the 
 Equinoctiall lyne. 
 
 Wliere the newe 
 gouemour planted 
 his habitation 
 
 The viage of 
 lohannes Aiora 
 The hauen of 
 Comugrus 
 
 Sainte Mychaels 
 goulf^ 
 
 The hauen lof] 
 Pocchorrosa. 
 
 fawe great plentie of laton amonge th[e]inhabitantes. Cabot is my very frende, whom I vfe famylierly, 
 and delyte to haue hym fumtymes keepe mee company in myne owne houfe. For beinge cauled owte of 
 England by the commaundement of tiie catholyke kynge of Caftile after the deathe of Henry kynge of 
 Englande the feuenth of that name, he was made one of owre counfayle and aifyftance as touchynge the 
 aflfayres of the newe Indies, lookyng dayely for fliippes to bee fumyflhed for hym to difcouer this hyd fecreate 
 of nature. This vyage is appoynted to bee begunne in March in the yeare next folowynge, beinge the yeare of 
 Chryft M. D.XVI. What fliall fucceade, yowre holynes flialbe aduertifed by my letters if god graunte me lyfe. 
 Sume of the Spanyardes denye that Cabot was the fyrft fynder of the lande of Baccallaos : And afSrme that he 
 went not fo farre weftewarde. But it fliall fuffice to haue fayde thus much of the goulfes and ftrayghtes, and 
 of Sebaftian Cabot. Let vs nowe therefore returne to the Spanyardes. At this tyme, they let pafle the hauen 
 of Carthago vntouched, with all the Ilandes of the Canibales there aboute, whiche they named Infulas SanSli 
 Bernardi: Leauynge alfo behynde theyr backes, all the region of Caramairi. Heare by reafon of a fooden 
 tempefle, they were cafle vppon the Ilande Fortis, beinge about fyftie leagues diilante from the enteraunce of 
 the goulfe of Vraba. In this Ilande, they founde in the houfes of th[e]inhabitantes, many baflcets made of 
 certeyne greate fea reedes, ful of falte. For this Ilande hath in it many goodly falte bayes : by reafon whereof 
 they haue greate plentie of falte which they fell to other nations for fuch thynges as they Ilande in neede of 
 Not farre from henfe, a great curlewe as bygge as a llorke came flying to the gouernours fliippe, and fufifered 
 her fehe to bee eafely taken : which beinge caryed about amonge all the fhippes of the nauie, dyed ftiortly after. 
 They fawe alfo a great multytude of the fame kynde of foules on the fliore a farre of. 
 
 The gouemour his fliyppe whiche we fayde to haue lofle the rudder beinge nowe fore broofed and in 
 maner vnprofytable, they lefte behynde to folowe at leafure. The nauie arriued at Dariena the twelfth day of 
 the Calendes of luly, and the gouemour his fliippe (beinge voyde of men) was dryuen a lande in the fame 
 coaftes within foure dayes after. The Spanyardes whiche nowe inhabited Dariena, with theyr Capitayne and 
 Lieuetenant Vafchus Nunnez Balboa (pi whom we haue largely made mention before) beinge certified of 
 th[e]arryual of Petrus Arias and his coompanye, wente foorthe three myles to meete him, and receaued him 
 hoixora,bly and religioufly with the pfalme Te deum Laudamus, giuing thankes to god by whofe fafe conducte 
 they were brought fo profperoufly thether to al theyr confortes. They receaued them gladly into theyr houfes 
 builded after the maner of thofe prouinces. I may well caule thefe regions, Prouinces, a Procul victis, (that is) 
 fuch as are ouercome farre of, forafmuch as owre men doo nowe inhabite the fame all the barbarous kynges 
 and Idolatours beinge eiected. They enterteyned them with fuch chere as they were able to make them : as 
 with the frutes of thofe regions, and newe breade bothe made of rootes and the grayne Maizium. Other 
 delicates to make vp the feaft, were of theyr owne ft.ore whiche they brought with theym in theyr fliyppes, as 
 poudered fleffhe, Mted fyfflie, and breade made of wheate. For they brought with them many barrelles of wheate 
 meale for the fame purpofe. Here maye yowre holynes not withowt iufte caufe of admiracion beholde a kynges 
 nauie and great multitude of Chriflians, inhabytinge not onely the regions fituate vnder the circle of heauen cauled 
 Tropicus Cancri, but alfo in maner vnder the Equinoctiall lyne, contrary to th[e]opinion of the owlde wryters, a fewe 
 excepted. But after that they are nowe mette togyther, let vs further declare what they determyned to doo. 
 Therefore, the daye after that the nauie arriued, there aflembled a coompany of the Spanyardes th[e]inhabitoures 
 of Dariena, to the number of foure hundreth and fyftie men. Petrus Arias the gouemour of the nauie and his 
 coompany, conferred with them bothe priuilie and openlye of certeyne articles wherof it was the kynges pleafure 
 he fliulde enquire: And moft. efpecially as concemyng fuch thynges wherof Vafchus the fyrfle fynder and 
 Admirall of the Southe fea, made mention in his large letter fent from Dariena to Spayn. In this inquifition 
 they founde all thynges to bee trewe, wherof Vafchus had certifyed the kynge by his letters : And therevppon 
 concluded that in the dominions of Comogra, Pocchorrofa, and Tumanama, at th[e]aflignement of Vafchus, 
 certeine fortrefles fliuld bee erected foorthwith to th[e]intente there to plant theyr colonie or habitacion. To 
 the better accomplyffliemente hereof, they fent immediatly one lohannes Aiora a noble younge gentelman of 
 Corduba and vnder Lieuetenant, with foure hundreth men and foure carauelles and one other lyttle fliippe. 
 Thus departinge, he fayled fyril directly to the hauen of Comogrus, dyfl,ant from Dariena aboute twentie and 
 fyue leagues, as they wryte in theyr laft. letters. Frome henfe, he is appoynted to fende a hundreth and fyftie 
 of his foure hundreth, towarde the South by a newe and ryghter way founde of late, by the which (as they lay) 
 it is not paft.e. xxvi. leagues from the palaice of kynge Comogrus to the enteraunce of the goulfe of Sancii 
 Michaelis. The refidewe of the foure hundreth, fliall remayne there to bee an ayde and fuccour to all fuch as 
 fliall iomey to and fro. Thofe hundreth and fiftie which are affigned to go fouthwarde, take with them for 
 interpretours certeine of owre men which had lemed the footheme language of the bonde men which were gyuen 
 to Vafchus when he ouerranne thofe regions, and alfo certeyne of the bondemen them felues which had nowe 
 lemed the Spanyfflie tonge. They fay that the hauen of Pocchorrofa, is onely feuen leaques diftante frome the 
 hauen of Comogrus. In Pocchorrofa, he is afligned to leaue fyftie men with the lyghteft. fliyp which maye bee a 
 162 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 163 
 
 paffinger betwene them: that lyke as we vfe pofte horfes by lande, fo may they by this currant fliippe, in fliorte 
 fpace certifie the Lieuetenaunt and th[e]inhabitours of Dariena of fuche thynges as fhall 'chaunce. They 
 entende alfo to buylde houfes in the region of Tumanama. The palaice of kynge Tumanama, is diflant from 
 Pocchorrofa about twentie leaques. Of thefe foure hundreth men, beinge of the owlde fouldiers of Dariena and 
 men of good experience, fyftie weare appoynted to bee as it were Decurians to guide and conducte the newe 
 men from place to place to do their affaires. When they had thus fette all thynges in order, they thought it 
 good to aduertife the king hereof, and therwith to certifye hym that in thofe prouinces there is a kynge named 
 Dabaiba whofe dominion is very riche in golde : But the fame to be yet vntouched by reafon of his great power. 
 His kingedome ioyneth to the feconde greate ryuer named Dabaiba after his name, whiche fauleth into the fea 
 owt of the comer of the goulfe of Vraba as we haue largely declared before.. The common reporte is, that all 
 the lande of his dominions is ryche in golde. The palayce of kynge Dabaiba is fyfty leaques diftante from 
 Dariena. Th[e]inhabitantes faye that from the palaice, the golde mynes reache to the borthers on euery fyde. 
 Albeit, owre men haue alfo golde mynes not to bee contempned, euen within three leaques of Dariena, in the 
 which they gather golde in many places at this prefente : Yet doo theye sSynae. greater plentie to bee in the 
 mynes of Dabaiba. In the bookes of owre fyrfte frutes wrytten to yowre holyneffe, we made mention of this 
 Dabaiba, wherin owre men were deceaued and myflooke the matter. For where they founde the fyfflier 
 men of kyng Dabaiba in the maryffhes, they thought his region had byn there alfo. They determyned 
 therfore to fende to kynge Dabaiba, three hundreth choyfe younge men to be chofen owte of the hole 
 army as molle apte to the warres, and well furnyfihed with all kyndes of armoure and artillery, to 
 th[e]intent to go vnto hym and wyl hym, eyther frendly and peaceably to permytte them to inhabyte 
 parte of his kingdome with the fruition of the golde mynes, or elles to bydde him battayle and dryue 
 hym owte of his countrey. In their letters, they often tymes repete this for an argument of great rycheffe 
 to coome, that they in maner dygged the grounde in noo place, but founde the earthe myxte with fparkes 
 and flnaule graynes of golde. They haue alfo aduertifed the kynge that it Ihalbe commodious to place 
 inhabitours in the hauen of SanEla Martha in the region of Saturma, that it maye bee a place of refuge for them 
 that fayle from the Ilande of Dominica from the whiche (as they faye) it is but foure or fyue dayes faylyng to 
 that hauen of the regyon of Saturma : And from the hauen, but thre dayes faylyng to Dariena. But this is to 
 bee vnderftode in goynge and not in retumynge. For the retumyng from thenfe is fo laborious and difficulte by 
 reafon of the contrary courfe of the water, that they fteme as it were to afcende hyghe montaynes and ftryue 
 ageynfte thepoure oiNeptunm. This fwyfte courfe of the fea towarde the Wefle, is not fo violente to theym 
 whiche retoume to Spayne frome the Ilandes of Hifpaniola and Cuba: Althoughe they alfo do laboure ageynfte 
 the faule of the Ocean: The caufe wherof is, that the fea is here verye large, fo the waters haue their full 
 fcoope. But in the tracte of Paria, the waters are conftrayned together by the bendynge fydes of that great 
 lande, and by the multytude of Ilandes lyinge ageynfte it, as the lyke is feene in the ftraightes or narowe feas of 
 Sicilie where the violent courfe of the waters caufe the daungerous places of Scylla and Charybdis, by reafon of 
 thofe narowe feas whiche conteine Ionium, Libicum, and Tirrhenum. Colonus the fyrft fynder of thefe regyons, 
 hath lefte in wrytynge, that faylynge from the Ilande of Guanaffa, and the prouynces of laia, Maia, and 
 Cerabaro, beyng regyons of the weft marches of Beragua, he founde the courfe of the water fo vehemente and 
 furious ageynfte the fore parte of his fhippe whyle he failed from thofe coaftes towarde the Eafte, that he coulde 
 at no tyme touche the grounde with his foundynge plummet, but that the contrary vyolence of the water woolde 
 beare it vppe from the bottom'e. He affyrmeth alfo, that he coulde neuer in onSiiQle daye with a meately good 
 wynde, wynne one myle of the courfe of the water. And this is the caufe why they^eoftentymes enforced to 
 fayle fprfte by the Ilandes of Cuba and Hifpaniola, and fo into the mayne fea toward the North when they 
 retume to Spaine, thaj the Northe wyndes maye further their vyage whiche they can not brynge to pafTe by a 
 directe courfe. But of the motions of the Ocean fea to and fro, this flial fuffyce. Let vs now therfore reherfe 
 what they write of Dariem^^ and of their habitation there, which' they caule Sanila Maria Antigua, planted on 
 the fea bankes of Dariena. ' The fituation of the place, hath no natural munition or defenfe : And the ayer is 
 more peftiferous then in Sardus. The Spanyfhe inhabitours, are all pale and yelowe, lyke vnto them that haue 
 the yelowe giaundyes. Whiche neuertheleffe commeth not of the nature of the region as it is fituate vnder the 
 heauen. For in many regyons beyng vnder the felfe fame degree of latitude, hauyng the pole of the fame 
 eleuation, they fynd holfome and temperate ayer, in fuch places where as the earth bryngeth forth fayre fprynges 
 of water, or where holfome ryuers runne by bankes of pure earthe without mudde : but mofte efpecyally where 
 they inhabyte the fydes of the hylles and not the valleyes. But that habytation whiche is on the bankes of the 
 ryuer of Dariena, is fytuate in a deepe valley, and enuironed on euery fyde with hyghe hylles : By reafon wherof, 
 it receaueth the foonne beames at noonetyde directly perpenticular ouer their heades, and are therfore fore 
 vexed by reflection of the beames bothe before, behynde, and from the fydes. For it is the reflection of the 
 foonne beames whiche caufeth feruente heate, and not their accefle or nereneffe to the earth. Forafmuche as 
 
 \ 163 
 
 A passynger 
 shyppe. 
 
 Kyng Tumanama 
 
 Decurians are 
 officers deuided 
 into tennes. etc. 
 
 The gold mynes 
 Kyng Dabaiba. 
 
 The pallaice of 
 kynge Dabaiba. 
 
 The gold mynes 
 of Dariena. 
 
 Expedition ageinst 
 kynge Dabaiba. 
 
 121 
 
 Great plentie of 
 golde. 
 
 The regyon of 
 Saturma 
 The Ilande of 
 Dominica. 
 Dariena. 
 
 Difficulte saylyng 
 ageynst the course 
 of the sea. 
 
 The daungerous 
 straightes of Scylla 
 and Charybdis. 
 
 Guanassa. 
 laia. 
 
 Maia. 
 Cerabaro. 
 Beraffua. 
 The vehement 
 course of the sea 
 from the east to 
 the west. 
 
 The northe wynde. 
 
 Sancta Maria 
 Antiqua, the fyrst 
 habitation of the 
 spaniardes in the 
 fyrme lande. 
 Sardus the Ilande 
 of Sardinia. 
 The variety of 
 regions lyinge, 
 vnder one paraleL 
 
 By what meanes 
 the Sonne beames 
 are cause of 
 feruent heate. 
 
164 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 The pernicious 
 ayer of Dariena. 
 
 122 
 
 Toades and flees 
 engendered of 
 droppes of water. 
 
 Necessyt'ie hath 
 no lawe 
 
 A house sette on 
 fyer with 
 lyghtnynge. 
 
 A dogge deuoured 
 
 of a crocodyle, 
 
 Tangitavi cants 
 
 e Nilo. 
 
 The byting of 
 
 battes. 
 
 Lyons and tygers. 
 
 Beastes wex 
 bygger in their 
 kynde. 
 
 How the 
 gouemour 
 enterteyned kyng 
 Careta. 
 
 Note. 
 
 Broma or Bissa, 
 are wormes whiche 
 destroy shippes. 
 
 123 
 
 A venemous tree. 
 
 Perhappes theyr 
 venemous arrows 
 are made of this 
 woodde or. &c 
 
 they are not paffyble in them felues as dothe manyfeftly appeare by the fnowe lyinge contynually vnmolten 
 vpon certeyne hygh montaynes, as yowre holyneffe knoweth ryghte well. The foonne beames therfore faulyng 
 on the montaynes, are reflected downewarde into the valley by reafon of th[e]obiecte of the declynynge fydes 
 of the hylles, as it were the faule of a greate rounde ftoone rowlde frome the toppe of a montayne. The 
 valley therfore receaueth, both thofe beames whiche faule directly theron, and alfo thofe whiche are reflected 
 downwarde from euery fyde of the montaynes. Their habitation therfore in Dariena, is pernicious and vnhol- 
 fome onely of the particular nature of the place, and not by the fytuation of the regyon as it is placed vnder the 
 heauen or nere to the foonne. The place is alfo contagious by the nature of the foyle, by reafon it is coompafed 
 aboute with muddy and flynkynge maryflhes, th[e]infection wherof is not a lyttle encreafed by the heate. The 
 vyllage it felfe, is in a maryfhe, and in maner a llandynge puddle, where, of the droppes faulyng from the handes 
 of the bond men whyle they water the pauementes of their houfes, toades are engendered immediately, as I my 
 felfe fawe in an other place the droppes of that water tume into flees in the foomer feafon. Furthermore, where 
 fo euer they dygge the grounde tlie deapthe of a handefuU and a halfe, there fpringeth owte vnholfome and 
 corrupte water of the nature of the ryuer which runneth through the deepe and muddy chanel of the valley, and 
 fo fauleth into the fea. Now therfore they confulte of remouyng their habytation. Neceflytie caufed them fyrft 
 to faflen their foote heare, bycaufe that they whiche fyrft. arryued in thofe landes, were opprefled with fuche 
 vrgente hunger, that they had no refpecte to chaunge the place althoughe they were thus vexed by the contagion 
 of the foyle and heate of the foonne, befyde the corrupte water and infectious ayer by reafon of venemous 
 vapours and exhalations ryfynge from the fame. An other greate incommoditie was, that the place was deftitute 
 of a commodious hauen, beynge three leaques diftante from the mouthe of the goulfe. The waye is alfo roughe 
 and diffyculte to brynge vyttayles and other neceflaries from the fea. But lette vs nowe fpeake fumwhat of other 
 particular thjmges whiche chaunfed. Therfore fhortly after that they weare arryued, there happened many 
 thynges wherof they had no knowledge before. A certayne well learned phifytion of Ciuile, whome partely 
 th[e]autorytie of the byffhoppe of Dariena, and partely the defyre of golde had allured to thofe landes, was fo 
 fcarred with lyghtnynge in the nyghte feafon lyinge in bedde with his wyfe, that the houfe and all the ftuffe 
 therin beynge fette on fyer and burnte, he and his wyfe bothe foore fcorched, ranne foorthe cryinge and almoft.e 
 naked, hardely efcapynge the daunger of deathe. At an other tyme, as certayne of them fl.oode on the Ihoore, 
 a great Crocodyle fodenly caryed awaye a mafty of a yeare and a halfe owlde, as a kyte ftiulde haue fnatched 
 vppe a chicken : And this euen in the prefence of theym all, where the myferable dogge cryed in vayne for the 
 helpe of his mayfter. In the nighte feafon they were tormented with the bytynge of battes whiche are there foo 
 noyfome that if they byte any man in his fleape, they putte hym in daunger of lyfe, onely with drawynge of 
 bludde: In fo muche that fumme haue dyed therof, faulynge as it were into a confumption through the 
 malycioufnefle of the venemous wounde. If thefe battes chaunce to fynde a cocke or a henne abrode in the 
 nyght feafon, they byte them by the combes and fo kyll them. They alfo whiche wente lafte into thefe regions, 
 do wryte,,that the lande is troubeled with Crocodyles, Lyons, and Tigers: But that they haue nowe deuifed 
 artes and ingens howe to take them. Lykewyfe that in the houfes of their felowes, they founde the hydes and 
 cafes of fuche Lyons and Tygers as they had kylled. They wryte furthermore, that by reafon of the rankenefle 
 and frutefulnefle of the grounde, kyne, fwyne, and horfes, doo marueloufly increafe in thefe regions, and growe 
 to a muche bygger quantitie then they whiche weare of the firft broode. Of the excedynge hyghneffe of the 
 trees with their fruites, of the garden herbes, fruites, plantes, and feedes whiche owre men broughte from Spayne 
 and fowed and fet the fame in thefe regyons, lykewyfe of the hertes and other foure footed beaftes bothe tame 
 and wylde, alfo of dyuers kyndes of foules, byrdes, and fyffties, they write euen as we haue declared in the decades 
 before. Careta the kynge of the regyon of Cioba, was with them for the fpace of three dayes : whome when 
 they had frendly enterteyned and fliewed hym the fecreate places of their ftiyppes, their horfes alfo with their 
 trappars, bardes, and other fumimenteSr befyde many other thinges whiche feemed ftraunge to hym, and had 
 further delited his mynd with the harmony of their mufycall inftrumentes, and gyuen hym many rewardes, they 
 dyfmyffed hym halfe amafed with to muche admyration. He fygnifyed vnto them, that their trees in that 
 prouynce, of the planckes wherof, if ftiyppes were made, they fliouMe bee fafe from the woormes of the 
 fea whiche they caule Bromas. Howe thefe woormes knawe and corrode the ftiyppes, wee haue declared 
 before. Owre ftiyppes are greatly troubeled with this plage if they lye longe in the hauens of thefe 
 regyons. But they afiyrme that the woodde of this tree is foo bytter, that the woormes wyll not tafte therof. 
 There is alfo an other tree peculyar to thefe landes : whofe leaues if they onely touche the bare in any place of 
 a mannes body, they caufe greate blyfl.ers, and thofe foo malycious that excepte the fame bee foorthwith healed 
 with Mte water or faftynge fpyttle, they doo incontynently engender deadely paynes. They faye lykewyfe, 
 that the fauour of the woodde is prefente poyfon : And that it can noo whither bee caryed without daunger of 
 lyfe. When th[e]inhabitauntes of the Ilande of Hifpaniold had oftentymes attempted to ftiake of the yoke of 
 feruytude, and coulde neuer brynge the fame to pafle neyther by open warre nor yet by priuye confpiraces, 
 164 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 165 
 
 tliey were determyned in the nyghte feafon to haue kylled owre men in their fleepe with the fmoke of this 
 woodde. But when the Chrillian men had knowledge hereof, they compelled the poore wretches to confeffe 
 their intente, and punyfflied the chiefe autours of the deuyfe. They haue alfo a certayne herbe with the fauour 
 wherof they are prefemed from the hurte of this venemous woodde fo that they maye beare it fafely. Of thefe 
 fmaule thynges it fhall fuffyce too haue fayde thus muche. They looke dayly for many greater thynges to 
 certyfye vs of from the Ilandes of the fouth fea. For at fuche tyme as the meffenger whiche broughte owre 
 letters departed from thenfe, Petrus Arias prepared an expedition to that ryche Ilande whiche lyeth in the 
 mouthe of the goulfe cauled Sinus S. Michaelis, and reacheth into the fouthe fea, beyng alfo lefte vntouched 
 of Vafchus by reafon that the fea was at that tyme of the yeare fore troubeled with tempeftes, as wee haue 
 further declared in Vafchus his vyage to the fouthe. Wee looke therfore dayly for greater thynges then are 
 hetherto pafte. For they haue nowe taken in hand to fubdue manye other prouynces, whiche wee fuppofe too 
 bee eyther verye ryche, or to brynge furthe fumme ftraunge woorkes of nature. lohannes Diaz Solijlus of 
 Nehriffa (of whome we haue made mention before) is fente by the froonte of the cape or poynte of SanSli 
 Auguftini (whiche reacheth feuen degrees beyonde the Equinoctiall lyne, and perteyneth to the dominion of 
 the Portugales) to th[e]intent to ouer runne the fouthe fydefrom thebacke halfe oiParia, Cumana, Cttquibacoa, 
 with the hauens of Carthago and San£la Martha, of Dariena alfo and Beragua, that more perfecte and certeyne 
 knowledge may bee had of thofe tractes. Furthermore, one lohannes Poncius was fente foorthe with three 
 ihyppes to deftroye the Canibales bothe in the lande and Ilandes there aboute : afwell that the nations of the 
 more humane and innocente people maye at the length lyue without feare of that peftiferous generation, as 
 alfo the better and more fafely to fearche the fecreates and rycheffe of thofe regions. Many other lykewife 
 were fente dyuers and fundry wayes: as Gafper Badaiocim too fearche Weft, partes: Francifcus Bezerra, to 
 fayle by the comer of the goulfe : And VaJleius, to -paffe by the mouthe or enteraunce therof to the Eafte 
 coaftes of the goulfe to fearche the fecreates of that lande, in the whiche Fogeda with his coompanye had of 
 late begunne to plante their habitation, and had buylded a fortreffe and a vyllage. Badaiocius departed fyrfte 
 frome Dariena with foure fcore fouldiours well appoynted : Whome Lodouicus Mercado folowed with fyftye : 
 
 To Bezerra were alfo fourefcore affygned, and three fcore and tenne to Valleius. Whether they (hall 
 arryue at fafe and commodious hauens, or faule into vnfortunate ftations, he onely knoweth whofe prouydence 
 ruleth all: For as for vs men wee are included within the knowledge of thinges after they haue chaunced. 
 Lette vs nowe therfore coome to other matters. 
 
 €1 The seventhe booke of the thirde decade. 
 
 Etrm Arias the gouemour of the fuppofed continente, was fcarfly entred into the mayne fea 
 with his nauye onwarde on his vyage to Dariena. But I was aduertifed that one Andreas 
 Moralis a pilot who had often tymes ouer runne the coafl^es of thefe new feas and the Ilandes 
 of the feme, was coome to the courte to fell fuche marchaundies as he broughte with hym 
 frome thenfe. This man had dyligently fearched the tracte of the fuppofed continente, and 
 efpecyally th[e]inner regyons of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, wherunto he was appoynted by 
 his brother Nicolaus Ouandus (the gouemour of the Hand and chiefe Commendatory of the 
 order of the knyghtes of Alcantara) bycaufe he was a wytty man and more apte to fearche fuche thynges then 
 any other: So that with his owne handes he drewe faire cardes and tables of fuche regyons as hee difcouered. 
 Wherin as he hath bynne founde faythfuU of fuche as haue fenfe had better tryall hereof, fo is he in moft. credyt 
 emongeft the bell forte. He therfore reforted to me as all they are accufl.omed to doo, whiche retoume from 
 the Ocean. What I learned of hym and dyuers other of thinges heretofore vnknowen, I wyll nowe declare. 
 The beginnynge of this narration, flialbe the particular defcription of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, forafmuche as it 
 is the heade and as it weare the principall marte of all the lyberality of the Ocean, and hath a thoufande and 
 againe a thoufande fayre, pleafaunt, bewtifuU, and ryche Nereides whiche lye aboute it on euery fyde, adoumynge 
 this their ladye and moother, as it were an other Tethis the wyfe of Neptunus, enuyronynge her aboute, and 
 attendynge vppon her as their queene and patroneffe. But of thefe Nereiades (that is to faye, the Ilandes placed 
 aboute her) we wyll fpeake more hereafter. Lette vs in the meane tyme declare fumwhat of the Ilande whiche 
 owre men named Margaritea Dines (whiche the Spanyardes caule De las perlas) beyng nowe well knowen, and 
 lyinge in the fouthe fea in the goulfe cauled Sinus Saniii Michaelis (that is) fainte Michaels goulfe. This Hand 
 hath prefently brought to owre ■ knowledge many flraunge and woonderfull thynges and promyffeth no fmaule 
 
 p 3 165 
 
 A preseruatiue 
 ageynst poyson. 
 
 The Hands of the 
 south sea. 
 The ryche Hand 
 cauled Dites. 
 
 Cap[e], sancti 
 Augustini. 
 Of the euyll 
 successe of these 
 viages, reade 
 decadeiii. 
 Liber, ix. 
 An expedition to 
 destroy the 
 Canibales. 
 
 Fogeda. 
 
 Looke. decad. iii. 
 Lib. ix. 
 
 The nauigations of 
 Andreas Moralis. 
 
 124 
 
 A particular ' 
 description of the 
 Ilandeof 
 hispaniola 
 
 Nereides are 
 
 nymphes of the 
 
 sea, ne meaneth 
 
 Ilandes. 
 
 Tethis the wyfe of 
 
 Neptunus and 
 
 goddesse of the 
 
 sea. 
 
 The Ilande of, 
 
 Margaritea Diues. 
 
 Saincte Michaels 
 
 goulfe 
 
1 66 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Great perles 
 
 Hispaniola lyke 
 vnto the earthly 
 paradyse. 
 
 The fyrst 
 inhabitours of 
 hispaniola 
 
 Dardamis. 
 Teucrus. 
 Troianmn. 
 Tirians, Sidonians. 
 
 Efieets. 
 Laiium. 
 
 Hierusalem 
 Mecha. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Canarie. 
 
 Betanchor, a 
 frenchman. 
 
 125 
 
 The fyrst names 
 of hispaniola. 
 
 The roug^hnesse 
 of hispaniola. 
 
 The maner of 
 lemynge. 
 
 Ballets and 
 rhymes. 
 
 hope of greater thynges in tyme to coome. In this is founde great plentie of pearles fo fayre and great, that 
 the fumptuous queene Cleopatra myght haue feemed to weare them in her crownes, cheynes, and braflettes. 
 Of the flielfyfihes wherin thefe are engendered, wee w)'ll fpeake fumwhat more in th[e]ende of this narration. 
 But let vs nowe retume to Hiffaniola mode lyke vnto the earthly paradyfe. In the defcription hereof, we wyll 
 begynne of the impofytion of dyuerfe names: Then of the forme of the Ilande, temperate ayer and benefyciall 
 heauen : And fynally of the deuifyon of the regyons. Therfore for the ryghter pronunfyation of the names, 
 yowre holyneffe mufle vnderftande that they are pronounced with th[e]accent, as yowe may know by the verge 
 fette ouer the heddes of the vowels, as in the name of the Ilande Matininb, where the accente is in the lafl. 
 vowell, and the lyke to be yndprfloode in all other names. They faye therfore, that the fyrfle inhabitours of the 
 Hand were tranfported in their Camas (that is boates made of one hole pyece of woodde) from the Ilande of 
 Matinino, beynge lyke banyflhed men dryuen from thenfe by reafon of certaine contrary factions and diuifyons 
 emonge them felues, lyke as wee reade howe Dardanus came from Corytho, and Teucrus from Creta into Afia, 
 and that the regyon where they placed their habitacion, was afterwarde cauled Troianum. The lyke wee reade 
 howe the Tirians and Sidonians arryued with their nauye in Lyhia by the fabulous conduction of Dido. Thefe 
 Matininans in like maner beynge banyffhed from their owne countrey, planted their fyrfte habytation in that 
 parte of the Hand oi Hifpaniola whiche they caule Cahonao, y^oea. the banke of the ryuer named Bahaboni: As 
 is redde in the begynnynge of the Romaynes that Eneas of Troye aryued in the region of Italy cauled Latium 
 vppon the bankes of the ryuer of Tiber. Within the mouthe of the ryuer of Bahaboni, lyeth an Ilande where it 
 is fayde that th[e]inhabitauntes buylded their fyrfte howfe whiche they named Camoteia. This howfe they 
 confecrated fhortely after, and honoured the fame reuerently with continual gyftes and monumentes, euen 
 vntyl the commynge of owre men, lyke as the Chriftians haue euer relygyoufly honoured lerufalem the fountayne 
 and oryginall of owre faythe: As alfo the Turkes attribute the lyke to the cytie of Mecha in Araby, and 
 th[e]inhabytantes of the fortunate Ilandes (cauled the Ilandes of Canarye) to Tyrma buylded vppon a hyghe 
 rocke from the whiche many were wounte with ioyfull myndes and fonges to caft them felues downe headlonge, 
 beyng perfuaded by their prieftes that the foules of all fuche as fo dyd for the loue of Tyrma, ftiulde therby 
 enioye etemall felycity. The conquerours of the Ilandes of Canarie, founde them yet remaynyng in that 
 fuperftition, euen vntyll owre tyme : Nor yet is the memory of their facrifyces vtterly wome awaye : 
 The rocke alfo referueth the owlde name vnto this daye. I haue alfo learned of late, that there yet 
 remayneth in the Ilande fumme of the faction oi Betanchor the Frenfhe man and fyrfte that broughte the 
 Ilandes to good culture and ciuilitie beyng therto lycenced by the kynge of Caftile as I haue fayde before. 
 Thefe doo yet (for the mofte parte) obferue bothe the language and maners of the Frenfhemen, although the 
 heres and fucceffours of Betanchor, had foulde the two fubdued Ilandes to certeyne men of Caftile. Yet 
 th[e]inhabitours whiche fucceded Betanchor, and buylded them houfes and encreafed their families there, do 
 contynue to this daye: And lyue quietly and pleafauntly with the Spanyardes, not greued with the fharpe coulde 
 of Fraunce. But lette vs nowe retume to th[e]inhabitauntes of Matinino and Hifpaniola. The Ilande of 
 Hifpaniola was fyrfte named by the fyrfte inhabitours, Quizqueia, and then Haiti. And this not by chaunce, 
 or at the pleafure of fuche as diuifed thefe names, but of credulitie and belefe of fiimme great eifecte. For 
 Quizqueia, is as muche to faye as a great thinge : And that fo great that none maye bee greater. They inter- 
 prete alfo, that Quizqueia fygnifyeth, large, vniuerfall, or al, in like fignification as the Greekes named their god 
 cauled Pan: Bycaufe that for the greatnes therof, thefe fymple foules fuppofed it to bee the hole worlde: And 
 that the foonne beames gaue lyghte to none other worlde but onely to this Ilande with the other adiacente 
 aboute the fame : And thervppon thoughte it moft woorthy to bee cauled great, as the greateft of all other 
 knowen to them. Haiti is as muche to faye by interpretation, as roughe, fharpe, or craggie. But by a 
 fyguratiue fpeache cauled denomination (wherby the hole is named by part) they named the hole Hand Haiti 
 (that is) roughe : For as muche as in many places the face of this Hand is rough by reafon of the craggie mon- 
 taynes, horrible thicke wooddes, and terrible darke and diepe valleys enuyroned with great and highe 
 montaynes, althoughe it bee in manye other places exceadynge bewtifull and floryfftiynge. Here mufte wee 
 fumwhat digrefle from th[e]order we are entered into. Perhappes your holyneffe wyll maruell by what meanes 
 thefe fymple men Ihoulde of foo longe contynuance beare in minde fuche principles, where as they haue no 
 knowledge of letters. So it is therfore, that from the beginninge, their princes haue euer byn accuftomed to 
 committe their children to the gouernaunce of their wife men whiche they caule Boitios, to bee inftructed in 
 knowledge, and to beare in memorie fuche thynges as they leme. They gyue them felues chieflye to two 
 thynges : As generally to leme th[e]originall and fucceffe of thynges : And particularlye to reherfe the noble 
 factes of their graundefathers great graundefathers and aunceftours afwell in peace as in warre. Thefe two 
 thynges they haue of owlde tyme compofed in certeyne meters and ballettes in their language. Thefe rhymes 
 or ballettes, they caule Areitos. And as owre mynftrelles are accuftomed too fynge to the harpe or lute fo doo 
 they in lyke maner fynge thefe fonges and daunce to the fame, playinge on tymbrelles made of fhels of certen 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 167 
 
 fyflhes. Thefe tymbrels they caule Maguei. They haue alfo fonges and ballettes of loue: And other of 
 lamentations and moornyng : Summe alfo to encorage them to the warres, with euery of them their tewnes 
 agreable to the matter. They exercyfe theym felues muche in daunceinge, wherin they are verye actyue and 
 of greater agihtie then owre men, by reafon they gyue them felues to nothyng fo muche, and are not hyndered 
 with ajiparell whiche is alfo the caufe of their fwifteneffe of foote. In their ballettes lefte them of their 
 aunceflours, they haue prophecies of the comminge of owre men into their countrey. Thefe they fynge with 
 moornyng and as it were with gronyng, bewayle the loffe of their lybertie and feruitude. For thefe prophecies 
 make mention that there flioulde coome into the Ilande Maguacochios, that is, men clothed in apparell, and 
 armed with fuche fwoordes as fliulde cutte a man in funder at one ftroke: vnder whofe yoke their pofleritie 
 fliulde bee fubdued. And here I do not maruell that their prediceffours coulde prophecye of the feruitude and 
 bondage of their fucceffyon, if it bee trewe that is fayd of the familiaritie they haue with fpirites whiche appeare to 
 them in the night, wherof we haue largely made mention in the nynth booke of the firft decade, where alfo wee 
 haue entreated of their Zemes (that is) their Idoles and Images of diuelles whiche they honoured. But they faye 
 that fence thefe Zemes were taken awaye by the Chriflians, the fpirites haue no more appeared. Owre men afcribe 
 this to the fygne of the croffe wherwith they defende theym felues from fuche fpirites. For they are nowe all clenfed 
 and fanctifyed by the water of bapti[f Jme wherby they haue renounced the deuel and are confecrated the holy 
 members of Chrift. They are vniuerfally ftudyous to knowe the boundes and lymettes of their regions and king- 
 domes : And efpecially their Mitaini (that is) noble men. So that euen they are not vtterlye ignorante in the 
 furueyinge of their landes. The common people haue none other care then of fettynge, fowynge, and 
 - plantynge. They are moofle experte fyffliers, by reafon that throughowte the hole yeare, they are accuflomed 
 daylye to plounge them felues in the ryuers, fo that in maner they lyue no leffe in the water then on the lande. 
 They are alfo giuen to hunt3mge. For (as I haue fayde before) they haue twoo kyndes of foure footed 
 beaft.es, wherof the one is lyttle cunnes cauled Vtias, and the other Serpentes named luannas, muche lyke 
 vnto Crocodiles, of eyght foote length, of mofl:e pleafaunte tafl.e, and lyuynge on the lande. All the Ilandes 
 nooryflie innumerable byrdes and foules : As ftocke doues, duckes, geefe, hearons, byfyde no leffe number of 
 popingiais then fparowes with vs. Euery kynge hath his fubiectes diuided to fundiye affaires : As fumme to 
 huntynge, other to fyffliynge, and other fumme to hufbandrye. But let vs now returne to fpeake further of the 
 names. We haue fayde that Quizqueia and Haiti were the oulde names of this Ilande. The hole Ilande 
 was alfo cauled Cipanga of the region of the montaynes aboundynge with golde : Lyke as owre anciente 
 poetes cauled all Italye Latium of parte therof. Therfore as they cauled Aufonia and Hefperia, Itahe, euen 
 foo by the names of Quizqueia, Haiti, and Cipanga, they vnderflode the hole Ilande of Hifpanioh. . Owre 
 men dyd fyrfl.e name it Ifabella of queene Helifabeth whiche in the Spanifhe tongue is cauled Ifabella : And fo 
 named it of the fyril Colonic where they planted their habitation vpon the banke nere vnto the fea on the 
 Northe fyde of the Ilande, as wee haue further declared in the fyrfle decade. But of the names, this fhall 
 fuffyce. Lette vs nowe therfore fpeake of the fonne of the Ilande. They whiche fyrfle ouer ranne it, defcribed 
 it vnto me to bee lyke the leafe of a cheflnutte tree, with a goulfe towarde the weft fyde, lyinge open ageynft 
 the Ilande of Cuba. But the experte fhyppe mayfter Andreas Moralis broughte me the forme therof fumwhat 
 differjnge from that. For from bothe the comers, as from the Eafte angle and the Weft, he defcribed it to be 
 indented and eaten with many great goulfes, and the corners to reache foorthe verye farre : and placeth manye 
 large and fafe hauens in the great goulfe on the Eaft fyde. But I truft fhortely foo to trauayle further herein, 
 that a perfecte carde of the particular defcription of Hifpaniola maye bee fente vnto yowre holyneffe. For they 
 haue nowe drawne the Geographicall defcription therof in cardes, euen as yowre holyneffe hath feene the forme 
 and fytuation of Spayne and Italye with their montaines, valley es, ryuers, cities, and colonies. Lette vs therfore 
 without Ihamfaftneffe compare the Ilande of Hifpaniola to Italie, fumt3Tne the heade and queene of the hole 
 worlde. For if wee confyder the quantitie, it fhalbee founde lyttle leffe, and muche more frutefuU. It reacheth 
 from the Eafte into the Weft, fyue hundreth and fortye myles accordynge to the computation of the later 
 fearchers : Althoughe the Admyrall fumwhat increafed this number as wee haue fayde in the fyrfte decade. It 
 is in breadth fumme where, almofte three hundreth myles : And in fumme places narower where the corners are 
 extended. But it is fuerlye muche more bleffed and fortunate then ItaUe: Beynge for the moofte parte therof 
 fo temperate and floryffhynge, that it is neyther vexed with fharppe coulde, nor afiflycted with immoderate heate. 
 It hath bothe the fteyinges and conuerfyons of the foonne (cauled Soljlitid) in maner equall with the Equinoctiall, 
 with lyttle difference betwene the length of the daye and nyghte throughout all the yeare. For on the fouth fyde, 
 the day afcendeth fcarcely an houre in length aboue the nyghte, or contrary wyfe. But the dyfference is more 
 on the northe fyde. Yet are there fumme regions in the Ilande in the whiche the coulde is of fum force. But 
 yowre holyneffe mufte vnderftonde this to bee incident by reafon of the obiecte or neamelfe of the mountaines, 
 as wee wyl more largely declare hereafter. Yet is not this coulde fo pearcynge and fharpe, that th[e]inhabitantes 
 are molefted with fnowe or bytynge frofte. In other places, the Ilande enioyeth perpetuall fpringe tyme, and 
 
 167 
 
 Singing and 
 dauncemg. 
 Soonges of loue 
 and moornynge. 
 
 Prophesies. 
 
 Note 
 
 Theyr familiaritie 
 wi[th] spirites 
 
 The deuyl is 
 dryuen awaye 
 by baptisme 
 
 126 
 
 Surueyers. 
 
 They lyue as much 
 in the water as on 
 the lande 
 
 Serpentes 
 
 A Crocpdile is 
 much lyke to owr 
 ewte or Lyserte 
 Byrdes and foules 
 Popingayes 
 
 Cipanga. 
 
 Italy cauled 
 Latium 
 
 Isabella 
 
 The foime of the 
 Ilande of 
 hispaniola 
 
 A particular carde 
 of hispaniola. 
 
 Hispaniola 
 compared to Italie. 
 
 The temperature 
 of Hispaniola. 
 
 The equinoctiall. 
 
 Coulde accidentall, 
 and not by the 
 sytuation of 
 the region. 
 Perpetual! springq 
 and soomer. 
 
i68 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Mameloiis 
 frutfulnes 
 
 127 
 
 is fortunate with contynuall foomer and haruefl. The trees floiyfhe there all the hole yeare: And the medowes 
 contynue alway greene. All thynges are exceadynge fortunate, and growe to great perfection. How wonderfully 
 all garden herbes and frutes doo encreafe, foo thatwithin the fpaoe of fyxtene dayes after the feede is sowne, al herbes 
 of imaule fteames, as letteffe, borage, radyflie, and fuche other, coome to their full rypeneffe.: And alfo howe herbes 
 of the bygger forte, as gourdes, melones, cucumers, pompons, citrons, and fuche other, coome to their perfection 
 in the fpace of thirtie dayes, wee haue fufficiently declared elles where. Of the beaft.es tranfported out of Spaine 
 thether, wee haue fayde howe they growe too a muche greater kynde : In fo muche that when they faule into 
 communication of the oxen or kyne, they compare them in bigneffe to elephantes, and fwyne to mules : But this 
 fumwhat by an exceffyue kynde of fpeache. We haue alfo made mention how their fwynes flefftie is more 
 fauourye and farre better and more pleafaunte tafte and more holfome then owres, by reafon they are fedde with 
 the frutes of Myrobalane trees, and other pleafaunte and nuryffliynge fruites of that contrey, whiche growe there of 
 them felues, as do with vs beeches, holly, and okes. Vynes woolde alfo profper there with maruellous encreafe, 
 if they had any regard to the plantinge therof. The lyke encreafe commeth of wheate if it be fowen vppon the 
 mountaynes where the colde is of fume ftrength: but not in the playnes, by reafon of to much fatnes and 
 rankenes of the grownde. It is in maner incredible to heare, that an eare of wheate fliuld bee bygger then a 
 mans arme in the brawne, and more then a fpanne in length, bearynge alfo more then a thoufande graynes 
 as they all confeffe with one voyce, and erneftly affirme the fame with othes. Yet they fay the bread of the Ilande 
 (cauled) CazMirasAo. of the roote oilucca, to bee more holfome, becaufe it is of eafyer digeftion, and is cultured 
 with leffe labour and greater increafe. The refidue of the tyme which they fpende not in fettynge and plantynge, 
 they beftowe in gatheringe of golde. They haue nowe fuche plentie of foure footed beafts, that horfes and oxe 
 hydes with flieepe flcynnes and goate (kyns and fuch other, are brought from thenfe into Spayne: So that nowe 
 the doughter in many thynges helpeth and fuccurreth her mother. Of the trees of brafile, fpices, the graine 
 which coloureth fcarlet in bright fhinynge redde, maftix, goffampine cotton, the precious metall cauled Ekilrum, 
 and fuch other commodities of this Ilande, we haue fpoken fufficiently before. What therefore can chaunce 
 more happy vnto man vpon the earth, then there to l)aie where he neede not to bee dryuen to clofe chaumbers 
 with ftiarpe coulde or fayntynge heate? Nor yet in wynter eyther to bee laden with heauy apparell, or to burne 
 the ftiinnes with continual fyttyng at the fyer, which thynges make men oulde in ftiort tyme by refoluinge the 
 natural heate, wherof a thoufande difeafes infue. They alfo affirme the ayer to bee very healthful! : and the 
 waters of the ryuers to bee no lefTe holfome, as they whiche haue theyr continuall courfe through the earth of 
 the golden mynes. For there is in maner no ryuer, no mountaynes, and but fewe playnes that are vtterly without 
 golde. But let vs nowe at the length coome to the particular defcription of the inner partes of this bleffed 
 Ilande. We haue before declared howe it is in maner equally diuided with foure greate ryuers defcendynge 
 frome hygh mountaynes : wherof that which runneth towarde the Eaft, is cauled lunna, as that towarde the 
 Weft is named ^Z^z^Kw/wf: The thyrde is Naiba ox HaibavM.Q!s\ runneth Southwarde: The fourth is cauled 
 lache, and fauleth towarde the North. But this fliippe maifter, hath brought an other defcription obferued of 
 th[e]inhabitantes from the begynnynge. Let vs therfore diuide the hole Ilande into fine partes, caulynge the 
 regions of euery prouince by theyr owlde names : and fynally make mention of fuche thynges as are woorthye 
 memory in euery of them. The begynninge of the Ilande on the Eaft fyde, is conteyned in the prouince named 
 Caizcimu : fo named for that in theyr language Cimu, fignifieth the front or begynnynge of any thynge. After 
 this, foloweth the prouince of Huhaho, and then Caihaio. The fourth is Bainoa. Guaccaiarima conteyneth the 
 weft comer. But the laft faue one, Bainoa is of larger boundes then the three other. Caizcimu reachethe 
 from the fyrft fronte of the Ilande to the ryuer Hozama, whiche runneth by the citie of iaynt Dominicke. But 
 towarde the North fyde, it is ended at the rough mountaynes of Haiti. Huhdbo, is included within the 
 mountaynes Haiti and the ryuer laciga. Cai\K^bo the thyrde prouince, conteyneth all that lyeth betwene 
 Cuhabo and Dahatio, euen vnto the mouth of the ryuer of laccha or lache (one of the foure which diuide 
 the Ilande equally) and afcendethe to the mountaynes of Cibaua, where the greatefte plentie of golde 
 is founde: Owte of the which alfo the ryuer Demahus fpringeth: and ioynynge with the fpringes of the 
 lyuer of Naiba, (being an other of the foure which diuideth the Ilande towarde the fouth fea) fauleth to 
 an other banke of the ryuer of faynt Dominicke. Bainoa, begynneth at the confines of Caiabi, and 
 reacheth euen vnto the Ilande of Cahini which lieth neare vnto the fea bankes of the north fyde of the 
 Ilande where wee fayde that they erected the fyrft colonic or habitacion. The prouince of Guaccaiarima, 
 occupieth the remanent towarde the weft- This they named Guaccaiarima, bycaufe it is the extreme or vtter- 
 moft parte of the Ilande. For larima in theyr language fignifieth the tayle or fende of any thynge : And Gua, 
 is an article whiche they vfe often tymes in the names of thynges: And efpecially in the names of theyr kynges : 
 as Guarionexius, and Guaccanarillus. In the prouince of Caizimu, are thefe regions: Higuei, Guanama 
 Reyre, Xagua, Aramana, Arabo, Hazoa, Macorix, Caiacoa, Guaic^ua, Baguanimaho and the rough mountaynes 
 of Haiti. Here let vs fpeake fume what of theyr afpirations which they vfe otherwyfe then the Latins doo. 
 
 Beastes 
 
 Oxen and swyne 
 of exceadyng 
 bygnesse. 
 
 Swyne fed with 
 Myrobalanes 
 
 Vines 
 Wheate 
 
 An eare of wheate 
 as by|; as a mans 
 arme in the brawne 
 The bread of the 
 Ilande. 
 
 Golde. 
 
 Great plentie of 
 
 cattayle. 
 
 Brasile. 
 
 Mastyx. 
 
 Gossampine 
 
 EUctrum. 
 
 Incommodities of 
 intemperat regions 
 
 Holsome ayer 
 and water 
 Golde euery where 
 
 The description 
 of the inner partes 
 of the Ilande. 
 
 The citie of s. 
 Dominicke 
 The mountaynes 
 of Haiti 
 
 The mountaynes 
 of Cibaua 
 
 128 
 
 The Ilande of 
 
 Cahini 
 
 Of jprouinces 
 
 diuided into 
 
 Of theyr 
 aspirations 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 i6g 
 
 It is to bee noted that there is no afpiration in theyr vowels, which hath not th[e]effecte of a confonant. So 
 that they pronounce theyr afpirations more vehemently then wee do the confonant. f. Ye, all fuche woordes 
 as in their tonge are afpirate, are pronounced with lyke breath and fpirite as is. f. fauing that herein the neather 
 lyppe is not moued to th[e]uppennoft teethe. With open mouthes and fliakynge theyr breft.es, they breath 
 out thefe afpirations, ha, he, hi, ho, hu, as the Hebrewes and Arabians are accuflomed to pronounce theyrs. I 
 fynde alfo that the Spanyardes vfe the lyke vehemence in the afpirations of thofe woordes whiche they haue 
 receaued of the Moores and Arabians which poffeffed Spaine, and continued there many yeares : As in thefe 
 woordes: Almohadda, whiche fignifieth a pyllowe or bolft.er: AUb Almohaza, that is, a horfe combe: with 
 dyuers fuch other woordes whiche they fpeake in maner with panting breft.es and vehement fpirite. I haue 
 thought it good to reherfe thefe thynges, bycaufe amonge the Latines it often tymes foo chaunceth that onely 
 the accent or afpiration, chaungeth the fignification of the woorde : as hora, for an houre, and ora for the plurale 
 number of this woorde os, which fignifieth the mouth : Alfo ora, which fignifieth regions or coaftes. The lyke 
 alfo chaunceth in the diuerfitie of the accente, as occido I kyll, and ocddo I faule. Euen fo in the language of thefe 
 fimple men, there are many thynges to bee obferued. But let vs nowe retume to the defcription. In the 
 prouince of Huhabo, are thefe regions : Xamana, Canabacoa, Cuhdbo, with many other, the names wherof I haue 
 not yet learned. The prouince oi Caihabo, conteyneth thefe regions: Magua, a,nd Cacambana. Th[e]inhabi- 
 tantes of this region,/ haue a peculyar language much diflferinge fi:om the common language of the Hand, and 
 are cauled Macoryxes. There is alfo an other region cauled Cubana, whofe language difFereth from the other. 
 Lykewyfe the region of Baiohaigita, hath a dyuers toonge. There are alfo other regions, as Dahabon, Cybaho, 
 and Manabaho. Cotoy is in the myddle of the Ilande. By this runnethe the ryuer Nizaus: And the montaynes 
 cauled Mahaitin, Hasua, and Neibaymao, confine with the fame. In the prouince of Bainoa, are the regions of 
 Ma^uana, lagohaiucho, Bauruco, Dabiagtta, and AUibuni, fo named of the ryuer: Alfo Caunoa, Buiaici, 
 Dahabonici, Maiaguariti, Atiei, Maccazina, Guahabba, Anniuici, Marten, Guaricco, Amaguei, Xaragua, Yaguana, 
 Azzuei, lacchi, Honorucco, Diaguo, Camaie, and Neibaimao. In Guaccaierima the laft prouince, thefe regions 
 are conteyned : Maukarao, Guahagua, Taquenazabo, Nimaca, Bainoa the leffe, Cahaymi, lamaizi, Manabaxao, 
 Zauana, Habacoa, and Ayqueroa. But let vs entreate fumwhat of the particulars of the regions. In the 
 prouince of Caizdmu, within the great goulfe of the beginnynge, there is a greate caue in a hollowe rocke 
 vnder the roote of a hygh mountayne, about twoo furlonges from the fea. The enterie of this caue is not 
 much vnlyke the doores of a great temple, beinge very large and tumynge many wayes. Andreas Moralis the 
 fliyp maft.er, at the commaundement of the gouernoure, tempted to fearche the caue with the fmauleft veflels. 
 He layth that by certeyne priuie wayes, manye ryuers haue concourfe to this caue as it were to a fmke or 
 chanelL After th[e]experience hereof, they ceafed to maruaile whither other ryuers ranne whiche commynge 
 fourefcore and tenne myles, were fwalowed vp, fo that they appeared no more, nor yet fell into the fea by any 
 knowen wayes. Nowe therfore they fuppofe that ryuers fwalowed vp by the holowe places of that ftony moun- 
 tayne, faule into this caue. As the Ihipmafl^er entered into the caue his fliippe was almoft fwalowed. For he 
 faith that there are many whyrlepooles and ryfinges or boylinges of the water, which make a violent conflicte and 
 horrible rorynge one encounteryng the other. Alfo many huge holes and holowe places : So that what on the 
 one fyde with the whirle pooles, and on the other fide with the boyling of the water, his fhyp was long in maner 
 toffed vp and downe lyke a baule. It greatly repented hym that he had entered, yet knewe he no way how to 
 come forth. He now wandered in darkeneffe, afwel for the obfcurenefle of the caue into the which he was farre 
 entered, as alfo that in it were thicke cloudes engendered of the moift vapours proceading of the conflicte of the 
 waters whiche continually faule with great violence into the caue on euery fyde. He compareth the noyfe of 
 thefe waters, to the faule of the famous ryuer of Nilus from the montaines of Ethyope. They were al fo deafe, 
 that one could not here what an other faid. But at the length with great daunger and feare, he came foorth of 
 the caue as it had byn owte of hel. Aboute three fcore miles diftante from the chiefe citie of faincte Dominicke, 
 there are certeyne hyghe montaynes vppon the toppes wherof is a lake or flandynge poole inacceffible, neuer 
 yet feene of them whiche came latelye to the Ilande, bothe by reafon of the roughneiTe of the montaines, and 
 alfo for that there is noo pathe or open waye to the toppes of the fame. But at the length the fliyppe maifter 
 beinge conducted thether by one of kynges, afcended to the toppes of the montaines and came to the poole. 
 Hee faith that the coulde is there of fum force. And in token of wynter, hee founde feme and bramble buflhes, 
 whiche two, growe onely in coulde regions. Thefe montaynes, they caule Ymizui Hibahaino. This poole is of 
 freftie water three myles in compaffe, and wel replenyfftied with diuerfe kindes of fyftties. Many fmaule riuers 
 or brookes faule into it. It hath no paflage owte, bycaufe it is on euery fyde enclofed. with the toppes of 
 montaynes. But lette vs nowe fpeake of an other poole whiche may well bee cauled a fea in the mydlande, 
 and bee coompared to the Cafpian or Hircanian fea in the fyrme lande oi Afia: with certeyne other lakes and 
 pooles of frefflie water. 
 
 The pronunciation 
 of the Hebrewes 
 and Arabians 
 
 The Moores and 
 Arabians possessed 
 Spayne 
 
 Howe the 
 aspiration 
 changeth the 
 signification of 
 wordes 
 
 Dyuers languages 
 in the Ilande 
 
 A greate caue in 
 the rocke of a 
 mountayne. 
 
 A daungerus 
 enterprise 
 
 Riuers deuourcd 
 of caues. 
 
 129 
 
 Whirlepooles 
 and conflicte 
 of waters. 
 
 Clowdes in the 
 caue. 
 
 The Cataractes 
 of Nilus 
 
 A standynge 
 poole in the toppe 
 of a hygh 
 mountayne. 
 
 Feme and bramble 
 busshes, growe 
 only in coulde 
 
 regions. 
 
 The Caspian and 
 Hircanian sea. 
 
lyo 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 C The eyghte booke of the thirde decade. 
 
 A great lake of 
 soure and salte 
 water. 
 
 Swalowinge 
 goulfes. 
 
 Sea fysshes in 
 lakes of the 
 midlantje 
 
 The deuourynge 
 fy;sshe cauled 
 Tiburonus. 
 
 The ryuers that 
 faule into the lake 
 Caspium. 
 
 CC. [two hundred] 
 sprynges within 
 the space of a 
 furlonge. 
 
 A myracle. 
 
 The Indian 
 
 language. 
 
 130 
 
 A kyng stricken 
 dumme and lame 
 by a myracle. 
 
 Such as are 
 drowned in the 
 lake are not cast 
 vp ageyne. 
 
 The Ilande 
 ' Guarizacca in 
 the myddest of 
 the poole. 
 A lake of salt 
 and freshe water. 
 
 A lake of fresshe 
 water 
 
 A lake of ten 
 myles in length 
 
 He prouynce of Bainoa beynge thrife as bygge as the three fyrfl, that is, Caizdmu, Vhabo, 
 and Caihdbo, includeth a valley named Caiouani, in the whiche there is a lake of falte, foure, 
 and bytter water, as wee reade of the fea cauled Cafpium, lyinge in the firme lande betwene 
 Sarmatia and Hircania. We haue therfore named it Cafpium, althoughe it not bee in the 
 region of Hircania. It hath manye fwalowinge goulfes, by the whiche, bothe the water of the 
 fea fpringeth into it, and alfo fuche as faule into it from the mountaines, are fwalowed vppe. 
 They thyncke that the caues therof, are fo large and deepe, that great fyffties of the fea pafTe 
 by the fame into the lake. Emonge thefe fyffhes, there is one cauled Tiburonus whiche cutteth a man in funder 
 by the myddefl. at one fnappe with his teethe, and deuoureth hym. In the ryuer Hozama, runnynge by the 
 chiefe citie of fajTicte Dominicke, thefe Tiburoni do fumtymes coome from the fea and deuoure manye of 
 th[e]inhabitauntes : Efpecially fuche as do dayly ploonge them felues in the water to th[e]intent to keepe their 
 bodyes verye cleane. The ryuers whiche faule into the lake, are thefe. From the Northe fyde, Guaninicahon; 
 From the South e, Xaccoei: from the Eafle, Guannabo: And from the Weft, Occoa. They faye that thefe ryuers 
 are great and continuall : And that befyde thefe, there are. xx. other fmaule ryuers whiche faule into this Cafpium. 
 Alfo on the Northe fyde within a furlonge of the lake, there are aboue twoo hundreth fpringes, occupyinge 
 lykewife aboute a furlonge in circuite, the water wherof is coulde in foomer, frelhe alfo, and holfome to bee 
 droonke. Thefe fprynges make a ryuer that can not bee waded ouer, whiche neare at hande ioynynge with the 
 other, fauleth into the lake. Here mufte wee ftaye a whyle. The kynge of this regyon founde his wyfe 
 praying in a chapel builded by the Chriftians within the precincte of his dominion, and required her 
 coompanie to fatiffye his flefhely lufte. His Avyfe reproued hym, and put hym in remembraunce to 
 haue refpecte to the holye place. The woordes whiche fhee fpake to hym, were thefe: Teitoca, Teitoca: 
 whiche is as muche to faye, as, bee quyet, bee quyet: Techeta cynato guamechyna: That is, god wyl bee 
 greatly angerie. Guamechyna, fygnifyeth god, Techeta greatly, Cynato angrie. But the hufbande halynge her 
 by the arme, fayde: Guaibba, that is, go: Cynato macabuca guamechyna: That is: what is that to me if god be 
 angerye? And with thefe woordes as he profered her violence, foodenlye he became dumme and lame. Yet 
 by this mjrracle beynge ftriken with repentaunce, he euer after ledde a relygious lyfe : In fo muche that from 
 thenfe foorthe hee woolde neuer fuffer the chappell to bee fwepte or decked with any other mannes hande. 
 By the fame myracle, manye of th[e]inhabitauntes and all the Chriftians beyng moued, reforted deuoutly to the 
 chappell. They take it in good parte that the kynge fuffered the reuenge of that reproche. Lette vs nowe 
 retoume to Cafpium. That falte lake is toffed with ftormes and tempeftes : And oftentymes drowneth fmaule 
 fhyppes or fyffher boates, and fwaloweth them vppe with the maryners ; In fo muche that it hath not byn harde 
 of, that any man drowned by fhyppewracke, euer ploonged vppe ageyne, or was cafte on the fhore, as commonly 
 chaunceth of the deade bodyes of fuche as are drowned in the fea. Thefe tempeftes, are the deintie banquetes 
 of the Tiburones. This Cafpium, is cauled Hagueigabon. In the myddeft hereof, lyeth an Ilande named 
 Guarizacca, to the whiche they reforte when they go a fyffhynge : But it is not cultured. There is in the fame 
 playne, an other lake nexte vnto this, whofe water is myxte of falte and frefhe : And is therfore nother apte to 
 bee droonke, nor yet to bee refufed in vrgente neceffytie. This conteineth in length, xxv. liiiles, and in breadth 
 eight myles : In fumme places alfo nyne or ten. It receaueth manye ryuers whiche haue no paffage owte of 
 the fame, but are fwalowed vppe as in the other. Water fpringeth out of the fea into this alfo: but in no great 
 quantitie, whiche is the caufe that it is fo commyxte. In the fame prouynce towarde the Wefte fyde, there is 
 an other lake of frefhe water, not farre diftante from Cafpius. This th[e]inhabitauntes caule lainagua. The 
 fame falte lake, hath on the North fyde therof, an other named Guaccaa. This is but lyttle : as not paft three 
 or foure myles in breadth, and one in length. The water of this, maye well bee droonke. On the fouthe fyde 
 of the falte lake, there lyeth an other named Babbareo, of three myles in length and in maner rounde. The 
 water of this is frefhe as of the two other. This lake bycaufe it hath no paffage owte nor yet anye fwalowynge 
 goulfes, conueyeth the fuperfluous waters to the fea if it be encreafed with the ftreames whiche faule fumtimes 
 more abondantly from the montaines. This is in the region of Xamana in the prouince of Bainoa. There 
 is an other cauled Guaniba, lying betwene the Eaft and the South nere vnto the- fyde of Cafpius. This is ten 
 myles in length and almofte rounde. There are furthermore many other fmaule ftandyng pooles or lakes 
 difparfed here and there in the Hand, whiche I wyll lette paffe lefte I ftiulde bee tedious in remainyng to longe 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 ijx 
 
 in one thynge. I wyll therfore make an ende with this addition, that in all thefe, great plentie of fyfhe and 
 foule is nouryflhed. All thefe lakes lye in a large playne, the whiche from the Eaft. reacheth into the Weft a 
 hundreth and twentie myles : beyng of breadth, xviii. myles where it is naroweft, and. xxv. where it is largeft. 
 Lookyng toward the Weft, it hath collaterally on the lefte hande the montaines oi Daiguani: And on the ryght 
 hande, the montaines of Caigtta, fo cauled of the name of the vale it felfe. At the rootes of the montaines of 
 Caigua toward the North fyde, there lyeth an other vale much longer and larger then that before named. For 
 it conteineth in length, almofte two hundreth myles : And in bredth. xxx. wher it is largeft, and about, xx. wher 
 it is naroweft This vale in fumme parte therof, is cauled Maguana: In an other place, ^a»2«, and elles 
 where, Hathathiei. And forafmuche as wee haue here made mention of this parte of the vale named Haihathiei, 
 wee wyll fumwhat digreffe from the difcourfe of this defcription, and entreate of a thinge fo ftraunge and 
 maruelous, that the lyke hath not byn hard of. So it is therfore, that the kyng of this region named Carama- 
 texius, taketh great pleafure in fyfftiinge. Into his nettes chanced a younge fyfhe of the kynde of thofe huge 
 monfters of the fea whiche th[e]inhabitours caule Manati, not founde I fuppofe in owre feas nor knowen to 
 owre men before this tyme. This fyfhe is foure footed, and in fhape lyke vnto a tortoyfe althoughe ftiee be not 
 couered with a fliel, but with fcales : And thofe of fuch hardneffe and couched in fuche order, that no arrowe can 
 hurte her. Her fcales are byfet and defend with a thoufand knobbes. Her backe is playne, and her heade vtterly 
 lyke the heade of an oxe. She lyueth both in the water and on the lande : She is flowe of mouynge : of condition 
 meeke, gentell, affocyable and louing to mankind and of a maruelous fence or memorie as are the elephant and the 
 delphyn. The king noriffhed this fyfhe certeine daies at home with the breade of the countrey, made of the roote of 
 lucca and Panycke with fuche other rootes as men are accuftomed to eate. For when fhee was yet but younge, he 
 caft her into a poole or lake neare vnto his palaice there to bee fedde with hande. This lake alfo receaueth 
 waters and cafteth not the fame foorth ageine. It was in tyme pafte cauled Guaurdbo : But is nowe cauled the lake 
 of Manati after the name of this fyfhe whiche wandered fafelye in the fame for the fpace of xxv. yeares, and 
 grewe excedyng byg. What fo euer is written of the Delphines of Baian or Arion, are muche inferior to the 
 dooinges of this fyfh : which for her gentle nature they named Matum, that is gentle or noble. Therefore when 
 fo euer any of the kynges familyers, efpecially fuche as are knowen to her, reforte to the bankes of the lake and 
 caule Matum, Matum, then fhe (as myndefuU of fuche benefites as fhe hath receaued of men) lyftethe vp her 
 heade and commeth to the place whither fhe is cauled, and there receaueth meate at the handes of fuche as 
 feede her. If any defirous to pafTe ouer the lake, make fignes and tokens of theyr intente, fhe boweth her felfe 
 to them, therewith as it were gentelly inuitynge them to amount vppon her, and conueyeth them fafely ouer. 
 It hath bjm feene that this monftrous fyflhe hath at one tyme fafely caryed ouer tenne men finginge and playinge. 
 But if by chaimce when fhe lyfteed vp her heade fhe efpyed any of the Chriftian men, fhe woolde immediatly 
 ploonge downe ageyne into the water and refufe to obey, bycaufe fhe had once receaued iniury at the handes of 
 a certeyne wanton younge man amonge the Chriftians, who hadde cafte a fharpe darte at her, although fhe were 
 not hurte by reafon of the hardenes of her fkynne beinge roughe and fill of fkales and knobbes as we haue 
 fayde. Yet dyd fhe beare in memorie th[e]iniurie fhe fufteyned, with fo gentell a reuenge requitynge 
 th[e]ingratitude of hym which had delte with her fo vngentelly. From that day when fo euer fhe was tauled by 
 any of her familiers, fhe woolde fyrft looke circumfpectly about her, leaft any were prefent appareled after the 
 maner of the Chriftians. She woolde oftentymes play and wreftle vppon the banke with the kynges chamberlens : 
 And efpecially with a younge man whom the kynge fauoured well, beinge alfo accuftomed to feede her. Shee 
 woolde bee fumetymes as pleafaunt and full of play as it had byn a moonkey or marmafet : And was of longe 
 tyme a great comfort and folace to the hole Hande. For no fmaule confluence afwell of the Chriftians as of 
 th[e]inhabitantes, had dayly concourfe to beholde fo ftraunge a myracle of nature, the contemplation wherof was 
 no leffe pleafaunt then woonderfull. They fay that the meate of this kynde of fyffhe, is of good tafte : And that 
 many of them are engendered in the feas therabout. But at the length, this pleafaunt playfelowe was lofte, and 
 caried into the fea by the great ryuer Attibunicus, one of the foure which diuide the Hande. For at that tyme 
 there chaunced fo terrible a tempeft of wind, and rayne, with fuch fluds enfewing that the like hath not lightly 
 byn hard of. By reafon of this tempeft, the ryuer Attibunicus fo ouerfiowed the bankes, that it fylled the hole 
 vale and myxt it felfe with all the other lakes. At which tyme alfo, this gentell Matum and pleafaunte 
 companyon, folowynge the vehemente courfe and faule of the fluddes, was therby reftored to his oulde moother 
 and natyue waters, and fence that tyme neuer feene ageyne. Thus hauynge digreffed fufficiently, let vs nowe 
 coome to the fituation of the vale. It hathe collaterally the mountaynes of Cibaua and Caiguam which 
 brynge it to the South fea. There is an other vale beyonde the mountaynes of Cibaua towarde the North. 
 This is cauled the vale of Guarionexius, bycaufe that before the memorie of man, the predicefTours and 
 aunceftours of kyng Guarionexius to whom it is defcended by right of inheritaunce, were euer the lordes 
 of the hole vale. Of this' kynge, we haue fpoken largely in the fyrft narration of the Hande in the 
 fyrft Decade. This vale is of length from the Eaft to the Weft, a hundreth and fourefcore myles: And of 
 
 A playne of a 
 
 hundreth and 
 twentie miles 
 
 A playne of two _ 
 hundreth myles in 
 length. 
 
 The maruelous 
 fysshe Manati. 
 
 131 
 
 A monster of the 
 sea fedde with 
 mans hande. 
 
 Maium, 
 
 A fyshe caryeth 
 men ouer the lake 
 
 A maruelous 
 thynge. 
 
 The ryuer 
 Attibunicus. 
 
 The situation of 
 the great vale. 
 
 Themountayncs 
 of Cibaua and 
 Caiguam. 
 
 The greate vale 
 of Guarionexius. 
 
 171 
 
172 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 132 
 
 Mountaynes. 
 Vales. 
 Hylles. 
 Playnes. 
 Ryuers. 
 Golde in all 
 mountaynes, and 
 Isolde and fysshe 
 in all ryuers. 
 
 Salle bayes. 
 
 Howe the Ilande 
 is diuided with 
 mountaynes. 
 
 Golde. 
 
 The ryuers haue 
 theyr increase 
 from the caues cf 
 the mountaynes 
 No hurtful or 
 raueninge beast 
 in the Uande. 
 
 The autours 
 excuse. 
 
 By what meanes 
 the people of the 
 Hand are gretly 
 consumed. 
 
 The plesures of 
 Hispaniola. 
 
 The region of 
 Cotohi, situate in 
 the Clowdes. 
 
 A playne in the 
 toppes of 
 mountaynes 
 
 The hygher, the 
 coulder. 
 
 Moderate coulde 
 in the mountaynes. 
 
 Feme of 
 maruelous bignes 
 
 Golde. 
 
 133 
 
 Th[e}inhahitaiites 
 of Hispaniola can 
 abyde no labour 
 nor coulde. 
 
 The Hand ol 
 Creta or Candie, 
 vnder the 
 dominion of the 
 Venetians. 
 
 breadth from the South to the North, thirtie myles wher it is narowell, and fiftie where it is brodefle. It 
 begyimeth from the region Canabocoa by the prouinces of Huhabo and Caiabo : And endeth in the prouince 
 of Bainoa and the region of Marima. It lyeth in the myddefl betwene the mountaynes of Cibaua, 
 and the mountaynes of Cahonai and Cazaciiiiuna. There is no prouince nor any region, which is not notable 
 by the maieflie of mountaynes, frutefulnes of vales, pleafauntneffe of hylles, and delectablenes of playnes, with 
 abundaunce of fayre ryuers runnynge through the fame. There are no fides of mountaynes or hylles, no ryuers, 
 which abound not with golde and delycate fyfflies, except only one ryuer which from th[e]originaU therof, with 
 the fprynges of the fame breakynge foorth of the mountaynes, commeth owt falte and fo contynueth vntyll it 
 peryflie. This ryuer is cauled Bahuan : and runneth through the myddle of the region Maguana in the prouince 
 oi Bainoa. They fuppofe that this ryuer hathe made it felfe awaye vnder the grounde by fume paffages of 
 playfler or falte earthe. For there are in the Ilande many notable falte bayes, wherof we wyl fpeake more 
 hereafter. We haue declared howe the Ilande is diuided by foure ryuers and fyue prouinces. There is alfo an 
 other particion, whiche is this. The hole Ilande confyfleth of the tops of foure mountaines which diuide it by 
 the myddefl from the Eafl to the wefte. In all thefe is abundance of nooryfliynge moyfture and greate plentie 
 of golde: of the caues alfo of the whiche, the waters of al the riuers (into the which the caues emptie them 
 felues) haue theyr originall and increafe. There are lykewyfe in them horryble dennes, obfcure and darke vales, 
 and myghtie rockes of flone. There was neuer any noyfome beafle founde in it : Nor yet any rauenynge foure 
 footed beafte. No lyon, no beare no fierce tygers, no craftie foxes, nor deuouring woolfes. All thynges are 
 bleffed and fortunate : And nowe more fortunate, for that fo many thoufandes of men are receaued to bee the 
 flieepe of Chriftes flocke, all theyr Zemes and Images of deuylles being reiected and vtterly out of memorie. 
 If I chaunce nowe and then in the difcourfe of this narration to repeate one thynge dyuers tymes or otherwife 
 to make digreffion, I mufl. defyre yowre holynes therwith not to bee offended. For whyle I fee, heare, and 
 wryte thefe thinges, mee feemeth that I am herewith fo affected, that for verye ioy I feele my mynde flirred as 
 it were with the fpirite of Apollo as were the Sibylles, whereby I am enforced to repeate the fame ageyne = 
 Efpecially when I confyder howe farre the amplitude of owre religion fpreadeth her wynges. Yet amonge thefe 
 fo many bleffed and fortunate thynges, this one greeueth me not a lytrie : That thefe fimple poore men neuer 
 brought vp in labour, do dayly peryfhe with intoUerable trauayle in the golde mynes : And are therby brought 
 to fuche defperation, that many of them kyll them felues, hauynge no regarde to the procreation of chyldren. 
 In fo much that women with chylde, perceauynge that they fhall brynge foorth fuch as fhalbe flaues to the 
 Chriflians, vfe medecines to deflroy theyr conception. And albeit that by the kynges letters patentes it was 
 decreed that they fhulde bee fet at lybertie, yet are they conflrayned to ferae more then feemeth conuenient for 
 free men. The number of the poore wretches is woonderfuUy extenuate. They were once rekened to bee 
 aboue twelue hundreth thoufande heades : But what they are nowe, I abhorre to rehearfe. We wyll therefore 
 let this paffe : and returne to the pleafures of Hifpaniola. In the mountaynes of Cibaua, which are in maner 
 in the myddefl of the Ilande in the prouince of Caiabo (where we fayd to bee the greatefl plentie of natyue 
 golde) there is a region named Cotohi, fituate in the clowdes, enuironed with the toppes of hyghe mountaynes, 
 and well inhabited. It confifleth of a playne of. xxv. myles in length, and. xv. in breadth. This playne is 
 hygher then the toppes of other mountaynes : So that thefe mountaynes, maye feeme to bee the chiefe and 
 progenitours of the other. This playne fufiereth alterations of the foure tymes of the yeare : as the Sprynge, 
 Soomer, Autumne, and wynter. Here the herbes waxe wythered, the trees loofe theyr leaues, and the medowes 
 become hore : The whiche thjntiges (as we haue fayde) chaunce not in other places of the Ilande, where they 
 haue only the Spring and Autumne. The foyle of this playne bryngeth foorth feme and bramble buffhes 
 bearynge blacke berries or wylde rafpes, which two are tokens of coulde regions. Yet is it a fayre region : for 
 the coulde therof is not very fharpe : neyther dooth it aflicte th[e]inhabitantes with frofle or fnowe. They argue 
 the frutefulnes of the region by the feme, whofe ftalkes or fleames are bygger then a fpere or iauelen. The 
 fydes of thofe mountaynes are ryche in golde. Yet is there none appoynted to dygge for the fame, bycaufe it 
 fhalbe needefuU to haue apparelled myners, and fuch as are vfed to labour. For th[e]inhabitantes lyuynge 
 contented with lyttle, are but tender: And can not therfore away with labour or abyde any coulde. There are 
 two ryuers which ranne through this region, and faule from the toppes of the prefent mountaynes. One of thefe 
 is named Comoiayxa, whofe courfe is towarde the Weft, and fauleth into the chanell of Naiba. The other is 
 cauled Tirecotus: which rannynge towarde the Eaft, ioyneth with the ryuer of lunna. In the Ilande of Creta 
 (nowe cauled Candie) as I pafTed by in my legacie to the Soldane of Alcayr or Babylon in Egypte, the 
 Venetians toulde me that there laye fuche a region in the toppes of the mountaynes of Ida, whiche they affirme 
 to bee more fintefiill of wheate come then any other region of the Hand. But forafmuch as once the Cretenfes 
 rebelled agenft the Venetians, and by reafon of the ftreight and narowe way to the toppes therof, longe defended 
 the region with armes againft th[e]auctoritie of the Senate, and at the length beinge forweiyed with warres, 
 rendered the fame, the Senate commaunded that it fhulde bee lefte deferte, and the ftreightes of th[e]enter- 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 173 
 
 aunces to bee flopped, lefte any ftiulde afcende to the region without their permiflyon. Yet in the yeare of 
 Chrifte M. D. ii. lycence was graunted to the hufband men to tyll and manure the region, on fuche condition 
 that no fuche as were apte to the warres, myght enter into the fame. There is alfo an other region in Hifpaniola 
 named Cotohy after the fame name. This diuideth the boundes of the prouinces of Vhabo and Caiabo. It 
 hath mountaynes, vales, and plaines. But bycaufe it is baren, it is not muche inhabited. Yet is it richefl in 
 golde : For the originall of the abundaunce of gold, beginneth here : In fo muche that it is not gathered in 
 fmaule graines and fparkes as in .other places : but is founde hole, maffie, and pure, emonge certaine fofte 
 (lones and in the vaines of rockes, by breakynge the ftones wherof, they folowe the vaynes of golde. They 
 haue founde by experience, that the vayne of golde is a lyuinge tree : And that the fame by all wayes that it 
 fpreadeth and fpringeth from the roote by the fofte pores and paflages of the yearth, putteth foorth branches 
 euen vnto the vppermoft part of the earth, and ceafeth not vntyl it difcouer it felfe vnto the open ayer: At 
 whiche time, it flieweth foorth certaine bewtifuU colours in the ileede of floures, rounde ftones of golden earth 
 in the fteede of frutes, and thynne plates in fteede of leaues. Thefe are they whiche are difparcled throughout 
 the hole Ilande by the courfe of the ryuers, eruptions of the fpringes owte of the montaines, and violent faules 
 of the fluddes. For they thincke that fuch graines are not engendered where they are gathered : efpecially on 
 the dry land : but otherwife in the riuers. They fay that the roote of the golden tree extendeth to the center 
 of the earth and there taketh norifhement of increafe. For the deaper that they dygge, they fynd the trunkes 
 therof to be fo muche the greater as farre as they maye folowe it for abundaunce of water fpringing in the 
 montaines. Of the braunches of this tree, they fynde fumme as fmaule as a threde, and other as bygge as a 
 mannes fynger accordynge to the largeneffe or ftraightneffe of the ryftes and clyftes. They haue fumetimes 
 chaunced vpon hole caues fufteyned and borne vp as it were with golden pyllars : And this in the wayes by the 
 whiche the branches afcende : The whiche beynge fylled with the fiibftaunce of the truncke creapynge from 
 beneath, the branche maketh it felfe waye by whiche it maye paffe owte. It is oftentymes diuided by encoun- 
 terynge with fum kynde of harde ftone. Yet is it in other clyftes noorifflied by the exhalations and vertue of 
 the roote. But now perhappes yowe will alke me what plentie of golde is brought from thenfe. Yowe (hall 
 therfore vnderftande that onely owte of Hifpaniola, the fum of foure hundreth and fumtymes fyue hundreth 
 thoufande ducates of gold is brought yearely into Spayne : as may be gathered by the fyfthe portion dewe to 
 the k)mges Excheker, which amounteth to the fum of a hundreth and fourfcore, or fourefcore and ten thoufande 
 Caftellanes of golde, and fumtymes more. What is to bee thought of the Ilande of Cuba and SanSli lohannis (other- 
 wife cauled Burichma) beyng both very lyche in golde, we wyll declare further hereafter. To haue fayde thus 
 muche of golde, it fliall fufiyce. Wewyll nowe therfore fpeake fumwhat of falte wherwith wee may feafon and referue 
 fuche thynges as are bought with golde. In a region of the prouince oiBainoa, in the montaynes of Daiaguo, 
 about twelue myles diftant from the falte lake cauled Cafpius, there are falte bayes in the montaynes in a maner as 
 hard as ftoones, alfo clearer and whiter then criftall. There are lykewyfe fuche falte baies whiche growe woon- 
 derfuUy in Laldania (now cauled Catalonia) in the territorie of the duke of Cadona the chiefe ruler in that region. 
 But fuche as knowe theym bothe, affyrme that thefe of Bainoa are mofte notable. They faye alfo that this can not 
 be clefte without wedges and beatelles of lion. But that of Laletana, maye eaflye bee broken as I my felfe haue 
 proued. They therfore compare this to fuche ftoones as may eafely bee broken: And the other to marble. In the 
 prouince of Caizimu, in the regions of Jguanama, Caiacoa, and Guariagua, there are fprynges whofe waters are 
 of maruelous nature, beynge in the fuperfytial or vppermoofte parte, freflie; In the myddeft, myxte of falte and 
 freflie : And in the loweft parte, falte and fower. They thincke that the falte water of the fea, iflheweth owte 
 foftely, and the freflie, to fpringe owte of the mountaines. The one fauleth downe and the other ryfeth : and are 
 not therfore fo vniuerlally myxt wherby the one may vtterly corrupt th[e]other. If any man laye his eare to the 
 grounde neare to any of thefe fpringes, he flial perceaue the ground there to bee fo hoUowe, that the reboundyng 
 noyfe of a horfeman comminge may be harde for the fpace of three myles, and a foote man one myle. In the 
 lafte region towarde the fouthe named Guaccaiarima, in the lordfliyp of Zaiiana, they fay there are certeyne 
 wyld men whiche lyue in the caues and dennes of the montaynes, contented onely with wilde fruites. Thefe 
 men neuer vfed the companye of any other: nor wyll by any meanes becoome tame. They lyue without any 
 certaine dwellynge places, and with owte tyllage or culturynge of the grounde, as wee reade of them whiche in 
 oulde tyme lyued in the golden age. They fay alfo that thefe men are withowte any certaine language. They 
 are fumtymes feene. But owre men haue yet layde handes on none of them. If at any tyme they coome to 
 the fyght of men, and perceyue any makynge toward them, they flye fwifter then a harte. Ye they affyrme them 
 to bee fwifter then grehowndes. What one of thefe folytarie wanderers dyd, it is worth the hearyng. So it is 
 that owr men hauyng granges adioyning nere vnto the thicke wods, certen of them repaired thither in the 
 mooneth of September in the yeare. M. D. xiiii. In the meane tyme, one of thefe wylde men came leapynge 
 owte of the woodde. And approchynge fumwhat toward them with fmyling countenaunce, foodenly fnatched 
 vppe a childe of therfe beynge the foonne of the owner of the graunge, whiche he begotte of a woman of the 
 
 173 
 
 Pure and massie 
 golde in the 
 region of Cotoy. 
 
 The vaine of golde, 
 is a Ijruynge tree. 
 
 These colers or 
 floures are cauled 
 Marchasites, 
 Pyrites. 
 
 The roote of the 
 golden tree. 
 
 The braunches of 
 the golden tree. 
 
 Caues susteyned 
 with pyllers of 
 golde. 
 
 The stones of the 
 golde mynes. 
 
 What gold is 
 brought yerely 
 from Hispaniola 
 into Spayne. 
 
 Salteofthe 
 mountaynes, very 
 hard and cleare. 
 
 134 
 
 Salt as hard as 
 stones. 
 
 Spryngesofsalt, 
 fresRhe and sower 
 water. 
 
 Holowe caues in 
 the grounde 
 
 Certeynewyld mei 
 lyuing in caues 
 and dennes 
 
 Men without a 
 certeyne language 
 
 Men as swift as 
 greihounds 
 A wyld man 
 runneth away 
 with a chylde 
 
174 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 Pitche of the 
 rocke. 
 
 Pitche of two 
 kyndes of trees. 
 The pine tree. 
 The tree Copeia. 
 
 The leafe of a tree 
 in the steede of 
 paper. 
 
 They beleue that 
 leaues do speake. 
 A pretie stone. 
 
 135 
 
 Ilande. He ranne awaye with the childe, and made fygnes to owre men to folowe hym. Many folowed afwel 
 of owre men as of the naked inhabytantes, but all in vayne. Thus when the pleafaunt wanderer perceaued that 
 the Chriftians ceafed to purfue hym, he lefte the childe in a croffe waye by the whiche the fwyneheardes were 
 accuftomed to dryue the fwyne to their pafture. Shortly after, a fwynehearde founde the chvld and brought 
 hym home to his father yet tormentynge hym felfe for forowe, fuppofynge that wylde man to haue byn one of 
 the kynde of the Canibales, and that his foonne was nowe deuowred. In the fame Ilande they gather pytche 
 whiche fweateth owte of the rockes, beynge muche harder and fourer then the pitche of the tree : and is therfore 
 more commodious to calke or defende fliyppes ageynfte the woormes cauled Bromas, wherof wee haue fpoken 
 largely before. This Ilande alfo bryngeth foorth pitche in two kyndes of trees, as in the Pyne tree and an other 
 named Copeia. I neede not fpeake of the pyne tree, bycaufe it is engendered and knowen in maner euery 
 where. Lette vs therfore fpeake fumwhat of the other tree cauled Copeia : Pitche is lykewyfe gathered of it as 
 of the pyne tree: althoughe fumme faye that it is gathered by diftyllyng or droppyng of the woode when 
 it is burnt It is a flraunge thynge to here of the leafe thereof: and how neceflary prouifion of nature is 
 fliewed in the fame. It is to be thought that this is the tree in the leaues wherof the Chaldeans (beynge the 
 fyrfle fjTiders of letters) expreffed their m)mdes before the vfe of paper was knowen. This leafe is a fpanne 
 in breadth and almofl round. Owre men write in them with pynnes or nedles or any fuche inftrumentes 
 made of metall or woodde, in maner as well as on paper. It is to bee lawghed at what owre men haue 
 perfwaded the people of the Ilande as towchynge this leafe. The fymple foules beleue that at the com- 
 mandement of owre men, leaues do fpeak and difclofe fecreates. They were brought to this credulitie 
 by this meanes. One of owre men dwellynge in the citie of Dominica the chiefe of the Ilande, delyuered 
 to his feruaunte (beyng a man borne in the Ilande) certayne roiled connies, (whiche they caule Vtias 
 beynge no bygger then myfe) wyllynge hym to carie the fame to his frende whiche dwelte further within the 
 Ilande. This meffenger, whether it were that he was therto conftrayned through hunger, or entyfed by appetite, 
 deuoured three of the counnies by the waye. He to whome they were fente, writ to his frynde in a leafe howe 
 manye he receaued. When the mayfler had looked a whyle on the leafe in the prefence of the feruaunt, he 
 fayde thus vnto hym. Ah foonne, where is thy faythe? Coulde thy gredye appetyte preuayle fo muche 
 with the as to caufe the to eate the connies commytted to thy fydelytie? The poore wretche trembelynge and 
 greatlye amafed, confeffed his faute : And therwith defyred his mayfter to tell hym howe he knewe the treweth 
 therof. This leafe (quod he) whiche thou browghtefl. me, hath toulde me all. Then hee further rehearfed vnto 
 hym the houre of his coommynge to his frende, and lykewyfe of his departynge when hee retoumed. And thus 
 they meryly deceaue thefe feely foules and keepe theym vnder obedyence : In fo muche that they take owre men 
 for goddes, at whofe coommaundement leaues doo difclofe fuche thynges as they thyncke moofte hyd and 
 fecreate. Bothe the fydes of the leafe receaueth the formes of letters euen as dooeth owre paper. It is thycker 
 then double parchement, and meruelous toughe. While it is yet floryflhynge and newe, it flieweth the letters 
 whyte in greene. And when it is drye, it becommeth whyte and harde lyke a table of woodde : but the letters 
 wexe yelowe. It dooeth not corrupte or putrifye : nor yet loofeth the letters thoughe it bee wette : nor by any 
 other meanes excepte it bee burnte. There is an other tree named Xagua : the iuife of whofe foure apple 
 beynge of a darke redde coloure, flayneth and coloureth what foo euer is touched therwith : And that foo 
 fynnely, that noo wailhynge canne take it awaye for the fpace of twentie dayes. When the apple is full ripe, the 
 iuife loofeth that flrength. The apple is eaten, and of good tall. There is alfo an herbe whofe fmoke (as we 
 haue reherfed the like before of a certen woodde) is deadly poifon. On a tyme when the kynges affembled 
 together and confpired the deftruction of owre men, whereas they durfte not attempte th[e]enterprife by open , 
 warre, theyr diuife was, priuilye to lay many bundels of thofe herbes in a certeyne houfe, whiche fliortly after 
 they intended to fet on fyer, to th[e]intent that owre men makynge hafte to quenihe the fame, myght take theyr 
 death with the finoke therof. But theyr purpofed practyfe beinge bewrayed, th[e]autours of the diuife were 
 punyflhed accordyngly. Nowe (mofte holy father) for as much as yowre holyneffe wryteth that what fo euer we 
 haue written of the newe worlde, dooth pleafe yowe lyght well, wee wyll reherfe certeyne thynges owte of order, 
 but not greatly from owre purpofe. Of the fettynge the rootes oi Maizium, Agis, lucca, Batiatas, and fuch other 
 beinge theyr common foode, and of th[e]ufe of the fame, we haue fpoken fufiiciently before. But by what meanes 
 they were fyrfle applyed to the commoditie of men, we haue not yet declared. We nowe therefore entende to 
 cntreate fumwhat hereof 
 
 Ignorance causeth 
 admiration. 
 
 The leafe wherin 
 they wryte. 
 
 A stronge colour 
 of theiuiseof an 
 apple. 
 
 An Herbe whose 
 smoke is poyson. 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 175 
 
 il The nynth booke of the thyrde Decade. 
 
 HEY faye that the fyrfte inhabitours lyued contented with the rootes of dates, and Magueans, 
 which is an herbe muche lyke vnto that which is commonly cauled Sengrene or Orpin. Alfo 
 the rootes of Guaiegans, whiche are rounde and greate muche lyke vnto puffes of the earth or 
 muflheromes. They did lykewife eate Guaieros, lyke vnto perfeneppes : Cibaios lyke nuttes, 
 Cabaioes and Macoanes, lyke vnto onions, with dyuers other fuche rootes. They fay that 
 after many yeares, a certeyne Boition, that is, a wyfe oulde man, fawe vppon the bankes fyde, 
 a buflie lyke vnto fenel: and tranfplantyng the roote therof, brought it from wyldenes to a 
 better kynde, by nooryffliynge it in gardens. This was the begynnynge of Iticca, which at the fyrfte was deadely 
 poyfon to all fuche as dyd eate therof rawe. But for as muche as they perceaued it to bee of pleafaunte tafte, 
 they determyned many wayes to proue the vfe therof: And at the length founde by experience that beinge fodde 
 or fryed, it was leffe hurtefull: by whiche meanes alfo, they came to the knowledge of the veneme lyinge hyd in 
 the iufe of the roote. Thus by dryinge, faltynge, feafonynge, and otherwyfe temperynge it, they brought it 
 to theyr fine breade which they caule Cazabhi, more delectable and holfome to the ftomacke of manne then 
 breade made of wheate, bycaufe it is of eafyer digeftion. The fame is to bee vnderftoode of other rootes and 
 the grayne of Maizium whiche they haue chofen for their chiefe meate amonge the feedes of nature, as we reade 
 howe Ceres the doughter of Saturmis, gathered wheate and barley (Avith fuche other come as are nowe moft in 
 vfe amonge men) in Egypte of certeyne graynes taken owt of the'mudde dryuen from the mountaynes of 
 Ethiopia by th[e]increafe of the ryuer Nilus, and lefte in the plaine at fuch tyme as Nilus reforted ageyne to 
 his chanell. For the which facte, we reade that the antiquitie gaue diuine honour to Ceres, who fyrft noriflied 
 and increafed fuch chofen feedes. There are innumerable kyndes of Ages: the varietie wherof, is knowen by 
 theyr leaues and floures. One kynde of thefe, is cauled Guanaguax. This is whyte boothe within and without 
 An other named Guaraguei is of vyolet colour without and white within. The other kyndes of Ages, they caul 
 Zazaueios. Thefe are redde without and whyte within. Squiuetes, are whyte within and without Tunna, is all 
 together of vyolet coloure. Hobos is yelowe booth of Ikynne and inner fubftance. There is an other named 
 Atibunieix : The flcyime of this is of violet colour, and the fubftance whyte. Aniguamar, hath his flcynne alfo of 
 vyolet coloure, and is whyte within. Guaccaracca, hath a whyte Ikynne, and the fubftance of vyolet colour. There 
 are many other which are not yet brought to vs. But I feare me leaft in the rehearfall of thefe, I ftial prouoke 
 the fpurres of malicious perfons ageynft me which wyll fcome thefe owr doinges for that we haue wrytten of 
 many fuch fmaule thinges to a prince occupyed in fuche weyghty affayres, as vnto yowre holynes vppon whofe 
 fliulders refteth the burthen of the hole Chriftian worlde. But I wolde alke of thefe malycious enuyers of 
 other mens trauayles, whether Plinie and fuch other famous wryters, when they dyrected and dedicated fuch 
 thinges to kynges and princes, entended only to profyte them to whom they confecrated the frute of theyr 
 knowleage. They fumtymes intermyxte famous thynges with obfcure thynges, lyght with heauie, and greate with 
 fmaule, that by the foortheraunce of princes, theyr imiuerfall pofteritie myght enioye the fruition of the know- 
 leage of thynges. At other tymes alfo, beinge intent about particular thinges, and defyrous of newe thynges, 
 they occupyed them felues iu the fearchinge of particular tractes and coaftes, with fuche thynges as nature 
 brought foorth in the fame, by this meanes to coome the better to more abfolute and vniuerfal knowleage. Let 
 theym therefore contemne owre doinge: And wee wyll laugh to fcome, not theyr ignoraunce and flothfialnes, 
 but pernicious curioufnes : And therewith hauynge pitie of theyr frowarde difpofitions, wyll commit theim to the 
 venemous ferpentes of whom enuie tooke his fyrft originall. It fliall in the meane tyme abundantly contente 
 vs that thefe thynges do pleafe yowre holynes : And that yowe doo not difpife owre fimple veftures wherwith 
 we haue only weaued togyther and not adoumed, gathered and not defcribed fuch maruelous thynges in the 
 gamylhynge wherof, nature hath fufficiently fliewed her cunnynge. Oim defyre is none other but herein for 
 yowre fake to doo owre endeuoure that thefe thynges maye not peryfhe. Let euery man take hereof what 
 lyketh hym beft. Of the Iheepe or buUocke foulde in the market, nothynge remayneth in the euenynge, bycaufe 
 the fhulder pleafeth one, the legge an other, and the necke an other. Ye, fume haue moft phantafie to the 
 bowels, and fume to the feete. Thus hauynge enough wandered, lette vs returne to owre purpofe and declare 
 with what woordes they falute the kynges chyldren when they are fyrft borne : or howe they apply the begyn- 
 nyng of theyr lyues to the end : And why their kynges are cauled by many names. Therfore when the kynge 
 hath a fonne borne, fuch as dwel neare about his pallaice or vyllage, repayre to the queenes chamber, where 
 
 17s 
 
 The kyndes of 
 fruteswherwith 
 the[e]Inhabitantes 
 lyued fyrst. 
 
 Necessitie the 
 moother of all 
 artes. 
 
 136 
 
 The fine breade 
 Cazabbi, made of 
 the rootes of 
 lucca. 
 
 Howe Ceres fyrst 
 fuunde wheate an(? 
 barly in Egypte. 
 
 The rootes of ages 
 
 The autours 
 
 excuse. 
 
 miuie. 
 
176 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 By what names 
 
 they salute the 
 
 kynges chyldren 
 
 when they are 
 
 borne. 
 
 The names and 
 
 ^tles of the 
 
 Romane 
 
 Emperours, 
 
 137 
 
 Howe they make 
 theyr testamentes 
 
 So dyd grea[t] 
 Alexander 
 
 The kynges wyues 
 and concubines 
 are buryed with 
 hym. 
 
 They burie theyr 
 
 iewels with them. 
 
 Adreame of an 
 
 other lyfe after 
 
 this. 
 
 Where it rayneth 
 
 but seldome. 
 
 Where it rayneth 
 much. 
 
 Variable motio*i.s 
 of the elementes. 
 The colonies and 
 vyllages which the 
 Spanyardes haue 
 buylded 
 
 The other Ilandes 
 about hispaniola. 
 
 The Ilande 
 Arethusa. 
 
 A sprynge 
 runnyng vnder the 
 sea frome 
 hispaniola to 
 Arethusa. 
 
 138 
 
 The Hand of 
 Sancti lohannis 
 
 The Ilande of 
 Cuba. 
 
 one faluteth the newe bome chylde with one name, and an other with an other name, God ikue the 
 thowe fliyninge lampe fayth one: An other cauleth him bryght and cleare. Sume name him the 
 victourer of his enemies: and other fume, the puiffaunt conquerour defcended of bludde royall, and 
 bryghter then gold, with dyuers other fuche vayne names. Therfore lyke as euery of the Romane emperours 
 was cauled Adiabenicus, Parthicus, Armenicus Dadcus, Gothicus, and Germanicus, accordynge to the titles 
 of theyr parentes and aunceftours, euen fo by th[e]impofition of names inuented by other kynges, Beuchicus 
 Anaca\u^hoa the lord of the region of Xaragua (of whome and of the wyfe woman Anachaona his fyiler, 
 we haue fpoken largely in the fyrfte Decade) was cauled by all thefe names folowynge: Tureigua Hobin: 
 whiche is as muche to faye, as, a kynge fliynynge as bryght as laton. Starei, that is, bryghte: Huiho^ 
 hyghneife: Duiheynequen, a ryche fludde. With all thefe names and more then fortye other fuche, dooeth 
 kynge Beuchius magnifye hym felfe as often as he commaundeth any thynge to bee doone or caufeth any 
 proclamation to bee made in his name. If the cryer by neglygence leaue owte any of thefe names, the king 
 thynketh it to founde greatly to his contumely and reproche. The lyke is alfo of other. Howe fondely they 
 vfe them felues in makynge their teftamentes, we wyll nowe declare. They leaue th[e]inheritaunce of their 
 kyngedomes to th[e]eldeft foonnes of their eldeft fyfters. If Ihee fayle, to th[e]eldeft of the feconde fyiler and 
 fo of the thirde if the fecond alfo faile. For they are owte of doubte that thofe children coome of their bludde. 
 But the children of their owne wyues, they counte to bee not legitimate. If there remayne none of their fyfters 
 children, they leaue th[e]inheritaunce to their broothers. And if they faile, it defcendeth to their owne foonnes. 
 Lafte of all, if al thefe faile, they affygne it to the woorthieft, as to hym that is of greateft power in all the Ilande, 
 that he may defende their fubiectes from their auncient enemyes. They take as many wyues as them lyfteth. 
 They fufier the beft beloued of the kynges wyues, and concubynes to bee buryed with hym. Anachaona the 
 fyfter of Beuchius the kyng of Xaragua, being a woman of fuche wifedome and cunnynge that in makynge of 
 rhymes and balettes fliee was counted a prophetiffe emonge the befte, commaunded, that emonge all the wyues 
 and concubynes of the kinge her brother, the fayrereft (whofe name was Guanahattabenechind) fhulde be buried 
 alyue with him, and two of her waytyng maydes with her. Shee woolde alfo haue appointed dyuers other to 
 that ofiyce, if fhee had not byn otherwife perfwaded by the prayers of certeyne fryers of faincte Fraunces order 
 whiche chaunced then to bee prefente. They faye that this Guanahattabenechina had none in all the Hand 
 comparable to her in bewtie. She buried witii her all her iewelles and twentie of her beft omamentes. Their 
 cuftome is, to place befyde euery of them in their fepultures, a cuppe full of water and a portion of the fjme breade 
 of Cazabbi. In Xaragua, the regyon of this kynge Beuchius, and in Hazua, parte of the regyon of Caiabo, alfo 
 in the fayre vale of falte and freflie lakes, and lykewife in the region of Yaquino in the prouynce of Bainoa, it 
 rayneth but feldome. In al thefe regyons are foffes or trenches made of oulde tyme, wherby they conueye the 
 waters in order to water their fyeldes, with no leffe arte then doo th[e]inhabitours of newe Carthage, and of the 
 kyngedome of Murcien in Spartaria for the feldoome faule of rayne. The region of Maguana, deuydeth the 
 prouynce oi Bainoa from Caiabo, and Zauana from Guaccaiarima. In the deepe vales, they are troubled with 
 rame more often then nedeth. Alfo the confynes of the chiefe citie named faincte Dominike are moifter then 
 is neceffary. In other places, it rayneth moderately. There are therfore in the Ilande of Hifpaniola, dyuers 
 and variable motions of the elementes, as we reade the lyke of manye other regions. Of their colonies or 
 mantions which the Spaniardes haue erected in this Ilande we haue fpoken fuiiycientelye beefore. They haue 
 fence that tyme buylded thefe vyllages : Portus Platce, Partus Regalis, Lares, Villanoua, Azuam, and Saluaterra. 
 Hauynge fayde thus muche of the Ilande oi Hifpaniola the moother and ladye of the other Ilandes, and as it 
 were Tethys the mofte bewtifuU wyfe oiNeptunus the god of the fea, let vs nowe entreate fumwhat of her Nymphes 
 and faire Nereides whiche waite vppon her and adoume her on euery fyde. Wee wyll therfore begynne at the 
 neareft cauled the newe Arethufa, foo named of the fontayne Arethufa in the Ilande of Sicilie. This is famous 
 by reafon of a fprynge: but otherwyfe vnprofytable. Owre men named it of late, Duas Arbor es, bycaufe it hath 
 onely twoo trees groynge in it: nere vnto the whiche is a fountaine that commeth from the Ilande oi Hifpaniola 
 throughe the fecreate paflages of the earth vnder the fea, and breaketh foorth in this Ilande, as the lyuer 
 Alpheus in Achaia runneth vnder the fea from the citie of Elide, and breaketh foorth in the Ilande of Sicilie in 
 the founta)me Arethufa. That the fountayne of this newe Arethufa hath his original from the Ilande of 
 Hifpaniola, it is manifeft hereby, that the water iffliewynge owte of the fountayne, bryngeth with it the 
 leaues of many trees whiche growe in Hifpaniola, and not in this Ilande. They faye that the fountayne 
 hath his originall from the ryuer Yiamiroa in the region of Gtiaccaiarinta confynynge with the land of Zauana 
 This Ilande is not pafte a myle ia circuite, and commodious for fyfftier men. Directly towarde the Eafte (as it 
 were the porter kepynge the enterie to Tethys) lyeth the Ilande of San£li lohannis (otherwyfe cauled Burichena) 
 wherof wee haue fpoken largely before. This aboundeth with golde : and in fruitefuU foile, is equall with her 
 mother Hifpaniola. In this are many colonies or manfions of Spaniardes, whiche applye them felues to 
 gatherynge of golde. Towarde the weft on the Northe fyde, great Cuba (for the longeneffe therof, longe 
 176 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 177 
 
 fuppofed to be the continent or fyrme lande) wardeth owre Tethys on the backe halfe. This is muche longer 
 then Hifpaniola: And from the Eafte to the Wefte, is diuyded in the myddefl with the circle cauled Tropicus 
 Cancri. Hifpaniola and the other lyinge on the South fyde of this, are included almoft. in the mydde fpace 
 betwene the fayde Tropyke and the Equinoctiall lyne, whiche many of the oulde writers fuppofed to bee 
 vnhabitable and defert by reafon of the feruent heate of the foonne in that clyme as they coniectured. But 
 they were deceaued in their opinion They affyrme that rytcher golde mynes are founde in Cuba then in 
 Hifpaniola. They feye alfo that euen nowe while I wiyte thefe thynges, there is golde gathered together ready 
 to tiie meltyng, amountynge to the quantitie of a hundreth and fourefcore thoufande Caflellans of gold, an 
 argument furely of great rycheffe. Jamaica is more towarde the Southe then thefe: And is a pleafaunte and 
 fruitefull Ilande, of foyle apte for corne, graffes, and fettes, it confyfteth of onely one mountayne. Th[e]inhabi- 
 tauntes are warrelyke men and of good wytte. Colonus compared it to Sicilie in bygneffe. They whiche of 
 late fearched it more exactely, faye that it is fumwhat leffe : but not muche. It is thought to be without gold 
 and precious ftoones, as the like was fuppofed of Cuba at the begynnynge. The Ilande of Guadalupea (fyrfte 
 named Caraqueird) lyinge on the Southe fyde of Hifpaniola, is foure degrees nearer the Equinoctiall. It is 
 eaten and indented with two goulfes (as wee reade of great Britanye nowe cauled Englande, and Caledonia 
 nowe cauled Scotlande) beinge in maner two Ilandes. It hath famous portes. In this they founde that gumme 
 whiche the Apothecaries caule Animce Album, whofe fume is holfome ageynfl reumes and heauyneife of the 
 heade. The tree whiche engendereth this gumme, beareth a fruite muche lyke to a date, beinge a fpanne in 
 length. When it is opened, it feemeth to conteyne a certayne fweete meale. As owre hufbande men are 
 accuftomed to referue cheftenuttes and fuche other harde fruites all the wynter, foo do they the dates of this 
 tree, beynge muche lyke vnto a fygge tree. They founde alfo in this Ilande, Pyne trees of the befte kynde, 
 and fuche other deyntie dyflhes of nature, wherof wee haue fpoken largely before. Ye, they thyncke that 
 th[e]inhabitauntes of other Ilandes, had their feedes of foo many pleafaunt frutes from henfe. For the Cani- 
 bales beinge a wylde and wanderynge people, and ouer runnynge all the countreys aboute them to hunte for 
 mannes flefhe, were accuftomed to brynge home with them what fo euer they founde ftraunge or profytable in 
 any place. They are intractable, and wyll admytte no ftraungiers. It (hall therfore bee needefull to ouercoome 
 them with great poure. For as well the women as men, are experte archiers, and vfe to inueneme their 
 arrowes. When the men go foortlie of the lande a man huntynge, the women manfully defende their coaftes 
 ageynft fuche as attempte to inuade the fame. And hereby I fuppofe it was thought that there were Ilandes 
 in die Ocean, inhabited onely with women, as Colonus the admirall hym felfe perfwaded me, as I haue fayde in 
 the fyrfte decade. This Ilande hath alfo frutefuU mountaynes and playnes, and notable ryuers. It nouryfflieth 
 honye in trees, and in the caues of rockes, as in Palma one of the Ilandes of Canarie, honye is gathered emong 
 the briers and bramble bufihes. Aboute. xviii. myles Eafteward from this Hand, lieth an Hand which owr men 
 named Defiderata, beynge. xx. myles in circuite and verye fayre. Alfo aboute ten myles from Guadalupea 
 towarde the Southe, lyeth the Ilande of Galanta, beynge thirtie myles in circuite and playne. It was fo named 
 for the neateneffe and bewtifulnes therof. Nyne myles diftant from Guadalupea toward the Eaft, there are fyxe 
 fmaule Ilandes named Todos SanHos or Barbata. Thefe are full of rockes and barren: Yet neceffarye to bee 
 knowen to fuche as vfe to trauayle the feas of thefe coaftes. Ageyne, from Guadalupea. xxxv. myles towarde 
 the Northe, there is an Ilande named Monfjerratus, conteynynge in circuite. fortye myles, hauynge alfo in it a 
 mountayne of notable heyght. The Ilande named Antiqua, diftante from Guadalupea thirtie myles, is aboute 
 fortye myles in circuite. Di^s Colonus the foonne and heyre of Chriftopher Colonus, tould me that his wyfe 
 (whome he lefte in the Ilande of Hifpaniola at his comming into Spaine to the courte) did write vnto hym, that 
 of late emonge the Ilandes of the Canibales, there is one founde whiche aboundeth with golde. On the lefte 
 fyde of Hifpaniola towarde the Southe, neare vnto the hauen Beata, there lyeth an Ilande named Partus Bellus. 
 They tell maraelous thynges of the monfters of the fea aboute this Ilande, and efpecially of the tortoyfes. For 
 they laye that they are bygger then greate rounde targettes. At fuche tyme as the heate of nature moueth 
 theym too generation, they coorae foorthe of the fea: And makynge a deepe pytte in the fande, they laye three 
 or foure hundreth egges therin. When they haue thus emptied their bagge of conception, they putte as muche 
 of the fande ageyne into the pytte, as maye fuffyce to couer the egges: And foo reforte ageyne to the fea, 
 nothynge carefull of their fucceffyon. At the daye appoynted of nature to the procreation of thefe beaftes, 
 there creapeth owte a multitude of tortoyfes, as it were pyffemares fwarmynge owte of an ante hyll: And this 
 onely by the heate of the foonne withowte any helpe of their parentes. They faye that their egges are in 
 maner as bygge as geefe egges. They alfo coompare the fleftie of thefe tortoyfes, to be equall with veale in 
 tafte. There are befyde thefe, innumerable Ilandes the whiche they haue not yet fearched : nor yet is it greatly 
 neceflarye to fyfte this meale fo fynely. It maye fuffyce to vnderftond that there are large landes and many 
 regyons whiche (hal hereafter receaue owre nations, tounges, and maners: and therwith embrafe owre relygion. 
 The Troyans dydde not foodenly replenyfhe Afia, the Tyrians Libia, nor the Greekes and Phoenices Spayne. 
 
 Eden. Q '" 
 
 Habitable regions 
 vnder the 
 Equinoctial]. 
 
 The ryche golde 
 mynes of Cuba. 
 
 The Hand of 
 lamaica. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Guadalupea. 
 
 England and 
 Scotlande. 
 The gumme 
 cauled Anime 
 album. 
 Dates. 
 
 Pine trees. 
 
 The Canibales. 
 
 Whereby it was 
 thought that there 
 were Uandes of 
 
 Hony in trees 
 and rockes. 
 
 The Ilande 
 desiderata. 
 The Hande 
 Galanta. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Todos Sanctos or 
 Barbata. 
 The Ilande 
 
 monsserratus. 
 
 139 
 
 The Ilande 
 Antiqtuu 
 
 The Ilande 
 Portus Bellus 
 Great Tortoyses. 
 The generation of 
 Tortoyses. 
 
 The egges of 
 Tortoyses, 
 
 Innumerable 
 Ilandes. 
 
 Troians. 
 Tirians. 
 Greekes. 
 Phenitians. 
 
178 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 The North 
 Ilandes. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 the south sea. 
 
 The Hand of 
 pearles. 
 
 Wylde beasts 
 must be tamed 
 with the rod. 
 
 As touchynge the Ilandes which lye on the north fyde of Hifpaniola, I haue let paffe to fpeake. For 
 albeit they are commodious for tyllage and fyfftiynge, yet are they lefte of the Spanyardes as poore and of 
 fmaule value. We wyll nowe therefore take owre leaue of this owlde Tdhis with her moyft and watery 
 Nymphes : And receaue to owre newe acquaintance the bewetifuU ladye of the South fea rychely crowned with 
 great pearles, the Ilande of Dites beinge ryche both in name and in treafure. In my epiftell booke whiche I 
 fente vnto yowre holynes this lafl yeare, I declared howe Vafchus Nunnez Balboa the capitayne of them whiche 
 paffed ouer the daungerous mountaynes towarde the South fea, learned by report that in the profpect of thofe 
 coafles there laye an Ilande aboundynge with pearles of the greatefl. forte : And that the kynge therof was ryche 
 and of great power, infellynge with warres the other kynges his bortherers, and efpecially Chiapes and 
 Tumaahus. We declared further howe at that tyme it was lefte vntouched by reafon of the ragynge tempefles 
 whiche troubled that South fea three moonethes in the yeare. But it is nowe better knowen to owre men, who 
 haue nowe alfo brought that fierce kynge to humanitie : and conuerted hym from a cruell tyger to one of the 
 meeke ftieepe of Chrifles flocke fanctifyed with the water of baptifme with all his famelie and kyngedome. It 
 fliall not therefore bee from owre purpofe to declare by the gouernaunce of what capitaines or by what meanes 
 thefe thynges were fo happely atchyued. 
 
 C The tenth booke of the thyrde Decade. 
 
 An expedition to 
 the Ilande of 
 Dites in the south 
 sea 
 
 The Hand of 
 Margaritea. 
 
 Os Draco^iis. 
 Paria. 
 
 X40 
 
 A conflict 
 
 The kynge of the 
 Ilande of Dites 
 submittcth 
 himself e. 
 The kynges 
 pallaicc. 
 
 A hundreth and 
 ten pounde weight 
 of pearles. 
 
 Axes and hatchets 
 more estemed 
 then golde. 
 
 T the arryuall of Petms Arias the newe gouernour of Dariena, he gaue commaundment that 
 one Gafpar Moralis fliuld take in hande th[e]expedition to the Ilande of Dites. He there- 
 fore tooke his vyage fyril to Chiapes and Tumaahus kynges of the South, whom Vafchus 
 beefore had concyled and left fryndes to the Chriflians. They frendely and magnifycally 
 enterteyned owr men who prepared them a nauie of the kynges boates to palTe ouer into this 
 Ilande, which they caule Dites and not Margarita or Margaritea, although it abounde with 
 pearles which in the latin tonge are cauled Margaritce. For the fyrft cauled an other 
 by this name, which lyeth next to the mouth of Os Draconis in the region of Paria, in the which alfo 
 is founde greate plentie of pearles. Gafpar brought with hym onely threefcore armed men to the Ilande, 
 for that he coulde conuey ouer no greater number by reafon of the fmaulenes and narownes of theyr boates 
 or barkes which they caule Culchas, made of one hole piece of tymber as we haue fayde before. The 
 kynge of the Ilande came foorth ageinfl them fiercely with cruell and threatenynge countenaunce, and with 
 a great bande of armed men cryinge in maner of a larome and in token of the battayle, Guazzauara, Guazzauara, 
 which is as much to faye as, battayle ageynfl. the enemie : And is as it weare a watch worde to giue th[e]onfet, 
 wherwith alfo they threwe theyr dartes. For they haue not th[e]ufe of bowes. They were fo obflinate and 
 defperate that they affayled owre men with foure Gimzzauaras, that is, battayles. At the length owre men with 
 certe)me of Chiapes and Tumacchus men (being eoulde enemies to this kynge of the Ilande) gotte the vpper 
 hande by reafon they affayled the kynge foodenly and vnwares. Yet was he determyned to affemble a greater 
 power, and once ageyne to attempt the fortune of warre, but that he was otherwyfe perfuaded by the kinges his 
 bortherers which counfayled him to gyue ouer and fubmyt hym felfe : fumtyme by th[e]exeniple of them felues 
 and other threatenynge the deflruction of his flooiyftiynge kyngedome : And otherwhyles declarynge vnto hym 
 the humanitie and gentelnes of owre men, by whofe frendftiip he might obteyne honoure and quyetnes to hym 
 and his : wyllyng hym furthermore to confider what chaunced vnto them which the yeare before refyfted and 
 aduentured the hafarde of the battayle as dyd thefe kynges, Poncha, Pocchorrofa, Quarequa, Chiapes, and 
 Tumaccus with fuch other. By thefe perfuafions, the king fubmytted hym felfe and came freendely to owre men 
 whom he conducted to his palaice which they fay to be marueloufly adoumed and princelyke. As foone as they 
 entered into the pallaice, he brought foorth a baflcet of curious woorkemanfhyp and full of pearles which he 
 gaue them. The fumme of thefe pearles amounted to the weyght of a hundreth and ten poundes after, viii. 
 vnces to the pounde. Beinge ageyne rewarded of owre men with fuch tryfles as they brought with them of 
 purpofe, as garlandes of Chriffall and glaffe and other counterfet Hones of dyuers colours, with lookyng glaffes 
 alfo and laton ielles, and efpecially two or three Iren hatchets (which they more efteme then great heapes of 
 gold) he thought hym felfe abundantly recompenfed. They laughe owre men to fcome that they wyll departe 
 with fo great and neceffarie a thyng for any fumme of golde : affyrmynge an axe or hatchet to bee profytable for 
 manye vfes of men : and that golde ferueth onely for wanton pleafures, and not to be greatly necelifeiy. Beynge 
 therfore ioyfuU and gladde of the frendeihyppe of owre men, he tooke the capitaine by the hand and brought 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 179 
 
 him with certeine of his familiars to the highefl towre of his palaice, from whenfe they myght profpecte the 
 mayne fea. Then caftyng his eyes about hym on euery fide, and lookynge towarde the Ealle, he fayde vnto 
 them. Beholde here lyeth open before yowe the infynite fea extended beyond the foonne beames. Theii 
 toumyng hym toward the Southe and Wefle, he fygnyfied vnto them that the lande which laye before their eyes, the 
 toppes of whofe great montaynes they myght fee, was exceadynge large. Then coommynge fumwhat nearer, he 
 fayde : Beholde thefe Ilandes on the ryght hande and on the lefte, whiche all obeye vnto owre empyre, and are 
 ryche, happye, and bleifed, if yowe caule thofe landes bleffed whiche abounde with golde and perle[s]. Wee haue 
 in this Ilande lyttle plentie of golde : But the deepe places of all the feas about© thefe Ilandes, are full of perl^ : 
 wherof yowe fliall receaue of me as many as yow wyll requyre, fo that ye perlyfte in the bonde of frendefliyppe 
 whiche yowe haue begunne. I greatly defyre yowre frendefhyppe, and woolde gladlye haue the fruition of 
 yowre thynges, whiche I fette muche more by then myllyons of perles. Yowe fhall therfore haue no eaufe to 
 doubte of any vnfaythfulneffe or breache of frendefliyppe on my behalfe. Owre men gaue hym lyke frendly 
 woordes: and encouraged hym with many fayre promyffes to doo as he had fayde. When owre men were nowe 
 in a redynefle to depajrte, they couenaunted with hym to paye yearely to the greate kynge of Caflyle a hundreth 
 pounde weyghte of perles. He gladlye agreed to their requefl, and tooke it for no great thyng: nor yet thought 
 hym felfe any whitte the more to becoome tributarie. With this kynge they founde fuche plentie of hartes and 
 Connies, that owre men flondynge in their houfes myght kyll as manye as them lyfte with their arrowes. They 
 lyue heare verye plealauntly, hauynge greate plentie of al thynges necelfary. This Ilande is fcarfely fyxe 
 degrees diftant from the Equinoctiall lyne. They haue the fame maner of breade made of rootes and 
 the graine of Maizium, and wyne made of feedes and fruites, euen as they haue in the region of Comogra and 
 in other places afwell in the Ilandes as in the firme lande. This kynge is nowe baptifed with all his familye 
 and fubiectes. His defyre was at his baptifme, to bee named Petrns Arias after the name of the gouernour. 
 When owre men departed, he accompanied them to the fea fyde and fumyffhed them with boates to retourne 
 to the continent Owre men diuided the perles emonge them, referuyng the fyfte portion to be delyuered to 
 th[e]offycers of the kynges Excheker in thofe partes. They faye that thefe perles were maruelous precious, 
 faire, oriente, and exceadynge bygge : In fo muche that they broughte manye with theym bygger then hafell 
 nuttes. Of what price and value they myghte bee, I confyder by one perle the which Paulus prediceffour to 
 yowre holines, bowght at the fecond hand of a marchant of Venece for foure and forty thoufande ducates. Yet 
 emonge thofe whiche were brought from this Ilande, there was one bought euen in Darima for a thoufande and 
 two hundreth Caftelans of golde. This was almofl as bygge as a meane walnutte: And came at the length to 
 the handes of Petrus Arias the gouemoure, who gaue it to that noble and faithefuU woman his wyfe, of whofe 
 maner of departure with her hufbande, wee haue made mention before. Wee mufle then needes thinke that 
 this was verye precious which was bowght fo deare emonge fuche a multitude of perles where they were not 
 bought by one at once, but by poundes and at the leafl by ounces. It is alfo to be thought that the Venecian 
 marchaunte boughte his for no great fum of mony in the Eafl. parts. But he fould it the dearer for that he 
 chaunced to Xjae. in thofe lafciuious and wanton dayes when men were gyuen to fuche nyfe and fuperfluous 
 pleafures, and mette with a marchaunt for his purpofe. But lette vs nowe fpeake fumwhat of the flielfyfflies in 
 the whiche perles are engendered. It is not vnknowen to yowre holyneife, that Ariflotell, and Plinie his 
 folosver, were of dyuers opinions asconcemjmge the generation of perles. But thefe Indians and owre men, 
 reft onely in one affertion, not affentyng to them in any other: as eyther that they wander in the fea, or that 
 they moue at anye tyme after they are borne. They wyll therfore that there bee certayne greene places as it 
 were medowes in the bottome of the fea, bryngynge foorthe an herbe muche lyke vnto thyme, and affyrme that 
 they haue feene the lame : And that they are engendered, noryfflied, and growe therin, as wee fee th[e]increafe 
 and fucceffion of oyfters to growe aboute them felues. Alfo that thefe fyfflies delyteth not in the conuerfation 
 or coompanye of the fea dogges : Nor yet to bee contented with onely one, twoo, or three, or at the mofle 
 foure pearles : Affyrmyng that in the fyffhynge places of the kynge of this Ilande, there was founde a hundreth 
 pearles in one fyflie, the whiche Gafpar Moralis the capitayne hym felfe, and his coompanions, diligently 
 numbered. For it pleafed the kynge at their beynge there and in their prefence, to commaund his diuers to. 
 go a fyflhynge for thofe kynde of fyfflies. They compare the matrices of thefe fyfflies, to the places of concep- 
 tion in hennes, in the whiche their egges are engendered in great multitudes and clufl:ers : And beleue that 
 thefe fyflhes brynge fborth their byrth in lyke maner. For the better profe wherof, they faye that thfey founde 
 certaine pearles coommynge foorthe of their matreces, as beynge nowe coome to the tyme of their full rypeneffe, 
 and moued by nature to coome owte of their moothers wombe openynge it felfe in tyme conuenient. Lykewife 
 that within a while after, they fawe other fuccede in lyke maner. So that to conclude, they sawe fum coom- 
 mynge foorthe, and other fumme yet abydinge the tyme of their perfection : whiche beyng complete, they 
 alfo became loofe and opened the matrice. They perceaued the pearles to bee inclofed in the myddeft of 
 their beUies, there to be norifflied and increafe as an infante fuckynge his moothers pappes within her wombe, 
 
 179 
 
 The kynges 
 woordes. 
 
 Ilandes rych in 
 golde and pearles. 
 
 C. [hundred] 
 pounde weyght of 
 perles yerely for 
 a tribute. 
 Plentie of hartes 
 and cunnies. 
 
 141 
 
 Wyne of frutes 
 and sedes 
 The kynge is 
 
 The fyft part of 
 perles due to the 
 kynge. 
 Byg perles. 
 
 A perle for a pope. 
 
 An- other perle of 
 great price. 
 
 Nise and 
 
 superfluous 
 
 pleasures. 
 
 Dyuers opinions of 
 the generatioij of 
 pearles. 
 
 Herbes in the 
 bottome of the sea. 
 
 A hundreth perles 
 in one shell fysshe- 
 
 The matrice of the 
 perle fysshe. 
 
 The byrth of 
 perles. 
 
i8o 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 142 
 
 Where the 
 byggest, meane, 
 and least pearles 
 are engendred 
 
 Sea crabbes 
 
 The sea muscles 
 wherein perles are 
 enf^endred. 
 
 The regions of the 
 East syde of the 
 goulfe of Vraba. 
 
 The region of 
 Caribana. 
 The ori^al of 
 the Canibales. 
 
 The vylages of 
 Caribana. 
 
 Manhunters. 
 
 143 
 
 Bookes. 
 Loke in the 
 begynnyng of the 
 booke of thelandes 
 lately founds 
 
 before hee moue to coome foorthe of her priuye places. And if it chaunce any of thefe flielfyfflies to be founde 
 fcatered in the fande of the fea (as I my felfe haue feene oyfters difparcled on the ftiores in diuers places of the 
 Ocean) they affyrme that they haue byn violently dryuen thither from the bottome of the fea by force of 
 tempeftes, and not to haue wandered thither of them felues. But, that they becoome white by the cleareneffe 
 of the mornynge dewe, or waxe yelowe in troubled wether, or otherwyfe that they feeme to reioyce in faire 
 wether and cleare ayer, or contrary wyfe to bee as it were afloniffhed and dymme in thunder and tem- 
 peftes, with fuche other, the perfecte knowledge hereof is not to bee looked for at the handes of thefe 
 vnleamed men whiche handell the matter but groffely, and enquire no further then occafyon ferueth. Yet do 
 they afifyrme by th[e]experience and induftrie of the dyuers, that the greateft pearles lye in the deepeft places, 
 they of the meane forte hygher, and the leaft hygheft of all and nearer to the brymme of the waten And faye 
 therfore that the greateft do not wander: but that they are created, nouryfflied, and increafe in the deepeft 
 places of the fea, whether fewe, dyuers, and that but feeldome dare aduenture to diue fo deepe to gather them, 
 afwel for feare of the fea crabbes whiche wander emonge thefe perle fyfhes to feede of them, and for feare of 
 other monfters of the fea, as alfo lefte their brethe fliuld fayle them into long r.emayninge in the water. And 
 this they faye to bee the caufe why the owldeft and therfore byggeft fea mufcles, inhabyte the deepeft places 
 from whenfe they are not lyghtly moued by tempeftes. Furthermore, howe muche the bygger and oulder thefe 
 fyfties are, they fay that in their larger matrices, the greater number and bygger pearles are founde : And that 
 for this caufe, there are fewer founde of the byggeft forte. They thyncke alfo, that when they fyrfte faule from 
 their fyffties in the deepe places, they are deuoured of other fyffhes, bycaufe they are not yet harde. Ageyne, 
 the fmauleft differ from the byggeft in a certayne fwellynge or impoftumation whiche the Spaniardes caule a 
 tympane. For they denye that to be a pearle which in oulde mufcles cleaueth faft to the fliel : But that it is a 
 warte, whiche beynge rafed from the fhell with a fyle, is rounde and bryght but onely of one fyde, and not 
 precious, beynge rather of the nature of the fyfhe it felfe, then of a pearle. They confefTe that they haue feene 
 certayne of thefe mufcles cleauynge on rockes : Yet thefe but fewe, and nothynge woorthe. It is alfo to bee 
 thought that the pearle fyffhes or fea mufcles whiche are founde in India, Arable, the redde fea, or Taprobana, 
 are ruled in fuche order as the afore named famous autours haue written. For their opinion herein is not vtterly 
 to bee reiected, forafmuche as they were learned men and trauayled longe in the ferchynge of thefe thynges. 
 But wee haue nowe fpoken fuffyciently of thefe fea fyffhes and of their egges which the fonde nyfenes and 
 wantonnefTe of men haue made dearer then the egges of hennes or geefe. Lettd vs therfore entreate fumwhat 
 of other particular thynges whiche are coome to owre knowledge of late. We haue elles where largely defcribed 
 the mouthes of the goulfe of Vraba, with fundiye and variable regions diuided with the manyfolde goulfes of 
 that fea. But as concernynge the Weft coaftes in the whiche owre men haue buylded houfes and planted their 
 habitations on the bankes of Dariena, I haue no newe matter to write. Yet as touching the Eaft partes of the 
 goulfe, I haue learned as foloweth. They faye that the vnyuerfal lande of the Eaft region of the goulfe from 
 the comer therof farre reachynge into the fea, and from the extreame or vtter mofte mouthe of the fame 
 receauynge the waters of the fea whiche faule into it, euen vnto Os Draconis and Paria, is by one generall name 
 cauled Caribana, of the Caribes or Canibales whiche are founde in euery regyon in this tracte. But from whenfe 
 they had their particular original!, and howe leauynge their natiue foyle, they haue fpredde their generation fo 
 farre lyke a peftiferous contagion, we wyll nowe declare. Therfore from the fyrfte fronte reachynge foorth into 
 the fea (in whofe tracte we faid that Fogeda faftened his foote) toward the corner, about nyne myles diftant, 
 there lyeth a vyllage of Caribana named Futeraca. Three myles diflant from this, is the vyllage of Vraba, of the 
 whiche it is thoughte that the hole goulfe tooke his name, bycaufe this vyllage was once the heade of the 
 kyngedome. Aboute fyxe myles from this, is Feti. Nyne myles from Feti, is Zerema : And about twelue myles 
 from this, Sorache. Owre men founde all thefe vyllages full of people, all the whiche gyue them felues onely to 
 manhuntynge. In fo muche that if they lacke enemyes ageynft whom they maye keepe warre, they excerife 
 crueltie ageynft them felues, and eyther fleye one the other, or elles dryue the vanquyffhed to flyghte. Whereby 
 it is apparante that by thefe then: continuall warres, and dryuynge the one the other owte of their countreis, 
 this infection hath gonne fo farre not onelye on the fyrme lande, but alfo into the Ilandes. I was alfo aduertifed 
 of an other thynge the whiche to my iudgement, feemeth woorthye to bee putte in memorye. 
 
 One Corrales a iudge in caufes of lawe amonge the Spanyardes of Dariena, fayth that on a tyme walkyng 
 abrode with his booke in his hande, he met by the waye with a fugityue which had fledde from the great landes 
 lyinge farre toward the wefte, and remayned here with a Kynge wyth whom he was enterteyned. When this 
 man perceaued the lawier lookynge on his booke, marueylynge thereat, he came runninge vnto him, and by 
 interpretours of the kynge whom he ferued, fpake thus vnto him : Haue yowe alfo bookes wherin yowe may 
 referue thynges in perpetual memorye? And letters wherby yowe maye declare yowre mynde to fuche as are 
 abfent? And herewith defyred that the booke might bee opened vnto hym, fuppofyng that he fhulde therein 
 haue founde the letters of his owne countrey. But when he fawe theim vnlyke, he fayde further that in his 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 i8i 
 
 countrey there were cities fortified with waules and gouerned by lawes : and that the people alfo vfed apparell. 
 But of what reUgion they were, I dyd not learne. Yet had owre men knowleage both by the woordes and 
 fignes of this fugitiue, that they were circumcifed. What nowe thinke yowe hereby (mofl holy father) Or 
 what do yowe diuine may come hereof when tyme fliall fubdue al thefe vnder yowre throne? Let vs nowe 
 entermyngle certeyne fmaule thynges amonge thefe great matters. I haiie not thought good to pretermitte that 
 which chaunced to lohannes Solyfius, who, ,to fearche the South fyde of the fuppofed continent, departed with 
 three ihippes from pbrte lappa (not farre diftante from the Ilandes of Gades or Cales in the Ocean) the fourth 
 day of the Ides of September in the yeare. M. D. xv. Or what fucceffe lohannes Pontius had, whom the newe 
 gouemour Petrus Arias appoynted to vanquiftie and deftroy the Caribes or Canibales, deuourers of mans fleflie. 
 Alfo to what ende the vyages of the other capitaynes came, whiche were fent foorth dyuers wayes at the fame 
 tyme : As Gonzalus Badaiocius, Francifcus Bezerra, and Valleius. lohannes Solicius tooke the matter in hande in 
 an euyll houre. He fayled beyonde the poynt of faynt Auguftine, (which they caule Cabo. S. Augujtini) toward 
 the South fyde of the fuppofed continent beyonde the Equinoctiall lyne. For (as we haue fayde before) that 
 poynt reacheth Southwarde to the feuenth degree of the South pole cauled the Antartike. He proceaded in 
 that viage fyxe hundreth leagues : And founde the lande from the poynte to extende fo farre towarde the South 
 beyonde the Equinoctiall, that he came to the thirtie degree of the South pole. As he fayled thus forwarde, 
 hauynge nowe on his backe halfe the ftarres named Caput Draconis, (that is, the dragons heade) and the regions 
 oiParia lyinge northwarde frome hym, and profpectynge towarde the pole Artyke, he chaunced to faule into 
 the handes of the fylthye Canibales. For thefe craftie foxes feemed to make fignes of peace, when in theyr 
 mindes they conceaued a hope of a daintie banquet : And efpying their enemies a farre of, beganne to fwalowe 
 theyr fpettle as their mouthes watered for greedines of theyr pray. As vnhappye Solyfius defcended with as 
 many of his coompanie as coulde enter into the boate of the byggefl. fliippe, foodenly a great multytude of 
 th[e]inhabitantes burfte foorth vppon them, and flew them euery man with clubbes, euen in the fyght of theyr 
 felowes. They.caried away the boate, and in a moment broke it al to fytters. Not one man efcaped. Theyr 
 fiirye not thus fatiffied, they cutte the flayne men in pieces euen vppon the fliore where theyr felowes might 
 beholde this horrible fpectacle firom the fea. But they being ftryken with feare through this exemple, durft not 
 coome foorth of theyr fliyppes, or diuife howe to reuenge the death of thejnr Capitaine and coompanyons. They 
 departed therefore from thefe vnfortunate coafl.es: And by the waye ladynge theyr fliippes with brafell returned 
 home ageyne with lofle and heauie chere. Of thefe thynges I was aduertyfed of late by theyr owne letters. ' 
 What they haue els doone, I flial haue more particular knowleage hereafter. lohannes Pontius was alfo repulfed 
 by the Canibales in the Ilande of Guadalupea beinge one of the chiefe Ilandes of theyr habitacion. For when 
 they fawe owre men a farre of on the fea, they ley in ambuftie foodenly to inuade them when they fliulde 
 coome alande. Owre men fent foorth a fewe foote men and with them theyr laundrefles to waflhe theyr 
 fliertes and flieetes. For from the Ilande of Ferrea beinge one of the Ilandes of Canarie (euen vnto 
 this Ilande, for the fpace of foure thoufande and twoo hundreth myles) they had feene no lande where 
 they myght fynde any freflhe water : for as muche as in all this large fpace, tiie Ocean is without Ilandes. 
 At theyr commynge therfore to lande, the Canibales aflayled them, caried awaye the women, and put 
 the men to fuche diflrefle that fewe of them efcaped. By reafon wherof, Pontius being greately difcomfited, 
 durfte not inuade the Canibales, fearynge theyr venemed arrowes which thefe naked manhunters can direct moft 
 certenly. Thus good Pontius faylyng of his purpofe, was fayne to gyue ouer the Canibales, whome (beinge fafe 
 and vnder the houfe roufe) he threatened to vanquyflie and deflroy. Whether he went from thenfe, or what newe 
 thynges he founde, I haue as yet no further knowleage. By thefe myfibrtunes, Solyfius lofle his lyfe, and Pontius 
 his honour. Let vs nowe fpeake of an other whofe enterpryfe came to lyke purpofe the fame yeare. lohannes 
 Aiora borne in the citie of Corduba, a man of noble parentage, fent in fteade of the Lieuetenaunt (as we haue 
 layde) more couetous of golde then careful! of his charge or defyrous of prayfe for well deferuynge, fought 
 occafions of querelynge ageynfl the kynges and fpoyled many, violently extortynge golde of them ageynft ryght 
 and equitie: And further handeled them fo extremely, that of frendes they became mofl cruel enemies: In fo 
 much that they ceafed not with defperat myndes by all meanes they coulde to fley owre men openly or priuilye. 
 By reafon wherof it is coome to paife, that where before they bartered quyetly exchanginge ware for ware, they 
 are nowe fayne to doo all thynges by force of armes. When he had thus exacted a great quantitie of golde of 
 them (as it is layd) he fledde priuilie and tooke away a fliyppe with him by ftelth as the common rumoure 
 goeth: Nor yet hetherto haue we hard whyther he went or where he is arryued. Sum fufpect that Petrtcs 
 Arias the gouernour fliulde confente to his departure bycaufe this lohannes Aiora is brother to Gonfalus Aiora 
 the kynges hiftoriographer, a man booth lerned, and expert in the difcipline of warre: and fo much the 
 gouemours frend, that thefe two amonge a fewe, may be counted exemples of rare amitie. I my felfe alfo am 
 greately bounde vnto theym bothe and haue longe enioyed theyr frendefliippe. Yet flial I defyre them bothe 
 to pardone me in declarynge mv phantafie herein, that in all the turmoyles and tragicall affayres of the Ocean, 
 
 Q 3 i8i 
 
 Circumcised 
 people. 
 
 What chaunced to 
 the Capitaines 
 whiche the 
 
 fouemour sent 
 yuers wayes. 
 Looke decade iil 
 liher. vi 
 
 ITie vyage of ^ 
 lohannes Solisius. 
 Cap. S. Augustini 
 
 lohn Solysius is 
 slaine of the 
 Canibales. 
 The fiercenes of 
 the Canibales. 
 
 Brasell. 
 
 lohannes Pontius 
 is repulsed by the 
 Canibales. 
 
 144 
 
 The vyage of 
 lohannes Aiora. 
 Looke decade iii. 
 liber. vL 
 
 The lewde 
 behauour of John 
 Aiora. 
 
l82 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 The variabU 
 fortune 
 of Gonsalus 
 Badaiocius. 
 
 Cerabaro. Decade, 
 iii. U[b]. iiii 
 
 The South sea. 
 
 A leaque 
 conteyneth foure 
 myles by sea and 
 but three by lande. 
 The golden region 
 of Coiba Dytes. 
 
 Sande myxte with 
 golde. 
 
 Howe theyr 
 blaues are marked 
 in the face. 
 
 145 
 
 Golde. 
 
 A fruteful region 
 left desolate by 
 ciuile discorde. 
 
 Kynge Periquete. 
 
 y. MichaeL 
 Kynge Totonoga. 
 
 Six thousand 
 Castellans of 
 golde. 
 
 Kyng TaracurlL 
 
 viii. thousand 
 pesos of gold 
 Kynge Pananome 
 
 Kyng Tabor. 
 Kynge Cheiu. 
 iiiL thousande 
 pesos of gold 
 Salte. 
 
 Kyng Anata. 
 XV. thousande 
 pesos of gold 
 
 Theyr manor of 
 warre. 
 
 nothynge hath fo muche difpleafed me as the couetoufnes of this man who hath fo difturbed the pacified myndes 
 of the kynges. Nowe emonge thefe troubelous chaunces, let vs rehearfe the variable fortune of Gonfalus 
 Badaiocius and his felowes, whofe profperous begynnynges, ended with vnfottunate fucceffe. Gonfalus therfore 
 in the moneth of May in the yeare of Chrifte M. D. xv. departed from Dariena with fourefcore armed men, 
 directynge his vyage towarde the Sonthe, and reflynge in no place vntyll he came to the region of Cerabaro 
 which owre men named Gratia Dei, diflant from Dariena about a hundreth and fourefcore myles : for they 
 caule it threefcore leaques. He fpente certeyne dayes here in Idelneffe: for he coulde neyther by fayre 
 meanes nor by foule, allure the kynge "of the regyon to coome to hym. While he laye thus idelly, there came to 
 hym other fyftie men fente fromeDariena vnderthe gouemaunceof capytayneZsafewziWJ Mercado who departed from 
 Dariena in the calendes of Maye, to th[e]intent to fearch th[e]inner partes of thofe regyons. When they mette 
 together, they determyned after confultation, to paffe ouer the montaynes lyinge towarde the Southe, euen vnto 
 the Southe fea latelye founde. Beholde nowe a wonderful! thynge: That in a lande of fuche maruelous longi- 
 tude in other places, they founde it here to bee onely aboute fyftie myles diflant to the Southe fea: for they 
 counte it. xvii. leaques. as the maner of the Spanyardes is to reken, and not by myles. Yet faye they that a 
 leaque confylleth of three myles by lande and foure by fea as wee haue noted before. In the toppes of the 
 mountaynes and tumynge of the waters, they founde a kynge named luana, whofe kyngedome is alfo named 
 Coiba as is the regyon of kynge Careta, of whome we haue made mention elles where. But for as muche as 
 the regyon of this luana, is rycher in golde, they named it Coiba Dites, that is, Coiba the rych. For, wherfo- 
 euer they dygged the grounde, whether it were on the drye lande or in the weate chanelles of the ryuers, they 
 founde the lande whiche they cade foorthe, myxte with golde. luana fledde at the. coommynge of owre men, 
 and coulde neuer bee brought ageyne. They fpoyled all the countrey neare aboute his palayce. Yet had they 
 but lyttle golde : for hee had caryed all his (luffe with hym. Here they founde certeyne flaues marked in the 
 faces after a ftraunge forte. For with a fliarpe piycke made eyther of bone, or elles with a thorne, they make 
 holes in their faces : and foorthwith fprinkelynge a pouder theron, they moifte the pounced place with a 
 certeyne blacke or redde iuife, whofe fubftaunce is of fuche tenacitie and clammineffe, that it wyll neuer weare 
 awaye. They brought thefe flaues away with them. They faye that this iuife is of fuch fliarpnefle and putteth 
 them to fuche payne, that for extreeme doloure they haue no ftomacke to their meate certaine dayes after. The 
 kynges whiche take thefe flaues in their warres, vfe their helpe in feekynge for golde and in tyllage of the 
 grounde, euen as do owre men. From the pallaice of luana, folowynge the courfe of the water aboute tenne 
 myles towarde the Southe, they entered into the dominion of an other kynge, whome owre men named the 
 oulde man, bycaufe hee was oulde, not paffynge of his other name. In the regyon of this kynge alfo, they 
 founde golde in all places bothe on the lande and in the ryuers. This region is verye fayre and frutefuU : and 
 hath in it many famous r3aiers. Departynge from henfe, in fyue dayes iorneye they came to a lande lefte 
 defolate. They fuppofe that this was deftroyed by ciuile difcorde for as muche as it is for the moofle parte 
 fruiteful, and yet not inhabited. The fyfth daye, they fawe two men commynge a farre of. Thefe were laden 
 with breade of Maizium, whiche they caryed on their fliulders in fackes. Owre men tooke them : and vnder- 
 ftoode by them that there were twoo kynges in that tracte : The one was named Periquete, whoe dwelte neare 
 vnto the fea. The others name was Totonoga. This Totonoga, was blynde and dwelte in the continent. The 
 twoo men whiche they mette, were the f)fffliers of Totonoga, whome he had fente with certayne fardelles of 
 fyflie to Periquete, and had age)Tie receaued breade of hym for exchaunge. For thus do they communicate 
 their commodities one with an other by exchaunge, without th[e]ufe of wycked money. By the conductinge of 
 thefe twoo men, they came to kynge Totonoga dwellynge on the Welle fyde of fayncte Michaelles goulfe in the 
 Southe fea. They had of this kynge, the fum of fyxe thoufande Caflellans of golde bothe rude and artifycially 
 wrought. Emonge thofe groumes of rude or natyue golde, there was one founde of the weyghte of two 
 Caflellans, whiche argued the plentifuU rychenefle of the ground. Folowing the fame coailes by the fea fyde 
 toward the Weft., they came to a kynge whofe name was Taracuru, of whome they had golde amountynge to 
 the weyght of eight thoufand Pefos. Wee haue fayde before that Pefus is the weyghte of a Caftelane not 
 coyned. From henfe they wente to the dominion of this kynges brother named Pananome, who fledde at their 
 commynge, and appered no more afterwarde. They faye that his kyngdome is ryche in golde. They fpoyled 
 his pallaice in his abfence. Syxe leaques from henfe, they came to an other kyng named Tabor. From thenfe 
 they came to the kyng of Cheru. He frendly enterteyned owre men, and gaue them foure thoufande Pefos of 
 golde. He hathe in his dominion many goodly falte bayes : the region alfo aboundeth with golde. About 
 twelue myles from henfe, they came to another kyng cauled Anata, of whome they had. xv. thoufande Pefos of 
 golde whiche he had gotten of the kinges his bortherers whom he had vanquiffhed by warre. A great part of 
 this golde was in rude forme bycaufe it was molten when he fet the kynges houfes on fyer whom he fpoyled. 
 For they robbe and fley the one tlie other, fackynge and fyryng their villages, and waflinge their countreys. 
 They keepe warre barbaroufly and to vtter deflruction, executinge extreeme crueltie ageinfl them that haue 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 183 
 
 the ouerthrowe. Gonfalus Badaiocius with his felowes, wandered at lybertie vntyll they came to this kyng: 
 And had gathered great heapes of gold of other kinges. For, what in braflettes, collers, earinges, brefte plates, 
 helmettes, and certeine barres wherwith women beare vppe their breftes, they had gathered together in gold 
 the fum of fourefcore thoufande Caftellans, whiche they had obteyned partly by exchaunge for owre thinges 
 where they founde the kinges their frendes, and otherwife by forceible meanes where they founde the contrary. 
 They had gotten alfo forty flaues whofe helpe tliey vfed both for cariage of their vitailes and bagagies 
 in the fteade of moiles or other beafles of burden, and alfo to relieue fuche as were fycke and forweried 
 by reafon of their longe iomeys and hunger. After thefe profperous viages, they came by the dominion 
 of kynge Scoria, to the palaice of a kynge named Pariza: where (fearyng no fuch thing) Pariza enclofed 
 them with a great armye, and affayled them flraggelyng and vnwares, in fuche forte that they had no 
 leafure to put on their armure. He flewe and wounded about fyftie, and put the refydue to flyght. They 
 made fuche haft, that they had no refpect eyther to the gold they had gathered, or to their flaues : but 
 lefte all behynde them. Thofe fewe that efcaped, came to Dariena. The opinion of all wyfe men as 
 concemynge the varyable and inconftant chaunces of fortune in humane thinges, were falfe, if al thinges 
 fhuld haue happened vnto them profperoufly. For fuch is the nature of this blynde goddeffe, that ftie 
 oftentimes delyteth in the ouerthrowe of them whom flie hath exalted: and taketh plefure in confounding hygh 
 thinges with lowe, and the contrary. Wee fee this order to bee impermutable, that who foo wyll applye hym 
 felfe to gather rootes, (hall fumtymes meete with fweete lyquerefle, and other whiles with foure cockle. Yet wo 
 vnto Pariza: for he Ihall not longe fleape in reft. The gouemour him felfe was of late determined with three 
 hundreth and fyftie choife fouldiers to reuenge the death of owr men : But where as he by chaunce fell fycke, 
 his poure went forward vnder the conducting of his Lieuetenant Gafpar Spinofa, a ludge in cafes of lawe in 
 Dariena. At the fame time other were fent foorth to the Ilande oiDites to exacte the portion of pearles lymited 
 to the king for his tribute. What flial fuccede, tyme will bring to owre knowleage. The other two, attempted 
 th[e]inhabitantes beyonde the goulfe, Francifcus Bezerra paflyng ouer by the corner of the goulfe and the 
 mouthes of the ryuer of Dabaiba, with two other capitaines and a hundreth and fyftie fouldiers well appointed, 
 went to make warre vppon the Canibales euen in Caribana their owne chiefeft dominion, toward the vyllage of 
 Turufy, wherof we haue made mention before in the comming of Fogeda. They brought alfo with them diuers 
 engens of warre: as three pieces of ordinaunce whofe fhot were bygger then egges: Likewife forty archers, and. 
 XXV. hagbutters to th[e]intent to reache the Caniballes a farre of, and to preuent their venemed arrowes. But 
 what became of hym and his company, or where they arriued, we haue yet no parfecte knowleage. Certaine 
 which came of late from Dariena to Spaine, reported that at their departure, they oi Dariena ftode in great feare 
 leaft they alfo were tofled with fum miffortune. The other capitaine Valleius, obteyned the fore parte of the 
 goulfe. But he pafTed ouer by an other waye then dyd Bezerra. For he tooke the beginning of Caribana, and 
 Bezerra the ende. Valleius returned ageine. But of the three fcore and ten men whiche he conueighed ouer 
 with hym, hee lefte fortye and eyght flaine emonge the Canibales. Thefe are the newes whiche they bringe 
 that came lafte from Dariena. 
 
 There came to me the day before the Ides of October in this yeare. M. D. xvi. Rodericus Colmenares (of 
 whom we haue made mention before) and one Francifcus Delapuente. This Francifcus, was one of the vnder 
 capitaines of this bande, whofe chiefe capitaine was Gonfalus Badaiocius who hardly efcaped the handes of 
 kyng Pariza. Thefe twoo capitaines therfore, Rodericus and Francifcus who departed from Dariena immediatly 
 after the miffortune whiche befell to Badaiocius and his companye, do both affirme, the one that he hath harde, 
 the other that he hath feene, that in the Southe fea there are diuers Ilandes lying weftwarde from the Hand of 
 Dites and faincte Michaels goulfe, in many of the which are trees engendred and nourifftied which bring foorth 
 the fame aromaticall fhiites, as doth the region of Collocutea. This lande of Collocuiea, wirh the regions of 
 Cochinus and Camemorus, are the chiefe marte places from whenfe the Portugales haue their fpices. And hereby 
 do they coniecture that the land where the frutfulneffe of fpyce begynneth, fliulde not be farre from thenfe. In 
 fo much that many of them whiche haue ouerrunne thofe coaftes, do onely defyre that leaue may be graunted 
 them to fearche further, and that they wil of their owne charges frame and furniflie fliippes and aduenture the 
 viage to fearche thofe Ilandes and regions. They thinke it beft that thefe ftiippes fhulde bee made and prepared, 
 euen in faincte Michaels goulfe : And not to attempte this vyage by fainte Auguftines point, which waye were 
 both longe and diffyculte, and ful of a thoufande daungers, and is faide to reache beyonde the forty degree of 
 the pole Antartike. The fame Francifcus, being partener of the trauailes and daungiers of Gonfalus, faithe 
 that in ouer runninge thofe landes, he founde great heardes of hartes and wylde bores: and that he toke many 
 of them by an arte which th[e]inhabitauntes taught him: whiche was to make pittes or trenches in their walkes, 
 and to couer the fame with bouwes. By this meanes alfo they deceaue al other kindes of wild and foure footed 
 beaftes. But they take foules after the fame maner that we do : As ftocke doues with an other tame ftocke doue 
 brought vp in their houfes. Thefe they tye by a ftrynge, and fuffer them to flye a lyttle emong the trees. To 
 
 183 
 
 Fourescore 
 thousand 
 Castellans of 
 golde. 
 
 Kyng Scoria. 
 Kyng Pariza. 
 Gonsalus 
 Badaiocius hath 
 the ouerthrow and 
 is spoyled of great 
 ryches of golde. 
 
 146 
 
 The Inconstancie 
 of fortune. 
 
 The expedition of 
 Fraunces Bezarra 
 ageynst the 
 Canibales. 
 
 Gunnes. 
 
 Valeius repulsed 
 of the Canibales. 
 
 The Ilandes of the 
 south sea. 
 In this sea ly[e] 
 the Ilandes of 
 Molucca, most 
 frutefull of spices. 
 Collocuiea. 
 Cochinus and 
 Camemorus, from 
 whense the 
 Portugales haue 
 theyr spyces. 
 
 He meaneth by 
 the streight of 
 
 Magellanus. 
 
 Howe they take 
 hartes and wylde 
 bores. 
 
 Stoclce doues 
 
1 84 
 
 The thyrde Decade. 
 
 147 
 
 Theyr maner of 
 foulynge. 
 
 Popingiayei 
 cAsely takei 
 
 yes are 
 cAsely taken. 
 
 A straunge kynde 
 of foulynge. 
 
 Fysshes and 
 
 wormes 
 
 engendered of 
 
 slime 
 
 Foules. 
 
 Gourdes of the 
 
 tree. 
 
 Latei' opinions of 
 the swift course 
 of the Ocean 
 towarde the West 
 
 The continent or 
 firme land. 
 
 148 
 
 The vyages of 
 Diegus Colonus. 
 
 The vyage from 
 the new landes to 
 Spayne. 
 
 the which as other birdes of their kind refort, they kil them with their arrowes. Otherwyfe they take them with 
 nettes in a bare place pourged from trees and bullies : and fcateryng certeyne feedes rounde about that place, in 
 the myddefte whereof they tye a tame foule or byrde of the kynde of them whiche they defyre to take. In lyke 
 maner do they take popingiayes and other foules. But they fay that popingiayes are fo fimple, that a great 
 multitude of them wyll flye euen into the tree in whofe bouwes the fouler fytteth ; and fwarme about the tame 
 chatterynge popingiaye, fuflferynge them felues to bee eafely taken. For they are fo without feare of the fyght 
 of the fouler, that they tary whyle he call the fnare about theyr neckes, the other beinge nothynge feared hereby, 
 thoughe they fee hym drawe them to him with the &are, and put them in the bagge which he hath about hym 
 for the "fame purpofe. There is an other kynde of foulynge, heretofore neuer harde of, and pleafaunt to confyder. 
 We haue declared before howe that in certeyne of the Ilandes, and efpecially in Hifpaniola, there are dyuers 
 lakes or llandynge pooles. In fume of thefe (beinge no deaper then men may wade ouer them) are feene great 
 multytudes of water foules : as wel for that in the bottome of thefe lakes, there growe many herbes and weedes, 
 as alio that by reafon of the heate of the fonne pearceinge to the naturall place of generation and corruption, where 
 beinge doubled in force by reflection and preferued by moyfter, there are engendered of the flymines of the 
 earth and water, and by the prouidence of the vniuerfall creator, innumerable lyttle fyflhes, with a thoufande 
 fundry kyndes of frogges, wormes, knattes, flyes and fuch other. The foules which vfe thefe lakes, are of dyuers 
 kyndes: As diickes, geefe, fwannes, feemewes, guiles, and fuch other. We haue fayde alfo that in theyi 
 orchardes they norylhe a tree which beareth a k)Tide of greate gourdes. Of thefe gourdes therefore well 
 Hopped leafle any water Ihulde enter in at theyr ryftes and caufe them to fmke, they cafl many in the fhalowe 
 pooles : where, by theyr continuall wanderynge and wauerynge with the motions of the wynde and water, they 
 put the foules owte of fufpection and feare. The fouler in the meane tyme, difguyfinge hym felfe as it were with 
 a vifour, putteth a great gourde on his head much lyke to a helmet, with two holes neare about his eyes, his 
 face and hole heade befyde beinge couered therwith. And thus ehtereth he into the poole euen vnto the chynne. 
 For beinge from theyr infancie excercifed in fwymm3fnge and accuflomed to the waters, they refufe not to 
 continue therein a longe fpace. The foules thynkynge this gourde to be one of the other that fwymme vppon 
 the water, the fouler goeth foftly to the place wher he feeth the greatefl. flocke of foules: And with waggynge 
 his heade, counterfectinge the mouing of the wauerynge gourdes, drawethe nere to the foules : where foftely 
 puttynge foorth his ryght hande, he foodenly fnatcheth one by the legges and plungeth her into the water where 
 he putteth her into a bagge whiche he hath with hym of purpofe The other foules fuppofmge that this dyued 
 into the water of her owne motion to feke for foode (as is their maner) are nothyng moued hereby, but go 
 forwarde on their waye as before, vntyll they alfo faule into the fame fnare. I haue here for this caufe entered 
 into the declaration of theyr maner of huntynge and foulynge, that by thefe more pleafaunt narrations I may 
 fumwhat mytigate and aflwage the horrour conceaued in yowre Homake by the former rehearfall of theyr bluddy 
 actes and cruell maners. Lette vs nowe therfore fpeake fumwhat ageyne of the newe and later opinions as 
 concemynge the fwyfte courfe of the fea towarde the well about the coafl.es of Paria : alfo of the maner of 
 gathering of golde in the golde myne of Dariena, as I was aduertifed of late. And with thefe two quyet and 
 peaceaTjle thynges, we wyl make an ende of the tragical affayres of the Ocean : and therwith byd yowre holynes 
 fare wel. So it is therfore, that Andreas Moralis the pylot, and Ouiedus (of whom we haue made mention 
 before) repayred to me, at my houfe in the towne of Matrite, As we met thus togyther, there arofe a contention 
 betwene them two, as concemynge this courfe of the Ocean. They both agree that thefe landes and regions 
 perteynynge to the dominion of Caftile, doo with one continuall tract and perpetuall bonde, embrafe as one hole 
 firme lande and continent al the mayne lande lyinge on the north fyde of Cuba and the other Ilandes, beinge alfo 
 northweft both from Cuba and Hifpaniola. Yet as touchynge the courfe of the water, they varie in opinion. 
 For Andreas, wyll that this vyolent courfe of water bee receaued in the lappe of the fuppofed continente 
 which bendeth fo much and extendeth fo farre towarde the North, as we haue faid : And that by the obiect or 
 refinance of the lande fo bendynge and crookynge, the water Ihulde as it were rebounde in coompaffe, and by 
 force therof be dryuen about the north fyde of Cuba and the other Ilandes excluded without the circle cauled 
 Tropicus Cancri, where the largenes of the fea maye receaue the waters faulynge frome the narowe ftreames, 
 and therby reprelTe that inordinate courfe, by reafon that the fea is there very large and great. I can compare 
 his meanynge to nothynge more aptely then to the fwyfte ftreame commyng foorth ot a mylle and faulyng into 
 the myl poole. For in al fuche places where waters runne with a vyolent faule through narowe chanels, and 
 are then receaued in large pooles, they are foodenly difparcled and theyr violence broken: So that wheras before 
 they feemed of fuch force as to ouerthrowe all thynges beinge in theyr waye, it can not then be perceaued 
 which way they runne. The Admiral him felfe Diegus Colonus, foune and heyre to Chrijiophorus Colonus the 
 fyril fynder of thefe landes (who had nowe in commyng and goinge, foure tymes paffed throughe thefe feas) 
 beinge demaunded of me what he founde or perceaued in faylynge too and fro, anfwered that there was muche 
 difficultie in retumynge the fame way by the which they go. But wheras they fyrft take the waye by the mayne 
 184 
 
The thyrde Decade. 
 
 185 
 
 fea towarde the North before they directe theyr courfe to Spayne, he faythe that in that tract, he felt the fliippe 
 fumtymes a lyttle dryuen backe by the contrary courfe of the water. Yet fuppofeth that this chaunceth onely 
 by the ordinarie flowynge and reflowynge of the fea: And the fame not to be enforced by the circumflection or 
 courfe of the water reboundynge in compaffe as we haue fayde. But thinketh rather, that this mayne lande or 
 fuppofed continent, fliulde fumwhere bee open: And that the fayde open place, (houlde bee as it were a gate, 
 enterie, or ftreyght, diuydyng the North partes of that lande from the South : by the which alfo, the Ocean 
 runnynge towarde the Weft, may by the rotation or impulfion of the heauens, bee dryuen about the hole earth. 
 Ouiedus agreeth with Andreas Moralis as touchynge the continuall adherence and clofenes of the fayde con- 
 tinente. Yet neyther that the waters ftiulde fo beate ageynft the bendynge backe of the Weft lande, or bee in 
 fuche forte repulfed and dryuen into the mayne fea. But faith that he hath diligently confydered, that the 
 waters runnefrom the deepeft and myddeft of the maine fea, towarde the Weft. Alfo that faylinge nere vnto the 
 fliore with fmaule veffelles, he founde the fame waters to returne ageine towarde the Eaft. So that in the fame 
 place, they runne together with contrary courfe, as we oftentimes fee the lyke to chaunce in riuers wher by the 
 obiecte of the bankes, diners whirlepooles and tumynges aryfe in the water. By reafon wherof, if any chaffe, 
 ftrawe, woodde, or any other thyng of lyght fubftance be cafte in any fuche places in ryuers, it foloweth that al 
 fuch as runne with the water in the myddeft of the chanell, procede well forwarde : But fuche as faule into the 
 bendynge goulfes and indented margentes of the crooked bankes, are caryed ouerthwarte the chanell, and fo 
 wander about vntyll they meete with the ful and directe courfe of the ryuer. Thus haue we made yowe 
 partener of fuche thinges as they haue gyuen vs, and writen their dyuers opinions. We wyll then gyue more 
 certeyne reafon, when more certeyne truth ftialbe knowen. We muft in the meane tyme, leane to opinions 
 vntil the day coome appointed of god to reueale this fecreate of nature, with the perfecte knowleage of 
 the pointe of the pole ftarre. Hauyng fayd thus muche of the courfe of the Ocean, a briefe declaration of 
 the golde mynes oi Dariena, ftiall clofe vppe owre Decades and make an ende of owre trauayles. Wee haue 
 fayde, that nyne myles diflante from Dariena, are the fydes of the hylles and the drye playnes in the whiche 
 golde is gathered bothe on the drye lande, and alfo on the bankes and in the chanelles of ryuers. Therfore to 
 al fuch as are wyllynge to gather golde, there is of ordinarie cuftome appointed to euery man by the furuoiers of 
 the mynes, a fquare plotte of grounde conteyning twelue pafes, at the arbitriment of the choofer, fo that it bee 
 not grounde already occupied, or lefte of other. The portion of grounde beinge thus chofen (as it were 
 affygned of the augures to buylde a temple) they inclofe their (laues within the fame, whofe helpe the Chriftians 
 vfe in tyllynge of their grounde and gatherynge of golde, as we haue faide. Thefe places appointed vnto them, 
 they keepe as longe as them lyfte. And if they perceaue tookens of lyttle golde, they requyre an other plotte 
 of ground of twelue pafes to be afligned them, leauyng the firft in commen. And this is th[e]order which the 
 Spaniardes inhabitinge Dariena obferue in gatheryng of golde. I fuppofe alfo that they vfe the lyke order in 
 other places : How be it, I haue not yet enquired fo farre. It hath byn proued that thefe twelue pafes of 
 grounde, haue yelded to their choofers, the fumme of fourefcore Caftellans of gold. And thus leade they theyr 
 lyues in fulfyll)mge the holy hunger of golde. But the more they fyll their handes with fyndynge, the more 
 increafeth their couetous defyre. The moire woodde is layde to the fyer, the more furioufly rageth the flame. 
 Vnfaciable couetoufneffe is no more diminiffhed with increafe of rychefle, then is the drineife of the dropfye 
 fatifiyed with drinke. I lette paffe manye thynges wheifof I intende to write more largely in tyme conuenient, 
 if I fliall in the meane feafon vnderftande thefe to be acceptable vnto yowre holyneffe : my dewtie and obfer- 
 uaunce to whofe autoritie, hath caufed me the gladlier to take this labour in hande. The prouidence of the 
 etemall creatour of all thynges, graunt yowre holyneffe many profperous yeares. 
 
 The contrary 
 course of waters. 
 
 Thepoynt of the 
 pole star. 
 
 The golde mynes 
 of Dariena, and 
 the maner of 
 gatherynge golde. 
 
 149 
 
 Owre inclosiers 
 woolde leaue no 
 such commens. 
 A uri sacra Fame s 
 
 The dropsie of 
 couetousnes. 
 
1 86 
 
 Loke Decade tii. 
 Liber, x 
 
 Cities fortifyed 
 with waules. 
 
 TheTlandofCuba 
 or Femandina. 
 
 The Spaniards of 
 Cuba attempt new 
 vyages. 
 
 The west angle of 
 Cuba. 
 
 Note 
 
 The Hand of 
 
 lucatana. 
 
 A great citie well 
 
 buylded. 
 
 Temples. 
 
 Humane people. 
 
 150 
 
 Cunnyng 
 artifycers. 
 
 Appareled people. 
 
 € The laste booke of Peter Martyr of Angleria, 
 OF THE LANDES AND ILANDES LATELY FOUNDE: 
 
 AND OF THE MAKERS OF THE INHABITAVNTES OF THE SAME. 
 
 Haue partli declared before in mi decades how certeine fugitiues 
 which came owt of the large Weft landes arriued in the confynes of 
 Dariena: And howe that marueylinge at the bookes of owre men, 
 they declared that they fumtyme dwelte in regions whofe inhabi- 
 tauntes vfed fuche inftrumentes and were ruled by politike lawes. 
 Alfo that they had cities fortified with waules, and faire pallaces 
 with ftreates well paued, and common places whyther mar- 
 chauntes refort as to the burfe or Areate. Thefe landes, owre men 
 haue nowe founde. Therfore who were th[e]autours hereof, or 
 what fucceffe they had herein, who fo defireth to know with the 
 conditions of ftraunge regions and the maners of the people, let 
 hym giue diligent attendance to fuch thynges as folowe. Of the 
 Hand of Cuba (nowe cauled Fernandina, lyynge nexte vnto Hif- 
 paniola on the weft fyde, and yet fumwhat fo bendynge towarde 
 the Northe that the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri deuideth 
 it in the myddefte, wher as Hifpaniola is diftante from 
 the Tropike and declinyge certen degrees toward the Equi- 
 noctial line) we haue fpoken fumwhat before. In this Hand of Fernandina, there are nowe fyxe townes 
 erected. Wherof, the chiefe is named Santiago of faynt lames the patrone of the Spanyardes. In 
 this, there is natiue golde, found both in the mountaynes and ryuers : By reafon wherof they are 
 daylye occupied in gathering and digging the fame. But fliortely after that I had finiflied my fayde 
 bookes, thre Spanyardes that were the moft auncient citizens of Cuba, as Frandfcus Femandes of Corduba, 
 Lupus Ocho, and Chrijlophorus Morantes, determined to feeke newe landes, as the myndes of the 
 Spanyardes are euer vnquiet and geuen to attempte great enterprifes. They furnyfhed at their owne charges, 
 three of thofe fhyppes whiche they caule Carauels. And hauynge fyrfte lycence of Diegus Velafquen the 
 gouemour of the Ilande, they departed with a hundreth and ten men from the Weft angle of Cuba. For this 
 angle is mofte commodious to relieue ftiyppes and to make prouifion for frefhe water and fuell. Thus they 
 fayled continually fyxe dayes and a halfe, betwene th^ Weft and the South, contented onely with the fyght of 
 the heauen and the water: durynge whiche tyme, they fuppofe that they fayled not paft threefcore and fyxe 
 myles. For they ley at anker all nyght where fo euer the faulynge of the foonne tooke the day light from them, 
 leafte by wanderynge in vnknowen feas, they myght chaunce to be caft vppon rockes or fandes. But at 
 the length they chaunced vppon a great Ilande named lucaiana, whofe beginnyng th[e]inhabitauntes caule 
 Eccampi. Owre men went to the citie ftondynge on the fea fyde, the whiche for the bygnes therof, 
 they named Cayrus or Alcair. Th[e]inhabitauntes enterteined them very frendly. When they were entered 
 into the citie, they marueyled to behold the houfes buylded lyke towres, magnifycall temples, ftreates 
 well paued, and great exercife of bying and fellyng by exchaunge of ware for ware. Their houfes are 
 eyther bylte of ftone, or of bricke and lyme, and artifycially wrought. To the fyrfte porches of their houfes 
 and fyrft habitations, they afcend by ten or twelue fteares. They are couered eyther with tyles, flates, 
 reades, or ftalkes of certeyne herbes. They gratified the one the other with mutuall gyftes. The bar- 
 barians gaue owre men many brooches and iewelles of golde, verye fayre and of cunnyng woorkmanfhyppe. 
 Owre men recompenfed them with veftures of fylke and woolle, counterfecte ftones, of coloured glaffe and 
 chriftall, haukes belles of laton, and fuche other rewardes whiche they greatly efteemed for the ftraungenes of 
 the feme. They fette nowght by lookynge glaffes, bycaufe they haue certeyne ftoones muche brighter. This 
 nation is appareled after a thoufande fafftiyons with veftures made of goflampyne cotten or bombage of dyuers 
 coloures. The women are couered firom the girdle to the heele hauynge dyuers faflhions of vayles aboute their 
 heades and breftes, with great cautele leaft any parte of their legges or feete bee feene. They reforte muche 
 
*[0/ the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.'] The thyvde Decade. 
 
 187 
 
 to their temples : vnto the which the chiefe rulers haue the wayes paued from their owne houfes. They are 
 Idolatours and circumcifed. They occupie their maner of exchaunginge, with muche fydelitie. They vfe to 
 adoume the heares of their heades. Being demanded by th[e]interpretours of whom they receaued their circum- 
 cifyon, they anfwered that there once paffed an exceadynge fayre man by their codes, who lefte them that in 
 tooken to remember hym. Other faye that a manne brighter then the foone, went emonge them and executed 
 that offyce. But there is no certentie hereof. When owre men had remayned there certe)me dayes, they 
 feemed to bee moleflous to th[e]inhabitantes accordynge to the common fayinge. The longer a gefte tarieth, 
 ~(iie woorfe is his enterteynement. The whiche thynge owre men perceauyng, they made the more haft, awaye. 
 Beynge therfore prouided of all thynges neceflary, they tooke their vyage directly towarde the weft, by the 
 prouince whiche th[e]inhabitauntes caule Comi and Maiam. They ouer paiTed thefe regions takyng onely freflie 
 water and fuel in the fame. The barbarians both men, women, and children flocked to the fea fyde, aflonyfflied 
 greatly to behold the huge bygnefle of the ihyppes. Owre men marueyled in maner no lefle to viewe their 
 buyldynges and efpecially their temples fytuate neare vnto the fea, and erected after the maner of towers. Thus 
 at the length hauyng fayled about a hundreth and ten myles, they thought it good to ley anker in a prouince 
 named Campechium, whofe chiefe towne confyfteth of three thoufande houfes. Th[e]inhabitauntes came 
 fwymmynge to the fhyppes: marueylyng excedyngly at the maner of faylinge, and at the fayles and other 
 tackelynges But when they hard the thunder of the gunnes, fawe the fmoke, and fmelte the fauour of brimftone 
 and fyer, they fuppofed that thimderboultes and lyghtnynges had byn fente from god. The kynge receaued owre 
 men honorably and broughte them into his pallayce : where he feafted them well after his maner. They are 
 accuftomed to eate fleftie, and haue great plentie of beaftes and foules: as peacockes, and other whiche they 
 francke and feede in their houfes : Alfo dyuers kyndes of wylde foules of the mountaines, wooddes, and waters : 
 Likewife partriches, quailes, turtle dooues, duckes, and geefe. Of beaftes, they haue connies, woolues, lyons, 
 tigers, foxes, wylde boores, hartes, and hares. After this banquet, the kyng with his traine and famylie brought 
 owre men into a brode crofle way where many ftreates do meete. In ±is, they fliewed them as it were a great 
 and highe aulter buylded foure fquare of marble compacte together partly with the toughe cleye of Babilon 
 cauled Bitumen, and partly with ftnaule ftoones. It had on euery fyde foure fteares. Yppon the altare was an 
 Image of a man made of marble : and faft by it the Images of two beaftes of vnknowen fliape, whiche feemed 
 as thoughe they wolde with yan)mge mouthes haue tome in funder the bealy of the mannes Image. On the 
 other fyde ftoode a great ferpent compacte of the fayde toughe cleye and fmaule ftoones. This ferpent beynge 
 in length, xlvii. foote, and of the bygneiTe of a large oxe, feemed to deuour a lyon of marble, and was al by 
 fparcled with freflie bludde. Harde by the .altare, were thre poftes faftned in the ground, the which three other 
 trauerfed and were fufteined with ftones. In this place offenders were put to death : In token wherof they fawe 
 innumerable arrowes fteined with bludde, fum fcatered, fum lyinge on heapes, and fum broken: Alfo a great 
 number of mennes bones l)dng in a court or yarde nere vnto this funeftal place. Their houfes are here 
 alfo builded of lime and ftone. They named this king, Lazarus, bicaufe they arriued at this lande on faint 
 Lazarus day. Departing from henfe and directing theyr courfe ftyl toward the Weft for the fpace of xv. myles, 
 they came to a prouince named AquanU, whofe chiefe towne is cauled Mofco, and the kynge thereof, Cupoton. 
 He behelde owre men with a frowarde countenaunce, and fought occafion to doo them, fume priuie mifchiefe 
 whyle they fought for frefflie water. For he made fignes vnto them that on the further fyde of the nexte hyU, 
 they fliulde fynde fprynges of water, intendyng to haue aflayled them in that narowe pafTage. But by the 
 colouryng of theyr forheades (as they are accuftomed in theyr warres) and by the bearynge of theyr bowes and 
 other weapons, owre men perceaued theyr wylynes, and refufed to go any further. Yet a thoufande of the 
 Barbarians aflayled theym vnwares and vnprepared. By reafon wherof, they were put to flyght, and dyuers of 
 them flLiyne in the chafe. Many that fledde towarde the fliippes, were entangeled in the mudde and maryflies 
 nere vnto the fliore. Twentie and two, were flayne with arrowes, and the refydewe for the moft parte, wounded. 
 Francifcus Fernandes the gouernour of the nauie, receaued in this conflicte three and thirtie woundes. And in 
 maner none efcaped without hurt. If they had gonne to the hylles whiche were appoynted them, they had 
 byn flayne euery man. They therfore that efcaped, returned to the Ilande of Fernandina frome whenfe they 
 came, where they were receaued of theyr felows with heauie chere. But when Diegus Vela/gum the gouernoure 
 of the Ilande, had intelligence hereof, he immediatly furnyflied a newe nauie of foure Caraueles with three 
 hundreth men. Of this nauie he appoynted lohn Grifalua his neuie, to be the gouernour: And afligned for 
 vnder capitaynes, Alphons[o] Auila, Frances Montegio, and Peter Aluarado. For the pylot he afligned Antonie 
 Alamino who had the regiment of the fyrft nauie. They attempted the fame vyage ageyne, but declyned 
 fumwhat more towarde the South about threfcore and tenne myles. Before they fawe any lande, they efpyed a 
 towre a farre of, by the viewe wherof, they came to an Ilande named Cozumella, from the whiche they fmelte fweete 
 
 [• Eden pmnts out later on that William Powell, the printer, bad wrongly carried the headline, The thyrde Dccude, over this, a perfectly distinct book. 
 ~\Ste p. 342.) We hare therefore also insarted the true headline within brackets.— E. A.] 
 
 187 
 
 Circumcised 
 Idolaters. 
 
 Comu 
 Maiam. 
 
 Campechium* 
 A towne of three 
 thousand howses. 
 
 Flentie of beastes 
 and foules. 
 
 Theyr Idoles and 
 Idolatry. 
 
 Houses of lyme 
 and stone. 
 
 151 
 
 The prouince 
 Aquinall. 
 
 Mosco. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 are put to ilyght 
 and many siayne 
 
 Another 
 expedition. 
 
 The Tland of 
 Cozumella. 
 
i88 
 
 The thyrde Decade. {Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde7\ 
 
 Sweete sauours. 
 A frutefuU Ilande.) 
 
 Towres and 
 temples. 
 
 Cozumella named 
 Sancta Crux. 
 
 Idoles lyke beares. 
 Idolatry. 
 
 Gentell people. 
 
 lucataiia but fyue 
 myles from 
 Cozumella. 
 
 152 
 
 The Barbarians 
 make resistaunce. 
 
 A conflicte. 
 
 The length of 
 lucatana. 
 
 The region ^ 
 Caltiacam, oi 
 Oloan. 
 
 The tyuer 
 Grisalua. 
 Targets and brest 
 plates of golde. 
 
 fauours proceadynge with the wynde, before they approched to the lande by the fpace of three myles. They 
 founde the Ilande to be fortie and fiue myles in circuite. It is playne and of maruelous frutefuU foyle. There 
 is alfo golde in it, but it is not engendered there, but brought thether from other regions. It aboundeth with 
 hony, fruites, and herbes: And hath alfo great plentie of foules and foure footed beaft.es. Theyr order and maner 
 of lyuyng, is in al thynges lyke unto theyrs of lucatana. Lykewyfe theyr howfes, temples, ftreates, and apparell. 
 In many of theyr houfes, are great pofl.es of marble after the maner of owre buyldynge. They founde there, 
 the foundations of certeyne owlde towres ruinate : And one efpecially with, xviii. fteares afcendynge .to it, after 
 the maner of folemne temples. They marueyled greatly at owre ftiippes and maner of faylynge. At the fyrft, 
 they wolde admyt no ftraungers: but fhortiy after, receaued them gentelly. Theyr chiefe ruler (whom owre men 
 fuppofed to bee a preefte) led them vp to the toppe of the towre, where they erected a banner and addicted the 
 Ilande to the dominion of the kynge of Cafl,yle, namynge it San6la Crux, bycaufe they entered into the fame in 
 the nones of Maye beinge then the feafte of the holye croffe. They faye that it was cauled Cozumella of kynge 
 Cozumellaus, whofe aunceftours were the fyrft that inhabited the Ilande. In the towre, they founde many 
 chambers furnyftied with Images, made bothe of earthe and marble to the fimilytude of beares. Thefe they 
 caule vppon with a houlynge and lamentable fonge, perfumyng them with fweete odours, and otherwyfe 
 honourynge them as theyr domefticall goddes They were alfo circumcifed. The kynge was in fayre apparel 
 made of goflampine cotton curioufly wrought. He was lame on the one foote by reafon that as he once exercyfed 
 hym felfe in fwymmynge, a deuourynge fyflie cauled Tuberon, byt of al the toes, of one of his feete. He 
 entreated owre men very frendly and made them great chiere. After they had byn here thre dayes, they 
 departed. And faylynge ftyll towarde the Wefte, they efpyed great mountaynes a farre of But as they 
 drewe neare, they perceaued it to bee the Ilande of lucatana beinge diftant from Cozumella onely fyue 
 myles. Directynge therfore theyr courfe towarde the fouthe fyde of lucatana, they compafed it on that 
 fyde which lyeth neareft to the fuppofed continent: Yet coulde they not layle rounde about it by reafon 
 of the multitude of rockes, flialowe places, and flielfes of fandes. Then Alaminus the pylot turned 
 his lailes to the North fide wherof he had better knowleage. Thus at the length, they came to the 
 towne Campechium and kynge Lazarus with whom they had bin that attempted the fyrft vyage the yeare 
 before. At the fyrft, they were gentelly receaued, and requyred to refort to the towne. But (hortly 
 after, they repented that they had bydden them : and there vpon wylled them to ftay about a ftones caft from 
 the towne, and to proceade no further. When owre men defyred that they myght make prouifion for freflie 
 water before theyr departure, they afligned them to a certeyne well which they had lefte behynde them. 
 Declaringe further, that it fliulde be lawfull for them to take water there or els no wheare. Owre men refted 
 that nyght in the fyelde adioynynge to the well. The which thynge the Barbarians fufpectinge, affembled an 
 army of three thoufende men, and encamped not farre from them. Bothe partes pafl"ed awaye the nyght 
 without fleepe. They fearynge leafte owre menne fliulde breake into the towne: And owre men, leaft the Bar- 
 barians fliulde inuade them foodenly, on the one parte with trumpettes, and on the other fyde with the noyfe of 
 timbrels kept them ftyll wakynge that were difpofed to fleape. At the fprynge of the day, the Barbarians 
 approched to owre mens campe and cauled for th[e]interpretours of Cuba, whofe language is much agreable 
 vnto theyrs. They had diuifed to lyghte a torche of frankenfence and to place the fame betwene bothe 
 th[e]armies to th[e]intent that if owre men dyd not depart before the torche were confumed, to ftande to theyr 
 perelL The torch was wafted and the matter came to hand ftrokes. They flewe onely one of owre men with 
 an arrowe bycaufe his target fayled hym. But many were wounded. After this conflicte, owre men reforted 
 to theyr ordinaunce which they had planted neare vnto the weU. When they had difcharged certeyne peeces, 
 the Barbarians fledde backe into the towne. Owre men were of fierce and greedy courage to haue purfued 
 them, but that Grifalua the gouemour wolde not fuffier them. From thenfe they proceaded to the laft ende of 
 lucatana, which they founde to reache more then two hundreth myles frome the Eaft to the Weft. Here they 
 founde a comodious hauen and named it Portus defideratus. From henfe they fayled to other landes, and came 
 to the region nexte to lucatana Weftwarde, whiche they doubte whether it be an Ilande or parte of the firme 
 lande: but thinke it rather to be annext to the continent. In this there is a goulfe which they fuppofe to be 
 incoompafed with bothe the landes. But of this, there is no certentie. Th[e]inhabitantes caule this region 
 Caluacam or otherwife Oloan. They founde here alfo a great ryuer whiche by his violente courfe and faule, 
 driueth fireflie water two myles into the fea. This they cauled Grifalua after the name of the gouemoure. 
 The barbarians marueilyng at the huge greatnefle and mouynge of owre fliyppes, came fwarmyng the bankes 
 on bothe fydes the ryuer, to the number of fyxe thoulande men armed with targettes and breft plates of gold, 
 bowes and arrowes, brode fwoordes of heauy woodde, and longe iauelens hardened at the endes with fyer: 
 Thus ftondynge in battayle raye to defende their cooftes, and with proude countenaunces forbyddmge owre 
 men to coome alande. Bothe parties watched al that nyght in armes. In the dawne of the day, owr men 
 efpied about a hundreth Canoas (whiche we haue faide to be their boates) full of armed men. Here alfo the 
 
[Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founder^ The thyrde Decade. 
 
