The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, - Richard Hakluyt
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Item, that they may bring powder for cannon and harquebush, saltpeeter,
cole of Newcastle, plates of lattin, tinne, steele, yron, common karsies
white, course canuas to make saile for the gallies, balles of yron for
shot, fine milstones, trees and masts for gallies, litle and others, and in
conclusion, hauing seene that they for the time of their abode here, did
behaue themselues like faithfull and catholike Christians, and that his
holines hath allowed the safeconduct of the great Turke to them granted for
feare of the Turkish armie, and other vessels of the enemie, submitting our
selues to the pleasures of his holinesse, and especially because our people
haue occasion to passe by diuers places so farre off, as England, Flanders,
and all parts Westwards, and in other places, we haue vouchsafed to make
these our letters patents, as our faithfull assistant, so as more surely,
and with let they may go and returne when they shall thinke good, with the
said ship or with others at their pleasure. We therefore pray all and euery
of your subiects effectually that by what part soeuer of your iurisdiction,
vnto the which the said worshipful Iohn Keele and Daniel Fillie by name
abouesaid, with the ship and mariners of the said principall place or
other, shall haue accesse, saile, and passe, and come safely with libertie
without any disturbance or other impediment, that you giue leaue, and cause
leaue to be giuen that they may passe, stay and returne, and when they
please, depart, in such sort, that for loue and contention the said
worshipfull Iohn Keele, with the ship and mariners haue no let, hinderance,
or retention, also that you giue all helpe and fauour, a thing worthy of
your iustice, and to vs most acceptable, to be recompenced with equall and
greater seruice, when vpon occasion it shalbe required.
And finally, we command all, and whatsoeuer religious people, and brothers
of our religion, of whatsoeuer condition, degree, and state they be, and
all other receiuers and procurators, in all and whatsoeuer our priories
deputed, and to be deputed by vertue of the holy obedience, and all our
people, and all that are subiect to the iurisdiction of our religion, that
in, and by the same they hold, and repute the said worshipfull Iohn Keele
in the name as abouesaid, the ship, mariners, and merchandize, without let
in the same their voyage, or in any other place, that they be not molested,
not in any wise hindered, but that in all their causes and businesse they
be of you holpen, and furthered continually. In witnesse whereof, our seale
of gouernment is impressed to these presents in blacke waxe. Giuen at Malta
in our Conuent, the twelfth of the moneth of Iuly, in the yeere 1582.
* * * * *
Commission giuen by M. William Harebourne the English Ambassadour, to
Richard Foster, authorising him Consul of the English nation in the parts
of Alepo, Damasco, Aman, Tripolis, Ierusalem, &c.
I William Harborne, her Maiesties Ambassadour, Ligier with the Grand
Signior, for the affaires of the Leuant doe in her Maiesties name confirme
and appoint Richart Foster Gentleman, my Deputie and Consull in the parts
of Alepo, Damasco, Aman, Tripolis, Ierusalem and all other ports whatsoeuer
in the prouinces of Syria, Palestina, and Iurie, to execute the office of
Consull ouer all our Nation her Maiesties subiects, of what estate or
quality soeuer: giuing him hereby full power to defend, protect, and
maintaine all such her Maiesties subiects as to him shall be obedient, in
all honest and iest causes whatsoeuer: and in like case no lesse power to
imprison, punish, and correct any and all such as he shall finde
disobedient to him in the like causes, euen in such order as I myselfe
might doe by virtue to her Maiesties Commission giuen me the 26 of Nouember
1582, the copie whereof I haue annexed to this present vnder her Maiesties
Seale deliuered me to that vse. Straightly charging and commanding all her
Maiesties subiects in those parts, as they will auoid her Highnesse
displeasure and their owne harmes, to honour his authoritie, and haue due
respect vnto the same, aiding and assisting him there with their persons
and goods in any cause requisit to her Maiesties good seruice and
commoditie of her dominions. In witnesse whereof I haue confirmed and
sealed these these presents at Rapamat my house by Pera ouer against
Constantinople, to 20 of Iune 1583.
* * * * *
A letter of directions of the English Ambassadour to M. Richard Forster,
appointed the first English Consull at Tripolis in Syria.
Cousin Forster, these few words are for your remembrance when it shall
please the Almighty to send you safe arriuall in Tripolis of Syria. When it
shall please God to send you thither, you are to certifie our Nation at
Tripolis of the certaine day of your landing, to the end they both may haue
their house in a readinesse, and also meet you personally at your entrance
to accompany you, being your selfe apparelled in the best manner. The next,
second, or third day, after your comming, giue it out that you be crazed
and not well disposed, by meanes of your trauell at Sea, during which time,
you and those there are most wisely to determine in what manner your are to
present your selfe to the Beglerbi, Cadi, and other officers: who euery of
them are to be presented according to the order accustomed of others
formerly in like office: which after the note of Iohn Blanke, late
Vice-consull of Tripolis for the French, deliuered you heerewith, is very
much: and therefore, if thereof you can saue any thing, I pray you doe it,
as I doubt not but you will. They are to giue you there also another
Ianizarie according as the French hath: whose outward procedings you are to
imitate and follow, in such sort as you be not his inferour, according as
those of our Nation heeretofore with him resident can informe you. Touching
your demeanour after your placing, your [sic--KTH] are wisely to proceede
considering both French and Venetian will haue an enuious eye on you: whome
if they perceiue wise and well aduised, they will feare to offer you any
iniurie. But if they shall perceiue any insufficiencie in you, they will
not omitte any occasion to harme you. They are subtile, malicious, and
disembling people, wherefore you must alwayes haue their doings for
suspected, and warily walke in all your actions: wherein if you call for
Gods diuine assistance, as doth become euery faithfull good Christian, the
same shall in such sort direct you as he shall be glorified, your selfe
preserued, your doings blessed, and your enemies confounded. Which if
contrarywise you omit and forget, your enemies malice shalbe satisfied with
your confusion, which God defend, and for his mercies sake keepe you.
Touching any outlopers of our nation, which may happen to come thither to
traffike, you are not to suffer, but to imprison the chiefe officers, and
suffer the rest not to traffike at any time, and together enter in such
bonds as you thinke meete, that both they shall not deale in the Grand
Signiors dominions, and also not harme, during their voyage, any his
subiects shippes, vessels, or whatsoeuer other, but quitely depart out of
the same country without any harme doing. And touching those there for the
company, your are to defend them according to your priuiledge and such
commandements as you haue had hence, in the best order you may. In all and
euery your actions, at any hand, beware of rashnesse and anger, after both
which repentance followeth. Touching your dealings in their affaires of
marchandise, you are not to deale otherwise then in secret and counsell.
You are carefully to foresee the charge of the house, that the same may be
in all honest measure to the companies profit and your owne health through
moderation in diet, and at the best hand, and in due time to prouide things
needfull to saue what may be: for he that buyeth euery thing when he needed
it, harmeth his owne house, and helpeth the retailer. So as it is, in mine
opinion, wisdome to foresee the buying of all things in their natiue soile,
in due time, and at the first hand euery yeere, as you are to send the
company the particular accounts of the same expenses. Touching your selfe,
your [sic--KTH] are to cause to be employed fifty or threescore ducats,
videlicet, twenty in Sope, and the rest in Spices, whereof the most part to
be Pepper, whereof we spend very much. The Spices are to be prouided by our
friend William Barrat, and the Sope buy you at your first arriuall, for
that this shippe lading the same commodity will cause it to amount in
price. From our mansion Rapamat, the fift of September 1583.
* * * * *
A commandement for Chio.
Vobis, Beg et Cadi et Ermini, qui estis in Chio, significamus: quod
serenissimae Reginae Maiestatis Angliae orator, qui est in excelsa porta per
literas significauit nobis, quod ex nauibus Anglicis vna nauis venisset ad
portum Chico, et illinc Constantinopolim recto cursu voluisset venire, et
contra priuilegium detenuistis, et non siuistis venire. Haec praedictus
orator significauit nobis: et petiuit a nobis in hoc negocio hoc mandatum,
vt naues Anglicae veniant et rediant in nostras ditiones Caesareas.
Priuilegium datum et concessum est ex parte Serenitatis Caesareae nostrae: et
huius priuilegij copia data est sub insigni nostro: Et contra nostrum
priuilegium Caesareum quod ita agitur, quae est causa? Quando cum hoc mandato
nostro homines illorum ad vos venerint ex praedicta Anglia, si nauis venerit
ad portum vestrum, et si res et merces ex naue exemerint, et vendiderint,
et tricessimam secundam partem reddiderint, et res quae manserint
Constantinopolim auferre velint, patiantur: Et si aliquis contra
priuilegium et articulos eius aliquid ageret, non sinatis, nec vos facite:
et impediri non sinatis eos, vt recta Constantinopolim venientes in suis
negotiationibus sine molestia esse possint. Et quicunque contra hoc
mandatum et priuilegium nostrum aliquid fecerit, nobis significate. Huic
mandato nostro et insigni fidem adhibete. In principio mensis Decembris.