 189 
 
 language of th[e]interpretours of Cuba agreed well enowghe with thers. When they had admitted the peace 
 profered them by th[e]interpretours, al the Canoas flaied excepte one whiche approched toward the fliippes. 
 A certeyne ruler that was in this Canoa, demaunded of owre men what they fought in other mennes landes. 
 They anfwered, gold. And that, for permutation of other ware, and not of gift or vyolently. The Canoa 
 returned and the ruler certified the kyng hereof, who came gladlye to the fliyppes. When he had faluted the 
 gouemour, he cauled his chamberlen vnto hym, commaundynge him to bringe his armure and other ornamentes 
 of golde wherwith he armed Grifalua from the toppe of the heade to the foule of the foote: In fo muche that, 
 what fo euer any man of armes armed at all partes, is emong vs accuflomed to weare of Iren or fleele when he 
 commeth in to the fielde, all fuche kynde of furnitures made of golde and wrought with woonderfuU arte, the 
 kyng gaue to the gouemour. He recompenfed hym with veftures of fy[l]cke, clothe, lynen, and other of owre 
 thinges. In the beginning of this lucatana, when they fayled to Cozumella, they chaunced vppon a Canoa 
 of fyflher men to the number of nyne, fyffliyng with hookes of golde. They tooke them all prifoners. One of 
 them was knowen to this kyng, who promyfed the daye folowyng to fende the gouemour as muche golde for 
 his raunfome as the man hym felfe waied. But the gouemour denyed that he could releafe hym withowte the 
 confent of his felowes: And therfore kept hym ftyll to proue what he could further knowe of hym. Departing 
 from henfe and faylynge flyll weftwarde, they founde.a great goulfe in the which three fmaule Ilandes were 
 fytuate. Of thefe, they went to the byggeft. But oh abhominable crueltie : oh moil corrupted myndes of 
 men, and deuelyflie impietie? Let euery godly man clofe the mouth of his ftomake left he be defturbed. They 
 offer younge children of bothe kyndes to their Idoles of marble and earth. Emonge their Idoles of marble, 
 there ftandeth a lyon hauynge a hole throwgh the necke, into the whiche they poure the bludde of the miferable 
 facrifyce, that it maye from thenfe ranne downe into a fyncke of marble. Lette vs nowe declare with what 
 ceremonies they facryfyce the bludde of thefe pore wretches. They cutte not their throtes, but open the very 
 breftes of thefe felye foules and take owte their hartes yet pantynge, with the hotte bludde wherof, they anoynte 
 the l)rppes of their Idoles, and fuffer the refydue to faule into the fynke. This doone, they bume the harte and 
 bowels, fuppofjoige the fmoke therof to be acceptable to their goddes. Of their Idoles, one is made to the 
 fliape of a man, bowynge downe his heade and lookynge toward the fynke of bludde, as it were acceptyng the 
 oflferinge of the flayne facrifyce. They eate the flelhe of the armes, thighes, and legges, efpecially when they 
 facrifyce an enemy taken in the warres. They founde a ftreame of congeled blud as thoughe it had runne 
 from a bouchery. For this myfcheuous purpofe, they bringe thefe wretches from the nexte Ilandes. They 
 fawe alfo innumerable heades, and trunkes of bodies thus mangeled, befyde many other yet remaining hole and 
 couered with certeine mattes. All the tractes of thefe regions abounde with golde and precious ftones. One 
 of owre men wanderynge in the Ilande, chaunced to fynde two water pottes of alabafter artifycially wrought 
 and full of lyttle ftones of dyuers colours. They laye alfo that they founde a ftone of the value of two 
 thoufand Caftilans of gold, whiche they fent to the gouemour. This Ilande they named the Hand of facrifyce. 
 Th[e]inhabitauntes are circumcifed. There are .alfo other Ilandes fytuate about this Col\t\uacana or Caluacam, 
 the whiche are inhabited onely with women lyuing without the coompanye of men after the maner of the 
 Amazones. But they that ponder the matter more wifely, thinke them rather to be certeyne women whiche 
 haue vowed chaftitie and profeffed a folytarie lyfe as the nunnes doo with vs, or as the virgins cauled Vejlales 
 or BoncR Decs, were accuftomed to do amonge the gentiles in oulde tyme. At certeyne tymes of the yeare, 
 men of the other Ilandes reforte vnto them. But not for th[e]intent of generation, but moued with pitie to 
 helpe them to dreffe their gardens and tyll their grounde. The reporte goeth lykewife that there are other 
 Ilandes of cormpte women to whom men reforte for camall copulation : And that they cutte of one of the 
 pappes of their women children leaft it fliuld hinder their fliootyng. Alfo that they kepe onely the women 
 children and fende awaye the men children. Owr men therfore drewe nere to the ftiore of Colluacana where 
 they quyetly exercifed marchaundies with th[e]inhabitauntes. The kyng gaue them a great potte of gold : 
 Alfo braflettes, chaynes, brouches, with many other iewelles, and al of gold. Owre men ageyne on the other 
 parte fetiffyed him with fuch ftuife as they had done other before. Here wolde they gladly haue planted a 
 newe colonie or habitation, but that the gouemour wolde not permytte them, wherat they gruged not a lyttle. 
 The houfes and other edifyes of this prouynce, are buylded like vnto towres. It hath alfo. xv. great townes in 
 it Of thefe they affirme that they haue feene fum confifting of more then. xx. thoufande houfes, not ioyning 
 together, but defeuered with courtes and gardens. They haue alfo certeyne large market places encompafed 
 with waules, and ftreates well paued. Likewife fomaces and ouens made of lyme and bricke. Furthermore 
 al fortes of handy craftes men and very cunning artificers. This kinges name was Potanchanus : and the 
 region is cauled Palmaria. The towne where the king kepeth his court, conteineth. xv. thoufand houfes. 
 When they receaue any ftraungiers and make a leage of frendlhyppe with them, they are accuftomed with a 
 knife made of a fliarpe ftone, to let them felues bludde in the toonge, hande, arme, or fum other parte of the body : 
 And this euen in the fyght of them whom they admitte to frendftiyp, in token that they are ready to fliedde 
 
 1S9 
 
 Armure of golde. 
 
 Experte artificers 
 
 Fysshe hokes of 
 golde, 
 
 153 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 
 Sacrifice. 
 
 Chyldren 
 
 sacrificed tu 
 
 Idoles. 
 
 Their Idoles of 
 
 marble. 
 
 Gold and precious 
 stones. 
 
 A stone of great 
 price. 
 
 Ilandes of womea 
 
 Golde. 
 
 Houses lyke 
 
 towres. 
 
 XV. greate townes 
 
 in the prouince of 
 
 of Colluacana. 
 
 Townes of xx. 
 
 thousande houses. 
 
 The region of 
 Palmana. 
 
 A token of 
 frendship. 
 
190 
 
 The thyrde Decade. [Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.'] 
 
 PreestcsL 
 
 Chastitie. 
 
 154 
 
 The punyshement 
 of aduUerie. 
 
 Marriage is 
 honoured. 
 
 Fastynge. 
 
 Kynge Ouandus. 
 
 Idoles, iewels, and 
 ouches of gold. 
 
 Gold in 
 
 mountaynes and 
 rjruers 
 
 Theyr maner of 
 gatheryng golde. 
 
 Sweete sauours. 
 
 A stone of great 
 price. 
 
 155 
 
 Other viages from 
 Cuba or 
 Fernandina. 
 
 Many Hands 
 betwene Cuba and 
 Che firme lande. 
 
 their bludde in their fryndes caufes. Their prieft.es profeffe a vertuous lyfe, and liue vnmaried. What it is to 
 haue to do with women, no man knoweth before he be maried. Fornication and adultery (which feldome 
 chaunce emonge them) they counte abhomination. The women are of maruelous chaftitie. Euery noble man 
 after that he haue had one wife, may haue as many concubines as hym lyfteth. But a maried woman taken in 
 adulterie, is foulde of her hulbande. But this onely to the prince : at whofe handes it fhal be lawfuU for her 
 kynfefolkes to redeeme her. It is not lawfuU for fuche as are not maried, to fytte at the fame table with them 
 that are maried, or to eate of the fame dyflie or drinke of the fame cup. In the moneth of Auguft and 
 September, they abfteine. xxxv. dayes not onely from flefhe wherof they haue great plentie, but alfo from fyftie 
 and al other thinges that lyue by bludde : And durynge thefe daies, lyue onely with herbes and frutes. They reken 
 twentie dayes to the moneth, and twentie monethes to the yeare. Owre men coniumed certeyne dayes here 
 verye pleafauntly. When they departed, coaflynge ftyll by the fame fliore, they came to an other kyng whom 
 they named Ouandus. When he had intellygence that owre men defired golde, he brought foorth certeyne 
 plates of molten gold. But when the gouernour fignified vnto him by th[e]interpretors that he defyred great 
 plentie of that metal, the day folowing he brought him a mannes Image of golde beinge a cubette in length : 
 Alfo a fanne of golde, and an Idole of one of his domeflicall goddes of curious woorkemanfhyppe. Likewyfe 
 garlandes of fl.ones of fundry colours, with many brefte plattes, brooches, and other kyndes of ornamentes, and 
 all of golde. He gaue hym furthermore aboundaunce of delycate meates well failed and poudred with fpices. 
 When he had required owre men to coome alande, he commaunded his feruauntes with all fpeede to prepare a 
 great multitude of branches of trees and to waite vppon owre men to his pallayce. As they went thus in order, 
 fum behynde and fum before on bothe fydes, they feemed fo to fhadowe OAvre men with the bouwes as thoughe 
 they had gonne in a continuall arbour. The kynge hym felfe hauynge a fepter in his hand, dyd fette them in 
 their arraye, and fumtyme ftrike fuche as were negligent in bearyng their bouwes. They ftiewed them felues 
 obedient in all thynges, and with graue countenaunce, humbled them felues to receaue his ftripes. When he 
 was demaunded where he had fuche plentie of golde, he pointed with his fynger to the next mountaynes, and to 
 the ryuers defcendyng from the fame. They are fo accuflomed to the riuers and exercifed in fw)Tnming, that it 
 is al one to them to liue in the water and on the lande. When they defyre to gather golde, they plunge theym 
 felues in the ryuers and brynge from the bottome therof, bothe their handes full of fande, whiche fyftynge from 
 hande to hande, they gather owte the graynes of golde. And by this meanes in the fpace of twoo houres, they 
 fyll a reede as bygge as a mannes fynger. Of the fweete fauours of thefe landes, many thinges myght be fpoken, 
 the whiche bycaufe they make rather to th[e]effeminatynge of the myndes of men, then for any neceflarye 
 purpofe, I haue thought beft to omytte them. The kynge alfo gaue the gouernour a younge virgine of twelue 
 yeares of age, adourned with ryche and fayre iewelles. Of the ftones whiche he had of this kynge, one was 
 valued at twoo thoufande Caftellans of golde. Thus at the length they departed from this kyng, laden with 
 golde and precious ftoones. Grifalua the gouernour, fente one of the Carauelles to his vncle Di^o Velafquen 
 gouernour of the Hande of Cuba, with meflengers to delyuer hym the golde, iewelles, and other ornamentes. 
 The refydue in the meane tyme fl.yll folowed the tracte toward the Weft. One of them in the whiche Frauncis 
 Montegius the vnder gouernour was caiyed, fayled harde by the fliore : and the other twoo kept aloofe within 
 profpecte of the land. Th[e]inhabitauntes of thefe coaftes alfo, no leffe marueylynge at the fliyppes then dyd 
 the other, came with twelue Canoas to Montegius, defyringe hym by th[e]interpretours to coome alande, 
 promyfynge in the name of their kynge, that hee flioulde be honorably enterteyned. But Montegious anfwered 
 that hee coulde not affente to their requeft bycaufe his coompanions were fo farre from hym. Yet dyd he gyue 
 them_ certayne of owre thynges ftraunge vnto them, and thankes for their gentylnefle. Shortly after efpyinge a 
 great towne they directed their courfe thither. Th[e]inhabitauntes prohibyted them to coome alande, and came 
 foorthe ageynft them with bowes and quyuers ful of arrowes, brode fwoordes made of heauy woode, and 
 lauelens hardned at the ende with fier. They ftiotte at owre men a farre of: And owre men difcharged 
 certeyne pieces of ordinaunce ageynft them. The Barbarians aftonyfftied at the noyfe of the gunnes, fledde 
 amayne, and defyred peace. Here owre mens vytayles began to fayle them, and theyr ftiyppes were broofed 
 with longe vyages. Hauynge therefore founde and doone thefe thynges whereof we haue fpoken, Grifalua 
 returned to the Hande of Fernandina well contented, but fo were not his companions. We mufte nowe diuerte 
 fumwhat from this matter, and fpeake of an other nauigation. And from thenfe wyll we returne to thefe landes 
 which owre men haue founde. So it is therfore, that Diegus Velafquen the gouernour of the Hand of 
 Fernandina, about the fame tyme that he had fent foorth this nauie of foure Caraueles, he prepared an other 
 nauigation of onely one Carauell and one brygantine with fortie and fyue men. Thefe exercifed vyolent handes 
 ageinft th[e]inhabitauntes of thofe regions where they arryued, thynkynge that they myght forceably drawe them 
 to the dyggynge of golde bycaufe they were Caflfranite Idolaters and circumcifed. There are at the fea fyde not 
 farre from the fuppofed continent, many lyttle Ilandes of mofte fortunate and frutefuU foyle, whereof three are 
 thus named : Guanapan, Guanguan, and Quitilla. Owte of one of thefe (which they named SanBa Marina) they 
 
\0f the Landes- and Jlandes lately founde.'] The thyrde Decade. 
 
 191 
 
 violentely caried away three hundreth men and women which they thruft into the Carauell and returned 
 immediatly to Femandina, leauynge the brigantine with. xxv. of theyr felowes to th[e]intent to hunt for more men. 
 The hauen where the Carauell fyrfte arryued, is cauled Carenas, beinge diftante from the angle of Cuba and the 
 chiefe citie of Santiago, two hundreth and fyftie myles. For this Ilande of Cuba, is very longe, reachyng in 
 length from the Eaft to the Weft, and fituate directly vnder the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri as we haue fayde 
 before. Now fliall you heare how fortune fought the reuenge of thefe pore wretches. Therfore as theyr kepers 
 went aland and few remained in the Carauel, they perceuing occafion miniftred wherby they myght recouer theyr 
 libertie, foodeynely fnatched vp owr mens weapons and flewe fyxe of them which yet remayned in the Carauel, 
 whyle the refidue lepte into the fea. And by this meanes the Barbarians poiTeffed the Carauell which they had 
 foone learned to rule, and thus returned to theyr owne countreys. But they fayled fyrfte to the nexte Ilande 
 where they burnte the Carauell and caried away the weapons with them. From henfe they conueyed them 
 felues to theyr owne countreys with the Canoas of this Ilande. Heare in lyke maner they pryuiUe aifayled them 
 that were lefte with the brigantyne, and flewe many of them alfo. The refidue that efcaped, fledde to the 
 brigantine where they bewayled theyr felowes deathes and counted theyr owne efcape a victorie. On the fhore 
 not farre from the place where they fufiered this mifibrtune, there is a tree, in the toppe wherof they fet vp a 
 crofTe, and graued this infcription in the barke of the tree : Vannuis Aldarieci. There is a ryuer named Darim, 
 on the banke wherof ftandeth the chiefe citie of the fuppofed continent. The gouemour therfore hauing 
 intelligence herof, fent with all fpeede two fhippes of warre well fumyflied, to the ayde of them that were lefte. 
 But they were wyfe to late. Yet folowynge the viewe of the croffe, they came to the fliore and redde the letters 
 grauen on the tree, but durfte not attempte fortune. Thus with all theyr hardie fouldiers departinge from henfe 
 with defpayre, they fayled to the nexte Ilande, out of the which they caryed away by violence fyue hundreth 
 men and women, fuppofynge lykewyfe that they myght lawfully fo doo bycaufe they were Idolaters and 
 circumcifed. But the hke chaunce happened vnto them when they landed at Fernandina. For the Barbarians 
 efpyinge oportunitie, fette vppon the Spaniardes in one of the ftiippes with theyr owne weapons and flewe theyr 
 keepers. The refidue that efcaped, caftynge them felues into the fea, fwamme to the nexte carauell, and with 
 theyr felowes afiayled the carauell that was taken from them. This conflicte was fo ftiarpe, that for the fpace 
 of foure houres, it was doubtfiiU whether parte fliulde obteyne the victorie. The Barbarians both men and 
 women fought veiye fiercely, afwell to recouer theyr libertie, as alfo to holde fafte the praye whiche they had 
 gotten. But in fine, the Spanyardes had the vpper hande by reafon they were more experte in handelynge of 
 theyr weapons and rulyng of theyr Carauell. The Barbarians beinge thus ouercoome, lepte into the fea : but 
 the Spanyardes tooke theym ageyne with the ftiippe boates. About a hundreth of the Barbarians peryflied, 
 beinge partely drowned and partly flayne with the fwoorde : And but fewe of the Spanyardes. Thefe thynges 
 thus pacified, the refydue of the Barbarians were caryed to the towne of Santiago and condemned to laboure 
 in the golde mynes. Shortly after they made owte a newe vyage to an other of the Ilandes, whiche lye there 
 about fo thicke, that they commonly caule the number of them Archipelagus, as they in owre fea of lonicum are 
 cauled Symplegades. Here owre men were cruelly handeled : and as many of them as came alande eyther 
 flayne or wounded. This Ilande they named Florida, bycaufe they arryued there on Eafter day whiche the 
 Spanyardes caule the floiyfliynge day of the refurrection. They fay alfo that in this tracte they fawe. xxvi. 
 Ilandes which Colonus had ouerpafled : And the fame fo to lye aboute Hifpaniola and Cuba, as though they 
 warded them from the furie of the Ocean. In many of thefe they founde natiue golde of lyke goodnes to that 
 which is founde in Granatum. Th[e]inhabitantes alfo weare many iewels, and haue many Images of theyr 
 domefticall goddes made both of golde artificially wrought and alfo of woodde gylted. Francis Cheregatus 
 browght one of theyr Idoles with h)an, wherby may bee confidered of what wytte and aptenes they are. It is 
 a maruelous thynge to fee what maner of rafers they haue, made of certeyne yelowe ftones cleare and 
 tranfparent lyke vnto Cryftal. With thefe they ftiaue and carue as though they were made of fine fteele. 
 When the edges are blunte with longe exercife, they fliarpen them not with a whetftone, or powder, or any other 
 ftone, but temper them onely with water. They haue alfo a thoufande kindes of inftrumentes or tooles and 
 fuch other thynges of fyne deuife, which were to longe to rehearfe. Let vs therefore returne from whenfe we 
 haue digrefled, as to Cozumella, lucatana, Colluacana or Olloa, beinge al landes lately founde, and fo rich, 
 finateful and pleafaunt, that they may in maner be compared to the earthly Paradyfe. Therfore, after that it 
 was knowen to owre men of howe greate momente thefe tractes were, the Spanyardes which inhabited the 
 Ilande of Cuba Anunctus beinge the gouemour of the Ilande furnyflied a newe nauie of ten Carauelles and fyue 
 hundreth menne, with twoo fmaule brigantines, as it weare in the fteade of lyght horfemen or forerunners whofe 
 ayde they myght vfe as fcoutes to fearche the wayes for daunger of rockes and flialow fandes or flielfes. They 
 ftiipte alfo certeyne horfes, as fyue ftoned horfes and. xvi. mares apte for the warres. For their general! 
 gouemour and Admiral of the nauy, they elected Fernando Cortefius who at that tyme was the chiefe mler of 
 the citie of SanSliago. For vnder capitaines, they appointed Alfons Portucarerius, Francis Montegius, Alfons 
 
 Sanctia^o the 
 chiefe citie of 
 Cuba. 
 
 The Barbarians 
 sley the Spaniarde.- 
 with theyr owne 
 weapons. 
 
 The chiefe citie of 
 the supposed 
 continent. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 are slayne ageyne 
 with theyr owne 
 wepons. 
 
 The barbarians are 
 slaine and put to 
 flyght. 
 
 156 
 
 Another vyage. 
 A rchipelagtts. 
 A multitude of 
 Ilandes. 
 
 xxvl Ilandes about 
 Hispaniola and 
 Cuba. 
 
 Images of golde. 
 
 Rasers of stone. 
 
 Instrumentes and 
 tooles. 
 
 Landes lyke vnto 
 the earthly 
 Paradyse. 
 
 An other vya^fe of. 
 X. Carauels and v. 
 hundreth men. 
 
 Horses and mare& 
 
 Fernando 
 Cortesius. 
 
 191 
 
192 
 
 The thyrde Decade. \0f the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.\ 
 
 The Hand of 
 Cozumellx 
 
 Carpets and 
 sheetes. 
 Innumerable 
 bokes. 
 
 Circumcised 
 Idolaters. 
 
 They Sacrifice 
 Chyldren 
 
 157 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Distam and 
 Sestam. 
 Sacrifice of dogges. 
 
 They are soone 
 persuaded to owre 
 reUgion. 
 
 The picture of the 
 blessed Virgiue 
 
 An other vyage 
 
 Aquillaris, ylL ^ 
 yeares captiuc in 
 the Hand of 
 lucatana. 
 
 Valdiitia, 
 
 The shipwracke of 
 Valdiuia. 
 
 Auila, Aluerado Spatenfe, lohn Velafquen and Diegus Ordaffus. They ftyll folowed the fame wynde from the 
 lad angle of Cuba toward the weft. As foone as Frauncis Femandes of Corduba, and then lohn Grifalua 
 came within profpecte of the Ilande of Sacrifyces (wherof we haue made mention before) foodenly a tempeft 
 of contrary wynde prohibited theym to take lande and droue them backewarde to Cozumella lyinge on the Eaft 
 fyde of lucatana. This Ilande hath onely one hauen named fainte lohns porte. And hath in it, onely fyxe 
 townes. Alfo none other water then in welles and ceftems, bycaufe it lacketh riuers and fpringes by reafon 
 it is plaine, conteynynge onely. xlv. myles in circuite. At the coommynge of owre men, th[e]inhabitauntes 
 fledde to the thicke woods, and forfoke their townes for feare. Owre men entered into their houfes where they 
 founde plentie of vyttayles and many omamentes perteynynge to the fumyftiynge of their houfes, as hanginges 
 and carpettes of dyuers - colours, flieetes alfo of goffampine cotton (whiche they caule Amaccas) wA masihs. 
 apparell. They haue furthermore innumerable bookes, of the whiche with many other thinges fente to owre 
 newe Emperour, we wyll fpeake more largely hereafter. The fouldiers wandered about the Hand and 
 viewe[d] al thynges diligently, kepyng them felues ftyll in battell raye leaft they myght be fodenly inuaded. 
 They founde but a fewe of th[e]inhabitauntes and onely one woman in their coompanie. By th[e]inter- 
 pretours of Cuba and other whiche the Spaniardes tooke fyrft from lucatana, they perfwaded the woman 
 to caule the kynges that were abfente. They came gladly and made a leage of frendfliyp with owre men, 
 wherby they were reftored to their houfes and a great parte of their ftuife. They are circumcifed Idola- 
 tours, and facrifyce children of bothe kyndes to their Zemes, which are the Images of their familiar and 
 domefticall fpirites whiche they honour as goddes. When I enquired of Alaminus the pilote, alfo of 
 Frances Montegius and Portucarerius, from whenfe they had the children they offered in facrifyce, they 
 anfwered that they bowght them in the Ilandes thereaboute by exchaunge for golde and other of their trafycke. 
 For in al this fo large a fpace of land, the deuelyftie anxietie for the defyre of wicked money, hath not yet 
 oppreffed th[e]inhabitantes. They faye the fame alfo of the Ilandes lately founde, wherof two are named 
 Dtjlam and Sejlam, whofe inhabitauntes go naked : and for fcarceneffe of children, facrifice dogges whiche they 
 nouriftie, afwell for that purpofe as alfo to eate as wee do connies. Thefe dogges are dumme and can not barke, 
 haujfnge fnowtes lyke vnto foxes. Suche as they defl.inate to eate, they geld while they are whelpes, wherby 
 they waxe very fat in the fpace of foure monethes. They referue al the bytches for increafe, and but fewe 
 dogges. Owre men difwaded them from thefe fuperftitions, declarynge how they were abhominable and detefted 
 of god. They were foone perfwaded and defyred a law whiche they myght folowe. Owre men therfore declared 
 vnto them that there was onely one god which made heauen and earth, the geuer of al good thynges, beyng of 
 one incomprehenfyble fubftaunce vnder triplicitie of perfon. As foone as they harde thefe woordes, they broke 
 their Zemes, and pared, fcraped, and waflied the pauementes and waules of their temples. Owre men gaue 
 them a painted picture of the bleffed vyrgine which they placed reuerently in their temple, and aboue it a croffe 
 to be honored in the remembraunce of god and man and the faluation of mankynde. They erected alfo an 
 other great croffe of woodde in the toppe of the temple, whyther they oftentymes reforte togither to honour the 
 Image of the vyrgine. Th[e]inhabitantes fignified by th[e]interpretours that in the Hand of lucatana not far 
 from them, there were feuen Chriftians captiues which in tyme paft were dryuen thither by tempefte. The Ilande 
 of Cozumella, is onely fyue miles diftant from lucatana. The gouernour Cortefius being aduertifed herof, 
 fumyfhed. ii. Carauels with fyftie men, wyllyng them incontinent to direct their viage thither and to make ferch 
 for thefe men. They toke with them thre interpretours of Cozumella (whofe language agreeth with theirs) with 
 letters to the Chriftians if any myght be found. He further declared vnto theym howe goodly a matter they 
 Ihulde bringe to paffe if they coulde bringe away any of them. For he no wayes doubted but that by their 
 information, he fliuld be fully certified of the commodities of all thofe tractes, and the maners of th[e]inhabi- 
 tauntes. Thus they departed with commaundement to retoume within the fpace of fyxe dayes. But when they 
 had remayned there now. viii. days, and hard no woorde of their Cozumellane interpretours whome they had 
 fent alande with the meffage and letters, owre men returned to Cozumella without them, fufpectyng that they 
 were other flaine or deteyned. And where as the hole nauye was now determyned to depart from Cozumella 
 but that they were hyndered by contrary wynde, they fodenly efpied towarde the wefte a Canoa coommynge 
 from lucatana, and in it, one of the Chriftian captiues (named Hieronimus Aqtdllaris) who had l)Tied feuen 
 yeares in that Ilande. With what ioye they embrafed the one the other, the chance may declare. They were 
 no leffe defyrous to heare, then he to tell of the myffortune whiche befell to hym and his coompanions. And here 
 it flial not bee greatly from my purpofe breefely to rehearfe how the thynge chaunced. In my Decades I haue 
 made mention of a certayne noble man named Valdiuia, whome the Spanyardes whiche inhabited Dariena in 
 the fuppofed continente of the goulf of Vraba, fent to the Hand of Hifpaniola to Colonus the Admiral and viceroy 
 with the refidue of the Senate and counfel there (to whom perteyneth the redreffe and orderynge of all thinges 
 in thefe newe landes) to fygnifye vnto them in what extreme neceffitie and penurie they lyued. Vnhappy 
 Valdiuia therfore, takynge this matter in hand in an euell houre, was with a fudden and vyolent whirlewinde 
 
[Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde?)^ The thyrde Decade. 
 
 193 
 
 dryuen vppon certayne quickefandes in the profpecte of the Ilande of Jamaica, lyinge in the Southe fyde of 
 Hifpaniola and Cvia. Thefe blind and fwalowyng fandes, the Spaniardes caule vypers ; And that by good 
 reafon, bycaufe in them many fhyppes are entangled, as the lycertes are implycate in the tayles of the 
 vipers. While the Carauell thus wrefteled with the water, it was fo brufle in funder, that Valdiuia with 
 thirtie of his felowes, coulde fcarfely with muche difficultie defcende into the ftiyppe boate: where, without 
 oers, and without fayles, they were caried awaye by the vyolence of the water. For (as we haue faid 
 before in owre Decades) the feas do runne there continually with a vyolent courfe towarde the Weft. 
 They wandered thus. xiii. dayes not knowyng whyther they went nor yet fyndynge any thyng to eate. Famen 
 confumed feuen of them whiche were cafte in the fea to feede the fyfhes. The refydue lykewife in maner 
 confumed by famen and faulynge from one calamitie into an other, were driuen to lucatana and fell into the 
 handes of a cruell kynge who flewe Valdiuia the gouernour with certayne of his felowes. And when hee had 
 fyrft facrifyced them to his Zemes, ftiortely after he eate them with his frindes of that confpiracie. For they eate 
 onely their enemyes and ftraungiers : And doo otherwife abfteyne from mannes fleftie. In this meane tyme, 
 while Hieronimus Aquillaris with fyxe of his felowes were referued to be facrifyced the thirde daye, they 
 brooke their bandes, efcaped the handes of that cruell tyranne, and fledde to an other kynge beynge his 
 enemye, who receaued them, yet onely as bondemen. It is a ftraunge thinge to heare of the moother of this 
 Aquillaris. For as foone as ihe harde that her foonne was faulen into the handes of the nations that eate 
 mannes fleihe, fliee fell madde incontinent : So that when fo euer after, ftiee fawe any meate roftyng at the 
 fyer, or onely ready fpytted to laye to the fyer, ftiee ceafed not to crye out in this maner. O me mofte 
 wretched moother: Behold the members of my fon. But to retume to owre purpofe. When Aquillaris had 
 now receaued the gouemours letter fente by the Cozumellane meffengers, hee declared to the kynge his mayfter 
 (whofe name was Taxmarus) what was their erraunt thither, and wherfore they were fent: vfyng in the meane 
 tyme many large difcourfes in expreflynge the great poure and raagnifycence of their kynge who had of late 
 arriued in thofe coaftes. Alfo of their humanitie and gentilneffe toward their frindes and fuche as fubmytted 
 them felues to them, and againe their rygour and fiercenelTe ageynft fuche as ftoobemly eyther contemned them 
 or denyed their requeftes. With thefe woordes he broughte Taxmarus into fuche feare, that the maifter was 
 now fayne to defyre his feruaunt fo to handell the matter that they myght quyetly enter into his dominion as 
 his freendes and not as his enemies. Aquillaris promifed in their behalfe that they fliuld not onely coome in 
 peace, but alfo to ayde hym ageynft his enemyes if neede Ihulde fo require. Whervppon hee difmiffed 
 Aquillaris and with hym three of his famihers and coompanions. Thus they fayled together from Cozumella to 
 lucatana to the ryuer whiche they had founde before in the fyrfte vyage thither by the gouernance of Alaminus 
 the pilot. They found the mouthe of the ryuer ftopped with fande, as wee reade of the ryuer of Nilus in 
 Egipte when the wyndes (cauled Etejli) blowe in fummer and efpecially in the canicular dayes. Therfore 
 where as they coulde not enter into the ryuer with the biggefte veffelles (although it bee otherwife apte to 
 receaue great fliyppes) the gouernour caufed two hundreth men to be fette alande with the brigantynes and 
 fhyppe boates : wyllynge Aquillaris to offer peace to th[e]inhabitauntes. They demaunded what owre men 
 required. Aquillaris anfwered, vyttayles. There was a longe fpace of fande by the fyde of the towne, whither 
 they wylled them to reforte, promyfynge to brynge them vyttayles thither the daye folowynge. Owre men 
 wente and they came accordynge to their promiffe and brought with them eyght of their hennes beynge as 
 bygge as peacockes, of brownyftie coloure, and not inferiour to peacockes in pleafaunte taft. They brought 
 alfo as muche bread made of Maizium (whiche is a graine not muche vnlyke vnto panyke) as wolde fcarcely 
 ferae tenne hungry men: And here with defyred them to depart. But when they perceaued that owre men 
 made no haft away, immediately there came a great coompanye of armed men towarde theyra demaundyng 
 what they had to do thus to wander in other mennes landes. Owr men made anfwere by Aquillaris, that they 
 defyred peace, vytUyles, and golde for exchaunge of other thinges. They anfwered ageyne, that they wolde 
 nother peace nor warre with them. But threatned them to auoyde the lande excepte they woolde bee 
 diftroyed euery manne. Owre men fayde that they woulde not departe withowte fuffyciente vyttayles to 
 mayntayne their fouldyers. 
 
 They appoynted the day folowynge to brynge them more vytayles: but they brooke promeffe. Yet 
 perceauing the fecond day that owre men were encamped on the fande and had repofed there that nyght, 
 they brought them as much more vytayles, and commaunded them in the name of theyr kynge to departe 
 Owre men fayde that they were defyrous to fee the towne, and to haue yet more ftore of vytayles. The Bar- 
 barians denyed theyr requeft, and therwith departed whifperynge and mutterynge amonge them felues. In the 
 meane tyme owre men were ftyll fo oppreffed with hunger that they were enforced to feeke for meate. The 
 gouenioure therefore fent his vnder capitaynes to lande with a hundreth and fyftie men. As they went difperfed 
 in dyuers companyes about the vyllages of the countrey, the Barbarians met with one of theyr bandes, and put 
 them to great diftreffe. But when theyr felowes beinge not farre from them, harde the noyfe of theyr alarome, 
 
 EnEN. R ■»■' 
 
 The quiclcesandes 
 cauled vypers 
 
 The course of the 
 sea towarde the 
 west 
 
 }58 
 
 Valdiuia is 
 sacrificed to 
 Idoles. 
 
 Howe Aquillaris 
 escaped 
 
 Kynge Taxmarus. 
 
 The mouth of a 
 ryuer stopped with 
 sande. 
 
 159 
 
 A r.onllicte. 
 
194 
 
 The thyrde Decade. [Of Ike Landes and Ilandes lately Jounde.\ 
 
 The Barbarians 
 are put to flyght. 
 
 The great towne of 
 
 Potanchana or 
 
 Victoria. 
 
 A towne of xxv. 
 
 thousand houses. 
 
 Gunnesand horses. 
 
 The man ai:d the 
 horse, thoueht to 
 be one be.i:it. 
 Centaurus. 
 
 Palaices of 
 maruelous bygnes 
 and wel buylded. 
 
 They receue owre 
 religion. 
 
 160 
 
 A towne of a 
 thousand and fyue 
 hundred houses. 
 
 they came with all poffible hafle to theyr refcue. The gouemour on the other fyde, placinge his ordinance in 
 the brygantines and fhippe boates, approched to the Ihore with the refidue of his fouldiers. The Barbarians 
 lykewife, beinge redy fumyflied to the battayle, came runnynge to the fea fyde to difturbe theym that they 
 ftiulde not coome alande : And with theyr arrowes, wounded manye a farre of vnprepared. The gouemoure 
 difcharged aboute. xx. pieces of ordinaunce ageynfte them : With the flaughter and terrible thunder wherof, and 
 with the flame of fyer and fniel of brimflone, they were fo aftoniflied and put to fuch feare, that they fled and 
 difparcled lyke wylde beaftes : whom owre men perfuinge, entered the towne which th[e]inhabitantes forfooke 
 in maner for feare of theyr owne men whom they fawe fo difmayde. On the banke of this ryuer there is a 
 towne of fuch portentous byggenes as I dare not fpeake. But Alaminus the pylot, fayth that it conteyneth in 
 circuite fyue hundreth myles, and that it confifteth of. xxv. thoufande houfes. Sume make it fumwhat leffe: 
 But they all agree that it is exceadynge great and notable. The houfes are diuided with gardens, and are 
 buylded of lyme and ftone verye artificially and of cunnynge woorkemanfhippe. To theyr haules, chambers, 
 parlers, or other places of habitation, they afcende by tenne or twelue ileares: And haue certeyne fpaces betwene 
 euery houfe : fo that it is not lawful for any to lade his neighbours waules with rafters or beames. Theyr houfes 
 are feparate one from an other by the fpace of three houfes : And are for the more parte couered with reede 
 and thetche: And many alfo with flate or other ftone. The barbarians them felues confeffed that they were 
 that day fortie thoufande men at the battayle, which were vanquiflied of a fewe by reafon of the newe and 
 vnknowen kynde of feyght with gunnes and horfes. For the gouemour had vnbarked. xvi. horfes which were 
 alfo at the battayle, and fo fiercely aflayled the Barbarians on the backehalfe, that they brake theyr array and 
 fcattered them as it had byn flockes of fheepe, ouerthrowing, woundynge, and kyllynge them on euery fyde. 
 Whiche thynge the feely wretches fo imputed to a miracle, that they had not the poure to occupie theyr wepons. 
 For wheras before they had neuer feene any horfes, they thought that the man on horfebacke and the horfe, 
 had byn all one beafte, as the antiquitie dyd fable of the monfter Centaurus. Owr men poflefled the towne. 
 xxii. dayes where they made good chere vnder couert, whyle the owners of the houfes lay vnder the firmament 
 and durft not affayle owre men who had placed them felues in the ftrongeft parte of the towne, where fume 
 kepte continuall watche (leaft the Barbarians fliulde foodenly inuade theim) whyle other gaue them felues to 
 refte and fleepe. Th[e]iiihabitantes caule this towne Potanchana: But owre men for the victorie which they 
 obteyned here, named it Victoria. It is a maruelous thynge to confider the greatenes, magnificence and finenes 
 of the buyldinge of certeyne palaices they haue in the countrey to the which they reforte fumtymes for theyr 
 folace and paftyme. Thefe are curioufly buylded with many pleafaunt diuifes, as galeries, folars, turrettes, 
 portals, gutters with chambers boorded after the maner of owre waynfcotte and well flowred. Foure of owr 
 Spanyardes went into one of them of fuch greatnes, that they wandered in the fame for the fpace of foure houres 
 before they coulde fynde the waye owt. At the length by th[e]interpretours and certeyne captiues owre men 
 fent for the kynge and fuche rulers as were nexte vnder hym in autoritie, wyllyng them to fubmyt them felues and 
 to coome into the towne vnarmed. Gyuinge the meflengers further in commaundement to certifie them that in 
 their fo doinge, they wolde commen with them as concernynge conditions of peace, and reftore them theyr 
 towne. They came gladly, and entered euery man into his owne houfe vppon condition that they fliulde euer 
 thereafter abfteyne from fuch cerimonies and horrible facrifices of mans fleflie to deuils the mortal enemies to 
 mankynd, whofe Images they honoured. And to directe the eyes of theyr myndes to Chrifte owre god the maker 
 of heauen and earth, who was borne into this world of a virgin, and fuffered death on the crofle for the 
 redemption of mankynde. And fynally to profefle them felues fubiectes to the great Chriftian kynge of Spayne. 
 They promyfed both, and were inftructed as farre as the ftiortenes of tyme wolde permitte. Beinge thus 
 reftored, they recompenfed owre men with many rewardes : Suppofynge fuche men to be fent from heauen, 
 which being fo fewe in number, durft attempte battayle ageynft fo great a multitude. They gaue owre men 
 alfo certeyne golde and twentie flaues. Departing therefore from henfe, and coaftynge ftyll alonge by the 
 fame fliore, they came ageyne to the goulfe . whiche Alaminus the pylot founde before vnder Grifalua. This 
 they named Bian SanBi lohannis, that is, Saynt lohns goulfe : For Bian in the Spanyflie tonge fignifieth a 
 goulfe. Here th[e]mhabitantes reforted to them peaceably. Aboute a myle frome the ftiore, was a towne of 
 a thoufande and fyue hundreth houfes fituate vppon a hyll. They profered owre men halfe the towne if they 
 wolde dwel with them for euer. This perhaps they dyd the rather eyther fearynge th[e]exemple of th[e]in- 
 habitantes of Potanchana, the fame wherof myght haue coome to theyr eares, or els hopynge that vnder the 
 ftiadowe of fuche valiant menne, they myght obteyne ayde and fuccour ageynft theyr enemies and bortherers. 
 For (as I haue fayde before) they dyftroye one an other with continuall warre for the defyre to inlarge theyr 
 dominions. Owre men refufed perpetuall habitacion, and accepted theyr frendely profer for a tyme. As they 
 came alande, the people folowed them on euery fyde with bouwes in theyr handes which they helde ouer owre 
 mens heades to defende them from the rayne as though they had walked in a continual arbour. Here they 
 encamped. And leaft the refidue lefte in the ftiippes, fliulde in the meane tyme waxe flothefuU with Idlenes, 
 
\0f the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.'] ' The thyrde Decade. 
 
 195 
 
 the gouernour gaue commaundement to Alaminus the pylot and Francis Montegius to fearch the weft partes 
 of that lande, whyle he relieued the weried fouldiers and healed fuche as were wounded. To them that went 
 forward on this vyage, he afligned two brigantines with fiftie men. Vnto this goulfe, the courfe of the water 
 was gentyl enough and moderate. But when they had fayled a lyttle further towarde the Wefte, they founde 
 the fea runnynge with fo fwift a courfe as if it were a great ryuer faulynge from the tops of hygh mountaynes : 
 In fo much that in a fliorte fpace of tyme it caried them fiftie myles from theyr felowes. When they were now 
 entered into this violent ftreame of the water, they fawe on their left hand a large playne fea which mette with 
 the courfe of the other waters faulynge from the wefte. And lyke as two great ryuers that runne contrary 
 wayes, make a vehement conflycte where they meete, fo feemed the waters commyng from the Southe to refyft 
 thefe waters as enemyes that had entered into the ryght or poiTeflyon of an other. On the contrary parte, they 
 fawe the lande reachynge farre bothe on the lefte hande and on the ryght. In this ftrife betwene the waters, 
 they were fo toffed on bothe fydes and entangled with whirlepooles, that they longe wreftled with owte hope 
 of lyfe. At the length with muche difficultie, tumynge the ftemmes or forpartes of their ftiyppes ageynft the 
 ftreame from whenfe they came, and labourynge al that they myght with their oers and fayles, they coulde 
 fcarfely ouercoome the rage of the water : In fo much that where as they thought that they had in one nyght 
 fayled twoo myles, they founde that they were dryuen backe foure myles. Yet at the length with goddes 
 helpe, they ouercame this daungerous conflycte. They fpente. xxii. daies in this lyttle fpace of fea : And when 
 they were nowe returned to their felowes, declared vnto them that that ende was the land of CoUuacana whiche 
 they adiudged to be parte of the fuppofed continent. The lande whiche they (awe a farre of before their 
 fafe, they fuppofed eyther to be annexed to owre continent, or to bee ioyned to the large North regions 
 cauled Baccalaos, wherof we haue made mention in owr Decades in the vyage of Sebaftian Cabote. 
 This matter is yet doubtefull. But wee trufte it (hall once bee better knowen. While Alaminus and 
 Montegius fearched thefe fecreates, the kynge of the prouince (whofe name was Multoxumam) fent owre 
 men by one of his chiefe offycers (beynge alfo his Lieuetenaunt of the fayde towne) many ryche and 
 goodly prefentes of golde, fyluer, and precious ftoones, fette and wroughte after a marueylous ftraunge 
 deuyfe and with no leffe cunnynge woorkemanftiyp. Here they determined to fende meffengiers to owre 
 newe Emperour to knowe his pleafure that they myght in this prouince plant a newe colonie or habita- 
 tion. And this dyd they withowte th[e]aduife of Diegus Velafquen the gouernour of the Hand of Cuba 
 Fernandina, who fyrfte fente them foorth with commaundement to retume ageyne after they had fearched thefe 
 regions and obteyned plentie of golde. While they confulted hereof, they were of dyuers opinions. But the 
 mofte part alleaged that in this cafe it was not requifyte to make the gouernour of their counfaile. Forafmuche 
 as the matter ftiulde be referred to a higher ludge, as to the kyng of Spaine him felfe. When they were thus 
 agreed, they receaued vyttayles of the gentle kyng of the prouince, and afligned the place of their colonie twelue 
 myles from the layde towne, in a fruteful and holfome foyle. For their generall gouernour, they elected 
 Cortefius the gouernour of the nauye, againft his wyll as fum faye. For other magiftrates to goueme the citie 
 which they intended to build he choofe Portucarerius and Montegius of whome we haue made mention before. 
 They chofe alfo certeyne meflengiers to fende to the kyng by the conduction of Alaminus the pylot. 
 Furthermore, foure of the princes of this prouince offered them felues wyllyngly to go with owre men into 
 Spaine to th[e]intent to fee owre landes and that kynge whofe poure is foo great and whofe auctoritie reacheth 
 fo farre. They brought lykewife two women with them, which ferued and obeied them in all thinges after the 
 maner of theyr countrey. The people of this nation is of broune or yelowyflie colour. Bothe the men and the 
 women haue pendauntes of gold and precious ftones hanginge at their eares. The men alfo, boore their nether 
 lyppes full of holes from the vppermofte parte of the lyppe euen vnto the nethermofte parte of the gumme. At 
 thefe they hange certeyne lynges and plates of golde and fyluer faftned to a fmaule and thynne plate lyinge 
 within betwene the lippe and the gumme. At the byggeft hole in the myddeft of the lip, there hangeth a 
 rounde plate of fyluer as brode as the coyne cauled a Corolyne, and as thicke as a mannes fynger. I do not 
 remember that euer I fawe any thynge that feemed more fylthy in myne eye. Yet do they thynke that there is 
 nothing more cumly vnder the circle of the moone. Wherby we may fee howe vainely mankynde wandereth 
 in his owne blyndnefle. The Ethiopian thincketh the blacke colour to be fayrer then the white: And the white 
 man thinketh otherwife. They that are pouled, thinke that more decent then to weare a bufti and they that 
 weare beardes, iudge it a defonnitie to be fliauen. As appetite therfore moueth, and not as reafon perfwadeth, 
 men runne after vanities : And euery prouynce is ruled by their owne fenfe, as writeth faint lerome. From 
 whenfe they haue their golde, we haue fpoken fufficiently before. But as owre men marueyled where they had 
 their fyluer, they fliewed them certoyne highe mountaynes whiche are continually couered with fnowe fauynge 
 that at certeyne tymes of the yeare, the onely toppes are feene bare bicaufe the fnow is there molten by reafon 
 jof the thicke and warme cloudes. The playnes therfore, or mylde, fofte, and pleafaunt mountaynes feeme to 
 biynge foorthe golde: And the rough craggye mountaynes with their coulde valleyes, are the places where fyluer 
 
 An other vyage of 
 two brygantines 
 and fiftie men. 
 
 Where the sea 
 runneth swyftly 
 from the East to 
 the West 
 A conflict betwene 
 the waters 
 commine from the 
 west and from the 
 south. 
 
 A dangerous and 
 peinefull vyage. 
 
 The land of 
 CoUuacana. 
 
 The land of 
 Baccaleos or 
 Baccaleanim 
 
 Rych presentes of 
 golde and precious 
 stones. 
 
 161 
 
 A newe colonie. 
 
 This Cortesius 
 hath written a 
 booke of these 
 thinges 
 
 They weare rynges 
 and plates at ther 
 lyppes. 
 
 The dyuers 
 phantasies of men. 
 
 Syluer 
 
 Note where gold 
 and syluer are 
 engendered. 
 
196 
 
 The thyrde Decade. \0f the Landes and Ilandes lately foimde7\ 
 
 I thinke this laton 
 to be sum kynde 
 of pure copper, or 
 els copper that 
 holdeth golde. For 
 laton is an artificial 
 metal, and hath no 
 natural! myno. 
 The>T bokes 
 
 162 
 
 Theyr letters 
 
 What is conteyned 
 in thcyr bookes. 
 
 Temples rychly 
 adoumed. 
 
 Prayer. 
 
 They sacryfice 
 chyldren and 
 captiues. 
 
 A wronge way to 
 heauen 
 
 Bluddy gods 
 
 Villa Ricca. 
 Siuilla Noua. 
 
 The force of an 
 ODvlde errour. 
 
 Theyr priests lyue 
 
 chasL 
 
 Faggots of bones. 
 
 is engendered. They haue alfo laton, wherof they make fuch maces and hammers as are vfed in the warres. 
 Dyggynge mattockes alfo, and fpades : for they haue nether Iren nor fteele. But lette vs nowe fpeake of the 
 prefentes fente into Spayne to the kyng: and fyrfle of the bokes. Thefe procuratours therfore of the newe 
 colonic of the prouynce of Colluacana, emong other their prefentes, brought alfo a great number of bookes, the 
 leaues wherof are made of the inner ryndes or barkes of trees, thinner then eyther that of the elme or of the 
 falowe. Thefe they fmere or annoint with the pytche of molten Bitumen, and while they be fofte, extend them 
 to what forme them lyfleth. When they be coulde and harde, they rubbe them ouer with a certeyne playfler. 
 It is to bee thoughte that they beate the playfler into fine floure, and fo temperynge it with fum byndynge 
 moifler, to make a crufte therwith vppon the leaues, wheron they wryte with any fharpe inflrument, and blotte 
 the fame againe with a fpunga or fum fuche other thynge, as marchaunt men and noble mens fleAvardes are 
 accuflomed to do with their wrytynge tables made of the woodde of fygge trees. The leaues of their bokes 
 are not fet in order after the maner of owres, but are extended many cubettes in length. The matters 
 whiche they wryte, are conteyned in fquare tables: Not loofe, but fo bounde togither with the toughe 
 and flexible cley cauled Bitumen, that they feeme lyke woodden tables whiche had byn vnder the handes 
 of cunnyng bokebynders. Which way fo euer the booke lyeth open, there are two leaues feene and two fydes 
 written, with as many lyinge hyd vnder them, excepte the booke be vnfoulded in length. For vnder one leafe 
 there are many leaues ioyned togyther. The formes of their letters are nothynge lyke vnto owres. But are 
 muche more crooked and entangeled, lyke vnto fyfliehookes, knottes, fnares, ftarres, dife, fyles, and fuche other 
 muche lyke vnto the Egiptian letters, and written in lynes lyke vnto owres. Here and there betwene the 
 lynes, are pictured the ftiapes of men and dyuers beaft.es : And efpecially the Images of kynges and other noble 
 men. Wherby it is to be thought that in fuche bookes, the factes of their kynges are conteyned as wee fee the 
 lyke emonge vs howe owre printers expreffe the fumme of hift.ories in pictures, that men may therby be the 
 more allured to bye fuche bookes. The couerynges of their bookes are alfo artifycially wrought and paynted. 
 When they are fliutte, they feeme to differre nothynge from owres in forme. In thefe bookes are furthermore 
 comprehended their lawes, rytes of ceremonies and facrifyces, annotations of Afl.ronomie, accomptes, compu- 
 tations of tymes, with the maner of graffynge, fowyng, and other thynges perteinyng to hufbandry. They 
 begynne the yeare from the goynge downe of the feuen fl^rres cauled Vergilice or Pleiades : And counte theyr 
 monethes accordyng to the moones. They name a moneth, Tona, of the moone. For in theyr language, they 
 caule the moone Tona, they reken the dayes by the foonnes. Therfore as many daies as they name, they faye, 
 fo many foonnes. The foonne in their tonge, is cauled Tonatico. They deftribute the yeare (without any 
 reafon why) into twentie monethes : And the moneth into as many dayes. The temples whiche they frequent, 
 they adoume with golden hangynges and other ornamentes of golde and fyluer with precious ftones intermixte. 
 At the fpringe of the daye, they perfume their temples with frankenfence and make their praiers before they 
 take in hande any other bufyneffe. But oh horrible crueltie. For th[e]inhabitauntes of all thefe tractes alfo, 
 doo facrifyce children to their Idoles in lyke maner as wee haue fayde before. At fuche tyme as the feedes 
 lye in the ground, and when the come begynneth to fhewe foorth the eare, they deflinate to their Zemes fuche 
 bondmen as they haue bought, or fuche captiues as they haue taken in the warres, which they facrifyce after 
 that they haue made them great chiere and decked them in precious apparell. Alfo before they facrifyce thefe 
 poore wretches, they lead them about the towne whyle al the people falute them humbly and reuerently, 
 affyrmyng that in (horte fpace, they flialbe receaued into, the coompanye of the goddes. They honour their 
 Zemes with an other fharp kind of deuotion: For they lette them felues bludde, eyther in the tonge, lyps, eares, 
 legges, thyghes, or breft., which they take in their handes and hurle it vppe towarde heauen, foo that with the 
 faule therof the pauement of the temple is all fparcled with bludde, wherby they thincke that their goddes are 
 well pleafed. From the newe colonie (cauled Villa Sicca) nyne myles dift.ante, there is a towne of. xv. 
 thoufande houfes, whiche th[e]inhabitauntes caule Cemobal, but owre men named it Sybilla. The kynge of 
 this towne had fyue men whiche he referued to be facrifyced. Whom when owre men wold haue delyuered, 
 the kynge made humble requeft to them, fayinge that if they tooke awaye fuche men as he had confecrated to 
 be offered to the goddes, they fhulde brynge vtter deilruction to hym and all his kyngdome. For if owre 
 facrifyces (&yd he) do ceafe, owre Zemes wyll take fuche difpleafure with vs that they wyll fuffer owre come, 
 graffes, and fmtes, to bee confumed of woormes, fcortched with drowth, deftroyed with fluddes, or blafted with 
 lyghtnynge. Owre men perceauynge his emefl-neffe herein, thought it befte to chofe the leafl. euel, perceauynge 
 that it was yet no tyme to difquyet their myndes, and therfore fuffered them to exercife their accufl.omed 
 ceremonies. And althoughe their priefles promyiTe theym immortall glorie, eternall felicytie, and perpetuall 
 conuerfation with the goddes after the fl,ormye dayes of this lyfe, yet do they with heauy countenaunces giue 
 eare to their promifTes, and had rather be fette at lybertie. Their priefles are named Quines in the plurell 
 number, and Quin in the fyngular. They leade a pure and chafle lyfe : And are honoured of the people with 
 feare and reuerence. They make fagots of the bones of their enemyes which they haue taken in the warres, 
 196 
 
{Of the Lmtdes and Ilandes lately founde?^ The thyrde Decade. 
 
 197 
 
 and hange vppe the fame at the feete of their Zemes, as tokens of the victories obteyned by their fauour. To 
 thefe they adde certayne titles and fuperfcriptions as teftimonies of the fame. This is llraunge and woorthy to 
 be noted, that when their children are a yeare oulde, the prieft.es in their temples with deuoute ceremonies and 
 murmurynge woordes, poure water in forme of a croffe vpon their heades with a cruet, wherby they feeme to 
 baptife them. Neyther do they as the lewes and Turkes, thinke their temples polluted if any of a ftraunge 
 relygion bee prefent at their facrifyces and other folemnities. Wee haue nowe fpoken fuffycientely of their 
 bookes, temples, and fuperfl,itions. Lette vs nowe therfore coome to the other prefentes which were brought 
 to the kynge. Emonge thefe, there were twoo broode and rounde plates (whiche fumme haue named the 
 Images of the foonne and moone) the one of filuer and the other of gold in largeneffe and roundneffe muche 
 lyke to the ftones of hand mylles : yet but thynne, and in maner bothe of one of circumference, that is. xxviii. 
 fpannes in circuite. 
 
 That of golde is of the weyght of three thoufande and. viii. hundreth Caflellans, where as wee haue fayde 
 before that a Caftellane is a coyne of golde which weyeth more than a Ducate by a trient, that is the thyrde 
 parte of a pounde. In the center of this, was the Image of a kynge of halfe a cubette longe, fyttinge in a 
 t[h]rone and appareled to the knee, lyke vnto a maumette, with fuch countenaunce as owre paynters are wonte 
 to paynte fayries or fprites. About the Image, were the fhapes of trees and floures, fo that it feemed to fytte as 
 though it had b3m in a fielde. The other of fyluer, was made to the fame fimilitude, beinge alfo in maner of 
 the fame weyght, and both of pure metall. They brought lykewyfe certeyne graynes of rude golde (that is, 
 fuche as was neuer molten) about the byggenes of fytches or the pulfe cauled lintels in token of plentie of natiue 
 golde. Alfo two cheynes of golde, wherof the one conteyned. viii. lynkes in the whiche were fet two hundreth 
 threefcore and twoo fayre and cleare redde ftones, and yet no rubyes : furthermore, a hundrethe fourefcore and 
 three greene ftones, and yet no emerodes. Neuertheleffe, thefe are in lyke eftimation with them as the other are 
 with vs. At the edge of this cheine, there hange. xxvii. golden belles, hau3mge betwene euery of them, foure 
 iewels of precious ftones inclofed in golde, at euery of the which in lyke maner hange certeyne fpangels of golde. 
 The other che)me confifteth onely of foure golden lynkes, befet rounde about with a hundreth and two redde 
 ftones, and a hundreth threefcore and twelue greene ftones, with. xxvi. golden belles curioufly wrought and 
 placed in comely order. In the verye myddeft of the cheyne, are ten great precious ftones inclofed in golde, 
 at the whiche alfo hange a hundrethe golden pendauntes of cunnynge woorkemanftiippe. They brought 
 furthermore twelue paire of lether bufkynnes of diuers colours, fumme imbrothered with gold and fumme with 
 fyluer, with plates and iewelles of golde and precious ftones inclofed, and at euery of them certayne golden 
 belles. Alfo certejme myters befette with precious ftoones of dyuerfe colours, emonge the whiche fume are 
 blewe like vnto faphires. Of creftes, gerdles, and fannes made of fethers, I wotte not what I ftiulde faye. But 
 fuerly if euer the wyttes and inuentions of men haue deferued honoure or commendacion in fuche artes, thefe 
 feeme mofte woorthy to bee had in admiracion. I do not maruaile at golde and precious ftones. But am in 
 maner aftonyfhed to fee the woorkemanlhyppe excell the fubftance. For I haue with woonderynge eyes 
 behelde a thoufande formes and fimilitudes, of the which I am not able to wryte. And in my iudgement, I 
 neuer fawe any thing whofe bewtie myght fo allure the eyes of men. As they marueyled at the naturall bewtie 
 of the fethers of owre peacockes and pheafantes, fo dyd we no leffe maruel at the artifycial bewtie of fuche 
 thinges as they make of fethers and quilles impaled with golde. For I fawe in manye of their woorkes, all 
 maner of natiue colours euen in the quilles wherof they make fuche inftrumentes. They brought alfo two 
 helmettes gamyfftied with precious ftones of a whitefhe blewe colour. One of thefe is edged with belles and 
 plates of golde, and vnder euery bell two knobbes of golde. The other, befyde the ftones wherwith it is 
 couered, is lykewyfe edged with. xxv. golden belles and knobbes : and hath on the creft, a greene bird with 
 the feete, bylle, and eyes, of golde. Alfo foure fpeares muche lyke vnto troute fpeares or yele fpeares, the 
 woodde wherof is all couered with quilles of diuers colours marueiloufly wrethed with golden wyers and 
 plates intermyxte. Euery of thefe fpeares haue three pikes, whofe edges or teeth are all of precious ftones 
 made fafte with wyers of golde. Of like workmanfhip they brought a great fcepter byfet with precious ftoones 
 and belles of gold, alfo a braflet of gold, and fhowes made of a hartes fkynne, fowed and imbrothered with 
 golden wyers, with a white fole beneth. Furthermore a glaffe of a bryght blewe ftone, and an other of white, 
 both enclofed in golde. Likewife a precious ftone of the kynde of them that are cauled Sphinges, inclofed in 
 golde. Furthermore the heade of a great lyfarde, two great flielles, two duckes, the fliapes of diuers other 
 byrdes, foules, and fyflhes, and all of maflie golde. Furthermore, xxiiii. rounde and fquare targettes, ftiieldes, 
 and buckelers of golde, and fyue of fyluer. Alfo a triple crowne of plates and wyers of golde marueylouflye 
 wreathed with quilles and fethers of diuers colours, hauing on the fronte a plate of golde on the whiche is 
 grauen the Image of the Idole Zemes. About this Image, hange foure other plates like croffes of gold in the 
 whiche are grauen the heades of diuers beaftes, as lyons, tygers, woulues, and fuch other. They brought alfo 
 the fymilitudes of certeyne beaftes made fumme of roddes or twygges, and fum of woodde with the beaftes owne 
 
 163 
 
 A fygure of 
 baptisme. 
 
 The presentes sent 
 
 into Spayne to the 
 
 kynge. 
 
 Two Images of 
 
 gold and syluer. 
 
 Two cheines of 
 gold maruelously 
 byset with precious 
 stones and iewels. 
 
 Buskyns. 
 
 Myters. 
 
 How can we then 
 caul them beastly 
 or Barbarous. 
 
 If they had 
 changed their 
 gold for owre Ircn, 
 they had not so 
 soone by n subdued. 
 
 Quylles. 
 Helmets. 
 
 A byrde. 
 Speares. 
 
 A scepter. 
 A braseleL 
 Shooes, 
 
 164 
 
 Glasses. 
 
 Byrdes, foules, and 
 
 fysshes of gold. 
 
 Targets, etc. of 
 
 gold. 
 
 A crowne of golde 
 
 Crosses. 
 
 R 2 
 
 197 
 
198 
 
 The thyrde Decade. \_0f the Landes and Ilandes lately foufide.'] 
 
 Images of beastes. 
 Shietes. 
 
 Cloth of arras. 
 A souldyers clooke. 
 
 Regesters of the 
 th[e]affayres of 
 India. 
 
 Th[e]autontie of 
 the Lieuetenaunt. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 of Darlena. 
 
 Snncta Maria 
 Antiqua, 
 
 Petrus Arias 
 whom the 
 Spanyardes name 
 Pedrarias. 
 This sea the 
 spanyardes caule 
 Mar del sur. 
 
 165 
 
 Contention 
 betwene Vaschus 
 and Petrus Arias. 
 
 Petrus Arias 
 commandeth that 
 Vaschus be put 
 to death. 
 
 Vaschub is 
 accused. 
 
 Vaschus is put to 
 death. 
 
 fkynnes theron, and garnyfihed with coUers of laton belles. Lykewife diuers fliietes weaued of goffampyne 
 cotton of fundry colours, wherof two are rychely frynged with golde and precious flones, and three other with 
 quilles and fethers intermyxte with goffampine cotton of fundrye colours and chekered lyke the panes of a 
 chefle horde. vSum are on the one fyde, of blacke, white, and redde colours : and on the other fyde, plaine 
 without any varietie. Other fum, are wrought in lyke maner with variable colours with a wheele or circle of 
 blacke in the myddeft. intermyxte with fliyning fethers and fparkes of golde lyke flarres. They brought alfo 
 cloth of Aras or Verdure of marueylous workmanfhyppe. Likewife a fouldiers cloke fuche as their prynces 
 weare in the warres, with certeyne priuye coates of fence, and fundrye tirementes perteynyng to their heades, 
 with alfo many fuche other thynges more bewtifuU to the eye then ryche or precious, wherof to entreate par- 
 ticularly, it fhoulde be more tedious then profy table. I lette paffe here alfo to fpeake of many particular 
 nauigations and of the trauailes and daungers whiclie they fufleyned in the fame, with the monilers and 
 fecreates of nature they fawe : whiche are all conteyned in the regeflers of owre Senate of th[e]afrayres of India, 
 owte of the whiche I haue felected thefe fewe annotations, fuche as feemed to me mofle meete to bee publifflied. 
 Notwithflandyng thefe ryche and goodly prefentes, yet were they that brought them, and alfo Cortefius the 
 gouernour of the nauye and autour of erectinge their newe colonic in thofe remote regions, adiudged by the 
 Senate to haue doen ageinft lyght and equitie, in that they attempted the fame withowte th[e]aduice of the 
 gouernour of the Ilande of Cuba who fente them foorthe by the kynges auctoritie, where as they dyd other 
 thinges befyde their commyffyon, ye althoughe they wente to the kynge, not fyrfl knowynge his pleafure whom 
 the kyng had fubflitute his Lieuetenaunt in that Ilande. In fo muche that by his procuratour, he accufed 
 them before the Senate as fugitiue theeues and traytours. They on the other parte alleaged that they had dooen 
 the kyng better feruyce then he : And that they had (hewed fuffycient obedience in appealyng to the kyng as 
 the hygher ludge. But the gouernour required by the vertue of his commiffion and the kinges letters pattentes 
 that they myght be headed for their difobedience ageinft. hym whom they knewe to be autorifed by the 
 kynge. They ageine replied that they had not offended the kyng, but rather deferued rewarde for their great 
 dangiers and trauails. Bothe the rewarde and punilhment were deferred, and a daye appointed when bothe 
 parties fhoulde bee harde. Leete vs nowe therfore coome to the Spaniardes of Dariena, th[e]inhabitours of the 
 goulfe of Vraba in the fuppofed Continent. We haue fayde before that Dariena is a ryuer runnynge towarde 
 the Wefte fyde of the goulfe of Vraba. On the banke of this ryuer, the Spaniardes planted theyr fyrfl colonic 
 or habitation after they had vanquiflhed kynge Chemaccus. This colonic they named Sanila Maria Antiqua, 
 by reafon of a vowe whiche they made to the' virgine Marie in the tyme of the battaile ageynfl, Chemaccus. To 
 thefe (as wee haue made mention in the ende of owre decades) was Petrus Arias fente with a thoufande and two 
 hundreth men at the requefl of Vafchus Nunnez Balboa, who was then the gouernour of Dariena, and the 
 fyrfl that found and difcoured the large South fea heretofore vnknowen. Wee haue alfo declared how at the arriual 
 of Petrus Arias the newe gouernour, he deuided his armye into Centurions, that is, capitaines ouer hundrethes, 
 whom hee fent foorth dyuers waies. What tragedies folowed hereof, I wyll abfolue in fewe woordes, bycaufe all are 
 horrible and vnpleafaunte. For fence we fynyfhed owre Decades, there hath hja. none other then kyllynge, 
 fleyinge, murtherynge and accufinge. The kynge made Vafchus gouemoure but durynge his pleafure. His courage 
 was fuch, and his factes fo notorious, that he coulde not longe abyde the hautynes oi Petrus Arias. To bee breefe, 
 the)rr faulynge owte and difcord confounded al thynges. lohn Cacedus the pulpitte fryer of the order of faynt 
 Frances, dyd his vttermofle endeuour to make them frendes, promyfynge vnto Vafchus the dowghter of Petrus 
 Arias to wyfe. But no meanes coulde be founde howe thefe two which bore the chiefe rule, myght bee brought 
 to agreement. At the length the matter grewe to fuch extremitie, that Petrus Arias fyndynge occafion of 
 querelynge ageynfte Vafchus, fent proceffe to the maieftrates of the towne, wherby he commaunded them to 
 flrangle Vafchus, and fyue other which were chiefe capitaynes vnder hym: Alleagynge that they ^nd their 
 confetherates confpired to rebel in the South fea : And that Vafchus hym felfe for that intente, had buylded and 
 furnifhed foure fhippes to fearch the fouth coafles of the fuppofed continent : Alfo that to his three hundreth 
 fouldiers and companions which he had with hym, he fhulde fpeake woordes of this effecte as foloweth. My 
 frendes, and felowes of my longe peynes and trauayles : Howe longe fhall we be fubiecte to the commaunde- 
 ment of other, fythe wee haue bydden the brunt and ouercumme th[e]enterprife for the whiche this newe 
 gouernoxur was fent with fo great a multitude? Who can any longer abyde his pryde and infolencie? Lette vs 
 therefore folowe thefe coafles whyther fo euer fortune fhall dryue vs : And among thefe fo many pleafaunt and 
 fruteful prouinces of this large lande, let us chofe one in the whiche wee maye with libertie fpende that portion 
 of owre lyues which yet remayneth. Who can fynde vs, or fhalbe able to prefer vs vyolence? When thefe or 
 the lyke woordes were declared to Petrus Arias, he fente to the Southe partes for Vafchus, wyllynge hym by 
 the vertue of his commiffion to repayre to him foorthwith. Vafchus obeyed, and at his commynge was cafle in 
 pryfon : yet conflantly denyinge that euer he entended any fuche thynge. WytnefTes were brought ageynfl hym, 
 and his wordes rehearfed from the begynnynge To conclude, he was iudged woorthy death, and was put to 
 
\0f the Lmides and Ilandes lately founded The thyrde Decade. 
 
 199 
 
 execution. And this is the rewarde wherwith the blynde goddeffe oftentymes recompenfeth fuch as haue 
 fufleyned great trauayles and daungiours- to bee hyghly in her fauoure. Fetrus Arias leauynge his wyfe in 
 Dariena, embarked hym felfe in the fliippes left of Vafchus, to th[e]intent to fearche thofe coaft.es. But 
 whether he be returned or not, we haue yet no certeyne knoweleage. He hath alfo his fortune. Yet is there 
 an other gouemour affigned, whofe name is Lupus Sofa, the viceroye of the Ilandes of Canarie. What fl.omake 
 Pdrus Arias may haue yf he returne, let good men iudge. There was nothyng doone vnder hym woorthy 
 glorie. Sume thynke that he was at the begynnyng fo flacke and negligent in his office, and not feuere in 
 correctynge errours and miforders. But we wyll leaue him and rehearfe fumwhat wherof we haue byn lately 
 informed as touchynge the great and diepe ryuer of Dabaiba, the whiche for the greatnes and largenes therof, 
 owre men named Grandis, that is, great, as we haue noted in owre Decades. This riuer fauleth into the 
 furtheft comer of the goulfe of Vraba by feuen pdrtes or mowthes as dooth the ryuer oi Nilus into the Egyptian 
 fea, whofe large defcription yowe may alfo reade in owre Decades. That the mountaynes on euery fyde about 
 this ryuer, are rych in golde, we haue learned by th[e]information of th[e]inhabitauntes, of whom we made 
 diligent inquifition. Vafchus, and befyde hym other gouemoures and Lieuetenauntes, haue foure tymes entered 
 into this ryuer with thejr armyes in battayle array, and with dyuers kyndes of fliippes fyrfle for the fpace of 
 fortie myles, then fyftie, and at the laft fourefcore, at an other tyme alfo ouerthwarte the ryuer. Oh ftiamefuU 
 chaunce and deteft.able couwardenes of owre men. A naked nation encounterynge with them that had apparell, the 
 armed ageynfl.e the vnarmed, had the ouerthrowe in maner in all conflictes, and were other all flayne or wounded. 
 They vfe inuenemed arrowes, and are fuche experte archers, that if they efpye any place of the)T enemie bare or 
 vnarmed, they wyll not lyghtlyfayle to ftryke him there. They vfe alfo many dartes, which in the tyme of the battayle 
 they hurle fo thicke a farre of, that they take the lyght of the fonne from theyr enemies as it were with a clowde. They 
 haue lykewife brode and longe fwoordes made of a heauie and harde kinde of woodde, wherewith they feyght fier- 
 cely neare at hande. Vafchus hjon felfe receaued many woundes in encounterynge with them. And thus by reafon 
 of the fiercenes of thefe barbarians, the ryuer of Dabaiba is yet lefte vnfearched. We wil nowe fpeake fumwhat 
 more of the Hand of Hifpaniola (which the Spanyardes caule Spagnuola) the moother and chiefe of al other landes 
 or Ilandes wherof we entended to wryte. In it the Senate is now reftored, and fyue ludges affigned to giue lawes 
 to all the inhabitauntes of thofe tractes. But in fliorte tyme, they ftiall ceafe gatherynge of golde although there 
 bee greate plentie : by reafon they ffiall lacke labourers and myners, forafmuch as th[e]inhabitauntes whofe helpe 
 they vfed herein, are brought to a fmaule number, confumed partly by warre, and many more by famen 
 that yeare that they dygged vp the rootes wherof they made theyr beft.e breade, and lefte of fowynge 
 theyr grayne of Maizium which is theyr common foode, fuppofmge hereby to haue dryuen owre men owte of 
 the Hande, who had vytayles fente them from Spayne. A great number of them alfo, dyed of newe and 
 ftraunge difeafes which in the yeare of Chrifte a thoufande fyue hundreth and. xviii. confumed theym lyke 
 rotton fheepe. 
 
 And (to faye the truth) owre mens vnfaciable defyre of gold, fo oppreffed thefe poore wretches with 
 extreme labour and toyle, where as before they lyued pleafauntly and at lybertie, gyuen onely to playes and 
 pafl,ymes as daunfynge, fyfffiinge, foulynge, and huntyng of lyttle connies, that many of them periilhed 
 euen for verye anguyflie of mynde, the whiche (with their vnaccuft.omed labour) are thynges of them felues 
 fuffycient to engender many newe difeafes. But the kynge and the Senate haue nowe determyned that they be 
 reduced to a people, and to gyue them felues onely to increafe, and tyllage of the ground : And that onely fuch 
 as are bought or taken owte of other regions, bee appointed to labour in the golde mynes. But it fliall fuffyce 
 to haue fayde thus muche of the peft.iferous hunger of golde. Therfore to fpea;ke of other matters : It is a 
 marueylous thynge to confyder howe all thynges increafe and profper in this Hande. There are nowe. xxviii. 
 fuger preffes wherwith great plentie of fuger is made. The canes or reedes wherin the fuger groweth, are 
 bygger and hygher then in any other place : And are as bygge as a mans arme in the brawne, and higher then 
 the flature of a man, by the halfe. This is more woonderfull, that where as in Valentia in Spaine (where a 
 great quantitye of fuger is made yearely) where fo euer they applye them felues to the great increafe therof, yet 
 doth euery roote bring foorthe not pafl.e fyue, or fyxe, or at the moft.e feuen of thofe reedes: wheras in Hifpaniola 
 one roote beareth twentie, and oftentymes thirtie. Foure footed beaftes and cattayle, are marueyloufly 
 increafed in this Hande. And albeit that the rauenynge hunger of golde hath hitherto greatly hyndered owre 
 men from tyllage of the ground, yet is there great plentye of wheate, whiche profpereth fo wel that it yealdeth 
 fumtyme a hundreth foulde : And this efpecially on the hylles or rydges of the mountaynes profpectynge towarde 
 the North. Vines do alfo increafe here with no lelTe frutefulneffe. What fliuld I fpeake of the trees that beare 
 Cafsiafflula, brought firft into this Hand from the other Ilandes neare vnto the fuppofed Continent, as we 
 haue noted in owr decades? There is nowe fuche plentie hereof, that after a fewe yeares we fliall haue a pounde 
 of the price that wee paye nowe for an ounce. Of the brefyle and mirobalane trees, with other innumerable 
 prerogatiues and benefites whiche nature hath plentifully giuen to this bleffed Hand, we haue fpoken fuffyciently 
 
 Petrus Arias. 
 
 Lu^us Sosa. 
 
 The great ryuer of 
 Dabaiba or 
 Grandis 
 
 The goulfe of 
 Vraba. 
 The ryche 
 mountaynes of 
 Dabaiba. . 
 
 Fierce andwarlyke 
 people. 
 
 Dartes. 
 
 Swoordes of 
 heauie wood. 
 
 166 
 
 Hispaniola. 
 Ouiedus wryteth 
 
 that ther are nowe. 
 V. monasteries. 
 
 Newe and strange 
 diseases. 
 
 The suger of 
 Hispaniola. 
 
 Suger of Valentia. 
 
 A token of 
 manielous 
 
 frutfulnes. 
 
 Cattayle. 
 
 Wheate. 
 
 Vines. 
 
 Cassia Jistula. 
 
 Brasyle. 
 
 Myrobalanes 
 
200 
 
 The thyrde Decade. [Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.'] 
 
 in owr decades. Yet haue I tliought good to repeate part of the fame, bycaufe I think that the wittes of many 
 
 readers haue diuerted from the weyght of great affaires, to the recordation of fuch pleafaunt 
 
 thynges. And yet do not fuche thynges as are fauery, engender tedy- 
 
 oufneffe, foe that a precious matter bee adourned 
 
 with a precious veflure. 
 
 JF3INI&. 
 
201 
 
 167EXEMPLAR BVLLAE SEV 
 
 DONATIONIS, AVTORITATE 
 
 CVIVS, EPISCOPVS ROMANVS 
 
 Alexander eius nominis fextus, con- 
 
 cefsit et donauit Caftellae regibus 
 
 et fuis fuccefforibus, regiones 
 
 et Infulas noui orbis in 
 
 Oceano occidental! Hif- 
 
 panorum nauigationi- 
 
 bus repertas.". 
 
 LEXANDER EPISCOPVS, feraus 
 femorum Dei, Charifsimo in Chriflo 
 filio Ferdinando Regi, et Charifsi- 
 mse in Chrifto filise Elizabeth Re- 
 ginae Caflellae, Legionis, Aragonum, 
 Siciliae, et Granatae, illuftribus, falu- 
 tem et Apoflolicam benedictionem. 
 
 Inter csetera Diuinae maieflati beneplacita opera 
 et cordis noflri defiderabilia, illud profecto potifimum 
 exiftit vt fides catholica et Chrifliana religio noftris 
 praefertim temporibus exaltetur ac vbilibet amplietur 
 ac dilatetur, animarumque falus procuretur, ac barbarae 
 nationes deprimantur et ad fidem ipfam reducantur. 
 Vnde cum ad hanc facram Petri fedem Diuina fauente 
 dementia (meritis licet imparibus) euocati fueremus, 
 cognofcentes vos tanquam veros catholicos reges et 
 principes: quales femper fuiffe nouimus, et a vobis 
 praeclare gefla, toti pene orbi notifsima demonftrant, 
 nedum id exoptare, fed omni conatu, lludio, et dili- 
 gentia, nullis laboribus, nuUis impenfis, nuUifque par- 
 cendo periculis, etiam proprium fanguinem effundendo 
 efficere, ac omnem animum veflrum, omnefque conatus 
 ad hoc iam dudum dedicafse, quemadmodum recuper- 
 ato regni Granatae a tyrannis de Sarracenorum hodier- 
 nis temporibus per vos, cum tanta Diuini nominis 
 gloria fadla, teflatur. Digne ducimur non immerito, 
 et debemus ilia vobis etiam fponte, ac fauorabiliter 
 concedere, per quae huiufinodi fandlum ac laudabile 
 ab.immortali deo acceptum propofitum, indies feruen- 
 tiori animo ad ipfius dei honorem et Imperij Chrif- 
 tiani propagationem, profequi valeatis. Sane accepi- 
 mus quod vos qui dudum animum propofueratis aliquas 
 
 C THE COPPIE OF THE BULL 
 
 OR DONATION, BY TH[E]AU- 
 
 TORITIE WHEROF, POPE 
 
 Alexander the fyxte of that name, 
 
 gaue and graunted to the kynges of 
 
 Caftyle and theyr fucceffours the 
 
 Regions and Ilandes founde in 
 
 the Wefle Ocean fea by 
 
 the nauigations of the 
 
 Spanyardes. 
 
 Lexander byflioppe, the feruaunte of 
 the feruantes of God : To owre mofle 
 dearebeloued fonne in Chrifl. Kynge 
 Ferdinande, And to owre deare be- 
 loued doughter in Chryfle Elyzabeth 
 Queene of Caftyle, Legion, Aragon, 
 Sicilie, and Granata, moft noble 
 Princes, Gretynge and Apoftohcal benediction. 
 
 Amonge other woorkes acceptable to the diuine 
 maieftie and accordynge to owre hartes defyre, this 
 certeinely is the chiefe, that the Catholyke fayth and 
 Chriftian religion, fpecially in this owre tyme may in 
 all places bee exalted, amplified, and enlarged, wherby 
 the health of foules may be procured, and the Barbarous 
 nations fubdued and brought to the fayth. And there- 
 fore wheras by the fauoure of gods clemencie (although 
 not with equall defertes) we are cauled to this holy 
 feate of Peter, and vnderftandynge you to bee trewe 
 Catholyke Princes as we haue euer knowen you, and 
 as youre noble and woorthy factes haue declared in 
 maner to the hole worlde in that with all your ftudie, 
 diligence, and induftrye, you haue fpared no trauayles, 
 charges, or perels, aduenturynge euen the ftiedynge of 
 your owne bludde, with applyinge yowre hole myndes 
 and endeuours here vnto, as your noble expeditions 
 achyued in recoueryng the kyngdome of Granata from 
 the tyrannie of the Sarracens in thefe our dayes, doo 
 playnely declare your factes with fo great glorye of the 
 diuine name. For the whiche as we thinke you woor- 
 thy, fo owght we of owre owne free wyl fauorably to 
 graunt all thynges whereby you maye dayely with more 
 feruent myndes to the honoure of god and enlargynge 
 the Chriftian empire, profecute your deuoute and laud- 
 
 171 
 
202 
 
 infulas et terras firmas remotas et incognitas, ac per 
 alios hadlenus non repertas, quserere et inuenire, vt 
 illarum incolas et habitatores ad colendum redemp- 
 torem noftrum et fidem catholicam profitendum re- 
 duceretis, haiflenus in expugnatione et recuperatione 
 ipfms regni Granatse plurimum occupati, huiufmodi 
 fandlum et laudabile propofitum veftrum ad optatum 
 finem perducere nequiuiftis : Sed tamen ficut Domino 
 placuit, regno predidlo recuperato, volentes defiderium 
 vellrum adimplere, diledlum filium Chriflophorum Col- 
 68 onum virum vtique dignum et plurimum commendatum 
 ac tanto negotio aptum, cum nauigijs et hominibus ad 
 fimilia inftrudlis, non fine maximis laboribus, ac peri- 
 culis, et expenfis deftinailis vt terras firmas et Infiilas 
 remotas et incognitas, huiufinodi per mare vbi haftenus 
 nauigatum non fuerat, diligenter inquireret. Qui tandem 
 (Diuino auxilio fadla extrema diligentia in mari Oceano 
 nauigaptes) certas infiilas remotifsimas et etiam terras 
 firmas quae per alios haflenus repertse non fiierant, 
 inuenerunt. In quibus plurims gentes pacifice viu- 
 entes, et (vt afferitur) nudi incedentes, nee camibus 
 vefcentes, inhabitant : Et vt praefati nuncij veftri pof- 
 sunt bpinari, gentes ipfae in Infiilis et terris prsedidlis 
 habitantes, credunt vnum deum creatorem in Coelis 
 efse, ac ad fidem catholicam amplexandum et bonis 
 moribus imbuendum, fatis apti videntur: Spefque 
 habetur, quod fi erudirentur, nomen Saluatoris Domini 
 noftri lefii Clirifli in terris et infiilis praediflis facile 
 induceretur. Ac prefatus Chriflophorus in vna ex 
 principalibus Infiilis prasdidlis, iam vnam turrim fatis 
 munitam, in qua certos Chriflianos qui fecum iuerant, 
 in cuftodiam et vt alias Infulas ac terras firmas remotas 
 et incognitas inquirerent pofuit, conflrui et aedificari 
 fecit. In quibus quidem Infulis et terris iam repertis, 
 aurum, aromata, et aliae quamplurimae res praeciofoe 
 diuerfi generis et diuerfas qualitatis reperiuntur. Vnde 
 omnibus diligenter, et praefertim fidei catholicse exal- 
 tatione et dilatatione (prout decet Catholicos Reges et 
 Principes) confideratis, more progenitorum veftrorum 
 clarae memoriae Regum, terras firmas et infulas prae- 
 diflas, illarumque incolas et habitatores, vobis diuina 
 fauente dementia fubiicere et ad fidem Catholicam 
 reducere propofuiftis. 
 
 Nos itaque huiufmodi veflrum fandlum et laudabile 
 propofitum plurimum in domino commendantes, ac 
 cupientes vt illud ad debitum finem perducatur, et 
 ipfum nomen faluatoris nofl.ri in partibus illis induca- 
 tur, hortamur vos quamplurimum in domino, et per 
 
 able purpofe mod acceptable, to the immortall God. We 
 are credably informed that wheras of late you were de- 
 termyned to feeke and fynde certeyne Ilandes and firme 
 landes farre remote and vnknowen (and not heretofore 
 found by any other) to th[e]intent to bringe th[e]inhabi- 
 tauntes of the fame to honoure owre redemer and to 
 profefle the catholyke fayth, you haue hetherto byn 
 much occupied in th[e]expugnation and recouerie of 
 the kyngedome of Granata, by reafon whereof yowe 
 coulde not brynge yowre fayde laudable purpofe to 
 th[e]ende defyred. Neuertheleffe as it hath pleafed 
 almyghty god, the forefayde kyngedome beinge reco- 
 uered, wyllyng t[o]accomply(he your fayde defyre, you 
 haue, not without great laboure, perelles, and charges, 
 appoynted owre welbeloued fonne Chrillopher Colonus 
 (a man certes wel commended as mode worthy and 
 apte for fo great a matter) well furnyflied with men and 
 fhippes and other neceffaries, to feeke (by the fea 
 where hetherto no manne hath fayled) fuche firme 
 landes and Ilandes farre remote and hitherto vnknowen. 
 Who (by gods helpe) makynge diligente fearche in the 
 Ocean fea, haue founde certeyne remote Ilandes and 
 firme landes whiche were not heretofore founde by any 
 other. In the which (as is fayde) many nations inhabite 
 lyuinge peaceably and goinge naked, not accuftomed 
 to eate flefhe. And as farre as yowre meflengers can 
 coniecture, the nations inhabitynge the forefayde landes 
 and Ilandes, beleue that there is one god creatoure in 
 heauen : and feeme apte to be brought to th[ejimbraf- 
 inge of the catholyke faythe and to be imbued with 
 good maners : by reafon whereof, we may hope that if 
 they well be inflructed, they may eafely bee induced 
 to receaue the name of owre fauiour lefu Chrifl. We 
 are further aduertifed that the forenamed Chriflopher 
 hathe nowe builded and erected a fortreffe with good 
 munition in one of the forefayde principall IJandes in 
 the which he hath placed a garrifon of certeine of the 
 Chriflian men that wente thyther with him : afwell to 
 th[e]intent to defende the fame, as alfo to fearche other 
 Ilandes and firme landes farre remote and yet vnknowen. 
 We alfo vnderflande, that in thefe landes and Ilandes 
 lately founde, is great plentie of golde and fpices, with 
 dyuers and many other precious thynges of fundiy 
 kyndes and qualities. Therfore al thinges diligently 
 confidered (efpecially th[e]amplifyinge and enlargyng 
 of the catholike fayth, as it behoueth catholike Princes 
 folowyng th[e]exemples of yowre noble progenitours 
 of famous memorie) wheras yowe are determyned by 
 the fauour of almightie god to fubdue and brynge to 172 
 the catholyke fayth th[e]inhabitauntes of the forefayde 
 landes and Ilandes. 
 
 Wee greatly commendynge this yowre godly and 
 laudable purpofe in owr lorde, and defirous to haue 
 the fame brought to a dewe ende, and the name of 
 owre fauioure to be knowen in thofe partes, doo 
 exhorte yowe in owre Lorde and by the receauynge 
 of yowre holy baptifme wherby yowe are bounde to 
 
203 
 
 facri lau;icri fuiceptionem, qua mandatis Apoftolicis 
 obligati eftis, et per vifcera mifericordiae Domini noftri 
 lefu Chrifti attente requirimus, vt cum expeditionem 
 huiufmodi omnino profequi et affumere prona mente 
 orthodoxse fidei zelo intendatis, populos in huiufmodi 
 Infulis et terns degentes, ad Chriflianam religionem 
 fufcipiendum inducere velitis et debeatisj nee pericula 
 nee labores vUo vnquam tempore vos deterreant, firma 
 fpe fiduciaque eonceptis quod Deus omnipotens eona- 
 tus veftros foeliciter profequetur. Et vt tanti negotij 
 prouintiam Apoftolicse gratiae largitate donati, liberius 
 et audacius affumatis, motu proprio non ad veflram vel 
 169 alterius pro vobis fuper hoe nobis oblatse petitionis 
 inllantiam, fed de noftra mera liberalitate, et ex eerta 
 feientia, ae de Apoftolicse poteflatis plenitudine, omnes 
 Infulas et terras firmas inuentas et inueniendas, de- 
 te6las et detegendas verfus Occidentem et Meridiem, 
 fabricando et conftruendo vnam lineam a polo Arflico, 
 fcilicet Septemtrione, ad polum Antardlicum, fcilicet 
 Meridiem, Cue terras firmse et infulae inuentae et in- 
 ueniendae fmt verfus Indiam aut verfus aliam quam- 
 cunque partem quae linea diftet a qualibet Infularum 
 quae vulgariter nuneupantur de los Azores et Cabo 
 verde centum leucis verfus Occidentem et Meridiem. 
 
 Itaque omnes Infulae et terrae firmae repertae et re- 
 periendae, detedlae et detegendae a praefata linea verfis 
 Occidentem et Meridiem, quae per alium Regem aut 
 Principem Chriftianum non fuerint adlualiter poffeffae 
 vfque ad diem natiuitatis Domini noftri lefu Chrifti 
 proxime prseteritum, a quo incipit annus praefens 
 Milleflimus Quadringenteffimus Nonogeffimus tercius, 
 quando fuerunt per nuncios et capitaneos veftros in- 
 uentae aliquae praedidlarum Infularum, Autoritate omni- 
 potentis Dei nobis in beato Petro concefsa, ae vicariatus 
 lefu Chrifti qua fungimur in terris, cum omnibus illatum 
 dominijs, ciuitatibus, caftris, locis, et viUis, iuribufque 
 et iurifdidlionibus ae partinentijs vniuerfis, vobis here- 
 dibufque et fuccefforibus veftris (Caftellae et Legionis 
 regibus) in perpetuum tenore praefentium donamus, 
 coneedimus, et affignamus: Vofque et haeredes ae 
 fucceffores praefatos illarum Dominos, cum plena, libera, 
 et omnimoda poteflate, autoritate, et iurifdidlione, 
 facimus, conftituinms, et deputamus. Decernentes ni- 
 hilo minus per huiufmodi donationem, concefsionem, et 
 aflignationem noftram, nullo Chriftiano Principi qui acflu- 
 aliter praefatas Infulas et terras firmas poffederit vfque 
 ad praedidtum diem natiuitatis Domini noftri lefu Chrifti 
 ius quaeutum, I'ublatum intelligi pofse aut auferri debere. 
 
 Et infuper mandamus vobis in virtutae fandlae obedi- 
 
 Apoftolicall obedience, and erneftely require yowe by 
 the bowelii of mercy of owre Lorde lefu Chrift, that 
 when yovi-e intende for the zeale of the Catholyke 
 faythe to jirofecute the fayde expedition to reduce the 
 people of the forefayde landes and Ilandes to the 
 Chriftian religion, yowe fhall fpare no labours at any 
 tyme, or bee deterred with any perels, conceauynge 
 firme hope and confidence that the omnipotent godde 
 wyll gyue good fuceeffe to yowre godly attemptes. 
 And that beinge autoryfed by the priuilege of the 
 Apoftolycall grace, yowe may the more freely and 
 bouldly take vpon yowe th[e]enterpryfe of fo greate a 
 matter, we of owre owne motion, and not eyther at 
 yowre requeft or at the inftant peticion of any other 
 perfon, but of owre owne mere liberalitie and certeyne 
 fcience, and by the fulneffe of Apoftolycall power, doo 
 gyue, graunt, and affigne to yowe, yowre heyres and 
 fucceffours, al the firme landes and Ilandes found or 
 to be found, difcouered or to be difcouered toward the 
 Weft and South, drawyng a line from the pole Artike 
 to the pole Antartike (that is) from the north to the 
 Southe: Conteynynge in this donation, what fo euer 
 firme landes or Ilandes are founde or to bee founde 
 towarde India, or towarde any other parte what fo 
 euer it bee, beinge diftant from, or without the fore- 
 fayd lyne drawen a hundreth leaques towarde the 
 Wefte and South from any of the Ilandes which are 
 commonly cauled De los Azores and Cabo Verde. 
 
 All the Ilandes therfore and firme landes, founde 
 and to be founde, difcouered and to be difcouered 
 from the fayde lyne towarde the Weft and South, fuch 
 as haue not actually bin heretofore poffeffed by any 
 other Chriftian kynge or prynce vntyll the daye of the 
 natiuitie of owre Lorde lefu Chryfte lafte pafte, from 
 the which begynneth this prefent yeare beinge the 
 yeare of owre Lorde. M. CCCC. Ixxxxiii. when fo euer 
 any fuch flialbe founde by your meffingers and capy- 
 taines, Wee by the autoritie of almyghtie God graunted 
 vnto vs in faynt Peter, and by the office which we beare 
 on the earth in the fteede of lefu Chrifte, doo for euer 
 by the tenoure of thefe prefentes, gyue, graunte, affigne, 
 vnto yowe, yowre heyres, and fucceffoures (the kynges 
 of Caftyle and Legion) all thofe landes and Ilandes, 
 with theyr dominions, territories, cities, caftels, towres, 
 places, and vyllages, with all the ryght, and iurifdic- 
 tions therunto perteynynge : eonftitutynge, affignynge, 
 and deputynge, yowe, yowre heyres, and fucceffours 
 the lordes thereof, with full and free poure, autoritie, 
 and iurifdiction. Decreeinge neuertheleffe by this 
 owre donation, graunt, and afTignation, that from no 
 Chriftian Prince whiehe actually hath poffeffed the 
 forefayde Ilandes and firme landes vnto the day o» 
 the natiuitie of owre lorde beforefayde theyr ryght 
 obteyned to bee vnderftoode hereby to be taken away, 
 or that it owght to be taken away. 
 
 Furthermore wee commaunde yowe in the vertue 
 
204 
 
 entise (vt ficut poUicemini et non dubitamus pro veflra 
 maxima deuotione etregia magnanimitate vos efse faflu- 
 ros) ad terras firmas et Infulas prsedidtas, viros probos et 
 Deum timentes, doflos, peritos, et expertos ad inflru- 
 endum incolas et habitatores prsefatos in fide Catholica 
 et bonis moribus imbuendum, dellinare debeatis, om- 
 nem debitam diligentiam in prsemifsis adhibentes. 
 
 A quibufcumque perfonis, cuiufcunque dignitatis, 
 etiam imperialis et regalis ilatus, gradus, ordinis vel 
 conditionis, fub excommunicationis latse fententise 
 poena quam eo ipfo fi contra fecerint incurrant, 
 170 diftridlius inhibemus ne ad Infulas et terras firmas 
 inuentas et inueniendas, deteflas et detegendas verfus 
 Occidentem et Meridiem, fabricando et conflru- 
 endo lineam a polo ArcSico ad polum AntariSlicum, 
 fiuse terras firmse et Infulae inuentae et inueniends fint 
 verfus Indiam aut verfus aliam quamcunque partem 
 quae linea diilet a qualibet Infularum qua vulgariter 
 nuncupantur de los Azores et Cabo verde centum leucis 
 verfus Occidentem et Meridiem vf praefertur, pro merci- 
 bus habendis vel quauis alia caufa accedere praefumat 
 abfque veftra ac haeredum et fuccefsorum veftrorum 
 praedidlorum licentia fpeciali: Non obflantibus con- 
 ftitutiouibus et ordinationibus Apoflolicis, caeterifque 
 quibufcunque, in illo in quo imperia et dominationes 
 et bona cuncfla procedunt : Confidentes quod dirigente 
 Domino adtus vellros, fi huiufmodi fan6lum ac laudabile 
 propofitum profequamini, breui tempore cum foelicitate 
 et gloria totius populi Chriftiani, veflri labores et 
 conatus exitum foelicifsimum confequentur. Varum 
 quia difficile foret praefentes literas ad fmgula quaeque 
 loca in quibus expediens fuerit deferri, volumus ac 
 motu et fcientia fimilibus decemimus, quod illarum 
 tranffumptis manu public! notarij inderogati fubfcriptis, 
 et figillo alicuius perfonae in ecclefiaflica dignitate con- 
 flitutae, feu curiae ecclefiaflicae munitis, ea prorfus 
 fides in iudicio et extra ac alias vbilibet adhibeatur, quae 
 prsefentibus adhiberetur fi efsent adhibitae vel oflenfae. 
 
 Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat banc paginam 
 noftrae commendationis, hortationis, requifitionis, dona- 
 tionis, concefsionis, afsignationis, conftitutionis, deputa- 
 tionis, decreti, mandati, inhibitionis, et voluntatis in- 
 fringere vel ei aufu temerario contraire. Si quis autem 
 hoc attentare praefumpferit, indignationem omnipotentis 
 Dei, ac beatorum Petri et Pauli Apoftolorum eius, fe 
 nouerit incurfurum.*. 
 
 Datum Romae apud fandlum Petrum : Anno incar- 
 nationis Dominicae. 1493. quarto nonas Maij: Ponti- 
 ficatus noflri anno primo.\ 
 
 of holy obedience (as yowe haue promyfed, and as wee 
 doubte not you wyll doo vppon mere deuotion and 
 pjincely magnanimitie) to fende to the fayde firme 
 landes and Ilandes, honefle, vertuous, and lerned men, 
 fuche as feare God, and are able to inftructe th[e]in- 
 habitauntes in the Catholyke fayth and good maners, 
 applyinge all theyr poffible diligence in the premiffes. 
 
 We furthermore ftreightly inhibite all maner of 
 perfons, of what flate, degree, order, or condition fo 
 euer they bee, although of Imperiall and regall digni- 
 tie, vnder the peyne of the fentence of excommunica- 
 tion whiche they fhall incurre yf they doo to the 
 contrary, that they in no cafe prefume without fpeciali 
 lycence of yowe, yowre heyres, and fucceffours, to 
 trauayle for marchaundies or for any other caufe, to 
 the fayde landes or Ilandes, founde or to bee found, 
 difcouered, or to bee difcouered, toward ±e weft and 
 fouth, drawing a line from the pole Artyke to the pole 
 Antartike, whether the firme lands and Ilandes found 
 and to be found, be fituate toward India or towarde 
 any other parte beinge diftant from the lyne drawen 
 a hundreth leagues towarde the weft from any of the 
 Ilandes commonly cauled De los Azores and Cabo 
 Verde: Notwithftandynge conftitutions, decrees, and 
 Apoftolycall ordinaunces what fo euer they are to the 
 contrary : In him from whom Empyres, dominions, and 
 all good thynges doo procede : Truftynge that almyghtie 
 god directynge yowre enterprifes, yf yowe folowe yowre 173 
 godly and laudable attemptes, yowre laboures and 
 trauayles herein, fhall in Ihorte tyme obteyne a happy 
 ende with felicitie and glorie of all Chriftian people. 
 But forafmuch as it fhulde bee a thynge of great diffi- 
 cultie thefe letters to bee caryed to all fuche places as 
 fhuld bee expedient, we wyll, and of lyke motion and 
 knowleage doo decree that whyther fo euer the fame 
 ftialbe fent, or wher fo euer they, ftialbe receaued with 
 the fubfcription of a common notarie therunto requyred, 
 with the feale of any perfon conftitute in ecclefiafticall 
 dignitie, or fuche as are autoryfed by the ecclefiafticall 
 courte, the fame fayth and credite to bee g)ruen there- 
 unto in iudgement or els where, as fliulde bee exhibyted 
 to thefe prefentes. 
 
 It fhall therefore bee lawefull for no man to infringe 
 or rafhely to contrarie this letter of owre commenda- 
 tion, exhortacion, requefte, donation, graunt, affigna- 
 tion, conftitution, deputation, decree, commaundement, 
 inhibition, and determination. And yf any fhall pre- 
 fume to attempte the fame, he owght to knowe that he 
 fhall thereby incurre the indignation of almyghtie God 
 and his holye Apoftles Peter and Paule. (.".)(:)(■.•) 
 
 C Gyuen at Rome at faynt Peters ; In the yeare of 
 th[e]incarnation of owre Lord M. CCCC. LXXXXIII. 
 The fourth day of the nones of Maye, the fyrfte yeare 
 of owre feate. ( ) ( ) () 
 
205 
 
 [The Third EngHsh book on America, 
 
 Which is also 
 
 The First English Collection of Voyages, Traffics, & Discoveries. 
 
 Cite liecalres nl tite m\x>t hj0rXlre ^r toe^t Sn&iac, tiu 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes, 
 
 ^be Natural History of the West Indies. 
 
 First printed in 1526.] 
 
207 
 
 To THE READER. 
 
 Lthough amonge dyuers which haue wrytten of 
 the Ocean and VVefte Indies, there is none to 
 be compared to Peter Martyr of Angleria, in 
 declarynge by philofophical difcourfes the fecreate 
 caufes of naturall affectes bothe as touchynge the 
 lande, the fea, the ftarres, and other flraunge 
 woorkes of nature, yet forafmuche as of later 
 dayes thofe countreys haue byn better knowen 
 and fearched, and dyuers fuche particular and 
 notable thynges founde as are conteyned in 
 the hyftories of later wryters, emonge the 
 number of whom Gonzalus Ferdinandus Ouiedus, 
 (whom lerned Cardanus compareth to the ancient writers) is doubtles the chiefe, I haue 
 therfore thought good to ioyne to the Decades of Peter Martyr certeyne notable 
 thynges which I haue gathered owte of his booke intiteled the Summarie or abbrige- 
 ment of his generall hyflorie of the Weft Indies wrytten in the firme lande of the fame 
 in the citie of Sancta Maria Antigua in Dariena (where he dwelte and was gouernoure 
 many yeares) And dedicated to Th[e]emperou[r]s maieftie, as maye appeare by the 
 epyftell folowynge. 
 
208 
 
 C TO THE MOST HYGH AND MYGHTIE 
 
 PRINCE CHARLES THE FYFTE OF THAT NAME: 
 
 EMPEROUR OF ROME, KYNGE OF SPAYNE, AND OF THE TWOO SICILIES, 
 of bothe the fydes of the ftreyght oiFaro, Kynge of Hierufalem 
 and Hungarie, Duke of Burgonie and Earle of Flaunders, 
 Lord and inheritoure of the firme lande and Ilandes 
 of the Wefle Ocean, etc. Gonzalus Ferdiiian- 
 dus Ouiedus his moft humble feruant 
 wyfheth health and per- 
 petual felicitie. 
 
 1T4 
 
 e thynges whiche principally preferue and mayntayne 
 the woorkes of nature in the memories of men, are 
 hyilories and bookes compofed of the fame. Amonge 
 the whiche certes thofe are efleemed mofte trewe and 
 autentyke which haue byn wrytten by wyttie and 
 expert men well trauayled in the worlde, as faythfull 
 wytneffes of fuche thynges as they haue partely feene 
 and byn partely informed by credible perfons. Of 
 this mynde and opinion was Plinie, who better then 
 any other autoiire hathe wrytten in xxxvii. bookes al 
 that perteyneth to the naturall hiflorie, conteyned al 
 in one volume dedicated to Vefpalian Th[e]em- 
 perour. Wherein, as a prudente hiftoriographer, he 
 declareth fuche thynges as he had harde : Attri- 
 butynge the feconde autoritie to fuche as he had 
 redde in autoures that wrote before hym : And thyrdely ioyned to the fame hyftorie, 
 fuch thynges as he hym felfe had feene as mofle certeyne teftimonie. Whofe exemple 
 I folowynge, wyl in this my breefe fummarie reduce and reprefent to yowr maiefties 
 memorie fuche thynges as I haue feene in yowre Empyre of the Weft Indies afwell in 
 the Ilandes as in the firme lande of the Ocean fea, where I haue ferued nowe more then 
 twelue yeares in the place of furuoyer of the golde mynes by the commaundemente of 
 the Catholyke kynge Don Fernando the fyfte of that name and graundfather vnto yowre 
 maieftie, to whom god gaue great fame and glorie. Senfe whofe death alfo I haue lyke- 
 wies ferued and truft whyle the reft of my lyfe yet remayneth, to ferue yowre maieftie 
 as Ihall pleafe yowe to commaunde. As touchynge which thinges and fuch other lyke, 
 I haue more largely written in a hyftorie begunne as fone as my age was rype to take 
 fuche matters in hande. Wherein furthermore I haue made mention of fuche thynges 
 
The Epijlle. 
 
 209 
 
 as haue chaunced in Spaine, from the yeare. 1494. vnto this tyme. Addynge alfo 
 thereunto fuche thynges woorthy memorie as I haue obferued in other realmes and pro- 
 uinces where I haue trauayled. And haue Hkewife particulerly wrytten the lyues and 
 woorthy actes of the catholyke Princes of famous memorie Don Ferdinando and lady 
 Elizabeth his wyfe to theyr laft dayes. After whofe fruition of heauenly^ Paradyfe, I 
 haue noted fuche thynges as haue chaunced in yowre moft fortunate fucceffion. Not 
 omittynge particularly to wryte a large booke of fuch thynges as haue feemed mofle 
 woorthy to bee noted as touchynge yowre maiefties Indies. But for afmuche as that 
 volume remaineth in the citie of San. Dominico in the Ilande of Hifpaniold where I 
 dwell and am placed in houfholde with wyfe, chyldren, and famelie, I haue brought no 
 more with me of that my writynge then I beare in memorie. Determynynge notwith- 
 ftandynge for yowre maiefties recreation to make a breefe rehearfall of certeyne notable 
 thynges wherof I haue more largely entreated in my fayde general hiftorie, and fuch as 
 may feeme mofte woorthy to bee redde of yowre maieftie. Of the which, although a great 
 parte haue byn wr5^ten by other who haue alfo feene the fame, yet perhappes they are not 
 fo exactly and particularly defcribed as of me, forafmuche as in maner all that trauayle 
 into thefe Indies haue greater refpecte to luker and gaynes then diligently to fearche the 
 woorkes of nature wherunto I haue byn euer naturally inclyned, and haue therfore with 
 all poffible endeuour applyed myne eyes and intelligence to fynde the fame. And this 
 prefente Summarie fhall not bee contrary or dyuers from my larger hiftorie wherein (as I 
 haue fayde) I haue more amplye declared thefe thynges : but flial onely more breefely 
 expreffe th[e]ffect therof vntyl fuch tyme as Godde ftial reftore me to myne owne houfe, 
 where I may accomplyflie and fyniftie my fayd general hyftorie. Wherevnto to gyue the 
 fyrft principle, I fay that Don Chriftopher Colonus (as it is well knowen) beinge the 
 fyrfte Admyrall of this India, difcouered the fame in the dayes of the Catholyke kynge 
 Don Ferdinando and the lady Elyzabeth his wyfe, graundfather and graundmother vnto 
 yowre maieftie : In the yeare. 1 49 i. And came to Barzalona in the yeare 1 49 2. with the 
 fyrft Indians and other ftiewes and profes of the great ryches and notice of this weft 
 Empire. The whiche gyfte and benefyte was fuche, that it is vnto this daye, one of the 
 greateft that euer any fubiect or feruant hath done for his prince or countrey, as is mani- 
 fefte to the hole worlde. And to faye the trewth, this ftiall doubtleffe bee fo commodious 
 and profytable vnto the hole realme of Spayne, that I repute hym no good Caftilian or 
 Spanyarde that doothe not recognife the fame. And (as I haue fayde before) foraf- 
 much as in my fayde generall hiftorie I haue more largely intreated of thefe thynges, I 
 intend at this prefent only briefely to rehearfe certeyne efpeciall thynges, the whiche 
 fuerly are verye fewe in refpecte of the thoufandes that myght bee fayde in this behalfe. 
 Fyrft therfore I wyl fpeake fumwhat of the nauigation into thefe parties. Then of the 
 generation of the nations whiche are founde in the fame, with their rytes, cuftomes, and 
 cerimonies. Alfo of beaftes, foules, byrdes, woormes, fyflhes, feas, ryuers, fprynges, trees, 
 plantes, herbes, and dyuers other thynges which are engendered boothe on the lande and 175 
 in the water. And forafmuche as I am one of th[e]order and company of them that are 
 appointed to returne into thefe regions to ferue yowre maieftie, yf therfore the thynges 
 conteyned in this booke ftiall not bee diftincte in fuch order as I promifed to performe in my 
 greater woorke, I defyre yowre maieftie to haue no refpecte herevnto, but rather to 
 ponfyder the noueltie of fuche ftraunge thynges as I haue herein declared, whiche is the 
 chiefe ende that moued me to wryte. Proteftyng that in this Summarie I haue wrytten 
 the trewth of fuche thynges as coome to my remembraunce : wherof not onely I my 
 felfe can teftifye, but alfo diuers other woorthy and credible men which haue bin in 
 thofe regions, and are nowe prefente in yowre maiefties courte. And thus it flial fuftyce 
 to haue faide thus much vnto yowre maieftie in maner of a proheme vnto, this prefent 
 worke which I moft humbly ddyre yowre maieftie as thankfully t[o]accept, as I haue 
 wrytten it faythfuUy. 
 
210 
 
 The hyjlorie of the vvejle Indies. 
 
 ^ Of the ordinary nauygation from Spayne to the IVefte Indies. 
 
 176 
 
 He nauygation whiche is commonly made from Spayne to the 
 Wefle India, is from Siuile, where yowre maieftie haue yowre 
 houfe of contractation for thofe partes, with alfo yowre offycers 
 thervnto perteynynge, of whom the capitaines take their paffeporte 
 and lycence. The patrones of fuche fliyppes as are appoynted to 
 thefe vyages, imbarke theym felues at San Luca di Barameda, 
 where the ryuer Cuadalchiber entereth into the Ocean fea. And 
 from henfe they folowe their courfe toward the Ilandes of Canarie. 
 Of thefe feuen Ilandes, they commonly touche two, that is, eyther 
 Grancanaria or Gomera. And here the fliyppes are furnyflhed 
 with freflie water, fuell, cheefe, biefe, and fuche other thynges 
 whiche may feeme requifyte to be added to fuche as they brynge 
 with them owte of Spayne. From Spayne to thefe Ilandes, is 
 coommonly eyght dayes faylinge, or lyttle more or leffe. And 
 when they are arryued there, they haue fayled two hundereth and 
 fyftie leaques, whiche make a thoufande myles, accomptyng foure 
 myles to a leaque as is their maner to recken by fea. Departynge 
 from the fayde Ilandes to folowe their courfe, the fliippes tary. xxv. dayes, or a lyttle more or leffe, before they 
 fee the fyrfte lande of the Ilandes that lye before that whiche they caule La Spagnuola or Hifpaniola. And the 
 lande that is commonly fyrile feene, is one of thefe Ilandes whiche they caule Ogni fanlli Marigalante (or 
 Galanta) La Deffeada (otherwife cauled Defyderata) Matanino, Dominica, Guadalupe, San. Chrijloual, or fumme 
 other of the Ilandes wherof there are a great multitude lyinge aboute thefe aforefaide. Yet it fumtymes fo 
 chaunceth that the fliippes paffe withowte the fyght of any of the fayde Ilandes, or any other that are within 
 that courfe vntyll they coome to the Hand of Sanlli lohannis or Hifpaniola, or Jamaica, or Cuba, whiche are 
 before the other. It may alfo chaunce that they ouerpaffe all thefe likewyfe, vntyll they faule vppon the coalles 
 of the fyrme lande. But this chaunceth when the pylote is not well practifed in this nauigation or not perfecte 
 in the trewe carde. But makynge this viage with experte maryners (wherof there is nowe great plentie) one of 
 the fayde fyrfte Ilandes fliall euer bee knowen. And from the Ilandes of Canarie to one of the fyrfte of thefe, 
 the diflaunce is nyne hundreth leaques by Ikylinge, or more. And from henfe to the citie of faynte Dominike 
 which is in the Ilande of Hifpaniola, is a hundreth and fyftie leaques : So that from Spayne hitherto, is a 
 thoufand and three hundreth leaques. Yet forafmuche as fumtimes the nauigation procedeth not fo directly, but 
 that it chaunceth to wander on the one fyde or on the other, wee may well faye that they haue nowe fayled a 
 thoufande and fyue hundreth leaques and more. And if the nauigation be flowe by reafon of fumme 
 hynderaunce, it commonly chaunceth to be fynifflied in. xxxv. or. xl. dayes. And this happeneth for the mofte 
 parte, not accomptynge the extremes : that is, eyther of them that haue flowe paiTage, or of them that arryue 
 in verye fliorte tyme. For wee owghte to coiifyder that which chaunceth mofl commonly. The retume from thofe 
 partes to Spayne, is not fynyflhed without longer tyme, as in the fpace of. 1. [fifty] dayes, or a lyttle more or lefle. 
 Neuerthelefle in this prefent yeare of. 1525. there came foure fliyps from the Iland of San Dominica to faint 
 Luca in Spaine, in. xxv. dayes. But (as I haue fayd) we ought not to iudge of that whiche chaunceth feldome, 
 but of that which happeneth moft. ordinarily. This nauigation is very fafe and much vfed, euen vnto the fayd 
 Ilande. And from this to the firme land, the fliyppes trauerfe diuers wayes for the fpace of fine, fyxe, or feuen 
 dayes faylynge, or more, accordyng to the partes or coafl.es whither they directe their vyages, forafmuche as the 
 fayde fyrme lande is verye great and large, and many nauigations and vyages are directed to dyuers partes of 
 the fame. Yet to the fyrme land whiche is neareft to this Iland, and lyeth directly ageynft. San Dominica, the 
 paflage is fyniflhed in the tyme aforefayde. But it fhalbe muche better to remytte all this to the carde of thefe 
 nauigations and the new Cofmographie, of the whiche no parte was knowen to Ptolomie or any other of the 
 owlde wrytters. 
 
The hyjlorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 211 
 
 ^0/ twoo notable thynges as touchyng the Weft Indies: And of the great 
 rycheffe brought from thenfe into Spayne. 
 
 Fter my vniuerfall defcription of the hiftorie of the Indies, there commeth to my remem- 
 beraunce two thynges chiefely to be noted as touchynge th[e]empire of this Weft Indies 
 perteynynge to the dominion of yowre maieftye. And thefe befyde the other particulars 
 wherof I haue fuifyciently fpoken, are to be confydered as thinges of great importaunce. 
 Wherof, the one is the ftiortenefTe of the way and with what expedition yowr maiefties 
 fliyppes maye paffe beyonde the mayne fyrme lande of thefe Indies into the newe Southe 
 fea cauled Mare del Sur lyynge beyond the fame. And this to th[e]intent to coome to the 
 Ilandes where the fpices growe, befyde the other innumerable rycheffe of the kingedomes and figniories whiche 
 confine with the fayde fea where are fo many people and nations of dyuers toonges and maners. The other 
 thinge, is to confyder howe innumerable treafures are entered into Spayne by thefe Indies, afwell that whiche 
 commeth dayly from thenfe as alfo that is continually to bee looked for, bothe of golde and perle and other 
 marchaunties which are firft brought into this yowre realme of Spaine before they are feene of other nations or 
 traded into other realmes. Wherby not onely this yowre realme is greatly inriched, but alfo the benefyte 
 therof redoundeth to the great profyte of other countreys which are neare thervnto. A teftimonye of this, are 
 the double ducades whiche yowre maieftie haue caufed to bee coyned, and are difparfed throughowte the hole 
 worlde. But after they are once paffed owt of this yowre realme, they neuer returne agein bycaufe they are the 
 beft curraunt money of the world. And therfore if after they haue byn in the handes of ftraungers they chaunce 
 to be retoumed ageyne into Spaine, they coome difguifed in an other habite, and are diminiffhed of the good- 
 neffe of their golde, with the ftampe of yowre maieftye chaunged : So that if it were not for their fuche 
 defacynges in other realmes for the caufe aforefayde, there fliulde not bee founde fo great quantitie of fyne golde 
 of the coyne of any prynce in the worlde as of yowre maiefties. And the caufe of all this, are yowre Indies. 
 
 C Of the mynes of golde, and the maner ofwoorkynge in theym. 
 
 His particular of the mynes of gold, is a thing greatly to bee noted: And I maye muche better 
 fpeake hereof then any other man, forafmuche as there are nowe twelue yeares pafte fenfe I 
 ferued in the place of the furueier of the meltynge ihoppes perteynynge to the golde mynes 
 of the firme lande, and was the gouernour of the mynes of the Catholyke kyng Don 
 Ferdinando, after whofe departure from this lyfe, I ferued longe in the fame roome in the 
 name of yowr maieftie: By reafon wherof, I haue had great occafion to knowe howe 
 golde is founde and wrought owte of the mynes: And do knowe ryght well that this 
 lande is exceadynge tyche: hauynge by my accompte and by the labour of my Indians and flaues, gathered 
 and fyned a great portion of the feme: and may therfore the better affyrme this by teftimonie of fyght. 
 For I am well affured that in no part of Cajlilia del oro, that is, golden Caftile (otherwife cauled 
 Beragua) no man coulde alke rhe of the mynes of golde, but that I durfte haue bounde my felfe to 
 haue difcouered them in the fpace of ten leagues of the countrey where it fliulde haue byn demaunded 
 me, and the fame to bee verye ryche. For I was alowed all maner of charges to make fearche for the fame. 
 'And although golde be founde in maner euery where in thefe regions of golden Caftile, yet owght wee not in 
 euery place to beftowe the trauell, and charge to get it owte, bycaufe it is of leffe quantitie and goodneffe in fum 
 place then in fum. And the myne or veyne whiche owghte to be folowed, ought to bee in a place whiche may 
 ftande to iaue muche of the charges of the labourers, and for the adminiftration of other neceffary thinges that 
 the charges may bee recompenfed with gaynes. For there is no doubte but that golde ftialbe founde more or 
 leffe in euery place. And the golde whiche is founde in golden Caftile, is verye good, and of xxii. caractes or 
 better in fyneffe. Furthermore, befyde this great quantitie of golde whiche I haue fayde to be founde in the 
 mynes, there is alfo from day to day found or otherwife gotten, great treafure of fuche wrought gold as hath byn 
 in the cuftodie of the fubdued Indians and their kynges, afwell of fuche as they haue gyuen for their fyne and 
 raunfome^ or otherwife as frendes to the Chriftians, befyde that whiche hath byn vyolently taken from the 
 rebelles. But the greateft parte of the wrought gold whiche the Indians haue, is bafe and holdeth fumwhat of 
 
 177 
 
212 
 
 The hyjiorie of the irvejle Indies. 
 
 copper. Of this they make braflettes and chaines and in the fame they clofe their iewels whiche their women 
 are accuftomed to weare and efteeme more then all the richeife of the worlde. The maner howe golde is 
 gathered, is this, eyther of fuche as is founde in Zauana, that is to faye in the plaines and riuers of the champian 
 countrey bemg withowt trees, whether the earth be with graffe or without. Or of fuche as is fumtymes founde 
 on the land without the riuers in places where trees growe, fo that to coome by the fame, it ftialbe requifite to 
 cutte downe many and great trees. But after whiche fo euer of thefe two maners it be founde, eyther in the 
 riuers or ruptures or breaches of water, or elles in the earth, I wyll fliewe howe it is founde in bothe thefe places, 
 and howe it is feperate and pourged. Therfore when the myne or veine is difcouered, this chaunceth by ferchyng 
 and prouyng in fuche places as by certeyne fygnes and tooken do appeare to Ikylfull men apte for the generation 
 of golde and to holde golde. And when they haue founde it, they folowe the myne and labour it, whether it 
 be in the ryuer or in the plaine as I haue fayde. And if it bee founde on the plaine, fyrfl. they make the place 
 verye cleane where they intend e to dygge. Then they dygge eyght or ten foote in length and as muche in 
 breadth : but they goo no deeper then a fpanne or two, or more as fhall feeme bell to the maifter of the m)Tie, 
 dyggynge equally. Then they waflie all the earthe whiche they haue taken owte of the fayde place. And if 
 herein they fynde any golde, they folowe it. And if not, they dygge a fpanne deeper, and waflie the earth as 
 they dyd before. And if then aUb, they fynde nothynge, they continue in dyggyng and waflhyng the earth as before 
 vntil they come to the hard rocke or ftone. And if in fyne they fynd no golde there, they folowe no further to 
 feeke golde in that place, but go to an other parte. And it is to be vnderflode, that when they haue founde the 
 myne, they folowe it in digginge in the fame meafure in leuell and deapth vntill they haue made an ende of al 
 the myne which that place conteyneth, if it appere to be riche. This myne ought to confyll of certen feete or 
 pafes in length or breadth accordynge to certeyne orders determined. And within that compafle of earth, it is 
 not lawfuU for any other to dygge for golde. And where as endeth the myne of hym that f)rrfl.e founde the gold, 
 immediatly it is lawfuU for any other man that wyl, with a ftaffe to affygne hym felfe a place by the fyde of the 
 fame, inclofynge it with (lakes or pales as his owne. Thefe mynes of Zauana (that is fuch as are found in the 
 playne) owght euer to bee foughte nere to fum ryuer or brooke or fpringe of water, or dyke, or flandyng poole, 
 to th[e]ende that the golde maye be waffhed, for the whiche purpofe they vfe the laboure of certeyne Indians 
 as they doo other in dygginge of the myne. And when they haue dygged owte the myne, they fyl certeine 
 traies with that earth, whiche other Indians haue the charge immediatly to receaue at their handes, and 
 to carye thofe treyes of earth to the water where it maye bee wafflied. Yet do not they that brynge it, 
 178 waflie it, but delyuer it to other, puttynge it owte of their owne trayes into theirs which they haue ready in their 
 handes to receaue it. Thefe waffliers for the mofle parte,' are the Indian wonien, bycaufe this woorke is of 
 leffe paine and trauayle then any other. Thefe women when they waflie, are accuft,omed to fytte by the waters 
 fyde, with their legges in the water euen vppe to the knees or leife as the place ferueth their purpofe. And 
 thus holdynge the trays Avith earth in their handes by the handles therof, and puttynge the lame into the water, 
 they moue them rownde aboute after the maner of fyftynge, with a certeyne aptenefle in fuche forte that there 
 entreth no more water into the trais then ferueth their tume: And with the felfe fame apte mouynge of their 
 trais in the water, they euer auoyd the foule water with the earth owte of the one fyde of the veifell, and 
 receaue in cleane water on the other fide therof. So that by this meanes by little and lyttle, the water wafflieth 
 the earth as the lyghter fubftaunce owte of the trais, and the golde as the heauier matter refteth in the bottome 
 of the fame, beyng roimde and holowe in the myddeft. lyke vnto a barbars bafen. And when all the earth is 
 auoyded, and the golde gathered togither in the bottome of the traye, they putte it aparte, and retume to take 
 more earth, whiche they waflie continually as before. And thus they that laboure in this woorke, do gather 
 dayly fuche portion of golde as flial pleafe god to graunt to the patrones of thefe Indians and fuche other as 
 trauaile in the fame. Furthermore, it is to bee noted that for euery two Indians that waflie, it is requifite that 
 two other feme them to brynge earthe from the myne, and other twoo to breake the fame fmaule and fylle their 
 trais therwith. Alfo befyde thefe labourers, it is neceffarye that there bee other people in the place where they 
 woorke and refte in the nyghte. Thefe are fuche as make their breade, and prouyde for vyttayles and other 
 neceflaryes. So that to conclude, there are in all, fyue perfons ordinarily affigned to euery traye of waffliers. 
 
 There is an other maner of woorkyng the mynes in riuers or brookes of runnynge waters. And this is, 
 that in auoydynge the water of his courfe, after that the beddes of the ryuers are drye and vtterlye emptied, 
 they fynde golde emonge the breaches, cliftes, and ryftes of fl.ones, and among all that is in the bottome of the 
 chanell, and where naturally the riuer runneth of greatefl. force. So that it chaunceth fum tyme, that when the 
 bedde of the ryuer is good and lyche, they fynde in it great quantitie of golde. And therfore yowr maieftie 
 ought to vnderftande for a generail rule, as it appereth in facte, that all golde is engendered in the toppes and 
 hygheft places of the montaines : And in continuance of time is by lyttle and lyttle browght downe to the vales 
 and plaines by fliowres of rayne, and the faules of fprynges, ryuers, and brookes hauynge their originall in the 
 mountaynes and defcendynge from the fame, notwithilandynge it bee oftentymes founde in the plaines farre 
 
The hyjlorie of the vvejle Indies. 
 
 213 
 
 179 
 
 from the mountaynes. But when it chaunceth to be founde in great quantitie, it is for the molle parte amonge 
 the mountaynes and in the riuers, or their branches, more then in any other parte of the plaine. And in thefe 
 two maners is it commonly founde mofte abundauntly. And for the better profe that golde is engendered on 
 hyghe, and is brought downe into the lowe places, I haue one great tooken therof whiche caufeth me to beleue 
 it for certeine. And this is to confyder that coles neuer putrifie nor corrupt vnder the ground, if they be made 
 of ftronge woodde. Wherby it chaunceth that diggyng the earth by the fouldes or indented places of the 
 mountaynes, or on the fydes, and breakynge a myne in the earthe where it had not byn broken before, and 
 hauyng nowe dygged one or two or three poles in meafure, the myners founde certeyne coles of wood vnder the 
 fame leuel where they found gold. And this I laye in the earth whiche was taken for a vyrgine : that is to faye, 
 fuch as had not before byn opened for any myne. The which coles coulde not naturally bee engendred there, 
 or enter in by any meanes. But when the fuperficial part of the earth was equal with the leuel where the coles 
 were founde, it is lyke that the coles were left there by fum occafion of fyre, and that they faftned there in 
 tyme, and that afterwarde in longe continuance of tyme, they were by lyttle and lyttle couered with the earth 
 which the often fliowers of rayne waflied from the mountaynes, fo that by the courfe of yeares the earth ouer- 
 grewe the coles vnto the fayde leuell and meafure whiche had before tyme byn the fuperficiall parte of the 
 earthe where the coles and golde were founde togyther; whereby it maye appeare that the golde was no more 
 engendered there then were the coles, but brought thyther from the mountaynes by the faules of waters as we 
 haue fayde : forafmuche as the mountaynes are the matrices and bowels of all ryche metals. Further and 
 befyde this, I fay that in how much more the gold is gonne farre from the naturall place of his generation to 
 the place where it is founde, it is fo muche the more puryfied and fyned and of a better carracte. And the 
 nearer that it is founde to his proper myne or vaine where it is engendered, it is fo muche the bafer, fouler, and 
 more crude, and of a bafer alay and caracte, and dothe waft, fo much the more in meltynge, and remaynetb 
 more brickie. Sumetyme there are founde graynes of golde of greate quantitie and of greate weyght aboue the 
 earth and fumtymes alfo vnder the earth. And the greatefte of all other that was founde to this daye in the 
 Indies, was that which was lofte in the fea aboute the Ilande Beata, whiche weyed three thoufande and twoo 
 hundreth Caftellans of golde, which are in value foure thoufand a hundreth, thirtie and eyght ducades of golde, 
 which waye one Arroua and feuen pounde, or. xxxii. pounde. after, xii. ounces to the pounde, whiche make 
 threefcore and foure markes of golde. And I fawe in the yeare. 1515. in the handes of 'Mychel Paffamonte 
 treafurer to yowre maieftie, two graines of the which one wayde feuen poundes, which are. xiiii. markes, and 
 are in value aboute threefcore and fyue ducades of golde euery marke. The other was of. x. markes, which are 
 fyue poundes of lyke value, and of very good golde of. xxii. caractes and better. There are alfo founde many 
 other greate graynes, although not equall vnto thefe in byggenes. And forafmuche as I haue fpoken of golde, 
 I haue thought good to declare fumewhat howe the Indians can very excellently gylte fuche veffelles of copper 
 and bafe golde as they make. For they can gyue them fo fayre and floryfliynge a coloure, that all the maffe 
 whiche they gylte, appearethe as though it were golde of. xxii. caractes and better. This colour they gyue with 
 a certeyne herbe as thoughe it were wrought by the arte of any goldefmyth of Spayne or Italie, and wold of 
 them bee efteemed as a thynge of greate ryches, and a fecreate maner of gyldynge. And for as muche as I 
 haue fpoken fulBciently of the myne of golde, I V17II nowe fpeake fumwhat of copper bycaufe I haue made 
 mention thereof. This metall is founde in many of the Ilandes of the Indies and alfo in the firme lande: And 
 is founde dayely in greate quantitie holdynge fumwhat of golde. But for the defyre that owre men haue to 
 golde, they nothynge efteeme the copper, although there myght great commoditie and profitte be had therby, 
 and alfo by other metals whiche they nothynge regarde excepte fyluer whiche is founde abundantly in that parte' 
 of the firme lande which is cauled newe Spayne. But of this it fliall fuffice to haue fayde thus muche, bycaufe 
 I haue more particularly entreated of thefe thynges in my generall hyft.orie of India. 
 
 A markci is a 
 pounde of viii. 
 ounces: summa. 
 xlii. li. [forty-two 
 pounds] weyght 
 viii. ouncesi after 
 xii. ounces to the 
 li. [pound]. 
 
 C Of the maner of fyfhynge for perks. 
 
 He Indians exercife this kynde of fyffliynge for the mofte parte in the coaftes of the North in 
 Cubagua and Cumaim. And manye of theym which dwell in the houfes of certeyne parti- 
 cular lordes in the Ilandes of San Dominko and Sanili lohannis, refort to the Ilande of 
 Cubagua for this purpofe. Theyr cuftome is to go fyue, fyxe, or feuen, or more in one of 
 theyr Camas or barkes erly in the momynge to fume place in the fea there about where it 
 appeareth vnto them that there ftiulde bee greate plentie of thofe ftiell fyfties (which fume 
 caule mufcles and fume oyfters) wherin perles a;re engendered. And there they plonge 
 
 S2 
 
214 
 
 The hyjlorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 Of this reade more 
 largely in the 
 decades. 
 
 By the 
 
 computation of 
 Venice, iiii graines 
 make a carecte. 
 
 them felues vnder the water, euen vnto the bottome, fauynge one that remaynethe in the Canoa or boate which 
 he keepeth ftyll in one place as neare as he can, lookynge for theyr returne owte of the water. And when one 
 of them hath byn a good whyle vnder the water, he ryfeth vp and commeth fwymmynge to the boate, enterynge 
 into the feme, and leauynge there all the oyfters whiche he hath taken and brought with hym. For in thefe, 
 are the perle.s founde. And when he hathe there refted hym felfe a whyle, and eaten parte of the oyfters, he 
 retiimeth ageyne to the water, where he remaynethe as longe as he can endure, and then ryfeth ageyne, and 
 fwimmeth to the boate with his pray, where he reftethe hym as before, and thus continueth courfe by courfe, as 
 180 doo all the other in lyke maner, being all mofte experte fwymmers and dyuers. And when the nyght draweth 
 neare, they returne to the llande to theyr houfes, and prefente all the oyfters to the mafter or ftewarde of the houfe 
 of theyr lorde who hath the charge of the fayde Indians. And when he hath gyuen them fumwhat to eate, he 
 layeth vp the oyfters in fafe cuftodie vntyll he haue a great quantitie therof. Then hee caufeth the fame fyffher 
 men to open them. And they fynde in euery of theym pearles other great or fmaul, two or three or foure, and 
 fumtymes fine and fyxe, and many fmaule graines accordyng to the lyberalitie of nature. They faue the pearles 
 bothe fmaule and great whiche they haue founde: And eyther eate the oyfters if they wyl, or cafte them away, 
 hauynge fo great quantitie therof that they in maner abhorre them. Thefe oyfters are of hard fleftie, and not fo 
 plefaunt in eatyng as are owres of Spayne. This llande of Ciibagua where this maner of fyffliing is exercifed, 
 is in the Northe coafte, and is no bygger then the Hand of Zelande. Oftentymes the fea encreafeth greatly, and 
 muche more then the fyfliers for pearles wold, bycaufe where as the place is very depe, a man can not naturally 
 reft at the bottome by reafon of the aboundaunce of aery fubftaunce whiche is in hym, as I haue oftentymes 
 proued. For althoughe he may by vyolence and force defcende to the bottome, yet are his feete lyfled vp ageyne 
 fo that he can continue no tyme there. And therfore where the fea is veiye deepe, thefe Indian fyffhers vfe to 
 tye two great ftoones aboute them with a corde, on euery fyde one, by the weyght wherof they defcend to the 
 bottome and remayne there vntyl them lyfteth to ryfe ageine: At which tyme they vnlofe the ftones, and ryfe 
 vppe at their pleafure. But this their apteneffe and agilitie in fwimming, is not the thynge that caufeth men 
 mofte to marauile : But rather to confyder how many of them can ftande in the bottome of the water for the 
 fpace of one hole houre, and fumme more or leffe, accordynge as one is more apte hereunto then an other. 
 An other thynge there is whiche feemeth to me very ftraunge. And this is, that where as I haue oftentymes 
 demaunded of fumme of thefe lordes of the Indians, if the place where they accuftomed to fyftie for pearles 
 beynge but lyttle and narrowe, wyll not in ftiorte tyme bee vtterly withowt oyfters if they confume them fo fafte, 
 they al anfwered me, that althoughe they bee confumed in one parte, yet if they go a fyffliynge in an other parte 
 or an other coafte of the llande, or at an other contrary wynd, and continue fyffhing there alfo vntyll the oyfters 
 be lykewyfe confumed, and then returne ageyne to the fyrfte place, or any other place where they fyffhed before 
 and emptied the fame in lyke maner, they find them ageine as ful of oyfters as though they had neuer bin 
 fyflhed. Wherby we may iudge that thefe oyfters eyther remoue from one place to an other as do other fyfflies, or 
 elles that they are engendered and encreafe in certeyne ordinarie places. This Hand of Cutnana and Cubagua 
 where they fyfhe for thefe perles, is in the twelfe degree of the part of the faid coafte which inclineth toward the 
 North. Lykewife pearles are founde and gathered in the South fea cauled Mare del Sur. And the pearles of 
 this fea are verye bygge. Yet not fo bigge as they of the llande of pearles cauled de las perlas, or Margaritea, 
 whiche the Indians caule Terarequi, lying in the goulfe of faincte Michael, where greatter pearles are founde and 
 of greater price then in any other coafte of the Northe fea, in Cumana, or any other parte. I fpeake this as a 
 trewe teftimonie of fyght, hauyng byn longe in that South fea, and makynge curious inquifition to bee certenly 
 informed of al that perteyneth to the fyflhynge of pearles. From this llande of Tararequi, there was brought 
 a pearle of the faffliyon of a peare, wayinge. xxxi. carattes, whiche Petrus Arias had amonge a thoufande and 
 foo many poundes weight of other pearles whiche hee had when capitayne Gafpar Morales (before Petrus Arias) 
 paffed to the faide llande in the yeare. 1515. whiche pearle was of great prife. From the faide llande alfo, 
 came a great and verye rounde pearle, whiche I brought owte of the fea. This was as bygge as a fmaule pellet 
 of a ftone bowe, and of the weight of. xxvi. carattes. I boughte it in the citie oi Panama in the fea oi Sur: 
 And paide for it fyxe hundreth and fyftie tymes the weyght therof of good gold, and had it thre yeares 
 in my cuftodie: and after my returne into Spaine, foulde it to th[e]erle oi Nanfao, Marqueffe of Zenete, great 
 chamberleyne to yowre maieftie, who gaue it to the Marqueffe his wyfe, the ladye Mentia oiMendozza. I thyncke 
 verely that this pearle was the greateft, fayreft, and roundeft that hath byn feene in thofe partes. For yowre 
 181 maieftie owght to vnderflande that in the coafte of the fea of Sur, there are founde a hundreth great pearles 
 rounde after the faflhyon of a peare, to one that is perfectely rounde and greate. This llande of Terarequi, 
 which the Chriftians caule the llande of pearles, and other caule it the llande of floures, is founde in the eyght 
 degree on the fouthe fyde of the firme lande in the prouynce of golden Caftyle or Beragua. And thefe are the 
 coaftes of the firme lande where pearles are founde euen vnto this day. I vnderftande alfo that there are perles 
 founde in the prouynce and Ilandes of Cartagenia. And fence yowr maieftie appoynted me a gouemour and 
 
The hyjtorie of the wejle Indies. 
 
 215 
 
 cap)rtayne, I haue made further fearche, and am aduertifed that pearles are founde in dyuers other places as 
 about the Hand of Cod^o which lyeth ageynft the mouth of that porte of the Ilande of Cartagmia which the 
 Indians caul Coro. The which Iland and porte, are on the North fyde in the tenthe degree of the coailes of 
 the firme lande. 
 
 C Of the familiaritie which certeyne of the Indians haue with the deuyll, 
 and howe they receaue anfwere of hym of thynges to coome. 
 
 I Hen the Indians begynne theyr battayle, or go to any combat or attempte any other greate 
 matter, they haue certeyne electe menne whom they reuerendely efteme and caule them 
 Tequinas, whiche in theyr tonge is as muche to faye as mailers. Notwithftandynge that they 
 caule euery man that is cunnynge in any fcience, by the fame name, as fyflhers, foulers , 
 hxmters, or makers of nettes. Thefe Tequinas therfore, they caule the mailers of theyr 
 aunfweres bycaufe they fpeake with Tuyra, that is the deuyll, and brynge them aunfwere 
 what he faythe, eyther as touchynge fuche thynges as they haue to doo or ftiall chaunce 
 to them the day folowynge, or many dayes to coome. For the deuyll beinge fo auncient an Aftronomer, 
 knowethe the tymes of thynges and feeth howe they are naturally directed and inclined. And makethe theym 
 beleue that they come fo to paffe by his ordynaunce, as though he were the lorde and mouer of all that is and 
 flialbe: And that he gyueth the day lyght and rayne: caufeth tempeft and ruleth the llations of tymes, gyuyng 
 lyfe or takynge awaye lyfe at his pleafure. By reafon wherof, the Indians being deceaued of hym, and feing alfo 
 fuch effectes to coome certeynely to paffe as he hath tolde them before, beleue hym in all other thynges and 
 honoure hym in many places with facrifyces of the bludde and lines of men and odoriferous fpices. And when 
 god difpofeth the contrary to that whiche the deuell hath fpoken in oracle wherby he is proued a Iyer, he caufeth 
 the Tequinas to perfwade the people that he hath chaunged his mynde and fentence for fumme of their fynnes, 
 or deuifeth fumme fuche lye as lyketh hym belle, beynge a fkylfuU mailler in fuche fubtile and craftie deuifes to 
 deceyue the fymple and ignorant people whiche hath fmaule defence againft. fo mighty and craftie an aduerfarie. 
 And as they caule the deuell Tuyra, fo doo they in many places caule the Chrillians by the fame name, 
 thynkyng that they greatly honoure them therby, as in deede it is a name very feete and agreable to many 
 of them, hauynge layde aparte all honeftie and vertue, lyuynge more lyke dragons then men amonge thefe 
 fymple people. 
 
 Before th[e]inhabitauntes of the Ilande of Hifpaniola had receaued the Chriftian faithe there was amonge 
 them a fecte of men whiche liued folytarily in the defertes and wooddes and ledde their lyfe in fylence and 
 abftinence more ftraightly then euer dyd the phylofophers of Pythagoras fecte, abftemyng in lyke maner from 
 the eatyng of al thynges that line by bludde contented onely with fuche fruites, herbes, and rootes as the defertes 
 and wooddes myniftred vnto them to eate. The profeffours of this fecte were cauled Piaces. They gaue them 
 felues to the knowleage of naturall thynges, and vfed certeine fecreate magicall operations and fuperilitions 
 wherby they had familiaritie with fpirites whiche they allured into theyr owne bodyes at fuche tymes as they 
 wolde take vppon them to tell of thynges to coome, whiche they dyd in maner as foloweth. When any of the 
 kynges had occafyon to caule any of them owte of the defertes for this purpofe, their cuftome was to fende them 
 a portion of their fyne breade oiCazabbi or Maizium, and with humble requefte and fute to defyre them to tell 
 them of fuche thynges as they woulde demaunde. After the requeft graunted and the place and daye appoynted, 
 the Fiaces cqometh with twoo of his difciples waytynge on hym, wherof the one bryngeth with hym a veffell of 
 a fecreate water, and the other a lyttle fyluer bell. When he coommeth to the place, he fytteth downe on a 
 rounde feate made for hym of purpofe. Where hauynge his difciples the one ftandynge on the one hande and 
 the other on the other euen in the prefence of the kyng and certeyne of his nobles (for the common people are 
 not admytted to thefe mifteries) and tumynge his face toward the deferte, he begynneth his inchauntment and 
 cauleth the fpirit with loude voyce by certeyne names which no man vnderilandeth but he and his difciples. 
 After he hath dooen thus a while, if the fpirite yet deferre his coommyng, he drinketh of the fayde water, and 
 therwith waxeth hotte and furious, and inuerteth and tumeth his inchauntement, and letteth hym felfe bludde 
 with a thome, marueiloufly turmoylyng hym felfe as wee reade of the furious Sybilles not ceafynge vntyl the 
 fpirite bee coome: who at his coommyng entereth into hym and ouerthroweth hym as it weare a grehounde 
 fliulde ouertume a fquerell. Then for a fpace, he feemeth to lye as thoughe he were in great payne or in a 
 rapte, wonderfully tormentynge hym felfe, durynge whiche agonie, the other difciple (haketh the fyluer bell 
 
 182 
 
 S15 
 
2l6 
 
 The hyjlorie of the iwejie Indies. 
 
 contynually. Thus when the agonie is palle and he lyeth quietly (yet withowte any fence or feelyng) the kynge 
 or fumme other in his fteade, demaundeth of hym what he defyreth to knowe, and the fpirite anfwereth by the 
 Mouth of the rapte Places with a directe and perfecte anfwere to all poyntes. In fo muche that on a tyme 
 certeyne Spanyardes beynge prefente at thefe myileries with one of the kinges, and in the Spanyflie tounge 
 demaundynge the Fiaces of their fhyppes whiche they looked for owte of Spayne, the fpirite anfwered in the 
 Indian toonge, and toulde them what daye and houre the fliyppes' departed from Spayne, how many they were, 
 and what they brought withowt faylynge in any poynte. If he be alfo demaunded of the eclypfe of the foonne 
 or moone (which they greatly feare and abhorre) he geueth a perfecte anfwere, and the lyke of tempefles, 
 famen, plentie, warre or peace, and fuche other thinges. When all the demaundes are fynyflhed, his difciples 
 caule hym aloude, rynging the fyluer bell at his eare and blowynge a certeyne pouder into his nofethrilles 
 wherby he is rayfed as it weare from a deade fleape beinge yet fumewhat heauy headed and faynt a good whyle 
 after. Thus beinge ageyne rewarded of the kynge with more breade, he departeth ageyne to the defertes with 
 his difciples. But fence the Chriftian fayth hath byn difparfed throwghe owte the Ilande; thefe deuyllyflie 
 practifes haue ceafed, and they of the members of the deuyll, are made the members of Chiyfte by baptifme 
 forfakynge the deuyll and his workes, with the vaine curiofitie of defyre of knowleage of thynges to coome, 
 wherof for the mod part it is better to be ignorant then with vexation to knowe that which can not be auoyded. 
 
 Furthermore, in many places of the firme lande, when any of the kynges dye, all his houftiolde feruauntes, 
 afwell women as men which haue continually ferued hym, kyl them felues, beleauynge as they are taught by the 
 deuyl Tuyra, that they which kyll them felues when the kynge dyeth, go with hym to heauen and ferae hym in 
 the fame place and office as they dyd before on the earth whyle he lyued. And that all that refufe fo to doo, 
 when after they dye by theyr naturall death or otherwyfe, theyr foules to dye with theyr bodyes and to bee 
 diffolued into ayer and become nothynge as do the foules of hogges, byrdes, or fyfflies or other brate beafles. 
 And that only the other may enioy the priuileage of immortalitie for euer to ferue the kynge in heauen. And 
 of this falfe opinion commeth it that they which fowe corne or fet rootes for the kynges breade, and gather the 
 fame, are accullomed to kyll them felues that they may enioy this priuileage in heauen. And for the fame 
 purpofe, caufe a portion of the graine of Maizium and a bundle of lucca (wherof theyr breade is made) to bee 
 buryed with them in theyr graues thai: the fame maye ferae them in heauen if perhappes there Ihuld lacke 
 feedes to fowe. And therfore they take this with them to begyn with all, vntyl Tuyra (who maketh them all 
 thefe fayre promiffes) prouyde them of greater quantitie. This haue I my felfe fene in the toppe of the 
 mountaynes of Gttaturo, where hauynge in pryfon the kynge of that prouince (who rebelled from th[e]obedience 
 of yowre maieftie) and demaundynge of hym to whom perteyned thofe fepultures or graues whiche I fawe in 
 his houfe, he anfwered that Ihey were of certeyne Indians whiche flewe them felues at the death of his father. 
 183 And bycaufe they are oftentymes accuftomed to burye greate quantities of wrought golde with them, I caufed 
 twoo graues to bee opened, wherein was nothynge founde but a veffell full of the grayne of Maizium, and a 
 bundell of lucca as I haue fayde. And demaunding the caufe hereof of the kinge and the other Indians, they 
 aunfwered that they that were buiyed there, were the labourers of the grounde, and men (kylful in fowynge of 
 feedes and makynge of breade, and feraauntes to the kynges father. And to th[e]ende that theyr foules flioulde 
 not dye Tvith theyr bodyes, they flewe them felues at the deathe of the kynge theyr matter to lyue with hym in 
 heauen. And to th[e]intent that they myght ferae him there in the fame office they referaed that Maizium and 
 lucca to fowe it in heauen. Whereunto I aunfwered them in this maner. Beholde howe your Tuyra deceaueth 
 yowe? And howe all that he teacheth yow is falfe? Yowe fee how in fo long a tyme fence they are deade, 
 they haue not yet taken awaye this Maizium and lucca which is nowe putrified and woorth nothynge, and not 
 lyke to bee fowen in heauen. To this the kynge replyed, fayinge. In that they haue not yet taken it away 
 nor fowen it in heauen, the caufe is that they chaunced to fynde enowgh there, by reafon wherof they had no 
 neade of this. To this erroure manye thynges were layde which feemed of lyttle force to remoue hym from his 
 falfe opinion, and efpecially any fuch as at that age are occupyed of the deuyll, whom they paynt of the felfe 
 fame forme and coloure as he appereth vnto theym in dyuers ftiapes and formes. They make alfo Images ot 
 golde, copper, and woodde, to the fame fimilitudes in terrible fliapes and fo variable as the paynters are 
 accuftomed to paynt them at the feete of faynte Mychaell th[e]archangell or in anye other place where they 
 paynt them of moft horrible port[r]iture. Lykewyfe when the deuyll greatly intendeth to feare theym, he 
 threteneth to fende them great tempeftes which they caule Furacanas or Haurachanas, and are fo vehement 
 that they ouerthrowe many howfes and great trees. And I haue feene in montaynes full of many and greate 
 trees, that for the fpace of three quarters of a league the mountayne hathe byn fubuerted and the trees 
 ouerthrowen and plucked owte of the earthe with the rootes: a thynge doubteleffe fo fearefuU and terrible to 
 behold, that it may verely appere to be doen by the hand of the deuelL And in this cafe the Chriftian men 
 ought to confider with good reafon, that in al places where the holy facraraent is referaed, the fayd tempeftes 
 are no more fo owtragious, or so perelous as they were wonte to bee. 
 
 2x6 
 
The hyjlorie of the vvejte Indies. 
 
 217 
 
 C Of the temperature of the regions vnder or neare to the burnt lyne cauled 
 Torrida zona or the Equinoctiall: and of the dyuers feafons 
 
 of the yeare. 
 
 He landes and regions that are neare about the clymes of the Equinoctiall lyne, are naturally, 
 hotte, althowghe they bee otherwyfe temperate by the diuine prouidence. And theifore 
 fuche fleflhe or fyflie as is taken and kylled in thefe regions, can not bee preferued from 
 putrefaction except it be rolled, fodden, or perboylde, the fame daye that it is kylde. And 
 wheras I haue iayde that fuch regions are naturally hot, and yet temperate by the prouidence 
 of god, it is fo in deede. And therfore not without caufe the auncient autours were of opinion 
 that the bumte lyne or Torrida zona where paffeth the lyne of the Equinoctiall, ftiulde be 
 vnhabitable by reafon the foonne hath greater dominion in that place liien in any other of the fphere, 
 remaynynge continually betwene the two tropykes of Cancer and Capricome. For when in thefe regions the 
 earth is opened or dygged from the fuperficial parte therof to the depth of a mans heyght, it is founde 
 temperate. And within this fpace, the trees and plantes faften and fpreade their rootes, and no dieper. 
 Extendynge the fame as farre in breadth in the ground as do their braunches in the ayer: And enter no dieper 
 into the grounde then I haue fayde, bycaufe that beneth the depth of the faid fpace of a mans heyght, the earth 
 is verye hotte, the vpper parte beinge temperate and veiye moylle afwell by reafon of th[e]aboundaunce of water 
 whiche fauleth from heauen vppon that earth at certeyne ordinarie feafons of the yeare, as alfo for the multitude 
 of great ryuers, brokes, fprynges and maryflhes, wherby the myghtie and fupreme lorde which made thefe landes, 
 hath mofte prudently prouyded for the perferuation of the fame. 
 
 R. E. As touchynge this poynt whiche was vnknowen to the owlde wryters, and without confideration wherof reafon can not 
 perfectly conceaue howe temperate regions fliulde be vnder the Equinoctiall lyne, I haue thought good for the better manifeftynge 
 of this recreate woorke of nature, to note owte of Cardanus his booke de Elementis, howe all waters haue theyr courfe toward the 
 South as to the loweft part of the earth. He wryteth therefore as foloweth. The water was made of leffe quantitie then the earth 
 and only in maner in the fuperficiall parte therof, that place might bee lefte for the habitation of beaftes, and that water by his could- 
 neffe myght temperate and not deftroy the lyfe of beaftes. And bicaufe this generation of Ijruynge creatures, was only neceffary on 
 the fuperficiall partes of the earth in comparifon to the hole, therfore was the water made to occupie onely the fuperficiall parte, in 
 the which, metals, plantes, beaftes, and fyflhes fliulde bee nuryflied. And bycaufe there was great perell leaft it fhulde be to much 
 confumed by the ayer and heate of the foonne, continuall mouinge was ioyned to it, wherby it gathereth couldnes and is preferued 
 from fodeyne refolution. For fuche waters as do not moue, doo foone putrifie, and are eafely refolued into ayer. By reafon wherof 
 nature prouyded for the generation of water in coulde places, as vnder the poles and mountaynes. And whereas the earth vnder the 
 Equinoctiall fliulde otherwife for lacke of moyfter haue bin to much burned and fcorched, nature alfo prouyded that that parte of the 
 earth fliulde bee loweft, by reafon whereof all waters haue theyr courfe towarde the South to mitigate with moyfl^r th[e]extremitie of 
 heate which otherwife fliulde haue byn intoUerable in that clyme. And by this reafon, the famous ryuer of Nilus in Egypte. albeit it 
 haue his originall and fprynge, owt of the mountaynes of the mone cauled Monies Lunae nere vnto the cyrcle of Capricome, yet run- 
 nynge with all his braunches vnder and beyonde the Equinoctiall cyrcle, it difparfeth throwgh owt the burnt line of Torrida zona, and 
 by the fame vyolent courfe fauleth into owre fea nere vnto the citie of Alexandria. It was neceflaiy therfore that the greateft parte of 
 the coulde and moyft element fliulde haue recourfe thyther and confyft there, whereas was the greateft neceflitie therof to temper the 
 heate of the foonne by moyftynge and coolynge the earthe and the ayer, as vnder the Equinoctiall. And herewith alfo hath moft 
 prudent nature prouyded for the fecuritie and preferuation of the places lyinge betwene botlie th[e]extremities of heate and colde, as 
 betwene the poles and the Equinoctiall. For the waters flowynge euer one wayes and kepynge one courfe, no regions can be drowned 
 by fluddes : which thynge they well obferue that delyuer fieldes from inundations or ouerflowynges, and that take in hande to drye 
 vp maryfflies. If therfore waters had not theyr courfe and faul towarde places lowe or declynynge, the hole earth fliulde bee ouer- 
 flowne as a marryfflie. And that the moft dpclynynge parte fliulde bee towarde the South, and fumwhat hygher about the poles, the 
 caufe is afwell the confumynge heate of the foonne in the Southe partes, as the preferuynge coulde of the hygh mountaynes nere to 
 the poles. For we haue els where proued that heate confumeth and wafteth as coulde gathereth and preferueth. And for this caufe 
 that parte of the earthe that is neareft the poles, is, was, and euer fhalbe higheft, and likewife loweft in the middeft furtheft from 
 the poles. And therfore it was not conuenient that the fonne fliuld haue his courfe on euery fyde, neither to the poles. For if it weare 
 caryed alyke to euery parte throughowt the worlde, it is necefary that the earth bee equall : and by that reafon fliulde it euer bee 
 altogether dryed, or elles all ouerflowed with water. But where as this coulde not fufiyce to the free courfe of ryuers for the often 
 intercourfe of higher places lyinge in the waye, whereby ouerflowynges and ftayes of waters and their corruption myght enfue, 
 moofl:e prouydent nature hath gyuen this priuileage to water that it maye fo muche afcende as it hath difcended ; that by this meanes 
 paflynge ouer mountaynes and hylles, it maye at the length bee caryed into the fea. etc. Hytherto Cardanus, lette vs nowe retume 
 to the hiftorie. 
 
 There are alfo many loughe and hyghe mountaynes with temperate ayer and pleafaunt, cleare and 
 moderate nightes. Of the whiche particularitie the auncient writers hauyng no certeyne knowleage, affyrmed 
 
 217 
 
 184 
 
2l8 
 
 The hyjiorie of the irvejl Indies. 
 
 the faid bumte lyne or Torrida zona, or Equinoctial to be naturally vnhabitable. As touching which thing I 
 am able to witneffe the contrary by teftimonie of fyght and feelyng as by moft certeine fenfes, hauyng liued 
 many yeares in thefe regions, by reafon wherof better credit ought to be giuen to me then to fuche as haue 
 grounded their opinion dnely vpon coniectures. And to fpeake further of the fytuation of thefe regyons, yowe 
 fhall vnderilande that the coafte of the Northe fea, be}'nge in the goulfe of Vraha and in the porte of Dariena, 
 where the (hyppes arryue whiche coome owte of Spayne, is in the fyxte degree and a halfe, and in the feuenth, 
 and from fyxe and a halfe vnto eyght, excepte a fmaule pointe which entereth into the fea toward the North. 
 That pointe which of this land and new parte of the worlde lieth mofte towarde the Eaft, is the cape of faincte 
 Auguftine which is in the eight degree. So that the faid goulfe of Vrdba is diftant from the Equinoctiall lyne, 
 from a hundreth and twentie to a hundreth and thirtie leagues and three quarters of a leaque after th[e]accompte 
 of. xvii. leaques and a halfe for euerye degree from pole to pole. And thus for a lyttle more or leiTe, goeth all 
 the coafte. By reafon wherof, in the citie of SanBa Maria Antiqua in Dariena, and in all that courfe of the 
 foriayde goulfe of Vraha, at all tymes of the yeare the dayes and nyghtes are in maner of equall length. And 
 185 if there bee any dyfFerence betwene theym by reafon of this fmaule diftance from the Equinoctial, it is fo lyttle, 
 that in. xxiiii. houres makynge a naturall daye, it canne not bee perceaued but by the iudgement of fpeculatiue 
 men and fuche as vnderilande the fphere. From henfe the North ftarre is feene very lowe And when the 
 ftarres which are cauled the wardens of the north ftarre, are vnder the charlotte, it can not bee feene, bycaufe 
 it is vnder the horifontal. And whereas I haue fayde beefore that it rajoieth in thefe regions at certeyne 
 ordinarie t5rmes, it is fo in deede. For it is wynter and fummer there at contrary t)Tnes to that whiche is in 
 Spayne, where the greatefte coulde of frofte and rayne is in December and January: And the greateft heate of 
 fommer aboute faynt lohannes daye at mydfommer or in the moneth of luly. But in golden Caftile or 
 Beragua, it is contrary. For the fommer and tyme of greateft drowght and withowt rayne, is at Chryftmas and 
 a moneth before and a moneth after. And the tyme when it rayneth moft, is about midfommer and a moneth 
 before and a moneth after. And this feafon whiche they caule wynter, is not for that it is any coulder then, 
 then at any other tyme of the yeare, or hotter at Chriftmas then at other feafons, the tyme in thefe regions 
 being euer after one maner, but for that that in this tyme which they caule wynter, the foonne is hyd from theyr 
 fyghtes by reafon of cloudes and rayne more then at other tymes. Yet forafmuch as for the mofte parte of the 
 yeare they lynt in a cleare, open, and temperate ayer, they fumwhat flirynke and feele a lyttle coulde durynge 
 the tyme of the faid moift and cloudy ayer, allthowgh it bee not coulde in deede, or at the leaft fuche coulde 
 as hath any fenfible fliarpenes. 
 
 C Of dyuers particular thynges, as woormes, ferment es, beaftes, 
 
 foules, trees, etc. 
 
 Any other thynges myght be fayde, and much differyng from thefe wherof I haue fpoken. 
 But to lette paffe the multitude of thynges whiche are as variable as the power of nature is 
 infinite, and to fpeake of fuche thynges as coome chiefely to my rememberaunce as moofte 
 woorthy to be noted, I wyU fyrfte fpeake of certeyne lytde and troubelous beaftes whiche 
 maye feeme to bee engendered of nature to moleft and vexe menne, to fliewe them and 
 gyue them to vnderftand howe fmaule and vyle a tliynge may offende and difquiete them, 
 to th[e]ende that they maye remember the pryncipall ende for the whiche they were created, 
 that is, to knowe theyr maker and procurer of theyr faluation by the waye whiche is open to all Chriftian men 
 and all other whiche wyll open the eyes of theyr vnderftandynge. And although the thynges whereof wee 
 entende nowe to fpeake may feeme vyle and lyttle to bee efteemed, yet are they woorthy to bee noted and 
 confydered to vnderftand the difference and variable woorkes of nature. So it is therfore, that whereas in 
 many partes of the firme lande by the which afwell the Chriftians as Indians doo trauel, there are fuch maryfflies 
 and waters in the way that they are fayne to go withowt breeches amonge the herbes and weedes, by reafon 
 wherof, certeyne finaule beaftes or woormes (which they caule Garqpaies) much lyke vnto tykes, cleaue faft to 
 theyr legges. Thefe wormes are as little as the pouder of beaten fait: And cleaue fo faft that they can by no 
 meanes be taken away except the place bee noynted with oyle. And after that the legges bee noynted awhyle 
 with oyle, or the other partes where thefe lyttle tykes are faftened, they fcrape the place with a knyfe and fo 
 take them away. But the Indians whiche haue no oyle, fmoke them and bume them with fyer, and abyde 
 great peynes in takynge them awaye by this meanes. Of other lytde beaftes which trouble men and are 
 
The hyjtorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 219 
 
 engende[red] in theyr heades or other partes of theyr bodies, I faye that the Chriflian men which trauell into 
 thefe partes, haue them but feldome tymes, and that not part, one or two, and this alfo very feldome. For 
 paffynge by the lyne of the Diameter where the compaiTe makethe difference of faylynge by the wynde cauled 
 Greco, (that is North Eaft) and Magiftral, (that is fouth weft.) which is in the courfe of the Ilandes of Azori, 
 they fayle but a lyttle way folowing owre vyage by the weft, but that all the lyfe which the Chriftians cary with 
 them, or are engendered in theyr heades or other places of theyr bodies, dye and vtterlye confume by lyttle and 
 Ijrttle, and are not engendered in India excepte in the heades of lyttle chyldren in thofe partes afwel amonge 
 the chyldren of the Chriftians which are borne there, as alfo amonge the natural Indians who haue theym 
 commonly in theyr heades and fumetymes in other partes of theyr bodyes, and efpecially they of the prouince 
 of Cueua, which is a region conteynynge more then a hundreth leaques in length, and embrafeth the one and 
 the other coaft of the North fea and of the Eaft. When thefe Indians are infected with this fylthyneffe, they 
 dreffe and clenfe one an other. And they that exercife this, are for the mofte parte women who eate all that 
 they take : And haue herein fuch dexteritie by reafon of theyr exercife, that owre men can not lyghtly atteyne 
 therunto. There is alfo another thynge greatly to bee confydered. And this is how the Chriftian men beinge 
 there cleane firome this fylthynes of India, afwell in theyr heades as the refte of theyr bodyes, yet when they 
 retume to coomme ageyne into Europe and begyn to arryue in that place of the Ocean fea where wee fayde 
 before that the lyfe dyed and forfoke them, fuddenly in theyr repaffynge by the fame clyme (as thoughe the lyfe 
 had taryed for them in that place) they can by no meanes auoyde theym for the fpace of certeyne dayes 
 although they change theyr fliertes two or three tjmaes in a day. Thefe lyfe are at the fyrfte as lyttle as nyttes, 
 and growe by lyttle and lyttle vntyl they bee of the byggeneffe that they are in Spayne. This haue I often 
 tymes proued, hauynge nowe foure tymes paffed the Ocean fea by this vyage. 
 
 Befyde thefe woormes and vermyn wherof we haue fpoken, there is another lyttle mifcheuous woorme, 
 whiche we may number amonge the kyndes of fleas. This peftilence the Indians caule Nigua: And is much 
 lefTe then a flea. It perfeth the fleflie of a man, and fo launfeth or cutteth the fame (while in the meane tyme 
 it can nother bee feene nor taken) that from fume it hath cutte of theyr handes, and from other theyr fiete 
 vntyll the remedy was founde to anno)mte the place with oyle and fcrape it with a rafoure. 
 
 In the firme lande in golden Cafl.yle or Beragua, there are many vypers lyke vnto them of Spayne. They 
 that are bytten of them, dye in fhort fpace. For fewe lyue to the fourthe daye except prefent remedy. Of 
 thefe, fume are of a leffe kind then other: And haue theyr tayle fumwhat rounde, and leape in the ayer to 
 aifayle men. And for this caufe, fume caule this kynde of vypers Tyro. Theyr bytyng is mofl venemous, and 
 for the mofte parte incurable. One of theym chaunced to byte an Indian mayde whiche ferued me in my 
 houfe, to whome I caufed the furgians to mj'nifter theyr ordinarye cure, but they coulde doo her no good, nor 
 yet get one droppe of bludde owt of her, but only a yelowe water, fo that ftiee died the thyrd day for lacke of 
 remedy as the like hath chaunced to dyuers other. This mayde was of th[e]age of. xiiii. yeares and fpoke the 
 Spanyflhe toonge as yf ftiee had byn borne in Caftyle. Shee fayde that the vyper whiche bytte her on the 
 foote, was two fpannes longe or lyttle lefle. And that to byte her fliee lepte in the ayer for the fpace of more 
 then fyxe fpaces, as I haue harde the lyke of other credible perfons. 
 
 I haue alfo feene in the firme lande, a kynde of adders very fmaule and of feuen or eyght foote longe. 
 Thefe are fo redde that in the nyght they appeare lyke bumynge cooles, and in the day feeme as redde as 
 bludde. Thefe are alfo venemous, but not fo much as the vypers. There are other much leffe and fliorter and 
 blacker. Thefe coome owt of the ryuers and wander fumtymes farre on the lande, and are lykwyfe venemous. 
 There are alfo other adders of a ruflet coloure. Thefe are fumwhat bygger then the vypers, and are hurtful and 
 venemous. There are lykewyfe an other forte of manye coloures and very longe. Of thefe I fawe one in the 
 yeare of Chrift. 1 5 1 5. in the Hand of Hifpaniola nere vnto the fea cofl:es at the foote of the mountaynes cauled 
 Pedernales. When this adder was flayne, I meafured her and founde her to be more then. xx. foote longe, and 
 fumwhat more then a mans fyfl, in byggenes. And althoughe ftie hadde three or foure deadely woundes with a 
 fwoorde, yet dyed fliee not nor floonke the fame daye, in fo much that her bludde continued warme all that 
 tyme. There are alfo in the maryffties and defertes of the firme lande many other kyndes of lyfertes, dragons, 
 and other dyuers kyndes of ferpentes wherof I entende not here to fpeake much, bycaufe I haue more 
 particulerly entreated of thefe thynges in my generall hiftorie of the Wefte Indyes. 
 
 There are alfo fpiders of marueylous bygnefle. And I haue feene fumme with the body and legges, bygger 
 then a mannes hande extended euery waya And I ones fawe one of fuche bygneffe, that onely her bodye was as 
 bygge as a fparowe, and full of that laune wherof they make their webbes. This was of a darke ruflette coloure, 
 with eyes greater then the eies of a fparow. They are venemous and of terrible ftiape to beholde. There are alfo 
 fcorpions and dyuers other fuche venemous wormes. Wherby we maye fee, that where as natural caufes and influ- 
 ence of the pianettes are of ftrongefl. actiuitie, they ceafe not to engender and brynge foorthe bothe good and badde 
 accordynge to the difpofytion of the matter, whiche they alfo doo partely difpofe as the phylofophers affyrme. 
 
 186 
 
 Nigtio. 
 
 Vypers. 
 
 Adders. 
 
 Dragons. 
 
 Spyders. 
 187 
 
220 
 
 The hyjlorie of the wejle Indies. 
 
 Crabbcs. 
 
 Furthermore in the fyrme lande, there are manye toades beyng very noyous and hurteful by reafon of 
 their great multitude. .They are not venemous. They are feene in greate aboundance in Dariena where they 
 are fo bygge that when they dye in the time of drouth, the bones of fum of them (and efpecially the rybbes) 
 are of fuche greatneffe that they appere too bee the bones of cattes or of fumme other beaftes of the fame 
 byggeneffe. But as the waters dyminiflie and the moyfture confumeth in the tyme of drouth (as I haue fayde) 
 they alfo confume therwith vntyll the yeare nexte folowing when the rayne and moyfture increafe, at whiche 
 tyme they are feene ageyne. Neuertheleffe, at this prefent, there is no fuch quantitie of them as was wonte to 
 bee, by reafon that as the land is better cultured by the Chriftians, as well by the fellynge of wooddes and 
 fhrubbes as alfo by the pafture of kine, horfes, and other beaftes, fo is it apparent that this poyfon diminiftieth 
 dayly, wherby that regyon becometh more holfome and pleafaunt Thefe toades fynge after three or foure 
 fortes. For fumme of them fynge pleafauntly: other, lyke owres of Spayne. Summe alfo whiftle: and other 
 fumme make an other maner of noyfe. They are lykewyfe of dyuers colours : as fumme greene, fumme 
 ruffette or grey, and fumme almoft blacke. But of all fortes, they are great, and fylthye, and noyous by reafon 
 of their great multitude: yet are they not venemous as I haue fayde. 
 
 There are alfo a ftraunge kynde of crabbes, whiche coome foorthe of certeyne holes of the earth that they 
 them felues make. The head and bodye of thefe, make one rounde thing muche lyke vnto the hoode of a 
 fawkon: hauynge foure feete commyng owt of the one fyde and as many owt of the other. They haue alfo 
 two mouthes like vnto a paire of fmaule pinfers, the one bygger then the other, wherwith they byte, but do no 
 great hurte bycaufe they are not venemous. Their fkyn and bodye is fmoothe and thynne as is the (kynne of 
 a man, fauynge that it is fumwhat harder. Their colour is ruffette or white, or blewe, and walke fydelonge. 
 They are very good to bee eaten: In fo muche that the Chriftians trauayling by the fyrme lande, haue byn 
 greatly nuryfftied by them bycaufe they are founde in maner euery where. In fliape and forme, they are 
 muche lyke vnto the crabbe which we paynte for the fygne Cancer, and like vnto thofe which are found in 
 Spaine in Andalufia in the ryuer Guadalchiber where it entereth into the fea, and in the fea coaftes therabout, 
 fauynge that thefe are of the water and the other of the lande. They are fumtymes hurtefuU, fo that they that 
 eate of tliem dye. But this chaunceth onely when they haue eaten any venemous thyng, or of the venemous 
 apples wherwith the Canibale archers poyfon their arrowes wherof I wyll fpeake hereafter. And for this caufe 
 the Chriftians take hede howe they eate of thefe crabbes if they fynde them neare vnto the fayd apple trees. 
 
 Furthermore in thefe Indies, afwell in the fyrme lande as in the Ilandes, there is founde a kynde of 
 ferpentes, which they caule. Y. V. anas, which fumme caule luannas. Thefe are terrible and fearefuU to fyght, 
 and yet not hurtefull. They are very delicate to bee eaten, and it is not yet knowen whether they be beaftes 
 of the lande or fyfties, bycaufe they lyue in the water, and wander in the woddes and on the lande. They haue 
 foure feete, and are commonly bigger then connies and in fumme places bygger then otters, with tayles lyke 
 lifartes or eutes. Their fk3rane is fpotted, and of the fame k)Tid of finothneffe or bareneffe, although of dyuers 
 colours. Vpon the ridge of their backes, they haue many long prickes. Theyr teethe are very ftiarpe, and 
 efpecially theyr fanges or dogge teeth. Their throtes are longe and large, reachynge from their beardes to 
 their breaftes, of the lyke flcynne to the refydewe of their bodyes. They are dumme, and haue no voyce or 
 make any noyfe or crye although they bee kept tyde to the foote of a chefte or any other thynge for the fpace 
 of. XX. or. XXV. dayes withowt any thyng to eate or drynke, excepte they gyue them nowe and then a lyttle of 
 the breade of Cazabbi, or fumme fuch other thyng. They haue foure feete, and their fore feete as longe as a 
 mans fynger with clawes lyke the clawes of a byrde, but weaker, and fuche as can not grafple or take holde of 
 any thynge. They are muche better to bee eaten then to beholde. For fewe that fee them, wyll haue defyre 
 to eate of them, by reafon of their horrible fhape excepte fuche as haue byn accuftomed to the beaftes of thefe 
 regyons, whiche are more horrible and fearefuU, as this is not but onely in apparence. Their flelhe is of much 
 better tafte then the fleflie of connyes and more holfome. For it hurteth none but onely fuch as haue had the 
 frenfhe poxe. In fo much that if they haue onely byn touched of that infyrmitie, although they haue byn hole 
 of longe tyme, neuertheleffe they feele hurte and complayne of the eatynge of thefe luannas, as hath byn often 
 tymes proued by experience. 
 
 There are founde in the fyrme lande certeyne byrdes fo lyttle that the hole body of one of theym is no 
 bygger then the toppe of the byggeft fynger of a mans hande : and yet is the bare body withowt the fethers not 
 pafte halfe fo bygge. This byrde, befyde her lyttlenes, is of fuch velocitie and fwyftnes in flying that who fo 
 feeth her fleing in the ayer, can not fe her flap or beate her winges .after any other fort then do the dorres or 
 humble bees or betels: fo that there is no man that feeth her flie, that wold think her to be any other then a 
 dorre. They make their neftes accordyng to the proportion of their bignes.^^nd I haue feene^that one of 
 thefe byrdes with her neft put in a paire of gold weights, altogether hath waid no more then. ii. Tomini, 
 which are in poife. 24. grains, with the fethers with out the which flie fhulde haue wayed fumwhat leffe.'^And 
 doubt leffe when I confider the fyneneffe of the clawes and feete of thefe birdes, I knowe not whervnto I may 
 
 Serpentes caiiled 
 luanni. 
 
 188 
 
 Byrdes. 
 
 A very lyttle 
 byrde. 
 
The hyjiorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 221 
 
 better liken them then to the lyttle byrdes whiche the lymmers of bookes are accuftomed to paynte on the mar- 
 gentes of churche bookes and other bookes of deuine feruice. Their fethers are of many faire colours as golden 
 yelowe and greene befide other variable colours. XTheir beake is verye longe for the proportion of theyr bodies : 
 and as fyne and fubtile as a fowyng nedle. They are very hardye : fo that when they fee a man clyme the 
 tree where they haue theyr neftes, they flye at hys face and ftryke hym in the eyes, commyng, goynge, and 
 retoumynge with fuch fwyftnes, that ho man wolde lightly beleue it that hath not feene it. And certenly thefe 
 byrdes are fo lyttle, that I durft not haue made mention hereof if it were not that diuers other which haue 
 feene them as wel as I, can beare witnes of my faying^^They make their neftes of flockes and heare of cotten 
 wherof there' is great plentie in thefe regions, and feraeth wel for theyr purpofe. But as touchyng the byrdes, 
 foules, and beaftes of thefe Indies, bycaufe they are innumerable bothe lyttle and greate, I intende not to 
 fpeake muche heare, bycaufe I haue fpoken more largely hereof in my generall hyftoiye of the Indyes. 
 
 There is an other kynde of beaftes feene in the firme land which feemed very ftxaunge and marueilous to 
 the Chryftian men to beholde, and muche differynge from all other beaftes which haue byn feene in other 
 partes of the worlde. Thefe beaftes are cauled Bardati: And are foure footed, hauing their taile and al the 
 reft of theyr bodies couered onely with a Ikyn lyke the coperture of a barbed horfe or the chekered flcynne of 
 a lyfarte or Crocodyle, of coloure betwene whyte and ruffet, inclynynge fumwhat more to whyte. This beaft, 
 is of forme and fliape much lyke to a barbed horfe with his barbes and flankettes in all poyntes. And from 
 vnder that which is the barbe and coperture, the tayle commeth foorth, and the feete in theyr place, the necke 
 aKo and the eares in theyr partes, and in fyne all thynges in lyke forte as in a barbed courier. They are of 
 the bygnes of one of thefe common dogges. They are not hurtfull. They are fylthy, and haue theyr habita- 
 tion in certen hillockes of earthe where digginge with there feete they make their dens very deepe and the holes 
 therof in like maner as do connyes. They are verye excellent to be eaten, and are taken with nettes and fum 
 alfo killed with crofbowes. They are lykewife taken often tymes when the hulband men bume the ftubble in 
 fowyng time, or to renewe the herbage for kyne and other beaftes. I haue often times eaten of their flefhe 
 which femeth to me of better taft then kyddes fleflie, and holfome to be eaten. And if thefe beaftes had euer 
 byn feene in thefe partes of the woorlde where the firft barbed horfes had their original, no man wold iudge 
 but that the forme and iaflhion of the coperture of horfes fumiflied for the warres was fyrfte deuyfed by the 
 fyght of thefe beaftes. 
 
 There is alfo in the firme lande an other beafte cauled Orfo Formigaro, that is, the Ante beare. This beafte 
 in heare and coloure, is much lyke to the beare of Spayne, and in maner of the fame makynge faue that he hath 
 a much longer fnowt and is of euyll fyght They are often tymes taken only with ftaues without any other 
 weapon, and are not hurtful. They are alfo taken with dogges" bycaufe they are not naturally armed althowgh 
 they byte fumwhat They are founde for the mofte parte about and neare to the hyllockes where are great 
 abundaunce of antes. For in thefe regions is engendered a certeyne kynde of antes very lyttle and blacke, in 
 the fyeldes and playnes where as growe no trees, where by th[e]inftinct of nature thefe antes feparate them 
 felues to engender far from the wooddes for feare of thefe beares : The whiche bycaufe they are fearefiiU, vyle, 
 and vnarmed (as I haue layde) they keepe euei in places full of trees vntyU very famen and neceflitie, or the 
 great defire that they haue to fiede of thefe antes, caufe them to coomme owt of the wooddes to hunte for them. 
 Thefe antes make a hyllocke of earth to the heyght of a man, or fumwhat more or leffe, and as bygge as a great 
 cheft, and fumtjones as bygge as a butte or a hogges head, and as hard as a ftone: So that they feeme as 
 thoughe they were ftones fet vp to lymytte th[e]endes and confines of certeyne landes. Within thefe hyllockes 
 made of moft harde earth, are innumerable and infinite lyttle antes, the which may bee gathered by buflielles 
 when the hyllocke is broken. The which when it is fumtymes moyfted by rayne and then dryed ageyne by the 
 heate of the foonne, it breaketh and hath certeyne fmaul lyftes as lyttle and fubtyle as the edge of a knyfe. 
 And it femeth that nature hath gyuen fenfe to thefe Antes to fynde fuch a matter of earth wherwith they may 
 make the fayde hillocke of fuche hardenes that it may feeme a ftronge pauement made of lyme and ftone. And 
 wheras I haue proued and caufed fum of them to bee broken, I haue founde theim of fuche hardenes as if I had 
 not feene I coulde not haue beleaued: In fo muche that they coulde fcarcely bee broken with pykes of Iren: 
 So ftronge fortreffes doo thefe lyttle beaftes make for theyr fauegarde ageynft theyr aduerfarie the beare, who is 
 chiefely nuryfftied by them, and gyuen them as an enemie, accordynge to the common prouerbe which fayth, 
 Non e alcuna perfona ft libera, a chimanchi il fuo Bargello: That is, there is no man fo fi-ee that hath not his 
 perfecutour or pryuie enemie. And here when I confyder the maraelous prouidence which nature hath gyuen 
 to thefe lyttle boddies, I caule to remembraunce the wittie fentence of Plinie, where fpeakyng of fuch lyttle 
 beaftes, he fayth thus. Why doo we maruayle at the towrebearynge ftioulders of Elephantes, and not rather 
 where nature hathe placed fo many fences and fuche induftry in fuche lyttle boddies? where is hearynge, 
 fmellynge, feeinge, and feelynge, ye, where are the vaynes and arteries (without which no beafte can lyue or 
 moue) in thefe fo lyttle boddies whereof fume are fo fmaule that theyr hole boddies can fcarfely be fene of owr 
 
 Beaste& 
 Bardati 
 
 189 
 
 Beares. 
 
 Antes. 
 
222 
 
 The hyjlorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 190 
 
 A straunge bfiast 
 whiche seemeth a 
 kynd of 
 Chameleon. 
 
 eyes, what ftiall we then faye of the partes of the fame? Yet euen amonge thefe are there many of fuch fagacitie 
 and induflrye as the lyke is not feene in beaftes of greater quantitie, no nor yet in man, etc. But to retume to 
 the hyftorie. This enemie which nature hath gyuen to thefe lyttle beaftes, vfeth this maner to aflayle them. 
 When he refortethe to the hyllocke where the antes lye hid as in theyr fortreife, he putteth his toonge to one of 
 the ryftes wherof we haue fpoken being as fubtyle as the edge of a fwoorde, and there with continuall lyckynge, 
 maketh the place moyft, the fome and froth of his mouth beinge of fuch prbpertie that by continual lycking the 
 place, it enlargeth the ryfte in fuch fort by lyttle and lyttle, that at the length he eafely putteth in his toonge 
 whiche he hath very longe and thynne, and much difproportionate to his bodye. And when he hath thus made 
 free paffage for his toonge into the hyllocke to put it eafely in and owt at his pleafure, then he thrufteth it into 
 the hole as farre as he can reache, and fo letteth it refte a good fpace vntyl a great quantitie of the antes (whofe 
 nature reioyfeth in heate and moyfter) haue laden his tonge and as many as he can conteyne in the holowneffe 
 thereof: at which tyme he fuddeynly draweth it into his mouth and eateth them, and retumeth ageyne to the fame 
 practife immediatly vntyl he haue eaten as manye as hym lyfleth, or as longe as he can reache any with his 
 tonge. The flefflie of this beafte, is fylthy and vnfauery. But by reafon of th[e]extreme ftiyftes and neceffitie 
 that the Chriftian men were put to at theyr fyrft commynge into thefe partes, they were inforced to proue al 
 thynges and fo fel to th[e]eatyng of thefe beaftes. But when they had founde more delycate meates, they fell 
 into hatred with this. Thefe antes haue th[e]apperaunce of the place of their enteraunce into the hyllocke, 
 vnder the grounde. And this at fo lyttle a hole that it could hardely be founde yf certeyne of them were not 
 feene to pafTe in and owt. But by this way the beares coulde haue no fuch poure to hurte them as aboue at 
 the fayde ryftes as I haue fayde. There is an other ftrange beafte whiche by a name of contrary efFecte, the 
 Spanyardes caule Cagnuolo leggiero, that is the lyght dogge, wheras it is one of the flowefte beaftes in the worlde, 
 and fo heauy and dull in mouynge that it canne fcarfely go fyftie pafes in a hole day. Thefe beaftes are in the 
 firme lande, and are very ftraunge to beholde for the difproportion that they haue to all other beaftes. They 
 are abowte two fpannes in length when they are growne to theyr full byggeneffe. But when they are very 
 younge, they are fumewhat more groffe then longe. They haue foure fubtyle fiete, and in euery of them foure 
 clawes lyke vnto byrdes, and ioyned togyther. Yet are nother theyr clawes or theyr fiete able to fufteyne theyr 
 bodyes from the grounde. By reafon wherof and by the heauyneffe of theyr boddies, they drawe theyr bellyes 
 on the grounde. Theyr neckes are hygh and ftreyght and all equall lyke the peftle of a morter, which is 
 altogyther equall euen vnto the toppe withowt makynge any proportion or fimilitude of a headde, or any 
 dyfference excepte in the noddle. And in the toppes of theyr neckes, they haue verye rounde faces much lyke 
 vnto owles: And haue a marke of theyr owne heare after the maner of a cyrcle whiche makethe theyr faces 
 feeme fumwhat more longe then large. They haue fmaule eyes and rounde: And noftrylles lyke vnto munkeys. 
 They haue lyttle mouthes, and moue theyr neckes frome one fyde to an other as thoughe they were aftonyflhed. 
 Theyr cluefe defyre and delyte is to cleaue and ftycke fafte vnto trees or fume other thynge whereby they may 
 clyme alofte. And therfore for the mofte parte, thefe beaftes are founde vppon trees whervnto cleauynge faft, 
 they mounte vp by lyttle and lyttle, fteyinge them felues by theyr longe clawes. The coloure of theyr heare, 
 is betwene ruflet and whyte, and of the proper coloure of the heare of a wefell. They haue no tayles, and 
 theyr voyce is much dyfierynge frome other beaftes : for they fynge onely in the nyght : And that continually 
 frome tyme to tyme fyngynge euer fyxe notes one hygher then an other, fo faulynge with the fame that the 
 fyrfte note is the hygheft and the other in a bafer tewne as yf a man fhuld fay La, fol,fa, mi, re, vt. So this 
 beaft feyth. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. And doubteleffe, it feemeth vnto me, that as I haue fayde in the chapiter 
 of the beafte cauled Bardati, that thofe beaftes might bee th[e]originall and document to imbarbe horfes, euen 
 fo the fyrfte inuenture of mufycke myght feeme by the hearynge of this beaft to haue the fyrft principles of that" 
 fcyence rather then by any other thynge in the worlde. Butnowe to retume to the hyftorie: I fay that in a 
 fliorte fpace after this beafte hath foonge and hath paufed a whyle, ftie retumeth ageyne to the felfe fame fonge, 
 and doth this only in the nyght and not in the day. By reafon wherof and alfo bycaufe of her euyll fyght, I 
 thynke her to bee a nyght beafte and the frende of darkeneife. Sumtymes the Chriftian menne fynde thefe 
 beaftes and brynge theym home to theyr houfes, where alfo they creepe all abowte with theyr naturall floweneffe, 
 in fo much that nother for threatenynge or pryckynge they wyll moue any fafter then theyr natural and 
 accuftomed pafe. And yf they fynde any trees, they creepe thyther immediatly, and mounte to the toppe ot 
 the hygheft braunche thereof, where they remayne continually for the fpace of eyght, or tenne, or twentie dayes 
 without eatynge of any thinge as farre as any man can iudge. And wheras I my felfe haue kepte theym in my 
 houfe, I coulde neuer perceaue other but that they lyue onely of ayer. And of the feme opinion are in maner 
 all men of thofe regions, bycaufe they haue neuer feene them eate any thynge, but euer turne theyr heades and 
 mouthes towarde that parte where the wynde bloweth moft : whereby may bee confydered that they take mofte 
 pleafure in the ayer. They byte not, nor yet can byte, hauyng very lyttle mouthes. They are not\enemous 
 or noyous any way: but altogyther bmtiflie and vtterly vnprofytable and without commoditie yet knowen to 
 
The hyjiorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 223 
 
 men, fauynge onely to moue theyr myndes to contemplate th[e]infinite poure of god, who delyteth in the 
 varietie of creatures, wherby appeareth the poure of his incomprehenfible wifedome and maieilie fo farre to 
 excede the capacitie of mans vnderftandynge. 
 
 In thefe regions there are hkewife found certeyne foules or byrdes which the Indians caule Alcatraz. 
 Thefe axe much bygger then geefe. The greateft. parte of theyr fethers are of ruifet coloure, and in fume partes 
 yelowe. Theyr bylles or beakes are of two fpannes in length and verye large neare to the heade, and growynge 
 fmaule towarde the poynte. They haue greate and large throtes: And are much lyke to a foule which I fawe 
 in Flaunders in Bruffelles in yowre maiellies pallaice which the Flemynges caule Haina. And I remember 
 that when yowr maieftie dyned one day in yowre great haule there was brought to yowre maiellies prefence a 
 chauderne of water with certeyne f3d][hes alyue, which the fayde foule did eate vp hole. And I thynke verely 
 that that foule was a foule of the fea bycaufe fhee had fiete lyke foules of the water as haue alfo thefe Alcairazi, 
 which are likewyfe foules of the fea : and of fuch greatneffe that I haue feene a hole cote of a man put into the 
 throates of one of theym in Panama in the yeare 152 1. And forafmuch as in that coafle of /"«««»?«, there 
 paffeth and flyeth a greate multitude of thefe Alcatrazi beinge a thynge very notable, I wyll declare the maner 
 hereof as not onely I, but alfo dyuers other nowe prefente in yowre maiellies courte haue often tymes feene. 
 Yowre maieftie ftiall therfore vnderftande that in this place (as I haue fayde before) the fea of Sur ryfeth and 
 fauleth two leagues and more from fyxe houres to fyxe houres : fo that when it increafeth, the water of the fea 
 arryueth fo neare to the houfes of Panama as doth owre fea (cauled Mare Mediteraneum) in Barzalona or in 
 Naples. And when the fayd increafyng of the fea commeth, there commeth alfo therwith fuch a multitude of 
 the fmaule fyfflies cauled fardynes, that it is fo marueylous a thynge to beholde, that no man wolde beleue it 
 that hath not feene it. In fo much that the Cacique, (that is) the kynge of that land at fuch tyme as I dwelt 
 there, was bounde dayly as he was commaunded by yowre maiefties gouemour, to brynge ordynaryly three 
 canoas or barkes full of the fayde fardynes and to vnlade the fame in the markette place, whiche were after- 
 warde by the ruler of the citie diuyded amonge the Chriftian men without any cofte or charge to any of them. 
 In fo much that yf the people had bin a much greater multitude then they were, and as many as are at this 
 prefente in Toledo or more, and had none other thynge to lyue by, they myght haue byn fufficiently fufteyned 
 by thefe fardynes, byfyde th[e]ouerplus which ftiulde haue remayned. But to retume to the foules wherof we 
 haue fpoken. As the fea commeth, and the fardynes with the fame, euen fo lykewyfe coome the fayde 
 Alcatrazzi therwith : and flye continually ouer it in fuche a multytude, that they appeare to couer th[e]upper 
 parte or floure of the water. And thus continue in mountynge and faulynge from the ayer to the water, and 
 from the water to the ayer durynge all the tyme of theyr fyflhynge. And as foone as they haue taken any of 
 thefe fardynes, they flye aboue the water and eate them incontinently, and fuddeynly retume ageyne to the 
 water for more, continuing thus courfe by courfe withowt ceafynge. In lyke maner when the fea fauleth, they 
 folowe there fyflhynge as I haue fayde. There goethe alfo in the company of thefe foules, an other kynde of 
 foules cauled Coda inforcata, (that is) the forked tayle, whereof I haue made mention before. And as foone as 
 the Alcatraz mounteth from the water with her pray of the fardynes, fuddeynly this Coda inforcaia gyueth her 
 fo many ftrokes, and fo perfecuteth her, that fliee caufeth her to let faule the fardynes which fhee hath in her 
 mouth. The which as foone as they are faulne, and before they yet touch the water, the Coda inforcaia 
 catcheth them euen in the faule, in fuche forte that it is a great pleafure to beholde the combatte betwene them 
 all the daye longe. The number of thefe Alcatrazzi is fuch, that the Chiyftian menne are accuftomed to fend 
 to certeyne Ilandes and rockes which are neare abowte Panama, with theyr boates or barkes to take thefe 
 Alcatrazzi whyle they are yet younge and can not flye : and kyll as many of them with ftaues as they wyll, 
 vntyll they haue therwith laden theyr barkes or canoas. Thefe younge ones are fo fatte and wel fedde that 
 they can not bee eaten. And are taken for none other intent but only to make greafe for candels to bume in 
 the nyght, for the whiche purpofe it ferueth very well: and gyueth a cleare lyght, and burneth eafely. After 
 this maner and for this purpofe, innumerable of them are kylde. And yet it feemeth that the number of them 
 that fyfflie for fardynes doo dayly increafe 
 
 There are other foules cauled Pafferefempie: that is, fimple fparowes. Thefe are fumwhat lefie then femewes : 
 and haue theyr fiete lyke vnto great malardes : And ftande in the water fumtymes. And when the ihyppes fayle 
 fyftie or a hundreth leaques abowte the Ilandes, thefe foules beholdynge the fliyppes commyng toward^ them, 
 breake theyr flyght and faule downe vpon the fayle yardes, maftes, and cables therof. And are fo fimple and 
 folylhe that they tary vntyll they maye eafely be taken with mens handes, and were therefore cauled of the 
 maryners fimple fparowes. They are blacke, and vppon their blacke, haue theyr heade and flioulders of fethers 
 of a darke ruflet coloure. They are not good to bee eaten, althowgh the mariners haue fumtimes bin enforced 
 
 to eate them. 
 
 There is an other kynde of byrdes in the fyrme lande, which the Chriftians caule Picuti, bycaufe they haue 
 very great beakes in refpecte of the lyttlenefle of theyr boddies: For theyr beakes are very heauy and waye 
 
 191 
 
 Foules, and byrdes. 
 Alcatraz. 
 
 Panattia, 
 
 Passere sempie, 
 192 
 
 Picuti. 
 
 2:3 
 
224 
 
 The hyjtorie of the wejte Indies. 
 
 Folysshe 
 sparowes. 
 
 193 
 
 Gaxzuole. 
 
 Piniadelli 
 
 more then theyr hole boddyes byfyde. Thefe byrdes are no bygger then quayles, but haue a much greater 
 bufhement of fethers, in fo much that theyr fethers are more then theyr boddies. Theyr fethers are very fayre 
 and of many variable coloures. Theyr beakes are a quarter of a yarde in length or more, and bendynge downe 
 towarde the earthe, and three fyngers brode neare vnto the heade. Theyr tohges are very quilles, wherwith they 
 make a great hyffynge. They make holes in trees with theyr beakes, in the which they make theyr nefl.es. 
 And furely thefe byrdes are maruelous to beholde for the great difference whiche they haue from all other byrdes 
 that I haue feene, afwel for theyr toonges (which are quylles as I haue fayde) as alfo for the ft.rangenefle of theyr 
 fyght and difprojportion of their greate beakes in refpect of the reft of theyr boddies. There are no byrdes 
 founde that prouyde better for the fafegarde of theyr younge in the tyme of theyr breedynge to bee withowte 
 daunger of wylde cattes that they enter not into theyr neftes to deftroye theyr egges or younge. And this afwell 
 by the ftraunge maner of buyldyng theyr neftes, as alfo by theyr owne defence. And therfore when they 
 perceaue that the cattes approche towarde them, they enter into theyr neftes: and holdynge theyr beakes 
 towarde th[e]enteraunce of the fame, ftande at theyr defence, and fo vexe the cattes that they caufe them to 
 leaue theyr enterpryfe. 
 
 There are alfo other byrdes or fparowes, whiche the Chriftians by contrary effect caule Matti, that is fooles. 
 Wheras neuertheleffe there is no byrde that flieweth more wyt and crafte in defendynge her younge from perell. 
 Thefe byrdes are lyttle and in maner blacke, and fumewhat bygger then owre thruflhes. They haue certeyne 
 whyte fethers in theyr neckes, and the lyke fagacitie or fharpenes of fenfe as haue the byrdes or pyes cauled 
 Gazzuole. They feldome tymes light vppon the earth. They make theyr neftes in trees feparated from other, 
 bycaufe the wylde cattes (cauled Mammmi) are accuftomed to leape frome tree to tree, not defcendynge to the 
 grounde for feare of other beaftes, excepte when they are enforced by thyrfte to coome downe to drynke at 
 fuche tymes as they are fure not to bee molefted. And for this caufe doo not thefe byrdes make theyr neftes 
 but in trees farre diuyded from other. They make them of a cubette in length or more, after the maner of 
 bagges or lyttle fackes, large at the bottome, and growynge narower and narower towarde the mouth whereby 
 they are faftened : hauynge the hole whereat they enter into the facke, of fuch byggenes as may onely fuffice to 
 receaue them. And to th[e]ende that the cattes maye not deuoure theyr younge yf they chaunce to mounte 
 vppon the trees where they haue theyr neftes, they vfe an other crafte, which is, to make theyr neftes in thycke 
 braunches of trees, and to defende the fame with ftiarpe and ftronge thorns implycate and fet in fuch order that 
 no man is able to make the lyke. So that the cattes can by no meanes put theyr legges into the hole of the 
 nefte to take owte younge byrdes, afwel for the fliarpenes of the themes as alfo for the depth of the neftes, in 
 the bottome wherof, the younge birdes reft withowt daunger of theyr enemie. For fum of theyr neftes beynge 
 three or foure fpannes in lengthe, the legge of the catte can not reache to the bottome therof. They vfe alfo 
 an other poUicie : which is, to make many of theyr neftes in one tree The which they doo for one of thefe two 
 caufes : that is, that eyther of theyr owne naturall difpofition they are accuftomed to go in great multitudes, and 
 reioyfe in the company of theyr o^vne generation as- do the byrdes which we caule ftares, or elles to th[e]intent 
 that yf it flioulde fo chaunce that the cattes fhulde clyme the trees where they make theyr neftes, they might 
 bee a greater company to refyfte and moleft the cattes, at whofe approch they make a feareful and terrible cry, 
 wherby the cattes are put to flyght. 
 
 Furthermore, in the.firme land, and in the Ilandes, there are certe)me byrdes cauled Piche or Gazzuole, 
 fumewhat lyke vnto thofe which we caule woodwaules, or woodpeckes, beinge leffe then owrs of Spa3Tie. 
 Thefe are altogither blacke, and go hoppynge and leapyng. The3T beakes are alfo blacke and of the lame 
 faflhyon as are the popingiays beakes. They haue longe tayles, and are fumwhat bygger then ftares. 
 
 There are other byrdes cauled PintadeUi, whiche are lyke vnto certeyne greene byrdes whiche the Italyans 
 caule Fringuelli: and are of feuen coloures. Thefe byrdes for feare of the cattes, are euer woonte to make 
 theyr neftes ouer the bankes of ryuers or the fea, where the braunches of trees fo reache ouer the water that 
 with a lyttle weyght they maye bowe downe to the water. Theyr neftes are made fo neare the toppes of the 
 braunches that when the cattes coome theron, the braunches bende towarde the water, and the cattes turne 
 backe ageyne for feare of faulynge. For althoughe no beafte in the worlde bee more malicious then this, yet 
 whereas the mofte parte of beaftes are naturally inclyned to fwymme, this catte hath no maner of aptenelTe 
 thereunto, and is therefore foone drowned or ftrangeled in the water, and by a pryuie fenfe of nature feareth the 
 daunger which he can not efcape. Thefe byrdes make theyr neftes in fuche forte, that althowgh they bee weete 
 and fylled with water, yet doo they fo fuddenly rj^fe vp ageyne, that the younge byrdes are not thereby hurte or 
 drowned. 
 
 There are aUb many nyghtyngales and other byrdes whiche fynge maraeloufly with great melodie and 
 dyfference in fyngynge. Thefe byrdes are of maruelous dyuers coloures the one from the other. Sum are 
 altogither yelowe, and fum other of fo excellente, delectable, and hyghe a coloure as it weare a rubye. Other 
 are alfo of dyuers and variable coloures : fum of fewe coloures, and other fume all of one coloure : beinge all fo 
 
The hyjiorie of the wejie Indies. 
 
 225 
 
 fayre and bewtifuU, that in bryghtneffe and fliynynge they excell all that are feene in Spayne, or Italy or other 
 prouinces of Europe. Many of thefe are taken with nettes, lyme twygges, and fprynges of dyuers fortes. 
 
 Dyuers other fortes of greate foules lyke vnto Eagles, and fuche other as lyue of pray, are founde in the 
 firme lande of fuche diuerfitie, that it is in maner impoflible to defcrybe them all particularly. And forafmuche 
 as I haue more largely intreated hereof in my generall hyflorie of the Indies, I thynke it not requyfite to make 
 any further mention of the fame. 
 
 C Of trees, fruites, and plantes. 
 
 Here is bothe in the firme lande and the Ilandes a certeyne tree cauled Cocus, beinge a kynd 
 of date trees and hauynge theyr leaues of the felf fame greatneffe as haue the date trees 
 which beare dates, but dyffer much in their growynge. For the leaues of this Cocus grow 
 owte of the trunkes of the tree as doo the fyngers owt of the hande, wreathynge them felues 
 one within an other and fo fpreadynge abrode, Thefe trees are hygh : and are founde in 
 great plentie in the coafle of the fea of Sur, in the prouince of Cacique Chiman. Thefe 
 date trees brynge furth a frute after this forte. Beinge altogyther vnite as it groweth on the 
 tree, it is of greater circumference then the heade of a man. And from the fuperficiall parte to the myddeft 
 which is the frute, it is inuolued and couered with many webbes much lyke vnto thofe hyrdes of towe whiche 
 they vfe in Andalufia. Of this towe or webbe, the Eafl Indians make a certeyne kynde of clothe of three or 
 foure fortes, and cordes for the fayles of ftiyppes. But in thefe Indies of yowr maieftie, they paife not for thefe 
 cordes or this clothe that may be made of the frute of Cocus, by reafon of the great plentie that they haue of the 
 bombage or cotton of the goffampine trees. The frute which is in the myddeft of the fayde towe, is (as I haue 
 layde) as bygge as a mans fyfte, and fumtymes twyfe as bygge and more. It is in forme, lyke vnto a 
 wahiutte, or fum other rounde thynge fumwhat more longe then large, and very harde. The lynde or 
 barke herof, is as thycke as the cyrcle of letters of a riale of plate. And within, there cleaueth fafte 
 to the rynde of the nutte a camofitie or fubftaunce of coornel, of the thyckeneffe of halfe a fynger or 
 of the leaft fynger of the hande : And is verye whyte, lyke vnto a fayre Almonde, and of better tafte 
 and more pleafaunt. When this fruite is chewed, there remayne certeyne crummes as do the lyke of almondes. 
 Yet if it bee fwalowed downe, it is not vnpleafaunt. For althowgh that after the iewfe or moyfture bee gonne 
 downe the throte before the fayde crummes bee fwalowed, the refte whiche is eaten feeme fumwhat fliarpe or 
 fower, yet doth it not fo greatly offende the tafte fo as to bee cafte away. Whyle this Cocus is yet freflie and 
 newly taken from the tree, they vfe not to eate of the fayde camofitie and frute : But fyrfte beatynge it very much, 
 and then ftraynynge it, they drawe a mylke thereof, much better and fweeter then is the mylke of beaftes, and 
 of much fubftaunce : The which the Chriftian men of thofe regions put in the tortes or cakes which they make 
 of the grayne oi Maizium wherof they make theyr breade, or in other breade as we put breade in porrage: So 
 that by reafon of the fayde mylke of Cocus, the tortes are more excellent to be eaten withowt offence to the 
 ftomake. They are fo pleafaunte to the tafte, and leaue it afwell fatiffyed as thowghe it had byn delyted with 
 many delycate dyffties. But to proceade further, yowre maieftie fliall vnderftand, that in the place of the ftone 
 or coomell, there is in the myddeft of the fayde camofitie, a voyde place, which neuertheleffe is full of a mofte 
 cleare and excellent water, in fuch quantitie as maye fyll a greate egge ihell, or more or leffe accordynge to the 
 byggeneffe of the Cocus. The which water fuerly, is the mofte fubftantial, excellent and precious to be droonke, 
 that maye bee founde in the worlde. In fo much that in the momente when it paffeth the palate of the mouth 
 and begynneth to goo downe the throte it feemeth that firome the fole of the foote to the crowne of the headde, 
 there is no parte of the boddye but that feelethe great comfort therby : as it is doutleffe one of the moft excellent 
 thynges that may be tafted vppon the earth, and fuche as I am not able by wrytynge or toonge to expreife. 
 And to proceade yet further, I fay that when the meate of this frute is taken from the veffell therof, the vefTell 
 remayneth as fayre and nette as though it were pullyfhed: and is without, of colour inclynynge towarde blacke, 
 and fhyneth or glyftereth very fayre. And is within of no leiTe dilicateneffe. Suche as haue accuftomed to 
 drynke in thefe veffelles, and haue bynne trowbeled with the difeafe cauled the fretinge of the guttes, fay 
 that they haue by experience founde it a maraelous remedie ageynft that difeafe: And that it breakethe the ftone 
 and prouoketh vrine. This fmte was cauled Cocus for this caufe, that when it is taken from the place where it 
 cleaueth fafte to the tree, there are feene two holes, and aboue them two other naturall holes, which altogyther, 
 doo reprefente the giefture and fygure of the cattes cauled Mammone, that is, munkeys, when they crye: whiche 
 crye the Indians caule Coca: But in very deede, this tree is a kynd of date trees: and hath the fame eflfecte to 
 heale fretynge of the guttes, that PUnie defcrybeth all kyndes of date trees to haue. 
 
 Edek. 1' 
 
 Great foules. 
 
 Cocus, 
 
 194 
 
 I haue seene one 
 of these fruites 
 opened, the 
 ■vmiche when it 
 was hole, yf it 
 were shaken the 
 water was harde 
 shogge therein as 
 it were in a bottle : 
 but in tyme it 
 consumed and was 
 partly congeled 
 into a salte 
 substaunce. 
 
226 
 
 The hyjiorie of the vvejle Indies. 
 
 Great trees. 
 
 195 
 
 A in&ruelous tree. 
 
 geoffyre 
 withowC fyre. 
 
 There are furthermore in the firme lande, trees of fuche byggeneffe that I dare not fpeake therof but in 
 place where I haue fo many wytneffes which haue feene the fame as wel as I. I fay therfore, that a leaque 
 from Dariena or the citie of SanHa Maria Antiqua, there paffeth a ryuer very large and diepe, which is cauled 
 CuH: ouer the which the Indians had layde a greate tree fo trauerfinge the fame that it was in the fteade of a 
 brydge, the which I my felfe with dyuers other that are at this prefent in yowre maiefties courte, haue often 
 tymes paffed ouer. And forafmuch as the fayde tree had lyne longe there, and by the great weight tlierof was fo 
 flironke downewarde and partely couered with water that none could paffe ouer it but were weete to thq knee, 
 I being then in the yeare 1522. th[e]official of luflice in that citie at yowre maiefties appoyntemente, caufed an 
 other greate tree to bee layde in that place whiche in lyke maner trauerfed the ryuer and reached more then 
 fyftie foote ouer the further fyde. This tree was exceadynge greate, and refted aboue the water more then twoo 
 cubytes. In the faule, it caft downe all fuche other trees as were within the reache therof: And difcouered 
 certeyne vynes whiche were fo laden with blacke grapes of pleafaunte tafte, that they fatiffyed more then fyftie 
 perfons whiche eate theyr fylle therof. This tree in the thyckeft parte therof, was more then fyxtene fpannes 
 thicke: And was neuertheleffe but lyttle in refpect of many other trees which are founde in this prouince. For 
 the Indians of the coafte and prouince of Cartagenia, make barkes or boates therof (which they caule Camas,) of 
 fuch byggeneffe, beinge all of one hole tree, that fume conteyne a hundreth men, fume a hundreth and thirtie, 
 and fume more, hauynge neuertheleffe fuche voyde fpace within the fame, that there is lefte fufficiente roome 
 to paffe to and fro through owte all the Canoa. Sum of thefe are fo large byfyde the length, that they conteyne 
 more then tenne or twelue fpannes in breadth, and fayle with twoo fayles as with the mafter fayle and the 
 trinkette which they make of verye good cotton. The greateft trees that I haue feene in thefe partes or in 
 anye other regions, was in the prouince of Guaturo, the kynge wherof rebellynge from th[e]obedience of yowre 
 maieftie, was perfued by me and taken pryfoner: At whiche tyme I with my company, paffed ouer avery hygh 
 mountayne ful of great trees, in the toppe wherof we founde one tree whiche had three rootes or rather 
 diuifions of the roote aboue the eardi in forme of a tryangle or triuette : fo that betwene euery foote of this 
 triangle or three feete, there was a fpace of twentie foote betwene euery foote. And this of fuch heyght aboue 
 the earthe, that a laden carte of thofe wherewith they are accuftomed to brynge home come in the tyme of 
 harueft in the kyngedome of Toledo in Spayne, myght eafely haue paffed throwgh euery of thofe particions or 
 wyndowes whiche were betwene the three feete of the fayd tree. From the earth vpwarde to the trunke of the 
 tree, the open places of the dyuifions betwene thefe three feete, were of fuche heyght from the grounde, that a 
 footeman with a iauelyn was not able to reache to the place where the fayde feete ioyned togyther in the trunke 
 or body of the tree which grewe of great height in one piece and one hole body, or euer it fpredde in braunches, 
 which it did not before it exceaded in heyght the towre of faynt Romane in the citie of Toledo : from whiche 
 heyght and vpwarde, it fpreade very greate and ftronge braunches. Amonge certeyne Spanyardes which 
 clymed this tree, I my felfe was one. And when I was afcended to the place where it begunne to fpreade the 
 branches, it was a maruelous thing to beholde a greate countrey of fuche trees towarde the prouince of 
 Abrayme. This tree was eafy to clyme, by reafon of certeyne Befuchi (wherof I haue fpoken before) which 
 grewe wreathed aboute the tree in fuche forte that they feemed to make a fcalynge ladder. Euery of the 
 forefayde three feete which bore the boddie of the tree, was twentie fpannes in thyckeneffe. And where they 
 ioyned al togyther aboue in the trunke or boddye of the tree, the principall trunke was more then fortie and 
 fyue fpannes in circuite. I named the mountayne where thefe trees grow, the mountayne of three footed trees. 
 And this which I haue now declared, was feene of all the companye that was there with me when (as I haue 
 fayde before) I tooke kynge Gtiaturo pryfoner in the yeare 1522. Many thynges more myght here bee fpoken 
 as touchynge this matter, as alfo howe there are many other excellent trees foundeof dyuers fortes and dyfference, 
 as fweete Ceder trees, blacke date trees, and many other : of the which fum are fo heauy that they can not flote 
 aboue the water but fynke immediatly to the bottome. And other ageyne as light as a corke. As touchynge 
 all whiche thynges I haue wrytten more largely in my generall hyftorie of the Indies. 
 
 And forafmuch as at this prefent I haue entered to intreate of trees, before I paffe any further to other 
 thynges, I wyl declare the maner howe the Indians kyndle fyre, only with woodde, and without fyre, the maner 
 wherof is this. They take a piece of woodde of two fpannes in lengthe, as bygge as the leafte fynger of a mans 
 hande, or as an arrowe well pullyflhed, and of a llronge kynde of woodde whiche they keepe onely for this 
 purpofe. And where they intende to kyndle any fyre, they take two other pieces of woodde of the dryeft and 
 lyghteft that they can fynde, and bynde them faft togyther one with an other as clofe as two fyngers ioyned. 
 In the myddeft or betwene thefe, they put the poynt of the fyrfte lyttle ftaffe made of harde and ftronge wood 
 which they hold in theyr handes by the toppe thereof, and tume or rubbe it rounde aboute continually in one 
 place betwene the two pieces of woodde which lye bounde togyther vppon the earthe, which by that vncef^nt 
 rubb3nQge and chafynge, are in fliort fpace kyndeled and take fyer. 
 
 I haue alfo thought good here to fpeake fumwhat of fuch thynges as coomme to my rememberaunce of 
 
The hyjlorie of the vvejle Indies. 
 
 227 
 
 certeyne trees which are founde in this lande, and fumetyme alfo the lyke haue bynne feene in Spayne. Thefe 
 are certeyne putrifyed troonkes which haue lyne fo longe rottyng on the earth that they are verye whyte and 
 ftiyne in the nyght lyke burnynge fyre brandes. And when the Spanyardes fynde any of this woodde, and 
 intende priuily in the nyght to make warre and inuade any prouince when cafe fo requyreth that it flialbe 
 neceffary to go in the nyght in fuche places where they knowe not the way, the formoft. Chriflian man whiche 
 guydethe the waye, affociate with an Indian to directe hym therein, taketh a lyttle ftarre of the fayde woodde, 
 which he putteth in his cappe hangynge behynde on his fhoulders, by the lyght wherof he that foloweth nexte 
 to him, directeth his iourney, who alfo in lyke maner beareth an other ftarre behynde hym, by the fliynynge 
 whereof the thyrde foloweth the fame waye, and in lyke ' maner do al the reft, fo that by this meanes none are 
 lofte or ftragle owte of the way. And forafmuche as this lyght is not feene very farre, it is the better pollicie 
 for the Chiyftians bycaufe they are not thereby difclofed before they inuade theyr enemies. 
 
 Furthermore as touchynge the natures of trees, one particular thynge feeraeth woorthy to bee noted, 
 wherof Plinie maketh mention in his natural hyftorye where he faythe that there are certeyne trees which 
 contynewe euer greene and neuer lofe theyr leaues, as the baye tree, the Ceder, the orange tree, and the olyue 
 tree with fuch other, of the whiche in all togyther he nameth not pafte fyue or fyxe. To this purpofe, I faye, 
 that in the Ilandes of thefe Indies, and alfo in the firme lande, it is a thynge of muche difficultie to fynde twoo 
 trees that lofe or caft theyr leaues at any tyme. For althowgh I haue diligentely fearched to knowe the 
 trewthe hereof, yet haue I not feene any that lofe theyr leaues, eyther of theym which we haue browght owt of 
 Spayne into thefe regions, as Orange trees, Limons, Ceders, Palmes, or date trees and Pomegranate trees, or of 
 any other in thefe regions excepte onely Caffia, which lofeth his leaues and hath a greater thynge appropriate 
 to it felfe onely: which is, that whereas all other trees and plantes of India fpreade theyr rootes no dieper in 
 the earthe then the depth of a mans heyght or fumewhat more, not defcendyng any further into the ground by 
 reafon of the greate heate which is found beneth that depth, yet-dooth Cafia pearce further into the grounde 
 vntyl it fynd water: whiche by the Phylofophers opinion ftioulde be the caufe of a thynne and watery radycall 
 moyfter to fuche thynges as drawe Iheyr nuryfhement therof, as fat and vnctuous groundes with temperate 
 heate, yelde a faft and firme moyfture to fuche thynges as growe in them, whiche is the caufe that fuche trees 
 lofe not theyr leaues, as the fayde thynne and wateryfihe moyfture is caufe of the contrarie, as appearethe by 
 the fayde effecte which is feene onely in Caffia, and none other tree or plante in all thefe parties. 
 
 C Of Reedes or Canes. 
 
 Haue not thought it conuenient in the chapiture before to fpeake of that whereof I intende 
 nowe to entreate of, reedes or canes, to ,th[e]intente that I woolde not mengle theym with 
 plantes or trees, beinge thynges of them felues woorthy to bee particularly obferued. So it 
 is therfore, that in the firme land there are many fortes of reedes, fo that in many places they 
 make theyr howfes therof, couerynge them with the toppes of the fame, and makynge their 
 waules of them in lyke maner, as I haue fayde before. And amonge thefe kyndes of reedes, 
 there is one fo greate, that the canes therof are as bygge as a mans legge in the knee, 
 and three fpannes in length frome ioynt to ioynt or more : in fo much that euery of them is of capacitie to 
 conteyne a lyttle bucket of water. In this kynde, there are founde fum greater and fum leffe, of the which fum 
 they vfe to make quyuers for arrowes. There is founde an other kynde which fuerly is marueylous, beynge 
 lyttle bygger then a lauelen, the canes whereof are longer then twoo fpannes. Thefe reedes growe one farre 
 fi-om an other, as fum tymes twentie or thirtie pafes, and fumetymes alfo twoo or three leaques. They growe 
 in maner in all prouynces in the Indies : And growe nere to very hygh trees wherunto they leane, and creepe 
 vp to the toppes of theyr braunches, which they imbrafe and defcende ageyne downe to the earth. Theyr 
 canes are full of mofte cleare water without ajiy maner of taft or lauoure eyther of the canes or of any other 
 thynge: And fuche as yf it were taken owte of the freflliefte fprynge in the worlde. Nor yet is it knowen that 
 euer it hurte any that droonke therof. For it hath oftentymes fo chaunced that as the Chryften men haue 
 trauayled in thefe regions in defolate wayes where for lacke of water they haue byn in great daunger to dye 
 for thyrile, they haue efcaped that perell by reafon that they founde the fayde reedes, of the water of whofe 
 canes they haue droonke a great quantitie withowt any hurte thereof enfewynge. Therefore when they fynde 
 thefe in any place, they make water veifelles of the canes therof, and cary as many of them ful of water as may 
 fuffice for one dayes iornay. And fumtyme they cary fo many, that they take for euery man two or three 
 quartes of water which may ferae them for many dayes bycaufe it doth not corrupte, but remaynethe ftyll frefftie 
 and good. 
 
 Futrified woodde 
 shynyng in tlie 
 nyght 
 
 196 
 
 Plinie. 
 
 Trees which 
 continue euer 
 greene. 
 
 Cassia, 
 
 A secreate thynge 
 
 Radycall 
 moysture. 
 
 197 
 
228 
 
 The hyjtorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 Plaiani. 
 
 Figges. 
 
 Tunat. 
 
 198 
 
 Bikaos. 
 
 Hauas. 
 
 Dying of cotton. 
 
 There are alfo certeine plantes which the Chriftians caul Platani. Thefe are as hygh as trees, and become 
 as bygge in the trunke as the knee of a man or more. Frome the foote to the toppe, they beare certeyne longe 
 and large leaues, beinge more then three fpannes in largenes, and about ten or twelue in length : The whiche 
 when they are broken of the wynde, the flalke remayneth hole in the myddefl. In the myddefle of this plant in 
 the hygheft parte thereof, there groweth a clufler with fortie or fyftie Platans abowt it, euery of them beinge a- 
 fpanne and a halfe in length, and as bygge as a mans arme in the fmaule, or more or leffe accordynge to the 
 goodneffe of the foyle where they growe. They haue a rynde not very thycke, and eafy to bee broken: being 
 within altogither full of a fubftaunce lyke vnto the marye of the bone of an oxe as it appeareth when the rynde 
 or barke is taken frome the fame. This duller owght to bee taken from the plant, when any one of the Platans 
 begynne to appere yelowe. At which tyme they take it and hange it in theyr houfes where all the cluiler waxeth 
 rype with his Platans. This duller is a very good frute : And when it is opened and the rynde taken of, there 
 are founde within it many good drye fygges which beynge rolled or Hewed in an ouen in a clofe pot or fum 
 fuche other thynge, are of pleafaunte tafte muche lyke the conferue of hony. They putrifie not on the fea fo 
 foone as fume other frutes do: but continue fyfteene dayes and more yf they bee gathered fumwhat greene. 
 They feeme more delycate on the fea then on the lande, not for that they any thinge increafe in goodneffe on 
 the fea, but bycaufe that whereas on the fea other thynges are lackyng wherof is plentie on the land, thofe 
 meates feeme of belle talle which fatiffie prefente neceflitie. This troonke or fprygge whiche bryngeth foorth 
 the layde duller is a hole yeare in growyng and brynging foorth frute. In whiche tyme it hath put foorth 
 rounde abowte it tenne or twelue fprygges as bygge as the fyrll or principall, and multiplieth no leffe then the 
 pryncipall in bryngynge foorthe of clullers with frutes lykewyfe at theyr tyme, and alfo in biyngynge foorth other 
 and many fprygges as is fayde beefore. From the which fprygges or trunkes, as foone as the duller of the frute 
 is taken away, the plante begynneth to drye and wyther, which then they take owt of the grounde bycaufe it 
 doth none other then occupie it in vayne and without profyt. They are fo many and doo fo marueloufly increafe 
 and multiplie, that it is a thynge in maner incredible. They are exceadynge moylle. In fo much that when 
 they are plucked vp from the place wher they grow, there iflheweth forth a great quantitie of water as well owte 
 of the plante as owte of the place where it grewe : In fuch forte that all the moyllure of the earth farre abowte,' 
 myght feeme to Jaee gathered togyther abowte the trunke or blocke of the fayde plante : with the frutes whereof, 
 the antes are fo farre in loue, that they are feene in great multitudes in the branches of the plantes. So that for 
 the multitude thereof it fumetyme fo chaunceth that men are inforced to take away the Platans frome theyr 
 poffeffion. Thefe frutes are founde at all tymes of the yeare. 
 
 There is alfo an other kynd of wyld plantes that groweth in the fyeldes : which I haue not feene but in the 
 Ilande of Hifpaniola, althowgh they be founde in other Ilandes of the Indies. Thefe they caule Tunas. They 
 growe of a thillle full of thomes, and biynge foorth a frute muche lyke vnto great fygges, which haue a crowne 
 lyke medlers, and are within of a hyghe coloure, with graynes and the rynde lyke vnto a fygge. They are of 
 good talle : And growe abundantly in the fyeldes in many places. They woorke a llraunge effecte in fuche as 
 eate them. For if a manne eate two or three or more, they caufe his vrine to bee of the verye coloure of 
 bludde, which thynge chaunced once to my felfe. At whiche tyme as I made water and fawe the colour of my 
 vrine, I entered into a great fufpition of my lyfe, beinge fo allonyflhed for feare, that I thought the fame had 
 chaunced to me vpon fum other caufe. In fo muche that furely my imagination myght haue doone me hurte, 
 but that they whiche were with me dyd comforte me immediatly, declarynge the caufe therof as they knewe by 
 experience beinge auncient inhabitours in thofe regions. 
 
 There groweth alfo an other plante whiche the people of the countrey caule Bihaos, This putteth forth 
 certeyne llreight braunches and very brode leaues which the Indians vfe for dyuers purpofes. For in fum places 
 they couer theyr houfes with the leaues therof cowched and layde after the maner of thetche, wherunto it ferueth 
 very well. Sumtymes alfo when it rayneth, they call thefe ouer theyr heades to defende theim from the water. They 
 make alfo certeyne chelles whiche they caule Hauas, weaued after a llraunge forte and intermixt with the leaues 
 of this Bihaos. Thefe chelles are wrought in fuch fort, that although it rayne vpon them, or they chaunce to 
 faule into the water, yet are not fuch thynges wette as are within them. They are made of the braunches of the 
 fayde Bihaos with the leaues weaued togyther therwith. In thefe they keepe falte and other fubtyle thynges. 
 They vfe theym alfo for an other purpofe, which is this: That findyng them in the fieldes at fuch tyme as they 
 haue fcarfeneffe of vyttayles, they dygge vp the rootes of thefe plantes whyle they are yet younge, or eate the 
 plante it felfe in that parte where it is molle tender, which is from a foote vnder the grounde, where it is as 
 tender and whyte as a reede or bulraflhe. 
 
 And forafmuch as wee are nowe coomme to th[e]end of this narration, it commeth to my rememberaunce to 
 make mention of an other thynge which is not farre from my purpofe. And this is howe the Indians do llayne 
 or dye cloth of bombage cotton, or any other thynge which they intende to dye of dyuers coloures : as blacke, 
 tawny, greene, blewe, yelowe, and redde, whiche they doo with the barkes or ryndes, and leaues of certeyne trees, 
 
The hyjlorie of the vvejle Indies. 
 
 229 
 
 whiche they knowe by experience to bee good for this practife. And by this arte they make colours in fuch 
 perfection and excellencie that no better can bee diuyfed. But this feemeth a ilraunge thynge, that they doo 
 all this in one felfe fame veffell: So that when they haue caufed the fayde ryndes and leaues to boyle togyther, 
 they make in the fame veffell without any chaunge (as I haue fayde) as many colours as them lyfteth. Whiche 
 thynge I fuppofe to coomme to paffe by the difpofition of the coloure whiche they haue fyrlle gyuen to the 
 thynge that they intende to drye or colour, whether it bee threede, webbe, or clothe, or any thynge that they 
 intende to coloure. 
 
 C Of venemous apples wherwith they poyfon theyr arrowes. 
 
 He apples wherewith the Indian Canibales inueneme theyr arrowes, growe on certeyne trees 
 couered with many braunches and leaues beinge very greene and growyng thicke. They are 
 laden with abundaunce of thefe euyll frutes, and haue theyr leaues lyke the leaues of a peare 
 tree, but that they are leffe and rounder. The frute is much lyke the mufcadell peares of 
 the Ilande of Sicilie or Naples in forme and byggeneffe : And are in fum partes fteyned with 
 redde fpottes, and of very fweete fauoure. Thefe trees for the mofte parte, growe euer by 
 the fea coaft.es and neare vnto the water: And are fo fayre and of pleafaunte fauour, that 
 there is no man that feethe theym but wyll defyre to eate therof. 
 
 In fo much that if it may bee fpoken of any frute yet growynge on the earth, I wolde faye that this was 
 the vnhappy frute wherof owre fyrfte parentes Adam and Eue tafl,ed, wherby they both loft theyr felicitie and 
 procured death to them and theyr pofteritie. Of thefe frutes, and of the greate antes whofe bytynge caufeth 
 fwellynge (whereof I haue fpoken els where) and of the eutes or lyfartes, and vypers, and fuch other venemous 
 thynges, the Canibales which are the chyefe archers amonge the Indians, are accuftomed to poyfon theyr arrowes 
 wherwith they kyll all that they wounde. 
 
 Thefe venemes they mengle togyther and make thereof a blacke maffe or compofition which appeareth lyke 
 vnto very blacke pytche. Of this poyfon I caufed a great quantitie to be burnt in San£la Maria Antiqua in a 
 place two leaques and more within the lande, with a greate multitude of theyr inuenemed arrowes and other 
 munition, with alfo the houfe wherein they were referued. This was in the yeare. 1514. at fuche tyme as 
 th[e]army arriued there with capitayne Pedrarias da villa at the commaundemente of the Catholyke kynge 
 Don Ferdinando. But to retume to the hyftory. Thefe apples (as I haue faid) growe neare vnto the fea. And 
 wheras the Chriftians which feme yowr maieftie in thefe parties, fuppofe that there is no remedy fo profytable 
 for fuche as are wounded with thefe arrowes, as is the water of the fea if the wounde be much waffhed therwith, 
 by which means fum haue efcaped although but fewe, yet to faye the trewthe, albeit the water of the fea haue a 
 certeyne cauftike quahtie ageynft poyfon, it is not a fufficient remedy in this cafe : nor yet to this day haue the 
 Chriftians perceaued that of fiftie that haue byn wounded, three haue recouered. But that yowr maieftie may 
 the better confyder the force of the veneme of thefe trees, yowe ftiall further vnderftande that yf a man doo but 
 repofe hym felfe to fleepe a lyttle whyle vnder the fliadow of the fame, he hath his head and eyes fo fwolne 
 when he ryfeth, that the eye lyddes are ioyned with the chekes. And if it chaunce one droppe or more of the 
 dewe of the fayde tree to faule into the eye, it vtterly deftroyeth the fyght The peftilent nature of this tree is 
 fuch that it can not bee declared in fewe woordes. Of thefe there groweth greate plentie in the goulfe of Vraba 
 towarde the North coaft on the Wefte and Eafte fyde. The wood of thefe trees when it bumeth, maketh fo 
 greate a ftynke that noo man is able to abyde it, by reafon it caufeth fo great a peyne in the headde. 
 
 Amonge other trees which are in thefe Indies as well in the Ilandes as in the firme lande, there is an other 
 kynde which they caule Xagua, wherof there is great plentie. They are very hygh and ftreyght, and fayre to 
 beholde. Of thefe they vfe to make pykes and iauelyns of dyuers lengthes and byggeneffe. They are of a fayre 
 colour betwene ruffette and whyte. This tree bryngeth foorth a greate frute as bygge as Papauer or poppie and 
 much lyke therunto. It is very good to be eaten when it is rype. Owte of this they gette a very cleare water 
 wherwith they wafflie theyr legges and fumetymes all theyr boddyes when they feele theyr fleflhe werye, faynt, 
 or loofe. The which water, byfyde that it hath a byndynge qualitie, it hath alfo this properfie, that what fo 
 euer it toucheth, it fteyneth it blacke by lyttle and lyttle vntyll it bee as blacke as giette, which coloure can not 
 be taken away in leffe fpace then tenne or twelue dayes. And if the nayle bee but touched therwith, it is fo 
 fteined that it can by no meanes bee taken away vntyll it eyther faule of, or growe owte and bee clypped away 
 by lyttle and lyttle, as I my felfe haue oftentymes feene by experience. 
 
 There is another kynde of trees which they call Hobi. Thefe are very great and fayre, and caufe holfome 
 ayer where they growe and a pleafaunt fliadow, and are founde in great abundaunce. Theyr frute is very good, 
 
 A straunge thynge. 
 
 Note. 
 
 Canibales archters. 
 
 Wherwith they 
 inuenym the[i]r 
 arrowes 
 
 199 
 
 Petrus Arias. 
 
 The water of the 
 sea. 
 
 Thegoulfof 
 Vraba. 
 
 Xagua^ 
 
 Hohl 
 
 Sum th^ikc these 
 
 to be mirobalancs, 
 
 T 2 
 
 229 
 
230 
 
 The hyjlorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 Date trees. 
 
 ThCelinliabitantes 
 oftheseaof Sur. 
 
 and of good tail and fauoure, and much lyke vnto certeyne damfons or prunes beinge lyttle and yelowe. But 
 theyr ftone is very great : by reafon wherof they haue but lyttle meate. Theyr barke or rynde boyled in water, 
 maketh a holfome bathe for the legges, bycaufe it bindeth and fleyeth the loofeneffe of the fleffhe fo fencibly 
 that it is a marueyle to confyder. It is fuerly a holfome and excellent bathe ageynft fuch fayntnefle : And is 
 the belle tree that may bee founde in thofe parties to fleepe vnder. For it caufeth no heauineffe of the headde 
 as doo dyuers other trees. Whiche thynge I fpeake bycaufe the Chriftians are muche accuftomed in thofe 
 regions to lye in the fyeldes. It is therfore a common practife amonge them, that where fo euer they fynd 
 jthefe trees, there they fpreade theyr mattreffes and beddes wherin they fleepe. 
 
 There are alfo a kynde of hyghe date trees and full of thpmes. The woodde of thefe is mofte excellent : 
 beinge veiy blacke, and fliynynge, and fo heauy that no parte thereof can fwymme aboue the water, but fynketh 
 immediatly to the bottome. Of this woodde they make theyr arrowes and dartes : Alfo iauelyns, fpeares, and 
 pykes. And I faye pykes, bycaufe that in the coaftes of the fea of Sur, beyonde Efquegua and Vracha, the 
 Indians vfe great and longe pykes made of the woodde of thefe date trees. Of the fame lykewyfe they make 
 clubbes and fwoordes and dyuers other weapons. Alfo veffelles and houfliolde fluffe of dyuers fortes very fayre 
 and commodious. Furthermore of this woodde the Chriftians vfe to make dyuers muficall inftrumentes, as 
 clarifimbals, lutes, gyterns, and fuche other, the whiche byfyde theyr fayre fliynynge coloure lyke vnto giete, are 
 alfo of a good founde and very durable by reafon of the hardnelfe of the woodde. 
 
 After that I haue fayde thus much of trees and plantes, I haue thought good alfo to fpeake fumwhat of 
 herbes. You fliall therefore vnderftande that in thefe Indies there is an herbe much lyke vnto a yelowe lyllie, 
 abowte whofe leaues there growe and creepe certeyne cordes or laces, as the lyke is partly feene in the herbe 
 which we caule lafed fauery. But thefe of the Indies are muche bygger, and longer: and fo ftronge that they 
 tye theyr hangynge beddes thereby whiche they caule Hamacas wherof we haue fpoken elfwhere. Thefe 
 cordes, they caule Cabuia and Hmequen, which are al one thing fauynge that Henequen is lefle and of a fyner 
 fubftaunce as it were line: And the other is groifer lyke the wycke or twyfte of hempe, and is imperfecte in 
 comparifon to the other. They are of coloure betwene wh)rte and yelowe lyke vnto abarne, and fum alfo 
 whyte. With Henequen whiche is the mofle fubtyle and fyne threede, the Indians fawe in funder fetters, 
 cheynes, or barres of Iren in this maner. They moue the threede of Henequen vppon the iren which they 
 intende to faw or cutte, drawynge the one hande after the other as doo they that fawe, puttynge euer nowe and 
 then a portion of fyne fande vppon the threede, or on the place or parte of the Iren where they continue 
 rubbynge the fayde threede. So that yf the threede be wome, they take an other, and continewe in theyr 
 woorke as before vntyl they haue cutte in funder the iren although it bee neuer fo bygge : and cut it as yf it 
 were a tender thynge and eafye to bee fawne. 
 
 And for afmuch as the leaues of trees may bee counted amonge herbes, I wyll here fpeake fumewhat of 
 the qualitie of the leaues of certeyne trees which are founde in the Hand of Hifpaniola. Thefe trees are fo full 
 of thomes, that there is no tree or plante that feemeth more wylde and deformed: fo that I can not well 
 determyne whether they bee trees or plantes. They haue certeyne braunches full of large and deformed 
 leaues, which braunches were fyrfte leaues lyke vnto the other. As the braunches made of thefe leaues growe 
 foorthe in length, there commeth other leaues of them. So that in fine it is a dyfficult thyng to defciybe the 
 forme of thefe trees except the fame fliulde bee doone by a paynter wherby the eye myght conceaue that 
 wherein the toonge fayleth m this behalfe. The leaues of this tree are of fuch vertue, that beyng well beaten 
 and fpreadde vppon a cloth after the maner of a playfter, and fo layde to a legge or arme that is broken in 
 many pieces, it healeth it in fyftene dayes, and maketh it as hole as though it had neuer byn broken. Durynge 
 the tyme of this operation, it cleaueth fo faft to the flefflie that it can not without much difficultie bee taken 
 away. But as foone as it hath healed the fore and wrought his operation, it loofeth it felfe from the place where 
 it was layde, as I my felfe and dyuers other which haue proued it, knowe by experience. 
 
 200 
 
 An herb that 
 hearethe cordes. 
 
 Cabuia and 
 Henequen. 
 
 A straung[e] 
 thinge. 
 
 Leaues. 
 
 Aleafe of great 
 vertue. 
 
 C Offyfjhes and of the maner of fyffhynge. 
 
 N the fea coaftes of the firme lande, there are dyuers and fundry kyndes of fyfflies muche 
 differynge in fhape and forme. And althoughe it be impoffible to fpeake of all, yet wyll I 
 make mention of fum. And fyrft to begynne at fardynes, yowe fliall vnderftande that there 
 is founde a kynde of thefe fyfflies very large and with redde tayles, beinge a very delicate 
 fyfflie. The befte kyndes of other fyflhes are thefe: Moxarre, Diahace, Brettes, Dahaos, 
 Thombackes, and Salmons. All thefe and dyuers other which I do not now remember, are 
 taken in great quantitie in ryuers. There are lykewyfe taken very good creuyfflies. There 
 
The hyjtorie of the vvejie Indies, 
 
 231 
 
 are alfo founde in the fea, certeyne other fyflhes:. as foles, mackerelles, turbuttes, Palamite, Lizze, Polpi, Chieppe, 
 Xaibas, Locuftes, Oyfters, exceadynge great Tortoyfes, and Tiburoni of maruelous byggeneffe : Alfo Manates, 
 and Murene, and manye other fyflhes which haue no names in oure language. And thefe of fuch diuerfitie 
 and quantitie as can not bee expreifed without large wrytynge and longe tyme. But to let pafle to intreate 
 particulerly of the multitude of fyfflies, I mtende to fpeake chiefely and fumwhat largely of three fortes of mofle 
 notable fyffhes : wherof the fyrfl. is, the great Tortoyfes, the feconde is cauled Tiburon, and the thyrde Manate. 
 And to begynne at the fyrile, I faye that in the Ilande of Cttba, are founde great Tortoyfes (which are certeyne 
 fhell fyflhes) of fuch byggeneffe that tenne or fyfteene men are fcarfely able to lyfte one of them owt of the 
 water, as I haue byn informed of credible perfons dwellynge in the fame Ilande. But of that which I my felfe 
 haue feene, I can teftifie that in the firme lande in the vyllage of Ada there are of this forte fum taken and 
 kylled of fuche byggenes that fixe men with much difiicultie coulde fcarfely drawe them owt of the water. And 
 commonly the leaft. fort of them are as much as two men may cary at a burden. That which I fawe lifted vp 
 by fyxe men, had her (hell a yarde and a quarter in length, and in breadth more then fyue yardes. The maner 
 of takynge them, is this. It fumtymes chaunceth that in tlieyr greate nettes (whiche they caule flioote nettes) 
 there are founde certeyne Tortoyfes of the common forte in great quantities. And when they coome owt of the 
 fea and bringe foorth thejrr egges and go togyther by coompanies from the fea to feade on the lande, the 
 Chriftians or Indians folowe theyr fteppes whiche they fynde in the fande, and foone ouertake them bycaufe 
 they are very heauy and flowe in goynge, although they make all the hade they can to returne to the fea as 
 foone as they efpie any boddie. When they that purfewe them haue ouertaken them, they put a fl.ake or ftaffe 
 vnder theyr legges and ouerturne them on theyr backes as they are yet runn)mge, fo that they can go no further 
 nor yet ryfe ageyne or tume. And thus they fuffer them to lye flyll whyle they folowe after the refle which 
 they ouerturne in lyke maner : And by this meanes take very manye at fuche tymes as they coome furth of the 
 fea as I haue fayde. This fyflhe is very excellent and holfome to be eaten, and of good tafte. The feconde of 
 the three fyflhes wherof I haue fpoken, is the Tiburon. This is a very greate fyffhe and very quicke and 
 fwifle in the water, and a cruell deuourer. Thefe are often tymes taken, afwell when the fhippes are vnder 
 fayle in the Ocean, as alfo when they lye at anker, or at any other time, and efpecially the leafle kynd of thefe 
 fiffhes. When the fhippes are vnder fayle, the biggefl forte are taken after this maner. When the Tiburon 
 feeth the fhippe failinge he foloweth it fwymmynge behynde. The which thinge the mariners feeinge, cafle 
 furthe all the fylthe of the fhippe into the fea for the fyffhe to eate, who neuertheleffe foloweth them with equal 
 pafe although they make neuer fuch hafle wyth full wynd and failes, and waloweth on euery fyde and about the 
 fhyppe : And thus foloweth it fumetyme for the fpace of a hundreth and fyftie leaques and more. And when 
 the mariners are difpofed to take them, they cafl downe by the fl.erne of the fhippe, a hoke of yren as bigge as 
 the biggefl finger of a mans hande of three fpannes in lengthe and crooked like a fyflhehooke with beardes 
 accordinge to the bigneffe thereof, and faflened to an iren chayne of fyue or fyxe linkes neare vnto th[e]ende, 
 and from thenfe tyed with a greate rope, faflening alfo on the hooke for a bayte, a piece of fum fiffhe, or hogges 
 fleffh, or fum other fleffhe, or the bouwelles and intralles of an other Tiburon whiche they haue taken before, 
 whiche may eafely bee doone, for I haue feene nyne taken in one day. And if they wolde haue taken more, 
 they myght alfo. Thus when the Tiburon hath pleafauntly folowed the fhip a longe viage, at the lengthe he 
 fwaloweth the baite with the hooke. And afwell by his fliyuinge to flye or efcape, as alfo by the fwifte paffage 
 of the fhyppe, the hooke ouerthwarteth and catcheth hold of his chappes. The which fiffhe when it is taken, it 
 is of fuche huge biggeneffe that twelue or fyfeteene men are fcarcely able to drawe it owt of the water and lifte 
 it into the fhyppe : Where one of the mariners gyueth it many knockes on the headde with a clubbe or beetle 
 vntil he haue flaine it. They are fumtymes founde of tenne or twelue foote long, and of fyue, fyxe, or feuen 
 fpannes in breadth where they are brodefl;. They haue very greate and wyde mouthes to the proportion of the 
 refle of theyr boddies, and haue two rowes of teethe the one fumewhat feparate from the other, of cruell fhape 
 and flanding very thicke. When they haue flayne this fyffhe, they cutte the boddy therof in fmaule piefes, and 
 put it to drye, hangynge it three or four dayes at the cordes of the fayle clothes to drye in the wynde, and then 
 eate it It is doubtleffe a good fyflhe and of great commoditie to feme the fhippes for vitalles for many dayes. 
 The leafl:e of thefe fyffhes are mofle holfome and tender. It hath a fkinne much like to the fkynne of a fole, 
 whervnto the fayde Tuberon is lyke in fhape. Which I faye bycaufe Plinie hath made mention of none of thefe 
 three fiffhes among the number of them whereof he wryteth in his natural hyflorie. Thefe Tiburons coomme 
 furth of the fea and enter into the ryuers, where they are no lefle perelous then greate Ufartes or Crocodiles wherof I 
 haue fpoken largelybefore. For they deuoure men, kine, and horfes, euen as doo the Crocodiles. They are very daun- 
 gerous in certeyne waffhynge places or pooles by the ryuers fydes, and where they haue deuoured at other tymes. 
 Dyuers other fyffhes both greate and fmaule, of fundiy fortes and kyndes are accuflomed to folowe the fhyppes 
 goynge vnder fayle, of the which I wyl fpeake fumwhat when I haue wrytten of Manate which is the thyrde of 
 the three whereof I haue promyfed to entreate. Manate therefore, is a fyffhe of the fea, of the byggefl forte, 
 
 Tiburons, 
 
 Manates 
 
 Great Tortoyses. 
 
 201 
 
 Tiburons. 
 
 Plinie. 
 
 Crocodyles. 
 
 202 
 
 Manates. 
 
232 
 
 The hyjlorie of the vvejle Indies. 
 
 The fysshe 
 
 Manate. 
 
 A remedy ageynst 
 
 the stone. 
 
 The swoorde 
 fysshe. 
 
 Tunnye. 
 
 Turbut. 
 
 203 
 
 Note. 
 
 Flyinge fysshes. 
 
 and muche greater then the Tiburon in length and breadth : And is very brutyffhe and vyle, fo that it appeareth 
 in forme lyke vnto one of thofe great veffelles made of goates fkynnes wherin they vfe to cary newe wyne in 
 Medina de Campo or in Areualo, The headde of this beafl is lyke the head of an oxe, with alfo lyke eyes. 
 And hath in the place of armes, two great ftumpes wherwith he fwymmeth. It is a very gentle and tame 
 beafte : And commeth oftentymes owt of the water to the next Ihore : where if he find [a]ny herbes or graffe, he 
 feedeth therof. Owre men are accuflomed to kyl many of thefe and dyuers other good fyfihes with theyr 
 croffebowes, purfuinge them in barkes or Canoas, bycaufe they fwymme in maner aboue the water. The 
 whiche thynge when they fee, they drawe them with a hooke tyde at a fmaule corde, but fumwhat ftronge. As 
 the fyfihe flyeth away, the archer letteth go and prolongeth the corde by lyttle and lyttle vntyll he haue lette 
 it go many fathams. At the ende of the corde, there is tyde a corke or a piece of lyght woodde. And when 
 the fyflhe is goone a lyttle way, and hathe coloured the water with his bludde, and feeleth hym felfe to faynt 
 and drawe towarde th[e]ende of his lyfe, he refortethe to the fliore, and the archer foloweth gatherynge vp his 
 corde : wherof whyle there yet remaine fixe or eyght fathams or fum what more or lefle, he draweth it towarde 
 the lande, and dra*eth the fyffhe therwith by little and lyttle as the waues of the fea helpe hym to doo it the 
 more eafely. Then with the helpe of the refle of his companie he lyftethe this greate beaft. owt of the water 
 to the lande, beinge of fuch bygneffe that to conuey it from thenfe to the citie, it flialbe requifite to haue a carte 
 with a good yoke of oxen, and fumtymes more, accordyng as thefe fyfflies are of byggeneffe, fum being much 
 greater then other fum in the fame kynde as is feene of other beaft.es. Sumtymes they lyft thefe fyflhes into 
 the Canoa or barke, withowt drawynge them to the lande as before. For as foone as they are flayne, they 
 flote aboue the water. And I beleue verely that this fyffhe is one of the befl. in the world to the tafl.e, and the 
 lykefl. vnto flefflie. Efpecially fo lyke vnto biefe, that who fo hath not feene it hole, can iudge it to bee none 
 other when he feethe it in pieces then verye biefe or veale. And is certeynly fo lyke vnto flefhe, that all the 
 men in the worlde may herin bee deceaued. The tafle lykewyfe, is lyke vnto the taft. of very good veale, and 
 lafteth longe yf it bee pondered. So that in fine, the bafe of thefe parties, is by no meanes lyke vnto this. 
 This Manate, hath a certeine Hone or rather bone in his headde within the brayne, which is of qualitie greatly 
 appropriate ageynfl.e the difeafe of the (lone, if it bee burnte and grounde into fmaule pouder, and taken 
 faflynge in the rnomynge when the payne is felte, in fuch quantitie as maye lye vppon a penye with a drawght 
 of good whyte wyne. For be)Tige thus taken three or foure mornynges, it acquieteth the grefe as dyuers haue 
 toulde me whiche haue proued it trewe. And I my felfe by teftimonie of fight, doo wytneffe that I haue feene 
 this ftone fought of dyuers for this efiecte. 
 
 There are alfo dyuers other fyflhes as bygge as this Manate : Emonge the which there is one cauled 
 Vihuella. This fyflie beareth in the toppe of his headde, a fwoorde beinge on euery fyde full of many fliarpe 
 teeth. This fwoorde is naturally very harde and ft,ronge, of foure or fyue fpannes in length and of proportion 
 accordynge to the fame byggenes. And for this caufe is this fyfhe cauled Spada: that is the fwoord fyflie. Of 
 this kynde fum are found as lyttle as fardines : and other fo greate, that two yokes of oxen are fcarfely able to 
 drawe them on a carte. But whereas before, I haue promyfed to fpeake of other fyfflies which are taken in 
 thefe feas whyle the fliyppes are vnder layle, I wyl not forget to fpeake of the Tunnye which is a great and good 
 fyflhe, and is oftentymes taken and kylde with troute fpeares and hookes cafle in the water when they play 
 and fwymme aboute the fhyppes. In lyke maner alfo are taken many turbuts which are very good fyffhes as 
 are lyghtly in all the fea. 
 
 And here is to bee noted, that in the greate Ocean fea, there is a flraunge thynge to bee confidered, 
 whiche all that haue byn in the Indies afiirme to bee trewe. And this is, that lyke as on the lande there are 
 fum prouinces fertile and frutfuU, and fum barren, euen fo dooth the lyke chaunce in the fea : So that at fum 
 wyndes the fhyppes fayle fiftie or a hundreth, or two hundreth leaques and more, withowt takyng or feinge of 
 one fyffhe. And ageyne in the felfe fame Ocean, in fum places, all the water is feene tremble by the mouynge 
 of the fyffhes, where they are taken abundauntly. 
 
 It commeth further to my rememberaunce to fpeak fumwhat of the flyinge of fyffhes, which is doubtlefle a 
 flraunge thynge to beholde, and is after this maner. When the fhyppes fayle by the greate Ocean folowynge 
 theyr vyage, there ryfeth fumtymes on the one fyde or on the other, many coompanies of certeyne lyttle fyfflies, 
 of the which the byggeft is no greater then a fardyne : and foo diminifflie leffe and leffe from that quantitie that 
 fum of them are very lyttle. Thefe are cauled Volatori: that is, flyinge fyffhes. They ryfe by great coompanies 
 and flockes in fuch multitudes that it is an aftonyffhement to beholde them. Sumtymes they ryfe but lyttle 
 from the water: and (as it chaunceth) continew one flyght for the fpace of a hundreth pafes and fumtymes more 
 or leffe before they faule ageyne into the fea. Sumtymes alfo they faule into the fhyppes. And I remember 
 that on an euenyng when all the company in the (hippe were on theyr knees fyngynge Salue regina in the 
 higheft parte of the Caftel of the poope, and fayled with a full wynde, there paffed by vs a flocke of thefe flyinge 
 fyfflies : and came fo neare vs that many of them fell into the fliyppe, amonge the which, two or three fell hard 
 
The hyjlorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 233 
 
 by me which I tooke alyue in my hande: fo that I myght well perceaue that they were as bigge as fardynes 
 and of the fame quantitie, hauynge two wynges or quylles growyng owt of theyr fynnes, lyke vnto thofe 
 wherwith all the fyfflies fwymme in ryuers. Thefe wynges are as longe as the fyffties theym felues. As longe 
 as theyr wynges are moyfte, they beare them vp in the ayer. But as foone as they are drye, they can continewe 
 theyr flyght no further then as I haue fayde before, but faule immediatly into the fea, and fo ryfe ageyne, and 
 flye as before from place to place. 
 
 In the yeare. A thoufand fyue hundreth fiftene. when I came fyrfl to informe your maieftye of the ftate of 
 the thynges in Indya, and was the yeare folowynge in Flanders in the tyme of youre mofle fortunate fucceffe in 
 thefe youre kyngedomes of Aragonie and Caftyle, wheras at that vyage I fayled aboue the Hand Bermuda 
 otherwyfe cauled Garza, beynge the furthefle of all the Ilandes that are founde at thys daye in the worlde, and 
 arryuynge there at the deapthe of eight yeardes of water, and dyftant from the land as farre as the fhotte of a 
 piece of ordynaunce, I determined to fende fume of the fliyppe to lande as well to make fearche of fuche 
 thynges as were there, as alfo to leaue in the Hande certayne hogges for increafe. But the tyme not feruyng 
 my purpofe by reafon of contrarye wynde, I could bryng my fliyppes no nearer the Hande beinge twelue 
 leaques in lengthe and fyxe in breadth and about thyrty in circuite, lying in the thyrtie and thre degre of the 
 northe fyde. Whyle I remayned here, I fawe a ftryfe and combatte betwene thefe flyinge fyflies and the fyfhes 
 named gylte heades, and the foules cauled feamewes and cormorauntes, whych fuerlye feemed vnto me a thynge 
 of as greate pleafure and folace as coulde bee deuyfed, whyle the gylte heades fwamme on the brymme of the 
 water and fumt3rmes lyfted theyr fliulders aboue the fame to rayfe the fwymmynge fyffhes owt of the water to 
 diyue them to flyght, and folowe them fwymming to the place where they faule to take and eate them fodaynlye. 
 Agayne on the other fyde, the feamewes and cormorantes, take manye of thefe flying fyflhes : fo that by thys 
 meanes theye are nother fafe in the ayre nor in the water. In the felfe fame perrell and daunger doo men l3nie 
 in thys mortall lyfe wherin is no certayne fecurytye nether in hygh eflate nor in lowe. Which thynge fuerlye 
 ought to put vs in rememberaunce of that blefled and fafe reftynge place whych god hath prepared for fuch as 
 loue hym, who fhall acquyete and fynyflie the trauayles of thys troubelous worlde wherin are fo manye 
 daungyours, and brynge them to that eternall lyfe where they fhall fynde etemall fecurytye and refle. But to 
 returne to the hyftorye: thefe byrdes and foules whych I fawe, were of the Hande oi Bermuda nere vnto the 
 whych I fawe thefe flyinge fyflhes. For they coulde bee of no other lande, forafmuche as they are not 
 accuftomed to wander farre frome the coafles where they are bredde. 
 
 C Of th{e'\increafe and decreafe, [that is) ryfynge andfaullynge of our 
 Ocean fea and Southe fea caulled the fea of Sur. 
 
 Wyll nowe fpeake of certeayne thynges whiche are feene in the Prouynce, or at the leafte in 
 the citie of golden Caftyle otherwyfe cauled Beragua, and in the coaftes of the North fea 
 and of the South fea caulled the fea of Sur. Not omittyng to note one fynguler and mer- 
 uelous thynge which I haue confydered of the Ocean fea, wherof hytherto no cofmographer, 
 pylote or maryner or any other haue fatiffyed me. 
 
 I fay therfore as it is well knowen to your maieftye and all fuch as haue knowlege of 
 the Ocean fea, that this greate Ocean cafteth from it felfe the fea Mediterraneum by the 
 mouthe of the ftrayght of Gibilterra: in the which the water from th[e]end and furthefte parte of that fea, euen 
 vnto the mouth of the fayde ftraight, eyther in the Eaft towarde the coafte commonlye cauled Leuante, or in 
 any other parte of the layde fea Mediterraneum, the fea doothe not fo faule nor increafe as reafon wolde iudge 
 for fo greate a fea. But increfethe verye lyttle and a finaule fpace. Neuerthelefle, withoute the mouthe of 
 the ftraight in the mayne Ocean, it increafeth and fauleth verye muche and a great fpace of grounde from fyxe 
 houres to fyxe houres, as in all the coaftes of Spayne, Britannye, Flanders, Germanye, and England. The 
 felfe fame Ocean fea in the fyrme lande newly founde, in the coaftes of the fame lyynge towarde the Northe, 
 dothe neyther ryfe nor faule, nor lykewife in the Ilandes of Hifpaniola and Cuba and all the other Ilandes of 
 the fame fea lyinge towarde the northe, for the fpace of thre thoulande leaques, but onelye in lyke maner as 
 doothe the fea Mediterraneum in Italye: whiche is in maner nothynge in refpecte to that increafe and decreafe 
 whiche the fayde Ocean hath in the coaftes of Spayne and Flaunders. But this is yet a greater thynge, that 
 alfo the felfe lame Ocean in the coaftes of the ikyde fyrme lande lyinge towarde the Southe in the citie of 
 Panama, and alfo in the coafte of that lande whiche lyethe towarde the Eafte and Wefte frome that citie, as in 
 the Hande of pearles or Margaritea whiche the Indians caule Tarrarequi, and alfo in Taboga and Otoque, and 
 
 The Hand of 
 Bermuda. 
 
 Not to hie for the 
 pye, nor to lowe 
 for the crowe. 
 
 204 
 
 Beragua* 
 
 The west Ocean. 
 
 The sea 
 
 Mediteraneum. 
 
 Hispaniola. 
 Cuba. 
 
234 
 
 The hyjlorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 The South sea. 
 
 The power and 
 wisdome of god is 
 sene in his 
 creatures. 
 
 205 
 
 Esquegua and 
 Vnrace. 
 
 Nomen Dei. 
 Panama. 
 
 The ryuer of 
 Chagre. 
 
 in all other Ilandes of the fouthe fea of Sur, the water ryfeth and fauleth fo much, that when it fauleth it 
 go[e]th in maner owt of fyghte, which thynge I my felfe haue feene oftentymes. 
 
 And here youre maieflie may note an other thynge, that from the northe fea to the fouthe fea beynge of 
 fuche dyfference the one from the other in ryfynge and faulynge, yet is the lande that deuydeth theym not 
 pafte eyghteene or twentye leaques in breadthe firome coalle to coafte. So that bothe the fayde feas beynge 
 all one Ocean this llraunge effecte is a thynge worthy greately to bee confidered of al fuche-as haue inclination 
 and defyre to knowe the fecreate woorkes of nature wherin the infinite powre and wyfedome of god is feene to 
 bee fuch as may allure all good natures to reuerence and loue fo diuine a maieftie. And wheras by the 
 demonftrations of lerned men I am not fatiffyed of the natural caufe hereof, I content my felfe to knowe and 
 beleue that he which hathe made thefe thynges, dooth knowe this and many other whiche he hath not granted 
 to the reafon of man to comprehend, much leffe to fo bafe a wyt as myne is. They therefore that are of 
 greater vnderftandynge, ihall fearche the caufe hereof, for them and for me, forafmuch as I haue onely put the 
 matter in queflion as a wytneffe that haue feene th[e]experience of the thynge. 
 
 C Of the Jlrayght or narowe pajfage of the lande lyinge betwene the North 
 
 and South fea, by the whiche fpyces may much fooner and eaflyer 
 
 be brought from the Ilandes of Molucca into Spayne by 
 
 the Weft Ocean then by that way wherby the 
 
 Portugales fayle into Eafl India. 
 
 T hath byn an opinion amonge the Cofmographers and Pylottes of late tyme, and other which 
 haue had practife in thynges touchynge the fea, that there fliulde bee a flrayght of water 
 paffynge from the North fea of the firme, into the South fea of Sur, whiche neuertheleffe 
 hath not byn feene nor founde to this daye. And fuerlye yf there be any fuche ftrayght, 
 we that inhabite thofe partes do thynke the fame fliulde bee rather of lande then of water. 
 For the fyrme lande in fum partes therof is fo fl,rayght and narrowe that the Indyans faye 
 that firome the mountaynes of the prouynce of Efqtiegua or Vrraca, (whych are betwene the 
 one fea and the other) If a man affend to the toppe of the mountaynes and looke towarde the Northe, he maye 
 fee the water of the North fea of the Prouynce of Beragua. And ageyne lookynge the contrarye waye, may on 
 the other fyde towarde the Southe, fee the fea of Sur and the prouynces whyche confyne with it, as doo the 
 territoryes of the twoo Lordes or kynges of the fayde prouinces of Vrraca and Efqttegua. And I beleue that if 
 it bee as the Indyans faye, of al that is hetherto knowen, this is the narrowefl. flrayght of the f)rrme lande, whiche 
 fume afiyrme to bee full of rough mountajTies. Yet doo I not take it for a better waye, or fo fliorte as is that 
 whyche is made from the pbrte cauled Nomen dei (whiche is in the Northe fea) vnto the newe citye of Panama 
 beynge in the coalle and on the banke of the fea of Sur. Whiche waye is likewyfe very rough ful of thicke 
 wods, mountaines, ryuers, valleys, and verye diffyculte to paiTe through, and can not bee doone withowt-greate 
 laboure and trauayle. Sum meafure this waye in this part, to bee from fea to fea. xviii. leaques, whych I fup- 
 pofe to bee rather, xx. not for that it is any more by meafure, but bicaufe it is rough and dyfFyculte as I haue 
 fayde, and as I haue founde it by experyence hau)Tige nowe twyfe paffed that way by foote : count)aig from the 
 porte and vyllage of Nomen Dei vnto the dominion of the Cacique of luanaga otherwyfe cauled Capira. viil 
 leaques : And frome thenfe to the ryuer of Chagre, other, viii. leaques. So that at this lyuer beinge. xvi. leaques 
 from the fayde porte, endeth the roughnefle of the way. Then from henfe to the maruelous brydge are two 
 leaques : And beyonde that, other twoo vnto the port of Panama : So that all togyther in my iudgmente, make 
 XX. leaques. And if therfore this nauigation may bee founde in the South fea for the trade of fpices (as we trufl. 
 in God) to bee brought from thenfe to the fayde porte of Panama (as is poffible enough) they may afterwarde 
 eafly paffe to the Northe fea notwithllandynge the difficultie of the waye of the. xx. leaques aforefayde. Whiche 
 thynge I aiErme as a man well trauayled in thefe regions, hauynge twyfe on my feate pafled ouer this ftrayght 
 in the yeare. 1521. as I haue layde. It is furthermore to bee vnderftode, that it is a maruelous facilitie to bryng 
 fpices by this way which I wil now declare. From Panama to the ryuer of Chagre, are foure leaques of good 
 and fayre way by the which cartes may pafle at pleafure by reafon that the mountaynes are but fewe and lyttle, 
 and that the greatefte parte of thefe foure leaques is a playne grounde voyde of trees. And when the cartes are 
 coomme to the fayde ryuer, the fpices may be caryed in barkes and pinneffes. For this ryuer entereth into the 
 
The hyjlorie of the vvejle Indies. 
 
 235 
 
 North fea fyue or. vi leaques lower then the port of Nomen dd, and emptieth it felfe in the fea nere vnto an 
 Ilande cauled Bajlimento, where is a very good and fafe port. Yowr maieftie may now therfore confyder howe 
 great a thynge and what commoditie it may bee to conuey fpices this way, forafmuch as the ryuer of Chagre 
 hauyng his originall only two leaques from the South fea, contineweth his courfe and emptieth it felfe into the 
 other North fea. This lyuer runneth fail and is very greate, and fo commodious for this purpofe as may be 
 thowght or defyred. The marueilous bridge made by the worke of nature, being two leaques beyonde the fayd 
 ryuer, and other twoo leaques on this fyde the porte of Panama, fo lyinge in the mydde way betwene them 
 both, is framed naturally in fuch fort that none which paffe by this viage fee any fuch bridge or thynke that 
 there is any fuch buyldyng in that place vntyll they bee in the toppe therof in the way toward Panama. But as 
 foone as they are on the biydge, lookynge towarde the ryght hande, they fee a lyttle ryuer vnder them 
 which hath his chanell diftante from the feete of them that walke ouer it, the fpace of twoo fpeares length or 
 more. The water of this ryuer is very fhalowe, not paflyng the depth of a mans legge to the knee : and is in 
 breadth betwene thyrtie and fortie pafes : and faulethe into the ryuer of Chagre. Towarde the ryght hand 
 ftandyng on this brydge, there is nothyng feene but great trees. The largeneffe of the brydge, conteyneth. xv. 
 pafes : and the length thereof about threefcore or fourefcore pafes. The arche is fo made of mofte harde ftone, 
 that no man can beholde it without admiration, beinge made by the hyghe and omnipotent creatour of all 
 thynges. But to retume to fpeake fumwhat more of the conueying of fpices, I fay that when it Ihal pleafe 
 almyghty god that this nauigation aforefayde fhal bee founde by the good fortune of yowre maieftie, and that 
 the fpices of the Ilandes of the South fea (which may alfo bee otherwyfe cauled the Ocean of the Eaft India 
 in the whiche are the Ilandes of Moltcccd) ftialbe browght to the fayd coafte and the porte of Panama, and bee 
 conueyed from thenfe (as we haue fayde) by the firme lande with cartes vnto the ryuer of Chagre, and from 
 thenfe into this owr other fea of the North, from whenfe they may afterward bee browght into Spayne, I fay 
 that by this meanes the vyage Ihall bee fliortened more then feuen thoufande leaques, with muche leffe 
 daunger then is by the viage nowe vfed by the way of Commendator of Ayfa capitayne vnder yowre maieftie, 
 who this prefent yeare attempted a vyage to the place of the fayde fpyces. And not only the way is thus 
 much fliortened, but alfo a thyrde parte of the tyme is abbreuiate. To conclude therfore, if any had hetherto 
 attempted this vyage by the fea of Sur, to feeke the Ilandes of fpyces, I am of firme opinion that they ftiuld 
 haue byn founde longe fence, as doubteleffe they maye bee by the reafons of Cofinographie. 
 
 C Hmve thynges that are of one kynde, dyffer in forme and qualitie, accor- 
 
 dynge to the nature of the place where they are engendred or 
 
 growe. And of the beaftes cauled Tygers. 
 
 N the firme lande are fownde many terryble beaftes which fum thinke to be Tigers. Which 
 thynge neuertheleffe, I dare not affirme, confydeiynge what auctoures doo wryte of the 
 lyghtnes and agilitie of the Tyger, whereas this beaft beynge other wyfe in (hape very like 
 vnto a Tyger, is notwithftandynge very flowe. Yet trewe it is, that accordynge to the 
 maruayles of the worlde and differences which naturall thynges haue in dyuers regions 
 vnder heauen and dyuers conftellations of the fame vnder the whiche they are created, wee 
 fee that fum fuche plantes and herbes as are hurtfuU in one countrey, are harmelefle and 
 holfome in other regions. And byrdes which in one prouince are of good tafte, are in other fo vnfauery that 
 they may not bee eaten. Men likewyfe which in fum countreys are blacke, are in other places why te : and yet 
 are both thefe and they men. 
 
 Euen fo may it bee that Tygers are lyght in fum region as they wryte, and maye neuertheleffe bee flowe 
 and heauy in thefe Indies of yowr maieftie wherof we fpeake. The flieepe of Arabic drawe theyr tayles longe 
 and bigge on the ground, and the bulles of Egypt haue theyr heare growynge towarde theyr headdes: yet are 
 thofe flieepe and thefe bulles. Men in fum countreys are hardy and of good courage, and in other naturally 
 fearefull and brutyffie. All thefe thynges and many more which may bee fayde to this purpofe, are eafy to bee 
 proued and woorthy to bee beleued of fuche as haue redde of the lyke in autours or trauayled the worlde, 
 whereby theyr owne fyght may teache theym th[e]experience of thefe thynges wherof I fpeake. It is alfo 
 manifeft, that Tucca wherof they make theyr breade in the Ilande of Hifpaniola, is deadely poyfon yf it bee 
 eaten greene with the iufe: And yet hathe it no fuche propertie in the firme land where I haue eaten it many 
 times and fojnd it to bee a good frute. The bats of Spayne although they bite, yet are they not venemous. 
 
 The Ilande 
 Bastimento. 
 
 The maruelous 
 bridge. 
 
 206 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Molucca. 
 The commoditie 
 of this viage. 
 
 Tigers. 
 
 Plantes aiid 
 herbes. 
 Birdes. 
 Men. 
 
 Sheepe. 
 Bulles. 
 
 lucau 
 
 Battes. 
 
236 
 
 The hyjlorie of the vvejte Indies. 
 
 Plinie. 
 
 The Tiger. 
 
 207 
 
 The huntyng of 
 tigers. 
 
 A reward for 
 kyllinge of tigers. 
 
 Colonus compared 
 to Hercules. 
 The pillers of 
 Hercules. 
 
 The straightes of 
 
 Gibilterra. 
 
 Note. 
 
 PLVS VLTRA. 
 
 Howe farre 
 Th[e]emperours 
 maiestie excelleth 
 Hercules. 
 
 A tiger made tame. 
 208 
 
 But in the firrae lande many dye that are bytten of them. And in this fourme may fo many thynges bee fayde 
 that tyme ftiall not fuffice to wryte, wheras my intent is only to proue that this beaft may be a Tiger or of the 
 kind of Tigers although it be not of fuch lyghtneffe and fwiftnes as are they wherof Plinie and other autours 
 fpeake, difcrybynge it to bee one of the fwyftefte beafl.es of the lande, and that the ryuer of Tigris for the fwift 
 courfe therof was cauled by that name. The firfl; Spaniardes which fawe this Tyger in the firme lande, dyd 
 fo name it. Of the kynde of thefe was that which Don Diego Columbo the Admirall fent yowre maieftie owte 
 of newe Spayne to Toledo. Theyr heades are lyke to the heades of Lyons or Lioneffes, but greater. The 
 reft.e of all theyr boddies and theyr legges, are full of blacke fpottes one nere vnto an other and diuided with a 
 circumference or fiynge of redde colour fhewinge as it were a fayre woorke and correfpondent picture. Abowt 
 theyr croopes or hynder partes, they haue thefe fpots byggeft: and leffe and leffe towarde theyr bellies, legges, 
 and headdes. That which was brought to Toledo, was younge and but lyttle, and by my eftimation, of th[e]age 
 of three yeares. But in the firme lande there are many founde of greater quantitie. For I haue feene fum of 
 three fpannes in heyght, and more then fyue in length. They are beafl.es of greate force, with fl.ronge legges, 
 and well armed with nayles and fanges which we caule dogge teeth. They are fo fierce that in my iudgement 
 no reall lyon of the byggeft. forte is fo fl.ronge or fierce. Of thefe, there are many founde in the firme land 
 whiche deuour many of the Indians and do much hurte otherwyfe. But fyns the comming of the Chriftians, 
 many haue byn kyld with Croffebowes after this maner. As foone as the archer hath knowlege of the haunt of 
 any of thefe Tygers, he goeth fearchynge theyr trafe with his croffebowe and with a lyttle hounde or bewgle and 
 not with a greehounde, bycaufe this beaft wolde foone kyll any dogge that wolde venter on hym. When the 
 hounde hath founde the Tyger, he runneth about hym bayinge continually, and approcheth fo neare hym fnappynge 
 and grynnynge with fo quicke flyinge and retumyng, that he hereby fo molefteth this fierce beafte that he 
 dryuethe hym to take the next tree, at the foote whereof he remayneth ftyl baying and the Tyger giynnyng and 
 fliewyng his teeth, whyle in the meane tyme the archer commeth neare, and. xii. or. xiiii. pafes of, ftryketh hym 
 with the querel of his croffebowe in the brefte, and flyeth incontinent, leauynge the Tyger in his trauayle for 
 lyfe and death, bytynge the tree and eatynge earth for fierceneffe. Then within the fpace of twoo or three houres 
 or the day folowynge, the archer retumeth thyther, and with his dogge fyndeth the place where he lyethe deade. 
 
 In the yeare. 1522. I with the other rulers and magiftrates of the citie of Sanlla Maria Aniiqua in Dariena, 
 toke order in owr counfayle, A rewarde of foure or fyue pieces of golde to bee giuen to euery man that kylde 
 any of thefe Tygers : by reafon wherof many were kylde in fliorte fpace both with croffebowes and alfo with 
 dyuers fiiares and ingens. But to conclude, I wyll not obftynately fl,and in opinyon whether thefe beaftes bee 
 Tygers or Panthers, or of the number of any other fuch beaftes of fpotted heare, or alfo peraduenture fum other 
 newe beafte vnknowen to the owlde wryters as were many other wherof I haue fpoken in this booke. Of which 
 thynge, I doo not greately meruayle, For afmuche as vnto owre tyme thys greate parte of the worlde was 
 vnknowen to the antiquitie: In fo muche that none of the wryters of that age, nor yet Ptolomie in his 
 Cofmographie, or any other fence hym, haue made any mention herof, vntill the fyrft Admyrall Don 
 Chryftopher Colonus difcouered the fame. A thynge douteleffe without comparyfon muche greater then that 
 whyche is fayd of Hercules, that he fyrfte gaue th[e]enterance of the fea Mediterraneum into the Ocean, whiche 
 the Grekes coulde neuer doo before hym. And herof ryfethe the fable that the mountaynes of Calpe and Abila 
 (which are directly one agaynft an other in the ftrayght of Gibilterra, the one beyng in Spayne and the other in 
 Affryke) were ioyned togither before they were opened by Hercules, who erected thofe hys pylters whiche your 
 maieftye gyue in token of prehem)aience and lyke enterpryfes with lykewyfe thefe hys wordes plvs vltra: 
 wordes douteleffe worthy for fo greate an[d] vuyuerfall an Emperoure, and not-conuenyent for any other Prynce. 
 Forafmuche as your holy Catholyke Maieftye haue fpredde them in fo ftraunge and remote regyons, fo manye 
 thoufande leaques further then euer dyd Hercules. And certeynlye fyr. If there had byn an Image of golde 
 made in the prayfe and fame of Colonus, He had as well deferued it as any of thofe men to whom for theyr 
 noble enterpiyfe the antiquytie gaue deuyne honoure, if he had byn in their tyme. But to retume to the matter 
 whereof I began to fpeake : I neede fay no more of the forme of thys beafte, for as muche as your Maieftye haue 
 feene that whych is yet alyue in ToUedo. And fuerly the keper of your Maiefties lyons, who hath taken vppon 
 hym the charge to tame this beafte, myght better haue beftowed his paynes in an other thynge that myght haue 
 bynne more profitable for the fafegarde of his lyfe bycaufe this Tyger beinge yet but younge, wyl dayly bee 
 ftronger and fiercer and increafe in malice. The Indians (and efpecially they of the firme lande in the prouince 
 whiche the Catholyke Kynge Don Ferdinando commaunded to bee cauled golden Caftyle) caule this beafte 
 Ochi. This thinge is ftraunge that chaunced of late : that wheras the Tiger wherof we haue made mention 
 before, wolde haue kylde his keeper that then kept hym in a cage, was in fewe dayes after made fo tame that 
 he ledde her tyed only with a fmaule corde and playde with her fo familyarly that I maruayled greatly to fee it, yet 
 not without certeyne belefe that this frendfliyp wyll not lafte longewithout daunger of lyfe to the keeper, forafmuch 
 as fuerly thefe beaftes are not meete to bee amonge men for theyr fiercenes and cruell nature that can not bee tamed. 
 336 
 
The hyjlorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 237 
 
 -''•k Of the maners and cufiomes of the Indians of the firme lande, 
 
 and of theyr women. 
 
 He. maners and cufiomes of thefe Indians, are dyuers in diuers prouinces. Sum of them take 
 as many w)Ties as them lyfte, and other lyue with one wyfe whome they forfake not without 
 confent of both parties, which chauncethe efpecially when they haue no chyldren. The 
 nobilitie afwel men as women, repute it infamous to ioyne with any of bafe parentage or 
 ftrangers, except Chriflians, whom they count noble men by reafon of theyr valientnes, 
 although they put a difference betwene the common forte and the other to whom they 
 fhewe obedience, countynge it for a great matter and an honorable thyng yf they bee 
 beloued of any of them. In fo much that yf they knowe any Chriftian man carnally, they keepe theyr fayth 
 to \yjca, fo that he bee not longe abfent farre from them. For theyr intent is not to bee widowes or to lyue 
 chaft lyke religious women. Many of theym haue this cuftome, that when they perceaue that they are with 
 chylde, they take an herbe wherwith they deftroy that is conceaued. For they fay that only wel aged women 
 ftiulde beare chyldren, and that they wyl not forbeare theyr pleafures and deforme theyr boddies with bearynge 
 of chyldren, wherby theyr teates becoome loofe and hangynge which thynge they greatly difprayfe. When 
 they are delyuered of theyr chyldren they go to the ryuer and wafhe them. Whiche doone, theyr bludde and 
 purgation ceafeth immediatly. And when after this they haue a few days abfteyned from the company of men, 
 they becomme fo flrayght as they fay which haue had caraall familiaritie with them, that fuch as vfe them, can 
 not without much difficultie fatiffie theyr appetite. They alfo whiche neuer had chyldren, are euer as vyrgins. 
 In fum partes they weare certeyne lytde apemes rounde about them before and behynde as lowe as to theyr 
 knees and hammes, wherwith they couer theyr priuie partes, and are naked all theyr boddie byfyde. The 
 principal men beare theyr priuities in a holowe pype of golde: but the common forte haue theym inclofed in 
 the flielles of certeyne great welkes, and are byfyde vtterly naked. For they thynke it no more fliame to haue 
 theyr coddes feene then any other parte of theyr boddies. And in fnany prouinces bothe the men and women 
 go vtterly naked without any fuch couerture at al. In the prouince of Cueua they caul a man Chuy, and a 
 woman Ira: which name is not greately difagreeable to many both of theyr women and of owres. 
 
 Thefe Indians gjme great honour and reuerence to theyr Cacique (that is) theyr kynges and rulers. The 
 principall Cacique, hath twelue of his moft ftronge Indians appoynted to beare hym when he remoueth to any 
 place, or gothe abrod for his pleafure. Two of them cary hym fyttyng vppon a longe piece of woodde which 
 is naturally as lyght as they can fynd The other tenne folowe nexte vnto hym as foote men. They keepe 
 continually a trottynge pafe with hym on theyr fliulders. When the twoo that cary hym are wery, other twoo 
 coomme in theyr places without any difturbance or ftey. And thus if the way bee playne, they cary hym in 
 this maner for the fpace of. xv. or. xx. leagues in one day. The Indians that are afligned to this office, are 
 for the mofte parte flaues or Naboriti, that is, fuch as are bounde to continuall feruice. 
 
 I haue alfo noted that when the Indians perceaue them felues to bee troubled with to much bludde, they 
 lette theym felues blud in the calfes of theyr legges and brawnes of theyr armes. This doo they with a very 
 (harpe ftone, and fumtymes with the fmaule toothe of a vypier, or with a ftiarpe reede or thome. 
 
 All the Indians are commonly without beardes: In fo much that it is in maner a maruayle to fee any of 
 them eyther men or women to haue any downe or heare on theyr faces or other partes of theyr boddies. 
 Albeit, I fawe the Cacique of the prouince of Catarapa who had heare on his face and other partes of his 
 boddie, as had alfo his wyfe in fuche places as women are accuilomed to haue. This Cacique had a great part 
 of his body paynted with a blacke colour which neuer fadeth: And is much lyke vnto that wherwith the Mores 
 paynt them felues in Barberie in token of nobilitie. But the Moores are paynted fpecially on theyr vyfage and 
 throte and certeyne other partes. Likewyfe the principall Indians vfe thefe payntynges on theyr armes and 
 breftes, but not on theyr vyfages, bycaufe amonge them the flaues are fo marked. When the Indians of certeyne 
 prouinces go to the battayle (efpecially the Caniball archers) they cary certeyne flielles of greate welkes of the fea 
 which they blowe and make therwith great founde muche lyke the noyfe of homes. They carye alfo certeyne 
 tymbrels which they vfe in the fl.eade of drummes. Alfo very fayre plumes of fethers, and certeyne armure of 
 golde : efpecially great and rounde pieces on theyr breftes, and fplintes on there armes. Lykewyfe other pieces 
 whiche they put on thevr heades and other partes of theyr bodyes. For they efteeme nothynge fo much as to 
 appearegalante in thewar[re]s, and to go in moft coomely order that they can deuyfe, glyfterynge with precious 
 ftones iewelles, golde, and fethers. Of the leafte of thefe welkes or perewmcles, they make certeyne lyttle 
 
 The Indian 
 women. 
 
 The men of India. 
 
 The kynge is 
 borne on mens 
 backes. 
 
 Lettinge of 
 bludde 
 
 They haue no 
 beardes. 
 
 Theypaynte theyr 
 
 bodies. 
 
 209 
 
 The Caiiibales. 
 
 Armure of golde. 
 
 Their galantues in 
 the warres. 
 
238 
 
 The hyjlorie of the vveji Indies. 
 
 Their luells 
 
 Howe the women 
 beare vp their 
 teates, wyth barres 
 of golde. 
 
 The stature and 
 coloure uf the 
 Indians. 
 
 The Indians 
 cauled Coronati. 
 The tiande of 
 giantes. 
 Iiicatos. 
 
 Thescullesofthe 
 Indians heades. 
 
 210 
 
 New Spaine. 
 
 ITie houses of the 
 Christians in India 
 
 Dariena. 
 
 Gardens. 
 
 beades of diuers fortes and colours. They make alfo little braffelets whiche they mengle with gaudies of golde. 
 Thefe they rowle about there armes frome the elbowe to the wrefte of the hande. The lyke alfo doo they on 
 theyr legges from the knee to the foles of theyr feete in token of nobiUtie. Efpecially theyr noble women in 
 dyuers prouinces are accuftomed to weare fuch lewelles, and haue theyr neckes' in maner laden therwith. 
 Thefe beades and Jewels and fuch other trynkettes, they caule Caquiras. Bifyde thefe alfo, they weare certeyne 
 rynges of golde at theyr eares and noftrelles which they bore ful of holes on both fides, fo that the ringes hange 
 vppon theyr lyppes. Sum of thefe Indians, are poulde and rounded. Albeit, commonly both the men and 
 women take it for a decent thynge to weare longe heare, which the women weare to the myddeft. of theyr 
 Ihulders and cut it equally, efpecially aboue theyr browes. This doo they with certeyne harde flones which they 
 keepe for the fame purpofe. The principall women when theyr teates faule or becoome loofe, beare them vp 
 with barres of golde of the length of a fpanne and a halfe, wel wrought, and of fuch byggeneffe that fum of them 
 way more then two hundreth Caflilians or ducad'es of golde. Thefe barres haue holes at both th[e]endes, 
 whereat they tye two fmaul cordes made of cotton at euery ende of the barres. One of thefe cordes go[e]th ouer 
 the fliulder, and the other vnder the arme holes where they tye togyther, fo that by this meanes the barre 
 beareth vp theyr teates. Sum of thefe chiefe women go to the battayle with theyr hufbandes, or when they 
 them felues are regentes in any prouinces, in the which they haue all thynges at commaundement and execute 
 th[e]ofRce of generall capitaynes, and caufe them felues to bee caryed on mens backes in lyke maner as doo 
 the Caciques of whom I haue fpoken before. 
 
 Thefe Indians of the firme lande are muche of the fame llature and coloure as are they of the Ilandes. 
 They are for the mofl. part of the colour of an olyue. If there bee any other difference, it is more in byggeneffe 
 then otherwyfe. And efpecially they that are cauled Coronati, are ftronger and bygger then any other that I 
 haue feene in thefe parties, except thofe of the Ilande of giantes whiche are on the fouth fyde of the Ilande of 
 Hifpaniola nere vnto the coafles of the firme lande: And lykewyfe certeyne other which they caule Yucatos 
 which are on the north fyde. All which chiefely, although they bee no giantes, yet are they doubteleffe the 
 byggefle of the Indyans that are knowen to this day, and commonly bygger then the Flemynges : and efpecially 
 many of them afwell women as men, are of very hyghe llature, and are all archiers bothe men and women. 
 Thefe Coronati inhabite thirtie leaques in length by thefe coafles from the poynt of Canoa to the greate ryuer 
 which they caule Guadakkibir nere vnto SanSla Maria de gratia. As I trauerfed by thofe coafles, I fylled a 
 butte of frelhe water of that ryuer fyxe leaques in the fea frome the mouthe therof where it fauleth into the fea. 
 They are cauled Coronati (that is crowned) bycaufe theyr heare is cutte round by theyr eares, and poulde lower 
 a great compafe abowte the crowne much lyke the fryers of faynt Auguftines order. And bycaufe I haue fpoken 
 of theyr maner of wearynge theyr heare, here commeth to my rememberaunce a thynge which I haue oftentymes 
 noted in thefe Indians. And this is, that they haue the bones of the fculles of theyr heades foure tymes thycker 
 and much ftronger then owres. So that in commyng to hand ftrokes with them, it ftialbe requifite not to 
 ftrike them on the heades with fwoordes. For fo haue many fwoordes byime broken on the)rr heades with lyttle 
 hurt doone. And to haue fayde thus much of the}^: cuftomes and maners, it ftial fuffice for this tyme, bycaufe 
 I haue more largely intreated herof in my generall hyftorie of the Indies. Yet haue I nother there nor here 
 fpoken much of that parte of the firme lande whiche is cauled Noua Hifpania (that is, newe Spayne wherof the 
 Ilande of lucatana is part) forafmuche as Ferdinando Cortefe hath wrytten a large booke thereof. 
 
 Of the houfes of thefe Indians, I haue fpoken fufficiently elswhere. Yet haue I thought good to informe 
 yowr maieftie of the buyldynge and houfes which the Chriftians haue made in dyuers places in the firme lande. 
 They buylde them nowe therfore with two folars or loftes, and with loopes and wyndowes to open and fliutte. 
 Alfo with ftronge tymber and very fayre bordes. In fuche forte that any noble man 'maye wel and pleafauntly 
 bee lodged in fum of them. And amonge other, I my felfe caufed one to bee builded in the citie of SanSla 
 Maria Antigua in Dariena whiche cofte me more then a thoufande and fyne hundreth Caftelians : being of 
 fuch fort that I may well interteyne and commodioufly lodge any Lorde or noble man, referuynge alfo a parte 
 for my felfe and my famehe. For in this may many houfeholdes bee kepte both aboue and benethe. It hath alfo 
 a fayre garden with many orange trees bothe fweete and fowre : Ceders alfo, and Lemondes, of the which there 
 is nowe great plentie in the houfes of the Chryftians. On one fyde of the gardeyne, there runneth a fayre ryuer. 
 The fituation is very pleafaunte, with a good and hoHbme ayer, and a fayre profpecte abowte the ryuer. In fine, 
 owre trufte is that in fewe yeares al thynges in thefe regions ihall growe to a better ftate accordynge to the holy 
 intention of yowre maieftie. 
 
The hyjlorie of the vvejle Indies. 
 
 239 
 
 Of the chief e Ilandes Hifpaniola and Cuba. 
 
 He Indians which at this prefent inhabite the Ilande of Hifpaniola, are but fewe in number, 
 and the Chryftyans not fo many as they ought to bee forafmuche as many of them that were 
 in this Ilande, are gonne to other Ilandes and to the fyrme lande. For beynge for the 
 mofte parte younge men vnmaried, and defirous dayly to fee newe thyngs wherin mans 
 nature deliteth, they were not willinge to continewe longe in on[e] place : efpecially feeing . 
 dailie other newe landes difcouered where they thowght theye might fooner fylle there 
 purfes by beinge prefent at the firfle fpoyle. Wherin neuertheleffe their hope deceaued many 
 of them, and efpecially fuche as had houfes and habitations in thys Ilande. For I certeynly beleue, confyrm- 
 ynge my felfe herein with the ludgement of many other, that if any one Prynce had no more figniores then only 
 this Ilande, it Ihuld in ftiorte tyme bee fuche as not to giue place eyther to SiciUe or Englande : whereas euen 
 at this prefent there is nothynge wherefore it (hulde malice their profperitie not beinge inferioure to them in any 
 filicite that in maner the heauens can graunte to any lande : beinge furthermore fuche as maye inriche many 
 prouinces and kyngedomes by reafon of manye riche golde mynes that are in it of the belle golde that is founde 
 to this day in the worlde, and in greatefl. quantitie. In this Ilande, nature of her felfe bringeth furthe fuche 
 aboundance of cotton that if it were wrought and maynteyned there fliuld be more and better then in any 
 parte of the world. There is fo greate plentie of excellent Caffia that a greate quantitie is brought from thenfe 
 into Spayne : from whenfe it is caried to dyuers partes of the worlde. It increafeth fo muche that it is a mer- 
 uelous thynge to confider. In this are many ryche fhoppes wher fuger is wrought : and that of fuch perfectenes 
 and goodnes, and in fuche quantitie that ftiippes come laden therwith yearly into Spayne. All fuche fedes, 
 fettes, or plantes, as are brought out of Spayne and planted in this Ilande, becoomme muche better, bygger, and 
 of greater increafe then they are in any parte of owre Europe. And if it chaunce otherwyfe that fumetymes 
 they profper not fo well, the caufe is that they whiche Ihulde tyll and hufband the grounde, and fowe and plant 
 in dewe feafons, haue no refpect hereunto, being impacient whyle the wheate and vynes waxe rype, being gyuen 
 to wanderynge and other affayres of prefent gaynes (as I haue fayde) as fearchynge the gold mines, fyfftiynge 
 for pearles, and occupyinge marchaundies, with fuch other trades, for the greedy folowyng wherof, they neglecte 
 and contempne both fowynge and plantynge. Suche frutes as are brought owt of Spayne, into this Ilande, 
 profper manieloufly and waxe rype all tymes of the yeare : as herbes of all fortes very good and pleafaunt to 
 bee eaten. Alfo many pomegranates of the beft kynde, and oranges bothe fweete and fower. Lykewyfe many 
 fayre Lymones and ceders : and a great quantitie of all fuch as are of fliarpe, fowre, and bytter tafle. There 
 are alfo many fygge trees whiche brynge furth theyr frute all the hole yeare. Lykewyfe thofe kynd of date 
 trees that beare dates: and dyuers other trees and plantes which were brought owt of Spayne thyther. 
 
 Beaftes doo alfo increafe in lyke abundaunce: and efpecially the heardes of kyne are fo augmented both 
 in quantitie and number, that there are nowe many patrones of cattayle that haue more then two thoufand 
 heades of neate: and fum three or foure thoufande, and fum more. Byfyde thefe, there are very many that 
 haue heardes of foure or fyue hundrethe. And trewth it is, that this Hand hath better pafture for fuch cattayle 
 then any other countrey in the worlde : alfo holfome and cleare water and temperate ayer, by reafon whereof 
 the heardes of fuch beaftes are much bygger, fatter, and alfo of better tafte then owres in Spayne bycaufe of 
 the ranke pafture whofe moyfture is better digefted in the herbe or graffe by the continuall and temperate 
 heate of the foonne, wherby being made more fatte and vnctuous, it is of better and more ftedfaft nuryfhement. 
 For continuall and temperate heate, dooth not only drawe muche moyfture owt of the earth to the nuryfhement 
 of fuch thynges as growe and are engendered in that clyme, but dooth alfo by moderation preferue the fame 
 from refolution and putrefaction, digeftynge alfo and condenfatynge or thyckenynge the fayde moyfte nuryfhe- 
 mente into a gummie and vnctuous fubftaunce as is feene in all fuche thinges as growe in thofe regions. And 
 this is the only naturall caufe afwell that certeyne great beaftes and of longe lyfe (as the Elephante and 
 Rhinoceros with fuch other) are engendered only in regions nere vnto the Equinoctiall, as alfo that the leaues 
 of fuch trees as growe there, do not wyther or faule, vntyll they bee thrufte owt by other, accordynge to the 
 verfe of the poete which fayth : Et nata pira piris, ei fiats inficubus extant. That is in effecte : peares growynge 
 vppon peares, and fygges vppon fygges. Plinie alfo wiyteth, that fuche trees are neuer infected with the 
 difeafe of trees that the Latines caule Caries, which we may caule the worme or canker, being but a certeyne 
 putrifaction by reafon of a wateryflie nuryftiement not well confolidate. The fame thynge hath bynne the 
 caufe that certeyne Phylofophers confiderynge afwell that man is the hotteft and moyfteft beaft that is (which 
 is the beft complexion) as alfo that men lyue longefte in certeyne partes of India nere the Equinoctiall (where 
 
 Men are desirous 
 of newe thinges. 
 
 The commodities 
 of Hispaniola 
 
 Englande and 
 gicilie. 
 
 Golde mines. 
 Cotton. 
 
 Cassia, 
 
 Suger. 
 
 Plantes and herbes. 
 
 Greate thynges 
 hindered by 
 respecte of 
 presente gaynes. 
 
 211 
 
 Orangies. 
 Pomegranates. 
 Figges al the 
 yeare. 
 Dates. 
 
 Beastes. 
 
 Greate heardes 
 of cattail. 
 
 Good pasture. 
 
 The effecte of 
 continual and 
 moderate heate. 
 
 The cause of fatte 
 nurisshemente. 
 
 Beastes of longe 
 lyfe in regions 
 abowte the 
 Equinoctiall line 
 Trees whos leaues 
 doo not wither 
 
 The cancar of the 
 tree 
 
240 
 
 The hyjlorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 Longe lyuide men 
 in India. 
 
 Paradise neare the 
 equinoctial line 
 
 Shepe and hogges 
 
 Dogges and cattes 
 becom[e3 wylde 
 
 The »tuation of 
 
 Hispaniola. 
 
 The cvtie of 
 san Domenico 
 
 212 
 
 The riuer Ozama 
 
 The hauen 
 
 A cathedrall 
 church e and 
 monasteris in 
 Hispaniola. 
 
 An hospitale. 
 
 The people 
 
 yet to this daye fumme liue to th[e]age of a hundreth and fiftie yeares) were of opinion that yf mankynde had 
 any begynnynge on the earthe, that place owght by good reafon to be vnder or not farre from the Equinoctiall 
 lyne for the caufes aforefayde. Sum of the diuines alfo vppon lyke confideration haue thought it agreable that 
 theyr Paradyfe fliulde bee about the fame within the precincte of thofe ryuers which are named in the booke of 
 Genefis. But to lette paffe thefe thynges and to retume to the hyftorie. 
 
 In this Ilande furthermore, are many flieepe and a great number of hogges : of the which (as alfo of the 
 kyne) manye are becoome wyld : And lykewyfe many dogges and cattes of thofe which were brought owt of 
 Spayne. Thefe (and efpecially the dogges) doo much hurte amonge the cattayle by reafon of the negligence 
 of the hearde men. 
 
 There are alfo many horfes, mares, and mules, and fuche other beafl.es as ferae th[e]ufe of men in Spayne, 
 and are much greater then they of the fyrile brode brought thether owt of Spayne. Sum places of the Ilande 
 are inhabyted, although not fo many as were requifite : Of the whiche I wyll faye no more but that all the 
 regions of the Ilande are fo well fituate that in the courfe of tyme all thynges Ihall coomme to greater perfection 
 by reafon of the rychneffe and pleafauntneffe of the countrey and fertilitie of the foile. 
 
 But nowe to fpeake fumwhat of the principall and chiefe place of the Ilande, which is the citje of San 
 Domenico: I faye that as touchynge the buildynges, there is no citie in Spaine fo muche for fo muche (no not 
 Barfalona whiche I haue oftentymes feene) that is to bee preferred before this generallye. For the houfes of 
 San Domenico, are for the mofte parte of Hone as are they of Barfalona : or of fo flronge and well wrought 
 earth that it maketh a iinguler and fl.ronge byndyng. The fituation is muche better then that of Barfalona by 
 reafon that the ftreates are much larger and playner, and without comparyfon more directe and ftreyght furth. 
 For beinge buylded nowe in owr tyme, byfyde the commoditie of the place of the foundation, the ftreates were 
 alfo directed with corde, compafe and meafure, wherin it excelleth al the cities that I haue fene. It hath the 
 fea fo nere, that of one fyde there is no more fpace betwen the fea and the citie then the waules. And this is 
 about fyftie pafes where it is furtheft of. On this fyde, the waters of the fea beate vppon the naturall fl,ones 
 and fayre coafte. On the other parte, harde by the fyde and at the foote of the houfes, paffeth the ryuer Ozama 
 whiche is a maraeylous porte wherin laden ftiyppes ryfe very nere to the lande and in maner vnder the houfe 
 wyndowes, and no further from the mouth of the ryuer where it entereth into the fea, then is frome the foote of 
 the hyll of Monyuye to the monaftery of faynt Frances or to the lodge of Barfalona. In the myddeft of this 
 fpace in the citie, is the fortreffe and caftle, vnder the which and twentie pafes diftant from the fame, paffe the 
 fhippes to aryfe fumwhat further in the fame ryuer. From the enteraunce of the ftiyppes vntyll they caft anker, 
 they fayle no further from the houfes of the citie then thyrtie or fortie pafes, bicaufe of this fyde of the citie the 
 habitacion is nere to the ryuer. The port or hauen alfo, is fo fayre and commodious to defraight or vnlade 
 ftiyppes, as the lyke is founde but in fewe places of the worlde. The chymineis that are in this citie, are abowt 
 fyxe hundreth in number, and fuch houfes as I haue fpoken of before : Of the which fum are fo fayre and large 
 that they maye well receaue and lodge any lorde or noble manne of Spayne with his trayne and famelie. And 
 efpecially that which Don Diego Colon viceroy vnder your maieftie hath in this citie, is fuche that I knowe no 
 man in Spayne that hath the lyke by a quarter in goodneffe confyderynge all the commodities of the fame. 
 Lykewyfe the fituation thereof, as beinge aboue the fayde porte and altogyther of ftone and hauynge many faire 
 and large roomes with as goodly a profpect of the lande and fea as may be deuyfed, feemeth vnto me fo 
 magnificall and princelyke that yowr maieftie maye bee as well lodged therin as in any of the moofte exquifite 
 builded houfes of Spayne. There is alfo a Cathedrall churche buylded of late where afwell the byftiop 
 accordyng to his dignitie, as alfo the canones are wel indued. This church is wel buylded of ftone and lyme, 
 and of good woorkemanfliyppe. There are furthermore three monafteries bearyng the name of faynt Dominike, 
 faynt Frances, and faynt Marie of Mercedes : The whiche are all well buylded althoughe not fo curiouflye as 
 they of Spayne. But fpeakynge without preiudice of any other religious monafterie, yowre maieftie may bee 
 well affured that in thefe three monafteries, god is as well ferued as in any other religious houfe with men of 
 holy lyuynge and vertuous exemple. There is alfo a very good hofpitall for the ayde and fuccour of pore people, 
 whiche was founde by Michaell Paffament threafurer to yowr maieftie. To conclude, this citie from day to day 
 increafeth in welth and good order, afwel for that the fayde Admyrall and viceroy with the lorde Chaunceloure 
 and counfayle appoynted there by yowr maieftie, haue theyr continuall abydynge here, as alfo that the rycheft 
 men of the Ilande refort hyther for theyr mofte commodious habitation and trade of fuch marchaundies as are 
 eyther brought owt of Spayne or fent thyther from this Hand which nowe fo abundeth in many thynges that it 
 feraeth Spayne with many commodities, as it were with vfury requityng fuch benefites as it fyrft receaued from 
 thenfe. 
 
 The people of this Ilande are commonlye of fumewhat leffe ftature then are the Sps,nyardes, and of a 
 fhynynge or cleare browne coloure. They haue wyues of theyr owne, and abfteyne from theyr dowghters, 
 fyfters, and mothers. They haue large forheades, longe blacke heare, and no beardes or heare in any other 
 
The hyjiorie of the vvejie Indies. 
 
 241 
 
 parts of theyr bodies afwel men as women, excepte very fewe as perhaps fcarfely one amonge a thoufand. 
 They go as naked as they were borne, excepte that on the partes which may not with honeflie bee feene, they 
 weare a certeyne leafe as brode as a mans hande, which neuertheleffe is not kepte clofe with fuche diligence but 
 that fumtymes a man may fee that they thynke fuiiiciently hydde. 
 
 In this Hand are certeyne glo woormes that fhyne in the nyght as doo owres. But are muche bygger and 
 gyue a greater lyght: In fo much that when the men of the Hande goo any iorneys in the nyght, they beare 
 fumme of thefe woormes made faft abowt theyr fiete and beade, in fuche forte that he that fliulde fee them a farre 
 and ignorant of the thinge, wolde bee greatly aftonyflied therat. By the lyght of thefe alfo, the women woorke 
 in theyr houfes in the night. Thefe woormes they caule Cicuas. Theyr l^ght lafleth for the fpace of three 
 dayes, and diminifftieth as they begynne to drye vp. 
 
 There is alfo a kynd of crowes whofe breath flynketh in the momynge and is fweete at after noone. The 
 excremente which they auoyde, is a lyu)mge worme. 
 
 As touchynge other thynges of this Hande whereof Peter Martyr hath more largely 
 intreated in his Decades, I haue thought it fuperfluous to repeate the fame ageyne owte 
 of this hyflorie of Gonzalus Ferdinandus : but haue here gathered only fuche thynges as 
 eyther are not touched of Peter Martyr or not fo largely declared : as I haue doone the 
 lyke in all other notable thynges which I haue collected owt of this Summarie of Gonzalus. 
 
 C Of the Hande of Cuba and other. 
 
 the Hande of Cuba and the other, as the Ilandes of Sanlli lohannis and lamaica, the fame 
 maye be feyde in maner in all thynges as before of Hifpaniola although not fo largely. 
 Yet in leffe quantitie doo they brynge foorth the lyke thynges : as gold, copper, cattayle, 
 trees, plantes, fyffties, and fuch other of the which wee haue fpoken there. 
 
 In Cuba, is a certeyne kynde of Partyches beinge verye little, with theyr fathers much 
 of the colour of turtle dooues : but are of muche better tafle to bee eaten. They are takeii 
 in great number. And beinge brought wylde into the houfes, they becoome as tame within 
 the fpace of three or foure dayes as though they had byn hatched there. They becoomme exceadynge fatte in 
 ftiort fpace, and are doubteleffe the mofl deHcate and pleafaunt meate that euer I haue eaten. But to let 
 paffe many other thynges that myght here bee fayde, and to fpeake of two maruelous thynges which are in this 
 Hand of Cuba : wherof the one is, that a valley conteynynge twoo or three leaques in length betwene two 
 mountaynes, is full of a kynde of very harde llones of fuche perfecte roundeneffe and lyke vnto pellettes of 
 gunnes that no arte can make better or more exactly polyflhed. Of thefe, fum are as fmaule as pellettes for 
 handegunnes: and other fo increafynge bygger and bygger from that quantitie, that they may feme for all fortes 
 of artyllerie althoughe they bee of byggeneife to receaue one or two or more quintales of pouder, euery quintale 
 conteynynge one hundreth weyght : or of what other quantitie fo euer they bee. Thefe pelletes are founde 
 through owte al the valley within the earth as in a myne, which they digge and take owte fuch as they 
 neede of all fortes. 
 
 The other marueylous thinge of this Hand is this : That farre from the fea, there iflheweth owt of a 
 mountayne a certeyne lycour much lyke the cley of Babilon cauled Bitumen or lyke vnto pytche in great 
 quantitie and fuch as is very commodious for the calkynge of fliyppes. This fauleth continually from the rocke 
 and runneth into the fea in fuche abundaunce that it is feene flotynge aboue the water on euery fide of the fea 
 there abowt as it is dryuen frome place to place by the wynde or courfe of the water. 
 
 Quintus Curfius wryteth in his hyftorie, that great Alexander came to the citie of Memi where is a great 
 caue or denne in the which is a fprynge or fountayne that continually auoydethe a great quantitie of Bitumen 
 in fuch fort that it is an eafy thing to beleue that the ftones of the walles of Babilon myght bee layde therwith 
 accordynge a;s the layde auctoure wryteth. I haue feene this myne oli Bitumen, not only in the Hand of Cuba, 
 but alfo fuch an other in newe Spayne, which was found of late in the prouince of Panuco where it is much 
 better then (he other of Cuba, as I haue feene by experience in calkynge of fliyppes. 
 
 Glo wonnes 
 
 213 
 
 Crowes stynkjTige 
 and sweete. 
 
 Saynt lohn his 
 
 Hande. 
 
 lamaica. 
 
 Partriches. 
 
 Pellettes fur 
 
 ftinnes wrought 
 y naturti 
 
 A fountayne of the 
 pytche of Bitumen. 
 
 Quinius Crtrsitts 
 
 Bitumen of 
 Babilon. 
 
 PanucA 
 
242 
 
 The hyjlorie of the uvejle Indies. 
 
 Baccaleos. 
 
 Indians 
 
 214 
 
 Ryche furres and 
 
 syluer. 
 
 Idolaters. 
 
 C Of the lande ^Bacoaleos cauted Terra Ba.cca.\ea.rum, ft7iate on the 
 
 North fyde of the firme lande. 
 
 |Hortly after that yowr Maieftie came to the citie of Toledo, there anyued in the moneth of 
 Nouember, Steuen Gomes the pylot who the yeare before of 1524. by the commaundement 
 of yowre maieftie fayled to the Northe partes and founde a greate parte of lande continuate 
 from that which is cauled Baccaleos difcourfynge towarde the Weft to the. xl. and. ;di. degree, 
 from whenfe he brought certeyne Indians (for fo caule wee all the nations of the new founde 
 landes) of the whiche he brought fum with hym from thcnfe who are yet in Toledo at this 
 prefent, and of greater ftature then other of the firme lande as they are commonlye. Theyr 
 colour is much lyke th[e]other of the firme lande. They are great archers, and go couered with the Ikinnes of 
 dyuers beaftes both wylde and tame. In this lande are many excellent furres, as martems, fables, and fuch 
 other rych furres of the which the fayde pilote brought fumme with hym into Spayne. They haue fyluer and 
 copper, and certeyne other metalles. They are Idolaters and honoure the foonne and moone, and are feduced 
 with fuche fuperftitions and errours as are they of the firme. 
 
 And to haue wrytten thus muche, it maye fufifice of fuche thinges as haue femed 
 to me mofl woorthy to be noted in the Summarie of Gonzalus Ferdinandus wrytten to 
 Th[e]emperours maieftie 
 
243 
 
 [The Third English book on America, 
 
 Which is also 
 
 The First English Collection of Voyages, Traffics, & Discoveries. 
 
 Wftt ^ttuXft^ 0£ tfxt miot to0rHre or iot&t Sntriat, ttt. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 Antonio Pigafetta. 
 
 T/}e Jirst Circumnavigation of the Globe ^ by Fernam de 
 Magalbaens's Expedition, in 1519-22. 
 
 First printed in 1526.] 
 
245 
 
 C OF OTHER NOTABLE THYNGES 
 GATHERED OWTE OF DYUERS AUTOURS: 
 
 AND FYRSTE OF THE VNIVERSAL CARDE AND NEWE WORLDE. 
 
 He hole globe or compafe of the earth was dyuyded 
 by the auncient wryters into three partes, as Europa, 
 Affrica, and Afca : whiche partes cpnteyne in longi- 
 tude. 1 80. degrees, begynnynge the fyrft degree at the 
 I landes of Canarie. And conteyne in latitude towarde 
 the North. 63. degrees, begynnynge . the fyrfte 
 degree frome the Equinoctiall : And. 10. degrees 
 towarde the South. All the refle of the longitude 
 which conteyneth other. 180. degrees, is difcouered 
 of late tyme, as the Weft India cauled the newe 
 worlde, bycaufe none of the owlde autoures had any 
 knowelege or made any mention therof. All that 
 therfore is cauled newe which is Weftwarde from the Ilandes of Canarie. And thus 
 accomptynge thefe. 180. degrees towarde the Eaft difcouered in owlde tyme, with 
 the other. 180. degrees difcouered of late dayes, they make, 360. degrees, which is al 
 the circle of the Equirfoctiall in the fphere. Alfo the part aboue the. 63. degrees 
 of the North latitude, was founde by men of late tyme, as Norway and Grutlande 
 with many other prouinces. Lykewife the part more fouth then. 10. degrees of latitude, 
 was difcouered of late dayes, althoughe Ariane and Plinie fay that it was knowen in 
 owlde tyme : whiche yf it were, yet had they no fuche particular defcription thereof as 
 we haue in thefe dayes. 
 
 West India the 
 newe woride. 
 
 The circumference 
 of the Equinoctiah 
 lyne. 
 
 The North 
 regions. 
 
 The South 
 regions. 
 
 Eden. 
 
 U 2 
 
 24s 
 
246 
 
 \The vyage rounde about the 'vvorlde.'] 
 
 Don Peter Martyr. 
 
 Rome sacked 
 
 A day lost in three 
 yeares and one 
 moncth. 
 
 215 
 
 Antonie Pigafetta. 
 
 lacobus Faher. 
 
 f A DISCOVRSE OF THE VYAGE 
 
 MADE BY THE SPANYARDES 
 
 ROVNDE ABOWTE THE WORLDE. 
 
 He vyage made by the Spanyardes rownde abowtthe 
 worlde is one of the greateft and mofte marueylous 
 thynges that hath bynne knowen to owre tyme. And 
 althoughe in many thynges we excell owre aunciente 
 prediceffours, in this efpeciallye wee fo farre exceade 
 all theyr inuentions, that the lyke hath not heretofore 
 bj'n knowen to this day. This viage was written par- 
 ticularly by Don Peter Martyr of Angleria being one 
 of the counfayle of Th[e]emperours Indies, to whom 
 alfo was commytted the wrytyng of the hyftorie and 
 examination of al fuche as returned from thenfe into 
 Spayne to the citie of Siuile, in the yeare. M. D.xxii. 
 But fendynge it to Rome to bee pryntedinthatmifer- 
 able tyme when the citie was facked it was lofte and not founde to this day or any memory 
 remaynynge therof, fauynge fuche as fum that redde the fame haue borne in mynde. And 
 amonge other notable thynges by hym wrytten as touchynge that vyage, this is one, that 
 the Spanyardes hauynge fayled abowt three yeares and one moneth, and the moft of them 
 notynge the dayes, day by day (as is the maner of all them that fayle by the Ocean) they 
 founde when they were returned to Spayne, that they had lofte one daye : So that at 
 theyr arryuall at the porte of Siuile beinge the feuenth day of September, was by theyr 
 accompt but the fixth day. And where as Don Peter Martyr declared the ftrange 
 effecte of this thynge to a certeyne excellente man who for his fmguler lernynge was 
 greately aduaunced to honoure in his common welthe and made Th[e]emperours ambaf- 
 fadoure, this woorthy gentelman who was alfo a greate Philofopher and Aftronomer, 
 anfwered that it coulde not otherwyfe chaunce vnto them hauynge fayled three yeares 
 continually, euer folowynge the foonne towarde the Weft. And fayde furthermore that 
 they of owlde tyme obferued that all fuche as fayled behinde the foonne towarde the 
 West, dyd greatly lengthen the day. And albeit that the fayde booke of Peter Martyr is 
 peryfftied, yet hath not fortune permitted that the memorie of fo woorthy and marueylous 
 an enterpryfe ftiulde vtterly bee extincte : forafmuch as a certeyne noble gentleman of the 
 cytie of Vincenza in Italic, cauled mafter Antonie Pigafetta (who beinge one of the 
 coompanie of that vyage and after his returne into Spayne in the fliyppe Victoria, was 
 made knyght of the Rhodes) wrote a particular and large booke therof which he gaue to 
 Th[e]emperours Maieftle, and fente a coppie of the fame into Fraunce to the lady 
 Regente moother vnto the frenche kynge, who committed it to an excellent philofopher 
 cauled mafter lacobus Faber, hauyng longe ftudyed in Italy, wyllynge him to tranflate it 
 
 246 
 
The vyage rounde about the Dvorlde. 
 
 247 
 
 into the Frenche toonge. This booke therefore was printed fyrft in the frenche toonge 
 and then in the ItaHen, with alfo an epiftle to the Cardinall of Salfepurge as touchynge 
 the fame viage, written by MaximiHane Tranfiluane fecretarie to Th[e]emperours 
 Maieflie, in the yeare. 1522. And doubteleffe amonge al the cities of ItaHe, the citie of 
 Vicenza may herein much glorie, that befide the ancient nobiUtie and many excellent 
 and rare wyttes whiche it hath browght furth afwell in learnynge as difcipline of warre, 
 it hath alfo had fo woorthy and valiaunt a gentleman as was the fayde mafler Antonie 
 Pigafetta, who hauing compafed abowte the ball or globe of the worlde, hath lykewyfe 
 defcribed that vyage particularly. For the whiche his fo noble and woonderfuU an 
 enterprife fo happily atchiued, if the fame had byn doone in the owlde tyme when th[e]- 
 empyre of the Grekes and Romans floryffhed, he fhulde doubteleffe haue byn rewarded 
 with an Image of marble or golde erected in a place of honoure in perpetuall memorie 
 and for a fmgular exemple of his vertue to the pofteritie. In fine, this may we bouldly 
 aflfirme, that the antiquitie had neuer fuch knowlege of the worlde whiche the foonne 
 coompafeth abowte in. xxiiii. houres, as we haue at this prefente by th[e]induflrye of 
 men of this owre age. But before I fpeake any thynge of the viage, I haue thought it 
 good fyrft to adde hereunto, the Epiflle of Maximilian Tranfiluane which he wrote to 
 the Cardinall of Salfepurge as a preface to his fayde booke. 
 
 C THE EPISTLE OF MAXIMILIAN TRANSILVANE, 
 
 SECRETARIE TO THE EMPEROVRS MAIESTIE: 
 
 wrytten to the ryght honorable and reuerende lorde, 
 
 the lorde Cardinall of Salfepurge, of the maruey- 
 
 lous and woonderfuU nauigation made by the 
 
 Spanyardes rounde abowt the worlde in 
 
 the yeare of Chrift. M. D. xix, 
 
 N thefe daies my moft honorable and reuerend lorde, 
 returned one of thofe fiue fhippes which the yeare 
 before Th[e]emperours beinge at Saragofa in Spayne, 
 were at his maiefties commaundement fent to the 
 newe worlde heretofore vnknowen vnto vs, to feeke 
 the Ilandes of fpices. For albeit the Fortugales 
 brynge vs great quantitie of fpyces from that parte 
 of Eafte India whiche in owlde tyme was cauled 
 Aurea Cherfonefus (where is no we thought to bee 
 the greate and ryche citie of Malacchd) yet in Eafte 
 India growe none of thofe fpices excepte pepper. 
 For other fpices, as Sinamome, cloues, nutmegges, 
 and mafe, (whiche is the hufke that couereth the 
 ftiell of the nutte) are brought frome other farre con- 
 treys and from Ilandes fcarfely knowen by theyr names. From the whiche Ilandes they 
 are brought in ftiyps or barkes made withowt any iren tooles, and tyed togyther with 
 
 =47 
 
 Maximilian 
 Transiluane 
 
 The rewarde of 
 noble enterpryses. 
 
 The antiquitie had 
 no suche knowlege 
 of the worlde as 
 we haue. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Molucca. 
 
 Aurea 
 Chersonesus. 
 
 Malaccha. 
 
 Spyces. 
 
248 
 
 The vyage rounde about the Dvorlde. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Spyces vnknowen 
 in owlde tyme. 
 
 216 
 
 Herodotus. 
 Sinamoine. 
 The Phenyx. 
 
 Plinie 
 
 The nauigations of 
 greate Alexander. 
 Ethiope. 
 
 Troglo^tL 
 
 The nauigation 
 abowte the worlde. 
 
 The owlde 
 
 autours reproued. 
 
 Monsters. 
 The vyages of the 
 Spanyardes and 
 Portugales. 
 
 Sinus Magnus, 
 
 cordes of date trees : with rounde fayles lykewife made of the fmaule twigges of the 
 branches of date trees weaued togyther. Thefe barkes they caule Giunche: with the 
 whiche barkes and fayles they make theyr vyages with onely one wynde in the ftearne 
 or contrarywyfe. 
 
 Neyther yet is it a th5mge greatly to bee marueyled at that thefe Ilandes where the 
 fpyces growe haue byn vnknowen fo many worldes paft vnto owre tyme, forafmuch as all 
 fuch thynges as vnto this day haue byn wrytten of owld autours of the places where fpices 
 growe, are all fabulous and falfe : In fo muche that the countreys where they affirme theym 
 to growe, are nowe certeynely founde to bee further frome the place where they growe in 
 deede, then we are from them. For lettynge paffe many other thynges that are wrytten, 
 I wyll fpeake only of this which Herodotus (otherwife a famous auctour) affirmeth that 
 Sinamome, is founde in the toppes of the neftes of certeyne byrdes and foules that brynge 
 it frome farre countreys, and efpecially the Phenyx, the which I knowe no man that euer 
 hath feene. But Plinie who myght more certeynely affirme thynges by reafon that before 
 his tyme many thynges were knowen and difcouered by the nauigations of great Alex- 
 ander and other, fayth that Sinamome groweth in that parte of Ethiope whiche the people 
 inhabite cauled Trogloditi. Neuertheleffe it is nowe founde that Sinamome groweth very 
 farre from all Ethiope and muche further frome the Troglodiii wh\ch.e dwell in caues vnder 
 the grounde. But to owre men which are nowe returned from thofe partes and the Ilandes 
 of fpices, hauynge alfo good knowlege of Ethiope, it was neceffarie to paffe farre beyonde 
 Ethiope beefore they coome to thefe Ilandes, and to coompaffe abowte the whole worlde, 
 and many tymes vnder the greateft circumference of heauen. The which nauigation made 
 by them, being the moft marueylous thynge that euer was doone by man vppon the earth 
 fence the fyrft creation of the worlde, and neuer founde before, or knowen, or attempted 
 by any other, I haue deliberated faythfully to wryte to yowre honorable lordfhippe and to 
 declare the hole fucceffe therof As touchynge which matter, I haue with all diligence 
 made inquifition to knowe the trewth afwell by relation of the Capitayne of that fhyppe as 
 alfo by conference with euery of the maryners that returned with hym. All which, gaue 
 the felf fame information both to Th[e]emperours maieftie and dyuers other : And this with 
 fuch faythfulneffe and finceritie, that not only they are iudged of all men to haue declared 
 the trewth in all thynges, but haue thereby alfo gyuen vs certeyne knowlege that all that 
 hath hytherto byn fayde or written of owlde autours as touchynge thefe thynges, are falfe 
 and fabulous. For who wyll beleue that men are found with only one legge. Or with 
 fuch fiete whofe fhadowe couereth theyr bodyes ? Or men of a cubite heyght, and other 
 fuch lyke, beinge rather monfters then men ? Of the which, neyther the Spanyardes who 
 in owre tyme faylyng by the Ocean fea, haue difcouered al the coaftes of the lande toward 
 the Weft both vnder and aboue the Equinoctiall, nor the Portugales who compaffynge 
 abowt al Affiryke haue paffed by all the Ealle and lykewyfe difcouered all thofe coaftes- 
 vnto the great goulfe cauled Sinus Magnus, nor yet the Spanyardes in this theyr 
 lafte nauigation, in the which they compafed abowt the hole earth, dyd neuer in any 
 of their vyages wryte of fuch monfters : which doubteleffe they wold not haue 
 omytted if they myght haue had certeyne knowelege therof But nowe intendynge to 
 fpeake of the whole world, I wyll not bee longe in my preface, but begynne my narration 
 as foloweth. 
 
The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 249\ 
 
 v*. A BRIEFE DECLARATION OF THE VYAGE 
 
 OR NAVIGATION MADE ABOWTE THE WORLDE. 
 
 GATHERED OWT OF A LARGE BOOKE WRYTTEN HEREOF BY 
 
 MASTER ANTONIE PYGAFETTA VINCENTINE, KNYGHT OF THE RHODES 
 
 and one of the coompanye of that vyage in the which, 
 
 Ferdinando Magalianes a Portugal e (whom 
 
 fum caule Magellanus) was generall 
 
 Capitayne of the nauie. 
 
 Lthowgh Sebaftian Munfter in his vniuerfall Cofmo- 
 graphie in the fyfthe booke of the landes of the 
 greater Afia (which I tranflated into Englyfhe 
 abowte two yeares fence) hath wrytten of the vyage 
 of Magellanus, declarynge therein howe the Span- 
 yardes by the Weft, and the Portugales by the Eafte, 
 iaylyng to the I landes of Molucca, compafed the 
 hole globe of the worlde betwene them, yet haue I 
 here thought it good to make a breefe repeticion 
 of thys vyage, addynge hereunto dyuers notable 
 thynges which were not touched of Munfter, as I 
 haue gathered them owt of the bookes of Antonie 
 Pigafetta and Tranfiluanus wrytten of the fame 
 vyage. For albeit in deede it was a ftraunge 
 and woonderful thynge that the Spanyardes and Portugales compafed the hole 
 circumference of the worlde betwene them, yet is it more marueylous that the 
 fame was doone with one fhippe and one coompanie of men as dyd the Span- 
 yardes in this vyage, who keepynge theyr continuall courfe by the Wefte, 
 returned into Spayne by the Eafte. A thynge doubtleffe fo much more woonder- 
 full and ftrange then yf they had returned from the halfe circumference by the fame way 
 they went. In howe muche they were ignorante in the vyage nfeuer attempted beefore, 
 befyde the thoufande daungiours and perylles whiche they were daylye lyke to faule into, 
 afwell by wanderynge in vnknowen coaftes as alfo by faulynge into the handes of the 
 Portugales by whofe dominions in the Eafte, they Ihulde needes paffe of neceffitie, not 
 truftynge to theyr gentelneffe for the controuerfie which had byn longe betwene them 
 for the Ilandes of Molucca. I wyll therefore (as I haue fayde) make a briefe rehearfall 
 of thys vyage from the begynnynge to the endynge : Omyttynge neuertheleffe many 
 notable thynges whiche are more largely defcribed in the bookes of Maximilianus Tran- 
 Jiluanus and Antonius Pigafetta. 
 
 Sebastian Munster 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Molucca. 
 
 217 
 
 Controuersie 
 betwene the 
 Spanyardes and 
 Portugales. 
 
250 
 
 The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 Ferdinando 
 Magalianes. 
 
 The Cape of saynt 
 Vincent 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Canarie. 
 Water engendered 
 of a clowae. 
 
 The Hand of saynt 
 Thomas. 
 
 Capo verde* 
 
 Guinea in 
 Ethyope. 
 Serraliona, 
 
 Fysshes and 
 monsters of the 
 sea. 
 
 The fyers of saints 
 Helene and S. 
 Nicolas. 
 A tempest 
 
 The naturall cause 
 of such fiers as 
 faule in the shyps. 
 
 Cardanus, 
 
 Two kyndes of 
 fyers engendered 
 of exhalations. 
 
 Trewe fyer and 
 false fyer. 
 
 218 
 
 Castor and Pollux. 
 The lyghtes of 
 saynt Peter and 
 saynte Nycolas. 
 
 They lost the 
 
 syght of the North 
 
 starre. 
 
 The lande of 
 
 Bre^e. 
 
 The South pole. 
 
 Sugai. 
 
 The tenthe day of Auguft, in the yeare of owre lorde M. D. xix. Ferdinando Magalianes departed from the 
 porte of Siuile in Spayne with a nauie of fyue (hyppes and two hundreth thirtie and feuen men, wel furnyffhed 
 with all thynges neceffarie. And faylynge fyrfte downe by the ryuer of Guadalchiber which runneth from the 
 fayde porte into the fea, they came fyrlle to a place named Giouan Dulfaraz where are manye vyllages of the 
 Moores : And from thenfe anyued at a caftel of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, where is the porte from whiche 
 they enter into the fea and to the cape faynte Vincent beinge diftant from the Equinoctiall. xxxvii. degi-ees, and 
 frome the fayde port. x. leaques, and is from thenfe to Siuile betwene xviL and. xx. leagues. Here they remayned 
 certeyne dayes to make newe prouifion of fuch thynges as they lacked. 
 
 Departynge from henfe the. xx. daye of September, they arryued the. xxvi. day of the fame moneth at one 
 of the Ilandes Canarie cauled Tenerife, beinge. xxv. degrees aboue the Equinoctiall. In one of thefe Ilandes is 
 none other water but that is continually engendered of a clowde which appeareth dayly at noone tyde as though 
 it defcended from heauen and compafeth abowt a certeyne great tree from whofe branches diflilleth greate 
 abundaunce of water, and faulethe in flreames from the roote of the fame into certeine trenches and cellames 
 made and placed to receaue it. This water ferueth fufficiently all th[e]inhabitauntes and cattayle of the Ilande. 
 The lyke thynge is alfo feene in the Hand of faynt Thomas, lyinge directly vnder the Equinoctiall lyne. 
 
 The thyrde day of October abowt mydnyght, the capytayne commaunded theym to lyght fyrebrandes and to 
 ho3rre vp the)Tr layles directynge theyr courfe towarde the South, faylynge betwene Capo Verde of Affryke and 
 the Ilandes lyinge abowt the fame, beinge from the Equinoctiall. xiiii. degrees and a halfe. They fayled thus, 
 manye dayes in the fyght of the coafle of Guinea, of Ethiope, where is the mounta)aie cauled Serra Liona beinge. 
 viii. degrees aboue the Equinoctiall. In this coafl. they had no maner of contrary wynds but a great calme and 
 fayre wether for the fpace of threefcore and tenne dayes, in the which they came vnder the Equinoctiall lyne. 
 In thys vyage they fawe many flraunge fyffhes and monllers of the fea befyde an other flraunge thynge whiche 
 appeared vnto them. For there appeared in theyr fliyppes certeyne flames of fyre burnynge verye cleare, which 
 they caul faynt Helen and faynt Nicolas. Thefe appeared as thoughe they had byn vppon the mail of the 
 fliyppes, in fuch clearneffe that they tooke away theyr fyght for the fpace of a quarter of an houre : by reafon 
 wherof, they fo wandered owte of theyr courfe and were difparfed in funder, that they in maner difpayred to 
 meete ageyne. But as God wolde, the fea and tempeft. beinge quieted, they came fafely to theyr determyned courfe. 
 
 And before I fpeake any further of the vyage, I haue here thought good to faye 
 fumewhat of thefe flraunge fyers, which fum ignorant folkes thynke to bee fpirites or fuche 
 other phantafies wheras they are but natural thynges proceadynge of natural caufes and 
 engendered of certeyne exhalations. Of thefe therefore, the greate Philofopher of owre 
 tyme Hieronimus Cardanus in his feconde booke de Subtilitate, wryteth in this maner. 
 
 There are two maner of fyers engendered of exhalations wherof the one is hurtfull and the other without 
 hurte. That which is hurtful, is fyer in deede, engendered of malicious and venemous vapours which in fucceffe 
 of time take fyer as apt matters to be kyndeled. The other kynd, is no trew fyer, but lyke the matter that is in 
 fuch owld putrified wod as giueth the fhjmynge of fyer without the fubflaunce or qualitie therof. Of the k)mde 
 of trewe fyer, is the fyer baule or flarre commonly cauled faynt Helen which is fumtyme feene abowt the mafles 
 of fliyppes, beinge of fuche fyery nature that it fumetyme melteth brafen veffelles, and is a token of drownyng, 
 forafmuch as this chaunceth only in great tempefles. For the vapoure or exhalation whereof this fyre is 
 engendered, can not bee dryuen togyther or compacte in forme of fyre,' but of a grofe vapoure and by a great 
 poure of wynde, and is therfore a token of imminent perell: As on the contrary parte, the lyke fyers cauled in 
 owlde tyme Cajlor and Pollux and nowe named the two lyghtes of faynt Peter and faynt Nycolas whiche for 
 the mofl parte faule on the cables of the Ihyppes, leapynge from one to an other with a certeyne flutterynge 
 noyfe lyke byrdes, are a token of fecuritie and of the tempefte ouerpafTed. For they are. but vapoures cleauynge 
 to the cables : which in fuccefTe of tyme, the fyer paffynge from one to an other, appere in the fimilitude of a 
 lyght candell. They are a token of fecuritie bycaufe they are lyttle, nor flowe or groffe, wherby they myght 
 haue ioyned altogyther in one, and byn thereby more maUcious and lafled longer, wheras beinge many and but 
 lyttle, they are the fooner confumed. 
 
 Hetherto Cardanus. But let vs nowe returne to the vyage. 
 
 When they had fayled pafle the Equinoctiall lyne, they lofl: the fyght of the north fl,arre, and fayled by 
 fouthweft.e vntyll they came to a lande named the lande of Breffil whiche fum caule Brafilia, beinge. xxii. 
 degrees and a halfe toward the fouth pole or pole Antartyke. This lande is continuate and one firme lande 
 with the cape of faynte Auguft.ine whiche is. viii. degrees from the Equinoctiall. In this lande they were 
 refrefflied with many good frutes of innumerable kindes, and founde here alfo very good fugar canes and diuers 
 kyndes of beaft.es and other thynges which I omitte for breuitie. They entered into this hauen on faynt Lucies 
 
The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 251 
 
 day: where the fonne beinge there Zenith (that is the poynt of heauen directly ouer theyr heades) they felte 
 greater heate that daye then when they were vnder the Equinoctiall line. This lande of Brafile is very large 
 and great: and bygger then all Spayne, Portugale, Fraunce, and Itahe: and is mofte abundaunte in all thynges. 
 The people of this countrey praye to noo maner of thinge : but liue by th[e]inft.incte of nature, and to th[e]age 
 of C. XX. [one hundred and twenty] and. C. xl. [one hundred and forty] yeares. Bothe the men and women go 
 naked, and dwell in certeyne longe houfes. They are very docible, and foone allured to the Chryflian fayth. 
 
 Therteene dayes after that they arryued at the fayd port, they departed from this lande and fayled to the. 
 xxxiiii, degree and a halfe toward the pole Antartike where they found a great ryuer of frefflie water and 
 certeyne Canibales. Of thefe they fawe one owt of theyr fliyppes, of ftature as bigge as a giante, hauynge a 
 voyce lyke a bul. Owre men purfued them, but tliey were fo fwyfte of foote that they coulde not ouertake 
 them. Abowt the mouth of this ryuer, are feuen Ilandes, in the byggefl wherof, they founde certeyne precious 
 flones, and cauled it the cape of faynt Marie. The Spanyardes thought that by this ryuer they might haue 
 paffed into the fouth fea. But they were deceaued in theyr opinion. For there was none other pafTage then 
 by the ryuer which is. xvii. leaques large in the mouth. 
 
 Thus folowynge this coafte by the tracte of the lande towarde the pole Antartyke, they came to a place 
 where were two Ilandes replenyflhed with giefe and woolues of the fea which fum thynke to bee thofe fyffties 
 that wee caule pikes. Thefe were in fuch number that in an houre all the fyue (hippes myght haue byn lade 
 with giefe beinge all of blacke coloure, and fuch as can not flye. . They lyue of fyffhe and are fo fatte that they 
 coulde fcarfely fle theym. They haue noo fethers but a certeyne downe : and theyr byls like rauens byls. 
 Thefe woolues of the fea are of dyuers coloures, and of the byggeneffe of calues, with theyr heades of golden 
 coloure. Here were they in great daungiour by tempeft. But as foone as the three fyers cauled fa)Tite Helen, 
 faynte Nycolas, and faynt Clare, appered vppon the cabels of the fliyppes, fuddeynely the tempefte and fuiye 
 of the wyndes ceafed. 
 
 Departynge frome henfe, they fayled to the. 49. degree and a halfe vnder the pole Antartyke : where beinge 
 wyntered, they were inforced to remayne there for the fpace of two monethes, all which tyme they fawe no man 
 except that one daye by chaunce they efpyed a man of the ftature of a giante, who came to the hauen daunfyng 
 and fjmgynge, and fliortly after feemed to caft duft ouer his heade. The capita)aie fente one of his men to the 
 fliore with the ftiyppe boate, who made the lyke figne of peace. The which thynge the giante feinge, was owt 
 of feare and came with the capitaynes feruaunte to his prefence into a lyttle Ilande. When he fawe the 
 capitayne with certeyne of his coompany abowte hym, he was greatly amafed and made fignes holdynge vppe 
 his hande to heauen, fignifyinge therby that owre men came from thenfe. This giante was fo bygge, that the 
 heade of one of owr men of a meane ftature, came but to his wafte. He was of good corporature and well made 
 in all the partes of his bodie, with a large vyfage paynted with dyuers coloures, but for the moft parte yelowe. 
 Vppon his cheekes were paynted two hartes, and redde circles abowt his eyes. The heare of his headde was 
 coloured whyte, and his apparell was the flcynne of a beafte fowde togyther. This beafte (as feemed vnto them) 
 had a large heade and great eares lyke vnto a mule, with the body of a camel and tayle of a horfe. The feete 
 of the giant were foulded in the flcynne after the maner of flioos. He had in his hande, a bygge and fliorte 
 bowe, the ftrynge whereof was made of a fynewe of that beafte. He had alfo a bundell of longe arrowes made of 
 reedes fethered after the maner of owrs, typte with ftiarpe ftones in the fteade of iren heades. The Capitayne 
 caufed him to eate and drynke, and gaue him many thynges, and amonge other a greate lookynge glaffe: In 
 the which as foone as he fawe his owne likeneffe, was fuddeynely afrayde and ftarted backe with fuch violence 
 that he ouerthrewe two that ftoode neareft abowte hym. When the Capitayne had thus gyuen hym certeyne 
 haukes belles and other great belles, with alfo a lookynge glaffe, a combe, and a payre of beades of glaffe, he 
 fente hym to lande with foure of his owne men well armed. 
 
 Shortely after, they fawe an other giaunte of fumewhat greater ftature, with his bowe and arrowes in his 
 hande. As he drewe neare vnto owre menne, he layde his hande on his heade and poynted vp towarde heauen, 
 and owr men dyd the lyke. The Capitayne fente his fliyppe boate to brynge him to a lyttle Ilande beinge in 
 the hauen. This giante was verye tractable and pleafaunt. He foonge and daunfed: and in his daunfynge 
 lefte the printe of his feete on the grownde. He remayned longe with owre men who named hym lohan. He 
 coulde wel fpeake and playnely pronounce thefe wordes: lefus: Aue Maria, Johannes, euen as we doo, but with 
 a bygger voyce. The capitayne gaue hym a fliert of lynnen clothe, and a coate of whyte woollen clothe: Alfo 
 a cappe, a combe, a lookynge glaffe, with dyuers fuche other thynges, and fo fente hym to his coompany. The 
 day folowyng, he reforted ageyne to the fliyppes, and brought with hym one of thofe greate beaftes, which he 
 gaue the capitayne. But after that daye they neuer fawe hym more, fuppofynge hym to bee flayne of his owne 
 coompany for the conuerfation he had with owre men. 
 
 After other, xv. dayes were pafte, there came foure other giantes without any weapons, but had hydde 
 theyr bowes and arrowes in certeyne buffnes. The capitayne reteyned two of thefe whiche were youngeft and 
 
 The greatenesse of 
 the land of Brasile. 
 
 Canibales. 
 Giantes. 
 
 InsuUe 
 getntnarum. 
 Caple] S. Marie. 
 
 The pole 
 An[t]artike. 
 Geese. 
 Sea woolues 
 
 The. xlix. degree 
 of the south pole. 
 
 Giantes 
 
 219 
 
 The bygnes of th« 
 giants. 
 
 An other giante. 
 
 Foure olher 
 giantes. 
 
252 
 
 The vyage rounde about the worlde. 
 
 Two giantes are 
 taken by a polUcie. 
 
 The deuyll 
 
 Setebos. 
 
 Deuyls appere to 
 the gyantes when 
 they dye. 
 
 PaiagoHu 
 
 220 
 
 The gyantes 
 feedynge. 
 
 They conspire 
 ageynst theyr 
 Capitayne. 
 
 Confession. 
 
 The straight of 
 Mageilanus. 
 The South sea. 
 
 Mare ^tzcificmtu 
 
 The giantes died 
 for heat 
 
 Capo Desiderata 
 
 Short nighte in the 
 moneth of October. 
 
 Flying fyshes 
 
 The gyantes 
 language. 
 
 The gyant is 
 baptised. 
 
 Three monethes 
 saylyng without 
 the syght of lande. 
 Extreme famen. 
 
 befle made. He tooke them by a deceyte in this maner, that gyuynge them knyues, iheares, lookynge glaffes, 
 belles, beades of cryftall, and fuche other tryfels, he fo fylled theyr handes that they coulde hold no more. 
 Then caufed two payre of ftiackels of iren to bee put on theyr legges, makynge fignes that he wold alfo gyue 
 them thofe chaynes : which they lyked very wel by caufe they were made of bryght and fliynynge metal. And 
 wheras they could not cary them bycaufe theyr handes were full, the other gyantes wolde haue caryed them: 
 but the Capitayne wolde not fuffer them. When they felte the fliakels fafle abowte theyr legges, they begunne 
 to doubte: but the Capitayne dyd put them in comforte and badde them ftande ftyll. In fine when they fawe 
 how they were deceaued they rored lyke bulks and cryed vppon theyr greate deuyll Setebos to helpe them. 
 Being thus taken, they were immediatly feperate and put in fundry fhyppes. They coulde neuer bynde the 
 handes of the other two. Yet was one of them with much difficulte ouerthrowne by nyne of owre men, and his 
 handes bownde: but he fuddeynely loofed hym felfe and fledde, as dyd alfo the other that came with them. 
 In theyr flying, they fliot of theyr arrowes and flewe one of owre men. They fay that when any of them dye, 
 there appere. x. or. xii. deuyls leapynge and daunfynge about the bodye of the deade, and feeme to haue theyr 
 boddyes paynted with dyuers colours. And that amonge other, there is one feene bygger then the refidue, who 
 maketh great mirth and reioyfynge. This greate deuyll they caule Setebos, and caule the leffe Cheleule. One 
 of thefe giantes which they toke, declared by fignes that he had feene deuyls with two homes aboue theyr heades, 
 with longe heare downe to theyr feete : And that they caft furth fyre at theyr throtes both before and behynde. 
 The Capitayne named thefe people Patagoni. The moft. part of them weare the (kynnes of fuche beafl.es 
 wherof I haue fpoken before : And haue no houfes of continuaunce, but maketh certeyne cotages whiche they 
 couer with the fayde flcynnes, and cary them from place to place. They lyue of raw fleffhe and a certeyne 
 fweete roote whiche they caule Capar. One of thefe which they had in theyr fhippes, dyd eate at one meale a 
 baflcet of byflcette, and drunke a bowle of water at a draughte. 
 
 They remayned fyue monethes in this porte of faint lulian, where certeyne of the vnder capitaynes con- 
 fpirynge the death of theyr general, were hanged and quartered : Amonge whom the treafurer Luigo of 
 Mendozza was one. Certeyne of the other confpiratours, he left in the fayd land of Patogoni 
 
 Departyng from henfe to the. 52. degree toward the pole Antartike lackynge a thyrde parte, where they 
 founde a ryuer of freffhe water and good fyfflie. Theyr fliyppes were here in great daungiour. They remayned 
 twoo monethes in this porte where they made newe prouifion of firefftie water, fuell, and fyfflie. Here the 
 Capitayne caufed all his men to bee confefTed. 
 
 Approchynge to the. 52. degrees, they founde the flraight nowe cauled the flraight of Mageilanus, beinge in 
 fum place. C. x. [one hundred and ten] leaques in length : and in breadth fumwhere very large and in other places 
 lyttle more then halfe a leaque in bredth. On both the fydes of this flrayght, are great and hygh mountaynes 
 couered with fnowe, beyonde the whiche is the enteraunce into the fea of Sur. This enteraunce the Capitayne 
 named Mare Pacificum. Here one of the fliyppes fl.ole away priuilie and returned into Spaine. In this 
 was one of the giantes who dyed as foone as he felt the heate that is abowte the Equinoctiall lyne. 
 
 When the Capitayne Magalianes was paft the flraight and fawe the way open to the other mayne fea, he 
 was fo gladde therof that for ioy the teares fell from his eyes, and named the poynt of the lande from whenfe 
 he fyrft. fawe that fea. Capo Defiderato. 
 
 Suppofing that the fliyp which fl.ole away had byn lofte, they erected a croffe vppon the top of a hyghe 
 hyU to directe their courfe in the flraight yf it were theyr chaunce to coome that way. They founde that in 
 this fl.rayght in the moneth of October the nyght was not pafl, foure houres longe. They found in this fl^rayght 
 at euery three myles, a fafe hauen and excellent water to drynke : woodde alfo and fyfflie, and greate plentie 
 of good herbes. They thynke that there is not a fayrer ftrayght in the worlde. Here alfo they lawe certeyne 
 flyinge fyfflies. 
 
 The other giante which remayned with them in the fliyp, named breade Capar: water, Oli: redde clothe, 
 Cherecai: red colour, Cheiche: blacke colour, Amel: And fpoke al his wordes in the throte. On a tyme, as 
 one made a crofTe before him and kyffed it, ftiewynge it vnto hym, he fuddeynely cryed Setebos, and declared 
 by fignes that if they made any more croffes, Setebos wold enter into his body and make him bruft. But when 
 in fine he fawe no hurte coome thereof, he tooke the crofle and imbrafed and kyffed it oftentymes, defyringe 
 that he myght bee a Chryftian before his death. He was therfore baptyfed and named Paule. 
 
 Departynge owt of this flrayght into the fea cauled Mare Pacificum the. xxviii. day of Nouember in the 
 yeare. r52o. they fayled three moonethes and. xx. dayes before they fawe any lande. And hauynge in this 
 tyme confumed all theyr bylket and other vyttayles, they fell into fuche neceffitie that they were inforced to 
 eate the pouder that remayned therof beinge nowe fiill of woormes and flynkynge lyke p)fffe by reafon of the 
 lalte water. Theyr frefflie water was alfo putrifyed and become yelowe. They dyd eate (kynnes and pieces of 
 lether which were foulded abowt certeyne great ropes of the fliyps. But thefe fk)mnes beinge made verye 
 harde by reafon of the foonne, rayne and wynde, they hunge them by a corde in the fea for the fpace of foure 
 
The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 253 
 
 or fiue dayes to moUifie them, and fodde them and eate them. By reafon of this famen and vnclene feedynge, 
 fumme of theyr gummes grewe fo ouer theyr teethe, that they dyed miferably for hunger. And by this occafion 
 dyed. xix. men, and alfo the giante with an Indian of the lande of Brafile otherwyfe cauled Terra de papagalli, 
 that is, the lande of popingiayes. Befyde thefe that dyed. xxv. or. xxx. were fo ficke that they were not able to 
 doo any feruice with theyr handes or armes for feebleneffe : So that there was in maner none without fum 
 difeafe. In thefe three monethes and. xx. dayes, they fayled foure thoufande leaques in one goulfe by the fayde 
 fea cauled Pacificum (that is) peaceable, whiche may well bee fo cauled forafmuch as in all this tyme hauyng no 
 fyght of any lande, they had no miffortune of wynde or any other tempell. Durynge this tyme alfo, they 
 diicouered only two little Ilandes vnhabited, where they fawe nothing but birdes and trees, and therefore 
 named theym infortunate Ilandes, beinge one from the other abowte two hundreth leaques diflante. The 
 firfte of thefe Ilandes is from the Equinoctial toward the pole Antartike. xv. degrees, and the other fyue. Theyr 
 failinge was in fuche forte that they failed daily betweene. 1. [fifty] be. [fixty] to. Ixx. [feuenty] leaques. So that 
 in fine, if god of his mercy had not gyuen them good wether, it was neceffary that in this foo greate a fea they 
 ftiuld all haue dyed for hunger. Whiche neuertheleffe they efcaped foo hardely, that it may bee doubted 
 whether euer the like viage may be attempted with fo good fucceffe. 
 
 They confydered in this nauigation that the pole Antartike hath no notable ftarre after the forte of the 
 pole Artike. But they fawe many ftarres gathered togyther, whyche are like two clowdes one feparate a little 
 from an other, and fum what darke in the myddefl. Betweene thefe, are two ftarres not very bigge, nor muche 
 fhynninge, whiche moue a little : And thefe two are the pole Antartike. The needell of theyr compaffe varyed 
 fumwhat, and turned euer towarde the pole Artike. Neuerthelefle, had no fuche force as when it is in thefe 
 partes of the pole Artike. In fo muche that it was neceffarie to helpe the needle with the lode ftone (com- 
 monly cauled the adamant) before they could faile therwith, bycaufe it moued not as it doothe when it is in 
 thefe owre partes. When they were in the myddeft of the goulfe, they fawe a croffe of fiue cleare ftarres 
 directly toward the Wefte, and of equall diftance the one from the other. J^ V^ ttr" 
 
 In thefe dayes they fayled be- 
 
 ^•^ The order of the Jiarres abowt the pole 
 
 Antartike, fumme haue figured 
 
 in this maner. 
 
 
 ^ys. 
 
 ^ 
 
 «♦ t^t pole mmm ^*^^^ ^^^^ 
 
 twene the Weft and South fo 
 farre that they approched to the 
 Equinoctiall line, and were in 
 longitude from the place from 
 whenfe they fyrft departed, a 
 hundreth and twentie degrees. 
 In this courfe they fayled by' two 
 Ilandes of exceadynge height, 
 wherof the one named Cipanghu, 
 is. XX. degrees from the pole An- 
 tartike: And the other named 
 Sumbdit. xv. degrees. When 
 they were paft the Equinoctiall 
 line, they fayled betwene the 
 Weft and Southweft at the quar- 
 ter of the Weft towarde the 
 Southweft more then a hundreth 
 leaques, changinge theyr fayles 
 to the quarter of the Southweft 
 vntyll they came to the. xiii. 
 degrees aboue the Equinoctial 
 towarde the pole Artyke, intend- 
 yng as much as were poflible, to 
 approche to the cape cauled of 
 theowldewrytersCa/A^aAfl: The 
 whiche is not founde as the owlde 
 Cofmographers haue defcribed 
 it, but is towarde the north 
 abowt. xii. degrees as they after- 
 warde vnderftode. 
 
 When they had thus fayled. 
 Ixx. [feuenty] leaques of this 
 
 «53 
 
 Diseases of famen. 
 
 221 
 
 Vnfortunate 
 Ilandes. 
 
 What they sayled 
 dayly 
 
 The starres abowt 
 the south pole. 
 
 The needle of the 
 coompase. 
 
 The lode stone. 
 
 222 
 
 The Equinoctial 
 line. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Cipanghu and 
 Sumbdit 
 
254 
 
 The vyage rounde about the worldc. 
 
 Insulee Latronum 
 
 People with longe 
 heare 
 
 They coloure 
 theyr teethe. 
 
 The Ilande of 
 ZamalL 
 
 Wyne of date 
 trees. 
 
 The maruelous 
 frute Cocus. 
 
 223 
 
 The Hand of 
 
 Zuluan. 
 
 The sea cauled 
 
 Archipelago di san 
 
 LazarOi 
 
 Gentyles. 
 
 vyage in the. xii. degree aboue the Equinoctial, and. C.xlvi. [one hundred and forty-fix] degrees 
 of longitude (as I haue fayde) the fyxte day of March they difcouered a lyttle Ilande towarde the north- 
 wefte; and two other towarde the fouthwefte : but the one was hygher and bygger then the two other. In the 
 byggeft of thefe, the generall capitayne wolde haue refled hym felfe a whyle: but he coulde not by reafon the 
 people of thefe Hands reforted continually to the fliippes with theyr canoas, and Hole nowe one thynge and 
 nowe an other, in fuch forte that owr men could take no refle, and therfore demaunded of the capitayne that 
 they myght flryke theyr fayles to brynge the fliyppes to land. But the Capitayne beinge prouoked to anger, 
 wente alande with fortie armed men, and burnte about fiftie of theyr houfes with many of theyr Canoas : And 
 flewe alfo abowt feuen men, and recouered a fhyppe boate whiche the Barbarians had flolne, and fo departed 
 folowynge his vyage. The Capitayne named thefe Hands Jnfulce Latronum, that is, the Hands of theeues. 
 When owr men had fo wounded fumme of theyra with arrowes that they were ftryken throughe bothe fydes, they 
 pulled furth the arrowes not ceafyng to marueyle at them tyll they fell downe deade : And yet coulde not the other 
 fo depart, but ftyll folowed the (hyppes with more then two hundreth of theyr boates, approchynge as nere to 
 the fliyppes as they coulde, and proferynge owre men certeyne fyfflies. As the fliyppes pafled with full fayle in 
 the myddefl.e of theyr boates, they fawe in fum of them certejme women lamenting and tearynge theyr heare, 
 which owre men thought they did for the death of theyr hufbandes. As farre as they could perceaue, thefe 
 people lyue at theyr owne libertie without anye ruler or gouemour. They go naked and haue blacke beardes 
 and blacke heare on theyr heades whiche they weare longe downe to theyr waftes. They are of the fame ftature 
 that we are, and well made, of coloure lyke vnto an olyue. Theyr women are well fauored with blacke and 
 ' thicke heare on theyr heades reachynge to the grownde. The menne coloure theyr teeth redde and blacke, 
 which they efleeme a coomely thynge. They annoynt theyr bodies and heare with the oyle of Cocus. Theyr 
 boates are fum all blacke, fum whyte, and fum redde, and haue fayles made of the broade leaues of date trees 
 fowd togyther. In the fteade of a rudder, they vfe a certeyne brode boorde with a flaffe in the toppe, and 
 maye when they wyll, make the fleme the forecaflell, or the forecaflell the flerne. They fayle fo fwyftely that 
 they feeme a farre of, lyke Delphyns fwymmynge aboue the water. 
 
 The tenth day of March, in the yeare. i 5 2 1. they wente alande vppon a lyttle Ilande named Zamal. xxx. 
 leaques dyflant from the Ilande of theeues. Bycaufe this Ilande was not inhabyted, they refled here a whyle, 
 where the capitayne caufed a pauilion to bee pytched for the ficke and crafed men, and a hogge to bee kylde. 
 
 The. xviii. day of Marche, they fawe a boate with nyne men commynge towarde them fhewjrage theim 
 felues ioyfuU and reioyfynge of theyr commynge. They brought many prefentes with them, and feemed to bee 
 people of much humanitie. They gaue the capitayne a great fyflie, and a great veffel of the wyne of thofe date 
 trees whiche beare the frute Cocus. They made alfo fignes that within the fpace of foure dayes, they wolde 
 bryng ryfle and dyuers foules and beafl.s as they dyd in deede. 
 
 This Cocus is a frute of certeyne date trees whereof they make breade, wyne, oyle, and vineger. They 
 make wyne in this maner. They cutte a bygge braunche of the tree, and hange therat a reede as bigge as a 
 mans legge, into the which droppeth a fweete licour from the tree lyke vnto newe whyte wine fumwhat tart, and 
 let the reede continewe there from momynge tyll euenynge, and from euenynge to mornynge. The frute of 
 this tree cauled Cocus, is as bygge as the head of a man or more. The fyrfte rynde of this, is greene and of 
 the thyckenefle of two fyngers, hauynge in it certeyne threedes wherof they make cordes with the which they 
 tye theyr boates. Vnder this rynde, there is a thicke fliefl whiche they bume and make pouder therof and vfe 
 it as a remedie for certeyne difeafes. Vnder this fliell, is a whyte fubftaunce lyke the camell of a nutte being 
 a fynger in thickenefle, which they eate with flefflie and fyfflie as wee doo breade. It hath the tafle of an 
 almonde, and is vfed in the fteade of breade when it is dryed. In the myddeft of this camell, is a cleare and 
 fweete water, beinge very holfome and cordiale. This water fumtyme congeleth and lyeth within the fliell lyke 
 an egge. When they intende to make oyle hereof, they ley it to putrifie in water, and boyle it vntyll it bee 
 lyke oyle or liquide butter. When they intende to make vineger, they fuffer only the water to putrifie and 
 then fet it to the foonne where it becommeth vineger lyke vnto that which is made of whyte wyne. And when' 
 they mengle the camell with the water which is in the myddeft of the fmte, and ftrayne it thorowe a cloth, 
 they make a mylke therof lyke vnto goates mylke. Thefe date trees are lyke vnto them that beare dates, but 
 are not fo full of knottes. With the iuife of two of thefe date trees, a hole famelie of tenne perfons may bee 
 maynteyned with wyne vfynge one. viii. dayes, and the other, other, viii. dayes: for they fliulde els bee dryed 
 and wjrthered. Thefe trees continue for the fpace of a hundreth yeares. This Ilande where they founde this 
 humane and gentell people, is cauled Zuluan, and is not verye bygge. Abowt this Ilande they founde manye 
 other Ilandes, and therefore named this fea Archipelago di San Zazaro, that is, the great fea of faynte Lazarus, 
 beinge tenne degrees aboue the Equinoctiall towarde owre pole, and. C. Ixi. [one hundred and fixty-one] frome 
 the place from whenfe they departed. The people of this Ilande are Caphranita that is gentyles. They go 
 naked fauynge that they couer theyr priuie partes with a clothe made of the rynde of a certeyne tree. The 
 
The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 255 
 
 chiefeft. men, haue abowte theyr heades a fylken cloth of needle woorke. They are groffe and brode fet and 
 of the coloure of an oliue. They annoynte theyr bodies with the oyle of Cocus to defend them ageynft tlie 
 heate of the foonne and dryneffe of the wynde. The. xxv. day of Marche, they departed from henfe and 
 directed theyr courfe betwene the Wefle and fouthwefl, and fayled betwene foure Ilandes named Cenalo, 
 JIuinangfian, Hibuffon, and Abarien. etc. 
 
 The. xxviii. daye of Marche, they came to the Ilande of Buthuan where they were honorably interteyned 
 of the Kynge and the Prince his foonne who gaue theim muche golde and fpices. The capitayne gaue the 
 kynge a veflure of red clothe and an other of yelowe made after the Turkyfflie faffliyon, and alfo a red cappe. 
 And gaue likewife to other that came with hym, certeyne knyues, glaffes, and beades of criftalle : After that, 
 the capitayne had (hewed the Kynge the fecreates of his (hippe and fuche marchaundies as he had therin, he 
 caufed a piece of ordinaunce fuddenly to bee fliote of, whereat the kyng was greately amafed vntil the capitayne 
 comforted hym. Then the Capitaine commaunded one of his men to be armed from the heade to the foote, 
 and caufed three other to ftrike hym with theyr fwoordes, whereat the Kynge maruayled greately, and fayde to 
 th[e]interpretoure (who was a flaue borne in Malacha) that one of thofe armed men was able to encounter 
 with a hundreth of his men. But he maruayled muche more when the capitaine tould hym by th[e]interpre- 
 toure howe he founde the ftraight by the compaffe and lode flone, and howe many dayes they were without 
 fight of any lande. Then afkynge licence to departe, the capitayne fente two of his men with him, of the 
 whiche Antonie Pigafetta was one. When the kynge fawe Anionic Pigafetta write the names of many thinges, 
 and afterwarde rehearfe them ageyne, he maruayled yet more, makynge fygnes that fuche men defcended from 
 heauen. The Kynge brought them firfle to his pallaice where he interteyned them honorably and gaue them 
 manye gyftes, as dyd alfo the Prince in his pallaice bejoige in an other Ilande named Caleghan. 
 
 As they fyfted a certeyne myne of earthe in the Kynges Ilande, they founde pieces of golde, fum as bigge 
 as nuttes and other as bigge as egges. All the kynges veffelles were of golde, and his houfe well furnyffhed. 
 In all the hole nation there was no man of coomlier perfonage then the kinge. He had his heare long downe 
 to his fliulders, and very blake, with a vaile of filke rowled abowte his head, and two greate ringes of golde 
 hangtnge at his eares. He had abowte hys myddle, a clothe wroughte of cotton and filke impaled wyth golde, 
 and reacheinge downe to his knees. On his one fyde, he had a long dager with a hafte of golde, and the 
 fliethe of a fa)rre kynde of earned woodde. He had on euery finger, three ringes of golde, and had his bodie 
 annojmted with oyle of florax and Beniamin. The natural coloure of his face was hke vnto the coloure of an 
 oliue : And all his bodye byfyde paynted with diners colours. The kynges name was Raia Colambu, and the 
 Prince was cauled Raia Siagu. 
 
 The lafte day of Marche neare vnto Eafter, the capitaine caufed his preefte to fay maffe, and fente to the 
 kinge by th[e]interpretoure, that his commyng a lande at that tyme was not to dyne with hym, but only to heare 
 maffe. The Capitayne came alande with fyftie of his men in theyr beft. apparel withowte weapons or harneffe, 
 and all the refydue well armed. Before the boates came to lande, he caufed fixe pieces of ordinaunce to be 
 fliotte of in token of peace, and fo came aland, where the two kinges embrafed hym, and accompanyed hym 
 to the place appoynted for maffe to be fayde not farre frome the fea fyde. Sum what before the beginnynge of 
 maffe, the Capitayne fprinkeled the Kynges with damalke water. When the preeile was at mid maffe at the 
 offitorie, the kings profered them felues to go to kyffe the croffe with the capytayne, but offered nothynge. At 
 the tyme of fecringe when the preefte lifted vppe the bodie of Chrift, and the Chriftians kneeled downe and 
 helde vppe their handes ioyned togither, the kynges dyd the like alfo wyth greate reuerence. In the meane 
 tyme, whyle certeyne of the Chriftians were at the communion, a handegunne was ftiotte of to fignifie vnto theym 
 that were in the fhyppes, to difcharge all theyr ordinaunce. When maffe was fynyfftied, the Capitaine caufed 
 certeyne of his men to put on theyr harneffe and to make a combat with theyr naked fwoordes, wherat the 
 kynges tooke great pleafure. This doone, the Capitaine caufed a croffe to be brought furth, with nayles and a 
 crowne of thomes, gyuynge commaundement to all his men to gyue reuerence therunto, and fignifyinge to the 
 kynges by th[e]interpretour that that banner was gyuen hym by Th[e]emperoure his lorde and mafter, with 
 commaundement to leaue the fame in al places where he came to the great commoditie and profite of all fuch 
 as wolde reuerendly receaue it as an affured token of frendftiip: And that he wold therfore leaue it there afwel 
 to accomplyfhe his lords commaundement, as alfo that if at any tyme any ftiyppes of Chriftians ftiulde chaunce 
 to coome that way, fliulde by feing that croffe perceaue that owre men had byn well enterteyned there, and 
 wolde therfore not onely abfteyne from doing them any hurte or difpleafure, but alfo helpe to ayde them 
 ageynfte theyr enemies. And that therfore it fliulde bee requifite to erecte that croffe vppon the toppe of the 
 hyghefte mountayne that myght bee feene from the fea on euery fyde. Alfo to pray vnto it reuerently. And 
 that in fo doinge, they fliulde not bee hurte with thunder, lyghtnynge, or tempeftes. When the kynges harde 
 thefe woordes, they gaue the Capitayne great thankes, promyfinge gladly to obferue and fulfyll all fuche thynges 
 as he required. Then the Capitayne demaunded whether they were Moores or gentyles. They anfwered that 
 
 Foure Hands 
 
 The Hand of 
 Buthuan. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Caleghan. 
 
 Plentie of gclde. 
 
 224 
 
 The kynge of 
 buthuan. 
 
 Masse. 
 
 A combatte. 
 The Crosse and 
 crowne of thomes 
 
 Moores and 
 aouLyU-;.. 
 
256 
 
 The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 Many Hands 
 
 The Hand of 
 Messanx 
 
 Battes as bygge as 
 £agles. 
 Fowies with 
 homes. 
 
 225 
 
 Egges hatched ia 
 sand. 
 
 The Ilande of 
 Zubuk 
 
 The kynge of 
 ZubuL 
 
 A shyp laden with 
 gold and slaues. 
 
 Calicut. 
 Malacha. 
 
 they had none other kynde of religion, but that lyftynge vppe theyr handes ioyned togyther and theyr faces 
 toward heauen, they cauled vppon theyr god Abba, whiche anfwere lyked the Capitayne very well, bycaufe the 
 gentyles are fooner perfuaded to owre fayth then the Moores. etc. 
 
 Departynge from henfe, they came to the Ilandes of Zeilon, Zubuth, Meffana, and Calaghan, by the 
 conducte of certeyne pylottes of the fayde kynges. Of thefe, Zubuth is the befte, and hath the trade of belle 
 trafique. In the Ilande of Meffana, they founde dogges, cattes, hogges, hennes, goates, ryfe, ginger, Cocus, 
 mylle, panyke, barlye, fygges, oranges, waxe,and golde in greate quantitie. This Ilande is aboue the Equinoctiall 
 towarde owre pole. ix. degrees twoo thyrde partes: and. 162. degrees frome the place frome whenfe they 
 departed. They remayned in this Hand for the fpace of. viii. dayes, and then directed theyr vyage towarde 
 the northwell, and paffed betwene thefe fyue Ilandes, Zeilon, Bohol, Canghu, Barbai, and Catighan. In this 
 Ilande of Catighan, are certeyne great battes as bygge as Eagles, of the which they toke one. They are 
 good to bee eaten, and of tafte muche lyke a henne. There are alfo ftocke dooues, turtle dooues, poping- 
 iayes, and certeyne foules as bygge as hennes. Thefe foules haue lyttle homes, and lay great egges, 
 which they couer a cubet depthe in the fande, by the heate whereof and vertue of the foonne, they are hatched, 
 and the younge byrdes creepe owte of the fande by them felues. From the Ilande of Meffana to Catighan are. 
 XX. leaques faylynge towarde the Weft, .^nd bycaufe the kynge of Meffana coulde not folowe the fliyppes, they 
 taryed for him about the Ilandes of Poh, Ticobon, and Pozon, where the Capitayne tooke hym into his ftiippe 
 with certeyne of his principall men, and fo folowed theyr vyage towarde the Ilande of Zubut, whiche is abowte 
 fiftie leaques diftante from Catighan. 
 