* * * * *
A description of the yeerely voyage or pilgrimage of the Mahumitans, Turkes
and Moores vnto Mecca in Arabia.
Of the Citie of Alexandria.
Alexandria the most ancient citie in Africa situated by the seaside
containeth seuen miles in circuite, and is enuironed with two walles one
neere to the other with high towers, but the walles within be farre higher
than those without, with a great ditch round about the same: yet is not
this Citie very strong by reason of the great antiquitie, being almost
halfe destroyed and ruinated. The greatnesse of this Citie is such, that if
it were of double habitation, as it is compassed with a double wall, it
might be truely said, that there were two Alexandrias one builded vpon
another, because vnder the foundations of the said City are great
habitations, and incredible huge pillers. True it is, that this part
vnderneath remaineth at this day inhabitable, because of the corrupt aire,
as also for that by time, which consumeth all things, it is greately
ruinated. It might well be sayd, that the founder hereof, as he was worthy
in all his enterprises, so likewise in building hereof he did a worke
worthy of himselfe, naming it after his owne name. This Citie hath one
defect, for it is subiect to an euill ayre, which onely proceedeth of that
hollownesse vnderneath, out of the which issueth infinite moisture: and
that this is true the ayre without doth evidently testifie, which is more
subtile and holesome then that beneath. The waters hereof be salt, by
reason that the soile of it selfe is likewise so. And therefore the
inhabitants, at such time as the riuer Nilus floweth, are accustomed to
open a great ditch, the head wherof extendeth into the said riuer, and from
thence they conueigh the same within halfe a mile of Alexandria, and so
consequently by meanes of conduct-pipes the water commeth vnto the
cesternes of Alexandria, which being full serue the citie from one
inundation to another. Within the citie is a Pyramide mentioned of in
Histories, but not of great importance. Without the citie is La colonna di
Pompeio, or the pillar of Pompey, being of such height and thicknesse, that
it is supposed there is not the like in the whole world besides. Within the
citie there is nothing of importance saue a litle castle which is guarded
with 60 Ianizaries. Alexandria hath three portes, one towardes Rossetto,
another to the land ward, and the third to the sea ward, which is called
Babelbar, without which appeareth a broad Iland called Ghesira in the
Moores tongue, which is not wholy an Iland, because a litle point or corner
thereof toucheth the firme lande, and therefore may be called Peninsula,
that is to say, almost an Iland. Hereupon are builded many houses of the
Iewes, in respect of the aire. This Peninsula is situate betweene two very
good ports, one of them being much more safe then the other, called The old
port, into the which only the vessels of Barbarie, and the sixe Gallies of
the Grand Signior deputeth for the guard of Alexandria doe enter. And this
port hath vpon the right hand at the mouth or enterance thereof a castle of
small importance, and guarded but with fifteene men or thereabouts On the
other side of this Iland is the other called The new port, which name is
not vnfitly giuen vnto it, for that in all mens iudgement in times past
there hath not beene water there, because in the midst of this port, where
the water is very deepe, there are discouered and found great sepulchres
and other buildings, out of the which are dayly digged with engines Iaspar
and Porphyrie stones of great value, of the which great store are sent to
Constantinople for the ornament of the Mesquitas or Turkish Temples, and of
other buildings of the Grand Signior. Into this port enter all such vessels
as traffique to this place. This port hath on ech side a castle, whereof
that vpon the Peninsula is called Faraone, vpon the toppe whereof euery
night there is a light set in a great lanterne for direction of the ships,
and for the guard thereof are appointed 200 Ianizaries: the other on the
other side is but a litle castle kept by 18. men. It is certeine, that this
hauen of Alexandria is one of the chiefest hauens in the world: for hither
come to traffique people of euery Nation, and all sorts of vessels which
goe round about the citie. It is more inhabited by strangers, marchants,
and Christians, then by men of the countrey which are but a few in number.
[Sidenote: Fontecho signifieth an house of trafique, as the Stilyard.]