 The. vii. day of Apryll abowte noone, they entered into the porte of Zubut: And paffynge by many 
 vyllages and habitacions in trees, they came to the citie, where the Capitayne gaue commaundement to the 
 maryners to ftryke theyr fayles and to fet them felues in order in maner of battayle ray, caufing all the ordi- 
 naunce to bee fliotte of, wherewith all the people were put in greate feare. After this, the Capitayne fent an 
 ambaffadoure with th[e]interpretoure to the kynge of Zubut. When they approched nere to the citie, they 
 founde the kyng with a great company of men fore aftonyflied at the noyfe of the gunnes. But th[e]interpre- 
 tour aduertifed them that it was the cuftome of owre men in al fuche places where they coome, to difcharge 
 theyr ordinaunce in token of frendeftiyppe and to honour the lorde of the citie. With which woordes the kyng 
 and his coompany were well quieted. After this, th[e]interpretour declared that his mafter was the Capitayne 
 of the ftiips of the greateft Prince in the worlde, and that they wente to difcouer the Ilandes of Molucca: And 
 further, that heaiyng of his good name and fame by the reporte of the kyng of Meflana, they determyned to 
 vifite hym and to haue \'yttayles for exchaunge of theyr marchaundies. The kynge anfwered that he was well 
 contented therwith, and that they were hartely welcoome. Neuertheleffe, that it was a cuftome in that place, 
 that all fuch fhyppes as entered into that hauen, fliuld pay tribute : And that there were not many dayes pafte, 
 fence a fliyppe laden with golde and flaues dyd fo paye. In token wherof, he caufed to coome before hym 
 certeyne marchauntes of that coompany whiche yet rema)aied with hym. To this th[e]interpretour anfwered, 
 that forafmuch as his lorde was the Capitayne of fo myghtie a Prince, he neuer payde tribute to any kynge in 
 the worlde, and wolde not nowe begynne. Wylljiige hym to take this for a refolute anfwere, that if he wolde 
 accepte the peace that was profered hym, he fhulde enioy it, And if he rather defyred warre, he fhoulde haue 
 his handes ML When th[e]interpretour had fayde thefe woordes, one of the fayde marchauntes (who was a 
 Moore) fpake to the kynge in this maner. CATACAIA Chita : that is. Take hede fyr. For thefe men are 
 they that haue conquered Calicut, Malaca, and all the greater India : and are of fuche poure that yf yowe 
 intreate them otherwjrfe then well, yowe may to late knowe what they are able to doo more then they haue 
 doone at Calicut and Malaca. When th[e]interpretoure harde thefe woordes, he fayde that the kynge his 
 lorde was of much greater puiffaunce and more dominions, and lorde of more fhyppes then was the kynge of 
 Portugale : declarynge further that he was kynge of Spayne and Emperour of all Chriftendome Addynge 
 hereunto that yf he wolde not bee his frende, he wolde hereafter fende thyther fuche a poure of armed men as 
 fhulde deftroy his contrey. The Moore conferred all thefe woordes with the kynge, who fayde that he wolde 
 further deliberate with his counfayle, and gyue theym a full anfwere the daye folowynge. In the meane tyme 
 he fente theym certeyne vyttayles and wyne. When all thefe thynges were declared to the kynge of Meffana 
 who was the chiefeft there abowt nexte vnto hym, and lorde of many Ilandes, he wente alande and repayred 
 to the kynge of Zubut and declared vnto hym the great humanitie and curtefie of the generall Capitayne. 
 Shortely after, the Capitayne fente certeyne of his men with th[e]interpretour to the kynge of Zubut to knowe 
 his pleafure and what aunfwere he wolde make them. As they wente towarde the courte, they mette the 
 kynge commyng in the ftreete accompanied with many of his chiefe men. He caufed owr men to fit downe 
 by him, and demaunded of them if there were any more then one Capitayne in theyr coompanie: And whether 
 it were theyr requefte that he fhulde pay tribute to Th[e]emperour. They anfwered that they defyred none 
 other thynge but that they myght exercife marchaundies with them, and to barter ware for ware. The kynge 
 256 
 
The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 257 
 
 made anfwere that he was well content therwith: wyllynge the Capitayne in token of frendfliippe to fende him 
 a little of the blud of his lyght anne, afRrmyng that he wold do the lyke. etc. 
 
 After this the kynge of Meflana with the kynge of Zubut his neuie (who was the prince) and certeyne other 
 of his gentylmen, came to the fliyppes and brought the Capitayne many goodly prefentes. They entered into 
 greate amitie, and had large communication of many thynges. The Capitayne perfuaded them to the 
 Chriftian fayth, which they gladly embrafed, and tooke fuche pleafure in hearynge the articles of owre beliefe, 
 that the teares fell from theyr eyes for ioye. They were baptifed, and fhortely after all the people of the 
 llande. They efleeme nothyng more precious then drynkyng glaffes of Venice woorke. 
 
 When they came to the citie, they founde the kyng in his pallaice fittynge vppon a floure or lluorie made 
 of the leaues of date trees wrought after a curious diuife lyke a certeyne kynde of mattes. He had vppon his 
 body, none other apparell but only a cloth of bombafme cotton hangyng before his priuie partes. On his 
 heade, he had a vayle of needle worke: and abowte his necke a chaine of greate price. At his eares, hunge 
 two rynges of golde wherein were inclofed many precious Hones. He was but of fmaule ftature, but fumewhat 
 groffe, and had the refidue of his body paynted with dyuers coloures wherof fum were lyke vnto flamynge fyre. 
 Before hym, he had two veffelles made of the fine earth cauled Porcdlana, with fodden egges. Alfo four 
 veffels of Porcdlana full of wyne made of date trees, and couered with many odoriferous herbes. The prince 
 brought them to his houfe, where he had foure doughters verye well fauoured and whyte lyke owres. He 
 caufed them to daunce all naked, and therwith to fynge, and play on certeyne tymbrelles made of metall. , 
 
 At this tyme it fo chaunced that one of the Spanyardes dyed in one of the (hyppes. And when certeyne 
 of theyr coompanye defyred the kynge to gyue them leaue to burie hym on the land, he anfwered that foraf- 
 much as he and all his, were at the commaundement of theyr kynge and mafter, how much more ought the 
 grounde fo to be. 
 
 They greatly marueyled at the cerimonies perteynyng to the maner of owre funeralles, and honoured the 
 croffes whiche were fet at bothe th[e]endes [of] the graue. 
 
 They lyue with iuftice, and vfe waightes and meafures. Theyr houfes are made of Timber and fawne 
 boordes : and are fo buylded aboue the grownde vppon proppes and pyles, that they afcende to the fame by 
 certeyne (layers. Vnder theyr houfes, they keepe theyr hogges and hennes. 
 
 When they came to barterynge, they gaue golde, ryffe, hogges, hennes, and dyuers other thynges for fume 
 of owre tryfels of fmaule value. They gaue tenne Pefos of golde for. xvi. poundes weyght of iren. O'o.&pefus 
 is in value a ducate and a halfe. The funday folowynge, the kynge was baptyfed with great folemnitie. At 
 which tyme, the Capitayne admonyflhed him before not to bee afrayde at the fliootyng of of the ordinaunce, 
 bycaufe it was theyr cuftorae fo to doo at fuch folemne feafles. After this, the Capitayne caufed theym to 
 breake all theyr Idoles, and to fet vppe the croffe in dyuers places, prayinge to the fame bothe mornynge and 
 euenynge kneelynge on theyr knees and holdynge vp theyr handes ioyned togyther. The kinge in his baptifme, 
 was named Charles after the Emperours name, and the Prince, Ferdinando after the name of his maiefties 
 brother. The kynge of Meffana was named lohn, and the Moore Chriflopher. To all other they gaue fuch 
 names as are commonly vfed in Chriftendome. And thus beefore maffe was begunne, were fiue hundreth men 
 baptifed. When maffe was fynyffhed, the Capitayne inuited the kynge to dyne with him in his Ihyppe, and at 
 his commynge, caufed the ordinaunce to bee difcharged. 
 
 The queene was alfo baptifed with fortie of her gentlewomen, and her doughter the Princes wife. The 
 queene was very younge and fayre, hauynge her body couered with a white cloth. Her lyppes were redde, 
 and flie had on her head a hat, on the toppe wherof was a triple crowne much lyke the popes This crowne 
 and the hat, were made of the leues of dates trees. 
 
 Within the fpace of. viii. dayes, th[e]inhabitauntes of the llande were baptifed excepte one vyllage of 
 Idolaters who wolde not herein obey the kynges commaundement. Whervppon the Capitayne fent certeyne 
 of his menne thyther, who burnt the towne and erected a croffe in that place bycaufe the people of the vyllage 
 were gentyles (that is) Idolaters. But if they had byn Moores (that is Machumetifl.es) they wold haue erected 
 a pyller of ftone, bycaufe the Moores are more Hooberne and harder to bee conuerted then are the gentyles. 
 
 When the queene came to the place where fliee fliuld heare maffe, fliee came furth with great pompe and 
 folemnitie, hauynge goinge before her three younge damofelles and three men with theyr cappes in theyr handes, 
 whom ftiee folowed apparelled in whyte and blacke, with a great vayle of fylke vppon her heade fringed abowte 
 with golde, whiche couered her hatte and hunge downe to her flioulders. Shee had alfo a great trayne of 
 women folowynge her, beinge all barefooted and naked, excepte that vppon theyr heades and priuie partes, they 
 wore certeyne vayles of filke, and hadde theyr heare fpredde. 
 
 Before the kynge of Zubut was baptifed, he was named Raia Humabuon. When the Capitayne demaunded 
 of hym why all the Idoles in the llande were not burnt accordynge to his promeffe, he anfwered that they 
 efteemed them no more as goddes, but only made facrifice to theym for the Princes brother who was very fycke, 
 
 Eden. X aS? 
 
 Sheadyng of 
 bludde is a token 
 of frendshyppe 
 
 226 
 
 The kjrnge of 
 Zubut is baptised 
 
 The kynge of 
 Zubut his apparelL 
 
 Well fauoured 
 women. 
 
 Barterynge 
 Pesus what 
 
 They breake theyi 
 Idoles and erecte 
 the crosse. 
 
 Fyue hundreth 
 men baptised. 
 
 The queene of 
 Zubut. 
 
 227 
 
 The queenes 
 apparelL 
 
258 
 
 The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 A miracle. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Mathan. 
 
 The capitaine 
 Magellanus is 
 slayne. 
 
 The Hand of 
 
 BohoL 
 
 They bumteone (>f 
 
 theyr shyppes. 
 
 Blacke men. 
 
 The Iland of 
 Chippit 
 
 The Hand of 
 Caghaian. 
 
 The Iland of 
 Pulaoan. 
 
 228 
 
 The Iland of 
 Bumei or Porne. 
 
 A great citie. 
 Elepbantes 
 
 The Hand of 
 Cimbulon. 
 
 Leaues of trees 
 which seeme to 
 liue. 
 
 and as noble and wyttie a man as was in the Ilande. The Capitayne anfwered that if he wolde bume al his 
 Idoles and beleue faythfuUy in Chrill, and bee baptifed, he fliulde be immediatly reftored to health, and that he 
 wolde els gyue them leaue to ftryke of his heade. By thefe woordes and perfuafions of the Ca])itayne, he 
 conceaued fuch hope of health, that after he was baptifed he felt no more greefe of his difeafe. And this was a 
 manifeft myracle wrought in owre tyme wherby dyuers infidels were conuerted to owr fayth, and theyr Idoles 
 deftroyed, and alfo theyr altares ouerthrowen on the whiche they were accuftomed to eate the facrifyced fleflhe. 
 The people of the Ilande pay the kynge a portion of vittayles for theyr tribute by all theyr cities and vyllages. 
 
 Not farre from this Ilande oi Zubut, is the Iland oi Mathan, whofe inhabitauntes vfe maruelous cerimonies 
 in theyr facrifices to the foonne and burying the deade. They were rynges of golde abowt theyr priuie members. 
 The Ilande is gouemed by two Princes wherof the one is named Zula, and the other Cilapulapu. And wheras 
 this Cilapulapu refufed to pay tribute to the kynge of Spayne, the Capitayne went ageynft, hym in his owne 
 perfon with. Ix. of his menne armed with coates of mayle and helmettes. Cilapulapu diuided his army into 
 three battayles, hauynge in euery battaile two thoufand and fiftie men armed with bowes, arrowes, dartes and 
 iauelins hardened at the poyntes with fyer. This continued longe and fliarpe. But the Capitayne beinge a 
 valient man and prefynge hym felfe in the brunte of the battayle, was fore wounded and flayne, forafmuch as 
 the mofte of the Barbarians directed all theyr force ageynft hym. Befyde the Capitayne, were flayne of owre 
 men abowt. viii. or. ix. Of the Barbarians, were. xv. flayne and many fore wounded. After the death of the 
 Capitayne, they chofe two other in his place, of the which one was Odoardo Barbefla a Portugale, and the other 
 lohn Serrano who was fliortely after betrayde by th[e]interpretour and taken prifoner with dyuers other. 
 
 Certeyne dayes before the Capitaynes death, they hadde knowleage of the Ilandes of Molucca whiche they 
 chiefely fought. Departynge therfore from the Ilande of Mathan, they fayled farre and came to the cape of an 
 other Iland named Bohol. In the myddeft of this mayne fea (whiche they named Archipelagus) they confulted 
 to burne the fliyppe named Conception, bycaufe they were nowe fewe in number, and to furnyftie the other two 
 fliyppes with th[e]artillerie therof. Thus directynge theyr courfe towarde Southeweft, they came to an other 
 Ilande named Pauiloghon, where they founde blacke men lyke vnto the Sarafins. Shortly after, they arriued at 
 an other great Iland, whofe kyng named Raia Calauar, intreated them very frendely in all thynges as dyd the 
 kyng of Meflana. This Ilande is ryche in golde, and hath plentie of ryffe, gynger, hogges, goates, hennes, and 
 dyuers other thynges. It is named Chippit, and is. viii. degrees aboue the Equinoctiall line towarde owr pole : 
 And in longitude from the place from whenfe they firft departed. 170. degrees: And abowt. 50. leaques from 
 Zubut. 
 
 Departinge frome henre they came to an other Iland named Caghaian being. 40. leaques from Chippit as 
 they fayled betwene the wefte and Southe wefte. This Ilande is very greate, and in maner vnhabited. The 
 people are moores, and were banyflihed owt of the Ilande of Burnei whiche fum caule Porne. 
 
 Frome this Ilande aboute. xxv. leaques betwene the weft and northewefte, they founde a maruelous frute- 
 full Ilande named Pulaoan, beinge towarde owr pole aboue the Equinoctiall. ix. degrees and a thirde parte : And 
 C.bcxix. [one hundred and feventy-nine] degrees and a third parte in longitude frome the place of theyr departing. 
 
 Frome this Ilande. x. leaques towarde the South wefte, they fawe an other Ilande whiche feemed to them 
 fumtymes to mounte as they fayled by the coaftes therof As they were enteringe into the porte, there arofe a 
 boyftious and darke tempefte which ceafed as foone as the fiers of the three fajmtes (wherof we haue fpoken 
 before) appeared vppon the cabells. Frome the beginninge of this Ilande to the porte, are fyue leaques. This 
 Ilande is greate and riche : and the chiefe citie therof conteyneth. xxv. thoufande houfes. The kynge interteyned 
 owre men very frendlye, and fent them byfyde many other prefentes, two elephantes trapped with filke to bring 
 them to his pallaice that brought the prefentes which the Capytaynes fent hjmi. He hath a magnyfycalle 
 courte and a greate garde. Alfo a multitude of concubynes. He is a moore, and is named Raia Siripada. 
 He is a kynge of greate poure, and hath vnder hym many other kynges, Ilandes, and cities. This Ilande of 
 Burnei is aboue the Equinoctiall towarde owre pole fyue degrees and a quarter. And in longitude frome the 
 place of theyr depart)Tig. C. bcxvi. [one hundred and feventy-fix] degrees and two thirde partes. 
 
 Departinge frome Burnei, they came to an Ilande cauled Cimbuhon, beinge. viii. degrees aboue the 
 Equinoctiall lyne Here they remayned. xl. days to calke theyr fliyppes and furnyfftie them with frefftie water 
 and fuel! whiche was to them great payne and trauayle becaufe they were in maner all bare footed, theyr fliooes 
 and in maner theyr other apparell being worne by reafon of the longe vyage. In the wooddes of this Ilande, 
 they founde a tree whofe leaues as foone as they faule on the ground e, doo fturre and remoue frome place to 
 place as though they were alyue. They are muche lyke the leaues of a mulbery tree : And haue on euery fyde 
 as it were two fliort and blunt fiete. When they are cut or broken, there is no bludde feene come farth of 
 them. Yet when any of them are touched, they fuddeynely moue and ftarte away. Antonie Pigafetta kepte 
 one of them in a platter for the fpace of viii. dayes. And euer when he touched it, it ranne rounde abowt the 
 platter. He fuppofeth that they liue only by ayer. 
 
The vyage rounde about the irvorlde. 
 
 259 
 
 Departynge from henfe, they directed theyr courfe by the Welle quarter towarde the Southealle, to fynde 
 the Ilandes of Molucca, and fayled not farre from certeyne mountaynes where they founde the fea full of great 
 weedes and herbes. 
 
 From henfe, they came to the Ilandes of Zolo and Taghima, in the which are founde perles of exceadyng 
 biggeneffe. 
 
 Folowyng theyr courfe toward'the north Eaft,they came to a great citie named Mangdando, lyinge aboue 
 the Ilandes of Buthuan and Calaghan, where they tooke a canoa of certeyne of th[e]inhabitaunts : by whome 
 being informed of the Ilandes of Molucca, they lefte theyr courfe towarde the north Eafte, and folowed the 
 South eafte nere vnto a cape of the Hand of Buthuan, they were aduertifed for certentie that on the bankes of 
 a certeyne ryuer, there dwelte men ouergrowen with heare, and of high ftature. 
 
 Folowyng ftill theyr courfe by the fouth eafte, and paffyng by many fmaule Ilandes, they came to the 
 Ilandes of Molucca the fyxte daye of Nouember and the. xxvii. monethe after theyr departure owt of Spayne. 
 Beinge therfore ioyfuU and gyuyng thankes vnto god, they difcharged all theyr ordynaunce. In the coafte of 
 all thefe Ilandes, euen vnto the Ilandes of Molucca, foundjTig with theyr plummet, they founde the deapthe of 
 the fea to bee no leffe then a hundreth and two yardes, which is contrary to the faying of the Portugales who 
 afiyrme that no (hyppe can paffe that way without great daungioure by reafon of the flialownes and rockes or 
 ftielues: and for the darkeneffe which the clowdes caufe in the heauen. Alh which thyngs they fayned to 
 th[e]intent that none other fliulde haue knoweleage of theyr vyagies. 
 
 The. viii. day of Nouember in the yeare. 1521. before the ryfmge of the foonne, they entered into the 
 porte of the Ilande of Tidore, being one of the chiefe Ilandes of Molucca, where they were honorably inter- 
 teyned of the kjoige who declared that he had longe before feene a fygne in heauen that certeyne fhyppes 
 ftiuld comme from a farre contrey to the Ilandes of Molucca : And that wheras for the better certificat therof 
 he confydered the ftations of the moone, he fawe therin the commyng of owre fliyppes, and that we were the 
 men whome he feemed to fee in the fame. Wherupon he profered hym felfe to enter into leaque of frend- 
 ftiyppe with the kynge of Spayne, and to accepte owre men as his brotherne and chyldren : wyllyng them to 
 come alande as into theyr owne houfes. Alfo that for theyr commyng, that Ilande ftiulde no more bee cauled 
 Tidore, but Caftile for the greate loue whiche he bore to theyr kynge whom he reputed as his lorde and mafter. 
 This kynge is a Moore, and is named Raia Sultan Mauzor. 
 
 The Ilandes of Molucca are fine in number, and are thus named: Tarenate, Tidore, Mutir, Macchian, and 
 Bacchian. Of thefe, Tarenate is the chiefeft. 
 
 Directly ageynfte the Ilande of Tidore, there is an other great Ilande named Gilolo, inhabited of Moores 
 and Gentyles. The Moores haue two kynges, of the which one hath fyxe hundreth chyldren, and the other 
 fixe hundreth and fiftie. The Gentyles kepe not fo many women as doo the Moores nor yet lyue in fuche 
 fuperftitions. They praye to the fyrfte thynge that they meete in the momynge when they go furth of theyr 
 houfes, and honoure that as theyr god for that day. The kynge of the gentyles is very ryche in golde. In 
 the fayde Ilande of Gilolo, are reedes as bygge as a mans legge, and full of cleare water holfome to bee drunke. 
 
 The. xii. daye of Nouember, the kynge of Tidore appoynted owre men a ware houfe in the citie where, 
 they might fell theyr marchaundies. Theyr maner of exchange was in this fort. For tenne yardes of good 
 redde doth, they had one Bahar of cloues, whiche amounteth to foure Cantari and fyxe pounde weight: 
 And one Cantar is a hundreth pounde weight. For. xv. yardes of cloth fumwhat woorfe then the other, they 
 receaued in Cambie, one Bahar. For. xxxv. diynkynge cuppes of glaffe, they had one Bahar. For. xvii. 
 Cathyls of quicke fyluer, one Bahar. They came dayly to the fhyppes with many of theyr barkes full of goates, 
 hennes, fygges of a fpanne longe, alfo the frute cauled Cocus, with dyuers other kyndes of vyttayles in fuch 
 quantitie that it was a marueylous thynge to beholde. They fumyfftied alfo theyr fliyppes with frefOie water 
 which is hotte as it ifftieweth owt of the fprynge, but is very coulde when it hath ftoode a while in an other 
 place. It fpryngeth from the mountaynes on the which the clone trees growe. They fawe a cloude ryfe in 
 maner dayly, which compafeth about the fayde mountaynes. 
 
 The kynge of the Ilande of Bacchian, fente the kynge of Spayne two deade byrdes of ftraunge forme. 
 They were of the byggenes of turtle dooues, with lyttle heades and longe bylles : alfo longe and fmaule legges 
 and no wynges, but in the fteade therof certeyne longe fethers of diuers colours, and tayles lyke turtle dooues. 
 All the other fethers are of one coloure much lyke vnto tawny, except thofe of the wynges. They flye not but 
 when the wynde bloweth. Thefe Moores are of opinion that thefe byrdes comme from the heauenlye Paradyfe, 
 and therfore caule them Manuccodiata, that is the byrdes of god. 
 
 When they were determyned to depart from the Ilandes of Molucca, certeyne kynges of the Ilandes 
 accompanied them with theyr canoas, and conducted them to an Ilande cauled Mare where they refrefflied 
 theyr fliyppes with freflie water and fuell. The kynges fent Th[e]emperours maieftie many prefentes: and 
 embrafynge owre menne, departed with the teares in theyr eyes: And owre men for theyr lafte farewell, fliotte 
 
 A sea full of 
 weediri. 
 
 Perles. 
 
 Men ouergrowen 
 with heare. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Molucca, 
 
 The Portugales 
 are reproued. 
 
 Tidore one of the 
 Ilandes of 
 Molucca. 
 
 A vision in the 
 pianettes 
 
 229 
 
 The fyue Ilandes 
 of molucca. 
 Tarenate^ 
 
 The Hand of 
 Gilolo. 
 Moores and 
 gentyles. 
 
 Golde. 
 
 Water in reedes. 
 
 Theyr maner of 
 barteringe. 
 
 Water of a 
 straunge qualltie 
 
 Byrdes of % 
 straunge fcrme 
 
26o 
 
 The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 They leaue one of 
 theyr shyppes 
 behynd them. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Molucca. 
 Hony offlyes. 
 
 Popingiayes. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Tidore. 
 
 Terenate. 
 
 Mutir, 
 
 Macchian. 
 
 230 
 Bacchian. 
 Many Ilands 
 
 l°he Iland of 
 
 Mallua. 
 
 Pepper. 
 
 Lyttle men with 
 longe eares. 
 
 The Iland of 
 Timor. 
 
 Whyte sandets 
 and ginger. 
 
 The deuyll 
 appeareth. 
 Saynt lob his 
 disease. 
 
 Cinamome 
 The Ilandes of 
 Giaua. 
 Malaccha. 
 
 The greate goulfe 
 of China. 
 
 The cape of 
 Malaccha. 
 
 The names of 
 many ;-egions. 
 
 Reubarbe. 
 
 The greate kynge 
 of China. 
 
 of all theyr ordinaunce. When in the Ilande of Mare, they perceaued that one of theyr fliyppes leaked and 
 toke water very fore : wherby they were inforced to tary there three dayes. But feinge that they coulde fynde 
 no remedie for the fame but in longe tyme, they determined to leaue it, gyuynge order that if afterwarde it 
 coulde bee repayred, they fhuid retume into Spayne as well as they coulde. 
 
 In all the Ilandes of Molucca is founde cloues, ginger, breade of the roote of Sagu, ryfe, goates, flieepe, 
 hennes, fygges, almondes, fweete pomegranates and fowre, oranges, lemondes, and hony which is made of 
 certeyne flyes leffe then antes : Alfo canes of fuger, oyle of Cocus, mellons, gourdes, and a marueilous coulde 
 frute which they name Camulicai and dyuers other frutes. Furthermore whyte and redde popingiayes, and 
 other of variable coloures. It is not pafte fiftie yeares fence the moores fyrlle inliabited anye of thefe Ilands, 
 which were before inhabited only with gentyles. 
 
 The Ilande of Tidore, is aboue the Equinoctiall line towarde owre pole, abowt. 27. minutes: And in 
 longitude from the place from whenfe they departed. 171. degrees. And from the Archipelagus in the which 
 is the Iland of Zamal which our men named the Iland of theeues. ix. degrees and a halfe, and runneth to the 
 quarter of fouth fouthweft, and north northeall. Terenate, is vnder the Equinoctial line foure minutes vnder 
 the pole Antartike. Mutir, is directly vnder the Equinoctiall line. Macchian is. xv. minutes toward the pole 
 Antartike, and Bacchian one degree. Thefe Ilandes are lyke foure fliarpe mountaynes, except Macchian which 
 is not fliarpe. The byggefl. of all thefe, is Bacchian. 
 
 Departynge from the Iland of Mare and directyng their courfe towarde the fouthweft, with onely. xlvi. men 
 in theyr fliyppe and. xiii. Indians, they paffed by the Ilandes of Chacouan, Lagoma, Sico, Gioghi, Caphi, Sulacho, 
 Lumatola, Tenetum, Bum, Ambon, Budia, Celaruri, Benaia, Ambalao, Bandan, Zorobua, Zolot, Noceifamor, 
 Galian, and Mallua, with dyuers other Ilandes both great and fmaule, of Moores, Gentyles, and Canibales. 
 Owre men remayned xv. dayes in the Ilande of Mallua to repayre theyr fhyppe in certeyne places where it 
 tooke water. All the fieldes of this Ilande is full of longe and rounde pepper, and is fituate towarde the pole 
 Antartike vnder the Equinoctiall hne. viii. degrees and a halfe, and is in the longitude of. 169. degrees and. 40. 
 minutes. 
 
 The pilote which owre men brought owt of the Ilandes of Molucca, toulde them that not farre from thenfe, 
 was an Iland named Arucetto in the which are men and women not paft a cubite in height, hauynge eares of 
 fuch byggeneife that they lye vppon one and couer them with the other. But owr men wolde not fayle thyther, 
 bothe bycaufe the wynde and courfe of the fea was ageynfte theym, and alfo for that they gaue no credite to his 
 reporte. 
 
 The. XXV. day of lanuary in the yeare. 1522. they departed from Mallua, and the day folowyng, arryued at 
 a greate Iland named Timor, bemge fine leaques diftante from Mallua betwene the fouth and fouthweft. In 
 this Ilande is founde the woodde of whyte fanders and ginger, and dyuers kindes of frutes. Alfo fundry kyndes 
 of beaftes, and plentie of vyttayle and golde. They of the Ilandes of Giaua, Molucca, and ILozon, refort to this 
 Ilande for fanders. Th[e]inhabitauntes are gentyles. They fay that when they go to cut the woodde of faunders 
 the deuyll appeareth to them in dyuers formes and aflceth theym what they haue neede of: And that after this 
 viflon, many of them are longe ficke. In al the Ilandes of this Archipelagus, rayneth the difeafe of faynt lob 
 (whiche wee caule the frenche poxe) more then in any other place in the worlde. 
 
 Farre from this Ilande betwene the weft and northweft they came to an Ilande named Eude, in the whiche 
 growethe great plentie of Sinamome. In this tracte are founde manye Ilandes lying in order as it were one 
 directly behynde an other, euen vnto the Ilande of the greater Giaua, named Giaua maior, and vnto the cape 
 oi Malaccha, bemge in Eaft India. Giaua the leffe, is as bygge as the Ilande oi Madera, and is but halfe a 
 leaque diftante from Giaua maior. Here they were informed that aboue Giaua maior toward the north, is a 
 great goulfe cauled the goulfe of China, in the which are trees of exceadyng byggeneffe, inhabyted with foules 
 of fuche greatenes that they caiy great beaftes in the ayer. The frutes of thefe trees are as bygge as cucummers. 
 
 The cape of Malaccha is one degree and a halfe aboue the Equinoctiall line towarde the pole Artike. On 
 the Eaft fide of this cape, runneth a very longe coafte in the which are many regions and cities wherof fum are 
 cauled by thefe names, Cingaporla which is the cape. Alfo Pahan, Calantan, Patani, Braalin, Beneu, Longon, 
 and Odia wherin is the citie in the which dwelleth the kynge of Sian named Zacabedera. Theyr cities are 
 builded as owres axe, and fubiecte to the kynge of Sian. After the realme of Sian, are the regions of lamgoma 
 and Campaa where Reubarbe groweth, of the which are dyuers opinions, fume fuppofynge it to bee a roote, and 
 other a putrifyed tree, affirmyng that yf it were not putrified, it ftiulde not haue fo great a fauour. They caule 
 It Calama. Next vnto this, is found the great China, whofe kyng is thought to bee the greateft prince m the 
 worlde, and is named Santoa Raia. Furthermore, al that is written hereafter of this kyng and thefe regions, 
 they lemed by th[e]information of a Moore that was in the Ilande of Timor. He affirmed that the fayde kynge 
 hathe threefcore and tenne crowned kynges vnder his empyre, and hathe a porte in the fea named Canthan: 
 And two principal cities named Nauchin and Connulaha where he remayneth hym felfe, and hath euer foure of 
 
The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 261 
 
 his chiefe princes lying abowt his pallaice on eueiy fyde, towarde the Eafte, Wefle, Northe, and Soiith giuinge 
 dylygente attendaunce what is doone in euerye of theyr quarters. All the prynces of the greater India (cauled 
 India Maior,) and of that wherof I haue fpoken before, are obedient to this kynge. And in token that they 
 are trewe fabiectes, they keepe in theyr pallaices which are in the middeft of theyr cities, the belle cauled Linx, 
 being fayrer then a lyon, And is the great kynges fignette, whiche all fuche as intende to go to China, beare 
 with them fealed in waxe or on a piece of luerye for theyr fafe conducte, withowt the which they may not enter 
 into the hauen. 
 
 When any of his kyngs rebell or are difobedient, he caufeth them to be flene, and falted and dryed at the 
 foone : Then to bee Huffed with chaffe, and fette vppe on fum hygh thyng in the myddeft of the chiefe flreate 
 of the citie where al the people may fee it. He neuer fuffereth his owne perfon to bee openly feene to any 
 man. But when his noble men of the courte are defyrous to fee hym, he commeth downe frome hys pallaice 
 into a ryche pauylyon accompanyed with fyxe of hys principal! concubynes appareyled with lyke veilures as is 
 he hym felfe. All thys way he is not feene by reafon of the pauylyon. When he hath paffed through the 
 pauylyon, he entereth into a ferpent named Nagha, being the moft marueylous and ryche woorke of the worlde, 
 and placed in the greateft courte of the pallaice. When the kynge entereth into this with the women, to 
 th[e]intent that he may not be knowen among them, he caufeth the fayd noble men only to looke in at a 
 glaffe which is in the brefte of the ferpente, where they fee the kynge amonge the women, but can not dicerne 
 which is he. He ioyneth in mariage with hys fyfler that the blud royall bee not myxt with any other. His 
 pallaice is enuironed with feuen large walles, the one being farre dyftante from the other. And hath in euery 
 fuch circuite tenne thowfande men for the garryfon of hys pallaice, who haue theyr waytinge dayes appoynted 
 them courfe by courfe with frefflie men in theyr places, and thus keepe theyr watch continually both daye and 
 nyght. In this pallaice are Ixxix. haules, in the which is an infinite number of women that ferue the kynge 
 hauyng euer lyght torches in theyr handes for the greater magnyfycence. He that wolde fee all the pallaice, 
 Ihulde fpend a hole day therin. Amonge other, there are foure principal haules where fumtymes the kynge 
 g3rueth audience to hys noble men. Of thefe, one is couered both aboue and beneth with metall, an other all 
 ouer with fyluer, the thyrde with gold, and the fourth with pearles and precious ftones. Thefe people of China, 
 are whyte menne, appareled as we are, and eate theyr meate on tables as wee doo. They haue the croffe in 
 fum eftimation, but knowe not the caufe whye. Beyonde the coafle of China, are dyuers other nations and 
 people as Chenchii where pearles and cynamon are founde. Alfo the people named Lichii, where reyneth the 
 great kynge of Mien, hauyng vnder hym. xxii. kynges, and is fubiecte to the kyng of China. Here is alfo 
 founde the great citie of CATHAY in the Eaft, and dyuers other nations in the fayd firme land, of the 
 which fum are bmtyfflie and befliall which vfe to kyll and eate theyr parentes when they are owld, thinking 
 therby that they fliall reuyue m them. All thefe people are gentyles. 
 
 The. xi. day of February in the yeare. 1522. they departed from the Hand of Timor and were ingulfed by 
 chance in the great fea cauled Lantchidol, and tooke theyr courfe betwene the wefle and fouth wefle, leauynge 
 the northe coaftes on theyr ryght hand, fearyng leaft if they fhuld fayle toward the firm land, they myght bee 
 feene of the portugales who are of great power in Malaccha : and therfore dyrected theyr cours withowt the 
 Hand of Sumatra cauled in owld tyme Taprobana : Leauyng alfo on theyr ryght hand vpon the fyrm land, the 
 prouinces and regions of F^u, Bengala, Calicut, Canonor, Goa, Cambaia, the goulfe of the Ilande of Ormus, 
 and all the coaftes of the greater India. And more fafely to paffe the cape of Buona Speranza being aboue 
 Aflfrike, they fayled about xlii. degrees toward the pole Antartike, and remayned feuen weekes abowte that 
 cape with many fetches compafTyng the wynd with theyr fayles contynually alofte, becaufe they had a weft and 
 north wefte wynd in the proos of theyr fhyppe which wolde not fuffer them to pafTe. The cape of Buona 
 Speranza, is toward the pole Antartik beneth the Equinoctiall line, xxxiiii. degrees and ahalfe: and. 1600. 
 leaques from the cape of Malaccha: And is the greatefte and mofte daungyerous cape that is founde at thys 
 day in al the worlde. 
 
 When they had by thefe perels ouerpaffed thys cape, certeyne of them afwell for lacke of vytayles as alfo 
 by reafon of fyckeneffe, were mynded to fayle to a hauen of the Portugales named ^tf«za/«*«f«<? aboue Affryke. 
 But the other anfwered that they wold rather dye then go to any other place then directly to Spayne. They 
 folowed theyr courfe therfore laylynge towarde the Southweft two monethes continually without touchynge at 
 any porte: In whiche tyme there dyed abowte. xxi. of theyr coompany, whom they caft into the fea. And 
 fuerly if god of his infinite mercie had not preferued the refidue in tyme, they hadde all dyed of famen. 
 
 In fine, beinge inforced of neceffitie, and halfe of theyr companye deade, they fayled to one of the 
 Ilandes of hapo verde cauled Infula Sanm lacobi, that is, faynte lames Ilande, parteyning to the kyng of 
 Portugale Where, as foone as they arryued, they fent certeyne alande in the fhippe boate for vyttayles, 
 declaryng'e to the Portugales with aU loue and fauour what neceffitie they were dryu,en to and what miferies 
 and trauavles they had fufteyned, informynge them further of theyr marueylous viage and fuche thynges as they 
 
 ' X 2 261 
 
 The greater India 
 
 231 
 
 The beast cauled 
 linx. 
 
 The punishement 
 of rebelles. 
 
 The kynge is net 
 seene but at a " 
 glasse. 
 
 A thyng of strangt 
 workmanshyppe. 
 
 The kynge 
 inaryeth his systei 
 His pallaice. 
 A marueilous 
 garde. 
 
 Women serue the 
 kynge. 
 
 Foure maruelous 
 haules 
 
 The people of 
 China. 
 The Crosse. 
 
 The greate kyng 
 of mien 
 CATHAY. 
 
 The sea of 
 Lantchidol. 
 
 Malaccha, 
 
 The Hand of 
 
 Sumetra. 
 
 Pegu. 
 
 Bengala. 
 
 Calicut. 
 
 Canonor. 
 
 Goa. 
 
 Catnhaia. 
 
 Ormtis. 
 
 East India. 
 
 Ca>[ff] de JSjtona 
 
 Speranza. 
 
 The port of 
 Mouzambique. 
 
 232 
 
 Famen. 
 
 Ca^a Verde. 
 S. lames Ilande. 
 
262 
 
 The vyage rounde about the vvorlde. 
 
 The ingrati[t]ude 
 ' of the Portugales. 
 
 The port of saynt 
 Lucar nere vnto 
 Siuile. 
 
 What became of 
 the other shyppe. 
 
 Dariena 
 
 The cape of 
 
 Cattigara. 
 
 Ptolome. 
 
 The vyage hardly 
 performed. 
 
 They bye slaues 
 for lackeof heipe 
 
 Maryners woorthy 
 immortal fame. 
 
 Argonautu 
 
 The viage of lason 
 
 to wyn the golden 
 
 fleese. 
 
 The shyppe more 
 
 woorthy fame then 
 
 owlde Argo of 
 
 Grecia. 
 
 The vyage 
 
 hadde feene in both the Ea(l and Weft India, with fuch other gentel woordes wherby they obteyned certeyne 
 meafures of rife. But when afterwarde. xiii. of theym returned for more ryfe, they were deteyned : Where- 
 uppon the refte whiche remayned in the ftiippe, fearynge the lyke chaunce, departed with full fayles, and the. 
 vii. day of September with the helpe of god entered into the hauen of San Lucar nere vnto Siuile, where 
 difchargynge all theyr oidinaunce for ioy, they wente immediatly to the greate churche in theyr fhertes and 
 barefooted with a torche before them to gyue thankes to almyghtie god who had brought them fafe to theyr 
 owne countrey, and reftored them to theyr wyues and chyldren. 
 
 As touchynge th[e]ende of this viage, Tranfiluanus wryteth fumwhat more largely 
 as foloweth. 
 
 The other fliyppe which they lefte behynde them to bee repayred, returned afterwarde by the Archipelagus 
 aforefayde and by the great fea to the coaftes of the firme of the weft India, and arryued at a region of the 
 fame being ageynft Dariena, where the South fea of Sur is feparate but by a lyttle fpace of lande from the 
 Wefte Ocean in the which are the Ilandes of Hifpaniola and Cuba, and other Ilandes of the Spanyardes. The 
 other fliyppe which returned into Spayne by compafing abowt the whole bowie of the worlde by the coaftes of 
 Eaft India and Afi^rike, departynge from the Hand of Tidore, and faylynge euer on this fyde the Equinoctial!, 
 dyd not fynde the cape of Cattigara beinge aboue Afia, and (by the defcription of Ptolome) rechynge many 
 degrees beyonde the Equinoctial. But hauynge fayled many dayes by the mayne fea, they came 'to the cape 
 of Buona Speranza and frome thenfe to the Ilandes of Capo verde, where their fliyppe beinge foore broofed by 
 reafon of the longe viage, leaked and tooke water, in fuche forte that the mariners being nowe but fewe in 
 number, and thofe alfo weake and feeble by reafon of longe fickenefle and hunger, were not able both to drye 
 the poompe continually and otherwyfe gouerne the ftiippe : and were therfore of neceflitie inforced to goo 
 alande at the Ilande of faynte lames to bye theym certeyne flaues to helpe theim. But beinge deftitute of 
 mony, according to the cuftome of the mariners, they profered them clbues for theyr flaues. The which 
 thyng when it came to the eares of the Portugale that wa'S Capitayne of that Ilande, he caft. xiii. of them in 
 prifon. Wherby the refidue that remayned in the fliippe (beinge nowe but. xviii. in number) were put in fuch 
 feare that they departed immediatly without refcuing theyr felowes, and fayled continually both by daye and 
 by nyght by the coaftes of Affrike, and came in fine to Spayne the. vi. day of September in the yeare. 1522. 
 and anyued at the porte nere vnto Siuile the. xvi. moneth after they departed from the Ilande of Tidore. 
 Mariners doubtlefle more woorthy to bee celebrate with eternal memorie then they whiche in owlde tyme were 
 cauled Argonauti that fayled with lafon to win the golden fleefe in the region of Chokhis and the riuer of 
 Phafis in the greate fea of Pontus. And the fliyppe it felfe, more woorthye to bee placed amonge the ftarres 
 then that owlde Argo which departynge owt of Grecia, fayled to th[e]ende of that great fea. For this owre 
 marueylous fliyppe, takynge her vyage from the ftraightes of Gibilterra and faylynge by the greate Ocean 
 towarde the South and pole Antartike, and turnynge from thenfe to the Wefte, folowed that courfe fo farre that 
 paffynge vnder the great circumference of the worlde, fliee came into the Eafte, and frome thenfe ageyne into 
 the Wefte, not by retumynge backewarde, but ftyll faylynge forwarde, fo compafynge abowt the baule of the 
 world vnder the hole circumference of heauen vntyll ftiee were mjTaculoufly reftored to her natiue region of 
 Spayne and houfe of Siuile. 
 
\The prices of precious Jlones and f pices.] 
 
 263 
 
 C OF THE PRICES OF PRECIOVS STONES AND SPICES. 
 
 WITH THEYR WEIGHTES AND MEASVRES 
 
 as they are accuflomed to bee foulde bothe of the 
 
 Moores and the gentyles: And of the 
 
 places where they growe. 
 
 
 FBaaggjtiiiifgisiiaignagiiiaag MHagaig aaBaaOrafmuch as in dyuers places of this hiftorie, men- 
 
 tion is made of precious ftones, I haue thought 
 good to declare fumewhat afwell of theyr prices 
 as of the places of theyr generation, that wee may 
 not vtterly bee ignorant of the thinges which we 
 fo grately efteeme and bye fo deare. 
 
 <GHSBU^B9Bi 
 
 Of the Rubie. 
 
 He Rubies growe in India : and are founde 
 for the mod parte in a ryuer named Pegu. 
 Thefe are of the befte kind and finefle, 
 whiche they of the lande of Malabor caule 
 Nunpuclo, and are well foulde if they bee 
 fayre and cleane without fpottes. The 
 Indians to knowe theyr fineneffe, put them 
 vppon theyr toonges, coumptynge that to bee bell that is couldell and moll harde. And to fee theyr fineneffe, 
 they take them vp with a piece of waxe by the Iharpeft poynt : and lookynge ageynft the lyght, efpie in theim 
 euery fmaule fpot or flake. They are alfo founde in certeyne diepe foffes or pittes which are made in moun- 
 taynes that are beyonde the laid ryuer. They are fcoured and made cleane in the countrey of Pegu. Yet can 
 they not fquare and polyflie them. But for this purpofe fende them to dyuers other contreys, and efpecially to 
 Paleacate, Narfinga, Calicut, and the region of Malabar, where are many cunnynge Lapidaries. 
 
 And to gyue yow intelligence of the value of thefe ftones, ye fhall vnderftande that this woorde Fanan, 
 fignifiethe a weight fumwhat more then two of owre carattes: And. xi. Fanans and a quarter, is one Mitigal: 
 And. vi. Mitigales and a halfe, make one vnce. This Fanan, is alfo a kynde of money which is in value, one 
 lyale of fyluer. And therefore after this accompte I fay that 
 
 Eight fine rubies of the weyght of one 
 Fanan (which are in all, abowt two 
 
 carattes) are in value. Fanan *x. 
 
 Foure Rubies that wey one fanan, are 
 
 worth Fanan xx. 
 
 Two that wey one fanan Fanan xl. 
 
 One thatweyth three quarters of one fanan Fanan xxx. 
 
 One that weyth one fanan Fanan 1. 
 
 One that weyth one fanan and a quarter. Fanan Ixv. 
 
 One that weyth one fanan and a halfe Fanan C. 
 
 One that weyth one fanan and three 
 
 quarters Fanan C 1. 
 
 One that weyth two fanans. Fanan CC. 
 
 One that weyth two fanans and a quarter Fanan CC 1. 
 
 One that weyth two fanans and a halfe Fanan. ccc. 
 
 One that weyth two fanans and 
 
 thre quarters Fanan cccl. 
 
 Of three fanans Fanan cccc. 
 
 Of three and a quarter Fanan D. 
 
 Of three and a halfe Fanan D 1. 
 
 Of three and three quarters Fanan D c. 
 
 Of three and three quarters and a halfe Fanan D cxxx. 
 
 Of foure fanans Fanan D clx. 
 
 Of foure and a quarter Fanan D cc. 
 
 Of foure and a halfe Fanan D cccc. 
 
 Of fyue fanans Fanan M. 
 
 Of fyue and a halfe • Fanan M cc. 
 
 Of fyxe fanans, which are about, xii. 
 
 carattes. Fanan MD. which make. 
 
 150. crownes of golde. 
 
 And thefe are commonly the prices of perfecte Rubies. But fuche as are not perfecte, and haue any 
 fpottes in them, or are not of good coloure, are of leffe prife accordynge to the arbitriment and eftimation 
 
 of the byer. 
 
 S63 
 
 233 
 
 One caratte is iiii 
 graines 
 
 (♦Which is one 
 (crown of golde 
 
264 
 
 The prices of precious Jtones and f pices. 
 
 234 
 
 •Which are iii. \ 
 crow[n]eEofgolde)' 
 
 C Of the Rubies which growe in the Ilande of Zeilam. 
 
 N the Ilande of Zeilam, beinge in the feconde India, are founde many Rubies which the 
 Indians name Manecas, the greatefl parte wherdf do not arriue to the perfection of the 
 other aforefayde in coloure, bycaufe they are redde as though they were wafflied, and 
 of a flefliye colour. Yet are they very coulde and harde. The perfectefle of theym 
 are greatly efleemed amonge the people of the Ilande, and referued only for the kynge 
 hym felfe if they bee of any great quantitie. When his iewelers fynde any bygge piece 
 of this rocke of die befte kynde, they put it in fyer for the fpace of certeyne houres. Which 
 if it coomme owt of the fyer vncorrupte, it becommeth of the coloure of a bumynge cole, and was therfore 
 cauled of the Greekes, Anthrax, which fignifieth a bumyng cole. The fame that the Greekes caule Anthrax, 
 the Latines caule Carbwiculus. Thefe they greatly efteeme. When the kyng of Narfmga can get any of theym, 
 he caufeth a fine hole to bee boored in the vndermoft. part of them to the myddefl: And fuffereth none of 
 them to paffe owt of his realme: efpecially if they haue byn tryed by the fayde profe. Thefe are of greater 
 value then the other of Pegu, if they bee in theyr naturall perfection and cleaneneffe. 
 
 Of thefe, one that weith a 
 
 carratte 
 
 
 
 Of fixe carattes and a halfe 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Dlx. 
 
 (whiche is halfe a fanan) is 
 
 woorthe 
 
 
 
 Of feuen carattes 
 
 Fanan Dcxxx. 
 
 in Calecut. 
 
 
 Fanan 
 
 •xxx. 
 
 Of feuen carattes and a halfe 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Dcbc 
 
 One of two carattes 
 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Ixv. 
 
 One of. viii. carattes that hath bynne 
 
 
 Of three carattes. 
 
 
 Fanan 
 
 cl. 
 
 wel proued in the fier, is woorthe 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Dccc. 
 
 Of three carattes and a halfe 
 
 
 Fanan 
 
 cc. 
 
 Of. viiii. carattes and a halfe 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Dcccc. 
 
 Of foure carattes 
 
 
 Fanan 
 
 ccc. 
 
 One fuch of tenne carattes 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Mccc. 
 
 Of foure carattes and a halfe 
 
 
 Fanan 
 
 cccl. 
 
 One of X. carattes and a halfe 
 
 Fanan 
 
 MDc 
 
 Of fyue carattes 
 
 
 Fanan 
 
 cccc. 
 
 Of. xii. carattes 
 
 Fanan 
 
 MM 
 
 Of fyue carattes and a halfe 
 
 
 Fanan 
 
 ccccl. 
 
 Of xiiii. carattes 
 
 Fanan 
 
 MMM 
 
 Of fyxe carattes 
 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Dxxx. 
 
 Of xvi. carattes 
 
 Fanan 
 
 6000. 
 
 C Of the kynde of Rubies cauled Spinelle. 
 
 Here is alfo founde an other kynde of Rubies which wee caule Spinelle and the Indians, 
 Caropus. They growe in the felfe fame countrey of Pegu where as are the fine Rubies : 
 And are found in the mounta)Ties in the vpper cruft or floure of the earth. Thefe are not 
 fo fine nor of fo good colour as are the trewe Rubies : But haue fumwhat the colour of a 
 granate which we commonly caule a garnet. Yet of thefe fuche as are paifecte in theyr 
 coloure, are of value halfe leiTe then trewe Rubies. 
 
 264 
 
 C Of the Rubies cauled Balafji. 
 
 Alafli, are of the kyndes of Rubies, but are not fo harde. Theyr colour is fumwhat lyke a rofe, 
 and fum are in maner whyte. They growe in Balaflia, whiche is a region within the firme 
 lande aboue Pegu and Bengala: And are browght from thenfe by marchauntes of the 
 Moores to Calecut where they are wrought and polyfftied : And are fould of the fame price 
 that are Spinelle. 
 
 C Of the Diamundes of the owlde myne. 
 
 Hefe Diamundes are founde in the fyrfte India in a kyngdome of the Moores named Decan, 
 from whenfe they are brought to other regions. There are alfo founde other Diamundes 
 whiche are not fo good, but fumewhat whyte, and are cauled Diamundes of the newe myne 
 which is in the kyngedome of NarCnga. They of the owlde myne, are not polyftied in 
 India, but in other places. There are made lykewyfe in India, other falfe Diamundes of 
 Rubies, Topafes, and whyte Saphires, whiche appere to bee fine : and are alfo founde in 
 the Ilande of Zeilam. Thefe ftones differ in none other, fauynge that they haue lofte theyr 
 
The prices of precious Jlones and f pices. 
 
 265 
 
 naturall colour. Of thefe, fumme are founde that haue halfe the coloure of Rubies, and other of Saphires : 
 other alfo of the coloure of a Topafe. Other haue all thefe coloures mengled togyther. They bore a fine hole 
 in thefe throughe the myddell, wherby they appere lyke the eyes of a catte. Of the whyteft, they make many 
 fmaule diamundes whiche can not bee knowen from the trewe, fauynge by touchinge of fuch as are fkylfull in 
 that practife. They are foulde by a poyfe or weight which they caule Mangiar, which wayeth two Tarre, and 
 two thyrdes, which amount to two thyrdes or thirde partes of one caratte. For foure Tarres, wey one fanan 
 whiche is abowt two carattes. 
 
 Viii. Diamundes that wey one mangiar 
 
 (which is two third partes of a caratte) 
 
 are in value. Fanan xxx. 
 
 which are three crownes of golde. 
 235 vi. Diamundes that wey one mangiar 
 Foure that wey one mangiar 
 Two that wey one mangiar 
 One that weith one mangiar 
 One of one mangiar and a quarter 
 One of one mangiar and a halfe 
 Of one mangiar and three quarters 
 Of two mangiars 
 
 Fanan 
 
 xl. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Ix. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Ixxx. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 C. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 ckv. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 clxxx. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 ccxx. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 cccxx. 
 
 • Of two mangiars and a quarter Fanan ccclx. 
 
 Of two mangiars and a halfe Fanan ccclxxx 
 Of two mangiars and three quarters 
 
 ful perfect Fanan 420 
 
 Of three mangiars of lyke perfection Fanan ccccl. 
 
 Of three mangiars and a halfe Fanan cccclxxx. 
 
 Of foure mangiars Fanan Dl. 
 
 Of fyue mangiars Fanan ' Dccl. 
 
 Of fyxe mangiars Fanan Dccc. 
 
 Of feuen mangiars. Fanan Mcc. 
 
 Of eyght mangiars Fanan Mcccc. 
 
 And thus they proceade, increafynge the price as they increafe in weight. 
 
 C Of Saphires. 
 
 N the Ilande of Zeilam are founde the befte and mode trewe Saphires, beinge very harde and 
 fine, and of the coloure of azure. They are of price as foloweth. 
 One that weith one caratte is of value Fanan ii which are abowt two marcels of fyluer. 
 
 Of fyxe carattes 
 Of feuen carattes 
 Of eyght carattes 
 Of nine carattes 
 Of tenne carattes 
 Of xi. carattes 
 Of xii. carattes 
 
 One of the weight of two carattes 
 Of three carattes 
 Of foure carattes 
 Of fyue carattes 
 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 
 V. 
 X. 
 
 XV. 
 
 xviii. 
 
 Of xiiii. carattes 
 
 Of XV. carattes 
 
 Of xvi. carattes 
 
 Of. xviii. carattes 
 
 One that weith a mitigal, which is. vi. 
 
 fanans and a quarter that is abowt 
 
 xxiii. carattes 
 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 
 Clx. 
 
 Clxxx. 
 
 CC. 
 
 CCl. 
 
 J Fanan xxviii. 
 
 Fanan xxxv. 
 
 Fanan 1. 
 
 Fanan Ixv. 
 
 Fanan 1. 
 
 Fanan Ixv. 
 
 Fanan Ixxv. xxiii. carattes Fanan CCCl. 
 
 Of xiii. carattes in all perfection of coloure Fanan Cxv. 
 Lykewyfe in the Ilande of Zeilam, is founde an other forte of Saphires which they caule Quinigelitiam. Thefe 
 are not fo ftronge, of darker colour and of much leffe value then are the other of the beft. k)mde, wherof one i^ 
 woorth. xiii. of thefe of cquall poife. Alfo in the kyngedome of Narfmga, in a mountayne aboue Bacanor and 
 Mangalor, is founde an other fort of Saphires more tender and of woorfe colour, whiche they caule Cingano- 
 1am. Thefe are fumwhat whyte and of fmaule value : So that the moft perfect of this kynde, weyinge. xx. 
 carattes, is not woorth one ducate. Theyr colour is inclynynge fumwhat to yelowe. There is lykewyfe found 
 an other kynde of Saphires vppon the fea coafles of the kyngedome of Calicut, in a place named Capucar. 
 Thefe the Indians caule Carahatonilam. They are of a darke afure coloure not fliynynge but in the cleare 
 ayer. They are alfo tender and brickie, and of fmaule eftimation amonge the Indians. They feeme on the 
 one fyde lyke glaffe. 
 
 C Of Topaftes. 
 
 He natural Topafies, growe in the Ilande of Zeilam, and are named of the Indians Furceragua. 
 
 It is a harde and fine flone: and of equall eftimation with the Ruble and the Saphire, 
 
 bycaufe all thefe three are of one kynd. The perfecte colour of this, is yelowe lyke vnto 
 
 fine beaten golde. And if it bee perfect and cleane, whether it bee greate or lyttle, it is 
 
 .woorth in Calicut as much fine gold as it weyeth. But if it bee not perfect, it is woorth the 
 
 weight of gold the fanan, which is leffe by the halfe. And if it bee in maner whyte, it is 
 
 woorth much leffe. And of thefe, are fmaule diamundes counterfecte. 
 
 365 
 
 A marcell, is a 
 syluer come of 
 Venicej of xL 
 vnces. iii. d. with 
 fine, wherof ten 
 make an vn[c]e 
 
266 
 
 The prices of precious Jiones and f pices. 
 
 C Of Turqueffes. 
 
 Vrqueffes are founde in Exer a place of Siech Ifmael. Theyr mine is a drye earth that is 
 
 236 ^SSmSSSSi founde vpon a black ftone, which the Moores take of in fmaule pieces, and carye them to 
 
 the Hand of Ormus, from whenfe they are brought to dyuers partes of the worlde by fea 
 
 and by lande. The Indians caule them Perofe. They are foft ftones, of fmaule weight and 
 
 not much coulde. And to knowe that they are good and trewe, in the day they (hall appere 
 
 of the verye colour of the Turqueffe: and in the nyght by the lyght, they fhall appere 
 
 greene. They that are not fo perfect, do not fo change their colour to the fight. If thefe 
 
 ftones bee cleane and of fine colour, they haue vndemeth in the bottome, a blacke ftone, vppon the which 
 
 they growe. And if any lyttle vayne ryfe vppon the fayde ftone, it fhalbe the better. And to knowe more 
 
 certeynely that they are trewe Turqueffes, they put on the toppes of them a lyttle quicke lime tempered with 
 
 water after the maner of an oyntment 
 and are of value as foloweth. 
 
 So that if the quicke lime appere coloured, they are iudged perfecte, 
 
 One that weith one caratte, is worth in 
 
 
 
 Of viii. carattes 
 
 Malabar. 
 
 Fanan. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Of X. carattes 
 
 One of two carattes 
 
 Fanan 
 
 xl. 
 
 Of. xii. carattes 
 
 Of foure carattes 
 
 Fanan 
 
 xc. 
 
 Of xiiii. carattes 
 
 Of vi. carattes 
 
 Fanan 
 
 CI. 
 
 
 Fanan CC. 
 Fanan CCC. 
 Fanan CCCCl. 
 Fanan Dl. 
 
 Of greater then thefe they make none accompte bycaufe they are lyghter pieces and of greater circuite. 
 of the byggeft forte the Moores carie into the kyngedome of Guzerath. 
 
 Thefp 
 
 C Of lacinthes, 
 
 Acinthes growe in the Ilande of Zeilam. They are tender ftones and yelowe. They are beft 
 that are of diepefte colour. The greateft part of thefe, haue in them certeine pimples or 
 burbuls, whiche diminiftie theyr fayreneffe. And they that are in theyr perfection cleane 
 from this deformitie, are neuerthelefle of fmaule value. For in Calicut where they are 
 polyfftied, they that wey one fanan are woorth no more then halfe a fanan. And they of. 
 xviii. fanans, are not worth, xvi. fanans. 
 
 There are alfo founde other ftones lyke vnto cattes eyes, as Chrifolites, and Amethiftes, 
 whiche they doo not muche efteeme bycaufe they are of fmaule value, as alfo the ftones cauled Giagonze. 
 
 C Of Smaragdes or Enter aides. 
 
 Maragdes growe in the countrey of Babilon, where the Indians caule the fea Dieguan. They 
 grow alfo in other partes of India. They are ftones of fayre greene colour, and are lyght and 
 tender. Of thefe ftones, many are conterfecte. But lookyng on them curioufly towarde the 
 lyght, the conterfectes fliewe certeyne burbuls, as dooth glaffe. But in the trewe, there is no 
 fuch feene. But rather there appeareth to the eye a certeyne verdour ftiynynge lyke the 
 beames of the foonne. And beinge rubbed vppon the touche ftone, they leaue the coloure 
 of copper. And the Smaragde of this forte is the beft and moft trewe : And is in value in 
 Calicut, as muche as a diamunde and fumwhat more : And this not by weyght, but by greateneffe, bycaufe the 
 diamunde quantitie for quantitie, is of greater weyght then the Smaragde. Ther is lykewyfe founde an other 
 kynde of Smaragdes, whiche are greene ftones, but not fo much efteemed. Neuertheleffe, the Indians referae 
 thefe to fet them foorth with other precious ftones. They leaue not any greene coloure vppon the touche. 
 
 >£6 
 
The prices of precious /tones and f pices. 
 
 267 
 
 il Of dyvers kyndes of Spices, where they grow, 
 
 WHAT THEY ARE WOORTH IN CaLICUT, AND WHITHER 
 THEY ARE CARIED FROM THENSE. 
 
 C Of Pepper. 
 
 Yrfle in all the kyngedome of Malabor and Calicut pepper groweth: and is fould in Calicut by 
 euery. CC. [two hundred] Bahars, fine, for. CCxxx. [two hundred and thirty] fanans, euery 
 fanan (as I haue fayde) beinge in value, one ryall of plate of Spayne : which is as muche as 
 one maicell of fyluer in Venice. Bahar, weith foure cantares of the owld weight of Portu- 
 gale, by the whiche they fell all fpices in Lifbona. Cantar, is in Venece. Cxii. [one 
 hundred and twelue] pounde weyght of the grofe pounde (beinge. xviii. vnces) and of the 
 fubtyle pounde. C. Ixxviii. [one hundred and feuenty-eight] So that the fayde. 712. poundes 
 of Venece fubtile, wyl coft abowt. xx. frenche crownes of golde : which amount to abowt two Marchetti (whiche 
 make one peny) the pounde. They pay alfo to the kyng of Calicut for cuftome. xii. fanans euery Bahar by the 
 lode. They that bye them, are accuftomed to biynge them to Cambaia, Perfia, Aden, and Mecha, and from 
 thenfe to Alcayre and Alexandria. Nowe they pay cuftome to the kynge of Portugale after the rate of 6562. 
 Maruedies the Bahar, rt^hich are. 193. fanans. Maruedies are Spanyftie coynes wherof. vi. go to a peny. This 
 doo they partly bycaufe there anyueth no more fo greate diuerfitie of marchantes to bye them, and partly by 
 the agreement which the fayde kynge of Portugale made with thofe kynges, and the Moores, and marchauntes 
 of the countrey of Malabar. 
 
 Much pepper groweth lykewyfe in the Ilande of Sumatra nere vnto Malaca, which is fayrer and bygger then 
 that of Malabar, but not fo good and ftronge. This is brought from Bengala to China, and fumme parte to 
 Mecha, priuilie and by ftelth, vnwares to the Portugales which wolde not otherwyfe fuffer them to paffe. It is 
 woorth in Sumatra, from. iiii. C. [four hundred] vnto. vii. C. [feuen hundred] marauedis the cantar of Portugale, 
 of the newe weight. And frome the newe to the owlde weight in Portugale, the difference is, twoo vnces in the 
 pounde weight. For the owlde pounde confifteth of. xiiii. vnces, and the newe pounde of xvi. vnces. 
 
 237 
 
 C Of Clones. 
 
 Loues growe in the Ilandes of Molucca, from whenfe they are brought to Malacha, and then 
 to Calicut and the countrey of Malabar. They are woorth in Calicut euery bahar (which is. 
 712. poundes of the fubtyle pound of Venece) from. 500. to. 600. fanans (which are abowte 
 fyftie frenche crownes,) which are in value abowte. xii. marchetti the pounde weight. And 
 beinge cleane from ftalkes and huflces are in value 700 fanans. To cary theym frome thenfe 
 into other regions, they paye for pafporte. xviii. fanans the bahar, which is woorth in 
 Malacca from. x. to. xiiii. ducades accordynge to the rate and cuftome of the marchauntes. 
 
 C Of Cinamome. 
 
 Inamome of the beft fort, groweth in the Ilande of Zeilam: and in the countrey of Malabar, 
 growethe the woorft. That of the befte kynde, is of fmaule price in Zeilam. But in Calicut 
 (if it bee choife and freftie), it is woorth CCC. [three hundred] fanans the bahar, whiche are 
 abowte fiue marchetti the pounde. 
 
 267 
 
268 
 
 The prices of precious Jlones and f pices. 
 
 C Of Ginger cauled Beledi. 
 
 Inger Beledi, groweth on euery fyde abowte Calicut from fyxe to nine myles : And is woorth 
 the bahar. xl. fanans, and fumtymes fiftie, whiche is leffe then one marchetto the pounde. 
 
 They brynge it from the mountaynes and owt of the contrey to the citie, where they fell 
 it by retayle to the Indian marchauntes, who gather it togither in greate quantitie and kepe 
 it to fuch tyme as the Moores ftiyppes arryue there, to whom they fell it, by the price of. 
 xc. [nmety] fanans, to Cx. [one hundred and ten] whiche is leffe then two marchetti the 
 pound, bycaufe the weight is greater. 
 
 239 
 
 C Of Ginger Mechino. 
 
 Inger Mechino groweth, begynnynge from the mountayne of Deli, vnto Canonor. It is fmaule, 
 and not fo whyte nor fo good as the other. It is woorthe the bahar in Cananor, abowt. ly. 
 fanans whiche is abowte one marchetto the pounde. They pay for the bahar fyxe fanans 
 in money for the cuilome. It is fould vnclenfed or vnpurged. 
 
 C Of greene Ginger in conferues. 
 
 N Bengala is founde greate plentie of Ginger Beledi, of the whiche they make muche Ginger in 
 conferues with fuger, and carie it in Hone pots from Martabani to bee fould in the countrey 
 of Malabar. And is woorth the farazuola (which is. xxii. poundes and fyxe vnces) after the 
 rate of. xiiii. xv. or. xvi. fanans. 
 
 That that is frelhe and made in conferues, is woorth in Calicut, xxv. fanans the farazuola, 
 bycaufe fuger is dere there. Greene ginger to put in conferues, is woorth in Calicut three 
 quarters of one fanan the farazuola, which is abowte twoo poundes for one marchetto. 
 
 C Of the Apothecaries drugges : And of what price 
 they are in Calicut and Malabar. 
 
 jlAcca of Martabani, if it bee of the belle, is woorth the farazuola, which is. xxii. pounde weyght 
 and fyxe vnces of Portugale after, xvi. vnces the pounde (whiche is abowte. xl. pounde 
 weyght of the fubtyle pounde of Venece) And is in value, xviii. fanans : whiche are. xviii. 
 marcels of filuer. For one fanan, is in value abowte one marcell of fyluer, 
 Lacca of the contrey, is woorth the farazuola Fanan - xii. 
 
 Borace that is good and in great pieces is woorthe the farazuola. Fanan. xxx. to. xl. and 1. 
 Camphire that is groffe in cakes, is woorth the farazuola 
 
 Camphire to annoynt Idoles, 
 
 Camphire for thep chyldren to eate, is woorth the mytigal. 
 
 Aguila is woorth the farazuola 
 
 Lignum aloe, blacke, heauy, and fine, is woorth 
 
 Muflce of the beft is woorth the vnce 
 
 Beniamin of the belle, is woorth the farazuola 
 
 Tamarindi being newe, are woorth the farazuola 
 
 Calamus aromaticus, the farazuola 
 
 Endego to dye filke, trewe and good, the farazuola 
 
 Mirre, the farazuola. 
 
 Frankenfence good and in graynes, is woorth the farazuola 
 
 Fiankenfence in pafte of the bafeft. forte, the faraz[uola]. 
 
 Ambracan or amber greefe that is good, is woorthe the metical 
 
 Fanan. 
 
 Ixx 
 
 to. Ixxx 
 
 * 
 
 » 
 
 * 
 
 Fanan 
 
 
 iii. 
 
 Fanan. 
 
 ccc. 
 
 to. cccc. 
 
 Fanan. 
 
 
 M. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 
 xxxvi. 
 
 Fanjcn 
 
 
 Ixv. 
 
 Fanan. 
 
 
 iiii. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 
 xii. 
 
 Fanan. 
 
 
 xxx 
 
 Fanan 
 
 xviii. to. XX. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 
 XV. 
 
 Fanan. 
 
 
 iii. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 
 ii. to. iii. 
 
The prices of precious Jiones and f pices. 
 
 269 
 
 Mirabolanes in conferue of fuger, the faraz[uola]. 
 Caflia, freflie and good, the farazuola. 
 Redde Sanders, the farazuola 
 
 Whyte Sanders and citrine, whiche growe in the Ilande of Timor, the farazuola 
 Spikenarde, frefhe and good, the faraz[uola]. 
 
 Nutte megges, whiche coome frome the Ilande of Bandan where the bahar is woorth 
 from. viii. to. x. fanans, (which importe. vi. poundes weight to the marchetto) 
 are woorthe in Calicut, the faraz[uola]. 
 Mace which is brought from the Ilande of Bandan where the Bahar is woorth fiftie 
 fanans (which import abowt one marchetto the pounde) are woorth in Calicut 
 the farazuola. 
 Turbithes, are woorth the farazuola 
 
 Woorme feede of the beft kynde, cauled Semenzina, is woorthe the farazuola. 
 Zerumba, the farazuola 
 Zedoaria, the farazuola 
 Gumme Serapine, the farazuola 
 Aloe cicotrine, the farazuola 
 Cardamome in graynes, the farazuola 
 Reubarbe groweth abundantly in the councrey of Malabar : And that which commeth 
 
 from China by Malacha, is worth the farazuola 
 Mirabolani emblici, the farazuola 
 Mirabolani belirici, the farazuola 
 
 Mirabolani citrini and chebuh, which are al of one fort. 
 Mirabolani Indi, which are of the fame citrine trees 
 Tutia, the farazuola 
 Cububes which growe in the Ilande of laua or Giaua, are there of fmaule price, and 
 
 fould by meafure withowt weight. 
 Opium which is browght from the citie of Aden where it is made, is woorth in 
 
 Calicut the faraz[uola]. 
 Opium of an other fort which is made in Cambaia is woorth the farazuola, 
 
 Fanan. 
 Fanan 
 Fanan. 
 Fanan. 
 Fanan. 
 
 Fanan 
 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 Fanan 
 
 xvi. to. XXV 
 
 one and a halfe 
 
 V. to. vi. 
 
 xl. to. Ix 
 
 XXX. to. xl. 
 
 X. to. xu. 
 
 XXV. to. XXX. 
 
 xiii. 
 
 XV. 
 
 ii. 
 
 i. 
 
 XX. 
 
 xviii 
 
 XX. 
 
 Fanan xl. to. 1. 
 
 Fanan ii. 
 
 Fanan one and a halfe. 
 Fa[nan] ii. 
 
 Fa[nan] iii. 
 
 Fanan xxx. 
 
 Fanan. cclxxx. to. cccxx 
 Fanan cc. to. ccl. 
 
 Seedes that kyll 
 lyse. 
 
 C Of the weyghtes of Portugale and India : And howe they agree. 
 
 He pound of the owld weight, conteyneth. xiiii. vnces. The pound of the newe weight con- 
 teyneth. xvi. vnces. viii. cantares of the owlde weyght, make. vii. of the newe. And euery 
 newe cantere, is of. C. xxviii. [one hundred and twenty-eight] poundes after, xvi. vnces to 
 
 the pounde 
 
 Euery owlde cantare, conteyneth three quarters and a halfe of the newe cantar : And is 
 of. C. xxviii. [one hundred and twenty-eight] poundes, after, xiiii. vnces the pounde. 
 
 One farazuola, is. xxii. poundes of. xiiii. vnces, and vi. vnces more, with two fifte partes. 
 Twentie farazuoles, are one Bahar. 
 
 One bahar is. iiii. cantares of the owld weight of Portugale. All the Spices and drugges, and all fuche 
 other thinges as coome from India, are fould in Portugale by the owld weight and all the refle by the newe 
 weyght 
 
 C Hereby may we well confider that as we owght to reioyfe and gyue god thankes 
 for the abundaunce of al thefe thynges which he caufeth the earth fo plentifully to brynge 
 foorth to owre vfe, lb may we lament th[e]abufe of men whofe couetoufneffe caufeth 
 great dearth and fcarfeneffe in the myddeft of abundance : herein no leffe offendyng the 
 lawe of nature then doo fuch as by wychcrafte intermingle poyfon with thynges created 
 for the health of man, or by inchauntment corrupt the feedes in the ground : ye rather as 
 the unnatural mother who deftroyeth the chylde whom fhe hath longe nuryfhed. 
 
 238 
 
 :6() 
 
270 
 
 [Two Notes added by Eden, apparently to fill up the Leaf.] 
 
 *i#S Of the Dooues of the Ilande of Madera. 
 
 Adamuftus wryteth, that before the Portugales came to this Ilande, it was ouergrowen 
 with trees and vnhabited. Yet were there many beaftes, and great plentie of dooues which 
 were vtterly without feare of men bycaufe they had neuer feene any men before, nor yet 
 were accuftomed to bee put in feare. In fo much that they ftode ftyl whyle fiiares were 
 put abowte theyr neckes with longe rods and poles. The which thynge he fayth he hath 
 alfo feene in other Ilandes. There are many ryche men in this Ilande, and great abun- 
 daunce of fleihe, bycaufe the hole Ilande is in maner one gardeyne. 
 
 C Of the Ilande of faynt Thomas under the Equinoctiall line 
 
 He chiefeft occupacion and liuynge of th[e]inhabitauntes of this Ilande, is the makynge of 
 fuger, which they fell yearely to the (hyppes that coomme for it owt of Spayne and Portu- 
 gale laden with buttes of meale and floure, alfo wyne, oyle, cheefe, lether, fwoordes, cuppes 
 of glaffe, beades, certeyne fcaruels of the fine whyte earthe cauled Porcellana, of the which 
 are made the earthen dyfflies of the woorke of Maiohca. And if it were not that fuch 
 vyttayles and prouifions were brought them owt of Spaine and Portugale, the whyte mar- 
 chauntes which dwell in that Ilande (perteynynge to the dominion of the kinge of Portugale) 
 ihulde not bee able to lyue there, forafmuch as they are not accuftomed to eftte fuch meates as doo the Ethi- 
 opians or Negros. And therfore the Portugales whiche inhabite this Ilande, haue certeyne blacke flaues of 
 Guinea, Benin, and Manicongo, which they fet to tyll and laboure the grounde and make fuger. Amonge thefe 
 whyte inhabitauntes, there are many lyche men which haue. 150. or. 200. and fum. 300. blacke flaues of men 
 and women to tyll the grounde and doo other laborious woorkes. This Ilande was difcouered foure fcore yeares 
 fence by the nauigations of the Portugales and was vnknowen to the owlde wryters. It lyeth in the greate 
 goulfe of Afirike in the. 30. degree of longitude from the Weft to the Eaft, and is in maner rounde. It is of 
 largeneffe from fide to fyde. Ix. Italian myles, (that is to fay) one degree. The horizontal line of the Hand, 
 paffeth by the two poles, Artike and Antartyke : and hath euer the day equall with the nyght without any fenfi- 
 ble difference, whether the fon bee in Cancer or in Capricome. The ftarre of the pole Artike, is there inuifible : 
 But the wardens are feene fumwhat to moue about : And the ftarres cauled the Croffe, are feene very hyghe. 
 Of this Ilande with the other landes and Ilandes lyinge betwene Portugale and the fame, a certeyne pylotte of 
 Portugale hath wiytten a goodly vyage to.Conte Rimondo. 
 
\Contencion for the trade of /pices.'] 
 
 271 
 
 C THE DEBATE AND STRYFE 
 
 BETWENE THE SPANYARDES AND PORTUGALES, 
 
 for the diuifion of the Indies and the trade of Spices: and 
 
 alfo for the Hands of Molucca^ which fum caule 
 
 Malucas. Wrytten in the Spanyfhe toonge by 
 
 Francisco Lopez de Gomara. 
 
 He[e]mperours maieftie was verye gladde that the Malucas and 
 Hands of the fpicery were difcouered : and that he myght paffe 
 vnto them through his owne countreys withowt any preijidice or 
 hurte to the Portugales : And bycaufe alfo that Almanzor, Luztu, 
 and Corala which were the lordes of the fpicerie, fliewed them 
 felues to bee his frendes and became tributaries to hym. He 
 alfo gaue certeyne ^tes and rewardes to lohn Sebaftian for his 
 great paynes and good feruice, forafmuch as he craued a rewarde 
 for the good newes that the Ilandes of the Malucas and other 
 Ilandes rycher and greater then they, were found to bee in 
 his part of thofe countreys which perteyned vnto hym accord- 
 ynge to the popes bull. And hereby it came to paffe that 
 there was great contention and ftrife betwene the Spanyardes 
 and the Portugales abowte the fpicerie and the diuifion of the 
 Indies by reafon of the retume of lohn Sebaftian and th[e]in- 
 formation whiche he gaue therof Who alfo affirmed that 
 the Portugales had neuer any enteraunce before that tyme 
 into thofe Ilandes. Here vppon, the counfayle for the Indies, aduertifed Th[e]emperoure to maynteine his 
 fleete for thofe partes, and to take the trade of fpices into his owne hand, forafmuch as it was his owne of 
 dewtie, afwell for that thofe Ilandes fell on his parte, as alfo that he had nowe founde paflage and waye through 
 his weft Indies into thofe regions. And finally to confyder that he fliulde thereby obteyne and gette to him 
 felfe greate reuenues befyde th[e]inrychynge of his fubiectes and realmes, and that with fmaule coafte and 
 charge. The[e]emperoure beinge thus aduertifed of the truth, tooke it for good counfayle, and commaunded 
 all thynges hereunto apperteynynge to bee fumyffhed accordyngely. In this meane tyme, when kynge lohn of 
 Portugale had knowleage what th[e]emperour determyned to doo, and the fpeedy haft, his counfayle made for 
 the performance herof, and of the commynge home of lohn Sebaftian of Cane, with th[e]information he made, 
 what of ftoutneffe of mynde and what for greefe, was puffed vp with anger as were alfo the refte of the Portu- 
 gales, ftormynge as thowgh they wolde haue plucked downe the flcye with their handes, not a lyttle fearynge 
 leafte they fliulde lofe the trade of fpices, if the Spanyardes ftiulde once put in theyr foote. Whervppon the 
 kynge immediatly made fupplication to Th[e]emperoure, not to fet forwarde any ftiyppes vntyll it were deter- 
 myned to whether of theym thofe Ilandes fliulde belonge : And that he wolde not fo muche endomage hym as to 
 caufe him to liefe the trade of fpices which was fo commodious and profitable to hym. And finally to auoyde 
 th[e]occafion of murther and bludftied whiche were lyke to enfue thereof, yf the Spanyardes and Portugales 
 ftiyppes fliulde meete togyther. Th[e]emperoure althowghe he knewe that all this was but to make delays and 
 prolongynge of tyme, yet was he gladde to haue it tryed by iuftice for the better iuftification of his caufe and 
 ryght In fine, both parties were agreed to appoynt lemed men, Cofmographers and Pylots which fliulde 
 determine the controuerfie betwene them: promyfynge on bothe parties to abyde and ftande to the fentence 
 and determination made by thofe perfons appoynted and fwome to iudge indifferentely. 
 
 240 
 
 lohn Sebastian. 
 
 The cause of 
 contencion. 
 
 The trade of spice 
 perteyneth to 
 Th[e]einperoiire. 
 
 lohn kyng of 
 Portugale. 
 
 The trade of 
 Spices. 
 
 The controuersie 
 determined by 
 Cosmoeraphers 
 and Pylots. 
 
272 
 
 Contencion for the trade of fpices. 
 
 The arbytrers on 
 the Emp[e]rours 
 syde. 
 
 241 
 
 Sebastian Cabote. 
 
 Instruments of 
 Cosmographie. 
 The Ilandes of 
 Maluca. 
 
 The arbitrers on 
 the Portugales 
 syde. 
 
 The place where 
 they mette. 
 
 Th[e]order of 
 theyr proces. 
 
 The Portugales. 
 Contention for _ 
 drawynge the line 
 of the diuision. 
 
 Howe the 
 Portugales were 
 deceaued. 
 
 The S^anyardes 
 
 allegations. 
 
 Samatia. 
 
 Malacha. 
 
 China. 
 
 Magallanes. 
 
 Bucna Vista. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Cabo Verde. 
 
 242 
 
 C The reparticion and diuifion of the Indies and newe worlde betwene 
 the Spanyardes and the Portugales. 
 
 His matter concemyng the trade of fpices and the newe worlde of the Indies, by reafon of the 
 greate ryches therof was of greate importaunce and very difficultie to bee limitted and 
 and drawen foorth by Knes. By reafon wherof, it was neceifarie and conuenient to feeke 
 wyfe and woorihypfiil men expert in nauigations, in Cofmographie, and the mathematical! 
 fciences. Th[e]emp[e]roure for his fyde, chofe and named for iudges of the polfeffion, the 
 licentiate Acuna, one of the kynges confayle. Alfo the licentiate Barrientos of the counfayle 
 of the orders : The licentiate Petro Manuel auditour of the courte of the Chauncerie in 
 Valladolith. For iudges of the propertie, he chofe Don Fernando Colono the foonne of Chriftopher Colonus: 
 Alfo doctor Sancho Salaya, Peter Ruiz of Villegas, fryre Thomas Duran, Simon of Alcazaua, and lohn 
 Sebaftian of Cano. His aduocate and attmmey, he made the licentiate lohn Rodriguez of Pifa: and for his 
 fyfcal doctor Ribera, and his fecretarie, Barthalome Ruiz of Caflaneda. He alfo apoynted that Sebaftian 
 Cabote, Steuen Gomes, Nunnio Garcia, Diego Riuero, being al expert pilots and cunning in making cardes 
 for the fea, (huld be prefent, and brynge foorth theyr globes and mappes with other inftrumentes neceifarie to 
 declare the fituation of the Ilandes of the Malucas abowt the which was al the contention and ftryfe. But 
 order was taken that they ftiulde fliewe theyr myndes on neyther fyde, nor enter into the coompany of the other 
 but when they were cauled. Al thefe and diuers other, wente togyther to a towne cauled Badaioz : and as many 
 Portugales came to Elbes, or rather more. For they browght with them two fifcals and two aduocates. The 
 principall of theym, was the licentiate Antonie de Affeuedo, Diego Lopes of Sequeyra the clarke of the weightes 
 and receptes, who had before byn gouemour in India. Alfo Peralfonfo of Melo, clerke : Simon of Tauira, with 
 dyuers other whofe names I knowe not. Before they mette togyther, the one parte remaynynge at Badaioz and 
 the other in Elbes, there was much a doo amonge them beefore they coulde agree vppon the place where they 
 fliulde mete and who fliuld fpeke fyrfte. For the Portugales doo greatly weighe fuche circumftances. At the 
 laft, they concluded to meete togyther at Caya a lyttle ryuer which diuideth Caftile from Portugale, ftandynge 
 in the mydde way betwene Badaioz and Elbes. And when they were affembled togyther one day at Badaioz 
 and an other daye at Elbes and faluted the one the other, bothe parties were fwome that they fliulde proceade 
 and fpeake accordynge to truth, iuftice, and equitie. The Portugales refufed Simon de Alcazaua becaufe he 
 was a Portugale : and fryer Thomas Duran bycaufe he had fumetyme byn preacher to theyr kynge : So that 
 Simon was by confent put owte of the coompany, in whofe roome was placed mafter Antonie of Alcaraz. Yet 
 fell they not to reafonynge the matter vntyll the fryer was put owt. They were manye dayes in beholdynge 
 globes, mappes, and cardes of the fea, and hearynge what myght bee fayde, both fydes alleagynge for the right 
 which they pretended. But the Portugales flaudynge in vayne contention, fayde very angerly the Ilandes of 
 Maluca whereuppon theyr meetynge and refonynge was at that prefente, fell of theyr parte and was of theyr 
 conqueft. And that they both had byn there, and had them in theyr poffeffion before lohn Sebaftian had euer 
 feene them. Lykewyfe that the line fliulde bee drawen from the Ilande of Bonauifta, or the Hand cauled de 
 la Sal, which are the moft Eafterly Ilandes from Cabouerde, and not from the Ilande of Santanton or faynt 
 Antonie, which lyeth towarde the Weft, and are. Ixxxx. leaques the one from the other. Al this was no more 
 but to contend : and the other of the Malucas, is vntrewe. But they that haue a nawghtie matter muft fet it 
 foorth with woordes and brabelynge. Here they founde howe greatly they were deceaued in that they 
 demaunded that the line fliulde bee drawen three hundreth. Ixx. leaques more to the Weft from the Ilandes of 
 Cabouerde (as appeareth hereafter) and not one hundreth accordyng to th[e]aflignement of the popes bul. The 
 Spanyardes on the contrary parte affirmed and made demonftration, that not only the Ilandes of Burney, 
 Gilolo, Zubut, and Tidore, with the other Ilandes of the Malucas. But afwell Samatra, Malacha, and a great 
 parte of China, fliuld belonge to the Caftilians : and that thofe coun treys fell on theyr fyde and on the parte of 
 theyr conqueft: Alfo that Magallanes and lohn Sebaftian were the fyrfte Chriftian men that founde them and 
 obteyned them for Th[e]emperour, as the letters and prefentes of Almanzor doo teftifie. And although the 
 Portugales had byn there fyrfte, yet wente they thyther after the donation of the pope : neyther got they any 
 ryght or iufte tytle thereby. For althowgh they fliulde drawe the line by Buena Vifta, what inconuenience 
 fliulde folowe thereof, fith afwell by the one way as the other, the Ilandes of the Malucas muft perteyne to the 
 Caftilians : yea and moreouer, the Ilandes of Cabo verde fliulde alfo perteine to the Caftihans, forfomuch as 
 drawynge the line by Buena Vifta, the Ilandes of the Malucas doo remayne within the line on the Emperours 
 fyde. They continued in thefe controuerfies for the fpace of two moonethes without anye refolution or ende 
 
Contencion for the trade of f pices. 
 
 made. For the Portugales prolonged and put of the matter, flying from the fentence with cauillations and could 
 realons to th[e]ende that they myght diffolue that affemble Avithout any conclufion or determination : for fo it 
 ftoode them vppon. The Caflilians which were the Judges of the propertie, drewe a line in the great globe three 
 hundreth and. Ixx. [feuenty] leaques from faynt Antonies Ilande, lyinge by Welle Cabo Verde accordynge to the 
 intreatie and determination whiche was agreed vppon betwene the Catholike princes and the kynge of Portugale. 
 Thefe iudges gaue fentence vppon this matter, caulynge the contrary parte before them vpon the bridge of 
 Caya in the yeare. 1524. The Portugales coulde neyther diflurbe or deferre the fentence, nor yet wolde they 
 alowe it to bee iufl and accordynge to ryght : Sayinge that there was not fufficient proceffe made that they 
 fliulde paffe to the gyuynge of fentence. And fo departed threatenyng to fley the Caflilians as many as they 
 fliulde fynde in the Ilandes of the Malucas. For they knewe ryght well that heyr contreymen the Portugales had 
 alredy taken the fliyppe cauled the Trinitie and had alfo taken the Caflilians in Tidore. Then alfo departed 
 owre men, takynge theyr iomey to the courte gyuynge vp to Th[e]emperour all thejn: wrytynges and declaration 
 what they had doone. And accordynge to this declaration mufl bee figned and marked all globes and mappes 
 which good Cofmographers and mailers doo make. The line alfo of the reparticion and lafl diuifion of the 
 newe world of the Indies, ought to paffe (lyttle more or lefTe) by the poyntes of Humos and Buen Abrigo, as I 
 haue fayde in an other place. And thus fhall it appeare euidently that the Ilandes of Spices, and alfo the greate 
 Ilande of Zamotra, do perteyne to Caflile. But the lande of Brafile perteyneth to the kynge of Portugale where 
 the cape of faynt Augulline is, beinge. viii. degrees beneth the Equinoctiall. This lande reacheth from the 
 poynte of Humos to the poynte of Buen Abrigo : and is in lengthe North and South, viii. hundreth leaques. 
 Beinge alfo fum way two hundreth leaques Eafl and Wefl. 
 
 And hereafter thefe ferious matters, wee wyll rehearfe one mery thynge, which was this. It fo chaunced 
 that as Frances de Melo, Diego Lopes of Sequeyra, and other of thofe Portugales of this affemble, walked by 
 the ryuer fyde of Guadiana, a lyttle boy who floode kcepynge his mothers clothes which (he had wafhed, 
 demaunded of theym whether they were thofe men that parted the world with Th[e]emperour And as they 
 anfwered, yea: he tooke vp his fhert and fhewed them his bare arfe, iaymge: Coomme and drawe yowre line 
 here throughe the myddefl. Which fayinge was afterwarde in euery mans mouth and laughed at in the towne 
 of Badaioz : yea euen amonge the commifTioners them felues, of whom fum were angry, and fumme maruayled _ 
 at the fayinge of the chylde. 
 
 C The caufe and autoritie wherby they diuided the Indies. 
 
 He Caflilians and Portugales had longe debated and reafoned abowt the golde myne of Guinea 
 which was found in the yeare of owre lorde 147 1, in the tyme of the reigne of Don Alonfo 
 Kynge of Portugale the firfle of that name. This was a matter of greate importaunce. For 
 the negros or blacke Moores, for thynges of no value, gaue golde by hole handefuls whyche 
 was at that tyme when the fayde Kynge of Portugale pretended title and clayme to the 
 kingedome of Caflile in the right of his wyfe Queene lohn (cauled the excellent) ageynfle 
 the Catholike princes Ifabel and Don Fernando whofe it was in deede. But that flryfe was 
 ended as fone as Don Fernando had vanquiffhed Don Alonfo at a place cauled Temulos not farre from Toro, 
 which place* Don Fernando chofe rather to make warre ageinfl the Moores of Granada, then to bye and fell 
 with the blacke Moores of Guinea. And thus the Portugales remained with the conquell of Affryke from the 
 flreightes forwarde : whiche began where the infante of Portugale Don Henrique (fonne to kynge lohn the 
 baflarde and mafter of Auis) dyd begynne to enlarge it. When pope Alexander the. vi. (beinge a va.lentinian 
 borne) had knowleage hereof, he mynded to gyue the Indies to the kinges of Caflile withowt any preiudice to 
 the Portugales who had conquered the fea coaftes of Affryke. Thefe Indies, the pope gaue of his owne mynde 
 withowte the motion of anye other, with this burden and charge that they Ihulde conuert the Idolatours to the 
 faythe of Chryfte : And commaunded a line or meridian to bee drawen Northe and fouth from one hundreth 
 leaques Weflwarde beyond one of the Ilandes of Cabo Verde towarde the Weae, bycaufe the Spanyardes fhulde 
 not meddle in Affryke perteynynge to the conquefl of the Portugales, to th[e]auoydynge of all ftryfe betwene 
 them. Kynge lohn of Portugale, the feconde of that name, was greatly offended when he redde the bull and 
 donation of the pope, althowgh his owne ambaffadours had made the felfe fame requefl vnto his holyneffe. He 
 alfo found hym felfe agreeued with the Catholyke princes Ifahell and Fernando, that they had fhortened the 
 courfe of the landes he had difcouered, depriuynge hym of the rycheffe which belonged to hym. And therfore 
 refufed to flande to the popes bull in this cafe: defyrynge the Catholyke princes Ifabell and Fernando to graunt 
 him three hundreth leaques more to the Wefle, befyde the one hundreth which they had graunted before : and 
 therwith fent his fhyppes to kepe the coaRes of Affryke. The princes Catholyke were content to fatiffie his 
 
 The Portugales 
 cauillations, 
 
 The line of 
 diuisibli; 
 
 The sentence. 
 
 The Portugales 
 threaten death to 
 the Castilians. 
 
 The line of the 
 last diuision. 
 
 The great Hand 
 of Samotra. 
 The lande of 
 Brasile, perteineth 
 to the Portugales. 
 
 A mery tale. 
 
 The golde myne 
 of Guinea. 
 Alonso kynge of 
 Portugale. 
 
 Gold for thynges 
 of smaul value. 
 
 Contention for the 
 kyn^dome of 
 Castile, 
 
 Warre agenst the 
 Moores of 
 Granada, 
 
 The conquestes of 
 the Portugales in 
 Affrike, 
 
 Pope Alexander. 
 
 243 
 
 The Pope maketh 
 the diuision. 
 
 The kynge of 
 Portugale ref usetl^ 
 to stand to the 
 Popes buU, 
 
 Eden, 
 
 * There is a hiatus here.— E. A. 
 
.274 
 
 Contencion for the trade of/pices. 
 
 I'he agreement of 
 the last diuision 
 
 VTierein the 
 Portugales were 
 deceaued. 
 
 Sebastian Cabote. 
 
 Th[e]emperour 
 and the kinge of 
 Portugale icyned 
 in aliance by 
 raariage. 
 
 The Portugales 
 robbe the 
 CastUians 
 
 TTie coronation of 
 Th[e]emperour. 
 
 244 
 
 The gageing of the 
 llands of Malucas. 
 zamatra and 
 Malaca. 
 
 mynde and to pleafe hym accordynge to theyr gentle nature and for the aliance that was betwene theym : And in 
 fine, with the confent and agreement of the pope, graunted twoo hundreth. Ixx. [feuenty] leaques more then the 
 bull made mention of : At Tordefillas the. vii. day of lune, in the yeare of owr lord 1494. And wheras owr kynges 
 thought that they fhulde haue loft, grounde in grauntynge fo many leaques that way, they woonne by that meanes 
 the Ilandes of the Malucas with many other ryche Ilandes. The kynge of Portugale alfo, herein deceaued him felfe 
 or was deceaued of his whom he put in truft, hauynge no certeyne knowleage of the fituation of the Ilandes of the 
 riche Spicery in demaundyng that which the kynge dyd demaunde. For it hadde byn better for hym to haue 
 requeft.ed the three hundreth and. Ixx. leaques rather Eaftwarde from the Ilandes of Cabo Verde then towarde 
 the weft. And yet for all that, I doubte whether the Malucas ftiulde haue faulen within his conqueft accordynge 
 to the ordinarie accoumpte and dimenfion which the pylotes and Cofmographers doo make. And after this 
 maner they diuided the Indies betwene them by th[e]autoritie of the pope for the auoydynge of further ft.ryfe 
 and contention. 
 
 ^ Howe and by what occajion Th\e\emperoure layde the Ilandes of 
 the Malucas to pledge to the kynge of Portugale. 
 
 Hen the kynge of Portugale Don luan the thyrde of that name, had knowleage that the Cofmo- 
 graphers and pylottes of Caftile hadde drawen the line from the place before named, and that 
 he could not denye the truth, fearing alfo therby to liefe the trade of Spices, made fute and 
 requeft to Th[e]emperoure that he fliulde not fend furth Loaifa nor Sebaft.ian Cabote to the 
 Malucas, and that the Cafl.ilians ftiulde not attempte the trade of fpices nor fee fuch euyls 
 and miferies as his capitaynes had fhewed in thofe Ilandes to them that aduentured that 
 viage with Magalanes. Which thynge he greatly couered, although he payde all the charges 
 of thofe two fleetes, and made other great bargens. In the meane tyme, Th[e]emperoure maryed the Lady 
 Ifabell fyfler to kynge lohn : and kynge lohn maryed the lady Catharine fyfler to Th[e]emperour : whereby this 
 matter waxed coulde althoughe the kynge ceafed not to fpeake hereof, euer mouynge the particion. Th[e]em- 
 perour by the meanes of a certeine Bifcaine that was with Magallanes in the gouernours fhyppe, had knowleage 
 what the Portugales had doone to the Caftilians in the Hand of Tidore, wherof he took great difpleafure, and 
 brought the fayde maryner face to face before th[e]ambafradours of Portugale, who denyed all that he fayde, one 
 of them beinge the chiefe capitayne and gouernour of India when the Portugales tooke the Cafl.ilians in Tidore 
 and robbed them of theyr Cloues and Cinamome and fuch other thynges as they had in the ftiyppe named- the 
 Trinitie. But as the kynge of Portugales trade was greate, and owre neceffitie greater, in the meane tyme Th[e]- 
 emperoure (who was nowe goinge into Italie to bee crowned in the yeare. 1529) gagied the Malucas and the 
 fpicerie to the kynge of Portugale for three hundreth and fiftie thoufande ducades withowt any tyme determyned 
 otherwyfe then the controuerfie was defined vppon the brydge of the ryuer of Caya : for the which thynge, kynge 
 lohn punyftied the licentiate Azeuedo bycaufe he payde the money withowt declaration of the time. The couenaunt 
 of the pledge was blyndely made and greatly ageynfl. the myndes of the Caftilians, as men that wel vnderftode the 
 profite, commoditie, and rycheffe of that trade : Affirm)'nge that the trade of fpices myght haue byn rented for one 
 yeare or for two, for fyxe tymes as much as the kinge gaue for it. Peter Ruiz of Villegas who was twyfe cauled 
 to the bargeyne, as once at Granada and an other tyme at Madrid, fayde that it had byn muche better to haue 
 pledged Eftremadura or Serena, or other greater landes and cities, rather then the Malucas, Zamatra, or Malaca, 
 or other riche landes and ryuers in the Eaft,e not yet well knowen : forafmuche as it maye fo chaunce, 
 that eyther by continuaunce of tyme, or aliance, the pledge myght bee forgotten as thowgh it perteyned 
 to the ryght of Portugale. In fine, Th[e]emperour confidered not the iewel that he pledged, nor the kyng 
 what he receaued. Th[e]emperour was often tymes counfayled to releafe the pledge of thofe Ilandes in 
 confideration of the great vantage he myght haue therby in fewe yeares. Furthermore, in the yeare. 1548. 
 the procuratoures of Cortes being in Valladolid, made peticion to Th[e]emperour to furrender the fpicerie 
 to the kyngedoome of Caftile for. vi. yeares, and that they wold repay to the kyng of Portugale his. 350. thou- 
 fand crownes, and after thofe yeares, reftore the trade to the crowne, that his maieftie myght inioye the lame as 
 was agreed at the begynnynge. But Th[e]emperour beinge then in Flaunders, fente woorde to the counfayle 
 that they ftiulde not aflent to Cortes his requeft, nor fpeake any more hereof. Wherat, fum marueyled. other 
 were fory, and all held theyr peace. 
 
275 
 
 [Amerigo Vespucci, 
 
 and 
 
 Andreas de Corsali. 
 
 Of the Pole Antarctic, and the stars 
 
 about the same.^ 
 
277 
 
 C OF THE POLE ANTARTIKE AND THE 
 
 STARRES ABOWT THE SAME AND OF THE 
 
 QUALITIE OF THE REGIONS AND DISPOSITION OF 
 
 the Elementes abowt the Equinoctiall line. 
 
 Alfo certeyne fecreates touchyng 
 
 the arte of faylynge. 
 
 J^Merlcus Vefputius in the Summarie of his vyages, 
 wryteth in this maner as foloweth. 
 
 Departynge from Lifbona (commonlye cauled Luflieburne) 
 the. viii. day of May, in the yeare. 1501. we fayled fyrfl to the 
 Ilandes of Canarie and from thenfe to Capouerde which the 
 Ethiopians or blacke Moores caule Sifineghe, beinge. xiiii. 
 degrees on this fyde the Equinoctiall line. From whenfe 
 directynge owre courfe towarde the South pole by the South- 
 weft, we fawe no more land for the fpace of three moonethes 
 and three dayes. Of whiche tyme durynge. xl. [forty] dayes, 
 we had cruell fortune : In fo muche that for that fpace, the 
 heauen in maner neuer ceafed thunderyng, rorynge, and 
 lyghtenynge with terrible noyfe, and fearefuU fyghtes of fyery 
 exhalations flyinge abowt in the ayer, and in maner continuall 
 fliowers of rayne with darke clowdes couerynge the heauen in fuch 
 forte that afwell in the day as in the nyght we coulde fee none 
 otherwyfe but as when the moone giueth no lyght by reafon of thicke and darke clowds The fea was in lyke cafe 
 vnquieted with furgies and monfters. After thefe greuous and cruel days, it plefed god to haue compaffion on 
 owr hues. For wee fuddenly efpied land wherby we recouered owr fpirites and ftrength. This land which wee 
 founde, is from Capo Verde. 700. leaques, although I fuppofe that we fayled more then. 800. by reafon of the 
 cruel tempeft and ignoraunce of the Pylottes and mariners whereby wee were lyke to ha,ue byn caft away. For 
 wee were in fuche daungerous places wanderynge in vnknowen coaftes, that if I had not byn IkylfuU in the 
 fcience of Cofmographie we had fuerly peryflied, forafmuch as there was not one pylot that knewe where wee 
 were by the fpace of fiftie leaques. In fo much that if I had not in tyme prouyded for the fafegarde of myne 
 owne lyfe and them that^were with me, with my quadrant and Aftrolabie inftrumentes of Aftronomie, wee had 
 flyl wandered lyke blynde men. But when in fine I had perfuaded the pylots by demonftrations perteynynge 
 to that arte, they gaue me great honour and confeffed that the ordinarie pilottes and mariners ignorant in 
 Cofmographi, are not to bee compared to men of fpeculatiue knowleage. etc. 
 
 Wee fayled by the coafte of the fayde lande. 600. leaques And went oftentymes alande where wee were 
 frendely and honorably interteyned of th[e]inhabitauntes : In fo much that confiderynge theyr innocent nature, 
 we fumtymes remayned with them. xv. or. xx. dayes. This firme lande begynneth beyonde the Equinoctiall 
 line. viii. degrees towarde the pole Antartike. Wee fayled fo farre by the fayde coafte that wee paffed the 
 wynter Tropyke towarde the pole Antartike by xvii. degrees and a halfe, where we had the Horizontal line 
 eleuate fiftie degrees. Such thynges as I fawe there, are Hot yet knowen to men of owre tyme : as the people, 
 theyr cuftomes and maners, the fertilitie of the lande, the goodnes of the ayer, the fauourable influence of 
 heauen and the pianettes, and efpecially the order of the ftarres of the eyght fphere in the inferioure hemifpherie 
 or lower halfe circle of heauen towarde and abowt the South pole, wherof neyther the owlde or newe wryters 
 haue made any mention to this daye. 
 
 y 2 
 
 «77 
 
 Cabouerde. 
 Besetteghtu 
 
 A tempest. 
 
 The ignorance of 
 Pylots and 
 mariners. 
 The ^ se of 
 Cosmo^raphie. 
 The vse of the 
 quadrant and 
 Astrolabie. 
 
 245 
 
 The pole 
 Antartike. 
 
 TIic starres abowt 
 the south pole. 
 
278 
 
 Of the pole Antartike. 
 
 Most pleasant and 
 frutful regions. 
 
 The earthlye 
 Paradyse. 
 Continual 
 temperatnesse- 
 
 Moyst dewes 
 
 Starres vnknowen 
 to vs 
 
 The vse of 
 Geometri. 
 
 Notable stars in 
 the Inferiour 
 hemispherie. 
 
 Most bright and 
 shynynge starres. 
 
 Laciea via 
 
 246 
 
 The inferiour 
 hemispherie. 
 
 The raynebowe. 
 
 Anptotle his 
 opinion of the 
 raynebowe. 
 
 A strange opinion. 
 
 To wryte particularly of the commodities and felicities of thefe regions, it wolde requyre rather a hole 
 volume then a booke : And that fuch, as if Plinie had had knowleage of thefe thynges, he myght greatly haue 
 increafed his bookes of naturall hillories. The trees gyue from them continually fuch fweete fauours as can 
 fcarfely bee imagined : And on euery part put furth fuch gummes, liqueurs, and iufes, that yf we knewe theyr 
 vertues, I fuppofe we myght fynde in them marueylous medicins ageinft difeafes and to mainteyne health. And 
 fuerly in my opinion, yf there bee any earthely Paradyfe in the worlde, it can not bee farre from thefe regions 
 of the fouth, where the heauen is fo beneficiall and the elementes fo temperate that they are neyther bytten 
 with coulde in wynter, nor molefted with heate in fummer. The ayer alfo and the heauen is feldome darkened 
 with clowdes, fo that the dayes and nyghtes are euer cleare. Yet haue they fumtymes moyfl dewes in the 
 momynge and euenyng for the fpace of three houres, whereby the grounde is marueyloufly refrefflied. Lyke- 
 wyfe the firmament is marueyloufly adoumed with certeyne flarres which are not knowen to vs, wherof I noted 
 abowt. XX. to bee of fuche clearenelfe as are the llarres of Venus and lupiter when they are nere vnto vs. And 
 wheras hauynge the knowleage of Geometric, I confidered theyr circuite and djniers motions, and alfo meafured 
 theyr circumference and diameter, I am well aflured that they are much greater then men thynke them to bee. 
 Amonge other, I fawe three flarres cauled Canopi, wherof two were exceadynge cleare, and the thyrde fumwhat 
 darke. The pole Antartike hath nother the greate beare nor the lyttle as is feene abowte owre pole. But hath 
 foure flarres whiche compaffe it abowt in forme of a quadrangle. 
 
 # 
 
 * 
 
 <[ When thefe are hydden, there is feene on the lefte fyde a bryght Canopus of three flarres of notable 
 greatneffe, whiche beinge in the myddefl of heauen, reprefenteth this figure. 
 
 After thefe, fucceade three other fhynynge flarres, whereof that which is in the myddefl, is of meafure. xii. 
 degrees and a halfe in circumference. And in the myddefl of thefe, is feene an other bryght Canopus. After 
 this, folowe. vi. other fhynynge flarres which in bryghtneffe pafTe al other that are in the eyght fphere. Of thefe, 
 that that is in the middefl in the fuperficiall part of the fayde fphere, hath the meafure of his circumference, 
 xxxii. degrees. After thefe foloweth an other great Canopus, but fumwhat darke. All thefe are feene in the 
 parte of heauen cauled Via Laiiea, that is the mylke waye : And beinge ioyned to the meridiane line, fhewe 
 this fygure here folowynge. 
 
 * # # * 
 
 fawe alfo there manye other flarres, the dyuers motions wherof diligently obferued, I made a 
 particular boke of the fame, wherin I made mention of al fuch notable thyngs as I fawe and 
 had knoweleage of, in this nauigation. The whiche booke I deUuered to the kynges maiefl.ie, 
 truflynge that he wyll fhortly reflore it me ageyne. Iti this hemifpherie or halfe coompaiOre 
 of the heauen, I diligently confidered many thinges which are contrarie to th[e]oppinions of 
 philofophers. And amonge other thynges, I fawe a whyte raynebowe abowt mydnyght, 
 wheras other affirme that it hath foure colours of the foure elementes, as redde of the fyer, 
 greene of the earth, whyte of the ayer, and blewe of the water. But Arifl^orie in his booke intiteled Meteora, 
 is of an other opinion For he fayth that the raynebowe is a reflection of the beames of the foonne in the 
 vapoure of a clowde directly ageynfl.e the foonne, as the fhynyng of the fame on the water, is reflected on a 
 waule : And that the fayde clowde or vapoure tempereth the heate of the foonne : and beinge refolued into 
 rayne, maketh the grounde fertyle, and pourgeth the ayer. Alfo that is a token of abundaunt moyflure. By 
 reafon wherof, fum are of opinion that it fhall not appeare. xl. [forty] yeares before th[e]ende of the worlde, which 
 flialbe a token of the drynefTe of the elementes approchynge to the tyme of theyr conflagration or confumyng 
 by fyer. It is a pledge of peace betwene god and men, and is euer directly ouer ageynfl. the foonne. It is 
 therfore neuer feene in the South, bycaufe the foonne is neuer [feene?] in the North. Neuertheleffe, Plinie fayth, 
 278 
 
Of the pole Antartike. 
 
 279 
 
 that after the Equinoctial in Autumne, it is feene at al houres. And thus much haue I gathered owte of the 
 commentaries of Landinus vppon the fourth boke of Virgyl his Eneades, bycaufe I wold defraude no man of 
 his trauayle. I fawe the fayd raynebowe twoo or three tymes. And not I onely, but alfo many other which 
 were in my coompany. Lykewyfe wee fawe the newe moone the felfe fame day that fliee ioyned with the 
 foonne. Wee fawe furthermore vapours and burnynge flames flyinge abowt heauen euery nyght A lyttle 
 before, I cauled this countrey by the name of Hemifpherium (that is) the halfe fphere. Which neuertheleffe 
 can not bee fo named but by fpekynge improperlie in comparyfon of owres. Yet forafmuche as it feemelh to 
 reprefent fuche a forme, I haue improperlye fo named it. 
 
 Departynge therfore from Lilbona (as I haue fayde) beinge from the Equinoctiall line towarde the North 
 abowt. xl. [forty] degrees, wee fayled to this countrey whiche is beyonde the Equinoctiall, 1. [fifty] degrees : All 
 which fumme, maketh the number of. Ixxxx. [ninety] beinge the fourth part of the greatefl. circle accordynge 
 to the trewe reafon of the number tawght by the owlde autours. And by this demonflration it is manifefl. 
 that wee meafured the fourth parte of the 
 worlde: Forafmuch as we that dwell in Lif- ^ yH JSEKXTKl 
 
 ona on this fyde the Equinoctial line abowt. 
 
 xl. [forty] degrees towarde the Northe, fayled 
 
 from thenfe. Ixxxx. [ninety] degrees in lengthe 
 
 meridionale angularly by an ouerthwart line, 
 
 to th[e]inhabitantes. 1. [fifty] degrees beyond 
 
 the Equinoctiall. And that the thynge may 
 
 bee more playnely vnderilode, imagine a 
 
 parpendicular line to faule from the poyntes 
 
 of heauen which are Zenith (that is the 
 
 pricke ouer the head) to vs both ftandynge 
 
 vpryght in the places of owre owne habita- 
 
 cions: and another ryght line to bee drawne 
 
 frome owre Zenith to theyrs : Then graunt- 
 
 ynge vs to bee in the ryght line in com- 
 paryfon to them, it mufl. of neceflitie folowe 
 
 that they are in the ouerthwart line as halfe 
 
 Antipodes in comparyfon to vs: In fuche 
 
 forte that the figure of the layde lines make 
 
 a triangle which is the quarter or fourth 
 
 parte of the hole circle, as appeareth more 
 
 playnely by the fygure here folowynge. 
 
 S touchyng the ftarres and reafons of Cofmographie, I haue gathered thus 
 much owt of the vyage of Americus Vefputius. And haue thought good 
 to ioyne hereunto that whiche Andreas de Corfali writeth in his vyage 
 to Eaft India as concernynge the fame matter. 
 
 After that we departed from Lifbona, wee fayled euer with profperous wynde, not 
 paflynge owt of the Southeaft and Southwell. And paflyng beyonde the Equinoctial line, 
 we were in the heyght of. 37. degrees of the other halfe circle of the earth. And trauerfynge the cape of Bona 
 Speranza a coulde and wyndy clime bycaufe at that tyme the foonne was in the north fignes, wee founde the 
 nyght of. xiiiL houres. Here we fawe a marueylous order of ftarres, fo that in the parte of heauen contrary 
 to owre northe pole, to knowe in what place and degree the fouth pole was, we tooke the day with the foonne, 
 and obferued the nyght with the Aftrolabie, and fawe manifeftly twoo clowdes of reafonable bygneffe mou- 
 ynge abowt the place of the pole continually nowe ryfynge and nowe faulynge, fo keepynge theyr continuall 
 courfe in circular mouynge, with a ftarre euer in the myddeft which is turned abowt with them abowte. xi. 
 degrees frome the pole. Aboue thefe appeareth a marueylous croffe in the myddeft of fyue notable ftarres 
 which compaffe it abowt (as doth charles wayne the northe pole) with other ftarres whiche moue with them 
 abowt. XXX. [thirty] degrees diftant from the pole, and make their courfe in. xxiiii. [twenty-four] houres. 
 This croffe is fo fayre and bewtiful, that none other heuenly gne may be compared to it as may appeare by 
 . this fygure. 
 
 The newe mone. 
 Fyery exhalations. 
 Hemispherium. 
 
 Lisbona. 
 
 The fowrth part of 
 the worlde. 
 
 247 
 
 ZenitK 
 
 ITie vyage of 
 
 Andreas de 
 
 Corsali, 
 
 The Equinoctial 
 
 line. 
 
 Cap. de Speranza, 
 
 The starres of the 
 vnder hemispheric. 
 
 Cloudes abowt the 
 south pole. 
 
 A crosse of fyue 
 starres. 
 
28o 
 
 Of the pole Antartike. 
 
 248 
 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
 ^ 
 
 $,%^tptilsmm\iit* 5$*alJ«ficCj* 
 
 The coastes: of 
 Ethiope. 
 
 Golde in Elinope. 
 
 The vyage of 
 
 Alohius 
 
 Cadamustus. 
 
 Tjie chariote of 
 the south pole. 
 
 F the lyke matters, and of the flraunge ryfynge of the foonne in the 
 mornynge, and of the dyuers feafons of the yeare and motions of the 
 Elementes in the coafle of Ethiope abowt the ryuer of Senega, and the 
 riche region of Gambra where plentie of golde is founde, fumewhat 
 beyonde Capo Verde, Aloifius Cadamuftus wryteth in this effecte. 
 
 Durynge the tyme that wee rema3med vppon the mouth of the ryuer, we fawe the 
 north ftarre but once: which appered very lowe aboue the fea the height of a iauelen. 
 Wefaw alfo fyxe cleare, bryght, and great flarres verye lowe aboue the fea. And confiderynge theyr ftations 
 with owre coompaffe, we founde them to llande ryght fouth, fygured in this maner. 
 
 * 
 # # # * 
 
 The wynter abowt 
 the Equinoctiall. 
 Kaine and clowdes. 
 
 Thunder and 
 lyghtnynge. 
 
 Hot showres of 
 
 rayne. 
 
 The day, and 
 
 rysynge of the 
 
 soonne. 
 
 E iudged them to bee the chariotte or wayne of the fouth : But we fawe not the principall 
 flarre, as we coulde not by good reafon, except we fhuld firfl lofe the fyght of the north pole. 
 In this place wee founde the nyght of the length of a. xi. houres and a halfe : And the day 
 of. xii. houres and a halfe at the begynnynge of luly. This countrey is euer hotte al times 
 of the yeare. Yet is there a certeyne varietie which they caule wynter. For from the 
 moneth of Inly to October, it rayneth continually in maner dayly abowt none after this forte. 
 There ryfe continually certeyne clowdes aboue the lande betwene the northeafl and the 
 fouth eaft, or from the eafl and foutheafl with greate thunderynge and lyghtnynge and excead- 
 ynge great fliowers of raine At this tyme the Ethiopians begynne to fowe theyr feedes. They lyue commonly 
 with hony, herbes, rootes, fleffhe, and mylke. I had alfo intelligence that in this region by reafon of the great 
 heate of the ayer, the water that raineth is hotte : And that the foonne ryfynge in the mornynge, makethe no 
 cleare daylyght as it dooth with vs : But that halfe an houre after the ryfynge, it appeareth troubeled, dynime 
 and finoky. The whiche thynge, I knowe not to proceade of any other caufe then of the loweneffe of the 
 grounde in this contrey beinge without mountaynes. 
 
 zSo 
 
28 1 
 
 [The Third English book on America, 
 
 Which is also 
 
 The First English Collection of Voyages, Traffics, & Discoveries. 
 
 Cfte BttntftS at the netoe towXlre at ix>t&t MXfin, ttc. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 0/ Moscovy, Cathay, and 
 the North Regions, 
 
 1500-1555.] 
 
283 
 
 CA DISCOVRSE OF DYVERS 
 
 WAGES AND WAVES BY THE WHICHE 
 
 SPICES, PRECIOUS STONES, AND GOLDE WERE BROUGHT IN OWLDE 
 tyme from India into Europe and other partes of the world. 
 
 ALSO OF THE WAGE TO CATHAY AND EAST INDIA 
 
 by the north fea : And of certeyne fecreates touchynge the fame vyage, 
 
 declared by the duke of Mofcouie his ambaffadoure to an excellent 
 
 lerned gentelman of Italic, named Galeatius Butrigarius. 
 
 Lykewyfe of the vyages of that woorthy owlde man 
 
 Sebaftian Cabote, yet liuynge in Englande, and at this 
 
 prefent the gouernour of the coompany of the 
 
 marchantes of Cathay in the citie of London. 
 
 T is doubtleffe a marueylous thynge to confyder what chaunges and 
 alterations were caufed in all the Romane Empire by the com- 
 mynge of the Gothes and Vandales, and other Barbarians into 
 Italy. For by theyr inuafions were extinguyflied all artes and 
 fciences, and all trades of Marchaundies that were vfed in dyuers 
 partes of the worlde. The defolation and ignoraunce which 
 infued hereof, continued as it were a clowde of perpetuall darke- 
 neffe amonge men for the fpace of foure hundreth yeares and more, 
 in fo much that none durft aduenture to go any whyther owt of 
 theyr owne natiue countreys : whereas before th[e]incurfions of 
 the fayde Barbarians when the Romane Empire floryfflied, they 
 might fafly paffe the feas to al partes of Eafl. India which was 
 at that time as wel knowen and frequented as it is nowe by the 
 nauigations of the Portugales. And that this is trewe, it is mani- 
 fefl by that which Strabo wryteth, who was in the tyme of 
 Auguftus and Tiberius. For fpeakynge of the greatneffe and 
 ryches of the citie of Alexandria in Egypte (gouerned then as a 
 prouince of the Romanes) he wryteth thus. This only place of Egypte, is apte to receaue all thynges that 
 coome by fea, by reafon of the commoditie of the hauen : And lykewyfe all fuch thynges as are brought by lande, 
 by reafon of the ryuer of Nilus wherby they may bee eafely conueyde to Alexandria, beinge by thefe commodi- 
 ties the rychefl. citie of marchauntes that is in the worlde. 
 
 The reuenues of Egypt are fo great, that Marcus Tullius fayth in one of his orations, that kynge Tolomeus 
 fumaraed Auleta, the father of queene Cleopatra, had of reuenues twelue thoufande and fyue hundreth talentes, 
 which are feuen millions and a halfe in golde. If therfore this kyng had fo great reuenues when Egypt was 
 gouerned of fo fewe and fo negligently, what myght it then bee woorth to the Romanes by whom it was gouerned 
 with great diligence, and theyr trade of marchandies greatly increafed by the traffike of Trogloditica and India ? 
 wheras in tyme pafte there could hardly bee founde. xx. fliyppes togyther that durfte enter into the goulfe of 
 
 283 
 
 249 
 
 The romaine 
 empyre. 
 
 iiii. hundreth 
 yeares of 
 Ignoraunce. 
 
 Easte India well 
 knowen in owld 
 time. 
 
 Strabo. 
 
 The great rychesse 
 
 of Egipte. 
 
 The citie of 
 Alexandria. 
 
 Marueylous '. 
 rychesse. , 
 
 The gouemaunce 
 and reuenues of 
 the Romans. 
 
 Trogloditica 
 and India. 
 
284 
 
 Of Mofcouie and Cathay. 
 
 The ^oulfe of 
 Arable. 
 
 Ethiope. 
 
 Rich customs 
 
 The rychesse 
 which were 
 brought in owlde 
 tyme from India, 
 and the red sea. 
 The commission of 
 The[e]mperours 
 Marcus and 
 Commodus. 
 
 250 
 
 The great riches 
 the kynges of 
 Egipte had by 
 customes. 
 The noble 
 enterprises of the 
 kinges of Egypte. 
 Arsinoe. 
 Daiiuata. 
 Pelusio. 
 
 Nilus. 
 Copta 
 Berenice. 
 
 A nauigable 
 trensh made from 
 Egypte to thfc red 
 
 Lacits Amaru 
 
 Kynge Sesostre 
 
 Kynge 
 Psammiticus. 
 Kyng Darius 
 
 Kynge Ptolomeus. 
 The dtie Heroum. 
 
 What Plynye 
 writeth of the 
 nauigable trenche 
 
 The largenesse 
 and lengthe of the 
 trenche. 
 
 251 
 
 Arabic, or fliewe theyr proos withowt the mouth of the fame. But at this prefent, great nauies fayle togyther in 
 to India and to the fiirthefl partes of Ethiope from whenfe are brought many rych and precious marchandies 
 into Egipt and are caryed from thenfe into other countreys. And by this meanes are the cuflomes redoubeled 
 afwell by fuche thynges as are brought thyther, as alfo by fuche as are caryed frome thenfe, forafmuche as greate 
 cuflomes arryfe of thynges of great value. And that by this vyage, infinite and precious marchaundies were 
 brought from the redde fea and India, and thofe of dyuers other fortes then are knowen in owre tyme, it 
 appeareth by the fourthe volume of the ciuile lawe wherin is defcribed the commiffion of Th[e]emperours Marcus 
 and Commodus, with the rehearfall of all fuche ftuffe and marchandies wherof cuflome fliuld bee payde in the 
 redde fea by fuch as had the fame in fee ferme, as were payde the cuflomes of all other prouinces perteynynge 
 to the Romane Empyre : and they are thefe folowynge, 
 
 Cinamome. 
 
 Longe pepper. 
 
 Whyte pepper. 
 
 Cloues. 
 
 Coflus. 
 
 Cancamo. 
 
 Spikenarde. 
 
 Caffia. 
 
 Sweete perfumes, 
 
 XilocafTia. 
 
 Mir. 
 
 Amome. 
 
 Ginger. 
 
 Malabatrum. 
 
 Ammoniac. 
 
 Galbane. 
 
 LalTer. 
 
 Agarike. 
 
 Gumme of Arabic. 
 
 Cardamome. 
 
 Xilocinamome. lewels of Sardonica. 
 
 Carpefio. Ceraunia. 
 
 Sylkes of dyuers fortes. Calamus Aromaticus. 
 Linnen cloth. Berille. 
 
 Skynnes and furres of Cilindro. 
 ParthiaandBabilon. Slaues. 
 
 Cloth of Sarmatia. 
 The fylke cauled 
 
 Metaxa. 
 Veflures of fylke. 
 
 Dyed cloth and fylke 
 
 Carbafei. 
 
 Sylke threede. 
 
 Gelded men. 
 
 Popingiayes. 
 
 Lions of India. 
 
 Leopardes. 
 
 Panthers. 
 
 Purple, 
 
 luery. 
 
 Wodde of Heben. 
 
 Precious flones. 
 
 Perles. 
 
 Alfo that iuife or liquour which is gathered of woUe and of the heare of the Indians. 
 By thefe woordes it dooth appeare that in owld tyme the fayde nauigation by the way of the redde fea, was 
 wel knowen and muche frequented, and perhappes more then it is at this prefent. In fo much that the auncient 
 kynges of Egypt confideryng the great profyte of the cuflomes they had by the viages of the red fea, and wyllyng 
 to make the fame more eafy and commodious, attempted to make a foffe or chanel which fhulde begynne in the 
 lafle parte of the fayde fea, where was a citie named Arfmoe (which perhappes is that that is nowe cauled Sues) 
 and fhulde haue reached to a branche of the tyuer of Nilus named Pelufio, which emptiethit felfe in o-wre fea 
 towarde the Eafl abowt the citie of Damiata. They determyned alfo to make three caufeis or hyghe wayes by 
 lande, which fhulde pafTe from the fayde braunche to the citie of Arfmoe : but they founde this to difficulte to 
 brynge to pafTe. In fine, kynge Tolomeus furnamed Philadelphus, ordeyned an other way : as to fayle vppon 
 Nilus ageynfl the courfe of the ryuer vnto the citie of Copto, and from thenfe to pafTe by a deferte countrey 
 vntyll they coome aboue the redde fea to a citie named Berenice or Mioformo, where they imbarked all the3T 
 marchaundies and wares for India, Ethiope, and Arabic, as appeareth by the wrytynge fyrfl of Strabo (who 
 wryteth that he was in Egypte) and then by Plinie who was in the tyme of Domitian. Strabo alfo fpeaking of 
 the fayd foffe or trench which was made toward the red fea, wryteth thus. 
 
 There is a trenche that goth towarde the red fea and the goulfe of Arabic, and to the citie of Arfmoe, which 
 fum caul Cleopatrida: and paffeth by the lakes named Amari (that is) bitter, bicaufe in deede they were fyrfl 
 bytter. But after that this trenche was made and the ryuer entered in, they became fweete, and are at this 
 prefent full of foules of the water by rcafon of theyr pleafauntneffc. This trenche was fyrfl begun by kynge 
 Scfoflre, before the battayle of Troy. Sum faye that it was begunne by kynge Pfammiticus whyle he was a chylde : 
 And that by reafon of his death, it was lefte imperfect : Alfo that afterwarde, kynge Darius fucceded in the 
 fame enterpryfc, who wold haue finiflhed it, but yet brought it not to th[e]ende bycaufe he was informed that 
 the redde fea was hygher then Egypt : And that if this lande diuydynge bothe the feas, were opened, all Egypte 
 fhulde bee drowned thereby. Kynge Tolomeus wold in deede haue finyfhed it : but yet left it fhut at the hed 
 that he myght when he wolde, fayle to the other fea and retume withowt perell. Here is the citie of Arfmoe: 
 And nerc vnto that, the citie cauled Heroum in the vttcrmofl part of the goulfe of Arabic toward Egipt with 
 many portes and habitacions. Plinie likewyfc fpeakynge of this trench, fayth. In the furthcfl part of the goulfe 
 of Arabic, is a porte cauled Daneo, from whenfe they determyned to brynge a nauigable trench vnto the ryuer of 
 Nilus, where as is the fyrfl Delta. Betwene the fayde fea and Nilus, there is a flrcight of lande of the length of. Ixii. 
 [fixty-two] myles. The firfl that attempted this thynge, was Scfoflre kynge of Egypte : and after hym Darius kynge of 
 the Pcrfians, whome Tolomeus folowed, who made a trenche a hundreth foote large, and. xxx. [thirty] foote diepe, 
 beinge three hundreth myles in lengthe vnto the lakes named Amari, and durfle proceade no further for feare of 
 inundation, hauynge knowcleage that the redde fea was hygher by three cubites then al the countrey 
 of Egypt. Other fay that this was not the caufe : but that he doubted that yf he fhulde haue let the fea 
 coome any further, all the water of Nilus fhulde haue byn therby corrupted, which onely mynyflreth drynke to 
 all Egypte. But notwithflandyngc all thefe thynges aforefayde, all this vyage is frequented by lande 
 from Egypte to the redde fea, in which pafiage arc three caufeis or hyghe wayes. The fyrfl begynneth at the 
 284 
 
Of Mofcouie and Cathay. 
 
 285 
 
 mouth of Nilus named Pelufio. All which way is by the fandes: In fo much that if there were not certeyne 
 hyghe reedes fyxt in the earth to ftiewe the ryght way, the caufei coulde not be founde by reafon the wynde 
 euer couereth it with fande. The fecond caufei is two myles from the mountayne Caffius. And this alfo in th[e]- 
 ende of. Ix. [fixtyj myles, commeth vppon the way or caufey of Pelufius,' inhabited with certeyne Arabians cauled 
 Antei. The thyrde begynneth at Gerro, named Adipfon: and paffeth by the fame Arabians, for the fpace of Ix. 
 [fixty] myles fum,what fliorter, but full of rowgh mountaynes and great fcarfeneffe of water. All thefe caufeis, leade 
 the way to the citie of Arfinoe, buylded by Tolomeus Philadelphus in the goulfe Carandra by the red fea. This 
 Ptolomeus was the fyrft that fearched al that parte of the red fea which is cauled Trogloditica. Of this trenche 
 defcribed of Strabo and Plinie, there are feene certeyne tokens remaynynge at this prefent as they affirme which 
 haue byn at Sues beyonde the citie of Alcayr otherwyfe cauled Babylon in Egypte. But the marchauntes that 
 of later dayes trauayle this viage by lande, ryde through the dry and baren defertes on camels both by day and 
 by nyght: directynge theyr way by the flarres and compafe as do maryners on the fea, and caryinge with them 
 water fufficient for many dayes iorneys. The places of Arabia and India named of Strabo and Plinie, are the 
 felfe fame where the Portugales practife theyr trade at this daye, as the maners and cuftomes of the Indians doo 
 yet declare. For euen at this prefente theyr women vfe to burne theym felues alyue with the deade bodies of 
 "theyr hufbandes. Which thynge (as wryteth Strabo in his. xv. booke) they dyd in owlde tyme by a lawe, for 
 this confideration that fumtyme being in loue with other they forfooke or poyfoned theyr hufbandes. And 
 forafmuch as accordynge to this cuflome, the owlde poete Propertius (who lyued abowt a hundreth yeares before 
 th[e]incamation of Chryfl) hath in his boke made mention of the contention that was amonge the Indian 
 women which of them fhuld bee burned aliue with theyr hufbandes, I haue thought good to fubfcribe his 
 verfes, which are thefe. 
 
 Falix Fois lexfuneris vna maritis, 
 
 Quos aurora fuis rubra colorat equis. 
 
 Mamque vbi viortifero ialla eft fax vltima leBo, 
 Vxorum fuis Jtat pia turba comis, 
 
 Et certamen habent lethi, qucB viuafequatur 
 Conit^ium, pudor eft non licuifsc mori. 
 
 Ardent viSlrkes, et flammtz pedora prmbent, 
 Imponuntquefuis ora perujla viris. 
 
 As touchynge thefe vyages both by fea and by lande to Eaft India and Cathay, many 
 thynges are wrytten very largely by dyuers autours which I omytte bycaufe they 
 perteyne not fo much vnto v.s as doth the viage attempted to CATHAY by the north 
 feas and the coafles of Mofcouia difcouered in owre tyme by the viage of that excellent 
 yonge man Rychard Chaunceler no leffe lerned in all mathematicall fciences then an 
 expert pylotte, in the yeare of owre lorde. 1554. 
 
 As concemynge this vyage, I haue thought good to declare the communication which was betwene the 
 layde learned man Galeatius Butrigarius, and that great philofopher and noble gentelman of Italie named 
 Hieronimus Fracaftor as I fynde wiytten in the Italian hyflories of nauigations. As they were therfore con- 
 feriynge in matters of leamynge, and reafonynge of the faience of Cofmographi, the fayde lerned man hauynge 
 in his hande an inflrument of Allronomie, declared with a large oration howe muche the worlde was bounde 
 to the kynges of Portugale, rehearfynge the noble factes doone by them in India, and what landes and Ilandes 
 they had difcouered, and how by theyr nauigations they made the whole worlde hange in the ayer. He further 
 declared what parts of the baul of the earth remained yet vndifcouered. And fayde that of the landes of the 
 inferior hemifpherie or halfe compafe of the baule towarde the pole Antartike, there was nothynge knowen but 
 that lyttle of the coafte of BrafiKa vnto the llreight erf" Magellanus. Alfo a part of Peru; And a lyttle aboue 
 Afinke towarde the cape of Bona Speranza. Alfo that hemarueyled withowte meafure that this thynge was no 
 better confidered of Chriftian Princes to whom god had deputed this charge, hauyng euer on theyr counfail 
 men of great lemynge which may informe them of this thing beinge fo marueylous and noble whereby they 
 maye obteyne glorie and fame by vertue, and bee imputed amonge men as goddes, by better demerites then 
 euer were Hercules and great Alexander who trauayled only into India: and that by makynge the men of this 
 owre .hemifpherie knowen to theym of the other halfe compafe of the baule beneth vs, they might by the tytle 
 of this enterpryfe, withowt compaiyfon farre excell all the noble factes that euer were doone by lulias Cefar or 
 any other of the Romane Emperours. Which thynge they myght eafely brynge to paffe by affignynge colonies 
 to inhabite dyuers places of that hemifpherie, in lyke maner as dyd the Romanes in prouinces newely fubdued. 
 Whereby they myght not only obteyne great ryches, but alfo inlarge the Chriftian fayth and Empire to the- 
 glory of god and confufion of infidels. After this, he fpake of the Ilande of faynt Laurence, cauled in owlde 
 
 b8j 
 
 The viage bi lande 
 from Egypte to 
 the red sea. 
 
 what kynge 
 
 Ptolomeus 
 
 discouered. 
 
 Alcayre; 
 The Tnage to 
 Easte Indya 
 frequented in 
 owlde tyme. 
 The customes and 
 maners of the 
 Indyans. 
 
 The vyage to 
 Cathay. 
 
 Rycharde 
 Chaunceler. 
 
 A lerned discourse 
 
 of dyuers vyages 
 
 The vigages of tha 
 
 Portugales. 
 
 The worlde 
 
 hangynge on the 
 
 ayer. 
 
 What, is knowen 
 
 of the lower 
 
 heraispherie. 
 
 The lande of 
 
 Brasile. 
 
 Pern. 
 
 The charge and 
 
 dewtie of Christian 
 
 princes. 
 
 Note. 
 
 252 
 
 Hercules and 
 Alexander. 
 
 The colonies of 
 the Romans in 
 regions subdued. 
 
 The great Hand 
 of saynt Laurence 
 or Madagasc;.r. 
 
286 
 
 Of Mofcoiiie and Cathay. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Taprobana or 
 Giaua. 
 
 Plinie. 
 
 The hystorie of 
 Coraelius Nepos. 
 
 Shyp's of India 
 driuen intu the sea 
 of Germanie. 
 
 An enteiprise 
 wherby Princes 
 may obteyne trewe 
 fame and glory. 
 Catbay discouered 
 bi Marcus Paulus. 
 
 The citie of 
 Lubyke. 
 
 The kyng of 
 Polonie. 
 
 The duke of 
 Moscouia. 
 
 An ambassadour 
 from the duke of 
 Moscouia. 
 
 253 
 
 The woordes of 
 th[e]ambassadour 
 of Moscouia. 
 
 The way from 
 
 Moscouia to the 
 
 north Ocean and 
 
 Cathay. 
 
 Volochda. 
 
 Vstiug. 
 
 Succana. 
 
 Duina. 
 
 Colmogor. 
 
 The north Ocean. 
 Create wooddes. 
 
 Gothlande. 
 
 The Moscouites 
 haue knowleage of 
 the greate cane 
 Cathay. 
 
 Fermia* 
 Plescora. 
 Catena mundL 
 
 tynie Madagafcar, which is greater then the realme of Cadile and Portugale, and reachethe from the. xii. degree 
 towarde the pole Antartike, ynto the. xxvi. degree and a halfe, lyinge Northeafte frome the cape of Bona 
 Speranza and partly vnder the line of Tropicus Capricorni : beinge well inhabited and of temperate ayer, with 
 abundaunce of all thynges neceffarie for the lyfe of man, and one of the mofl excellent Ilandes that is founde 
 this daye in the worlde : And that neuertheleffe there is nothynge knowen therof, except only a fewe fmaule 
 hauens by the fea fide, as the lyke ignorance remayneth of the greatefl part of the Ilandes of Taprobana, Giaua 
 the more and the leffe, and infinite other. Then begynninge to fpeake of the partes of owre pole, he caufed 
 the bookes of plinie to bee brought him where diligentely ponderynge the. Ixvii. chapiture of the feconde booke, 
 he founde where he reherfeth the hiftorie of Cornelius Nepos, by thefe woordes : That in his tyme, one 
 Eudoxus efcapynge the handes of kynge Lathyro, departed from the goulfe of Arabie and came by fea to the 
 Ilande of Calefe. Declarynge further, that whereas this narration was many yeares reputed for a fable, was 
 nowe in owre tyme by the vertue of the Portugales, knowen to bee trewe : And that lykewyfe the fame 
 Cornelius Nepos recitethe that at the tyme when Quintus Metellus Celer was proconful or lieuetenant for the 
 Romans in Fraunce, the kynge of Sueuia gaue hym certeyne Indians which faylinge owt of India for marchan- 
 dies, were by tempefl. dryuen to the coafles of Germanie. When he had redde thefe woordes, he proceaded, 
 fayinge that the fame thynge myght bee verified nowe in owr tyme if the princes which confine vppon that fea 
 wolde endeuoure theyr induflry and diligence to brynge it to pafle. And that there coulde not any nauigation 
 bee imagined fo commodious and profitable to all Chriftendoome as this myght bee yf by this way the vyage 
 fliulde bee founde open to India to come to the rych contrey of CATHAY which was difcouered now two 
 hundreth yeares fence by Marcus Paulus. Then taking the globe in his hande, he made demonflration that 
 this vyage fliulde bee very fliorte in refpect of that which the Portugales nowe folowe, and alfo of that which 
 the Spanyardes may attempte to the Ilandes of Moluca. He declared furthermore that the citie of Lubyke 
 beinge rych and of great poure, and fituate vppon the fea of Germanie, and alfo accuflomed with continuall 
 nauigations to trauayle the fea of Norwaye and Gothlande, and lykewyfe the ryght noble kynge of Polonie 
 whofe dominions with his realme of Lituania, extende to the fayde fea, fliulde be apte to difcouer this fecreate : 
 But that aboue all other, the duke of Mofcouia, fliulde performe the fame with greater commoditie and more 
 facilitie then any other Prince. And here fteyinge a whyle, he began to fpeake ageyne and fayde. Nowe 
 forafmuch as we are coome to this pafle, mee thynke it fliulde feeme a great difcurtefie if I fliuld not fliewe 
 yowe all that I knowe as touchynge this vyage, wherof I greatly mufed with my felfe many yeares by occafion 
 of the woordes of Plinie. Whereas therefore beinge a younge man, I was in Germanie in the citie of Augufl.a, 
 it fo chaunfed that in thofe dayes there came thyther an ambafadour of the duke of Mofcouia, a man fingularly 
 learned both in the Greeke toonge and the Latine, and of good experience in worldely thynges, hauying byn 
 fent to dyuers places by the fayde Prince, and one of his counfayle. Of whofe leam)mg beinge aduertifed, I 
 fought his acquayntaunce. And talkynge with hym one day of thefe Indians dryuen by fortune to the coaft.es of 
 Germanie, and of the vyage that myght bee difcouered by the North fea to the Ilandes of fpices, I perceaued 
 that at the fyrft.e he marueyled exceadyngely, as at a thynge that he coulde neuer haue imagined. But reftynge a 
 whyle in maner aftonyfflied in his fecreate phantafie, he toke great pleafure therin, and fayde. Forafmuch as 
 the Portugales haue nowe compafed abowt all the fouth partes fuppofed in owlde tyme to bee inacceflable by 
 reafon of great heate, why fliulde wee not certeinely thynke that the lyke maye bee done abowt this parte of the 
 north withowt feare of coulde, efpecially to men borne and brought vp in that clime ? Yet procedyng fiirther, 
 he faid, that if his Prince and matter, had men that wolde animate hym to difcouer this vyage, there was no 
 Prince in Chriftendome that myght do it with more facilitie. Then caulynge for a mappe in which was the 
 defcription of Mofcouia and the prouinces fubiecte to the fame, he declared that from the citie of Mofcouia or 
 Mofca going towarde the northeaft for the fpace of. Ix. [fixty] myles, they come to the ryuer of Volochda and after- 
 warde by that, and folowyng the courfe therof, to the citie of Vftiug, fo cauled bycaufe the ryuer of lug fauleth 
 into the ryuer of Succana, where they lofe theyr owne names and make the great ryuer Duina : And by that, 
 leauyng on the ryght hande the citie of Colmogor, they fayle vnto the north Ocean. The which waye, althoughe 
 it bee a longe tracte, as more then. 800. myles, neuerthelefle he fayde that in fommer it myght commodioufly 
 bee fayled : And that wheras it fauleth into the fea, there are infinite woods of goodly trees apte to make fliyppes. 
 And the place fo conuenient for this purpofe, that fliipwryghtes and other flcylful workemen for all thynges 
 hereunto apperteynynge, may eafely coome owt of Germanie. Alfo that the men which are vfed to trauayle the 
 fea of Germanie abowte the coafles of Gothlande, fliulde bee beft and mofl apte to attempte this enterpxyfe, 
 bycaufe they are indurate to -abyde coulde, hunger, and laboure. He fayde furthermore, that in the court of his 
 Prince, they haue much knowleage of the great cane of Cathay, by reafon of the continuall warres they haue 
 with the Tartars, of whom the greatefl part gyue obedience to the faid great Cane as to the}T chiefe Emperoure. 
 He made alfo demonflration in the fayde carde by the northeafte, that beinge pafte the prouince of Permia and 
 the ryuer Pefcora (whiche fauleth into the north fea) and certeyne mountaynes named Catena Mundi, there is 
 
Of Mofcouie and Cathay. 
 
 287 
 
 th[e]enteraunce into the prouince of obdora, whereas is Vecchiadoro and the ryuer Obo, whiche alfo fauleth 
 mto the fayd fea, and is the furtheft borther of Th[e]empire of the Prince of Mofcouia. The fayde ryuer hath 
 his originall in a great lake cauled Chethai, which is the fyrfte habitacion of the Tartars that paye tribute to the 
 greate Cane. And from this lake for the fpace of two monethes vyage (as they were credably informed by 
 certeine Tartares taken in the warres) is the moft. noble citie of Cambalu, beinge one of the chiefeft in the- do- 
 minion of the greate Cane, whom fum caule the great Cham. He alfo affirmed, that if ftiippes fhulde bee made 
 en the coafl.es of the fayde fea, and fayle on the backe halfe of the coaft therof (which he knewe by many 
 relations made to his Prince, to reach infinitely toward the northeaft.) they fhulde doubteleffe in folowynge the 
 fame, eafely difcouer that countrey. Vnto thefe woordes he added, that although there were greate difficultie 
 in Mofcouia, by reafon that the waye to the fayde fea is full of thicke wooddes and waters which in the fommer 
 make great maryfflies and impoffible to bee trauayled, afwell for lacke of vyttayles whiche can not there bee 
 founde, not for certeyne dayes, but for the fpace of certeyne monethes, the place beinge defolate withowt 
 inhabitauntes, neuerthelefle he fayde that yf there were with his Prince, only two Spanyardes or Portugales to 
 whome the charge of this vyage Ihulde bee commytted, he no wayes doubted but that they wolde folowe it and 
 fynde it, forafmuch as with great ingenioufnefle and ineftimable pacience, thefe nations haue ouercome much 
 greater difficulties then are thefe which are but lyttle in comparifon to thofe that they haue ouerpaffed and doo 
 ouerpaffe in all theyr viages to India. He proceaded declarynge that not many yeares fence, there came to the 
 courte of his Prince, an ambafladour frome pope Leo, named mafter Paulo Centurione a Genuefe vnder dyuers 
 pretenfes. But the principall occafion of his commynge, was, bycaufe he hadde conceaued greate indignation 
 and hatred ageynft the Portugales : And therfore intended to proue yf he coulde open anye vyage by lande 
 whereby fpices myght bee brought from India by the lande of Tartaria, or by the fea Cafpium (otherwyfe cauled 
 Hircanum) to Mofcouia : And from thenfe to bee brought in fhippes by the ryuer Riga, whiche runnynge by 
 the countrey of Liuonia, fauleth into the fea of Germanie. And that his Prince gaue eare vnto hym: and caufed 
 the fayde viage to bee attempted by certeine noble men of Lordo, of the Tartars confininge nexte vnto hym. 
 But the warres whiche were then betwene them, and the greate defertes. which they fliulde of neceffitie ouerpaffe, 
 made them leaue of theyr enterpryfe: which if it had bin purpofed by the coaftes of this owre north fea, it myght 
 haue byn eafely fynyflied. The fayde Ambaffadour continued his narration, fayinge that no man ought to 
 doubte of that fea but that it may bee fayled fyxe monethes in the yeare, forafmuch as the days are then very 
 longe in that clime, and hot by reafon of contynuall reuerberation of the beames of the foonne and fliorte 
 nyghtes. And that this thynge were as well woorthy to bee proued, as any other na,uigation wherby many 
 partes of the worlde heretofore vnknowen, haue byn difcouered and brought to ciuilitie. And here makynge an 
 ende of this talke, he faid : Let vs nowe omytte this parte of Mofcouia with his coulde, and fpeake fumwhat of that 
 parte of the newe worlde in whiche is the lande ofBrytons cauled Terra Britonum,2cs\A'S>2sxsiS&o% or Terra Bacca- 
 learum, where in the yeare. 1534. and. 1535. laques Cartiar in two vyages made with three great French gallies, 
 founde the great and large coun treys named Canada, Ochelaga, and Sanguenai: which reach from the. xlv. [forty-fifth] 
 to the. li. [fifty-firft] degree, beinge well inhabited and pleafaunte countreys, and named by hym Noua Francia. And 
 here fl.eyinge a while and lyftynge vppe his handes, he fayde : Oh what doo the Chrifl.ian Princes meane that 
 in fuch landes difcouered they do not affigne certeine colonies to inhabite the fame to bringe thofe people 
 (whom god hath fo bleffed with natural gyftes) to better ciuilitie and to embrafe owre religion, then the whiche, 
 nothynge can bee more acceptable to god ? The fayd regions alfo, beinge fo fayre and frutefuU, with plentie of 
 all fortes of come, herbes, frutes, woodde, fyfffies, beaft.es, metals, and ryuers of fuche greatneffe that Ihyppes 
 maye fayle more then. 180. myles vppon one of theym, beinge on bothe fydes infinitely inhabited: And to caufe 
 the gouernoures of the fayde colonies to fearche whether that lande toward the northe named Terra deLaborador, 
 doo ioyne as one firme lande with Norwaye: Or whether there bee any ftreight or open place of fea as is moft.e 
 lyke there fliulde bee, forafmuch as it is to bee thought that the fayde Indians dryuen by fortune abowte the 
 coaftes of Norway, came by that ftreyght or fea, to the coaftes of Germanie: And by the fayde ftreight to faile 
 northweft to difcouer the landes and countreys of CATHAY, and from thenfe to fayle to the Ilandes of 
 Molucca. And thefe furely fliulde be enterprifes able to make men immortal. The whiche thynge, that ryght 
 woorthy gentleman mafter Antony di Mendoza confiderynge by the Angular vertue and magnanimitie that is in 
 hym, attempted to put this thynge in practife. For beinge viceroy of the countrey of Mexico (fo named of the 
 graat citie Mexico otherwife cauled Temiftitan, nowe cauled newe Spayne, being in the. xx. [twentieth] degree aboue 
 ihe Equinoctiall, and parte of the fayde firme lande), he fent certeyne of his capitaynes by lande, and alfo a nauie 
 of ftiyppes by fea, to fearch this fecreate. And I remember that when I was in Flaunders in Th[e]emperours 
 courte, I fawe his letter wrytten in the yeare, 1541. and dated from Mexico: wherin was declared howe towarde 
 the northweft, he had fownd the kyngedome of Sette Citta (that is) Seuen Cities, whereas is that cauled Ciuola 
 by the reuerend father Marco da Niza: and howe beyonde the fayde kyngedome yet further towarde the North- 
 weft, Capitayne Francefco Vafques of Coronado, hauynge ouerpaffed great defertes, came to the fea fyde where 
 
 Obdora. 
 
 Vechiadoro. 
 
 Obo. 
 
 The lake Chethay. 
 
 The Tartars. 
 
 The citie of 
 
 Cambalu. 
 
 Note this secreate. 
 
 Difficult 
 trauayl^ge in 
 Moscouia. 
 
 Commendation of 
 the Spaniardes 
 and Portugales. - 
 
 The hystorie of 
 Paulus Centurio. 
 Of this reade more 
 at large in the 
 oooke of Paulus 
 louius. 
 
 Malice may do 
 more with sum 
 then vertue. 
 The Caspian sea. 
 Riga. 
 Liuonia. 
 
 254 
 
 Thfi Tartars ol 
 
 Lordo. 
 
 Desertes. 
 
 The viage by the 
 
 north sea. 
 
 The woorthynesse 
 of this vyage. 
 
 The viages of the 
 Frenchmen to the 
 land of Baccalaos. 
 
 Pleasaunt 
 countreys. 
 New Fraunce. 
 Apostrophe to the 
 Christian princes. 
 
 Great ryuers. 
 
 A ihyng woorthy 
 to be searched. 
 
 The way to 
 Cathay and the 
 Ilandes of Maluca 
 by the northwest 
 A notable 
 cnterpryse. 
 
 The noble - 
 enterprise of 
 Antoni diMendcza, 
 Viceroy of Mexico. 
 
 The discouerynge 
 of the northwest 
 partes. 
 
 887 
 
288 
 
 Of Mofcouie and Cathay. 
 
 Shyps saylynge 
 Irom Cathay by 
 the north 
 hyperborean sea 
 to the coastes of 
 the northwest 
 part of the lande 
 of Baccaleos. 
 Cathay. 
 
 The sea from new 
 
 Fraunce or Terra 
 
 Britonura to 
 
 Cathay. 
 
 A notable boi ke. 
 
 255 
 
 A great and 
 glorious enterprise. 
 
 Sebastian Cabote 
 the^rand pylot of 
 the west Indies. 
 
 Commendation of 
 Sebastian Cabote. 
 
 Sebastian Cabote 
 tould me that he 
 was borne in 
 Brjrstowe, and that 
 aL iiii. yeare owld 
 he was caried 
 with his father to 
 Venice and so 
 returned ageyne 
 into England with 
 his father after 
 certeyne yeares ; 
 wherby he was 
 thought to haue 
 bin born in Venice. 
 
 The fyrst vyage of 
 Sebastian Cabote. 
 
 The lande of 
 Florida. 
 
 The seconde vyage 
 of Cabote to the 
 land of Brasile, 
 and Rio della 
 Plata. 
 
 Cabote tould me 
 that in a region 
 within this ryuer 
 he sowed L [fifty] 
 graynes of weate in 
 September, and 
 gathered __« 
 therof L 256 
 [fifty] thousand in 
 December as 
 wryteth ako 
 Francisco Lopes. 
 
 he found certeyne ftiyppes which fayled by that fea with marchaundies, and had in theyr baner vppon the 
 proos of theyr Ihyppes, certeyne foules made of golde and fyluer which they of Mexico caule Alcatrazzi: And that 
 theyr mariners fhewed by fignes that they were. xxx. [thirty] dayes faylynge in commynge to that hauen : wherby 
 he vnderflode that thefe fhippes could bee of none other countrey then of Cathay, forafmuch as it is fituate on 
 the contrary parte of the fayde lande difcouered. The fayde mailer Antonie wrote furthermore, that by the 
 opinion of men well practifed, there was difcouered fo greate a fpace of that countrey vnto the fayd fea, 
 that it paired. 950. leaques, which make. 2850. myles. And doubtleffe yf the Frenche men in this theyr 
 newe Fraunce, wolde haue paffed by lande towarde the fayd northwefl. and by north, they fhuld alfo haue founde 
 the fea wherby they myght haue fayled to Cathay. But. aboue all thynges, this feemed vnto me mofle woorthy 
 of commendation, that the fayde mafler Antonie wrote in his letter that he had made a booke of al the natural 
 and maraeylous thynges whiche they founde in fearchynge thofe countreys, with alfo the meafures of landes and 
 altytudes of degrees : A worke doubtleffe which fheweth a princely and magnificall mynde, wherby wee may 
 conceaue that yf god had gyuen hym the charge of the other hemifpherie, he wolde or nowe haue made it better 
 knowen to vs. The which thynge, I fuppofe no man doth greatly eileeme at this time: beinge neuertheleffe 
 the greatefl and mofl. glorious enterprife that may bee imagined. 
 
 And here makynge a certeyne paufe, and turnynge hym felfe towarde vs, he layde : Doo yow not vnder- 
 flande to this purpofe howe to paffe to India toward the northwefl wind, as dyd of late a citizen of Venefe, fo 
 valiente a man, and fo well practyfed in all thynges perteynynge to nauigations and the fcience of Cofmographie, 
 that at this prefent he hath not his lyke in Spayne, in fo much that for his vertues he is preferred aboue all 
 other pylottes that fayle to the wefl Indies, who may not paffe thyther withowt his licence, and is therfore 
 cauled Piloto Ma^iore (that is) the graunde pylote. And when wee fayde that wee knewe him not, he pro- 
 ceaded, fayinge, that beinge certeyne yeares in the citie of Siuile, and defyrous to haue fum knowleage of the 
 nauigations of the Spanyardes, it was toulde hym that there was in the citie a valient man, a Venecian borne, 
 named Sebailian Cabote, who had the charge of thofe thynges, being an expert man in that fcience, and one 
 that coulde make cardes for the fea with his owne hande. And that by this reporte, feekynge his acquaintaunce, 
 he founde hym a very gentell perfon, who enterteyned hym frendly and fhewed hira many thjmges, and amonge 
 other a large mappe of the worlde with certeine particular nauigations afwell of the Portugales as of the Span- 
 yardes. And that he fpake further vnto hym, in this effecte. When my father departed from Venefe many 
 yeares fence to dwell in Englande to folowe the trade of marchaundies, he tooke me with him to the citie of 
 London whyle I was very yonge, yet hauynge neuertheleffe fum knowleage of letters of humanitie and of the 
 fphere. And when my father dyed in that tyme when newes were browght that Don Chriflopher Colonus 
 Genuefe, had difcouered the coafles of India, whereof was great talke in all the courte of kynge Henry the 
 feuenth who then reigned : In fo much that all men with great admiration affirmed it to bee a thynge more 
 diuine then humane, to fayle by the Wefle into the Eail where fpices growe, by a way that was neuer knowen 
 before. By which fame and reporte, there increafed in my harte a greate flame of defyre to attempte fum 
 notable thynge. And vnderflandyng by reafon of the fphere, that if I fliulde fayle by the way of the northwefl. 
 wynde, I ftiulde by a fliorter tracte coomme to India, I thereuppon caufed the kynge to bee aduertifed of my 
 diuife, who immediatly commaunded two carauels to bee fumyfftied with all thynges apperteynynge to the 
 vyage, which was as farre as I remember, in the yeare. 1496. in the begynnynge of fommer. Begynnyng ther- 
 fore to faile towarde Northwefl, not thynkyng to fynde any other lande then that of CATHAY, and from 
 thenfe to turne towarde India. But after certeine dayes, I founde that the lande ranne towarde the Northe, 
 which was to me a great difpleafure. Neuertheleffe, fayling alonge by the coaft to fee if I could fynde any 
 goulfe that turned, I founde the lande flyll continent to the. 56. degree vnder owre pole. And feinge that 
 there the coafl turned toward the Eaft, difpayringe to fjmd the paffage, I turned backe ageyne, and fayled 
 downe by the coafl. of that lande towarde the Equinoctiall (euer with intent to fynde the fayde paffage to 
 India) and came to that parte of this firme lande whiche is nowe cauled FLORIDA. Where, my vyttayles 
 fayling, I departed from thenfe and returned into England, where I founde great tumultes amonge the people, 
 and preparaunce for warres in Scotlande: by reafon whereof, there was no more confideration had to this vyage 
 Wheruppon I wente into Spayne to the Catholyke kynge, and queene Elizabeth : who beinge aduertifed what I had 
 doone, interteyned me, and at theyr charges furnyflhed certeyne fhyppes wherwith they caufed me to fayle to 
 difcouer the coafl,es of Brafile, where I founde an exceadynge great and large ryuer, named at this prefent Rio 
 della Plata (that is) the ryuer of fyluer, into the which I fayled, and folowed it into the firme lande more then fyxe 
 hundrethe leaques, fyndynge it eueiy where verye fayre and inhabited with infinite people, which with admyration 
 came runnynge dayly to owre fliyppes. Into this ryuer, runne fo many other riuers, that it is in maner incredible. 
 After this, I made many other vyages, which I now pretermitte. And wexynge owlde, I gyue my felfe to reft from 
 fuch trauayles bycaufe there are nowe many younge and lufty pylotes and mariners of good experience, by whofe 
 forwardeneffe I doo reioyfe in the frutes of my labours, and reft with the charge of this office as yowe fee. 
 
Of Mofcouie mid Cathay, 
 
 289 
 
 And this is as much as I haue vnderftoode of mafter Sebaftian Cabote, as I haue 
 gathered owte of dyuers nauigations wrytten in the Italian toonge. 
 
 And whereas I haue before made mention howe Mofcouia was in owr tyme dif- 
 couered by Richard Chanceler in his viage toward Cathai by the direction and informa- 
 tion of the fayde mafter Sebaftian who longe before had this fecreate in his mynde, I 
 fhall not neede here to defcribe that viage, forafmuche as the fame is largely and fayth- 
 fully written in the Laten tonge by that lerned young man Clement Adams fcole mayfter 
 to the Queens henftiemen, as he receaued it at the mouthe of the fayde Richard Chan- 
 celer, Neuertheleffe I haue thought good here to fpeake fumwhat of Mofcouia as I 
 haue redde in the booke of lohn Faber written in the Latin toonge to the ryght noble 
 Pryiice Ferdinando Archeduke of Auftria and Infant of Spaine, of the maners and 
 religion of the Mofcouites, as he was partely inftructed by the ambafadours of the 
 duke of Mofcouie fent into Spayne to Th[e]emperours maieftie in the yeare, M.D.XX.V. 
 He wryteth therfore as foloweth. 
 
 I thynke it fyrile conueniente to fpeake fuihewhat of the name of this region wherby it is cauled at this 
 day, and how it was cauled in owlde tyme. Conferrynge therfore the molle ancient of the Greeke and latine 
 monumentes with the hiflories of later tyme, I perceaue it to bee a thynge which requireth no fmaule iiidgement 
 of wytte and lemynge. For we fee in howe ftiorte tyme the names of thynges are chaunged, as are alfo the 
 maners of men. I fynde therfore that thofe people whom at this day wee commonly caule Mofcouites, were 
 in tyme pall (as wytneffeth Plinie) cauled Roocolani, whom neuertheleffe by chaungj'nge one letter, Ptolottiie in 
 his eyght table of Europe, cauleth RofolanoS as dooth alfo Strabo. They were alfo many yeares cauled Rutheni: 
 And are that people which fumtyme fought manfully ageynft the Capitayiies of Methridates as Strabo wfyteth. 
 They were cauled Mofcouites of the chiefe citie of al the prouince named Mofcouia or M6fca: or (as Volaterane 
 faith) of the riuer Mofco. They were fumtyme gouemed by duke lohan, whofe wyfe Was Helena of the lynage 
 of Th[e]emperours of Conflanllinople of the noble famelie of the Paleologi. Beyonde thefe Roxolanos, Strabo 
 fayth there is no lande inhabited. Thefe Rutheriians therfore or Mofcouites, are people of the northeafle parte 
 of the worlde from vs: And are determined with the limettes of the great ryuer Boriflhenes of Scithia, on the 
 one fyde with the Litua:nians and Polonians, and on the other fyde with the Tartars who' ceafe not to vexe 
 them with continual] warres and incurfioris. Efpecially the great Emperour Cham of Cathay the chiefe Prince 
 of the Tartars, refidente by the fea fyde in Taurico Cherfonefo, molelleth theim with fore warres. They are 
 towarde the north fyde inclofed with the frofen fea, the lande of whofe coaftes beinge verye large, perteyneth 
 in maner all to the dominion of the duke of Mofcouie. This fea is it which the owlde wryters caule Locus 
 Cronicus, fo named of the Greeke word Cronos, which the Latines caule Satumus whom they fayne to bee an 
 owlde man, of complexion coulde and flbwe, and thereby name all fuch thynges as are cOulde and floflre, 
 Cronica, as by lyke reafon they dyd this northe fea which beinge in maner euer frofen, is flowe and coulde and 
 in maner Immouable. And for lyke confideration (as faythe Plinie) Hethens nameth it in the Scythian toonge, 
 Amaltheum, whiche woorde fignifieth as muche as congeled or frofen. But that I wander not farre frome my 
 purpofe : Th[e]empire and dominion of the duke of Mofcouie recheth fo farre that it comprehendeth certeyne 
 partes of Afia and alfo of Europe. The citie of Mofcouia or Mofca, is counted twyfe as bygge as Colonia 
 Agrippina as they faythfully reporte which knbwe bothe. Vnto this they haue alfo an other not vnequa,ll ifl 
 byggeneffe cauled Fladimer. Alfo Blefcouia, Nouogradia, SmoJne, and Otifer, al which, theyr ambaffadours 
 affirme to bee of princely and maghificall buyld)mges, and flrongely defended with waules bothe of brycke 
 and fquare Hone. Of thefe, Blefcouia is ftrongeft and enuironed with three waules. Other which they haue 
 innumerable are not fo famous as are thefe wherof this duke of Mofcouie and Emperoure of Ruffia taketh 
 th[e]infcription of his title. For euen at this prefent, when fo euer eyther by his ambaffadours or his letters, 
 he dooth fignifie hym felfe to bee Emperoure of Mofcouie, he is accullomed to vfe this titltf. Bafilius by the 
 grace of God Emperoure of all Ruffia and greate Duke of Fladamer, Mofcouie, Nouigrade, Blefcouia, Smolne, 
 and Otifer. etc. And this is the tytle whereby the fayde ambaffadours faluted yowre maieftie in the name of 
 great Bafilius when they began theyr oration. This prince of Mofcouie hath vnder hym princes of many 
 prouinces and thofe of great poure: Of the which, that owlde whyte bearded man whom this Emperour of the 
 Ruthians fente for his ambaffadoure to Th[e]emperours maieftie into Spayne, is not one of the leaft. For euen 
 he when neceffitie of warre requyreth, is accuftomed to make for his Emperour a bande of. xxx [thirty] thoufande 
 horfemen. But this is to theyr Angular commendation that they are fo obedient to theyr prince in al thynges, 
 that beinge fommoned by hym by neuer fo meane an hearald, they obey incontinent as if it were to god, 
 
 z =&» 
 
 The vyage to 
 Moscouia. 
 
 The hystorye of 
 Moscouia. 
 
 The dyuers names 
 of Moscouia. 
 
 RoxoInnL 
 RosolanL 
 RuthenL 
 
 The ryuer Mosca 
 
 life ryuer 
 Bolisthenes. 
 
 Thfelemperour of 
 Cathay. 
 
 The frosen sea. 
 Laciis Cronicus. 
 Satumus. 
 
 Amaltheum. 
 The dominiun of 
 the duke of 
 Moscouia. 
 The citie of 
 Moscouia. 
 
 The chiefe cities of 
 Moscouia.- 
 
 257 
 
 The duke of 
 MoEcouin and 
 £mperour of 
 Russia. 
 The duke of 
 Moscouia his tylla 
 
 Duke Basilius. 
 
 Their poure. 
 
 Theyf obedience 
 to theyr prince. 
 
 Theyr wars and 
 conquestes. 
 
 Epek. 
 
290 
 
 Of Mofcouie and Cathay. 
 
 Gunnes. 
 
 Only the 
 moscouites haue 
 not felt the 
 commodities of 
 peace. 
 Theyr language. 
 
 Dalraatia. 
 Pannonia. 
 Hungarie. 
 Theyr original. 
 The Sclauon 
 toonge reacheth 
 faire. 
 
 thynkynge nolhyng more glorious then to dye in the quarell of theyr prince. By reafon of which obedience, 
 they are able in fliort tyme, to affemble an army of two or three hundreth thoufande men ageynfl theyr enemies 
 eyther the Tartars or the greate Cham : And haue hereby obteyned great victories and triumphes afwell ageynfl, 
 the Turkes as the Tartars by the exceadyng multitude of theyr horfemen and continual experience in warres. 
 At fuch time as Th[e]emperour Maximilian made a league with them, they kept warre ageynfl (he kynge of 
 Polonie. They vfe not only bowes and dartes after the maner of the Parthians, but haue alfo the vfe of gunnes 
 as we haue. And to bee briefe, onely the Mofcouites maye feeme that nation whiche hath not felte the com- 
 modities of peace : In fo muche that yf theyr region were not flrongely defended by the nature of the place 
 beinge impreignable, it had or nowe byn often tymes conquered. Theyr language agreeth much with the toonge 
 of the Bohemians, Croatians, and Sclauons : fo that the Sclauon dooth playnly vnderftande the Mofcouite, 
 although the Mofcouian toonge be a more rude and harde phrafe of fpeach. The hiftoriographers wryte that 
 the Sclauons toonge the name of the confufion whiche was in Babell in the tyme of that fl.owt hunter Nemroth 
 of whome mention is made in the Genefis. But I can not enowgh mameyle at this thing, that wheras betwene 
 Dalmatia (now cauled Sclauonia) and Mofcouia, both the Pannonies are fituate, yet this notwithftandynge, the 
 Hungarians toonge nothynge agreeth with the Mofcouites. Wherby wee may coniecture that thefe nations were 
 fumtymes diuided by legions, and that they came owt of Dalmatia thyther : whiche thynge alfo Volateranus 
 affirmeth, fayinge that the language of the Ruthenians (whiche are the Mofcouites) is Semidalmatica (that is) 
 halfe Sclauone. Howe fo euer it bee, this is certeyne that the Bohemians, Croatians, Sclauons, and Mofcouites, 
 agree in language as wee perceaued by th[e]interpretours which yowre maieftie had then in yowre courte. For 
 whereas the fayde interpretours were borne amonge the Croatians and Sclauons and none of them had euer byn 
 in Mofcouia, or beefore that tyme had any conuerfation with them, yet dyd they well vnderftande the 
 ambalfadours woordes. 
 
 There are in Mofcouia, wooddes of exceadynge byggenefle, in the which blacke woolues and whyte beares 
 are hunted. The caufe wherof may bee th[e]extreme could of the north, which dooth greatly alter the com- 
 plexions of beaftes, and is the mother of whyteneffe as the Philofophers affirme. They haue alfo great plentie 
 of bees, wherby they haue fuch abundaunce of hony and waxe that it is with them of fmaul price. When the 
 commoditie of theyr coun trey is neglected by reafon of longe warres, theyr chiefe aduauntage whereby they haue all 
 thynges necefTarie towarde theyr lyuynge, is the gaines which they haue by theyr rych furres, as Sables, Marternes, 
 Luzernes, moft whyte armyns, and fuch other which they fell to marchauntes of dyuers countreys. They bye and 
 fell with fimple fay the of woordes exchaungynge ware for ware withowt any curious bondes or cautels. And albeit 
 they haue the vfe of both golde and fyluer monyes, yet doo they for the moft part exchaunge theyr furres for frutes 
 and other thynges neceffarie to mainteine theyr lyfe. There are alfo fum people vnder the dominion of this Em- 
 perour, which haue neither wyne nor wheate, but lyue only by fleffhe and mylke as doo the wylde Tartars theyr 
 bortherers which dwel in wods by the coaftes of the frofen fea. Thefe people are brutyffhe, and lyue in maner lyke 
 wylde beaftes. But they of the citie of Mofca and Nouigrade, and other cities, are ciuile people : and agree with 
 vs in eatynge of fyflhe and fleffhe althowgh theyr maner of coquerie is in manye thynges differynge frome owres. 
 Volaterane wryteth that the Ruthenians vfe money vncoyned. And inquirynge further, I was informed that the 
 money of Hungary is much currant with them. But this is chiefely to bee confydered, that they imbrafe the 
 Chriftian fayth which they affirme to haue byn preached to them fyrfte by faynt Andrewe th[e]apoftle and broother 
 to Simon Peter. Such doctrine alfo as vnder Conftanftine the greate, in the yeare. CCC. xviii. [three hundred and 
 eighteen] was concluded in the fyrft generall counfayle holden in the citie of Nicene-in Bithynia, and there deter- 
 myned by. CCC. xviii. [three hundred and eighteen] byfflioppes, and alfo fuch as hath byn wrytten and tawght 
 by the Greeke doctoures Bafilius Magnus and Chrifoftomus, they beleue to bee fo holy, firme and fyncere, that 
 they thinke it no more lawfull one heare to tranfgrefle or go backe from the fame, then from the gofpell of Chrift. 
 For theyr conflancie and modeflie is fuch, that no man dare caule thofe thynges into queftion which haue once 
 byn decifed by holy fathers in theyr general counfailes. They doo therfore with a more conflante mynde perfeuer 
 in theyr fyrft fayth which they receaued of faynt Andrewe th[e]appoftle and his fucceffours and holy fathers, 
 than doo manye of vs beinge diuided into fcifmes and fectes whiche thynge neuer chaunceth amonge them. But 
 if any difficultie chaunce to rife as touch3Tige the fayth or cuftome of religion, all is referred to the archbyftioppe 
 and other byflioppes as to bee defined by theyr fpirite: not permyttinge any iudgemente to the inconftant 
 and ignorant people. Theyr archebyflioppe is refidente in the citie of Mofca, where alfo Th[e]emperoure 
 keepethe his courte. They haue lykewyfe dyuers other byftiops : as one in Nouigradia, where alfo Ifodorus was 
 byfftiop vnder pope Eugenius. They haue an other in Rofciuia, an other in Suftali, an other in Otiferi: alfo in 
 Smolne, in Refan, in Colmum, and in Volut, all which haue theyr dioces. They acknowleage theyr Archebyfliop 
 as the chiefe. Before the patriarche of Conftantinople was oppreffed by the Tiranni of the Turkes, this 
 Archebyflhoppe recognifed hym as his fuperioure. In fo much that this duke of Mofcouia and Emperour of 
 Ruflia, not vnmyndefull hereof but a diligente obferuer of his accuftomed religion, dooth at this daye yearely 
 
 Great woods 
 white beares and 
 blacke woolues. 
 
 Abundance of 
 hony and waxe. 
 
 Rych furres. 
 
 Theyr maner of 
 bargenyng 
 
 Rude and wylde 
 
 people. 
 
 Tartares. 
 
 258 
 
 Ciuile people in 
 cities. 
 
 Theyr money 
 
 They embrase the 
 
 Christian fayth 
 
 whiche thei 
 
 receaued of the 
 
 Apostles. 
 
 The counsaile of 
 
 Nicene. 
 
 Basilius Magnus. 
 Chrisostomus 
 
 Theyr constancie 
 in theyr religion. 
 
 The bysshoppes 
 define 
 
 controuersies in 
 religion. 
 Theyr byssLops. 
 
 The 
 Archebysshoppe. 
 The patriarke of 
 Constantinople. 
 A notable exemple 
 of a Christian 
 pryiice 
 
Of Mofcouie and Cathay. 
 
 291 
 
 fende a certeyne flypende in maner of almes to the patriarche of Conflantinople, that he may with more quiete 
 mynd looke for th[e]ende of this his Egiptian feruitiide vntyll it (hal pleafe almyghty god to reflore hym to his 
 former churche and autoritie. For he iudgeth it much impietie, if he (hulde nowe. forfake hym whofe predi- 
 ceffoures haue ruled and gouemed fo many churches, and of whom the fayth and rehgion of fo many regions 
 and prouinces haue depended. 
 
 But to fpeake briefely of theyr rehgion, they agree in many thynges with vs, and in fum thynges folow the 
 Greekes. They haue munkes and rehgious men. Not farre from the citie of Mofca, they haue a great rnonaflerie 
 in the whiche are three hundreth munkes lyuynge vnder the rule of Bafilius Magnus in the which is alfo the 
 fepulcher of S. Sergius the abbot. They obferue theyr vowe of challitie which none may breake that haue once 
 profeffed. Yet fuch as haue maried virgins of good fame, may bee admitted to th[e]order of preflhod, but may 
 neuer bee a munke. The prefles and bj^fhops whiche are admitted to orders vnmaried," may neuer after bee 
 maried : nor yet fuch as haue wiues, mary ageine when they are dead, but liue in perpetual chaflitie. Such as 
 committe adulterie or fornication, are greeuoufly punyffhed by the byffhoppes and depriued of the benefices. 
 They celebrate maffe after the maner of the Greekes which differeth from owres in dyuers thinges, as in 
 fermented breade after the maner of the Greekes. They put in the chaleffe as much water as redde wine, which 
 water they vfe to heate, bycaufe (not withowt a great m)^erie) there iffliewed furth of the fyde of owre lorde, 
 both blud and water, which wee ought by good reafon to thynke was not withowt heate : for els fliulde it 
 fcarfely haue byn iudged for a miracle. In fine, they affirme that all theyr cuflomes and rytes are accordynge 
 to th[e]inft.itutions of the primatyue church and the doctrine of Bafilius Magnus, and Chrifoflomus. In this 
 thynge they d3rffer greately from vs, that they minifler the communion to younge children of three yeares 
 of age, which they doo with fermented breade dipte in a fponefuU of wyne, and gyue it them for the bodye and 
 bludde of Chryfte. 
 
 C A brief e defcription of Mofcouia after the later wryters, as Sebaflian 
 
 Munfler and lacobus Gaflaldus. 
 
 He prouince of Mofcouia, is fo named by the ryuer Mofco which paffeth by the metrapolitane 
 citie of Mofcouia cauled Mofca by the name of the ryuer Mofco. This prouince was cauled 
 of the owlde wryters, Sarmatia Afiatica. The bortherers or confines to the Mofcouians on 
 the one fyde towarde the Eafl, are the Tartars cauled Nogai, and the Scianbanians, with the 
 Zagatians. Towarde the Well, the prouinces of Liuonia and Lituania. Towards' the South, 
 the ryuer of Tanais and the people confinyng with the ryuer Volga, cauled ©f the owld 
 writers Rha. And towarde the North, the Ocean fea cauled the Scythian fea, and the 
 region of Lapponia. Mofcouia is in maner all playne and full of maryfflies, wooddes, and many very great 
 ryuers wherof the ryuer of Volga is the principal. Sum caul this Ledyl, as the owld autours named it Rha. 
 It beginneth at the great lake cauled Lacus Albus (that is) the white lake and runneth into the fea of Bachau, 
 named of the aunciente wryters, the fea Cafpium or Hircanum. Vnder the dominion of Mofcouia, are certeyne 
 regions and dukedoomes : as Alba Ruflia (that is) whyte Ruffia. Alfo Colmogora, Plefcouia, Bafrida, Nouo- 
 gardia, with alfo manye places of the Tartars which are fubiecte to the duke of Mofcouia. The chiefe cities of 
 Mofcouia, are Mofca, Plefcouia, Nouogardia, Colmogora, Otogeria, Viatra, Smolenfer, Percaflauia, Cologna, 
 Volodemaria, Roftauia, and Caflam. The people of Mofcouia are Chriflians, and haue greate abundaunce of 
 hony and waxe : alfo ryche furres, as Sabels, Martemes, Foynes, Calaber, and dyuers other. All the Tartars 
 which inhabite towarde the Eafl beyonde the ryuer of Volga, haue no dwellynge places, nor yet cities or cailels. 
 But cary abowt with theym certeyne cartes or wagens couered with beaft.es hydes, vnder the whiche they refl.e, 
 as wee do in owre houfes. 
 
 They remoue togyther in great companies whiche they caule Hordas. They are warlike people and good 
 horfemen, and are all Maconietifl.es. 
 
 Sebaflian Munfter in his booke of Vniuerfall Cofmographie, wryteth that the citie of Mofca 
 or Mofcouia conteineth in circuite. xiiii. [fourteen] myles, and that it is twyfe as bygge as the citie of Praga in Bohe- 
 mie. Of the countrey of Mofcouia, bifyde other prouinces fubiecte to the fame, he wryteth thus. It extendeth 
 in largeneffe foure hundreth myles, and is rich in fyluer. It is lawfuU for no man to go owt of the realme or coome 
 in withowt the dukes letters. It is playne without mountaynes, and ful of wooddes and maryf(hes. The beafl.es 
 there by reafon of the coulde, are leffe then in other countreis more fouthwarde. In the myddeft of the citie 
 
 Theyr religion. 
 
 A monasterie of. 
 ccc, [three 
 hundred] monkes 
 
 Preestes, 
 
 Masse. 
 
 A mysterie. 
 
 The primatiue 
 church. 
 A straungc 
 custome. 
 
 259 
 
 Sarmatia asiatica. 
 
 The Scythian 
 Ocean. 
 
 The ryuer of 
 Volga. 
 
 Lacus albus. 
 The Caspian sea. 
 
 Theyr chiefe cities 
 The wylde Tartars. 
 
 Plordas. 
 
 The by^es of the 
 cide of Moscouia. 
 
 Syluer. 
 
 The region of 
 
 Moscouia. 
 
 Btastes. 
 
292 
 
 Of Mofcouie and Cathay. 
 
 A fayre and 
 stronge castel in 
 the citie of Mosca. 
 
 The dukes 
 pallaice. 
 Theyr drynke. 
 
 They are gyuen to 
 dninkennesse. 
 
 Come an(l groyne. 
 
 Stoues. 
 
 The famous ryuer 
 of Tanais. 
 
 260 
 
 The marysshes of 
 
 Meotis. 
 
 Volga. 
 
 Ocha. 
 
 The sea Euxinum. 
 
 The forest of 
 
 hircania. 
 
 Vri. 
 
 Alces. 
 
 They trauayl in 
 wynter on sLeades. 
 
 Causeys of tymber. 
 Trees and frutes. 
 Come and grayne. 
 
 Hony in wode and 
 trees. 
 
 Lakes or pooles of; 
 hony. 
 
 A man almost 
 drowned in hony. 
 
 A marueilous 
 chaunce. 
 
 Beares feede of 
 hony and b^es. 
 
 Beares inuade 
 
 bulles. 
 
 The beares byrth. 
 
 of Mofca beinge fituate in a playne, there is a caflell with. xvii. towres and three bulwarkes fo llronge and fayre, 
 that the lyke are fcarfely feene in any other place. There are alfo in the caflell xvi. churches, and three very 
 large courtes in the which the noble men of the courte haue theyr lodgynges. The dukes pallaice is buylded 
 after the maner of the Italian buyldyng, and very fayre, but not great. Theyr drynke is made and beere as is 
 the maner of the mofte parte of the people that inhabite the North partes of the woorlde. They are excead- 
 yngely gyuen to droonkenneffe. Yet (as fume faye) the princes of the lande are prohibite in peine of death to 
 abfteine from fuch ftronge drinkes as are of force to inebriate, except at certeyne tymes when licence is graunted 
 theym, as twyfe or thryfe in the yeare. They plowe the grownde with horfes and plowes of woodde. Theyr 
 come and other grayne by reafon of longe coulde, doo feldome waxe rype on the ground by reafon wherof they 
 are fumtimes inforced to rype and dry them in theyr (looues and hottes houfes, and then grynd them. They 
 laoke wyne and oyle. Mofcouia is extended vnto lurham and Corelia which are in Scythia. The famous 
 ryuer of Tanais, the Mofcouites caule Don, hauyng his fprynges and originall in Mofcouia in the dukedome of 
 Rezenfe. It ryfeth owt of a grownde that is playne, baren, muddy, full of maryfflies and wooddes. And 
 where it proceadeth toward the Eafl. to the mountaynes of Scithia and Tartarie, it bendeth to the fouth : and 
 commyng to the maryffhes of Meotis it fauleth into them. The ryuer of Volga (fumetyme cauled Rha, and 
 nowe cauled of the Tartars Edel) runneth toward the north certeyne myles, to whom is ioyned the ryuer Occa 
 or Ocha, flowynge owt of Mofcouia, and then bendyng into the South and increafed with many other ryuers, 
 fauleth into the fea Euxinum, which diuideth Europe and Afia. The woodde or forefl cauled Hircania fylua, 
 occupieth a fmal portion of Mofcouia. Yet is it fumwhere inhabited, and by the longe labour of men made 
 thinner and barer of trees. In that parte that lyeth towarde Pruffia, is a kynde of greate and fierce bulles 
 cauled Vri or Bifomes, as wryteth Paulus louius. There are alfo Alces' muche lyke vnto hartes, with longe 
 fnoutes of flefflie and longe legges withowt any bowinge of theyr houx or paflernes. Thefe beafles, the 
 Mofcouites caule Lozzi, and the Almaynes Helenas. The iornaye that is betwene Vina of Lituania by Smolenfe 
 to Mofca, is trauayled in wynter on fleades by the fnowe congeled by longe frofle, and made very flypperye 
 and compacte lyke Ife by reafon of much wearynge and treadynge, by meanes wherof this vyage is performed 
 with incredible celeritie. But in the fommer, the playne countreys can not bee ouercome withowt difRculte 
 labour. For when the fnowe begynneth to bee diflblued by continuall heate, it caufeth maryffhes and 
 quamyres inextricable and daungerous both for horfe and man, were it not for certeyne caufeyes made of 
 tymber with in maner infinite labour. The region of Mofcouia (as I haue faid) beareth neyther vynes nor 
 olyue trees, nor yet any other trees that bere any apples or frutes of very plefant or fwete fauour or tafle except 
 chery trees, for as much as al tender frutes and trees are burnte of the coulde blaftes of the North wynde. Yet 
 doo the fieldes beare all kjTides of come, as wheate and the grayne cauled Siligo, wherof the fynefl, kynde of 
 breade is made: alfo mylle and panyke, whiche the Italians caule Melica: Likewyfe all kyndes of pulfe, as 
 beanes, peafon, tares, and fuche other. But theyr chife harueft. confifleth of hony and waxe, forafmuch as the 
 hole region is replenyflhed with frutefuU bees which make mofl fweete hony, not in the hufbande mens hyues, 
 but euen in holowe trees. And hereby commeth it to pafle that both in the wooddes and fhalowed launes, 
 are feene many fwarmes of bees hangynge on the bowes of trees, fo that it fhall not bee neceffarie to caule them 
 togyther or charme theym with the founde of bafens. There are oftentymes founde greate maffes of hony 
 combes, confemed in trees of the owlde honj' foriaken of bees, forafmuch as the hufband men can not feeke 
 euery tree in fo great and large wooddes : In fo much that in the flockes or bodies of exceadynge great and 
 holowe trees, are fumtymes founde great pooles or lakes of hony. Demetrius th[e]ambaflkdour of the duke of 
 Mofcouia whom he fent to the byffliop of Rome not many yeares fence, made relation that a hufbande man of 
 the contrey not farre from the place where he remayned, feekynge in the wooddes for hony, defcended into a 
 greate holowe tree full of hony into the which he flypte vp to the breft, and lyued there only with hony for the 
 fpace of two dayes, caulynge in vayne for helpe in that deferte of wooddes. And that in fine difpayrynge of 
 helpe, he efcaped by a mameilous chaunce, beinge drawen owt by a great beare that defcended into the tree, 
 with her loynes downewarde after the maner of men. For when the man (as prefent neceffitie and oportunitie 
 ferued) perceaued the beare to bee within his reache, he fiiddeinly clafped her abowt the loynes with his armes, 
 and with a terrible crye prouoked the beafl, to inforce her flrength to leape owt of the tree, and therwith to 
 drawe hym owt, as it chaunced in deede. 
 
 Thefe regions abounde with beares whiche euery where feeke both hony and bees, not only herewith to 
 fyl theyr bellies, but alfo to helpe theyr fyght. For theyr eyes are oftentymes dulled, and theyr mouthes 
 wounded of the bees : both which greefes are eafed by eatynge of hony. They haue weakefl heades, as lions 
 haue flrongefl. In fo muche that when (beinge therto inforced) they cafle theim felues downe headelonge 
 from any rockes, they couer theyr heades with theyr fiete, and lye for a tyme afloonyffhed and.halfe deade with 
 knockes. They walke fumtyme on two fiete, and fpoyle trees backewarde. Sumtyme alfo they inuade bulles, 
 and fo hange on them with al theyr fiete, that they wary them with weight. Jhe beare (as fayth Pliniej 
 
Of Mofcouie and Cathay. 
 
 293 
 
 bryngeth furth her byrth the. xxx. [thirtieth] day and oftentymes two. Theyr byrth is a certeyne whyte niaffe of 
 fleffhe withowt forme and little bigger then a moufe withowt eyes, and withowt heare, with onely the nayles 
 or clawes commynge foorthe. But the damme with continual] lyckynge, by lyttle and lyttle figurethe the informe 
 b)rrthe. When Ihee entereth into the denne whiche fhee hath chofen, fhee creepeth thyther with her belly 
 vpwarde lefte the place fliulde bee founde by the fleppes of her fiete. And being there deliuered of her byrthe, 
 lemaynethe in the fame place for the fpace of. xiiii. dayes immoueable as wryteth Ariftoteles. They lyue 
 withowt meate fortie dayes, and for that tyme fufteyne them felues only by lyckynge and fuckyng theyr ryght 
 foote. At the lengthe chaunfynge to fynde meate, they fyll theym felues fo full, that they remedy that furfecte 
 by vomyte whiche they prouoke by eatynge of antes. Theyr byrthe is oppreffed with fo heauy a fleape for the 
 fpace of. xiiii. dayes, that it can not bee rayfed eyther with prickinge or woundes, and in the meane tyme growe 
 exceadynge fat. After, xiiii. dayes they wake from fleepe, and begyn to licke and fucke the foles of theyr fore 
 fiete and lyue thereby for a fpace : Nor yet is it apparent that they liue by any other meate vntyll the fprynge 
 tyme of the yeare. At whiche tyme begynnynge to runne abrode, they feede of the tender buds and younge 
 fprigges or braunches of trees, and other herbes correfpondent to theyr lyppes. 
 
 Before fiue hundreth yeares, the Mofcouites honoured the goddes of the gentyles : And then fyrfte receaued 
 the Chriflian faith when the byffhoppes of Grecia began to difcentfrom the churche of the Latines: and therfore 
 receaued the rites of the Greekes. They minifter the facrament with fermented breade vnder both kyndes : 
 And thinke that the foules of deade menne are not helped with the fuffragies of preefl.es, nor yet by the deuotion 
 of theyr frendes or kinffolkes : Alfo that the place of Purgatorie is a fable. In the tyme of the diuine feruice, 
 the hyftorie of the miracles of Chrifte and the Epiftels of faynt Paule are rehearfed owt of the pulpitte. Beyonde 
 Mofcouia, are manye people whiche they caule Scythians, and are partely fubiecte to the Prince of Mofcouia. 
 Thefe are they which duke luan fubdued, as are the people of Perm, Bafliird, Czriremifla, luhra, Corela, and 
 Permfka. Thefe people were Idolatours before the duke compelled theym to baptifme, and appoynted a byffliop 
 ouer them named Steuen, whom the Barbarians after the departure of the duke, fleyde alyue and flewe. But 
 the duke retumyng ftiortly after, afflicted them fore and afligned them a newe byflhoppe. 
 
 It is here alfo to bee noted that the owlde Cofmographers fayned that in thefe regions towarde the Northe 
 pole, there fliuld bee certeyne great mountaynes which they cauled Ripheos and Hyperboreos, which neuer- 
 theleffe are not founde in nature. It is alfo a fable that the ryuers of Tanais and Volham doo fprynge owt of 
 hygh mountaynes, wheras it is apparent that both thefe ryuers and many other, haue theyr originall in the 
 playnes. 
 
 Nexte to Mofcouia, is the frutefull region of Colmogora throwgh the whiche runneth the ryuer of Diuidna 
 beinge the greateft. that is knowen in the north partes of the world. This ryuer increafeth at certeyne tymes of 
 the yeare as dooth the ryuer of Nilus in Egypte, ouerfloweth the fyeldes round abowt, and with abundaunce of 
 fatte moyfture, refifteth the couldeneffe of the ayer. Wheate fowne in the grounde, groweth abundauntly 
 withowt plowynge : and fearynge the newe iniurie of the proude ryuer, fpryngeth, groweth, and rypeth with 
 woonderfull celeritie of haftynge nature. 
 
 Into the ryuer of Diuidna runnethe the lyuer of luga: And in the very angle or comer where they meete, 
 is a famous marte towne named Vftiuga, beinge a hundreth and fyftie myles diftant from the chiefe citie of Mofca. 
 To this mart towne from the hygher countreys, are fent the precious furres of martemes, fables, woolues and 
 fuch other whiche are exchaunged for dyuers other kyndes of wares and marchaundies. 
 
 Hytherto Munfterus. 
 
 And forafmuche as many doo maruaile that fuche plentie of hony fhuld bee in fo 
 coole a contrey, I haue thought good to declare the reafon and naturall caufe hereof. 
 It is therefore to be confidered that lyke as fpices, gums, and odoriferous frutes are engendered in hot regions by 
 continuall heate duryng al the hole yeare withowt impreflion of the mortifying qualitie of could wherby al thynges are 
 conflrayned as they are dilated by heate, euen fo in could and moyft regions (whofe moyfture is thinner and more 
 wateryflhe then in hot regions) are flowres engendered more abundantly as caufed by impreflion of lefle and faynter 
 heate woorkynge in thynne matter of wateryfftie moifture lefle concocte then the matter of gummes and fpices and 
 other vnctuous frutes and trees growing in hotte regions. For althoughe (as Munfter faithe here before) the region 
 of Mofcouia beareth nother vines or oliues, or any other frutes of fweete fauoure by reafon of the couldeneffe therof, 
 neuerthelefle forafmuch as floures (wherof hony is chiefely gathered) may in fommer feafon growe abundantly in the 
 playnes, maiyffhes, and wooddes, not onely on the grownde but alfo on trees in coulde regions, it is agreeable to good 
 reafon that great plentie of honye fliulde bee in fuche regions as abounde with floures, which are brought furthe 
 with the fyrft degree of heate and fyrft approch of the fonne, as appeareth in the fprynge tyme not onely by the 
 fpringinge of floures in fyeldes and gardeynes, but alfo of bloflbmes of trees fpryngynge before the leaues or 
 frute, as the lyghter and thynner matter fyrfte drawne owte with the lowefte and leafte degree of heate, as the 
 
 Z 2 293 
 
 261 
 
 The beares denne. 
 
 Beares lyue 
 withowt meate. xl. 
 [forty] dayes. 
 
 The sleape of 
 beares. 
 
 The religion of the 
 Moscouites. 
 
 The Scythians 
 subiecte to the 
 duke of Moscouia. 
 
 It was then an 
 opinion that al 
 riders spronge 
 owte of montaines 
 
 The fruteful 
 region of 
 Coimogora. 
 The great riuer 
 Diuidna. 
 
 Wbeate withowt 
 plowing 
 
 The ryuer of luga. 
 
 Vstiuga. 
 
 Furres. 
 
 The naturall cause 
 of much hony in 
 could regions. 
 Gummes and 
 spices in hot 
 countreys. 
 
 Floures in coulde 
 
 regions 
 262 
 
 Floures of trees. 
 
 Blossoomes of 
 trees. 
 
294 
 
 Of Mofcouie and Cathay. 
 
 An exemple of the 
 degrees of heate. 
 
 The generation of 
 floures by 
 moderate heate. 
 
 Longe dayes and 
 shorte nyghtes. 
 Bramble and 
 feme. 
 Spices. 
 
 The saiioure of 
 floures. 
 
 What Plinie 
 wry teth of hony. 
 
 Serius is 
 otherwyse cauled 
 Canicula, this is 
 the dogge, of 
 whom the 
 canicular dayes 
 haue theyr name. 
 
 What is hony 
 
 Howe hony is 
 corrupted. 
 
 Hony of g;reat 
 quanlitie m North 
 regions 
 
 263 
 
 Hot nyghtes in 
 coulde regions. 
 
 A similitude. 
 
 Natural heat 
 dooth subtyle and 
 digest all thynges. 
 
 Subtyle vapours 
 digested by heate. 
 
 Could regions 
 Ziglerus. 
 
 lyke is feene in the arte of ftyllynge wherby all tliinne and lyght moyflures are lyfted vp by the fyrfle degree of 
 the fyre: and the heuyeft. and thickeft. moyflures are drawne owt with more vehement fyre. As we may therfore 
 in this cafe compare the generation of floures to the heate of May, the generation of gummes to the heate of 
 lune and fpices to the heate of luly. Euen fo in fuche coulde regions whofe foommer agreeth rather with the 
 temperate heate and moyflure of May then with th[e]extreeme heate of the other monethes, that heate is more 
 apt to brynge foorth abundance of floures as thynges caufed by moderate heate, as playnely appeareth by theyr 
 tail and fauoure in which is no fliarpe quahtie of heate eyther bytynge the toonge or offendyng the head as is 
 in fpices, gummes, and frutes of hotte regions. And as in could and playne regions, moderate heate with 
 abundance of moifture, are caufes of the generation of floures (as I haue fayde) fo lykewyfe the length of the 
 dayes and fliortnefle and warmenefle of the nyghtes in fommer feafon in fuche coulde regions, is a greate helpe 
 herunto. Cardanus wryteth in his booke De Plantis, that bramble and fearne growe not but in could regions, 
 as dooth wheate in temperate regions. And that fpices and hotte feedes, can not growe in coulde regions, 
 forafmuch as beinge of thinne fubllaunce, they fliulde foone be mortified and extinct by exceffiue could. For 
 (as he fayth) nothing can concocte, rype, and attenuate the fubfl.ance ot frutes withowt the helpe of ayer 
 agreable to the natures of fuch thynges as are brought foorth in the fame, althowgh it may doo this in rootes. 
 But in maner all floures are of fweete fauour, forafmuch as the moyfl^ure that is in them, being thinne and but 
 lyttle, is by meane heate foone and eafely concocte or made rype. Such alfo as are foone rype, are foone 
 rotten according to the prouerbe. 
 
 Plinie, althowgh in the. xi. booke of his naturall hyflorie, Cap. viii. he wryteth that hony is gathered of 
 the floures of all trees and fets of plantes, except forell and the herbe cauled Chenopode (which fume caule 
 goofe foote) yet he affirmeth that it defcendeth from the ayer: for in the. xii. chapyture of the fame booke, he 
 wryteth thus. 
 
 This coommeth from the ayer at the ryfynge of certeyne llarres, and efpecially at the ryfynge oiSirius, and 
 not before the ryfyng of Vergilice (which are the feuen flarres cauled Pleiades) in the fprynge of the day. For 
 then at the mom)Tige fprynge, the leaues of trees are founde moift. with a fat dewe : In fo much that fuch as 
 haue bynne abrode vnder the firmamente at that tyme, haue theyr apparell annoynted with lyquoure and the 
 heare of theyr headde clammy. And whether this bee the fwette of heauen, or as it were a certeyne fpettyl of the 
 flarres, eyther the iuife of the ayer pourgynge it felfe, I wolde it were pure, liquide, and fimple of his owne nature 
 as it fyrfle fauleth from aboue. But nowe defcendyng fo far, and infected not only with fuch vncleane vapoures 
 and exhalations, as it meteth with by the way, but afterward alfo corrupted by the leaues of trees, herbes, and 
 floures of fundrye tafles and qualities, and lykewyfe afwel in flomackes of the bees (for they vomite it at theyr 
 mouthes) as alfo by longe referuynge the fame in hiues, it neuerthelefle reteyneth a great parte of the-heauenly 
 nature. &c. Ageyne in the. xiiii. chapiture of the fame booke, he wrytethe that in certeyne regions toward the 
 north, as in fum places of Germanie, hony is found in fuch quantitie that there haue bynne feene hony combes of 
 eyght foote longe, and blacke in the holowe parte. By the whiche woordes of PUnie, and by the principles of natu- 
 rall philofophie, it dooth appere that abundaunce of hony fliulde chiefely bee engendered in fuch regions where the 
 heate of foommer is temperate and continuall afwell by nyght as by day as it isnotinhotteregionswhere the nyghtes 
 be longe and coulde as is declared in the Decades. For lyke as fuche thynges as are fyned by continuall heate, 
 mouynge, and circulation, are hyndered by refrigeration or coulde (as appereth in the art of ftyllynge and 
 hatchynge of egges) euen fo by the action of temperate and continuall heate withowt interpofition of contrarie 
 and mortifyinge qualitie, crude thynges are in fhorte tyme made r3rpe, fower made fweete, thicke made thinne, 
 heauie made lyght, grofle made fubtyle, harde made fofte, deade made lyuynge, and in fine bodies made fpirites, 
 as manifeftly appeareth in the marueylous woorke of dygeflion of lyuyng beaftes, wherby the fineft part of theyr 
 nuriflhement is turned into bludde, and the fineft of that bludde conuerted into fpirites, as the like is alfo feene 
 in the nuryfftiement of trees, plantes, and herbes, and all other thynges that growe on the grounde, all whiche 
 are moued, digefted, fubtiliate, attenuate, rjrped, and made fweete by the action of this continuall heate wherof 
 I haue fpoken. To conclude therfore, if hony bee eyther the fwette of the llarres, or the iuife of the ayer 
 pourginge it felfe (as plinie writeth) or other wyie engendered of fubtyle and fine vapoures ryfmge frome the 
 earth, and concocte or digefted in the ayer by the fayd continuall and moderate heate, it may feeme by good 
 reafon that the fame fliulde bee engendered in foommer feafon more abundantly in coulde regions then in hot, 
 for the caufes aforefayde. And that it may by autoritie and reafon more manifeftlye appeare bothe that the 
 heate of foommer in could regions is continual (as I haue fayd) and alfo that the coulde in wynter is not there 
 fo intoUerable to th[e]inhabitauntes of thofe regions as other doo thynke, I haue thought good for the better 
 declaration hereof to adde hereimto what I haue gathered owt of the booke of Ziglerus wrytten of the north 
 regions. 
 
295 
 
 C OF THE NORTH REGIONS 
 
 AND OF THE MODERATE AND CONTINVALL HEATE 
 
 in coulde regions alwell in the nyght as in the day in 
 
 foommer feafon : Alfo howe thofe regions are 
 
 habitable to th[e]inhabitauntes of the 
 
 fame, contrary to th[e]oppinion 
 
 of the owlde wryters. 
 
 this matter, Ziglerus in his booke of the Northe 
 regions in the defcription of Scondia wryteth as 
 foloweth. 
 
 Wee wyll intreate of this matter, not as puttynge the fame 
 in queftion as dyd the owld wryters, nor gatherynge iudgement 
 deducted of reafons in way of argument, forafmuch as wee 
 are alredy more certeyne by hyllorie that thefe coulde regions 
 are inhabited. Wee wyll fyrfl therfore fliewe by naturall reafon 
 and by confideration of the fphere, declare how by the helpe 
 of man and arte, coulde regions are inhabited withowt domage 
 or deftruction of lyuynge beaft.es : And wyll fyrfle fpeake of 
 the qualitie of fommer, declarynge howe it is there augmented. 
 Yet intende I not to comprehende all that maye bee fayde in 
 this matter, but only rehearfe fuch reafons and limilitudes as 
 are mofl; apparent and eafy to bee vnderfl.oode. 
 
 In fuch regions therfore, as are extended from the burnte 
 line or Equinoctiall towarde the north, as much as the fonne ryfethe hygher ouer theim, fo muche are they the 
 more burnte with heate, as Affrica, bycaufe it ryfeth hygheft. ouer them as they are neareft. to the Equinoctiall: 
 and taryinge with theim fo mnch the fhorter time caufeth ftiorter days, with longer and coulder nyghtes to 
 refiore the domage of the day pafl: by reafon of the moifl,ure confumed by vapour. But in fuch regions ouer 
 the which the fonne ryfeth lower (as in Sarmatia) it remayneth there the longer in the day, and caufeth fo much 
 the fliorter and warmer nyghtes, as reteynynge warme vapoures of the day paft., which vapours helpe the 
 woorke of the day. I fpeake as I haue founde by experience, faythe Vpfalienfis. For I haue felt the fommer 
 nyghtes fcarfely tollerable for heate in Gothlande, wheras I felte them coulde in Rome. This benefite of th[e]- 
 increafe of the day, doth augment fo much the more in coulde re^ons as they are nearer the poles : and 
 ceaceth not vntyll it coome directly ouer the center or poynte of the axes or axceltree of the worlde, where the 
 fonne beinge at the hygheft. in fommer, is eleuate abowt. xxiiii. degrees: In which regions, one continual day 
 confifteth of. vi. monethes from the fprynge tyme by the ftandynge of the foonne (cauled Solftitium) in the 
 figne of Cancer to Autumne. The foonne therfore, withowt any oifence of the night, gyueth his influence 
 vppon thofe landes with heate that neuer ceafethe durynge that tyme which maketh to the great increafe of 
 foommer by reafon of continuance. We haue now therfore thought good to gather by a certeyne coniecture 
 howe greately wee thinke the foommer to bee increafed hereby. 
 
 Wee haue before declared howe hyghe the foonne is eleuate ouer the regions that are vnder the poles at 
 the ftaye of the foonne: And fo manye partes is it eleuate in Rome at the flay of the foonne in wynter (that is) 
 at the fhorteft day in the yeare. But here, in the mydde wynter, the foonne at noone tyde is beneficiall, and 
 bryngeth foorth floures, rofes, and ielefloures. I haue gathered fum in wynter in the moneth of December, 
 not procured at home by humane arte, but growinge in open gardenes in maner in euery bedde vnder the bare 
 heauen, browght foorth only by the foonne. But this benignitie of the foonne, continueth not paft. fine houres 
 
 Ziglerus. 
 
 The qualitie of 
 soomer in could 
 regions. 
 
 The course of the 
 Sonne. 
 
 Vapours. 
 
 Short and Warme 
 nyghtes. 
 
 Gothlande 
 
 264 
 
 One day of. vi 
 monethes. 
 
 Howe the sommer 
 is increased in 
 could regions. 
 
 Rome. 
 
296 
 
 Of the north regions. 
 
 Could nights in 
 hot regions. 
 
 The Romane 
 wynter. 
 
 One nyght of vL 
 tnonethes 
 
 Obiections. 
 
 The twylyghtes. 
 
 The lyght of the 
 mone. 
 
 The nyght vnder 
 the pole. 
 
 A demonstration. 
 
 265 
 
 The Moone. 
 
 Remedies of 
 nature ^nd art. 
 
 The owlde wrytets 
 persuaded by 
 coniecture. 
 
 A brasen pot 
 broken with frost 
 
 in the naturall day, forafmuch as th[e]operation therof is extinct by the couldenefle of the nyght folowynge. 
 But if this benefite myght bee receaued withowt hinderaunce of the nyght, as it is vnder the poles, and fo 
 continue many monethes in hot regions vnto wynter, it fliulde fuerlye brynge foorthe manye woonderfuU 
 thynges, if moyfture fayled not And by this condition thus propounded, wee may well conceaue that the 
 Romane winter, althowgh it be not hotte, yet to be equal in heate to the full fprynge tyme in the fame citie 
 duiynge the tyme of the fayde fiue houres. And thus by a fimilitude of the height of the foonne vnder bothe 
 places, and of the knowen qualitie of the Romane heauen, and by thfejacceife of the foonne to fuch places 
 where the longed day continueth certeyne monethes, wee maye gather that foommer in places vnder the pole, 
 is lyke vnto and equall with the full Romane fprynge. 
 
 But the more difficulte queflion, is of the tyme of the. vi. moonethes in the whiche the foonne leaueth 
 thofe regions, and go[e]th by the contrarye or ouerthwarte circle towarde the fouth in wynter. For they lay that 
 at that tyme, thofe regions are deformed with horrible darkenefTe and nyghtes not increafed, which may bee the 
 caufe that beafl.es can not feke thejT foode. And that alfo the coulde Ihulde then bee intollerable : by which 
 double euyls all thynges conllrayned fliulde dye, fo that no beafte were able to abyde th[e]iniuries of wynter 
 and famen infuinge therof: but that all beaftes fliulde peryflhe before the fommer folowynge, when they fliulde 
 bringe furth theyr broode or fucceflion : And that for thefe caufes, the fayde coulde clime fliulde bee perpetu- 
 ally defolate and vnhabitable. To al which obiections, we anfwere in this maner 
 
 As touchynge the nyghtes not increafed, I faye, that it was not conuenient to affume that for any reafon. 
 For not as the foonne fauleth, fo fuddeynly commeth the darke night but that the euenynge dooth fubfl-itute 
 and prolonge the day longe after, as alfo the day fprynge or dawnynge of the daye gyueth a certeyne lyght 
 before the ryfinge of the foonne: After the whiche, the refidue of the nyght that receaueth no light by the fayde 
 euenynge and momynge twilightes, is accompl3rflhed by the lyght of the moone, fo that the nyghtes are feldome 
 vnaugmented. Let this bee an example proued by owre temperate regions, wherby we may vnderflande the 
 condition of the nyght vnder the pole. Therfore euen there alfo the twilightes helpe the nyght a longe tyme, 
 as we wyl more prefently demon ft.rate. It is approued by the Aflronomers, that the foonne defcendynge from 
 the highell halfe fphere by. xviii. paralels of the vnder horizon, makethe an ende of the twylight, fo that at the 
 lengthe the darke nyght fuccedeth: And that the foonne approchynge, and ryfynge aboue the the hyghefl halfe 
 fphere by as many paralels, dooth diminyflhe the nyght and incrqafe the twylyght. Ageyne, by the pofition or 
 placeinge of the fphere vnder the pole, the fame is the horizontall that is the Equinoctiall. Thofe paralelles 
 therefore that are paralels ■ to the horizontal hne, are alfo paralels to the Equinoctiall. So that the foonne 
 defcendynge there vrder the horizon, dooth not brynge darke nyghtes to thofe regions vntyll it coomme to the 
 paralele diflant xviii. partes from the Equinoctiall. 
 
 Other demonflrations hereof are made by certeyne fygures of Aftronomie, whiche I wolde haue added hereunto but that I 
 coulde not gette the fame grauen or cutte. 
 
 Durynge the tyme of thefe fayde fyxe moonethes of darkenefle vnder the pole, the nyght is defl.itute of the 
 benefite of the foonne and the fayde twylyghtes, onely for the fpace of three moonethes, in the whiche the 
 foonne goeth and retumeth by the portion of the ouerthwart circle. But yet neyther this tyme of three 
 moonethes is withowt remedy frome heauen. For the moone with her full globe increafed in lyghte, hath 
 acceffe at that tyme, and illuminateth the moonethes lackynge lyght, euery one by them felues, halfe the courfe 
 of the moonethe : by whofe benefite it coommeth to paiTe that the night, named as vnaugmented, poffeffeth 
 thofe regions no longer then one mooneth and a halfe, neyther that continually or al at one tyme : but this alfo 
 diuided into three forts of fliorter nyghtes, of the whiche euery one endureth for the fpace of twoo weekes, and 
 are illuminate of the moone accordyngly. And this is the reafon conceaued of the poure of the fphere wherby 
 we teftifie that the fommers and nyghtes vnder the pole, are tollerable to lyuynge beafl,es. 
 
 But wee wyll nowe declare by other remedies of nature and arte, that this coulde fo greatly feared, is more 
 remiffe and tollerable then owre opinion: fo that compared to the nature of fuch beaftes as liue there, it may 
 bee abydden. And there is no doubt but there are autours of more antiquitie then that age in the which any 
 thynge was exactly knowen or difcouered of the north regions. The owlde wryters therfore perfuaded onely 
 by naked coniecture, dydde gather what they myght determine of thofe places: Or rather by the eftimation of 
 heauen, the which, bycaufe they felte it to bee hardely tollerable to them felues, and leffe to men borne in the 
 clyme of Egypte and Grecia, tooke therby an argument of the hole habitable earth. The hyftorie of Strabo is 
 knowen, that a potte of brafle which was broken in funder with frofeii water, was brought from Pontus and fliewed 
 in Delphis in token of a greuous wynter. Here therfore, they that fo greatly feared the winter (fuch as chaunceth 
 to the earth vnder the. xlviii. [forty-eighth] paralele) and therefore confecrated that broken pot to the temple of 
 Apollo, what coulde fuch men trewly define vppon regions fo farre withowt that paralele, whether they were 
 inhabited or not ? But fuch as folowed thefe, being contented with th[e]inuentions of the owlde autours, 
 
Of the north regions. 
 
 297 
 
 and borne in maner vnder the fame qualitie of heauen, perfifted wyllyngly in the fame opinion, with more 
 confidence then confideration of the thynges whereof wee nowe intreate: fo lyghtly was that opinion receaued 
 as touching the vnhiabitable clime vnder the poles. But we with better confidence and faithe (forafmuch as we 
 are not inllructed with coniectures) intend to (lande ageynft the fentence of the owld autours: Affirming the 
 north regions within the coulde clime to bee inhabyted with hearynges, coddes, haddockes, and brettes, 
 tunnyes, and other great fyflhes, with th[e]infinite number wherof, tables are furnyfihed through a great parte 
 of Europe : AI whiche are taken in the north fea extended beyonde owr knoweleage. This fea at certeyne 
 tymes of the yeare, poureth furth his plentifulneffe, or rather diyueth furth his increafe to feke newe manfions, 
 and are here taken in theyr paflage. Furthermore alfo, euen the mouthes of the riuer of Tyber receaue a fyflhe 
 as a newe geft. fent from the north fea. This fwamme twyfe through Fraunce and twife throughe Spayne : 
 Ouerpaffed the Ligurian and Tufcan fea to communicate her felfe to the citie of Rome. The lakes alfo and 
 ryuers of thofe regions are replenyffhed with fyflhe : In fo much that no poure of coulde is able to extinguyfflie 
 th[e]increafe of the yeare folowinge, and the fucceflion reparable fo many hundreth yeares. And I playnely 
 thinke, that yf it fliulde of neceflitie folowe, that one of thefe two elementes, the earthe and the water, fliulde 
 be deflructiue to lyuynge creatures, the water fliulde chiefely haue wrought this effecte. But this is founde fo 
 tractable, that in the diepe wynter, both that increafe is brought furth, and fyffliynge is alfo exercifed. The 
 lande is lykewife inhabited with lyke plentifulnefle. But that we wander not to farre : Let the fayth hereof reft, 
 in th[e]expofition folowynge, wherin we intend to declare howe by the poure of nature and indufl.iy of man, 
 this commoditie may coomme to pafle. Therfore as touchynge nature, wee fuppofe that the diuine prouidence 
 hath made nothynge vncommunicable, but to haue gyuen fuch order to all thynges wherby euery thynge maye 
 bee tollerable to the nexte. The extremeties of the elementes confent with theyr next. The ayer is grofle 
 abowt the earth and water : But thinne and hotte abowt the fyre. By this prouidence of nature, the vttermoft. 
 fea is very falte. And falte (as wytnefTeth Plinie) yeldeth the fatneife of oyle. But oyle, by a certeyne natiue 
 heate, is of propertie agreable to fyre. The fea then, beinge all of fuch qualitie, poureth furth it felfe far vppon 
 th[e]extreme landes, whereby by reafon of the falteneffe therof, it moueth and ftereth vp generatiue heate, as by 
 fatnefle it noiyflheth the fecunditie of thynges generate. It gyueth this frutfulnes to the earth at certeyne fluds, 
 although the earth alfo it felfe, haue in his inner bowels the fame liuely and nuryflhynge heate,wherby not only 
 the dennes, caues and holowe places, but alfo fprynges of water are made warme : And this fo much the more, 
 in howe muche the wynter is more vehement. This thyng dooth more appere by this exemple, that the 
 mountaynes of Norway and Suethlande are fruteful of metals, in the. which, fyluer and copper are concocte and 
 molten into veynes, which can fcarfely bee doonne in fornaces. By this reafon alfo, the vapours and hotte 
 exhalations perceinge the earthe and the waters, and throwghe both thofe natures breathyilge furth into the 
 ayer, tempereth the qualitie of heauen and maketh it tollerable to beaftes, as wytnefTeth the huge byggeneffe of 
 the whales in thofe feas, with the flrength of bodye and longe lyfe of fuche beaftes as liue on the lande : whiche 
 thynge coulde not bee, excepte all thynges were there commodioufly nuryfflied by the benefite of the heauen 
 and the ayer. For nothyng that in the tyme of increafe is hyndered by any iniurie, or that is euyll fedde all 
 the tyme it lyueth, can profper well. Neyther are fuch thynges as lyue there, offended with theyr naturall 
 wynter as thowgh an Egiptian or Ethiopian were fuddeynly conueyed into thofe coulde regions. For they 
 were in longe tyme by lyttle and lyttle browght fyrft acquaynted with the nature of that heauen, as may be 
 proued both by the lyfe of man and by the hiftorie of holy fcripture. They that were led from Mefopotania, 
 and that famous towre of Babilon towarde the north partes of the worlde in the fyrft difpertion of nations, dyd 
 not immediatly pafle to th[e]extreme boundes, but planted theyr habitations f)Tft vnder a myddle heauen 
 betwene both, as in Thracia and Pontus, where theyr pofteritie was accuftomed the better to fufteyne the 
 rygoure of Scythia and Tanais, as he that commeth from winter to foommer, maye the better after abyde Ife 
 and fiiowe beinge fyrft hardened therto by the froftes of Autumne. In lyke maner mortall men, accuftomed to 
 beare the hardenefle of places nexte vnto theym, were therby at the length more confirmed to fufteyne the 
 extremes. And here alfo, if any ftiarpenefle remayne that maye feeme intollerable, nature hathe prouyded for 
 the fame with other remedies. For the lande and fea, hathe gyuen vnto beaftes, diepe and large caues, dennes, 
 and other holowe places and fecreate comers in mountaynes and rockes, bothe on the lande and by the fea 
 bankes, in the which are euer conteyned warme vapoures fo much the more intent and vehement, in howe 
 much they are the more conftrayned by extreme could Nature hath alfo gyuen valleys diuerted and defended 
 frome the north wyndes. Shee hath lykewife couered beaftes with heare fo much the thicker in howe muche 
 the vehemencie of could is greater: by reafon wherof the beft and rycheft furres are browght from thofe 
 regions, as Sables whofe price is growne to great excefle nexte vnto gold and precious ftones, and are eftemed 
 princely ornamentes. The beaftes that beare thefe furres, are hunted chiefely in wynter (which thynge is more 
 ftraunge) bycaufe theyr heare is thenne thicker and cleaueth fafter to the flcyn. Howe greauous then fliall we 
 thinke the winter to bee there where this lyttle beaft lyueth fo well, and where the hunters may fearch 
 
 Fysshes of the 
 North seas. 
 
 The North sea. 
 
 The qualitie of 
 water. 
 
 The lande 
 
 The diuine 
 prouidence in 
 moderatynge the 
 elements 
 
 266 
 
 The nature of the 
 sea. 
 Salte. 
 Generatiue heai.e. 
 
 Owtwarde could is 
 cause of inwarde 
 heate. 
 
 Metals. 
 
 Vapours and 
 exhalations. 
 
 Whales. 
 
 Hereby maye bee 
 considered the 
 cause of the 
 deathe of owr men 
 that sayle directly 
 to Guinea. 
 No passage from 
 one extremitie to 
 another but by a 
 meane. 
 
 Caues and dennes. 
 
 Valleys. 
 
 The best furres, 
 Sables, 
 
 297 
 
298 
 
 Of the north regions. 
 
 Beastes that lye 
 hyd in wynter. 
 
 All beastes haue 
 the nature of the 
 place where they 
 are engendered. 
 
 267 
 
 What exercise 
 may doo. 
 
 Vse maketh 
 masteries. 
 
 Scondla. 
 
 Scone, is fajrre in 
 the duch toonge. 
 
 The fertilitie of 
 Scondia. 
 
 He meaneth 
 Diodorus Siculus. 
 
 Th[e]inuasions of 
 the Gothes 
 
 Transiluania 
 
 268 
 
 the dennes and hauntes of fuch beafles throwghe the wooddes and fnowe? But fuche beaftes the 
 condition of whofe bodies is fo tender that they are not able to abyde th[e]iniurie of coulde, eyther 
 lye hydde in wynter, or chaunge theyr habitation, as do certeyne beafles alfo in owre dime. Nature 
 hath furthermore gyuen remedie to man bothe. by arte and induftry to defende him felfe both abrode 
 and at home. Abrode, with a thicke veflure, and the fame well dowbeled. At home, with large fyers 
 on harthes, chymyneys, and in flooues for the day, with clofe chambers, and couches, fofte and warme beddes 
 for the nyght: by whiche remedies they mitigate the winters which feeme rigorous to ftraungers, althowghe they 
 are to th[e]inhabitauntes more tollerable then owre opinion, as in deede by the fyrfl natural mixture or 
 compofition of theyr bodies, fuch thinges are agreable to them as feeme very harde to other. The lion in Affrike 
 and the beare in Sarmatia, are fierce as in theyr prefente flrength and vigoure : but tranflated into a contrary 
 heauen, are of lefTe ftrength and courage. The foule cauled Ciconia (which fum thinke to bee the ftorke) 
 dooth not tary the winter: yet doo the cranes coomme at that tyme. The Scythian wyll accufe the Romane 
 heauen as induceinge feuers, wheras neuertheleffe there is none more holfoome. Such as haue byn tenderly 
 browght vp, if they coomme fuddeynly in to the campe, can not away with hunger, watchynge, heate, paffages 
 throwgh ryuers, battayles, fieges, and aflaultes. But the owld fouldier exercifed in the warres, vfeth thefe as 
 meditations of the fielde, as hardened therto by longe experience. He that hath byn accuflomed to the 
 fhadowe of the citie, and wyll attemple the fayinge of the poet Virgil, Nudus ara, fere nudus, that is, naked find 
 bare withowt houfe and home, fhall to his perell make an ende of the verfe, Habebis frigora febrem (that is) 
 he fliall haue the coulde ague. Suche thynges therfore as feeme harde vnto vs, beinge accuftomed by lyttle and 
 lyttle, becomme more tollerable : In fo much that this exercife of fufferaunce by fuch degrees, dooth oftentymes 
 grow to prodigious effectes farre beyonde owre expectation. And thus wee feeme to haue made fufficient 
 demonftration, by heauen, nature, and arte, wherby it may appere that no part of the lande or fea is denyed to 
 lyuynge creatures. The reader may alfo perceaue how large matter of reafons and exemples may bee opened 
 for the declarynge of owre opinion wherein wee reft. Let therfore th[e]autoritie of the ancient autours gyue 
 place, and the confent of the newe wryters agree to this hyftory, not as nowe at the length comprehended 
 (whereas before many hundreth yeares Germanie and Scondia had entercourfe of marchaundies not feuered by 
 the large goulfe of Gothia) but as nowe by owr commentaries brought to light. And hauyng fayde thus much 
 in maner of a preface, we wyll nowe procede to wryte of the north regions. 
 
 tC SCHONDIA. 
 
 Chondia, Schondania, or ^chondenmarchia, is as much to fay as fayre Dania or fayre Denmarke. 
 Plinie in one place, nameth it Scandia, and in an other, Scandinauia if there bee no faute in 
 th[e]exemplers. It was named Schondia, by reafon of the fayreneffe and frutfulneffe therof. 
 And this afwell for that in beneficiall heauen, fertilitie of grounde, commoditie of hauens and 
 iriarte townes, abundaunce of ryuers of fyffhe, plentie of beaftes, great quantitie of metall, as 
 golde, fyluer, copper, and leade, diligent culturynge the grounde, with townes and cities wel 
 inhabited and gouemed by ciuile lawes, it gyuethe place to none other fortunate region. 
 This was in maner vnknowen to the owlde Greekes and Latins as may appeare by this argumente that with one 
 confente they affirmed that in thefe north regions the could zone or clime, was condemned to perpetual! fnowe 
 intollerable to all lyuynge creatures. For few of them haue made mention hereof as to be inhabited. Amonge 
 whom Plinie as one of the chiefe, fayth in his fourth booke, that Schondania is of vnknowen byggeneife : and 
 only that portion therof to be knowen which is inhabited with the nation of the Hilleuiones in fiftie vyllages. 
 Neyther yet is Eningia leffe in opinion. Other more auncient then Plinie, haue placed moft fortunate regions, 
 with men of longe lyfe (whiche the Greekes caule Macrobios) and of mofte innocente behauour vnder the tracte 
 of thofe landes : and that there came from thence to Delphos, certeyne rtligious virginnes with vowes and gyftes 
 confecrated to Apollo : And furthermore that that nation obferued this inftitution vntyll the fayde virgins were 
 violated of them of whome they were receaued as ftraungers. Thefe are moft cleare teftimonies of Antiquitie, 
 both of the greatneffe of Schondia, and the people that inhabite the fame, althowgh they were fence vnknowen, 
 as lykewyfe the Gothes departynge from thefe north landes althowghe they obteyned Th[e]empire of the regions 
 abowte the marifflies of Meotis and the coaftes of the fea Euxinus, with the realme of Denmarke (wherof that 
 is thought to bee a portion which is nowe cauled Tranfiluania) and the bankes of the r)aier of Danubius, and 
 in fine inuaded the Romane Empire, yet were not the regions wel knowen from whenfe they tooke theyr 
 originall. Therefore lyke as parte of the owlde wryters are vnfufficient wytneffes to teftifie of owre narrations 
 as touchynge thefe landes vnknowen to them, Euen fo the other parte which excluded the fame as vnhabitable, 
 are to bee conuinced leafte theyr autoritie beinge admitted, fliuld engender opinions not agreeable or conuenient 
 to the nature of places. Sigifmundus Liberus, in his commentaries of Mofcouia, wiyteth thus, Scandia or 
 
Of the north regions. 
 
 299 
 
 Scondia, is no Hand (as fume haue thought) but parte of the continente or firme lande of Suetia, which by a 
 longe tracte reacheth to Gothlande : And that nowe the kynge of Denmarke poffeffeth a great parte therof But 
 wheras the wryters of thefe thinges haue made Scondia greater then Suetia, and that the Gothes and Lumbardes 
 came frome thenfe, they feeme in my opinion to comprehende thefe three kyngedomes as it were in one body, 
 only vnder the name of Scondia, forafmuch as then, that parte of lande that lyeth betwene the fea Baltheum 
 (whiche floweth by the coaftes of Finlandia) and the frofen fea, was vnknowen : And that by reafon of fo many 
 maiiflhes, innumerable ryuers, and intemperatneffe of heauen, it is yet nide vncultured, and lyttle knowen. 
 Which thynge hath byn the caufe that fumme iudged all that was cauled by the name of Scondia, to bee one 
 great Ilande. 
 
 H Gronlande. 
 
 Ronlande is interpreted greene lande: fo cauled for the great increafe and frutefulneffe of 
 pafture. By reafon wherof, what great plentie of cattayle there is, it may hereby appere that 
 at fuch tyme as (hyppes may paffe thyther they fet furth great heapes of cheefe and butter to 
 bee fould, wherby wee coniecture that the lande is not rowgh with barren mountaynes. It 
 hath two Cathedrall Churches vnder th[e]ordination of Nidrofia. To one of thefe, was of 
 late yeares a byffliop appoynted onely by the tytle of a fuffragane in confideration that while 
 the metropolitane dooth neglect the direction of religion for the diftance of the place and 
 difficult nauigation, the people is in maner faulne to gentiUtie, beinge of them felfe of mouable wyttes and gyuen 
 to magical artes. For it is fayde that they (as alfo the people of Laponia) doo rayfe tempefl.es on the fea with 
 magical inchauntmentes, and brynge fuch ftiippes into daungeour as they intende to fpoile. They vfe lyttle 
 fliyppes made of lether, and fafe ageynfte the brufynge of the fea and rockes, and with them alfayle other 
 fliippes. Peter Martyr of Angleria, writeth in his Decades of the Spanifflie nauigations, that Sebafl.ian Cabote 
 fayKng from Englande continually towarde the north, folowed that courfe fo farre that he chaunfed vppon 
 greate flakes of Ife in the mooneth of luly : and that diuertynge from thenfe, he folowed the coafl.e by the fhore 
 bendynge towarde the South vntyl he came to the clime of the Ilande of Hifpaniola aboue Cuba, an Hand of 
 the Canibales. Which narration hath giuen me occafion to extende Gronlande beyonde the promontory or cape of 
 Huitfarch to the continente or firme lande of Lapponia aboue the cailell of Wardhus : which thynge I did the 
 rather for that the reuerende Archebyfftioppe of Nidrofia, conflantely affirmed that the fea bendethe there into 
 the forme of a crooked elbowe. It agreeth herewith alfo, that the Lapones confent with them in the lyke magi- 
 cal practifes and dob neyther imbrafe the Chriflian religion nor refufe it: wherby I haue thowght this lykeneffe 
 of cuftomes to bee betwene them bycaufe they ioyne togyther in one continent. The diftance lykewyfe, feemeth 
 not to difagree. For betwene both thefe people, the difl.ance is not full twoo hundreth Schceni, euery one being 
 a fpace of grounde conteinyng. Ix. [sixty] furlonges, which make. vii. [seven] myles and a halfe. It furthermore 
 agreeth with this coniecture that Cabote chaunfed into fuch Ife. And albeit as touchynge the mooneth of luly, 
 I wyll contend it is not well reherfed, no althowghe he had fayled vnder the pole, for fuch reafons as wee haue 
 declared before to the contrary, neuertheleffe, that at fum tyme he fayled by Ife, this teftifieth in that he fayled 
 not by the mayne fea, but in places nere vnto the lande comprehendyng and imbrafyng the fea in forme o\. a 
 goulfe, wheras for the fame caufe, the goulfe of Gothland is frofen bycaufe it is ftreyght and narow, in the whiche 
 alfo the lyttle quantitie of fait water is ouercoome by the abundance of freffhe water of many and greate ryuers 
 that faule into the goulfe. But betwene Norwaye and Iflande, the fea is not frofen for the contrary caufe, 
 forafmuch as the poure of frefflie water is there ouercomme of th[e]abundance of the falte water. There is a 
 fame (but of vncerteyne autoritie) that the Spanyardes fayle at this prefente to Gronlande, and to an other lande 
 which they caule Terra viridis, that is, the greene lande, bringynge from thenfe fuche wares as are founde in 
 Gronlande. Towarde the north, it reacheth to the vnknowen lande vnder the pole, from whenfe alfo the 
 theues and robbers of the Pigmei coomme into this lande. Whiche is an argument that the regions vnder the 
 pole are inhabited and almofl enuironed with the fea, as are they whiche the Cofmographers caule Cherfonnefi 
 or Peninfulse (that is) almoft Ilandes : 
 
 ^" TTie defcription of Gronlande. 
 f[ The defcription of the Eajlfyde whiche lyeth towarde Norway, 
 
 •Wardhus caftell. 
 Towarde the North. 
 The fyrft extention. 
 
 Longitude.] 
 
 54 [degrees] \o'\ 
 
 [Latitude.] 
 70. 30' 
 
 53- 30' 
 40. [o^ 
 
 71- 3°'- 
 
 71. 40' 
 
 The feconde extention. 
 Huitfarch. promont. 
 The extention. 
 
 [Longitude. 
 
 [Latitude.] 
 
 28. [0' 
 
 72. [oQ 
 
 22. [0'] 
 
 67. [o'] 
 
 s. [°T 
 
 61. 45' 
 
 356. [oT 
 
 60. [0'] 
 
 It is continued from thenfe by the coafles of the lande of Baccallaos. 
 
 Towarde the weft and north, it is termined with an vnknowen ende of landes and feas. 
 
 [* Wardoehuus is the chief village of Wardoe, an island on the N.E. coast of Norway, beyond the North Cape and near Waranger Fiord. Its true N. Lat. 
 is 10° 23', and E. Long. 31** 7', Therefore Ziegler's meridian in all the following dates (being 54 degrees west of Wardoehuus) is really 23 degrees W. Long., 
 and that therefore he places Baccallos 4 degrees still further west— fixes it in 27" W. Long., which is, in high latitudes, the longitude of a part of Greenland.— E. A.] 
 
 299 
 
 The Gothes and 
 
 Lumbardes. 
 
 Frutefull pasture. 
 
 Religion 
 neglected. 
 
 Inchaunters 
 
 The vyage of 
 Sebastian Cabote 
 to the frosen sea. 
 
 Gronlande. 
 Wardhus. 
 
 Lapponia and 
 Gronlande. 
 
 SchoenL 
 
 Cabote tould me 
 that this Ise is of 
 fresshe water, and 
 not of the sea. 
 
 A commixtion of 
 
 salt water and 
 
 fresshe. 
 
 The sea betwene 
 
 Norway and 
 
 Islande. 
 
 Terra Viridis^ 
 
 269 
 
 PtgmeL 
 
 Baccalaos. 
 
.-300 
 
 Of the north regions. 
 
 Island cauled 
 Thyle. 
 Schoeni is Ix. 
 [sixty] furlonges. 
 
 Miracles of nature 
 in Islande. 
 
 Three maruelous 
 
 mountaynes. 
 
 Helgite. 
 Hecla. 
 
 Straiinge visions. 
 
 Ise. 
 Purgatory. 
 
 A straunge thynge. 
 
 Four springs of 
 contrary nature. 
 
 Abundaunce of 
 brimstone. 
 
 Dryed fysshe> 
 Scarsenes of corne. 
 
 270 
 
 Haukes. 
 
 White rauens. 
 
 Houses of whales 
 
 bones. 
 
 The nauigation to 
 
 Island. 
 
 Whales. 
 
 One thynge 
 
 seniyng for 
 contrary vses. 
 A shipmans 
 quadranL ^ 
 
 Islande. 
 
 j|Slande is interpreted the land of Ife, and is cauled of the owlde wryters Thyle. It is extended 
 betwene the fouth and the north almoft. two hundreth fchoenes in longitude. It is for the 
 moil part full of mountaynes and vncultured. But in the playnes it hath fuche frutefuU 
 paflures, that they are fayne fumetymes to dryue the beaftes from their feedynge leaft they 
 fliulde bee fuffocate with to much fatnes. This Hand is famous by the flrange miracles of 
 nature, of the which Saxo Grammaticus in his hyllorie of Denmarke, and Olanus Gothus in 
 his defcription of the north landes, doo make mention. There are in it three mountaynes of 
 marueylous height, the toppes whereof are couered with perpetuall fnowe. But the nether partes of them, are 
 of lyke nature to the mountayne Etna in the Ilande of Sicilie boyling with continuall flames of fyre and 
 caftynge furth brymftone. One of thefe is named Helga, and the other Mons Crucis (that is) the mounte of 
 the croffe. The thyrde is named Hecla: whofe flames neyther confume flaxe or towe, matters mofle apte to 
 take fyre, nor yet are quenched with water. And with lyke force as the fliotte of great artillerie is driuen furth 
 by violence of fyre, euen fo by the commixtion and repugnaunce of fyre, coulde, and brymflome, greate ftones 
 are here throwne into the ayer. Nere ynto thefe mountaynes are three chynkes or open places in the earthe 
 of houge byggenefle and fuche depth (efpecially at the mounte Hecla) that no fyght can attayne therto. But to 
 fuch as looke into them, there fyrfl appeare men as thowgh they were drowned and yet breathyng furth theyr 
 fowles : who beinge exhorted by theyr frendes to reforte to theyr owne, they aunfwere with moornynge voyce 
 and greuous fyghes, that they muft departe frome thenfe to the mount Hecla, and therwith fuddeynly vanyfflie 
 owte of fyght. Ife floweth abowt the Ilande for the fpace of feuen or eyght moonethes, makynge by runnynge 
 togyther a certeyne miferable waylinge and gronynge noyfe not vnlyke the voyce of man. Th[e]inhabi- 
 tauntes thynke, that in this Ife and the mounte Hecla, are the places where the euyll foules of theyr people 
 are tormented. If any man take a greate portion of this Ife, and kepe it as diligently as may bee in a clofe 
 veflell or cofer, the fame dooth fo vanyfflie at the tyme when the other Ife abowt the Ilande diflblueth, that not 
 fo much as one droppe of water or Ife can therof bee founde. 
 
 Not farre from thefe mountaynes reachynge toward the fea coafl.es, are foure fprynges of water of mofl.e 
 diuers and contrary nature. The fyrfle, by reafon of his perpetuall and feruente heate, fuddeynely tumeth all 
 bodies that are caft,e therin, into Hones, referuynge neuertheleffe theyr fyrfl. forme and fliape. The feconde, is 
 of intollerable couldenefle. The thyrde is fweeter then hony, and mofl. pleafaunte to quenche thyrfl.. The 
 fourth is playne poyfon, pefl.ilent, and deadely. There is furthermore in thefe fprynges fuche abundaunce of 
 brymfl.one, that a thoufande pounde weight therof is bought for lyttle, as for the tenth parte of a ducate. 
 Theyr chiefe wares, are dryed fyfflie, as foles, maydens, playces, falpas, fl,ockefyfflies, and fuch other which they 
 exchange for wheat and fuch other thynges as are browght thyther from Lubeck, Hamborowe, and Amfterdam. 
 For they haue oftentymes fuch fcarfenefle of corne, that they vfe dryed fyffhe in the fleade of breade, althowgh 
 in foommer the Ilande fo floryfflieth with greene and frutefull medowes, that they are i^jas. fumtimes to dryue 
 theyr beafles from pafl.ure leaft.e they fliulde fuffocate for to much fatteneffe, as I haue fayde before. They 
 make very good butter, and apte to bee vfed in matters of phificke. There are founde dyuers kindes of good 
 haukes, as faulcons, gerfalcons, lanners, and fperhaukes. Alfo rauens, crowes, beares, hares, and foxes, both 
 whyte and blacke. They haue mofl. fwyfte horfes : and fuch as runne. xxx. [thirty] myles continually withowt reft or . 
 bayte. They haue many churches : and houfes buylded of the bones of whales and other greate fyfflies. The 
 nauigation is not open to this Ilande but in fommer feafon: and that only for the fpace of foure modnethes, by 
 reafon of the coulde and Ife whereby the paflage is ftopped. If any ftryfe or debate aryfe on the fea amonge 
 the mariners for the commoditie of the hauen, the gouemour of the place althowgh he haue knowleage therof, 
 yet dooth he not punyfflie them, forafmuch as it apperteyneth not to his office to decerne fuch thynges as are 
 doonne on the fea, but only on the lande. Shippes are there often tymes in great perell by reafon of whales 
 and fuch other monfters of the fea, excepte the mariners take good heede and keepe them farre frome the 
 fliyppes with the noyfe of droommes, and emptie barrels caft into the fea. There are many mynftrels and 
 . other that play on infl^rumentes, with the fweete noyfe whereof, they vfe to allure foules and fifihes to theyr 
 nettes and fnares. Many alfo, lye lurkynge in caues and dennes to auoyde the ftiarpenefle of coulde, as the 
 Affricanes doo the lyke to defend them felues from the heate. On the toppe of a certeyne mountayne cauled 
 Weyfzarch, (lyinge betwene Iflande and Gruntland or Gronlande) is erected a fliypmans quadrant of marueilous 
 byggenefle, made by two pirates named Pinnigt and Pothorft in fauour of fuch as fayle by thofe coaftes that 
 they may therby auoyde the daungerous places lyinge towarde Gronland. 
 The myddeft of the Ilande. 7 o' [Long.] 65 30.' [Lat.] The citie Harfol. etc. 7 40' [Long.] 60 42' [Lat.] 
 
Of the north regions. 
 
 301 
 
 Lapo 
 
 NIA. 
 
 He region of Laponia, was fo named of the people that inhabite it. For the Germayns, caule 
 all fuche Lapones, as are fimple or vnapte to thynges. This people is of fmaule flature, and 
 of fuch agilitie of bodie, that hauynge theyr quyuers of arrowes gerte to them and theyr 
 bowes in theyr handes, they can with a leape, cafle theym felues throwgh a circle or hope of 
 the diameter of a cubite. They feyght on foote, armed with bowes and arrowes after the 
 maner of the Tartars. They are exercifed in hurlynge the darte and fhootynge from theyr 
 youth : in fo muche that they giue theyr chyldren no meate vntyll they hit the marke they 
 fhoote at, as dyd in owlde tyme th[e]inhabitauntes of the Ilandes cauled Baleares. They vfe tomake theyr 
 apparell ftreight and clofe to theyr boddies that it hynder not theyr woqrke. Theyr winter veflures are made 
 of the hole Ikinnes of feales or beares artificially wrought and made fupple. Thefe they tye with a knotte 
 aboue theyr heades, leauynge onely two holes open to looke through, and haue all the refidue of theyr bodies 
 couered as thoughe they were fowed in fackes, but that this beinge adapted to all partes of theyr bodies, is fq 
 made for commoditie and not for a punifftiement as the Romans were accuflomed to fowe paricides in fackes 
 of lether with a cocke, an ape, and a ferpent, and fo to hurle them alyue all togither into the ryuer of Tyber. 
 And hereby I thinke it came to paffe that in owlde tyme it was raffliely beleued that in thefe regions 
 there were men with rowgh and hery bodies, wilde beaft.es, as parte made relation throwghe ignoraunce, 
 parte alfo takynge pleafure in rehearfall of fuche thynges as are ftraunge to the hearers. The Lapones 
 (defended by this arte and induftry, go abrode and withflande the fharpenes of wynter and the north 
 wyndes, with all the iniuries of heauen. They haue no houfeSj but certeyne tabernacles like tentes or hales 
 wherwith they paffe from place to place and change theyr manfions. Sum of them liue after the maner of the 
 people of Sarmatia cauled in owlde tyme Amaxobii, which vfed waynes in the fteade of houfes. They are much 
 gyuen to huntynge : and haue fuch plentie of wylde beaftes that they kyll them in maner in euery place. 
 It is not lawfuU for a woman to go furth of the tente at that doore by the whiche her hufljande wente 
 owte on huntynge the fame daye : nor yet to touche with her hande any parte of the beafte that is taken 
 vntyll her hufbande reache her on the fpitte fuche a portion of flefftie as he thinketh good. They tyll not the 
 grounde. The region nuryfflieth no kynde of ferpentes : yet are there greate and noyfoome gnattes. They 
 take fyfflie in greate plentie : by the commoditie wherof, they lyue after the maner of the Ethiopians cauled 
 Ichthiophagi. For as thefe drie theyr fifflie with feruent heate, fo doo they drye them with coulde, and grynde 
 or ftampe them to pouder as fmaule as meale or floure. They haue fuch abundaunce of thefe fyffhes, that 
 they hourd great plentie therof in certeyne ftore houfes to cary them vnto other landes nere abowt them, as 
 Northbothnia and Whyte Ruflia. Theyr fliyppes are not made with nayles, but are tide togyther and made 
 faft with cordes and wyththes. With thefe they fayle by the fwyft rjmers betwene the mountaines of Laponia, 
 beinge naked in fommer that they may the better fwymme in the tyme of perell, and gather together fuch wares 
 as are in daunger to bee loft by ftiipwracke. Part of them exercife handle craftes, as imbrotherynge and 
 weauynge of cloth interlaced with golde and fyluer. Suche as haue diuifed any neceffary arte, or doo increafe 
 and amende th[e]inuentions of other, are openlye honoured, and rewarded with a vefture, in the which is 
 imbrothered an argument or token of the thynge they deuifed. And this remayneth to the pofteritie of theyr 
 famelie in token of theyr defertes. They frame ftiippes, buylde houfes, and make diuers fortes of houfholde 
 ft.uffe artificially, and tranfporte them to other places neare abowte. They bye and fell bothe for exchaunge of 
 rt^ares and for money. And this only by confent of both parties withowt communicacion : yet not for lacke of 
 wytte or for rudeneffe of maners, but bycaufe they haue a peculiar language "vnkno wen to theyr bortherers. It 
 is a valiant nation, and lyued longe free, and fufteyned the warres of Norwaye and Suecia vntyll at the length 
 they fubmitted them felues, and payde ryche furres for theyr tribute. They chofe them felues a gouemour 
 whom they caule a kynge : But the kyng of Suetia gyueth hym autoritie and adminiftration. Neuertheleffe, the 
 people in theyr futes and doubtfull caufes, reforte to Suecia to haue theyr matters decifed. 
 
 In theyr iomeys, they go not to any Inne, nor yet enter into any houfe, but lye all nyght vnder the firma- 
 ment. They haue no horfes : but in the fteade of them, they tame certeyne wyld beaftes which they caule Reen, 
 beinge of the iufte byggeneffe of a mule, with rowgh heare lyke an Affe, clouen feete, and.braunched homes lyke 
 a harte, but lower and with fewer antlettes. They wyll not abyde to bee rydden. But when theyr peitrels or draw- 
 ynge collers are put on them, and they fo ioyned to the chariotte or fleade, they runne in the fpace of xxiiii. [twenty- 
 four] houres, a hundreth and fiftie myles, or. xxx. [thirty] fchcenos : The whiche fpace they affirme to chaunge 
 the horizon thiyfe : that is thryfe to coome to the furtheft figne or marke that they fee a farre of Which 
 doubtleffe is a token both of the marueylous fwiftneffe and great ftrength of thefe beaftes beinge able to con- 
 
 PeopTe of great 
 agilitie. 
 
 A str^unge 
 apparell. 
 
 The cause of aa 
 owlde erroure. 
 
 So doo the 
 Tartars. 
 
 Plentie of wyld 
 beastes. 
 
 271 
 
 No serpents. 
 Great gnats. 
 
 Abundaunce of 
 fysshe. 
 
 Ships withowt 
 nayles. 
 
 Science honoured 
 
 Bargeinynge 
 
 withowt woordes. 
 
 No horses. 
 
 A beast of 
 marueylous 
 strength and 
 swyftnesse. 
 
 What Schoenus is. 
 Loke in G run land. 
 The change of the 
 horizon. 
 
302 
 
 Of the north regions. 
 
 The owld autours 
 cauled all the 
 north people 
 
 Scythyans. 
 
 Erasmus lamenteth 
 this in his fyrste 
 booke de ratine 
 concionandi, 
 where he speaketh 
 of the people. 
 cauled pilapii 
 
 272 
 
 Idolatrie. 
 
 A misterie of 
 manage in fyre 
 and flint. 
 
 Experte 
 inchaunters. 
 
 Magical dartes. 
 
 The canker. 
 
 One nyght of 
 three moonethes. 
 
 Rich furres. 
 
 Plentie of sea 
 fysshe. 
 
 Wardhus. 
 
 tinewe runnynge for fo great a fpace, in the meane whyle alfo fpendynge fumtyme in feedynge. I fuppofe 
 that this thynge was fumewhat knowen to the owlde wryters, although receaued in manner by an obfcure 
 and doubtful fame. For they alfo wryte that certeyne Scythians doo ryde on hartes. 
 
 They neyther folowe the Chriftian religion, nor yet refufe it or. are offended therwith as are the luwes: but 
 do fumtymes receaue it fauorably to gratifie the princes to whome they obey. And that no more of theym 
 imbrafe the Chriftian fayth, the faute is fumwhat to bee imputed to the byflhoppes and prelates that haue 
 eyther reiected this cure and charge of inftructynge the nation, or fuffered the faith of Chrift to be fuflfocate 
 euen in the fyrft fprynge. For vnder the pretenfe of religion, they woulde haue aduaunced theyr owne reuenues 
 and ouerburthened the people by an intollerable exemple, none otherwyfe here then in all Chriftendome, 
 which thynge is doubtleffe the caufe of mofte greuous defections. I harde lohn a byfflioppe of Gothlande fay 
 thus : We that goueme the churche of Vpfalia, and haue vnder owre dioceffe a great parte of that nation, lyke 
 as it is not conueniente to declare many thynges of owre vigilance and attendaunce ouer the flocke committed 
 to owre charge, euen fo abfteynynge frome myfcheuous couetoufnelTe wherby religion is abufed for luker, we 
 doo in all places owre diligent endeuour that we minifter none occafion whereby this nation as offended by owre 
 fmnes, maye bee the leffe wyllynge to embrafe the Chriftian fayth. This is the ftate of the religion amonge the 
 Lapones : Althowgh of theyr owne inftitution and cuftome receaued of theyr prediceffours, they are Idolatours, 
 honourynge that lyuynge thynge that they meete fyrft in the momynge, for the god of that daye, and diuinynge 
 thereby theyr good lucke or euyll. They alfo erecte images of ftones vpon the mountaines which they efteeme 
 as goddes, attributing to them diuine honour. They folemne marriages, and begynne the fame with fyre and 
 flynte, as with a myfterie fo aptely applyed to the image of ftone as if it had byn receaued frome the myddefte 
 of Grecia. For in that they adhibite a myfterie to fyre, as they doo not this alone (forafmuche as the Romanes 
 obferued the fame cuftome) euen fo are they herein partly to be commended in that they vfe the ceremonies of fo 
 noblea people. The myfterie of the flinte is no leffe to bee prayfed, both forafmuche as this is domefticall philofophie, 
 and hath alfo a nere affinitie and fignification to thefe folemnities. For as the flynt hath in it fyre lyinge hydde 
 whiche appeareth not but by mouynge and force, fo is there a fecreate lyfe in both kyndes of man and woman 
 whiche by mutuall coniunction coommethe furth to a lyuynge b3T:th. They are furthermore experte inchaunters. 
 They tye three knottes on a ftrynge hangynge at a wh3rppe. When they lofe one of thefe, they rayfe tollerable 
 wyndes, When they lofe an other, the w)mde is more vehement. But by lofyng the thyrde, they rayfe playne 
 tempeftes as in owlde tyme they were accuftomed to rayfe thunder and lyghtnynge. This arte doo they vfe 
 ageinft fuch as fayle by theyr coaftes, and flaye or moue the ryuers and feas more or leffe as they lyft to ftiewe 
 fauoure or difpleafure. They make alfo of leade certeyne ftiorte magicall dartes of the quantitie and length of a 
 fynger. Thefe they throwe ageynfte fuche of whome they defyre to bee reuenged, to places neuer fo farre 
 diftant. They are fumtimes fo vexed with the canker on their armes or legges that in the fpace of three dayes 
 they dye throwgh the vehemencie of the payne. The fonne fauleth very lowe in thefe regions : and prolongeth 
 one continuall nyghte for the fpace of thre moonethes in wynter, durynge whiche tyme they haue none other 
 lyght but lyke vnto the twylyght of euenynges and mornynges. This is very cleare, but continueth but fewe 
 houres, and is lyke the bryght fhynynge of the moone. Therfore that day that the fonne returneth to the 
 hemifpherie, they keepe holy day and make" great myrth with folemne feftiuitie. And thefe are the maners of 
 this nation, not fo brutyflhe or faluage as woorthy therfore to bee cauled Lapones for theyr vnaptneffe or 
 fimplicitie as when they lyued vnder theyr owne Empire and vfed no familiaritie or entercourfe with other 
 nations and knewe not the commoditie of theyr owne thynges, neyther the pryce and eftimation of theyr furres 
 in owre regions, by reafon whereof they foulde great plentie of them for fum of owre wares of fmaule value. 
 
 The boundes or limittes of Laponia (beinge th[e]extreme lande of Scondia knowen towarde the north pole) 
 
 are extended towarde this parte of the North, to the worlde yet vnknowen to vs : And furthermore towarde the 
 
 fame parte of the vttermoft fea, accordynge to this defcription. [Longitude.] [Latitude.] 
 
 The fyrft coafte, 70 [o'] 72. [o'] 
 
 The coafte folowynge, 80 [o^ 7. [o^ 
 
 That that yet foloweth, 90 [o'] 70. [oH 
 
 Frome the fyflhynge places and ftore houfes of this fea, they cary foorth to Nordbothnia and whyte Ruffia, 
 landes confinynge to them, great plentie of fyfflie, Wherby we may coniecture that this fea is extended on 
 euery fyde toward the North. Towarde the wefte, it is limitted with the mofte inwarde goulfe of at the Caftell 
 of Wardhus at the degree. 54 [o^ [Long.] 70 30.' [Lat.] 
 
 Towarde the Southe,it is lymitted by a line drawen from thenfe vnto the degree. 90 [o' Long.] 69. [o' Lat.] 
 
 ^03 
 
Of the north regions. 
 
 303 
 
 « 
 
 NoRWEGiA OR Norway. 
 
 Ordway, is as muche to fay as the Northwaye. This was fumtyme a floryflhynge kyngedome, 
 whofe dominion comprehended Denmarke, Frifelande and the Ilandes farre abowt, vntyll 
 the domeflical Empire was gouerned by the fucceffion of inheritaunce. In the meane tyme 
 while this gouemaunce ceafed for lacke of dewe iffue, it was inflituted by confent of the 
 nobilitie that the kynges (huld be admitted by election : fuppofinge that they wolde with more 
 equitie execute that office forafmuche as they were placed in the "fame by fuch autoritie, and 
 not by obteynynge the kyngedome by fortune and newe aduauncement. But it came fo to 
 paffe, that as euery of them excelled in richeffe, ambition and fauour by confanginitie, fo were they in greater 
 hope to obteyne the kyngedome: And were by this meanes diuided into factions, attemtyng alfo occafions 
 t[o]inuade foraigne realmes wherby they might ftrengthen theyr parties. It is therefore at this prefent vnder 
 the dominion of the Danes : who doo not only exact intoUerable tributes, but alfo brynge all theyr ryches and 
 commodities into Denmarke, conftitutynge the continuance of theyr gouernaunce in th[e]infirmitie and pouertie of 
 the fubiectes : which exemple, fum other princes doo folowe at this day in the Chriflian Empire. For after that the 
 princes had forfaken fuche vertues as Ihulde haue fhyned in them, as to bee Fatres patrice (that is) the fathers 
 of theyr countreys, and that in the place hereof, onely the proud countenaunce of dominion remayned, which 
 opened Ucentioufneffe to th[e]iniurie of the fubiectes, this folowed therof, that wheras the Danes by this occafion 
 had no further trufl or ayde in the loue of the people, they prouided for th[e]indempnitie of theyr owne eftate 
 by forcible extenuatinge the gooddes and poure of them whom they defired to kepe in fubiection. This is the 
 fortune of Norway, whofe edefi[c]es, townes, and cities can not defende theyr auncient amplitude and dignitie : 
 neyther is there any hope of repayrynge theyr ftate. For there are no confultations .admitted for the redreffe of 
 the commonwelth : No man dare Ihewe his aduice or attempte any thing, vncerteyne of the myndes and 
 confent of other. To this difficultie, is added the quahtie of the place. For the Danes haue in theyr poure all 
 the nauigations of Norway, whereby it may exercife no trade by fea, neyther cary furthe wares to other places. 
 So that in fine it may feeme moft vnfortunate, as lackynge the fauoure of heauen, the fea, and the lande. From 
 henfe is brought into all Europe a fyfftie of the kindes of them whiche we caule haddockes or hakes indurate 
 and dryed with coulde, and beaten with clubbes or llockes, by reafon whereof the Germayns caule them 
 Ilockefyffhe. The takinge of thefe, is moft commended in lanuarie that they may bee fufficiently dryed and 
 hardened with coulde. For fuch as are taken in the more temperate monethes, doo corrupte and putrifie : And 
 are not meete to be caried furth. 
 
 The defcription of the weft coafte, ivith the parte thereof lyinge moft towarde the north. 
 
 [Longitude.] [Latitude.] 
 
 Wardhus (that is) the watche houfe, or watche towre, 54 [o*] 70 30.' 
 
 It is a ftronge caftell or fortreffe appoynted to the Lapones. 
 
 The coafte folowynge, 48 50' 70. [o'] 
 
 Matthkur. etc. 
 
 All the coaft from henfe, and the places neare abowt vnto the degree, 4S [o^ 69. [o'] 
 
 being fumtyme lefte defolate by the feditions and deftruction of Norway, the Lapones chofe for theyr habitations, 
 as commynge to a more beneficiall heauen. 
 
 From the Caftel of Wardhus, vnto the degree, 4° 3°' [Long.] 64 10' [Lat.] 
 
 all the coafte in the fprynge tyme is daungerous to paffe, by reafon of whales of fuch huge byggeneffe that fum 
 of theym growe to a hundreth cubites. For thefe fyfflies at that tyme of the yeare refort togyther for generation. 
 Such ftiyppes as chaunce to faule eyther vppon theyr bodies, or into fuche whyrlepooles as they make by theyr 
 vehement motions, are in great perelL The remedie to auoyde this daungiour, is to poure into the fea Caftoreum 
 (that is) oyle made of the ftones of the beafte cauled the Beuer, mengeled with water. For with this, the hole 
 hearde of whales vanyfftieth fuddeynely to the bottome of the fea: They make a terrible rorynge: and haue two 
 breathynge places in the hygheft parte of theyr forheades, ftandynge furth right a cubite in length, and are as 
 brode at the endes, beinge couered with a fkynne, throughe the which they blow waters lyke fliowers or ftormes 
 of raine. The prickes of theyr backes, are founder conteynynge three els in circuite, and euery knotte betwene 
 theym, of one elle: They are at the leaft of Ix. [fixtyj cubites in length: And are falted and kept in ftore houfes. 
 The greateft are vnprofitable to bee eaten by reafon of theyr ranke and vnfauery tafte which can not bee qualified. 
 
 Nidrofia ftanding vpon the fouth fyde of the fea banke, was the chiefe and metropolitane churche throwgh 
 owt all Norway, Ifelande, Gronlande, and the Ilandes thereabowt. This citie was noble at the fyrft vnder the 
 floryffhing Empire of Norway, conteinynge in circuite. xxiiii. paryflhes, but it is nowe browght in maner to a 
 
 273 
 
 Kyngdomes 
 destroyd by 
 factions. 
 
 ITie Danes. 
 
 The defaut of 
 princes. 
 
 An exemple of 
 tyrannL 
 
 The myserable 
 state of Norway 
 
 Stockfyss[h]e. 
 
 The Lapones 
 
 Shippes in 
 daungiour by 
 
 reason of whales. 
 
 Castoreum. 
 
 The rorynge of 
 whales. 
 
 Whales salted and 
 reserueJ. 
 
 The citie of 
 Nidrosia. 
 
 274 
 
304 
 
 Of the north regions. 
 
 A tnaeniflcaU 
 chuiche. 
 
 Noysome beastes 
 of vnknowen 
 geneiation. 
 
 Wardhus. 
 The vnknowen 
 lande of the 
 Lapones. 
 A serpent of 
 houge biggenesse. 
 
 God wameth vs 
 by signes of 
 thynges to coome. 
 
 The atreightes or 
 boyling sea. 
 
 Dangerous 
 places in the sea. 
 
 FrutfuU Ilandes 
 about NQl"way. 
 
 village and is cauled in the Germayne toonge Trutham, as the houfeof the Dryides. There remayneth at this daye 
 a Cathedrall churche in token of the ancient felicitie, beinge fuche that in byggeneffe and workemanfhip of 
 wrought ftone, the lyke is not in all Chriftendoine. The greefes or compafle abowt the altare, was deftroyde 
 by fire, and was repared at the fame tyme that wee write this hiflorie. The charge of the reparafion, was 
 efteemed to bee feuen thoufande crownes : by which fmaule portion, an ellimate maye bee made of the 
 excellencie of the hole Churche. 
 
 The tracte of all the fea coafles Norwaye, is very quyete and meeke. The fea is not frofen. The fnowes 
 indure not longe. This lande hath alfo a peculiar pellilence which they caule Leem or Lemmer. This is a 
 lyttle foure footed beafle abowte the byggeneffe of a ratte with a fpotted flcynne. Thefe faule vppon the 
 grounde at certeyne tempefl.es and fuddeyne fliowers, not yet knowen from whenfe they comme, as whyther 
 they are browght by the wyndes from remote Ilandes, or otherwife engendered of thicke and feculent clowdes. 
 But this is well knowen, that as foone as they faule downe, greene grafle and herbes are founde in theyr bowels 
 not yet digefted. They confume all greene thynges as doo locuftes : And fuch as they only byte, wyther and 
 dye. This peflilence lyueth as longe as it dooth not taft.e of the graffe newelye fproonge. They coome 
 togyther by flockes as do fwalowes: And at an ordinarie tyme, eyther dye by heapes with great infection of the 
 lande (as by whofe corruption the ayer is made peftiferous and molefteth the Noruegians with fwymmynge 
 in the headde and the iaundies) or are confumed of other beaft.es named Lefrat. Towarde the Eaft., it is 
 included within the line that is drawen by the mountaynes whofe endes or vttermoft. boundes they are that lye 
 towarde the fouth aboue the mouthes of the ryuer Trolhetta. But that parte that lyeth towarde the north, 
 paffeth by the caftel of Wardhus, and is extended td the vnknowen lande of the Lapones. [tongitude.] [Latitude.] 
 
 The lake cauled Mos, and the Ilande of Hoffuen in the myddeft therof, is in the degree. 45 30' 61. [o'] 
 
 In this lake appeareth a fl.raunge monfter : which is, a ferpent of houge byggeneffe. And as to all other 
 places of the worlde, blafynge ft,arres doo portende th[e] alteration and chaunge of thynges, fo dooth this to 
 Norway. It was feene of late (in the yeare of Chrift.. M. D. xxii.) apperynge farre aboue the water rowlynge lyke 
 a greate pyller: And was by coniecture farre of, efl.eemed to bee of fiftie cubites in length. Shortely after 
 folowed the reiectynge of Chriftiemus kynge of Denmarke. Suche other monftrous thynges are fayde to bee 
 feene in dyuers places of the worlde. And doubtleffe excepte wee fliulde thinke that the diuine prouidence 
 hauynge mercie vpon mortall men, and hereby warnynge them of their offences, dooth fende fuche fl.raunge thynges 
 (as alfo blafmg flarres and armies feyghtynge in the ayer, with fuche other portentous monfl.ers wherof no caufes 
 can bee founde by naturall thynges) we might els fufpecte that fuch fyghtes were but imaginations of the fence 
 of man deceaued. 
 
 On the Eaft. fide, are exceading rowgh montaynes which admit no paffage to Suecia. The fea betwene 
 Norway and the Ilandes, is cauled Tialleflund, Euripus, or the ftreightes. [Longitude.] [Latitude.] 
 
 The Ilande of Lofoth. whofe myddeft. 42 [o'] 67 10'. 
 
 Langanas, whofe myddeft, 41 [o'] 67 [o'] 
 
 Vaftral, whofe myddeft. 41 34' 67 30'. 
 
 The fea betwene thefe three Ilandes, is cauled Mufcoftrom (that is) boylynge. At the flowynge of the fea, 
 it is fwalowed into the caues, and is blowne owt ageyne at the reflowynge, with no leffe violence then the 
 ftreames of ryuers faule from mountaynes. This fea is nauigable vntyll it bee lower then the mouthes of the 
 rockes. Such as chaunce into it owt of dewe tyme, are caried headlonge into whyrlepooles The fragmentes 
 of the loft fliips, are feldome eaft vp ageyne. But when they are cafte vp, they are fo brufed and freted 
 ageynfte the rockes, that they feeme to bee ouergrowne with hore. This is the poure of nature, paffyng the 
 fabulous Simplegades and the fearefull Malea, with the daungerous places of Silla and Caribdis, and all other 
 miracles that nature hath wrought in any other fea hytherto knowen to man. 
 
 The Ilandes abowt Norway, are of fuch frutfuU pafture, that they brynge not theyr beaftes into the ftables 
 before the moneth of Nouember: And do many places winter them abrode. 
 
Of the north regions. 
 
 305 
 
 SVECIA, OR SVETHLANDE. 
 
 |Vecia, is a kyngedome ryche in golde, fyluer, copper, leade, Iren, fruyte, cattayle, and 
 exceadynge increafe of fyflhe of the ryuers, lakes, and the fea. And hath no leffe plentie of 
 fuche wylde beaftes as are taken with huntinge. Towarde the Wefl, it is ended with the 
 mountaynes of Norway from the Caftel of Wardhus vnto th[e]end, 51 [o' Long.] 63 40' [Lat.] 
 Towarde the South, with the line from this ende vnto the degrees. 53. 30'. 61. [o'] 
 
 And from thenfe vnto the degrees. 61. [o'] 60. 30'. Aboue the goulfe of Suecia, 
 toward the north, with the fouth ende of Lapponia from the Caftel of Wardhus vnto 
 th[e]ende. 62. [o'] 70. [o'] Towarde the Eafte, it is ended with the line frome this ende vnto the degree. 
 63. [o*] 69. [o'] etc. Stockholme the chiefe citie. 64. [o*] 6r. \cf\ This is the chiefe mart towne of Suecia, and 
 is ftrongely defended by arte and nature. It is fituate in marifflies after the maner of Venece : and was there- 
 fore cauled Stokliolme, forafmuche as beinge placed in the water, the fundation is fortified with ftockes or piles. 
 The fea entereth into it with two armes or branches of fuch largenes and depth that fhips of great burden and 
 with mayne fayles may enter by the fame with the3T full fraight This fuffered of late yeares greuous fpoyle 
 and deftruction to the Angular exemple of cruel hoftilitie : And fuch, as the like hath not bin lightly fliewed to 
 any other citie receaued by league and compofition. 
 
 In al the tract from Stokholme to the lake aboue the riuer of Dalekarle, which is in the degree. 56. 30.' 
 63. 50.' are mountaines frutful of good filuer, copper, and leade. They gette great ryches by the falmons 
 and plentie of other fyfflies whiche they take in certeyne greate lakes. 
 
 The dukedome of Agermannia, occupieth the north fyde to the confines of Laponia. This tract is ful of 
 wods in the whiche they hunt the beaftes cauled Vros or Bifontes, which in the)T: toonge they caule Elg, (that 
 is) wilde affes. Thefe are of fuch height, that the higheft part of their backes are equal with the meafure of a 
 man holdynge vp his armes as hyghe as he may reach, etc. Vpfalia the chiefe citie. 62. 63'. 30. [o*] here is 
 buried the body of faynt Hericus kynge and martyr. 
 
 Copperdalia (that is) the copper valley, is a dukedome fouthwarde from the dukedome of lemptia. Vnder 
 this, is the valient nation of the people cauled Dalekarly. 
 
 Oplandia, is a dukedome and the nauil or middeft of Scondia. 
 
 The citie of Pircho, on the north fyde of the lake of Meier, was once a great citie and able to arme. xiiii. 
 thoufande men to the warres : but is nowe browght t6 a. vyllage. 
 
 All the tracte of Oplandia, hath m3aies of fyluer, copper, and fteele. 
 
 Of the Ilandesand rockes that lye abowte Suecia, the myddeft is. 67 30' [Long.] 61 30'. [Lat] 
 
 Thefe were cauled of the owlde wryters Oone, the reafon of which name remayneth to this day. For there are 
 in thefe innumerable multitudes qf byrdes: In fo muche that th[e]inhabitauntes of the nexte coafte, iayle 
 thyther in the mooneth of May whyle the byrdes fyt on theyr egges: which they fteale and referue them in 
 falte for a longe tyme. 
 
 Bothnia. 
 
 Othnia is fo named of the precious furres of all fortes that are caried from thenfe into foraigne 
 regions. For by thefe and theyr fyflhynge, they haue greate commoditie. Salmons of the 
 beft fort are taken in thefe feas and are great ryches amonge thefe nations. Bothnia is diuided 
 into twoo partes, as Nordbothnia, and South Bothnia, cauled Oftrobothnia. Nordbothnia, 
 is termined with the fouth ende of the Lapones vnto the ende. 78 30' [Long.] 69. [c] [Lat.] 
 Towarde the Eaft, it is termined with this end and vnto the degree. 78 30' 68 20'. 
 
 Towarde the Weft, with the line terminynge the Eaft fyde of Suecia: And towarde the 
 
 Southe, with the refidue of the goulfe of Suecia from th[e]ende that hath degrees. 63 [o'] 69. [o'] 
 
 Oftrobothnia, towarde the Eaft is termined from the faid ende of the moft Eaft coafte. And towarde the 
 
 South, with a line extended by the mountaynes frome this ende vnto the degree. 71 [»'] ^^ M 
 
 Towarde the north and wefte, with part of the goulfe of Suecia. etc. 
 
 Edbn. 2 A 
 
 27S 
 
 Golde and syluer. 
 
 Wardhus castelL 
 
 The goulfe of 
 Suecia. 
 
 The citie of 
 Stockholme. 
 
 Gold in could 
 
 regions. 
 
 Fysshe. 
 
 The beaste cauled 
 Vros or Elg. 
 
 Vpsalia. 
 
 Copperdalia. 
 
 Oplandia. 
 
 Byrdes. 
 
 Egges reserued ui 
 salte. 
 
 Precious (iirres. 
 Fysshe. 
 
 30s 
 
3o6 
 
 Of the north regions. 
 
 276 
 
 Thfelinuasions of 
 the Gothes. 
 
 The warres of the 
 gothes ageynst 
 the Romaas. 
 
 The bonndes of 
 Gothland. 
 
 ThecitieofVisba. 
 
 Danes and 
 Moscouites. 
 
 A librarie of two 
 thousand bookes. 
 The Gothes 
 inuaded Europe 
 and destroyd 
 Rome. 
 
 Pannonia falsely 
 cakenforFinuonia. 
 
 Eningia. 
 
 Spanysshe wynes. 
 
 GOTHIA OR GOTHLANDE. 
 
 OTHIA, is by interpretacion good. For the holye name of God, is in the Germayne toonge 
 Goth (that is) Good. At what tyme the Gothes vppon a general confent, fent furth theyr 
 offpryng or fucceffion to feeke newe feates or countreys to inhabite, and when they poffeffed 
 the coafles of Meotis and Afia, none of the owlde wryters haue made mention as farre as 1 
 knowe. But they haue byn knowen fence the tyme that the Romanes dilated theyr Empyre 
 by lUirium (nowe cauled Slauonie) vnto the lyuer of Danubius. And were alfo famous 
 from the tyme of Cefar Dictator and Octauianus Auguilus by reafon of theyr greate warres at 
 Danubius beinge th[e]vttermofl bounde of Th[e]empire. Neuertheleffe, in that renoume, what Gothia was, 
 vnder what parte of heauen it was fituate, or of whom the Gothes toke theyr original, it hath byn vnknowen 
 almoft. to this age. This is termined towarde the north, with the fouth ende of Suecia : And towarde the wefte, 
 with the other mountaynes of Norway, which continewe from the boundes of Suecia to the mouthes of the 
 ryuers of Trolheta. etc. 
 
 It hath many goodly townes, cities, callels, mines, etc. The citie of Vilba, being in the degree. 6r 30' 
 54 15.' was an ancient and famous marte towne as is Genua in Italie at this day. But afterwarde beinge 
 afflicted by th[e]incurfions of the pirates of the Danes and Mufcouites, it was left defolate. There remayne to 
 this day certeyne mines whiche tefliiie the ancient nobilitie. In this place were the fyrfle ftacions of the 
 Gothes that poffeffed Meotis. It is at this daye of frutfull foyle, and famous by many goodly and flxonge 
 callels and monafteries. There is amonge other, a monafterie of th[e]order of faynt Benedicte, in the which is 
 a librarie of abowt two thoufande bookes of owlde autours. 
 
 Abowt the yeare of Chrifl fourfcore and. viii. the Gothes, vnto whom reforted a great multitude of other 
 people of thefe northe partes of the worlde, as from Liuonia, Prufia, Ruffia and Tartaria with diuers other 
 contreys, makynge them dyuers Kynges and capitaynes, dyd depopulate and brynge in fubiection the more 
 parte of Europe, inuaded Italie, deftroyd Rome, inhabited that part of Italia now cauled Lumbardie, and 
 lykewyfe fubdued the roialmes of Callile and Aragonie. Theyr warres contynewed aboue three hundreth 
 yeares. 
 
 Finland, and Eningia, 
 
 Inlandia, is as much to fay as a fayre lande or fine land, fo named for the fertilitie of the 
 grownde. Plinie femeth to caule it Finnonia. For he faith that abowte the coaft.es of 
 Finlande, are many Ilandes withowt names. Of the which there lyeth one before Scithia 
 cauled Pannonia. The goulfe cauled Sinus FifiTtonicus, is fo named at this day of the 
 lande of Finnonia. Finnonia confineth with Scithia, and runneth withowt all Tanais (that 
 is to fay) withowte the hmetes of Europe to the confines or Afia. But that the name of 
 Finlande feemeth not to agree hereunto, the caufe is that this place of Plinie is corrupted as 
 are many other in this autour : So that from the name of Finnonia, or Phinnonia, it was a likely erroure to 
 caule it Pannonia forafmuch as thefe woordes doo not greately differ in wrytynge and founde : fo that the 
 counterfecte name was foone put in the place of the trew name by hym that knewe Pannonia and redde that 
 name before, beinge alfo ignorant of Phinnonia. 
 
 Eningia had in owlde tyme the tytle of a kingedome, it is of fuch largeneffe. But hath nowe only the 
 tytle of an infeiiour gouemoure, beinge vnder the dominion of the Slauons and vfyiig the fame tonge. In 
 religion, it obferued the rites of the Greekes of late yeares, when it was vnder the gouernaunce of the Mof- 
 couites. But it is at this prefent vnder the kynge of Suecia and obferueth th[e]infl,itucions of the Occidentall 
 church. Spanyfflie wynes are browght thyther in great plentie which the people vfe merely and cherefuUy. It 
 is termined on the north fyde, by the fouthe line of Oftobothnia, and is extended by the mountaynes. 
 Towarde the weft., it is termined with the fea of Finnonia accordyng to this defcription : and hath degrees. 
 71. [o' Long.] 66. [o' Lat.] eta 
 
 30* 
 
307 
 
 C OF THE DIFFERENCE OF REGIONS AND 
 
 CAVSES OF CREATE CITIES, AFTER THE DESCRIP- 
 TION OF HIERONIMUS CARDANUS, 
 LIBER. XI. de Subtilitate. 
 
 Here is an other difference of regions caufed of coulde and 
 heate. For fuche as are neare vnto the poles, are vexed 
 with to much coulde : And fuch as are vnder the line where 
 the foonne is of greatelle force, are oppreffed with heate. 
 Such as are in the myddefl betwene both, are nearefl vnto 
 temperatneffe. Vnder the pole, it is impoffible that there 
 fliulde bee populous cities bycaufe the lande is baren, and 
 the cariage or conueyaunce of frutes, vyttayles, and other 
 neceffaries, is incommodious. By reafon wherof, it is neceffarie 
 that th[e]inhabitauntes of fuche regions lyue euer in continuall 
 wanderynge from place to place, or els in fmaule vyllages. Suche 
 as inhabite temperate regions, haue meane cities, afwell for that 
 they haue more commodious conueyaunce for neceffaries, as 
 alfo that they may dwell better and more lafely togyther.then 
 in vyllages by reafon of fortifying theyr townes with walles, and 
 exercifynge of artes and occupations whereby the one maye the 
 better helpe the other. Yet that owlde Rome (beinge in a tem- 
 perate region) was of fuch incredible byggeneffe, the caufe was that it obteyned Th[e]empire of the worlde, by 
 reafon wherof, all nations had confluence thyther, and not the greatneffe of the walles. But it is neceffarie 
 that the greateft. cities bee in hotte regions: fyrile, for that in fuch regions, parte of the foile is eyther barren 
 yf it lacke water, or els mofl frutefuU if it abounde with water. And for this inequalitie, when they fynde any 
 place meete to fufteyne a multitude, it foloweth of neceffitie that greate cities bee buylded in fuch places by 
 reafon of great concourfe of people refortynge to the fame. An other greate caufe is, that wheras in such 
 regions, marchauntes come very farre to fuch commodious places, they paffe through many deferte and perelous 
 regions : So that it flialbe neceffary for theyr better fecuritie, to coome in great companies as it were great 
 armies. And therfore whereas fuch a focietie is once knytte togyther in a commodious place, it fliulde bee great 
 hinderance afwell to th[e]inhabitantes as to marchauntes if they fliulde wander in incommodious places. And 
 by this confluence, both of fuche as dwell neare to fuche places, and alfo of flraungers and fuch as dwell farre of, 
 it is neceffarie that in continuance of tyme, fmaule townes becoome great cities, as are thefe : Quinfai, Singui, 
 Cambalu, Memphis, Cairus, or Alcair, otherwife cauled Babilon in Egipte. But if here any wyll obiecte 
 Conflantinople (in owlde tyme cauled Bizantium) being in a temperate region, althowgh it bee not to bee 
 compared to fuch cities as are more then. Ix. [fixty] myles in circuite, yet doo we aunfwere hereunto, that the 
 Turkes Empire is the caufe of the greatneffe hereof, as wee fayde before of Rome. 
 
 277 
 
3o8 
 
 Demetrius the 
 ambassadour of 
 Moscouia. 
 
 Faulus Centuria 
 
 Spices browght 
 from India to 
 Moscouia. 
 The ryuer Indus. 
 
 278 
 
 Oxus or Horina a 
 ryuer of Asia 
 runneth through 
 the desertes of , 
 Sythia. 
 
 The sea Hircanum, 
 is now cauled 
 mare Abacuk or 
 mare de Sala. 
 Citrachan or 
 Astracan. 
 Sannatia is that 
 greate^ countrey 
 wherein is 
 contej^ned Rus^ 
 Liuonia and 
 Tartaria, and the 
 north and East 
 part of Polonia. 
 Ageynst tKe 
 Portugales. 
 
 C THE HISTORIE WRITTEN IN THE LATIN 
 
 TOONGE BY PAVLVS lOVIVS BYSSHOPPE OF NVCERIA 
 
 IN ITALIE, OF THE. LEGATION OR AMBASSADE OF CREATE 
 
 Bafilius Prince of Mofcouia, to pope Clement the. vii. of 
 
 that name: In which is conteyned the defcription 
 
 of Mofcouia with the regions confininge abowte 
 
 the fame euen vnto the great and ryche 
 
 Empire of Cathay. 
 
 Intende fyrile briefely to defcribe the fituation of the region 
 which we plainely fee to haue bin little knowen to Strabo and 
 Ptolome, and then to precede in rehearfinge the maners, 
 cuflomes and religion of the people. And this in maner in the 
 lyke fimple flyle and phrafe of fpeache as the same was declared 
 vnto vs by Demetrius the ambaffadoure, a man not ignoraunt in 
 the Latin toonge, as from his youth browght vp in Liuonia, where 
 he learned the fyrfl rudimentes of letters. And beinge growne 
 to mans age, executed th[e]ofEce of an ambalTadour into dyuers 
 Chriftian prouinces. For wheras by reafon of his approued 
 faithfulneffe and induflrie, he had before byn fent as oratoure 
 to the kynges of Suecia and Denmarke, and the great 
 mailer of Pruflia, he was at the laft. fente to Th[e]emperoure 
 Maximilian, in whofe courte (beinge replenyiflied with 
 all fortes of menne) whyle he was conueriant, yf any 
 thyng of barbarous maners yet remayned in fo docible 
 and quiet a nature, the lame was put away by framynge 
 hjrm felfe to better ciuilitie. The caufe of his legacie or ambaffade, was gyuen by Paulus Centurio a Genuefe, 
 who when he had receaued letters commendatori of pope Leo the tenth, and came to Mofcouia for the trade of 
 marchaundies, of his owne mynde conferred with the familiers of Duke Bafilius as touchynge the conformation 
 of the rites of both churches. He furthermore of great magnanimitie and in maner owtragious defire, fowght 
 howe by a newe and incredible viage, fpices myght bee browght from India. For whyle before he had exercifed 
 the trade of marchaundies in Syria, Egypte, and Pontus, he knewe by fame that fpices myght bee conueighed 
 from the further India vp the riuer Indus ageynll the courfe of the fame, and from thence by a fmal vyage by 
 lande paffinge ouer the mountaynes of Paropanifus, to bee caried to the riuer Oxus in Bactria, which hauing his 
 original almofl, from the fame mountaynes frome whenfe Indus dooth fpringe, and violently caryinge with it 
 manye other ryuers, fauleth into the fea Hircanum or Cafpium at the porte cauled Straua. And he emeftly 
 affirmed that frome Straua, is an eafy and fafe nauigation vnto the marte towne of Citrachan or Aftrachan and 
 the mouth of the ryuer Volga and from thenfe euer ageynfl. the courfe of the ryuers, as Volga, Occha, and 
 Mofcho, vnto the citie Mofcha, and frome thence by lande to Riga and into the fea of Sarmatia and all the 
 weft regions. For he was vehemently and more then of equitie accenfed and prouoked by the iniuries of the 
 Portugales, who hauynge by force of armes fubdued a great parte of India, and poffeffed all the marte townes, 
 takynge holy into theyr handes all the trade of fpices to brynge the fame into Spayne, and neuertheleffe to fell 
 them at a more greuous and intollerable price to the people of Europe then euer was hard of before : And 
 furthermore kepte the coaftes of the Indian fea fo ftraightly with continuall nauies, that thofe trades are thereby 
 lefte of, which were before exercifed by the goulfe of Perfia and towarde the ryuer of Euphrates, and alfo by the 
 308 
 
 
 
 ^^■P 
 
 BLi^i^E^ahMSSl 
 
 
 f^S 
 
 lff?Kv&ll Ir ^ dl n 
 
 
 BikB^^Sj^Sm 
 
 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 H E»3aK&M!Wi^i81 
 
 
 ^^H 
 
 mffflEoaWI^MM 
 
 
 i^^d 
 
 ilS^MKBH 
 
 i^^kc^^I 
 
 E»S^^ev i^li 
 
 ll^^Jwaft^^Ol 
 
 \J^^^^i 
 
 |Hj| 
 
 ApijlSKsSb^ 
 
 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 309 
 
 flreightes of the fea of Arabia and the ryuer Nilus, and in fine by owre fea: by which trade all Afia and Europe 
 was abundantly fatiffied and better cheape then hathe byn fence the Portugales had the trade in theyr handes 
 with fo manye incommodities of fuch longe viages wherby the fpices are fo corrupted by th[e]infection of the 
 poompe and other fylthyneffe of the fliippes, that theyr naturall fauour, tafle, and qualitie afwell hereby as by 
 theyr longe refemyng in the flioppes, fellers, and warehoufes in Luffheburne, vanyfflieth and refolueth, fo that 
 referuynge euer the freflheft and newefte, they fel only the woorfl and mod corrupted. But Paulus, although in 
 all places he emeftly and vehemently argued of thefe thinges, and (lyrred great malice and hatred ageynfl. the 
 Portugales, affirmynge that not only therby the cuflomes and reuenewes of princes fhulde bee much greater if 
 that vyage might bee difcouered, but alfo that fpices myght bee better cheepe bowght at the handes of the 
 Mofcouites, yet coulde he nothinge auayle in this fute, forafmuche as Duke Bafilius thowght it not good to 
 make open or difclofe vnto a ftraunger and vnknowne man, thofe regions which giue enterance to the fea Cafpium 
 and the kyngedomes of Perfia. Paulus therfore excludynge all hope of further trauayle, and become nowe of a 
 marchaunte an Ambafladoure, browght Bafilius letters (pope Leo beinge nowe departed) to Adriane his 
 fucceffoure, in the whiche he declared with honorable and reuerende woordes his good wyll and fauorable mynde 
 towarde the byflhop of Rome. For a fewe years before, Bafilius (then keepynge warres ageynfte the Polones at 
 fuche tyme as the generall counfayle was celebrate at Laterane) requyred by lohn, kynge of Denmarke (the 
 father of Chrifl.ieme who was of late expulfed from his kyngedome) that fafe paflage myght bee graunted to 
 th[e]ambafladours of Mofcouia to go to Rome. But wheras it fo chaunced, that kynge lohn and pope lulius 
 dyed both in one day, wherby he lacked a conuenient fequefter or folicitoure, he omitted his confultation as 
 touchynge that legacie. After this, the warre waxed hot betwene him and Sigifmunde the kynge of Polonie: 
 who obteinynge the victorie ageinfl the Mofcouites at Boriflhene, fupplications were decreed in Rome for the 
 ouerthrowe and vanquyflynge the enemies of the Chriflian faithe, whiche thinge greatly alienated both kynge 
 Bafilius him felfe and all that nation from the byflhop of Rome. But when Adriane the. vi. departed from this 
 lyfe, and lefte Paulus nowe redie to his feconde vyage, his fucceflbur Clemente the. vii. perceauynge that Paulus 
 ftyll furioufly reuolued and toffed in his vnquiet mynde that vyage towarde the Eafte, fente hym ageyne with 
 letters to Mofcouia, by the which with propenfe and frendly perfuafions, he exhorted Bafilius to acknowleage 
 the maieflie of the Romane churche, and to make a perpetuall leage and agreement in matters of religion, 
 which thynge fliuld be not only for the health of his foule, but alfo greatly to th[e]increafe of his honour: 
 And further promyfed, that by the holy autoritie ot his office he wolde make hym a kynge and gyue hym kyngely 
 omamentes, if reiectyng the doctrine of the Greekes, he wolde conforme hym felfe to th[e]autoritie of the Romane 
 churche. For Bafilius defyred the natne and tytle of a kynge by th[e]aflignation of the byflhoppe of Rome, foraf- 
 much as he iudged that to apperteyne to the catholyke right and the byfftioppes maieflie, of whome (as he 
 knewe ryght well) euen Th[e]emperours them felues by an auncient cuflome haue receaued there infignes of 
 honoure with the Diademe and fcepter of the Romane Empire : althowghe it is fayde that he required the fame 
 of Th[e]emperour Maximiliane by many ambaflades. Paulus therfore who with more profperous iomeys then 
 great vantage, had from his youth trauayled a greate parte of the world, althowgh he were nowe aged and fore 
 vexed with the flrangurie, came with a profperous and fpedy iomay to Mofcouia, where he was gentely 
 receaued of Bafilius, and remayned in his courte for the fpace of twoo monethes. But in fine, miflruflynge his 
 owne flrength, and deterred by the difficultie of fo greate a ionjeye, when he bad vtterly put away all his 
 imaginations and hope of this trade to India, returned to Rome with Demetrius th[e]ambafradour of Bafiliug, 
 before we yet thowght that he had byn in Mofcouia. The byflhoppe commaunded that Demetrius fhuld bee 
 lodged in the mofl magnificent and princely part of the houfes of Vaticane, the rouffes of whofe edifi[c]es are 
 gylted and embowed, and the chambers rychly furnyflhed with fylken beddes and cloth of Arreffe. Wyllynge 
 furthermore that he fhuld bee honorably receaued and veflured with filke. He alfo affigned Frapciscus 
 Cheregatus the byflhoppe of Aprutium (a man that had often tymes byn ambafladoure to diuers regyons) to 
 accompanie h)Tn and fhewe hym th[e]order and rites of owre religion with the monumentes and iijaners of the 
 citie. Furthermore, when Demetrius had certeyne dayes refled and recreate him felfe, waffhj-ng away the 
 fylth he had gathered by reafon of the longe vyage, then apparelled with a fayre veflure after the maner of his 
 countrey, he was browght to the byffhoppes prefence, whom he honoured kneelynge with great humilitie and 
 reuerence (as is the maner) and therwith prefented vnto his bolynes certeyne furres of Sables in his owne name 
 and in the name of his prince, and alfo delyuered the letters of Bafilius, which they before, and then 
 the lUyrian or Slauon interpretoure Nicolaus Siccenfis tranflated into the Latine toonge in this effecte as 
 foloweth. 
 
 To pope Clemente fheparde and teacher of the Romane churche, greate Bafilius by the grace of God, 
 lorde, Emperour and dominatour of al Ruffia, and great duke of Volodemaria, Mofcouia, Nouogrodia, Plefcouia, 
 Smolenia, Ifferia, lugoria, Permnia, Vetcha, Bolgaria. etc. Dominator and great prince of Nouogrodia in the 
 lower contrei; Alfo of Cemigouia, Razauia, Volotchia, Rezenia, Belchia, Roftouia, laroflauia, Belozeria, 
 
 The trade of 
 spices in owld 
 tyme. 
 
 Spices corrupted. 
 
 The Caspian sea. 
 
 Basilius wrot to 
 Pope Adriane. 
 
 Warre betwene 
 the Polones and 
 Moscouites. 
 
 The secondc viage 
 of Paulus to 
 Moscouia. 
 The Pope 
 persuadeth 
 Basilius to 
 acknowledge the 
 Romane churche. 
 
 279 
 
 The Emperotires 
 receaue there 
 diademe of the 
 bysshoppes of 
 Rome. 
 
 Demetrius 
 interteynement At 
 Kome. 
 
 Demetrius is 
 brought to the 
 popes presence. 
 
 Basilius letters to 
 Pope Clement. 
 
 2 A 2 
 
3IO 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 280 
 
 Cardinall 
 Campegius. 
 
 ^ The mines of 
 ' Rome. 
 
 The description 
 of Moscoiua. 
 
 The altares of 
 great alexanden 
 
 Marisshes in 
 soinmer. 
 
 The forest of 
 Hercynia. 
 
 Wyld beastes 
 
 The Scythian 
 Ocean. 
 
 The beastes 
 cauled Vri or 
 Bisontes. 
 
 Helenes. 
 
 Of the Scythians 
 
 and Tartars. 
 
 Aoiaxouii. 
 
 Horda. 
 
 The large 
 
 dominion of the 
 
 Tartars. 
 
 Cathay. 
 
 The Tartars of 
 
 Europe. 
 
 Vdoria, Obdoria, and Condiuia. etc. Yow fent vnto vs Paulus Centurio a citizen of Genua with letters wherby 
 yowe do exhorte vs to ioine in poure and counfayle with yowe and other Princes of Chrillendome ageynfl. the 
 enemies of the chriflian faith: and that a free paifage and redy way may bee opened for bothe yowre ambaffa- 
 dours and owres to coome and go to and fro, whereby by mutuall dewtie and indeuoure on both parties, we 
 may haue knowleage of the flate of thinges perteynynge to the welth of vs both. Wee certes as we haue 
 hetherto happely by the ayde and heipe of almyghty god conllantly and emeflly refifted the cruell and wycked 
 enemies of the Chriflian faithe, fo are we determined to doo hereafter. And are likewife redy to confente with 
 other Chriflian Princes, and to graunt free paffage into owre dominions. In confideration wherof, we haue 
 fente vnto yowe owre faithful! feruaunt Demetrius Erafmus with thefe owre letters : and with hym haue 
 remitted Paulus Centurio : defyringe yowe alfo fhortly to difmiffe Demetrius with fafegarde and indemnitie vnto 
 the borthers of owre dominions. And we wyl likewyfe doo the fame if yowe fende yowre ambaffadoure with 
 Demetrius, wherby both by communication and letters, wee may bee better certified of th[e]ordcr and admini- 
 flration of fuch thynges as yowe require : fo that beinge aduertifed of the mindes and intent of al other 
 Chriflian princes, we may alfo confult what is befl to be done herein. Thus fare ye wel. Giuen in owr 
 dominion in owr citie of Mofcouia, in the yeare firom the creation of the world e, feuen thoufande and three 
 hundreth, the thyrde day of Aprell. 
 
 But Demetrius, as he is experte in diuine and humane thynges, and efpecially of holy fcripture, feemed to 
 haue fecreate commaundement of greater matters whiche we thinke he wyll fhortly declare to the fenate in 
 priuate confultations. For he is nowe deliuered of the feuer into the whiche he fell by chaunge of ayer, and 
 hath fo recouered his flrengthe and natiue colour, that beinge a man of threefcore yeares of age, he was not 
 only prefente at the popes mafTe celebrated with great folemnitie in the honour of faynt Cofmus and Damiari 
 but came alfo into the Senate at fuch tyme as Cardinal Campegius commynge fyrfl from the legacie of 
 Pannonia, was receaued of the pope and all the nobilitie of the courte : And furthermore alfo vewed the 
 temples of the holye citie with the ruines of the Romane magnificence, and with woonderynge eyes behelde the 
 lamentable decay of the auncient buildinges So that we thinke that fhortly after he hath declared his meffage, 
 he fhall retume to Mofcouia with the byffliop of Scarenfe the popes legate, not vnrecompenfed with iufl 
 rewards at the handes of his holyneffe. 
 
 The name of the Mofcouites is nowe newe, althowgh the poete Lucane maketh mention of the Mofchos 
 confinynge with the Sarmatians, and Plinie alfo placeth the Mofchos at the fprynges of the great ryuer of Phafis 
 in the region of Colchos aboue the fea Euxinus towarde the Eafl. Theyr region hath very large boundes, and 
 is extended from the altars of great Alexander abowt the fpringes of Tanais, to the extreme landes and north 
 Ocean in maner vnder the Northe flarres cauled charles wayne or the greate beare, beinge for the mofl parte 
 playne and of frutfuU paflure, but in fommer in many places full of mariflhes. For whereas all that lande is 
 replenyffhed with many and great ryuers which are greatly increafed by the winter fnow and ife refolued by the 
 heate of the foonne, the playnes and fyeldes are therby ouerflowen with mariffhes, and all iorneys incumbered 
 with continuall waters and m3rrie flabb)mefre vntyl by the benefite of the new W3niter the lyuers and mariflhes 
 bee frofen ageyne, and giue fafe pafTage to the fleades that are accuflomed to iomey by the fame. The woodde 
 or forefl of Herc)mia (and not Hyrcania as is redde in fum falfe copies) occupieth a great parte of Mofcouia, 
 and is here and there inhabited, with houfes buylded therein and fo made thinner by the longe laboure of men 
 that it dooth not nowe fhewe that horrour of thicke and impenetrable woods and laundes as many thinke it to 
 haue. But beinge replenyffhed with many wylde beafles, is fo farre extended through Mofcouia with a con- 
 tinual tracte betwene the Eafl and the North towsCrde the Scythian Ocean, that by the infinite greatnefTe therof 
 it hath deluded the hope of fuch as haue curioufly fearched th[e]ende of the fame. In that parte that reacheth 
 towarde PrufTia, are founde the greate and fierce beafles cauled Vri, or Bifontes, of the kyride of bulles : Alfo 
 Alces lyke vnto hartes, whiche the Mofcouites caule Lozzi, and are cauled of the Germaynes Helenes. On 
 the Eafl. fyde of Mofcouia, are the Scythyans which are at this day cauled Tartars, a wanderinge nation, and at 
 all ages famous in warres. In the ftede of houfes they vfe wagons couered with beafles hydes, wherby they 
 were in owlde tyme cauled Amaxouii. For cities and townes, they vfe greate tentes and pauilions, not defended 
 with trenches or waules of tymber or flone, but inclofed with an innumerable multitude of archers on horfe- 
 backe. The Tartares are diuided by companies which they caule Hordas, which word in theyr toonge fignifieth 
 a confentynge companye of people gathered togyther in forme of a citie. Euery Horda is gouemed by an 
 Emperour whom eyther his parentage or warlyke prowes hath promoted to that dignitie. For they oftentimes 
 keepe warre with theyr bortherers and contende ambicioufly and fiercely for dojjiinion. It dooth hereby 
 appeare that they confifte of innumerable Hordas, in that the Tartars pofTeffe the mofl large defertes eueh vnto 
 the famous citie of Cathay in the fiirthefl Ocean in the Eafl They alfo that are nearefle to the Mofcouites, 
 are knowen by theyr trade of marchaundies and often incurfions. In Europe nere vnto the place cauled 
 Dromon Achillis in Taurica Cherfonefo, are the Tartars cauled Precopites, the dowghter of whofe princ^, 
 
Mo/cofiia and Cathay. 
 
 3" 
 
 Selymus Th[e]emperour of the Turkes tooke to wyfe. Thefe are mofl infea to the Polones, and waft the 
 regions on euery fyde betwene the ryuers of Borifthenes and Tanais. They that in the fame Taurica poffeffe 
 Cafiam a colonic of the Ligurians (cauled in owlde tyme Theodofia) doo bothe in religion and al other thynges 
 agree with the Turkes. But the Tartars that inhabite regions of Afia betwene Tanais and Volga, are fubiecte 
 to Bafilius the kynge of the Mofcouites, and chufe them a gouernour at his aflignement. Amonge thefe, the 
 Cremii afflicted with ciuile feditions, where as heretofore they were riche and of great poure, haue of late yeares 
 lofte theyr dommion and dignitie. The Tartars that are beyonde the ryuer of Volga, do religioufly obferue the 
 frendftiip of the Mofcouites and profeffe them felues to be their fubiectes. Beyond the Caffanites towarde the 
 Northe, are the Sciambani, rich in heardes of cattaille and confiftyng of a great multitude of men. After thefe, 
 are Nogai, whiche obteyne at this daye the chiefe fame of ryches and warly affayres. Theyr Horda, althowgh 
 it bee moft ample, yet hath it no emperoure, but is gouerned by the wyfdome and vertue of the moft ancient 
 and valient men after the maner of the common wealthe of Venece. Beyonde the Nogais fumwhat towarde 
 the fouth and the Cafpian fea, the nobeleft nation of the Tartars cauled Zagathai, inhabite townes buylded of 
 ftone, and haue an exceadynge greate and fayre citie cauled Samarcanda, which laxartes the greate ryuer of 
 Sogdiana runneth through, and paffinge from thenfe about a hundreth myles, fauleth into the Cafpian fea. 
 With thefe people in owre dayes, Ifmael the Sophi and kynge of Perfia hathe often tymes kepte war with 
 doubtfuU fucceffe : In fo muche that fearyng the greateneffe of theyr poure which he refyfted with all that he 
 myght, he lefte Armenia and Taurifium the chiefe citie of the kyngedome, for a pray to Selimus the vyctourer 
 of one wynge of the battayle. From the citie of Samarcanda, defcended Tamburlanes the myghty Emperoure of the 
 Tartars whome fum caule Tanberlanis. But Demetrius fayth he (hulde bee cauled Themircuthlu. Thys is he that 
 abowte the yeare of Chryfte. M. CCC. Ixxxxviiii. [1398, a.d.] fubdued almoft all the Eafte partes of the worlde: 
 And laftly with an innumerable multytude of men inuaded the Turkes dominions, with whom Baiafetes Otto- 
 manus their kynge, (and father to the greate grandefather of this Solyman that nowe lyueth) metinge at Ancyra 
 in the confines or marches of Galatia and Bythinia, gaue hym a fore battaile, in the whiche felle on the 
 Turkes parte. 20000. men, and Baiafetes hym felfe was taken prifoner, whom Tamburlanes caufed to bee 
 locked in an iren cage and fo caried hym abowte with hym throwgh all Afia which he alfo conquered with a 
 terrible army. He conquered al the landes betwene Tanais and Nilus, and in fine vanquiflhed in battayle the 
 great Soltane of Egypte, whom he chafed beyonde Nilus, and tooke alfo the citie of Damafcus. 
 
 Frome the region of thefe Tartars cauled Zagathei, is browght great plentie of filken apparel to the 
 Mofcouites. But the Tartars that inhabite the midland or inner regions, bringe none other wares then truckes 
 or droues of fwyfte runnynge horfes and clokes made of why te feltes -: alfo hales or tentes to withftonde th[e] 
 iniuries of coulde and rayne. Thefe they make very artificially and apte for the purpofe. They receaue agayne 
 of the Mofcouites, coates of cloth, and fyluer monye, conteynynge all other bodely ornamentes, and the 
 fumyture of fuperfluous houfolde ftuffe. For beynge defended ageynft the violence of wether and tempeftes 
 only with fuche apparell and couerture whereof wee haue fpoken, they truft only to theyr arrowes which they 
 flioote afwell backwarde fl3dnge as when they affayle the5T enemies face to face : Albeit, when they determined 
 to inuad Europ, theyr princes and capitaynes had helmetts, coates of fenfe, and hooked fwoordes which they 
 bought of the Perfians. Towarde the fouthe, the boundes of Mofcouia are termined by the fame Tartars 
 which poffeffe the playn regyons nere vnto the Cafpian fea aboue the maryflhes of Meotis in Afia, and aboute 
 the ryuers of Boryfthenes and Tanais in parte of Europe. The people cauled Roxolani, Gete, and Baflame, 
 inhabited thefe regions in oulde tyme, of whom I thynke the name of Ruffia tooke originall. For they caule 
 parte of Lituania, Ruffia the lower, wheras Mofcouia it felfe, is cauled whyte Ruffia. Lituania therfore, lyeth 
 on the Northweft fyde of Mofcouia. But towarde the full weft the mayne landes of Pruffia and Liuonia are 
 \oyrxA to the confines or marches of Mofcouia, where the Sarmatian fea breakynge furth of the ftreightes of 
 Cimbrica Cherfonefus (nowe cauled Denmarke) is bended with a crooked goulfe towarde the northe. But in 
 the fiirtheft bankes of that Ocean where the large kyngedomes of Norwaye and Suecia are ioyned to the 
 continent and almofte enuironed with the fea, are the people cauled Lapones, A nation exceadynge rude, 
 fufpicyous, and fearefuU, flyinge and aftonyfflied at the fyght of al ftraungiers and fliyppes. They knowe 
 neyther frutes nor apples, nor yet any benignitie eyther of heauen or earth. They prouyde them meate onely 
 with fliootynge, and are appareled with the fkynnes of wild beaftes. They dwell in caues fylled with drye 
 leaues, and in holow trees confumed within eyther by fyre or rotten for age Suche as dwell neare the fea fyde, 
 fyflhe more luckyly then cunnyngly, and in the (lead of frutes, referue in ftore fyfflies dryded with fmoke. 
 They are of fmaule ftature of body, with flatte vifagies, pale and wannye colcure, and very fwyfte of foote. 
 Their wittes or difpofitions, are not knowen to the Mofcouites theyr bortherers, who thynke it therfore a mad- 
 neffe to affayle them with a fmaule poure, and iudge it neyther profitable nor glorious, with greate armies to 
 inuade a poore and beggerly nation. They exchaunge the moft whyte furres which wee caule Armelines for 
 other wares of dyuers fortes : Yet fo, that they flie the fyght and coompanie of all marchauntes. For com- 
 
 The Tartars of 
 Asia are subiecte 
 to the Duke of 
 Moscouia. 
 
 281 
 
 The Tartars 
 beyonde the ryuer 
 of Volga. 
 
 Nogai. 
 Sigismundus 
 cauleth them 
 Nagaysri. 
 The nobelest 
 nation of the 
 Tartars. 
 The ryuer of 
 laxartes. 
 
 Ismael the Sophi, 
 kynge of Persia. 
 
 The citie of 
 
 Samarcanda. 
 
 Tamburlanes, 
 
 the myghtie 
 
 Emperour of the . 
 
 Tartars, 
 
 The conquestes of 
 
 Tamburlanes. 
 
 Eaiasetes. 
 
 This apparel they 
 haue_ of the 
 Persians. 
 
 The Tartars 
 trafhcke with the 
 Moscouites. 
 
 The tartars of the 
 South syde of 
 Moscouia. 
 
 Gete and RoxolanL 
 
 Russia. 
 
 Moscouia cauled 
 
 white Russia. 
 
 Lituania. 
 
 Prussia. 
 
 Liuonia. 
 
 Denmarke. 
 
 Norway. 
 
 Suecia. 
 
 The people of 
 
 Laponia. 
 
 282 
 
 Armeline furres. 
 
312 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 Bargeninge 
 withowt wordes. 
 The darke region 
 by this darke 
 region and the 
 Pigoiei, \& the way 
 to Cathay by the 
 Northe sea. 
 
 The scytluan 
 Ocean. 
 
 The re^on of 
 colmogora. 
 The ryuer of 
 diuidoa. 
 
 The ryuer of luga 
 or lug. 
 Vstiuga. 
 
 The ryuer of 
 Diuidna orDwina. 
 
 The rjruer 
 
 Suchana. 
 
 The frosen sea. 
 
 283 
 
 Dwina and 
 Suchana. 
 
 Gronland or 
 Engronland. 
 
 Vnderstand myles 
 of Germany, that 
 is leaques. 
 
 Rych furrcs. 
 Lupi Ceruaiii. 
 
 Sables. 
 
 parynge and layinge theyr wares together, and leauynge theyr furres in a mydde place, they bargeyne with 
 fimple fayth, with abfente and vnknowen men. Sum men of great credite and autoritie, doo teftifie that in a 
 region beyond the Lappones, betwene the weft and the north oppreffed with perpetuall darkenes, is the nation 
 of the people cauled Pigmei, who beinge growen to theyr ful grought, doo fcarfely excede the ftature of owre 
 chyldren of ten yeares of age. It is a fearefull kynde of menne, and expreffe theyr wordes in fuch chatteryng 
 fort that they feeme to be fo much the more lyke vnto apes, in howe muche they dyflfer in fence and ftature 
 from men of iuft heyght. 
 
 Towarde the North, innumerable people are fubiecte to th[e]empire of the Mofcouites. Theyr regions 
 extende to the Scythian Ocean for the fpace of almofte three moonethes iorney. 
 
 Next vnto Mofcouia, is the region of Colmogora, aboundyng with frutes. Through this runneth the ryuer 
 of Diuidna beinge one of the greatefte that is knowen in the Northe partes, and gaue the name to an other 
 leffe ryuer which breaketh furthe into the fea Baltheum. This increafynge at certeyne tymes of the yeare as 
 dooth the ryuer Nilus, ouerfloweth the fyeldes and playnes, and with his fat and nurifhinge moyfture, dooth 
 marueloufly refift the iniuries of heauen and the fliarpe blaftes of the North wynde. When it ryfeth by reafon 
 of molten fnowe and greate Ihoures of rayne, it fauleth into the Ocean by vnknowen nations, and with fo large 
 a trenche lyke vnto a greate fea, that it can not bee fayled ' ouer in one day with a profperous wynde. But 
 when the waters are faulen, they leaue here and there large and ' frutful Ilandes. For corne there caft on the 
 grounde, groweth without any helpe of the plowe, and with maruelous celeritie of haftynge nature fearynge the 
 newe iniurie of the proude ryuer, dooth both fprynge and rype in fliort fpace. 
 
 Into the ryuer Diuidna, runneth the ryuer luga : And in the corner where they ioyne togyther, is the 
 famous marte towne cauled Vftiuga diftant from the chiefe citie Mofca. vL hundreth myles. 
 
 Note that wheras Paulus louius wryteth here that the ryuer of Diuidna, otherwyse cauled Dwina, runneth throughe the region 
 of Colmogor, it is to bee vnderftode that there are twoo ryuers of that name, the one on the Northeaft fyde of Mofcouia towarde the 
 frofen fea, and the other on the fouthwefl fyde faulyng into the fea Baltheum, or the goulfe of Finnonia by the citie of Riga in 
 Liuonia. And forafmuch as the trewe knowleage of thefe and certeine other is very neceifary for all fuch as (hall trade into Mofcouia 
 or other regions in thofe coaftes by the northe fea, I haue thought good to make further declaration hereof as I haue founde in the 
 hyftorie of Mofcouia, mod faythfuUy and largely wrytten by Sigifmundus Liberus who was twyfe fent ambaifadour into Mofcouia, as 
 fyrft by Maximilian Th[e]emperour, and then ageyne by Ferdinando kyng of Hungary and Boheme. This haue I doone the rather, 
 for that in all the mappes that I haue feene of Mofcouia, there is no mention made of the ryuer of Dwina that runneth through the 
 region of Colmogor and by the citie of the fame name, although the prouynce of Dwina bee in all cardes placed Northewarde frome 
 the ryuer of Vftiug or Succana, whiche is the fame Dwina whereof we nowe fpeake, and wherof Paulus louius wryteth, although it 
 bee not fo named but firom the angle or comer where ioynynge with the ryuer of lug and Suchana, it runneth Northewarde towarde 
 the citie of Colmogor, and from thence fauleth into the north or frofen fea, as ftiall hereafter more playnly appeare by the woordes of 
 Sigifmundus, that the one of thefe bee not taken for the other being fo farre diftant that great errour myght enfue by miftakynge the 
 fame, efpecially bicaufe this wherof Paulus louius wryteth is not by name expreffed in the cardes, but only the other, wherby the 
 errour myght bee the greater. Of that therfore that runneth by the confines of Liuonia and the citie of Riga, Sigifmundus wryteth 
 in this maner. 
 
 The lake of Dwina, is diftante from the fprynges of Borifthenes, almoft tenne myles, and as many from the maryffhe of Fronowo' 
 From it, a ryuer of the fame name towarde the weft, diftante from Vuilna. xx. [twenty] myles, runneth from thence towarde the 
 Northe, where by Riga the chiefe citie of Liuonia, it faulethe into the Germayne fea which the Mofcouites caule Vuareczkote morie. 
 It runneth by Vuitepiko, Polotzko, and Dunenburg, and^iot by Plefcouia as one hath wrytten. This ryuer beinge for the mofte 
 part nauigable, the Lyuons caule Duna. 
 
 Of the other Dwina wherof Paulus louius fpeaketh, he wryteth as foloweth. 
 
 The prouince of Dwina and the ryuer of the fame name, is fo named from the place where the ryuers of Suchana and lug 
 meatynge togyther, make one ryuer fo cauled. For Dwina in the Mofcouites tounge, fignifieth two. This ryuer by the courfe of a 
 hundred myles, entereth into the North Ocean on that part where the fayde fea runneth by the coaftes of Swecia and Norwaye, and 
 diuidethe Engronlande from the vnknowen lande. This prouince fituate in the ful north, perteined in i.yms paft to the fegniorie of 
 Nouogorode. From Mofcouia to the mouthes of Dwina, are numbered. CCC. [three hundred] myles : Albeit as I haue fayde, in the 
 regions that are beyond Volga, the accompte of the iomey can not bee well obferued by reafon of many maryffties, ryuers, and very 
 greate wooddes that lye in the way. Yet are we led by coniecture to thinke it to bee fcarfely twoo hundreth myles : forafmuch as 
 from Mofcouia to Vuolochda, from Vuolochda to Vftyug fumwhat into the Eafte : and lafte of all frome Vftyug by the ryuer Dwina, 
 is the ryght paffage to the northe fea. This region, befyde the caftel of Colmogor and citie of Dwina, fituate almoft in the mydde 
 way betwene the fpryngs and mouthes of the ryuer, and the caftell of Pienega flandynge in the very mouthes of Dwina, is vtterly 
 withowt townes and caftels : yet hath it many vyllages whiche are farre in funder by reafon of the barenneife of the foyle. etc 
 
 In an other place he vnyteth, that Suchana and lug, after they are ioyned togyther in one, loofe theyr fyrfte names and make 
 the ryuer Dwina. etc. But lette vs nowe returne to the hyftorie of Paulus louius. 
 
 Vnto Vftiuga, from the Permians, Pecerrians, Inugrians, Vgolicans, and Pinnegians, people inhabytynge 
 the north and northeaft prouinces, are brought the precious furres of Martems and Sables : Alfo the cafes of 
 woulfes and foxes both whyte and blacke: And lykewyfe the flcynnes of the beaftes cauled Ceruarii Lupi (that 
 is) harte woolfes, beinge engendered eyther of a woolfe and a hynde, or a harte and a bytch woolfe. Thefe 
 furres and Ikyns, they exchange for dyuers other wares. The beft kynde of fables and of the fineft heare 
 wherwith nowe the veftures of princes are lyned, and the tender neckes of delicate danies are couered with the 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 313 
 
 expreffe fimilitude of the lyuynge beafte, are brought by the Permians and Pecerrians, whiche they them felues 
 alfo receaue at the handes of other that inhabite the regions neare vnto the north Ocean. The Permians and 
 Pecerrians, a lyttle before owre tyme, dyd facrifice to Idols after the maner of the Gentyles : but doo nowe 
 acknowleage Chryfle theyr God. The paffage to the Inugrians, and Vgolicans, is by certeyne rowgh moun- 
 taynes, which perhappes are they that in owlde tyme were cauled Hyperborei. In the toppes of thefe, are 
 founde the befle kyndes of Falcons : whereof one kynde (cauled Herodium) is whyte with fpotted fethers. 
 There are alfo ierfalcons, fakers, and peregrines, whiche were vnknowen to the ancient princes in theyr 
 exceffiue and nife pleafures. 
 
 Beyonde thofe people whom I lafl named (beinge all tributaries to the kinges of Mofcouia) are other 
 nations the laft of men, not knowen by any viages of the Mofcouites, forafmuche as none of theym haue paffed 
 to the Ocean, and are therefore knowen onely by the fabulous narrations of marchauntes. Yet is it apparente 
 that the ryuer of Diuidna or Dwina, drawynge with it innumerable other rjruers, runneth with a vehement 
 courfe towarde the northe : and that the fea is there exceadyng large: fo that faylyng by the coafl of the ryght 
 hande, (hippes may haue paffage from thenfe to Cathay as is thought by mofl lykely coniecture, excepte there 
 lye fum lande in the waye. For the region of Cathay perteyneth to th[e]extreme and furthefle partes of the 
 Eafte, fituate almofl in the paralell of Thracia, and knowen to the Portugales in India when they fayled neare 
 thereunto by the regions of Sinara and Malacha to Aurea Cherfonefus, and brought from thenfe certeyne veftures 
 made of Sables flcynnes, by which only argument it is apparente that the citie of Cathay is not farre from the 
 coailes of Scythia. 
 
 But when Demetrius was demaunded whether eyther by the monumentes of letters or by fame lefte theym 
 of theyr prediceffours, they hadde any knowleage of the gothes who nowe m.ore then a thoufand yeares fence 
 fubuerted Th[e]empire of the Romane Emperours, and defaced the citie of Rome, he anfwered, that both the. 
 nation of the Gothes of the name of kynge Totilas theyr chiefe capitayne, was of famous memorie amonge 
 them : And that dyuers nations of the north regions confpired to that expedition, and efpeciallye the Mofcouites : 
 Alfo that that armie increafed of the confluence of the Barbarous Liuons and wanderynge Tartars : But 
 that they were all cauled Gothes forafmuch as the Gothes that inhabited Scondania and Ifelande, were the 
 auctoures of that inuafion. 
 
 And with thefe boundes are the Mofcouites inclofed on euery fide, whom we thinke to be thofe people 
 that Ptolome cauled Modocas : but haue doubteleife at this day their name of the riuer Mofco whiche runneth 
 through the chiefe citie Mofca named alfo after the fame. This is the mofl famous citie in Mofcouia, afwell 
 for the fituation thereof beinge in maner in the myddefl of the region, as alfo for the commodious oportunitie 
 of rjTiers, multitude of houfes, and flronge fenfe of fo fayre and goodly a caflell. For the citie is extended 
 with a longe tracte of buyldynges by the bankes of the ryuer for the fpace of fyue myles. The houfes are 
 made all of tymber, and are diuided into parlers, chambers, and kichins of large roomes : yet neyther of 
 vnfeemely height or to lowe, but of decent meafure and proportion. For they haue greate trees apte for the 
 purpofe browght from the forefle of Hercinia ? of the which, made perfectly rounde like the maftes of fhippes, 
 and fo layde one vppon an other that they ioyne at the endes in right angles, where being made very fade and 
 fure, they frame theyr houfes thereof of maruelous flrength with fmaule charges and in verye fhort tyme. In 
 maner all the houfes haue priuate gardens afwell for pleafure as commoditie of herbes, wherby the circuite of 
 the difperfed citie appeareth very greate. All the wardes or quarters of the citie, haue theire peculiar chappels. 
 But in the chiefefl and highefl place therof, is the Church of owre ladi of ample and goodly workemanfhyppe, 
 whiche Arifloteles of Bononie, a man of Angular knowleadgeand experience in architecture,buylded more then. 
 Ix. [fixty] yeares fence. At the very head of the citie, a little ryuer cauled Neglina which diyueth many corne 
 mylles, entereth into the ryuer Mofcus, and maketh almofl an Hand, in whofe end is the caflell with many 
 flrong towrs and buUwarkes, buylded very fayre by the diuife of Italien architecturs that are the maflers of the 
 kinges workes. In the fieldes abowt the citie, is an incredible multitud of hares and roe buckes, the which it 
 is lawefuU for no man to chafe or perfue with dogges or nettes excepte only certeyne of the kinges familiars and 
 flraunge ambafladours to whom he giueth licence by fpeciall commaundement. Almofl three partes of the 
 citie is inuironed with two lyuers, and the refydue with a large mote that receaueth plentie of water frome the 
 fayde ryuers. The citie is alfo defended on the other fyde with an other ryuer named laufa, whiche fauleth 
 alfo into Mofcus a little beneath the citie. Furthermore Mofcus runnyng towarde the South, fauleth into the 
 ryuer Ocha or Occa muche greater then it felfe at the towne Columna, and not very farre from 
 thenfe Ocha it felfe increafed with other riuers, vnladeth his flreames in the famous riuer Volgo, 
 wher at the place where they ioyne, is fituate the citie of Nouogrodia the leffe, fo named in refpecte 
 of the greater citie of that name from whenfe was browght the firfle colonic of the leffe citie. Volga 
 cauled in owlde tyme Rha, hath his originall of the greate maryflhes named the white lakes. Thefe are aboue 
 Mofcouia betwene the Northe and the Weft, and fende furthe from them almoft all the ryuers that are difperfed 
 
 The mountaines 
 cauled Hiperborei 
 Haukes of diuers 
 kyndes. 
 
 The passage from 
 Moscouia to 
 cathay. 
 
 Cathay. 
 
 Master Eliot- 
 cauleth Cathay 
 the region of 
 sinarum. 
 
 The Gothes 
 subuerted the 
 Romane Empire. 
 
 The north regions 
 conspired ageinst 
 the Romans, 
 
 Moscouia 
 
 284 
 
 The citie of 
 
 Mosca. 
 
 Richard 
 
 chaunceler toulde 
 me that these 
 mastes are 
 sumwhat holowe 
 on the one syde, 
 and that the 'hole 
 syde of the next 
 entereth into the 
 same wherby they 
 lye very close. 
 
 The castel of 
 Mosca. 
 
 White hares and 
 roe buckes. 
 
 The ryuer Oc^a. 
 
 Volga, 
 Nouogrodia, 
 
 Rha. 
 
 The whyte Takes. 
 
314 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 The Ryphean and 
 
 hyperborean 
 
 moimtaynes. 
 
 Tanais and 
 Boristhenes. 
 The sea Euxinus. 
 
 The Caspian sea. 
 Astrachan. 
 Media. 
 Armenia- 
 Persia. 
 Casan. 
 
 285 
 
 Sure 
 Surcium. 
 
 into dyuers regions on euery fyde, as wee fee of the Alpes from whofe toppes and fprynges defcend the waters 
 of whofe concourfe the ryuers of Rhene, Po, and Rodanum, haue theyr increafe. For thefe maryflhes in the 
 (leade of mountaynes ful of fprynges, minifler abundant moyflure, forafmuch as no mountaynes are yet founde 
 in that region by the longe trauayles of men, in fo much that manye that haue byn ftudious of the owlde 
 Cofmographie, fuppofe the Ryphean and Hyperborean mountaynes fo often mentioned of the ancient writers, 
 to bee fabulous. From thefe maryfflies therfore, the ryuers of Dwina, Ocha, Mofchus, Volga, Tanais, and 
 Boryflhenes, haue theyr originall. The Tartars caule Volga Edel : Tanais they caule Don : And Boryflhenes 
 is at this day cauled Neper. This, a lyttle beneathe Taurica, runneth into the fea Euxinus. Tanais is 
 receaued of the maryflhes of Meotis at the noble marte towne Azoum. But Volga leauynge the citie of Mofcha 
 towarde the fouth, and runnynge with a large circuite and greate wyndynges and creekes firft. towarde the 
 Eafte, then to the Weft, and laftly to the fouth, fauleth with a full ftreame into the Cafpian or Hyrcan fea. 
 Aboue the mouth of this, is a citie of the Tartars cauled Cytrachan, which fum caule Aftrachan, where martes 
 are kepte by the marchauntes of Media, Armenia, and Perfia. On the further banke of Volga, there is a towne 
 of the Tartars cauled Cafan, of the which the Horda of the Cafanite Tartars tooke theyr name. It is diftante 
 from the mouth of Volga and the Cafpian fea fyue hundreth myles. Aboue Cafan. C 1. [one hundred and 
 fifty] myles at the enteraunce of the ryuer Sura, Bafilius that now reigneth, buylded a towne cauled Surcium, to 
 th[e]intente that in thofe defertes, the marchauntes and trauailers which certifie the gouernours of the marches 
 of the doinges of the Tartars and the maners of that vnquiet nation, may have a lafe manfion amonge theyr 
 cuftomers. 
 
 Th[e]emperours of Mofcouia at dyuers tymes, eyther moued therto by occafion of thynges prefente, or for 
 the defyre they had to nobilitate newe and obfcure places,. haue kepte the feate of theyr courte and Empire in 
 dyuers cities. For Nouogrodia whiche lyeth towarde the Wefte and the Lyuon fea, not many yeares pafte, was 
 the headde citie of Mofcouia, and obteyned euer the chiefe dignitie by reafon of the incredible number of houfes 
 and edifi[c]es, with the oportunitie of the large lake replenyfflied with fyfflie, and alfo for the fame of the mofte 
 auncient and venerable temple whiche more then foure hundreth yeres fence was dedicated to Sancta Sophia 
 Chryfte the foonne of God, accordynge to the cuftome of the Emprours of Bizantium nowe cauled Conftantinople. 
 Nouogrodia is oppreffed in maner with continuall wynter and darkeneffe of longe nyghtes. For it hath the pole 
 Artike eleuate aboue the Horizon threefcore and foure degrees: and is further from the Equinoctiall then 
 Mofcouia by almofte. vi. degrees. By whiche dyfference of heauen, it is fayde that at the fommer fteye of the 
 foonne, it is burnte with continuall heate by reafon of the fliorte nyghtes. 
 
 The citie alfo of Volodemaria, beinge more then twoo hundreth myles diftant from Mofca towarde the 
 Eafte, had the name of the chiefe citie and kynges towne, whyther the feate of Th[e]empire was tranflated by 
 the valiant Emperours for neceflarie confiderations, that fuch ayde, furniture, and requifites as apperteyne to the 
 warres myght bee neare at hande at fuche tyme as they kepte continuall warre ageynfte the Tartars theyr 
 bortherers. For it is fituate withowt Volga, on the bankes of the ryuer Clefma, whiche fauleth into Volga. But 
 Mofcha, afwell for thofe gyftes and commodities whereof we haue fpoken, as alfo that it is fituate in the myddeft 
 of the moft frequented place of all the region and Empire, and defended with the ryuer and Caftel, hath in 
 comparyfon to other cities byn thowght mofte woorthy to bee efleemed for the chiefe. Mofcha is diftant from 
 Nouogrodia fiue hundreth myles : and almoft in the mydde way is the citie of Ottoferia (otherwyfe cauled Otwer 
 or Tuwer) vppon the ryuer of Volga,- This ryuer neare vnto the fountaynes and fpringes of the fame, not yet 
 increafed by receauyng fo many other ryuers, runneth but flowely and gentelly: And pafTeth from thenfe to 
 Nouogrodia through many wooddes and defolate. playnes. Furthermore frome Nouogrodia to Riga the nexte 
 porte of the Sarmatian fea, is the iomay of a thoufand myles lyttle more or leffe. This tracte is thought to bee 
 more commodious then the other, bycaufe it hath manye townes and the citie of Plefcouia in the waye, beinge 
 imbrafed with two ryuers. From Riga (perteynynge to the dominion of the greate mafter of the warres of the 
 Liuons) to the citie of Lubecke a porte of Germanic in the goulfe of Cymbrica Cherfonefus (nowe cauled 
 Denmarke) are numbered aboute a thoufande myles of daungerous faylynge. 
 
 From Rome to the citie of Mofcha, the diftance is knowen to bee two thoufande and fyxe hundreth miles 
 by the neareft way paffynge by Rauenna, Taruifmm, the Alpes of Camica: Alfo Villacum, Noricum, and Vienna 
 of Pannonie: and from thenfe (paffynge ouer the ryuer of Danubius) to Olmutium of the Marouians and 
 to Cracouia the chiefe citie of Polonie, are coumpted. xi. hundreth myles. From Cracouia to Vilna the 
 headde citie of Lithuania, are coumpted fiue hundreth myles : and as many from that cifie to Smolenzko fituate 
 beyonde Boryfthenes, from whenfe to Mofcha are coumpted fyxe hundreth myles. The iorney frome Vilna by 
 Smolenzko to Mofcha, is trauayled in wynter with expedite fleades and incredible celeritie vppon the fnowes 
 hardened with longe frofte and compacte lyke Ife by reafon of muche wearynge. But in foominer, the playnes 
 can not bee ouerpaffed but by difficulte and laborious trauayle. For when the fnowes by the continuall heate 
 of the foonne begyn to melte and diffolue, they caufe great maryfflies and quamyres able to intangle bothe horfe 
 
 Nouogrodia. 
 
 The temple of 
 Sancta Sophia. 
 
 The eleuation of 
 the pole at 
 Nouogrodia and 
 Moscouia. 
 Heate by reason 
 of short nyghtes. 
 
 The citie of 
 Volodemaria. 
 
 The citie of 
 Moscha. 
 
 Ottoferia, 
 Volga. 
 
 Riga. 
 
 The citie of 
 Piescouia. 
 
 The citie of 
 Lubeke. 
 
 From Rome to 
 Moscouia. 
 
 Wjmter trauayle 
 by ise and snowe. 
 
 Marysshes in 
 sonuner. 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 315 
 
 and man, were it not that wayes are made throwgh the fame with brydges and caufeys of wood, and almoft 
 infinite laboure. 
 
 In all the region of Mofcouia, there is no vayne or mine of golde or fyluer, or any other common metall 
 excepte iren: neyther yet is there any token of precious ftones. And therefore they bye all thofe thynges of 
 ftraungers. Neuertheleffe, this iniurie of nature is recompenfed with abundaunce of rich furres, whofe price by 
 the wanton niceneffe of men is growne to fuch exceffe that the furres perteyiiynge to one forte of apparell, are 
 nowe foulde for a thoufande crownes. But the tyme hath byn that thefe haue byn bought better chepe when 
 the furtheft nations of the north beinge ignorant of owr nyfe fineneffe and breathyng defyre toward effeminate 
 and fuperfluous pleafures, exchanged the fame with muche fimpUcitie often tymes for tryfles and thynges of 
 fmaule value: In fo muche that commonly the Permians and Pecerrians, were accuilomed to gyue fo many 
 (kynnes of Sables for an Iren axe or hatchet as beinge tyed harde togyther, the marchauntes of Mofcouia coulde 
 drawe through the hole where the hafte or handyll entereth into the fame. But the Mofcouites fende into all 
 partes of Europe the befl kynde of flaxe to make lynnen clothe, and hempe for ropes : Alfo many oxe hydes, 
 and exceadynge great maffes of waxe. 
 
 They proudely denye that the Romane churche obteyneth the principate and preeminent autoritie of all 
 other. 
 
 They fo abhorre the nation of the lewes, that they detell the memorie of them, and wyll in no condition 
 admitte them to dwell within theyr dominions: efteemyng them as wycked and mifcheuous people that haue of 
 late tawght the Turkes to make gunnes. Befyde the bookes that they haue of the ancient Greeke doctours, 
 they haue alfo the commentaries and homelies of faynt Ambrofe, Augufline, lerome, and Gregorie, tranflated 
 into the lUirian or Slauon tounge which agreeth with theyrs. For they vfe bothe the Slauon tounge and letters, 
 as doo alfo the Sclauons, Dalmates, Bohemes, PoUones, and Lithuanes. This tounge is fpredde further then 
 any other at this day. For it is familyar at Conftantinople in the courte of the Emperours of the Turkes : and 
 was of late harde in Egypte amonge the Mamalukes in the courte of the Soltane of Alcayre otherwyfe cauled 
 Memphis or Babilon in Egipte. A greate number of bookes of holy fcripture are tranflated into this tounge by 
 th[e]Lndufl.rie of fa)mte lerome and Cyrillus. Furthermore, befyde the hyflories of theyr Oivne countreys, they 
 haue alfo bookes conte)myng the factes of great Alexander and the Romane Emperours, and lykewyfe of Marcus 
 Antonius and Cleopatra. They haue no maner of knowleage of philofophie, Aftronomie, or fpeculatiue phificke 
 with other liberall fciences : But fuch are taken for phifitians as profeffe that they haue often times obferued the 
 yertue and qualitie of fum vnknowen herbe. 
 
 They number the yeares, not from the byrth of Chryfle, but from the begynnynge of the worlde. And this 
 they begin to accoumpte, not frome the monethe of lanuary, but from September. 
 
 They haue fewe and fimple lawes throwghe owte all the kyngedome, made by the equite and confcience of 
 theyr princes, and approued by the confent of wyfe and good men: and are therfore greatly for the welthe and 
 quyetneffe of the people forafmuch as it is not lawfuU to peruerte them with any interpretations or cauillations 
 of lawyers or atturneys. They punyihe theues, rouers, priuie pyckers, and murtherers. When they examine 
 malefactours, they poure a great quantitie of coulde water vppon fuche as they fufpecte, whiche they fay to bee 
 an intollerable kynde of tormente. But fumtymes they manacle fuche as are flobome, and wyll not confeffe 
 apparent crymes. 
 
 Theyr youth is exercifed in dyuers kyndes of games and plays refembelyng the warres, wherby they both 
 practife poUicie and increafe theyr flrength. They vfe runnynge both on horfebacke and afoote. Alfo runnynge 
 at the tylte, wrefl.el)Tige, and efpecially fliootynge. For they gyue rewardes to fuche as excell therin. 
 
 The Mofcouites are vniuerfally of meane ftature, yet very fquare fet and myghtyly brawned. They haue 
 al grey eyes, longe beardes, fhorte legges, and bygge bellyes. They ryde very fliorte, and flioote backewarde 
 very cunnyngely euen as they flye. At home in theyr houfes, theyr fare is rather plentifuU then deyntie. For 
 the)T tables are fumyffhed for a fmaule price with all fuche kyndes of meates as may bee defyred of fuch as are 
 gyuen to mofl excefliue gluttony. Hennes and duckes are bought for lyttle fyluer penfe the piece. There is 
 incredible plentie of beaft.es and cattayle bothe greate and fmaule. The flefftie of biefe that is kylled in the 
 myydefl. of wynter, is fo congeled and frofen, that it putrifiethe not for the fpace of two moonethes. Theyr 
 befte and moft-e delicate dyflhes, are gotten by huntynge and haukynge as with vs. For they take all fortes of 
 wylde beaft.es with houndes and dyuers kyndes of nettes. And with falcons and erens or eagles of a marueylous 
 kynde whiche the region of Pecerra bryngeth furth vnto them, they take not onely fefantes and wylde duckes, 
 but alfo cranes and wylde fwMines. They take alfo a foule of darke coloure abowte the byggenes of a goofe 
 with redde ouerbrowes, whofe flefflie in tafte paffeth the pleafauntneffe of Pheafauntes. Thefe in the Mofcouites 
 tounge are cauled Tetrao, whiche I fuppofe to bee the fame that Plinie cauleth Erythratao, knowen to the 
 people of the Alpes, and efpecially to the Rhetians whiche inhabite the laundes abowte the fpiynges of the ryuer 
 Abdua. The ryuer of Volga miniftreth vnto them great fyfflies and of pleafaunte tafte: efpecially fturgions or 
 
 Other wryters 
 deny this. 
 
 286 
 
 Riche furres. 
 The price of furres. 
 
 How many sables ' 
 skynnes for an axe. 
 
 Flax. 
 
 Oxe hydes, 
 Waxe. 
 
 Thei abhorre the 
 lewes. 
 
 Their bokes and 
 religion. 
 
 The Sclauon 
 tounge spred 
 further then any 
 other. 
 
 Saynte lerome 
 was borne in 
 Dalmatla nowe 
 cauled Sclauonia. 
 
 Howe they 
 number the 
 yeares. 
 
 Fewe and simple 
 lawes 
 
 The exercise of 
 youth. 
 
 Shootynge. 
 
 The corporature 
 of the Moscouites. 
 
 Theyr &re. 
 
 287 
 
 Flesshe presenied 
 longe by reason of 
 coiude, 
 Haukyng and 
 
 huntynge. 
 
 Plentie of fysshe. 
 
3i6 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 Fysshe longe 
 reserued in Ise. 
 
 Wyne. 
 
 Malua^e. 
 
 AU the north 
 parte of the firme 
 lande was cauled 
 Scythia and the 
 people Scythyans. 
 
 Drynke cooled 
 with Ise. 
 
 Wyne of cherryes. 
 
 Their women. 
 
 Thomas 
 Faieologus. 
 The conquest of 
 the turkes in 
 Greda. 
 
 How the princes 
 chuse theyr wyues. 
 
 288 
 
 JDuke Basillus. 
 
 War betwene the 
 Polones and 
 Moschouites. 
 
 War betwen the 
 Moschouites and 
 Tartars. 
 
 The Moscouites 
 army. 
 Their banner. 
 
 Their horses and 
 hors£e]mea 
 
 rather a kynde of fyfflie lyke vnto fturgions : whiche in the wynter feafon beinge inclofed in Ife, are longe 
 referued freffhe and vncorrupte. Of other kmdes of fyfflies, they take in maner an incredible multitude in the 
 whyte lakes whereof wee haue fpoken before. And wheras they vtterly lacke natiue wynes, they vfe fuche as 
 are browght from other places. And this only in certeine feafl.es and holy mift.eries. Efpecially tlie pleafaunte 
 Maluafies of the Hand of Greta nowe cauled Candy, are had in mofte honoure : and vfed eyther as medicens or 
 for a ftiewe of exceffme aboundaunce, forafmuche as it is in maner a miracle that wynes browght frome Candy 
 by the ftreyghtes of Hercules pillers and the Ilandes of Gades, and tofled with fuch fluddes of the inclofed 
 Ocean, fhulde be droonke amonge the Scythyan fnowes in theyr natiue puritie and pleafauntneffe. 
 
 The common people drinke mede made of hony and hoppes fodden together, whiche they keepe longe in 
 pytched barrels where the goodnes increafeth with age. They vfe alfo beere and ale as doo the Germanes and 
 Polones. They are accuflomed for delycatenes in foramer to coole theyr beere and mede with puttynge Ife 
 therin, whiche the noble men referue in theyr fellars in great quantitie for the fame purpofe. Sunune there are 
 that delyte greately in the iufe that is preffed owte of cherries before they bee full rype: whiche they affyrme to 
 haue the coloure of cleare and ruddy wyne with a verye pleafaunte tafte. 
 
 Theyr wyues and women, are not with them in fuche honoure as they are in other nations. For they vfe 
 them in maner in the place of feruantes. The noble men and gentelmen, doo diligently obferue theyr walkes 
 and haue an eye to their chaft.itie. They are feldom bydden furth to any feaftes : nether are permytted to 
 reforte to churches farre of, or to walke abrode withowt fum greate confyderation. But the common forte of 
 women, are eafely and for a fmaule price allured to lecherye euen of ftraungers : by reafon wherof, the gentelmen 
 doo lyttle or nothynge efleme them. 
 
 lohn the father of kynge Bafilius dyed more then. xx. [twenty] yeares fence. He maryed Sophia the 
 doughter of Thomas Paleologus who reigned farre in Peloponnefus (now cauled Morea) and was brother to 
 Th[e]emperoure of conflantinople. Shee was then at Rome when Thomas her father was dryuen owte of Grecia 
 by the Turckes. Of her were fyue chyldren borne, as Bafilius hym felfe, George, Demetrius, Symeon, and 
 Andreas. Bafilius tooke to wyfe Salomonia the doughter of George Soborouius a man of fynguler fidelitie and 
 wyfdome and one of hys counfayle. The excellent vertues of which woman, only barenneffe obfcured. 
 
 When the prynces of Mofcouia delyberat to marie, theyr cullome is to haue choyfe of all the vyrgynes in 
 the realme, and to caufe fuche as are of moft fayre and bewtyfull vyfage and perfonage with maners and vertues 
 accordyng, to bee browght before them. Which afterwarde they committe to certayne faythful men and graue 
 matrones to bee furder vewed, in fo muche that they leaue no parte of them vnferched. Of thefe, fliee whome 
 the prynce moft. lyketh, is pronounced woorthy to bee hys wyfe, not withowt greate and carefuU expectation of 
 theyr parentes, lyuynge for that tyme betwene hope and feare. The other vyrgyns alfo which fl.oode in election and 
 contended in bewty and integritie of maners, are often times the fame day to gratyfye the prynce, maryed to 
 hys noble men, gentellmen, and capytaynes: wherby it fumtymes commeth to paffe that whyle the princes 
 contemne the lynage of roiall defcente, fuche as are borne of humble parentage, are exalted to the degree of 
 princely efl.ate. In lyke maner as Th[e]emperours of the turckes were accuflomed to bee chofen by cumlyneffe 
 of perfonage and warly prowes. 
 
 Bafilius was vnder th[e]age of forty and feuen yeares, of cumly perfonage, finguler vertue, and princely 
 qualities, by all meanes fl.udyous for the profperitie and commodities of hys fubiectes. Furthermore in beneuo- 
 lence, lyberalytie and good fuccefle in hys doynges, to bee preferred before his progenitours. For when he 
 hadde. vi. yeares kepte warre with the Lyuons that moued. Ixxii. [feuenty-two] confetherate cities to the caufe 
 of that warre, he obteyned the victorie and departed with fewe conditions of peace rather gyuen then accepted. 
 Alfo at the begynnynge of his reigne, he put the Polones to flight and took prifoner Conn.antine Ae capitayne 
 of the Ruthens whom he brought to Mofcouia tyed in chaynes. But ftiortly after at the ryuer Boriflhenes aboue 
 the citie of Orfa, he hym felfe was ouercomne in a great battayle by the fame Conft.antine whom he hadde dif- 
 mifled : Yet fo, that the towne of Smolenzko whiche the Mofcouites polfeflfed before and was now woonne by 
 the Polons, fhulde ftyll perte3^e to the dominions of Bafilius. But ageynft.e the Tartars, and efpecially the 
 Tartars of Europe cauled the Precopites, the Mofcouites haue often tymes kepte warre with good fucceffe, in 
 reuenge of th[e]iniuries doone to them by theyr incurfions. 
 
 Bafilius is accuflomed to brynge to the fielde more then a hundreth and fiftie thoufande horfemen deuided 
 into three bandes and folowynge the banners or enfeignes of theyr capitaynes in order of battayle. On the 
 banner of the kynges wynge, is figured the image of lofue the capitaine of the Hebrewes at whofe prayer the 
 foone prolonged the daye and fteyde his courfe as wytnefle the hyftories of holye fcripture. Armies of foote- 
 men are in maner to no vfe in thofe great wyldernefles, afwel for theyr apparel beinge loofe and longe, as alfo 
 for the cuftome of theyr enemies, who in theyr warres trufte rather to the fwyfteneffe of theyr lyght horfes then 
 to trye the matter in a pyght fyelde. 
 
 Theyr horfes are of lefle then meane ftature ; but veiye ftronge and fwyfte. Theyr horfemen are armed 
 316 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 317 
 
 with pykes, lyuettes, mafes of Iren and arrowes. Fewe haue hooked fwoordes. Theyr bodies are defended 
 with rounde Targets after the maner of the Turkes of Afia : or with bendyng and comarde targettes after the 
 maner of the Greekes : AKo with coates of mayle, brygantynes, and fharpe helmettes. Bafihus dyd further- 
 more inftytute a band of hargabufiers on horfbacke : and caufed many greate brafen pieces to bee made by the 
 woorkemanfliype of certeyne Italyans : and the fame with theyr llockes and wheeles to bee placed in the caftell 
 of Mofca. 
 
 The kynge hym felfe with pryncely magnyfycence and finguler familiaritie (wherwith neuertheleffe no parte 
 of the maieflie of a kyng is vyolate) is accuftomed to dyne openly with hys noble men and flraunge ambafla- 
 dours in hys owne chamber of prefence where is feene A meruelous quantitye of fyluer and gylte plate ftandynge 
 vppon two great and high cubbardes in the fame chamber. He hath not abowte \iyra. any other garde for the 
 cuftody of hys perfon fauynge only hys accuftomed famylye. For watche and warde is dylygently kepte of the 
 faythfiill multytude of the citifens : In fo muche that euery warde or quarter of the citie is inclofed with gates 
 rayles, and barres : ne)rther is it lawfuU for any man raffliely to walke in the citie in the nyght, or withowt lyght. 
 All the courte confyfteth of noble men, gentelmen, and choyfe fouldyers which are cauled owte of euery regyon 
 by theyre townes and vyllagies, and commaunded to wayte courfe by courfe at certeyne moonethes appoynted. 
 Furthermore when warre is proclaymed, all the armye is collected bothe of the owlde fouldiers and by mufter- 
 ynge of newe in all prouynces. For the lieuetenauntes and capytaynes of the armye, are accuftomed in all 
 cities to mufter the youth, and to admytte to th[e]order of fouldyers fuch as they thynke able to ferae the tume. 
 Theyre wages is payde them of the common treafurye of euery prouynce which is gathered and partely payde 
 alfo in the tyme of peace although it bee but lyttle. But fuch as are affigned to the warres, are free frome all 
 tributes, and inioye certein other priuilegies wherby they may the more gladly and cherfuUy ferae theyr k)Tige 
 and defend theyr contrey. For in the tyme of warre, occaeyon is mynyftred to fhewe trewe vertue and man- 
 hodde, where in fo greate and necelTarie an inftitution, euery man accordynge to hys approued actiuitie and 
 ingenyous forwardneffe, may obteyne the fortune eyther of perpetuall honoure or ignominie. 
 
 Vix olim vllafdes referefitibus horrida regna 
 
 Mofckorum, et Ponti, res glacialis erat. 
 Nunc louio autore, ilia oculis lujlramus, et vfhet. 
 
 Et nemora, et monies cernimus etfluuios. 
 Mqfchouiam, monumenta lout, tua culta reuoluens. 
 
 Ccepi alios mundos credere Democriti. 
 
 Theire armUTe. 
 
 Hargabusiera. 
 Gunnes. 
 
 The Prince djmeth 
 openly. 
 
 Sif^ismundus sayth 
 that much of this 
 is Kolde. 
 
 The custodie of 
 the citie. 
 
 The dukes courte. 
 
 Souldyets vrages 
 of the common 
 treasury. 
 
 289 
 
 3>7 
 
3i8 
 
 Rusaa. 
 
 The browne colour 
 of the Kusses. 
 
 Rossda. 
 
 The Slauon tounge 
 spreadeth farre, 
 
 Vandales. 
 
 The Princes of 
 Rus^ 
 
 The duke of 
 Moscoxiia. 
 
 C OTHER NOTABLE THYNGES 
 
 AS CONCERNYNGE MOSCOVIA: GATHERED OWT OF 
 
 THE BOOKES OF SIGISMVNDVS LIBERVS. 
 Note that when hefayih myles, he meaneth leagues, 
 
 f B ^ BaaJBaBgag gag gBSMBa ggggggBw^Rom whenfe Ruffia had the name, there are dyuers opinions. 
 g . "J " ^^^^^^^^«^da< ^ B Sume thynke that it was fo named of one Ruffus the foonne or 
 
 " "^ " °~ " '" neuie of Lech the kynge of the Polons. Other aflBrme that it 
 
 was fo cauled of a certeyne owlde towne named Ruffus not 
 farre frome Nouogoroda or Nouogardia the more. Sum alfo 
 thynke that it was fo cauled of the browne coloure of the nation. 
 But theMofcouians confute al thefe opinions as vntrewe : AfRrm- 
 ynge that this nation was in owld tyme cauled Roffeia as a nation 
 difperfed, as the name it felfe dooth declare. For Roffeia in 
 the Ruthens tounge, doothe Cgnifie difperfed or fcattered. The 
 which thynge to be trew, dyuers other people commyxt with 
 
 th[e]inhabitauntes, and dyuers prouinces lyinge here and there 
 
 Bi '^ JjH'jB^SMBfe^lMfeflBM ^»] til betwene dyuers partes of Ruffia doo playnely declare. But 
 p ^^^Sj^ ^BBS^iiSiggy^ftA^^^ ^ whenfe fo euer they tooke theyr name, doubtleffe all the people 
 — .^^^^^^■^^^^^^^^■^^^^^il « that vfe the Slauon tounge, and profeffe the fayth of Chryft. after 
 
 the maner of the Greekes, (cauled in theyr common language 
 Ruffi, and in the Latin tounge Rutheni) are increafed to fuche 
 a multytude that they haue eyther expulfed all the nations that lye betwene them, or drawne them to theyr 
 maner of lyuynge, infomuche that they are nowe cauled all Rutheni by one common name. 
 
 Furthermore the Slauon tounge (whiche at this daye is fumwhat corruptly cauled Sclauon) runneth excead- 
 yng far, as vfed of the Dalmates, Boffuenfer, Croatians, Iflrians, and by a longe tracte of the fea Adriatike vnto 
 Forum lulii : Of the Caruians alfo whome the Venetians caule Charfos : and lykewyfe of the Camiolans and 
 Carinthians vnto the ryuer Drauus : Furthermore of the Stirians within Gretzium and by Muera vnto Danu- 
 bius and from thenfe of the Myfians, Seruians, Bulgarians, and other inhabitynge euen vnto Conftantinople : 
 Furthermore of the Bohemians, Lufacians, Silefians, Morauians, and th[e]inhabitauntes neare vnto the ryuer 
 Vagus in the kyngedome of Hungarie : The Polons alfo and the Ruthenians whofe Empire reacheth veiy 
 farre : lykewyfe the Circafians and Quinquemontanians vnto Pontus : and is from thenfe vfed in the north 
 partes of Germanic amonge the remanent of the Vandales inhabityng here and there. All whiche nations 
 althowgh they acknowleage them felues to bee Sclauons, yet the Germayns taking the denomination only of the 
 Vandales, caule al them that vfe the Slauon tounge, Vuenden, Vuinden, or Vuindyfh. 
 
 Of the Princes that nowe reigne in Ruffia, the chiefe is the great Duke of Mofcouia who poffeffeth the 
 greatefl part therof. The feconde is the great duke of Lithuania : and the thyrde the k3mge of Polonie, who 
 nowe obteyneth the dominion of Polonie and Lithuania. 
 
 In autoritie and dominion ouer his fubiectes, the prince of Mofcouie paffeth aU the monarkes of the 
 worlde. For he depriueth all his noble men and gentelmen of al theyr holdes and munitions at his pleafure. 
 He trufteth not his owne brotheme, but oppreffeth all with lyke feruitude. In fo muche that whome fo euer he 
 commaundeth eyther to remayne with hym in the courte, or to goo to the warres, or fendeth on an ambaffage, 
 they are compelled to bee at theyr owne charges, excepte the younge gentelmen the foonnes of the Boiarons, 
 that is, the noble men of the loweil degree. He vfurpeth this autoritie afwell ouer the fpiritualtie as the tempo- 
 raltie : conflitutynge what him lyfteth of the goods and lyfe of al men. Of his counfilers there is not one that 
 dare diffente from hym in any thynge. They openly confeffe that the wyl of the prince is the wyll of god : and 
 therfore caule hym the key bearer and chamberlen of god, and beleue him to bee the executor of gods wyll. 
 318 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 319 
 
 By reafon wherof, the prince hym felfe when any peticion is made to hym for the deliuerie of any captiue, is 
 accuftomed to aunfwere : When god commaundeth he flialbe deliuered. Lykewyfe when any alketh a queflion 
 of an vncerteyne or doubtefiiU thynge, theyr cuilome is to anfwere thus : God knoweth and the greate prince. 
 It is vncerteyne whether the craeltie and fiercenes of the nation doo requyre fo tyrannous a prince, or whether 
 by the tyranny of the prince, the nation is made fo fierce and cruell. 
 
 Bafilius the foonne of lohn, was the fyrft that tooke vppon hym the name and title of a kynge in this maner : 
 The great lorde BafiUus, by the grace of god kynge and lorde of all Ruffia and the greate duke of Vuolodimaria, 
 Mofcouia, Nouogardia, etc. 
 
 Furthermore, wheras nowe this prince is cauled an Emperour, I haue thought good to Ihewe the tytle and 
 caufe of this errour. Note therfore that Czar in the Ruthens tounge fignifieth a kynge, wheras in the language 
 of the Slauons, PoUons, Bohemes, and other, the fame woorde Czar, fignifieth Cefar by whiche name Th[e]em- 
 perours haue byn commonly cauled. For bothe they and the Slauons that are vnder the kyngdome of 
 Hungarie, caule a kynge by an other name : as fum Crall, other Kyrall, and fum Koroll : but thinke that only 
 an Emperoure is cauled Czar. AVhereby it came to paffe that the Ruthene or Mofcouite interpretours heaiynge 
 theyr prince to bee fo cauled of ftraunge nations, began them felues alfo to name hym an Emperour, and 
 thinke the name of Czar to bee more worthy then the name of a kynge, althowgh they fignifie all one thynge. 
 But who fo wyl reade all theyr hyflories and bookes of holy fcripture, fhall fynde that a kynge is cauled Czar, and 
 an Emperoiu- Keffar. By the lyke erroure Th[e]emperour of the Turkes is cauled Czar, who neuertheleffe of 
 antiquitie vfed no hygher tytle then the name of a k)mge, expreffed by this woorde Czar. And hereof the 
 Turkes of Europe that vfe the Slauon tounge, caule the citie of Conflantinople Czargrad, (that is) the kynges 
 citie. 
 
 Sum caule the prince of Mofcouie the whyte kynge, whiche I thinke to proceade of the whyte cappes, or 
 other tyrementes they weare on thejr heades, lyke as they caule the kynge of Percia Kifilpaifa (that is) redde 
 headde. He vfeth the tytle of a kynge when he writeth or fendeth to Rome, the Emperour, the pope, the 
 kynge of Suetia and Denmarke, the greate mailer of Pruffia and Liuonia, and alfo to the greate Turke as I 
 haue byn credably informed : but he is not cauled kynge of any of them, excepte perhappes of the Liuons. 
 Yet by reafon of his later conquefl.es, fum haue thought hym worthy the name of a kynge or rather of an 
 Emperour bycaufe he hath kynges vnder his Empire. 
 
 To the kynge of Polone he vfeth this tytle : The great lorde Bafilius by the grace of god, lorde of all Ruffia, 
 and greate duke of Vuolodimeria, Mofcouia, Nouogardia. etc. leauynge owt the tytle of a kyng. For none of 
 them vouchefafeth to receaue the letters of the other augmented with any newe tytle, as I knewe by experience 
 at my being in Mofcouia, at which tyme Sigifmundus the kynge of Polone fente hym his letters augmented with 
 the tytle of the Duke of Mafouia, wherwith he was not a lyttle offended. 
 
 They glorie in theyr hyflories that before Vuolodimeria and Olha, the lande of Ruffia was baptifed and 
 bleffed of faynt Andrewe th[e]apoftle of Chryft, affirmynge that he came from Grecia to the mouthes of the ryuer 
 Boryflhenes : and that he fayled vppe the ryuer to the mountaynes where as is nowe Chiouia : and that there 
 he bleffed all the lande and placed his croffe, prophefyinge alfo that the grace of god (hulde bee greate there, 
 and that there fliulde bee many churches of Chryftian men : Lykewyfe that he afterwarde came to the fprynges 
 of Boryflhenes vnto the great lake Vuolok, and by the ryuer Louat defcended into the lake Timer : from whenfe 
 by the riuer Vuolcon whiche runneth owte of the fame lake, he came to Nouogardia : and pafled frome thenfe 
 by the fame ryuer to the lake Ladoga and the ryuer Heua, and fo vnto the fea whiche they caule Vuaretzkoia, 
 beinge the fame that we caule the Germayne fea, betwene Vuinlandia or Finlandia and Liuonia, by the whiche 
 he fayled to Rome, and was at the lafte crucified for Chryfte his gofpell in Peloponnefus by the tyranny of Agus 
 Antipater, as theyr crownacles make mention. 
 
 The prynce euery feconde or thyrde yeare, caufeth a mufter to bee taken of the foonnes of the Boiarons, 
 and takethe an accoumpte bothe of theyr number and howe many horfes and men euery of them is able to 
 make : and then appoynteth a certeyne ftypende to fuche as are able further to beare theyr owne charges in the 
 warres. They haue feldome any reft or quyetneffe. For they eyther keepe warre with the Lithuanians, Liuonians, 
 Suetians, or Tartars of Cafan. Or yf it fo chaunce that the prynce keepe no warre, yet dooth he yearely 
 appoynte garryfons of. xx. [twenty] thoufande menne in places abowt Tanais and Occa to repreffe the incurfions 
 and robberyes of the European Tartars cauled Precopites. 
 
 As in other matters, euen fo in th[e]order of warrefare ther is great diuerfitie amonge men. For the Mof- 
 couian as foone as he begynneth to flye, thinketh of none other fuccoure but putteth all his confidence therein. 
 Beinge purfued or taken of his enemie, he neyther defendeth himfelfe nor defirethe perdon. 
 
 The Tartar caft of from his horfe, fpoyled of al his armure and weapons, and alfo fore wounded, defendeth 
 hym felfe with handes, feete, and teethe, and by all meanes he may, vntyll his ftrength and fpirite fayle hym. 
 
 The Turke, when he feeth hym felfe deftitute of all helpe and hope to efcape, doth humbly defyre pardon, 
 
 290 
 
 Why the duke of 
 Mascouia was 
 cauled an 
 Emperour 
 
 llie greate Turke 
 
 The whyte kynge. 
 
 The duke of 
 Moscouia his tytle. 
 
 Russia baptysed 
 by saynte 
 .^drewe the 
 Apostle. 
 
 The Moscouites 
 warres 
 
 291 
 
 Dyuers manei-s ot 
 dyuers people ia 
 the wars. 
 
320 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 The Moscouytes 
 anny. 
 
 Howe he 
 maynteyneth his 
 army. 
 
 Instruments of 
 warre. 
 
 The Moscouites 
 and Tartars 
 appareU. 
 
 292 
 
 The prouince of 
 Moscouia. 
 Extreme coulde. 
 
 Extreme heate in 
 cold regions. 
 
 cafling away his weapons and armure, and reching furth to the victourer his hands ioyned together to be bounde, 
 hopynge by captiuitie to faue his lyfe. 
 
 The Mofcouites in placeinge theyr araiye chufe them a large playne where the beft of them pytch theyr 
 tentes and the other make them certen arbours of bouwes fyxt in the grounde, bendyng together the toppes 
 therof, whiche they couer with theyr clokes to defende themfelues, theyr bowes, arrowes, faddyles, and other 
 theyr neceffaries from rayne. They put furth theyr horfes to pafture, and for that caufe haue theyr tentes fo 
 farre in funder, which they fortifye neyther with cartes or trenches or any other impedyment, excepte perhappes 
 the place bee defended by nature as with wooddes, ryuers and maryfflies. 
 
 It may perhappes feeme ftraunge howe he maynteyneth hym.and hys fo longe with fo fmaule an army as I 
 haue fayde. I wyll nowe theifore brefely declare theyre fparynge and frugahtie. He that hath fyxe or fum- 
 tymes more horfes, vfeth one of them as A packe horfe to beare all theyr neceffaryes. He hath alfo in a bagge 
 of two or three fpanes longe, the floure or meale of the grayne cauled mylle : and. viii. or x. poundes weyghte 
 of fwynes fleflhe pondered. He hathe lykewyfe A bagge of falte, myxte with pepper if he bee ryche. Further- 
 more euery man caryeth with hym A hatchet, A fyre boxe, and a brafen potte : fo that if they chaunce to 
 coomme to any place where they can fynde no frutes, garlyke, onyons or fleflhe, they kyndle a fyre and fylle 
 theyr pottes with water wherunto they put a fpoonefuU of meale with a quantitie of falte, and make pottage 
 therof, wherwith the mafl.er and ail hys feruauntes lyue contented. But if the mailer bee very hungary he 
 eateth all alone, and the feruantes are fumtymes inforfed to faile for the fpace of two or three dayes. And yf 
 the mafter intende to fare fumwhat more delycately, then he addeth therto a lyttle portion of fwynes fleflhe. I 
 fpeake not thys of the befl. of them, but of fuche as are of the meane forte. The gouemours and capytaynes of 
 th[e]armye, doo fum tymes bydde the poorer forte to theyre tables : where theye feede them felues fo wel, that 
 they fade two or three dayes after. When they haue frutes, garlyke, and onyons, theye can well forbeare all 
 other meates. Procedynge forwarde to the battayle, they put more confydence in theyr multitude, and with 
 what great armyes they aflayle theyr enemyes, then eyther in the flrengthe and valyantenefle of theyr fouldyers, 
 or in well inftructynge theyr armye : and fyght better afarre of, then at hande : and therfore ftudy howe to 
 circumuent or inclofe theyr enemyes and to aflayle them on the backe halfe. 
 
 They haue many trumpiters : The which whyle they blow all at once after theyr maner, make A meruelous 
 ftraunge noyfe. They haue alfo an other kynde of inftnimentes which they caule Szuma. Thefe they blowe 
 withowte feafynge for the fpace of an houre togither, fo temperyng the fame and holdyng in the wynd whyle 
 they drawe more, that the noyfe feemeth continuall withoute intermyflion. 
 
 They vfe all one maner of appareyle : as longe coates withowte pleyghtes and with narrowe fleaues after 
 the maner of the Hungary ans. Thefe the Chriftians vfe to butten on the right fyde : and the Tartars (vfmge 
 the lyke) butten them on the lefte fyde. They weare redde and fliorte bufkyns that reache not to theyr knees : 
 and haue the foules therof defended with plates of Iren. In maner all theyr fhyrtes are wroughte with dyuers 
 colours aboute the necke : and haue the collars and rufies byfette with lyttle rounde baules lyke beades, of 
 fyluer or gylted copper, and fumtyme perles alfo. They gyrde them felues beneth the bellye euen as lowe as 
 theyr priuy members, that they may feme more boorely which they greately efteme, as doo at thys day the 
 Spanyardes, Italyans, and Almaynes. 
 
 The prouince of Mofcouia is neyther very large nor frutfull, forafinuche as the fertylytye is hyndered with 
 fandye grounde which eyther with to muche drjmefle or moyfter kylleth the come. Furthermore the immoderate 
 and fliarpe vntemperatenefle of the a)Te while the coulde of the wynter ouercommethe the heate of the foonne, 
 fumtymes dothe not fuffer the come to rype. For the coulde is there fumtyme fo extreame, that lyke as with vs 
 in fommer by reafon of heate, euen fo there by extreame coulde the yearth hath many great chynkes or breaches. 
 Water alfo caft. into the ayre, and fpettle faulyng from on[e]s mouthe, are frofen before they touche the grounde. 
 I my felfe, when I came thether in the yeare 1526. fa we the braunches of fratefuU trees wythyred by the coulde 
 of the wynter before, which was fo extreame that many of theyr wagoners or caries (whom they caule Gonecz) 
 were founde frofen to deathe in theyr fleades. There were fum that at the fame tyme leadyng and dryuyng 
 theyr cattayle from the nexte villagies to Mofcouia, dyed by the way with theyr beaftes through th[e]extremytie 
 of the coulde. Furthermore, the fame yeare many players that were accuftomed to wander aboute the contrey 
 with daunfyng beares, were founde dead in the high wayes. Wylde beares alfo inforced thereto by famyn, lefte 
 the wooddes and ranne here and there into dyuers villagies and houfes : At whofe commyng while the men of 
 the countrey forfooke theyr houfes and fledd into the fieldes, manye of them peryfflied throughe the vehemencie 
 of the coulde. Agayne, it fumtymes fo chaunceth that in fommer the heate is as extreame : as in the yeare. 
 1525. in the which almoft all kynds of pulfe and grayne were fcorched and bumte : and fuch a derth of come 
 folowed that drought, that that which before was bowght for three dengas, was afterwarde foulde for. xx. 
 [twenty] or. xxx. [thirty.] Furthermore alfo, manye villagies, wooddes, and ftackes of come, were fette on fyre 
 by th[e]extreame heate : The finoke wherof fo fylled the regyon, that the eyes of many were fore hurte therby. 
 
 320 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 321 
 
 There arofe alfo as it were a darke and thycke myfl without fmoke which ib molefted the ey[e]s, that many lofte 
 theyr fight therby. 
 
 They fowe and naryflhe the feades of melons with greate diUgence in certeyne rayfed beddes myxte with 
 doonge : wherby they fynde a remedy both ageynft extreame could and heat. For if the heate exceade, they 
 make certeyne lyftes in the beddes as it were breathyng places leaft the feades Ihulde be fuffocate with to muche 
 heate. And if the coulde bee extreme it is tempered with the heate of the mucke or dunge. 
 
 Theyr bealles are muche lelTe then owres : yet not all withowt homes as one hath written. For I haue 
 there fene oxen, kyne, goates, and rammes all with homes. 
 
 Not farre from the citie of Mofcha, are certeyne monafleries which a farre of, feeme lyke vnto a citie. 
 They iaye that in thys citie is an incredible number of houfes : And that the fyxte yeare before my commynge 
 thyther, the prince caufed them to bee numbered, and founde them to bee more then one and fortye thoufande 
 and fyue hundreth houfes. The citie is very large and wyde : and alfo very flabby and myrie. By reafon 
 wherof it hath many brydges and caufeys. 
 
 The ayre of the regyon is fo holfome, that beyond the fprynges of Tanais, efpecially towarde the north 
 and a great parte alfo towarde the Eafte, the peflylence hath not byne harde of fence the memoiye of man. 
 Yet haue they fumtimes a difeafe in theyr bowells and headdes not much vnlyke the peflylence. This difeafe 
 they caule a heate : wherwith fuche as are taken, dye within fewe dayes. 
 