Within the citie are fiue Fontechi, that is to say, one of the Frenchmen,
where the Consul is resident, and this is the fairest and most commodious
of all the rest. Of the other foure, two belong to the Venetians, one to
the Raguseans, and the fourth to the Genoueses. And all strangers which
come to traffique there, except the Venetians, are vnder the French
Consull. It is also to be vnderstood, that all the Christians dwell within
their Fontechi, and euery euening at the going downe of the sunne, they
which are appointed for that office goe about and shut all the gates of the
saide Fontechi outward, and the Christians shut the same within: and so
likewise they doe on the Friday (which is the Moores and the Turkes
Sabboth) till their deuotions be expired. And by this meanes all parties
are secure and voide of feare: for in so doing the Christians may sleepe
quietly and not feare robbing, and the Moores neede not doubt whiles they
sleepe or pray, that the Christians should make any tumult, as in times
past hath happened.
Of the coast of Alexandria.
[Sidenote: Bichier.] On the side towardes Barbarie along the sea-coast for
a great space there is founde neither hold, nor any thing worthy of
mention: but on the other side towards Syria 13 miles from Alexandria
standeth a litle castle called Bichier kept by fiftie Turkes, which castle
is very olde and weake, and hath a port which in times past was good, but
at this present is vtterly decayed and full of sand, so that the vessels
which come thither dare not come neere the shoare, but ride far off into
the sea. [Sidenote: Rossetto] Fortie miles further is Rossetto, which is a
litle towne without walles, and is situate vpon the banke of Nilus three
miles from the sea, at which place many times they build ships and other
vessels, for gouernement whereof is appointed a Saniacbey, without any
other guard: it is a place of traffique, and the inhabitants are very rich,
but naughtie varlets and traytours. Further downe along the sea-side and
the riuer banke is another litle castle like vnto the abouesayde, and
because the Moores beleeue, that Mecca will in short time be conquered by
the Christians, they holde opinion, that the same being lost shall be
renued in this place of Rossetto, namely, that all their prayers, vowes,
and pilgrimages shall be transported to Rossetto, as the religious order of
Saint Iohn of the Rhodes is translated thence to Malta. Further forwarde
thirtie miles standes another castle of small importance called Brulles,
kept continually by fourtie Turkes, which hath a good and secure port, in
forme like to a very great lake or ponde, wherein is taken great quantitie
of fish, whith they salt, and the marchants of Candie and Cyprus come
thither to lade the same, and it is greatly esteemed, especially of the
Candiots, who hauing great abundance of wine aduenture abroad to seeke
meate fitte for the taste of the sayd wine. Distant from Brulles fiue and
thirtie miles there is anothet castle like vnto the abouesayd kept by an
Aga with fourtie men or thereabout. More within the lande by the riuers
side is Damiata an auncient citie enuironed with walles contayning fiue
miles in circuit, and but of small strength. For the gouernement of this
place is a Sanjaco with all his housholde and no other companie. This citie
is very large, delightfull, and pleasant, abounding with gardens and faire
fountaines. Other fortie miles further is Latma, a castle of very small
importance, and kept as other with fortie Turkes vnder an Aga. In this
place is no port, but a roade very daungerous, and without other
habitation. Passing this place we enter Iudea. But because our intent is to
reason simply of the voyage to Mecca, we will proceede no further this way,
but returning to our first way, let it suffice to say, that from Alexandria
to Cairo are two hundred miles, in which way I finde nothing woorthie of
memorie.
Of the mightie Citie of Cairo.
Cairo containeth in circuit eighteene miles, being so inhabited and
replenished with people, that almost it cannot receiue more; and therefore
they haue begunne to builde newe houses without the citie and about the
walles. In Cairo are people of all Nations, as Christians, Armenians,
Abexins, Turkes, Moores, Iewes, Indians, Medians, Persians, Arabians, and
other sortes of people, which resort thither by reason of the great
traffique. This citie is gouerned by a Basha, which ministreth iustice,
together with the Cadie throughout the whole kingdome. Also there are two
and twentie Saniackes, whose office is onely to ouersee and guarde the
kingdome of euery good respect. There are also seuen thousand Turkes in
pay, to wit, three thousand Ianizaries, and foure thousand horsemen: The
rest of the people in Cairo are for the most part marchants which goe and
come, and the remnant are Moores and other base people. About two miles
from Cairo there is another little Cairo called The olde Cairo, which
containeth in circuit litle more then tenne miles, and the better halfe is
not inhabited, but destroyed, whereof I neede not make any other mention.