 Sum wryte that lohn the duke of Mofcouia and fonne of Bafilius, vnder the pretence of religion facked 
 and fpoyled, the citie of Nouogardia : and caried with hym from thenfe to Mofcouia three hundreth fleades laden 
 with golde, fyluer, and precious ftones of the gooddes of the Archebyflhoppe, the marchauntes, citifins, and 
 ftiaungiers. 
 
 Solowki is an Ilande fituate In the north fea. viii. leaques from the continent betwene Dwina and the pro- 
 uince of Corela. Howe farre it is dyftant from Mofcouia, can not bee well knowne by reafon of manye fennes, 
 maiyfflies, wooddes, and defolate places lyinge in the way. Albeit, fum fay that it is not three hundreth leaques 
 from Mofcouia, and two hundreth frome Bieloiefero. In thys Ilande is made greate plenty of falte : and it 
 hath in it a monafterie into the which it is not lawful! for any woman or virgyn to enter. There is alfo great 
 fyflhjmg for hearyng. They fay that here the foonne at the fommer Equinoctiall, ftiyneth continually excepte 
 two houres. 
 
 Demetriowe, is a citie with a caftel, diflante from Mofcouia xii. leaques declining from the weft fum- 
 what toward the north. By this runneth the ryuer Lachroma that runneth in to the r)ruer of Seft. Seft alfo 
 receaueth the ryuer Dubna whiche vnladeth it felfe in Volga. And by the commoditie of thus many ryuers, 
 many riche marchaundies are browght without great laboure or difficultie from the cafpian fea by the ryuer 
 Volga to Mofcouia and dyuers other prouynces and cities abowte the fame. 
 
 Bieloiefero, a citie with a caftell, is fituat at a lake of the fame name. For Bieloiefero in the Mofcouites 
 toung, fignifieth a white lake. The citie ftandeth not in the lake as fum haue fayd. Yet is it fo enuironed with 
 maryfflies that it may feeme to bee inexpugnable : In confideration wherof, the princes of Mofcouia are accuf- 
 tomed to keepe theyr treafure there. Bieloiefero is from Mofcouia, a hundreth leaques, and as muche from 
 Nouogardia the great The lake it felfe, is. xii. leaques in length and as much in breadth : aud hath (as they 
 iky) three hundreth ryuers faulynge into it. Th[e]inhabitauntes of this place, haue a peculyar language, 
 although nowe in maner all fpeake the" Mofcouites tounge. The longeft day here in the foommer Equinoctial, 
 is feyde to confyfte of xix. [nineteen] houres. A man of greate name and credite toulde me, that at the begyn- 
 nyng of the fprynge when the trees began nowe to bee greene, he went in pofte from Mofcouia to Bieloiefero : 
 And paffynge ouer the ryuer Volga, founde the region there fo couered with Ife and fnow, that he was fayne to 
 dilpatch the refidue of his iomey on fleades. And although the wynter bee longer there, yet doo the frutes 
 waxe rype and are gathered euen at the fame tyme that they are in Mofcouia. Within an arrowe fliotte of the 
 lake, there is an other lake that bryngeth furth brymftone : which a certen ryuer runnyng owt of the fame, 
 caryeth with it in great quantitie flotyng abpue the water lyke a fcoomme. Yet through the ignorance of the 
 people, they haue no commoditie therby. 
 
 The people that inhabite the regions lyinge farre northe and eaft from Mofcouia, exchaunge theyr furres 
 for apparel, knyues, needles, fpoones, hatchets, and fuche other neceflarye wares. For they haue not the vfe of 
 golde and fyluer. 
 
 Lyttle beastes. 
 
 The citie of 
 Moscouia or 
 Mosca. 
 
 Holsome ayer. 
 
 A ryche spoyle. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Solowki. 
 
 293 
 
 Bieloiesero. 
 
 The lengthe of 
 the day. 
 
 The trade from 
 Moscouia to the 
 Caspian sea. 
 
 Bieloiesero or the 
 why te lakes. 
 
 Edbh. 
 
 2 B 
 
 Diuersitie of 
 temperament in 
 smaul dystance. 
 
 A lake of 
 brymstone. 
 
 Exchange of 
 furres for other 
 
322 
 
 Mofcotda and Cathay. 
 
 C The defcription of the regions, people, and ryuers, lyinge North and Eajle 
 
 from Mofcouia : As the way from Mofcouia to the ryuer Petzora, 
 
 and the prouince of lugaria, or luhra : Andfrome thenfe 
 
 to the ryuer Obi. Lykewyfe the difcription of 
 
 other countreys and regions, euen vnto 
 
 Th[e]empire of the greate 
 
 Cham of Cathay. 
 
 The dominion of 
 the duke of 
 Moscouia. 
 
 Vuolochda. 
 
 Werste. 
 
 Vstiug: 
 
 294 
 
 Suchana, 
 lug. 
 
 Colmogor. 
 Dwina. 
 
 Ketegti. 
 
 Nicolai, 
 Kuluio. 
 
 The regions by 
 the North sea. 
 
 Pieza. 
 Piescoia. 
 
 Rubicho. 
 Czircha 
 Czilma. 
 Petzora. 
 
 Pustoosero, 
 
 Vssa. 
 
 Dngulus nundi. 
 
 He dominion of the Prince of Mofcouia reacheth farre towarde the Eafte and north vnto the 
 places which we wyll nowe defciybe. As concemynge whiehe thynge, I tranflated a booke 
 that was prefented vnto me in the Mofcouites tounge, and haue heare made a bryefe re- 
 hearfall of the fame. I wyll fyrft therfore defcribe the iorney from Mofcouia to Petzora, and 
 fo to lugaria and Obi. 
 
 From Mofcouia to the citie of Vuolochda, are numbered fyftie Werlles, one Werfl con- 
 teynynge almofte the fpace of an Italyan myle. From Vuolochda to Vfliug towarde the right 
 hande defcendinge with the courfe of the ryuer of Vuolochda and Suchana with whom it ioyneth, are coumpted 
 fyue hundreth Werftes : where within two Werfles of the towne cauled Strelze and hard by the citie of Vftiug 
 Suchana io3meth. lug which runneth from tlie fouth : from whofe mouth vnto the fprynges of the fame, are 
 numbered fyue hundrethe Werfles. 
 
 Note that wheras here before the autour nuinbereth but fyftie werftes from Mofcouia to Vuolochda, it femeth that the place is 
 corrupted by the Printers myftakynge one worde for an other, as Quinquaginta, which is fyftie, for Quingenta, whiehe is fyue 
 hundreth. For the diftance is no leffe from Mofcouia to Vuolochda, then is from Vuolochda to Vftiug, which is fyue hundreth 
 werftes. 
 
 But Sucliana and lug after they ioyne togyther, lofe theyr fyrfl names and make bothe one ryuer named 
 Dwina, by the whiehe the paffage to the citie of Colmogor conteyneth fyue hundreth Werfles : from whenfe in 
 the fpace of fyxe dayes iorney, Dwina entereth into the, north Ocean at. vi. mouthes, And the greatefle parte of 
 this iorney confyfleth by nauigation. For by lande, froni Vuolochda vnto Colmogor, paffing ouer the ryuer 
 Vuaga, are a thoufande Werfles. Not farre from Colmogor, the ryuer Pienega runnynge frome the Eafle on the 
 ryght hande for the fpace of feuen hundreth Werfles fauleth into Dwina. From Dwina by the ryuer Pienega by 
 the fpace of two hundreth Werfles, they coome to a place cauled Nicolai'i from whenfe within halfe a werfl, 
 fhyppes haue paffage into the ryuer Kuluio, which hath his original from a lake of the fame name towarde the 
 north, from whofe fpringes is. viii. dayes vyage to the mouth of the fame where it entereth into the Ocean. 
 
 Saylynge by the coafles of the ryght hande the fea, they paffe by the regions of Stanuwifche, Calunczfcho, 
 and Apnu. And faylynge abowt the promontorie or cape of Chorogofki Nofz, Stanuwifche, Camenckh, and 
 Tolflickh, they come at the length into the rjmer Mezen, and frome thenfe in the fpace of fyxe dayes to a 
 vyllage of the fame name, flandyng in the mouth of the ryuer Pieza : by the which ageine afcendyng towarde 
 the lefte hande and foommer Eafl, they come to the ryuer Piefcoya. From whenfe faylynge for the fpace of 
 fyue Werfles, they coomme into two lakes in the whiehe are feene two wayea : wherof one on the ryght fyde, 
 goeth to the ryuer Rubicho, by the whiehe they paffe to the ryuer Czircho. Other by an other and fhorter 
 way, brynge theyr fhyppes frome the lake directly into Czircho : From whenfe, except they be hyndered by 
 tempefl, they coomme in the fpace of three weekes to the ryuer and mouth of Czilma, flowynge into the great 
 ryuer Petzora, which in that place is two Werfles in breadthe. Saylyng from henfe, they coomme in the fpace 
 of fyxe dayes to the towne and caflell of Pufloofero,, neare vnto the which, Petzora entereth into the north 
 Ocean at fyxe mouthes. The inhabitauntes of this place, are men of fimple wytte. They receaued the fayth 
 of Chryfte, and were baptifed in the yeare M. D. xviii. 
 
 From the mouth of Czilma vnto the mouthe of the ryuer Vfia, goinge by Petzora, is one monethes vyage. 
 Vfia hath his fprynges in the mountayne Poyas Semnoi, being on the lefte hande towarde the foommer Eafl, 
 and fpringeth owte of a greate flone of the fame mountayne, cauled Camen Bolfchoi. From the fprynges of 
 Vffa to the mouthes of the fame, are numbered more then a thoufande Werfles. Furthermore Petzora runneth 
 from this fouth wynter oarte. from whenfe afcendynge from the mouthes of Vffa vnto the mputhes of the lyuer 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 323 
 
 Stzuchogora, is three weekes vyage. They that defcribed this vyage, fayde that they reiled betwene the 
 mouthes of the lyuers of Stzuchogora and Potzfcheriema : and lefte theyr vyttayles there whiche they browght 
 with theym from Ruffia. Beyonde the ryuers of Petzora and Stzuchogora towarde the mountayne Camenipoias 
 and the fea with the Ilandes there abowte and the caflell of Puftoofero, are dyuers and innumerable nations 
 whiche by one common name are cauled Samoged (that is) fuch as eate them felues. They haue great increafe 
 of foules, byrdes, and dyuers kyndes of beaft.es : as Sables, Marternes, Beuers, Otters, Hermelines, Squyrels : 
 and in the Ocean the beafte cauled Mors : Alfo Vefs, whyte beares, woolfes, hares, Equiwoduani, great whales, 
 and a fyfflie cauled Semfi, with dyuers other. The people of thefe nations, come not to Mofcouia. For they 
 are wylde, and flye the company and focietie of other men. 
 
 From the mouthes of Stzuchogora faylynge vp the ryuer vnto Poiafla, Artawifche, Cameni, and Poiaffa the 
 greater, is three weekes vyage. Furthermore the afcendynge to the mounte Camen, is three dayes iorney : 
 from the whiche, defcendyng, they come to the ryuer Artawifcha, and from thenfe to the ryuer Sibut, from 
 whenfe they paffe to the caftell of Lepin, and from Lepin to the ryuer Sofia. The people that inhabite the 
 region by this ryuer, are cauled Vuogohci. Leauynge Sofia on the ryght hande, they come to the greate ryuer 
 Oby, that fpryngeth owt of the lake Kitaiflco, the whiche with all the hafte they coulde make, they coulde 
 fcarfely pafle ouer in one day, the ryuer beinge of fuch breadth that it reacheth fourefcore Werftes. The people 
 alfo that dwell abowt this ryuer, are cauled Vuogolici and Vgritzfchi. From the caft,ell of Obea afcendynge by 
 the ryuer of Oby, vnto the ryuer Irtifche into the which Sofia entereth, is three moonethes iorney. In thefe 
 places are two caftels named lerom and Tumen, kepte by certejme lordes cauled Knefi luhorlki. beinge tribu- 
 taries to the greate duke of Mofcouia as they fay. Here are dyuers kyndes of beaftes and furres. 
 
 Frome the mouth of the ryuer Irtifche to the Caflell of Gmflina, is two monethes iorney : from whenfe to 
 the lake Kitai by the ryuer Oby (whiche I fayde to haue his fprynges in this lake) is more then three monethes 
 iorney. From this lake come many blacke men, lackynge th[e]ufe of common fpech. They brynge with them 
 dyuers wares, and efpecially pearles and precious ftones, whiche they fell to the people cauled Grufl.intzi and 
 Serponowtzi. Thefe haue theyr name of the cafl.ell Serponow, fituate in the mountaynes of Lucomorya beyonde 
 the ryuer Obi. They fay that to the men of Lucomorya, chaunceth a marueylous thynge and incredible. For 
 they affirme, that they dye yearely at the. xxvii. [twenty-feuenth] daye of Nouember, beinge the feafl, of faynt 
 George amonge the Mofcouytes : and that at the nexte fprynge abowte the. xxiiii. [twenty-fourth] daye of Apryll, 
 theye reuyue ageyne as doo frogges. 
 
 With thefe alfo, the people of Grufl.intzi and Serponowtzi, exercife a newe and ftraunge kynde of trade. 
 For when the accuftomed tyme of theyr dyinge, or rather of fleapynge, aprocheth, they leaue theyr wares in 
 certeyne places appoynted, which the Graftintzi and Serponowtzi carye away leauynge other wares of equall 
 valewe in theyr places : whiche if the deade men at the tyme of theyr reuyuyn[gje perceaue to bee of vnequall 
 piyce, they requyre the)rr owne ageyne : by reafon wherof muche flryfe and fighting is betwene them. 
 
 From the ryuer of Obi defcending toward the left hand, are the people cauled Calami, which came thether 
 from Obiowa and Pogofa. Beneth Obi, abowte Aurea Anus (that is the golden owlde w^l&) are the ryuers 
 Sofia, Beres, Vua, and Danadim, al which fprynge owt of the montayne Camen, Bolfchega, Potafla, and the 
 rockes ioynynge to the iame. All the nations that inhabite from thefe ryuers to Aurea Anus, are fubiecte to 
 the prynce of Mofcouia. 
 
 Aurea Anus cauled in the Mofcouites toonge Slata Baba, is an Idole at the mouthes of Obi in the prouince 
 of Obdora, ftandynge on the furtheft. banke towarde the fea. Alonge by the bankes of Obi and the ryuers 
 neare there about, are here and there many cafl.ells and fortrefies, all the lordes wherof are fubiecte to the 
 prince of Mofcouia, as they fay. They fay alfo, or rather fable, that the Idole cauled Aurea Anus, is an Image 
 lyke vnto an owlde wyfe hauyng a chyld in her lappe : and that there is nowe feene an other infante which 
 tiiey fay to bee her neuie : Alfo that there are certeyne infl.rumentes that make a continuall founde lyke the 
 noyfe of trumpettes. The which if it fo bee, I thynke it to bee by reafon of the wynde blowynge continually 
 into the holowe places of thofe inftrumentes. 
 
 The ryuer Coffin, fauleth owt of the mountaynes into Lucomoria. In the mouth of thys, is a caflell. 
 Whyther from the fprynges of the great ryuer Coffin, is two moonethes vyage. Furthermore from the fprynges 
 of the fame ryuer, the ryuer CafCma hath hys original: which runnynge throwgh Lucomoria, fauleth into the 
 great ryuer Tachnin, beyonde the which (as is fayde) dwell men of prodigious ftiape, of whom fum are ouer- 
 growne with heare lyke wylde beaftes : other haue heades lyke dogges, and other theyr faces in theyr breftes 
 withowt neckes, and with longe handes alfo and withowte feete. There is lykewyfe in the ryuer Tachnin, a 
 certeyne fyfihe with headde, eys, nofe, mouthe, handes, fiete, and other members vtterly of humane fliape, and 
 yet withowt any voyce, and pleafante to bee eaten as are other fyffhes. 
 
 All that I haue hetherto rehearfed, I haue tranflated out of the fayde iorney whiche was delyuered me in 
 the Mofcouites tounge. In the which perhappes fum thynges maye feeme fabulous and in maner incredible, as 
 
 Stzuchogora. 
 
 Fotzscheriema. 
 
 Camenipoias, 
 
 Samoged. 
 Foules and 
 beastes. 
 
 Wyld people. 
 
 Poiassa. 
 
 Camen. 
 
 Artawischa. 
 
 Sibut 
 
 Lepin. 
 
 Sossa. 
 
 Obi. 
 
 Kitaisko. 
 
 Vuogolici 
 
 295 
 
 Irtische. 
 
 leron. 
 
 Tumem. 
 
 Grustina. 
 Kitai. 
 
 Blacke men 
 withowt spcache. 
 Serpenowe. 
 Lucomoria. 
 
 Men that yearely 
 dye and reuyue. 
 
 A straunge trade 
 of marchaundies. 
 
 ObL 
 
 Calami. 
 
 Ryuers. 
 
 Aurea Anus, 
 Obdora. 
 
 Cossiu, 
 
 Cassima. 
 Tachnin. 
 People of 
 monstrous shape. 
 
 A fysshe lyke a 
 man. 
 
 Plinie wryteth oi 
 the lyke fyssiie. 
 
324 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 296 
 
 Mountaynes. 
 
 The greate Chan 
 of Cathay. 
 
 Lucomoria. 
 Tumen. 
 
 Petzora. 
 Papin. 
 
 Hygh mountaynes, 
 supposed to bee 
 Hyperboreij and 
 Rhiphei 
 
 of the doomme men and the deade reuyuynge, the Aurea Anus alfo, and the monflrous ftiapes of men, with the 
 tyffhe of human forme : wherof althowgh I haue made dylygent inquificion, yet could I knowe nothynge cer- 
 teyne of any that had feene the fame with theyr eys, neuertheleffe to gyue further occafion to other to 
 fearche the truth of thefe thynges, I haue thowght good to make mention hereof. 
 
 Noff in the Mofcouites tounge fignifieth a nofe : and therfore they caule all capes or poyntes of lande that 
 reache into the fea, by the fame name. 
 
 The mountaynes about the ryuer of Petzora, are cauled Semnoi Poyas, or Cingulus mundi : (that is) the 
 gyrdle of the worlde, or of the yearth. 
 
 Kithay, is a lake of whome the greate Chan of CATHAY whom the Mofcouians caule Czar Kythaiflci, 
 hath hys name. For Chan in the Tartars language fignifieth a kyng. 
 
 The places of Lucomorya nere vnto the fea, are faluage, full of wooddes, and inhabited withowt any houfes. 
 And albeit that the autour of thys iorney, fayd that many nations of Lucomor3'a are fubiecte to the prynce of 
 Mofcouia, yet forafmuch as the kyngdome of Tumen is neare therunto, whofe prince is a Tartar and named in 
 theyr toung Tumenlki Czar (that is) a kynge in Tumen, and hath of late doone great domage to the piynce of 
 Mofcouia, it is mofle lyke that thefe nations fliulde rather bee fubiecte vnto hym. 
 
 Neare vnto the ryuer Petzora, (wherof mention is made in thys iorney) is the citie and callell of Papin or 
 Papinowgorod, whofe inhabytauntes are named Papini, and haue a priuate language differyng from the Mofco- 
 uites. Beyond thys ryuer, are exceadynge hygh mountaynes, reachyng euen vnto the bankes : whofe ridgies or 
 toppes by reafon of continuall wyndes, are in maner vtterly barrayne without graif or frutes. And although in 
 dyuers places they haue dyuers names, yet are they commonly cauled Cingulus Mundi, that is the gerdle of 
 the worlde, otherwyfe cauled Catena Mundi, (that is), the chayne of the worlde. In thefe mountaynes doo 
 ierfalcons breede, wherof I haue fpoken before. There grow alfo Cedar trees, amonge the which are founde 
 the bed and blackefl kynde of fables. And only thefe mountaynes are feene in all the domynyons of the 
 prynce of Mofcouia, which perhappes are the fame that the owlde writers caule Rhipheos or Hyperboreos, fo 
 named of the Greeke worde Hiper, (that is) vnder : and Boreas (that is) the north. For by reafon they are 
 couered with continuall fnow and frofle, they can not withowt great difficultie bee trauayled : and reache fo 
 farre into the north, that they make the vnknowne land of Engroneland. The duke of Mofcouia Bafilius the 
 foonne of lohn, fent on a tyme two of hys capitaynes named Simeon Pheodorowicz Kurblki, and Knes Peter 
 Vfchatoi, to fearch the places beyonde thefe mounta)mes and to fubdewe the nations therabowte. Kurblki was 
 yet alyue at my being in Mofcouia : and declared vnto me that he fpent. xvii. [feuenteen] days in afcendyng 
 the mountayn, and yet coulde not coome to the toppe therof, which in theyr tounge is cauled Stolp (that is) a 
 pyller. Thys mountayne is extended into the Ocean vnto the mouthes of the ryuers of Dwina and Petzora. 
 But nowe hauyng fpoken thus muche of the fayde iomey, I wyll returne to the domynyons of Mofcouia, with 
 other regyons lyinge eaftwarde and fouthe frome the fame towarde the myghtye Empyre of CATHAY. But 
 I wyll fyrft fpeake fumwhat brefely of the prouynce of Rezan and the famous ryuer of Tanais. 
 
 The prouynce of Rezan fituate betwene the ryuers of Occa and Tanais, hath a citie buylded of woodd not 
 farre from the banke of Occa. There was in it a caflell named laroflaw, wherof there now remayneth nothynge 
 but tokens of the owld mine. Not farre from that citie, the ryuer Occa maketh an Ilande named Strub : which 
 was fumtym a great dukedome, whofe prince was fubiect to none other. Thys prouince of Rezan is more frut- 
 full then any other of the prouynces of Mofcouia : In fo muche that in thys (as they faye) euery grayne of 
 wheate bryngethe furthe two and fumtymes more eares : whofe ftalkes or flrawes growe fo thycke that horfes 
 can fcarfely go throwgh them, or quayles flye owt of them. There is greate plenty of honnye, fyfflies, foules, 
 byrdes, and wylde beaftes. The frutes alfo do farre exceade the frutes of Mofcouia. The people are bould 
 and warlyk men. 
 
 Engronland. 
 
 Stolp. 
 
 Cathay. 
 
 The frutfull 
 prouince of Rezan. 
 laroshiw. 
 
 Honny. 
 
 C Of the famous ryuer of Tanais. 
 
 Donco. 
 
 Asoph. 
 Capha. 
 Constanfinople. 
 
 297 
 
 Tan^s diuideth 
 Eur..>pe from Asia. 
 
 towarde the Eafle 
 
 Rome Mofcouia vnto the caflell of laroflaw, and beyonde for the fpace of aImofl,e. xxiiiL 
 [twenty-four] leaques, runneth the ryuer of Tanais, at a place called Donco, where the mar- 
 chauntes that trade to Afoph, Capha, and Conftantynople, fraight theyr fliyppes : and thys 
 for the mofte parte in autumne beynge a rayney tyme of the yeare. For Tanais here at 
 other tymes of the yeare doth not fo abounde with water as to beare fliyppes of any burden. 
 Thys famous ryuer of Tanais, dyuydeth Europe from Afia: and hath hys orygynal or 
 fpringes almofl:. viii. leaques from the citie of Tulla toward the fouth inclynyng fumwhat 
 and not owt of the Riphean mountaynes as fome haue wrytten : But owte of a great lake 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 325 
 
 named Iwanowofero (that is) the lake of lohn : being in length and breadth abowt. 1500. Werfles in a wood 
 whiche fum caule Okonitzkilies, and other name it lepiphanowlies And owt of this lake, fprynge the twoo greate 
 ryuers of Schat and Tanais. Schat towarde the Welle receauynge into it the ryuer of Vppa, runneth into the 
 ryuer of Occa betwene the Weft, and the north. But Tanais at the fyrfte runneth directly Eaft : and continueth 
 his courfe betwene the kyngdomes of Cafan and Allrachan within fyxe or feuen leaques of Volga : And frome 
 thenfe bendynge towarde the fouth, maketh the fennes or maryflhes of Meotis. Furthermore, nexte vnto his 
 fprynges, is the citie of Tulla : and vppon the banke of the ryuer almofl.e three leaques aboue the mouthes of 
 the fame, is the citie of Afoph, which was fyrfte cauled Tanas. Foure dayes iorney aboue this, is a towne 
 cauled Achas, fituate harde by the fame ryuer : whiche the Mofcouites caule Don. I can not fufficiently prayfe 
 this ryuer for the exceadynge abundaunce of good fyflhes, and faireneffe of the regions on bothe fydes the 
 bankes, with plentie of holfoome herbes and fweete rootes, befyde dyuers and many frutefull trees growynge in 
 fuche coomly order as though they had byn fet of purpofe in gardens or archardes. There is alfo in maner 
 eueiy where fuche plentie of wylde beaftes, that they may eafely be flaine with arrowes : In fo much that fuche 
 as trauayle by thofe regions, ftial (land in neede of none other thynge to mayntayne theyr lyfe but only 
 fyre and falte. In thele partes, is no obferuation of myles, but of dayes iorneys. But as farre as I coulde con- 
 iecture, from the fountaynes or fprynges of Tanais vnto the mouthes of the fame iomeyinge by lande, are almoft. 
 fourefcore leaques. And faylynge from Donco (from whenfe I fayde that Tanais was fyrfl.e nauigable) in 
 fcarfely. xx. [twenty] dayes vyage, they come to the citie of Afoph tributarie to the Turkes : which is (as they 
 fay) fyue dayes iorney frome the ftreight of Taurica, otherwyfe cauled Precop. In this citie is a famous mart 
 towne vnto the which refort many marchauntes of dyuers nations, and from dyuers partes of the worlde. For, 
 that all nations may the gladlyer haue recourfe th3rther, free lybertie of bying and fellynge is graunted vnto all : 
 and that withowt the citie euery man may freely vfe his owne and accuflomed maner of lyuynge withowt 
 pimyflhement. 
 
 Of the altares of great Alexander and lulius Cefar whiche many wiyters make mention of in this place, or 
 of theyr mines, I coulde haue no certeyne knowleage of th[e]inhabitauntes or any other that had oftentymes 
 trauayled thefe places. Furthermore the fouldyers whiche the prince of Mofcouia maynteyneth there yearely 
 to oppreffe th[e]incurfions of the Tartars, beinge of me demaunded hereof, anfwered that they neuer fawe or 
 harde of any fuch thynge. Neuertheleffe, they fayde that abowt the mouthes of Tanais the leffe, foure dayes 
 iorney from Afoph nere vnto a place cauled Scwerfki, by the holy mountaymes, they fawe certeyne images of 
 fl.one and marble. Tanais the leffe, hath his fprynges in the dukedome of Scwerlki : whereof it is cauled 
 Donetz Scwerlki : and fauleth into Tanais three dayes iorney aboue Afoph. But fuche as iorney from Mof- 
 couia to Afoph by lande, they, paffynge ouer Tanais abowt the owlde and ruinate towne of Donco, doo fum- 
 what tume from the fouth to the Eafte : In the which place, if a ryght line bee drawen from the mouthes of 
 Tanais to the fpringes of the lame, Mofcouia flialbe found to bee in Alia and not in Europe. 
 
 ^r More directly from Mofcouia to Cathay. 
 
 He great and large prouince of Permia, is dyftante from Mofcouia two hundreth and fyftie or 
 (as fum fay) three hundreth leaques directly betwene the Eaft. and North : And hath a citie 
 of the fame name by the ryuer Vifchora which runneth, x. leaques beneth Kamam. The 
 iorney by lande can fcarfely bee trauayled thyther but in wynter by reafon of many ryuers, 
 maryflhes, and fennes. But in fommer, this iorney is difpatched with more facilitie in boates 
 or fmaule fliippes by Vuolochda, Vfliug, and the ryuer Vitzechda which runneth into Dwina. 
 xii. leaques from VHiug. But they that go from Permia to Vftiug, mufte fayle vp the ryuer 
 Vifchora ageinfl the courfe of the flreame : and paffmg ouer certeyne ryuers, fumtymes alfo conueyinge theyr 
 boates into other ryuers by lande, they come at the length to Vlliug three hundreth leaques dift.ant frome the 
 citie of Permia. There is fmaule vfe of breade in this prouince. For lhe3T yearely tribute, they pay to the 
 prynce furres and horfes. They haue a priuate language, and letters of theyr owne, whiche one Steuen a 
 byfftiop (who confirmed them yet waueryng in the fayth) dyd inuente. For before beinge yet infantes in the 
 fayth of Chryfle, they flewe and fleyde an other byflhop that was appoynted to infl.ructe them. This Steuen 
 afterwarde when Demetrius the fonne of lohn reigned, was taken for a faynte amonge the Ruthens. Of thefe 
 people there yet remayne many Idolatours here and there in the woods, whom the moonkes and heremites that 
 go thyther, doo not ceafe to conuert from theyr vayne errour. In the wynter they iorney in Artach as they doo 
 in many places of Ruffia. Artach, are certeyne longe patentes of woodde of almoll fyxe handfuls in length, 
 
 2 B 2 3^3 
 
 The springes of 
 
 Tanais. 
 
 A great lake. 
 
 The ryuer Schat. 
 
 Casan. 
 
 Astrachan. 
 
 Meotis. 
 
 Tulla. 
 
 Achas. 
 
 Frutefull re^ons 
 ahowt Tanais. 
 
 Plentie of wylde 
 beastes. 
 
 Fire and salt. 
 
 where Tanais is 
 
 fyrste nauygable. 
 
 Asoph. 
 
 The marte of 
 
 Asoph. 
 
 Libertie allureth 
 
 stnmgers 
 
 The altars of 
 Alexander and 
 Cesar. 
 
 The holy 
 mountaynes. 
 Tanais the lesse. 
 
 From Moscouia to 
 Asoph. 
 
 Moscouia in Asia 
 and not in Europe. 
 
 The i}rouince of 
 Permia. 
 
 Marysshes in 
 sommer. 
 
 298 
 
 Dwina. 
 Vstiug, 
 
 Tribute. 
 
 Furres and horses. 
 
 Menkes and 
 heremites. 
 
 Patentes. 
 
326 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 Marcus Paulus 
 wryteth that these 
 dogges are almost 
 as oyg as Asses : 
 and that they vse 
 syxe to one sleade^ 
 lugaria. 
 Hungaiia. 
 Pannonia, 
 Attila. 
 
 ITie hygher or 
 superyor 
 Hungary e, is 
 cauled Austria. 
 Polonie. 
 Buda. 
 
 Furres. 
 Pearles and 
 precious stones. 
 
 Sibier. 
 
 As^reolos, I 
 thynk to be 
 martems: yet 
 sum think them 
 to be squerels 
 Gesnenis wryteth 
 that the kyngs of 
 the Tartars haue 
 they re tentes 
 couered withowt 
 wyth the skynnes 
 oflyons: and 
 vitthin, with the 
 skynnes of sables 
 and Ermynes. 
 
 299 
 
 Czeremisse. 
 
 Habitacion 
 without houses. 
 
 Sake. 
 
 whiche they make fafle to theyr fiete with latchettes, and therwith performe theyr iomeys with great celeritie. 
 They vfe for this purpofe greate dogges in the fteade of other beafles, with the which they cary theyr farthels 
 on fleades, as other doo with hartes in other places, as we wyll further declare hereafter. They fay that that 
 prouince toward the Eaft confineth with the prouince cauled Tumen, perteynynge to the Tartars. 
 
 The fituation of the prouince of lugaria, is apparente by that which we haue fayde before. The Mofco- 
 uites caule it luhra with an afpiration : and caule the people luhrici. This is that lugaria from whenfe the 
 Hungarians came in tyme palle, poffeffed Pannonia, and vnder the conduct of Attila, -fubdued many prouinces 
 of Europe : wherin the Mofcouites doo greatly glory, that a nation fubiecte to them, inuaded and walled a 
 great parte of Europe. Georgius Paruus a greeke borne, and a man of reputation with the Prince of Mofcouia, 
 wyllynge to afcribe to the ryght of his prince the great dukedome of Lithuania, and the kyngedome of Polonie 
 with certeyne other dominions, toulde me that the luharici or luhgary, beinge fubiectes to the great duke of 
 Mofcouia, came furth of theyr owne countrey, and fyrlle inhabited the regions abowt the fennes of Meotis, and 
 then Pannonie which was afterwarde cauled Hungarie, by the ryuer of Danubius : Alfo that in fine they pof- 
 feffed the region of Morauia fo named of the ryuer : and lykewyfe PoUonie, fo cauled of Polle, which fignifieth 
 a playne. Furthermore that Buda was fo cauled after the name of the brother of Attila. They fay alfo that 
 the luhgari vfe the fame tounge that doo the Hungarians. The which whether it be trew or not, I do not 
 knowe. For althowgh I haue made diligent inquifition to knowe the truth hereof, yet coulde I fynde no man 
 of that region with whom my feruaunt beinge expert in the Hungarian tounge n:3rght fpeake. They alfo pay 
 furres for theyr tributes to the prince of Mofcouia. And albeit that pearles and precious Hones are brought 
 frome thenfe to Mofcouia, yet are they not gathered in theyr Ocean, but in other places : efpecially about the 
 coafl. of the Ocean nere vnto the mouthes of Dwina. 
 
 The prouince of Sibier, confineth with Permia and Vuiathka : The whiche, whether it haue any caftels or 
 cities, I doo not yet certeynly knowe. In this the ryuer laick hathe his originall, and fauleth into the Cafpian 
 fea. They faye that this region is deferte bycaufe it lyeth fo neare the Tartars : Or that yf it bee in any parte 
 inhabited, the fame to be poffeffed of the Tartar Schichmamai. Th[e]inhabitantes haue a peculiar language : 
 and haue theyr chiefe gaynes by the furres of martems, which in fayrenes and greatnes, excell all the furres of 
 that kynde that are founde in any other prouinces. Yet coulde I haue no great plentie of them in Mofcouia 
 at my beinge there. 
 
 Note that longe after the writyng of this hyftorie, at Rycharde Chaunceler his fyrft being in Mofcouia, Duke lohn Vafilivich 
 that nowe raygneth, fubdued all the Tartars with theyr regions and prouinces euen vnto the great citie and mart towne of Aftrachan 
 and the Cafpian fea. At the fame tjnrae alfo, there was in the dukes court an ambaffadour that came frome this prouince of Sibier : 
 who declared that his father had byn fent ambaffadour to the great Chan of Cathay. And that the great citie of Cambalu where the 
 great Chan kepeth his courte in winter, was in maner deftroyed by Necromancie and magicall artes wherin the Cathajmes are very 
 expert as wryteth Marcus Paulus Venetus. Ther was alfo at the fame tyme th[e]ambaffadour of the kynge of Perfia cauled the great 
 Sophie. This ambaffadour was appareled all in fcarlet, and fpake much to the duke in the behalfe of owre men, of whofe kyngdome 
 and trade he was not ignorant. 
 
 The people cauled Czeremiffe, dwell in the wooddes beneth Nouogardia the lower. They haue a peculiar 
 language and are of the fecte of Machumet They were fumt)mie fubiecte to the kynge of Cafan : but the 
 greater part of them are nowe fubiecte to the prince of Mofcouia. Many of them at my beinge there, were 
 brought to Mofcouia, as fufpected of rebellion. This nation doth inhabite a large region withowt houfes from 
 Vuiathka and Vuolochda, to the ryuer of Kama All the nation afwell women as men, are very fw3rft of foote, 
 and expert archers : wherein they fo delite, that theyr bowes are in maner neuer owt of theyr handes : and gyue 
 theyr children no meate vntyl they hyt the marke they Ihoote at 
 
 Two leaques diftante from Nouogardia the lower, were many houfes to the fimilitude of a citie or towne 
 where they were accuftomed to make falte. Thefe a fewe yeares fence beinge burnt of the Tartars, were 
 reflored by the commaundement of the prince. 
 
 Mordwa, are people inhabytynge by the ryuer of Volga on the fouth banke beneth Nouogardia the lower : 
 And are in al thynges like vnto the Czeremiffes but that they haue more houfes. And here endeth Th[e]mpire 
 of the Mofcouites. 
 
 Note here that Matthias of Michou, in his booke of Sarmatia Afiatica, writeth that the dominion of the duke of Mofcouia 
 recheth from thajjjujrthwefl to the foutheafl fyue hundreth myles of Germanic, which are more then leaques. For they affirme that a 
 Germane myle ^Mffe then three Englyfftie myles. 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 3^7 
 
 C Of the Tartars. 
 
 Ee wyll nowe adde hereunto fumwhat of the people confinynge with the Mofcouites towarde 
 the Eaft : of the which the Tartars of Cafan are the firft. But before wee fpeake of them 
 particularly, wee wyl fyrft, reherfe fumwhat of theyr maners and cuftomes in generall. 
 
 The Tartars are diuided into companies which they caul Hordas, of the which the 
 Horda of the Sawolhenfes is the chiefe in fame and multitude. For it is fayde that the 
 other Hordas had theyr offprynge and original of this. And albeit that euery Horda hath 
 his peculiar name, as the Sawolhenfes, Precropenfes, and Nahays with dyuers other being all 
 Machumetans, yet doo they take it euyll and count it reproch to bee cauled Turkes : but wyll them felues to 
 bee cauled Befermani, by the which name alfo the Turkes defyre to bee cauled. 
 
 And as the Tartars inhabyte many prouynces reachyngC' far on euery fyde, euen fo in maners and order of 
 lyuynge doo they not agree in all thynges. They are men of meane flature, with broade and fat faces, holowe 
 eyde, with roughe and thyck beardes, and poulde heades. Onely the noble men haue longe heare, and that 
 exceadyng black, which they wreath on both fydes theyr eares. They are flronge of body and (loute of mynde : 
 prone to leacherye, and that vnnaturall. They eate the fleaflhe of horfes, camells, and otLer beaftes excepte 
 hogges, from which they abfteyne by a lawe. They can fo abyde fafling and hunger, that they fumtime for- 
 bea^fr meate and fleepe for the fpace of foure dayes, occupyed neuertheleffe aboute theyr neceffary affayres. 
 Ageyne when they gette any thyng to deuoure, they ingorge them felues beyond meafure : and with that furfecte 
 in maner recompenfe theyr fonfier abftynence. And beynge thus oppreffed with laboure and meate, they fleepe 
 contynually for the fpace of three or foure days without doyng any maner of worke or labour : durynge which 
 tyme the Lyuons and Mofcouites into whofe domynyons they are accuftomed to make theyr incurfions, aflayle 
 them vnwares thus .opprefled with meate and fleepe, lynge fcatered here and there owt of order withowte 
 watch or warde. Alfo if when they ryde, they bee molefled with hunger and thyrfle, they vfe to lette theyr 
 horfes blud, and with drynkjmg the fame, fatyffye Xhtyc prefent neceflytie, and affyrme theyr horfes to bee the 
 better therby. And bicaufe they all wander in vnknowen places, they vfe to dyrect theyr iorneys by th[e]- 
 afpecte of the (larres, and efpecyally of the pole flarre, which in iYityr tounge they caule SelefnikoU, (that is) an 
 iren nayle. They greatly delyte in mares mylke, and beleue, that it maketh men fl,rong and fatte. They eate 
 herbes very much : and efpecially fuch as growe abowt Tanais. Fewe of them vfe lalte. When theyr kynges 
 dyftrybute any vytayles among them, they are accuftomed to gyne one horfe or cowe to fortye men. Of the 
 flayne beafte, the bowells and trypes are referued for the chiefe men and capy'.aynes. Thefe they heate at the 
 fyre vntyll they may fliake owt the doonge, and then deuoure them gredely. They fucke and lycke, not only 
 theyr fyngers imbrued with fatte, but alfo theyr knyues and ftyckes wherwith they fcrape the doopg from the 
 guttes. The heades of horfes are counted delycate diflhes with them as are bores heades with vs : and are 
 referued only for the chyefe men. Theyr horfes (wherof they haue great aboundaunce) are but fmaule, and 
 with ftiort neckes : but very ftrong and fuch as can wel away with labour and hunger. Thefe they fede with 
 the branches and barkes or lyndes of trees and the rotes of hearbes and weedes, wherby they accuftome them 
 to hard feedynge, and exercyfe them to contynuall laboure : by reafon wherof (as fay the Mofcouytes) theyr 
 horfes are fwyfter and more durable then any other. Thefe kynde of horfes, they caule Pachmat. They haue 
 none other laddells and fteroppes then of woodd, except fuche as they eyther bye of the Chryftians, or take 
 from them by vyolence. Leaft theyr horfe backes fliulde bee hurte with theyr faddells, they vnderlaye them 
 with grafle and leaues of trees. They alfo pafle ouer ryuers on horfback. But if when they flye, they feare the 
 purfuynge of theyr enemyes, then caftynge away theyr faddells, apparelle, and all other impedymentes, referuyng 
 only theyr armoure and weapons they flye amayne and with greate celeritie. 
 
 Theyr women vfe the fame kynde of apparell that doo the men withowt any dyfference except that they 
 couer theyr heades with lynnen vayles, and vfe lynnen hofe muche lyke vnto maryners floppes. When theyr 
 queenes coome abrod, they are accuftomed to couer theyr faces. The other multytude of the common forte 
 that lyueth here and ther in the feeldes, haue theyr apparell made of ftieepes flcynnes, which they chaung[e] not 
 vntyll they bee wome and torne to fytters. They tarye not longe in one place, iudgyng it a great myfery fo to 
 doo : In fo muche that when they are angrie with theyr chyldren, the greatefl curfe that they can gyue them, is 
 that they maye remayne perpetually in one place, and drawe the ftynfhe of theyr owne fylthyneffe as doo the 
 Chryftyans. When they haue confumed the pafture in one place, they go to an other with theyr droues of 
 cattayle and theyr wyues and chyldren whom they euer cary about with them in Wagons : albeit the Tartars 
 that dwell in cities and townes, vfe an other order of lyuynge. If they be inclofed with any daungerous warre, 
 
 V7 
 
 The Tartars of 
 Casan. 
 
 Horda. 
 
 BesennanL 
 
 The stature of 
 the Tartars, 
 
 They absteine 
 from hogges 
 flesshe. 
 Abstinence. 
 
 Voracitie. 
 
 So doo the Turkes 
 
 lomeying by the 
 pole star. 
 
 Mares mylke 
 
 Horse fless)ie 
 
 eaten. 
 
 Clenly. 
 
 300 
 
 Hors[e] heades, 
 deintie meate 
 The Tartars 
 horses. 
 
 Saddells and 
 styrrops ofwodde. 
 
 The Tartars 
 women. 
 
 ^rhe Tartars curse. 
 
328 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 No iustice amonge 
 the Tartars. 
 
 The Tartars are 
 theeues and poore. 
 
 They reioyce in 
 spoylynge 
 
 The feelde 
 
 Tartars. 
 
 A mery tale. 
 
 Casan. 
 
 301 
 
 The kynge of 
 Casan. 
 Archers. 
 Maryners. 
 
 The towne 
 Tartars. 
 
 MoscDuia inuaded 
 by the Tartars. 
 
 The prince of 
 Moscouia tributary 
 to the Tartars. 
 
 Duke Basilius 
 army ageynst the 
 Tartars. 
 
 The kyng of Casan 
 subnuttetJi hym 
 selfe. 
 
 they place theyr wyues, chyldren, and owld folkes, in the fauefl places. There is no iuilice amonge them. For 
 if any man (lande in neade of any thynge, he may withowt punnyffhemente take it awaye from an other. If any 
 complayne to the ludge of the vyolence and wronge doonne vnto hym, the offender denyeth not the cryme, 
 but fayth that he coulde not lacke that thyng. Then the ludge is wonte to gyue thys fentence : If thowe alfo 
 fhalte haue neede of any thynge doo the lyke to other. Sum fay they do not fteale : But whether they fteale 
 or not, lette other iudge. They are furely a theeuyffhe kynd of men and very poore, l3aiynge only by robbyng 
 of other, and llealyng away other mens cattayle, and vyolently alfo caryynge awaye the men them felues whom 
 eyther they felle to the Turkes or proffer them to bee redemed by ranfome, referuynge only the younge wenches. 
 They feldome affaulte cities or caftells, but burne and wafte townes and vyllagyes : In fo muche that they fo 
 pleafe them felues herin, that they thynke they haue fo muche the more inlarged their empire, in howe muche 
 they haue wafted and made defolate manye prouynces. And althowgh they bee mofte impacyent of refte and 
 quyetneffe, yet doo they not kyll or deftroye one an other, excepte theyr kynges bee at deffention betweene 
 them felues. If any man bee flaine in any fraye or quarel, and the autours of the mylfchefe bee taken, only 
 theyr horffe, hameffe, weapons, and apparell, are taken from them, and they difmiffed. So that the murtherer 
 by the loffe of a vyle horfe or a bowe, is dyfcharged of the ludge with thefe woordes : gette the henfe and goo 
 abowte thy bufyneffe. They haue no vfe of golde and lyluer, excepte only a fewe marchauntes : But exerfyfe 
 exchaunge of ware for ware. And if it fo chaunce that by fellyng of fuch thynges as they haue ftolne, they 
 gette any monye of theyr bortherers, they bye therwith certeyne apparel and other neceffaryes of the Mofcouites. 
 The regyons of theyr habytations (the feelde Tartars I meane) are not lymytted with any boundes or borthers. 
 There was on a tyme a certeyne fatte Tartar taken pryfoner of the Mofcouites : to whom when the piynce fayd, 
 How art thow fo fatte thowe dogge, fythe thowe hafte not to eate, the Tartar anfwered. Why Ihulde not I haue 
 to eate fythe I poffeffe fo large a land from the Eaft to the weft, wherby I may bee abundauntely nuryfftied ? 
 But thowe mayfte rather feeme to lacke, fyth thowe inhabyteft fo Imaule a portion of the worlde, and dufte 
 daylye ftrjme for the fame. 
 
 Cafan, is a kyngedome, alfo a citie, and a caftell of the fame name, fituate by the ryuer Volga on the 
 further banke, almoft threfcore and tenne leaques beneath Nouogardia the lower. Alonge by the courfe of 
 "Volga towarde the Eaft and South, it is termined with deferte fyeldes. Towarde the fommer Eaft, it confineth 
 with the Tartars cauled Schibanlki, and Kofatzki. The kynge of this prouince, is able to make an army of. 
 XXX. [thirty] thoufande men, efpecially foote men, of the which the Czeremiffe and Czubafchi are moft expert 
 archers. The Czubafchi are alfo cunnynge maryners. The citie of Cafan, is threfcore leaques diftant from the 
 principal caftel Vuiathka. Furthermore, Cafan in the Tartars language, fignifieth a brafen potte boylynge. 
 Thefe Tartars are more ciuile then the other. For they dwell in houfes, tyll the grownde, and exercife the 
 trade of marchaundies. They were of late fubdued by Bafilius the greate duke of Mofcouia, and had theyr 
 kynge affigned them at his arbitriment. But (hortely after, they rebelled ageine : ,and affociate with other 
 Tartars, inuaded the region of Mofcouia, fpoyled and wafted many cities and townes, and ledde away innumer- 
 able captiues, euen from the citie Mofcouia which they poffeffed for a tyme, and had vtterly deftroyed the fame 
 if it had not byn for the valyantneffe of the Almayne gunners which kept the caftell with great ordinaunce. 
 They alfo putte duke Bafilius to flyght, and caufed him to make a letter of his owne hande to Machmetgirei 
 theyr kynge to acknowleage hym felfe for a perpetuall tributarie to them, wheruppon they diffolued the fiege, 
 and gaue the Mofcouites free libertie to redeeme theyr captiues and gooddes, and fo departed. But Bafilius 
 not longe able to abyde this contumelie and difhonour, after that he had putte to death fuche as by flyinge at 
 the fyrft encounterynge were the caufe of this ouerthrowe, affembled an armye of a hundreth and fourefcore 
 thoufande men fhortely after in the yeare. 1523. And fent forwarde his army vnder the conducte of his Lieue- 
 tenaunte : and therewith an heralde at armes to bydde battayle to Machmetgirei the kynge of Cafan, with 
 woordes in this effecte : The laft yeare lyke a theefe and robber withowt bydding of battayle, thou dyddefte 
 pryuilie oppreffe me. Wherefore I nowe chalenge the, once ageyne to proue the fortune of warre if thou 
 myftrufte not thyne owne poure. To this the kynge anfwered, that there were manye wayes open for hym to 
 inuade Mofcouia : And that the warres haue no leffe refpect to the commoditie of tyme and place then of 
 armure or ftrength : And that he wold take th[e]aduantage therof when and where it (hulde feeme beft to him 
 and not to other. With which woordes Bafilius beinge greatly accenfed and burnyng with defyre of reuenge, 
 inuaded the kyngdome of Cafan : whofe kynge beinge ftryken with fuddeyne feare at th[e]approche of fo 
 terrible an army, affigned the gouemance of his kyngdome to the younge kynge of Taurica his neuie, whyle he 
 hym felfe went to requyre ayde of the Emperour of the Turkes. But in fine the kynge of Cafan fubmytted hym 
 felfe vppon certeyne conditions of peace whiche the Mofcouites dyd the gladlyer excepte for that time becaufe 
 theyr vittayles fayled them to maynteyne fo great a multitude. But wheras duke Bafilius hym felfe was not 
 prefent at this laft expedition, he greatly fufpected Palitzki the Lieuetenaunte of th[e]army to bee corrupted 
 with brybes to proceade no further. In this meane tyme, the kynge of Caian fent ambaffadours to Bafilius to 
 
 3=8 
 
Mofcoiiia and Cathay. 
 
 329 
 
 intreate of peace : whome I fawe in the dukes courte at my beynge there : but I coulde perceaue no hope of 
 peace to bee betwene them. For euen then, Bafilius to endomage the Cafans, tranflated the marte to Nouo- 
 gardia, which before was accuftomed to bee kepte in the Ilande of marchauntes nere vnto the citie of Cafan : 
 Commaundyng alfo vnder peyne of greuous punyflhemente that none of his fubiectes fliulde reforte to the 
 Ilande of marchauntes : thynkynge that this tranflation of the marte fliulde greately haue endomaged the Cafans : 
 and that only by takyng away their trade of falte (which they were accufl.omed to bye of the Mofcouites at that 
 marte) they fliulde haue byn compelled to fubmyffion. But the Mofcouites them felues felte no lefle incon- 
 uenience hereby then dyd the Cafans, by reafon of the dearth and fcarfenefle that folowed hereof of al fuch 
 thynges as the Tartars were accuftomed to brynge thyther by the ryuer of Volga from the Cafpian fea, the 
 kyngedomes of Perfia and Armenia, and the marte towne of Aftrachan : efpecially the great number of moft 
 excellent fyflhes that are taken in Volga both on the hyther and further fyde of Cafan. 
 
 But hauynge fayde thus much of the warres betwene the Prince of Mofcouia and the Tartars of Cafan, we 
 wyll now precede to fpeake fumwhat of the other Tartars inhabytyng the regions towarde the foutheaft and the 
 Cafpian fea. 
 
 Next beyonde the Tartars of Cafan, are the Tartare- cauled Nagai or Nogai, which inhabite the regions 
 beyond Volga abowt the Cafpian fea at the ryuer laick, runnyng owt of the prouince of Sibier. Thefe haue no 
 kynges but dukes. In owre tyme, three bretheme diuydynge the prouinces equally betwene them, poflefled 
 thofe dukedomes. The fyrft of them named Schidack, poflefleth the citie of Scharaitzick, beyond the ryuer of 
 Rha or Volga towarde the Eafte, with the region confinynge with the lyuer laick. The feconde cauled Cofliim, 
 enioyeth all the lande that lyethe betwene the ryuers of Kaman laick and Volga. The thyrde brother named 
 Schichmamai, poflefleth parte of the prouince of Sibier and afl the region abowt the fame. Schichmamai, is as 
 much to fay by interpretacion, as holy or myghty. And in maner al thefe regions are full of wooddes, excepte 
 that that lyeth towarde Scharaitz, which confyfteth of pla'ynes and fyeldes. 
 
 Betwene the ryuers of Volga and laick, abowt the Cafpian fea, there fumtymes inhabyted the kynges 
 cauled Sawolhenfes. Demetrius Ddnielis (a man among thefe barbarians, of finguler fayth and grauitie) toulde 
 vs of a maruelous and in maner incredible thyng that is fene among thefe Tartars. And that his father beinge 
 fente by the prynce of Mofcouia, to the kynge of Sawolhenfe, fawe whyle he was in that legacie, a certeyne feede 
 in that Ilande fumwhat lefle and rounder then the feedes of Melones : Of the whiche beinge hydde in the 
 grounde, there groweth a frute or plante very lyke a lambe, of the heyght of fyue fpannes : And is therfore 
 cauled in theyr tounge Boranetz, which fignifyeth a lyttle lamb. For it hath the headde, eyes, eares, and all 
 other partes like vnto a lambe newly eyned : with alfo a very thynne flcynne wherwith dyuers of th[e]inhabi- 
 tauntes of thofe regions are accuftomed to line theyr cappes and hattes and other tyrements for theyr heades. 
 Many alfo confirmed in owre prefence that they had feene thefe flcynnes. He fayde furthermore that that 
 plant (if it may bee cauled a plant) hath bludde, and no flefflie : but hath in the fteade of flefflie a certeyne 
 fubftance like vnto the flefflie of creuyfflies. The hoofes alfo are not of home as are the lambes, but couered 
 with heare in the fame forme. The roote cleaueth to the nauell or myddeft of the belly. The plante or fruite 
 lyueth vntyll all the graffe and herbes growynge abowte it beinge eaten, the roote wythereth for lacke of 
 nuryflhement. They lay that it is very fweete to bee eaten, and is therefore greately defyred and fought for of 
 the woolues and other rauehynge beaftes. And albeit I exfteme all that is fayde of this plant to be fabulous, 
 yet forafmuch as it hath byn toulde me of credible perfons, I haue thought good to make mention hereof. 
 
 Of this ftiaunge frute, Mandeuell maketh mention, where in the. Ixxxiiii. [eighty-fourth] chapiture of his booke he wryteth thus : 
 Nowe fliall I fay of fum landes, countreys, and lies that are beyonde the lande of Cathay. Therfore who fo goeth from Cathay to 
 India the hygh and the lowe, he Ihall go through a kyngedome that men caule Cadiffen, and is a great lande. There groweth a 
 maner of frute as it were gourdes. And when it is rype, men cut it a funder : and fynd therein a beaft as it were of fleffhe, bone, and 
 bludde, as it were a lyttle lambe withowt wolle. And men eate that beaft and the frute alfo, which is a great maruayle. Neuerthe- 
 leffe, I fayde vnto them that I helde that for no maruayle. For I fayde that in my countrey are tres that beare frute that become 
 byrdes flying which are good to bee eaten. And that that fauleth into the water lyueth : And that that fauleth on the earth dyeth. 
 And they had greate maruayle of this. etc. 
 
 From the prince of Schidack, proceadyng. xx. [twenty] dayes iorney towarde the Eaft. are the people which 
 the Mofcouites caule lurgenci, whofe prince is Barack Soltan, brother to the greate Chan of Cathay. In tenne 
 dayes iorney from Barack Soltan, they coomme to Bebeid Chan. And this is that great Chan of Cathay. 
 
 Names of dignities amonge the Tartars, are thefe, Chan, fignifieth a kynge, Soltan, the foonne of a kynge. 
 Bii, a Duke. Murfa, the foonne of a duke. Olboud, a noble man or counfiler. Olboadulu, the foonne of a 
 noble maa Seid, the hygh prefte. Kfi, a priuate perfon. 
 
 The names of offices are thefe : Vlan, the feconde dignitie to the kynge. For the kynges of the Tartars 
 haue foure principall men whofe counfayle they vfe in al theyr weyghty affayres. Of thefe the fyrfte is cauled 
 Schimi : the feconde Barni : the thyrde, Gargni : The fourth, Tziptzan. And to haue fayde thus muche of the 
 Tartars, it (hall fuffice. 
 
 The Hand at 
 marchauntes 
 
 The Caspian s 
 Persia. 
 Annenia. 
 Astracfaan. 
 
 302 
 
 The Tartars neare 
 
 to the Caspian sea. 
 
 Nogai. 
 
 The possession of 
 
 three brytheme. 
 
 The kynges cauled 
 Sawolhenses. 
 
 A maruelous frute 
 lyke a lambe. 
 
 MandeuelL 
 
 Barnacles of the 
 Orkeneys. 
 
 Barack Soltan. 
 Cathay. 
 
 Names of dignitici 
 amonge the 
 Tartars. 
 
 Names of ofiSces. 
 
330 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 303 
 
 Chan Cublai. 
 
 Marcus Paulus wryteth that the greate Chan, is cauled Chan Cublai that is, the great kynge of kynges : as the greate turcke 
 wryteth hym felfe in lyke maner, as I fawe in a letter wrytten by hym of late to the citie of Ragufa, in the which he vfeth this fub- 
 fcription : Soltan Soliman de felim Cham Signore de Signori in fempitemo. As concernynge Mofcouia and Cathay, I was mynded 
 to haue added hereunto dyuers other thynges, but that for certeyne confiderations I was perfuaded to proceade no fiirther. Vnto 
 whofe requefte, herein fatiffyinge rather other then my felfe, wyllynge otherwyfe to haue accomplyffhed this booke to fiirther perfec- 
 tion, I was content to agree for two caufes efpecially mouynge me : wherof the one is, that as touchynge thefe trades and vyages, as 
 in maner in all other fciences, there are certeyne fecreates not to bee publyflhed and made common to all men. The other caufe is, 
 that the parteners at whofe charge this booke is prynted, although the coppy wherof they haue wrought a longe fpace haue coft them 
 nought doo not neuerthelefTe ceafe dayly to caiUe vppon me to make an end and proceade no further : affirmynge that the booke wyll 
 bee of to great a pryce and not euery mans money : fearyng rather theyr owne loffe and hynderaunce, then carefull to bee beneficiall 
 to other, as is nowe in maner the trade of all men, which ordinarie refpecte of priuate commoditie hath at this tyme fo lyttle moued 
 me, I take god to wytneiTe, that for my paynes and trauayles taken herein fuch as they bee, I may vppon iuft occafion thynke my 
 felfe a loofer manye wayes, except fuch men of good inclination as fhall take pleafure and feele fum commoditie in the knowleage of 
 thefe thynges, Ihall thynke me woorthy theyr good woorde, wherwith I ftial repute my felfe and my trauayles fo abundantly fatiffyed, 
 that I Ihall repute other mens gaynes a recompenfe for my loffes, as they may bee in deede, yf men bee not vnthankefuU, which only 
 vice of ingratitude hath hyndered the worlde of many benefites. 
 
 ^ The nauigation by the frofen fea. 
 
 Nouogardia. 
 
 Sueda vnder the 
 kjmge of 
 
 Denmarke. 
 
 Dwina. 
 Fotiwlo. 
 
 Hygh mountaynes 
 neare the north 
 Ocean. 
 
 Finlappia. 
 
 The wylde 
 Lappians. 
 The region of 
 Nortpoden 
 
 The cape cauled 
 the holy nose. 
 A whjrrlpoole or 
 swalowing goulfe. 
 
 304 
 
 Suchwhyrlepooles, 
 are cauled vipers 
 
 The stone cauled 
 
 Semes. 
 
 Superstition. 
 
 []T my beinge in Mofcouia when I was fent thyther by kynge Ferdinando my lorde and mailer, 
 it fo chaunfed that Georgius Ifloma the duke of Mofcouia his interpretour, a man of great 
 experience who hadde before lerned the latin tounge in the court of lohn kynge of Den- 
 marke, was there prefent at the fame tyme. He in the yeare of Chryft. 1496. beinge fente 
 of his prince with mailer Dauid a fcotte borne and then ambaffadour for the kynge of Den- 
 marke, (whom alfo I knewe there at my fyrfl legacie) made me a breefe information of all 
 th[e]order of his iomey. The which, forafmuch as it may feeme difficult and laborious afwel 
 for the diflaunce as daungerous places, I haue thought good to defcribe the fame as I receaued it at his 
 mouth. 
 
 Fyrll he fayde that beinge fent of his prince with the fayd Dauid, they came fyrfl to Nouogardia the great. 
 And wher as at that tyme the kyngedome of Suecia reuolted frome the kynge of Denmarke, and alfo the duke 
 of Mofcouia was at difcention with the Suetians, by reafon wherof they coiilde not pafTe by the mofl accuflomed 
 way for the tumultes of war they attempted theyr iomey by an other way longer but fafer And came fyrfl, from 
 Nouogardia to the mouthes of the ryuer of Dwina and Potiwlo, by a very difficult and paynefull iomey. For 
 he fayd that this iomey which can not bee to muche detefl.ed for fuche laboures and trauayles, continueth for 
 the fpace of three hundreth leaques. In fine, takyng foure fmaul fliyppes or barkes at the mouthes of Dwina, 
 they fayled by the coafte on the ryght hande of the Ocean, where they fawe certeyne hyghe and rowgh moun- 
 taynes : and at the lengthe faylynge. xvi. [fixteen] leaques, and paffynge a great goulfe, folowed the coafle on 
 the lefte hande : And leauyng on the ryght hand the large fea which the name of the ryuer Petzora (as haue 
 alfo the mountaynes adiacent to the lame) ±ey came to the people of Finlappia : who, although they dwell 
 here and there in lowe coitagies by the fea fyde, and leade in maner a beallly lyfe, yet are they more meeke 
 and tractable then the wylde Lappians. He fayde that thefe alfo are tributaries to the prince of Mofcouia. 
 Then leauynge the lande of the Lappians, and faylynge fourefcore leaques, they came to the region of Nort- 
 poden vnder the dominion of the kynge of Suecia. This the Mofcouites caule Kaienfka Semla, and the people 
 Kayeni. Departynge from henfe, and faylynge alonge by the coalle of a wyndynge and bendynge Ihore reach- 
 yng towarde the ryght hand, they came to a promontorie or cape cauled the Holy nofe, beinge a greate ftone 
 reachynge farre into the fea to the fimilitude of a nofe : vnder the whiche is feene a caue with a whyrlepoole 
 which fwalow[e]th the fea euery fyxe houres : and caftynge furth the fame ageyne with terryble rorynge and 
 violence, caufeth the fayde whyrlepoole. Sum caule this the nauell of the fea : and other name it Charybdis. 
 He affirmeth that the violence of this fwalowynge goulfe is fuch, that it draweth into it, inuolu/th, and fwalow- 
 eth vp Ihyppes and al other thynges that comme neare it : and that they were neuer in greater d.i mgioure. For 
 the whyriepoole fo fuddeynly and violentely drewe vnto it the fhyppe or barke wherin they were caryed, that 
 with the helpe of ores and great labour they hardly efcaped. When they had thus ouerpaffed the holy nofe, 
 they came to a certeyne llonye mountayne which they Ihulde needes compaffe abowte. But beinge there llayed 
 with contrary wyndes for the fpace of certeyne dayes, the pylotte of the Ihippe fpake vnto them in this effecte : 
 This Hone (iayth he) that yowe fee, is cauled Semes : The which excepte we pleafe with fumme gyfte, wee 
 Ihall not paffe by withowt great daungiour. But the pylot beinge reproued of Ift,oma for his vayne fuperftition, 
 helde his peace. And when they had byn deteined ther by tempeft for the fpace of foure days, at the length 
 
Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 331 
 
 the tempefl ceafed and they went forwarde on theyr vyage with a profperous wynd. Then the pilotte fpake 
 vnto them ageyne, fayinge : You defpifed my admonicion of pleafynge the Semes, and fcomed the fame as 
 vayne and fuperflitious. But if I had not priuilie in the nyght afcended a rocke and pleafed the Semes, wee 
 fhulde furely haue had no paJDTage. Beinge demaunded what he offered to the Semes, he fayde that he poured 
 butter myxt with otemele vpon the ftone which wee fawe reache furth into the fea. As they fayled further, they 
 came to an other cape named Motka, which was almoft enuironed with the fea lyke an Ilande : in whofe 
 extreme poynte, is fituate the caftell of Barthus, which fum caule Wardhus, (that is) a houfe of defence or for- 
 treffe. For the kynges of Norway haue there a gariyfon of men to defende theyr marches. He fayde further- 
 more that that cape reacheth fo' farre into the fea, that they coulde fcarfely compaffe it in eyght dayes. By 
 which tarying leafte they fhulde bee hyndered, they caryed on theyr fhulders with greate laboure, theyr barkes 
 and fardelles ouer a flreyght of lande conteynyng halfe a leaque in breadth. From henfe they fayled to the 
 region of the wyld Lappones, cauled Dikilappones to a place named Dront, beinge. CC. [two hundred] leagues 
 diflant from Dwina towarde the North. And thus farre as he fayth, doth the prince of Mofcouia exacte tribute. 
 Furthermore leauyng theyr barkes here, they fynyffhed the refidue of theyr iomey on fleades. He further 
 declared that there were heardes of hartes as are with vs of oxen, whiche in the Noruegians tounge are cauled 
 Rhen, beinge fumwhat bygger then owre hartes. Thefe the Lappones vfe in this maner. They ioyne them to 
 fleades made lyke fyffher botes, as wee put horfes to the carte. The man in the fleade, is tyed fall by the feete 
 leafl he fall owte by the fwyfte courfe of the hartes. In his lefte hande, he holdeth a collar or rayne wherwith 
 he moderateth the courfe of the hartes : and in the ryght hand, a pyked flaffe wherwith he may fufleine the 
 fleade from faul)mg if it chaunce to decline to much on any part And he toulde me that by this meanes he 
 trauayled twentie leaques in one daye, and then difmyfTed the harte, who by hym felfe returned to his owne 
 mafler and accuflomed flable. This iomey thus fynyffhed, they came to Berges a citie of Norduegia or Norway, 
 fituate directly towarde the northe betwene the mountaynes : and wente from thenfe to Denmarke on horfe- 
 backe. At Dront and Berges, the day is fayde to bee. xxii. [twenty-two] houres longe in the fommer Equi- 
 noctiall. Blafms an other of the piynce of Mofcouia his interpretours, who a fewe yeares before, was fent of 
 his prince into Spayne to Th[e]emperour, declared vnto vs an other and fhorter way of his iomey. For he 
 fayde that when he was fent from Mofcouia to lohn the kyng of Denmarke, he came fyrfle on foote vnto 
 Roftowe : And takynge (hyppe there, came to Pereaflaw : and from Pereaflaw by the ryuer Volga to Caflromow: 
 and that frome thenfe goynge feuen Werfles by lande, he came to a lyttle ryuer : faylynge by the which, when 
 fyrfl he came to Vuolochda, then to Suchana, and Dwina, and in fine to the citie of Berges in Norway, ouer- 
 palTynge in this vyage all the perelles and laboures that Ifloma rehearfed before, he came at the length to 
 Hafnia the chiefe citie of Denmarke, whiche the Germaynes caule Koppenhagen. But in theyr returnynge 
 home, they both confeffe that they came to Mofcouia by Liuonia : and that they were a yeare in this vyage : 
 Albeit Georgius Ifloma, fayde that halfe the parte of that tyme, he was hyndered by tempefles, and inforced to 
 tary longe in many places by the waye. Yet they both lykewyfe conflantely affirme that in this iomey eyther 
 of them trauayled a thoufand threefcore and ten Werfles (that is) three hundreth and fortie leaques. Further- 
 more alfo Demetrius who of late was fent ambaffadour from the prynce of Mofcouia to the byflhoppe of Rome, 
 (by whofe relation alfo Paulus louius wrote his defcription of Mofcouia) confirmed all thefe thynges to bee 
 trewe. All they being demaunded of me of the congeled or frofen fea, made none other anfwere but that in 
 places nere vnto that fea, they faw many and great riuers by whofe vehemente courfe and abundaunt flowynge, 
 the feas are dryuen farre from the fliore : and that the fayde water of the ryuers is frofen with the fea a good 
 fpace from the lande, as in Liuonia and other partes of Suecia. For althowgh by the vehemencie of the 
 wyndes, the Ife is broken in the fea, yet dooth this chaunce feldome or neuer in ryuers, excepte by fum inun- 
 dation or flud the Ife gathered togyther bee lyfted vp and broken. For the flakes or piefes of Ife caryed into the 
 fea by force of the ryuers, doo flote aboue the water in maner all the hole yeare, and are ageyne fo vehemently frofen 
 togyther, that a man maye there fumtymes fee great heapes of the Ife of manye yeares, as dooth appere by fuch 
 piefes as are dryuen to the fliore by the wynde. I haue alfo byn credebly informed by faythfull men that the 
 fea Baltheum (otherwyfe cauled the goulfe of Liuonia) is often tymes frofen in many places. They fay further- 
 more, that in that region whiche is inhabyted of the wylde Lappones, the foonne in the fommer Equinoctiall 
 dooth not faule for the fpace of. xl. [forty] dayes : yet that that the body therof is fo hydden with a darke myRe 
 or cloude three houres, that the beames doo not appere : Neuertheleffe to gyue fuch lyght durynge that tyme, 
 that the darkeneffe hyndereth not theyr woorke. The Mofcouites make theyr bofl.e that thefe w}'lde Lappones 
 are tributaries to theyr ptynce. Wherat I do not greatly maruayle, forafmuch as they haue none other neare 
 vnto them, that may demaunde tribute of them. Theyr trybute is onely furres and fyfithe, hauynge in maner 
 none other thynge greately commodious. And albeit they lacke breade, falte, and other intyfements of glutteny, 
 and lyue onely with fyfflie and wylde beafl.es, yet are they exceadyng prone to lechery. They are fuch expert 
 archers, that if in theyr huntynge they efpye any beaftes whofe flcynnes they defyre to faue vnpeiyfflied, they 
 
 33i 
 
 Sacrifice to the 
 stone Semes 
 
 The cape Motka. 
 
 The castel of 
 Wardhus. 
 
 The region of the 
 wytde Lappones. 
 Dront. 
 
 lomeyinge on 
 sleades. 
 
 Howe the hartes 
 drawe sleades. 
 
 XX. [twenty] 
 leaques in one day 
 
 The citie of 
 Berges in Norway 
 
 A shorter iomey. 
 
 Rostow. 
 
 Pereaslaw. 
 
 Castromow. 
 
 Vuolochda. 
 
 Suchana. 
 
 Dwina. 
 
 Hafnia. 
 
 Koppenhagen 
 
 Liuonia. 
 
 Werste, is almost 
 
 an Italian myle. 
 
 305 
 
 Paulus louius. 
 
 Ryuers faulyng 
 into the frosen sea. 
 
 Wynde. 
 Ise. 
 
 Ise of many 
 yeares. 
 
 The sea Baltheum 
 Where the sim 
 fauleth not in, xl. 
 [forty] days 
 
 The wylde 
 Lappones are 
 tributaries to the 
 Moscouites 
 Furres and fysshe 
 
 Expcrte archers. 
 
332 
 
 Mofcouia and Cathay. 
 
 Good felowshyp. 
 
 Necessary warres. 
 
 No vse of money. 
 Theyr cotages. 
 
 Mountaynes 
 
 continually 
 
 burnyng. 
 
 Purgatory. 
 
 Theryuer 
 Petzora, 
 
 306 
 
 The beaste cauled 
 Mors. 
 
 The prouidence 
 of nature. 
 
 The frosen sea. 
 
 Engronland or 
 Groneland 
 
 wyll not lyghtly myffe to hytte them in the nofethrylles. When they go furth on huntynge, they are accuflomed to 
 leaue at home with theyr wyues fuche marchauntes or ftraungers as they haue receaued into theyr houfes. So that 
 if at theyr retume, they perceaue theyr wyues throwgh the company of the flrangers to be myrier and more iocunde 
 then they were wonte to bee, they gyue the ftraungers fum prefent. But yf they fynd it otherwyfe, they thrufl. them 
 furth of the doores with woordes of reproche. But nowe by the company they haue with ftraungers that reforte 
 thyther for gaynes, they begyn to leaue theyr natiue barbaroufneffe. They gladly admitte marchauntes, bycaufe 
 they brynge them apparel of grofe cloth : alfo hatchettes, needels, fpones, knyues, drynkynge cuppes, earthen 
 and brafen pottes, with fuch other neceffarie wares : So that they vfe now to eate fodden and rofted meate, 
 and doo embrafe more ciuile maners. Theyr owne apparel is made of the fkynnes of dyuers beaftes fowed 
 togyther. And in this apparell they fumtymes comme to Mofcouia. Yet fewe of them haue cappes or hofen, 
 which they vfe to make of hartes fkynnes. They haue not the vfe of golde or fyluer money : but vfe only 
 barteryng of ware for ware. And beinge ignorant of other languages befyde theyr owne, they feeme amonge 
 ftraungers to bee in maner domme. Theyr cotages are couered onely with the barkes of trees. ■ They haue no 
 certeyne reftynge habitacion. But when they haue confumed the fyffhe and wylde beaftes in one place, they 
 remoue to an other. Furthermore alfo the fayde ambaffadours of the prince of Mofcouia, declared that in the 
 fame partes they fawe certeyne hygh mountaynes continually caftynge furth flames of fyre as doth the moun- 
 tayne of Etna in the Ilande of Sicilia : and that euen in Norway, many mountaynes are faulen downe and 
 burnte in maner to affhes with fuch continuall flames. Which thynge fum confyderyng, fayne the fyre of Purga- 
 torie to bee there. And as concemynge thefe mountaynes of Norway, when I was fent ambafTadour to 
 Chriftieme kynge of Denmarke, I was informed the lyke by the gouernours of Norwaye who chaunced at that 
 tyme to bee prefent there. 
 
 Abowt the mouthes of the ryuer Petzora that are toward the ryght hande from the mouthes of Dwina, are 
 fayd to bee dyuers and great beaftes in the Ocean : and amonge other, a certeyne great beaft as bygge as an 
 oxe, which th[e]inhabitauntes caule Mors. This beaft hath fhorte feete lyke a beuer or an Otter, with a breft 
 fumwhat hygh and brode for the proportion of the refidue of his body : and two longe and greate teeth grow- 
 ynge owte of the vpper iawe. Thefe beaftes for reft and increafe, doo fumtymes leaue the Ocean, and by great 
 heardes afcende the mountaynes : where before they gyue themfelues to profounde fleepe (wherunto they are 
 naturally inclined) they appoynt one of theyr number as it were a watcheman as doo cranes for the fecuritie of 
 the refte. Whiche if he chaunce to fleepe, or to bee flayne of the hunters, the refidue may eafely bee taken. 
 But if the watchman gyue wamynge with roiynge (as the maner is) immediately the hole hearde awakened 
 thereby, fuddeynly put theyr hynder feete to theyr teeth : And fo faulynge from the mountayne with great 
 celeritie as it were on a fleade, they caft them felues headlong into the Ocean : where alfo they reft and fleepe 
 for a whyle vppon the heapes of Ife. The hunters purfue thefe beaftes only for theyr teethe : Of the which 
 the Mofcouites, Tartars, and efpecially the Turkes, make haftes for fwoordes and dagge[r]s very artificially : 
 And vfe thefe rather for omamente, then to gyue the greater ftroke for the weyght or heauineffe thereof as fumme 
 fable. Alfo amonge the Turkes, Mofcouites, and Tartars, thefe teethe are foulde by weight, and are cauled the 
 teethe of fyflhes. 
 
 The frofen fea reacheth farre and wyde beyonde Dwina to Petzcora and vnto the mouthes of the great 
 riuer Obi : beyonde the which they fay to bee the region of Engroneland, vnknowen and feperate from the 
 trade and conuerfation of owre men, by reafon of hygh mountaynes couered and coulde with perpetuall fnowe, 
 and the fea no lefTe incumbered with contynually Ife whiche hyndereth nauigations and maketh them daun- 
 gerous, as they faye. 
 
333 
 
 EXEMPLAR EPISTOLAE SEV 
 
 LITERARVM MISSIVARVM 
 
 QVAS ILLVSTRISSIMVS PRINCEPS 
 
 Edwaxdus eius nominis Sextus, An- 
 
 gliae, Franciae, et Hibernise Rex, 
 
 mifit ad Principes Septemtrion- 
 
 alem ac Orientalem mundi 
 
 plagam inhabitantes iuxta 
 
 mare glaciale, nee non In- 
 
 diam Orientalem. Anno 
 
 Domini. 1553. Regni 
 
 fui Anno feptimo 
 
 et vltimo. 
 
 Dwardus fextus, Angliae, Franciae, and 
 Hibernise Rex. etc. Omnibus, 
 Regibus et Principibus ac Dominis, 
 et cun6lis ludicibus terrse, et Duci- 
 bus eius quibufcunqxie ell ex- 
 cellens aliqua dignitas in ea 
 cundtis in locis quae funt fub vniuerfo ccelo : Pax, 
 tranquillitas, et honor vobis, terris, et regionibus vellris 
 quae imperio veft.ro fubiacent, cuique veftrum quemad- 
 modum conuenit ei. Propterea quod indidit Deus 
 Opt Max. hominibus prae cunft,is alijs viuentjbus cor 
 et defiderium tale, vt appetat quifque cum alijs focie- 
 tatem mire, amare, et vicifsim amari, beneficija afficere, 
 et mutua accipere beneficia fl.udeat, ideo cuique pro 
 307facultate fua hoc defiderium in omnibus quidem 
 hominibus beneficijs fouere et conferuare conuenit, in 
 illis autem maxime, qui hoc defiderio adducti, a re- 
 motis etiam regionibus ad eos veniunt Quo enim 
 longius iter, eius rei gratia ingrefsi fimt, eo ardentius 
 in eis hoc defiderium fiiiffe declararunt. Infiiper etiam 
 ad hoc, nos patrum maiorumque noft.rorum exempla 
 inuitant, qui femper humanifsime fiifceperunt et benig- 
 nifsime tra(5lauerunt illos qui tum a locis propinquis 
 turn a remotis, eos amice adibant, eorum fe protedlioni 
 commendantes. Quod fi omnibus id praeft.are aequum 
 eft, certe mercatoribus imprimis praeftari debet, qui 
 per vniuerfum orbem difcurrunt, mare circumluftrantes 
 et aridam, vt res bonas et vtiles quce Dei beneficio in 
 
 THE COPY OF THE LETTERS 
 
 MISSIVE WHICH THE RIGHT 
 
 NOBLE PRINCE EDWARDE THE. VI. 
 
 fent to the Kynges, Princes, and other 
 
 potentates inhabytynge the Northeaft 
 
 partes of the worlde towarde the 
 
 myghtyeEmpire of Cathay, at fuche 
 
 tyme as fyr Hugh Willobyknyght 
 
 and Rychard Chaunceler with 
 
 theyr company attempted theyr 
 
 vyage thyther in the yeare of 
 
 Chryft. 1553. and the. vii. and 
 
 lafle yeare of his reigne. 
 
 Dwarde the fyxte by the grace of God, 
 kynge of Englande, Fraunce, and 
 lerlande. etc. To all Kynges, 
 Princes, Rulers, Judges, and gouer- 
 nours of the earthe, and all other 
 hauynge any excellent dignitie on 
 the fame in all places vnder the 
 vniuerfall heauen : Peace, tranqui- 
 Htie, and honoure, bee vnto yowe, and your landes 
 and regions which are vnder yowr dominions, and to 
 euery of yowe as is conuenient. 
 
 Forafmuche as the greate and almyghty god hath 
 gyuen vnto mankynd aboue al other liuing creatours, 
 fuch a hart and defyre, that euery man defyreth to 
 io5me frendeftiyppe with other, to loue and bee loued, 
 alfo to gyue and receaue mutuall- benefites, it is ther- 
 fore the dewtie of all men, accordyng to theyr poure 
 to maintayne and increafe this defyre in euery man 
 with well deferuynge to all men, and efpecially to 
 (hewe this good affection to fuch as beinge moued with 
 this defire, coome vnto them from farre countreys. 
 For in howe much the longer viage they haue attempted 
 for this intent, fo much tiie more doo they therby de- 
 clare that this defyre hath byn ardent in them. Fur- 
 thermore alfo th[e]exemples of owre fathers and predi- 
 ceflburs doo inuite vs hereunto, forafmuch as they haue 
 euer gentelly and louyngly intreated fuch as of frendely 
 mynde came to them afwel from countreis nere hand 
 as farre remote, commendynge them felues to theyr pro- 
 tection. And if it bee ryght and equitie to fliewe fuch 
 humanitie toward all men, doubtleffe the fame owght 
 chiefely to bee (hewed to marchauntes, who wander- 
 ynge abowt the worlde, fearche both the lande and fea 
 to cary fuch good and profitable thinges as are founde 
 in theyr countreys, to remote regions and kyngedomes : 
 and ageyne to brynge from the fame, fuche thynges as 
 
 333 
 
 • 
 
334 
 
 The kynges letter. 
 
 regione eorum inueniuntur, ad remotifsimas regiones et 
 regna adferant, atque inde viuifsim referant quod fuas 
 regioni vtile ibi repererint : vt et populi ad quos eunt, 
 non deftituantur commodis quae non profert illis terra 
 eorum, et ipfi fint participes rerum quibus illi abun- 
 dant Nam Deus coeli et terrse, humane generi maxi- 
 me confulens, noluit vt omnia in quauis regione inueni- 
 rentur, quo regio ope alterius regionis indigeret, et 
 gens ab alia gente commodum aliquod expe6laret, ac 
 ita ftabiliretur amicitia inter omnes, fmgulique omni- 
 bus benefacere qusererent, Hoc itaque ineundse ac 
 ftabiliendce amicitise defiderio moti viri quidam regni 
 noflri, iter in remotas maritimas regiones inflituerunt, 
 vt inter noftros et illos populos viam mercibus inferen- 
 dis et eferendis aperirent : Nofque rogauerunt vt id 
 illis concederemus. Qui peticioni illorum annuentes, 
 conceffimus viro honorabili et forti Hugoni Wilibeo et 
 alijs qui cum eo funt feruis noftris fidis et charis, vt 
 pro fua voluntate, in regiones eis prius incognitas eant, 
 qusefituri ea quibus nos caremus, et adducant illis ex 
 noftris terris, id quo illi carent. Atque ita illis et nobis 
 commodum inde accedat, fitque amicitia perpetua et 
 foedus indifsolubile inter illos et nos, dum permittent 
 illi nos accipere de rebus quibus fuperabundant in 
 regnis fuis, et nos concedemus illis ex regnis noflris 
 res, quibus deftituuntur. Rogamus itaque vos Reges 
 et Principes et omnes quibus aliqua eft poteflas in 
 terra, vt viris iftis noftris tranfitum permittatis per regi- 
 ones veftras. Non enim tangent quicquam ex rebus 
 veftris inuitis vobis. Cogitate quod homines et ipfi funt 
 Et fi quare caruerint, oramus pro veftra beneficentia, 
 eam vos illis tribuatis, accipientes vicifeim ab eis quod 
 poterunt rependere vobis. Ita vos gerite erga eos 
 quemadmodum cuperetis vt nos et fubditi noftri nos 
 gereremus erga feruos veftros fi quando tranfierint per 
 regiones noftras. Atque promittimus vobis per Deum 
 308 omnium quae coelo, terra et mari continentur, perque 
 vitam noftram et tranquillitatem regnorum noftrorum, 
 nos pari benignitate feruos veftros accepturos fi ad 
 regna noftra aliquando venerint Atque a nobis et 
 fubditis noftris, ac fi nati fuiffent in regnis noftris, ita 
 benigne tractabuntur vt rependamus vobis benigni- 
 tatem quam noftris exhibueritis. Poftquam vos Reges, 
 Principes, etc. rogauimus vt humanitate et benefi- 
 centia omni profequamini feruos noftros nobis charos, 
 oramus omnipotentem Deum noftrum, vt vobis diu- 
 tumam vitam largiatur, et pacem quae nuUam habeat 
 finem. Scriptum Londini, quae ciuitas eft regni noftri. 
 Anno. 5515. a creato mundo, menfe liar, xiiii. die 
 menfis, anno feptimo regni noftri. 
 
 they f}nde there commodious for theyr ovm countreys: 
 Bothe, afwell that the people to whom they go, may 
 not bee deftitute of fuch commodities as theyr countreys 
 brynge not furth to them, as that alfo they may bee 
 partetakers of fuche thynges wherof they abounde. 
 For god of heauen and earth, greatly prouydynge for 
 mankynde, wolde not that al thinges fhulde bee founde 
 in one region, to th[e]ende that one ftiuld haue neede 
 of an other, that by this meanes frendfhippe myght bee 
 eftablyflhed amonge all men, and euery one feeke to 
 gratifie all. For th[e]eflablyflhynge and furtherance of 
 which vniuerfall amitie, certeyne men of owre realme 
 moued hereunto by the fayde defyre, haue inftitute and 309 
 taken vppon theym a vyage by fea into farre countreys 
 to th[e]intent that betwene owre people and them, a 
 way bee opened to brynge in and caiy owt marchaun- 
 dies, defyryng vs to further theyr enterpryfe. Who 
 affentynge to theyr peticion, haue licenced the ryght 
 valiante and woorthy fyr Hughe Wylloby knyght, and 
 other owre trufty and faithful feruauntes which are 
 with liym according to theyr defyre to go to countreys 
 to them heretofore vnknowen, afwell to feeke fuche 
 thynges as we lacke, as alfo to cary vnto them 
 from owre regions, fuche thynges as they lacke. 
 So that hereby not only commoditie may enfewe 
 both to them and to vs, but alfo an indifioluble 
 and perpetual! league of frendfhippe be eftab- 
 lyfftied betwene vs bothe, whyle they permitte vs 
 to take of theyr thynges fuche whereof they haue 
 abundaunce in theyr regions, and we ageine graunt 
 them fuche thynges of owrs wherof they are deftitute. 
 Wee therfore defyre yow kynges and princes, and all 
 other to whom there is any poure on the earth, to 
 permitte vnto thefe owr feruantes, free paflage by 
 yowr regions and dominions. For they (hall not 
 touche any thynge of yowres vnwyllyng vnto yow. 
 Confyder yow that they alfo are men. If therfore 
 they fhal ftand in neede of any thynge, we defyre 
 yowe of all humanitie, and for the nobilitie whiche is 
 in yowe, to ayde and helpe theym with fuch thynges 
 as they lacke, receauynge ageyne of them fuch thynges 
 as they fhalbe able to gyue yowe in recompenfe. 
 Shewe yowre felues fo towarde theym, as yowe wolde 
 that wee and owr fubiectes fhulde fhewe owr felues 
 toward yowr feruauntes, if at any tyme they fhall paffe 
 by owre regions. Thus doinge, wee promefTe yowe 
 by the God of all thynges that are conteyned in heauen, 
 earth, and the fea, and by the lyfe and tranquilitie of owre 
 kyngedomes, that we wyl with lyke humanitie accepte 
 yowre feruauntes if at any tyme they fhal coomme to 
 owre kyngdomes, where they fhall as frendly and gen- 
 telly bee interteyned as if they were borne in owr 
 dominions, that we may hereby recompenfe the fauour 
 and benignitie which yow haue fhewed to owr men. 
 Thus after we haue defyred yow kynges and princes, 
 etc. With all humanitie and fauour to interteyne owr 
 welbeloued feruantes, wee pray owre almyghty god to 
 graunt yowe longe lyfe and peace which neuer ftiall 
 haue ende. Wrytten in London whiche is the chiefe 
 citie of owre kyngedome: In the yeare frome the 
 creation of the worlde. 5515. in the moneth of liar, 
 the. xiiii. day of the moneth, and feuenth yeare of 
 owre reigne. 
 
 C TJiis letter was wrytten alfo in Greeke and dyuers other languages. 
 
335 
 
 [The Third English book on America, 
 
 Which is also ' ■ 
 
 The First English Collection of Voyages, Traffics, & Discoveries, 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 Other notable things as touching the Indies, 
 
 out of the Writings and Maps of 
 
 Francisco Lopez de Gomara, 
 
 and 
 
 Sebastian Cabot. 
 
337 
 
 tt OTHER NOTABLE THYNGES 
 
 AS TOVCHYNGE THE INDIES: 
 
 AND FYRST OF THE FOREKNOWLEAGE THAT THE POET SENECA HAD 
 
 of the fyndynge this newe worlde and other regions not then knowen. 
 
 Francisco Lopes. 
 
 fpeke of thynges that flialbe, longe before they are, is a kynde 
 of diuination if the truth thereof folowe eflfectually. Neuer- 
 theleffe • althowgh fuch thynges as are fpoken eyther by con- 
 iecture, or by th[e]inn.incte of nature, or by naturall reafon, doo 
 oftent)rmes take place and fuccede accordyngely, yet are not 
 fuch coniectures to bee accoumpted as certeyne as prophefies 
 reueled by the fpirite of god, which wee ought entierly to be- 
 leue : but not fo the other gathered only by certeine apparences, 
 fimilitudes, reafons, and demonftrations : althowghe it bee greatly 
 to bee maruailed to confyder howe they hytte the truthe fum- 
 tynje : which perhappes they doo accord3rng to the prouerbe . 
 that fayth : He that fpeaketh much fliall fumtimes ftumble on 
 the truth, All this I fpeake confyderynge the fayinge of the 
 poet Seneca in his tragedie of Medea, where his woordes 
 feeme in all pojmtes to agree with the difcouerynge of the Indies 
 founde of late by Chriflofer Colon aii4 the Spanyardes. The 
 woordes of Seneca, are thefe, 
 
 Venient annis 
 
 Smcula feris, quibus Oceanus 
 Vincula rerum laxet, et ingens 
 Pateat tdlus, Tiphifque nouoi; 
 Detegat orbes, 
 Nee fit terris vltima TTiyle, 
 
 That is to faye : There fliall coomnje worldes in late yeares, in the whiche the Ocean fliall vnlofe the 
 bondes of thynges, and a great lande fliall appeare. Alfo Typhis (that is nauigation) fliall difcouer newe 
 worldes : and Thyle ftiall not bee the furtheft lande. 
 
 C Of the great Ilande which Plato cauled Atlantica or Atlantide. 
 
 He Philofopher Plato wrytethe in his Dialoges of Timeus and Crieia, that in the owlde time 
 there was in the fea Atlantike ouer agenft. Affrica, an Ilande cauled Atlantide greater then 
 Afifrica and Afia : aflirmynge that thofe landes are from thenfe continent and greate : And 
 that the kynges of that Ilande gouemed a greate parte of Affrica and Europe. But that in 
 a certeyne greate earthequake and tempeft of rayne, this Ilande foonke and the people were 
 drowned : Alfo that there remayned fomuch mudde of the drownynge or fynkynge of that Ilande, 
 that that fea Atlantike coulde not bee fayled. Sum take this for a fable : and many for a trewe 
 
 DiuinaHon. 
 
 ComectuiT. 
 
 Frophesib 
 
 So do the 
 Egiptians. 
 
 The wordes of 
 Seneca. 
 
 Islande was in 
 owlde time cauled 
 Thyle as summe 
 thinlce. 
 
 310 
 
 Plato sayth that 
 these kynges were 
 the sonnes of 
 Neptunus. 
 An earthquake. 
 
 Eden. 
 
 2 C 
 
338 
 
 Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 Marcilius Ficinus. 
 Fraclus 
 
 Mexico or new 
 Spaine. 
 
 Hesperides. 
 
 Capo Verde 
 
 Ophir. 
 
 Tharsis. 
 
 Gorgonaih 
 
 Solinus. 
 
 Lands found by the 
 
 Carthaginenses. 
 
 Aristotell. 
 
 TheophrasL 
 
 lonas fledde to 
 Tharsis. 
 
 The nauigations 
 of Salomon. 
 
 Bermeio is the 
 Arabian sea. 
 
 hyftorie, as dbothe Marcilius Ficinus inducinge Proclus alleagynge certeyne hyftories of the Ethiopians wrytten 
 by one Marcellus, who confirmeth the fame to bee trewe. But there is nowe no caufe why wee fliulde any 
 longer doubte or difpute of the Hand Atlantide, forafmuch as the difcouerynge and conqueft of the weft Indies 
 do plainly declare what Plato hath wrytten of the fayde landes. In Mexico alfo at this day they caul that water 
 Atl. by the halfe name of Atlant, as by a woorde remaynynge of the name of the Ilande that is not. Wee may 
 lykewyfe fay that the Indies are eyther the Ilande and firme lande of Plato or the remanent of the fame : and 
 not the Ilandes of Hefperides or Ophir, or Tharfis, as fum haue thought of late dayes. For the Hefperides, 
 are the Ilandes of Cabo Verde and the Gorgonas from whenfe Hanon browght apes : Albeit in conferrynge it 
 with SoUnus, there is fum doubte by reafon of the nauigation of fortie dayes wherof he fpeaketh. Afwell maye 
 it bee, that Cuba or Hayti, or any other Ilande of the Indies, fliulde bee thofe which the Carthaginenfes founde 
 and forbodde theyr citifens to make any vyages thyther or to inhabite the lame as Ariftotle and Theophrafte 
 doo rehearfe where they wryte of the marueylous and vnknowen workes of nature. As concernynge Ophir and 
 Tharfis, it is not knowen what or where they bee, althowgh many lemed men as faynt Auguftine and other 
 haue fearched what citie or lande Tharfis myght bee. Saynt lerome who was experte in the Hebrewe tounge, 
 fayth in many places vppon the prophetes that Tharfis is as much to fay as the fea : and that whereas it is 
 wrytten that lonas fledde to Tharfis, he wente to the fea by a longe iomey. Furthermore as concernynge the 
 nauigations of Salomon, it is not to bee thowght that his nauies fayled to the weft Indies, forafmuch as to paffe 
 thyther, it was requifite for them to fayle Weftwarde departynge frome the fea of Bermeio : and not Eaftward 
 as they fayled. Ageine, the weft Indies haue no vnicomes, elephantes, diamondes, and fuch other thynges as 
 they browght in the trade of their nauigations. 
 
 C Of the colour of the .Indians. 
 
 How colours dyffer 
 by degrees. 
 
 Tlie coloure of the 
 west Indians. 
 
 DyueWs sortes of 
 whyte and blacke. 
 
 311 
 
 Difference of 
 coloure in the 
 same clyme, 
 
 Rio de la Plata. 
 
 Peru. 
 
 Blacke men in 
 
 the west Indies. 
 
 From whense 
 proceadeth the 
 varietie of colours. 
 
 Gods wysedome 
 and pourc is scene 
 in his workes. 
 
 Curld heare and 
 baldnes. 
 
 Ne of the marueylous thynges that god vfeth in the compofition of man, is coloure : whiche 
 doubtleffe can not bee confydered withowte great admiration in beholding one to be white 
 and an other blacke, beinge coloures vtterlye contrary. Sum lykewyfe to be yelowe whiche 
 is betwene blacke and white : and other of other colours as it were of dyuers liueres. And 
 as thefe colours are to be marueyled at, euen fo is it to be confidered howe they dyfier one 
 from an other as it were by degrees, forafmuche as fum men are whyte after dyuers fortes of 
 whytenefle : yelowe after dyuers maners of yelowe : and blacke after dyuers fortes of blacke- 
 neffe : and howe from whyte they go to yelowe by difcolourynge to browne and redde ; and to blacke by afflie 
 colour, and murrey fumwhat lyghter then blacke : and tawnye lyke vnto the weft Indians which are all togyther 
 in general eyther purple, or tawny lyke vnto fodde quynfes, or of the colour of cheftnuttes .or olyues : which 
 colour is to them natural and not by thejr g03Tige naked as many haue thought : albeit theyr nakednefle haue 
 fumwhat helped therunto. Therfore in lyke maner and with fuche diuerfitie as men are commonly whyte in 
 Europe and blacke in Affrike, euen with like varietie are they tawny in thefe Indies, with dyuers degrees 
 diuerfly incl)Tiynge more or leffe to blacke or whyte. No lefle maruayle is it to confyder that men are whyte 
 in Siuile and blacke at the cape of Buena Speranza, and of cheftnutte colour at the r3ruer of Plata, beinge all in 
 equall degrees frome the Equinoctiall line. Lykewyfe that the men of Aflfryke and Afia that lyne vnder the 
 bumte line (cauled Zona Torridd) are blacke : and not they that lyue beneathe or on this fyde the fame line as 
 in Mexico, Yucatan, Quauhtema, Lian, Nicaragua, Panama, Santo Domingo, Paria, Cape faynt Auguftine, 
 Lima, Quito, and other landes of Peru which touch in the feme Equinoctiall. For in al the tracte of thefe 
 coaftes certeyne blacke men were found only in Quarequa when Vafchus Nunnez of Balboa difcouered 
 the fea of Sur. By reafon wherof it may feeme that fuche varietie of colours proceadeth of man, and not of the 
 earth : whiche maye well bee althowgh wee bee all borne of Adam and Eue, and knowe not the caufe why god 
 hath fo orde3med it, otherwyfe then to confyder that his diuine maieftie hath doonne this as infinite other to 
 declare his omnipotencie and wifedome in fuch diuerfities of colours as appere not only in the nature of man, 
 but the lyke alfo in beaftes, byrdes, and floures, where dyuers and contrary colours are feene in one lyttle fether, 
 or the leaues growynge owt of one lyttle ftalke. An other thyng is alfo greatly to bee noted as touchynge thefe 
 Indians. And this is, that theyr heare is not curlde as is the Moores and Ethiopians that inhabite the fame 
 clime : neyther are they balde excepte very feldome, and that but lyttle. All whiche thynges may giue further 
 occafion to phylofophers to fearch the fecreates of nature and complexions of men with the nouelties of the newe 
 worlde. 
 
 338 
 
other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 339 
 
 C Why they were cauled Indians. 
 
 SVm thynke that the people of the newe world were cauled Indians bycaufe they are of the 
 colour of the Eafle Indians. And althowghe (as it femeth to me) they dyffer much in colour 
 and faJlhions, yet is it trewe that of India they were cauled Indians. 
 
 India is properlie cauled that great prouince of Afia in the which great Alexander kepte 
 his warres : and was fo named of the ryuer Indus ; and is diuyded into many kyngedomes 
 confynynge with the fame. From this gi-eate India (cauled the Eafl India) came great com- 
 panyes of men as wryteth Herodotus : and inhabited that parte of Ethiopia that lyeth betwene 
 the fea Bermeia (otherwyfe cauled the redde fea or the goulfe of Arabia) and the ryuer of Nilus : al which 
 regions that great Chriftian prince Preller lohn dooth now poffeffe. The fayde Indians j)reuayled fo much, that 
 they vtterly changed the cuftomes and name of that lande, and cauled it India : by reafon wherof, Ethiopia alfo 
 hath of longe tyme byn cauled India. And hereuppon came it that Aryflotell, Seneca, and certeyne other 
 oulde autours fayd that India was not farre from Spayne. After this alfo, of later dayes owre Weft India was 
 fo cauled of the layde India of Prefter lohn where the Portugales had theyr trade. For the pylot of the caruell 
 that was fyrfte dryuen by forcyble wynde to an vnknowen lande in the Wefte Ocean, cauled the fame India by- 
 caufe the Portugales fo cauled fuch landes as they had lately difcouered Eaftwarde. Chryftopher Colon alfo 
 after the fayde pylot, cauled the weft landes by the fame name. Albeit, fum that take Colonus for an expert 
 Cofinographer, thynke that he fo named them of the Eaft India, as to be the furtheft and vnknowen ende therof 
 reachynge into the Wefte vnder the other hemifpherie or halfe globe of the earthe beneathe vs : affirmynge that 
 when he fyrft attempted to difcouer the Indies, he went chiefely to feeke the ryche Hand of Cipango, which 
 fauleth on the parte of great China or Cathay as wryteth Marcus Paulus Venetus and other : And that he 
 ftiulde fooner come thyther by folowyng the courfe of the foonne Weftwarde then ageynft the fame : Albeit 
 manye th5aike that there is no fuche Ilande, or at the leafte not yet knowen by that name : wheras alfo Marcus 
 Paulus obferued no exacte defcription of the place eyther of this Ilande or of Cathay. 
 
 The fyrjie difcouerynge of the Wejle Indies, 
 
 Certe)Tie caruell iaylynge in the wefte Ocean abowt the coaftes of Spayne, had a forcyble and 
 continuall wynde from the Eaft wherby it was dryuen to a land vnknowen and not defciybed 
 in any mappe or carde of the fea : and was dryuen ftyl alonge by the coafte of the fame for 
 the fpace of many dayes vntyll it came to a hauen : where in a Ihorte tyme the moft parte of 
 the maryners beinge longe before verye weake and feeble by reafon of hunger and trauayle, 
 dyed : So that only the pylot with thre or foure other remayned alyue. And not only they 
 that dyed dyd not inioy the Indies which they fyrft difcouered to theyr myfibrtune, but the 
 refydue alfo that lyued had in maner as lyttle fruition of the fame : not leauynge or at the leaft not openly pub- 
 lyfliynge any memprie therof, neyther of the place, or what it was cauled, or in what yeare it was founde. 
 Albeit, the faute was not theyrs, but rather the malice of other, or the enuie of that which wee caule fortune. I 
 doo not therefore marueyle that the auncient hyftories afRrme that great thynges proceade and increafe of fmaul 
 and obfcure begj-nnynges, fyth wee haue feene the fame verefyed in this fyndyng of the Indies being fo 
 notable and newe a thynge. Wee neede not bee curious to feeke the name of the pylot fyth death made 
 a fliorte ende of his doinges. Sum wyl that he came from Andaluzia, and traded to the Hands of Canaria and 
 the Ilande of Madera when this large and mortal nauigation chaunced vnto hym. Other fay that he was a 
 Bifcayne, and traded into Englande and Fraunce. Other alfo, that he was a Portugale : and that eyther he 
 wente or came from Mina or India : which agreeth well with the name of thefe newe landes as I haue fayde 
 before. Ageyne, fum there bee that fay that he browght the carauel to Portugale : or to the Ilande of Madera, 
 or to fum other of the Ilandes cauled de los Azores. Yet doo none of them affimie any thynge, althowgh they 
 all affirme that the pylotte dyed in the houfe of Chryftopher Colon, with whome remayned al fuch wrytynges 
 and annotacions as he hadde made of his vyage in the fayde carauell, afwell of fuch thynges as he obferued both 
 by lande and fea, as alfo of the eleuation of the pole in thofe landes whiche he had difcouered. 
 
 The colour of the 
 East Indians. 
 
 East India. 
 
 Prester lohn came 
 owt of India to 
 Ethiope. 
 
 Ethyopia cauled 
 India. 
 
 India not far 
 from Spayne 
 
 Prester lohn 
 knowen to the 
 Portugales. 
 
 At the furthest 
 Easte, begynneth 
 the west. 
 
 The Hand ol 
 
 Cipanga 
 
 China. 
 
 Cathay. 
 
 To the East by 
 
 ■the west. 
 
 Marcus Paulus 
 
 Venetus. 
 
 Aharde 
 begynnyng. 
 
 312 
 
 Great thinges 
 proceadyng of 
 smaule and 
 obscure 
 begynnynges. 
 The pylotte that 
 fyrst founde the 
 Indies. 
 
 Mina. 
 
340 
 
 Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 C What maner of man Chryjtopher Colon was : and howe he Came 
 fyrji to the knowleage of the Indies. 
 
 Thus also began 
 
 Rychard 
 
 cliaunceler. 
 
 Colon was not 
 much lerned. 
 
 The Ilande 
 Atlantide. 
 The lande 
 found by the 
 Carthaginenses. 
 
 313 
 
 Colon conferred 
 with lerned men. 
 
 Chaunce and arte. 
 A Christian 
 
 The camel 
 compared to the 
 ship of Noye. 
 
 Hriftopher Colon was borne in Cugureo, or (as fum fay) in Nerui, a vyllage in the territorie of 
 Genua in Italic. He defcended as fum thynke, of the houfe of the Peleflreles of Placentia 
 in Lumbardie. He beganne of a chylde to bee a maryner : of whofe arte they haue great 
 exercife on the ryuer of Genua. He traded many yeares into Suria and other partes of the 
 Eaft. After this, he became a mafler in makynge cardes for the fea, whereby he had great 
 vantage. He came to Portugale to knowe the reafon and defcription of the fouth coaft.es of 
 Afifrica and the nauigations of the Portugales, thereby to make his cardes more perfecte to bee 
 folde. He maryed in Portugale as fum fay : or as many fay, in the Ilande of Madera, where he dwelt at fuche 
 tyme as the fayde caruell arryued there, whofe pylot fuiomed in his houfe, and dyed alfo there, bequethynge 
 to Colon his carde of the defcription of fuche newe landes as he hadde founde, wherby Colon had the fyrft 
 knowleage of the Indyes. Sum haue thowght that Colon was well lerned in the Latine tounge and the fcience 
 of Cofmographie : and that he was therby fyril moued to feeke the landes of the Antipodes and the r}'che Ilande 
 of Cipango whereof Marcus Paulus wryteth. Alfo that he had redde what Plato in his dialoges of Timeus and 
 Cricias, wryteth of the greate Ilande Atlantide, and of a great lande in the Weft Ocean vndifcouered beinge 
 bygger then Afia and Affrica. Furthermore that he had knowleage what Ariftotell and Theophraftus faye in 
 theyr bookes of maruayles, where they wryte that certeyne marchauntes of Carthage faylyng from the ftreyghtes 
 of Gibraltar towarde the weft and fouth, founde after many dayes a greate Ilande not inhabited : yet replen- 
 yftied with al thynges requifite, and hauynge,many nauigable ryuers. In deede Colon was not greately lerned : 
 yet of good vnderftandynge. And when he had knowleage of the fayde newe landes by the information 
 of the dead pylot, made relation thereof to certeyne lerned men with whom he conferred as touchynge the 
 lyke thynges mentioned of owlde autours. He communicated this fecreate and conferred chiefely with a 
 fryer, named John Perez of Marchena that dwelt in the jnonaftery of Rabida. So that I verely beleue, that in 
 maner all that he declared, and many thynges more that he lefte vnfpoken, were wrytten by the fayde Spanyftie 
 pylot that dyed in his houfe. For I am perfuaded, that if Colon by fcience atteyned to the knowleage of the 
 Indies, he wolde longe before haue communicate this fecreate to his owne contrey men the Genuefes, that 
 trauayle all the worlde for gaynes, and not haue comme into Spayne for this purpofe. But doubteleffe he 
 neuer thought of any fuch thyng before he chaunced to bee acquainted with the fayd pylot who founde thofe 
 landes by fortune, accordynge to the fayinge of Plinie : Quod ars docere non potuit, cafus inuenit. That is : 
 That arte coulde not teache, chaunce founde. Albeit, the more Chryftian opinion is, to thinke that god of his 
 fmguler prouidence and infinite goodnefle, at the length with eyes of compaffion as it were lookynge downe 
 from heauen vpon the fonnes of Adam fo longe kepte vnder Sathans captiuitie, intended euen then (for caufes 
 to hym only knowen) to rayfe thofe wyndes of mercy whereby that caruell (herein moft lyke vnto the ftiyppe of 
 Noe whereby the remanent of the hole world was iaued as by this caruel this newe worlde receaued the fyrft 
 hope of theyr faluation) was dryuen to thefe landes. But wee wyll nowe declare what great thynges folowed of 
 this fmaule begynnynge, and how Colon folowed this matter reueled vnto hym not withoAvte goddes prouidence. 
 
 C What labour and trauayle Colon tooke in attemptyng hisfyrst vyage 
 
 to the Indies. 
 
 The kynge of 
 Portugale, 
 The kyng of 
 Castile. 
 
 Kynge Henry 
 the seuenth. 
 
 Fter the death of the pilot and mariners of the Spanyflie caruell that difcouered the Indies, 
 Chiyftopher Colon purpofed to feke the fame. But in howe muche more he defyred this, 
 the lefle was his poure to accompliftie his defire. For, befyde that of him felfe he was not 
 able to fumyfftie one ftiyppe, he lacked alfo the fauour of a kynge vnder whofe protection 
 he might fo enioy the riches he hoped to fynde, that none other myght take the fame from 
 hym or defeate hym therof. And feinge the kynge of Portugale occupied in the conqueft 
 of Africa and the nauigations of the Eaft which were then fyrft attempted, Ihe- kynge of 
 Caftyle lykewyfe no leffe bufyed in the warres of Granada, he fent to his brother Bartholomewe Colon (who 
 was alfo priuie to this fecreate) to practife with the kynge of Englande Henry the feuenth beinjje very ryche 
 
Othef notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 341 
 
 and withowt warres : promyfynge to brynge hym great ryches in fliort time if he wolde fliew him fauour and 
 furnyflhe hJ^n with ftiippes to difcouer the newe Indies wherof he had certeyne knowleage. But neyther here 
 beinge able to brynge his fute to paffe, he caufed the matter to bee moued to the kynge of Portugale Don 
 Alonfo the fyfte of that name : at whofe handes he founde neither fauour nor money, forafmuch as the Hcen- 
 ciate Calzadi^a the byfliop of Vifeo, and one mafter Rodrigo men of credit in the fcience of Cofmographie, 
 withfloode him and contended that there neither was nor coulde any golde or other ryches bee founde in the 
 weft as Colon affirmed. By reafon whereof he was very fadde and penfiue : but yet was not difcouraged or 
 defpaired of the hope of his good aduenture which he afterward found This done, he tooke fhippinge at 
 Lifbume, and came to Palos of Moguer where he communed with Martin Alonfo Pinzon an expert pylot, who 
 offered hym felfe vnto hym. After this difclofynge the hole fecreates of his mynde to lohn Perez of Marchena 
 (a fryer of th[e]order of faynt Frances in Rabida, and wel lemed in Cofmographie) and declaiyng vnto hym 
 how by folowyng the courfe of the fon by a temperate vyage, rich and great landes myght be founde, the fryer 
 greatly commended his enterpryfCy and gaue him counfayle to breake the matter to the duke of Medina Sidonia 
 Don Enrique of Guzman a great lorde and very ryche : And alfo to Don Luys of Cerda the duke of Medina 
 Celi, who at that tyme had great prouifion of fhippes well furnyfhed in his hauen of Santa Maria. But wheras 
 both thefe dukes tooke the matter for a dreame and as a thynge diuifed of an Italian deceauer who (as they 
 thought) had before with lyke pretence deluded the kynges of Englande and Portugale, the fryer gaue hym 
 courage to go to the courte of the Catholyke princes Don Ferdinando and lady Ifabell princes of Caftile : 
 affirmynge that they wolde bee ioyfuU of fuch newes. And for his better furtherance herin, wrote letters by 
 hym to fryer Ferdinando of Talauera the queenes confeffor. Chryftopher Colon therfore, repayred to the 
 court of the Catholike princes, in the yeare. M. CCCC. Ixxxvi. [i486 a.d.] and delyuered vnto theyr handes the 
 peticion of his requeft as conceminge the difcouerynge of the newe Indies. But they beinge more careful!, 
 and applyinge all theyr mynde howe they myght dryue the Moores owt of the kyngdome of Granade, which 
 great enterpryfe they had alredy taken in hande, dyd lyttle or nothynge efleme the matter. But Colon not 
 thus difcouraged, found the meanes to declare his fute to fuch as had fumtymes priuate communication with 
 the kynge. Yet bicaufe he was a ftranger and went but in fimple apparell, nor otherwyfe credited then by the 
 letter of a gray fryer, they beleued hym not, neyther gaue eare to his woordes: wherby he was greatly tor- 
 mented in his imagination. Only Alonfo of Quintanilia the kynges chiefe auditour gaue hym meate and 
 drynke at his owne charges, and hard gladly fuch thynges as he declared of the landes not then founde: 
 defyrynge hym in the meane tyme to bee contente with that poore enterteynemente, and not to defpayre of his 
 enterpryfe : puttynge hjrm alfo in good conforte that he ftiulde at one tyme or other, coome to the fpeache of 
 the Catholyke princes. And thus fhortly after by the meanes of Alonfo of Quintanilia, Colon was browght to 
 the prefence and audience of the Cardinal! Don Pero Gonzales of Mendoza, archbyffhop of Toledo, a man of 
 great reuenues and autoritie with the kynge and queene, who brought hym before them after that he well per- 
 ceaued and exam)med his intent. And by this meanes was his fute harde of the Catholyke princes, who alfo 
 redde the booke of his memorials which he prefented vnto them. And although at the fyrft they tooke it for 
 vayne and falfe that he promyfed, neuertheleffe they put hym in good hope that he (hulde bee well difpatched 
 when they had fynyfhed the warres of Granada which they had now in hand. With which anfwere. Colon 
 beganne to reuyue his fpirites, with hope to bee better eftemed and more fauourably to bee h[e]ard amonge the 
 gentelmen and noble men of the court, who before tooke hym only for a craftie felowe and deceauer: and was 
 nothynge difmayde or difcouraged when fo euer he debated the matter with them, althowghe many iudged hym 
 phantafticall, as is the maner of ignorant menne to caule all fuch as attempte any thynge beyonde theyr reach 
 and the corapafTe of theyr knowleage: thinkyng the worlde to bee no bigger then the cagies wherin they are 
 brought vp and lyue. But to retume to Colon : So hotte and vrgente was the fiege of Granada, that they 
 prefentely graunted hym his demaunde to feeke the newe landes, and to brynge from thenfe golde, fyluer, 
 perles, precious flones, fpices, and fuche other rych thynges. They gaue h)Tn alfo the tenth parte of all the 
 reuenues and cuftomes dewe vnto the kynge of al fuch landes as he fhulde difcouer, not doynge preiudice 
 in any thjoige to the kynge of Portugale. The particulars of this agrement were made in the towne cauled 
 Sancta Fe : and the priuilege of the rewarde, in Granada the. xxx. [thirtieth] daye of Aprell the fame yeare 
 that the citie was woonne. And wheras the fayde Catholyke princes had not mony prefently to difpatch 
 Colon, Luys of S. Angell the kynges fecretary of accomptes, lente theym fyxe quentes of marauedes, whiche 
 in a groffe fumme make. xvi. [sixteen] thoufande ducades. Two thynges are herein chiefely to be noted : 
 ■yvherof the one is, that for fo fmaule charges they haue increafed the reuenues of the crowne of Caftyle as much 
 as the Indies are in value. The other is, that endynge the conqueft of the Moores who poffeffed the 
 kyngedome of Granada eyght hundreth yeares, they immediatly beganne the conqueft of the Indies, as though 
 the nation of the Spanyardes were euer appoynted to feyght ageynft infidels and enemies of the fayth of lefu 
 
 Chryft. 
 
 2 c 2 ^i 
 
 Bamarde knewe 
 not all thynges. 
 
 The duke of 
 Medina Sidonia. 
 
 The duke of 
 Medina CclL 
 
 314 
 
 The conquest 
 of Granada. 
 
 What men knowe 
 not they count 
 fantasticatl. 
 
 Colon his 
 interteinmente. 
 
 The archbysshop 
 of Toledo. 
 Colon is brought 
 to the kynges 
 presence 
 
 The iudgement of 
 ignorant folkes. 
 
 Colon is 
 dispatched. 
 
 Colon his rewarde 
 
 One quent is. x 
 [ten] hundreth 
 thousande. 
 
342 
 
 Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 By this trauayle of Colonus in fo noble an enterpryfe and fo harde fucceffe, dooth the fayinge of Plinie appere to be moft trew, 
 wher in the preface of his natural hyftory wrytten to th[e]einprour Vefpafian he writeth in this maner. Res ardua vetujlis noui- 
 tatem dare: Nouis, au'icYoritatem: ab/oletis, nitorem; obf cutis, liuem: faJHditis, gratiam: dubiis, fidem: omnibus vera naturam, et 
 naiurafua ovinia. Itaque etiam non ajfecutis, voluiffe abunde pulchrum atque magnificum eji. That is to fay : It is a dyfficulte thynge 
 to gyue newenes to owlde thynges, autoritie to newe thynges : bewtie to thynges owt of vfe : fame to the obfcure : fauoure to the 
 hateftiU : credite to the doubtefuU : nature to all, and all to nature. To fuch neuertheleffe as can not attayne to all thefe, it is 
 greately commendable and magnificall to haue attempted the fame. 
 
 31S 
 
 The citie of 
 Mexico or 
 Temix titan. 
 
 Golde and syluer. 
 
 Sylke. 
 
 Cotton. 
 
 Alam. 
 
 Woade. 
 
 Sugar. 
 
 Shelles for money. 
 
 Come. 
 
 Be^stes. 
 
 Haukyng and 
 huntynge. 
 
 Paintynge. 
 
 Women 
 
 sumptuously 
 
 appareled. 
 
 A warlike nation. 
 
 Captiues sacrificed 
 to Idoles. 
 
 « 
 
 In the fcu[t]chen of armes gyuen to Colon by Don Ferdinando and queene Elizabeth Catholike princes (fo 
 cauled for theyr warres ageynft. the infidels) thefe verfes were wrytten. 
 
 For Cajlilla y por Leon, 
 Nueuo mundo hallo Colon. 
 
 That is : For Caflile and for Leon, 
 
 The newe worlde founde Colon. 
 
 C Of newe Spayne cauled Noua Hifpania, or Mexico. 
 
 Ewe Spayne is that parte of the continent or firme lande that lyeth Weft and South frome the 
 lande of Floryda. This was fubdued to th[e]empire of Caftile by the ryght noble gentel- 
 man Ferdinando Cortefe the marqueffe of the vale of Quaxaca. In this lande are many 
 prouinces conteynyng in them in maner innumerable cities, amonge which that is the chiefe 
 which the Indians caule Mexico or Temixtitan, confyftyng of more then fiue hundreth 
 thoufand inhabitauntes. It ftandeth in the myddeft of a lake of falte water as doth Venece 
 in the fea. The lake conteyneth fortie Perfian myles cauled Parafange, euery one confyftynge 
 of XXX. [thirty] fiirlon[g]s, and more as fum fay. In thefe regions is founde great plentie of golde, fyluer, and 
 precious ftones, with innumerable other thynges both neceffary for the lyfe of man and pleafaunt : as fylke, 
 bombafine cotton, alame, Safieme, Woade, Avith dyuers other thynges wherwith clothe and fylke is dyed. 
 There is alfo fuch abundaunce of fuger, that certeyne Spanyfftie fliippes are yearely fraighted therwith and 
 biynge the fame into Siuile from whenfe it is caryed in maner to all partes of Chryftendome. Th[e]inhabi- 
 tauntes of Mexico are fubtyle people, and vfe much craft in theyr bargening. They haue not the vfe of golde 
 and fyluer monye : but vfe in the fteade therof the halfe ftielles of almonds, whiche kynde of Barbarous money 
 they caule Cacao or Cacanguate. In maner al kyndes of come are there very good [and] cheape : efpecially barly 
 and wheate. They haue great plentie of hartes, wylde bores, Lyons, Leopardes, and Tygers, which beaftes 
 wander in maner in euery place. The region is mofte commodious for haukynge and huntynge for the great 
 abundaunce it hath of beaftes and foules. But the people exercife all theyr cunnynge in makynge the images 
 of theyr Idolatry, and in paintyng. The)T woman are valiant : and fumptuous in theyr apparell and other 
 tyrementes. For they fo rychely frynge and byfet the fame with perles, precious ftones, and golde, that 
 nothynge can be more excellent. They haue a kynde of paper greatly differyng from owrs. In this they 
 expreffe theyr mindes by certeyn figures. For they haue not otherwife th[e]ufe of letters. The nation is 
 defyrous of warre : and dooth not longe keepe the condicions of peace vnuiolated : But delyteth rather in ciuile 
 and moft cruell battayle amonge them felues then to l)fue in peace and quietneffe. Suche as in the warres 
 faule by any meanes into the handes of theyr enemies, eyther by fubmiffion or otherwyfe, are partely facrificed 
 to the Idoles, and the refydue gyuen to the fouldiers to bee eaten, in lyke maner as wee rewarde dogges and 
 haukes with parte of theyr pray. They haue innumerable Idoles which euery one maketh for his particular god 
 after the phantafie of his own brayne, and gyueth therto diuine honour. Albeit at this day they doo by lyttle 
 and lyttle leaue of theyr barbarous fierceneffe: and with owre religion embrafe better maners. For they 
 nowe profeffe the fayth of Chryft, and in his name pray vnto God the father. 
 
 Vnderftande here that as touchynge thefe regions cauled new Spajme, yow may reade at large in the booke here before entiteled 
 of the landes and Ilandes lately founde. This booke foloweth immediatly after the Decades, althowgh the printer haue alfo wrytten 
 the thyrde decade* ouer the head of that booke which intreateth principally of the regions nowe cauled newe Spayne. Of the 
 conqueft of this Mexico, Francifco Lopez hath written a large booke in the Spanyfihe tonnge. 
 
 • See p. 187.— E. A. 
 
other Jiotabk thynges as touchy nge the Indies. 
 
 343 
 
 C Of Peru. 
 
 He prouince cauled Peru, was alfo named noua Caftilia by them that fyrfle founde it. This 
 region is the weft parte of America: and is fituate in the longitude of. 290. degrees, pro- 
 ceadynge from the Weft to the Eaft. And fouthwarde begynneth fiue degrees beyonde the 
 Equinoctial line, and is extended very farre into the fouth. This is taken to bee the 
 rycheft lande in golde, fyluer, perles, precious ftones, and fpyces, that euer was founde yet 
 to this day. For golde is there in fuch plentie that they make pyfpots therof, and other 
 veffels applyed to fylthy vfes. But this is more to bee marueyled at, that in a citie cauled 
 Collao was founde a houfe all couered with maflie plates of golde. In theyr warres alfo theyr hameffe was of 
 golde and fyluer. Theyr weapons are bowes, arrowes, flynges, dartes, and pikes. Th[e]inhabitantes are 
 warlyke people and of great agihtie. They haue cities defended with lawes and armes. The region is 
 exceadyng frutefull, and yeldeth come twyfe in the yeare. It is fo floryflhynge with many fayre wooddes, 
 mountaynes, ryuers, and other both pleafaunt and neceflary commodities, that it feemeth in maner an earthly 
 Paradyfe. It hath dyuers kyndes of beaftes, and yet none hurtfuU or of rauenynge kynde. There are (heepe 
 of fuch heyght that they vfe them in the fteade of horfes. Sume write that they are as bygge as the younge 
 foles of camels : and that the}^: woolle is very fofte and fine. Alfo that the ewes brynge furth lambes twyfe a 
 yeare. The people are wytty and of gentyl behauoure. Cunnynge alfo in artes, faythful of promes, and of 
 maners not greatly to bee difcommended, faue -that they are ignorant of Chryft: who neuertheleffe is nowe 
 knowen vnto them in many places, as our hope is he fhalbe dayly more and more if all princes wyll herein 
 putte theyr helpynge handes to the plowe of owre lorde, and fende labourers into his vyneyarde. 
 
 C Of the great ryuer cauled Rio de la Plata (that is) the ryuer of fyluer. 
 
 His ryuer reacheth very farre in length and bredth : and is cauled Vruai in the Indian tounge. 
 Into this fauleth an other ryuer named Paraue. The fyrfte that fayled into the ryuer of 
 Plata, was lohn Dias Solis, whom the ryght noble kynge of Spayne Ferdinandus made 
 Admyral of thefe feas. In the ryuer lyeth an Ilande whiche lohn Dias named Martinus 
 Gratias bycaufe a pylot of his fo cauled, was buryed there. This Ilande is fituate in the 
 myddeft of the ryuer : and is dyftant from the mouth of the fame abowt fortie leaques. As 
 the fayde Admirall attempted to expugne the Hand, he was fuddeynly opprelTed and flayne 
 of the Indians that priuilie aflayled hym. Wherwith neuertheleffe theyr barbarous cmeltie was not fatiffyed 
 vntyll they had torne him in piefes and deuoured hym. But many yeares after, Th[e]emperoures maieftie and 
 kynge of Spayne Charles the fyfte, fente foorth Sebaftian Cabot (a man of great courage and IkylfuU in Cofmo- 
 graphie, and of no leffe experience as concernynge the ftarres and the fea) with commaundement to difcouer 
 and fubdue the Handes of Tharfis, Ophir, Cipango, and Coi Cathay. Receauynge therfore his commiffion and 
 proceadynge forwarde on his vyage, he arryued by chaunce at this Ilande : The caufe wherof was that the 
 principall veffell was loft by ftiipwracke, and the men that faued theyr lyues by fwymmynge were receaued into 
 other fliyppes. Perceauynge therfore that by reafon of this chaunce he could by no meanes performe his 
 vyage attempted, he intended to expugne the fayde Ilande, and thervppon to conueygh his vyttayles to land, 
 to prepare his foldiers to th[e]inuafion, to plant colonyes, and to erect fortreffes by the r)ruers fyde wherby the 
 Spanyardes myght bee defended from the violence of the barbarians. But before he attempted this, he was 
 aduertifed that the Ilande was riche in golde and fyluer. Which thynge dyd fo encorage him, that withowt 
 refpect of perel he thought beft to expugne it by one meanes or other, wherein his bouldenes tooke good 
 effecte as often tymes chaunceth in great affayres. Furthermore as touchynge the ryuer, Sebaftian Cabote 
 made relation that he neuer fawe any comparable vnto this in bredth and depth. For whereas it fauleth into 
 the fea, it conteyneth. xxv. [twenty-five] leaques in breadth. From the mouth of the ryuer, Cabot fayled vp 
 the fame into the lande for the fpace of three hundreth and fiftie leaques as he wryteth in his owne carde. 
 That it is of great depth, may hereby bee confydered that manye greate ryuers faule into it : fo that the 
 chanell can not bee ftialowe that conteyneth fuch abundance of water, and fuche plentie of good and great 
 fyffhes. For there is in maner no fyfflie in the fea, that is not founde in this ryuer.. As foone as the Span- 
 yards were fet alande, they made -a proofe if the foyle were frutfuU to beare come. Takynge therefore fiftie 
 graynes of wheate and commyttynge the fame to the earth in the moneth of September, they gathered therof 
 
 316 
 
 Peru is the 
 rychest lande 
 that is knowen. 
 
 Ahouse couered 
 with gold. 
 Harnes of golde. 
 A frutful regioiL 
 
 Great sheepe. 
 
 The dewtie of 
 Chrystian princes. 
 
 Paraue. 
 
 lohn Dias Soils. 
 
 The Ilande 
 Martinus Gtattas. 
 
 The viage of 
 Sebastian Cabote 
 to the ryuer of 
 Plata- 
 
 Tharsis. 
 Ophir. 
 Cipanga 
 Cathay. 
 
 The ryuer of Plata. 
 
 317 
 
344 
 
 Maruelous 
 fhitfuhies. 
 Mountaynes 
 conteynynge golde 
 and syluer. 
 
 Great sheepe. 
 
 Theyr colour. 
 
 Men -with 
 defonaed legs. 
 
 Malacha. 
 
 Tachola. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Malucha. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Samotra. 
 
 Spyces. 
 
 Calocut 
 
 Cellanu 
 
 Cathay. 
 
 China. 
 
 Precious stones. 
 
 Sylke. 
 
 C^utan. 
 
 The way to the 
 Ilandes of Maluca 
 by the north sea. 
 
 The Spanyardes. 
 
 Gasper 
 Cortesreales. 
 
 318 
 
 Iftsuitg 
 Cortesreales. 
 
 Snowe and Ise. 
 
 Furres. 
 
 Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 two tlioufande and fiftie at December nexte folowynge: wherin fume beinge deceaued and miflakynge the 
 thynge, haue wrytten in the fleade of twoo thoufande and fiftie, fyftie thoufande and two. The like fertilitie is 
 there of all other grayne and pulfe. Furthermore th[e]inhabitauntes declared that not farre from that place, 
 ther are great and hygh mountaynes in the which is founde great plentie of golde. And no great diflance 
 from the fame, to bee other mountaynes no leffe frutefuU of fyluer, and many other thynges longe to rehearfe. 
 Th[e]inhabitauntes are paynefuU men, and tyll the grounde diligently, wherin they take great pleafure : and 
 haue therfore great plentie of breade of Maizium. There are flieepe of fuche byggeneffe that they compare 
 them to younge camels or affes as fum fay. Theyr woolle is very fine: and neareft. vnto the fyneneffe of fylke. 
 There are alfo beaft.es of dyuers kyndes. Amonge men there is this dyfFerence, that fuch as lyue in the 
 mountaynes, are whyte, and for the mod parte lyke vnto the men of owre regions. But they that dwell abowt 
 the rjoier (as though they tooke theyr coloure therof) are blackyflhe or purple of the coloure of fine' Iren or 
 fl.eele. This alfo chaunceth to many of them, that theyr fiete and legges are lyke the legs and fiete of the 
 foule cauled the oyftreche. 
 
 C Of the hygher Eaji India cauled India Tercera or Terciera. 
 
 N this India whiche the Portugales caule Tercera, are very great kyngedomes : as the kyng- 
 domes of Bengala, Pegu, Berma, Erancangui, Daufian, Capelam, and the greate kyngdome 
 of Malacha, cauled of the owlde wryters Aurea Cherfonefus ; whofe chiefe citie is alfo cauled 
 Malacha, and was in owlde tyme named Tachola. Vnder this kyngedome are infinite Ilandes 
 cauled Maluche, whereof the principall are thefe : laua the greater, laua the leffe, Polagua, 
 Mendana, Cubu, Cailon, Huban, Bur, Tenado, Anbon, and Gilolo, with infinite other. On 
 the Southweft. parte from Malacha, is the great Ilande of Samotra cauled in owlde tyme 
 Taprobana, in the which are the kyngedomes of Pedir, Biraen, Pazer, Ardagni, and Ham. This Hand and al 
 the other cauled Maluche, brynge furth great quantitie.of cloues, cinamome, nuttemegges, maces, and all other 
 kyndes of fpyces excepte pepper, which groweth in the prouince of Calecut and the Ilande of Ceilam. All 
 thefe fortes of fpices are caryed to Malacha to bee foulde. But the greateft, parte of them is caryed to Cathay 
 and China: and from thenfe to the north partes of Tartaric. This kyngdome of China, is very great: and was 
 in owlde tyme cauled Sina. Here is founde great plentie of precious ftones. The people are very fubtyle and 
 ryche. They are all appareled eyther in fylke or cloth, or veft.ures of other woorkemanfhippe : and are of 
 good ciuiKtie. They do not gladly permitte the Portugales or other fl,raungers to trafike in theyr kyngedome; 
 whofe mofl.e famous place vppon the fea fyde, is named Cautan, and the fea Machiam, cauled of the owWe 
 wr}-ters the fea of Sina. 
 
 C Of the landes of Laborador and Baccalaos, lyinge ivefl and northwefi 
 from Englande, and beinge parte of the firme lande of the 
 
 Weft Indies. 
 
 Any haue trauayled to fearch the coaft of the lande of Laborador, afwell to th[e]intente to 
 knowe howe farre or whyther it reachethe, as alfo whether there bee any paffage by fea 
 through the fame into the fea of Sur and the Ilandes of Maluca which are vnder the 
 Equinoctiall line: thinkynge that the waye thyther fhulde greatly bee fliortened by this 
 vyage. The Spanyardes as to whofe ryght the fayde Ilandes of fpices perteyne, dyd fyrft 
 feeke to fynde the fame by this way. The Portugales alfo hauynge the trade of fpices in 
 theyr handes, dyd trauayle to fynde the fame: although hetherto neyther anye fuch paffage 
 is founde or the ende of that lande. In the yeare a thoufande and fine hundreth, Gafper Cortefreales, made 
 a vyage thyther with two carauelles : but founde not the flreyght or paifage he fought. At his beinge there, he 
 named the Ilandes that lye in the mouth of the goulfe Quadrado, after his name Cortefreales, lyinge in the. L. 
 [fifty] degrees and more : and browght from that lande abowt three fcore men for flaues. He greatly maruayled 
 to beholde the houge quantitie of fnowe and Ife. For the fea is there frofen excedyngly. Th[e]inhabitauntes 
 are men of good corporature, although tawny lyke the Indies, and laborious. They paynte theyr bodyes, and 
 weare brafelettes and hoopes of fyluer and copper, Theyr apparel is made of the fkynnes of marternes and 
 
 
 1 
 
other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 345 
 
 dyuers other beaftes, whiche they weare with the heare inwarde in wynter, and owtwarde in foommer. This 
 apparell they gyrde to theyr bodyes with gyrdels made of cotton or the fynewes of fyffhes and beaftes. They 
 eate fyfflie more then any other thynge, and efpecially falmons, althoughe they haue foules and frute. They 
 make theyr houfes of timber wherof they haue great plentie : and in the fteade of tyles, couer them with the 
 (kynnes of fyflhes and beaftes. It is fayde alfo that there are grifes in this lande : and that the beares and 
 many other beaftes and foules are white. To this and the Ilandes abowt the fame, the Britons are accuftomed 
 to reforte : as men of nature agreable vnto them and borne vnder the fame altitude and temperature. The 
 Norwayes alfo fayled thyther with the pylot cauled lohn Scoluo : And the Englyfihe men with Sebaftian 
 Cabot 
 
 The coafte of the lande of Baccalaos, is a greate tracte: and the greateft altitude therof, is. xlviii. [forty- 
 eight] degrees and a halfe. Sebaftian Cabot was the fyrft that browght any knowleage of this lande. For beinge 
 in Englande in the dayes of kyng Henry the feuenth, he furnyffhed twoo ftiippes at his owne charges or (as 
 fum fay) at the kynges, whome he perfuaded that a paffage might bee founde to Cathay by the north feas, and 
 that fpices myght bee brought from thenfe foner by that way, then by the vyage the Portugales vfe by the fea 
 of Sur. He went alfo to knowe what maner of landes thofe Indies were to inhabite. He had with hym three 
 hundreth men, and directed his courfe by the tracte of Iflande vppon the cape of Laborador at. Iviii. [fifty- 
 eight] degrees : affirmynge that in the monethe of luly there was fuch could and heapes of Ife that he durft 
 paffe no further : alfo that the dayes were very longe and in maner withowt nyght, and the nyghtes very cleare. 
 Certeyne it is, that at the. Ix. [fixty] degrees, the longeft day is of xviii. [eighteen] houres. But confydeiynge 
 the coulde and the ftraungenes of the vnknowen lande, he turned his courfe from thenfe to the Weft, folowynge 
 the coaft of the lande of Baccalaos vnto the. xxxviii. [thirty-eight] degrees, from whenfe he returned to 
 Englande. To conclude, the Brytons and Danes haue fayled to the Baccalaos : and laques Cartier a frenche 
 man was there twyfe with three galeons : as one in the yeare. xxxiiii. [thirty-four] and the other in the. xxxv. 
 [thirty-five] and chofe the lande to inhabite frome the. xlv. [forty-fifth] degrees to the. li. [fifty-firft] beinge as 
 good a lande as Fraunce, and al thynges therein commune to fuch as fyrft poffeffe the fame. 
 
 Of thefe lands, lacobus Gaftaldus wryteth thus : The newe lande of Baccalaos, is a coulde region, whofe 
 inhabytauntes are Idolatours and praye to the foonne and mo'one and dyuers Idoles. They are whyte people 
 and very ruftical. For they eate fleffhe and fyfflie and all other thynges rawe. Sumtymes alfo they eate mans 
 flefflie priuilye fo that theyr Caciqui haue no knowleage therof. The apparell of both the men and woman, is 
 made of beares (kynnes, althowgh they haue fables and marternes, not greatly eftemed bycaufe they are lyttle. 
 Sum of them go naked in foommer, and weare apparell only in wynter. The Brytons and Frenche men are 
 accuftomed to take fyfflie in the coafte of thefe landes where is founde great plentie of Tunnyes which th[e]in- 
 habitauntes caul Baccalaos wherof the lande was fo named. Northwarde from the region of Baccalaos, is the 
 lande of Laborador, all full of mountaynes and great wooddes in whiche are manye beares and wylde bores. 
 Th[e]inhabitauntes are Idolatoures and warlike people, appareled as are they of Baccallaos. In all this newe 
 lande, is neyther citie or caftell : but they lyue in companies lyke heardes of beaftes. 
 
 C The difcouerynge of the lande of F lory da. 
 
 He gouernour of the Ilande of Boriquena lohn Ponce of Leon beinge difcharged of his office 
 and very ryche, furnyfftied and fente foorth two camels to feeke the Ilandes of Boyuca in the 
 which the Indians affirmed to be afontayne or fpringe whofe water is of vertue to make owlde 
 men younge. Whyle he trauayled fyxe monethes with owtragious defyre amonge. many 
 Ilandes to fynde that he fought, and coulde fynde no token of any fuch fountayne, he 
 entered into Bimini and difcouered the lande of Florida in the yeare, 1512. on Eafter day 
 which the Spanyardes caule the floryffliyng day of Pafcha, wherby they named that lande 
 Florida. And fuppofyng that great ryches myght be browght from thenfe, he returned into Spayne and coue- 
 naunted with kynge Ferdinando as touchynge the trade: and by the interceffion of Nicolas de Quando and 
 Peter Nunez de Gufman, the kynge dyd not onely make hym gouemoure of Bemini and Florida, but alfo fente 
 furthe with hym three ftiippes fi'om Siuile toward his fecond vyage in the yeare. 1515. He touched in the 
 Ilande of Guacana otherwyfe cauled Guadalupe, and fent to lande certeyne of his men with the landreffes of 
 the fliyppes: whom the Canibales lyinge in ambufflie, affayled with theyr inuenemed arrowes: and flaying the 
 moft parte, caryed away the women. With this euyll begynnynge, lohn Ponce departed frome henfe to 
 Boriquen and from thenfe to Florida wherhe went alande with his fouldyers to efpie a place mofte commodious 
 to inhabite and plant a colonie. But the Indians commynge furth ageynft hym to defende the enterance, 
 
 34S 
 
 Fysshe. 
 
 Gryfes. 
 Beares. 
 The britons, 
 
 Sebastian Cabot. 
 
 The land of 
 Baccallaos. 
 The vyage of 
 Cabot in the dayes 
 of kyng Henry 
 the seuenth. 
 
 Ise in luly. 
 
 Baccallaos. 
 Brytons. 
 Danes, 
 lacques Cartyer. 
 
 The people of 
 Baccallaos 
 
 Fysshyng for 
 
 tunnyes. 
 
 Laborador. 
 
 lohn Ponce. 
 Water of great 
 vertue, of this - 
 reade in the 
 Decades. 
 
 319 
 
 Benunini. 
 
 Guacana. 
 The Canibales. 
 
 Boriquena. 
 
346 
 
 Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 The death of 
 lohn Ponce. 
 
 The land of 
 Floryda. 
 
 Ferdinando de 
 Soto. 
 
 The valient 
 myndes of the 
 Spanyaides. 
 The thyrde 
 attempte of the 
 con(^ueste of 
 Flonda. 
 
 Certeine fryers 
 attempte the 
 conquest onely 
 with woordes, 
 but with euyll 
 Successe. 
 
 The fryers are 
 slayne and eaten. 
 
 A new kynde of 
 disgrading 
 
 affayled the Spanyardes fierecely and flewe and wounded many of them. At which conflicte alfo he hym felfe 
 beinge wounded with an arrowe, dyed (hortely after in the Ilande of Cuba: and fo endynge his lyfe, coniumed 
 a great parte of the rycheife he had before begotten at faynt lohannes of Boriquen. This lohn Ponce had 
 before feyled with Chryflopher Colon to the Ilande of Hifpaniolain the yeare. 1493. He was a gentel fouldier 
 in the warres of this Ilande, and capitayne of the prouince of Higuel for Nycolas de Ouando that conquefled 
 the fame. The region of Floryda is a poynt or cape of lande reach ynge into the fea lyke vnto a tounge: 
 beinge a famous and notorious place amonge the Indians by reafon of many Spanyardes that haue bin flayne- 
 there. But wheras by fame this Floryda was eflemed a ryche lande, many valient and noble men defyred the 
 conquell therof, amonge whom Ferdinando de Soto (who had before byn a capitayne in Peru and greatly 
 inryched by th[e]imprifonment of kynge Atahaliba) attempted a vyage thyther with a good bande of men, and 
 fpente fyue yeare in feekynge of golde mynes, fuppofynge that this lande hadde byn lyke vnto Peru. 
 
 In fine, he dyed there and was the deftruction and vndoinge of all that went with hym withowt inhabitynge 
 that lande, in the which the conqueftours had hytherto aieuer good fucceffe, forafmuche as thefe Indians are 
 valiante archers and llronge and hardy men. But the valiant myndes of the Spanyardes not difcouraged by 
 thefe myfaduentures, after the death of Ferdinando Soto, many woorthy gentelmen defyred this conquefl. in the 
 yeare. 1544. amonge whom was lulyan Samano, and Peter de Ahumada beinge brotheme and men of fuffi- 
 cient abilitie for fuch an enterprife. But neyther th[e]emprour beinge then in Germanie, neyther the prince 
 Don Phylippe his fonne who gouerned all the kyngedomes of Caftile and Aragonie, neyther yet the counfayle 
 of the Indies wolde in any cafe agree to the conquefle. Neuertheleffe not vtterly contemnynge the matter 
 which they were partly perfuaded myght otherwyfe bee browght to paffe, they fent thyther fryer Luys Cancell 
 of Baluaftro with other fryers of the order of faynt Dominike who offered them felues to conuerte the nations 
 of that lande from theyr gentilitie to the fayth ofChryft and obedience to Th[e]emperoure, onely with woordes. 
 The fryer therfore goinge forwarde on his vyage at the kynges charges in the yeare. 1 549. went aland with foure 
 other fryers which he tooke with hym and certeyne maryners withowt hameffe or weapons : vnto whom as he 
 began his preachynge, many of the Indians of the fayd Florida reforted to the fea fyde, where withowt gjmynge 
 audience to his woordes, they carved hym away with three other of his companyons and dyd eate them, 
 whereby they fuffered martyrdome for the fayth of Chryfl. The refydue that efcaped, made haft to the fliyppe 
 and kept them felues for confeffours as fum fay. Many that fauoure th[e]intente of the fryers, doo nowe 
 confyder that by that meanes the Indians coulde not be brought to owre frendefhippe and religion. Neuer- 
 theleffe, that if it coulde fo haue byn browght to paffe, it had byn better. There came of late from that fhippe, 
 one that had byn the page of Ferdinando de Soto, who declared that the Indians hanged vp the flcynnes with 
 the heades and crownes of the iayd fryers in one of theyr temples. 
 
 320 
 
 C An opinion thai Europa, Africa, and Afia, are Ilandes : and of 
 certeyne nauigations abowt the fame. 
 
 Koe gar.e names 
 to Africa, Asia, 
 and Europa. 
 
 Asia. 
 Europe. 
 
 The hole earthe 
 is an Iland& 
 
 The Caspian sea. 
 Caliz is a ryuer. 
 Nauig;ation: from 
 the red sea to 
 East India. 
 
 He anciente wryters diuided this owre worlde into Afia, Africa, and Europa, by the ryuer 
 Tanais as Ifocrates declareth in his Panegyrico. Afterwarde they diuided Afia and Africa 
 by the turnynges and courfe of the lyuer Nilus, thowghe the fame had byn better by the 
 fea Bermeio (that is) the redde fea, which almofte trauerfeth and paffeth throwgh the lande 
 from the Ocean to the fea Mediterraneum which diuideth Europa and Afia. But Berofus 
 the Caldean, fayth that Noe gaue names to Africa, Afia, and Europa : and gaue them to his 
 fonnes, Cham, Sem, and lafet : alfo that he fayled by the fea Mediterraneum ten yeres. In 
 fine we nowe conclude that the three fayde prouinces occupy this mydlande of the worlde. All in generall 
 fay that Afia is greater then any of the other, and in maner as bygge as they both. Albeit Herodotus in his 
 Melpomeme, fcometh them that make Europe and Afia equall: affirmynge that Europe in longitude is equal to 
 Afia and Afrike : and that it paffeth tJiem in latitude, wherin he fpeaketh not greatly owt of fquare. But to 
 fpeake more of this elfwhere, not perteynjTige to the matter wee haue in hande, I fay that Homerus one of the 
 moft ancient wryters, fayth that the world which is diuided into Afia, Africa, and Europa, is an Ilande as 
 reherfeth Pomponius Mela in his thyrde booke. Strabo in the fyrft boke of his Geographie, fayth that the 
 earth which is inhabited, is an Ilande enuironed with the Ocean. Higinius alfo, and Solinus, confirme this 
 fentence, Althowghe Solinus doo erre in miftakinge the names of the feas, fuppofynge that the Cafpian fea was 
 parte of the Ocean, beinge rather lyke vnto the fea Mediterraneum fo named bycaufe it is in the mydlande as 
 is the Cafpian fea withowt participacion of the great Ocean. Strabo wryteth that in the tyme of Tolomeus 
 Euergetes, one Eudoxus feyled three or foure tymes from Caliz to India: And that the guides of the redde 
 
 346 
 
other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 347 
 
 fea (cauled the goulfe of Arabic or Bermeio) prefented to the fame kynge Tolomeus, an Indian whome he 
 
 brought frome thenfe. Kynge luba alfo prooued this nauigation from Cahz to India as wryteth Sohnus. 
 
 Whereby it appeareth that the nauigation to India by the Ocean was then wel knowen and frequented, 
 
 althowgh not fo much as at this prefent, the fame beinge neyther then or nowe a thynge of great difficultie or 
 
 trauayle by the coaft.es of hotte regions. But to fayle from India to Caliz by the other parte of the north by a 
 
 clyme and regions of extreme coulde, ftiulde bee doubtleffe a difficult and daungerous thynge, wherof is no 
 
 memory amonge the owlde autours fauynge onely of one ftiyppe as Plinie and Mela dod wryte, reherfynge the 
 
 teflimony of Cornelius Nepos who affirmed that the kynge of Sueuia prefented to Quintus Metellus Celer 
 
 Lieuetenaunt of Fraunce, certeyne Indians dryuen by tempeft into the fea of Germanie: if the fame were not 
 
 of the lande of Laborador or Bacallaos, and they deceaued in theyr coloure. For fum fay that lykewyfe in the 
 
 dayes of the Emperoure Fredericus Barbaroffa, certeyne Indians were browght in a Canoa from the citie of 
 
 Lubec in Germanie. Furthermore pope Eneas Syluius wryteth that the Sarmation fea, is as certeyne as the 
 
 Scythian, Germanian, or Indian fea. Nowe alfo there is great knowleage and experience how the nauigations 
 
 and paffage may be attempted by Norwaye and other north regions vnder the fame north, and to folow that 
 
 coafte to the fouth fea of Sur and keepe that courfe by the tracte of China. Olanus Gothus the archbyffliop of 
 
 Upfalia and borne in Gothlande, hath wiytten muche of thefe north regions and nauigations by the north fea. 
 
 In the tract of this vyage by the north fea, are the Ilandes of Iflande and Gruntlande, althowgh there is doubte 
 
 whether Gruntlande be an Ilande or parte of the firme lande. It is. xl. [forty] leaques, from Lapponia, and 
 
 fumwhat more frome Finmarchia a lande of Scandinauia in Europe. The people of Gruntland are ftronge men 
 
 and of coomly ftature. They fayle with fmaul ftiippes or barkes couered clofe aboue with lether or beaft.es 
 
 hydes for feare of the coulde and fyffties. Gruntlande as fum fay, is fyftie leaques from the north parte of the 
 
 firme lande of the Weft Indies by the lande of Laborador. But it is not yet knowen whether this land be 
 
 continent or adherent with Gruntlande, or if there bee any ftreyght of fea betwene them. If all bee one firme 
 
 lande adioynynge by any parte, then the two great partes of the world feeme to ioyne togyther abowt the north 
 
 pole or vnder it, or beneth it, forafmuch as it is not paft fortie or fiftie leaques from Finmarche to Gruntland : 
 
 wherby it may appere that althowgh there be any fuch ftraight diuidynge them, yet are they neyghbours and 
 
 not farre in funder. Furthermore from the land of Laborador by th[e]accompt of the pilottes, is abowte foure 
 
 hundreth leaques to Faial, one of the Ilandes of Azores, otherwyfe cauled the Ilandes of Soria lyinge in the Weft 
 
 Ocean ouer ageynft Spayne. Alfo by their accompte the lande of Laborador is abowte fiue hundreth leaques 
 
 from Irland, and fixe hundreth from Spayne. 
 
 That the Spanyardes haue fayled to the Antipodes {that is)fuche as go 
 fiete tofiete ageynjt vs, and inhabite the inferiour hemifpherie 
 or halfe globe of the earthe, contrarie to th\e'\oppinion 
 of the owlde writers. 
 
 the ancient philofophers of the gentiles do deny that there ma:y be any paflage from owre 
 hemifphere or halfe compaffe of the earth to the Antipodes by reafon of the burnt hne 
 (cauled Zma Torrida) and the Ocean fea lyinge in the mydde way, wherby this vyage ftiulde 
 be hyndered and impoflible, as Macrobius wryteth at large in his commentaries vpon the 
 dreame of Scipio. Of the Chryftyan phylofophers, Clemente wryteth that it is not poflible 
 for any man to paffe the Ocean: and other wryters of later tyme, feeme to confirme the 
 fame. In deede I verely beleue that this way was neuer knowen to them, afwell for that 
 euer prefuppofynge the thynge to bee impoffible they neuer attempted it, as alfo that the Indians (whom we 
 caule Antipodes) haue no ftiippes fufiicient for fo longe and difficulte a nauigation to brynge them knowleage 
 herof, as haue the Spaniardes to pafle the Ocean vnto them: In fo much that at this prefent this vyage is by 
 dayly experience fo well knowen vnto the Spanyardes and Portugales, that they can in maner go thyther blynd- 
 fielde, contrarye to th[e]oppinion of thofe phylofophers. I wyll here omytte to fpeake of many ftiippes that 
 haue fayled ordynaryly frome Spayne to India, and fpeake onely of the ftiyppe Victoria which compafled abowt 
 the hole globe of the worlde and touched in the landes of two or three Antipodes, and in fine returned to 
 Spayne by a contrary way, wherby is declared the ignorance of the fage antiquitie. In this nauigation, they 
 founde many fecreates, amonge the which this is ftrange and woorthy memorie, that al fuch deade Chriftians 
 as were caft into the fea, lay on theyr backes and turned theyr faces vpwarde : but the gentyles lay all groouelyn 
 
 The vyage to 
 India by the north 
 
 The hystorye of 
 Cornelius Nepos. 
 
 Note this. 
 Indians in i^ubec 
 The Sarmatiaa 
 
 Islande. 
 
 Giuntlande. 
 
 Lapponia. 
 
 Finmarchia. 
 
 Gruntlande. 
 
 The distance 
 from Gruntlande 
 to the lande of 
 Laborador. 
 
 321 
 
 [Narrowness) 
 ofthestreight if 
 it be. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Soria, or Azores. 
 From laborador 
 to Irland. 
 
 Macrobius. 
 Clement. 
 
 The Indians arc 
 Antipodes. 
 
 The shyppe 
 Victoria. 
 
 A straunge t1 inge. 
 
348 
 
 Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 Shadowes 
 towarde the south. 
 
 The Sonne rysynge 
 on the ryght hande. 
 
 The vyage of 
 Magellanus. 
 
 Antipodefto 
 
 Guinea, 
 
 The north starre. 
 
 The needle and 
 
 compasse. 
 
 322 
 
 Septentriones, are 
 the viL starres. 
 that are sene by 
 Charles wayne or 
 the great beare. 
 Argo of lason. 
 
 Vlysses. 
 
 lohn Sebastian, 
 
 on theyr bellyes. They alfo perceaued the foonne and moone to keepe a contrary courfe from that they doo 
 here, and euer to cafl the ftiadowes of all thynges towarde the fouth : whiche thynge alfo was knowen to fum 
 of the owlde wryters. For this is manifefle that the fonne ryfeth on the ryght hande to theym that lyue in the 
 thyrtie degrees on th[e]other fyde the Equinoctiall : fo that lookynge towarde the fonne, they turne theyr faces 
 to the north : wherby it appeareth to bee trew that they affirme. They confumed three yeares lackynge. xiiii. 
 [fourteen] dayes in goynge and commynge, and lofle a daye in theyr accompte, whereby they dyd eate flefihe 
 on frydayes, and celebrated the fealle of Eafler on Mundayes: fo that they ouerleaped a day (not faylynge in 
 the calender) and kept no iufl. rekenynge of the bifextile. The caufe wherof whyle fome haue fearched by 
 phylofophie, they haue erred more then the maryners. They fayled. x. [ten] thoufande leaques and. xiiii. 
 [fourteen] myles by theyr accompte, albeit they Ihulde haue gonne leffe, if theyr way hadde Hne ryght forth. 
 But as they were enforced partely of neceffitie, and partely to fynde that they fowght, they made many 
 wyndjmges and turnynges. They trauerfed the Equinoctiall line fyxe tymes withowt burnynge, contrary to 
 th[e]oppinion of the owlde autours. They remayned fyue monethes in the Hand of Tidore, whofe inhabi- 
 tauntes are Antipodes to theym of Guinea, wherby it is apparente that wee maye communicate with them. And 
 althowgh they lofl the fyght of the northe flarre, yet dyd they euer dyrecte theyr courfe therby. For beinge 
 in the. xl. [forty] degrees of the fouth, they fawe the nedle of the compaffe (lande as directly towarde the north 
 as it dooth in the fea Mediterraneum : althowgh fura fay that it loofeth his force fumwhat. Abowt the poynt 
 of the Southe or pole Antartike, they fawe a lyttle whyte cloude and foure ftarres lyke vnto a croife with three 
 other ioynynge therunto, which refemble owre Septentrion, and are iudged to bee the fignes or tokens of the 
 fouth exeltre of heauen. Great was the nauigation of the fleete of Salamon, but greater was this of Th[e]em- 
 prours maieflie Don Charles kynge of Spayne. The Argos of lafon whiche the antiquitie placed amonge the 
 ftarres, fayled but a lyttle way and a ftiorte vyage in comparafon of the fliippe Victoria "whiche owght woorthely 
 to bee kepte in the Arfenall of Siuile in perpetuall memory of fo famous an enterpryfe. The daungiours, 
 pa)Ties, trauayles and laboures of Vlyffes were nothjTige in refpecte of fuche as lohn Sebaftian fufteyned : 
 whereby in the fcu[t]chion of his armes in the ftead of a monftrous or inuincible beaft., he woorthely gaue the 
 woorlde with this circumfcription : PRIMVS CIRCVMDEDISTI ME. (that is) Thou art the fyrft that 
 hath compalTed me abowt. 
 
 As touchynge the needle of the compaffe, I haue redde in the Portugales nauigations that faylynge as farre fouth as Cap. de 
 Bona Speranza, the poynt of the needle ftyll refpected the northe as it dyd on this fyde the Equinoctiall, fauynge that it fumwhat 
 trembeled and declyned a lyttle, wherby the force feemed fumwhat to be diminifflied, fo that they were fayne to helpe it with the 
 lode Hone. 
 
 C Who fyrjl founde the needle of the compajfe, and the ufe therof. 
 
 The chiefest parte s 
 of the shyppe. 
 
 Magnes. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 and Portugales. 
 Why the needle 
 tumeth to the 
 north. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Tercera. 
 
 The Hand of 
 Magnete. 
 
 JPeakynge much of nauigations. it myght feme a thynge vndecent to omyt to fay fumwhat of the 
 needle of the compaffe: withowt the which as all nauigations are but blynde and wanderynge 
 coniectures, euen fo fhulde the Indies neuer haue bynne founde but by helpe of the fame, 
 forafmuche as the fliippes (hulde haue byn lofl in the Ocean, were it not that theyr courfes 
 were directed by the needle and compaffe, which owght therfore to be compted the chiefe 
 partes of the fhyppe and principall inftrumentes of faylynge. The fyrft that founde the needle 
 and the vfe therof (as Blondus and Mapheus Girardus doo wryte) was one Flauius of Malpha 
 a citie in the kyngdome of Naples, of whome the Neopolitans glory to this day : and that by good reafon, for- 
 afmuch as a citifen and neyghboures chylde of theyrs, was the fyrft fynder of fo commodious and profytable a 
 thynge, to the fecreate wherof fo many excellente wyttes as were before hym coulde not attayne, althowgh they 
 hadde both iren and the lode ftone (cauled Magnes) vthicht are the materials of the needle. Next vnto 
 Flauius, the chiefe commendation is dew to the Spanyardes and Portugales by whofe daylye experience, the 
 fame is browght to further perfection, and the vfe therof better knowen : althowghe hytherto no man knoweth 
 the caufe why the iren touched with the lode ftone, tumeth euer towarde the north ftarre, as playnely appeareth 
 in euery common dyall. In maner all wryters attribute this to a fecreate and hyd propertie, fum of the north, 
 and other of the mixture or naturall temperature of elementes that is betwene iren and the fayde ftone. If it 
 bee the propertie of the north or north ftarre, then (as the pylots make theyr rekenynge) neyther fhulde the 
 needle make anye chaunge or dyffer in northeftinge, (as in faylynge northeafte withowt the Hande of Tercera 
 beinge one of the Ilandes of Azores or Soria and two hundreth leaques from Spayne towarde the Weft Eaft- 
 weft) neyther yet fhulde it lofe his office (as fayth Olanus) in pafTynge from the Hande of Magnete, that is, the 
 Hand of the lode ftone, which is vnder or neare abowte the northe pole. But howe fo euer it bee, or what fo 
 euer bee the caufe, trewth it is that the nedle tumeth euer to the north although wee fayle abowt the fouth, 
 
 3»8 
 
other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 349 
 
 We owght therefore to vnderRande that the lode ftone (whiche wee falfely caule the adamant) hath heade, fiete, 
 and alfo armes as fum fay. The iren that is rubbed with the heade, neuer ceafeth to turne dyrectly towarde 
 the north, as is to fee in the dyals that are made to the foonne. The rubbynge of the fiete feruethe for the 
 fouth : as doo lykewyfe the other partes, for other quarters and poyntes of heauen. 
 
 Note here that yf a piece of this ftone, of the byggeneffe of an egge or a walnutte, or more or lefle, bee broken into manye 
 Imaule pieces as bygge as dyce or leffe, yet euery of thofe fmaule piefes, hath headde, foote, and armes, as is fayde here before. 
 
 C The Situacion and byggenes of the earth. 
 
 ^T may to fume feeme a vaine thyng to feke the fituacion and byggenes of the earth, 
 although it bee eafy to knowe, forafmuche as it is fituate in the myddefte of the 
 worlde as the center of the fame, beinge enuironed and as it were borne vp of the fea 
 which compaflfeth it abowt. Mela fayth that the pyllers that fufleyne it, are Eafle, 
 Weft, North, and South : which fayinge Dauyd confirmeth in the C. vi. [io6th] pfalme. 
 Thefe foure are the moft notable pyllers or fuftentacions that the earth hath in heauen, 
 accordynge to the motions wherof, all vyages are ruled on the earthe, frome whenfe they 
 haue theyr originall, as engendered of the dyuers quahties of vapoures and exhalations rayfed by the fonne 
 and otherwyfe. Eratofthenes put none other fuftentacions then the north and fouth poles, and parteth the 
 earth by the courfe of the foonne : which particion Marcus Varro dooth greatly commende as agreable to reafon. 
 The poles are firme and immouable as an exeltre abowt the which the heauen moueth and is therby fufteyned. 
 They furthermore declare vnto vs vnder what parte of heauen wee bee, howe farre, and which way wee go, 
 with alfo the largenes of heauen and commenfuration of the earth. As for exemple : the ftreyght of Gibraltar, 
 (accomptynge from Spayne) is from the north, or to fpeake more playnely from the poynte of the earthe that is 
 or may be directiy vnder the north pole, abowt. liiii. [fifty-four] degrees which make. ix. hundreth and. Ixxx. 
 [980] leaques according to the common computacion of the Cofmographers and Aftronomers : And is from the 
 Equinoctiall line, xxxvi. [thirty-fix] degrees : which added to the other, liiii. [fifty-four] make. [lx]xxx. [ninety] 
 degrees, beinge the hole diftance from the north poynte to the Equinoctiall line diuydynge the earthe by the 
 myddefte, and the quarter or fourthe parte of the hole circumference of the earth : the whiche how great it is 
 in compaffe and how many leaques or myles it conteynethe, is eafy to perceaue accomptynge euery degree. Ix. 
 [fixty] myles. But that yowe may the better perceaue what degrees are, I haue Uiowght good to fpeake fumwhat 
 more hereof. 
 
 € What degrees are. 
 
 N the owlde tyme theyr maner was to meafure the earth and the woorlde by furlonges, pafes, 
 and fiete, as is to reade in Plinie, Strabo, and other wryters. But after that Ptolome founde 
 degrees a hundreth and fiftie yeares after the death of Chryft, that maner of accompte was 
 receaued as the beft. Ptolomie diuided all the hole body and face of the land and fea into 
 three hundreth and fixtie degrees of length or longitude : and other as many degrees of bredth 
 or latitude : fo that the hole globe of the baule beinge rounde, conteyneth as much in latitude 
 as longitude. He affigned lykewyfe to euery degree three fcore myles, whiche make. xvii. 
 [feuenteen] Spanyffhe leaques and a halfe : In fuch forte that the globe or balile of the earth meg,fured directly 
 by any of the foure partes of the fame, conteyneth in circuite fyxe thoufand and two hundreth leaques. This 
 computacion and meafurynge, is fo certeyne, that as it is approued of all men and founde trewe by experience, 
 fo much the more is it to bee commended and had in admiration for that th[e]inuention hereof was iudged fo 
 dyfficult by lob and the preacher, that no man had founde the meafure of limites of the fame. They name 
 thofe degrees of longitude, that they accompte from foonne to foonne by the Equinoctiall line which reacheth 
 from the Eaft to the Wefte by the myddle of the globe or baule of the earth. Thefe can not well be obferued, 
 forafmuch as in this tract of heauen, there is no fyxt or permanent figne whereunto the pylots maye directe 
 theyr eyes or inftrumentes. For the foonne, althowghe it be a mofte cleare figne, yet doothe it dayely chaunge 
 the place of ryfynge and faulynge, and keepethe not the fame courfe the day folowynge as the Aftronomers 
 aflSrme. And althowgh there is no number of them that in trauaylyng ftrange landes and feas haue fpent theyr 
 gooddes and almofte theyr wyttes to fynde the degrees of longitude without errour as are found the degrees of 
 latitude and heyght, yet is there none that hytherto hath any trewe knowleage therof. The degrees of latitude 
 or altitude, are they that are accompted from the north pointe to the fouth, the commenfuration or meafuring 
 
 Note the quarters 
 of the lode stone. 
 
 323 
 
 The sea. 
 The wyndes 
 
 The poles. 
 
 The measuryngft 
 the circumference 
 of the earth 
 
 Ptolome founde 
 degrees. 
 
 Longitude and 
 Latitude. 
 
 A degree. 
 
 Degrees of 
 Longitude. 
 
 The degrees of 
 Longitude are not 
 knowen. 
 
 The degrees of 
 latitude. 
 
350 
 
 Other notable thynges as touckyitge the Indies. 
 
 324 
 
 The north starre. 
 
 The dnniite of 
 the earth. 
 
 The inferior 
 hemispheric. 
 
 Hyperborei. 
 Hypemocii 
 
 wherby, is mofl certeine by reafon that the north flarre is permane[nt] and remayneth ftyll in one place, or at 
 leafl moueth abowt the pole which is theyr firme and ftedfaft. figne wherby they accompte theyr degrees and 
 directe theyr vyages. By the degrees therfore accompted by thefe mofl certeine fignes, is vnfaylably meafured 
 the hole circumference of the lande and fea, diuydynge the fame into foure equall partes in this maner. From 
 the north poynte to the Equinoctiall, are. Ixxxx. [ninety] degrees : and from the Equinoctiall to the fouth 
 poynt, other. Ixxxx. [ninety.] Ageyne on the contrary fide, from the fouth poynt to the Equinoctiall, are other. 
 Ixxxx. [ninety] degrees : and from the Equinoctial ageyne to the north poynte, are as many. This may we 
 coniecture by good reafon afwell of th[e]inferioure hemifphery wherof a great parte is knowen vnto vs by the 
 nauigations of fuch as haue paffed the llreyghets of Magellanus and the cape of Bona Speranza, althowgh we 
 haue noo fuch cleare and manifefl. relation as we ought to haue of the lande vnder the fouthe pole beinge the 
 other exeltree of the worlde whofe fyght we lacke. For (as Herodotus fayth) yf there bee any lande of the 
 Hyperboreans (that is fuche as are vnder the north) ther is alfo of the hypernotios, that is fuch as are vnder 
 the fouth : which perhappes are they that lyue in the lande of the ftreyghtes of Magellanus as nere vnto the 
 other pole. But what thefe landes are, or of what greatnes we can haue no certeyne knowleage vntyl fum man 
 fhal haue compaffed abowt the lands vnder the fouth pole as did lohn Seballian the circumference of the Equi- 
 noctiall line. 
 
 Thefe laft annotacions of the Indies, haue I tranflated owt of the bookes of Francifcus 
 Lopes, wrytten in the Spanyffhe tounge to Th[e]emperours maieftie : and partly alfo owt 
 of the carde made by Sebaftian Cabot. 
 
 C A demonjlration of the roundenejfe of the Earth. 
 
 The eye is 
 deceau^ 
 
 Aryngb 
 Acird& 
 
 
 1 
 
 Any ignorant men thynke that the earthe is not rounde onely by iudge- 
 mente of the eye which is deceaued in manye thynges not only of the 
 woorkes of nature, but alfo of fuche as are doonne by the flight and arte 
 of man. For they fay : Howe can it bee rounde forafmuche as thowgh 
 a man trauayle neuer fo farre eyther by land or fea, he feemeth euer to 
 paffe as it were by a ryght line without any fuch circuite or compaffynge, 
 afcendynge or difcendynge, as perteyneth to all the partes of a rounde forme. The 
 which obiection, as it is grofe and fimple, proceadyng of the narowneffe of the vnder- 
 flandyng of fuch as can not conceaue the large circumference of the lande and fea, euen fo 
 may it be anfwered with this fimple demonftration. In a rynge that ferueth for the fynger 
 of a mans hande, the fpace of halfe an ynche or lyttle more, is halfe a cyrcle. But in a 
 rynge or cyrcle of bygger circumference, as in the hoope of a tubbe, halfe an ynche 
 appeareth in maner a ryght line, althowghe it bee not fo in deede, forafmuch as it is not 
 poffible for any parte of a circle to confifl; of a ryght line, neyther any parte of a line to 
 confyfl of a cyrcle, fithe the partes mufl needes bee conformable to the hole, confyfl;ynge 
 of fuch vniforme partes as are in mathematical. But not to wander to farre in thefe 
 fubtylties, the greater that yow can imagen the circle to bee, fo fliall a greater parte 
 therof feeme a ryght line or playne forme : As for exemple, imaginynge a circle whofe 
 diameter (that is meafure from fyde to fyde) confyfl;eth of a myle : in this circle a pole 
 length or more, may feeme a ryght line, as yowe may otherwyfe multiply of the like 
 infinitely : wherby it flial appere that the large circumference of the earth well confydered, 
 a muche greater parte of the circle therof then the eye of man conceaueth, may feeme to 
 bee a ryght line, and he contynually to walke vppon a playne forme forafmuch as euery 
 part of a circle is lyke vnto other as I haue fayde. This may fuffice for a fimple and 
 briefe demonftration and induction for fuche as are defyrous to feeke furth to knowe the 
 truth herof. 
 
other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies. 
 
 C What credit owght to bee gyuen to wryters as touchynge the woorkes 
 
 of nature. 
 
 He mofte auncient wryter Diodorus, Siculus, in the fourth booke of his Biblio- 
 theca, wry teth in this maner. If any man for the raaruelous ftraungenes and noueltie of 
 fuche thinges as are defcrybed in owre bookes, wyl not perhappes gyue credyt to owre hyftorie, 
 let h3nii with ryght iudgement confider the difference that is betwene the ayer of the Scythians 
 and the Troglodytes compared to owres, and he fhall the eafelyer perceaue the woorkes of nature 
 and approue owre wrytynges. For owre ayer dyfFereth fo much from theyrs, that it myght 
 feeme incredible if experience were not more certeyne then doubtfuU reafon. In fume regions 
 the coulde is fo extreme that greate ryuers are fo frofen, that laden cartes and armies of men paffe ouer the 
 immouable ife. Wine alfo and other moift thynges are fo conieled that they may bee cutte with knyues. But 
 this is more marueylous, that th[e]extreeme partes of fuche apparell as menne weare, are fo bytten with coulde 
 that they faule of. Mens eyes are alfo dymmed : the fyre gyueth not his natural bryghtneffe : and brafen 
 veffelles and images are broken. Sumtime by reafon of thicke cloudes, thunders and lyghtnynges are neyther 
 feene or harde in fuch regions. Many other thynges more marueylous then thefe hath nature wrought, which 
 may feeme incredible to the ignorant : but eafy to fuch as haue experience. In the furthefl partes of Egypt and 
 Trogloditica, the heate of the foonne is fo extreme abowt noone, that noo man can fe hym that flandeth by hym, 
 by reafon of the thicke ayer caufed by the vapoures and exhalations rayfed by the heate. None can go withowt 
 flioos but haue theyr fiete fuddeynly blyftered and exulcerate. Such as are a thyril, dye immediatly except 
 they haue drynke at hande, the heate fo fafte confumeth the moyfture of theyr bodyes. Meate put in brafen 
 veffelles, is fodde in fliort fpace by the heate of the foonne withowt other fyre. Yet they that are borne and 
 browght vp in fuch regions, had rather wyllyngely fufteyne thefe incommodities then bee inforced to liue other- 
 wyfe : fuch a loue of theyr natiue countrey hath nature gyuen to all men : cuflome of continuance from younge 
 yeares being alfo of force to ouercomme the malicioufneffe of the ayer. Neuertheleffe, thefe places of fuch con- 
 trary natures wherby fuche flrange effectes are caufed, are not farre in funder or diuided by any great diftance. 
 For, from the maryflhes of Meotis or Meotides where certeyne Scythians dwell in extreme coulde, many haue 
 fayled with (hyps of burden to Rodes in the fpace of ten dayes : and from thenfe to Alexandria in foure dayes. 
 From whenfe paffynge throwgh Egypte by the ryuer of Nilus, they haue arryued in Ethiopia in other tenne dayes : 
 So that the nauigation from the couldeft partes of the worlde to the hottefl. regions, is no more then, xxiiii. 
 [twenty-four] continuall dayes. Where as therefore the varietie of the ayer is fuch in places of fo fmaule diftance, 
 it is no marueyle that the cuftomes and maners of lyuynge of the people of thofe regions, with the complexions 
 of theyr bodyes and fuch thynges as are engendered there, do greatly dyffer from owres. 
 
 32S 
 
 The diueisitie of 
 ayer in dyuers 
 regions. 
 
 Extreme colde. 
 
 Extreme heate. 
 
 The foree of 
 education. 
 
 Extreme heate 
 and colde in A 
 smale distance. 
 
 From Sc}^hia 
 to Ethiopia. 
 
 35« 
 
353 
 
 [The Third English book on America, 
 
 Which is also 
 
 The First English Collection of Voyages, Traffics, & Discoveries. 
 
 SECTION VI. 
 
 Vannuccio Biringuccio. 
 
 Pyrotechnia, 
 
 First printed in 1540.] 
 
The prefau. 
 
 355 
 
 C The preface to the booke of Metals. 
 
 tin's booke of the Indies and nauigations I haue thowght good 
 to adde the booke of metals, for three caufes efpecially me 
 mouynge : whereof the fyrfl is, that it feemeth tj me a thynge 
 vndecent to reade fo much of golde and fyluer, and to knowe 
 lyttle or nothynge of the naturall generation thereof, beinge 
 neuertheleffe thynges not onely mofl defyred, but alfo fuch with- 
 owt the which at this age the lyfe of man can not bee paffed ouer 
 without many aduerfities, forafmuch as pouertie is hatefull to all 
 men,andvertue nofurther efteemedthenit isfupported byryches, 
 fyth nowe that lady that reigned inSaturns dayes,is becoramethe 
 flaue to hym that was then her bondeman in that golden worlde, 
 fo named, not for the defyre that men had to golde,,but for 
 th[e]innocencie of lyuynge in thofe dayes, when Mars was of no 
 poure,and men thought itcrueltie bybreakynge thebones of owre 
 mothertheearthjtoopenawayto the courte of infernal Plutofrom 
 thencetoget golde and fyluer the feedes ofalmifchiefesandangels 
 of fuch a god, whom the antiquitie (not without good confydera- 
 tion) paynted blynde, affirmynge alfo that of hym golde and fyluer haue receaued the propertie to blynde the 
 eyes of men. But fyth it is nowe fo that we flialbe inforced to feke ayde by that which was fumtymes a myf- 
 chefe, it refteth to vfe the matter as doo cunnynge phifitians that can mynifler poyfon in proportion with other 
 thynges in fuch forte qualyfyinge the malicioufneffe therof, that none fliall therby bee intoxicate. Forafmuch 
 therfore as golde and fyluer haue obteyned this prerogatiue that they are fuche neceflarie euyls which the lyfe 
 of man can not lacke withowt detriment, not only they but other metals alfo perhappes more neceflarie althowgh 
 not fo precious, are thynges woorthy to bee better knowen then only by name, fyth they are th[e]inflrumentes 
 of all artes, the prices of all thynges, the ornamentes of al dignities, and not the leaft, portion of nature, wherby 
 the contemplation of them is no lefTe pleafaunte then neceflary. But forafmuch as it is not here my intent to 
 intreate much of metals, I wyll fpeake of the feconde caufe : which is, that if in trauaylyng ft.rang[e] and 
 vnknowen countreys any mans chaunce fhalbe to arryue in fuch regions where he may knowe by th[e]information 
 of th[e]inhabitauntes or otherwyfe, that liiche regions are frutefuU of riche metals, he may not bee without fum 
 iudgement to make further fearche for the fame. The thyrde caufe is, that althowgh this owre realme of Eng- 
 lande be ful of metals not to bee contemned and much rycher then men fuppofe, yet is there fewe or none in 
 Englande that haue any greate (kyll thereof, or any thynge wrytten in owr tounge, whereby men maye bee well 
 inftructed of the generation and fyndyng of the fame : as the lyke ignorance hath byn amonge vs as touchynge 
 Cofmographie and nauigations vntyll I attempted accordinge to the portion of my talent and Ample lemynge to 
 open the fyrft. dore to the enteraunce of this knoweleage into owre language, wherin I wolde wylhe that other 
 of greater lemynge wolde take fume peynes to accomplyfflie and bringe to further perfection that I haue rudely 
 begunne, not as an autour but a tranflatoure, leaile I bee iniurious to any man in afcrybyng to my felfe the 
 trauayles of other. And wheras as concernynge the knowleage of metals, I was once mynded to haue tranflated 
 into Englyftie the hole woorke of Pyrotechnia wherof I fynyfflied. xxii. [twenty-two] chapitures nowe more then 
 three yeares fence, and lefte the copie therof in the handes of one of whome I coulde neuer get it ageyne 
 (omyttynge to fpeake of other ingratitudes) I was therby difcouraged to proceade any further in that woorke. 
 Neuertheleffe, fythe this hyflory of the Indies hath miniflred occafion to intreate fumwhat of metals, I haue 
 ageyne tranflated three of the fyrfl chapitures of that booke, which feeme mofl. neceffary to bee knowen in this 
 cafe. And hereof to haue fayde thus much in maner of a preface it may fuffice. 
 
 326 
 
356 
 
 The mineral tree. 
 
 The myncs doo 
 
 growe. 
 
 Marchasites. 
 
 Signes of metals. 
 327 
 
 Signes and tokens 
 of metals. 
 
 OF THE GENERATION OF METALLES AND 
 
 THEIR MYNES WITH THE MANER OF FYNDINGE THE SAME: 
 
 WRITTEN IN THE ITALIEN TOVNGE BY VaNNVCCIVS BiRJNGVCZIVS 
 IN HIS BOOKE CAVLED P YROTECHNIA. 
 
 To his louynge frende Mafter Bernardino Moncellefe, greeting. 
 
 Hereas I promyfed yow to wiytte of the natures of metalles in 
 particular, I am nowe inforced to declare euery thinge in generale, 
 and efpecially of the places of their generation and their order, 
 with the forme and maner of woorkynge in the lame, and the 
 inftrumentes therto perteyninge. Yowe fliall therefore vnder- 
 ftande, that mynes of metalles are founde in the mofle partes 
 of the worlde, more or leffe according to the diligence of witti 
 fearcheis: and (hew them felues llandinge in the grounde in 
 maner in fuche forte as the veynes of bludde are difparfed in 
 the bodies of lyuing beafl.es, or like vnto the braunches of trees 
 fpredde foorth diuers wayes. Wherfor, the diligent fearchers of 
 mines, willing by a certeyne fimilitude declare howe the mynes 
 are placed in the mountaynes, haue figured a greate tree full of 
 branches planted in the myddeft.e of the bafe of a mountayne, 
 firome the whyche are diriued dyuers and many bouwes and 
 branches, fum greate and fum finaule, muche like vnto verye 
 trees that are in owlde woddes. They will alfo that in growynge, 
 they euer ingrofe them felues and reache towarde the heauen, conuertynge into theyr nature the mofl:e difpofed 
 and neare matter, vntil the toppes of theyr braunches extend to the higheft. parte of the mountayne, and there 
 fliewe furthe theyr felues with manifefl,e apperaunce, puttinge furthe in the fteade of bouwes and floures, 
 certeyne fumofites of blewe or greene coloure, or marchafites with fmaule veynes of ponderous matter, or fuche 
 other compofitions of tinctures. And when by this means they fliewe them felues vnto us, we may make firme 
 coniecture that fuche mountaynes are minerall, and that accordinge to the demonfl,rations they fliewe more or 
 leffe, they are richer or porer of myne. Therefore the fearchers, according to th[e]apperaunces which they 
 fynde, take good courage vnto them : and with hope and fecuritie of profecte, apply al their poflible diligence 
 with witte and expenfes to digge or gette owte fuche thynges as the fignes and owtewarde apperaunces declare 
 vnto them. And by this maner of fyndinge of mynes, it hath often tymes chaunced that many haue byn 
 exalted to the higheft. degree of riches. Wheras therfore by this meanes men enter into the mountaynes with 
 the ey[e]s of confideration and right ludgemente, and fee the places where the mineralles are ingendered and 
 comprehende in maner theire quantitie, they adapte theyr caues or foffes accordynge therevnto, wheras they 
 fliulde otherwyfe wander by chaunce, becaufe no man can by any other meanes knowe where the mines are in 
 the mountaynes, although he were of neuer fo good iudgement, and fliulde make fearche for the fame neuer fo 
 curyoufly by htle and lide. It flial therfore in this cafe be neceffary to folow the certificat and aperaunces of 
 fignes, and to encounter the fame as nere as may be, with ey[e]s and eares euer attentiue where they maye hope to 
 fynde any tokens of metalles, efpecially by enquyringe of fliepardes and other anciente inhabitauntes of fuch 
 regions in the which mineralls are engendered. And this I fpeake the rather for that I am perfwaded that at 
 
Of the generation of metals. 
 
 ZSl 
 
 the firft fight of a mountaine, by reafon of the greate barrenneffe and roughnes therof, and alfo by reafon of 
 the great aboundance of waters that are engendered in the fame, a right good iudgemente fhall not fuffice to 
 coomme to certayne knoweleage that metall is contayned in fuch mountaynes, vntill the fearchers haue with 
 charges and trauail caufed miners in fundry places to difcouer the fame. And therfore I alfo beleue that one 
 man althowgh be bee neuer fo ftronge, wyttie, and farre caftinge, fliall not be able in a newe and ftraunge 
 contreye, to fearche by fmaule portions not onlye all the mountaynes of one or moo prouinces which may 
 bringe furth minerals, but ftiall with muche difficultie fcarfely fuffice to fearche the fecreates of only one 
 mountayne: In fo muche that fum confyderinge the difficultie hereof, are of opinion that in this efifecte, it fliuld 
 be requyfite to worke by the arte of Negromancie, which, I thynke to be a fable withowt further knoweleage. 
 But I wolde that thefe necromancers fhulde tell me why this theire arte helpeth theym no further in the 
 woorke after that they haue once founde the myne, if it be trewe that they fay. Why (I fay) doth it not helpe 
 them furthe as at the begynnynge to fynde the myne, fo confequently in the myddefl and the ende to brynge 
 the fame to further perfection, as to gette it owte, to brynge it to fufion or meltynge, and to purifie or pourge 
 it from droffe, which doubtleffe it Ihulde haue poure to doo if it may bee beleaued that it can doo the other. 
 But forafmuch as fuch effectes are fo fearefull and terrible, that they owght not or can not be practifed of al 
 men, and alfo perhappes bycaufe fuch maner of woorkynge is not knowen, I thinke it not good -to be vfed : but 
 thinke rather by good reafon that this arte is fo much the more to be omytted and contemned, in howe much 
 we are accuflomed in the begynnynge of dyggynge of mynes, efpecially to caule for the grace of god that it 
 may pleafe hym to be prefente with his ayde to owre doubtfull and trauaUous woorke. Lettynge paffe therefore 
 this deuylyflhe diuife of fuch beaflly and fearefull men, I exhorte yowe to folowe the practife by the forefayde 
 fignes minyflxed vnto yowe by the benignitie of nature, bothe grounded vppon the foundation of truth and 
 approued by th[e]experience of many practicionars, not confyflynge in woordes or promyffes of thynges vayne 
 and incomprehenfible. With thefe fignes therfore ihall yow fearche the bankes and fides of the valleys, with 
 the clyflfes and ryftes of the flones, and the backes, toppes, or ridges of the Montaynes : Alfo the beddes, 
 chanels, and courfes of ryuers, lookynge diligently amonge theyr fandes, and the mines of theyr foffes, amonge 
 the whiche yow fliall often tymes efpie marchafites or fmaule fparkes of mynes, or other dyuers tinctures of 
 metals, whereby yow may be certified that certeyne mynes are in fuch places, which yowe fliall exactly fynd by 
 diligent and curious fearchyng the clyffes of theyr ryftes and dry places. After thefe aduertifementes, take this 
 for a general! figne, that all fuche places and mountaynes are mineral, owt of the which many fpringes and 
 great abundaunce of crude water dooth iffliewe, hauyng with theyr clearenes a certeyne minerall tafte, and fuch 
 as at variable feafons of the yeare chaunge theyr qualitie, beinge warme in the fprynge tyme and coulde in 
 fommer. And this thynge owght yow to beleue the more when yow fliall fee the afpecte of fuch mountaynes 
 to be rough, (harpe, and faluage withowt earth or trees. Or fo that yf there bee a lyttle earth found vpon the 
 feme with a fmaule veyne of herbes or graffe yowe fliall perceaue the grenenes therof to be faynt and in maner 
 wythered and dryed. And albeit that fumtymes alfo, mines are founde in mountaynes hauynge earth and 
 firutefull trees in the toppes therof, yet are they for the moft part found in fuch wherof we haue fpoken. Of 
 thefe other, there maye fewe fignes be gyuen, except to go by lyttle and lyttle to feke the bankes of theyr fydes. 
 But amonge all thefe, the beft, and mofl certeyne figne that may bee gyuen, is wheras on the fuperficiall parte 
 of the earth eyther on hyghe or belowe, the myne dooth fliewe it felfe apparente to fyght. Sum there are that 
 for a good figne do greately commende the refidences which certeyne waters make wher they haue refl.ed for a 
 time and beinge dryed vp of the heate of the fonne; do often times ftiewe in certeyne partes of the}T refidencies 
 dyuers tinctures of mynerall fubftaunce. Summe other are accuft.omed to take fuch waters, and in a veffell of 
 earth or glaffe or other matter, caufe them to boyle and vapoure away vntyll the dregs or refidence remayne in 
 the bottome well dryed in the likenes of a grofe earth, of the which they make an aflaye eyther by the ordi- 
 narie tryall of fyer, or after fume other maner as lyketh them beft. And by this meanes (althowgh they 
 attayne not to th[e]exacte knowleage of the truth) yet do they approche to a certeyne knowleage of the thyng 
 wherby they haue fum intelligence of what fufficiencie and goodneife the myne is which they feeke, before they 
 be at any great charges in folowynge the fame: Prouydynge alway that with all diligent aduertifement the 
 places neare vnto the rootes of the confine mountaynes be curioufly fearched, with alfo the bankes and fydes 
 of the felfe feme mountayne, and all fuch fuperficiall partes therof, where any fl.ones are founde difcouered 
 eyther of theyr owne proper nature or by the courfe of water: prefuppofynge euer that it is in maner impoflible 
 but that yf fuche mountaynes contayne any mynes, they mufte needes fliewe furth fum floures, tinctures, or 
 colours of theyr exhalations. Yet yf it fliulde fo chaunce that they do not this, the goodnes of the mine may 
 be the caufe hereof forafmuche as eyther it is not of vaporable nature, or to be of fmaule quantitie, or els 
 perhappes bycaufe the mountayne is greate and the myne very low or fo farre with in, that it is not fufficient to 
 put fiirth any fignes of fumofities. The caufe alfo hereof maye bee that fum ftone lyke vnto that cauled 
 Alba/am (which I thynke to be of that kynde which we caule the greete ftone) or blacke and whyte marble of 
 
 2 D 2 
 
 Mountavnes in 
 the which metals 
 arc engendered. 
 
 Ageynst seelcynge 
 nietah with the 
 rod whicli they 
 caule Virgula 
 diuina. 
 Negromancie. 
 
 The maner of 
 searchynge for 
 mynes. 
 
 A general! signe. 
 
 Rowgh and barren 
 mountaynes. 
 
 328 
 
 The best stgne. 
 
 The residence 
 of waters. 
 
 Marchasites are 
 the tinctures 
 of myneral 
 exhalations. 
 
 357 
 
358 
 
 Of the generation of metals. 
 
 Metals in fnitful 
 mountaynei. 
 
 Howe the signes 
 are to bee 
 coDsydered. 
 
 The assay of the 
 mines. 
 
 329 
 
 The richer myne 
 further within the 
 montayoe. 
 
 Consyderacions 
 how the caue 
 ought to bee made. 
 
 The bodie of the 
 myne. 
 
 Howses of office 
 for the myners. 
 
 Baptisinge and 
 dedication of the 
 
 The makinge of 
 the .laue. 
 
 thycke and refyftynge nature, may be found to lye betwene and fo to (loppe the paffages, that the fayde 
 fumofities may therby be hyndered to arryue to the vppermofle parte of the earth : by reafon wherof, it is 
 pofTible that fuche mountaynes may brynge furth trees and herbes forafmuche as the earth therof dooth reteyne 
 his vertue and may nuryflie the3T rootes not beinge incinerate or burnte with hotte and venemous vapours of 
 the mynes ; fo that the (houres of rayne or fluds with their courfes can not cary away the earth as in fuch places 
 wher the fame is found fore dryed. And therfore vppon fuch mountaynes I haue feene great wooddes of 
 cheflhutte trees, beeches alfo aud okes, with well cultured and frutfuU fieldes. So that to conclude, by the 
 fignes of the rowghneffe or barenneffe of the mountayne, is not taken away but that other places may alfo 
 haue plentie of mines whiche ought to be fearched and folowed. But forafmuch as thefe fignes are of the 
 natures of minerals, I wyll fpeake more determinately of theym in the places where I entreate of theyr proper 
 mynes : Not intendynge here to faye muche of thefe thynges in generall, but only to induce yow to fum clear- 
 neffe of the fyrfl. lyght. And therfore that yow may gyue the more diligent aduertifment, I faye vnto yowe that 
 all the mynes which yow (hall fynde by fuch fignes, by what meanes fo euer they (hall coome to yowre handes, 
 whether they be found in ftones, earthe, or fande, after that at the fyrfte fyght they haue (hewed them felues to 
 bee mynes of metals, yow owght to confyder of what ponderofitie of weyght they are : The which the greater 
 that it is, fo much the more dooth it (hewe both the perfection and goodnelfe of the fubflaunce, and alfo the 
 more quantitie of the mine. And thus prefuppofyng that by the fignes or other meanes yow haue founde the 
 mine, not yet fully perceauynge of what kynde of metall it myght be, to certifie yowe hereof and alfo of what 
 quantitie it is, or howe it is accompanyed or myxt with other, or lykewyfe of what puritie it is of it felfe, or of 
 what euyll difpofition or malice it is founde to bee, it fhall herein be neceffary before yow be at any further 
 charges therwith, to proue the fame by twoo or three affayes or mo, as I wyll further declare in the particular 
 place of affayes. Beinge therfore certifyed of the myne, and of what metall it is, and alfo what quantitie it 
 conteyneth, fyndynge it by accompte to bee fo profitable as to beare the charges, I exhorte yowe bouldely to 
 gyue the fjrrfte attempte to faule to mynynge, and with all po(rible diligence to folowe yowr enterpryfe : affur- 
 ynge yowre felfe, that of what fo euer mynerall matter yow fhall take affay accordyng to the proportion of that 
 pi[e]ce which yow tooke of the vppermoft. or owtmoft parte of the mine for that purpofe, yow (hall fynde that to 
 bee muche better and rycher whiche is further within the mountayne. And thus being certified by the alfay of 
 what quantitie the thynge is that appered by the fignes, and of all other reafonable confyderations apperteynyng 
 to the worke, yow fhall with all celeritie difpofe yowr felfe to faule to dyggynge, to th[e]intent that yowe may 
 fhortely eyther here enioye the frute of yowre trauell, or els where with better fucceffe proue yowre good fortune. 
 But in th[e]attempte of this enterpryfe, yow owght principally to haue refpecte to the fituation of the place 
 where yowe intende to make the begynnynge of yowr caue or folTe : Takynge good aduertifement that it be 
 commodious for the labourers that (hal worke therein : prouydynge aboue all thynges that it haue an eafye 
 enteraunce into the mountayne, with leffe charges and in fhorter tyme to arryue vnder the fignes which yowe 
 haue taken : encounterynge the fame as muche as is poffible as it were by a ryght line, fyrd with iudgemente 
 and then with workemanfhyppe, vntyll yow flryke on the grofe maffe or bodye of the myne, breakynge in the 
 courfe of the caue al matters of hard compofitions, as quarreys and flones ouerthwartynge the fame : hauynge 
 euer refpecte to the owtwarde fignes whiche yow folowe, forecadynge in yowre mynde how yowe may directly 
 arryue to the fame, euen as the maryners directe theyr courfe by theyr compaffe and fyght of the north (larre. 
 Alfo byfyde that place where yow haue determined to make the enteraunce and begynnynge of the caue, yow 
 mufte take choyfe of an other place, eyther on the front of the mountayne or on the fyde that it may bee neare 
 and commodious to make one or two or mo cotages for the commoditie and neceffitie of the woorkemen. One 
 of thefe muft bee appoynted for theyr dormitorie where fum may refl and (leepe whyle other woorke, and that 
 yow may the more commodioufly be prefent and alfyftaunte to theyr doynges, diligently to beholde all thynges 
 and to conforte theim in theyr laboures : alfo to difpence and bedowe theyr vyttayles as fhall bee nedefull, and 
 to referue the fame in fafe cuftodie, with dayly prouifion of al thynges apperteynynge. The other mufl bee as 
 it were a fmythes forge wherin theyr wome and broken tooles mufl bee renewed, and other newe made, to th[e]- 
 intent that the woorke be not hyndered for lacke of flore of necelTarie inflrumentes. When thefe thynges are 
 thus fynyffhed, with good prouifion of vyttayles and a fufficient number of expert myners, then in the name of 
 God and good aduenture, caufynge a prede to blelfe the mountayne with all the (hoppes, and to baptife the 
 caue, dedicatynge it (as the maner is) to the holy Trinitie or to owr Lady or to the name of fum other faynt 
 which yowe haue in deuotion, with inuocation to theym to profper yowre attemptes, yow (hall with good 
 courage and hope begynne to dygge the caue, with intente to folowe the fame withowte ceafynge as farre as 
 yowre abilitie (hall reache, or vntyll yowe haue paffed ouer the lymettes fignified by the fignes before named : 
 Takynge euer diligent heade that yowe begyn yowre caue as lowe as yow may at the foote of the mountayne, 
 in fuch order that yowr myners fo continue and folow the fame by a right line, that they encounter the veyne of 
 the myne by the (horteft and fafeft way that may bee deuifed. For it often times chaunceth, that althowgh 
 
 358 
 
Of the generation of metals. 
 
 359 
 
 the caue haue byn wel bejunne, yet hath it not byn well folowed, for that the myners beinge withdrawen from 
 the ryght courfe by the hope of fuche braunches of mynes as haue appered vnto them in the waye, doo often 
 times dedine from theyr attempted courfe, and from the fignes which they owght to haue folowed. And 
 byfyde other preceptes, fee that yow beare in memory to procure that in dyggynge, yow efchewe as muche as 
 yowe maye, the cuttynge of fotte or brykell ftones, afwell for that it may bee daungerous for ruine of the caue, 
 as alfo that it feldome chaunceth that any mynes are founde in fuch flones. But )rf yow fhal chaunce fo to 
 fynde them that yow can by no meanes auoyde them, I confort yow that where fuche caufe of feare fheweth it 
 felfe, both that yow lofe not the charges of the caue and for the better fafegarde of yowre woorkemen, it flialbe 
 neceffary that yowe vfe all poffible diligence in well vpholdynge and fortyfyinge the caue with arches of waules 
 trauerfed with flronge poft.es of tymber after the maner of framed beames, fufteyned with grofe and ftronge 
 pyles made of goode and ftronge tymber of oke or other great trees., And inrthis maner owght yow to proceade 
 in dyggyng yowre myne that yow may with more fecuritie enioy the frute of yowr trauayle. But in the owlde 
 tyme they that dygged mynes (as is yet to fee in the caues lefte of them) folowed an other maner : fo that in 
 the fleade of begynnynge the caue belowe at the foote of the mountayne (as doo the later myners) they begunne 
 to dygge theyr caue in the vpper or hygheft parte where the daye difcouered the myne, dyggynge downewarde 
 after the maner of a pytte or a well, folowynge the fame fumtyme on the one fyde, and fumtyme on the other 
 euen ynto the depth, as the veyne ftiewed it felfe to theyr fyght: whereof I haue thought good to make 
 mention, for that in th[e]oppinion of many men, this way dooth feeme much better and of more fecuritie to 
 fynde that they feeke, then to dygge by the fydes : bycaufe that by this meanes they haue euer the mine before 
 theyr eyes eyther more or lefle as a Une to leade them to the groffe maffe. Yet who fo confydereth the thynge 
 well, ftiall vnderftande that the later myners haue better conceaued the reafon of this woorke, in refpecte (as is 
 to fee) of many more commodities and fecurities which infue rather of this maner of woorkynge then of the 
 other : as the difficultie to defcende and afcende the caue, and the daungiour left it bee ftopped vp by many 
 mines, byfyde the trauaylous labour to draw owt the mine with the rockes and fragmentes of ftones : And 
 aboue al thynges, that they (hal not bee able to drawe owt the waters whiche are often tymes fo abundaunt that 
 they greatly increafe the charges and trauayles of the patrones of the mynes by reafon of the greate ayde and 
 helpe which fhalbe requifite to haue in that cafe and alfo for the makynge of wheeles, troughes, pypes,- and 
 pumpes, with fuch other inftrumentes feruynge for the purpofe to drawe owt the waters. And yet with all this, 
 it oflen tymes chaunceth that although they labour hereat continually, yet fhal they be inforced to forfake their 
 profitable and laudable enterpryfe So that to conclude, I faye (as yowe maye well vnder ftand) that it is a 
 much better way and of more fecuritie to begynne the diggyng of the caue rather at the roote or fote of the 
 mountayne and to enter into the fame by Ktle and lytle a flope vpwarde, then to begynne at the toppe or the 
 higheft. backe therof. And this both for the more commodious paTmge furthe of the water, and alfo for the 
 eafier trauaile of the labourers. Obferuynge euer diligently the chaunge of the fignes whiche appere vnto yow 
 owtwardly, vfynge the rudder and compaffe as do they that fayle on the fea. For hereby the myners flialbe 
 inftructed euer to folowe the right way in the caue vntill by the conductinge of wytte and arte, they bee browght 
 to the place of the grofe maffe or bodie of the tree, whyche is the caufe, fontayne, and original from whenfe the 
 fayd tinctures, fumofites, and mineral fignes, are diriued and fente furth to the fuperficiall partes. And as con- 
 cemynge this purpofe, I thincke it good to declare vnto yow howe in the Dukedome of Aujlria, betweene 
 J[n\fpruc and A^la where I contynued manye ,yeares, I fawe a large vale enuironed with a greate number of 
 mountaynes, by the myddeft wherof a ryuer paffed through of greate aboundaunce of water : and in maner in 
 all the montaynes that are there abowt, is digged great plentie of mine, wherof the mofte parte are of copper or 
 leade, althoughe alfo in maner euery of them is founde to holde fum portion of filuer. Amonge thefe moun- 
 taynes, I fawe one in the whyche th[e]inhabitauntes of the countrey dwellyng there abowt allured by the fight 
 of many fignes, beganne to digge a caue after the maner wherof we haue fpoken : In fo muche that (as it 
 appered vnto me) from the place where they begane the caue, they had digged little lefTe then two myles before 
 they fawe any fparke or fliadowe of any myne And beinge arryued with the caue in maner perpendicularly 
 vnder the fignes they folowed, they were encountered with a veyne of the harde ftone cauled Albazano, of a 
 yarde and a halfe thicke, which they paffed through with greate trauayle and longe tyme, and with the helpe of 
 commodious inftrumentes of iren hardened to, woorke in fuche ftones. And when they had thus paffed through 
 this quarrey of ftone, they chaunced vppon a verye great veyne of the myne of copper of fuch forte that when 
 I was there, lookinge betweene the one and 'the other, I fawe on euery fyde as it were a waule of the hard ftone 
 of Albazano, and therin a voyde place of fuche largenes from the one fyde to the other that more then two 
 hundreth men al at one time, had fufficiente roonie to ftande labouringe frome the hyghefte parte to the loweft, 
 hauynge non other lyght then of candells, and makinge certeyne markes in euery place where they faw the vre 
 or myne fhewe it felfe : and thus ceafed not to woorke continually both day and nyght, courfe by courfe, a 
 thynge fuerly maruelous to be holde. Without the mouth of the caue, I fawe great abundaunce of mine partely 
 
 Causes of 
 hinderaunce. 
 
 Soft stones. 
 
 330 
 
 The fortefiing of 
 the caue. 
 
 Howe the caues 
 were made in 
 olde tyme. 
 
 Abtindauncfe] of 
 water in the 
 mynes. 
 
 The beste maner 
 of makinge the 
 
 The change of 
 the signes. 
 The rudder and 
 compasse. 
 
 Austria. 
 
 Mynes of copper 
 and leade holding 
 syluer. 
 
 A caue of two 
 
 myles. 
 
 A large caue of 
 the myne of 
 
 copper holdinge 
 siluer. 
 
 331 
 
 C.\ndle light 
 
 359 
 
36o 
 
 Of the generation of metals. 
 
 A greate masse 
 of pure myne. 
 
 Abundaunce of 
 water in the 
 mynes. 
 
 Water is the 
 nearest principle 
 of minerales. 
 
 A general rule. 
 
 Great riches 
 obtayned by 
 searchinge of 
 mynes. 
 
 Magnanimitie 
 and pacience. 
 
 The mountaynes 
 are the matnces 
 of riches. 
 
 The grace of god 
 is receaved by 
 owre endeuoure. 
 
 Monye begetteth 
 rj'ches. 
 
 332 
 
 Necessarie 
 aduertismentes. 
 
 Plentye of woode. 
 
 Cotages and 
 edifiLcjes. 
 The situacioa of 
 the place. 
 
 The vse of water. 
 
 mixt with the flone of the vre, and partely chofen and feperated. Amonge thefe pieces, there was one con- 
 fiftynge of a hole maffe of pure mine of fuch biggnes and weyght, that two good horfes with a Hght carre coulde 
 fcarfely drawe it away. This myne was of copper as I haue fayde. But to magnifie it they cauled it fyluer, 
 bycaufe it helde fuche plentie thereof that it furmounted the charges, whereas they had alfo the copper for 
 aduantage. Yowe (hall further vnderftond that in the myddeft of the caue, there was a chanell or gutter whyche 
 gathered togyther the waters that fell into it continually on euery fyde from the ruptures or broken places and 
 cliffes. Thefe waters ranne through the chanel with fo vehemente a flreme, that I fuerly beleue that it might 
 well fufiice to dryue any greate mylle. In fo muche that in goynge in and comming owt of the caue, I remem- 
 ber that by the contynual faule and fprinkeUng of the waters from aboue and beneth, I was as wet as though 
 I had paffed through a greate fhoure of rayne. Wherat I maruel the leffe when I confyder that water is the 
 fyril and nearefl principle of the whiche the fubflaunce of minerals is engendered. By reafon wherof, fuch men 
 of vnderflandynge as haue fearched the natures of thefe thynges, argue hereby and. take it for a generall rule, 
 that all thofe mountaynes owt of the whiche fpryngeth great abundaunce of water, doo alfo abounde with myne. 
 The which thynge well confyderynge, and weyinge the greatnes hereof, I faule into this accompte with my felfe, 
 that if to the patrones of the fayde caue, the charges of the fame hadde byn a hynderaunce or greefe, eyther for 
 the length therof, or for defpayre that they fhuld not haue found that they fought, they wolde furely haue for- 
 faken it. And beinge nowe comme to this harde flone after they had fufleyned fo great charges bjrfyde the 
 trauayle both of mynde and body, if they fliulde then haue lefte of theyr enterpryfe, they fliulde not haue come 
 to fuch ryches whereby they haue obteyned many commodities afwell profitable for them felues as alfo for theyr 
 lordes and princes, theyr countrey, theyr kinffolkes and famelie. Neyther yet fhulde they haue byn fo wel able 
 to helpe theyr poore neyghbours as they haue doone by the meanes of the valientneiTe of theyr conflant myndes 
 and perfiflynge in fo good and commendable an enterprife. Wherfore to conclude, yow that wyll begynne to 
 attempt any fuch thynge, mull be of good courage and much pacience to folowe that yow haue begunne, at the 
 leafl vntill yow knowe by the fignes what the thynge is : hopinge euer that in goynge forwarde, the day folow- 
 ynge (as it is poffible) (hal difcouer the thynge that yowe feeke and content your defyre : Wherof yow may bee 
 the better affured, if yow well confyder that the moothers and matrices of mofl. eflemed ryches, and the myntes 
 of al treafures, are the mountaynes : To the whiche (with the helpe of fortune and yowr ingenious indeuoure) 
 yow Ihall open the way, not only to fynde the myne and arryue to the belly of the mountaynes where fuche 
 thynges lye hyd, but (hall alfo bee exalted by ryches to hyghe honoure and dignitie as they of whome we haue 
 made mention before : forafmuch as mofl beningne and liberall nature, doothe open her lappe and promelTe 
 good fucceffe to fuche as feeke ryches by fuch honeft meanes. The whiche way furely is muche rather to be 
 folowed, then eyther the warre full of trowbles and miferie, or the carefull trade of marchaundies with wander- 
 ynge abowt the worlde, or fuche other fallidious cares perhappes vnlawfull for a good man. And albeit (as 
 fume men vfe to fpeake) the fyndynge of mynes bee an efpecial grace of God, neuertheleffe, forafmuch as we 
 are borne to laboure, it ftialbe neceffary that we feeke the fame in fuche places where they are brought furth by 
 the woorke of nature, and by fearchynge to fynde them, and beinge founde to dygge for them, and by this 
 meanes to receaue the grace of God with applyinge owre owne diligence therto, with helpe of the difpofition of 
 fortune and naturall iudgemente. And yet (hal not this only fufBce withowt fufficiencie of money able to 
 fudeyne the charges and continue the woorke : to th[e]ende that if yow can not fynyf(he it with yowr owne 
 expenfes, yow maye fupplye the fame by the ayde of other, eyther patrones or parteners. But let vs nowe 
 ceafe to reafon any further of thefe thinges. Prefuppofyng therfore that yow haue alredy paffed the charges, 
 and haue not only founde the myne yow fought, but alfo haue brought furth to lyght a great quantitie therof, it 
 (hal then bee needeful (as a thyng chiefely to be confydered before yow begin to dygge) wel to ponder and 
 examen both the commodities of fuch thynges as (hall occurre, and alfo of fuch wherof yow (hall haue neede : 
 as tymber and woodde of all fortes, with water and vyttayles : of all the whiche, yow mude haue great plentie : 
 and efpecially of woodde, whereof yowe mulle haue great quantitie, afwell to feme to the proportion of the myne, 
 as alfo to make coles to the vfe of meltynge, fynynge, dryinge, garboylyng, and fuch other broylynges, byfyde 
 that which mud feme to fortifie the caue and to buyld (hoppes and cotages with fuch other edifi[c]es. Diligent 
 confideration mud lykewyfe be had to the fituacion of the place where the buyldynges Ihalbe erected : as that 
 the plotte therof bee commodious with abundaunce of water hauynge a good faule. Alfo not onely of plentie 
 of woodde and cole nere vnto the myne, but of fuch as may ferae the turne. And of all other incommodities 
 yowe mude chiefely auoyde the lacke of water, as a thynge of greated importaunce and mod neceffarie in this 
 effecte. For by the force and weyght of the courfe herof, wheeles and dyuers other ingenious indrumentes are 
 adapted with eafe to lyfte vppe greate bellowes to make fyers of great poure, to beat with hammers of great 
 weyght, and to turne myghtie and dronge engens, by the force whereof the trauayles of men are fo much 
 furthered, that withowt fuch helpe, it were in maner impoffible to ouercome fuche tedious trauayles or to arryue 
 to the ende of the woorke, forafmuch as the force of one wheele may lyfte more, and that more (afely then the 
 360 
 
Of the generation of metals. 
 
 361 
 
 paynefull labour of a hundreth men. It flial tRerfore be needefull to haue great confyderation hereof, not only 
 to make thefe edifi[c]es or houfes of office, but alfo to make them commodious for the purpofe, as for the cariage 
 of myne and cole with other neceffaries. For if any of thefe effectes fliulde be wantynge, the cofle, tyme and 
 trauayle, fliulde bee caft. away : forafmuch as thefe thynges doo fo much the more relieue the one the other as 
 they are ioyned togyther, and hinder the woorke not a lyttle yf any be feparate. But bycaufe thefe commodities 
 can not euer be hadde all togyther, yowe owght to wey with yowr felfe which of the twoo ferueth for mo necef- 
 farie vfes, as eyther to haue the cole or the mine mod commodious to the houfes, and accordinge there vnto to 
 place the houfes nere vnto the fame if the commoditie of water wyll fo permytte. Albeit, if it were poffible, it 
 fliulde be much better if al thefe neceflarie commodities were ioyned togyther, whereas otherwyfe yowe muft,e 
 contente yowre felfe as occafion ferueth. 
 
 Nowe therefore to conclude, byfyde that whiche I haue declared vnto yow of the findinge of the myne and 
 the digging thereof with other confiderations, I exhorte yowe further to faule to practyfe with fum myne of your 
 owne, that yow may therby take occafion to ryfe to the degree of ryches whyche yow defire. And therfore I 
 aduertife yow that after yow haue founde the mountyane and begun to digge, yow ftial euer go forwarde with a 
 boulde mynde and (loute corage, woorkyng with witte and Judgement, forafmuche as in this effecte the one 
 ferueth the other in the ft.eede of ey[e]s to enter where they can not Gyue no credit to that whiche many 
 ignorante folkes doo fay and beleue, affirminge that in digging for metals, they are founde rather by chaunce 
 then by arte. The which although it were trewe, yet owght we to truft, more to art and practyfe then to chaunce. 
 And when yow are nowe entered into the mountayne, beare well in memory that yow haue prefently with yow 
 the tallie or ruler of the caue, wherby yowe may trauerfe the veyne of the myne when yow are coomme to it. 
 For if yow fliulde folowe it by the courfe as it lyeth, it is poflible that yowe might folowe it a greate way not 
 paft.e the biggnefle of a mans finger and perhappes lefle : By reafon wherof, it might happen that yow fliuld lofe 
 it and neuer find it ageyne. The Uke fliuld chaunce vnto yow if after that yow haue begun to digge a caue, it 
 fliulde repent yow of the charges, and that for the bafnes therof yowe fliulde forfake it, as many haue doone who 
 bycaufe they coulde not fynde the mine at the firfl. ftroke, defpayringe that they fliulde neuer fynde it, haue 
 forfaken it as a tliyng vnprofitable, thynking that they haue woonne enough in that they were not at further 
 charges with that which they accompt lofle and domage : And thus furioufly leaue of their enterprife, not 
 regardinge that they may leaue the frute of theyr expenfes and trauaile to an other that may folowe their 
 begynninges, and perhappes fynde the myne within the dillance of a cubet, a fpanne, or a finger. We may fay 
 therfore that fuche men doo willinglye forfake their good fortune as many haue doone. He therfore that hath 
 begune to digge a caue, let hym determine to folowe it, puttinge away th[e]efl.imation of the bafenes therof, and 
 not to feare the ftreyghtnefle of the way, but rather to applye all his poflible diligence withowt remorfe, hopynge 
 thereby no lefle to obteyne honour and ryches, then to auoyde fliame and infamie for omyttynge fo profitable an 
 enterprife. And that yow may the more circumfpectly behaue yowr felfe in all thynges, befyde the former 
 inftructions, I further aduertife yowe to fet euer frefflie men a woorke by courfe in fuch order, that in euery fixte 
 or eyght houres (accordynge to the number of the myners) yow appoynt fuch to the woorke as haue repofed or 
 taken theyr refl., that yow may by this meanes the fooner come to th[e]ende yow defyre, whereunto (after yowe 
 haue layde fo fure a fundation) I exhorte yow to runne withowt a brydle. And wheras to thefe effectes it flialbe 
 neceflarie to haue many inftrumentes adapted for the purpofe, I can none otherwyfe fpeake of them then in 
 generall, confyderynge that according to the nature of the place and the myne, it flialbe neceflary to vfe infl.ru- 
 mentes and iren tooles of dyuers formes, as there ought to be difference in fuch wherwith yow fliall dygge in 
 mynes engendered in marble, greete ftone, and harde freefe fl.one, or fuch other. For the dyggynge of fuch as 
 are found in deade and tender fl.ones, as Alabafter and marie, it is requifite to haue apte and ftronge inftru- 
 mentes, as great beetels, mattockes and fpades of iren, alfo great and longe crowes of iren to lyfte great 
 burdens : lykewyfe greate and fmaule picke axes fum of iren and fum of fteele : furthermore greate maules with 
 handels and withowt handels, and fuch other bothe of iren and fine fteele hardened, if the hardenes of ftone 
 fliall fo requyre. But as for fuch as ftiall ferae to dygge the mynes which are engendered in tender and fofte 
 ftones, I neede make no mention of them, forafmuch as the tooles of the common forte may fuffice, and necef- 
 fitie fliall dayly furthe[r] inftructe yow to diuife fuch as flial ferue for yowre purpofe. Albeit, for the mofte parte, 
 they are beetels, maules, mattockes, pikes, fliouels, fpades, and fuch lyke. But as well for the fofte ftones as for 
 the harde, it flialbe neceflarye to haue great plentie of al fortes, to th[e]ende that the myners may lofe no tyme, and 
 that the woorke may go the better forwarde to the comfort of the patrones of the mine. Byfyde thefe before 
 named, it fliall alfo be requifite to haue plentie of greate baflcettes, fpades, fliouels, fleades, and handbarrowes, 
 bothe with wheeles and without wheeles : alfo fackes made of raw or vntande hydes to carye the fragmentes owt 
 of the caue. It fliall furthermore be requifite to haue greate quantitie of vnctuous liquours to maintayne fire : 
 as are the oiles of oliues, of nuttes, of line feede and hempe feede : Lykewife the roots of putrified trees, or 
 talowe of beaftes, or fattfe and oyles of fyffties. For withowt the lyght of fyre, it is not poffible for the labourers 
 
 Necessarye 
 considerations. 
 
 A false opinion 
 
 Tiie bauersihge 
 of the veyne. 
 
 Continuaunce in 
 the worke. 
 
 333 
 
 Fresshe men. 
 
 Xnstrumentes, 
 
 Fyre in the cauek 
 
362 
 
 Of the generatio7i of metals. 
 
 The conueyance 
 of eyer. 
 
 The excellencie 
 ofgolde. 
 
 The originall and 
 substaimce of 
 golde. 
 
 334 
 
 Mineral heate. 
 
 The temperature 
 and purenesse of 
 golde. 
 Golde is 
 incorruptible. 
 
 The hewtie of 
 golde. 
 
 Golde is 
 medicinabl& 
 Golde is 
 confortablek 
 
 The attractiue 
 qualitie of golde. 
 
 to woorke : Nor yet can any fyre be mayntayned in the caue except it receaue the ayer by fum refpiracle or 
 breathynge place by the meanes of a funell or trunke of woodde or fuch other open inllrument wherby the ayer 
 maye be conueyed into the caue. 
 
 C Of the myne of golde and the qualitie therof in particular. 
 
 Orafmuche as golde is a compounde mynerall which of the phylofophers and all men of 
 vnderftandynge, is founde to be of greateft. perfection amonge all other myxt minerals, it is 
 iudged by the vniuerfal opinion of fuch men, that for the bewtie and excellent qualitie 
 thereof, it fliulde be of exceffiue vertue to helpe and confort men. And therfore amonge all 
 thynges that are in this worlde (excepte lyuynge creatures) it is chiefely efleemed. By 
 reafon wherof, I alfo the more to honour it, wyll fyrft. fpeake of this before I entreate of any 
 other metall, and declare in particular the conception with the mofl. apparent qualities therof. 
 The which although it be a metal mofl. knowen, defyred alfo and fought for of all kyndes of men, yet are t ere 
 not many that do care to knowe of what fubftaunce or natural mixtion it confifl-eth. But that yow fhulde not be 
 one of theim that knowe it onely by name or fuperficiall app[e]arence, I certifie yow that the originall and proper 
 matter therof, is none other then elementall fubflaunces with equall quantitie and qualitie proportionate the one 
 with the other, mofl. perfectly purified by the fubtyle woorke of nature. For of thefe beinge thus ioyned togy hei 
 (and of equall force) is engendered an amiable and mofl; perfect mixtion by the helpe of fenrientacion and 
 decoction of the minerall heate, wherby is caufed fuch a permanent vnion betwene the fayde elementes, that 
 they are in maner infeperable : So that by the vertue of heauenly influence or of tyme, or by th[e]order of n.ofl 
 prudent nature, or by all thefe caufes concurrant, fuch fubftaunce is conuerted into this metalline body that we 
 caule golde. The which (as I haue fayd) by his much temperatenes, purenes, and perfect mixtion, is conden- 
 fate and made thicke, in fuch forte that the elementes therof can not be vnbounde or loofed, fo that it remayn ;th 
 in maner incorruptible : The caufe wherof is, that it eyther conteyneth in it no maner of fuperfluitie, or the fame 
 to be but very lytle. And hereof commeth it, that althoughe it lye many yeares in the earth or in the water, it is 
 not infected with ruft or canker for that neyther of them are able to cormpte it, nor yet the fyer whofe for e 
 dooth incinerate cr brynge to afflies and refolue in maner all creatures : And yet is the poure hereof fo fan-e 
 vnable to deftroy or corrupte this metall, that it is thereby the more purified and made better. Lykewyfe the 
 fayde perfecte vnion or mixtion, caufeth it to be a body withowt fleame, and withowt vnctuous or fat fuperfluitie: 
 which is the caufe that it euer remayneth in the natiue bryghtnes and fayrenes of coloure, in fo much that when 
 it is rubbed vppon any thynge, it leaueth not behynde it the tincture of any blacke or yelowe colour, as doo in 
 maner all other metals : Nor yet hath it any tafte or fauour that may be perceaued to the fence. Furthermore, 
 if it be eaten eyther wyllyngly or by chaunce, it is not venemous to the lyfe of man, as are fum of the oth r 
 metals : but is rather a medicine curynge dyuers difeafes. In fo much that nature hath gyuen vnto it of pecuU ar 
 propertie, a vertue and priuileage to conforte the weakenes of the harte, and to gyue ioyfulnes and myrth to tlie 
 fpirites, difpofynge thereby the mynde to magnanimitie and attemptes of great enterpryfes. Which fingul ar 
 qualities, fum wyfe men aflirme that it hath receaued by th[e]influence of the fonne, and that it is therfore of 
 fuch grace and poure to helpe men : efpecially fuch as haue many great bagges and cheftes full therof. To co n- 
 clude therfore, this metall is a body tractable and bryght, of coloure lyke vnto the foonne : And hath in it 
 inwardely fuch a naturall attractiue or allurynge vertue, that beinge feene, it greatly difpofeth the myndes of men 
 to defyre it and efleme it as a thyng moft precious : although many there are whiche crye owt ageynft it and 
 accufe it as the roote and fede of moft peftiferous and monftrous couetoufnefle, and the caufe of many other 
 myfcheues. But whether it bee the caufe of more good or euyll, we entende to lette pafle this difputation as a 
 thynge vnprofitable. To proceade therfore as I haue begun I fay (as before) that the woorthynefle which is 
 founde in it, hath caufed me to intreate of it before any other metall. And this the rather for that th[e]orde of 
 this prefente worke [fee]meth fo to requyre, that I may the better defcende to the degrees of other metals, to 
 th[e]ende that in thefe owre partes of Italy, yow may haue fum inftruction of practife, whiche may redounde 
 from yow to other, whereby the myndes of all men may receaue fum lyght : beinge well affured that newe 
 informations, wilbe the feedes of other newe wittie diuifes in the vnderftandynges of fuche men as with thefe 
 keys ftiall open theyr wyttes to arryue to fuche places whyther they can not els coomme or by any meanes 
 approche. And nowe therfore, byfyde that which I haue fayde vnto yowe in generall, I wyl further in particular 
 declare the nature hereof and the generation of the fame, with alfo the fignes whiche it ftieweth furth, that I 
 do not om) tte any thynge. Laft of all, I wyll fliewe yowe howe it owght to bee pourged from luperfluou 
 362 
 
Of the generation of metals. 
 
 363 
 
 earthynes of the mine, after that I flial haue expreffed the maner howe it is founde. But forafmuch as I haue 
 not with mine eyes feene the mountaines which conteyne the mynes of golde, or the places where this thynge 
 is put in practife, I wyll only fliewe yow (hauynge made diligente inquifition for the fame) what hathe byn 
 toulde me of credible perfons, or what I haue gathered in readynge of dyuers autoures, by whom I am certified 
 for a truth that the greatefl plentie of this metall, is founde in Scithia, in thofe prouinces which we commonly 
 caule the Eafl partes, where the foonne extendeth his chiefe force and vigour. Of thefe places India is thought 
 to be the chiefe, and efpecially thofe Ilandes, which the fhips of Th[e]emperours maieftie and the kynge of 
 Portugale haue founde of late : as the Ilandes about Peru and Paria with the firme lande of the fame which 
 extendeth it felues very farre on both fydes the Equinoctiall. In Europe alfo, golde is founde in many 
 places : as in AJlefia, and in many places in Boheme. Alfo in Hungarie, in Rhene, and in Apfa. Plinie fayth 
 that it is lykewyfe founde in Aujlria and in Portugale : and that the Romans had from thenfe yearely. xxiiii. 
 [twenty-four] pounds weyght. And thus fpeakynge of this precious metall, I beleue certeynly, that it is and may 
 be engendered in all fuche places wher the influence of the heuens difpofeth the elementall caufes to brynge furth 
 an apte fubflaunce for this purpofe. But nowe intendjmge more particularly to fpeake of the places of the con- 
 ception hereof, yowe fhall vnderftande that it is engendered in dyuers kyndes of flones in great and rowgh 
 mountaynes, and fuche as are vtterly bare of earth, trees, grafTe, or herbes. And amonge all the flones of this 
 myne, that is befl. which is of a blewe or afurine coloure lyke vnto a faphire, and is commonly cauled Lapis 
 Lazuli. But it is not bryght and harde as is the faphire. It is alfo founde in orpemente cauled Auripigmentum : 
 but more often in the mynes of other metals. It is lykewyfe founde in many prouinces in the fandes of ryuers. 
 That which is founde in the mountaines lyeth in order of veynes betwene quarrey and quarrey ioyned with the 
 fayde Azurine llone and myxte therwith. They faye that this myne is fo much the better in howe much it is 
 the heuyer and of hyghe colour, (hewyng in it many fparkes of gold. They fay furthermore that it is engendered 
 in an other flone lyke vnto falte marble : but it is of a deade colour. And alfo in an other whofe colour is 
 yelowe with certeyne redde fpots within it. They affirme lykewyfe that it is founde in certeine blacke flones, 
 whofe veynes fprede djoiers wayes much like the courfes of ryuers. They further declare that it is founde in a 
 certeyne bituminous earth, of coloure lyke vnto cley and very heauy, hauynge in it a great fauour of brymflone : 
 And that the golde which is founde in this, is very good, and in maner all togyther fyne, yet very harde to bee 
 gotten owte, bycaufe it confyfleth of fo fmaule fparkes lyke vnto inuifible atomes of fuch lytelneffe that they can 
 hardely bee perceaued with the eye. And herein may yow not do as in Lafis Lazuli, or other flones, or as the 
 maner is to do with that which is found in the fands of ryuers : the which the more it is wafflied, the more it 
 fauleth to the bottome : and in meltynge with the mother of his earthines, doth incorporat it felfe therwith in a 
 brickie fubflance. But in fine, with much pacience and by one meanes or an other, or by the helpe of quicke- 
 fyluer, it is drawen owt. Ageyne (as I haue fayde before) it is found in the fandes of dyuers ryuers, as in Spayne 
 in the ryuer Tago : in Tracia, in Ebro : In AJia, in Palolo and Ganges. In Hungarie and Boheme, it is founde 
 in Lafiefia in dyuers ryuers : And in ItaUe, in the fands of Tefino, Adda, and Po. But not euery where in the 
 beddes of theyr chanels, but in certeyne particular places where in certeyne cloddes the fande is difcouered in 
 the tyme of the ouerflowynge of the ryuers when the water leaueth behynde it a fine fande wherwith the fayde 
 golde is myxte in the forme of certeyne fmaule fcales, and fhynynge graynes. Then in the fommer feafon, with 
 pacience and ingenious practife, the fearchers to pourge it from the grofe earthineffe of the myne, and waffhe it 
 diligently : preparynge for that eflfecte, certeyne tables made eyther of the tymber of plane trees, or elme, or 
 whyte nuttes, or fuch other woodde apte to be fawen, hauing theyr playnes made ful of hackes, and notches, with 
 the helpe of the lawe or fuch other inflrumentes of iren. Vpon thefe tables flandynge fumwhat a flope or 
 declynynge, with a holowe fliouel they cafl a great quantitie of water myxt with the fayde fande, which they cafl 
 fo, that the water runne downe directly alonge with the tables. And by this meanes the gold, as a matter mofl. 
 heuy, fauleth to the bottome of the fawne hackes, and there reftynge and cleauynge fall, is fo diuided from the 
 fande. When therfore they perceaue a fufiicient quantitie of golde thus remaynynge on the tables, they gather 
 it with diligence and put it in a trey or great Ihallowe dyfflie of wod lyke vnto thofe which the golde finers vfe : 
 And in thefe they wafflie it more exactly ageyne and ageyne from al fylth or vnclenlynefTe. This doone, they 
 beate or mixte (or amalgame it as they caule it) with Mercuric or quickfyluer, whiche afterward they feperate 
 ageyne from the fame eyther by flraynyng and prelTynge it through a bagge of lether, or by ftyllynge or 
 euaporatynge the quickefyluer from it in a flyllatory of glaffe and fo fynde they the golde remaynynge m the 
 bottome of the vefTell in the lykenes of fine fande, which they brynge into a metaUine body by meltynge it with 
 a lyttle borage, or fait petre or blacke fope, and fo caft it eyther in the forme of a wedge or a rodde, or other- 
 wyfe as lyketh them beft. And this is the exacte maner of drawynge golde owt of the fandes of nuers, which 
 many haue vfed to theyr great commoditie : And that the rather bycaufe that in folowyng this order of woorke 
 in the pourgynge and diuydynge of golde, it (hall not bee requifite as in other maner of practifes, to bee at greate 
 charges by reafon of many men which Ihall be needefull, with manye murals, fomaces, fiers, and dyuers artificers: 
 
 . 363 
 
 Where moste 
 plentie of golde is 
 found. 
 Cathay. 
 
 335 
 
 Golde in the 
 IlandeCs] of the 
 weste indies. 
 Golde in Europe, 
 
 The influenc[e] of 
 heauen. 
 
 llie mountaynes 
 and stones in the 
 whiche golde is 
 engendered. 
 
 Lapis Lazuli. 
 
 Orpemente. 
 
 Golde in other 
 metals. 
 Golde in the 
 sandes of ryuers. 
 
 Gold in earth. 
 
 Golden dusta 
 
 Ryuers -in the 
 which gold is 
 founde. 
 
 The wasshing 
 and pourgeinge 
 
 of golde. 
 
 Howe golde is 
 deuided frome 
 sande. 
 
 The Spanyardes 
 
 make these 
 
 disshes with 
 
 handels. 
 
 The draweinge 
 
 out of golde with 
 
 quicke siluer. 
 
 336 
 
364 
 
 Of the generation of metals. 
 
 From whense 
 ^olde is deriued 
 into the sondes 
 of ryuers. 
 
 That golde is not 
 engendered in the 
 sondes of riuers. 
 
 This mater is 
 apparent in the 
 polde founde in 
 the ryuers in the 
 Indies. 
 
 The faule of 
 waters from 
 montaynes. 
 
 337 
 
 Springes of water 
 in mouncaynes. 
 
 Vegetable golde 
 growinge owt of 
 theearthe. 
 Ofihis^ reade 
 Alexander ah 
 Alexandra, lib. 
 4 GenialiutH 
 dierum. Cap. 9. 
 
 Golde founde in 
 A deade mans 
 headew 
 
 wheras in woorkjmg after this forte, one man may fuffice with one table and one holowe Ihoouell, with a lyttle 
 q'lickefyluer and fufficient abundaunce of water. But lettyng paffe to fpeake any further of thefe thynges : 
 perhappes fumme man wolde here demaunde from whenfe this golde is deryued into the fandes of the fayde 
 ryuers, and whether it be browght thyther by the water, or engendered there. As touchynge which queflion, I 
 haue often tymes deliberated with my felfe not withowt great marueyle : and efpecially of that which is founde 
 in the fandes of the ryuers of Tefino, Adda, and Po, bicaufe (wheras I haue fayde before that it is browght 
 thyther by the courfe of the water) I can not perceaue from whenfe it fliuld be browght, forafmuch as. there is 
 no myne of golde, or of any other metal that is knowen, nere to any of thofe places. By reafon wherof, my 
 iudgemente is in maner confounded, feinge alfo that it is th[e]oppinion of certeyne wryters, that it is engendered 
 euen where it is founde : The which, if it fo be, it is not trewe that it is browght thyther by the water. Ageyne, 
 if it be engendered there, it feemeth to me a dyfficult thyng to comprehend whether it be brought furthe there 
 by the vertue of the water or the earth, or the heauen. If furthermore any of thefe ftiuld be the caufe of the 
 generation hereof, it feemethe agreable to reafon that it fliulde bee both founde and engendered throughowt all 
 the beddes of fuch riuers, and at al tymes. And if the influence of heauen be the moll prepotent caufe of 
 this effecte, then it feemeth to me that it fliuld woorke immediatly, bicaufe it can not otherwyfe obferue 
 th[e]order whiche nature vfeth in the generation of metals : fyrfl. brynginge it furth to the open fliewe, in the 
 place where aboundeth the continuall iffliewe of water, which owght alfo to be of fuch force as to remoue the 
 earthy fubflaunce thereof from place to place, and not to intermixte fuch great inequaUtie of couldenefle and 
 moiftnes. And albeit that this compofition begunne in this order, fliuld not be difleuered or broken by the 
 waters of the ryuers, yet it appeareth to me that the fliowers of rayne and increafe of fluddes, fliulde be of 
 fufficient poure to dift.emper, breake, and vtterly deftroy all fuch compofitions as fliulde be engendered in fuch 
 places, forafmuch al thynges are conceaued by reft, and quietnefle after the commixtion of the fyrfte elementes. 
 And therfore if this golde of the ryuers, bee there engendered where it is founde, I wolde it were declared vnto 
 me why it is engendered only in thefe places and not in other : and why in lyke maner, fyluer, copper, leade, or 
 any other metals are not alfo engendered there as well as golde, beinge matters of an eafyer compofition of 
 nature then it is, by reafon of the perfecte vnitie and concordaunce with puritie of fubfl.aunce and perfecte 
 concoction which is in golde aboue all other metals : whereas alfo in many places in the territories of Rome, 
 there are founde many fparkes of the mine of iren of blacke colour amonge the fandes of certeyne fmaule ryuers : 
 And yet thefe only in certeyne particular places of the fayde riuers : wherby it appeareth that thefe alfo, fliulde 
 not bee engendered where they are founde. By all which reafons and apparent effectes, it feemeth moft. agre- 
 able to truth that the golde which is found in fuch fandes, is rather brought thyther by the water, then engen- 
 dered there. And therefore to declare my mynde more playnely herein, I fuppofe that this chaunceth only in 
 great ryuers which receaue abundaunce of waters of dyuers fpringes, foffes, and other ryuers, engendered partly 
 of the meltynge of fnowe and partly of great fliowers of rayne, whiche faulyng in certeyne chanels from the 
 toppes and fydes of [the] minerall mountaynes, wafflie away parte of the earth of theyr bankes and the ouer- 
 hanginge and holowe rockes which may conteyne the fubftaunce of golde : Or otherwyfe, that in fuch places, there 
 are ordinarie mines in the hyghe mountaynes or other fuperficiall owt places, perhappes inceflable and eyther fuch 
 whyther men can not come for extreme heate or cold or other hynderaunces, or els fuch as they haue contemned 
 to fearche : And yet the fame to bee fo confumed by the force of water as we haue fayde, and by the courfe 
 therof to bee caried into the ryuers. It may alfo chaunce that fuche mynerall earthes bee farre within the 
 mountaynes neare vnto fuch ryuers : And that in the fpace of many yeares, the fprynges iffliewynge owt of the 
 fame, may eyther bee dryed vp (whiche thyng hath byn feene) or els tume theyr courfe an other way So that 
 it is no maruayle if in fuch a multitude of yeres, the trewe originall of thefe thynges bee vnknowen euen vnto 
 them that dwell nere fuch places. But in fine, howe fo euer it bee, trewe it is that golde is founde in the fandes 
 of many riuers : And particularly (as I haue noted) in the forenamed ryuers. And if therefore I haue mar- 
 uayled at this thynge, I owght worthely to bee excufed, forafmuch as where iudgement can not bee certified by 
 reafon or efFectuall app[e]arence, there arife many doubtful! coniectures and newe caufes of admiration. But 
 yet do I maruel much more of an other thyng the which I am informed to bee moft. trewe by the report of 
 many credible perfons : That is, that in fum places of Hungarie at certeyne tymes of the yeare, pure golde 
 fpryngeth owte of the earthe in the lykenefle of fmaule herbes, wrethed and t\^'yned lyke fmaule flalkes of 
 hoppes, about the byggenefle of a pack threade, and foure fyngers in length or fume a handfuU. As concem- 
 ynge which thynge, Plinie alfo in the. xxxiii. [thirty-third] boke of his naturall hyftorie, wryteth the lyke to haue 
 chaunced in Dalmatia in his tyme. The which (if it bee trewe) fuerly the hufbande men of thefe fieldes fliall 
 reape heauenly and not earthly frutes, fent them of god from heauen, and browght furth of nature withowt theyr 
 trauayle or arte. A grace doubtlefle mofl. efpecial, fyth that in fo great a quantitie of earth graunted to the 
 poffeffion of men, in maner onely this is thought woorthy fo hygh a priuileage. But what fliall I fay of that 
 wherof Albertus Magnus wryteth in his booke of minerals, affirmynge that he hath feene golde engendered in a 
 364 
 
Of the generation of metals. 
 
 365 
 
 deade maiis heade : And that the fame beinge founde by chaunce in dyggynge, and perceaued by the weyght 
 and coloure to conteyne fum minerall fubftaunce, was proued by experience to holde a portion of fine golde 
 mixte with fmaule fande. And in deede his woordes feeme to found to none other fence but only that this 
 precious metall was engender[e]d there b)' the great difpofition of the place and flronge influence of heauen : 
 The which fuerlie is a thynge hardely to be beleued. Yet confyderynge th[e]autoritie of fo greate a clerke, 
 with the force of the fuperiour caufes and the maruelous poure of nature, I had rather gyue fayth hereto then 
 raflhely to contemne the iudgement of fo greate a clarke. And forafmuche as I haue begun to tell yow of thefe 
 effectes, I wyll not omytte to fliewe yowe of a flraunge thynge which chaunced alfo in a part of Hungarie, where 
 a myne of gold was fo found by chaunce and vnfought for, that it may neuertheleffe be an aduertifement to 
 other to fearche diligently. So it is therefore, that a woman of the contrey beinge accuilomed to reforte with 
 her bucke of clothes to waflhe them in a certeyne foffe or dike where ranne a lyttle water, and vfynge to beate 
 and rubbe them vppon a ftone which feemed commodious for her purpofe, chaunced at the length by her good 
 fortune to efpie on the ftone, a veyne of golde trauerfyng or ouertwhartinge the fame abowte the byggeneffe of 
 a grofe packe threede, fliewynge fayre and bright by reafon of her much rubbynge. Wherat marueylynge dayly 
 more and more, at the length opened the matter to her familiers : who conferrynge with fuch as hadde better 
 flcyll of the thynge, founde it in fine to bee a veyne of pure golde : And that the quarrie of that ftone, trauerfed 
 the courfe of the water of the foffe. Remouynge therfore the water, and turning the courfe thereof an other 
 waye, they beganne to dygge and folow the mine which hath now continued certeine. C. [hundred] yeares fence 
 it was fyrft found : And hath not only greatly enriched that contrey. But alfo all Chriftendome hath had great 
 commoditie by the fame. This haue I rehearfed vnto yow the rather that yow ftiulde not bee negligent in any 
 poynt or omitte any figne or token wherebye yowe may bee certified of greate thynges : not contemnynge the 
 fliadowe of any fmaule tokens : but afwel to gyue attentyue eare and eye vnto them, as to feare and forefee all 
 fuch thynges as may hynder. For (as yow may hereby well perceaue) if credit had not fyrft byn gyuen to the 
 woordes of the fimple wooman, and the thynge afterwarde well folowed, perhappes they fhulde neyther nor euer 
 hereafter haue enioyed the frute of fo great a commoditie. Men therfore of good courage folowynge fuche 
 ryche fignes, dyd nother feare the fmauleneffe of the veyne or hardneffe of the ftone : prefuppofynge by good 
 reafon that golde and fyluer can not lyghtly bee founde in fo fmaule quantitie, but that the fame ftial be able to 
 furmounte the charges. And this the more, in howe much the further yowe fliall enter into the ftone, as 
 chaunceth commonly in all other mynes. Albeit, the practifed fearchers, faye that the myne of golde is not 
 founde in fuch great quantitie as are the m'nes of other metals. Wherin although perhappes they fay trewly, 
 yet dooth it not folowe but that golde also maye be i founde in greate quantitie. And fuerly it feemeth to me, that 
 the benignitie of nature hath graunted large quantities thereof to the worlde, and that much hath euer b)'n and 
 is founde amonge men, confyderynge in how many places it is dayly gathered afwel in mountaynes as in 
 fendes of ryuers, byfyde that whiche is founde accompanied and ioyned with other metals. A further profe 
 hereof may that bee, which is confuraed and hydde by the dyners inuentions of men : As that whiche the 
 paynters beftowe in adoumynge theyr woorkes : And goldefmythes both in gyltynge other metals and alfo in 
 makynge dyuers woorkes of maflie golde : byfyde that which the woorker of clothe of golde and arras doo 
 confume : with fuch as imbrotherers and fylke woomen fpende abowt the vanities of men and womens apparell 
 and tyrementes. Alfo fuch as is confumed vppon trappers and fumimentes for horfes, with gylted harneffe and 
 fuch other fumptuoufneffe as perteyneth to the warres and magnifical buyldinges of noble mens houfes and 
 temples : Byfyde that alfo whiche the couetoufneffe of men hath hydde in ftronge waules, and buryed in the 
 grounde, inclofed in chayned cofers locked ivith triple keyes : And that which ferueth to the dayly vfes of men 
 and wandereth about the worlde through the handes of marchauntes. The whiche thynges well confydered, 
 who fo thinketh that nature bringeth furth but lyttle golde, fliall perceaue that there is greate quantitie therof in 
 the worlde, although there bee but fewe that haue fo much as may fatiffie the thirft of theyr couetoufneffe. And 
 to fpeake particularly of Italie, althoughe there bee no myne of golde knowen in it, yet by the vertue and 
 diligence of good wyttes, it hath euer and at all ages byn more ryche then many other prouinces : Notwith- 
 ftandynge it hath often tymes byn fpoyled and ouerrunne of dyuers nations, as nowe of late in owre tyme by the 
 craell handes of the Barbarians which entered into it abowt. xl. [forty] yeares pafte. But who knoweth (as hath 
 chaunced in the dayes of owre valient prediceffors) whether Godde wyll ageyne gyue vs occafion to chaftife them 
 and fo to inuade theyr regions that wee maye woonne owre owne ageyne with increafe of dowble vfurie. Or if 
 he wyll not permitte this, perhappes he wyll graunte vs to fynde fum ryche myne of golde. For, confyderynge 
 and feynge that this owre region of ItaUe is replenyfflied with as many excellent thynges as in maner heauen 
 can gyue to any habitable place, it is not to bee thought that this benefite of golde fliulde bee wantynge, wheras 
 it bryngeth furth fuch plentie of al other mines except this of golde and tynne. And yet doo I verely beleue 
 that it is not withowt the mynes of thefe alfo, although they be not yet difcouered to the knowleage of men : 
 As I am perfuaded bothe by the golde that is founde in the fayd ryuers, and alfo by the dyuers and fundiy 
 
 36s 
 
 A myne of golde 
 founde by c&unce 
 
 A vayneof golde 
 in a stone. 
 
 N'o signes to be 
 omitted. 
 
 338 
 
 Golde is not 
 founde in like 
 quantitie as are 
 other metals. 
 Argumentes of 
 plentye of golde. 
 
 Howe diuers 
 wayes golde is 
 consumed. 
 
 Many haue to 
 mucne, but fewe 
 haue enowgh. 
 Italie wasted by 
 the barbarians. 
 
 Commendacion 
 of Italie 
 
 Golde and tynne 
 Meane minerals. 
 
366 
 
 Of the generation of metals. 
 
 The golde of 
 
 Italic. 
 
 Golde contayned 
 in other metals. 
 
 The maner of 
 pourginge of golde, 
 
 339 
 
 Lapis lazuli, 
 
 Asure. 
 
 Howe golde is 
 drawen frame 
 La^is lazuli with 
 qutckesyluer. 
 
 The baine or 
 test of leade. 
 
 The maner of 
 pourginge golde 
 with leade. 
 
 Whether syluer 
 haue A mine by 
 hit selfe or no. 
 
 GeorgiusAgricola, 
 
 A table of mineral 
 syluer. 
 
 The workes of 
 nature. 
 
 Mixtc metales. 
 
 meane minerals which are founde in many places and adiudged of the practicionars to bee certeyne cleare 
 tokens of theyr proper and natural agentes. But for that they are not found, felte, or feene, we owght not 
 therby to affirme that they are not. To conclude therfore, I thinke that in owr partes of Italic, pure golde is 
 none other wayes founde (excepte that which is currant amonge the marchauntes) then after twoo fortes, wherof 
 the one is that which is founde in the fandes of ryuers : And the other, that whiche is gotten by the induflrious 
 and fubtyle art of partyng gold from new fyluer, or from giltyng fyluer, or other metals which hold gold, as there 
 are in maner but fewe which hold not fum fmaul portion therof, more or leffe according to the mixtion and 
 permanencie of theyr fubftances, or accordynge to the qualitie and force of the pianettes which expreife theyr 
 influence in the generation of them. And in fine, this is the golde that which is founde in owre partes of Italie. 
 Nowe therfore to returne to the matter whereof is owre chiefe intente to intreate, hauynge before fpoken fuffici- 
 ently of the generation and inuention of the myne of golde, I wyll further declare vnto yowe howe it owght to 
 be pourged from earthly fuperfluitie, and efpecially that whiche is founde lyinge in the forme of veynes, and 
 although I haue not feene the edifi[c]es and engens wherwith the myners are accuflomed to get it owt, yet wyll 
 I fliewe yow howe by other practifes I haue learned to pourge it, that yow may not bee without fum knowleage 
 yf your fortune flialbe fo good as to fynde any in Italy. When yow haue therfore dygged owt the myne and 
 placed it in order, yow owght to confider in what kynde of flone it is engendered. And if it bee in that which 
 is cauled Lapis Lazuli, then mufte yow fo drawe owte the golde that yowe alfo faue the (lone, bycaufe perfecte 
 Afure is made therof, and fuch as the paynters caule Azurro Oltramarino, that is, Afure of beyonde the fea, 
 which they greatly elleme and bye it deare. And to do this, it is neceflary that yowe fyrfl. beate it into fine 
 pouder, and then put it in a trey or brode treene dyfflie, and waffhe it fayre and cleane with water. This 
 done amalgame or rubbe it well with quickefyluer vntyll it haue lycked vppe and drawne al the golde into it 
 and left the (lone pure of it felfe. Then ftrayne the quickefyluer from the golde through a bagge of lether, or 
 vapour it away in a ftyllatorie of glaffe : And thus flial yowe fynde the golde in the bottome of the veffell in 
 maner pure without quickefyluer, as I haue fayde before. And if yow haue no refpecte to faue the Hone, it 
 fhall fuffice to vfe the common experience, meltynge it in a fojrnace in a bayne or telle of leade. But in my 
 opinion, the beft. maner to brynge it to pureneffe, is fyrfl, to burne the mine with a gentell fyre in an open 
 fornace, and to fufFer it to euaporate well if it bee not in fuch flone as yowe defyre to faue. Then grynde it in 
 a mylle or beate it with peflePes adapted with a wheele vntyll it be browght to fine pouder. And when yow 
 haue wel waffhed it and fo much waft.ed the fuperfluous earthyneffe therof, then put it in a tefle made 
 accordynge to the quantitie of the fame, and melt it therin with leade whiche yowe ftiall confume partely by 
 vapoure and partely with drawynge it owt by the fyde of the tefle (as is the maner) vntyll yowe come to the 
 pure golde whiche yowe fliall in fine brynge to perfecte pureneffe in vtterly confumynge the remanent of the 
 leade with vehement fire increafed by the helpe of flronge bellowes. And this is the vniuerfal maner which 
 yow may vfe not only in pourgynge the myne of golde, but alfo the mynes of all other metals. 
 
 0° Of the myne offtluer and the qualitie therof 
 
 Here are (as I vnderftande) diuers opinions emonge the practitionars of the mynes, whether 
 fyluer haue a proper myne by it felfe or no. The reafons of fuche as writte of the natures of 
 mineralles, and th[e]autoritie of the mofl., perfuade me to affent to the affirmatiue : Not only 
 to fee the naturall matter difl.incte, as is to perceaue in the m)aies of golde, copper, leade and 
 other metals whiche in theyr mynes are found pure by them felues without mixtion, but alfo 
 that I vnderlland that there hath bin found likewyfe certeyne pieces afwell of this mettall of 
 filuer, as of gold and copper, browght to his laft,e fyneffe by th[e]onIy worke of nature. And 
 this dooth Georgius Agricola a lemed man of Germany confirme in his booke of minerals where he writteth 
 that in Saxonie there was found in a caue a piece of mineral filuer of fuch bignes, that the duke the prince and 
 patrone of that place, caufed a chayre and fquare dyninge table after the maner of Almanye to be made therof 
 withowte any further woorke of mans hande : Gloryinge often tymes that in this thynge he furmounted the 
 greatneffe and magnificence of the Emperoure. But in deede (excepte copper) I haue feene no metall taken 
 owte of the caue pure withowt his vre. Yet doo I beleeue it a thynge poffible, confyderinge the greate force and 
 poure of nature, th[e]ende of whofe woorkynge euer intendeth to bringe all thynges to perfection as farre as it is not 
 otherwyfe hyndered. Yet (as I haue fayde) of the mofl^e parte of thofe mynes whiche I haue feene, none of 
 theym haue byn withowt mixture, not only of the earthe of their owne proper myne, but haue byn alfo myxte 
 with other metals : And efpecially this of fyluer more then any other, excepte onlye that which was digged in 
 Schio, in Vicmiina. And therefore not withowt fum (hadow of apparent reafon, haue fuche doubles rifin 
 366 
 
Of the generation of metals. 
 
 367 
 
 amonge the practitionars of the mynes. And yet (as I haue fayd) I beleue that filuer may haue and hath his 
 proper mine, forafmuche as euery fubflaunce that maye be conuerted into metall, may afwell ilande by it felfe 
 pure in his owne kynde, as eyther feperate or mixte with other, as is often times feene in one maffe in the 
 whiche diuers metals are conteyned and engendered by nature. And by this meanes it often chaunceth that 
 he that fpeaketh of the mine of filuer, may with the fame brethe and withowt diftinction, fpeake alfo of all other 
 metales, forafmuche as there are but fewe mynes which are not mixte with other. But bycaufe the mofte 
 noble and ryche metals haue obteyned the prerogatiue to be eftemed aboue other, therfore the name of the. 
 myne is gyuen to them wher they are mixte with other : as the mynes which holde copper, leade, or iren, 
 (as doo the mode parte) yet if they holde alfo golde or fyluer, they are cauled gold mynes or fyluer mynes, 
 according vnto that which is founde in them to bee of moft value. But to lette paffe this matter, yowe 
 ftiall further vnderftande that when fuche mynes are mixte of dyuers metals, they ftiew furth fo much 
 the more diuers and variable fumofites of tinctures and marchafites, as fignes where they bee and of what 
 pureneffe : forafmuch as euery of them according to theyr natures, exalte theyr colours which they ftiewe furthe 
 to the eye, fum in the fimilitude of afurine or blewe ftones, fum greene, fum yelowe, and fum of vndiflinct 
 colours accordynge to the compofitions and mixtures of the fyrfl matters of metals, which is alfo the caufe that 
 they are founde more or leiTe in quantitie. Nowe to fpeake more particularly of this metall of fyluer, the 
 philofophers fpeculatours of naturall thynges, faye that it is engendered' of fubflaunce more watery then 
 fyerie, of complexion feminine and flegmatike in comparifon to gold : receauynge more of th[e]influence of the 
 moone then of the fon, and therfore engendered more in coulde regions nerer vnto the moone, then in hotte 
 regions vnder the foonne : confiding alfo of pure elementes, although fumwhat crude and vndygefted in refpecte 
 of the elementes of golde as may bee plainely perceaued by theyr colours, weyght, and fixation. The practi- 
 cionars affirme that it is engendered in a ftone lyke vnto Albazano, and alfo in an other ftone of a ruifet, deade, 
 and darke colour : And is often tymes founde in an other ftone lyke vnto Treuertino or in Treuertino it felfe. 
 The myne hereof, is very ponderous, and hathe in it often tymes certeyne fhynynge graynes : The which howe 
 much the lefle they are like to the poynte of a needle fo muche is the myne founde to bee the perfecter, 
 bycaufe this is a token of pureneffe and fixion. And when it is founde in a whyte ftone, or leade ftone, it is fo 
 muche the better, bycaufe it maye be the eafyer pourged from the ftone .and earthyneffe. When alfo it is 
 founde lyinge as it were loofe amonge certeine fcales or cloddes of earth, they faye that it is perfecte, although 
 it haue not to the eye fuche refplendence as other are wonte to haue. They fay alfo that it is engendered in an 
 earth of darke ruffet colour : And that when it is founde in this, it is of great quantitie and perfection, and that 
 there is great plentie therof within the mountayne : This alfo to be fo much the better in howe much more it is 
 ftiynynge of the coloure of iren or redde. And that yowe may the better comprehend the fignes of the myne of 
 the forefayde metall, yowe fliall vnderftand that euen togyther with the myne, eyther where it is fyrfte founde, 
 or nere vnto the fame, yowe ftiall fee certeyne marchafites of yelowe coloure lyke vnto golde. The which, the 
 more they holde of fuche hyghe colour, fo much the more do they (hewe aduft or burnt matter and heate, as 
 thynges contrary to the nature of theyr metals. And therfore accordynge to the degrees of fuche colours, 
 yow may in maner iudge of what fatnes or leaneneffe the myne is lyke to bee. Such marchafites therfore 
 as fliewe the beft fignes of the goodneffe of theyr mynes, owght in coloure to approche to whyteneffe as 
 much as may bee, and to confyft of fmaule graynes, and not in greate quantitie. And this is a generall rule of 
 all marchafites, that howe much the narower and leffe they are, the more do they ftiewe the goodneffe of theyr 
 myne. This myne of fyluer is alfo often times founde in a veyne of great quantitie, and yet fo leane in 
 quahtie that it wyll not beare the charge of the dyggyng, bicaufe it is founde in a harde ftone lyke vnto 
 Albazano, beinge verye harde to bee dygged or broken. Sum tymes alfo, it is found in the company of 
 copper or leade : The which lykewyfe if it do not furmount the value of the charges, it is not to bee 
 folowed. Otherwhyles alfo, it fo chaunceth that thefe thre metals are founde accompanyed togyther in one 
 myne : In whiche cafe it ftialbe neceflarie to vfe aduertifement of arte. And prefuppofynge that yowe defyre 
 to feparate the fyluer frome the other metall, it is neceffarie that yowe increafe the leade. But if yow paffe 
 not to faue neyther the fyluer nor the leade, but only the copper, it ftialbe requifite to proceade with longe 
 and great fyers vntyl the weakeft matters bee confumed. But this owght to be doone efpecially in fuch mines 
 as hold iren. Yet neyther for this or thofe, can there any general rule be gyuen, but that accordynge vnto 
 theyr qualitie and nature, fo owght they to be diuided : And this fo much the more in that they are often 
 tymes mixte with fum drye earthe, or with a quantitie of antimonie or arfenike, which are matters altogyther 
 euaporable and bumte, or of harde fubftaunce to bee reduced to fufion or meltynge : In fo much that the 
 artificers fumtymes beinge ouercumme of them, leaue them as thynges vnprofitable. Wherof there can none 
 other caufe often times be gyuen, then theyr owne ignoraunce by reafon of extraordinarie and longe fyers whiche 
 they gyue them. And therefore they woorke inordinately in fuch kynd of mynes, except they accompanie them 
 in the fufion or meltynge with fuch thinges as may defende them from the fyer. For wheras is fuche abun- 
 
 167 
 
 340 
 
 Diuers metals in 
 one masse. 
 
 In the Indies ^ 
 golde founde in 
 gt-eate quantitie, 
 pure and vomixte. 
 
 The coulours of 
 mineral fumosites. 
 
 The generacion 
 and qualitie of 
 siluer. 
 
 The influences 
 of the mone. 
 
 Stones in the ^ 
 which syluer is 
 engendered. 
 
 The myne of 
 syluer. 
 
 The mountayne. 
 
 Marchasltes of 
 syluer. 
 
 What marchasites 
 are the beste 
 signes. 
 
 Syluer myn[e]s 
 in harde stones. 
 
 Syluer with 
 copper or leade. 
 
 The deuydine of 
 siluer from other 
 metals. 
 
 341 
 
 Iren. 
 
 Metals mixte with 
 Antimonie or 
 Arsnike 
 
 Howe metals are 
 preserued in 
 fusion. 
 
368 
 
 Of the generation of metals. 
 
 Sulphur and 
 mercurye. 
 
 Grinding and 
 wasshinge of 
 mynes. 
 
 The amalgam ynge 
 of mines with 
 Mercury. 
 
 Mines holdynge 
 the fourthe part 
 ofsiluer. 
 
 Copper holdinge 
 syluer. 
 
 Thre vnces vL of 
 siluer in euery 
 hundreth of mine 
 War betwene 
 Maximilian 
 Th[e]emperour 
 and the Venecians. 
 
 The mynes of 
 Ahnanye. 
 
 The marchasite 
 mixte with the 
 myn& 
 
 342 
 
 daunce eyther of burnte matter, or of fuperfluous wateryneffe, wherof the one is cauled Sulphur or brymflone, 
 and the other Mercuric or quickfyluer not fixed, or arfenike, it is neceffarie that the one burne the fyluer, and 
 the other cary it a way, fo that of the myne there refteth none other then an earthye fubftaunce infufible and 
 not able to bee molten. To faue the fayde myne therefore it (halbe requifite to vfe difcretion with much 
 pacience and conueniente meanes, fyrlle after the common maner of woorkynge to euaporate the myne (as wee 
 haue fayde) or withowt euaporation to grinde it fmaule : then to waffhe it often, and in fine, if not by great 
 . fyers, at the leafte by great baynes or teftes of leade to pourge it. And to brynge this effect the more eafely to 
 paffe as much as may be, after that it is grounde yow owght to proue in the fame grindynge or in an other, 
 if it may be amalgamed with Mercurie which is the beft maner of profe, if the myne bee of a drye nature : And 
 I knowe that it hath bynne vfed of many to theyr greate profyte : And efpecially in thofe forte of mynes which 
 I fayde before to bee dygged in Vigmtina in Schio, beinge very ryche and good. Proue it therfore. For all 
 kyndes of mines do not receaue it And of this wherof I haue fpoken, I haue intelligence that there hath bynne 
 pieces founde holdynge a fourth part of fyluer, and fum more then halfe. And this was founde lyinge in maner 
 in the fuperficiall parte of the earth : and fum tymes in pathes and high wayes. It hath alfo bin founde vnder 
 the rootes of fuche trees as haue byn ouerthrowen by tempefte : and this very perfecte. So that emonge all the 
 mynes whiche I haue feene in the dominions of Veniee, as in Camia and in many other places, I can not faye 
 that I haue feene any better : Although there bee many caues wherof the mofl parte are of copper holdinge 
 fyluer : and emonge other, that in the mountayne of Auanzo, where I in the company of certeyne other gentle- 
 men caufed a caue to bee digged. And bycaufe the hole charge was committed to mee, I wente by occafion 
 twyfe into high Almanye to fee the mynes of that countrey, wherby I might haue the better experience to faule 
 to practyfe at my returne. In fo much that I founde the mine which we had taken in hande to folowe, to bee 
 very good and ryche : holdynge more then three vnces and a halfe of fyluer in euery hundreth of the myne. 
 And doubtleffe we fliuld haue obteyned great commoditie hereby if fortune at that tyme had not rayfed warre 
 betwene Maximilian Th[e]emperoure and the fignorie of Venece :' which was the caufe that thofe places of Frioli 
 and Camia, coulde not be quietly inhabited : whereby we were enforced to forfake owre enterpryfe, and to rafe 
 and deftroy th[e]order which we had begunne. And by reafon that the warres continued longe, we were con- 
 ftrayned to diuide owr company, where I alfo departed an other way, hauyng euer in mynde to folowe owre 
 attempted enterpryfe when better oportunitie fhulde feme. In the meane tyme returnyng ageine into hyghe 
 Almanie, I made more diligent fearche to knowe the mynes then before : and went to Sbozzo, Plaiper, I\n\- 
 fpruch, Alia, and Arottinbergh : frome whenfe I wente into dyuers places of Italy. So that to conclude, 
 the moll and beft mynes whiche I haue fene to holde moft of fyluer, are thofe that are founde in 
 " Vicentina in certeyne ftones of a dark grey, or ruffet colour, as I haue fayde before. And nowe 
 for a generall aduertifement, I wyll not omyt to tell yow, that when yow haue attempted to 
 dygge any mynes, and haue founde the marchafite and the myne myxt togyther, yowe 
 fliall leaue of yowre woorke, bycaufe it fignifieth that the myne is neare to the fuper- 
 ficiall part of the earth, and that it is of but lyttle quantitie. And thus as 
 touchyng this myne of fyluer, I can fay no more fauynge that I haue not 
 yet ftiewed yowe the maner of pourgynge it from earthely grofenes 
 and to brynge it to perfect metall. But bycaufe I haue deter- 
 myned to fpeake largely hereof in the proper place of the 
 fiifion or meltynge of all metals, I haue thowght 
 good to fpeake no further of this matter at 
 this prefente. 
 
 ?68 
 
Of the generation of metals. 
 
 369 
 
 
 THE MANER OF WORKYNGE IN GOLDE 
 
 MYNES IN EGIPTE IN OWLD TYME, AFTER THE 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF DIODORVS SICVLVS, WHO WROTTE HIS HISTORIE 
 
 cauled Bibliotheca, fumwhat before the dayes of th[e]emperoure 
 
 Octauianus Auguftus, and before th[e]incarnation of 
 
 Chrift abowt. xl. [forty] yeares. 
 
 He wryteth therefore in his fourthe booke as foloweth, 
 
 E haue not thowght good to pretermit howe golde is founde, digged, and wrought amonge the 
 Egiptians. In the confines therefore of Egipte where it borthereth with Ethiopia and Arabia, 
 there are certeyne places frutefull of metalles, owt of the whiche, golde is digged with great 
 laboure and expenfes. For a blacke earthe of minerale nature, hath certeyne vaynes of mofte 
 white marble exceadinge bright and Ihyninge. The furueyours of this woorke, haue afligned 
 them a great company of men to woorke and coyne golde. For the kinges of Egipte are 
 accuftomed to appoynte to thefe pa)Tiefull trauailes, all fuche as haue byn conuicte for cer- 
 teyne crimes and condemned by lawes, or taken prifoners in the warres, or fuche as haue byn committed to 
 prifon through the indignation of princes who by this meanes haue bothe great vantage by theyr laboure, and 
 punyflie them fufficiently for theyr offenfes. For barbarous and llrange fouldiers of diuers languagies, bare rule 
 ouer them and keepe them to theyr worke, in fuche forte that th[e]ufe of fpeache beinge taken from theym, they 
 can not bee corrupted by loue or intreatie. They drawe golde owt of the hardeft earth decocte with much fyer. 
 The fofteft flone which is broken with meane labour, is digged with inflrumentes of iren by the trauayle of many 
 thoulands of men. The fcrier which decemeth the veines of the myne, go[e]th before the workemen, appoynt- 
 ing them the places where they fhall digge. The marble (lone whiche he fheweth theim, they breake and 
 cleaue with wedgies of iren by the mere flrength of theyr bodies withowte arte. They make theyr foffe or caue, 
 not right fiirthe, but as the bright nature of the golden marble leadeth them, beinge otherwyfe darke and obfcure 
 by reafon of theyr fundry tumes and bendinges diuers wayes. The labourers caiyinge lyght before theyr for[e]- 
 heades, digge great (lones owt of the myne, whyche they let faule on the ground. From this labour they neuer 
 reft, inforced to contynual woorke with ftrokes and contumelious woordes. Children of th[e]age of. xii. [twelue] 
 or. xiii. [thirteen] yeares or vppewarde, are diuided into two companyes, whereof the one breake the ftones into 
 fmaule pieces, and the other cary fiirth that which is broken. They that are paft th[e]age of. xxx. [thirty] 
 yeares, receaue the fayd broken ftones at theyr hands and beate them in veffels of ftone with maules of iren, to 
 the quantitie of tares or fytches : which afterward they cafl into many milles, whereby the laboure of two or 
 three women or owlde men to euery mylle, they are grounde as fmaule as meale. The fylthineffe of the bodies 
 of thefe labourers, is apparent to all men. For not fo muche as their priuie members are couered with any 
 thinge : And theyr bodies byfyde fo fylthy, that no man can beholde them withowt compaffion of theyr liiiferie. 
 But no pitie, no refte, no remiflion is graunted them, whether they bee men or women, younge or owlde, fycke 
 or feeble : But are all with ftrokes inforced to continuall labour vntyl the poore wretches feynt and often tymes 
 dye for extreme debilitie : In fo much that many of them for feare of theyr lyfe to coomme (which they thynke 
 woorfe then the prefent payne) preferre death before lyfe. When they haue thus grounde the ftones very 
 fmaule, they caft that fubftaunce vppon brode tables inclynynge fumwhat ftiepe or ftandynge a flope, and caft 
 water thereon, fterynge continually the fayde pouder of marble : by the meanes wherof the earth and vre of the 
 myne is wafflied away, and the golde as the heauier matter remayneth on the tables. When they haue doone 
 thus often tymes, they ouertume the golde continually with theyr handes and rub it with thynne fpoonges, owt 
 of the which they preffe a fofte earth, and thus continewe vntyll the pure metall remayne lyke vnto golden fande. 
 After that this preparation is fynyflhed, other woorkemen receauynge it at theyr handes by meafure and weyght, 
 caft it into earthen pottes, puttynge thereto a certeyne portion of leade, with branne of barly, and weedes of 
 the fea cauled reites or oufe. Thefe thynges proportioned accordingly, tliey clofe the pottes diligently with 
 cley, and fo let them ftand in a fumeffe with fyer for the fpace of fyue continuall dayes and nyghtes. In which 
 fpace, al other thinges of contrary mixture beinge confumed, only the golde is found in the veffels, fumwhat 
 diminyfftied of the fyrft weyght. And by this labour and diligence is golde poffeffed in the furtheft parte of 
 Egypt. ^Vherby, euen nature her felfe teacheth vs howe laborious it is in fyndynge, tedious in purfuinge, daun- 
 gerous in keepynge, and in vfe conftitute betwene pleafure and forowe. 
 
 Eden. 2 E 3^9 
 
 Gold in a black 
 earthe, and white 
 marble 
 
 Then damned to 
 the metales as 
 nowe to the 
 gallies. 
 
 The scrier of the 
 vayne. 
 
 Golden marble. 
 
 The woorke of 
 chyldren. 
 
 Mylles. 
 
 The misery of 
 the miners 
 
 The poureingc of 
 the metall frame 
 the vre. 
 
 The melting of 
 golde. 
 
 343 
 
 Alga. 
 
371 
 
 [The Third English book on America, 
 
 Which is also 
 
 The First English Collection of Voyages, Traffics, & Discoveries. 
 
 SECTION VII. 
 
 The first two Voyages out of 
 England into Guinea, 
 
 ISS3-'SS4A.D.] 
 
373 
 
 CTHE DISCRIPTION OF THE TWO VIAGES 
 
 MADE OWT OF ENGLAND INTO GVINEA IN AFFRIKE 
 
 AT THE CHARGES OF CERTEYNE MARCHAVNTES ADVENTVRERS 
 
 of the citie of London, in the yeare of owre Lorde, 
 
 M.D.LIIL 
 
 jHat thefe vyages to Guinea are pkced after the booke of Metals as 
 feparate frome other vyages, the caufe hereof is, that after I had 
 delyuered the fayde booke of metalles to the handes of the 
 printers, I was defyred by certeyne my frendes to make fumme 
 mention of thefe viages,that fum meraorie myght thereof remayne 
 toowrpofleritie if eyther iniquitie of tymeconfumyngeall thinges, 
 or ignoraunce creepynge in by barbaroufneffe and contempte of 
 knoweleage, fliulde hereafter bury in obliuion fo woorthy attemptes, 
 fo much the greatlyer to bee eflemed as before neuer enterpryfed 
 by Englyfflie men, or at the leafte fo frequented as at this prefent 
 they are and may bee to the greate commoditie of owre mar- 
 chauntes, if the fame be not hyndered by th[e]ambifion of fuch 
 as for the conqueftynge of fortie or fyftie myles here and there, 
 and erectynge of certeyne fortreffes or rather blockhoufes amonge 
 naked people, thinke them felues woorthy to bee lordes of 
 ha'ife the worlde,enuying that other fliulde enioy the commodities 
 which they them felues can not holy poffelTe. And although fuch 
 as haue byn at charges in the difcouerynge and conqueftynge of fuch landes, owght by good reafon to 
 haue certeyne priuilegies, preeminencies, and tributes for the fame, yet (to fpeake vnder correction) it may 
 feeme fumwhat rigorous and ageynft, good reafon and confcience, or rather ageynft the charitie that owght 
 to bee amonge Chiyften men, that fuch as violentely inuade the dominions of other, fliuld not permit other 
 frendely to vfe the trade of marchandies in places neuer or feldome frequented of them, wherby theyr trade is 
 not hindered in fuch places where they them felues haue at theyr owne election appoynted the martes of theyr 
 trafike. But forafmuche as at this prefente it is not my intent to accufe or defend, approue or improue, I wil 
 ceafe to fpeake any further Jiereof, and proceade to the defcription of the fyrfl, viage as briefely and faythfully as 
 I was aduertifed of the lame by th[e]information of fuch credible perfons as made diligent inquifition to knowe 
 the truth hereof as much as flialbe requifite, omyttynge to fpeake of many particular thynges not greatly necef- 
 farie to be knowen : whiche neuertheleffe with alfo th[e]exact courfe of the nauigation, flial be more fully 
 declared in the fecond vyage. And if herein fauoure or frendfliyppe fliall perhappes caufe fum to thinke that 
 fum haue byn ftiarpely touched, let them laye a parte fauoure and frendfliippe and gyue place to truth, that honeft 
 men may receaue prayfe for well doinge, and lewde perfons reproche as the iufl, ftipende of theyr euyll defertes, 
 whereby other may bee deterred to do the lyke, and vertuous men encouraged to proceade in honeft attemptes. 
 But that thefe vyages may bee more playnely vnderftode of al men, I haue thowght good for this purpofe 
 before I intreate hereof, to make a breefe defcription of Aflfrica beinge that greate parte of the worlde, on whofe 
 Wefte fyde begynneth the coaft of Guinea at Cabo Verde abowt the. xii. [twelve] degrees in latitude on this 
 fyde the Equinoctiall line, and two degrees in longitude from the meafurynge line, fo runnynge from the north 
 to the fouth and by eaft in fum places within v. iiii. and. iii. degrees and a halfe within the Equinoctiall, 
 and fo furth in maner directly eaft and by north for the fpace of. xxxvi. [thirty-six] degrees or there abowt in 
 longitude from the Weft to the Eaft, as ftiall more playnely appere in the defcryption of the feconde vyage. 
 
 2 £ 2 - 373 
 
 Ambition. 
 
 Africa. 
 
 The coast of 
 Guinea. 
 
374 
 
 The vyage to Guinea. 
 
 344 
 
 Tunnes. 
 
 Bugia. 
 
 Tripoli. 
 
 Kumidia. 
 
 Ilandes of Tunnes.. 
 Malta. 
 
 The disertes of 
 Libia. 
 
 Barbaric. 
 
 Mauritania. 
 
 The kingdoms of 
 
 Fes and marrock. 
 
 Tremesin. 
 
 Oram. 
 
 Nassaquiber 
 
 Salla. 
 
 Azamor. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Canarie. 
 Guinea. 
 Ethiopians. 
 
 Marrock o. 
 Fes. 
 
 Tremesin. 
 Guinea. 
 
 Africa the great 
 
 Affrike the lesse. 
 
 Carthage. 
 
 Prester lohn. 
 
 Cape de Buona 
 
 Speranza. 
 
 The sea of sande. 
 
 Alcair. 
 
 345 
 
 From whense the 
 queene of Saba 
 came. 
 
 Manicongni. 
 
 The earthly 
 Paradyse. 
 
 The trees of the 
 soonne and 
 moone. 
 
 A BREEFE DESCRIPTION OF AfFRIKE. 
 
 fN Affrica the leffe are thefe kyngedomes : The kyngedome of Tunes, and Conflantina which is 
 at this day vnder Tunes, and alfo the region of Bugia, Tripoli, and Ezzab. This part of 
 Afrike is very baren by reafon of the greate defertes, as the defertes of Numidia and Barcha. 
 The principall portes of the kyngedome of Tunes are thefe : Goletta, Bizerta, Portofarnia, 
 Boua, and Stora. The chiefe cities of Tunes, are Conflantia and Bona with dyuers other. 
 Vnder this kyngedome are many Ilandes, as Zerbi, Lampadola, Pantalarea, Limofo, Beit, 
 Gamelaro, and Malta where at this prefente is the greate mailer of the Rodes. Vnder the 
 fouthe of this kyngedome, are the great defertes of Libia. Al the nations [of] this Africa the 
 less, are of the fecte of Machomet and a rullicall people lyuynge fcattered in vyllages. The belle of this parte 
 of Afrike, is Barbaria lyinge on the coalle of the fea Mediterraneum. 
 
 Mauritania (nowe cauled Barbaria) is diuided in two partes, as Mauritania Tingitania, and Cefarienfis. 
 Mauritania Tingitania, is nowe cauled the kyngdome of Fes and the kyngedome of Marrocko. The principall 
 citie of Fes, is cauled Fefla : and the chiefe citie of Marrocko, is named Marrocko. Mauritania Celarienfis is 
 at this day cauled the kyngedome of Treniifen, with alfo the citie cauled Temifen or Trelenfm. This region 
 is full of defertes, and reacheth to the fea Mediterraneum to the citie of Oram with the porte of Maffaquiber. 
 The kyngedome of Fes reachethe vnto the Ocean fea from the Well to the citie of Argilla : and the porte of 
 the fayde kyngedome is cauled Salla. 
 
 The kyngedome of Marrocko is alfo extended aboue the Ocean fea vnto the citie of Azamor and Aza.fi 
 whiche are aboue the Ocean fea towarde the Weft of the fayde kyngdome. In Mauritania Tingitanea (that is 
 to fay in the two kyngedomes of Fes and Marrocko) are in the fea, the Ilandes of Canarie cauled in owlde time 
 the fortunate Ilandes. Toward the fouth of this region, is the kyngedome of Guinea, with Senega, laiofo, 
 Gambra, and manye other regions of the blacke Moores cauled Ethiopians or Negros, all whiche are watered 
 with the ryuer Negro cauled in owlde tjmie Niger. In the fayde regions are no cities : but only certeyne lowe 
 cotages made of bouwes of trees plaftered with chauke and couered with ftrawe : In thefe regions are alfo very 
 great defertes. 
 
 The kyngedome of Marrocko hath vnder it thefe feuen kyngedomes : Hea, Sus, Guzula, the territorie of 
 Marrocko, Duchala, Hazchora, and Telde. 'Tsxt kyngedome of Fes hath as many : as Fes, Temefne, Azgar, 
 Elabath, Errifi, Garet, and Elcauz. The kyngedome of Tremifen hath thefe regions : Tremifen, Tenez, and 
 Elgazaet, all which are Machometiftes. But all the regions of Guinea are pure Gentyles and Idolatours withowt 
 •profefTion of any religion or other knowleage of god then by the lawe of nature. 
 
 Africa the great, is one of the three partes of the worlde knowen in owlde tyme and feuered from Afia, on 
 the Eaft by the ryuer Nilus : On the Weft, from Europe by the pillers of Hercules. The hyther part is nowe 
 cauled Barbarie, and the people Moores. The inner parte is cauled Libia and Ethiopia. Afrike the leffe is in 
 this w)rfe bounded : On the weft it hath Numidia : On the eaft C3rrenaica : On the north, the fea cauled Medi- 
 terraneum. In this countrey was the noble citie of Carthage. 
 
 In the Eaft fyde of Afrike beneth the redde fea, dwelleth the greate and myghtye Emperour and Chryftian 
 kynge Prefter lohan, well knowen to the Portugales in theyr vyages to Calicut. His dominions reache very 
 farre on euery fyde : and hath vnder hym many other kynges both Chiyftian and hethen that pay hym trybute. 
 This myghty prynce is cauled Dauid Th[e]emperour of Ethiopia. Sum wryte that the kynge of Portugale 
 fendeth hym yearely. viii. [eight] fliyppes laden with marchaundies. His kyngedome confineth vnth the redde 
 fea, and reacheth farre into Aiirike towarde Egypte and Barbarie. Southwarde it confineth with the fea towarde 
 the cape de Buona Speranza : and on the other fyde with the fea of fande cauled Mare de Sabione, a very 
 daungerous fea, lyinge betwene the great citie of Alcaer or Cairo in Egypte and the countrey of Ethiopia : In 
 the whiche way are many vnha[bita]ble defertes continuinge for the fpace of fyue dayes iorney. And they affirrae 
 that if the fayde Chryftian Emperour were not hyndered by thofe defertes (in the which is great lacke of vittayles 
 and efpecially of water) he wolde or nowe haue inuaded the kyngedome of Egypte and the citie of Alcayer. 
 The chiefe citie of Ethiope where this great Emperour is refydent, is cauled Amacaiz beinge a fayre citie, whofe 
 inhabitauntes are of the coloure of an olyue. There are alfo many other cities, as the citie of Sana vppon the 
 ryuer of Nilus where Th[e]emperoure is accuftomed to remayne in the foommer feafon. There is lykewyfe 
 a great citie named Barbaregaf: And Afcon from whenfe it is fayde that the queene of Saba came to 
 lerufalem to heare the wyfdome of Salomon. This citie is but lyttle, yet very fayre and one of the chiefe 
 cities in Ethiope. In the fayde kyngdome is a prouince cauled Manicongni, whofe kynge is a Moore 
 and tributarie to Th[e]emperour of Ethiope. In this prouince are many excedynge hyghe mountaynes vppon 
 the which is fayde to be the earthly Paradyfe : And fum fay that there are the trees of the foonne and moone 
 whereof the antiquitie maketh mention : yet that none can paffe thyther by reafon of greate defertes of a 
 hundreth dayes iorney. Alfo beyonde thefe mounta)mes, is the cape of Buona Speranza. And to haue layde 
 thus much of Afrike it may fuffice. 
 
The fyrjl vyage to Guinea. 
 
 375 
 
 C THE FYRST VYAGE TO GVINEA. 
 
 N the yeare of owre Lorde. M. D. LIII. the. xii. [twelfth] day of 
 Auguft, fayled from Porchemouth two goodly Ihyppes, the Prim- 
 rofe and the Lion, with a pynneffe cauled the moone : beinge all 
 well fumyflhed afwell with men of the luftieft. forte to the number 
 of feuen fcore, as alfo with ordinaunce and vyttayles requifite to 
 fuch a vyage : Hauynge alfo two capitaynes, the one a llraunger 
 cauled Antoniades Pinteado a Portugale, borne in a towne named 
 the porte of Portugale, a wyfe, difcrete, and fober man, who for 
 his cunnynge in faylynge beinge afwell an expert pylot as poly- 
 tyke capitayne, was fumtyme in greate fauoure with the kynge of 
 Portugale, and to whom the coafles of Brafile and Guinea were 
 commytted to bee kepte from the Frenchemen to whom he was 
 a terroure on the fea in thofe partes : and was furthermore a 
 gentleman of the kinge his mailers houfe. But as fortune in 
 maner neuer fauoureth but flattereth, neuer promifeth but 
 deceaiieth, neuer rayfeth but cafteth downe ageyne, and as great 
 wealth and fauour hath alwayes companions emulation and enuie, 
 he was after many aduerfites and quarels made ageynft, hym, inforced to come into Englande : where in this 
 golden vyage he was euyll matched with an vnequall coompanion and vnlyke matche of mofl fundry qualities 
 and conditions with vertues few or none adourned, with vices dyuers and many fowly fpotted, knowen of many 
 without profyte, and defyred of fewe or none for his wyckednes : whofe fmaule acquayntaunce was profitable to 
 all men, and his familiar conuerfation an vndoinge, that happye was the man or woman that knewe hym not, he 
 for his gooddes and flie for her name. In fine, vnfortunate was the coompany that had owght to doo with hym : 
 in fo much that it was no maruayle that fo goodly an enterpryfe with fo noble a furniture of men, fhyppes, and 
 ordinaunce of all fortes, with all kynde of vyttayles and that of fo great abundaunce, had fo fmaul fucceffe : 
 which could be none otherwyfe wher fo foule a fpotte dyd blemyfflie, ye rather deface the reft. Thus departed 
 thefe noble fiiyppes vnder fayle on theyr vyage. But firft this capitayne Wyndam, puttyng furth of his ftiyp at 
 Porchmouth, a kynfeman of one of the headde marchauntes, and Ihewynge herein a mufter of the tragical partes 
 he had conceaued in his brayne, and with fuch fmaule begynninges nuryfflied fo monftrous a byrth, that more 
 happy, yea and bleffed was that younge man beinge lefte behynde then if he had byn taken with them, as fum 
 doo wyfflie he had doonne the lyke by theyrs. Thus fayled they on theyr vyage vntyl they came to the Ilandes 
 of Madera where they toke in certeyne wynes for the fl,ore of theyr ftiyppes, and payde for them as they agreed 
 of the price. At thefe Ilandes they met with a great gallon of the kynge of Portugale full of men and ordi- 
 naunce : yet fuche as coulde not haue preuayled if it had attempted to withftande or refyft. owre (hyppes, for 
 the which caufe it was fet furth, not only to lette and interrupte thefe owre ftiyppes of theyr purpofed vyage, 
 but all other that ftiulde attempte the lyke : Yet chiefely to fruftrate owre vyage. For the kyng of Portugale 
 was finifterly informed that owre ftiyppes were armed to his caft-el of Mina in thefe parties, wheras nothing lefle 
 was ment 
 
 After that owr fhyppes departed from the Ilandes of Madera forwarde on theyr vyage, began this woorthy 
 capitaine Pinteados forowe as a man tormented with the company of a terrible hydra who hytherto flattered with 
 hym and made hym a fayre countenance and ftiewe of loue. Then dyd he take vppon hym to commaunde all 
 alone, fettynge nowght bothe by capitayne Pinteado with the refl;e of the marchaunte factours : fumtymes with 
 opprobrious woordes and fumtymes with threatenynges moft ftiamefuUy abufynge them, takinge from Pinteado 
 the feruice of the boys and certeyne mariners that were affigned hym by th[e]order and direction of the woor- 
 ftiypfuU marchauntes, and leauynge hym as a common maryner, which is the greatefl. defpite and greefe that 
 can be to a Portugale or Spanyarde to be diminyfftite theyr honoure which they efl.eeme aboue all rycheffe. 
 Thus faylyng forward on theyr vyage, they came to the Ilandes of Canarie, continuynge theyr courfe from thenfe 
 vntyll they arryued at the Ilande of faynt Nicolas where they vyttayled them felues with frefftie meate of the 
 
 37S 
 
 The Prymrose 
 The Lyon. 
 The Moone 
 
 Pinteado. 
 
 Brasile. 
 Guinea. 
 
 The flatteryng of 
 fortune. 
 
 The euel 
 conditions of 
 Wyndam. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Madera. 
 
 A galeon of 
 the kinge of 
 Portugale. 
 
 The castel of 
 Mina. 
 
 346 
 
 Howe Wyndam 
 abused Pinteado. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Canarie. 
 The Ilande of. 
 S. Nicolas. 
 
376 
 
 The fyrjt vyage to Guinea. 
 
 Guinea. 
 
 The ryuer of 
 
 Sesta 
 
 Gra]mes. 
 
 Tlie thristof golde. 
 
 The castel of 
 
 mena. 
 
 The quaiitit[i]e of 
 
 golde. 
 
 Beiun. 
 Pepper. 
 
 Furie admitteth 
 no counsayle. 
 
 The Rossia. 
 Rottinge heate. 
 Scorchinge heate. 
 Benin. 
 
 Francisco. 
 Nicolas Lambert. 
 The kyng of 
 Benin his court. 
 
 347 
 
 Reuerence 
 towarde the kynge. 
 
 The 
 
 communication 
 betwene the kynge 
 of Benin and owr 
 
 Pepper. 
 
 The Tcynges 
 gentlenesse 
 towarde owr men. 
 
 fleffhe of wylde goates whereof is great plentie in that Ilande and in maner of nothyng elfe. From henfe folowynge 
 on theyr courfe, and taryinge here and there at the deferte Ilandes in the waye, bycaufe they wcilde not coome 
 to tymely to the countrey of Guinea for the heate, and taryinge fumwhat to longe (for what can bee wel 
 mynyflred in a common wealth where inequalitie with tyrannie wyll rule alone) they came at the length to the 
 fyrfl lande of the countrey of Guinea where they fell with the great ryuer of Sello where they myght for theyr 
 marchaundies haue laden theyr fhyppes with the graynes of that countrey, which is a very hotte frute, and much 
 lyke vnto a fygge as it groweth on the tree. For as the fygges are full of fmaule feedes, fo is the fayde frute ful of 
 graynes which are lofe within the codde, hauynge in the myddefl. thereof a hole on euery fyde. This kynde of 
 fpice is much vfed in coulde countreys, and may there be folde for great aduantage for th[e]exchaunge of other 
 wares. But owr men by the perfuafion or rather inforcement of this tragicall capitayne, not regardynge and 
 fettyng lyght by that commoditie in comparafon to the fine gold they thrilled, fayled an hundreth leaques further 
 vntyl they came to the golden lande : where not attemptinge to come nere the caftell perteynynge to the kynge 
 of Portugale, whiche was within the ryuer of Mina, made fale of theyr ware onely on this fyde and beyonde it 
 for the golde of that countrey to the quantitie of an hundreth and fiftie poundes weyght, there beinge in cafe 
 that they myght haue difpatched al thejrr ware for golde, if the vntame brayne of Wyndam had or could haue 
 gyuen eare to the counfayle and experience of Pinteado. For when that Wyndam not fatifSed with the golde 
 whiche he had (and more myght haue had if he had taryed abowt the Mina) commaundynge the fayde Pinteado 
 (for fo he toke vppon hym) to leade the fhyppes to Benin beinge vnder the Equinoctial line and a hundreth and 
 fiftie leaques beyonde the Mina where he loked to haue theyr ftiyppes laden with pepper : And beinge coun- 
 fayled of the fayde Pinteado confyderynge the late tyme of the yere for that tyme to go no further but to make 
 fale of theyr wares fuch as they had for golde wherby they myght haue byn great gayners. But Wyndam not 
 affentynge hereunto, fell into a fuddeyne rage, reuilynge the fayde Pinteado, caulynge hym lewe with other 
 opprobrious woordes, 'fayinge. This horfon lewe hath promifed to brynge vs to fuch places as are not, or as 
 he can not bring vs vnto. But if he doo not, I wyl cut of his eares and naile them to the mall. Pinteado gaue 
 the forfayde counfayle to goo no further for the fafeguard of the men and theyr lyues, which they fliulde put in 
 daungioure if they came to late for the roffia which is theyr wynter, not for coulde but for fmotherynge heate 
 with clofe and cloudy ayer and llorminge wether of fuche putrifyinge qualitie that it rotted the cotes of theyr 
 backes : Or els for coommynge to foonne for the fcorchynge heate of the fonne which caufed them to lynger in 
 the way. But of force and not of wyll, browght he the ftiyppes before the ryuer of Benin : where rydynge at an 
 anker, fente theyr pinneffe vp into the ryuer fiftie or threfcore leaques,' from whenfe certeyne of the marchauntes 
 with capitayne Pinteado, Francifco a Portugale, Nicolas Lambert gentleman, and other marchauntes were con- 
 ducted to the courte where the kyng remayned. x. [ten] leaques from the ryuer fyde : whyther when they came, 
 they were browght with a greate company to the prefence of the kynge who beinge a blacke moore (althoughe not 
 fo blacke as the reft) fat in a great houge haule longe and wyde, the walles made of earthe withowte wyndowes, 
 the roofe of thynne boordes open in fundry places lyke vnto louers to lette in the ayer. 
 
 And here to fpeke of the great reuerence they gyue to their kynge, beinge fuch that if wee wolde gyue as 
 much to owr fauiour Chryfl, we ftiuld remoue from owr heades many plages which wee dayly deferue for owre 
 contempte and impietie. 
 
 So it is therfore, that when his noble men are in his prefence, they neuer looke hym in the face, but fyt 
 courynge, as wee vppon owre knees fo they vppon theyr buttockes with theyr elbowes vppon theyr knees and 
 theyr handes beefore theyr faces, not lookynge vppe vntyll the kynge commaunde them. And when they are 
 commynge towarde the kynge as farre as they do fee hym, do they ftiewe fuch reuerence fytting on the grounde 
 with theyr faces couered as before. Lykewife when they depart from hym they tume not theyr backes towarde 
 hym, but go creepynge backewarde with lyke reuerence. 
 
 And nowe to fpeake fumwhat of the communication that was betwene the kynge and owre men, yowe ftiall 
 fyrft vnderftande that he hym felfe coulde fpeake the Portugale tounge which he had lerned of a chylde. 
 Therfore after that he had commaunded owre men to ftande vp, and demaunded of them the caufe of theyr com- 
 mynge into that countrey, they anfwered by Pinteado that they were marchauntes trauaylynge into thofe parties 
 for the commodities of his countrey for exchaunge of wares which they had browght from theyr countreys, beinge 
 fuch as fliulde bee no leiTe commodious for him and his people. The kynge then hauynge of owlde lyinge in 
 a certeyne ftore houfe thirtie or fortie kyntals of pepper (euery kyntall beinge an hundreth weyght) wyllynge 
 them to looke vppon the fame, and ageyne to brynge hym a fyght of fuche marchaundies as they had browght 
 with them. And thervppon fent with the capitayne and the marchauntes certeyne of his men to conducte them 
 to the waters fyde, with other to brynge the ware from the pinneffe to the courte. Who when they were returned 
 and the wares feene, the kynge grewe to this ende with the marchauntes, to prouyde in thirtie dayes the ladynge 
 of all theyr ftiyppes with pepper. And in cafe theyr marchaundies wolde not extende to the value of fo muche 
 pepper, he promyfed to credite them to theyr nexte returne : and therevppon fente the countrey rounde abowt 
 
 .«6 
 
The fyrjt vyage to Guinea. 
 
 317 
 
 to gather pepper, caufynge the fame to be browght to the courte : So that within the fpace of. xxx. [thirty] days 
 they had gathered foure fcore toonne of pepper. 
 
 In the meane feafon owre men partly hauynge no rule of them felues, but eatyng withowt meafure of the 
 frutes of the countrey, and drynkyng the wyne of the palme trees that droppeth in the nyght from the cutte 
 branches of the fame, and in fuch extreeme heate runnynge continually into the water, not vfed before to fuch 
 fuddeyne and vehement alterations (then the which nothynge is more daungerous) were therby browght into 
 fwellynges and agues. In fo much that the later tyme of the yeare commyng on, caufed them to dye fumtymes. 
 iii. [three] and fumtymes. iiii. [four] or. v. [five] in a day. Then Wyndam perceauyng the tyme of the. xxx. 
 [thirty] dayes to be expyred, and his men dying fo fafl, fente to the courte in pofle to capitayne Pinteado and 
 the reft to come away and to tary no longer. But Pinteado with the reft, wrote backe to hym ageyne, certifynge 
 hym of the greate quantitie of pepper they had alredy gathered and loked dayly for much more : Defyrynge 
 furthermore to remember the great prayfe and name they fliulde wynne if they came home profperoufly, and 
 what ftiame of the contrary. With which an'fwere Wyndam not fatiffied, and many of theyr men dyinge dayly, 
 wylled and commaunded them ageine eyther to coomme away furthwith, or els thretened to leaue them behynde. 
 When Pinteado harde this anfwere, thynkynge to perfuade hym with reafon, tooke his way from the court towarde 
 the ftiyppes beinge conducted thyther with men by the kynges commaundement. 
 
 In the meane feafon Windam all rageinge, brake vppe Pinteados Caben, broke open his cheftes, fpoyledfuche 
 prouifyon of coulde ftilled waters and fuckettes as he hade prouided for his health, and lefte hym nothynge neyther 
 of his inftrumentes to fayle by, nor yet of his apparell. And in the meane tyme faulinge fycke hym felfe, dyed alfo. 
 Whofe death Pinteado comming aborde, lamented as muche as if he had byn the dereft frend he had in the worlde. 
 But certeyne of the maryners and other officers dyd fpette in his face, fum caulynge hym lewe, faying that he had 
 browght them thether to kylle them : And fum drawynge theyr fwordes at hym makynge A fhewe to fley hym. 
 Then he perceauinge that they wolde nedes away, defyred them to tary that he might fetch the refte of the mar- 
 chauntes that were lefte at the court. But they wolde not graunte his requeft. Then defyred he them to gyue hym 
 the ftiippe boate with as muche of an owlde fayle as myght ferae for the fame, promifynge them therewith to bringe 
 Nicolas Lamberte and the reft into England : But all was in vayne. Then wrotte he a letter to the courte to the 
 marchauntes informynge them of all the matter, and promyfynge them if god wolde lende hym life to returne with 
 al haft[e] to fetche them. And thus was Pinteado kepte a bordefhippe ageynfte his wyll, thraft amonge the 
 boyes of the fliippe, not vfed like a man, nor yet like an honeft boy : But glad to find fauoure at the cokes 
 hande. Then departed they, leaning one of theyr ftiippes behynde them, whiche they foonke for lake of men 
 to cary her. After this within fixe or feuen days faylinge, dyed alfo Pinteado for very penfiueneffe and thowght 
 that ftrooke hym to the harte : A man worthy to ferue any prince and moft vilely vfed. And of feuen fcore 
 men came home to Plymmuowth fcarfely fortye, and of them many dyed. And that no man ftiulde fufpecte 
 thefe wordes which I haue fayd in commendation of Pinteado, to be fpoken vpon fauour otherwyfe then truth, 
 I haue thought good to adde herevnto the coppie of the letters which the kyng of Portugale and the infant his 
 brother wrote vnto hym to reconcyle hym at fuche tyme as vppon the kynge his mafters difpleafure (and not 
 for any other cryme or offence as may appere by the fayde letters) he was onely for pouertie inforced to coomme 
 into Englande where he fyrft perfuaded owre marchauntes to attempte the fayde vyages to Guinea. ^ But as the 
 kynge of Portugale to late repented hym that he had fo punyfftied Pinteado vppon malicious informations of fuch 
 as enuied the mans good fortune, euen fo may it hereby appere, that in fum cafes, euen Lyons them felues, may 
 eyther bee hyndered by the contempt or ayded by the helpe of the pore myfe accordynge vnto the fable of Efope. 
 
 C T/te coppie of Antonianes Pinteado his letters patentes wherby the kynge of Portugale 
 
 made hym knyght of his houfe after all his troubles and imprifonment, which 
 
 by wronge information made to the kynge, he had fujleyned of longe tyme, 
 
 beinge at the lafle deli[u^red, his caufe knowen and manifefled , 
 
 to the kynge by a grey fryer the kynges confeffoure. 
 
 The kynge do gyue yow to vnderftande lorde Francis Deffeofa one of my counfayle and ouer- 
 feer of my houfe, that in confideration of the good feruice which Antonie Anes Pinteado, the 
 fonne of lohn Anes, dwellynge in the towne cauled the porte, hath doone vnto me, my wyll 
 and pleafure is, to make hym knyght of my houfe, alowynge to hym in penfion feuen hundreth 
 reys monethly, and euery daye one alcayr of barly as longe as he kepeth a horfe, and to bee 
 payde accordynge to the ordinaunce of my houfe. Prouydynge alwayes that he flial receaue 
 but one manage gyfte : And this alfo in fuch condition that the tyme which is excepted m owre 
 
 177 
 
 The disorder and 
 death of owre men. 
 
 The fiirie of 
 Wyndam. 
 
 The death of 
 Wyndam. 
 
 Pinteado euil vsed 
 of the maryners. 
 
 348 
 
 The death oi 
 Pinteado. 
 
 Seuen hundreth 
 reys are. x. s. [ten 
 shillings]. 
 Alcayr, is halfe 
 a bushet 
 
378 
 
 The fyrji vyage to Guinea. 
 
 ordinaunce forbyddynge fuch men to mary for gettynge fuch chyldren as myght fucceade them in this alowance, 
 which is fyxe yeares after the makynge of this patente, flialbe fyrfte expired before he do mary. I therfore 
 commaunde yowe to caufe this to bee entered in the booke cauled the Matricola of owre houfliolde vnder the 
 tytle of knyghtes. And when it is fo entered, let the clerke of the Matricola for the certentie therof, wryte on 
 the backe fyde of this Aluala or patente, the number of the leafe wherein this owre graunt is entered. Which 
 doone, let hym retume this wrytynge vnto the fayd Antonie Anes Pinteado for his warrant. 
 
 I Diego Henriques haue wrytten this in Almarin the xxii. [twenty-fecond] day of September, in the year^ 
 of owre lorde. 1551. And this beneuolence the kynge gaue vnto Antonie Anes Pinteado the. xxv. [twenty-fii'th] 
 day of luly this prefent yeare. 
 
 Rey. 
 
 349 
 
 C The fecretaries declaration wrytten vnder the kynges graunt. 
 
 Owre maieftie hath vouchfafed in refpect and confyderation of the good feruice of Antonie 
 Anes Pinteado dwellynge in the porte, and foonne of lohn Anes to make hym knyght of 
 yowre houfe with ordinarie alowance of feuen hundreth reys penfion byt he moneth and one 
 Alcayr of barley by the day as longe as he keepeth a horfe : And to bee payde accordyng 
 to the ordinaunce of yowr houfe with condition that he (hall haue but one manage gyfte : 
 And that not within the fpace of. vi. [fix] yeares after the makynge of thefe letters patentes. 
 The fecretaries note. Entered in the booke of the Matricola. Fol. 683. 
 
 Francifco de Siquera. 
 
 C The coppie of the letter of Don Lewes thlelinfant and brother to the kynge 
 of Portugale: fent into Englande to Antonianes Pinteado, 
 
 Ntonie Anes Pinteado, I the infant brother to the kynge, haue me hartely commended vnto 
 yow. Peter Gonfalues is gone to feeke yow, defyrynge to brynge yowe home ageyne into 
 yowr countrey. And for that purpofe, hath with hym a fafe conduct for yow, graunted by 
 the kynge, that thereby yowe may freely and withowt all feare come home. And although 
 the wether be foule and ftormy, yet fayle not to come. For in the tyme that his maieftie 
 hath gyuen yow, yow maye doo many thjmges to yowre contentacion and gratifying the kynge, 
 wherof I wolde bee ryght gladde : and to biynge the fame to paffe wyll doo all that lyeth in 
 me for yowre profyte. But forafmuch as Peter Gonfalues wyll make further declaration hereof vnto yow, I fay 
 no more at this prefent Wrytten in Luxbume the. viiL [eighth] day of December. Anno. M. D. LII. 
 
 C ^1? Infant don Lew\e\s. 
 
 L thefe forfayd wrytynges I fewe vnder fe[a]le in the houfe of my frende Nicolas Lyefe with 
 whom Pinteado left them at his vnfortunate departynge to Guinea. But notwithflanding all 
 thefe frendly letters and fayre promyfes, Pinteado durfte not attempte to go home, neyther 
 to keepe company with the Portugales his countrey men withowt the prefence of other, foraf- 
 much as he had fecreate admonition that they intended to fley hym, if tyme and place myght 
 haue ferued theyr wycked intent 
 
 378 
 
The feconde vyage to Guinea. 
 
 379 
 
 {^ THE SECONDE VYAGE TO GVINEA. 
 
 in the fyrft vyage I haue declared rather the order 
 of the hyftory then the courfe of the nauigation, 
 whereof at that tyme I coulde haue no perfecte in- 
 formation, fo in the difcription of this feconde vyage 
 my chiefe intent hath byn to fhew the courfe of the 
 fame accordynge to the obferuation and ordinarie 
 cuftome of the maryners, and as I receaued it at the 
 handes of an experte pylot beinge one of the chiefe 
 in this viage, who alfo with his owne handes wrote 
 a briefe declaration of the fame as he founde and 
 tryed all thynges not by coniecture, but by the arte 
 of faylynge and inftrumentes perteynynge to the 
 mariners facultie. Not therfore affuminge to my 
 felfe the commendations dewe to other, neyther fo 
 boulde as in anye parte to chaunge or otherwife 
 difpofe the order of this vyage fo wel obferued by arte and experience, I haue thowght 
 good to fet furth the fame in fuch forte and phrafe of fpeache as is commonly vfed amonge 
 them, and as I receaued it of the faid pylot as I haue fayde. Take it therfore as foloweth. 
 
 In the yeare of owre lorde. M. D. LIIII. the. xi. [eleuenth] day of October, wee departed the ryuer of 
 Temmes with three goodly fliyppes, th[e]one cauled the Trinitie, a fhyppe of the burden of feuen fcore toonne : 
 Th[e]other cauled the Barthelmewe a fhyppe of the burden of. Ixxxx. [ninety tons]. The thyrde was the lohn 
 Euangelifl a fhyppe of feuen fcore toonne. With the fayde fhyppes and two pynnefTes (wherof the one was 
 drowned in the coaft. of Englande) we went forward on cwr vyage, and fleyde at Douer. xiiii. [fourteen] dayes. 
 We fleyde alfo at Rye three or fo.ure dayes. More ouer lafl of all we touched at Darthmouth. 
 
 The fyrfl day of Nouember at. ix. [nine] of the clocke at nyght departynge from the coafle of Englande, 
 we fette of the flert bearynge fouthwefl all that nyght in the fea, and the nexte day all day, and the next nyght 
 after vntyll the th3Tde daye of the fayde mooneth abowt noone, makynge owr way good, dyd runne. 60. leaques. 
 
 Item from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the thyrde daye tyll. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. iiii. [fourth] day of 
 the fayde mooneth, makynge owr way good foutheafl, dyd runne euery three houres twoo leaques, which 
 amounteth to. xvi. [fixteen] leaques the hole. 
 
 Item from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. iiii. [fourth] day to. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. v. [fifth] day, 
 runnynge fouthwefl in the fea, dydde runne. xii. [twelve] leaques. 
 
 Item runnynge from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. v. [fifth] day vntyll xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. vi. 
 [fixth] day runnyng foutheafl, dyd runne. xviii. [eighteen] leaques. 
 
 And fo from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the vi. [fixth] daye vntyll. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. vii. [feventh] 
 day, runnynge fouthfouthwefl, dyd runne eueiy houre. ii. [two] leaques which amount to. xlviii. [forty-eight] 
 leaques the hole. 
 
 Item from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. vii. [feventh] day tyl. iii. [three] of the clocke the. viii. [eighth] 
 day, fouthfouthwefl, runnyng in the fea, dyd runne. xxx. [thirty] leaques. 
 
 Item from three of the clocke the. viii. [eightli] day, vntyll. iii. of the clocke the. ix. [ninth] day, runnyng fouth- 
 fouthwefl, dyd runne. xxx. [thirty] leaques. 
 
 Item from. iii. [three] of the clocke the. ix. [ninth] day tyll. iii. [three] of the clocke the. x. [tenth] day, dyd 
 fouthfoutheafl in runnynge in the fea the fum of. xxiiii. [twenty-four] leaques. 
 
 Alfo from. iii. [three] of the clocke the. x. [tenth] day vntyl. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. xi. [eleventh] day, 
 
 350 
 
38o 
 
 The feconde vyage to Guinea. 
 
 The lie of 
 Madera. 
 
 The lie of palmes. 
 Tenerififa. 
 The Canaries. 
 
 Frame madera to 
 the lie of Fahnes. 
 
 Giancanaria. 
 Fortes Ventura. 
 The Iland of 
 
 Gomera. 
 
 TeneriSa. 
 Snowe. 
 
 351 
 
 The coast of 
 Barbarye. 
 Cape blanke. 
 
 The ryuer of 
 de Oro. - 
 
 The crosiers or 
 Crosse starres. 
 
 Rio Grande 
 
 dyd run fouthfouthweft the fum of. xii. [twelve] leaques, and from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke tyll. vi. [fix] of the 
 layde day, dyd run. vi. [fix] leaques. 
 
 Runnynge fouth and by wefl in the fea from. vi. [fix] of the clocke the. xi. [eleuenthl day tylL vi. [fix] of 
 the clocke the. xii. [twelfth] day, dyd run. xxxvi. [thirty-fix] leaques. 
 
 From. vi. [fix] of the clocke at after none the. xii. [twelfth] daye tyll. vi. [fix] of the clocke the xiii. [thirteenth] 
 day at after none, dyd runne. xiii. [thirteen] leaques. 
 
 Item from. vi. [fix] of the clocke the. xiii. [thirteenth] day, tyl. vi. [fix] of the clocke the. xiiii. [fourteenth] day at 
 after none that we were becalmed that weecoulde lye fouthweft with a fayle. And the. xv. [fifteenth] daye in the morn- 
 ynge, the wynde came to the Eafl. and eafte northeaft. The. xvii. [feventeenth] day in the momynge, we had fyght 
 of the He of Madera which doth ryfe to hym that commeth in the north northeaft parte vpryght lande in the weft 
 part of it, and very hyghe : and to the fouth foutheafte a lowe longe lande and a longe poynt with a faddle throwgh 
 the myddefte of it, flandeth in the xxxii. [thirty-two] degrees : and in the wefte parte, many fpringes of water 
 runnynge downe from the mountayne,and manywhyte fyeldes lykevnto come fieldes,andfum whyte houfes to the 
 foutheaft parte of it : and the toppe of the mountayne fheweth very ragged if yow may fe it, and in the north- 
 eaft parte there is a byght or bay as thowgh it were a harborowe. Alfo in the fayde part, there is a rocke a 
 lyttle diftance from the fliore : and ouer the fayde byght, yow ftiall fe a great gappe in the mountayne. 
 
 The. xix. [nineteenth] day at. xii. [twelve] of the clocke, we had fyght of the He of Palmes and Teneriffa and 
 the Canaries. The He of Palme ryfeth rounde and lyeth foutheafte and northwefte, and the northweft parte is 
 loweft. In the fouth, is a rounde hyll ouer the hedde lande, and an other rounde hyll aboue that in the lande. 
 
 There is betwene the foutheaft parte of the He of Madera and the northweft parte of the He of Palme. Ivii. 
 [fifty-feven] leaques. This He of Palme lyeth in the. xxix. [twenty-nine] degrees. And owre courfe from Madera to 
 the He of Palme was fouth and fouth and by weft, fo that we had fyght of Teneriffa and of the Canaries. The 
 foutheaft parte of the He of Palme, and the north northeaft of Tenerifla, lyeth foutheaft and northwefte. And 
 betwene them is. xx. [twenty] leaques. Teneriffa and the greate Canarie cauled Grancanaria, and the weft part 
 of Fortifuentura ftandeth in. xxvii. [twenty-feven] degrees and a halfe. Gomera is a fayre Hande and very 
 ragged and lyeth weft fouthweft of Teneriffa. And who fo euer wyll come betwene theym twoo Ilandes, muft 
 come fouth and by eaft, and in the fouth parte of Gomera, is a towne and a good rode in the fayde parte of the 
 Hande : and it ftandeth in. xxvii. [twenty-feven] degrees and three terces. Teneriffa is a hygh lande and a greate 
 hyghe picke lyke a fuger lofe. And vppon the fayde picke is fnowe throughowt all the hole yeare. And by 
 reafon of that picke, it maye bee knowen aboue all other Ilandes, and there we were becalmed the. xx [twentieth] 
 day of Nouember from. vi. [fix] of the clocke in the momynge vntyll foure of the clocke at after none. 
 
 C Betwene Gomera and Capo de las Barbas. 
 
 He. xxii. [twenty-fecond] day of Nouember vnder the Tropike of Cancer, the foonne goeth 
 downe weft and by fouth. 
 
 Vpon the coaft of Barberie. xxv. [twenty-five] leaques by north cape blanke at. iii. [three] 
 leaques of the mayne, there is. xv. [fifteen] fadome and good (helly grounde and fande 
 amonge, and no ftremes, and two fmaule Ilandes ftandyng in the. xxii. [twenty-two] degrees 
 and a terce. 
 
 From Gomera to cape de las Barbas is a hundreth leaques and owr courfe was fouth 
 and by eaft. The fayde cape ftandeth in. xxii. [twenty-two] and a halfe : and all that coaft is flatte. xvi. 
 [fixteen] or. xvii. [feventeen] fadome deepe, vii. [feven] or. viii. [eight] leaques of frome the ryuer de Oro to 
 cape de las Barbas, there vfe many Spanyardes and Portugales to trade for fyffhynge durynge the mooneth of 
 Nouember : and all that coaft is veiye lowe landes. Alfo wee went from cape de las Barbas fouthfouthweft and 
 fouthweft and by fouth : tyll we brought owre felues in. xx. [twenty] degrees and a halfe, rekenynge owr felues 
 viL [feven] leaques of : and that was the leaft fholes of cape Blanke. 
 
 Then we went fouth vntyll we browght owre felues in. xiii. [thirteen] degrees, rekenynge owre felues. xxv. 
 [twenty-five] leaques of. And in. xv. [fifteen] degrees, we dyde reere the croffiers : and we myght haue rered 
 them fooner if we had loked for theym. They are not ryghte a croffe in the moonethe of Nouember by reafon 
 the nyghtes are fliorte there. Neuertheleffe we had the fyght of them the. xxix. [twenty-ninth] day of the fayde 
 mooneth at nyght. 
 
 The fyrft of December owte. xiii. [thirteen] degrees, we fette owre courfe fouth and by Eaft vntyll the fourth 
 daye of December at. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the fame day. Then we were in. ix. [nine] degrees and a terce, 
 rekenynge owr felues. xxx. [thirty] leaques of the fholes of the ryuer cauled Rio Grande beinge weft fouthwefte 
 of them : The which fholes be. xxx. [thirty] leaques longe. 
 380 
 
1 he Jeconde vyage to Umnea. 
 
 3«i 
 
 The fourth of December, we beganne to fette owr courfe foutheafte, we beinge in. vi. [fix] degrees and a halfe. 
 
 The ninth day of December we fet owr courfe eafl foutheaft. 
 
 The. xiiii. [fourteenth] day of the fayde mooneth, we fette owre courfe eafl', we beinge in. v. [five] degrees 
 and a halfe, rekenynge owre felues. xxxvi. [thirty-fix] leaques from the coaft of Guinea. 
 
 The. xix. [nineteenth] day of the fayde mooneth, we fette owre courfe eafl. and by north, rekenynge owr felues. 
 xvii. [feventeen] leaques diftant from cape Menfurado, the fayde cape beinge eafl. northeafl, of vs, and the ryuer 
 of Sefl.0 beinge eafl. 
 
 The. xxi. [twenty-firfl,] day of the fayde mooneth we fel with cape Me[n]furado to the foutheafl. abowt two 
 leaques of. This cape may be eafely knowen, by reafon the ryfynge of it is lyke a porpofe hedde. Alfo towarde 
 the foutheafl, there are three trees, wherof the eaftermoft tree is the hygheft, and the myddlemofl, is lyke a heye 
 ftacke, and the fouthermoft lyke vnto a iebet : and vppon the mayne, are foure or fyue hygh hylles ryfynge one 
 after an other lyke round hoommockes or hyllockes. And the foutheaft of the three trees, is thre trees lyke a 
 brandierwyfe : and all the coafte alonge is whyte fende. The layde cape ftandeth within a lyttle in. vi. [fix] 
 degrees. 
 
 The. xxii. [twenty-fecond] of December, we came to the ryuer of Sefto, and remayned there vntyll the. xxix. 
 [twenty-ninth] day of the fayde moneth Here we thought it beft to fende before vs the pynneffe to the ryuer of 
 Dulce cauled Rio Dulce, that they myght haue the begynnynge of the market before the commynge of the lohn. 
 
 At the ryuer of Sefto, we had a toonne of graynes. This ryuer ftandeth in. vi. [six] degrees lackynge a terce. 
 From the ryuer of Sefto to Rio Dulce, is. xxv. [twenty-five] leaques. Rio Dulce ftandeth in. v. [five] degrees 
 and a halfe. The ryuer of Sefto is eafy to bee knowen by reafon there is a ledge of rockes on the foutheaft 
 parte of the rode. And at the enterynge into the hauen, are fyue or fyxe trees that beare no leaues. This is 
 a good harborowe : but very narrowe at the enteraunce into the ryuer. There is alfo a rocke in the hauen mouth 
 right as yow enter. And all that coaft betwene cape de Monte and cape de las Palmas, lyeth foutheaft and by 
 eaft, northweft and by wefte, beinge three leaques of the ihore. And yow fliall haue in fum places rockes two 
 leaques of : and that betwene the ryuer of Sefto and cape de las Palmas. 
 
 Betwene the ryuer of Sefto and the riuer Dulce, is. xxv. [twenty-five] leaques. And the hygh lande that is 
 betwene them bothe, is cauled Cakeado, beinge. viii. [eight] leaques from the ryuer of Sefto. And to the foutheaft- 
 warde of hjon, is a place cauled Shawgro and an other cauled Shyawe or Shauo, where yow may get frefftie water. 
 Of this Shyawe, lyeth a ledge of rockes : and to the Southeaftwarde, lyeth a hed lande cauled Croke. Betwene 
 Cakeado and Croke, is. ix. [nine] or. x. [ten] leaques. To the Southeaftwarde of, is a harborowe cauled faynte 
 Vincent Ryght ouer ageynft faynt Vincent, is a rocke vnder the water, two leaques and a halfe of the ftiore. 
 To the foutheaftwarde of that rocke, yow fliall fee an Ilande abowt three or foure leaques of. This Ilande is not 
 pafte a leaque of the ftiore. To the eaft foutheaft of the Ilande, is a rocke that lyeth aboue the water : and by 
 that rocke goeth in the ryuer of Dulce, which yow fliall knowe by the fayde ryuer and rocke. The northweft 
 fyde of the hauen, is flat fande : and the foutheaft fyde therof, is lyke an Ilande and a bare plotte witliout any 
 trees, and fo is it not in any other place. 
 
 In the rode, yow fliall ryde in. xiii. [thirteen] or. xiiii. [fourteen] fadomes, good owes and fande, beinge 
 the markes of the rode to bring the Ilande and the northweft lande togyther. And here wee ankered the laft of 
 December. 
 
 The thyrde day of lanuary, we came from the ryuer of Dulce. 
 
 Note that cape de las Palmas is a fayre high land. But fumme lowe places therof by the water fyde, looke 
 like.redde cliifes with white ftrakes like wayes a cable length a piece. And this is to the Eaft parte of the cape. 
 This cape is the fouthermoft lande in all the coaft of Guinea : And ftandeth m foure degrees and a terce. 
 
 The coaft from cape de las Palmas to cape Trepoyntes or de tres Puntas, is fayre and cleare without rocke 
 or other daungiour. 
 
 xxv. [twenty-five] leaques from cape de las Palmas, the lande is higher then in any place vntyll we came to 
 cape Trepoyntes. And abowt. x. [ten] leaques before yow comme to cape Trepointes, the lande ryfeth ftyll hygher 
 and hygher vntyll yow come to cape Trepoyntes. Alfo before yowe coomme to the fayde cape after other fine 
 leaques to the northweft parte of it, there is certeyne broken grounde with twoo greate rockes : and within them 
 in the byght of a bay, is a caftel cauled Arra, perteyning to the kynge of Portugale. Yow fliall knowe it by the 
 fayde rockes that lye of it : For there is none fuch from cape de las Palmas to cape Trepoyntes. This coafte 
 lyeth eafte and by north, weft and by fouth. From cape de las Palmas to the fayde caftell, is foure fcore and. 
 XV. [fifteen] leaques. And the coafte lyeth from the fayde caftell to the Weftermoft poynte of the Trepoyntes, 
 foutheaft and by fouth, northweft and by north. Alfo the Weftermoft poyntes of the Trepointes, is a lowe lande 
 lyinge halfe a myle owt in the fea : and vppon the innermofte necke to the landewarde, is a tufte of trees, and 
 there we arryued the. xi. [eleventh] day of lanuary. 
 
 The. xii [twelfth] day of lanuary, we came to a towne cauled Samma or Samua, beinge. viii. [eight] leaques 
 
 381 
 
 Cape Mensiuado. 
 The riuer of Sesta 
 
 The riuer of Sesto. 
 Rio Dulce. 
 
 Cape de Monte. 
 
 Cape de las 
 Falmas. 
 
 352 
 
 The lande of 
 Cakeado. 
 Shauo. 
 Croke. 
 
 Saint Vincentes 
 harboroue. 
 
 The riuer Dulce. 
 
 Cape de las 
 Palmas. 
 
 The coast of 
 Guinea. 
 Cape de 
 trespunta& 
 
 The castell of 
 Arra. 
 
 The towne of 
 Sanuna. 
 
382 
 
 The feconde vyage to Guinea. 
 
 The ple[d]ge was 
 sa lohn Yorke 
 hisnevie. 
 
 Cape Corea. 
 
 The castel of ttiina 
 perteyninge to 
 the kynge of 
 Fortugale. 
 
 Perecowe. 
 Perecowe grande. 
 Monte Rodondo. 
 
 353 
 
 The currants 
 
 Frome mina 
 homewarde. 
 
 Rio de los Potos. 
 Iverye. 
 
 Cape de las 
 Pahnas. 
 
 Currantes 
 
 The lie de Flore. 
 
 ThelleofCorvo. 
 
 Where they lost 
 thesight of the 
 northe starre. 
 Howe the 
 compasse dooth 
 vaiie. 
 
 The prymrose. 
 
 from cape Trepoyntes toward eaft northeaft. Betwene cape Trepointes and the towne of Samua, is a great ledge 
 of rockes a great way owt in the fea. Wee continued foure dayes at that towne : and the capitayne therof wolde 
 needes haue a pledge a fliore. But when they receaued the pledge, they kepte hym flyl and wolde traffike no 
 more, but fhot of theyr ordinaunce at vs. They haue two or three pieces of ordinaunce and no more. 
 
 The. xvi. [fixteenth] day of the fayde mooneth, we made rekenynge to come to a place cauled cape Corea 
 where capitayne Don lohn dwelleth, whofe men interteyned vs frendly. This cape Corea is foure leagues eaft- 
 warde of the caftell of Mina, otherwyfe cauled La Mina, or Cajlello de Mina, where we arriued the. xviii. 
 [eighteenth] day of the mooneth. Here we made fale of al owr cloth fauynge two or three packes. 
 
 The. xxvi. [twenty-fixth] day of the fame mooneth, we weyd anker and departed from thenfe to the Trinitie 
 which was. vii. [feven] leaques eaftwarde of vs where flie folde her wares. Then they of the Trinitie wylled vs 
 to go eaftwarde of that. viii. [eight] or. ix. [nine] leaques to fel part of their wares in a place caled Perecow, and 
 an other named Perecowe grande, beinge the eaftermoft place of both thefe, which yow ftial knowe by a great 
 rounde hyl nere vnto it named Monte Rodondo l3^ge weftwarde from it. And by the water fyde are many 
 hyghe palme trees. From henfe dyd we fet furth homewarde the. xiii. [thirteenth] day of February and plyed 
 vppe alongeft tyll we came within, vii. [feven] or. viii. [eight] leaques to cape Trepointes. Abowt. viii. [eight] 
 of the clocke the. xv. [fifteenth] day at after noone, we dyd caft abowt to feawarde. And beware of the currantes, 
 for they wyll deceaue yow fore. 
 
 Who fo euer fhall coomme from the coaft of Mina homewarde, let hym be fuer to make his way good weft 
 vntyll he reken hym felfe as farre as cape de las Palmas where the currant fetteth alwayes to the eaftwarde. 
 And within, xx. [twenty] leaques eaftwarde of cape de las Palmas, is a ryuer cauled Rio de los Potos where yow 
 may haue freffhe water and balaffe enowgh, and plentie of luery or Elephantes teethe. This ryuer flandeth in 
 foure degrees and almoft two terces. 
 
 And when yow reken yowre felfe as farre fliotte as cape de las Palmas, beinge in a degree or a degree and 
 a halfe, yow may go weft or weft and by north vntyll yowe comme in three degrees : and then yowe maye go 
 wefte northweft, and northweft and by weft vntyll yow comme in fiue degrees and then northweft. And in the. 
 vi. [fix] degrees, wee mette northerly wyndes and greate rooftjTige of tydes. And as wee coulde iudge, the 
 currantes went to the north northweft. Furthermore betwene cape de Monte and cape Verde, go great currantes 
 which deceaue many men. 
 
 The. xxii. [twenty-fecond] daye of Apryll, wee were in. viii. [eight] degrees and two terces : and fo we ranne to 
 the northweft, hauynge the wynde at northeaft and eaftnortheaft, and fumtymes at eafte untyll we were at. xviii; 
 [eighteen] degrees and a terce, which was on May day. And fo from, xviii. [eighteen] and two terces, we hadde 
 the Tvynde at eaft and eaft northeaft, and fumtymes at eaft foutheaft : and then wee rekoned the Ilandes of cape 
 Verde eafte foutheaft of vs, wee iudgynge owre felues to be. xlviii. [forty-eight] leaques of. And in. xx. [twenty] 
 and. xxi. [twenty-one] degrees, wee had the wynde more eafterly to the fouthwarde then before. And fo we ran 
 to the northweft and northnorthweft, and fumetymes north and by weft and north vntyll wee came into. xxxi. [thirty- 
 one] degrees, where we rekened owre felues a hundreth and foure fcore leaques fouthweft and by fouth of the Ilande 
 de Flore or de los Flores. And there we met with the wynde at fouthfoutheaft, and fet owre courfe northeaft. 
 
 In. xxxiii. [thirty-three] degrees, we had the wynde at the fouth and fouthweft : and then we fet owr courfe 
 north northeaft, and fo we ranne to xl. [forty] degrees : and then we fet our courfe northeaft the wynde beinge 
 at the fouthweft and haujmge the lie de Flore eaft of vs, and. xvii. [seventeen] leaques of. 
 
 In. xli. [forty-one] degrees, we met with the wynd at northeaft, and fo we ranne northweftwarde. Then 
 we met with the wynde at the weft northweft and at the weft within, vi. [fix] leaques ninnynge towarde the 
 northweft : And then wee caft abowt and ley northeaft vntyll we came in. xlii. [forty-two] degrees, where we 
 fette owr courfe eaft northeaft, iudgynge the He of Coruo fouth and by weft of vs and. xxxvi. [thirty-fix] leaques 
 diflant from vs. 
 
 A rememberaunce that the. xxi. [twenty-firft] day of Maye, we communed with John Rafe, and he thought 
 it beft to go northeafte, and iudged hym felfe. xxv. [twenty-fiue] leaques eaftwarde to the He de Flore, and in. 
 xxxix. [thirty-nine] degrees and a halfe. 
 
 Note that in the fourth day of September [December?] vnder nine degrees, we loft the fyght of the north ftarre. 
 
 Note alfo, that in the. xlv. [forty-five] degrees the compaffe is varyed. viii. [eight] degrees to the weft. 
 
 Item, in. xl. [forty] degrees, the compaffe dyd vary. xv. [fifteen] degrees in the hole. 
 
 Item, in xxx. [thirty] degrees and a halfe, the compaffe is varyed. v. [fiue] degrees to the weft. 
 
 Be it alfo in memorie, that two or three dayes before we came to cape Trepointes, the pynneffe went 
 alongeft the fliore thinkynge to fell fum of owr wares. And fo we came to anker three or foure leaques weft 
 and by fouth of the cape Trepoyntes where we lefte the Trinitie. 
 
 Then owre pynneffe came a boorde with all owr men. The pynneffe alfo tooke in more wares. They 
 toulde me more ouer that they wolde go to a place where the Primrofe was and had receaued much golde at 
 382 
 
The feconde vyage to Guinea. 
 
 383 
 
 the fjrrfte vyage to thefe parties. And tolde me furthermore that it was a good place. But I fearynge a brigan- 
 tine that was then vppon the coaft, dydde wey and folowe theym, and lefte the Trinitie abowte foure leaques of 
 from vs. And there we rode ageynfte that towne foure dayes : fo that Martine by his owne defyre and aifente 
 of fum of the commiffioners that were in the pinneffe, wente a fliore to the towne. And there lohn Beryn went 
 to trafike from vs beinge three myles of trafekynge at an other towne. The towne is cauled Samma or Samua. 
 For Samma and Sammaterra, are the names of the two fyrfte townes where wee did trafficke for gold, to the 
 northeafl. of cape Trepoints : 
 
 Hetherto continueth the courfe of the vyage as it was defcribed by the fayde pylot. 
 Nowe therfore to fpeake fumwhat of the contrey and people, and of fuche thynges as are 
 browght from thenfe. 
 
 They browght from thenfe at the laft vyage, foure hundreth pounde weyght and odde of golde of. xxii. 
 [twenty-two] carrattes and one grayne in fineneffe. Alfo. xxxvi. [thirty-fix] buttes of graynes : and abowt two 
 hundreth and fiftie elephantes teethe of all quantities. Of thefe, I fawe and meafured fum of. ix. [nine] fpannes 
 in length as they were croked Sum of them were as bygge as a mans thygh aboue the knee : and weyed 
 abowte foure fcore and ten pounde weyght a piece. They fay that fum one hath byn feene of a hundreth and. 
 XXV. [twenty-five] pounde weyght. Other there were which they caule the teeth of calues of one or two or three 
 yeares, wherof fum were a foote and a halfe, fumme two foote, and fum three or more accordynge to th[e]age 
 of the beafle. Thefe great teeth or tuflces, growe in the vpper iaw downewarde, and not in the nether iawe 
 vpwarde, wherein the paynters and arras woorkers are deceaued. At this lafte vyage was browght from Guinea 
 the headde of an elephante of fuch huge byggenefle, that only the bones or crauewe therof befyde the nether 
 iawe and greate tufkes, wayed abowte two hundreth weyght, and was as muche as I coulde well lyfte from the 
 grounde. In fo muche that confiderynge alfo herewith the weyght of. ii. [two] fuch great teeth, the nether iawes with 
 the leffe teethe, the tounge, the greate hangynge. eares, the bygge and longe fnowte or troonke, with all the 
 fleflhe, braynes, and Ikynne, with all other partes belongynge to the hole headde, in my iudgemente it coulde 
 wey lyttle lefle then fyue hundreth weyght. This headde dyuers haue fene in the houfe of the woorthy mar- 
 chaunt fyr Andrewe ludde, where alfo I fawe it, and behelde it not onely with my bodely eyes, but much more 
 with the eyes of my mynde and fpirite confydered by the woorke, the cunnynge and wyfedome of the woorke 
 mailer : withowt which confyderation, the fyght of fuch flraunge and woonderfuU thynges may rather feeme 
 curiofities then profitable contemplations. 
 
 The elephante (which fum caule an oliphant) is the biggeft of all foure footed beaftes. His forelegges are 
 longer then his hynder. He hath ankles in the lower parte of his hynder legges, and fyue toes on his fiete 
 vndiuided. His fnowte or troonke is fo longe and in fuch forme that it is to hym in the fteede of a hande. 
 For he neyther eateth nor drinketh but by bryngynge his troonke to his mouth. Therwith he helpeth vp his 
 mafter or keeper : therwith he ouerthroweth trees. Byfyde his two greate tufkes, he hath on euery fyde of his 
 mouth foure teeth wherwith he eateth and gryndeth his meate. Eyther of thefe teeth, are almofl. a fpan in 
 length as they growe alonge in the iawe : and are abowte two inches in height and almofl. as much in thicke- 
 nefle. The tulkes of the male are greater then of the female. His tounge is verye lyttle, and fo farre in his 
 mouth that it can not bee feene. Of all beafl,es they are mofte gentyll and tractable. For by many fundiy 
 ways they are taught and do vnderfland : In fo much that they leame to do due honour to a king, and are of 
 quicke fence and fliarpenes of wyt. When the male hath once feafoned the female, he neuer after toucheth 
 her. The male Elephante lyueth two hundreth yeares, or at the leafl.e one hundreth and twentie. The female 
 almoft as longe : but the floure of theyr age, is but Ix. [fixty] yeares as fum wryte. They can not fuffer wynter 
 or coulde. They loue ryuers and wyll often go into them vp to the fnowte wherwith they blowe and fnufife, 
 and play in the water : but fwymme they canne not for the weyght of theyr bodyes. Plinie and Soline wryte 
 that they vfe none adulterie. If they happen, to meete with a manne in wyldemefTe beinge owt of the way, 
 gentylly they wyl go before hym and brynge hym into the playne waye. loyned in battayle, they haue no 
 finaule refpecte vnto them that be wounded. For they brynge them that are hurt or wery into the middle of 
 the army to be defended. They are made tame by drynkynge the iufe of barley. They haue continuail warre 
 ageynfl. dragons which defyre theyr bludde bycaufe it is very coulde. And therfore the dragon lyinge awayte 
 as the Elephant paffeth by, wyndeth his tayle (beinge of exceadynge length) abowt the hynder legges of the 
 elephant : and fo fl:eying hym, thralleth his heade into his tronke and exhaufleth his breth, or els byteth hym 
 in the eare wherunto he can not reach with his troonke. And when the elephant waxeth faynt, he fauleth 
 downe on the ferpente beinge nowe full of bludde : and with the poyfe of his body breaketh hym : fo that his 
 owne bludde with the bludde of the elephant, runneth owt of hym mengeled togyther : whiche beinge coulde, 
 is congeled into that fubftaunce which the apothecaries caule Sanguis Draconis, (that is) dragons blud, other- 
 
 383 
 
 The towne of 
 Sftmnm. 
 
 354 
 
 Golde. 
 
 Golde foure 
 hundreth weyght 
 Graynes. 
 luery, 
 Elephantes teetha 
 
 The head of 
 an Elephant. 
 
 The 
 
 contemplations 
 of gods worker 
 
 The description 
 and properties of 
 the Elephante. 
 
 Debate betwene 
 the Elephant and 
 
 the dragon. 
 
 355 
 
 Sanguis Draconit. 
 
384 
 
 The feconde vyage to Guinea. 
 
 CinnaharU, 
 
 Thre kyndes of 
 elephantes. 
 
 Workes of luery. 
 
 The people of 
 Africa. 
 
 Libia Interior, 
 
 Getulia. 
 
 Ethiopes, 
 
 Nigrite. 
 
 The ryuer Nigritis 
 
 or Senega. 
 
 356 
 
 A strange tbynge. 
 
 Garamantes. 
 People of Lybia. 
 
 Prester lohn, 
 
 Regnum Orgueoe- 
 Gambra. 
 
 wyfe cauled Cinndbaris, although there be an other kynde of Cinnabaris, commonly cauled cinoper or vermilion 
 which the paynters vfe in certeyne coloures. 
 
 They are alfo of three kyndes, as of the maryflhes, the playnes, and the mountaynes, no leffe difFerynge in 
 condicions. Philoftratus wryteth, that as much as the elephant of Lybia in byggeneffe paffeth the horfe of 
 Nyfea, fo much doth the elephantes of India excede them of Lybia. For of the elephantes of India, fiim haue 
 byn feene of the heyght of. ix. [nine] cubites. The other do fo greatly feare thefe that they dare not abyde the 
 fyght of them. Of the Indian elephantes, only the males haue tuflces. But of them of Ethiopia and Lybia, 
 both kyndes are tulked. They are of dyuers heyghtes, as of xii. [twelue] xiii. [thirteen] and. xiiii. [fourteen] 
 dodrantes, euery dodrant beinge a meafure of. ix. [nine] ynches. Sum wryte that an elephant is bygger then 
 three wylde oxen or buffes. They of India are blacke or of the colour of a moufe. But they of Ethiope or 
 Guinea, are browne. The hyde or Ikynne of them all, is very harde and withowte heare or bryilels. Theyr 
 eares are two dodrantes brode, and theyr eyes very lyttle. Owr men fawe one drynkyng at a ryuer in Guinea 
 as they fayled into the lande. 
 
 Of other properties and conditions of the elephant, as of theyr maruelous docilitie, of theyr feight and vfe 
 in the warres, of tiieyr generation and chaftitie, when they were fyrfte feene in the theatres and tryumphes of 
 the Romans, howe they are taken and tamed, and when they caft theyr tulkes, with th[e]ufe of the fame in 
 medicine, who fo defyreth to know, let hym rede Plinie in the. viii. [eighth] booke of his natural hyflorie. He 
 alfo wryteth in his. xii. [twelfth] booke, that in owlde tyme they made many goodly woorkes of luery or 
 elephantes teeth : as tables, treffels, polles of houfes, rayles, latteffes for wyndowes, Images of theyr goddes, 
 and dyuers other thynges of luery both coloured and vncoloured and intermyxte with fundry kyndes of precious 
 wooddes, as at this day are made certeyne chayres, lutes, and virginalles. 
 
 They had fuch plentie therof in owlde tyme, that (as farre as I remember) lofephus wryteth that one of 
 the gates of Hierufalem was, cauled Porta Ebumea, (that is) the luery gate. The whyteneffe thereof was fo 
 muche efteemed that it was thought to reprefent the naturall fayreneffe of mans ikynne : In fo much that fuch 
 as went abowt to fet fiirth (or rather corrupte) naturall bewtie with colours and payntynge, were reproued by 
 this prouerbe : Ebur atramento candefacere. That is : To make luery whyte with ynke. The poettes alfo 
 defcribynge the fayre neckes of bewtifull virgins, caule them Eburnea colla : That is : luery neckes. 
 
 And to haue fayde thus much of elephantes and luery, it may fuffice. 
 Nowe therfore to fpeke fumwhat of the people and their maners and maner of 
 lyuynge, with alfo an other briefe defcription of Africa. 
 
 It is to vnderftande that the people whiche nowe inhabite the regions of the coaft of Guinea and the 
 mydde partes of Affrica, as Lybia the inner, and Nubia with dyuers other great and large regions abowt the 
 fame, were in oulde tyme cauled Ethiopes and Nigrite, which we nowe caule Moores, Moorens, or Negros, a 
 people of beaftly lyuynge, without a god, lawe, religion, or common welth, and fo fcorched and vexed with the 
 heate of the foonne, that in many places they curfe it when it ryfeth. Of the regions and people abowt the 
 inner Libia (cauled Libia Interior) Gemma Phryfius wryteth thus. 
 
 Lybia Interior, is very large and defolate, in the whiche are many horrible wyldemeffes and mountaynes 
 replenifflied with dyuers kyndes of wylde and monftrous bealles aud ferpentes. Fyrft. from Mauritania or 
 Barberie toward the fouth is Getulia, a rowgh and faluage region whofe inhabitantes are wylde and wanderynge 
 people. After thefe folowe the people cauled Melanogetuli and Pharufii whiche wander in the wyldemeffe 
 caryinge with them greate gourdes of water. The Ethiopians cauled Nigrite, occupie a great parte of Aphrica, 
 and are extended to the Weft Ocean. Southwarde alfo they reache to the ryuer Nigritis whofe nature agreeth 
 with the ryuer of Nilus forafmuch as it is increafed and diminyflhed at the fame tyme, and bryngeth furth the 
 like beaftes as the Crocodile. By reafon wherof, I thiake this to be the fame ryuer which the Portugales caule 
 Senega. For this ryuer is alfo of the fame nature. It is furthermore maruelous and very ftrange that is fayde 
 of this ryuer. And this is, that on the one fyde therof, th[e]inhabitauntes are of hyghe ftature and blacke : and on 
 the other fide of browne or tawny colour and lowe ftature, which thynge alfo owre men confirme to be trewe. 
 
 There are alfo other people of Lybia cauled Garamantes, whofe women are common. For they contracte 
 no matrimonie, neyther haue refpect to chaftitie. After thefe are the nations of the people cauled Pyrei, 
 Sathiodaphnite, Odrangi, Mimaces, Lynxamate, Dolopes, Agangine, Leuce Ethiopes, XiUcei Ethiopes, Calcei 
 Ethiopes, and Nubi. Thefe haue the fame fituation in Ptolomie that they nowe giue to the kyngdome of Nubia. 
 Here are certeyne Chriftians vnder the dominion of the greate Emperoure of Ethiope cauled Prefter lohn. 
 From thefe towarde the weft, is a great nation of people cauled Aphricerones : whofe region (as farre as maye 
 bee gathered by coniecture) is the fame that is nowe cauled Regnum Orguene, confinynge vppon the eaft partes 
 of Guinea. From henfe weftwarde and fumwhat towarde the north, are the kyngedomes of Gambra and Budomel 
 not farre from the ryuer of Senega. And from henfe towarde the inlande regions and alonge by the fea coaft, 
 384 
 
The feconde vyage to Guinea. 
 
 385 
 
 are the regions of Ginoia or Guinea which wee commonly caule Gynne. On the weft fide of thefe regions to- 
 warde the Ocean, is the cape or poynt cauled Cabouerde or Caput viride (that is) the greene cape, to the whiche 
 the Portugales fyrft directe theyr courfe when they fayle to America or the lande of Brafile. Then departynge 
 frome henfe, they tume to the ryght hande towarde the quarter of the wynde cauled Garbino which is betwene 
 the weft and the fouth. But to fpeake fumwhat more of Ethiopia. Althowgh there are many nations of people 
 fo named, yet is Ethiopia chiefely diuyded into two partes : wherof the one is cauled Ethiopia vnder Egypte, a 
 great and ryche region. To this perteyneth the Ilande of Meroe, imbrafed rounde abowte with the ftremes of 
 the ryuer Nilus. In this Ilande women reygned in oulde tyme. lofephus wryteth that it was fumtyme cauled 
 Sabea : and that the queene of Saba came from thenfe to Hierufalem to heare the wyfedome of Salomon. From 
 henfe towarde the Eaft, reigneth the fayde Chrftian Emperoure Prefter lohn whom fum caule Papa lohannes, 
 and other fay that he is cauled Pean luan (that is) greate John, whofe empyre reacheth farre beyo^de Nilus, 
 and is extended to the coaftes of the redde fea and Indian fea. The myddle of the region is almoft in the. 66. 
 degrees of longitude, and. xii. [twelue] degrees of latitude. Abowte this region inhabite the people cauled 
 Clodii, Rifophagi, Babilonii, Axiunite, Mofyli, and Molybe. After thefe is the region cauled Trogloditica, 
 whofe inhabitauntes dwell in caues and dennes. For thefe are theyr houfes, and the flefflie of ferpentes Jheyr 
 meate, as wryteth Plinie and Diodorus Siculus. They haue no fpeache, but rather a grynnynge and chatteiynge. 
 There are alfo people without heades cauled Blemines, hauynge theyr eyes and mouth in theyr brefte. Lyke- 
 wyfe Strucophagi and naked Ganphafantes. Satyrs alfo which haue nothynge of men but only fliape. More 
 ouer Oripei great hunters. Mennones alfo, and the region of Smyrnophora which bryngeth furth myrre. After 
 thefe is the region of Azania in the whiche manye elephantes are founde. A great parte of the other regions of 
 Afrike that are beyonde the Equinoctiall line, are nowe afcrybed to the kingedome of Melinde, whofe inhabi- 
 tauntes are accuftomed to traffike with the nations of Arabie, and theyr kynge is ioyned in frendfliip with the 
 kyng of Portugale, and payeth tribute to Prefter lohn. 
 
 The other Ethiope cauled Ethiopia Interior (that is) the inner Ethiope, is not yet knowen for the greatneffe 
 therof but only by the fea coaftes. Yet is it defcribed in this maner. Fyrfte from the Equinoctiall towarde the 
 fouth, is a greate region of Ethiopians which bryngeth furth whyte elephantes, tygers, and the beaftes cauled 
 Rhinocerontes. Alfo a region that bryngeth furth plentie of Cinamome, lyinge betwene the braunches of Nilus. 
 Alfo the kingdome of Habech or Habaffia, a region of Chriftien men, lying both on this fyde and beyonde 
 Nilus. Here are alfo the Ethiopians cauled Ichthiophagi (that is) fuch as lyue only by fifflie : and were fum- 
 time fubdued by the warres of great Alexander. Furthermore the Ethiopians cauled Rhapfii, and Anthropo- 
 phagi that are accuftomed to eate mans flefflie, inhabite the regions nere vnto the mountaynes cauled Monies 
 Luna, (that is) the mountaynes of the moone. Gazatia, is vnder the tropike of Capricome. After this, folow- 
 eth the fronte of affrike, the cape of Buena Speranza or Caput Borne Spei, (that is) the cape of good hope, by 
 the which they pafTe that fayle from Spayne to Calicut But by what names the capes and gpulfes are cauled, 
 forafmuche as the fame are in euery globe and carde, it were here fuperfluous to rehearfe them. 
 
 Sum wryte that Aphrica was fo named by the Grecians bycaufe it is withowt coulde. For the Greeke 
 letter Alpha or, A, fignifyeth pryuation, voyde, or withowt : and phrice, fignifieth coulde. For in deede althowgh 
 in the fteede of wynter they haue a cloudye and tempeftious feafon, yet is it not coulde, but rather fmoothering 
 hot with alfo hot ftioures of raine and fumwhere fuche fcorchynge wyndes, that what by one meanes a,nd other 
 they feeme at certeyne tymes to line as it were in fomaces, and in maner alredy halfe way in Purgatorie or hel. 
 Gemma Phrifius writeth that in certeyne partes of Aphrica, (as in Atlas the greater) the ayer in the night feafon 
 is feene Ihyninge with many ftraunge fyers and flames lyfinge in maner as high as the moone : And that in the 
 element are fumtime harde as it were the founde of pipes, trumpettes, and droommes. Whiche noyfes may 
 perhappes be caufed by the vehemente and fundry motions of fuch fyery exhalations in the ayer, as we fe the 
 lyke in many experiences wrought by fyre, ayer, and wynd. The holownefle alfo and diuers reflexions and 
 breaking of the cloudes may be greate caufes hereof, byfyde the vehement cold of the myddle region of the 
 ayer wherby the fayd fyery exhalations afcending thether are fuddenly ftryken backe with greate force. For 
 euen common and dayly experience teacheth vs by the whyffinge of a burninge forge what noyfe fyer maketh in 
 the ayer, and much more where it ftriueth when it is inclofed with ayer as apereth in gonns, and as the lyke is 
 fene in only ayer inclofed, as in orgen pipes and fuch other inftmmentes that go by winde. For wynde as fay 
 the philofophers is none other then ayer vehemently moued, as we fee in a payer of belowes and fuche other. 
 
 Sum of owre men of good credit that were in this laft vyage to Guinea, affirme erneftly that in the nyght 
 feafon they felt a fenfible heate to coomme from the beames of the moone. The which thynge althowghe it be 
 ftraunge and infenfible to vs that inhabite coulde regions, yet doothe it ftande with good reafon that it may fa 
 be, forafmuch as the nature of the ftarres and planets (as wryteth Plinie) confyfteth of fyre, and conteynetb in it 
 a fpirite of lyfe, whiche can not be without heate. 
 
 And that the moone gyueth heate vpon the earth, the prophete Dauyd feemeth to confirme in his. Cxx. 
 
 Eden. 
 
 Guinea or Ginoiab 
 
 Cap. Verde. 
 
 The Portugales 
 naui^tions to 
 Brasile. 
 
 Ethiopia. 
 
 The Ilande of 
 Meroe. 
 
 The queene of 
 Saba. 
 
 Prester lohn 
 emperoiir of 
 
 Ethiopia. 
 
 People of the ease 
 syde of Africa. 
 
 Ophiqphagi 
 
 People without 
 
 heades. 
 
 Myrre. 
 Azania. 
 Regnum Melinde. 
 
 Ethiopia Interior 
 Whyte elephantes 
 
 Habassia. 
 
 Ichthiophagi 
 AnthropophagL 
 Montes Luna. 
 Gazatia. 
 
 357 
 
 Cap. Bofue Spei. 
 
 Aphifica withowt 
 
 coulde. 
 
 The wihter of 
 
 Africa. 
 
 Flames of fii'e 
 and noyse in ths 
 ayer. 
 
 The myddeU 
 
 region of the 
 a[y]er is coulde. 
 
 The strife of 
 elemefltes; 
 
 Wynde. 
 
 The heate of 
 the moone. 
 
 The nature of 
 the stars. 
 
 2 F 
 
 385 
 
386 
 
 The feconde vyage to Guinea. 
 
 Spoutes of water 
 fauling out of 
 the ayer. 
 
 Cataracts of 
 heauen. 
 
 Vehement motiois 
 of the sea. 
 
 A straunge 
 thynge. 
 
 The poure of 
 nature. 
 
 358 
 
 They rase their 
 skinnes. 
 
 Fine iewells. 
 A braslet 
 
 Shackelles. 
 
 Rmges, 
 
 Dogs chains of 
 golde. 
 
 A muske cat 
 
 Their houses 
 Their feding 
 Fleing fishes 
 
 A straunge thynj; 
 
 [i2oth] Pfalme, where fpeakynge of fuch men as are defended from euyls by goddes protection, he fayth thus : 
 Per diem fol non exuret te, nee luna per noctem. That is to fay. In the day the foonne fliall not burne the nor 
 the moone by nyght. 
 
 They fay furthermore that in certeyne places of the fea, they fawe certeyne flremes of water which they 
 caule fpoutes faulynge owt of the ayer into the fea : And that fum of thefe are as bygge as the greate pyllers of 
 churches : In fo muche that fumtymes they faule into ftiyppes and put them in greate daungiour of drownynge. 
 Sura phantafie that thefe (hulde bee the cat[a]ractes of heauen whiche were all opened at Noes fludde. But 1 
 thynke them rather to be ftiche fluxions and eruptions as Ariflotle in his boke de Mundo, faith to chaunfe in 
 the fea. For fpeakynge of fuche thynges as are feene often tymes in the fea, he wryteth thus : Often tymes 
 alfo euen in the fea are feene euaporations of fyre, and fuche eruptions and breakyng furth of fprynges, that the 
 mouthes of ryuers are opened, whyrlepooles, and fluxigns are caufed of fuch other vehement motions not only 
 in the middeft of the fea, but alfo in creekes and ftreyghtes. At certeyne tymes alfo, a great quantitie of water 
 is fuddeynly lyfted vp and caryed abowt with the moone. etc. By which woordes of Aryftotle it dooth appere 
 that fuch waters maye bee lyfted vp in one place at one tyme, and fuddeynly faule downe in an other place at 
 an other tyme. And hereunto perhappes perteyneth it that Rycharde Chaunceler toulde me that he harde 
 Sebaftian Cabot reporte, that (as farre as I remember) eyther abowt the coaftes of Brafile or Rio de Plata, his 
 (hyppe or pinnes was fuddeinly lyfted from the fea and cail vpon the lande I wotte not howe farre. The which 
 thynge and fuche other lyke woonderfuU and ftraunge woorkes of nature whyle I confyder and caule to remem- 
 beraunce the narownes of mans vnderftandynge and knowleage in compaiyfon of her mighty poure, I can but 
 ceafe to maruayle and confeffe with Plinie that nothynge is to her impoflible, the leaile parte of whofe poure is 
 not yet knowen to men. 
 
 Many thynges more owre men fawe and confydered in this vyage worthy to bee 
 noted, wherof I haue thought good to put fum in memory that the reader maye afwell 
 take pleafure in the varietie of thynges as knowleage of the hyftorye. 
 
 Amonge other thynges therefore touchynge the maners and nature of the people, this may feeme ftraunge 
 that theyr princes and noble men vfe to pounfe and rafe theyr Ikynnes with prety knottes in diuers formes as 
 it were branched damafke, thynkynge that to be a decent ornament. And albeit they go in maner all naked, 
 yet are many of them and efpecially their women in maner laden with collars, braflettes, hoopes, and chaynes 
 eyther of golde, copper, or luery. I my felfe haue one of theyr brafelettes of luery wayinge twoo pounde and 
 vi. [fix] ounces of Troye weyght, whiche make, xxxviii. [thirty-eight] ounces. This, one of theyr women dyd 
 weare vppon her arme. It is made of one hole piece of the byggeft parte of the toothe turned and fumwhat 
 carued, with a hole in the myddeft wherin they put theyr handes to weare it on theyr arme. Sum haue of euery 
 arme one and as many on theyr legges, wherewith fum of theym are fo galded that althoughe they are in maner 
 made lame therby, yet wyll they by no meanes leaue them of. Sum weare alfo on theyr leggqs great fliackels 
 of bryght copper which they thynke to bee no leffe cumly. They weare alfo collars, braflets, garlandes and 
 gyrdels of certeyne blewe Hones lyke beades. Lykewyfe fum of theyr women weare on theyr bare armes cer- 
 teyne forefleeues made of the plates of beaten golde. On theyr fyngers alfo they weare rynges made of golden 
 wyres with a knotte or wrethe lyke vnto that whiche chyldren make in a rynge of a ruffhe. Amonge other 
 thinges of golde that owr men bowght of them for exchaunge of theyr wares, were certeyne dogges chaynes and 
 coUers. 
 
 . They are very ware people in theyr bargenynge, and wyl not lofe one fparke of golde of any value. They 
 vfe weyghtes and meafures, and are very circumfpecte in occupyinge the fame. They that (hall haue to do 
 with them mufl vfe them gentelly? for they wyl not trafike or brynge in any wares if they be euyll vfed. At 
 the fyrfl viage that owr men had into thefe parties, it fo chaunfed that at theyr departure from the fyrfle place 
 where they dyd trafike, one of them eyther Hole a muflce catte or tooke her a way by force, not myflrullynge 
 that that (hulde haue hyndered theyr Ijargenynge in an other place whyther they intended to go. But for al 
 the haft they could make with full fayles, the fame of theyr myfufage Jo preuented them that the people of that 
 place alfo offended therby, wold bring in no wares : In fo muche that they were inforced eyther to reftore the 
 catte or pay for her at theyr price before they could trafike there. 
 
 Theyr houfes are made of foure poftes or trees, and couered with bouwes. 
 
 Theyr common feedynge is of rootes and fuch fy(i[hes as they take, wherof they haue great plentie. There 
 are alfo fuch flyinge fyf(hes as are feene in the fea of the Wefte Indies. Owre men falted of theyr fyf(hes hopynge 
 to prouyde ftore therof But they wolde take no falte : And mufte therefore be eaten furthwith as fum (ay. 
 Howe be it, other affirme that if they be falted immediately after they be taken, they wyl laft vncorrupted. x. 
 [ten] or. xii. [twelue] dayes. But this is more (Iraunge, that parte of fuch fleffhe as they caryed with them owte 
 of Englande and putrifyed there, became fweete ageyne at theyr retume to the clime of temperate regions. 
 386 
 
The feconde vyage to Guinea. 
 
 387 
 
 They vfe alfo a ftraunge makynge of breade in this maner. They grynde betwene two ftones with theyr 
 handes as much come as they thynke maye fuffice theyr famelie. And when they haue thus brought it to 
 floure, they put thereto a certeyne quantitie of water and make therof very thin dowgh which they ftycke vppon 
 fum poft of theyr houfes, where it is baked by the heate of the fonne : So that when the mafter of the houfe or 
 any of his famely wyll eate thereof, they take it downe and eate it 
 
 They haue very fayre wheate, the ere whereof is twoo handfuUes in length and as bygge as a great bulrufflie, 
 and almoft foure ynches abowt where it is byggeft. The fteme or ftrawe, femeth to be almoft as bygge as 
 the lyttle fynger of a mans hande, or lyttle leffe. The graynes of this wheate are as bygge as owr peafon : 
 rounde alfo, and veiye whyte and fumwhat fliynynge lyke perles that haue loft theyr colour. Almofl all the 
 fubftaunce of theym tumeth into floure, and maketh lyttle branne or none. I toulde in one ere twoo hundreth 
 and three fcore graynes. The ere is inclofed in thre blades longer then it felfe, and of two inches brode a 
 piece. And by this frutefulneffe the foonne feemeth partly to recompence fuch greefes and moleftations as 
 they otherwyfe receaue by the feruent heate thereof. It is doubtlefle a woerthy contemplation to confider the 
 contrary effectes of the foonne : or rather the contrary paffions of fuche thynges as receaue th[e]influence of his 
 beames eyther to theyr hurte or benefite. 
 
 Theyr drynke is eyther water or the iufe that droppeth from the cut braunches of the barren date 
 trees cauled Palmites. For eyther they hange greate gourdes at the fayde branches euery euenynge and 
 let them fo hange all nyght, or els they fet them on the ground vnder the trees that the droppes may 
 faule therin. They fay that this kynde of drynke is in taft much lyke vnto whey, but fumwhat fweeter 
 and more plealaunt. They cutte the branches euery euenynge bycaufe they are fered vp in the day by 
 the heate of the foonne. They haue alfo great beanes as bygge as cheftenuttes, and verye harde with a ihell 
 in the llede of a hulke. 
 
 Many thynges more myght be fayd of the maners of the people and of the woonders 
 and monftrous thynges that are engendered in Afrike. But it fhall fufifice to haue 
 fayde thus muche of fuch thynges as owre men partely fawe and pariely browght with 
 them. 
 
 And wheras before fpeakynge of the frute of graynes, I defcrybed the fame to haue holes by the fyde (as 
 in deede it is as it is browght hether) yet was I afterwarde informed that thofe holes were made to put ftrynges 
 or twygges throughe the frute therby to hange them vp to drye at the fonne. They growe not pafte a foote and 
 a halfe or twoo foote frome the grownde : and are as red as bludde when they are gathered. The graynes 
 them felues, are cauled of the phyfjtians, Grana Paradyfi. 
 
 At theyr comminge home, the keles of theyr fliyppes were marueloufly ouergrowen with certen fliels of. ii. 
 [two] ynches length and more as thycke as they coulde ftande, and of fuch byggenes .that a man may put his 
 thom in the mouthes of them. They certeynly affirme that in thefe there groweth a certeyne flymy fubftaunce 
 which at the length fl)rpping owt of the fhel and fauling in the fea, becometh thofe foules which we cal barnacles 
 The lyke fhelles haue byn feene in fliyppes returning from Iflande. But thefe ftielles were not paft halfe an 
 inch in length. Of the other that came from Guinea, I fawe the Prymrofe lyinge in the docke, and in maner 
 couered with the layd ftielles, which in my iudgemente fhulde greately hynder her faylynge. Theyr fliyppes 
 were alfo in many places eaten with the woormes cauled Bromas or Biffas whereof mention is made in the 
 Decades. Thefe creepe betwene the plankes whiche they eate throwgh in many places. 
 
 Amonge other thynges that chaunced to them in this vyage, this is woorthy to be noted, that whereas they 
 layled thether in feuen weekes, they coulde retume in no leffe fpace then. xx. [twenty] weekes. The caufe 
 wherof they fay to be this : That abowt the coaft of Cabo Verde, the wynde is euer at the Eaft by reafon whereof 
 tliey were inforced to fayle farre owte of theyr courfe into the mayne Ocean to fynde the wynde at the 
 weft to brynge them home. There dyed of owre men at this laft vyage abowt. xxiiii. [twenty-four] whereof 
 many dyed at theyr retume into the clime of the coulde regions, as betwene the Ilandes of Soria and Englande. 
 They browght with them certeyne blacke flaues, wherof fum were taule and ftronge men, and coulde well agree 
 with owr meates and diynkes. The coulde and moyft ayer dooth fumwhat offende them. Yet doubtlefle men 
 that are borne in hotte regions may better abyde coulde, then men that are borne in coulde regions may abyde 
 heate, forafmuch fis vehement heate refolueth the radicall moifture of mens bodies, as could conftreyneth and 
 prefemeth the fame 
 
 This is alfo to bee confydered as a fecreate woorke of nature, that throughout all Afryke vnder the Equi- 
 noctiall line and neare abowt the fame on bothe fydes, the regions are extreme hotte and the people very blacke. 
 Whereas contraryly fuch regions of the Weft Indies as are vnder the fame line, are very temperate and the 
 people neyther blacke nor with curlde and fliort wooUe on theyr heades as haue they of Afryke, but of the 
 
 ,87 
 
 Their bread. 
 
 Their wheate. 
 
 359 
 
 The soonne. 
 
 Their drinke. 
 
 Graynes. 
 
 Shelles that cleaue 
 to shyppes. 
 
 Barnacles. 
 
 Bromas. 
 
 A secreate. 
 
 The death of 
 owr men. 
 
 Could may he 
 better abiden 
 Chen heate. 
 
 ITxe West Indies. 
 
388 
 
 The feconde vyage to Guinea. 
 
 coloure of an olyue with longe and blacke heare on theyr heades : the caufe of which varietie is declared in, 
 dyuers places in the Decades. 
 
 It is alfo woorthy to bee noted that fumme of them that were at this vyage toulde me. That is, 
 360 that they ouertooke the courfe of the foonne, fo that they had it north from them at noone the. xiiii. [four- 
 teenth] day of Marche. 
 
 And to haue fayde thus much of thefe vyages it may fuffice. For (as I haue fayd 
 before) Wheras the parteners at whofe charges this booke is prynted, wolde longe fence 
 haue me proceaded no further, I had not thought to haue wrytten any thynge. of thefe 
 vyages but that the liberaHtie of mafler Toy encoraged me to attempt the fame. 
 Whiche I fpeake not to the reproche of other in whome I thynke there lacked no good 
 wyll, but that they thought the booke wolde be to chargeable. 
 
 388 
 
389 
 
 c THE MANER OF FYNDYNGE THE LON'GITVDE OF 
 
 REGIONS BY DYVERS WAVES AFTER THE DESCRIPTION OF 
 
 Gemma Phrysivs, 
 
 lErceauynge what contention is and longe hath byn 
 not only amonge the pylottes that by trauaylynge 
 the fea haue obferued the ftarres, but alfo amonge 
 fum men that are Ikylfull in mathematical! fciense, 
 wherof many affirme that the longitude (that is to 
 meane, the courfe from the Eaft to the Wefte) can 
 not be perfectely knowen, I haue thowght good for 
 the better fatiffying of fuch as defire to haue fum 
 knowleage hereof, to interprete fuch demonftrations 
 as I haue redde of the declarynge of the fame in 
 Gemma Phryfms, who as touchynge this matter 
 hath added th[e]inuentions of other, a more cer- 
 teyne way of his own diuife wherby (as he fayth) 
 he can fynde the longitude of regions although he 
 
 were dryuen OAvt of the way a thoufande myles into places vnto hym vtterlye vnknowen 
 
 and of vnknowen diftance. He wryteth therfore as foloweth. 
 
 When yow haue founde the place of the mone, yow ought to confyder the houre when flie occupyed that 
 place. Then eyther by the Ephimerides or by the tables of Alphonfus yowe owght to knowe in what houre the 
 moone entereth into the fame figne of the Zodiake in an other region or towne whofe longitude is well knowen. 
 Then reducynge the houres to. xxiiii. [twenty-four] the leffe number of houres is to be deducted out of the 
 greater number. Then the remanent of the houres and mynutes is to be brought to degrees in this maner. 
 Multiplie the hours by. xv. [fifteen] and diuide the minutes of the houres by foure : fg fliall appere the degrees 
 of the Equinoctial conteyned betwene two meridians. And if after this diuifion there remayne any minutes, 
 multiplie them alfo by. xv. [fifteen] and therby ftialbe knowen the minutes of degrees. Adde this difference of 
 longitude founde to the longitude of the region knowen if the houres of that place bee more in number : or take 
 awaye from the fame longitude if they be leffe : So Ihall yowe in fine gather the longitude of the place vnknowen 
 from the Ilandes of Canarie. But the fame is more eafely and redely found geometrically by the globes by this 
 meanes. Set directly vnder the meridian, the place whofe longitude is knowen in the globe. Then directe the 
 poynte or ftyle that moueth abowt the pole, to the houre in the whiche the moone occupyeth the place afligned 
 in that region. Then tume the globe vntyll the ftyle that flieweth the houre, be coomme to the houre in the 
 whiche yowe fowght the vnknowen place of the moone. And fo fliall the degrees of the Equinoctiall diftaunte 
 or diuyded frome the moueable meridian, declare the longitude of the region which yow feeke. Neuertheleffe, 
 the more certeine way wherby the differences of longitudes may bee founde, is by fum one thynge that in one 
 moment appeareth in all regions, as by the eclypfes of the moone. For the dyuers houres beinge knowen in 
 the whiche the fayd eclypfes chaunce in dyuers regions, the longitude maye thus afwell be knowen by geometrie 
 and arithmetike, as it is founde by the rule here before. But forafmuch as this doth neyther appere at al tymes 
 nor to all men, and the other way is fumwhat difficult, neyther at al tymes redy by reafon of the coniunctions 
 of the mone and furthermore alfo fumtymes vncerteyne and varying fumwhat from the truth for the dyuers 
 
 2 F 2 389 
 
 By the mone. 
 