The new Cairo answereth euery yeere in tribute to the grand Signior, 600000
ducates of gold, neat and free of all charges growing on the same, which
money is sent to Constantinople, about the fine of September, by the way of
Aleppo, alwayes by lande, vnder the custodie of three hundred horsemen, and
two hundred Ianizaries footmen. The citie of Cairo is adorned with many
faire Mesquitas rich, great, and of goodly and gorgeous building, among
which are fiue principall. The first is called Morastano, that is to say,
The hospitall, which hath of rent fiue hundred ducats of golde euery day
left vnto it by a king of Damasco from auncient times; which king hauing
conquered Cairo, for the space of fiue daies continually put the people
thereof to the sword, and in the end repenting him of so great
manslaughter, caused this cruelty to cease, and to obtaine remission for
this sinne committed, caused this hospitall to be built, enriching it as is
abouesaid. The second famous monument of Cairo is called Neffisa, of one
Neffisa buried there, who was a Dame of honour, and mooued by lust, yeelded
her body voluntarily without rewarde, to any that required the same, and
sayde she bestowed this almes for the loue of her Prophet Mahomet, and
therefore at this day they adore her, reuerence her, and finally haue
canonized her for a Saint, affirming that shee did many miracles. The third
is called Zauia della Innachari, who was one of the foure Doctors in the
law. The fourth is called Imamsciafij, where is buried Sciafij the second
Doctor of this law. Of the other two Doctors one is buried in Damasco, the
other in Aleppo. The fift and last famous monument is Giamalazar, that is,
the house of Lazarus: and this is the generall Vniuersity of the whole
kingdome of Egypt. [Sidenote: 1566.] In this place Anno 1566 in the moneth
of Ianuary by misfortune of fire were burned nine thousand bookes of great
value, as well for that they were written by hand, as also wrought so
richly with golde, that they were worth 300 and 400 ducats a piece, one
with another. And because it could neuer be knowen yet how this fire
beganne, they haue and doe holde the same for a most sinister augurie, and
an euident and manifest signe of their vtter ruine. The houses of Cairo
without are very faire, and within the greater number richly adorned with
hangings wrought with golde. Euery person which resorteth to this place for
traffiques sake, is bound to pay halfe a duckat, except the gentlemen
Venetians, Siotes, and Rhaguseans, because they are tributarie to the Grand
Signior. [Sidenote: The description of Cairo.] Cairo is distant from the
riuer Nilus a mile and more, being situate on a plaine, saue that on the
one side it hath a faire little hill, on the toppe, whereof stands a faire
castle, but not strong, for that it may be battered on euery side, but very
rich and large, compassed about with faire gardens into the which they
conueigh water for their necessitie out of Nilus, with certaine wheeles and
other like engines. This magnificent citie is adorned with very fruitfull
gardens both pleasant and commodious, with great plenty of pondes to water
the same. Notwithstanding the great pleasures of Cairo are in the moneth of
August, when by meanes of the great raine in Ethiopia the riuer Nilus
ouerfloweth apd watereth all the countrey, and then they open the mouth of
a great ditch, which extendeth into the riuer, and passeth through the
midst of the citie, and entring there are innumerable barkes rowing too and
fro laden with gallant girles and beautifull dames, which with singing,
eating, drinking and feasting, take their solace. The women of this
countrey are most beautifull, and goe in rich attire bedeked with gold,
pretious stones, and iewels of great value, but chiefely perfumed with
odours, and are very libidinous, and the men likewise, but foule and hard
fauoured. The soile is very fertile and abundant, the flesh fat which they
sell without bones, their candles they make of the marowe of cattell,
because the Moores eate the tallow. They vse also certaine litle furnaces
made of purpose, vnder the which they make fire, putting into the furnace
foure or fiue hundred egges, and the said fire they nourish by litle and
litle, vntill the chickens be hatched, which after they be hatched, and
become somewhat bigger, they sell them by measure in such sort, as we sell
and measure nuts and chestnuts and such like.
Of certaine notable monuments without the citie of Cairo.