 The Ilandes of 
 Canarie. 
 Howe to fynd 
 the lone;itude by 
 the globe 
 
 The Eclipses of 
 the moune. 
 
390 
 
 The maner of fynydnge the longihides of regions. 
 
 361 
 
 Litle cloclces 
 
 By the Astrolabie 
 and globe. 
 Horoscopus or 
 the Ascendent. 
 
 The latitude. 
 
 afpectes and latitudes of the mone, it fo chaunceth hereby that wee haue eyther no longitudes or the fame very 
 vncerteyne of many regions, and efpecially of thofe .which the Spanyardes haue of late difcouered. For no 
 certentie doubtleffe can be knowen by fuch commenfurations as are made in the wanderynge tumynges and 
 wyndynges of fuch vyages, as Ptolome afErmeth in the firfl booke of his Cofmographie. I wyll therfore adde 
 herevnto fum thynge of myne owne inuention whereby by an_^eafy way and at all tymes the longitudes of regions 
 may bee founde in all vyages and nauigations. \ ' 
 
 C A newe maner of fyndynge the Longitudes of regions. 
 
 Ee fee that in thefe owre dayes certeyne lyttle clockes are very artificially made the whiche for 
 theyr fmaule quantitie are not comberous to be caryed abowt in all vyages. Thefe often 
 tymes moue continually for the fpace. of. xxiiii [twenty-four] houres : and may with helpe 
 continewe theyr mouynge in maner perpetually. By the helpe therfore of thefe the longi- 
 tude may bee founde after this maner. Before wee enter into any vyage, wee mufle fyrfte 
 forefee that the fayde clocke exactly obferue the houres of the place from whenfe we departe : 
 And ageyne that in the way it neuer ceafe. Accomplyflhynge therefore, xv. [fifteen] or. xx. 
 [twenty] myles of the vyage, if wee defyre to knowe howe much in longitude we are dyilant frome the place of 
 owre departure, we mud tary vntyll the poynt oi flyle of the clocke do exactly come to the poynt of 
 fum houre : and at the lame moment by owr Aflrolabie or globe, owght wee to feeke the 
 houre of the place where we bee : The which yf it agree in minute with the houres 
 which the Horofcopium or afcendent dooth ftiewe, then is it certeyne 
 that wee are yet vnder the fame Meridian or the fame Longi- 
 tude : and that owre courfe hath bjm towarde the 
 fouth or north. But if it dyffer one hour or 
 any mynute, then are the fame 
 to bee reduced to de- 
 grees or minutes as we haue tought in the chapiture here before. 
 And fo fhall the longitude bee founde. And by this arte can 
 I fynde the longitude of regions althowgh I were a 
 thoufand myles owt of my attempted courfe 
 and in an vnknowen diflance, but 
 the latitude muft, fyrfle bee 
 perfectely knowen. 
 
 #KN«S. 
 
oy 
 
 C ^ bryefe reherfal of the content es of the bookes ofthefyrfl Decade, and fa 
 folowynge of all the other Decades. Folio, i, \p. 65.] 
 
 N the fyrft booke is declared howe Chriftophorus 
 Colonus otherwyfe cauled Columbus, perfuaded 
 Fernando and Elizabeth, prjmces of Spayne, to 
 foorther his attempte in fearching newe and vn- 
 knowen landes in the Weft Ocean. AUo of the. 
 vii. Ilandes of Canarie, by whom they were founde 
 and conquered. 
 
 Howe Colonus founde the Ilandes of Hifpaniola, 
 and Cuba : And of the fierce people cauled Cani- 
 bales or Caribes, which are accuftomed to eate mans fleffhe. 
 
 Of the rootes cauled Ages, lucca, and the grayne Maizium, wherof the 
 people of the Ilandes make theyr breade. 
 
 Of the golde found in the fandes of ryuers, and of the ferpentes which 
 are without hurte. Alfo of turtle doues, duckes, and popyngiayes. 
 
 Of Maftix, and Aloe, with dyuers frutes and trees vnknowen to vs : and 
 of the frutefulnes of the Hand of Hifpaniola which the Spanyardes caule 
 Spagnuola. 
 
 Of the feconde vyage of Colonus into thefe regions, and howe he was 
 fumyfflied with. xvii. Ihyppes and a thoufande and two hundreth fouldyers, 
 with all kynde of artiliarye, artificers, and grayne to fowe. And of the 
 tree frome the which water droppeth continually into a trenche made by 
 mans hande. 
 
 The contenles of tMfetonai booke. Fol. 4 [/. 68.] 
 
 C Howe Colonus departynge from the Ilandes of Canarie, fayled.viii. 
 hundreth and. xx. leaques in. xxi. dayes, and came to Dominica an Hande 
 of the Canibales : And ot the fragrant fauour of fpices which preceded 
 from the Ilandes. 
 
 Of the Ilandes of Galanta or Galataa and Guadalupea, and of the trees 
 which beare that kynde 01 cotton whiche the Italians caule Bombafme, and 
 the Spanyardes Algadon. 
 
 Of dyuers kyndes of popingiayes : And of the Hand of Matinino or 
 Madinino, being inhabited only with women : Alfo of dyuers other frute- 
 fuU Ilandes : And of a conflicte which the Spaayardes had with the Cani- 
 bales. 
 
 Of certeyne Ilandes in the which are feene the mynes of metals and 
 precious ftones : and of the frutefiill and peopulous Hande cauled Buri- 
 chena or Boriquen. or Infula S. lohannis. 
 
 Howe all the Admirals men whiche at his fyrft vyage he lefte in Hif- 
 paniola, were flayne in his abfence by the rebellion of Guaccanarillus, 
 kynge of the Region of Xamana : and of the free kynde of lyfe which they 
 leade that haue not the vfe of money. 
 
 Of the. vii. maydens which fwamme. iii. myles in the fea ; And of the 
 maner of gatheryng of gold in the fands of riuers. 
 
 C The Contenles oj the thyrde booke. J'ol. 10. [/. 73.] 
 
 C A particular defcription of the Hande of Hifpaniola, whiche Colonus 
 thynketh to be Ophir, from whenfe kynge Salomon had his great ryches 
 of golde. 
 
 Of the mamelous frutefulnes , of Hifpaniola* and of the fiiger canes 
 
 growynge there. 
 
 Of the golden regions of Cipanga or Cibaua, and of the ryuers in whofe 
 fandes is founde great plentie of golde. 
 
 Of certeyne graines of gold of exceadyng great quantitie. 
 
 Of vi^rlde vines of pleafaunt tafte, and of grafle which in foure dayes 
 groweth as hj'gh as wheate. 
 
 Of the Hande of lohanna or Cuba, beinge the ende of the Eaft and the 
 Weft : And of the fnitefuU and peopulous Hande of lamaica. 
 
 Howe the Admirall thought that he had fayled abowte the loweft hemi- 
 fpherie or halfe circle of the earth, and of a fecreate of Aftronomie 
 touchynge the fame matter. 
 
 Howe the Admirall gaue names to. vii. hundreth Ilandes, and palled by 
 three thoufande vnnamed. 
 
 Of certeyne ferpentes lyke vnto Crocodiles of viii. foote longe, whofe 
 flefihe is delicate to be eaten : and of certeyne trees which beare gourdes. 
 
 Of the lyuer whofe water is very hotte : and of the huntynge fyfflie 
 which taketh other fyflhes. 
 
 Of great abundaunce of Tortoyfes as bygge as targets, and of a frutefuU 
 mountayne well inhabited. 
 
 Of dogges of deformed Ihape and dum : And of whyte and thicke water. 
 
 Of wooddes of date trees and pynepaple trees, and of certeyne people 
 appareled like white friers. 
 
 Of certeyne trees whiche beare fpices, and of cranes of exceadynge 
 bignes. 
 
 Of ftocke doues of more pleafaunte tafte then partriches. 
 
 An oration of a barbarous gouemoure as touchinge the immortalitie of 
 the fowle : Alfo of the rewarde of vertue and punyfflimente of vice. 
 
 A fimilitude ol the golden worlde, and of prouifion withowte care. 
 
 Howe the admirall tell ficke by reafon of to much watchynge : And of 
 a fedition which ri^e among the Spaniardes in tlie Hande of Hifpaniola. 
 
 t The Contentes ofihefoui-th booke. Fol. 18. [p. 79.] 
 
 Howe the Kynges of the Hande of Hifpaniola, were by the Spaniardes 
 myf behauoure prouoked to Rebellion : And hoWe the admirall fent for 
 them, 
 
 Howe kinge Caunaboa the Lorde of the houfe of golde, that is, of the 
 mountaynes of Cibaua, conipired the Admirals death, and how he with 
 his familie were taken prifoners. 
 
 Of a greate famine that chaumced in the Hand of Hifpaniola : and howe 
 the Admiral builded certeyne fortrelTes. 
 
 Of a piece of rude golde waighinge. xx. vnces : and of the myne of the 
 riche metall cauled Electrum. 
 
 Ot the mountayne in the whyche is founde greate plentye of Amber and 
 orpemente : And of the wooddes 01" brafile trees. 
 
 Howe th[e]inhabitauntes are put to theyre tribute : And howe the 
 nature of the Region difpofethe the maners of the people. 
 
 Howe the brother of kinge Caunaboa came ageynfte the Admiral with 
 an army of fine thowfand naked men : and how he was taken and his 
 army put to flyght. 
 
 Of the frutfuU vale Magona, in the fandes of whofe ryuers is founde 
 great plentie oi golde : . and of certeyne whirlewyndes and tempeftes. 
 
 Howe the Admirall fente foorthe his brother Bartliolomeus Colonus 
 with_an army of men to fearch the gold mines and of tie fofles which he 
 tound to haue bin digged in old tyme 
 
 39« 
 
392 
 
 The contentes of the decades. 
 
 C Tlu Contentes of the. v. booke. Fol. 22. [/. 82.] 
 
 Howe the Lieuetenaunt builded a fortreffe in the golde mynes : And 
 prepared inftrumentes for the pourginge and fyninge of the golde. 
 
 Howe certeyne ftiyppes laden with vyttayles, came frome Spayne : And 
 howe the Lieuetenaunt fent the kynges which rebelled, with three hund- 
 reth captiues into Spayne. 
 
 Howe the Liefetenaunte remoued his habytacion ; And buylded a 
 fortrefle which he cauled faynt Dominickes towre Alfo howe he paffed 
 ouer the ryuer Naiba, and entered into the wooddes of brafyle trees. 
 
 Howe the great kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, frendely enterteyned the 
 Lieuetenaunt, and browght hym to his pallayce, where the kynges wyues 
 and concubines receaued him honorably with pompes and triumphes. 
 
 Of the fortreffes which were erected in Hifpaniola ; And howe the 
 Lieuetenaunt exacted tribute of the kynges whiche rebelled ageyne. 
 
 Howe the Lieuetenaunt fette vppon the kynges vnwares in the nyght 
 feafon, and tooke. xiiii. of them pryfoners. 
 
 Howe kynge Guarionexius, capitayne of the confpiracie was pardoned, 
 and howe he perfuaded the people to obedience. 
 
 Howe kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, fente meffingers to the Lieuetenaunt 
 to repayre to his pallayce where he founde xxxii. kinges redy with theyr 
 tributes : And howe the queene Anacaona entyfed hym to eate of the 
 ferpentes flefftie. 
 
 Howe the ferpentes fleflhe is prepared to be eaten ! And how delicate 
 meate theyr egges are yf they be fodden. 
 
 Howe queene Anacaona, fyfter to kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, enter- 
 teyned the Liefetenaunt, and gaue hym muche houfholde ftuffe and many 
 veffels of Hebene woodde artificially wrought and earned. 
 
 Howe kynge Anacauchoa and the queene his fyfter went aboorde the 
 Liefetenaunt his fliyppe, and howe greately they were amafed to beholde 
 the furniture therof. 
 
 Howe Roldanus Xeminus a Spaniarde, rebelled in the Lieuetenauntes 
 abfence : by whofe myfdemeanour alfo kinge Guarionexius was prouoked 
 to a newe confpiracie, and with hym Maiobanexius the kynge ot the 
 mountaynes. 
 
 The contentes ofthcfyxte hoke. Foli. 28. \p. 87.] 
 
 C The thyrde vyage of Colonus, and howe he diuerted from his accuf- 
 tomed rafe by the Ilandes of Canarie to the Ilande of Madera for feare oi 
 certayne frenche pirates and rouers. 
 
 Of the. xiii. Ilandes which in olde tyme were cauled Hefperides, and are 
 nowe cauled the Ilandes ot Caput Viride or Cabouerde. Alfo of the 
 Tortoyfes of the Ilande of Bonauifta, wherwith the leaper is healed. 
 
 Howe the Admirall founde contagious ayre and extreme heate nere the 
 Equinoctial where the north pole was eleuate onely fyue degrees : And 
 how failyng from thence weftward, he founde the ftarres placed in other 
 order, and the fea ryfynge as it were the backe of a mountayne. 
 
 Howe the Admyrall faylynge weftwarde, and neuer paffyng owte of the 
 clyme or paraleles of Ethiope, founde a temperate Region and people of 
 goodly corporature : And what difference is betwene the natures of Regions 
 beyng vnder one paralele and one eleuation of the pole. 
 
 Of the Ilandes of Puta and Margarita : and of the fwift courfe or faule 
 of the Ocean from tlie Eaft to the wefte. 
 
 Of the goulfes cauled Os Draconis : And of the conflicte betwene the 
 frefhe water afld the falte. 
 
 Of a fea of frefhe water : And a mountayne inhabited onely with monkeys 
 and marmafettes. 
 
 Of the fayre, riche, and large region ot Paria : And howe frendly 
 th[e]inhabitantes entreated the Admyrall and his men. Alfo of pleafaunte 
 wyne made of dyuerfe fruites : And of greate abundaunce of perles and 
 golde. 
 
 Of the regions of Cumana, Manacapana, and Guriana, beynge regions 
 of the large prouynce of Paria : And of the fea of herbes or weedes. 
 
 A certeyn fecreate as touchynge the pole flarre and the eleuation of the 
 fame : Alfo of the roundneffe of the earthe. 
 
 393 
 
 Of the mountaynes of Paria in the toppes wherof Colonus emeftly 
 affirmeth the earthly Paradife to be fituate : And whether Paria be part 
 of the firme land or continent of India. 
 
 C The contentes of the. vii. booke. Fol. 33. [/. 90.] 
 
 C Howe Roldanus Xeminus with his confetherates, accufed the Admi- 
 rall to the kynge : And howe he pourged hym felfe and accufed them 
 
 Howe kynge Guarionexius rebelled ageyne : And with him kyng Maio- 
 banexius : Alfo howe they with other kinges came ageynft the Lieueten- 
 aunte with an armye of. viii. thoufande naked and paynted Ciguauians. 
 Alfo twoo rare exemples of frendfhyppe and faythfulnes in barbarous 
 princes. 
 
 Howe Colonus the Admirall and the Liejetenaunte- hys brother, were 
 fent bounde into Spayne : And newe officers appoynted in theyr places. 
 
 The contentes of the. viii. booke. Fol. 37. [/. 94.] 
 
 C The nauigation of Petrus Alphonfus frome Spayne to Paria, where in 
 the region of Curiana, he had in fhorte fpace. xv. vnces of pearles and 
 greate plenty of vytailes for haukes bellees, pynnes,lokinge glalTes, and 
 fuche other tryfelles. 
 
 Of certeyn coniectures wherby Paria is thought to bee parte of the firme 
 lande : And of the golden region of Cauchieta,-Si\\sxG in the moneth of 
 Nouember the ayre is temperate and not coulde. 
 
 Howe Alphonfus had a conflicte with the Canibals : and howe they 
 are acuflomed to inuade other contreys. 
 
 Of greate abundaunce of falte in the region of Haraia : and howe the 
 dead bodyes of theyr prynces are dryed, referued, and relygioufly honoured. 
 
 Howe Alphonfus at his returne to Spayne frome Curiana, brought with 
 hym threefcore and. xvi. pounde weight of pearles which he bought for 
 owre tryfells amountinge only to the value of fiue fhillyngs. 
 
 TIte contentes of the. ix. booke. Fol. 40. [/. 96.] 
 
 C The Nauigation of Vincentius Pinzonus and Aries Pinzonus, and 
 howe they fayled beyonde the Equinoctiall lyne, lofte the fyght of the 
 northe flarre, and founde the flarres in other order. 
 
 Howe Vincentius paffynge the equinoctiall towarde the fouthe pole, 
 founde fierce and warlike people of great flature : And of the fea of frefhe 
 water. 
 
 Howe Vincentius directing his courfe towarde the north wefte from the 
 equinoctiall, recouered the fyght of the northe pole, and by the regions of 
 Mariatamball, Camomorus, and Pericora, came to the fayre and ryche 
 prouince of Paria, and to the regyons of Os Draconis, Cumana, Mana- 
 capana, Curiana. &c. 
 
 A coniecture that Paria (wherby is ment that mayne land now cauled 
 America) fhulde be parte of the fyrme lande or continent of India, beyonde 
 the ryuer of Ganges and no ilande : And of the excedynge great riuer 
 Maragnonus replenifhed with Ilandes. 
 
 Of Borioftomea and Spirioftomea, the mouthes of the famous ryuer of 
 Danubius, cauled in olde tyme Ifter: And of the commodities of the regions 
 and Ilandes about Paria. Alfo of the woodes of brafile trees. 
 
 Of many tTutfuU Ilandes wafted and lefte defolate by refon of the Cani- 
 balles crueltie : And of the trees of CafTia Fiftula. Alfo of other trees of 
 excedjmg bygnefle. 
 
 The defcription of a certayne monftruous beafte. And how Vincentius 
 lofte two of his fhyppes by tempeftes. 
 
 Howe Vincentius at his returae to Spayne, brought with hym cinamome, 
 gynger, and certayne precious ftoones cauled Topafes. And of the naui- 
 gations of certayne other inhabitantes of the towne ot Palos. 
 
 Of the precious medicine cauled Anime Album. And of the diuerfe 
 fuperftitions of the inhabitauntes of Hifpaniola. Alfo of their Idolatry, 
 and howe they honour the ymages of deuylles, whiche they caule Zcmes. 
 
The contentes of the decades. 
 
 393 
 
 C Tlie Contentes of the. x. booke. Fol. 48. [^. 103.] 
 
 Of great plentie of golde, perles, and frankenfence found in the regions 
 01 Paria. And of innumerable beaftes in ftiape dyfferynge from owres. 
 
 Howe the Spaniardes profered them felues to conquere the newe founde 
 landes, beynge in largeneffe thryfe as great as Europe befyde the fouthe 
 landes parteynynge to the Portugales. And howe the nature of the place 
 altereth the formes and qualities of thynges. 
 
 Of the Ilande of Cuba, and of the golde mynes of tlie Hand of Sancti 
 
 lohannis, otherwife cauled Burichena, or Buchena. Alfo of the ryche 
 golde mynes of Hifpaniola, and of the order of workynge in the fame. 
 
 Of the two chiefe gplde mynes of Hifpaniola. And of a pece of golde 
 weyinge thre thoufande thre hundreth and tenne pounde weyght. 
 
 Howe the golde is fyned and diftrybuted : And howe that only in the 
 meltynge (hops of the two golden mynes of Hifpaniola, is molten yearely 
 aboue thrSe hundreth thoufande pounde weyght of golde. 
 
 Howe th[e]enterpryfes of the Spanyardes are not inferior to th[e]actes of 
 Saturnus or Hercules : And howe the Admyrall difcouered the laude ouer 
 ageynft the weft corner of Cuba and the Ilande of Guanaifa. 
 
 C The Contenies of the bookes of the feconde Decade. 
 
 C Tlie contentes ofthefyrjl booke. Fol. 51. [/. 106.] 
 
 C Howe after the death of Colonus the Admirall, the kynge gaue free 
 lycence to all fuche as wolde attempte any vyages : And of the nauigations 
 of Diego Nicuefa, and Alphonfus Fogeda 
 
 Of the Ilande Codego and the region of Caramairi : And of certeyne 
 fweete apples whiche tume into woormes when they are eaten, whofe trees 
 are alfo contagious. 
 
 Howe Alfonfus Fogeda, the Lieuetenaunt of Vraba, encounterynge with 
 the barbarians had the ouerthrowe. And howe in this conflicte, fyftie of 
 his men were Hayne with lohannes de la ColTa theyr capytayne. 
 
 Howe Fogeda, and Nicuefa the Lieuetenaunte of Beragua, reuenged the 
 death of theyr coompanyons : And howe Fogeda came to the Ilande 
 Fortis and the region of Caribana where he was repulfed from the golde 
 mynes by the fiercenefle of the barbarians vfyng arrowes infected with 
 poyfon. 
 
 Howe Fogeda was wounded in the thygh with a venemous arrowe, and 
 his men almoft confumed with famyn. 
 
 Howe a brigantine was drowned with the ftroke of a fyfflie : And of the 
 nauigation of Ancifus from Hifpaniola to Vraba. 
 
 Of the Lamentable Ihyppewracke of Ancifus : And of the date trees and 
 wylde bores which he founde. 
 
 Of the frutes or apples of the trees cauled Ceders of Libane which beare 
 owlde frutes and newe all the yeare. 
 
 Howe onely three of the Canibales with theyr bowes and inuenemed 
 arrowes aflayled Ancifus with a hundreth of his men : In which conflicte 
 they wounded and ilewe many. Alfo of theyr fwyftnefle of foote. 
 
 Of the great lyuer of Dariena : And how Ancifus encountered with fyue 
 hundreth of th[elmhabitauntes of the goulfe of Vraba and put them to 
 flyght. Alfo howe he founde greate plentie of wrought golde and houf- 
 holde ftuffe hi a thycket of reedes. 
 
 C The contentes of the feconde booke. Fol. 58. [/. iii.] 
 
 C Howe Nicuefa lofte his felowes in the darke nyght and went paft the 
 mouth of the ryuer Beragua which he fought : And howe the capitaynes 
 of the other fliyppes confulted how to fynde hym. Alfo of the ryuer 
 Lagartos.in the which great Lyfartes are founde much lyke vnto the 
 Crocodiles of Nilus. 
 
 Howe the capitaynes foriboke theyr fliyppes that the fouldyers myght 
 bee without hope of departure : And of the miferable chaunce of Petrus 
 de Vmbria and his felowes. _ , . , . 
 
 By what chaunce Nicuefa was founde, and of the calamities which he 
 and his coompany fufteyned. Alfo of the region of Gracia Dei or Cera- 
 baro, and of the ryuer of Sancti Matthei. 
 
 Howe Nicuefa caufed them to remoue theyr habitacion from Beragua to 
 poynte Marmor where he bylded a fortreffe And howe his men by warre 
 and famyn, were confumed from feuen hundreth and odde, to fcarfely one 
 hundreth. 
 
 Howe one Vafchus Nunnez vfurped th[e]autoritie of the Lieue- 
 tenauntefliyppe of Vraba in th[e]abfence of Fogeda : And of the naui- 
 gation of Rodericus Colmenaris from Hifpaniola to Vraba. 
 
 Of the ryuer Gaira defcendynge from the toppe of a hygh mountajme 
 couered with fnowe : And howe Rodericus Colmenaris in a conflicte 
 ageynft the barbarians, lofte. xlvii. of his men by reafon of theyr inuenemed 
 arrowes. 
 
 Of the force of the poyfon wherewith the barbarians infecte theyr 
 arrowes, and a remedie for the fame. Alfo howe Colmenaris by giinneftiot 
 and kyndelynge fyers on the hyghe toppes of the rockes, came to the 
 Spanyardes lefte defolate in Dariena. 
 
 C The contentes of the thyrde booke. Fol. 61. [j>. 114.] 
 
 C Howe Nicuefa was fought foorth to acquiete the contentions of 
 Vraba : And howe he was ageyne reiected. 
 
 Howe Vafchus Nunnez inuaded, tooke pryfoners, and fpojjje^^^ie kynges 
 bortherynge abowt the region of Vraba : And howe Ancifus Lieuehsjjaunt 
 for Fogeda was caft in pryfon, and afterwarde fet at libertie. ^ 
 
 Howe Ancifus tooke his vyage from Vraba to Spayne to accufe Vafchus : 
 who alfo at the fame tyme fent Valdiuia afwell to fpeake in his defence, as 
 alfo to certifie the kynge of theyr doynges. 
 
 Howe kynge Careta confpired with the Spanyardes ageynft kynge 
 Poncha whom they put to flyght and fpoyled his vyllage. 
 
 Howe kynge Comogrus frendely enterteyned the Spanyardes and brought 
 them to his pallaice where he ftiewed them the dryed Carkafes of his 
 aunceftours refemed and fumptuoufly apparelled ; And howe the kynges 
 elder fonne gaue Vafchus and Colmenaris foure thoufand vnces of wrought 
 gold and fiftie flaues. Alfo a wyttie oration which he made to the Spany- 
 ardes, wherein he certifyed theym ot a countrey exceadynge ryche in 
 golde, &c. 
 
 C The contentes of the fourth booke. Fol. 66. [/. 118.] 
 
 C Of horryble thunder and lyghtnynge in the mooneth of Nouember, 
 and of grayne which waxeth rype thryfe a yeare Alfo how digeflion is 
 ftrengthehed by owtwarde coulde. 
 
 Howe Valdiuia is fent ageyne into Hifpaniola to moue the gouemour 
 and counfayle there to fende into Spayne to the kynge for a fupplie of a 
 thoufand fouldyers to make way to the golden mountaynes : And howe 
 
 .193 
 
394 
 
 The content es of the decades. 
 
 he caryed with hym the kynges portion, (that is) the fyfte parte of golde 
 and other thynges. 
 
 Howe Vafchus inuaded the kynges inhabytynge the regions about the 
 goulfe of Vraba, and howe he put kyng Dabaiba to flyght, in whofe 
 vyllage he founde wrought golde amountynge to the weyght of feuen 
 thoufande Caflellans. 
 
 Ot battes as bygge as turtle dooues which fumtyme byte men in the 
 nyght in their fleepe, whofe bytynge is alfo venemous : but is healed with 
 water of the fea or by cauterization as are alfo the woundes of venemous 
 arrowes. 
 
 Of the Ilande of Cannafiftula, and a towne of fyue hundreth houfes, 
 whofe kynge Abenamachei was taken and his arme cutte of in the 
 fyght. 
 
 Of trees of exceadynge bygneffe and heyght : And howe kynge Abibeiba 
 had his pallaice in the toppe ol a tree frome the which he was inforced to 
 defcende and entreate of peace. 
 
 C The contentes ofthefyfth booke. Fol, 69. .[/. 120.] 
 
 C Howe kynge Abraiba flewe a capitayne of the Spanyards and 
 caufed the kynges to rebell. Alfo howe they were put to flyght and many 
 of theyr men flayne. 
 
 Of fyue kinges which attempted a newe confpiracie with <t hundreth 
 great Canoas and fine thoufand men : And howe theyr intent was bewrayed 
 by a woman, and preuented. Alfo howe Rodericus Colmenaris facked 
 the vyllage of Tichiri and honge the kynge therof with foure of his chiefe 
 rulers, and commaunded them to be (hotte through with arrowes. 
 
 C The contentes of the fyxte hooke. Fol. 72. \p. 122.] 
 
 C Howe Vafchus with his confetherates, fente Johannes Quicedus 
 and Colmenaris from Dariena to Hifpaniola and from thenfe to Spayne to 
 the kyng for a thoufand men to paffe ouer the mountaynes to the golden 
 regions : And what miferies they fufleyned in that vyage. Alfo of the 
 death of Val[di]iiia, Zamudius, and Fogeda. 
 
 Of the profperous vyage of Ancifus. And howe godde wrought miracles 
 by the fimple fayth of a mariner. Alfo how god refpecteth th[e]infancie 
 of fayth for zeles fake : And howe one religion turned into another, holdeth 
 ftyll many thinges of the fyrfte. 
 
 Howe many of the barbarians were baptifed by reafon of the miracles : 
 And howe they rewarded the preftes by whome they were baptifed. 
 
 Howe Ancifus (hortly after his arryuall in Spayne, reforted to the courte 
 and made his complaynt to the kinge of th[e]infolencie of Vafchus, wher- 
 uppon the kynge gaue fentence ageynft hym : And howe apte the barbar- 
 ous nations are to embrafe the Chriftian fayth. 
 
 C The contentes of the feuenth booke. Fol. 79. [/. 126.] 
 
 C Howe Quicedus and Colmenaris the procuratours of Dariena, were 
 honorably enterteyned at the courte and brought to the kynges prefence : 
 And howe theyr complexion was chaunged by alteration of the ayer. 
 
 Howe Petrus Arias a noble man, was elected gouemour and Lieuetenaunt 
 of Dariena : And howe other of the court laboured for the fame office. 
 Alfo howe the byflhop of Surges fpake to the kynge in his behalfe. 
 
 Howe Petrus Arias had a thoufande and two hundrethe fouldyers 
 appoynted hym at the "-ynges charges : And of the kynges cuflome houfe 
 in the citie of Ciuile, cauled the houfe of the contractes of India. 
 
 Howe a great number of Spanyardes profered themfelues to go at theyr 
 owne charges : And of a reilraint made that no flraunger myght paffe 
 without the kynges licence. Alfo howe the autour reproueth Aloifius 
 Cadamuflus a wryter of the Portugales vyages. 
 
 Howe Petrus Arias ftiortely after his departure frome Ciuile, loft two of 
 his ihyppes and was dryuen backe ageyne by tempeft ; And howe beinge 
 newly fumyfflied, hee paffed the Ocean with more profperous wyndes. 
 
 The thyide vyage of Vincentius Pinzonus, and howe he came to the 
 
 regions of Paria where encounterynge with th[e]inhabitauntes he put them 
 fyrft to flyght : but after faulyng to entreatie of peace, they g?ue hym 
 greate plentie of golde and abundaunce of mafculine frankenfence with 
 dyuers other princely prefentes. 
 
 Of the greate multitude of popingiayes which are in the region of Paria, 
 and howe th[e]inhabitours are apparelled. Alfo of the fyue kynges that 
 made a league of frendefhyppe with Vincentius. 
 
 Howe Vincentius fayled Eaftwarde by the tracte of the regions of Paria 
 vntyll he came to the poynte \Cap. S. Augu^int] of that longe lande which 
 the autour fuppofeth to be the greate Ilande Atlantike wlierof the owlde 
 wrytei-s make mention. 
 
 C 27ie contentes of the. viii. booke. Fol. 80. [/. 129] 
 
 C A contention betwene the Caftilians and Portugales as concernynge 
 the diuifion of the newe founde landes : And howe the controuerfie was 
 fynyflhed by the byfhop of Rome. 
 
 Howe Don Chryftopher the gouemoure of the Ilande of Sancti lohannis, 
 was flayne by the Canibales and the byflhop put to flyght. Alfo of the 
 other byffhops of the Ilandes. 
 
 Howe the Canibales of the Hand of Sancta Crux, flew and eate a kynge 
 with certeyne of his men beinge frendes to the Chryftians and made fag- 
 gottes of theyr bones : And how querelynge with owre men, they put them 
 to filence. 
 
 C Tlie contentes of the. ix. booke. Fol. 81. [/. 130.] 
 
 C Of the maruelous frutefulnes of the regions of Beragua, Vraba, and 
 Dariena : And of the dyuers kyndes of trees and frutes. Alfo of the plea- 
 faunt tafte of fwynes flefflie beinge fedde with the frutes of Mirobalane trees. 
 
 Of Lions and Tygers and other wylde beaftes : And of a beafte of 
 ftraunge forme. 
 
 Of the ryuers of the goulfe of Vraba, as the ryuer of Dariena and Rio 
 Grandis : And howe the great ferpentes cauled Crocodiles, are founde in 
 other ryuers byfyde Nilus in Egypte. Alfo howe th[e]autour of this booke 
 was fent Ambaffadour to the Soldane of Alcayr in Egipte. 
 
 Of the Portugales nauigations, and of the ryuer Senega founde by them 
 to bee a chanel of Nilus. Alfo of the multitude of byrdes and foules beinge 
 in the maryffhes of Dariena. 
 
 A phylofophicall difcourfe of th[e]originall and generation of fprynges 
 and ryuers ; And of the breadth of the lande diuydynge the north and 
 fouth Ocean. 
 
 Of the great ryuer Maragnonus and of the earthly Paradyfe : And howe 
 fprynges are engendered by conuercion of ayer into water. 
 
 Of the often faule of rayne vnder the Equinoctiall line, and of the pores 
 of the fea opened by the South wyndes. 
 
 Of the great ryuers of Tanais, Ganges, Danubius, and Eridanus, famous 
 to the owlde wryters : And howe certeine ryuers runnynge throughe the 
 caues of the earthe, breake furth into fprynges afarre of. 
 
 C The contentes of the. x. booke. Fol. 86. [/. 134.] 
 
 C Howe the newe founde landes difcouered by the Spanyardes in the 
 Weft Ocean, are eyght tymes bygger then Italic befyde that which the 
 Portugales poffeffe : And of the cardes of the fea drawen by Colonus and 
 Americus Vefputius. 
 
 The order of meafurynge the lande : And howe a league conteyneth 
 foure myles by fea and but three by lande. 
 
 The Nauigation of lohaimes Dias, and of the fundiye eleiiations of the 
 pole ftarre. 
 
 Of the Ilande of Boiuca or Agnaneo, and of the fpringe whofe water 
 being dronke, caufeth owld men to loke yonge. 
 
 Howe Nicuefa and his fouldiers were fo oppreffed with famin, that they 
 were dryuen to eate mangle doggcs, toades, and deade men : And howe a 
 brothe made of a dogges flcinne, was foulde for many pieces of golde. 
 
The content es of the decades. 
 
 395 
 
 C The contentes of the bookes of the thyrde Decade. 
 
 C Tlie contentes of the fyrji booke. Fol. 88. [/. 137.] 
 
 C Of the defperate aduenture and good fortune of Vafchus ; And how 
 with a hundreth fourfcore and ten men, he brought that to paffe for the which 
 Petrus Arias was fente with a thoufande and two hundreth frefftie fouldyers. 
 
 Howe iren ferueth for more neceffary vfes then gold, and howe fuper- 
 fluities hynder libertie. 
 
 Howe Vafchus in one conflicte, flewe fyxe hundreth barbaryans with 
 theyr kynges : And howe he founde the houfe of kyng Quarequa infected 
 with vnnatural lechery, commaundynge that the kynge and fortie fuche as 
 he kepte for that purpofe, fliulde be gyuen for a pray to his dogges whiche 
 he vfed to feme in the warres ageynft thefe naked people. 
 
 Of a region of blacke Moores : And howe Vfifchus came to the toppes 
 of the mountaynes, where geuynge thankes to god, he behelde the newe 
 fouth. Ocean neuer before fene nor knowen to men of owre worlde. 
 
 Howe Vafchus put kynge Chiapes to flyght, and after made a league of 
 frendefliyppe with hym : And howe the king gaue hym. iiii. hundreth 
 poundes weyght of wrought golde. 
 
 Howe kynge Coquera was putte to flyght, who alfo beinge receaued to 
 frendefhyppe, gaue Vafchus fyxe hundreth and fiftie poundes weyght of 
 wrought golde. 
 
 Of the goulfe cauled Sinus. S. Michaelis beinge full of inhabited Ilandes \ 
 And of the manly corage and godly zeale of Vafchus. Alfo of the lyfynge 
 and faulyng of the fouth fea. 
 
 Howe kynge Tumaccus beinge drjmen to flyght and afterwarde recon- 
 ciled, gaue Vafchus. vi. hundreth and. xiiii. pefos of golde, and two hun- 
 dreth and fortie of the greateft and fayreft pearles : And howe the kynge 
 caufed his men to fyflie for pearles. 
 
 Of the Ilande cauled Margaritea Diues : And of the abundaunce of fayre 
 and great pearles founde therin. 
 
 Of habitable regions vnder the Equinoctiall line : And of the Portugales 
 nauigations to the Antipodes inhabytynge the fyue and fiftie degree of the 
 fouth pole. Alfo a declaration of Antipodes, and of the ftarres about the 
 fouth pole. 
 
 « The contentes of the fecondeiooke. Fol. 95. [/. 142 ] 
 
 C Of the maner of fyflhynge for pearles and of the three kyndes therof. 
 Alfo dyuers other queftions concemynge perles. 
 
 Of the multitude of the fliell fyfflies wherin perles are engendered and 
 founde in maner in all places in the fouth fea : And of abundaunce of 
 golde founde almofte in euery houfe. Alfo howe the treafurie of nature is 
 in thofe coaftes : And of the golde mynes of Dariena. 
 
 Howe kynge Teaocha gaue Vafchus. xx. poundes weight of wrought 
 golde and-two himdreth perles. Alfo of defertes full of wylde beaftes, and 
 howe Vafchus was troubled with greate heate in the moneth of Nouember. 
 
 Howe a dogge Tyger was taken, and his whelpes tyed in cheynes and 
 tome in pieces : Alfo howe Vafchus gaue. iiii kynges to his dogges to be 
 deuoured. 
 
 Of the vfe of dogges in theyr warres, and of the fiercenefle of the Canibales. 
 
 Howe kynge Bononiana fauoured the Chryftians and gaue Vafchus. xx. 
 pounde weyght of wrought golde. Alfo his oration to Vafchus. 
 
 A fimilitude prouynge greate plentie of golde in the regions of the fouth 
 fea, and of the trauayles which owlde fouldyers are able to fufteyne. 
 
 C The contentes of the thyrde booke. Fol. 99. [/. 146.] 
 
 C Howe kynge Buchibuea fubmytted hym felfe to Vafchus, and fent 
 hym certeyne veflelles of golde. Alfo howe kynge Chiorifus fente hym. xxx. 
 dyflhes of pure golde. 
 
 Howe iren ferueth for more neceffary vfes then gold. Alfo an exemple 
 of the lyfe df owr fyrfte parentes. 
 
 Howe kynge Pocchorrofa fubmytted hym felfe, and gaue Vafchus. xv. 
 pounde weyght of wrought golde. Alfo howe Tumanama the great kynge 
 of the golden regions towarde the fouth fea, is taken prifoner. Lykewyfe 
 howe he gaue Vafchus. xxx. pounde weyght of pure and wrought golde, 
 and his noble men. Ix. poundes weyght of golde. 
 
 Of the caufe of vehement wyndes nere vnto the Equinoctiall line, and of 
 the coloure of the earth of the golden mines. 
 
 Of the large and frutefuU playne of Zauana, and of the ryuer Comogrus. 
 Alfo howe kynge Comogrus baptifed by the name of Charles, gaue Vafchus. 
 XX. pounde weyght of wrought golde. 
 
 Of the good fortune of Vafchus, and howe he was turned from Goliath 
 to Elifeus, and from Anteus to Hercules : And with what facilitie the 
 Spanjrardes fliall hereafter obteyre greate plentie of golde and pearles. 
 
 Of the Spanyardes conqueftes, and fierceneffe of the Canibales. Alfo an 
 exhortacion to Chryftian princes to fette forwarde Chryfles religion. 
 
 C The contentes of the fourth booke. Fol. 104. [/. 150.] 
 
 C The fourth vyage of Colonus the Admirall frome Spayne to Hif- 
 paniola, and to the other Ilandes and coaftes of the firme lande ; Alfo of 
 the floryffliynge Ilande Guanaffa. 
 
 Of feuen kyndes of date trees, wylde vynes, and Myrobalanes ; Alfo of 
 byrdes and foules. 
 
 Of people of goodly ftature which vfe to pa3mt theyr bodyes ! And of the 
 fwyfte courfe of the fea from the eaft to the wefl^ Alfo of frefflie water in 
 the fea. 
 
 Of the large regions of Paria, Os Draconis, and Quiriquetana : And of 
 greate Toiioyfes and reedes. Alfo of the foure frutefuU Ilandes cauled 
 Quatuor Tempora, and. xii. Ilandes cauled Limonares. 
 
 Of fweete fauours and holfome ayer : And of the region Quicuri, and the 
 hauen Cariai or Myrobalanus ; Alfo of certeyne ciuyle people. 
 
 Of trees groynge in the fea after a ftraunge forte, and of a ftraunge kynde 
 of Moonkeys which inuade men and feight with wylde bores. 
 
 Of the greate goulfe of Cerabaro replenifflied with many frutefuU Ilandes, 
 and of the people which weare cheynes of golde made ,of ouches wrought 
 to the fimilitude of dyuers wylde beaftes and foules. 
 
396 
 
 The content es of the decades. 
 
 Of fyue vyllages whofe inhabitauntes gyue them felues onely to gather- 
 ynge of golde, and are paynted, vfynge to weare garlandes of Lyons and 
 Tygers clawes. Alfo of feuen ryueis in all the which is founde greate 
 plentie of golde : And where the plentie of golde ceafeth. 
 
 Of certeyne people which paynt theyr bodyes, and couer theyr priuie 
 members with (belles, hauynge alfo plates of golde hangynge at theyr nofe- 
 thrylles. 
 
 Of certeyne woormes which beinge engendered in the feas nere abowt 
 the Equinoctiall, eate holes in Ihyppes : And how the Admirals fliyppes 
 were deftroyde by them. 
 
 Howe the kynge of Beragua enterteyned the Lieuetenant and of the 
 great plentie of gold in the ryuer of Duraba and in al the regions there 
 aboute : Alfo in rootes of trees and ftones and in maner in all the ryuers. 
 
 Howe the Lieuetenaunt and his coompany wold haue erected a colonie 
 befyde the ryuer of Beragua, and was repulfed by th[e]inhabitauntes. 
 
 Howe the Admirall fel into the handes of the barbarians of the Ilande 
 of Jamaica where he lyued miferably the fpace of tenne moonethes ; And 
 by what chaunce he was faued and came to the Ilande of Hifpaniola. 
 
 Of holfome regions, temperate ayer, and continual fpring al the hole 
 yeare : Alfo of certeyne people which honour golde religioufly durynge 
 theyr golden harueft. 
 
 Of the mountaynes of Beragua beinge fiftie myles in heyght and hygher 
 then the clowdes : Alfo the difcripcion of other mountaynes and regions 
 there about, comparynge the fame to Italy. 
 
 Colonus his opinion as touchynge the fuppofed continente, and ioynynge 
 of the north and fouth Ocean. Alfo of the breadth of the fayde continente 
 or firme lande. 
 
 Of -the regions of Vraba and Beragua and the great ryuer Maragnonus 
 and the ryuer of Dabaiba or Sancti lohannis Alfo of certeyne maryfihes 
 and defolate wayes, and of dragons and Crocodiles engendered in the fame. 
 
 Of. XX. golden ryuers abowt Dariena and of certeyne precious ftones, 
 efpecially a diamunde of marueilous byggenefle bought in the prouince of 
 Paria. 
 
 Of the heroical factes of the Spanyardes and howe they contemne effemi- 
 nate pleafures. Alfo a fimilitude prouynge greate plentie of golde and 
 precious ftones. 
 
 C The contmtes of the fyfth booke. Fol. 113. [/. 156.] 
 
 C The nauigation of Petrus Arias from Spayne to Hifpaniola and 
 Dariena, and of the Ilandes of Canarie. Alfo of the Ilandes of Madanino, 
 Guadalupea, and Galanta. 
 
 Of the fea of herbes and mountaynes couered with fnow : Alfo of the 
 fwyfte courfe of the fea towarde the weft. 
 
 Of the ryuer Gaira, the region Caramairi, and the porte Carthago 
 and Sancta Martha : Alfo of Americus Vefputius and his expert cunnynge 
 in the knowledge of the carde, compafle and quadrant. 
 
 Howe the Canibales affayled Petrus Arias with his hole nauie, and fliot 
 of theyr venemous arrowes euen in the fea. Alfo of theyr houfes and 
 houlholde ftuffe. 
 
 Howe Gonzalus Ouiedus founde a faphire bygger then a goofe egge : 
 Alfo emerodes, calcidonies, iafpers, and amber of the mountaynes. 
 
 Of woddes of brafile trees, plentie of golde, and marchafites of metals 
 founde in the regions of Caramairi, Gaira, and Saturma. Alfo of a ftraunge 
 kynde of marchaundies exercifed amonge the people of Zunu. 
 
 That the region of Caramairi is lyke to an earthly Paradife : And of 
 the frutefuU mountaynes, and pleafaunte gardeynes of the fame. 
 
 Of many goodly countreys made defolate by the fiercenes of the Cani- 
 bales, and of dyuers kyndes of breade made of rootes. Alfo of the maner 
 of plantynge the roote of lucca, whofe iuife is deadely poyfon in the Ilandes, 
 and without hurte in the continent or firme lande. 
 
 Of certeyne golden ryuers, hartes, wylde bores, foules, goflampine, 
 whyte marble, and holfome ayer. Alfo of the greate ryuer Maragnonus 
 defcendynge from the mountaines couered with fnowe, cauled Sena 
 Neuata. 
 
 396 
 
 Howe Petrus Arias wafted certeyne Ilandes of the Canibales : And 
 howe by the fwyfte courfe of the fea, his fliyppes were caried in one nyght 
 fortie leagues beyond th[e]eftimation of the befte pylottes. 
 
 C The contentes ofthefyxte booke. Fol. 118. [/. 161. J 
 
 C Of fundry opinions why the fea runneth with fo fwyft a courfe from 
 the Eafte to the weft : and of the greate goulfe of the north parte of the 
 firme lande. 
 
 The vyage of Sebaftian Cabote from Englande to the frofen fea, and 
 howe being repulfed with Ife in the moonethe of luly, he fayled farre weft- 
 warde. 
 
 Of people apparelled with beaftes flcynnes : And howe beares take fyfflies 
 in the fea and eate them. 
 
 Howe Sebaftian Cabote after that he had difcouered the lande of-Baccal- 
 laos or Baccallearum, was cauled out of Englande into Spayne, where he 
 was made one of th[e]affiftaunce of the counfayle of th[e]affayres of India, 
 and of his fecond viage 
 
 Of the Ilande Fortis : And howe a great foule as bygge as a ftorke 
 lyghted in the gouemours ftiyppe. Alfo howe he arryued at Dariena with 
 the kynges nauie. 
 
 Howe Vafchus receaued the newe gouemour : And of habitable regions 
 vnder the Equinoctial. 
 
 Howe Petrus Aries the newe gouemour diftributed his army to conquere 
 the fouth regions ryche in golde, and to erecte newe colonies in the fame. 
 
 Of the ryche golde mynes of Dabaiba, and of th[e]expedition ageynft the 
 kynge of that region. 
 
 Of the Violent courfe of the fea from the eaft to the weft : And of the 
 difficulte faylynge ageynft the fame. 
 
 Of the peftiferous and vnwholfome ayer of Sancta Maria Antigua in 
 Dariena : and howe the Spanyardes were of neceffitie inforced to plant 
 theyr fyrft colonie and habitation there. 
 
 The caufe of the varietie of regions lyinge all vnder one degree or paral- 
 elle, and by what meanes the fonne beames are caufe of feruent heate. 
 
 Of toades and flees engendered of droppes of water, and ot a houfe fet 
 on fyre with lyghtnynge. 
 
 Of a dogge deuoured of a Crocodyle [ Tanquam cants e Nild\, and of the 
 venemus bytynge of great battes. Alfo of Lions and Tygers and other 
 wylde beaftes. 
 
 Howe in thefe regions all foure footed beaftes growe to a bygger quantitie 
 then they whiche were of the fyrfte broode. Alfo of certeyne trees of whofe 
 planckes if fliips be made, they are fafe frome the woormes cauled Broma 
 or Byffas. 
 
 Of a tre whofe wod is prefent poyfon yf it be only borne about : And of 
 an herbe that is a preferuatiue ageinft the fame. 
 
 Of the ryche Ilandes of the fouth fea, and of certeyne expeditions ageynft 
 the Canibales. 
 
 C The contentes of the. vii. booke. Fol. 124. [/. 165.] 
 
 C The particular defcriptlon of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, and of the 
 ryche Ilande cauled Margaritea Diues lyinge in the South fea. Alfo of 
 the greate abundaunce of bigge pearles founde in the fame. 
 
 Howe the autoure compareth Hifpaniola to the earthely Paradyfe t And 
 howe it farre excelleth Italy in fertilitie and temperate ayre. 
 
 Of the fyrfte inhabitours of Hifpaniola and of the Ilandes of Canarie. 
 
 Howe the inhabitauntes of Hifpaniola in theyr fonges and rhymes had 
 certeyne prophefies that appareled men fliulde coome to theyr contrey and 
 brynge them into feruitude : And of theyr familiaritie with fpirites. Alfo 
 howe thofe fpirites haue no more appered to them fence they were 
 baptifed. 
 
 Of theyr experteneffe in fwymmynge : And of tnejrr delycate ferpentes, 
 byrdes, foules, and popingiais. 
 
The contentes of the decades. 
 
 Z91 
 
 Of the fonne and fituation of Hifpaniola nere the Equinoctiall : And 
 howe coulde is in fum place thereof accidental! and not by the fituation of 
 tlie region. 
 
 Of oxenandfwyneofexceadinge bygneffe : And of eares of wheate as 
 bygge as a mans arme in the braun. Alfo howe the fwyne are fedde with 
 myrobalanes. &c. 
 
 Of plenty of golde, bnifyle, maftix, goiTampyne, Electrum &c. : And of 
 th[e]incommodities of intemperate regions. 
 
 Ofdyuers languages in the Ilande: And howe the prouynces are de- 
 uided into regions. 
 
 Howe Andreas Moralis fayled into a daungerous and darke caue within 
 the rocke of a mountayne : And of hole ryuers deuoured of fuch caues. 
 Alfo of the conflycte of the waters. 
 
 Of a ftandynge pole in the tope of an hygh mountayne: And howe 
 feme and bramble buflhes growe only in coulde regyons. 
 
 C The contentes of the. viii. boole. FoL 130. [/. 170.] 
 
 C Of a greate lake or ftandyng poole of fowre and falte water, and of tlie 
 fea fyfllies in the fame in the myddelande of the Ilande. Alfo of deuour- 
 ynge fyflhes cauled Tiburoni. 
 
 Of flie ryuers fauling into the lakes, and of. CC. [200] fprmges in the fpace 
 of a furlonge. 
 
 A meruelous h)rftory of a kynge flryken dumme and lame by a miracle : 
 And of the Indian language. 
 
 Howe fuche as are drowned in the lake, are neuer cafte vp ageyne : 
 And of the Ilande Guarizacca in the myddefte of the ftandynge lake, Alfo 
 of a lake of freffhe crater, and an other of falte and fref(he water. 
 
 Of a large plsume of two hundreth myles in length ; And .an other of a 
 hundrethe and twentie. 
 
 Of the meruelous fyflhe or monfter of the fea, cauled Manaf i or Matum, 
 fedde with mans hande : and howe (he caryeth men ouer the lake. 
 
 Of the mountaynes, vales, hylles, playnes, and ryuers of Hifpaniola ; 
 And howe golde is founde in all mountaines and golde and fyfthes in all 
 ryuers. 
 
 Of falte bayes, and howe the ryuers haue theyr increafe from the caues 
 of the mountaynes. Alfo howe there is no hurtefuUe beafte in the Ilande. 
 
 Of the pleafures of Hiljpaniola : And of the region of Cotohi well 
 inhabyted and fituate in a playne in the toppes of mountaynes reachynge 
 to the clowdes. 
 
 Of moderate coulde in the mountaynes, and of feme of merueylous 
 bygneffe. 
 
 Howe pure and maffie golde is founde in the region of Cotoy or Cotohy : 
 And that the veyne of golde is a lyuynge tree. Alfo of the rootes, 
 braunches, and floures of the fame, and howe certeyne caues are fufteyned 
 with pyllers of golde. 
 
 What golde is broughte yearely from Hifpaniola into Spayne : And of 
 the falte of the mountaynes, beinge as hard as ftones and cleare as cryftall. 
 Alfo fprynges of falte, frefli and fower water. 
 
 Of certeyne wylde men lyuynge in caues and dennes without any certeyne 
 language : And of theyr meruylous fwiftneffe a foote. 
 
 Of pytche of the rocke and twoo kyndes of trees : And of the leafe of a 
 tree vfed in the fteede of paper. Alfo howe th[e]inhabitantes thinke 
 that the Chriftiaas can make thofe leaues fpeake and difclofe all fecreates. 
 
 Of a ftronge coloure made of the iufe of a certeyn apple : And of the 
 herbe whofe finoke is poyfon. 
 
 The contentes of the. ix. hooke. Fol. 136. [/. 175.] 
 
 Of the kyndes of frutes wherwith th[e]inhabitauntes of Hifpaniola lyued 
 fyrfte, and howe they came to the knowelege of lucca. Alfo howe Ceres 
 fyrft found wheate and barley in Egypte. 
 
 Wl.y theyr kinges are cauled by dyuers names, and by what names they 
 fahite the kynges chyldren when they are borne. 
 
 Howe they make theyr teftamente?, and howe certeyne of the kynges 
 wyues and concubines are buryed with them. 
 
 Of the variable motions of the elementes in Hifpaniola : And where it 
 rayneth but lyttle, and where much. 
 
 Of the colonies and vyllages that the Spanyardes haue buylded in 
 Hifpaniola : and of the other Hands about the fame 
 
 Of a fprynge which runnyng vnder the fea from Hifpaniola, breaketh 
 furth in the Hand of Arethufa : Alfo of habitable regions vnder the Equi- 
 noctial, and of the ryche golde mynes of the Ilande of Cuba. 
 
 Of the gumme cauled Anima Album : And of the Canibale[s]. Alfo 
 whereby it was thought that there were Ilandes of women. 
 
 Of hony founde in trees and rockes: And of the generation of greate 
 Tortoyfes and of theyr egges. 
 
 C The contentes of the. x. booke. Fol. 140. [/. 178.] 
 
 C Of the expedition ageynfte the kynge of the Ilande Dites in the fouth 
 fea : And howe after foure conflictes, fubmyttynge hym felfe, he gaue our 
 men a hundreth and ten pounde weyght of greate pearles. Alfo howe 
 he agreed to pay yearely a hundreth pounde weyght of pearles for a 
 tribute. 
 
 Howe axes and hatchettes are more efteemed then golde, or perles: 
 And of greate plentie of hartes and cunnyes. Alfo howe the kynge of 
 Dites and his famelie were baptifed. 
 
 Of perles of great pryce : And howe Paule the byflhop of Rome bowght 
 a perle for four and fortie thoufand ducades. 
 
 Dyuers opinions of the generation of perles : And of a hundreth pearles 
 founde in one fhel fyf(he. Alfo of the byrth of pearles. 
 
 Of the regions of the Eafte fyde of the goulfe of Vraba : And of the 
 originall of the Canibales. 
 
 Of certeyne circumcifed people which haue the knowledge of letters and 
 vfe bookes: And what chaunced of the capitaynes which Fetrus Arias 
 fente fiirth dyuers wayes. Alfo howe lohn SolyCus was flasme of the 
 Canibales, and of theyr fierceneffe. 
 
 Howe lohn Pontius was repulfcd of the • Canibales, and of the lewde 
 behauour of lohn Aiora. 
 
 Of the variable fortune of Gonfalus Badaiocius : And howe after he 
 hadde gathered greate ryches of golde, he had the ouerthrowe, and was 
 fpoyled of all. Of the golden region of Coiba Dites ; And howe theyr 
 flaues are marked in the face. 
 
 Of the Ilandes of the fouth fea : And of the regions frome whenfe the 
 Portugales fetche their fpices. 
 
 Of a ftraunge kynde of fowlynge : and of the trees that beare gourdes. 
 
 Of the later opinions as touchynge the fwyfte courfe of the Ocean 
 towarde the wefte : and of the continente or firme lande. Alfo of the 
 vyage from the newe landes to Spayne. 
 
 Of the golde mynes of Dariena : and the maner of gatherynge of golde in 
 the fame: Alfo of the dropfie of couetoufnes which is not fatiffyed with ryches. 
 
 C For the contentes of the booke of the Hands lately found reade the margente 
 
 notes of the fame. 
 
 irfiN«^. 
 
39^ [ The End of the Original Edition.^ 
 
 C Th[e]interpretovrs excvse. 
 
 I haue not in wiytynge byn very curious 
 To auoyde the fcornes of Rhinoceros nofe, 
 Or the^fyled iudgement of feuere Ariftarchus 
 Not fearynge thereby any thynge to lofe, 
 But haue thought it fufficient to be open and playne 
 Not lookynge for other commoditie or gayne. 
 
 I am not eloquent I knowe it ryght well. 
 If I be not barbarous I defyre no more, 
 I haue not for euery woorde afked counfell 
 Of eloquent EHot or fyr Thomas Moore. 
 Take it therfore as I haue intended, 
 The fautes with fauour may foone be amended. 
 
 The poet Homere for all his eloquence. 
 Lacked not Zoilus to be his fo[e] : 
 Wherfore I conclude this for a trewe fentence. 
 That no man lacketh fuo bargello : 
 For as no beafle lyueth without woorme or flye, 
 So no man lacketh his priuie enemie. 
 
 Rumpatur Zoilus. 
 
 C Fautes efcaped in the pryntynge. F. the leafe. L. the line. B. tJie backe fyde of the leafe. 
 [Thefe corrections hare all been embodied in the Text.] 
 
 G £mpt'j)nteli at Hontion in faults €^\\xi\y 
 
 sai'lie nt \^z sisne of t]^e Ji3j)))Ie 
 
 l):p 3Ri)c|^arUe ^\\%, 
 
 [In other copies.] 
 
 parte at tlje stgne of t|)e 38ell IJi? 
 laofjevte ®0||. 
 
 Anno. Domini. M. D. LV. 
 
 398 
 
Abarien 
 
 Index. 
 
 Atiei 
 
 399 
 
 Ind 
 
 e X 
 
 of 
 
 Persona/ nRmes, and names of places, chiefly outside Europe. 
 
 *.• The Contents Pages at vii.-x., 12, 45, and 391-398 have not been indexed. 
 
 Abarien island, 255 
 
 Abdua river, 315 
 
 Abenamachie, King, 119, 120, 12 1 
 
 Abibeiba, King, 120, 121 
 
 Abila inountaynes, 236 
 
 Abraham, 51, 52 
 
 Abraiba, 120, 1 21 
 
 Abrayme Prouince, 226 
 
 Aburema river, 135, 152 
 
 Acatan, 34 
 
 Acateba, 153 
 
 Achaia, 176 
 
 Achas town, 325 
 
 Achemenides, 135, 154 
 
 Achilles, 5 
 
 Achor, Vale of, 50 
 
 Ada village, 231 
 
 Acuna, The Licentate, 272 
 
 Adam, 229, 338, 340 
 
 Adams, Clement, xxxviii., 289 
 
 Adda river, 363, 364 
 
 Aden, 13, 24, 267, 269 
 
 Aden, King of, 13 
 
 Adialbenicus, Emperor, 176 
 
 Adipson, 285 
 
 Adriane, Pope, 309 
 
 Adriatikesea, 133, ISS. 3 '8 
 
 ^neas Siluius, 8, 41, 50, 347 
 
 Africa, xix., xxi., xxix., 9, 13, 3S, 
 52, 56, 126, 129, 139, 236, 245, 
 248, 250, 261, 262, 273, 285, 
 29s. 298. 337. 338, 340> 346. 
 373. 384, 38s, 387- 
 
 Africa, Gulf of, 270, 374. 
 
 Afrijken, xxxi. 
 
 Agathyrsi, 91 
 
 Agermannia, Dukedome of, 305 
 
 Agisimba, Region of, 41 
 
 Agnaneo island, 135 
 
 Agnes, Vincentius, 105, 128, 1 29 
 
 Agricola, Georgius, xli., xliv., 7, 
 366 
 
 Agrippa, Cornelius, xliv. 
 
 Agus, Antipater, 319 
 
 Ahumada, Peter de, 346 
 
 Aiaguitin river, 153 
 
 Ajora, Gonsalus, 181 
 
 Ajora, Johannes, 162, 181 
 
 Alamino Antonie, 187, 188 
 
 Alaminus, 192, 193, 194, I9S 
 
 Alba Russia, 291 
 
 Albertus, Magnus, 7, 9, lo, 41, 364 
 
 Alcala, 63 
 
 Alcantara, 165 
 
 Alcaraz, Antonie of, 272 
 
 Alcayr [Cairo], City of, 13, 14, 63, 
 
 «3I. '53. 172. 186, 267, 28s, 307, 
 
 315. 374 . 
 Alcazaua, Simon of, 272 
 Alday, James, xix., xx. 
 Alexander, xxix., xxxiii., xliv., 5, 
 
 32. 5°. 74. 129, 176, 201, 241, 
 
 248, 273, 274, 285, 310, 315, 325, 
 
 339, 385 
 Alexandria, City of, no, 153, 217, 
 
 267,283,351 
 Alexandryne, Patriarch of, xxx. 
 Alfonsus de Ponte, 157 
 Alia, 3S9, 368 
 AUago, xxviii. 
 Allen, Richard, xiii. 
 Almanzor, 271, 272 
 Almayne [Germany], Emperour of 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Almaynes, 56, 97, 116, 292, 320, 
 328 
 
 Alonso, 341 
 
 Alonso, Don, 273, 341 
 
 Alonsus, Petrus, 36 
 
 Alpha, Poynt, 75, 76 
 
 Alpheus river, 134, 176 
 
 Alphonsus, 40, 389 
 
 Alphonsus, Petrus, 94, 96 
 
 Alvarado, Peter, 187 
 
 ,\lverado, Spatense, 192 
 
 Amacaiz, City of, 374 
 
 Amaiauira, Cave of, 99 
 
 Amaltheum sea, 289 
 
 Amaquei, Region of, 169 
 
 Amari, Lake of, 284 
 
 Amaxobii, 301 
 
 Ambalao island, 260 
 
 Ambon island, 260 
 
 America, xi., xiii., xviii., xxi., 
 xxiii., XXV., xxvi., xxviii., xxx., 
 xxxii., xxxiv., xl., 3, 8, 32, 35, 
 43, 61, 20s, 243, 281, 335, 343. 
 
 353. 371. 38s 
 Americus, xxi. 
 Amerigo Vespucci, xxv., 37, 38, 39, 
 
 127, 134, 157. 27s. 277. 279 
 Anacaona, Queen, 85, 176 
 Anacauchoa, Beuchius, 83, 84, 85, 
 
 86, 176 
 Anata, King, 182, 183 
 Anbon island, 344 
 
 Ancisus, 108, 109, no, It3, 114. 
 
 IIS, "6, 118, 119, 123, 124, 
 
 125, 126, 137 
 Ancyra, 311 
 Andalusia, xiii., I30, 220, 225, 
 
 339 
 
 Andalusia, Noiia, 130 
 
 Andreas, Moralis, 13 ^ 
 
 Andrewe, Lawrence, xxvi. 
 
 Andronicus, xlviii. 
 
 Anes, John, 377, 378 
 
 Angleria, 43, 63, 65, 186, 207, 
 
 246, 299 
 Ai^hiera, xxxvii. 
 Annez, Vincentius, 126, 1 28, 129, 
 
 130 
 Anniuici, Region of, 169 
 Antei, 285 
 Anteus, 149 
 Anthiochyen, xxxi. 
 Anthiocus, 8 
 Anthropophagi, 23, 29, 41, 66, 
 
 38s 
 Antiglia island, 38 
 Antilia island, 66 
 Antiqua, Island of, 177 
 Antonie, Master, 288 
 Antony di Mendoza, 287 
 Anunctus, 191 
 Apianus, 10 
 
 ApoUo, 10, 102, 172, 296, 298 
 Apnu, Region of, 322 
 Apsa, 363 
 
 Aprutium, Bishop of, 309 
 Aquanil, Province of, 187 
 Aquillaris, Hieronimus, 192, 193 
 Arabia, xxviii., xxxi., 8, 9, 13, 14, 
 
 20, 56, 129, 153, 156, 16S 180, 
 
 235, 284, 285, 286, 369, 385 
 Arabia, Gulf of, 284, 286, 339, 347 
 Arabia, Sea of, 309 
 Arabo, 168 
 
 Aragon, King of, xxx. 51 
 Aragonie, Cardinal of, 64, 73, 79, 
 
 82, 87, 90, 94, 96, 103, 133 
 Aramana, Region of, 168 
 Arambec, xiv. 
 Arbolantius, 141 
 Archimedes, xlvii., xlviii. 
 Arcimboldus, 127 
 Ardagni, Kingdom of, 344 
 Arethusa, 134, 176 
 Arenalis, 88 
 
 Areuado, 232 
 
 Argilla, City of, 374 
 
 Ariane, 245 
 
 Arias, Helizabetha Boadilla, 127 
 
 Arias, Petrus, 61, 126, 127, 135, 
 
 137, 142, 156, 157, 158, 162, 
 
 165, 178, 179. 181. 198, I9h 
 
 214 
 Arimathia, Joseph of, 56 
 Arion, 1 71 
 Aristarchus, 398 
 Aristocleon, 41 
 Aristotle, xliii., xliv., 9, 10, 67, 
 
 142, 179. 278, 293, 313, 33S, 
 
 339. 340, 386 
 Arkey, Laurence, xii. 
 Armenes, xxx. 
 Armeneten, xxxi. 
 Armenia, xxvii., xxviii., xxx., xxxli., 
 
 xxxiv., 176, 311, 314, 329 
 Armenicus, Emperour, 176 
 Armennyten, xxxi. 
 Arnold, R., xxv., xxvi. 
 Arnheim, xxv. 
 Arottinbergh, 368 
 Arra, Castle, 381 
 Arsina, xxix. 
 
 Arsinoe, City of, 284, 285 
 Artawischa river, 323 , 
 
 Artawische, 323 
 Artemisia, 49, 128 
 Arucetto island, 260 
 Arzina Ford, xxxix. 
 Asasi, XX. 
 Ascanius, 63, 64 
 Asianius Sphorcia [i.t,, Sforza], 65, 
 
 68, 103, 127 
 Ascham, Roger, xl. 
 Asco'n City, 37 \ 
 Asia, the less, 7 
 Asoph, 324, 325 
 Asopus, 142 
 
 Asseuedo, Antonie de, ,272 
 Assyryen, xxxi. 
 Astesia, 363 
 
 Astrachan, 308, 314, 325, 326, 329 
 Astur, Ouetenses, 135 
 Asturia, 54, 116 
 Asyen, xxx. 
 Atahaliba, King, 346 
 Atamea village, 152 
 Ath, xliii. 
 Atiei, Region of, 169 
 
400 
 
 Atlantike 
 
 Index. 
 
 Campechium 
 
 Atlantike island, 129, 337, 338, 340 
 
 Atlas mountains, 129 
 
 Atlas, the greater, 385 
 
 Attabeira, 99 
 
 Attibuni, Region of, 169 
 
 Attibunicus river, 73, 168, 171 
 
 Attila, 326 
 
 Auanzo mountains, 368 
 
 Augusta, City of, 286 
 
 Augustinus de Ceratta, 54 
 
 Augustus, Emperour, 8, 283, 306,369 
 
 Auila Alphons[o], 187, 192 
 
 Auis, 273 
 
 Auleta, King, 283 
 
 Aurea Anus, 323, 324 
 
 Aurea Chersonesus, 32, 40, 75, 247, 
 
 313,. 344 
 Ausonia, 167 
 
 Austria, Archduke of, 289 
 Auxendia, xxviii. 
 Auxerre, xliv. 
 Ay Ay islands, 69, 130 
 Ayqueroa, Region of, 169 
 Azamor, City of, 374 
 Azania, Region of, 385 
 Azafi, 374 
 Azeuedo, 274 
 Azgar, 374 
 Azion Gaber, 7 
 Azores, Islands of, 203, 204, 219, 
 
 339. 347, 348 
 Azotus, 57 
 Azoum river, 314 
 Azuam villsige, 176 
 Azzuei, Region of, 169 
 
 Eabbareo lake, 170 
 
 Babel, Tower of, xxxii. 
 
 Babell, 290 
 
 Babilon, 14, 56, 57, 63, 172, 187, 
 
 241, 266, 284, 285, 297, 307, 315 
 Babilon, Soltane of, 153, 172 
 Babilonii, The, 385 
 Babilonyon, xxxii. 
 Bacanor, 265 
 Baccallaos, Land of, xix., 55, 161, 
 
 l6z, 19s, 242, 287, 288, 299, 344, 
 
 34S. 347 
 Bacchian island, 259, 260 
 Baccia, 126 
 Bachau sea, 291 
 Bacon, Lord, xxii. 
 Bacon, Roger, xliv., xlvii., xlviii. 
 Bactria, 308 
 Badaiocius, Gasper, 165 
 Badaiocius, Gonzalus, 181, 182, 183 
 Badaioz, 272, 273 ' 
 Badajos, xiii. 
 Bafrida, 291 
 
 B^^animaho, Region of, 168 
 Bahaboni, i56 
 Bahuan river, 172 
 Baian, 171 
 Baia Natiuitatis, 129 
 Bainoa, 168, 169, 170, 172, 173, 176 
 Baiohaigua, Region of, 169 
 Bajasetes, Ottomanus, 6, 311 
 Balassia, Region of, 264 
 Balboa, Vaschus, 149, i6z, 178, 
 
 338 
 Baleares islands, 301 
 Ballard, William, xiii. 
 Baltheum sea, 299, 312, 331 
 Baluastro, 346 
 Banda island, 22 
 Bandan, xxix., 260, 269 
 Banderana, xxix. 
 Bangalla, King, 21 
 Bangella, City of, 21 
 Baptiste, Elisius, 85, 99 
 Baptiste, Master, xliii. 
 
 Barack, Soltan, 329 
 
 Barbai island, 256 
 
 Barbaregaf, City of, 374 
 
 Barbarossa, Emperour, 347 
 
 Barbata island, 177 
 
 Barbary, xix., xx , xxviii., xxxviii., 
 
 237. 374. 380. 384 
 Barbessa, Adoardo, 258 
 Barcha, 374 
 Bamarde of Mesa, 130 
 Barramedabas, 87 
 Barrientos, 272 
 Barthema \i.e., Varthemd\, Ludi- 
 
 vico, xlviii. 
 Bartholomeus Colonus, 31, 82, 134, 
 
 I S3. 154. 340 
 Barthus castle, 331 
 Barutti, xii. 
 Basilides, 41 
 
 Basilius, 289, 308, 309, 311, 314, 
 316, 317, 319, 321, 324, 328, 329 
 Basilius, Andreas, 316 
 Basilius, Demetrius, 316 
 Basilius, George, 316 
 Basilius, John, 316, 319 
 Basilius, Magnus, 290, 291 
 Basilius, Symeon, 316 
 Basing, xxxix, 
 Baskird, 293 
 Basle, xxxvii. 
 
 Bastard, Count L. de, xliv. 
 Bastarne, 311 
 Bastimento island, 235 
 Bath, Earl of, xix. 
 
 Bauruco, Region of, 169 
 
 Bazantium, Emperours of, 314 
 
 Beataport, 107, 113, 177, 213 
 
 Beaton, Cardinal, xxxviii. 
 
 Bebeid, Chan, 329 
 
 Beda island, 35 
 
 Beit island, 374 
 
 Belchia, 309 
 
 Belozeria, 309 
 
 Benaia island, 260 
 
 Beneu island, 260 
 
 Bengala, Province of, 261, 264, 267, 
 268, 344 
 
 Benin, 270, 376 
 
 Beragua, Region of, 107, 108, III, 
 112, 113, 114, IIS, 128, 130, 132, 
 
 134. 135.136. 149. ISO. »S'.«S3. 
 
 IS4. iSS. 163, 165, 211, 214, 218, 
 
 219. 233, 234 
 Berenice, City of, 284 
 Beres river, 323 
 Berges, City of, 331 
 Beringocius, Vannucius, xlvi. 
 Berma, 344 
 
 Bermeio, Sea of, 338, 339, 346, 347 
 Bermuda island, 233 
 Berosus, xlviii., 346 
 Beryn, John, 383 
 Beselchel, 49 
 Besermani, The, 327 
 Besson, xlvii. 
 Betanchor, 65, 166 
 Betis river, 127, 157 
 Beuchius Anacauchoa, King, 83, 84, 
 
 85, 86, 176 
 Beyrout, xii. 
 
 Bezerra, Franciscus, 165, 181, 183 
 Bian, Sancti, Johannis gulf, 194 
 Biddle, Mr, xv. 
 Bieloiefero, 321 
 Bimini, 345 
 Binthaitel, 100 
 Bion, 41 
 Biraen, 344 
 Biringuccio Vannuccio, xxxvii, 353, 
 
 .356 
 Biron, Master, xviii. 
 
 Biscaine, 274 
 
 Bisinagar, City of, 15 
 
 Bisineghe, 277 
 
 Bithynia, 290, 311 
 
 Bitsagitsch, xxviii. 
 
 Bizantium, 307 
 
 Bizantium, Emperour of, 314 
 
 Bizerta port, 374 
 
 Blasius, 331 
 
 Blemines, The, 385 
 
 Blesconia, City of, 289 
 
 Blondus, 348 
 
 Boadilla, Govemour of, 105, 127 
 
 Boadilla, Helisabetha, 127 
 
 Bodenham, Roger, xviii. 
 
 Boheme, King of, xxx., 312 
 
 Bohol island, 256, 258 
 
 Boilus, 79 
 
 Boiuca island, 135 
 
 Boium, gatti river, 109, 132 
 
 Bolgaria, 309 
 
 Bolschega mountains, 323 
 
 Bombassa, xxviii. 
 
 Bonauentura, 105 
 
 Bonauista island, 87, 272 
 
 Bonanum, City of, 84 
 
 Boneface, 56 
 
 Bonham, W., xxxvii. 
 
 Bononiama, King, 145 
 
 Bononie, Aristotles of, 313 
 
 Bononie, Galeatius Butrigarius of, 
 
 106, 127, 283, 285 
 Boriostomea river, 98 
 Boriquena island, 45, 345, 346 
 
 Boristhene river, 289, 309, 311, 
 312, 314, 316, 319 
 
 Bornei islands, 22, 23 
 
 Bosphorus, The, 59 
 
 Boua port, 374 
 
 Boubige, xlv. 
 
 Bourne, Mr H. R. Fox, xvi. 
 
 Bowyer, Sir William, xiii. 
 
 Boyuca island, 345 
 
 Braalin island, 260 
 
 Brabant, xliii. 
 
 Brasil, xv., xvi., xvii., 250, 251, 
 253. 273, 28s, 288, 375, 38s, 
 386 
 
 Brewer, Rev. J. S., M.A., xiii. 
 
 Bridger, Mr C, xlviii. 
 
 Brocardus, xlvi. 
 
 Brooke, John, xviii. 
 
 Bryaces, 49 
 
 Buchebuea, King, 146 
 
 Buchema island, 30 
 
 Buda, 326 
 
 Budia island, 260 
 
 Budomel, 384 
 
 Buen Abrigo Point, 273 
 
 Buena Vista, 272 
 
 Bugia, Region of, 374 
 
 Buiaici, Region of, 169 
 
 BuUen, 9 
 
 Buona Speranza, 261, 262, 338, 
 
 374. 385 
 Bur island, 344 
 
 Burges, Bishop of, 126, 127, 134 
 Burgonie, Duke of, 208 
 Burichena island, 45, 70, 104, 130, 
 
 •59. '73. 176 
 Burleigh, Lord, xxxvii. 
 Bnmei island, 258 
 Burney island, 272 
 Burrough, Stephen, xxxviii. 
 Burn island, 260 
 Buthuan island, 255, 259 
 Buthuan, King, 255 
 Butler, John, xlv. 
 Butricarius Galeatius, 106, 127, 
 
 283, 285 
 Buts, Sir William, xviii., xix. 
 
 Butts, Thomas, xviii., xix. 
 Byzantium, xi. 
 
 Cabedus, Johannes, 130, 157 
 
 Cabot, Loaisa, 274 
 
 Cabot, Sebastian, xiii., xv., xix., 
 xxxviii., xxxix, xl., xlvi., xlvii., 
 6, 55, 61, l6l, 162, 19s, 272, 
 274, 283, 288, 289, 299, 335, 
 343. 345. 348, 350, 386 
 
 Cabouerde [«.«., Cape-Verde\,^ 74, 
 87. 97. 129, 134, 272, 277, 385 
 
 Cacacubana, Region of, 169 
 
 Cacausu, City of, 24 
 
 Cacedus, John, 198 
 
 Caccicus, 72, 89, 128, 223 
 
 Caccicus Caunaboa," 72, 79, 80, 81, 
 
 Cacique Chiman, 225 
 
 Cadamustus, Aloisius, 127, 270, 280 
 
 Cades, 86 
 
 Cadissen, 329 
 
 Cadona, Diike of, 173 
 
 Caghaian island, 258 
 
 Cahaymi, Region of, 169 
 
 Cahini island, 168 
 
 Cahonas island, 166, 172 
 
 Caiabi, Province of, 168, 172, 173, 
 
 176 
 Caiacoa, Province of, 168, 173 
 Caiguam mountain, 171 
 Caigui, City of, 26, 171 
 Caihabo, Province of, 168, 169, 170 
 Cailon island, 344 
 Caiouana, Valley of, 170 
 Cairo, 374 
 Cairus, 307 
 Caizcimu, Province ofj 168, 169, 
 
 170. 173 
 Cakeado, 381 
 
 Calaghan island, 255, 256, 259 
 Calantan, 260 
 
 Calauera, BarnardJno de, 108 
 Cales, 86, 87, 93, 94, 97, 181 
 Calese island, 286 
 Calicium, 38 
 Calicut, 7, 8, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 
 
 21. 24, 32, 39, 256, 261, 263, 
 
 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 344, 
 
 374. 385 
 Calicut, King of, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21 
 Calidonia, 143, 177 
 Caliz, 346, 347 
 Callienten, xxix. 
 Calligula, 59 
 Calpe mountains, 236 
 Cals, 68, 73 
 
 Caluacam, Region of, 188, 189 
 Calunezfcho, Region of, 322 
 Calzadilla, 341 
 Camaie, Region of, 169 
 Cambaia, 8, 13, 14, 20, 261, 267, 
 
 269 
 Cambaia, King of, 40 
 Cambalu \i.e., Pekin}, City of, 24, 
 
 25. 287, 307, 326 
 Cambie, 259 
 
 Camemorus, Region of, 183 
 Camen mountains, 323 
 Camen Bblschoi mountains, 322, 
 
 323 
 Camenckh, 322 
 Cameni, 323 
 
 Camenipoias mountains, 323 
 Camigna, Don Christopher of, 1 30 
 Camomorus, Region of, 98, 132 
 Camoteia island, 166 
 Campaa, Region of, 260 
 Campbell, Dr M. F. A. G., xxv., 
 
 xxvi. 
 Campechium, Province of, 1S7, 188 
 
Campegius 
 
 Index, 
 
 Corus 
 
 401 
 
 Campegius, Cardinal, 310 
 
 Campion, Gasper, xvii., xviii. 
 
 Camul, Province of, 27 
 
 Canabocoa, Region of, 169, 172 
 
 Canada, 287 
 
 Canary islands, xiii., xxviii., 28, 
 30, 32, 36, 38, 40, 41, 65, 66, 
 68, 87, 97, 150, IS7, 166, 177, 
 181, 199, 210, 245, 250, 277, 
 339. 374, 375. 380, 389 
 
 Cananor, xxviii. 
 
 Cananor, King of, 15 
 
 Cancell, Luys, 346 
 
 Canchietans, The, 95 
 
 Canchietes, Region of, 36, 95 
 
 Cane, 271 
 
 Canghu island, 256 
 
 Canglu, City of, 24 
 
 Canibals, Islands of the, 30, 66, 68, 
 78, 160, 162, 177, 180 
 
 Cannafistula island, 119 
 
 Cano, 272 
 
 Canonor, Kingdom of, 14, 15, 20, 
 
 261, 268 
 Canthan, City of, 260 
 Cape Blanke, 380 
 
 Cape Bona Speranza, 129, 279, 285, 
 
 286, 348, 350 
 Cape Breton, xiv., xviii. 
 Cape Cattigara, 253 
 Cape Corea, 382 
 Cape de Bas, xiv. 
 Cape de Buona Speranzo, 374 
 Cape de Monte, 381 
 Cape de las Palmas, 381, 382 
 Cape de tres Puntas, 381 
 Cape de Sper, xiv. 
 Cape Trepoyntes, 381, 382, 383 
 Cape of Good Hope, 129, 385 
 Capelan, City of, 21, 344 
 Capha, 324 
 Caphi island, 260 
 Capira, Re^on of, 234 
 Capling, William, xii. 
 Capo Desiderate, 252 
 Capo Verde Islands, 32, 3S, 36. 65, 
 
 74, 87, 129, 203, 204, 250, 261, 
 
 262, 272, 273, 274, 277, 280, 
 338.373.382,385.387 
 
 Capronus, 86, 91, 92 
 
 Capucar, 265 y 
 
 Caput BonE Sperantiae, 129, 385 
 
 Caput Sancti Augustini, 129, 134, 
 
 181, 183 _ , 
 Caput Veride islands, 32, 35, 36, 
 
 74. 87, 129. 38s 
 Caracaracoles, 100 
 Caramairi, Region of, 106, 107, 
 
 109, 134, 144. '57. 158. 159. 
 
 160, 162 
 Caramatexius, King, 171 
 Carandra, Gulf of, 285 
 Caraqueira island, 177 
 Carcham, Province of, 26 
 Cardano, Girolamo, xxxviii., 158, 
 
 161, 207, 217, 250, 294, 307 
 Carenas, 191, 
 
 Careta, 108, 115, 116, 117, 121, 
 
 137, 164, 182 
 Caria, King of, 49, 128 
 Caria, Queen of, 49, 128 
 Cariai, Region of, 151, 152. 15° 
 Caribana, 107, 119, 180, 183 
 Caribdis, 304 
 Caribes islands, 68 
 Carles, Captain, xlviii. 
 Camica, 314, 3^8 
 Caromoram, 25 
 Carter, Master, xviii. 
 Carthage, 176, 34°. 374 
 Carthage, Hanniball of, 139 
 
 Carthagena, 134, 157, 160, 214, 
 
 215, 226 
 Carthaginis Portus, 106 
 Carthago, 106, 107, 108, 109, 113, 
 
 134, 157, 162, 165 
 Cartier, Jaqiies, 287, 345 
 Carucueria, 69, 157, 159 
 Casa Francisus, xlvii. 
 Casan,King of, 326, 328 
 Caspia, 8, 169, 170, 173 
 Caspian sea, 170, 287, 291, 308, 
 
 309, 311, 314, 321, 326, 329, 
 
 346 
 Cassam, City of, 291, 311, 314, 319, 
 
 325, 326, 327, 328, 329 
 Cassima river, 323 
 Cassius mountain, 285 
 Castaglione, Baltassar, 9 
 Castaneda, 272 
 Castella, Aurea, 130 
 Castelia de Mina. 382 
 Castella Vetus, 68 
 Castile, King of, xxx., 37, 201, 203, 
 
 \ 340 
 
 'Castile, Queen of, 201 
 
 Castile, Isabel of, 273, 274, 341 
 
 Castile, Ferdinando of, 51, 52, 65, 
 73, 127, 131. 201, 208, 209, 211, 
 229, 236, 273, 341, 342, 343, 
 
 345 
 
 Castlen, Edward, xh. 
 
 Castor, 250 
 
 Castoreum sea, 303 
 
 Castromow, 331 
 
 Catalonia, 173 
 
 Catarapa, 237 
 
 Catena Mundi mountains, 286, 324 
 
 Cathay [«.e. , China], xiii., xxxviii., 
 xxxix., xl., xli., 8, 22, 24, 25, 26, 
 59, 98, 261, 283, 284, 285, 286, 
 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 
 293. 294. 308, 310. 312, 313. 
 321, 322, 324, 32s, 326, 327, 
 328, .329, 330, 331, 333, 339, 
 
 344. 345. 363 ^ . 
 
 Cathay Cham [i.e., Khav\, of, xxi., 
 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 60, 286, 287, 
 289, 322, 324, 326, 329, 330 
 
 Cathay, Eniperour of, 25, 60 
 
 Catighan island, 256 
 
 Catherine, Queen, 51, 71, 274 
 
 Catherine, Saint, 84 
 
 Cato, 122 
 
 Cattigara, 262 
 
 Cattigara, Cape, 253 
 
 Caucasus mountains, 18 
 
 Cauchieta, 95, 98 
 
 Caunaboa, Cacicus, 72, 79, 80, 81, 
 
 85 
 Caunana, 99 
 Caunoa, Region of, 169 
 Cauta, 99 
 
 Cautan, City of, 344 
 Caya river, 272, 273, 274 
 Caya bridge, 273, 274 
 Cayrus [«.«., Cairo], City of, 14, 186 
 Cazacubuna mountains, 172 
 Cazibaxagua, 99 
 
 Cecil, Sir W., xxii., xxxviii., xliii. 
 Ceden, xxx. 
 Ceilam island, 344 
 Celaruri island, 260 
 Celer, Quintus Metellus, 347 
 Cemaccus, King, no, 119, 121, 
 
 122, 198 
 Cemobal, 196 
 Cenalo island, 255. 
 Cenegales, 155 
 Central America, xi, 
 Centurione, Paulo, 287, 308, 309, 
 
 310 
 
 2 G 
 
 Cerabaro, Region of, 112, 135,152, 
 
 "54. 155. 156. 163. 182 
 Ceratta \i.e,, Zaratte\ Augustinus 
 
 de, 54 
 Cerda, 341 
 Ceres, 175 
 Cernigonia, 309 
 Cesar, 59, 305 
 Cesariensis, 374 
 Chabot, C, xiv. 
 Chacouam island, 260 
 Chagre river, 234, 235 
 Cham, 346 
 
 Chamailaba, Prince, 129 
 Chan Cublai, 330 
 Charles V., xiii., ilv. 
 Charles, King, 63 
 Charles IX., xiv., xlvii. 
 Charybdis, 163, 330 
 Chaucer, xxxvii. 
 Chaunceler, Richard, xvii., xxxviii., 
 
 xxxix., xl., 59, 285, 289, 326, 
 
 333. 386 
 Chedsey, Dr, xxxix. 
 Cheke, Sir John, xliii., xliv. 
 Cheregatus, Francis, 191, 309 
 Chethai lake, 287 
 Cheru, King, 182 
 Chiacones, King, 128 
 Chiapes, King, 139, 140, 141, 142, 
 
 143. 145. 178 
 Chiauaccha, Prince, 129 
 Chiman, Cacique, 225 
 China, 20, 260, 261, 267, 269, 272, 
 
 339. 344, 347 
 China, Gulf of, 260 
 ChionSus, King, 146 
 Chiouia mountain, 319 
 Chirara, 152 
 Chippit island, 258 
 Chitaza, 152 
 Chorogoski Nosz, 322 
 Chrisostomus, 290, 291 
 Christiernus, 304, 309 
 Christophori Sancti, 105 
 Ciamba, 1 30, 150 
 Cibana, Region of, 73, 74, 79, 80, 
 
 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 105, 168, 171, 
 
 172 
 Cicero, Marcus Tullus, xliv., 49, 
 
 132, 283, 284 
 Ciclopes, 154 
 Cicylian, King, xxx, 
 Ciguaios, 86, 91 
 Ciguana, 91 
 Cilapulapu, Prince, 285 
 Cilicia, 7, 8 
 
 Cimbrica Chersonesus, 311, 314 
 Cimbulon, King, 258 
 Cinchital, 27 
 Cingaporla, 260 
 Cingulus Mundi mountain, 324 
 Ciniana, Region of, 36 
 Cipanga, Region of, 73, 80, 81, 82, 
 
 167. 253, 339, 340, 343 
 Citrachan, 308, 314 
 Ciuola, 287 
 Claudius, 54 
 Clement VI., Pope, 308, 309, 
 
 347 
 Cleodii, The, 385 
 Cleopatra, 141, 142, 166, 283, 315 
 Cleopatrida, City of, 284 
 Clesraa river, 314 
 Cloelia, 71 
 
 Cochin, King of, xxix. 
 Cochinus, 183 
 Cockeram, Martin, xvii. 
 Codego island, 106, 2:5 
 Coi Cathay island, 343 
 Coiba Dites, 182 
 
 Coiba, Gulf of, 108, 115, 116, 164, 
 
 182 
 Coiba, King of, 108, 115, 116, 117, 
 
 121, 137, 164, 182 
 Colchis, Region of, 51, I35, 262, 
 
 310 
 Cole, Master, xix. 
 Colen, xxix. 
 Coligny, Admii-al, xiv. 
 Collao, City of, 343 
 Collocutea, Region of, 183 
 Colluacana island, 189, 191, 19S, 
 
 196 
 Colmenaris, Rodericus, 113, 114, 
 
 115, 116, 119, 120, 122,123, 126, 
 
 157, 183 
 
 Colmogora, Region of, 291, 293, 312 
 
 Colmogor, City of, 286, 322. 
 
 Colmum, City of, 290 
 
 Cologna, 291 
 
 Colonia Agrippina, City of, 289 
 
 Colum, xxix 
 
 Columbus (or Colonus), Bartholo- 
 meus, 31, 82, 134, 153. 154. 340 
 
 Columbus (or Colonus), Christo- 
 phorus, 28, 29, 35, 38, 41, 65, 66, 
 67, 69, 79, 80, 87, 94, 96, 98, 99, 
 103, 105, 106, 108, III, 112, 113, 
 115, 118, 127, 128, 129,132, 134, 
 
 135, '5°, 151, 153, 154.155.157. 
 
 163, 177, 184, 191, 192, 202, 209, 
 
 236, 272, 288, 337, 339, 340, 341. 
 
 342, 346 
 Columbus (or Colonus), Diegus, 
 
 IIS, "8, 122, 127, 177, 184, 240 
 Columbus (or Colonus), Fernando, 
 
 272 
 Columna, 313 
 
 Commendator, King, 123, 124, 125 
 Comi, 187 
 
 Comogra, 116, 162, 179 
 Comogrus, King, 116, 117, 118, 
 
 120, 122, 137, 146, 147, 148, 162 
 Commodus, Emperour, 284 
 Comoiayxa, 172 
 Compostele, 100 
 Conception, Tower of, 80, 82, 84, 
 
 86, 92, 93, 105. 130 
 Conde, Prince de, xliv., xiv. 
 Condiuia, 310 
 Conigangui, 26 
 Connulaha, City of, 260 
 Constantina, 374 
 Constantine, 290, 316 
 Constantinople, Bishop of, xxxi. 
 Constantinople, Emperour of, 316 
 Constantinople, Patriarche of, xxx,, 
 
 290, 291 
 Conte Rimondo, 270 
 Cooper, xxxvii. 
 Coperdalia, 305 
 Copto, 284 
 Coquera, King, 140 
 Corala, 271 
 Corales, 180 
 
 Corduba, 162, 181, 186, 192 
 Corea, 382 
 Corelia, 292, 321 
 Coricljotum, 102 
 Corimucol, 20 
 
 Corinthus, City of, 80, 160] 
 Coro island, 215 
 Coronado, 287 
 Coronati, 238 
 
 Cortes, xiii., xl., xiv., xlvi., 274 
 Cortesreales, Gasper, 344 
 Cortesreales islands, 344 
 Cortesius Fernando, 191, 192, 195, 
 
 198, 238, 342 
 Corsali, Andreas de, 275, 279 
 Corus, 382 
 
402 
 
 Corytho 
 
 Index. 
 
 Frobisher 
 
 Corytho, i66 
 
 Cossa, Johannes De la, 126, 134, 
 
 156 
 Cossa, 107 
 Cossin river, 323 
 Cossum, 329 
 Cotam, 26 
 
 Cotochus, King, 146. 
 Cotohi, 172, 173 
 Cotoy, 169 
 Cozumella island, 40, 187, 188, 189, 
 
 191, 192, 193 
 Cozumellaus, King, 188 
 Cracouia, 314 
 Crayford, 7 
 Creta, 166, 172, 316 
 Cretenses, xlviii., 172 
 Cresus, 42, 146 
 Croke, 381 
 Crystente, xxxiv. 
 Cuadalchiber, 210. 
 Cuba island, 6, 31, 40, 66, 73, 74, 
 
 75. 76, 77. 79. 90. 104, los, 123, 
 125, 128, 130, 150, 154, 161, 163, 
 167, 173. 176, 177. 184, 186, 188, 
 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 19s, 198, 
 210, 231, 233, 239, 241, 262, 299, 
 338, 344, 346 
 
 Cuba, Governour of, 191 
 
 Cubagua island, 213, 214 
 
 Cubana, 169 
 
 Cubigar river, 153 
 
 Cuchibachoa, Region of, 98, 108, 
 113, 128, 134 
 
 Cuella de Segovia, xv, 
 
 Cueua, 219, 237 
 
 Cuguibacoa, 165 
 
 Cugureo, 340 
 
 Cuhabo, 168, 169 
 
 Cuiriza, 146 
 
 Culchas, 141 
 
 Culata point, 119, 121, 122 
 
 Cumana, 89, 94, 96, 98, 128, 156, 
 165, 213, 214 
 
 Cupoton King, 187 
 
 Curiana, 89, 94, 95, 96, 98, 128 
 
 Cursius Quintus, 241 
 
 Curtana, 36, 9S 
 
 Cuti river, 226 
 
 Cuzibet island, 23 
 
 Cybaho, 169 
 
 Cyrenaua, 374 
 
 Cyrrha, 100 
 
 Czar Kythaislti, 324 
 
 Czilma river, 322 
 
 Czircho river, 322 
 
 Czriremissa, 293 
 
 Dabaiba, King, I19, 121, 122, 
 
 •63 
 Dabaiba river, 132, 155, 183, 199 
 Dabiague, 169 
 Dacicus, 176 
 Dahabon, 169 
 Dahabonici, Region of, 169 
 Dahatio, 168 
 Daiaguo mountains, 173 
 Daiguani mountains, 171 
 Dalekarle river, 305 
 Dalion, 41 
 
 Dalmacyen King, xxx. 
 Dalmatia, 290, 364 
 Damascus, 56, 311 
 Damian, 310 
 Damianus a Goes, SI, 58 
 Damiata, City of, 284 
 Danadim river, 323 
 Danowe river, 131 
 Danaus, xlviii. 
 Daneo port, 284 
 Dardanus, i66 
 
 Dariena, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 
 121, 123, 125, 126, 130, 131, 134, 
 13s. 136, 137. 143. HS. 148, 149. 
 156, 157. 158, 162, 163, 164, 165, 
 178, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184, 185, 
 186, 192, 198, 199, 207, 218, 220, 
 226, 236, 238, 262 
 Darien river, no, 132, 191 
 Darius, King, 59, 284 
 Darnasseri, 20 
 Darthmouth, 379 
 Daubeny, Oliver, xviii. 
 Dauid, xlvii., 51, 349, 385 
 Dauid, Master, 330 
 Dausian, 344 
 Davis, xlvi. 
 Decan, 264 
 Dechan, 14 
 Dedalus; 55 
 
 Deerfeorth, Cornelius, xxxviii. 
 De las Perlas island, 54 
 De la Sal island, 272 
 De la Flore island, 382 
 Delagartos river, 132 
 Delapuente, Franciscus, 183 
 Deli mountains, 268 
 De los Azores, 203, 204, 339 
 Delphis, 296, 298 
 Demahus river, 168 
 Demetriowe, City of, 321 
 Demetrius, 59, 292, 308, 309, 310, 
 
 311, 313, 325, 329, 331 
 Demogorgon, xlvi., 161 
 Denham, Henry, xiii 
 Denmark, King of, xxx., 299, 304, 
 
 308, 309, 319, 331, 332 
 Deptford, xxxviii. 
 Desborch, John of, xxv., xxvi. 
 Desiderata island, 177, 210 
 Desideratus, Portus, 188. 
 Destam island, 192 
 Desseosa, Francis, 377 
 Deza, 130 
 
 Diaguo, Region of, 169 
 Diaz, Johannas, 105, 135, 165 
 Didacus, 75, 77, 78, 79 
 Dido, 166 
 
 Diego, Henriques, 378 
 Diego, Nicuesa, lc6, 107, 108, 109, 
 III, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 126, 
 128,135,137,145,150,151,153,156 
 Dieguan sea, 266 
 Diegus Marques, 157 
 Diegus Mendez, 154 
 Diegus Ordassus, 192 
 Diegus Valasquen, 186 
 Dikilappones, Region of, 331 
 Diodorus, xlviii., 351 
 Diodorus Siculus, 55, 369 
 Dites, 165, 178, 183 
 Dium, City of, 13 
 Doesborch or Doesburg, xxv. 
 Doesburgh, Jan Van, xxv. , xxvi. 
 Dolateranus, 10 
 Dominica island, 30, 68, 70, 105, 
 
 130, 150, 157, 163, 174, 210 
 Dominikes, Tower, Seynt, 82, 84 
 Domitian, 284 
 Don Alonso, 341 
 Don Enrique, 341 
 Don, John Captain, 382 
 Don, John, of Austria, xii. 
 Don Lewes, 378 
 Don Luys, 341 
 
 Don Pascval de Gayangos, xiv. 
 Don Phylippe, 346 
 Donco, 324, 325 
 Donetz Scwerski, 325 
 Doria, Juanette, xvii. 
 Doria, Pedro, xvii. 
 Dorpe, Roeland van der, xxv., xxvi. 
 
 Douer, 379 
 
 Dragonis, Os, 88, 95 96, 98, 108 
 
 Dranus river, 318 
 
 Drauer, Master, xviii. 
 
 Dromon, Achillis, 310 
 
 Dront, 331 
 
 Dryades, 83, loi 
 
 Duas Arbores, 176 
 
 Dubna River, 321 
 
 Duchala, 374 
 
 Dudley, John, xxxix. 
 
 Duna River, 312 
 
 Dunenburg, 312 
 
 Duraba, 135, 153 
 
 Duran, Thomas, 272 
 
 Durriba, 153 
 
 Dyonisius, King, xliv. 
 
 East India, xii., 8, 9, 32, 79, 103, 
 133. 234. 235. 247. 262, 279, 283, 
 285, 339. 344 
 
 East Indian Sea, 8 
 
 Easte Sea, 8, 9, 24, 161 
 
 Ebro river, 363 
 
 Ebetere, 153 
 
 Eccampi island, 186 
 
 Edel river, 292, 314 
 
 Eden, Alban, xlviii. 
 
 Eden, Richard, xii., xiii., xiv., xv., 
 XX., xxii., xxxvii., xxxviii., xxxix., 
 xl., xii., xiii., xliii., xliv., xiv., 
 xlvi., xlvii., xlviii., I, 3, 6, 7, 13, 
 43. 49. 270 
 
 Edward VI.,xii.,xix., xxxviii, 1,333 
 
 Egypt, xi., XXX., xlviii., 8, 41, 51, 
 75, no, 131, 132, 141, 153, 15s, 
 172, 17s, 193, 217, 283, 284, 293, 
 
 296, 3°7. 308, 315. 351. 369. 374 
 Egypt, King of, 284 
 Egypt, Pyramides of, 49 
 Egypt, Soltane of, 311, 369 
 Egyptian sea, 199 
 Elabath, 374 
 Elbes, 272 
 Elcauz, 374 
 Elder, John, xxxix. 
 Elgazaet, Region of, 374 
 Elias, xlvii. 
 Elide, City of, 176 
 Eliot, 398 
 
 Eliot, Hugh, xvi., xxi. 
 Eliot, Master, xiv. 
 Elis, City of, 134 
 Elizabeth, Queen, xii., xvii., xl., 
 
 xliv., xiv., xlvi., 65, 201, 209,288, 
 
 342 
 Elzaba, 8 
 Emanuel, King, xxiii., xxvi., xxvii., 
 
 37. 39, 40 
 Embigar, 153 
 Eneas, 135, 166 
 England, King of, xxx., xxxvi. 
 Engronlande, Region of, 312, 324, 
 
 332 
 Eningia, 298, 306 
 Ephesyn, xxxi. 
 Epileguanita, 102 
 Erancanqui, 344 
 Erasmus, 57, 58 
 Eratosthenes, 41, 349 
 Eridanus, 133 
 Errifi, 374 
 
 Erythra, King, xlviii. 
 Esaras, 49 
 
 Eson, Colchis of, 135 
 Esope, 377 
 Esquegua, 23c, 234 
 Estremadura, 274 
 Ethiopia, xxx., 8, 13, 14, 39, 41, 51, 
 
 88, 132, 139, 169, 175, 248, 250, 
 
 284, 339. 351, 369, 374, 384, 385 
 
 Ethiopia, King of, 374 
 
 Euangelista island, 77 
 
 Eude island, 260 
 
 Eudoxus, 286, 346 
 
 Eue, 229, 338 
 
 Euergetes, Tomoleus, 346 
 
 Eugenius, Pope, 290 
 
 Euphrates river, 41, 51, 308 
 
 Eurique, Don, 341 
 
 Euripus sea, 304 
 
 Eusebius, xlviii. 
 
 Euxinus sea, 155, 292, 298, 310, 
 
 314 
 Exer, 266 
 Ezzab, 374 
 
 Faber, Jacobus, 246 
 
 Faber, John, 289 
 
 Facies, Combusta King, 135 
 
 Faial island, 347 
 
 Faro, Strait of, 208 
 
 Fartalio, xlvi. 
 
 Faubourg, xiv. 
 
 Feminie the Great, xxxiii. 
 
 Ferdinando Cortese, 238, 342 
 
 Ferdinando de Soto, 346 
 
 Fernandina islands, 186, 187, 190, 
 
 191. 195 
 Fernando de Vega, 96 
 Fernandes Francicus, 186, 187, 192 
 Fernandas, Gonzalus, 50, 158, 160, 
 
 184, 185, 207, 208, 24.1 
 Fernelius, Johannes, xlvii. 
 Ferraria, xlvi. 
 
 Ferrea island, 65, 66, 68, 157, l8i 
 Ferrieres, Francois de, xliv. 
 Ferri^res, Jean de, xliv. 
 Ferrum island, 41 
 Fes, 374 
 
 Fessa, City of, 374 
 Feti, 180 
 
 Ficinus, Marcilius, xiii., 338 
 Fin, Jean de la, xiv. 
 Finland, 229, 306, 312, 319 
 Finlappia, 330 
 Finmarchia, 8, 347 
 Fiorauanti, Leonardo, xlviii. 
 Fladimer, City of, 289 
 F'lauius, 348 
 Flaunders, Earl of, 208 
 Fletcher, John, xix. 
 Florida, 32, 55, 191, 288, 342, 34^, 
 
 346 
 Floures \i.e., Flores\ island, 214 
 Flumen Amazonum, 160 
 Flumen, S. Johannis, 155 
 Fogeda, Alphonsus, 106, 1:07, 108, 
 109, no. III, 113, 114, 115, 123, 
 126, 128, 134, 145, 165, 180, 183 
 Fonseca, Johannes, 126 
 Forrest, George, xvii. 
 Fortis island, 107, 108, 109, 134, 162 
 Fortisuentura, xx., 65, 157, 380 
 Fortunate islands, 28, 37, 40, 166, 
 
 374 
 Forum Julii, 318 
 Foxe, John, xxxix. 
 Fracta laucea island, 41 
 France, King of, xxx., xxxii., xxxvi. 
 France, Lieutenaunt of, 347 
 Francis, St., 130 
 Francisco, 376 
 Francisco de Siquera, 378 
 Francisco,LopezdeGomara, xxxviii 
 
 271. 337 
 Frederike, King, 73, 102, 103 
 Fretum Herculeum sea, 161 
 Fretum trium fratrum, 9 
 Friseland, 303 
 Friole, 368 
 Frobisher, Sir Martin, xiii. 
 
Fronowo 
 
 Index. 
 
 Ipsicratea 
 
 403 
 
 Fronowo, 312 
 
 Fryer, Ferdinando, 341 
 
 Fugui, 26 
 
 Fuluia, 122 
 
 Furatado, Captain, 121 
 
 Futeraca, 180 
 
 Gades islands, 28, 30, 34, 65, 68, 73, 
 
 7S. 94. 97> 150. «8i, 316 
 Gaira river, 113, 132, 157, 158, 159 
 Galana island, 68, 157 
 Galanta island, 68, 157, 177, 210 
 Galeatius, Butrigarius, 106, 127, 285 
 Galian island, 260 
 Galltia, 10, 96, 311 
 Gambra, 280, 374, 384 
 Gamelaro island, 374 
 Ganges river, 9, 32, 75, 98, 133, 155, 
 
 363 . 
 
 Gangeticus, Gulf of, 39 
 Ganphasantes, 385 
 Garcia Nunnio, 272 
 Gardiner, Bishop, xl., xlv. 
 Caret, 374 
 
 Garsia de Padilla, 130 
 Gasper, Cortesreales, 344 
 Gastaldus, Jacobus, 291, 345 
 Gates, Sir T., xxxix. 
 Gaza, 57 
 Gazatia, 385 
 Cedion, 51 
 • Gelders, Land of, xxvi. 
 Geminus, Thomas, xxxvii, , xxxviii., 
 
 xl. 
 Gemma Phrysius, 55, 384, 385, 389 
 Ceneen, xxviii. 
 Genua, City of, 28, 65, 155, 206, 
 
 310. 340 
 Genoa, xvii., xxx. 
 Georgianes, xxx., xxxi. 
 Germanicus, Emperour, 176 
 Ger[rlard, Sir William, xix., xl., xli. 
 Gesnerus, 326 
 Getulia, 3&1. 
 
 Giaua island, 23, 260, 269, 286 
 Giauntes island, 38 
 Gibeth island, 34 
 Gibilterra, 233, 236, 262 
 Gilolo island, 259, 272, 344 
 Gilona island, 34 
 Ginera island, 41 
 Gines Navarro, xv. 
 Gioghi island, 260 
 Giouan Dulsaraz, 250 
 Girardus Maphejis, 348 
 Giunti, L. A., xiv. 
 Goa, City of, 40, 261 
 Godfrey, John, xvii. 
 Golden Castile, 211, 214, 218, 219, 
 
 233. 236 
 Golelta, Port, 374 
 Goliath, xlvii., 149 
 Gomera, Francisco Lopez de, xxxvii. 
 
 xxxix., 271, 33S, 337. 342. 350 
 Gomera island, xiii., 65, 66, 157, 
 
 210, 380 
 Gomes, Steuen, 242, 272 
 Gonsalues, Peter, 378 
 Gonson, Richard, xvii. 
 Gonson, William, xvii. 
 Gonzales, Don Pero, 341 
 Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Val- 
 
 des, xiv., XV., 158, 205, 241, 242 
 Gonzalus Badaiocius, 181, 182, 183 
 Gorecius, Leonhardus, xxxix. 
 Gorgodes, Meducias island, 97 
 Gorgonas island, 338 
 Goraalanus, 72 
 Gothia, 298, 306 
 Gothicus, Emperour, 176 
 Gothland, 9. 286, 295, 299, 306, 347 
 
 Gothland, Bishop of, 302 
 Gothus Olanus, 347 
 Graesse, xliii. 
 Grafton, xii. 
 Grafton, Richard, xiii. 
 Granada, 36, 52, 63, 67, 73, 103, 
 no, 133, 191, 201, 202, 273, 274, 
 340. 341 
 Grancanaria islands \the Canaries], 
 
 41, 65, 157, 210, 380 
 Grandis river, 131, 132, 199 
 Gratia Dei, 112, 182 
 Gray, Richard, xvii. 
 Great John, 385 
 Great Khan, xv. 
 Great Sophie, 326 
 Grecia, 54. S^. I5S. 262, 296, 302, 
 
 319 
 Greenland, 299 
 Gregorie, H2 
 Gregorye I., 56 
 Gresham, John, xiii. 
 Gresham, William, xii. 
 Gretzium, 318 
 Grisalva, John, 187, 188, 189, 190, 
 
 192, 194 
 Gronland, 299, 300, 303 
 (>rosapha. King of, 40 
 Groueland, 8 
 Grounzwyk, xxxii. 
 Grubes, Master, xiv. 
 Grustina, Castle of, 323 
 Grustintzi, 323 
 Grutland, 245, 300, 347 
 Guacana island, 345 
 Guacarapita, 99 
 Guaccaa lake, 170 
 
 Guaccaiarima, 168, 169, 173, 176 
 
 Guaccanarillus, King, 66, 70, 7'. 72, 
 168 
 
 Guadalupea island, 68, 69, 157, IS9, 
 177, 181, 210, 345 
 
 Guadalqueuir river, 127, 157, 210, 
 220, 238, 250 
 
 Guadiana river, 273 
 
 Guahabba, 169 
 
 Guahague, Region of, 169 
 
 Guaiagua, Region of, 168 
 
 Guamaonocon, 99 
 
 Guamaretus, King, 102 
 
 Guanabba island, 85 
 
 Guanahaini island, 75 
 
 Guanahattabenechina, 1 76 
 
 Guanama, Region of, 168 
 
 Guanapan island, 190 
 
 Guanassa island, 105, 150, 163 
 
 Gnanguan island, 190 
 
 Guaniba, Region of, 1 70 
 
 Guaninicabo river, 170 
 
 Guannabo, Region of, 170 
 
 Guariagua, Region of, 173 
 
 Guaricco, Region of, 169 
 
 Guarionexius, King, 79, 80, 82, 84, 
 86, 87, 91, 92, 93, 102, 168, 
 171 
 
 Guarionexius, Vale of, 171 
 
 Guarizacca island, 170 
 
 Guaturo, 216, 226 
 
 Guaturo, King, 226 
 
 Guaurabo, Lake, 171 
 
 Guinea, xii., xvi., xix., xxviii., xxxix. 
 xl., 250, 270, 273, 297, 348, 371, 
 373. 374. 375. 376. 377. 37,8. 379, 
 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 
 
 387. 388 
 
 Guise, Duke of, xhii., xlv. 
 Gunson, William, xii. 
 Guserath, 266 
 Gutschyn, King of, xxix. 
 Guzerat, Gulf of, 14 
 Guzman, Enrique of, 341 
 
 Guzman, Peter Nunez de, 345 
 Guzula, 374 
 
 Habacoa, 169 
 Habacucke, 57 
 Habissia, Region of, 385 
 Habech, Region of, 385 
 Hafnia, City of, 331 
 Hagueigabon sea, 170 
 Haiba river, 168 
 Haina, 223 
 Haitho, 24, 60 
 
 Haiti island, 166, 167, 16S, 338 
 Hakluyt, Richard, xii., xiii., xiv., 
 XV., xvi., xvii., xviii., xix., xx., 
 xxxviii., xl., xlviii. 
 Halicarnassea, 128 
 Halle, R., xii., xiii. 
 Ham, Kingdom of, 344 
 Hamadriades, 74, loi 
 Hamburg, 300 
 Hannibal, 139 
 Hanon, 338 
 Haraia, Region of, 96 
 Hardie, Master, xviii. 
 Harsol, City of, 300 
 Hathathiei, 171 
 Hawkins, Sir John, xvi., xvii., 
 
 xlviii. 
 Hawkins, William, xvi., xvii. 
 Hayhay island, 159 
 Hazchora, 374 
 Hazlitt, W. C, xxvi. 
 Hazoa, Region of, 168 
 Hazua mountains, 169, 176 
 Hea, Kingdom of, 374 
 Heb'en, 284 
 
 Hebrewes, Captain of the, 316 
 Helga mountain, 300 
 Helisabeth, 73, 127, 129, 167 
 
 Helisabeth a Boadilla, 127 
 
 Heliseus, 149 
 
 Hellespontus sea, xlviii., 59, IS5 
 
 Hely, John, xii. 
 
 Henrique, Don, 273 
 
 Henriques, Diego, 378 
 
 Henry, King, 127, 162, 340, 345 
 
 Henry IV., xxxix. 
 
 Henry V., xxxix. 
 
 Henry VH, xxi., 288 
 
 Henry VIII., xii., xiii , xiv., xvi , 
 xvii., xviii., xix.,xx., xxi., xxxvii., 
 xlv., 6 
 
 Henry, King of France, xlvii. 
 
 Herbert, W., xxxvii., xxxix. 
 
 Hercinia, 313 
 
 Hercules, 50, 105, 138, 149, 156, 
 236, 285 
 
 Hercules Pillars, 86, 135, 236, 316, 
 
 374 
 Hercyiua, 310 
 
 Herodotus, 248, 339, 346, 350 
 Heroum, City of, 284 
 Hesiod, xxxviii., xli. 
 Hesperides islands, 32, 74, 87, 97, 
 
 167. 338 
 Heua river, 319 
 Hibusson island, 255 
 Hiebra, 135, 153, 154 
 Hieron, King, xlvii. 
 Hieronimus Aquillaris, 192, 193 
 Hieronimus Cardanus, 307 
 Hieronimus Fracastor, 285 
 Hierusalem, 7, 8, 49, 51, 56, 57, 82, 
 
 100, 384, 385 
 Hierusalem, King of, 82, 208 
 Hierusalem, Temple of, xlvii. 
 Higinius, 346 
 Higuei, 168 
 Higuel, 346 
 Hircania Syjua, 292 
 
 Hircanian sea, 169, 170, 287, 291, 
 
 308, 310, 314 
 Hispana island, 6, 28, 29, 30, 31, 
 
 35. 36, 40 , , ^ _ 
 
 Hispaniola island, xv., 6, 35, 4°. 
 45, 54, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73. 74. 
 75, 78, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 87, 89, 
 90, 96, 98, 99, 100, 104, 105, 
 106, 107, 108, 113, 114. I'S. "6. 
 118, 119, 122, 123, 125, 126, 127, 
 128, 130, 131, 13s, 137. 138. 140. 
 144, 145, 149. 150. 153. 154. 159. 
 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 172, 173, 
 176. 177. 178, 184. 186, 191. 192. 
 193. 199. 209, 210, 215, 219, 228, 
 230, 233, 235, 238, 239, 241, 262, 
 299, 346 • 
 
 Hojedus, 72, 79, 81 
 
 Holstrocke, William, xvii. 
 
 Holtrop, Mr, xxv. 
 
 Holy Nose, 330 
 
 Homer, 5, 41, 346, 398 
 
 Honorucco, 169 
 
 Horace, 58 
 
 Hore, Master, xviii. 
 
 Hossuen island, 304 
 
 Hozama, 168, 170 
 
 Huban island, 344 
 
 Hungary, King of, 208, 312 
 
 Iliihabo, 168, 169, 172 
 
 Huinaghan island, 255 
 
 Huitsarch, 299 
 
 llumos point, 273 
 
 Humphrey, Laurence, xl. 
 
 Hyperborean sea, 288 
 
 Hyperboreos mountains, xli., 293, 
 
 3 1 3. 314. 324 
 Hyperbories, 142, 155, 350 
 Hyram, 49 
 
 Iberia, 53, 54 
 
 Icthiophagi, 301, 385 
 
 Ida mountains, 172 
 
 Iguamu, 171 
 
 1 guanama, 173 
 
 lUirium, 306 
 
 Ilmer Lake, 319 
 
 Inacus, Jopez Mendocius, 103 
 
 India, xxi., xxix., xxx., xxxii., 9, 
 ID, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 24, 25, 
 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 40, 50, 52, 65, 
 67. 75. 79. 90. 98, 103. 120, 127, 
 155, 180, 198, 203, 204, 209, 216, 
 219, 227, 233, 239, 261, 263, 264, 
 266, 269, 272, 283, 284, 285, 286, 
 287, 288, 308, 309, 313, 329, 339, 
 
 346, 347. 363. 384 
 India, Govemour of, 274 
 India major, xxi., xxviii., xxxi., 
 
 xxxii., 261 
 India minor, xxi. 
 Indian sea, 9, 39, 308, 347, 385 
 Indies, 52, 53, 54, 162, 213, 220, 
 
 221, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 
 
 232, 235, 238, 246, 271, 272, 273, 
 
 274. 337. 338, 340. 341. 345. 348. 
 
 350, 355 
 Indus river, 13. 308, 309 
 Infortunate islands, 28, 33, 37, 41, 
 
 253 
 Innocientus, Pope, xxxi. 
 Inspruck, 359, 368 
 Insula crusis, 30, 69 
 Insula, S. Johannis, 70 
 Insulae Latronum, 254 
 Insulje verides, 39 
 Insulas Sancti Barnardi, 162 
 Inuagana island, 34 
 lonlcum sea, 191 
 Ionium, 163 
 Ipsicratea, 128 
 
404 
 
 Irtische 
 
 Index. 
 
 Margarita 
 
 Irtische river, 323 
 
 Irus, 42 
 
 Isabella, City of, 74, 79, 80, 82, 84, 
 
 85, 86 
 Isabella island, 73, 167 
 Isabella, Lady, 341 
 Isaias, 52, 56, 57 
 Ismael the Sophi, 311 
 Isocrates, 346 
 Isodonis, Bishop, 290 
 Isopes, 53 
 Israeli, 51, 52, q6 
 Israeli, King of,' xxxiv. 
 Isseria, 309 
 Ister river, 98, 131 
 Istoma Georgius, 330, 331 
 Ity island, 38 
 
 Jaccha, 168 
 
 Jacchi, Region of, 169 
 
 Jache river, 168 
 
 Jachem river, 73 
 
 Jaciga river, i68 
 
 Jacob, XXX. 
 
 Jacobi, Sancti, 97 
 
 Jacobus Gastaldus, 345 
 
 Jafet, 346 
 
 Jagohaiucho, Region of, 169 
 
 Jaia, 100, 163 
 
 Jaick river, 326, 329 
 
 Jainagua, Lake, 170 
 
 Jaioso, Region of, 374 
 
 Jamaica island, 31, 75, 78, 150, 154, 
 
 J77. 193. 210, 241 
 Jamaizi, Region of, 169 
 Tames, St., Island of, 97 
 James, St. , Tower of, 84 
 James the elder, 10 
 Jamgoma, Region of, 260 
 Janua, 155 
 Janus, 155 
 Japhet, 155 
 Jaques Cartier, 345 
 Jaroslavia, 309 
 Jaroslaw, Castle of, 324 
 Jason, SI, 262 
 Jausa river, 313 
 Java island, 23, 269, 344 
 Jaxartes river, 311 
 Jean de Ferrieres, xliv. 
 Jemptia, 305 
 
 Jenkenson, Anthony, xviii. 
 Jenkynson, Master, xliii. 
 Jenuen, xxx. 
 Jerieho, Priests of, xlvii. 
 Jerom, Castle of, 323 
 Jerusalem, xxi., xxxi,, 7, 8, 49, 51, 
 
 56-7, 82, 100, 166, 374, 384-s 
 Jerusalem, Patriarche of, xxxv. 
 Job, II, 349 
 Joga, 14 
 
 Johan, Duke, 289, 293 
 Johanna island, 28, 29, 66, 70, 74, 
 
 75, 104, 241 
 Johannes, Cursius, 106 
 Johannes, Diaz, 105 
 John, King, 65, 129, 273, 274 
 John, Lake of, 325 
 John of Desborough, xxv., xxxvi. 
 John, Pope, xxiii., xxvi., xxvii., 
 
 xxx., xxxii., xxxvi. 
 John, Queen, 273 
 John the Evangelist, 10 
 Jonas, XXV., 338 
 Joppa, 181 
 
 Joseph of Arimathea, 56 
 Josephus, xlviii., 8, 384, 385 
 Josuah. 316 
 Jouanaboina, 100 
 Joubert, Francoise, xlv. 
 Jovius, Paulus, 292, 331 
 
 Joy, Master, xviii. 
 
 Juan, 182 
 
 Juanaga, Region of, 234 
 
 Juba, King, 347 
 
 Jucatana island \i.e., the peninsula of 
 
 Yucafan], 40, 186, 188, 189, 191, 
 
 192, 193, 238 
 Juda, Princes of, 56 
 Judde, Sir Andrev?, 383 
 Judea, 7, 18, 57 
 Jug river, 286, 312. 322 
 Juga river, 293, 312 
 Jugaria, 322, 326 
 Jugge, John, xlvi. 
 Jugge, Richard, xxxix., xlvi., 398 
 Jugoria, 309 
 Juharici, 326 
 Juhgary, The, 326 
 Juhra, 293, 322, 326 
 Julius, Pope, 309 
 Julyan Samano, 346 
 Junna river, 73, 168, 172 
 Jura, 116 
 Jureche, 152 
 Jurham, 292 
 Jwanowosero, Lake of, 325 
 
 Kaienska Semla, Region of, 330 
 
 Kama, Region of, 326 
 
 Kaman river, 325, 329 
 
 Katharine, Queen, 65 
 
 Kele river, xxxvii. 
 
 Kerry, John, xix. 
 
 Khan, Great, xv. 
 
 Kingsley, Rev. Canon, xvi. 
 
 Kitai, Lake, 323 
 
 Kitaisko, Lake, 323 
 
 Kithay, Lake, 324 
 
 Kohl, Mr J. G., xv. 
 
 Kuliuo river, 322 
 
 Kurbski, Simeon Pheodorowice, 324 
 
 Kyui, 20 
 
 La Desseada island, 210 
 
 La Ferte, xlv. 
 
 La Mina, 382 
 
 La Spagnuola, 210 
 
 Labrador, xiii., xv., 287, 344, 345, 
 
 347 
 Lachroma river, 321 
 Lacossa, Johannes de, 107 
 Lactantius, 10, 11, 142 
 Lacus, Albus, 291 
 Lacus, Cronicus, 289 
 Ladoga, Lake, 319 
 Lagartos river, 1 1 1 
 Lagoma island, 260 
 Laletania, 173 
 Lamas, 155 
 
 Lambert, Francis, xviii., xix. 
 Lambert, Nicolas, 376, 377 
 Lamer, xlv. 
 Lampaloda island, 374 
 Lancelotus island, 65, 157 
 Lancerota, xx. 
 Landinus, 279 
 Landman, Dau'd, xix. 
 Langanas, 304 
 Lantchidol sea, 261 
 Laon, xliv. 
 Lapponia, Region of, 8, 291, 299, 
 
 301, 302, 30s, 347 
 Lares, 176 
 Lasiesia, 363 
 Laterane, 309 
 Latium, 66, 166, 167 
 Lathyro King, 286 
 Laurence, xlvi?,, xlviii. 
 Lazaro, Archipelago di San, 25 ). 
 Lazarus, King, 187, i88 
 Lech, King of the Polons, 318 
 
 Ledisma, Johannes, 144 
 
 Ledyl river, 291 
 
 Legion, 20 1 
 
 Legion, King of, 203 
 
 Leigh, Doctor, xvi. 
 
 Lemures, 85 
 
 Leo, Bishop of Rome, 64, 106, 137, 
 
 287, 308. 309 
 Leochares, 49 
 Leon, 342 
 
 Leon, John Ponce of, 345, 346 
 Leonhardus Gorecius, xxxix. 
 Lepanto,. xii. 
 Lepin Castle, 323 
 Lesbos, 69 
 Levante, The, xii., xiii., xvii., xviii., 
 
 xix., 233 
 Leviathan sea, 50 
 Lewes, Don, 378 ' 
 Libane, no 
 Liberus, Sigismundus, 298, 312, 
 
 318 
 Libia, 8, 54, 56, 70, 81, 166, 177, 
 
 374, 384 
 Libicum, 163 
 Libra, xiii. 
 Ligurian sea, 297 
 Lima, 338 
 
 Limonares island, 151 
 Limoso island, 374 
 Lincoln, Bishop of, xl., xlv. 
 Lisbon, City of, 16, 39, 267, 277, 
 
 279. 341 
 Lithunia, Duke of, 318 
 Lituania, Realme of, 286, 291, 292, 
 
 311, 314, 318, 326 
 Liuie, 132 
 
 Liuonia, 287, 291, 306, 308, 311, 
 
 312, 319, 331 
 Lock, Sir William, xiii. 
 Locke, Michael, xix. 
 Lodge, Thomas, xl. 
 
 Lodovike, 73, 79, 82, 90, 94, 96, 
 
 103, 133 
 Longon, 260 
 Lop, City of, 26 
 Lopes, Diego, 272, 273 
 Lopez Francisco, 288, 335, 342, 
 
 350 
 Lordo, 287 
 Losoth island, 304 
 Louat river, 319 
 Lozon island, 260 ' 
 Lucane, 310 
 
 Lucomorya mountains, 323, 324 
 LudovicoBarthema(i.e., VariAema], 
 
 xlviii. 
 Luft, Hans, xxv. 
 Lugo, Alphonsus, 66 
 Luigo, 252 
 Lumatola island, 260 
 Lumbardie, 306, 340 
 Lupus Sosa, 199 
 Lusheburne [i.e., Lisbon], xxvii., 
 
 xxviii., xxix., 277, 309 
 Luther, xxvi. 
 Luttrel, Sir John, xix. 
 Luxanus, 74 
 Luys of S. Angell, 341 
 Luys, Cancell, 346 
 Luys, Don, 341 
 Luztu, 271 
 Lybien, xxxi. 
 Lyese Nicolas, 378 
 Lyuon sea, 314 
 
 Maccazina, Region of, 169 
 Macchian island, 259, 260 
 Macedonia, xxxiii , 14 
 Machiam sea, 344 
 Machinnech, King, 100 
 
 Machmetgirei, King, 328 
 
 Machochael, 99 
 
 Macorix, Region of, 168 
 
 Macrobius, 41, 298, 347 
 
 Madagascar, 7, 23, 285, 286 
 
 Madanino, 69, 157 
 
 Madera islands, 35, 40, 41, 87, 260, 
 
 270, 339, 340, 375, 389 
 Magellanus Ferdinando [i.e., Fer- 
 
 nam de Magelhaens\ 9, 32, 33, 
 
 34. 35, 243. 249, 250, 252, 258, 
 
 272, 274 
 Magellanus, Straits of, 8, 33, 35, 
 
 161, 183, 252, 28s, 350 
 Magna Canaria, 157 
 Magna fors island, 41 
 Magnete island, 348 
 Magnus, Albertus, 7, 9, 10, 41, 
 
 364 
 Magona, 81 
 Magua, Region of, 169 
 Maguacochios, 167 
 Maguana, Region of, 169, 171, 172, 
 
 176 
 Mahaitin mountain, 169 
 Mahumet, 14, 23, 25, 27, 40, 57, 
 
 326, 374 
 Maia, Region of, 150, 163 
 Maiaguariti, Region of, 169 
 Maiam, 187 
 Maiobanexius, King, 86, 91, 92, 
 
 93 
 Maiolica, 270 
 
 Malabar, 263, 266, 267, 268, 269 
 Malacca, 21, 32, 34, 40, 75, 247, 
 
 255, 256, 260, 261, 267, 269, 
 
 271, 274, 313, 344 
 Malea, 155, 304 
 Maligny, Seigneur de, xliv. 
 Mallua island, 260 ' 
 Malpha, Flauius of^ 348 
 Manibrone, xxx. 
 Manabaho, Region of, 169 
 Manabaxao, Region of, 169 
 Manacapana, Region of, 89, 94, 
 
 96, 98, 128 
 Manache, Sibill, xx. 
 Manati, Lake, 171 
 Mandeuell, 329 
 Mangalor, 265 
 Mangdando, City of, 259 
 Mangi, 25, 26 
 Manicautixius, King, 82 
 Manicheus, 10 
 Manicongo, 270, 374 
 Manilius, Marcus, xliv. 
 Mans, xliv. I 
 Mansus, Alfonsus, 130 
 Manuel, Petro, 272 
 Maragnonum river, 98, 132, 134, 
 
 155, 160 
 Marburg, xxv. 
 Marchauntes island, 329 
 Marchena, 340, 341 
 Marcilius Ficinus, 338 
 Marco da Niza, 287 
 Marcus Antonius, 315 
 Marcus, Emperour, 284 
 Marcus Paulus, 55, 286 
 Marcus Paulus Venetus, 25, 27, 
 
 326, 330, 339, 340 
 Mare island, 35, 259, 260 
 Mare Congelatum, 8 
 Mare de Sabione, 374 
 Mare del Sur \i. e. , the Pacific Ocean], 
 
 54, 211, 214, 223, 225, 230, 233, 
 
 234, 235, 252, 262, 338, 344, 
 
 345, 347 
 Mare Pacificum, 252, 253 
 Margarita island, 54, 88, 96, 141, 
 
 165, 178, 214, 233 
 
Margarita 
 
 Index. 
 
 Oxford 
 
 405 
 
 Margarita, Peter, 79 
 Mariatambal, Region of, 98, 
 
 132 
 Marien, Region of, 169, 172 
 Mary, Virgin, xxvi., 69, 124, 192, 
 
 198 
 Marmarica, 8 
 Marmot, 112, 114, 135 
 Marobu, loo 
 Marocco, xix., xx. 
 Marques, Diegus, 157 
 Marris, 122 
 Marroclco, 374 
 Marrok, 161 
 Martabani, 268 
 Majtine, 383 
 
 Martinus Gratias island, 343 
 Martire, Pietro, or Martyr, Peter, 
 xiii., xxxvii., 43, 61, 63, 64, 65, 
 102, l86, 207, 241, 246, 299 
 
 Mary, Queen, xii., xxxviii., xxxix., 
 xlv., I. 
 
 Mary of Nemegen, xxvi. 
 
 Massana island, 34 
 
 Massaquiber port, 374 
 
 Mathan island, 258 
 
 Mathien island, 35 
 
 Mathinino island, 100 
 
 Matinino island, 30, 69, 157, 166, 
 210 
 
 Matritis, 123, 184 
 
 Matthkur, 303 
 
 Mauicarao, 169 
 
 Maurevert, xlv. 
 
 Mauritania, 8, 374, 384 
 
 Mauritania Cesariensis, 374 
 
 Mauritania Tingitania, 374 
 
 Mausolus, King, 49, 128 
 
 Maximilian, Emperour, 290, 308, 
 309, 312, 368 
 
 Mecca, 166, 267 
 
 Medecis, Catherine de, xlv. 
 
 Media, 314 
 
 Medina Celi, Duke of, 341 
 
 Medina Sidonia, Duke of, 250, 
 
 Medina de Campo, xxxix., 232 
 Medon, xxxi. 
 
 Meersch, P. C. van der, xxv. 
 
 Megha, xxviii. 
 
 Mela, Pomijonius, 346, 347 
 
 Melaqua, City of, xxix., 21 
 ■ Melcha island, 39 
 
 Melchoir, 71, 72 
 
 Meier, Lake, 305 
 
 Melinda, xxviii., 132, 385 
 
 Melo, Frances de, 273 
 
 Meluza, 20 
 
 Memi, City of, 241 
 
 Memphis, City of, 307, 315 
 
 Mendala, 344 
 
 Mendez, Diegus, 154 
 
 Mendocius, Inacus Jopez, 103 
 
 Mendoza, Anthony di, 287 
 
 Mendoza, Cardinall Pero Gonzales 
 
 Mendoza, Luigo of, 252 
 
 Mendoza, Mentia of, 214 
 
 Mennones, 385 
 
 Mense, 56 
 
 Mensurado, Cape, 381 
 
 Meotis, 15s, 292, 298, 306, 311, 
 
 314. 32s. 326, 3SI ^ . 
 Mercado, Lodouicus, 105, 102 
 Mercedis, Saynte Mary of, 77 
 Mericke, William, xli. 
 Meroe island, 8, 385 
 Meroae, 41 
 
 Mesa, Barnarde of, 130 
 Messana island, xvii., 256 
 Messana, Ring of, 256, 257, 258 
 
 Mesopotania, 297 
 
 Meta Incognita, xiii. 
 
 Metellus Celer, 9 
 
 Methymna Campi, City of, 68, 70, 
 
 72,_ 80 
 Methyna, Duke of, 96 
 Mexico, Viceroy of, 287 
 Mexico, City of, xiii., 55, 61, 287, 
 
 288, 338, 342 
 Mezen river, 322 
 Mezentium, 66 
 Michael Passamonte, 213 
 Midnall, Thomas, xiii. 
 Mien, 24, 261 
 Milan, City of, 63, 67, 103, 131, 
 
 141 
 Milenoes, 65 
 Mina, 339, 375, 382 
 Mina, Castle of, 382 
 Mina river, 376 
 Minera, xlviii. 
 Minos, xlviii. 
 Mioformo, City of, 284 
 Mirobalanus, Region of, 151 
 Mitaini, 167 
 Mithridates, 128, 129 
 Moguer, 341 
 Mogunce, Bishop of, 56 
 Molucca islands, 8, g, 20, 32, 33, 
 34. 35. 54. 183, 234, 23s, 247, 
 249, 256, 258, 259, 260, 271, 272, 
 273, 274, 286, 287, 344 
 Molybe, 385 
 Momsal)ith, xxviii. 
 Moncellese, Master Bernardino, 356 
 Monoch island, 22 
 Mons Crucis, 300 
 Mons Farratus island, 30 
 Mons Serratus island, 69, 177 
 Monte Rodondo, 382 
 Montegio Francis, 187, 190, 191, 
 
 192, I9S 
 Montes Luna, 41, 132, 217, 385 
 Montes Niuales, 157, 160 
 Monyuye, 240 
 Moore, Sir Thomas, 398 
 Morales, Andreas, 134, 156, 165, 
 
 167, 169, 184, 185 
 Morales, Gasper, 178, 179, 214 
 Morantes, Christophorus, 186 
 Morauia, Region of, 326 
 Morea, The, 316 
 Moren, xxxi. 
 Morgan, Sylvanus, xlvi. 
 Morley, Professor H., xxxviii. 
 Moronites, xxx., xxxi. 
 Morrorabes, xxx,, xxxi. 
 Mos, Lake, 304 
 
 Moscow, 187, 286, 289, 290, 291, 
 292, 293, 308, 312, 313, 314, 317. 
 321 
 Moscovia, xxxix., 285, 286, 287, 
 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 298, 
 308, 309. 310, 3". 3«2, 3'3. 314. 
 
 315. 3'6. 318, 319. 320, 321, 322, 
 323. 324. 325. 326, 327. 328, 329. 
 330. 331. 332 
 
 Moscovia, Andreas of, 316 
 Moscovia, George of, 316 
 Moscovia, Helena of, 289 
 Moscovia, John of, 289, 316, 319, 
 
 321, 324, 325, 326 
 Moscovia, Sophia of, 326 
 Moscovia, Simeon of, 316 
 Moscovia, Demetrius Ambassadour 
 
 of, 292, 308, 309, 310, 311, 313, 
 
 316. 325. 329. 331 „ „^ „ 
 Moscovia, Dukes of, 283, 286, 287, 
 
 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 314, 318, 
 
 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 328, 329, 
 330. 331. 332 
 
 Moscovites, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 
 
 306. 3°9. 3>o. 3". 312. 313. 315. 
 316, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 
 
 324. 325. 326, 327. 328, 329. 331. 
 332 
 Moses, xxi., xlvii., 11, 49, 50, 51, 
 
 57. 1 10 
 Mosyli, The, 385 
 Motka, Cape, 331 
 Mouy, Count de, xlv. 
 Moxica, Michael of, 6$ 
 Moxus river, 313, 314 
 Mozambique, 261 
 Muera, 318 
 
 MUUer, Mr Frederick, xxv., xxvi. 
 Multoxuman, King, 195 
 Mumu, 112 
 Miinster, Sebastian, 3, 13, 42, 249, 
 
 291, 293 
 Murcien, 1 76 
 Muscostrom sea, 304 
 Muthil island, 34 
 Mutir island, 259, 260 
 Mysians, xlviii., 318 
 
 Naeldwyck, Jan van, xxvi. 
 
 Nagai, 329 
 
 Nagaria, xxix. 
 
 Naiba, 83 
 
 Naiba river, 73, 83, 168, 172 
 
 Nansao, Earl of, 214 
 
 Naples, King of, xxx. 
 
 Narmaria, xxix. 
 
 Narsinga, 14, IJ, 20, 263, 264, 265 
 
 Narsinga,,King of, 14, 40, 264 
 
 Nativitatis, Baia, 129 
 
 Nauaryen, King of, xxx. , xlviii. 
 
 Nauchin, City of, 260 
 
 Navarre, King of, xxx., xlviii. 
 
 Nebrissa, 135, 165 
 
 Neglina river, 313 
 
 Negro river, 374 
 
 Nehemiah, 36 
 
 Neibaymao, Region of, 169 
 
 Neibaymas mountain, 169 
 
 Nemea, 143 
 
 Nemroth, 53, 290 
 
 Neper river, 314 
 
 Nepos, Cornelius, 9, 286, 347 
 
 Neptunus, xlviii., 55, 163, 165, 176 
 
 Nereiades, 74, loi, 127, 165, 176 
 
 Nero, 41 
 
 Nerui, 340 
 
 Nestorius, xxx., 27 
 
 New Andalusia, 130 
 
 New Firaunce, 287, 288 
 
 New India, 3, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 
 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 
 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 
 
 37, 38, 39. 40. 41 
 New Spayne, 236, 238, 241, 287, 342 
 New World, 68, 127, 137, 156, 174, 
 
 24s, 247, 272, 273, 337, 338, 339, 
 
 342 
 Newfoundland, xiii., xiv., xv.,xvui. 
 
 xxi. 
 Nicaragua, 338 
 Nicene, 290 
 Nicolai, 322 
 Nicuesa, Diego, 106, 107, 108, 109, 
 
 III, 112, 113, 114, IIS, "6. 126, 
 
 128, 135, 137, 145. 150. '51, 153. 
 
 156 
 Nidrosia, 299, 303 
 Nidrosia, Archbishop of, 299 
 Nignus, 94, 126 
 Nigritis, 132, 384 
 Nile river, 8, 41,110,111,131, 132, 
 
 153. 15s. 169. »7S. 193. 199. 217, 
 283, 284,285, 293, 309, 311, 312, 
 339. 346, 351, 374, 384, 385 
 
 Nimaca, 169 
 
 Nizaus, 169 
 
 Noah, xlviii., 51, 155, 340, 346, 386 
 
 Noceuamor island, 260 
 
 Nogais, 311, 329 
 
 NomenDei, 113, 234, 235 
 
 Norduegia, 331 
 
 Noricum, 314 
 
 Northumberland, Duke of, xxxviii., 
 
 xxxix., 5 
 Nortpoden, 330 
 Norumbega, xiv. 
 Norway, Governours of, 332 
 Norway, King of, 331 
 Norwegia, King of, xxx. 
 Nova Castilia, 343 
 Nova Hispania, 55, 213, 238, 241, 
 
 287, 342 
 Novogradiap.e., Novgorod], Cityof, 
 
 289, 290, 291, 309, 312, 313, 314, 
 
 318, 319, 321, 326, 328, 329, 330 
 Nova Scotia, xv. 
 Nubia, 384 
 Nuceria, Pauliis Jouius, Bishop of, 
 
 308, 312, 331 
 Numidia, 374 
 Nunnez, Alphonsus, 123 
 Nunnez de Gusman, Peter, 345 
 Nycolas, Saynt, 75, 78 
 Nysa, 100 
 Nysea, 384 
 
 O ['.If., Omegn] point, 75, 76 
 
 Obdoria, 287, 310, 323 
 
 Obea, Castle of, 323 
 
 Obi river, xli., 287, 322, 323, 332 
 
 Obiowa, 323. 
 
 Occoa river, 170, 292 
 
 Ocha river, 292, 308, 313. 3 '4. 3 '9, 
 
 324. 325 
 Ochelaga, 287 
 Ocho Lupus, 186 
 Odia, 260 
 
 Odoardo Barbessa, 258 ■ 
 Ogni Sancti Marigalante island, 210 
 Olanus, Gothus, 300, 347, 348 
 Olanus, Lupus, ill, 112 
 Olha, 319 
 Olmutium, 314 
 Oloan, 188, 191 
 Ooliab, 49 
 Gone, 305 
 
 Ophir, 7, 51, 66, 73, 82, 338, 343 
 Oplandia, 305 
 Oram, City of, 374 
 Ordassus, Diegus, 192 
 Oripei, The, 385 
 Ormuz island, 13, 20, 261, 266 
 Oro river, 380 
 Orsa, 316 
 
 Oryenten, xxx., xxxi. 
 Os Dragonis, Straits of, 88, 95, 96, 
 98, 108, 128, 132, 134, 151, i;8 
 180 
 Ostrich, Henry, xix. 
 Ostrobothnia, 305, 306 
 Osep, Gregorevitch Napea, xl. 
 Otho,.9 
 
 Otifer, 289, 290 
 Otogeria, Cityof, 291 
 Otoque island, 233 
 Otto Brumfelsius, xliii. 
 Ottomanus, Bajasetes, 60, 311 
 Ottoseria, City of, 314. 
 Otwer, City of, 314 
 Ouandus, King, 190 
 Ouandus, Nicolaus, 165 
 Ouetenses, Astur, 135 
 Ouiedus, Gonzalus Fernandus, 50, 
 158, 160, 184, 185, 207, 208, 24/, 
 Oxford, Earl of, xxxvii. 
 
4o6 
 
 Oxus 
 
 Index. 
 
 Rome 
 
 Oxus river, 308 
 Ozama, 240 
 
 Pacra, King, 143, 144, 145, 146, 
 
 J47 
 Padilla, Garsia de, 130 
 Padus, 133 
 Pahan, z6o 
 Paleacate, 263 
 Paleologus, Sophia, 316 
 Paleologus, Thomas, 316 
 Palitzki, Lieuetenaunte, 328 
 Palma island, 41, 66, 157, 177, 380 
 Palmaria, Region of, 189 
 Palmas, Cape de las, 381, 382 
 Palmer. Sir T., xxxix. 
 Palos, 96, 97, 99, 341 
 Pan, 166 
 Panama, City of, 214, 223, 233, 
 
 234, 23s, 338 
 Panchi, City of, 26 
 Panes, loi 
 Pannonie, 133, 155, 290, 306, 310, 
 
 3«4 
 Panonome, King, 182 
 Pantalarea island, 374 
 Panuco, 241 
 Papa, Johannes, 385 
 Papin, City of, 324 
 Papinowgorod, City of, 324 
 Paracelsus, xlvi. 
 Paraue river, 343 
 Paria, 36, 38, 89, 90, 94, 95, 96, 
 
 98, 99. 103. 105, 113, 128, 129, 
 
 130, 132, 13s. 151. 156. i6s, 178, 
 
 180, 181, 184, 338, 363 
 Paria, Gulf of, 130 ' 
 
 Paricora, 98, 132 
 Pariza, 183 
 
 Paropanisus mountain, 308 
 Parthenopea, Queen, 103 
 Parthia, 284 
 
 Parthicus, Emperour, 176 
 Paruaim, 7 
 
 Paruus, Georgius, 326 
 Passamonte, Mychel, 213, 240 
 Patani, 260 
 Patagoni, 252 
 Patalo river, 363 
 Pauiloghon island, 258 
 Paul, 51, 58 
 Paulus, 179, 309 
 Paulus, Jovius, 60, 287, 308, 312 
 Pazer, 344 
 I'ean, John, 385 
 Pecerra, Region of, 315 
 Pedernales mountains, 219 
 Pedir, 344 
 
 Pedrarias da Villa, 229 
 Pedro Doria, xvii. 
 Pegu, 20, 21, 261, 263, 264, 344 
 Peim, 26 
 
 Pellegrine de Maricourt, xliii. 
 Peloponeso, 134, 316, 319 
 Pelusio river, 284, 285 
 Pelusius, 285 
 Penguin island, xviii. 
 Peralfonso of Melo, 272 
 Peraria, F., 65 
 Percaslavia, City of, 291, 331 
 Perecow, 382 
 Perez, John, 340, 341 
 Perillus, 49 
 Periquete, King, 182 
 Perm, 293 
 
 Permia, 286, 309, 325, 326 
 Permska, 293 
 
 Persia, xxviii., 15, 26, 267, 309, 314 
 Persia, Gulf of, 82, 308 
 Persia, King of, 284, 311, 319, 326 
 Persides, 75 
 
 Pert, Sir Thomas, xiii., 6 
 
 Peru, xiii., xxxix., 6, 54, 130, 285, 
 338, 343, 346, 363 
 
 Pescora River, 286 
 
 Peter, 125 
 
 Petit, F., xxxviii. 
 
 Petrus Alphonsus, 94, 96 
 
 Petnis Arias, 126, 127, 142, 214, 229 
 
 Pettislego, xl. 
 
 Petzora River, 322, 323, 324, 330, 
 332 
 
 Phaeton, 73 
 
 Pharis River, 262, 310 
 
 Phenicen, xxxi. 
 
 Phidias, 74 
 
 Philadelphus, King, 284, 285 
 
 Philip, King, xvii., xxxviii., xxxix., 
 xlv., 52. 
 
 Philistines, xlvii., 51 
 
 Philo, xliv. 
 
 Philostratus, 384 
 
 Phoenicia, xi. 
 
 Phrysius, Gemma, 384 
 
 Phylippe, the Apostle, 57 
 
 Pichet, John, xvii. 
 
 Piedmont, xliv. 
 
 Pienega, 312, 322 
 
 Piescoya River, 322 
 
 Pieza River, 322 
 
 Pigafetta, Antonio, 243, 246, 247, 
 249, 2SS, 258 
 
 Pignonem, 153 
 
 Pinnigt, 300 
 
 Pinsteado, Antoniades, 375, 376, 
 .377 
 
 Pinsteado, Antonie Anes, 378 
 
 Pinsteado, John Anes, 377, 378 
 
 Pintiguanus, Chiaconus, 129 
 
 Pinzon, Martin Alonso, 341 
 
 Pinzonus, Aries, 96, 98 
 
 Pinzonus, Vincentius Annez, 36, 96, 
 98, 105, 126, 128, 129, 130 
 
 Pircho, City of, 305 
 
 Pisa, John Rodriguez of, 272 
 
 Pius Secundus, 8, 9, 41 
 
 Pizarro, Francisco, xiii., 108, no 
 
 Placcntia, 340 
 
 Plata river, 338, 343 
 
 Plato, xl., xiii., xliii., xliv., 10, 337 
 338, 340 
 
 Plaiper, 368 
 
 Plescouia, 291, 309, 312, 314 
 
 Pliny, xliii., xlviii., 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 
 18, 41, S3, 67, 75, 120, 133, 142, 
 152, 175, 179, 208, 221, 225, 227, 
 231, 236, 24s, 248, 278, 284, 285, 
 286, 289, 292, 294, 297, 298, 306, 
 310, 31S. 340, 342, 347, 349, 363, 
 364, 383, 384, 38s, 386 
 Plummer, Thomas, xvii. 
 Pluto, xlvi., 149, 355 
 
 Po river, 133, 314, 363, 364 
 Pocchorrosa, King, 147, 148, 162, 
 
 163, 178 
 Pocchorosa, Region of, 162, 163 
 Pogosa, 323 
 Poiassa river, 323 
 Polagua island, 344 
 Polen, King of, xxx., 318 
 Politianus, Angelus, xliv., xlvii., 
 
 xlviii. 
 Polo island, 256 
 Polomus Chiacomus, 129 
 Polonie, 314, 318, 326 
 Polonie, King, 286, 290, 318, 319 
 Polonie, Russus of, 318 
 Polonie, Sigismunde of, 309, 319 
 Polotzko, 312 
 Polybius, 41 
 
 Pomponius Mela, 346, 347, 349 
 Ponce, John, 165, 181, 345, 346 
 
 Poncha, King, 115, 116, 121, 137, 
 
 138, 139, 140, 149, '78 
 Poncius Johannes, 165, 181, 34S, 
 
 346 
 Ponet, John, xxxvii. 
 Ponte, Alfonsus de, 157 
 Pontike sea, 131, 262, 296 
 Pontus, 297, 308, 318 
 Porcena, 71 
 Pome, King of, 34 
 Pome island, 22, 34, 258 
 Porte Joppa, 181 
 Portofarnia, 374 
 Porto Rigo, XV. 
 
 Portucarerius Alsons, 191, 192, 195 
 Portugal, Alonzo of, 273, 341 
 Portugal, Emanuel of, 16, 37, 39, 
 
 40 
 Portugal, Henrique of, 273 
 Portugal, Johan of, 129, 271, 273, 
 
 274 
 
 Portugal, Lewes of, 378 
 
 Portugal, Kings of, xvi., xxiii., xxv., 
 xxvi , xxvii., xxix., xxx., 13, 40, 
 41, 54, 74, 129, 256, 261, 267, 
 270, 271, 273, 274, 340, 341, 363, 
 374. 375, 376, 377, 378. 381, 382, 
 38s 
 
 Portus Bellus, 112, 135, 153, 177 
 
 Portus Cathaginis, 106 
 
 Portus Desideratus, 188 
 
 Portus Platse, 176 
 
 Portus Regalis, 71, 105, 176 
 
 Polanchanus, King, 189, 194 
 
 Potassa, 323 
 
 Potiwlo, 330 
 
 Pothorst, 300 
 
 T^otto, Chiaconus, 129 
 
 Potzcheriema river, 323 
 
 Powell, William, xxxix., 43 
 
 Poyas Semnoi mountains, 322, 323 
 
 Poynings, Sir Adrian, xlv. 
 
 Pozon island, 256 • 
 
 Praga, City of, 291 
 
 Prato, Albertus de, xiv. 
 
 Preciosus, Johannis, 51 
 
 Precop, 325 
 
 Prester, John, xxi., xxxii., xxxiii.,' 
 XXXV., SI, 339, 374, 384, 38s 
 
 Proclus, 338 
 
 Prometheus, S7 
 
 Propertius, 285 
 
 Prussia, Master of, 308, 319 
 
 Psammiticus, King, 284 
 
 Ptolomeus, 8, 41, 210, 236, 262, 
 284, 28s, 289, 308, 313, 349, 384, 
 390 
 
 Pulaoan island, 258 
 
 Pulisachnites river, 25 
 
 Purchas, Samuel, xii., xiv. 
 
 Puren, 152 
 
 Pustoofero, 322, 323 
 
 Puta, 88 
 
 Pyconye river, xxxiii. 
 
 Pyne, H., xv. 
 
 Pynson, Richard, xxv. 
 
 Pyrinei mountain, 53 
 
 Pythagoras, xlvii., 215 
 
 Pythis, 49 
 
 Quadrado Gulf, 344 
 
 Quando, Nicolas de, 345, 346 
 
 Quareba, 153 
 
 Quarequa, King, 138, 178 
 
 Quarequa, Region of, 138, 139, 338 
 
 Quatour Tempora island, 151 
 
 Quauhtema, 338 
 
 Quaxaca, 342 
 
 Quenquinasu, City of, 24, 25 
 
 Queraquiera island, 69, 157, 159 
 
 Quicedus, John, 123, 126 
 
 Quicuri Region of, 151 
 Quinsai, 26, 55, 307 
 Quiola, xxviii. 
 Quintanilia, 341 
 Quintilian, xlviii. 
 Quiriquetana, 150, 151 
 Quitilla island, 190 
 Quito, 338 
 Quizqueia island, 166, 167 
 
 Rabida, 340, 341 
 
 Ragusa, City of, 330 
 
 Raja, Calauar, King, 258 
 
 Raja, Capitayne, 120 
 
 Raja Colambu, King, 255 
 
 Raja Humabuon, King, 257 
 
 Raja Santoa, King, 260 
 
 Raja Siagu, Prince, 255 
 
 Raja Siripada, King, 258 
 
 Raja Sultan Manzor, 259 
 
 Ramonus, 99 
 
 Ramusio, J. B., xiv., xv., xxx\iii 
 
 Rase, John, 382 
 
 Rastall, John, xx. 
 
 Rastall, Master, xviii., xix. 
 
 Rastall Sarieant, xviii. 
 
 Ratcliff, xxxviii. 
 
 Ravenna, 314 
 
 Razauia, 309 
 
 Red sea, xxix., xlviii., 7, 13, 51 
 143, 180, 284, 285, 339, 346, 374 
 385 
 
 Regio Baccalearum, 32, 55 
 
 Regnum Orguene, 384 
 
 Resan, City of, 290 
 
 Reyre, Region of, 168 
 
 Rezan, 324 — 
 
 Rezense, 292, 309 
 
 Rha river, 291, 292, 313, 329 
 
 Rhapsii, 385 
 
 Rhene river, 56, 314, 363 
 
 Rhodes, xii. 
 
 Ribera, Doctor, 272 
 
 Richard I., King, xxvi. 
 
 Richard II., King, xxxix. 
 Rico Porto, XV. 
 
 Ridley, Master, xviii. 
 
 Riga river, 287, 308, 312, 314 
 
 Rio Dulce river, 381 
 
 Rio Grande river, 380 
 
 Rio de Chicora river, xv. 
 
 Rio de los Perdidos river, 151, 156 
 
 Eio de la Plata river, xxxix., 54, 
 
 288, 338, 343, 386 
 Rio de los Potos river, 382 
 Riphea, 155 
 
 Ripheos mountains, 293, 324 
 Risophagi, The, 38s 
 Riuo Nigro, 120, 121 
 Riuum Nigrum, 191 
 Rivero Diego, 272 
 Robbyn Hood, 53 
 Rocumdulfe, Earl of, xlvii. 
 Rodanum, 314 
 Rodericus Colmenaris, 113, 114, 
 
 115, 116, 119, 120, 122, 123 
 Rodes, 351 
 
 Rodes, Grand Master of the, 374 
 Rodrigo, 341 
 Rodriguez, John, 272 
 Rogers, John, xxxix. 
 Roldanus, Ximenus, 86, 87, 90 
 Rome, Adrian, Pope of, 309 
 Rome, Pope Alexander VI. of, 37, 
 
 74, 129, 201, 273, 274, 315 
 Rome, Pope Clement VII., 308, 
 
 309, 347 
 Rome, Cloelia of, 71 
 Rome, Consul of, xliv. 
 Rome, Emperour of, xxxii. 
 Rome, Gregory, Bishop of, 56, 
 
Rome 
 
 Index. 
 
 Taquenazabo 
 
 407 
 
 Rome, Julius of, 309 
 
 Rome, Leo X. of, 64, io5, 109, iii, 
 113, 114, 123, I2S, 126, 127, 130, 
 >3i. 133. 134. 13s. 136, 137. 
 HS. 149. 150. 154. 156, 157. 159. 
 162, 163,164, 166, 167, 170, 172, 
 174. 17s. 178, 181, 184, 185, 287, 
 
 308, 309 
 
 Rome, Paul III. of, 51, 58, 179 
 
 Rome, Pius II. of, 8, 9, 41 
 
 Rosciuia, City of, 290, 291, 309 
 
 Rosolanos, 289 
 
 Rostowe, 331 
 
 Rotunda, Sancta Maria, 69 
 
 Rubicho river, 322 
 
 Ruiz, Banthalome, 272 
 
 Ruiz, Peter, 272, 274 
 
 Rumnie, James, xvii. 
 
 Russia, Basilius of, 289, 290, 308, 
 
 309, 311, 314, 316, 317, 319. .321, 
 324, 328, 329 
 
 Russia, Emperour of, 290 
 Russus, Town of, 318 
 Rut, John, xiv., xv., xvi. 
 Ruthens ; Constantine, Captain of 
 
 the, 316 
 Ruthens, Czar of the, 319 
 
 Saba, 8, 385 
 
 Saba, Queen of, 8, 374, 385 
 
 Sabea, 129, 385 
 
 Sachion, City of, 27 
 
 Sacriiicios; Sacrifice, Island of, 189, 
 
 192 
 Safale, xxviii., 36 
 St Ambrose, 10, 315 
 St Andrew, 290, 319 
 St Angell, Luys of, 341 
 St Antonie islands, 272, 273 
 St Aubin, Sieurde, xliv. 
 St Augustine, 10, 142, 165, 218, 238, 
 
 31S. 318, 338 , , 
 
 St Augustme, Cape of, 129, 155, 165, 
 
 181, 183, 218, 250, 273, 338 
 St Benedict, 306 
 St Bemardi islands, 161 
 St Catharine, Castle of, 84 
 St Christopher, Gold mine of, 105 
 St Christoval, Island of, 210 
 St Clare \electrical fire on masis], 
 
 251 
 St Cosmus, 310 
 
 St Cruz islands, 30, 130, 1597 188 
 St Cyrillus, 315 
 St Domingo, xv., 45, 82, 84, 130, 
 
 154, 168, 169, 170, 176, 209, 210, 
 213, 240, 338, 346 
 
 St Dunstan's parish, xlviii. 
 
 St Francis, 130, 176, 198, 240, 341 
 
 St George, xxxi., 39, 323 
 
 St Germain, Town of, xlv. 
 
 St Germain, Bay of, xv. 
 
 St Gregory, 315 
 
 St Helen \eUctrical. fire on masts], 
 
 251 
 St Hericus, 305 
 St James, xxviii., 10, 186 
 St James island, xxviii., 97, 186, 
 
 261, 262 
 St James, Castle of, 36, 84 
 St Jerome, 195, 338 
 St John, Gulf of, 194 
 St John, Eort, 192 
 St John's island, xv., 45, 104, 130, 
 
 155. 159, 173. 176, 210, 213, 
 241 
 
 St John's harbour, xiii., xiv., xv., 
 
 192 
 St John of Jerusalem, Knights of, 
 
 xii. 
 St Julian, Port, 252 
 
 St Lazaro, Archepelago di, 254 
 St Lazarus, 187 
 
 St Laurence [i.e., Madagascar"], Is- 
 land of, 285 
 St Leger, xlv. 
 St Luca, or Lucar. de Barrameda, 
 
 157, 2IO, 262 
 St Lucas Guild at Antwerp, xxv. 
 St Maria Antigua, Island of, 30, 
 69, no, 134, 163, 198, 207, 218, 
 226, 229, 236, 238 
 St Maria Rotund, Island of, 30, 69 
 St Maria de Gratia, Island of, 238 
 St Marina, 190 
 St Martha, 156, 157 
 St Martinus, Island of, 30, 69 
 
 St Marye of Mercedis, 77, 240 
 
 St Matthei, Region of, 112, 132, 
 13s 
 
 St Michael's Gulf, 54, 140, 162, 
 165, 183, 183, 214 
 
 St W\co\as-\electrical fire on masts'], 
 250 
 
 St Nicolas island, 375, 376 
 
 St Nicolas, Port of, 75, 78 
 
 St Paul, 7, II, 55, 56, 204, 293 
 
 St Peter, 130, 203, 204, 250, 290 
 
 St Romayne, Tower of, 226 
 
 St Sergius, 291 
 
 St Sophia, 314 
 
 St Steven, 148 
 
 St Thomas, xxix, xxx., xxxiv.-vi., 
 74. 79. 80, 250 
 
 St Thomas, Island of, 250, 270 
 
 St Thomas Tower, 31, 74, 79, 80 
 
 St Vincent, Cape, 250 
 
 St Vincent, Harbour of, 381 
 
 Salaye, Dr Sancho, 272 
 
 Saleno, Monsieur de, xlvii. 
 
 Salla, Port, 374 
 
 Salsburg, Cardinal of, 24, 247, 248 
 
 Salvaterra, 176 
 
 Samano, Julyan, 346 
 
 Samarcandia, 311 
 
 Samson, xlvii. 
 
 Samma, Town of, 381, 383 
 
 Sammaterra, Town of, 383 
 
 Samogeds, The, 323 
 
 Samotor, 20 
 
 Samotra [i.e., Sumatra], 7, 21, 22, 
 
 32, 344 , „ „ 
 
 Samua, Town of, 381, 383 
 Sananton island, 272 
 Sancta Cruce, xiii., xx., 30, 40, 130, 
 
 188 
 Sancta Fee, 341 
 Sanders, Blaise, xli. 
 Sanguenai, 2g7 
 San Juan island, xv. 
 Saragossa, xxxviii.-ix., 247 
 Sardinia, 56 
 Sardonica, 284 
 Sardus, 163 
 Sarmatia, 170, 284, 291, 295, 298, 
 
 308, 311, 314, 326, 347 
 Sarmatians, 155, 301, 310 
 Saturma, Region of, 157, 158, 160, 
 
 163 
 Saunders, Laurence, xxxix. 
 Sava, City of, 374 
 Savoy, The Master of the, xliii. 
 Sawolhenses, The, 327, 329 ' 
 Saxogrammaticus, 300 
 Saxony, Duke of, 366 
 Sbozzo, 368 
 Scandia, 298 
 Scandinavia, 298, 347 
 Scarense, Bishop of, 310 
 Scharutzick, City of, 329 
 Scharaitz, 329 
 Schat river, 323 
 
 Schavo, 381 
 
 Schichmamai, 329 
 
 Schidack, 329 
 
 Schio, 366, 368 
 
 Schondania, Region of, 298 
 
 Schondenmarchia, Region, 298 
 
 Sclavonia, 290, 306 
 
 Sclavons, 290, 306, 315, 318, 319 
 
 Scolus, John, 345 
 
 Scombria Islands, 106, 107 
 
 Scondia, Region of, 29J, 298, 299, 
 
 30Z. 305, 313 
 Scopa, 51 
 Scoria, King, 183 
 Scutum Cateba island, 135 
 Scwerski, 325 
 Scythia, 155, 289, 291, 292, 297, 
 
 306, 310, 312, 313, 316, 347, 363 
 Sea, Admiral of the great Ocean, 29, 
 
 3S. 67. 79. 94 
 Sebastian, John, 271, 272 
 Segovia, 126, 127 
 Heina, Capreansis de, 137 
 Selani Island, 34 
 Seleucus Nicanor, 8, 61 
 Selle, xiv. 
 
 Selymus, Prince, 311 
 Sem; 346 
 
 Semnoi Poyas mountains, 324 
 Seneca, 48, 67, 337, 339 
 Senega river, 280 
 Senegal river, 132, 374, 384 
 Sequeryra, Dieogo Lopez of, 272, 
 
 273 
 Serrannus, Johannes, 34, IS7> 100 
 Serena, 274 
 Seres, 67 
 Serponowtzi, 323 
 
 Serra Nevata mountains, 108, 160 
 Serranus, Johannes, 34, 157, 160,258 
 Serrationa [Sierra Leone], 39, 250 
 Sesostris, 284 
 Sesostris, King, 284 
 Sesponow castle, 323 
 Sest river, 321 
 Sestau island, 192 
 Sesto river, xvi., 376, 381 
 Setebos, 252 
 
 Sette Citta, Kingdom, 287 
 Seville, xiv., xvi., xl., 50, 62, 210, 
 
 246, 250, 262, 288, 338, 342, 345, 
 
 348 
 Sforza Ascanius, 65, 68, 103, 127 
 Shava, 381 
 Shawgro, 381 
 Shyawe, 381 
 
 Sian, Zacabedera King of, 260 
 Sianfu, City of, 26 
 Sibier, Prouince of, 326, 329 
 Sibut river, 323 
 Sibylla Erythyrea, 135 
 Siccensis, Nicolaus, 309 
 Sico island, 260 
 Siech, Ismael, 266 
 Sigismundus Liberius, 298, 312, 318 
 Siguera, Francisco de, 378 
 Siloli island, 34 
 Silver of Rever, 288, 343 
 Silvius Pandonus, 133 
 Simonides, 41 
 
 Sina, Kindgom of, 32, 313, 344 
 Sinum Perditorum, Point, 155 
 Sinus Arabicus, 13 
 Sinus Finnonicus, 306 
 Sinus Magnus, 248 
 Sinus Persicus, 20, 32, 41, 82 
 Smith, Sir T., xxxvii., xiii., xlv. 
 Smolense, 290, 291 
 Smyrnophora, 385 
 Soborovius, George, 316 
 Sofa, Lupus, 199 
 
 Solinus Julius, 16, 56, 338, 346, 347, 
 
 383 
 
 Solo island, 34 
 
 Solowki island, 321 
 
 Solysius, Johannes, 181 
 
 Sorachi village, 180 
 
 Soria islands, 347, 348, 387 
 
 Sossa river, 323 
 
 Soto, Ferdinando de, 346 
 
 Spacheford, Thomas, xiii. 
 
 Spaengian, 39 
 
 Spagnuola island, 199, 210 
 
 Spain, Emperor Charles V., 32, 47, 
 63, 208-14, 216, 223, 225, 226, 229, 
 233-6, 238, 240, 246-8, 25s, 257, 
 259, 271-4, 278, 287, 343, 34-^, 
 350, 363 
 
 Spain, Emperor Phillip, 54, 59, 
 
 346 
 Spartaria, 176 
 Spatense Alverado, 192 
 Sperantia castle, 84 
 Spiriostomea, 98 
 Spice islands, 235, 247, 271, 273, 
 
 274, 286, 344 
 Spinosa, Gasper, 183 
 Stanmoische, Region of, 322 
 Steven, Bysshop, 293, 325 
 Stoidum, 143 
 Stora, 374 
 Strabo, 10, 56, 283, 284, 285, 289, 
 
 296, 308, 346, 349 
 Strava, 308 
 Strelze, 322 
 Strub island, 324 
 Strucophagi, 385 
 Stzuchogora river, 323 
 Subuth, King of, 34 
 Succana river, 286, 312, 322, 331 
 Suchana river, 322 
 Suchur, Province, 27 
 Suetia, 299, 301, 304-6, 311, 312, 
 
 319, 330, 331 
 Suevia, King of, 9, 286, 301, 306, 
 
 308, 347 
 Suez, 13, 284, 285 
 Sulacho island, 260 
 Sumatra, 7, 12, 20, 21, 22, 32, 261, 
 
 267, 272-4, 344 
 Sumatra, Kings of, 22 
 Sumbit island, 253 
 Sumideros, 155 
 Sura river, 314 
 Surcium river, 314 
 Sus, 374 
 
 Sussex, Earl of, xxxix. 
 Sustali, 290 
 .Sutton, Edward, 42 
 
 Taboga island, 233 
 
 Tabor, King, 182 
 
 Tacarequi Margarita island, 56, 233 
 
 Tachola, 344 
 
 Tachola, City of, 344 
 
 Tachnin ryver, 323 
 
 Tadinsu, City of, 24 
 
 Taghima island, 259 
 
 Taia, Region of, 150 
 
 Tainsu, Kingdom of, 25 
 
 Taismer, John, xliii. -vi. 
 
 Talvera, Ferdinand of, 341 
 
 Tamburlane, 311 
 
 Tanagora, xxix. 
 
 Tanais, 133, 155, 291-3, 297, 306, 
 
 310, 311, 314, 319, 321, 324, 325, 
 
 327, 346 
 Tangut, Region of, 12, 26, 27 
 Tapia, Francisco de, xv. 
 Tapobana [Ceylon], 12, 21, 22, 32, 
 
 41, 143, 180, 261, 286, 344 
 Taquenazabo, Region of, 169, 
 
4o8 
 
 Taracuru 
 
 Index. 
 
 Zulan 
 
 Taracuru, King, 182 
 
 Tripoli, 374 
 
 Valasquen, John, 192 
 
 Whally, Thomas, xliv. 
 
 Tararequi, 214, 333 
 
 Trolhetta river, 304, 306 
 
 Vend6me, Francois de, xliv. 
 
 Whitcome, Roger, xii. . 
 
 Tarchontan, King, 66 
 
 Trutham village, 304 
 
 Venetus, Marcus Paulus, 25, 27, 
 
 White Russia, 301, 302, 31 1 
 
 Tarenate island, 259, 260 
 
 Tucke, Master, xviii. 
 
 326, 330, 339. 340 
 
 Wickes, Master, xviii. 
 
 Tarnasserie, 12, 20, 21, 22 
 
 Tuckfield, Master, xviii. 
 
 Vera, Petrus de, 65 
 
 Willes, Richard, xii., xlviii. 
 
 Tartaiy, 12, 24, 26, 39, 286, 287, 
 
 TuUa, City of, 324 
 
 Verazzano, xv. 
 
 Williamson, John, xvii. 
 
 289, 290, 292, 306, 344, 387 
 
 Tumaccus, King of, 140-2, 178 
 
 Vere, Edwrard, xxxvii. 
 
 Willoughby, Sir Hugh, xxxviii., 
 
 Tartary, Machmetgirei, King of, 
 
 Tumaccus, Region of, 140 
 
 Vesalius, A., xxxvii. 
 
 xxxix., 59, 333, 334 
 
 328 
 
 Tumanama, King of, 117, 147, 
 
 Vespasian, Emperour, 208, 342 
 
 Winchester, Bishop of, xxxvu., xl., 
 
 Taurisium, City of, 311, 314 
 
 148, 162, 163 
 
 Vespucci, Amerigo, xxv., 37, 38, 39, 
 
 xiv. 
 
 Tartars, 286, 287, 289, 290 2, 301, 
 
 Tumanama, Region of, 162, 163 
 
 127, 134, 157, 158, 27s, 277 
 
 Winter, Sir W., xlvi., xlviii. 
 
 310-14, 316, 319, 320, 324-9, 
 
 Tumen, Castle of, 323, 324, 326 
 
 Vespucius, Johannes, 127, 157 
 
 Wolsey, Cardinal, xiv. 
 
 332 
 
 Tumenski, King of Tumen, 324 
 
 Vetcha, 309 
 
 Wright, Master, xviii. 
 
 Tauira, Johannes de, 157 
 
 Tumum, King, 66 
 
 Viatra, City of, 291 
 
 Wroth, Sir Thomas, xix. 
 
 Tauira, Simon de, 272 
 
 Tumi, King, 119 
 
 Vibba, 153 
 
 Wyndam, Captain, xix., xxxviii., 
 
 Taxmarus, King, 193 
 
 Turufy village, 183 
 
 Vicenza, 247 
 
 375. 376, 377 
 
 Teaocha, King, 143, 146 
 
 Tuver, City of, 314 
 
 Victoria, Town of, 194 
 
 Wynterton Ness, xh. 
 
 Telde, 374 
 
 Tyrma, 166 
 
 Vidame de Chartres, xliv., xiv., xlvi. 
 
 
 Temesne, 374 
 
 
 xlviii. 
 
 Xaccoei river, 170 
 
 Tenado island, 344 
 
 Udall, Nicholas, xxxviii. 
 
 Vigentina, 368 
 
 Xagua, Region of, 168 
 
 Tendilla, Count of, 103 
 
 Udoria, 310 
 
 Vilna, City of, 314 
 
 Xaguaguara, Region of, 153 
 
 TeneriflFe islands, 41, 66, 157, 250, 
 
 Uhabo, 170, 173 
 
 Villanoua, 176 
 
 Xamana, Region of, 70, 169, 170 
 
 280 
 
 Ulna, 292 
 
 Villa Ricca, 196 
 
 Xaragua, Region of, 83, 84, 85, 86, 
 
 Tenerissa, xiii., 41, 380 
 
 Ulysses, 135, 348 
 
 Villegas, Peter Ruiz of, 272, 274 
 
 169, 176 
 
 Tenetum island, 260 
 
 Umbria, Petrus de. III, 112 
 
 Vincentina river, 366, 388 
 
 Xericium, City of, 65 
 
 Tener, 374 
 
 Unefride, 56 
 
 Vincenlius, 36, 96, 98, 105, 126, 128, 
 
 Xerses, 59 
 
 Tenixtetan, City of, 57, 287, 342 
 
 Ungerien, King of, xxx. 
 
 129, 130 
 
 Ximenus Roldanus, 86, 87, 90 
 
 Temulos, 273 
 
 United States, xv. 
 
 Vincentius, Agnes, 105, 128, 129 
 
 Xuarez, Petrus, 130 
 
 Tequinas, 215 
 
 Uppa river, 325 
 
 Vincentius, Annez, 126, 128, 129, 
 
 
 Terasequi island, 214 
 
 Upsala, Archbishop of, 300, 347 
 
 130 
 
 Yaguana, Region of, 169 
 
 Terceira, 344, 348 
 
 Upsoliensis, 295 
 
 Vincenza, City of, 246 
 
 Yaguino, Region of, 176 
 
 Terra Baccalearum, 242, 287 
 
 Uraba, 107, 108, 109, no, in, 113, 
 
 Virgil, n, 50, 91, 135, 279, 298 
 
 Yiamiroa river, 1 76 
 
 Terra Britonum, 287, 288 
 
 114, 118, 119, 123, 128, 130, 131, 
 
 Visba, City of, 306 
 
 Vmizui Hibahaino mountain, 169 
 
 Terra de Laborador, 287 
 
 132, 134, 143, 150, 15s, 162, 163, 
 
 Vischora river, 325 
 
 Yorke, Sir John, xix., 382 
 
 Terra Viridis, 299 
 
 180, 192, 198, 199, 218, 229 
 
 Visco, Bishop of, 341 
 
 Yucatan, 61, 338 
 
 Terra Florida, 32, 55, 57 
 
 Uracha, 230, 234 
 
 Vitry, xiv. 
 
 Yucatos, 238 
 
 Terra de Papagalli, 253 
 
 Urse, M. de, xliv. 
 
 Vitzechda river, 325 
 
 
 Tesino river, 363, 364 
 
 Uschatio, Peter Knes, 324 
 
 Volaterane, 289,^290 
 
 Zacabedera, 260 
 
 Tharant island, 35 
 
 U ssa river, 322 
 
 Volga river, 291, 292, 293, 308, 
 
 Zagathei, 311 
 
 ThemiScuthlu, 311 
 
 Usting, City of, 286, 312, 322, 325 
 
 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 321, 
 
 Zahondaderos, 155 
 
 Theodori island, 35 
 
 Ustiuga, Town of, 293, 312 
 
 325,. 326, 328, 329, 331 
 
 Zamal island, 254, 260, 
 
 Theodosia, Colony of, 311 
 
 Ustyug, 312 
 
 Volham river, 293 
 
 Zamara island, 32 
 
 Theophrastus, 8, 338, 340 
 
 Utterson, Mr, xxvi. 
 
 Volochda river, 286 
 
 Zamatra, 274 
 
 Thomas, J., xix. 
 
 
 Volodemaria, City of, 291, 309, 
 
 Zamotra island, 273 
 
 Thome, iv., xiii., xiv., xxi. 
 
 Vadianus, 56 
 
 314 
 
 Zamudius, 115, 116, 122, 126 
 
 Thorne, R., xvi. 
 
 Vagoniona, 99, 100 
 
 Volotchia, 309 
 
 Zanzibar island, 23 
 
 Thorns, Mr, xxvi. 
 
 Vagus river, 318 
 
 Volut, City of, 290 
 
 Zanzibar, King of, 23 
 
 Thyle, Land of, 300, 337 
 
 Valdes, Gonzalo Fernandez de 
 
 Vrida river, 135, 153 
 
 Zarate, Augustin de, xxxix. 
 
 Tialleslund sea, 304 
 
 Oviedo, xxxvii. 
 
 Vua river, 323 
 
 Zasia, xx. 
 
 Tiba, King, 149, 151 
 
 Valdiuia, 115, 116, 118, 119, 122, 
 
 Vuaga river, 322 
 
 Zauana, Region of, 148, 169, 173, 
 
 Tichin village, 122 
 
 123, 192, 193 
 
 Vuarectzkoai sea, 3 19 
 
 176, 212 
 
 Ticobon island, 256 
 
 Valentia, 199 
 
 Vuareczkote Morie sea, 312 
 
 Zaylon island, 20 
 
 Tidore islands, 259, 260, 262, 272-4, 
 
 Vallacum, 314 
 
 Vuiathka, 326, 328 
 
 Zebedus, 10 
 
 348 
 
 Valladoleto, xiv., 125, 127, 133, 274 
 
 Vuilna, 312 
 
 Zeilam island, 264, 265, 266, 267 
 
 Tierra frome, xv. 
 
 Valleius, 165, 181, 183 
 
 Vuinlandia, 319 
 
 Zeilon island, 256 
 
 Tighe, xlvi. 
 
 Vannuccio, Biringuccio, xxxvii., xlvi. 
 
 Vuitepsko, 312 
 
 Zelande island, 214 
 
 Timor island, 260, 261, 269 
 
 353. 356 
 
 Vuolochda, 312, 322, 325, 326, 
 
 Zenete, Marquesse of, 214 
 
 Tingin, City of, 24 
 
 Varro, Marcus, 349 
 
 331 
 
 Zenu, Region of, 158 
 
 Tirecotus river, 172 
 
 Vascho Nunnez de Balboa, 61, 113, 
 
 Vuolocon river, 319 
 
 Zerbi island, 374 
 
 Tiiusi village, 107 
 
 114, IIS, 119. 120, 121, 122, 125, 
 
 Vuolodimaria, 319 
 
 Zerema, 180 
 
 Tison, Thomas, xiii. 
 
 131. 137. 138, 139. 140, 141. 142, 
 
 Vuolok, Lake, 319 
 
 Ziglerus, 294, 295, 299 
 
 Todos Sanctos islands, 177 
 
 143, 144, 145, 146. 147. 148. 149. 
 
 
 Zobroba river, 135 
 
 Tolstickh, 322 
 
 155, 156, 162, 165, 178, 198, 199, 
 
 Wade, Armigil, xviii. 
 
 Zobraba, 153 
 
 Toro, 273 
 
 338 
 
 Wade, William, xviii. 
 
 Zohoran river, 153 
 
 Totonogo, King, 182 
 
 Vasilivich, John Duke of, 326 
 
 Waranger fiord, 299 
 
 Zolo island, 259 
 
 Totilas, King, 313 
 
 Vasques, Captain Francesco, 287 
 
 Wardhus, Castle of, 299, 302, 303, 
 
 Zolot island, 260 
 
 Toy, R., xii., xxxvii., xxxix., 388, 
 
 Vassy, xliii. 
 
 304, 305. 331- 
 
 Zorobua island, 260 
 
 398 
 
 Vastral, 304 
 
 Wardoe, 299 
 
 Zubut island, 256, 257, 258, 272 
 
 Transylvanus, Maximilian, 247, 249, 
 
 Vaticane, The, 100, 309 
 
 Wardoehuus, 299 
 
 Zubut, King of, 256, 257 
 
 262 
 
 Vecchiadoro, 287 
 
 Warwick, Earl of, xxxviii. 
 
 Zula, Prince, 258 
 
 Trelensin, City of, 374 
 
 Vega, Fernando de, 96 
 
 Watson, Thomas, xl., xiv. 
 
 Zulan island, 254 
 
 Tremisen, 374 
 
 Velasquen, Diegus, 186, 187, 190, Weyszarch mountain, 300 | 
 
 
 Trepojentes Cape, 381-3 
 
 195 
 
 Whalley, Richard, xliv. | 
 
 
 Printed by Turnbull ^ Spears, Edinburgh. 
 

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