Without the Citie, sixe miles higher into the land, are to be seene neere
vnto the riuer diuerse Piramides, among which are three marueilous great,
and very artificially wrought. Out of one of these are dayly digged the
bodies of auncient men, not rotten, but all whole, the cause whereof is the
qualitie of the Egyptian soile, which will not consume the flesh of man,
but rather dry and harden the same, and so alwayes conserueth it. And these
dead bodies are the Mummie which the Phisitians and Apothecaries doe
against our willes make vs to swallow. Also by digging in these Pyramides
oftentimes are found certaine Idoles or Images of gold, siluer, and other
mettall, but vnder the other piramides the bodies are not taken vp so whole
as in this, but there are found legges and armes comparable to the limmes
of giants. Neare to these piramides appeareth out of the sand a great head
of stone somewhat like marble, which is discouered so farre as the necke
ioyneth with the shoulders, being all whole, sauing that it wanteth a
little tippe of the nose. The necke of this head contayneth in circuit
about sixe and thirty foot, so that it may be according to the necke
considered, what greatnesse the head is of. The riuer Nilus is a mile
broad, wherein are very many great Croccodiles from Cairo vpward, but lower
than Cairo passeth no such creature: and this, they say, is by reason of an
inchantment made long since which hindereth their passage for comming any
lower then Cairo. Moreouer of these creatures there are sometimes found
some of an incredible bignesse, that is to say, of fourtie foot about. The
males haue their members like to a man, and the females like to a woman.
These monsters oftentimes issue out of the water to feede, and finding any
small beasts, as sheepe, lambes, goates, or other like, doe great harme.
And whiles they are foorth of the water, if they happen at vnawares vpon
any man, woman or childe, whom they can ouercome, they spare not their
liues. In the yeere of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred and sixtie it
happened, that certaine poore Christians trauelling by Cairo towardes the
countrey of Prete Ianni to rescue certaine slaues, were guided by a Chaus,
and iourneyed alongst the banke of the said riuer. The Chaus remained
lingering alone behinde to make his prayers (as their custome is) at a
place called Tana, whom being busie in his double deuotion one of these
Crocodiles ceazed by the shoulders, and drew him vnder water, so that he
was neuer after seene. And for this cause they haue made in sundry places
certaine hedges as bankes within the water, so that betwixt the hedge and
banke of the riuer there remaineth so much water, that the women washing
may take water without danger at their pleasure. This countrey is so
fruitfull, that it causeth the women as other creatures to bring foorth
one, two, and oft-times three at a birth. Fiue miles southwarde of Cairo is
a place called Matarea, where the balme is refined: and therefore some will
say, that the trees which beare the balme growe in the said place, wherein
they are deceiued: for the sayde trees growe two dayes iourney from Mecca,
in a place called Bedrihone, which yeeldeth balme in great plenty, but
saluage, wilde, and without vertue, and therefore the Moores carying the
same within litle chests from Bedrihone to Matarea, where the trees being
replanted (be it by vertue of the soyle, or the water, aire, or any other
thing whatsoeuer) it sufficeth that heare they beare the true balme and
licour so much in these dayes esteemed of. In this place of Matarea there
are certaine little houses, with most goodly gardens, and a chappell of
antiquity, where the very Moores themselues affirme, that the mother of the
blessed Christ fleeing from the fury of wicked Herode there saued her selfe
with the childe, wherein that saying of the Prophet was fulfilled, Ex
AEgypto vocaui fillium meum. The which Chappell in the yeare of our Lorde
one thousand fiue hundred and foure, the Magnifico Daniel Barbaro first
Consull of that place went to visite, and caused it to be renued and
reedified, so that in these dayes there resort thither many Christians, who
oftentimes bring with them a Priest, to say masse there. Also about an
Harque-buz-shotte from Matarea is a spire of great height like to that at
Rome, and more beautifull to beholde. Neere vnto the olde Cairo are yet
twelue storehouses of great antiquitie, but now very much decayed, and
these till late dayes serued to keepe corne for behoofe of the kingdome,
concerning which many are of opinion, that the founder hereof was Ioseph
the sonne of Iacob, for consideration of the seuen deare yeares. [Sidenote:
Olde Thebes.] Also passing higher vp by the banke of Nilus, there is to bee
seene a fayre Citie ouerflowed with water, the which at such time as Nilus
floweth lyeth vnder water, but when the water returneth to the marke, there
plainely appeare princely palaces, and stately pillars, being of some
called Thebes, where they say that Pharao was resident. Moroeuer three
dayes iourney higher vp are two great images of speckled marble, all whole,
and somewhat sunke into the earth, being things wonderfull to consider of,
for the nose of either is two spannes and a halfe long, and the space from
one eare to the other conteineth tenne spannes, the bodies being
correspondent to their heads, and grauen in excellent proportion, so that
they are shapes of maruellous hugenesse, and these they call The wife, and
The daughter of Pharao.